Family

by Crissy Smith

  “I was worried,” Kieran whispered. “I don’t like you being out of my sight.”

  She pulled back enough to peer up at her lover. “You know I’m safe here. Plus, Jackson was with me. There’s no way your father’s going to get close to us here.” Dakota believed that to be true one hundred percent. The Elder Argent would be crazy to try to get to them inside the casino.

  “Doesn’t mean I have to like it when I can’t see you,” Kieran said. He glared at Jackson. “What’d you do?”

  Jackson shrugged. “Picked up coffee. It is a god-awful hour after all.”

  Kieran straightened as he released Dakota.

  “We don’t have time for this,” Jackson stated. He passed out coffees.

  Dakota turned to take in the others in the room. Remy sat next to Kayla with James to his right. The two security guards were stationed behind Kayla, at attention.

  Alex helped Jackson get everyone settled. The security guards were dismissed before Dakota took her seat.

  “I called Caspar,” Remy told her. He eyed Kayla then looked at her. “Sorry but I had to. He’s aware of our guest and will make sure she is escorted home.”

  Dakota couldn’t blame Remy for following protocol. Kieran should have done it, and so should she have. “Okay.” She turned to her niece. “What do you know about the murder across the street?”

  “That’s it?” Kayla appeared shocked. “That’s what you want to know?”

  “Yes.” Dakota met Kayla’s gaze without flinching. The girl’s disbelief and anger grew.

  “How about you ask about our family? Your parents? Siblings? Don’t you care how any of us are doing?” Kayla shouted.

  Dakota wouldn’t feel bad. The pain she held inside was for her to deal with.

  Kieran growled, but Dakota stroked his leg to keep him calm.

  “You were at the scene of the crime hours after we found the body of a young man,” Dakota said to Kayla. “Unless you want to be treated as a suspect and have this conversation in much less comfortable surroundings, then you will answer my questions.”

  “Aren’t I supposed to have a lawyer or something?” Kayla smirked.

  Beside her Kieran stiffened and Dakota needed to get control of the situation before he lost his temper. She leaned toward her niece while allowing the jaguar close to the surface. Her animal was much stronger than this teenage girl.

  “We don’t necessarily work within the confines of the law,” Dakota growled out. “You know, being a secret Organization and all. You shouldn’t even know about us. Unless you want to see a couple of angry Walkers, I suggest you drop the attitude.”

  Kayla slumped. “I shouldn’t have come here.”

  Well, at least they could agree on something.

  “What do you know?” Dakota demanded.

  “Okay.” Kayla held up her hands. “I really did just come to see you. I lied to my parents and a few of my friends and I drove here. On our first night, we met a couple of guys on the Strip. They were older and bought us drinks. I was still trying to figure out how to approach you. We were going to stay in a cheap motel off the Strip, so it seemed like a good idea when the guys offered us their place to crash.”

  Dakota nodded to encourage Kayla to continue talking. As she listened, she sipped her coffee. It really was a good brew and she drank deeper.

  “When we got to the house, there were all these posters and paint on the walls,” Kayla said. “I knew they were satanic symbols, but my friends wanted to stay. They just laughed it off and started to drink more.”

  “Are your friends shifter or human?” James asked.

  “Human,” Kayla answered. “They have no idea what I am.”

  “Did these guys hurt you?” Dakota questioned.

  “No.” Kayla shook her head. “They were more interested in partying. Drinks, drugs and all that. I just sat back and watched them. At one point, one of the guys, Greg, got a phone call and went into the bedroom.”

  “You listened in,” Dakota guessed.

  “Well.” Kayla shrugged. “I didn’t have anything else to do. I can’t get drunk like my friends.”

  It would be hard, being the only shifter in a world of humans. Having to keep secrets when Kayla knew she was different. Dakota had never had to deal with that though. Once she’d been picked up from her home, she’d trained with other Organization children. The humans had been in awe of the shifters.

  “What did you overhear?” Dakota asked.

  “It didn’t really make sense. Some guy was giving instructions to Greg about something I didn’t understand. Greg got real excited talking to the guy. He said the money was almost gone and they needed more.”

  “Okay,” Dakota said. “What else?”

  “Nothing much happened after that. My friends and I played tourists and hung out. I watched you, finally approached Kieran and thought the guys were just weird. I mean they play Dungeons and Dragons and go to Comic-Cons. I didn’t think they were a danger.”

  “But something changed your mind?” Dakota pressed.

  “Yeah, I followed them to that apartment. They’d talked Carrie and Susie into joining them to party there but hadn’t asked me. Said they didn’t think I’d be into it. I got concerned. They’re my friends. I knew they liked the guys, but I was getting a bad feeling.”

  Remy got up and grabbed a bottle of water from the center of the table. He cracked open the lid then returned and gave it to Kayla. “Just calmly tell us what happened. It’s okay.”

  “It was nothing,” Kayla said. “It sounded like they were tearing up the place and partying. I figured they just wanted a place to hang out. Maybe away from their house in case the cops were called. I came over here and walked around but didn’t see with you or Kieran.” Kayla glanced at Kieran. “I was hoping Kieran had told you about me.”

  Dakota didn’t respond. At that point she hadn’t known about Kayla.

  “So anyway, I was back at the coffee shop when I saw you and Kieran leave. I thought I could follow you, but one of the security guards stopped and asked me if I was staying here. That he’d seen me for a few days and reminded me that I was too young to be in the casino section of the hotel. I played along, like I was just getting a coffee and was bored while my parents gambled. When I got outside, you both were gone. I hung around for a little bit then decided to head back to the house. I was going to tell Carrie and Susie that we needed to find a new place to stay. Then I saw all the cops. In the same apartment that my friends were partying at. So I walked over.”

  “That’s when I saw you?” Dakota questioned.

  “Not really. I actually hung around the crowd for a while. Someone said there was a dead body. I figured it was an overdose or something. I was scared it was Carrie or Susie. I started to call my friends and Carrie answered and told me that her and Susie were fine. That’s when you stepped out of the apartment.

  “I was thrilled. I thought I was finally going to meet you,” Kayla continued. “You looked over the crowd and your gaze passed right over me. You didn’t know who I was.”

  Dakota shook her head.

  “I decided to fuck with you. I thought Kieran hadn’t told you or you didn’t care.”

  “We chased you and you ran,” Dakota said.

  “That was fun,” Kayla responded. “I haven’t gotten to shift since I left home.”

  “Where’d you go after that? Where have you been?” Dakota questioned.

  “I got back to the house and everyone was asleep. I showered then took a nap myself. I figured when I woke, I’d talk Carrie and Susie into leaving with me.”

  “They didn’t want to leave?” Dakota asked.

  “Greg wouldn’t let them. He said they were part of his Pack now and they were staying,” Kayla told her. “I know they’re human, but he said he had the power to make them all live forever. That he’d chosen them. Then he asked if I wanted in. Said I could stay too, but I would have to prove my worth. That Carrie and Susie already passed his test.”
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  Dakota felt sick. Greg’s test had no doubt been the murder of the young man.

  “I yelled at him and told him he couldn’t hold them there. That I’d tell their family where they were, but Greg just laughed. He said he wasn’t afraid of human parents. Not when he had the power of the devil. He was crazy!”

  “How’d you get away?” James asked.

  Dakota was glad he’d picked up the questioning, because Dakota was struggling. She might not approve of what Kayla had done or why she’d come to town, but the teenager’s fear was very much real. Dakota could taste on her tongue how badly shaken Kayla was.

  “Greg said I’d understand soon and locked me in one of the bedrooms with Carrie and Susie. Susie was acting strange. Like out of it or something. Almost zombie-like.”

  “What about Carrie?” James pressed.

  “She started to go hysterical,” Kayla replied. “She actually told me that they’d killed a guy. Picked him up at some café by the university and asked if he wanted to party. Gave him the apartment address. My friends are the ones who picked him out, said he was really good-looking.”

  Dakota would have to say that their victim hadn’t been good-looking when he’d been found.

  “Carrie swears she didn’t know they were going to kill anyone. They dropped some acid and drank, then Greg said it was time to get started.” Kayla shuddered. “I can’t—I can’t repeat what she said.”

  “You don’t have to,” James said. “Not right now. What I do need is for you to tell me where the house is and the names of everyone involved.” He pulled out a notebook and pen from his pocket and set them in front of Kayla.

  “You’ll help them though, right?” Kayla turned in her chair toward Dakota. “You have to help my friends.”

  “Right now, we’re more worried about getting your friends out alive,” Dakota told her. “With them doing such heavy drugs, there’s a good chance someone else is going to get hurt soon. We need to get your friends out.”

  “Okay.” Kayla grasped Dakota’s hand. “Just…just watch out for them. This is all my fault.”

  Dakota pressed her lips together then nodded. She glanced over at Kieran. “I’ll meet you guys upstairs. Let me have a minute alone with Kayla.”

  “No,” Kieran said. “Everyone else can go, but I stay.”

  She rolled her eyes. Like something’s going to happen to me in the few floors that separate Jackson’s office from ours.

  “Write down the address and names,” Dakota told Kayla.

  The teenager scribbled the information down and slid it over to James. James and Remy stood then headed for the door.

  “We’ll give you some privacy,” Jackson said. “Then keep an eye on the girl until Caspar gets here.”

  Dakota nodded. She waited until it was only her, Kieran and Kayla in the room before turning to her niece. “I know you wanted to talk to me, but you shouldn’t have come.”

  “I know that,” Kayla replied. “I just wanted to know more about you.”

  “But you can’t,” Dakota told her gently. “There are rules in place for a reason. I’m not your aunt. I’m an agent for the Organization. That’s all I am. I can’t be more to you. I’ll never be the aunt you’re looking for.”

  Kayla shook her head and her shoulders dropped. “It’s not fair.”

  Dakota rose. She laid her hand on the girl’s shoulder. “Life is hardly fair. And I’m sorry I can’t give you the answers you want. But, Kayla?”

  “Yeah?” The teenager looked rejected and sad.

  “If things were different, I would like to get to know you,” Dakota said. She even meant it. “You’re pretty cool and I’m proud of you.”

  Kayla looked up at her. “Really?”

  “It took a lot of courage to come to find me. I’m sorry you got mixed up in all this. You should talk to your parents, though. Let them help you.”

  “I will,” Kayla promised. “I miss them.”

  “Bye, Kayla.” She squeezed one last time then walked away. Dakota didn’t figure she’d see her niece again.

  Jackson and Alex stood outside the door.

  “Everything okay?” Jackson asked.

  “Will you keep an eye on her for me?” Dakota asked.

  “Yes. I already ordered her some food,” Jackson responded. “If she needs some rest, I’ll get a her in a room.”

  “Let her call her parents?” Dakota requested. “Caspar won’t like it but—”

  “I’ll take care of it,” Jackson promised.

  “Thanks.” She walked toward the elevator with Kieran by her side.

  “You lied,” he said when they stopped to wait for the elevator doors.

  “What?” Dakota didn’t lie.

  “That’s not all you are,” he said.

  “What else?” she asked. God, she was fucking tired.

  “You’re also my mate,” Kieran responded. He pulled her close then pushed her face into his neck.

  His scent, the familiar smell, grounded her. “Thanks.”

  Chapter Eight

  They decided to hit the house as soon as possible. With the alcohol and drugs being so heavily used, Greg and his friends were still passed out.

  Kieran was impressed that Dakota had put such a solid plan in place and had all the agents organized a block from the house. He wanted to keep her inside the hotel where she was safe and his father couldn’t touch her. Dakota wasn’t the type of agent to allow others to go in her place, though. She insisted on going in and leading from the field. She’d made Kayla a promise to watch out for the girl’s friends so no matter how much Kieran argued, Dakota was heading the op.

  It both frustrated and turned him on how strong she was.

  That was something that his father would never be able to take away—Dakota’s strength. And because she was strong, Kieran’s father wasn’t going to win.

  “You listening to me?” Dakota waved her hand in front of his face.

  “Of course,” he lied.

  She snorted. “I want you to grab Greg. I want to know who this man is that he’s talking to. This isn’t over until we get whoever is pulling the strings.”

  “Sure, no problem.” Kieran looked around at all the other agents and Damon’s Pack members. Dakota had called in the Alpha and invited him to join them as a sort of apology. Damon hadn’t hesitated in coming with two Enforcers. “Do you really think all this is necessary? From the way Kayla spoke, they’re just humans.”

  Dakota grabbed his arm and dragged him away from the others. “I don’t want anyone underestimating these guys,” she hissed. “You remember what they did to that poor young man? They might have someone pulling their strings, but they did that. They tortured and killed a poor college student who hadn’t done anything wrong.”

  “You’re right.” Kieran gripped both her shoulders. “I’ll be careful and you do the same.”

  “Thank you.” She rose and kissed him quickly. “Besides, remember that as soon as we finish this, I’m claiming you. I want my bite to be the only new mark on that fabulous body of yours.”

  In an instant he was rock-hard and Kieran groaned. “That wasn’t nice at all.”

  She smirked. “Later, lover.”

  It took every ounce of control he had to allow her to skip away laughing. Kieran wanted to pull her into the closest alley and ravage her. Damn it, he needed to focus. He thumped his cock, hoping to relieve some pressure.

  “That had to hurt.”

  He growled at James and the human grinned.

  “Trouble with your girlfriend?” James teased.

  “Careful there, James,” Kieran responded. “Both my girlfriend and I have really sharp teeth.”

  James laughed, but another powerful rumble sounded behind him. Kieran turned as Damon stalked toward him.

  “Did you just threaten him?” Damon demanded, stepping right into Kieran’s personal space.

  Kieran straightened and tried to hide his amusement.

  “Jesus Christ,�
�� James muttered. He stepped in between Kieran and Damon. “Everything is fine, Alpha. Why don’t you go growl at someone else?” He patted Damon’s chest but then began to caress it. He hummed low.

  Kieran rolled his eyes. Those two needed to fuck and get it over with. He cleared his throat. “Should I give you two a few minutes alone? I’m sure I could cover for you. It shouldn’t take that long to blow your load.”

  James jerked like he’d been shocked. “Asshole.” He stomped off as Kieran chuckled.

  “You are an asshole,” Damon said with a glare. “Was that really necessary?”

  “Hey, it’s not my fault you can’t get your head out of your ass and pound that boy like he obviously wants.”

  “Not all of us are ruled by our cocks,” Damon responded. “Just don’t threaten him again.” Damon followed behind James.

  “Those two are going to tear each other apart once they get it on,” Remy stated as he joined Kieran.

  “Right!” Kieran exclaimed.

  “Twenty-four hours,” Remy said.

  “What in twenty-four hours?”

  “That they’re fucking,” Remy replied.

  “No way.” Kieran glanced over to where Damon was hovering behind James as the human agent tried to ignore him. “Damon’s too stubborn. It will take him at least forty-eight hours.”

  “Hundred bucks?” Remy held out his hand.

  “Hundred bucks.” Kieran slapped his palm.

  “I don’t want to know what you’re betting on,” Dakota said, coming up to his side. “We’re ready.”

  “You really don’t,” Kieran agreed. “I’m riding with you.”

  Dakota whistled sharply. “Let’s go.”

  Dakota drove with Kieran by her side and Remy, James and Damon in the back seat. The human situated between the two shifters bitched about Damon not going with his Enforcers. Damon ignored James, but Kieran knew that the Alpha was ensuring James’ safety. Kieran would have done the same. Damn it, he might lose the bet.

  The other SUVs followed behind close to Dakota’s bumper. More were headed to the house from the opposite direction. They would roll right up to the front door then storm the place. Dakota hadn’t wanted to give their suspects time to think.