Heart of the Dragon Read online

  "Jaco, what I do is my business," Lennon hissed. I stayed pressed against the wall near the door, looking around for anywhere I could hide.

  "Kemoth left me in charge," Jaco snapped back.

  "Jaco, get ready for your hunting trip," Lennon growled.

  "What if I don't go?"

  Lennon chuckled, "Then don't, but leave me the fuck alone. I'm fulfilling my mission."

  "The only mission you have is to bring me the Kindra," I swallowed.

  "I fucking know this."

  "It must be destroyed," Jaco pressed.

  "Yes, sir." I heard Lennon's agreement and it nearly broke me apart. Was this the game?

  I heard what I thought was Jaco huff and stomp away. A light tap came to the door. "Yes," I answered, not opening the door.

  "I'm sorry you heard that."

  "Why is that?" I rasped.

  "Because I know it scared you."

  "Yes," I told him honestly.

  "Two weeks, Kiana," he sighed and his footsteps trailed off. I rested my forehead against the door, trying to calm my racing heart.

  She left the drawer partially open, but I waited until I could tell the coast was clear before crawling out and changing. She was near the door and she was shaking. I hated that she was frightened. I couldn't hear the conversation, but she'd tell me when she was ready.

  I walked toward her and dropped to my knees in front of her, "Baby?" She looked up at me, the tears pouring from her eyes. I wrapped my arms around her and she shook in my arms. "It'll be okay, Kiana."

  She shook her head, "I don't think it will."

  "Baby, do you trust me?" She pulled back and looked at me.

  "Of course, I trust you." I caressed her cheek.

  "I'm not going to let anything happen to you." She closed her eyes and nodded.

  I kissed her lips and lifted her into my arms as I walked to the bed. "Tonight was supposed to be so different for us."

  I crawled up next to her and pulled her into my arms. "I have you, tonight couldn't have been any better," I vowed.

  She snuggled up next to me and I tightened my arms around her. I would talk with Lennon the first chance I got and figure out what needed to be done. I didn't want to burden Kiana anymore with the details that led to us getting a chance to be together. I wanted her to focus on that, us together.

  "I'm not going anywhere," I whispered in her ear as her breathing slowly evened out. I closed my eyes, and for the first time in days, I drifted off to sleep.

  Waking the next morning still wrapped in his arms felt like a dream. "Are you real?" I whispered, hoping I didn't actually disturb him. Kelvin was exhausted, I wanted him to sleep.

  "Was going to ask you the same thing," he chuckled and his eyes slowly opened.

  "Didn't mean to wake you," I admitted, casting my eyes away from him.

  "Hey now, look at me." I did as he wanted. "You didn't wake me." He smiled and I knew he wasn't lying.

  "Did you sleep well?" I asked.

  "Better than ever." I laughed at that declaration.

  "Last night..." I started but I couldn't seem to finish. I didn't want to tell him what I heard.

  He pressed his finger to my lip gently, "Baby, I'll talk with Lennon. The details of what needs to happen, I'll press him on. Right now, I want you to focus on us." I smiled and wiped a tear from my face.

  "I want to, but..." He shook his head and kissed me briefly.

  "No buts, okay?"

  I nodded and agreed, "Okay."

  I trailed my nails gently across his chest and he closed his eyes and groaned. "Mmm..."

  "We didn't get our moment," I said in what I hoped was a seductive tone. His eyes opened and grabbed my wrists, flipping me to my back.

  "No, we didn't," he answered before nipping on the skin of my neck.

  I wrapped my arms around his neck, making sure I didn't touch any of his bruises. "I need you," I panted.

  He pulled his face from my neck and the look in his eyes sent me into a tailspin. "I need you," he groaned.

  He thrust himself into me. No firefly was needed, we were both still wound up tight from the night before. He ground himself into me, I met every thrust with my own. Our eyes never strayed from each other's as we fell deeper and deeper into each other.

  "Kelvin," I breathed as his rhythm picked up. I was close. He was close. I wanted to come with him. "Let go with me, Tank," I sighed.

  We both detonated and he fell against me, staying buried inside. "I never thought I'd enjoy you calling me that," he confessed.

  I rubbed my hands gently down his back. "You are my Tank. You're so strong. So brave. So courageous. My life wouldn't be the same if you weren't a part of it."

  He groaned into my neck as he pulled his cock out of me. "My life would be empty too."

  We stayed in each other's arms and I wanted nothing more in the moment, but we had to deal with reality. "I don't think Lennon intended you staying here until the wedding."

  "Likely not," he smiled. "One step at a time, baby." I nodded. I could do that. I could savor the moments I got with him, knowing soon, we'd have forever.

  I forced myself to pull away from her to dress. Our time, for now, was likely drawing short. "I'm going to get dressed."

  She hopped up, "I will too."

  I smiled at her before speaking, knowing my words would hurt, "Baby, I don't want you to walk back with me."

  She frowned, "Why not?"

  "I want to talk with Vanlith."

  "You don't trust him?" I shrugged.

  "I'm not sure. Do you?" She responded with a shrug.

  "I did. Last night, though...I don't know." I nodded, understanding. I hadn't pressed her on what was said last night and I wasn't going to, but I knew what was said had her questioning things. Had her questioning Vanlith.

  "That's why I want to talk with him, baby." She frowned again.

  "I don't want you back in that cell. What if Jaco can't be reined in?" I rubbed my hands along her shoulders, thinking carefully about my words.

  "I don't think he can be reigned in."

  "Lennon promised he would do everything he could to keep you from getting hurt again." She started to cry.

  "Baby, if Jaco wants to hurt me, nothing will stop him." I cupped her face, "I'll survive. I have you, that will get me through it. I promise I'll be okay," I swore.

  She shook her head, "You can't promise that. Look at what they already did."

  I kissed her lips and lingered briefly before pulling back, "I'll be okay." She wrapped her arms around my neck and just clung to me. I wrapped my arms around her waist and held on tight as well. I could endure anything Jaco threw my way. I would endure it, for her.

  I didn't want him going back to that cell. I knew he had to. I didn't like the idea of him getting hurt again, but I knew that it was a possibly. "I love you, Kiana."

  "I love you too, Kelvin." As the words left my mouth, there was knocking at the door. "That will be Lennon, I suppose," I muttered absently.

  He nodded, "Likely. Get dressed, baby." I looked down and smiled, he had dressed but I hadn't.

  As I dressed, I watched him carefully. I studied every muscle, every inch of him, wanting to sear it into my memories. "Stop looking at me like that," he ordered, shaking me from my thoughts.

  "Like what?"

  "Like you're never going to see me again." I frowned at his words. Was that what I was doing?

  "I wasn't," I denied.

  He pulled me to him, "Baby, you agreed to marry me." I nodded because it was all I was capable of. "You couldn't get rid of me now, even if you tried."

  I tried to laugh, but it fell flat as I held him. The knocking got persistent and we both looked to the door, "We should open it." He nodded and walked us over to the door.

  "Good morning," Lennon addressed as the door opened to reveal him.

  "Morning," I choked.

  "I know what you heard." I nodded and Kelvin remained silent. "I'm not going to hurt you. Jaco i
s just proving difficult."

  "When is he not?" Kelvin spat out.

  "Fair point, Tank. I'm trying to keep him at bay until his hunting trip. He's just..."

  "Suspicious," I finished.

  He frowned and nodded, "Very." He sighed and shoved his hands into his pockets.

  "What is it, Lennon?" I pressed.

  He looked Kelvin's way before his eyes settled on me, "I need you to go back to wherever Tank had you."

  I looked over at Kelvin and he nodded at me, "I'd feel better if she was there."

  "What about you?" I asked Kelvin.

  "I'll be okay. I need you safe." I bit my lip but nodded in agreement.

  "Okay," I said, looking back at Lennon.

  "I wanted to get to know you. I wanted to know my sister, but we can still talk, right?"

  I smiled and released Kelvin's hand to hug my brother. "Of course. You promised to help me wedding plan."

  He chuckled and pulled back a bit. "However I can. Two weeks is all I need." I nodded, understanding that we could make everything happen once Jaco was away.

  I looked back at Kelvin, "Call me?"

  He pulled me from Lennon and hugged me tight, "Every damn day," he declared.

  "I have to pack," I muttered.

  "You pack while I take Tank back." I nodded and reluctantly released Kelvin so he could go with Lennon.

  "Love you, Kiana," he told me.

  "Love you, Tank," I replied and he smiled, blowing me a kiss. I reached my hand up and pretended to catch it. He laughed and then followed Lennon the back way to the cell chamber.

  As we walked to the cell, I knew that would be my chance. "I proposed to her," I mumbled, not sure if that was the best way to start this conversation.

  "I bet that made her happy." He replied to me absently and I shot him a look.

  "You better not be fucking around, Vanlith," I growled.

  "I'm not. I'm just stressed." I nodded. "I promised her you wouldn't be hurt again."

  I smirked, "That was a mistake."

  He groaned, "I know. When did he become so much like my father?"

  I shrugged because I really didn't have an answer for him. "She's everything to me, man," was all I added.

  "You're everything to her." I liked that thought. I wanted to be everything to her.

  "I'll do what I can to keep Jaco away from you until he leaves." He spat it out like a curse.

  "He's already suspicious, Vanlith, just let him do what he wants where I'm concerned."

  His eyes flashed to mine as we reached the cell, "She heard me tell him I understood the Kindra needed to be destroyed. Almost like I promised him I would. I can't let him hurt you again, she'd hate me and she's the only family I have left, Tank."

  "I need her safe. I promise if Jaco hurts me, I won't let her hate you as long as you swear this isn't bullshit. Swear to me this isn't a sick twisted game. Because I promise you, Vanlith, I will fucking kill you if it is."

  He shook his head, "I swear, Tank. I'm not fucking around." The tone of his voice, the stern look in eyes, told me he was telling the truth.

  "Okay, help her plan. Get her back to safety. Get to know your sister. Jaco will do what he wants and I'll survive it."

  He nodded quickly and let me into the cell. "She'll be safe."

  I gave him another glance. "She better be," I warned.

  He laughed and I wasn't completely sure why. "You truly are the one." I remained silent, "She'll always be in good hands with you."

  I crossed my arms, "Did you doubt that?"

  "It's not that I doubted it. I just had to be certain." I nodded, I got that. I extended my hand to him and he took it, shaking it. For the first time in months, Vanlith and I had an understanding. We were on the same page. On the same team.

  I looked over at my dad as the cell door shut and he smiled at me. I nodded and smiled back as a silent communication passed between us.

  TANK: SNIPER, KIANA IS BEING BROUGHT BACK.

  SNIPER: REALLY?

  TANK: LONG STORY. SHE CAN TELL YOU, BUT DON'T GET UP IN VANLITH'S GRILL.

  SNIPER: I'M SORRY, WHAT?

  TANK: LONG STORY.

  SNIPER: RIGHT. MANIAC KEEPS TEXTING ME.

  TANK: JUST BE CAREFUL WITH HIM.

  SNIPER: ALWAYS

  Our conversation over, I leaned against the wall. I knew the next two weeks wouldn't be easy, but I was going to survive it. I was going to get my girl. This was our time, even if the road wasn't easy.

  I was all packed when Lennon returned, a somber look on his face. "Is something wrong?"

  He shrugged, "I'm not sure."

  "Lennon?" I pressed.

  He closed his eyes and sighed, "I'll tell you in the car." I nodded reluctantly and followed him out of the room.

  Once we had been driving a few minutes, I pressed him again. "Lennon, what's wrong?"

  He glanced nervously my way before turning his focus back on the road. "I don't think I can keep Jaco away from Tank." His confession floored me.

  "But...you...promised," I quivered.

  "And it's a promise I desperately want to keep." He shook his head, "What you heard last night is the reason I can't protect Tank."

  "What will Kelvin think?" He looked my way and held my eyes for a moment.

  "He knows I can't keep Jaco away. He's prepared to endure anything he has to in order to keep Jaco's suspicions away from what is truly going on. He's prepared to protect you." As the words came from his mouth, I felt my heart stop.

  "He's prepared to give his life," I whispered.

  "If it comes to that, likely yes, but I don't think it will get that far."

  "Why not? Jaco is crazy." He nodded.

  "He is, but right now, Tank has something he wants, you."

  "He won't give me up."

  He shook his head, "No, he won't."

  I stared out the window, understanding what this all meant. Kelvin would be beaten again, because of me, because he didn't want to give away my location. The guilt swarmed me. I hated knowing he was going through something like that for me. As much as I knew he loved me, I still didn't feel worthy of that.

  I felt numb when the door to my cell opened. Jaco was by himself and the look on his face was one I never wanted to see again. "Tell me, Tank, do you know what Vanlith is up to?"

  I laughed, "How the hell would I know that? I've been stuck in your crummy cell," I spat at him. I heard my dad exhale. This was fire and I shouldn't be playing with it, but I was going to.

  "Don't fuck with me, Tank?" he hissed.

  I snorted, "No, I don't know what he's up to. I haven't seen him. I haven't talked to him." He glared at me and I waited with bated breath, knowing I was about to endure hell.

  "Face the pole!" he snapped, and I swallowed hard but obeyed. "Shirt off." I froze at the order. "Sam, his shirt!" he barked.

  I looked over at my dad and just nodded. "Son, I'm sorry." I shook my head as he pulled my shirt off.

  "Tie his hands around the pole." I looked over my shoulder just as Jaco tossed my dad a rope.

  "Jaco, come on, man," my dad argued.

  "No, tie them now or tomorrow, they'll be an execution!" I swallowed hard as my dad obeyed. I stared at him as he tied my hands and hoped he saw in my eyes that I wasn't blaming him. "Move!" I jumped at Jaco's voice. My dad had only side-stepped when the first whip crack landed on my back.

  Another crack had me wincing and hugging the pole as much as I could. After the fourth crack of the whip, I saw it tumble to the floor and I panted, struggling for a breath. "I don't know anything," I rasped.

  I heard movement and then saw my dad's terrified look. Just then I felt the spikes. "I don't fucking believe you," he hissed, prying the spikes on the club from my back. I felt blood trickle down my back and squeezed my eyes shut as another blow from the club landed against my skin.

  He pried it out again, "I'll tell you where she lives." My dad's eyes widened, I held them with my own stare, though, as I rattled off
Kiana's address. She wouldn't be there, but he didn't need to know I knew that for now.

  "Very good choice, Tank." His voice low and lethal. I heard some sloshing around before I heard his voice again, "Clean him up, Sam. I want him presentable when we bring her in for the destruction ceremony." My dad just nodded.

  The door shut and my legs gave out, but being tied to the pole helped hold me up. My dad rushed over and untied me, slowly lowering me to the ground. "Don't move," he instructed and I nodded. I couldn't move even if I needed to.

  My phone was ringing the instant we pulled up the cabin. "Kelvin."

  "It's Sam, are you inside yet?" I looked at Lennon who watched me carefully.

  "We just arrived, Sam."

  "Get inside, then go somewhere private."

  "Going," I responded, jumping out of the car. Lennon quickly followed me. I let myself into the house and barely looked Max, Liz, and Miranda's way as I rushed to my room and locked myself in. "Okay, Sam."

  The phone rustled around for a few seconds, "Kiana," he groaned and I sunk to my knees.

  "Oh God," I panted. "What did he do?"

  "I love you." The tears slipped down my cheeks as the phone rustled again.

  "Kiana."

  "Sam?" I questioned, wiping my eyes.

  "Yes. You can't go back to your apartment." I wasn't planning on it right now, but I wanted to know why.

  "Why not?" my voice unsteady.

  "Tan...ummm...Kelvin gave Jaco your address."

  I closed my eyes, "Did that stop him from being hurt?"

  Sam sighed, "It stopped him, but Kiana..."

  "He was hurt badly. Worse than the first time." I didn't need to ask. I knew they had.

  "Yes," he admitted with a twinge of guilt in his voice.

  "Can I talk with him?"

  "I'll hold the phone to his ear." The phone rustled again.

  "I'm sorry, baby," he groaned.

  "Don't," I demanded. I would not let him feel guilty for this. I wasn't living there, so giving them my address was okay. "I love you."