Rayven's Keep (16 page)

Mine.

Once the word entered his consciousness, it wouldn’t leave. His heart beat heavily in his chest and he felt as if he were in freefall through space, unable to take his next breath. Astounded to realize his hands shook and confused by this unforeseen turn of events, he wondered what had happened in the brief time they had been apart to trigger the certainty revving his primal instincts to claim her as his own. He tried to shut it down, to ignore his body’s response and the elemental recognition of a mate flooding his blood stream and leaving him burning. He didn’t want this. Shouldn’t want this.

He looked hard at her, seeking clues to the body blow he’d just taken, dazed by the internal shift unexpectedly throwing his world off kilter.

She’d changed out of her earlier outfit, which wasn’t unusual. He’d been amused on more than one occasion by the mercurial mood shifts driving her to change her clothing to match her current mood. He didn’t understand it, but a part of him enjoyed trying to guess what she would do next.

What she wore now was elegant in its cut and draped her body like a second skin. The short blue jacket nipped in at her tiny waist, emphasizing the gentle roundness of her hips and the length of her legs encased in slim trousers. The pants were tucked into tall, indigo-colored boots. She looked sleek, feminine, and the tentative smile on her generous mouth was guaranteed to drive him insane.

She’d made an effort to tame her curls with a headband, and he itched to release those soft curls from their confines, to see them frame the delicate lines of her face. Mine, he thought again, the word a persistent drumbeat in his head battering the wavering defenses he tried to shore. His mouth tightened into a thin line as he mentally kicked himself for letting this happen. He looked away and stared blindly at the ship’s door while he fought for command of the powerful urges tearing at him.

Forcing a calmness he was far from feeling, Nick deactivated the environmental pressure seals between the ship’s door and the docking tunnel. Once they were green-lighted, he opened the door and stepped through. He paused, turned back to Tru and offered her his arm. He waited for her to accept his unexpected gallantry. He wanted her touch, needed the connection even as he fought it.

He could see the uncertainty on her face. Knew her well enough by now to understand she’d been prepared to fight for the opportunity to visit the space station and had been caught off guard by his easy surrender. Hell, so was he, for that matter.

Seconds felt like an eternity as he waited for her to accept his wordless invitation. Her small hand came up to rest on his arm with only slight hesitation and his muscles tensed beneath her fingertips before they relaxed with a slight tremor. He hoped she hadn’t noticed.

A warm smile bloomed on her lips and his mouth curved in answer. Entranced by the sparkle in her eyes and the excited flush on her cheeks he took a step closer, unable to help himself. Her delicate fragrance enveloped him and he breathed deeply feeling dizzy with the want and need clouding his mind. Her warmth against his side was both a pleasure and a torment, but he found he didn’t care. He thought he heard her sigh, the barest expression of pleasure and fought the desire thrumming through his veins. This was not the time or place for his libido to go haywire. He would find a way to put a safe distance between them again, but not right now. Later. Much later.

“Ready?” he asked, his voice coming out as a deep rumble.

“Ready,” she responded.

Chapter 14

Maddox Creighton was in his element. He thrived on the challenges in the business world and relished nothing more than overcoming resistance. It made him feel alive, on top of his game. Right now he focused on Lodestone Mining and Malvin Sonne. A slow, smile curved his mouth. He straightened his jacket to rest properly across his shoulders and then pulled his cuffs down before he turned and went in search of his quarry.

This was the final day of his annual meeting, and before he was through, Maddox intended to break Malvin Sonne. Then he was going to make sure Anto Geir understood going after one Creighton was the same as going after them all. By the time he was through, not much would be left of Lodestone Mining. No one messed with his family.

The day before, Callen Bluestone had arrived on Bretonne. The two of them had been closeted for the better portion of the day, going over the information Tru had unearthed. The more Maddox had seen, the angrier he’d become. He was a huge investor in Lodestone Mining and seeing proof he was systematically being robbed infuriated him.

Callen had proved to be a genius at following data trails and making connections that might not otherwise be obvious. The somber young man had impressed Maddox, which wasn’t easy to do. He was both pleased and annoyed when Callen remained committed to Rayven Security and his boss even though he’d been offered work with Creighton Mutual and the prestige associated with it. Loyalty like his was hard to come by.

Everything was in place to take down at least one of the perpetrators of the Lodestone scam, and in so doing, Maddox intended to step in and take over what was left of the company. It was a challenge he looked forward to and sparked an interest he hadn’t felt for a long time. His steps were brisk and energetic as he made his way to the day’s planned events.

He met his son, Reid, at the doors leading into the gathering room. The resemblance between the two of them was uncanny but Reid lacked the drive that fed Maddox. Reid was an excellent administrator and handled the many arms of Creighton Mutual with ease, but he was content with the business as it was and felt no need to expand. It was a point of contention between them and Maddox knew it was the main cause of their emotional distance from one another. Tru was the other.

“Father,” Reid said, with a curt nod.

“I assume you were briefed by Bluestone?” Maddox replied. He didn’t bother to slow his steps expecting Reid to keep up and fall into step beside him.

“Naturally. Did you have any idea what Tru was up to?”

Maddox could hear the underlying suspicion in the question and the resentment his son tried hard to hide. Tru was closer to him than she was to her father, often approaching him to ask for advice and he knew Reid felt shut out. Although he had a great deal of sympathy for his son and encouraged Tru to seek out her father more, the strong bond they shared secretly pleased him.

“Don’t be ridiculous. I was just as shocked as you were when I found out what that minx had been up to.” He frowned, but couldn’t suppress the note of pride in his voice. “I have to give her credit though. My granddaughter did a damn fine job of ferreting out what was going on. No one else caught it.”

* * * *

Reid’s gut churned with worry for his daughter and guilt for not paying enough attention to her concerns when she’d broached them with him. The thought of what could have happened to her would be enough to give him chills and sleepless nights for a long time.

Callen had filled him in on the details and put his mind at rest with assurances Tru would be well taken care of by Nick Rayven. Callen’s calm, rational voice had been the anchor he’d listened to. Not his father, Maddox, but a complete stranger.

Reid put a fisted hand in his pocket, ruining the line of his tailored clothing, which would irritate his father. He admitted he was being petty, but he enjoyed a perverse sense of pleasure in the small childish rebellion. How was it possible to love someone and yet, resent them at the same time? A question he asked himself often.

“Ah, here comes Callen,” Maddox announced, rubbing his hands together.

Callen’s presence calmed the churning energy Reid felt whenever he was near his father, at least temporarily. He walked with unhurried grace toward them and stopped on Maddox’s right side as his watchful gray eyes took everything in with a glance. There was something indefinable about Callen, a presence beyond his military posture and quiet air of competence. Reid respected the younger man’s reticence even as he sometimes probed for answers. His questions were skillfully deflected without causing offense and Reid admired his skill. Chagrined, Reid found himself standing a little taller now that Callen had joined them. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed his father do the same.

“Gentlemen.” Callen nodded to each in turn.

In unspoken agreement, the three men entered the gathering room where the guests waited within.

Conversation paused as they crossed the threshold. Maddox smiled jovially and greeted many of his guests by name. Surrounded by powerful men and women in their own right, he still managed to set himself apart. He was treated with deference and only those paying attention would notice the occasional undercurrent of fear and resentment behind some of the social banter.

Reid noted with interest the various reactions from their guests as Callen was introduced by Maddox as a representative of Rayven Security. They were like sharks scenting new blood in the way they circled, in how they weighed and cataloged everything about him. Reid knew Rayven Security had just been given cachet within the business circles he and his father operated in. If Creighton Mutual considered a company worth a second look, then doors tended to open.

Callen blended with his surroundings. He said the right things, laughed in the right places and observed everything with dispassionate interest. When he walked away, he seemed to leave behind the impression of a savvy executive, but nothing else. As he circulated, he moved steadily closer to Malvin Sonne. Reid shook his head in admiration and moved away, confident Callen could handle himself.

* * * *

Callen snagged a drink from a passing waiter, raised the glass to his lips and sipped the fiery liquid while he considered his options. Maddox was across the room entertaining a small group of men, while Reid held court near a table laden with appetizers. Malvin was in a small alcove, partially hidden by a large cluster of plants. He looked worried and only ventured from his hideaway to snag additional drinks from a waiter. He looked as if he’d already imbibed one too many. Callen hid a grin behind his drink and bided his time.

“Mr. Bluestone, I presume.” The voice was feminine, husky and as potent as the drink he held in his hand. Callen turned to view the owner of that fascinating voice. He wasn’t disappointed; she was beautiful. Exotic. The signals she sent were intended to entice, and he recognized her efforts, even mentally applauded them.

“Yes.” He offered her a faint smile.

“Forgive my presumption, but I overheard Maddox introducing you earlier. I’m Aislinn Thorpe.” Her voice was pleasant as was her smile, but there was calculation in her brown eyes, and Callen’s instincts told him to tread carefully. “It seems Creighton Mutual is interested in your company and if Maddox is interested, then so am I.”

“And why would that be, Ms. Thorpe?” Callen sipped his drink and turned his attention back to the room at large.

She shifted beside him, drawing a little closer, and her perfume suddenly surrounded him. It was heady, sensual and his body reacted to the subtle message it sent. He knew her movement had been deliberate and clamped down ruthlessly on the unexpected sexual pull he felt.

“I’m always on the lookout for a company that guarantees confidentiality for their clients in handling pesky security problems.” She turned slightly and her breast brushed his arm. He refused to move or to acknowledge her actions had any effect on him at all, even though he was uncomfortably warm.

He lowered his voice to a provocative growl, asking, “Would those pesky security problems have to do with you personally or are they of a business nature?” Her eyes widened before her full mouth compressed.

“Would it make a difference?”

He handed his empty glass to a passing waiter, and then turned to give Aislinn Thorpe his full attention. His smile was used to devastating effect and it broadened when he heard her breath catch. He cocked his head to one side and took his time looking her over. It was hard not to appreciate what he saw. Aislinn had curves in all the right places, and her clothing was designed to show off her assets to their best advantage.

“Darlin’, I’m just trying to get a handle on what exactly we’re talking about here.” He drawled, his gaze lingering on her full, tempting mouth. He was being deliberately rude, but he didn’t have time to play games no matter how tempting.

Wariness flashed in her eyes before she quickly looked away. She dropped the coy flirtation instantly and stepped back, putting space between the two of them.

“It seems we have a slight misunderstanding,” she said stiffly, pretense gone.

“Quite possibly, Ms. Thorpe. If you need security then I would suggest you contact Rayven Security headquarters.” Callen nodded and ambled away.

He didn’t need eyes in the back of his head to know she glared daggers at him. If he hadn’t other pressing matters to attend to, he would have been sorely tempted to see where her flirtation would take him. He knew she was up to something; he just didn’t have time to find out what.