by Erin R Flynn
“Well, I’m fine with her son being released to her. Just don’t beat him up or I’ll get in trouble, Mrs. Parker,” I reminded her.
“I’ll do my best, Chief Thomas,” she grumbled, looking as if thumping sense into her son was what she planned to do first.
15
“Chief, I brought the YouTuber I told you about,” Agent Brad Scott greeted as he joined us at the club a few hours before it opened. “They said you wanted to talk to him before we can get set up.”
“Yeah, I want to hear myself that he’s not an asshole,” I muttered, closing the file folder I’d just opened. I stood and extended my hand. “Thanks for coming. What’s your name and angle on this?”
“Travis,” he answered, shaking my hand and giving me a shocked look. “I like supes. You guys get a raw deal, but you’re also very tight lipped. This gives me a chance to get insight into the truth instead of bullshit. For one, that you have a polyandry relationship that’s interesting and a lot of hats you wear. I want a chance at candid and a peek into more than we get to see.”
“Fair enough,” I accepted after studying him and sure he meant it. I also got images he was interested in maybe becoming a vampire and this might be his shot to get real information, as he thought doing a YouTube series into what it’s really like would push his channel to the top of lists. “I have some rules and lines.”
“Of course. I told Brad I’m fine with you guys reviewing the footage and final cut so I don’t accidentally show something I shouldn’t.”
“Good, also, it’s agreed no swearing or nudity.”
He shrugged. “Yeah, I could get demonetized then.”
I nodded like I knew what that meant. Right, YouTubers made money from advertising, and they might not like that. “So what do you want specifically?”
“I want to do a series of behind-the-scenes, like music videos do, and to ask some questions. Nothing too much, but real and not like a press conference. Just be you and let me observe while throwing out a question now and again.”
“Okay, but you have to get approval from everyone on the video. Some people will be around and not want that attention, so it’s on you to check.” I agreed when he nodded, getting something to drink while he and Scott got set up with Jennings who was helping as well.
“What are you looking over? Work?” Travis asked, clearly starting as I sat down and focused on the files.
“No, I would never have left it alone with you if it was work,” I answered, not glancing up since he said he wanted to observe. “These are applications to join the pack along with interview reports taken by people we know. No matter what people are saying, we don’t let just anyone in and help them get visas. There are background checks and a review process.”
“So it’s merit based immigration then that you get to make the call of?”
I bounced that around. “Yes and no. I don’t make the call if they can immigrate, but if they can here. It’s my area, and I’m liable if they do anything wrong, not just personally but my career, so it’s not only what they bring to the pack or Chicago, but if they really understand that. Some are willing to do what is needed, help and work for their citizenship, while others aren’t or think they can take over.”
“Is it true that’s a fight to the death?”
“It is, and it’s legal. I don’t like it personally, but I understand it. There’s a lot on the line, and if people are going to try for me, mine, and all I have, there better be some real consequences on the line or every idiot would challenge me and that would be all I do.”
He worked on lighting and a few other things while people got ready, but then came back while I was still reviewing applications. “What do you say to people that call you names?”
I snorted. “Depends on the name. You have to be more specific on that one.”
“Stupid?”
I smirked as I wrote down some questions I wanted answered before I would approve the person. “I would say that my bio is on the FBI website for my office and if people can’t read that before tossing insults at me like that, I’m not all that insulted.”
“What’s the bio say?”
I glanced up at him and saw he’d clearly read it. “I graduated high school in two years. College in three with two degrees. I’m a member of MENSA and have over a one sixty IQ. I’m a lot of things, but stupid is not one of them.”
“Are there any insults you’ve heard that are valid?”
“I’m not a very patient person.” I rolled my eyes when several people snorted. “Fine, I have no patience. I can be depending on the situation. I’m pretty patient with victims and people involved in my cases. I am with my friends. I don’t do well with bull and idiots. People who come at me assuming they know more than they do. I have no patience for any of that.”
“Anything else?”
I sighed. “I’m sure lots else. I’ve never said I’m perfect. I’m flawed just like everyone else. I’m just not stupid. I’m not immoral. I’m not bad at my job. The rest are relative. What makes someone a bitch or a slut? Why does that seem to matter because I’m a woman when a man would be tenacious or a stud?”
“Sera, this is for you,” Beth said as she handed me some rolled up papers as she hurried by.
I frowned and unrolled it, seeing it was schematics for a building. “Oi, what is this for? Am I marking ingress or breach points? Is this for Noah? If it’s work and Beth had it, I’m kicking someone’s ass and hard.”
“It’s for the new pack apartment building, my love,” Dain said as he leaned in and kissed my cheek. “The contractor who designed the building in New York sent them here, and Simone opened it.”
“Oh, wow, we’re at this point already?” I muttered, turning so I could get another kiss. I smiled as he did it, butterflies flipping in my stomach as he ran his fingers over my cheek. Our date after the prison tour had gone really well, and I felt like I was ready to let Dain back in fully, for real.
Certainly in my bed because I ached for him.
“Did he sign an NDA?” Dain asked as I caught him up on Travis.
“The whole point of this is he gets to show stuff,” I drawled.
“Yes, but make people sign stuff,” he argued.
“He knows I’ll eat him if he misbehaves,” I mumbled as I turned the plans one way and then another. “This really isn’t my strong suit. What am I looking at? Does this include the additional soundproofing from the company that worked on the club?”
“I don’t think people knew you were willing to spend the extra money for that,” he said as he pulled me to stand and then slid in first.
“Yes, of course, get the extra super soundproofing. No one needs to have everyone hear if they fart or who likes the TV loud during action movies. We hear too much to not have that stuff and feel all on top of each other.”
“Of course you’re focused on that,” Brian chuckled as he leaned in and gave me a kiss. “Is this the new building?”
“Yes, but you’re better at this stuff than I am,” I sighed, leaving it for him as we slid over. “Oh, the guy is observing me and asking questions for behind-the-scenes on YouTube. Do you want to be in that?”
“Yeah, Scott told me, I’m fine with it.” He shrugged and moved his arm around me. “And I sent the ankle monitors over to Shaw.”
“Thanks. You’re awesome.”
“I do try,” he teased me, chuckling when I gave him another kiss.
“Was that in regards to the harassment and sexual assault on the UIC students who are part of your pack?” Travis asked.
I gave him a warning look. “That’s an ongoing investigation and not on the table even if I’m Alpha. I had to recuse myself, and one of the Betas is acting as Alpha. You can speak with him if you’d like.”
His eyes flashed shock. “Do you recuse yourself often? I didn’t know that was an option.”
“It’s always an option,” Brian answered for me. “And she doesn’t do it often, but one of Sera’s best quali
ties is her fairness. I’ve seen her step aside or ask for help because she worried her personal matters might, maybe might leak over. Most see tagging out as a weakness, but she sees it as being honest, and never being willing to go over the line.”
“But you don’t always follow the rules,” he pushed.
“I speed on occasion,” I chuckled. “No, I do, but sometimes the rules aren’t updated for supes. That was the court decision I’m sure you’re alluding to. We all do the best we can, and as law enforcement I was faced with a situation where I wasn’t sure I could look myself in the mirror if I let this one go. I can’t ignore crimes because I see, smell, or hear more. How could I?”
“She’s not a rule breaker, but she does push the line at times on progress or making sure that line is clearer for the next person to come across the situation,” Dain added.
“Unless it’s a water balloon fight. Then I cheat my ass off,” I teased, wanting to keep this lighter.
“We’re ready,” someone called out.
“We have the proper licenses and permits to shoot tomorrow as well,” Dain promised me.
“Awesome.” I slid over Brian to get out, hurrying to yank off the sweats I was in so I was in the much smaller workout clothes from our Siren’s Kiss line.
“Wait, so what is the plan?” Brian asked, out of the loop since he was such a boy scout.
“You’ll get it,” Dain promised.
Most of the club performers were dressed like I was but in bright colors where I was in black, like the black sheep. We had people covering them for hosting tables unless they were specifically requested so we had enough to make it work. Scott counted it down, and the music started.
The others went into their warmup routine as a group, clearly knowing it well. I didn’t—kind of the point—and did my own thing while lip syncing to Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off.” I did a lot of telling gestures like rolling my eyes or bonking myself in the head as I did the goofiest stretches I could come up with. When the balance ball rolled out, I dove for it and started playing like I lost focus.
Yes, dog pun with a werewolf. We would be doing that a lot.
“Good, the lighting was perfect and we got a lot of usable video and angles,” Jennings called when it was over. “Reset for next.”
“So you’re doing different versions like the video?” Brian checked.
“Yup. We have the permit to shoot at a park tomorrow for some more room and other ideas and fun,” I answered. “I gotta change.” I hurried to do that, knowing Gayle was going to add to my makeup as well.
“Chief Havers, do you mind answering some questions?” Travis asked.
“I don’t mind you asking, but depending on what they are, I might not answer.”
“Fair enough. What do you say to the people who think you’re less of a man to share your woman with others?”
“I think they are sexist to say that with a straight face as if a man owns a woman or she’s mine to share,” he answered, his tone sounding amused. “I say people are jealous that I have such an amazing woman love me and need to look at their own lives as to why they are unhappy.”
“It is nontraditional though, you have to know that.”
“Yes, so? It used to be nontraditional that women worked. Speaking as someone who was once her boss, the FBI is lucky that’s no longer the case, as she was amazing undercover and has done more good in under a decade with the bureau compared to most over their whole career.”
I changed in a flash, wanting to say my piece or back him up, Gayle getting what was going on and doing my makeup fast.
“What about what you need? One woman can’t give several men the attention a one-on-one relationship could.”
Brian and Dain snorted, Dain answering. “You don’t know the woman well enough to say that or you would have your answer.”
Travis glanced at me as I approached the table. “You heard what we were discussing?” He waited until I nodded. “And your thoughts? Why have a polyandry relationship?”
I snorted. “Because they let me. I have no idea why they put up with it, but they’re grown men and it’s their choice, so who am I to belittle them and take that away from them?”
“How do you defend it?”
“I don’t. There’s nothing to defend,” I answered firmly, raising an eyebrow at him. “It’s consenting, and we’re all adults, and it breaks no laws. Other than that, it’s not anyone’s business. Yes, it’s not normal, but I still don’t get why people are so enraged by it. I was human too. I just wasn’t as judgmental I guess. I heard stuff all the time that was odd to me.
“So what? I only cared when people tried to force it on me. Other than that, it’s not my business. It’s also not as uncommon as people think, but they don’t talk about it since it’s not something they should have to disclose or defend. I think it’s ridiculous when people check each other’s cell phones. If that’s how people want to have their relationship, that’s up to them.”
“It’s also cultural,” Dain cut in. “The fae believe that the capacity to love is not finite. The heart is not actually the vessel to hold love. The more one is loved, the more love they can give, and we believe that for our leader, that cold leaders have only had coldness. To love, to know how to truly love, you must be loved.”
“And it’s—a lot of us are immortal,” I added. “That’s a long time to keep the romance alive. Even mated pairs get full moon passes or moon mates. So what? As long as no one’s cheating, there’s nothing wrong with that. Plus, you have to think of alliances and how sometimes that can be the only thing to save a pack or group. There are a lot of layers that people don’t take the time to understand.”
“We’re ready,” Jennings called out.
I nodded to Dain as I saw the others.
This time everyone was in pretty ballerina outfits close to the video and were going to do the dance they actually did to the song since it was one they performed. I, on the other hand, was wearing a sexy white salsa dress. When the music started, I did the opening lines… While trying to Whip/Nae Nae. I wasn’t half bad, but I also wasn’t trying, doing my own thing.
That was sort of the point of the song after all.
Dain came out and grabbed my hand, twirling me around expertly and dancing with me a few beats before leaving me on my own again. This time I did “Walk Like an Egyptian” before Axel took his turn with me for a bit. I went into the Macarena, not remembering the dance and messing it up until Eugene came out and spun me around.
I did every goofy dance anything I could that might be recognizable in between the guys. The twins each took a turn, and I got a shock when even Brian did. Oh boy, I was a bad influence on the boy scout. He even went so far as to dip me and give me a quick peck. I burst out laughing when he gave me a smirk and walked off, acting like I couldn’t take anymore and got weak in the knees from the hotties.
We reset for the last run through in the club, and I had some choice words about the costume.
“Oi, we said no nudity,” I griped.
“You’re not even by regular TV standards,” Simone purred.
I rolled my eyes at her, turning so she could see the problem. “This is my ass hanging out.” I moved my hand over my left cheek. “This is naked. Bare. Showing. Booty out.”
“More like bootylicious, babe,” Brian called over. “You could wear that in public and not get a ticket.”
“I’m officially revoking your ‘boy scout’ label,” I drawled.
He snorted. “Honestly, how you still called me that after our first time together always amazed me.”
I blinked at him and burst out laughing, shaking my head at his antics and the outfit. It was a skin tight gold catsuit that was held up by one shoulder and showed a lot of cleavage and was missing the entire left leg. “Twenty bucks I fall out one way or another.”
“I’m not betting against that,” Carter teased me from off to the side. “I think they should be added to a number, as they’re very flat
tering.” He nodded behind me to the others dressed in silver or black ones. Yeah, they did look good. They were doing a different routine this time even if it would be to the wrong song. That part would be edited later with music and whatnot.
This was meant to be for the robot dancing part of the video, but we were tweaking it a bit even if I was dorky dancing again.
“Do you need to choreograph this next part?” Beth asked as they got set up.
I shook my head. “No, just check timing with what the humans can actually see. They’ll live if they miss the mat.” I shrugged when several of the ancients groaned. Yeah, but I was right and they would.
They were seriously durable after all.
Music started and I was doing a bad robot when Carter raced at me. I grabbed him just before he tried to hit me, flipped him over me, and launched him in the direction of the mat we had off to the side.
“Holy fuck me,” Travis whispered.
“Too fast,” Brian called over. “All I saw was nothing. Even if people slow it down or pause it to see what happened when you start in one position and then are in another, I don’t think more than a few frames would catch anything.”
“Got it. Let’s try quarter speed,” I told the guys.
“Wait, that wasn’t full speed?” Travis asked, whistling when we shook our heads. “Okay, wait, I have a super high speed camera. Can you do it full pace and then I can show it slowed down?”
“Yeah, but another time,” I told him. “The club has to open soon, and we’ve got one more scene and costume change before that.”
“Cool, thanks.”
We ended up having to slow it down even more than quarter speed, but then we got it to work. Well, pretty well. Emilio had to walk it off for a bit when I completely missed the mat and launched him into the wall hard enough someone would need to plaster the wall.
“My bad,” I called over.
“Yeah, that helps,” he groaned.
“Go soak in the hot tub,” I offered.
“Sure, after the outside shoot. Thanks.”