Heartfelt (16 page)

“Even dead, my father and his legacy are hurting innocents. When will it stop?”

“That’s exactly what we’re working on,” Conrad said. “Stopping these bastards. Oh, and I overheard the workers chasing Lara lamenting that a guy named Marcus is expected. They said he is a were-lynx. I got the impression that he’s helping the endeavors at the preserve in some way.”

“A traitor? One of own turned against us?” Asher spit out the words. “Isn’t that against the ancient rules? It’s a crime that warrants death.”

“It is,” Lara said. “If we had the database we might learn who Marcus is. Unfortunately, we don’t have it.”

Tizzy slanted her head at Sterling and Lacey. “You haven’t said where the group gets live prey. Since the animals at the preserve are large animals, are we talking about goats and such as the prey? They’re just set in the enclosures to fend for themselves in a hopeless attempt to escape the jaws of death?”

Sterling and Lacey exchanged glances. Sterling delivered the news. “No, we’re not talking goats.” She paused. “The breeding program is part of the group’s plans to lull everyone into believing it is legitimately concerned about animal welfare. But it is actually farming young animals to present to hunters looking for trophies and willing to pay large sums. The hunting is the money-maker for the so-called preserve. The money from the hunting activities helps fund the experimental drug testing. The drugs they’re creating need subjects, so they bring in animals and people, homeless people.”

Asia sucked in a breath. “So my mother may have been subjected to some wild-ass drugs. Shaun, you’ve looked at her chart. Can you determine what kinds of drugs she’s been on?”

“Your mom has been on Versed. That’s used for sedation.”

“That is a separate part of the operation.” Lara pursed her lips and paused. “Casey and I snuck into operations headquarters while Kennedy and Asher got into the administration office to use computers. What we found was a map, so to speak, of the operation. It graphed out the various pieces that make up the Project Powering associated with TNG’s plans. As we know, the preserve, such as it is, is newly opened but not fully operational. The plans, all of the interconnections of the plans, have been mapped out for a year. Behind the scenes, parts of it have progressed and we’ve intersected with those parts. We’ve slowed down the group’s forward progress, but they’ve simply adapted, taken a different tack, but remained on task.”

“What Asher and I found was names, names of subjects and names of those involved from the grounds keepers to the BOD.” Kennedy now sitting beside Asher, leaned against him.

Tizzy held up her hand. “Okay, that’s all good intel. But you haven’t said yet where the live prey comes from. Quinn and I saw the young cubs with their mothers. They’re in really nifty settings, clearly on purpose to show off a pretty face to those who visit.”

“Shaun and I saw the area, far into the property, where the big cats and other large animals, including lynxes, are being held.”

Shaun nodded. “Yeah, those enclosures are well-equipped with platforms and shelters and are very large spaces. But still farther back are acres of fenced land that is completely ungroomed. It’s the likely spot for a fake hunt.”

Conrad spoke up. His heart heavy, he peered around the room. “I think I know what the live prey is and how the homeless people, like your mother, come into the picture.” Loath to speak the terrible words, he sat still, letting the group begin to process possibilities. Munchie, a long-haired brown and white cat, jumped up into his lap and stared into his face. Conrad rubbed Munchie’s head and she leaned into it, as though trying to sense his troubled emotions. “When I was perching in the treetops, trying to avoid the men chasing Asia and me, a strong stench of death permeated the air. I didn’t see anything to indicate its origin. It wouldn’t be unexpected for a big cat preserve to stockpile lots of animal parts to feed them.”

The air in the room got thin. He didn’t want to tell them. But they all sat in silence, as though holding their breath, waiting for him to finish.

“The scents I picked up were animal scents. I also picked up the scent of human remains.” His gaze shot to Asia, just in time to see her face stricken and pale.

“My mother … kept alive in a drugged state to be fed to big cats? It’s so, so—”

“Savage,” Conrad interjected.

Asia growled, a low, boiling rage in her throat. “Unthinkable. The homeless woman Conrad and I talked to, Candy was her name, said someone had come numerous times to where her group gathers on the ground under the Church Street Bridge. That’s where my mother was taken from. Candy said people who were taken away didn’t come back.”

“We got her out, Asia. She’s safe.” Shaun frowned. “It’s terrible and unconscionable, but TNG’s plans for your mom have been circumvented.”

“And now that we all know what’s going on out there, we can formulate a plan that will enable us to free Casey,” Kennedy said. “Let’s get to it.”

“Right. The plan first, then the action. Tonight,” Asia added.

Booker shook his head. “I want to get right at rescuing Casey. But today has been long and troubling. We’re physically and emotionally spent. How about we take a little time for napping, then we eat. We’ll be in better shape to face whatever occurs on the preserve.”

“I won’t sleep. Not with Casey in captivity.” Kennedy’s lips formed a firm line.

“We can make our plan, but then get some sleep,” Conrad suggested, knowing how very eager everyone was to get to Casey.

“No, I think Booker is right.” Michelle glanced around the room, a weary look to her face. “Just a few hours. We can get up and head out at dawn.”

• • •

Asia stepped out the back door while members of the colony began planning along with Ben and Sterling and Jackson and Lacey. Guilt traipsed through her body, reminding her she should help out.

She just needed some fresh air to clear her mind and freshen her strength. Dusk was falling, and the trees cast shadows—perfect places to get lost in, she thought to herself. The danger, the loss, the ever-present threat of exposure, and now human predators and maybe some of their own kind messing with the world, it was all the not-normal stuff she’d wanted to get away from.

And then today happened. The peek into a way of being that was pure and peaceful, yet full of aliveness changed her. She shook her head. She wanted to know more of that kind of living, and she wanted to try it with her best friend. Her heart had expanded in such a way to see him differently, see his flaws and weaknesses and be able to contain them. And perhaps love him.

It made sense now, that he’d become attractive to her at a primal level. She’d hated his prejudice against humans, but she could see why he felt as he did. It didn’t mean she agreed but it didn’t make him unlovable either.

Goosebumps prickled her skin as she relived the moment she’d kissed him. It had shocked her as much as Conrad. Asia licked her lips, remembering the luscious way he’d kissed her back. Even in the moment they’d faced losing each other, they’d maybe found each other anew.

Before she heard the back door open quietly, Asia knew Conrad was close. His scent came to her on a spring breeze. He stepped up beside her and stared at the sky.

“It’s so serene out here,” he said. “Quite a contrast to the day’s activities and the horrible things we know are happening at that damned preserve.”

He turned her toward him and lifted her chin. “Do you think we could talk now?”

Asia slanted her head and raised her chin higher. “No. Not just now.” Her lips moved toward his slowly, as though pulled by an invisible force. He bent lower, and pressed his warm lips to hers. His arms enveloped her, pressing her firmly against him.

She pulled back and in the darkening light, saw his eyes glisten.

Conrad couldn’t read minds but he could clearly sense that Asia wanted him, just as he wanted her.

“It’s not the most convenient time or place.” Her eyes, liquid brown with glints of green stars, looked steadily into his.

“No, it’s not.” His nostrils flared, enhancing his ability to breathe in her scent. He didn’t care that the moment was out of step. Inside, the rest of the colony prepared for a risky rescue. Saving Casey was urgent. But he could have lost his friend today and Asia knew she could have lost him. In that moment they’d had the presence of mind and heart to appreciate that life is fleeting.

“I don’t care. We’ve got now, and that’s all.”

“I don’t care either.” He grabbed her hand and together they jogged away from the house and the planning and Asia’s mother and into the woods. One step in and he stopped. He cupped her face and pressed his mouth to hers, tasting of her sweet lips and driving passion. He pulled away from the kiss, his hands maintaining his touch on her, and bent his head back to fill with all the sensations around them. He couldn’t stop a low growl from slipping through his lips.

Asia chuckled, then took his hand and continued forward, deeper into the woods until she found an open patch of new grass surrounded by trees. She reached for Conrad, snuggling up close under his chin.

Conrad groaned, the tension building fast. He whisked her dark shirt over her head, tossing it to the ground. Darkness among the trees enveloped them, but it didn’t affect his ability to see her steamy expression. His breath coming fast, he paused to enjoy her beauty—the delicious swells of her breasts, the slender look of her shoulders, her muscled arms. “Oh my God,” he whispered.

Asia’s chest rose and fell in rapid breaths. She tore off his shirt and grabbed him close, harsh, and fast. “I love the feel of our skin touching,” she murmured in his ear.

“Your skin is so soft.” Kissing her shoulders, his eyes closed to better enjoy the satiny feel. He dropped one bra strap, then traced the curvature of her breasts and kissed the pink tip.

Asia moaned and swiftly removed her bra, then her underwear.

His pants and boxers infuriated Conrad. They stood between him and naked ecstasy with Asia. He unzipped while Asia watched, then threw off both. He thought of laying out the clothes for her to lie on. He pulled his shirt out flat and reached for his pants, but stopped.

A passionate growl slipped through Asia’s lips. Her eyes lidded and misty, she drew him down to the ground as she stretched out on the grass, half on, half off his shirt. He didn’t hesitate to press a fierce kiss to her waiting lips. Fast and vigorously, he pulled at her bottom lip, then kissed her full on. The kiss opened a raging river of feelings. Not just lust for the most beautiful body he’d ever seen, but for wanting her completely. Now. Right here on the ground, a whispering spring wind sounding through the trees. The natural setting was something they shared a mutual comfort with. It incited his passion further.

He lay on his back beside Asia and pulled her up to straddle him. He cupped her breasts and felt the weight of them in his hands—soft firm mounds of sweet flesh. He took her nipples one at time and lavished them with his tongue, his mouth.

Asia whimpered and arched her back. He sat up and held her tight as her arms gripped his midsection. “I love the feel of you,” she murmured. She looked up at him and let loose a teasing smile. “All of you.” She shimmied down lower, pressing kisses to his tingling body. She lay across his leg and caressed his hardness, then kissed her way to the tip.

“Damn, woman. You’re driving me insane.” He pushed her to her back and pressed his body to hers. She wriggled appreciatively, driving him further under her spell. “I love you, Asia.”

She stilled and touched his face. “I love you, Conrad.”

Her eyes melted him. He pushed inside her, thrusting gently, savoring the moment of their complete togetherness.

Asia wrapped her legs around him and pulled him down, deeper into her feminine embrace. His body took over, thrusting, rocking with her, wanting nothing but Asia and this moment of honesty.

“You feel so good,” she whispered, then rocked instinctively to his rhythm. They blended, holding tight to each other, and finally his body pulsated in time with hers. Slowly, the motion subsided and they remained one on one, exhausted.

The sounds of the forest caressed their warm, naked skin. He gently pressed a kiss to her succulent mouth. Her lips welcomed him, her tongue meeting his in a passionate dance.

He laid his head back on the ground, wishing their time could continue.

“That was lovely, Conrad,” Asia said from the ground. She touched a lock of his hair that had fallen in his eyes. “This was better than talking.” She smiled up at him.

“Way better.” He tweaked her nose. “But we better get back to the house. There is a rescue operation being planned and we might be missed.”

He helped to her feet and they each dressed.

“Do we need a cover story?” Conrad didn’t think there was any point to lying, but if they told the truth things could get complicated.

“Let’s just play it by ear. I’m fine with a cover or not. The others might be miffed that we snuck off, but on the other hand, they might understand.”

“So yes, no, maybe. Sounds like a good plan.” He chuckled, then took her hand and walked with her back to the house.

“Is this going to be awkward between us?” Asia frowned. “We do need to talk.”

“Yes, we do.”

As they stepped through the back door and headed toward the voices in the living room, Conrad braced himself for the were-cats’ reaction to his absence during the planning. Little pricks of guilt jabbed at his bliss. He glanced down at Asia and she smiled up at him. They both understood the gravity of the situation with Casey, but who could resist the allure and the promise of a new love?

“I’m going to check on my mother.” Asia gave Conrad a sheepish grin.

“Coward,” he teased. Then again, separating might be the best idea.

She slipped into the room where her mother was and Conrad drifted into the living room on a whiff of salmon salad, rye bread, and steamed vegetables. “Wow, the food smells delicious.”

“Grab some while you can.” Asher’s plate was almost empty and he had that look of going for seconds.