Chapter Nine

On her back, Liz regarded the ceiling of Jacob's bedroom, unwatched by anyone. Only in here did she have any real freedom within the compound. During the evening meal of black beans, sweet potato crisp, and native fry bread, she'd remained surrounded yet alone, watched by the women and the elderly men who sat at other tables in the large dining area.

No one told her where Zeke, Jacob, and the rest of the young men might be. She didn't ask, figuring they were discussing her. Why she was still here, when she'd be leaving, with Zeke dancing around his answers to them as he had with her.

After the meal, an older woman had escorted Liz back to Jacob's room. Kele was waiting at the end of the long hall, a silent sentinel whose mask of indifference didn't quite hide her intense loathing.

Liz pushed the memory from her mind and slid her arm to cover her eyes, blocking the persistent glow from the walls and ceiling. Earlier, she'd learned that the lamps weren't the actual source of the illumination in here. They were all for show, to give one a sense of normalcy while living underground. When she'd turned the switches off so she could sink into darkness and relax, the glow persisted. She'd discovered then that there weren't any bulbs in the lamps, just hunks of limestone. She'd touched the rocks to see what would happen. They dimmed, and the rest of the place lit up, mocking her, keeping her awake and alert, worried about too many things.

Her father was still Carreon's prisoner, no doubt helping that maniac in the hope that his acquiescence would somehow bring her back.

Oh, Papa.

She longed to cup his wrinkled face in her hands and watch over him as he and her mother had once done with her. A whimper rose to Liz's throat, fueled by sorrow and frustration. She pushed it back, knowing part of what she felt was a fraud. Although she had no choice except to return and do whatever Carreon demanded, these last days here still called to her.

The simple act of watching the children play had eased Liz's loneliness as few things had. She couldn't recall the last time she'd smiled as much. And the babies. Oh, the sweet dear babies with their chubby fists tugging her hair and their feet pressing into her thighs. When they'd finally lost their fear of her, their trust had been a gift, their weight and scents healing a part of Liz she'd once believed was beyond repair.

Hope followed, and she found herself imagining one of those infants belonging to her and Zeke. Ridiculous, she knew, not to mention dangerous considering the world they lived in, the unending carnage between their people. But there it was, insatiable yearning for what the average woman considered her right.

Liz pictured herself heavy with Zeke's child, his hand on her belly, feeling their son or daughter kick, the child wanting out, demanding to have its own way, no different from its father. She thought of Zeke's tension draining away, replaced by the wonder of new life that he and she had created. Not as a substitute for Gabrielle. She'd always be in his heart, his little girl no one could ever replace. But a fresh start…a chance that Carreon might very well destroy with his next attack.

What would losing another child do to Zeke?

The thought was so awful Liz rolled to the side and pulled her legs to her chest in a fetal position. She clawed the blanket, wishing it were Carreon's throat. He had to die. There was no other choice. There'd never be any peace until he did.

And the means were within her.

Her body went still. Her mind raced. Of course. Why hadn't she thought of it before now? As Carreon's ex-lover, she had the opportunity to get close enough to catch him off guard…to convince him of her loyalty, lying to him as he'd done so effortlessly with her. She'd tell him Zeke was a monster, raping her night after night, threatening to murder her if she didn't heal his men. She'd make Carreon believe that she missed him, regretting having ever left his side. He was a narcissist, so he'd believe her and would resume their affair. She'd be with him at his most vulnerable times. And then…then…

Frowning, Liz tried to envision her attack. While he was still inside of her, exhausted from his orgasm, she could claw his eyes, blinding him. The surprise of her attack, the pain of it would distract him for a few seconds. During that precious time, she'd punch his throat, breaking his hyoid bone.

He wouldn't be able to cry out for help. To finish the job, she'd dig her fingers into his neck, strangling him.

Unless he fought her before she got that far. He was much stronger. His outrage at what she'd done would only add to that. Surprise couldn't be her only weapon. They had to be equal before she began the battle, and the only way to accomplish that was for her to be armed. Yes. Liz sucked her bottom lip as she thought about it. Before she returned to Carreon, she could take one of the weapons here, if she could find out where Zeke stored them. Since her arrival, she hadn't seen anyone carrying a gun. Could be they didn't want to alarm the children. Could be she'd never get close to the damned things.

Okay, so maybe she'd have to steal a weapon from one of Carreon's men, hide it, and when she had the chance, empty its chamber into her ex-lover's head.

Or get off only one shot before his men ran inside, alerted by the commotion they'd heard and murdered her.

Not the ideal solution, but it also wasn't the worst thing that could happen. With her gone, her father would refuse to heal Carreon, if that were even possible, given the bullet she'd put in his brainstem. Upon Carreon's death, none of his lieutenants would take his place. His men were cruel bastards but not even close to the tyrant he was. They were bullies but also sheep, needing a master.

Without someone telling them what to do, they'd scatter like frightened rats. Peace would finally come to her people and Zeke's. He'd grow to love a woman from his clan and build another family and life. Her father would be free.

As troubled as she'd been a moment earlier, Liz was as resolute now. There was no other solution except to give her life for theirs. She'd trick Carreon into trusting her, and then she'd murder him—not the other way around as Zeke had claimed. His visions weren't always right; they couldn't be. She'd succeed. She'd save him, her father, and their respective people. All she had to do was to get out of here and return to—

Sudden footfalls sounded in the hall, stopping outside the door. Zeke? Liz pushed to a sitting position, her body weak with desire, her soul aching with regret at the little time they had left.

The door swung open.

Jacob. He wore only jeans, his chest and feet bare, his hair hanging over his broad shoulders, accentuating his masculinity, providing an unmistakable image of the warrior he was.

God help me. Liz loved Zeke as no man she'd ever known, but Jacob also stirred something within her. He was so freaking beautiful, so wonderfully virile, his manner far less restrained than his brother. Jacob didn't attempt to suppress his dominance or lust, especially now that he had her cornered.

If he'd been one of Carreon's lieutenants, Liz would have been pissed or repulsed. With Jacob, she experienced desire along with a flood of empathy. No matter how hard he tried to hide it, she saw his continued doubt about her feelings for him and only him, wanting from her the same adoration he had from Kele.

Liz couldn't offer that, no matter how fond of him she might be. She reserved her deepest emotions for Zeke. However, Jacob would always have her affection and Kele her sympathy for loving a man who clearly didn't feel the same.

He closed the door a little too hard as though he'd read her expression and wasn't happy with what she was willing to give. Crossing the room, he stopped at the bed and looked down at her. "See to my pleasure."

Liz fought a smile at his officious command. Rather than it giving him an imperious air, it made him seem inexperienced with women. Didn't he know that a man took what he wanted as Zeke had done from the beginning with her? The second he'd mounted her in Carreon's stronghold, she'd belonged to him.

Jacob had a lot to learn and some growing up to do, though Liz wasn't about to tell him that or to reveal her plan to eliminate Carreon. He'd learn of her actions later, as Zeke would, after she had one last chance to be within his arms.

Crushing sadness returned. With no choice except to ignore her misery, Liz extended her hand. "I'll see to our pleasure."

A smile tugged at the corners of Jacob's mouth. He fought it, apparently wanting to be a badass. Slipping his fingers over hers, he joined Liz on the mattress.

"Lie down," she ordered.

He touched the edge of her tee and ran his thumb down her jeans' fly. "No. Take off your clothes."

"I want you naked first. Lie down." When he didn't, she stroked his tattoo and purred, "I promise I won't hurt you." She moved to his belly, tracing the scars from his wounds, sighing at the silky hairs trickling from beneath his navel toward his groin. Heading there, she added, "At least not too much."

That got him moving. He folded his arms behind his head and spread his legs wide. Liz leaned over him, the ends of her hair sweeping his abs. The muscles trembled. His long toes curled.

His skin smelled of sunshine. Hot to the touch, his body sent currents of pleasure through Liz, making her too eager. Twice, she tried to push the metal button through its mooring. The fucking thing kept resisting.

Always impatient, Jacob growled, "I'll get it."

"No." She pushed his hand away.

Grumbling, he put it back behind his head. His hair haloed around him, its color matching the tufts in his pits. Liz shivered, wanting to press her nose to that part of him, inhaling his masculine scent.

She resisted, telling herself his balls and cock were a far better prize.

The button finally cooperated as did his zipper, its metal rasp nearly as loud as her sighs. She folded both ends of the denim over, exposing him.

He hadn't bothered to put on underwear. Coppery skin, taut and smooth, greeted her, as did his dark pubic hair. Unwilling to waste another moment, she pressed her face into his groin, smelling his sex, reveling in it.

He moaned, and she whimpered, grabbing his jeans' waistband, shoving it down.

"Whoa." He made a sound between laughter and a complaint. "Let me get it before you do hurt me."

This from a man who'd been riddled with bullets a few days before. Liz didn't bother to remind him of that. She waited only until his sac and rod were free, and then she was on him, licking his length, cupping his testicles, enjoying them.

Jacob choked on whatever he'd intended to say. Strangled noises poured from him, indicating his approval of what she was doing. He wiggled, trying to push his jeans off his legs. His thighs bumped into her.

With her weight, Liz held his left leg down, keeping him still and captive, her prisoner to do with as she chose. Her licks were slow, moving from the root of his cock to the tip, where she swirled her tongue around his crown in the same manner she'd enjoy an ice-cream cone.

He gasped then blew out the air he'd taken in.

She didn't give him another chance for a full breath, working his body while listening to his moans and oaths, watching him out of the corner of her eye.

He grabbed his hair and tugged it, proving her actions were driving him wild. He dug the heel of his foot into the blanket and lifted his hips, pushing himself up, closer to her. She lapped his balls at an easy pace, as though they had all the time in the world. A fantasy she had to indulge in to fill the gnawing emptiness that was never far away.

Soon enough, she'd be on her way back to Carreon's stronghold, facing death. Accepting it.

How long would Jacob miss her after she'd gone? Would he even revisit these moments? Zeke didn't seem to think so. He acted as though his brother wanted her only because she belonged to him.

She slipped Jacob's crown between her lips, tasting his unique flavor, easing him inside her mouth.

He settled his hand on the back of her head, pushing Liz down so she'd take in even more of his length, his actions urgent as though he couldn't wait any longer for climax…or he feared being interrupted.

He'd left Zeke to face their people alone, hadn't he? Jacob had stolen these moments, no doubt guessing his brother wouldn't allow him access to her any longer. She'd healed him. There was no reason in Zeke's mind for them to be together.

Jacob clenched his teeth, quieting his groans as Liz worked his cock, coaxing it to lengthen and stiffen even more, the head to swell with his desire. He tried to prolong his orgasm but lost the battle when she cupped his sac, running her thumbnail over his balls, exploring their shape.

His come was hotter than his skin, a bit salty, the texture velvety on her tongue. Liz lapped up every bit of it, licking him clean, knowing she'd never taste him again. A bittersweet thought rather than the anguish she'd know upon leaving Zeke.

That moment was yet to come, convincing Liz to enjoy what she still had. Straightening, she left the mattress.

Jacob stopped yawning and rubbing his eyes. His hands fell away, revealing his frown. "Where do you think you're going?"

To show him, Liz tapped her foot against the floor. Jacob didn't ask anything else. He stared as she pulled off her tee and jeans. She hadn't worn anything beneath.

His Adam's apple bobbed with his swallow. Grunting and groaning, he shoved his jeans off, kicking them from the mattress. "Come here." He held out his hand to her, his arm sagging with fatigue.

Smiling at his weakened state, Liz climbed back onto the bed and him.

Jacob stopped pulling up his legs. "What are you doing?"

"What's it look like?"

She'd spoken over her shoulder, her back to him, her legs straddling his hips. Jacob's cock rested beneath her pussy, those lips plump and juicy, her sheath eager to do some seriously wicked things to him while easing the persistent ache in her heart. She lifted his rod, caressing its flaccid length in her palm.

He squirmed as though embarrassed. "I'll be hard again in a second."

"I know," she murmured, wanting to put him at ease, alleviate his constant need to best his brother. Even absent, Zeke was still in here with them.

Jacob huffed, sounding disgusted with himself or annoyed that she agreed he'd be able to perform so quickly. Superman he'd never be. However, he was determined.

He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled himself up, edging both of them toward the head of the bed.

The mattress vibrated, the bedsprings squealed. Liz kept glancing over her shoulder. "What are you doing?"

"What do you think?"

With his back propped against the headboard, his hands went to her breasts, cupping them, his fingers kneading the soft globes, then pulling on the tips of her nipples.

Delicious warmth, indecent hunger, and a willingness to submit buzzed through her from his assured touch.

Beneath her, his cock began to thicken and grow rigid.

Wow. He was better than an action hero.

Still fondling her, Jacob leaned up and murmured, "Take me inside."

In a sec. What he was doing was too damned enjoyable for Liz to move. She'd get to his pleasure later.

"Now," he ordered, releasing her.

The room's slight chill chased away the heat from his hands, leaving Liz feeling more naked than before, abandoned and wanting. Bastard. Making a face he couldn't see, she pushed to one knee and did as he demanded, guiding his cock inside her sheath.

Jacob exhaled slowly. She gulped air at his sudden hardness, his length filling her. He whispered, "More."

Liz grabbed his knees for support. "Play with my nipples."

He continued to push his body closer to hers, wanting to get the last inch of his length inside. "Huh?"

Time to get his full attention. Liz worked her inner muscles around his cock and caressed his balls. "My nipples," she said.

"What about them?"

"Play. With. Them," she ordered, showing him what would happen if he didn't. She stopped squeezing his cock and fondling his balls.

He growled.

"Fine," she said. "I'll play with them."

"No, you won't." He pushed her hands away and bypassed her boobs, resting his hand on her mound instead, his fingers flicking her clit.

Liz's mouth moved, but she wasn't able to vocalize, except for a contented moan.

"Like that?" he asked.

What a dumb question. She sagged onto his chest, fully on board for him to do whatever he wanted with her.

Jacob chuckled with the ease of a man who's finally cocksure. "Guess you do." With that, he stopped rubbing her nub.

Liz figured his demands would come next—him ordering her to do all the work, offering vague promises to rock her world when he felt like it. Screw that. She was several steps ahead of him, snuggling closer, lowering her hand to her cunt to take care of business.

"Uh-uh." Jacob grabbed her wrists with one hand, not letting Liz bring herself to orgasm. "You do what I say."

"Then say something, dammit. Don't make me wait for relief."

He laughed.

The sound filled the room, deeper, richer than any she'd heard from him. Liz had to smile. At last, Jacob was his own man, not thinking about Zeke, only how she and he were enjoying each other.

Lifting his free hand, he licked the tip of his forefinger and ran it around her nipple.

Her areola puckered. Turning into him as much as she could, Liz breathed, "My cunt's wet too. You should check it out. Use what's down there instead of your spit."

Jacob's laughter bumped his chest into her back. "Yeah, I could. Bet you'd like that, huh?"

"My clit's just as wet as my cunt and my mouth. Go on, touch it. See for yourself."

He did not, moistening his fingertips with saliva, rubbing it over her nipples. They were so sensitive and erect Liz thought it might be possible for her to come this way. Hell, she was willing to give it a shot.

Jacob had other thoughts. He brushed her hair aside, kissed the ticklish area just beneath her ear, let her moan for a bit, then released her wrists and pushed up. With one hand on the side of her waist and his other poised over her clit, he waited for her to pump her body up and down his cock.

Liz wasn't about to deny him. She cupped his knees as she had earlier, pressing down on them as she lifted herself until only his crown remained inside her sheath. Jacob responded with one stroke on her clit.

She wanted more, sliding her body back down his cock, then pulling up again, repeating the process only when he remembered to masturbate her. Soon, they worked as a team, coaxing their climaxes closer even as they struggled to resist, not wanting the end to arrive quickly.

It did, as impossible to stop as the person one falls in love with. The risks one's willing to take to keep that individual free from harm.

Swells of pleasure washed over Liz, her body shivering with the glorious release, the same as Jacob's. While he continued gasping and groaning, she slumped over his leg, needing to lie down.

He made a noise of protest as her foot kicked his shin and his cock slipped out of her.

"Sorry," she panted then swallowed and continued. "Give me a minute, and I'll stuff you back inside."

Listlessly, he patted her ass as though to say okay .

Fighting giggles, she rolled away from him, facing the door. The bed frame stopped squeaking, allowing other sounds to emerge. Liz heard the slap of feet continuing down the hall, moving closer to this room. Not Kele. These noises came from someone taller, heavier. Definitely a man.

Holding her breath, she watched the knob turn. The wood made a brief cracking sound, the hinges squealing as the door swung open.

Zeke stepped inside.

Liz smiled softly, not attempting to disguise her adoration. Before she left him forever, and she would, Liz wanted him to know that he'd restored her dignity and claimed her soul. She offered him her hand.

He made no move to take it. His attention remained on Jacob, naked, content, conked out from his orgasm. Zeke's expression darkened, his irritation and jealousy evident.

Before he woke his brother and said something he'd live to regret, Liz murmured, "Come fill me." We have so little time before I leave.

Her entreaty filtered through Zeke's anger; she saw it on his face. Something within him shifted as he regarded her, as though he finally realized she'd been waiting for him, only him, all of her life. And that her deepest love would never go to another man.

"Please," she whispered.

He yanked off his tee, dropping it at his feet. His jeans and briefs followed. He was fully erect and feeling no shame or hesitation.

Liz stopped him before he climbed on the bed, her hand on his torso, just below the area she'd clawed days earlier. Scabs covered the scratches, the edges no longer puffy and red. He hadn't put peroxide on them as she'd suggested, nor had he allowed her to heal them when she'd finally offered.

"Why not?" she'd asked.

He'd nibbled her bottom lip then whispered, "I want them to be a reminder of how you once fought me. That is, before I tamed you."

The man had certainly done that and so much more. Liz leaned down to reach his cock, her mouth and tongue worshipping it.

Zeke heaved in a breath.

Jacob jerked with the sound then scooted closer, winding his arm around her waist to bring Liz back to him.

"Stop it," she ordered, hoping to keep Zeke from saying anything hurtful or bad. "Go back to sleep. Rest."

"I don't need to," he complained.

"Your brother wants you to and so do I."

"You haven't a clue what I want," Zeke growled at her. "But you will." He grabbed her upper arms, pulling Liz off the bed.

Her mouth fell open at his lips on her throat, his hands on her ass, pushing her cunt into his cock. On instinct, she wreathed her arms across his shoulders and wrapped her legs around his hips as he lifted her up and into him.

The bedsprings squeaked. She pictured Jacob sitting up, prepared to join them in spite of his exhaustion.

Zeke didn't give his brother the chance. Holding tight, he carried Liz to the wall. Her shoulders and ass pressed against its uneven surface. However, it didn't scrape her skin as she might have expected. Nor was it warm to the touch from the inner light. It was simply a means for Zeke to keep her his prisoner, his body blocking hers from his brother.

Liz didn't look to see what Jacob was doing, how he felt. These few moments belonged to her and Zeke.

She pressed her fingertips into his strong back and sucked his shoulder, savoring the cleanliness of his skin, drowning in his male scent and unquenchable need of her.

There was no stopping Zeke Neekoma now. He entered her in one savage thrust, filling Liz so completely their bodies made a sharp smacking sound upon contact. The noise didn't cause him to mellow. His actions remained primal, a male animal claiming a female as he willed, leaving his mark on her to warn away all other takers.

Liz gasped as Zeke pulled back then penetrated her repeatedly. She sensed Jacob watching, wanting to do the same with her.

Not today. Not ever again. That truth was in Zeke's hold on her. The way he captured her mouth, thrusting his tongue inside, not allowing her anything except a meek whimper. The sound a woman makes when she's been dominated by a man…her man.

What a lovely ring that had to it. During this act, Liz allowed herself to rejoice in the thought. She would've been crazy to do otherwise. Zeke was magnificent. Honorable. Tender. Hot as hell. Strong. His endurance far greater than Jacob's, his stubborn determination keeping her from orgasm.

He slowed his thrusts then quickened them, only to slow once more. He used her as no other man had, his mastery laced with warmth and devotion Liz couldn't have resisted if she'd tried.

She never wanted this to end.

Her body said otherwise, her cunt tightening around his cock, causing even more friction between them, coaxing her closer to orgasm. The same as Zeke stroking her nub. Somehow, he'd managed to slip his free hand between their bodies.

Aw shit, she couldn't stand it. She smacked his shoulder then pounded it with her fist to get him to stop.

He rubbed faster, harder, his actions telling her he commanded and she obeyed.

No, no, no, damn. She broke. With her hands fisted in his hair, she cried out her release, every part of her shuddering from its power.

Zeke continued for what seemed like minutes, pounding, thrusting, manipulating her clit.

Perspiration coated his shoulders. It dripped from his jawline and ran down the hollow between her breasts.

"Mine," he whispered then thrust again and spoke through his teeth. "Mine."

She licked his shoulder and whispered in return, "Yes, yours. Only yours." Always. Even after she left here and killed Carreon, bringing about her own death in the process.

Assured, Zeke behaved with a bit more tenderness, nuzzling her neck, stroking her back. His gentle attention didn't last. Liz was glad. She didn't want it to. She wanted him to fuck her raw.

His carnal hunger returned, more unruly than it had been. With his renewed thrusts, her shoulders and ass smacked into the wall. His balls tapped her ass. She dug her nails into him. He tightened his hold. Then, on an unrefined bellow, he finally came, the noise filling the room.

Drowning out all other sounds, all other considerations.

He held on to her, saying without words that she was his now.

Liz caressed him in return, running her fingertips over his moist skin, warning herself that their time was coming to an end.