Chapter 21

chapter

twenty-one

The safe house Ethan Voss took them to was far from the destruction of the earthquake and nicer than Rhiannon had expected. The house itself was the kind you'd see at the end of any quiet cul-de-sac—a simple two-story home with white siding and a small front porch. Nothing about it stood out. If she didn't know any better, she'd assume it belonged to some nice older couple who had grandkids visit on the weekends. It wasn't the kind of place that screamed "safe house," and, she supposed, that was what made it a perfect one.

Ethan's SUV rolled to a stop in front of the house, and Pierce stiffened beside her, his gaze sharp as he scanned their surroundings. Wariness radiated off him as he subtly shifted his weight in the seat as if preparing for an attack. He hadn't said much since they were loaded into the vehicles, his attention on the men who had shown up claiming to be rescuers.

Neither of them trusted this Ethan Voss or his team, and Pierce had made it clear to her that while the danger of Halston was ever-present, these guys might be just as bad.

As Ethan killed the engine, his second-in-command, a man named Trent, exited the vehicle first. He didn't say a word as he scanned the quiet street, and then he nodded to Ethan. "Clear."

"Move to the front door casually, but don't linger," Ethan said as he turned to face Rhiannon and Pierce in the back seat. It was the first thing he'd said since he'd returned to the SUV from taking a call earlier. A call that had majorly pissed them off. "We've secured the place. No one's going to find you here."

Why did that sound more like a threat than a reassurance?

Rhiannon swallowed hard, glancing at Pierce. His jaw was set, eyes narrowed as he regarded Ethan. After a moment, he nodded curtly and reached for the door handle.

Ethan climbed out of the driver's seat with startling casualness, like he really was just a man coming home.

Pierce helped her from the backseat, his hand resting lightly on the small of her back as they moved toward the house. It was a small gesture, but the weight of it there was enough to ground her.

They were okay.

They were supposed to be safe here… right?

She glanced back at him as she climbed the steps, searching for any sign of reassurance, but his face was stone-cold, unreadable. She'd gotten used to that look while trapped with him, the one he wore when he was calculating every possible threat, every angle of attack.

The front door creaked open as Trent stepped inside and held it open for them. "Welcome home."

She scowled at him and resisted the urge to flip him off.

The cool air hit Rhiannon first—honestly, it was a relief after the heat of the gift shop, and she'd never take air conditioning for granted again.

The living room was small but comfortable, with a large couch and a couple of armchairs arranged around a fireplace. It felt cozy, lived-in. Generic art prints decorated the walls, and the floors were slightly scuffed but clean hardwood. If she wasn't so on edge with Ethan and Trent watching their every move, this house might actually feel like a safe place to breathe and recuperate.

"Make yourselves comfortable," Ethan said as he crossed the room to check the window locks. The way he moved was efficient, almost methodical. "You'll be staying here for a while. We need to keep you off Halston's radar until we can deal with them."

Pierce's hands moved in a quick flurry of signs to Rhiannon. We need to find out why they're really helping us.

Rhiannon gave a small nod, but her attention was pulled away by the sound of footsteps descending from upstairs. Her heart leaped into her throat when she saw who it was. Gareth—no, Gage —stood at the bottom of the staircase, his face bruised, but his posture relaxed like he was already making himself at home.

Pierce scowled. "You've got to be kidding me."

"Look who finally made it," Gage said, his tone casual as if they hadn't just been through hell. "Didn't expect to see you two so soon."

Pierce took a step forward, his body language instantly shifting to something more dangerous, but Rhiannon grabbed his arm, holding him back.

"Don't," she whispered.

"Relax," Gage said, holding up his hands in a peaceful gesture. "We're all on the same team, remember?"

Pierce's hands clenched into fists at his sides, his eyes locked on Gage as if he was calculating just how long it would take to wipe that smirk off his face. Rhiannon's grip on his arm tightened. She couldn't afford for him to lose his temper now.

"Why are you here?" Pierce signed, his movements sharp.

Gage didn't need Rhiannon to translate. He understood perfectly. "Same reason you are," he said, leaning against the banister with a lazy grin. "We're all trying to stay alive. And for now, that means playing nice."

"You're with them?" Pierce signed, and Rhiannon translated without prompting.

Pierce's eyes flicked to Ethan, who was watching the exchange with interest, his posture relaxed but ready to intervene if necessary. Trent hovered nearby, his expression unreadable, but his hand rested lightly near the gun at his belt.

"No," Gage said. "But they offered to help keep me off Halston's radar, and I couldn't see a reason to turn them down."

"We're on your side," Ethan insisted, stepping forward. "Whether you believe that or not, it's the truth. Our goal is the same: taking down Halston before they can use Tectra-X. Gage has insider knowledge of Halston's workings."

Pierce's expression didn't soften. Tension radiated off him like heat waves, but for now, he kept quiet. Rhiannon knew he didn't trust any of these men—especially not Gage. Yes, they'd formed a tentative truce against Alan while trapped, but now that they were all free? His lies felt more dangerous.

"I'll show you to your rooms," Trent said, breaking the silence. He scooped up a duffle bag from the floor—the same one he'd had in the hospital—and motioned for them to follow him upstairs.

"Room," Pierce corrected. "We're together."

When she didn't translate, he turned to stare at her with a hot possessiveness that made her breath stalled in her throat.

She swallowed hard, and heat rose to her cheeks. She translated, "We'll share a room."

Trent raised an eyebrow but shrugged. "Suit yourselves. This way."

As they followed him up the stairs, her heart threatened to flutter right out of her chest.

The idea of sharing a room with Pierce sent a thrill through her. She all too vividly remembered how close they'd come to tearing each other's clothes off in his hospital room before they were so rudely interrupted. She could feel the heat radiating from him as he walked close behind her, his presence both comforting and electrifying.

Trent led them to a bedroom at the end of the hallway. A queen-sized bed dominated the space, flanked by two nightstands. A dresser stood against the far wall, and heavy curtains covered the window.

"Here you go. Bathroom's across the hall. Fresh clothes for both of you in here." He passed Pierce the duffle bag. "Clean up and get some rest. We'll debrief in the morning."

As soon as Trent's footsteps faded, Pierce shut and locked the door behind them. He dropped the duffle bag and turned to Rhiannon, his eyes dark with a mix of anger and desire.

"We can't trust them," he signed. "Any of them."

She nodded and stepped closer to him. "I know," she whispered. "But what choice do we have?"

They needed allies, even if those allies came with a lot of unanswered questions.

"Do you think we're safe right now?"

He didn't answer right away. "Yes. For tonight at least." His shoulders suddenly sagged with exhaustion, the stoic facade crumbling. He ran both hands through his hair.

"Are you okay?" she asked softly, reaching out to touch his arm.

Pierce's eyes softened as he looked at her, his hand coming up to cup her cheek. He nodded slowly, his thumb tracing her cheekbone. The tenderness of the gesture made all of her defenses crumble.

"Are you?" he signed, his brow furrowing with concern.

Rhiannon leaned into his touch, closing her eyes briefly. "I'm... I don't know. Overwhelmed, I guess. Everything's happening so fast."

When she opened her eyes again, Pierce was watching her intently. His gaze dropped to her lips, and the air between them suddenly felt charged with electricity. Rhiannon's heart raced as Pierce leaned in, pausing just inches from her face. His eyes searched hers, asking silent permission.

She answered by closing the distance herself, pressing her lips to his.

The kiss started soft, almost hesitant, but quickly deepened as days of pent-up desire and fear and relief poured out of them both. Pierce's arms wound around her waist, pulling her flush against him as Rhiannon's fingers tangled in his hair.

When they finally broke apart, both breathing heavily, she curled her hands into his sweatshirt and rested her forehead on his chest.

Pierce's hands slid down her back, tracing the curve of her spine. His touch sent shivers through her body, igniting a fire that had been smoldering since their interrupted moment in the hospital. Rhiannon tilted her head up, meeting his intense gaze.

"We should get cleaned up," she whispered, her voice husky with desire.

Pierce nodded but made no move to let her go. His fingers ghosted along her jawline, tilting her chin up as he captured her lips in another searing kiss. Rhiannon melted against him, all thoughts of showering momentarily forgotten.

They reluctantly separated.

"Go shower," Pierce signed.

She gathered clean clothes from the duffle bag and crossed the hall to the bathroom. When she stepped under the spray of hot water, she couldn't help the moan of pleasure. It felt amazing. She'd been dirty for so long that she had almost forgotten what clean felt like. The steam enveloped her, wrapping her in a cocoon of warmth that was almost as comforting as Pierce's embrace. She closed her eyes, letting the water cascade over her, imagining it was washing away not just the grime but the fears that clung to her like a second skin.

She returned to the bedroom to find Pierce hovering right by the door as if he'd been afraid to wander too far away. He instantly pulled her close again, his lips crashing against hers with an intensity that made her knees weak.

It was a Herculean feat of sheer willpower to push him away. Really, she should receive a medal for the effort. But she did with one hand on his chest. "No. Shower first."

He nodded and strode to the door, tapping the doorknob on his way out, silently telling her to lock it. She did, then leaned against it and sucked in a deep, shaky breath. Her lips felt singed from the heat of his kiss. The sound of the shower starting up floated across the hallway, and she couldn't help but imagine Pierce under the spray, water cascading down his muscular frame.

She shook her head, trying to clear the image. They needed to focus, to stay alert. But as she moved away from the door, her body thrummed with a different kind of tension than before.

She wanted him.

And she didn't plan on denying herself.

They could steal one night for themselves, couldn't they?

Rhiannon busied herself exploring the bedroom, checking the window locks and searching for any hidden cameras or listening devices. Just in case. Finding nothing suspicious, she sat on the edge of the bed, running her hand over the comforter. It was plain but soft. After the last week of sleeping on a camping mat between piles of rubble, this felt like pure luxury.

When Pierce came back and knocked softly on the door, he wore only a towel slung low on his hips. Droplets of water clung to his skin, and his damp hair spiked charmingly.

Their eyes locked, and the air between them crackled with electricity as he dropped the towel.

Rhiannon's breath caught in her throat as she took him in. Her eyes roamed over his muscular chest, down to his toned abs, and lower still to a long, thick cock. Heat flooded her cheeks, but she couldn't look away.

Pierce moved towards her with predatory grace, his eyes dark with desire. He stopped just in front of her, close enough that she could feel the warmth radiating from his skin.

He cupped her face in one hand, tilting her head up to meet his gaze. "If you don't want to ? —"

She caught his hand, silencing him. "I want to."

"What about birth control? We don't have any condoms."

"I have a contraceptive implant. We're protected."

He nodded but still hesitated. "I… haven't been with anyone in years."

She ran her hands over his chest, enjoying the solid muscle beneath her fingertips. "I haven't either. Not for a long time."

For a moment, they just stared at each other.

Then, as if a dam had broken, their lips crashed together. He lowered her onto the bed, and with trembling fingers, she helped him remove her clothes, piece by piece, until there was nothing between them but skin.

Pierce pushed himself up on his knees to study her. For the first time, she saw him with his shields completely down, and his eyes were full of wonder.

"I've wanted to do this with you for so long. Ever since the first time Rylan showed me your picture."

Heat that had nothing to do with the kiss filled her cheeks. "Oh, God. Really? That long?"

He nodded and looked a little chagrined. "It was like a lightning strike. I saw you, and I had to know every little detail about you. I never imagined I'd actually meet you, so you were always just this unobtainable fantasy woman. But now..." His fingers trailed down her arm, skimming over her skin.

Rhiannon shivered, and her nipples tightened to painful buds. She tingled everywhere he touched.

"Now what?" she breathed.

His eyes darkened with desire, and he traced his fingertips over the curve of her hip. "Now I get to touch you. To taste you. I get to learn everything about you for myself…" He lowered his head, pressing hot, open-mouthed kisses along her collarbone.

He cupped her breast, his thumb circling her nipple until it hardened under his touch. A whimper escaped her as he lowered his head, replacing his hand with his mouth. The wet heat of his tongue sent shockwaves of pleasure through her body.

She gasped and clutched at his broad shoulders. "Pierce…"

He continued his sensual assault, lavishing attention on her breasts before returning to her mouth. He settled into the cradle of her thighs, the thick head of his cock probing at her entrance. His lips trailed down her neck, nipping and sucking at her sensitive skin.

Rhiannon arched into him, craving more contact. She ran her hands down his back, feeling the play of muscles beneath her fingertips.

"Please," she whispered, her voice coming out shockingly husky with need. "I want you inside me, Pierce. Please."

He pulled back slightly, his intense gaze meeting hers. He brought one hand up to cup her cheek, his thumb tracing her lower lip. The tenderness in his eyes made her heart swell.

Slowly, deliberately, he positioned himself at her entrance again. She held her breath as he pushed forward, stretching and filling her inch by exquisite inch. She gasped at the sensation, her fingers digging into his shoulders.

The sound he made as he entered her was primal, raw, and guttural. It vibrated through his chest and into her body, igniting every nerve ending.

He stilled once he was fully sheathed inside her, giving them both a moment to adjust. Rhiannon's body quivered around him, savoring the delicious stretch and fullness. She looked up into his eyes, seeing a mix of desire and vulnerability that made her heart ache. She cupped his face, her thumbs stroking his cheeks as she nodded, silently urging him on.

Slowly, he began to move, pulling out almost completely before pushing back in with agonizing slowness. Each thrust was deliberate and controlled yet tinged with a desperation that threatened to overwhelm them both.

She wrapped her legs around his waist, changing the angle and allowing him to sink even deeper.

"God, you feel amazing," she breathed, her hands roaming over his muscled back.

Pierce's response was to capture her lips in a searing kiss, his tongue tangling with hers as he picked up the pace. The room filled with the sounds of their heavy breathing and the rhythmic creaking of the bed.

Everyone downstairs had to know exactly what they were doing, but she didn't care. Heat coiled low in her belly, and her legs started to shake.

"Oh, I'm close," she gasped against his neck.

His hand snaked between their bodies, finding her clit. The dual sensations of his thick cock sliding in and out of her and his fingers on her clit quickly pushed her over the edge, and she muffled her cry against his shoulder.

He stopped moving and watched her break apart under him. His hands roamed her body, leaving trails of fire in their wake. His touch was reverent, worshipful, as if he couldn't quite believe she was real.

Her heart swelled with emotion, and she pulled him down for a kiss, pouring all her unspoken feelings into it. The kiss broke as they gasped for air, foreheads pressed together as he started to move again in those long, measured strokes.

It was so, so good.

She bit her lip, trying to hold back the sounds threatening to escape.

Pierce noticed, and his thumb gently pulled her lip free. He shook his head slightly, encouraging her to let go.

Rhiannon's inhibitions melted away.

She wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him deeper. Pierce's eyes darkened, a low growl rumbling in his chest. His movements became more urgent, more primal. Rhiannon arched her back, meeting him thrust for thrust.

Her soft moans filled the air, mingling with Pierce's ragged breathing.

She knew the moment his control began to slip—his rhythm faltered, his movements becoming erratic. His hands tightened on her hips, and he came with a shudder that wracked his entire body. She felt the hot spurt of his release filling her, and it pushed her over the edge of her climax. She cried out, her body clenching around him as waves of pleasure crashed over her. Her vision blurred, overwhelmed by the sensations coursing through her.

As they came down from their shared high, his forehead rested against hers, their ragged breaths mingling in the scant space between them. Her hands roamed his back, soothing the taut muscles there. She felt the rapid beating of his heart against her chest, matching her frantic rhythm.

Pierce pulled back slightly, his intense gaze searching her face. His hands came up to frame her cheeks, thumbs gently stroking her flushed skin. In the dim light, she saw a myriad of emotions flicker across his features—vulnerability, wonder, and something deeper that made her breath catch.

"You okay?" he mouthed.

Rhiannon nodded, a soft smile curving her lips. "More than okay."

He shifted, carefully withdrawing from her body, and Rhiannon had to bite back a whimper at the loss. Pierce gathered her close, tucking her against his side as if he couldn't bear to be parted from her. His fingers traced abstract patterns on her skin, sending pleasant shivers down her spine.

In the quiet aftermath, reality began to seep back in. Rhiannon knew they should talk and address the seismic shift in their relationship. But for now, she was content to bask in the warmth of Pierce's embrace, listening to the steady thrum of his heartbeat beneath her ear.

Pierce's hand moved to her hair, gently combing through the silky strands. The tender gesture made Rhiannon's heart ache with a bittersweet longing. She knew this moment of peace was fleeting, a stolen respite from the dangers that lurked beyond these walls.

As if sensing her thoughts, Pierce's body tensed slightly. His fingers stilled in her hair, and she felt his chest rise with a deep breath. Rhiannon tilted her head to meet his gaze, finding his hazel eyes clouded with concern.

With practiced ease, Pierce's hands began to move, forming the familiar shapes of ASL. "We should talk."

Rhiannon nodded, pushing herself up to a sitting position. The sheet pooled around her waist as she faced him, suddenly feeling exposed in a way that had nothing to do with her nakedness. "I know."

Pierce's eyes roamed her face, searching for something. His hand came up, thumb brushing across her cheekbone in a feather-light caress. The tenderness of the gesture made Rhiannon's breath catch.

"This changes things," he signed.

Rhiannon swallowed hard, fighting against the lump forming in her throat. "Does it have to?" she asked, even as she knew the answer.

Pierce's jaw clenched. "Your brother is not going to like this. Us."

"Oh, fuck Rylan."

Her outburst made his eyes pop open wide in surprise. Then, a smile twitched over his lips as one hand skimmed the side of her breast. "I'd rather fuck you again."

Her gaze dropped to his cock, which was already lengthening for a second round. "And I want you to—later. But right now, we're talking this out, remember? Tell me why you're really scared of a relationship with me. And don't say my brother."

Pierce's smile faded, his expression growing serious once more. He signed, "Rhia, it isn't just about Rylan. Yeah, I don't want to betray his trust. He's my friend, and I respect him. But I'd do it in a heartbeat for you."

"Then why are you trying to push me away?"

"Because being with me… it's dangerous. I live in a constant state of paranoia."

"Because of Tectra-X." A statement, not a question.

"I wish I'd never heard of the fucking thing." His jaw clenched, and a dark shadow passed over his features. "Because of Tectra-X, because of Halston, because of my past. I have so many enemies, Rhia. Powerful ones. And they won't hesitate to use you against me if they find out how much you mean to me. I refuse to put you in that kind of danger."

"Hey." She reached out and took his hands in hers, stilling their movement. "We've already survived the unsurvivable together. We got this."

His eyes softened as he gazed at their joined hands. He squeezed her fingers gently before pulling away to sign. "We should get some sleep."

Of course, he was changing the subject. Stubborn man. But she let it slide for now because he was right. They needed sleep. She was exhausted, and the orgasms he'd given her had only added to the haze of fatigue.

He got off the bed to pull back the covers and motioned for her to slide between them. As soon as he climbed back in, she snuggled against his side. His arms came around in her a tight hug, his lips brushing her temple.

"We're not done talking about this," she said around a yawn.

He didn't reply, but she felt his lips curve into a smile at the side of her head. He stroked her hair. In the morning, she'd realize he was manipulating her into falling asleep, but at the moment, it felt so good she didn't care. Her eyes closed, and she drifted away.