Choices: Immortal Protectors, Prequel (4 page)

Her driving seemed to be under control, the vehicle glided away and Roderick raked a hand down his face.  He was such an ass. He’d made her cry. Damn Julian for his rotten timing.

Had she just said she cared for him?  His chest tightened.

“I’m not going to break the bond, so just tell me what I need to do.” Roderick stalked into the living room and stopped short.  Julian was gone.

Cyn remained on the couch, the throw barely covering his midsection. He pointed at a wooden box on the floor next to the fireplace. “Julian left that for you. He said that once you make the decision he wants to see you in Rome.”

“Damn it.” Roderick ignored the item and sank into a chair.  “What the hell did he accomplish by coming here?  Rachel is upset and offended. I’m confused and you’re still naked.”

“He energized you, that’s a good thing.” The Scot scowled and shook his head.  “Did you just say you’re not going to break the bond? Damn, you’re in love.  It’s sad to witness the fall of Roderick the Great.”  Cyn’s eyes flickered to the box.  “Aren’t going to see what’s in there?”

“Describe it.” Roderick asked.

“What?” Cyn’s brow crinkled. “Describe what?”

“Love.”

His roommate shrugged and looked away in thought.  “I think it’s like a thorn or a splinter. Something that gets under your skin and it’s hard as hell to get out.  No matter how deep you dig for it, you can’t get it out.” At his pained expression Cyn’s brows lifted.  “That might be a bad example. Hell, I don’t know. I’ve been close to it once, and from what I remember it mostly turns you into a wuss.”

Great, now he was even further confused. Roderick pulled on sweatpants and headed to the garage.  He rolled his red Ducati Monster onto a cement pad behind it and lowered the kickstand on the motorcycle.  It didn’t really need washing, but he needed something to do so he pulled out a bucket, sponge and a water hose, the entire time deep in thought.  Was it possible that he felt more than attraction for Rachel? 

Spartans were not an emotional people. He barely remembered his parents ever in the same room with him as a child.

His mother was a gruff woman, her curt commands to him and his siblings the normal way.  One afternoon, he’d run inside his home to find her after cutting his hand open.  With his father off to battle, he’d not thought to find another man lying with his mother. She hadn’t bothered to cover up their nudity, instead had told him to go find his older sister to clean up the wound.

That was the way of Spartans, it seemed, for when he’d ran and told his sister, she’d shrugged it off instead of worrying about his injury.  Once he was old enough to go to battle, he learned that most Spartans did not expect fidelity from the women left behind. They sure as hell didn’t waste time seeking sexual pleasure from other women or men themselves.

He’d left home before having the chance to marry, Julian finding him when he’d barely begun the change and had only been with one woman.

Over the years, lovers came and went but he’d never given any relationship an opportunity for more than a passing liaison.

Roderick finished the chore and put everything away in the garage. 

Maybe he’d call the only mated Protector he knew, Joaquin, a Spaniard.  The Protector seemed content when he’d last seen him. That’s what he’d do… call Joaquin and ask him if he was in love.

Was that what he felt for Rachel?  When did his feelings end and the blood-bond begin?

He looked at his watch, it was getting late and he needed to shower and dress.  Mostly he needed Rachel.  The thought of her brought a smile and lightness in his chest.

“Well I’ll be damned, maybe I am in love.”

Chapter Six

The woman in the mirror had hollow eyes.  They reflected hurt and emptiness that could only come from a broken heart.  Rachel swiped away the steam that formed and continued to stare at her reflection. 

“What am I going to do now?”  The wide toothed comb caught in her wet hair and she tugged at it without gentleness.  It was a wonder there was any steam in there at all. She’d taken a tepid shower in hopes of cooling her body from the need to be with him.  Roderick would be there any minute and she needed to maintain her distance, if not physically, emotionally. 

If what Julian said was true, there might be a way to break the bond. She would insist they break it and each of them go on with their life as if nothing ever happened between them. 

It would be much easier for Roderick.  He didn’t love her.

Moving forward was something she could do, but to forget him would be impossible.  Her hand slid to her still flat stomach and her gaze jerked to the trashcan. 

The test she’d picked up on her way home came up positive. She was pregnant. 

Single parenting was not exactly the plan, but it didn’t matter, she’d have her child, and would love it so much that having one parent would be more than enough.

The dinging of the doorbell pulled her to the present. Roderick didn’t use his key today, which meant he was already disengaging. 

There was no need to dress. It was inevitable that they’d have sex.  At the knowledge her body responded with a heated rush.  Rachel steeled her heart and opened the door.

In one fluid motion, Roderick entered and wrapped his arms around her.  Crushed against his chest, Rachel struggled to push back.  Somehow his hold was firm and gentle at the same time, not allowing for her to move away. 

“I forgot my key. Rachel, I’m so sorry,” Roderick whispered against her hair.  “Please forgive me those stupid words.” He cupped her chin lifting her face to his.  “I’m sorry for making your cry.  It wasn’t my intention…”

“Don’t say anymore!” Rachel screamed and shoved at his chest.  Still, he did not release her, so she slumped in resignation.  “Rod, I don’t hold it against you.  I understand that you aren’t happy at being forcibly tied to me. What hurts is that you lied to me. You led me to believe you were invested emotionally with all your gifts and trying to convince me to move in with you.” 

“I…” he stopped speaking and released her.  “You’re right.”  His words cut a new hole in her heart. “Being bonded was something I never considered, especially after living for so many centuries.”  He looked up at the ceiling in thought. 

Rachel backed further away.  Every word he spoke struck like a dagger to her soul. 

“Call Julian, let him know we need to now how to break the bond.  Whatever I need to do, I will do it.” She was relieved no tears fell so she continued. “Just don’t say anything else, please.”

“I don’t want to break the damn bond,” Roderick moved so fast, she didn’t have time to react.  His mouth crushed hers with so much need it shocked her. Tears sprang to her eyes.  How could she live without this?  Without him?

With swift motions, Roderick picked her up and took the familiar path to her bedroom. He set her on her feet and pulled the belt of her robe, sliding the garment off her shoulders so that it pooled around her feet.  When he backed up, his gaze roamed over her sending a delicious tingle.  Maintaining eye contact, he began to undress and Rachel mentally devoured every inch the fabric slid off of. 

              They landed in the bed, a tangle of arms and legs, each vying to touch more of the other’s body with a desperation like that of lovers separated for too long. 

“I can’t wait,” Rachel told him between kisses. “Please take me now.”

He lifted his head and smiled down, “If I could make you wait, I would just to hear you beg for me. But lucky for you I can’t wait either.” A growl escaped, his mouth opened and his eyes closed.

By the time he found the energy to roll off of her, Rachel was finally able to form a coherent thought.  She scooted away from him. She not only needed space, and had to protect her heart.

“Why are you laying so far from me?” Roderick lay on his side, his luminescent eyes scouring her face for answers.  “I don’t want to break the bond Rachel. I choose to stay with you.”

“Can you still be a Protector?” 

“No. Mated or not, he’s punishing me by cutting me loose. I will speak with Julian to see if perhaps he will reconsider, but I doubt it. He rarely changes his mind once he makes a decision. Actually, I don’t think he’s ever changed his mind.” 

Rachel rolled to her side facing him. “Then we must go to Italy and see him. We’ll ask him to break the bond.  There is no need to remain bonded.”

“You don’t want to be bonded to me?” The soft question shook her. Was he hurt? Or was it just his ego?

“I don’t want you to lose your job because of me.”

With a growl, Roderick got out of the bed and began to yank his clothes on.  “I have to go to work.  I have another week until my replacement arrives. Hopefully I will be able to last that long without losing all my energy.  Then I’ll to go to Rome and meet with Julian.” An emotion flickered across his face when he looked at her, but she couldn’t decipher what it was.  “But we are not breaking up Rachel.”

She ignored the tug of the words at her heartstrings. What’s happening to you?” Rachel asked reaching for his arm.  “Why are you becoming weak?”

He sat on the edge of the bed to pull on his boots.  “When a Protector shares his blood, he also shares his immortality.  When it’s done wrong, the Protector is at risk.  The keener eyesight, hearing and night vision, coupled with the need to forge the bond all come together and drain too much energy from my body.  Julian left some stuff behind for me to sort through, one of the items is a mating set that we can use in an effort to form a proper bond.  If it works then I should be able to gain back my ability to stay strong.”

“And if it doesn’t?” Guilt twisted around her gut.  He’d lost it all because he’d saved her life.

“Then I will be a regular guy, who lives a long time, I suppose.  It’s one of the things I need to talk to Julian about.”

He reached for her and kissed her, the softness in the action touched her to the core, but she reminded herself that not once had Roderick said he cared for her. 

A soft smile curved his lips.  “Don’t worry, it will be fine.  I’m a doctor, I have a PhD, I can get a job easy.”  He snapped his fingers.  “Just have to figure out how to mask my eyes. Contacts I suppose.” With a casual shrug, meant to ease her worry, he stood and stretched.  “Gotta go.  I’ll see you tomorrow all right?”

“Roderick?”

He stopped in the doorway and turned. Rachel’s heart hammered in her chest with newfound appreciation. The man was gorgeous. Although huge, he was well formed, somehow muscular without being too bulky. His long silver hair, tussled after their lovemaking, was now pulled back with a thin leather strap that showcased his strong jawline.  She absorbed his features from his patrician nose to his well-formed legs. 

“Please be careful.”

# # #

              Even with the upcoming meeting, Rachel couldn’t help but be affected by the beauty of the Italian countryside. The winding road from the larger city of Rome to the town of Olgiata cut through stunning landscape.  Villas and tall thin pine-like trees dotted the sides of the road.  Once, when everything settled and her life became more stable, she vowed to return and spend time exploring the wonderful country.  For now, her focus was on one thing and for that she had to be prepared.  There were no assurances, no idea whatsoever in her mind as to what would happened in the next moments.  But she had to try; it was time for someone to stand up the Roman.

Julian’s picturesque villa took her breath away. Although she’d been beautiful homes before, she’d never seen a house so gorgeous. None of the Protectors seemed to be hurting for money.

A doorman of sorts answered the door and showed Rachel inside into an open red-tiled expanse that made up a combination living room and open terrace. Her heels clicked on the tile when she walked across the airy space.  She noted that most of his furnishings were white. The home was not quite austere, but not inviting either.

The view from the terrace beckoned and Rachel went out to admire the landscape and she grasped the banister while leaning over to take it all in.  “Beautiful.”

“Welcome Rachel,” Julian’s deep voice flooded over her like ice water and instantly her heartbeat quickened.  She swung to see him stride toward her. Barefoot wearing jeans and a t-shirt, he seemed at ease in the space, yet his movements, although graceful, put her on edge.

“Please join me for a glass of Chianti.” He stopped next to an ornate marble-topped sideboard of sorts and poured two glasses of wine, his eyes constantly lifting to her face. 

Julian joined her at the terrace and although he didn’t stand too close, Rachel had to force herself not to put more distance between them when she took the proffered glass from his hand. 

The Roman looked away, seeming to study the panorama, and Rachel took advantage of his distraction to study him.  Julian reminded her of a masterpiece. Beautiful, yet untouchable. Impenetrable walls surrounded him, the invisible force field emanating an energy that terrified her. 

“Are you not thirsty?”  The cock of his eyebrow at the still full glass in her hand almost made her drop it. 
He knew.

“I-I am here to speak to you about Rod…Roderick.” Rachel stuttered, setting the wineglass none-to-gently on the thick banister.  “Please break our bond and allow him to fight in your Protector force again. It all happened because he saved my life. How could you punish him for that?”

Julian looked away again. “I have known the Spartan for a long time.  Do you know that when I found him, he lay in the middle of a battlefield? He was the only survivor of a clash against Messenianforces.  His flesh shredded by spears, his bones ground into the ground under the warhorses’ hooves of the departin
g
Slavonic army. Yet he lived. Crazed with pain, he somehow hung on. He was amazing, relentless, a true male of worth.” The Roman’s penetrating eyes met hers. “The reason he lived is his strong will, Rachel.”

“Even more of a reason why you need him,” Rachel pleaded.

The man regarded her without expression. It was as if she spoke to a granite statue.  “I will not change my mind about this.  You’ve wasted your time and money coming here.”

“Why?” Rachel screamed.  “It’s crazy. Rod told me they are already outnumbered in Atlanta, and you’re going to take him off the streets because of an understandable mistake? I’m willing to break the bond with him. Please do it, break us apart and allow him to go back to work.”

The floor shook beneath her feet and Rachel shrieked in fear.  Jaw clenched, Julian’s angry eyes bore into her and he took her forearm, his fingers digging into her skin. “You know nothing little girl.  Do you think I make decisions idly?  Roderick is one of, if not the most powerful, of the Protectors. I did not choose to lose him.  He did. I will not change my mind.” A sneer marred his handsome face. “Ah, it gets better.”

“Release her arm at once, Julian.” Both she and Julian turned toward the voice. Frosty eyes moved from Julian to Rachel.  “We are not breaking this bond.”

Great...Roderick was there.

Her Spartan practically flew across the room intent on tackling Julian to the ground.  However, in the next instant, he stumbled back as if bouncing off an invisible shield.

“Why don’t you wish to break the bond?” Julian seemed baffled, his head cocked to the side. With brows pinched, he waited for Roderick’s reply.

Rachel started to argue, but Roderick’s next words stopped her. 

“Because I love her.” He faced her. “I am in love with you Rachel and want to share my life with you.”

For the first time Julian showed emotion, he uttered a soft chuckle. “The consequences of your actions will not be clear for a long time. I cannot grant you your wish to continue in the Protector force.  You could be killed or worse cause one of the other to die.  So, for now, the answer remains no.” He met Rachel's gaze, the probing in his pointed stare, discomfiting.  “The bond between you two must be completed now.  The next in line will come."

“Is something wrong Rachel? What are you talking about?”  Roderick was instantly beside her, his eyes searching her face and then turning to Julian.  “Tell me?”

Without another word, Julian ambled out of the room.

She took a deep breath and framed his face with her hands.  “Roderick, do you really love me?”

He nodded and leaned forward as if to kiss her, but her words stopped him.

“I’m pregnant.”

His mouth opened and closed, and his eyebrows rose high but no words came out.  Then his lips curved until a wide smile split his face.  Yet at the same time, his eyes darted in the direction Julian had gone.  It was a bittersweet moment for him.  He didn't have to tell her.

"I never dreamed to start a family.  Not at this age, but I find it surprising to be happy.  I do love you." He kissed her cupping her face up to him.  "Let's go."