Tempest - Kris Michaels Page 0,56

"Information you don't need right now."

"I'd prefer if you could get the items here this stop. If her mother goes underground, she could take Pilar with her. It may be a way to track her."

Anubis grunted. "I'll see what we can do. I may be out of my quotient of miracles this quarter."

"I'm sure you have at least one more in your bag. Whatever it takes, remember?"

"For as long as it takes, my friend, but some things require time. I'll try to get your items to the boat before Smoke and Sage leave Tampa. Tell Smoke to stay in port if possible. If he sees something he doesn't like, have him head to the open water, cruise north, and we'll meet him and Miss Grantham in Panama City Beach."

"I'll do that."

Anubis cleared his throat. "Take these women down, for all of us. I wish I could join you for this one. These women are the worst kind of evil."

"You don't have to tell me. I'll use my tech to check in."

"Good hunting." Anubis cleared comms.

He closed his side of the connection and set the headset on the counter. "Go ahead." He knew his friend was going to spout off some advice he didn't plan on taking.

"I got nothing man. Are you disembarking soon?"

"I am. She's not. Anubis instructed you to make your way to Tampa and stay in port until we return if possible. If not, make your way to Panama City Beach." He relayed the rest of the instructions he'd been given.

"Will do." Smoke kept his eyes directed toward the panoramic view from the bridge.

Tempest nodded and started toward the door. He stopped and turned slightly. "Do me a favor? Take care of her while I'm gone."

"You didn't need to ask; I know what she means to you even if you won't acknowledge it." Smoke turned, giving him a smart-ass smirk before he picked up the onboard phone. "Yo, Sage, my man. We've got orders to head to Tampa. We need to lift anchor." He laughed at whatever Sage said before he hung up. "We'll be moving in ten minutes. Tampa area by mid-morning. I'll pull in at last light, and we'll deploy motion sensors at the dock so we can all get some rest before you head out."

He inclined his head and padded down the stairs, through the massive living area, to the galley. With a cold bottle of water in hand, he headed back to his cabin. He slipped into the space and quietly took off his clothes, placing the water bottle on his nightstand.

She hummed contentedly and moved toward him as he slipped into bed beside her. "Everything okay?"

"Everything's fine. Go back to sleep." He settled her against his chest and stared at the ceiling. He'd find a way to keep his employers happy. One target at a time, just as Archangel decreed. He'd wait if it meant he’d be the one to take out the Fates and make them pay for what they'd done to so many.

Pilar sighed and snuggled into him again. He reveled in the feel of the woman in his arms. When hope had disappeared, she'd saved him. When death had him in its grasp, her strength freed him.

His fingers caressed her soft skin. Soon. He could feel the anticipation building beneath the peace he'd constructed over the last three years. The careful composition acted as a drape which prevented people from seeing the abyss of anger and hatred which moved in a molten river through his veins. He drew a deep, cleansing breath. Never again. Never again would he allow anyone to fall into the hands of Stratus or the Fates. He'd paid an unspeakable price, but he'd recovered. He'd repaired his damaged body and shot an azimuth to his destiny. Tempest, the personification of death, was coming for the Fates. This time he would not fail.

Chapter 17

"Is this work connected to the information I gave you about my mother?" Pilar watched him as he put on his clothes. Black cargo pants, black boots, a black t-shirt and jacket.

"Yes and no. This operation is connected to activities Guardian believes your mother is involved with."

"What exactly are you going to do?" She stood and limped to him.

"Follow my employer’s orders."

"Is this where you tell me its classified, and if you tell me you'd have to kill me?"

She pushed his hair away from his face. He smiled. The gesture had become second nature to her in the small time they'd been together. "I