“Yes, Ian. Yes, I will marry you.”
“My love?” Ian whispered.
I turned my head to look at him. His eyes were still closed and not a muscle of his body twitched. I thought perhaps I’d imagined his voice calling to me.
“Is it true, my love? If it is, I will be the happiest man in all this world and I promise to see to your every happiness as well.” His eyes opened. They were the dark blue of dawn just before the sun rose; points of lights glittered within them. He was waiting, as still as only a vampire could be.
“You’re a coward, Ian.” I spoke softly. “You waited until the last possible moment to ask me to marry you, and then you died.” Ian and I didn’t dance around words. If we were talking to someone else it was “slept” or “rested” but when we were alone, we called it what it was. Ian died at sunrise.
“I thought you would need time to consider it.”
I slanted a look at him.
“And yes, I thought that your first answer would be no. So I gave you time to think, without pressure, or damage to my ego.”
“You know me too well.” I couldn’t help but smile. I felt as if a great weight had been lifted from me and I could breathe again. I laughed as he jumped up, pulled me to him and crushed me with a kiss.
Abruptly he pulled away, rolled to his knees on the floor and lifted my left hand to his lips.
“Leah Wolfe? Will you marry me?” He said solemnly, love pouring off him in waves.
“Yes.” I spoke the word clearly. “Yes I will marry you.”
Ian laid his head on my lap, his fingers caressing my back. I ran my hands through the silky darkness of his hair, guiding him back onto the bed, and showed him exactly how happy I was.
Afterward, we lay there together, naked and wrapped up in the luxurious silk sheets until I drifted off. Ian had had all the rest he needed but as a mere human, I required a few hours of actual sleep.
When I woke, I was alone. I found one of the duffel bags that I kept in the trunk of the cars, filled with spare clothing, on the bathroom counter. I took advantage of the multi-jet shower, ran a brush through my hair and then pulled on only my shirt. It was just long enough to cover my ass and I buttoned it as I headed downstairs. Part of me wanted to say that this wasn’t right, that I didn’t belong here in this house, that it was his, not ours.
Our home. God I liked the sound of that. Loved the feel of that. This was our home and little did I know that Ian had been planning that all along. He’d asked about the details that were put into the house right down to the color of flooring. I’d thought he just wanted another opinion but as I looked around, I saw that he was building this house for us, for me.
I made my way to the kitchen and found a pot of coffee in a stainless steel carafe; the same one I had at home—my other home—wow, I really did need to let this all sink in. I poured a cup and took it a small table next to the pool. The house was strangely void of the scent of chlorine and pool chemicals usually associated with an indoor swimming pool. The room still smelled faintly of roses and candle wax, although all of it had been cleaned up before I came downstairs.
“I think we should have an engagement party.” Ian startled me from my thoughts.
“I’m gonna put a bell on you if you keep sneaking up behind me.” I laughed.
He kissed me lightly, first on the cheek, then on my lips and last he lifted my left hand, a little heavier now with the diamond ring on it, and kissed it. The expression on my face stopped him cold. “You haven’t changed you mind, have you?”
I smiled. “No. No I have definitely not changed my mind.” I pulled him to me for a kiss, hopefully putting all the promise I felt into it. “It’s just the thought of everyone, both our families and friends together in one place.”
He smiled, relief clear in his eyes. “Your family knows what I am, my love. We have had meals together before, I hardly think…”
“That’s not it.” I interrupted him.
“You’re worried about public opinion?”
I nodded, just a slight bob of my head.
“I have thought of that too.” He sat down then pulled me onto his lap. “I know you are not fond of a public life and admittedly, I live a very public life since I’ve agreed to take my place as Marquis and the VRA has passed. That is why I had the house built as I did. Separate quarters for our home and business, separated by the garage with its own entrance.”
I laid my head upon his chest and let his calm soothe me.
“The lower levels are not only a safeguard against attack but a place where we can be ourselves in complete privacy,” he continued. “I do not plan on conducting business from our home, my love. I have an office in the casino for that. Yet with all of this, my life is still very public and a federal agent for SINS marrying the Marquis will, how do you say, ‘stir the pot’”.
I snorted. “There will be talk,” I said sarcastically. “Rumors.”
“Then let us beat them to the punch.” He lifted my face to his. “We’ll have a private engagement party this evening.” He grinned so bright I could feel his love. “Will you accompany me to the fundraiser tomorrow night? We will put an end to the secrecy and announce our marriage there. Rumors be damned, my love.”
“Rumors be damned.” I said as I twisted in his lap to straddle him. I could feel him hard against me and wiggled just a little to tease.
Ian’s head fell back and he groaned, so I wiggled some more as my fingers walked up his chest and began unbuttoning his shirt.
“Are we alone in the house?” I asked as my mouth followed the trail left exposed by his opened shirt.
“We are, my love. What did you have in mind?”
“Mmm.” I moaned against his stomach. “I think we should initiate this house properly.” I unbuttoned his pants a slid his zipper down, freeing his erection.
Ian lost patience and ripped my shirt open, buttons flying. I laughed and then closed my mouth over his, still teasing him as I rocked over his erection. Ian’s hands grasped both of my breasts, kneading deliciously as his thumbs caressed my nipples. He took one in his mouth and sucked, causing warmth to pool in the lower part of my body and raising goose bumps of pleasure along my skin. I scissored his hair in my fingers as my body arched back to give him more access. The other nipple got the same treatment before I scooted down and took him into my mouth, my tongue playing along the hard ridge of the head, swirling and suckling until I pulled a groan of pleasure from Ian.
I opened my eyes and looked up at him. His head lay back against the chaise, his hair tousled and sexy as hell. His eyes were closed, mouth slightly open and I could see just the tips of his fangs as his breath came from him in short, quick rasps.
Suddenly his pants became too much of an obstacle. I clawed at them, prying them down. Ian lifted his hips, pushing him further into my mouth. I pulled hard at him then and he growled in bliss as he kicked off his pants. Reaching under him, I stroked his balls, luxuriating in the feel of their rough texture as I slid his velvet covered steel shaft into my mouth.
“Now, my love.” Ian rasped. “I must have you now.” He ran his hands under my shirt, groaned again and then lifted me over him.
I hovered there until he opened his eyes. “I love you, Ian Nightwalker, no matter what.” And with that I lowered myself onto him.
* * * *
We spent the rest of the early afternoon making plans and making love. Then we had some phone calls to make. My first was to Sam to tell him that I’d be taking the night off. I think he nearly choked on his coffee until I invited him to Ian’s house for dinner. We were telling everyone that it was a housewarming party. I think both Alli and Jess were suspicious but they played it cool and said they’d be there by seven.
Then I told Ian about the latest shifter death, filling him in on all the details that I’d never be able to wipe completely from my mind.
“It would seem that Ambrose Twofeather is escalating the violence, my love. He seems to be giving in
to his rage.”
“That was my thought. I should have shot the bastard at his house. He was armed; I might have gotten away with it.” I mused.
“You went to his house? Alone?
“No, not alone. I took Ramirez as back-up and before you bitch about it,” I raised a hand to stop him, “It is my job to go after criminals.”
He shook his head slightly and then sighed. “My apologies. I cannot help but be concerned for your safety. I respect your job and if you ask, I will stay out of this.”
I brushed a kiss on his lips. “Thank you.”
He pulled my face back to his and kissed me harder. “You are most welcome.”
“I need someone to keep an eye on Ambrose. I can’t go near him.”
“I know you cannot arrest him, my love. By surely Sam would allow you to run surveillance.”
“Ambrose has a restraining order against me.”
Ian pulled in his lips, attempting to restrain his smile before he finally gave up and started laughing. Loud, straight-from-the-gut laughter filled the room until I had no choice but to swat him on the arm.
I narrowed my eyes at him in mock anger. “Is that so funny?”
“I am sorry, my love. Please,” he wiped a tear from his eye, “Continue.”
“I can’t go anywhere near Ambrose so I need someone else to snoop, preferably two people.”
“I will enlist Bear for daytime and Cougar for night.”
“Bear is your guard. I don’t want to leave you without him.”
“I will have Ozzie.”
“I don’t trust him, Ian.”
“I know that, my love, but he has sworn fealty to me. It is not possible for him to harm me, it is part of the oath. Besides, would you trust him at the doorstep of your enemy?”
He had a point so all I could say was, “Thank you.”
Chapter 4
I wore a simple sundress and flats for the engagement party. My hair was pulled up in a high ponytail and fastened with a clip that matched the dress.
Ian was dressed in his signature black pants with a short-sleeved button-down silk shirt. Alli and Wilson arrived early and Alli jumped out of the car and bounded up the walkway, her eyes dashing to my finger then a quick look of question flashed on her face when she found me without a ring. I didn’t answer the question but took the pastries she brought and led her into the kitchen.
Ian had his own plans for Wilson and while I thought it was very old-fashioned, he reminded me that he was old, and he wanted to do this right.
I shut the door behind us then put an index finger to my mouth then pointed at the door, signaling Alli to listen.
We heard Wilson comment on the house and Ian offer him a drink.
Ian cleared his throat and I nearly laughed. “Are you nervous Mr. Nightwalker?” I asked through our mental link. “There’s still time to change your mind.” I quipped.
“Never.” And with that comment he shut down our connection and I had to listen with my ear pressed to the door.
“Mr. Wilson.” Ian began.
“Wilson.” He corrected.
“There is something I need to ask you.”
“Yes?”
“I would like to ask your permission to marry Leah.” Ian’s voice was clear, no hesitation.
Alli’s eyes widened and I gave her what I was sure was a stupid grin.
Wilson was silent for a moment and I swear I could hear Ian sweating. “Does Leah know about this?”
“She does.”
“Leah!” Wilson bellowed. “Get your ass out here.”
I stiffened and it was my turn to turn wide eyes on Alli. I straightened and pushed open the door. Wilson took three long strides and then wrapped me in a bear hug. He pulled back, blinked away a tear and asked, “Are you happy?”
“Yes. I am.” I felt my own tears sting the back of my eyes.
“Then I am happy for you.”
Ian got down on one knee and put the ring back on my finger as Alli beamed.
I heard a low whistle as Cougar came into the room. “So you’re finally going to make an honest man out of him, Leah.” He swooped me up and planted a kiss on me, earning a laugh from me and scowl from Ian.
“Relax Ian. I won’t steal your girl.” He brushed his long dirty-blond hair from his face and flashed a conspiratorial smile at me, his amber eyes dancing with mischief. He wore faded jeans and a T-shirt with the emblem of a band I’d never heard of on it. Cougar ran the bars and clubs in Ian’s casino. He booked all the entertainment and made Dark Nights competitive with some of the best casinos in Vegas.
“You’re always trying to pick a fight.” Falcon said as he came in. He was dressed in slacks and a dress shirt that screamed Armani. His outfit probably cost more than one of my paychecks. His hair was darker, his face more angular than Cougar’s. Ian had called them his brothers and I’d never questioned it. I knew all too well that you became a family by more ways than birth.
“May I kiss the bride-to-be?” Raven’s heavy voice seemed to linger in the air. He was by far the darkest of the brothers. His hair was as dark as his namesake and in the right light, you could see the faint hint of blue, very similar to a raven’s feathers. He was also the most elusive of the brothers. I had no idea what he did for a living, just that it very often took him out of town for weeks at a time.
Jess arrived with Oscar followed by Shia with her twin boys, Cody and Quinn. With the boys, came activity, noise and the sounds of life that warm the heart. There were more congratulations, kisses and hugs of greeting. I was surrounded by everyone that mattered in my life and they were all there to celebrate my engagement to Ian. Instantly, the house felt like home.
Cody and Quinn took Oscar to the far side of the room. If Oscar sensed that the boys were at all different from any of his other playmates, he never showed it. I saw Cody’s nostrils flare as he looked around the room and spotted a wooden chest near the entertainment center. He walked to it and then opened it to reveal a plethora of toys. I shook my head slightly, hoping that Jess hadn’t noticed that he just scented his way to his toys, and enjoying the fact that Ian had thought to put them there.
As the boys played, the wedding plans began. It was pretty clear from the beginning that Alli, Jess and Shia had plenty of ideas, which was fine with me. I never was much of a girly-girl and was perfectly content to let them plan it, as long as Ian and I had the last say.
“Do you want a large wedding or small?” Alli asked.
“Small.” Ian and I said in unison. Ian’s life was planted firmly in the public eye since he accepted his role as Marquis. Our wedding would be poked at enough as it was; we didn’t want to make it worse.
“Okay,” Jess asked, “Church wedding?”
Ian and I had talked about this too. “We’d like the wedding to be here with our family and close friends.”
“Ooh, that’s perfect!” Shia exclaimed. “We can have huge white tents put up, light up the entire landscape, and Cougar, can you build a wedding arch?”
“Yep, just draw me some plans.” He said after gulping a mouthful of champagne.
“Great, we should talk about food and music…” The conversation went on from there, filled with laughter. It felt … perfect.
Somewhere during the middle of this, Sam showed up. He offered his congratulations but couldn’t stay long. He was on duty tonight and was expected at SINS.
The last to arrive were Bear, Mouse and Ozzie, all of whom had been working security at Dark Nights. Ozzie was the newest vampire added to Ian’s private security detail and worked in the casino when Ian didn’t need him at home. I didn’t trust him yet but as Ian pointed out, I didn’t really trust anyone.
Bear’s ability was brute strength and an unwavering loyalty to Ian. Mouse held the same allegiance to Ian but his specialty was in computers and technology.
I knew that Ozzie had not always played on the right side of the law but he’d sworn fealty to Ian knowing that by vampire law the consequence
for breaking his oath of duty was death. Even I had to admit that it was a pretty damn good reason not to piss Ian off.
As soon as they walked in, Jess carried Oscar, wiggling in protest, away from the party. She mumbled something about a case that she was working on but left fast enough to have me worrying. I mentally put myself at ease. Jess was usually going over cases long after she put Oscar to bed.
The champagne flowed freely, mixed with blood for the vampires although no one seemed to notice, or at least, comment. I loved the fact that my family had accepted the supernatural side of my life. It was a blessing and one I held very close to my heart. Acceptance was a beautiful thing.
The rest of the humans stayed until after one in the morning, then made their last congratulations and went home. It took a little longer to convince the Supernaturals to leave and in the end, Ian and I escaped to the bedroom while the party roared on.
* * * *
“The autopsy report is in.” Sam began as Ian and I sat across from his desk the next night. Sam had called early in the evening and asked for both Ian and me to come in.
“Adam Nolan. Twenty-three years old, wolf shifter for nearly three years. The cause of death is listed as asphyxia, which we know can’t be correct given the wounds.”
“He was shot.” I said definitively. “That’s a hell of a lot different from suffocation.”
“I agree.” Sam shuffled to the next page. “The second body was Morrison Kane, a forty-five year old accountant. He worked for Smythe Financials out of Tucson. The official report says that he bled to death. His co-workers said he was a single workaholic. They didn’t know he was a shifter. He kept that part of his life to himself. I can’t find any connection between him and Adam Nolan.”
“So we have two deaths and the only connection is that they were both shifters. That doesn’t give us much to go on.” I pushed my hand through my hair in frustration.
“There’s more. The coroner found trace amounts of Aconitum Napellus in Adam’s bloodstream.”
“What the hell is Aconitum Napellus?”
Ian stiffened. “The common name is monkshood but it is also known as wolfsbane.” I felt his anger seeping from him. “Ambrose is using wolfsbane to kill shifters.”
Justified (A Leah Wolfe SINS Novel) Page 5