Predatory Game (31 page)

“Let’s go then,” Jess said. “It will take a few minutes for me to get dressed.”

Saber hurried to drag on jeans and a T-shirt. Jess hadn’t been happy that she allowed Patsy to leave without saying anything, but he hadn’t condemned her for it. It seemed that she kept asking him to accept more and more from her. She would have warned Patsy, though. She liked her a great deal and she never would have left without first making certain Patsy knew she had something wrong with her heart.

Guilt didn’t ease up as she ran for the van. Jess was already in the garage, rolling his chair onto the lift to take him inside. He caught her outstretched hand as she leapt to join him.

“I’m sorry, Jesse. I honestly don’t know if it’s a minor thing that doesn’t really matter and will never harm her, but it’s just not right.”

“I understand.” He locked his chair into place and glanced over at her to make certain she was settled. “The thing is, baby, Patsy means the world to me. If anything happened to her…” His voice trailed off and the van engine started.

“I know. I’m sorry. I should have told you sooner.” She was miserable with shame and guilt weighing her down.

H
e lost them.
Lost
them. Everything was falling apart. He had to regroup. He could still save this. He went down the stairs to the basement and walked through the waiting room.
Her
room. Once he had her where she belonged, her voice would only be for him. She’d speak only when he allowed her, say only things meant for his ears.

Manacles hung from the ceiling and the wall. He had everything laid out for her—ready for her. She would come to love him in time, love the things he could do to her. And she’d know he was her master, the one she was born to please. She’d be what he wanted her to be, live only for him at his whim, at his pleasure. He sucked in his breath. He was so close. No one would ever find this place. Not the cripple, not the supersoldiers, and certainly not that bastard Whitney.

C
HAPTER
13

R
ain greeted them as they pulled out of the drive and headed for Patsy’s estate. Jesse and Patsy’s grandparents had left both of them well off, and Patsy lived only a few miles from her brother, the back of her property connecting to the same thick wooded area. A month after Jess’s legs had been damaged she had purchased the property next to his and bought into the radio station. It actually took longer to drive to her house than walk through the woods to it, as they had to circle around following the roads.

“What are we going to say to her?” Saber asked.

“I haven’t figured that out yet,” Jess snapped and then shot her a quick, apologetic look. “I don’t know, but I’ll think of something.”

Saber swallowed hard and stared out the window into the driving rain. The storm was moving in fast. The weatherman had been predicting a major storm for several days and it was finally here, the heavy layer of thick fog blotting out the stars and moon. Lightning veined the underside of the ominous dark clouds swirling overhead, and unease slid down her spine. “I’m sorry, Jess. I should have found a way to tell Patsy without giving away the fact that I’m a trained psychic.”

“I’m not upset with you, Saber, just the situation. And I have no idea what to tell Patsy at four in the morning, but I have to go. I feel a sense of urgency, which is silly I suppose, but I just can’t take chances with her life.”

“She’s your family. And I think it’s best to tell her immediately and get her to a hospital.” She yawned. “I’m actually tired. It’s still dark and I’m tired. Amazing.”

He reached over and ran his finger along the back of her hand. Her stomach clenched. It was the first gesture of affection or tenderness he’d shown her since she’d revealed she thought there might be something wrong with Patsy’s heart, and she instantly felt happy. It was odd caring about another human being. You sort of got sucked in whether you liked it or not, because her affection—and her need to protect—carried to his sister as well.

“I was looking forward to sleeping with you. I love the idea of waking up with you in my bed, wrapped in my arms, your face the first thing I see.”

It wasn’t fair that he could say things like that to her and make her body go into hyperdrive. But even more unfair was the way he made her heart and soul reach for him. Run to him. Need him. How ironic, considering she’d always been so independent, considering how she’d struggled for freedom. And now Jess was holding her as surely as if she were in a cage.

Lightning flashed across the sky and a few seconds later thunder boomed. The windshield wipers could barely keep up with the pouring rain. Ordinarily she enjoyed storms, but this time her heart pounded and her mouth went dry.

Jess drove down the winding road leading through the thick grove of trees that separated his estate from his sister’s. “Don’t regret loving me, Saber.”

She gave an exaggerated flinch. “Don’t be saying ‘love,’ dragon king. I’m not really used to that yet and I’m letting my mind go there slowly.”

“You’re crazy about me.”

“I’m crazy, that I’ll agree with. The rest of it…” She trailed off deliberately and waited for the sound of his laughter.

She loved the sound of his voice, the way it seemed to wash into her body and fill her with warmth and a sense of peace—and she needed peace right now. The storm seemed to be really affecting her, her body wound tighter and tighter, her breath coming in ragged little gasps and her pulse racing.

Jess sent a quick grin, but it didn’t ease the fear growing in her. She rolled down her window and inhaled sharply, waiting to feel the night around her. “Slow down.”

His smile faded and he did as she asked. “What’s wrong, baby?”

“I don’t know, but I think you should pull over.”

“We’re only a few yards before we hit the entrance to Patsy’s place,” Jess pointed out, but he slowed the van until they were barely moving.

Her heart was racing now and prickles raced across her skin. She tasted fear in her mouth. “Someone is broadcasting tremendous fear. I can hear the heartbeat thundering in my ears and it isn’t…right.”

Jess swore. “Patsy. It’s Patsy, isn’t it?” He accelerated. “She’s having a heart attack.”

Saber put her hand on his arm. “No, it isn’t that. Pull over and cut your lights. Did Ken and Mari follow us?” She swiveled around in her seat looking for headlights.

Jess did as she asked and rolled down his window as well, trying to feel the flare of energy that signaled something was wrong. Whatever it was, they were a distance away. Saber had to be very sensitive to feel it.

“I’m going in. Pull the van around to the back of Patsy’s property and leave the engine running and the doors open. We’ll make our way to you.”

“That’s bullshit, Saber. We don’t even know what’s going on. We’ll wait for Ken and Mari and go in at full strength.”

Saber swallowed the lump of fear in her throat. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. We need them here as soon as possible, but something’s not right and I have to try to get to Patsy now.” Her hand fluttered against her throat. It was getting harder to breathe. “I have to go now, Jess.”

He caught her wrist, his grip hard. “No, Saber.”

Her gaze locked with his. “I don’t think she’s alone.”

“We’ll wait for Ken and Mari.”

“We don’t have the time.” Her hands trembled. “She’s terrified, Jess. You have to trust me, trust in my abilities. I can get into and out of places without detection. I can do this.”

“It isn’t a matter of trust, Saber. I’m not risking you. I
can’t
risk you.”

She tilted her chin. “You wouldn’t say that to Ken or Mari. You can’t get into the house without being seen and you know it. I can. Patsy needs me and I’m going.” She tugged at her hand, trying to get free.

“I’m in a fucking wheelchair. What’s going to happen if you get caught?”

“The wheelchair has never mattered, Jess. If something happens, you’ll get us out. I know you will.” Her blue eyes met his. “I trust you completely.”

He swore, his gaze angry, furious even, but he nodded his head, jerking her close and catching the back of her head to hold her still while he kissed her. He ground his mouth hard against hers.

She tasted the potent mixture of fear and anger, a fierce need to protect, helplessness, but most of all a predator unleashed. She kissed him back, trying to convey confidence and love all wrapped together.

Jess rested his forehead against hers, his fingers shaping the nape of her neck. “Stay in communication with me. I’m a strong telepath. I’ll hear you.”

“I will.”

“No, Saber. Promise me. No matter what’s going on. Don’t let your fear or your need to protect me stop you from telling me what’s happening. I’ll need all the data in order to have a plan of action.”

“I promise.” And she meant it. Because no matter what, Jess Calhoun was lethal, and if she needed him, he would find a way to get to her.

Jess reached up and flicked the overhead light off. “I’ll pull around to the back of the house, but you need to make certain the way is clear. If they have a guard posted, once I turn onto the drive, lights or not, they’ll know I’m heading for Patsy’s house.”

“I’ll clear the guard.”

He pulled a gun and silencer from a compartment behind the glove box. “Take this and the spare clip.”

“What about you?”

“I’m armed. Just be careful.” He kissed her again, this time gentle, tender, wanting her to feel loved. “I’ll be pissed if anything happens to you.”

“Right back at you,” Saber said and cracked open the door.

She dropped to the ground and took off running to the deepest part of the woods surrounding Patsy’s house without looking back. It had taken precious time to convince Jess to let her go in alone and she knew what it had cost him in pride. If it were anyone else but Patsy in danger, he would have tried to stop her—and a part of her found that thrilling. No one had ever worried about her before.

Lightning flashed again, this time rippling across the sky in a jagged bolt. Immediately thunder cracked so loud the trees and heavy brush shivered. Saber was drenched within moments of leaving the van, the cold penetrating through her thin clothing. She moved swiftly toward the house. She’d only been to Patsy’s house once before.

Saber had been living in Jesse’s house about five months and his sister had wanted to make certain Jess was safe with her. Patsy had asked Saber not to discuss their meeting with Jesse, and she hadn’t, but trying to hide anything from Jess was next to impossible. He had eyes and ears everywhere and he’d known about Patsy and Saber’s meeting even before it was over. Of course Jesse hadn’t been happy about his sister trying to protect him, but Saber had instantly liked her for it.

Saber slipped through the trees, approaching the side of the house. The rain poured down through the leaves, the pattern unmistakable, so when the discordant note was introduced, Saber sank back into the shrubbery near the windows and waited. Someone was patrolling around the perimeter of the house.

She waited, crouched low, breathing away the stark fear Patsy radiated from within the house. Even the vicious storm couldn’t tamp down the energy of violence, rather the wild winds and streaks of jagged lightning seemed to feed it until her stomach heaved in rebellion. She prayed Jess was far enough away from the house that he wasn’t picking up Patsy’s terror, or there’d be no holding him in the van.

As the guard approached, Saber dropped to her hands and knees. The guard was a short, stocky man with wide shoulders and an easy swing to his gait. He could handle himself and that wasn’t good. Saber willed him to stop, hoping she could get a hand on him, but he kept moving, watching the drive and all ways to approach the house. Panic began to creep in, flooding her system with adrenaline, and she knew Patsy was close to collapse.

Fighting off the waves of dizziness, she waited until the guard was almost on top of her and then rolled out from under the brush, right at his feet, the gun in her hand as she squeezed the trigger and hit him dead center in the forehead. She kept rolling as he toppled to the ground, facedown in the small puddle of water collecting in the flower bed. She landed next to several small ornamental trees, the violent energy crashing over her, piercing her skull like a thousand knives.

She tried to shut it out, pressing her hands to her head, but it was already inside, where she had no filters. There was no way to escape the pain, jackhammers pounding at her skull, the thunder of death, the silent scream of her victim. She rolled in agony, eyes closed, trying to breathe it away. She barely made it to her knees when her stomach rebelled, heaving over and over.

She had to get hold of herself. She was extremely vulnerable and Patsy desperately needed help. Unfortunately, even with a shield, if someone was torturing Patsy—and Saber was beginning to fear it was so—then the violent energy would slide under the shield and debilitate her, as this energy had done. Only an anchor could draw violent energy permanently away. The shield simply kept her energy from alerting others that she was close.

Ordinarily when she killed, she made certain her target was destroyed fast and with as little knowledge or pain as possible. She introduced a natural means, rather than a brutal blasting away of life. She’d never killed using a weapon, although she was proficient, and she was unprepared for the backlash.

She dragged herself to her feet, stumbling, her head still pounding, every movement jarring her teeth and sending shards of glass through her skull. This wasn’t going to be easy. She staggered around the flower bed to the window and unexpectedly the pain eased, and then disappeared altogether. She knew before she turned that she wasn’t alone.

Jess!
Relief and fear mingled together. She spun around looking for enemies. Jess couldn’t outrun anyone or hide sitting in his wheelchair as he was. But without the pain she could think with clarity and interpret what she was feeling much easier.

He pulled her close to him, inspecting for damage.
You can’t go in there alone, not after this.
His voice was edgy, angry even, but his hands were gentle as he stroked her hair.