Helen straightened
to her full five four. “I see.”
Her face told
another story. Shadows darkened her eyes and they stared at one another across
more than just the distance of the office. Seconds ticked by and when Vin said
nothing further, her lips pressed into a frown. “Fine. I’m sorry if I made you
uncomfortable in front of your team earlier when I asked.” She shrugged into a
light weight black jacket with the now familiar LS&G logo over her right
breast. “I’m ready.”
“Helen.” Vin
wished things were different. But they weren’t. The only thing he could do was
guarantee her safety. He’d protect Helen with his dying breath, ensuring her
light continued to shine even if it no longer shined on him. She grabbed her
cell as she breezed by him. Shoulders back and spine straight, she headed for
the door and opened it.
“Nothing left to
explain, Vincent.”
Fuck. Ice dripped
from the dismissive words and Vin knew he’d missed his golden chance. It was
probably better this way. On the slim chance it was possible, she wouldn’t want
the man he was now anyway. He let her lead but gripped her wrist when they
reached the hall where his men waited. “We go in order. You in the middle at
all times. When I say stop you don’t take another step. When I say go, you
hustle that sweet butt forward. Understand?”
She could be
pissed all she wanted but she’d follow his orders in this situation. If all
went well, he’d have her out of here in a flash. Then he’d do what he did
before and let her go. The toughest decision he’d ever made in his life was
about to be on instant replay.
“I understand
perfectly.” No expression on her smooth face. No glare from those pretty brown
eyes. No pleasure or any other defining emotion looked back at him. Just the
blank stare of a stranger.
Just moments ago,
he’d been her hero. Now he didn’t exist in her universe. The feeling sat like
hot coals in his gut despite the fact he knew it didn’t change matters between
them. “Let’s move out.” Vin dropped her wrist.
Curtis took the
lead and they all went down the hall back toward the stairway, Harkum bringing
up the rear. Vin flicked his ear com back on and spoke. “We’re heading out.”
He received an
affirmative from the others. At the entrance to the stairs, Vin passed his
weapon to Harkum again. Curtis, Bransen and Harkum jumped over the pit to wait
for the others. Vin signaled Nathan, Zander and Rock to do the same.
No one could miss
the power in each man’s action. Muscles barely strained from their smooth leap.
Helen swallowed thickly. Her eyes darted from his men waiting at the bottom
landing of the stairs then back to him.
“Yeah. Okay. I can
do that, too.” She braced herself, took a deep breath making the shirt tighten
over her full breasts then bent her knees. Vin caught her at the waist before
she could attempt the deadly leap. His arm tightened as she struggled. “I said
I can do it.”
His men all
chuckled at her declaration. It wasn’t hard seeing what they all thought. Hot
chick in hip hugging athletic pants, her designer clothing letting all see she
had zero interest in truly working out.
“No worries, baby.
I’m taking you over.” Thus the reason he handed off his weapon to Harkum.
“What?!” Her head
jerked to face him. Outrage pulled her brows into a frown.
Ignoring her
startled protest, Vin swept his arms under her legs and shoulders, cradling her
soft frame against his chest. “Hold tight.” He gave her a minute to comply not
looking away from the death ray stares she aimed his way. Defiance poured from
her in waves until she reluctantly settled her hands on his shoulders. Vin
jumped.
The shrill sound
of Helen’s scream tested his endurance the whole way.
Vin’s grip
tightened on her and he bent his knees to minimize jarring her on impact. When
he stood to his full height on the other side, Helen’s scream died away, the
sound resonating in the hollowed walls. Her body trembled in his arms, nails
digging deep into his shoulders through his shirt. The expression on her face spoke
of stunned amazement.
His men all had
their weapons slung over their shoulders by the strap, palms pressed to their
ears. Vin couldn’t help it. The downfall of enhanced hearing. He laughed.
Laughed until she smacked his shoulders repeatedly.
“Vincent.” She
struggled in his arms and he let her down quickly. One hand yanked at her
jacket straightening the twisted hem while she ran a shaking one over her face.
He’d messed up her head game with that one. Joy at getting one over on her
filled him. Knowing Helen, she’d have questions later but he’d deal with that
later.
“No time to argue,
hellcat.” Still chuckling, he made sure she steadied on her feet and cuffed her
on the chin. Harkum pitched his weapon in his direction and Vin caught it while
tagging Helen’s hand. “Let’s go.”
They hustled down
the stairs at a fast clip, Helen in the middle, surrounded by his men with Vin
to the right of her every step of the way.
Chapter 4
Why did he have to
look like a woman’s fantasy man? Blond hair mussed and those penetrating blue
gray eyes deadly. Helen gauged Vin’s height at just hitting six feet but he
made the most of his appearance with the vibrating energy of his presence. He’d
stalked into her office oddly tense. The black clothing adding to his air of
menace.
Instinct propelled
her from her hiding space and into his arms. She’d felt safe for the first time
in hours. His arms provided a haven she hadn’t known she’d been missing. Alien
attack aside, Helen missed him. Missed their time together and not just the sex.
Helen also missed the quiet moments. The times when she lay in his arms and
listened to the thump of his heart beneath her cheek while she rested on his
chest in bed.
Vin took all of
that away from her and didn’t have the decency to even explain why. Fine. Helen
stiffened her shoulders. She’d take this on the chin as she had other obstacles
in her past. A person didn’t have two ex-boyfriends break up with you and not
learn to deal. Helen had plenty of practice stopping hurt from shattering her
heart. She wouldn’t let Vin’s lack of explanation ruin all that effort.
Except here he
was, back in her life making it hard to pretend.
At least for the
moment. Pushing her feelings down deep, deep into the bowels of her belly,
Helen followed him and the six rough looking men dressed in all black.
She eyed the group
with Vin. Dressed in a similar manner they stood with their backs straight,
shoulders drawn and fierce scowls on their faces. Military men. Like Vin. The
team he’d mentioned as he had rattled off their names on the phone but she had
no way of matching faces with names.
There was a
blond…not like Vin. This one had lighter colored hair, almost white in
comparison to Vin’s golden strands. Where Vin was corded muscle, his team mate
was all lean build and defined arms. She kept a margin of space between her and
the super tall dark haired one with the scary frown, and identical twins who
smiled whenever they caught her eye. Another man with dark hair avoided her
gaze altogether. Then the tall one with caramel skin tones that spoke of ethnic
origins who winked as she’d prepared to mimic their ridiculous jump across the
destroyed landing on the eleventh floor.
The weapons in
their hands held chest high, scared her but she was also thankful. Weapons
meant defense against the Rekabians. Vin stayed close to her side during each
turn around the stairs as they went lower and lower. She wanted to push him
away but fear overrode pride. His hand lightly touched her lower back, guiding
her over the rubble. Helen ignored the masculine scent of him. When he’d held
her in his arms earlier, she’d wanted to cry.
The biggest
complaint from her other boyfriends was her inability to show her softer side.
Helen curled her nose. They should see her now. Only Vin could bring out such
girly feelings in her.
“Vin, DB coming.”
Helen frowned at
the blond’s curious words but Vin swung her around with a lightening quick
move. Her face smashed into his chest. His arms locked around her waist,
lifting her feet from the ground as his pace sped up. Before she could put up a
fuss, he spun her back around to face more of the endless stairs.
Her lips parted,
the complaint about his manhandling on the tip of her tongue but the scary one
with the dark hair shook his head when he caught her glance. Helen bit her
tongue and let herself be lead round and round, her hands gliding over the
dirty railing for balance. Their swift flight taxed muscles long underused and
while she tried to keep up, her breath labored. The large green seven on the
wall had her wincing. Maybe she should rethink the gym membership in addition
to the aerobic classes.
“Vin. Civ check.”
Helen paused when
the
other
dark haired one nodded in her direction. Not the freakishly
tall, scary one. This one had grey eyes. Vin came to an abrupt halt and
searched her face. Whatever he saw caused the whole group to pause.
“Helen?” Vin’s
warm hand cupped her elbow. “You doing okay?”
Her breath escaped
in pants. Grateful for the temporary rest, Helen nodded. “I’m fine. I can make
it.” His mouth curled down. “Really,” she stressed. “I’m good.”
Another long look
then he dropped to one knee. “Get on.”
He couldn’t mean
what she thought. Helen glanced at the other six who stared back impassively.
“You’re kidding, right, Vincent?” She tried to infuse her question with
condescension.
Vin glared over
his shoulder. “No time, hellcat. Climb on.”
Beautiful muscles
she remembered personally rippled before her as he presented his back from his
kneeling position. Helen called on a mightier power from above for help and
received no response. Now was not the time to get aroused. Feeling conspicuous,
she approached slowly and leaned over his back.
Her hands lightly
touched his shoulders which flexed beneath her grip. Lowering herself closer,
she yelped when he suddenly stood and boosted her hip with a firm push from his
right hand to her buttocks. “Wrap those legs around me, baby.”
Helen buried her
face in his shoulders, hoping to hide the hot flush as she complied. How many
times had she heard those words? She locked her ankles around his waist, arms
around his throat as he picked up the pace. Air rushed along her face and Helen
closed her eyes from the dizzy sensation of circling the stairs from her
precarious position.
“Hold tight,” Vin
ordered, as his hand gripped her hip for support and they were airborne. Helen
bit back a squeak and jerked when they landed. She opened her eyes just as they
exited the stairwell and entered the lobby. She gasped at the destruction to
the once beautiful showcase area. LS&G had been in numerous architectural
magazines for the innovative design of their corporate office. Now it was gone.
Demolished in one attack.
Vin reached behind
him and tugged, sliding her to his front. “Here’s where I have to put you
down.” His hands cupped her buttocks and squeezed but neither of them moved.
Helen stared,
entranced by the masculine planes of his face. Blond hair messy around his
head, damp sections darkened by sweat. His eyes sparked with humor and
something else. Something darker and very familiar to Helen. Her nipples
hardened and she cursed the thin fabric of her shirt.
Vin’s eyes darted
down and back up. His mouth curled up slowly, leaving Helen no choice but to
brazen through her body’s obvious arousal. When his mouth lowered, she offered
no resistance. Forgetting the months of silence, she tipped her head up. The
first touch of those full lips set off longing. More. She had to have more.
Helen raised her
hands to sink in the hair at his nape and pressed close. Their tongues met in
the middle. His soft and teasing, hers eager and excited. The kiss set off a
chain reaction. As her hips snuggled close, the hard presence against her thigh
settled her nerves. The fear and terror she experienced earlier faded away. Her
heart ceased its rapid beat and found a normal rhythm.
Pulling back, Vin
looked down at her. Helen noted his dilated pupils, the flare of his nostrils.
Signs she recognized all too easily. Arousal blasted through her. Her fingers
lingered in his silky hair and toyed with the short strands. Her skin hummed
with energy everywhere they touched. Without breaking Vin’s stare, she closed
the gap between them and kissed him again.
This time she
clung fiercely, tilting her head to the side and getting as close as possible.
His groan reassured her he was feeling it too. The sound brought back waves of
memories. Ecstasy. Sheer pleasure bloomed in her loins. She sucked on his
bottom lip rewarded with his gasp. Rocking against him, Helen tasted a hint of
lemons, reminiscent of the childhood candies he loved to eat. Her hands drifted
from his hair, down his shoulders and across his torso to ease under his shirt.
With aching
familiarity, she raked her fingers down, enjoying the contact with his skin.
His big body shuddered.
A throat clearing
jerked them apart. Vin eased her to her feet and Helen reluctantly allowed her
hands and legs to fall away. His hands slid from her butt to her waist. She
stepped away putting distance between her and temptation. Flushing, Helen
couldn’t believe she’d succumbed so easily. He looked as if he was about to
speak when she heard a loud squawk then static.
Vin cocked his
head to the side, fingering his ear and she got her fist up close look at the
black disc inserted in his ear with a hook that curved along the lobe. All of
them came to attention moving seamlessly to surround her and Vin. Helen glanced
around to see they all wore the same focused expression.
“Bravo squad’s in
the air and report possible ground troops.” The men nodded at Vin’s
announcement, obviously receiving the same communication in their ear devices.
“Curtis, check the street out front. Harkum, you’re on Helen.” The blond took
off for the front door and the scary giant placed a large hand on Helen’s
shoulder.
Vin stepped
further away, his weapon up and ready. A small red dot appeared to glow on the
end of the barrel. “Max level,” Vin ordered. “Activate battle armor.”
The men fiddled
with the black utility belts at their waist and a lightweight armor in matte
black covered them from neck to ankle, including Vin. The odd material rippled
over their clothing like a protective second layer. Sections across the chest,
neck and groin area were thicker than others. Their actions reinforced the
danger they faced. Fear attempted to take hold but Helen jammed her hands into
the pockets of her jacket and stiffened her shoulders.
“What should I
do?” Maybe he’d offer her a weapon. She never used one before but she’d learn.
Vin winked,
acknowledging her offer but continued issuing orders. “We’ll use V formation
with Helen in the middle and Bransen will take the point position.” More nods
followed Vin’s instructions. He cupped her jaw tenderly and Helen tensed.
“Harkum’s going to make sure nothing happens to you, hellcat.”
She grimaced at
the stupid nickname and it actually brought a small smile to his severe face.
Determination quickly replaced it. Vin’s stern look brooked no refusal. “Do
whatever Harkum tells you.”
Did he think she’d
refuse? “I understand, Vin.” She wanted to walk out of here alive more than she
wanted to prove any faux independence in a situation he was better equipped to
handle.
Vin’s intent stare
lasted a moment longer but Helen refused to shift her feet. The crease between
his brow eased. “Okay. We’re leaving by the front. Our ride’s only feet away. Then
we’re in the clear.”
Vin lifted his
chin at his men. “Let’s go.” He tapped a finger against the collar of his shirt
and a flexi mold helmet slid forward to cover his head, the dark visor hiding
his face from view. He looked like a character from a movie. Or a soldier icon
from one of those explosive video games her male coworkers always talked about.
Helen identified
Bransen as the one with the caramel skin and green eyes when he moved to the
front of the group. As soon as he took his position, helmets emerged to cover
all their heads except Curtis. Vin stood to Bransen’s left and the others
formed two rows with Helen in the middle and Harkum right on her heels. At the
former glass entrance, Curtis turned, palms out and faced Vin. “I sense three
moving our way. Fast.” His blue eyes crackled with an unknown power.
“Go!” Vin’s
command provided the impetus as they charged over glass and the wreckage of the
front of LS&G.
Shaking but
rushing right with them, Helen realized that aliens headed their way. Perhaps
to finish what they’d started. Her feet stumbled over the threshold but an arm
gripped her elbow keeping her upright. She never got to thank whoever it was
before the team halted in the middle of the sidewalk. Vin and Curtis
immediately went to one knee and aimed at an energy efficient blue sedan at the
curb with flattened tires. Their weapons hummed and blast after blast shot
forward from the muzzles.
A blood curling
scream followed as a Rekabian rose from behind the mangled vehicle. It’s thin
skeletal structure straightened to at least seven feet in height. Helen gagged
and covered her mouth at the rotten egg stench filling the air. Wrinkled skin
in a mottled gray green color rippled along its frame. The arms hung nearly to
its knees tipped by what she assumed to be three fingers. Fingers which held an
odd silver object in its grip and aimed their way.
A triangular
shaped head weaved on its fluid neck, ridges trailed down its spine, the beak
like mouth opened and closed with a clack. Some sort of green substance dripped
on the ground from what could be an elbow. Vin and his man fired again, forcing
the alien to raise its arms in a self defense posture and release another awful
scream before it crashed to the ground.
“Two more,” Vin
growled getting to his feet. “Get her to the truck.”
Hands gripped
Helen above the elbow and rushed toward the military grade SUV at the curb when
a loud roar shook the windows of nearby buildings. Their small group froze as
two Rekabians sped in their direction, leaping from the roof of one abandoned
car to another in a bizarre form of hopscotch right in the middle of downtown
Baltimore.
The team
splintered, breaking formation. Vin and the others charged the Rekabians. The
aliens raised their odd silver circles. Light flashed blinding Helen. She threw
up an arm to cover her head. A parking meter exploded inches from her face.
Screaming, Helen fell, palms scraping the pavement, her cheek stinging.
Somehow, she became separated from Harkum.
“Nathan, Zander,
now!” Vin’s order set the twins in motion.