“She is part of my flock. You’re not the only one who cares for her. I want this person caught too. They shot my daughter. If it hadn’t been for Max, she might well be dead. Knowing someone from the flock could be the shooter . . . it’s hard.”
“So let my pack mates onto your territory tomorrow without playing any dominance games,” said Tao. “They can help. Someone seems to believe they have a valid reason for hurting both Riley and your daughter. I want to know who that is. Don’t you?”
“Yes, I do.” Sage picked up his tumbler and chugged down what looked like whiskey. “All right, your pack mates can come here. But let’s get one thing clear: they can talk to my flock and question them, but they don’t detain anyone—they don’t take over this matter.”
“They don’t want to; they just want Riley safe. I’d appreciate it if you could ask your ravens to cooperate when we come asking questions.”
“I’ll tell them.”
Satisfied, Tao turned and left the office. Riley was waiting on the burgundy leather sofa outside, ankle twirling in a gesture of impatience.
She stood with a smile. “Everything okay?”
“Fine. Come on.” Hand in hand they made their way through the building, passing various ravens along the way—all of whom looked shaken. Finding out that one of your flock mates was going around shooting fellow ravens would have a way of doing that to a person, he supposed. “How’s Lucy doing?”
“Better, thankfully. She’s awake, but she’s drowsy and weak.”
“Why don’t avian shifters like being around others when they’re injured?”
She shrugged. “I never really thought about it before. It’s instinctive. We’ll only tolerate people around us who we trust when we’re vulnerable. Ethan only tolerated your presence when he was injured because he’d rather that I was guarded.”
“Wolves like having pack mates around when they’re injured.”
“Yeah, but your breed is much more tactile than ravens.”
He inclined his head. “I guess that’s true.” Outside, Tao noticed Sawyer at the fringe of the woods, having a fairly animated conversation with a red-faced Duncan. Duncan’s body language was defensive while Sawyer appeared completely at ease. “I’ve been meaning to ask you. Why did you break up with Sawyer?”
“It wasn’t really anything to do with him as a person,” said Riley. “People thought I’d make a good Beta female, so they liked the idea of us together and hoped it was more serious than it truly was. Sawyer doesn’t want a mate, because he doesn’t want to share power when he ascends to Beta, but Hugh told me that makes him uncomfortable handing over the reins. He feels that he personally is a more effective Beta because he has his mate, Dana, supporting him, so he’d prefer it if Sawyer was mated.”
“And Hugh was hoping you would be that mate.” Tao’s wolf snarled at the idea.
“Yeah, so I ended the fling to nip all that in the bud.”
“The flock should have known better than to think you’d ever be Beta female—you wouldn’t like that position.”
He was right, but Riley asked, “What makes you think I wouldn’t have been happy as Beta female?”
He snorted. “You’re a nonconformist, Riley; enforcing rules and regulations would have gone against your nature. Besides, positions of authority don’t impress you, so your heart wouldn’t have been in it. Being a Beta is demanding work. Unless you love it, you can’t be productive at it. The role of Guardian would suit you better.” A Guardian watched over the young within a pack. “I told Taryn as much, and she agreed. She’ll probably offer you the position when you finally give her official acceptance of the offer to join the pack.” He frowned at her odd expression. “What?”
“I don’t like how well you see me.”
“I know you don’t, baby. Isn’t it better that I see you?” He smiled at her “not really” look and rubbed his nose against hers. “Don’t worry so much about it.”
“I cannot believe you.”
At the new voice, Riley turned sharply to find Cynthia striding toward her, with Shirley close behind. “Problem?”
“My sister is shot because you led a madman here, and instead of taking responsibility for that, you’re trying to pin the blame on someone from the flock?” clipped Cynthia.
“Not true, but I can see why you’d want to believe that,” said Riley. “I mean, if someone really is finishing what Wade started, you’re on their list.” Riley wasn’t ruling out Cynthia as a suspect, actually, but she decided to keep that part to herself.
Hands curling, Cynthia said, “There is no ‘list.’ This has nothing to do with Wade or what happened four years ago.”
Riley cocked her head. “I don’t think you really believe that. I also don’t really care what you think, though, so why don’t we both just walk away?”
“If it were up to me, you’d be walking all the way off this territory. You brought this trouble here; you need to lead it back to where it came from.”
“Everything was fine here until you showed up,” Shirley piped up. “Now everyone’s eyeing each other with suspicion.” She looked at Tao. “If you want my opinion, your Alphas should think twice before giving Riley a place in your pack. Some people are just poison.”
Tao glared at her. “That’s the thing: I don’t want your opinion. I’m clueless as to why you think I would.”
Protectively, Cynthia ushered Shirley to stand behind her. “Don’t bother, Shirley. Let him find out for himself what trouble he’s accepted into his pack.” Looking down her nose at Riley, Cynthia shook her head in contempt. “It should amaze me that you thought you’d get away with manipulating the flock into believing one of its own is a killer. But then, you got away with manipulating Wade into—”
Riley snapped her hand around Cynthia’s throat and dragged the bitch to her. “Finish that sentence, I fucking dare you.”
Eyes wide and nostrils flaring, Cynthia just stared at her.
Riley’s raven wanted to peck her fucking eye out. “You know, Cynthia, there are no guys standing around with their pants down, so I can’t help but ask myself why the fuck you keep opening your mouth.”
Sawyer shouldered his way through the crowd that was beginning to form. “What the hell is going on here?”
“She has Cynthia by the throat,” said Shirley, sounding a little shrill. “You’re an enforcer. Aren’t you going to do anything?”
Riley tensed. Not because she feared Sawyer, but because the laugh that came out of Tao was a dark, menacing sound that made the little hairs on her arms and nape stand on end.
“Touch her,” Tao said to Sawyer, “and I’ll kill you.”
Sawyer sifted a hand through his hair. “Riley, stand down.”
Ignoring him, Riley kept her attention on Cynthia. “You can submit or you can fight me here and now—either works fine for me. Honestly, I’d prefer the fight. I’ve got a lot of anger to burn off.”
Cynthia’s eyes fairly glowed with hatred, so it came as a sincere shock when the female then looked down in a gesture of submission.
Riley shoved her away. “I guess I can’t blame you for backing down. I wouldn’t want to get my ass kicked in front of my male either.”
Stroking her throat soothingly, Cynthia bared her teeth. “Don’t you have an off button or something? By the way, some guy from the village down the road just called; apparently their idiot’s gone missing.”
“Aw, bet you thought up that insult while Sawyer was using a map to find your G-spot. Am I right?”
Sawyer planted himself between them and snapped, “Enough.” He sighed. “Riley, why don’t you and the wolf go see your uncles or something? Cynthia, I thought you wanted to see your dad.”
Shirley glared at him. “She’s trying to make the flock believe one of us is a killer and you’re doing nothing?”
“Stop trying to stir the pot, Shirley,” said Sawyer. “You’re a grown woman. Act like one.” He turned his back on her and, with one last loo
k at Riley, stalked away. The crowd then gradually dispersed, whispering among themselves.
Head held high, Riley crossed to the rental car and hopped into the passenger seat. She and Tao had agreed that since the route to the main cabin provided no real cover, they would use the car to get there. She was glad of it now, because she needed to get away from Cynthia and Shirley fast or she’d seriously let loose on the shit-stirring bitches.
What bothered her more was that the flock had just stood around, watching the drama unfold—no support, no speaking to Sawyer in her defense, no nothing. Not that she needed anyone to defend her, but dammit, they were supposed to be her flock. The Phoenix wolves would never have stood by while allegations were thrown at her feet. If nothing else, they’d have been at her back in a gesture of unspoken support. And she had to face that the Phoenix Pack felt more like home than the Exodus Flock did.
Neither she nor Tao said a word as he drove them back to the cabin. Inside he surprised her by shoving the coffee table and sofa close to the wall, creating a large space. He then turned to face her and invited, “Hit me.”
She blinked. “What?”
“Hit me,” Tao repeated, sensing just how on edge she was. “You’re gonna snap if you don’t get it all out of you. Don’t worry; I can take a punch from an itty-bitty thing like—motherfucker.” He stroked his jaw, trying to ease the pain pounding through it thanks to the blow she’d just dealt him. “You weren’t supposed to be that enthusiastic about it.”
She shrugged, smiling sweetly. “Sorry.”
Yeah? She sure didn’t sound it. Giving her a little space, he planted his feet shoulder width apart. “Again.”
Tao really hadn’t expected her to come at him like a street fighter on crack, but Riley literally didn’t pull her punches. She was fast. Wicked fast, actually. Fluid too. Even fighting, she moved with grace. She knew every sensitive zone on a person’s body and she targeted every one of them with punches, kicks, and those razor-sharp talons.
Tao did his best to block each blow, but she was a sly little scrapper and had no problem fighting unfairly, so she clipped him a few times. She hadn’t once drawn blood, though—not even when she’d raked him with her talons. Still, he’d have some bruises for sure. And that made him and his wolf kind of proud.
Tao found himself smiling as he asked, “Who taught you to fight?”
“Ethan.”
He grunted as she caught him on the jaw yet again. “Damn. Why do ravens always go for the face?” Blocking yet another punch, he yanked her to him and locked his arms around her. “Feel better, baby?”
She puffed out a long breath. “I don’t feel like I’m going to explode anymore.”
“Good.” He stroked his jaw. “You punch like a guy. Let’s never do that again.”
“Okay.”
He nuzzled her. “As much as it pissed me off that Cynthia confronted you, I can’t deny it was pretty hot when you grabbed her by the throat. Part of me wanted to bend you over right then and fuck you raw.”
She smiled, melting into him. “You can do that after we shower . . . or maybe even while we shower.”
“Sounds fair.” Draping an arm over her shoulders, Tao guided her up the stairs.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
You’re not listening to me, are you?”
Blinking, Riley looked up from her seat at the breakfast bar. “I am,” she lied.
“Oh yeah?” said Tao, doubt heavy in his voice. “What did I just say?”
She pursed her lips. “I’m still processing it.”
“What exactly are you processing?”
“Let’s not revisit the past, Tao.”
He closed his eyes and banged his empty mug on the counter. “Too early for this shit, Porter. Too early.” Pouring more coffee into the cup, he said, “I was telling you that I found my watch this morning. It was in my duffel. I wonder how it got there,” he added drily.
She stifled a smile. “Very mysterious.” Drinking her coffee, she watched him bustle about the kitchen—checking cupboards, messing with the fridge magnets, and tampering with the juicer. Riley had to smile. He was so used to having all his time taken up by a cute little pup that he just didn’t know what to do with himself. “You find it weird not having to run around after someone.”
Tao’s brow furrowed. “I’m enjoying the break.”
She snorted. “You miss Kye like crazy.”
“Yeah, well, you miss Savannah and Dexter.” He’d heard her talking on her cell phone earlier, known instantly from her soft tone that she was speaking with the kids. Tao wasn’t sure if she realized it or not, but it was a tone she used strictly with them. “You promised to call them every morning, didn’t you?” She was a total softy for those kids, and he found it rather endearing. “How are they?”
“Causing trouble. Hoarding food. Hissing at Greta. They’re upset with me for not coming back when I said I would.” And that made Riley feel like utter crap.
“I aim to find who out who shot at you as soon as possible so we can get the fuck out of here.” Tao’s stomach clenched as she licked a drop of coffee from her lower lip. It hadn’t even been an hour since he’d last tasted that mouth, and he wanted it again. He also wanted to see her lips wrapped around his cock. It was something he envisioned often. Probably much too often, but he decided there were worse things to obsess over, so he didn’t give himself a hard time about it.
“You’re thinking about sex, aren’t you?” Riley could always tell, because his face would be completely deadpan but there would be an intense energy in his eyes that speared her.
“I’m thinking about fucking your mouth, to be exact.”
“Of course you are,” she said drily. “You’re a boy. Boys are delusional.”
He smiled. “You’re not going to let me feel what it’s like to slide my cock in your mouth? That doesn’t seem fair. I go down on you all the time.”
“Oh, I won’t deny you eat pussy like a champ.”
He laughed. “Like a champ?”
“Totally. But you know, over seventy percent of erectile dysfunction cases are caused by having too many blow jobs.”
“They are not.”
“They could be,” she said. “Besides, you really shouldn’t give to receive.”
He crossed to her and pulled her off the stool, sliding his hands down to her ass. “I don’t do it to receive anything. I do it because I like the taste of you.” He loved it. Craved it, even. “It’s addictive.”
“Oh really? What do I taste like?”
He brushed his mouth over hers and replied, “Mine.”
Riley didn’t really know what to make of that comment or quite how to respond to it. As if sensing that, he smiled in amusement. She narrowed her eyes. “You like it when I’m off balance, don’t you?” It was more of an accusation than a question.
“It’s only fair. You shake my balance all the time.”
Hearing two cars pull up outside, she frowned. “If that’s the Phoenix wolves, they’re early.”
“Of course they’re early,” he said, following her to the front door. “They’re worried about you.”
Opening the door wide, Riley found Hugh leading four familiar wolves up the steps and onto the porch. She gave the Beta a quick smile. “Hey, Hugh.”
His smile was a little strained. “Your friends are here. They’ve been allocated the two cabins that border this one. Think you can give them directions when you’re done here?”
“Of course.”
With a nod Hugh returned to the Chevy he’d parked beside an SUV the wolves had rented. The Beta drove off, leaving a cloud of dirt in his wake. One by one the Phoenix wolves filed inside the cabin and into the den.
Dante squeezed her shoulder and clapped Tao on the back. “How are you both doing?”
“We’ve been better,” said Tao. “How’s everyone?”
“Other than anxious for you and Riley, they’re good.”
Jaime wrapped her arms around Riley. �
�I have to say, I’d like to smack the shit out of whoever tried to shoot you.” Pulling back, she held Riley’s eyes as she asked, “You’re okay?”
“I’m okay,” replied Riley. “I appreciate you coming.”
Makenna hugged her. “Of course we came. The sooner we get you home and away from here, the better.”
“Which, I guess, means figuring out who’s trigger happy and then taking care of the situation,” said Dante, sinking into the sofa.
Makenna raised a finger. “Coffee first.”
“I have one, thanks,” Riley told her. “I left it on the breakfast bar, though.”
“I’ll bring it in with me.” Makenna made her way into the kitchen, and—after inclining his head in greeting at both Riley and Tao—Ryan trailed after his mate.
Taking a turn around the den, Jaime said, “This place is cute. Are the other cabins the same?”
Riley shrugged. “Pretty much, yeah.”
Dante pulled Jaime onto his lap. “How’s your friend, Riley?”
“Weak, but recovering,” she replied, joining them on the sofa.
Jaime’s brows knitted together. “The flock doesn’t have a healer?”
“Nope. My Uncle Max has enough healing skills to accelerate the process.”
“Fortunately for Lucy, Max was there when she was shot,” said Tao, perching himself on the arm of the sofa so that he was beside her.
Moments later Ryan hauled two dining chairs into the den for him and his mate while Makenna carried a tray of coffees. Once everyone was settled, cups in hand, Makenna said, “Now tell us exactly what’s been happening—leave nothing out.”
Riley and Tao told them everything, from the recent shootings and the confrontations she’d had with Cynthia and Shirley to even the small matter of someone’s ripping Tao’s clothes to shreds.
“It’s possible that someone is finishing what Wade started by shooting the people who should have been at the party that night,” said Tao. “But it occurred to me that it’s equally possible that someone’s trying to hurt Riley by hurting the people who are important to her. The bullet that hit Ethan could truly have been intended for him.”
Fierce Obsessions (The Phoenix Pack Series Book 6) Page 14