Coyote's Kiss

by Crissy Smith

  Luca nodded. “So what now?”

  “We sit and wait until time is up,” she returned.

  “Okay,” Luca said. “There’s something I wanted to talk to you and your partner about.”

  “What’s that?” She turned on the couch so she was angled to see his face. She liked looking at him.

  “I was talking with the other FBI agent, Sam, and from what I gathered things aren’t going real well with the shifters at his division,” Luca said. “I’m concerned they’re being mistreated.”

  She sighed. She shared Luca’s fear. But there wasn’t much she could do about it. She could barely protect Cole from the haters. What could she do for other shifters? “I know,” she admitted. “I just don’t know what to do about it.”

  “It’s a good thing you’re with the Coalition,” Luca said, smiling at her. “This is what we do.”

  “I don’t see how you can do anything. It’s a different agency.” But wouldn’t it be great if Luca could help the shifters?

  “I have an idea,” he said. “I want to talk to the others and Sam again before I take it to Commander Green, but I’m certain we’ll figure it out.”

  Jade grew excited. It was so worth putting her career with the joint task force on hold if the shifters could get the help they needed. “I’ll do whatever I can.”

  “What about your partner? Would he be willing to help?” Luca questioned.

  “I’m sure he would. He refuses to bow down to anyone treating him like shit, but his hands are tied too. He barely kept his job and was transferred to be partnered with me. It’s not been easy.”

  Mitch entered the living room with some bottles of water. “What’s up? You two look serious,” he commented.

  “I have an idea,” Luca said.

  Jade listened to him fill Mitch in on his concerns and what he wanted. When Cole and Brady returned he went over it once again. He was passionate about the subject. Jade loved how his dark eyes lit up as he spoke.

  “How are we going to find out where Sam’s old partner is?” Cole asked. He sat across from Luca and Jade in one of the recliners. Jade knew her partner would be up for the mission and was happy to see that he seemed to share Luca’s desire to do something.

  “I have an inside man who would be willing to look into the subject discreetly,” Luca informed them.

  “Who?” Cole questioned.

  “My brother.”

  “Your brother?” Jade repeated.

  “He’s a special agent in California. He works intelligence gathering so he should have access to the records we need. If not, he would know who does,” Luca explained.

  Jade was shocked. She’d had no idea that Luca’s brother was a Fed. No wonder he had accepted her and Cole into the fold so easily. He had inside knowledge that not everyone in the FBI acted like assholes.

  “I’d like to speak with him,” Cole said.

  “That can be arranged,” Luca said. “I’d like to get a jump on this, though. If Sam’s right, we need to move quickly.”

  “You think the others will share your concerns?” Cole asked.

  “Oh yeah. Cody, Zak and Jamie will have our backs. And they’re good investigators,” Luca assured him.

  “Do you think you’ll be able to pull up anything from the files you have access to?” Cole asked Jade.

  “What files?” Luca questioned.

  “Because of my work in shifter behaviors, I’m copied in on reports from the field. I haven’t had a lot of time to look through them, though. Right now I’m concentrating on how we can train our agents, shifter or human, from the beginning, so we can utilize all the gifts we have access to,” she explained.

  “That’s great,” Luca exclaimed. “If you can look into anything that seems off we can start our investigation there.”

  “Let me grab my laptop and I’ll get started. Maybe there’s something there we can share with the others when this exercise is over. It’s not like we’ll do much waiting to see if they find us.”

  Luca grinned. “I can guarantee they won’t be looking for me here.” He turned to Cole. “You like to live dangerously, my friend. It probably wasn’t your idea, but you are in charge of this team.”

  Cole shrugged. “I have no problem taking the blame. I already like Zak and he might be pissed off but he’ll appreciate our effort.”

  “Yeah, he will,” Luca agreed. “Although, Jamie really is going to love this.”

  “I haven’t made my mind up about him yet,” Cole admitted. “I watched the tapes so I’ve seen him in action, but just talking to the guy—he’s hard to take seriously.”

  “I know.” Luca nodded. “But having him on your side is a good thing. When he’s working he’s completely dedicated to the mission. I’ve learned a lot from him. Although, when Abilene met Jamie she wanted to strangle him in the first five minutes.”

  “Really?”

  Luca settled back on the couch. “My cover was blown and Zak had to either expose himself or find a way to get me out alive. He’d been ordered to kill me.”

  “Wow,” Cole whistled.

  “We faked a fight and at the end of it he shot me,” Luca explained.

  “Zak shot you?” Jade asked as she rejoined them. “No way.”

  Luca rolled his shoulder. There were a few times when his old wound still bothered him. Shifters healed quickly due to the fact that they could transform and rearrange their bodies, but they could also be killed easily. It didn’t take a silver bullet either. A lead one worked just as well. “It was the only way for me to get out. Zak made it appear that he’d killed me. After, I was able to make it to Abilene at a hotel. Jamie and Cody just happened to be there since she was doing a run on Zak and was growing suspicious.”

  “They were there when you showed up?” Cole asked. “That’s some really good timing.”

  “It was,” Luca acknowledged. “Abilene was pissed and wanted to go after Zak. Cody remained calm and did his best to defuse the situation, but Jamie, being Jamie, taunted her. From the little I remember she about took off his head.”

  “I would have loved to have seen that,” Jade commented. She settled back on the couch next to him. Luca had to resist moving closer to feel her heat.

  “Yeah, they’re pretty tight now, but at the time I didn’t think Jamie and Abilene would ever get along. The next day we combined forces and took the SIP down.”

  “SIP?” Jade asked looking up from her laptop.

  “They call themselves Shifters in Power,” Luca informed them.

  “That’s the case Cody’s trying to wrap up?” Cole questioned.

  “Yes, we got most of the members involved. Of course, some got away but they’re in such deep hiding they shouldn’t be able to cause too much trouble.

  “That’s good,” Jade commented. She bent back over her computer.

  “I haven’t been working with the Coalition long but I’ve come to really admire them. They’ll do everything in their power to help the agents with the FBI,” he told Cole, lowering his voice so that he wouldn’t bother Jade as they spoke.

  “We’re in,” Cole told him. “I want to protect the others in my office. Some are even too scared to come out as shifters and they shouldn’t be. I chose not to hide because I believe that if people know what I can do I’ll be able to help more people.”

  “Commander Green will also be on our side. I should probably inform my boss what’s going on but I want to talk to the others first. Maybe get the commander to call him.”

  “That would probably be best. The commander seemed like a take-charge kind of guy. You’re sure your brother can help?” Cole asked.

  “This is right up his alley,” Luca said. “If there is anything going on here that’s a threat to the shifters he’ll want to be involved. Both he and his partner are shifters working in the FBI. They have a stake in this too.”

  “What can you tell me about Sam? I hadn’t met him or Patrick before this and I’m getting an uneasy feeling about them.�
�

  “Sam seems to be worried. He also feels guilty because he didn’t have his partner’s back and basically abandoned him,” Luca replied. “He doesn’t trust us, either. It’ll be hard but I think he’ll do the right thing.”

  “We’ll keep an eye on both of them. Maybe if I talk to Sam he’ll respond to me being a shifter and a Fed?” Cole suggested.

  Luca shrugged. “They might be helpful, though. We’ll start with your office and see what we learn but we should search for his ex-partner too.”

  Jade grunted. “I think we’ll have plenty to look into,” she said.

  “What did you find?” Cole asked. He leaned forward in his chair. Luca moved closer to her too.

  “I don’t know yet,” she said. She never took her eyes off her screen, though. “Some of these reports are incomplete. I can probably find the originals.” She finally glanced up.

  “Can I—” Cole began.

  “I just got started.” She pointed at Cole. “Don’t rush me. You know I work better doing it myself anyway.”

  Cole laughed. “I know.”

  She huffed. “I’m going to make some coffee.”

  She stood and carried her laptop with her. Luca peered over at Cole.

  “She gets like this when she finds something interesting. We’ll see her in a couple of hours. It drives me crazy at the office but Jade is the best at piecing together information that other people would miss,” Cole explained to Luca.

  Luca grinned. “I guess we wait. I wonder what Zak’s doing now.”

  Both he and Cole laughed at that.

  Chapter Six

  It was all Luca could do not to laugh as Zak stormed into his own living room. He was still on the couch relaxing and speaking with Cole. Jade had moved to the kitchen table to work on getting him some files about the shifters in her office, and Mitch, Brady and Adam were out front with the members of Zak’s team that had shown up.

  Cody had called to get the address where they were holed up once the time limit had passed. Cole’s team had won. As soon as Mitch had given Cody Zak’s street address, Zak had started to curse.

  “You broke into my house,” Zak accused, glaring at Cole.

  “Technically we didn’t. Brady had the alarm code and knew where the spare key was,” Cole corrected.

  “I’ll kill him,” Zak threatened.

  “Come on, man. This is epic!” Jamie said as he bounced in. He was followed by Cody and Abilene.

  Zak spun around and pointed at Jamie. “Don’t start.”

  Jamie laughed at him. Zak jumped forward, but Abilene slid between the bear shifter and her lover. “Hey.” She cupped Zak’s face. She waited until Zak had stopped glaring at Jamie and looked at her. Abilene smiled sweetly before kissing Zak with a gentle peck.

  Luca couldn’t believe how Zak calmed right before his eyes. The connection between Zak and Abilene reminded him of his parents. Abilene was able to settle Zak with just a small touch.

  “Fine,” Zak conceded. “I won’t kill anyone.”

  “Good, because you know it’s awesome. We’ve been chasing our tails all damn night and never even considered looking at our house,” Abilene told him.

  Zak growled before wrapping his arms around Abilene’s waist. “You just called it our house,” he pointed out.

  Abilene shook her head. Since Abilene had starting staying with Zak she’d never admitted to actually moving in. Maybe this would be it. If she could just get over the final hurdle and commit to Zak, the two of them would be so happy.

  Luca felt bad witnessing such an intimate moment but Zak and Abilene didn’t seem to mind having an audience. Of course, Zak wasn’t the type to care what anyone thought.

  “Maybe I do think about it being our house, our home,” Abilene whispered.

  With a whoop, Zak lifted Abilene up into his arms while kissing her passionately.

  “I don’t think he cares about who broke in anymore,” Jamie said, joining Luca on the couch.

  “We didn’t break in,” Cole repeated.

  Jamie waved his hand. “Whatever. I just know that next time we’re on an exercise I’m on your team.”

  “Sounds good,” Cole agreed.

  Luca glanced back and forth between Jamie and Cole. He wouldn’t have pegged them for becoming friends. Cole was very serious and pure dominant while Jamie acted like a clown at times. But Jamie was one of the best agents that Luca had ever worked with. Cole and Jamie would be a hard team to beat. “While all of you are in here there’s something I want to talk to you about,” Luca mentioned.

  “Okay.” Cody moved farther into the room. He’d been messaging on his phone and Luca doubted that it would have been to anyone other than his mate, Aubrey.

  Zak dragged Abilene over to the other recliner, sitting and pulling her onto his lap.

  Luca caught Cole’s gaze. He felt as though he had the most support from the wolf shifter. Oh, he knew that Jade wanted to help but it was obvious that Cole had been keeping things from her. As soon as Jade had left the room, Cole had quickly filled him in on what was really going on. The threats and pranks the other agents were aiming at Cole. The bad mouthing, reports going missing, and late backup. Cole was worried but hadn’t informed Jade yet. Cole nodded before leaning back in his chair. Guess it was up to Luca then.

  “Here’s what’s up,” Luca began.

  He spoke calmly and only shared what he knew. While he had a lot of suspicions, he needed more information before he could accuse the FBI of abusing shifters.

  Jamie was the first to speak up once he’d finished. “We need to talk to the commander.”

  “I agree, but we need more. Jade’s trying to find the files on the shifters in her office. See if they’re being sent on more dangerous missions without backup. I called Sal already. He’s researching it at his end also.”

  “What do you suggest we do in the meantime?” Zak asked.

  Luca felt bad about taking away the happy look on his face from earlier. Zak was frowning while he rubbed Abilene’s back. Luca worried that the conversation would remind Zak about his past. Zak had been used by his own family. His dad and uncle hadn’t cared what had happened to him as long as he’d got the job done. Very much like the shifters in the FBI.

  “If you know anyone at all in the FBI we need to talk to them. Right now it’s just the two offices but that can’t be all. Sal’s not mentioned any problems but I don’t know that he would,” Luca said.

  “I think this is worth looking in to,” Cody stated, standing. “We’re supposed to have the day off for running a night session but we could meet up later?”

  “Yeah, we all need some sleep,” Luca admitted. “I’m exhausted.”

  “Why doesn’t everyone take off and hit the sack?” Zak suggested. “It’s just past seven now. We can meet back here about one and cook out and go through ideas. It will give us all time to think.”

  “You’re offering your house?” Jamie questioned with suspicion.

  Zak tightened his arm around Abilene’s shoulders. “Our house, yes. It’s not like anyone needs directions, right?”

  Cole laughed as he stood. “You’ve been a good sport.” He offered his hand to Zak.

  Zak shook his hand. “Sure.”

  “Okay, I have a buddy I can call. I’ll do that on the way home so hopefully he’ll be able to get back to me before our meeting,” Jamie said as he also stood.

  Relief rushed through Luca and he was filled with admiration for the other agents. They were taking this seriously and wanted to help. He hadn’t doubted it—well, he’d wondered if they’d think he should mind his own business—but they had his back.

  “I’ll check in with Jade. And tell her the plan.” Luca rose.

  “If anyone needs to crash here they can,” Zak offered.

  Everyone turned to him at the same time.

  “What?” he snapped.

  “Did you just invite guests?” Jamie questioned in a whisper.

  “I’m being nice,
” Zak exclaimed.

  “I know and it’s scary,” Jamie replied.

  This time when Zak growled he showed Jamie his teeth.

  “Jade and I are local so we can go home. I’ll drop the other two Feds at their hotel so I don’t think you’ll have anyone who needs to bunk down here,” Cole commented.

  “If you take Sam and Patrick, I can drop off Jade,” Luca said as innocently as he could manage.

  Cole eyed him for a moment before nodding. Luca knew that Cole was aware of the attraction between him and Jade. He was just glad that Cole didn’t say anything in front of the others. The display between him and Jade earlier hadn’t been mentioned and Luca knew that he should have been more careful, but there was just something so special about Jade that he couldn’t keep from thinking about how the two of them would be together.

  Cole strolled to the front of the house while Luca went to the kitchen. He pushed the door open and wasn’t surprised to see Jade hunched over her laptop typing away. She glanced up when she heard him.

  “I think I’ve found some interesting reports. The good news is I have access to the personal files of the shifters, but it will take a while to sort through them,” she told him.

  “We’re going to get some rest and meet back here at one. Cole is dropping off the other two Feds so I offered to take you home,” Luca said.

  Jade smiled. “Hmm.”

  He didn’t know what she was thinking but the way she ran her gaze up and down his body had Luca hard instantly. She stretched her arms over her head, causing her back to pop. The move also made her shirt stretch up to reveal a patch of flawless tanned flesh. He crossed the room quickly until he towered over her. “What was that sound for?” he whispered.

  “I wouldn’t mind going to bed,” she murmured. “Maybe with some company?”

  Luca reached down to pull her to her feet. “That can be arranged,” he stated before lowering his mouth to hers.

  Jade kissed him back with the same amount of passion. There was no question that she wanted him as much as he did her. As their tongues twined and brushed together, he slid his hands down her back to cup her butt and lift her. She wrapped her legs around his waist, trusting him to be able to hold her. He didn’t have a problem with her weight. Not that she would have been heavy for a human to carry. But with his shifter strength he could concentrate even more on her mouth and giving her pleasure.