by Bianca D’Arc
“I’ve seen your friend around the base at Coronado, but we’ve never been introduced. In fact, the instructors discourage us from asking questions or seeking out any of the Ghost Team members that occasionally make an appearance on base.”
“Ghost Team?” Elaine asked.
“Yes, ma’am. It’s not official and it’ll never be acknowledged, but we’ve all heard rumors of a top secret spec ops Team. Your friend is definitely a SEAL and more than likely a Ghost. Rumor has it one of the Ghosts just retired for medical reasons—a bum knee was the most popular rumor. A few of my buddies are trying unofficially for the vacancy.”
Cade was interested in hearing more, but one look at Elaine told him she was fading fast. She’d put in one hell of a day and didn’t have a shifter’s recuperative powers.
“How long will you be home, Lenny?” Cade asked the young tiger.
“Another week, sir.”
“Good. I’ll look you up in a day or two if that’s all right. I need to know everything you can dig up—if you can dig up any more. Our new friend told us his name was Theodore, if that helps. He goes by Ted.”
“Yes it does help, sir. I’ll make a few calls and see if anybody has heard anything.”
“Good man. I’ll be in touch.”
Lenny left with a nod to the lion Alpha.
“Do you have a secure phone for me?” Cade knew he didn’t have to go into specifics of what he needed. Rich had been one of the men who had written the modern handbook for Royal Guards. He’d know, and better yet, he’d be prepared.
Rich didn’t let him down, handing him a brand new prepaid cell phone. “I activated it before I came down here. It’s clean and untraceable back to any of us.”
“Excellent.” Cade took the phone and checked it over as he knew Rich would expect. Royal Guards were taught to never take anything for granted.
“You can use my office in back if you want some privacy.”
Cade declined the generous offer. Few people were ever invited to make use of a lion’s private den.
“If you’ll just entertain Elaine for a while, I’ll make my calls from here. She’s got a slight concussion, I think.”
Rich’s concern at that news would have been laughable if it wasn’t so touching. Rich was a gentle giant with a soft spot for women of all ages and descriptions. He charmed grandmas and toddlers alike with his easy manner. Cade knew she’d be safe with him. The panther inside didn’t see Rich as a threat because Rich was a happily mated man.
Cade walked just out of listening range even for sharp shifter ears. He kept Elaine in his sight, glad to see her perking up a bit under Rich’s supervision. The big lion had even talked her into letting him take a look at her head wound. He had a clean, wet dishcloth and some of his staff was already making ice packs out of plastic bags for her sore arms. She had him eating out of her hand, but Cade figured she deserved to be spoiled. He would do the same thing, once he got her home.
Cade called Charlie first, knowing the Escort would have the ability to check their phone connection from his end, just to be sure. Even retired Royal Guards could slip up from time to time, but Cade needn’t have worried. Charlie cleared the line and proceeded to fill him in on his part in tonight’s adventure.
“Everyone’s safe. I take it my friend made an appearance.”
“He just left. Interesting man, your friend.” Cade watched Elaine being fussed over by the lion. She looked happy, but the poor thing was almost dead on her feet. “He was very helpful.”
“I’m glad. I got Steve out of there. It was a condition of my friend’s arrival. He wanted as few witnesses as possible.”
“I can understand that. He took care of Fidelio. We won’t have to worry about him ever again, but there are some things we ought to talk about just the same.”
“I agree. Hang on a sec, your cousin wants to say hello.”
Cade was relieved to hear Ria’s voice come on the line. She was well, as were the rest of the people who’d been in the compromised safe house.
“How’s Elaine?” she asked immediately.
“What? No concern for my health?” Cade couldn’t resist teasing her. “She’s okay. Just banged up and maybe a slight concussion from this morning’s wreck, but I think she’s through the worst of it. We’ve eaten, and now I’m taking her home for a good long sleep. I just wanted to check in and make sure everyone was all right before we take some downtime.”
“You’ve earned it. Take all the time you need. If Charlie’s right, the danger is past.”
“I wouldn’t ease up on the precautions just yet. We got the firebug, but there might have been others pulling his strings. I got the distinct impression he was flying solo today. His target was definitely Ellie. That doesn’t jive with the attack on the dojo. She was just an innocent bystander at that first attack.”
Ria was silent a moment as she absorbed the news. “I hate to say it, but you’re right. When they hit the dojo, it was because they knew I’d be there. They only started tracking Elaine after she walked in on us.”
“I’m glad you see the distinction. Elaine’s probably in the clear now, but you aren’t, so you need to take precautions.”
“I hear and obey, Alpha.” Ria tried to joke but Cade knew living on the run, constantly in hiding, was starting to take a toll on her.
“Elaine needs sleep in a bad way. So do I. We’ll be off the radar for at least eighteen hours. You have my new number. Call if you need me. Otherwise, expect to see us tomorrow night. We have some interesting things to discuss about Charlie’s friend. Get Charlie to fill you in on the basics if you can. I’ll give you the details when I see you. This is important stuff, cousin. We may be facing things we never could have expected, and we may need to ally ourselves with people we never could have imagined.”
“You’ve got me curious.”
“No surprise there, you were born curious, kitten.” Cade signed off soon thereafter and went to collect his mate.
Rich tossed him the keys to one of the Pride’s vehicles and handed him a wad of cash.
“I’ll return the car in a day or two and reimburse you for this,” Cade indicated the pocket on his borrowed sweat pants into which he’d stuffed the money. “I owe you big time for your assistance here tonight. The situation is graver than you know. If all proceeds as I think it will, that man you saw here tonight may become one of our strongest allies.”
“A human? I know he’s a SEAL, but he’s still human. What can he possibly help us with?”
“There’s more going on here than I can tell you now.” Cade took a pointed look around the room. There were too many curious ears present to discuss such a sensitive subject. “We took care of one threat tonight, but an even bigger one looms on the horizon. An ancient one that we thought long vanquished. She has allies of her own here that will do anything to bring her back.”
“You can’t mean—” Rich was alarmed, as he should be.
“Elspeth.”
The single word was all Cade needed to impress upon the Alpha the seriousness of their predicament. All shifters knew the legends from ancient times when the supernatural races had banded together to fight a great war against Elspeth’s forces.
Rich’s mouth firmed into a thin, grim line. “I’ll look forward to talking with you more about this after you’ve recovered.”
“Look for me the day after tomorrow.”
“Come to the house.” Rich issued the rare invitation to his lair, and Cade was grateful the Alpha was taking this so seriously. In all likelihood, Rich’s Pride would be one of the first to sign on as an ally with the pantera noir Clan and the Ghost, Ted.
Elaine was so tired when Cade led her in to an uptown apartment that she barely looked around before heading to the bathroom for a quick shower. After that, it was straight to bed. She couldn’t keep her eyes open any longer. She was only vaguely aware of Cade climbing into bed beside her before she was unconscious.
Golden light streamed in throu
gh the cracks in the Venetian blinds hours later. Elaine stretched, glad to find the pounding in her head had subsided. She felt much better, though her arms still ached from being tied behind her back so long the day before.
Cade slid onto the bed next to her, rubbing his hands over her bare shoulders as she blinked up at him. He wore a black silk robe that made him look very Lord-of-the-Manor. She liked the look on him. He was sexier than all get out.
“Still sore?” His low voice rumbled through her, waking her fully.
“How’d you know?” She smiled at his concern.
“You’re moving stiffly, and you winced when you raised you arms.” He moved off the bed just when she’d been about to drag him down and pounce on him. “I ran you a bath. The water’s hot, and it’ll feel good on your muscles. Come on.”
Now that sounded like heaven. Pouncing on Cade could wait until after the bath, she decided.
The tub wasn’t as big as the Jacuzzi in the safe house so Elaine had to bathe alone. Cade brought her hot tea as she soaked, and he fed her tidbits of fruit with his fingers. She felt like a spoiled Roman empress at his tender treatment. There was only one thing missing from this picture.
“Did Ria mention how my cat is doing?”
“Chuck didn’t come up in conversation, but I’m sure he’s being spoiled rotten. I think you might have noticed house cats generally like us. And I know my cousin likes Chuck. She’s probably feeding him tuna at every meal. He’ll be fat by the time you get him back.”
Elaine laughed at Cade’s exaggeration and realized there were probably no better people to take care of Chuck than a group of cat shifters.
“So what did I miss while I was dead to the world?”
“Not much. I had some groceries delivered so we could eat, and clothes for you. Steve called to check in, but it was nothing important. He just wanted to touch base. He felt bad about leaving us last night but Charlie insisted. Nobody says no to Charlie when he insists.” Cade rolled his eyes. “Everybody’s safe and tucked away for now. I realized last night that while we neutralized the threat to you, the attack on the dojo had nothing to do with you, really. Ria’s still in danger, so we’re all on alert.”
“But Fidelio started the fires, so at least that threat is gone.”
“True, but there are more people involved. There’ve got to be. Fidelio was more or less on his own in going after you. Otherwise he would have had a lot more backup. I think he saw you as a target of opportunity to advance his own private agenda. The threat to Ria exists. They may have been set back by the loss of their fire mage, but they’re still out there.”
“Damn.” Elaine contemplated the situation while her muscles soaked up the warmth of the water. She was beginning to feel like her old self again. Cade’s nearness warmed her from the inside while the hot water took care of the outside.
She was submerged to her neck in the hot water so her shoulders could soak. Cade picked up a bath sponge and trailed it down her neck. It felt so good she tilted to give him better access.
“Did you mean what you said before? In that hallway?” The words popped out before she could sensor herself. She’d been in a whirlwind of confusion since the accident but his hastily spoken words stood out in her mind.
Cade stilled, dropping the bath sponge. When she opened her eyes, she was almost afraid what she might see.
He trailed his fingers over her neck this time, pausing at the place where he’d left his mark before. It was fading, she knew from seeing herself in the mirror before. Did he really want to renew them—permanently this time?
Lord, she hoped so. She was crazy about this man, and she didn’t want to live without him.
“Every word.” He leaned down to kiss her as his fingers tightened over the fading marks. “I love you, Ellie. I want you for my mate. The question is—” he drew back to study her, “—do you want me?”
Elaine launched herself out of the water and into his arms. She was getting him wet but she couldn’t bring herself to care at the moment.
“Yes, Cade. Of course I want you. I love you too!”
Cade lifted her clear of the water and snagged a towel from a shelf above the toilet. He swiped at her wet skin, getting rid of the worst of the damp, but it was by no means a thorough job.
He didn’t seem to care as he lifted her in his arms and carried her into the bedroom. He lowered her to the bed and lay next to her, side by side, staring deep into her eyes.
“This time it’s forever, El. I’ll never let you go again. Be sure.”
“I’ve never been surer of anything in my life, Cade. You’re it for me. Forever.”
He growled as he moved closer. “Goddess knows I love you, Ellie. I can’t wait to make you mine.”
“Then don’t wait. I want my mating mark.” Her demand startled a laugh out of him as she’d intended. His hand cupped her cheek, and his eyes glowed briefly with power.
“My greedy kitten wants it all, doesn’t she?” She loved the growl in his voice as he teased her.
“And you’re just the man to give it to me.” She pulled him in for a tempestuous kiss that got them both breathing hard.
She pushed at the robe he wore, loving the feel of warm silk against her palms, but it had to go. She untied the belt and the silk parted, much to her satisfaction as she touched him all over. She lifted one knee up over his hip. She wanted him, and she didn’t want to wait. With Cade, it felt like she was always at the boiling point within moments of his first touch.
“Easy, baby,” he whispered. “I’ve got you.” His big hand wrapped around her thigh, raising it higher on his body so he could fit himself to her, rubbing against her, driving her wild.
“Cade!” He sucked one nipple into his talented mouth, making her writhe.
She cried out again when he lowered one hand over the curve of her bottom, his long fingers teasing her lower, lower, to finally touch the moist center of her. It took little more than that to send her into a lovely climax, keening his name as he rocked her against him and she knew they were just getting started.
“Baby, you’re hot.” Cade smiled at her as she gasped for air. He took her by surprise, rolling them over until she was on her stomach. She whimpered when he lifted her hips until she was resting on her knees. He stuffed a couple of pillows under her stomach to help support her, and she knew he was just getting warmed up.
“Are you okay, kitten? Comfortable?”
“You take such good care of me, Cade.” Her thoughts drifted in a sea of excited bliss that turned her bones to jello.
His low chuckle warmed her. “Hold that thought, my love. It’s time we ratcheted this up a notch.”
Higher? She didn’t know if she could take it, but that last exquisite completion had left her hungry for more. She perked up as he moved behind her.
His fingers roamed over her body and soothed her into a deep languor. When he smacked her bottom with a loving spank, she yelped.
“You sleeping on me, baby? Wake up.”
“I’m awake, you fiend. Did you just spank me?”
A husky chuckle filled the air, rolling over her body like a caress.
“You liked it?”
She wasn’t completely sure, so she thought about it for a minute. “I’ll get back to you on that.”
“Be sure you do.” His voice was nearer now as a wet tongue rasped its way up her spine, making her wriggle in delight. He knew how to touch her to bring her pleasure. “I don’t think I can wait much longer, El. I wanted this to be perfect for you.”
“It is perfect. Being with you is always the best there ever was or ever will be. Take me, Cade. Make me your mate.”
He needed no further urging. Seating himself behind her, he joined with her in the most basic way, filling her body as he nearly draped himself over her back. He held most of his weight off her with strong arms that bracketed her shoulders, but she loved the feel of him against her in this new and exciting way.
She’d never been so co
mpletely overwhelmed by a man in her life and knew she never would. Cade was it. Forever.
He rocked them toward ecstasy, increasing his pace with each leap of her pulse. He wasn’t rough but this kind of claiming was complete and utterly decadent. He moved faster as the promise of pleasure loomed. She was almost there.
And then he struck.
The pain in her shoulder was both terrible and tantalizing. Normally not a fan of pain in any format, Elaine knew there was something utterly different about this kind of pain. It was tempered somehow by Cade’s magnificent presence. For just a moment, she felt possessed by both the man and the beast, working in tandem through Cade’s gorgeous body. She heard the cat roar in her mind and felt his teeth break her skin, his tongue lap at her blood, bringing peace and renewed sexual hunger every time he touched her.
Elaine was almost too far gone to realize Cade was right there with her, holding her, grounding her one every level throughout the orgasmic ordeal. He was hers as she was his. Forever.
He took exquisite care of her after they’d both managed to catch their breath. Cade wrapped her in his arms and held her while they both shuddered. It was, without a doubt, the most intense moment of her life to date. She loved him so much. It was hard to believe he was finally hers. She loved his sense of humor and his protective side. She loved everything about him.
She wanted to feel his laughter once more before they succumbed to the bliss.
“I don’t know why they call it doggy style.” She yawned as satisfaction made her drowsy. “Cats seem pretty good at it too.”
As she wanted, Cade’s laughter followed her into sleep.
Cat's Cradle: String of Fate, Book 1
Chapter Fifteen
“Where are we anyway?” Elaine looked around at the apartment. Cade had made breakfast in the kitchenette, and they ate at the large dining table that could double as a decent sized work space.
“It’s a place we keep for clients or visitors from out of town.”