“I stay because I have to, not because I want to. I want you to leave. Now!” She felt sick with his threat and began to shake with anger as he moved toward her.
“I could stay here all night if you let me. We could have some fun.” He moved closer to her until he stood, towering over her. He inhaled her scent as he stared into her alluring brown eyes.
Alana stiffened as she felt him press against her. The firm line of his abs brushed against her body, making her stomach turn. Wincing, she felt the strong muscles of his legs hold her in place. She hated his excited scent that seemed to emanate all around her as he lowered his head toward her face. She turned away so he couldn’t get close enough for her to feel his breath on her skin.
He repulsed her. The feel of his hand brushing lightly over the inside of her coat and up the slim curve of her waist made her stiffen. She froze as he swept his hand over her neck to grasp her jaw, forcing her face toward his.
“You know you belong to me, don’t you? You can never leave, so why not just give in?” His confident tone made her stomach turn.
“Never, you disgust me!” She struggled to try and release from his grasp but he was too strong.
“Come on, it would be fun. You know how you excite me.” The fun of the chase made his cock throb.
Alana pushed at him with every amount of rage that had built inside her. The feel of his arousal had infuriated her and she wanted nothing more than to impale her knee straight into his groin.
Harvey smiled as he stepped backward.
Cool air brushed between them, making Alana inhale deeply at the release of his intense restraint. She hated the way he wanted her. His confidence that she would relent irritated her as she stared at him. He was becoming more physical in his demand for her and his threat had terrified her. Not that she would ever let him know that.
“Just leave. It’s never going to happen, so just get over it.” Her hatred for him grew stronger every moment he was near her.
Harvey’s smile widened. She was so much fun to tease. Anything worth having was worth waiting for. He stepped back to allow her to move away from the door. The thought of her soft, satin skin beneath him would be so sensual that he couldn’t help but growl. He would bide his time. One day she would relent, and she was definitely worth the wait.
Alana moved to the right and walked across the room. She glanced over her shoulder to see Harvey reach for the door handle and pull the door open. He turned and smiled at her, making her skin crawl as he winked and walked out the door, closing it behind him.
The male was vile. She wrapped her arms around herself. She would have fought him if he’d tried to kiss her, suddenly feeling sick at the thought. He would never give up as long as she remained at the Headquarters and that made her desire to help The Order even more resolute.
She turned and walked toward the French-style doors and stared out of the long glass panes. She knew James was down below as she stood solemnly at the window. Jonah would be there soon. She just wished that he’d forgiven her enough to help her escape her hell. Tomorrow she knew she would need him, especially if she ran into the guards. Life was about to change and she knew her choice to help The Order had been the right one. She just hoped they could find what she was looking for and fast.
Chapter 8
Jonah grabbed a quick shower and dressed in his black leather pants before pulling his T-shirt over his still-wet hair. He didn’t have time to dry it properly and was in too much of a rush to bother picking up the wet towels from the floor. He’d deal with his room when he returned from the Headquarters, and had Alana safely back at Genesis. Now, his only concern was getting to the Headquarters quickly, before Alana found herself in trouble.
Jonah picked up his leather boots and walked over to the bed. He sat and pulled one on each foot before standing and grabbing his leather jacket from the chair. Lucian would be waiting downstairs for him and he was glad the fastest member of the Mist was accompanying him. His speed would come in handy if they needed to enter the building quickly. He hoped they wouldn’t need to, but it was prudent to be prepared.
James had called a short while ago to tell him of the conversation he’d had with Alana, and he’d felt his fury build quickly as he’d learned she’d been made to live at the Headquarters. She’d not told James the reason why and it worried him. Jonah suspected Harvey’s hold over her had something to do with whatever it was that he’d taken from her, and he remembered her animosity when she’d spoken about Harvey. Whatever was going on had to be something pretty bad to have made her stay at the Headquarters for the last fifty years. No one deserved the injustice of being held against their will, and he knew that better than anyone.
Leaving his quarters, Jonah walked down the corridor and down the stairs to the entrance hall. He nodded as he approached Lucian and Tobias. Lucian turned, handing Jonah a new cell, and he appreciated the gesture. At least he didn’t have to waste time visiting the security room to get a replacement. Now he’d have some way to know if Alana needed help.
Jonah knew Lucian had been happy to agree to the King’s orders to help protect the female. Being the Order’s training expert, he loved any chance to practice his fighting skills. It never concerned him if they were human or Mist, and anyone was fair game to him. Jonah had always felt happy having him by his side.
The similarities in their appearances could have put them as brothers, both with blonde hair and vibrant auburn eyes. It was only their unique powers that set them apart. Tobias on the other hand was the complete opposite. He was as tall as they were but his hair was a deep, dark brown. His eyes were the color of chocolate and the silvery flecks that were embedded in his irises made the deep color flicker as vibrant as the rest of the males in The Order. He had a true talent when it came to Logistics and always ensured that The Order’s vehicles were top of the range and always ready for use. The male had Jonah’s respect.
“Has James texted the address of the Headquarters yet?” Jonah asked as Tobias handed him the keys to the new Range Rover. Jonah raised his eyebrows at him. “Been spending again, have we?”
“It’s my new treasure and if you so much as scuff a millimeter of the paintwork, I’m going to skin you alive!” Tobias warned as he smiled.
Jonah grinned. He knew his love for the vehicles. They were like his kids and he loved them dearly. Why, Jonah couldn’t fathom.
“We need to leave. It will take us a while to get there and I don’t want Alana unprotected for long,” Jonah said.
Lucian nodded as he and Jonah turned and walked out of the large oak front door and down the steps to the waiting 4x4. Jonah climbed into the driver’s seat and turned on the engine. The night was going to be a long one, but the adrenaline rushing through his system had managed to get him past his fatigue. He knew he’d have to be ready if Alana called.
Lucian followed and climbed in next to him, pulling the seat belt into the holder. He turned and faced Jonah.
“Elijah told me who she is,” Lucian said.
Jonah watched Lucian to gauge his reaction. He couldn’t see any animosity in his gaze and appreciated it. It was hard enough for him to cope with his own conflicting feelings without having to deal with the rest of The Order’s concerns.
“It must be hard to know she was the one who was there, in the cells with you.” Lucian could see the uncertain look on Jonah’s face.
“I don’t know what to think, Lucian. She was there and involved. Yet there seems to be something she’s hiding. We know she lives at the Headquarters but from the way she spoke at the bar, she seems to despise Harvey. It doesn’t make any sense why she has stayed there all this time.”
The questions had played over and over in Jonah’s mind. He hated not knowing her reasons but that was something he was going to rectify pretty damn quickly when they got back to Genesis.
“There must be a reason, and something major. We just need to find out why.”
Elijah had warned Lucian of Jonah’s conflicting
emotions and he’d felt empathy for him. He’d known Jonah for more than twenty years and had never known him to have any interest in a female. Not once had his focus been on anything other than the security of The Order, but this female had changed Jonah somehow. It was if his perfectly controlled life was being challenged, and he could see Jonah struggling with the concept. This female meant something to him.
As they pulled out of Genesis, Lucian knew that Jonah would put his life on the line to protect all of them, and, now that he had started to claim the female, her, too.
* * * *
Jonah arrived with Lucian while the dark still shrouded the Headquarters. He’d not hesitated while driving through the small roads, and he’d had to swerve a few times to miss several icy patches. His eagerness to be there had probably made his driving a little reckless, but the new Range Rover had handled the journey well. He pulled up behind James’s SUV and turned off his engine.
James had given them an update on the way. There had been little movement from the large building except the sight of several large Mist guards walking the perimeter.
“There seems to be quite a few of them,” Jonah stated as they watched the front of the building.
“I’ve counted about eight so far. They look like Mist by the size of them. Wonder how Harvey managed to get them to work for him?” Lucian pulled out a night vision scope from the holder between their seats. He focused his view and watched as the males moved to the rear of the building.
They were each over six feet tall, but with the distance, Lucian couldn’t see into their eyes. That would be one sure way to confirm what they believed, that they were indeed Mist.
“Who knows? We may need some back up though. If there’s that many, it would be wise to get more of The Order here. Call back to Genesis and see if we can get Jenson and Carrick here.” Carrick would be helpful to Alana if she became distressed.
“Have we found a way to get in? If Alana gets into trouble, we need to get in there quickly.” Jonah didn’t want to delay getting to her if things went wrong.
“James knows a way in. It’s a bit further down the security fencing. Don’t worry, if she makes the call we can be in there in one minute.” Lucian understood his concern and they would be ready.
“What about the security cameras? We may need to get in there quickly without alerting too many of the guards. Who’s covering the security desks at Genesis?” Jonah asked.
“Tobias. If we need the system shut down, he knows how to run the program.” Lucian knew that when it came to the security of The Order, it was Jonah’s area of expertise, but Tobias was pretty good when needed.
Jonah nodded as he sighed. The dawn would be breaking soon and he couldn’t help but worry about her safety. He’d never dreamed that he would feel such intensity of protection for a female, but she was awakening emotions that he’d believed had died long ago.
“She’s beginning to mean a lot to you?” Lucian had seen how preoccupied Jonah’s thoughts were.
Jonah didn’t know how to explain the strength of his own changing feelings for her. It wasn’t something he’d planned for, or seemed to be able to control. “Yes, she is.”
“She’ll be okay. She’s lived at the Headquarters for a long time, so she can make her way around the premises without suspicion.”
Jonah didn’t feel so confident. If Harvey had increased the security then he most probably had a suspicion that The Order would try and attack. Especially now he knew that James was with them. James had information about the layout of the inside the building and Harvey would be sure to know that he’d share that kind of information with The Order. He just hoped that Harvey didn’t suspect Alana’s involvement. If he did, then her life was in even more danger. The thought clawed at his heart.
* * * *
Alana lay on the top of her bed, staring at the ceiling. The nervousness suffusing through her system was tensing every muscle as she watched the sun rise and stream into her room. The brightness hurt her eyes and she covered them with her arm, focusing on the sound of her own pounding heartbeat. She inhaled deeply, her stomach rolling with anxiety.
She’d not been able to shut her mind down enough to fall asleep, and had gotten up several times through the night, just to check if The Order’s vehicles were still parked outside. She’d been glad when she’d seen the second vehicle arrive, and knew Jonah had arrived. No matter what the outcome the day would bring, at least he’d kept his word. Now, all she had to do was take a shower and get herself ready to go to the office.
Harvey sitting in her room when she’d returned the night before had been the last thing she’d expected, and it had panicked her when he’d made a move toward her. Her strength would have been no match for him but as least he’d left without laying a hand on her. His threat played over in her mind. If he found out about what she was about to do before she had a chance to get into the office, she knew it would become a reality. He had always used the same bullying statement to make her comply with his instructions and that was what made him so confident about her staying. The male had no soul and wouldn’t think twice about killing anyone who stood in his way. Her contempt for him flamed through her.
Alana stood from the bed and walked toward the bathroom. Flipping on the light switch, she grabbed a towel from the edge of the bath and turned on the taps of the shower. Undressing quickly, she stepped under the warm flowing water and let it glide over her face and down her body. She stood, soaking up the intense heat as she considered how she was going to get into the offices without the guards stopping her.
She was sure they’d be down, manning the security desk and she’d have to be careful not to arouse their suspicions. If they had any inkling she shouldn’t be down there so early, they’d call for Harvey. He would end up questioning her about her movements and she’d probably be back inside her room, with guards outside her door. Then she’d have no way to upload the program. She’d have to be a convincing actor but at least she’d had practice over the years. Pretending everything was okay when her heart was in turmoil had become a daily occurrence, so it shouldn’t be too hard. Doubt still played in her mind.
Washing her hair and body, Alana turned off the taps and grabbed the towel, drying herself quickly. The cool air sent a shiver across her skin as she walked back into the bedroom. Dressing in her underwear, jeans, and a T-shirt, she opened the drawer to her dresser and pulled out a thick sweater. It would be best if she dressed warm, but still look smart enough for work.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, she pulled on her boots and glanced around her room.
The four walls had been her home for years, and the only place that had meant anything to her. Her clothes and the possessions that rested on her dressing table were the only things she owned, but weren’t anything that couldn’t be replaced. All except the small antique box, covered with gentle swirls that rested on her dresser. Alana stood and walked over, staring at her most prized possession.
It was the only heirloom she had managed to get, that reminded her of her family. The crest represented her bloodline and she had always loved the design. As she opened the lid, she lifted the embellished teardrop necklace that lay placed in the soft, satin bed and stared at the design. A platinum casing surrounded yellow crystal-cut diamonds and they flashed violently as the sun caught against their facets. She ran her finger over the smooth surface of the necklace, thinking of the time when her mother had given it to her.
Her grandmother had just passed away and had left it for her in her will. She had been only eighteen and had loved it from the moment she’d laid her eyes on it. It was the only thing that she would take with her as she untied the clasp and placed it around her neck. As she tucked it inside the sweater, she rested her hand on top, inhaling deeply before turning and walking over to the bed.
She grabbed the flash drive and cell, tucking them into her jeans pocket before walking toward the door. She glanced backward over her shoulder one last time before pulling the handl
e and walking through out into the corridor, She closed the door behind her quietly and stared up and down the corridor. Nothing but silence encased her.
Alana walked cautiously down the corridor as she watched for any sign of movement. Her heart had hiked into a storm and she could feel the adrenaline as it thrust into every cell in her body. Her hands were shaking and her mind whirled with emotion. She knew what she had to do, but that didn’t stop the feeling of dread at being stopped by the guards.
As she reached the top of the stairs she halted. Peering round, she saw the two guards sitting at the security desk. Leaning back against the wall, she inhaled and closed her eyes. Nausea made her stomach churn.
She would have to get a better control of her panic before it showed in her eyes. If she could only relax the trembling in her legs, she would be able to walk past them and into the offices without them taking too much notice of her. She inhaled deeply before standing straight and relaxing her shoulders.
“You can do this!” she whispered.
As she walked calmly down the stairs, she held her head high and whistled, trying hard to look as natural as she could. The stern look from the guards made her tense. She smiled, hoping it would ease their concern and turned toward the large smoked glass office door. She could hear them chatting quietly but didn’t dare stop. The last thing she needed was for them to follow her.
As she reached the large glass doors, she pushed them hard and walked inside, closing them behind her. She hadn’t realized she was holding her breath until she breathed out heavily. Her legs still shook as she stood, staring around the dark office. Slithers of sunlight peeped through the blinds.
All the equipment had been turned off for the night and the eerie silence deafened her. She stepped toward the reception desk, pulling at the chair and reaching forward to turn on the hard drive. The staff would be there soon, not that they would think anything of her being there, but it was still a little early for her to be in the office. She sat in the chair and waited.
Jonah's Salvation [The Order of the Mist 2] (Siren Publishing Classic) Page 8