A Dangerous Man

by Raven Stone

  I glanced away, my foot bouncing under the table.

  I didn’t like this, not at all. He saw things too clearly.

  “I don’t,” I replied.

  Jamie laughed. “Can you stop lying for one minute?”

  I glared at him.

  He gave me a sweet smile in return. “I’ve had meaner creatures than you come after me. You don’t intimidate me at all.”

  “Fine,” I replied, crossing my arms, my foot going up and down under the table. “One minute. Go.”

  He waited all of a second before taking me up on it. “Do you like Garr?”

  I rolled my eyes. “Yes.”

  “Do you want to fuck him again?”

  I yawned. “Yes.”

  “Do you want something more with him?” he asked. “More than fucking?”

  “Yes.” The answer left me before I could think, before I could stop it.

  Dammit.

  I stared at Jamie with wide eyes. Degarr had asked me something similar, and my reaction hadn’t been an immediate yes like this. Somehow, the ginger had pulled this out of me, with his little game.

  He didn’t seem surprised by my little admission, but I was shocked all to hell.

  Jamie smiled. “Knew it.”

  “Minute’s up.” I snapped.

  He shot me a smug look in return. “That’s all I needed.”

  I drank the rest of my Pedialyte. It did seem to be helping.

  “It doesn’t matter anyway,” I said finally. “Not after what I did last night.”

  He smiled. “You don’t know Garr at all, if you think last night was enough to chase him away.”

  “Why are you here then?” I asked.

  His smile widened.

  “I told you. Because you were lying,” he replied.

  I narrowed my eyes. “You’re annoying.”

  “I am,” he agreed. “But I’ll grow on you.”

  “Like a fungus?” I asked.

  He threw his head back and laughed.

  I realized then that I liked him. But I kept that to myself.

  He didn’t need to know everything.

  Chapter 31

  Nadia – Chicago

  I watched the sun go down that night, just sitting on the arm of the couch by myself.

  As soon as the sky went dark, I got up and gathered every bottle of wine I had and put it in a box by the door. I sent a text to Honeygirl, telling her to come pick it up when she got the chance.

  An hour after the sun went down, Degarr texted me.

  Degarr: Tell me what I did wrong.

  Nadia: You didn’t do anything wrong.

  There was an immediate pounding on my door. I opened it to find Degarr standing there.

  “Bullshit,” he said.

  And I smiled.

  Every time I’d pushed a man away in the past, he’d gone. Without a word, without a fight, every one of them had all just drifted away. And I hadn’t cared. In fact, a week ago I would have said that was perfect.

  I’d been wrong.

  It mattered that Degarr was trying. It mattered that he cared.

  I grabbed his arm, pulled him into my house, and closed the door.

  Then I kissed him.

  He made a small noise, his hand going to my hip. He broke off the kiss first, his grey eyes simmering with emotion.

  “I’m confused, Nadia. One moment you’re hunting me down, the next you’re telling me to get out, and then you kiss me. What’s happening here? What do you want from me?” he asked.

  I stepped away from him.

  “I don’t know, okay? I’ve never had this happen before. I’m not used to this.” I crossed my arms.

  “Used to what?”

  “Wanting more,” I admitted. “Wanting more than just sex.”

  He smiled.

  It was that brilliant smile, the one that made me breathless and tingly all at once.

  “You do?” he murmured.

  Suddenly he was there again, back in my space, his arms wrapping around me. He pulled me flush against his body, and I lit up like a fucking Christmas tree.

  His thumb traced my jaw. “Is that what upset you last night? You thought I didn’t want more?”

  I put a hand on his chest. How did he expect me to think and respond, when he was touching me like this?

  “Yes.”

  Intense grey eyes met mine. “I want more too, but I’m a realist. I’m not everyone’s cup of tea,” he tucked a tendril of hair behind my ear, “and my life’s complicated. There are some things you should know before we go too much further.”

  “Like what?” I stared up at him.

  I knew he was a killer. I knew he was involved in some dangerous things. I also knew he had a grown son, and that he loved chocolate mousse. What more was there to know?

  The doorbell rang, interrupting us.

  “Jamie?” I asked.

  He shook his head. “Too soon.” He went quiet for a moment. “It’s Oleg.”

  “Dammit.” I slipped out of his arms, stalked over to the door and threw it open. “What do you want?”

  Oleg frowned, and came inside. “You’re normally much more mellow when you’re getting laid. Trouble in paradise, darling?”

  “Yes, you’re here,” I replied, shutting the door.

  Oleg shook his head while making a clucking noise. “I’m just here to try and give you money.”

  “Another contract?”

  “Same one,” he replied.

  “We already talked about that. I have a contract that takes priority,” I replied.

  He shot a look at Degarr. “Would you consider dropping your contract?”

  The big man snorted. “No.”

  My former associate sighed.

  “That’s very unfortunate. We really need Nadia’s help on this one.” He turned a beseeching look my way.

  “Don’t even try that.” I warned him. “You don’t need my help. You’re just being lazy. Go to New York and talk to Alton.”

  “I already talked to Alton,” Oleg said flatly. “He rejected the contract.”

  “Bullshit! He doesn’t turn down good money.”

  “He turned it down. Said ‘no’ to my face this morning,” Oleg replied.

  I crossed my arms and stared Oleg down. He didn’t flinch. He didn’t look away.

  Shit.

  He was telling the truth. The lazy fuck had actually gotten on a plane, and talked with Alton in person. And Alton had turned him down. The only thing that man loved was money and himself, so the fact he turned down a contract said a lot.

  “Why?” I asked.

  Oleg avoided my eyes.

  “Oleg! Why?” I demanded.

  He let out a long, slow sigh.

  “He said no amount of money was worth his life. He wasn’t the only one to say something like that. You’re the only one who doesn’t seem to give a damn, and I suspect we both know the reason why.”

  Both of our eyes trailed over to Degarr.

  “He’s the reason you’re not scared of this, isn’t he, darling?” Oleg asked. “Because you know he’ll protect you. Is that why you’re fucking him?”

  I laughed. “I can take care of myself. I’m fucking him because I like it.”

  “Hmm.” Oleg had a very calculated look on his face. “How much do you know about the mark?”

  “Not much.” I admitted. “Not yet.”

  “That’s why,” Oleg said softly, then turned to Degarr. “When are you going to fill her in? When are you going to give her the details about who she’s looking for? Or do you even know?”

  “I don’t know,” Degarr admitted.

  “Then maybe you’re looking for someone else.”

  Degarr shook his head. “Not based on what I know about your contract, and the man I’m looking for. It’s too big of a coincidence. They have to be the same.”

  “Do you know what you’re up against?” Oleg asked.

  “I have an idea.”

  “An idea?
” Oleg repeated, his tone dripping with doubt.

  “You could always share the information, Oleg.” I interjected.

  He made a noise. “You know I don’t share information. And I don’t have permission from my client, anyway.”

  “Why don’t you set up a meeting between me and your client, then? Maybe we can be of some benefit to each other,” Degarr replied.

  Oleg considered him for a long moment. “Who should I say wants this meeting? What name can I give my client?”

  Degarr’s lips curved upwards, something glinting in his grey eyes.

  “John Degarr,” he said evenly.

  “Alright,” Oleg replied. “I’ll see what I can do.” He turned on his heel, giving me an unreadable look before heading for the door. “Nadia.”

  “Oleg,” I replied.

  And then he was gone.

  Chapter 32

  Degarr – Chicago

  There was another knock at the door, just as my phone vibrated with an incoming text. I took the phone out of my pocket.

  “That’s Jamie.” I told Nadia.

  I loved how she didn’t question how I knew who it was; she simply went to answer it while I read the text.

  “You two good?” Jamie asked.

  I glanced up. “Yes.”

  “Then what’s that look for?” he asked.

  “I just got a text from Dakota. The Brotherhood got two of the vamps that were poisoned the other night,” I said, then quickly texted a reply to my friend.

  “That’s great,” Nadia said. “Let’s pick them up and take them to your doctor.”

  Something must have shown on my face, and Jamie’s.

  She glanced between us. “What?”

  “We can’t, Nadia. They’re dead. The Brotherhood kills vampires,” I said.

  A stricken look appeared on her face, just as my phone rang.

  “Yes?” I answered.

  “Are you kidding me, brotha?” Dakota asked.

  “No.” I answered. “You said two of them slipped the net. Can you get me their descriptions?”

  “Sure,” he replied. “Pale as fuck skin. Scary eyes. Pointy teeth. That’s what they’re going to tell me. A lot of the brothers and sisters in our local chapter have never seen vampires without their shielding. It freaks people out so bad that they usually don’t remember details.”

  “Never?” I asked.

  He snorted. “Never. And when I say local chapter, I mean a lot of this continent.”

  “Huh,” I said, sounding very intelligent.

  “Do you remember a detailed description of the first vampire you saw without their shielding?”

  I crossed an arm over my chest. “Ragged blonde hair to his shoulders. Full blonde beard. Pale as fuck skin glowing in the moonlight and splattered with blood. Icy blue eyes sparkling with stars. Tattoo of a tree on his left bicep. Upper half of his body naked, lower body covered in dirty, tattered brown trousers.”

  Both Jamie and Nadia stared at me with wide eyes.

  “Fuck,” Dakota replied. “Just fuck. The stars in his eyes – your first was an older one?”

  “Easily over three centuries,” I replied.

  “How did you remember all of that? Weren’t you scared shitless?”

  “Of course I was,” I said, turning away from the looks the other two were giving me. “But that wasn’t my first battle.”

  “You were fighting?”

  “Hmm. Sure, let’s call it that,” I replied, walking towards Nadia’s windows. She really did have a wonderful view. “But we’re getting distracted. They can’t describe the vampires they saw. Can you tell me where they were?”

  “You going to look for them?”

  “Me and some friends.” I answered.

  “Nightfall you mean.”

  “King’s orders. And the group here in Chicago are much better than the ones you met,” I said.

  He snorted. “You say that.” His voice trailed off. “Need an extra hand?”

  “From you? Absolutely.”

  “Good,” he said, and I could tell he was pleased. “I’ll text you the address.”

  Chapter 33

  Nadia – Chicago

  Degarr hung up the phone and turned back to us.

  “What the hell was that?” Jamie asked.

  “That was me talking to Dakota,” Degarr replied.

  “No, the scary as fuck description you just gave him,” I said, and Jamie shot me a grateful look. “Is that the guy we’re after?”

  If so, I absolutely understood why Alton had turned down the contract.

  “No. Dakota wanted a description of the first vampire I saw without their shielding,” Degarr replied.

  “And that was it?” Jamie asked.

  He seemed as disturbed by the description as I was, which made me feel better.

  Degarr nodded.

  “Why the fuck didn’t you run?” the ginger demanded.

  Degarr’s brow furrowed. “There weren’t any cops to call back then, Jamie. It was just me and my men, standing between the town and whatever the darkness brought.”

  Holy fuck.

  “Garr,” Jamie said, his voice full of concern, his eyes suspiciously shiny.

  I found myself squeezing his arm, and inwardly frowning at the uncharacteristic gesture.

  “When was this?” I asked.

  “Centuries ago,” Degarr answered absentmindedly, slipping the phone back into his pocket.

  “Centuries?” I repeated, suddenly feeling faint.

  His lips curved upwards. “How old did you think I was?”

  “I don’t know.” I glanced at Jamie. I could tell he was younger than me, but not by a lot. I probably should have been bothered by the fact I was sleeping with a man old enough to be my father, but when it came to Degarr, I didn’t care.

  I did some quick math in my head.

  “Fifty?” I answered.

  Degarr laughed. It was a good one; a deep belly laugh that lit his eyes. His deep enjoyment even made Jamie crack a smile.

  “Thank you. It’s been a while since I had a good laugh like that.” Degarr’s eyes sparkled, and he cupped my jaw. “It’s been centuries since I turned fifty, love.”

  “I know that now.”

  He smiled, and his thumb brushed my cheek.

  “Does it make a difference?” he asked.

  “God, no, Degarr. You could say you were ten thousand years old, and it wouldn’t make a difference to me, as long as everything worked,” I said, my eyes bouncing below his waistline and back up again.

  “I think we both know it does,” he said, with that same smug, utterly male look he’d given me the first time he’d made me come.

  I rolled my eyes.

  He laughed again, then his expression sobered, and his voice softened.

  “In all seriousness, you said you wanted more, but more means you’ll get drawn into my world. My world is full of dangerous, scary things. It’s also full of secrets. Deep secrets that you can’t tell without putting people into danger. Secrets you can’t tell without the permission of those involved. So, before we go any further, are you willing to keep those secrets? Even if you no longer want me, or hate me?”

  He brushed his thumb along my cheek again and I couldn’t think.

  Degarr’s grey eyes bore into me. He wanted a serious answer, which meant I needed to think. I stepped backwards, away from his touch, and let my head clear.

  If I entered his world, I might see scary things like he had. Frightening creatures covered in blood. I would also learn secrets. Secrets that I couldn’t sell, like the doctor’s office. Or Degarr himself – who was a vampire, of all things.

  He was also someone who had helped me.

  “I haven’t told anyone your secret, Degarr. I haven’t even told anyone that I know vampires exist, though I could have sold that information to the right people. I’ll never sell it. I’ll never sell or tell any secret connected to you, because you were there for me when no one else was
,” I said.

  I meant it.

  Every word.

  His eyes warmed.

  “Good.” He brushed my lips with his, then looked at the ginger. “Jamie, do I have your permission to tell your secret?”

  Jamie smiled. “To her? Absolutely. She was telling the truth.”

  I felt a strange stirring in my chest, as I realized that the one man who knew all of my tells had just confirmed I was telling the truth. That was I being honest when I said I wouldn’t betray them.

  I turned away, and Jamie – Jamie – grabbed my arm and pulled me into his body. It was only seconds and then I felt Degarr at my back, his arms going around us both, his presence warm and comforting.

  Then I could barely breathe, as that strange feeling in my chest grew into an unfamiliar warmth.

  Chapter 34

  Nadia – Chicago

  It was just after midnight when we all piled out of an SUV. The man from the other night – Dakota – was already waiting there, as were six men and women dressed in black. One of the women approached us.

  “John Degarr?”

  “Yes,” he replied.

  She held out her hand. “I’m Captain Dana Worthington. King Gabriel said you needed our help?”

  King Gabriel? As in ‘Sword of Gabriel’?

  I shot a look at Degarr, but I didn’t say anything. I knew now wasn’t the time to ask.

  “Yes.” He answered her. “There are two vampires in the area who have lost their shielding. They’re most likely scared, and hiding. We need to find them as soon as we can, and get them to the doctor.”

  “Lost their shielding?” Her eyebrows raised. “That is serious. What do they look like?”

  “We don’t know.”

  Her eyebrows raised. “What were they wearing?”

  “We don’t know that either.”

  She frowned. “How do we know they really exist then? Maybe this was a bunch of teenagers, or a trap?” She shot a pointed look at Dakota.

  “I have it on good authority from multiple sources that they exist, and that they are in need of help.” Degarr’s voice had deepened. “And I have multiple people in my party that you and your team won’t like. You can either accept them – without complaint – or go the fuck home.” He growled that last part.