Breaking Free (15 page)

Devlin’s eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched, and his hands fisted.
Other than a new tense posture, he didn’t move.

Preston gave him a cruel smile. “I love to spread her legs and lick until she screams
my
name.”

Devlin
was standing there, a mask of fury on his face, and then Preston was on his ass, his jaw nearly unhinged from the swing that came out of nowhere. Next thing he knew, he was pinned face down on the ground. That was all it took to bring Devlin’s inner-fighter out.

“Sorry, man,” Preston grunted. “Knew that would piss you off enough to fight.”

Devlin released him. Preston rolled over.

The druid was still
ticked. “If you touch her again, I will spin a curse so vile you’ll cut off your own balls.”

“Yup, you’re Fallon’s brother all right,” Preston muttered, picking himself up from the floor. “Look, it was the push you needed to stop thinking like a healer, and act like a fighter. Now we know
, and more importantly you know, you have the ability. And for the record, Jamie and I are over. I won’t deny I enjoyed my time with her. She clearly loves you. I still care about her, and I will always be her friend, but I won’t ruin what makes her happy.”

“Jamie is mine, and I’m not letting her go.”

“Good, ‘cause I can’t make her smile the same way you do.” Preston shrugged. “Still, we need to get your ass ready to fight, because I guarantee if you aren’t prepared, the Dales will ruin you once they get what they want.”

“I know that better than anyone.” Devlin pushed his fingers through his hair and looked back at his sister.
After a deep breath to release the edge of his temper, he told Fallon, “Preston’s right. I needed something to fight for.”

Fallon nodded. “I should have thought of that.
Though none of us could have pulled that stunt with the same effect. Now, let’s get to work. There’s a lot more ground to cover.”

DeMarco strode into the deepest darkest holding cell
of what was an old mining shaft newly transformed into the Dales’ temporary base of operations. Home, at least while they had to be in Washington. It was too cold for his taste. He missed the coasts of Italy where he grew up centuries ago. If DeMarco had his way, he’d forget the age of technology and gizmos, and go back to the quiet countryside where his power was greater than anything anyone had seen.

He found Sarah, the
worthless Shadowstalker who clung to a love she could never salvage, hunched into a ball on the dirty floor. He wanted to beat her, to whip her, until her skin was shredded. Let her precious blood leak until he could put what she most desired in front of her and then watch as she drained his life away before Fallon’s eyes. Fallon would find a way to kill the wretch and he would have one less defiant bitch to worry about.

“You still want your precious Brody?” he sneered.

She didn’t answer, didn’t even look at him. Her stare was blank.

“Will you at least listen to Malachi once he’s released?”

Sniffling, she nodded, pink streaks marking the trails her tears took down her pale face. “Of course. I can’t deny my maker.”

DeMarco had to wonder. Devlin could likely make a ward to break the compulsion to follow her master’s orders. He wouldn’t put it past the
man, who was constantly trying to find a way to improve everyone’s life. Damn meddling druid.

He didn’t have time to worry about it.
DeMarco turned toward the post which had four Others chained to it. A mage, witch, werewolf and werecat. Once Malachi had his fill, if he saw fit, he could give Sarah his leftovers.

The four of them were shackled with some of Devlin’s handiwork. The spells strip
ped the wearers of their powers, leaving them no better than humans, who couldn’t stand against a vampire, let alone a Shadowstalker.

He pulled the
golf-ball sized black orb from his pocket and started to cast the air spell his charge acquired from Aeremaius. The fae would sell out his own sister if he thought he could get away with it. If he wasn’t fae royalty, DeMarco would have taken him as one of his combatants centuries ago. He fought dirty, and would do anything to win.

As he finished the spell,
Malachi drifted out of the orb in a swirl of shadows and reformed. Weak, he immediately crumpled to the floor. His already scarred skin was charred, his clothes crispy rags that clung to his body.

Pathetic,
hoarse whimpers left his lips as he attempted to orient himself. After months of being trapped in solitude with nothing but gray mist, he was starved, and in pain.

“Feed. This is your chance. We have much to do,” DeMarco ordered. Once upon a time
, Malachi would have had the upper hand, but it had been years since Fallon left the vampire a burnt shell of his former self. And decades before that, Fallon’s father had given Malachi injuries he never recovered from.

More than unmanned,
Malachi hadn’t been the same since Declan used a mana-blade to slice his cock from his body. The druid refused to let the Shadowstalker use Moira for his pleasure and sustenance. That was the night they escaped.

Growing impatient,
he threatened, “Shall I put you back in your prison?”

Malachi
sprang from the ground, latching onto the werewolf who valiantly attempted to fight against his bonds and Malachi, but he was already weakened.

Once
the drained corpse fell, Malachi was on to the next victim. His skin started to mend itself, leaving hideous fresh scars on top of the old. Mana-blades did more damage than any other weapon. It was an old, supposedly long-forgotten magic, but Declan knew it and had taught at least one other who passed on the ancient knowledge. None of them would gift DeMarco with his own blade, no matter what was done to them.

“
Consider feeding your pet, and when you’re done, I need a word with you,” Demarco spat before walking through the door and back up to his chambers.

* * * *

Jess parked the truck outside the gym. “Sorry I was a bitch about Devlin. I needed to be sure, but I get it.”

“Good, because I’m not letting him leave, and I doubt Fallon will either.” Jamie winked and hopped out of the truck.

She heard a grunt from Slater, and both Jamie and Jess ran inside. They stopped when they found Slater pressed up against the rail in an arm lock which was about a millimeter from breaking their alpha’s arm, courtesy of Devlin who dripped with sweat, his lean muscles straining.

Preston
sported a black eye and bloody lip. Hayden looked exhausted. Leon had his ass leaned up against the wall, his hands on his knees while he caught his breath. Brody, the only one not visibly injured besides Fallon, leaned next to his mate who was grinning at her brother.

Preston nodded to Jamie. “We figured out how to get him to fight.” He wore his usual cocky grin.

“Dare I ask?” Jamie quipped.

“Hmm, well I doubt it would work for you, but we
only have to threaten you harm, say something lewd about you, or insult you, and he turns into the hulk. I’m impressed.”

A frown pulled at her lips. “What did you say to
earn that shiner?”

He coughed as he looked away. “Something I’m not repeating. I may be an ass, but not without reason.”

Her brow lifted as she stared. Preston not daring to tell her said quite a bit about his undoubtedly dirty bait.

“Don’t mind Preston. He stepped up to help train your man.” Fallon gave her a one
-armed hug. “He wasn’t getting it until Preston convinced me to let him try his way. It was a brilliant move.”

Brody laughed. “Yeah, he’s doing it without the insults now.
All he has to do is picture the two of you together.” He waved a finger between her and Preston. “Seems to do the trick every time.”

Jess groaned,
“Men.” She marched over to Devlin and tapped him on the shoulder.

He looked her way with a growl, still pinning Slater
, who couldn’t pull a full breath.

“Look, Dev, Jamie convinced me you aren’t the antichrist, so would you mind letting
my
mate go before I go all she-bitch on you? Cuz I’m about a second away.”

Devlin let go and backed up. “Sorry, Slater. I
didn’t mean to go overboard.”

Slater let out a hoarse laugh.
“No, that’s good. Probably enough for the day though.”

Fallon nodded. “Agreed. I have chili cooking back at home. Why don’t we go there? You’re all welcome to join us.”

“After a shower?” Devlin asked, almost shyly.

“Good plan,” Brody answered. “See you soon.” He grabbed Fallon’s hand and started for the door.

Preston offered Devlin a smile. “Sorry about what I said. I truly respect Jamie more than that. It was the only thing I could think of to piss you off enough to fight back.”

“
It worked, so thank you.” Devlin held out his hand, and Preston pulled him in for one of those manly bro-hugs before releasing him and turning to walk out the door.

Awkward,
Jamie wanted to say, but held her tongue as she gave Devlin a smirk. “You were ready to defend my honor? I think I have a reward for you, but we best hurry.”

Jess snorted. “Don’t wait too long to get there. I will eat all of Fallon’s chili if you
waste too much time
rewarding
.”

“As much as I love that stuff, I have something I’m craving a hell of a lot more right here in front of me.
”

* * * *

They barely made it through the door before Devlin spun Jamie, pressing her against the wall as he yanked her pants down her legs and pulled off her shoes.

Jamie helped, kicking off the barriers between her and Devlin. “Naked, now,” she commanded.

Devlin grinned wickedly as he tore his shirt over his head and knelt, bringing her leg over his shoulder. He pressed his mouth to her slick heat, devouring her with a passion she wasn’t expecting.

Her fingers threaded through his hair as
he sucked at her clit and pressed two fingers deep inside.

What was I asking for? Oh yeah.
“I said naked, Dev. That means you…” her words ended on a pleasure-filled cry.

Her climax slammed into her and before she could slide down the wall, he picked her up and spun
her, bending her over the arm of the couch. He was balls deep in her the next second, driving in and out, hard and fast.

“Need you, Jamie, just you.”

“Mmmuhh, yeah,” she groaned, rushing toward release.

His fingers drifted up her side and over her breast to pinch her nipple. She came, bringing him with her.

“Tell me I didn’t hurt you,” he whispered, concern flittering around him.

“No. That was so good,” she answered, not bothering to move yet.

* * * *

Brody ran his fingers up and down Fallon’s thigh the whole
drive home. “I forgot how much you seem to enjoy sparring. We’re going to have to join Jamie’s gym.”

Fallon nodded, being dragged back to the present. “
You going to be okay with me working out while pregnant?”

“I’m not sure I can handle
watching you spar past a certain point,” he admitted.

She smiled back at him. “I don’t plan to spar
with a big belly in the way. Still, running, some lifting, nothing major.”

Brody slipped his hand over her stomach. “I’m not saying you can’t work out, but I’m going to love your body no matter what shape or size.”

“I know, but I don’t think I can
not
work out. Is that weird?”

Shaking his head, he murmured, “Of course not. I like running
with you. I always have a great view no matter which angle I watch you from.”

“Should see me freerun.” She winked. “Jamie got me into it. I will admit she’s better though.”

“You gonna teach me?”

She nodded until she
looked up and found Gabriel pacing on their porch.

“Shit,” she muttered, and hopped out of the still moving truck to storm up to the porch. “
Going to give me real answers now?” Fallon demanded.

His eyes widened and he pointed. “You’re pregnant.”

“Not the topic of conversation, Gabriel. I need to know why the hell my father left us, and why my parents kept my brother from me. There had better be a damned good reason.”

Gabriel pushe
d his fingers through his long brown hair. His hazel eyes darkened as he took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Declan wanted you safe, and he thought splitting the two of you up was the only way.”

“
Did my mother even die of cancer? Or was it something worse?”

Gabe winced. “I never wanted you to know about that. Especially after you found a way to fight it off.”

“Fuck, you should have told me. I could have helped her.”

His whole face crumbled. “That was the last thing Moira wanted
. She couldn’t have the love of her life back and she gave up. Besides, the whole point of splitting-up was to keep you and her safe.”

Her eyes narrowed dangerously. “Y
eah, and letting her die from a curse was keeping her safe.”

“Declan didn’t know about the curse. She fought it until it
became clear your father wasn’t coming back. He only saw her in dreams, and what you really look like isn’t always what you see. So, Declan didn’t know until he came to me after her death.”

“But I could have helped her. I could have taken it from her.”

“At sixteen? Or earlier?” Gabriel challenged. “You would have died. Is that what you want? To give up and die like her?”

“But why did she give up?”

“She was never as strong as you. She knew Declan wouldn’t come back until DeMarco and Malachi were dead and gone. That wasn’t terribly likely, so Moira let go of hope.”

Fallon let out a frustrated growl.
“What about DeMarco and Malachi?”

“
Look, you know what they are capable of. Your father didn’t want that for either of you, and your mother was held by them for a year before Declan found and freed her. I don’t even know what she endured at their hands.”

She didn’t answer,
instead glared back at the man who helped raised her, heaving breath after breath. There were a thousand things she wanted to accuse him of, but they weren’t right and she knew it. Better to find either DeMarco or Malachi and tear them apart with her bare hands.

Brody interrupted, “Hey, Gabe, give her a few minutes to calm down. She doesn’t need more stress than she already has.”

Fallon flipped around, her eyes blazing. “Pregnant, not handicapped, thank you very fucking much. I don’t need a babysitter. There are whole chunks of my past, my family, I know nothing about. So I’m standing here wondering how much of what I’ve been told is even real. Shit.”