Chapter 27

Strauss

T he raging flames have quelled to glowing embers by the next day, so my hand flickers on the switch to topple another government building.

"Sir?"

Ignoring Sev as he huffs his way down the hall, I go ahead and enter the code to bomb the treasury. They can't operate if their money burns. "What is it?"

"Sir! She's returned! Help me!"

My heart leaps into action as I jump up from the desk chair and sprint down the stone halls. Sev carries my angel in his arms. She's alive, but wan. A small bundle of rubble collapsed within his hold. I take her from him and slump to the floor, cradling and rocking her crumpled figure. Her fingers clutch a gun, but otherwise, I don't see blood.

"My love, please. Are you okay?"

She nods and whispers, "Water."

Snapping my fingers, I don't even have to give an instruction before Sev darts toward the back kitchens. Not wanting to wait, I gather her up again and hurry to the cell that once held her. My fingers grip her waist as she shakily stands while shoving her open mouth underneath the faucet. She relinquishes her weapon, and I place it on the shelf.

Falcon slips into the room, a silent hawk hovering in the shadows. "They brought her from a neighborhood in the northwest sector in an armored vehicle. Dropped her at the base of the driveway and I brought her up here. She held that gun to her head the whole time and wouldn't let it go. Sev grabbed her and ran the rest of the way. She likely has a tracker, don't you think?"

Lifting her again, I lay her out on the cot, and Sev returns with a gallon of water and a tray balanced on an open palm. With his eyes wide, he beholds her tiny figure. "I brought food, too."

She sits up on an elbow and waves at him to bring them over. I pull out my pocket flashlight and begin scanning her skin carefully for any signs of damage. Snatching a sandwich, she bites off the corner and glares at me. "Don't worry. Your product is undamaged."

I grit my teeth, whipping my head to my staff. "Out. Now." They leave, and I grasp my angel's face with both palms. "What is that about? Huh? You just walked off and left me alone."

Squirming back, she finishes her bite and pouts. "You wanted revenge with my womb. I understand what I am to you."

"You understand nothing." Standing, I face the opposite wall and give her my back because I don't want her to see my face. A tear of relief forms in my eye at her safe return. I almost lost everything that matters. "I burned down this city for you. No one means anything to me, except my angel." Facing her with a fury lit in my loins, I rage that she could think so little of my confessions. "I love you, Astrid. If we lose the baby, we'll make another. All I care about is that you're here with me now. You're safe."

Instead of responding to me, she rips off another bite and chews while eyeing my bull stance.

My throat tightens at her look of despondency. "I never even asked that you love me back. I don't deserve it. I know that." Opening my mouth, I let my thumb and forefinger rub the corners of my lips as I try to prevent tears from falling. But it's useless. Hurriedly, I use a knuckle to wipe them away. "But I do, Astrid. And I've never loved anything before. Not…not like this, in this way, where I could purge my soul out of my body just to see you live. Mine can be damned if you get to Heaven. You're an angel."

"Your angel of revenge, you mean."

I'm shaking my head before she finishes. Rushing to the cot, I kneel at her side. "My angel of redemption." I clear my throat and take a momentary pause to swallow in some air. Tightness envelops my chest. She may never care for me. But it doesn't matter. As long as she's safe and happy and free. "You were right. I was focused on the wrong outcome. Now, I want a child with you to show the world how much you mean to me. And because you'll do better than my parents did."

A single line forms across her forehead, only visible by a dark shadow crossing her cheeks in the flickering sconce light. "Are you going to keep me in this cell?" She spits out the words like she's angry with me. I suppose it would be my final punishment. To love someone who can never love me back.

"Not unless you want to." I lean forward to touch her collar and she flinches away. Pulling the key out of my pants pocket, I hold it up to show her. She eases in her posture, and I unlock it from her neck, letting it slip onto the floor.

"Why did you do that?"

"Because I want to give you a choice." Crossing my arms, I wait as she stares at the leather lying lonely on the stones. "What did they do to you? What demands did they make?"

She brushes some crumbs off her pajama tank, then wraps the cot's blanket over her shoulders. Chewing another sandwich, she swigs the water bottle and takes her time before answering.

"They kept me in a dark room. Then they buried me alive. Then they asked for the baby."

My breath catches. Despite the knowledge we could make another one, I freeze with fear. I don't want to lose our son. But also, my love's odd demeanor, her vitriol and simmering rage make me wonder…

What exactly did she have to give up in order to come back?

Her cool skin erupts in goosebumps when my thumb grazes it in a soothing circle. The air is damp when I heave a deep breath into my lungs to try to soothe the pain of truth.

She gave them me .

"Why did they let you return?"

Fluttering lashes are her only response as she finishes her tray. Sliding forward, she attempts to stand, but I need to help steady her. "I'm feeling better, but I want a bath."

"Sure, angel."

"I'll do so alone."

Her rejection is like daggers under my nails. "I'll wait for you just outside."

Standing by her elbow, I help her up the stairs all the way to our tower bedroom. She places a palm against my black T-shirt and shuffles me back, then closes the door in my face.

One of the door slaves stands silently in the galley with wide eyes at our exchange. "You and your kind are free to go. Just…just leave."

Hurrying down the steps, I pass Sev. "I'm flipping on the power. Do the men have the perimeter guarded?"

"Yes, and sandbagged in case the flames reach higher ground. Will you be turning the power grid back on for the electric fence?"

He matches my strides as I hustle to the dungeon control room. "Right now, I'm setting the rest of the women free. We'll have a lot less in the household. The chefs and housekeepers can stay. And as soon as I know my wife is fine, I'm sending Falcon out."

Sev pants as he tries to keep up. "Sir?"

"For good."

Placing a hand on the doorframe as we enter the office, he casts a question with his shivering lips. "And us? Your guards, sir?"

"I need you to stay only until the day after the Winter Solstice. Thank you for all your loyalty."

"Master Strauss, I'm a little confused. I've been your protector for these last eighteen years. This assignment is for life . I watched you grow up. And you're… done with me?"

Turning on the small generator, I launch the system I need and enter the codes to turn the power grid back on. I'll even go so far as to do my good deed and direct the closest fire truck to the worst of the damage.

Straightening, I face my man, who seems to be vacillating, waiting for a fight. "Thank you."

He gasps. "That's it ?"

"Would you like a medal? Because I can dig up one of the Strauss's old ones, I'm sure. If you'd like to take any precious heirlooms and a ton of cash on your way, feel free."

His brow lowers as I place my hands on my hips. "You're serious."

"Deadly."

Some tension leaves his shoulders as they slump. "Like anything?"

"If you can pack it up and get it out of here, go for it. I don't need it."

Tears form on his lower lids as I approach to try to slide by. "I don't know what to do anymore."

"Well…I'd say you're about half done with your life. Time to start living it."

Hurriedly, he wipes at his eyes, and I worry he's going to hug me or something. "Vincente. Thank you."

Awkwardly, I pat his back twice, but mainly use it as a vault to push him forward so I can slip out and leave. As I ascend the curved staircase leading to the conservatory, some electric lights flicker back on. In the kitchens, I instruct the cooks to prepare a large dinner for the lady, then hurry toward the main staircase, but stop.

She stands in some tight yoga pants and one of my T-shirts with damp hair, her arms folded behind her back. No, they'll need me for the ritual…

And they are testing my loyalty to her now.

"You look lovely. How are you feeling?"

"I need a meeting with the families. Can you do that?"

I swallow past the lump in my throat at the coldness remaining in the corners of her eyes. "I can, but may I also take care of you first?"

"It can't wait."

Hurrying to her, she flinches, but I snag her into my arms. "What did they do to you? Huh? Tell you to kill me? Trade me? What is it? Baby… Are you hurt? "

She peeks up at me and her cheeks flush. Tucking her bottom lip under her teeth, she shakes her head rapidly.

"Then what is it? Please talk to me. I can't bear the distance. I already lost you once. I can't do it again."

Her tiny hands grip my biceps as she steadies herself against my body. Chest rising and falling rapidly, she whispers, "Vincente?"

"Yes, angel?"

"Make love to me."

Without hesitation, I dip my lips to encapsulate hers, and she releases a sob in my open mouth. Picking her up, I toss her legs over my forearms, and she buries her head against my neck. The heat from her breath moistens my skin as I carry her upstairs.

My foot aches slightly when I kick the door closed behind us. A resounding bang as it hits the jam jars the portraits on the wall. The bed is still unmade from the last time we slept in it, and I lay her on the rumpled sheets carefully, her angelic scent making me feel intoxicated on youth and vitality.

She sits, however, with her fingers locked behind my neck as she pulls me down with her.

"Wait, I need to get rid of my shoes."

Protesting my departure, she whimpers, and I smirk at her urgency. My body hums with the need to feel close to her again and undress as quickly as I can. Once my elbows hit the mattress on either side of her torso, I help her peel off clothing, our lips greeting each other between slips of cotton.

I lick her neck, savoring the clean flavor of her skin. Wrapping an arm behind her back, I lift her more to the center of the bed while I follow. As if not wanting to waste any time, she digs her heels into the backs of my thighs and pulls my hips close to hers. A tiny grunt forces its way past her chest.

With a stern look, I don't allow her to take control. She settles while I dip my head toward the rose bud nipple peeking from the chill of the room. My teeth nibble for a moment while I press my thumb into the soaked pearl of her pussy. When I suck, she lets her head hang back as her palms thread through the sides of my hair to pull me closer.

She drops her arms and wiggles one between us until a finger brushes the head of my cock, which sends a surge of lightning along my spine. "Angel…"

"Please," she begs with a pout to her pink lips, and I graze the bottom one with my own while memorizing her candy flavor.

I stroke myself through her wet lips, edging my hot crown at her entrance while she tenses. "Make love to you, you said. Right?"

When she trails her nails down my chest, I shiver. "Yes."

Thrusting inside, we both sigh with relief. Our burning urges finally quelled with the mist of our union. She heaves her juniper-scented air against my skin, tickling my nose. As if sensing my discomfort, her lips kiss the tip as a small smile lightens her face.

Arduously drawing back, I slide inside her again, settling into a comfortable position while her legs hitch around my waist. My cock slips out through her cushiony interior before plunging in deeper. "Is this what my little girl needed?"

"Yes, daddy."

My eyes squeeze shut at the sound… I'm a daddy. And the realization hits me as she clenches around my length. This isn't about her and I. It's much bigger than that.

Dropping my face next to her cheek, I work my hips faster as her feet lock higher behind my back. The tips of her ears flame red. I grunt at the sensation of pleasure shooting through my body when she moans close to mine. It's not even formed, the words that heave in halted huffs from my lungs. "I love you."

"Vincente."

Raising up on my hands to gaze into her beautiful face, I arch an eyebrow. "Yes, my love?"

She laces her arms around my chest, blinking a few times before she says, "I choose you."

Shaking my head, I don't understand her meaning, but she closes her eyes. Glistening drops fall from the corners, and I lean in to capture one on my tongue. It's salty…and sweet. Like my angel.

"I love you, Vincente."

I freeze. Part of me wonders if I imagined it. If it's a trick or ploy. If she's going to stab me in the back or someone will burst in to murder us both.

"Did you hear me? I love you." Her melodic voice breaks through my daze.

"Why?"

"Because I choose to."

I've done absolutely nothing to deserve it. And probably everything to not. But this divine creature decided I was worth it, instead of leaving me to my own rot.

My thumbs brush her hair back, and a wet drop falls from my face onto hers. "I love you, Astrid. Say it again."

"I love you, too."

With a shove of my hips, I feed her need with my thickness again. And again. And again. Until the flush rises across her chest and sparks up her neck to her cheeks. Her pussy flutters around me delicately as she rewards me with beautiful moans and whimpers. "Say it as you come for me, angel."

Her big blue eyes try to remain open as she strains against the waves of pleasure taking control of her muscles. Screaming the words, she lets her voice sing definitively, "I love you!"

And as I match her ecstasy with my own, I hold her tight and whisper the same.