“I’ll call my sister. She lives in the city.”
“Are you safe there?” Ardal’s voice was clipped.
“I don’t think David knows where she lives.” Fiona shrugged. “Besides, I’ve been in hiding for almost a year. Maybe he’s decided to stalk someone else.”
“What about the Women’s Underground Network?”
“I’ll contact them from my sister’s house.” Fiona took a deep breath. “I’ll be fine. You and your men have done more than enough for me. You have to get yourselves spread out and away from any possible threats.”
Ardal nodded. “I will take you to your sister.” Then he turned to the other men. “We are dividing ourselves into groups of four and five. Each group has an assigned city. You are to make your way there and wait for commands.”
The other men nodded their understanding before Ardal continued. “Darrogh will take Oisen, Padrig, and Rork. They are to go east. Catal, Firbin, and Niail will come with me. We are heading south.”
“You’ll need identification for that.” Catal spoke for the first time.
“That is why I want you with me.” Ardal walked to the other man and put his hand on his shoulder. “We rely on your expertise of this planet to get us through the security systems.”
Catal nodded. “It will be my honor.”
There was a spark of respect in Ardal’s eyes. “You three will stay here until I return. If there are supplies we need for the trip, Catal can get them. Any questions?”
“No.”
Ardal nodded to the men. “Until we are together again, Hunters true and right.”
“By Cygnus and Warrior, we will succeed.” The men answered in unison.
Ardal motioned for Fiona to follow him. She picked up her backpack and left the room with him. She refused to look at him. Her emotions were too close to the surface to trust. Instead, she kept her eyes straight ahead. The sooner she put distance between herself and Ardal, the better.
“You have no need to hurry.” Ardal’s voice was close beside her. “My men will wait for me.”
“The sooner I’m at Karen’s, the better.” Fiona forced her voice to remain indifferent. “You have to get to safety.”
“I will not be secure if you are in danger.” Ardal took her arm and led her to a black sedan.
“Nonsense.” Fiona stopped and waited for Ardal to open the door. Once inside she took a deep breath. It was crazy to think he owed her anything. No matter what he said, they had just met. It was time to move on with her life. She’d never forget him, though.
He climbed in behind the driver’s wheel and paused before putting the key in the ignition. He turned to her. She tried to smile, but failed. He grabbed her chin and leaned forward, brushing his lips across hers. Fire sparked through her. Just a brief touch and her body came to life. His lips lingered, moving back and forth, his tongue gliding across the seam of her mouth until she groaned and opened for him.
She was lost. She drank from him as he did from her. They surrendered to the joy of being one with each other without thought of the past or the future. The present was all that mattered. The kiss ended with a sigh. Ardal put his forehead against hers.
“Do not doubt me.” Ardal’s voice was husky with emotion. “You are essential to me. I am part of you and it will always be so.”
Fiona nodded. “I understand that you have huge responsibilities and your men must come first. I shudder when I think what the military had in store for us. I wouldn’t want that for anyone.”
“You are unique for the people of this planet.” Ardal moved away and started the engine. “These days apart have been a lesson about the problems of this planet.”
“There are others like me.” Fiona sighed. The world was full of selfish, cruel people, but there were many more that were giving and kind. “You will find that out over time.”
“Perhaps.” Ardal pulled out of the parking lot. “There was a reason we were bonded though, and I am grateful.”
The drive to Karen’s house was less than half an hour. When they reached her small house in the north end of the city Fiona’s stomach clenched. Ardal’s face was blank. The Hunter was back.
She knocked at the door and Karen opened it almost immediately. Her eyes widened when she recognized Fiona and then she threw her arms around her, hugging, laughing, and crying at the same time.
“Where have you been?” Karen held Fiona at arm’s length and looked at her with tears in her eyes. “It’s been over a year.”
“I couldn’t help it.” Fiona started to edge out of her sister’s arms. She turned to Ardal. “This is my sister Karen. Karen, this is Ardal.”
“Nice.” Karen grinned at him. “At least my little sister wasn’t lonely.”
Ardal frowned. “I do not understand.”
“Seriously?” Karen looked at Fiona with a raised eyebrow.
“We only met a couple of days ago.” Fiona cleared her throat. “Is it possible for me to stay with you?”
“Of course.” Karen opened the door wide and invited them in. Ardal turned back to his car, but Karen grabbed his arm. “Not so soon, big guy. We need to get acquainted. Let me get some coffee.”
Karen went to the kitchen and left them in the entryway. Fiona almost laughed at the expression of confusion on Ardal’s face. She led him into the living room.
“It’s customary to talk a bit when meeting someone’s family. Trust me, no one likes it, but you’ll survive. My sister is easier to deal with than my parents.”
“Why do I need to deal with them?” Ardal put emphasis on the word deal.
“It’s just a saying.” Fiona pushed her sister’s cat aside and sat on the tattered brown couch. She patted the place beside her and Ardal sat, but didn’t take his eyes from the cat.
“Why is that creature inside?”
“It’s a pet.” Fiona bent and captured the cat in her arms before depositing it on Ardal’s lap. “Don’t you have animals that you keep around you?”
“Animals are for food.”
“Don’t let my sister hear you say that.” Fiona leaned closer to Ardal. “Personally I like dogs, but she can’t abide their barking.”
“Dogs?”
“They look a little like the wolves I showed you.”
“Surely you would not keep such a vicious animal close?” Ardal pushed the cat off his lap. It hissed and then jumped to the floor. Obviously the two would not become friends.
“They were domesticated eons ago. They actually have a use, either as guard dogs, or helping farmers with their livestock.”
Ardal gave her a steady look that spoke volumes. She could tell there was something else he wanted to do more than discuss cats and dogs. A tingle began to spread through her fingers. She itched to touch his face; to feel the warmth of his skin beneath her fingertips; to caress his strong jaw. A shudder of yearning raced through her.
The shrill of the telephone broke the spell.
Fiona could hear Karen answer, but her eyes were still focused on Ardal. All she wanted was to experience the wonder of his lips on hers, once more before he left. Who knew if they would ever see each other again? He might find another woman, or his men might convince him to forget about her. It wasn’t as if he didn’t have bigger problems to deal with besides her.
“Never,” he whispered. His voice was so low that at first she thought she had imagined it.
He clasped her hand in his and raised it to his mouth, letting his lips lightly caress and his tongue tease a moan of longing from her. She bit her lip. This was crazy to sit in her sister’s house and burn to make love with a man she had just met.
“That was work.” Karen spoke from the doorway. She was pulling on a light jacket and grabbed her purse from the nearby table. “I have to fill in for someone who’s sick. I’m afraid we’ll have to delay this get-to-know-you chat for another time.”
“How long will you be?” Fiona tried to keep the anxiety from her voice.
“An hour, no more.
” Karen pushed her hair out over her jacket collar. “They’ve found someone to fill in, but they’ll be delayed a bit. I live the closest, so they call me in emergencies.”
“I should leave.” Ardal pushed himself up from the couch.
“Stay.” Karen waved him back down. “Make yourself at home.”
Chapter 19
The door slammed shut on Karen’s last words. It was so like her sister, always on the run, never finding the time to listen. Fiona heaved a sigh and turned to Ardal. She leaned in to kiss him and he didn’t disappoint.
He pulled her close, letting his mouth and hands show his desperate need of her. Fiona let his hunger wash over her, answering with an equally frantic desire to keep him near. This might be the last time she would hold him.
“I must stop or I will never leave you.” Ardal’s voice was a husky whisper. “
“I don’t want you to go.” Fiona had never begged in her life, but if she didn’t move away soon she’d start. She knew he’d stay if she asked, but she couldn’t. His men needed him.
“Ask.” Ardal captured her lips again. “I cannot refuse you.”
“Don’t tempt me.” Fiona released a shaky breath. “I’ll be safe with Karen.”
“I cannot leave you like this.” Ardal groaned. “I have a duty to protect you.”
Fiona shook her head. “Your men need you.”
“You should come with us.”
“I’ll hold you up.” Fiona pushed back the pain of leaving Ardal. “Besides, they don’t want me.”
“I am still their leader.”
“And you shouldn’t have to prove it because of me.” Fiona pushed away from the couch. “Knowing you and your men are safe is the only way I’ll have peace.”
“This is only for a short time.” Ardal stood and went to the door. “Once we are across the border I will have Catal make documents for you. Then I will come back for you.”
“I’ll be waiting.” Fiona swallowed the lump in her throat. “If I have to move I’ll let Karen know where I’ve gone.”
“I will find you by your thoughts.” Ardal looked at her with unblinking eyes for several minutes before turning and leaving.
Fiona let out the breath she had been holding. She knew he’d been memorizing her, just as she had him. Soon they would be able to be together, but now it was more important for him to be safe.
She went back to the living room and straightened the couch before wandering to the kitchen. She was restless and looking for an answer. The loss of Ardal gnawed at her until she felt hollow. She filled the kettle and put it on the stove. Maybe something hot would take away the bone deep ice inside her.
The chill of Ardal’s leaving.
The chill of fear.
No part of her believed that David had really stopped looking. Tomorrow she would have to contact the Underground Women’s Network and find another life. The only consolation was that Ardal would be able to find her if he wanted to. He would be able to hear her thoughts and connect to her. She would never be truly alone again.
Her sister came home an hour later. By then Fiona had composed herself enough to put on a bright welcome. Karen took one look at her and shook her head before dumping a bag full of groceries on the counter. She unloaded the bag before turning to Fiona.
“You’re not fooling me. Where’s the hunk?”
“Ardal had to get back to his job.” Fiona decided that was the best explanation. “Besides we only met a couple of days ago.”
“I’ll bet.” Karen leaned back against the counter. “Where the hell have you been for the last year? Mom and Dad are beside themselves with worry. I already phoned them and let them know the prodigal had returned.”
Fiona groaned. “I didn’t want them to know. That’s why I came to you. I thought I could trust you.”
“You can.” Karen put the milk and eggs into the fridge. “I’ve got your best interest in mind. I’m glad you came home. I hope this means you’ve seen the truth about David. The man only wanted what was best for you, but like always you were too dramatic. Quitting med school and running away. Honestly Fiona, you acted crazy.”
“I didn’t imagine David’s behavior.” Fiona hugged her arms to herself. “I don’t understand why none of you believe me.”
Karen leaned against the counter “Look I can recognize a jerk when I see one. David was intense, but he wasn’t abusive.”
“How do you know?” Fiona’s fingers dug into her skin. “He made damn sure no one saw him in action. I was the only one who bore the evidence of his brutality.”
Karen rolled her eyes. “You wouldn’t understand brutality if it bit you in the ass. The man was in love with you.”
“David doesn’t know the meaning of love.”
“Look if you didn’t like the man that’s fine by me, but don’t go off about abuse.” Karen tapped her index finger on the counter. “And you sure as hell didn’t have to cut your family out of your life.”
“I had no choice.”
Fiona sighed and turned away from Karen. There was no point in continuing this discussion. It always ended with her being in the wrong. All her family saw was that David was a successful doctor.
The doorbell rang and the knot in her stomach tightened. Surely he hadn’t found her yet. She swung back to Karen and looked around for a weapon. She reached for one of the knives out of the knife block, but Karen stopped her.
“It’s only Mom and Dad.” Karen shook her head. “You really are a mess. I’d have thought your year away would have helped you see sense.”
Her parent’s arrival was bitter sweet. On one hand she was glad to see them, but after their initial joy, their criticism started to weigh heavily. She loved them dearly, but their struggle to better their life and ensure their children had a bright future showed in their parenting. Fiona had once believed in their vision, but David had cured her of that. Now all she wanted was to be loved.
“Where have you been?” Her mother’s breathy voice demanded once she was sitting in the living room.
“Safe.”
“You couldn’t call?” Her father frowned. “Your mother’s been worried sick. We didn’t even know whether you were alive.”
“I left you a note. You knew I was in good hands.”
Fiona twisted her hands in her lap. This was more difficult than anything she’d imagined. She’d foolishly expected them to be glad that she was safe. She hadn’t expected their anger.
“A lot of good a note does.” Her father glared at her. “I was almost tempted not to come and see you after your sister called, but your mother wanted to forgive you.”
“Forgive me?” Fiona tried to keep the astonishment from her voice. “I didn’t do anything wrong.”
“You’ve disappointed us.” Her mother held a tissue to her nose and sniffed. “We were bragging to all our friends about our daughter the doctor and then you disappear before you could take the final exams.”
“So you’re angry because I didn’t finish med school?” Fiona shook her head. “I was trying to escape from David.”
Her father stopped the conversation with a chop of his hand. “You’re a silly girl, but still our daughter. Now that you’ve returned you can sit for your exams.”
Just like that they’d summed up her life. It didn’t matter that David would be waiting for her at the med school or that this time he might actually kill her. Their only concern was that she not disappoint them. Why had she expected a year’s absence to change them?
Karen prepared supper and by the time her parents left Fiona was exhausted. She was past caring what her parents wanted. She didn’t have the energy to fight them any longer. She needed sleep. After the dishes were cleared she made her way to the guest bedroom and collapsed on top of the covers.
She slept soundly until her door crashed open and she was dragged from bed. Fear and panic clamoured inside her. She landed on the floor with a thud. She was still half asleep, but she knew there was only one person who would
treat her so violently.
David.
“I’ve found you now.”
A shiver of dread scraped across her spine.
There was no mistaking the voice. It still haunted her nightmares. Strong hands yanked at her shoulders and gripped her with a fierce, painful hold. She was hauled to her feet and pulled from the room. She found Karen cowering on the landing. Her face was red and puffy on one side. She reached for her, but David yanked her away.
“I’ve had enough sisterly love for one evening.” David’s hand whipped hard against Karen’s cheek sending her head back against the floor with a vicious bang. “No one has the right to keep you from me. You’re mine.”
Fiona’s eyes widened as she stared at Karen, willing her to move. Her sister lay still against the floor, her hair spilled out about her. Nausea overwhelmed her and she fought to keep down the bile that rose in her throat. Dear God, please don’t let her be dead.
Fiona struggled to reach Karen, but David’s iron grip wouldn’t release her. “Let me go.”
David hauled her close to him, his hot breath feathering across her face. “You belong to me.”
“Never.” Fiona shook her head. “That’s something you’ve made up in your mind.”
“You refuse to see that we were meant to be together.” David shook her. “You forced me to do all the work. Do you know how exhausting that is?”
“I never asked you to like me.”
“You’re young. You don’t understand what love is.”
“This isn’t love.” Fiona struggled to free herself, but he held her firm.
“Running got you nowhere.” David threw her over his shoulder and stomped down the stairs. “I knew you couldn’t stay away forever. You’re lucky that I’m a patient man.”
She looked back up at Karen. She hadn’t moved. Fiona shuddered as she took one last look. This would be the last time that she would see her sister. David wasn’t going to let her live. His anger and insanity were out of control. He had gone over the edge.
Once outside, he threw her into the back of his car. She struggled to move away, but he grabbed her hand and snapped the end of a steel handcuff onto her wrist. He attached the other end of the manacle to the base of the front seat. She was forced to lay on the backseat to prevent the cuff from ripping into the skin of her wrist. David slammed the door shut and then climbed into the driver’s seat. Seconds later they were speeding off. It was hopeless to fight. Her fate had been decided.
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