Reid's Deliverance (5 page)

Ancient power filled with skill and reckoning swirled in the room. The curtains blew upward. The sun dimmed.

Hairs raised on Reid’s arms.

Dalir’s eyes turned a steely dark gray. “You deserve what I grant you, and I’ve given you more than enough.”

Thane’s groans interrupted them. “Where is she…Celine?” His confused gaze searched the room as he tried to push up.

“Stop.” Reid grasped his arm. “You’re hurt.”

Thane struggled. Blood seeped from open wounds. “I have to get to her.”

“You did.” Reid wrestled him down. “She’s fine.”

“You have to make sure she’s safe.” Thane looked at Reid. “Find her. Promise me.”

“Okay. I will. Shut up and stay still.”

Compassion flitted into Dalir’s expression. He firmly grasped Thane’s shoulder. “Rest.” The word whispered through the room.

Thane collapsed on the bed, knocked out by the single command.

Full sun returned. The curtains fluttered down.

When Dalir looked at Reid, his gaze no longer held compassion. “I’m busy. You’re not needed. Go back.”

“That’s it? You don’t have anything else to say?”

A silvery gold mist swirled up from Dalir’s feet. His clothing morphed into tall black boots with dark pants tucked into them. Leather-like armor molded to his torso. “No one leaves the present. No one phases anywhere until I return.”

“No. You need to—”

A whiplash of energy hit Reid in the chest. He materialized in the upstairs living room of the beach house. His breastbone stung. A mere tap of Dalir’s power. The ancient could cause much worse. During urban warfare training, he’d try to hack into their minds. If he succeeded, he’d mercilessly slash into their thoughts. Distort their memories. The result brought them painfully to their knees.

Mace and West sat on the couch, leaning over their laptops on the coffee table. They stopped typing. Colby quit pacing and looked from his computer tablet. Their gazes reflected the question they all wanted to know. Thane wouldn’t tolerate the guys worrying about him or losing faith in Dalir. He lived by mission first, and that included keeping the team focused on solving the problem.

“He’s at The Drift. He’ll be back as soon as he’s healed up. Give me a sit rep.”

“You’re not going to like it.” West sat up. “Xenia Allen is gone.”

“She’s in hiding now? Why?”

“No. I mean she’s really gone. She doesn’t exist. No birth records, work history. Even her husband’s life has changed. He’s living in Modesto married to some other woman with two kids. From his Facebook page he’s a hell of a lot happier, too.”

Mace shook his head. “Our missions have disappeared a few things, but someone’s life? That’s a big switch.”

“I’m not crying over it.” Colby laid the tablet on a glass side table. “I saw with my own eyes what her fucked up agenda caused. If she’s gone, the pandemic never happened, and the world’s a better place.”

Or worse.

“West, keep digging. Make sure her existence is really wiped out. Colby, find Jeff Miller. I want to know who he’s connected to in this time. West, look into all the research the Xenia Allen we know conducted. Just because she’s not around doesn’t mean it’s over. Someone else could have the same agenda and the pandemic could pop up all over again.”

Colby crossed his arms. “Are we headed back to the future?”

“Not yet. Until Dalir gives us the all clear, we’re staying put.” And the way the ancient was acting, who knew when that would happen. Or when Thane would return.

Find her
.

Like he had time to worry about Celine. With all that had happened, why was Thane worried about a woman he’d just met? He snagged his keys from a bowl on the side table. But he’d promised. As a team, if they couldn’t trust each other to keep their word, they had nothing. “I’ll be back in a couple of hours. I need to check on something.”

* * * *

Reid followed Celine into the Cuban restaurant and got in line behind her at the host stand.

He’d tracked her down at her store near the beach. She’d moved to the mall sometime in the future. How screwed up was that? If she would have stayed put, Thane wouldn’t have taken a bullet for her.

She requested a table for two, and the hostess led her to one by the window.

Bitterness rose in his throat. Great. She was out on a date. Now he had to watch some guy make a move on the girl who’d caused his best friend to get shot.

“Table or booth?” the hostess asked.

“Table.” He plastered on a smile that always got the job done. “If you don’t mind, I’d love to sit over there.”

The cute forty-something hostess smiled back. They walked past potted miniature palms nested in corners and hollowed out niches on the way to the table.

She sat him in the center of the intimate space decorated with photos and nostalgic posters of Cuba on yellow and blue walls. A strategic spot with the perfect eye line to Celine’s table.

Celine ordered wine. As she waited, she scrolled and tapped on the screen of her cell.

Reid flipped to the camera app on his phone and laid it on the table. He’d take a picture of the happy couple. Once Thane saw the truth, he’d put this nonsense behind him, and they could get back on task.

More patrons filed in for dinner, but she remained alone.

The server brought him a beer and his appetizer of fried plantains. He randomly ordered a chicken dish from the menu.

In between sips from her glass, Celine glanced wistfully at the door.

Was the dude standing her up? Why did some guys do that? Just cancel or don’t make the date at all if you’re not sure you’re interested. Shit. Thane wouldn’t want him to let her hang. He should probably go talk to her. Make her feel better. Strictly platonic to ease the sting.

He scooted his chair back from the table.

The door to the restaurant jingled open.

Reid’s heart jolted.

Lauren strode in, embodying sophistication in a blue, tailored pantsuit and pumps.

A hug and an apologetic smile to Celine spelled out the situation. She was the dinner companion and something had held her up. She lowered into the seat. Without bothering to open the menu, she smiled at the server and ordered.

Her laugh floated over to him and goose bumps raised on his arms. As she flipped her hair over her shoulder, it was as if he could smell her perfume, soft, feminine, like flowers in summer.

Lauren tore a piece from a roll and ate it. She captured stray crumbs with her tongue.

His chest tingled just as it had when she’d nipped him with her teeth.

She sat back and crossed her legs.

Reid’s gut pulled tight with the recollection of them wrapped around his waist.

Damn. He was getting a hard-on like a high school freshman hot for a senior cheerleader.

If she were sitting across from him right now, they wouldn’t only enjoy a meal. He’d ask her about her day and let her vent about what had gotten on her nerves. They’d talk about things they’d read or heard about. He’d find out what she enjoyed doing in her spare time. They’d probably make plans for after dinner. Where would they go? The movies? The Song for drinks and dancing? Afterward, they’d go to her place or maybe his and—.

Pull it together
.

He shot up, grabbed his phone, and tossed bills on the table. He’d checked on Celine. She was fine. End of story. Thane could put his worries to rest and focus on healing.

As he walked past Lauren, she glanced up and gave him a subtle once-over. Her gaze narrowed with a pensive stare.

What if she did remember? What if she called him by name?

He slowed down.

Celine caught her attention, and she looked away.

A strange discomfort gathered in his chest. Reid stalked out of the restaurant. What was he doing? They’d shared physical chemistry. Big deal. He jumped in his truck and sped off. He wasn’t infatuated with a woman he couldn’t have. He wasn’t like Thane.

Back at The Song, a week after the mission, Thane’s announcement hit Reid like a sucker punch.

“I’m leaping into the future.” Thane widened his stance. The thud of his booted feet on the wooden floor echoed in the empty nightclub. “If I can get there the day before the mission went wrong, I might be able to save Celine.” As he pulled up the sleeves on his white pullover, Thane met Reid’s gaze. Then he turned his attention to the rest of the team, sitting on stools in front of the bar. “And I won’t be coming back.”

“Hold up.” The snap in Reid’s voice drew the team’s attention and a frown from Thane. “You’re leaving us for a woman you barely know?”

“I don’t have a choice.”

“Like hell you don’t.”

“I’m not going to stand by and let her die. Too much time has already passed. I have to leave now. Dalir said she’s fine here, but her future is disappearing. Eventually, she’ll vanish altogether. She’s paying for my actions. It’s my responsibility to make sure she’s safe.”

“You can’t—”

West lifted a hand. The tribal ink on his bicep rippled. “Can’t we all make the jump?”

Thane shook his head. “Time two years from now is barely being held together. All of us phasing permanently would cause too many changes.”

“So this is temporary.” Mace’s deep, raspy voice flowed into the stillness. “In two years, we’ll catch up, and you can rejoin the team.”

“Maybe. There’s no guarantee.”

“I don’t like it.” Mace ran his hand over his brown, shaved head and released a long exhale. “But it sounds like this is something you have to do.” He walked to Thane. In one fluid movement, Mace pulled him into a bro-hug and thumped him on the back. “I won’t say goodbye because I’m betting on seeing you again.”

Colby followed up on Mace’s goodwill and embraced Thane. “We won’t be there to watch your back so keep your damn head on a swivel.”

A sick feeling spread through Reid. Just like that? Thane was jumping out and no one had a word to the negative but him? He caught West’s gaze. If the rest didn’t see that it was a bad move, West would.

West stood, clasped Thane’s hand, and bro-hugged him. “Go handle business, brother. Be safe.”

As Mace, Colby, and West walked out of the club, Thane’s gaze landed on Reid. “If you’re going to take over leading the team, you have to wrap your head around this and focus on supporting Dalir.”

“No. You need to wrap your head around what this thing with Celine is really about. You like her. You made a mistake, and now she’s part of the collateral damage. It’s hard to accept. We’ve all been there.”

“She’s more than collateral damage.”

“More than the team?”

“It’s not the same.”

“Damn right it’s not the same. We’re your family.” Reid vaulted from his seat. “I know you feel guilty about what’s happening to her, but going on a suicide mission won’t make it right.”

“I don’t plan on dying.” Thane’s golden gaze reflected the same solid determination that made him the one you wanted fighting at your side. “I plan on being with Celine. I care about her. I can see us making a life together.”

Reid stopped cold in his tracks. She was a one-night hookup. Hell, she didn’t even remember him. “You’re not thinking this through. There are too many unknowns. What if she doesn’t let you back into her life? What are you going to do aside from look after her?”

As Thane shrugged, his dark brown hair met his shoulders. “I can play music. It doesn’t matter. I’ll figure it out once she’s safe.”

“Music isn’t our career. It’s a fucking diversion. Infiltrate, fight, take down targets. That’s what we do.” Reid stalked forward. “Damn it, Thane. Snap out of it. Normal for us ended when we agreed to join Dalir. We accepted that as a part of the deal.”

“I’ve made a new one.” Thane’s expression grew more resolute. “I’m not changing my mind. Dalir’s signed off on my decision. Why can’t you?”

Because he understood firsthand what happened when you mistook obligation for love. Once the shine wore off, Thane would see the damage and hate himself. Why? Because he’d let his dick instead of facts lead the way. No. He wouldn’t let him sacrifice himself. Reid curled his hands into fists. Evenly matched in muscle and fighting skill, neither one of them would go down easy.

Thane, cool under pressure, subtly shifted his stance. “We’ve always been on good terms. The last thing I want to remember about our friendship is me kicking your ass.”

“Fucking idiot.” Reid lunged.

Dalir appeared in solid form. His jeans, boots, and a dark T-shirt glowed with energy as he held them apart. “While you fight, Celine fades. You don’t have time for this.” He looked to Thane. “Go.”

Thane focused on Reid. “Someday, you’ll understand.” He disappeared.

Dust floated where his best friend once stood. Understand what? That he’d failed to stop Thane from ruining his life over one night. “Why did you tell Thane about Celine?”

Dalir frowned. “How could I not?”

“Are you serious? From day one, you told us not to let anyone get too close.”

“But he did.” Dalir snapped out. “And there’s nothing we can do to change the situation. As she disappeared in the future, she would have faded away here. Would you have wanted to put him through that? You know as well as I do that he would have carried that burden forever.”

“I would have made sure he got through it.” Reid shrugged Dalir’s hand off his shoulder. “We were looking out for each other long before we met you.”

“I get that you’re pissed, but he’s gone. You have to let him go. If you don’t, you’ll force the team to take sides. That happens, we all lose.” Dalir’s gaze glittered. “You had a hard mission. Because of that, I’ve been giving you the benefit of my understanding.” His eyes grew cold. His tone even colder. “It’s about to come to an end.”

Reid’s breastbone tingled where Dalir had given him a mere tap earlier. Before he took another risk, he wanted answers. Even if it meant having the ancient go medieval on his ass. “Can you even guarantee we’re not phasing into a shitstorm on the next mission?”

As Dalir’s gaze darkened, the florescent bulbs flickered. “You won’t be around to encounter any shitstorms.”

An electricity-like buzz danced uncomfortably up Reid’s spine. Nerve endings raised, ready to fire in pain. “So you’re going to light me up because I won’t keep my mouth shut and blindly follow?”