“I know you meant well, but stop protecting me.”
He stepped closer, his body brushing hers. “I’ll never stop protecting you. It’s in my blood. I understand your frustration, but it’s far more important to me to keep you safe than to worry if I’ve pointed out every little security detail that you might not be aware of.”
“One more surprise, and I’m leaving,” she said.
Even in the dim light she saw a flash of fear in his eyes.
When the door at the end of the passageway opened, the silence of the tunnel echoed with the clamor of fighting. Walking into the Bat Cave was like stepping into a gladiator ring. Sweat-slicked bodies, plus the clash of swords mingled with grunts, yells, and laughter. The men had removed their shirts, and even Sorcha had stripped down to a tank top. Off to the side, Shay saw the small room with monitors. “How long have the monitors been here?”
Cody’s jaw clamped. “Longer than the tunnel. Let’s go practice. You can take your anger out on me, aye? Let’s see what you remember.”
She nodded absently and followed Cody into the practice area. While she emptied her pockets, Cody took a small sword from the wall.
Shay gave it an apprehensive stare. “It’s been a while since I’ve used a sword.”
He moved behind her, clasping his large hand over hers, demonstrating. “It’ll come back to you. Remember, not too tight. Feel the weight, the balance, as if it’s part of your arm.”
What she felt was Cody’s body so close she could smell the soap he used in the shower, and his skin, warm and masculine, made her think of what they’d done last night, what they hadn’t done, and what she wanted to do. It took several minutes to focus on the sword she held. After a few practice swings, the weapon started to feel more comfortable in her hand.
“That’s better,” he said, nodding. “Feel the sword’s power.”
He backed away and slid a larger sword from the case on the wall. Facing her, he lifted the blade, body poised for attack. “What are you going to do?”
She gripped her sword, shifting slightly from foot to foot, watching his eyes. She lunged, but he stepped aside so quickly she almost fell. She caught herself and turned.
Several feet away, Sorcha sparred with Duncan, both faces intense, unreadable. Shay watched Sorcha execute a strike as powerful as a man’s. Sorcha wouldn’t have run away from a stalker, but Sorcha was a warrior, trained for battle, not a woman who’d learned some self-defense moves when she was a kid.
Cody’s sword sliced through the air and stopped, the tip pointed over Shay’s heart. She gasped.
“Pay attention,” Cody barked. “Getting distracted is the fastest way to die. Be aware of your surroundings, but don’t forget I’m in front of you holding a sword. Now, attack like I showed you. Remember when we were teenagers.”
She’d thought it was just a cool game back then. No one had told her the fate of the world was at stake. She blocked out the yells and clashing metal and focused on Cody. His face, his hazel eyes, the set of his jaw, solid and strong. He stood so still she wondered how he could be breathing. She steadied her own breathing, stared into his eyes, and felt strength pouring over her like metal, clothing her in armor. She lunged. Her sword met his, a shriek of metal, the jolt jarring her shoulder, but she held on to her blade. She felt strong, powerful, the way she hadn’t felt the past month. She jumped back, gripped the sword tighter, and lunged again. Cody whirled aside, moving quickly behind her, his blade at her throat before she even struck with her sword. She could feel the heat of his body, the cold metal at her neck. Her heart pounded so hard she was sure everyone could hear.
“What now?” His voice was soft at her ear. He wasn’t even out of breath. Even though she was angry at him for keeping the tunnel a secret, she wanted to lean into him and feel his strength. What was wrong with her?
She saw Jamie stop and look at them, pausing long enough for Ronan to knock his sword from his hand, and she felt some of her training return. Get clear of the weapon. Shay brought her elbow back into Cody’s ribs, and his blade relaxed enough for her to shove his arm aside and spin to face him.
He grinned, baring his nicked bottom tooth, and moved like a streak of light. Shay’s whole body rattled as he struck the sword from her hand. She stumbled backward, reaching out to grab hold of him. They both fell, but he twisted at the last second, and she landed on top of him.
“We seem destined to do this,” he said, eyes darkening.
Shay’s eyes locked on his, and she forgot about swords and warriors. She remembered his hands on her, hers on him—
“Feel like a real workout?” Jamie stood above them, his eyes boring through Cody.
Cody put Shay aside and stood. “If you think you’re up to it.”
“I am, but looks like you didn’t get your beauty rest.”
Cody gave Jamie an evil grin. “Hard to do with Shay talking in her sleep.”
Jamie’s eyes narrowed, and his hand clenched around his sword. “After a year, I got used to it.”
“Shay, move back.” Cody pulled his shirt over his head and flung it behind him.
“I don’t think this is a good idea,” Shay said.
“Move!” Cody and Jamie yelled at the same time. The men circled each other, faces fierce, bodies taut. Cody lunged, and Jamie met his sword. Shay’s heart pounded sickeningly as their swords flashed and feet darted, the movements so quick she found herself as mesmerized as she was horrified. The power they exuded was overwhelming. She’d never seen anything like it, except in the movies.
Everyone else in the room stopped, swords hanging from their hands as they watched the two men. Cody’s sword slashed across Jamie’s stomach, leaving a streak of red.
“Someone stop them,” Shay yelled.
“Enough,” Faelan roared. He wedged himself between Cody and Jamie while Ronan and Duncan held them back. “Leave something for the enemy to fight.”
Cody wiped sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand. He and Jamie were both panting, chests heaving.
Jamie held his hand over the cut on his stomach, his eyes furious.
“Come on, Jamie. You need a bandage.” Shay picked up her cell phone and stuck it in her pocket, keeping it close in case Renee called. Shay led Jamie up the stairs to the bathroom on the first floor. She found the first aid kit and looked at the wound. It was low on his stomach, almost touching his belt. She reached for his buckle and started to undo it, but caught herself. She didn’t have that right anymore. She felt his gaze burning into the top of her head. “Unbuckle your belt,” she said. She backed up. “Maybe you should bandage it.”
“You’ll do a better job of it than me.” Jamie unbuckled his belt and unzipped his jeans enough to push them clear of the cut. He leaned against the sink as she knelt and cleaned the wound.
“Sorry,” she said, when he flinched.
“It’s okay,” he said, his voice strained.
“It doesn’t look as bad as it was before.”
“Warriors heal quickly.”
He held his belt clear while she applied gauze and taped it in place. She was so close to him she could feel her breath on her fingers as she worked. She heard Jamie groan. Shay looked up and saw his eyes darkening with passion, and he was getting hard.
“All done,” she said, jumping to her feet.
His hand touched her arm, sliding up to cradle her face. “Are you sure there’s no chance for us?” he asked, searching her eyes. There was longing and sadness in his. “After this is over, maybe if we go away, take a vacation.”
“I’m not right for you, Jamie. What about destiny and those mate marks?” He didn’t have one, unless it was hidden underneath his tattoos. She’d seen every other part of him.