Chapter 39
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
GHOST
I crouch low, running my fingers through Rupert’s fur as I wait for Maverick and Brett to finish their conversation. A few minutes later, Rupert raises his head from the kitchen tile, a low rumble building in his throat as he glares at something over my shoulder.
“How did it go?” I ask, not bothering to move from my position.
“As well as can be expected,” Maverick sighs, stepping around the island and stopping a few feet from Rupert and I. “She wants to help.”
“I know.”
Maverick leans against the counter, crossing slender arms across his chest. “What do you plan to do to stop her? ”
“I have an idea.”
“Ah, yes. You and these brilliant ‘ideas’. Like, storming the Sanctum in a one-man suicide mission.”
“I'm not alone,” I huff. “I have you. And hopefully one more after tomorrow.”
“But not Brett?”
I shake my head, my chest seizing at the thought of any form of harm coming to her. “She would be a great asset. But…”
“But you cannot focus when she is around.”
I hang my head, too ashamed to speak. “I cannot. I would get us all killed.”
“I see,” he murmurs, shoving a hand through his graying hair. “She will never forgive you.”
“I know.”
“And you’ve come to terms with it?”
I straighten, pinning Maverick with a hard stare as my fist tightens at my side. “I’m making it so the world has a place for someone like her. Someone good. Someone…” I shake my head. “There is no other way. The gauntlet has fallen, Maverick. It’s too late for anything else. The Madam knows I am against her, and we have to strike now.”
Maverick’s chest heaves with a sigh, and he pushes off the counter, stepping forward until our chest’s are inches apart. “You cannot cage a wild thing, Ghost. You cannot bottle the wind any more than you can protect her in this little bubble you’ve created. I have tried—and failed. I would hate to see you repeat my mistakes.”
I shake my head, unable to let his words hit home. “I… I have to try.”
Maverick tilts his head, seeming to look through me. “Very well. I will wait to hear from you.” With a small bow, he turns and floats from the room, not bothering to spare another glance. The door scrapes closed a minute later, signaling his departure. I let out a breath as I lean my forearms on the counter, the weight of our conversation hitting me like a semi.
“Ghost?”
I jerk my head up, my chest squeezing at the deep frown situated between Brett’s brows. She looks so, so worried, and I know it’s all because of me. Of what I’ve dragged her into.
“Hello, darling,” I murmur, holding my arms out for her to step into. She obliges, pressing her cheek deep into my chest as a satisfied sigh passes her lips. I pull my mask off and place it onto the counter before drawing my lips to the top of her head, drawing in deep lungfuls of Brett’s intoxicating scent.
I know she wants to talk about what Maverick said. Know she wants to talk about the plan to take down the Sanctum—and, more importantly, how she fits into it. But right now, I don’t want to think about any of it. I don’t want to think about anything other than the beautiful, marvelous creature in my arms. I don’t want to know anything other than her touch, her breath, the sound of her voice as she comes on my cock.
So, before she can get a word out, I throw her over my shoulder and whisk her into the bedroom. Tonight, I need my fill of Brett. Tonight, I need more of her than I’ve ever taken before.
Because I don’t know when I’ll have the chance again.
The next morning, Brett’s head is nestled against my chest, and I’m counting her breaths as I watch the clock tick closer to seven. I need to exact the final step of my plan today, but I don’t want to leave this room. As soon as I do, the spell will be broken, and the shitty reality I’ve put us in will all come crashing down.
I look down at the gorgeous sleeping woman in my arms, counting her beautiful long lashes for the third time since she’s fallen asleep. 1,342. Same as last time. I’m not sure why I keep checking, but something tells me that if I don’t pay attention at this moment, it will pass me by. If I don’t stop and savor the beautiful creature that is Brett, who knows when I will get the chance again.
I’ve decided to let her believe I’m letting her storm the Sanctum with me. If I let on about my real plan for Brett, there’s no way I’ll be able to keep her safe. The second she thinks she’s about to be caged, she’ll disappear, never to be caught again.
I cannot let that happen. Not in this life, at least.
As the last thought pasees, Brett stirs in my arms, half-lidded eyes gazing up with a sleepy smile. “Morning, handsome.”
My heart soars, and I lean down to press my lips to her forehead, earning me a contented sigh.“I love the color of your eyes first thing in the morning. Such a deep, endless blue,” I murmur, brushing a strand of hair off her forehead. I press my lips to the space between her brows, flattening out the deep crease there. “Why the frown, darling?”
She takes a deep breath, her eyes filled with concern. “I’m… I’m worried about you. About us. What Maverick said about the Santctum?— ”
“There is nothing to worry for when it comes to us,” I whisper, pulling back to look into her eyes once more.
“Even with Maverick’s help… what if something happens to you? What if you…” she doesn’t continue, unable to speak the question thats on both of our minds.
What if I die?
Brett’s eyes widen as my chuckle rings out. I shake my head, cupping her delicate cheek in my palm. “Death has tried, and failed before to tear us apart,” I whisper. “No, darling—my soul is tied to yours, I’m sure of it. I feel it when I touch you… that unbreakable, unfathomable recognition. It took me thirty-six years to find you this time, but I have no doubt in others, I have had you for longer. I would find you anywhere, my darling. I have, and I will again.” I look deep into her eyes, my thumb tracing delicate swirls across her cheekbone. “All I ask is that you trust me.”
She swallows thickly, but still gives me a small nod. “I trust you.”
“Good,” I murmur, I sigh, gripping her even tighter. Brett shudders slightly against me, and I pull her into me, contemplating my next words. “Because we’re going to meet someone else today. Someone who will help us.”
Brett looks up at me, her eyes wide and worried. “Who?”
I smile, running a thumb delicately over her cheek to ease that worried look. “Someone we can trust. His name is Reinhold Hellfyre—although most people call him Kain.”