Family

by Crissy Smith

  Three houses from their target, Dakota removed her seatbelt. “Get ready,” she ordered.

  Kieran already had his fingers on the door handle.

  She gunned the engine, making the SUV hop the curb before she drove through the yard. Dakota slammed on the brakes right before she would have hit the front steps. “Move!” she shouted.

  Kieran pushed open his door and flew to the front door with Damon close at his heels. He lifted his foot and slammed it into the side of the door. The wood splintered and he pushed the rest of the entrance out of the way. Sometimes his enhanced strength really helped.

  “Go right,” he told Damon, seeing all the doors closed.

  He started left when he heard a familiar sound. “Fuck!” He turned, knocking James off his feet then tackling Dakota.

  The shotgun blast tore at the closest door.

  Kieran lifted his head to check on the other agents. Remy had followed Damon and both wolf shifters had dropped to the ground. Dakota cursed under him while James groaned.

  Anger swamped him. Kieran jumped to his feet and was across the room, slamming the door open before another shot could go off.

  Inside the room, a naked man sat up in bed holding a shotgun while a young woman huddled in the corner. He recognized Greg and Carrie from the pictures Mitch had printed of all their suspects.

  Kieran strode forward as Greg got another shot off. Kieran dodged out of the way, letting the bullets go over his shoulder before he grabbed the weapon with one hand and Greg’s throat with the other.

  He lifted the naked human off the bed as he flashed his fangs.

  “What the fuck are you?” Greg screamed.

  Kieran shook the pathetic excuse for a man.

  “Don’t kill him,” Dakota called out.

  He turned. “You okay?”

  “Fine.” She spotted Carrie cowering and walked to her. “Hey, Carrie, it’s okay.”

  “What…what’s going on? What is he?” She lifted a trembling finger and pointed it at Kieran.

  “It doesn’t matter.” Dakota crouched down in front of the teenager. “We’re here to help.”

  Kieran turned his attention back to Greg. “You’re coming with me.”

  Urine assaulted his senses as Greg pissed himself.

  “Damn it.” Kieran really wanted to strangle the loser now. He had no trouble torturing and killing an innocent college student, but when confronted, he’d peed himself? These were not the type of people Kieran suspected would be involved in ritual killings. It was kind of disappointing.

  “Please don’t kill me!” Greg begged.

  Dakota led Carrie out of the room with a blanket wrapped around her, so Kieran moved in close to Greg.

  “Is that what the poor kid you tortured and killed said? Did he beg for his life? Ask why you were hurting him?”

  Greg’s eyes widened. “What? How?”

  “What the fuck do you think we’re doing here, Greg?” Kieran spat. “You killed someone and now it’s time to pay.”

  “No! He said I would be safe. No one would know who I was. He’d protect me!” Greg babbled.

  “Who?” Kieran demanded. “The only way to save yourself is to tell me who is behind this.” Kieran showed Greg his fangs once again.

  “Fu…fuck yooooou,” Greg howled. “He’ll kill me.”

  “I’ll kill you!” Kieran roared. He let the full Walker out and to the surface, the glowing blue eyes and full-length fangs.

  “Nooooooo!” Greg screamed.

  Kieran yanked Greg close and clamped his fangs down on Greg’s shoulder. He wanted to make the little human suffer and a few sips would both strengthen Kieran and make Greg sick.

  “I don’t know his name, I swear. He came to me one night and told me he could make me immortal. Gave me money. A lot of money. I’ll talk!” Greg promised.

  Kieran withdrew his fangs, satisfied. Greg didn’t know that the small amount that Kieran had taken was all he needed. “Your blood tastes good. Maybe I’ll want more if you stop talking.”

  “Help me! He’s going to eat me!”

  “I didn’t see anything,” Dakota said, striding forward. “No one will. Maybe I should let him tear your throat out. Fitting, don’t you think?”

  “My phone!” Greg was crying now. “He calls me. I have his number.”

  Dakota walked over to the bedside table and picked up a new iPhone. She pressed the Home button then grunted.

  “What?” Kieran asked.

  “Moron didn’t even password protect it,” she commented. “Let’s take him in.”

  Greg groaned. “Oh God! I’m going to be sick. What’d you do to me?”

  Ah, the side effects of being bitten by the Walker.

  “I’ll take him outside before he starts puking,” Kieran said. “I love this part.”

  “Everyone else has been rounded up. Both girls are headed to the hospital. I want them looked at. They were still in shock.”

  “Okay, let’s get him in a call and talking,” Kieran grinned at Greg. “Or I might get hungry again.”

  “No, no, please. I’ll cooperate.”

  Piece of shit. That was all Kieran could think as he literally dragged Greg outside.

  “You’re gonna owe me a hundred bucks,” Remy cackled as Kieran stepped onto the porch.

  “What?”

  Remy nodded toward the SUV. Damon had James pinned, rutting against him and sniffing his neck. James, his legs around the Alpha’s waist and his head back, was encouraging the Alpha.

  “Shit, what’d I miss?”

  “Seems that shot you knocked James out of the way of infuriated our Alpha. After he punched out the human males, he threw James over his shoulder and they’ve been like that ever since.”

  Kieran chuckled. “Gotta love those Alpha hormones.”

  “I’m pretty sure they’re going to be fucking any moment. No one wants to be the one to break them up.”

  “I’ll do it,” Kieran grumbled. He wasn’t afraid of Damon, but an Alpha desperate to mate was a little more than he could handle alone. He thumped down the steps, letting Greg feel each one.

  Greg was struggling and crying, but Kieran found him easy to ignore.

  “Hey, Alpha!” Kieran called. “If you step away from the agent, I’ll give you one shot at this one.” He dangled Greg in the air.

  Damon lifted his head and growled. His wolf was so close to the surface his hands had shifted into claws.

  “No!” Greg yelled.

  The agents around the yard all paused to see what was going on.

  Damon gently placed James with his feet back on the ground then kissed his forehead. James sighed and nuzzled him before straightening his clothes. His lips were puffy and there was definite beard burn on his neck.

  “Claws in,” Kieran ordered as Damon stalked forward. “I promised Dakota he wouldn’t die. Yet. We need answers first.”

  The Alpha nodded and flexed his fingers that were normal again.

  “You tried to kill my mate.” Damon sounded as though he’d swallowed glass.

  A shiver went through Kieran at the ultimate display of power from the Alpha. Kieran had never met anyone who had such strength. Still not more than Kieran, but Damon was one hell of a shifter.

  “I…what…no…”

  Damon pulled back and punched Greg in the face. Kieran released the human, so he would fly back and not break his neck.

  Greg hit the side of the house just as Dakota stepped out of the house.

  “What the hell in going on out here?” she yelled.

  All the agents who had been watching scurried to look busy. She looked at Remy who hadn’t moved from leaning against the wall.

  Remy shrugged. “Must have closed my eyes. I didn’t get a lot of sleep last night.”

  Dakota leaned down and yanked Greg’s head back. She sniffed then turned toward them. “Really, Damon? You’re here as a consultant.”

  “I consulted,” Damon responded smoothly. “With my fist.�
�

  “Children. I’m surrounded by children,” Dakota muttered.

  Kieran slapped Damon on the back. “Let’s get this done so we can all go home.”

  Damon turned to James. “Yeah, I have plans tonight.”

  James blushed then opened the back door. He muttered something about pushy Alphas as Kieran and Damon shared a grin. It was turning out to be a pretty good day. And if Kieran and Damon would scare Greg into confessing all his sins, they might be done by dinner time.

  * * * *

  Three a.m., the witching hour, and the time that Dakota let herself and Kieran back into their suite. She’d been awake for over twenty-four hours and had heard more supernatural lore and ridiculous stories than she ever wanted to. That was why she was thinking about witches, demons and vampires as she kicked off her shoes.

  “That was interesting,” Kieran commented.

  “It was an utter waste of time,” Dakota corrected. “He doesn’t even know who he was talking to. Just some guy who gave him money and convinced him he’d become immortal. Without any proof. That kid, the one from UNLV, died for no reason.”

  “We’ll find out who’s behind all this,” Kieran promised.

  She knew they’d try, but the number that had been contacting Greg was already disconnected and they’d traced it to a burner phone. No other information had been available. It was a dead end. They’d questioned every member of Greg’s group but had only heard tales of the supernatural and how they were going to rule the world. The fact that none of them had known they were dealing with the real supernatural was a laughing matter. If she wasn’t so damn tired…

  “Hey.” Kieran wrapped his arms around her and nuzzled her neck. “It was a tough case, but we stopped anyone else from getting hurt. The girls are headed back home with their families. The humans will serve time for murder. We have to call this a win.”

  Dakota threaded her fingers through Kieran’s where they rested against her stomach. Caspar had given her permission to continue working the case and keep an eye out for their main suspect. With the number being disconnected, there was a good chance their main suspect was already on the run. But that didn’t mean he’d give up, though. Whatever the ultimate goal was, he’d probably try again. And Dakota would get closer next time. “You know what this means?”

  Kieran kissed her neck. “I already made plans for us to have the weekend off.” He turned her. “I want you to claim me.”

  She nodded. Dakota wanted that so badly. “Not tonight, though.”

  He frowned. “Why not?”

  “Because I want it to be perfect. Not after being awake for an entire day, chasing bad guys and having all these images in my head of the murder scene. I want to do it. Soon. Just not tonight.”

  “I get it,” he whispered. “What can I do for you right now then? Shower? Food? Sleep?”

  Dakota shook her head. “I need you.” She kissed his chin. His cheek. “Help me clear my head?”

  “Oh, I can do that.” Kieran picked her up then walked over to the window. “And I know how much my girl loves her kinky side.”

  She shuddered. The window. God, she loved when Kieran took her against the window. The special windows ensured that no one could see in, but Dakota loved the thought of being watched as Kieran owned her body.

  “Hands on the glass,” he ordered.

  Dakota placed her palms on the cool window. Below her, hundreds of tourists strolled down the street, having no idea that high above them two people were making love.

  “You’re so beautiful,” he purred against her neck. “I love how strong you are.”

  He pulled her shirt and sports bra over her head, causing her to move her hands. But she quickly returned her palms back where he’d said so he wouldn’t stop, or take her in the bedroom.

  This was exactly what she needed.

  The city alive below her and she had private time with her lover. Her mate.

  Kieran kissed down her back; causing goosebumps to break out. He even used his sharp fangs down the small of her back, although he didn’t draw blood.

  “Yes,” she hissed, allowing her head to fall back.

  He cupped her breasts then thumbed her nipples. She fucking loved his hands. The way that he worshipped her body.

  Kieran slipped his hands down her stomach to the button of her black utility pants. He snapped it open then pulled the zipper down.

  “Boots,” she said, wiggling her foot.

  He laughed but untied her boots and removed them, along with her socks.

  Dakota shimmied her hips, making her pants fall a few inches.

  “Fuck, I love you,” Kieran murmured. He kissed the back of her ear then sucked the lobe into his mouth.

  “Mmm.” She arched, pressing her boobs against the glass and her ass against his hard cock.

  He pushed the pants down the hips and legs, leaving her only a pair of cotton boy shorts. Kieran brushed his finger over the front of her crotch where she was already wet. She needed him inside her. Dakota rocked so she rubbed his erection into her ass.

  “So needy,” he teased, slipping his finger under the elastic of her panties.

  “Please,” she begged. “Please.”

  Entering one thick digit inside her, Kieran thrust his hips at the same time.

  “Kieran,” she said. “Not enough.”

  “Turn your head,” he demanded. “Kiss me.”

  That was one order she had no problem following. Dakota kissed him with every ounce of love she felt, even letting her jaguar close to the surface so the animal felt how much their mate cared and appreciated them.

  “My clothes on or off?” he asked, adding a second digit.

  “On. Please on.” She dropped her head back to his chest.

  “My naughty girl,” he murmured. Then ripped off her panties and let them flutter to the floor.

  Dakota plastered herself against the window, watching the reflection as Kieran struggled with the button of his pants.

  Getting his cock out, Kieran gripped her hips. “I want to hear you. Don’t hold back.”

  He entered her slowly and that was not what she wanted. Dakota threw herself back until she was impaled on his straining shaft.

  Drawing his hand back, Kieran slapped her ass. “Bad girl.”

  Dakota laughed in delight.

  He spanked her again.

  “Yes! Yes!” she encouraged.

  A third swat came then Kieran began to move. He plunged his cock over and over, faster and harder, until she was indeed screaming his name.

  There was nothing like the feel of Kieran owning every inch of her.

  He drove in and she could only brace herself against the window. When she was with Kieran like this, she didn’t have to think of anything else. Not her job, friends, the family that didn’t care about her. All Dakota needed to know was that Kieran loved her and he was desperate to claim her. Much the same way that she would one day soon claim him.

  Her body bounced in response to his urgent thrusts, Kieran’s grip on her waist tight enough to bruise. He slammed into her with an animalist hunger. This was what connected them.

  Kieran could read her, knew what she craved.

  “More,” she yelled.

  He was on the verge of losing control and she was the only one who could handle him.

  Dakota laid her cheek against the cold glass and closed her eyes as she drifted into the warm safe place that Kieran was driving her to.

  She cried out her pleasure as the orgasm was ripped from her body.

  Kieran didn’t stop, though. He continued to plunder her until he held her up.

  “Love you,” he grunted out then came.

  His hot seed filled her and she was complete for the first time all day. Kieran murmured sweet nothings to her while kissing her neck, shoulders and back.

  The sharp insistent ring of her cell phone pulled her from contentment.

  “No,” she cried. “It can’t be ringing. We have the weekend off.�
�

  Kieran grunted. “This is fucking ridiculous. Who the fuck is calling you?”

  “I don’t know as you have me pinned to the window with your magnificent cock still inside me,” Dakota teased.

  Her cell stopped ringing.

  “Good. I wanted round two.”

  The phone rang again.

  “Damn it.” Kieran gently pulled out then bent and picked up her pants.

  Dakota dug through the pockets until she had the annoying device in her hand. Jackson’s name was on the screen.

  “Hello?”

  “Six-twelve Ashcott Drive. I have him. Get here now or it’ll be over,” Jackson said before he hung up.

  Dakota looked up at her lover.

  “What was that about?”

  “Okay,” she said, cupping his face. “Don’t be mad.”

  Chapter Nine

  Don’t be mad. Those were the words that the woman he loved more than anything else in the world said before she confessed Jackson’s plan to capture and kill his father. Kieran didn’t know whether to laugh or strangle Dakota as she drove them to the address that Jackson had given her.

  For a moment he’d actually thought that Dakota was going to try to talk him out of going with her. She’d opened her mouth then closed it before shaking her head. With a comment that they needed to get dressed and hurry before Jackson lost his patience, she hadn’t said another word.

  There were no street lights on this side of town. They’d been driving for twenty minutes before she started to slow the SUV down. She turned into a driveway of a rundown house with boarded-up windows.

  Dakota stopped and put the vehicle in park then sat there staring up at the front door.

  Kieran gave her the time she seemed to need.

  “We don’t have to go inside,” she whispered. “I could just put the vehicle in reverse and drive away. Hell, we don’t even have to go back to the hotel. We could just drive.”

  Kieran wasn’t surprised she was having doubts. The goodness inside Dakota was one of the reasons he loved her so much. But Kieran couldn’t walk away. Not from this.

  “No one even has to know we were ever here,” she said. “We could just drive away.”

  He nodded. “We could.”