Soul Of A Woman (The Dark Souls) (17 page)

“I agree. He’s a time bomb. What are you going to do about him?” As soon as she said the words, she knew she had overstepped the boundary Adam kept between them. He didn’t talk club matters to outsiders, and certainly not to women.

“I’ll deal with Tank when I need to deal with Tank. Right now, we need men. The streets are growing worse every day, and as much as I hate the bastard, he still can guard the gates.” He glared back at Tank as he spoke.

“Put some of that antiseptic on those scratches. A couple of them are looking infected.” He turned away then, going to the bar where Nikki and another woman sidled up to his side.

Broni met Rhys’s discerning gaze. Clearing her throat, she asked the question that had been going through her mind since he had entered the club, “So which one are you?”

Chapter 24

“All my lifetimes have been merged into one.”

Broni fiddled with the ibuprofen bottle. “What are you doing here?”

“I saw your attack.”

“My mother showed you or were you there?”

“Your mother.” Broni could just imagine that encounter.

“I see.” She was sure her overprotective mother would have been furious, unable to strike at the humans that had been the ones to have hurt her. “I’m sorry, that must have been uncomfortable for you.”

“She didn’t say anything that I didn’t deserve.” Broni refused to acknowledge
the regret in his voice.

“How long will you be staying?”

“As long as I wish. It has been agreed that I can stay here while I serve as your replacement.”

“Why would you want to come back to Earth?” Broni questioned.

“You.”

With that answer, Broni was finished with this discussion. She started to rise from the table.

“Since when do you run?” The arrogant remark had her resuming her seat.

“I wasn’t running, Rhys. I haven’t anything to say. I don’t believe I had anything to do with your decision to come back to Earth. The man you are now doesn’t even know me.”

The warrior sat forward in his seat, pinning her with his gaze.

“I might not be the Rhys you fucked,” Broni winced, “but believe me, I was there. Not only did we share the same body, but the same emotions. I felt it as much as he did when you opened your legs and heart to the stupid man who was too grief-stricken to take what you offered. I am not.”

“I’m not offering you anything,” Broni said angrily. “That time has come and gone. I don’t want you any more.”

“Who did you want, Broni? Rhys or me?”

Broni remained silent. Truthfully, she had wanted Rhys because she’d known the warrior’s soul was buried inside.

“I’m sorry I was so long in appearing, but you can’t blame me for not wanting to join another battle.”

“You saw this one coming?”

“I did, and it’s going to be longer and bloodier than any I have fought before. I have served Mother for centuries, and I am tired of the bloodshed. Therefore, I was not anxious to fall in love with a woman who will be in the midst of it all.”

“Let me take that worry from you then. Go back to Odin’s castle.”

Rhys reached out, taking the tube of antibiotic cream. Opening it, he squirted some on a large finger before reaching forward, smoothing it on the scratches on her cheeks.

“I’ve decided you’re worth fighting another battle for.”

Broni’s mouth opened and closed. “You arrogant dick, the decision isn’t yours to make. I have decided that I don’t want you any more.”

“Then you need to change your mind back,” he said simply.

“Do you really think I want a whore-hound like you?” Broni pointed her finger at his chest. “I didn’t mind being used for sex. Stupid me thought that I could let you see I cared about you, that I was willing
to ignore the fact you would never care about me the way I cared about you. Do you know why?”

The warrior shook his head.

“Because I loved you. But I don’t love you any more! It pretty much bit the dust when Athena bragged to me what a big dick you have. So you can stay or go. I don’t give a damn.”

This time when Broni got up from the table, Rhys didn’t stop her. Going behind the bar, she started doing the dishes, banging them together to blow off some steam. What she really wanted to do was take one of the plates and bash it on his thick skull, though.

*  *  *

When Adam sat down in the now empty chair, Rhys was not amused at his laughter.

“She’s pretty mad at you.”

“She’ll get over it,” Rhys said, smiling at the woman who set a drink down in front of him.

“You were married, weren’t you? Wasn’t your wife ever angry at you?” Adam questioned, picking up his own drink.

Rhys’s thoughts turned introspective, going through his lifetimes. A frown came to his face. He might have screwed up worse than he had thought. Fate had tried to warn him. Times had changed and women no longer allowed men their fun in relationships.

“I may have made a mistake,” the warrior admitted reluctantly.

At his remark, Adam didn’t hold his laughter back.
“Brother, you fucked up. There is no other way to say it.”

“She will forgive me.” The Warrior’s pride was deflated when Broni ignored him.

“Man, you have got to be kidding me. That woman doesn’t forgive shit. She’s still pissed off at me for auctioning her off, and I did that to keep her from getting raped.”

A triumphant smile came to his mouth. “Thanks for reminding me. As to the other, she’ll get over it when she sees that I’ve changed.”

Adam gave him a strange look. “You go for it. One thing is for fucking sure, though; I’m going to enjoy the show.”

When they were out, they had gathered as many supplies as they could. The brothers and he spent the day packing in the supplies, and the warrior watched Broni as he came and went.

They had raided an army surplus store that had been locked up with steel doors. It had taken over an hour to get in to it, but the benefits had been worth it. The store had been loaded with guns, ammunition and food supplies. The people seeking shelter wouldn’t be thrilled with the dehydrated food, but at least they wouldn’t starve as many left on the street were doing.

Adam drew names, assigning rooms to everyone within. The brothers would remain inside the club keeping their rooms, while the RVs were assigned to everyone else.

When Broni would have put her name into the bowl, Adam stopped her. “You’re going to continue to stay in my room.”

Rhys’s anger rose. She had been sharing Adam’s bed?

A sharp pain struck his heart. In all his lifetimes, he had never experienced the feelings surging through his body.

“She sleeps in mine,” he broke in.

“I want to stay in one of the RVs. Me, Abby, Nikki and Dee can share.”

The Warrior spoke before Adam could.
“You’re mine, remember?”

He saw her start to protest, but Tank coming nearer as they talked had her closing her mouth. However, Rhys didn’t take it as a compliment that she preferred his bed over the fear of Tank raping her.

“Abby will stay in Jace’s room. Nikki and Dee already told me they plan to stay inside the clubhouse at night.” Adam further derailed Broni’s plan.

She left without saying anything else. Rhys wasn’t stupid enough to think that when they were alone she wouldn’t demand her own space.

The crowd dissipated after the rooms available had been assigned.

“Thanks,” he told Adam. “You could have tried to claim her for yourself.”

“It will be nice having my bed back. I was getting tired of fucking Dee on the floor. I’m too old for that shit. Abby walked in on us last time.”

“Broni was angry—”

“I never touched Broni. We shared a bed, that was it. I had a feeling you would be back.” Adam slapped him on his back. “Don’t know what happened while you were gone, but I’m glad you’re back. And I can tell you’ve settled some shit that was long overdue.”

He had missed his friends also. Adam had saved his life when he hadn’t cared, giving him time to grieve. If not for Broni, he would have stayed with Odin, but now that he was back, he could repay Adam for saving him.

He caught the glare Broni sent his way with a grin, infuriating her even more. It was going to take time for her to get over her anger, but he had every confidence she would. No woman had turned him down for long, so she would eventually give in. He would soothe her anger then claim her. How hard could it be?

*
  *  *

Four months later, Rhys was ready to admit he may have overestimated Broni’s anger toward him. She steadfastly refused to have anything to do with him.

He watched as she walked through the building, keeping a close eye on her. She refused to stay at the clubhouse as they searched for supplies.

The humans were finally beginning to make tiny steps toward recovery, but they were being knocked back by the gangs that had taken over. They refused to give up the power they had gained, stymieing efforts to rebuild.

One group in particular was gaining control over several states, unable to be held at bay by the survivors. From the information coming into the Dark Highwaymen, the gang had entered their city a few days ago.

Rhys was for packing up and leaving the city, warning Adam that the encroaching club was dangerous. His warrior instincts said to stay and battle it out, but his feelings for Broni had him wanting to get her to safety. He still saw the day she had been attacked in the street in his mind.

If she became hurt, the hell Rhys had gone through when he had lost Deena would be nothing compared to losing Broni. Rhys had just been a part of his soul, the warrior who now had control was whole. If he lost Broni, the agony would be much worse than what Rhys had endured.

The little witch had managed to thwart every seductive move he had made toward her, though. If he tried to touch her in the privacy of their bedroom, she would get up and leave, not returning for several days. Missing her during the nights she was gone made him give that avenue up. During the days, nothing he seemed to do made her look back at him without anything except the passive face she showed him.

He had given her the best spoils he found when they were out; jewelry, clothing and blankets. Yet nothing mattered to her. She would take them, thanking him gracefully, then days later, he would see his gifts on another; the jewelry adorned Dee and Nikki, the clothes were given to women in the compound as well as the blankets. She didn’t keep anything he had brought her.

The other men made fun of his predicament while he couldn’t believe she hadn’t forgiven him. After all, he owned her. She was his prize, his reward. How could she
not love him any more? She had sacrificed her family, home, and heritage for him, only to turn her back on him now that he returned her feelings. It didn’t make sense to him.

The other women had meant nothing to him, even Deena. Rhys had loved her, and while the warrior within had thought her boring, he had wanted peace. The woman had provided that along with the children he wanted. The warrior regretted the loss of his children, mourned their loss still. However, he was at a loss as to how to win Broni back. He had even used several ploys that Rhys had used to gain Deena’s affection. Nothing worked, though.

As a beam that had become loosened began to fall, Rhys reacted without thinking, his arm going around Broni’s waist and pulling her back against his chest.

“Be careful,” he spoke in her ear, feeling her body tremble against his when a sudden thought struck him. She had used her body to try to gain his love, maybe he should use her own method against her.

She tore herself out of his arms before adjusting the cloak she had covering her long, dark hair. He admired the way she had learned from her mistake. Her hair had been used as a weapon to capture her before, yet if anyone grabbed the cloak, she had a snap that would release it. The person who had tried to grab her that way would then end up with nothing other than her cloak.

She was very good at learning from her mistakes. That was why he was gaining no ground with her. She had found her weaknesses with him and had built guards within herself to hold him at bay. Well, two could play that game. She seemed to have forgotten the most important part of his character—he was a master tactician.

It was time she learned who was the better warrior.

Chapter 25

Broni tiredly removed her cloak. She was hungry, but not enough to stay in the clubroom long enough to fix herself a sandwich.

They had arrived back at the clubhouse after dark, and it had already swelled with the brothers. The women who were club property were inside by this time. Very few of the women remained outside at night, most eagerly waited for night to fall so they could once again be taken by the men. Abby and she both made sure they were in their rooms well before dark, though; so her grumbling stomach would have to be ignored until morning.

She went into the small bathroom, washing off and then sliding on a nightgown. She padded barefoot back into the bedroom, coming to a stop when she saw Rhys placing a plate of food on the nightstand.

“I noticed you didn’t take the time to eat.”

“Thanks.” She took the sandwich, sitting on the bed. She then sat cross-legged, eating while ignoring Rhys.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him pull off his jacket then his t-shirt, and she almost choked on her sandwich. He had filled out a great deal since the last time they’d had sex, and previously, she had always made sure she was asleep with the light off before he came to bed. She had made a mistake by taking the time to eat; seeing him take off his clothes had brought back memories of having sex with him. The problem was, it also brought back the memories of just how many he had been with through the centuries.

She diverted her attention, focusing on the radio across the room. The old fashioned machine was one of the few ways left for the humans to communicate how bad the world was becoming before they played music as if that made it all better.

Broni choked down another bite as Rhys casually walked into the bathroom, closing the door behind him. While he was inside, she forced herself to finish the sandwich.

Placing the plate back on the nightstand, she took a drink from the bottled
water, spilling a small amount when the bathroom door opened. The bastard came out naked, striding confidently across the floor toward the bed. Broni forced herself to close her mouth.

Her eyes widened at his behavior, the man had obviously decided to try a different tactic to seduce her. Well, it wasn’t going to work. She set the bottle down then rolled over in one movement, pulling the covers over her.

If that cock comes within an inch of me, I’ll neuter him
, she told herself.

The other side of the bed sank as he sat down, the bedroom going dark as he turned off the light. Lying tensely, she waited for his next move, slightly disappointed when nothing happened. Blinking back tears, she was angry at herself for being disappointed even though she would have left the room if he had tried anything.

She was becoming more and more frustrated being near him, her body wanting him. The weeks they had shared together in her mother’s castle where he had taken her had been hard without him caring for her, but she’d at least been able to pretend he had cared for her a little when they’d had sex. Now, she had nothing; neither his body nor his love.

She almost weakened and turned to him, and only Athena’s face and words as she had told her about the nights she had spent with Rhys at Odin’s castle prevented her from reaching out. A girl had to have some pride, didn’t she? As lonely as she was, she clung to that thought as she fell asleep.

At some point in the night, a warm mouth at her breast woke her. The feel of his hand between her thighs had her arching her hips to put his teasing fingers where she needed them. A firm finger found her clit, rubbing it until she bit back the groan threatening to tell him she was awake. She wanted to pretend a moment longer before she had to make her mind up if she was going to let him finish what the sneaky bastard had started.

“I know you’re awake.”

Damn! She was about to come, why couldn’t he have just kept his mouth shut?
The conqueror in him wants his victory, that’s why
.

Sighing, Broni couldn’t bring herself to give in to him. Rolling away, she sat up
on her knees, staring at his face in the dark room.

“Go to sleep, Rhys.”

He reached out, cupping her breast, and she stiffened as he talked to her in a foreign language. Broni knew all the languages learned through the centuries, however; so she understood him perfectly.

“Come here, Broni. I need you as I’ve never needed another. You wanted me to love you, watched me century after century; why turn away from me now when you have me begging for you?”

Broni almost melted into a puddle at hearing those words she had waited to hear. Instead, she scrambled from the bed, going to the dresser to find clothes to put on. She escaped while her traitorous body wanted him to fuck her as he whispered words in that same seductive language.

Before she could shut the door to the bathroom, a hard arm circled her stomach, his large hand splayed across her trembling belly.
“Don’t leave me, Broni.” His cock pressed against her ass while his other hand on her hip pressed her back against him. “I let you pleasure me night after night. Let me spend the night pleasuring you.” His hand slid down between her thighs.

Broni caught his wrist in a tight grip, not letting his hand go further. “Tell me, Rhys, what language did you whisper in Athena’s ear when you fucked her? You made sure you sampled all the women at Odin’s castle while I slept in the dirt in the forest without even caring I was gone. I have nothing to offer you any more, not my body and certainly not my heart.” She jerked away from his touch, not caring if she had to leave the room with nothing on but her nightgown.

She didn’t make it one step before she found herself thrown over his shoulder. Broni gasped as she felt them disappearing. “What are you doing…?”

As Broni felt herself thrown on a bed of furs, he stared down at her with his hands on his hips. She looked around the room, recognizing the time period they were in. Her eyes narrowed on him.

“Your mother told me you used to sneak off and watch me. Did you only watch me during the battles?”

Broni blushed. With his powers, he could easily find out if she lied.

“No.” She turned her eyes away; the sight of his body had always made her want him.

Broni felt the heat rise in her cheeks. Jumping from the bed, she stood uncertainly. She noticed the room was decadent with candles lighting the interior of the tent, luxurious furs on the bed and floor.

Her toes unconsciously dug into the soft fur.

“Is he still there?”

“Who?” The warrior strode across the tent, taking a goblet and filling it with dark wine from the pitcher on a table loaded with food. He lifted the goblet to his lips, taking a drink while keeping his gaze on her.

“Rhys?”

“Yes, among others,” he answered as he moved closer to her.

“Take me back.” Broni felt her will slipping. He was clearly trying to seduce her. The sad fact was, she was easy, and she always had been where he was concerned.

She placed a hand against his chest, staring up into his face wistfully. “I can’t. I swore to myself I wouldn’t.”

His hand slid to the nape of her neck, lifting the goblet of wine to her lips. Broni took a sip then he moved the goblet away and set it down beside the bed.
Broni licked the taste of wine from her lips then his mouth lowered to hers, his tongue sliding intimately against her own.

He lifted her up, placing her back on the bed. “Tonight… let’s pretend that it’s the first time we met. That I found you in a village and captured you, bringing you back here to claim as mine.” He lifted the goblet to her lips again and Broni took another sip of the strong wine.

How many women through the centuries had she watched him claim while she remained in the shadows, leaving him behind to return home empty and aching? She could take this night; enjoy the novelty of him seducing her. She could hold her heart back this time, she knew she could.
She would take what he was offering and then forget about it afterward. It was what he had done to her.

He set the goblet down before sitting on the bed next to her. She watched him warily as he reached out, brushing his thumb across her cheek.

“Why are you crying?”

Broni turned her face away, unable to look at his masculine perfection.

“I don’t even know what to call you.”

“Call me anything you want. Rhys, Warrior, lover, bastard. I have been all to you.” After his hand forced her to look back at him, he stared down into her eyes with remorse.

Broni shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. She couldn’t be near him without wanting him; her breasts tightening, her core dampening.

“Let me show you who I am.” He switched languages again. His hand reached out and brushed against her breast, smoothing her nightgown against her flesh, making her tightened nipples blatantly obvious.

“Can you not find forgiveness in your heart for me one more time, sweet one? I promise it will be the last.”

He leaned forward, his mouth sweeping across her neck to linger on her lips. Enticingly, his tongue traced the outline of her lips before thrusting inside boldly, searching her mouth with demanding passion, tempting her to respond.

Her hands clutched his shoulders, trying to decide whether to pull him closer or push him away.

One of his hands went to her hair, pulling her head back as he took control of her body. His chest against hers moved her backwards to lie against the furs.

“Have I not proven myself to you these last months? I have not touched another.” His hand slid up her thigh, her gown sliding up, exposing her to his gaze. “I will never lie between another woman’s thighs.”

His hands parted her legs wider, his fingers searching through the wetness she was unable to hide. Without warning, a finger plunged into her pussy, causing Broni to bite her lip, trying not to moan as he stormed her defenses against him.

“I can give you what you want, what Rhys never could.” His mouth nuzzled against the top of her gown until her nipple was within reach of his mouth. Taking it into between his lips, he laved it, torturing it with his teeth while her hips arched against his finger plunging inside of her.

“I can give you my heart, which I have never given to another woman.”

Broni’s head tossed on the pillow. “You gave them everything else.” Her anger rose, lifting her out of the sexual haze he was enveloping her in.

Her hands beat at his chest and he caught them, pinning them above her head as his hand continued to drive her toward a climax.

“I gave them nothing. I fucked them, enjoying their bodies, most times not even remembering their faces. But you, Broni, I remember everything about you. How you taste, how you looked like when the only thing you wanted was my cock, that little scream when I gave it to you, how you fucked, how you held me when that tight pussy came on my cock. I couldn’t tell you one thing of how Deena fucked, but I can tell you every detail of our time together.”

Broken whimpers tore from her throat as he slid another finger inside.

“Do you need more?” he teased, his mouth sliding to her other breast, leaving the other tender and aching.

Yes, she needed more. The warrior knew her body too well. Her hands slid around him, trying to pull him to her, needing his body on hers.

He moved between her thighs, his large cock taking the place of his hand.

“Do you want me, Broni?”

She remained silent.

“Do you want to be conquered or seduced?” he whispered in her ear. “I can fuck you hard or gentle like a young virgin giving herself for the first time.”

Damn, his words ignited a passion she never dreamed herself capable of as his cock plunged inside of her slickened pussy.

Broni’s mouth went to his shoulder, tasting his sweat slickened flesh, hiding her smile in his neck.
“Seduced works for me.”

Instantly, his strokes slowed, his hand releasing hers, going between her thighs to stroke her clit. Her thighs gripped his hips, trying to hold back her orgasm, wanting it to last. Memories of him turning away from her each time they had sex poured through her mind.

“Look at me, Broni.” Reluctantly, she looked into his face, not wanting him to see her vulnerability. “See me.”

His face and body might have been the same, but the man was different, opening
his soul to her if she was just brave enough to reach out one more time. Her love for him yielded, giving him another chance to prove he could be the man she had come to love through the centuries. Her warrior at last. Hers to touch, taste, and feel all that he was for this precious moment in time.

He rolled to his back and Broni gasped as she straightened, his cock buried deep inside of her.
“Take me.”

Broni’s hands grasped his as her hips lifted then lowered on him. He arched underneath her, his face a mask of need for her. He didn’t take his eyes off her as she moved on him, taking him and his power into her.

Broni screamed as she came, grinding her pussy down on him as she wrung out her orgasm, feeling him jerk inside of her at his own climax. She tried to climb off him, but he held her in place, a hand on her neck pressing her down for a kiss.