Hacked (Warriors of Light Book 5) (12 page)

“If anyone can, I know you can.” Demaratus traced a finger over her cheek. “Smile for me, please. I need to see you smile so I know we’re going to all be okay. I love your smile. It’s always so warm and open. It makes me feel as if all the darkness truly can be beaten.”

Holly gave him a watery one and nodded. “We
are
going to be okay.” She leaned into him, her forehead to his. “I love you, DC, but you are never allowed to bleed again.”

“I’ll try to make that happen, for you.” Cupping her cheek, he tipped her face up so he could give her a slow, hot kiss. “I love you, Holly Smith. No matter what, I need you to know that and understand it. There’s no one else in the whole universe the goddess could have chosen for me better than you.”

“That’s a very good thing because I couldn’t live without you or your love.” She took another deep breath. “Okay, how long until we can go?” She knew she kept asking that question, but she wanted to get him out of there.

“Soon. They’re starting to realize they’re outnumbered, or at least outgunned. You can see through the crap they throw up every time they attack now. That’s a good sign.” Shifting slightly, he checked his wound. The blood flow had slowed to a trickle and it looked like it was already starting to scab over. “See? Told you I’d be fine. I may be a few pints low, but I’m still here.”

“How can you heal that fast?” she asked with wide eyes. “That’s amazing.” She was feeling a little better at his assurance. “Gracious. That’s just. Wow.” She couldn’t believe that he was so calm, when he had been fighting for his life a short time earlier.

“Externally, yes. Internally will take a lot longer. The medallion seems to know that we can’t lose too much blood volume, so it does what’s necessary to keep us on our feet and then works on the rest. I’ll be sore for a couple of weeks, but I’ll be back to normal soon enough. Though I may be stuck around our rooms for a while, since this will take me off the duty rotation.”

“Oh, that’ll be just such a hardship on me.” She rolled her eyes. “To have you with me for a long time. I’ll hate that.” She snorted. “Do you sense the sarcasm dripping from my lips?”

“Sorry, what? I was so focused on your sexy little mouth that I missed it. You should repeat it a few more times, I think.” The corner of
his
mouth tipped up slightly to give the barest of grins. His cell chose that moment to ring. “Uh, can you grab that?” he asked, pointing to the driver’s seat.

“Saved by the ringer. Lucky devil, you,” she said with a smirk. “Okay.” She answered the phone with a low, “Hello?”

“How’s he doing?” Mercury asked. “Better yet, how’s everything there going? Have they cleaned this nightmare up so you two can get your asses on that ’copter?”

“His side is nearly healed.” She leaned forward and peered out the windshield. “And they’re dealing with the bodies now.” Looking to Demaratus, she asked, “Well, what do you think, love? Can we do it?”

He nodded. “We’ll head for the helicopter. Let him know the truck is out of commission.” Holly relayed that information to Mercury.

“Good enough. Move it, you two. We’ll deal with the truck and everything you’re bringing back. But you need to get to medical to ensure they didn’t do any damage that won’t repair itself. See you when you get here.”

Holly pocketed the phone once Mercury hung up. Demaratus looked at her and said, “You’ll need to get off my lap, little warrior. As much as I’d love to throw you over my shoulder and carry you over there, I don’t think that’s in the cards for the time being.”

“Right, yes, I don’t want you any more hurt than you are right now. Crap, here I’ve been sitting on your damn lap this whole time. For the love of God,” she muttered. “Fabulous. I’m so sorry.” She pulled away from him and nodded. “Come on. Let’s get moving, shall we?”

After he got out of the truck, Demaratus took her hand in his and drew her close to his side. “
I
put you in my lap, Holly. I wanted you there, needed you close to me, so I could hold you and know that you truly were okay. So don’t go blaming yourself for yet another thing that isn’t your fault.”

“Okay. I’ll try. I’m going to have to work on it, I think.” She took a deep breath. “I’m glad they got here when they did.” The pair raced for the helicopter. She noticed that he was favoring his right side, heavily.

“It’s all in the timing, Holly.” At their destination, he gave her a hand up into the aircraft. Then he pulled himself up with a wince, easing slowly down into one of the seats and blowing air out through his teeth on a hiss of sound.

“I hate that you’re hurting,” she whispered as she took the seat at his side, her words lost to the sound of the blades. “Headset?” She pointed to the headphones that would—she hoped—help the headache that was starting from the noise.

He gave a nod and took the pair she passed him. Leaning back, Demaratus tipped his head back against the wall behind them and hooked his arm around her waist. Several others loaded in. Once the door slid shut, the helicopter lifted off.

She glanced at the men who had joined them. Then she touched the microphone in front of her lips and asked, “Who are you guys? What are your names?”

“They’re the Marines,” Demaratus said softly. “Quit flirting with them, Holly.”

One of the men snickered and threw her a wink. “I’m Jared. The guy to the far right is Neil. Between us is Kyle. And over there next to the big guy is Fred.”

“Nice to meet you guys. And I’m not flirting with them,” she grumbled at Demaratus. “I’m simply asking for their names because I’m curious. I just want to know who it is that I’m riding with and whose hands I’m putting our lives into.”

“Well, that would be our driver today, Lance. Say hello to the lady, Lance.” A hand appeared over Jared’s shoulder with a wave. “He’s the quiet sort. Unless we’re being fired on. Then he’s got some serious creative language skills.”

“Oh, then I need to be around him so I can learn some new and more imaginative ways to cuss. I think that it would be a lot of fun, don’t you?” She looked to Demaratus and smirked. “Or you could teach me some?”

Demaratus said something that even had the Marines looking confused.

“They do that a lot,” Jared said. “Revert back to their native tongue when they want to say something they don’t want the rest of us knowing. Sneaky.”

“No kidding. I think we’ll need to get creative as well. I’m sure there are a number of linguists we could contact to get a baseline for their languages. I could build an app, install it on your phones and,
viola
, you would all know what they were saying.”

Giving a snort, Demaratus opened an eye to look her way. “They mispronounce everything, so it wouldn’t work anyway. You need someone from that time who actually spoke the language to get it correct. Linguists all seem to think they’re the best at what they do, but they’re really not all that good. Though I do love messing with them.”

“Then I’ll ask Mercury. He’s been alive longer than any of you, so I’m sure he would tell me.”

“Not if I tell him what you’re going to be using it for. Plus, you’ll never know for sure if he’s given you the correct translation,” Demaratus said. “Which would be counterproductive, wouldn’t it?”

“Oh, that’s bad.” She loved being able to talk to her guy like this. “Okay, so why won’t you tell me what it is that you’re saying? What are you hiding?”

“Nothing, little warrior. But it doesn’t mean I want you learning all of those extremely nasty sayings. They also lose something in translation, which seems worse to me. I’ll teach you a couple, but no more than that. Agreed?”

“Okay,” she said with a smile.

He tightened his hold on her. “Here, curl up against me for the rest of the ride. We’ll be home soon enough.”

Holly let go of the breath she had been holding and relaxed against Demaratus. The sound of the helicopter was lost because of the headphones, and the heat of him paired with the adrenaline rush she was coming down from had her eyes closing to sleep.
While he healed and held her, the pain in her side lessened and went away.

Chapter Ten

Demaratus hadn’t wanted to go to medical, but between Holly and Mercury, they’d managed to wrangle him down there. The docs had checked him out and done several scans to proclaim that the medallion was fine and healing him well. Those words had seemed to take a giant weight off Mercury’s shoulders. Demaratus had given them both a knowing look and rolled his eyes.

Though the doctors had wanted to keep him overnight, they knew that wasn’t going to happen with any of the guardians. So, after the token protests and a list a few pages long of what he couldn’t do for the next week, they’d let Demaratus go. The man had nearly shot out of there faster than a speeding bullet, tugging her along in his wake as he’d made his escape.

Holly giggled all the way to their rooms. She was trying to hide it, of course, but couldn’t. “You know, you really shouldn’t have done that, running out as fast as you did. I think you had the nurse all but falling down as you raced past. She was trying to catch a glimpse of your back before you pulled your shirt on.”

“They’ve all seen me before. They damn well shouldn’t be gaping. I thought they were professionals. Besides, the only woman I want ogling me is you, little warrior.”

“Oh, believe me, I ogle you lots. Hell, I could spend the rest of my life doing nothing but watching you as you move, especially naked.” She hummed again and looked at him as if he were candy. “When you’re naked you are glorious to behold. You know that, right?”

“Not sure how I feel about that assessment. Because it’s you, I’ll take it under consideration and perhaps use it in an exploitative manner at a later date. For now, all I want to do is get you to our rooms and be alone with you. Did the doctors give you a once-over as well?”

“Why in the world would they give me a once-over? Yes, I was hurting because you were hurt, but I’m good. In fact, I’m better than good. I can’t wait to get into bed with you and get naked. I’ll race you to our rooms.”

He shook his head, and she took off running. “Other corridor,” he called out when she went to dart down one. “Do you seriously want me chasing you down? Because if I do, and I catch you, you’ll be very sorry to have run from me.”

She stopped, considering his words. “Will you spank me?” When he nodded, she laughed and raced for their rooms again. “Come on, come and get me, mister man.”

“You’ll regret that.” The sound of his boots hitting the polished floor spurred her on. The fact that they were getting closer at a fast rate made her heart leap and her body start to hum. She was almost to their door when his arm wrapped around her waist and flipped her up off her feet so that she was cradled in his arms. “Now it’s time to pay the piper, you little brat.”

She squealed in laughter. “You shouldn’t be picking me up, you goof.”

“I’m perfectly fine to pick you up. I told you I heal quickly,” he replied as he settled her in his arms.

“Hmm. What do I have to pay, Sir?” Her question was asked as she rubbed her face to the side of his neck. Against his ear, she whispered, “I love it when you spanking me, Demaratus.”

He leaned his head back so their eyes met. “Open the door and you’ll soon find out what the fine is for messing with me.” Brushing his lips to her cheek, he trailed them to her ear and bit her lobe gently before giving it a tug.

“I can’t wait to see what you have in store for me.”

Once inside, he let her feet drop to the floor. “Get naked, bring out your choice of blindfolds, and I’ll meet you at the sofa. You have three minutes.” She ran out of the room, laughing.

Four minutes later, Holly was on her knees before him, blindfold in hand.

Taking the offering from her, he instructed her to turn so her back was to him. He placed the blindfold over her eyes and tied it. “Over my lap now, little warrior.” He still had a hand on her arm, which she knew he’d use to guide her into place.

She moved, her body naked and primed for him. She didn’t speak, just shifted until she was comfortable. She couldn’t see anything at all, but she could feel him. “Please, Sir?”

The jeans he still wore were a rough counterpoint against her skin. While he’d removed all his other clothing, she’d wondered at the jeans. But no more. It was another tool he was using while one of her senses was dampened. Suddenly, music started up and filled the room. It was a deep, dark beat that seemed to be timed to her pulse. His hand slid slowly up the back of her thighs as he turned up the volume loud enough to cover most sounds, but not so loud she couldn’t hear him, or him her, if necessary.

The first swat was timed with the beat of the music. It was amazing—the feelings, the sensations. She whimpered, waiting for more.

Another smack landed on her behind, then another, and another. The music began to speed up a little and so did the slaps. He moved his hand over her bottom and down her upper thighs, never landing on the same spot. He’d started out lightly, but as the music got heavier, stronger, and faster, the hits became more intense.

Holly wiggled just a bit. She couldn’t help it. It felt so good. The intensity of the swats, the heavy
thump
of the beat, and being blind had her simply feeling.

Suddenly, a smack landed over her pussy and nearly had her coming off his lap. Demaratus put a hand between her shoulder blades to push her back down into position, while the other one smacking her rear end never paused. Another slap to her pussy, this one down lower to land on her clit, sent a shock wave of sensations through her body.

“Oh God, yes. Please, more,” she begged, then added, “Sir.” She gasped, opening her legs wider to give him better access.

A few more hard swats to her behind, then he gave her one last smack to her pussy. His hand didn’t move, though. It remained in place, cupping and holding her intimately. He didn’t stroke, didn’t rub. When she was sure she’d go mad with want and need, he slowly pushed a finger deep into her, curling it to press the bundle of nerves hidden inside. “Come, now,” he ordered in a rough, almost hoarse voice.

Holly squeezed tightly and was soon exploding. She couldn’t have stopped her orgasm if she had wanted to. She felt her pussy drench his fingers and hand as she shuddered.

Demaratus rubbed between her shoulder blades gently as she came back down from her climax. At some point, he’d switched the music. It was a softer song about love and helped to reorient her in the moment. After pulling his hand from between her legs, he rolled her in his lap and sat her up against him. He gently pulled the blindfold off her face before his arms closed around her.

She moved so that she could rest her forehead to his and smiled. “That was incredible. I think I’ll have to run more often.” She was teasing him and hoped he knew it. “What do you have planned for us next, darling man?”

“A hot bath, some fluids, and then a very long nap. I need to get some sleep so the medallion can do its job of healing me. Why don’t you go and run the water while I get us something to drink?”

“That sounds like a great plan.” She rose, touched his cheek once more, nodded, and headed off to the bathroom.

****

Holly had been digging in Helen’s systems for nearly a month. It had been quite a month, too. Sophia had given birth to what they thought was the first child born of a VV and guardian. The baby was completely adorable. Daddy, however, wouldn’t let anyone hold the infant without keeping his eye on him or her and a hand on his gun.

It was a little disconcerting, but she totally understood where he was coming from. They were all still more or less on eggshells because of the early pregnancy miscarriage that Sophia had suffered. They hadn’t even realized what had happened until there was another ultrasound done, and it was clear that one of the children had died and was being absorbed by the uterine wall and the other child. It had been heartbreaking for everyone and something that people didn’t discuss, at all. James was even more protective of Sophia because of the loss.

Now Holly had found a hidden partition in Helen’s personal computer. While she watched her description program running, she leaned back and nibbled on a Twizzler. She nearly choked when the pages started to decode before her eyes.

“Holy fucking shit balls, Batman!” She was standing now, shaking from the shock. “Son of a—” She punched the speed dial for Mercury. “I need you in my office. Now.” When he said he was doing something else, she shouted at him, “I don’t give a flying fuck what you’re doing. This is more important. Now.” She hung up on him, then felt sick.

“Oh shit. Did I just scream at him?” she muttered, then dialed Demaratus. “Hey, honey. I might need you to come and save me here in a bit. I kind of screamed at Mercury and then hung up on him.” She was now watching the door to her office carefully, waiting for the massive leader of the guardians to walk in and tear her head off her shoulders.

Finally, it slammed open and in stalked Mercury. “Shout at me again, and I’ll damn well turn you over my knee. Hang up on me again, and you won’t like the results.”

“Quit growling at my woman,” Demaratus said in a calm tone as he followed. He moved around Mercury, who was practically vibrating where he stood, and came to her. “You really shouldn’t hang up on him, little warrior. He doesn’t like it, if you hadn’t noticed.”

“I was so shocked by what I found that I couldn’t help it.” She leaned up on her toes and kissed Demaratus on the lips chastely before pulling back. “I think I’ve found him. At least, something huge.” She moved away from her mate. “Helen had this on her personal computer.” She keyed everything up and chewed her pen topper for a moment, waiting for Mercury to calm down.

“She’s been playing you for, like, three years. She would find you a VV and then find one for Billy, find you a couple more, then Billy, and so on. It’s not good. But this.” She pointed to the file before her. “Krista Reins. She’s a consultant for the police department in New Orleans. She’s damn good at reading crime scenes, and blood, but it’s more than that.”

Holly noticed she had the men’s attention now. “She talks to the dead. And she’s also a descendant of Billy’s. Helen has been keeping tabs on Krista, all at Billy’s request. Helen has been finding the VV’s and sending you just in time to save them, and in the process, helping Billy thin your numbers. She knew just who to send after the VV—who would succeed and who would fail. It wasn’t until
you
started to send who
you
wanted that Billy started failing more and more.”

Holly knew she had their full attention now, so it was time for her to break the biggest news. “She has a whole system of tracking the VV’s, but more than that, she has a program put together with which guardian might actually work with the VV, might be bonded to them. She always ensured that those guardians were never sent for the women,” Holly whispered. “She’s seriously fucking sick, Mercury. No lie. This woman was certain she should have been a VV and was pissed that she wasn’t. She wanted you. But you wouldn’t have her. She claims it was because you have a VV out there.”

Mercury’s face went blank as he stared at her. Not a single emotion flickered. But his eyes burned as if lit with hellfire. “What?” he asked in a quiet, deadly, angry tone of voice. One so cold that Holly felt a shiver working up her spine.

“She deleted that from the computer, but as your tech guys will tell you, nothing is ever truly gone from cyberspace.” She was shaking a bit. “You have a VV out there, and Helen knew where she was. She didn’t send Billy to her. Not that I know of. The key part of all of this, though, is that I think I know where Billy is, and I now have a great way to find the VV’s. Her system is actually pretty fucking brilliant.” Holly hesitated a moment before adding, “And I will find her Mercury. I swear I will find her.”

Demaratus put a hand on Holly’s shoulder and gave a gentle squeeze. Rubbing his thumb over her tense muscles, he slid his hand to her neck.

“Find her,” Mercury said. “Find them all. I’m tired of being behind the eight ball in this war. I want this to end, once and for all. We all deserve to be able to just live. Find them all, so we can bring them in. And find her. You find her, and you only tell me where she is. Do you understand?”

“Yes, completely. I will make sure that they’re all found. For now, I think you need to send someone for Krista. The last message Helen sent to Billy was where he could find her. I don’t know what he’ll do to her. From what I read on Billy’s psych profile, family was big to him, so I don’t know if he would outright kill her, or try to turn her to his perversions, but yeah. The ones that might be best paired with Krista, according to Helen’s files at least, would have been Erik Thorvaldsson, Edward of Woodstock, or Robert de Sable. Send the three of them if they’re free.”

“Not all three are available,” he said. “Send me the file on her. I’ll take a look and figure out who I’m sending. Keep working on finding the others. As soon as you have locations and details, send them to my data pad.” Turning, Mercury headed for the door but paused just inside. “Thank you, Holly. But if you yell at me or hang up on me again, there will be hell to pay.”

Demaratus waited until the door was shut before tugging her up from her chair. Sitting in it, he pulled her into his lap and wrapped her up tight in his arms. “I can’t believe you yelled at him.”

“I can’t, either. I was just so freaking shocked when I read that. Hell, I inhaled my Twizzlers.” Holly leaned into Demaratus and buried her face against the curve of his neck. “Jesus, I was sure that he was going to tear my head off my shoulders.” She felt terrible for the man, though. “Poor Mercury. He put his trust in that woman, and she did that to him. It’s not right. He could have had his VV in his life for a long time now but hasn’t because of a petty, jealous bitch.” She moved so that she could hit a few keys on the keyboard. “Nearly forgot to send him the file. That would’ve been bad.”