Apostate

by Frankie Robertson

  Kellan dropped a kiss on the top of her head. **My heart is too full right now, and you are too new to sharing our thoughts. I fear my control might slip. But you ease my heart, chérie. So much.** His hand slipped down to stroke the spot at the base of her spine, the spot that made her want to press her heat against him and take him inside.

  She thrust her hands beneath the elastic band of his running shorts and squeezed his delectable buns. **Make love to me.**

  Craving flared in him, but she felt him searching her, his concern for her a leash on his desire.

  **I’m fine. Between you, and Gideon, and my nap, I’m fully recovered. You won’t hurt me.**

  He believed her this time and scooped her up so she could wrap her legs around his waist. His lips found hers and she welcomed him, tangling her tongue with his. Heat and need ran between them fueling their hunger for each other. He’d feared for her this afternoon, but no more than she had for him. He’d moved faster than she’d ever seen any man run, but he had almost not been quick enough. He could die as easily as any human. She’d almost lost him.

  **Shh, my love. I’m well. I’m here.**

  She felt his erection prodding her through his shorts and rubbed against it. **Prove it.**

  His flare of desire increased her own yearning. He chuckled and lay her down on the bed. She tossed her t-shirt aside and shimmied out of her panties while he shucked his shorts, and then he was over her, between her legs. He nibbled her neck and then bent lower to gently take her nipple between his teeth. A jolt of pleasure sizzled through her down to her core and she arched up to him. He suckled her breast, pulling a groan of need out of her. Barely coherent thoughts tumbled out of her. **Please. Want you. Now.**

  He answered by sliding home, hilting himself and drawing a sigh of satisfaction from her. It wasn’t enough though. He understood and rolled, pulling her over to straddle him. **I’m yours. Take me, love.**

  Tasha rode him, bracing her hands on his chest, rolling her hips up and back, savoring the feel of him filling her. He smiled as he watched her and stroked her thighs in the way she liked, driving her higher. She felt his pleasure rising through their connection and it fueled her arousal even more. He was holding back, waiting for her. **Don’t,** she whispered into his mind, as she rubbed her thumbs over his nipples. Her own tingled and the extra jolt pushed him over the edge. He grabbed her hips and took control of the tempo, thrusting hard and fast. In seconds Kellan’s pleasure exploded, pulling her along with him. She convulsed around him, shuddering as her climax enhanced his and he reflected it back to her. It was too much—and just right.

  Tasha collapsed on his chest. Little tremors chased each other with lingering delight. She couldn’t think, and the same bone-deep pleasure blanketed Kellan’s mind. For this moment, he was sated and at peace, and that made her happiness complete.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  The next morning Tasha eased out of bed as soon as she heard their hosts stirring. Kellan still slept and she looked at his relaxed face as she dressed. A lock of hair fell over his brow, and she could imagine what he looked like as a little boy. Or rather, what Antoine had looked like. Kellan had never had a childhood. The thought saddened her.

  Kellan caught her hand as she brushed the strands of hair aside, and kissed her fingertips. **Don’t grieve for me. I enjoyed my children’s childhoods.**

  **I didn’t want to wake you.**

  **You didn’t. I kept my thoughts quiet so you could sleep. I’ve been lolling abed indulging in the pleasure of holding you in my arms.**

  Guys her age didn’t talk like that. They could learn something from their elders.

  Kellan snorted a laugh and pulled her back onto the bed, kissing her eyes and nose and mouth. His hand found her breast, sending a rill of delight between her legs.

  Outside the door, little feet pattered down the hall trailing giggles, while Jared growled behind. Tasha muffled a laugh against Kellan’s chest. When she looked up, he was grinning.

  **You see? There’s a lot of joy to be shared with children in one’s life… Do you want them?**

  She was only twenty-three and had never dated anyone she’d thought of as daddy material. **I haven’t thought much about it, but yeah, I’d like to have kids someday.** She hesitated for an instant, but Kellan would have already heard an echo of the thought so she plunged ahead. **Do you?** He’d had many families and raised a multitude of children. He might be bored with it.

  **Every child is different. Parenting is a journey of discovery. And if they were our children, I’d enjoy rearing them even more.**

  Her thoughts froze, stunned that he’d just said he wanted to have children with her.

  **When you’re ready, of course,** he added. **There’s no rush.**

  **That’s a topic for after we find Jasper and get the Golden Path off my back.** But something happy and warm blossomed in her breast. **Speaking of which, I think we should ask our hosts if their magic can help us find out if Jasper is actually alive.** Tasha gave him a quick peck and rolled away. Kellan held onto her fingers, stretching her arm out until she reluctantly pulled free.

  Dave awakened to the distinct sensation of being watched. Years of special ops made his body go on alert, ready for action, though he kept it relaxed so any observer wouldn’t suspect his awareness. But when he opened his eyes a slit, he discovered it was only Alex staring at him. “What’s up?”

  “We didn’t get to read White Fang last night and even though Jack said he’d read to me I wanted you to do it but Mom said you’ll probably have to go out every night until we can go home again so I figured I’d ask you to read to me before you left again. Mom said I couldn’t wake you up, so I didn’t. But you’re awake now. Is this a good time?” The boy looked both eager and worried that he’d pushed his limits.

  In the other bed, Jack rolled over. He and Pete were hot-bunking; one man slept while the other kept watch. Pete would be keeping an eye on Julie now that it was day. Dave glanced at the window to gauge what time it was, but the black-out drapes did their job too well. The clock on the stand between the beds confirmed what Dave’s internal time sense had already told him: it was damn early. Pete must be watching his sister sleep. That would be creepy under any other circumstances.

  “Sure,” he said softly. “But let’s be really quiet. Jack’s trying to sleep and I’ll bet your mom is, too. I’ll get dressed and we can go down to the coffee shop.”

  Alex’s eyes lit up as he bounced off the bed, but he didn’t make a peep. It felt weird to see that he could make the kid so happy just by agreeing to spend a little time with him. Like being given a gift he didn’t deserve.

  He let Pete know the score and then he and Alex rode the elevator down to the lobby. They got their drinks and settled into a loveseat. Dave was vaguely aware of the women passing through smiling at them, but Alaska called. Half an hour, a coffee, a hot chocolate, and a chapter later, Alex looked more relaxed even though the wolf pup was in difficult straights.

  “White Fang’s mom is going to find him, right?”

  Dave had read the book many years earlier. All he remembered was that things got worse before they got better. “Maybe. I don’t remember. But I do remember that White Fang is tough and makes it through all the hard stuff. It makes him stronger.”

  “Like you?”

  Shit. What had Julie told the kid? “What do you mean?”

  “Mom said your dad was mean and that you went into the Army to get away from him. She said it was better to not have a dad than have one like yours. But you got through it. Did it make you stronger?”

  Crap. He felt like he’d just opened a can of worms and Alex had handed him a spoon. “Your mom is absolutely right.”

  The boy’s brow furrowed. “Was my dad a bad man?”

  Dave’s stomach tightened. He wanted to reassure the kid that his dad was a great guy, but then why wasn’t he here? Julie hadn’t said. “I don’t know what your dad was like, I never met him. But that’s no
t the point. We play the cards we’re dealt the best we can. You have some really good cards, including a great mom. She’s even stronger than I am.”

  “She is?” Alex regarded him with serious brown eyes so like Julie’s.

  “Absolutely. There are lots of different kinds of strength. Don’t miss out on loving and learning from the good people in your life because you’re wishing for something you never had and can’t go back to get. We can only go forward.” Good advice that his mentor had given him. He hoped it would be easier for Alex to take than it had been for him.

  Alex considered his words and then said, “Okay. I’m hungry. Can we get something to eat?”

  Jared looked up from cutting Grace’s pancakes when Kellan joined them. “Tasha says you think Jasper may be alive?”

  He glanced at Tasha, who shrugged. He really didn’t mind her telling them, though he would rather have done it himself. “Yeah.”

  “I may be able to help you confirm that,” Cassie said. “Depending on, well, several things, I may be able to detect a trace of him by reading you… If you’re willing.”

  He was already on thin ice with the Council. Opening himself up to a Progeny—especially one married to a Lightbringer—would not please them. But he saw no other way to know for sure if Jasper was still alive.

  “Okay. When can we do this? The sooner the better.”

  “Grace has a play-date with Jilly in an hour. We can do it then.”

  “Jilly!” Grace waved her fork with a bite of syrupy pancakes speared on the tines.

  Jared captured her hand before she flung sticky sweetness too far. “Are you finished?” he asked quietly.

  The little girl popped the pancake into her mouth in reply.

  An hour later Gideon had joined them and Grace was off on her play-date. Tasha and the Guardian joined Jared in his office while Kellan followed Cassie to the room where she met with clients.

  “Have a seat.” Cassie gestured to one of two chairs on either side of a small round table.

  “I thought we’d be going down to the room in the basement,” Kellan said.

  “I like this room better. Don’t worry. It’s warded almost as strongly as the ritual room, but more than enough for what we’re going to do.”

  Kellan had to agree that her office was more comfortable with its padded seats and thick Asian rug. “I’m sure Jared wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  “I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ve always been careful with both my safety and that of my clients. And now that I know more, I make use of what applies.”

  “I meant no offense.”

  “I know you didn’t. You’re just old-fashioned in some of your attitudes.” Cassie smiled. “Just like Jared.”

  “We’ve both lived through eras when men were expected to protect their women.”

  “I know. It’s part of his charm and I love him for it, even when it’s a little aggravating.” She sat down across from him and held out her hand. “I usually offer a new client some chamomile tea to help them relax, but I expect you’re impatient to begin.”

  Kellan put his palm against hers and felt the characteristic tingle of connecting with a Progeny. Cassie bent her head over his hand. She was descended from two Celestial bloodlines. That’s what made her so gifted. Somewhere back in her lineage both a Guardian and a Seraphim, probably a Seer, had mated with two of her many times great grandmothers. And now Jared had added Lightbringer blood to their precociously gifted daughter’s heritage.

  **You should be thinking about Jasper, not Grace.** Cassie spoke softly into his mind. **Focus on your partner. Think about how you worked together, supported each other. Think about doing the magic that helped him transition.**

  Kellan stiffened. **That is an U’dahmi secret.** He withdrew his hand from hers.

  **I don’t need to know the details. Just how you support each other.**

  He could do that. **Very well.** He let her take his hand again.

  He turned his thoughts to Jasper and let her in.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Dave stopped by Julie’s trailer to pick up her mail and the FedEx package Jared had sent. Her mailbox was full of coupon mailers and bills, but there was no FedEx package on the doorstep or the porch. He got out a pocket flashlight, looked on either side of the steps, and around the corner. Nothing. Crap. Had it been stolen? He didn’t want to spend more time on sending another batch of wrappers to Ana. He wanted Julie and Alex safe as soon as possible. And Jack and Pete had lives they needed to get back to.

  The neighbor’s curtain twitched, letting a gleam of light escape into the night. Then the outside light came on and her door opened halfway. “You’re Julie’s brother?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “It’s taken you a long time to come around.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He wasn’t going to explain their long painful family history.

  “Julie's a good girl. I didn’t much care for that boyfriend of hers, but I guess he’s gone now.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Gone for good, if Chad was smart enough to heed good advice. Unfortunately, Chad didn’t strike him as being too bright.

  “Well, you’re here now, at least. That’s something.”

  “Yes, ma’am. Do you know anything about a package that was delivered here this afternoon?”

  “Yes. I took it in. We don’t usually have much trouble with porch pirates around here, but we are close to the railroad tracks. I thought it best not to leave it out where anyone walking by could see it and pick it up.”

  Julie lived almost to the end of a dead-end street, but he appreciated the neighbor’s sentiment. “Can I have it, please? It should be addressed to me.”

  The woman closed the door. He’d climbed the short stair to the door and was thinking of knocking when the old woman reappeared. She drew back a little at finding him so close, but then thrust the cardboard envelope at him. “Here. When will Julie and Alex be back? She always brings a few cookies over to me when she bakes for her boy. She makes snickerdoodles just like I used to.”

  Snickerdoodles? He hadn’t known that Julie baked. There were a lot of things he didn’t know about his sister. He hoped to change that, just as soon as he made sure she was safe. “Soon, I hope.” He jumped down the steps. “I’ll let her know you asked after her. Thanks for taking this in!”

  Half an hour later Dave had settled in for another night of watching the bungalow. The porch was dark, but lights were on inside. The same four cars lined the curb right in front so they were all there—which was really too bad. His plan wasn’t to confront them en masse. He wasn’t planning to confront them at all. He was good, but he was only one guy—and he didn’t want to kill them, anyway. He watched and waited while he reassembled the stacks of money with the bespelled wrappers, hoping the assholes would head out together for some entertainment. So far, they were staying in like an old married couple entertaining friends. Damn.

  As the time passed 2330, he decided to stay until 0100, and then call it quits. If they didn’t go out by then, they were probably in for the night. He’d come back tomorrow, and the night after, if necessary. These guys had to go out sometime. Sooner would be better. He didn’t know how long Julie would let him bottle her up in that hotel.

  Another hour passed and Dave had just drained the last drop of coffee from his thermos when the front door of the bungalow opened. Three men headed over to a faded SUV while a fourth took a moment to lock the door before following them. A minute later they were gone.

  It was possible there were others in the house, but he wouldn’t get a better chance. Duffle bag in hand, Dave eased out of his truck and closed the door softly. A partial moon shined over his shoulder. It cast minimal light on the dark neighborhood, but to Dave’s dark-adapted eyes it was bright enough to find his way through the shadows and into the bungalow’s back yard. From there it was easy to pick the back door and let himself into the kitchen, weapon drawn.

  Lights were on in the next
room. He stopped to listen but the house was still. An empty pizza box and four beer bottles decorated the kitchen table. Wherever they’d gone, they’d eaten first and hadn’t overindulged. That showed more self-discipline than their records suggested they had. A prickle of worry crawled over his scalp. He needed to get this done and get back to the hotel.

  Dave cleared the house room by room and returned to the living room. It took very little time to divide the money into three piles. Then he called The Lion on the burner phone he’d purchased on the way over. He expected the call would go to voicemail, but someone picked up.

  “Who is this?” A deep voice demanded.

  “Those bastards think they’re going to cheat me out of my share! Well they can think again.”

  “Who is this? How did you get this number?”

  It was one of several numbers that Jared’s people had uncovered for The Lion, but that wasn’t pertinent.

  “They’re dividing up the money Chad stole at the Via Caballo house. Tell the boss those dicks are getting ready to steal his money.”

  Dave hung up. If this worked, The Lion would get his money back and he’d think that a disgruntled conspirator had ratted out his partners. The crime boss would lose interest in Julie and instead blame these goons for taking his money. The fact that he was setting these guys up to be punished for something they hadn’t done didn’t bother him at all.

  He threw away one of the four beer bottles to support the fiction that three of the guys had met without the fourth. He was just about to leave when his personal phone vibrated in his pocket. It was Pete.

  “We have a situation here. Three whack-jobs shot their way into the room. Jack, Julie, and Alex are on the way to the hospital and the cops are crawling all over the place.”

  His heart froze with fear. Julie had been shot and he hadn’t been there to protect her. He could barely get words out. “How bad is she hurt?”

  “Sorry, man, I should have led with that. She’s not hurt. Neither is Alex. But she wouldn’t let Jack go to the hospital alone.”