Surrender Your Independence (2 page)

Leaning toward Lydia, she mumbled, well-aware they would hear, “Maybe you could teach them some manners, though? Staring is rude.” There was no reason for them to know she found both of them hotter than sin.

Lydia looked over her shoulder at her, and a small smile started to form as she faced the men in question. “You’re soo bad. Gage Evans, Lars Cooper, may I introduce you to my friend Sergeant Tamera Crozier. She is under my protection.”

Tamara stiffened upon hearing the last name Cooper. “Are you related to Alex Cooper?” She automatically stepped back, even though Tamara knew he could kill her faster then she could move.

Both men bowed, but Lars reached out and took her hand, kissing each finger individually. “He is my half-brother.”

She tried to yank her hand back, but his grip was unbreakable. “Release me. It was a mistake to come here. I’ll leave and you’ll never see me again.”

“What the hell is going on? Lars, you’re scaring her. Stop it!” Lydia placed her hand on theirs, and Lars snarled.

He straightened and Gage moved in closer, also growling. “Do you really believe we would allow my brother to harm our consort?” His words carried a whiplash to them aimed at her friend.

“Enough!” Tamara yanked her hand free. She knew he had released. “You will not threaten my friend. If you have a problem with me, fine. Let’s deal with it.” Once more her temper had gotten the better of her and she stepped into Lars personal space. “I’ll fight you every step of the way if you even think of giving me to Alex. You’ll have to kill me here and now, before I allow him to touch me again.”

The blond shook his head and smiled at her. “Please, forgive us for being so rude. We have no intentions of turning you over to my mate’s brother. Just the opposite. You will be protected here. No one will touch you.” He glanced around the lobby. “Let it be known that should any harm come to Tamara, they will answer to not only myself, but Lars also. Spread the word.”

Three men and one woman stood and bowed to them before leaving the hotel lobby. “What did you just do?” Tamara looked from Gage to Lars. “Why do I have a feeling I’m missing something?”

“And why didn’t you tell me you knew Alex Cooper?” Lydia turned to her

Waving her hand at her, Tamara walked to the chair and plopped down in it. “It happened before I even knew you. When I was under Commander Michael’s team. He’s the one who saved me. I’d hoped it would be dropped, but I guess it hasn’t?” She looked to Lars who sighed and shook his head.

“My brother never forgets, and you are foremost on his mind lately. From what I’ve heard, they booted him from the Unit and that wouldn’t have been bad if it wasn’t for the fact that it brought shame on our family name. Our father was furious when he found out about it and has shunned him as has the rest of the family.”

“Great! That is just fucking great! And I suppose he blames me for that too?” She reached out and grabbed the hotel key card from Lydia. “I’m going to take a hot shower and get some sleep. I know you three have to talk about me, so if you will excuse me….” Tamara picked up her duffle bag and headed towards the door.

“You really shouldn’t be walking around by yourself,” Lars said on one side of her while Gage took up the other side.

She glanced behind her to see Lydia smile and wave at her. “You do know I can defend myself a little, right? I mean I’m not at a total disadvantage. I did manage to land a few good swipes to your brother before he gutted me.”

Two sets of hands stopped her. “What do you mean by he gutted you?” Gage snarled and pressed up close to her.

“Easy doggie, it’s just like I said. He shoved his hand into my gut and ripped everything out. If it hadn’t have been for Commander Michael, well let’s just say I’d be dead now.” She peeked around Lars, searching for her door.

“Let us see,” Lars asked and she shook her head.

“Not going to happen Tonto. Now please release me. I’m dirty and want a nice shower.” Tamara once more headed past two more bungalows before they stopped her again.

“What is it now?” She snapped and placed both of her hands on her hips, turning to glare at them.

At once Lydia stepped around them and yanked Tamara back, hissing in her ear. “What is wrong with you? These men have offered you their protection. Show a little more respect.”

Taking a deep breath, she looked at her friend. “I appreciate what they have done, but showing them my scars is way beyond normal, and you know it. Did anyone ever think that maybe I don’t even want to remember? I can still hear his taunts in my head at night, Lydia. And the three of you want me to dredge this back up when I’m trying to forget it? Fine!” She dropped the duffel bag and ripped off her top, showing them what they wanted to see.

“Happy?” she turned so they could see the thick scars that ran up her stomach, to just under her breast. Reaching down, Tamara latched onto her bag and pushed Lars out of the way, swiping her card through the slot of her door.

Opening the door, she turned to face the three of them. “I don’t want to talk about it again. It’s over and done with.” She slammed the door. Lydia had a key if she needed to get in. Leaning against the door, she took a deep breath and tried to stop her body from shaking.

“Hot bath, bubbles and a nice bottle of wine,” she put her bag on the bed and searched till Tamara found the bottle of wine, bath salts, and her nightshirt. “I knew you would come in handy.”

Not waiting, she worked the cork out of the Khvanchkara red, semi-sweet. The man at the wine shop had told her it was best served at room temperature or just below, just what she wanted.

There was no wait. As soon as the cork was out, she took a small sip right out of the bottle, heading towards the bathroom. “Perfect.”

Half a bottle of wine gone, twenty minutes soaking in the tub and Tamara was ready for a nice walk on the beach before bed. Maybe she could even get Lydia to walk with her. Something was up with Gage and Lars, she wasn’t stupid. Something other than the threat was in the air and Tamara didn’t like surprises.

Slipping on a sundress and flip flops, Tamara brushed out her long hair and braided it. “Well, let’s see what’s going on.” She grabbed the bottle and opened the door.

“Oh good, I was getting worried about you,” Lydia smiled and eyed the wine.

“Hey, it’s my vacation, plus only half of it’s gone. Want some?” She held up the bottle and Lydia shrugged.

“Sure, why not? They have a bon fire going on at the beach and some food cooking. I thought you might want something to eat. I’ve been told Gage cooks a mean steak on the grill.” She took the glass of wine Tamara offered to her as she poured the rest into another cup.

“You going to tell me what is going on with Gage and Lars? And don’t tell me nothing either?” She followed Lydia out the door and down to the beach.

“I’ll let them explain that. It’s not my place to tell you,” Lydia said leaving her more suspicious than ever.

***

The fire seemed to reach the sky tonight. Gage was furious with him and he couldn’t blame him. The way he’d behaved around their consort was rude and on the verge of harassment. He could still the recall the scars that riddled her body in his mind’s eye. As soon as she had slammed the door, Lars had called his father.

He’d always been close to his father, but Lars didn’t know how the news would go over, but there was no turning back. Tamara Crozier was theirs and there was no way they’d release her. After ten minutes, his father agreed and said he would call Alex back into fold, and would order him to remove the reward-bounty on Tamara’s head.

“Here she comes.” Gage turned away from the grill and looked at him.

“I know I have to apologize. You don’t need to give me that look.” He turned and smiled as Lydia and Tamara joined them. “Please have a seat. Lydia tells us you haven’t eaten, so I hope you don’t’ mind that we threw an extra steak on the grill for you.” Lars nodded to the beach chairs that sat back away from the fire and out of the smoke.

Tamara nodded and sat down in the chair furthest away from them. Getting out of his chair, Lars moved his right next to her. “I’m glad you came. I owe you an apology. I was rude and I have no excuse except that I was totally unprepared for your presence.” Taking her free hand into his, he waited as Gage knelt down in front of her.

“What my mate is trying to say is that we believe you to be our consort. Do you know what this is?” Gage asked.

She pulled her hand out of his, but not before he noticed her body shaking. Before they knew what she was doing, Tamara jumped up. “You called him? I thought I was under your protection?” She reached under her dress to retrieve a small switchblade, flicking it open.

He turned, stepping in front of her, as did Gage. “You are not welcome here, Alex. Leave now,” Lars warned only once.

“Oh, come now, can’t we be civil here? I just wanted to say thank you for finding Tamara for me. I’ve been waiting a long time to see her,” Alex walked around the fire towards them.

“You will not touch one inch of her. She’s our consort. Father is waiting for you at home.” Alex tried once more, well aware Gage was close to attacking. His hands were now covered in fur, large claws scraped against his pants, but he kept his own beast back.

Stopping, Alex looked at him, then at Gage. “So the both of you share her? Amazing, I bet Father was pleased with that, knowing he might get those grandchildren after all,” Alex sneered and tried to move to the side to see Tamara.

“You will not!” Lars let a small fraction of his inner demon show and sent his brother back a few yards with his power. “Leave, because the next time you won’t walk away. That’s my final warning.”

Behind them, Tamara placed her hand on his back. “You shouldn’t have to do this. He’s your brother,” she whispered, but Alex heard her.

“That is easy enough, dear Tamara, why don’t you come with me and all of this can be prevented.” Alex stood, slow brushing the sand off of himself, and held out his hand.

She snorted behind them. “Yeah, right. Like I’d do that. Not going to happen. So why don’t you just leave and forget you ever knew me?” She poked her head between him and Gage.

“I’m afraid that isn’t going to happen. You owe me. I was discharged and shame was brought upon my family because of you…a human,” he snarled and nodded.

“I owe you nothing! You almost gutted me while I was alive, all because I wouldn’t sleep with you,” she shouted and pushed forward trying to get past the two of them, but there was no way they’d allow her to place herself in danger.

“I did gut you. If that stupid Commander hadn’t been there, you wouldn’t be here and no one would have known.” His brother’s gaze moved to the left really quickly and at once Lars knew others were now surrounding them.

“So it comes to this then?” Lars motioned with his fingers. Gage shifted next to him. In wolf form, he stood over eight feet tall, his fur almost white, fangs glistening from his mouth as his snarls filled the air, calling to the others of their team, but there was no time.

No, he had no choice, but to use the one thing he didn’t want to. He took Tamara’s hand, his gaze never leaving his brother and placed two specialized plugs in her hand. “
Put them in your ear now and don’t draw attention to yourself anymore.”
He sent the message into her head.

Reaching over, Lars took Gage’s clawed hand and centered his attack to those around them. It was a hard task to focus such power, but it could be done. The only problem was that any humans around them would have serious earaches, but with the plugs he’d handed Tamara, he’d hoped she wouldn’t be affected.

Drawing on the power around him, Lars attacked, giving no warning. The full demon inside was out. Not only were Alex’s men down for the count, his brother would be his. Releasing Gage’s hand, he flew at his brother, who was now flat on his back from his attack. Lars landed on him with a crunch, cracking several of his ribs with his knee.

“You should have left when I told you. Now you will sleep for a very long time.” His fangs ripped into his brother’s throat and released the poison to induce the five hundred year sleep. Only a rare few of his kind were born with this gift and he was one of them.

His brother’s eyes grew large as he realized his mistake. “I won’t forget, no matter how long I sleep…” were the last words he uttered before succumbing to the sleep. Lars jumped up and looked back at Tamara who stood there staring at Alex.

“It’s over?” She took the plugs out of her ears and watched as their men gathered Alex’s men, securing them.

“When were you going to tell me about this?” Gage asked, pushing one of the men he had wrestled with to the group of men that were being restrained.

He shrugged. “You would have found out sooner or later.” He held out his hand to Tamara, and she placed his hand in his, staring down at his brother.

“Is he dead?” She watched as one of his father’s men came and picked up the sleeping Alex.

“No, he’s in a deep sleep. He won’t wake for over five hundred years.” He bowed as his father and mother joined them near the fire.

“I had hoped to get here before this could happen.” His father glanced from him to Tamara. “I’m sorry for what our son has done to you. I hope you won’t judge us too harshly. My son Lars is a good man and he will take great care of you. I expect you three to come by the house soon.”

“I’ll call you later.
Tamara does not know what a consort is, we were just starting to explain when Alex showed up.”
He sent the message to his parents telepathically.

“Oh my, I’m so sorry.” His mother stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Tamara, hugging her. “I know you must be confused, but know that both Gage and Lars are good men.” She stepped back, patting Lars’ arm. “Call us soon.”

***

She didn’t say anything, watching Alex and his men being carted away from the beach. Oh, Tamara knew what a consort was and it took everything in her not to run for the hotel room and slam the door shut to reality.

While Commander Michael sat with Tamera, healing her, he’d explained many things about their kind. Once a consort was found, if the female didn’t accept the man, or in this case men, they would be sterile to any other woman.