“IPTT will eventually send in a squad to look for her. It’s been over a week. I’m surprised it hasn’t occurred already. Do you really want them raining down upon Nuria again after what just happened?” Juan asked.
The International Police Tactical Team had swarmed the town looking for Red and Morgan. They’d arrested Red, claiming she’d been behind Morgan’s escape from prison. It had all been an elaborate ruse organized by Roark Montgomery in hopes of leveling the town. If it hadn’t been for Red’s peaceful surrender, he would’ve succeeded.
Raphael reeled in his temper. He wasn’t mad at the men—he was mad at himself. “Have you seen that in your visions?” He didn’t take much stock in psychics, but Juan had been right about some things, so he couldn’t dismiss him outright.
“No.” Juan stared at Raphael with a pained expression. He picked up his beer and took a drink. “Nothing like that,” he said, but didn’t elaborate further.
Raphael watched him closely. There was something the psychic wasn’t telling him. He could see it clearly in Juan’s eyes. He opened his mouth to ask, but then closed it and exhaled loudly. Truth was Raphael didn’t want to know what the future held. He’d already considered all the possibilities, including IPTT intervention. None of the scenarios he’d spun in his mind had been a big enough concern for him to let Catherine go. “I’ll make sure she’s returned,” he said.
“When?” Takeo asked.
“I told you I’d handle it! Now enough with the questions.” Raphael shoved his chair back from the table. It hit the wall behind him with a bang. Everyone in the bar stopped what he was doing, and gazed toward the commotion. Raphael glared at the weathered faces around him. Wariness overrode their initial curiosity and they went back to chatting, but the volume had dropped considerably. Satisfied, Raphael turned his attention to Takeo and Juan. “You both worry about building the new tactical team and let me handle the woman.”
Juan and Takeo looked at each other. Then Juan held up his hands. “You know we wouldn’t say anything, if the circumstances were different, but you’ve kidnapped an IPTT member. It’ll be a miracle if you aren’t arrested on sight.”
Raphael’s gaze cooled to a slow burn. “Don’t you think I know that? It couldn’t be helped. She’d been sent to kill Morgan and Red,” he said. “Hell, she tried to kill me. If I hadn’t subdued her, she might have succeeded.”
“We know.” They snickered. “What we don’t get is why you slept with her, when you should’ve killed her and dumped her body near the boundary fence.”
Raphael’s gut clenched at the thought of any harm coming to Catherine. He flashed his fangs and hissed.
“Knock it off, dumbass,” Takeo said. “You aren’t the only one in the room with fangs.” He opened his mouth wide enough to expose his large feline incisors.
A deep sound rumbled out of Raphael’s chest.
“Terrific,” Takeo snapped. “You’ve woken the chimera. You happy now?” A hiss punctuated his words as the viper uncoiled from his back. A forked tongue slashed the air and its head shot up over his shoulder in preparation to strike.
“What’s next? You going to whip off your shirt and show me the goat’s head poking out of your rib cage?” Raphael said, dismissing the threat.
“The only goat trait I have is in the form of my libido,” Takeo said, smirking.
“I’m sure it’s just as quick, too.” Raphael snorted.
“Fuck off,” Takeo shot back.
“Children, children, children. Play nice,” Juan said. “Or you can’t sit at the big kids’ table.”
“Put your toys away, chimera.” Raphael wiggled his fingers. “I’m in no mood to tangle.” He pulled his chair away from the wall and dropped into it. He wasn’t mad at Takeo for stating the obvious. Raphael had been asking himself the same question since he’d found out the truth about Catherine’s murderous deeds. She’d killed two people and tried to frame Red.
Why hadn’t he killed her? She was trouble in more ways than one. His nature warred with his compassion and his nature had lost. Badly. It was a first. Which was why he’d resorted to picking fights and grasping at straws for answers.
“You started it,” Takeo said.
Raphael sipped his beer as he gathered his thoughts. “She helped us break Red and Morgan out of Roark’s prison. I don’t think she’s going to be quick to turn me in for detaining her, since she’d have to implicate herself.”
Takeo shook his head. “I wouldn’t bet it on it. She tried to kill you once. What makes you think she won’t do it again?”
Raphael considered his question. “A feeling.”
“You’re joking, right?” He snorted. “Do you really think you should base your future and the future of this town on a feeling?” Takeo asked.
“No, but I’m going to anyway,” Raphael said.
“You are kurutta, man,” Takeo said.
Juan quietly watched the exchange, then glanced at Takeo to silence him. “He’s not crazy, but I do believe our vamp has a case of bloodlust happening.”
Raphael flushed. Not an easy feat for one such as him. “I do not . . . I-I am not . . . It’s preposterous,” he denied. Lust was definitely involved in his decision to detain Catherine, but there was more to it than that. An elusive more that didn’t have a name as of yet. Whatever it turned out to be, Raphael knew he wouldn’t be discussing it with the likes of these two. “I’d better get back to the room,” he said, rising to his feet. “I don’t want her to wake without me being there.”
Takeo’s brow rose. He glanced at his watch. “She’s still in bed?”
Raphael grinned. “Where did you think I was keeping her?”
“I wouldn’t know. I’m a goat, remember?” he said.
Juan and Takeo laughed, then quickly covered the sound with coughs as people at the bar looked their way. Raphael left them to it. Let them have a laugh at his expense. It didn’t matter. They did not understand that the situation called for care and finesse. Raphael snagged a canteen of water off the bar and headed upstairs.
When he was out of view, Takeo turned to Juan. “Man, he has it bad.”
He nodded in agreement. “Vamps are normally detached from their food,” Juan said.
Takeo chuckled. “She means more than food to him. Did you see how he nearly took my head off at the mention of killing her?”
“Yep.” Juan played with the label on his beer. “I’ve seen this in the wolves. Not a surprise, considering they are pack animals. But never in a vamp.”
“Seen what?” Takeo asked. “Insanity?”
“Some may call it that. Others call it the drive to bond—to mate.”
Takeo looked back toward the stairs. “Do you think he knows?”
Juan laughed. “Nope, but I do think he’s beginning to suspect something is up. He’s wound pretty tight.”
“What’ll happen if she leaves him?” Takeo asked.
“Depends,” Juan said, shrugging. He finished his beer.
“On what?”
“On where she goes and if she plans to come back. I’m pretty sure he’d be able to track her blood anywhere on the planet, now that he’s tasted her essence. And if Raphael is bonding to her like I suspect, he won’t let her go easily.”
Takeo shook his head. “Better him than me,” he said, as a shiver sliced down his spine. If he were a gambling man, he’d say it was a sign. Lucky for him he wasn’t, but it still took several seconds for the sensation to fade.
Raphael was a fool to let a woman get under his skin. He should know better given how many years he’d walked this planet. Takeo lifted his beer to his lips. No thanks. He didn’t want any woman sinking her claws into his hide. He’d avoided feminine traps thus far. He should be able to hold out for another fifty years or so.
Juan canted him a glance. “I hope I’m around to see you fall, big guy. From the look on your face, it won’t be long now. That woman won’t know what hit her, and neither will you, when it happens,” he said.
Takeo glared at him. “Don’t hold your breath. It hasn’t happened yet and there’s been plenty who’ve tried to tie me down in the past.” He held up two fingers. “Tender, bring us another round of synth-beers,” he shouted.
Juan’s dark eyes sparkled knowingly.
Takeo didn’t like the way Juan was looking at him. It was as if Juan knew something he didn’t. Damn psychic! They could be wrong sometimes. Right? Right! “Damned if I’m going to end up like Raphael. Miserable bastard.”
Juan laughed softly.
“What’s so funny?” Takeo asked.
“I’m sure Raphael is thinking the same thing.”
chapter five
I
held the navcom in a white-knuckled grip, unsure of what had just happened. Couldn’t seem to put the device down after receiving the message. Conflicting images. The pictures didn’t make sense. What was right? What was wrong? I didn’t know anymore. My mind was a blur of crimson as the orders tumbled round and round in my head.
Kill Gina Santiago.
There was no mistaking the directive. Couldn’t just sit here resting. Needed to move. My body was restless. Full of unused adrenaline. Had to find the target. The urge to hunt ate at my insides, churning like acid.
The world would be better off without Red in it. She’d brought shame to my home at the International Police Tactical Team. And continued to spite what the team stood for by forming her own second-string force in Nuria. What a piss-ass excuse of a town. It’s crumbling down before everyone’s eyes and no one is doing a thing about it. The desert blight should’ve been leveled long ago.
Gina doesn’t deserve the rank of lieutenant. It should’ve been stripped the second she handed in her resignation. That was normal procedure for anyone processing out of the IPTT. If it hadn’t been for her grandfather, Commander Robert Santiago, I had no doubt the rank would’ve been removed. He protects her at every turn. Ignores her mental incompetence and the deaths that have occurred on her watch.
Maybe he was the key to finding her . . .
A plan started to form, the details still amorphous and too general.
A direct approach wouldn’t work. The IPTT commander—like Roark Montgomery—was too smart to fall for any obvious ploys. Robert Santiago would be suspicious, as would anyone in his situation. Divided loyalties can be easily toppled.
Fortunately, he wouldn’t suspect me. I am the kind of person who’s easily overlooked. I’m not saying I am above reproach. I’m not. No one is at IPTT. But I am underestimated. And because of that, I’d be able to get him to drop his guard. Convince him it’s in his best interest to trust me.
If he knew or even suspected where Red was hiding, I’d find out. I’m good at uncovering secrets. I’ve learned to make myself useful. I take my responsibilities seriously. And once I get out of here, I intend to prove my loyalty to the team.
My fists clenched in frustration. It was the waiting that was difficult. I preferred action. Always had. Always would. It was one reason I was so good at my job. I glanced around, unseeing. Nothing seemed familiar or real. Yet I knew it was. This room. The furniture. All solid, not a dream, nor were they figments of my imagination. They were as real as the orders I intended to carry out.
In my present predicament, accomplishing them would be difficult, but I’d figure out a way. I had before. I would again. No man, no matter how powerful and intimidating, would stop me.
Catherine was sitting on the rest pad, wrapped in sheets, clenching her navcom. She slowly set aside the communicator as Raphael stepped over the threshold. He paused, his attention split between her actions and a distant voice whispering in his mind. It was too faint to make out. So faint that Raphael wasn’t even sure if it had been real. Was he hearing things? Had his brother, Michael, tried to contact him? Whatever it was, it was gone now. He shook his head.
“Are you going to give me my clothes back? It’s been one week, two days, and . . .” She glanced at her watch. “Nine hours. But who’s counting?”
He shut and sealed the door behind him. “You weren’t in a hurry to have them an hour ago.”
Catherine blushed and ran a hand through her tangled hair. “I’d like them now,” she said, ignoring his statement.
“Who did you call on the navcom?” he asked casually, feeling anything but.
“I didn’t contact anyone, but I did receive a call,” she said as if it were of little importance.
“From anyone I know?” Raphael asked, shocked by the surge of jealousy pounding in his blood.
She shook her head, tossing red curls everywhere. “I’d rather not discuss it,” Catherine said. Her gaze dropped to the rest pad and color rose up her neck.
Raphael wondered how long he had before IPTT showed up. “We need to talk,” he said, stepping deeper into the room. “I think you and I can help each other.”
Catherine scooted back, exposing a pale thigh in the process. Raphael’s gaze locked on the skin he’d lavished with attention and he felt himself harden. She must have noticed because Catherine flipped the sheet over to cover herself.
“I could talk better if I were clothed,” she said.
“That’s unfortunate,” Raphael said, “because I like you naked. Preferably under me.”
The pink in her cheeks deepened in color. “That’s not going to happen again.”
Raphael arched a brow. “Are you sure?”
“Very,” Catherine said, tightening the sheet. “What occurred earlier was a mistake. You overwhelmed me.”
Her words were as effective as a slap across his face followed by a quick dunk in freezing water. Raphael flinched, then his mood darkened. “Are you saying that I forced you?”
Her green eyes widened. “Not exactly.”
“It’s a simple yes-or-no question,” he said. “You cannot preface your answer.” If it were possible for his blood to boil it would be doing so now. How dare the little minx accuse him of forced seduction? He’d never raped a woman in his life. He’d never had to. They’d all come willingly to his rest pad. Catherine might have protested in the beginning, but she never once uttered the word no. “I’m waiting,” he said, trying to remain calm.
“No, you didn’t,” she said. “But I was at a disadvantage. One you were more than happy to press.”
“Disadvantage?” Raphael snorted. “Was this before or after you tried to kill me?”
“I was doing my job,” she snapped, but her voice squeaked, giving away her nervousness.
“So was I,” he grit out. “I recall subduing you with minimal force. As for the rest, I believe we both achieved mutual satisfaction, or were you screaming my name for show?”
Catherine crossed her arms over her ample chest. “There’s no need for vulgarity.”
His eyes narrowed. “You’re the one who accused me of rape.”
“I did no such thing. All I said was that you had the advantage. You know, being a vampire and all.”
He threw his arms up in frustration. “It was daylight. I had very little sunscreen on. My skin was frying and my strength was compromised.” Raphael waved his hand in the air. “You’ll forgive me if I disagree with your assessment.”
She rolled her eyes. “Whatever.”
“Juan and Takeo seem to think that I should let you go.” He wasn’t about to tell her they’d wanted her dead.
“You should listen to them. It’ll go easier on you during your tribunal sentencing.”
Raphael’s brows rose to his hairline. “I’m afraid I can’t allow that to happen,” he said casually. He caught the fear in her eyes before she masked it and immediately set out to reassure her. “Don’t be ridiculous, woman. I have no plans to harm you.”
“You threatened to kill me,” Catherine said. This time she sounded petulant . . . and utterly adorable.
“And you tried to kill me. I’d say that makes us even.”
“I was drugged with influ-gas and given orders I couldn’t resist.”
“A
re you sure it’s out of your system?” he asked.
Her forehead crinkled. It was easy to read her concern, but Catherine ignored the question. “You kidnapped me. Tied me to a chair and seduced me, then spent the week doing more of the same.”
“I detained you for murdering several people and trying to frame Red. Not to mention killing any Other you happened to find. As for the rest, I was distracting you from your mission.” He smirked.
“Distracting me! Of all the arrogant, self-centered, egotistical things I have ever heard, that one takes the synth-tart.” She scowled, her nostrils turning white with anger. “As you recall, I didn’t have control of my actions when I killed those people. Had I been in my right mind, I would’ve never tried to frame Gina Santiago. She’s the commander’s granddaughter. It would be career suicide.”
“Can you prove it?” Raphael asked, watching her closely. “I mean if you could, then I’m sure Commander Robert Santiago would be more than happy to listen.”
Catherine huffed. “Did you not hear a word I said?”
“I heard you clearly, now answer the question,” he said.
Catherine’s expression soured a second before her body sagged against the wall. “No.” Just as quickly, her chin rose in defiance. “Can you prove that I did?”
Raphael shook his head. He was enjoying their bickering far too much. He kept his expression bland. “No, but that does put us in a similar bind, you and I.”
She scowled. “How do you figure?”
“You claim that I kidnapped you. I don’t see it that way,” he said. “I was protecting the alpha and his mate. I know that you murdered those men. I saw it in your mind the second I tasted your tainted blood. Then there’s the little fact that you tried to kill me.”
“But—” she said.
He held up his hand. “I’m not finished,” Raphael said. “You claim diminished capacity. Perhaps a few of the tribunal members will take pity on you and believe you, but I wouldn’t count on it since the influ-gas isn’t detectable in your system. The tribunal must uphold the law for the sake of the republics. Add in the fact that Gina Santiago is the IPTT commander’s granddaughter and it doesn’t look good for either of us.”
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