His Soul To Keep (Dark Knights of Heaven Book 1) (5 page)

"Like scientists?"

"Anyone who can pay the fees." She laughed, enjoying the attention. No one was interested in her job. "I’ve done work for scientists, private business, hospitals, a couple private contractors for the military. Even an agricultural center." She gave a shrug to indicate it was
no big deal
. "I’ll work on whatever comes across my desk."

"How do you spend your day?"

"Most of the time I’m writing computer programs and algorithms to do all the hard work."

"Do you like it?"

"I love it." Cassidy beamed. "I’ve always been a problem solver. My dad jokes that I could see all six sides of a cube at the same time."

"Huh?"

Her laughter filled the room. "No one ever gets that. It means I see things differently than other people. I see all the sides to a problem. That’s what makes me a good analyst. I see connections and what’s missing or mistakes and misrepresentation. I guess my only fault is I’d become invested in some of the projects—especially the ones looking for solutions to help at-risk populations."

"That explains your questions on the subject we will no longer discuss. You see the missing things others don’t."

Cassidy placed a finger over his mouth. "Don’t. Don’t even think about those missing things. I don’t want you hurting yourself."

This time Rail caught her hand as she pulled away. "But you can think them, ask those questions…"

Sparks ignited under her skin, in her veins. She could melt just from the warmth of his hand. "Yeah, but…" her voice came out in a husky whisper.

Bringing her hand to his mouth, Rail kissed her knuckles. "It’s all right, I want you to. I want you to help us save the others."

She had to admit she liked the idea, and she never ran from a challenge. Maybe it would keep her from thinking lustful thoughts about Rail and how good his touch felt. "Okay, but only if Kaz agrees. I don’t want to get on his bad side."

Rail choked back a laugh. "I think he’s more afraid of getting on
your
bad side."

Chapter Six

Cassidy woke to a soft touch on her cheek. She hadn’t intended to fall asleep, but it appeared she had just the same. A spark of worry flared in her chest, verging on panic. She didn’t remember drifting off as they talked. "Rail?"

"Here."

Opening her eyes, Cassidy found Rail lying next to her, still holding her hand. "Is it time to leave?" Reluctantly, she pulled her hand free and rubbed her eyes.

"Soon. I wanted to give you time to get cleaned up before we go."

"Thanks," She yawned, "but can I have few more minutes?"

Rail laughed and brushed his fingers along her jaw, his thumb tracing her lower lip. "Of course."

Smiling, she snuggled down into the pillow and pulled the sheet up to her chin, inhaling deeply. Was it her imagination or did Rail smell like warm cinnamon and dark chocolate chased by a hint of wood smoke? Drowsily contemplating the brand of soap he used, Cassidy caught the taste of spiced wine lingering on her tongue. "You gave me your blood again, didn’t you?" she groused from under the cover.

"Yes."

"Don’t do that when I’m sleeping. Okay? It’s not right."

"I promise. Although you were sort of awake at the time. Now, you’ve had your
few minutes
. Time to get up." Rail slid his arm under her shoulders and lifted, forcing her to sit up.

"Okay, okay. I’m up." Mentally giving herself a quick once over, Cassidy decided Rail hadn’t done anything to her while she’d slept other than give her his blood. "Hey, Rail?"

"Hmm?" He slipped off the bed with predatory grace and stretched his arms over his head. Taunt muscles flexed under the skin-tight tee.

One glance and Cassidy almost forgot what she wanted to say. "Um, I want to call my parents."

"I told you," Rail sighed, running a hand over his face, "it’s not my decision."

"And I told you that I’m not going to leave them wondering what happened to me." Cassidy chewed her lower lip. "You don’t understand what it will do to them. There was no body for them to bury. Nothing but blood. What will they think?”

"That you’re dead," Rail answered bluntly.

"But…"

"There are rules." The words came out as sharp as a whip’s lash.

Despite the sting, Cassidy didn’t back down. "You’re afraid to ask Kaz to break them, is that it?"

Fire leapt into his eyes when Rail leaned toward her. "I am not a coward."

"I didn’t say that. He’s your boss, right? I understand that. But at least ask him before you say no again." Cassidy held her ground, though at the moment she felt like a cornered mouse facing a lion. "I mean it."

"Or what? You’ll refuse to help us? You’ll run away? Or maybe you’ll hold your breath until you turn blue?"

"Asshole."

"There’s a clean shirt and sweatpants in the bathroom," he grumbled. "Get dressed."

Before Cassidy could respond, Rail stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

Still trying to decide if she’d won this round in the battle of wills, Cassidy got up and got dressed.

Infuriating woman
. Rail kicked a chunk of debris from his path, sending it flying down the corridor.

Still, he had to admit her strength sang to him like a fine wine—intoxicating. She’d stood up to him. Didn’t that just fill his chest with the warm fuzzies? And make his cock twitch. God damn it, what was this woman doing to him?

All he could think about was Cassidy, her safety, her needs, her happiness, her lying naked under him screaming his name…

Rail punched a wall, sending a cloud of rust into the air. Cassidy was his responsibility, nothing else.

Boomer didn’t act sensitive with Gina. Their relationship was all about sex. Kaz most definitely did not act like this with Serephina. On any level. Those two barely tolerated each other.

So what made his bond with Cassidy different? Why did he want her to be his in every way, even though the thought scared the shit out of him and reminded him of the horrible failures in his past?

Before he realized it, Rail found himself standing outside Kaz’s room.

"Damn it," he grumbled and pushed his way through the door.

* * *

An hour later, Rail returned to his room to find Cassidy washed, dressed, and sitting on the edge of the bed, shortening the sweatpants by rolling the bottom into cuffs. She didn’t look up or acknowledge him.

"I found a jacket for you," Rail offered. "Brought your purse too." He set the items on the bed as she continued to give him the silent treatment. His heart jumped like a wild bird trying to escape his ribcage. He’d always hoped to get a strong
Aktura
, one who would stand up to him, but he didn’t want them at odds all the time. "Kaz said yes," he blurted.

Cassidy’s gaze rose to meet his. "I can call my parents?" she asked dubiously.

"Yes, but under supervision."

"Thank you!" Cassidy threw herself into his arms. "Thank you for getting him to agree." Embarrassed, she pulled away, wiping tears from her cheeks. "By the way, how did you get him to agree?"

"I told him that until you got to call them, you were going to be intolerable and we might as well move one of Lucifer’s minions into the house." If only it had been that easy. He was still waiting for his leader to name the price this call would cost him.

She stared at him in wide-eyed disbelief, and for a moment Rail was certain she was insulted by his joke. Braced for another shouting match on how insensitive he was, Rail jumped when she giggled then laughed until tears ran down her cheeks.

Once she pulled herself under control and struggled into the jacket, favoring her wounded arm, Cassidy looked at Rail with a slight frown on her kissable lips. "It’s too big." The sleeves fell well past her fingertips, and the waistband dropped just above her knees.

He had thought Cassidy wearing his old clothes was a turn on; now, he was having fantasies of her naked under his old coat. Clearing his throat, he answered, "It’s only temporary. You won’t need it where we’re going." Rail looked her up and down, telling himself she was child playing dress up, hoping the image would chase away the other thoughts.

One look at her lips sent his hopes into a tailspin.

"And just where is that?" Cassidy asked, looking up through her lashes.

"I can’t tell you."

She cocked her head to the side and propped her covered fist on her hip. "Afraid I’ll tell?"

"Afraid your family will attempt to look for you and get hurt," Rail answered quietly. "Ready?"

"I guess." Cassidy flapped the jacket sleeves. "What about shoes?"

"You don’t need them."

"Why?"

"Because I’m going to carry you." Rail swept Cassidy up into his arms. The fluttering was back; her warmth ignited his blood, spreading a raging inferno beneath his skin. By God, he could hold her all day, every day. Forever. He pushed the thought from his mind. He needed to shut those thoughts out for good before they both got hurt. It was the soul resonance giving him these feelings. Oh, not that Cassidy wasn’t desirable with those sultry lips and totally lick-able curves, not to mention her eyes—he’d never seen eyes so soul searching on anyone other than an Angel. But in reality he knew, deep down, she would never accept him as just a lover. She would want more. She would want what he could no longer give.

"Rail?"

"Hmmm?"

Cassidy looped her good arm around his neck with a smile. "Are we going somewhere or are we going to stand here?"

Yanked out his reverie by a dose of embarrassment, Rail shifted Cassidy’s weight slightly, hoping she couldn’t feel his raging hard-on. "Yeah. Sorry."

Cassidy gave up trying to orient herself as they ambled through the barge. It was clear now that the rooms were built into the hold, creating a manmade maze. She probably would have gotten hurt or lost if she had tried to escape again. The moment they got topside, she inhaled deeply. The cooling air reeked of rotting vegetation and stagnant water, but there was a slight breeze—a welcome change from the stagnant metallic tasting air inside the barge.

As Rail set her down, Kaz appeared in front of them holding a cell phone. "You get two minutes. You do or say anything to endanger us or our mission and Rail will pay the price. Do you understand?"

Cassidy nodded and held out her hand.

Kaz hesitated, glared at Rail, and then handed over the coveted piece of plastic.

"Thank you." Cassidy took the phone as if it were the most precious thing in the world; afraid he’d change his mind and snatch it back. Her fingers shook as she dialed. Her mother answered on the first ring and suddenly she was a child again. "Mommy?"

"Cassie! Oh, my God in Heaven! Where are you? Are you hurt? They couldn’t find your body, just blood…Charles! Charles, come here! It’s Cassie. Oh, baby—" The stream of words broke into sobs.

"Mom, please listen. I only have a minute," Cassidy begged, trying to get her mother’s attention.

"Cassie?"

"Daddy?" Cassidy swallowed a sob. Her father sounded so old. So tired. "Dad, listen to me."

"Cassie, where are you?"

"Dad! Listen!" She took a deep breath. "I only have a minute to explain."

"What kind of trouble are you in, baby? There was so much blood, but the police said your body was missing…"

"I know, Dad. I’m sorry. I’m okay. I’m with…" Cassidy looked up and caught a glimpse of fire burning in Kaz’s eyes. "Daddy, just listen. I—I saw something at work I wasn’t supposed to see. You know the kind of stuff I mean. It was months ago and I didn’t even realize what I’d seen. I’m okay. I’m in protective custody. You can’t tell anyone. Not even J.J. or Tempe. In fact, I want you to leave town for awhile. All of you." She shook so hard her teeth rattled, and she wanted to scream. "Please, Daddy. Tell me you understand?"

"I understand, Pumpkin," her father answered softly. "We love you."

"I love you too," she choked out. "Take care of yourselves." Kaz pried the phone from her fingers and ended the call. Cassidy collapsed into tears.

"Come on, sweetheart." Rail gently picked her up, cradling her against his chest. "Everything will be all right."

"Never," she mumbled into his shirt. "Never again."

"Time to go," Kaz barked.

Rail growled at him. "Give her a minute."

"We don’t have time for this."

Rail let his demon rise below the surface. His anger flowed around him, heating the air.

Cassidy whimpered, sensing the change in him.

Kaz smirked and stormed off to collect his gear.

Inhaling Cassidy’s scent helped Rail calm down. She was sweet like flowers, a little earthy, and held a tang of lightning during a summer storm. "I didn’t mean to scare you. Sometimes my temper gets the better of me." He gently set Cassidy’s feet on the deck and whispered, "Hold on to me as tight as you can. I need both hands free."

Cassidy looked up as the three men positioned themselves in a triangle around a pile of duffle bags and backpacks, arms outstretched, touching fist to fist. The space just above the packs shimmered. A deep resonating hum filled the air, followed by a tearing sound. Frightened, Cassidy closed her eyes tight, held her breath, and hugged Rail with all her strength.

"Cassidy? Sweetheart? Open your eyes." Rail gently pulled free of her grasp. "We’re home."

Slowly, Cassidy opened her eyes and found herself no longer standing on the deck of a decaying river barge at sunset, but in a courtyard outside an Italian villa with the sun shining on her.