Darkest Caress (20 page)

Placing his feet with care, Daegan picked his way across the last vacant lot. Once he reached the first house, he pressed his back flat to the bare plywood wall, waiting to search it. With his finger on the M-4’s trigger, he listened to the soft footfalls approaching, waited until he felt Vaughn’s light tap on his shoulder. When he entered the closest door fast and low, Vaughn stayed on him like a shadow.

They moved from room to room in a well-rehearsed choreography of movements, clearing from bottom to top and back down again. His heart sank when he realized the place was empty. Pushing the dread aside, he picked his line of approach and headed for the next one.

* * *

Perched in a crevice near the top of the bluff, Rick consciously slowed his breathing, relaxed his muscles as he set the scope to his eye. His hide wasn’t perfect by any means, but with luck it would get the job done. Nestled in the hillside amongst the trees below the road, the cedar boughs he’d used to camouflage his position afforded him adequate protection. For now. Considering the elite training his quarry had, he might have to move to a better position. Initially he’d considered setting up in one of the unfinished houses, but that had seemed too obvious. This provided better concealment and lines of sight, though in some ways it placed him at great risk.

He hadn’t been able to wipe out his trail properly, and he hadn’t had time to arrange the greenery with much care. If something backlit his position, even for a moment, he’d be in perfect silhouette. Anyone with military training would be able to spot him immediately.

Too late now. Things were already in motion.

A few minutes earlier one of the DA members had alerted him that the call had been made, and ever since he’d fought the spike in anticipation thrumming through his veins. The Coven Leader was on his way, could arrive any time. Question was, when and where?

He had to slow his pulse. Had to regulate his breathing so he could feel each heart beat and be able to fire between them.

His earpiece crackled as someone keyed the radio.

“Ross and Bose are still in there having fun with the girl,” one of the men reported. “They’re going to start doing real damage soon because they’re getting bored, and I don’t know how far you want them to take this. You said you wanted her alive when the Leader gets here. What do you want me to tell them?”

It angered him that he had to break radio silence to deal with something so stupid. “It doesn’t take three of you to watch one unarmed woman,” he said in as low a voice as possible. “Get your asses in gear and be ready for anything.”

“Roger that.”

Dumbasses, Rick thought, mentally shaking his head. If any of them survived the night he’d be surprised. As for him, he figured his chances were fifty-fifty. Because when it came down to facing off against the Coven Leader, he knew only one of them would live to see morning.

* * *

Trapped between her captors knees with both hands immobilized, Liv choked back a sob when the man raised the shears again. Two men had left a few minutes ago, but two more remained. Their obvious enjoyment of her terror made her want to throw up. Especially the tall one with the goatee. He was loving every freaking moment of this. She’d closed her eyes so she didn’t have to look at him. It was her only defense.

He opened and closed the shears with menacing slowness, making sure she could hear the sounds. With each quiet snick the cold metal brushed her fingers held clamped in his vise grip. Sometimes he snipped close enough that she could feel the tiny whoosh of air from the blades closing next to her cringing fingers. Other times he purposely nicked her, slicing open thin cuts along the back of her hand and fingers that stung like fire.

Every snip of the metal, every fresh blaze of pain magnified her fear until it was all she could do to hold back the scream locked in her chest. But each time she jerked or a muffled cry escaped her they laughed, watching her writhe and tremble, fight not to beg.

Begging wouldn’t do any good with these men.

The door squeaked open. She tensed in anticipation of a new threat, but when she dared to slit her tear-blurred eyes open she found another man standing in the opening. One from before.

“Boss says to get a move on. Only one of you stays with her.”

“I’ll stay,” the man tormenting her purred.

The man in the doorway snorted. “He wants her alive, Ross.”

“Oh, I won’t kill her while you’re gone. Later, maybe.” His smile was an evil slash that sent a shiver up her spine.

“Want me to tie her back up?” the one next to him asked, still holding her right wrist.

“No,” Ross said with a smirk. “I like a challenge. And I think I can handle her.” His amused tone made it clear how funny he thought that was. He dragged the point of the scissors down her chin and throat, to the top of her shirt, then snipped. She barely had time to flinch before he reached out to rip the material apart, exposing her bra.

“Whatever, man.” The man on her right dropped her hand then left with his friend in the doorway, shutting her in alone with her tormentor.

Liv instinctively grabbed his wrist to still his hand. The sharp point of his weapon dug into the skin over her breastbone, just above her cleavage. “Well, what should we do to amuse ourselves in the meantime, now that we’re all alone?”

The cruel intent behind the words was all too clear. She didn’t know how she understood, but she knew he was going to mutilate her, starting with her breasts and face, before he raped her. Bile rushed into her tight throat, burning hot. Her shoulders convulsed as she gagged.

He pressed the sharp point harder against her tender skin until the tip punctured it. She covered a gasp, bit back a cry when she felt the warmth of her blood dripping down between her breasts, over her stomach. Compared to the debilitating headache the burn wasn’t agonizing, but the pleasure on his face, the hungry way he watched the blood trickle over her skin threatened to destroy the last vestiges of her control. How much more could she take before she lost it?

She had to think of a way to get the shears from him. If she could do that she’d have a shot at wounding him badly enough to attempt escape. If she didn’t, he’d slice her up bit by bit until she was screaming and thrashing and pleading for a mercy that would never come. Without a doubt she knew he would kill her. Slowly. Painfully.

A shudder of revulsion ripped through her. Almost as hard as the convulsions when she’d seized earlier.

Wait. The seizure. If she could repeat that and make it convincing, maybe he’d let go or loosen his grip on her free right hand long enough for her to grab the scissors.

If she failed, he’d do a lot worse than cut off her fingers.

Was it better to die fast and violently? Or slowly and painfully?

The answer seemed obvious to her. Daegan wasn’t coming for her. No way would he be able to find her.

Reaching deep to gather up every last drop of courage and energy, she drew a hitching breath and sent up a silent prayer.
If I fail, let him kill me fast.

Liv shook her head once, contorting her face into a grimace. “Don’t. No, it’s—” She shook it again, hard, fighting past the pain exploding in her temples to mimic what she’d experienced before. “Stop, I’m going to—” With a cry she jerked in the chair and arched up, forcing her limbs into a series of hard contractions. Her whole body spasmed in uncoordinated waves.

“Shit,” he muttered, releasing her captive hand to grasp her chin. “Fucking stop that!”

Liv gave a guttural moan and kept up the performance.

“God dammit,” he snarled. The pressure around her knees loosened as he moved back. He released his grip on her chin. In her peripheral vision she saw the scissors in his right hand dip. Falling down and away as he lowered his arm.

Liv lunged upward, grabbed for the weapon while she drew her knees up and drove her feet into his stomach. A loud
oof
exploded out of him as he flew back and hit the floor. Wasting no time, she opened the blades and sawed frantically at the rope holding her left hand hostage. The sharp edge gouged her tender flesh but she barely felt the pain as she pulled her hand free.

She leaped to her feet as he rolled to his side with a menacing snarl and started to stand up. In the faint light coming through the window behind her, his dark eyes glittered with the promise of death. He was between her and the door, her only way out. She had to get past him.

Suddenly he sprang, hands outstretched toward her. Liv whirled and struck out blindly with the scissors, putting all her force behind it. The blades plunged into the back of his thigh, sank to the bone with a sickening thud.

His scream all but shattered her eardrums when she jerked the blood-slicked shears free and ran for her life.

She ripped open the door and tore out into the hallway, expecting to be snatched at any moment. Behind her she heard Ross’s bellow of rage as he rolled on the floor, trying to get to his feet.

“You fucking bitch, I’ll
kill
you!”

Liv swallowed tears and careened around the corner. It was dark. She could barely see but she couldn’t let him catch her again. This was her only chance. She clutched the scissors in her slippery hand, ran as fast as she could. When the plywood staircase appeared before her she raced down it but caught her foot on something at the bottom and hit the concrete floor on her belly. The impact slammed her forearms and ribs with bruising force.

“I got you now, bitch!”

No.
She scrambled to her feet, lurched onward through the confusing maze of construction equipment. Clear plastic sheets hung from the ceiling like filmy curtains. The smell of sawdust was sharp in the air. Her hip caught the edge of a sawhorse. She bounced off it, stumbled. A cry locked in her throat. At the last second her hands shot out, finding purchase against a bare wooden stud before she crashed headlong into it.

Ross’s running footsteps were closer now. Close enough that she could hear his labored panting. Almost feel his hot breath on the back of her neck. Her skin crawled.

Get out, get out…

The muscles in her legs trembled under the strain, on the verge of collapsing. But she couldn’t quit. She could finally see some moonlight up ahead, streaming through the gaping doorway.

“Come here!”

She was almost out in the open. Someone would hear her, see her, call help.

Bursting through the empty door, her head jerked back when his fingers snagged the back of her shirt. She ripped free from his grasp, falling forward. A short scream tore out of her as she hurtled toward the ground. She hit hard but managed to roll away when he struck the ground beside her.

Liv lashed out with the scissors. Missed. Struggled to her feet and took off again, running blindly away from him. Slower now, her battered body running out of strength. Her exhausted legs screamed in protest. Her lungs burned. Desperate for air. Behind her she could hear her attacker’s angry curses and those heavy footfalls pounding after her. Closing the distance between them again, despite his wounded leg.

She was too slow, she thought with a muffled cry. He was going to catch her.

A gunshot suddenly rang out, shattering the silence.

Liv yelped in terror and instinctively ducked, veering to the left so the shooter wouldn’t have a clear shot. She barely heard the thud of a body hitting the ground behind her, didn’t dare look over her shoulder to see what had happened. More footsteps pounded. Still coming after her. A scream of denial crowded her throat. She tore over the dewy grass, running down the bank toward the water’s edge.

A hard weight suddenly crashed into her back. Her shriek was cut short when she slammed into the ground and lost her grip on the scissors. Before she could move, a pair of strong arms clamped around her ribs, immobilizing her.

Panicked, she lashed out, fighting the iron hold with all her remaining strength. The arms tightened until they cut off her breath.

“Liv. Stop.”

When the voice registered in her numb brain she stopped struggling and went dead still. Before she could draw another breath she was flipped over to find herself staring up into a pair of beautiful glowing blue eyes.

Daegan’s heart was in his throat as he turned Liv over. She was mindless with fear, didn’t even realize it was him. Her shirt was covered in bloodstains.

“Baby,” he whispered, quickly straddling her hips to take her face between his hands, making her focus on him. He’d lost a decade off his life when he’d seen that asshole chasing her. Now that she was safe he wanted nothing more than to hold her and savor the fact she was alive and whole, but there wasn’t time. The open shirt revealed a cut over her sternum, but he couldn’t tell how deep it was. Other than that she seemed unhurt from what he could tell.

Her eyes were wide with shock as he stared up at him, but then he caught the quick flare of recognition. She wrenched her head aside to cast a panicked glance behind him.

“He’s dead,” he said quietly.

Meeting his gaze once more, her face crumpled. With a ragged sob, she reared up to bury her face in his neck.

Daegan swore and held her close for a moment. “I’ve got you.”

Both her hands dug into his back like she was afraid someone would tear her from his arms. He’d die before he let that happen.

He allowed himself to comfort her for another few seconds, but the prickling sensation between his shoulder blades told him they had to move. They were completely exposed out here, and that gunshot would have alerted any other DA members of their position. At least his eyes had dimmed once he’d known she was all right. Without the glow making them an easy target, they still had a chance of getting out of this alive.

“Come on,” he ordered, dragging her up with him. “We have to go.”

She didn’t say anything, didn’t utter a single protest as he pulled her to feet and made for a clump of cedars a few dozen meters away. Her silence alarmed him but he understood she was in shock. She simply clutched the back of his vest, following at a stumbling run.

Once he had them behind cover he hunkered down, placing her between him and the largest tree trunk. His muscles quivered with exhaustion. When he’d seen her come tearing out of that house the rush of adrenaline had allowed him the burst of strength necessary to reach her, but now the crash was taking its toll. “Vaughn, you copy?” he whispered.

“I’ve got you covered. Be advised, there are three enemy contacts moving toward you from the south.”

Then they’d have to go north. Only he didn’t know if he had the strength to get Liv up the bank and to the road for pickup. “We’ll move toward you—”

“I’m up and in position.” Cade’s voice surprised him when it came over the radio.

Finally,
he thought in relief. “Copy that. Any contacts in your area?”

“Negative. I’ve got the truck waiting four hundred meters to your northwest, at the end of an access trail.”

“We’re on our way.” Cade could get her the hell out of there, treat any injuries, while Daegan and Vaughn hunted down every last one of the animals that had taken her.

Keeping his eyes trained on the open ground between them and the edge of the tree line farther up, he reached back to set one hand on Liv’s shoulder. She vibrated beneath his touch, her fear and shock palpable. “Almost there, love. We’re going to get you out of here.”

She didn’t respond, but her fingers closed around his in a tight grip.

Reluctantly he withdrew his hand, raising his rifle. “Stay close.”

He’d only taken a few steps when Liv let out a sharp gasp and grabbed his shoulder. “
Stop
.”

“What?” When he glanced back her face was pinched, her eyes narrowed into asquint. As though she was in a great deal of pain. His skin prickled.

“He’s out there,” she whispered, staring out at the dark slope before them.

* * *

Rick tensed and raised his head slightly when he heard the gunshot ring out. He hadn’t seen anyone approach.

A second later the radio crackled. “Shit! Ross is down,” one of his men said. “Bastard got him in the head.”

A clean head shot. Was it the Coven Leader? “Move in,” he said quietly, tightening his focus. The rifle’s scope gave him a perfect view of the open ground below. In a few seconds he’d know whether it was the man he’d been waiting for.

He fought the instinctive leap of his heart when his quarry finally came into view. Olivia had somehow escaped, but that didn’t matter. She wasn’t his real target anymore.

The man leading her raised his head. Rick’s heart leaped.

It was him. The Coven Leader. He recognized him instantly from that old British Army photograph he’d been shown.

Rick adjusted his aim, but the Leader and Olivia disappeared behind a stand of cedars before he could take a shot.

Didn’t matter. The instant they cleared those trees he would put a bullet through the man’s head. Then he’d finally get his soul back.

* * *

“
Who’s
out there?” Daegan frowned as he whispered it.

Liv swallowed and reached for his hand. She needed his touch. The instant his fingers closed around hers the pain in her head lessened. She pulled in a relieved breath before answering. “I think it’s him. The one who took me. His aura was completely black, not just edged with it like the others. He made my head hurt the worst.”

“All of them had black in their auras?”

She nodded.

“Dark Army members,” he muttered, then relayed the information to the others via the radio.

It made sense. But it also had to mean the war had begun. That scared her even more. “He’s the most powerful,” she added. “The leader. He was giving the rest of them orders.”

Daegan keyed his radio. “Any enemy contacts visible on the ridge?” After a second he spoke again. “Copy that.”

“Do they see him?”

“No. Where do you think he is?”

“I can’t pinpoint the location. Somewhere over there I think.” She waved a hand toward the left side of the bluff.

Daegan’s jaw tensed as he studied the terrain ahead of them. “We can’t go back because three more are coming this way.”

A frantic glance behind her assured her nothing moved in the moonlight. It was impossible to tell if the sudden increase in pain she’d experienced was from them, or the man she sensed waiting for them up ahead in the darkness.

Daegan squeezed her hand to bring her attention back to him. His eyes had stopped glowing, but the deadly serious expression in them did nothing to dispel her fear. “Once we clear these trees we have to make a run for it. No matter what happens, don’t stop. You keep running, straight up there.” He pointed in a diagonal direction that cut across some vacant lots toward the right side of the bank. “Vaughn’s got us covered, and Cade will too. He’s got a truck waiting up there.” His voice barely carried over the still night air.

She nodded, too afraid to speak. Her fingers stayed locked around his.

“Can you run if I let go? Or will the pain be too bad?”

She didn’t know, but she’d just have to suffer through it. If this was their only chance of making it to safety, she’d do whatever it took to not jeopardize his wellbeing. “I’ll be okay.”

He studied her for a moment, holding her gaze. “I go first. Stay right behind me, and when I stop to cover you, keep running as fast as you can. Understand?”

“Yes.”

“All right. Let’s move.” He keyed the radio again. “We’re moving out.” He dropped her hand, raised his rifle and ran.

Fresh pain sliced into her skull with every step without Daegan’s touch to shield her. Sharper. Until her vision blurred and her stomach rolled. They were heading right toward the leader, she realized with a sickening rush. She followed Daegan blindly, but within a few seconds the pain buckled her knees. “No,” she cried as she fell, desperate to make Daegan stop.

Daegan whirled. “Liv.”

“Not this way,” she gasped out, struggling to her knees. “Heading right to—”

He took a step toward her.

The thin tree trunk next to him exploded in a shower of bark.

“Down!” he yelled. He tackled her flat to the ground, covering her body with his.

The pain in her head vanished the instant he touched her but her fear spiked when she heard him snarl the word
sniper
over the radio.

“Move,” he commanded, shoving her toward a nearby tree trunk.

Liv scrambled to her knees and crawled for it. She was only a few feet from it when Daegan suddenly grunted and fell. Liv whipped her head around.

He lay on his side, struggling up onto one elbow. His face was a mask of agony, blood dribbling down his arm.
No.
She reached for him. Had to help him. “Daegan—”

“No! Don’t move!” He flipped onto his stomach and dove for her as another round hit where he’d just been. Dirt sprayed up.

Liv bit back a scream and grasped the back of his uniform when he reached her, frantic to drag him to safety. He merely jerked backward again, and this time she saw the glistening hole the bullet had made in his shoulder. His animalistic growl of agony made the hair on her arms stand up. Ignoring his protests, she lunged over, grabbing the strap of his bulletproof vest to drag him behind cover. A low snarl erupted from her as she strained to pull him with her, but he refused to cooperate. Before she’d moved him more than a few paces, he shoved her flat and crawled on top of her.

She pushed up, tried to turn over, hating that he was exposing himself to more fire. “Let me—”

“Stay…down,” he rasped, his voice thick with torment while he covered her, surrounding her head with his arms. Shielding her with his body.

An enraged roar came from the left. Liv jerked her head around in time to see a man running at them, pistol aimed. The sniper hadn’t been the only one shooting at them. She opened her mouth to scream a warning but Daegan had already raised his rifle and fired. The bullet hit the man dead center in his chest. He crumpled to the ground with a shocked expression on his face.

“Move,” Daegan growled near her ear.

Terrified, Liv slithered forward until she’d reached the tree, pressing flat into the dirt at its base.

“Cade,” Daegan panted as he came down beside her. She laid a hand on his back. To offer comfort, but also because touching him reduced her headache enough to clear her vision. “Did you see the muzzle flash?”

She risked a quick glance toward the ridge. The distant roar of an engine broke the stillness. A second later Cade’s Range Rover’s headlights cut a swath through the darkness as it barreled toward them.

“Stop!” Daegan commanded.

The vehicle skidded to a halt.

“Turn to your right. Two o’clock.”

Dirt and gravel hissed under the truck’s tires when it turned.

“Right there,” Daegan murmured, and the vehicle stopped.

Liv stared at Daegan. What was he doing? He’d obviously spotted something on the ridge, but she didn’t see anyone up there. Just some brush and a mound of cedar branches illuminated by the headlights.

Daegan stilled, curling his finger around the trigger. “Got him.” He fired. Two carefully placed shots. Then, “Sniper down. Move in.” His arms trembled as he lowered the muzzle of the rifle. The instant it touched the ground he all but collapsed onto his side.

“Shit,” she breathed, finally seeing all the blood covering him. Liv grabbed his shoulder but yanked her hand back when he growled. Her palm came away covered with his blood. “Oh God, Daegan,” she whispered, helping him onto his back.

The headlights shut off. She dimly heard the sound of the Rover’s door open then slam shut.

“Stay down,” he whispered between gritted teeth.

She heard the running footsteps. Instinctively she ducked down low. Cade pounded toward them, carrying a rucksack. He dropped to his knees beside them.

“Vaughn’s gone after the sniper. Where are you hit?” he asked, sweeping his gaze over him.

“Few shots in the arm,” Daegan bit out. “Not too bad.”

Cade met her stare and opened the bag. “What about you?”

“I’m fine.” Her cuts were nothing, but she couldn’t stop shaking. Was Daegan really all right?

Cade took out a dressing but Daegan shook his head and tried to sit up. “Get me up.”

“Vaughn’s taking care of it.”

“I said, get me
up
.” He practically barked the words.

Cade raised his eyebrows but didn’t say anything while he looped an arm under Daegan then helped him to his feet. Liv slid her arm around his waist to steady him, alarmed by the obvious anguish on his face, the amount of blood soaking him. “You have to lie down.”

He shook his head, a muscle working in his jaw. “I want the sniper. If he’s the leader we need to know how many men he has.”

“There were four of them plus him in the house,” Liv said, wishing he’d lie down and let Cade treat his wounds. The coppery smell of his blood was strong in the warm night air. It dripped down his arm off his fingers in a thin rivulet. “We have to get the bleeding stopped.”

“Listen to your mate,” Cade advised.

“Fine, wrap it quick then,” he snapped.

Cade quickly bandaged his wounded limb. Liv winced when Daegan hissed through his teeth.

“Stay with her,” he ordered Cade, then started to pull away from her.

Bracing for the pain, Liv loosened her hold but before she’d let go he and Cade both stilled and swiveled their heads toward the rise. Had they heard something over the radio?

A sharp, short scream rent the air in the distance.

Her heart leaped, thudding hard against her ribs. “What was that?”

“The sniper just met our grim reaper,” Daegan answered coldly.

* * *

He was fucking dying.

Rick’s heart pounded out of control while he struggled up onto his elbows. His ruined lung made it almost impossible to breathe. Every inhalation was its own separate torment, sending shards of agony through his left side.

He’d known he was fucked when those headlights swept over him. Just hadn’t thought the bastard would be quick enough to take a shot before he could squeeze the trigger a second time. And there was amber in the round that hit him. He could feel its poison spreading through him already. Burning like lava beneath his skin.