Runes (16 page)

* * * *

The roar of a truck’s engine roused her. Her cheek was damp with earth, and it clung to her eyelashes as she blinked.

“Evangeline. Thank God. Hold on, baby. Will’s coming with the truck,” Sean yelled into the hole.

She sat up, swaying and dizzy. What the hell had happened? And then it all came back in a rush. Will pinned by Marcus’s gun and Sean standing over him, battling the urge to kill Will himself.

Swiftly, she searched Will’s memories, seeing how he and Sean had united to overpower Marcus. Sean had pressed the AK-47 against Marcus’ head as Will’s finger closed over his, pulling the trigger and blowing away the man who’d tortured Evangeline for days. The pair watched the life blood drain from Marcus, and the immortal glow go out.

“Sean,” she croaked. Her was voice hoarse from yelling. “Get me out of here.”

“Coming, baby,” he said, white teeth flashing in a smile. “Move over and let me in.”

He landed gracefully on his feet, as if he jumped into twelve-foot deep holes every day rather than spun the discs in the deejay booth. She fell into his arms, crying and kissing him. The growl of the truck grew near, then stopped. A metal door slammed with a clunk, and Will appeared at the lip of the hole with rope coiled in one hand. He blinked into the darkness.

All right, Evangeline?

Yes. Hurry. I need you.

She felt emotion surge through his chest and saw him hook one end of the rope to the bumper of the rusty truck. The other fell into Sean’s hands.

Sean gave her a slow, sexy grin. “Hold on tight, baby. I’ll have you out of here in a minute.”

“
You’ll
have her out of there?” Will said.

“Whatever, Cochran. It’s a slip of the tongue. Now get her out of here.”

Will disappeared and the truck roared to life. She clung to Sean’s neck as his strong arms wrapped around her waist, anchoring her securely to him. They were dragged over the ledge and onto solid ground.

In tears, she collapsed against the sparse grass, overjoyed to be free and in sunlight again. Sean gathered her close and kissed her tattoo at the corner of her eye. His touch was sweet and gentle.

And then she was ripped from his hold and into Will’s arms. Breathing his scent was like the first breath of newborn baby. She came alive. Tears of concern and relief rimmed his golden brown eyes. He crushed her to him.

“Oh Will, thank God.”

“Baby, I’ll never let you out of my sight again. Not even for an instant. I’m sorry, so sorry.” As he rocked her, his hands traveled all over her, ensuring she was indeed all right. “You’re okay? Not hurt? You fainted.”

“I was frightened to death,” she choked against his neck before turning to look for Marcus’s body. He lay sprawled upon the lawn only feet away from them, blood running into the ground.

Sean moved to block her view. She met his eyes and saw they were dark with pain. “Please. Sean, come here. Will, I need to speak with him alone.”

“Not alone. No longer will there be secrets between the three of us, Evangeline,” he said with a glance at Sean.

Sean went to them. His rough fingers threaded with hers. The men exchanged another look, and then Will nodded. Flabbergasted, she glanced between them. What the hell was going on?

“Will and I have come to an agreement. Hasn’t he told you?” Sean asked quietly. His mouth softened as he spoke and quirked up into a slight smile. And then just as swiftly it dissolved.

She shook her head, glancing between dark eyes and darker ones. “What is it?”

“I held back until I knew we’d all make it out alive, Evangeline,” said Will. “Sean and I agree we must stay together, the three of us.”

She blinked. “What?”

“Live together. Share you. If you’re willing and it’s what you wish,” Sean amended.

Stunned, she tried to process it. “Live with both of the men I love in peace without jealousy or anger? How?”

“The particulars are up to you, baby,” said Will. “We’re your slaves. We’ll do as you ask.”

“Why would you allow this, Will?” she asked.

“Because I can’t hurt you by making you choose between us. Immortal or mortal love.” His eyes flicked from hers to Sean’s and he relaxed his grip a bit to allow Sean to pull her partly to him. She felt her body stir between them, the sexy boyish immortal and the amazing, alluring mortal.

“Not yet, darling,” Sean said with a glance at her tight nipples. “First, Will and I have business to attend to.”

* * * *

With Marcus dumped ignominiously into the deep hole where he’d kept her prisoner, the three of them jumped into the truck and sped out of the yard. Will took the wheel, and Evangeline sat snugly between her men, breathing their combined scents and wondering how she would go about their complicated relationship. She understood the boundaries of their pride and never wanted to play them against each other or make them brawl for territorial rights.

She looked from one to the other and then kissed them in turn. Sean’s heavy arm came around her shoulders, and Will’s hand squeezed her thigh. She felt deliciously warm and happy, though still a little nauseated from the ache in her head.

“Do you have any idea where you’re going?” Sean asked Will.

He glanced at him. “No. How about you, Romeo? You familiar with the Ya Puna region? I understand that you can’t take the subway there,” Will answered.

“Stop, boys,” Evangeline said sleepily. She drew each of them closer until she was squashed between their big male bodies.

Will looked down at her tenderly. “Sorry.”

“Where are we going?” she asked.

“I’m going to find the first resort, hotel or village that boasts a bed for rent, and then we’re going to fall passionately into it,” he said.

Sean tensed. “Who’s ‘we?’”

Will hesitated. “Whichever Evangeline chooses.”

“Please don’t start bickering,” she said. “Let me sleep and I’ll decide what to do with you when I wake up.”

She drifted off with Sean’s lips on her throat and Will’s warm hand on her thigh. The hum of the engine lulled her, and she dreamed of hot springs and slippery, naked bodies leaping into crystal-clear depths. And then she emerged from the deep, and smoothed the water from her face in time to see Sean perched on the edge of the pool, bare-assed and sexy as hell. The V of his muscles plunged into his groin, showcasing his thick cock and balls, freshly shaved and standing erect.

Their eyes locked. He flexed for her and then dove. She watched him cross the pool in strong strokes, dark hair melding to his head, shoulders bulging. When she was within reach, he gripped her beneath her thighs and wrapped her legs about him. They bobbed weightlessly, and he drew her to the side where he pushed her against the wall of the pool and slid his cock inside her.

Her nails dug into his rippling back muscles as he drove deep, exciting the sensitive G-spot as he slid his long, thick cock in and out. Their lips met, and she tasted the salt of the water. Then he broke away and gestured to the side where Will stood, nude and gleaming, having just emerged from the water. His cock stood against the auburn nest of hair and the inky lines of his tattoo. Her mouth watered to taste it.

With a crooked smile he approached the place where she and Sean stood fucking. He sat on the ledge, took his cock in hand and stroked it.

“That’s it, baby,” Sean whispered into her ear. “You like watching him. Watch him come while I make you come.”

The truck jarred her awake, bouncing up a long lane leading to a chateau nestled between two stark, rocky mountain peaks.

“Sleeping Beauty has awakened. I don’t need to kiss her, but I will,” Sean joked, clasping her cheek and turning her mouth into his. She succumbed to his hot mouth with visions of her dream still fresh. He tasted as salty and as good as the dream. When she broke away, he smiled at her adorably. Shyly, she glanced at Will.

He gave her a dark look.

The truck stopped in the parking lot of the expansive chateau, built of bluish stone. Broad windows graced its front, providing a breathtaking view of the mountain range.

“Home sweet chateau.” Sean climbed out of the truck and helped her down. They glanced at the other vehicles—a selection of the highest quality foreign luxury cars—and then at their beat-up transportation and laughed.He slung an arm about her shoulders and started for the entrance.

“What gives?” Will called, catching up. “You can’t just take her and leave. This isn’t only your honeymoon.”

She reached for his hand and together, three abreast, they entered the resort.

The rush of a waterfall greeted them and warm, moist air freshened the space. The rear of the chateau opened onto natural falls rushing from the mountain.

“I’ll get us a room,” Will said at once, but Sean slapped the wallet in his back pocket.

“No, bro, I’ve got it.”

Will’s brow lowered thunderously. “I’ll take care of it.” With that, he spun on a heel and strode to the front desk and told the clerk that he needed two adjoining rooms.

“Uh-uh,” Sean said, leaving Evangeline’s side and storming to the desk. “One room.”

“Two beds,” Will demanded in a low voice, leveling Sean in his stare.

“All right,” Sean agreed with a smile for the confused receptionist.

Evangeline stepped in the middle of the two steaming men. They were both taut as bowstrings, ready to thump their chests and declare victory.

Once Will had paid, a bellhop was waved away, as nobody had luggage. Will led the way to the elevators, jabbing the 'up' button with an angry finger.

Her eyes implored him, and she saw at once his loosening. With a growl he clutched her around the waist, bent her over his arm and kissed her. The elevator doors opened and Sean pushed past. Will released her and led her into the elevator where Sean glared at the ceiling.

Evangeline shook off the passion Will had saddled her with and waited for the elevator to reach their floor. Will led the way with a hand on the small of her back. Before they opened the door, Will stopped to give Sean a long appraisal.

She opened her mouth to intervene, but at the same moment, they each grabbed a body part and smuggled her inside. The trio fell to the bed laughing. The door clicked shut behind them. A moment of silence ensued while they stretched upon the king-sized bed, taking in the rush of the waterfall beyond their window. The room was stark and bright with daylight. Evangeline’s stomach rumbled, and her men laughed.

Will sat up, found the phone, and placing a huge room service order. Then he flopped next to her and took her in his arms.

Love you. Thank God, you’re safe, and we’re together again,
he said as his lips lowered to hers. Their kiss was a sweet reunion. His fingers trailed over her tattoo, sending a delightful shock through her that calmed and stimulated. She sank her fingers into his hair and pulled him closer, their tongues moving against each other sluggishly.

Suddenly Sean grabbed her hips and yanked her away from Will. Her back slid against his hard front, and she felt his bulging cock against her ass as he kissed her throat. Will looked on solemnly. Sean’s lips roamed over her ear and he whispered, “You’re so beautiful, Evangeline. I love you.” His index finger gently reached into her shirt and circled the brand he’d given her with his insignia ring. Her eyes flicked up to Will’s, judging his reaction. Of course, he already knew she’d begged Sean to brand her.

It’s beautiful on you,
he told her, and a surge of love blossomed inside her at his magnanimity. Yet, when Sean’s hand probed lower, closing about her straining nipple, Will pushed into a sitting position at the side of the bed, head in hands.