by Crissy Smith
They didn’t have safe houses like this at the ATF. The Coalition not only had more money but was better supplied than the older government agency. Luca was just a little jealous. This home base was nicer than the apartment he was currently renting.
He missed his family even though he was surrounded by such good people that were quickly becoming his second family. He was renting two apartments—one there in Lake Worth, and the other his permanent address when located at the ATF. Neither was somewhere that he could see himself living in the next few years. He wanted to get his own house set up, but since his career was still up in the air, he was hesitant to do more than just lease a small space for now.
He’d been thinking about leaving the ATF to apply for the Coalition. It’d been pure luck that his last undercover assignment had landed him side by side with Zak. He wanted to transfer—the two things that kept him with his agency were his partner and the fact that he really did love what he did. The joint task force between the two organizations really was a dream come true. He and Abilene had to travel back to their office twice a week unless they were on a current case, but he didn’t mind.
If the trial run worked, maybe he’d be able to buy a house like the one he was currently hiding in. Maybe even choose a fixer-upper like Zak had. That way he could custom repair it and have everything perfect. He’d need guest rooms for when his family visited, especially Sal, so an older structure might be better so he could afford to remodel.
In the reflection of the glass he could see his own smile. He tried to keep his excitement down but he’d have been lying to himself if he didn’t admit how important it was that this task force worked.
The sound of a vehicle revving up pulled him from his thoughts. He gasped, spotting a huge SUV barreling down the street and hopping the curb.
A screech from Ryder above was his only warning before the vehicle stopped only yards from the door he was standing in front of.
Pop. Pop. Pop.
The SUV’s doors flew open as the blast of their rounds hit the house. It was a good thing that they weren’t using real bullets.
Ryder landed hard on the ground outside right before his eyes. He took a step back only to halt when he spotted Jade and Mitch glaring back at him through the door.
Luca’s instructions were clear. He wasn’t supposed to resist rescue even though that was what his instincts demanded he do. Mitch reached for the door only to find it locked. Jade grinned before using the butt of her rifle to smash the glass. The glee in her eyes was sexy as hell. Luca looked away so that his attraction wouldn’t be obvious. Right in the middle of a mission was not the time to have the hots for a fellow agent.
Mitch made it through the door and grabbed him.
“Freeze!”
Oh thank God. Luca heard Sam’s command and smiled back at the human agent. It wasn’t going to be so easy to get him as they’d thought. Although really he was shocked that they’d been so bold as to hit the house with such extreme measures. No one had expected that.
“Move it. We’re out of time.” Cole’s yell echoed around the quiet kitchen.
“Luca, move toward me,” Sam ordered. “I have you covered.”
Pop. Pop.
He ducked in reflex as another few rounds exploded. Jade strolled right up to Luca and grabbed his arm. She’d taken out Sam with her plastic bullets before anyone had moved. For a human, she moved quickly.
“We’re here to save you, Mr. Perez. Please come with us,” Jade said to him.
He nodded and allowed her to lead him from the broken kitchen glass door. The others in the rescue team were spread out through the yard covering him, Jade and Mitch. “Nicely done,” Luca said as he passed Cole.
Cole only grinned back.
He was shoved none too gently into the back cargo area of the SUV. It was a tight fit, especially when Jade climbed in next to him. Crap, were they going to ride the entire way back to the Coalition like this? He started to pray that he’d be able to contain his arousal. Jade wouldn’t pick up on it with only her human senses, but the shifters with him sure would.
Damn, what a time to be in close quarters with a beautiful woman. He’d have laughed if he wasn’t trying so hard to will his cock to go down.
“Are you injured?” Jade’s hand landed on his thigh as she checked him.
Luca managed, hopefully, to turn enough so that she didn’t spot his erection. Her warm palm on him felt damn good. “I’m okay,” he croaked out.
Chapter Five
It hadn’t been the plan for Jade to end up in the back of the SUV with Luca, but she wasn’t complaining. Cole had pushed her right behind him so she had that as her excuse to take in Luca’s warm body and sexy citrus scent.
She might not have a nose like her partner but Luca smelled wonderful. She really wished that they were alone so that she could snuggle up close.
“You’re sure you didn’t get cut by any glass?” she asked, just to have a reason to talk to him.
“I’m sure,” he promised.
Jade left her hand on his leg while she leaned closer. Luca’s hard muscles moved under her palm as he shifted around. It wasn’t comfortable to be all bunched up. Although she did notice that he wasn’t pushing her away. She also was aware of how stiff he held his body and that his breathing was heavier than it should have been. The walk to the SUV had been brisk but they hadn’t been running. She peered at Luca’s face trying to figure out if he was hurt and just not telling her. “If we hurt—”
“Jeez,” he muttered.
“What?” she whispered back. She sat between his two outstretched legs, but in the dark vehicle she couldn’t really see anything. She slid her hand up, checking for injuries. Luca groaned, and she froze.
“Trying to kill me?” he accused.
“What are you talking about?” she asked. Had he bumped his head? Why in the hell was he acting so weird? She glanced over the seat at the others to make sure that no one was watching. Adam was driving while Cole directed him from the passenger seat. Brady and Mitch were still discussing the quick rescue, retelling how they’d caught Ryder by surprise. Since everyone else’s attention was elsewhere she went ahead and did what she wanted. She raised her free hand to Luca’s shoulder and stroked while tightening her right on his leg. His body against hers felt just as good as she’d thought it would. His skin was hot and she loved the feel of his hard body.
Luca lifted his hips, making her hand brush over his lap and his, oh yeah, erection. He was turned on. She bit her bottom lip to keep herself quiet before deliberately running her hand back over his hard cock. He lurched up, grabbing her wrist to press her hand right up against his erection. “Stop teasing,” he ordered in a low voice.
She shivered, turned on by his need. She brought her mouth a few inches from his. “I don’t think you really want me to get you off when everyone in this vehicle would know,” she murmured. “Do you?”
He bucked into her hold. “I’m trying to remember if I care or not.”
She liked his admission. Still, as much as she’d love to show him how much she wanted him, she didn’t want a quick feel in the back of a SUV with too many people close by. Tilting her head, she brushed her lips gently over his. His breath caught as she lifted her head before nodding.
“You’re going to have to move your hand if you don’t want me to embarrass myself,” he whispered.
Jade sat back up, peering over the seat to make sure that everyone else was still occupied. Cole was looking back at her over his shoulder with a grin. She shook her head, knowing that she’d get teased later. Luca shifted around so he was more comfortable.
“I can’t believe you all pulled it off,” Luca told them.
Mitch laughed before reaching back to pat Luca’s arm. “I had no doubt. It went perfectly.”
“I don’t know about that. Ryder fell pretty hard.” Luca sounded worried.
“I checked on him,” Cole said. “He was playing it up. He doesn’t want his ass kicked
by Zak when the others return.”
Luca chuckled as if he could understand Ryder’s dilemma. He caught Jade’s gaze and nodded then turned to look out of the window. “This isn’t the way to the Coalition,” he said.
“We’re not going back there,” Jade replied.
“Really?” Luca asked. Was that approval on his face? “That’s where they expect you to go.”
“We know,” she stated simply.
“This just gets better and better,” Luca complimented. “So, where to?”
“Sorry, you may be working for the other side. We can’t disclose our destination until you get a thorough pat down. We have to make sure you’re not rigged with any listening devices or a way to contact the others,” Jade said.
“You don’t trust me?” The way that Luca batted his eyelashes did not fool Jade at all.
“No,” she responded. “But don’t worry. I’ll make sure I’m the one that checks you over.”
“Now I wish I’d planted something just to see how well you’ll do.”
She brushed her fingers over his arm before leaning closer. “I’m very dedicated to your safety, Mr. Perez,” she stated, falling back into her role of agent and rescuer.
“I’m glad,” Luca told her.
Jade knew that they weren’t very far from where they’d hidden the other van. She grabbed hold of the seat in front of her just as the SUV slid to a stop. Luca, not knowing to brace himself, fell into her.
She was really enjoying this operation.
“Let’s go, kiddies,” Cole called.
Jade popped the back hatch open and climbed out. Once on solid ground she could stretch her legs. She reached to help Luca get out since it was harder for him as he was bigger than her.
She didn’t let go when they were both free. Gripping his shoulder, she led him to the van. She opened the back door while motioning for Luca to sit down. Jade followed him in, making sure to remain close.
“You know the plan. Stick with it. If anyone has any problems or sees anything suspicious, call. We’ll be back there in half an hour,” Cole said.
“Got it,” she answered just before Cole slammed the door closed. She turned to Luca. She hadn’t been kidding about checking him over to make sure that the other team hadn’t put a tracker or anything on him. “Do you want me to check you over or are you just going to hand me whatever device they have on you?” she asked sweetly.
Luca laughed. “I have no idea what you mean.”
“Have it your way,” she told him. Standing, she pulled him up with her. As much as she would have loved to tease him a little more, she did have a job to do. She ran her hands down his neck to his shoulders, arms and hands. Crouching, she also checked his boots, legs and waist.
Luca moved side to side, and the evidence that he was enjoying her manhandling of him was obvious. His erection was so close to her face that she could have leaned forward a little and touched it with her mouth.
“Like this?” she taunted.
Luca nodded. “More than you know. I was attracted to you right from the start, but seeing you tonight in action—wow.”
She hummed, pleased with his admission. “Maybe if you’re a good boy I’ll…” Jade pulled a small silver locator chip from Luca’s belt. “Gotcha!”
He groaned. “I didn’t think you’d find it.”
“We’re a lot better than you think,” she told him.
“I didn’t mean it as an insult. That was the best place I could think to hide it,” he said sincerely. He cupped her face, pulling her up to stand in front of him. “I’m serious, I admire you and your partner. You’ve got skills and really showed them off. It couldn’t have been easy to work with new team members for the first time and pull all this off.”
Staring into his dark eyes, Jade felt just a little lost. She hadn’t even known this man for forty-eight hours but she felt a deep connection already. She wondered if that was how other shifter and human relationships started. If the romantic feelings were causing her to become comfortable around him. But the problem with that reasoning was that she’d felt the same sense of ease around Cole the first time they’d met. Even the other shifters at the Coalition. There was just more to the level of contentment she felt around Luca.
Part of her experience with shifters was her research, and all the time she’d spent learning about them she’d never come across anyone else claiming an instant connection. It was all so confusing. Not that it really mattered when Luca started to lean forward.
She wanted him to kiss her. What did it matter why she was so in need of Luca Perez? She just was. Rising onto the tips of her toes, she met his mouth and sealed their lips together.
She jolted with arousal at the first gentle touch. Luca brought his arm around her waist to hold her tight as she opened for him. She moaned as their tongues brushed and she got her first real taste of him.
Jade gripped the front of his shirt, giving in to her desire to surrender to him.
The back door opened and they jumped apart quickly. She didn’t miss Cole’s amused smile. “Find anything?” he asked.
Pumped up with arousal and need, she was shaking, but she tossed the small chip to Cole. He caught it easily.
Cole glanced between the two of them, and Jade tried not to blush. With her partner’s enhanced senses there were no doubt that he could smell the arousal from her and Luca. She refused to be embarrassed, though. The attraction was natural and she believed Luca to be a good guy. Cole would have to learn to accept him if things progressed further between her and Luca. Luckily Cole didn’t comment on what he had to have suspected was going on. Instead he merely nodded. “Let’s go then.”
Jade backed away from Luca to take a seat on the bench. “You’ll probably want to sit.”
Luca nodded, taking the space across from her as the two front doors opened. Adam started the SUV before glancing over his shoulder at them. “I’ll be your chauffeur tonight. Please keep your hands and feet inside the van at all times. Our destination’s about ten minutes away.”
“I think you’re messing up your duties,” Mitch commented.
“Where’re Brady and Cole?” Luca questioned.
“They’ll follow us. We decided that Adam and I would be the best ones for the next part of our plan,” Mitch answered. “Just in case we’re followed.”
Jade nodded. They did need to get going so she didn’t really care who drove them. “Let’s hit it then.”
Adam took off, and Jade and Luca jerked in the back, almost falling to the floor. “Oh yeah, make sure you hang on tight,” he called to them.
She cursed quietly as Adam cackled from the driver’s seat. He was crazy but she liked him. Adam actually reminded her of an old friend she’d grown up with.
The drive to Zak’s house was mostly silent as everyone prepared for the next phase. Luca didn’t ask any questions, which was good since no one would have answered him. As soon as Adam pulled into the driveway, Luca moved to peer out of the front windshield.
“You’ve got to be kidding!” Luca exclaimed.
Adam and Mitch started to laugh. Luca looked over at her. “He’s going to kill you.”
She shrugged. “He has to find us first.”
“Oh, this is going to be so good.” Luca sounded just as excited as her team. “I can’t wait to see his face.”
“Hurry up before someone sees us,” Mitch ordered while opening his door.
Jade climbed to the back door, yanking on the lever to let them out. She went first and as soon as Luca dropped down beside her she put her hand on his shoulder.
“I don’t think he’s going to run,” Adam told her.
“Can’t take any chances. If we lose Luca then we have to deal with Cole. I’m more scared of Cole than Zak,” she explained. And maybe she was pushing her job a little but she just wanted to be close to Luca. Who could blame her, really? But she did release her hold on him. He really wasn’t trying to escape and she needed to get her head in the game. Sh
e could worry about what was going on between them later. She had a training exercise to win first.
“Let’s go,” Mitch whispered from the front of the van.
They trooped to the front door. Adam pulled the key from his front pocket. He went straight to the alarm pad and punched in four numbers. Once inside, no one turned on any lights.
“Hang onto me,” Luca murmured. “I know my way around and I won’t let you walk into anything.”
Well, she wasn’t going to argue with him. She slipped her hand into his as he led her through what she guessed was a hall.
“If we go back to the living room we can turn on the lights and no one will see if we use the lamps,” Luca suggested. He strolled along the carpet, obviously knowing where he was going. Plus, he wouldn’t be as blind as she since most shifters had extremely good eyesight from their shifter genes. Jade trusted him to keep his word and not let her bump into any furniture or walls.
“Here we go.”
Luca switched on the lamp next to the couch. Jade looked around her at the spacious and warm room. There were several pictures up on the wall and resting on the mantle. The furniture looked masculine but comfortable. She liked the feel of the space. “This is nice,” she commented.
“From what I understand, this place was a mess when Zak first bought it. He used his nights and weekends to slowly do all the remodeling and updating himself, with the help of his friends, of course,” Luca said.
“I’m going to check out the rest of the place again,” Mitch said. “Just to make sure there are no surprises waiting, but I think we should stay in here. There’s playing a joke and then there’s suicide. I don’t want Zak to kill us.”
“I agree,” Jade replied.
“I can’t believe you all thought of this. It’s perfect. They’ll never think of looking for you at their own home,” Luca told her.
She still had her hand in his so she pulled him to the couch. “It’s a little evil but brilliant.”