Claudia’s lips quirked up in a humorless smile. “That seems to be at a premium between us, but I’d like it to change.”
“Really.”
“I am interested in having you as my lover for real. The chemistry between us is incredible.”
Kyra shook her head. “That could be a problem.”
“Not if you don’t make it one,” Claudia replied. “There are no promises to be made, just an affair and a job.”
“That’s true, but I can’t do my job if I’m working for you,” Kyra said. “So, we’ll need to come up with something else.”
“No games. Sam and Mallory’s heads are on the chopping block, and I have no doubt I’ll be next. The Coalition brought up the issue of drugs. Sam left the organization and Mal and I are suspended pending an investigation.”
“With you three gone how will the area be affected?” Kyra asked curiously. She knew what the Coalition was and its function thanks to spying on Bradley and Jericho.
“My gut tells me this is just a ploy to get rid of Sam and Mal. That leaves their packs in chaos as new leaders try to take over.”
“They could be slaughtered and the survivors assimilated,” Kyra said quietly.
“Exactly. I’m thinking of allying with them to protect our town from the cartel. To do that, we need your help. I’m not asking you to reveal any of your personal secrets, just give us your expertise and knowledge.”
“Okay.”
This seemed all logic on the outside, so perfect to getting the job done all around, so why was she hesitant? The look on Claudia’s face told her she had some misgivings of her own.
“Well, help yourself while I change,” Kyra said heading to her bedroom.
“Just like that? Why?” Claudia demanded. “And where are you going?”
“Stonington,” Kyra told her. “When I get back, I need to meet with Sam. I have something I’m sure she’ll want back.”
Claudia followed her to her bedroom where Kyra stood in the middle of the room in bra and panties. “What?”
“I have those papers naming Cambrie as the owner of the land along with the fakes,” Kyra replied. “I don’t think it will really matter because from all indications, the jackals are going to move on Sam no matter what.”
“What indications and why the hell didn’t you tell us this before?” Claudia demanded.
“I wasn’t sure I’d be believed, but now I think it’s clear there is an actual issue,” Kyra said and turned away quickly to keep from going to Claudia and kissing her.
Last night aside, her animal had really enjoyed Claudia’s touch. She wanted more and so did the woman.
“If you’re really serious, then let one of our people go with you,” Claudia said carefully.
“A test,” Kyra murmured and looked at Claudia. “You want trust, but you don’t intend to give any. How original.”
“How did I know you’d say that?” Claudia said advancing on her. “What’s the name of the game, Kyra, and how much of us do you want?”
Kyra pulled on a pair of gold jeans, keeping her gaze on her form in the mirror. “I could ask you the same, but I was taking you at your word when you said trust for trust. I guess what you meant was I do the giving and you do the taking.”
“Damn it,” Claudia growled, coming into her field of vision now. “This is bullshit.” She put her hands on Kyra’s shoulders. “Forget about Sam and Mal for a minute. They’re just muddying the waters of this thing.”
“What thing?” She met Claudia’s gaze in the mirror.
“Us. Instead of running from it, why don’t you try enjoying it? Let me enjoy you.”
Kyra tried to move away from her, but Claudia held her fast and kissed the side of her neck. “Your scent intrigues me to the point my animal can’t think straight sometimes around you.”
Her breathing hitched. “Claudia, don’t.”
“Don’t what? Don’t be honest? You want trust, then I’m keeping it real.”
Kyra closed her eyes. “You’re twisting things up,” she said breathlessly.
“Good. At least I’m having the same effect on you,” she said. “This intense want that’s keeping me craving you, thinking about you, could be dangerous.”
“Yes.” Kyra nodded. “A real fling could be all kinds of bad.”
“Yeah.” Claudia turned Kyra to face her. “The kind that leave you too tired to focus from staying up all night just staring into each other’s eyes or talking. The kind that has us thinking of each other when we should be working. The kind that leaves a mark when the goodbyes are all said.”
“Exactly what we don’t need,” Kyra said, her hands shaking as she raised them to rest on Claudia’s arms. “It’s a mistake waiting to be regretted.”
“Maybe,” Claudia said, drawing her closer. “But I’m willing to take the risk as long as I’m the one you don’t cross in the long run.”
“Cross?” Kyra’s eyes drifted to Claudia’s mouth.
“Fuck over.” She lowered her head so their lips were mere inches apart. “Left with her ass in the wind.”
Kyra glided her hands up to Claudia’s shoulders. “So, you’re asking for promises?”
“Just that one,” she admitted, her lips against Kyra’s as she spoke.
Kyra shivered, the warm breath of Claudia teasing her skin. “What about me? What do I get out of this?”
“The same thing you give me,” Claudia told her. “A safe place to be who you are when we’re alone. Someone who’ll keep your secrets and still respect you in the harsh light of day. I just want the same.”
“You’re asking for a lot from a fling.”
“Just enough,” Claudia murmured, hunger blazing in her eyes. Then she claimed Kyra’s mouth.
Chapter Sixteen
Kira moaned as she pushed her fingers into Claudia’s hair. She arched up against her, the coyote surging into her mind.
Claudia deepened the kiss, their tongues dueling as heat snaked through her. Kyra creamed and her clit pulsed with life. Every nerve in her body roared to life as the slight roughness of Claudia’s tongue pressed against hers before she withdrew to nip at Kyra’s bottom lip.
Claudia skimmed her lips along Kyra’s jaw while her hands glided down her hips to smooth over her ass.
“I couldn’t stop thinking about touching you after I left you,” Claudia told her. “It was all I could do to get any sleep last night.”
“Claudia,” she said breathlessly. Kyra didn’t want to involve feelings or thoughts, they were messy, but actions, well, they spoke for themselves, leaving unnecessary complications in shadows of doubt.
She liked things better that way. She didn’t have to deal with words a lover couldn’t take back that turned into a haunting regret.
“Don’t,” Kyra said. “Just touch me.”
Claudia’s fingers skated between them, and she released the button of Kyra’s pants before tugging the zipper down.
“The last thing I wanted last night was to make you feel dirty or threatened,” Claudia said in her ear. “I wanted you to feel stripped down to nothing but longing.”
Claudia’s fingers whispered over the plump lips of her pussy, drawing a moan from Kyra as she shivered. Claudia slipped a finger past her labia to the secret treasure beyond where she was already catching fire. The tip stroked from the erect nubbin of her clit down to the opening of her body to slip into the moist cavern.
Kyra creamed, her body dampening itself even more for the delicious penetration she hoped was to come as Claudia nipped her earlobe and then kissed to her neck. Her warm mouth sucked at the sensitive flesh as she pressed her finger deeper into Kyra’s pussy.
Kyra moaned, the rapture of the caress making her toes curl. “That’s what I want.”
Claudia drew her fingers out and lifted her head to look down at Kyra. She pinched her clit and the bite of pain ricocheted through her, creating a wave of heat that swept over Kyra clouding her mind even further.
All she
could do was feel, want, and the charcoal depths gazing into her own was a hotbed of desire that threatened to smother her.
Claudia pushed two fingers inside her and ground the heel of her hand against Kyra’s clit as she thrust her fingers in and out of her in a steady rhythm.
“Oh, yes. Oh, yes!” Kyra breathed. “Claudia, fuck me harder.”
Claudia gave her what she needed, hard strokes driving in and out of the slick heat of her pussy while her clit was deftly caressed, driving Kyra to near madness.
She pulled Claudia’s hair, her head spinning as she struggled to maintain some control.
“God, Claudia,” she begged.
“You’re so beautiful, all hot and hungry for me,” Claudia said.
Claudia drew her hand out and pressed her fingers in deeper, crooked them and teased the sweet spot that had Kyra throwing her head back. She was so close. Her body was screaming for release.
Claudia licked the column of her throat. Sharp teeth scraped her flesh. Then, Claudia withdrew her fingers and delivered a stinging tap to her clit and Kyra exploded, body jerking as heated cream eased from her and her fingers tightened in Claudia’s hair.
As she was slowly coming down, Claudia bit her and she came again to her surprise. The spark of pain a featherlike stroke to her clit.
Her knees weakened, and Claudia curved an arm around her, pulling her against her as she kissed her. Kyra trembled, and Claudia swept her up in her arms and took her to the bed where she laid her on it.
Claudia laid next to her, stroking her back as she held her close. That’s when Kyra felt the bulge pressing against her thigh.
The woman was a strap-on butch?
Well, that suited her just fine. She enjoyed the soft skin of a cyberskin dildo inside her. It made her all kinds of hot when a woman who was confident knew how to use it.
Kyra kissed the side of Claudia’s neck and nuzzled her as she glided her hand down her body. Claudia caught it.
“Not yet,” she said.
“Why? Are you worried about being late?”
“I will be,” Claudia admitted with a hint of humor in her tone. “But that’s not my biggest concern right now,” Claudia murmured and rolled Kyra onto her back, moving between her thighs.
Kyra moaned from the press of the toy against her sensitive clit. “What is it then?” She ran her hands down Claudia’s back.
“Us,” Claudia said looking down at her as she braced herself on her forearms. “No games, are we clear?”
“Perfectly,” Kyra said. “Was that a—”
“That was me satisfying my ache to have you,” she cut in. “Call it selfish.”
“I call it good,” Kyra murmured. “Now, let’s get to work since you want to make sex a business transaction.”
Claudia cursed and rolled off her. “That’s not what I meant,” she muttered.
Kyra climbed on top of her, straddling her as she leaned down, hands braced on the bed on either side of Claudia.
“What did you mean then?” The damn toy was too damn hard to be a toy. She moved her hips as Claudia gripped them and grimaced.
She was feeling this? In her experience those toys weren’t that good.
“I meant, I wanted you, but you know that. I never made a secret of it when you danced for me.”
“True.” Kyra moved her hips in a slow circle, and Claudia growled. “But this is now.”
“And it’s getting way too hot in here,” Claudia said in a choked tone before rolling them over again and pressing the bulge firmly against the pad of Kyra’s pussy. “You’re going to make me lose it.” She climbed out of bed.
Kyra laughed, truly amused, yet puzzled at the same time. She got up, too. “Okay. This is one of those moments that make you go “mmm”,” she said. “I’m going to clean up and finish dressing. I really have to make that trip.”
“Right,” Claudia said. “What’s in Stonington? I can have someone look into it.”
“You could, but I’d rather do this myself.”
“What time are you returning?” Claudia asked.
“Late this afternoon, I guess,” she said and turned on the water. “If you can arrange that meeting with Sam let me know.”
“I’ll pass the information along, but I can’t promise any connection.”
“Tell Sam the information she thinks she has to prove Cambrie’s the owner of the property was stolen by one of her packmates,” Kyra said. She wet a washcloth and used it to clean the cum away.
“Damn traitors,” Claudia muttered and was in the doorway of the bathroom within seconds.
“They are problematic and even more so in the work force.”
She tossed the towel in the hamper before washing her hands and pulling her pants up. She brushed past Claudia and out into her bedroom to the closet.
“Bradley and Isaiah weren’t nearly what they seemed on the surface,” Kyra told her. “Isaiah was the most transparent. Bradley had plans to not only cut him out of the deal, but the cartel had already ensured the land Bradley had secured next to Sam’s was his.”
“I’m not following.”
“Bradley and Jericho had bought some land for their resort deal,” Kyra told her. “Land that Bradley stole from his own pack. To make the deal work they needed most of Sam’s. From what I could tell, Jericho had planned to take the land from the former Gray Tail owner, not buy it.”
“How?”
“He was going to use extortion, and if that didn’t work, he was going to have him killed, take over the pack, and evict everyone from the land.”
“What a traitorous killer,” Claudia muttered.
“Yeah, the thing is a tangled little web,” she said. “When Bradley was killed, his part of
the land went to the cartel. That guy was killed, so the land is in Sam and Mallory’s hands.”
“How?”
“I don’t know,” Kyra told her. “Some fancy paperwork. They were going to attempt to own over half this town.”
“How did the cartel figure in?” Claudia asked. “Both of them.”
“I’m not sure about one of them, but Russo’s father wanted this town years ago,” Kyra told her. “The son is just picking up where the father left off. Curiously enough, Jericho had the same plans as Russo—to own this town, but he was going about it smarter.”
“I’ll bet.”
“The machinations going on right under your noses is incredible. How did Sam not realize Jericho and Bradley were planning to take her pack like a thief in the night? They were good. The moles Jericho managed to create within Mystic Snow is amazing.”
“You know who they are?”
“Some of them,” she said. “He had moles in two other packs, too.”
“Which ones?”
“Snow Fur and Mist,” Kyra said as she put on her boots.
“I need those names,” Claudia ordered. “We’ve got to put together our own plan to stop them.”
“I don’t remember off hand, but I have the notes in my file. I’ll bring them back with me,” Kyra said. “I don’t know how useful they’ll be to you, but the ones on Mystic Snow are extensive, right down to pictures and video.”
“Bring it all,” Claudia ordered.
Kyra gave her a look. “Fine. The Mist pack?”
“It’s mine.”
Chapter Seventeen
Claudia’s morning was only slightly busy, and she spent part of it in meetings with the FBI and police. She barely held onto her patience during them, thanks to Jenner pushing for prosecution and investigation of Kamari, a former agent and member of Sam’s pack.
The FBI had no desire to arrest or investigate her, but they were more than curious about Jenner himself, as well as a few of the cops who worked for the department, both alive and dead.
“We do have some proof that Jericho was the serial killer we were looking for,” the agent in charge told them, his black eyes gleaming with anger. “We’ll pursue him should he resurface, but honestly, if he’s dead,
we won’t be interested in going after his killer.”
“I wonder what your boss would say to that,” Jenner snarled.
“Good riddance to bad rubbish, but he’d never own it,” the man said coldly. “We’re also investigating you and the D.A. for obstruction of justice.”
“Me?” Jenner demanded, confusion on his face and Claudia almost felt sorry for him.
“We have enough on him already to make a case for accessory in Bradley, Jericho, and Collier’s cases.”
“What kind of proof?” Jenner asked, glaring at the man from his chair next to the agent.
Claudia was eager to hear this. However, she was surprised.
“We have proof the D.A. was involved in laundering money for a drug cartel called Shadow. An investigation that has ties to both Jericho and Bradley. We also have some evidence of collusion and conspiracy to commit murder.”
“The D.A. was involved in all this?” Claudia asked carefully.
“Yes,” the agent told her, his eyes filling with determination. “We have proof that Jericho killed that girl in the club, not the club owner the D.A. is going to try. We’ll be passing that along to the State’s Attorney.”
Looked like Mallory might be off the hook.
“I want to see that proof,” Jenner thundered.
“Agent Moreau, I wasn’t aware of this,” Claudia said evenly as she leaned back in her chair. “You didn’t mention you’d found anything useful to your investigation.”
“We didn’t plan to because there are myriad signs of corruption in law enforcement in this town.”
“Well, I’m not in law enforcement, and I don’t interfere in police business to avoid any signs of impropriety. However, if you have proof of wrong-doing, I suggest you pursue it.”
“We are doing just that, and I can promise you, Mayor, we’ll be making arrests soon.”
She lifted her brows and gave Jenner a look. “Will my police chief be one of them?”
“Perhaps,” he said. “We’ll see. Now, if you two will excuse me, I have to head back to my hotel.”
Claudia and Jenner rose as the agent stood. He tipped his head to her and turned on his heel and marched from the office.
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