Breaking Bad

No super deed goes unpunished… A Midnight Justice Story It’s been twenty-five years since the last Light Guardian was w...

Author: Redford Jodi

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No super deed goes unpunished… A Midnight Justice Story It’s been twenty-five years since the last Light Guardian was wiped out. Or so it’s believed. Ruby Winston is about to blow the lid off that theory, even though it’ll bring every Shadow Czar minion down on her ass. She’s always known she was different from the rest of the evil-dictators-intraining Winstons. Uncovering the secret half of her gene pool proves it. Now she’s out to bring down her late father’s mind-control soda empire—and break the Shadow Czars’ hold on Earth. Problem is, becoming a superhero overnight isn’t as easy as it looks. Teague Younger has his own secrets to keep: his heritage, and his fierce determination to exact revenge on his friend and mentor’s murderer. So far he’s kept his cover—until he’s forced to use his Light Guardian powers to save Ruby from a sticky situation. Thrust together and on the run, Teague and Ruby form a wary alliance as they desperately fight their circuit-blowing attraction. With an army of Shadow Queen minions hot on their tails, they might have a hard time surviving the night, much less ignoring their hearts. Warning: This book contains mind-controlling beverages, evil dictators and minions, excessive use of spandex, and enough electrifying sex to melt an ice train.

eBooks are not transferable. They cannot be sold, shared or given away as it is an infringement on the copyright of this work. This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental. Samhain Publishing, Ltd. 11821 Mason Montgomery Road Suite 4B Cincinnati OH 45249 Breaking Bad Copyright © 2012 by Jodi Redford ISBN: 978-1-61921-027-1 Edited by Sasha Knight Cover by Kanaxa All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. First Samhain Publishing, Ltd. electronic publication: May 2012 www.samhainpublishing.com

Breaking Bad Jodi Redford

Dedication

This book is dedicated to my wonderful editor, Sasha, who is a superhero in her own right. I can never thank you enough for your unwavering support and dedication to making each and every book I write the best it can be. Also to my Zombie Smuthound posse. Kyla, Kelly, Bea, Kendra, Lou. You are true friends who never fail to make me laugh, and cheer me up exactly when I need it most. Love you all.

Chapter One

Neon City, Earth 2039 Teague Younger’s hard-won patience was about to pay off. Big time. He shrugged from his leather jacket and tossed it over the back of his office chair before settling in the seat and powering on his computer. Usually the delicate nature of vengeance would have been best played out in the comfort and security of his penthouse at the Neon Palace—or better yet, his safe house tucked deep in the underbelly of Tenement Row. But he couldn’t afford raising his quarry’s suspicion. If there was one thing you could count on, it was a supervillain’s innate distrust and overall skeeviness. Fortunately for Teague, both qualities would lure Hugo Winston exactly where Teague wanted him— into the trap that’d seal Hugo’s fate and end Teague’s eighteen-year quest for revenge. He opened the inbox attached to his Winston Enterprises account and typed a brief draft. Rival Shadow Czars planning hostile takeover of Shadow Soda. Sweet and to the point. Hugo would be jumping on his private jet within seconds of receiving the communication. Then his ass is mine. Grim satisfaction firming his jaw, Teague shot off the email and closed his inbox. When Reginald Winston—Hugo’s brother and the CEO of Shadow Soda—unexpectedly kicked the bucket three weeks ago, Teague figured his best and likely only chance at getting to Hugo had been buried in the ground along with Reginald. Considering how Hugo wasn’t one to get his hands

Breaking Bad

dirty with the day-to-day running of Shadow Soda, the man had assigned the administrative and grunt work to Teague and the other managers while Hugo reaped the profits from the cushy comfort of his heavily guarded suite in Shadow Vail. A few sleepless nights had snapped Teague out of his frustrated funk and given him enough time to devise plan B. The threat of a takeover had been a brilliant improvisation, and entirely plausible. Every son-of-a-bitch Shadow Czar on this godforsaken planet was salivating in lusty glee at the prospect of seizing Shadow Soda and its multimillion-dollar income stream. Even more enticing than the money was the power that came with this particular prize. Shadow Soda was the prime source behind the Shadow Network’s mind-controlling empire. Anyone lucky enough to hold the reins received highest favor with the queen. There was no way in hell Hugo would allow that honor to fall in the hands of anyone but himself. That right there guaranteed the son of a bitch leaving the security of his suite. Teague wasn’t worried about the handful of guards Hugo might bring along. If he had to take them out too, he would. Teague started to rise from his chair just as a flicker of motion buzzed across the imbedded security screen at the top of his monitor. There were nine minions on patrol tonight. It would have been perfectly logical to assume what he’d seen had been one of those ugly-assed creatures. He might even have believed his own assumptions, if not for the brilliant gleam of red he swore he’d spied. He’d suffered far too many erotic fantasies revolving around that particular shade of crimson not to instantly recognize it. His body stiffening in more ways than one, he inched closer to the monitor, his gaze glued to the screen. The image on his computer remained motionless. Whatever the security camera had captured was now gone. Punching the key that switched cameras, he panned through the next several views. The slowest

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five seconds of his life ticked by before the red flash reappeared, this time a good thirty or so yards from where he’d first glimpsed it. Ruby. She ducked farther into the shadows before he got a better look at her face. Didn’t matter. He’d seen enough to know it was her. Hell, he could be blindfolded and his body would still be able to pick her out of a lineup. Just follow the pointing of his damn cock. Grimacing, he rearranged his fly. What was she doing? Anyone skulking around the way she was must be up to no good. Then again, she was Reginald’s daughter. Good wasn’t exactly in a supervillain’s vocabulary. Sure, he’d heard the rumors about her foiled attempts at sabotaging the plant. He’d always assumed they were lies her cousins hatched in hopes of getting Ruby kicked out of the family biz. After all, supervillains were nasty fucks, regardless if they were related to you or not. Uneasiness festered in his gut as he stared at the darkened corner where he’d last spotted Ruby. What if the rumors were real? She was definitely up to something. Didn’t take much to deduce whatever it was would likely not end well. This isn’t your problem, damn it. He had more pressing concerns than Ruby Winston. Whatever the fuck she was up to— Shit. Growling at his stupidity, he disabled the overhead cameras and shoved from his seat. Scrubbing a palm along the back of his neck, he stalked from his office. “Something tells me I’m going to regret this.” He checked the numbers painted in glossy black over each hallway entrance leading to different sections of the bottling plant. The last area he’d seen Ruby had been sector ten. He strode in that direction. Usually he tried to keep a firm distance from Ruby. In the three short months he’d been working as her father’s right-hand man, he’d perfected the art of resisting his overpowering magnetic attraction to her. It should have been a lot easier, considering her family tree.

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With anyone else, he would have gotten her between the sheets and exorcized every last one of his sexual fantasies from his system before walking away. Ruby’s connection to Hugo made that impossible. Plus he had a sinking feeling that one night would never cure him of his fascination with her. It was that damn obsession that was currently fucking up his plans. He should be concentrating on the trap he’d laid for Hugo and the immense pleasure of ending the man’s life. Not following Ruby in hope of uncovering what the hell she was up to. No matter how many times Teague reminded himself of that, his feet continued edging him down the corridor. A rustling noise sounded ahead. Slowing his steps, he inched closer to the concealing shadows ringing the perimeter of the tunnel-like hallway before proceeding forward with deliberate stealth. If that was Ruby up there, he didn’t want to give her a heads-up to his approach. He reached the entrance to sector eleven. Hugging close to the wall outside the entry, he scanned the cavernous room for any sign of Ruby. Other than the motorized whir of the conveyor belts in the distance, no further sound reached his ears. Narrowing his eyes, he surveyed the dim surroundings. Another soft swishing noise broke the silence. His attention slashed toward the enormous stainless-steel vats that contained Shadow Soda’s patented mind-controlling mix. A streak of red bobbed near the dispensing line before Ruby suddenly popped into view. Darting a cautious glance over her shoulder, she hunkered next to the vat and snatched the ballpoint pen clamped between her teeth. She inspected the panel on the metal container before scribbling something on a piece of paper. Stuffing the pen into the pocket of her long trench coat, she scurried toward sector twelve.


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Intrigued and suspicious, Teague abandoned his post and followed after her. Still keeping out of sight, he watched her perform the same mysterious task she had in the previous room. Once finished, she surveyed the paper she’d brought along. Concentrated frown lines furrowed her brow. The sight of her teeth sinking into her full, rosy-pink bottom lip distracted him to the point he didn’t immediately notice the four minions entering the sector from the opposite corridor. Ruby—quicker on the uptake—jerked her head in the creatures’ direction. Her green eyes widening, she scanned for a safe hiding spot. She was in the middle of the fucking room. Where did she think she could go? After one last desperate glance, Ruby dropped onto her stomach and crawled beneath one of the nearby conveyor belts just as the minions stepped through the entrance. The quartet of uniformed creatures ambled forward but stopped suddenly, their blunt, black, scaly snouts lifting in unison. Four pairs of beady eyes narrowed. Aw shit. The ugly bastards had better noses than a Rottweiler when it came to sniffing out intruders. Giving himself no time to rethink his actions, Teague left his shadowy station and strode toward the minions. “You’re needed in sector seven.” A mulish expression slithering over its reptilian-like features, the lead guard crossed its brawny arms over its rotund middle. Teague reached for the electroprod he always kept holstered at his hip when he was on the grounds of the plant. Flicking off the safety shield, he nudged the prod warningly against the stubborn minion’s slanted forehead. “I said move your bony ass. Now.” After a brief and silent battle of wills, the guard hissed in response and sidled sideways down the hall. The creature’s comrades slinked after it. Teague tailed them through the exit and halfway down the hall before he doubled back

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to sector twelve. He reached the entrance but didn’t see Ruby anywhere. Growling beneath his breath, he started to bypass the doorway. Muffled cursing stalled him short. A hollow, metallic thud preceded a shapely, boot-encased leg swinging out from beneath the conveyor belt. “You’ve got to be freaking kidding me,” Ruby whispered in a fierce undertone. “Now is a crappy time to be stuck.” She was stuck under there? Oh bloody hell. Debating whether it wouldn’t make more sense to leave her aggravating ass where it was, he stalked forward. Another thump and colorful swear word issued from Ruby before she wiggled out from beneath the belts, this time minus the trench coat. Gripping the side of the conveyor for balance, she rose to her feet. Teague slammed to a halt, the air gusting from him like a stabbed balloon as he stared at the skintight silver cat suit Ruby was poured into. Holymotherfuckinggod. If there’d ever been an outfit designed to send his mind straight into the gutter, he was looking at it. The fact that the woman of his darkest forbidden fantasies was the one wearing it only made it a million times hotter…and more tormenting. The stretchy fabric clung lovingly to every lush, feminine curve Ruby possessed, and the low-cut neckline threatened to let those creamy, magnificent breasts spill free at any second. Desire—hot, thick and heady— pooled low in his groin. It wasn’t until Ruby pivoted and sprinted toward the corridor that he finally snapped out of his trance. Shaking his head to clear the remaining dregs of lust, he hurried after her. He eyed the tempting curve of her ass and spine underneath the shiny fabric of the cat suit, a niggling sense of déjà vu poking at the edges of his mind. Before he could fully latch on to what his brain was trying to tell him, a roving security bot darted in front of Ruby. A muffled yelp squeaked from her,


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and she jolted, her arms swinging up in front of her as if she were attempting to block her face from the camera. An arc of brilliant white energy emanated from the silver cuff circling her wrist and shot sideways like a lightning bolt gone haywire, striking the security bot. The two-foot-tall device issued a high-pitched shriek and catapulted into the air, its cylindrical top spinning. A second later, the bot crashed to the ground, a stream of curses flowing unchecked from its vocal port. Teague staggered against the corridor wall. The stunned disbelief buzzing in his head competed with the sudden wail of the intruder alert blaring through the central intercom. Ruby leapt past the still-cursing bot and hurtled toward the exit. For several seconds, all Teague could do was stare dumbly at her retreating back as the shrill decibels of the alarm assaulted his eardrums. There was no way he’d seen that right. It was impossible. Ruby Winston was not a goddamn Light Guardian. For fuck’s sake, she was the daughter of a notorious Shadow Czar. The scuffle of work boots and excited hisses announced that the minions had been roused and were storming toward the exit. “I knew I’d live to regret this.” Gritting the words between his teeth, Teague barreled down the hall. He tore through the darkened warrens snaking through the central belly of the plant. Up ahead, he finally spotted Ruby. The four minions he’d sent packing earlier jumped from the shadows, blocking her avenue of escape. A second later, the remaining five minions circled her from behind. The ringleader of the guards facing Ruby stretched its scaly fingers, extending its claws. Menacing delight danced in the creature’s slanted pupils. Ruby took a wavering step back before firing another bolt of energy from the bracelet. The charge slammed the creatures into the tall storage vat across the way. Sparks of dazzling white energy ricocheted over the reflective surface of the

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metal, creating a macabre light show as the liquid within the vats became electrified and began roiling with bubbles. The stench of fried minions permeated the air. The remaining guards behind Ruby hissed in tandem and lunged at her. She had no chance to react, much less defend herself. “Definitely going to regret this.” Goddamn it. Drawing every ounce of energy into his limbs, Teague centered himself and directed the power surge outward. A blinding luminescence bled into the darkness, followed by a deafening crack that shook the foundation of the building. The meteoric blast of crackling energy engulfed the five minions pouncing at Ruby. Their angry howls renting the air, the creatures burst into flames. Ruby turned and surveyed the charred remains of her attackers. Her eyes comically wide, she raised her arm and gaped at her cuffed wrist. “Wow. Who knew I was capable of that?” Right then would have been the ideal moment for him to disappear into the shadows and get the hell out of Dodge while he still could. Unfortunately, his energy had other plans. A stray crackle emitted an audible pop, drawing Ruby’s attention. She spun in his direction. There wasn’t enough time to reel in the remainder of his power before she could see it. She blinked, her body going motionless as she stared at the rippling white currents receding into his fingertips. A lifetime passed before she lifted her gaze to his. No doubt there were a million questions brewing in that head of hers. None of them he was prepared— or willing—to answer. Fucking stupid. All these years protecting his secret…now flushed down the crapper. His whole life he’d lived by the code of keeping his neck out of the illuminating spotlight of the Shadow’s radar. Hell, he’d become so damn


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proficient at it, he’d nearly forgotten what he truly was. But within a matter of five seconds, he’d ruined everything. All of his carefully laid plans gone to shit. His one shot at destroying Hugo wouldn’t amount to anything, not when he wouldn’t be able to get within spitting distance of the bastard now. Grinding his teeth, Teague straightened and stalked toward the smoking pile of trouble he and Ruby just created.

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Chapter Two

A haze of confusion holding her hostage, Ruby watched as Teague easily lifted two of the dead minions and unceremoniously tossed them with the others. It wasn’t until he dragged the remaining pair of creatures across the floor that she finally snapped to her senses. Mostly. Considering what she’d just witnessed, it was a miracle her brain functioned at all. “Teague? Wh— What the hell?” He flipped the minions on top of their shish-kebabed comrades before slashing a dark look her way. “I should be the one saying that right now.” Tearing her gaze from his scowl, she stared again at the Light Guardian bracelet encircling her wrist. For one brief, shining moment, she’d thought she’d been the one responsible for the awesome display of power moments ago. Heaviness settled in the pit of her stomach. She wanted to be good at this superhero stuff. So much so, it was a physical ache in her soul. But yet again she’d proven how inept she was. For God’s sake, she’d needed Teague to rescue her. Teague. The man who avoided her every chance he got and treated her like she had a contagious disease. How much of a loser superhero did that make her? Her heart sinking further, she joined Teague next to the pile of dead minions. “What can I do to help?” A harsh grunt escaped him. “Got a time machine handy to erase the past five minutes?” “Sorry, it’s out of gas.” Hell, he wasn’t the only one capable of dishing out sarcasm.

Jodi Redford

“We need to get these ugly asses over to the incinerator.” She assumed his reasoning was to hide the evidence of what had killed the creatures. But that only solved part of their problem. “How are we going to explain the mysterious disappearance of nine minions?” “I’ll have them replaced before sunrise.” “You can’t just buy minions off the street.” She frowned at Teague’s hooded expression. “Can you?” He didn’t answer, and instead hunkered over the creatures, his big, powerful shoulders flexing as he removed the numbered tags that identified each minion and its designated post. Ruby stared at Teague’s profile, the multitude of unanswered questions making her head spin. “Who are you?” He flicked another enigmatic look in her direction. “Teague Younger. Employee six-one-five-five.” “I’m not talking about your damn Shadow Soda ranking.” She crouched on the other side of the minion and glared at Teague. Rather than respond, he dipped his gaze toward her chest. “What the hell are you wearing?” “That’s all you have to say right now? What the hell am I wearing?” She pointed an accusing finger at the creatures lying prostrate between them. “You just killed five of these guys without breaking a sweat. Don’t you think we should talk about that?” “No.” His jaw as rigid as the cement floor beneath their feet, Teague pocketed the minions’ badges before straightening. God, he was an aggravating, stubborn son of a bitch. Against her will, her attention fell on the perfectly sculpted buns outlined beneath his black leather pants. Okay, even those don’t make up for his other annoyances. Teague suddenly slammed to a stop. “Motherfucker.”

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“What?” Ignoring her, he crossed the floor in two lunging strides, the heels of his work boots crunching through the scattered debris of glass and metal. Ruby’s stomach bottomed out as Teague dropped onto one knee next to a smashed security bot half-hidden behind a pallet of shattered bottles. Her knees wobbly, she lifted to her feet. “It’s destroyed, right? No pictures could have…” Teague inspected the unit’s transmission port. “The bot sent them a few seconds before it was hit. No doubt the pics are winging their way to Shadow HQ as we speak.” He clenched his fist and clocked the decommissioned bot, the brute strength in his punch whipping the device into the adjacent wall. God, she’d really mucked things up. She could live with the exposure she’d brought upon herself. Hell, she’d known the huge risk she was taking the second she put on the cat suit and Light Guardian bracelet. At the time, she’d figured it was her destiny. A chance to finally find her place in the world and do something right for once. But somehow she’d even managed to screw that up. “Maybe the bot only caught me on camera.” Even as she voiced that shaky hope, common sense told her otherwise. All bots commissioned by Shadow Soda came with long-range and wide-angle lenses. Not likely Teague would have been out of frame. His wry expression confirmed her suspicions. Pivoting, he strode toward the hallway. She hurried to catch up with him. “What do we do now?” He granted her a narrow-eyed look when she pulled even with him. “I have no damn idea what you’re doing, but I’m getting the hell out of Dodge.” She stared at the grim set of his mouth, her gut clenching. “Can—” “No.” “You don’t even know what I was going to ask.”


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“Yes, I do.” “Teague, I have nowhere else to go.” Her family would be no help. They’d likely just turn her in. Especially if there was a nice fat reward involved. “Princess, I don’t know what to tell you. Maybe you should have thought about that before you decided to play Let’s fry Daddy’s minions.” She opted to ignore his mocking usage of the word princess for the time being. “That was never my intention. It was supposed to be an easy slip in and slip out. Change the mind-control settings, and nobody would be the wiser.” Teague shot her another disbelieving look. “That’s what you were doing?” “Well, it’s what I had planned. I was gathering the serial numbers for the correct vats to disable when the alarm was sounded.” “If you thought that’d work, you’re even loonier than rumored.” She hurried her pace to keep up with his much longer legs. “Rumors? Don’t believe everything you hear.” He cocked an eyebrow. “You implying the story about you breaking into that test lab and freeing all those rats was a load of bullshit?” She was never going to live that down. “It’s not freaking right making diabetic rats drink sugar-laden soda,” she grumbled beneath her breath. Teague grunted and swung open the rear service door. He held it aloft for her, but she hesitated. “Ruby, what the fuck are you waiting for?” He practically growled the words. “I can still disable the dispensers.” “Are you out of your damn head? Obviously that’s a rhetorical question.” He jabbed his index finger toward the hallway behind them. “This place is going to become war-zone central any minute now.” “I can’t leave until I finish this.”

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“Turning off the dispensers won’t change anything.” “Maybe it will.” “I take it back. You’re not just crazy, you’re fucking suicidal. Taking on the Shadow will only get you killed.” She was all too aware of that. Despite his assurances to the contrary, she wasn’t insane. Fear and doubt had been her constant companions for the last few days, ever since she’d discovered the truth about her heritage. The reminder of the charade her father had perpetrated for the past twenty-five years rubbed fresh salt in the tender wounds she was still nursing. She wanted to hate him for the lies he’d given, for what he’d attempted to turn her into. But the betrayal was still too fresh and raw to allow anything beyond hurt to penetrate. Pushing aside her anguished musings, she peered at Teague pleadingly. “Two minutes. That’s all it’ll take.” A grumble came from the back of Teague’s throat before he tugged the door shut and stalked past her. “You’re bound and determined to get my ass blown off before the night’s done.” “No way. It’s too nice of an ass.” He stopped dead in his tracks. Taking advantage of his momentary spell of silence, she hurried by him with a cheeky grin. She retraced her steps to the master control room. Stepping inside, she surveyed the multitude of brightly colored lights flashing across the plethora of control boards paneling the cementblock walls of the otherwise-empty space. Each fiberglass board monitored one of the stations scattered throughout the facility, and the patchwork of blinking circuits was the computerized brains powering Shadow Soda’s high-tech bottling system. Teague entered the room and halted beside her. “So what made you think of disabling the mind-controlling mix?”


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“I originally planned to smash the circuit boards, but I realized subtlety would be better.” She dug beneath the neckline of her cat suit and pulled out the paper she’d jotted the serial numbers on. From the corner of her eye, she noticed Teague’s heated interest in her cleavage. Her nipples immediately hardened in response. Damn, that was embarrassing and uncalled for. Strategically shifting away from Teague, she located the control button for the first dispenser. “Bottom line, it’d be too easy for them to temporarily shut down this plant and continue operations elsewhere. But this way the Shadow’s getting nailed square in the cojones. They won’t even be aware of what’s happened until it’s too late to fix.” All of her life she’d lived with the hopeless frustration that came from being under the evil Shadow’s thumb. In 2012, almost two years before Ruby’s birth, the alien queen who presided over the Shadow invaded Earth and took over its resources and inhabitants. Understandably enough, most of the native populace had rebelled and fought to defend their freedom, but there’d been those like the Winstons who’d seen a beacon of opportunity. Why fight the enemy when you could join them? So the Winstons, along with other human criminal masterminds, had been assimilated into the queen’s network and given her dark, twisted powers in exchange for loyal obedience. Eventually they’d been enlisted as her Shadow Czars and appointed with the job of keeping the humans enslaved. But their biggest task had been to annihilate the Light Guardians— humanity’s only hope against the Shadow. The queen and her czars had succeeded too, wiping out every last Light Guardian who’d traveled to Earth, including Ruby’s mother. Her real mother. Not the one Reginald had passed off as Ruby’s mom for the last twenty-five years. Miranda was about as different from Luna as a person could be. Not too surprising though, considering Miranda walked on the darker path of life, whereas Luna had been one of the good guys.

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“It’ll go faster if you give me some of those numbers,” Teague said, butting into Ruby’s musings. Not waiting for her reply, he snatched the paper from her and carefully ripped it down the middle before returning the upper portion to her. She watched him move to the neighboring bank of panels. The full enormity of everything hit her then. They were the last of the Light Guardians, a race that was supposed to be extinct. A race that the Shadow would go to any and all lengths to destroy. It’d be a miracle if she and Teague survived the night.


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Chapter Three

Once the last of the necessary circuits were disabled, Teague grabbed Ruby’s elbow and herded her toward the exit. Outside, damp night air slapped him with a brisk reminder of the ticking clock. The Shadow Net’s head honchos would invariably be roaring into the lot any second. Quickening his pace, he beelined for the sleek Kawasaki NightWing crotch rocket parked near the loading dock. He’d left his jacket back in the plant, but luckily the key for the vehicle was still in his pants pocket. He reached the bike and freed the helmet from the lock on the handlebar. Glancing over his shoulder, he caught Ruby giving him pathetic puppy-dog eyes. Jesus. He’d helped her with her loony-tune scheme. Getting any more involved in this shitapocalypse would get his ass blown off. “Find a hotel somewhere to lay low for a day or two. Come up with a plan that doesn’t involve landing your neck in a noose. You’ll be fine.” Possibly. “Teague, we’re on the same team here.” “No, babe, we’re not.” She hurried toward him and splashed through one of the many puddles dotting the lot. Grimacing, she slammed to a squishing halt and stared at him, the breeze ruffling her wild red hair. He couldn’t think of a worse moment to be reminded of the countless times he’d woken during the middle of the night, his sheets sweaty and twisted and his dick hard after a particularly vivid dream of Ruby riding him cowgirl-style while those flame tresses tickled over his chest.

Breaking Bad

Yeah, his brain had always known that Ruby was a complication he couldn’t afford. Too bad his cock was a hell of a lot slower about getting the memo. “You’re a Light Guardian, just like me. We’re the good guys. Doesn’t that mean anything to you?” Yeah, it meant they were sitting ducks, with big-ass bull’s-eyes affixed to their backs. He’d seen firsthand the repercussions that came from being a Light Guardian. Maybe Ruby had stars in her eyes regarding their heritage, but he sure as shit didn’t. “I’ll say it again. Find a place to settle low.” He flicked her with an assessing look. “And lose the getup. It’ll only draw the kind of attention you don’t need.” “I can’t. It’s my mother’s. One of the few links I have left to her.” Although he knew it was stupid to linger when the Shadow’s reinforcements were breathing down their necks, he risked a closer inspection of Ruby’s attire. His attention fell to the cuff anchored around her wrist. The vague cloud of déjà vu that’d been haunting him cleared from his brain and he blinked. “That looks like…” “It is.” He squinted at Ruby. “You’re honestly trying to tell me that your mother was Luna Light Fire?” “Trust me, I wouldn’t believe it either if I hadn’t seen the proof with my own eyes.” Everyone on this godforsaken, fucking planet knew who Luna Light Fire was. Although the Shadow had done everything in their power to wipe the memory of Luna from existence, they hadn’t been successful. He doubted they had the slightest knowledge of the secret club room hidden deep in the catacombs beneath the Shadow-run orphanage he grew up in. As a boy, he’d snuck down there and watched from afar while the others huddled beneath their


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outlawed mural of Luna and played cards while dreaming their impossible dreams. Even then he’d been a cynic and refused to pin his nonexistent hopes on the faded image of a superhero who could no longer ride in on a glowing thunderbolt and save them all. Because in the end, there was no such thing as an invincible hero. There was only survival, and those who were smart enough to grab on to it and never let go. Averting his gaze from Ruby, he loosened the shield on the helmet and started to lift it over his head. “Teague, listen to me. We’re the last of our kind. We need to stick together.” The milky moonlight spilled across Ruby’s features, revealing the spark of hope in her green eyes. “We’re stronger together than apart.” He knew from personal experience the fallacy of her statement. “I can’t protect you.” “I’m not asking you to. I can hold my own.” Lowering the helmet, he dragged in a deep breath and thought longingly of the fifth of Jim Beam back at his loft. Not that he’d ever see it again—the whiskey or his swanky penthouse at the Neon Palace. After tonight’s fiasco, the Shadow would be swarming all over his place. Better to take his chances with his safe house. Tomorrow night he’d heed his own advice and get the hell out of Dodge. Maybe he’d head south. Old Las Vegas was supposed to be nice this time of year. He returned his attention to Ruby and caught her pleading look. Weariness sat heavy on his sternum. There was one option he could give her—one that might actually keep her out of the Shadow’s radar for the time being. “Associates of mine live outside of Shadow Rapids. They’re pros at staying off the grid. They can help you.” Swinging his leg over the bike, he settled into the seat and gave the engine some throttle before releasing the kickstand. His gaze swept the

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empty lot, and a nugget of hollow resignation wedged beneath his rib cage. Don’taskdon’taskdon’t—“Where are you parked?” “I took a taxi.” Fucking unbelievable. “In that getup?” “I was wearing a trench coat earlier.” “Yeah, I saw it.” He chuffed in response to her frown. “Let’s just say your skulking skills need some perfecting.” Her dejected expression proved his downfall, and he gusted a defeated exhale. “Climb on the back.” She did as directed and hugged his waist. Blocking out the image of her hands mere inches from his fly, he gave the bike full throttle and zoomed out of the lot. He kept to the lesser used side streets as he headed for the heart of downtown. Much as he loved the idea of leaving the garish spectacle of Neon City in the wake of his exhaust, there was no way he and Ruby would clear customs without some improvised ID, and especially not with the way she was dressed. He’d have to phone his local contact and get some forged papers overnighted to his safe house. The realization of where his thoughts had just taken him stirred the gloomy unease in his gut. Somewhere between walking out the exit of Shadow Soda and his present circumstances, he’d begun to think of Ruby as his responsibility. What the fuck was wrong with him? If he had a single functioning brain cell, he’d put Ruby on the first available transit to Shadow Rapids before he found himself sinking any deeper in this pit of quicksand. We’re the good guys, Teague. Even in its phantom form, her words possessed the power to make him feel like a world-class dick. If his mentor, Linc, were still alive, he’d club Teague upside the skull for even entertaining the idea of leaving Ruby to fend for herself. The reminder of his long-lost friend twisted the knife in


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Jodi Redford

Teague’s belly. Linc had been one of the good guys. The best of the best. He’d never abandoned Teague. Even when it would have been the most logical thing to do. Even when it would have saved Linc’s life. The stinging pain searing Teague’s innards intensified. Tonight he’d destroyed his best shot at enacting vengeance on Linc’s behalf. God knows it wouldn’t have meant shit to his mentor. Linc had believed in turning the other cheek. He’d always been a far better man than Teague would ever hope to be. Teague nosed the bike down a narrow alley, heading the opposite direction of the seedy hotels lining Shadow Boulevard. The towering glass and stone edifices of the city’s skyscrapers hugged the smaller tenement buildings clustered within the innermost limits of the urban sprawl. Here was where the majority of the human inhabitants lived—if you could call it living. They existed amongst squalor that even a rat would turn its nose up at. Not that the humans were aware of their living conditions. They were so brain-blitzed on Shadow Soda and the multitude of other addictive, mind-controlling substances the Network had hooked them on that they existed in a permanent la-la land. His mind trekked back to the small act of sabotage he and Ruby had performed back at the plant. A part of him couldn’t help admiring Ruby’s initiative. He had to hand it to her—she had some huge brass balls. There weren’t many who’d take on the Shadow Network. Too bad her plan didn’t stand a hairball-in-hell’s chance of working. Somewhere down the line, the powers at large would figure out the humans were beginning to act like themselves again, and they’d snuff that potential rebellion before it reared its ugly head. A stiff breeze blew through the alley, dislodging a ratty towel from where it hung suspended from one of the overhead clotheslines. Teague veered around

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the crumpled lump of fabric and steered down the steep incline leading deeper into the bowels of Tenement Row. Baying dogs sounded in the distance. There weren’t many of the mongrels left, considering how they were prized snack choices of the Shadow’s pet minions. The bike bumped over the rough cobbled lane, forcing Ruby to squeeze his middle in a tight hold. Those luscious breasts he hadn’t been able to tear his rapt gaze from earlier pressed firmly against his back. At the moment, he wasn’t sure whether or not to be grateful about leaving his jacket at the plant. He tried to ignore the increasing snugness against his fly and the realization that he enjoyed her touching him. Far too much. Soon as he got her new ID, he was dropping her off with Joe, Miles and Sabby—his associates in Shadow Rapids. Let them deal with Ruby. It’d give his sanity—and his libido—a much-needed break. He slowed as he neared his safe house. Coasting through the weed-infested sliver of yard, he cleared the outer courtyard and pulled beneath the ivyshrouded pergola. The dense screening of foliage provided the perfect foil against prying eyes. Toeing the kickstand in place, he climbed from the bike and helped Ruby dismount. Her silver cat suit felt slick and insubstantial beneath his grip. Would her bare skin be just as smooth and silky? Don’t fucking go there. Releasing her like she might detonate beneath his palms, he swung around and ducked through the opening of the pergola. A short pathway lined with broken bricks led to the boarded-up door of the safe house. He pried one of the slats free, enabling just enough room to crack the door ajar. Sliding through the opening, he felt around for the wall switch, issuing a silent prayer that his designated courier had paid the electric bill. A mellow flood of light banished the gloom, and Teague allowed himself to relax. Electricity meant his signal scrambler wasn’t out of commission, which in turn meant he


27

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could safely put the call through to Colin, his contact. Finally something was working in his favor tonight. A swishing noise sounded behind him. He turned as Ruby drew to a stop in the entry. His scrutiny fell to her tall leather boots. She shifted, and the soft swishy sound he’d detected earlier made a repeat performance. It was the damn boots riding along her thighs. Great, like he needed that fucking visual in his head. Ten to one the boots would be playing a starring role in his wet dreams tonight. Son of a bitch. Ruby glanced around the cramped space, not trying in the least to appear un-nosy. “Nice place you have.” He grunted. “It’s a shithole.” “It’s not that bad. I’ve seen worse.” He gave her a prodding look, and she sighed. “I was trying to be polite.” “Don’t be. It’s not like I live here regularly. My place at the Neon Palace is thousands of times better than this joint, but we obviously can’t go there.” She crossed her arms over her chest and hugged herself. “Are you ever going to get around to explaining to me why—and how—you ended up working for my father?” “It isn’t that interesting of a story.” “I sincerely doubt that.” Teague tried for a casual shrug. “He needed an executive assistant, and I fit the bill.” Ruby inclined her head. “Okay, that explains the how. But why would you want to fill the position?” “I needed a job. Stop building a mystery when there isn’t one.”

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Skepticism furrowed her brow. “From day one, you never liked me. Is it because you don’t trust me? You think I’m like the rest of the Winstons, don’t you? Well I’m not. I’m nothing like them.” “Princess, I think you’ve made that more than clear.” “Then why don’t you like me?” She didn’t voice the question with any hint of whiny petulance. Only with intense curiosity shining in those big, luminous eyes of hers. If a man weren’t careful, he could drown in her spell. He dropped his gaze to the floor. “I never said I don’t like you.” “You call me princess all the time.” “What the hell does that have to do with anything?” “I think it means a lot, Teague.” “You’re imagining things.” She plunked her hands on her hips. “Am I?” What the hell have I gotten myself into? Growling at his own stupidity, he pivoted and stalked to the cabinet in the corner of the room. The second drawer down, he located his digital camera. Twisting the cap off the lens, he turned back to Ruby. “Say cheese.” Not waiting for her response, he clicked the autofocus and captured her scowling image. He keyed in the sat link for Colin’s computer and sent the picture off into cyberspace. With Colin’s scary-good Photoshopping skills, the kid would have no problem doctoring both Ruby’s and Teague’s images so they’d look enough like themselves not to raise suspicion at any security checkpoints, but also not too closely resemble any Wanted posters that would invariably be handed out. “I’m putting in a call to my contact for new IDs. Make yourself useful and see if you can scrounge up something in the kitchen for us to eat.”


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He fully expected her to argue at his high-handed tone, so he was suitably surprised when she sidled past him without snapping a single complaint. Flicking on the hall light, he ventured into his office and checked the status on his signal scrambler before punching in the number for Colin. The kid’s wolf whistle shrilled through the receiver in less than two rings. “Who’s the hot babe?” “None of your damn business.” A chuckle escaped Colin. “Then why you sending me her pic? To rub it in that I can’t get me a chick like that?” Teague grinned. Smartass. “She and I need new identities.” “Yeah? Color me intrigued.” Teague deliberately ignored the blatant interest in Colin’s tone. “Make this a rush job. I need to be out of the city first thing in the morning. Oh, and while you’re at it, see if you can’t rustle up some disguises. The more low-key, the better.” “Will do, boss.” Colin’s promise secured, Teague hung up. Rather than return to the main room, he sank deeper into his chair and rested his head against the padded cushion. A slight tremor shook through his body, a belated reaction to his power exchange from earlier. It’d been months since he’d fired off any kind of energy blast. Considering the great risk such exposure could bring, it was wise to limit that sort of activity. But he hadn’t completely forgotten the wild exhilaration that flowed through his veins when he gave full rein to that side of himself. It was a high like no other. Intoxicating, consuming and almost sexual in its intensity. Just remembering it made his cock stand at rigid attention. He dropped his hand and squeezed his erection. He was hard as a damn board. Not the best timing ever.

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Although, that depended on how you looked at it. If Ruby was draped naked on his lap right now, they could have the best fucking time ever. Yeah, not in a million years. He grabbed the arms of the chair and began to straighten just as Ruby sauntered through the doorway carrying a platter of crackers and sliced canned meat. He quickly ducked back into his chair to hide his erection. She placed the food in the middle of his desk before dragging one of the neighboring seats over. “I checked the expiration date on the can. I think we’re good to go.” He wasn’t worried. In the scheme of things, food poisoning was the least of his concerns. Ruby sat across from him and started assembling a small tower of crackers and ham. “I noticed none of the stuff in your pantry carries the Shadow brand. Black market?” He nodded. “Remember I told you my associates live off the grid? They also produce their own goods.” He picked up one of the pieces of Spam and grunted. “Pretty damn ironic this is one of the few substances on the planet resistant to Shadow mind-control.” Ruby handed him the stack of crackers and meat. He accepted it with a terse thanks and added the extra slice of Spam before woofing the whole thing down. The entire time Ruby watched him like a bug under a microscope. Unable to take it a second more, he stacked his arms on the edge of the desk and cocked an eyebrow. “You’re not eating. There a reason for that?” “You fascinate me. I’ve never known another like me. A Light Guardian, I mean. Of course, I didn’t even know that’s what I was until a few days ago.”


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The last thing he wanted to do was talk about their shared heritage, but he couldn’t exactly see a way around it. “How the hell could you have not known before then? Your powers should have been a dead giveaway.” “I never displayed any until I put the bracelet on. I…I think it somehow triggered that part of me.” A Light Guardian with dormant powers? He hadn’t heard of such a thing, but then he’d also never met one of his kind who had the blood of a Shadow Czar running through her veins too. Possibly the power booster Reginald had been injected with somehow passed on to Ruby and tampered with her Light Guardian genes. The reminder of Ruby’s crazy mixed DNA jogged a disbelieving snort from him. Ruby stopped nibbling on a cracker and eyed him. “What?” “I’m just wondering what cosmic misalignment brought Reginald Winston and Luna Light Fire together to conceive you.” “Apparently even superwomen have lousy taste in men and go for the bad boys.” A flash of vulnerability flickered in Ruby’s eyes, and she fidgeted with the cracker. “According to my father, they’d been having an affair for almost a year.” Teague coughed into his fist before arching his brows. “He told you that?” “In a manner of speaking.” Ruby reached down and dug around in her boot. All of the wiggling she was engaged in nearly popped her boobs from the cat suit. Sucking a harsh breath through his teeth, Teague concentrated on the platter of food. “My dad left me a letter in a safety-deposit box.” Ruby held up a fat envelope. “You’re carrying that around in your boot?”

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“I had to bring it with me because it wouldn’t have been safe at the Winston mansion with my nosy cousins roaming around whenever they feel like it. The boot was my only option. In case you didn’t notice, this cat suit doesn’t have pockets, or much room for anything besides me.” “Trust me, I noticed,” he grumbled around a mouthful of Spam. Her cheeks pink, Ruby discreetly tucked her boobs back into place and fished several folded sheets of stationery from the envelope. “The letter was with Luna’s cat suit and bracelet. He could never bring himself to destroy her things. He wanted me to do it.” “Why?” “To guarantee I wouldn’t end up like her.” “In other words—dead.” Teague scratched his jaw. “I confess to not being the biggest fan of your dad’s, but he was right in that regard.” Moisture gleamed in Ruby’s eyes. “No, he wasn’t. He had no right to expect me to be something I’m not.” “Maybe he was only trying to protect you.” “By attempting to mold me into a female version of him?” A stubborn tear broke free of her lashes. “Do you have any idea what it’s like to have no damn idea who you are? What you are? I’m human, daughter of a Shadow Czar and superhero all rolled into one, and I don’t know how to be any of them.” Her dejected gaze fell to her lap, and she crinkled the papers in her fist. “When I put on this suit and the Light Guardian cuff, I thought everything would finally click. I’d be whole instead of three half-assed parts. I thought I could take Luna’s place and make everything right again.” He stared at her. Hard. “Take your mother’s place? Are you out of your fucking head?”


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“Probably.” She knuckled her nose and glanced up at him. “But I can’t sit back and do nothing. Something has always driven me to go against the Shadow. Now I know why.” “You can’t save the whole damn planet.” “Singlehandedly it would be tough. But the two—” “Don’t fucking go there, Ruby. I’m not a damn hero, and neither are you.” “We could be.” “I have no intention of killing myself trying to defend a world that can’t be saved.” “You don’t know that, Teague. What we did tonight—” “Was stupid as hell, and something I plan to never repeat.” “How can you just turn your back on who you are? What you were born to be?” A familiar anger built inside him. He’d heard this same argument from Joe, Miles and Sabby too many times to count. No one understood that having powers meant jack shit when the enemy outnumbered you by the millions. “Let’s get something clear. I didn’t ask for any of this. I’m a byproduct of two people I don’t even fucking know, much less remember. The only thing that matters in this life is survival. The sooner you realize that, the better off you’ll be.” Not about to meet the recrimination no doubt lurking in Ruby’s eyes, he stalked past her and slammed the door behind him.

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She didn’t get it. How could a Light Guardian not at least try to defeat the bad guy? Ruby spent all night tossing and turning with that humdinger of a question tumbling around in her mind. Was Teague just an unfeeling jerk? Maybe working all those months under her father’s employ had leached him of all sense of decency. Maybe the Shadow had broken him. It was a sobering thought. One she didn’t want to lend credence to. She was all too familiar with how persuasive the villainous side of life could be. For God’s sake, her father had been relentless in his quest to turn her to the dark side. Without warning, Teague’s earlier words floated through her head. Maybe he was only trying to protect you. She supposed in some twisted way that might be possible. It didn’t ease the sting of betrayal or the knowledge that even after her dad’s death, she was still proving to be a disappointment to him. Shoving her glum musings aside, she returned her focus to the problem of Teague. Surely there was some kernel of goodness within him. He had rescued her from Reginald’s minions. Why would he do that if he truly didn’t give a damn? She more than understood what it meant to be scared. She was terrified beyond belief at what was in store for her if she continued to go up against the Shadow. But now that she’d opened the proverbial can of worms, she couldn’t

Jodi Redford

go back. There was no place for her with her supervillain side of the family. Not that she’d ever fit in there to begin with. She might not excel at this superhero stuff, but it was what she wanted to be. More than anything. Right on cue, the nagging doubts that’d plagued her the majority of her life stampeded into her brain. Every past attempt she’d made to thwart the Shadow had been unsuccessful. Last night’s catastrophe was living proof of that. But she had disabled the dispensers. That was more than she’d ever accomplished before. Surely that was something to cling to. Deciding to hold that promising nugget close, she tossed aside the thin blanket she’d bundled into the night before. Indulging in a full-body stretch, she abandoned the lumpy couch in the main room and went in search of the bathroom. Trying to recall which was the correct door, she twisted the knob on the left and prayed she wasn’t about to stroll into Teague’s bedroom. No doubt that’d get his jockeys in a bunch. She walked into the room and slammed to a staggering halt. The good news was she’d opened the right door. The bad news was Teague apparently didn’t wear underwear—or anything else—at seven o’clock in the morning. They both stood stock-still, staring at each other. At least she assumed his gaze was glued to her. Hers was too occupied with the vision of his morning woody at full mast to notice much else. “Could you stop ogling my dick?” Teague demanded in a strained voice. “Sorry. Am I?” Her focus remained pinned to his erection. “Yes. You are.” She swallowed. Hard. “It’s a very…nice dick.” “You said the same thing about my shithole house. Minus the dick part.”

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“I’m being honest this time. You have a very nice penis.” She’d always had a bad habit of blabbering away in awkward situations. This time proved no different. Teague cleared his throat. “It’s called a dick. And I’d really like it if we stopped talking about it like it’s not in the room.” “But it is. It’s right there.” It probably wasn’t necessary to physically point, but she did anyway. Teague

glanced

desperately

toward the

sink—presumably

for

his

nonexistent underwear—before mumbling, “Damn it,” and brushing by her. Really brushed, as in some definite contact between her hipbone and his Mr. Happy Bone. It took every ounce of control she possessed not to reach down and give it a good-morning kiss. Right there on its fat, plum-shaped cap. Teague stalled in the doorway, his mouth tight and his erection straining in her direction. “If you want to take a shower, there’s plenty of hot water. My courier should be showing up with our paperwork within the hour. I’d like to be out of here shortly after that. Capiche?” She resisted the urge to deliver a sharp salute behind his retreating back. Maybe she should have kissed his penis. Perhaps it would have sent some of his crankiness packing. She stripped from the cat suit and cranked on the faucet in the shower. At least the grout in there was clean and minus any mold. Nothing tested her gag reflex more than mildew. Except maybe dirty toilets. And a sink drain trap. Or a smelly dumpster. Yeah, those were disgusting. Staving off a shudder, she closed her eyes and ducked beneath the spray to rinse out her hair. She tipped her head back, her throaty murmur of pleasure escaping as the hot water cascaded over her in a massaging caress.


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Fifteen minutes later, she reluctantly dialed off the water and snagged the towel waiting on the basin. She lifted the cloth and began drying her hair. Funny, she didn’t recall the towel being there before. Had Teague placed it in here for her while she’d been showering? Her gaze automatically veered toward the glass-enclosed stall. Even with the steamy condensation dripping down the walls, the interior was clearly visible. He would easily have been able to see her sudsing away, and she would have been none the wiser if he’d walked in while she was washing her hair. That bastard. Sneaking in on her while she was wet, naked, and thinking about things that tested her gag reflex. Her mind immediately sidetracked to his massive penis. Okay, that was probably an inappropriate thought. Deciding to let his sneakiness slide this once, she finished drying off and pulled on the cat suit. Soon as she had the opportunity, she’d find some other clothes to wear. More than likely Teague had something she could borrow, but she suspected she’d float in anything he gave her. He was so huge. She latched on to an image of his dick again. Stop that. She pushed open the door and ventured into the hall, the citrus-scented steam cloud from the bathroom following her. She found Teague in the main room inspecting a packet of papers. He was fully dressed, unfortunately. Lowering the documents, he swept her with an appraising look that held several degrees of excess heat. Ohh yeah. He’d definitely watched her in the shower. Her own cheeks grew uncomfortably warm. Crossing her arms to hide her stiffening nipples, she nodded toward the items in his hands. “Are those our new IDs?” “Yes. Colin did an excellent job on such short notice.” “Colin?” “My contact.”

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She wanted to ask him why he kept someone on retainer who could come up with fake IDs at the drop of a hat, but decided to wait for a more convenient time—such as when he wasn’t eyeing her like a T-bone steak…that she’d gladly let him devour. “I also had Colin bring these for you.” Teague stooped and grabbed a bundle of clothes from the couch. Her previous concerns about the possibly shady nature of Colin’s character fled as she rushed to take the garments from Teague. “Oh wow, if Colin was still here, I’d plant a big smacker on him. Could you thank him for me the next time you see him?” Teague grunted. “There’s no way in hell I’m kissing Colin.” She grinned. “What? Not even for me?” “No. Besides, I’m the one who deserves the damn kiss, since I paid for the duds.” Her heartbeat quickened when Teague’s gaze dipped to her mouth. The smoky current of awareness that’d been threading between them all morning went into super-crackle mode. She swallowed, gathering her nerve. “Okay.” Standing on tiptoe, she crooked an arm around his neck and indulged in a brief, albeit exuberant kiss that clinked their teeth together. Embarrassed by her obvious lack of finesse, she pulled back an inch but got no farther than that as Teague’s palm curved around the base of her skull. The warmth of his hand seeped into her skin, and she shivered. Gazes locked, she stared into Teague’s whiskey-hued irises. Their breath mingled, the faint flavor of him still potent on her mouth. Unable to resist, she licked her lips. “You taste—” “So help me, if you say nice, I will refuse to kiss you.” “I was going to say yummy.”


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“That I can live with.” He tugged her closer and slanted his mouth over hers. His kiss was far better than the one she’d given. Hot. Erotic. Delicious. His teeth grazed her bottom lip, nibbling and sucking softly. She moaned, and he used the opportunity to thrust his tongue inside her mouth, his coaxing glide encouraging hers into play. She needed no further invitation to submit to his wishes. Her fingers slipped through the thick softness of his hair, absorbing the tantalizing heat radiating from the strong, tanned column of his neck. She breathed him in, the spicy essence of aroused, sexy male filling her lungs. She wanted to crawl inside him, feel that heady power course through her veins. Groaning, she crushed her breasts against his chest and reveled in the raspy exhale that escaped him. His fingers closed around her shoulders. It took a moment to realize he was gently pushing her away. Bewildered, she blinked up into his hooded eyes. “What’s wrong?” “Nothing. You need to get dressed so we can get going.” She stared at him for a long moment, uncertainty making her knees wobble. A sinking vulnerability descended on her. He’d liked kissing her. A lot. The hard ridge of his erection digging into her stomach had more than verified the fact. So why did he look angry about giving in to what they’d both obviously wanted? “Teague…” He gathered the clothes that’d spilled to the ground and handed them to her. “We’ll leave in twenty. Be ready.” And with those final words, he strode outside.

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Chapter Five

Teague didn’t know what he looked forward to less—the agonizingly long wait at the Shadow-controlled border patrol, or the upcoming confrontation with Joe, Miles and Sabby. Hell. That last option, hands down. It’d been three months since he’d been out to see the guys. Or the Mole Ninjas, as the insane yokels insisted on referring to themselves. He had no idea how they came up with the name. Presumably it had something to do with them living in an underground bunker and their delusional aspirations to be ninjas. God, there was a terrifying thought. If he’d had any other choice, it would have been at least another couple of months before he gave in to the inevitable urge that always dragged him out to the remote salt plains where the guys lived. The Mole Ninjas were living ghosts from a past he couldn’t escape. A constant reminder of Linc and the superhero Teague could never be. He hadn’t sent word of his and Ruby’s visit, but knowing Colin, the guys were already aware of the special company headed their way. Hell, he wouldn’t be surprised if Colin hadn’t sent them the pic of Ruby. Colin was a pro at putting on an act, but Teague knew the kid had taken one look at Ruby’s cat suit and figured things out. Colin was no dummy. Hopefully the same couldn’t be said for the border warden stationed at their checkpoint today. Praying the fake IDs and disguises he’d rigged for himself and Ruby would cover their asses, Teague tore his gaze from the long line of vehicles

Jodi Redford

snaking ahead of them and shifted his weight on the bike. He glanced in the side mirror at Ruby’s profile. The spare helmet hid the short black wig she’d donned. Most likely that part of the disguise wasn’t necessary, but it was better to be safe than sorry in case the warden asked her to remove the helmet. Teague held no delusions that his and Ruby’s pictures weren’t papering every security checkpoint from here to the ice-mountain range in Shadow Vail by now. With Ruby’s distinctive red hair, she was easily recognizable. She’d suggested cutting it and doing a permanent dye job, but he’d strategically talked her out of it, saying it would take too much time. But the truth was he couldn’t stand the idea of even an inch of that glorious hair ending up in the bottom of a waste can. Not that he was about to come clean about his feelings on the matter. Too hard to explain his obsession with her tresses when he was busy trying to convince her—and himself—that the concept of the two of them together was a disaster, both personally and professionally. Thankfully the rest of her disguise had been easy enough to move past. To complete their charade of being backpackers headed for a four-day hike in the desert, he’d arranged for Colin to provide Ruby with baggy camouflage cargo pants and a stretchy black tank top that accentuated her mouth-watering breasts a little too flamboyantly. On the bright side, hopefully that part of her anatomy would go a long way in distracting the border warden from looking at their faces too closely. Now if only he could drag his focus from those luscious mounds. His picture-perfect memory chose that inconvenient moment to conjure the image of Ruby standing beneath a cascade of water, frothy bubbles dripping from her outthrust breasts and perky nipples. Of course his rapt fascination with her treasures hadn’t stopped there. Oh hell no. When she’d angled herself beneath

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the spray, he’d been awarded a brief and all-too-tantalizing peek of the neat triangle of ginger curls framing her pussy. He hadn’t really questioned the possibility of her not being a natural redhead, but that glimpse had barred any deliberations that might have popped into his mind during the dead of night, when his lustful musings were fixated on things like whether the carpet matched the drapes. Yeah, he’d be able to sleep so much better now. Stifling a groan, he cranked the throttle and eased forward with the rest of the vehicles. Ruby tightened her hold on him, the slight tremble of her fingers the only indication of her nerves. He released one hand from the bar grips and reached down to give her knee a reassuring squeeze. The tension seemed to ebb from her as she snuggled closer to his back. Letting her rely on him even in this small way wasn’t a good idea. Not when he’d be dropping her off with the guys and saying goodbye to her forever. But he didn’t have the heart to let her stew in her worries without offering some token comfort. Turning his head, he eyed the roadster wagon in the neighboring lane. The vehicle was one of those retro models. A throwback to the innocent period of Earth’s history, when malt shops and poodle skirts ruled. A time long before the alien Shadow Queen swooped in and stole Earth as her own. The vehicle seemed weirdly out of place amongst the dark oppression that’d become the permanent landscape, but in reality it was merely another illusion fabricated by the Shadow to perpetuate their sinister dog-and-pony show. Teague tore his attention from the family of four inside the vehicle—all happily slurping away on their bottles of Shadow Soda like good little zombies. The heat of Ruby’s stare drilled into him, but he refused to meet her gaze in the mirror. Yeah, what the Shadow Net was doing sucked, but what did she expect


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them to do? Send a lightning blast through all these vehicles, exploding every last bottle of Shadow Soda within a two-mile radius? Shit, that’s probably exactly what she wanted to do, the crazy idiot. Sweat crawling down his nape, he coasted closer to the head of the line. If there was a God, they’d make it past that checkpoint within the next few minutes before Ruby did something insane. Five excruciating minutes later, he finally rolled to a stop at the designated booth. While he waited for the border warden to make an appearance, he unlatched his saddlebag and dug around for the fake IDs. A scuffling step announced the arrival of the officer, and Teague quickly zipped up the compartment containing Ruby’s cat suit and Light Guardian bracelet. If it’d been up to him, he would have left both incriminating items back at his safe house, but Ruby had refused to part with Luna’s belongings. Hopefully his softhearted decision to go along with her wishes wouldn’t bite them in the ass. “Passports?” His arm outstretched, Teague lifted his head. A boulder dropped into his gut as he gazed into a pair of familiar eyes. Warden Dan. Teague had deliberately steered clear of the man’s assigned station. Dan had chosen a bad fucking day to hang out in a new lane. Usually Teague made a habit of chatting with the guy. It never hurt being on good terms with one of the wardens. Today was definitely the exception to that rule. The senior warden started to reach for the passports, and Teague’s fingers reflexively clenched around the documents. The only reason Dan hadn’t yet recognized him was because of the bike, helmet, and grungy jeans and T-shirt Teague wore. But it’d only take one glimpse at Teague’s picture and the falsified name beneath for Dan to be on to them. Teague knew better than to foolishly pin

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his hopes on a few past pleasantries to convince Dan to let them through. Not when the Shadow Queen was responsible for Dan’s paycheck. Ruby must have somehow detected his unease because her grip tightened around his waist. Shit. If this went down the way he feared it would, she might be getting a public debut of her superpowers after all. A crackling noise came through the com link clipped to the collar of Dan’s uniform, followed by the nervous stuttering of one of his subordinates. “Sir, we have a code violation three-six-five-one in lane six.” His expression apologetic, Dan keyed the transmitter to his com link. “Status?” “Two contraband weapons and a poster of Luna Light Fire.” Ruby bolted upright behind him. Slapping his palm warningly over her hip, Teague covertly slid his focus to the left. Three lanes down, he spotted another familiar face—this one adorned with piercings and a snarling smirk. Colin. Even as a trio of minions slammed the kid against the trunk of his rust-bucket Chevy Sidewinder, Colin managed to flip them the bird and send Teague a wink. Grateful that the helmet’s visor disguised his grin, Teague returned his gaze to Dan and made a mental note to give Colin a pay increase. He didn’t worry that the kid wouldn’t be able to weasel a way out of his present predicament. When it came to extricating himself from sticky situations, Colin was a damn pro. “Sorry, folks, but I’m going to have to hand you over to Warden Bill while I take care of this.” Dan sidled out of the way while his replacement stepped forward and reached for the ID Teague still held. The boulder of dread in Teague’s belly disintegrated a fraction as Dan rushed past the front of the idling bike. The biggest roadblock to their escape might be gone, but it didn’t mean they were home free.


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“Would you mind lifting your visors?” Forcing a steadiness to his fingers that his pounding pulse wasn’t happy to comply with, Teague depressed the visor release. The metallic whir behind him verified that Ruby had done the same. The thick ball of wary adrenaline quadrupling in size behind his breastbone, Teague met the warden’s assessing stare. Slight frown lines stitched into his brow, Warden Bill lowered his scrutiny to the passport and inspected the tiny picture before returning his gaze to Teague again. A fresh crop of sweat dampened Teague’s forehead. Thank God he could blame it on the relentless heat rising from the baking asphalt. The warden shuffled Teague’s ID aside and concentrated on Ruby’s. He treated her to the same disconcerting surveillance. A lifetime later, the man finally ditched the stern expression and handed the IDs to Teague. The reinforced-steel gate blocking the exit creaked and groaned as it slowly ascended. Warden Bill touched the bill of his cap. “Have a nice day.” Offering the man a nod, Teague wasted little time stuffing the ID back in place and re-securing the saddlebag. A moment later, he roared out of the checkpoint. The heady relief that swamped him killed the lingering dregs of his anxiety, and his muscles relaxed. The reprieve lasted roughly ten miles, until he remembered where they were headed. He wasn’t looking forward to the meeting to come. Or the wearisome spiel he knew the guys would have armed and ready. It would be akin to listening to a dozen Ruby Winston clones, each one convinced that they could rush in and save the day on a cape and a prayer. Delusional whackos. Every last one. Tension knotted in each vertebrae of his spine, Teague torqued the throttle and sped down the near-deserted freeway like the Shadow hounds of hell were

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snapping at his exhaust pipe. He racked an additional fifty miles before pulling off for some octane at one of the few power stations that provided fuel in addition to the standard electron chargers. Once he’d braked in front of an available pump, he and Ruby climbed from the bike. She removed her helmet and cautiously patted the wig to ensure it was still in place before stretching her arms over her head. He tracked the upward journey of her tank top’s hemline. Her cute bellybutton came into view, and he visualized tracing the outer rim with his tongue. She dropped her arms, making her breasts bounce. His cock bobbed against his fly in tandem. “If you need to use the bathroom, I’d do it now. We still have at least sixty miles to go.” The gruffness of his voice scratched his esophagus like sandpaper. Her brow wrinkling, Ruby eyed him silently. She opened her mouth but immediately snapped it shut. Without saying a word, she pivoted and strode toward the ramshackle convenience station. By the time she returned, he’d topped off the bike’s tank and deposited the correct amount of credits in the kiosk. He waited for Ruby to hop back on the seat, but she only offered it a vacant stare. He cleared his throat. “Ready?” Catching her bottom lip between her teeth, she shot him an uncertain look. “What if they don’t want me to stay with them?” “Who?” “Your associates. They don’t even know me. It’s asking an awful lot to put me up.” “Trust me, they’ll love you.” Obvious worry continued to ride her pretty features. “How can you be so certain?”


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Because I’m two fucking heartbeats from falling head over ass for you myself. Deciding it was wise not to voice that damning admission, he opted for levity. “Because I’m a guy. We know everything.” That managed to crack a smile from her. Even the shadowy doubt lurking in her eyes lifted. “Thanks.” “For what?” “Making me feel better. And by being you.” “That’s a good thing?” Her expression turning serious, she nodded. “You’ve got a ton of good in you, Teague. I just want you to realize that.” He slapped the gas cap closed with a growl. “Don’t start up on the superhero bullshit again. I already told you I’m not interested in going down that path.” “That isn’t what I was getting at.” “Really? Could have fooled me, princess.” Scarlet crept across her cheekbones. “Must you always devolve into being a dick?” Because she was right, he felt the necessity to needle her. “Name-calling, babe? That’s not very nice. What will the other do-gooder superheroes think?” “Go to hell, Teague. Furthermore, you are a dick. No, scratch that. You’re the king of dicks. You could rule your own dickdom.” He arched his brows. “Do I get to wear a dick crown?” Her lips twitched. “Probably. And don’t make me laugh. I’m mad at you.” With those words of warning, she tugged on her helmet and straddled the bike. Shaking his head, he lowered his own visor. Hell. He had a bad feeling the upcoming showdown was going to be a huge trial for his patience. Maybe he should have given himself over to the Shadow while he still had the chance.

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Ruby squeezed Teague tight and sent up a silent prayer that her teeth weren’t going to jostle out of her mouth as he veered the bike down a bumpy, dusty path barely visible between parallel rows of scraggly bushes that exuded a pungent salty scent. It was a damn good thing she’d taken that bathroom break, otherwise the last thirty seconds might have been an embarrassing accident waiting to happen. Ten long, agonizing minutes later, Teague braked to a stop in front of a ramshackle shed and released the bike’s kickstand. Hallelujah. Wiggling off the seat, she hopped to the ground and steadied her trembling legs. Her skin felt like it was coated in several layers of dust and grime. Not exactly the best way to make a grand first impression. Grimacing, she swiped her sweaty palms on the waistband of her cargo pants. Curiosity getting the better of her, she took a closer look at the shack in front of her. And frowned. “Uh, it’s abandoned.” “That’s exactly how it’s supposed to look.” Shading her eyes from the sun, she glanced at Teague. “Why?” “Keeps the rats out.” She jumped at the unexpected voice behind her. Swiveling, she met the intrigued gaze of the man standing before her. Obvious appreciation danced in his hazel eyes as he swept her with an appraising look. “You look exactly like her.” She frowned. “Who?”

Jodi Redford

“Luna. Other than the hair, the resemblance is remarkable.” She slid a hesitant glance toward Teague and took in the dark glower he had aimed at their host. Uncertain what to make of Teague’s mood, she returned her attention to the stranger. He was handsome. Maybe not quite as breath-stealingly gorgeous as Teague, but definitely not hard on the eyes. She blushed. “This is just a wig.” She carefully slipped the hairpiece off and loosened the pins securing her real strands. The freed locks cascaded over her shoulders. The unabashed interest in the man’s eyes intensified significantly. Teague stepped forward, wedging himself between them. “Where are Miles and Joe?” “Joe’s fixing one of the solar panels out on the east range. Miles’s downstairs, tidying. He’s pissed you didn’t give a better heads-up.” Teague’s mouth adopted a wry slant. “Next time I’ll call the second the shit hits the fan.” Bemused, Ruby took in the odd camaraderie between Teague and his associate. Despite the tension in the air, there was an unmistakable bond the two shared. She’d have to be blind not to notice it. Catching her gaze, the man held out his hand. “Sorry, I was too dazzled by you earlier to properly introduce myself. I’m Sebastian. My friends call me Sabby though.” She accepted his handshake and blinked. “Why would you be dazzled by me?” “Because you’re beyond perfection.” A noise sounding suspiciously like a growl came from the back of Teague’s throat. Sabby’s smile widened. A plume of dust appeared on the horizon, saving Ruby from coming up with a lame response to Sabby’s effusive praise. “What is that?” “Likely Joe.” Sabby shook his head. “I’ve never seen him make the trip this fast.”

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Within seconds, the loud whine of the dirt bike filled the air. Joe sped into the small clearing and nearly collided with the corner of the shack as he slid to a screeching halt. He leapt from the bike, letting it crash onto its side. His grin broad and slightly goofy, he rushed forward. Unlike the tall, dark-haired and suave Sabby, Joe was as farm boy as they came. Right down to his canvas overalls and youthful, freckled cheeks. He jerked to a stop in front of Ruby, his eyes wide and full of wonder. “This keeps getting better and better,” Teague grumbled beneath his breath. Patting his cowlick into place, Joe bowed in deference. “Ms. Ruby, it sure is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” A red stain crawled along his neck and he swallowed. “Shoot. I hope it’s okay I call you by your first name.” Baffled, she nodded. A disgusted noise shot from Teague. “I can see I’m going to be chopped liver from here on out.” Sabby chuckled. “Well, she’s a lot prettier than you. What do you expect?” Gnawing on her bottom lip, Ruby divided her focus between Teague, Sabby and Joe. “I don’t understand what’s going on.” Teague grunted. “It’s simple. They’re nerds and you’re the daughter of Luna Light Fire. Basically that makes you their god.” Sabby cocked an eyebrow. “I’m not a nerd.” “You’re a guy living with two nerds. Even worse.” Teague gripped Ruby’s arm and steered her toward the shack. “I probably should have warned you about them.” “Why? They seem very nice.” She shot a look over her shoulder and caught Joe’s worshipful stare. “No, puppies are nice. These guys are pains in the asses.” “I heard that,” Sabby muttered.


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“Good,” Teague answered. “And stop ogling her ass.” She peeked at Teague, who was still glaring straight ahead. “How—” “Take my word for it. He is.” They reached the door to the shack, and Teague shoved it open. Actually, she was fairly certain if he sneezed, it would have opened on its own. Inside, the furnishings were sparse and required a good cleaning. Probably it would have been easier just to set them on fire and be done with it. Teague led her toward a beat-up tweed couch that’d seen better days. He stepped behind it and stomped his foot. A second later, a section of the scarred wooden floor planks flipped upward, revealing a trap door. She gaped at the metal ladder descending into the bowels of the earth before giving Sabby and Joe an uncertain look. “You live down there?” Joe nodded enthusiastically. “Don’t worry. We bombed for spiders last week.” “Oh. Good.” She repressed a shudder. “I’ll go ahead of you. Just watch your step.” Teague planted his boot on the top rung and began climbing down. Sucking in a deep, steadying breath, she followed after him. Twenty rungs later, she stepped onto solid ground and turned slowly toward Teague, preparing for the inevitable claustrophobia. Instead of dank, uncomfortably cramped quarters, she was met by a large, spacious room paneled with some type of metal that reflected the fiber optics strung through the overhead cabling. Three long tables held various computers and other high-tech equipment. The clattering of the metal ladder announced Sabby’s and Joe’s arrival. “This is our control center,” Sabby explained, his palm curving over her shoulder. “It’s where we do all the hard work. The rest of the place is nicer.”

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Teague clamped his arm around her waist and prodded her forward, making Sabby’s hand drop. An open archway led them into another room, this one twice as huge as the control center. A leather sectional and matching recliners were arranged in front of a floor-to-ceiling wall of bookcases. A man with shortcropped, white-blond hair was busy polishing the coffee table. He stopped his frantic motions and leveled Teague with a censorious look. “Three months? Really?” A muscle ticced in Teague’s jaw. “I was going to stop by in a few weeks.” Snorting, the man slid his attention to Ruby. His frown faded and was replaced by a beaming smile. “Ruby? I’m Miles.” He hurried toward her and pumped her hand in greeting. Like his roommates, Miles appraised her with apparent fascination. She was beginning to feel like the bearded lady in a traveling freak show. “Err…I really appreciate you letting me stay here.” “Any friend of Teague’s is a friend of ours,” Joe offered with an exuberant nod. She shifted her attention to Teague. She wasn’t entirely sure they could be labeled as friends. That would entail Teague letting her close. She had a hard time picturing him doing that. “So how do you four know each other?” Teague’s hooded expression returned. “We grew up in the same orphanage together.” His flatly worded statement was the last thing she’d been expecting. “You were in one of the orphanages?” “Southgate. Worst of the worst,” Miles supplied. She shivered. Southgate was more of a concentration camp than an orphanage. The Shadow didn’t look favorably upon the rebellious few who managed to remain resistant to their mind-controlling substances. Their


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orphanages had been designed as the perfect tool to beat and demoralize every ounce of independence from those the Shadow viewed as troublemakers. “I can’t imagine how horrible it must have been living there,” she whispered. Joe flicked a piece of dried leaf from his shaggy brown hair. “We all escaped together, with the help of Linc.” “Linc?” She sent the guys a questioning look. Sabby glanced at Teague. “You didn’t tell her about Linc?” Teague’s expression remained an emotionless mask. “Been kind of busy trying to keep our asses from being shot off the past eighteen hours.” Sabby grunted. “Yeah. Likely story.” Miles cleared his throat, drawing Ruby’s focus away from the tense interplay between Teague and Sabby. “Linc was friends with Teague’s parents. After they were killed, he searched all over the city for Teague. It took Linc six years to track Teague down at the orphanage.” “Took another year for him to bust Teague and the rest of us out,” Joe added. “Linc wanted to free all of the kids, but there was no way to do that without raising suspicion. The plan was to find a big-enough place for everyone to hole up and slowly sneak most of them out over the next couple of months.” Wow. And here she’d thought disabling a few soda dispensers had been an ambitious endeavor. “Did he get everyone out?” “No.” Teague uttered the single word with zero inflection before pivoting on his heel. “I’m going to get the rest of our stuff from the saddlebag.” She watched the stiff, almost angry way he gripped the ladder and hauled himself toward the overhead shack before he disappeared from sight. Her shoulders sagged. “I’m amazingly adept at making him mad.” “It’s not you. He’s angry with himself.” Miles stuffed the polishing rag in his jeans pocket. “Teague’s always blamed himself for Linc’s death.”

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“Why?” Sabby rubbed the nape of his neck. “After we escaped, the Shadow Queen sent a couple of her czars to look for us. Eventually one got lucky and trailed us to Linc’s place. Teague hadn’t yet learned to disguise his powers, and his energy accidentally discharged while the Shadow Czar was searching the house.” “Linc fired off his own light show as a decoy,” Miles said, picking up where Sabby left off. “It did the trick. All too well. We had no choice but to watch from our hiding spot while the czar stabbed Linc with the poisoned blade of darkness.” The blade. It was one of the few things capable of killing a Light Guardian. The Shadow Queen had used it to end Luna’s life. A bitter lump of anguish lodged in Ruby’s throat as she imagined the pain Teague must have felt witnessing his friend’s murder. The need to go comfort him in some way tugged at her. More than likely he wouldn’t welcome anything she had to give, but her feet edged her toward the ladder anyway. “I’ll be right back.” Leaving the guys behind, she climbed to the surface and strode toward the exit of the shack. She found Teague rummaging through the saddlebag. He set aside the sheaf of paperwork he’d brought with him and lifted something from the bottom of the carrier. Her cat suit. His fingers running over the slinky material in a way that made her skin flush, he draped the garment over the seat of the bike. He raised his head and their gazes locked. The same snapping chemistry she’d experienced when they’d kissed earlier at the safe house came rushing back. The air—already thick and sultry—seemed to heat by a thousand degrees. She plucked the neckline of her tank top away from her damp skin. “I’m sorry about Linc.” Teague’s gaze drifted up from her breasts. “It was a long time ago.”


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“Some heartaches stay with you your entire life.” She knew that all too well. Teague returned his focus to the cat suit. One corner of his mouth tipped upward. “Linc would have loved you. You’re exactly the type of mentee he should have taken in. Someone willing to put on the damn superhero suit.” Something told her this wasn’t about Spandex. “You were just a kid, Teague. With unstable powers. You wouldn’t have been able to save him.” “His life was worth more than mine.” “Don’t say that.” “Why? It’s true. He was everything a Light Guardian was supposed to be. I barely toe the line of being a decent individual.” “You’re wrong.” “Am I?” His expression turned shrewd. “You asked me why I went to work for your father.” She scraped her teeth along her bottom lip. “You said you needed a job.” “I lied. I did it to get close to the man who murdered Linc so I could kill the son of a bitch.” A niggling ball of anxiety unfurled in her stomach. “What does my father have to do with Linc’s murderer?” Oh God, if Teague was about to reveal what she thought he was— “The man I’ve hunted all these years is Hugo Winston. Your uncle.” A tiny fraction of her nausea receded at the news that Linc’s murderer hadn’t been her father. “Why didn’t you mention this to me sooner?” He cocked an eyebrow. “Because telling someone that you plan to annihilate their relative tends to make things awkward.” She exhaled a wispy breath. “Damn, you might have a point.” She rubbed her stomach in hopes of easing the knot of tension growing in there. The reminder of her villainous gene pool stirred her gloomy thoughts into overdrive.

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When you got right down to it, she and Teague were like two mismatched socks. He’d learned to forget he was one of the good guys. She was terrified she’d never be able to completely break her bad side. If they were the only hope Earth had left, everyone was severely screwed.


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Teague plunked the cat suit and bracelet on the end of the nearest table in the control center before dumping the rest of the things he’d brought down from the bike. He didn’t fail to notice the rapt way Miles, Joe and Sabby stared at the cat suit. Joe shuffled forward and gaped at the Light Guardian cuff. “Whoa. Is that the actual one Luna wore?” Ruby reached across him and picked up the bracelet. “You can touch it if you want.” “Really?” Looking like he’d just been handed the Holy Grail, Joe hesitantly stroked his thumb along the shiny bangle’s silvered edge. “I can’t believe this. Guys, I’m actually touching it!” Teague rolled his eyes. Sabby leaned on the corner of the table and grinned at Ruby. “Any chance you could model the suit for us?” Teague sent Sabby a death glare over the top of Ruby’s head. Her in that suit would be prime jack-off material for Sabby. “We’ve been on the road all day. Whatever happened to giving the guests of honor some damn lunch?” “I’m already ahead of you.” Miles eyed Ruby apologetically. “Sorry, but with the short notice I only had enough time to whip together twice-baked potatoes, braised short ribs and an arugula, goat cheese and strawberry salad. There’s also peach cobbler for dessert.” “That’s all?” Teague snorted. “Slacker.”

Breaking Bad

Joe handed the Light Guardian bracelet back to Ruby. “Can I show you your room?” “I have a room?” Miles nodded. “Usually it’s Teague’s.” Ruby frowned. “I don’t feel right taking his room.” “It’s okay. We’ve already set up a sleeping bag for him in the laundry room.” Sabby’s lips twitched. Assholes. Silently grumbling, Teague watched as Joe escorted Ruby to the adjacent hallway. Once they were out of sight, he narrowed his eyes at Sabby. “I’m going to warn her to keep the bedroom door locked.” Sabby’s smile turned wily. “Good idea. Wouldn’t want you sleepwalking and disturbing her in the middle of the night.” Miles coughed pointedly. “You are planning to stay, right?” This was the part Teague had known was coming. And dreaded. “You know I can’t do that.” “There’s nothing keeping you in Neon City anymore,” Miles wheedled. “Never said I was going back there.” Sabby crossed his arms over his chest. “So what? You’re planning to skip town and disappear off the face of the earth?” Teague shrugged. “Maybe.” “I’ve got a better idea.” Miles’s eyebrows slashed low. “How about you stop being stubborn for once and join us.” Teague averted his gaze from the familiar challenge in Miles’s eyes. Three months ago those exact words had passed Miles’s lips. It was the same every time. No amount of arguing would convince the guys their mission to bring down the Shadow Network was a fool’s quest.


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“Linc is probably turning over in his grave at the way you’ve turned your back on your heritage.” A cold awfulness gripped Teague’s heart and squeezed. He bared his teeth and jabbed a finger in Miles’s sternum. “Don’t you dare manipulate me by using Linc.” “Damn it, you muleheaded ass. Don’t you see that you’re not giving me any other choice? Besides, it’s true. Linc would never understand how you can walk away.” The damnable part was Miles was right. Linc would hate how Teague continually turned his back on the guy’s pleas to join their puny ranks. Linc always believed there was power in numbers. But five people didn’t add up to dick against the over-bloated legion that amassed the Shadow’s vast network. Taking them on would be a suicide mission. “This conversation is closed. Now are we going to go eat some fucking lunch or not?” He and Miles exchanged fierce glares. With considerably less argument than he usually offered, Miles tossed up his arms. “Fine. But you’re not getting any damn dessert.” They left the control center behind and headed toward the kitchen. Ruby and Joe were already in there, chatting at the kitchen island. Joe—the sap—was hanging on every word that fell from Ruby’s lips. Not that Teague necessarily blamed him. He knew firsthand precisely how luscious those lips of hers were. In fact, if the guys weren’t in the room, he’d be tempted to bend Ruby over the island counter and plunder her mouth—along with a few other of her no-doubtdelicious parts. Hell, who needed dessert when he could sate his appetite with Ruby? She looked up and caught his stare. The crackle of awareness constantly orbiting between them buzzed with an electrical charge. She licked her lips, and

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he imagined that soft tongue swirling along the length of his cock. Barely stifling his groan, he poured a glass of water and drained it in one long chug. “I was just telling Ms. Ruby about our hydroponic garden.” Teague grimaced. “That must have been exciting.” Joe nodded toward the enormous bowl of salad. “She was wondering where we got our greens. So I told her.” “The system sounds amazing. I’d love to see it in person.” Ruby reached for a fat strawberry and bit into it. A trickle of berry juice glossed her lips. Teague discreetly adjusted his fly. Glancing sideways, he noticed Sabby doing the same. Fucker. “I’d be happy to show it to you after we eat,” Joe said, oblivious of the uncomfortable boners in the room. Ruby smiled. “That’d be lovely.” Miles pulled the foil back from the pan of short ribs, allowing a garlicky cloud of steam to escape. “We grow everything ourselves. The beef comes from a trusted source a few miles down the road from here. It took them almost ten years to crossbreed cattle resistant to the Shadow mind-control. Now we use most of their meat for our shipments.” Lines of worry bracketed Ruby’s brow. “Isn’t it dangerous running the black market?” “No more so than frying a handful of the Shadow’s minions.” Miles waved his basting brush in Ruby’s direction. “Nice work with that, by the way.” “How do you know about that?” Confusion tinged Ruby’s voice. Sabby grabbed a plate and piled on some salad. “Are you kidding? That surveillance vid is the most downloaded file on Shadow Pirate right now.” Teague grunted. “So much for the net keeping this out of the spotlight.” Now the sons of bitches would really be gunning for his and Ruby’s asses. The


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last thing the Shadow would want was proof that there were Light Guardians roaming Earth. It’d only give hope to the few rogue citizens who’d managed to dodge the Shadow’s control. Far as the Shadow were concerned, a human with hope was a dangerous thing. A sinking sensation settled in Teague’s gut as the ramifications of the leaked video hit him. It suddenly made all too much sense why Miles hadn’t pushed harder about Teague staying. It was likely a moot point. “There something I should know?” Miles scratched the back of his head. “The queen’s put a ten-million-dollar bounty on each of your heads.” All the color leached from Ruby’s cheeks. Joe patted her hand. “Don’t worry, she wants you alive.” “Probably only so she can kill us herself,” Teague growled. “Yeah. Imagine so.” Miles plopped a baked potato on everyone’s plate. Despite his apparent absorption in the task, a noticeable gleam of consideration glinted in his lowered gaze. Every ounce of self-preservation Teague possessed screamed at him not to go down the white-rabbit hole he knew Miles was mentally building. Doing so would likely only land him and Ruby neck-deep in a pile of shit. Miles tore his focus from the plated food and speared Teague with the full force of his stare. “You know, it might be precisely the in we need.” Teague narrowed his eyes. “What are you talking about?” “You and Ruby. The two of you are the key to getting into the queen’s fortress.” Teague’s grip tightened around the edge of the island counter. “Want to run that the hell by me again?”

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“The queen wants you both brought in alive, so I say that’s exactly what we give her.” While Ruby choked on a cough, Teague glared at Miles. “You’ve got one fucked-up sense of humor.” “I’m not joking.” “No?” Teague straightened and adopted a menacing stance. “That tenmillion-dollar reward worth the ten thousand amps of electricity I’m gonna ram up your ass?” “You know damn well I have no interest in the Shadow’s money. There’s only one reason for getting you and Ruby in that fortress.” The rigidness remained in Teague’s shoulders. “Care to share with the rest of the class?” “Simple.” Miles’s smile was slow and calculating. “You’re going to kill the queen.”


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Ruby’s stomach flipped at Miles’s calm pronouncement. “Kill the queen? But that’s…impossible.” “Finally you’re talking some sense,” Teague grumbled. She ignored him and continued to gape at Miles. “No one has been able to successfully assassinate the queen.” “Yet,” Sabby quantified. “There’s a first for everything.” “Not with this,” Teague bit out. “Do you know how many damn minions she has patrolling that fortress? An army of Light Guardians wouldn’t be able to break through that level of security.” “Hence the reason we’re going to pretend to turn you in for the reward.” Miles picked up a short rib and ripped off a bite. Once he was finished chewing, he dabbed his mouth with a napkin. “That’ll get us through the door. Afterwards, it’s only a matter of defeating the bitch.” “Holy cow, that’s brilliant.” Joe’s eyes grew huge. “Ms. Ruby and Teague will be our Chewbacca!” Ruby frowned. “Chewbacca? What is that?” Joe, Sabby and Miles wore the same disbelieving stare. Sabby shook his head. “How could you have never seen Star Wars? It’s the second most downloaded vid on Shadow Pirate. Not watching it is a crime against humanity.” Ruby’s shoulders hitched upward. Miles crumpled his napkin and wedged it under the edge of his plate. “Luke Skywalker and Han Solo impersonated Imperial Stormtroopers and pretended

Breaking Bad

Chewbacca was their prisoner in order to gain access to the detention level on the Death Star.” Excitement flashed across Joe’s face. “Hey, maybe we could wear our Stormtrooper outfits.” “That. Would. Be. Epic,” Sabby and Miles shouted in unison as they fistbumped with Joe. Teague rolled his eyes. “Sorry to break up this nerdgasm-o-rama, but did it ever occur to you that the Shadow Queen won’t go down without a fight? Hell, she’s got powers I’m not even sure how to defeat.” Unfortunately Teague was right. The Shadow Queen wielded a black energy that was equal, if not more powerful than any Light Guardian’s. Miles ping-ponged his gaze between her and Teague. “It’s always been a single Light Guardian who’s gone up against her. No one’s ever tried a tag-team approach.” “For fuck’s sake, Miles. Ruby isn’t ready for that kind of showdown.” “Maybe not yet. But you could train her. Like anything else, utilizing her powers is a learned skill. The two of you together will be an unstoppable force. The Shadow doesn’t stand a chance.” She hated to display even a niggle of Teague’s trademarked pessimism, but if she were being completely honest, she was having a hard time wrapping her head around the concept of her and Teague singlehandedly taking down the entire Shadow. “You do realize that even with the queen dead, it still leaves several million in the network, right?” Miles flicked his stare toward Sabby and Joe. The three men shared a cryptic look before Miles stepped away from the island. “There’s something you and Teague need to see.”


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Bemused, she hopped from her stool and trailed Miles into the control center. He yanked open a file cabinet and picked up a tube resting in a clear acrylic holder. Holding out his palm, he revealed the dark, smoky contents suspended within the vial. “This is a sample of the queen’s blood. It acts like a parasitic host and infects anyone injected with it. She uses it to indoctrinate her human Shadow Czars, and it’s also what powers the blades of darkness.” Ruby stared at the viscous, malevolent substance. This killed my mother and Linc. Nausea roiling in her belly, she instinctively backed away from the tube. “Where the hell did you get that?” Teague demanded. “A few months ago Joe had an unfortunate run-in with a Shadow Czar. The son of a bitch tried to get the drop on Joe while he was making a shipment run in the valley. Joe was able to nail the czar between the eyes with the bastard’s own blade. He brought the body back here, and we immediately noticed the oddness of the guy’s blood and ran some tests.” Triumph flashed across Miles’s face. “It’s the key to ending the Shadow tyranny. Kill the queen, and you kill the host. The parasite will die along with her, as well as her evil empire.” A frustrated noise came from Teague. “You have no proof that’s the queen’s blood.” “What else can it be?” Miles jostled the vial, making its contents swirl in a smoking cyclone. “Have you seen human blood that looks like this?” Teague tossed up his arms. “Fine, I’ll acknowledge that it’s likely something alien, but that doesn’t automatically preclude it being her damn blood. There’re a thousand other things it could be, for shit’s sake. Maybe she developed a topsecret formula to keep her Shadow Czars in line. Who fucking knows?” “My instincts have never failed me before.” Miles’s grip tightened on the vial. “I’m telling you, this is the answer to everything.”

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Ruby couldn’t take her eyes off the substance. As much as it repelled her, it also fascinated her in a disturbing way. Something infinitely evil resided in the depths of that tube. The fine hairs prickling along her arms testified to the fact. Whatever that liquid was, it’d been implanted in her father. She knew it with all certainty because some cellular awareness inside her recognized it. That vile stuff was inside her too. She shuddered and took another careful step away from Miles and the tube he held. “I’ll do it,” she whispered. “I’ll kill the queen.” Four pairs of eyes slashed toward her. Teague scowled. “Ruby, you don’t—” “I’ll do it,” she repeated, more firmly this time. Kill the queen, and you kill the host. She shivered again. Teague shook his head wearily. “This is a moronic idea.” Probably. But she’d rather be dead than carry that evil inside her.

While Teague returned topside to stash his bike with the other vehicles the guys had hidden on the property, Ruby helped Miles, Sabby and Joe clean up the kitchen. Once that chore was finished, she traipsed into the control room. The cabinet containing the Shadow substance beckoned from the corner. Shaking off her heebie-jeebies, she hurried up the ladder and sucked in a lungful of the fresh air stirring through the warped walls of the shack. The claustrophobia she’d feared getting earlier was finally setting in. She needed more distance between herself and that tube downstairs. Stumbling across the floor, she staggered outside and leaned on one of the rotting posts that supported the awning fronting the shack. A scuffing noise drew her focus to the left, and she eyed Teague’s approach. He frowned at her. “You okay?”


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She swiped the back of her hand across her perspiring forehead. “Yes. I…I guess I’m just nervous about what I’ve committed to.” At least that wasn’t a lie. Fortunately Teague seemed to take her answer at face value. “You should be. You don’t have a damn idea what you’ve gotten yourself into. Jesus, Ruby. A newborn Light Guardian has more control over her skills than you. How do you think you’re going to be able to take on the queen?” His words stirred up every nagging doubt festering inside her. “You could teach me.” “Teach you what? How to hand your ass to the queen on a silver platter?” “I’m going to do this whether you help me or not.” Teague’s big, powerfully built frame bristled with barely contained tension. “You’re willing to kill yourself over Miles’s half-assed suppositions.” “I don’t want to spend the rest of my life in hiding.” Or with that evilness lurking inside her like a ticking time bomb. Frustration darkened Teague’s face. “Fine. If you’re so damn suicidal, who am I to stop you?” He gave an angry nod toward the path he’d just come from. “Better if we do this away from the shack. Though shit knows, a misfired energy bolt wouldn’t make the damn place look any worse for wear.” Despite his obvious surliness, immense relief swamped her. “Just give me a sec to grab the Light bracelet.” “No.” “But—” “You don’t want to become dependent on the cuff. Ultimately, your light energy will be stronger if you develop it without artificial aid.” She wrung her hands. “Really?” She couldn’t completely hide the uncertainty in her wavering voice.

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“Yeah. Now come on.” Not giving her any other choice, he stalked toward a cluster of scrub pines in the distance. He halted a good thirty yards back from the trees and waved his arm. “Let’s see what you’ve got.” “But…we’re too far away.” “You might not even get this close to the queen before she fries your ass.” Her stomach clenched. Determined to prove to them both that she wasn’t entirely inept, she lifted her shaking hands and directed a bolt toward the shrubs. The charge hit at least ten yards short, fizzling ineffectually into the parched dirt. “Try it again.” She repeated the maneuver, this time landing the strike even farther from the target. Embarrassment and defeat caved her chest. “You’re not focusing.” “I am. I’ve been aiming for that middle tree each try.” “I’m not talking about outward focus.” He moved behind her. “It’s as much about the mental as physical. To properly handle your energy, you first need to understand it. Connect with it.” His warm, calloused palms glided along her arms, positioning them in a straight horizontal line. “This is the best way to ground yourself. The energy resides as much within your environment as it does inside you.” His fingertips grazed the sensitive undersides of her forearms, causing her to shiver in pleasure. “Do you feel the build-up starting?” A sharp tingle shuttled through her clitoris. Oh yeah. She was definitely feeling something. Probably not what he’d been referring to though. “I—I’m not sure.” Teague pressed into her, the firm, muscular planes of his chest and abdomen contouring to her back like the delicious, masculine version of memory foam. “How about now? Feeling anything?”


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She gulped, not entirely certain he wasn’t referring to the thick bulge of his erection prodding the base of her spine. “Err…possibly.” “Good.” His hands coasted along her upper arms and over her shoulders. He continued following the slope of her neck, his fingers a maddening butterfly dance along her overheated skin. She shook as he traced the shell of her ears before combing his fingers through her hair, sifting the strands over her shoulders. His deep inhalation stirred the fine hairs at her temple, and she closed her eyes on a shaky breath. “Do you feel it, Ruby?” His hands retraced their path, this time moving beneath her arms. “Do you feel our energy weaving?” Oh my God. She did. Teague’s power was a sensual caress along her synapses. It licked at her own energy, engaging it in an erotic tango that felt…like sex. She bit her lip to stifle a moan. Teague’s bold hands roved inward, and her eyes snapped open as they closed over her breasts. A blast of energy showered from her, acting as a turbo boost to the discharged bolt. It slammed into the center tree across from them, sheering it in half. Unable to believe her own eyes, she released an excited whoop of joy. It took a moment to realize that Teague was no longer touching her. Disappointment smothered her brief happiness. Pivoting, she met his guarded expression. Painfully aware of the tight ache in her nipples, she hugged her torso. “You stopped.” “It was the end of our first lesson.” She frowned. “That was a lesson?” “Our energy often brings with it a sexual charge for us. Tap into that essence, and it can trigger a power surge similar to a climax.” Her cheeks heated. “I thought you were touching me because you wanted me.”

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A dark intensity entered Teague’s eyes. “I want to fuck you so badly, my balls are blue. But giving in to that urge would be stupid.” Heaviness sat like an elephant on her chest. “Why?” “We’re as different as two people can get, Ruby. You want to save the world, and I just want revenge and to save my own ass. You’re better off without me.” “Don’t I get a say in this decision?” “No. One of us has to keep some damn sense.” His jaw locked into a rigid line, Teague strode past her and headed to the copse of trees. She stared at his retreating back, the ache in her heart increasing with each step he took away from her. The fierce pull she felt toward Teague was even more overwhelming than the one she’d encountered with the Shadow substance. He should be the last person on Earth capable of tying her emotions into a tangle of messy knots. He was absolutely right about them being wrong for each other. The smartest thing she could do right now was walk away. Her legs wobbly, she started across the dusty plain, her unwavering sight set on Teague. She reached the ring of trees, and he turned to face her, his mouth a grim line. “Ruby—” Planting her palms squarely in the center of his broad chest, she shoved him against the trunk of the nearest oak. “You said what you had to say. Now it’s my turn.” Before he could interrupt or argue, she stood on tiptoe and caught his bottom lip between her teeth. A harsh breath rattled from his lungs, and she slid her hand behind his neck. The next second, the lush, wet heat of his tongue thrust inside her mouth as he grasped her ass and hauled her up against him. Locking one leg around his waist, she rubbed against his thickening erection and whimpered. Re-angling his mouth for a deeper, hungrier kiss, he swung her around until her back was the one pushed against the rough bark of the tree. Gripping her


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thigh higher, he ground his pelvis into hers. The friction tore a moan from her throat. Scraping his teeth along her jawbone, Teague slid a hot, open-mouthed kiss toward the sensitive crook of her neck. Her insides melting, she shivered. She wanted nothing more desperately than to feel the thick, hard length of his cock slide deep in her core, filling the emptiness and banishing her ever-present worries for a blissful moment. “Please, make love to me.” A tremor racked Teague’s body. She sensed the tension in him. The struggle for his control. She gyrated her hips, earning his rasping groan. “Damn it, Ruby. I’m not fucking you against this tree.” She pulled him in for another devouring kiss and gloried in the lusty moan that rumbled through his chest. His hand slipped between them and fumbled with her zipper. An instant later his palm was cupping her mound and two fingers were buried in her pussy. She gasped at the unexpected stretch. “That isn’t what I want.” Ignoring her, he pumped his fingers and ghosted his thumb over her clit. She sank her nails into his rock-hard biceps and fought for breath. “N-not this way.” He increased the pressure on her inner walls, hitting the sweet spot that brought stars dancing in her vision. She bowed her back, trying to stave off the approaching climax. His gaze hot with determination, Teague hooked his fingers, his aim precise and devastating. She opened her mouth on a strained cry, her body convulsing as the orgasm slammed into her. Once the last quake trembled from her limbs, she slumped out of Teague’s hold. “You’re a son of a bitch.” His grin was wicked. “Don’t worry. You’re getting another lesson later tonight.”

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Teague mentally willed away his erection as he escorted Ruby back to the shack. The desire to rip her clothes off and fuck her senseless in the dirt pounded in his blood. He’d never wanted a woman the way he did Ruby. Resisting her was more of an impossible quest than killing the damn Shadow Queen. God knows his sanity would be better off keeping his distance from Ruby. But now that he knew firsthand the hot, wet heaven that was waiting for him between her legs? No force on this planet would keep him away. Joe stepped from the shack as they approached. The mega-wattage of his adoring smile threatening to outshine the sun, he glanced at Ruby. “I was just about to go check the hydroponics. Did you still want to come?” “Definitely.” Ruby peered up at Teague, her expression hopeful. “Join us?” “No, you go on ahead. I need to talk to Miles about a few things.” After I dunk my dick in an ice bath. “Should I stay?” He shook his head and prodded her gently in Joe’s direction. Her expression slightly worried, Ruby reluctantly allowed Joe to lead her toward the underground garden the guys maintained in the neighboring field. Teague returned to the trap door in the shack and descended the ladder. Sabby and Miles were in the control center, bickering over something. Knowing them, they were probably arguing over which one of them should get supreme bragging rights in their latest online role-playing tournament. Sabby might profess not to

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be a raging nerd, but that was a crock of shit. He’d racked up more game time than Joe and Miles combined. The two men halted their heated discussion and eyed Teague. Sabby cleared his throat. “Tell him, damn it.” Miles’s lips pinched tight. Teague frowned. “Tell me what?” “Nothing.” Miles glared at Sabby. Teague crossed to Miles and stared him down. “Ever had a proctology exam done by a Light Guardian? Trust me, they’re no fun.” Miles grumbled and wheeled his chair away from the table. “We just got off the phone with Colin.” Teague shoved aside his annoyance over Miles’s stubbornness. “How is he? Those bastards at the border didn’t rough him up too much, did they?” “He’s fine. But apparently news has come through the grapevine that Hugo Winston has been appointed as the queen’s advisor.” The mention of Hugo sucker-punched Teague in the sternum. Renewed anger boiled in his gut. The son of a bitch deserved to be dead, not working his way up the Shadow ranks. Teague clenched his fist. The casters creaked on Miles’s chair as he rested his elbow on the edge of his workstation. “You need to drop this vendetta with Winston.” Teague bared his teeth. “No fucking way.” “Your main objective should be on the queen. We can’t afford for your emotions to get in the way of that.” Miles raked his fingers through his cropped hair. “Look at it this way—destroying the queen will ultimately be the death of Hugo. He has no power without her, and we all know that without power, he’s a spineless nothing. Not even worth crushing.” “Wrong. I’m going to enjoy flattening him beneath my boot heel. A lot.” Miles rubbed his forehead wearily. “You’re a stubborn ass.”

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Teague relaxed his fist. “My plans for Hugo are none of your concern, so drop it.” Sabby rocked in his seat. “You do realize he’s Ruby’s uncle, right? She might not take kindly to you reaming him with a lightning bolt.” “She knows how I feel about him.” Miles dropped his hand. “You told her? Damn, that’s a first—you actually sharing anything.” Sabby snorted. “Amen. So what’s her stance on the whole subject of your vengeance?” “She didn’t exactly tell me.” Probably just as well. The two of them had enough complications to work through. Throwing his desire to kill one of her relatives into the mix would only make things a million times more fucked up.

A few minutes after Miles put the finishing touches on the steaks they were having for dinner, Joe finally deigned to bring Ruby back to the bunker. Teague wasn’t jealous of the time Joe had spent monopolizing Ruby. Mostly. It was just a damn good thing it hadn’t been Sabby down in the garden with her. Teague trusted that hound dog about as far as he could throw him—which would easily be a kilometer or two, considering the mood he was in. But that was beside the point. Sabby poured a glass of their contraband wine and handed it to Ruby. “Did you have a nice tour of the garden?” “I did. Hydroponics has always fascinated me.” She took a delicate sip of the Chardonnay. “The operation you’re running is amazing. And you’re helping so many people.”


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“Not nearly enough,” Miles interjected. “But that will change once the queen is dead. We’ll have no more need for the black market.” The wistfulness in Ruby’s eyes squeezed at Teague’s heart. He wanted to tell her not to pin her hopes on Miles’s fools quest, but it’d only make him sound like a bastard. Even if he was right. Ruby took another sip of wine and licked her lips. He tracked the motion of her tongue, lust stirring low in his belly. She caught his eye and her breathing quickened. Her nipples visibly tightened beneath the skintight fit of her tank top. Damn Sabby, Miles and Joe for being in the room. As if he’d read Teague’s thoughts, Sabby grinned obnoxiously. “Maybe Ruby would like to check out our mill operation after dinner.” “I don’t fucking think so,” Teague bit out. Joe reached past them for the breadbasket. “I’d be happy to take her.” Teague clamped a hand on Joe’s shoulder and leaned close to his ear. “Shut up before I’m forced to stuff that baguette down your throat.” Joe gulped and hurried to the table. Dinner took half an hour longer to get through than Teague would have liked. By the time the dishes were cleaned and put away, he was on edge with a barely leashed hunger that had nothing to do with food. While the guys adjourned to the living room, he followed the short hallway to the guestroom where Ruby had been situated. He ducked inside and heard the water splashing from the sink in the tiny attached bathroom. Recalling the luscious sight of her soapy breasts earlier that morning, he rapped on the door. A brief silence stretched before she cracked the door and peeked out at him. “Teague. What are—?” He coaxed the door open farther, backing her toward the sink. “Remember that lesson I promised?” Before she could answer, he hooked his hand behind

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her head and gave in to the combustible need that’d been burning inside him for the past hour. Her lips met his, seeking, taking and giving everything in return. Their tongues danced together, stoking the fire higher and higher. Groaning, he reached for the hem of her tank top and tugged it upward. He flung it aside as he dropped to his knees. Plumping her breasts in his hands, he flicked his thumbs across her nipples before rolling his tongue over the pebbled nubs. She arched her back, her grip tightening on the sink ledge behind her. “Teague. God.” His hot stare lifted to her face. “Do you have any idea the number of wet dreams I’ve had starring these breasts?” “Really?” “Yeah, too fucking many to count.” Lowering his head again, he hummed in appreciation as he sucked her nipple into his mouth. Releasing the stiffened peak, he traced her puckered areola with the tip of his tongue. “I want to find out if all of you is equally tasty.” “Oh yes. Please.” Licking a slow path down her quivering abdomen, he unzipped her cargo pants. He swirled his tongue around the perimeter of her bellybutton, exactly like he’d visualized doing earlier. Tucking his thumbs into the waistband of her pants and bikini bottoms, he scooted the garments down her legs and helped her step out of them. He nuzzled the ginger curls covering her mound and kissed her hipbone before spreading her thighs wider. His fingers coasted along her slick labia and raised the tiny hood guarding her clit. “Pretty.” Saliva pooling in his mouth, he leaned down and teased the throbbing bundle of nerves with the tip of his tongue before tasting her fully. Hips jerking, Ruby tunneled her fingers through his hair and moaned in a way that made his balls ache. He intensified his lazy swirls and laps to fast


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tongue flicks, reveling in the way her breaths grew thin and reedy. Her limbs trembled. Ruby on the cusp of orgasm was a thing of beauty. He curled his tongue, pouring every ounce of his concentration on the tiny, slick nub of her clit. Body tensing, she dug her fingers into his skull. Almost. There. She bucked, a strangled cry ripping from her throat. He stroked her through the aftershocks. “I was right. You’re delicious all over.” Straightening, he made fast work stripping from his clothes. Her heavylidded eyes surveyed him with a sultry stare. He trailed his palm along the curve of her hip. “I went in for my reproductive inoculation three months ago.” “Two for me.” His cock bobbed against her thigh. “Then we’re safe. Nothing to worry about.” Not entirely true. They had a shitload of things to stress about. But he was damn well not going to think about any of them for the next hour or two. She slid her calf along his, earning his hissing intake of breath. Leaning down, he hooked her behind the knees with his arms and lifted her onto the basin. He rubbed the length of his cock along the folds of her labia, letting the head kiss over her clit. She gasped as he dragged his shaft toward her slit. He eased inside an inch, stretching her. Shifting his hips, he pumped deeper before retreating in a slow, delicious glide. The walls of her pussy clung to him in a snug, hugging embrace. A trickle of sweat slid down his spine as he fought the urge to pound his way to a hard, fast release. “Teague.” Strain raised her voice an octave. “Stroke yourself, Ruby. Come with me.” She obeyed his command without hesitation, her fingers a busy blur over her clit. The sight was all it took to make him lose the last of his hard-fought control. He thrust like a madman, rattling the sink. Ruby’s eyes rolled back, her inner

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muscles squeezing him tight. He jerked, barely caging his shout as he came. Shuddering and moaning, he slumped forward, one hand braced against the wall while his cock continued to throb and pulse inside Ruby. She slid her arms around his waist and held him close, her lips soothing along his sweaty breastbone. Once he was reasonably assured his knees were no longer jelly, he scooped her off the basin and carried her into the bedroom. Flipping back the covers on the bed, he settled her in and spooned up behind her. He’d never in his life slept an entire night in a woman’s bed, but he didn’t have the strength to leave her. Not now. Maybe not ever.


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Chapter Ten

The next several days were all about practice for Ruby. She quickly learned that Teague didn’t believe in going easy on her when they were training. Although she knew he was only trying to toughen her up and prepare her for what lay ahead of them, her aching body wasn’t quite ready to let him off the hook. Praying that their current session was ready to wind to a close, she bent at the waist and gasped for breath. Sweat streaked every inch of her. She was afraid to inhale and discover just how disgusting she smelled. “Mercy.” “No way, babe. I’m getting at least another hour out of you before we break for lunch.” She glared at him. “You can forget about me ever giving you a blow job again.” Teague hesitated. “We’ll compromise. Thirty minutes. And I’ll give you a massage tonight.” Damn it. She loved his massages. Heaving a breath, she straightened. “Fine. But you’re also rubbing my feet.” His grin was absolutely panty-wetting. “Only if I can suck your toes.” “What are we waiting for? We can take a bath and my toes are all yours.” “Nice try. Now hit that target over there.” He pointed to the coffee can resting on a rock fifty yards in front of her. Squaring her feet with her shoulders, she extended her arm. Teague clucked his tongue. “With your eyes closed.”

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“But—” “Do you want me to add another fifteen minutes?” “You suck.” Growling, she closed her eyes and visualized her energy striking the can across the way. Stretching her fingertips, she let her power fly. A buzzing current streaked across her skin and thundered through her cells. She focused it outward in an unending spiral. Boom. Cracking one eye open, she peeked at the can. It was a good twenty feet beyond the rock. Her smile smug, she glanced at Teague. “Jealous?” He grunted. “Not bad. I can still beat you though.” “Sounds like a lot of empty talk to me.” He cocked an eyebrow. “Care to wager on that?” She shrugged. “Why not?” Teague rubbed his chin, his eyes narrowed in contemplation. “Hm, what do I want when I win?” “Don’t you mean what do I want when I win?” “That one’s easy. My body.” He flexed his pecs. That was definitely true. Throw his heart into the bargain, and she’d be the happiest woman on the planet. She gnawed her lip, uncertainty creeping in. She knew Teague desired her and loved making love to her. Beyond that, she had no idea what his true feelings were. As for her, she lost another piece of her heart to him with each passing second they spent together. A part of her knew their relationship was doomed. Beyond the fact she was related to the man Teague hungered to annihilate, there was her own link to the Shadow to consider. Until she killed the queen and destroyed that unwanted part of herself, she would never be wholly Light Guardian and human.


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“Okay, I’ve decided on my prize.” Teague laced his fingers together and cracked his knuckles. “A sexy striptease in your cat suit.” The moment of levity was exactly what she needed. “I don’t think it’ll fit you.” He chuckled. “Okay, sassy woman. Prepare to be impressed.” He strode across the clearing and snatched the can. Trekking the extra twenty-five feet to the copse of trees, he placed the target on a pine branch before returning to her. “A kiss for good luck?” “But I want you to lose.” “Kiss me anyway.” He crooked his finger invitingly. Resistance was futile. Standing on tiptoe, she pressed her lips to his. The hot slide of his tongue liquefied her insides. God, she had it bad. The scuff of feet announced that Sabby, Miles and Joe had joined them. Releasing her, Teague tossed the guys a cocky grin. “Now you can see how the big boys do it.” Pushing up the sleeves of his black crew neck, Teague turned so he was facing away from the target. Planting his feet wide, he raised his arms until they were parallel with the ground. He cupped his palms and a pair of brilliant white orbs spun into creation, their glowing filaments threading together to form two sparkling masses. Without warning, Teague snapped his hands behind him, hurtling the balls of energy. In less time than it took to blink, they smashed into the can, blowing it to smithereens. Ruby’s jaw dropped. Reaching out with one hand, Teague tipped her chin up, closing her mouth. “Don’t want the flies getting any ideas.” He shot the guys a challenging look. Sabby snorted. “She’s still prettier than you.”

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“You’ll get no argument from me there.” Teague’s compliment—as well as the heat in his eyes—filled her with warm pleasure. Miles crossed his arms over his chest. “I think this proves you’re both ready to take on the queen.” The announcement filled her with equal parts dread and excitement. She’d been anticipating this moment. There was no reason for the crazy adrenaline spike that skyrocketed her pulse. “Another week would be better.” Tension thrummed through Teague’s voice. “In another week they’ll close down the ice train’s access to Shadow Vail for the season. It’s going to be a treacherous-enough trip up that mountain to the queen’s fortress as it is. The entire trip on foot would be a nightmare.” She could tell from the rigidity of Teague’s jaw that he wanted to argue. Twining their fingers together, she squeezed his hand, offering a reassurance she desperately wanted to feel. “He’s right. We need to do it now.” The tension continued radiating from Teague, but he finally nodded. “We’ll leave in the morning.”

For their last meal in the bunker, Miles fixed a scrumptious filet of beef for dinner. Delicious as it was, she had a difficult time cleaning her plate. Her nerves were strung tighter than a wire. Was this what her mother had gone through before she’d left on her final mission to cripple the Shadow? Probably not. Luna had been a bona fide superhero. Along with the cape, she’d likely possessed nerves of steel. It was just one more reminder to Ruby that she was so incredibly far from being a hero.


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Yeah, her strength and skills were definitely improving. But she didn’t feel like an undefeatable force inside. She felt small and vulnerable. Glancing toward the guys, she ensured they were all busy situating the kitchen for the duration of their absence. Satisfied they were properly preoccupied, she journeyed to her room. Crossing to the small trunk, she picked up the cat suit and carried it with her to the bed. Running her hand along the smooth fabric, she draped the garment over her lap. She knew it was only a costume and wouldn’t grant her additional powers. But the symbolism behind the suit did count for something. The door creaked, and she looked up to find Teague watching her. “You should take it with us.” She rubbed the slick fabric between her thumb and forefinger. “My mother didn’t wear it when she went after the queen.” “You could start a new trend.” She swallowed. “Do you think I’m crazy to attempt this?” He was silent for a long spell. She shook her head. “Never mind. I know I am. I think I finally understand why my father tried so hard to make me bad all those years. He somehow knew it would come down to this.” “Are you still mad at him for what he did?” She placed her hand over her heart, expecting to feel familiar hurts in there. For once there were none. “No. He loved me in his own way. I could never hate him for that.” Teague nodded. She picked at the seam of the cat suit, the knot in her stomach growing. “My family will always be an obstacle for us, won’t it?” Rather than wait for his response, she offered a humorless laugh. “Shit. They’re an obstacle for me.”

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Teague crossed to the bed and sat beside her. His hand sought out hers. “Let’s take care of the queen first. We’ll figure out your family later.” His advice was solid. And in the long run, the queen was infinitely more solvable than Ruby’s fucked-up DNA.


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After a sleepless night, Ruby woke up bright and early. Teague had already left the bed. Not wanting to be the last one ready, she hopped in the shower. A few minutes later, clean and still sporting a legion of butterflies in her belly, she tugged on the cat suit and covered it up with one of the disguises Teague had brought along. The long-sleeved knit top and wool pants would come in handy where they were headed. Once her tall leather boots were zipped and her wig in place, she left the room and strode toward the control center. As she suspected, everyone was up and bustling about in various activity. Miles appeared carrying an insulated bag. He caught her speculative look. “I made sandwiches and snacks for the road. They should tide us over until we reach the train depot.” Sabby reached into the bag and snagged one of the cellophane-wrapped packages. Miles speared him with a glare. “Damn it. Those are for later.” “I’m hungry, and you didn’t make breakfast.” Peeling back one corner of the paper, Sabby sank his teeth into the sandwich. “Cretin.” Grumbling, Miles zipped up the bag. The ladder rattled, and everyone glanced over as Teague descended into the room. Ignoring the guys, he strode to Ruby and gave her a proper good-morning kiss before squeezing her hand. “We can’t all fit in Sabby’s truck, so you and I will follow on the bike. We’ll join up on the train, and once we reach the last

Breaking Bad

depot in Shadow Vail, we’ll officially become their prisoners, so to speak.” He gave the guys an expectant look. “Ready?” After a final inspection for any lights they might have forgot to turn off, they all headed upstairs and outside. While Sabby, Miles and Joe jumped in a big blue pickup, she secured her helmet and climbed behind Teague on the crotch rocket. Less than a minute later, their small caravan was zooming toward the highway. The earliness of the day meant they had the road virtually to themselves. She clutched Teague’s waist, enjoying the steady warmth seeping through his T-shirt. Somehow she resisted the urge to bury her nose in the damp, jet-black hair curling against his nape. Yeah. She definitely had it bad. They rode nonstop until the sherbet sky bloomed into full azure blue. Teague found an isolated spot for all of them to pull over and wolf down the leftover beef sandwiches and rehydrate with water. She availed herself of a concealing screen of scrub pines and relieved her bladder before rejoining him on the bike. Shortly before nightfall, they arrived at Shadow Junction. Leaving the NightWing and Sabby’s pickup in the secured lot, the five of them made their way toward the checkpoint. Fortunately this time of night the border patrol ran on a skeleton crew, and the two wardens on duty appeared to be half-asleep. Rousing just long enough to give everyone’s passports a cursory glance, the yawning warden waved them through. Her heart rate returning to normal, Ruby jogged to keep up with Teague’s lengthier strides. “Now why couldn’t the checkpoint outside Neon City be that easy?” “They rarely are.” Taking her hand, he headed toward the ticket booth. Joe, Miles and Sabby ringed her on the other side. Teague deposited the necessary credits into the kiosk. Five boarding passes ejected from the dispenser, and he


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snatched them before guiding the way to the arrival platform so they could wait with the small cluster of fellow travelers. A slovenly dressed teen slouched against a cement support beam, guzzling a bottle of Shadow Soda. Ruby frowned at the rapidly draining vile substance. Teague gave a heavy exhale and turned away from her. A moment later, he bumped into the kid, jostling the bottle. It slipped from the boy’s hold and hit the ground, shattering. Mystified, she lifted her focus from the fizzing amber soda soaking into the pavement and stared at Teague. Taking her hand again, he pulled her close. “You owe me one.” “Anything you want, it’s yours.” His hungry gaze roved her face. The intensity in his eyes made her breath catch. “Everything I want is standing right in front of me.” A warm glow erupted in her heart. It might not have been a declaration of love, but it was close enough. A train whistle blew in the distance, breaking their spell of intimacy. Moments later, the sleek locomotive chugged into view. With another series of whistles, the conveyance slowed to a stop and its debarking doors slid open. Teague quickly handed out the tickets. After their passes had been inserted in the collector and the attendant waved them through, Teague led the way toward the cabins in the rear of the train. Leaving their few things on the small bed, they crossed the aisle to Miles’s cabin. A large map of the ice-mountain range was spread open on the floor, and the guys were plotting out a route, from the looks of it. A circle had been drawn around the depot at the base of Shadow Mountain with the words Operation Stormtrooper Phase One scrawled beneath.

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Ruby dropped down next to Joe. “Does anyone else think it’s odd that an alien reptilian queen basically built her version of Mt. Everest in what used to be Kansas?” Miles took a swig from the water bottle he’d opened. “Yeah, it seemed weird to us at first too, but we’ve come up with a possible explanation. Remember that blood we tested? Well, the parasite reacted strangely to heat. Best we can figure is it needs to be kept at a certain temperature during the harvesting stage. Hence her little ice castle.” She shivered, both at the mention of the cold environment they were traveling to and the disturbing production the queen was running. No wonder she hadn’t brought a huge army beyond her minions when she’d decided to invade Earth. Assimilating the native populace was infinitely easier. Miles tapped the circled section on the map with his index finger. “This is as far as the train will take us. Beyond that it’s restricted territory.” “And minion territory,” Teague interjected. “You better hope those ugly assholes buy your story about bringing Ruby and me in for the reward.” Sabby grinned before snagging another sandwich from the stash. “You can always rough Miles up to make it look more believable.” Miles grabbed the wrapped sandwich from Sabby and tossed it back in the bag with a glare. “The minions won’t give us any trouble.” Teague grunted. “Says the man who’s never been body slammed by one.” They spent the next hour going over every possible hiccup that could get in their way. Unfortunately there were many. Ruby rubbed her stomach, trying to soothe the anxious flutters. Teague massaged her shoulder before taking her hand. He glanced at the guys. “I think we’ve covered most of everything. We’re going to bed. Do not disturb us.”


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Matching smirks crossed the guys’ faces. Ignoring them, Teague led her out the door and to their cabin. The minute their privacy was secured, he snuggled her close. “We’re not going to worry about the queen, the Shadow or anything else for the next hour or two. Okay?” She nodded. He hefted her up into his arms and tucked her legs around his waist. Cradling her skull with one hand, he coaxed her in for a hot, devouring kiss. His tongue thrust greedily inside her mouth, taking possession of her senses. The metallic shush of the runners pistoned beneath the floorboards in a steady rhythm, but she barely registered anything but Teague and his innate skill at setting her body on fire. She slipped her hands beneath the cotton of his T-shirt and stroked his velvety flesh. Teague’s mouth left hers and traveled to her neck, his lips blazing a trail of fire along her skin. Purring in pleasure, she tipped her head back, giving him better access. Tugging her wig off, he scraped his teeth over her jaw before sucking the tender underside. Decadent arousal unfurled low in her belly. His cock nudged at her groin, and a sensual current raced through her. “Mm, I think we need to rename you the man of steel.” He lifted an eyebrow. “Pretty sure someone already beat me to that one.” “True. But I bet he doesn’t have anything on your superpowered orgazmocock.” Teague choked on a stunted cough before grinning. “More powerful than Kryptonite, is it?” “Absolutely.” Growing impatient with the fabric that separated him from her, she wrestled with his clothes. Moving sideways, he deposited her on the small bed and yanked his shirt over his head. Tossing it aside, he unbuckled his belt and made short work of kicking free of his boots and jeans.

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A moment later, that gorgeous body of his was hers to explore. She kissed, licked and tasted every inch of him she could reach while he stripped her naked. She rolled over on top of him, facing his erect cock. Superpowered orgazmo, indeed. Sweet anticipation shivering her bones, she leaned forward and took him in her mouth with one hungry downstroke. “Ruby. Fuck.” She swirled her tongue along the knob of his dick like it was an ice-cream cone before giving in to a smile. “I think I’ve discovered your Kryptonite.” “Yeah, baby. I’m looking right at it.” His palms traced the swells of her hips before situating her thighs on either side of his head. A moment later, the wet rasp of his tongue swirled over her clit. She swallowed his length deeper into her throat, reveling in his masculine groan. He sucked leisurely on her clit, building her decadent arousal to a fever pitch. Intense waves of pleasure started in her toes and spiraled inward, rolling her ever closer to the cresting peak. For one luscious, breathless moment she hovered on the precipice. The next second she fell with a resounding crash, the orgasm ripping a keening cry from her throat as her body bucked. Dazed and limp, she slowly floated back to earth. The bed shook as Teague disengaged from her mouth and shifted her onto her back. She stroked his jaw as he leaned down and claimed her lips. Their tongues glided together in a lush dance, stoking the pleasure higher and higher. By the time they came up for air, she was teetering near the boiling point. Teague’s harsh breaths hinted that he was right there with her. Settling between her legs, he fisted his cock and guided it to the entrance of her pussy. He slicked the head over her wetness, teasing her, before he eased inside. “I can’t resist you, Ruby. Kryptonite is fucking child’s play compared to you.”


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He tipped her pelvis upward to meet his shallow thrusts. His penetration was slow. Exquisite. She dug her fingers into his flanks when his shaft nudged her G-spot. His stare snagged hers. “Feel good?” “God, yes.” Releasing her legs, he pulled out. Her murmurs of protest petered off as he coaxed her onto her belly and raised her hips. He entered her in a smooth thrust, the silky underside of his cockhead gliding over her sweet spot with unerring precision. “Teague.” The rest of her gasp was muffled by the pillow. An overwhelming tidal wave of emotion crashed over her. Each beat of her heart sang with the truth that’d been building inside her. There was no choice but to free the words. “I love you.” He faltered for a moment, his breath a ragged exhale. His touch tender, he hugged her close, his body rocking hers in a familiar seductive rhythm. The same erotic, electric tango she’d experienced during their countless practice sessions coursed through her synapses. She groaned. “Come with me, baby.” Teague sucked the side of her neck in an openmouthed kiss, and her pussy spasmed around his cock. The interwoven threads of their energy exploded outward in a radiant shower of blinding light. A hoarse shout shook from Teague as he pulsed and throbbed inside her. It was enough to trip her into a renewed spiral of orgasms. With simultaneous moans, they slumped into the bedding. For several blissful moments, she dozed in contentment as her heartbeat kept time with Teague’s. She might have stayed like that forever if not for the odd stench drifting to her nostrils. She wrinkled her nose. “What’s that smell?”

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Teague slurred something unintelligible. She lifted onto her elbows. Craning her neck sideways, she was greeted by the sight of the disintegrated television screen across from her. “Uh-oh.” She reached behind her and poked Teague between his shoulder blades. He jerked his head up with a “Wha—?” “I think you might want to see this.” Groaning, he shifted off her and followed the point of her finger to the demolished appliance. His expression went from sleepy to wide-eyed in zero point two seconds flat. “Aw shit.” “Did we do that?” “Pretty damn certain.” Recalling the wild electricity they’d generated together, she nibbled her lip. “I don’t understand. We never fried anything at the guys’ compound, and we had plenty of sex there.” She blushed at the admission. Teague’s gaze probed hers. “Because this time it was different.” He swung his legs over the mattress and stood. She wanted to ask if it was different good or different bad. But she’d already put herself out there enough with her confession of love. He took two steps before slamming to a halt and staring at the floor. His focus veered to her. “Please tell me we’re still moving.” She glanced toward the window and noted the lack of landscape speeding by. “Uh…” “Fuck, fuck, triple fuck.” “What is it?” He scooped up her scattered clothes and shoved them at her. “Get dressed. Fast.” She gulped. “Are they on to us? Is that why they stopped the train?”


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“Babe, they didn’t stop it. We did.” Befuddlement dulling her brain, she watched as Teague yanked on his jeans. “How?” “With the same blast that took out the TV. We over-amped the circuits.” “Holy shit.” “Exactly. Much as I love looking at your cute little ass, you need to haul it into those clothes so we can grab the guys and get the fuck off this train before they realize we’re responsible for frying it.” He didn’t need to tell her a third time. After scrambling off the bed, she hurriedly dressed and rushed with him out the door. The aisle was full of acrid smoke that assaulted her lungs. Hacking, she pressed her nose and mouth into Teague’s T-shirt as he bundled her close. He rapped hard on Miles’s cabin door. “Time to leave.” The guys piled outside, their expressions confused. “What the hell happened?” Miles demanded. “Ruby and I short-circuited the train.” Not waiting for any replies from the guys, Teague swept her toward the debarking doors in the distance. They leapt down the emergency ramp and stopped to catch their breath next to the group of passengers gathered near the front of the train. Bending at the waist, Ruby sucked in great big gulps of frigid, pine-scented air. A soft curse shot from Teague, and she peeked up at him. His fingers curled around a lock of hair streaming over her face. “We left your wig back in the cabin.” “Does it matter? Who’s going to recognize me out here?” A shout sounded, and she and Teague jerked their gazes in the direction of the ruckus. One of the train attendants was running in their direction. Two dozen or more Shadow minions were pulling up the ranks. “Fantastic. Precisely the ugly-ass bastards I was hoping to avoid.”

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“How the hell did they get here so fast?” Sabby demanded. “Who knows? I sure as shit don’t plan to ask.” Teague slashed his arm at the humans standing around in a numb daze. “Get inside the train.” The congregation obediently trooped up the ramp without hesitation. For once, Shadow Soda served a beneficial purpose to the humans—actually saving their fannies. Because God knows, if they’d stayed out here, they likely would have been caught in the crossfire. Teague glared at Sabby, Joe and Miles. “What are you waiting for? Get on that damn train.” Sabby shook his head. “No way. We’re not leaving you—” Gripping Sabby by the shirtfront, Teague tossed him through the doors. Moving with lightning speed, he did the same to Miles and Joe before slamming the debarking door shut and breaking off the handle. “Teague, they’re moving in fast,” Ruby cried. He pivoted and fired off a round of lightning bolts at the oncoming minions. Several of the creatures fell in the shootout, their bodies mercilessly trampled by the remaining tide of their compatriots. She joined Teague in holding them off, but it seemed like for every minion they took out, two more multiplied in its place. Her pulse pounding in her ears, she winged off a volley of bolts. Screams and curses from the wounded minions shattered the still night. Beyond the radiant perimeter of her energy blasts, she could make out the dark shape of the creatures maneuvering in the shadows. Every doubt and fear she’d ever harbored chose that moment to rear their ugly heads. How would she and Teague ever hold off this army? A flash of movement to the right of Teague caught her eye, and she called out to him in warning just as a minion leapt from the roof of the train and knocked Teague to the ground. A cry scratching her throat, she swung out her


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arm the same instant rough fingers grabbed her wrist, causing her light energy to misfire into the ground. The flat end of a knife blade pressed into her neck. “I wouldn’t advise trying that again, Rubyoo.” There was only one person who called her by that name. “Uncle Hugo.” A tsking noise came from her uncle. “I never thought you’d top the lab-rat stunt, but this one takes the cake.”

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Teague had no choice but to keep his energy reined as he and Ruby were pushed in the direction of the snowcat parked at the base of the mountain. If it was anybody but Ruby who Hugo Winston had the poisoned blade of darkness pinned to, Teague wouldn’t think twice about ripping out Hugo’s throat. “I wish I could say it’s a pleasure to see you, dearest niece, but I think we both know that’d be a crock of shit, given the circumstances.” Ruby’s mouth adopted a wry slant. “You’ll get no argument from me there. Oh, and I hear you have a new job title. I’d offer my congratulations, but I think we both know that’d be a crock of shit too.” She took a stumbling step, and the blade pressed to her neck came dangerously close to nicking her skin. Teague’s heart almost stopped. They reached the snowcat, and Hugo climbed in with Ruby before Teague was roughly shoved into the facing seat by the minion that’d jumped him back at the train. Once they’d settled in, the vehicle began its ascent up the mountain. Hugo kept the blade firmly anchored against Ruby as he eyed Teague. “Very clever hiding amongst us all these years. I admire that kind of craftiness.” Teague glared at Hugo, the desire to wrap his hands around the man’s scrawny neck a molten need in his gut. “Can’t say I share your sentiment, you piece of shit.” Hugo didn’t so much as flinch at the disparagement against his character. Instead he glanced down at Ruby. “I suppose I should thank you. You’re the

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reason for my promotion. And the cool twenty million I’ll soon be depositing in my bank account.” Ruby’s eyebrows formed a V. “You’re turning us in for the reward?” “I’d be a fool to pass that up. I should probably also thank your friends back at the train for making that possible for me.” “But…how did you know?” “It pays to have connections with the border patrol. They alerted me the moment you bought the train tickets. Quite fortunate you broke down where you did. I was certain it’d be a race to the mountaintop.” Teague’s disgust at Hugo quadrupled. “She’s your niece. Does that mean nothing to you?” “This is merely business.” “You’re a pathetic excuse for an individual. I’ll be doing the world a favor when I kill you.” Hugo barked a laugh. “Oh, that’s rich coming from the superhero with a death warrant over his head.” Ruby’s foot inched across the space separating them until their toes touched. The contact managed to distract him from murderous thoughts regarding Hugo for the ninety-minute ride up the steep mountainside. The snowcat crawled to a stop, and the minion escorted Teague from the vehicle. He glanced over his shoulder as Hugo and Ruby climbed outside. Tugging Teague back around, the minion marched him to the massive stairway carved into the looming stone fortress. Flickering torches lighting the way, Teague climbed the steps to the front entrance. The minion jerked him to a halt, and they waited for Hugo and Ruby to join them once more.

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Excitement riding his gaunt face, Hugo opened the door and ushered them inside. The little kiss-ass was probably silently cackling with glee over being the one to hand-deliver Teague and Ruby to the queen and collect his fat reward. They crossed a vast marbled rotunda swathed floor-to-towering-ceiling with black, gauzy panels that buffeted sinuously with every step they took. At the end of the hall they stopped in front of an ornate oak door inlaid with onyx jade. Hugo pulled the bell cord suspended near the hinges, and a moment later a sibilant voice bid them to enter. Hugo twisted the handle and swung open the door. The dim interior revealed an opulently appointed den. The most intriguing object in the space was the woman sitting behind the paper-strewn desk. She possessed an undeniable cold, dark beauty that even her alien reptilian features didn’t diminish. She rose from her seat, and the fluorescent glimmer from the desk lamp illuminated the smoky-black essence swirling in her slanted irises. Teague had seen that substance before—in the vial back at the underground Mole Ninjas’ base. Well shit. Looked like Miles had been on to something. That’d give him something to rub Teague’s nose in. Assuming Teague lived past the next five minutes.


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The queen’s chilling smile parted to reveal a forked tongue. “At lassst we meet.” Surprise flickered through Ruby as she stared at the queen. She’d been expecting a hideously disgusting creature. Not this startling beauty. Still, evil was evil no matter the face put upon it. Hugo eased the blade slightly away from her flesh. Despite that, Ruby continued to tremble with fear. She twisted the hem of her top between her fingers, the smooth texture of the cat suit beneath giving her momentary comfort. Her uncle inched her deeper into the room. “As you can see, I’ve brought you the rebels.” “Yesss. I sssee that clearly.” “Should we take care of the reward now, or after you kill them?” The queen stroked her chin. “I think perhapsss I ssshall give you your reward now.” A growl came from Teague, and the queen glanced toward him. “There is sssomething you wisssh to sssay?” Teague bared his teeth. “Yeah. Eat shit and die.” Chilly anger flashed across the queen’s features. “I shall deal with you later.” She snapped her fingers at the minion holding Teague. “Place him in the sssilence box for the time being.”

Breaking Bad

Worried what they were going to do to Teague, Ruby struggled against Hugo. Her uncle increased the blade’s contact with her skin, effectively stilling her. She would be no help to Teague dead. Teague’s enraged glare seared into Hugo before slashing toward the queen. “It’s me you want, goddamn it. She’s barely a threat to you. For fuck’s sake, she’s a Winston. The daughter of one of your precious czars.” Rather than be insulted by Teague pointing out those pathetic facts, her heart cramped with that much more love for him. He was trying to protect her by sacrificing himself. “You think I don’t already know all of that?” The Shadow Queen offered a hissing laugh before gesturing to her minion again. Tears of frustration filling her eyes, Ruby watched the minion wrestle with Teague before shoving him inside a large, clear, acrylic container situated in the far corner. Teague’s silent shouts went unheard as the minion locked him in. The queen waved her hand toward Ruby, and the minion crossed to her, taking over Hugo’s place with the knife. “Where were we?” The queen abandoned her station behind the desk. “Oh yesss. Your reward.” She gestured for Hugo to approach before grabbing a quill and a leather-bound ledger. Greed glinting in his eyes, Hugo stopped next to the desk. The queen twirled the quill between her clawed fingertips. “I’m curiousss about one thing. How isss it you did not know of this Light Guardian’sss exissstence? Ssshe is your niece, no?” Hugo frowned. “Yes. But none of us knew.” “Hm. Mossst unfortunate. For you.” With deadly aim, the queen lodged the sharp quill into Hugo’s jugular. Gurgling on a choke, he flailed and grappled


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with the quill, his fingers frantically digging into his skin and slipping within the geyser of blood. His eyes rolling back, he slumped to the floor. Horror and shock held Ruby immobilized. Although there was no love lost between her and Hugo, she’d never seen anyone so coldly slain before. Was a similar fate soon to be in store for her? She swallowed past the fear lodged in her throat before glancing toward Teague. He wasn’t even looking at Hugo. His entire focus was centered on her, and his face was ghostly white. The realization that he was more concerned for her safety than the revenge that’d been ripped from his hands was a bittersweet moment. The queen planted her slippered foot in the center of Hugo’s chest as she yanked her quill from his neck. Fetching some tissues, she wiped the bloodstained point clean before returning the utensil to its stand. “Looksss like I’ll have to hire a new advisssor.” Ruby gave the lifeless form of her uncle one last glance. Despite their shared DNA, she felt zero sorrow for his passing. A deadly chill crept into her belly. What was wrong with her that she felt nothing? Like a taunting phantom, her mind turned toward the Shadow substance locked in the file cabinet in the control center. She returned her stare to the queen, nausea roiling as she observed that same smoky darkness swirling in those reptilian eyes. Crossing her arms in front of her, the queen perched on the edge of her desk. “Your kind hasss given me much grief over the yearsss.” Ruby dug deep for the remaining dregs of her confidence. “I’m not going to allow you to oppress any more civilizations.” “The only civilizzzation I’m interesssted in isss thisss one, and I already own it.” “No, you stole it. Big difference. And I’m here to give it back to those it belongs to.”

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“The humansss? Pleassse. I do them a favor by controlling their pathetic livesss. Without me at the wheel, they’d kill their own kind off within a year with their petty sssquabblesss.” “They did just fine before you showed up.” The queen’s black eyebrows arched imperiously. “Have you read their hissstory booksss?” “Their mistakes are their own to make.” Renewed anger streaked across the queen’s features. “They will do nothing I don’t allow. I own them.” “We’re not going to be your slaves anymore. Your tyranny ends here. Tonight.” “I think not.” Calculation gleamed in the queen’s slanted pupils. “Your uncle, he ssspoke of your failed attemptsss to ssstop my network. You have no power againssst me.” The crushing weight of her past failures grew heavy in Ruby chest. As if she’d intuited her thoughts, the queen smiled coldly. Confidently. “You come here thinking you can kill me? It will be the other way around.” “No.” “Yes.” The queen stepped forward. “You are but a weak, buzzing gnat. I will sssquasssh you. Jussst like I did every Light Guardian before you.” One claw extended toward Ruby. Time to go for broke. Her motions swift, Ruby grabbed the hand holding the blade to her throat and gave it a good zap. The minion yelped and reflexively opened his grip. The blade clattered to the ground, and Ruby flipped the creature so it went flying into the queen. The two crashed backwards into the desk. Seizing her opportunity, Ruby slammed every ounce of energy she possessed at the Shadow Queen. The woman skidded across the surface of the


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desk. Shrieking, she righted herself and hurtled a smoky-black ball of energy at Ruby. The orb crashed into Ruby’s belly, and she staggered, pain splintering through her innards. From the corner of her eye, she spied Teague furiously pounding on the interior of the box. The seal was too tight for his energy to blast through. She was in this on her own. No sooner did she have that thought, the queen nailed her with another debilitating shock wave of her black energy. Dropping onto one knee, Ruby gasped through the excruciating agony. A rustling noise announced that the minion had recovered and was preparing to make its move. Steadying herself with one hand on the floor, she shot off a round, earning the creature’s rattling death scream. Taking advantage of her momentary power amp, she rapid-fired half a dozen electrical bolts. The queen dodged two but the other four met their target, and she sprawled across her desk. Her body jerked spasmodically several times before stilling. Was the queen dead? Unwilling to trust her own eyes, Ruby stepped forward, her approach cautious. A trickle of blood ran from the corner of the queen’s slackened mouth. Ruby scanned for signs of life but spotted none. Unless the queen possessed the ability to stop her own pulse— Her eyes flying open, the queen released an earsplitting screech and propelled off the desk, knocking Ruby to the floor. A searing pain erupted in Ruby’s shoulder, and she cried out. Straddling Ruby’s torso, the queen leaned down, displaying her evil grin. “I told you I would sssquasssh you.” Her clawed fingers twisted viciously on the hilt of the poisoned blade sticking in Ruby’s shoulder. The agony unbearable, Ruby rolled her head listlessly to the side and struggled for consciousness. She met Teague’s gaze as he thunked to his knees in

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the box. The awfulness of his expression ripped her heart in two. It wasn’t right that he was forced to watch her die just like he had Linc. Moisture welling in her eyes, she whispered what was foremost in her heart. “I love you.” Woozy from the loss of blood, Ruby closed her eyes. Was this what it had been like for Luna? For Linc? Waiting for their final gasp to ultimately fade into nonexistence? Her breath raspy, she listened to the blood pounding in her ears, clutching to that last beat of consciousness connecting her to the living. She’d said she’d rather be dead than a carrier for evil. Fate was granting her wish. The coldness of the floor seeped into her skin. Rather than her senses fading, she was acutely aware of the discomfort in her bones. The pain in her shoulder. The steadiness of her heart. How could that be? She was supposed to be dying. Slowly fluttering her eyes open, she met the queen’s highly disbelieving expression. And then she knew. She wasn’t dying. Somehow the poison hadn’t worked on her. Judging from the slackened state of the queen’s jaw, she’d come to the same epiphany. A howl of outrage springing from her mouth, the queen wrenched the blade from Ruby’s shoulder and aimed it for her heart. Ruby snatched the queen’s arm and cuffed her wrist as she sent a bolt of lightning arcing through the hilt of the blade. The metal shone with white-hot heat, snaking currents glinting across its mirrored surface. The electrical stream continued traveling upward, through the queen’s arm, torso and head. Her lips twisted with another horrendous shriek, and a blast of the lightning erupted from her mouth and eyes. A second later, she flopped off of Ruby.


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Not entirely sure the queen wasn’t faking it again, Ruby readied another burst of her power before checking the queen for a pulse. She found none. But the true verification that the despicable dictator was dead came when Ruby struggled onto her elbows and saw the puddle of black, smoky ooze seeping from Hugo’s lifeless body. Snapping to her senses, she pushed trembling fingers to the gash in her shoulder. Hand shaking, she lowered her arm and stared at her blood-stained fingers. Her red, blood-stained fingers. There was no sign of the smoky ooze. Did that mean it’d never been there? Or maybe it’s still in you. Never to leave. Her stomach twisted. Wiping her hand on the carpet, she turned her head and caught Teague’s tremulous expression. Pushing to her feet, she staggered to the box. She sprang the lock, and Teague grabbed her just as she began to fall. Damn it. Didn’t blood loss know it wasn’t supposed to affect superheroes? Teague swept her into his arms and carried her from the room. He didn’t stop walking until he’d left the cold, drafty recesses of the fortress behind. Outside, the snow-covered ground was littered with dead minions. It looked like a battlefield. A groaning noise floated to them at the base of the steps. A Shadow Czar staggered from the darkness, his face and arms covered with the oozing remnants of the Shadow substance. He wobbled to a halt, his fearful, pathetic gaze pinned to Ruby and Teague. “What have you done?” Holding Ruby close, Teague continued walking. A mournful cry came from the czar behind them. “You fucking assholes. Kill me. I’d rather be dead than powerless.” Leaving the man to his due punishment, Teague approached the snowcat that’d been left unattended in the clearing. He climbed into the back with her

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and tucked her in his arms, rocking her. Soon his warmth and energy soaked into her pores and zoomed along her synapses. The weak sluggishness began to recede. His hands trembling, he caressed her cheek and kissed her gently. Reverently. He pulled back and looked at her, his dark gaze tortured. “Don’t you ever almost fucking die on me again.” She smiled and stroked his jaw. “I won’t. I promise. But to be honest, I’m not really sure how I didn’t succumb this time around. It was almost like I was immune to her poison or something.” Because I’m evil too. No, she refused to let her mind go down that path. Now. Or ever. “Maybe you are. You do have your father’s blood in you. Perhaps its presence in your DNA counteracted the usual Light Guardian intolerance to the poison.” It seemed like a logical-enough theory, and better than the scary one she’d manufactured. Plus she was too bone tired to ponder any other possibilities, so she’d be more than satisfied with the one she’d been given. They sat there for another five minutes or so, holding each other. Finally Teague climbed into the front of the vehicle and slid behind the wheel. “You ready to go home?” “Only if it’s not to the Winston mansion.” She’d had enough of that side of her family tree to last her a lifetime. “No, with me. To our home.” The fears and doubts shuffled from existence. The warmth in her heart banished the shadows. “Definitely.”


107

Chapter Fourteen

Ruby plunked down one of the numerous boxes she’d brought from the Winston mansion in the middle of Teague’s living room. Correction, their living room. It’d been over a month since they’d moved in together, and it still felt surreal. But in a good way. The best way. Glancing over her shoulder, she watched Sabby, Miles and Joe huff and puff as they carried in their own loads. “Sorry, I know they’re heavy.” The guys dropped the boxes they’d brought up for her to the carpet. Miles grumbled as Teague strolled in carting three boxes in his arms like they weighed nothing. To him they probably didn’t. “Next time could you live on any other floor than the top of a sixty-story building with a broken elevator?” “The exercise is good for you.” “Bite me, capeman.” Chuckling, Teague plopped onto his leather couch. Catching her eye, he patted the cushion next to him. Taking the hint, she copped a squat. He squeezed her knee and let his palm stay there. The familiar heat and comfort that his touch stirred within her settled inside her heart. In the month that’d passed since the Shadow Queen’s death, many things had changed. For the good. The humans had begun returning to their old selves and were relearning the process of controlling their own lives. It wouldn’t happen overnight, but it was a start. As for the Shadow Network, it had begun crumbling overnight. As they’d witnessed on the mountaintop, every minion had died along with the queen, and the human Shadow Czars had become lost

Breaking Bad

children without the guidance and power provided by their dictator. The majority of the czars had been rounded up and imprisoned in the old Shadowtraz prison, while the overflow were being housed in the various orphanages. Those who could be rehabilitated from their criminal ways would eventually be put on a tethered parole and given an opportunity to redeem themselves. It was certainly a better deal than some of them deserved. Plans were being made to overhaul the tenement rows with new buildings. In the meantime, they were being cleaned up to make the area more habitable and pleasant. The few times she’d gone with Teague to his old safe house— which was now converted into his office—she’d been surprised by the amount of progress that’d already been made. Then there was her and Teague. The ordeal they’d shared had cemented their bond. They rarely spent a day apart. The chemistry between them was as electrical as ever. Literally. Teague continued to give her lessons—some of them even out of bed—and her powers were growing more and more every day. Thanks to her previous admissions of love, it’d become super easy to say those three words to him. After slipping three weeks ago and repeating them back to her, he’d gotten into a regular habit of saying he loved her too. Despite hearing it so much, she didn’t think she’d ever get used to or tired of it. There were times when she still worried about her mixed DNA and the uncertainty over the Shadow substance that may or may not exist inside her. Still, she’d lived with all of the above this long. She must be doing something right. Miles plucked a small, long box from the top of the container he’d brought up. Grinning, he carried it to the couch and handed it to Ruby. “It’s a housewarming gift from us.”


109

Jodi Redford

She tore her gaze from Miles and glanced at Sabby and Joe. “Really? You didn’t have to do that.” “Yeah, we did. Open it.” Curiosity getting the better of her, she untied the velvet ribbon and removed the lid. Frowning, she lifted one of the cards tucked inside. “What’s this?” “Our business cards. Read it.” Holding the laminated card closer, she inspected the print. “Breaking bad— one evil son of a bitch at a time.” She coughed into her fist. “Uh…okay.” Joe gave her a shy smile. “Do you like it? I’m the one who came up with the slogan.” “Slogan?” Teague prodded. “Yeah, for Superheroes Unlimited.” Sabby grinned. “Kicks ass, eh?” Teague tweaked the bridge of his nose. “Please tell me you haven’t cooked up a cockamamie idea of the five of us starting a superhero business together.” The guys nodded in unison, and Teague groaned. She cocked her head to the side and let the notion percolate a little. “Actually, I love the idea. And the slogan.” She and the guys stared at Teague until he dropped his head forward with a defeated exhale. His arm curved around her waist, and he hugged her to his side. “You’re going to owe me a lot of cat-suit stripteases for this one.” “Deal.” She leaned in and kissed him, putting extra heat in her promise. For the first time in what felt like forever, everything made perfect sense. Fate had given her a gift, one that would benefit many. She’d set out to honor her mother’s legacy, and ended picking up the baton in the fight for justice. With good on their side, there was no damn way evil stood a chance.

110


About the Author

At the ripe age of seven, Jodi Redford penned her first epic, complete with stick-figure illustrations. Sadly, her drawing skills haven’t improved much, but her love of fantasy worlds never went away. These days she writes about fairies, ghosts and other supernatural creatures, only with considerably more heat. She has won numerous contests, including The Golden Pen and Launching a Star. When not writing or working the day job, she enjoys gardening and way too many reality-television shows. Currently residing in Michigan with her husband and overgrown lapdog, she is a member of RWA national and Greater Detroit Romance Writers of America. She

loves

to

hear

from

readers.

You

can

email

her

[email protected] and visit her online at www.jodiredford.com.

at

Look for these titles by Jodi Redford

Now Available: Taking Liberty Light My Fire Vanessa Unveiled The Naughty List Cat Scratch Fever That Old Black Magic That Voodoo You Do The Seven Year Witch Maximum Witch Getting Familiar With Your Demon Thieves of Aurion Lover Enslaved

She could resist this bad boy…if he wasn’t so darned good at it.

Superlovin’

© 2012 Vivi Andrews A Midnight Justice Story Darla Powers, a.k.a. DynaGirl, is the Jessica Rabbit of crime fighters, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy finding a date. When her latest ex opines she’s not helpless enough to make him feel manly, she flies off to take out her romantic frustrations on a villain dumb enough to pick tonight to break into a secret government vault. Lucien Wroth’s father may be a famous supervillain, but Lucien doesn’t see himself as a bad guy. Just one determined to free his baby sister from a supercriminal’s clutches. He’s this close to getting his hands on a vital set of schematics when one sultry superheroine catches him elbow-deep in a top-secret safe. Darla is horrified when Lucien’s pretty face—and bulging muscles—distract her enough to let him get away. No one escapes DynaGirl. But somewhere along the way to getting revenge for her public humiliation, she and Lucien become uneasy allies…resisting an all-too-easy attraction. Suddenly she suspects the perfect man for a good girl just might be a very bad boy. Warning: This book contains heroes, villains, mind-games, epic battles, bustiers, leather, and an infamous “Women of the Cape” Maxim photo spread. Enjoy the following excerpt for Superlovin’: “You’ll never…escape,” she declared breathlessly, looking rather adorably determined laid out flat on the cement with rubble in her hair.

He would’ve laughed if he could spare the oxygen. “You don’t know how to…admit defeat, do you?” He couldn’t help but admire her tenacity. Deluded though it may be. “What makes you…think I’m…defeated?” “The inability to get a full sentence out without gulping for air is a tell, sweetheart,” he grunted, barely getting the sentence out himself without taking a gulp. “I’d like to see you fly across the city twice in an hour, one of those times carrying a two-ton delinquent.” He arched a brow. “I’m a big boy, but I’m not quite that big, princess.” Her eyes narrowed at the suggestive lilt in his voice, pretty mouth pursing. “I was talking about the weight of your ego.” “Then you must be constantly exhausted. How do you manage to lift yours, even with the superstrength?” She made a face at him. The darling of the press, always poised and perfect, crossed her eyes and stuck out her tongue at him. Which, perversely, just made him want to kiss her. Not a bad idea, actually. He needed something to distract her at the right moment, and nothing was likely to unsettle the Powers Princess more than one of the unwashed masses daring to lay his lips on her. And, yeah, he was a guy, so he’d pretty much wanted to lay one on her since she’d posed for Maxim’s Women of the Cape issue. He’d dreamt about that magazine—dark, steamy, grinding, Technicolor dreams with Miss Goody Two Shoes as their very naughty star. Those pillowy lips were an open invitation, far too wicked for someone so sanctimoniously pure. Sadly, DynaGirl didn’t seem to be in the mood to play.

“What did you take?” she demanded. The very proper Miss Powers was like a freaking terrier when she set her mind to something. She shoved hard on his shoulder, rolling them over so she knelt straddling his stomach. He let her be on top. For now. Her gaze flicked down his body, searching for a spot he could’ve stashed the papers. “What did you go back for?” Lucien kept half an ear out for the sound of the next train and conjured up a lazy grin. He let his gaze linger on the way the dark, stretchy fabric of her supersuit cupped the curve of her breasts. “Would you like to frisk me? Cuz I know I’d like it.” “Knock it off. You’re caught. Give it up.” “I’m caught, am I? How are you planning to get me back to that lovely holding cell? Flying didn’t work out so well for you last time.” She reached to the belt on her hip, pulled out a phone, swiped a thumb across the touchpad without looking and held it up to her ear with a smugly triumphant smirk. A smirk which faded as she pulled it away from her ear to glare at the uncooperative device. “No service?” he purred. Thank God for the crappy reception of subway tunnels. His abilities were too far blown to handle the cavalry right now. “I’ll fly you there if I have to,” DynaGirl declared, but the first waver of doubt edged her tone. Supers could do superhuman things—hence the name—but there was only so far they could push themselves before they crashed with a power hangover that would bring the gods to their knees. Lucien was inches from his own breaking point and, from the tremor in her voice, it sounded like his tenacious little sex kitten of a nemesis was right there with him.

Which meant she was vulnerable. He just needed one more sprint. He could last a few more seconds before his brain exploded into white-hot agony. He had to. For Mirabelle. He heard the distant electrical whine of a train coming down the tracks. Three minutes, give or take… Lucien let the icy-hot pain starting to spike in his temples show on his face. “I could come quietly,” he said, making his voice tight with strain. “For a price.” “I don’t negotiate with supervillains.” “Not even for my surrender? My complete surrender.” Interest lit her up-tilted emerald eyes, but her jaw remained clenched in an unyielding line. “No deals. I won’t bribe you to play nice when you’ve already lost.” “But all I wanted was a kiss.” She went motionless above him, as if she’d forgotten the need to breathe. “One little kiss,” he purred. “And I’ll go meekly to my jail cell. No tricks. No trouble.” He couldn’t read her expression. Something odd and almost hopeful colored the suspicion in her gaze. She hesitated. The train rattled closer. Her fingers eased their death grip on his hair. “Why?” “Are you kidding? I’ve always wanted a shot at the great Darla Powers. Who hasn’t? That Maxim spread changed my life.” Her eyes darkened. “That damn magazine—” “Hey, don’t damn that magazine. I could compose sonnets to that magazine. Especially your issue. I think you single-handedly launched a generation of twelve-year-old boys into puberty with that spread.” The picture had become a

cultural icon. Darla Powers, the super answer to Marilyn Monroe. “Tell me you still have the bustier and I’ll die happy.” She blushed. “That is none of your business.” Dear God, she still has it. Unwholesome interest stirred below Lucien’s belt. He’d been joking, but now he couldn’t get the image out of his head. Her incredible figure overflowing the snug black lace with a shimmering red D curled under one breast in a parody of her suit. Maybe she still wore it. Maybe she put it on for the schmuck boyfriend who’d let her walk out on their date. Jealousy gave his gut an ugly twist, but he ignored it. She wasn’t with her schmuck boyfriend now. “One kiss,” he said, the words coming out as more of a demand than he’d intended, his voice so dark and hungry he barely recognized it. “One kiss and I’ll do whatever you want.” The words were supposed to be a lie, but at the moment he almost believed them himself. Darla Powers was a woman who could own a man’s soul if she put her mind to it. If she could let herself be that bad… She leaned over him, and he sank his hand into the curls at the base of her skull. “C’mon, princess,” he coaxed, his gaze locked on her pillowy lips. “Even good girls get to be bad sometimes.” She went rigid in his arms. “No. We don’t.” The train was nearly there now. Ten seconds… Darla began to resist his hold, but Lucien had run out of time for persuasion. Now or never. He sat up and twisted abruptly, using a pulse of superspeed to get her sprawled on her back before she realized negotiations were over. He caught her startled gasp on his lips. The kiss was a sneak attack—quick and fierce and designed to startle and unsettle her. It wasn’t supposed to sear across his nerve endings with unexpected

heat. He wasn’t supposed to be tempted to fall into the taste of her and abandon his will to fight. Soft, warm, luscious—the definition of a dangerous woman. Her hands fell away from his hair, shoving at his shoulders without any real strength as she made the most deliciously wanton noise in her throat. In a different world, he would stay here and finish what they’d started, explore this incendiary chemistry, coax that sound from her again and again. But she was still a hero and he’d long since been cast in the villain role. If he wanted any future for his sister, he couldn’t waste time playing doctor with DynaGirl. The first train car thundered into the abandoned station. He threw himself off her. “Sorry, princess.” The last of his reserves went into a surge of superspeed as he leapt onto the tracks and sprinted down the tunnel in front of the engine. The racing train sealed the tunnel entrance behind him before DynaGirl could gather herself to follow. He didn’t have time to thrill at the victory of escape. He was too busy trying to maintain his speed until he reached the next platform so he didn’t end up a bloody smear on the tracks. Lucien ran, his head slowly exploding, the stolen papers crinkling in his pocket with the sound of success, Darla’s taste still sweet on his lips.

In a world of darkness, she is his light.

Blade of Moonlight © 2012 Kimberly Dean

A Midnight Justice Story It’s a dark and stormy night, and Luna Masters is in trouble. Buttoned-up court reporter by day, by night she fights crime as Luminescence, drawing power from the moon. No moon, no power…and she’s about to pay with her life. As her consciousness dims, a man steps from the shadows. But he’s no savior. It’s Scythe, a villain whose reputation for evil is legend. When she awakens, at first she’s surprised to be alive. Then enraged to find herself tied to his bed. Naked. Scythe is livid. A minor superhero like Luna has no business on his turf, and he plans to enjoy administering punishment, Yet somewhere in the night, pain turns into pleasure…then into something wicked and sexy that shakes them both to the core. Though Scythe warns her away, Luna’s passion for justice draws her back into the dark, to her masked lover’s side. For good, or evil? Only the dawn will tell… Warning: Pow! In the clash of good versus evil, villains don’t play nicely. Bam! When captured, superheroines often get tied up. Kablooie! Hot sex may cause mayhem with your e-reader. Enjoy the following excerpt for Blade of Moonlight: “You reflect the moon’s light, don’t you, Luminescence?” No, that wasn’t it, but he was close. She was one with the moon. As it behaved, so did she, but he could never know that about her.

His fingers slid down her breastbone again, and her breaths hitched when he traced the line of the sheet, dangerously close to her nipples. He watched the soft material tent, knowing what he was doing to her. Their gazes connected but, still, she refused to give him anything. He turned to the hardwood chair beside the bed. She hadn’t even noticed it until he lifted a scrap of material. The bra of her costume dangled from his finger. Her clothes! His jaw hardened as he toyed with the skimpy top. “That’s why you run around the city in barely more than a bikini, so you can use your power to its full potential. More skin equals more light.” Her tongue pressed against the roof of her mouth as she struggled not to say anything. He was getting too close to the truth. Her costume wasn’t so much of a style choice, but a necessity. Under a full moon, she could bring down criminals with only her face and her hands bare. But on a night like this— Her face. Her head whipped to the side, and she searched the chair, hoping against hope. Her stomach dropped when she spotted her mask draped across its high back. The strip of black material might cover only her eyes, but it had protected her identity. Until now. He’d seen her face. He dropped the bikini top and picked up the black bottoms. They were made of a synthetic material, giving her the lightness and maneuverability of spandex, but the toughness of leather. Using both hands, he stretched them, watching them pull shorter to compensate, and shook his head in a strange combination of anger and disgust. And undisguised interest. “And more skin equals more skin. That helps rattle the boys, too, doesn’t it?” His head cocked. “What if you’re going up against a villainess?”

Some of them were distracted, too, but she wasn’t going to go there. Luna glared at him belligerently. Identify him. He knew what she looked like, right down to the birthmark on her right hip. He’d stripped her of everything she had. She had to find a way to expose him. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much to go on. He was big, built and sexy. Her thoughts stalled. She shouldn’t find him attractive—not with the situation he’d put her in—but she did. Adrenaline and pheromones were creating a dangerous chemistry. She had to be careful or she’d get pulled into the reaction. He held her belt now, the one she normally kept wrapped low around her hips. Everything she needed was on that belt, and she ached for it. Her serrated knife, her palm unit and her taser. Her gaze stuck on the weapon. He’d grabbed her taser for her? “The boots,” he said gruffly as he crouched. Luna cringed. For some reason, his examination of her belongings was as personal as if he’d been going over her naked body inch by inch—which she wasn’t quite sure wasn’t next. She wanted to pull everything back, to hide from his attention. “The boots are something else, though, aren’t they?” His gray gaze suddenly locked with hers. “They get you off.” Under the covers, her toes curled. How did he know that? How could he have figured that out? Low-heeled boots or runner’s shoes would have been more feasible, more practical. They had just looked so stupid with her skimpy costume, but the high-heeled black boots? They’d made her cream. She swallowed again, and this time found her mouth wet with saliva. “The stilettos make good weapons.” “Meaning they bring down any man with a healthy dick.”

He knew he was right. There was a hint of a dark smile on his lips as he looked at her, and Luna was frustrated she couldn’t see more of his face. He might have gotten rid of the Grim Reaper cape, but his head and torso were covered with a form-fitted, one-piece spandex shirt and ski-mask type of garment. It covered the back of his head and came down over his nose and eyes. Only the lower half of his face was revealed, showing a strong jaw and hard lips. Those lips mocked her now. “Whatever works,” she snapped. The words were out before she could stop them, and they surprised her. She shouldn’t encourage him. She shouldn’t play along—not in this. “Oh, they do, sweetheart.” He glanced at the front of his dark jeans and shifted in discomfort. “They definitely do.” He took another harsh breath that seemed to fuel his anger. With a curse, he began to stride around the room again. “What goes on in that head of yours? What makes you think you can go strutting around half-naked—hell, threequarters naked—in the most dangerous parts of the city and be safe?” Outrage hit her. She didn’t strut. When she was out at night, she was fully intent on her work. “You know that I have a cape too. It covers me from head to foot.” “Until you whip it off and give everyone a good look.” Her teeth ground together. That was to shine the attention on the bad guys— not herself. She did everything she could to keep herself in the background. She knew how to merge with the darkness. She’d always been smart and safe. Until now. He turned on her, looming over the end of the bed where her legs were spread wide under the thin sheet. “Do you know what some of those scumbags would do to you if they caught you?”

Her stomach clenched, and her outrage dimmed. The real question was, what was he going to do with her? She watched him unblinkingly, afraid to move, afraid to say anything that would make him more upset than he already was. His lips might mock her, but his fingers were clenched and his breaths heaved. The stretchy material of his costume clung to a chest that was heavily muscled. In the dark shadows, each hard curve and dip was delineated. His uniform kept him as covered as she was left bared, and the disparity struck her. Dark versus light. Good versus evil. Her need to see his face grew to a craving. She wanted to know the color of his hair. Was it thick and silky? Dark and wavy? She wanted to touch that chest, with nothing between her fingertips and his skin. And she knew it was wrong. All of it. He hadn’t rescued her. He’d pulled her further into the depths of danger. All that darkness might be seductive, but temptations were rarely good for you. She knew this man was bad for her, right down to his core. “I’ll have you put away for this,” she said quietly. “I’ll have you put away for life.” His expression went even darker. “You and what army?” “The justice system will be enough.” A bark of laughter escaped him, the sound rusty and harsh. He moved again and suddenly he was over her, his hands braced on either side of her pillow. “If you believe that, then you’re an even bigger fool than I thought.” His body hovered inches above hers, close but still too far away. Her body tingled, wanting what it shouldn’t. Then his hand was fisting in the sheet, his knuckles pressing hard between her breasts. When he ripped the covering off her, it was like being splashed with chilled air. He tossed the sheet aside, baring

her all the way to her cuffed ankles and pink-painted toenails. Luna arched, wanting to run, wanting to hide, but there was no escape. His big hand covered one breast, and that cool heat poured through her. “Are you out there fighting for truth and justice, Luminescence, or does the danger just turn you on?” “You won’t win,” she gasped. “The hell I won’t.” He squeezed her nipple hard, but then his touch was gone. It reappeared, lower and hotter. He cupped her pussy and ground the ball of his hand against her. Luna’s thighs quivered. With her legs spread wide, he could touch her however he liked, whenever he liked. Her hips pressed into the mattress as he slid his thumb between her soft, delicate folds. When he lifted it, it was wet. “What is it that gets you going?” he asked, his voice going steely. “Danger, or me?” She couldn’t respond. What he was doing was shocking, titillating, and she shouldn’t like it. Couldn’t like it. It went against everything she believed in, everything she’d put herself on the line for, but she couldn’t dispute the evidence. He bent down over her, his gray eyes turning pewter. “Danger?” He swirled his thumb deliberately around her clit. “Or me?”

Who says a wolf can’t make a pussycat purr?

Cat Scratch Fever © 2012 Jodi Redford

Perfect timing has never been Lilly Prescott’s long suit. Seconds before a showdown with werewolf Dante Morgan, who owns a property that by rights should belong to her, she goes into heat. Not a simple event for a lynx shifter. No, she’s doomed to weeks of frustration that can only be soothed by frequent rolls in the hay—or her hand. Unfortunately, Dante accidentally witnesses the latter. Left shaken and highly aroused in the snow, Dante can’t believe he’s attracted to the woman who drives him crazy, and not in a good way. Worse, his father has issued an ultimatum. Marry, or abdicate his place as pack leader. On the other hand, it’s the perfect leverage. Lilly will get her land…in exchange for a wedding ring and all the sexual satisfaction she can handle. Marry Dante? No doubt he’s a poster boy for Hunks ’R’ Us, but he’s rude, arrogant and Lilly’s sworn enemy. Not to mention the thought of losing her independence is frightening as hell. When they find themselves falling victim to their own charade, though, it’s anything but hell. It’s heaven, and the last thing either of them wants. The real thing. Warning: This book contains redneck werewolves, inconvenient hormones, and a whole new use for cat toys. Uncontrollable meowing may occur. Enjoy the following excerpt for Cat Scratch Fever:

What the hell am I doing? This whole plan is nuts. She ran both hands down her face and smothered a groan. Dante chose that moment to walk back into the living room. Awarding her a cautious glance, he plopped a plate loaded with a fresh bagel sandwich and chips on her lap. “Everything okay?” She swallowed past the lump of worry lodged in her throat. “No one is going to buy this—you and I.” “That’s why we have to make it convincing.” “Trust me, I’m not that good of an actress.” Dante rubbed his jaw. “Well, my old man already thinks we’ve got something going on.” “Great. One down, a couple hundred more people to go. And that’s just counting your relatives.” She snatched a chip and nibbled its crinkled edge listlessly. The healthy appetite she’d possessed minutes ago seemed to have disintegrated. She dropped the half-eaten chip back onto the plate and exhaled heavily. “Speaking of relatives…I know my sister will never believe we’ve suddenly fallen madly in love. Crap, just yesterday I told her you were a perverted peeping Tom.” A grunt issued from Dante, and she shrugged. “Hey, I was mad.” He stroked his goatee. “Actually, that might work in our favor. I’m assuming you told her about what happened on the road?” She nodded. “So tell her I made you dinner as an apology, and one thing led to another.” His mouth tipped into another of those panty-wetting grins. “After one incredible night in the sack together, you knew you could never live without me.” She rolled her eyes. “Puh-lease. No one’s going to believe that.”

His palm curved over her knee. “I bet I can make you believe it.” She tried not to focus on the distracting way his fingers brushed along the inner seam of her pants. “Don’t count on it.” “Should I take that as a challenge?” His gaze still locked with hers, he took her plate and set it next to her coat. Planting his hands on the chair’s upholstered arms, he boxed her in and leaned so close, she easily made out the flecks of gold in his irises. Compelling as his gaze was, her attention couldn’t help straying to his mouth. Her nipples tightened as she imagined those sexy, masculine lips traveling in a slow glide across her breasts and belly. What would his goatee feel like against her skin? Would it be scratchy and irritating, or soft and ticklish? Unconscious of her actions, she reached up and traced her fingertips over his jaw. “Hmm, definitely soft and ticklish.” A wicked sparkle danced in Dante’s eyes. “Were you having dirty thoughts about my beard?” “Possibly.” “Tell me what you were thinking.” The husky persuasion in his voice proved to be her ultimate downfall. “I was wondering what it’d feel like on certain parts of my body.” Dante licked his lips in a way that was incredibly…wolfish. “I can show you firsthand.” The heat simmering inside her kicked into full boil. Dante’s nostrils flared, and the intensity in his eyes sharpened. “Christ. I smell how fucking turned on you are.” “I can’t help it.” She swallowed hard and squirmed against the cushion. “It’s the hormones.”

“No, it’s more than that. And you know it.” His face inched closer until his breath mingled with hers. “You want me, Lilly. Admit it.” “I don’t know what’s bigger—your ego, or your self-delusions.” He gave her a predatory grin that prompted flutters in her stomach. “Neither is any match for the size of my cock. But then you already know that.” He would have to bring up his impressive package at a time like this. Now she couldn’t get the damn thing out of her mind. Which wasn’t helping her present condition at all. “Another check mark for your massive eg—” The remainder of her comeback fell victim to the firm, sinful pressure of his mouth on hers. A shaky whimper escaped her. Dante took that as a convenient invitation to thrust his tongue past her lips. She’d experienced plenty of kisses in her life. Not one of them came close to competing with the consuming hunger inherent in Dante’s. She could taste his desire. Feel his single-minded focus on her. It swept her up and left her breathless. His fingers tunneled insistently in her hair, angling her head back for a deeper exploration of her mouth. His tongue coaxed hers into play, and she eagerly obliged. God, she wanted to eat him up with a spoon. And that made absolutely

no

sense,

considering

how

arrogant,

obnoxious…chauvinistic…and…and… She lost her train of thought as his roving hands massaged her breasts through her top. Inspired to do her own exploring, she smoothed her palms over Dante’s broad shoulders, trying to drag him closer and tug his flannel shirt off at the same time. He pulled back, revealing an expression dark with passion. “There’s not enough room on this chair for us both. How about if we continue this on the couch?”

“My bed is bigger.” The suggestion popped free before she could halt it. Grinding her teeth at her loud-mouthed inner slut, she waited for Dante to smirk and lob an appropriately lewd crack at her. Instead, he scooped her into his arms, knocking the bag of Brussels sprouts onto the ground. He was careful with her ankle, something she appreciated—though honestly, she didn’t even register any discomfort anymore. Likely the improvised icepack had done the trick. That, or lust had blindsided her to the point all other sensations had skulked into the farthest recesses of her consciousness. He walked down the short hallway and paused between the two open bedroom doors. “Which one?” She pointed to the doorway to the left of them, and he strode inside the small room. He carefully arranged her on top of the patchwork quilt before stretching out beside her. His mouth found the tender spot beneath her ear and quickly discovered how easy it was to reduce her into a quivery, gasping wreck. She tore at his shirt again, desperate to touch warm flesh rather than flannel. This time he obeyed her wishes and released the top few buttons before growing impatient and yanking the garment over his head and tossing it aside. She snuggled against him, a happy purr leaking free. He groaned and coasted his fingers along the curve of her spine. “Fuck, that’s sexy. Do you always purr like that?” “Usually only when I’m in the middle of a heat cycle.” His hand slid beneath her top and cupped her breast through the thin mesh of her bra. He rubbed her nipple with his thumb, and she arched into him. A feral growl rumbled from deep in his chest. “I wanna get you nekkid.” “Oh God, yes.” So much for keeping her inner slut out of this. Thankfully he required no further prompting and made short work divesting her of her top and bra. The rapt way he stared at her breasts brought a fresh

surge of moisture between her legs. She whimpered as his hand splayed over her mound. “I don’t even need to touch you to know how fucking wet you are.” She didn’t doubt it. The clear evidence of her arousal scenting the air made it pretty damn impossible to miss. With Dante’s supersensitive nose, it was probably a thousand times more noticeable. She got her verification when he buried his face in the valley of her cleavage and inhaled with a lusty moan. His pupils dilated, making his eyes look exceptionally dark and predatory. Witnessing the raw, animalistic hunger riding his features speared a sharp spike of excitement through her, leaving her dizzy and lightheaded. Plumping her breasts with his hands, he sucked her nipple between his teeth and laved it into a stiff, turgid peak with his tongue. Gasping, she wiggled on the mattress, shamelessly undulating against the hand he’d kept wedged between her legs. Tears leaked from the corners of her eyes as the consuming need inside her became an agonizing torment. She tugged at his hair, panting, and he finally lifted his gaze to hers. He must have read the desperation in her eyes because he reached for her zipper and worked it down. Repositioning himself, he gently eased her pants and bikini down her legs before spreading her thighs enough to make room for his wide shoulders. His thumbs slid through the wetness coating her labia and held her open to his hot, devouring gaze. A millisecond later, his tongue swirled over her clit. She jolted at the intense sensation, her limbs trembling, but Dante’s big hands kept her hips pinned to the mattress and her pussy available for his feasting. And oh God, that was exactly what she felt like—the main entree in a luscious, decadent werewolf Happy Meal.

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