“If something unexpected happens, if I don’t return, I want you to take the money in my account and start a new life.”
“No, Drago. Nothing’s going to happen to you. I came here to the States to work with you, and I won’t accept a life without you in it. You mean too much to me. Not that… I—”
“It’s okay. I know exactly what you mean because I feel the same way. But we both know this is a dangerous game we’re playing. Rafael Stone hasn’t been King for this long because he’s foolish. The male has a Clan full of family at his back. But if something does happen, gods forbid, promise me you’ll take the money and start over somewhere else. Please, Hagen. Let me cross over knowing you’ll go live a good life.”
“This sounds like goodbye,” Hagen whispered.
“I don’t mean for it to, but I’d rather say it just in case.” Drago cupped Hagen’s cheek. “I appreciate everything you’ve done for me. Thank you, Hagen.” Drago pressed his lips to his boy’s forehead, lingering longer than was appropriate between boss and employee, but they were more than that. If nothing else, they were friends.
Under the cover of night, Drago left Hagen in the hotel room and disappeared into the water of the Pacific. He told himself it was nothing more than a reconnaissance mission. He would set eyes on the mates and determine what, if any, security they had, and then he would come back later to carry out his mission. Drago phased and launched into the air halfway to the island. Flying high above the four villages, he detected little movement, as most everyone was asleep. That is until he saw two beings cut through the woods down to the beach. His beast sensed one of the figures – the male – was a Goyle. Drago was about to abort and head back to Upolu when the male turned and jogged back into the woods, leaving the female alone. He knew it was a huge risk, but Drago was willing to take it. He dove toward the beach, his target in sight.
“Sunrise is my favorite time of day,” Kai explained to Josie as he led her along the path to the beach. Josie shouldn’t be able to see since it was dark out, but somehow, she could.
“Kai? How can I see in the dark?”
“I didn’t know if it would happen since you’re human, but when a Seven finds his mate, some of his essence transfers.”
“Huh. Will I be able to run fast?”
“I don’t think so, but we can test that out later.”
Josie was still sleepy, but she would never deny her mate anything. Instead of finding clothes, she had wrapped the sarong around herself, knotting it over one shoulder while Kai slipped on a pair of shorts. As they walked through the trees, Josie was overcome with her new extraordinary vision. Sounds were sharper, and the scents? So many different smells swirled through the air like the sweetness of flowers. The dampness of the dirt. The salt wafting in from the ocean. When they reached the water, Josie rubbed her hands up and down her arms. The temperature was probably in the seventies, but the breeze coming off the water was cool.
“Are you cold?” Kai asked.
“Just a little chilly. I’ll be fine.” Josie would endure a little discomfort so Kai could enjoy the sunrise.
“Nonsense. Stay right here, and I’ll run back to the house and get you a blanket.”
Before she could argue, Kai zipped away. She would never get used to his speed. A whoosh of air blew her hair around her shoulders. Josie grinned because that had been really fast, but when she turned around, the hair on her arms stood on end, and Josie knew whoever this was wasn’t one of their Clan. It took a few seconds to figure out why he looked familiar, but she recognized the male from Connor’s drawing.
“It’s you.” Josie took a step back, but the male was there in an instant.
“Don’t scream. I don’t want to hurt you.” His accent was thick, but she still understood him.
Josie didn’t scream aloud, but what he couldn’t hear might save her life
Kai! Drago’s here!
Motherfucker!
Josie cringed when the beast roared inside her head.
I’m coming, Sunshine
Drago gripped her arms, and Josie tried squirming away, but it was no use. He was too strong.
“Let her go!” Kai demanded.
Drago put Josie between himself and Kai. A sharp claw emerged from his fingertip and pressed into Josie’s neck. “Don’t come any closer, or I’ll slit her throat.”
Josie’s heart thudded in her chest and roared in her ears. No, that was her mate yelling into the dark night. The trees behind Kai swayed unnaturally since there was only the barest of a breeze coming off the water.
That’s our Clan you’re seeing
Huh
Josie focused, and there they all were. Kai’s brothers, his father, and Nikolas were all perched on tree branches.
“You won’t get out of here alive,” Kai promised.
“Then neither will your mate.”
Josie, do you trust us?
With my life.
Close your eyes and don’t open them until I tell you to.
Josie nodded, and the claw at her throat dug into her skin. Still, she closed her eyes and waited. She did trust Malakai and their beast, but she didn’t trust Drago. If she was going to die…
I love you.
Instead
