Summer of Awakenings

by Sandrine Gasq-Dion

  Devin fell back on the bed with a heavy sigh. “I don’t want a partner. Well, not an emotional one. I have Keegan at work and he’s like my family.”

  “Yes, and now you have all of the other men as well. Scott Delange is very fond of you.”

  Devin grinned. He’d met Scott during one of their hunts for rogues in Alaska and the two of them had formed a tight bond right away. When Scott had almost died (well did die, but came back to life) Devin had felt the loss deeply.

  “Scott’s different; in fact, he and Tristan are very different. They hated each other at first,” he pointed out, thinking of Scott and his mate.

  “There is a fine line between love and hate, Devin. It is a cliché, yes, but true nonetheless. The more you protest, the more you cross the line.”

  “Well, I’m not crossing any lines. There’s no line to cross.”

  “Ah, is that so? What of Andrei Panchenko?”

  Devin’s teeth ground and he hissed. “I hate that man. There is no possibility of anything other than hate.”

  Sabine grinned and pulled the sheet off the bed, wrapping herself up in it. She looked down at Devin on the bed and smiled.

  “I think you protest a bit much. I have heard the stories of your - how should I say this? Run-ins? Seems to me there is an underlying attraction to Mr. Panchenko.” Sabine giggled as Devin frowned. “That man is walking sex. If he would have sex with me I would do it in a heartbeat.”

  Devin covered his ears. “Okay, please stop.”

  Sabine bent down and kissed Devin’s head. “I must shower; I have a flight to work.”

  Devin watched as Sabine made her way to the bathroom. He closed his eyes. He hated Panchenko; there were no ifs ands or buts about it. Hate was the only emotion he had for that man. The shrill tone of his cell phone brought him out of his thoughts.

  Looking at the caller ID, Devin hit the talk button.

  “What’s up James?”

  “You need to go to the hospital for your MRI, remember?” James shuffled some papers on his desk. “Evangeline is waiting for you.”

  “Evangeline? Why?”

  “She and Alexander want to run some tests on you.”

  “Now I’m a guinea pig for your doctors?”

  “Devin, something happened with you on that mission in Asia; we just want to make sure you’re good. Now, get your ass to the airport and go to Seattle. You can visit Scott while you’re there.” James grinned; he knew what would get Devin on a plane. Scott had agreed to tie Devin down if he didn’t agree.

  “Okay, I’ll go. I don’t like it though!”

  “Noted and disregarded. Bye, Devin!” James chuckled.

  ~~Chapter Two~~

  Andrei looked out the window of the private jet at the scenery of his homeland below. He’d been away for weeks. Meetings with the other heads of family had taken a toll on him. Andrei reclined the seat and closed his eyes. He was lonely. Periodic visits from Nikolai had warmed his heart, but he had no man to come home to. Since the divorce from Vince, he hadn’t dated - hadn’t so much as held another man’s hand.

  It was hard to be the head of the Russian mob and date. At one point, he’d thought he had a chance with Scott Delange, but that had never come to fruition. Scott Delange was a werewolf, and mated to Tristan Miles. They were sickeningly in love.

  That brought a smile to his lips. The two of them were the epitome of alpha males and had clashed from the get-go. Andrei sighed, rubbing his face. He missed the attentions of another man, being courted, kissed and held. He supposed he had no one to blame but himself for his current predicament, but staying married to Vince would have been a mistake. Although Vince cared for him, he would never love him the way he needed to be loved. Keegan had been the perfect man for his ex-husband and Andrei could see why Vince had fallen madly in love with the young agent. Keegan Markov had the sweetest smile and infectious laughter.

  Andrei opened his eyes and looked around the quiet jet. Ivan, his head of security, was fast asleep. The months away had taken a toll on the older man. Andrei stood and cracked his back. Making his way to the restroom, he passed Viktor, another longtime associate and friend.

  “Everything all right?” Viktor sat up.

  “Yes,” Andrei grinned. “I must use the restroom. Is that all right with you?”

  Viktor frowned. “That is not funny.” Viktor motioned to the other men in the cabin. “Are you sure this was a good idea? Having all the family heads together?”

  “Did you not check the plane before we left?” Andrei raised a brow.

  “Of course I did.” Viktor scowled. “I know my job.”

  “Then relax, old friend.” Andrei patted Viktor’s shoulder and made his way to the restroom and closed the door. Taking a deep breath, he regarded his reflection in the mirror. At forty-four, he was looking worn and weary. Hand-picked by the heads of the family, he had been thrust into the life he had due to his age. The older heads of family wanted a younger man in the top position. Andrei leaned on the sink, tilting his head from side to side as he checked the mirror. No grey hairs yet, but his eyes were starting to show his age and laugh lines flared from the edges. He supposed he was good looking. Coal black hair, steel grey eyes, lean muscular body. Andrei sighed in frustration. If he was so damn good looking, according to everyone else, why was he still alone?

  “Andrei? Are you all right?”

  Andrei opened the door and looked at Ivan. “Yes, everything has come out just fine.”

  Ivan sighed. “I wish you would stop taking phrases from Nikolai.”

  Andrei grinned.

  The plane landed and came to a stop on the open field. Andrei grabbed his briefcase and looked out the window. Limos were lined up all along the airfield waiting for the family heads to disembark. Andrei walked behind Ivan and Viktor as they left the plane. Coming to the end of the stairs, Andrei turned to kiss Leonid Polzin on both cheeks. Leonid had been the one to push his rise to power from the beginning, citing that Andrei had all the knowledge the heads of family needed and the age to run the business well.

  “It was good to see you again, Leonid. You look tired.”

  “I am still ill from the vodka,” Leonid smiled wanly.

  Andrei looked at the line of limos; as always, his was the first one. “Why not take my car? Then you will not have to wait for yours.”

  Leonid turned to look at the line of limos. His was near the end. “Thank you, Andrei. I am sure my driver will have no problems taking you home.”

  Andrei hugged Leonid again. “We shall meet again soon. Please take care of yourself.”

  Ivan watched Leonid walk to the limo. “Andrei, you are tired as well.”

  “I can wait; I am younger.” Andrei winked at Ivan and turned back to wave at Leonid, who had just entered Andrei’s private limo. The door shut and Andrei turned to Ivan. “You see —”

  A massive explosion tore through the limo, sending pieces flying in all directions. Andrei was thrown to the ground and Ivan and Viktor jumped on top of him, shielding him from the flying debris.

  “Get back on the plane!” Ivan shouted at the other heads of family, hauling Andrei up and dragging him back up the stairs to the jet. Once he had everyone settled on board, Ivan told the pilot to get them airborne. He walked to the back of the plane and found Andrei sitting in the seat, a look of shock on his face.

  “Andrei…”

  “That was meant for me.” Andrei looked up at Ivan. “Leonid is dead because of me.”

  Ivan took Andrei’s hands. “You could not have known; you were being courteous as you always are.”

  Andrei looked out the window. “A life is gone…”

  Ivan stood and made his way over to Viktor. “Get James Jacobs on the phone.”

  “What are you thinking?” Viktor pulled out his cell phone.

  “James has always said if we needed help, he would help.”

  “You feel you have failed,” Viktor said, sadly.

  “Andrei could be de
ad!” Ivan snarled. “He is like a son to me!”

  Viktor took Ivan’s hand. “I know. I will call.”

  Ivan looked back down the aisle. Andrei was leaning forward with his face in his hands. He sighed loudly and raised an eyebrow at Viktor. “I believe there is someone else we should call as well.”

  “You want me to call him, don’t you?” Viktor sighed in exasperation.

  “Andrei needs him,” Ivan said sadly.

  Victor ran his hands over his face. “Fine, I will call him. You owe me.”

  ~*~

  Devin heard the clicks of the MRI machine and tried to relax. Thank God he wasn’t claustrophobic. Evangeline had taken so many vials of blood, he was surprised he had any left. He had no idea what had happened in Asia. All he could remember was the pain. Devin heard the clicks come to a stop, and then the table was moving. He sat up when it came to a stop and watched Evangeline and Alexander looking at the feed on the computer. Devin got up and yanked his jeans on, keeping his eyes on the two doctors looking at his scans.

  He hadn’t thought about the injuries from his car accident in years. That day, he’d lost his memory. He had no idea who he’d been before the accident. Devin sat on the chair in the corner and put his boots on. Evangeline seemed to be frowning at his scans. Great. Alexander motioned to him and Devin left the room and opened the door to the booth Evangeline and Alexander were currently occupying.

  “Well? Am I dying?” Devin sat down on the available chair.

  “No, in fact, I do not see why you had an episode. Nothing on the scans shows anything of significance.”

  “Great! So I can go?”

  “For now, but I am very concerned about what happened.” Evangeline studied Devin’s face.

  “Well, as soon as you know something, let me know.” Devin left the room and walked right into Scott Delange in the hallway. “What are you doing here?”

  “Kidnapping you,” Scott grabbed Devin’s arm and yanked him down the hall.

  “Where are we going?”

  “Out.”

  ~*~

  Devin groaned when he saw the neon sign for Cuffs and Stuff. When Scott had said ‘out,’ he’d hoped it was out to eat. The music was blaring into the damn parking lot. Scott had a death grip on his arm and was dragging him to the front door. Jesse Salvatore, the Salvatore brother who wasn’t a werewolf, winked at him.

  “Jesse,” Devin nodded. “How’s life?”

  “Shitty,” Jesse sighed.

  “Justice still making you stay away from Noah?” Devin had to snicker when Jesse glared at him. Noah King had a thing for Jesse, and vice versa, but Justice Salvatore wanted his brother to remain human and had forbade Jesse to see Noah—who was a werewolf. And a notorious hunter of rogue werewolves. Justice was afraid that Noah’s life would put Jesse in constant danger from rogue wolves looking for revenge.

  Devin laughed, which got a raised eyebrow from Jesse.

  “I’m just thinking. I know you want Noah.”

  “Yeah? So?”

  “Devin…” Scott warned.

  “What? He’s a grown man!” Devin balked.

  “Well, Justice made his feelings clear,” Scott said, looking at Jesse’s sad face. “You miss Noah, don’t you?”

  Jesse nodded. “He calls me sometimes, when one of his team isn’t hanging over his shoulder.”

  “Yeah? You guys have phone sex?” Devin chuckled.

  “No. We talked about that once and Noah said he’d rather have the real thing,” Jesse said, ducking his head.

  Devin cracked a grin as Jesse’s face flushed.

  “It’s hard to believe you were a badass Navy SEAL when you blush like that, Salvatore.”

  “Fuck off, Lyons,” Jesse laughed.

  “Well, enjoy your night, Jesse.” Scott hugged him.

  Devin was dragged inside and immediately wished he could just go to Scott’s apartment and crash. The walls were vibrating with music. Scott left to get them a beer and Devin scanned the floor. A dark haired man was eyeing him and Devin narrowed his eyes. He got an amused look from the man and Devin had to smile.

  “Jesus, we’ve been here two seconds and you already have a guy salivating for you,” Scott shouted, handing Devin his beer.

  “Where’s your man, Delange?”

  Scott looked at his watch. “Should be here soon.”

  “How’s it going with you guys? Still clawing at each other?”

  “We’re good; we have sub/dom night once a week.”

  Devin spit his beer out.

  Scott cracked up. “You should see your face!”

  “Asshole!” Devin shouted over the music. Devin pointed at the man that was eyeing him. “Do you know him?”

  Scott grinned and turned Devin around. “Yes, I do, and you will not be fucking him.”

  “Why not!?” Devin started.

  “Because that’s Cole, and you can’t touch him. My friends, my rules.”

  Devin looked over his shoulder at ‘Cole’ – who was still eyeing him. Slowly. He turned back to Scott with a pout.

  “Oh, come on!”

  Scott shook his head, sipping his beer. “Nope. Oh, and,” Scott leaned into Devin’s ear. When he pulled away, he could see Devin fighting an inner battle. Scott laughed and clapped Devin on the back.

  “And a firefighter? I hate you, Delange!” Devin shouted. Devin’s phone vibrated in his back pocket and he signaled to Scott that he was going outside. Devin pulled his phone out once he got far enough away from the damn music and looked at the caller ID. James Jacobs.

  “I went for my MRI—”

  “I know; I got the call. I need you back in Arizona, ASAP.”

  Devin frowned. “Everything okay?”

  “No. Get your ass back.”

  The line went dead and Devin looked at his phone.

  “What the fuck?” Devin went back inside and took Scott aside. They left the club and Devin called a cab.

  “What do you think it is? Rogue related?” Scott asked.

  “I don’t think so; it’s been quiet for a while.” Devin rubbed his face with the palms of his hands.

  Scott saw Tristan pulling up in his Beemer and smiled.

  Devin noticed the grin on Scott’s face and looked over his shoulder. Tristan was staring at Scott with the same ridiculous look on his face.

  “Thank God I’m leaving. The two of you make me ill,” Devin laughed.

  “Someone’s going to capture you one day, Devin. God help you after that,” Tristan said, walking up to Scott and hugging him hard.

  “Yeah? Let’s hope not.” Devin winked.

  ~~

  James sat at his desk rolling a pencil back and forth over his calendar. Candidate files sat on top of the desk in a heap but James knew that the only person for the job was someone who was going to make everyone think he’d lost his mind. Flipping through the files again, James sighed in exasperation. All the candidates were more than qualified, but only one man would do the job and put his heart and soul into it.

  James looked up at the clock. Said man would be arriving any moment. A knock on his door brought him out of his thoughts.

  “Come in.”

  James smiled as Keegan Markov cracked the door open and peeked around. Keegan had recently married Vince Markov, a notorious killer who James and Derek had been trying to lure over to their organization for years. It took Keegan’s angelic face to bring Markov in and Keegan had gained a husband out of the deal.

  “It is safe?” Keegan grinned.

  “Yes, he’s not here yet.”

  Keegan closed the door and took the seat across from James’ desk.

  “So what is this all about?”

  James lifted a finger in a ‘one moment’ gesture and picked up the files off the desk. Handing them to Keegan, he stood up and walked to the coffeemaker in the corner. Another knock on the door and James looked at the time. Right on cue.

  “Come in.”

  Devin strolled into the office, loo
king around. His eyes fell on Keegan. “Hey, bud. What’s up?”

  Keegan frowned looking at the files. “Not sure.”

  “Have a seat, Devin, and I’ll tell you.” James added sugar to his coffee and stirred it as he retook his position behind the desk. Sitting down, James clasped his hands together and regarded Special Agent Devin Lyons.

  “A kill order has been placed on Andrei Panchenko.”

  Keegan started in his chair. “What?! How do you know?” Keegan searched James’ face.

  James raised his brows.

  “Never mind.”

  James’ eyes locked with Devin’s.

  “Viktor Denikin called. Someone tried to blow up Andrei in his limo. They ended up killing the wrong man - Leonid Polzin died instead. Andrei, trying to be nice, offered him his limo since it was the first one in line and Leonid was ill. It ended up saving Andrei’s life.” James leaned forward in his chair, keeping eye contact with Devin. “I want you protecting Andrei.”

  Devin burst out laughing. He stood up and walked to the door. “You have got to be kidding me. I want that man dead!”

  “Yes, you want that man dead. So what happens if someone else actually succeeds in killing him?” James sat back in his chair crossing his arms.

  “Why not just send Vince?” Devin kept his back to James.

  “Because Keegan is insanely jealous if Vince spends any time with his ex-husband.”

  “I am?” Keegan furrowed his brows.

  A paperclip hit him in the forehead and Keegan looked up to see James’ narrowed eyes.

  “Oh! Yeah, insanely jealous!”

  “Think about it, Devin. What if someone actually kills Andrei? Won’t that be taking away your chance to someday kill him yourself? Imagine that.” James glanced at Keegan sideways and noticed the huge grin on his face.

  Devin turned around slowly. “Again, why me?”

  “Because you have a vested interest in keeping him alive. Even if it is for your own selfish reasons.”

  “What about Nikolai?”

  “On a mission.” James motioned to the folders Keegan held. “Those are all the other candidates for the job.”