Take Me (14 page)

His gut clenched. “Talia—”

“No. Please, I do understand.” She lowered her gaze. “I have given you nothing yet to earn that trust, but I swear now I am ready.”

He blinked and his blood began to flow faster. “Are you?”

“Yes.” She lifted her head and her solemn gaze met his. “Ask me anything you wish and I will answer if I can.”

He took a quick breath in, before plunging into the questioning. “Is there an attack planned on Belton?”

She did not even hesitate. “Yes.”

The confirmation made him nauseous, but he pressed on. “And when is the planned attack?”

“On the fifteenth of the upcoming month.”

The fifteenth? That left them with just a few weeks to prepare.

“How many troops are being sent? What is their plan of action?”

“About eight hundred troops are to be deployed in a surprise attack at night.” She took a deep breath. “While at the same time a skilled assassin will infiltrate the emperor's bedchamber.”

A slow rage worked through his blood. Assassinate the emperor? He had not anticipated the lengths the Council had intended to go to. Zortou may have been a planet with few resources, but they were ruthless bastards. Fought dirty.

His gaze focused hard on Talia. She'd had this information in her head for the past two days and had originally refused to tell him? Gods. What if he had not uncovered this truth?

“I assume they have just a small amount of weaponry?” The fact that they'd been so desperate for his backing when he'd been posing as Alan Worthington led him to that conclusion.

“Well, not exactly. Though not nearly what they had hoped to obtain, they have more than one would expect. They had dealings with organized crime from the planet Vandri two years back.”

He nodded, his mouth tightening. Belton had just spent an obscene amount of money on obtaining some of the best weapons on the market. Still, it would probably be best to relocate the emperor to an undisclosed safe house as soon as possible.

Talia continued to eat the dinner, giving him anxious glances every few seconds.

“What happens now?” she finally asked.

“We attack them before they can strike.”

“Oh.” Her fork, halfway to her mouth, stilled. “What will become of the people on Zortou?”

“Do not worry, they will be treated humanely.” He narrowed his eyes. She had asked about the people of her planet, but was it possible she had meant the Council? Were her loyalties to them truly dispelled?

She just confessed everything she knows, and still you doubt her
. His conscience protested his own doubts bitterly.

Ryder thrust a hand through his hair and glanced out over the city. He needed time to drink this in, to get the information out and ensure the emperor was kept safe.

Talia's hand moved to his thigh, sending his blood pounding through his veins. She glanced up at him from beneath her lashes, appearing hesitant. “I hope I have pleased you—”

“You have no need to please me, Talia. I am not the Council,” he replied more tersely than intended. Her gaze flickered with hurt and he cursed himself for being such an ass. He gentled his tone. “Though I am grateful for the information you have shared with me.”

She set down her fork and scooted closer, kissing the side of his neck.

“I would like to share more with you.”

You can't think with a hard-on
. He brushed her hand off his leg and turned away.

“You know that I would love to, princess. But I'm afraid we do not have time right now. Return to the launch pad,” he directed the computer that controlled the pod.

“Oh.”

Her single word hung in the hair, emphasizing her vulnerability and hurt.

“Talia, please understand, your words have added pressure to an already urgent situation.”

“No, I quite understand.” She looked out the side of the pod, her tone not validating her words. “It was a nice dinner while it lasted.”

“I am sorry, princess.” He touched her cheek as the pod descended. He'd hurt her again. Damn. But when this was all through he'd make it up to her.

“Say no more, Ryder. I am quite tired in reality. Perhaps tomorrow we could take another ride—”

“I cannot make promises yet, Talia. Things will be in a bit of chaos the next few days as the military prepares. But I will try to see you—”

“Of course. I am being selfish,” she interrupted and sighed. “See me when you can. The safety of Belton is your first priority.”

The pod landed, jolting them on the couch. Ryder, unable to resist, leaned forward and dropped a hard, thorough kiss on her mouth.

“You are amazing, Talia. Thank you again for what you have done tonight.”

She raised her gaze, such trust in her eyes that his heart melted a bit.

“Thank you for tonight. You must do what needs to be done.” She smiled. “I will miss you until we see each other again.”

“And I you.” He took her hand and helped her out of the pod. “I will see you back to your room.”

They walked to the living quarters in silence. His thoughts swirled around the future and the danger they were all in. And though he was thankful for the information, part of him resented the fact that she had initially been so unwilling to share.

Hadn't she thought of her own safety while withholding the information? If she had not confessed, and Zortou attacked, she very well could have been killed.

Once outside her door he pressed the code to open it. She stepped inside and then turned around to face him.

“Good night, Ryder. I hope to see you tomorrow.”

He knew it was not likely, but forced a brief smile and kissed her cheek.

“May your dreams be sweet, princess.”

R
yder stepped out of the doorway and the doors shut behind him, locking automatically. He turned and strode back down the hall toward his office, typing in the code and then waiting as the door swung open. He headed straight to his desk, where he quickly summoned Dillon.

His friend arrived moments later, seeming unconcerned at the late-growing hour.

“Did you question her again tonight?” the other man asked, his brows drawn together.

“Yes.” Ryder nodded his head and sighed. “The attack is planned for the fifteenth of the upcoming month. There will be an assassination attempt on the emperor as well. I need you to take your soldiers and relocate the emperor tonight. Place him in the safe house that was established for this type of scenario.”

Dillon gave a quick nod. “Consider it done.”

“That is our biggest concern at the moment. I will consider our plan of actions and we can discuss it in the morning.”

“Very good.” Dillon hesitated. “Are you willing to share the details that Natalia has given?”

Natalia
. The name reminded him of her life with the Council. To him she would always be Talia. Or princess. His lips twisted with amusement.

He took a deep breath and then relayed the conversation he'd had with her to Dillon. His friend nodded throughout, his expression growing grimmer.

“Thank the gods we learned of this before they could attack.”

“Yes.” Ryder sighed. “My sentiments exactly.”

“Thank you. I will get a team together to relocate the emperor at once. I will send confirmation once it has been done.” Dillon nodded and then left the room.

Ryder watched the door slide shut and then went to sit behind his desk. There was another loose end that needed to be tied up, that he'd put off far too long.

“Computer on,” he ordered and waited for his planner to come up.

 

Talia paced her room, her stomach fluttering with nerves. Right now Ryder was probably arranging the attack on her home planet.

The possibility of what would happen to her if Belton did not win and the Council reclaimed her sent a shudder through her.

“We will win,” she murmured to herself.

Her mouth twitched. Funny how she now considered herself a citizen of Belton.

The door beeped and she swung around, startled. Had he returned so soon?

Ines walked through the door and Talia's eyes widened, her stomach twisting. Gods. She did not want to deal with this woman right now.

“What do you need, Ines?” she asked warily.

“What do I need?” Ines sneered. “It does not matter what I need. I may visit you at any point I wish; you are the prisoner, need I remind you.”

Talia nibbled on her lower lip and folded her arms across her chest. Why not just be direct? Ines had seen the moment between her and Ryder out in the gardens.

“I guess you have realized that things have changed between Ryder and myself.”

“Changed?” Ines lifted an eyebrow. “How so? Do you fancy that since you've spread your legs for him he is now in love with you?”

Talia's teeth sank deeper into her bottom lip, until she tasted blood.

“Possibly,” she answered, though she knew her tone lacked the conviction the response warranted.

Ines laughed and strolled around the room, picking up objects and then setting them back down.

“For all your experience as a whore, you sure are naïve. If he loves and trusts you, then why are you still locked behind the walls of this room? Why do you not reside in his quarters, in his bed?”

Talia opened her mouth to argue, but no answer came to her. The question was valid. After everything that had passed between them today and all the information she'd given him, still he gave her no freedom.

“You are still the enemy, Talia. A detainee upon our planet. He will never trust you.” Ines stared hard at her. “You would be a fool to believe that Ryder holds any emotion besides lust for you. He takes lovers on a regular basis and grows bored with them even quicker.”

Talia could feel the blood draining from her face. She knew they were just spiteful words from the other woman, but the possibility they were true cut deep.

“That's right. You'd best realize this now, princess.” Ines sneered the nickname Ryder had given her. “For you will not be in his thoughts for long. Just consider yourself a prisoner that he finds amusement in fucking. Once he is through…” She shrugged and a malicious smile crept over her face. “Perhaps he will send you on to entertain the soldiers in training.”

Talia raised a trembling hand to her mouth, completely incapacitated by Ines's cruel verbal attack. The other woman gave a short laugh and the sound reverberated in her head.

She would not give Ines the pleasure of cowering her. Lifting her head, she forced a smile.

“I feel sorry for you, Ines.” She turned away to look out the window, so Ines wouldn't see the trembling in her hands. “You must really love him to come in here and throw such desperate, weightless words at me.”

She heard the strangled gasp from the other woman. “You foolish bitch. Just you wait, you'll see.”

A beeping sound came from the other woman and Talia listened as she shuffled something.

“Ah, not a surprise, but it is Ryder paging me. Perhaps you left him unfulfilled, Natalia. Have a good night.”

Her footsteps echoed in the room and then Talia heard the door open and shut. A moment later it was once again silent. Thank the gods.

Ines's brutal words still rang in Talia's ear. She clutched her stomach, feeling as though she might be sick. Was it possible Ines was right?

Talia thought of the pod ride earlier in the evening, and how Ryder's demeanor toward her had changed the moment she'd disclosed the information about the Council's plans.

He seduced you to get the information
. Her hands balled into fists, and bile rose into her throat.
You suspected that was his motive from the beginning
.

Oh gods. She closed her eyes as a shudder racked her body. When threatening her had not worked, he'd switched tactics, gaining her trust and weakening her resolve. He'd ensured that not only her loyalty belonged to him, but her heart as well.

She spun around and ran toward the door.

“Be unlocked,” she yelled at it. “Damn it, be unlocked!”

Punching at the button to open it, it did not move.

She sank down to her knees, tears spilling down her cheeks. She was still a prisoner and likely always would be. Ryder did not love her—she was a means to an end.

She curled her knees up to her chest and rolled onto her side, allowing the tears to flow down her cheeks, the sobs to rack her body. Years of pain, depression, and frustration emptied out with all the tears.

When she couldn't cry anymore, she gasped in sweet breaths of air to clear her senses. Her stomach burned and her pulse kicked up.

Tired. She was so tired of being used by men for one reason or another. Whether it be for her body or the information in her head. And in Ryder's case, both.

Pulling herself off the floor, she walked to the bed and sank down. There was nothing left to do. Closing her eyes she dragged in an unsteady breath. Nothing more to do except wait to see what the gods had in store for her.

 

Ryder took a sip of water, hoping it would ease the turbulence in his stomach. This would not be a pleasure. The trick would be to keep the conversation neutral, not allow her to think it was anything personal.

A knock sounded on his door. Finally. He had summoned her nearly half an hour ago. He pressed the button on his desk that would release the lock.

Ines strode in and the unease in his stomach intensified. She was not expecting what he had in store. Not the way she was dressed. The dress revealed all her flesh, her nipples almost vulgar in their blatant showing beneath the thin fabric. He jerked his gaze back up, refusing to drop his gaze lower than her face, knowing he would only be staring at the details of her crotch. And she would get far too much enjoyment out of that.

Ines crossed the room, her smile sultry and her eyes narrowed with arousal.

He cleared his throat. “Ines—”

“I knew you would summon me.” Her laugh was husky.

“We must speak.” If he did not stop her soon, it would only add to the discomfort.

“Yes. We must. One woman, especially a submissive little whore, could never satisfy you. I know what you—”

“Ines. You are being transferred to a different unit.” Heat crept up his neck and his jaw went rigid. Damn. He had meant to make the news sound like a promotion, portray it as a good thing. But the moment she called Talia a whore, he had spat it out in vengeance.

And she knew it. Her eyes widened and her lips parted. She stared at him for a few seconds, and then there was the audible click of her teeth snapping together.

“You're transferring me?” Her voice was low and unsteady.

Fuck. Try and get this under control
. He drew in a deep breath. “You are being promoted.”

“A promotion?” She shook her head, her lips tightened. “How dare you do this to me.”

“You will have an increase in salary—”

“I do not need any more fucking money. I want—”

“The position starts immediately.” Walking around to his desk he picked up her transfer papers.

She knocked them out of his hand, her body shaking. “Do you transfer every woman after you fuck them?”

“Ines, do not make this harder than it needs to be,” he murmured, pushing back his own temper. “This is truly a great opportunity for you.”

“Is it?” Her nostrils flared and she spun around and headed for the door. “Well, guess what? I can create my own opportunities, Ryder.”

The door slid shut behind her and he sighed, setting the papers on the desk. That had not gone well. Not well at all.

 

Franklin paced the floor of the Council's chambers, his teeth clenched as he knocked a metal paperweight off the desk.

She'd been gone for three days. Three days they'd tried to track the trail of Alan Worthington, only to find out the man did not exist.

He did not exist!

“Franklin, please be seated,” Ramirez grumbled, obviously ill at ease. “You are making the situation all that much worse.”

For three days they'd all gone without sexual release. Tempers were raw and patience was nonexistent. The fact that they'd all been so easily susceptible to the deceit of the alleged oil tycoon made matters worse.

Franklin moved to the window, pressing the button that lifted the shades. The outside world was as toxic and dismal as ever. The streets were bare with all the citizens required back inside after certain hours of the day.

Gods. After the attack on Belton, he would arrange a discreet termination of Ramirez and Victor—made to look like an accident, of course. Then, the chances of repeating such a ridiculous blunder would be nonexistent. Only idiots made such mistakes. He did not consider himself to be one.

All would be well soon, and if he could somehow locate Natalia, everything would be perfect.

“Are we still planning to attack Belton at that time?” Ramirez asked, breaking the silence.

“We are,” Victor agreed. “The plans have been laid; the troops are trained and ready to be deployed.”

“And what of—”

The intercom buzzed, cutting off Franklin's response.

Victor crossed the room and pressed the speaker button. “Yes?”

“Thank you, sir.” The guard cleared his throat. “Ten minutes ago we apprehended a woman who was attempting to break into headquarters.”

Franklin's brows drew together as all glanced at each other.

“A Rosabelle was attempting to break in?”

“She is not a Rosabelle, sir. She is not from Zortou. Shall I bring her in?”

A woman not from Zortou? Interesting
. Franklin gave his nod of approval at Victor and Ramirez.

“Yes, escort her in.” Victor stepped away from the intercom. “This should be interesting.”

Franklin's eyes narrowed as he stared at the closed door.

All were aware that other planets did not suffer the same fate of a dwindling supply of women as Zortou did. At one point they'd attempted to abduct women from other planets, and had suffered a terrible retribution for the effort.

It had taken years to recover from the attack and was the main reason their atmosphere was toxic now.

The doors hissed open and the guard strode in, gripping the arm of an unfamiliar woman. She was taller than most women on Zortou, with brown hair and brown eyes. Her breasts were not very large, her hips narrow; overall she was rather unremarkable. Franklin was no fool, though. To all three of the men in this room, she represented the possibility of getting fucked.