Chapter Thirteen

Jasper finished checking the seven female captives in the makeshift barn, somewhat surprised to find a fully stocked coffee bar in the back. At the moment, the women were seated and comfortable in leather sofas or chairs, each sipping a warm beverage.

"So, it's up to you what to do," he said, keeping an eye on Leah, who was still out but resting on a small loveseat closer to the door. "As soon as we're out of here, you can call for help using the phone. What all did they tell you?"

The youngest woman, who seemed to be around eighteen with long, curly black hair and beautiful dark-brown skin, shook her head. "They didn't tell us anything. They just kidnapped us and said we were going to meet our mates." She shuddered but still looked ready to fight. "What the heck does that mean?"

Dax shrugged. "They were in a dangerous cult, and that's all I can tell you." He wiped blood off his forehead, having already healed his jaw, though it had taken longer than Jasper expected. He needed to speak with his brother about his age and soon.

"Who are you guys?" a petite blonde asked, both hands wrapped around a mug of hot chocolate.

If the women didn't know about the Kurjans, there was no need to tell them about immortals. "We're the guys who chase the cult," Jasper said. "We like to keep under the radar, but it's up to you what you want to tell the authorities."

"We don't really know anything about you other than you can shoot and seem abnormally strong," a third woman said, her accent thick and Scottish.

"Yeah, we are." Jasper relaxed now that they were safe. All the Kurjan sensors in Paris should be defunct by the end of the week, yet these women were already on the Kurjans' radar. "It's up to you how you live your lives, but if there is a way for you to move and start over somewhere else, I would take it," he said.

"So the cult's coming after us again?" the blonde asked, her eyes widening.

Dax lifted one broad shoulder. "We don't know. We're taking them out as fast as we can, and a good part of their organization has consolidated into something else, where they're not looking for women like you."

A redhead piped up from across the room. "Like us? What does that mean?"

Dax looked at Jasper, and Jasper shook his head, not seeing the need to let them know they were enhanced females. Either they already knew they were empathic or psychic or had abilities…or they didn't.

"I don't know how you were chosen," he lied. "But just keep in mind that you're on their radar if they still have one. Although they won't have radar at all soon, so to speak." He glanced at his watch. "We have to get going. If you could give us about fifteen minutes before you call for help, that'd be great."

"What about the men you killed on the plane?" the youngest woman asked, her eyes wide.

Dax stuck a hand into his pocket, trying not to look dangerous in a move that nearly had Jasper rolling his eyes. "The plane's about to blow up," Dax said shortly.

Jasper nodded. "Yes. No one's alive, so we'll take care of that." That wasn't exactly true. But the Kurjans would die in the explosion.

Leah finally started to stir on the loveseat.

Jasper walked over and easily picked her up, holding her right where she belonged. His heart warmed, and the beast at his core rumbled a purr. "Just give us a few minutes," he said.

"Hey, what's going on?" she asked, snuggling into his neck.

"I think you have a concussion." He held her tight. "Hold on. It's still raining outside."

He ducked into the blistery storm and jogged to gently place her in the back seat of the car. Then he and Dax made quick work of the plane, splashing accelerant all over the interior and much of the exterior before tossing in a lit match. Jasper then forced himself into the vehicle's back seat, where he could lift Leah and cuddle her on his lap.

Dax grunted when he folded himself into the front seat and shut the door. "This thing's too fucking small."

"I know," Jasper said, holding his mate and relaxing with her familiar scent.

Dax quickly drove away from the scene and then paused as an explosion rent the day. They all turned to look through the back window to see the plane engulfed in flames and burning high. Another explosion echoed from the fuselage.

"I would've liked to have kept that plane," Dax muttered.

Jasper shook his head. "Too risky. We don't know what kind of trackers they have on it."

"There aren't any trackers anymore," Dax said with a grin.

"There's also no Wallace anymore," Leah said sleepily. "He's gone."

Dax started driving again.

Jasper leaned down and kissed the top of Leah's head. "You get to cross off another name, baby."

She snuggled closer. "It was the last one. I am so ready for a vacation."

That was a good thing. "How's your head?"

"Still swirling around," she murmured.

He gingerly felt along her arm. "Did you break your arm?"

"I think I dislocated a shoulder," she said, her lips pinched.

"Ah." He let his fangs drop and sliced into his wrist. "Here, take some blood."

"Ew, no," she said, angling away.

He held the back of her head and shoved his wrist against her mouth. "Take the blood."

Glaring at him, she gingerly swallowed. Her eyes lit up. She took more of the sustenance, pulling deeply.

He gently removed his wrist. "Not too much. My blood could be overwhelming."

"Whoa," she said, her eyes rolling back in her head.

Healing cells instantly lightened the air around her, and her shoulder slid smoothly back in place. The bruises on her head and neck disappeared. She opened her eyes, and they were a startling light brown. "That's incredible. That's what you feel like when you heal your body?"

"Yeah," he said. "The more we're together, the more you can take my blood. Actually, you should be able to heal yourself on your own someday."

She looked around the car. "Where are we going?"

"We have a helicopter," Dax answered, his voice low.

Jasper turned his attention to his younger brother. "Are you all right? Do you need blood?"

"No. I don't need blood." Dax cut him a harsh look.

Jasper shook his head. "Listen, you're only a year younger than I am." Which meant he was three hundred and ninety-eight years old. Once a Maxwell male hit around four centuries, they started to die if they didn't find their mate. It was known as their curse. "You have to find her, man."

Dax sighed. "I don't know where she is. I may be one of the unlucky ones, Jasper."

Jasper would not accept that. He'd find a mate for his brother if it was the last thing he did. He looked down at his own, who watched him with wide eyes. "What?"

"Your blood, it's amazing. Everything feels good. I mean, nothing hurts."

"I'm glad." He kissed her on the nose. "I should probably tell you that I'm very happy you're coming home to Montana with me."

She rolled her eyes. "Were you giving me a choice?"

"No," he said honestly. "But still, it's nice that you want a vacation from hunting and violence."

"I really do." She caressed his chest through the cotton of his shirt.

Her touch warmed him throughout. "I should probably also tell you that I love you. Because I do, and I have for a long time."

He ignored the gagging noises his brother made from the front seat.

She smiled, glanced at Dax, and then chuckled, her eyes glowing.

* * * *

Leah looked up at Jasper, marveling at how quickly he had launched into battle and jumped in front of a plane to save her. She'd wanted to hear the words for so long, even though she wasn't ready. Now, he'd said them, and she had them.

She'd fallen in love with him on the side of a burned-out bridge in the freezing cold years ago during another war. She'd known it then, but she hadn't been ready. Not completely. She always had a mission to complete, but maybe now he would become her mission. She knew the toll it had taken for him to let her use herself as bait, but they'd succeeded in the end. Wallace would never kidnap another woman. Of course, that no doubt meant the war with his family had intensified. Montana might be a good place to regroup and plan.

She ran her palm along the whiskers of Jasper's jaw—so sharp and strong—and stared into his bluish-green eyes. How anybody could mistake him for human was beyond her. Yeah, she was tired of running from him. From herself and her feelings. It was time to take a chance. With him.

"I love you, too. Always have." She felt like she sat right where she belonged. "I'm looking forward to our next adventures."

He kissed her then, going deep, finally leaning back and smoothing the hair away from her face. "As am I."

She giggled, knowing he liked the sound. His gaze warmed. She'd never been much of a giggler, thinking it silly. But if allowing herself to be silly brought that ease to him, she'd have to do it once in a while. He'd never know how much it meant that he'd included her on this mission. Allowing her to be in danger went against everything he was, but she needed to be there. Not only for herself but also for the women. She loved that he saw her true being and accepted her.

"You're thinking awfully hard."

"I usually do," she admitted. Danger never concerned her too much, but she'd have to be more careful from now on. The idea of losing him hurt something deep inside her, and he apparently felt the same. Plus, now that they'd fully mated, if something happened to her, the Maxwell Curse would kill him. His well-being depended on hers. "Being mated to you comes with serious responsibility."

"Yes, it does." He kissed her forehead. "But even if it didn't, my primary goal would always be to keep you safe. You have to know that."

She did. "Are you going to teach me how to heal myself?" Those healing cells were too amazing not to explore.

"Of course. Although it might take a few centuries for you to get the hang of it."

How odd to think she'd live for centuries. Where would the world be then? Would they get a chance to travel to other planets? Would the internet go down? Would AI try to take over the world? "I'm happy we'll have centuries together, Jasper Maxwell."

"Me, too. I find that I'd prefer you to have the Maxwell name. Call me old fashioned, but I have lived four hundred years." His eyes softened to a mellow aqua. "I'm thinking we should get married."

She smiled. "We're already mated. Does marriage matter?"

He kissed her again. "With you, everything matters. Will you marry me?"

How kind that he'd actually asked. She filled with warmth and a happiness she never thought she'd find. "Yes."