Page 33

CHAPTER 32

E verything is . . . messy.

I hate messy.

After reading over the latest report on Black and his team, I close it and pinch my nose, knowing sooner or later, Tate will be back. Black and his team have been out of control for so long, I was growing desperate. I needed to stop them, but as a commander, I am bound by duty and laws. I needed someone who could move silently and stealthily, giving me the evidence I needed. I knew Tate Havelock was perfect the first moment I met her, and I also knew it wouldn’t be easy, but I never imagined Black would take it this far.

I should have, but I didn’t. I underestimated him, and because of it, she nearly died. I blame myself, and maybe that’s why I’m blocking her from going after him, but I know I can’t stop her forever, nor would I want to. It will only end once Black is gone. This is my whole purpose, the whole reason I am here, and Tate will be my weapon, carving away the dead, infected flesh of the hunters and remaking them into the grand warriors they used to be.

I cannot protect her forever, nor should I try because if there is one thing I know, it’s that Tate Havelock needs no man’s protection, nor does she want it.

As if my thoughts have summoned her, a portal rips open in front of my desk and Tate stalks out, followed by a merry bunch of monsters. Blinking incredulously, I glance at Ronan as he floats to sit on my desk. He raises his brows as if to say he doesn’t have a clue either.

I scan the newcomers in the group. It seems my angel has been very busy collecting a new team. Good, she will need it. I refuse to underestimate Black again, but it’s not just Black I will need her help with. The hunters need to be cleansed from the inside out, and to do that, I need people who are willing to darken their souls and hands with the blood of their brethren.

“It seems you’ve forgotten how to knock,” I tease as I lean back in my seat.

She scoffs as she sits in the chair before me, propping her muddy boots on my desk. I eye them then her, and her smirk only grows. The others spread out across the room. A pink-haired female eyes me angrily, keeping a wary distance from everyone else.

“You have been busy,” I comment when she says nothing.

“I did as you asked. Now it’s time for you to keep your end of the bargain. Where is Black and my old team?” she demands.

“Angel,” I begin, and her eyes narrow. Suddenly, she’s around the desk, pressing a blade to my neck, and I arch a brow at her. If she expected to frighten me, she was very wrong. Instead, I feel respect . . . as well as something much more dangerous—desire.

Tate is the only person to ever stand up to me, as well as the only person skilled enough to be able to. No other has ever gotten this close. Some might say I let her, but they would be wrong. She is simply that fucking good.

“Do not fuck with me, Shamus,” she warns. “I want his location now or I’ll leave and never come back, and whatever fucked-up plans you have will die with him.”

I lean into the blade and let it cut my skin, drawing a drop of blood.

She watches it roll down my neck, and when it drips down, I catch it without her noticing and press it to a cut in the side of her trousers where her skin is exposed. My blood soaks into her skin like I needed—another added protection.

Some would say it’s a waste of energy, but I do not care.

I need Tate Havelock alive—no, it’s not a need. It’s a want.

I sense the monsters with her bristling, eyeing me like I’m a threat, all bar Ronan who simply watches while tossing fake popcorn into his mouth as he wiggles his eyebrows at me.

“I was simply going to tell you that it will not be as easy as you think.” I nod at the folder on my desk. “Read that.”

Removing her blade, she keeps her narrowed eyes on me before scooping up the folder and sitting on the desk, her legs spread on either side of mine as she flips through the information.

I see realisation hit her, and when she jerks her head up, she appears worried. “The pack they are going after . . . he will slaughter them. Innocents will die.”

“I know. I have tried to recall them and stop the hunters in that area, but they are ignoring commands. Black heard about it and dispatched himself without asking. It’s a small sector of hunters refusing directives and hunting for fun.”

Someone snorts, and I look at the man who made the noise. He seems angry and bitter, and I taste his power in the air. Warlock? “Most hunters trap and hunt our kinds for fun.”

“But not all,” I counter. “I am aware I’m fighting what seems to be a losing battle, but I will not give up. These hunters are acting of their own accord, warping our laws and rules.”

“We have to do something,” Tate begins.

“I am,” I assure her. “Do you think I would let him get away with this? I’ve been fighting this for a very long time, Tate, and I have been playing the long game. I’m giving you his location. I want you to stop him before it’s too late.”

She searches my eyes. “Why now?”

“It’s time,” I reply.

Her eyes narrow on me, distrust gleaming in her gaze. “What skin do you have in this game, Shamus? Why recruit me? Why place me with Black? Why make me collect a team? What are your plans?” she demands. I do not look away, but I feel the others watching me. She might trust them, but there are only five people in this world I trust—her and my brothers. I will not jeopardise everything I have built and worked for, not when we are so close.

“Leave us for a moment,” I tell the others in the room.

Nobody moves, however, not even Ronan, and then without looking, Tate raises her hand. “Leave. Ronan, show them to our room for now.”

They shuffle to the door, and then they are gone. It should make me angry that they ignored my commands in my house, but if anything, I am grateful because it means they are loyal to her, not the cause or me.

Perfect.

I wonder if she knows that if she commanded me in such a way, I would follow her as well.

Leaning back, I run my eyes across her. “Ask your questions, the ones you have wanted answers to.”

“You won’t answer,” she snaps, putting the folder down and sitting stiffly on my desk.

I can’t resist teasing her a little. I look up at her through my lashes as she stares back at me.

“Ask and see,” I challenge.

“What are you, Shamus, or who are you?” she asks, her eyebrows drawn together in annoyance and confusion.

“Would you like to know?” I murmur softly.

“I’ve wanted to know for years,” she grumbles.

“But you never asked.” Her mouth drops open as she thinks through the past, and I smirk when she comes to the realisation she never did. “All you ever need to do is ask, Tate. I hide nothing from you with malice. We are in this together, even if you do not realise it.” I hold my hand out.

She looks from it to me before carefully laying her palm in mine. I slowly peel off the glove I gave her, desire spiralling through me, but I ignore it. Leaning down, I kiss her palm gently, unable to stop myself, and her eyes widen a fraction. Before she can hit me, I lift her bare hand and press it to my cheek. I could simply let her touch my hand, but I seem to crave her touch, and this is a way for me to get it without asking or her realising the truth.

“See for yourself,” I murmur.

I don’t look away from her. Her eyes seem to go far away, distant, like she is trapped in her own head. In this moment, she looks vulnerable, and I don’t like it. Nothing will touch her while I am around, but the thought of someone attacking her while she uses this in the field makes me decide to mention it to Ronan so he can protect her better.

I don’t know what she sees, but I do not bother to fight it. I let her into my mind, sharing memories spanning thousands of years. I let her see the truth of what and who I am. I will never hide it from her. She deserves to know. She didn’t play a part in my years before this life, but she has a role in this one and is quickly becoming the most important component of it.

For millennia, I have walked alone, doing my duty, but not this time.

She stumbles back, holding her hand to her chest like it’s burnt. Hooking my legs around hers, I draw my chair closer to the desk so I’m positioned between her spread legs. My hands are propped on either side of the desk, framing her thighs, as I lean in.

“Did you see what you needed to?” I whisper, sliding my pinkie across the outer corner of her trousers, needing contact.

She swallows, her eyes blown wide as she watches me. “What are you?”

“Hmm . . .” I think as I stare at her. “To answer that, I must ask you something first. Do you believe in reincarnation? I didn’t, not until the moment I lost my best friends, my brothers in battle. I was already a hunter by then, one of the elite on my way to the top when everything was ruined. Death came so quickly, and it touched me, bringing back the truth and my memories. Everything clicked in my soul, allowing me to save their souls and keep them in this world. Selfish, yes, but I did it. Death and I are old friends, but life and I are as well. Each lifetime is different. I know some from an early age, and others, I learn later. The truth comes when I’m ready, but even before, I can sense the difference in me—places feel familiar, I see flashes of memories I do not understand, and recall battles I don’t remember fighting. Lifetimes of skills, sometimes magical, give me powers and knowledge others could never possess.”

“What are you?” she demands once more.

“I am no more human than you are, Tate. This body may be human in design, but my soul is not. I have been reborn many times since the start of this world. Each time, I have a duty. Some have names for me, like fate or karma, while others call me justice, but it matters not. It is my duty to better this world and keep the balance. I am a wanderer, a warrior, and a lost soul. I am older than every monster born into this world, older even than most gods, yet I take no sides. I am this world’s reaper, and with your help in this lifetime, I will continue to do that.”

“I don’t understand.” She works through my words. “How can you be karma or fate or whatever when you trust evil and monsters?”

“Some evil is necessary—that is a lesson I have learned through my lifetimes. It’s all about balance. Most monsters have been hurt and betrayed. They are not born evil; they are made evil. It is my job to stop that from happening, and I failed, so instead I embrace the darkness, or rather I ask you to. You are the bridge, Tate. You are the saviour, not me. I am simply the compass pointing you in the right direction. I always thought my purpose in this reincarnation was to stop the mass killings of monsters, but I was wrong. This lifetime, I was brought back to help you do that. I was brought back to be yours.”

“No, this isn’t real.” She tries to move away, but I don’t allow it. I won’t let her run from this.

“You cannot run from the truth, angel, nor what is inside you,” I caution softly.

“I’m human?—”

“Are you?” I challenge. “No humans have the gifts you possess. You are touched by magic. It could have originated centuries ago and been watered down through your lineage, but you are born from wild magic, Tate Havelock. That is why monsters trust you. That is why the fae recognised you. You are not human, Tate. You are the best of both worlds—or the worst depending on what this world needs. My soul found yours out of billions of people because I need you. This world needs you. You are important, do you not see that?”

“Why?” she croaks.

“Because I need you, Tate, like I have never needed anyone. I cannot do this alone. Will you help me bring the hunting guild back to its former glory and cleanse it of evil with me? This world requires balance, and death is part of that. Hunters are needed as much as monsters are. We are two sides of the same coin. Will you be my sword?” I wait for her answer as she considers my words.

“Why choose me out of everyone?” She seems concerned.

“Because you’re a fighter. I have walked this world alongside some of the best warriors it has to offer, but you? You were born to be one. You have the strength to do this, and moreover, you have the ability to make people trust you. We need that. We cannot do this alone. They weren’t meant to follow me, Tate. It was you. I built all this for you, waiting for the day you would arrive. Now it is time. Take your revenge and cleanse this earth of Black and the betrayers and then come back to me.” Getting to my feet, I grip her chin as I lean closer. “Come back to me and stand at my side while we make the hunters great again.”

“If I say no?” she whispers. “If I don’t want to be the righter of wrongs?”

“Then you can go. I will not force you, but you cannot lie to me. I see it in you. You want this. You want to make this place great, for yourself, the father you lost, and the monsters that could have been saved. It is your choice, Tate. Which path do you want to walk?” I ask her. “I will support you either way, but I will not lie—I want you with me on this.”

“Why?” she asks again, dissecting everything so she can assess it, which is exactly why I chose her. Although Tate relies on emotion, she’s also logical, and despite her words and actions, she is good down to her soul.

“Because I trust you.” She startles at that. “No matter what you do to finish this, I know you will never hurt an innocent. You will never betray this world. I want you, Tate, because you are a good person . . . because where others would run scared or choose the easy path, you never will. You are filled with a righteous fire that I want to burn in,” I admit. I glance at her lips before I drag my gaze back up. “So, angel, are you with me?”

She watches me for a moment before she seems to decide something, and when Tate makes a decision, she sticks to it, but her next move shocks me.

Gripping the back of my head, she pulls me close, and for a second time tonight, she gets the drop on me. “Then let’s do this together.” She slants her lips over mine, kissing me hard and fast. I taste my own blood with the knock of our teeth, and then she pulls back, smirking. “To seal the deal.” She pushes away from me and tries to escape, but I cannot let her.

I was going to before she kissed me.

Grabbing her arm, I jerk her back and wrap my arms around her, my mouth brushing her ear. “You cannot escape me, angel. You forget how I got this position.”

“And you forget who I am.” The move is quick as she frees herself and tries to throw me, but I dodge it and slip my arm around her, spinning her until she’s bent over the desk.

“I have watched you fight for years, Tate. I know all your moves.” I hold her face against the desk as I press against her from behind. Nobody spars with me, plays with me, or challenges me, and I want this.

I want her under me and over me. I want Tate in a way I’ve never wanted anyone in any of my lifetimes. I have been drawn to her since the moment I laid eyes on her, and for years, I have resisted, trying to keep this line between us, but she won’t let me anymore, and honestly, I’m glad. I’m tired of fighting this. I know all too well how short our life spans are, so I will make this one count with her.

“Not all of them,” she says, and then she seems to relax into my hold. It could be a trap though, so I don’t let go, but a groan slips free as she presses back into me, rubbing her perfect ass against my cock, which is ridiculously hard from sparring with her.

Nobody stands up to me like her. Nobody dares to speak to me like her.

That fire and bravery is so fucking attractive.

“Angel,” I warn, my voice a growl as I try to ignore my body. Tate still hates me in a way, and she probably doesn’t even trust me to a certain degree, so I should take this slowly and win her trust before I take her body, but I can’t ignore the way she rubs against me.

“Isn’t this what you want? I see the way you look at me when you think I’m not looking,” she purrs, arching back to rub against me. I remind myself she’s a weapon, but I’m helpless against her. I always have been.

With my guard dropping, she takes advantage, and before I know it, I’m pinned to my chair. She swings her leg over mine and straddles my lap, her lips tilted in a cocky, victorious smirk. She leans in and brushes her lips across mine until I chase after her. “I feel the same,” she whispers. “I hate that I want you, but neither of us can ignore this. We’ll probably end up dead before all this is through, so fuck it.”

Her mouth crashes against mine again. Groaning, I tug her down so she’s pressed against me, my hands sliding down to her ass as her tongue invades my mouth.

Both of us battle for dominance. Our teeth snap together, our lips bleed, and we still don’t stop until she abruptly pulls away.

“We’ll finish this when I’m back,” she murmurs, her tongue darting out to trace my lips. “Maybe take some more fighting lessons, commander. You’ll need them if you want to win me.”

Sliding from my lap, she strolls towards the door, leaving me there.

“Fuck it,” I mutter, leaping to my feet. I slam into her, letting go of all my control. I stop pretending to be the good guy, and instead I show her the warrior we both know I am.

She hits the wall, but before I can pin her, she slips under my arm, her foot going to the back of my knees, making them crumple. I spin and reach for her when she leaps back, out of the way.

Smirking, she wags her finger at me. I prowl before her, feeling like an animal rather than a man. “You think you can get past me to the door?” I spread my arms. “Make it and you’re safe. Otherwise, when I catch you, you’re mine.”

Her tongue presses to the side of her cheek as she watches me. “Weapons?”

“None.” I smirk. “Unless you’re scared, angel?”

“Never,” she replies, rolling her shoulders back. “Fine. Bring it, commander. Let’s see if you are as ruthless as they say or if sitting behind that desk has made you . . .” Her eyes drop to my crotch. “Limp.”

She’s taunting me, but all it does is make me more determined. She feints left and then right before moving left again, but I catch her and push her back. “You’ll have to do better than that, angel.”

I see the moment she snaps. She isn’t playing anymore.

She dives right at me, slamming her fist into my face before sliding to her knees and through my legs. She takes two steps, no doubt seeing her path to the door, when I wrap my arm around her waist, lift her into the air, and drag her back. I turn and toss her across the room. She lands hard on the floor, rolling before pushing to her knees in a slick move, and then she is on me again. Her legs wrap around my neck and knock me down to the floor before she scrambles up and leaps for the door once more.

Snarling, I grip her ankle, and she hits the floor, hard. I crawl over her body then flip her, but her legs wrap around my waist, and she flips us until she’s on top. I roll us again, and we end up tumbling across the floor, fighting for control. She smacks into the table, and something crashes from the top. She catches it—a tray, I realise—and tries to bring it down on my head. I lift my arm at the last minute, blocking it, and it breaks across my forearm. The resounding pain makes my arm ache, but I don’t care.

She’s worth it.

I throw her again and come down on top of her, managing to pin her wrists above her in one hand.

I shove my hands into her pants as she fights me. “I’m not letting you into my bed,” she growls.

Licking a line up her neck to her ear, I can’t help but grin. “This isn’t your bed, though, is it, angel?” I tug her underwear aside and slide my fingers along her wet cunt, feeling her warmth and desire even as she struggles. “You want this just like me. Look how wet you are.” Lifting my fingers, I lick them clean as I watch her. “You like fighting with me? Does fighting with me turn you on, angel?”

“Who said I like it?” she snaps.

“Your body, angel. You can fight me all you want, but this can’t lie to me. Keep running your pretty mouth though.” I lick a line down her neck to her chest, addicted to the taste of her skin. “I like when you fight me, and I like your sharp tongue. Neither will make me stop, but it will make me all the more determined to get inside you.”

“You bastard, I’m going to gut you when my hands are free.”

I shove my hand back into her pants, sliding my fingers inside her with a thrust that has her crying out and her hips arching into the air.

“Go ahead. You could carve me with your blade and I wouldn’t stop, not right now, when I have you where I want you.” I press my lips to hers, silencing what would have been a cutting retort.

Instead, she bites down on my tongue, making me groan in ecstasy as I taste my own blood. She gives as good as she gets, even as her hips roll and she rides my fingers. I swipe my thumb over her clit, swallowing her cry, but I want more. I need more. I need her to know. I need Tate Havelock like I’ve never needed another, and I’m tired of fighting it.

Pulling my hand free of her clinging cunt, I grip her trousers and rip them open before tugging them down. I slide down her body, and before she can fight me, I quickly seal my mouth to her cunt as her cries fill the air.

She grabs my hair, her grip brutal and hard, but rather than push me away, she drags me closer. Her legs hook over my shoulders and her back bows as her cream drips across my tongue. I hold her tighter for my assault, thrusting my tongue inside her before flicking her clit.

“Fingers,” she demands.

Rolling my eyes at her command, I slide my hand between us and thrust two back into her, knowing we both want it. She’s so wet, she’s dripping, turned on from our sparring match just like I am, but I ignore my hard cock. Instead, I lash her clit, adding a third finger and forcing her to take me as I fuck her with them until she locks up and her moan fills the air as she comes all over my hand and tongue.

Victory fills me, and I grin as I kiss her swollen clit and slide my fingers free. I lick them clean as she slumps to my office floor. She’s so fucking beautiful, it hurts. When she opens her eyes, she catches me watching her. I know what she wants, what we both want, but I don’t plan to give her it, not yet, even if it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done.

Tugging her trousers up, I button them and sit back before standing.

She licks her swollen lips as I move away with a vicious smile. “Go make him pay. Come back alive and I’ll give you what you want. I’ll be waiting.” I turn away from her and walk back to my desk like nothing happened.

Like my entire world did not just shift all because I got a taste of her.