Geomancist (Seven Forbidden Arts 5)

“Who are they?” the shocked guard asked.

“My men,” Juan said, his upper lip curling.

At the flick of his fingers, a bullet whizzed through the air, hitting the guard in the temple. The man’s body tilted sideways.

Asia couldn’t hold back a scream.

“That’s for calling me an asshole, dickhead,” Juan muttered.

One of Juan’s soldiers lifted her from the boat and carried her to the shade of a palm tree.

When he’d lowered her to her feet, she asked, “What’s happening?”

“You’re safe now. We’re with Juan.”

She’d never be safe with Juan. “How did you know where to find us?”

“Got a text from Juan with coordinates an hour ago.”

That had to have been the text Juan had sent while they’d been on the water.

“Stay here,” the man said. “When we’re sure it’s safe to move, we’ll transport you to Juan’s estate.”

The soldier ran back to the beach where Juan shouted instructions to the men. It was hot and humid, but her body trembled. She needed to get away. This was her chance. The men were engrossed in their preparations to leave. She turned onto her stomach and ignored the heaving that made her want to be sick. Forcing herself onto her hands and knees, she took a steadying breath. She could make it. She just had to run into the dense forest and hide.

She pushed to her feet on shaky legs. Before she could take a step, a hand clamped over her mouth and a strong arm wrapped around her waist from behind. Her back collided with a hard chest. She fought, biting and kicking, but her attacker easily lifted her off her feet and carried her into the jungle. She scratched his arm and screamed without effect. Her muffled sounds were only audible to the man dragging her away.

A short distance into the jungle, he stopped. She jerked when soft lips brushed over her ear.

His breath was warm on her skin when he whispered, “Shh, kitten. Retract those sharp little claws before you rip me apart.”

Sean! A sob caught in her throat. When he set her free, she twirled around. It had to be a hallucination. She touched his cheek. The prickle of his stubble felt very real, as did the lips he crushed briefly on hers. Burrowing her face in his neck, she inhaled the intoxicating, male smell of his skin. He only gave her a moment before he picked her up and carried her deeper inland.

A long way from the shore, he lowered her onto a flat rock on a riverbed.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, wonder and disbelief coursing through her.

His smile was soft. “I’m part of the rescue team.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I’ll explain later. For now…” His gaze fixed on her lips. “I thought I’d never lay eyes on you again.” He pulled her against his chest and lowered his head.

Crushing their mouths together, he claimed her lips with a desperate kiss that told how close they came to losing each other. He tangled his tongue with hers as he splayed his palms possessively over her back. All she could do was lock her arms around his neck and hold on. She never wanted to let go again.

Too soon, he pulled away. Trailing a gaze over her, he asked, “Are you hurt?”

She shook her head.

His visual evaluation ended on her throat. Gently, he traced the column of her neck as dark emotions played in his eyes. “How did you get it off?”

She touched her skin where she could still feel the weight of the collar. “He removed it when we thought we’d crash.”

Fury flashed across his face.

Going on tiptoes, she pressed her lips on his. “I love you, Sean.” Whether he accepted or rejected her love. “I promised myself I’d tell you if I was lucky enough to ever see you again.”

“How sweet,” a voice said behind her.

Asia stiffened. She flung around and sucked in a breath. Juan stood a short distance away, pointing a gun at them.

Sean pulled her behind him, shielding her with his body.

Juan sneered. “I never should’ve trusted you.”

Did he mean her or Sean? Maybe both. Ice filled her veins as he advanced on them.

“Since when?” he asked. “Since when do you love him?”

Asia’s bottom lip wobbled, but she lifted her chin and looked Juan straight in the eye from over Sean’s shoulder. “Since the first time I saw him, but I only figured it out on the island.”

Sean turned rigid as Juan pointed the gun at her head. He took a small step to the side so that the barrel pointed at his chest instead.

“Since when are you fucking him?” Juan asked.

She looked away.

“Answer me, bitch.”

“Don’t you dare speak to her like that,” Sean said.

“Answer me!”

“Since you murdered Jeanne,” Sean deadpanned. “You will apologize to Asia for insulting her.” His tone turned cold. “And for everything you made her suffer.”