Mercenaries Read online

  “Yeah. I guess I just assumed it would be my mom’s home.”

  “It might be. You won’t know until you go in and ask. You ready for this?”

  She frowned. “You keep asking me that!”

  “It seems like a question that needs to be asked a lot.”

  Winter sighed. “Ready or not, this is something I need to do. Will you come in with me?”

  He gave her a look that made her heart feel warm. “Of course. There’s no way I’m letting you out of my sight until we’re safely back in our own province.” Flipping his door open he strode around to her side of the jeep, and held out a hand to help her out. “Let’s go slay this dragon together.”

  She raised her brows. “Slay this dragon? We’re going to potentially meet the woman who gave birth to me.”

  “Which could make her less than happy with the man who is currently bedding her long-lost daughter. I know I wouldn’t be happy with some mercenary bedding down with a daughter of mine. Might even make me as scary as a mythical dragon.”

  “You don’t have a daughter?” She realized that sounded like a question. Maybe he had kids running around all over the planet, and didn’t care about them. Why hadn’t she thought of that before now?

  He shook his head. “I don’t have a daughter, or a son for that matter, but if I did I’d be willing to kill anyone who laid a hand on them. So, I assume a woman who gave birth to a beautiful girl like you would be willing to do the same.”

  Winter felt an invisible weight lift from her heart. He’d be an awesome dad! “Don’t worry. I’ll tell her I seduced you. You didn’t stand a chance.”

  “Thanks. I feel so much better now, especially since that’s the truth. One look from those gorgeous eyes of yours and I just had to do whatever you told me to.”

  Winter snorted, remembering the way he’d taken charge when he’d found her at the inn yesterday. “Not exactly how I remember it, but I’ll play along. Shall we?”

  They walked up the front path hand in hand and climbed the steps to the porch. Trace reached up and rang the doorbell.

  The doorbell echoed loud enough to hear outside, and within minutes a spry elderly lady peered suspiciously out the door at them. “You two looking to rent a room? I don’t do by the day so if you’re looking to hook up you can go find a hotel.”

  “Hook up?” Winter frowned. “No, we’re looking for a woman who used to live at this address.”

  “Lots of women used to live here. Got a name?”

  “Kathleen. Kathleen O’Malley. She lived her about two decades ago.”

  The woman stared at her, an odd look on her face. Finally, she spoke. “Yeah. I remember Kathie. What’s your interest in her?”

  Winter swallowed the lump in her throat. “I think…” This was so much harder than she’d imagined, but she had no choice. “I think she’s my mother.”

  The old woman’s eyes widened. “You’re alive! She always said you were. You’re Winter, right?”

  “I am. She did? Is she here?”

  The woman shook her head sadly. “You’d better come in. We need to talk. I’m Greta, by the way. Nice to finally meet you.” Unlocking the door, she motioned them to come inside. Locking the door again behind them, she led them to a surprisingly cozy sitting room.

  Too excited to sit down, Winter paced. “My mother. Where is she?”

  “I don’t know. The man who took you came back, and she left with him. I told her not to trust him, but she was desperate to find you.” She shook her head. “Let me start at the beginning. It will make more sense.”

  Trace crossed to Winter, gently pulling her over to sit beside him on an aging sofa. The arm he placed around her shoulder was so much more comforting than anything else she could imagine. “Sit. Listen. This is why you came.”

  The old woman perched on the edge of a worn leather chair. Steepling her hands in front of her, she began to talk. “Kathleen came here almost twenty-three years ago. She was young, and full of life. She’d landed a job at the offices of the Alliance, and she was dating a dashing young officer there. She thought her life was perfect. She’d sit right where you are now, and tell me about how they were going to get married and buy a house and live happily ever after.”

  “And did they? Get married?” It occurred to her that they hadn’t lived happily ever after.

  The woman shook her head sadly. “No. Her young man got her with child, but he said he couldn’t marry her yet because it would screw up his chances of a big promotion that he’d been angling for. He took care of her though, and made sure she had everything she needed. The pregnancy went well, and eventually she delivered a lovely little girl child. That would be you. She was so happy, and the officer looked like he would be a great dad. He spent a lot of time with you, and celebrated every one of your young accomplishments. Then, when you were about three, he took you away. He said he was taking you for ice cream and he never came back. Your mother went crazy trying to find you. At first she thought the pair of you had been in an accident but days went by and she couldn’t find you. She finally managed to get into the barracks, and the sergeant in charge told her the truth. The man she loved had chosen her as a brood mare for his child. He was assigned to an experimental facility, and he’d wanted a child with his DNA to be part of the trials. So, he’d seduced your mother, gotten her pregnant and when you were old enough he’d taken you to the lab.”

  Winter let out a shocked squeak. “No! My father planned to send me to that lab before I was even born?”

  Greta nodded. “I’m afraid so. Your mother spent almost two years trying to find you without success. The thought of you alone and scared in some laboratory almost drove her insane. Then one evening, the asshole came back. He said he’d take her to you, if she agreed to go right then. I told her not to, told her he couldn’t be trusted but she said she had to. She loved you, and if there were any chance of her seeing you again, she had to take it. She left with him, and I never saw her again.”

  Winter felt like someone had punched her in the gut. She’d found out that her mother had loved her and wanted her. That felt good, but she’d also found out that her father had turned her over to that hellhole, and he’d been fully aware of what went on there. That meant he was one of the monsters, and she’d probably been in contact with him. The thought made her sick.

  “Can you tell us a bit about her mother, about Kathleen?” Trace rubbed a hand down her arm. “It would mean a lot if to us.”

  The old lady jumped to her feet. “I can do better than that. I have some of her things. When she didn’t come back, I put them in a box in the hall closet. I’ll get it for you.” She hurried out of the room.

  “Thank you.” Winter forced the words out. “For asking about my mother.”

  “No sweat. Concentrate on her. She loved you.”

  “But my father sold me out, probably before I was born.”

  “Then he’d better hope I never meet him.”

  She almost smiled then. Almost. Trust Trace to boil it all down to such a simple statement. He’d never do something like that to his own child.

  “Here you go.” Greta hurried back into the room with a cardboard box. “There’s some pictures in here, and some other things.”

  Winter sat the box in her lap and gingerly opened the lid.

  * * *

  It had been over an hour since they’d left the boarding house, but she still felt like she were in a dream, like she’d wake up any minute and find out it had all been a nightmare. Trace had pulled the jeep over in a deserted back lane so he could wrap her up in his big arms.

  “Want to talk about it?”

  She shook her head.

  “Okay then. Let me know when you’re ready to get moving again. We’ve got lots of time.”

  Winter gave a barely perceptible nod of her head. She should really tell him what this was all about, why she’d developed this sudden obsession with her past but this wasn’t the right time. Not yet. Not while she was sti
ll reeling from the revelations of the past few hours.

  “I’m going to have a child.” Why had she blurted that out? She held her breath, waiting for Trace’s reaction. It seemed to take forever before he finally spoke.

  “You’re pregnant now, or you’re planning on it?”

  “Now. I’m pregnant now.”

  “Well, shit.” Silence reigned for an endless moment. He kept his arms around her, and she hoped that was a good sign. “I’m the father?” Wonder filled his voice.

  She nodded against his shoulder, afraid that her voice would fail her.

  “That night in the gravel pit. You conceived that night? We took precautions.”

  “Precautions don’t work so well on me. One of the improvements the lab doctors concocted. They wanted to use me as a brood mare.”

  “That’s disgusting.”

  Winter whimpered, unable to hide her distress. This was so humiliating.

  “I didn’t mean you. You’re amazing. The doctors and the whole lab thing, that’s what’s disgusting.”

  “Are you mad? I’m not going to try to trap you or anything. I just thought you should know.”

  Trace moved his hand lower, until its warmth lay directly over her womb. “I’ve never even considered being a father. It’ll take some getting used to, but you must know I care about you and I promise I will protect you and our child to the best of my ability. Love at first sight is such a corny theory, but from the first moment I kissed you in that gravel pit, I knew we were meant to be together. I was going to take it slow, court you like a normal guy, but this kind of speeds things up, don’t you think?”

  Winter lifted her face, staring up into his dark eyes. Why had she ever thought they were glacial?

  Trace placed his hand under her chin, tilting it up so he could ravage her lips in the gentlest of kisses. “Girl or boy?”

  Winter ran the tip of her tongue across her lips, savoring the taste of him. “Yes, it will be one or the other. I haven’t gone to see a doctor, haven’t seen one since I escaped from the lab. I’m afraid they’d see something and realize who I am. What I am. Much too risky.”

  “That could be an issue. If you’re going to have a child you need to see a doctor.”

  Winter shook her head. “I don’t think so. One of my sisters is a midwife. She can take care of whatever I need.”

  Trace narrowed his eyes. “If I can find a real doctor who’s not connected to the government, will you agree to see him? Or her?”

  Winter sighed. “Is maybe a good enough answer? It would depend on how safe I think it is.”

  Trace grinned. “I can work with a maybe.” He enveloped her in the biggest bear hug she’d ever experienced. “I’m going to be a daddy!”

  “And you’ll be a great one!”

  For the first time in a long time, she felt at peace. Between her and Trace and their extended families, they would make sure that this child, this tiny being born out of their love would be cherished and protected at all times.

  The future spread out in front of them with infinite possibilities, all of them full of hope and love.

  Snake Eyes (Mercenaries 5)

  Anne Kane

  Snake may not be the nicest guy you ever met, but he has his own code of honor, and he does everything in his power to live up to it. Keeping his hands off his Sergeant’s sister-in-law, no matter how sexy she is, is definitely in the code.

  Wren has the hots for Snake but she’s frustrated that he can’t seem to see her as anything other than Dee’s kid sister. When she sees him sneak out after dark, she suspects he’s going to meet a lover and follows him, determined to finally make him see her as the mature sexy woman she is. Unfortunately, things don’t go exactly according to plan. She manages to get herself captured and Snake is forced to come to her rescue.

  Chapter One

  Snake stalked slowly toward her, a lethal mix of grace and feral strength. The light of the full moon played across his face, highlighting the scars from hundreds of fights. His cheeks were angular, the chin solid and unyielding. Mothers warned their daughters about men like Snake, men whose eyes were haunted with the memories of things best left unsaid.

  And yet, what captured Wren’s attention was his mouth. Warm. Sensual. Sinfully tempting. She got goose bumps just looking at his mouth. The imagined feel of those lips on her skin sent her libido soaring.

  A shiver of sheer longing went through her as he reached her and wrapped his brawny arms around her. Snake lowered his mouth and a low groan escaped her lips, a mixture of satisfaction and anticipation. Their breath mingling, he ran his tongue the length of her lips, demanding entrance. She complied without hesitation, melting against his hard body.

  He had endless patience. Taking his time, he held her close as he explored the inside of her mouth. Starting off gently, as if he were afraid to spook her, his touch quickly became bolder, more urgent. His tongue delved aggressively, investigating every inch, taking possession wherever it touched.

  The feel of his body pressed tight against hers sent shivers of desire careening up Wren’s spine. The hard length of his cock pressed into her belly, teasing her, inviting her to imagine all sorts of sinfully naughty things. She wriggled suggestively, loving how it felt to grind herself against the tangible evidence of his desire.

  She’d wanted him for so long, waited impatiently for him to see her as more than just the kid sister of his buddy’s woman. Finally, just when she thought it would never happen, here he was, his hands busily tugging at the stays holding her shirt closed. It didn’t take long for him to figure out the string fastenings and bare her breasts to his gaze.

  She hadn’t bothered with a bra this morning, reveling in the feeling of freedom that came with the loose fitted top. Her breasts stood at attention under his hungry gaze, the tips puckering at the measured flick of his tongue. Darts of liquid fire danced down her spine as he settled in to worship the sensitive mounds with his mouth, the gentle scrape of his teeth across her flesh causing her to whimper with need.

  God, that felt so good!

  Wren reveled in the sensations washing through her, loving the way her body responded to Snake’s touch. Soon though, the need for more overwhelmed her. She pushed him away and quickly divested herself of the rest of her clothing, tossing the garments carelessly to the ground.

  Snake took advantage of the brief respite to shed his own clothes before reaching out to pull her back into his arms. Heat kindled in those dark eyes of his as he wrapped his arms around her, urging her closer. She didn’t resist. She could feel the hard length of him pressing against her as she arched into his embrace. Thrusting her tongue into his mouth, she twined it around his, tempting him to do more, to give in to the demon of lust that rode them both. He opened his eyes, staring down at her and she saw the raw desire burning there.

  He laid her down on the soft grass, stretching himself out beside her. As he smoothed his hand over her belly, Wren felt a familiar molten heat ignite deep inside her. Only this time, it would be different. It wasn’t going to end in frustration. Snake was here with her, touching her, preparing to make love to her.

  Finally!

  Her breath caught in her throat as the big mercenary trailed his hand across the exposed skin of her mound, bared to the cool night air. Darts of erotic flame danced deep inside her, anticipation making each touch of his fingers all the more intense.

  She’d waited so long for him to notice her, to make a move, to take her up on the endless parade of silent invitations she’d thrown his way over the last few months. She was a grown woman and she knew what she wanted, but Snake had taken what felt like an eternity to come to the same conclusion. She let out a low moan as his fingers explored the soft folds guarding her entrance.

  She wanted Snake to be hers, and she intended to have him. Tonight was the first time she’d managed to get past his stoic you’re-off-limits attitude and she didn’t plan to waste the opportunity. Dampness gathered at the apex of her thighs as he
continued to stroke his fingers through the delicate folds of skin.

  She sucked in a deep breath as his thumb grazed across the hard nub of her clit. Naked lust flared with every touch of his hand, every slide of his tongue along hers. She couldn’t get enough of him. Running her hand down the smooth length of his cock, she marveled at the sheer size. This was what she did to him, how his body reacted to her presence, her touch. The heady intoxication of her power over this rough, tough mercenary flooded her.

  She circled his shaft with one hand, slowly tracing the length of it. Long and thick, it pulsed under her eager fingers. Snake twined his fingers in her long hair, a guttural sound escaping his throat as he urged her toward him.

  Mesmerized by the sight of his shaft bobbing gently in front of her, Wren flicked her tongue out to taste the single drop of pre cum glistening on the flared head. He tasted salty, and undeniably male.

  She scored her tongue along the slit in the tip and was rewarded by a strangled oath from above. He said something, but she couldn’t quite make out the words.

  It didn’t matter. She knew what he wanted.

  Sliding her mouth over the thick head, she sucked his massive cock in and swirled her tongue around the shaft. Tasting. Teasing. The sensation of having him helplessly in her power added a heady edge of excitement. After all this time, she finally had him right where she wanted him.

  Naked and hard.

  Every move of her tongue, every nibble of her teeth brought a reaction. She bobbed her head back and forth, sliding it over the rigid shaft. Slowly, she increased the speed, experimenting with the pressure of her lips until he let out a frustrated oath.

  “No!” The sound exploded from him in a single breath. “I want to be inside you when I come.”

  He pulled himself out of her mouth, and Wren raised her head to look into his eyes. The stark expression on his face rocked her. She wondered at the strength of character it took to stop at just that point.