Free Kane by Loribelle Hunt Page A

about what Calista
had said to him out there, didn’t want to know about it. Wished
like hell she could take it back. Mostly. He was also pleased. Even
if he couldn’t allow himself to love her back, he wanted her to
love him. He knew how crazy that was, how hypocritical, but it was
hard to care when he remembered her saying the words. His heart
raced all over again, and his cock rose in response.
    He paced around the cell, forced himself to
face reality. He’d tried to hold back, to keep from fully bonding
with her until she was ready and he’d tried like hell to keep his
heart out of it. He hadn’t succeeded on either count. He wasn’t
sure what he was going to do when he got out of this mess, but
letting her go wasn’t an option. Neither was letting her back out
of what had to have been a heat of the moment declaration. But the
fear…the fear was almost crippling.
    “How did you do it?” he asked softly, almost
whispering. “How did you go on when Karen died?”
    He felt awful for asking and lowered his head
in shame, but he was desperate for insight. He didn’t expect
Sebastian to answer and was so surprised when he did that he stood
and turned around to face him.
    “For awhile, it was just a minute at a time.
Then an hour, then a day. I would have given in, but the pack
needed me.” He shrugged, as if apologizing for what they both knew
was Kane’s shortcoming. His voice was quiet, subdued when he
continued. “I wouldn’t go back and undo it. I wouldn’t give up the
time I did have with her. Don’t make that mistake, Kane. Take what
life gives you and make the most of it while you can.”
    Kane took a steadying breath, wondering if he
could do that, wondering if he could withstand the same kind of
loss.
    Sebastian chuckled. “I know what you’re
thinking, and I’ve watched you with her for how long now? Two
years? It’s too late to go back. You’ve already bonded with her…you
already love her,” he added in a whisper that held an edge of
pain.
    Kane’s heart constricted, in fear and
something else he refused to name. He only nodded in response.
After taking a minute to compose himself, he changed the subject.
“Where do you think they’re keeping Isadora?”
    Sebastian stood, holding a hand against his
side and looked out the cell’s window. The wound was finally
starting to knit together. He jerked his head. “In the main house,
I bet.”
    Kane moved to stand next to him. They studied
the house in silence, and a dark shadow darted by. They exchanged a
quick look and took up positions next to it, not in a clear line of
sight of whoever was out there. The shadow didn’t move like Calista
or Mathias. He’d seen them in action enough to recognize them. This
was an unexpected element, but maybe they’d be able to make their
escape while the stranger was distracting the house.
    Then there was a loud boom and one of
the other buildings caught fire. After a few seconds it exploded,
fiery debris flying through the roof like fireworks. Men ran across
the yard, yelling questions to each other, and confusion reigned.
The door of their building flew open, and both men whirled around
to face whatever danger approached.
    Relief flooded him when Calista and Mathias
came in, but the relief was quickly replaced by fury. He’d told
them to leave, damn it. Neither one could take orders worth a damn.
She walked in and looked him up and down. He didn’t bother to hide
his feelings. He wanted her to understand how much trouble she was
in. She paused under the look for a minute, then seemed to collect
herself, shake it off, and grabbed the keys from the hook while
Mathias kept watch at the door. She wasn’t hasty, but she moved
with speed. Her hands trembled a little as she turned the key.
    “There they are,” Mathias said from the open
doorway. “Let’s move.”
    Kane exited the cell, held the door open for
Sebastian who limped out behind him. “Who?”
    “Alec and Izzy,” Calista bit out. “Can we