Mitch gently set Kate away from him. He grabbed her hand and held it firmly in his. “Your clone died? How do you know that?”
Clone? What were they talking about? Ronin had a clone? Holy crap.
“I can’t feel him anymore. That giant drifter must have killed him.” Ronin paused. Though Kate couldn’t see him in the darkness, she sensed his evil presence. She pressed against Mitch, linking her arm through his. She felt Ronin’s gaze on her. She had a pretty good idea that Ethan had something to do with the drifters going crazy, but she wasn’t about to tell Ronin that. She would tell Mitch when they were alone.
“You can have the rest of the night with her, Mitchell, then it’s time to fulfill your end of the bargain. Tomorrow morning, you’re mine.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
Ronin stayed close to them all the way back to Aftermath, so they couldn’t have escaped, even if they’d tried. But Mitch had expected nothing less from Ronin. Mitch’s main goal right now was making sure Kate was safe. Mitch would agree to anything to keep her safe. Anything. Even his own death.
The thought of leaving her, of possibly never seeing her again, pained him more than he wanted to admit. But he had no other choice. Making a deal with Ronin was the only way he could keep Kate safe.
He cared about Kate more than he’d ever believed possible. Way more than he’d ever cared about anyone else. Ever. Not even Lisa had made him feel like this. And he had no doubt that what he felt for Kate was love. He loved her. She was so many wonderful things. Contradictions that wowed him. She was kindness. Toughness. Boldness. Strength. Courage. Generosity. Loyalty. And so much goodness it made his heart ache. The positive energy that flowed around her was so powerful it made him feel good just being close to her.
Yes, he loved Kate. He wanted to tell her that. Tomorrow he had to go with Ronin and do whatever Ronin wanted. It was a small price to pay for keeping Kate safe. He and Kate might not even have a future together. He might not return tomorrow.
So tell her tonight. Don’t wait. Life is too short.
They found Maddy in the dining area, sitting at a table with two of the women residents of Aftermath, eating a bowl of cabbage soup. Maddy was a South African doctor who’d been part of a humanitarian effort, volunteering with a group of other doctors and nurses at a small hospital just outside of Mwanza when the asteroid shower had struck nearly ten years ago. Mitch had only known her for a few years, but she was one of the few people he genuinely liked.
“Why are you eating soup in the middle of the night?” Mitch asked.
Ronin answered before Maddy could. “Because my men just brought her back from Mwanza and she’s been tending to the injured soldiers for half the night and hasn’t had a chance to eat yet.”
Maddy nodded, confirming what Ronin said. Exhaustion radiated off her slender body. Several strands of her blonde hair had come loose from her ever-present ponytail and cascaded around the sides of her pretty face. Ronin kept his soldiers away from Maddy, assuring her safety as long as she doctored up the injured whenever she was needed. Mitch wasn’t sure exactly what kind of agreement she had with Ronin, but Maddy wasn’t the type of person who could be forced into doing something she didn’t want to do. The woman was tough; a strong, independent woman who had earned Mitch’s respect. She was a lot like Kate. Mitch had wondered once if Maddy and Ronin’s relationship was sexual, but given Ronin’s proclivity for fleshy, voluptuous women and Maddy’s slenderness, he’d quickly dismissed the idea. Mitch suspected Maddy and Ronin’s agreement revolved around something else, though he’d never asked Maddy about it. Mitch wouldn’t have met her if Ronin hadn’t recruited her to help his injured soldiers. She had doctored Mitch up on numerous occasions and had helped him hide Ethan when Ethan had been injured by the soldiers several weeks ago.
Maddy’s deep blue gaze zeroed in on Mitch’s injured arm. She jumped to her feet. “That doesn’t look good, Mitch.”
“Tend to his wound,” Ronin ordered. “Then come see me. I have some injuries that need tending as well.” He marched off without waiting for her response.
“You can finish eating first.” Mitch motioned to her bowl of soup.
Ignoring him, Maddy inspected his arm. “I’m going to have to suture it up. Lucky for you, you have drifter in you, so you’ll heal fast.” She cast a curious glance at Kate, who still held Mitch’s hand. “I’m Maddy, by the way.”
Kate smiled and extended her hand. “Kate.”
They shook hands, and Mitch could see a friendship developing between them.
Mitch glanced at the two women who were still sitting at the table. “Can one of you nice ladies find something else for Kate to wear while Maddy tends to my wound?”
Both women jumped up from the table. “Yes. Of course.”
“Go on,” Mitch urged Kate. “I’ll come find you when I’m done.”
“Don’t be long,” she whispered, leaning in to wrap her arms around his neck and press her lips to his.
Mitch settled his uninjured hand possessively on her nearly bare ass and pressed her against him, pelvis to pelvis. “I don’t intend to,” he whispered back. He kissed her hard, deep, staking his claim, then set her away. Their gazes met and held, full of promise.
The women giggled, grabbing Kate’s hands and dragging her away.
Maddy cleared her throat. “Looks like someone’s found happiness again.” Her eyes sparkled with merriment as she looked at him. “If she’s broken through your wall of aloofness, then I like her already.”
Maddy didn’t know about his empathy. No one but Kate and Ethan did. She was right that he tended to remain aloof and keep his distance from others, but he only did it out of necessity. Maddy, however, was pushy and had broken through his walls. They had developed a friendship over the years and he was now thankful for her persistence that had finally won him over. Maddy was definitely loyal to her friends.
“Come on.” Maddy steered him from the room. “You’re getting pale from loss of blood. Let’s fix your arm before you pass out.”
* * *
Dressed in real clothes again—black leggings and a faded red T-shirt that was several sizes too big—Kate settled on the bed in the room the women had taken her to and waited for Mitch.
Kate had known Mitch for less than two weeks. But their attraction, their connection, had been almost instant. She had no doubt it was destiny. She and Mitch were meant to be together. It was more than just physical. They shared a strong emotional connection as well. Could this be love?
A sharp rap sounded at the door, pulling Kate from her thoughts. She jumped up from the bed and raced across the room.
Mitch stood out in the hallway, his arm freshly bandaged. He was dressed in a new shirt and pants, the smell of blood no longer clinging to him. She breathed in his clean scent, realizing he must have just taken a bath. She loved Mitch’s natural scent. Masculine. Sexy. It made her pulse pound and her skin heat. It made her want to run her lips all over him and touch him everywhere.
His heated gaze raked her from head to toe. “Can I come in?”
Kate pulled the door open wide and motioned him into the room. As soon as she closed the door behind him, he pulled her into his arms, his mouth claiming hers. Kate gasped at the unexpected, but delightful, assault. She kissed him back hungrily, running her hands up and down his hard, muscular torso. He walked her backward to the bed, laying her down and climbing over her, leaning his weight on his uninjured arm. He never stopped kissing her, his mouth demanding, taking, and giving. Kate lost herself in his kiss, in his touch. In him.
When he’d told her he didn’t like kissing because it was too personal, Kate had begun to understand him and his aloofness, his empathy a little better. And then when he’d kissed her for the first time, she’d understood even more the power of a kiss and the emotional impact it could have on a person. Mitch was kissing her passionately now, with so much feeling it overwhelmed her, sucked her in, made her cling to him and kiss him back with all her
emotions pouring out of her.
He let out a soft groan and drew back, gazing down at her, his eyes smoldering. “I can’t let you go, Kate. I’ll never get enough of you. You’re mine.” He kissed her again. And again, deeper, his tongue swirling with hers. “I may not return with Ronin tomorrow, so I’m going to enjoy the time I have with you tonight, because it might be our last time together.”
Kate shushed him with a kiss, tangling her tongue with his, sharing his urgency. She refused to think about him not coming back to her. He would come back.
They kissed. And kissed. Until Kate was so lost in him she wasn’t sure where he ended and she began. Breathing heavily, Mitch finally drew back. He yanked at her leggings, pulling them down her legs. She quickly scooted out of the pants and pulled him back to her, thrusting her hips up against him.
He groaned, his fingers loosening his pants. He quickly kicked them aside and came back to her. Kate guided him home, eager to share that amazing physical connection with him again. He took her mouth again, thrusting deep, his tongue matching the movements of his body. Claiming her. Making her his.
Mine. He’s mine.
Kate rose to meet his thrusts, wrapping her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck, hanging on tight. He let out a soft growl against her neck. He kissed her again, his tongue delving deep, as their bodies rocked the small bed, their passion overtaking them. He nipped at her bottom lip, drawing blood. Then at her neck, making her shiver and moan. And again at her earlobe, making her gasp and squirm beneath him.
Mitch drew her injured lip into his mouth and sucked hard. Kate moaned again. God, he overwhelmed her senses, consumed her with his very essence, with his touch. She loved his kisses, his touches, his bites. She loved it all. She loved the exquisite pleasure of his body joining with hers, taking her, possessing her. She loved Mitch.
The orgasm came on hard and fast, curling her toes, rocking her to her very core. She clung to him, gasping softly as the tingling slowly faded, and she went limp beneath him. Mitch let out a soft hiss and followed suit, his body tensing, then relaxing on top of her. Breathing heavily, they lay there for several moments, trying to catch their breaths.
Then Kate pushed against his chest. “Let me up. I can’t breathe.”
He rolled sideways, pulling her with him, until he lay on his back beneath her. He closed his eyes and sighed. Kate stared down at him, marveling at his male beauty. His perfection. She ran her fingers through his hair, brushing the soft locks back away from his handsome face.
He groaned softly. “That feels good. Don’t stop.”
She kept brushing her fingers through his hair, then leaned down and kissed him. “I love you,” she whispered, meaning it with every beat of her heart.
His eyes flickered open. His gaze locked on hers. He took her hand, pressing her palm against his lips. “And I love you, sweet Kate. You had me from the moment you stuck your head into the vegetable cart and glared at me with those gorgeous brown eyes. You brought goodness into my life, your goodness. Before you, my only purpose was taking down Ronin. Now I want more. Now I want a future with you.” He cleared his throat. “If by some miracle I return to Aftermath in one piece, then I’m taking you to the mountain with me. I can’t leave you behind, no matter what happens.”
She nodded, her eyes welling with tears. Her heart ached with the thought of never seeing him again. She swallowed hard against the lump that had formed in her throat.
“Come back to me, Mitch. Please.”
He wrapped his hand around the back of her neck and drew her face down to his. His lips brushed hers. Softly. A tear trickled down her cheek. Mitch brushed it away, his mouth taking hers again. The urgency from before was gone. Now he kissed her with gentleness. With sweetness. With tenderness. With love.
“Don’t cry, sweet Kate.” He leaned back, his amber gaze serious. “I can’t bear for you to be in pain. It hurts me.”
She sniffled, swallowing hard. “I’m sorry. I never want to hurt you. Never. But I don’t think I can live without you.”
He cradled her face in his hands. “As tough and courageous as you are, I think you’ll be fine without me.”
She shook her head. “I pretend to be tough, but when it comes to you, I get all weak and—”
“Shh.” He pressed a finger against her lips. “You’re stronger than you realize. If I don’t come back, you will survive without me, Kate. I know you will.” His gaze bored into hers. “Whatever happens, I’ll be with you always. Right here.” He pressed a palm against her chest, right above her heart. “And you’ll always be here inside me.” He took her hand and pressed it against his heart. The steady thump-thump against her hand showed her how alive he was. How real.
She nodded, swallowing back the tightness in her throat. After all the violence Kate had witnessed men doing to women, she’d never in her wildest dreams imagined she would find a man like Mitch. A love like this. He proved there was still goodness in the world. That love existed.
He wrapped his arms around her and squeezed her against him. Kate lay her head on his shoulder and settled more comfortably against him. They fit together perfectly.
They lay that way, silent, comfortable in each other’s company, cuddling close, for a long while.
“Do you think Ethan’s still alive?” Kate asked softly.
“I don’t know,” he murmured, his chest rumbling beneath her. “He attacked me when he was in his drifter form and tried to kill me.” He lifted his injured arm. “He did this to me. I’m not sure if he can be saved anymore. He’s lost all his humanity. I saw his eyes, Kate. They weren’t Ethan’s eyes. He was gone.”
She lifted her head, her gaze seeking his. “Is he a true drifter? Will you receive another gift now?”
“I don’t know.” Mitch was silent a moment. “But I doubt it. I guess time will tell.”
Kate nodded. “I think Ethan’s still human somewhere deep inside. I ran into him in the drifters’ lair. He helped me get to safety. Then he went back out into the tunnels to fight the soldiers. I think he had something to do with whatever is going on with the drifters now. Is he the one controlling them?”
Mitch sighed. “I think so. Ronin and his clone both fought with Ethan’s drifter form, and apparently Ethan killed the clone, so Ethan may possibly be more powerful than Ronin. If he tries to control the mountain in his current mental state—which is not human in the least—then we may be worse off than if Ronin controlled the mountain.”
“So what do we do?”
“I don’t know yet.”
“You said yourself that you can’t beat Ronin without the three cones and that Ethan is the third cone. You need Ethan. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to ensure you and I have a future. I’ll do whatever you need me to. I love you that much.”
Mitch’s gaze softened. “You love me that much?”
She nodded, swallowing hard.
He groaned. “Fuck. I can’t lose you, Kate. It will kill me.”
She wrapped her arms around him, hugging him close. “You won’t lose me. And I won’t lose you. Together, we will do this. Together, remember?”
His gaze locked on hers. “Yes. Together.”
Kate pressed kisses along his neck and across his chest, then back up to nibble on his ear like he’d done with her. “I’m never leaving your side, Mitch. You’re mine and I’m yours.” She breathed softly into his ear. “Forever.”
He let out a shiver, his arms tightening around her. “Kate,” he hissed softly.
“Kiss me, drifter man,” she murmured, pressing her lips to his. “Let’s make this a night we’ll never forget.”
He let out a soft growl and flipped her beneath him.
“Your wish is my command.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Ronin came for him at dawn, slipping silently into the room and looming eerily over the bed. Despite his immense size, Ronin was capable of moving as stealthily as a hunting leopard. Without his superior senses, Mitch
wouldn’t have known Ronin was standing over the bed, staring down at him. But Mitch had sensed Ronin the moment the door had opened. He’d known Ronin was there. Mitch jumped up and gently tucked the covers around Kate, not wanting Ronin to focus on her. Mitch quickly dressed and joined Ronin out in the hallway.
“I gave you time with the trader woman. Now you’re mine to use until I’m done with you.”
Mitch nodded. He was doing this to keep Kate safe.
Kate was still sleeping soundly. They’d made love two more times in the wee hours before dawn. Then she’d fallen asleep, exhausted. Mitch had cuddled her close, savoring the moment, wishing it would never end. He hoped to have many more nights just like this one with Kate. But he couldn’t be too optimistic when chances were he wouldn’t come back alive.
“Let’s go before Kate wakes.”
Minutes later, he and Ronin were down in the main dining area.
“What’s the plan?” Mitch asked, eyeing Ronin across the table as they sipped bitter black coffee.
“Take out that giant drifter and control the rest of the drifters.”
“What if he’s not the lead drifter?”
Ronin scowled. “He has to be. But if he’s not, then at least I will have taken out the competition.”
Uneasiness swept through Mitch. He didn’t want to be part of Ethan’s demise. He needed Ethan to help control the mountain. Without Ethan, he and Gabe wouldn’t be able to fulfill their destinies. He had to find a way to stop Ronin from killing Ethan. But how?
“So what is it you want me to do? Why don’t you use your soldiers to help you? And how do I know you won’t kill Kate when we get back?”
Ronin scoffed. “None of my soldiers have been bitten and survived. Two more died last night from drifter bites. They don’t have the powers you do. But you and I together, we’re very powerful. There isn’t anything that can beat us.”
Ronin took a gulp of his coffee, the heat obviously not scalding his throat like it would a man without drifter in him. Mitch had already discovered that Ronin shared his and Gabe’s tolerance for extreme heat and that he likely couldn’t be killed by fire. “I won’t kill the lovely Kate as long as you do what you’re told. Disobey me, and I guarantee she’ll die. You, Mitchell, are the key to getting close to the giant drifter.”
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