Crimson

by Jordan Summers

  The closest he’d come to breaking his self-imposed rule was with Red, but Raphael realized that what he’d felt for Red was nothing compared to the riot of emotions raging through him now. And it was all due to a short, voluptuous redhead who’d tried to kill him. Life did have its surprises.

  Raphael could still taste her essence on his tongue, feel the squeeze of her body as she gripped his cock, milking him until he’d collapsed. He’d loved every inch of her body, but her mind truly fascinated him. Raphael had never encountered anyone who could do the things she could. His brother, Michael, was the closest and even he couldn’t cause the confusion and memory loss Catherine was capable of. Raphael was going to miss his little Chaos. The question was, now that he’d finally released her, would she ever return? The thought of never seeing her or touching her again made him uneasy. If Catherine didn’t come back, would he be man enough to forget her and let her go?

  Chaos waved good-bye to Jim Thornton as he drove off. He’d left her at the entrance to the International Police Tactical Team Headquarters. He was a pleasant enough man, if you could get past the hours of dissection lab shop talk. At least she’d been able to tune him out long enough to formulate a plan.

  She’d made up her mind to keep her word, even though Raphael had coerced her into doing so. She’d help him find Red and Morgan as she agreed. He may not believe in keeping his word, but she did. She’d been betrayed many times throughout her short life by people who promised one thing and delivered another. Chaos didn’t take giving her word lightly. She also wasn’t stupid enough to believe that everyone else in the world felt the same.

  If Raphael decided to go back on his word and turn her in for her crimes, Chaos hoped by then she would have a get-out-of-trouble-free card she could play. She prayed it didn’t come to that, since it would mean choosing between her freedom and her job.

  Chaos cursed the sexy vampire under her breath. It was his fault she was in this mess. It was easier to put the blame on him than to look too deeply in the mirror at the real culprit.

  Now if only she could garner the commander’s cooperation without having to expose her secrets. Chaos didn’t want to lose her job. It was all she had, but there was no way the commander could let her keep it if the truth about her nocturnal activities in the town of Nuria came out. Even he couldn’t look the other way when it came to murder.

  Chaos had to convince him that she believed in Gina Santiago’s innocence. She didn’t, not entirely. The evidence of her guilt was overwhelming. They had her on video visiting Morgan at the Taos detention center minutes before he broke out. But she supposed it wasn’t that far out of the realm of possibility that Red had been framed given what Roark had done to her in one office visit. Ultimately, it didn’t matter what Chaos believed. All that mattered was that the commander be convinced of her sincerity by the time she left his office.

  Chaos rolled her shoulders and groaned at the stiffness, then glanced at her watch. She had time to go back to the dorm and grab some shut-eye before heading to the commander’s office. Chaos wanted to be sharp when she presented her highly unethical and slightly illegal proposition to Red’s grandfather.

  If all went well, she would secure her job, garner her get-out-of-trouble-free card, and not have to worry about the deaths in Nuria coming back to bite her. The last thought caused a tingle in her neck. She reached up and touched the spot that Raphael had been so fond of nibbling. Chaos’ body flooded with heat and she shivered.

  “Get your head in the game,” she muttered under her breath. “Stop mooning over the vampire. He doesn’t give a shit about you. He just did those things to get his way. It’s time you look out for yourself.”

  Chaos found Bannon Richards at the main building of headquarters. A pyramid-shaped structure built to withstand car bomb blasts. Sunshine filtered through the sloped windows as she walked to the security check point. Chaos was quickly scanned for contaminants and explosives, then ushered forward. She’d managed to get a few hours of sleep, so her head wasn’t quite so fuzzy. Bannon sat at his metal desk, his shoulders hunched, writing reports. He glanced at her, then looked back at the compunit screen. Catherine diverted from her course and stopped in front of his desk.

  Bannon didn’t immediately acknowledge her. His blond head glinted from being shaved so close to his scalp. “It’s about time you graced us with your presence and checked in,” he said, glancing up. “I thought I was going to have to report you for being AWOL.”

  Chaos bristled. “I’ve been on the job for the past week. You were there. You know that.”

  He snorted. “Yeah, sure you have. Most team members put in their time without checking in regularly.”

  “Roark ordered me to seek out enemies, while you were strong-arming Gina Santiago. You didn’t notice because you were too busy getting your rocks off.”

  His blue gaze darkened. “Watch your tone, Private, or you may just find your bags packed with a one-way ticket home.”

  She flinched at the threat. Chaos had no place to go. Her parents had dumped her on the steps of a cloning lab as an infant. She had no family. No home. No one. Chaos checked her temper and tried again. “I’m not here to fight. I stopped by to ask how you’re feeling.”

  “What are you talking about?” Bannon’s face flushed. His eyes dropped away for a second, unable to meet her gaze. “I’m fine. Why are you so concerned all of a sudden?”

  Chaos studied his expression. He didn’t seem fine, if the sudden tremor in his hand was any indication. And why was he getting so defensive? She’d asked a simple question. Maybe like her, Bannon had experienced bouts of missing time. What had Roark ordered him to do? She glanced around as unease set in. Bannon was around headquarters and the commander. Chaos opened her mouth to ask him about missing time, but closed it as his expression turned murderous.

  Screw him. Bannon could take care of himself. “I was just curious,” she said. “Thought I’d come down with a bug after leaving Roark Montgomery’s office. The illness left me a little confused, but if you’re fine, I guess I caught it somewhere else. Probably just something going around.”

  For a second, fear flashed in Bannon’s ice-blue eyes, but he quickly extinguished it. He leaned back, angling his body away from her. “If you’re sick, don’t give it to me,” he said, covering his nose and mouth with a beefy hand.

  She coughed in his direction. “I wouldn’t dream of it,” Chaos said, then strolled away as he muttered under his breath about crazy rookies.

  Chaos stood outside of Commander Robert Santiago’s office with her eye pressed against the optical scanner. A moment passed, then the wooden door slid open.

  “What can I do for you, Private?” he asked.

  She started to answer, but stopped short when she took in his appearance. His white hair was disheveled as if he’d been running his hands through it repeatedly. His normally sharp eyes were bloodshot and his chin held growth that hadn’t seen a razor in at least a couple of days.

  “Sir?”

  “Are you going to stand in the doorway or are you going to come inside?” he asked, his impatience clear.

  Chaos stepped into the room and waited for the door to close behind her. She’d only been in the commander’s office once before and not much had changed. It was still filled with creepy holograms of dead species and the scent of musty old books—made out of paper of all things. She’d suffocate if she had to stay in here all day.

  “I won’t keep you long, sir,” she said, trying to avoid the holographic animals, which to her always looked hungry. Their eyes seemed to follow her no matter where she stood in the room.

  “Are you here to give me your report on Nuria?” he asked, looking up from the synth-documents in front of him.

  “No, sir. There’s nothing to report,” she said unable to meet his all too knowing gaze.

  “You’ve been gone over a week. What have you been doing all this time?” Robert Santiago asked.

  “Searching the Nurian wa
ter trader depot, sir.” It was almost the truth. She had searched Raphael’s room, when he’d stepped out to feed or to pick her up something to eat. Chaos blushed to the roots of her red hair. She pictured Raphael and all the carnal things they’d done. There was no way she’d discuss that with the commander. She swiftly changed the subject. “I have reason to believe that Gina Santiago is innocent. I’m here to make you an offer.”

  His white brows shot up. “Exactly what kind of proposal do you have in mind?” he asked, sitting back in his chair. He placed his hands casually over his still firm abdomen, but his expression remained leery.

  “I’d like permission to seek proof of her innocence and retrieve her for you,” Chaos said quickly before he tossed her out of his office and off the tactical team.

  “Why would you want to do such a thing? What’s in it for you?” he asked, watching her closely. His red eyes narrowed. “Are you looking for a promotion in rank? Or are you after something else?”

  Chaos shook her head. “Not rank, sir. I know it has to be earned. No one on the team will respect you if you’re bumped without putting in your time.” Chaos thought carefully about what to say next. She did not want to upset him before he agreed to her terms. She didn’t know if it would be enough to keep her job in the end, but it was a better chance than she had at present if the truth came to light.

  “I’d appreciate it if you’d consider giving me a get out of trouble free IOU for future use if I succeed.”

  His heavy brow thickened like fat thunder clouds above his dark eyes. “An IOU seems like an odd request. What would you need such a thing for? What have you done?” he asked, seeing through her.

  “Nothing,” she said in haste. Calm down. He doesn’t know anything. He’s just guessing. Chaos twisted her fingers. “I am hoping I never have to use the IOU, sir, but I’d like it all the same—just in case.”

  His gaze assessed her. “Why should I trust you?” he asked. “For all I know you’re working with Roark.”

  Chaos’ chin shot up and a flash of anger warmed her cheeks. “That will never happen,” she grit out between clenched teeth. Again was left unsaid.

  “Do you want to tell me what’s really going on here?” Robert asked. “This seems a little sudden.”

  What could she say to him? She’d been drugged and used as a weapon to frame his granddaughter, then forced to break Red out of Roark’s prison? Yeah, that would go over really well. She could see it now: Commander Santiago I broke one law to cover up my other crimes. Chaos choked and quickly covered it with a cough. She wouldn’t believe that story if she were in the commander’s position. And if by chance he did believe her, Robert Santiago would arrest her on the spot.

  Chaos would need proof to convince the commander of her innocence, which was something she didn’t have against Roark.

  Raphael seemed pretty positive that influ-gas was undetectable in her bloodstream. There was no reason for him to lie. It would end up being her word against Roark Montgomery’s and Chaos had no doubt who would come out on top if she sought legal action. She sighed. The only way she’d make it out of this mess was if she stuck with lies and half-truths.

  “Given Gina Santiago’s record with IPTT and the fact she was the highest-ranked female officer, her behavior seems uncharacteristic. It casts a negative light on the remaining female tactical team members.” Chaos knew there were still a lot of people in the world who believed the tactical team should be made up solely of men. She knew the commander was well aware of that, too. It had to have crossed his mind. And if it hadn’t, it didn’t hurt to remind him. “I believe there may be proof out there that hasn’t been uncovered yet. I’d like the chance to find it. That way we can clear Gina’s name and protect the future of female IPTT officers at the same time.”

  If there was a Hell, she’d be going there for sure with that whopper.

  He considered her for several beats. Chaos toed at the floor with her boot. What if he turned her down? What would she do then? Would she still go after Red or would she stay in the barracks and pray that Raphael kept his word and no one found out the truth?

  “I can respect your need to protect your job, since I know Lieutenant Santiago would do the same. You know I can’t sanction your actions, if you choose to investigate and try to locate my—Lieutenant Santiago. You’d have to do it on your own time,” he said. “The International Police Tactical Team is on strict orders to apprehend on sight.”

  “I understand, sir.” Chaos nodded. “I would take a personal leave and keep a low profile.”

  “How low?” he asked.

  “Low enough that only you and I would know what I was up to,” she said.

  Robert Santiago steepled his fingers under his chin and rocked back in the chair. “If you’re trying to set me up so Roark Montgomery can come in and take over IPTT, you’ll be sorry. Getting rid of all female officers would be his first order of business.”

  Chaos’ mood blackened. She could feel the power inside of her starting to rise. She tamped it down. The last thing she needed was for the commander to forget why she was here. Breathe, he’s agreeing to your plan. Stay calm just a little longer and you’ll be out of here. “As I said before, there’s absolutely no chance of that happening, sir.”

  The commander must have seen something he liked in her expression because he nodded and a smile hovered over his thin lips. “Where do you plan to start?”

  Chaos hadn’t thought that far ahead. She knew Gina and Morgan weren’t in Nuria. They’d talked about hiding out at Kane Hunter’s home and possibly no-man’s-land, but Chaos didn’t know where they’d ended up going. They may have said that just to throw everyone off their scent. She would’ve in their position.

  She considered contacting Raphael, strictly for information—not because she wanted to hear his voice. That would be ridiculous, since he’d just let her go. Chaos doubted very much he’d willingly share that kind of information with her. He may have fucked her, but he damn sure didn’t trust her. Raphael would’ve never made her agree to help him absolve Red and Morgan otherwise.

  Robert Santiago must have correctly read her panicked expression because he tapped his cheek and said, “I don’t know about you, but I’ve heard Roark and Gina had been traveling north in a shuttle when Sheriff Hunter attacked them and helped Gina escape. Shuttles aren’t small and they’re difficult to hide. I wonder how hard it would be to find that vehicle outside of the Republic of Missouri.”

  Chaos cleared her throat. “I’ll let you know,” she said, then pivoted on her heel and strode out the door.

  It was going better than I’d expected. I watched as tactical team members brushed by me on their way home or off to patrol. Once again the urge to go with them swept over me. Gina Santiago was out there somewhere, hiding, mocking IPTT.

  Several officers gathered in the entryway near the mammoth fountain. They stood next to the sloped walls that glittered in the sunlight like lethal incisors. The team checked their weapons and verified their patrol routes, then marched in unison out of headquarters. Their black boots echoed under the pyramidal-shaped roof. Each thump sounded in my chest and I found myself picking up the pace. I had to force my feet to slow before anyone noticed. No need to hurry. The commander still didn’t suspect a thing.

  I slowly made my way to my work space, winding through a maze of steel desks. Some were still occupied, while others now stood empty. The air held a hint of vanilla. The aroma should’ve soothed my nerves, but it didn’t. Nothing would until I got out of here.

  “Be patient. Everything is going according to plan,” I whispered under my breath.

  I needed to log in to my compunit. Make sure I hadn’t received any new intel. The chances were slim, but still possible. A few heads turned as I neared. The officers seemed surprised to see me. I ignored the curious stares from the worker drones and sat down.

  A quick press of the screen showed that the files in my compunit were empty. I tried not to let my disappointment sh
ow, but a curse slipped past my lips before I could stop it. A couple of officers at nearby desks looked at me, then quickly went back to work.

  They didn’t understand. How could they? No one had ever tasked them with something as important as saving the reputation of the International Police Tactical Team. I knew what my duty was and was proud to be tapped for such a job. Not everyone was trusted with this kind of sensitive information.

  My chest puffed out. I wouldn’t let the team down. I’d find Gina Santiago and silence her once and for all.

  chapter eight

  R

  aphael stood outside of the Republic of Missouri biodome and attempted to hail Michael via their mental link. Static filled his mind. He couldn’t tell if the crackles and pops were interference or the sound of Michael’s thoughts. The latter brought a shiver to his spine. It was impossible. No one was powerful enough to control his brother—not even with an A.I. chip implanted in his brain.

  He thought about the drugs that had been administered to Catherine. No, not even influ-gas was strong enough to control Michael. Perhaps Morgan and Red were wrong. They had to be. They’d only seen Michael for a few minutes. Not nearly enough time to assess his condition.

  Raphael climbed back into his maglev shuttle. The sun was beating down on him, but the military-grade sunscreen kept his sensitive skin protected. He wouldn’t burn, but it didn’t stop the pain. Of course he’d take the pain over the other option any day, since most vampires exploded when exposed to sunlight. He glanced at the sun and winced. Raphael knew he couldn’t stay out here any longer.

  He’d wanted to avoid entering the biodome city, but with Michael not answering Raphael didn’t have much choice. The soft blue dome glowed as he approached the gates. He wondered not for the first time if Catherine or Roark had bulletins out for his arrest. Raphael took a deep breath and released it slowly. He’d find out soon enough.