Mortal Sin by Allison Brennan Read Free Book Online Page A

draining you. I see it in your eyes.” He stepped closer and rubbed her arms. When he touched Moira, he believed they would survive, that they would stop Fiona and send the Seven back to Hell. Apart, his doubts crept in, taunting him. He couldn’t do this alone… and neither could Moira. He kissed her because he didn’t know what to do. He didn’t know how to stop her from killing herself. From punishing herself for sins that weren’t her fault.
    One kiss was never enough. He eagerly devoured her lips, and she welcomed him, wrapping her arms tight around his neck. She was delicious. And strong. She was his rock in this crazy world where evil reigned and they seemed to constantly tilt at windmills.
    “Rafe,” she murmured.
    He stopped her from saying anything more because he knew her fears. She feared for everyone but herself. She had never formed attachments because attachments were dangerous. But this was different; he was different.
    His mouth crushed hers, trying to give her hope and strength and love. His lips kissed her jawline, her neck. Dear Lord, she smelled so sweet. She was hard and soft, tough and sensitive. He licked her behind the ear and her body trembled in his arms. He wanted to make love to her here, under the sky. They’d done it before, in the quiet of the mountains, under the moonlight. Here, where his life had changed forever.
    He would not let her die. He would not let Rico use her like a weapon. He kissed the underside of her neck, his hands trembling.
    “Rafe—please,” she whispered. “You’re panicking.”
    “I’m not panicking,” he said. He sometimes forgot how truth sensitive she’d become, that she could read his moods with ease.
    She stepped back. He reluctantly pulled his mouth from her neck, but he didn’t let her go. He stared in her bottomless blue eyes. “Tell me what you didn’t before.”
    She hesitated.
    “Moira, I need to know.”
    “John’s missing.”
    “John Martinelli?”
    She nodded. “He disappeared while hunting a demon in Canada.”
    Rafe saw the truth instantly. “So Rico wants you to track John down in Canada.”
    “Yes.”
    “Alone.”
    “Rico’s coming.”
    “I’m coming.”
    “You can’t. Rafe—like you said, something bad is happening here, and you need to be here. To protect Anthony. And Skye. I won’t be long. A couple days, tops.”
    “Rico keeps doing this. Sending you here and there and you come back exhausted and haunted.”
    “There’ll be time to rest after we trap the Seven.”
    “Don’t be flip.”
    “I’m not—you know I’m right. John is missing, Rafe. He’s one of the good guys. If I can find him, help him—I have to do it.”
    “Maybe you should stop taking orders from Rico.”
    “Rafe, don’t.”
    Rafe pulled her back into his arms. She was always so tense, always on alert. Watching. Worried about everyone else except herself.
    “Do not ever forget that I love you.”
    “How could I? You tell me all the time.”
    She was trying to make a joke, but he didn’t let her. He held her at arm’s length and stared into her deep, deep blue eyes. He could look at her forever. “My love will save you.”
    Her lip quivered. “I can’t lose you, Rafe.”
    “You won’t.”
    She didn’t believe him. She feared for him.
    “I don’t trust Rico,” he said.
    “I know.”
    “But you do.”
    “I have to.” She didn’t have to. She trusted Rico because he’d trained her. He was, essentially, her commander. Moira was loyal.
    She kissed him slowly. Warmly. “I will be back.”
    He pressed his forehead against hers. “I need you. You need me. We are so much better when we’re together, Moira. I don’t think Rico understands that.” Except, maybe he did. Rico was in love with Moira. He would never act on it, at least Rafe didn’t think he would, but Rico had made it clear that he thought Rafe was a threat. Would he use this time alone with her to try and put a wedge between him and Moira? Could he? What did