Hearts of Warriors Ch. 06

"You do know who my father is, don't you?" she muttered defensively. "How many males do you think were willing to take him on when it came to his only daughter? They were too frightened to even kiss me let alone do anything else."

His heart banged painfully in his chest and he reached out with a gentleness he didn't know he possessed, tilting her chin up so their eyes met. "Was that your first kiss, sugar?" It should have been a stupid question to be asking a woman of her age but her expressive eyes answered him eloquently.

Mac wanted to kick himself. The uncertainty he'd seen on her face when he'd broken off their kiss was now very understandable. He'd had to use all his self-control to restrain himself, digging deep inside to find the cold, ruthless edge he wore so easily. And Lily had thought it meant she was somehow lacking in her sensuality. He swore long and hard.

"Liliana," he breathed softly, cradling her face gently in his hands. "You could tempt an angel to abandon heaven for one taste of your sweet lips. Never doubt yourself as a woman. I want you so badly it's only a lifetime of control that's stopping me from taking you right now. I know it's wrong to want you, to crave your taste and your touch. But still I crave you with everything inside me. If you believe nothing else I ever say to you always believe that."

He kissed her again, a soft gentle touch. He didn't want to incite her passionate nature, knew he would succumb if she melted into his arms again. His kiss was full of reassurance and tenderness, letting her know that she was a beautiful, sensual woman any man would give his right arm to be with.

He pulled away reluctantly to stare down at the woman who had somehow managed to reach inside him and find the hidden well of softer emotions he thought he'd lost centuries ago.

"I really need to leave, Lily," he finally sighed, resting his forehead against hers because he didn't want to let her go just yet. It felt so good to be with her like this, to feel her breath on his face and her warmth against him. "Remember your promise. Do whatever Karn tells you."

Lily watched Mac stand up, feeling bereft when his hands left her. He confused the hell out of her and made her feel so insecure one moment and so protected the next. The short glimpses she'd seen of the softer side to her mate made her heart race hard in her chest, made her believe that she would be able to win him. But every time he retreated behind his walls, as he was doing now, she knew she'd have to start breaking them down all over again.

He walked out of the room without a backward glance and she swallowed hard, her fingers touching her swollen lips tentatively. A slow smile curved over her face and she lay back against her pillow. As first kisses went, Mac's were pretty spectacular whether they were hot, fiery, and passionate or gentle, slow and loving.

Her wolf rumbled her approval and she stretched languidly on the bed. She was content with the progress she'd made in this first foray against Mac's heart. She'd proven he wasn't indifferent to her. He had told her that he wanted her. It was only a matter of time before she was in his bed. Once that happened, her mate would never be able to leave her again.

* * * *

Mac leaned against the wall outside Lily's door and closed his eyes, wondering just exactly where he'd left his brain because he certainly wasn't using it today. He couldn't believe he'd been stupid enough to kiss her. He'd known it would be crazy to give in to the temptation and yet he'd gone and done it anyway.

Now her taste was in his mouth, and his body craved the feel of her soft skin. Walking away from her had been sheer torture and all he could think of was going back inside the room and finishing what he'd started. He had to be completely out of his fucking mind to behave no better than an untried youth.

But she was Lily; so beautiful, so feisty and sassy, and so bloody vulnerable. He wanted to wrap his arms around her and protect her from the world. He had to remind himself that she wasn't his no matter what she thought. He couldn't be who he needed to be, couldn't do the things he needed to do if he allowed himself to be sidetracked by the woman on the other side of that door.

His body stiffened with tension and he opened his eyes to look down the hallway. Unsurprisingly, Karn stood at the head of the stairs looking as if he hadn't been to bed yet. His expression was neutral, but Mac could tell he was displeased about something.

Grabbing his pack, Mac walked past Karn, ignoring his friend as he headed downstairs into the wrecked study. A minute later Karn entered too. Mac knew Karn would have checked on Lily before following him down. The fact that his friend had felt the need to check on her cut deep.

"I hope she wasn't in this room when you wrecked it," Karn said quietly, disapproval lacing his voice.

Mac shot him a quelling look and surveyed the room slowly. "Make arrangements to clean this up," he answered coldly, not deigning to respond to Karn's comment. "Pietro called and I have to go to Europe. I need to stop by Annie's before I head over there, so I'll stay at the apartment the rest of the night. I need to pick up a few things anyway."

"What do you want to do with Lily?"

Mac moved to the fireplace to stare into the empty grate. "She stays here, Karn. Make sure nothing happens to her. She's promised not to shadow while I'm away so protecting her should be easy enough. Pietro thinks something is about to happen and I need to check it out firsthand. I also need to let the triumvirate know."

Karn watched him for a moment, feeling a mix of anticipation and concern. It was only a matter of time before their unknown enemies struck again and part of him was itching to pit his wits against them. The rest of him was trying to work out how to keep the Vârcolac safe.

"I'll keep her safe from the vampires," he finally answered. "But what's to protect her from you, Mac? I don't know what the fuck happened in here earlier or what you were doing just now in her room, but she needs to be fully focused on the here and now. She can't afford to have her head up her ass because you're fucking with her mind."

He watched his friend tense and waited for him to explode. Mackenzie didn't always like hearing the truth and tended to lash out first and think later. He was prepared to get his ass handed to him on a plate, but his friend obviously dug deep and managed to restrain himself.

"Your point is duly noted," Mac answered in a cold voice. "I won't be around so she'll be focused on what she needs to be doing. I've told her to listen to you and she respects you anyway so her focus shouldn't be a problem."

He turned to pierce Karn with a cold stare. "I appreciate your concern, my friend, but tread carefully. What goes on between Lily and I is not your concern. I strongly suggest you remember that."

Karn knew it was pointless to argue with Mac when he had that look on his face. He was right on the very edge of his self-control and it wouldn't take much to tip him over. He wisely kept his mouth shut.

"I had the apartment cleaned up earlier," he told his friend, changing the subject. "It stinks of cleaner and you need a new carpet but I've managed to find a rug to hide the worst of the damage."

Mac nodded almost absentmindedly and then let out a long sigh. He rubbed his hand tiredly over his face. "How the fuck did everything go tits up, Karn?" He couldn't keep the weariness out of his voice. It was a sign of the trust he placed in Karn that he lowered some of his carefully constructed barriers when he was alone with the other man.

His friend gave him a rueful smile. "That's women for you. Why do you think I stay as far away from them as possible, Mac? Let them get anywhere near you and before you know it, you're thinking with your cock instead of your head and all hell breaks loose. I'm stuck between pitying you and wanting to kick the shit out of you if you hurt her."

Mac couldn't stop the snort of laughter that escaped him. Give Karn an inch and he took a mile. Hell, he took two. He eyed his friend speculatively, trying to work out just when their relationship had changed.

They'd known each other for over a century, had worked together on some of the more taxing assignments Mac had undertaken. He respected the other man immensely for his skills and his dedication to his tasks, but at some point in the last few decades their relationship had changed. He'd started thinking of Karn more as a friend and not just a colleague. He'd come to trust him.

It was a disconcerting thought. Since he'd met the triumvirate, he was starting to trust more people, letting them into his life, allowing them to matter to him. Was that why Lily had slipped through his defences so easily? Just thinking about her was enough to send his blood pressure sky high. He took a deep breath. He really needed to get away.

"Keep her safe, Karn," he ordered softly, his tone resolute. "If anything happens to her while I'm away..."

"You don't need to threaten to kill me," Karn snorted, rolling his eyes. "If anything were to happen to her then I would already be dead, Mac, and you know that."

He did know that. It was the only reason he was willing to leave Lily's side. Why he'd even opened his mouth he had no idea. Was he really so far gone that he needed Karn's reassurance? The situation was becoming intolerable. He couldn't afford to have his thought processes muddled. The threat to the Vârcolac was becoming more dangerous and he had to get himself under control as soon as possible. Now was not the time to become unfocused.

He nodded to Karn and headed out of the house to the waiting Jeep. Dawn wasn't far off but it was still too early to go and see Annie. He headed to his apartment, not surprised when he did not encounter another soul in the building upon his arrival. Anyone with half a brain would be tucked in bed fast asleep.

As he let himself into the apartment, Mac wondered if he'd ever get a full night's sleep again. He'd had precious few hours of sleep since Lily had crashed into his life. Something told him this was about to become the norm for him rather than the exception. He surveyed the apartment, finding the expected scent of the cleaner and the underlying trace of blood.

He tried not to inhale too deeply but couldn't stop himself. Lily's 'scent' of nutmeg still hung in the air and he stifled a groan, trying not to imagine her here in his private space. Karn was right. It had been insanity to bring her here, to the very place he used to satisfy his sexual needs and his blood lust. It had been disrespectful, especially when he knew she considered him her mate.

But it was done and if nothing else, her reaction had highlighted the issues she had with her control of her abilities and her wolf. If something good came out of it then they'd both just have to learn to live with his insensitivity.

He spent the remainder of the night and early morning hours reviewing the data Pietro sent to his cell phone, trying to work out how best to tackle things once he got to Scotland. When the clock hit nine o'clock, he gathered his gear and headed back outside. It was time to have a chat with Annie and find out just what the hell she was playing at leaving Lily in his care.

* * * *

Rhianna smiled, her head turning to the front door as she felt her guest's approach. It was so unusual for him to visit her at home that for a moment she genuinely felt surprised -- a feat very few managed to accomplish.

"The door's open, so just come right in," she called out, her smile widening when she heard his footsteps falter on the steps for a second before the door swung open to reveal Kallum Romanov.

"How do you do that?" Kallum laughed, shaking his head ruefully as he closed the door and leaned down to give the petite redhead a kiss on the cheek.

"Magic," she laughed, giving him an affectionate hug. She loved all the Vârcolac as if they were her own and loved to spend time with them. She usually had to visit the pack to see them, but today one of them had actually come to see her.

"Should I guess why you're here?" she smiled, leading the way to the living room with Kallum close on her heels.

"Lily sent me," he admitted with a smile. "Said I was to mention Mac to you and you would fill me in on where she is."

Rhianna stiffened noticeably then let out a slow breath. She turned to give him a long, measuring look. The Vârcolac had been children and in need of protection when she'd first set up the Praetorians. Back then, it had been a simple matter to keep their charges ignorant of the threat whilst ensuring they were never left unguarded.

It had worked for almost twenty-five years. What none of them had factored into the equation was the way the children's skills had advanced so dramatically as they had grown up. It was plainly obvious now that the children, if trained properly, would outstrip their guardians when it came to protecting themselves.

She should have seen it coming, should have realised that they needed to reassess the situation once their charges became adults. With the benefit of hindsight, she could see that the triumvirate and the pack had created an untenable situation for Lily by failing to act earlier.

Rhianna couldn't blame the girl for fleeing everyone she loved if that was the only way she'd have a chance to discover who she was as a person. And Lily was not alone. Some of the other children clearly exhibited character traits that indicated they'd have a hard time adapting to the real world and coping with their abilities.

Thankfully, Rhianna knew Kallum wouldn't have any issues. The young man was every inch the Alpha, and reminded her of her brother Rafe in some ways. He had a slightly more ruthless streak, though, which he kept strictly controlled. There was no doubt in her mind that the young man standing before her could more than adequately take care of himself and all those he considered part of his pack.

So now she had to decide just how much she was going to share with him. She was almost certain that she would tell Kallum everything, even though Caleb would be furious once he learned that she had not only concealed Lily's whereabouts, but she'd also made the unilateral decision to reveal everything without consulting him first.

"First Lily and now you," she smiled ruefully. "Caleb is not going to be very happy with me, Kal."

Kallum frowned slightly, disbelief on his handsome face. "I can't imagine Caleb ever being unhappy with you, Annie. He adores you."

She laughed softly. "Believe me, I frustrate the hell out of him very easily. Thankfully he doesn't stay mad long."

He stared at her for a long moment before speaking. He knew Caleb worshipped the ground Annie walked on, would do anything for her. Lily had to be involved in something pretty big for Annie to be so certain that Caleb would be angry with her.

If there was some way he could get the information he needed without causing any dissent between the couple, he would take it. But Annie was his only link to Lily now, and he needed to track his sister down and make sure she was okay. Her voice had been filled with panic when she'd yelled at him, and their father's news of her distress was worrying. He knew Lily needed to have someone she trusted unconditionally at her side. He wasn't about to leave her all alone and afraid.

"Lila needs me, Annie. She thinks she's so tough and can handle anything but she isn't. She reached out to Dad yesterday, and told him she was a monster. Something has scared her so much that she talked to Dad even though she knew he would be furious with her."

Kallum's words brought a frown to Rhianna's face and a sense of unease. Surely Lily would have contacted her if something was wrong? Lily knew she'd come to her if needed.

"She was fine when I saw her, Kallum. In fact, she was more than fine; she was ready to lead Mac in a merry dance. I would have loved to stay and watch the fireworks, but Caleb would have come looking for me and if he'd found her, he would have sent her home to the pack."

She watched Kal's frown deepen before he sat in one of the large leather armchairs close to the fire. She followed and took the seat across from him. "Maybe Mac is fighting the mating pull," she murmured quietly.

The instant she thought of Mac, she could sense he was close. Her head shot up and she narrowed her eyes at Kallum. "Did you shadow yourself before leaving the pack?" she asked suspiciously.

Mac was almost at the door. He would not be approaching the house if any of the Praetorians were stationed nearby, not when they made a point of keeping themselves hidden from their charges. Kallum's unrepentant look gave her all the answer she needed and she bit down a curse.

"Caleb, love, I think it might be best if you come home. There's a bit of a situation developing." She felt her mate's immediate concern, followed by a quick kiss running down their mating bond. Her own mental tone had made it obvious she did not feel threatened.

"What have you gone and done now, my Annie?" Caleb's rich, deep voice was laced with exasperation as it echoed in her head. "I'm not going to like it, am I?"

Rhianna's lips quirked in a small smile and she shivered slightly at his tone. "Probably not, love," she laughed.

"I'm on my way."

Caleb disappeared from her head a second before the front door opened and Mac stepped into the house. Kallum had obviously sensed his approach as well, because he shadowed himself just before Mac walked straight into the room. Until Caleb arrived it was probably best for him to remain hidden.

"Mackenzie! I wasn't expecting you today," Rhianna said smoothly, rising to greet her additional guest. She saw a flash of irritation in his dark eyes before he quickly masked it. She sighed as she surmised that Lily's secret was out.

"And here I was thinking you're some kind of oracle, Annie," he drawled softly before he bent to brush his lips against the top of her hair. "Or did you think I wouldn't find out about Liliana Romanov so quickly?"

He watched her face intently, searching for some sign of remorse. Her light laughter raised his hackles and he frowned down at her in disapproval.

"It's not funny, Annie. You must know what a nightmare this is? Andrei will not be happy to learn that his little girl has flown the nest and become a bloody Praetorian. You know he'll personally come in and disband the lot of us... permanently. How could you leave us in this mess? What were you thinking?"

"I was thinking how remarkable Lily is that she managed to learn about the Praetorians, breach our defences, and become part of the elite team we had created to protect the Vârcolac." She couched her words to ensure that Kallum gleaned as much information as possible through their conversation.

Mac's frustrated snort was a testament to how annoyed he was. His hands raked through his hair as he glared down at the unrepentant woman in front of him. She might be his queen but he could quite cheerfully shake her right this moment.

"I suggest you take a few steps back, Mackenzie," Caleb Cullen said coldly from the doorway, his eyes fixed on the vampire standing so close to his mate. He didn't bother trying to hide his anger, his body tense as his eyes briefly flickered over Kallum before coming to rest on his mate.

Rhianna's heart skipped a beat as she read the raw fury burning in his amber gaze. He was magnificent when angry, a golden avenging angel full of raw power. Even dressed in a dark grey business suit he looked wild and untamed. Her vampire was the epitome of an Alpha male: big and dominant... and right now very, very displeased with her.