by Dahlia Rose
In one swift upward movement, he slipped his dick between her nether lips and entered her tight channel. He opened his mouth to speak and thought better of it. She wouldn’t appreciate a statement like, “Honey, I’m home.” Instead he placed his mouth against her necklace and bit down on the narrow strip of leather that tied the stones together in position around her neck. As the turquoise pieces tumbled down, he eased from her passage and surged up, shoving her against the pane. Multiple knocks reached his ears as the semiprecious jewelry hit the concrete and the glass squeaked as her moist palms scrubbed it.
Taut muscles rippled along his shaft, creating friction with every thrust. He skimmed a hand around her, holding his forearm against her belly as he plunged into her cove, lifting her up with every drive. The hard soles of their boots clacked on the patio floor as she rocked to his rhythm. She moaned softly every time he shoved deeper into her body.
Jace grabbed a fistful of her tresses and wrapped them around his hand. He jerked her head back. “Whose pussy is this?”
Her throat worked as she swallowed but her mouth remained closed.
He dipped his head and ran the tip of his tongue along her mark and up the tense tendon along her throat to nip her ear. “You’re mine. Say it.”
Lettie turned her head and held his stare. “Make. Me.”
He released her hair and heaved up against the window, plastering his front to her back. Jace trailed his hands along her arms and covered the back of her hands with his palms. He rolled his hips and hammered into her passage with preternatural quickness. The panes quivered in their frames. “Mine. Say it.” He panted.
Strands of his hair flew forward, catching in her curls. His heart did double-time in his chest as tension drew his nuts up. Churning filled his belly as he jammed his fingers between her digits. Sharp wails rent the air as she whined and wiggled her hips. A vapor covered the window where her breath blew across it. Black dots swam across his vision as his sight tunneled. Leticia was the only one he saw. Her skin took on a reddish glow and currents sizzled through his frame. Light cracked through the glass, then flooded around them as his body seized. He closed his eyes. Leticia went still in his embrace. She tossed her head back and bumped his collarbone, screaming out, “Yours! I am yours!”
Warmth flooded around his dick as her release surged through her. Unable to hold back, his voice thundered through the night as he made one last drive and filled her cove with his cum. Jace opened his eyes to a group of people crowded around the window. When he focused on them a couple of folks jumped back and the curtain fluttered into place. He eased out of Leticia and yanked his jeans up. She crumbled. Jace snatched her up, lifting her into his arms, and hiked to his car. He opened the rear door and slid her across the seat. She twisted her head a few times and cracked her lids.
“Welcome back to the living.” He tried to stay in the shadows so he wouldn’t scare her. His beast was too close to the surface. Jace clung to his humanity. His condor wanted to take her to their nest and listen to her submit again and again.
“Uh, why do I keep passing out?” The leather seat squeaked when she tried to rise and plopped down again.
“I guess I’m just good like that.”
“You’re an asshole.” She rubbed her temple.
“Maybe, but you’re stuck with me.” He took a deep breath and smirked. Her scent reflected his. Their claiming was complete. He eased out the back and slammed the door, listening to the familiar click of the safety locks engaging.
The only way out of the vehicle was to open the door from the outside. She wouldn’t be able to exit his patrol car. Jace stared at her through the window. She’d curled up in a corner and fell asleep. He adjusted his shaft and fastened his jeans. Content with the knowledge she wasn’t going anywhere, it was time to take care of his other business. Locate the bastard with the rancid odor and offer him a last warning before he killed him. Get the fuck out of town.
Chapter Seven
Christophe checked his watch. Where the hell had his date disappeared to? What he’d hoped would an enjoyable sexual encounter was turning into the opposite. Leticia made a better informant, not that she realized that. Now if she would just hurry back from the ladies’ room, he could continue to glean her route information from her. Of course if he got to shove that skirt up around her waist and bury his dick in her softness, then it was a win-win situation for him.
He cut into the well-done steak that had been brought to the table after she left and groaned. The chef certainly knew how to braise a well-cut piece of meat. In that first bite it felt as if that small piece of New York Strip melted in his mouth. He speared an asparagus spear with his fork and listened for the crunch while a hint of olive oil rushed over his taste buds. The vegetable was the freshest he’d tasted in a long time. Christophe chose to ignore the commotion he could hear behind him. What should he expect in this shitty town? It wasn’t like he was in a major city where people knew how to control themselves. At least the food was decent.
He lifted his knife and prepared to cut into his steak again when jean-clad legs appeared next to his table. Christophe didn’t bother to glance up. He stayed rooted in his seat and placed the cutlery down on the side of the plate. “I don’t have time for games.”
The server rushed over to him. “I’m so sorry, sir. The maître d’ is contacting the police.”
Christophe turned his head to stare at the waiter and watched as he was lifted up by the collar and tossed out the way. He watched as the tribal sheriff amble to the other side of the table and claimed Leticia’s seat. The Indian looked at the plate before him before lifting his head to meet Christophe’s gaze.
The fucking lawman should be dead. He peered into the calm, steel-gray eyes of Jace. His hit man assured him that he’d dealt with all the birds, so how was this asshole sitting across from him? The bastard was a bird. They had to take to the air sometimes. The sniper had been killing all avian species within a fifty-mile radius of the casino for the last week and had assured him the task was complete. Anger welled up in his gut and his words were clipped. “What the hell do you want?”
“Correct me if I’m wrong, but I swore we had a chat several days ago about you getting the fuck out of here. You disappoint me. I thought we had an understanding, and here I find you having an intimate dinner with my woman.” Jace rubbed the scruff on his jaw. “I’m a reasonable man. How would you like to die?”
Christophe picked up his wineglass and took a sip. He needed the liquid courage to settle his nerves. For the briefest of moment he saw the visage of something in the Indian’s eyes. He set the stemware down with a thud and allowed his annoyance to eclipse his other emotions.
He was a Messina. His line could be traced back to royalty in Spain, and this motherfucker had the audacity to challenge him. Christophe picked up the starched white napkin and wiped his mouth. Not only would he not be intimidated. To hell with that. After all he knew their secret. He understood what the Supai Indians could become, which was why he had the sniper he hired shooting every fucking bird out the sky no matter the species. Better to be safe than sorry.
It wasn’t like he could make their secret public knowledge. He would simply come off as crazy, but he could use the information to his advantage. Christophe tossed the linen down. “I was not aware we had such an agreement. You came to my hotel and threatened me. Perhaps it is you who is not clear of the facts. I will not be intimidated. As for my delectable date, well, she made no mention of you, not that I wouldn’t have asked her out, even if she had.”
“Listen carefully, Messina. Leave or die. If you stay, the next acquisition Tino Messina will be making is a coffin.” Jace leaned against the chair back. “That is if I decide to let the searchers find your body.”
“Always with the threats. Honestly, can’t you come up with something more creative?” Christophe scoffed.
Jace picked up the knife and cut into Leticia’s steak. He lifted the fork to his mouth, took the meat bet
ween his lips, and chewed slowly. Christophe watched as he lifted the glass of wine from the table and took a sip and spit it back into the glass. “That’s nasty.” The corner of Jace’s mouth lifted in a malicious smirk. “The steak is a little overdone.” He leaned over the plate. “Take my advice, you pompous shit. Our land is just that. Ours. It is not for sale or lease and the succulent woman is mine, too. You so much as look at or bother either and I will make sure not only that you die but your people won’t even know where to start looking for your body…” He set the goblet on the table. “And if by chance someone gets lucky and finds the place where I leave you, there still won’t be enough left of you to identify.” Jace rose and dug out his wallet. He pulled money from his billfold and stuffed it back in his pocket. “This should cover the cost of your meal.” He leaned on his fists and stopped within inches of Christophe’s face. “When you leave, make sure you keep driving past the county lines.” Jace straightened.
Christophe looked at the bills on the table, then up at Jace. “Fuck you.”
“You’re not my type, way too uptight,” Jace snorted as he turned.
“I know what you are!” Christophe blurted out. A few patrons looked in their direction.
Jace stopped and looked over his shoulder. “Then you know I keep my promises.” His voice was low. Christophe strained to hear the words. Jace stalked away.
Cold fury washed through Christophe and he clenched his teeth. The host hurried over. Apologizing for the disturbance, he waved the little man off and reached for his phone in his jacket pocket. He scrolled through his call log and tapped redial.
“New job?” his hired gun answered quietly.
“You didn’t complete the one I paid you to do.” Christophe struggled to get ahold of his emotions.
“I killed every one with in fifty miles of the casino.”
“You didn’t get them all.”
“I will finish off any living bird tomorrow.”
“Wait. I’ll make it easy for you and see if I can’t get them all gathered in one place.” A loose plan formed in Christophe’s mind.
“Contact me within twenty-four hours or consider our business concluded.” The line went dead.
Christophe grinned, set down his cell, and picked up his fork. His phone vibrated across along the edge of the table. He groaned and leaned over to check the ID. His father. He snatched up the phone and slid his finger over the screen. “Hello, sir.”
“Report.” Tino spoke in clipped tones
“They don’t want the money, but I found someone who has been slipping on and off their reservation unnoticed.” He looked at his steak and shoved the plate away. “I’m hoping she’ll show me her route.”
“Good! By hook or by crook, that’s what your grandfather always said. We’ll make a few dumps of the toxic materials and walk away free and clear. Bastards won’t know what hit them, and we can still keep ours funds in-house. I’m proud of you.”
“Thank you, Father.”
“Get this shit taken care of so we can move onto our next project.” His dad hung up, leaving Christophe staring at the cell. Warmth flushed his skin. He’d finally done something right in the eyes of Tino Messina. Determination solidified his resolve. He would take care of the fucking bird people and continue to hold on to his father’s pride.
* * * *
Jace exited the restaurant as Myer walked up the short flight of steps. He stopped and rested one dusty, booted foot on the top step peering at Jace. “I should have known it was you when the owner called and said some Indian was causing trouble.”
“Native American coyote, get your terms right.” Jace cocked a brow.
Myer hung his head and a long, drawn-out sigh escaped him. “Do I need to call the coroner?” He yanked his phone from the clip on his belt. “If I call Jerimiah now, he can meet us at the jail and we can get a judge up to arraign you quickly.” Myer pushed his cowboy hat away from his forehead. “Oh and unless you let the woman banging on your back window go, I’m going to have to throw in a kidnapping charge too.” He looked over his shoulder. “She doesn’t look like she wants to be there.”
“You’re my best friend, Myer, but I swear if you go near that door, I will take your other eye.” Jace advanced forward. “Then Teka will want to take a chunk out of my hide and family gatherings will be hard because she’s mad. Let’s just save ourselves all that trouble and chalk up the woman in my patrol car as tribal business.”
“That’s her, isn’t it?” A mischievous smile spread across Myer’s face. “Your mate.”
“I’m not discussing my woman with you.” Jace pushed pass Myer.
“Talk about it now or later. I’ll see you at the casino tomorrow.” Myer walked up to the door.
Jace hesitated. “For what?
“You’re about to owe me big young buck and there is no way in hell I am going to miss the show.” The coyote tugged the door open.
“What the hell are you talking about?” Jace turned to stare at his friend.
“Teka asked me to do her a favor but since you’re behaving like an asshole I’ll just let you stew for a while.” His friend chuckled as he entered the building.
Jace wiped a palm down his face. Why were people annoying him this late? He stalked over to the patrol car and leaned on the side while Leticia kicked at the windows. Dirt outlines of her soles marred the glass.
She stopped when she noticed him. “Open the fucking door, Jace!” Her voice was muffled coming through the glass.
“I thought you were sleeping.” He crossed his arms.
“I’m up now!”
“You and I have a lot to talk about.”
“If you don’t free me right now I will barbecue your ass and enjoy sucking the meat off your bones.” She threw herself against the seat and the automobile rocked.
Shock at her threat disappeared quickly and morphed into fascination. “So you believe me now?”
“I want out, Jace.”
“Spend the night with me, let me explain everything we didn’t have a chance to talk about.”
“This is kidnapping!” She got quiet.
Her calm was disturbing. He bent to peer in the window and found her on a cell phone. Where the hell did that come from? She was speaking low. He yanked the car keys from his jeans and opened the driver’s door. Once in the vehicle, he could hear her talking but didn’t catch all of her words. Jace sucked in a breath. He would crush that damn device as soon as they got home. They needed to have uninterrupted conversation. He had to make it clear, she wasn’t going anywhere because he wasn’t letting her go. After they straightened out their issues, he would have to get with his dad. He though that Messina guy had left the area and Jerimiah hadn’t mentioned him coming around again, which told him his old man was up to something.
Jace started the car and peered in to the rearview mirror. Leticia had put the cell away but she was drawn up in the corner with her arms wrapped around her legs. Their gazes met briefly and she turned her head. Their mating wasn’t supposed to go this way, be so turbulent. Not true, perhaps all claiming were rooted in rough beginnings. Look at his parents, they still couldn’t get along. Jace glanced up at the starry sky. Please let Leticia and I settle our differences. The last thing he wanted was to end up like Jerimiah and Twyla Long Feather, destined to be together but always apart. They couldn’t stand to be in each other’s company for more than a couple of hours.
There were still a few loose ends to tie up, like finding the motherfucker that was shooting birds out the sky on the res. Yeah, once he caught that guy, death would be quick and the body would be dropped into a deep cavern. Then he would be able to give Lettie his full attention.
Tribal yells filled the cab of the automobile. He thumbed the screen without looking at the screen. “Hey, Mom.” He tapped the speaker icon.
“Hello, baby.”
“What’s with the late call?” Jace already had an idea. Teka probably notified their mom of his new status as soon
as he left the security room. One day folks would learn to stay out his business.
“A little birdy told me you found your mate. So I wanted to talk to you.” Twyla’s voice was threaded with curiosity.
“I have, Mom, my true mate. The Condor caught her first.” It felt good to share the news and not have his choice questioned.
“That makes me happy, son. I flew in immediately after I heard the news. I can’t wait to meet her, but that damn Myer brought me to the hotel instead of your house, so what time are you bringing her over?” Giddiness filled Twyla’s tone.
Ah, hell. Mom and Jerimiah in the same place together? Jace could imagine shit turning sideways fast and rolling to hell without the hand basket. “Does dad know you’re there?” Things just went from bad to worse. How could he court Leticia with his parents feuding? He’d be too busy trying to keep them from killing each other.
“If he doesn’t, he will soon enough,” Twyla sniffed .
His parents in the same vicinity for the first time in years but he didn’t want to deal with that just yet. Jace rubbed the mouthpiece against his thigh. “Mom I’m entering the canyon and we’re breaking up. I’ll call you tomorrow.” He pressed the end button and glanced in the mirror at Leticia, who arched a brow at him. Jace exhaled. Sometimes it felt like nothing ever came to him easy.
Chapter Eight
They came to a stop at the tribal police station. Leticia lifted her head and looked around. The squat structure had the tribe’s emblem painted on the side, a mighty condor with its wings spread above the Supai people. Under that blazoned in bold black block letters was Supai Tribal Authorities. There was a click, and her door drifted open. She pushed and it widened. Leticia scooted across the seat and stood up. Cool air caressed her cheeks. She twisted, looking for Jace. He stood at the building’s glass entrance, holding the door open. His dark hair shined under the florescent lights and she was again struck by how attractive he was. And she could admit that when he was around the nip at her throat didn’t react. There was so much she didn’t know about what was happening to her.