Wicked Burn (Realm Enforcers #3)(10)

“We’re locking you in the back,” the lead soldier said, his voice sounding tinny and far away.

Nick nodded, needing more than ever to sit down but unwilling to show any weakness.

Tori chose that moment to awaken, look around the plane, and start screaming.

“Shut up,” the soldier carrying her said, grimacing.

She struggled furiously, her face filling with red, her legs kicking out. “You don’t understand. God. Get me off this plane. Not near the cockpit. Oh God. Not near the cockpit. We won’t make it.”

The soldier pinched her neck again, and she went limp with a soft whimper.

“Tie her up and throw a blanket over her on the sofa,” the lead soldier ordered. “Take everybody else to the back. We’re behind schedule.”

Nick eyed the soldier as he placed Tori on a sofa with a blanket. She’d be all right for the flight, and he needed to heal before trying to rescue anybody. With such an obvious phobia about flying, she’d be better off unconscious for the duration.

Pain sliced through his torso from his ignored injures. He turned and staggered behind the two guys carrying Bear to a rather spacious bedroom. They rolled the unconscious shifter onto the bed and backed away, locking the door securely from the other side. Bear started snoring.

Good sign.

Nick gently placed Simone on the bed, his strength rapidly dwindling. Then he glanced around the area for any weapon. Nothing. There also wasn’t anything to block the door. While he’d be outgunned by the soldiers, he still wanted warning if anybody tried to enter the room while he was healing. So he grabbed Bear’s shoulders and yanked him from the bed. The bullet holes in his chest seemed to have finally closed, because the blood had stopped flowing.

The shifter hit the floor hard, and Nick winced. He coughed but continued to drag Bear in front of the door. “Sorry, Bear.”

Bear fell sideways, his head thunking on the thick carpet, his body easily blocking the door. His eyes didn’t open, and his snoring deepened.

That would work.

Nick stumbled back to the bed and fell facedown next to Simone. He just needed a couple hours of sleep to heal. At that point, he’d figure out what to do next.

Simone mumbled something and curled into him. The scent of wild roses surrounded him, and he fell asleep with a smile tickling his lips.





Chapter 4


Simone struggled in her sleep, trying desperately to avoid the dream from taking her under. But after her injuries, her subconscious wasn’t strong enough. Once again, the dream won.

She was been climbing the stairs to her new apartment overlooking the Liffey, her limbs heavy and her heart aching. Nicholai had left her only a week before, his eyes a chilling arctic as he told her it was over. They were over.

She’d pleaded with him, offering to leave Ireland and live with his people. For him, she’d gladly give up her own destiny of ruling the Coven Nine.

He’d said she had been a nice f*ck, but he needed to return to real women. Demons only.

She’d given him her virginity, and he’d given her pain. Thank God she hadn’t allowed him into her mind, or she’d be vulnerable even to the present time.

Now, a week later, she’d been appointed for life to the Coven Nine. She’d rise to the top and become powerful, relying only on herself and not on any man. She’d learned that one the hard way.

Tonight she’d even celebrate by herself, although her damn cousins were making her attend a family dinner in her honor the next night.

Her hands were full of fresh bread and produce she’d purchased from street vendors. She was so caught up in her musings, she didn’t notice the presence of others in her flat until she’d shut the door and walked halfway to the kitchen.

“Simone Brightston.” The deep voice echoed around the room.

She’d dropped the groceries, pivoting to defend herself. Two males faced her, one adult and one a teenager. Brown shaggy hair, brown eyes, both fit. “Who the hell are you?”

The kid cleared his throat. “I’m Beauregard.”

All right. The kid had bruises down the side of his face that seemed to continue into his oversized shirt. “What happened to your face?”

The kid flushed and looked away.

“You are Simone. I heard about your council appointment.” The adult looked her over. His lip twisted.

Her appointment had made news all around the world. “All right.”

He breathed out. “Vivienne Northcutt is your mother.”

Awareness tingled through the air. Something familiar and yet not really. Simone slid one foot behind the other, in case she needed to kick. “Who are you?” she asked again, wondering whether she could get to the door before he attacked. She could scream, but the Enforcers weren’t back home yet, so her breath would be wasted.

Something told her that wasting breath wouldn’t be a good idea with the male facing her.

She concentrated, trying to feel beneath his skin. Not a witch or a demon. She knew those signatures. A vampire? Possibly, but it didn’t feel quite right. “I’m not going to ask you again,” she said grimly.

He smiled then, showing long canines. “I like your grit.”

The kid seemed to relax. “Just answer his question, would you?”

Simone edged slightly toward the door. “Vivienne is my mother.”