Wicked Pleasures (23 page)

“He’s waited a long time, Roark. He once hunted
alongside you until greediness became his lover. Just like Shelby,
you were best friends until jealousy blinded him and turned his
heart to stone. With Shelby’s help, he has brought you down and he
awaits his freedom. .”

“A greedy man? Gunnar?” he asked. Gunnar had
forsaken his wolf family for money and the pack had shunned
him.

“No longer Gunnar. His name is Gage,” Azelda
said.

Realization made Roark’s heart skip a beat. “You
mean Bronte’s fiancé?”

Azelda nodded. “You allowed love to blind you. Your
heart is deeper than any leader before you. Each mistake brought
you closer to weakness. You must realize that Bronte can never
become a wolf, but you will be faced with a choice.”

“Old woman, I don’t have time for a lesson of the
past. Where is she? Where does that bastard Dell live?” he
demanded.

“I can’t answer that,” she said. “I do know that he
has taken her far away. Someplace where he thinks they’ll be
safe.”

“You can find where she is. Use your magic. Use a
crystal ball. I’ll take you back to your shack and you can use that
stinking, bubbling cauldron you have in the middle of your house. I
don’t fucking care! Just find Bronte.” His words came in
uncontrollable spurts. She stared at him, blank featured. He knew
it was a waste of valuable time. “To hell with this!” He started
for the door. He’d find the bastard Dell who took her and he’d rip
every limb from his body until he found Bronte.

The witch’s voice stopped him. “You’ll find her
where she finds comfort.”

“No more riddles, old woman,” he said as he grabbed
the doorknob.

“I can save her, Roark, only if her heart still
beats. Yet she won’t be the same. Choose wisely. And remember,
weakness is what evil thrives upon.” He turned to ask her what she
meant but when he did she was gone. He looked from Caleb to Miss
Deveraux and they were staring at the empty floor in shock.

Caleb got up. “I’m going with you,” he said.

Roark shook his head. “No, this is something I must
do on my own.”

“I want to help. I have as much at stake here as
you.”

“You have something else you’re supposed to be
nurturing, remember?” Roark scrubbed his head in frustration.

“You have always been kind to me. I won’t let you do
this alone.”

“I’m the one who must protect my family.”

“Can’t you treat me like I’m an adult?”

Roark stared at Caleb. The young man was serious.
“Come along, but I assure you, I can’t be a babysitter.”

Caleb nodded. “Also, there’s something else you
should know.”

Roark lifted a brow in question. “What is that?”

“I think I may
know where they are.”

Chapter 16

BRONTE STRETCHED HER aching body. She sat up in the
bed and listened. There wasn’t any noise. She wasn’t sure how long
she was locked in the bedroom, but her impatience grew.

Quietly getting out of bed, she tiptoed across the
carpeted floor until she came to the closed door. She pressed her
ear against the cool wood but heard nothing. She didn’t need to see
Gage to know he still lingered.

Glancing around the room, she looked for something
to use as a weapon.
Nothing.
She searched through the
nightstand drawer and came up empty. The windows were barred so she
couldn’t get out through them. She looked out and could see nothing
but trees.

She was defenseless. But she couldn’t give up.

Opening the door, she peeked out. When she felt safe
enough, she crept out and made her way down the narrow hall, not
sure what she’d encounter.

The walk into the living room seemed similar to the
last walk on death row. Bronte realized Gage was dangerous but she
had to live for her child’s sake.

Bronte heard his heavy breathing before she saw him.
He was asleep on the couch. The moonlight bled in through the
window, giving her enough light that she saw what she needed—a bow.
It was leaning against the wall next to a bag of arrows and
Gage.

She remembered that Gage had liked to hunt animals.
He’d almost seemed fascinated with the kill. Now it all made
sense.

The overwhelming desire to kill him grew strong in
her. She had to protect those that she loved and this man had done
nothing but destroy Roark and his clan. She had to get her hands on
the weapon.

With bravery she didn’t know she had, she walked
toward the couch, taking small steps. She knew from experience that
wolves didn’t sleep soundly. Roark had proved that to her. The
weapon was right there…all that she had to do was reach. She lifted
her hand, not wanting to take another step for fear that he’d wake
up and she’d be too close. Her fingertips touched the metal and it
was in her palm when she heard the cushions crack. It was too late
for her to back off. She quickly grabbed an arrow and raced across
the room, as far away from him as possible.

Remembering everything Roark had taught her, she
loaded the bow and with shaking hands, she waited. He didn’t even
blink when he saw her. “Finally awake I see. And look there, she
holds a weapon.” He mocked her.

“Yes, it is,” she answered. Revulsion wedged itself
inside her chest. She wanted to shoot him between the eyes.

“Bronte, you’re going to hurt yourself. Or worse,
the child you carry. Put the bow away and let’s get to know each
other better.” He sat up and patted the cushion next to him.

“I didn’t know how useful a weapon like this would
be.” She dropped a step back, lifted the bow and settled the arrow
against the string. He smiled. “You’re hurting my delicate
feelings, Bronte.”

“Stop the act, you bastard. You don’t have an ounce
of compassion anywhere in your body.” She was slightly trembling as
her nerves attempted to get the best of her. She inhaled deeply and
forced her muscles to relax. She wasn’t about to allow him to win.
“Who’d betray his family then turn around and seek vengeance
against someone for the same thing? You’re a greedy
son-of-a-bitch.”

“You’re weak, Bronte.” She saw the humor in his
eyes. “I guess some things never change, do they?” He stood up.

“That’s where you’re wrong. Lots change.” She kept
her stare steady on him and the arrow even steadier.

He was calm. “You don’t know how to operate the bow,
Bronte. You should lower it before someone gets hurts.”

“Point and shoot. Pretty certain that’s how it
works. Don’t make a wrong move and I won’t have to prove it.”

He laughed and it made Bronte’s hair rise on her
arms. “What are you going to do? Kill me? You don’t have it in
you,” he taunted.

She had it in her and she could feel the desire
raging inside to give the man what he deserved. “I won’t allow you
to destroy my family.”

“Your family?” he snarled in disgust. “You aren’t
one of us, Bronte. I’d like to make you a part of us, but I’m
starting to see it won’t work.” He took a small step closer. She
backed up.

“If you hurt me, the baby will be at risk. Then the
spell can’t be lifted.” She doubted he knew the baby couldn’t be
harmed.

He rubbed his hands together, as if he were
preparing himself mentally for something gratifying. “Death doesn’t
scare me, darling.”

“Let’s see how true that is. Take another step and
I’ll have no problem testing the theory.” She knew he was quick. If
she took her eyes off him for one second he’d be on her and her
chances would be lost.

“Hand it over. You’re going to die otherwise,” he
sneered.

Without hesitation she let go of the string and
arrow shot. His growl hurt her ears as the sharp end went into his
stomach. She’d aimed for his heart. He grabbed the stick and yanked
it from his body. Blood poured from the wound, but he still stood.
She had no time to react. He was near her, grabbing her throat with
the supremacy of his large hands.

Bronte felt the pain erupt into her chest, followed
by the lack of oxygen. He lifted her up from the floor and she
kicked but couldn’t make connection. She buried her nails into his
arms but he didn’t respond.

Everything around her was starting to go dim except
for a bright light that became blinding and alluring. Bronte
realized she was going to die.

Gage’s eyes grew round and he dropped her hard to
the floor. Bronte lay there, grasping for air, wondering what had
happened. Then she saw Roark. He was standing in front of Gage, his
teeth were bared and he was invincible power contained in a man’s
body. He was looking at Gage with a hatred that could make any man
cower in fright.

“You dare defy me? To betray my family? To harm
those who are my world?” Roark spoke and the walls rattled.

Gage turned pale as he cringed against the wall.
Bronte sat up but she didn’t move.

“You’re the one who has betrayed his own, Roark.
Jillian was mine. She was promised to me. And then you destroyed
her.” Gage said in a frigid tone.

“It was you and Shelby who destroyed lives,” Roark
said. “I tried to save her. I was too late. If you had truly cared
for Jillian then you wouldn’t have killed her, or her father.”

“I didn’t mean to kill him.” Gage took another step
back. “I only wanted him to see the truth but the old man wouldn’t
listen.”

“You’re alone now. Shelby is dead,” Roark said. She
watched as Roark took a step toward Gage. A look of horror spread
over his features.

Gage must have realized his fate. “You have no
reason to kill me. I’ll go away.” His voice trembled.

“We are a family that lives in peace. You have
brought this curse upon those you called family. For those acts,
you shall not live to see another sunrise,” Roark said.

Gage stood up and met Roark head on. “Then let the
best man win.”

Roark’s jaw loosened slightly. “You will die at my
hand.”

Without another word, Gage lunged at Roark with
fists high. Roark was faster. He brought one hand up, wrapped it
around Gage’s thick neck and snapped it. The large man’s body fell
to the floor. Roark lifted an arrow and plunged it into Gage’s
chest. The man took one last breath and he was gone.

Bronte lay on the floor, looking at the dead form of
a man who’d cause so many troubles for those around him. Roark came
to her side and bent next to her onto one knee. “I’m sorry,
Bronte.” He lifted her into his secure arms and hugged her
gently.

“I’m okay, Roark. We are okay.”

He pulled back. “You’re carrying our baby.”

“Yes. I’m pregnant.”

His eyes turned moist. “We need to go, Bronte.” He
reached down and lifted her into his arms, then stood up.

“But Roark…what do we do about this?” she pointed at
Gage’s lifeless body. “Do we call the police?”

He held her gaze steady. “And tell them what,
Bronte? The truth? That’s impossible.”

She started to argue but she knew it’d be futile. He
was right. They only had to protect their family now. That’s what
mattered. “Roark, I won’t leave my baby. I swear if you try to make
me—”

He kissed her then pulled back. “We are a family. We
will be together and we will find a way to overcome any
obstacle.”

“It is our destiny to be together. Jillian made a
choice to love you. It wasn’t your fault what had happened. You
loved her.”

“I have a confession to make,” he said.

“What?”

“I did love Jillian. I thought I could never love
another, but I’ve found that I didn’t hold much expectation when it
came to matters of the heart. You are my true love. Together we
hold such great and powerful connection. Everything has come full
circle.”

“And you are mine, sweet Roark.”

He kissed her firmly on the lips. “It’s good that
you feel this way because I can’t live without you.”

She tucked her head against his shoulder and held
him. “I love you, Roark.”

“I love you, Bronte.”

“Would you do anything for me?” Her voice was
weak.

“Anything.” His voice held promise.

“Tell me your last name.” She looked up into his
eyes.

“What has brought this on?”

“I realized I don’t know if Roark is your first or
last name. I need to know.”

“Roark is my first name. And we don’t have last
names in the clan.”

“But you must have in the human world,” she
said.

He hesitated. “You won’t laugh?”

“Of course not,” she answered.

“Dark.”

“Roark Dark?” She bit her bottom lip but laughter
still came.

“Great. You said you wouldn’t.” His mouth
twisted.

“I was only laughing because Bronte Dark sounds like
a superhero.” She laid her head back down and listened to his
strong heartbeat. She was safe…and home.

“Everything okay?”

Bronte heard the voice of a stranger. She lifted her
head and met Caleb’s gaze. She swallowed.

“Everything is fine. I need you to take care of the
body and I’m going to get Bronte home,” Roark said to the man.

“Okay. I’ll handle it.” Caleb kept his eyes on
Bronte.

Roark still carried her as they left the house and
she whispered, “What is he doing here?”

“Caleb?”

“Yes, I don’t think he likes me,” she said.

He kissed her forehead. “Trust me, my love. Caleb
isn’t an enemy. In fact, he is one of the best guys you’ll ever
meet.”

“I’d have to disagree. I’m in the arms of the best
guy around,” she said.

“Caleb will protect our baby.”

“We are our baby’s protector,” she said.

“Okay, enough chatter. I’m taking you home. Thanks
to Caleb he knew where we could find you. He remembered Shelby
mentioning a house by a lake.”

“Which lake?” she looked around as they stepped
outside, but it was dark, except for the full moon that lit the
sky.

“Lake Cannon,” he said as he slid her into the
passenger side of his car.