Chapter 87: Diogo

"Your time is up," I say coldly. "And I'm out of patience."
Wolfe takes a step forward and into my space. A brave move since it puts him beyond the safety of the wall. His men twitch nervously behind him. I sensed a death wish in this one from the start. He would make an excellent addition to my elite military if I could somehow convince him to leave his Sanctuary and join mine. If he survives the coming standoff.
"We will produce your wife in our time, not yours." His face betrays nothing as he says the words that will sign his death warrant.
I growl and reach for my knife just as he reaches for his weapon.
"That's enough." A sharp feminine voice rings out and a woman steps through the massive gates.
I'm stunned speechless for a moment as a taller and curvier replica of my wife walks toward me. A white gown simultaneously hugs her curves while managing to float lazily around her body. A neat scarf wraps around her throat to finish the look. She is like a polished version of Taran. Every male eye in the vicinity is on her. Except mine. I'm looking past her, searching for my wife.
I don't care how beautiful this woman is, or how much she has the entire Sanctuary guard wrapped around her finger. She isn't Taran. She isn't my wild little bird.
"I'm going to ask you this only once." I try to keep the snarl from my voice, the aggression from my body language, but I know I'm failing. Wolfe takes a step forward so he's closer to Skye without physically blocking her. "Where is my wife?"
"Do you know who I am?" she asks sharply.
"At the moment, you are nothing more than the obstacle standing between me and my wife. You need to stop this, whatever it is and send my wife out. Any more delays and I will have my men attack the city."
She visibly flinches at my threat and then straightens her back and lifts her chin, giving me a sternly regal look. "You didn't bring enough men to take this city."
I don't bother to correct her. If she isn't aware that even a handful of my military elite is enough to ensure my victory, then I won't tip her off. One of my men is worth a hundred of hers. Except perhaps for Wolfe. He'd have to be the first to die if it comes down to a combat situation.
"We're done talking." I turn on my heel, signalling to Stryker. We'll meet with the rest of my team and come up with a strike plan. We won't have the element of surprise, but we have skill. The only reason I've held off on this course of action is because there will be casualties on my side and if possible I'd prefer not to harm the sister of my wife.
"Please wait," she calls, rushing toward me. I pull my knife and turn on her. She's reaching out for my arm and it takes real effort not to cut her hand off. How dare this woman hold my wife and then presume to touch me? She yanks her hand back before it can touch me.
Wolfe is directly on her heels, his look of anger directed at her. He wants to yank her back to safety, but she waves him away. Interesting. The dynamics between the two would indicate a power struggle that for all appearances she's winning, yet I suspect the other man is simply biding his time. Instead of falling back, she holds her ground and speaks in a low voice that only the two of us can hear.
"Please, I just need to know that she'll be safe," she says urgently, her voice a quiet hiss. "I need your promise that you'll take good care of her and shield her from the harsh realities of this life. From what I can see she's somehow managed to maintain her idealism, and the thought of someone or something crushing it" Her voice catches and trails off.
I study her for a moment, trying to settle on an answer. I don't owe this woman anything but talking to her might be the more expedient method of getting Taran back. I swallow my pride and annoyance. "Taran's health and safety are my priority. She will not be harmed."
"And can you can you" her voice chokes up as she tries to speak. "Will you bring Taran back to me? Sometimes?"
Her question is a desperate one, and I won't be able to give her the answer she wants to hear. "You know I can't do that and keep my word that she'll be safe. Travel beyond Sanctuary is extremely dangerous."
She dashes away a stray tear and swallows hard, then nods. "You're right." Her shoulders bow a little as she realizes that she likely won't see her sister again once she releases Taran to my care.
I relent, just a little. "You will always be welcome as a guest in our Sanctuary as long as your intentions toward Taran are honourable."
She laughs, the sound soft and bitter, then glances back toward the city. I know where her thoughts are. She'll have about as much luck being allowed to leave her Sanctuary as Taran will have leaving mine. Though she has annoyed me and taken several wrong steps by keeping my wife from me, I find myself softening toward this woman. Perhaps it's her physical similarity to Taran, or perhaps it's her earnest desire to keep Taran safe.
"We can use the long-distance radio towers to keep in touch." She perks up at my suggestion. "It's not a bad idea for our Sanctuaries to stay in touch anyway, given our relatively close proximity."
Her whole countenance brightens and she smiles widely. "Maybe one day we'll be able to form some kind of alliance. Help each other in times of crisis, that sort of thing."
"Perhaps." Any future alliance hinges on one thing; the expedient retrieval of my wife and our smooth leave-taking from the city.
She nods, understanding, and gives Wolfe a look that he seems to quickly interpret. He lifts his radio to his mouth. "Bring the woman."
My patience is wearing extremely thin. I stand stock still, arms crossed, fists clenched so I don't do something that could damage the outcome of this meeting. My eyes are fixed on the gate. Moments later a vehicle emerges. Before it even fully stops, Taran leaps out and runs toward me.
It's clear from the top of her shiny red hair to the lovely new dress and shoes that my wife has been well taken care of. When she's within reach she launches herself at me, heedless of the tensions surrounding us. I open my arms and catch her against me, holding her tight and burying my face in her hair, inhaling the fragrant aroma of wildflowers and pure, raw Taran.
I push her back a little and examine every inch. Touching her arms, wrists and fingers, her neck, hovering over the scarf, knowing I can't move it but wanting to see her scar, make sure it hasn't somehow torn open and gotten infected. I don't give a shit that all my men are watching, that the guards of this Sanctuary are watching, I take her face between the palms of my hands, tilt it up and press my lips against hers.
I don't even know if it can be called a kiss. I don't move, she doesn't move. We just stand in each other's embrace, our lips meeting, remembering, promising. I hold her face to mine, savouring the texture of her skin, breathing her in, memorizing everything about her. I'd known I wanted to keep her, to make her mine and to love her, but losing her, not knowing if I would find her again, has given me a new truth. I want this woman forever. I will become as formidable as it takes to ensure she stays alive for us to have our forever.