by Katie Reus
Soon they would belong to him. He could use the money to fund so many things and this was child’s play. He was sending a message to everyone, including the Brethren. This world was his playground.
Once his vampire had ripped the drawers from the wall and taken the contents, he ordered the male to kill the bank employee. Blood sprayed the wall of metal drawers as he raced from the room, his boots thudding loudly against the tiled floor as he met up with his friends.
He ordered both vamps to stop ravaging and feeding from two lifeless humans before they all ran out the door.
A thrill raced through him at the thought of all those glittery diamonds. And not long after that, a beautiful dark-haired vampire would die at his hands. Then nothing would stop him.
He guided his minions to the getaway car he’d planted blocks over. They flew down the sidewalk, not caring who they ran over. As they ran, he suddenly lost control of one. The link just snapped, completely severing his control.
No!
He saw nothing. Ordering the other males to stop, he told them to turn and jumped back in fear. A redheaded female with two blades and canines advanced on his vampires before he could order them to fight back.
His connection died instantly as she killed them. Blinking, he fell back from the stone slab and wavered once. As he tried to stand, he vomited up blood, the reaction so familiar to him now he didn’t bother to stop it.
Weakened, he would need to feed and fuck soon. Rage bubbled up inside him that he’d lost all those diamonds at the hands of that bitch.
He knew exactly who she was too. Erin Flynn, member of the Armstrong pack. No doubt her Alpha had sent her since he’d been snooping around Winston-Salem, asking questions he had no business worrying about. Stupid shifter thought he could eliminate the blood dealing in the area. Soon the Alpha was about to find out that was the very least of his problems. Connor Armstrong was a thorn in his side, and one he planned to eliminate as soon as the time was right.
If the Flynn female was in Winston-Salem, he might have to change up his plans for the evening. Going back there might not be safe yet. Especially not when he was feeling so weak. He’d need to make another blood sacrifice if he wanted a quick shot of energy and power. At least finding a victim shouldn’t be a problem.
Chapter 18
Fontana, North Carolina
Thirty minutes ago
“I’ve already texted Angelo and Aiden,” Connor said into his cell to Erin, one of his most trusted warriors—and also the newest enforcer for the Council. “Help them secure the witch’s house and the neighborhood. I’ve got a situation, but am leaving as soon as it’s ironed out. How far out are you?”
“Maybe twenty minutes if the GPS is right. How’s Jayce handling everything?” she asked quietly, the rest of her unspoken question crystal clear.
Ryan had contacted Connor about a serious clusterfuck that included the appearance of Jayce’s brother. Now this Aldric had helped kill five vampires to protect Natalia. After Connor had told the Brethren he’d keep his packmate locked down for twenty-four hours. This was another hassle he didn’t need. Not when he was desperate to get to Winston-Salem and back up his packmates. They were going to end this vamp-blood-dealing shit soon. “Not sure yet.”
“All right. We’re headed through downtown right now. I’ll call you as soon as Noah and I make contact.”
As they disconnected, Connor’s mate walked into the living room. Ana smiled softly at him and immediately pushed him back against the couch before curling up on his lap. “You look exhausted,” she murmured, nuzzling his neck, kissing and raking her teeth against his skin.
Shuddering, he wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. He closed his eyes and for a long moment pretended the outside world didn’t exist. Other than Liam, Ana was the one constant in his world. He would do anything to keep his pack safe, but Ana was the ultimate reason he drew breath every day. “Once all this shit is taken care of you and I are taking a vacation and—”
The front door slammed open, startling them both. Ana jumped from his lap and he immediately stood, ready for whatever issue was next. Vivian raced through the door and paused in the entryway, looking at them for a brief moment through the connecting archway. Tears glistened in her big eyes. Connor’s heart ached at the pain he saw etched there. She might not be his by blood, but he considered her his cub.
“Honey—” Ana started, but the little girl raced up the stairs.
Before either of them could move Leila rushed in the house, her face stricken. The sixteen-year-old shifter Jayce and Kat had adopted bit her bottom lip as she looked at them. “I’m so sorry,” she muttered.
“What happened?” Ana asked carefully.
“I . . . sort of yelled at Vivian. I don’t really mind if she goes through my stuff and I’ve never given her grief before, but I’m sort of seeing this human guy in town. We’re not doing anything . . . yet.” She cleared her throat, averting her gaze somewhere over Ana’s shoulder. “But still, I want to be prepared and Vivian started going through some private stuff of mine . . .” Her face turned bright pink as she glanced at the floor.
Sudden understanding slammed into Connor as the girl trailed off. This was so not something Connor wanted to hear about. Ever. And he really hoped Jayce didn’t hear about this human male. “I’ll leave you two to talk,” he muttered, hurrying from the room and heading in the direction of the kitchen. As he left he heard Leila say something about Vivian finding her condoms and, oh God, he did not want to know about that. She was only sixteen.
As he started a new pot of coffee, he scented Jayce and Kat entering the house. Seconds later they walked into the kitchen.
“What’s going on with Leila? I saw her and Ana leaving and she looked like she was crying.” Jayce’s expression was more worried than angry.
Connor shot a quick glance at Kat, who didn’t seem concerned. Maybe she knew what had happened. “Girl stuff, man.”
“I told you she’s fine. Some stuff you just don’t need to worry about,” Kat murmured, making a beeline for the brewing pot. She inhaled deeply before asking, “Have you talked to Erin? Have they met up with Aiden and his new mate yet? I can’t wait to meet her. What’s she like?”
“Okay, no more coffee for you,” Jayce muttered, leaning against one of the counters.
Connor just shook his head as Kat practically bounced off the walls. He’d never seen her like this. She was vibrating with energy. “She’s old and powerful and Aiden is beyond enthralled by her.” That was all anyone needed to know at this point. He didn’t want to discuss that now anyway. He wanted to talk about the fact that Jayce’s brother was about to arrive at the ranch.
Jayce’s gray eyes narrowed a fraction. “How old?”
Connor shrugged. “Older than you.”
The enforcer watched Connor for a long moment and he saw the second that understanding hit Jayce. “Aiden . . . Holy shit. Tell me that’s not why you were asking Narek and Juhani about the Draculesti line. Our Aiden is not the Aiden who . . . She’s alive? I thought their whole coven was dead.”
“You realize you just said ‘our Aiden’?” Connor asked.
“If you ever tell him I said that . . .” Jayce trailed off as he gritted his teeth.
“If you don’t tell me what’s going on I’ll tell him what you said.” Kat bounced up and down on the balls of her feet, looking eager for gossip. “Come on, the Aiden who what? And what coven? What are you guys talking about?”
Jayce just looked at Kat, and Connor could tell they were communicating telepathically. He could also tell that Jayce didn’t tell Kat everything she wanted to know because she glared at him.
The buzzing of Connor’s cell dragged his attention away. One glance at the caller ID and he tensed. “They’re pulling down the drive now. Your brother’s behind Ryan and the others.”
Jayce�
�s jaw tightened, but he didn’t respond. Not that Connor had expected him to. He’d already tried to talk about it with him after Ryan originally contacted him, but Jayce seemed pretty wary about his brother. Which didn’t give Connor the most confidence about this guy’s arrival at the ranch.
“Come on, let’s meet them outside by the front gate.” Because he wasn’t letting the male inside his home. The fact that he was being allowed on the ranch was the only concession Connor would give and that was because he’d saved Natalia.
“Sweetheart,” Jayce started, but Kat cut him off with a sharp look.
“Don’t even think about telling me to wait inside like some docile female. I haven’t got to run in three freaking days and I’m going insane. Don’t push me over the edge because you won’t like the consequences,” she snapped. Before either Connor or Jayce could respond, she stalked from the kitchen.
“Is that why she’s acting like she’s all hopped-up on something?” Connor asked as they followed after her.
Expression dark, Jayce nodded. “Yeah. Her wolf is fucking moody if she doesn’t get to stretch her legs. Plus she misses Aiden. Bastard,” Jayce muttered under his breath, only half joking.
Connor refrained from responding. Aiden and Kat would always be close because he’d turned her into a shifter. And Jayce was more territorial and possessive than most supernatural beings. He’d probably always be a little on edge around Aiden no matter how platonic his and Kat’s relationship was.
Are you with Leila? Connor projected to Ana.
Yeah. We’re at December’s eating cookies. Vivian is here too. I think they’ve made up. Vivian just got her feelings hurt. She looks up to Leila so much and was surprised when Leila yelled. She has no clue what the condoms were so this is nothing that can’t be fixed. We’re just going to have to set some boundaries for Vivian. She needs to stop going through Leila’s stuff anyway. It’s not fair to Leila.
Connor sighed. I agree. We’ll talk about that later. Keep the girls inside for now. Jayce’s brother has arrived. Spread the word to everyone else to remain inside until I’ve felt this male out.
I will. Love you.
Love you too. As the three of them stepped outside, Connor spotted Liam heading over from his house.
The warriors are all in place. If this guy makes one wrong move, we’ll take him down, Liam said through their telepathic link.
Connor nodded before they all strode toward the front gate. Connor reached it first and drew the big gate back. Two trucks rumbled down the long pathway winding toward their ranch. One he recognized. The other he didn’t.
Ryan pulled through first, Teresa visible in the front seat and Natalia in the backseat. The other truck parked ten feet from the gate, not pulling through. Because of the tint it was impossible to make out more than a large male’s outline.
Some of Connor’s tension eased. At least this wolf seemed to respect boundaries so far. “You want to do the talking?” Connor murmured to Jayce, who’d stepped up next to him. He was aware of Kat and Liam hovering in the background but they hadn’t made a move to step closer and for that he was grateful.
“This is your territory,” Jayce said.
“That’s not an answer.”
Jayce cleared his throat and for the first time since he’d known the guy, Connor would swear he was nervous. Maybe it wasn’t hostility Connor had sensed after all.
“I’ll talk, but interject anytime,” Connor said.
Next to him Jayce relaxed a fraction. “Thanks,” he murmured as the driver’s door opened.
Connor couldn’t scent any emotions, because as powerful as Jayce was, the male could cover scents when he wanted to. Just like Connor could.
As the unfamiliar male stepped out Connor watched him carefully. He looked at his brother, his expression unreadable, before focusing on Connor. The files Ryan had pulled up on this guy weren’t necessarily bad, but the guy was shady at best. Wearing cargo pants, a long-sleeved T-shirt, and a short military-style buzz, he looked very similar to Jayce—except for Jayce’s scars.
“Aldric Kazan.” Connor stepped forward. “Why were you following Natalia and why are you in my territory?” He knew what Ryan had told him, but he wanted to hear it from this male himself.
“I followed the female from the club last night, then saw her leaving your ranch this morning. It looked like trouble was following her, so I tailed them. The reason I followed her in the first place is because I wanted to see my brother, which you must know.” He flicked another look at Jayce. His words were blunt, honest, the scent of truth rolling off him in subtle waves. He nodded politely at Connor. “Thank you for allowing me on your land.”
Connor nodded once, then glanced over his shoulder. “Ryan and Teresa?” He tilted his head at Natalia, who had her arms wrapped around her slender body. She was such a feisty thing sometimes he forgot how damn young and sheltered she was. Right now she looked terrified and in need of some pack time. He knew Ryan and Teresa and the rest of her sisters would give her the support she needed.
Without pause Ryan stepped in between the females and wrapped his arms around Natalia’s and Teresa’s shoulders and headed back to their place. Connor breathed a sigh of relief once he knew that was taken care of. He also needed Ryan to run the information on the name Magda Petran, but that could wait a few minutes. Aiden had sent him the name half an hour ago and Jayce was running it through some of his own programs, but Ryan had more resources.
But one thing at a time. Connor turned back to Aldric and was surprised to see him watching Natalia go. For a fraction of a moment, there was a naked longing in his gaze before his hard mask fell back into place. “Why were you at the club last night?”
“Investigating vamp blood dealing for some clients.”
“Who?”
The male’s jaw clenched. “I’m not divulging that.”
“Why were you investigating then?”
“Have you seen the fucking news? This shit is bad for all of us.” Again, truth rolled off him, but the statement itself was a simple truth. It didn’t mean anything.
“You’re an investigator now?” Jayce asked, his tone devoid of emotion. The male looked like a statue as he stared at his brother. And Connor couldn’t help but notice the way he’d blocked his mate’s body with his, refusing to let her step up next to him for support.
Aldric nodded, suddenly looking just as nervous as Jayce had moments earlier. “Yeah. Independent stuff, mainly for vamps. They like that I’m objective.”
“Why’d you want to see me?”
Aldric swallowed hard. “I . . . It’s been a long time. The little wolf said something about you being mated and . . . I wanted to see if it was true. I wanted to see my brother.”
“Now you’ve seen, and now you can fucking leave.” Jayce’s voice was ice-cold as he turned and stalked away. Kat hurried after him, but not before sending a withering glare toward Aldric.
Aldric scrubbed a hand over his face and for one moment Connor witnessed raw agony etched into his face as he watched his brother. Connor couldn’t even imagine what could have happened to make the two brothers stop talking. Liam was a lifeline for Connor, the best friend he’d ever had. But he wasn’t a fucking family counselor and it wasn’t his business anyway.
“Do you know the identity of the vamps you killed for Natalia?” Connor asked, knowing he would likely need to smooth out the killings with Juhani and Narek.
“Yes, they’re from Emil’s line. I’ve already contacted Juhani. You won’t need to worry about retribution. I told those vamps to stand down and they ignored me. They got what they deserved.” There was no remorse in his hard voice. In that moment, the family resemblance between him and Jayce was hard to miss.
“You know Juhani?” That was interesting.
The male shrugged his broad shoulders. “I’ve done investigations for the Breth
ren before.”
“Are you working for them now?” A direct question like this he couldn’t ignore, even if he didn’t want to divulge the information. Connor would likely scent his lie.
A short pause before he sighed and nodded. “Yes. But I didn’t know about your meeting with him and Narek until after I just called Juhani. I simply wanted to inform him of the vamps’ deaths and to clear the female’s name. That’s when he told me he’d met with you—and my brother. I’m sure you will call him for confirmation, but the female is still protected. She just needs to remain locked down for a while.”
“Small world,” Connor muttered. He glanced over his shoulder at Liam. We could use him.
Liam nodded.
It will anger Jayce, he said even though in the end, it didn’t matter. Figuring out who was behind this blood dealing and keeping his pack safe was his number one priority.
Liam just shrugged. He’ll get over it.
Connor turned back to Aldric. “Would you be willing to share what you’ve learned in your investigation so far?”
“Yes.” The answer was so immediate it made Connor pause.
“Your employers won’t mind?” His voice was a deadly edge, warning this male to tread carefully.
Aldric’s greenish gray eyes flared with anger. “They don’t own me. I’m investigating this shit because I choose to. I will share information as long as you show the same courtesy.” When Connor didn’t respond right away, the male continued. “My strongest lead is a witch with ties to many of the blood dealers. She’s fucking most of them, but I don’t think she’s their supplier.”
His interest piqued, Connor asked, “What’s her name?”
“Magda.”
“Petran?”
Faint surprise flickered across Aldric’s face. “Yes.”
Sighing, Connor pointed to the nearby parking structure. “Park in there and join me in my home.”