Resistance (The Variant Series #2) by Jena Leigh Read Free Book Online

your positioning.” He gestured to her twisted form. “You might have made contact had I let you go through with it, but you’re also a split second away from busting your ass. No point.”
    She growled as he let her loose and, sure enough, fell promptly on her backside.
    Declan laughed again.
    “Oh, shut-up, Decks,” muttered Kenzie. “I’d like to see you do better. I know for a fact that your spin kicks need a lot more work than mine do.”
    “Any time, any place, little sister.”
    Nate sighed. “Let’s just call it a night. This session was more for Alex than for us, anyway. We’ll pick up again tomorrow, provided the rain holds off.”
    Nate glanced up at the unnaturally dark clouds hovering overhead. He was surprised it hadn’t started pouring already.
    “Hey, Decks,” said Kenzie, gathering up her flip-flops. “Give me a lift home?”
    Declan shook his head. “Not in those shorts and shoes, Red. I brought my bike.”
    “Nate?” she asked. “You brought the Charger right?”
    “I’m parked on the other side of the woods,” he said, tying the laces on his sneakers. “Over by the beach. But I think I’m going to hang out here a while. Get a run in before I head back.”
    “You, sir, are a glutton for punishment,” Kenzie said, smiling.
    Resigned, Declan held out his hand to Nate. “Keys?” he said. “I’ll take Red home and come back for you and the bike later.”
    “Why don’t you just jump?” asked Nate.
    “Because I’ve had a long-ass day that’s not even close to being over yet. It’d be a waste of energy. Now give me your keys.”
    He tossed his car keys to Declan. “ One scratch , Decks, and you’re a dead man.”
    “Yeah, yeah. I know the drill. See you in twenty.”
    As Declan and Kenzie disappeared into the tree line, Nathaniel started his run.
    Less than thirty feet later, a black cloth fell over his face, blocking out his view of the field. He twisted toward his attacker and the heavy material was cinched tightly around his throat.
    Nate fell to his knees.
    An iron grip clamped down on his shoulder and he felt the pressure of a jump. Already short of breath, Nate struggled to overcome the agonizing pain that spread through his chest and radiated behind his eyes.
    Ignoring his need for air, he grabbed hold of the hand on his shoulder. Taking his attacker by surprise, Nate yanked hard on the man’s wrist and twisted it to the left.
    A sickening crack rang out beside Nathaniel’s ear.
    “Son of a bitch!”
    Using the distraction to his advantage, Nate tugged roughly at the fabric covering his head—and found himself kneeling on the hardwood floor of a lavishly furnished office.
    The room reminded him of Grayson’s den. Bookshelves lined the walls and twin black leather seats had been placed before the desk. Richly stained mahogany furniture was scattered throughout the room.
    The person seated behind the desk, however, was decidedly not Grayson.
    “ Language , Harrison.” The woman’s mouth was drawn down at the corners. Her attention shifted to Nathaniel. “Was that really necessary?”
    With a tired sigh, Nate got to his feet. He spared a glance at the large man standing behind him. The agent, Harrison, was cradling his injured arm and staring daggers at Nathaniel.
    Nate turned back around. “Was the sack over my head necessary?”
    The older woman’s frown deepened and her gaze flicked to Nathaniel’s escort. “Harrison,” she said sternly. “Take care of that wrist.”
    The large man hesitated, “Sir?”
    “Get out, Harrison.”
    “Yes, sir.”
    Harrison jumped, vanishing from the room in a ripple of violet light.
    “I would have come willingly, you know,” said Nathaniel, adjusting his disheveled shirt. “Or, better yet, I could have just met you somewhere. If Declan or Kenzie saw your goon jump me, it’s going to be a hell of a lot harder to explain than if I’d just disappeared for a while.”
    Director Carter seemed to consider that, taking a