Beyond the Shadows Read online

  She shuddered and screamed into her pillow. “Fuck you.”

  He only laughed. Still holding her wrists securely, he caressed around her pussy, his fingers teasingly close to her clit. He slid an exploring finger inside her, then slowly pulled it almost all the way out before slipping it back inside.

  She lay helpless with her face in the pillow and her ass in the air, unable to do anything but accept his tormenting touches. He fucked her with his fingers until she began to stop fighting him and once again felt her orgasm approaching.

  “Oh yes.” She moaned, her pussy throbbing and hot and wet.

  He withdrew his fingers and slapped her again, delivering a loud slap that bounced off the walls. “Not yet.”

  She struggled, enraged, but almost coming anyway from his spanking and his commanding, deep voice.

  “Bastard!” she yelled, her voice muffled but clear enough for him to understand her.

  His palm came down again on her smarting, quivering cheeks. And again. Then he ran his fingers over her clit, kneading the swollen bit of flesh, and she could only moan into her pillow. He was killing her. Surely, she would die.

  He continued massaging her clit until she quieted. She held her breath as her climax loomed. It was right there, close enough to touch, close enough to taste, when he took his fingers from her clit.

  “Oh my God. Please, Kai, I beg you. Let me come!”

  “Are you ready to do as I tell you?”

  “Oh yes, yes!”

  He dipped his fingers into the hot wetness of her pussy, then gently pushed one into her ass.

  She squealed and jerked but could not get away from his intruding finger.

  “Shhh, baby. Be still.”

  Immediately she stilled.

  “Good girl.” Carefully, slowly, he slid his finger in and out of her ass.

  She relaxed as her body accepted him, waiting with breathless anticipation as he pulled his finger almost all the way out, then slid it back inside.

  God, it was good. So good. She’d never felt this aroused. He stimulated her as though he knew every single thing her body wanted, whether her mind knew it or not.

  When he released her arms, they fell to the bed like lax, numb appendages that didn’t belong to her, and she didn’t dare move them.

  In and out of her ass, he thrust his finger, then used his other hand to push a finger into her pussy. Faster and harder with short, forceful thrusts, he brought her, staggering and desperate, to the edge of a sharp, consuming orgasm.

  “Please, Kai. Please.”

  And at last, he gave her what she wanted. Grasping her hips, he slammed his big cock into her with such force she would have hit the headboard had he not been holding on to her.

  There was no real romance in that coupling, just the desperate need of two people: a woman dedicated to saving her brother’s life, and a man who had been pushed to the edge of desire.

  She screamed her orgasm to the world. It crashed over her with a thunderous, overwhelming force, and for a moment, her brain couldn’t accept what her body was feeling. The wait had been worth it. So worth it.

  Subtle whispers of doubt came to her even as she lost herself in the sensations of her climax; she couldn’t remember sex being quite this intense before.

  And she couldn’t remember a man fitting her as well as he did. Fucking him was more than pleasure.

  It was right.

  Chapter Five

  He collapsed atop her. She was surprised by how welcome his weight was. His body, so warm, so huge, made her feel, for the first time in her life, safe.

  All too soon, he lifted himself, and she turned onto her back to watch him. He stood beside the bed and dressed, his face somewhat pale, his eyes heavy with fulfillment.

  He jerked his pants over his hips and fastened them with a little too much force, and not once did he meet her gaze.

  What had made him so uncomfortable? What thoughts scurried about in that beautiful, arrogant head? She had done as he’d commanded, had given in to his mastery, his domination. And she’d loved every moment of it.

  He glanced at her bare breasts, then strode toward the door. “Eat your breakfast. I will send for you if I have need of you. Until then, stay here.”

  “In these rooms? All day?”

  He stared at the door, giving her a rigid back and stiff shoulders. “Unless you wish to walk the grounds naked. Perhaps you’d like to tease the men?”

  Suddenly angry, she snarled, “Perhaps.” She was finding it more difficult than she’d imagined to allow yet another person, another man, to dominate her. To give her rules.

  He swung around. “What?”

  She bit her lip. “I’m sorry. I meant nothing.” How had she allowed herself to lose her temper? She’d been ready for him for a long time and knew exactly how to act, what to say. Having a fit of temper was not in her plans.

  He got to her. She sighed and rose onto her knees. “It won’t happen again.” She pushed her heavy hair back over her shoulders, giving him a view of her flawless body. “I wish to tease no one.” She lowered her gaze briefly. “Except you, of course.”

  “Yeah. Of course.” His stare was hard, his mouth a thin, straight line of displeasure.

  They had both overreacted. She, because he got under her skin like a spine from a mean cactus, but why was he so prickly over her words? Maybe she was getting to him already. Things were moving faster than she’d imagined they would, if she was making such an impact this early in the game.

  Whatever moments of closeness they’d had while fucking, whatever connection they’d shared, seemed to have disappeared. He closed himself off so abruptly and with such finality it was disorienting.

  He left the room without another word. The room felt empty and sad without him in it. She blew out a deep breath, more afraid than she’d been since she’d arrived here. Afraid she was going to soften toward him. She couldn’t do that and still betray him. She couldn’t.

  She lay back, his seed cooling between her legs. There was no hurry to get up. If he didn’t want her leaving her rooms, she’d have to ask for some things to keep her occupied: a book, some sewing supplies, ink, paper. He could afford to share such luxuries with her, surely.

  She’d bide her time. After all, it wasn’t as if she’d expected to make him love her immediately. No, she was a patient woman, and in the end, everything that happened would be worth the wait. Freeing Constantine would be worth everything she’d gone through to get to this point.

  Pride sang through her, and a smile tugged at her lips. Just as quickly, it fell. Con could be dead.

  She shoved the ugliness away. There was no use in thinking about it right now.

  Covered with Kai’s scent, she wallowed in the sheets, swimming in the silky softness. He could confine her to her rooms for weeks, and she’d be okay. Sooner or later, she’d do what she’d come to do. Until then, she’d do what he wanted her to do. Be who he wanted her to be.

  Suddenly ravenous, she pulled the breakfast tray to her and made short work of the eggs, thick bread, and bacon. The food was cold but still delicious. How many mornings had she awakened with only boiled coffee and porridge and thought she was in heaven? The orange juice was fresh and tasted of the sun, and she tossed it back like a good whiskey.

  Three hours later, after she’d taken a long bath in bubbly, scented water, tidied the rooms, and watched the activity below her third-floor window with some interest, she turned gladly at the knock on the door.

  It wasn’t him. He wouldn’t knock. “Come.”

  “I’ve brought your lunch, mi—Sarah.” Teddy bustled into the room with a loaded tray, followed by a young woman with a pitcher and a glass. “We’ll have someone up in a bit with some food and such, as Mr. Trinder ordered. Then you can make yourself something whenever you want, without waiting on mealtimes.” She pointed at the door leading to a small room that Sarah had already peeked into. “You can put all your supplies and extras in there.”

 
“Would you ask for books and sewing supplies?” The fact that Kai sought books for his house was a pleasure she much appreciated.

  “You sew, miss!” Teddy put a hand to her chest. “How is it you escaped the needleworker’s hall in Springland?” Her voice was a horrified whisper.

  Sarah could feel herself paling. “Oh, not well,” she said, hastily backtracking. “But I’ve been teaching myself.” She’d rather die right here and now than be sent to the needleworker’s hall to die a long, slow, agonizing death. Chances were slim that that would ever happen now. She would either die here trying to free Con, or escape with him to the shadows. Still, the thought of the needleworker’s hall scared her half to death.

  “I knit,” Teddy said, her smile proud.

  “Did you make the scarf you’re wearing?”

  “I did.”

  “It’s lovely.”

  Teddy hesitated. “I know you come from Springland, dear. Is it as bad as I’ve heard?”

  “Worse. I’m so happy to be here.” Near Con.

  Relieved that Teddy seemed not to have a suspicious bone in her body, Sarah sat on the bed, eager for her lunch. Her nudity bothered neither her nor Teddy, who was surely used to seeing naked girls in a house full of protected females. For an instant, a bothersome image of Kai between the legs of another woman flitted through her mind.

  “Bring your needles when you’re not working. I’d be glad of the company, and I’d love it if you could teach me a few things.”

  Teddy’s eyes lit up like fireworks were going off in her head. “Fantastic, miss!”

  Sarah shook her head. “I told you my name.”

  “Of course, and thank you.”

  “How long will he keep me confined?”

  Teddy took the pitcher from her assistant and set it on the table in the corner. “I don’t know, honestly.” Her brow knit, and she tilted her head. “He’s never kept the women confined to their rooms before.”

  Sarah gaped, then snapped her mouth closed with a painful quickness when she realized she was showing her surprise. “He hasn’t?”

  “No, ma’am.” Teddy shrugged and stood back, her hands folded over her dress. “But I don’t question. I just do what I’m told.”

  After Teddy closed the door behind her, Sarah dug into her lunch. She’d never had a problem with her appetite, no matter what was going on. She’d always felt she needed to eat what was given to her, because one never knew what was right around the corner. She was no stranger to the pain of hunger.

  One thing was obvious; Kai was treating her differently than he’d treated the other women. And so soon. She wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or a scary thing.

  How tempting it was to lie back and enjoy this new life. To revel in the crisp, clean linens, the solar-powered lights, the rich food. How tempting to forget the bleak world outside these gates. Tempting to ignore for a little while the knowledge that every moment of her freedom had cost Con his.

  Before she’d escaped Sampson, she had felt fear every second of every day. Here, she was safe, secure inside the compound. Kai would protect her with his life. That was what protectors did. At least the good ones. He would give her everything she needed.

  But she wasn’t here to enjoy Kai’s worth and wealth. As tempting as this privileged life was, she couldn’t put herself ahead of the man she’d come to free. Not again. And she couldn’t let Kai stand in her way.

  She took a bite of bread slathered with fresh butter and frowned at a strange, anxious feeling in her stomach. It wasn’t the food. Could it be…guilt?

  Carefully, she put the bread back on the tray. Hell no. No, not her. She’d protect those she loved with her last breath. And she would feel no guilt for betraying Kai to do it.

  Would she?

  She let out a sharp, harsh bark of laughter. Of course she would.

  But that couldn’t stop her.

  Chapter Six

  Kai sat in the armored truck and stared out at the streets of New Haven. He was fucking tired. At times he wished for nothing more than to be a man whose only responsibilities were to care for a wife and a few kids, to hunt and fish and provide for them. Sometimes he wanted to forget that he had to help take care of an entire settlement.

  And the fights with Springland were wearing on him. If Sampson hadn’t been such a greedy bastard, he could have been content with the resources he had. But not a chance. He wanted what every other settlement had. Especially the large, thriving settlement of New Haven. But New Haven was Kai’s, and he was not about to lose it to a bastard like Sampson. Sometime in the future, long after he was dead, to be sure, he had the hope his New Haven might compare favorably to the one that had come before.

  He allowed himself a small smile. As much as he tired of the fighting, the unending pleas for his attention from the district sheriffs, the greediness…as much as he hated all that, this was his place in the world. At least here he had some control over what went on.

  “You don’t have to be here, Commander.”

  Kai glanced at his second in command and friend, who was sitting in the cab beside him. The rain beat a steady, loud beat on the roof of the truck and curtained the windows in a thin fall of water, insulating them from the outside world. “Obviously I’m aware of that, Erik.”

  “Then why are you? Why aren’t you behind the walls of your castle, taking care of your harem?” He laughed, his green eyes surrounded by lines born of too much sun.

  “Watch where you’re driving. You almost hit that tree.” He was silent for a beat, then decided to confide in his second. “I get sick of women.”

  “Oho! Tell old Erik, friend. What troubles the young stud this lovely, warm day?” As he finished speaking, the rain came harder, a heavy, gray rain that sapped a man’s energy and made him wish for nothing more than a warm fire and a strong whiskey. In a few minutes the dirt streets would be slippery with mud.

  Kai stared out his window at the few pedestrians hurrying along, their heads bent against the downpour.

  He sighed. “Women.”

  “Lucky bastard.”

  “Right.”

  “I’m just ribbing you, old man. I know you’re the good guy, taking care of as many women as you can, the way you do. Not many would do it.” He laughed again, his customary good nature beating back the black of the day. “Not many could do it.”

  Kai shrugged. “Someone needs to care for them.”

  “You’re a good man, like I said. How many of them are you bedding nowadays?”

  Kai allowed a quick grin. “As many as will let me.”

  “You’re still asking, then? You know they don’t expect you to ask permission. They belong to—”

  “Yeah, yeah.” Kai waved an impatient hand, touchy as always on the subject of someone actually belonging to him. “I’m not their master. I’m their protector.”

  “So what’s the problem?”

  “I have a new woman.”

  “Yeah!” Erik held up a hand for a high five, which Kai ignored.

  “I didn’t ask her. I commanded her like a soldier, and I fucked her without giving her an opportunity to say otherwise. And for all she knows, she has to obey my every demand or I’ll send her back to the hellhole she sprang from.” He shook his head, disgusted. “I made sure she knew I was her master.”

  Erik studied him quietly. “What’s different about this one, friend?”

  “I wish I knew. I mean, she’s incredibly beautiful, but I’ve a house full of beautiful women. It’s something else. And when I look at her…she drives me crazy. Makes me want to hurt her for getting to me. I wanted her the moment I saw her. Now I have her and…” He pushed a hand through his hair, blowing out a long breath. “Hell, I’m completely out of my depth.”

  “Well, that explains why you’re out here in this mess.”

  Kai laughed. “I guess it does. Women—they’ll kill you.” Then he held up a hand. “Stop the truck. Looks like Amelia is holding off a few mangy-looking men. Think the
y’re from Springland?” He didn’t pause for an answer. “That woman is one crazy sheriff. Let’s go help her.”

  Erik braked sharply and peered through the rain-splattered windshield. He turned to pound on the window behind him, alerting the men in the back. Most of them had probably fallen asleep. “Grab your guns, boys! We have a skirmish coming up.” He grabbed his door handle. “We’ll get you some activity; get that woman out of your head.” He grinned at Kai, his wolfish smile eager and happy.

  This was what Erik lived for. Women be damned. Give him a good battle, let him break some heads, and he was a happy, happy man. Kai laughed, Erik’s bloodthirsty attitude contagious.

  He jumped from one of the three precious trucks in his possession, yelling to his men, who were now spilling from the back. He stomped through the mud, running to meet the enemy. They’d chosen the wrong fucking day to mess with Kai Trinder.

  Chapter Seven

  At the sound of an engine, Sarah ran to the window and threw open the glass to allow rain and cooling night air to greet her. She watched Kai jump from a truck, looking, even in the pale glow from the lights, muddy and covered with dark blotches that could have been blood. Oh, to be out there in the excitement, fighting and laughing and being part of the world. But she’d been given little choice as to what her purpose in this life would be.

  A fucking whore and a traitor. A delicate in need of a protector, a bored, withering woman with a lonely, longing soul.

  Kai glanced up, and she pulled back quickly, wondering if he’d seen her. Soldiers milled around, hoping, she was sure, for the hospitality of this house in the shape of whiskey, food, and a willing woman.

  Taking another peek out the window, she saw Kai motion them all inside. There must have been twenty men out there. “Erik,” Kai yelled. “Let’s find you a warm meal and a hot bed, my friend.” As though he felt her gaze, he looked up, straight at her.

  She clenched her fists, barely feeling the sting of her nails. She hoped Kai came to her. And not because of the road she’d been set upon, but because she wanted his company. She’d surely lost her mind.