Chapter Eighteen
Selena lay quietly in the bed, resting her head on Maximus’s chest. She’d be sore in the morning and probably for a week, but that didn’t change her conclusion. Best sex ever. Could somebody become addicted to a person? If so, she already was. It was insane, but the idea of Maximus leaving her behind after everything was over almost terrified her.
She tried to tell herself it was a silly overreaction to hours of insanely good sex, but that didn’t change the longing. Asking the hybrid for a relationship didn’t make sense. Despite all the speeches she gave, Selena couldn’t get past thinking about the idea there was a woman out there for him, waiting, as if picked by destiny. She would have loved it if that was her, but she wasn’t anything special.
Yes, she felt a connection to Maximus, but she wouldn’t be the first woman to fall in love with a dangerous man too quickly. She had no idea how to distinguish that from a mystical connection dictated by fate.
Selena lifted her head to look into his stunning amber eyes. A selfish hope grew in her. If he could share this night with her, why couldn’t he share others? She couldn’t stand aside for some other woman Maximus hadn’t even met. He wasn’t married or in a relationship. She wasn’t doing anything wrong.
Maximus kissed her forehead and rolled out of bed. He retrieved his boxers and slipped them on, slowly, almost tauntingly, letting Selena get a final, long view of what had pleasured her so well that afternoon.
“I want you to come with me,” he said, his voice low.
Selena’s heart skipped a beat, and she sat up. “W-what?”
This was it. A gorgeous hunk of man wanted her to be part of his life. She’d worry about the complications later.
“It’s not safe here.” Maximus grunted. “We checked into our hotel using false names. There’s no easy way to trace us there. I’m guessing you didn’t do that.”
Selena blinked, confused. “No. Most people don’t who aren’t celebrities. Chris’s room was registered under a fake name though.”
“If the Corps already bribed those government people, then they might have your name.” Maximus retrieved his pants and shoved a leg into them. “Which means they can come here after you. And after hearing those guards, I’m certain it’s the Corps.”
Selena sighed and dropped back onto the bed. She’d been convinced that their passion led to a deep connection, but apparently it was one-sided. Maximus wanted to protect her, not for her to be part of his life. Not dying sounded nice, though.
“Where do you want to take me then?” she asked.
“My hotel room.”
“What about the other guy who doesn’t like me?”
“I’m in command,” Maximus growled. He took a deep breath before finishing with his pants and grabbing his boots. “I need all my men for the raid, so I can’t guarantee you any guards, but you’ll be safer there than waiting here for someone to knock down the door and drag you off.”
“And you’re sure about not calling the police?” Selena forced herself out of bed. Whatever was going to happen would require her to be dressed, whether going with Maximus or making sure she wasn’t dragged off and thrown into a cell naked.
“We can’t be sure who to trust, and even if they’re on our side, if we get them involved, they might not let us raid the Corps right away. They could scurry off if we wait too long.” Maximus laced his boots. “This is a hybrid matter, and hybrids should take care of it.”
“Fair enough.” Selena looked around, frowning. She couldn’t find her panties. After half-circling the bed, she found them bunched up on the floor and grabbed them.
“Leave everything here,” Maximus said. “If someone breaks in, we don’t want it to be obvious that you’re hiding out. All it takes are small clues to tip off the enemy.”
Selena laughed and shrugged. “It’ll be an easy night, then. I don’t have to worry about my job anymore, and I can sit in your room watching bad reality TV.”
* * *
Selena stayed close to Maximus as they entered the hotel room. He’d offered a rhythmic knock, and CJ peeked out before ushering them inside and quickly closing the door. She could see why they didn’t want anyone getting a good look. Six hybrids filled the room. Rifles sat on the desks, table, and beds, along with ammo. Tactical vests with an insane number of pockets lay strew over the edge of the beds. Laptops on the desks relayed drone feeds from the forest, some normal, some in the eerie contrast of thermal-viewing modes. These were men getting ready for battle. It looked like an Army command center.
Of the six men in the room, she knew Maximus, CJ, Cornelius, and Tiberius already, or at least their names. The two men she didn’t recognize included a younger man with brown hair and a black man with a shaved head who somehow managed to look even more muscular than Maximus. The first man looked close to CJ’s age, probably in his mid-twenties, but the buff hybrid looked a few years older like the rest.
Cornelius frowned at Selena before turning to Maximus. “Do you really think this is a good idea?”
“No, but it’s better than letting her get picked up by the Group,” Maximus said. With his hand on her shoulder, he gently glided her to the only chair not filled with equipment. “It’s too late now to pretend she isn’t involved.”
Tiberius gave an easy smile and bowed with theatrical flourish. “Welcome, Selena. Sorry you got caught up in all this.”
“It’s not your fault.” Selena offered him a sheepish smile. “This is the result of me being too stubborn.”
“Nothing wrong that,” CJ said, inserting a magazine into his rifle with a loud slap. “Stubborn people
