Bad Mouth

by Angela McCallister

  “What happened to being helpful? Eva was lying, and you know it. You could have made her tell the truth. Are you hiding something about this?” She walked a thin line, speaking to him this way, but she couldn’t contain her fury.

  Kade shifted in his seat, but his stony expression never changed. “Eva’s a sweet girl. She wouldn’t lie.”

  “She’s not a girl. She’s a vampire, and she was covering up for someone. Are you saying you couldn’t see she wasn’t telling the truth? You can’t possibly be that blind.”

  And that was, without a doubt, crossing the line.

  Rage clouded his face before it set into stone again. “You wouldn’t know the truth if it bit your ass. You’re too busy looking for vampire conspiracies, thinking you’re so much better than us. Murders committed by Immortalis are extremely rare. I can’t even remember the last case. Nearly all crime, including murder, is committed by humans. So who’s the blight on society, Val? Humans lie, cheat, steal, kill…torture. It’s in your nature and you have no effective hierarchy structure to curb it as the Immortalis do.”

  Graham sat forward, his hands curling as if he’d throttle Kade. “Don’t you dare talk to her that way, you fucking piece of shit.”

  Kade’s eyes went cold and incandescent red, his voice deadly quiet. “And what will you do about it, human?”

  Val slapped a hand over Graham’s lips before he could hang himself. He just couldn’t hit that balance between argument and outright insult, not that she’d done the greatest job of that since she’d met Kade. However, Graham made no secret of his loathing for Kade, and she couldn’t let him get torn limb from limb because of it.

  Val huffed. “I’m not investigating crimes committed by humans. My job is to find murderous vampires, and you’ve been worthless to this investigation so far. You’re wasting my time.”

  The limo door opened. She ignored the driver’s helping hand and stepped out of the car on her own before turning back to Kade.

  “I knew this is how it would end up. A vampire would never turn on another vampire, no matter how criminal. Make no mistake about this. I will find the ones responsible, with or without you.”

  “Are you done then? Going your own way?” He sounded relieved. She had no intention of letting him off the hook, even if it meant he’d sit on the sidelines during all of the interviews. That would serve him right. He was nothing more than a decoration.

  “No. We’ll meet tomorrow night.”

  He sighed. “Fine, but keep your sidekick on a leash before he gets eviscerated.”

  “You wouldn’t dare.” She couldn’t believe he had openly threatened Graham.

  “Try me,” he growled. His eyes flashed at Graham, who looked on the verge of impetuous violence.

  Without a word, Val tugged Graham toward his Prius. She had to find a way to deal with the two of them. The more their exposure to each other, the more likely Graham would meet an unpleasant demise. She had to keep them separated.

  Or maybe she should cancel meeting with Kade. He wasn’t doing anything to help her investigation. Other than her vengeful desire to make him suffer, there was no reason to continue with him. She’d never have to see him again.

  That should have satisfied her, but it didn’t. It made her restless instead. The fact remained that she needed his help. They had several deranged vampires to find, but without the benefit of his position, they had better odds of winning the lottery. If he intended to stand by and watch, she’d simply have to find a way to convince him otherwise.

  Chapter Six

  Night had consumed the city over an hour ago, but Kade was still sitting on his ass. Waiting. His rock glass shattered in his hand. Cursing under his breath, he brushed the shards off his thighs and the seat fabric. He waved away his driver, who’d jumped out from behind the wheel to assist. Pulling out a new glass, he poured more scotch and downed it in one toss. Fucking humans. They’d invented watches. Couldn’t they read them? His time was precious. Kade snorted at his acrimony and poured another double. Too fucking bad he couldn’t get drunk this way. After last night’s debacle at Eva’s, he’d need to be drunk to survive any sort of repeat tonight.

  Of all the cases they could have checked out last night, the humans had to choose Gas Works Park. So much for trying to impress Val with his power and influence. He counted himself lucky Eva hadn’t noticed anyone at the scene. Or if she had, the little Legion vampire had enough sense to keep her mouth shut. He had to be much more careful in the future, especially with a woman of Val’s station out for vampire blood.

  A light rap at the window told him the humans had decided to show, but when he glanced up, only Val’s doormat friend stood there. Who had invited that fool? His mood had already soured at the wait, and Kade didn’t take kindly to the knife twist of the bastard’s presence. After kicking the door open, he stepped out and scanned the curb. An ass-ugly Prius had parked behind Kade’s Mercedes, but no one else waited in it. Val was nowhere in sight. Was he to be saddled with this douche bag the rest of the night?

  “Val’s coming,” the man said. Kade grunted, not much inclined to acknowledge the human’s existence. “Look, Mr. Rollins, I apologize for my offense last night.”

  “Don’t give it a second thought.” Kade gave Fischer a look designed to chill bones. “I haven’t.” The dumb fuck probably figured Kade had lost sleep over the bullshit.

  “Sorry!” Val called from halfway down the block as she jogged toward them. When she reached them, she was out of breath, bending at the waist and bracing against her knees. Her gorgeous, spun-gold hair spilled forward in a wavy mass, obscuring her pixie face.

  “What did you do? Run all the way here?” the douchebag asked.

  “Stupid cab…got some call…and dumped me off…ten blocks short.”

  “Why did you take a cab?” Kade frowned and then pinned Graham with a glare. Why didn’t that bastard pick her up? “How did you get here? That’s yours, isn’t it?” He gestured to the Prius next to them. Douchebag nodded but looked abashed.

  “Well, I’m here now. What are we waiting for?” she asked.

  Kade growled. “Next time call me. I’ll get you or I’ll send a car.”

  Her fae eyes went wide. “That’s very…kind of you.”

  “Don’t get your panties in a bunch. I won’t be kept waiting next time.” Damned if he’d let her think him soft or something. She tilted her head, her brow lined with suspicion, but then her lips tightened and drew down at the corners.

  “I said I was sorry. Take it or leave it.”

  Ah, hello there, erection. Long time no feel. Good thing he wore a long jacket this evening. It hadn’t taken five minutes of exposure before he was raring to go with the woman. What would she do if he hit on her?

  “What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

  He shook his head. “Who have you chosen to beleaguer this night, Val?”

  His lips quirked up unbidden. Damn, she was cute, even when she was intolerable. No one had ever challenged him the way she did, and he couldn’t stop himself from being inexorably drawn to her. She seemed to have stowed her anger from the previous evening, though if tonight was a replay, she was sure to find where she’d packed it away.

  “We’re going to see Ptolomy Keraunos. He lives in Bellevue and one of the bloodings happened at the edge of his estate. A neighbor walking her dogs found the body.” Her eyes narrowed and her voice lowered to a husky rasp. “Feel free to help at any time.”

  He caught her warning but found it more sexy than threatening. “I know Ptolomy. You might get nothing even with my help.” He looped her arm through his and tugged her toward his Mercedes.

  “What are you doing?”

  “What does it look like? Going to Ptolomy’s. Are you coming or not?” When Douchebag made a move to follow, Kade turned on him. “Bring your car.”

  He didn’t wait to see how the man took the order. Instead, he dropped his gaze to Val’s slender and graceful hand tucked into the cro
ok of his elbow. He smoothed his palm over the back of it, his nerve endings stupidly giddy at her softness. Despite her obvious misgiving about their shaky alliance, she smiled up at him briefly before ducking into his car. When his belly executed a pirouette worthy of the Kirov performing Swan Lake, a scowl settled onto his face. She made him feel weak inside.

  Holy fuck, he liked her and it burned in his gut. He’d like her even better bent forward over the seat cushion with her slacks around her knees. He would tie her wrists with the seat-belt straps and wrap her eyes with the wispy scarf she wore. Her long hair would make a great handhold. Dammit to hell and back. It didn’t matter how deep in the dirt his mind went. He liked her. A fucking human.

  “What happened in here? Did I miss the party?” She glanced sidelong over her shoulder at him, and that image of her bent over the seat nearly bowled him over. “It smells like a dive bar.”

  He bit off a laugh. “A memorial for the untimely death of two jiggers of Glenlivet. Here, let me slide by first.” The sinner in him pushed his hips complete with rigid flagstaff right against her backside as he climbed past her. It didn’t make him smirk as he’d thought it would. Instead, her sweet, round ass humbled him. He wanted to drop to his knees and worship it with his mouth, maybe with a little bit of teeth.

  “Would you quit it?” Her exasperation cut through his musing. He’d cleared the seat of glass so she could sit without the danger of splinters. Last thing he needed was her blood in the open air to tease his already manic senses.

  “Quit what?” He reclined against the seat and angled toward her with his legs stretched across her floor space.

  “Let’s just say you should have a parental-guidance warning across your forehead.”

  This time, he let himself laugh. “Rated MA for Misogynistic Asshole.”

  He didn’t miss the slight quirk of her lips, even though she rolled her eyes and settled into silence for most of the ride. To his regret, when she broke it, it was to discuss work. “I didn’t get anything more than a summary of Ptolomy’s interview. What’s he like?”

  He shrugged. “Like any other vampire. He’s a Dominus, an old one. One of the oldest. Been around longer than Olen’s had gray hair.”

  She bit her lip. He could almost feel her nerves, but all she did was square her shoulders and take a deep breath. It didn’t matter if Ptolomy’s aged power petrified her, he knew she wouldn’t let her fear stop her. That turned him on so hardcore he wanted to lick her resolve.

  She should be nervous, however. Ptolomy didn’t dance to anyone’s tune, not even his, and he would tell them nothing. Kade would put money on it. This Dominus was too damned old to care about anything other than his own twisted pleasures. Funny how the word twisted applied to all the Ancients. Maybe anything living as long as a vampire would eventually become a perversion of nature.

  Kade had never had much real trouble with Ptolomy. The male didn’t exactly fly straight, but he never put himself on the outs with the Rex and his Domina.

  The iron gate in front of Ptolomy’s home swung open automatically when they pulled up. As they neared his mansion, Val clutched her satchel with a white-knuckled grip. Her lips trembled, and she pulled her thick black peacoat tighter, readjusting the tie at her waist. He felt her chill, it was written so plainly in her body language. Her vulnerability broke open a rare pocket of warmth in him. Without thinking, he reached for her, pulling her close against his side. She sat stiffly at first.

  He stroked his hand up and down her arm, firm and soothing. Her body softened, the tension easing, and she relaxed her head against his shoulder. Unable to deny himself, he nuzzled her pale blond curls, stowing her heady lilac scent into his memory. She felt softer than mink. He turned his head to brush his cheek against the luxurious sensation.

  She lifted her head to meet his gaze. Those eyes were brilliant pools of green Caribbean, her pupils dilated with arousal. Hell yes, she wanted him. But they were also wide with surprise. He’d only sought to comfort her, but now his head dipped toward hers. When she licked her lips in response, it was all he could do to be gentle when he wanted to ravage her mouth.

  He touched his lips to hers, a tender sweep across and back again. An electric charge zipped all the way to the bottom of his feet, drawing his body tight. Just as he would have settled more firmly against her sweet mouth and part her lips with his tongue, the door swung open.

  She jerked away from him, her fingers at her mouth and her eyes clouded with confusion and regret. Fuck. He shot his driver a withering look, and the man cringed. He shook his head sharply before the man could stumble over an apology. Douchebag had also arrived at the side of the car, and Kade didn’t want the bastard to know anything was amiss. Holding a hand out for Val, he guided her out of the car and to the heavy doors of the mansion where Ptolomy no doubt waited impatiently for them.

  …

  Her lips tingled where Kade’s had been, but Val’s mind was a jumble. Why had she let that kiss happen? She’d been at the head of a panic attack; maybe that had weakened her enough to succumb to Kade. Maybe she would have taken the comfort from anyone. That didn’t really fly because had it been Graham, she would have turned a cheek. She knew because Graham had made the attempt before.

  Even more surprising than her easy participation was Kade himself. He’d caressed her hair with his face, like a thoughtful lover, and it had put her body and mind into a sweet, blissful fog. He’d been so soft, so careful, his lips whispering along hers. She would have taken him for the caveman-kiss type complete with bruising force and an invasion of tongue and teeth.

  “Ready for this?” Kade asked. With a start, she realized they were in the foyer, and she still held his hand. She dropped it like it was on fire. Apparently it had been on fire because her hand burned hot from the contact.

  “Yes, I’m ready.” She scrambled to focus on the task. She’d have to interrogate this ancient vampire without freaking out. Couldn’t be too difficult. She’d done similar interrogations before. In a secure interrogation room. Next to her, Kade appeared utterly at ease. She let go a sigh of relief. He wouldn’t let anything happen to her. He comforted her in more ways than one.

  When they entered the sitting room, Val did a double take. A boy of around fifteen awaited them. He rose with a thunderous look on his face.

  “How dare you keep me waiting?” He directed his wrath at her.

  Who in the hell? Her mouth dropped open, closed, and then open again as she floundered for words. “Who are you? Where are your parents?”

  That kicked the thunder on the boy’s face even higher, but Kade bent over, laughing so hard and deep she thought he’d lose his lungs. She glared at him. “What are you laughing about?”

  The boy crossed his arms and strode over to Kade. “You have the nerve to laugh at me?”

  “Not you,” he said, putting a hand against his flat stomach. He continued to chuckle but gestured toward Val. So he was laughing at her. Why on earth? When he didn’t quit, she stomped on his arch with every bit of force she could muster.

  “Ow, fuck!” He straightened and focused his dark, intense gaze on her. His surprise mirrored hers. She’d never resorted to physical violence before, but he had a way of stirring something primal in her. Then the boy started laughing, and she forced her attention away from Kade.

  “I’m afraid I have no parents, young one,” the boy said, the laughter clinging to the corners of his mouth. He extended his hand. “You must be Valerie Craig. My name is Ptolomy.”

  She stared at him, stunned silent. He dropped his hand when she stayed frozen in place. Kade nudged her forward, but her movements were stiff as she followed Ptolomy toward the sitting area.

  “You could have warned me,” she whispered to Kade behind Ptolomy’s back. Graham hadn’t briefed her either, the rat.

  “You know he can hear you, right?” Kade didn’t bother lowering his voice.

  “I-I didn’t know you turned children.” Her wits finally returned to her.
“I apologize for my reaction, Mr. Keraunos.”

  He waved her apology away and directed her to a bright red, curvy sofa as he sat in a similar one across from her. A quick glance around showed her Ptolomy appreciated a minimalist environment with slashes of vibrant color rather than cluttered decoration. The faint scent of patchouli oil in the air seemed out of place, though not such a stretch considering what she’d seen of Ptolomy’s personality.

  “No worries. It’s been a while since I’ve been so amused. Amusement becomes quite rare when you’ve been around as long as I have. I enjoy seeing a woman, a human woman at that, get a potshot in on Kade here.” He grinned at a scowling Kade. “Aw, come on, chap. My thrills are few and far between.”

  “I’ve heard the rumors, squirt. More like thrill a minute,” Kade said. Her gaze hung on him first. He was so large, with hard-packed muscle and an easy smile on his face that belied his cruel reputation. Sitting next to Kade, Ptolomy formed a stark contrast with a short, lean body, bronzed coloring, and surfer-boy, wheat-colored hair, an unusual look for someone with a name such as his. He was absolutely not what she’d expected.

  The ancient boy focused on her again. “We truly don’t turn children anymore. Thing of the past, during the most barbaric eras. My Sire stole me from parts unknown and turned me because his love interest at the time desired a child of her own.”

  “At the time? They…broke up?”

  “You could say that. They lasted ten years, a blink of an eye to a vampire, and then he grew tired of her and cut her head off during a bout of raunchy sex.”

  The brutality was appalling enough, but the boastful words coming from such a youthful mouth were jarring. He grinned, pleased at her reaction.

  “I was on my own after that, but I’d destroyed him by the time I reached my two hundredth birthday.” His smile gone, his face wore a cold mask. “Ask now what you will so I may get back to my thrill a minute.” He aimed an amused glance at Kade.