Ren pinned Tristan with a stare. "The man kidnapped your mate. Sold her to a lab for God knows what. How is it he's still breathing, witch's promise or not? If it were my mate, I would have hung him by his balls and disemboweled him."
"The only thing that saved the bastard's life was Winter's insistence. If it were up to me, I'd rip out his fucking heart. But she's right. We need to keep a level head. There are other things more important than our need for vengeance. As much as I hate it, we need Lex to help us find Celine and the location of the labs experimenting on supernaturals. Besides, Winter has a knack for reading people and the experience and training to back it up. I trust her." The others nodded.
She smiled. She couldn't help it. The fact that he valued her professional opinion warmed the chill that had settled in her chest. "No one's to say that after your queen is safe and we take down the labs that we can't have our fun with our friend Lex." Tristan cracked his knuckles.
Ren grinned.
"So what do we do?" Kian leaned forward.
"We will meet Lex at his club as instructed." Winter glanced around the room.
Magnus stood. "I will get the guard unit together and—"
Winter shook her head. "No, just Tristan, Kian, and I are going to meet Lex."
"I don't like you meeting this man without your unit to back you up, Winter." Magnus eyed her.
"Maxwell isn't stupid. Lex may think his club is safe, but that doesn't mean Maxwell doesn't keep tabs on it. If we go in there with an entire guard unit, he'll be sure to hear about it. We can't afford to screw this up. Celine's life depends on us doing this right." She glanced at each one of them. "We go in alone."
"Winter's right. This can't be done as a military operation with guns blaring and uniformed officers stationed all over the place. Lex will run faster than a damn cheetah and Maxwell will know something's coming." Tristan glanced at Winter and nodded. He offered her a warm smile. "We do this quietly."
"As you wish. But, I don't like it." Magnus stood. "If there's nothing more, I need to speak with Ren in regard to the test results the police sent over."
The others chatted about the toxicology report sent over by the detective investigating the human's murder, and from the corner of her eye, Winter caught sight of Tristan exiting the room. The need to follow him dragged her from her seat.
She jogged up the hallway, catching up to him just before he took the stairs to the second level.
"Tristan…wait up." He stopped but didn't turn to her. "I wanted to thank you for sticking up for me in there. It means a lot to me."
"Of course, I'd stick up for you." He glanced over his shoulder at her. "You had valid points." He sighed. He turned to face her. "I know you think I don't respect what you do or that I don't value it. I'm proud as hell of you." He cupped her face. "You are so strong. So damn beautiful." He leaned on the wall as if he needed something to hold him up. His thumb stroked over the curve of her cheek. "I don't ever doubt you or your abilities. I only fear I'll lose you."
"Tristan, you're not going to lose me."
The second she realized what she said, she lowered her gaze. She couldn't make that promise. She wouldn't. In her job, good men and women were lost every day. Not to mention, she had no idea what was going to happen when he had to go back to his pack.
"Don't." He lifted her chin with his finger. "I know the dangers you face. My fears are something I have to work out on my own. But I refuse to lose you because of them."
"How is this going to work?"
"Do you love me?"
She hadn't expected the L-word. Yes, they had an off-the-charts attraction for each other and they had a past, but in all the time they've known each other, Tristan had never spoken of love.
He dropped his hand and stepped back. "I guess even silence holds an answer."
She grabbed his arm. "No…I mean, crap, I'm messing this up." She covered her eyes a second. "Yes, I love you. How can you think I don't?"
"Then we have all we need to make this work, because I am so in love you, Win."
"You never told me you loved me before."
"I should have told you every damn day from the moment I looked into your eyes. My only defense is I thought I was protecting you."
"Protecting me?”
"I was afraid you were too young. I wanted to wait until you were older, but…" He stepped closer. "There is not one thing about you I don't adore. I'm glad that you're not some prissy princess who hates getting her hands dirty."
She rolled her eyes. "Come on, I remember the kind of women you spent your time with, Tristan. I'm nothing like them."
He cupped her face. "You are the sexiest woman I've ever met. I wouldn't change you for anything. I want to make you happy and if that means letting you go out and save the world, then that's what I'll do. I lost you once, because I thought I was protecting you. I'll be damned if I lose you again."
"You mean that?"
"Will I worry about you? Hell yes, I'll worry about you whenever you're not by my side. It's my job as an alpha and your mate." His body drew closer, caging her to the wall behind her. "I see you, Win."
She watched his face for any sign of falsehood. She found only sincerity and an intense heat that rocketed straight through her. "And what do you see?"
He grinned. "I see a powerful, courageous soldier. A guard I'd be proud to have fight at my side." He licked his lips. "You are so fucking sexy, Win. So hot, you're burned in my brain. In my soul." He leaned in and nipped her throat. "My wolf is so fucking enamored by you. So head over heels, the beast can barely think." He tugged at her full bottom lip and grinned when she gasped. "I want you. All of you. All that you are. Soldier, witch, woman. All of it."
She couldn't breathe. His words. His scent. His taste. They stole the air from her lungs.
He leaned in and with a mere brush of his lips, erased the last trace of doubt that remained.
She weaved her fingers through his hair as his mouth pressed a trail of fire along her collarbone, slid up her chin, and across her jawline.
"Come upstairs with me. Let me love you."
She could deny him nothing.
"Yes," she whispered before kissing him deeply.
The desperate need for him erupted like a raging fire in her blood.
"If you keep that up, I'll take you right here against the damn wall." His deep growl vibrated through her body. She grinned, pleased she wasn't the only one affected by the intense desire.
"We wouldn't want that." She took his hand. "Come with me," she purred. Her voice laced with lust.
"Anywhere," he growled.
She led him upstairs. Her assigned bedroom wasn't too far down the hall, just a few steps away. Thank the Goddess, because she didn't want to wait one second longer to have him inside her.
The minute they were in the room, he kicked the door shut with his foot, refusing to let her go for even a moment, and then walked her back toward the bed, while his mouth continued to devour her.
"Get this off." She tore at his clothes, needing to feel his bare skin beneath her fingers. In a second, their clothing vanished, leaving them both naked. She smiled. "I love magic."
"Me too."
She leaped on him, wrapping her legs around his waist. He walked her back until her spine hit the wall. He reached down between her thighs and their pressed bodies. His fingers tested her readiness, but there was no need, she grew wet the minute she’d felt his lips.
He pulled back with a wicked grin and thrust up inside her. Her head fell against the wall, knocking off a nearby picture. She laughed as it clunked to the ground. He thrust again, deeper than before, and she cried out, "Yes, yes."
"Mine."
He slammed into her again, racing her toward her impending orgasm. His strokes became desperate, feral.
"I'm not letting you go." His growls deepened. "Never. Letting. You. Go."
With each word, her stomach tightened. He played her with his touch, claimed her with the heated possessi
ve fire in his gaze.
"I love you," she cried as her orgasm struck.
He pistoned into her faster, harder, before following her into pleasured bliss with a deep, long groan.
Breathless, she rested her head on his shoulder, finding comfort in his scent.
"I'll love you"—he whispered into her hair—"forever."
Chapter 28
Within the walls of Club Elemental, heavy techno beats buzzed with magical energy. A half a block outside the entrance, braving the cold, dozens of humans and supernatural beings waited in line to gain access to one of the hottest spots in town.
Inside an old steepled church, the club maintained the gothic look with oversize-stained glass windows and beautiful stonework. Large stone gargoyles sat on the base of each side of the pitched roof.
Some humans pouted when the bouncer turned them away. The brave ones gave dirty looks and offered the doormen some choice words.
Winter wasn't sure why they turned away some, but she thought it had something to do with the conservative clothes they wore. Seems the only ones allowed inside were wrapped in tight black leather, short skirts, and sported an array of piercings and tattoos.
"I haven't seen this much leather since Kian forced me to attend a motorcycle rally with him a few years back." She gave her brother-in-law a quick smirk.
Kian laughed.
Tristan lifted a brow. "Really."
Winter shrugged and focused ahead as the line moved closer. "It was an experience…I assure you. I particularly liked the pole in the hole race."
"The what?" Tristan glanced between Kian and Winter.
Kian shook his head with a chuckle. "Don't ask."
She groaned, tugging at the short leather skirt she managed to squeeze over her hips. The material barely covered her ass and the fire-red corset she wore around her breasts strangled her rib cage, making it difficult to take a deep breath. She borrowed the outfit from one of the vampire women under Magnus's care. She regretted the decision immensely.
As the line moved closer, Tristan took the lead. He wore his usual stonewashed jeans and leather bomber jacket. Although the denim wrapped around his thick thighs with perfection, he looked like he was going to a local sports bar. Not a Goth club.
She sighed. Why couldn't he take Kian's advice? Her brother-in-law had heard about this club and its nonofficial dress code. If you didn't fit the image, you didn't get in.
Damn, stubborn wolf stuck out like a spotlight in the dark, a sexy neon spotlight, mind you, but a blinding attention-getter, nonetheless.
Kian, on the other hand, wore soft black leather pants and his well-worn biker jacket. With his piercings, skin art edging up his throat, and that dark attitude, he fit in with the crowd perfectly.
Even though Tristan didn't lack the edgy style, she admired how he kept his gaze leveled, not afraid to challenge anyone that chose to eye him with disrespect. His alpha status was obvious to every supernatural present.
His steadfast confidence, as always, made her want to drag him to the nearest corner and ravage him. Thoughts of hot sex made her eyes drop to his perfect ass. Damn, she bet she could bounce a quarter off those perfect globes.
He lifted his nose. As did several other men in line, no doubt, scenting her sudden desire. Pinning her with a smirk, Tristan winked at her, before sending a deep growl to a nearby shifter who had taken a step closer. Heat spread over her cheeks at his dominant display. She licked her lips.
Bad traitorous libido…I'm on duty. No thinking of his…
Tristan's arm whipped around her waist and dragged her forward, pulling her out of her inappropriate thoughts and into his. She slid happily into the blanket of warm masculinity.
I am in so much trouble, she thought.
Yet, this time, she welcomed the danger with a grin.
Tristan nuzzled her throat, his lips caressing her growing pulse.
"What are you doing?" She was surprised how breathless the simple action made her.
"Letting the males know who you belong to."
She smiled. "And who says I belong to you?" She rubbed her cheek against his. She enjoyed teasing him.
"You did. Last night. Several times if I'm correct." His lips brushed her earlobe. "Right before you screamed my name," he whispered.
She shivered.
Last night had been wonderful. Not just the sex, although, he did rock her world several times. What really touched her? His words. His belief in her. Even though letting her risk her life fighting the evil of the world was against every instinct the wolf had, Tristan would let her fight. The absolute sincerity in his eyes left no doubt.
His trust in her had reached deep within the dark place where her doubts and fears festered and gave her hope.
Maybe, things might work out between them.
Maybe, fate hadn't been wrong this time.
Maybe, Tristan and I can have our happily ever after.
The life she had once considered a childish dream, now seemed possible.
Behind them, someone cleared their throat. "Can you stop pawing my baby sister and move up, wolf?" Kian grimaced. "It's burning my retinas."
Tristan released her with a chuckle, but kept her hand locked in his.
"Now you know how I feel when I have to watch you slobber all over Summer," Winter snapped back. She narrowed her eyes.
Kian laughed. "Can't argue that."
Another brisk breeze shot up her skirt. Ten more minutes of standing out in the frigid weather and she was sure to freeze to death. It wouldn't be the first time she had to dress up for an assignment, but it didn't mean she had to like prancing around in a leather handkerchief.
After thirty more minutes of standing in the cold, they reached the brute guarding the front door. The male reminded Winter of a bull, not just in looks, but in his surly attitude as well. Based on his size alone, she would have thought him a shifter, but the immense magic radiating off him assured her he was a full-blooded witch.
The witch glanced up from his clipboard and glared at Tristan as he approached. The black tribal tattoos on his neck pulsated, shifting from black to stormy gray. He also had painted runes applied to the top of his hands, an ancient method of protection not done much anymore.
His gaze examined Tristan as one would a bug. "You lost?" he asked Tristan.
Tristan flared his magic. Winter couldn't deny his show of magical dominance made her wet. Damn wolf.
Unimpressed by Tristan's power flux, the witch’s gaze traveled to Kian, lingered only a moment, before focusing on Winter.
"Aren't you pretty?" A swirl of power twirled in his gaze.
"We're here to see Lex." Winter preferred to be direct.
He leaned against the wall. "The boss is a busy man. But, I think for you, sweet, he'll definitely make an exception." He glowered at Kian and Tristan. "You two can wait here."
The bouncer opened the rope for Winter. Tristan snatched his wrist. His claws extended. "I don't think you understand." Tristan flashed his power and his fangs. "Where my mate goes. I go." Tristan's eyes glowed bright amber, a trail of blood dripped from the doorman's wound left by Tristan's claw.
He ripped his arm away with a deep snarl that had several people turning. He titled his head to the side, spoke into the headgear, nodded, and then turned to them. "Wait here."
Moments later, another witch appeared at the doorway, just as big as the doorman.
Damn, where did they grow these witches?
The new arrival whispered something to his friend. They chuckled.
"Follow me."
They trailed close behind their guide, weaving through patches of patrons loitering near the front entrance. Tristan took the lead with Winter in the middle, while Kian brought up the rear.
Supernaturals and humans packed Club Elemental, saturating the room with an overload of scents, sounds, and energy. Loud heavy electric beats pounded, vibrating the mirror-covered walls as a sea of leather-clad bodies gyrated, rubbed, and knocked togethe
r in the oddest show of organized chaos Winter had ever seen.
Magic swirled around the old church, feeding the pulsating lust consuming every square inch of space. Spinning lights flashed, blanketing the dance floor with a jerking slow-motion effect that made Winter dizzy.
The shifters eyed Tristan as he moved farther through the club. Some exposed their throats, lowering their eyes, their instincts telling them that a born alpha was in their midst. The human women leered at Tristan. Desire darkened their gazes. Winter didn't blame them. The wolf was too damn sexy for his own good. She moved closer, tightening her hand within his.
They passed the bar and headed for a winding metal stairway that reached up toward the balcony where an organ would have been during the building’s heyday. Instead, a DJ and his crew worked the crowd into a frenzied mess, with their wild light shows and hip-swinging beats.
At the top of the stairs, they made a left toward a large steel door. The light popped on when they entered. Winter expected a cold, small, charmless room. To her surprise, she walked into a warm, welcoming space bigger than her condo.
Their escort snapped his fingers. Off to the side, a fireplace burst to life. "The boss likes the ambiance." He frowned. "You want any drinks. I'm supposed to ask."
"This isn't a dinner party," said Kian. "Where's your boss?"
The enormous man grumbled. "Wait here." Without another word, he spun on his heel and marched out of the room. The door slammed behind him.
They each took a seat on the nearby leather couches. Although, judging by Kian's tense shoulders and Tristan's clenched jaw, they remained on edge. She didn't blame them. Her instincts refused to let her relax as she memorized the layout, calculated the exits, and formulated possible threats.
Kian groaned. "I don't like sitting here exposed. He's got the damn advantage and it…"
A sudden flash behind them made them jump in unison. Tristan stood ready to fight. Kian flexed his fists, his eyes scanning the room. Winter's hand flew to her gun strapped to her thigh, hidden beneath her skirt.
Another burst of light revealed a portal on the other side of the room, a glittering gold square hole in the center of the fireplace. Winter never trusted a portal. You never knew what was going to come out of one.
Heart of a Wolf: A Wicked Series - Book 2 Page 24