Tangled Redemption (4 page)

And no digital access to anything. Not even a handheld comp.
That would have to change if she stood any chance of gathering intel or working
on the encrypted data she had left behind. She’d find a way to access it.

A set of double doors stood open to her right and showed her
a big bed surrounded by an equally empty room.

A door chime interrupted her observations. Sydney tightened
her grip around Calatrave’s hand, only now realizing she had not let go. She
tried to, but he wouldn’t allow it. Gritting her teeth she stood at his side as
he ordered the computer to open the door.

Two men, wearing tight flight suits and armed within an inch
of their lives, stepped through the door. It wasn’t the weapons that scared
Sydney; it was the impenetrable cloud of darkness that surrounded them.

Marissa’s buyers had arrived.

Sydney readied herself. She wouldn’t let Marissa go without
a fight.

Calatrave released her as one of the buyers approached. They
stepped to the side. Big Guy’s brown eyes matched his skin color and his shaved
head added to his menace. The second stood slightly behind him, his ash-blond
hair long and tied back in a queue, his indigo eyes never staying still. She studied
them, trying to memorize every single detail so she could identify them once
she was free.

When Buyer Two’s gaze settled on Marissa he turned
predatory.

Marissa’s cheeks flushed and she took a couple of steps
forward. For a moment Sydney worried the Vampire had bespelled the human, but
Marissa’s eyes were clear and, for the first time since they’d met, not clouded
by fear.

Calatrave shook Big Guy’s hand and they exchanged a few
words but too quietly for Sydney to overhear.

Jayden stepped closer. “Whatever you have up your sleeve,
sweetheart, let it go. Those two are not to be trifled with.”

His breath teased her ear and made her shiver. Calatrave turned
to Buyer Two and Sydney met Big Guy’s eyes. She stilled.

For a second it was as if he dropped a mask. The dark cloud
around him lifted and she saw him without distortion. He was still dangerous,
but his eyes held no rage or need to hurt. They held the darkness of a man who
had seen too much, but the drive to protect burned in his expression.

It was gone so fast she wasn’t sure if it had all been her
imagination.

Once again he looked ready to chew nails and to tear her
apart with his bare hands. Buyer Two had his hand around Marissa’s neck and
after a nod to Calatrave guided her to the door. As he turned he also met
Sydney’s eyes and it was as if a fog lifted. For a second he was filled with
purpose, with the drive to protect and cherish. And then it was gone again.

But she knew.

Sydney’s breath caught in her chest, her thoughts whirling
through her mind. She knew the two men taking Marissa away would not harm her,
would safeguard her, and not drain her of blood. She couldn’t tell why they had
allowed her to see the truth. Maybe they knew who she was. Maybe they
understood she’d been ready to fight. She didn’t know if they were undercover
agents or mercenaries, but they were not Feral, no matter what they pretended.

And she couldn’t give away her knowledge.

Marissa had nearly reached the door. “Marissa!”

The human turned, the Vampire’s hand still at her nape.

“Stay safe and alive.”

“You too.” She disappeared through the door.

Sydney thought she would float away. The bone-deep relief at
knowing Marissa was safe had lifted a weight of her shoulders far heavier than
she had imagined possible. For the first time since stepping off the spaceship
she could focus on herself, focus on the impossible situation she now found
herself in.

About to have sex with two Vampires.

The two men watched her. It dawned on her that she had
stopped protesting Marissa’s departure as soon as she understood the human was
safe. Sydney marched forward as if to follow Marissa, but Jayden moved into her
way, forcing her to stop abruptly or run into him.

“Easy, love, you don’t want to follow them.” His soft brogue
slid over her.

“Why not? Do you honestly think I’m just going to let you
sell her off like a piece of meat?”

He smiled. Her core heated.

She took a step back, but he wrapped his arm around her
waist.

Sparks like static electricity zapped through her.

“Sydney, you’re going to give me a complex.”

She studied his hazel eyes, but his big smile and his touch
distracted her. She tried to move, but he tightened his grip. “Stay for a
while. Let’s get to know each other. Are you hungry?”

Her mouth grew dry.

His smile gentled. “I was concerned for you.”

Her stomach growled before she could reply.

Jayden laughed and guided her to the seating area. She sat
while he tapped the small food processor and prepared a meal.

“No meat.” Miguel’s dark voice echoed through the room.

She’d been right. He knew about her vegetarianism. It
concerned her.

“Sure.” Jayden reprogrammed the meal and moments later a
steaming plate of vegetables and meat substitute appeared before her. Jayden
dropped onto the sofa beside her.

She took the provided utensils and, feeling rather
self-conscious, began to eat. Sydney couldn’t suppress a moan of appreciation.
The food was far better than she had anticipated coming from a processor.

Slowly tension she hadn’t even been aware of drained out of
her body and she took her first deep breath. Something she regretted when
Miguel took the seat opposite her. Pressure of a different kind invaded her
body. She did her best to ignore him and the silence that fell over the room
until she’d finished. Then she set her plate aside. “How is this going to
work?” Their behavior did not match her expectations. Where she’d anticipated
force and violence she’d found calm.

Jayden took her hand and she let him. “I know Nasir—and
you—expected our encounter to be filled with violence.” He shook his head. “I
find voluntary submission much more erotic.” He turned to Miguel. “Don’t you?”
Challenge echoed through his words despite his even tone.

Sydney looked up and found Jayden and Miguel’s gazes locked.
The Spaniard’s black eyes gave little away, but she saw no disagreement. In the
end Calatrave nodded. Jayden smiled and dropped his gaze first.

The final weight that had tied her stomach into multiple
knots eased. Sydney exhaled. She didn’t understand their motivation but knowing
she wouldn’t have to fight them filled her with relief.

“Let me show you.” Distracted by Jayden’s smile and the way
he didn’t seem to take anything seriously she didn’t see him move. He wrapped
both arms around her, pulled her close against his chest and kissed her.

His lips were firm but soft. Where she had expected coercion
she got seduction. His lips teased her. Force she could have fought, but his
approach left her helpless to fend off. It had been too long since she had
kissed a man. And Jayden was a formidable kisser who left her hungry for more.

She leaned closer and he tightened his grip. His tongue slid
across her parted lips and inside her mouth. His taste burst through her like a
shot of fine wine. She reciprocated and rubbed her tongue against his, a shiver
racing though her. Her nipples tightened and moisture gathered between her
legs.

For a moment she sought solace from her impossible situation
and only enjoyed this beautiful and seductive kiss.

You always behaved like a bitch in heat, always wanting
sex. No wonder you’d kiss a Vampire and enjoy it.
Marius’ voice inside her
head froze every muscle in her body.

Jayden pulled back, his arms around her.

Sydney couldn’t put together the words to reply. It was as
if her bastard of a husband stood beside her, his presence a black cloud that
clung to every part of her, inside and out.

Suddenly Miguel’s warmth was on her other side, pushing back
some of the panic gathering inside her. He wrapped his arms around her waist.

Anger burst to the surface. Why in Jade’s name would she pay
attention to the scecxi who nearly killed her for his greed?
Why are you
still listening to him?
Marius no longer had power over her.

So what if she used to enjoy sex? It didn’t make her a slut
or a whore, even if he always made her feel like one when she indicated she
wanted to make love. It had taken her some time to realize how deeply he had
wounded her sexuality.

She would no longer allow him to control her! No way, no
how.

Sydney closed her eyes.
What are your options?
She
was attracted to these two men. Yes, they were Vampires, but there was
something about them that pulled her in. She didn’t understand how or why, but
she didn’t care. Nearly dying had made her appreciate life far more. Death
could find her at any moment. She understood that very well. If that were
supposed to be her fate she would make the most of the time she had.

Sydney thrust her hand into Jayden’s hair and dragged him
down for a kiss. This time she didn’t look for seduction.

He hesitated for a second but then followed her direction
wholeheartedly. Fire flashed through her. But at no point did she forget Miguel,
his heat a blaze at her back. When he flattened his palms across her stomach
and caressed her through her clothes, the flames fanned by Jaden’s kiss flared
higher.

Jayden kicked the sofa and it changed beneath them into a
bench all of them ended up straddling. He smoothed his hand down her back,
cupped her ass and pulled her against his erection. He deepened the kiss and
she welcomed him. Their tongues tangled. She rubbed her tight nipples against
his hard chest and savored the inferno.

Jayden pulled back. They both breathed hard. “Holy Jade,
woman, you’re dangerous.” His eyes matched the conflagration inside her, his
lips still curved in a smile. He looked over her shoulder. “I think we should
try something new.”

“What do you have in mind?” Miguel leaned so close his voice
vibrated through her body.

“We should see how many times we can make her come, while
the two of us remain in control.”

Sydney leaned back a little, the back of her head bumping
into Miguel’s broad shoulder. That definitely sounded interesting.

She would have sex with two Vampires.

And she would enjoy every second of it.

“How many times are you going for?” Miguel asked.

He could have been talking about the weather. Sydney tried
to turn so she could see his face, but Miguel held her hips.

Jayden looked at her and then at Miguel. “This first time I
am going to pace myself and go for three.”

Sydney gaped.

“Three sounds like a good number.”

Jayden grinned and looked at her. “This should be fun.”

She twisted so she could see both their faces. “Hang on,
we’re talking three in total, right?”

The men exchanged a glace. A smirk curled Miguel’s full lips
and Jayden’s body shook with suppressed laughter. He pulled her to her feet.

Her jaw dropped. Seriously? She swallowed.

Challenged burned in Miguel’s black eyes.

She pressed her lips together and straightened her
shoulders. “I’m going to make you work for it.”

Jayden burst into laughter. “Love, I would expect nothing
less.” He had no idea how he would survive the torture without his dick falling
off, but this scenario was too close to forced sex and that was one line he’d
never cross. Not even for the mission. The situation was untenable enough for
Sydney. He did not want to add to it. By focusing on her pleasure and ensuring
she enjoyed every second of it he hoped to give her opportunity to grow
accustomed to them.

That was why he’d asked Nasir about strategy. Should
Calatrave plan to rat on him and his approach he could remind them of Nasir’s
words and explain he preferred honey to vinegar.

He didn’t think the other man would do that. So far he
hadn’t shown any sign he disagreed with Jayden’s strategy. That didn’t mean
that his mission hadn’t turned into a fucked if he did and fucked if he didn’t
scenario.

He knew Duncan would tell him to make sure he got Sydney out
as soon as possible, that his number-one goal was her safety. He also knew
Malachy would tell him that taking down Nasir was his ultimate objective and
nothing and no one was to take him off this path.

The lives of many or the life of one woman?

Yep, he was fucked either way.

All he could try was to protect Sydney while he took out the
Big Bad endangering the whole galaxy.

No problem.

Jayden pushed those thoughts to the back of his mind.
Instead he focused on the gorgeous woman in his arms.

He savored the feel of her. She was nearly as tall as him,
but where he was built like a tank, she was half his size. But she was no frail
beauty. She had stood up to Nasir without flinching, driving the bastard close
to the edge.

And now she challenged him.

He pressed a quick kiss to her lips. “Well, looks like I
should get to work.” He took her hand and led her to the bedroom, which held a
bed big enough to accommodate a man of Miguel’s size comfortably.

He wondered about the narrow door leading off to the side.
It wasn’t standard. The bathroom door stood half open, so Calatrave hadn’t
modified his washroom. He filed it away, knowing he would look for
opportunities to open that door.

Sydney had slowed down when they entered the bedroom as if
whatever had given her the courage to open herself to their touch was draining
away. He lifted her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to the back before
turning it over and teasing the soft skin over her pulse with his lips and
teeth.

Her blood pounded beneath his caress and he had to clench
his jaw against the need to taste her. Before he had a chance to realign his
priorities Sydney yanked her hand out of his grip and took a step back. Her
blue eyes flashed with rage, fear and, for a brief moment, a pain so deep it
nearly drove him to his knees.

“You will not take my blood. I will die before I allow you
to drink from me.”

Jayden studied her. He kept his distance, giving her the
space she clearly needed. He threw Calatrave a quick glance, but the Spaniard
remained impassive. He looked back at Sydney. She had balled her fists and her
body nearly shook she held herself so tightly. “Sydney, I give you my word, I
don’t plan to take your blood. I only teased.” He waved between him and
Calatrave. “We won’t drink your blood without your permission.”

Calatrave didn’t respond. Jayden glared at him. This was
important to Sydney. He knew enough about what happened to her at the hands of
her husband that Jayden didn’t begrudge her this demand.