Death eBook 9.8.16 (23 page)

“Kayne.” The sadness and longing in Falcone’s voice tore at my soul. All he wanted was his brother back. The one he loved, not the monster he’d become.

“I am sorry, Falcone, but it was the only way I could think of,” Decay, sounding equally as sad, said, and raised his hand for the book. As soon as the book hit his hand, Decay gestured for us to join Falcone. We didn’t need to be told twice. We skedaddled on over to Falcone’s side.

“Connor, I love you! You’re my everything. Please love—”

I glanced beyond Decay to see one of his followers on his knees declaring his undying love to Connor, until another man started beating the heck out of him, claiming Connor was his. The rest had looked to be enthralled by Connor also, only to come back to their senses when the yelling started. Instead, they all looked peeved off.

There was a battle cry from one minion that sounded a lot like an injured donkey, and Decay’s men attacked. Decay sighed and dropped his head into his right hand, tucking his other hand and the book under his right elbow. I swore I saw a small smirk as he asked softly, “Honestly, Connor?”

Falcone sighed. As the minions charged his brothers, I watched as Falcone’s sad eyes met Decay’s, only there was a small smile upon his lips before he said, “You know he just can’t help himself sometimes. He doesn’t love himself, so he needs others to do it for him.”

My heart jumped into my throat when I watched Dean and his brothers fight each Order member away from them. I shook in fear, my eyes darting from one brother to another to make sure none were harmed.

I jumped when Decay announced, “I believe my time here is up.” He lifted his head, meeting Falcone’s eyes, and I saw, once again, the real Kayne shining through. “I am glad for the few moments I have had with you. Be well, my brother.” He bowed his head slightly in respect and stepped away.

“Be well,” Falcone replied, his voice catching at the end. My eyes widened when Falcone pulled his sword from the sheath on his back and brought his head up all in one smooth movement. I had thought he was about to attack his brother, but I was foolish to think kindhearted Falcone could. Instead, I witnessed a minion diving around Decay’s retreating body to attack. However, before Falcone could do anything, Fallon, who had been uncharacteristically quiet through everything, took a step back and raised her arms above her head, as high as possible, then she slammed them down hard at her waist. The force broke the duct tape in half. Just in time, she turned and threw a corkscrew punch right to the throat of a minion coming our way.

With chaos surrounding us,
I wanted to help. I raised my hands over my head, brought them down hard, and landed on my butt… hands still taped together. I decided the best way to help would be to just stay out of everyone’s way, and got up to do just that.

My eyes strayed to Dean. He looked fierce, fighting with an ancient sword. His skill was evident as he moved through each step and swung with a single fluid motion. It looked more like a dance than a bloody battle. Seeing he could handle himself set my mind at ease, enough to check on the others. Dean’s brothers were equal in skill, but their styles differed.

What Connor lacked in beauty and finesse, he made up for in spirit. He looked to be enjoying the fight, as though it were a good bar brawl rather than a life or death battle. Falcone also fought, but it was easy to see he was only doing it out of necessity. He aimed to injure, not kill. Warren, on the other hand, was in warrior mode. He used proficiency and a brute strength that was scary to watch. I was glad he was the farthest from me; I was pretty sure any closer and I’d hear the bones of his opponents crunch with each hit.

What really surprised me was that none of the horsemen seemed to be using their powers, only their fists and swords. Almost like they wanted to prolong the fight.

I glanced around again. Decay and the book were nowhere in sight. Dread filled me as I realized both were gone, and Decay would again be one more step ahead of us. A bit closer to his goal of killing my mate and his brothers. It scared the hell out of me, but was something to worry about later. For the time being, I needed to think of a way to end the massacre happening in front of me.

Fallon held her own next to me, so I turned to the unknown factor, Zander. The guy, who Dean had vouched for only to have him give us bad information, had resulted in Fallon’s and my kidnapping. He must have done something to prove his innocence if Dean had allowed him to join the fight after failing us once already. He was a decent fighter, covering Warren’s back.

“Now, Zander, we’re done with this,” Warren shouted. Zander nodded, took care of the Order member he was locked in battle with, and stepped back from the scuffle. He dropped his head and muttered words I was too far away to hear. He brought his head up and his eyes were solid black. He tossed his hand out to the closest minion, and a gust of barely visible wind shot forth from his palm, knocking the closest enemy a good fifty yards across the parking lot. Then one after another he began to clean house, dusting all of Decay’s men back a safe distance. Once far enough away, they gathered their wounded and took off. They scattered like cockroaches from a can of Raid.

“My jewel?” The sound of Dean’s voice caused a shudder of pleasure to run through my body. He was about three feet away. Unblocking him, I suddenly felt his apprehension through our link. I understood why too. My hands were still taped, and I stood there like a moron watching everyone else fight. But there wasn’t much I could have done anyway. He most likely thought I was in shock.

“Too,” I said and shook my head.

“Too?” he asked, but I didn’t answer. I was already running. I jumped in his arms, throwing my bound arms around his neck, legs around his waist, and proceeded to kiss the eternal life out of him. I broke the kiss first, placing my face against his neck.

“Yes,
too
.
Too
far for
too
long, and still
too
far away.” I kissed his neck as he squeezed me tighter to him. Then I asked, “Can we go home now so I can tell you I love you properly, for the first time, without everyone watching?”

Epilogue

DEAN

Two weeks later

Julie and I had headed out of the city to the country for some peace and quiet. I also wanted to show her something. It had been two weeks since we went head-to-head with Kayne and his Order, the night he’d taken my mate from me. So much had happened, and yet so little. Every day since the clash with Kayne, it had been quiet. He hadn’t reached out in any way, even to give us a piece of his warped mind since we’d tricked him with the wrong book. There was nothing.

In between our business work, we’d searched for him and the real book. It had to be out there somewhere, and we needed our hands on it before him. We’d even spent over two hours searching the creepy-looking clown place for any clue to where he would go next, only to come up empty-handed. Another problem we had was that Decay’s minions had gone to ground. Even his high-profile moneymakers had all taken a leave of absence. So once again we were at a loss. Still, it didn’t stop us from hunting.

The little time Julie and I managed to spend together helped to soothe my frustration. We were in a good place. I couldn’t imagine my life without her in it, and she’d even told me the same again the night after the fight. Along with some other words I’d been waiting to hear and when I did… it was heaven.

We’d been lying in bed, a bed we spent every night in together, with my arm around her waist as she caught her breath. Slowly, she’d slid her chin to my chest and looked down at me. I’d run a hand through her hair and then tucked some behind her ear.

She’d licked her lips and smiled, before she said, “Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought fantasies could come true. Not until I met you. Now I know the dreams I had from reading so many books aren’t unrealistic. I’ve found my happily ever after with you. I’ve found my prince, even if he’s a dark one at that.” She’d smirked, only it faded, her expression taking on a serious one. “No matter what we have to go through next, I want you to know I’ll be by your side.”

Reaching down, I’d slid my hands under her arms and pulled her up so our faces were only inches apart. “My jewel, no man could be as happy as I am, because they don’t have you in their life.”

Her eyes had softened and then she’d whispered, “I love you, Dean. Forever and always.”

My breath had actually hitched like a woman’s would. At least I’d been man enough for my cock to harden. I’d rolled my mate to her back and kissed her deeply. Kissed her until her breathing became ragged, until her eyes hooded, and until her body knew how much I loved it. Still, it hadn’t been enough, and as I’d slowly slid my cock inside her, I’d said, “My love for you will last until the end of time. Nothing can come between us because I won’t let it. You were made for me, Julie Michaels, and I will love you forever and always.” I’d quickly touched my lips to hers. “Now, you’re moving in permanently. We’ll get my brothers to help this weekend.”

Her eyes had narrowed. “Did you just tell me I was moving in?”

My brows had drawn down as I’d thought about it. Then I’d nodded and said, “Yes.”

“We’ll have words about you ordering me around, but right now I don’t want to let go of my happy after-orgasm glow, so I’ll tell you Fallon’s already moving into my old place.”

Smiling, I’d asked, “So you do want to stay with me.”

She’d grinned. “Yes, even though you annoy the heck out of me… and don’t get me started on your brothers.”

Just thinking of that night, and so many since, brought a smile to my face as I climbed out of the car. I walked around to Julie’s door and opened it, reaching my hand in for hers. As soon as she took it, I helped her out and stood there, curling my arms around her waist, looking down at her.

She met my stare, only to then glance around us. “Ah, it’s a little late to bring me out in the middle of nowhere to kill me off. You told me you loved me.”

A chuckle forced its way out of me. Leaning in, I kissed her temple and shook my head before telling her, “I have a surprise for you.” We
were
in the middle of nowhere surrounded by farmland; however, it was the fenced-off paddock I wanted to show her the most. With a hand on the small of her back, I guided her over to the fence.

It was time to forget about Kayne for a while. Forget he was still out there, hunting for the whereabouts of the dagger. Forget about the lucid moments Falcone had told us about later that night, because it hurt too much with what we would have to eventually do. It was time to forget everything that could scare, harm, or break us apart. It was time to relax, love, cherish, and to share the one last secret I had from my mate.

“Do you think Zander will help us again if we need it?” Obviously Julie’s thoughts were different to mine.

“We can only hope. After all, his power was pretty handy.” I hadn’t known Zander had an affinity toward wind. Actually, I think Warren was the only one who knew. Though, with what was to come, Zander’s gift would definitely be useful. What also surprised me was Fallon’s ability to kick ass. I was glad she was Julie’s best friend because it meant she would do anything to protect her.

“Dean?”

“Yes, my jewel?” I asked, turning her to face the fence, as I stood behind her with my hands on her waist.

“I know I’ve said this before, but Decay—”

I knew what she was going to say, about how she saw Kayne shine through the night he took her. How she’d seen his regret and pain and often wondered if there was a way to save him. I was shocked to know how tender he’d been toward Julie, nice even. Still, he’d taken my mate. He’d endangered her. I couldn’t forgive him for it. So I’d let Julie, with Falcone, search for a way to save our brother in her spare time. But if it came down to it, we would stop him in any way we could. Even if it meant entombing him once again or possibly losing him forever.

“I don’t know what will happen in the future, Julie. But what I do know is no matter how lucid he may be, I want you to be safe and away from him.”

She sighed and leaned back into me. “I know. Though, I really think—”

“Let’s not think about him now,
please
. I want to show you something.”

“What?” She started to turn to me, but I held her still and pointed out to the paddock. She groaned. “Wow, there’s land, and oh, look, more land. It’s amazing.”

Leaning in, I bit her neck. “Cheeky. Just wait and watch.” Removing one hand from her waist, I took two fingers between my teeth and let out a sharp whistle.

“Dean,” she snapped and again went to turn.

Holding her at bay, I said, “Look,” and pointed again.

Her body tensed against mine. She quickly sucked in a breath, then stopped breathing all together at the sight before her. In the distance, my pure white horse came into view out of thin air. Though, it hadn’t been. Blaze had the ability to make himself invisible as needed.

He galloped toward us, happy to see his master. Only sometimes, I swore he thought he was the master. My brothers and I had decided it was well past time for our beasts to rest, live a life free and wild, which was why we’d purchased over two hundred acres for them to do just that.

Julie tried to shift back as he came closer. I kissed her temple and reassured her, “He’s a gentle giant, I promise.” He was definitely a giant, taller than I was even.

He slowed to a trot and then stopped to eye the woman at my side. Slowly, he came forward, his head down, his nostrils flaring as he took in her scent. He moved right up to the fence and stopped.

“Don’t be pigheaded, and get over here to say hello to my mate,” I ordered, and I swore I saw a smirk on his face before he took the last step and butted his nose against Julie’s collarbone.

She giggled, so he decided to do it again. All tension fled my mate’s body. She reached both hands up and caressed his face, cooing, “Aren’t you a gorgeous boy.” He let out a puff of air and nodded as if he understood. “He’s wonderful, Dean. Wait….” Her hands stilled on Blaze. She looked over her shoulder at me with wide eyes. “He’s…. Does that mean…?”