Wicked Burn (Realm Enforcers #3)(51)

Aye. That was going to be easy. Not.

She reached the living room to find Nick moving her mother’s favorite chair into the corner of the room. “What happened?”

“Connlan Kayrs happened,” Nick muttered. “We’ll have to get the chair repaired when we have time. For now, let’s put it in the corner so nobody sits on it and damages it further.”

Simone nodded. “We, ah, need to talk.” Her hands fluttered together. Fluttered! For the love of the Liffey. She was Simone Brightston, and she did not flutter. Ever.

He straightened and turned to face her. “Last time you wanted to talk, I believe you wanted to confess to committing treason. Please tell me this is less of a surprise.”

She chuckled, and even her laugh sounded nervous. “I can’t tell you that.”

He sighed. “All right. What now?”

She opened her mouth to tell him, and a car screeched to a stop outside. A second later, the front door burst open, banging against the wall.

Nick leaped across the room to cover her, landing squarely between her and the threat. “Bear?” he roared.

Simone looked around Nick. “Bear? What in the world are you doing in Dublin?”

Bear ran into the room, his gaze frantic. His T-shirt was inside out as if he’d hurriedly thrown it on, and his threadbare jeans were unbuttoned. “We have to go. Right now, we have to get the hell out of here.”

Nick didn’t hesitate to run over and stuff his papers into a backpack. “What kind of threat?”

“You wouldn’t believe me.” Bear ran toward Simone to grab her arm. “Let’s go. God. I can’t believe your mom called him.”

Simone jerked free. “Desmond?”

Bear paused and reared back. “She told you about him?”

“Yes,” Simone said smoothly, her heart thundering in her chest. “All about him. So let’s wait here.”

Bear growled and sounded like the beast he really was. “Bullshit, sister. If she’d told you about him, you wouldn’t want to stay here and wait.”

Nick reached them, anger swelling from him. “Who the hell is Desmond?”

“Later.” Bear pushed Simone toward the door. “I’ll explain everything once we’re the hell away from here. Hurry. God, we have to hurry.”

His urgency and panic took hold of Simone. “I can’t leave my mother.”

“You have to. She’s safe, I promise.” Bear pushed her harder, and she fell against Nick. “Go. Geez. Just go. I’ll have your mom brought to safety in no time. She’s not the one in danger. I promise.”

“Who is Desmond?” Simone asked, turning on Bear. If she didn’t get some answers, she was going to go crazy.

Bear looked over her head at Nick. “If she stays here, she dies. I give you my word, she’s in mortal danger, and neither of you have a clue as to what is coming. For once in your life, trust me, Nick. Go on faith.”

Simone hissed. “I’m not moving an inch—eek.”

Nick swung her up and started for the front door. She struggled, panic engulfing her. If danger was coming, the type that could frighten Bear so, she couldn’t leave her mother here in such a weakened state. “My mother.”

“I’ll bring her,” Bear yelled. “Text me where to meet you once you’re safe. Just go. Fucking go, Simone.”

Nick ran for the front door and leaped down the three steps, heading straight for his motorcycle, which was parked near the porch.

A dark shadow covered the sun for a second. Then something else.

Simone glanced up. Nothing. She shivered. “What in the hell?”

Nick reached the bike. “I don’t know. Something is here.” He frowned and glanced around the quiet area. “Get on the bike.”

Her legs wobbled, but she managed to get one over the seat before Nick jumped in front of her and started the engine. The bike roared to life. Hope filled her, and she tucked her hands around Nick’s waist.

He twisted the throttle, and the bike leaped forward and onto the dirt drive.

Simone held on, her heart racing. The shadow crossed again.

Strong arms grabbed her. The force jerked her off the motorcycle and into the air. She screamed, reaching for Nick, but within seconds, she rose high above him. The air chilled and seemed to swirl around.

He swung the bike around and cut the engine, looking up with shock and a darkening rage across his face.

Simone froze in place. If she struggled, whatever held her might drop her. What the blooming hell had her?

Whatever it was tucked her up, and warmth shielded her back. The hold felt strong, and the ground rushed by below as they flew with immeasurable speed. She didn’t know of any immortal creature that could fly, but something was whisking her away. Her and her baby.

She bit back another scream and tried to concentrate. Wisps of cloud surrounded them, but she could make out land below. Green and rolling countryside turned to churning water. If she struggled free, how hard would she hit the ocean?

Probably too hard. Falling from such a height would be like hitting stone instead of water.

“What are you?” she whispered.

No answer. It barely breathed against her, using wind currents to rise and fall easily.

At some point, whatever it was would have to put her down. It would have to land. The second it did, she’d fight. She dug deep, accepted the reality of what was happening, and prepared to kill.