“Fucking murdering traitor.” Ryder swiped a trickle of blood from his cheek where his skin had split, keeping his device steady on Frank. “You are the reason my sister is dead.”
“Those are harsh words, young man.” Frank was breathing heavily, grimacing as he held a hand to his side. He took a moment to wipe blood from his own lip. He snarled in a low, angry voice, “Especially considering what your mother has done. You think you’re all so lily-white in this? You’re all such wonderful martyrs, enjoying your pain so perfectly.”
“My mother has done nothing.”
“Perhaps that is a more apt description.” Frank sneered cryptically. “I wonder. Does it make you equal to the criminal when you know of the crime and do nothing about it?”
“What does that mean?” Ryder growled in a low tone.
“Who is the real monster here? The product or the creator?” His eyes took on a crazed look. “Who must take responsibility for the outcomes? The consequences?”
“You hold my mother responsible for your treachery?”
“Your mother. The courts. I’m saying follow the trial, Ryder Langston. There is more than meets the eye.” Ranik allowed an evil smile to crease his lips. “What do they say? An eye for an eye? I will see it done. The spirits of Te’re will be crushed.”
Shoot him! I tore down my mental barrier and implored Ryder silently. Take him out!
“He can’t, Taylor,” Frank grinned, having read my thoughts. “For that magnificent radiation laser he’s holding, he needs a clear space for accuracy. You see, he probably has it programmed for full power, and when he pulses me with it, all of my veins will hemorrhage in spectacular fashion. I’m sure he wouldn’t want to hurt Paul by accident. Innocent Paul. He was trying to save the world, you know.” Frank’s chuckle sounded strained.
“You won’t be allowed to leave here,” Ryder stated firmly.
Frank’s bloodshot eyes darted frantically around the room for an escape route. He had blood coming from his nose.
“Taylor, move! Get over here!” Ryder commanded.
Energy depleted from the mental assault I’d delivered, I could just barely stand and, ever so slightly, shake my head, feeling helpless. It was taking all my strength to simply continue remaining upright, but my will was greater than the black void that threatened to drag me down. I needed to know that Ryder was safe.
“She’s quite done in, isn’t she? Poor thing can’t even talk,” Frank mocked, though even his voice sounded weak. “But no worries. I have other plans. You’ll have to excuse me from this conversation. Shall I give my regards to your mother, Taylor?”
What?
“Follow the pitiful cries of the children, Senior Officer.”
With that, Frank lunged toward me. Ryder cursed furiously. With a harsh shove, Frank threw me toward Ryder, who caught me safely, not letting me hit the floor. Almost immediately, Frank was engulfed in vibrant blue light and disappeared.
The wave of exhaustion swept through me, as it had the other time I’d unleashed a major mental attack. No! I fought it, trying to stay conscious. My legs were wobbly and my mind beckoned the peaceful bliss of darkness. I saw Ryder scoop up his necklace and pop it over his head in one smooth motion as he came to me.
Rest, lin’de. Don’t fight it.
But Ryder...
We’ll talk later.
I don’t want to leave you.
You won’t. I’ll take care of you. Always.
Chapter Twenty-Two
“Is she all right?”
I remembered the imperious voice well. This was not how I wished to wake up after a long, healing sleep. I opened my eyes to see I was comfortably ensconced in Ryder’s bed, overlooking the ocean at Venice Beach—not that I could see the water, as it was pitch-black out. I was sure tired of losing time.
“She’s still out,” Ryder replied quietly, though I could detect the strain in his tone. Ryder and his father sounded as though they were right outside the door.
“Are you sure she’s all right? Does she need medical care? She’s been unconscious for quite some time.” His father actually sounded concerned. Weird.
“This happened last time,” Ryder replied. He paused a moment, and new relief sounded in his tone. “She’s back. I can feel her energy signature again. I’ll see if she’s ready to visit.”
Ryder came through the door, big and dangerous looking, taking up all the space in the doorway, and paused. He just looked at me with a burning intensity. Grim with emotion, his pale eyes held mine in thrall. Silently, he approached and knelt by my head, gathered me in his arms and buried his face in my neck, breathing deeply. It was like he needed the reassurance of my scent, which touched off an ache in my heart.
He really and truly needed me. Me. This big, powerful warrior wanted me. Yeah, he was now in a position to do me emotional harm, but I was in the same position with him, and all either of us could do was trust. Looking at his head, bent in need to me, I knew I was ready to do this.
He pulled far enough away to stare into my eyes, and I felt a powerful sense of gratitude, relief, residual trauma from his fear of my potential death and a love so strong it washed over me with warmth and contentment. He couldn’t speak, and instead was letting me into his mind.
Tears welled up with the surge of tender emotion that threatened to close my throat. I reached up to caress his jaw, my fingers loving the rough feel of his dark, scruffy whiskers. He leaned into my hand, briefly closing his eyes.
“Don’t cry, lin’de,” he murmured gruffly, though it seemed as though his own eyes were suspiciously moist. “Everything is going to be all right now.”
“I wasn’t sure I would ever see you again,” I whispered tremulously. The tears traced in rivulets toward my temples, and Ryder gently wiped them away with his thumbs. He then framed my face delicately and stole a soft, lingering kiss that took my breath away.
“I would never let that happen,” he uttered fiercely, staring into my eyes.
Love, happiness and contentment layered me in a warm, comforting blanket. I pulled him down for another kiss, wanting more time to say the things I needed to say, but knowing his father was waiting for us.
“Why is your father here?” I asked against Ryder’s lips.
“He wanted to speak with you.”
“Not here to kill me or anything?”
“I can confirm that.” He gave a shaky grin.
I was wearing the camisole and sleep pants I’d brought with me from my apartment. Ryder must have dressed me, which was a naughty thought I hoped to pursue at a later time. After slipping on Ryder’s robe for modesty’s sake, I found Talon standing by the sliding doors, looking out over the night, listening to the crashing waves. He turned as I appeared and gave me a smile reminiscent of his son’s, which helped to alleviate some of the butterflies I felt in my gut. I had no idea why he would want to see me. He was dressed in his nation’s version of military fatigues.
“I’m glad to see you’re all right, Taylor,” he stated kindly.
“Uh, thanks.” I gave him a tentative smile. “Would you like to sit? Have a drink?”
“Thank you, but today, I’m short on time. I have an apology to make. Miara nearly took my head off after our last meeting, and she helped me to see I was wrong in my treatment of you.” With a thoughtful frown, he paused to look down at the ground, as though gathering his thoughts. “You put your life at risk to protect hundreds of our citizens, but instead of properly honoring you, I ran you off. I’m ashamed for that, and I won’t offer excuses. The people of Te’re would like to thank you for your sacrifice in person. I also wanted to make sure you had these.” He held out the charms that I’d left behind from my mother’s bracelet.