by Lynn Hagen
“Are the cops human or nonhuman?”
“As far as I know, human. But no one knows how many men are with Koehler or who they even are. I could really use a sweep of the town and the trash taken out. I’ll owe you for this.”
“I’m on my way. See if you can book some rooms at the motel. We’re not leaving until this is settled. Keep my arrival to yourself.”
Malik breathed a sigh of relief when Maverick Brac hung up.
* * * *
Maverick hung up and looked at Nazaryth, who was standing next to him, blood on his claws. The hellhound who’d attacked them was dead, turned into a pile of dust. He wasn’t sure what was going on, but the hellhounds were coming out in droves.
That had been the fifth hellhound they’d killed within a matter of days, and now he had to leave. Maverick didn’t want to, but he had a duty as an Ultionem member. “I have to go.”
Nazaryth nodded. “I heard the phone call. Do you want me to come with you?”
Maverick feared a hellhound would follow him to Maple Grove. He didn’t want the problem expanding to another region. So far the attacks were contained to his village and Zeus’s and Sebastian’s towns.
They hadn’t invaded the city yet, or he would’ve heard from Christian. “No. I need you to keep locating the hellhounds with your men. This won’t take long. I’ll be back in a day or two.”
Wiping out a few humans was child’s play. Maverick was honestly surprised Malik had called him for this.
He pulled out his phone as he walked away. “Hey, want to take a trip?”
“Where to?”
“Does it matter?”
“Can my mate come?”
“I said a trip, not a vacation.” Maverick knew Cecil would be pissed that he wasn’t going, but Maverick planned on taking an unconventional way. Fuck driving two hundred miles when he could get there in seconds.
“Fine, how long will we be gone?” Sebastian asked.
“Dude, you ask too many damn questions. Just be ready when I get there.” Maverick hung up on his brother and looked around. Nazaryth was already gone, but he felt eyes on him. His sentries were already patrolling the town, killing any hellhound they found.
Maverick needed to make this quick so he could get back and continue to help them. He called Panahasi, asking the demon warrior leader to get his ass there so Maverick and Sebastian could travel through a portal on their motorcycles.
Sometimes it paid to know the right people.
Chapter Seven
Cannon had caught some sleep while lying next to his mate, trying to make sure Richie stayed safe. He woke when he felt Richie moving around.
It felt good waking up next to his mate. Cannon took a moment to drink in the redhead, the smattering of freckles on his face, and just how beautiful he was.
Then his mate whimpered and clung to the pillow as if it were a lifeline. He balled up, eyes closed, pathetic little noises erupting in his throat.
“Hey.” Cannon laid a hand on Richie’s arm. “Richie, wake up.”
Richie jerked, and then his eyes flew open. His breathing was shallow and fast as he jackknifed into a sitting position and looked around.
“You’re at home,” Cannon said in a soothing voice. “You were just dreaming.” He touched Richie’s smooth cheek with his calloused hand, wondering if the rest of his mate’s body was just as silky. It was like caressing a soft peach, and Cannon wanted to taste him.
“It was about Jimmy.” Richie’s blue eyes were dark from climbing out of his dream, or more like a nightmare. “He shot me.”
Cannon sat up and pulled Richie into his arms. His mate went without hesitation. “He’s not getting to you. He’ll have to go through me first.” He stroked a hand down Richie’s back. “We still need to talk.”
“About you being a black panther shifter and that I’m your mate?”
Cannon pulled back and stared down at him. “How?”
“I have a very nosy brother who is looking out for me.” Richie swiped a hand through his red hair. “But he didn’t tell me about all this stuff going on. About Jimmy.”
“I was undercover for five years.” Cannon scooted back to rest against the headboard. The bed had been the only thing clean in the room. Clearly his mate was a slob because Cannon had to step over clothes to get to the bed.
“The Vela Davila case.” Richie nodded.
“Davila was a nasty piece of work, had a penchant for violence, and on every federal watch list. He isn’t getting out of prison. Not in this lifetime.”
And that was good for everyone who feared the guy. Cannon had worked too hard to put Davila away, and he’d be damn if the guy found a way to escape. If that ever happened, Cannon would hunt Davila down and do society a favor—and save taxpayers money–by ending the bastard.
And after what Jimmy had done to Richie, Cannon wasn’t handing him over when he found him. He was burying his fucking body and walking away.
“Jimmy’s a dirty cop. He was on the take. Davila paid him to feed him information that would keep him one step ahead of the law. I testified against not only Davila but Jimmy, too. I guess he’s out for revenge.”
“That’s so much worse.” Richie looked wide-eyed at Cannon. “A cop held me hostage in his stolen car and wanted to use me against you.” He pressed a hand to his forehead. “A freaking cop.” He turned to fully face Cannon. “That’s not fair. Cops are supposed to be the good guys, the people you turn to when you’re in trouble, people you should be able to trust without question.”
Cannon tried to remember when he’d had such unwavering trust in anyone, and it was a damn shame no one came to mind. “I’m sorry Jimmy tore that illusion away from you.”
“Illusion?”
“Cops are human beings, for argument’s sake, and they all have their flaws. I’m not saying most cops are corrupt, they’re not, but there are plenty of men and women who shouldn’t have a badge.”
Richie glared at him. “You’re supposed to lie to me and tell me all cops are great and that my faith in them hasn’t been shattered.”
“Shouldn’t you be getting ready for work?” Cannon arched a brow.
“Don’t try and change the subject.”
“What subject?” Cannon pulled Richie close, dying to touch him again, dying to hold him once more, and really dying to have sex with him. It was a deep urge that called to his panther, and as much as Cannon wanted to continue their conversation, he couldn’t help how his body was reacting.
He also wanted to take Richie’s mind off his dream and his shattered faith. He cupped Richie’s soft cheeks and pulled him in for a kiss.
Their lips touched, and Richie groaned into Cannon’s mouth. The sweet sound vibrated down to Cannon’s cock. He ran his hand under Richie’s shirt, feeling his mate’s heated skin. His abdomen was flat, no tone or ripples of muscle. It was just the way Cannon liked his men. He circled the tip of his finger around Richie’s navel and then dipped his hand into Richie’s pajama bottoms, curling his fingers around his mate’s cock.
“Cannon.”
Without a word, Cannon began to stroke Richie, feeling his mate’s cock harden in his hand. Cannon wanted to roll the man to his stomach and take him so badly that the urge was almost too strong to resist.
But he resisted as he pulled Richie down, back to chest, his mate’s cock still in his hand.
His mate’s arousal filled the air as Cannon pressed his lips into Richie’s neck, kissing his soft skin. The delicate aroma of the human filled Cannon’s nostrils, as his hand continued to pump up and down. Richie’s back arched as small sounds floated to Cannon’s ears. He knew the sound of pleasure, and Richie was bathing in it. Richie’s hips jerked and his ass clenched, his cock thrusting deeper into Cannon’s hand.
“Just relax.” Cannon tightened his grip, making Richie give a strangled cry. His ass…god, his ass was so firm against Cannon’s erection. He jerked his hips forward, letting his covered cock graze up Richie’s ass. Cann
on had never used this much restraint in his life.
Cannon could no longer resist the sweet calling of Richie’s body. He had to be buried deep inside Richie’s ass. He didn’t want to think Richie only gave in to him just because Cannon had come on to him. The need to know Richie felt the pull, the connection, as well was almost overpowering.
Once he claimed Richie, the human would know who he belonged to, would feel that deep connection, would have no doubt that they were fated to be together.
“Lube?”
Richie turned over, and his dazzling blue eyes slid to Cannon’s. Richie’s lips parted. Cannon smiled as he continued to caress his hand up and down Richie’s cock. He wasn’t going to ask or demand anything from his mate. This was Richie’s choice.
Just as Cannon thought the guy wasn’t going to do anything but stare, his hand moved to the skin exposed right above the waistline of Cannon’s underwear. His fingers skimmed the bare flesh, playing in the trail of hair leading from Cannon’s navel to beyond the waistline of his boxer briefs. He was tentatively exploring, driving Cannon mad with his leisurely touches.
But Cannon forced himself not to move as his mate explored his body. Although agonizing, the touches made his cock harder. His breath caught when Richie moved his fingers lower. Richie shook his head and then leaned up into Cannon, burying his face into Cannon’s neck, gasping as his hand dipped past the underwear, circling his fingers around his erection.
Cannon inhaled sharply, grinding his back teeth as his fingers balled into fists. His head fell back, and his eyes rolled upward as Richie began a slow stroke of his cock. His mate’s lips began to nibble at Cannon’s neck, and he damn near came in the human’s hand. Richie may have been shaken from his dream, but Cannon saw he was quickly forgetting about it.
Richie’s hand became firmer, stroking Cannon with a steady rhythm. Oh hell, no. He was not going to be so easily appeased at nothing more than hand job. If Richie thought that was all they were going to do, he was sadly mistaken.
Rolling over, he pinned Richie beneath him. The unexpected move had Richie gasping as Cannon grabbed Richie’s wrists and held them down on either side of his head. “A quick hand job isn’t what I’m looking for.”
The side of Richie’s mouth twisted into a smile. “What exactly are you looking for?”
Cannon nipped Richie’s bottom lip, satisfied at the gasp. “To have my dick buried deep in your ass. Now tell me where the lube is.”
Richie’s blue eyes darkened. “Somewhere on the nightstand.”
One look at the nightstand and Cannon was groaning. He needed to have a talk with his mate about cleaning up his room, but now wasn’t the time.
He knocked things over, pushed other things out of the way until he found the bottle. It was well used, half empty, and thoughts of Richie using the lube on himself made Cannon purr.
A flush colored Richie’s cheeks as he met Cannon’s gaze. His eyes, the color of sapphires, widened as Cannon dipped his head, feathering his mouth over soft, plump, kissable lips. He drew in Richie’s breath, enjoying the surprise on the human’s face before he snaked his tongue out and ran the tip over pearly-white, straight teeth, rubbing his tongue over the grooves, playfully nipping Richie’s tongue. “How often do you use this?”
Instead of answering him, Richie’s eyes fluttered closed as he reached with his mouth to take more of Cannon’s kisses. Cannon would let the subject drop for now.
Cannon plunged his tongue deeper, his chest pressed against Richie’s, their dicks aligned. He could feel that Richie was just as hard as he was. The man’s cock rubbed against Cannon’s through their fabric, making him wish they were naked. Releasing Richie’s wrists, Cannon used one hand to balance his weight and the other to move between their bodies, pulling at his mate’s pajama bottoms until he had them down to Richie’s thighs.
He wasn’t as coordinated as he would have liked, but he managed to free Richie’s cock and then his own, gripping them both with his hand.
Richie bucked, his back arching as his head pushed into the headboard. Damn, he was so fucking beautiful when he was aroused. And the noises, god, the noises excited Cannon’s blood. They told him that Richie was becoming unhinged in his arms, that Cannon was setting his mate on fire. Cannon captured his mate’s lips, feeling the vibrations of the whining and gasping against his mouth.
Though the feelings riding him were taking him to heights, Cannon needed more. The soft skin, the heated flesh, and the sensuality coming from Richie were too much.
Cannon wanted to be inside his mate as he voiced his erotic pleasure. Giving his hips one last roll, Cannon moved back onto his knees and pulled at Richie’s pants, guiding them down the masculine legs. He pushed Richie’s left leg over so he could take them all the way off.
Tossing them aside, Cannon drank in the legs that he wanted to feel wrapped around him as he fucked his mate, claimed him. His hands smoothed up Richie’s thighs, cupped his balls, and gave them a light squeeze.
Richie groaned his approval.
Right before he knelt back between Richie’s legs, Cannon pulled his shirt over his head and let it fall to the floor.
Richie’s eyes stared at Cannon before lowering, going down the length of Cannon’s body. They lingered at his erection before moving lower. The heated gaze made Cannon move closer, loving that his mate appreciated what he was seeing.
“You look like you want to gobble me up.”
Richie’s cheeks filled with a pink blush as he sucked in his bottom lip. “You have a very nice body.”
“I have to stay in shape for my job.” He wasn’t sure why he had said that. He could have just thanked Richie for the compliment. Cannon realized he was just as nervous about claiming Richie as his mate was.
He’d never been edgy when it came to sex. He’d had plenty of it—never boasting that he was an expert—but his heart never pounded as hard as it was now and his hands never shook. But they were as Cannon showed Richie the lube. “We’re good.”
Cannon inwardly rolled his eyes. Maybe he needed to shut up. Pressing his lips firmly together, Cannon rejoined Richie. He tucked the bottle by Richie’s head before pressing his body over his mate’s, taking his lips in another unhurried kiss.
Richie warmed right back up to Cannon’s touch, his hands gripping Cannon’s shoulders as their tongues dueled. He reached for the bottle, grabbing it.
“Ow,” Richie cried as his hand flew to his head.
Cannon realized he had pulled a few strands of Richie’s red hair while grabbing the tube. What in the fuck was wrong with him tonight? He was acting like a teenager having awkward and fumbling sex for the first time. He didn’t understand what was going on, but Cannon didn’t like it.
“Sorry,” he said lamely, wishing he could reverse what had just happened and avoid the embarrassment.
Richie chuckled. “Excited?”
His mate’s easy laugh had Cannon grinning. He was so amped up about claiming the man that he wasn’t enjoying himself. He was all exposed nerves and clumsy moves. Once he knew why he was acting this way, Cannon relaxed. “It isn’t every day I claim someone for my mate.”
Richie’s blue eyes began to smolder as he gave a deep nod.
“Shit,” Cannon whispered under his breath, knowing he was about to lose—and maybe already had lost—himself in this gorgeous creature. Richie was about to become his life, his to protect and love, his lifelong companion. There was going to be no other for Cannon.
Richie was it.
But he couldn’t find it in himself to regret a lonely love life that had consisted of random lovers. His panther was purring, ready to settle down with this one human being.
And so was Cannon. He still wasn’t sure what he would do about his job, his undercover work, and Cannon wasn’t going to think about it. Not right now. He had a mate to claim. Everything else could wait.
Reaching between his mate’s parted legs, Cannon used two well-lubed fingers to spear inside Richie’s ti
ght ass. Richie gasped, clenching his fingers tighter into Cannon’s shoulders as he worked the flesh, stretching the muscle he was going to soon take.
Cannon watched the volley of emotions that flickered across Richie’s face, the way his body tensed and then relaxed as he listened to the sounds falling from the man’s parted lips. Richie’s knees drew toward his chest, his legs falling to the sides as Cannon inserted a third finger.
The image of Richie underneath him was seared into Cannon’s mind as he pulled his hand back. He wanted to remember this moment, the moment when he claimed Richie for his own. With a purr Cannon removed his fingers to a soft whimper, which was quickly replaced by groans as the broad head of his erection was pushed up against Richie’s glistening and pulsating entrance.
Cannon felt Richie’s body welcome him as he inched his cock inside. They both groaned at the same time.
He wanted to give his mate time to adjust to his invasion, but Cannon couldn’t control his body. He thrust his cock hard inside Richie, the pleasure so damn good he wanted to howl from it.
Cannon grabbed Richie’s legs, pushing them back as he rocked his body, his eyes going to where they were joined together, watching in amazement as Richie’s body sucked him in. “You feel so good.”
Cannon’s fingers gripped Richie’s legs tighter as he forced himself not to hurry, not to rush their first time.
Richie slipped one hand around Cannon’s neck, the other still on his shoulder as he pulled Cannon down for a kiss. Cannon ravaged his mate’s mouth with the passion that was coursing through him.
Soon, his thrusts increased, met in kind by Richie. His mate spread his legs wider, inviting Cannon to go faster. And he did. Cannon was soon alternating between quick thrusts and slow, rhythmic moves. He was touching Richie anywhere his hands skimmed, pinching and teasing his mate’s nipples as he plunged his cock, and tongue, deeper.
Cannon damn near lost it when Richie tightened his inner muscles around his cock. The vise-grip sensation made Cannon pause as he shuddered.