Red Dreams (The Reaper Duet #2)

25. Layla

25

LAYLA

Lighthouses guide ships to safety. Tonight, ours will guide killers straight to us.

With Cassie’s help, Kaden arms the perimeter of my property with explosives, trip wires, acoustic sensors … I couldn’t keep up with Kaden’s list as he explained to Cassie what he intended to do.

He also isn’t letting me out of his sight. Anywhere he goes, he demands that I follow. I can’t say I’m upset about it for so many reasons. When Kaden assumes command, he’s even sexier than normal. His confidence, arrogance, and skill all meld together to form the Scythe, a lethal combination that always gets my salivary glands going, even when at the center of danger. Ever since I met him, my hormones are out of control. And with the way his attention never leaves me for more than a few seconds at a time, he’s feeling the same. The thought of Kaden morphing into that brutal, merciless assassin tonight actually turns me on, and I’m not sure what that says about me.

Maybe that I belong to him.

Kaden's hands move with practiced precision as he sets the final explosive charge near the shoreline in case they decide to come by boat. He threads his fingers in mine when we make our way back to the cottage, and I glance at the lighthouse as we pass. Cassie will be up there with one of Kaden’s long-range guns, shooting to kill. I try not to think about Cassie on her own with a dangerous weapon. Kaden seems to have faith that she’ll be on our side, but I’m not sure if it’s based on hope or certainty.

Taking a deep breath, I try not to think about it too hard. There’s enough on my plate as it is.

Inside, Kaden leads me to the living room, his hand never leaving the small of my back. Cassie wanders in behind us, her footsteps so silent, I don’t notice her until she falls onto the couch and lets out a dramatic yawn. “As much as I love watching you two eye fuck each other, don't we have more pressing matters to attend to? Like, what’s the plan? Now we just sit here and wait for them to come to us?”

Kaden doesn’t take the bait. “You know your position. Get up there and keep watch. Radio me immediately if you see any movement.”

Cassie rolls her eyes but gets to her feet, grabbing the sleek sniper rifle propped against the wall. She heads for the door, then pauses and looks back at me. “Hey Layla, try not to get killed, okay? I'm just starting to enjoy our special time together.”

Her voice drips with insincerity, but I sense an undercurrent of ... something else. Before I can respond, she disappears outside.

Kaden turns to me, his eyes roaming over my body as if committing every inch to memory. Electricity rushes through my veins, and I wish we had the time for him to really commit to my body.

“No matter what happens,” he says, “I won’t let anything happen to you. Understand?”

I nod, my mouth suddenly dry.

“When they come, it will get bad fast,” he warns, his expression grim. “The things I'll have to do ... I need you to trust me. Don't interfere, no matter what it looks like. Let me handle it my way.”

His eyes search mine, seeking obedience.

“I trust you,” I say rather than answering directly.

Seemingly satisfied, Kaden nods curtly and steps back, all business once more as he checks his weapons again with methodical focus. I pace the room, already missing his touch, and glance around the cozy den, my mind struggling to reconcile the homey furnishings with the arsenal of guns and knives laid out with ruthless precision.

I never asked for any of this—but then again, I never asked to fall for a gorgeous, deadly hitman either. Yet here we are, our fates intertwined as we stare down the barrel of a gun together. Multiple ones.

Kaden spins a knife in his hands, and it’s so sharp, it whistles with his movements. “Do you think Ethan is up for surveillance in the computer room upstairs?”

I take my time answering. Ethan would want to help in whatever way he could, but he’s having a more difficult time coming to terms with Cassie’s presence than I am. Maybe because he’s not in love with her sire and willing to overlook extreme red flags in order to be with him. I cringe at the thought, but I also can’t deny it. I’m not fully evil, but I’m not fully good anymore, either. Not if I can love a man like this and accept his murderous spawn.

Sighing, I rub my eyes. Ethan’s skills would give us a tactical advantage I’m not willing to pass up. “I’ll go get him set up.”

I hurry upstairs to my bedroom, knocking softly before entering.

Ethan’s sitting cross-legged in bed, one of Reaper’s kittens spinning in circles on his lap as Ethan dangles a piece of dental floss.

“Hey,” I say as I come in and shut the door.

Ethan replies without looking up. “Let me guess, Tall, Dark, and Deadly wants me to hack into some satellite feeds and get eyes on the surrounding area.”

Though his tone is wry, the undercurrent of defeat breaks my heart.

I perch on the edge of the bed, drawing the attention of another kitten, this one a puffball gray color who’s secretly become my favorite. I pick her up, nuzzling her nose with mine.

Ethan glances up, watching. “Has Kaden named them?”

“The kittens? Not that I know of.” I set the puffball down in order for her to join her siblings, attacking shreds of toilet paper in the corner. “Why, do you have suggestions?”

“Well, lying in here high on pain meds had me thinking all sorts of things. So let’s see. Satan.” He gestures to the one in his lap, currently chewing on the hem of his sweater, then points at the others. “Beelzebub, Lucifer, Dark Lord, and … Hades.”

“You named my puffball Dark Lord?”

Ethan squints at me. “You wanted Kaden to own a cat named Puffball?”

That gets a smile out of me.

But just as quickly, Ethan’s amusement fades. “Is helping them the only way for me to get out of here?”

“Oh, Ethan.” I reach for his hand. “I’m so sorry I got you into this.”

“I don’t know how many times I have to say it, but I’ll keep saying it. It was my choice to help you. It’s still my choice. I don’t blame you.”

“Well, I’m still sorry. I’m sure you thought assisting me would involve significantly fewer near-death experiences.”

His expression softens. “I just … I worry about you, Layla. This guy, his daughter … are you sure you can trust them?”

I think of the way Kaden’s eyes follow my every move, even before he officially introduced himself. The firm possessiveness in his touch, the obsessive intensity of his protection.

“I trust Kaden with my life,” I answer honestly.

Ethan studies me for a long moment, then nods. “Okay, then. I'll do it.”

I flash him a grateful smile. “Thank you. Really. You’ll be safe up here, too. Kaden’s set up a bank of computers across the hall.”

“Thank me when we're not about to have our asses shot at.”

He sets Satan on the floor and stands, brushing cat hair off his pants. Fast, before I can second-guess it, I pull him into a tight hug.

“You’re my best friend. The only friend I have. Thank you. For everything,” I say into his shoulder.

Ethan responds with a wheeze.

“Shit! Your ribs!” I jump back, curling my fingers against my mouth. “I’m s?—”

“Say that again, and I’ll tell Kaden you named one of his cats Puffball.” Ethan shakes his head with a tiny smile. “Be gone, Layla. Go be with Batman down there.”

I leave him to it and dash back downstairs. Kaden is exactly where I left him, cataloging his weapons. He looks up as I approach.

“Ethan's on board,” I report. “He'll keep a bird’s-eye view on the property.”

“Good.” Kaden sheaths a knife and steps closer, his presence enveloping me. I tilt my head back, never wanting to stop staring at his face. “Put this on. Stay behind me and keep your head down at all times.”

I take the tactical vest from his hands. “Okay.”

My voice comes out breathier than intended. Damn him and his overwhelming masculinity.

His eyelids lower, and for a charged moment, I think he's going to give me my last erotic wish before we face the inevitable, but Cassie’s staticky voice coming through his radio interrupts us, her usual snark replaced by terse urgency.

“ We have company. ”

Kaden whips his attention toward the window, his whole body tensing.

“Before sunset,” he muses. “Already, they’re making a mistake.”

As I fumble with the vest’s straps, my fingers clumsy with adrenaline, Kaden's hands close over mine, efficiently securing the Velcro and cinching it tight. His touch lingers for a charged moment, his fingers trailing electricity across my collarbone. In his eyes I see the war between the man he once was and the ruthless killer. I pray to any dark gods listening that both sides of him survive this night.

A teeth-rattling boom shatters the thick silence, and the cottage windows rattle in their panes. Kaden spins to his weapons and grabs his mask. It settles onto his face with an electronic hiss, and then I’m standing in front of the Scythe.

“You have a spare mask?” is all I can think to ask as my brain shuts down and reboots in simple survival mode. Kaden’s original one was removed at the Siren’s Call. As I eye the armory my couch has become, he lost his mask along with a litany of weapons he also seemingly had multiple spares of.

Another explosion rocks the cottage, this time from the opposite side of the property.

Kaden presses his earpiece. “Cassie, report.”

As he listens to Cassie’s response, he settles another earpiece in my ear. “ …hostiles approaching from the north shore. Armed to the teeth. These are just mercenaries. I don’t recognize them as any of Papa’s men. ”

“They’ll wait until the mercs have me cornered. Take out as many as you can.”

Kaden's voice is a menacing growl, all traces of his morals slipping away as he becomes the Scythe.

Staccato gunfire erupts outside, the walls shuddering as if in fear. I flinch, my heart threatening to flee, but I force my breaths to even out.

Kaden stalks to the door. He pauses and looks back at me, those eerie neon slits sending a delicious frisson down my spine. “Last time, I had you barricade yourself in a room, and they still found you. Come here.”

I do as he says, allowing him to wrap my arms around his waist until one side of my face is pressed against his back.

“Keep holding on to me. Do not let go. I’m taking you to an area Cassie and I scouted earlier where they won’t find you.”

Gasping, I abruptly release Kaden and run for the stairs. “What about Ethan?—”

Kaden hooks my waist, my feet flying off the ground as he slams me against his solid chest. “Do not disobey me again, Wraithling.”

“I can’t leave him, Kaden. Ethan’s hurt and exposed?—”

“I’ll come back for him.”

“Do you promise?”

I hate how small my voice sounds, but I’m scared , and I’ve made Ethan face enough hazards.

Kaden spins me around until I’m face-to-face with his cold, metal persona. “On my life.”

He pushes me behind him again, locking my arms around his torso and kicking open the door.

The setting horizon explodes with light and sound as we step outside, tracer rounds and muzzle flashes strobing through the darkening sky.

I press into Kaden's broad back, my breaths coming fast and shallow. He moves with fluid grace, his body an instrument of death as he leads us away from the cottage.

Another explosion occurs nearby, and I stumble, but Kaden’s iron hold keeps me upright.

“Almost there,” he says, his voice distorted by the mask. “Hold on to me, Layla.”

As if I’m about to let go.

The stench of smoke and gunpowder assaults my senses. Orange flames lick at the tree line, casting menacing shadows across the lawn.

“Keep your head down,” Kaden orders as he picks up speed, heading toward the old fishing docks.

Bullets zing past us. Kaden returns fire with one hand, his other pressing protectively against mine around his stomach.

Smoke stings my eyes and fills my lungs, but I focus on putting one foot in front of the other, trusting Kaden to get us through this nightmare. His scent envelops me, gunpowder and musk, danger and safety all at once. It shouldn't comfort me the way it does.

We reach the old fishing docks, rotting planks creaking beneath our feet. Kaden pulls me around to face him, his hands gripping my shoulders. Even through the mask, I can feel the seriousness of his expression.

“I need you to get in the water and hide under the dock. Don't come out until I come for you, no matter what you hear. Understand?”

Fear makes it hard to speak, but I nod.

Kaden threads his fingers through my hair, a fleeting caress. “That’s my girl. Now go.”

I slip into the dark, frigid water, gasping as it bites into my skin. Kaden watches me disappear beneath the planks before he turns back to the fight, a phantom in the night.

Treading water, I press myself against the slimy support post, trying to control my chattering teeth. Above me, the battle rages on. The dock shudders with each impact, showering me with debris.

My heart pounds in my ears, nearly drowning out the gunfire and shouts. Every fiber of my being screams to go to Kaden, to help him somehow, but I gave him my word. I have to trust that he knows what he's doing.

Cold seeps into my bones, numbing my limbs, but I barely notice. All I can think about is Kaden. The coppery scent of blood mingles with brine, turning my stomach. Was he hurt? Killed?

I’m distracted when the glow of a searchlight seeps through the gaps in the planks. I peek through one section, spotting a sleek black speedboat slicing through the waves and heading straight for my dock. Its powerful light sweeps the shore, seeking its prey.

As the boat glides closer, I make out the cruel, chiseled features of the men on board. They're dressed in black tactical gear, bristling with weapons. A heavy dread settles in my gut.

Morelli's men have come.

My heart thrashes painfully against my ribs as I think of Kaden out there facing them alone. Ruthless assassin or not, he's outnumbered and outgunned. Cassie's sniper support can only do so much against this sheer firepower.

I'm shaking now, and not just from the cold. Hot tears mingle with the salt water on my face. I bite my knuckles until I taste blood as if the physical pain can overshadow the agony shredding my chest.

He’s not going to die. He won’t leave me. Kaden will be okay. Ethan will be okay. We’re all going to be fine.

The boat slows at the side of the dock. I shrink back, praying the inky water conceals me.

Heavy boots thud on the planks with gruff voices barking orders in Italian, followed by the ominous click of guns being cocked.

My heart pounds so loudly, I'm certain they can hear it. I barely dare to breathe. The water laps against my chin, so cold it burns. My muscles scream in protest as I force myself to remain still.

One pair of boots stops directly above me. Through the rotting planks, I catch a glimpse of cruel eyes in a brutish face. It’s one of the men who loved watching me while I was naked and tied down, the kind of man who paints his rape-like thoughts on his face without shame.

“Jesus Christ, it took you guys long enough.”

I cover my mouth to stifle the gasp that almost escapes.

That was a woman’s voice. One I recognize all too well.

Cassie’s.