Possession: Immortal Protectors, Book 3 ((Immortal Protectors))

by H. M. McQueen

  “I—I won’t make any excuses. But how did I endanger everyone? I don’t get it?”

  His eyes narrowed for a moment, and he took a breath seeming to struggle to control his temper. “You are new to our life, granted, you didn’t ask to become part of it. But in leaving, in hiding your actions from the guards, you compromised our location and potentially could have been seen leaving by a demon. I know you think that everyone comes and goes as they wish, but we take precautions, ensuring not to be followed or seen by anyone. No one is to leave or enter the grounds unless we’re prepared and someone is alerted. Two of the human guards were fired for allowing you to leave.”

  “Shit.” Her response was the only word she could think of saying. Whatever he thought she would never compromise the other’s safety. Not purposely. “I’m sorry, I didn’t think…”

  “True. You definitely did not think,” he said and cranked the engine, pulling back onto the road. Effectively signaling an end to their conversation.

  She shivered from the chill of the air conditioning on her damp clothes. Her gaze slid to Fallon. He was drenched, his expensive clothing probably ruined, yet his appearance remained impeccable, the wet slacks molded to his muscular legs and his sopping thin leather jacket, although most definitely ruined, clung to his well formed arms and chest.

  Upon arriving at the house, she noticed that the gates remained closed until a guard walked over to the car and recognized them. The guard, a man the size of a pro-linebacker, studied her with detachment for a moment before moving to allow the car through. No doubt the man blamed her for his co-worker's firings. She didn’t blame him. It was her fault. Her actions had cost highly on so many different levels.

  She’d learned her past actions had been so misguided that she feared reconciling what she’d done. As of yet, she wasn’t prepared to deal with the full extent of her past.

  Alex’s death and how it turned out, his killer, Captain Goodall, had acted in self-defense. Defending not only himself from death, but also his family from brokenness.

  Finally, she’d compromised the security of innocent families who’d come to her home for security and shelter. And, they came there due to her actions in killing the Master demon. In one day she’d gone from hero to an utter mess.

  Heaviness weighed on her shoulders like a leaden cape the longer she sat in the car.

  They pulled into the garage and Fallon exited the car, he walked directly into the house not once turning to her. He held the side house door open for her. “We will talk when I get up. I need some sleep. Can you manage to stay out of trouble for a few hours?” Not waiting for her response, he went inside, stalking past three women sitting at the kitchen table.

  Tonia walked into the kitchen behind him and stopped, feeling like an outcast. She wanted nothing more than to slink away and hide. But her training came in handy and she steeled herself for their anger, holding her head up, ensuring her eyes were flat.

  “Hi Tonia,” Wendy exclaimed, coming to her. “You’ll finally get to meet my besties Emma and Rachel. I’m sure soon you’ll be part of our circle since we’re all married to goons like the one that stomped through here dripping water all over the floor.” Her brows scrunched together as she frowned down at the puddles Fallon left. In Wendy-like fashion, her recovery was dizzying. “Anyway come here.” She took a startled Tonia’s hand and pulled her to the table.

  Tonia first noticed a tall blonde; the breathtaking woman was regal. Her hair swept back into a graceful ponytail, she wore a turquoise blouse that matched her astonishing bright blue eyes and tan slacks. The woman stood and extended her hand, and of course, it was perfectly manicured. “I’m Rachel Crogan, Roderick’s wife.” Tonia took her hand surprised at the warmth in the woman’s eyes that met hers.

  A second woman, this one holding a sleeping baby, nudged Rachel aside. She stood shorter than Rachel, but taller than Wendy. She had dark honey blonde hair that was a profusion of curls. The woman’s eyes could only be described as amber and were huge beauties that filled her demure heart-shaped face. “I’m Emma Fraser, Cyn’s wife. This...” she held up a chubby sleeping baby, “is Bella.” On queue Bella smiled in her sleep. Emma rolled her eyes. “A ham like her father.” Her sparkling eyes glanced to Wendy. “Welcome to the family.”

  Tonia felt an instant kinship with the three women in the room. Humbled, she remained standing, meeting each of their gazes before speaking. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t think before leaving this morning. I assure you that at no time did I want to place you or your families in any danger.”

  “Oh stop!” Wendy stood, embracing her and pulling her towards the table. “Sit your wet ass down and be quiet. Don’t be upset. Believe me, each of us has done something that has put our men’s knickers in a wad.” The other two women nodded making her feel better.

  “Yet, I still feel bad. It’s different when you put yourself in danger, rather than putting everyone else at risk.” Tonia took a deep drink from the wine glass someone placed in front of her.

  “I lured all of the Protectors to a demon stronghold where they could have all been killed, several were injured actually. I took the word of a Master demon and did what he told me,” Emma confessed, looking embarrassed.

  Wendy shook her head and gave a nervous giggle. “I ran away from my people, putting not only an important artifact in danger, but the entire Fae race, if the demons would have gotten a hold of it.”

  Tonia’s eyebrows shot up in disbelief.

  “I guess I’m the only perfect wife,” Rachel said giving them all an exaggerated look of annoyance by rolling her eyes and shaking her head. Emma and Wendy returned bored looks, their eyes narrowing at her.

  “You know,” Wendy said, tapping a finger on her chin, “I wonder what information Rachel is holding back. None of us are clean.”

  Emma leaned toward the blonde and practically snarled, “Spill it sister.”

  Rachel burst out laughing and took a drink of wine. “Alright, fine. The only thing I did was not that bad. Already pregnant, I flew to Italy— to Julian's home in Rome and demanded he not fire Rod from the Protector force. I also asked that he rescind our bond and tie me to someone else so that Rod could be free. When Rod arrived, he attacked Julian.”

  “Oh my goodness,” Wendy said.

  Tonia sunk back in her chair. “Shit, compared to you guys, I’m a saint.”

  The women erupted into laughter.

  Two teenage boys burst into the room from outside. Both boys seemed to be between fifteen and seventeen. One youth had dark almost black hair and blue eyes, the other a complete contrast with striking bright, white blond hair. He was definitely Roderick’s son. The dark haired boy gave Emma a beseeching look, his face full of sincere pain.

  “Mom I’m starving, is there anything to eat?”

  The blond boy echoed the look of suffering and pleaded to Rachel. “Yeah Mom, we haven’t eaten since lunch.”

  “Lord forbid,” Wendy got up shaking her head. She got up and opened a cabinet and produced a tray full of an assortment of baked products. The boys jetted into action, pouring glasses of milk and grabbing several pastries. Once they filled their plates they headed to the screened in porch with their loot.

  Tonia smiled watching them banter with each other as they began eating.

  “They’re cute,” she told the women. “What are their names?”

  Wendy looked towards the back porch. “The handsome dark one is Malcolm, Cyn and Emma’s son, his nickname is Blue. The gorgeous blond is Brock, he is Rachel and Roderick’s.”

  Tonia watched the boys and once again felt guilty at what she'd done.

  She pulled away from the table. “I’m going upstairs; maybe Fallon will talk to me when he wakes up. I better get out of these wet clothes. Until then, I need time to think.”

  The relief she felt after talking with the other wives lessened as she neared the bedroom door. Her heart fluttered in her chest and her palms became moist. Tonia took several deep bre
aths before entering the darkened room. With a quick glance, she assessed that Fallon was fast asleep, his bare torso above the blankets that were shoved down to his waist. He lay on his stomach, his face to the side, and one arm under his pillow. She went past him into the closet to pull out sweats and a T-shirt before heading into the bathroom.

  Once inside the bathroom with the door closed behind her, her world seemed to crumble, she felt the walls close in and the air go out of her lungs. Collapsing onto the cold tile floor she blinked away the tears, succeeding at first. Without prompting, pictures of her past began to crush down on her, each one worse than the one before it. Flashes of Alex and his lack of worry formed.

  She remembered how he faced each day head on and not wavering in his stance in the fight against demons. She’d always known that she came second in his life. The faces of her victims, demons she’d killed without thought or mercy, never second-guessing her motivations when it came to them formed next. She didn’t even want to know how many wives were left to raise children alone, or to face a solitary life after she’d killed their husbands.

  When she considered the losses she’d caused, pain ripped through her throwing her into a tailspin of despair. What have I done?

  Then, on top of everything else, she’d lost the respect and trust of her new mate, her brave Fallon who put his life on the line every night, defending the weak, never getting any type of recognition or gratitude.

  How could she ever face him again? Sobs began tearing through her and she jerked a towel off the rack and shoved her face into it, to muffle her cries. Her body shook as each painful wave ripped through her. Tonia cried until she lost all control and lay on the floor letting the hurt take over.

  Strong arms pulled her from the floor and into a warm embrace that lulled her from the depths of deep despair.

  Fallon cradled her, holding her as she continued weeping, painful dry sobs shaking her so hard she shook them both.

  “Shhh, it’s all right, we’ll get through this. I’m here.” His smooth accented voice felt like a balm flowing over her. He sat on the floor, his back against the wall as he allowed her to continue to cry.

  And cry she did.

  She cried for the losses, the insanity of everyday actions that affected so many. She mourned the loss of her job and her friends, even the loss of her ignorance. This was definitely an instance where obliviousness had been so much better than truth.

  She wasn’t sure how long they remained on the bathroom floor when the sobs began to finally subside. She buried her face in Fallon’s chest, thankful for the man's strength even in the midst of his anger.

  Chapter 28

  Fallon woke with a start. Tonia was nudged against him, her slender arm laid across his waist, her head on his chest. From her even breaths and lack of thought, he knew she was fast asleep.

  Good. It had taken her a long time to calm down after he’d brought her to the bed a few hours earlier.

  Exhausted as he was, the force of her emotions had woken him. He’d remained in bed for a few minutes, trying to ignore her, too angry at her deceit to go to her.

  But as she mourned for her husband, her career, and each painful thought tearing through her with such astonishing pain, it physically hurt to know of her aching and not go to Tonia.

  When she’d recalled the conversation with Goodall, the immensity of her guilt and despair drove him to get up and finally go to her. No one deserved to feel so devastated. She believed to be doing the right thing at the time. She’d thought herself to be defending humans, and maybe at times she’d acted correctly. He shuddered to think of how many times she had not.

  Through it all, he didn’t hear or sense any remorse over breaking her word to him. The only time she’d considered his feelings was when he’d gone to her. Even then, it was surprising that he’d go to her in the midst of his anger. No matter how angry he was, he cared for Tonia and wasn’t about to let her lay on the bathroom floor sobbing.

  When had he fallen so hard for his mate?

  Truth be told, the first moment he’d laid eyes on her; the night he thought her to be a party girl after a good time. They’d slammed into each other with unparalleled intensity. It was then he knew there was something special between them, a strong connection.

  Recalling her constant thoughts of Alex, her dead husband, a pang of jealousy tore through him. Would she ever love him like she’d loved Alex Mohr?

  Fallon inhaled the scent of fresh flowers from her hair. He loved Tonia. That did not mean he’d forgiven her actions. He couldn’t let it go. Perhaps he'd been too harsh with her?

  No.

  The best way to start their relationship was to set ground rules. He’d remain steadfast in the decision, they would discuss the ramifications of her actions before moving forward as a couple.

  He tried to push her off of him, but stopped when she moaned and snuggled closer. Damn.

  Yes, that was it. He’d keep his heart locked safely from her until they cleared the matter up. Now if he could only slip out of the bed and away from her tantalizing scent, the soft curves pressed against him, her warm breath on his chest… Damn again.

  He took a deep breath and tried to turn away, her hand slipped down further from his waist and he moaned. His raging hard-on did not help the situation at all. When her hand touched the tip of his hardness, he jerked off the bed. Ignoring her startled gasp, he strode to the bathroom firmly shutting the door behind him.

  Once inside, he pushed off his boxers and got under the not quite warm enough showers allowing the heated water to wash away his physical reaction to her. They’d have to make love soon. Mates could not remain without it for long; but not now, he couldn’t, he was too angry. Or was it that his feelings were hurt? It hurt him that she did not think of him. He was not a priority for her.

  No. That was not it at all.

  He turned his face into the stream of water, the pulsing jet hitting him hard, waking him up. A long night lay ahead. He’d meet with the Protector’s in the library in an hour or so and then they’d go out on patrol. By now Carlo had taken control as Master, and he was sure things would be active, as he would try to make the first bold moves to prove himself.

  Thanks to thoughts of work, Fallon was momentarily relieved as his erection began to fade. The opening of the shower door instantly changed that, his body reacting, knowing its mate neared. Without thought, he turned and pushed Tonia against the cool tiles, pulling her legs up around his waist. His mouth crushed hers at the same time he slammed into her, pushing himself fully into her heat.

  This was what they both needed. She raked her nails down his back urging him to thrust into her, faster and faster. She threw her head back calling his name, taking the intensity of the moment to culmination.

  Lost in the moment, his vision hazed, the steam of the shower enclosure encircled them, giving the illusion of being in another world.

  “Bite me.” Her command although quiet, was strong.

  Not able to deny her at this point, his incisors snapped down and he bit into the tender flesh at her throat while pumping in and out of her in a hectic rhythm from being denied too long.

  Her screams as she crested were accompanied by the muscles of her sex squeezing his length, milking him. He released his hold on her throat lapping at the bite to seal it, barely able to do so as he climaxed so hard, his knees almost buckled. He groaned loudly, as his body convulsed within hers. They remained still, locked together, as he gathered his wits.

  The softness of her inner thighs as they slid down him made him close his eyes as he tried to ignore the surge to take her again. He leaned into her, pressing against her. Tonia wrapped her arms around him and laid her forehead on his chest.

  He needed her again.

  “Let’s move to the bed,” he told her, picking her up and carrying her out of the shower. He hit the off water button with his elbow.

  When they reached their oversized bed, she reached for him. Her fingers through his hair,
she pulled his mouth to hers. The intensity of the kiss shook him. He pulled back as they fell into the softness of the comforter, their eyes locking.

  Tonia reached for him again, “I need you so much Fallon. I—I…”

  “I don’t want to talk,” Fallon interrupted her. He didn’t want to hear her say words she didn’t feel. She didn’t love him. He’d heard enough of her thoughts earlier that day to know.

  She rolled him onto his back and climbed on top of him. Straddling him, she guided his cock into her and slid down slowly allowing him to enter her inch by inch.

  Fallon closed his eyes, when her fingers began circling his nipples. The sensations taking over, he forgot everything, couldn’t think about anything, but the feeling of her curves under his hands, the friction of their bodies joined as his mate rode him.

  When she finally collapsed on top of him, he kissed her face and held her against him for a few minutes.

  “I have to get dressed. It’s twilight; my night begins.” He slid off the bed and went to his closet to find jeans and a shirt.

  Tonia watched him intently when he came back out. She remained silent while he finished dressing. Fallon didn’t delve in her thoughts. Didn’t want to ruin the evening for himself. Instead he finished putting on his boots and looked over at her.

  “I’ll see you in the morning.” He left before changing his mind and dragging words out of her that she didn’t offer voluntarily.

  "I need to go speak to Captain Goodall, will you take me?"

  Fallon hesitated at the door and nodded. "Very well, in the morning."

  "Thank you Fallon. Be safe."

  The sun coming through the car window warmed Tonia and she pulled her jacket off and placed it on her lap, her hands folded on top. Even though he was on the cell phone, informing Kieran of their destination he’d jerked his attention to her, his eyes lingering on her face.