Unexpected Eden Read online

  Almost twenty-four hours since they’d taken Lexi. Hands down, the longest day of his life.

  Phybe waited for his answer, a determination he couldn’t help but respect in her eyes.

  “Ramsay, pull a squadron together. Only the most advanced warriors and only those you know intimately. I want four men guarding this woman along the way.” He lifted Phybe into his arms. “Prepare the rest for full-scale combat.”

  Chapter 28

  Lexi leaned against the cool marble wall with its sparkling silver veins, exhausted. Wriggling off the cot had sapped a good chunk of her strength, and the aftereffects of the chloroform left her muscles muddled, but at least she’d go the next round with Maxis on her feet. Her fingertips burned, only a trickle of blood seeping past the tight binds at her wrists. She worked her hands in a circular motion and welcomed the fire.

  As far as weapons went, the room coughed up a big zero. All she had were wits and time to plan. Backed against the furthest wall, she huddled in the shadows and prayed whoever came through the door next did so with complacent eyes. It was a long shot, but with Maxis and Serena’s arrogance, she might get lucky.

  Minutes ticked by. With every moment, she rehashed all she’d done and seen since coming to Eden. Made a list of the things she wanted to do when she was free. She’d get through this. She’d done it before. She’d do it again.

  The candle flame near the cot barely stirred, the stalk nearly a stub—four inches shorter than when she’d woken. Bound in a damped, locked cell, measuring the passage of time by the height of a candlestick. Kind of put a new spin on the concept of patience.

  Footsteps sounded beyond the door.

  Lexi sucked in a deep breath and held it tight. Her pulse thrummed in her ears, the volume growing louder with each rush of adrenaline.

  The knob turned.

  Lexi flattened tighter to the wall.

  The door pushed wide and a man she didn’t recognize shuffled past the threshold and stared at the cot.

  He started to turn.

  Lexi kicked the small of his back. Her bare foot connected enough to tumble him forward, and she spun for escape.

  An arm snaked out and wedged into her gut, pulling her back into a solid chest. A sinister chuckle sounded at her ear and hot breath tickled her neck.

  “Did you think I’d be that stupid?” Maxis said.

  Anger detonated in her core and she struggled within his grasp.

  The man she’d knocked to the ground struggled to his feet.

  Maxis drove her forward, the arm around her gut so tight it hurt to breathe. “Have to say, I’m glad you’re a fighter. Makes the whole escapade more fun.” He shoved her.

  She toppled forward, ducked her head to keep from slamming it against the wall, and landed on one shoulder.

  The cot’s wooden legs scrunched against the rock floor.

  The man in the ivory robe inched forward.

  Maxis crouched beside her head. His freakish pale green eyes glazed as he traced her lips. “I’d thought to save you for myself.”

  Lexi jerked her face away.

  Undaunted, he stroked her cheek. “Then I realized how much more effective it would be if I passed you around. Let a few of your new countrymen have a chance to sample your wares—so to speak. I’ll save my turn for last. I want to see defeat in your eyes when I take you. Know how broken your spirit truly is.” He gripped her jaw between his thumb and fingers and forced her face to his. “You got away with your fate before. Tonight you won’t be so lucky.” He stood and tossed her face to the side so hard her neck snapped.

  She gritted her teeth and tried to wiggle upright, only to be forced to her back by the stranger’s hands on her shoulders.

  “Cutter, you’re such a leech.” Maxis’ sick laughter bounced off the walls. He pulled a gun from his pocket and waved it blithely in the air, eyes to her. “An irony your friend’s weapon will be the thing that ends your life. But don’t worry, you’ve got a long night of fun ahead of you first.” He dropped it with a loud thud on the table.

  “Where’s Ian?” Lexi screamed and fought to get free.

  With sausage-like fingers, Cutter pinned her shoulders.

  Maxis paused at the threshold. “You mean my insurance policy? He’s tucked away someplace safe. The nice thing about humans is they don’t require zeolite, which makes hiding them infinitely easier. Serena and I are off to check on him now, but I’ll be sure to let him know you send your regards.” He clasped the knob and his lips curled in an empty grin. “Enjoy yourself while I’m gone.”

  Lexi fought and leveraged her heels against the shaky cot.

  The door clicked shut and Cutter’s knee pressed into her thigh. He huffed out a laugh tainted with garlic and some other vile herb. “Go ahead and scream. I won’t mind a bit.”

  * * * *

  Cold gray masonry and a black slate roof. Not the happiest looking place Eryx had ever seen, but it was sturdy. And big. Nowhere near the size of his castle, but more than one man needed.

  Ramsay shifted to get a better angle through the treeline hiding them. “Ballsy move to build his house in the middle of a forest.”

  “Not ballsy. Egotistic.” Eryx eased the springy branch back in place. “He thinks he’s untouchable.”

  Kneeling beside Galena, Phybe stared at the sprawling home beyond the trees and worried her lip.

  “You sure he’s here?”

  Phybe startled and rattled the leaves beneath her. Her tears had finally subsided, but her eyes were still puffy and red. “I’m too far away to isolate which room, but he’s there.”

  His sister locked an arm around Phybe’s waist.

  “You shouldn’t be here,” Eryx said to Galena.

  Galena shot a mean glare behind Phybe’s head. She’d followed his link as soon as she’d learned of their plans, armed with herbs and bandages for her own brand of battle. “It’s not the first time I’ve been in the middle of a fight and Lexi might need me.”

  She had him there. He might be able to heal, but Galena could do it faster and better. Not a skill he wanted to do without if Lexi was injured.

  Fuck, he was tired of waiting. “How much longer?”

  “Men are in place,” Ramsay said. “Jagger’s finishing the perimeter sweep.”

  “Good, let’s move in.” Eryx started forward.

  Ludan clamped onto his shoulder. “Not yet.”

  Something popped at the back of Eryx’s jaw. Maybe a cracked molar.

  “You rush this and we’re screwed.” Ludan’s fingers tightened. “We’re not armed for an ambush. Remember, she’s a fighter. She’s alive or you’d have felt it.”

  Eryx jerked away from Ludan and paced far enough away he could suck in a decent breath without the weight of everyone’s focus. Adrenaline beat at him, greedy for a worthy outlet, and his muscles begged for use.

  Fine. He’d wait and let the impatience build. Stoke his power. When the time came, he’d unleash every drop—and make Maxis pay.

  * * * *

  Maxis stepped out onto the rear veranda with Serena at his side. The air in Asshur usually ran colder than Havilah, but nowhere near the frigid temps of Brasia. Tonight was no exception. Clear skies stretched before them with random streaks of silver energy like fat falling stars.

  Serena stepped lightly beside him. Her bare arm brushed his and her throaty chuckle floated out into the early night, her satisfaction at Lexi’s impending troubles twisted in a way that mirrored the pains of his own past.

  They stepped off the paved patio and a ripple of energy fluttered against his chest.

  Maxis yanked Serena to a halt, covered her startled squeak with his hand, and masked their presence. Lifting their bodies from the ground, he edged them to their closest form of cover, an elaborate hedge overlooking the rear gardens. With a pointed glare for silenc
e, Maxis touched down and dropped his hand from Serena’s pouty mouth.

  He cast his senses out across the property. The energy surrounding his home should be flat, untouched. The isolation from other homes and businesses ensured it unless he had visitors. Tonight, there was a subtle difference. Too subtle.

  Serena pressed against him, her bottom sliding against his groin in a shameless display. “I sense nothing. I don’t require the farce of impending danger to draw my attention.”

  “That’s because your senses are nothing compared to mine.” He cupped her breast through her silken top, and pressed his stirring cock into the cleft of her ass, the mix of danger and Serena’s tempting body a heady cocktail. He tweaked her nipple.

  Serena gasped.

  “Now settle down.” Lexi had been right in one thing. They were very well suited, and Maxis had every intention of showing Serena just how much. But that would happen on his timetable, not hers.

  Satisfied he had Serena’s cooperation, he felt for the strongest points of energy surrounding his lands. With each ping that filtered back to him, he drew a mental map. Surrounded. Not by a whole brigade of Myrens, but a lower, strategically placed number.

  “We’ve got visitors. My guess is it’s your ex and his warriors.” Irritation mingled with excitement, and his cock hardened further against Serena’s back.

  “He’s here?”

  Her breathless voice slapped at his pride. Perhaps those verbal jabs at Lexi had been more than mere provocation toward her nemesis. “Would you really go back to him?” He hissed more than whispered the words and gave another sharp pinch to the nipple still cradled in his hand. His other hand pressed hard between her legs, pushing her against his thick rod. “Think he’ll give you what you need?”

  Serena’s head dropped against his chest and her eyelids closed on a moan. “He never did before.”

  Such an open, sultry capitulation. One that stroked a foreign place inside he couldn’t quite comprehend. Something to contemplate. Later. After he’d handled his unwanted guests.

  He reached out to Reese. “Follow my link and bring your recruits. Do it quickly. Shantos has my home surrounded.”

  Reese replied, cool and disaffected. “You want me to mobilize a large number of troops with no notice and no knowledge of the terrain?”

  “You sound less than confident, strategos. I thought you’d relish the chance to demonstrate how well you’ve done with those you lead.”

  “I have no problem with my skills.”

  “Then you’ll move them out and do it now.” Maxis severed the connection. Reese’s insolence was out of hand. No matter his unique place in Maxis’ life and plans, he’d have to address the behavior soon.

  Right after he found the betrayer who’d led the Shantos camp to his door.

  * * * *

  Knuckles blasted across Lexi’s cheek. Blood flooded her mouth, thick and metallic down her throat. She kept fighting, thrashing with everything she had to unload Cutter’s weight.

  His crazed laughter echoed from all sides. “Maxis said you’d be a feisty one. I can see where the malran would find you appealing.” He inched his knees up and pressed her legs wide. “I wonder what kind of package we have underneath.”

  Lexi twisted, shifted and bucked every chance she got. All she needed was one weakness. One second to catch him off guard.

  Veins strained at his temples. He shoved her loose tunic up and squeezed her breast. “The malran has nice taste.”

  Sweat fell from his forehead to her chest and her belly lurched. She arched and yanked her tied wrists behind her back. “Get off me you nasty pig!” She slipped one of her silk-clad legs from beneath his meaty leg.

  Cutter wrenched it back in place.

  Her thighs shook, fatigue making the muscles almost useless.

  Cutter dove for her waistband and angled his back to the door.

  She tugged again. Please, God. Not this. Not now.

  A slight figure stood silhouetted in the doorway.

  Cutter yanked her pants and the silk ripped.

  Wild frustration bellowed from deep in her chest. She screamed, the sound a frantic boomerang to match her panic. She jerked her knees. One slipped from under Cutter. She braced her foot at his groin and shoved with everything she had.

  A sound like cannon fire exploded. Cutter collapsed in a heavy mass across her, and the smell of gunpowder filled the small cell.

  With trembling legs, Lexi shoved Cutter to his back and scooted away. He wasn’t dead but the gurgling groan didn’t sound too promising. She damn sure wasn’t sticking around to see if he made it. She shoved to a stand, the room a solid blur of gray. Her legs crumpled.

  Metal clattered on stone and young, feminine arms gripped her just before her skull met pavement. Small, sandaled feet shifted beside her. Ian’s pistol lay an arm’s length away.

  Lexi struggled to her knees.

  A young woman with brown, tightly braided pigtails peered down with wide, frightful eyes. She shook so badly her sackcloth gown practically danced. “Are you all right?” Her voice trembled as badly as her body.

  Cutter lay panting on his side, blood oozing from his open mouth.

  “Been better. Thank you.” Woefully inadequate words considering what the woman had done to save her. Lexi tried to stand, but her quivering legs gave out.

  The girl steadied her. “I couldn’t let him…” Terror on her face finished what she couldn’t. She might be young, but she’d seen worse than Lexi. God only knew how often.

  “What’s your name?”

  The girl pulled her hands away and clenched them to her belly. “Brenna. Brenna Haven.”

  Okay. Niceties done. Time to move. She stumbled to the chair against the wall and collapsed to the hard seat. Torn pants, bare feet, swelling cheek, numb fingers and shaky legs. Not bad all things considered. She shifted to show her still bound wrists, the sticky wetness promising a bloody mess. “Can you undo the knots?”

  Brenna lurched forward and set to work, the harsh fiber scratching with each tug.

  “Where’s Ian?”

  Brenna hesitated.

  Lexi wiggled her bound hands, and Brenna ducked back to her task. “Who—Who’s Ian?”

  Lexi shook her head. “Never mind. We need to get out of here. I’ll call Eryx and he’ll help us.”

  The rope slid to the floor, and Brenna stumbled back. Her hands trembled against her mouth and stomach. “Is he…like him?”

  “Like who?” Lexi glanced at Cutter. “Him?”

  Cutter watched them, breaths shallow, skin pasty, but evil still glazing his eyes.

  Brenna’s head shuttled back and forth. “Like master.”

  Maxis. That fucking bastard.

  Lexi wobbled to a stand. “Eryx’s nothing like him.” Her thighs groaned under her weight, but she locked her knees. Brenna’s arm wound around her waist, and Lexi trudged forward. With every step, her muscles perked up, motivated by the promise of escape.

  “Won’t…. make…it.” Cutter’s warning slithered across the room with a psychopathic edge.

  Lexi spared the pathetic man a glance as they crossed the threshold. “We’ll make it just fine.”

  * * * *

  Maxis lasered his energy toward the front of the house where his mole sat cozied up with Eryx and his precious warriors.

  Phybe. Having so few links of his own, tracing the traitor had taken a matter of moments.

  Letting Reese handle the little twit had been a mistake, an error he would rectify as soon as he and Serena were safe.

  “The men are closing in,” Reese snapped. “Those approaching from the rear should go undetected, but those circling to the front will be at risk.”

  “Unless there’s a diversion to draw their attention away.” Maxis had used his time wisely. Had plotted the perfect c
ourse. “I have a distraction in place. Give me the word and I’ll cover.” His fists and the muscles behind his shoulder blades clenched. He definitely had plans in place. Distraction now—revenge later.

  “Whatever you’re planning, do it now,” Reese roared.

  Maxis triggered his diversion. He’d wanted to throttle Phybe’s brain the moment he’d located her so close to the man he loved to hate. Now he zeroed in on her mind and gave a strong, mental squeeze.

  Her agonized cry pierced the night.

  He pressed harder and sent shards of pain lancing through every cerebral path. Not too fast. He’d need to give Reese’s men time to get into position.

  But he could make her suffer for her betrayal—and leave behind a message for Reese of the retribution that waited.

  Chapter 29

  Eryx clamped his hand over Phybe’s mouth.

  The four guards around them drew their daggers and crouched for attack.

  Phybe clawed her scalp, and arched into Galena’s arms.

  “What’s wrong with her?” Ready for attack, Eryx scanned the open space around Maxis’ home.

  Galena jumped back and let the woman drop the short distance to the ground as though shocked. “He’s in her mind. He’s using his link to do this.”

  “He knows we’re here.” Son of a bitch. He should have stormed the place when he’d first landed. “You four, stay with the women. Ramsay, move in.”

  Ramsay took to the sky.

  Eryx shot toward the estate, Ludan a familiar shadow behind him.

  “Eryx, incoming,” Ramsay warned. Swarms of stoutly built young males attacked from all sides, outnumbering his crew nearly five to one. Worse if he and Ludan left them to the fight while they went for Lexi.

  “Ludan, engage.” Eryx changed course and threw his first shot.

  * * * *

  “Go, all of you.” Galena waved the guards toward the fight. Four men surrounding her and a dying woman was a waste Eryx couldn’t afford.

  Phybe writhed on the ground. She panted and pulled her hair while the grunts and groans of warfare erupted around them.

  “He’ll kill us if we leave you.” Crouched and ready to attack, the guard kept his eyes trained on the sky.