Rydak exhaled and looped his loose hair in a knot at the back of his head. Torkel must have awakened him since Rydak tended to keep his hair bound during the day. "I can't let you leave unless you agree to listen to reason."

At least that answered his question of whether or not Rydak would let him past. Kyele swung without warning. The Enotian raised his arm and blocked the blow. Pain shot down his elbow as Rydak pushed him back. Heat and anger stirred inside his chest.

"You don't want to fight me, Kyele. Give in."

Kyele's counter came quick. "Then walk away and let me do what I need to."

Rydak smirked. "Looks like we will fight."

This time Rydak launched a spin kick toward his head. Kyele ducked, coming up behind him but Rydak pivoted on his heels and his foot snapped out twice in rapid succession. Kyele misted to avoid the kicks but pulled back on his power to retain his physical form. Hurting Rydak was not his intent.

Before Kyele could regroup, Rydak rammed a punch into his mid-section. "Fuck, Rydak."

"I could be sleeping with Lissi."

Another fist flew past his face following the growled words. Kyele managed to dodge but the whoosh of air near his jaw warned it had been close. Taking the opportunity to ask something he'd thought about, Kyele increased his speed and taunted, "I've always wondered if you don't have contact can you still read an opponent."

Rydak's expression remained glacier before Kyele attempted to strike again. He knew he was good. He didn't telegraph his moves and yet Rydak countered each attack, blocking every attempt he made to take down the Team Leader. Faster and faster they whirled around each other, occasional grunts punctuated each hit they received.

"Give, Kyele."

Instead of answering, Kyele surged forward. Time lost meaning while they grappled, neither willing to seriously harm the other. Or so Kyele thought.

"I left my Chosen to speak with you. Give. In," Rydak snarled at one point after delivering a punch to Kyele's jaw which snapped his head back.

It was no secret that Rydak valued his time with his Chosen and their children. "Let me finish this task."

Rydak growled in frustration and swiveled as they struggled. Kyele found himself pinned to the floor with Rydak's legs around his chest, and his forearms clamped about his throat.

"You will cease this madness," Rydak demanded in a low undertone by his ear.

"Would you if it was Lissi?" Kyele snarled, staying still in the deadly clutch.

The position Rydak used was dangerous. One move could snap Kyele's neck or break his arm before he shifted forms.

"Joni isn't like Lissi. Your female can take care of herself."

Their eyes locked. Kyele gave in first and snorted. He was learning a lot in the way of females. "I should tell Lissi you said that."

For a brief moment Rydak tightened his hold and Kyele choked in a sharp breath at the sudden blast of pain that was more warning than intent.

"You do and Joni will be very disappointed not to have you as her Chosen."

If Joni wanted him to walk the sands for presentation. Kyele's humor turned grim. "You can release me."

Rydak didn't hesitate and loosened the clasp. Panting, they both sprung to their feet, muscles taut. Kyele had the pleasure of seeing the immaculate Rydak's shirt untucked.

"Will you let this go?"

Kyele cocked his head to the side. "If it was Lissi would you let The Collector live?"

Rydak lowered his arms, tension no longer running through his body. "The Jutaks can not be seen as vengeful."

It was a partial acceptance Kyele had not expected. "When I am finished, no one will dare touch her without fear of my retaliation."

Rydak slid his fingers back one by one into the black leather gloves he removed from his pocket. "If she means this much don't let revenge take you from her."

"I won't."

"Are you done?" Rydak arched a blond brow.

He was talking about more than the match between them. Kyele nodded. He didn't want to endanger his Unit or his role with the Jutaks. "I will apologize to Torkel."

Rydak's mouth curved up. "None of us expect your apologies, Kyele. We all would have wanted to do the same but now is the time for restraint. People are fleeing at the mention of a shadow soldier. That should only happen if my team arrives on scene."

The spurt of humor from the stoic male surprised a chuckle out of Kyele.

After letting herself into Kyele's living quarters, Joni waited impatiently for his return. Shoulders slumped in exhaustion, he stepped through the front door and froze when he noticed her sitting in one of his chairs.

"What are you doing here? You should be resting."

Joni jumped to her feet. Did he expect to get away without explaining his disappearance? If he wanted the pretense, she wouldn't give it. "Dr. Maku released me days ago. Whatever you did to me worked."

Kyele didn't come toward her. Joni shivered, fighting the desire to be held in his arms. "I'm glad."

That was it? The pressure in her chest turned leaden. "I heard about the other stuff. I don't know how you got their names but I didn't need you to go after them."

It meant more than he would ever know but she kept the words to herself.

"They deserved to die. Especially The Collector."

She swallowed. "I agree but not at the expense of your soul. When you go too far into the darkness, you can lose your way back. Don't let them take that from you, Kyele. Not on my behalf."

His eyes flashed with pain he quickly masked by blinking.

"Please," she said simply.

Tension vibrated between them. The hard-edged strum of power Joni associated with Kyele flared. He stalked forward, every line of his body rigid in an attempt to force her retreat. The hair at her nape curled with unease but she didn't back away. She'd never back away from him.

When he reached her his mouth crashed onto hers, lips relentless. Tears stung Joni eyes as she wrapped her arms around him in relief. The strength of his kiss revealed his hunger and she gave him every bit of hers. Kyele broke away with a fierce mutter and shoved both hands into his hair.

Joni reached for him but he gripped her wrists, preventing from touching him. "Don't."

His voice cut like glass.

"What's going on, Kyele. Tell me."

He avoided her gaze. "You should leave."

"What?"

Kyele met her furious gaze. Her defiance blasted him to the spot. He knew what he needed to do. He had been wrong. Torkel was wrong. If he claimed Joni he'd bring more bad things into her life. He took a step away, hearing Joni's sharply indrawn breath and stopped.

Beneath the defiance flashing in her eyes, he witnessed that damnable hint of vulnerability and steeled his heart. He had to walk away even if it meant denying his feelings. If it meant she was safe, he would do what was necessary.

"It's best you leave, Joni."

The hurt on her face almost broke him.

Chapter 28.

"I get it now," Joni whispered. "You don't want me anymore. You only wanted me in the beginning but after..." She swallowed passed the thickness in her throat. After she'd tried to kill him. "After everything that happened you decided it wasn't worth it."

Kyele let her go and closed his eyes as if working up to the next words. "I have never wanted or asked for anything in my life."

"Great." She let out a bitter chuckle. "Aren't you special."

"But I want you, Joni." His lids lifted, sending a sharp glare at her interruption. "Would die to have you as mine."

The feral light in his eyes should have scared her. Joni drew in a sharp breath. At her silence he took another step away, increasing the distance between them even more. Then he had the audacity to try and leave.

"Then why? Damn you!" Joni gripped him by the back of his shirt. "Why are you acting like this? We don't have to avoid what's between us."

He turned on her fast, eyes blazing. "You almost died, Joni. I had to watch you fight for your life because I was selfish. I should have followed up sooner on the drug but I allowed my feelings for you to distract me from doing my job."

"It was an accident, Kyele. No one blames you for what happened to me. You weren't even here during the attack."

"I blame myself!"

That stopped her. She stared at his features twisted with anguish. Taking a step closer, she smoothed her hand over the scar on his face. "Kyele."

He trembled. Her brave, dark soldier trembled. "I need to protect you, Joni."

"You can. But I won't let you accept responsibility for what happened."

"Let me?" His brow quirked and a spark of humor replaced the sadness in his eyes.

Joni launched herself at him and his arms enfolded her in his embrace. "Silly man."

"Little Earthling."

Smiling, she nipped at his chest through his shirt. "Please let this go. Do it the right way. I'm begging."

Kyele carried her toward the bedroom. "You only need to beg me during sex."

Her laughter burst forth. His lack of answer was all the answer she needed. She felt as if they'd moved past a major hurdle. "Cocky aren't you?"

"We talked about your appreciation for cocks."

Joni sat up when he placed her on the bed. "I can't believe you made a joke."

"I should also add I think I might be in love with you." His eyes glinted without humor.

Joni gasped and fumbled backward. "What?!"

He met her gaze evenly but didn't repeat the devastating words.

"Impossible," she told him, rising to her knees. "You can't."

His brow rose. "Can't what? Love you? Be capable of love? Because as much as it surprises me, I am falling in love with you, Joni."

Never did it cross Joni's mind to think what they shared went beyond sexual. At least on his part. "You warned me not to get close to you." When she remembered his past comments, anger soared. "I can't have you, Joni. It's not to be. That's what you said Kyele and now you think you love me."

"Joni-"

"You're nuts." Her laugh held an edge of hysteria. "People don't just fall in love in a day or a couple of weeks."

Kyele tipped his head to the side. "I wouldn't know. I've been falling in love with you since the day I met you. Your courage, your strength. It has its own irresistible appeal. Month after month I've had to stand aside and watch."

Nothing compared to the beautiful words he just spoke. She swiped at her cheeks with a quick, rough motion. Another tear rolled down her cheek. It took three attempts before she could speak. "I thought...what about..." She broke off with a sigh then looked at him with a half smile. "You're killing me."

Kyele brushed his finger over a satiny soft cheek. "What do you want me to say, Joni?"

She moved closer and locked her hands on his shoulders, determination filling her. "Screw you, Kyele because I don't think, I know I love you."

Joni waited for him to run. Or better yet to do his famous disappearing smoke act. Then he surprised her. "Screw me. More of your funny Earth terms but I can't wait to screw you, Joni. No more holding back."

"You're serious?" She wanted to dance with happiness.

"Undress." Kyele pulled away to whip his shirt off and fling it behind him.

Suddenly filled with the need to be with him as well, Joni tore off her own clothes. She'd barely finished undressing when Kyele's body slammed into her, knocking them both flat on the bed.

"Remember I tried to let you go. You're mine now."

In spite of his order, Joni didn't remember much of anything besides the pleasure when he was done. In the aftermath, she cuddled in his arms absorbing the warmth of his body beneath hers.

"What are we doing, Kyele?" Her hand glided up and down his torso at an even pace. She enjoyed the way his lower stomach muscles twitched occasionally from her touch.