Agent S5: Jaydan (10 page)

Her voice trembled as she shouted down at him. “No, Cyrus. I’ve never been yours. If you loved me, you’d let me go.”

“
Never
.”

Keegan clutched his bicep.  “I hate it here, Cyrus - and I hate you.”

Stilling, Cyrus doubled over as if in pain. He pounded a fist against his chest.

“How can you say that? We grew up together. Made love for the first time together.”

Inhaling deep, Keegan let it out slowly. “I slept with you because you promised to get me off the island. You lied to me, Cyrus.”

His face took on a look of wide-eyed innocence.  “I convinced my grandfather to let you go into Honolulu once a week. I kept my promise.”

“
Enough
.” Keegan’s hand sliced through the air. “I’m through with this, Cyrus. I’m leaving with them.”

His anguished cry sounded like a wounded animal, guttural and consumed with pain. The psycho had some kind of sick obsession with her. Jaydan didn’t want to think about what he’d put her through.

Cyrus pointed up at them. “Kill him and bring me the women.”

The guards scrambled up the stairs.

Jaydan cried, “Both of you, grab my neck.”

Throwing their arms around his neck, the women shrieked when he jumped onto the railing overlooking the foyer. The guards stopped on the steps.

Hope’s breath washed over his ear. “Jaydan, what are you doing?”

“Hold on.”

Crouching low, he sprang in the air toward the chandelier. Grabbing the center rod, it swung side to side, the glass baubles twinkling and clashing together.

“
Keegan.
” Cyrus’ frantic cry carried over the clinking opus of glass. “
I will kill you, Rose. Do you hear me
?”

“Close your eyes,” Jaydan yelled over his shoulder.

With all of the energy rushing through his system, he yanked down on the rod. The plaster ceiling splintered like a spider web, the crackling sound echoing like raging thunder in the house.

The ceiling gave way.

Throwing himself between the floor and the women, Jaydan felt a new surge of energy push through him as the floor came up to meet the crystals with a jarring jolt. Glass shattered around them in an explosion of brightness, with tiny shards splintering his arms and face. Male screams sailed above the crashing boom, before silence rang in his ears.

Moving slowly, he shook off pieces of glass. Holy shit, he hurt. Each woman had a death grip on his neck so he knew they were okay. Looking around, he saw one of the men stirring, the others still and lifeless amongst the litter of cut-glass. Cyrus lay unconscious not two feet away from Keegan, his arm outstretched toward her.

A noise came from the back of the house.

“Please, can we go?” Keegan’s frightened tone spurred him into action.

Rising to his feet, Jaydan shifted them on his back and ran out the front door.

Hope grabbed Keegan’s hand and squeezed it tight. “We did it.”

Keegan turned away from the dark sky outside the airplane window. Her round eyes were filled with fear, the cut on her forehead bleeding behind the bandage.

Only a miracle had allowed the three of them to leave that house with minor cuts, while the others lay unconscious on the floor. That miracle was Jaydan Rose.

His courage astounded her, his quick thinking, astonishing. She’d never been more proud of, or grateful for anyone in her life.

“I’m not dreaming, am I?”

Giving her a warm smile, Hope shook her head. “No, we’re on our way to Natalie now. We haven’t told her a thing. We wanted to surprise her.”

Keegan’s bottom lip quivered as she nodded. “I can’t wait to see her. What about my father and mother?”

Hope stilled, her heart heavy. She’d never had to tell someone that a loved one was dead. The feeling of dread and genuine hurt in her chest made it hard to speak. Keegan had been through so much already.

“Your father is in Los Angeles going through rehabilitation from burns he sustained last year. Your mother passed away shortly after you were abducted.”

Hanging her head, Keegan stared at her lap.   Hope wondered if she could mourn a mother she never really got to know.  Then again, she, herself, mourned Kim after knowing her only five short years.

  “God, so much tragedy...” Looking at Hope, Keegan took and deep breath and feigned a smile. “I’m glad Natalie is engaged. We need some good news in the family.”

Hope grinned at her. “I think your return is pretty darn awesome.”

Keegan’s smile reached her eyes this time. She just left a dwelling of evil to be reunited with a family she didn’t know. She had no real concept of home, family or love.

Hope couldn’t imagine going through life without her father, and now Riordan and Natalie. The family she’d always wanted was now a reality and she would do everything in her power to make Keegan feel a part of it.

“Would you like to see some pictures?” Releasing Keegan’s hand, Hope unbuckled and walked over to her tote bag on the seat across the aisle. Digging through the bag, she tossed the contents on the seat and floor, looking for her tablet. Finding it, she went back to Keegan.

Scrolling through pictures, she found one of Natalie and Riordan sitting outside the artist’s colony where she currently resided. She handed it to Keegan.

Keegan gasped before she turned to Hope. “She’s engaged to Riordan St. James?”

Hope smiled with pride. “Yes, she’s a licensed psychologist and was hired to work with my brother after he returned from Mongolia last year.”

Keegan tapped the tablet screen. “You saw Zeke. Cyrus has used Riordan’s DNA several times to create his bodyguards. Your brother has astonishing strength and endurance.”

Zeke didn’t look too impressive against Jaydan earlier. Her protector had handled him with ease. Not that she didn’t consider her brother exceptional.  It was just that no one could match Jaydan Rose and his strength.

“So, why does Cyrus clone people?”

Keegan squinted her eyes in thought. “Cyrus has a very specific idea of the perfect world. One where people are created for certain purposes, eliminating competition, conflict and bitterness.”  She turned to Hope.  “He doesn’t necessarily clone people. He uses their DNA and genetic code as a base, then removes or enhances certain behaviors to suit his needs. In Zeke’s case, Cyrus needed a strong bodyguard. He used Riordan as his base but enhanced Zeke’s protective instincts. He was created to protect Cyrus and all of his interests, at any cost.” Keegan’s voice held an ominous tone. “He
will
come after me.”

Hope’s intuition told her Keegan spoke the truth. “We’re taking you to D.I.R.E. headquarters, the security agency that Riordan and Jaydan work for. You’ll be safe there.”

Nodding, Keegan stared at the photo of Natalie and Riordan. Leaning over, Hope showed her how to scroll through the photo album.

Keegan caught her wrist.   “How did you end up with this bracelet?”

Hope swallowed hard. All of the anguish bombarded her again, the questions, the feeling of doom that dropped in her stomach when she saw her mother’s picture at the house. She prayed Keegan could give her a rational explanation, could make the anxiety and hurt go away.

Hope spoke in a low tone. “It belonged to my mother.”

She whipped around to look at her. “Your mother was Kimberly DePaul?”

Frowning, Hope nodded. “Yes. Did you know her?”

Keegan’s eyes searched hers, leery and uncomfortable. “I remember her from the past.”

“What do you mean
the past
? Did she visit the compound?”

Swallowing hard, Keegan gave her an uncertain stare. “When I was first abducted, they sent me to the past so my family wouldn’t find me. I remember her from nineteen forty. She was Clay Matheson’s first donor.”

The pounding started in Hope’s chest like a weak bass drum before it crescendoed into a hammer against rock. Her body broke out in a sweat, her hands shaking. “What are you talking about?”

Keegan spoke in a matter-of-fact tone.  “Your mother lived in the past before she was brought to modern times.”

Placing her fingertips against her forehead, Hope tried to understand what Keegan told her. People didn’t jump from time periods. That sort of thing was impossible, something shown in the movies late on a Saturday night.

“There is no such thing as time travel.”

Keegan gave her a rueful smile. “Oh, yes. There is. I’ve experienced it myself.”

That couldn’t be.  Keegan must have some kind of psychological disorder, after living with Cyrus for so long.   Natalie would help her.

Taking a deep breath, Hope tried to insert some logic into the situation. “Not that I believe you but, say for argument’s sake, let’s say you’re telling the truth…”

Keegan gasped. “You think I’m lying?”

Hope held up a hand to halt her speech. “Why was she brought to the future?”

Shaking her head, Keegan said, “That, I don’t know for sure. What I do know is that someone wanted her here and used Nathan Chalmers’ time machine to do it.”

Time machine. Hope squeezed her eyes shut. How could she even engage in such a ridiculous conversation? Maybe
she
was dreaming all of this. Not Keegan.

Keegan placed a hand on her arm. “I know you don’t believe me but, I rode in the machine myself. Hope, time travel is real.”

***

Jaydan stirred from his dream. He’d just had Hope in his bed, naked, willing and soft against his side. She’d whispered insanely erotic things in his ear, her hands roaming his body, intent to please.

Dylan’s voice intruded on his dream. “He’s asleep. Can I take a message?”

“Asleep? This is his brother. Wake him up.”

Jaydan frowned to himself. That sounded a lot like Gunner. Why was Gunner in his dream?

Hope’s scent hit him a second later, her soft hand against his forehead. “Rose.”

He smiled at her in his dream, wrapped in his arms, her green eyes soft with desire. God, she was beautiful.

“Are you awake?” He felt her breath against his cheek. “We need you, Rose.”

The words hit him like a splash of cold water, his heart pounding out of control.

He jerked upright. “
Hope
.”

Squatting beside his cockpit seat, she gasped before brushing back the hair from his forehead. “I’m right here, Rose.”

Willing his heart to slow, his gaze traveled over her pretty face, dotted with nicks and cuts. “Are you okay?”

Her smile melted away the worry thrashing his body. “Except for the minor issue that our pilot is sleeping and your royally ticked-off brother is on the phone, I’m just peachy.”

McCall glanced over at him. “The sonovabitch just woke up. Hold on.”

Nodding at McCall, Jaydan gazed into Hope’s teasing eyes. “I’ll always be there for you, Hope.”

She gave him a soft smile. “I know.”

The words were said with such sincerity and confidence it surprised him.

“Jaydan?” Gunner’s voice rang in his ear.

Shit
. Gunner. He looked at the clock on the dash. He’d barely make the wedding.

He straightened in his seat.  “Gunn, I got tied up but I’m on my way back to the mainland. I’ll be there in time.”

“Damn Jaydan, you said you’d be here last night.” Disappointment ran thick in his tired voice.

Guilt and shame stomped on Jaydan’s chest with heavy boots. “I know. I’m sorry.”

Hope grabbed his hand and squeezed. He glanced down at her. “I won’t miss it. I’ll be there. My job –“

“You have four hours, Jay.” The line went dead.

Leaning back his head against the seat, he shut his eyes. Dammit, he’d let them down. Again. Self-resentment rolled through his body like thunder.

Mitchell’s voice sailed through the cockpit, jerking him alert. “Rose, what’s your status?”

Glancing at his gauges, he said, “We’re less than twenty minutes out.”

“Roger that. How’s Keegan?”

He looked at Hope for answers. She spoke in a raised voice. “She’s a little banged up, Mitchell, but okay. She’s sleeping in the cabin.”

Mitchell said, “Riordan and Natalie just arrived. I haven’t told them a thing.”

Hope smiled at Jaydan, excitement lining her bright eyes.

“I’ll have to miss the reunion if I want to get to the wedding,” Jaydan said.  “I’ll drop off these three and head out.”

“Roger that.” Mitchell signed off.

Hope popped him on the arm. She shook out her hand.   “Jaydan Rose, after all we’ve been through, you’re not going to stick around long enough to see them reunited?”

Dylan shot up from his chair. “That’s my queue to leave.” He rushed out of the cockpit and shut the door.

“Hope, Gunner gets married in four hours. I told him I’d be there yesterday.”

“It’ll only take a few minutes, Jaydan.”

He let out a big sigh. “Without me there, you can take all the credit.”

Exasperation coated her raised voice. “I don’t want all the credit. I want you there.”

His heart lurched.  “You hate me.” He said it, wishing she’d contradict him.

“No… “ she said with defiance.  Pulling in her lips over her teeth, she smiled.  “…not all the time.”

He grinned to himself.  Damn, why’d she have to be so… Hope?

Gazing at his mouth, she leaned forward and kissed him. Once. Twice – before touching his lips with her tongue. He opened for her, her lips soft, her tongue languid as it played with his.  Pressing closer, she wrapped her cool hand around his neck, her breasts pliant against his chest.

God, she tasted sweet. He knew she manipulated him, played his desire for her to get her way.

He wouldn’t budge.

Reluctant, he pulled away. “You need to buckle up. I have to land this thing.” He radioed in to D.I.R.E. for landing clearance.

With a dazed nod, she buckled in the co-pilot seat and took a deep breath. Looking over, she gave him a wide grin, like a child on Christmas morning. “I’m so excited, Jaydan.”

Hell. He’d stay.

***

Hope handed Keegan a brush, her hands visibly shaking as she accepted it.

“Your sister is right outside. Are you excited?”

She stared at Hope with wide eyes.  “I’m scared, nervous and excited all at once.” Her voice softened. “I keep thinking Cyrus will show up and take me back.”

Hope clutched her free hand and squeezed it tight. “I told you, you’ll be safe here. Okay? Don’t let worry ruin your reunion with your sister.”

Keegan nodded. “I’m afraid I may smother her.”

They shared a laugh.

“Are you ready?” Jaydan stood at the open cabin door, Dylan beside him. “I really need to get a move on.”

Taking a deep breath, Keegan handed the brush to Hope. “Will you go out with me?”

Hope smiled, excitement taking flight in her stomach like a rabble of butterflies.

She linked her arm through Keegan’s. “Let’s do this.”

Walking to the cabin door, Keegan shook uncontrollably. Hope tightened her arm alongside her. “Lean against me, okay?”

Stepping out on the landing, Hope looked for the welcoming committee. Riordan and Natalie stood beside Mitchell Jacobs and another woman, who held his hand. Hope waved, exhilaration swirling in her stomach. Keegan sobbed aloud.

Leading her down the steps with care, Hope kept Keegan’s body tight against her side while the poor woman held a white-knuckled grip on the railing. Keegan stopped midway down, a hand over her eyes.

“I can’t see, I’m crying so hard.”

Hope laughed through her own tears. “I’m afraid I’m no help either.” They made it down a few more steps.

Keegan stopped again and called to her sister. “Na-“ she cleared her throat. “Natty-baby.”