HeroUnleased (4 page)

Jorges deserved the truth. Or at least what little she could
offer. Under his sinful exterior beat a compassionate heart, which was one of
the many things she loved about him. If he were to be injured by someone trying
to get to her, she’d be devastated.

“That man is from my homeland and once worked for my father.
He brought me news that my father has been killed and his enemies may be after
me.”

“Holy shit. Are you serious?”

Chills ran up her arms as she considered the possibilities.
“It is conceivable.”

He grasped her hand and placed a kiss into her palm. “I
thought you left Sweden to get away from the dangers of your father’s job. Hey,
was that guy in the mob too?”

She hid a smile at his mention of her cover story. “No, he
guarded my father after he went into witness protection. Please, don’t worry.
I’m sure there isn’t any real danger, but all the same, I want you to be on the
lookout for anyone suspicious.”

Jorges slid his arm around her waist and pressed a kiss to
her shoulder. “Maybe you should leave town, lie low for a while.”

“I’m not going to live my life in hiding, Jorges.”

“But you’ll be safe. And…by the frown on your face I have a
feeling you just had this same argument.”

“Intuitive you are.”

“Promise that you’ll leave town at the first sign of
trouble.”

“I promise.”

“Good. I’ll hold you to it.” He stroked his hand down her
back, digging his thumbs into the tense muscles. “No wonder you’ve been out of
sorts. What you need is a night of pampering and orgasms. Let’s go to your
place.”

An hour earlier she would have said yes and dragged him back
to her apartment by his cock. Now the idea left her ice cold. “That sounds
lovely, but perhaps another night.”

“There must be something I can do to make you happy.”

Jorges was so sincere in his desire to please, she refused
to let her sour mood trample his need. “Do you really want to make me happy?”

“Always.”

She pointed at a spot on the other side of the glass. “Do
you see that woman sitting alone at the bar?”

“Yes.”

“I want you to dance with her.”

His brow creased with confusion. “Why?”

“Because she needs to.”

“And you know this how?”

Amaryllis smiled. She had noticed the woman earlier in the
evening. Two empty martini glasses sat in front of her as she nursed a third.
Every once in a while she would tug at the new blouse that exposed a fair
amount of cleavage and glance longingly at the couples on the dance floor.
There was an air of fragility about her that screamed she had been hurt before.
It was her courage of coming to a place that obviously evoked a fear of the
unknown that drew Amaryllis’ attention and admiration.

“Let’s say it’s one woman sympathizing with another. Dance
with her.”

Jorges leaned forward for another look. “She’s pretty
enough, I guess. A little plain.”

“Don’t look with only your eyes.” She twisted his nipple
through his shirt in reprimand. “She wants to shine but is afraid. See how her
hand trembles? Can you not feel her desire to join? I want you to dance with
her. That would make me happy.”

An amused smile curled his lips. “How does that please you?”

“Because every woman deserves to feel as if she is the most
beautiful thing in existence, to feel wanted. Something tells me she has not
had that experience. I want you to make her not regret coming to my club. You
make her happy, then I will be happy.”

He glanced back at the woman with a new respect lighting his
features. “I will give her a night she will never forget.”

She kissed his cheek. “Thank you, my friend.”

Amaryllis waited by the window until she saw Jorges approach
Ms. Lonely Heart. At first the woman looked ready to bolt when he attempted to
strike up a conversation, but he turned up the charm and soon she released a
smile so brilliant, she outshone the brightest star.

Satisfied that she helped at least one person fulfill their
deepest desires, Amaryllis made her way to her apartment situated above the
club. Her feet hurt and her dress began to stick to her skin in the most
unpleasant way. What she needed was a hot bath and a long time with her
favorite toy. Please may she have enough batteries on hand.

Chapter Three

The bay door opened, revealing a light so brilliant it
brought Bale to his knees. He pulled the hood of his cloak down over his
watering eyes and stepped into the knee-high grass. To his left was hill after
hill of waving gold reeds. To his right ran a stream bordered by trees with
deep-green-and-yellow leaves that dazzled against the blue sky. By the Gods, he
had thought such color only existed in his dreams.

He held out his hand in the sunlight and marveled at the
concentration of heat that warmed his skin. Under his heavy cloak his body
began to perspire. How odd. Who would have thought one could break a sweat
without exerting any energy.

The brief bout of amusement brought a frown to his lips. He
was not sent to explore this new world nor was this a vacation. The only joy to
be found was in succeeding on his mission.

Turning his back on the magnificent view, he took stock of
the munitions and equipment that survived the fall to Earth. The pod itself
sustained the most damage, but had the potential to make the return trip if he
located the necessary supplies.

Return to Skandavia? Now there was a novel thought.

A low, rumbling growl interrupted his inspection. Bale
stepped around his craft to see a vehicle approach. The front cabin looked
large enough for two, yet only held one, and the flatbed was empty. He kept a
hand over the grip of his blaster and planted his feet in a battle-ready stance
as the truck came to a stop.

The driver opened the door and stepped out. “Just what do
you think you’re doing there, boy? You destroyed my wheat.”

Bale looked at the trail of scorched grain that led to his
space craft. “My apologies.”

The grizzled farmer spat a stream of brown juice at his
feet. “Apologies don’t mean shit.” He raised a long-barreled rifle and aimed it
at his chest. “Now get your machine and get the hell off my farm.”

Bale drew his blaster and fired, hitting the man in the hand
and knocking the rifle to the ground. He pulled the trigger again and nothing.
The heat from the sun must have vaporized the gases that formed the bullets. He
threw the useless piece of metal aside and ran for his target. Before he could
blink, he was at the man’s side, twisting his thin arm and breaking the frail
bone.

Shock held Bale immobile.
Ack jus.
What was this
sorcery? How was it possible to move with such quickness? He had barely touched
the human, yet caused much injury.

Mental reasoning suggested that humans, as a whole, were
weak, however Bale sensed that something was definitely different about his
body. Colors were sharper, his hearing more acute and his empathetic abilities
were bombarded with the man’s fear that was as acrid as the scent of the urine
he wet himself with. Yes, these heightened abilities would have to be more
closely examined. But not now.

“Where am I?” he asked.

“On my farm,” the man wheezed.

“What colony?”

“Colony?” Under Bale’s hand, the old heart beat a frantic
rhythm.

“The name.”

“Waitsburg.”

“How far are we from the city?”

“’Bout five hours’ drive.”

Bale shifted his hold to around the man’s throat. “Do you
have a shelter?”

The man blinked rapidly and tried to nod.

“You will take me there and give me what I need to continue
my journey. If you breathe one word of my existence to any living thing, I will
slaughter every person within this colony. Do you understand?”

“Yes. Yes.”

Satisfied that his word would be obeyed, Bale stood and
returned to his craft. He glanced at his hands then at the heavy module. Was it
possible?

He dug his boots into the earth and bent his knees. Grasping
the egg-shaped craft at the base, he lifted the pod off the ground. It was heavy,
no doubt, but not unmanageable. He carried it to the flatbed of the truck and
set it down. The tires sank into the dirt under the extreme weight.

Yes, this unexpected development was most certainly
something that deserved his utmost consideration.

* * * * *

“If you wish to keep that finger, I suggest you stop
pressing that damn button,” Amaryllis shouted as she stumbled down the hall.

Good mother take her, she hadn’t slept one wink and a
headache throbbed behind her eyes. She wished she could blame her hungover
state on a night of drunken revelry, but since she hadn’t touched a drop of
liquor the night before and had even gone to bed relatively early, the fault
lay squarely on one thing. Specifically, one man. All night long her body ached
and no matter how many orgasms she gave herself, satisfaction never came.
Visions of a certain green-eyed warrior who smoldered with lust one moment then
froze over with disdain the next tormented her, waking and sleeping.

She tightened the belt of her robe and threw open the door
and found the cause of her sleepless night standing on her doorstep. He stood
in the obligatory hardass stance with his arms folded across his chest. His
frown was so deep you could fill it with water and irrigate ten ranches for
years.

“Bang-bang, you’re dead,” Lucian said. “How could you open
the door without checking to see who it is? You are making it too easy to kill
you.”

“I will gladly accept death, if it means being away from
you,” she spat.

He jerked back as if she slapped him. His lips tightened and
a veil fell across his features as he nodded. “I’m going to ignore that remark
because you look as if you are not feeling well and we did not part on the best
of terms last night.”

How dare he mention her bedraggled state! But he was right,
loath that she was to admit. Snippy behavior might make her feel better for the
moment, but she was a princess. If no longer in name, than at least in
disposition. With the great wunderkind looking down his nose at her, she was
going to have to be extra diligent controlling her emotions.

“To what do I owe this pleasure?” she asked with a lift of
her chin.

“I’ve brought a visitor, if you’re up for an audience.”

“Who?” She stood on tiptoe to see around his massive biceps
and screeched with joy when she saw the man standing in front of the elevator.
“Dhavin!”

All thoughts of decorum disappeared like a cube of sugar in
the rain as she ran full bore and leapt into the arms of her former personal
guard. Dhavin laughed and swung her around twice before setting her on her
feet.

“Oh how I’ve missed you.” She planted a kiss on his lips
that was in no way brotherly. His hips pressed into her belly before he pulled
back with a gasp.

A burning flush of angry heat raced up her back. Oh was the
big, bad general upset? Hmm, the idea of spending the day irritating the great
Lucianllanos was greatly appealing.

“Thank you for the welcome.” Dhavin leaned close and gritted
out, “Are you trying to have me killed?”

“Don’t all women have a soft spot for their first lover?”
Another hot flash lashed at her. How delicious. She threw Dhavin a saucy wink
and pulled him over the threshold. “When did you arrive? Where are you staying?
Oh there are so many wonderful things to show you about this world.”

“This is not a social visit, Your Highness.” Lucian shot a
daggered glare at Dhavin as he locked the door behind them. “We are here on
matters of importance.”

She heaved a deep sigh. “Fine. Please, join me in the
sitting room.”

Their thick-soled boots thumped on the hardwood floor behind
her. Their steps were measured in perfect synchronization, heavy and
purposeful, a testament to their years of training side by side.

Amaryllis delicately sat upon a velvet-upholstered French
antique throne chair and crossed her legs. The action split the cloth of her
robe to her hip, leaving no doubt she wore nothing under the lavender silk.

Not a word was spoken as both men took a moment to caress
her with their gazes. Dhavin with appreciation, and Lucian, ah… Heat and wanton
hunger sizzled over her skin, tightening her nipples to hard points that
scraped against the soft fabric. Just as quickly as the sensation flared, it
disappeared.

“Your Highness,” Lucian began with a rough crackle. He
stopped to clear his throat and tried again. “Your Highness, I can afford you a
few minutes, if you wish to go dress.”

“Oh no. You said this was important.” She swept her hand out
and turned it palm up. “
Gram
Dhavinllanos, you may begin.”

He stared at her with wide eyes and shook his head as if to
ask if she were insane to push the general’s buttons. He dropped to one knee
with a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth, then he stood and bowed at the
waist. “Princess Amaryllis. I offer my condolences on the loss of your father.”

She nodded at his gesture. “Thank you.”

“I apologize that I bring more distressing news. You are in
grave danger. Hamerkind will not rest until his crown is secure. The assassin
who has been sent for you is ruthless. Bale is a soulless killer with no reason
to live. He will go after you with everything he has.”

“Yes, so Lucian informed me last eve.” A snick of memory
tickled her subconscious. “Bale. Why does that name sound familiar to me now?”

“He was part of your father’s retinue,” Lucian answered.

Her brow rose with surprise. “And now he’s committed to kill
the very thing he once fought for the honor of defending?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

A dark flush graced his cheek. “He lost what he once held
dear. But the why is not the point. You will come with us to safety until the
threat is eliminated.”

The quick change of subject did not go unnoticed. So, the
great general was hiding a secret. Very intriguing. The mere fact she found it
intriguing annoyed the blazes out of her. She didn’t want to find anything
fascinating about the man.

She turned back to Dhavin. “What is your proposal concerning
this assassin?”

“Well.” He snuck a quick glance at Lucian before answering,
“We will take you to Cedar. It’s a little colony not far from here, but fairly
remote. You will be under the care of Kristos and his mated wife.”

“Kristos has bonded?” The news had her sitting upright with
not only surprise but a touch of envy. “He bonded with a human?”

“Yes. Brett is the sheriff. She will be able to help in
your—”

“Imprisonment,” she finished for him. “Call a spade a spade.
You want to lock me away. But why do you want to risk people you care for by
bringing danger to them?”

“We will be protecting you from an advantageous location,”
Lucian interjected. “You will stay safe and protected until Bale is dealt with.
Then you may return.”

“For how long will I remain in custody?”

“For as long as it takes.”

“I see,” she drew out slowly. “No.”

His cheeks flushed red as he shouted, “You cannot say no.”

“I can do whatever I want.” She rose to her feet. “All you
have is information that this Bale is after me, but do you have proof that he
survived the journey?”

“Not yet.”

“Have you seen him?”

The muscles in his jaw twitched. “We saw what looked like a
craft falling to Earth the same night Dhavin landed.”

“But you haven’t seen him in person?” She held up her hand
when she saw him gather steam. “I have too many responsibilities, too many
people counting on me to just disappear for an undetermined amount of time.
When you have gathered more substantial information and have a plan that
involves more than me sitting on my ass in the forest, then we can speak of
this again. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to bathe. I won’t be but a few
minutes, and I do wish to visit with you, Dhavin. There is melon in the
refrigerator and a lovely prosciutto. Please, make yourselves comfortable.” She
paused to glance at both men over her shoulder. “If I need assistance, I know
who not to call for.”

Lucian stood transfixed by the swish of the princess’s hips
under the shimmering robe. After she disappeared from sight, he snapped back
into the present. Dhavin, however, continued to look after her with an
appreciative gleam in his eyes. The knowing smirk on the other man’s lips set
Lucian off. He raced across the room and slammed his cousin into the wall.

“You had sexual relations with the princess?” he growled.

“Get. Off me. Cousin,” Dhavin gasped, struggling with the
arm digging across his windpipe.

“You had sex with the princess?” he roared. “How stupid
could you be?”

“Get off.” Dhavin jammed two fingers under his ribs, followed
with a punch to the kidneys. Once free he rubbed at this throat. “Amaryllis can
be very persuasive when she wants something. At the time, she wanted me.”

Lucian reached out and grabbed nothing but a fistful of air
as Dhavin ducked to safety. “Were you insane? If you had been discovered, you
would have been executed.”

“She needed me!” He checked over his shoulder, then took a
step closer to whisper in a harsh tone, “As her guard it is my job to provide
for her, and she needed me. You were so wrapped up with the king, you’ve no
idea what life was like for her. She wasn’t afforded the respect due her
position, and it was completely undeserved.”

“But the rules—”

“Are sometimes worthless. Do not condemn her or me without
knowing all the facts, cousin. What Amaryllis and I had was special, but also
much in the past. She is my friend. Let me speak with her. I’ll convince her to
come with us.”

It galled Lucian to admit, although it was only to himself,
that his cousin may be right. It was obvious he rubbed her the wrong way. The
hurt she felt at his rejection the night before still stung where it had
pierced his heart.

The wide-eyed, introspective girl he remembered had been
replaced with a sex bomb with devious tendencies. She was unlike any woman he’d
ever met, in either world. The difference went beyond the long fall of
white-blonde hair and the fathomless lavender eyes that appeared to hold the
answers to his darkest fantasies. She was fearless and intelligent. A
frightening combination in his opinion.