"Aphrodite's_Passion_029" - читать интересную книгу автора (Kenner _Julie_-_[Protector_02]_-_Aphrodite's_Passion_(V1.0)_[lit](multi-file...)

Chapter Twenty-six

The sun was beginning to set as Hale finished laying the stones around the koi pond. He’d been unable to find the kind of marble he wanted, so he’d flown over to Texas earlier in the day and brought back some granite.
All in all, he was pleased with the way the yard was shaping up. He hoped Tracy was, too. After all, it was the least he could do for her.
Not that he was doing it just for her. Spending twelve hours landscaping her entire yard had been therapeutic for him, as well. Even on no sleep, he’d needed to get out and work with his hands.
Last night, it had taken a supreme act of will to simply sit on her chaise lounge and watch her sleep. He’d longed to curl up next to her. Longed to tell her he’d lied, and that he was sorry.
And that he loved her.
But those weren’t words he intended to say. He knew what was best for him. He’d always known. And he also knew to trust his instincts.
It was just hell that, for the first time in his life, his finely honed instincts seemed to be torturing instead of protecting him.
With a sigh, he hauled the last of the tools back inside the gardener’s shed. Though the yard had lights, he couldn’t stay out here forever. Zoë had come to be with Tracy during the day, but it would still be Hale’s job to watch over her at night. No matter how torturous that might be.
Shutting the door behind him. he turned back around, ready to head down the newly laid flagstone path toward the house.
“Hiya, stranger.”
Tracy stood in front of him.
“Hey,” he said. She didn’t look angry. In fact, she looked happy to see him, and the realization pleased him more than he’d anticipated. He waved his hand at the yard. “What do you think?”
She moved closer to him. “I think you’ve done an amazing job.” Her hand reached out, stroking his bare chest. “I’d have to say you’re the best landscaper I’ve ever had.”
His pulse beat in his throat. This wasn’t what he’d been expecting. She’d been angry—no, furious—about his “confession.” He’d hurt her. And for a day she’d been avoiding him. So why the sudden seductress routine?
“I want you,” she said. She skimmed her hand down her simple sundress, stopping at her waist. The gold of Aphrodite’s belt sparkled in the light of the rising moon. “And if this is what I have to do to have you, then so be it.”
He swallowed. “Tracy.”
She pressed a finger over his lips. “Don’t argue. There’s no point, remember? I’m wearing the belt, so I get what I desire. Who I desire. And that’s you, Hale.”
“It’s not real.” His voice choked on the lie.
“I don’t care. I want you.” She slipped tight against him, and automatically he closed his arms around her. “And right now, I’m in a position to get what I want.”
He was strong. Zeus knew he was one of the strongest Protectors on the Council, but he was powerless to resist this woman. She’d trapped him in his own lie, and worse, Hera help him, he didn’t want to become untangled. This might be the last time he touched her, held her. And he wanted it. Wanted it so bad he could almost feel the desire burning in his veins.
Stumbling backward, he led her to the garden shed, yanking open the door and leading her into the darkened room. The back section held camping equipment, and an old cot was stored there, probably for the estate’s former gardener. In no time, Hale had thrown a sleeping bag over the dusty cot; then he grabbed Tracy by the shoulders and threw her down, too.
“You’re sure?” he growled. “This is a dangerous game you’re playing.”
Her eyes were wide, innocent. But more than that, excited. “Quit stalling. I told you what I want. You.” In a bold move, she pulled her skirt up, revealing first an enticing bit of thigh, and then an even more enticing view. She’d neglected to wear panties.
Sweet Hera, the woman had set out to drive him insane.
But who was he to argue with one who so clearly had a plan? His jeans seemed to fall away and in an instant, certainly before she could change her mind, he embraced her, already painfully hard and in no mood to wait even a second longer.
“Do you want me?” she whispered, her voice teasing.
He rubbed against her, drawing supreme satisfaction from the way she drew in a breath and arched back, her eyes closed and her pulse throbbing in her neck.
“What do you think?”
“Then what are you waiting for?”
Hale doubted he could have held out any longer anyway, but with her sensuous demand ringing in his ears, he was lost. In one quick thrust, he entered her, losing himself in her hot, wet depths and giving them both what they longed for.
As he took her, she screamed out his name. Not sweet and gentle, their coupling was hot and wild and indescribably satisfying. Her skin burned beneath his, her legs wound around his waist. She cried out, urging him on, throbbing around him as she found her own climax. And when he was spent, when he finally collapsed against her, she pressed gentle kisses against his forehead.
“Tracy,” he murmured. “Oh, Tracy.” He leaned up, propping himself on his elbow. “Why?”
“Because you love me.” Her skin was still flushed—she was the color of a woman who’d been taken to heights of passion and back again—but her face reflected no hesitation. Her words were just a simple statement of fact.
Hale swallowed, unable to face the truth, and certainly unwilling to reveal it.
“We’ve already been over this. It’s the belt.” His hands skimmed over her waist, still clothed and bound with the golden accessory.
“It’s not the belt, Hale.”
“Of course it is.”
She sat up, leaning against the bed frame. Her skin glowed pink from lovemaking. “No. I’m saying this isn’t the belt.” She unclasped it and handed it to him. “It’s a duplicate.”
Standing up, he took it with some trepidation, his hands closing around the gold mesh. Upon inspection, he knew she was right. The back held no inscription from her grandmother.
“What? Why?”
“Don’t you think I should be the one asking you that question?” she asked. “Protectors aren’t affected by a mortal wearing the belt. I know. I talked with Zoë.”
Hale cringed, irritated with his sister, but not surprised. After all, no one else could have gotten Tracy the duplicate so quickly.
“Why did you lie?”
He had no choice but to tell her the truth. With a sigh, he sat back down on the bed. “It seemed easier.”
“Easier than what? Than loving me?”
Hera help him, yes. He nodded.
“But you do love me. And I love you.” She blinked, releasing a single tear to trail down her check.
“It’s not enough. Tracy.” He took her hand, hating that he was hurting her, the woman who’d become his friend and lover. “I wish it was.”
“Why not?” Her voice was calm, but even so he could hear the underlying anger and frustration. “Because I might leave? I won’t.” She reached out to grasp his hand, her fingers closing around his, warm and reassuring. “I’m not going anywhere. Not even when you’re a pain in the rear like this. I’m staying right here.”
“You can’t know that. No one can.” Though it killed him to do it, he stood up, ripping his fingers free. “I’m sorry, Tracy. I love you. Hera help me, I do. But I can’t...” He shook his head, turning away, unable to face her. “Zoë was wrong to have told you. It would have been better if you’d never known.”
“Better? Or easier for you?” The cot creaked, and he knew she was standing up. “I never thought it was possible.”
“What?”
“A cowardly superhero.” The door opened, and he fought the urge to turn and look at her. “But that’s what you are, Hale. You’re a coward.”
And with that truth still echoing in the shed she slammed the door. The noise masked the sound of Hale’s fist pounding against the wall as he tried to beat the frustration out of his system.



Her tears flowed in earnest now, and Tracy wiped them away with the back of her hand. She’d been so sure her plan would work. She’d thought he would realize she knew his secret, admit he loved her, and then they’d live happily ever after.
So much for fairy tales.
In the real world, apparently, love was just a four-letter word.
She should have known. For her at least, true love had never been an option. She’d foolishly thought that everything had changed with Hale. But now she knew how stupid she was.
Well, that’s what she got for falling for a superhero with issues.
Still sniffling, she threaded her way down the darkened path. The bushes and shrubs of Tara Too, beautifully landscaped now, and which had seemed friendly when she’d approached Hale, now seemed ominous and menacing. Shivering despite the warm summer breeze, she rubbed her hands over her bare arms and tried to tell herself she was being silly. A woman scorned, suddenly her whole world turned to black? Shouldn’t she be stronger?
Maybe so, but she didn’t know how, and at the moment, she wasn’t inclined to learn. She wanted Hale, and that’s all she wanted. Wanted his love. But it wasn’t something she was ever going to get.
At least he’d given her a couple of nice memories.
She ran her hands over the tops of the birds-of-paradise, the sturdy flowers tickling her palms as she tried to decide if she wanted to go back into the house. Mel was long gone. Lane and Zoë, who stayed to give support and protect her, and find out how the plan went, were watching television. Davy was surely asleep. She could join them, of course, but she really wanted to just be alone.
Instead of turning left at the fork in the path, she turned right, following the path that would lead her to the swimming pool. Hale had done himself proud there, too. The once-murky water now glistened in the moonlight, and the algae that had covered the cement sides had been stripped clean.
The whole estate had been transformed into a magical fantasyland. Too bad her one true wish would not come true.
She knew Hale had followed her, to protect her, but that he wouldn’t let her know that. She sighed, wishing she could take comfort in his presence, but the hurt was still too fresh.
Taking off her shoes, she dangled her feet in the pool’s cool water, wishing it could ease the passion burning in her. Unrequited passion, apparently. A flurry of ripples spread out from where she’d broken the surface and, for some stupid, silly reason, that reminded her of Hale. What he’d done was touch her, and he’d sent ripples shooting through her life. He might leave, but she’d never be the same again.
Something tickled her face, and she reached up to brush whatever it was away, only then realizing she was crying again. No big surprise. For the last couple of days, crying seemed to be her natural state of existence. Heck, she’d probably lost five pounds in water weight alone.
Sniffling, she tried to pull herself together. Sitting in the dark moping couldn’t be healthy. She’d tried to win Hale. She’d failed. Now she should go inside, be with her friends, and regroup. Besides, being alone with Hale, knowing he was watching her, only made her sad.
She headed back to the house, determined to pull herself out of her funk. But when she got inside, she couldn’t bring herself to join Lane and Zoë. They were watching The Way We Were, and somehow, that just didn’t fit her mood.
Instead, she called out to let them know she was back, then headed for her bedroom and parked herself in front of the full-length mirror. Her tousled hair and swollen lips didn’t exactly make a fashion statement, but she did look like a woman who’d just been made love to.
Sadly, it was probably for the last time.
Behind her, Aphrodite’s real belt gleamed from its perch on the chaise lounge, taunting her. Her grandmother’s warning had been prescient, and now she picked up the belt and ran her finger over the carefully inscribed words.
“What you wish for,” Tracy whispered. All she wished for was for someone to love her. No, not someone. Hale.
But wishes didn’t always come true.
Feeling a little silly, she exchanged belts, securing the clasp tight around her waist. She did a little pirouette in front of the mirror.
“Too bad you don’t affect Protectors,” she said. Considering she’d hit rock bottom, at the moment, she’d be more than willing to use the powers of the belt to make herself irresistible. Cheating, maybe. But she didn’t really care. She wanted him, and she’d run out of ideas. The ball had been hit firmly into his court, and he’d refused to return it.
There were times when life truly, truly sucked.
She was just about to succumb to another whopper of a crying jag when there was a tap at the window. She peered at it, but no one was there.
Hale!
Immediately, she raced over and threw up the sash, and was rewarded by a movement in the air—someone climbing in the window.
Missy suddenly appeared around her ankles, a low growl in her throat.
“Hush, little girl,” Tracy told the dog. “It’s Hale.”
“Sorry, it’s not.” Mordi materialized in front of her. “Prototype invisibility and propulsion cloak. Pretty nifty, huh?”
“Oh.” She had no idea what he wanted, but the fact that he’d come in through a window made her more than a little hesitant, and she took a step backward. “Hale’s not here, and Zoë‘s downstairs.”
“Actually,” Mordi said, “I came to see you.”
“I’m not the best company right right now...” She trailed off, hoping he’d get the hint and leave.
“Not having the best of days?”
“That’s the understatement of the year.”
“Hale?”
“How’d you guess?”
“I’m sorry to hear that. I truly hoped the two of you would get this worked out. But as I said, my cousin can be an idiot about a lot of things.”
She nodded. “Unfortunately, he can.”
A moment of silence, and then; “I’m sorry, Tracy.”
With a little shrug, she tried out a smile. Maybe he really had come to check on her. “It’s not your fault.”
“No, I’m afraid it is.”
Squinting, she looked him in the eyes, then backed further away when she saw something unexpected there. “Mordi? What are you doing?”
“I’m truly, truly sorry. I have to do this. Hera help me, I have to.”
The next thing she knew, his hand was over her mouth and his cloak was wrapped around her shoulder. He sprang forward, and—with Missy’s frantic barks echoing beneath them—they were off the ground and zooming above Los Angeles.
Tracy never even had time to scream.



Nothing looked wrong, but even so, ice-cold dread settled in Hale’s stomach as he walked up the front path to the house. He stepped cautiously over the threshold, only to be met by Missy’s excited yapping. The dog raced down the stairs to greet him. He tuned her out, more interested in determining where Tracy was.
He’d followed her through the grounds, watching until she’d entered the house. Once she was safe inside, he’d gone back to work finishing her yard. Had she sneaked out without him or Zoë noticing?
“Tracy?” No answer. He tried again, louder. “Tracy!”
“What’s going on?” Zoë‘s head appeared around the corner from the living room.
“Is Tracy with you?”
“She’s in her bedroom.” His sister pressed her lips together, looking concerned. “What happened?”
“She found me. And we fought. And now I can’t find her.”
“Oh, Hale. You need to—”
He held up a hand. Now wasn’t the time for lectures. “I don’t need to do anything but find her.”
“Right. Sorry.”
Missy’s continued barking broke their silence.
“What’s she saying?” Zoë asked.
“I don’t know. I wasn’t listen—” He closed his eyes, realizing he might have just wasted valuable time, and knelt in front of the fluffball. “Hey, girl. Sorry. What’s that you’re trying to tell me?”
She yipped and yapped and he struggled to understand her primitive speech, made even more inarticulate by the fact that the dog was more than a little pissed off at being ignored.
Considering the information she had, she had a right to be pissed. “Mordichai,” he repeated. He closed his eyes, his heart twisting from a raw fear that pulsed in his veins. “Mordichai took her.”
Standing up, he met Zoë‘s eyes, knowing only one thing for certain. He loved Tracy. With all his heart and soul, he loved her. And he was going to get her back.

Chapter Twenty-six

The sun was beginning to set as Hale finished laying the stones around the koi pond. He’d been unable to find the kind of marble he wanted, so he’d flown over to Texas earlier in the day and brought back some granite.
All in all, he was pleased with the way the yard was shaping up. He hoped Tracy was, too. After all, it was the least he could do for her.
Not that he was doing it just for her. Spending twelve hours landscaping her entire yard had been therapeutic for him, as well. Even on no sleep, he’d needed to get out and work with his hands.
Last night, it had taken a supreme act of will to simply sit on her chaise lounge and watch her sleep. He’d longed to curl up next to her. Longed to tell her he’d lied, and that he was sorry.
And that he loved her.
But those weren’t words he intended to say. He knew what was best for him. He’d always known. And he also knew to trust his instincts.
It was just hell that, for the first time in his life, his finely honed instincts seemed to be torturing instead of protecting him.
With a sigh, he hauled the last of the tools back inside the gardener’s shed. Though the yard had lights, he couldn’t stay out here forever. Zoë had come to be with Tracy during the day, but it would still be Hale’s job to watch over her at night. No matter how torturous that might be.
Shutting the door behind him. he turned back around, ready to head down the newly laid flagstone path toward the house.
“Hiya, stranger.”
Tracy stood in front of him.
“Hey,” he said. She didn’t look angry. In fact, she looked happy to see him, and the realization pleased him more than he’d anticipated. He waved his hand at the yard. “What do you think?”
She moved closer to him. “I think you’ve done an amazing job.” Her hand reached out, stroking his bare chest. “I’d have to say you’re the best landscaper I’ve ever had.”
His pulse beat in his throat. This wasn’t what he’d been expecting. She’d been angry—no, furious—about his “confession.” He’d hurt her. And for a day she’d been avoiding him. So why the sudden seductress routine?
“I want you,” she said. She skimmed her hand down her simple sundress, stopping at her waist. The gold of Aphrodite’s belt sparkled in the light of the rising moon. “And if this is what I have to do to have you, then so be it.”
He swallowed. “Tracy.”
She pressed a finger over his lips. “Don’t argue. There’s no point, remember? I’m wearing the belt, so I get what I desire. Who I desire. And that’s you, Hale.”
“It’s not real.” His voice choked on the lie.
“I don’t care. I want you.” She slipped tight against him, and automatically he closed his arms around her. “And right now, I’m in a position to get what I want.”
He was strong. Zeus knew he was one of the strongest Protectors on the Council, but he was powerless to resist this woman. She’d trapped him in his own lie, and worse, Hera help him, he didn’t want to become untangled. This might be the last time he touched her, held her. And he wanted it. Wanted it so bad he could almost feel the desire burning in his veins.
Stumbling backward, he led her to the garden shed, yanking open the door and leading her into the darkened room. The back section held camping equipment, and an old cot was stored there, probably for the estate’s former gardener. In no time, Hale had thrown a sleeping bag over the dusty cot; then he grabbed Tracy by the shoulders and threw her down, too.
“You’re sure?” he growled. “This is a dangerous game you’re playing.”
Her eyes were wide, innocent. But more than that, excited. “Quit stalling. I told you what I want. You.” In a bold move, she pulled her skirt up, revealing first an enticing bit of thigh, and then an even more enticing view. She’d neglected to wear panties.
Sweet Hera, the woman had set out to drive him insane.
But who was he to argue with one who so clearly had a plan? His jeans seemed to fall away and in an instant, certainly before she could change her mind, he embraced her, already painfully hard and in no mood to wait even a second longer.
“Do you want me?” she whispered, her voice teasing.
He rubbed against her, drawing supreme satisfaction from the way she drew in a breath and arched back, her eyes closed and her pulse throbbing in her neck.
“What do you think?”
“Then what are you waiting for?”
Hale doubted he could have held out any longer anyway, but with her sensuous demand ringing in his ears, he was lost. In one quick thrust, he entered her, losing himself in her hot, wet depths and giving them both what they longed for.
As he took her, she screamed out his name. Not sweet and gentle, their coupling was hot and wild and indescribably satisfying. Her skin burned beneath his, her legs wound around his waist. She cried out, urging him on, throbbing around him as she found her own climax. And when he was spent, when he finally collapsed against her, she pressed gentle kisses against his forehead.
“Tracy,” he murmured. “Oh, Tracy.” He leaned up, propping himself on his elbow. “Why?”
“Because you love me.” Her skin was still flushed—she was the color of a woman who’d been taken to heights of passion and back again—but her face reflected no hesitation. Her words were just a simple statement of fact.
Hale swallowed, unable to face the truth, and certainly unwilling to reveal it.
“We’ve already been over this. It’s the belt.” His hands skimmed over her waist, still clothed and bound with the golden accessory.
“It’s not the belt, Hale.”
“Of course it is.”
She sat up, leaning against the bed frame. Her skin glowed pink from lovemaking. “No. I’m saying this isn’t the belt.” She unclasped it and handed it to him. “It’s a duplicate.”
Standing up, he took it with some trepidation, his hands closing around the gold mesh. Upon inspection, he knew she was right. The back held no inscription from her grandmother.
“What? Why?”
“Don’t you think I should be the one asking you that question?” she asked. “Protectors aren’t affected by a mortal wearing the belt. I know. I talked with Zoë.”
Hale cringed, irritated with his sister, but not surprised. After all, no one else could have gotten Tracy the duplicate so quickly.
“Why did you lie?”
He had no choice but to tell her the truth. With a sigh, he sat back down on the bed. “It seemed easier.”
“Easier than what? Than loving me?”
Hera help him, yes. He nodded.
“But you do love me. And I love you.” She blinked, releasing a single tear to trail down her check.
“It’s not enough. Tracy.” He took her hand, hating that he was hurting her, the woman who’d become his friend and lover. “I wish it was.”
“Why not?” Her voice was calm, but even so he could hear the underlying anger and frustration. “Because I might leave? I won’t.” She reached out to grasp his hand, her fingers closing around his, warm and reassuring. “I’m not going anywhere. Not even when you’re a pain in the rear like this. I’m staying right here.”
“You can’t know that. No one can.” Though it killed him to do it, he stood up, ripping his fingers free. “I’m sorry, Tracy. I love you. Hera help me, I do. But I can’t...” He shook his head, turning away, unable to face her. “Zoë was wrong to have told you. It would have been better if you’d never known.”
“Better? Or easier for you?” The cot creaked, and he knew she was standing up. “I never thought it was possible.”
“What?”
“A cowardly superhero.” The door opened, and he fought the urge to turn and look at her. “But that’s what you are, Hale. You’re a coward.”
And with that truth still echoing in the shed she slammed the door. The noise masked the sound of Hale’s fist pounding against the wall as he tried to beat the frustration out of his system.



Her tears flowed in earnest now, and Tracy wiped them away with the back of her hand. She’d been so sure her plan would work. She’d thought he would realize she knew his secret, admit he loved her, and then they’d live happily ever after.
So much for fairy tales.
In the real world, apparently, love was just a four-letter word.
She should have known. For her at least, true love had never been an option. She’d foolishly thought that everything had changed with Hale. But now she knew how stupid she was.
Well, that’s what she got for falling for a superhero with issues.
Still sniffling, she threaded her way down the darkened path. The bushes and shrubs of Tara Too, beautifully landscaped now, and which had seemed friendly when she’d approached Hale, now seemed ominous and menacing. Shivering despite the warm summer breeze, she rubbed her hands over her bare arms and tried to tell herself she was being silly. A woman scorned, suddenly her whole world turned to black? Shouldn’t she be stronger?
Maybe so, but she didn’t know how, and at the moment, she wasn’t inclined to learn. She wanted Hale, and that’s all she wanted. Wanted his love. But it wasn’t something she was ever going to get.
At least he’d given her a couple of nice memories.
She ran her hands over the tops of the birds-of-paradise, the sturdy flowers tickling her palms as she tried to decide if she wanted to go back into the house. Mel was long gone. Lane and Zoë, who stayed to give support and protect her, and find out how the plan went, were watching television. Davy was surely asleep. She could join them, of course, but she really wanted to just be alone.
Instead of turning left at the fork in the path, she turned right, following the path that would lead her to the swimming pool. Hale had done himself proud there, too. The once-murky water now glistened in the moonlight, and the algae that had covered the cement sides had been stripped clean.
The whole estate had been transformed into a magical fantasyland. Too bad her one true wish would not come true.
She knew Hale had followed her, to protect her, but that he wouldn’t let her know that. She sighed, wishing she could take comfort in his presence, but the hurt was still too fresh.
Taking off her shoes, she dangled her feet in the pool’s cool water, wishing it could ease the passion burning in her. Unrequited passion, apparently. A flurry of ripples spread out from where she’d broken the surface and, for some stupid, silly reason, that reminded her of Hale. What he’d done was touch her, and he’d sent ripples shooting through her life. He might leave, but she’d never be the same again.
Something tickled her face, and she reached up to brush whatever it was away, only then realizing she was crying again. No big surprise. For the last couple of days, crying seemed to be her natural state of existence. Heck, she’d probably lost five pounds in water weight alone.
Sniffling, she tried to pull herself together. Sitting in the dark moping couldn’t be healthy. She’d tried to win Hale. She’d failed. Now she should go inside, be with her friends, and regroup. Besides, being alone with Hale, knowing he was watching her, only made her sad.
She headed back to the house, determined to pull herself out of her funk. But when she got inside, she couldn’t bring herself to join Lane and Zoë. They were watching The Way We Were, and somehow, that just didn’t fit her mood.
Instead, she called out to let them know she was back, then headed for her bedroom and parked herself in front of the full-length mirror. Her tousled hair and swollen lips didn’t exactly make a fashion statement, but she did look like a woman who’d just been made love to.
Sadly, it was probably for the last time.
Behind her, Aphrodite’s real belt gleamed from its perch on the chaise lounge, taunting her. Her grandmother’s warning had been prescient, and now she picked up the belt and ran her finger over the carefully inscribed words.
“What you wish for,” Tracy whispered. All she wished for was for someone to love her. No, not someone. Hale.
But wishes didn’t always come true.
Feeling a little silly, she exchanged belts, securing the clasp tight around her waist. She did a little pirouette in front of the mirror.
“Too bad you don’t affect Protectors,” she said. Considering she’d hit rock bottom, at the moment, she’d be more than willing to use the powers of the belt to make herself irresistible. Cheating, maybe. But she didn’t really care. She wanted him, and she’d run out of ideas. The ball had been hit firmly into his court, and he’d refused to return it.
There were times when life truly, truly sucked.
She was just about to succumb to another whopper of a crying jag when there was a tap at the window. She peered at it, but no one was there.
Hale!
Immediately, she raced over and threw up the sash, and was rewarded by a movement in the air—someone climbing in the window.
Missy suddenly appeared around her ankles, a low growl in her throat.
“Hush, little girl,” Tracy told the dog. “It’s Hale.”
“Sorry, it’s not.” Mordi materialized in front of her. “Prototype invisibility and propulsion cloak. Pretty nifty, huh?”
“Oh.” She had no idea what he wanted, but the fact that he’d come in through a window made her more than a little hesitant, and she took a step backward. “Hale’s not here, and Zoë‘s downstairs.”
“Actually,” Mordi said, “I came to see you.”
“I’m not the best company right right now...” She trailed off, hoping he’d get the hint and leave.
“Not having the best of days?”
“That’s the understatement of the year.”
“Hale?”
“How’d you guess?”
“I’m sorry to hear that. I truly hoped the two of you would get this worked out. But as I said, my cousin can be an idiot about a lot of things.”
She nodded. “Unfortunately, he can.”
A moment of silence, and then; “I’m sorry, Tracy.”
With a little shrug, she tried out a smile. Maybe he really had come to check on her. “It’s not your fault.”
“No, I’m afraid it is.”
Squinting, she looked him in the eyes, then backed further away when she saw something unexpected there. “Mordi? What are you doing?”
“I’m truly, truly sorry. I have to do this. Hera help me, I have to.”
The next thing she knew, his hand was over her mouth and his cloak was wrapped around her shoulder. He sprang forward, and—with Missy’s frantic barks echoing beneath them—they were off the ground and zooming above Los Angeles.
Tracy never even had time to scream.



Nothing looked wrong, but even so, ice-cold dread settled in Hale’s stomach as he walked up the front path to the house. He stepped cautiously over the threshold, only to be met by Missy’s excited yapping. The dog raced down the stairs to greet him. He tuned her out, more interested in determining where Tracy was.
He’d followed her through the grounds, watching until she’d entered the house. Once she was safe inside, he’d gone back to work finishing her yard. Had she sneaked out without him or Zoë noticing?
“Tracy?” No answer. He tried again, louder. “Tracy!”
“What’s going on?” Zoë‘s head appeared around the corner from the living room.
“Is Tracy with you?”
“She’s in her bedroom.” His sister pressed her lips together, looking concerned. “What happened?”
“She found me. And we fought. And now I can’t find her.”
“Oh, Hale. You need to—”
He held up a hand. Now wasn’t the time for lectures. “I don’t need to do anything but find her.”
“Right. Sorry.”
Missy’s continued barking broke their silence.
“What’s she saying?” Zoë asked.
“I don’t know. I wasn’t listen—” He closed his eyes, realizing he might have just wasted valuable time, and knelt in front of the fluffball. “Hey, girl. Sorry. What’s that you’re trying to tell me?”
She yipped and yapped and he struggled to understand her primitive speech, made even more inarticulate by the fact that the dog was more than a little pissed off at being ignored.
Considering the information she had, she had a right to be pissed. “Mordichai,” he repeated. He closed his eyes, his heart twisting from a raw fear that pulsed in his veins. “Mordichai took her.”
Standing up, he met Zoë‘s eyes, knowing only one thing for certain. He loved Tracy. With all his heart and soul, he loved her. And he was going to get her back.