Page 56 of Tempt the Dragon
Chapter Fifteen
Brazzaville
Republic of Congo
In an effort to cause the least amount of disturbance to the humans living in the Republic of Congo, Bleu planned for Aiken and Mel to land in a place called Brazzaville and spend the remaining portion of that evening in a hotel. In the morning they were scheduled for a boat tour of one of the national parks. It was there they would enterthe portion of the virgin rain forest reportedly not navigable and follow the directions Shola had saved in the communicator’s navigation system.
They both had one now and Mel grappled with the feeling of being wholly accepted into the Legion clan and knowing that it was only temporary.
“We’ve got time to tour the city a little before nightfall and then we can find some dinner.” Aikenhad been uncharacteristically quiet on the jet ride over and the ride from the airport. She hadn’t really been in the mood to talk either. Her mind was so full of thoughts, she hadn’t brought it up. But she’d definitely noticed something was different about him.
“That’s fine.” She started to agree as they walked into the lobby of the hotel, but then shook her head. “Actually, why don’t wejust stay in. Have dinner here at the hotel, enjoy the view of the Congo River, sort of enjoy the calm before the storm.”
Because something told her tomorrow was going to bring the storm in more ways than one. Refusing to think about completing this job and having to leave Aiken again, she was determined to have one last great night with him.
“If that’s what you’d prefer, it works forme.” He carried his duffel bag on one shoulder and hers in his hand as they boarded the elevator.
She stared at the roped veins in his toned biceps and shoulders in the black polo shirt he was wearing. His jeans weren’t too tight or too loose but fit his ass and legs perfectly. Being careful to give him his space, she stood with a slight distance between them, but was still close enough thatthe scent of his cologne wafted through her nostrils, waking the beast that had been lying dormant since last night’s turmoil. It knew what she was thinking, what she was planning to do when this was all said and done, and it was pouting, she surmised, but there was nothing she could do to change the circumstances.
When they made it to the room, he put their bags down near the bed while shewalked past the sleeping area and headed straight to the patio doors. Pulling them open, she inhaled deeply, closing her eyes to the fading sunlight. The view was nothing like waterfront hotels in Miami, but there was something earthier and more simplistic here. The color of the leaves seemed a bit more muted, the river water, not a sparkling blue, but a deeper green that flowed downstream, to whereshe didn’t know. Uncertainty had been a steady running concept for her these past twelve or so hours—she didn’t know how this mission was going to turn out, didn’t know how she was going to handle leaving when the time came, and didn’t know what to expect from Aiken at either point.
“I just checked in with Bleu. Theo had a meeting with Detective Posner and the Captain of the Enforcers aboutthe allegations he made toward us. Posner’s not happy. They tracked Ziva to the Twilight club late last night so we’re waiting to see if she has any updates from Enes. Other than that, we’re set to go tomorrow morning.”
She hadn’t turned to face him while he talked but waited to see if he’d come closer to perhaps touch her or inquire if something was wrong with her. Would she tell him thetruth if he asked?
“Did you hear me?”
“I did.” Sucking in another breath, she bit back the disappointment and faced him. “Are we going to have backup? If you and I are going to head directly to the burial ground, it makes sense to have somebody watching our backs.” If he wanted to discuss the mission, she could do that.
He nodded. “Yeah. They’ll be here in the morning. Bleu will stayhere at the hotel after we head out. Isla will stay at her post in Burgess, monitoring everything via the communicators. And the others will be here for backup. A few of them will probably take to the sky, while the others stay on the ground at a safe distance.”
“Did Ravyn give another report on the Schenek witches? What are they known for? Any tricks we should be on the lookout for, otherthan the spell that’s guarding the site?”
“Nah, I haven’t seen any reports like that.” Then he did walk closer to her. “You can check your communicator for updated information.” He reached for her arm holding it and then turning so he could see the communicator she’d wrapped around her wrist. “If you just press this button here it’ll take you to your inbox. Inside there you’ll see reportslisted by date or importance. You’ll know important ones because they’ll also produce a flashing light on the communicator after it vibrates to let you know it was received.”
She looked down at her arm but was really focusing more on the warmth of his touch, the tendrils of anticipation it sent soaring immediately up her arm and to spread throughout her body.
“I got it. Like a tablet onmy arm.”
“Yeah,” he said and then looked up at her.
When their gazes locked, their beasts reached out, the pushing against her skin she’d sort of gotten used to, encouraged her to move forward. She knew his beast was reacting in the same way because his hand tightened on her wrist and his body grew rigid as he tried to restrain the beast’s urging. That was a new one, Aiken had never restrainedhis beast in any way.
“Are you okay?” She couldn’t hold the question back any longer. Besides, she was tired of waiting for him to say something about whatever it was that bothered him.
“I’m good.” He dropped her arm and stepped back. “I’m gonna take a quick shower and change out of these clothes. Then we can walk down to the restaurant.”
“Walk? Isn’t there a restaurant inside thehotel? And didn’t we decide we were staying in?”
“Yeah, but I just remembered Bleu saying that wasn’t a good one. He suggested we go to this other place to eat. It’s not too far. He said the walk would clear our minds and get us ready for tomorrow. Whatever that’s supposed to mean.” He shrugged before grabbing his bag and heading into the bathroom.
No invitation for her to join and nodeeper explanation about what was bothering him.
Alone now, she sat on the bed, dropping her head into her hands and groaning. How had it come to this? Why hadn’t she just grabbed Duncan that night when she’d seen him in that townhouse? If she had, she would’ve never seen Aiken again and this, the flurry of emotion rippling through her right now, wouldn’t be threatening to tear her apart becauseshe knew she’d have to once again push it aside.
Resigning herself to accept the cards she’d been dealt in this life was like her mantra and she pulled out her phone to make the call. She needed to hear Rosilda’s voice one more time before she messed things up again. A quick smile spread across her face when she heard Rosilda’s voice. There was pride etched in every word as she spoke of Melfollowing her destiny, doing what her parents would have wanted her to do. And there was still anger in Mel because her parents hadn’t done a damn thing to assist in her achieving this destiny. Because of that and so many other obstacles she’d faced, now fulfilling her destiny would be bittersweet because she’d ultimately lose Aiken in the end.
“You told Bleu pasta was my favorite dish,didn’t you? That’s why he sent us to this restaurant.” The smile on her face right now meant everything. It was that simple and that heart wrenching at the same time.
