Viv played with a ten karat diamond at her throat. “Turning you over to Zane would guarantee peace with him, and yet, I agree that we can’t allow the younger generation to dictate our lives.”
Felicity smiled, obviously thinking she’d found an ally.
Daire knew better. Viv was a master negotiator as well as manipulator. “Get to it, Aunt Viv.”
“Here’s the offer. Felicity, I will ensure you meet your plane at the airport. When you reach cruising altitude, you’ll send me the name of the witch working with Bychkov to mine and distribute planekite.” Viv leaned in.
Felicity nodded. “That’s acceptable.”
“And Daire accompanies you to your destination,” Viv finished.
“There it is,” Adam whispered.
Aye. There it was. “I’m not taking her anywhere,” Daire bit out.
“Enforcer? You are hereby ordered on protection detail of our good ally, Felicity Kyllwood.” Viv leaned over and signed something with a bold stroke.
Felicity clasped her hands together. “Absolutely not.”
Viv sighed. “It is my understanding that the forces you thought you had just walked out the door with Bear, which means you’re going it alone. Sending you off on a dangerous mission, without even informing the leader of your people, regardless of your affiliation with him, would be a colossal mistake I am not prepared to make.”
Daire relaxed his stance. Felicity was tough, but Viv had about six centuries on her and understood family and duty. He wanted to believe there wasn’t the slightest glimmer of matchmaking frenzy in her eyes, but he wouldn’t bet his bike on it. Viv loved to get them tied up in, well, love. “Whatever you are planning in your head, Auntie, knock it off,” he said.
She rolled her eyes. “Don’t worry, nephew. I can already see she’s too good for you . . . as well as too young. Ironic, right?”
Now that was a direct hit. Daire lowered his chin, recognizing a challenge when one rammed him full in the head. “Felicity? Coven Nine orders or no, you’re not getting on a plane without me. Period.”
Felicity took several moments to think, a myriad of expressions crossing her face. “In exchange for allowing the enforcer to accompany me, I’ll require his assistance in several matters.”
“Done,” Viv said.
“Good. I will send you the name of the witch you seek upon completion of these matters,” Felicity said, meeting Viv’s gaze head on.
Viv lifted her chin. “That was not the deal.”
“We hadn’t struck a deal, Ms. Northcutt.” Felicity kept her stance. “I’ve just offered you one. Take it.”
Damn, the woman had balls.
Viv breathed in. “The traitor witch is causing havoc and mining planekite as we speak. I can’t wait for the name.”
Felicity smiled. “I assure you, the witch and Ivan Bychkov are distracted right now and not mining. They will, I’m sure, begin doing so again in the near future, at which time you’ll have the name. If you and your enforcer cooperate.”
Daire leaned back and watched the women play chess. If Felicity called him the enforcer one more time, he was going to retaliate for that kick to the face. Oh, he wouldn’t hurt her, but she’d think twice before kicking him again.
“Fair enough,” Viv said, and the screen went dark.
Felicity turned toward him. “How do you feel about bank robberies?”
Felicity leaned into Daire as he took a corner, acutely aware of the hard body in front of her and the rumbling machine between her thighs. How different from when she’d ridden behind the shifter. Daire had wasted no time in setting her on the back of his bike and taking off, his back a rigid line of anger.
While she couldn’t blame him, not really, she had to finish what she’d started in order to protect her kids. Finally. She wouldn’t fail again. Clouds began to cover the moon in true Seattle fashion, and soon the wind carried a bite. After thirty minutes of riding, she realized they weren’t heading for the airport. In fact, they had turned in the opposite direction.
She dug her nails into Daire’s flat abdomen and levered herself up to yell in his ear. “Wrong way.”
He didn’t answer.
She wiggled and tried to move the bike, but he slapped a hand over hers and held her in place. When she struggled, his grip tightened. A warning.
Damn it. Not for one second had she even considered he’d disobey a direct order from the leader of the Coven Nine. He was an enforcer, for Pete’s sake. Anarchy would ensue if enforcers just willy-nilly decided not to follow orders. She fumed behind him, her hand caught, the inside of her thighs tight to the outside of his. His hard, very masculine, oh so hot thighs.
Her nipples peaked.
Of all the ridiculous reactions. So, she’d had sex—great sex—for the first time in decades. Daire was creative, full of fire, and sensual as hell. Her body didn’t need to react to such a degree.
More than ever, she wished she could melt minds with her brain.
No such luck.
They drove down a dirt road with overhanging trees covering them. Soon the rush of a river competed with the pipes of the bikes. How Daire could see, she had no clue, but he drove on as if knowing exactly which potholes to avoid. Finally, he stopped outside of a rustic cabin and silenced the bike.
She immediately launched into speech. “This is kidnapping and treason, Daire Dunne.” Sucking in a full breath in order to let him have it, she choked when he yanked her in front of him, cradled between the handlebars and his length. “Why you—”
His mouth was on hers. Not gentle and sure not nice, he conquered her mouth like the soldier he was. No mercy, no cajoling, just pure, raw male. Demanding and strong, his tongue swept inside her mouth, stealing even her breath. One arm secured her back while the other held her chin right where he wanted her.
Her legs dangled over his knee, and if she kicked, she’d only hit air and then the bike on the down swipe. But she didn’t think of kicking.
In fact, she stopped thinking the second he released her chin and palmed her breast. Need licked down to her clit. A moan rumbled up from her abdomen, through her chest, and into his mouth.
“Knock it off, you two.” Adam’s voice jerked her back to the present.
Daire released her mouth, his hand remaining in place.
She panted, her body rioting. A corner of her mind cataloged Adam stomping up wooden steps and shoving his way inside the cabin.
Green eyes pinned her through the darkness. Slowly, deliberately, Daire tweaked her nipple through the thin cotton.
She bit her lip, her brain fuzzing.
He leaned in, pinching with just enough bite to keep her still. “I’m done being played by you, Cee Cee. Agree right now to work with me; no more secrets and no more lies.”
She could only blink.
He caressed down and palmed the flesh between her legs. Even through the jeans, his hand heated her. “I can see you need persuading.”
“No.” She finally regained some sanity. “I’ve got it.”
He paused. “You sure?”
“Yes.” There was no doubt he could bring her to orgasm, probably multiple times, and she didn’t want to scream with Adam in hearing distance. Yet a part of her, one on fire, almost challenged Daire. How much could one little orgasm hurt? She shook her head. “I’m sure.”
“Good.” He released her and swung her to the ground. “Let’s go inside, and I want your whole damn plan.”
Chapter 14
Felicity stumbled after Daire across the wet leaves. A cranky enforcer was no fun. She bit back a smile at her sarcastic thoughts, feeling almost high from his kiss. Even now, her lips tingled and her body ached for more.
And the damn man knew it.
Of course, she hadn’t missed his deliberate shifting to ease what had to be rather tight jeans. Take that, witch.