Embrace The Night (40 page)

“She’s gone,” Simon said. “By the time I got around the building, she was gone.”

“Simon, be careful. He might be able to jump over the gate,” Sage said.

“I’d expect he could if he wanted to,” Wyatt agreed. “That is one fucking bad-ass dog. Simon, go see if you can find someone to release him. She said she would send someone.”

“And you believed her?” Quent didn’t move any muscle but his lips.

“She didn’t lie about pulling the trigger,” Wyatt replied.

Sage couldn’t help a choked giggle. Not funny, but in a way…it was. And heck, if a girl was going to be in a standoff, a hostage, these were the men she’d want to be fellow captives with. Especially Simon, who didn’t seem to be able to stop looking at her.

When she wasn’t looking at him.

Theo looked at Dantès and said, “Dantès,
release
.”

The wolf merely looked at him, curling his lip to show a very sharp, very lethal fang.

“Dantès,
leave it,
” Theo tried again. “
Out?
Drop it?”

Wyatt shifted his stance in impatience, and the dog glared at him. “If it were that easy, he wouldn’t make a very good guard. Usually, they have a keyword, like a password, that tells the dog to listen to someone not his or her master.”

Sage didn’t know much about dogs, but this gave her an idea. “Dantès,” she said, and the dog’s attention shifted to her. “Mercédès.”

The ferocious expression on the wolf’s face eased and she saw a light of recognition in his eyes. He wiggled in his seat. “Dantès,” she said, her heart pounding, “release!”

And to her amazement…and the amazement of the others, the big dog rose to his feet and ambled over to her, butting her with his head. He seemed to be smiling! “Good dog,” she said, patting him, but still more than a little leery about his size and ferocity.

“How did you know that?” Wyatt asked. When the dog looked at him, he added, “Dantès, Mercédès…come.”

Sage had to admit, she was relieved when the beast moved away from her and went over to be petted by Wyatt. “Well, it’s sort of obvious. He’s named after Edmond Dantès in
The Count of Monte Cristo
, and Mercédès is the woman he loves. They go together.”

Then, the first time since she’d released the dog, Sage looked up beyond the gate.

But Simon was gone.

Shimmering quietly, Simon watched as his friends filed out of the little townhouse. The rough trunk of a tree scraped the back of his arm, and the cool shadow felt good after the warm sun.

Where the hell had Remington Truth gone? Yeah, it had taken him a few minutes to get out of the house, and then because it was a long building, he had to run all the way around the back…but still.

She had to be very fast, or very clever.

Speaking of clever…

His eyes were pulled to Sage as she stepped out of the townhouse, down the well-kept stairs. Theo hovered over her, which just made Simon get all tight and black inside.

Someone had to have seen the woman go. Simon would take his time to speak with everyone in this little town, then set off to find her. And let Sage and Theo head back to Envy.

But they’d moved off to the side, and Simon, still shimmering invisibly, found himself drawn toward them. He hated himself for doing it…he knew it was an invasion, he knew it was repulsive, like looking in the panty drawer of a friend’s sister…but something compelled him.

Silent, he eased nearer as Theo and Sage stopped beneath a large oak.

As he came closer, he heard Sage explaining what had happened with Ian Marck—some of the details even he hadn’t heard.

“Where’s Marck now?” Theo asked.

Sage looked down. “Simon took care of him. He’s dead.” Simon watched her face, but he couldn’t see her expression.

“Bastard.”

Sage looked back up. “Don’t say that,” she said, her voice sharp, her eyes steely. “He’s a good man. Just a little…lost.” Now her words turned sad. Simon’s heart stopped and he nearly lost his concentration, grabbing it back just before he turned opaque again. She still cared about him?

How could she?

“How can you defend the man? He kidnapped Jade, he kidnapped you—”

“Oh. I thought you were talking about Simon.” Sage gave a little laugh.

Theo shook his head, and though Simon couldn’t see his face, he recognized the sag of his shoulders. “It’s not going to work, is it? You and me?”

No.
Simon shook his head, silently, invisibly.
Don’t give up on her,
vato.

But Sage was shaking her head, now looking up at Theo. “It’s Simon. He’s the one. I’m sorry, Theo, I’m so sorry, but I think I’ve known it…well, for a long time. Since before FC.”

Before FC? Before she knew about my ability?

Theo shifted on his feet, clearly uncomfortable. “I’d like to take a few shots at the guy, you need to know that, Sage. But I’m not going to stand in your way, though…I don’t even know where he went.”

Sage nodded slowly. “I think he’s gone.”

Theo moved to pull her into his arms, but Sage stepped back. “I need a few minutes, okay? Then…we can head back to Envy. And I’ll figure out what to do then.”

Reluctance in every movement, Theo turned and started back toward Wyatt and Quent, who’d been talking to other members of the settlement. Simon recognized the expression on Theo’s face—the agony and pain, trying to be subdued…but when it was that deep, it’s fucking hard.

Then, suddenly, Sage was there, right next to him. “Don’t you ever do that again,” she was saying, pointing and shaking her finger at him. Sort of.

She was off by about a foot, aiming toward the tree, but in the general vicinity of the height of his face. “Dammit, Simon, show yourself. Right now.”

He couldn’t hold it any longer, and shimmered back into himself. “Sage,” he began, trying to think of a way to excuse his horrible invasion, “I—”

“Just be quiet.” She glared up at him, tears sparkling in her aqua blue eyes.

That did it. The tears. He couldn’t stop himself and the next thing he knew, she was in his arms, and he was kissing that beautiful, freckled mouth that had driven him crazy since he first saw her.

She wrapped her arms around him, kissing him back just as breathlessly, just as hungrily. “Simon, please…don’t leave,” she said, pulling away just long enough for that entreaty.

“I can’t believe you want me to stay…after all…after everything,” he said, searching her eyes. The tears had gone, and what he saw there gave him hope. Warmth and love.

“You heard what I told Theo,” she said, a bit of that accusation back again. “It’s you. It’s only going to be you.” She stroked his hair. “I think I fell in love with you when you asked me to go into the Beretta with you. Because you trusted me and you gave me credit for…”

“For your brains. You’re a damn smart woman, Sage. Not to mention the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever met.” He closed his eyes for a minute, resting his forehead against hers. “I’ve done a lot of things I’m not proud of,” he said quietly, and felt her tense, ready to reply. “Let me finish,” he said quickly. “You’ll never know half of it. But…the fact that you trust me and believe in me, even though you know about my past…I couldn’t ask for any better blessing.”

“Simon.” She said his name so sweetly it hurt. “I know the man you are—trustworthy, brave, fierce, and honest. That’s who you are to me.”

He shook his head in amazement. “I love you.”

She smiled. “I know that. I just didn’t understand why you felt the need to hide it. Did you not think I could follow my own heart?”

“Maybe I was being a little too rigid,” he said.

“Rigid? How about ridiculous?” She smiled up at him, with such love in her eyes that he wondered how he could ever have been so stupid as to think he could live without her.

Joy and delight overwhelmed him and he tugged her close for another kiss, just to feel the warmth and softness of her body…for real. Without the guilt. Without being watched.

But then, they were.

“Hey. Yo.” Wyatt’s sharp call interrupted whatever might have happened next. “Guess what.”

Simon, feeling a little awkward as his arm slipped around Sage’s waist, nevertheless sucked it up, and they turned to face the other men. He met Theo’s eyes head-on in masculine understanding. “Yeah?”

“Truth’s gone. Someone saw her get into a truck with a man. Big guy, blondish hair.”

“Fuck.”
Should have hit the
chavala
harder, dammit.
“Was he forcing her?”

Wyatt shook his head. “No, as a matter of fact, according to the witness, she was the one in control. Apparently, she had a gun and was pointing it at him, forcing him into the vehicle…because she didn’t know how to drive it. And apparently he did.”

Simon almost laughed. Almost. “The guy?”

Wyatt nodded. “Yeah, he was moving a little slowly—had a big bump on the side of his head, blood on his shirt. Someone saw him come out of one of those trailers over there, sort of staggering a bit, and the woman must have found him by the truck. The witness didn’t get too close, of course, but said Truth was ordering him into the vehicle. Then they drove off.”

Now Simon couldn’t hold back a chuckle. “Serve him right, being stuck with her.”

“Who? What are you talking about?” Sage asked, but there was suspicion in her eyes. She turned on him. “You didn’t really kill Ian Marck, did you?”

What could he say? He shook his head. “Couldn’t do it. That part of my life is over,” he replied, fully aware that everyone could hear. But he didn’t care that they heard, that they knew, that his past was exposed.

Because she loved him…had loved him even when she thought the worst of him. And that was all he needed.

Wyatt was still chuckling. “So Remington Truth kidnapped Ian Marck at gunpoint?”

“Yeah, but I’m still wondering where they got the truck,” Simon said. “I’ve got my keys, and Marck’s keys.”

Theo looked at Quent, who looked at Wyatt, who patted his jeans pocket. Then his other, and then the back pockets.

“Fuck,” was all he said.

City of Envy

Two Days Later

“So,” Sage said, sitting up as Simon came into the room. She patted the bed next to her and watched as he stripped off his T-shirt and jeans. She never tired of watching him, eyeing those fluid muscles and sleek movements.

“So…what?” he asked, standing next to the bed.

“Sorry,” she said. “Lost my train of thought for a minute there.” She smiled and the look he gave her was enough to melt her into a puddle of butter. “You and Theo…talk? Everything okay?”

He shrugged. “It’s not going to be pretty for a while, but he’s a reasonable guy. He’ll get used to things.”

“Did you talk?”

He frowned at her. “Talk? Men don’t talk. We went a few rounds—”

“A few
rounds
?” Sage gaped, her eyes wide. “You
fought
?”

“Not like that. We played basketball. Shot some hoops. Not very politely, but at least no one got hurt. Well, much.”

“What?”

He shook his head. “Don’t worry about it. He needed to get it out of his system, and I know how to take care of myself. Both of us are still walking. Now…what was it you said about being distracted?” He slid onto the bed, leaning forward to kiss her.

Sage kissed him back, long and thoroughly, glad at last to have a bed without a camera tracing their every move.

“God, you taste so good,” he said, his hand moving to slide down her arm and around to pull her closer.

“Any news about Remington Truth and Ian Marck?” she asked, pulling back just a bit. Her hand traced the muscles of his pecs, smooth and warm and solid. They shifted beneath her fingers as he tilted back a bit to look at her.

“Not yet. Quent is studying some things from her house, slowly, you know, because of the memories, and Wyatt’s keeping an eye on the dog for the time being. When and if Dantès goes after his mistress, he’ll have company. But for now,” he said, “I’m really not interested in anything but this…right…here.”

She sighed and arched into him, the warmth of his mouth on her, sleek and tender, licking, nibbling, sucking…

“Simon,” she said, shivering deep inside. “I’m curious…Will you try something out for me?”

“Does it involve our two naked bodies?” he murmured into her breast, his voice vibrating against her nipple.

“Most definitely,” she sighed.

“Then, yes.” He looked up at her, hot and curious.

“You know that shivery feeling you get—or at least, I get it—when we turn invisible?” she said, smoothing her hand down his bicep, a little shy about asking…but too curious not to. “Well, I was thinking…what would it feel like if you did that…while we were kissing. And stuff.”

His eyes widened with delight and lust. “Let’s find out.” He bent forward, and as his mouth covered hers, she felt the wave of warmth and desire she always felt…and then the little sparkly, shimmery sensation on top of it.

The blast of sensation took her by surprise, and suddenly Simon reappeared in front of her. He too looked wide-eyed and shocked, but then a very naughty smile curved his beautiful lips. “Let’s try that again…I don’t know how long I’ll be able to concentrate, because you blow my mind…but I’m all for it.”

“It’ll be great discipline for you,” she suggested impishly. And leaned up to kiss him, and reached down to curl her fingers around him.

The beautiful feeling settled over her, shivery and sparkly, and they slipped off into a hot maelstrom of love, and passion…and invisible shimmers.