Family

by Crissy Smith

  “Sure.”

  The young officer at the bottom of the stairwell nodded to them. “Agent Smith, Agent Reese.”

  “We have another agent on the way. No one else is to come up,” Dakota said.

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  The young officer was nervous, but Kieran could tell it was tinged with respect. Since the Organization didn’t exist on paper, the local cops dealing with them merely knew they were a federal agency. Kieran didn’t know how Caspar got away with that, but they’d never had any trouble.

  “Thank you,” Dakota told the officer. She led the way upstairs and Kieran followed.

  The entire complex was empty. That meant that whoever was responsible for the events of last night had had their choice of which unit to use. There had to be some reason for the choice of that particular unit. He paused at the door of the apartment and spun then walked to the rail.

  Across the parking lot, over the rows of vehicles, was the door that Kieran and Dakota had just exited. He believed now more than ever that the location where the victim had been found was quite deliberate. Which meant the entire scene had been a set-up.

  He peered around, taking in each and every sight within his vision. No one was paying extra attention to what they were doing. Sure, humans passed by and looked curious, but they quickly moved on. Still Kieran felt like he was missing something.

  Inside the apartment, Dakota was walking around and muttering to herself. Their connection and his senses allowed him to follow her progress. He needed to get in there and help, but he couldn’t make his feet move.

  He didn’t jump when his cell in his pocket began to ring. No, he expected it.

  Kieran pulled the phone from his pocket. The caller ID said unknown but he had no doubt who was calling him.

  “Hello, Father,” Kieran answered.

  Dakota stopped moving around. Of course she would be able to hear. Kieran wasn’t hiding anything from her though.

  “Kieran,” the Elder Argent responded. “You’re looking well.”

  He looked around again but still didn’t see anything out of the ordinary. He definitely didn’t spot his father. “I’m feeling good. Can’t complain. Where are you?”

  “Close,” his father replied. “Just waiting for you to come to me.”

  “Tell me where you are and I’ll be right there,” Kieran promised.

  “You’re not ready,” his father said. “When you are, I won’t have to tell you where I am.”

  Dakota skimmed her hand down his shoulder, giving him the strength he needed. “I don’t care where you are. I already told you that I want nothing to do with you.”

  “That isn’t a choice you get to make. You were born of my blood. The things we will do together are going to be fabulous.”

  “We’re not doing anything together,” Kieran corrected. “Leave. I’ll give you one chance to leave. If you contact me again, if I see you, or you come after anyone I care about, I will destroy you.”

  “Spoken like a true Argent.”

  “I’m not an Argent,” Kieran snapped. “Never will be.”

  “We’ll see,” his father said. “In the meantime, I’ll enjoy watching you work, I think. Although I’ve been disappointed so far.”

  Kieran growled. “If you have anything to do with this—”

  His father laughed. “You’ll what? Besides, I wasn’t even in town when that young man was killed. My contacts have informed me on every step of your investigation. Or should I say your lover’s investigation.”

  “Leave her out of this,” Kieran ordered. “This is between me and you.”

  “I wish I could. However, I’ve been given the impression that she’s the one who holds you to this place. To these people. I’ll do what I have to do.”

  Kieran turned to see Dakota. She should be able to hear both sides of the conversation.

  Kieran shook his head, but Dakota was smiling.

  She faced the rail like he had been and lifted her middle finger into the air taunting his father.

  “Charming.” His father sounded as though he’d swallowed something sour.

  “Yes, she is,” Kieran agreed.

  “Get rid of her or I will.”

  His father hung up right as a black SUV came barreling down the alley.

  Kieran had just enough time to leap at Dakota and knock her down. He covered her body with his as a rain of bullets rained above them.

  With a squeal of tires, the SUV rounded the corner.

  “Move!” Dakota pushed at his chest.

  Kieran rolled off her. Dakota was on her feet and racing down the steps before he had a chance to blink. Instead of following her, he jumped over the rail and landed on the sidewalk next to the officer who’d been taking cover.

  The officer flinched, going for his weapon.

  “It’s okay,” Kieran told him. “Are you hit?”

  “No, sir, I’m fine.” The officer looked toward where the other had been stationed. “Freddy?” he yelled.

  “I’m good,” Freddy shouted back. “Saw the guns and got my ass down.”

  “Good man,” Kieran called. He patted the young officer on the shoulder then took off at a sprint. He wouldn’t be able to catch the SUV, but maybe he could get a glimpse at the license plate or the men.

  He was surprised that Dakota wasn’t following him, but he knew she was uninjured. He hadn’t smelt any blood. Kieran used every bit of speed he had, trying to catch up. He covered the first block easily. Up ahead the traffic would be brutal and he needed to get to the corner.

  In less than a minute it was obvious he hadn’t been quick enough. Kieran slowed down and stopped once he reached the main street. There was just too much traffic to try to find a black SUV in the sea of vehicles.

  “Fuck,” he spat. Kieran turned around and began the walk back toward the apartments. He yanked out his phone and hit the number for Mitch.

  “Already working on the cameras,” Mitch said instead of a standard greeting.

  “How?”

  “Dakota called. Alex and Jackson are with her and the human officers. Jackson wanted to make sure the shooters didn’t circle back around.”

  “Damn it, I didn’t think of that,” Kieran bitched. It would be just like his father to use a distraction tactic. Kieran needed to get his head in the game.

  “Caspar is checking the local flights to see if your dad flew commercial or private. He said he had people watching for him and hadn’t been notified.”

  “He wouldn’t have used his own name,” Kieran stated.

  “Doesn’t matter,” Mitch said. “If Caspar doesn’t find him, then I will.”

  “Thanks.” Kieran saved his strength and walked back, knowing that Jackson and Alex wouldn’t let anything happen to Dakota.

  His father might have won round one, but that just motivated Kieran further.

  When he reached the apartments, not only were Jackson and Alex there with Dakota, but James had arrived as well. He ignored the men and went straight to his lover.

  She was ready for him. Dakota went right into his arms as he pulled her forward. “I’m okay,” she murmured. “I’m okay.”

  He nodded with his face buried in her shoulder. He might not crave her scent like a shifter, but Kieran did crave her. Holding her close, he just closed his eyes and was grateful that she was still there with him.

  “I’ll kill him,” Kieran whispered to her. “I’m going to fucking destroy him.”

  She pulled back and grinned at him. “I hope you’ll at least let me watch.”

  Kieran laughed. “Oh no, baby,” he teased. “You owe him some of your own for shooting at you.”

  “And that’s why I love you.”

  “I could have lost you,” Kieran said. “I never want to feel that way again.”

  “Then let’s finish what we’re here to do and get this case solved.”

  “Yeah.” He let her go and headed over to Jackson and Alex.

  Jackson followed Dakota wit
h his eyes as she walked up the stairs to the apartment before he looked back to Kieran. “She’s fine. Pissed, but I think that might help her until she can get back home.”

  “I appreciate you two coming and watching over her,” Kieran said.

  “Of course,” Jackson responded. “Although I’d like a piece of your father myself. Dakota told us what he said.”

  “He claims he doesn’t have anything to do with the murder, but I don’t believe him. Even if he has contacts in town, the entire situation makes me sick.”

  “You father might have connections, but they won’t be nearly as good as mine,” Jackson said. “We’ll find him.”

  “Yeah, the sooner the better. He won’t stop at one attempt on Dakota. If he thinks she’s what’s holding me here, he won’t stop until she’s taken out of the equation.”

  “How he thinks that will win you over to his side is beyond me,” Alex said.

  Kieran snorted. “My father doesn’t understand love. He surely can’t comprehend what losing Dakota would do to me.”

  “We’ll concentrate on tracking him down. You get this mess finished with. I don’t want that kind of evil anywhere near my place.” Jackson motioned toward the apartment.

  “You got it.” Kieran waved to Jackson and Alex one last time before stomping up the stairs.

  There were more cops surrounding the area now with the shooting that had taken place.

  Luckily, he recognized some agents from the office who seemed to be handling the situation. What a hell of a day and it isn’t over yet. Kieran had to go back in the apartment.

  Inside Dakota was laying out her plan to James about him taking on the homicide portion. They’d run joint investigations, hoping that the two sides would lead to the group.

  She waved Kieran inside as he stepped up to the threshold.

  The scent of blood was still strong, even with the body taken to the morgue. He walked over to the spot where the body had been placed. The young man had been killed where he’d been found.

  Kieran squatted down and placed his hand where the poor kid’s chest had been. The stained concrete served as a reminder that while they wanted the case closed, they also needed to get justice for the innocent man. Whoever he was, he didn’t deserve to die the way he had.

  He was still only picking up five scents, although there was one weird odor he was getting. It was almost like someone had been attempting to cover their trace. Was that baking soda? Something Kieran recognized but wasn’t able to place.

  “We have a name,” Dakota said behind him.

  Kieran rose.

  “Matt Watts, student at UNLV.” She was reading from her phone. “He’d only been here a couple of months. Jesus, eighteen years old from Colorado.”

  “Matt.” Kieran repeated the name. Their victim had been identified and should be called by his name.

  “His roommate contacted campus police when Matt didn’t come home from a study session,” Dakota told them.

  “I’d like to get to the roommate right away,” James said. “See his room.”

  “Yeah, go.” She turned to Kieran. “I want to shift.”

  “Okay, why don’t you go into the bathroom? Leave the door open. I’ll keep everyone out.”

  Dakota smiled at him. “That way they don’t see me naked?”

  He was a possessive bastard. Dakota knew that. “I can stand here naked if it makes you feel better.”

  Predictably, she growled. “I don’t think so.” She eyed him but went toward the bathroom.

  Kieran strode so he was standing in the doorway. No one would be able to see him and he wouldn’t allow anyone through.

  He heard his lover begin her transformation but didn’t turn until she padded back into the main room. Kieran allowed her to sniff her way across the room to him.

  As always, she’d seek him out first when in her jaguar form.

  Kieran lowered to his knees so she could run her muzzle across his chest and up his neck. Before he’d met her, Kieran would never have allowed a shifter this close. He didn’t have to worry anymore, though. Dakota would hurt herself before she’d hurt him.

  “Hello, beautiful,” he said, rubbing his palms over her chin. “That’s it, yes, mark me. I’m yours.” Kieran didn’t pick up scents and carry them, a legacy of his Walker genes, but Dakota’s animal nature would still need to claim what was hers.

  She pulled back and he rose.

  “Now get to work,” he said. “Sexy time later.”

  Dakota gave his hand a long lick with her rough tongue. Damn, he did not enjoy that and she knew it.

  “Great.” He wiped his hand on his jeans. “Kitty drool.”

  She yowled at him as she took a swipe at him with her claws in.

  Even on a shit day, Dakota could make him laugh.

  Chapter Seven

  Dakota let the hot water cascade down her shoulders onto her back. She was wrecked and didn’t know how much more she could give. After spending an hour in her shifted form, she’d returned to the work suite and pored through reports.

  Jackson had insisted on bringing up dinner from one of his restaurants and they’d dined on steak and all the fixings while huddled around the conference table. She had to admit that having a good meal had kept her fueled to get through the worst of the paperwork. But when the clock had reached midnight, it hadn’t just been her that had been dragging. She’d finally had to send everyone home so they could get some rest.

  James had stayed in one of the bedrooms of the work suite, with Remy taking the other. Having the team close by helped make her feel secure enough for the long steaming-hot shower.

  She didn’t know when Kieran’s father would strike next, but she was certain it would be soon.

  The group they were hunting also seemed to know all about them. They knew where the main investigators were and had mocked them. The need to make sure her mate was safe had the jaguar inside her on edge. Dakota turned off the water and opened the shower stall door. Kieran stood on the mat in nothing but his low-riding pajama pants while holding her towel.

  “Why didn’t you join me?” she asked.

  He stepped forward and started to dry her off. “I was going to, but Damon called. He’s calmed down and had some new ideas. He’s going to send you an email and come by a little later to see how he can help.”

  “What’d he say?” she questioned. “I know he told you.” It felt nice to let him pamper her.

  Kieran shook his head. “Tomorrow.” He laughed. “Or later this morning. We both need sleep and nothing he has to say is going to change anything tonight.”

  She had to agree. Her mind felt like mush and she wanted just a few uninterpreted hours of sleep. Actually, there was one thing she wanted more.

  “How are you going to distract me?” she asked, running the tips of her fingers above the waistband of his pants.

  “I can think of a few ways.” Kieran dropped the towel before he picked her up.

  “Kieran!”

  “Hush, let me take care of you,” he told her.

  It had really shaken him when they’d been shot at. Her lover wasn’t concerned about himself but instead for her. “Okay, baby.” She teased him with his own words.

  She expected him to toss her onto the mattress as he was prone to do, but he surprised her by setting her gently in the middle of the bed. He’d already pulled the covers down so the cool soft sheets against her bare body made her shiver.

  “I’ll warm you up,” he promised. Kieran pulled off his pants, revealing his amazing body to her.

  Once she was able to claim him as her mate, he’d have a bite mark on his shoulder that would never fully heal. It wouldn’t be the only scar his strong body held. While normally a Walker wouldn’t have any blemish, the years of torture had taken their toll on her lover’s body. He was still perfect in her eyes, though.

  “What are you thinking about?” he asked as he stroked his thick erection.

  “How absolutely edible you are,
” she told him. “Why don’t you come closer, so I can do that for you?”

  He grinned but remained standing next to the bed, jacking himself.

  “Please,” she begged. Kieran liked when she pleaded with him and Dakota was ready to do anything she could to get him to join her.

  “Touch yourself,” he ordered. “Show me how much you want me.”

  Oh, he wants a show? I’ll give him a show. Dakota ran her right hand down her side while cupping her breast with the left. “Touch myself?” she purred. “Well, I guess I’ll have to if you won’t do it for me.”

  His pupils dilated, but still he refused to give in.

  Dakota brushed the fingers of her right hand over her thigh before making her way to her pussy. She spread her legs so Kieran was getting the perfect view as she circled her clit.

  There was no way she could hold in the moan.

  Having Kieran’s gaze, burning and bright, on her was crazy hot.

  He licked his lips and she licked hers.

  Kieran used his thumb to collect the drop of pre-cum from the tip of his shaft. Dakota slipped her middle finger through her wet folds and teased herself.

  “More,” he demanded.

  He stroked faster. She plunged her finger deep.

  “Faster,” he ordered.

  As he sped up his own hand, Dakota lifted her hips so she could thrust. She added a second digit, her ecstasy ramping up and passion flowing like her juices.

  Kieran was like a golden god as he pumped his body to meet his steady rhythm.

  It took everything in her to keep her eyes open. She wanted to watch her lover as his gaze remained focused on her.

  She cried out and that was what broke Kieran.

  He leapt onto the bed. Slamming his mouth down on hers, he thrust his tongue inside as he pulled her hand away and replaced her fingers with his. Her entire body was buzzing.

  Kieran lifted his head and snarled. “Mine!”

  “Yes!” she hissed.

  Using his knees to open her farther, he positioned his cock at her entrance.

  Dakota raised her hips up and off the mattress so the tip of his shaft pressed inside. She gripped his back as she bowed. “Take me. Please!”