LITMIR.BIZ

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meow.

      House cat. She gave a vague smile.

      “Where did you come from, kitty? I thought the vamps didn’t let anything smaller than a tank hunt on their turf?” Too hurt to wonder what it was, she closed her eyes. And then she heard a scream upstairs.

      Billy! She started off the chaise.

      Bam! Next thing she knew she was lying flat on her stomach, a heavy male weight pressed into her back.

      “Chief Petty Officer Sam Shaymore, U.S. Navy SEALs,” he whispered into her ear.

      Warm breath feathered over her cheek. The delicious masculine scent of leather and sage became stronger and enveloped her like a lover’s arms. She knew this scent. Knew this body…had felt it atop hers years ago.

      When he’d laid her down on his bed, kissed her and then had taken her virginity.

      The muscled SEAL’s heavy weight shifted, allowing her to roll over. He straddled her, sitting on her hips, his hands easily pinning her down.

      Indifferent, almost cruel concentration on his face turned to shock. Those penetrating hazel eyes widened and then darkened.

      “Kelly,” he said softly.

      A gleam of recognition and pure sexual awareness. She felt the jolt as if Sam had branded her with a white-hot iron. Sheer desire whipsawed through her, making her tremble as he held her down. The last time they’d been in this position, Sam had been thrusting deep inside her, as she’d clung to him and moaned.

      The erotic current between them fizzled as anger flushed his handsome face. “What the hell are you doing here?”

      Power hummed in the air, radiating off him in waves. Sam could generate electromagnetic current strong enough to turn a building into dust. A navy SEAL and a Phantom Mage? Forget the vampire guards. They had baby teeth compared with Sam’s T. rex magick.

      Fear coated her mouth. Kelly wriggled, but he held her down easily. Disgusted with her weakness, she scowled into his face.

      “Mind getting off me, Sam? We’re not lovers anymore, and this brick is awfully hard.”

      Those chiseled features narrowed. He wore a black headband around his forehead, keeping his shoulder-length brown hair in place. A nasty-looking weapon hung from one broad shoulder. He was clad in some kind of green camouflage. Kelly felt a shiver snake down her spine.

      “Let me go. I have to get to Billy…”

      He touched an earpiece and glanced upstairs. “Billy is safe.”

      “But the Mages…”

      “Dead.” His gaze flattened. “Why did you take him, Kelly? This your new hobby, stealing innocents?”

      “I didn’t kidnap Billy. I was trying to free him when I got caught. My organization is Sight Finders.”

      Those dreamy hazel eyes widened. “Those nutjobs? The ones who steal Mage children in domestic disputes?”

      “My organization rescues Mage children in trouble.”

      “My organization is the U.S. Navy. You’re my prisoner.” Sam eased back and snapped plastic ties around her wrists.

      Her jaw dropped. “You can’t do this!”

      “Just did.”

      “But I’m on your side.”

      “Can’t trust that, until the situation is secured.” Then for a sheer moment, the indifferent mask dropped. Torment shadowed his face as he stroked a light finger down her cheek. His touch made her shiver, and remember.

      “Sam,” she began, but he slid off and pulled her upright. Even with his incandescent rage, his touch was considerate and gentle.

      Always the Southern gentleman. Even when taking prisoners, she thought dully.

      She struggled against the ties but failed to break them. Sam gave her an amused look. “Don’t waste your energy. I laced them with magick. I’m an Elemental.”

      “You were,” she whispered. “Now you’re just a bastard. When did you become one, Sam?”

      Regret flashed in his eyes, and then the hardness returned. “The day your father escaped after killing my whole family.”

      He walked her to a sturdy coconut palm. Before he secured her to it, he cupped her cheek with his palm. Despite the wet, thick gloves, she felt the warmth of his touch like a brand. He studied her solemnly. “Kel,” he murmured.

      So close he seemed ready to kiss her. She closed her eyes, remembering those firm, warm lips nestled against hers.

      When she opened her eyes, he’d vanished.

      Kelly struggled against her bonds. Gunfire erupted amid loud explosions upstairs. A SEAL emerged from the house, carrying a terrified Billy. He was sobbing.

      “Give him to me,” she cried out.

      Sheer strength and her own secret store of magick shattered her bonds. Kelly rushed forward, only to feel the cold pressure of a gun barrel pressed to her temple. “Don’t move,” came Sam’s deep voice.

      “I’m here to save Billy. I’m not his enemy!”

      “Maybe not his,” he said in a soft, drawling voice that rubbed against her skin like warm velvet. “But, sweetheart, you are most definitely mine.”

       Chapter 2

      Propping his heavy boots on the table in front of him, Shay took a swig of bottled water and stared at the opposite wall of Phoenix Force’s ready room. Framed photographs of SEALs who’d died in combat stared back. Shay gave them a solemn salute with the bottle.

      Kelly Denning. Even now, years after they’d parted, the memories rushed back in a cascade of searing heat. But now they said she was a scumbag, worse than a pyrokinetic demon. According to the rumors swirling around the SEAL Team 21 compound, she’d used her organization as cover to steal Elemental Phantom Mage children to drain their powers. Billy was the first. Others would follow if Kelly wasn’t stopped.

      The door slammed behind them as Renegade and Dakota paced into the room. The two Draicon werewolves looked ready to take someone down.

      Gods, he knew what they felt. They hated the mass of red tape caused by the senator whose son they’d saved. Everyone on the SEAL 21 compound was on edge. ST 21 was thought by humans to be “norms.” No one in the human world knew of the existence of paranorms. If they did, they’d freak.

      And now the senator had brought an entourage of humans into the compound. “Are they done with her yet?” he asked his lieutenant.

      Dakota shook his head. “Humans are. FBI and brass are letting her go. No evidence she was working with the kidnappers. But as soon as they’re gone, Senator Rogers wants a crack at her.”

      He exchanged glances with a scowling Renegade.

      “The senator wants blood. He says she’s lying, because all Arcane Mages lie.” Renegade shook his head. “Seems we’re in the middle of a damn blood feud.”

      “Rogers is an Elemental Elder on the Council of Mages. He doesn’t trust Arcanes. This little incident fuels his reasons even more,” Shay explained.

      And he had the power to fry Kelly with a flick of one hand. Not if I’m around.

      Stretching languidly, Renegade winked. “That Kelly is hot. Heard you were childhood friends and then lovers.”

      Shay stiffened and then crushed the bottle in one hand. “Not anymore.”

      “Bad parting?” Dakota took a chair, swung it around and straddled it.

      You might say. Shay gave his friend and lieutenant a meaningful look. The Draicon werewolf got it and shut his trap.

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