Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 107720 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107720 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
I held his glowing golden gaze while my arm snaked around Rook’s waist. I love you, you stupid beast.
He snorted as if he heard me.
More men appeared from the convoy of black 4WDs—masked and faceless—all wearing the tactical uniform of Sovereign Retrieval.
“You can stand down,” I commanded. “We’ve already dealt with those who were holding us hostage. We just require transportation to Iceland.” A memory came back as I said the same words as last time. “For three. Two adults and a full-grown male panther.”
Dillon cleared his throat.
“Sorry, three adults and a panther.”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Ashfall,” the leader—who’d given me the bulletproof vest before he’d escorted us out of the bed and breakfast—narrowed his eyes. “On this particular job, we don’t take orders from you.”
“Then who—?”
“Her.” Dillon pointed at Rook. “I used her account code. And now that we’ve found her, she’s the one in charge.”
Rook and her bodyguard shared a look before she shifted her attention to the leader and said, like a true heiress, “I’d like to go to Vatnajökull Glacier. As fast as humanly possible.”
“The route has already been set. Mr. Brooks mentioned that would be your final destination.” The leader shared a quick glance with Dillon. “The plane is waiting. Shall we go?”
“Yep.” Dillon clapped his hands, assuming command which...I wasn’t exactly opposed to, seeing as every breath grew harder. “Let’s move out. The sooner we get you to Frank, the sooner we can find a cure.”
“Wait. You told Frank about this?” Rook stiffened. “But what if he’s not to be trusted? I’d planned on testing him first. Finding out if—”
“Can you honestly say you have time to mess around?” Dillon snapped, the depth of his fear showing. “Whatever happens, it’s a risk we have to take. Besides, Frank is the only one—apart from your parents—who knows if there are any secrets or hidden data based on the immortality subjects.” A dangerous smile tightened his lips. “And don’t worry, if he turns out to be a betrayer, I’ll do whatever is necessary to keep you safe.” His eyes flickered to mine. “Keep both of you safe.”
Pride reared its ugly head to remind him I didn’t need protecting, but...my vision wobbled and it took all my strength to stay standing.
Fine. Turned out, I kinda did.
Rook wrapped her arm around me, and I wrapped mine around her.
We started walking to the closest 4WD, but Whisper shoved his way between us, ensuring he took part of our weight.
I shot him a grateful look as we reached the vehicle and clambered in.
The panther took the middle seat, his internal heat combating the insidious chill creeping through my heart. Rook never let go of my hand as the convoy doors slammed shut and engines roared to life.
Leaning back against the headrest, my entire body felt as if it was moments away from shattering. Everything hurt. Everything ached. Yet I locked it all down so Rook wouldn’t feel it.
Rook sighed heavily, sagging against Whisper’s bulk. Even exhausted, pale, and streaked with soot, she was still the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen.
She met my eyes, giving me the smallest, saddest smile.
And as Dillon took the front seat and we headed toward the airport, the decades of hatred, vengeance, and fury finally fell away.
No matter what happened from here, I was free.
I would never be hunted again.
Never be trapped.
Rook was mine and I was hers.
And even death couldn’t break us apart.
Chapter Twenty-Five
THE BLACK SAND OF ICELAND’S SOUTHERN coast stretched out like charred bone beneath the cloudy sky. Wind whipped across the barren plain, carrying the sharp scent of sulphur and distant sea.
My head pounded from the plane journey. My ears rang just because. And every hour that passed, I grew weaker.
Lucien and I hadn’t been able to eat or drink anything on board and even though the plane had a bedroom—similar to the one we’d used on our flight to China—we didn’t dare use it with Dillon there...listening.
I was in enough trouble with my bodyguard without adding more to my list of crimes, and I had no idea what happened to our physical bodies while our spiritual ones connected.
What if the ice and fire erupted while we were deep in pleasure? What if we made the plane crash with whatever energy we shared? What if we were loud when we came—?
Can you stop thinking about what happens in that dreamscape? Lucien groaned. I’m exhausted and starving and really, really need to be alone with you. You’re severely testing my self-control, woman.
Whisper lay across our laps like a giant, dangerous blanket, his soft snores making my heart ache with affection. Abandoning the view whipping past the 4WD window, I twisted to catch Lucien’s gaze.
No scarlet ring glowed around his dark pupils, black circles bruised under his eyes, and his cheekbones seemed extra sharp.
Then again, I probably didn’t look much better.