HeroRising (20 page)

“I am your friend,” Lucian replied, barely registering the
flare of anger. “I cannot let you put yourself or this family at risk.”

“Then I’ll leave.” He shoved at the broken desk and turned
on his heel.

“What about Ari?”

Lucian might as well have thrown up a brick wall directly in
his path, he stopped so fast.

Ari.

If his identity as the vigilante became known, she’d
discover exactly what type of man she had given her trust and love to. Learn
that the darkness that lived inside him extended beyond a taste for kink.

She’ll find out about the evil he had committed.

“I know you care for her, Bale. By the Gods, I can show you
security footage of the club right now where practically everyone is engaged is
some sort of carnal activity. When you two came together earlier this evening,
you generated so much sexual energy, I was half-convinced you had bonded.”

Another punch to the solar plexus. With all the secrets
between them, he could never bond with Ari. He hadn’t the guts to do so with
Natalia, and since then he’d done so many terrible things. Even with Ari’s
ready acceptance of his hungers, there was no way she’d be as forgiving of the
rest of his nature.

Lucian had been right. The shit was hitting the fan.

“Ariel will not be touched by my actions. This, I vow,” he
said without turning around.

“How do you—”

“Message received, General.”

Before Lucian could say another word, Bale was out of the
room and racing out the front door and down the fire stairs.

This was unfair. It was all unfair. Millions of miles and
several planets away, the Gods still had the power to fuck with him. To give
him a taste of paradise before wrenching it out of his desperate grasp. What
more did they want from him? Hadn’t he sacrificed enough? He’d lost his home,
his family, his honor. Was nothing ever to be his?

He burst through a side door out onto the empty sidewalk.
The clouds had opened up and released a steady drizzle that quickly soaked the
shoulders of his sweatshirt. He stood with his face raised to the sky, his eyes
shut tight to withhold tears of frustration. The few that escaped his tightly
closed lids mingled with the chilly rain and ran down his neck to tickle his
frantic pulse.

To continue seeing Ari meant to risk her finding out his
secrets. To stay away would mean breaking her heart. No matter what course of
action he chose, Ari was going to be hurt.

Unless he stopped being a vigilante.

If the Claymore disappeared, then there was no fear of his
identity being discovered. He could still be with Ari. Crisis averted.

But what of his vow? The only thing of value he possessed
was his word. Without it, he had nothing. Dare he break a promise sealed with
blood?

A spiky tightness wrapped around his chest as the bitter
tang of fear coated the back of his tongue. He glanced around the alley and
drew in one breath, then another. Mixed in with the heart-pounding panic was
the icy-cold squirming of malice slithering down his back. The sensations were
sharp, fresh, definitely coming from outside and not within the building.

Without a moment’s hesitation he flipped his hood over his
wet head and followed the trial of emotions like a bloodhound after a fox. As
he neared the source of the turmoil, he paused and crouched behind a Dumpster
to better survey the scene.

A man had a woman pinned beneath him to the hood of a car.
The pair created an obscene hood ornament as her stocking-clad legs flailed in
the air. Her tiny clenched fists pummeled his shoulders and head as she
screamed out in terror.

Adrenaline shot through Bale’s veins, propelling him to move
but he tempered the urge and took precious seconds to mentally feel for anyone
who might also be lurking in the dark. For all he knew, this could be a setup.
A sting intending to draw out the vigilante and he could be walking right into
their trap.

The need to hesitate made him nauseated. A woman was in
danger. A cause for immediate action. Period. As a warrior and former guard for
the king, a moment’s pause meant the difference between life and death.

“Enough,” he grumbled, pissed over having to second-guess
his actions for one moment.

He traced to the couple and grabbed the man by the back of
his neck, lifting him high into the air with one hand. The man wiggled and
clawed at Bale’s unyielding grip as he gurgled with fear.

“Quiet! When I set you upon your feet, you will have five
seconds to disappear. If I am able to see you at all, even the ends of your
shoelaces, I will take you down and rip your cock off and shove it down your
throat. And do not think that once you are out of my sight you are absolved of
your crimes. Think about harming another human again, I will find you and carry
out your punishment. Do you understand?” He punctuated his question by shaking
the terrified man.

“Y-yes.”

“Five. Four…” he began the countdown without setting the man
down and smiled as the familiar scent of urine reached his nose. By the Gods,
he did love it when they pissed their pants. Rubber soles scrapped asphalt as
Bale slowly lowered his arm and the man’s feet made contact with the road
before he beat tracks.

As the assailant rounded the corner, Bale turned back to the
girl. She had slid to the wet pavement and sat huddled in a sobbing heap. Her
nylons were torn over both knees and the sleeve of her jacket was ripped at the
shoulder. Since there were other holes in her clothing, he wasn’t positive if
they were caused by the attack or part of a fashion statement. Through the
streaks of eyeliner and rouge, he recognized her as a frequent patron of the
nightclub.

He kept a respectful distance and knelt on the wet pavement.
“Do you require medical attention, little one?”

The cap of her short black hair sprayed water droplets in
every direction as she shook her head. She began to hiccup as she struggled to
control her tears.

“Are you positive? I can get help.”

“I’m—I’m okay. I think. I don’t know.” She hiccupped. “I
just wanna be home.”

“Do you have a way home?”

“Yeah.” She jerked her thumb at the sedan at her back. With
a shuddering breath she glanced up at him and her eyes widened. “Hey. You’re
that guy. The superhero.”

“I’m just a fellow who was in the right place at the right
time. Are you able to drive yourself, or will you require assistance?”

“I can drive. I don’t live too far away.” She took his
offered hand and swayed on her heels. “Oh, I don’t feel so good.”

“Let’s get you a taxi.”

“No. I just want to go home.” In the dark he heard her sobs
begin again. “I didn’t ask for this, you know. My clothes might say otherwise,
but I didn’t ask for this. That creep followed me. After I told him no, he
followed me to my car. He kept coming at me—”

“You don’t need to explain. I know none of this was your fault.
There will always be assholes around who feast on preying on those they think
are weaker, and I will always be there to stop them.”

“Thank you. Thank you.” She offered him a watery smile then
dashed to the door of her car and quickly jumped inside.

He waited until she maneuvered the car safely to the corner
and made a right turn without incident before he lifted his face to the rain
and waited for the rush of adrenaline to abate.

Society could call him what they wanted—hero, Claymore,
villain—it didn’t matter. This was his destiny. The world needed his strength,
his sword and his courage to step between good and evil. If his identity was
discovered, so be it. The reward was far greater than the risk. Lucian,
Amaryllis, all of them, would just have to understand.

And maybe one day Ari too, if she cared for him as he did
for her.

He had made a vow on his wife’s and daughter’s lives, and he
would see it through until the day he died.

“What’s with the traffic jam, ladies?” Ari scooted around
the three waitresses blocking the service station and stepped behind the bar.
She tried to use her boss voice, but she couldn’t keep the smile out of her
tone. Licking maple syrup and whipped cream off a man’s abs for breakfast, and
lunch, did that to a woman. “We’re not that busy and there aren’t any drinks in
the queue.”

“We, um… We had a question on the new wine list.”

While the comment was directed at her, Ari noticed all three
gazes were focused over her shoulder. Following the line of sight, she spotted
the handsome gentleman seated at the end of the bar chatting with Ted.

He was pretty dishy, she had to admit, in a very Pierce
Brosnan/James Bond-ish sort of way. Nice build, not too buff or too lean in his
black-blazer-white-button-down combo. With the little bit of evening scruff on
his cheeks, his style said he cared about his appearance, but not too much. He
had dark hair with a touch of gray at the temples that leant him just enough
credibility to be the scholarly type, but she recognized the twinkle in his
eyes that indicated he could be a total badass if given a chance. Her ex had
that same twinkle. A real charmer. Dangerous.

Ari turned back to the fan club. “I can guarantee you, he’s
not on the wine list. So, unless you have business here, get out of my bar.”

The girls gasped. “But—”

“But nothing.” She smiled and shooed at them with her hands.
“I get it. He’s cute and not wearing a ring, but I can’t have you ladies
loitering in the bar. I’m sure there’s sidework to go do somewhere.”

“Boy, you’re no fun, Ari. Just because you have a guy
willing to bash heads for you doesn’t mean we’re all off the market.”

Despite the protests, they marched back toward the main
dining room, but took their sweet time in doing so.

Ari picked up a bar towel and wiped away the fingerprints on
the taps. “Ted, go ahead and take your ten now.”

“Thanks, boss.” He picked up a rack of glasses. “I’ll take
these to the washer and pick up a fresh rack on my way back.”

“Sounds good. Thanks.”

With her peripheral vision she surveyed the other patrons in
her area. Everyone had smiles on their faces and appeared to be having a good
time, well, all but the corner table for two. Judging by their body language,
she’d guess the couple was on their first date and all was not going well. The
man was going to wear a landing strip through his hair if he kept running his
fingers across his head.

“I tell you, the world gets stranger every day.”

Ari turned her head toward Handsome and smiled. “Hard to
believe, huh?” she replied while inspecting the soda gun for cleanliness. “Just
when you think there can be no more surprises, wham! The powers that be will
prove you wrong.” She gestured to his nearly empty glass. “Can I get you
another beer, sir?”

“Sir?” He laughed with an arched brow. “Sir is my father or
my uppity superiors. Please, call me Marco.”

“I apologize. Would you care for another beer, Marco?” she
asked with a slight bow.

“No, thank you.” He winked. “I need to head out soon anyway.
I will take the check though.”

Yep. A charmer. “Coming right up.”

He gestured to the smartphone in his hand. “Have you been
reading any of these stories on this crazy guy running around town like a
superhero and scaring people with a sword?”

“No, I haven’t, but I’ve heard a few customers talking about
it. I knew of a group of people in St. Louis who wore costumes and walked
around like they were the Justice League. The police didn’t care much for their
interference, but the local news stations had a great time with them.” She
placed the check presenter by his glass.

“I think I’d prefer costumed kids to this guy. He looks
serious. I wouldn’t want to mess with him.” He turned the screen in her
direction.

The displayed photo reminded her of something straight out
of the movies. A hooded stranger with a big sword posed in a lethal-looking
position, as if he were ready to behead anyone who came near.

“That’s the one they’re calling the Claymore?” She wrinkled
her nose. “That sword looks too tiny. I’m mean it’s big, but definitely not a
claymore.”

“I’m with you on that one, sister.”

She went back to straightening napkins and restocking
straws. “Is that picture even real? It looks so staged.”

Marco shook his head. “It’s real. I have friends on the
force. They’ve seen this guy in person. I’m just surprised no one has recognized
him. How many men do you know with this kind of build?”

“Actually, I…” She sucked in sharp breath as he flipped to
another photo that appeared as if it were taken from a security camera.

There was something about the angle of his stance that brought
forth the image of the first time she had laid eyes on Bale dressed all in
black with a hooded sweatshirt and denim jacket as he had stared down those two
hick goons. A fierce protector. Just like the man in the photo.

“Actually, I…what?” Marco’s question snapped her back into
reality with a jolt.

“What?” she gasped. “I—oh, um, uh…”

As she floundered to form a sentence, hysterical laughter
tickled her throat.

Yeah. Right. What was she thinking? Was she seriously
entertaining the notion that Bale was this mysterious crime fighter?

Her Bale. Quiet Bale. Bale without any discernible
occupation who goes on mysterious missions at night and sports several scars he
claimed were inflicted by a sword.

Holy crap. The room spun as she swayed.

“Are you okay?” Marco stood and reached over the bar to
grasp her by the elbow.

“Uh, yeah. Yeah.” She giggled and waved him away. “Sorry. I
guess I’ve been on my feet too long today.”

“You look a little pale.”

“I’m fine. Really.” She reached for a napkin and blotted at
her sweaty forehead.

“Did I say something to upset you?”

“No. No. Not at all.”

The furrow in his brow conveyed his disbelief. “For a second
there I thought you were gonna say that you might have seen this guy in
person.”

“Me?” Her laughter sounded hoarse. “Oh, no. I, uh. I was
going to say that in the restaurant business we see all types of people of all
shapes and sizes. I’m certain I’ve seen men with similar builds before.”

“I bet that a pretty girl like you has probably dated a few
too.”

Heat raced across her cheeks. “Ah, see, I knew you were a
charmer.”

He held up his hands and smiled a boyish grin. “Nope. Just
calling ’em like I see ’em.”

Thankfully Ted returned in a fanfare of rattling glasses,
relieving her from making a bigger fool of herself. She inclined her head at
their guest. “Have a good night, Marco. I hope you’ll come visit us again.”

He reached for his wallet. “Oh yes. I’m positive you’ll see
me again.”

With one last nod, she focused on placing one foot in front
of the other until she reached the office she shared with the dining room
manager.

“Ari? What is the matter?” Amaryllis called out from her
office across the hall. “You appear distressed.”

“I’m fine.” She drew a breath and called upon her best smile
as she walked into Amaryllis’ domain. She already had strangers fussing over
her. She didn’t need the queen of all fussers to think she was off balance too.

Amaryllis stood behind her desk with fashion magazines and
fabric samples spread all about the desktop and along the floor. Miranda, her
event planner, sat on the loveseat with a notepad in hand and a blue colored
pencil clenched between her teeth. For the last three days the two of them had
been neck-deep in silverware and fabric samples as Amaryllis planned her latest
party. The woman did love to celebrate, no matter the occasion.

“Hey,” Miranda mumbled and nodded in greeting.

Ari smiled back at the woman who was dating Amaryllis’ best
friend. She liked Miranda, who too had been adopted into “the family” and
understood how overwhelming it could be having Amaryllis as a fairy godmother.
If ever Ari had a doubt that the Kilsgaards were too good to be true, Miranda
was there to assure her that she hadn’t fallen into a rabbit hole and landed in
a world of make-believe.

“Hi. Is this all for the Imbloc celebration?” Ari plucked a
scrap of white, fluffy fabric from one of the piles.

“Yes,” Amaryllis replied. “What do you think of that one?
Too frilly?”

“Depends. If you use little touches in just the right
places, I think it will look right festive.”

“See.” Miranda grinned around the pencil.

“All right. Order some of the fluffy white fabric as well.
Now.” She crossed her arms and narrowed her gaze at Ari. “What has you so
upset?”

She matched her boss’ stance. “Who says I’m upset?”

“Women’s intuition. What happened? And I won’t let you go
until you reveal all.”

From the small amount of time Ari had known her, she was
well aware the woman was more than capable of following through on the threat.

“Why doesn’t anyone believe me when I say that I’m fine?”

Amaryllis arched a fine dark brow.

“All right.” She huffed. “I’ve been thinking about Bale and
me. There are a lot of great things going on between us and a lot of uncharted
territory. I’m just feeling uncertain about the future.” Which was mostly the
truth.

“Bale?” Miranda spit out the pencil. “You’re dating Bale? I
thought you were just friends.”

The alarm in her voice made Ari’s scalp tingle. “We were.
Are. It’s blossomed into something more. Is that a problem?”

“What?” She glanced at Amaryllis, who stared back at her as
if she dared her to say anything negative. “No. Not at all. That’s…great. Good
luck with that.”

What the hell did that mean?

“Ari.” Amaryllis came around the desk and took her hands. “I
understand where you are coming from. Lucian and I had quite a time of it
before he realized he was madly in love with me. Do you want to talk to about
your concerns?”

Sure. My boyfriend may be a sword-carrying crime fighter.
What do you know about that?

“Thanks for the offer, but I’m good. We’re good. New.
Adjusting. But good. You know how much of a sharer Bale is.” She laughed.

“Oh, that man.” She sighed. “He cares for you. I can tell.
On the outside he looks about as involved as a brick wall. But on the inside
he’s seething with emotion.”

“He seethes all right,” Ari heard Miranda mutter under her
breath.

“And soon,” Amaryllis continued, “you will never have to
question how he feels about you. Believe me on this.”

Ari tried. She did. But what if Bale was this vigilante?
What was his motive for doing something so dangerous? And what did his secret
mean for them as a couple?

Or, was this entire situation caused by fear and her heart
was making up an excuse to cut and run before she got hurt?

Too many questions and the only person with the answers was
Bale.

A jazzy disco beat shrilled from the pink phone on the desk.

“Ooo, it’s Lucian.” Amaryllis pressed the Call button. “One
minute, husband. I want to talk dirty to you and I’m not alone.” She giggled as
she skipped out into the hall.

The second she was gone Ari was in front of Miranda. “Why
don’t you like Bale?”

She looked up in surprise. “I never said that.”

“You implied. What gives?”

Miranda set aside her notepad and stood. “Bale and I did not
meet on the friendliest of terms. I agreed to give him a chance and I am still
trying to do so, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t scare me.”

“What happened?”

She glanced toward the open door. “I don’t think Amaryllis
wants me to say.”

“Well Amaryllis isn’t in love with him.” Once the words
slipped out she slapped her hand over her mouth with a surprised gasp.

How was that possible? She couldn’t be in love with a man
she obviously didn’t know.

Saints preserve us, she was. Or at least was awfully damn
close.

Miranda looked just as shocked. “You’re in love with him?”

“I don’t know. Maybe. Probably. Fuck. Look, Miranda. I know
we’re strangers, but if you have anything to say about Bale, please tell me. I
should know.”

Miranda shot another glance at the door and stepped closer
to whisper, “Bale stabbed my boyfriend.”

“What?” she shouted then immediately lowered her voice so as
not to alert Amaryllis. Okay. That was not what she was expecting. “Jorges?
Bale stabbed Jorges? When? Why?”

“It was when Jorges and I first met, and I don’t know a lot
of the details. All I was told was that there was a misunderstanding and
everything was worked out. The only reason I’m still freaked out about it is
because Jorges is so secretive about what happened and he shares everything
else with me. And you have to admit, Bale is a pretty intimidating guy. I think
he knows he scares me because he’s always been extra polite whenever we’ve
crossed paths, but I’ve seen the scar on Jorges’ side and it’s not pretty.”

“I can’t believe Bale stabbed Jorges.” She raised her hand
to stop any potential objection. “I’m not saying that I don’t believe you, I’m
just stunned that it happened at all.”

“As I said, Bale’s always been a gentleman around me, but
I’ve seen what he’s capable of. Just proceed with caution.”

Proceed with caution. Right. So far nothing having to do
with Bale had been about caution. For a woman who vowed to take it easy with
relationships, she had blown every promise she had made to herself to
smithereens.

For the rest of her shift her mind ran in circles until she
was ready to collapse with exhaustion. Whom should she believe? What should she
believe? Did she confront Bale about her suspicions or bury her head in the
sand until catastrophe struck?

And if he was this vigilante?

Ugh, that was what made her stomach roll the most. How does
one react to that type of information? Give a big thumbs-up with a “good for
you” and a slap on the back, or shout “What the fuck are you thinking?” Neither
option felt right.