His presence kind of filtered through every so often, maybe he was out there somewhere, in some plane where we were still friends, working together at the store.
The idea made me smile, maybe one day after all this was done, I’d be able to visit, maybe even hang out again.
Everyone was so understanding about my absence, most even said they understood but how much did someone really understand before they started to get frustrated with the lack of explanation and returned phone calls.
The truth was bare though, I didn’t really have a solid explanation that made any sense. I was a coward, that was about the closest I could get to articulating the emotion that ran through me when I packed my things and left Illarion last year.
I’d never forget the look on his face, his horrified and desperate pleading as Elsa held him back, telling him to let me go because I needed space and I needed to heal.
He didn’t understand no matter how much he tried to, and I didn’t blame him. Yet somehow, after all this, after all the pain I’d caused. He was still waiting for me at the gate, with a smile on his face and a bouquet of the prettiest flowers I’d ever seen.
Alex pulled up to the gate and drove in, stopping just beside Illarion’s Maserati.
He didn’t wait a second longer before pulling the door open, letting me out.
‘Lyubov.’ His breath tickled my cheek when he pulled me against his body. ‘God, it’s good to see you.’
I reached up and pressed a kiss to his lips. ‘I’m glad you called.’
‘I’m glad you answered.’
A soft chuckle passed between us as he swept his hand down over my arm and entwined his fingers with mine.
He cast his eyes over my shoulder and nodded at Alex and Clair.
Turning back, I smiled when I saw the usual awe filled expression whenever anyone saw this house.
Clair’s eyes wandered across the expanse of cobblestone mansion and the tree line surrounding the property and then, when her eyes landed on Illarion, she gaped, her wide eyes darting between me and him.
‘I see you’ve hired a gardener.’ Alex smirked.
‘It’s an improvement since you attempted to cut the hedges.’ Illarion shot back, lightly.
‘Wouldn’t have needed me to sort out your life if you knew how to do the basics.’
‘Why did I need to do it when you always came over with a hedge trimmer?’ Illarion replied with a shrug.
The banter brought a smile to my face. It was so normal.
Illarion chuckled again and turned his attention to Clair.
‘I’m Illarion.’ He held his hand out to her with a smile. ‘It’s nice to meet you, Clair. Alex has told me a great deal about you.’
‘You too.’ She breathed, gripping his hand. ‘I mean, well he said you worked together.’
Chuckling under my breath, I nudged Illarion and he slowly pulled his hand free.
‘Sorry.’ She muttered, blushing like mad. ‘That was, uh, sorry.’
Illarion, ever the gentleman, smiled and gently squeezed her shoulder.
‘Elsa’s prepared rooms for you both’ Illarion explained, gesturing to the house. ‘I’ll show you inside.’
‘How is that woman?’ Alex asked, ‘She was kicking my ass at the academy.’
‘Really?’ I chuckled.
Illarion nodded. His bad ass housekeeper really was a badass.
‘She was his weapons trainer, she always outshot him, in what was it, first year?’
‘Yeah,’ Alex muttered. ‘She was the devil with a Glock.’
‘I’m impressed.’
They both laughed and Illarion gestured toward the main staircase.
‘I’ll go and get changed,’ I said softly when Illarion stopped, letting Alex and Clair go ahead.
‘Okay, lyubov.’
We followed him in, and I left, taking my bag and making a quick getaway to my old bedroom.
Everything was just as he said. None of my stuff had been moved, aside from the quick vacuum and dusting, everything was exactly as I remembered.
Opting for a quick change of clothes and spritz of perfume, I bypassed the shower and decided that it could wait. I was eager to get back into the swing of things and start looking for ways to avoid becoming a Dalca/Ace hybrid.
When I smoothed down my black tank top, I folded up the cuff of my blue jeans and zipped up my boots.
Illarion would have been showing them around so, I made the best of my time alone to unwind and catch my breath.
The library was my first stop, coming to the tall, mahogany doors, I pushed them open with a smile.
My eyes wandered over the floor to ceiling shelves stacked with decades of history and literature. The smell of aged parchment and leather permeated the air filling my senses and immediately setting my soul at ease. I trailed my fingertips along the shelves, smiling to myself.
The door opened, and my heart fluttered as Illarion slowly walked over to me.
‘Straight to the books, I see.’
‘Still no Twilight.’
He chuckled, ‘No, unfortunately not.’
I laughed and turned back to the books, when he stopped behind me, wrapping his arms around my stomach I smiled to myself. One hand trailed over my arm while the other pulled me against him.
‘I’ve missed this room.’ I leaned back, resting my head against his chest.
‘It’s missed you.’ He whispered. ‘It hasn’t been the same without you in here, always feels so empty.’
His words weighed my heart down. I turned around in his arms, looking up at him. ‘What are we about to walk into?’
‘The unknown, it would seem.’ He said softly, pressing his forehead to mine.
‘I’m scared.’
‘Me too.’ He breathed in deeply. ‘But we’ve faced down things we didn’t know before.’
‘Then why does this feel like the end?’
His eyes darkened as he considered my question, without another word, he pressed a kiss to my forehead. ‘It isn’t.’
When I pulled back, Illarion brought his hand to my cheek, letting his touch linger, connecting us on so much more than a physical level. I closed my eyes against his touch and drew in a breath when his fingers slipped from my cheek to my throat and lower.
His breath picked up just like mine and when I drew him closer, he let out a low, eager groan.
‘Is it wrong that I want to close that door, forget about everyone else and just enjoy the two of us?’ I whispered.
‘No.’ He said quickly, moving us both back, shutting the door with a smile. ‘I think that’s a great idea.’
The glint in his eyes told me we were taking this exactly where I was hoping. He dropped his hands to my shoulders, slipping down to my wrists.
In a gentle motion, he pressed me into the door behind me and that glint I’d seen earlier, turned into a flood of desire.
I bit down on my lip and looked up at him with anticipation. I didn’t have to wait long. He brought his lips to mine, kissing me deeply and I parted my lips, arching up, letting him in, tasting everything.
The growl he let out was caught on my lips making me draw in a sharp breath.
As he moved in for another kiss, I pulled free, pushing him back before I made my move and reversed our positions, I didn’t let him say a word as I pushed him back into the door and pressed my body against his.
If he’d been eager before, he was about to lose it now. I grinned against his mouth, enjoying the way his hot breath came out in short, staggered gasps.
‘You’re enjoying this way too much.’ He breathed, tightening his hold around my waist.
‘And you’re not?’
‘Always.’ He laughed softly, and in a quick, fluid motion, he picked me up, once again, pressing my back against the door. ‘And you already know how you drive me crazy.’
‘Even now? After everything?’ I stammered breathlessly.
‘Yes.’ He ground out, slipping his hand under my tank top, gr
azing the skin on my stomach. ‘That’s never changed.’
‘You know all the right things to say.’ I hitched, when he reached behind me, unclasping my bra.
His hand slipped back to the front and within a breath of a second, his fingertips were coasting across my breast, gently tracing lines along the curve over my ribcage.
When his lips found mine again, a tap on the door behind me jolted us both out of the haze of lust.
‘Damn it.’ He groaned against my mouth.
‘Leave it.’ I whispered, slipping my fingers through his hair. ‘They’ll go away.’
‘Guys.’ A familiar voice jarred me to lucidity.
And before I opened my mouth again, I pulled up my shield.
Blocking conversations from a Hearing Sensitive was always an interesting game. I was powerful, but their natural gift was still strong.
‘Why is he here now?’ Illarion shook his head, gently lowering me to the ground.
‘Guess he wanted to say hi.’
‘Worst timing.’ He muttered, keeping his hands on my waist. ‘Couldn’t wait a bit longer, could he?’
I smirked, pressing another quick kiss to Illarion’s lips before hooking my bra back up and smoothing down my top.
‘We’ll get back to this as soon as you’re done.’ He said firmly, cupping my cheek. ‘Go.’
‘Okay.’ I chuckled watching Illarion disappear behind the writing desk, sitting down and composing himself.
Winking at Illarion, I unlocked the door letting Daniel in.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Ace
Daniel’s eyes lit up and matched the bright smile on his face. There were two seconds of silence between us before he lunged at me, crushing me in a bear hug.
‘Ah man, it’s so good to see you.’
‘You too.’ I laughed, trying to get enough air between the bear hug and Daniel’s refusal to let me go. ‘Can’t breathe.’
He reluctantly let go with a grin and looked me over.
‘Heard you were running circles round the FBI?’
Chuckling, I shrugged coyly and pulled Daniel out into the hallway, giving Illarion some time alone. He hadn’t said anything to me but the tension between them was enough to join the dots.
Daniel blamed Illarion for me leaving, and Illarion was too proud to ever tell Daniel to go to hell because in his mind that meant admitting defeat.
‘I don’t know about circles, but I was definitely making them think outside the square.’
‘Don’t be so humble.’ He snorted. ‘You know you’re the best out there.’
‘And I hear you’re running circles around everyone here.’
He grinned. ‘Something like that.’
I nudged him with a chuckle and gestured to the garden.
The warm sun on my face was always a surefire way to calm whatever nerves were previously occupying me.
‘Was it tough? I’ve always heard that the non-Sensitives don’t really like to work with us.’
‘Yes and no.’ I explained. ‘Mostly it’s fear, I guess. They don’t really get what we’re about, so we’re like this unknown taboo for a lot of them.’
‘Did anyone give you trouble?’
‘There was this one woman, but it’s nothing.’
‘Peyton?’
‘Wow,’ Word really did travel. ‘Yeah, but she’s alright.’
‘Price seems like a good guy, but she always stood out.’ He frowned.
‘She’s harmless, we made up.’
‘I’m glad, takes balls to grovel to someone.’
I laughed. ‘Believe me, there was no groveling.’
‘Sure. Whatever you say.’
‘Were you tasked to watch over my cases?’ I asked, changing the subject.
‘Sometimes, Illarion did most of that himself, but when he was under the pump, he asked me to.’
No shit, guess Illarion was slowly letting Daniel in. That was a huge step for him, that was practically a hug in Illarion speak.
‘Did you find anything?’
‘Not really. Josh and I did thorough background checks, but from here we didn’t see it coming, we don’t know where she managed to get information.’
‘Had to have been someone here.’
‘I have no doubt. We haven’t found anything yet.’
‘Illarion’s told you why we’re here?’ I asked cautiously.
‘Yeah, he did.’
‘Good. Makes it easier. I want to stay as transparent as possible, but I’ll need your help.’
‘You got it, whatever you need.’
‘Just keep your ears open. When the time comes, and I’m sure it will sooner rather than later, I’m going to need everyone I can get.’
‘No problems from my side. My Tracker partner is hella obsessed with you. You’re all she talks about.’
‘Why on Earth would she talk about me?’
‘Because you’re the kick ass heroine every girl dreams of being.’
‘I’m not a hero.’
‘Well, I think you are, and so do a bunch of others.’
I gave him a pointed look to which he replied with a smirk.
‘Anyway, it’s a good thing, it means she will be Team Ace when the time comes around.’
‘When you say it like that, it sounds good.’
‘Hell yeah it’s good, I’ve got it covered.’
‘Illarion tells me you’ve been checking everyone’s backgrounds out.’
‘Yeah, me and Josh and so far, everyone I’ve looked at checks out.’
But we didn’t look at everyone did we? The thought caught me off guard.
‘What are you thinking?’ He asked, when I slowed.
‘Did you find anything on Burt Davis?’
A quick moment passed before his eyes widened, ‘Yes, it does ring a bell.’
He pulled out his phone and quickly scrolled before nodding to himself.
‘Yes, Burt Davis was a former employee of the Agency, he’s a Sensitive, but he was discharged eleven years ago for insubordination—apparently he had issues with Damon Cale.’
‘Holy shit.’ I muttered. ‘This is getting more and more interesting.’
‘Where’d you get his name from?’
‘He’s the one who paid off the two morons who came after me.’
‘Palmer and Whiley?’
I nodded.
‘We didn’t find anything else on him, though.’
‘Neither did Belfort.’ I frowned. ‘Or Illarion’s buddy, Dan.’
‘No shit, the Pentagon guy?’
‘You know him?’
‘Of him, Elena read me and Josh in when Illarion asked him to do some digging. That file he was replacing for you guys was a pretty big deal.’
‘What was taken out of it?’
‘Mostly any mention of you and that senator.’
‘Can’t believe they think I had something to do with it.’
‘You know how bureaucracy works.’
‘Sadly, I do.’ I frowned. ‘So, no one knows he was a Sensitive then?’
‘Unfortunately, no.’
‘Well there goes that edge.’
‘What are you talking about?’
‘If they think I killed him, they’d probably concoct all sorts of creative reasons, him being a Sensitive was my only edge. Now that that is out of the records, I’ve got nothing to back me up.’
‘It won’t get to that.’
‘Let’s hope not.’
When we neared the edge of the grounds, we looped around and made our way back.
‘I’ll keep digging, if he’s the one who fed Peyton the info, chances are he has a lot more he’s not letting on, and if that’s the case, I want to know what.’
‘That might be a problem.’
‘Why?’ He frowned.
‘Illarion took Wiley out.’
‘I thought that was a rumor.’
‘Nope.’ I cringed. ‘That’s another reason we’re here. Save face.’
&nbs
p; ‘And the senator.’
‘Exactly. I can’t have people thinking I’m responsible, and even worse, that Illarion is covering for me.’
‘I’ll keep an eye on information flow. Filter anything out that comes up about that.’
‘Thank you.’
‘No problem.’
‘I’ll tell Illarion, I’m sure he’d like to know what we’re up against.’
Daniel replaced his phone with a nod and turned his attention to me.
‘You and Illarion, you’re fixing things?’
‘Yes. We’re trying.’
‘I’m glad.’ He said with a half-smile. ‘It’s good news.’
‘You know it wasn’t his fault I left, right?’
Daniel didn’t say anything.
‘I know you blamed him, and he didn’t say anything,’ I added quickly in case he got the wrong idea. ‘But you know, I can tell these things.’
‘Yeah, yeah I know.’ He nodded, keeping his eyes ahead. ‘I didn’t blame him for you leaving, I blamed him for not going after you.’
‘He couldn’t.’
‘Why?’ He asked impatiently.
‘Because I told him not to.’
The understanding of it all reached his eyes, and finally he dropped it.
‘It wasn’t something he could have fixed, regardless.’
‘And now?’
‘Now we’re working on it.’ I said. ‘I needed time to digest everything and I don’t know, come to terms with what my life is.’
‘And have you?’
‘I don’t know.’ I confessed. The admission burned a hole in my chest. ‘But I owe him this, I owe us.’
‘Aurel told me you’re dreaming about, about the Alabama house.’
‘Yes.’
Daniel exhaled, slowing.
‘You don’t have to say anything.’ I said quickly. ‘In fact, I’d rather you didn’t. If you don’t mind. I really don’t have the mental capacity right now to deal with this too.’
‘They’re not just dreams.’
My eyes traveled up to his.
‘I can also tell these things, you know?’ He said.
A small smile spread across my lips.
‘Right.’
‘What does he say? When you see him?’
‘He tries to warn me about what’s coming.’
‘Project Adam.’
I nodded and his jaw hardened. He turned his attention to the path ahead, speeding up our pace again.
Jack of Hart- Wild Card Page 32