Page 103 of Reluctant Rebel

“You’re the boss,” Sabre said easily as she began backing towards the door. “I’ll tell Draven that you requested him personally for the task. That cool?”

Mikhail groaned, dropping his head into his hands. “I don’t care. Just get out.”

Sabre paused for a heartbeat, perhaps considering a spicy retort, but thought better of it. She turned on her heel and made a swift exit, leaving the broken door in her wake.

“And peace returns to the palace,” Jinx intoned, making Mikhail laugh.

He laid back down, manoeuvring Jinx until she draped over his chest. He loved the idea of waking up to a Jinx-blanket every morning for the rest of his life. “I’m all for peace. Though, I doubt we’ll get much of that by the time Sabre spreads word of our mating.”

“At least she didn’t stab you with the spear,” Jinx offered.

“Good point.” He ran his hands down her spine, feeling every bump. Her soft skin felt glorious. He heaved a huge sigh, wanting to bask but knowing the real world would not wait. “If only I could think of a way to stop Z now instead of some distant timeline, then all would be perfect. We could have a proper honeymoon.”

“Honeymoon?” Jinx peered at him with curious eyes, blowing a rebellious strand of hair out of her face.

He smoothed the hair back from her beautiful face, his touch lingering as if to memorise the feel of her. “Yes. A time when we can just be together, enjoying each other's company, getting to know each other better, being naked, partaking in mutual orgasms … that kind of thing.”

“Sounds like a dream.”

“One I will make sure happens,” Mikhail promised her. “When the danger is over, and we can actually plan for the future without constant fear. When I find Z?—”

“Don’t take this the wrong way,” Jinx began slowly, “but you don’t know where he is. You never have, not in all the years you’ve been hunting for X. You’re not going to find him, Mikhail. You need to try a different approach.”

“Like what? I’m open to suggestions,” he murmured easily enough, hands wandering.

“Like making him come to you,” Jinx said, her tone matter of fact.

His hands stilled on her butt. “A trap? Zagan is an Ace. He won’t fall for a trap.”

Jinx rested her chin on her hands in the centre of his chest. “Sabre says the best way to bait a trap is to learn the target’s weakness. Once you know that, it’s easy.”

“Z doesn’t have a weakness,” Mikhail insisted. Though, it would be helpful if he did.

She shrugged lightly, tracing a finger along his collarbone and peeking curiously under the dressing on his neck. “Everyone has a weakness—a chink in the armour, something they care about more than themselves—an Ace included. I guarantee you he has at leastone.” She fluttered her lashes at him. “Your mother.”

Mikhail bolted upright, dislodging Jinx and looking at her with wide eyes. She simply smiled serenely back. “You …” he groused, grabbing a fistful of her hair to pull her close, “are a vicious, evil genius of a woman. I love you.”

Jinx grinned, her eyes sparkling with love and well-earned smugness. “You’re welcome.”

40

“Do you think he’s here?” Jinx asked, her voice tight with anxiety.

“Oh, he’s here,” Sabre replied, scanning the surroundings with a sharp, deliberate gaze.

“I don’t like how open this is,” Jinx muttered, shifting her weight from foot to foot, her unease growing.

“He won’t go for the longshot,” Sabre said confidently. “He wants to be up close and personal when he kills all of us.”

“That makes me feel so much better,” Jinx shot back, her sarcasm failing to mask her fear.

“This was your idea,” Sabre reminded her. “And it’s a good one. I’m damn proud of you. You’d make a decent assassin.”

Gage nudged Jinx from his position beside her. “High praise.”

Jinx grinned even as Sabre scowled at the akuji. “It is. If only you weren’t destined to be Queen of Purgatory …”

Jinx felt herself blush, and she ducked her head. She may be ready to admit her love for Mikhail and share that love in the form of a mate bond. But being a queen was going to take a lot longer to get used to. In fact, the very thought of it had heranxiety rushing back, and she pressed down on her heart to stop its rampant pounding.

---