by Lela Grayce
Swinging my bedroom door open, I stepped out into the living room. I looked around the penthouse and saw no one so I grabbed my keys from the key bowl by the couch, and headed for the door. I started to pull it closed.
“Where do you think you’re going dressed like that?” a husky voice asked.
I spun, dropped my keys, and then saw the dark outline of a person sitting on my couch. I flicked the lights on revealing Kreed, fire flickering in his eyes.
“What! Are you my dad?” I watched as his eyes roamed over my body taking in my assets shown off by the tight dress and the teasing bits of flesh peeking through the cut outs.
“You’ll draw attention to yourself” he answered, ignoring my question. He looked me over from head to toe taking in the dress and heels. When he reached the cutouts he visibly swallowed. Is this what sexy people felt like?
I stooped to pick up my keys. “I’m going to work. I’ll be back later.” Before I could blink, he was just suddenly next to me, all heat gone from his eyes.
“Not without me,” he growled.
“The self-proclaimed bodyguard act was cute before, but I have to get going or I’ll be late so if you’ll excuse me…” I tried to slip by him, but he just stepped to the side blocking me. He did the same thing when I tried the other way. “What the hell do you want?”
“I need to come with you,” he said slowly, like he was talking to a child.
I wanted to knee him in the balls. I was a grown ass adult who needed some supervision but not constant. “Then let's go,” I growled daring him to argue with me further.
He bared his teeth at me and I noticed the slight point of his canines. Was he going to bite me, and why did that sound so appealing? I gulped, and tried to smother the heat growing in my stomach.
Wrenching open the door, he stepped aside so I could pass through. He closed the door and I locked it with a button on my keys that also armed the security system.
“We need to make a quick stop,” Kreed said as we entered the elevator. He hit the button for the garage. I just nodded.
The underground garage housed cars of every type from muscle cars, stupid expensive cars, practical cars, and mom cars. You name it, it was parked in here somewhere. I followed Kreed, curious what he drove. I’d pegged him for an expensive car guy. And I was right. We approached a vehicle, sleek black with blue undertones just like his hair. I rolled my eyes because that didn’t prove that he was vain at all.
He touched the button that would open the trunk and it popped open at his touch. I couldn’t see what was inside. His black hoodie went into the dark interior as he pulled out blades and put them in strategic areas like both his boots, hidden pockets at his thighs, and several around his belt. Next, he grabbed a sheath that had three different sized katanas and strapped the whole thing to his back, the handles at an angle so he could draw them easily.
“What do you think we’ll run into that will warrant all that?” I asked, curious and a little terrified.
“I don’t know. We might not run into anything or we will. Best to be prepared whatever the case.” Kreed padded every holster and rechecked the knives on his belt and then thighs, drawing my attention to his powerful legs. Stop it.
Now I felt like I needed a weapon but judging by the blades on Kreed I’d be in good hands if anything did happen. He seemed a capable fellow so I’d leave the stabbing bits up to him.
“Uh, my car or yours?” Please say your car, please say your car.
“I don’t know where we’re going so probably best to take your car,” he answered, with all his logic and practicality. Made me dislike him just a little bit more. Why, of all bodyguards in the world, did I get stuck with the one with brains.
“Fine,” I sighed then turned and headed for my car.
Calling it mine was a stretch, it was part mine and part Lyndee’s. We’ve always seemed to work different shifts so using one car seemed more financially smart. Since I’d been sick, I hadn’t been bringing in a whole lot of money so taking the car around didn’t seem right. I took public transportation whenever possible. But a single girl out on a weekend night was sketchy, even for me.
We turned the corner and my bright neon green, compact sedan came into view. I hit the unlock button on the key fob and slid into the driver’s seat, trying not to draw too much attention to my bright red blush.
Kreed slid into the passenger sit taking a moment to extend the seat back to accommodate his long legs. I sighed inwardly because there was no way to hide that this was a chick car. There were flower shaped air fresheners, tampons and pads in the middle console visible to the wandering eye, and pink zebra print seat covers.
I started the car as Kreed pulled on his seatbelt, complete with matching zebra belt cover. The blades on his back stuck out in a weird angle but I did my best not to laugh and also not to enjoy his discomfort too much. I failed.
“So, where are we going exactly?” Kreed finally asked, after we’d driven half way.
“We’re going to Crimson Damnation,” I replied, changing lanes before turning on a side road that would drop us off a couple blocks behind the club, where parking was easier to find. It was well lit too so it was harder to steal. But who would try to jack our zebra-print-neon-green-slut-mobile?
“A club.”
“Your powers of deduction astound me. What did I ever do to deserve your skill?” I laid the sarcasm on thick so he couldn’t miss it.
He missed it, his eyes roaming around the deserted street looking for danger. I nearly snorted because my life had been completely normal, sorta, then he and his dad had to come and cause a ruckus in my very stable, very normal life.
I’ve said it once, so I’ll say it again, you’re an idiot Nik. A naive idiot.
I parked the car on the street and my phone chirped right as I was putting it in park. There was a super handy app called Vroom that would send a preset text message when you entered a certain area. It was used mostly by couriers and delivery drivers, but it was handy especially when you had to park your car in a shady part of town.
Unknown: I sent someone to collect you. Stay in your vehicle.
Didn’t have to tell me twice. I made sure the doors were locked before settling in my seat to wait.
Kreed’s eyes hadn’t stopped moving, looking into every shadow and probably scaring some poor cats. I grinned because his scowl could definitely scare a kitten, he wasn’t as intimidating as he thought he was.
“You work at Crimson Damnation.”
It wasn’t a question. I felt the exact moment when his unusually blue-copper colored eyes fell on me. I suppressed a shiver. Stomping that feeling into roadkill, I took a moment to answer him. “Yes.” There that was easy.
“You know most of us can smell when you're lying.”
Damn. I had forgotten that nearly every one of the races and Mutts had that annoying ability. Except me, go figure.
“You can smell when I lie?” Not the question I meant to ask but I was curious. Zavarians were new to me and since I might be related somehow, I wanted answers.
“No,” he said, tapping his ear.
“You can hear when I lie?”
“Yes, your heartbeat gives you away. Every time.”
“I see.” And I did. It just became infinitely more difficult to evade and ditch the guard leech I’d acquired. Time for plan B. Whatever that was.
A hulking figure emerged from a shadowy alley and after a quick glance up and down the street he sauntered toward my car. I turned the engine off and reached for the driver’s handle when I felt Kreed stiffen in the seat next to me. Rolling my eyes, I threw the door open and was out of the vehicle before Kreed could grab for me.
“Hey, Jed. Pick the short straw tonight?” I asked the massive shifter as I leaned against the car to straighten the strap on my shoe.
“You know I volunteer.” He smiled before helping me onto the sidewalk. I was alright in heels, but definitely not graceful. “Who’s your friend?” He asked, as
Kreed slammed the door so hard it rocked the car.
“Hey be nice. What did she do to you?” I gave him my best death glare.
“Can I speak to you?” he hissed, which was a step below a command.
Before I could answer his hand enveloped my upper arm and he led me a few feet away from Jed. I would have balked but his hand was warm and gentle though, I could see and feel the tension in his body.
“What are you doing?” He demanded, turning to me but not dropping his hand. “Being out here is dangerous and you just hop out of the car with no precautions. Do you have a death wish?”
The slap was fast, and it stung my palm, but I was beyond caring and it felt good. For a split second, I wondered if him running his mouth was a side effect of the healing but it also didn’t matter.
“Who are you to come into my life and tell me how to live it? You don’t know me, you have no idea.” My words gritted through my teeth, the fire rising, giving each word heat. Fury licked at my stomach causing me to shake with force.
His jaw clenched, his head still turned away from the force of my slap. He released my arm as his head slowly turned back toward me. The points of his fangs rested on his lower lip and his eyes had gone cold. On any other night, with anyone else, the icy stare would have made even someone as big as Jed cower, but my heat had risen. To counter his ice or because of my anger I didn’t know which. It was a clash of two opposites and for once I wasn’t sure if my flame could withstand it.
He licked his lips and it was strangely erotic. My eyes tracked the movement. Heat was passion, that’s why desire burned, but this was different it went beyond that. I wanted to tear into him and kiss him until it hurt.
“Everything okay, Nik?” Jed asked, drawing my gaze away from Kreed.
Kreed’s chest rose and fell with his breaths. I could hear, just barely, the rumble like rocks smashing into rocks. This was a side effect of the healing; it couldn’t be anything else. I withdrew my arm at the same moment he let it go which disappointed me. I wanted him to fight me, I wanted him to hold on and never let go.
“We’re good. Just needed to explain some things to my guard,” I answered, enjoying the angry flare of his nostrils. Take that asshole! “You’re here to satisfy some sort of temporary bond that was created between us. Don’t confuse that with thinking I am in any way yours.”
I pivoted on my heels and strutted my tightly confined butt over to Jed. Looping my arm through his I let him lead me away since I was a bit unsteady on my heels.
“How are you holding up, darling?” Jed asked in his unique drawl.
Jed was the first guy to come up to the penthouse. I had made him the only breakfast I knew at the time: cereal and toast. He had eaten in silence while I sipped my coffee. After that, we had a nice long chat and got to know each other well. He was lost and in need of a friend and a place to belong. The Faceless made that happen.
“I’m tired but getting stronger every day,” I replied and for the first time in a while I believed it.
“You’ve gained a shadow,” Jed whispered, his eyes questioning glancing back as we entered the alley where he had stepped from earlier.
“Yup,” I sighed making the “P” pop.
“You don’t seem happy about it.” He looked around for any sort of threat as we walked through the dark.
“Didn’t really have a choice,” I mumbled, my earlier anger dimming as I walked.
“There’s always a choice.” Jed’s brows creased together.
“I’ll be alright. I’m just reaping the consequences for my actions.” I patted his arm, ignoring his confusion. “So, how's business?” I asked, steering the conversation away from me and onto him but judging by the narrowing of his eyes he wasn’t convinced.
“It’s been steady,” he said vaguely, and then I regretted bringing Kreed along. I should have dug my feet in more.
“That’s great,” I chirped.
We walked the rest of the way in silence not wanting to talk in case we let something slip that Kreed could overhear. The Faceless were on the up and up. We kept our noses clean while helping those who needed it. Surprising that a street gang wasn’t involved in anything illegal was laughable, but it was true. We were setting an example. We played a role alongside the other gangs in the city and we were noticed and appreciated for it.
The back of the club was dark and smelled like flimsy pizza from the restaurant that was tucked back behind the club. Best place to have a pizza joint was right behind a club where intoxicated people would stumble in for a quick bite before dragging themselves home. Genius really.
Jed swung the door open to Crimson Damnation and glanced around before stepping aside to let me enter. Music thumped to the beat, nearly matching the rhythm of the blood in my veins. Nothing like club music to bolster your mood.
“Head to the office,” Jed instructed, his bright shifter eyes moving non-stop.
I thanked him then made my way to back of the building. A boot scuffed behind me making my heart skitter but after a quick glance over my shoulder revealed Kreed following me, his jacket on, its hood drawn up obscuring his face. He didn’t speak so I led the way to the office.
The ‘office’ was a large closet that had been enhanced. And by ‘enhanced’ I mean sound proofed. All the races had exceptional hearing even over the blaring music and other noises you’d hear in a club. Naturally, the Faceless had paid lots of money to make it. Money well spent.
The door was open so I slipped inside then sat on an old rusty chair, thankful to be off my feet for a minute. Kreed took up position in the corner looking like a scary stalker from the movies. The hairs on the nape of my neck stood up and I fought not to fidget. I had a predator at my back and it made my hands sweat and unease slither down my back.
“Hey, Nik, thanks for coming,” a tall man said, walking into the room and locking the door behind him. He eyed Kreed’s corner but didn't ask or comment about him.
“No problem, what’s up?” I asked curious but cautious.
“Who’s that?” Gavin asked, pointing to Kreed in the corner.
“Bodyguard,” I answered straight faced.
“Since when do you need a bodyguard?” A perfect manicured eyebrow rose as he spoke the question.
“Since never but you save someone’s life and now they’re indebted to you or some such crap,” I replied flippantly but watched his reaction closely.
“He knows about your… healing,” he whispered the last word like he could prevent Kreed from hearing. I nodded my head in affirmative. “So, he knows what took me three years to find out. That hurts.” Gavin pressed a hand over his heart.
There was actual pain in his eyes. We had broken up ages ago so I didn’t have to justify my decisions to anyone.
“He was dying, you weren’t, but that can change if you ever tell anyone,” Gavin knew that Syd would tear him apart if he ever betrayed me. I felt Kreed step forward and I was actually glad he was here at my back.
“Chill, Nik. I’m not gonna tell anyone. Six feet below dirt isn’t that appealing.” Gavin’s eyes softened as he looked me over. “You look great.”
“Recovery hasn’t been easy but I’m glad I’m here. Now, what’s going on?”
Gavin relaxed into the chair across from me, but I could tell it was fake. His eyes kept darting to Kreed every few seconds. I should’ve left him outside but knowing he’d refuse I had to pick my battles, for once.
“The Unseen have a new boss,” Gavin said. “Rumor is he killed Punky Joe and his veterans and then took control. There isn’t much information about the usurper that we can find so either he just popped up out of nowhere or he’s lying about his name. I suspect the latter.”
I did too. The higher ups in the Unseen were sick dudes who didn’t have a conscience whatsoever. I’d met a couple and it was scary just being around them. I wouldn’t go as far as to say I was happy they were dead, neither did I feel any remorse.
“Why’s he here?” Gavin’s eyes f
licked to Kreed.
Ignoring his question. “I bet the dude taking over is making his rounds, introducing himself, being seen…” I rolled my eyes. “And scoping his competition.” A weight settled in my gut.
“That’s what I’m thinking. From the rumors I’ve heard about the takeover it sounds like he’s one scary mother.”
“You thinking shifter? One of the bigger ones, or a Fae of some kind?”
“Honestly Nik, I don’t know. He had the mannerism of a shifter when he came in earlier today, but there’s something off. My predator rose and so did my hair. I’ve never felt that combination before.”
Gavin was a different sort of mutt. While most had one or two blood lines from the races in their DNA. There are Mutts who had a mixture of all of them, with the exception of Kreed’s kind and dragons. Gavin seemed to have an equal amount of each all woven and working together with the human part and boom! You’ve got an equal hybrid. However, these hybrids tended to be weaker than the normal Mutt.
Lacking reliable abilities, Gavin couldn’t compete but what he lacked in supernatural abilities he made up for with his brain. He was intelligent and street smart. Something you needed to keep a mafia type organization on the opposite side of crime.
“So, you need me to go in and feel him out?” I knew the answer. I mean why would he ask me if he didn’t need me to do just that.
“Normally, I’d ask Milly but I don’t want her anywhere near that guy until we know more.”
That made sense, Milly was the club's regular bartender. She had a mean streak when it came to assholes and she was good at doling out punishments. Almost too good but since she also could read thoughts so it made sense to use her as a Plan B. If this new boss of the Unseen found out that we had a reader here it would set him off. No, a subtler touch was needed and that’s where I came in.
I took a deep breath accepting that this situation was something only I could handle. I wouldn’t put Milly or anyone else near that guy until we knew more.