Chapter 5

• Deva went outside and inhaled deeply, taking in the scents around her. She was happy they were not stuck in a city. Lately, the ops were all in overcrowded areas, and the teams were squished into safe houses that were set up for half the number in them. It was a good thing none of them were long-term.
• Amari and Tripp came out. Both were smiling. “We’re going for a run.” Amari gave her mate a side-eye look.
• Deva knew exactly what they were up to. “Enjoy.”
• “Always.” Tripp took Amari’s hand and tugged her toward the bush.
• Turning around, Deva walked over to the other side of the yard. She should go for a quick run too. No telling when the next chance she’d have to do it.
• Asher pulled up the drive and parked beside the car Taggart had been driving. It didn’t take them long to get out. She could only imagine how tedious it had been sitting on top of the hill for two days.
• Amari had filled her in on Journey’s story, and Deva had been speechless. To go through what she had for eighteen years was incredible. It only added to the importance of getting everyone off the island.
• She heard the door close and figured it was them going inside. The next breath she took told her that Taggart had come outside. Her animal was closer just with his presence. Turning around, she watched him walk slowly toward her. He moved silently, with a grace that only a true predator had.
• He stopped a few feet from her. “I talk to Devin, and he was quite pleased Dobry and Demir track the king.”
• “They know where he is?” She held her breath. If they did, plans would change as soon as they were done with the island.
• His eyes searched her face for a moment. “Soon. They know what city he was brought to.”
• “Close to Aiden Tomas, no doubt.”
• “Ja.” He shrugged. “Makes for easy to rescue king and put Tomas in the ground.” He shrugged. “So to speak.”
• “No, that’s an accurate ending for that monster.”
• “Monster? You think Aiden Tomas is monster?” He took off his jacket, folded it, and set it on the ground. “He is not the baddest one I have saw.” He straightened up and looked at her again. “We are to stop them all.” He nodded. “The monsters.”
• Deva inhaled slowly and glanced at the bush, “Yes. No matter how long it takes.”
• “Ja. No matter how long.”
• She took a deep breath and tried to exhale some of the tension filling her.
• “What is bother you?”
• “There is so much on the line with this island thing.” She gave him a brief look, “That’s what’s bothering me.”
• “Bothering.” He looked down at the ground. “I do no know on the line.”
• Deva grinned for a second. “It’s so important that we are successful. That’s what I meant.”
• He stood there and looked at her, a serious expression on his face. “We will be victorious, beauty Deva. Do not worry over that.” Taggart moved closer and reached slowly, taking her hand. “I want for to kiss you, but I think is too soon. Your cat is not sure of me.” He held her hand gently, his thumb brushing back and forth along it as he looked at her. “For now, come run with me. My cat wants to meet with yours.”
• It was cute how he said cat slowly now, so he was sure he used the right word. “I was going to go for a run.” His smile was slow and dangerously sexy.
• “Ja. We run.” Lifting their hands, he kissed hers lightly and then released it. “Go. Become your cat, and I follow.”
• “Okay.” She smiled, not even sure why she was. Everything he did was a surprise to her.
• “Go quick, or I will be lured to watch you, and I think not yet. I like thinking of how your look without clothes.” His grin was mischievous.
• She felt her cheeks flush and was glad it was getting dark and he wouldn’t notice. So many surprises, her own reaction included.
• ~
• Deva adjusted the wrap tied around her waist. She was still annoyed that they had to dress like tourists hanging out on the boat. Glancing over, she saw Calla retying hers as well. At least Calla looked the part, with her tanned body and long blonde hair. The oversized sunglasses she wore helped her look the part. Deva hadn’t thought of sunglasses.
• She hadn’t met Slater until they were on the dock. He was part of the Alliance Security team, which explained why they hadn’t met. Until recently, the Security worked out of the Alliance headquarters, and no doubt handled things tenser than what she’d signed on to do with the co-ord team a few years ago. He was a big man with rust-colored hair and dark blue eyes that made her feel like he was looking right through her.
• Taggart kicked off his shoes and then looked at each of them. “I want to remove my shirt but I do no want to offend you ladies.”
• He was wearing a high-collared, white pullover. She’d noticed he always had his neck covered.
• “Go ahead.” Calla went over and sat on the cushioned bench. “Unless you have an obscene tattoo or something, I’m sure we’ll be fine.”
• “Ah,” his lips quirked, “no tattoo. I promise.” He took a deep breath and then exhaled. “I have much scars,” he touched his throat. “I am no popular man in many countries—they try to end me. Is why we—my men are never by oneself. Always close to help in case.” He nodded, grabbed the back of his shirt, and pulled it over his head.
• Calla sat forward but didn’t make a sound.
• Deva covered her mouth so she wouldn’t either. Across his throat were two thick, ragged scars. Someone had cut his throat—more than once. On his chest, over his heart, was another jagged mark that looked more recent than the other two. When he turned to sit down, she saw the scars along the side of his rib cage.
• Slater studied him for a second. “Damn. You really pissed someone off.”
• Taggart smirked. “Many someones. I am sure they still dream of finding me.”
• “I think you better stay in North America, my friend.”
• Taggart nodded. “That is my plan.”
• “There’s the island.” Calla turned and looked at it.