Zeno_ #8 (Luna Lodge) - Madison Stevens

Table of Contents Copyright Title Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Chapter Ten Chapter Eleven Chapter Twelve Chapter Thirteen Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen Chapter Sixteen Chapter Seventeen Chapter Eighteen Chapter Nineteen Chapter Twenty Chapter Twenty-one Thank You Author Bio Also By

This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents depicted in this work are of the author’s imagination or have been used in a fictitious manner. Any *crane resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, locations, or events is entirely coincidental. All rights reserved. Copyright © 2016 Madison Stevens No portion of this book may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without the prior written permission of the author.

Cover designed by Najlla Qammber Designs

Zeno (Luna Lodge #8) by Madison Stevens Zeno’s satisfied being a grunt among the super-soldier hybrids of Luna Lodge. He’s never been a deep thinker, but he respects his leaders and is happy to be the guy they drop in when they need trouble shut down with a little muscle. He’s annoyed when he’s ordered to accompany another team on a mission to Peru. The main mission’s fine, but he doesn’t like the idea that he’s also being

sent to check on Ava, the flighty sister of the mate of another hybrid. As far as he’s concerned, it’s a waste of his talents to check on some grown woman on vacation. Ava thought she’d found true love with Antonio on a cruise. Now she’s the prisoner of a dangerous criminal. As far she knows, no one is coming to check on her, so it’s up to her to get away from him before her captor tires of her. When Zeno and Ava cross paths, they both realize Antonio is far more than he appears. If they are going to escape with their lives, they are going to have to remain focused. Unfortunately, their

burning attraction for each other is more than a little distracting.

Chapter One

Fucking meetings. That’s all they did anymore, sit in meetings. The hybrids of Luna Lodge had been created as supersoldiers, not super-managers. He bit back a laugh and did his best to ignore the buzz of mild conversation around him, waiting for Titus to just get on with things. They’d had so many plans before the public learned their true nature: for a different life they had under the thumb of the Horatius Group. Back then, they’d assumed the same government that rescued them would help them out. Hope some might call it.

Zeno rolled his neck and tried to stay awake. He ran a hand through his closecropped blond hair on his way to scratching the back of his neck. He’d suffered through two other meetings that day, and when they called him to stay for the last meeting of the day, he had been less than thrilled. Dinner would be served soon, and he hated to be the last in the chow hall. Being the last one in meant he would get what was left, and it was never much. He’d already missed lunch because of an earlier meeting. He glanced around the table, an odd bunch for him, high-ups like Titus, Lucius and Sol. Not exactly his normal crew.

It wasn’t that he didn’t work on occasion with any of the leaders of their group, but he was a grunt, the guy called in to make sure shit wasn’t going down and stayed that way. Varius, the hybrid he’d become the closest to, had been absent for a number of recent meetings and briefings. The two were normally paired off for crap like this: Zeno for his muscle and Varius for his keen senses, and that was saying a lot considering how good all hybrids’ senses were compared to normal humans. Zeno wondered what was going on with the Varius but didn’t push. He’d found that his quiet friend would talk when he was ready and not sooner.

He liked Varius. The other hybrid seemed to get him. He understood Zeno was satisfied being the guy other people told what to do. There were perks to being the muscle with no chance of promotion. It meant he had more time to spend on working out or just enjoying all the little things they hadn’t been able to when the damned Horatius Group controlled their lives. He flexed the muscles across his chest and liked that the t-shirt he was wearing stretched across the wide expanse. Some people were just meant to be certain things, and he was most certainly meant to be a grunt for his leaders. Titus cleared his throat. “Most of you

already know what I’m about to say, but for those who don’t, pay attention.” The room grew silent. Zeno looked around the table as several people watched him. He rested his gaze on the new nurse, Paige. He was just thankful he didn’t have to be locked in another meeting with their doctor, Rachel. She’d been the object of his desire for some time before she bonded with Marius. The sting of being pushed aside for some computer geek still burned him a bit. It wasn’t that he really wanted Rachel but more that someone like Marius could get a woman, and he couldn’t. Zeno worried it said something about him more than anything. Maybe guys like

him never got a Vestal, a special woman compatible with and drawn to hybrids, and their only chance at truly being complete. The whole process involved far too much science for him to understand, but the one thing he did know was that people around him were falling in love, and he remained alone. Fuck it. He didn’t need a woman complicating his life. Things were just fine without one. His gaze slid past the nurse to her bonded, Justus. The dark and mysterious man he’d guarded as a potential spy just months before was now a trusted member of their group. Justus narrowed his eyes at him and

scooted closer to Paige. Zeno rolled his eyes. He looked to Titus, the great leader of the Luna hybrids, and nodded. Better they get this shit over with than argue about why he was the last to know. Titus raised a brow that creased his tanned skin. “You’ve all been called for a special mission.” Zeno’s ears perked up. Missions were something he could deal with, especially if it meant he’d have the chance to take down a couple of Glycons, the mindless and mutated blood-thirsty hybrids created by the Group as disposable weapons. Hell, maybe he’d even get a chance to take down a member of the Horatius Group.

“According to the pings we’ve gotten,” Titus said and tapped the map on the table. “This is where you’ll be going.” Zeno looked down at the paper and nearly choked. “Peru? What the hell?” “Oh, fuck me,” Marius groaned and leaned forward in his chair. His buttonup shirt strained around his neck as he did so. “I told you he wouldn’t work.” Zeno glared at the other man. He might not harbor any feelings for Rachel, but that didn’t mean he didn’t still want to kick Marius’s ass. The smug prick always seemed to think he was smarter than the rest of them. “Couldn’t we send Varius with him?” Sol said.

Titus gave a funny look and shook his head. “He’s busy,” he said, his words clipped and final. Zeno frowned. Had his friend been given some special mission he wasn’t allowed to be part of? It certainly seemed that way. Two burning amber eyes landed on him, and he could feel the pull of what a leader could command from his men. “He’s who we need,” Titus said and nodded firmly to Zeno. “The mission can’t be completed without him.” Pride swelled in him at the high praise. Whatever it was, he knew he was more than capable of handling it. Despite what some of the others might think about him, he did his job and did it

well. At least Titus seemed to have faith in him. He scanned the map. Zeno wasn’t quite sure what he was looking at, but the terrain seemed to contain far less jungle than their last excursion to that part of the world. Large mountains surrounded a small town. It looked remote and dangerous. Not that danger scared him, but he wanted to know what he was walking into. Part of kicking ass was not letting the other guy get a drop on you. Val leaned across the table and pointed to a red circle on the map. The little female half-hybrid was proving to be a major asset to them. Her knowledge of computers, communication

infrastructure and systems was near master level. There was even some talk that her half-hybrid nature might have some role in her abilities. Zeno wasn’t so certain. They’d never encountered someone like her, and they certainly had no idea how she worked. She and her brother, the full-hybrid Sol, were similar in nature and looks, but the rest seemed more a mystery. Rumors floated around saying she could sense emotions, but he didn’t pay much attention to them. It seemed like some story that had been passed along to explain her odd behavior. In the end, it might just be that Val was a super genius, which put people on

edge. Not that he was going to tell her that. The last thing she needed was her ego to be even more inflated. Still, he had to respect her skills. Val glanced over at him from where she leaned. She gave a small smirk and shook her head, returning her attention back to the map. He twitched. “We know the probably Horatius Group signal we’ve detected is coming from this general area,” she said and looked around the room. “I’ll know more once I can get into position.” He frowned. “Position for what?” She stared at him with a straightforward expression. No malice. Not patronizing. He wondered if she was actually trying to read the emotions of

the room. Not that it mattered, he had nothing to hide even if the rumors proved true. She gave a half smile and he froze. Maybe his earlier thoughts had been right. “You, big boy, have a different sort of job,” she said. She grinned widely at him, and he didn't like the look of it. He could hear Apollo growl a warning beside her. The guy always seemed a little more revved up when it came to Val. She turned and winked to Apollo, who stopped growling and glared around the room, as if daring anyone to say something. Val turned back around and smiled at

Zeno. “Apollo will help me get to a point in town so I can set up my tracking station,” she said. “Once I get that in place, I’ll be able to relay information to Marius. Between the two of us, we should be able to locate the facility.” Zeno shook his head and looked back over to Titus. “I don’t understand,” he said. “Why the three of us? It sounds like something that could be done with two.” It was Lucius who spoke this time. The scarred man was normally first in line for these things, but his bonded had only recently found out she was pregnant, and there wasn’t a chance he would leave her side.

“Getting the signal is only a part of the mission,” Lucius said. His deep voice gripped Zeno. “Once the facility is located, you are not to engage. We need to know what’s happening there, but we want to make sure we’re not walking into a trap.” He nodded. It still sounded like a two-man job to him, but that wasn’t really his call. “There’s one more thing,” Titus said and nodded to Paige. Zeno frowned. Were they really thinking of bringing the little nurse? That seemed like a very bad idea. An untrained person on the mission could hinder the whole operation, and the last thing he wanted to do was babysit.

“It’s my sister,” Paige said. Her voice shook as she spoke, and the very male part of him crumbled at the waiver in her voice. “She’s there. Or at least her last postcard said she was.” She set the card on the table: a picture of a pretty woman with long sunstreaked hair. Her bright green eyes took up so much of her face they looked like two bright emeralds on the paper. She was wearing some sort of red dress. Zeno followed the line of the straps on the dress until he landed on her more than ample chest. He swallowed hard. “Ava…” Paige said, her voice breaking. Titus stood to finish. “Ava was last known to have been with an Antonio

Díaz at his villa just on the outskirts of town.” Zeno looked down at the map. It seemed an odd coincidence that Ava would just happen to be there. Considering all the tricks the Horatius Group had pulled on them, being paranoid could save someone’s life. “Is it all connected?” he asked. Titus glanced over to Paige and then back to him. Paige shifted in her seat, noticeably tenser. “Unlikely,” Titus said, “since they weren’t even aware of Paige being a Vestal.” Zeno frowned. “Does that mean Ava is a Vestal as well?” The gathered men exchanged glances.

It had never been something they’d come across, but so much about their natures remained a mystery. “There’s a chance,” Paige said quietly. “Rachel thinks there is a good chance, anyway. None of the Group’s paperwork we’ve found documented siblings though, so it’s hard to know for sure.” He snorted. Sounded like the Group was just better at hiding their files than they thought. No way they didn’t look at siblings. He remembered the testing and the way they made him run courses over and over, waiting, testing and probing to see if different obstacles would elicit a different response. They’d evaluated his

endurance, his strength and how long it took to break him. The Horatius Group was many things: evil, twisted and monstrous, but above all they were thorough. He shook his head. Thinking about all he had experienced that shaped him wasn’t really something he wanted to dwell on. It wouldn’t change anything. He couldn’t change the past. “So what are we supposed to do?” he asked. Val leaned forward. “While Apollo and I get the comms equipment set up, you go over and pay Senior Díaz a friendly, if quiet, visit.” “And if she’s there?” He looked around the room and stopped on Titus.

“It’s not exactly like I can say I was just in the neighborhood.” Titus shook his head. “Try not to engage. His men are known to be a rough crowd, and Díaz isn’t going to make this easy. Just see if she wants a ride home.” Zeno raised a brow. “And if she doesn’t?” Paige stood and passed an envelope over to him. “Give this to her.” His eyes locked with hers, and he felt bad for being such a smart-ass. This was her sister, and she was worried. He stared down at the envelope. “Ava isn’t a bad person,” Paige said. Her voice shook a little. Zeno kept his eyes down so he wouldn’t have to see her cry. Something

about a woman crying just killed him a bit. “She’s always been one to fall in love easily,” Paige said and gave a little laugh. “Free-spirited. She does whatever strikes her. We got into an argument before she left, and I haven’t heard from her since.” He clenched his hands a little. This free-spirited idiot had gotten herself into a bad situation and was now causing problems for her sister. He couldn’t stand that sort of person, the kind that didn’t care about what sort of inconvenience they caused other people. He looked over to Marius, who had seemed certain Zeno was the last man for the job. The other hybrid thought the

very same thing about him that Zeno thought of Ava. It infuriated him. He would do his job, and he would do it well. “When do we go?” he said. Titus stared calmly back. “Now.” Zeno sighed. It looked like he would be having dinner on the run. He just hoped this woman hadn’t been living it up while her sister sat by and patiently waited for a sign she was alive. If that were the case, he might just be tossing her pretty ass over his shoulder and bringing her home a different way.

Chapter Two

Ava sat at the beautiful table. The meal had been laid out like it was every night: perfect and smelling delicious. She was never quite sure what they were having. The kitchen staff spoke very little English, and she spoke even less Spanish, let alone any of the indigenous languages. Still, it always looked and tasted amazing. The only thing missing was the happiness she’d once felt sitting at the table. She looked around the room: four doors on the inside of the pretty stucco. An over-sized buffoon stood guard in

front of each door. Ava picked up her napkin and slapped it on her lap. She leaned forward and lifted the lid. There was no way in hell she was going to wait any longer. “Antonio will be in soon,” said one of the men. She turned to look at one of the men closer to her. He watched her with irritation, knowing his boss likely wouldn’t like it if she ate without him. She huffed loudly and slammed the clay lid back on the pot. It would serve them right if she broke the damn thing. As if he knew what she was up to, Antonio opened the door directly behind her and stepped up to the back of her

chair. She ignored him as he leaned around from the back to her right side and put his mouth near her ear. He placed a small kiss there. A shiver of revulsion ran through her. “My Ava,” he whispered. “I hope I didn’t keep you waiting long.” She turned to glare at him. His charming and deceitful face remained close to her own. She narrowed her eyes and gave a stiff smile. “Not at all.” Antonio leaned back to stare at her for a moment. His thick dark hair had been slicked in a different direction from this morning. His normally pressed white shirts and black pants were

rumpled. She assumed he wanted her to know he had been seeing one of his other lovers. Like she cared. Let them have him and all his fake charming ways. He was as selfish in bed as he was with every other aspect of his life. He smirked at her, likely assuming she was jealous. His thin wisp of a mustache quirked as he strolled to his spot across the table with all the cocky grace of someone who thought they had won. He pulled his massive and ornate chair back, the scroll work dwarfing him in the seat. He looked more like a child playing a king in some twisted play. He snapped his fingers, and two

house servants hurried over to dish out the food. Ava watched the older women and wondered if the pay was good. It would make sense seeing as he was a tyrant when it came to the things he wanted. The older of the two glanced at her as she dished some of the stew into her bowl. The woman’s tanned weathered face looked at if it had been through worse than Antonio. Maybe she’d seen many men like Antonio, pretend kings in their tiny little kingdoms. The servant added an extra piece of cornbread to Ava’s plate and gave a little smile. The gesture warmed her. The older woman knew how much Ava loved the

light and moist way she made the bread. It gave her a small bit of comfort when she was so far away from home. Ava beamed up at her, glad to have a friend of sorts. The older woman stepped away from the table but stopped when Antonio raised his hand slightly to stay her movement. He looked across the table to Ava and nodded to the cornbread. “Devuélvelo, solo necesitas uno.” Ava frowned but watched as the old woman took the basket and held it out to her. The poor woman couldn’t even look her in the eye as she did so. “Wouldn’t want you getting fat, now would we?” Antonio said. Ava debated for a quick moment

chucking the bread right at his stupid face. It would certainly surprise him, but she didn’t want to cause trouble for the old woman. Grudgingly she placed the piece back into the basket. He snapped his fingers and pointed to the empty place beside him. The old woman hurried to the other side. Antonio jerked the basket from her hands and slammed it hard on the table. He smiled across to Ava as he pulled the piece out of the basket she had just placed in. Anger coursed through her. To think that she’d let a man like him have so much control over her made her sick. She’d never been one to worry much about what she ate. She liked the way she looked. She wasn’t thin. Her

stomach was never going to be flat and hard. However, she had curves, and she loved them. Hell, most men did. And the one that didn’t could take a hike. She glared at him with a deep, burning hatred. One day she would have her revenge and wipe that smug look right off his face. Ava dug into the stew and ignored the rage she still felt. If she were ever going to get away from him, she would need to eat. Besides, the stew was fantastic. It warmed her down to her toes. Slowly she ate the cornbread, savoring the little amount she was allowed. “And what did you do today?” Antonio asked, his accent only getting

thicker as he drank the hard liquor in his cup. She set down her bread and stared at him across the table. “Pictured all the ways you might die today.” The words were out of her mouth before she could even think about it. It was the truth. It was what she did most days. A full month of being held captive had done it for her. Six weeks ago she had been blissfully in lust. Now she was tired and just wanted to go home and make up with Paige. She thought of her sister often and of all the nasty things she had said before leaving. Paige had only wanted to keep her safe, but she hadn’t been willing to

listen. Instead Ava had mocked Paige’s lack of a social life. It was a low moment and something she hoped she would be able to correct. First, she needed to survive and escape from Antonio. He smiled for a moment, then burst from his chair, his face red. She gasped when his hand landed hard on her throat. He squeezed, not really choking her, but letting her know he could if he wanted. In the end, he could kill her right there, and it was likely no one besides his people would even know. None of them would dare try and stop him. The thought of not being able to reconcile with her sister brought tears to her eyes.

He watched with pleasure as the tears trailed down her face. He gave another tight squeeze and then loosened his grip. The thumb resting against her pulse rubbed back and forth over the sensitive spot. She stilled, hoping he would just let her go and sit back down. “You are mine,” he said quietly, his voice low and threatening. “My little pet. Pets must respect their owners. Do you understand?” She gave a shallow nod. He offered a toothy grin. Bile rose in her throat. “May I be excused?” she asked quietly. She had to get away. Mouthing off hadn’t been a good idea. More and more

recently, he had been aggressive toward her. How long would it be before he decided he was tired of his pet? Antonio stepped back and waved an arm for her to leave. An older man and young man guarded the door on the other side of the room, just opposite the table. The older one held the door open as the younger man walked through. He stood by the door and waited. She would be escorted back to her room per the usual. Antonio would take no chances with her escaping. She doubted he even really cared. It was just another way he could exert control. Ava stood and hand to brush past him in order to get by. He grabbed her arm a little tighter than necessary. He stared

hard at the V dip of the aqua blue dress he had given her to wear for the day, her ample cleavage fully on display for him. She pulled her shawl tighter around her front. “You know you can’t resist me for long. No woman can.” His eyes came back to her face, and she resisted gagging. Gently she pulled her arm away and stood tall. Even on his best day, he was still just an inch above her. She knew it did something to his ego knowing that. “I can try,” she said. Without a word she turned and made her way through the door after the young man, the older man trailing behind them. Ignoring everyone else along the way,

she walked until she’d reached the third door down. The other two were standard guest rooms. The young guard twisted the key in the old lock and sneered. Her room, however, had been made into a prison of sorts. She glanced down the hall. Antonio’s door lay directly ahead. She tried to ignore the revulsion she felt at knowing he was so close. Eventually he would come for her. She knew this. Her eyes landed on the door next to her own. The only real chance at escape. Ava stepped in and turned to watch as the young man closed the door. The loud click of the lock echoed in the room. Quickly she went to work, doing what

she did every night: going over all the provisions she’d been able to gather. As quietly as she could, Ava twisted off the loose screws on the vent next to her vanity. Inside she had slipped her backpack. It was the only thing he seemed to have missed when he took all her things from her. She set the bag on the table and pulled out what she’d collected. It wasn’t much: a bit of rope, some pieces of dried meat and fruit she’d been able to hide, along with a bit of hard bread. Ava slipped the steak knife from the side of her shawl. She had worried when he grabbed a hold of her it might slip free. There was no telling what he might do if he knew she taken her

defiance to a higher level. The first time she said she was going home he had slapped her hard across the cheek. It had been four weeks ago, and yet she could still feel the ache it in her face. It was then that she’d decided to never be with him again. He locked her away and only let her free when he or one of his guards were around. Ava had thought he would lose interest if she stopped sleeping with him. Surely she was of no use to him if they weren’t going to be together in that way. She’d worried he’d take her by force, but, for now, his ego seemed to be overriding everything else. It was if he couldn’t honestly understand why a

woman would resist him. Four weeks later they were still doing the same song and dance. Somehow his interest in her had only grown. She was starting to wonder if she would ever make it home. A light knock came at the door, and she hurried to slip the bag back in the vent. Getting caught now would mean trouble, if not something worse. She walked over to the door. “Yes?” It opened slowly. The older guard held out a napkin. She smiled and took the wrapped cloth from him. A half dozen pieces of the delicious cornbread lay inside. “She wants you have,” he said and

nodded a few times. “Thank you, Piero.” Ava grinned and popped a piece of the bread in her mouth. “Please tell your wife thank you as well.” He nodded. His English wasn’t the best, but they were somehow able to get things across. “We talk,” he said and looked over his shoulder back into the hall and then looked back to her. “We help.” She gave a sigh of relief. She had taken a chance asking him to risk so much, but there was no other choice. Things were not going to get better, and he was her only option. “Anita help tomorrow,” he said, struggling to get the words out. “You get

to gate, I let out.” Ava nodded. She already had a plan to get out of the room. The vent she stored her bag in went to the office. She could fit. It was going to be tight, but luckily the place was old, and everything was built much larger than it might have been in a more modern building. She hadn’t tested out if she’d be able to get to her paperwork in his desk, but she knew it was there. It was a moment where she would just have to hope things went according to plan. A chuckle bubbled out of her. According to plan. It seemed like some sort of sick joke. Nothing since being with Antonio had gone according to plan. He had seemed so different when

they had been on that week-long cruise together. She’d bumped into him the first night at dinner, and he had been so charming. They wined and dined that first night. It had been perfect. The rest of the trip they sipped drinks in the sun, just spending comfortable time together. Or so it had seemed. Maybe she just wanted to remember it that way. Even now she still wanted to see their time together with a rosecolored filter. In truth, she had spent a lot of time sunning by herself. She would wake up to find him shouting on the phone and would get upset at the anger she heard there. It frightened her. Afterward he would apologize and say something about language barriers.

Then all would be forgotten. Then there were the few odd times she’d woken up alone in his room. He’d come back an hour or two later. Ava frowned. He’d likely been stepping out on her the whole time, and she’d been so blind to his charm she hadn’t even realized it. Well, not anymore. She wasn’t staying here under his thumb just waiting for the day he would get tired of her and deal with her accordingly. Tomorrow was the day.

Chapter Three

Zeno suffered through nearly thirteen hours on a small plane and then four more hours on an even smaller plane. He stretched his poor cramped muscles. He wasn’t made to stuff himself into such a tiny place for that long. At least it was a private plane. They had been lucky to secure charters for both flights, which had made their travel out of the country easier than the last time. He squinted through the sunglasses he had been forced to wear in order to hide himself better. His hybrid amber eyes would have raised too many questions. He snorted quietly as he watched the

smaller people from the area scurry past him. Somehow he didn’t think he was doing nearly as good a job fitting in as they had hoped. It was a good thing he had waited outside the hotel while Apollo and Val checked them into their rooms. No telling what sort of trouble he might cause if he were inside. Apollo stood out enough as is. He watched as the two stepped out from the lobby. “Maybe we should get—” Apollo said. “Food,” Zeno cut in. “We need to get food.” As if to emphasize the point, his stomach growled loudly. Protein bars didn’t do shit to fill a stomach, and by

the time they had landed the first time, there was nowhere to eat. It was early morning by his original time, which meant they had arrived mid-morning. Perfect time to still get breakfast. Apollo rolled his eyes. “I think we should get things inside before we start looking for something to eat.” Zeno frowned. It was easy for him to say. Apollo had known they were going to rush off and had likely had more than cereal as his last meal. He opened his mouth to say as much when Val stepped between them. “How about we get the stuff to the rooms and meet you somewhere?” He pointed to the place he’d been

eying since they were dropped off. He could smell the place as they drove by and was certain that it had to be as good as it smelled. Pork, onions, peppers. His mouth watered. “Over there,” he said curtly. Apollo frowned down at his little woman. “Why do we—” Val leaned toward him and smiled sweetly. “You’ll want to come upstairs.” Zeno’s face heated at the implication. He grunted and walked quickly away. There was no way he wanted to know what they were going to do. The last thing he needed was to have sex on the brain. It was bad enough as it was without having that sort of shit shoved in his face.

Besides, hunger came first and that was something he could actually deal with. *** The small hole-in-the-wall restaurant did not disappoint. The inside of the place was nothing special. Paintings hung from the walls and someone had tried their hand at a mural of the surrounding mountain. The deep reddish earth tones ended at the white and purple caps of the mountain in the painting. The place wasn’t dirty, but it was clear that the building had been around for some time, and he wouldn’t be surprised to find it still standing in a

hundred years. It was luck that the place had been empty. It had also been luck that the waiter seemed uninterested in having any sort of conversation. The last thing he needed was someone to chat him up. Instead, he had been left alone with his food, and that was exactly how he liked it. Each mouthful of the food he shoveled in only got better. He had no idea what he’d ordered, but it had come in sandwich form and seemed to be some sort of fish with eggs. It was delicious and that was all that mattered. He set down the other half of his sandwich and took a drink of the sour, fruity beverage the waiter had set down.

The warm heat from the alcohol made him flush but not enough to actually get him drunk. A man his size would have to drink more than a few to even get a real buzz. Still, the drink had great flavor with the meal, and that’s all that really mattered to him. The bell above the door jingled as it swung wide. Apollo and Val walked in. The woman’s cheeks remained flushed from whatever they had been doing. Apollo sat down across from him and sniffed the drink in front of Zeno. “Think that’s wise?” Apollo asked and raised a brow. Zeno picked up the glass and finished it off. He set it down with a loud thud. “We all have to have a little release.”

Apollo held up his palms in surrender. Val ignored the two of them and signaled for the waiter to come back over. She pointed over to Zeno’s plate and cup. “We’ll each have one.” He raised his hand. “I’ll have one more as well.” The man nodded and moved quickly away. Likely having two large men in his place set the smaller man on edge. Couldn’t really blame him for that. “Hungry?” Val leaned back and snorted. His hunger starting to fade, he smiled for the first time. “Gotta keep up my strength,” he said and flexed the muscles on his arm.

Val gave a loud laugh. “Yeah, or you turn into a grumpy baby.” Before he could respond, Apollo spoke. “Have you asked around about Antonio?” Zeno shook his head. His first thought had been to fill his stomach, but finding out about the girl had to come into play. “I don’t like the idea of you going in there blind,” Apollo said and turned to Val. “Maybe we should stall for a day on the comms setup and go as backup.” Val looked across to Zeno and then back to Apollo. “If we stall, we may not be able to get the location pinpointed in time.” “I can handle this,” Zeno said with ease. “She’s likely just having too much

fun to send a message to her sister. I’ll go and make a little house call. Nothing major. Then we get on with the real work.” Apollo stared hard at him for a moment before speaking. “And what if there’s more to all this?” Zeno sighed. He doubted that was the case. Ava seemed like a flake with the taking off with some man she hardly knew and only sending a postcard or two to her sister. “I’ll deal with it,” he said. “We all have a job to do. You need to get the comms set up so we don’t lose the lead. This might be our only chance to actually catch some of these Group fucks, and we can’t put that in jeopardy for anyone.”

The waiter came back with three plates and three mugs of the sour drink. Zeno quickly shoved the rest of his sandwich into his mouth before the new plate was set in front of him. Val smiled up at the waiter, a young man who seemed to only be okay making eye contact with her. Maybe the fact that both Zeno and Apollo were wearing their shades freaked him out. “My friend is planning on visiting a friend while in town,” Val said. “She’s staying with Antonio Díaz.” She smiled at the man. “Would you happen to know him?” The man started speaking quickly in an unfamiliar language. His hand darted across his chest in the shape of the cross

before he raced back into the kitchen. Val frowned. “That was…weird,” she said. More than weird. The man had been terrified when she mentioned Díaz. Suddenly Zeno’s confidence dropped. Maybe he needed to bring his A game to deal with this Díaz character. He pushed the untouched second drink away. “He knows something,” Apollo said and looked to the doorway the man had raced to. “Maybe we should go question him.” Val shook her head. “He was terrified,” she said and swallowed hard as if she were trying to keep her own fear at bay. “There’s no way we can get anything out of him, and there’s no

reason to try and force it from him.” “We can’t just leave it at that,” Apollo said. “We need to know what sort of man Díaz is.” “He’s a monster.” The quiet accented voice came from the doorway to the kitchen. The man who stepped out was older. He had deep lines on his face from years of hard work but didn’t look like life had beat him down. More that he’d given the good fight and won. His skin was tanned like most of the people they’d seen in town. He had a dark mustache and thinning hair at the top of his head. “My name is Luís,” he said. “Why have you come to my restaurant?” He walked over to their table. His

dark brown eyes shifted between Apollo and Zeno. Val broke the silence. “We just came for a good meal,” she said. “We were in the area and promised to look up a friend’s sister who was staying with Antonio Díaz.” The man stared at her for a moment before his face softened. “If she is with Díaz, she has fallen in with the wrong crowd.” Val nodded. “We were worried as much. She doesn’t seem to have good taste in men.” His gaze flicked over to Zeno and then Apollo, likely wondering if Val had poor taste in men as well. Zeno resisted the urge to smirk.

“Why do you call him a monster?” Apollo asked. His voice was quiet, as if he were trying to not frighten Luís like he had the other man. “You’ll find few who don’t know his name and even fewer who don’t fear him. His cruelty is known by all. And if your friend is still there, it has likely been just as hard on her.” Zeno’s muscles twitch at the thought of the pretty woman in harm’s way. Irritation washed through him. He’d been so certain she was flighty and enjoying a vacation, not the prisoner of some depraved fucker. Luís backed up a little, likely sensing how tense Zeno had become. “I suggest you finish your meal

quickly before you bring his wrath down on us,” he said and backed away. “We want no trouble with Díaz.” When Luís was nearly to the door he paused and looked over his shoulder. “You will be known by the company you keep,” he said, staring pointedly at Zeno. A shudder ran down his spine as he watched the old man disappear behind the door. “What do you think that meant?” Val asked. Zeno huffed loudly. “I think it’s clear that he sees us as trouble. Let’s just get out of here. We’ve got shit to do.” He took a large bite of his sandwich, but it didn’t have nearly the flavor it did before. The sobering reality of the

situation killed his joy. Now it was clear just how important his job might be and why Titus had insisted it was him. If Díaz started a battle, he was one of the few that could shut it down.

Chapter Four

Ava hurried down the hall after Piero. She’d been more than a little surprised when he’d come to tell her she had a visitor. Her heart hammered in her throat at the thought of her sweet sister there to save her. The last thing she wanted was to put Paige in any sort of danger. She passed by Piero on her way to the room. “Tonight,” she whispered. He gave a small nod before closing the door behind him. Relief flooded over her as she rounded the corner to the veranda and found a large man in sunglasses waiting

for her in a chair. There was no sign of Paige. Antonio wouldn’t be able to collect both sisters after all. As quickly as the relief arrived, irritation replaced it. She knew one of Antonio’s men had let him know she had a visitor. She was so close to escaping. He’d just left for the day. She was ready to make her move, but the new arrival might have messed up all her careful planning. The man stood from the chair he was in, and she nearly gasped. Large didn’t even describe him. Huge was better. Never in her life had she met a man this size. Sure, she’d seen a few on the beach or on TV, but it was totally different having someone like that standing in

front of her in all their massive glory. “Can I help you?” she said, the words fumbling out of her mouth. The man looked down at her. His short sandy blond hair moved slightly from the cool breeze. She stared hard up at him, almost willing him to take off his sunglasses so she could fully take him in. He was certainly something. Size aside, there was no question in her mind that he was attractive. His strong square jaw tilted to the side as if he were taking her in and trying to guess her thoughts. Her gaze slid down his body. The blue t-shirt he wore stretched over the thick muscles in his arms. She watched as they flexed a few times before realizing he was squeezing his hands

tightly. The breeze swept again through the patio, bringing the scent of his sandalwood soap to her. The rich notes swayed her body forward. She wanted to smell it up close. Her foot took a step forward, and she froze. This was insane. The last thing she needed was to hit on some random lunk she’d never even met. “Ava,” he said, “your sister sent me.” His voice was deep and seemed to rumble from deep in his chest. The sound of it set every part of her on fire. Just hearing her name come out of his mouth made her nipples tighten. “My sister?” It came out in a breathy way that

made her blush. Her sister had sent someone to come find her, and all she could think about was how his voice sounded. “She asked me to check in on you,” he said and glanced toward the two men that were standing with them outside. Her own personal armed escort. “She wanted to see if you were ready to go back home.” She was certain he was staring at her under those dark sunglasses. “I’ve got a seat ready if you’d like to go back,” he added. This man was offering her a way out. She could leave now with him, and this nightmare would all be over. She’d be free from Antonio and his cruelty.

The guards shifted, likely getting ready for a fight. She glanced over to them and then back to the stranger. “I—” she said. The door behind her slammed open. She jumped at the sound. In a swift motion, the massive man pulled her to his side, his large hand secured around her wrist. Antonio stomped through the door. His face presented the epitome of a calm façade, but his body tensed with anger. She knew his moods all too well. The calm before the storm. “Ava,” Antonio said with the fake smile she dreaded. His gaze flicked down to where the large man held on to

her wrist, and her smile faltered slightly. “Why didn’t you tell me your friend would be stopping by?” His eyes met hers and promised trouble later, maybe even a beating. She went to pull her arm back from the gentle hand, but the stranger held firm. His thumb rubbed over her racing pulse. Silently she prayed. Whatever was going on, Antonio would find a way to blame it all on her. She just needed to make it a little longer, and she’d be free, huge hunky stranger or not. “My name is Zeno,” the large man said and stepped forward. “Ava’s sister is unwell and asked that I come bring her sister home.”

She glanced up to the man, wondering how much of that was true. He gave a small squeeze, and it offered some comfort. Her mind went to Paige, and she cringed at how she’d been before she left. It was a wonder that Paige even cared if she came back. Ava wasn’t sure if she’d be so forgiving if Paige had been such a bitch. Antonio frowned, his gaze shifting between the pair. His distrust was evident. “And the sister sent you here?” he said. “Why didn’t she send a letter?” He shrugged. “Seems a lot of trouble to fly a man all the way down to Peru, no?” She looked up to Zeno, wondering the

same thing. A muscle in his jaw tightened and for a moment, she thought she saw a flash of yellow under his glasses. He looked down at her, and she couldn’t help but be captivated by him. “She tried,” he said. “The letters were all returned to sender.” His voice was low as if he were warning her. Ava wanted to laugh. It wasn’t as if she wasn’t fully aware of the prisoner she’d become. “Oh, that’s a shame,” Antonio said with a little laugh. “Mail here can be so temperamental.” “Seems that’s not the only thing,” Zeno mumbled. Her eyes widened at his words. She

glanced over to Antonio, who glared at the two of them suspiciously. Zeno’s words must not have reached him. She gasped loudly when Antonio reached out and yanked her hard to his side. “I will take her to her sister,” Antonio hissed, his voice thick with anger. “You aren’t needed.” Zeno held tightly on to her arm. “Her sister asked me to bring her home,” he said. The low rumble of his voice set the hairs on the back of her neck on end. “I can’t just leave her.” She could feel her pulse race as the two men squared off. “I think…” she began. She stopped as two angry faces stared at her.

Antonio shifted so the hard butt of his gun bumped against her. It was a threat. No, a promise. If she went with Zeno, he would kill him. Maybe even kill them both. She couldn’t do it. She swallowed the fear that choked her. “I’ll go with Antonio,” she said quietly. As if burned, Zeno dropped his hand instantly. He had been so certain she wanted to leave. Or maybe he had just been hoping. She was just as beautiful as in the picture, her green eyes drawing him in, but there was something about her. The way she questioned him set something off. She hissed quietly, and his gaze

landed on her once more. That bastard had her pressed hard against his side. He could see the bruising start to form where Antonio had gripped her arm too hard. The bastard didn’t care if she was hurt. Zeno narrowed his eyes. It was taking everything in him to keep his control. If he blew their cover, the whole mission would be a loss. Ava twisted slightly, and their eyes met. She glanced down to her side, and he followed it along her slender form until he caught the shiny gleam of metal. A gun. Zeno nearly grinned. As if some stupid pistol would be enough to stop him. Sure, it would hurt like hell, but that

was assuming the bastard would get the chance to use it. The arrogant fool had no idea who he was dealing with. “As you can see,” Antonio said with a smug smile, “your services are not needed.” Zeno smiled back. “Maybe I’ll just give you some time to think about it and stop by before I leave town.” Antonio stopped smiling. “And when would that be?” He gripped Ava’s hip hard, his fingers digging into her side. Zeno could feel the rumble in his chest. The need to rip this dick in two for even thinking he could touch her like that almost overwhelmed him. “I haven’t worked that out yet,” he said between gritted teeth.

The two men at the doors stepped forward, the guns at their sides clearly visible. “Well, you just let us know when you do,” Antonio said. The men moved forward, clearly meant to walk him out. Zeno stared at Antonio for a moment, not willing to be run off by the man. “I’ll be sure to do that,” he said. Briefly, his gaze slid over to Ava. Her shoulders slumped forward, resigned to the situation that she was in. No. She hadn’t chosen Antonio. She was just afraid of the asshole. His heart ached at the sight of the defeated her, and everything in him wanted to run to her, risk of exposure be

damned. Something about her felt and smelled so familiar. Zeno pushed out the thoughts. He needed to keep his focus. She would be fine. He would be back and would get her out his way. Then, the bastard who hurt her would pay. Without another word, he walked off the veranda and down the path to the gate. Something buzzed, and the door swung open. He stepped onto the other side and looked back to the house. The two men stood at the end of the path watching as he left the grounds. He could do this. Getting in there wouldn’t be that hard. This wasn’t the Horatius Group. This was just some local ass who thought he was big shit. A

few thugs with guns were nothing compared to Glycons. Getting out unseen might be hard, but it was just a risk he’d have to take. There was no way Ava was safe in the hands of that madman. Zeno gripped his fists so hard his knuckles strained against the pressure. He would save her.

Chapter Five

Ava sat quietly in her room, watching the clock on the wall tick slowly and painfully until she was called for dinner. Antonio had been furious over the appearance of Zeno. He had accused her of asking him to come. She’d tried to remind him there would have been no way for her to even pull that off, but he wasn’t in the mood to listen to reason. At least he hadn’t hit her. For now, she’d just have to deal and wait until night. That was going to be her best bet. She rubbed her wrist and looked down at her hands. The wrist Antonio had battered wasn’t the one that still

tingled. Her heart kicked up. Zeno had certainly been a surprise. She gave a little snort. It seemed like he’d been a surprise for Antonio as well. It wasn’t often she got to see someone surprise him. She wondered if he would really come back. It would be suicide to do so, but for some reason, she felt like Zeno could handle himself and not just because he made Antonio’s largest guards look small in comparison. The lock on the door clicked loudly, and she frowned as one of the younger men opened the door. “Where’s Piero?” she asked. The young man jerked his head into the hall, and she sighed loudly. It seemed

like all she did was get shoved from one spot to another. They walked down the hall until they came to the doorway to the dining hall. She pushed open the door and was surprised to find Antonio was already there waiting for her, the cool expression on his face a mask for his true feelings. He nodded to the chair across the table from him and sat in his own chair. “I’m glad you wore the red dress tonight,” he said and smiled coolly. Ava resisted the urge to roll her eyes. There hadn’t been many options seeing as it was the only dress she had for the day. Two younger women came out with the dishes for the night. Her heart kicked

up when she noticed Anita wasn’t there with them. Having both Piero and Anita gone wasn’t something she’d ever seen, and all the explanations she could come up with weren’t good. Her stomach knotted. She slowly nibbled on her food, trying not to look at the man across the table as he silently watched her. After pushing things around her plate, eating only a few bites, the meal was finally over. Antonio leaned back and stretched in his chair. She watched him from under her lashes. “I have some entertainment for after dinner,” he said. She blinked. Delight entered his eyes. A cruel smile followed.

“Entertainment?” she said. He nodded and waved a hand at one of the men. The man opened the door as another man shoved Piero through. His lip bled freely, and he limped. “Piero,” Ava said and jumped to her feet. “Sit,” Antonio said, his voice icy. She glared over at him but sat back in her seat. The last thing she wanted was to do was get Piero hurt more. He stared at her from where he stood. Sorrow filled his eyes, and she wanted to say she was the one who should be sorry. She’d pushed for his help and now she had gotten him into something that wasn’t his problem. “You know,” Antonio said and stood

and walked over to where she sat. He looked down at her and smiled. “I nearly believed you hadn’t sent for help until one of the men said the two of you had been very close recently.” Ava shook her head. The situation was worsening by the second. Antonio reached out and gripped her chin hard, holding her head in place. “I know he sent out the letters to your sister,” Antonio ground out. “You called for help. You’ve forced my hand. Now look what you’ve made me do.” In a flash, he whirled around. His gun exploded in the room, making her ears ring from the sound. Piero cried out in pain and fell to the ground. A few seconds later, bright red stained the arm

of the blue shirt he wore. Ava leapt to her feet. Blinding pain slammed into her as the back of Antonio’s hand connected with her cheek. Unable to stand against the blow, she slumped to the chair under her. “You are mine,” he ground out, his face so close to hers that she could see the rage down to his very soul. “I will never let you leave me. Never. I, and I only, decide when I’m done with the things I own, and I own you.” She trembled and leaned away from him. Ava closed her eyes, trying to shut out the very sight of him. “Please,” she whispered. “Please save him. It’s all my fault. Not his. Please. I’m begging you.”

Antonio laughed. The harsh sound was almost as bad as his shouting. “He’ll live,” Antonio said and stepped back from her. “It was in the arm. Your big friend won’t be so lucky when he comes back. You disrespected me, and he disrespected me. And now he’ll pay the price.” Ava shook her head. He would kill Zeno. There was no question in her mind that he would. How many people had to suffer because of her stupid mistakes? “Now go to your room and get cleaned up,” he said with a smile. “You’ll have company tonight, and I want you looking presentable.” She froze. The implications were clear and sent a chill down her spine.

The two other guards forced her to her feet. Her legs quivered. She looked over to where Piero lay on the floor with a pool of blood under him. She wondered if he was already dead. Maybe they both would be if she didn’t act quickly. The guards marched her down the hall and back to her room. They tossed her in and once again clicked the lock behind her. Ava took deep breaths, trying to steady her nerves. Who knew how long until Antonio assaulted her? She couldn’t involve anyone else, or they’d be hurt. She’d have to escape without any help. A wave of fear passed through her.

Her gaze flicked up to the clock. She didn’t have time for fear. She needed to get moving.

Chapter Six

Zeno moved in the shadows of the building, making sure to stay out of the path of the guards. He’d spent the rest of the day watching them. Damn amateurs. Their predictable paths never seemed to deviate. It was surprising to him that Antonio didn’t have better security, but maybe being on top had made him lazy. Judging by what they’d heard in the restaurant, Antonio had the locals so cowed they wouldn’t dare even think of opposing him. Didn’t matter. This wasn’t about a challenge or proving himself. He needed

every advantage, and lazy guards and arrogance were both to Zeno’s advantage. They’d provide the edge he need. After all, this wasn’t an attack mission, it was a rescue mission. The cover of darkness would allow him to infiltrate the building and have Ava out before Antonio even realized she was missing. He took in a deep breath. A hauntingly familiar scent drifted into his nose. Ava was close. He looked up to find the window was much higher than he had expected. The house had been carved into the side of a large hill, which afforded the occupants the best view money could buy. However, it also meant that what was the ground floor in

front was the second floor in the back. Zeno grumbled to himself. Seemed like everything was always harder than it needed to be. Still, he needed to get Ava away from Antonio. He bit back a growl, remembering the man’s aggression. He jumped and gripped the ledge with his fingers. Pulling himself up, he looked into the window. Pink, pink, and more pink. He assumed that was Ava’s room. Whether it was to her taste or Antonio’s perception of her taste didn’t matter. All that mattered was that he’d located her. He breathed in deeply. Ava’s sweet and somewhat spicy scent filled his nostrils, along with a strong hint of

vanilla. Familiar, desirable. She called to him, like he’d known her all his life. He scanned the room, but it seemed to be empty. He started to lower himself when he caught sight of movement just to the right of him. He watched as a slim bare foot disappeared into an old open vent. A light brown sun-streaked head peeked out from the vent. He watched as Ava sealed herself into the vent. He frowned. Just what they hell was that woman up to? Zeno leaned back and glanced to the side, tracing her likely path. Another window ledge presented itself. He swung over and gripped the ledge. With ease he lifted the window and

slipped into the dark room. Even in the dim light, his keen hybrid eyesight informed him he was in some sort of office. The grate to the vent quietly slipped off. Ava made her way out. The red satin evening dress she wore clung to her like a glove, and he felt his pants tighten. His face heated as he struggled to get his lust under control. How was he supposed to rescue her with a raging hard-on? Let alone talk to her? He pressed himself back into the shadows as she moved over to the desk. She struggled with one of the drawers before it popped open. She grunted in frustration as she shut the drawer and moved on to the next. Whatever it was

she was looking for was in those drawers, and with the noise she was making, they’d be discovered before they even had a chance to escape. Footsteps down the hall sounded. His pulse ripped through him. In an instant he was on her, his hand over her delicate mouth. Zeno pulled her hard against his body and pushed them to the far side of the room, away from the light of the door. Ava picked up her arm. The gleam of the moon caught the letter opener she held tightly. He looked down to her and shook his head. He could only hope she’d see his signal and understand. The lock clicked, and he waited. At the first sign things

weren’t right, he was going to just toss her over his shoulder and run like hell. The door opened a crack. He tensed and pressed her even closer to the wall. A short burst of air puffed against his chest as they both tried to remain perfectly still. Zeno was ready to fight if he had to, but he only hoped that he didn’t have to. Drawing too much attention would not only put himself and Ava at risk, it might also endanger the signal tracing mission. The door clicked closed, and he relaxed a little. He could feel her slim body sag against his. “Do you think he’ll come back?” she whispered. He looked down at her. The moon

reflected off her bright green eyes, and he lost himself for a moment. So close to her now, touching, her warm vanilla scent washed over him, consumed him. He finally understood why her scent pushed into his mind and heart. Her presence called to him, pulled the primal part of him that told him she was not just a Vestal, but his Vestal. She was meant to be his bonded. His body grew hot at the thought. Zeno could have what he’d seen so many others around him have: a chance at happiness. For a moment it seemed like a possibility before the reality of the situation came crashing down on him. He was there on a mission and already

she was proving to be a distraction. If he didn’t keep his focus, he’d get them both killed. He pushed away from the wall, the cold air around him a welcome reprieve from the heat washing through him. “Yeah, he might come back,” he said, finally able to find his voice. Ava sprang into action. She didn’t have time to think about anything other than getting her papers and getting the hell out of there. She raced over to the last drawer and jimmied the lock open. “What the hell are you doing?” Zeno said and made his way over to her. She ignored the large man and the

thump of her heart as he spoke. She pulled out the papers and spread them on the desk. She was surprised to find a stack of cash, both US dollars and Peruvian sols. This had to be the right drawer. “We don’t have time for you to steal money,” he whispered. “You need to move it if you want my help.” Ava frowned. “I never asked for your help.” She glared at him. “In fact, I was doing just fine without you.” Zeno snorted. “Could have fooled me.” She gritted her teeth. Giant oaf. What? Did he think that girls couldn’t do things for themselves? She was done getting stepped on by men with big egos.

“Funny how I made it here just fine without you,” she said and swept everything into her bag. There was no way she’d be able to see which one was her passport. Besides, if it was important, it might be prudent of her to have something to offer in a bargain. She zipped the bag up quickly and slung it on her back. Ava palmed the letter opener. It wouldn’t be that useful if the other person had a gun, but it was better than nothing. Zeno went still, and she looked up to him. The moon provided a little light, but it wasn’t enough for her to really see him like she wanted. He held out a hand and she froze in place. Footsteps pounded down the hall, and

her heart beat in time to them. The sound of her bedroom door squeaking open echoed in the hall. “Where the fuck is she?” Antonio shouted in the hall. She swallowed hard. He really had planned to come to her. Another man burst into rapid Spanish. She couldn’t make out what he’d said, but she was pretty sure he was stretching to find whatever he had to so he didn’t end up shot. “She can’t be far,” Antonio ground out. “Just find her!” The footsteps came back into the hall, and for a moment she was certain he was going to come into the office. Instead he turned the other direction. She let out a

sigh. She nearly yelped when a firm hand landed on her arm and pulled her over to the window. Several men with flashlights stalked the grounds. “Fuck,” Zeno muttered. That pretty much summed up her thoughts as well. He turned back around and paced. “We don’t have a choice,” he said finally. “We’ll have to take the risk and go through the house.” Her heart slammed into her chest. Did they really need to do that? Couldn’t they just wait? She knew it was crazy though. If they didn’t move, Antonio would eventually come into his office, and they would be

sitting ducks. He might shoot them both on sight. That might be merciful compared to what else he had planned. Zeno moved to the door and carefully turned the knob. It was quiet, and she wondered if they had sent everyone outside to look for her. They slipped into the hall with ease. She glanced down the hall where Antonio had moved. Maybe he had joined the men to search for her. “What’s down there?” Zeno said. She shook her head. “His room and a separate entrance to the back patio.” A small shiver passed through her at the thought of Antonio. Zeno nodded in the opposite direction. “Let’s get out of here,” he whispered.

They hurried through the hall. When they reached the door to the dining room, she placed a hand on Zeno’s solid arm to stop him. “There are usually guards,” she said. He furrowed his brow. “Is this the way to the front?” She nodded. There were three doors from the dining room, one to the hall they were currently in, one to the kitchen and one to the front living space that led outside. It wasn’t an area she was all that familiar with, but she was sure she could find her way. Zeno pulled a gun from behind him. “Stay behind me,” he said, his eyes meeting hers. For the first time, she realized he wasn’t wearing sunglasses

like earlier. She blinked. His eyes were a deep amber. The strange color jogged her memory, as if it meant something she’d heard recently. She opened her mouth to say something but stopped when he pushed open the door. They slipped into the room. She pointed to the door on the right, and Zeno walked across the room to place his ear against the wood. He listened for a moment and shook his head. Without a word, he pushed her over to the other door and made his way into the kitchen. He slowly closed the door behind them to avoid any rustle or squeak.

They moved further down the hall that led to the kitchen and further away from the approaching men. When they had reached the main kitchen, Ava looked around. The quiet room had just earlier been filled with people. Now it was silent. “Outside door,” Zeno said and pointed to the door in the corner. They headed that way but stopped when light flashed through the windows. Zeno cursed under his breath as they dropped to the floor. He looked over to the doorway they had entered from, and she knew the men must be close behind. “There are two more doors,” she whispered.

The two doors were in an alcove of the kitchen close to the sinks. They moved quickly to the doors. The first Zeno opened to reveal a pantry. The second door was a little different. There was a large metal bar over it that first had to be removed before he could even check. Inside there were steep stairs leading to the basement. “Let’s go,” he said and pulled her arm a little. Ava took a shaky breath and stepped behind him. Closing the door as quietly as she could, she followed him into the darkness.

Chapter Seven

The damp air clung to them as they sank lower into the bowels of the house. Zeno could feel Ava’s hand at his back, gripping his shirt as if it were the only thing keeping her safe. The footfalls of men sounded above them, along with the occasional exchange of words. The enemy was close, very close. Ava and Zeno had managed to slip out before anyone had noticed. He only hoped that the guards didn’t notice the latch on the door was now left open. Or better yet, that Zeno and Ava would make their way out of the house before

anything else happened. Strange scratching sounds echoed off the walls when they reached the bottom of the stairs. He ignored them for the moment, probably just some rats or whatever else they had in the middle of a Peruvian mountain town. Hell if he knew. Ava hissed, and he turned to look at her. His eyes had already adjusted, his superior hybrid vision making the inky darkness a mere inconvenience for him. The same could not be said for her considering how uncertain her movements had been. She was holding her bare foot. “I’ve cut myself on a piece of glass or something,” she whispered.

He frowned. It was the first time he realized an evening dress didn’t exactly make for the best escape wear. “Do you have anything you can put on?” he asked. She shook her head. “Antonio was very specific about what I wore,” she said, bitterness lacing her voice. “I left the heels because I knew they would make too much noise.” Anger pierced through him. If he ever met that prick in a dark alley, he’d be sure to show him just what he thought of him. They didn’t have time to find some miracle hiking boots for her. Zeno stooped down and pulled out a bandana he kept in his pocket and gently wrapped

the foot. The cut was deep enough that blood quickly soaked through the cloth. “I need to tighten it,” he said quietly and looked up from his position. “This is going to hurt.” She nodded as she looked down at him and for a moment, he wondered if she could see him in the darkness. He doubted it. It was likely she was just going off reflexes. Zeno moved the two ends of the bandana to the top of her foot and pulled tightly. Her hand found his shoulder and gripped him tightly. He passed his thumb over her foot a few times in what he hoped was comfort. Ava placed her foot gingerly on the

bottom step. Her breathing picked up. He stood and sighed. There really wasn’t much choice. There was only one way they were going to get out of there. Zeno slipped her bag off her shoulders and slung it on his back. Then he lifted her slight body with ease into his arms. She gasped. “What are you doing?” He grunted and stepped away from the stair with her in his arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck, her fingers playing at the base of his head. He could feel the cold metal of the letter opener she gripped. “Getting us out of here,” he said gruffly. Her smell surrounded him, a sweet

smell of vanilla and spice that made him want to press his face against her neck and inhale. “Can you use a gun?” he asked, shaking himself from his desire. If he couldn’t control himself, she would know what he was before he could explain. She shook her head. “No.” He grunted his annoyance. They were about to go walking in a house swarming with many armed men, and he couldn’t even use his gun to defend them. Yeah, this was a great idea. “How can you even see?” she asked when he took a step forward to view the area they were in. “I can’t see an inch in front of my face down here.”

“Night vision,” he said simply. The room presented an odd layout, not like any basement he’d ever seen. It was cement mostly. Some sort of chamber surrounded the stairs. Chains connected to the wall and bolted down chairs lay scattered about. Maybe this room was where Antonio took people he wanted to deal with. It made sense. “I thought you had to wear special glasses for night vision,” Ava said. He took in a deep breath and tried to focus on something beside the Vestal scent calling to him. There, he could smell it. Just past the notes of vanilla, air called to him. Fresh air. There had to be an opening of some sort to the left of them. He stepped

further into the open space between the two halls. “I’m special,” he said quietly, still trying to make sure he was right. A small draft stirred the room and brought more fresh air. To the left was freedom. He was sure of it. Zeno turned to the left and stepped forward. “But that doesn’t explain—” A loud screech echoed off the walls behind them. Zeno whirled to face the sound with Ava still in his arms. “It can’t be,” he rumbled. Ava trembled in his arms and gripped herself tighter to him. The eerie sound filled her with a deep terror. It was

unlike any animal she’d ever heard. Several other loud screeches returned the first cry. “It can’t be,” he said again. “Why didn’t I smell them?” She tried to find his face next to her own, but there was nothing but blackness and the screech of the animals. The animals clanged in the darkness against whatever was keeping them at bay. Zeno turned again. She felt his massive muscles tighten against her, but his grip didn’t cut into the skin like she would have expected. He burst into a run. “What is it?” she asked, her voice quivering.

The loud squeal of metal against metal made her glance behind them. Bright red dots glowed from far away. “Red eyes that glow?” she whispered. “Fuck,” Zeno grunted and halted. The last thing she wanted was to stop running, especially since it seemed like those red eyes were closing. “It’s here,” he said and placed her to the ground. “I can smell it.” “They’re coming,” she said. He pushed her to the corner. “Don’t move,” he said quietly. “They can smell your blood.” She nodded and pressed herself into the crevice. She held the letter opener against her chest, ready to do what she

needed. Zeno hit the wall beside her. He moved over a bit and hit it again. A hollow thump sounded. A metal door. She only hoped it wasn’t like the one at the top of the stairs. He grunted loudly as he hit the wall. She could see a small sliver of light slip in, but it was enough. The glowing eyes crept through the hall. Every now and again, one would screech and set the hairs on her neck on end. Zeno slammed against the door again, and this time she could see the metal latch bending. “Almost,” she whispered.

The animals were nearly on them now. The slivers of light illuminated the shape of the closing beasts. They were nearly her height. Maybe some sort of bears? She had no idea about the local wildlife. Zeno hit the door again, and it groaned open a bit more. “Go,” he hissed and shoved her to the opening. Ava slipped through and took the bag as he passed it to her. She took deep breaths of the fresh air, relief washing through her at the sight of the moon overhead. Wherever they were, the men weren’t around for now. She could hear Zeno pushing, trying to get it open more. Her heart hammered

in his chest. If he didn’t get out now, the bears would get him. He was a big man, but there was no way he could handle a bear, let alone more than one. The door groaned a bit more. It was a tight fit, but he managed to slip out. He immediately pushed hard on the door, forcing it back. The animals slammed into the other side of the door and roared. Soon all the men would be there, and the struggle would be for nothing. She watched in horror. She’d expected a paw, but instead a hand reached out through the opening. Or what had once been a hand. The flesh had been torn in parts and smelled like it had been dead for some time. She wanted to

scream but couldn’t seem to find her voice. The hand pushed against the door and, to her surprise, seemed to be winning as it pressed open a bit more. The whole arm came out and struggled to find a hold on Zeno. “Run,” Zeno growled. Ava shook her head. “I can’t.” He whirled his head toward her. His eyes glowed a deep yellow. She gasped and stepped back. “You have to go,” he growled. “They will kill you.” For the briefest moment her mind told her to listen, that he was a monster himself. Normal people didn’t have glowing yellow eyes. Something in the

back of her memory called to her, but panic clouded her mind. Ava shook out those thoughts, pushing against the panic. How was she supposed to leave a man who had done nothing tonight but try and keep her safe? No. She wasn’t going to just leave him. The hand found his arm and scrapped its ragged nails down. Blood seeped out. She had to act. In one swift motion, Ava slammed the letter opener into the meaty part of the creature’s arm. It let out a loud roar as it retreated. She rushed to the side and slammed into the door, pushing with all her might as she and Zeno sealed the room off.

They stepped away, and she stared at the metal. “It won’t hold,” Zeno said quickly. “Time to get the fuck out of here.” He reached down and grabbed the bag. He swung her back into his arms. This time she could see where they were going and could feel the blood flowing freely from his arm. When they rounded the corner, she found that they had made their way to the front gate. Zeno leaned his back against it hard metal of the gate with her still in his arms. “Fuck,” he said. A beastly scream filled the air, and she knew the door would fail. They didn’t have much longer.

“I see you met my pets.” The familiar voice sent a jolt of terror through her. She glanced to the side and spotted Antonio standing next to the front door wearing the same smug smile he always wore when he was going to win. “I can call them off,” he said with a shrug. “They, unlike some of my other pets, know respect.” Zeno’s arms tighten around her. “I’ll toss you over,” he said quietly. She whipped her head to the side to stare at him. “It will hurt like hell, but you’ll be free. I have friends here that will help you. Go to the hotel on Las Torres. Ask for Val and Apollo. We’re all friends of Paige.”

She wrapped her arms around him. “I’m not going to just leave you here,” she whispered and buried her head into his neck. “Ava!” Antonio yelled. She could hear Antonio but didn’t care. She’d had enough of him frightening her. The gate buzzed loudly and clicked open. Her head came up. She spotted Piero in the moonlight standing by an open panel at the side of the house. Several switches were exposed. Security? Power? She wasn’t sure. “Run!” Piero shouted and looked behind him. “They are coming! Run!” “No,” she said, her lungs just barely finding the air.

Zeno nodded to the man and passed through the gate. She watched over his shoulder as Zeno carried her away. The beasts snarled, and she knew they must be close. Her eyes landed on Antonio, the Devil in the flesh. “He will die,” he screamed. “And you’ll suffer, you ungrateful bitch.” She struggled in Zeno’s arms. She had to do something. The gate buzzed again, sealing behind them and blocking the estate from her view. Zeno picked up the pace, his speed incredible as they fled. The screech of the beasts filled the air, followed by the choked scream of Piero. Then, silence. Sickening silence.

Ava buried her head in Zeno’s warm chest and sobbed.

Chapter Eight

Zeno glanced over at Ava. She still lay in the bed in the hotel room, stirring only slightly in her slumber. She had cried herself to sleep in his arms. Her small body had curled against him, seeking out some sort of comfort. The sight of her pulled at him and made him want to do all he could to protect her. A quiet knock came from the door joining his room with Apollo and Val’s. He moved over and opened the door. He wasn’t surprised to find Apollo there. “Is she sleeping?” Apollo asked.

Zeno nodded. When he’d arrived at the hotel, Apollo and Val had been full of questions, but his first thought was to get Ava settled and tend to the wound on her foot. As gently as he could, he had washed the area, making sure no glass was still in place. Then, he carefully bandaged the wound. Despite the deep cut, he believed she wouldn’t need stitches. It wasn’t exactly his first time dealing with wounds on missions. “We should talk,” Apollo said and nodded toward his room. Zeno stepped through, leaving the door open slightly so she’d know where to find him when she woke.

The other room was identical to his own, just reversed. One single king-size bed sat in the middle of the room. A small sitting area had been arranged near the balcony with a love seat against one wall and a desk and chair against the other. It was a nice enough room, not too run down but still not fancy enough they would stand out, which was even more of a concern now. He shook his head. He must have caused quite a stir when he walked through the main lobby, a large man carrying a sleeping woman in an evening gown who was barefoot, bleeding and dirty. He was lucky if they didn’t call the police on him. Díaz might not

immediately come after them, especially if it involved leaving his stronghold, but they still needed to avoid any further trouble. He sighed as he took a seat on the couch and leaned back, tired to the bone. “What the hell happened?” Apollo asked as he sat in the chair across from him. Zeno ran a hand over his face. Rough stubble rubbed against his hand. “Glycons,” he said, not wanted to beat around the bush. Apollo’s brows shot up in surprise. “What the hell?” “Somehow that prick has Glycons.” Zeno shook his head. It just didn’t make sense. He snorted. “Guess everything

was connected after all, just not the way we thought.” “Did he set them on you?” Apollo leaned forward. “Tell me what happened exactly.” Zeno had been thinking about the events earlier, and there were just too many holes. He might not be some fancy thinker like Marius, but he wasn’t an idiot. The lock to the door clicked, and his hand dropped to the gun at his side. Val walked in and let the door shut behind her. “Everything is straightened up at the front desk,” she said and walked over to the desk next to Apollo. “Not that it was easy, but I think I convinced them.”

The little woman scooted herself onto it with ease. “She’s your girlfriend and had a bit too much to drink,” she said looking over to Zeno. “She fell and hurt her foot.” She snorted loudly and shook her head. “Guess that didn’t explain what happened to your arm, but he didn’t ask, so maybe he didn’t see it,” she said. Zeno gingerly touched the deep scratches on his upper bicep. He’d forgotten all about it, but now that he remembered, it started to throb a little. “What the hell happened?” she said, pinning him with her stare. He twitched, again thinking about the rumors about her ability to read

emotions. He related evening’s events, starting with his arrival at the estate. The two sat silently, and when he finished, they both had paled. “What I can’t figure out is why I didn’t know they were there,” Zeno said. “I didn’t smell those fuckers at all.” It was something he’d thought about on the way home. Sure, the Horatius Group had proven they could mask smells, but he hadn’t noticed anything at all until they were nearly on him. Val and Apollo exchanged glances. “There’s something different about these Glycons,” Zeno said. “Not just the scent. They were way stronger than normal Glycons. A bit bigger, too, I think.”

“Do you think it’s the Group?” Val asked. She frowned. “Doesn’t it have to be?” His instincts said no, but Zeno looked to Apollo. He was the only one who would have some idea if that was the case. Apollo shrugged. “Not necessarily.” He scratched his eyebrow. “And nothing about Díaz makes me think the Horatius Group. Why would they bother aligning with a criminal in Peru? He has some influence, but it would be better to just get in with the government.” “But the signal?” Val said. “I know. It’s one too many coincidences, but something doesn’t feel right, even if they are related. I’m not

sure.” He scratched the back of his neck. “Well, if he’s not with the Group, how the hell did he get those Glycons?” Zeno mumbled. Apollo frowned. “When Major Carter was first assigned to us, he told us a lot about the US government’s investigations of the Group. They’d been tied to supporting terrorism, rogue nations and all sorts of shady dealings. I guess they have to make money somehow. Maybe they’ve been selling Glycons.” “What’s a Glycon?” a soft female voice asked. Ava watched from the doorway as the three strangers turned to look at her. The

other man had the same strange amber eyes as Zeno. The woman also seemed a little off, even if she wasn’t huge like the other two. The small woman hopped off the desk and walked over to her, hand outstretched. “I’m Val,” she said and smiled. The softness had a calming effect, and after the night Ava had, it was a welcome reprieve. “We’re all friends with your sister Paige. She asked us to check in on you.” “Thank you,” Ava said and looked around. She noticed Zeno seemed to be avoiding eye contact with her. Something about it bothered her even more than not

understanding what was going on. “I’ve got an extra pair of shorts and a tank if you’d like,” Val said. She pulled out the shorts and shirt. Ava held them in hand, not really paying attention to much besides the man who had captivated her since she first saw him yesterday. And still he wouldn’t look at her. It frustrated her to no end. Not knowing what else to do, and sensing they weren’t going to key her in on whatever a Glycon was, she took the clothes and headed back into the room she had been in before. She continued walking until she was in the bathroom. She set the clothes on the counter and stared in the mirror. No wonder he

wouldn’t look at her. She was a mess. Her hair was knotted on the side she’d cried herself to sleep. Her eyes were slightly puffy and red. All the makeup she’d worn before was smeared under her eyes so she looked more like a raccoon than anything. She reached out to pick up the washcloth on the rack and froze. Little red dots coated her hand. Blood. She turned her hand over and felt her stomach heave. She was coated in that creature’s blood. Not a creature… that… man? That Glycon? She wasn’t really certain what to call him. She shook as she thought over the events. Her eyes welled up again at the

thought of Piero. He was dead. She was certain. His scream haunted her. Whatever those things were, they had gotten him. Her stomach rolled. She snatched a glass from the counter and filled it with water. She sipped down a bit then swallowed the rest. The cool liquid helped settled her stomach. There had to be some logic for it all. Some way to make sense of everything that she’d seen. She turned on the water to the shower and picked up a bar of soap. She needed a way to somehow wash this fucked-up day off her. The red satin dress slipped from her shoulders and pooled on the floor. She

glared down at it. She hated the dress. It represented everything she’d had to go through. It represented Antonio. She picked it up and tossed it in the trash. Never again. She stepped into the hot spray and vigorously scrubbed herself, trying to erase any trace of what had happened. Not even trying, her mind slipped back to the events of the night. The inhuman screams crowded her memories. The high-pitched near-howls made she tremble. Their red glowing eyes were like hot embers in the dark. She was certain they would invade her dreams. They may have looked mostly like humans, but they certainly weren’t. They

couldn’t be. There was nothing human in them, no matter how they started. She closed her eyes and two glowing yellow eyes met her. Ava gasped and opened her own eyes into the spray. Zeno. She had nearly forgotten, but his eyes had also glowed, not the eerie red like those things but a softer yellow burn. Why didn’t he frighten her like the others? She had all the reason in the world to be afraid of him, but for some reason she just couldn’t be. Instead, she felt warm and protected near him. Just the thought of him now made her center burn to be near him. She shook her head. It was that sort of thinking that got her into this whole

mess. Whatever it was she was feeling, it didn’t matter. He was just her ride home. That was it. Nothing more to it, and she sure as hell wasn’t going to let there be more. Still, who were these people her sister had sent? Paige had always been a by the book kind of person. These people were most definitely not by the book. Amber eyes. Huge size. Strength, speed and endurance beyond normal men. There was only one explanation for Zeno and likely Apollo. Last year the whole world had been abuzz with talk about the mysterious hybrids of Luna Lodge, men who were

genetically altered somehow into supersoldiers, allegedly even part wolf in some ways. They lived in a compound and seemed content enough to stick to themselves. Every now and again something might make the local news, but after the initial furor, most people all but ignored their existence. In many ways, it was almost like they’d forgotten they were even there despite the close proximity. How in the world had her sister gotten mixed up with them? She’d never even heard Paige mention the hybrids, but then again, she’d never really been the kind of sister Paige deserved. It was always all about Ava and what

was going on in her life. Her sister, let alone the hybrids, were the last of her problems when the public learned about them. She’d just gotten over the breakup with the latest in a long line of losers. She snorted. Apparently her streak hadn’t ended. So petty. She’d been so broken after each one of them, believing somehow she was the one lacking. When, in the end, she was the only one trying. It didn’t matter. That all seemed like a lifetime ago. She couldn’t go back to being the self-absorbed ass she had been. Other people mattered. Piero mattered. Hot tears ran down her cheeks. She thought of his poor wife Anita. What would she do now?

Ava’s heart thumped hard in her chest. Antonio might go after Anita in revenge for Piero helping her. She had to make sure she was safe. She bit her lip and thought. She started to scrub faster. She needed to get to Anita before Antonio did, but first she needed to know figure out what the hell these hybrids were up to.

Chapter Nine

The longer Ava stayed in the bathroom, the more worry ate at Zeno. What the hell was he supposed to say to her? Given how she’d cried over the old man, they had to have been close. But there was nothing he could have done. She was hurt, and he had to get her to safety. The old man seemed to get that. Zeno frowned and nodded once to himself. He had to give his respect to the old man. Dying in battle took a certain kind of bravery. Dying when you knew you couldn’t win took a different but just as important kind. He added the man’s death to the list of reasons he’d take

down Antonio Díaz. Apollo’s voice cut through his internal debate. “Hey.” Zeno brought his eyes back to focus on the conversation they had been having. “We’ve gotta contact Titus about this,” Apollo said. “If Antonio is a part of the Horatius Group, our cover could already be blown.” “I thought you said he wasn’t,” Val said. “I said he probably wasn’t, but I’m not sure.” Zeno shook his head. “The more I think about this, the more I don’t think he knows what I am, and I don’t think he’s part of the Group.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Apollo said. “We still need to let Titus know the status of the mission.” Zeno shrugged. “You’re the only one with a secure phone.” Val nodded and looked over at him. “What makes you so sure he’s not a member of the Group?” He shrugged. Was his gut a good judge of this situation? It wasn’t something he wanted to put all at them at risk over. Still, his instincts said that Antonio wasn’t part of the Group. “He would have tried to get me the first time I came by,” he said. “I don’t think he has any clue what I am. He comes off like a big thug, not some Group guy with big plans and schemes.

It was like he was depending on just being Antonio Díaz to control. He’s too open compared to what we’ve seen from those fucks. Besides, I don’t think he knew what Ava is, either.” Val gave a little smile. “She is a Vestal, then.” He looked away. It was more than clear what she was thinking. Vestals were a rarity, but it just wasn’t something he could think about at that moment. Right now they could all be in serious danger. Even if Antonio wasn’t part of the Group, that still didn’t make him any less dangerous. One wrong word, and they could have a storm of trouble fall on them.

Given what had already happened at Luna Lodge, including Army soldiers coming after them, it was obvious the Horatius Group had deep influence in the US government. Who knew what they were doing in Peru? Drawing too much attention could get two continents turned against the Luna hybrids. Even if Antonio wasn’t with the Group, he might end up catching their attention. “So, what are we going to do about her?” Val asked. He shrugged, not really sure what they could do about Ava. They were in another country and far away from their reinforcements and resources. Apollo thought quietly for a bit. “We keep her safe until it’s time to

go,” he said. “Zeno, you’ve been tasked with her safety. We all have jobs to do, and we’ll continue to do them.” Zeno grunted. He hadn’t really done that great a job keeping her safe. They had nearly been torn to pieces by the Glycons, and she’d badly cut her foot. He’d been cocky. He gritted his teeth, realizing how close she’d come to death. She likely needed stitches, but there was no way they’d be able to go to the hospital. For right now, they were just going to have to hope the wound healed on its own. He nodded to Apollo. No matter what, he’d do what he needed to. No matter what it took, he wouldn’t let Ava get hurt again.

“Great,” Val said, She stood and smiled at them. “Now if you all don’t mind, I’m just going to have a little chat with our new friend.” Zeno groaned. Something about the way she said it didn’t set him at ease in the slightest. *** Ava raked her fingers through her wet hair and sighed. It felt good to be clean. Maybe a tiny piece of the night had been washed away. She’d certainly come to terms with the situation, and now just had questions. The first question was, would any of them even bother to tell her the truth?

She supposed she could always demand to talk to her sister and then get the truth out of Paige. Her fingers stilled in her hair, and she dropped them to her side to stare at herself in the mirror. The spot on her cheek where Antonio hit her was now very visible without the makeup she normally wore. She looked pale in the florescent light, or maybe she’d become pale after being trapped inside for the last month or so. She gave a little tug on the shirt Val had given her. The other woman was quite a bit shorter than her and most certainly wasn’t as endowed up top. No matter how hard she tried, the shirt bordered on indecent. The only saving

grace was that both the shorts and the tank were black and not sheer. The dress she’d been wearing hadn’t needed a bra, or at least she hadn’t been given one to wear. Her mind flashed to Antonio, and she pushed him from her head. First thing tomorrow she’d have to get some new clothes. For now, she was just glad she didn’t have to put back on the dress and be reminded of the murderous bastard who had kept her prisoner. She turned from the mirror and opened the door to the cooler main room. Ava crossed her arms over her chest. Hanging on the chair, she spotted a

large leather jacket. It had to be his. She looked around the room for him and was surprised to find Val half laying on the bed, her back propped up against the headboard, flipping through the channels silently. Ava grabbed the coat and wrapped herself in it. The spicy scent of Zeno’s soap enveloped her. Not even thinking, she breathed in deeply, the scent almost intoxicating. “Two-hundred and fifty channels and still nothing to watch,” Val said absently. She flicked off the TV and tossed the remote onto the bed. A pair of yellow flip flops sat next to her. She picked them up and offered

them to Ava. “Not the best, but better than nothing,” Val said. Ava smiled and took the shoes. For some reason, knowing she could leave if she needed to made her feel safer with them. Still, she needed some questions answered. “Are they hybrids?” she blurted out. “From Luna Lodge?” She hadn’t really meant for it to come out like that, but it was on the top of her thoughts. Val patted the bed next to her. Cautiously, Ava sat down. Was this the moment where they killed her for knowing too much? Even though in the US, the hybrids kept to themselves, they

were a long way from Luna Lodge. “Your sister asked us to look in on you,” Val said, staring directly at Ava, like she was searching for something. “Specifically, Zeno was asked to look in on you.” She turned her body and her face softened. “A lot has changed since you came here. Your sister met one of the hybrids at Luna Lodge. She saved him.” She sighed. “In the end, some very bad men burned down your home. Cultists who hate hybrids.” Ava gasped. Cultists? Their home was gone? And Paige had been subjected to that? She shook thinking about the danger Paige had seen. Val took her hand and gave a little squeeze.

“She’s fine,” Val said reassuringly. “She’s moved to Luna Lodge. She’s working as a nurse there. She lives with Justus.” “Justus?” “The hybrid she saved.” Ava frowned. It seemed so unlike her sister. “Lives with him?” “Well, she’s his Vestal.” “Vestal? What’s a Vestal?” The small woman tilted her head, as if thinking about her answer. “Let’s just say a Vestal is kind of the woman for a hybrid.” “What, like their wife?” “Something like that…” She shrugged. “It’ll make sense later.”

Ava watched Val for a moment. She was still a bit confused, but she didn’t know if she could fully wrap her mind around Paige being with this Justus. “I guess as long as she’s all right.” Val chuckled. “Don’t worry. She’s whipping everyone into shape and loving her new job.” Ava shook her head. So many things had happened, and if she had been there like a good sister, Paige wouldn't have had to go through all of them alone, all the while worrying over Ava enough to send a super-soldier to come and check in on her. “Your sister loves you very much,” Val said. “And the one good thing about family is their ability to forgive.”

Ava nodded. The question was never if Paige would forgive her. The real question was if she could forgive herself. “It’s been a long night,” Val said and pulled her hand back. “You should get to sleep. Tomorrow we’ll go over what you know about Antonio and put some things in a better context for you.” She nodded. Whatever they needed. Maybe they would take him down for her even without her asking. He deserved it for all his evil acts. He deserved it for Piero. Val stood and smiled down at her on the bed. Ava’s heart kicked up a bit. “Aren’t you staying in here?” she asked.

She might trust Zeno, but that didn’t mean she wanted to share a bed with him. Val shook her head. “We still could be attacked by Antonio. You and I wouldn’t be as much use in a fight.” She smiled. “Don’t worry, he won’t bite.” A wide grin spread across her face. “Well, he might, but you’d like it.” She winked. Ava stared at her open-mouthed, not even sure how to respond. Did they do that? Was biting a part of them having sex? She really couldn’t picture that flying with Paige. The very idea freaked her out. Not that she would hate it, but that she might actually like it. Val stepped to the door, laughing at some joke she never shared. She opened

the door and stepped through. A moment later, Zeno entered, his large body crowding the room. He glanced at her briefly and cursed. She imagined he wasn’t too happy to have her as a roommate. “I’ll take the couch,” he said gruffly. Her gaze found the small love seat and then returned to his massive form. “Maybe I should—” He grunted as he grabbed a pillow off the bed and tossed it onto the couch. For the first time since they had been back to the hotel, he looked at her. His eyes glowed slightly. “I’m going to need my coat,” he said. She swallowed, her throat suddenly dry.

Ava slipped the coat off and handed it to him. His eyes dipped lower, and then he turned away. “Goodnight,” he rumbled. In two swift strides, he flicked off the lights. Not really certain what she’d done wrong, Ava slipped into bed and settled under the covers. She listened to the sounds of the city outside and breathed in deeply. It had been such an exhausting day. Although she was glad to finally be free of Antonio, she knew there was a cost, and Piero’s life wouldn’t be the end of it for him. He’d never let her go.

Chapter Ten

Ava woke in a cold sweat. Her matted hair clung to her face, and it took a moment to shove it out of her eyes. She blinked a few times, trying to focus on the unfamiliar dark room. Where was she? Not Antonio’s. No. The hotel. The room was cooler now. She shivered a little and hurried to the bathroom where she shut the door behind her. She splashed a little water on her face and looked in the mirror. She couldn’t escape the nightmare if it was real. Those red eyes from earlier had been chasing her, the horrible

creatures just inches behind her, their long, bony fingers reaching out for her. She gagged a little, thinking about how the flesh had looked, almost like it was rotting away, from a hungry corpse rather than a man. Ava pushed the image from her mind and walked back into the chilly bedroom. Relief flooded her as she spied the thermostat. She knocked it up several degrees and then looked to the couch for Zeno. The couch lay empty. She frowned. It wasn’t exactly as if the huge hybrid wasn’t hard to spot. A hint of a noise caught her attention, and she turned. The patio door was cracked open slightly. Ava slipped on the sandals Val

had given her and wrapped the blanket from the bed around her. Quietly she opened the door. The city had grown quiet in her sleep. The stars twinkled above. What time was it? “You should be sleeping.” She jumped at the deep rumble from the corner. Despite knowing Zeno was out there, the presence of the mysterious man made her heart race. “I had a nightmare,” Ava said, her body still in the doorway. The patio was a decent-sized spot for not being all that impressive inside. In the space, they had been able to fit a small cushioned loveseat, a cushioned arm chair and an end table.

“I heard,” he said quietly. She stared at him for a moment before stepping out entirely and closing the door. She sat down on the love seat. “That must be some hearing,” she said and gave a little laugh. Zeno just stared at her. The laugh died in her mouth. “Oh,” she mumbled. He wasn’t a normal man after all, but a genetically engineered hybrid. They sat in silence for a moment. She wasn’t even sure where to start. There were so many questions floating around in her head. “So, what are you doing out here?” she asked nervously. Zeno shifted in his seat and closed the

book he’d been holding. “I have first watch,” he said and set the book down on the table next to him. She leaned over to try and read the title but stopped when he stretched. His thick muscles strained against his white t-shirt. He’d changed at some point. And it looked like he might have taken a shower as well. A deep blush spread across her face as she thought about him being naked so close to her. Something tingled deep inside. “Do, uh…” she said, trying to keep hold of the thoughts in her head. “Do you think Antonio will come?” Fear lanced through her. Her former

lover was actually the least of her concerns. She leaned forward. “Will those things come?” she whispered. “Glycons,” Zeno said and shook his head. “Likely not. It’s one thing to have them running around on his estate, another to have them running around in town, but we can’t be too careful.” Ava leaned back, glad for at least the small reassurance. She looked over to Zeno, who was scanning the street. “What are they?” she asked. He turned his head toward her and pinned her with his honey eyes. She saw the flash of light she’d witnessed before when they were escaping. Her heart thumped as a mixture of awe and

excitement swept through her. “A mistake,” he ground out. “Did you know about them?” she asked. “I’ve never seen them mentioned in news reports. I mean, there’s people who don’t like normal hybrids. You’d think they’d be yelling about Glycons all the time.” Zeno shook his head and looked back out to the street. She could tell that he didn’t really like talking about his people. “They’ve been kept from the public fairly well,” he said quietly. “Hell, they were kept from us for a long time. We really don’t know how they are made, but we do know it’s the same people who engineered us. The Horatius Group.

They are an old organization that’s somehow managed to last throughout the years making hybrids, as part of some sort of plan. World domination? Who the hell knows? They aren’t just some jerks in suits trying to make a buck. That’s for sure.” He scrubbed a hand over his face. “The sick thing is the Glycons were once men. They were forced to give up their humanity to be the nearly dead pawns in this cluster fuck of a game by a bunch of sick Horatius Group assholes.” Ava shivered and pulled the blanket a little closer. The idea that a person could create such monsters made her ill. She winced a little as she slipped her feet under the blanket. The night air nipped at her wounded foot.

She opened her mouth to ask more questions but was surprised when Zeno stood and walked into the hotel room without a word. Was the conversation over? She sighed and leaned her head back. Getting information from him was going to be like pulling teeth. The door slid back open, and she was surprised to see he was carrying a bag. He stooped to the ground in front of her. A blush crept over her as he looked her in the eye. “Your foot,” he said. Ava knitted her brows together in confusion. “My what?” He lifted up the gauze and nodded to the blanket. “I should change the dressing.”

Ava nodded and slipped her injured foot out. It throbbed slightly from the pressure. Or maybe she was just nervous. His large, warm hands caressed her skin this, the rough padding from his fingers so different from her own. Zeno rummaged in the bag and pulled out something in a colorful wrapper. He shoved it in her hands, still not meeting her eyes. “Val said you’d want this,” he said. She looked down at the milk chocolate bar and grinned. It was amazing just what a bit of chocolate could do to set everything right. Or at least not make it suck as much.

Zeno set to work on her foot, slowly unwrapping the battered foot. He marveled at how small her foot was in his hand. He could nearly cover up the length of her foot. He heard the wrapped as she got into the chocolate Val had thought to grab. He could instantly smell the rich cocoa. “Do you want some?” she asked. Zeno looked up to where she was holding out a piece. He shook his head. It was clear she needed it more than him. She popped the piece into her mouth and sucked. Her eyes closed, and she let out a low satisfied moan. He gritted his teeth at the sound. It was already bad enough his hybrid genes were calling out for him to bond with

her. The added sounds weren’t helping matters, especially given the fit of the front of his pants. He shifted a little and went back to the work at hand. He unwrapped the bandage and checked the wound. It seemed to be fine, but he had concerns. Given what they’d run into, who knew what the hell was on that floor? Cleaning the wound again was the best idea. With a bit of cotton, he applied the alcohol over the swab. His thumb stroked her ankle as he lifted it. Ava stilled and looked down at him. “This is going to hurt,” he said. Her face scrunched up in pain as he

pressed the swab to the cut. He carefully wiped along it, making sure to be thorough. “Shit,” she hissed. Zeno stroked her soft skin with this thumb, trying to ease the pain. He set the cotton on top of the used gauze and applied a little antibiotic ointment. Ava took a big bite of her chocolate and shivered a little. He’d hardly even noticed the cold but knew she was feeling it more than he was. After this he’d insist she go back inside. “One of those Glycons scratched you,” she said and leaned forward. He paused as she ran her hand lightly

over his jacket. “Do you want me to clean it?” she asked. His heart hammered in his chest. At that moment, he would have liked nothing more than to have her hands brushing against his skin. Zeno grunted. “It’s fine,” he said gruffly. His hand went for the gauze. “How do you become a Vestal?” she asked. He nearly fell over at the question. “What?” “I mean, it’s like a wife right?” He kept his eyes on her foot, trying to hurry as he wrapped it. He shrugged, hoping that might be enough.

“Is there some special ritual?” she said. He looked up to her and placed her shoe back on her foot. He stood. “Does it have something to do with… biting?” He frowned. Was that even a real question? How was he supposed to talk to someone who didn’t even take things seriously? He stepped toward the door but stopped when her small hand held on to his arm. He looked down at her. Her soft light brown hair hung around her face with her eyes like two emerald jewels peering up at him. “I’m sorry,” she said. “Val made me

think—” She stopped and shook her head. “I just want to know more,” she said quietly. “Know more about the people who have been protecting my sister.” He sighed. How was he supposed to fight that? She did have a right to know. She moved over on the couch and patted the seat next to her. “We can keep each other warm,” she said innocently. His lower half responded in a not-soinnocent manner. This was a bad fucking idea. Still he moved until he was sitting next to her. His large body took up far more room than the half the seat was designed for. Her slight frame pushed against him,

creating a pleasant warmth. He placed an arm on the back of the couch and was surprised when she moved in a little closer. “See,” she whispered. “Nice and warm.” He groaned as his dick pressed painfully against his pants and shifted slightly away from her. Ava moved into the pocket of warmth he’d created for her. They sat quietly for a bit, the cool night air blowing against them. He relaxed and checked the streets below. He didn’t think Antonio would bother sending anyone after them tonight. With the death of the old man, he’d be dealing with getting rid of the body. Rushing out into the city would play to

his weaknesses and not his strengths. And Antonio struck Zeno as a man who liked to plan his vengeance. “I really do want to know more about your people,” Ava said quietly. He turned to look at her. She was mostly buried under the blanket, with just her head peeking out. She looked up to him, and the fire from before reignited. He cleared his throat, not really sure what he should tell her. “Well,” he said and ran a hand over his face. The stubble scraped against his fingers. “Most have a somewhat normal life at the compound. They have houses, and some men have bonded and are even building families.” “Is bonded like getting married?” she

asked. “Val explained a few things, but I just didn’t really understand it all.” He shook his head and looked down at her again. “It’s more than just words,” he said. “It’s an attraction. One that goes deeper. A feeling.” He stopped and stared at her. His face had been inching closer to her. Never had he wanted someone as he did her. “Like love?” she whispered. Her eyes half-closed she leaned in a bit. Zeno took in a shuddered breath. “No. That’s not even enough. More like fate,” he whispered. His mouth rested just an inch from her own. All he had to do was move a fraction, and they would meet. He’d get to taste her sweet mouth.

She ran her pink tongue across her lips. He could see the reflection of his eyes as they blazed their bright amber light. “Oh,” she whispered. They jumped when the sliding door from the balcony next to them slid open, and Apollo stepped out. He glanced over to Zeno and gave him a knowing smile. “You’re off,” he said and stared at them both. “Get some rest.” Zeno rose without even looking at her. How was he supposed to after he’d what had almost happened? He slipped off his coat and sat hard on the couch. Ava slid the door closed

and stepped past him on her way to the bed. She stopped between him and the bed. “This is stupid,” she said. His head snapped up, not quite sure what she was going to say next. “I’m sorry—” he said. “Just sleep in the bed,” she huffed. He looked at the bed and then back at her. “There is no way you’re going to fit on that tiny couch,” she said and waved a hand where he was sitting. “Besides, it’s a big bed. There’s plenty of room.” He wanted to argue. Everything decent in him said that he should, but he couldn’t seem to form the words. Instead, he stood and grabbed the pillow

from the couch. He waited as she placed the blanket back on the bed. He’d sleep in his clothes, and it would all be fine. She climbed onto the bed, her perfect ass pointed right at him. A low predatory growl rumbled inside him. She stopped moving and looked over her shoulder to him. Heat rose up his face. She turned back around and climbed into bed. She flipped the blanket open on the other side of the bed. He hesitated. He knew she was calling to him, and his hybrid side wanted to go to his Vestal. “Please,” she said quietly. “I feel better near you.”

All his defenses melted at her request. He kicked off his shoes and climbed into his side of the bed. As soon as he was under the covers, she let out a soft sigh. “Goodnight,” she said, her voice already sounding as if she were drifting off to sleep. “Night,” he said. The steady rhythm of her breathing lulled him to sleep.

Chapter Eleven

Ava woke up warm and, to her surprise, aroused. She wasn’t normally a morning person, and she had never been someone to wake up horny. Any yet there it was. Not a bad feeling, just not expected. Not wanting to open her eyes and face the day, she snuggled into the nearby warmth. Her face pressed against very solid and warm skin. Her eyes flew open as she tried to understand what was happening. At some point in the night, she’d moved over to where Zeno slept. She’d wrapped herself against him. Pressing

her chest against his side, one arms slung low across his stomach, she could feel the hairs that met his pants. Thankfully he still had his jeans on, or she would really have some explaining to do, especially since her leg seemed to have a mind of its own and was half way across him. She shifted her body, trying to find a subtle way to untangle herself. She wouldn’t deny the strong draw of the hunky hybrid, but she couldn’t drape herself over the man in his sleep without him thinking less of her. Her thigh brushed his hard length through his pants. It was only then she noticed his warm hand on her thigh. His rough palm ran up and down the back of

her thigh, setting her already heightened senses afire. Ava bit back the moan that threatened to come out. She took a shuddering breath and licked her lips. The hand around her back pulled her closer, grinding her center against his side. Her breath came out in little puffs over his chest. Her nipples tightened to hard peaks against the solid chess pressing against her. A low rumble started under her head. It was the same noise she’d heard several times before from him. Enticing. Arousing. The sound of it made her ache in a way she didn’t even know she could. She looked up to find his bright eyes

fixed on her. “Zeno,” she breathed out. His mouth pressed hard against her own, swallowing the yelp of surprise. His kiss dominated her. All the thoughts previously in her head vanished as the warmth from his passionate kiss shot through her. She moaned and wrapped an arm around his neck, pulling him deeper into the kiss. His tongue pressed into her mouth and wrestled her own for dominance. A war, but one of desire. Unable to resist, Ava ran her hands over his exposed chest and back. The deep contours of his muscles made her ache to feel him moving over his and moving into her.

She let out a shuddered breath at the thought of Zeno pressing deep inside her, filling her. She scraped her nails lightly down his back and loved the little rumble from his chest. There was something so very primal about the sound. It made her only want to hear it again. She pulled her mouth away from his, panting. Not missing a beat, Zeno continued his work, kissing and sucking along the base of her neck. She arched her body toward him when he reached the sensitive spot behind her ear. He returned to her mouth. This time the kisses were delivered with a slow, deliberate pace. It was maddening. She moaned loudly when his hand

pulled her shirt up and her chest met bare skin. Her hard nipples rubbed against his thick, hard muscles. She pulled back to moan again when his hand pinched the peaks. The sweet tingle his touch brought left her even more aroused. Her hand found his tight ass, and she squeezed it through his jeans. Frustration over the layers of clothing shot through her. She wrapped her legs around his body and ground herself hard against his length. Zeno pulled his head back from her. The muscles in his neck strained as he struggled. He looked down at her. His body tensed under her touch. The air cooled

between them as he put some space between their bodies. Irritation and disappointment flared in her. For a moment, she thought he might stop. She wouldn’t blame him. They’d only just met, and they were being hunted by her crazy ex, not to mention all the weirdness with him being a hybrid and her being, well, whatever the hell she was. He rolled to the side. His hand slid off her breast. After a second, he slowly trailed his hand on a path down her stomach. Heat burned her cheeks. Antonio had always remarked on the bit of excess fluff she had there. She looked to Zeno, who only stared

at her with lust. His bright amber eyes held nothing back. Her breath caught in her throat as his hand slipped below her shorts and then under her panties. When his fingers brushed her folds, she knew he could feel how wet she was. How much she wanted him. Zeno growled again. The deep guttural sound made her nipples harden until they were almost painful, and the little nub between her folds began to ache. He slid his thick finger back and forth over her, each time brushing her clit. Ava fisted the sheets and arched into his touch. “I got you,” he said quietly.

His words only stoked the flame inside her more. In one smooth stroke, he pressed his finger deep inside. His thumb circled her clit as he did so. Her insides quivered, pleasure pulsing through her. His finger continued to slide in and out, each time going slightly faster than before, but his thumb kept the same excruciating pace. She opened her eyes and found Zeno watching her, his eyes fixed on her face. He pulled out. She opened her mouth to protest but stopped when he slipped two fingers inside her. Her eyes rolled back in her head as he pressed deep inside. The sensation of being filled by him excited her.

Zeno wiggled his fingers inside, pushing against the sides to make more room. More pleasure spiked through her, and she moaned. The sound came from the center of her. Her clit tingled under the low and deep sound. “Do you like that, baby?” Zeno rumbled. Ava licked her dry lips and nodded. With her eyes still closed, she reached out for him. Her hand brushed his thick member through his pants. He cursed. Suddenly his fingers were hammering into her. His thumb pressed hard against her clit, and she could feel her orgasm starting to crest, the waves pushing, ready for release.

She arched into his hand and cried out as she came hard against his fingers, squeezing and pulling them deeper inside. Her body fell back against the bed, and she struggled for breath as Zeno pulled his fingers from her. She took a few deep breaths, the pleasure still coursing through her, before she opened one eye. “Now it’s your—” she began. She stopped as the bathroom door clicked shut, and she was left staring at an empty bed. Zeno gripped the counter hard, so hard the plastic creaked under the pressure.

He’d wanted her, wanted to finish what they started and bury himself deep inside her. To make her his like she should be. He knew it. Ava was his. Every part of his hybrid senses said she was. The only problem was that she wasn’t a hybrid. She had no clue about the world she’d be walking into. Díaz was one thing, but the Horatius Group quite another. Taking her from one danger to an even worse danger was ridiculous. Not only that, how could they even make a choice like that here? He snapped on the cold water and splashed a little in his face. He couldn’t do this now. There was too much riding on the mission. If Ava

was still interested when they got back, he’d have no problem making sure she knew just how much he wanted her, as many times as she wanted. For now, there was a job to be done. She needed to be protected, and the Horatius Group ping needed to be investigated. His eyes slid down the mirror to the large bulge in his pants. It pressed painfully against his zipper. He went over to the shower and adjusted the water until only cold water poured down. He kicked off his pants and stepped under the harsh spray. It ran down his chest and over his hot, throbbing cock. He winced as the icy water cooled both

his body and his libido. He brought his hand to his face to wipe the water away and breathed in deeply. Her smell lingered on his fingers. It took everything in him not to lick the taste of her off his fingers. A groan ripped through him. This wasn’t going to work. There was no way he was getting her off his mind. His hand gripped his hard shaft as he pictured her there on the bed, his fingers deep inside her as she panted and mewled for him to go on. The sounds she made had nearly put him over the edge before. His cock throbbed at the thought. He pictured himself inside her, her sweet pussy gripping him as he slid in

and out, fucking her like he’d wanted to before, like he should have done before. His hand sped up, rubbing the head of his cock. He leaned against the wall of the shower, his breathing now in short bursts. He focused on her face as she came, the bright flush that filled her cheeks and the rhythmic way she pulled at his fingers. He groaned loudly as his cock pulsed in his hand. He wanted desperately to be inside her. To make her his. Drained, he flipped off the shower and toweled himself off. He could hear Ava getting ready in the other room and cursed as his dick responded.

It was going to take everything in him not to follow what his lower half wanted, especially since his upper half wanted the same.

Chapter Twelve

Angry, Ava toweled off her body and slid the clothes from before back on. She still tingled with the amazing orgasm she’d had earlier, and that only pissed her off more. He had the nerve to totally blow her mind and then ran when the big finale came up? Had he just pity fucked her? The thought made her stomach knot. Her mind went to how hard he’d felt through his pants. She didn’t think there was a way to fake that. Zeno had wanted her. But for whatever reason, he didn’t want to be with her. Did he think she wasn’t good enough for him?

She stared at herself in the mirror. Sure, she had a little more fluff than many women her size. Maybe her breasts had a little more jiggle than socially acceptable, and her stomach wasn’t perfectly flat. Still, she liked the way she looked and so did plenty of other men. Her thoughts returned to Zeno’s hard muscles. Maybe he was some workout freak that hated women with even a little extra weight. Well, fuck him, then. She angrily swept her fingers through her hair. Antonio had been one controlling prick too many. No way in hell was she going back to that, even for a mind-blowing orgasm or two.

Fueled by her anger, she swung open the bathroom door and stomped out. She was surprised to find Val, Zeno and Apollo standing near the doorway between the two rooms. “We’ve got to finish the job,” Apollo said as his gaze slid over to her. It was clear they were being cautious with what they said. Val pointed to the coffee table. “We brought you some breakfast,” she said with a smile. “Thought you might need it.” She winked and dipped away from the doorway. There was something unnerving about the way she talked, like she knew Ava’s secrets or something. Ava walked to the couch and picked up the wrapped burrito. She took a bite

and was surprised to find it filled with sausage and potatoes. More hungry than she even realized, she scarfed down the meal. She took several big gulps of the coffee and instantly felt better. It was amazing what a little caffeine could do. Her gaze wandered over to where Zeno and Apollo spoke quietly in the door. As if sensing her eyes on him, Zeno turned to look at her and frowned before turning back to his conversation. She narrowed her eyes at him. Mister perfect likely didn’t do caffeine. It didn’t fit his healthy ways. She took another big gulp just to show him how much she cared. Outside it was a beautiful morning. The sun peeked out of the clouds, and the

city below was already in full swing with people filling the bustling streets. She glanced over to the clock and was surprised it was only eight. She thought for sure it must be later with how energetic she was feeling. Her eyes came back to where Zeno stood, the real reason for her energy. Heat spread over her cheeks, and she turned away quickly before he noticed her staring again. The last thing she needed was him to say something. She noticed a bit of blue just on the other side of the coffee table. She reached out and grabbed the backpack she’d brought with her yesterday. Ava opened the bag. All the memories of the day before came

flooding back. Her gaze landed on the stack of money. She had to get to Anita, had to warn her about Antonio and make sure she was safely away. She zipped the bag and leaned back in her seat while she finished her coffee and devised a plan. “After today we should have a better location on where that ping was coming from,” Apollo said quietly. “The mission isn’t safe,” Zeno said again and shifted his feet in irritation. “We know there are Glycons in the area. It’s not safe for any of us.” Apollo shook his head. “Titus was clear: we finish the job. If anything, the Glycons around mean we were right to

come here and set things up, even if Díaz ends up having nothing to do with the Group.” He glanced in Ava’s direction for a second. “Titus is working on securing a ride home for her. Until then, you need keep her away from Díaz.” Zeno couldn’t stop the rumble that ripped through him. He glanced over to Ava as she sat on the couch to see if she’d noticed. Her sweet innocent face called to him, and he shook his head. How was he going to be of any use if all he wanted to do was press his mouth her hers? His distraction was going to get her killed. Apollo leaned forward and clapped a hand on Zeno’s shoulder. “This is for the best. Val’s got this, and Ava needs you.”

He huffed loudly. He knew she needed him. The real problem was how much he needed her. The very idea that something might happen to her made his heart thump hard in his chest. She was in danger here, and for the first time, he wasn’t so sure he’d be able to keep her safe. “We’ll be back by dusk,” Apollo said and stepped away with a sharp nod into his own room. Zeno closed the door between the rooms and let out the breath he’d been holding. This was not going to be easy, even without Glycon attacks or Antonio to worry about. He stepped away from the door and wandered to where his burrito lay in

foil. Ava watched him as he picked it up and stepped onto the balcony, leaving the door open behind him. By the time he’d gotten down to the last few bites, Val and Apollo emerged onto the street. They slipped down a back alley and disappeared into the city. Ava rustled around inside the room, and he turned to see what she was up to. He watched as she slipped on his coat and then pulled her pack on her back. Zeno stood and stepped to the frame of the door. “You’re not leaving,” he said firmly. She looked up at him and glared. “I’d like to see you stop me.” The challenge raised his hackles. Not

even thinking, Zeno stepped into the room, following her as she backed away. “You’re not leaving,” he said again. “It’s not safe.” She took another few steps back until her legs hit the bed. She bounced on the bed as she sat hard. “I have nothing to wear,” she said. Zeno looked down. She seemed fine to him. More than fine if he were being honest. She lifted her chin defiantly and flipped the jacket back from her chest. “I’m not wearing a bra and a shirt that’s way too small,” she huffed then tilted her head. “Unless you don’t care what your friend sees me in.” Anger burned through him. Despite

knowing that Apollo had no interest in Ava, the very idea others could see her as Zeno had that morning pissed him off. He stepped back and took in deep breaths. It did make sense, especially if she was going to be catching a flight home. There was no way he’d be able to handle a whole airport seeing her like this. His gaze landed on her chest. The Vnecked shirt dipped low into her cleavage, and he could just make out the peaks of her nipples. He snapped his head to the side. It wouldn’t do either of them any good if he kept staring. Damn it. “Fine,” he grunted. “But we’re just getting some clothes and coming back.”

She gave a wide grin. “Sure thing, boss.”

Chapter Thirteen

Fast. This was supposed to be an in-andout mission. Get some clothes and get back to the hotel. Zeno looked at his watch for about the millionth time. They had been out of the hotel for nearly two hours. In fact, they had nearly worked their way halfway through town just for clothes. He wasn’t even quite sure how it happened. They would find a store, and she’d grab a few items, but there was always another store. First, it was clothes, then shoes and finally undergarments. The most recent stops were

particularly annoying. The last thing he wanted to do was think about the frilly things Ava wore under her clothes. It was bad enough he had been sporting a semi-hard-on since their morning romp. Not that he’d been able to stop her. The minute he put his foot down about the lingerie store, she’d gone straight for the throat. “For over a month, I’ve had to wear exactly what someone else wants me to,” she had said and glared at him. Several people on the street stopped to watch the small woman poke his chest. “I’ll be damned if I let that go on,” she had said and stepped forward until her soft breasts pressed against him. She had looked up, her eyes hooded as she

spoke. “Unless you think it’s a good idea I continue walking around like this.” Zeno swallowed. Just thinking about how she felt against him made him want to rip off all her clothes and show her just what he wanted her to be wearing. He sighed loudly and scrubbed a hand down his face. This woman was going to be the death of him. Now he was sitting in a damned store while she purchased undergarments. Still, he doubted Antonio’s goons were trawling women’s clothing stores looking for Ava. So at least he could slightly relax. His body ached from sitting still. Zeno stretched and jerked his hand back when it touched something soft and lacy. The rack jostled from the movement, and

the saleswoman near him glared. He shrank back into the chair and tried not to look around. It was bad enough he was the only man in the lingerie store. The last thing he wanted was to call even more attention to himself, let alone risk bringing any outside searching thugs to the store. His gaze found Ava as she made her way through the store picking up clothes and placing them back on the rack. Try as he might, he couldn’t stop his attention from wandering to the pieces she held in her hand. Black, white and even a bit of pink. A flash of her flushed face as she came around his fingers came to mind, and Zeno fought to push the images away.

This was not going to happen. He needed to keep his focus. He jerked up and ignored the saleswoman as she continued glaring at him. In a few strides, he was at Ava’s side. “We need to go,” he ground out. She held up the black nightgown and nodded. She placed it on her arm and looked up to him. “Fine,” she said quietly. “Let me pay and change.” Zeno stood close as she pulled the wad of cash she had in her backpack out to pay for the items. The cashier glanced over to him, likely assuming he was the source of the money and wondering what line of work he was in to bring in that

kind of money. He snorted. She probably thought he was one of Antonio’s thugs, but being a Luna Lodge hybrid didn’t leave him rolling in the cash. The cashier nodded to the back and Ava turned. “I’m going to the changing room. I’ll be back in a sec,” she said. Zeno frowned. He didn’t like her getting out of his sight. There was no telling where Antonio’s men were. Time ticked by as he stood in the store, his arms crossed. The saleswoman and the cashier kept giving him strange looks, but they didn’t say anything to him. After nearly fifteen minutes, he

stepped over to the door she had walked into. “Ava, you nearly done?” he called out. “We need to get going.” Silence greeted him. He frowned. She might be a bit coy, but she didn’t seem the type to not answer when he called. “Ava?” He pushed the curtain that covered the entrance and stepped through. Much to his surprise, there was no changing room, only the back of the store. His heart kicked up as he stepped further in. Maybe Antonio’s men had found her. Two brown sacks peeked out from behind the corner, the very two she’d

been carrying with all her clothes. He reached down and pulled his coat from the bag. Anger pushed out the fear. They hadn’t found her. She’d run despite everything that he’d told her. This wasn’t a damn game. She, of all people, should have understood that. Zeno breathed in deeply. He could still find her, and when he did, she wasn’t getting out of his sight again. *** Ava ran in her new sneakers. The backs of her foot ached from the hard newness cutting into the wound on her foot. She was certain that she’d split it open and

was likely bleeding freely again, but it didn’t matter. She had to press on. Too long. She’d taken too long. She should have insisted on checking on Anita immediately. Or her clothing diversion could have been cut short. Maybe she could have ran at the first shop. Would that have been enough time to fool Zeno? Her lungs ached as she took in painful breaths. A street sign popped up, and she turned sharply. Things were starting to look familiar from the one short trip she’d taken over to Piero and Anita’s house. It had been her one lifeline to the outside near her. Ava turned another corner and looked behind. Nothing.

Guilt ate at her for leaving Zeno like that. She really didn’t want to, but he was being so strict about getting her back to the hotel. There was no way he was going to deviate from the mission any more than he had, let alone anything that involved her getting anywhere near someone connected to Antonio. She knew the only reason he let her leave the hotel for the clothes was because he couldn’t seem to stomach the idea being in the room with her given her serious lack of clothing. She shifted the heavy pack on her back. Maybe she’d overdone it a bit on the clothes, but it was just nice to have the option to wear what she wanted. She gave a small laugh.

Maybe a few of the purchases at the lingerie store had just been to make him uncomfortable. There was something fun in the way he squirmed. Her gaze flicked to the right, and she stopped on the sidewalk. This was it. She was sure. The flowers in the yard were starting to bloom now, something she hadn’t been able to see before. Lavender. Piero said he’d planted them for his Anita because it was her favorite color. She was surprised to find their gate wide open. Ava stepped through, suddenly unsure of the choice she’d made. Maybe it would have been best to have Zeno come with her. Maybe if she’d just

talked to him, she might have been able to convince him. After taking a deep breath, she slowly made her way up the path. When she reached the porch, she stopped. The door was open an inch, the wood splintered around the lock. She swallowed once. Her heart started pounding. “Anita?” Ava took a step but stopped when a large hand wrapped around her waist from behind. She opened her mouth to scream. “Blood,” said a familiar voice. She turned, grateful to have him there. “Zeno,” she breathed. He inhaled deeply. “I don’t think they

are still here,” he said and stepped in front of her. “But I do smell blood. Stay behind me.” She nodded at his back and followed him through the open door. A gasp followed as they entered. The small but sweet little home had been destroyed. There wasn’t an item in the house that hadn’t been smashed, ripped or destroyed in some way. Zeno nodded toward the kitchen. The fridge had been tipped over. “Must not have been long ago,” he said, narrowing his eyes, then sniffing. “None of the food has started to go bad.” She stepped around the piles of glass and food as they made their way to the back bedroom.

Zeno stopped just outside the door to the room, and she glanced around the corner. Relief flooded her. “Anita,” she said and hurriedly pushed past Zeno. She rushed over to the old woman who now sat on the bed, holding something close to her. Ava looked her over. She only had a few cuts and bruises. Apparently Antonio’s thugs had taken their anger out on her things. She held out the picture frame, tears streaming down the deep lines on her face. “I saved it,” she said quietly. The photo was old. In black and white, a smiling bride and her groom

looked lovingly at one another. “He was my world,” she said. Her words shook as she said them. Ava’s own tears flowed freely. Not sure what to do, she leaned forward and wrapped her arms around the old woman and cried with her for Piero.

Chapter Fourteen

The devastation had been the work of Antonio. Zeno was sure of it. The scent of his thugs still hung in the air, and it set Zeno’s nerves on end. He bit back a growl at the realization there could have been Glycons nearby, and he wouldn’t know. The only reason he wasn’t more worried was the fact that Anita was still alive. The strange Glycons didn’t strike him as the type that could wreck a house without killing the person inside. Whether it was thugs or Glycons, he had no assurance they wouldn’t come back to finish the job. Maybe they were

waiting for the okay from their boss. Maybe they had scouts in the area, and they’d already reported to Antonio that Ava was there. Striking Ava and Zeno at the hotel when they expected it was risky; going after them in a less populated area closer to the Díaz estate, not so much. This side trip wasn’t safe, and as much as he wanted to let the two women grieve for the man who should have nothing but respect, this wasn’t the place to do it. If Ava was captured, Piero would have died for nothing. “Ava,” he said quietly. “We need to go. Sooner than later.” She pulled away from the old woman and nodded her understanding.

“Anita,” she said and placed a hand on either shoulder of the other woman. “This place isn’t safe. We need to get you out of here. Antonio’s men will come back. We both know it.” The old woman looked around at her smashed belongings and the house she had so lovingly put together with her beloved. The anguish on her face made Zeno ache inside. This wasn’t how their story should have ended. Death came to everyone, but they still had years left. Antonio needed to pay for what he’d done. Anita took in a deep breath. “I have a sister,” she said and looked back to Ava. “She would help.”

Ava nodded. “Good.” She stood. “You tell us what you need, and we’ll get it for you.” The old woman looked around the room. “My pictures,” she said. “I need my pictures.” *** They carefully picked through the wreckage and gathered up all the pictures from the shattered frames. Most had survived. A small bit of fortune, at least. Zeno had watched as Ava cleaned the wounds Anita had received and packed some of her clothing into a suitcase. Even though he was still annoyed

over Ava giving him the slip earlier, it was hard to get too angry, given that from what he could tell, the whole outing had been an attempt to get to and protect the old woman. He wasn’t honestly sure if he would have taken Ava there if she asked, but he still respected her motives. The train station hadn’t been far from her house, and they were able to get Anita a ticket on the next train out. It was the best way for her to disappear. The plan was for her to head north until she hit the next station. From there she’d take two more trains in the other direction to make sure Antonio’s men couldn’t follow her. Zeno doubted Antonio would go to

the trouble, but he wouldn’t have suspected Antonio would send his men to ransack a widow’s home either. It was clear they had been looking for something, and it didn’t appear to be Ava. From what Anita had said, they didn’t even ask about her. The train whistle blew. Ava wrapped her arms tightly around the woman. “Call my sister when you’re safe,” Ava said and handed Anita a slip of paper with the number Zeno had given her. It was really to the main line at Luna Lodge, but they would make sure the call made it through to Paige. Anita nodded, her cheeks damp from more tears. Ava pulled back and bent to the

ground. She rummaged through her backpack and then hastily unzipped the travel bag Anita was taking with her. Zeno watched as Ava stuffed a large lump of money into the bag and then looked around. No one paid them any attention as they hurried onto the train. She stood up and pressed the bag into the old woman’s arms. “I can’t take your money,” Anita whispered. Ava shook her head. “It’s only a fraction of what you’re owed,” she said. Her voice caught in her throat. “Piero was…” Her voice trailed off as tears sprung to her eyes. Anita leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss to her cheek.

“He cared for you,” she said warmly. “You didn’t kill him. He died saving someone he cared about. You understand?” Ava nodded, but her tears continued to fall. “And now I’m saving someone I care about,” Ava said quietly. “Use the money. I’ll be fine.” The old woman turned her observant eyes to Zeno. It was the first time she’d actually looked at him since they had arrived at her house. “I know what you are,” she said as she leaned in. “We all have a purpose in life. You make sure she gets to find hers.” Zeno nodded, not quite sure how to

respond, but certain of one thing: he’d protect Ava. Anita nodded to them both and then walked to the train. They watched as she handed her ticket over and stepped through the door. “Do you think she’ll be okay?” Ava asked. He felt her small hand slip into his, and he gave a little squeeze. “Yes,” he said quietly. They watched in silence as Anita found her seat on the train. She gave a little wave through the glass as the train started moving. The train eased away from the platform, rolling away. Slowly, it sped up until it disappeared around the

corner. Zeno looked down at where their hands were still joined and gave a little tug. “Let’s go back. She’s safe now.” She nodded and followed him, neither one bothering to loosen their hold.

Chapter Fifteen

Content. The word kept rolling through Ava’s mind as they made their way back to the hotel. Although she could sense Zeno’s agitation, especially as he led her through a number of back alleys, Ava was at peace. Knowing Anita would be far away from that sick bastard Antonio was enough to set her at ease. They stopped near the hotel, just a few alleys away. Zeno stared out across the way. She took the moment to study him. There was no question he was

handsome. Previously she’d found some of his facial expressions harsh and intimidating, but now she understood they really just meant he was worried. He worried about her. Ava squeezed the hand she still held. He looked back to her and then turned to the hotel. “Looks clear,” he said. Hand in hand they crossed the street. Several people passed them, and she wondered if they saw a couple at first glance. Her heart thumped at the idea. She swallowed and tried to push the thought from her mind. They weren’t a couple. She was done with that crap. And she certainly didn’t have time to worry about that sort of

thing when she was still on the run. Zeno pulled her through the lobby and into the tiny elevator. He pressed the four button. “You could have told me your plan,” he said. His low voice filled the small cramped space. “Instead of pulling that little stunt.” Ava laughed and looked over to him. “And you would have taken me?” His face fell at her words, and for a moment, she wondered if she’d been wrong. He dropped her hand. “You could have tried.” He stepped into the hall when the doors opened. She trailed behind quietly. She had been so certain he wouldn’t

agree to the trip over concern for her safety, but Zeno wasn’t a bad man. He might have, if she’d given him the chance. He didn’t make her leave immediately when he found her. And he even helped collect Anita’s pictures. Those were hardly the actions of an unreasonable guard who’d stop at nothing to ensure she remained near the hotel. They reached the door to their room, and he slipped the card through the key. The green light flicked on, and Zeno swung open the door. They stepped in, but he stopped just inside. The door clicked shut, and she frowned as he whirled around to look at

her, his massive form pressing in on her. She stopped when her back met the cold metal door, his arms bracketing on either side of her. “You are the most exasperating woman I’ve ever met,” he rumbled. Ava frowned. Oh, he did not get to lay into her like that, not after the last few months that she’d just had. “What you did today was reckless, dangerous and…” Zeno sighed. “Kind.” Her eyes widened with surprise. His face softened. One of his hands slid away from the door and played with a lock of her hair. “You are just full of surprises,” he said and leaned in. She could feel his hot breath on her lips and licked them in

anticipation. The door in the room next to them banged open. Crashes and thumps reached their ears. Someone was throwing things around. He tightened his arms around her. He shook his head when she opened her mouth to ask a question. “I’ll get the other room,” a man said in the hall in Spanish. The sound of his footfalls closed on the door. Zeno’s hand clamped down on the knob. He furrowed his brow, a faint look of confusion. She wondered if he could understand any Spanish. They could hear the sound of the card sliding through the lock. The lock clicked, but the door stayed closed under

Zeno’s firm grip. They heard the sound of the card again, but he held firm. “It’s not working,” the man said loudly. “Go get another fucking card.” The footsteps receded, and Zeno’s pinched expression and tight neck muscles relaxed. He nodded toward the other door. Ava peeked around him and saw with horror that the lock on the door between the rooms was open. She carefully squeezed around him. She gripped the lock in her hand, and as slowly as she could, Ava turned it. Nearly finished, the tension dripped away. At the last second, something caught in the lock, and it slipped into place with small click.

“Did you hear that?” a man asked next door in Spanish. “They heard me,” she mouthed to Zeno. She looked over to Zeno, who nodded for her to come away from the door. She watched as the handle jiggled before turning back to him. “Two guns,” he whispered just above a breath. “Bed and loveseat.” Ava crept around the room and slipped a hand between the mattress. She carefully pulled out the hard metal she found there and laid it on the bed. Just as quietly, she reached between the cushions and pulled out an even bigger gun. She laid that on the bed and looked back to Zeno.

She’d say this for him. He always had a plan. She walked over to the closet and opened it. The door creaked just a little, but she ignored it. She grabbed the pack he had in there and handed it to him. The door squeaked loudly as she tried to shut it. She froze at the sound. “Someone’s over there!” a man shouted on the other side of the wall. Zeno dropped his hand from the door. Even if he didn’t understand Spanish, the tone was unmistakable. “Are you afraid of heights?” he asked. Ava glanced over to the door and frowned at his question. “No.” Zeno nodded and stepped over to the

bed. Ava trailed behind, not really sure what he was getting at. He slipped the pack on. “What are we—” she said. Zeno grabbed her wrist and pulled her out the balcony door. “Are you crazy?” she nearly shouted. “We’re four stories up!” The men banged against the room door. Whatever Zeno had in mind seemed way more dangerous than staring down the barrel at some thugs. He lifted her in his arms. She gasped in surprise. “Do you trust me?” he asked. The words echoed in her head. They had only known one another for a day, but she did trust him. She had trusted him from the moment he came for her. She

nodded, not certain of her voice. His eyes blazed for a moment, the sunglasses no match for the brightness of his eyes. “Good,” he whispered. “Hold on tight and don’t let go.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and locked them together. His muscles tightened as he pulled her close to his chest. His strong arms flexed around her. Behind them, the wooden door between their rooms splintered open. Two men rushed in, guns drawn. And then she was falling. The air rushed around her as she plummeted to the ground with Zeno. She wanted to scream or cry out for

help. Instead, Ava wrapped her arms around Zeno and clamped her eyes shut. The impact with the ground jarred her body, but nowhere near as much as she’d expected. Zeno apparently taken most of the impact. Ava shook as he placed her feet on the ground, her eyes blinking as she stared at the street around them. Several people ran away, fear on their faces. “We’ve got to run,” he said when she looked back to him, his face close to hers. She nodded. A shot rang out. The bullet pelted the street near them. Zeno looked up at the balcony. The

men aimed their guns at them, but he doubted they’d hit much at this range. Still, they fired. Several people screamed and took cover. He pulled on Ava. They had to get out of there. He looked around for a way out. There had to be something. Another barrage of bullets summoned more screams from the people around. The bullets suddenly stopped. “Shit,” he cursed. They would be on them in minutes, and if the men had a car, there would be no way they could outrun them, especially in a place he didn’t know. He spied the old man, Luís, from the restaurant down the road. The man nodded to his door, and Zeno didn’t

hesitate. There was no way to know if the old man would keep them hidden, but it was better than trying to outrun Antonio’s men on unfamiliar streets. Zeno pulled Ava along. She leaned hard to one side, her foot in obvious pain from her earlier escape attempt. They finished their sprint by stopping in front of the restaurant. “Upstairs,” the old man said quickly in English. They raced inside and headed toward the back. The young waiter stared at him in horror. He listened as the old man locked the doors to his empty restaurant. When Luís turned around, a look of surprise crossed over his face.

“Why are you still standing there? Go,” he said to Zeno. He shouted something to the waiter in his native language, something obviously not Spanish. From the look on his face, the kid didn’t seem to want to comply but did all the same. The old man nodded to the back. “There’s a hidden door,” he said. “My nephew will show you. You’ll be safe there.” Zeno followed the young man into the back and was surprised to find the door was well hidden. The boy opened the door and waited for them to step in. He slammed the door shut and rushed away. Despite the darkness, Zeno’s superior

vision let him make out a narrow stairway that led to the attic. They would be safe here as long as the owner and his nephew kept them that way. He bit back a growl as he glanced behind at Ava. Her eyes were wide with fear and confusion. He had to protect her and suddenly questioned if taking the old man’s offer was a good move. Still, if he’d intended to betray them, it made no sense to show the hidden door. The bells on the front door chimed. Heavy footsteps sounded. Ava bit her lip and listened, gripping Zeno’s arm. One of the new arrivals said something. He recognized the voice from the hotel room, even if he couldn’t

understand the Spanish. He glanced down at Ava. “He’s asking if he’s seen a big guy and a girl,” she whispered. “And he’s telling them we went ‘that way.’” Zeno could only hope he was pointing down the street. He could hear feet as the other men raced out the door, but the door didn’t chime closed. Ava pressed in close to him. She shivered as they stood in the dark. He wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close. Not even thinking, he placed a kiss on the top of her head, as she continued to whisper the translation of the remaining conversation. “You didn’t see anything here today.”

Luís cleared his throat. “Nothing at all, sir.” “And him?” “He didn’t see anything either,” Luís hurriedly said. The thug snickered. This was corrupt power: going around pointing guns at innocent people, making them bend to your will. It made Zeno’s blood boil. He resisted the urge to burst out of hiding and show the thug what true power was. “Glad we agree,” the thug said. The door chimed closed, and Zeno let out a sigh of relief. They stood there at the bottom of the stairs in the dark for a bit longer, waiting for the all clear. He nearly jumped when the old man swung the door open.

“They are all over the street,” he said. “But you’re safe here.” Zeno sighed. Relying on others wasn’t something he liked to do, but the old man had proved to be a worthy ally, and he was grateful for the help. “Now let’s get you settled.” Zeno’s stomach growled loudly.

Chapter Sixteen

Ava listened as Zeno talked quietly on his cell phone to Apollo while she laid out the clothes from her backpack. She knew he was irritated that he hadn’t been able to take out Antonio’s men. Maybe it all would have gone differently if she hadn’t been there, but this was for the best. If Antonio’s men were killed in the restaurant, it’d be Luís and his nephew who would suffer. It wasn’t like Zeno could take out Antonio’s entire organization. A small knock came from the door. After a second it opened and revealed Luís. She was grateful to see him

carrying a plate of food. They had skipped lunch to help Anita get out of town, and it was already well into the afternoon. She turned to let Zeno know and found him watching them as he continued to talk on the phone. The attic space was larger than she had expected. There was a full size bed and a small table. She had even found a little mini-fridge that worked when plugged in. The most surprising piece was the bathroom. It wasn’t large, but it was better than the bucket she was expecting. It wasn’t a nice hotel room, but it wasn’t exactly a bad place to spend a day hiding from murderous thugs.

Luís set the food on the little table. “I used to rent to a man, but he recently found work on the other side of town.” Ava nodded, not really paying too much attention as she focused on the food. He smiled when her stomach rumbled and placed the plate of food in front of her. “Churrasco de Res,” he said. “And a side of ceviche with tortilla chips.” She stared down at the thinly sliced beef and side of rice. The smell made her mouth water. The ceviche was something she’d had before. She dipped a chip in the seafood mixture and put it in her mouth. The sweetness of the shrimp combined with the fresh spices

and lime popped in her mouth. “Thank you,” she said, already reaching for a bit of the beef. Zeno slid out the other chair and sat down on the other side of her. “Thank you,” he said quietly to Luís. The older man smiled at him and slid a glass over. Zeno grinned back at him. “I think I better not,” he laughed. Ava glanced into the cup. She sniffed it. Alcohol. A slice of lime rested on top. She picked up the cup and took a drink. It was heaven after the last few days of hell. She set the cup back down. Zeno raised a brow, and she shrugged. At this rate, a little relief was more than called

for. He turned to Luís, who was placing a few sandwiches and drinks in the little fridge. “My friends won’t be able to get here until tomorrow night,” Zeno said. “I’m afraid we’ll have to rely on your hospitality until then.” Luís waved a hand. “You’re taking on the big boss,” he said. “He’s a monster. No one here will stand up to him, but you have. So you have my respect. Just make sure you get in a jab for me.” Ava snorted. Seemed like Antonio and his men had picked a beef with nearly everyone they came in contact with. “We’ll be closed in a few hours,”

Luís said. They nodded. After they day they had, a few more hours seemed like nothing. Luís stepped out and closed the door behind him. Ava pulled out a spiral notebook she’d picked up from Antonio’s office and started flipping through it. “What’s that?” Zeno asked between bites. She held it up so he could see. “Antonio’s finance ledger,” she said. “I was hoping there might be something we could hand over to the authorities, but I haven’t seen anything yet.” Zeno snorted loudly. “Did you expect he’d have it laid out for you? Big bold letters saying drug money or smuggling

profit?” Ava glared at him. Maybe she had hoped to come across something like that. People were idiots after all. And arrogant people often did foolish things when they thought they were untouchable. She closed the notebook and sighed. Maybe it was silly. She just wanted to see that asshole get what was coming to him. They ate silently, and when they had finished, Ava took the notebook to the bed while Zeno set up post by the window. Every now and again, she’d glance at him. His eyes remained fixed on the world below.

*** Zeno stretched when Luís shouted his departure up the stairs. He listened to the door as it chimed after his exit and was glad to be able to move around again without worry. Vigilance was exhausting. Ava jumped off the bed to rush to the bathroom. Two hours had somehow seemed much longer than it was. Despite his best effort, his gaze kept drifting over to her. She sat with her head over the notebook, trying to find something to beat Antonio. The door to the bathroom banged open, and on instinct, he reached for his gun.

“That son of a bitch,” she said, hair loose around her face, toothbrush in hand. He frowned. “What?” She stomped over to the bed and picked up the ledger. For the first time he noticed she’d changed into a lacy black camisole with indecently short shorts to match it. He didn’t have time to even process all that skin before she was shoving the book in his face. “Here,” she said, pointing to a date in the ledger. Zeno frowned. “What am I supposed to be seeing?” “That son of a bitch was on a business trip when we met.”

He looked at the name next to the date: Potestatem Corp. He’d never heard of them before, not that he was exactly an expert on companies or large organizations other than the Horatius Group. He handed the notebook back. “Plenty of people combine business with pleasure,” he said. Ava shook her head. “No,” she said. “People don’t pick up cargo while on an island-hopping tour. And he does it over and over again. I thought it was weird how everyone seemed to know him so well. I just thought he had been friendly with them.” He looked back at the page again. Maybe she was on to something. It did seem strange that Antonio would pick up

cargo while they were out at sea, and going on so many trips to the same place was more than suspicious. Someone who understood more of the big picture needed to know. Zeno pulled out his phone and waited for Apollo to pick up. “Trouble?” Apollo asked after the first ring. “Potestatem Corp. Ever heard of them?” The phone went quiet before Apollo spoke again. “Not that I remember.” “Send it in to Titus. Might be where he got those special helpers we ran into in the basement.” “I’ll make the call.” “We might be looking at more than

what we saw,” Zeno said. “Looks like our friend has been very busy.” “Roger that.” Zeno looked over at Ava. She was sitting on the bed, staring down at the ledger. He sat next to her. “I was so stupid,” she said, her voice low. He slipped a hand under her chin and tilted it until she was looking at him. “Not stupid. Tricked.” They stared at one another. Something passed between them. The air thickened in the room, and her warm vanilla scent called to him. Zeno shifted his lower half, torn by the need to protect her and the need to possess her. Ava cupped his hand and placed her

cheek where her chin had been. She closed her eyes and sighed. He leapt from the bed. Her soft skin still warmed his palm. Not trusting himself any longer, he raced to the bathroom and slammed the door. Cold shower. He needed a cold shower.

Chapter Seventeen

Ava lay quietly in the bed, waiting for Zeno to emerge from the bathroom. He’d disappeared the moment things started to heat up between them. It was hard not to think that maybe he just wasn’t interested in her. Frustration passed through her. Everything about the way he’d been acting suggested he was attracted to her, but he kept running away. Maybe she was mistaking his concern over his duty for actual desire. The door opened, and he stepped out into the room with only his jeans on. The top button was flipped open, revealing

hair below his pantline. His upper half was still damp and fully on display, firm muscles and all. Ava let her gaze rove over him, taking in every last detail and every muscle shift. Her center tightened at the sight of him there cast in the light of the bathroom. His deep woodsy scent filled the air and only managed to set her even more aflame. Zeno stilled his movements and breathed in deeply. Spurred by his reaction, Ava flipped back the cover on the other side of the bed. He growled and ran a hand over his face. “Ava,” he rumbled. “This is a dangerous game you’re playing.” She sighed loudly and stared at him

with all the heat she felt. “I’m not playing a game,” she said. “Now come to bed.” He glanced over to the window and then back at her. She knew he was debating about staying at his guard post to keep her safe. His shoulders sagged as he walked over to turn off the bathroom light, and for a moment, she thought she’d lost. It wasn’t until the other side of the bed dipped that she let out the breath she’d been holding. She sought his eyes: two amber gems, glowing in the night. “This is a bad—” he began. She didn’t want to hear his excuses. Every part of her wanted him so badly

she couldn’t hardly move without feeling the tug toward him. Her mouth pressed hard against him, kissing and nipping as she did so. Zeno moaned. His hand fisted in her hair, and he slanted his mouth over hers so he could press his tongue inside. Her body moved on its own now, sliding over him and straddling his hips as she ground herself over him. One hand slipped out of her hair and down to her hips. He helped her move against him as they continued exploring one another, pushing the kiss deeper and deeper. She slid a hand down his hard chest and let her fingers glide over the hard planes, exploring all the dips she’d

wanted to before. Ava pulled back from his mouth and sat up to look down at him. He stared at her with a sort of awe she’d never seen before from any man. Her face burned with embarrassment, and she wished he would always look at her that way. She let her nails trail back up his chest and then gently ran them back down. Zeno shifted so his thick member pressed against her. A wicked smile spread over her face as she stared down at him. She slid a leg over him and stepped off the bed. She stood next to him, forcing him to watch her. She slowly lifted the camisole tossed it to the side. Then came her shorts. Even slower than

before, she slipped them down her legs. “Ava,” Zeno growled and reached out to her, but she stepped out of his reach. Now naked, she climbed back into the bed and planted herself between his legs. She stared up his body as she ran her hands up his thighs. His breathing came out in little bursts, and she knew he wanted this just as much as she did. Her fingers grazed the side of his sack, and he sucked in a sharp breath. When she reached his zipper, she could see the relief on his face. She tugged it down. He sprang out from behind the zipper. His thick member pointed straight up. Ava leaned forward and swiped her

tongue around the tip, swirling it around. His hand fisted in her hair. “Fuck,” he grunted when she slipped him into her mouth and sucked in as far as he’d go. She smiled around his large cock and pressed even harder against it. It slipped in deep, bumping the back of her throat. Ava glanced up at Zeno, his cock still deep in her mouth. She could feel the rumble from his chest. His bright eyes fixed on her. “Keep looking at me like that, and I’ll return the favor,” he ground out. Her fold grew wet at his words. She was half-temped to let him, but if he left her wanting like last time, she might just have to kill him.

She continued moving her mouth over him, letting him bump the back of her throat as she did. With a loud pop, she pulled her mouth off of him and slid over his body. Her bare center lined up over him. She leaned down to kiss his lips and was surprised when he kissed her back and held her body close to his. She slipped her hips along his thick cock, the juices from her center more than enough to create the friction she craved. She jumped when his head bumped her clit. Tingles spread through her body. “Zeno,” she moaned, not quite sure what she wanted but knowing he was the only who could help her.

“I got you, baby,” he said tenderly. His hands came up to cup her breasts and tweaked her nipples. A few more times he pressed hard against her, and she shivered. “I need you,” she whispered, surprised the words had come out of her mouth. “I need you inside me.” Zeno growled with pride. She needed him. Slick from her sweet pussy, his dick twitched at the thought of being inside her. His hands came to her hips, and he pulled her over his aching cock. He slowly guided her down. Her snug center squeezed hard around him.

Ava moaned loudly and tossed her head back. He stared up at her body, which was flushed with excitement. His heart thumped hard in his chest. She was beautiful, more so than he could have ever thought. She rolled her head until her hair hung over him, framing her face. Ava lifted her hips slightly and sank back down on him. Her mouth formed a silent O as she did. She lowered herself on him, then rose up again, over and over, taking him in all the way each time. It was sweet torture to be so deep inside. Ava leaned forward over him. Her soft breasts brushed against his chest as

she stilled her hips over him. She pressed down until he was fully rooted inside her. Her hips gyrated around, moving his hard cock deep inside her. “Ava,” he grunted. The feel of her tight pussy squeezing him was almost too much. “What do you need?” she whispered. “Show me.” Zeno rolled her over. She yelped in surprise. He sat up, still inside her and found the nub at the top of her fold. Zeno pressed on the bundle of nerves and watched as she writhed on the bed, eyes closed, chest heaving as her insides clutched him in a vise grip. In one smooth stroke, Zeno pulled

back and slammed into her. Ava cried out and fisted the covers around her. Continuing to circle her clit, Zeno lifted her legs over his shoulders and used her own body as leverage. His hips slapped against her in smooth hard strokes. “More,” she groaned. He dropped his hand from her clit and leaned forward, her hip now angled so he could go even deeper inside her. Ava brought a hand to his ass. Her nails bit into the skin there, but the pain of it only excited him more. She was close. He could feel it. He sped up, hammering into her until he felt the first flutters as she came

around him, pulling him in even deeper with each thrust. Zeno came deep inside her. Her cervix pulsed against his head, and he shivered as the last drops were squeezed out. He rolled off her and dropped to the other side of the bed. Surprised she could still move, Ava pulled herself next to him and laid her head on his chest. She peppered the skin there with soft kisses that somehow almost did more for them than the amazing sex. Ava wrapped an arm around his middle and snuggled in deeper. They lay quietly for a moment before she sat up to look at him.

“Everything about you is different,” she said quietly. “I can feel it deep inside. Like I’ve known you all my life.” Zeno opened his mouth to say something, then closed it. This wasn’t what he did. Talking about how he felt. How she made him feel. There were no words to describe the sort of peace that came over him when she was near and how being with her was like knowing the other half of himself. His Vestal. Not sure what to do, Zeno did the only thing he could: show her his feelings. This time the kiss was soft. He explored her mouth like he’d wanted to before when he couldn’t seem to find the

restraint. His tongue slipped into her mouth, and they moved in one motion against each other. Ava shifted over him and molded her body to his. Zeno slipped his hand to her cheek and caressed the soft skin there. She moaned low and deep. The sound rippled through him, and he cursed his lower half for responding. This was supposed to be about his feeling for her, not about his lust. She brought her hip up and bumped his rigid cock. He heard her gasp. She pulled back to stare at him in disbelief. His heart sank. Even when he was trying to show her what she meant to him, he still couldn’t. He frowned when she gave a little

chuckle but relaxed into her hand when she smoothed out the worry lines on his face. “Easy, big boy,” she whispered. “I just wasn’t expecting round two so soon.” She shook her head and trailed hand from his face down his body. “Sometimes it’s nice for a girl to know she’s wanted.” She smiled. He loved the way her eyes crinkled in the corner when she did. “Do you want me?” she whispered. “Always,” he said. The word came out without a moment of hesitation. He was surprised by his own revelation. Always. The more he thought about it, the

more he knew how true it was. He groaned when her hand stroked the length of him, her fingers massaging him. “Show me,” she said, her voice low and husky. Zeno growled, ready to show her just what his mouth couldn’t say.

Chapter Eighteen

Ava took the stairs more slowly than she might have normally and blushed when she thought about how many times she and Zeno had come together. She’d never been with a man who wanted her as much as he did. For that matter, she’d never been with a man who could have sex so many times in a row. She’d wanted to continue with the pleasure right on through the day, but when Luís returned to open the restaurant, she knew there was no way she’d be able to stifle the sounds she made with Zeno. Reluctantly, they had to stop.

Instead, she’d continued to go through Antonio’s books and paperwork. There was little to really go on, but the Potestatem company kept popping up. Whatever he had going on with them had been a steady thing for the last year. What exactly that was, she wasn’t totally sure, but it would make sense he’d be able to pick up Glycons during his cruises. She doubted that Antonio needed Glycons for simple smuggling or drug running. “You ready?” Zeno asked when she stepped out into the back of the restaurant. Luís had stayed late to let them out when Apollo and Val arrived in a car. Ava’s face heated when her eyes met

Zeno’s. She nodded. Zeno extended his hand to Luís. “We are in your debt.” The man waved his hand to dismiss the claim, but when he shook Zeno’s hand, the old man glanced over to her and leaned in. “He will come for her,” Luís said. “No matter the blood he must spill.” Zeno nodded, like he expected it all along. “And he will lose.” Luís gave a nod. “We protect those we love. No matter what.” Zeno stepped to the car. She watched, not quite sure if the old man had just helped get Zeno to declare his love or if he was just agreeing she needed to be protected.

Ava smiled when Luís held open his arms to give her a hug. She walked into his embrace. The smell of spice clung to him. “Will you be all right?” she whispered. Luís pulled back and laughed. He thumped himself on the chest. “I am stronger than I look.” Ava smiled at him. She believed that was likely true. He had no problems dealing with the men when they had come by. “‘Gold, when beaten, shines.’” It was something Piero often said. The old saying was at the very heart of the people there. Luís nodded and looked over to Zeno.

“I think your friend knows this as well,” he said to her in Spanish. Ava turned to look at Zeno, who only frowned. She knew he hated not knowing what was being said. “We should go,” he said gruffly. Ava turned back to Luís and gave one last hug. “Thank you.” *** The car was quiet as Apollo drove them to the small private airfield. Being out so late at night meant that not many people were there to see them as they made their escape. He pulled the car outside the hangar. A small four-seat plane rested inside, its

pilot doing his final checks. Not exactly the fanciest ride out of the country, but it would do. Ava climbed out and yawned. Maybe she’d be able to get some sleep finally. She looked back to the car and frowned. Apollo still sat in the driver’s seat, the car idling as he did. “Aren’t they coming with us?” she asked. Zeno climbed out of the other side and walked to where she stood. “No. Just you,” he said finally. Her heart leapt into her throat. “What?” He placed a hand on her arm, and she shook it off. “We still have work to do,” he said.

Ava scoffed at the words. Work? It wasn’t the first time she’d heard that excuse. She glared at him. “So you’re just going to dump me off?” Zeno shook his head, but she didn’t want to hear it. “Ava—” “No,” she said and angrily slung her backpack on to her back. “You know what, fine. I’m sure you’re glad you don’t have to babysit me now.” The words came out with a bitter taste. It didn’t matter. All she wanted now was to get on the damn plane and take a nap. She stomped off. As she walked away, a part of her

wanted him to call her back, to say what it was that he was feeling. The silence cut through her heart. His lack of words spoke to her more than anything. She tilted her chin up and marched toward the terminal and the plane that would finally take her home. Zeno watched her, not sure what he could say to make this right. Once again he opened his mouth to explain, but nothing came out. The words stuck in his throat. He let out a quiet grunt and climbed back into the car. There was nothing he could do now. Besides, this was for the best. Luís

had been right. Antonio would never stop. The best place for Ava was back in the United States and far away from the crazed criminal and his strange Glycons. For now, Zeno had a job to do, and that was going to have to come before his feelings. They could talk when he returned to the United States. Val turned and scowled at him. “You’re an idiot.” “Val,” Apollo said, his voice warning her of the lines she was crossing. “No, you’re right,” she said to her bonded and then turned back to Zeno. “You’re a fucking idiot.” He glared at her as they pulled away. “She had to go home,” he said and watched as Ava disappeared into the

plane. “We barely escaped from the estate, and she could have been shot by Antonio’s men after the hotel attack.” Val snorted. “And you didn’t to maybe say, ‘Hey, baby,’” Val lowered her voice in mock imitation of him, “‘you’re going to go home now so I know you’re safe because I worry. But we’ll be together soon, so we can fuck like bunnies.’” Apollo snorted at his woman, surprising Zeno. Val smirked. Zeno turned away from her. “We’ll work it out,” he said, now feeling even more unsure of just what his role was. “She’ll understand.” Val shrugged and plopped back into the seat in front of him.

“Whatever,” she said. “I’m sure the girls will help smooth it over. We all have some experience with idiotic men, especially of the hybrid variety.” Apollo turned and frowned at her. Val smiled and patted his knee. “Relax.” She smiled at him. “You’re far less idiotic now.” Zeno ignored them. He didn’t want to talk about Ava anymore. “You have the location?” he asked. Apollo nodded. “We’re in for a bit of a hike,” he said. “The pings are coming in strong from that mountain.” He pointed. Zeno followed his finger and groaned inwardly. “How far can we drive up?” he

asked. Val turned to look at him. “We scouted an entrance tunnel for service workers. We didn’t go far in, but our guess is that the tunnel runs a good couple miles into the mountain.” Relief filled him. A road was much better than having to actually climb a mountain. He could do it, but it wasn’t exactly exciting. And he wanted excitement to keep his mind off Ava. “We’ll ditch the car outside the opening and go on foot,” Apollo said. Zeno nodded. “And what are orders after that?” “Observe and report back,” Apollo said. “We are not to engage unless absolutely necessary. The longer we

observe, the more we’ll know about what we’re dealing with.” Zeno nodded. If there were Glycons, and their numbers were too great, they would be easily overwhelmed. This new breed was different. Strong. Stealthy. Dangerous. He leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes. Last night had left him drained, and he’d ever bit of energy to make it out alive.

Chapter Nineteen

Ava woke as the plane bounced on the runway. It hadn’t felt like she’d been out for more than half an hour. Still exhausted, she opened her eyes and looked out the window. She frowned. “Is something wrong?” she shouted up to the pilot. The man shook his head and waved back to her. She searched her brain for “mechanical difficulties” in Spanish, but the words eluded her in her post-sleep fog. The door next to her jostled open. Dread settled in the pit of her stomach.

Something wasn’t right. No. Something was very, very wrong. The door swung open, and an arm reached in to pull someone up, an arm with some very expensive looking clothing. Ava shivered as Antonio stepped into the tiny enclosed space. “So good to see you Ava,” he said in English. “I’ve missed you.” His dark eyes watched her with an ownership that scared her. “Let me go,” she said. Antonio laughed, but it didn’t reach his eyes. His expression darkened, promising her more pain the more she resisted. “I’m afraid I can’t do that,” he said

and stepped further into the plane. “You see, you have something I need, and I’ve spent a lot of time looking for it.” Ava grabbed her backpack and tossed it over to him. “It’s all there but the money,” she said. “All the papers and notes. I gave the money to Anita. She deserved it.” “Money? You think I care about the pitiful money you stole?” Antonio laughed and opened the bag. She nearly gagged when he pulled out the black lace nightie she’d bought. He held it up and raised a brow. She turned away from him. Maybe if she didn’t acknowledge him, he’d just take the bag and go away. Ava jumped when the bag plopped in

the seat next to her. “No,” Antonio said. He snickered. He leaned toward her and placed one hand on the chair next to her head. “I want something far more valuable than some papers.” She shook in the seat so badly the belt around her rattled nearly much as it had during landing. Ava swallowed and lifted her head. She refused to be anyone’s pawn anymore. “If you want it from me, you’ll have to take it,” she snarled, her voice far more confident than she was feeling. “Good,” Antonio said. His lips curled into an evil smile. “I like a challenge. And I think you should have

learned by now I always get what I want.” He pulled out a needle from behind him containing clear liquid. Ava leaned back from him as far as she could. “What’s that?” The more the smile on his face spread, the more anxious she grew. “Let’s find out and see.” She cried out as he clamped a steel hand on her knee and pierced her thigh. The clear liquid burned like fire in her veins. Her heart hammered in her ears. The world blurred and swirled around her, closing in until the tiny tunnel closed off everything and she was out. ***

Apollo, Val and Zeno had been walking in the tunnel for nearly an hour now with no end in sight. Zeno was starting to wonder if the damn thing ran the length of the mountain range. They’d been traveling along the path and following the stronger scents. Presumably whatever was going on would be where the people were. He frowned. A sound from around the corner reached his ears, but it was odd, like a low hum. “Is that a machine?” Val asked. He shook his head, not really sure what the hell it was, but the strong scent of humans reached his nose. People were close.

“Seems like we’re going to have company,” he said. Apollo nodded. They picked up the pace and paused when they reached a curve. They cautiously peered around the corner. To Zeno’s surprise, the path opened to a platform with stairs in the front of a huge cavern. In the center of the platform, he spotted a control room with levers and buttons. A man stood inside, watching what was going on outside. Two guards armed with rifles stood on either end of the control building. Their guns were pointed in the same direction the man was watching. Something was happening over the side. A fence separated the control room area

from the rest of the cavern. “We need to get in there,” Zeno said quietly. Apollo nodded to where some crates stacked by the railing. “Let’s get a look at what’s going on here,” he said. Zeno and Val nodded. It was strange. From what they’d encountered, the security was terrible. They were used to multiple layers of guards and electronics, but they’d been able to practically walk into the heart of the operation. No one had confronted them. They hadn’t encountered a single patrol, and they’d not even encountered a lot of strong scents, suggesting there weren’t a

lot of active patrols. Usually, guards were trying to keep people out. Here, it almost seemed like they were trying to keep someone in. The hybrids silently made their way to the crates and looked over the edge. The hairs on Zeno’s neck stood on end. “Glycons,” he said quietly. Hundreds of them, all working to mine the mountain. The creatures stood spread out in a huge cavern linked to dozens of tunnels. A quick look might have suggested dirty men in tattered clothes, but a closer look revealed huge men with thick muscles, sharp claws and shaved heads, most near the size of Zeno. Many had torn or

rotting flesh. The glow from hundreds of pairs of red eyes gave an eerie cast to the otherwise dim light of the fluorescent lamps spread out on cords throughout the cavern. Zeno watched as the Glycons carried the heavy loads from the shafts inside the mountain. It didn’t make sense. Why would they use Glycons for labor? “How the hell could we not smell hundreds of Glycons?” Apollo said quietly. “I don’t know. I couldn’t smell them at Antonio’s place either,” Zeno said. The other man nodded. “I thought maybe their scents had been masked just there, but why would you do that to

hundreds in a mine?” Val grimaced. “Maybe it’s permanent.” A Glycon grabbed a huge slab of solid rock from the pile he’d carried out of the shaft and tossed it onto the pile of rubble. One Glycon must have been worth about ten men, especially these new ones. From what he’d experienced at Antonio’s place, they were much stronger than the Glycons previously sent against Luna Lodge. Val tapped his arm, and he turned to look where she nodded. Several guards walked among the Glycons with guns at the ready just like the ones up top. One Glycon stumbled,

its mammoth load falling on his foot. He shoved off the rock then fell to the ground. He gripped his leg and let out a piercing scream. Several of the men shouted up toward the control room. The low hum that had just become background noise grew louder. The Glycon stopped his thrashing and rose, picking up his load. He stumbled along, though not making any noise. It was as if he couldn’t even feel the pain in his foot, which had to have been broken. Zeno swallowed the bile in this throat. “They’re controlling them somehow,” Apollo said. “Antonio said he could,” Zeno

muttered. “He must have been pretty confident. I mean those things killed a man pretty close to him.” Val pointed to several speakers spread throughout the cavern. “Some sort of special frequency,” she said. “Same as the weird people in town outside Luna Lodge. We’ve got to let Titus know. This could be the thing that gives us the edge. If we could get our hands on how they are doing it, we might be able to make it work in our favor.” Zeno nodded and turned to go back the way they had come but ducked back down as a car pulled in, blocking their only way out. Two men stepped out from the front seat, and one opened the door to the

back. A low growl rumbled in him as Antonio stepped out. He would like nothing better than to stain the man’s clean white shirt a bright red. The growl died in his throat as faint hint of vanilla sifted through the air. Zeno breathed in deeply. Something was off. The scent was close to what he knew, but still not quite right. Two slim legs slid out of the car. He’d know her from a mile away, especially the pale creamy skin he’d spent all night worshiping. “Fuck,” Apollo grunted. Zeno felt his friend’s firm arm across his chest, stopping him from doing the one thing that would get them all killed.

“What the fuck is she doing here?” Zeno snarled. He watched in horror as she slid out of the car wearing only the black lace nightie he’d seen her pick up just the other day. Her head hung as she trailed behind Antonio into the control room. “Something’s not right,” Val frowned. “I get nothing from her.” Zeno turned to Val. “What do you mean?” “Her emotions.” He nodded once. He’d thought it was just a rumor, but given how Val had acted on this mission, he was coming around to believing it. He almost wished he didn’t in this particular situation,

though, as it only made him worry more. “Nothing? So she’s not scared?” he asked. “No, it’s like she’d dead inside,” she said. “I can’t sense anything. She might as well be one of those rock slabs.” His heart threatened to leap out of his chest. “Maybe it’s the mind control,” she said. “Whatever it is, she’d not herself right now.” “All the more reason I need to get to her.” “We need to report to Titus,” Apollo said, his arm still firmly in place. Zeno wrenched himself away. “You call Titus,” he snarled. “I’m getting my fucking woman back.”

They stared at each other for several tense moments before Val cut in. “He’s right, Apollo,” she said. “We don’t have time to wait. We need to act fast. Who knows what he’s going to do to her in this state?” Zeno tensed. He’d fucking kill Antonio. He’s shred him to pieces with his bare fucking hands and make him pay for what he’d done to Ava, to Piero and to every innocent person he’d ever hurt. “We need to blow this place,” she said. “Whatever it is, it can’t be good, and even if Antonio isn’t with the Group, they’re helping him.” Zeno nodded. Blowing everything the fuck up seemed like the perfect plan to him. “Agreed.”

Apollo glanced between them and stopped at Zeno. “That isn’t the mission,” he said. “We’re just supposed to observe and report.” Zeno leaned in. “Well, the mission fucking changed. We both know when Titus sent us down here he wasn’t expecting hundreds of mind-controlled Glycons.” He gestured the way they came. “And what if Antonio loses control? What if those things start rampaging through town?” Apollo sighed and ran a hand over his head. “Okay,” he said. “So you want to blow the place? How exactly are we supposed to do that?”

Chapter Twenty

“I’m not armed,” Zeno shouted as he walked down the tunnel. The plan was risky, but he trusted in Val’s skills. He just needed to give her enough time to do her thing. Eyes blazing and arms raised, he made his way toward the men with guns, knowing Antonio would get a good view of him through the window of the room. “Don’t move!” One guard pointed his gun at Zeno while the others seemed uncertain if they should leave their posts to deal with him. It was a tough dilemma either way. It was either deal with him or deal with

the Glycons. The two men that accompanied Antonio there stepped out of the control room and made their way toward Zeno. One shouted in Spanish at the guard, and he went back to his post. Zeno snorted. In the end, they knew who the real threat was. The two guards tried to grab his arms, but he was too large for that, so they took turns shoving him forward until he was standing no less than twenty feet from the control room. “So you came to join us,” Antonio laughed from the stairs. “Please, come and see your friend Ava.” She stepped out of the room and stood next to him at the top of the stairs.

Antonio wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her hard against his side. “What did you do to her?” Zeno asked, his voice almost a growl. Antonio gave a little laugh. “I just gave her something so she would see how things are,” he said and grinned a little wider. “I think you see now as well.” He waved a hand. “You were a fool to dare oppose me. I have power, wealth and now I have her.” Zeno snorted loudly “I see a sad little man who can’t get women on his own, so he has to have a little help.” Antonio scowled at him and shouted something in Spanish. The man to the left of Zeno cracked him hard on the back of

the head. He stumbled forward but didn’t fall. He looked up at Antonio. The smug prick actually thought he had the upper hand in all this. “Ava is my pet now,” he said and grinned. “And it looks like you are as well. It’s my lucky day. I get one of you for free.” He wrinkled his nose. “Hybrids,” Antonio continued, “they had a few of your kind. Didn’t seem worth the high dollar they were asking for them.” His blood hammered in his ears, and he growled. Zeno had to focus so he didn’t rush forward and snap the man’s neck. Apollo had been right. The damn Horatius Group bastards were selling

them off like a commodity. “Oh, don’t like that?” Antonio laughed, and the sound of it burned Zeno. “Well, don’t worry too much. These ones were too far gone, anyway. They made the Glycons look tame.” Zeno had heard about hybrids that broke. They were unable to find the man inside, instead becoming nothing but the beast. He’d never believed it before. He always thought it was something the scientists told them to keep them going and focused. It had worked. The confirmation of the possibility made Zeno’s stomach lurch. “Why are you doing this?” Zeno asked, his voice was low, and he

struggled to keep himself in check. Antonio stepped down the stairs slowly. When he reached the bottom, he snapped his fingers and pointed next to him. Ava followed, her short black nightgown riding up. He could see a deep purple bruise on her thigh. An injection site maybe. Zeno looked up and found Antonio smile again at him. The smug bastard enjoyed all the suffering he caused. His slimy hand slipped under Ava’s chin, and he tilted it until she was looking at him. “Kiss me,” Antonio said. He pressed his mouth to her, making sure to press his tongue deep into her mouth.

“I swear I will fucking kill you, you son of a bitch,” Zeno growled. A gun from the guard on his right poked him in the side when he tried to take a step forward. Ava made a gagging sound, and Antonio pulled back to glare at her. Zeno saw it then: a flash of the real Ava as she glanced over to where he was. She was trying to fight it, just like the hurt Glycon. “You still don’t understand,” Antonio said. He stepped forward, a sly smile plastered on his face. “You stole from me, and because of that, I’m your worst nightmare. You’ll beg me for death before I’m done.” Zeno blinked several times before he

threw back his head and laughed. It was a deep booming laugh, the kind that came from low in the gut. “You’re laughing? What are you laughing at?” Antonio shouted. A guard punched Zeno hard in the ribs, and he leaned forward, still laughing through the pain. “Stop laughing!” Antonio shouted even louder. “You will stop laughing, or I will have you fucking killed right here!” Zeno looked up at him, the laugh now a chuckle. Antonio leveled a pistol at his head. “Dogs must respect their owners,” Antonio said and stepped forward. “And you don’t, so you’re just another stray. I

will end you. Stray animals need to be put down.” Zeno stared him dead on, forcing a grin on his face. “I may be a dog, but you’re a bug,” Zeno said. Antonio’s face twitched, some of the arrogance leaving his eyes. “A pathetic little bug that couldn’t measure up to my worst nightmare on their best day. You think you’ve seen suffering. You don’t know the first thing about it, you little maggot. You think you’re going to end me?” He let out a hollow laugh and stood tall. He glared down at Antonio. “No,” Zeno said, giving Antonio a cool smile. “Let’s see how big you are when the shit hits the fan.”

The man raised his gun, his hand shaking. “What’s that supposed to mean?” Antonio asked. Zeno turned to Ava. “Ava,” he said, trying to keep his voice calm but firm. She turned to stare at him. “What does he mean?” Antonio shouted to his men. “Baby, we gotta get out of here,” Zeno said, ignoring everything else around him. She shook a little, and he knew he had to be getting through to her. “What the fuck do you mean?” Antonio screamed. The panic had set in. Zeno knew they didn’t have much time.

“Ava,” Zeno said again. “I need you to come here. I can’t do this without you. I need you, baby. Please.” One foot slid out as she fought whatever had a hold on her. “You stay right there,” Antonio shouted. “You hear me, you cunt. I will fucking kill him, and I’ll make you suffer for defying me. You’re mine, and you will never leave me again.” “Ava,” Zeno nearly shouted this time. “Trust me.” “Zeno,” she said. His name came out just above a whisper, but he had gotten through. She pushed forward, Antonio shouting at her in Spanish. Her whole body shook when Zeno’s arms wrapped

around her, but she was safe. He lifted her up in his arms and stared down at her. “I got you,” he whispered and watched as she went limp in his arms. Someone shouted in Spanish nearby. “Shoot them!” Antonio screamed. “Shoot them both. Fucking kill them!” The guns didn’t go off though, and the men standing behind him backed away. A second later, the sound of them running in the opposite direction reached his ears. “What the fuck are you doing?” Antonio said. “I fucking told you to shoot them!” Zeno snorted. “Do you hear that?” Zeno asked as he

stared at the pathetic man. Antonio frowned. “Hear what?” Zeno gave another hollow laugh. “Exactly.” He watched as the truth dawned on Antonio. The incessant hum the hybrids had heard when entering the area had ceased. Antonio paled, apparently working through the implications. “Turn it back on,” he screamed. Men screamed in the cavern and in the tunnels. “They’ll be up here soon,” Zeno said. Antonio whirled on him, waving the gun wildly in front of him. “Turn it on,” he said, sweat beading his forehead. He lowered the gun. “Maybe we can make a deal. You want

money? I can give you money. You can have the stupid bitch. I’m tired of her anyway.” Zeno would have laughed. but it was too pathetic. He watched as several Glycons crested the fence, snarling and screeching. “They will kill you two! Both of you!” Antonio shouted. Zeno barked out a laugh. “I don’t think so.” Antonio frowned. “You can’t be sure of that.” He leaned forward. “Oh, but I can,” he said and then stepped away. “You see, me and your Glycons aren’t all that different.” He paused as the Glycons

surrounded Antonio. “We both want revenge.” He turned as Antonio screamed. The Glycons were going to make short work of Antonio, and he needed to get out of there before they decided they were enemies again. Zeno burst into a sprint, Ava held tightly against him. It was the fastest he’d even moved his large frame. The din of screams sounded from behind him. He only hoped he would make it out in time. He breathed in deeply and could smell the fresh breeze. A few moments later, he was outside, the sun just cresting the horizon. Zeno slid Ava in the back of the car.

He ran to the trunk and pulled out a little tool he’d packed for emergencies: a rocket launcher. “Careful where you point that,” Val said from the passenger seat when he walked around to the front of car. “You drive,” he said. “They are close behind, and we need to make sure we’re clear of this place before I can fire.” Apollo nodded. Zeno walked to the back of the trunk and knelt inside. He grabbed onto the sides and banged on the side of the car. Apollo pulled out hard, and he lurched from his position. It wasn’t the best spot, but he had to able to see the enemy and make sure no Glycon escaped to cause problems for the people living

here. He banged on the side of the car, and Apollo stopped. Zeno hopped out and leveled his weapon. He only had one chance to get this right, if he’d judged the cleared rock piles near the entrance to the mountain correctly. Rushing shapes appeared at the tunnel opening. The poor bastards were likely seeing the sun for the first time in a long time. He hopped out of the car and stepped to the side, sending the rocket zooming toward the mountain. The projectile exploded in a plume of red and orange, smoke billowing out. Rock rained in the area, and a rumble filled the area. As the blasted rock from the shot fell to the ground, a secondary

rock slide began, with tons of stone and earth falling down the side of the mountain. A loud rumble filled the air as debris and rock poured down on the emerging Glycons. Finally, the noise and movement subsided, leaving only a pile of dirt and rock blocking the tunnel. “We gotta go,” Apollo shouted outside the window. Zeno jumped into the car and laid Ava in his lap. Safe. They were finally safe.

Chapter Twenty-one

“For the last time, I’m fine!” Ava shouted. Ava huffed loudly as Paige hovered over her. It’d been two days since she’d been back, and she had about all she could take. One more well-meaning poke and she was going to smother her sister with a pillow. “Well, fine, but there’s no shame if you think you need an enema,” Paige said. Ava groaned and placed the pillow over her head but pulled it off when the door to the room opened and closed. “She looks fine, Paige,” Dr. Miller

said with just a hint of annoyance. Ava had a feeling Paige had made more than a few unreasonable demands when it came to her. “I know, Rachel,” Paige said, “but we still don’t know what they gave her.” The doctor shrugged. “The latest labs are normal. Whatever was there has been metabolized out.” She walked over and shined a light in Ava’s eyes. “Headaches come back since that first night?” Ava shook her head. It was amazing she felt as good as she did considering the pain she’d felt when she’d woken up. During the three flights and two car rides to Luna Lodge, she had always awoken in agony, and no

amount of meds made the pain go away. She was just glad Zeno had been there with her, holding her through it all. As if she’d conjured him just by thinking, Zeno stepped through the doorway. He held a small bouquet of assorted flowers in his large hands. She grinned at him. He winked to her and took a few steps toward her. “She clear, Doc?” he said. Rachel turned from her examination. “I think you’d better take her before we have a murder on our hands.” Paige huffed loudly and pointed a stern finger at Zeno. “Listen here, I don’t know what went on between you two, but this is my sister, and I think I know what’s best for

her.” Ava groaned and laid her head back on the bed. Paige was always a force to be reckoned with. “And just a little reminder, I’m the one who does the shots around here.” Ava snorted at the threat, as if the large man were afraid of getting a few shots. Zeno threw his hands in the air. “I’m just the bag boy in all this.” He walked until he was beside Ava. “How you feeling?” She smiled up at him. It was so different seeing him in his environment where they weren’t plagued by constant threats. “Ready to go home,” she said. His eyes glowed slightly as the

words slipped out of her mouth. Neither of them had talked about where she’d be staying, but they both new where she should be. Zeno turned to the doctor. “So she’s cleared for all… activities?” Paige groaned. “That’s it. I’m out.” She stomped out of the room, but the doctor only laughed. “As long as she feels up to it,” Rachel said. She looked over to Ava and winked. “We’ll just step out while you get changed.” Zeno followed Rachel into the hall, glad Ava was finally able to leave. “Is she really okay?” he asked,

worried that maybe they might be rushing things. Rachel nodded. “She’s fine as far as well can tell. We really won’t know the full effects of what she was given until we have a sample in hand, but it doesn’t seem like that will happen anytime soon.” Zeno nodded. They had managed to catch one of Antonio’s men but getting him to talk about where they had gotten both the Glycons and the drug were proving more difficult than they expected. Whoever did this had scared the hell out of those men. The Potestatem Corp was resourceful, it seemed. No one was surprised that every member of Antonio’s organization wound up eating

a gun or disappearing completely. They still weren’t sure if the company was a front for the Horatius Group or something else entirely. In either event, they had access to hybrids and Glycons, which meant pursuing them would lead them to the Group. “We’ll let you know as soon as we have leads,” he said. Titus had included him on the team with this, and it was one series of meetings he wasn’t going to complain about. Just knowing they had hybrids was enough, but this business with the Glycons was just as serious. Though Val had managed to disrupt the speakers in the mine, they still didn’t have a clear understanding of the control

technology, and it wasn’t as if they could block every speaker or transmitter in the country, or even the nearby town. One wrong move and the crazed killers would sweep through the country. And in the wrong hands, there was no telling what chaos they might create. At least with the Horatius Group, they knew the secret was always more important than the mission. This new angle was a dangerous wild card. “I’m ready,” Ava said quietly. Paige had picked out some clothes for her, and she looked amazing in the long black and white striped sundress. Zeno nodded to the doctor and took the bag from Ava. “Let’s go home,” he said.

It warmed him to say it and know they had a home together. Ava followed behind him as they made their way to his Jeep. He helped her climb in and watched excitedly as he started the car. It was strange to see the hybrids walking around, their pretty amber eyes flashing back at her as they made their way home. They turned away from the other homes and headed up a hill. The area looked like it had only recently been cleared to build new homes, and she wondered just how many hybrids there were living there. She still had so many questions.

The car came to a stop, and she stared at the new house. The landscape around it looked as if it had just been planted. Zeno jumped from the Jeep and raced around to help her out. She smiled brightly as he did. Hand in hand they made their way inside. “Hannah did most of the decorating,” he mumbled and slid past Ava as she looked around the living room. “She said we should go with neutral colors until she got a chance to talk with you.” She walked around the room and smiled. A soft gray couch sat in the middle of the room with a cozy fireplace in the corner. The more she saw, the

more she liked what Hannah had done. She didn’t know the woman well, other than that she was the Vestal of the security-minded hybrid Lucius and the Luna Lodge events coordinator, but she had definite taste. She knew he was waiting for her to say something, but she continued to explore her new house. Ava reached a door and turned the knob. A beautiful hand-carved bed confronted her. The rich tones were softened by the lighter, more feminine lilacs and yellows. “Hannah hated the bed, but I’m a big guy,” he said, almost as if he were apologizing for being so large. She turned and walked over to him.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down for a deep kiss. Her tongue slipped into his mouth, and she tasted the mint toothpaste he’d used earlier. When she pulled away, her lips burned from the harsh stubble on his face. “I love it,” she whispered. Ava watched as his face lit up. She could see he had been worried she might not. “It wasn’t me,” he said and ran a hand along his short blond hair. “It was all Hannah.” She grinned up at him. “Well, not all Hannah. I think I particularly like the bed.”

His eyes flashed as she spoke. The room grew thick with lust. Zeno backed her up until her legs hit the edge of the bed. “I don’t think I can go slow,” he said. “You were so close…” His words trailed off as he continued to stare at her. She leaned back and lifted the dress over her head. “So don’t go slow,” she whispered. Zeno groaned and yanked his shirt hard over his head. Ava leaned forward to lick and kiss the muscles she had missed for the past few days. He groaned as she grazed over his nipple with the tip of her tongue.

She felt his hands fumble between them before the sound of his pants hitting the floor brought her back. Ava looked down and was surprised to find him totally naked. “Commando?” “Easy access,” he said with a grin. Ava shrieked with laughter as he tossed her back on the bed. She bounced and scooted away. He deep amber eyes glowed softly as he made his way to the bed. “Where are you going?” he asked and caught her foot with his hand. Despite their play, he was still very gentle with her. He slowly dragged her down the bed and rolled her over. Zeno slid his hand under her and

propped her ass in the air. She turned to ask what he was doing when his hot mouth covered her. He sucked and prodded through the black lace of her panties. Ava moaned at the feel of his mouth on her and the rough rub of the lace on her clit as he ran his tongue along her slit. She gasped when he moved her panties aside and slid his tongue deep inside her, fucking her with his tongue. It wasn’t enough. She leaned back into each thrust and grunted when he still wasn’t giving her what she needed. “Fuck me,” she nearly shouted. Zeno growled against her clit. The low rumble sent wave of heat through

her. A small wave of pleasure passed through her. Her body moved forward when he lifted her arms to place them on the headboard. Ava glanced over her shoulder as he moved in behind her. In one swift move, he ripped her panties off. “Hey!” she shouted. Before she could get anything else out, Zeno was inside her, pressing deep against her cervix. She moaned loudly and gripped the board to keep her sitting up as he fucked her. He pulled out and slammed back in. The harsh slap of skin only made her

more excited each time. Her juices dripped down the inside of her thigh. Zeno moved fast in her now, his pace increasing with each thrust until all that could be heard was the slap of their sweaty skin and their ragged breaths. His hand reached around to the front of her chest. Zeno gripped her breasts hard, pinching her nipples hard between her fingers. Her insides fluttered as he continued to push into the very center of her. “Yes,” she moaned. Zeno growled loudly as she spoke, his hips now slapping her at a pace she’d ever felt before. She reached down between their legs to feel them joined together.

A roar ripped through him as he slammed into her one last him. His cock pulsed deep inside, sending her over the edge. She sucked in deep breaths as her heart went back to the where it should be. Ava rested her head against her hand and enjoyed as his fingers slid up and down her back. Zeno shifted, his still hard cock pressed deep inside. “More,” he growled. She looked over her shoulders at the hungry look he gave her. Ava pressed back against him, shoving her ass against his hard chest. “More,” she whispered.

*** Zeno lay under the twisted sheets. Both of them were still naked. He breathed in a contented sigh. “Stay with me,” he said quietly. The words were far less difficult to say than he’d ever dreamed they would be after all they had been through. Ava sat up and stared at him. For a moment, he thought maybe he’d misread everything up to that point. “I need you,” she said quietly. “Those were the words that pulled me back. The words that were able to reach through my drug haze and see you.” He nodded. They hadn’t said much

about that time. It remained too raw for either of them to speak about. “When I was finally able to break free of his hold, the only thing I could think was how much I loved you,” she said. “Is that what it means to be a Vestal? To be bonded?” “I was meant for you, and you were meant for me. You complete me.” Her sweet honest eyes stared at him though the tears she struggled to hold back. Zeno pulled her in to his arms and held her close. Love. The one thing to hold on to. Even in the darkest of times. The one thing that had always been missing in his life.

He hadn’t saved her. Ava had saved him from falling into a darkness with no way out. She pulled back to look down at him, and she smiled at her. “It’s because I pretty much moved a mountain to save you right?” Ava snorted at him and swatted his arm. “You’re never going to let that go are you?” Zeno grinned and rolled her over onto her back. He easily slipped between her legs and pushed inside her deep. “Never,” he whispered and stared deep into her eyes. “I would move every mountain to save the woman I loved.” He leaned down and kissed her with

all the feelings he had ever bottled up. When he pulled away, her lips were red, and she was panting. Ava lifted her lower half, pushing him in deeper. “Show me,” she whispered. Zeno smiled down at her. “Always.”

A Note from Madison Thank you for reading Zeno. If you enjoyed this book, please consider reviewing it. We authors live and die by reviews. Please keep an eye out for the next book in the series, Varius. You can join my mailing list at http://eepurl.com/OX9r5

Author Bio Madison currently lives with her husband and two children in the Valley of the Sun in Arizona. After leaving the frozen tundra of the north, she was more surprised than anyone with how much she has enjoyed living in the desert. Seeing as she stated on more than one occasion before moving to Arizona how much she hated heat, it was an odd move, but it seems her hatred for subzero temperatures and ice has won out in the end. When she’s not writing, she’s enjoying time with her family. Madison and her family frequent festivals in the area, as

well as local cultural events, and spend time with family in the area. In the summer, she is most likely to be found in the pool with the family and in the winter by the fireplace. Since both her children are autistic, days can be a little chaotic, but with her husband beside her, there’s nothing she can’t handle. Her webpage is http://madisonstevensauthor.com/ She can be contacted at [email protected]

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