“Don’t move.” Again she’d take control and rip a powerful orgasm from her man.
Slowly, she leaned forward and licked over the engorged head, swirling her tongue, tasting him in full erotic bloom.
God, he tasted so very good. She swallowed, and then licked up the thick veined shaft.
Above her, Russ groaned and shuddered. Tori chuckled.
“It’s not funny. I’m needing, baby.”
“I’ll give you everything you need, wolf.”
When she swallowed him down to the root, he buried his hands in her hair and howled so loud she was sure her mother had heard him. There was no stopping now, and she didn’t want to stop.
Her clit ached, wanting a touch, a harsh rubbing, to ease her need. Tori bobbed up and down, blowing her lover and mate, as she worked one hand at the base of his shaft.
With her other hand, she parted her swollen lips and found her clit with her finger.
Tori groaned at the pleasure of it all. Sucking Russ off and rubbing her sweet spot as her entire body clenched, building to a powerful release. She’d given lover’s head before, and not really enjoyed it, not like this. Hell no. It had never been like this.
Russ’s hands gripped her tight and she knew he wanted to thrust, but she held him back until the last moment, still controlling him.
“Soon, baby. Gonna come,” he warned.
Tori had been waiting for this. She popped off his dick and fell back on the bed, her legs open in an invitation. “Fuck me.” She wanted him inside her.
“Oh hell yes!” He fell forward, scooping her legs up under her knees, bending her ass up to meet his cock. He drove home, filling her so completely she cried out.
She didn’t need her finger on her clit because whatever he was doing angled his body so perfectly it rubbed her just right.
With just a little more pressure, she’d come.
*
Russ claimed her again, thrusting deep inside Tori, in and out in a liquid glide that set every nerve ending in his cock on fire. Each time he sank into her, his balls drew up tighter, aching to unload.
He gritted his teeth to hold back, wanting this taking to last as long as he could stand it. He’d ride her until she came, and he could feel her body clenching around him.
“Russ!” she cried out. “Oh. Damn you.” She pounded her fist on his chest as her body arched off the bed. “I’m…”
“Coming?” He leaned closer, whispering a kiss across her parted lips. “Come for me, Tori. Come for your wolf.”
Now who was in control?
She gazed into his eyes, her blue eyes deepening to near black, as she bit her bottom lip. He sped up, his hips snapping in rapid fire, delivering blows to her that surely would send her over the edge.
Tori froze. Groaned. Her inner channel grabbed his cock and squeezed, taking him with her over the edge.
He shuddered as he emptied into her, giving her all he had, all he was, all his essence. He was hers forever.
Russ collapsed on her and she wrapped her arms around him.
“Your brother is going to have to go through me to take you from me,” Russ whispered into the hair at her temple.
“Jake’s going to have to get past me if he thinks he can take you from me.”
At the sheer determination of her voice, he chuckled.
“Are you sure you’re not a wolf?”
“Pretty sure.”
“Well, you’re the closest thing I’ve ever seen.” He kissed her and pulled her to him, cradling her in his arms.
“Woof?”
Russ burst out laughing. “Yeah, baby. Woof.”
Chapter 13
Marvin drove past the iron gates and gave them a quick once over. As he cruised by, he looked for a spot he could pull into and hide his car, but there was nothing. He’d have to drive farther up the road.
After the second mile, he decided to turn back and try the stretch of highway before he reached the gates. Just as he was about to turn around, a worn dirt road turned off into the forest.
He could walk from here.
Without another thought, he turned in and drove down the road. It twisted and turned, going deeper into the woods, and he lost any sense of which way was the road.
A flash of red through the trees caught his attention. He stopped and got out of the car to get a better look. After stepping into the tree line, he pushed aside a low-hanging branch and looked up at the side of a huge red brick mansion.
“Damn.” It looked like a fortress.
This might be more difficult than he imagined. Just a slight set back.
Lights in the lower windows. He started making his way toward it, keeping low to the ground, until there was nothing between him and the house but ten yards of grass.
No one moved on the grounds.
Marvin waited, counting his breaths. Then he carefully moved through the underbrush and trotted to the side of the house, flattening against it. He crept around to the nearest window.
Listening for any sound, he controlled his breathing again, searching for calm.
A voice.
“Barker, it’s Carrie. Tori’s home and she needs to report an incident to the police.”
Marvin edged closer.
“No, it’s not an emergency, but if you could get here soon, I’d appreciate it. Thanks.”
He twisted and peered through the window, careful not to be seen. An older woman sat with her back to him, drinking a cup of something. Had to be good old Mom.
How much time did he have before this Barker showed up? It sounded like he might be a cop and if that was the case, that Victoria bitch would show him the pictures and it would be done. His face would be plastered all over the television.
He wanted fame, but not like this.
Marvin felt in his jacket pocket and found the switchblade. He had a gun, but he’d have to take off the old bitch quietly, or else Victoria might bolt.
To his left was a door. He peeked through the window again, looking for it in the room. The door on that side wasn’t on the outside wall. Good. Probably a mudroom.
Marvin moved to the door and knelt to get a good look at the lock. One up and one down. The bottom one was a simple lock set in the knob, but the upper one was a deadbolt.
If that were locked, he’d be shit out of luck.
If the devil was on his side, both of them would open. He put his hand on the knob and turned it, slowly, listening for the click of the lock.
The door opened.
Marvin grinned.
Let the angels weep.
* * * *
Carrie tapped her finger on the saucer under her china cup. When was Barker going to get here? She had a bad feeling about this whole thing and once the police got here, Barker, that is, she’d feel a whole lot safer.
She picked up the phone again and dialed.
“Jake? Look, I’m thinking. It might be better if Rebecca and the baby stayed at her mother’s house until tomorrow.”
“I was thinking the same thing. I don’t trust Russ.” Her son growled into the phone.
“Don’t be silly. That’s not what I’m talking about. I’m talking about the killer. What if he follows her here?”
“You’re right. I’ll call her and head her off. Did you call Barker?”
“Yes. He’s tied up right now, but he’ll get here as soon as he can.”
“Good man. Look, I’m finishing up here at the mill and I’ll be home in about thirty minutes. Barker should be there by then and we can get this all straightened out.”
“I hope so. See you then.” She hung up and leaned back in her chair.
She took a sip and frowned. Her tea had grown cold. She rose, went to the stove, and put the kettle on for more hot water.
* * * *
Marvin stood in the dark mudroom as he listened at the door. Thirty minutes. He could do it. He’d worked faster.
Kill the old woman. Find Victoria and the man. Shoot him.
He’d
like to have more time with Victoria, but oh well. He’d have to make their time together short and sweet.
Then get out, back to his car, and onto the highway, heading away from here.
When Barker and McCallan arrived, they’d find nothing but bodies.
His grip on the knife tightened, and he pressed the release. The blade snicked out and with it a rush of endorphins careened through Marvin’s body. This wasn’t his usual kill, but to do three kills at once? This was a new sort of high and he liked it.
* * * *
Tori snuggled deeper into Russ’s embrace. “We should probably get a shower, get dressed, and go back down. If I know my mom, she’ll have called Barker and ordered him to get his ass here.”
“This Barker guy. What’s his story?” Russ bristled around her.
“Like I told Jake, Barker’s like a brother to me.”
“Hmm.” He didn’t sound convinced.
“Like. A. Brother.” She poked his chest with each word. “Kissing him would be…” she shivered. “Weird.”
“Good. You’re mine.” He tugged her tighter.
“Okay, you’ve established dominance.” She laughed and slapped his flank. “Let’s go.” She pulled away from him.
“Look. Take a shower and get dressed. I’ll get fresh clothes from my bike and shower before the cops show up.” He got up and searched for his clothes at the foot of the bed as Tori slipped into the bathroom. “Make it quick.”
“Will do.” She took the fastest shower she’d ever taken and then realized she had nothing with her. They’d never stopped to buy clothes and all she had was the clothes on her back.
Tori stood in front of her closet and opened the door, hoping her mom hadn’t gotten rid of everything. She exhaled. A few boxes of clothes sat stacked in a corner. She opened the top one and dug through it, pulling out a pair of sweat pants. “I remember these.” They had LSU running down the side of them in purple and gold. She shifted the box off and opened the next one.
“Could it be too much to ask for a pair of undies and an old sports bra?”
Obviously, it was, but she found a black sweat shirt to go with the pants. She yanked it on, forgoing bra and panties. She’d throw those in her mom’s washer along with her clothes.
Tori came out of the bathroom and found Russ sitting on the edge of the bed, his face scrunched up.
“Thinking about something?” She sat next to him.
He glanced at her and grunted. “You smell good.”
She bumped her shoulder against his. “Thanks. Wish I could say the same for you.”
“Yeah, well. Like I said, clothes, shower, cops.”
She took his hand, pulled him up, and pushed him toward the door. “We’d better get downstairs. There’s no telling what Mom’s up to.”
* * * *
Carrie heard the snick of the mudroom door and frowned. She pushed her chair back to stand, when someone grabbed her and a knife pressed against her throat.
“Where’s Victoria?” a stranger’s voice asked.
Her legs nearly buckled. He’d found them. Oh God. Oh God.
“Upstairs.” Thank God Russ was still here.
“Good. Where?” The blade pressed harder. She wavered. Should she tell him where Victoria was? Stall for time? Barker and Jake would be back any time, right?
“Up—up—stairs,” she stuttered.
“Second or third floor,” he whispered. His hot stale breath puffed against her cheek and his arm around her waist gave her a sharp squeeze.
“Third!” she yelped. Tears filled her eyes and for the first time she wondered if she’d ever see her daughter and son again.
The door to the kitchen swung open and Tori walked in. “Mom, when is Barker—”
She froze in the doorway, eyes wide as terror dawned in them. A tear slid down Carrie’s check. She couldn’t help it. This man was insane and he had a knife. She was going to die.
For a moment, Tori and she locked gazes and she hoped her daughter could see all the love Carrie held for her, because there wouldn’t be enough time to say it all.
“What the fuck?” Russ came up behind Tori. He pushed her out of the way. “Okay, man. Take it easy.” He had his hands out as he approached.
“Not one step more.”
Russ froze but his gaze never left the man with the blade. Her life was in the hands of a madman.
“Tori,” she whispered.
“Don’t move. You, get on your knees.”
Russ obeyed.
“Victoria, where’s your camera?” His voice sounded so reasonable, but so very cold and a chill shot through Carrie.
“Over there. By my purse.” She pointed to somewhere behind Carrie.
“Go get it and bring it here.” Behind her, the man trembled just the slightest bit.
Tori moved slowly across the room and the man dragged Carrie around enough to see Tori and to keep his eye on Russ.
Tori got the camera case. “Here it is.”
“Put it on the table and slide it over here.”
She did it, giving the case a push. It came to rest just short of the edge of the table.
Carrie’s gaze slid back to Russ.
He was formulating a plan, Carrie could see the calculations in his eyes. But she knew, as well as he, that despite whatever he did, she wasn’t going to make it. The bastard had a knife to her throat. One move from him and the knife would sever her carotid artery and she’d bleed out before they could get to her. He’d kill her and next he’d go for Russ. Then it would be Tori’s turn and by the time Jake and Barker got here, it’d all be over.
“Save Tori, Russ.”
“Don’t worry, Carrie.” He gave her a small smile and a wink. In a way, it reassured her. This man would take good care of her girl and that was all that was important to her right now.
Russ was her only chance, if he could just figure out what to do.
Chapter 14
Carrie felt the vibration in the air and for the first time, felt hope. In front of her, the air shimmered and Russ shifted into a wolf.
She screamed as loud as she could and jerked away. The blade bit into her neck with a flash of pain, but she continued falling forward. The man lost his grip on her as he yelled and staggered back.
She hit the floor and rolled away as the wolf leaped over her to get at the man. All she could do was hold her hands to her throat and close her eyes.
Another sharp yell from the killer, growls from the wolf and then a shriek. Silence echoed in the kitchen.
Was it over?
“Mom! Mom! Are you all right?” Tori knelt at her side. “I have a towel. Let me see your neck.”
Carrie opened her eyes. “No!” she whispered, terrified if she let go, all her blood would rush out of her body.
“I think it’s just a scratch.” Tori dabbed at her neck with a cloth.
Carrie swallowed and assessed herself. Not much pain. There was some blood on her hands, but not lots. She looked down at her shirt. One small drop had spread on her white cotton shirt. She lowered her hands and let Tori tend her.
She sat up and looked around.
The wolf had that bastard by the throat, just holding him as he stood over him. She searched for the knife. Across the kitchen, it had come to rest against the cabinet.
“Call Jake. Now! Tell him to get Barker over here,” Carrie ordered.
*
The wolf hated the taste of the man. It was bitter and laced with death, but he would never let go. He hadn’t killed the thing. Something inside him had stopped him from closing his jaws around it and shaking until its neck snapped.
The man whimpered, shaking, and the wolf caught the odor of urine. He wanted to sneeze to clear his nose, but to do so he’d have to let go and he wasn’t going to let his prey go.
He had threatened his mate, had frightened her and her mother, and for that, the wolf could not forgive or forget.
All he knew was he had to keep this human down until the
others arrived.
*
Tori jumped up and grabbed the phone off the charge stand. With the push of one button, she hit the speed dial for Jake’s cell.
It rang.
He picked up on the third ring. “McCallan.”
“Jake! He’s here. He had Mom in the kitchen. Russ attacked him.” The words spilled out of her mouth.
“Hey, hey, hey. Slow down. Say that again.”
“Where are you? Where’s Barker?” She ignored him and plunged on.
“He’s right behind me.”
“How far are you from the house?”
“We’re turning in the drive now.”
Tori exhaled and sat back on her heels. “He’s almost home.”
She glanced over at the wolf and his captive. “Good job, wolf.”
She stood up and went over to her wolf. “You bastard,” she hissed at the man on the floor. Then she grabbed a paper towel, went to the knife, bent down and picked it up, careful not to smear the prints.
Tori place it on the table and then went back to her mom.
“Better?” she asked.
Her mom nodded, still holding the towel to her throat. Tori helped her up and into a chair at the table. “Jake should be walking—”
The sounds of the two men coming in the house echoed. One of them pounded up the stairs and the other headed toward them.
She held her breath as the kitchen door opened.
“Tori? Mom?” Jake’s voice trembled. He stopped and took in the scene. “Barker, in here!” he shouted over his shoulder.
“Hurray! The Calvary has arrived.” Tori ran her hand over her mother’s back to soothe her.
Barker burst through the door, gun drawn. “What’s the situation, Boss?” As soon as he saw them, he put his weapon away.
“Under control, I’d say,” Jake grumbled as he glared at Tori.
“Hi, Barker. Long time no see.” Tori grinned at the familiar nickname Barker had given her brother at sixteen when both boys had worked at the mill during the summers.
“Hey, Tori. Jake tells me you finally caught a man. This him?” With one eyebrow raised, he pointed to the man on the floor.
“No. He’s the killer.” She pointed to the man on the floor.
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