Lie to Me (40 page)

“Yes. But you deserve someone whole, someone who can love you and be happy with your Regency lifestyle. I love you. I’m in love with you. I feel cherished when I’m with you, happier than I’ve ever been, and just now when you made love to me...” she let her eyes close as she focused on the fullness of him inside her. “I’ve never felt whole until now. I’ve not belonged anywhere until now, here in your arms.”

Tears streamed from her eyes.

“
Shh
...sunshine.” He dipped his head and kissed the corner of each eye. “Being in love shouldn’t make you sad. It should be freeing.”

“It is. But it’s not.” She swiped at the moisture, but it was pointless, the waterworks kept falling. “Loving you means I have to trust you with all my secrets from here on out, and I’m pretty sure I’ll fuck that up.”

“You’re a work in progress, so I’ll cut you some slack,” he teased even though his gaze betrayed his concern.

“I don’t like depending on anyone but myself. Or having to answer to anyone. And loving you means I either have to walk away from the X-Ds or put your life and position in jeopardy. Love shouldn’t make those types of demands.”

“You’re being too hard on yourself. I’m independent too, and I call the shots, so I understand. We’ll take baby steps, and love is about giving without the other asking for sacrifice.”

“I don’t want you to sacrifice for me.”

“Too bad. It’s not your choice.”

That only made her cry harder. Stone rolled them so she was draped across his chest. His half-mast dick lingered within her, and she remained motionless afraid one slight move would cause him to slip out of her. Some weird fear had her convinced when he exited her body, he’d vacate her life forever. Logically she knew it wasn’t true, but she couldn’t seem to reel in her emotions as he held her, caressing her back, hips, and ass as she let go of herself.

It felt like an eternity passed before her tears dried up and she could concentrate on his heartbeat. Their silence wasn’t awkward, thankfully, and she found comfort in his hold.

“I love you, Stone.”

“I love you, my Kella, my sunshine. Always. Your choices are my choices. Your demons are my demons. We planned this revolution together. We were sitting by the river the first time you mentioned it, the sun in your hair, casting a golden glow on your skin, and I knew in that moment you were my sunshine.”

“I remember the day. I was eleven, and you were twelve. I was afraid you’d tell your dad and he’d retaliate.” She breathed in his scent, hoping she didn’t forget the way he smelled when they were separated. “But that’s a big revelation for someone so young.”

“Didn’t matter. I wasn’t just smitten. I was in love, maybe puppy love, probably was, but I knew no one else would ever be enough for me. I knew you were the very center of my universe. You fed warmth to all the cold chambers of my life, and there was a lot of coldness that came with my duties as Regent heir-apparent.” His fingers slid through her hair, a soothing gesture that guaranteed she remained relaxed. “You were the one person that gave me solace. You taught me how people unconditionally loved one another. You gave me insight into a different side of life, opened my eyes to the struggles of so many others that would become mine to govern. Before you, I was cold and calculating. Better than everyone because that’s what my father taught me, so I believed it.”

“You were a haughty ass that day we met.”

“I’d planned to teach you a lesson in humility that day. Imagine my shock when a black-haired slip of a girl turned her acid tongue on me.” He chuckled and cupped her chin so he could lift her head and stare into her eyes. “Kella, you saved me from becoming my father, from becoming Regent Jones. Give me the opportunity to be your partner, to help save our people, and our children’s future.”

Kella had no idea how she could decline an offer like that so she did the only thing that came to mind and kissed him.

––––––––

D
awn broke across the landscape, sending muted light to filter through the bedroom windows. For the first time in eight years, the warm female snuggled against Stone wasn’t just some random one-night-stand but the woman he’d longed for. His wife. She thought she wasn’t for him, but she couldn’t be further from the truth. No other woman fit him as well as Kella. She was jaded and naïve all at the same time. She believed she could change the world, but she’d wind up dead and her cause right along with her if someone powerful didn’t step into her corner. And he was just the man to help her make it happen. There were enough Regents against her to bring about her death. Yeah, she’d make a beautiful martyr, but a generation of X-genes needed saving.

Sighing, he buried his nose in her hair and inhaled her scent. According to the X-Ds video still airing, there’d already been too many pretty corpses at the expense of innocent lives. Whether Kella wanted his help or not, she was getting it.

He wanted nothing more than to remain in bed with her the rest of the day, making love to her over and over again. Just being with Kella lent him a sense of serenity, but that peace was counterfeit. Their world was being torn apart by selfish men. No longer could he stand aside and allow the mistreatment of others.

Being inside her last night had been better than he’d anticipated, and he’d meant every word he said to her last night. Xenos deserved the same opportunities as the privileged. But first he had a tyrant threatening the continued existence of his sunshine. He would unseat the bully before Jones harmed another. Then he’d focus on saving X-genes and changing their world.

A mental groan later, he eased himself away from his wife, and pulled on a pair of lounge pants. He removed the chair from the doorknob and set the furniture aside, leaving the door slightly ajar. Retro padded beside him down the hall yowling for attention. He snagged the kippy off the floor and gave her the rubbing she demanded.

“Spoiled fur ball.”

As if she agreed, Retro began to purr.

Stone located James and Reaper in the dining room. A buffet of food had been set up. He bypassed chow in favor of a mug of caffeine and fed Retro slices of bacon.

“Either of you get any sleep?” Stone sipped his drink and eyed the men. James’s eyes were streaked red, while Reaper seemed surprisingly chirpy.

“Catnap.” Reaper sat back in his chair, surveying Stone with a grave stare. “Don’t get much more than that most days anyway.”

James gave him a bleary-eyed glare. “I can’t sleep when your life is in danger. Oh and who can sleep through Kella screaming.”

“Your green-eyed monster is showing.” At Stone’s sarcasm to Kella’s sounds of pleasure, James flipped him off. “It’s Kella’s life in danger, not mine.”

“It’s all the same in my book.” His buddy pinched the bridge of his nose. “He gets to her, and you’ll put your own life at risk to avenge her.”

Stone pointed out the obvious. “She’s alive, and I’m seeking revenge in her name.”

James lowered his hand and elevated his eyebrows. “I’m guessing after all that grunting and groaning
you
at least slept well?”

He grinned as he settled in a chair. “Best sleep ever. Thanks for asking.”

“Glad to know one of us isn’t worried.” James’s derision wasn’t a surprise.

“Kella confirmed she’s X-Ds.” Stone tossed that grenade out and waited for a reaction from Reaper. And was disappointed.

Reaper simply finished off his coffee without acknowledging Stone’s announcement.

James cursed until he was out of breath. Or just out of curse words. “Tell me you’re fucking with me. Please tell me you’re fucking with me.”

Stone shook his head. “According to her she’s a founder. She won’t give up names. And she had nothing to do with hacking the newsfeed, but she interviewed the Xeno’s in those videos.”

James went back to pinching the bridge of his nose. “If it’s not one problem, it’s another. Jesus Christ, what’s next?”

“I’ve got an idea how you can overtake the Regency without endangering your men.” Reaper moved to the buffet.

Stone stared at his back well aware the other guy altered the topic.

“And you didn’t share with me?” James glared at Reaper, not that the other could appreciate the ire with his back to them. “The one who’s actually plotting the attack?”

“Thought I’d run it by you both.” He set his plate on the table, mounded with eggs and bacon. Reaper gripped the back of the chair and stood there staring at Stone, wearing a hellacious frown across his brow. “What’re you going to do about Mack and the X-Ds?”

Good to know his wife’s bodyguard wasn’t as unaffected by the news as he’d let on. “Support her. Keep her from getting her gorgeous ass killed. As far as I’m concerned, the last Xeno corpse has been buried.”

Reaper’s shoulders visibly lowered as he released a pent-up breath. “How exactly are you going to support her?”

“Help her fight more wisely. I already banned X-gene selling three years ago in my Quad, so going the extra mile to make a change in the world isn’t that big a stretch for me.” All those conversations with her in the past, dreaming about a different world, had prepared him for this. “You got a problem with that, James?”

“Nope. Not after our last conversation when you reminded me who was in charge.” He pinned Reaper with a stare, while his sarcasm rolled off Stone’s back. “Spill your idea about the attack.”

“You own one of the only two working teleport machines. I know a hacker that could probably shut the other one down.”

“The X-Ds hacker?” Stone pinned him with a stare.

“Yes.”

He nodded. “Thanks for your honesty.”

“If Mack trusts you, then I will too.” Reaper sat and unrolled his utensils from the napkin. “Anyway, shut the second one down, throw firewalls or whatever the shit it is she does that protects computers from outside attacks. I’m assuming you have Jones’s DNA in the system? To make it easier for him to teleport whenever he wants?”

Stone nodded. “That’s why I had James shut down the machine last night. Didn’t want him showing up here or my Quad unannounced.”

“You meet with him, maybe lead him to believe you’re going to bend to his wants, but instead you teleport Regent Jones wherever you want him, and you do whatever it is you need to do to cede him and rule his Quadrant.”

“No need to meet when we can teleport him from anywhere at any time. It’d be a nonviolent resolution.” James folded his toast in half and bit into it. “His cabinet will be a problem either way though.”

“They’re pompous, overindulged spooners. No offense, Stone.”

“None taken.”

“Stone’s not exactly a spooner. Like the holy terror, he’s been assassin trained.” Despite the derogatory name, and James’s defense, his bodyguard seemed less stressed than when Stone first entered the room.

“You could make that case,” Reaper conceded. “The cabinet will be easily managed by a few well-placed men.”

“Or I can show you how to infiltrate his private oasis for a sneak attack. No one will know Jones was in any danger until it’s too late.” Stone glanced up as Kella entered the dining room.

“Hell no.” James shook his head. “I’m responsible for keeping Stone alive. I can’t be responsible for both of you.”

“She’s my job,” Reaper shot back. “I’ve kept her alive for eight years without your help, so I think I got this. Besides, she’s got a knack for infiltrating airtight fortresses. She’s the only reason we got into any of the X-centers to shut them down.”

Ignoring them both, Stone rose from his seat and met Kella across the room. He caught her hips and pulled her against him, letting her know just how happy he was to see her. His cock had punched against his loose cotton pants the moment she entered. He was sure James had noticed if his eye roll was any indication.

At the evidence of his erection, her eyes jerked to meet his, and the corners of her lips turned up. “I’m happy to see you too.”

His cock pulsed. “Good morning, sunshine.”

“Morning, pretty boy.” She smoothed her finger across his bristly jaw. “Sexy, morning scruff.”

“Wish I could’ve stayed in bed and used it on you.” He leaned in and whispered against her ear. “Down there.”

“Mmm...” She shivered against him.

Stone kissed her, relishing the taste of her on his tongue.

James cleared his throat. When Stone didn’t rise to his prodding, James said in a dry tone, “I know you’re an exhibitionist, Stone, but I doubt your holy terror is. However, I’m not opposed to cleaning off the table and watching you two go at it if you’d like an audience.”

“I’d object,” Reaper put in his two-cents.

Too bad duty called, but James was right, they needed to get down to business.

“Ignore the asshole,” Stone told her.

“I always do.” She grinned at him before sashaying over to the buffet.

“Brother, your dick is going to get us killed,” James said in a furious whisper.

“You mentioned that recently. So far we’re all alive.” Reaper chuckled. “Are you doubting your ability to protect him after I put you on your ass the other week?”

James sent him his favorite comeback—the middle finger. “Fuck you. I’m ready for a rematch anytime you are.”

“After we’ve secured Kella’s safety.” Stone couldn’t keep his eyes off Kella as she poured a mug of coffee and snagged a couple of pieces of bacon.

“God, I’ve missed this,” she said after biting into the pork.

She’d never have to go without it again. That he vowed.

“So,” she swallowed. “There’s this tunnel beneath the Regency that was built by the elders. Most people don’t study the elder chronicles. I don’t know why because there’s a lot of info there. Anyway, this one particular tunnel branches into a couple others, but one of those leads straight to Jones’s bedroom.”

“How did you come by this information?” The data wouldn’t be available to someone of her former rank.

“I stole the blueprints.” A naughty smile twisted her lips. “I have many talents.”

Stone gave a mental groan because the mention of talents put him right back into the mind frame for fucking. Despite her lack of sexual experience, he’d had more fun with her than the other women he’d indulged in in the past.