“Luca!” Jonah shouted, bringing Alana back from her hypnotic stare.
Alana watched as Luca ran through the corridor and ground to halt in front of them. He was wearing a T-shirt and shorts, soaked from a workout in the gym.
He stared at the sight of Alana being held tightly in Jonah’s arms.
The cuts on her face made him frown. Luca hated to see the sight of a female injured as he stepped forward, raising his hand toward her before pausing and staring at Jonah. “I need to touch her.”
Jonah growled. It frustrated him that another male would touch her. But he knew Luca would have to in order to heal her. Pulling Alana closer to him, he drew his emotions deep inside and nodded toward Luca.
Alana cried out as Luca’s hand pulled at her arm.
Jonah frowned, realizing she was more injured than he knew.
“Where else are you hurt?” Jonah asked, concern flooding him.
“It’s just my arm. The guard grabbed me and tried to pull me toward the stairs. I tried to fight back and get free but he just grabbed tighter. I tried not to take any notice of it but it’s really beginning to hurt now,” Alana explained.
Jonah fumed inside. The guard would be the first he’d find when they returned to the Headquarters again. He stared at the pained look in Alana’s eyes. Her pale skin look opaque and he could feel her holding her breath to cope with the agony coursing through her arm.
“You’ll need to remove the sweater from her skin. We need to see how badly she’s hurt,” Luca stated.
Alana stared at Jonah fearfully.
“We need to take it off so Luca can reach your injuries,” Jonah said.
Alana could see the remorse in his eyes. He’d saved her and she didn’t blame him for her injuries. She’d agreed to help them and knew the risks. It was no one’s fault but hers that she’d been hurt.
“Set me down and I’ll take it off.”
Jonah carried her through to the living area. Moving across the room, he laid her gently on one of the two opulent cream couches that sat opposite each other. As he knelt down in front of her, he stared at her delicate face. The cut on her mouth had bruised the beautiful pink corner of her lips as he lifted his hand and brushed his finger lightly over her cheek. She was still stunningly pretty. Lowering his hand, he stared into her dark brown eyes.
She smiled at him, hoping to ease his worry.
Lifting her arm, Alana pulled at the end of the sweater. She drew her shoulder back, crying out as pain shot the length of her arm. Alana grabbed at her elbow as she tried to breathe.
Jonah lifted his hands and took her injured arm and began to pull at the cuff of the sweater gently.
Alana cried out softly.
“Let me help, Jonah.” A soft voice spoke from the door.
Jasmine, wearing a soft pink wool sweater and slim-fitting jeans, walked into the living area. Her soft auburn curls bounced gently as she walked over to the couch and sat beside Alana. She smiled with sympathy as she looked at Jonah and nodded.
“My Queen, she’s hurt and we need to remove the sweater to get to her injuries.” Jonah stood and bowed.
“Hi, Alana, I’m Jasmine. Elijah said that Jonah was bringing you to Genesis. Welcome.” Jasmine remembered the first time she’d met The Order and how daunting it was. She could only imagine how overwhelmed Alana must be feeling.
“Hi.” It was all Alana could say through her short breaths. The pain from moving her arm had intensified.
Jasmine smiled. She still hadn’t quite got used to being call “My Queen” by the members of The Order. It was important for them to keep traditions but she regarded them as her brothers. She had to keep reminding herself that they were in fact Lords, and that meant traditions had to be maintained.
“Let’s help you out of that sweater. Luca is very gifted. He saved me once.” Jasmine gently lifted Alana’s other arm and pulled the sweater carefully over her head and down toward the wrist of her injured arm. The sight of the deep purple bruising that had erupted across the delicate skin of Alana’s arm made Jasmine wince.
Alana rested her arm on her hand, taking the weight to relieve some of the pain.
Jonah growled loudly. He’d not realized she’d been so severely injured. He’d wanted to get her to safety and she’d not said she was in pain. Anger flared through him as he clenched his fists, desperately trying to control the fury that was erupting. Why had she not been honest? It was bad enough that she had bruising and cuts to her beautiful face, but she’d been seriously hurt and not told him. Short gasps shot through his chest as his stare bore into her.
Luca moved and knelt down in front of Alana.
“It looks like it might be fractured,” Luca stated, noticing the swelling that had not shown through her sweater.
Luca raised his arms and paused, looking over his shoulder at Jonah before turning back and gently laying his hands on her skin. He closed his eyes and focused on her pain as his power surged, firing through the connection of their skin.
Alana savored the warm sensation, relaxing from the glow of his hands, and felt a calming release course through her. Closing her eyes, her mind drifted into a black descent until she could no longer feel anything, except two strong hands as they gently eased her down onto the softness of the cushions.
Chapter 11
The roar that erupted through the entrance hall of the Headquarters shook the foundations as Harvey’s anger exploded. Alana was gone and fury for those that had taken her beat through his soul as he stormed down the stairs toward the guards. They had failed to secure the building and his loathing for their incompetence had his hands shaking. He stood at the base of the stairs, the veins on the side of his neck pulsing violently. How they could have not followed his simple orders dumbfounded him. He watched the two guards stand, covered in blood.
“What the fuck happened?” he blasted, gripping his hands until the whites of his knuckles burned.
“We t–tried to b–bring her to you b–but she wouldn’t comply,” the guard stuttered as he wiped blood from his face onto his hand.
“She’s a tiny female!” Harvey barked, echoing though the hall. Their incompetence had his blood boiling.
The guards stared at the anger across Harvey’s face. “She fought us.”
Ice filled the air, making the guards tense. Harvey would make them pay as they watched him walk closer to them.
“You idiots! All you had to do was bring her to me. I didn’t breed you to allow The Order to come in and take what belongs to me.” His voice was acid, chilling the guards’ hearts.
“There were three of them. They were strong and fast,” the guard said.
“And you have been bred to be as strong as them. You failed to protect the Headquarters and allowed them to gain access.” Harvey’s piercing glare penetrated them.
“We tried to get her to you, but she fought back. They stormed through the door after she got hurt. We couldn’t stop them,” the guard tried hard to explain.
Harvey stared, his tight lips strained as he inhaled deeply. His infuriation at their attempts to absolve themselves fueled the storm of anger inside him.
“What do you mean…after she got hurt?”
The guard stepped back cautiously. It hadn’t been a wise move to hit her and judging by the look on Harvey’s face, he would pay the price dearly.
“She wouldn’t come, so I encouraged her to follow instructions.”
Harvey saw red cloud his vision as his fury blazed. He lunged for the guard, grabbing his shirt and lifting him clear from the floor.
Horror filled the guard’s eyes from the speed of Harvey’s attack. He froze as he gazed at the ferocity of Harvey’s glare. He gasped as Harvey threw him backward, soaring toward the wall and the impact detonated throughout the entrance. The guard slumped to the floor, disorientated by the blunt blow to the back of his head from the wall.
“You worthless shit! No one touches the female except me. If she’s hurt badly, I’m going t
o rip you limb from limb with my bare hands!” Harvey mind was distraught. His female had gotten hurt at the hands of the guards he’d placed to protect them.
Harvey’s anger toward The Order for taking Alana fired inside him as he turned and walked back to the stairs. The guards had failed and he wasn’t good at accepting failure at the best of times, especially when it came to Alana. She was his. No one else’s. There was only one way to ensure she would return, one thing that would make her run back, and he had no remorse in using it to get her back into his control.
Storming through the corridor to his room, Harvey slammed the door open and walked inside, grabbing his keys and coat. Turning, he walked from the room and paused at the door that had been Alana’s room.
Opening it, he walked inside. Her belongings still remained as they were the last time he’d been in her room and he walked over to the bed. The sneakers she’d worn the day before lay on the floor and he leaned over, picking up the pillow and bringing it to his face, inhaling her scent. The smell of her filled his senses with desire. He pained for her, wanted to touch her and hold her in his arms. He’d known she was there under his command but he’d always hoped that one day she would grow to love him and they could share their life together. The thought of her with The Order enraged him.
Laying the pillow down, he turned to walk from the room, noticing the box on top of the dresser. He approached it slowly. The open lid exposed the empty casing and he wondered what had been held inside. Whatever it was, it was the only thing that she had with her so must have been important. As he walked from the room he considered how The Order had found her. Why had they come in and taken her? She was his secret and had no connection to them.
Returning to the entrance hall, he turned to the guards. “Check out the surveillance system, get the license plates of the vehicles, and follow their route out of here. I want to know where they went. Do you think you can follow that small order, or shall I get someone more capable of doing the job right?” Harvey spat at the guards as he walked out of the front entrance toward the waiting SUV.
Climbing inside, he pulled at the seat belt and turned on the engine. It wouldn’t take him long to get to his destination and then he’d have all the ammunition to ensure she’d be back with him. He rammed the gear stick into first gear and slammed hard on the pedal. The sooner he got to the secure cells, the sooner he would have her back where he wanted her.
Harvey smiled, knowing The Order would try and protect her and give him another chance to destroy them. This time though, he would be there himself to fight them and this time they wouldn’t win.
Harvey pulled out of the Headquarters and turned right, driving quickly along the frozen streets as the gray bank of clouds ebbed closer to the town. The gentle flurry of snow had held off but would soon return and make the roads treacherous as the night drew closer. He had a few hours left until he needed to be back and the drive would be easy, mainly highways where the roads were clearer and where cars had paved a route. It was the back streets that would be more difficult to maneuver through, but his mind was intent on collecting the weapon he would be using to claim back his possession.
His hands gripped the steering wheel as he tried to calm his storming heartbeat. He was livid about Alana being taken and was frustrated at his trust he’d put in the guards. The security alarms had sounded too late for him to get to her in time before they took her through the hole they’d made in the fencing. He’d have to see about improving the system when he returned, especially if The Order was intent on returning.
He pulled onto the highway, joining the streaming thrum of traffic. The heat from the SUV was stifling but he like it that way. He liked to be hot as his thoughts trailed to Alana. He could make her hot and sweaty and wouldn’t that be fun? The thought of her fevered, soft skin against his made his cock stiffen. He’d dreamed of her many nights over the years. When she was back, he’d convince her that he was the one who could give her pleasure beyond her imagination.
Pulling off at the next junction, Harvey drove down a smaller winding road, passing open ivory covered fields as he headed toward a wide gray building that lay ahead to the right. The large pine trees stood surrounding the building, guarding as they swayed gently in the breeze. Slowing down, he pulled up and drove into a vacant parking lot and turned off the engine. Snow had fallen heavier here and large mounds lay piled from the drifts of the storms that had battered the small town. Iron-barred windows spread the full length of the building, each secured with large metal padlocks and security cameras lined the top above the steel door that sat in the middle.
Stepping from the vehicle, Harvey grabbed his jacket and pulled it over his shoulders. The heat from inside the SUV had been alluring, but outside the bitter air clawed at him. He felt irritated as he pressed the remote to lock the vehicle and walked toward the main entrance. Pressing numbers on the keypad, he opened the door and lathed at the heat that wrapped around him. He stepped through the door and closed it behind him.
Ahead of him, a staircase submerged to the lower level of the building, and to the side empty offices lined the corridors. He’d rented the building for the sole purpose of using the lower levels and its location had been far enough away from the Headquarters to ensure that no one ever found it. The perfect hiding place.
Harvey descended the stairs, reaching the base, and stopped. Ahead, a long line of solid metal bars lined the room from floor to ceiling. At the far end, one of his guards stood, a statue of immense size and cold as steel. He’d safeguarded the cells arduously and been vigilant in his duty, which Harvey respected as he walked forward and nodded.
“How’s our guest today?” Harvey asked as he reached the end cell and turned.
A small dark-haired female sat motionless, hunched in the corner of the cell. She was staring straight ahead and breathed lightly as she hugged her arms around her knees. Her long hair was matted around her slim almond-shaped face, and her dark brown eyes were dull and withdrawn. She made no indication that she’d noticed Harvey’s arrival.
Harvey unlocked the door and entered.
“Hello, Emilia, it’s been a long time,” Harvey said as he stepped forward, creeping closer to her.
Emilia continued to stare at the bars. She’d heard him but refused to respond. The smell of his scent scarred at her senses but she’d be damned if she’d give him an ounce of her recognition.
“I hear you’ve been giving the guard a hard time.” It had been prudent to keep an eye on his investment.
A gentle smile spread across her face as she turned and stared at Harvey through her long deep eyelashes. She despised him, the arrogant tone of his voice and his piercing stare. His egotistical presence only served to intensify her hatred further.
Harvey smiled at her. He liked her attitude, defiant and aggressive. In the beginning she’d been terrified, helpless against them and had screamed violently as they’d put her in the cell. But now she was cold and hard, showing little or no emotion against them. It intrigued him how she’d changed, how she’d learned to control the anger she must feel toward them. No longer was she the defenseless little female he once knew, and a flicker of respect flashed through his mind.
“It’s time to leave.”
Emilia stared at him cautiously. He’d promised her that before, his lies building hope in her heart, only to have him laugh in her face as he’d walked away. His cruelty had known no bounds as she’d watched him leave, tears falling down her cheeks. She knew he enjoyed tormenting her. The guard had been no better, teasing her with a promise of freedom if she allowed him to touch her, but she’d never given him the pleasure willingly. She’d turned off her emotions, growing stronger and harder over the years and felt nothing.
She knew there were others that suffered the same fate, males in the other cells, and had spoken to them through the darkness. She’d had only seen them a couple of times and had never known why they were there, but their kindness had been her only savior from losing her
self completely. They’d passed her scraps of food when they knew the guard refused to feed her in retaliation for not complying with his sexual demands.
So many times she’d allowed Harvey and the guards to affect her, but that was history now, the past and she’d vowed to never show them her emotions.
“I’d rather die than go anywhere with you,” she said defiantly.
“Think about it. Don’t you want revenge on the family that left you here to suffer?” Harvey enjoyed playing people off against each other and this would be the perfect opportunity he craved.
Emilia stared at him, her eyes barren of any expression. He was using her family to get what he truly wanted and she didn’t trust his intentions. “What do you really want?”
“I have a little job for you. A search and rescue you might say.” He smiled.
“What do I get out of helping you? Another countless number of years in this hell? No thanks.” Her tone ensured he understood her contempt for him.
“I wasn’t giving you the option. It’s time to leave.” Harvey moved forward and grabbed Emilia by the wrist, dragging her upward until she stood, minute against his tall, muscular form.
“Let me go,” Emilia spat as she struggled against Harvey’s vise grip.
Harvey ignored her struggling as he pulled her toward the open door of the cell. He needed her to serve the purpose of getting the one he loved back from the grasps of The Order. He didn’t have time to debate her assistance and wasn’t prepared to wait any longer than necessary to use the weapon he had held in his hand. She was the key to Alana’s return and he was sure the only thing that would bring her back to the Headquarters. He’d never wanted anything more than he wanted Alana, and if it took releasing the one thing she desired, then so be it. But that didn’t mean he had to be nice about it. The Order had taken what belonged to him and he wanted it back.
Jonah's Salvation [The Order of the Mist 2] (Siren Publishing Classic) Page 10