“Sorry, Taeg,” Ronin said without emotion. “They snuck up on me.”
Fuck. Fuck, fuck.
Taeg lifted his hands. “Take it easy, boys.”
“Drop the book, Taeg,” Mammon said in a bored voice.
Oh, shit. He was so fucking close…but he couldn’t abandon Ronin. He would never leave a brother behind, no matter what else was on the line. Gritting his teeth, Taeg obeyed. As soon as the book left his hands, four more demons marched into the tent, snatching Taeg and yanking his arms behind his back. “Easy, pansy-asses,” he ground out.
Mammon laughed, and even after all these years the sound made the hair on the back of Taeg’s neck stand on end. “I was beginning to wonder how I would manage to snag the heir. Thank you, sons, for making it easy. Now that I have you two, you’ll lead Keegan—and her—right to me.”
“Bite me,” Taeg spat at Mammon.
Mammon scowled and approached. “You never should have left me. You’ll live to regret that.”
“I doubt it.” Taeg snorted.
The last thing Taeg saw was Mammon’s evil smile, a second before he lifted his fist and smashed it down on Taeg’s face with enough punishing force to knock him out.
Chapter Twenty-four
She was so beautiful while she slept, with her hair fanned out to one side and illuminated by soft rays of light from the early morning sun. Like a sea of honey.
He could watch her sleep for hours.
Keegan rolled onto his side and ran his fingers down Brynn’s stomach. What would it be like to wake up next to her every morning? To grow older with her? To watch as her stomach swelled with child—his child?
He yearned for that with an intensity that took his breath away. But it would never be. They were from different worlds. Too different. Even if, by some miracle, he managed to defeat his father, he would have to return to Infernum.
Even if Brynn couldn’t be his, he had to do everything in his power to save her. He needed to go to the mainland and find a phone to call his brothers. Maybe this time they’d be willing to listen, willing to help him concoct a plan. Hell, he’d beg them if he had to. She deserved a good life. A normal life.
A life without him.
Her brows furrowed and she shook her head from side to side, though she was still asleep.
“No,” she whispered.
Keegan’s heart constricted. Was she dreaming? He reached out to shake her, when she awoke by herself. She sat up in the bed, panting for air.
“What’s wrong?” He touched her chin, turning her face to him.
Brynn’s eyes welled with moisture. She swallowed heavily before whispering, “I had a dream about Taeg and Ronin. They were captured by your father. There was someone else there, too. Mammon was…torturing them.”
Keegan stopped breathing. His gut twisted and wrenched as if someone were squeezing his innards and trying to yank them out.
No. It couldn’t be.
“Could that really be happening?” she asked, wearing an expression of horror.
No. Please no.
Keegan carefully schooled his expression into one of reassurance. He spoke the words even while he slid off the bed and searched for his jeans. “If anything, Mammon is likely trying to trick you.”
“Where are you going, then?”
“To the mainland. To call them. It’s past time I did, anyway.”
She bit her lip, looking uncertain, but he couldn’t give her any more reassurance. He didn’t have any more to offer. That sick feeling in his gut told him that, somehow, her dream was all too real. “I’ll be back soon, okay?”
Brynn nodded. “You’ll be careful?”
“Always.” Keegan bent down and pressed a kiss to her lips. Then he grabbed his shirt, walked to the French doors, and tossed them open. Unfurling his wings, he took off fast.
Could Mammon have gotten to his brothers? If so, would they even still be alive? Worse, would it be better for them if they weren’t? His father had inflicted unimaginable torture on him and his brothers as simple punishment for childhood misdeeds. The thought of the things he would do to sons who had dared betray him made Keegan sick to his stomach.
After arriving on the mainland, it was easy enough to head to the nearest boardwalk and relieve an unsuspecting passerby of his cell phone. Dread unfurling in his chest, he dialed Taeg. It rang several times before a gravelly voice answered, “Hello?”
Keegan’s heart squeezed, practically cutting off his air supply. “Mammon,” was all he said.
The voice chuckled. “Well, hello there, son. I was expecting your call.”
“If you’ve hurt them, I swear I’ll—”
“I don’t think you’re in any position to be making idle threats, are you, son?”
Keegan clenched his fist, biting down on his teeth so hard that a molar cracked, and then immediately healed.
“Not to worry. Your brothers are still alive, along with that incubus friend of theirs.”
Cresso.
“Though they hardly deserve to be after they tried to steal the book from me in a harebrained attempt to save the heir’s life,” Mammon added.
There was a scraping sound, then a second later, a scream. It sounded like Taeg.
“Don’t,” Keegan said. He instantly cursed himself. Show his father weakness would only result in more torture for his brothers. He took a deep breath before continuing in a more even tone. “What do you want?”
Mammon laughed. “You know what I want. The heir.” When Keegan didn’t respond, Mammon added, “I tell you what. Though I’m still put out by the way you and your brothers ran away in the middle of the night, if you bring me the heir we’ll let bygones be bygones. Just think—when I am ruler of this world, you will be its princes.”
“No thanks,” Keegan replied caustically.
“So quick to refuse, hmm? You think you are so principled, don’t you? Well, how about this to sweeten the deal? Once I am done with the heir, you can have her to do with as you wish.”
Keegan froze. “What do you want to do with her?”
“I simply need her to resurrect the army. Once she has done that, I have no use for her. She will come to no harm by my hands.”
Somehow, he doubted that. “How do I know you’re telling the truth?”
“I will swear a blood oath. You can save your brothers and your woman. You can even revel in my power. It’s too good a deal to pass up.”
Yeah, it was. Keegan asked the obvious question. “Why would you agree to this?”
“You are my sons. I’ve bred you to be powerful. Useful. Why would I destroy such works of art if I could instead have you on my side?”
So that was it. Nothing to do with love. Not that Keegan was still foolish enough to believe Mammon had any of that for them. They were tools to him, and nothing more.
What was he going to do? He couldn’t let Mammon take over this world. The consequences would be far too deadly. But he couldn’t let him torture his brothers to death, either.
Keegan absently paced. “Let me consider it—”
“I’ll give you two days,” Mammon said. “You know where to find me. At least, Dagan does.”
“Dagan?”
“You didn’t know? The littlest one got away. He’s off licking his wounds somewhere, no doubt.”
“Two days,” Keegan finally said. “Give me your word that you won’t hurt any of them until I get there.”
“Done,” Mammon said in a tone of supreme satisfaction.
The phone clicked silent.
“Shit!” Keegan yelled. He ran to the boardwalk railing and smashed it with his fist. The wood splintered and crumbled to dust underneath his hand.
If only he had called Taeg as soon as they’d left New Orleans. If only he had tried to reason with him more before stealing Brynn. His brothers had sacrificed themselves to save Brynn’s life. They had sacrificed themselves for him. He couldn’t let them die because of it. He wouldn’t. Saving them was the only op
tion.
Damn, he hated this. No matter what he did, he’d let someone down. But there was one thing he could do, at least. One way to right the wrongs he’d done these past few days.
Collecting himself, Keegan dialed Dagan’s cell phone.
“Hello?” His brother’s voice was rough, as if he’d been crying or screaming in frustration.
“Dagan, it’s Keegan.”
“Keegan?” Dagan gave a semi-hysterical chuckle. “Nice to hear from you, brother. I’d put Taeg or Ronin on the phone, but they’re off being tortured right now.”
“I know. I just spoke with Mammon.”
“You did?” Dagan audibly collected himself. “What are we going to do?”
“I have a plan. Listen carefully. And Dagan, don’t argue with me.”
Chapter Twenty-five
For the millionth time since Keegan had left, Brynn tried to concentrate on reading the novel she’d found on the coffee table. It was no use. She could barely read a word. She didn’t allow herself to think about the possibility of her dream being real. With a shudder, she recalled the way Mammon had stood by and watched while his henchman flayed strips of skin from Taeg’s and Ronin’s flesh, then forced Ronin to heal them both so he could do it all over again.
No. It was inconceivable. No father would order that to be done to his children. Not even Mammon was that great a monster.
A thump sounded out from above. Keegan.
She rose and headed toward the staircase, expecting to find him on the second floor. But then he appeared at the top of the steps. Something in his expression stopped her cold. “Keegan?”
Instead of answering, he raced down the steps toward her. She backed up a little at the intensity blazing on his face. “What’s wrong?”
He stood in front of her, and without saying a word he pushed her against the wall next to the staircase and kissed her thoroughly. The kiss went on and on, growing more and more heated, until she trembled with the force of her passion. She finally gasped and pulled away. “Your…your brothers?”
Burying his head in her neck, he licked and sucked at her sensitive flesh while his fingers roamed down her body.
“Does Mammon have them?” she tried again.
“They’re fine,” he mumbled against her neck, then kissed his way down her throat.
“Keegan,” she persisted, pulling his head away, “I can tell something’s wrong. Did you talk to them?”
“Yes. Everything’s fine.” But he wouldn’t look her in the eye.
“Something’s up. Tell me.”
“I’d rather not talk about it right now.” He gave her a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes, then bent down for another kiss.
Their conversation didn’t go well. Her heart broke a little for him. Keegan had probably asked his brothers for their help in keeping her alive. They must have said no. Again.
She was tearing his family apart.
She opened her mouth to speak, to say something, but before she could, he untied her sash and drew her robe open. Leaning down, he closed his mouth around one of the hardened peaks of her breasts. She shuddered at the sudden temperature change. His body heat, combined with the wicked things he was doing to her, set her on fire.
“We should talk about it—”
“Later,” he said. Clearly, he only had one thing on his mind right now. His lips trailed hot kisses down her stomach as he lowered to his knees. Then, before she could utter another word, he lifted one of her legs and drew it over his shoulder.
Her fingers tangled in his hair as his tongue expertly found her center and delved in. She moaned. The man was a master. Within seconds, he made her entire body tremble on the verge of orgasm. All thoughts of talking fled as he flipped her other leg over his shoulder, fully bracing her weight. He rose to his feet, sliding her back up against the wall.
“Keegan,” she gasped. She had the discomfiting sensation of flying, which wasn’t altogether a bad thing.
His tongue laved expertly at her flesh, each silky stroke driving her to new heights of ecstasy. Unable to help herself, she undulated against him. She was almost there. So close.
One of his hands left her body, and his zipper rasped as he unfastened it.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” she asked before she could lose all thought.
“Just…” He slid her back toward the ground. “Just let me love you,” he said in a voice tinged with desperation.
Just let me love you. Those five simple words drove her to the edge. Because it would be easy, so easy, to let him do that very thing.
He was right. Now wasn’t the time for talking.
She grabbed his hair and yanked him toward her, kissing him while she pressed into him. He tugged his jeans lower and lifted her body flush to his so the tip of his arousal slid along her folds, spreading her moisture. He apparently sensed she was more than ready, because he dipped into her, and with one hard thrust, seated himself all the way inside.
“Keegan,” she cried. Her climax tore through her with all the ferocity of a runaway train.
He ground against her with hard, powerful thrusts that quickly drove her to the precipice once more, as if he was determined to drive her crazy with his lovemaking. If so, it was working. She tightened her legs around him, reveling in the way the muscles of his ass flexed under her calves with every pump.
Right now, she felt crazy. Out of control. And she wanted him to feel that way, too.
“Wait.” Unhooking her legs from around his waist, she shoved him back, breaking apart their bodies.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, a frown on his face.
“I…” She blushed as she was overcome by—of all things—a sudden burst of shyness. “Have you ever made love while flying?”
His hunger-filled eyes widened a fraction and he wordlessly shook his head.
“Do you…do you think it’s possible?”
“Yes.”
That was all she needed to hear. “Come on.”
She grabbed his hand, starting up the stairs. In the master bedroom, she shrugged completely out of her robe, then turned to help him take off all his clothes.
“You’re amazing, you know that?” He snatched her into his arms before she could respond and carried her out onto the balcony. The bright afternoon sun shone down on them, even as a cool breeze made her shudder.
His eyes glittered with unspoken emotion as he set her down. He obviously wanted her, but still he looked so…sad.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
He smiled, his gaze raking up and down her body. “Right now, I’m perfect.”
Kneeling in front of her, he spread her legs and used his lips and tongue to ready her for him again. In one smooth motion, he flexed his wings out wide, so every ridge and groove was visible, and she traced the spot where they grew out of his back. “Does it hurt?”
“No.” He lifted his head to shoot her a blazing look. “Feels good.”
“Oh. Oh.” She’d never considered that he might actually get pleasure from her touching them. She rubbed outward, starting where they met his back. They felt like hot leather beneath her fingertips. Not at all unpleasant.
“That feels so good,” he groaned. “Don’t stop.” He buried his face between her legs once more, driving her insane. Just when she thought she couldn’t take it anymore, he rose.
“Now.” He lifted her and pushed up off the ground. His wings flapped against her back while his cock unerringly found her entrance. Before she could so much as catch her breath, he thrust forward, driving all the way into her. The heady pressure of him inside her, the erotic slap of his wings against her flesh, was too much to bear.
She screamed his name, wrapping her legs and arms around him. Her body entwined so tightly around his that she didn’t know where one ended and the other began.
There was no space between them anymore.
…
Brynn. Right now, nothing mattered but her. This moment was something he would neve
r forget.
Keegan held her to him as she rode out her pleasure, flapping his wings to keep them soaring above the water. His cock jerked and stiffened, but he ignored the urge to come. He wanted to make this moment last forever.
Finally, her awareness returned and, with it, her sense of caution. “Wait,” she gasped, looking down to the water far below.
“I’ve got you,” he reassured her. When she nodded, he pulled his hips back, then forward, using his wings to give him momentum as he built up a rhythm inside her once again.
She would never know how special this moment was to him, to soar so high with her. He would forever treasure this experience, and he hoped that she’d do the same.
Emotions surged within and threatened to overwhelm him. Reining them in, he flew toward the balcony. He sat her on the narrow balustrade, holding on tight as he found his footing and spread her thighs wide. Then, with singleminded intensity, he set about making her fall apart in his arms once more.
She cried out, grabbing onto his shoulders and arching into him.
He sucked on the taut little peaks of her breasts, pink and ripe like berries. He would make her come so hard that she would never, ever forget him.
Planting his feet, he ground into her. “Come for me, baby. Again.”
With a high, keening cry, she did. She slid her hands down, grabbing his ass and holding him to her as if she would never let go.
Closing his eyes, he lost himself in her. With a harsh shout, he came hard and deep.
He knew there was no Heaven. But even if there had been, this was the closest he’d ever get. Keegan bit down on his lip as his emotions threatened to burst forth, manifesting themselves in words he could never live up to and promises he could never keep. He had no words to give her. He’d already given all he had.
Chapter Twenty-six
Brynn woke to a quiet, darkened bedroom. Was it night already? With all the craziness, her internal clock was screwy. And it didn’t help that Keegan had worn her out by making love to her for hours. He’d acted as if nothing else in the world mattered.