Betrayal (18 page)

“Julian is convinced that Brock will be a Protector. So I need to hang on to that belief. Otherwise I’ll go crazy.”

Rachel smiled at Emma and reached over to squeeze her hand. “If you love Cyn, then fight for him Emma. He’s been a real grump these past few days. He loves you too, you know?”

“Maybe, but he doesn’t trust me.”

“Perhaps not before, but you were willing to give your life for Blue. I’m sure he feels differently now.”

After Rachel and Blue left, Emma’s thoughts tumbled around her head. She wondered if she and Cyn were meant to be. Was their love strong enough to stand up against Julian? Was it possible that she was Cyn’s life-mate?

Her betrayal would be a constant hindrance. She didn’t hold out much hope for a happy ending like Rachel and Roderick.

As planned, she would move to Savannah.

And try to forget Cyn.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Two Weeks Later.

“Well at least in the spring when we move to Savannah, the weather will be warmer and we can go to the beach. It will be a fresh start in a brand new bank branch,” Wendy told Emma while they ate hamburgers and fries, in a downtown diner. “Besides, it gives you plenty of time to sell your townhouse too.”

Emma finished her sandwich and eyed Wendy’s. Wendy narrowed her eyes and moved the plate back. “Don’t even think about it sister. I’m starving.”

Emma rolled her shoulders in an attempt to get rid of the tension. “I hoped to leave as soon as possible so I don’t run into Cyn.”

She reached over and grabbed a fry from Wendy’s plate and gobbled it down. “Man, I have been so hungry lately. It’s probably all the stress. I’m so worried about Briana. She hasn’t contacted me at all.”

Wendy slid her plate further away from Emma. “Well I’m not going to avoid Kieran. I’d really love to see him again. I would settle for a one-night stand. Oh just to see him naked once.” Wendy closed her eyes and pretended to swoon. When she opened her eyes, she caught Emma snatching more of her fries and gave up. She pushed the plate to the middle of the table, but picked up her sandwich. “You’re such a pig.”

“You know Wendy, Kieran is kind of intimidating. I don’t think the man has an emotional bone in his entire body,” Emma told her.

“I’d love to find everything out about his
entire body
,” Wendy giggled, then her eyes widened.

“Oh-oh,” Wendy said under her breath. “Um, Emma, I think you’re going to have a little itty bitty problem avoiding Cyn.” She took a bite of her sandwich.

“What?”

Wendy pointed toward the door and mumbled with her mouth full. “He just walked in.”

Emma felt his presence before seeing him. Her skin prickled and a shiver ran down her spine. When Wendy waved toward the front of the restaurant, Emma wanted to kick her friend under the table.

He came to their table and smiled at her. “Hello Emma.” He smirked at Wendy. “Hey.”

“Hey Cyn,” Wendy chirped.

Upon seeing Cyn, Emma could only stare transfixed. Every time she saw him, he was even more handsome. His hair was shorter, not quite to his shirt collar; it accentuated his strong jaw line. Her eyes traveled over him noting the light blue pullover sweatshirt and jeans he wore.

He surprised her by sliding into the seat next to her.

Wendy placed her elbows on the tabletop and put her chin in her hands. She beamed at Cyn with a wide smile on her lips. “How you been?”

“You two have met?” Emma asked, confused.

“Yeah, he was at the hospital for two days straight while you were out of it. Didn’t I tell you?”

“No Wendy, you didn’t,” Emma replied, annoyed.

When Cyn shifted, his arm brushed against hers. A tingle of awareness made her tense. She was sure her heart pounded audibly. When their thighs grazed, she almost jumped out of her skin. She tried to slide away without him noticing.

She cleared her throat and brushed her hair behind her ear to be able to glance at him out of the corner of her eye. He looked around the café, his pose relaxed.

Wendy slid out of the booth and made a show out of getting her oversized purse on her shoulder. “Well I better go. You two have a lot to talk about, especially with the new development.” She winked at Emma. “I’ll catch you tomorrow and pay my part of the bill.”

Emma glared at Wendy willing her not to leave.

But her friend ignored her look, reached across Cyn and gave her shoulder a quick squeeze. After a sly smile at Cyn, she gave him a peck on the cheek. “I know you’ll do the right thing.”

Cyn turned and gave Emma a puzzled look, his eyes full of questions. Emma didn’t dare look directly at him, but she saw it.

She took deep breaths and tried to get her nerves under control.

Mae walked up and burst into a loud laugh. “Well I never thought I’d see the day. Finally, you got you a lady friend.” She pinched Cyn’s cheek. Emma pressed her lips together to stifle a smile when he blushed.

“Both of ya’ll come in here so often, I’m surprised I haven’t seen you together before.” Mae put down a glass of sweet tea in front of Cyn and gave Emma a stern look, while she pointed at Cyn. “This is a good man. He’s a little too pretty for a man, but he is a decent guy. He’ll do good by you.”

“Mae, thanks for the sales pitch, but can you get me some food please,” Cyn said, but not before Emma saw the muscles in his jaw twitch.

Emma smiled at the interaction between the two. It was good to know that Cyn had other people in his life that cared for him. She wished they could be friends, if nothing else. But it would be impossible for them to try to remain just friends.

Cyn drank his tea and sat in silence next to Emma. He considered how nice it would be to have someone to eat with and share his day-to-day occurrences with. He pictured them going for walks together and taking an actual family vacation. He could get used to something like that. He inhaled her scent and held back the urge to draw her closer.

“How have you been?” he asked, breaking the silence.

She shrugged. “Good.”

The short one word answer did little to convince him.

When Mae placed his usual Rueben and fries in front of him, he liked the fact that Emma didn’t hesitate to take one of his fries. He picked up his sandwich and offered her a bite. She took one and met his eyes momentarily, before she looked away.

“It’s really good. Thanks,” she told him, her voice shook just enough to tell him she was nervous. He hated how distant she felt from him.

“I can’t do it Emma —I’m having a rough time. I can’t stop thinking about you.” Cyn watched her take another fry from his plate.

The honesty in her reply surprised him. “Me either, that’s why I’m moving. Once I’m gone, you will have an easier time concentrating on Blue and your work. Rachel told me you’ve been a grump lately.”

Cyn took her hand. “That’s not what I want. Look at me. I can’t stay away from you. I want you with me always.”

This time when her eyes met his, the depths of her beautiful honey-brown eyes warmed him.

Damn, he was in deep.

Emma stared at him seeming to be at a loss for words. She merely raised her hand and brushed her fingers down his cheek. She then snuggled into his side.

He continued eating and felt satisfied when he heard her sigh and relax. Tenderness filled him as he looked down at Emma’s slight body molded next to him. It felt right. Cyn leaned over and kissed the top of her hair.

Emma finally spoke. “But Cyn, you can’t break your oath — Protectors can’t marry.”

Mae returned to fill his glass and gave them a bright smile. He waited until she walked away before speaking.

“We can marry, but our wife has to be chosen for us or she has to be our life-mate. Most of us are not willing to enter into an arranged marriage. As a result, very few Protectors marry.”

“How do you know if someone is your life-mate?” Emma asked.

Cyn shrugged. “Julian says it’s very rare, usually someone we will feel a strong connection to right away, and I’m not sure what else. I’ve never cared enough to ask.”

Emma tensed and moved away from him. “Good thing I’m moving because I’d be tempted to kill the woman you end up with.” She drank from her beer while her free hand played with the angel hanging between her breasts.

Cyn laughed. “You’re who I want to end up with.” he told her and kissed her parted lips when she looked up at him with a stunned expression.

Emma responded by laying her head on his arm. He wanted her to remain there forever, didn’t want to think about a future or any kind of life without both her and Blue in it.

While he ate, they discussed how Blue was doing. After they could prolong it no longer, they exited the diner and Cyn walked Emma to her car.

Not able to wait any longer, he pulled her to him and kissed her. His hunger for her would not be denied.

He loved the feel of her lips and the familiar softness of her body against his. He could not allow her to go.

She wasn’t moving anywhere.

Emma ran her hands over his shoulders up behind his head, and kissed him back with intensity. That sealed it, being apart from her was not an option. He couldn’t bear it.

“Come home with me,” Cyn whispered in her ear.

Emma moved back, and put space between them. “There is nothing else in the world I want more than to be with you, but it will only make it harder, later when we are forced to separate. I can’t Cyn.”

“Emma I mean it, I want you with me.” Cyn looked into her eyes and realized he was being an idiot. He was really screwing things up.

He took her hand, led her to his truck, and leaned against it with her in his arms. The wind blew Emma’s hair across her face. He brushed it aside and kissed her again. This time he kept it chaste.

“With Argos’ death, I am finally able to legally adopt Blue. He is taking my last name and has decided to change his first name too. In two weeks, he will be Malcolm Fraser. He chose my brother’s name.”

“Oh Cyn, that is great.” Emma hugged him and sniffed, a tear spilling down her cheek. “I am so happy for you and Blue. Er, Malcolm.”

“Blue is his nickname, we’ll still call him that.” Cyn reassured her. “There’s something else that’s just as important and I hope changes your mind about leaving.” He looked into her eyes and held her face between his hands.

“Emma, I love you. Will you marry me?”

“I, I…. we can’t do that!” Emma gasped as she threw her arms around his neck, happy beyond belief at his declaration.

Tell him you love him
. Her heart demanded.

If only she could reply in kind, but she couldn’t, not when she had to walk away from him.

Bowled over by the depth of love for her evident in his expression, she believed him. There wasn’t any room for doubt. The man truly loved her. Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough.

Exhaling deeply, she rested her forehead on his chest. “If only we could, but you know what I am. Julian would never allow it, and I won’t have you go back on your oath for me —for a demon.”

With one last lingering look, she turned away and hurried to her car.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Before she could reach her car, Cyn came up behind her and lifted her into his arms. He ignored her shriek of surprise and carried her back to his truck.

Embarrassed at what the people in the diner witnessed, her cheeks warmed. “Put me down Cyn, people are watching.”

“I don’t care,” he replied, his tone even.

He struggled a bit opening the passenger door but managed it. He sat her in the passenger seat, and buckled her in. Emma could only stare at him. She opened her mouth to protest but found that she was at a loss for words.

“We will finish this conversation at the house,” he told her in a won’t-take-no-for-an-answer tone, his glare daring her to move. The dangerous Protector was back and she did not contradict him.

Torn between elation at knowing he loved her, and fear of the hurt that would come when forced to walk away from him, Emma could only sit and stare straight ahead.

She closed her eyes and tried unsuccessfully to form a cohesive thought.

What happens now?

The longer she stayed around him, the harder it would be to walk away.

When he got into the truck, the ice-blue eyes she loved so much met hers for a moment. She almost caved upon seeing so much emotion in them. He turned away, cranked the engine.  He turned up the volume on the radio and let music fill the space around them.

# # #

When they walked into his house, Blue came out of the kitchen with a stack of grilled cheese sandwiches. “Hey Dad.” It was a moment before he noticed Emma.

A broad smile split his face. “Hi Emma. You’re back, that’s awesome.” He turned and shuffled toward his room not looking back.

“Hey, you didn’t eat your dinner. You said you weren’t hungry and now you’re eating a tower of crap.” Cyn called after him.

“You’re cooking sucks, Dad. Sorry!” Blue called back before his bedroom door slammed shut.

Emma smiled at Cyn’s frown. He walked to the hallway entrance and looked toward Blue’s room, as if trying to decide what to do about his son.

“You must have not eaten your dinner either since you ate a sandwich at Mae’s earlier.” Emma reminded him. “Let Blue have his tower of sandwiches. Grilled cheese is not that unhealthy.”

Cyn turned to her, his expression sheepish. “My cooking
is
pretty bad. Do you want something to drink?” He went to the kitchen and took two beers out of the fridge and poured one into a glass for her. “Please sit down.”

There was no way she could resist him, not for long anyway. She loved this man with all her heart and soul. No doubt he would try and convince her to marry him and how could she say no. It was useless to deny the feelings she had for him. If only they could be together without Cyn having to resign from the Protector force.

Being a Protector was his life. She would never let him quit.

She had to be strong.

He held a chair out for her.

She sat, ignoring the beer and steeled herself to what he was about to say.

If he was going to convince her to marry him regardless of the consequences, she didn’t know if she could resist.

“I never thought I’d fall in love. I did my best to avoid it at all costs… oh God, this is not the best way to start this discussion.” His nervousness was obvious, but his resolve proved stronger. “I’m not good with words Emma. I don’t know how to express my feelings. I convinced Wendy to get you to Mae’s diner so I could talk to you.” He blushed. “Shit sorry, I wasn’t supposed to tell you that either.”

The little traitor.
She’d deal with Wendy later.

Cyn took her hand. “Emma, I want you to understand that I’m willing to do anything not to lose you.”

At seeing her fierce Protector so vulnerable, she ached for him. Emma stood and wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head on his firm chest.

His sigh made her heart constrict, as he relaxed and held her. How could she say no? God help her.

Cyn put his hands on both sides of her face and they looked into each other’s eyes for a moment before his mouth fell on hers. The kiss was soft and sweet, his lips brushed feather soft strokes over hers.

Cyn nipped her bottom lip and deepened the kiss while he walked her backwards toward the couch. When the back of her legs touched it, they fell back into the soft suede, never breaking their kiss. Emma scooted over to allow him room to lie next to her.

He removed the clip from her hair and it cascaded to her shoulders, Cyn buried his face in it. “I love your scent Emma.”

Emma rubbed his back, and basked in the feel of his amazing body.

I want to fight for us. I love him
. The thought took her by surprise.

“I love you Cyn.”

His wide smile warmed her heart. His mouth found hers again and this time his kiss was hard and demanding. Emma ran her hand under his shirt needing to touch his skin. He pushed his hardness into her and she moaned.

The sound of a branch against the window got Emma’s attention. She realized what they were doing and she pushed Cyn back. Both were breathing hard.

“Blue could walk in, that wouldn’t be good,” she told him.

Cyn responded by pulling her in for another kiss before he got up from the couch and held his hand out to help her up. “You’re right, it would be rather awkward. No kid wants to see his Dad making out.”

Emma gasped in alarm when Cyn grabbed her and threw her behind him. The speed of his movements astounded her. She peered around him and her jaw dropped at the sight of the man who stood in the room.

The male that appeared before them looked as if he’d fallen to earth directly from Mt. Olympus. There were two words that described him, perfection and terrifying. The air sizzled as his shimmering eyes landed first on Emma and then on Cyn.

He had to be Julian.

The man radiated pure power.

Fear seized her, yet she tried to take him in. If Emma thought Cyn and the other Protectors were the most handsome men she’d ever seen, it was because she’d never met Julian.

No male could compare to him.

He looked much younger than she expected, perhaps mid-twenties. His broad shoulders and a sleek, yet muscled, physique were evident under his white collarless shirt and tan slacks. The slight vee gave a glimpse of a light feathering of hair on his chest.

He wore his jet-black hair short and combed back away from his face. Michelangelo himself could not have created more breathtaking features. Long eyelashes and perfectly arched eyebrows framed midnight eyes. His lips were full and sensuous, even now, when he held them in a firm line as he studied them.

Cyn shifted and Emma moved with him instinctively curling her fingers around the material of his shirt. She waited for either man to do or say something.

Julian stepped toward them. His movements reminded Emma of a sleek panther sizing up its prey. She had no doubt that without effort he could overcome Cyn, if he wished to. Still she was glad to be sheltered by his large body at that moment.

“Hello Cynden,” Julian’s voice was deep with a slight accent. “Hello Emma.” He nodded to her. After a long lingering look, he looked back at Cyn. “She is lovely.”

Emma wondered if Julian knew that she and Cyn had just been making out. Self-conscious, she reached up and smoothed her hair as best she could.

# # #

Julian’s words did little to calm Cyn. The Protector in him took over and his fangs elongated, to let Julian know Emma was his.

Cyn tried his best to maintain control, but remained tensed. He didn’t like the way Julian sized up Emma, not at all.

“She is to be my wife.” He wrapped his arm around her waist and held her possessively to his side.

After a moment, Julian nodded in understanding and turned away from them. He gripped his hands together behind his back and walked to the oversized windows.

The Roman peered out to the barrier of trees that surrounded Cyn’s house.

“I don’t like this city—it seems to affect Protectors in a peculiar fashion.”

Cyn didn’t reply. Julian continued unfazed. “Two Protectors, taking wives, it has never happened. Not this close together.” With an unreadable expression he turned back to face them. He looked pointedly at Cyn. “We must talk.”

Emma moved in front of him, as if to protect him and his heart leaped in joy at her action. But, it was foolish to allow her to offend Julian in any way. So he gave her a reassuring hug and pushed her toward the bedrooms.

“Go to my bedroom and wait, please.” He could hear Blue’s music blaring.
Good, he shouldn’t come out for a while.

Emma’s eyes were wide with anxiety and concern as they met his. Although he could sense her reluctance to move, she nodded and glanced once more at Julian before walking away.

Cyn took a deep breath and forced his fangs to retract when Emma left the room.

He respected Julian. He didn’t envy his superior. The man carried the heavy burden of commanding the Protector Army. Julian always proved to be a firm but fair leader, and one who kept himself at a distance from them.

Through the years the Protectors learned bits and pieces about Julian, but for the most part, his past remained a well-guarded secret.

The Roman didn’t wait for Cyn to speak. “I already know what you are going to say Cynden. You plan to marry her whether I approve or not.”

Cyn nodded, accustomed to Julian’s abilities. He was torn between his allegiance to the Protectors and Emma. “Please don’t make me choose.”

For the second time in his life, Cyn was uncertain of his future.

“And if I do, which will you choose?” Julian asked him.

“I would choose to marry Emma.”

“I see.” Julian’s expression remained blank. “After today, you won’t have a decision to make.”

“Come, we must go.”