Furious (18 page)

“She seems to recognize decency when she sees it.”

Lucia turned back to glaring out the window, “Well since you two are so smitten with each other, why not kidnap her?”

She didn’t see Draken’s expression turn serious, “She’s not what appeals to me.”

“Hmph!  What are you talking about?  She’s gorgeous!”

“She’s not you.”

“Oh, that’s right.  I forgot you have some personal vendetta to make my life miserable for no apparent reason.  I honestly have no idea what you think it is that I’ve done to you or what it is you think I owe you, but you’re delusional.”

She was startled from her rant when Draken reached over and took her hand.  Her wide eyes slid from their interlocked fingers to his face as he raised her hand to his lips and kissed the back of it, “You don’t owe me anything, but you have
done
something to me, and we need to discuss it.”

She shook her head, “But I-I haven’t done anything to you.”

“Oh yes you have.”  He placed her hand back in her lap and turned to stare out his window.

“If Warren has implicated me somehow in his scheme or in the...,” she dropped her voice to a whisper, “the death of Arabella, Draken I swear to you I had nothing to do with any of it.  I would never…”

He cut in brusquely, “Yes, I know.”

She leaned back in her seat, the tension in her shoulders easing only marginally. “Well if that’s not it then I demand to know what it is you’re referring to.”

“Ahh, home sweet home.”

Distracted Lucia turned to look out her window as the Escalade pulled to a stop in front of Shatan Manor. 

The driver exited the vehicle and opened Draken’s door.  As Draken crossed to the passenger side of the vehicle, he waved off the other guard and opened Lucia’s door himself, holding out a hand to assist her.

Balking for only a moment, Lucia saw no other option so she accepted his hand and was pulled from the vehicle.  Draken tucked her small hand into the crook of his arm and placed his hand over hers as he escorted her into the house.  She eyed him suspiciously before coming to a halt, “Look are you upset with me or not?” 

He merely chuckled down at her, his eyes dancing.

“We should clear this up right here right now.  Tell me what it is that you think that I’ve done to you.”

He continued walking and pulled Lucia along with him. “We’ll discuss it over dinner, for now you can freshen up in your room…or in
ours
, whichever you prefer.”

She bowed her head trying to hide her embarrassment.  She had been fighting for weeks to forget the memory of giving herself so freely to him.  It was embarrassing, but something she couldn’t bring herself to regret no matter how much she tried.

He kissed her hand before releasing it and when he left her alone in the foyer to retreat into the study, Lucia followed him.  “Look, I’ve gotta work tomorrow.  I can’t stay.  We need to clear this up.”

Draken stopped and eyed her before crossing to the bar and filling a rocks glass with ice cubes and pouring himself a drink.  Wordlessly he retrieved a wine glass and poured her a red wine.  He carried the drink to her and extended his arm toward the couch.  Lucia sighed in exasperation before accepting the drink and taking a seat on the sofa.

Instead of sitting Draken drained his glass of its contents in one swallow then returned to the bar but didn’t refill his drink.  He kept his back to her when he spoke.  “I want you back.”

Shocked, Lucia didn’t respond.  It was the last thing in the world she’d expected him to say. 
Back?  Was I ever his?

He turned to pin her with his gaze.  “I want us to be married Lucia.  I haven’t changed my mind.”

Her mouth fell open and she simply gaped at him for long minutes before she finally clamped her lips together.  “You said it was a mistake…something we’d regret.”  She shook her head and focused on her hands.  She remembered his words, hell she’d thought about them nearly every day.

“That’s not what I was talking about.  When I said it was a mistake I meant that I don’t want to marry you by forcing you.  I want you to marry me of your own free will, and out of love, the same love that I feel for you.”  He crossed the room to kneel in front of her, “Lucia…I love you.  I think I’ve loved you from the moment I saw you on that track.  I didn’t know how to get you to come to me, so I forced you.  Then when you told me that you couldn’t bring yourself to hate me, I knew you and I were enduring the same struggle.  When you said you loved it at Shatan Manor, I knew I could make you love me too.  It was wrong I know, but I wanted you so much.  I wanted to wake up with you in my home…in my arms.

Then when you left and before I could explain myself.  I never imagined you’d be so difficult to find.  I searched for you every day.  I tracked your employment records hoping to find a friend or an acquaintance that might know where I could find you.  When Maria told me you were working there, my heart nearly stopped. 

I admit I was an absolute ass to you. But please try to understand that I felt obliged to avenge my sister.  Nothing I did was ever intended to hurt you; it was the last thing I wanted. 

On our wedding day I was relieved that the whole Warren debacle was behind us so that we could enjoy our special day without that hanging over our heads.  I planned it for that day so that you’d know that I wasn’t marrying you out of revenge or spite or some other ulterior motive.”

Tears flooded her eyes but she didn’t respond.  Stunned speechless she could only frown at him attempting to process what he was telling her.

Draken’s expression darkened at her lack of response.  “Lucia, do you love me?”

She contemplated lying and just as quickly discarded the idea.  She knew nothing good would come from running from Draken or from hiding her feelings.  She blinked and her tears fell as her gaze dropped to his lips.  She was terrified to admit her true feelings.
What if it’s all just another scheme? 
She kept her sad eyes focused on his mouth and whispered, “Yes.  Yes I do.”

She was startled when he shot to his feet and jerked her up with him.  She was crushed to his chest as he hugged her tightly. When he finally pulled away, he was smiling down at her.

“I swear to love you and protect you
forever
.”  His smile widened as he bent and scooped her up, “I hope you kept the wedding gown, because tomorrow we make it official.”

Lucia frowned and pushed at his chest.  “No we won’t.  I might love you Draken, but I don’t know if I can trust you.  You used me.”

“No,” he shook his head.  “Never you Lucia.  I used Warren and my own team to get to the bottom of my sister’s death, but never you.  I admit that at first I thought you were part of his scheme, but once I got to know you…the real you, I knew you needed my protection.  I kept you here to keep you safe.  It’s the same reason I had you ostracized from the circuit.  After what you’d endured, I could never allow you to risk your life in such a manner.  You’re too important. 

Please Lucia, give me a chance.  What do you have to lose?  I can prove to you that I’m man enough to have your heart.  Just give me a chance to prove to you that you can trust me with your life and your love.  Just a chance.”  His tone was imploring and had Lucia’s heart melting.

   She contemplated for only a moment before nodding.  She could only melt into his embrace when his mouth found her own and he kissed her with an urgency that was matched by the beating of her heart.

He pulled back, “I love you Lucia Shatan.”

Smiling through her tears, she was still having trouble believing that this was real.  “I-I love you too.”

His expression softened as he pressed his forehead to hers, “No more running love.”

Lucia smiled and lifted a hand to cup his cheek.  “No more running.”

Exclusive Excerpt

Skin Walkers: Leto

by

Susan A. Bliler

Aries sprinted through forest and Shy kept up as best she could until finally she collapsed against a tree causing the Walker Sentry to stop.

“What’s wrong,” Aries asked.

Shy drug her eyes up to meet the other woman’s, noting that Aries wasn’t even breathing heavy.  “I’m tired.” 

Aries rolled her eyes, “Christ!  Be tired later, he’s coming.”

Shy tensed and turned quickly to look over her shoulder before shoving off the tree and following more sluggishly after Aries.

They ran for what felt like hours, but Shy knew it was actually more like ten minutes.  Then Aries held up a hand and Shy skidded to a halt in the snow.  She watched as Aries focused her attention on nothing in particular.  When Aries was silent for several tense moments Shy whispered, “What are we doing?”

“I’m getting rid of my husband and his team.”

Shy scanned the area confused before she remembered references to the mystic or the mist as the Walkers called it.  It was their ability to communicate with one another telepathically.  Shy stood quietly behind the other woman and waited.

Aries blinked rapidly several times as if coming out of a trance before she turned to Shy.  “We’re going to have to run fast and hard!  They’re moving out but it’ll only be seconds before they scent you and turn back.  You ready?”

Shy sucked in a long breath and nodded, her eyes glassing up.  She hated this.  Hated running, hiding, and now the Walker woman with her was pulled into this mess deceiving her own husband.  She wanted to apologize to the woman and thank her but there was no time. 

Aries curled her fingers in the sleeve of Shy’s jacket as both women shot off at a break neck pace.  Shy couldn’t run fast enough.  She was propelled by Aries’ tug on her more than actually keeping up on her own.  The Walker woman was so much stronger.  Shy hoped the day never came when the two were enemies.

Breaking through a stand of trees, Shy saw an army green jeep parked in the clearing.  As they reached the vehicle Aries pushed Shy one way as she split the other.  “Get in!”

Shy’s ass had just touched the seat when Aries turned the keys that were in the ignition and slammed the shift into gear as the jeep jerked to life and the tires spun in the snow before catching and propelling the vehicle forward. 

Shy braced one hand on the dash and another on the doorframe.  The vehicle rocked back and forth as it quickly descended the mountain, its tires bouncing off large jagged rocks and nearly being swallowed up by deep cut tire tracks.  She stared at Aries and noted that the woman’s eyes kept shifting to the rearview mirror and back.  “Are they close?”

Aries slid her eyes from the mirror to touch on Shy’s before frowning at the road ahead.  “No, but they’re coming now.  They know you’re with me.”  Aries’ features cracked into a wicked grin then, “My husband knows I’ve deceived him.  He’s not happy.”

Shy’s heart squeezed. 
Fuck, what have I done?
  She knew she had to take advantage of this opportunity in case…  “Thank you for helping me.”

Aries didn’t respond, simply kept her eyes on the road as she maneuvered the jeep over the slushy road.

“I’m sorry your husband is angry with you.”

Aries grinned tensely, “I didn’t say he was angry.”

“He’s not?”  Shy asked hopefully.

“No,” Aries stated.  “He’s fucking furious.”

Shy’s shoulders drooped as she slouched back in the seat.  “God, what have I done?  I’m sorry.  I’m so, so…sorry.”  She shook her head then peeked over at the other woman.  “My name is Shy.”

“I know,” Aries bit out tersely without offering her own name.

“W-who are you?”

As if begrudgingly, “Aries.  Aries Drago.”

Shy couldn’t control the gasp that escaped her parted lips.  “Conn is your husband?”

Aries flicked a curious glance at Shy.  “You know Conn?”

Shy shook her head immediately.  “No!  I’ve just heard of him.  Heard of his team.”  Silence filled the jeep before Shy spoke quietly, “Nobody can escape him.”

Aries snorted before challenging, “I did.”

“Maybe…” Shy licked her lips before continuing, “Maybe you should get out here.”  Her eyes slid to Aries’ jaw as it worked angrily.

“With me you have a chance.  If you try to run on your own, they’ll have you before the sun sets.”

“I just don’t want you to be hurt because of me.”

Aries scowled at the younger woman before biting out defensively, “Conn would never hurt me.  No Walker man would hurt a woman intentionally.”  Shy turned her head to stare out the window as Aries’ eyes flashed to the other woman before sliding down to the blood that stained her jeans.  She sighed heavily, “I’m sorry Shy.  I’ve never heard of a Walker hurting a woman intentionally.  I suppose Leto has just proved that it
is
possible.”

Shy kept her eyes focused out the window, a tentative smile lighting on her lips, “You know I haven’t just heard of Conn.  Your reputation precedes you as well.”

Aries cocked a half smile before shifting gears and maneuvering the jeep off the snowy mountain pass and onto the wet highway. 

Shy looked over her shoulder.  “Are they still coming?”

Aries didn’t bother with sugar coating.  “Yes, but they had to back track for a vehicle.  It’ll buy us some time.”

“Where will we go?”

“StoneCrow.”

“NO!” Shy yelled, drawing Aries’ confusion.  “If…if we go to StoneCrow, Leto will find me.”

Aries’ brows drew together, “It’s alright Shy.  Monroe will protect you.”

Shy was shaking her head vehemently.  “You think one man can save me from Leto?”

Aries’ eyes shifted to the rearview mirror again, “Monroe is not just one man.  He’s an army of Walkers unto himself.  What I meant was that he
and
the others will protect you.  Leto has no right to you, no rights where you’re concerned.  Even if he’s afflicted, he shouldn’t have forced you.”  Her eyes darted to the blood soaked jeans again.  “There will be consequences.”

Shy stared at Aries dumbfounded before dropping her eyes slowly to her jeans and staring at the blood that darkened the denim.  “Oh my God!  You think that Leto…”  Shy threw herself back in her seat and covered her face with both hands in mortification.