Nowhere to Run: A Dark Paranormal Villain Romance (Midnight Renegades Book 1)

by Imani L. Hawkins

  “I could have another door installed and lock him out,” I suggested.

  She sank her teeth into her bottom lip before releasing a chuckle that felt oddly forced. “It’s okay. He’s probably just enjoying having another animal around.”

  She rimmed two shot glasses with salt, sliced up a lime, and poured a couple shots. Plucking one up, she offered it to me, pulling her hand back when I reached across the counter for it. A sly smirk curled her lips as she took the shot herself, her tongue snaking out to lick the salt from the rim in a slow seductive way that had heat trembling through me. She bit into a slice of lime and moaned at the taste, and I tensed up, willing myself not to react to that sound.

  I knew what she was doing and the moment I realized this, I should have left. I should have immediately put distance between us but I couldn’t will my feet to move. Not until she held up another glass, a challenge playing in those beautiful brown eyes that sparkled a light gold when the light touched them. I pointed my feet in her direction and walked right up to her, pressing her back into the island.

  I pried the drink from her hand and took the shot, enjoying the feel of it scorching a heated path down my throat. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d drank. It wasn’t something I liked to do often but tonight was different. Tonight, was the first time in a long time I’d been able to let down my guard enough to show her who I was and the monster I hid inside of me.

  Seeing her embrace that side of me, even revelling in it, had me tearing down the walls between us so swiftly I was nearly knocked over by her presence within the bond. I’d felt it when we stood looking at each other, locked in a glance that laid everything between us bare. It was freeing.

  “Another,” she asked, reaching for my glass.

  “Fuck yea,” I responded, as she leaned back and fumbled around with the bottle to make us another shot.

  In no mood to wait, I snatched the bottle from her, bringing it to my lips. I took a long swig from it before offering it to her.

  “Damn, greedy much?” she laughed, taking a large drink herself.

  She held the liquor in her mouth before pinning me with a challenging stare. When I didn’t immediately back up, she threw her hands around my neck and urged me closer, closing the distance between us until our mouths were just inches away. A moment later, her lips were on mine, urging me to part my lips so she could transfer the alcohol over to me in an action that was so fucking hot I found myself grinding my hardening length against her thigh.

  She broke the connection, leaning back slightly to gauge my reaction, but I didn’t let her go for long. With a snarl, I claimed her lips again in a ravenous kiss that had heat tumbling through me. My tongue plundered her mouth, taking in the sweet taste of her mingled with the taste of whiskey. Before I knew it, I was intoxicated, drunk with the desire that coursed through me as a slight whimper escaped her lips.

  I wasn’t sure if it was the kill we shared or the bond, but whatever it was had me breaking every single rule I’d made with a girl I barely knew. What I did know was I wanted her. I wanted her more than I wanted anything else at that moment and I wouldn’t be denied.

  I twisted my fingers in her hair, yanking her head back with just enough force to cause a spike of pain but not enough to hurt her. A moan spilled from her lips and I couldn’t help but quirk a brow. Interesting.

  I leaned forward until my lips were next to her ear, nipping at the lobe and enjoying the little tremor that worked its way through her. “So, it’s pain you like?” I murmured against her ear.

  She didn’t respond. Instead, she grabbed my hips, pulling me close enough she could grind her core against my hardened length. Even through the layers of clothes I could feel her heat and knew she had to be dripping wet. The thought spurred me forward as I quickly tugged her shirt over her head, dropping the shirt to the floor before making quick work of her pants and the lacy scrap of fabric that barely concealed her from me.

  I allowed my eyes to take in every inch of her naked before me, the soft curve of her hips, the swell of her full breasts. My fingers slid along the soft skin of her neck and I could feel her pulse picking up as her heart rate rises, and her breath catches. I wanted to taste her, to sink my teeth in the slim column of her neck and mark her as mine. Instead, I dipped my head and caughtone of her hardened nipples between my teeth, biting down enough to give her that tinge of pain she seemed to love but not enough to draw blood. She yelped, shoving her chest forward and tossing her head back as I swiped my tongue across the swollen peak.

  My hand dropped to touch the flesh between her legs and I nearly lost myself when I realized just how wet she was for me. She wanted me just as much as I wanted her and that thought had me harder than I’d ever been for a woman before. I looked up at her hooded eyes, watching as desire swam in those brown depths and I knew I wouldn’t be able to control myself much longer if I didn’t speed this up. My thumb stroked her clit as I forced my middle finger inside of her, letting out a grown of my own as her pussy tightened around my finger.

  My eyes were still trained on hers, taking in every pleasure filled gasp as I added in another finger. She gasped as I curled my fingers slightly, her full lips parting when I found a spot within her that had her tossing her head back, a deep moan tumbling from her lips as she thrust her hips forward to meet the thrust of my fingers. Her walls tightened around my fingers to an almost unbearable degree as my thumb worked circles around her clit. She grabbed my hair, tugging at the strands as she chased down her release.

  But the selfish bastard I was, I wouldn’t give it to her. Not now. Not when the need to be inside of her was so strong I wasn’t sure I could survive another second without it. I removed my fingers, bringing them to my lips to taste her. She watched in awe as I licked her juices from my fingers before a mischievous grin spread across her lips.

  “Fuck me,” she demanded and that was all the motivation I needed.

  I tugged down my pants, not even bothering to fully undress. The need to be inside her so potent I couldn’t force myself to care about anything else. I’d take my time with her later, but right now, I was a greedy bastard hell bent on taking her. Using one hand to line my cock up with her opening, I used the other to push her back and lift her leg before filling her with one hard thrust.

  She cried out, her voice echoing from the walls as I quickly picked up the pace, deepening my strokes, forcing her to take every inch of me as I pounded inside of her. Her pussy tightened as I found my rhythm, and she rocked her hips forward, meeting me thrust for thrust.

  We kept up the frenzied pace until she was screaming out her orgasm, her pussy milking me as I continued to thrust inside her as I found my own release. I spilled inside of her, tugging her close as we caught our breath.

  We stood there in silence, clinging to each other for what seemed like an eternity before she tipped her head up to reclaim my lips in a kiss that seared us both. I could feel her need through the bond and I had every intention of satisfying her. She tugged me closer before quickly stepping back, her eyes sliding down my body as a gasp left her lips.

  I couldn’t help the smirk that curved my lips at her reaction.

  “I’m far from finished with you,” I promised, sweeping her into my arms and heading out of the kitchen.

  She laughed, a musical sound that had me racing to her bedroom, ready for round two. Our night was far from over.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN: CHARLEY

  I woke feeling refreshed. The euphoric haze left from the night before had my body in a state of satisfaction I hadn't felt in a while. I took a moment to revel in it.

  A soft groan reminded me of the shifter still naked beside me and when he rose up, I offered him a wicked grin.

  He rubbed at his eyes for a moment, trying to get the sleep out of them before slowly returning my smile. "Hey," his voice was raspier than usual.

  "Hey," I returned, letting my eyes roam over her body. It looked just as good in the ligh
t of the morning as it did at night and for a moment I wanted to push him back down and ride his dick until I came again. But I knew I needed to get back to the mission at hand. Now that I had Blue right where I needed him, it was the perfect time to get some real work done.

  I tossed the covers off, prancing around the room in my naked glory as I moved over to my closet. "I think today will be a good day to get some research done," I called over my shoulder to Blue.

  His response was muffled for a second before his voice became clear. "What kind of research?"

  "I need to find the other man responsible for my mother's death," I told him. "And you're going to help me." I grabbed a pair of jeans off the hanger and pulled them on. I moved to my dresser next, sparing a glance at Blue who still hadn't moved from his spot in the bed. "I need a name and location," I specified before grabbing a tank out of my drawer and pulling it on.

  Turning around, I found Blue's gaze on me, his eyes roaming over my body.

  "The quicker, the better," I told him, raising a brow.

  He paused for a moment before giving me a nod. "Okay, give me a second to get dressed and we can get started."

  "Great." I pulled the door to the room open, moving out of it. I found Spanky sitting just outside of the door, his small squeak the only thing notifying me to his presence.

  "Oh." I took a step back before bending over and extending a hand to him. He waited a moment longer than necessary before finally crawling into my hand.

  I aimed a look at him, my brows pulling together. "What's your problem this morning?" I asked him.

  He didn't give any response, remaining still in my hand and staring at me with his beady eyes.

  "Well then," I muttered, frowning at him for a moment. "I won't let you ruin my good mood." I set him back on the ground before turning on my heels and heading toward the kitchen. I didn't dare look back.

  Even though I could sense the attitude coming from the marmoset, I wouldn't let it ruin my high. Nor would I entertain his little temper tantrum. I whistled a soft tune to myself as I neared the kitchen.

  Knox was already waiting inside, his back to me as he shifted through the fridge. I admired the hard lines of his body and the way his muscles flexed with every move. I finally drew my eyes away from his impressive body before skirting around him to the fruit bowl. I snatched up a banana.

  Knox closed the fridge door, turning his head to look at me. His brows scrunched together for a moment before his lips parted slightly. "Good morning." His tone was slightly lower than usual, but the greeting wasn't completely cold.

  "Morning," I chipped back, quickly peeling the banana. I tossed the peel into the trash before taking a huge bite. As the savory flavor exploded in my mouth, I let out a soft moan of satisfaction before shoving the rest in my mouth.

  I lifted my gaze to find Knox watching me with a weird expression on his face.

  "What?" I asked, not liking the look on his face.

  He shook his head. "Nothing, just noticed that you seem to be in a chipper mood this morning."

  "Of course," I told him as I finished the banana. "We're going to get some results today and I can't wait."

  "Results?" he asked, his brows pulling together.

  I opened my mouth to explain to him the new developments, but my attention quickly shifted as Blue came through the door of the kitchen. His hair was slightly tousled in a way that made me want to drag him back to my bedroom.

  My smile widened and I moved over to him. I inched my fingers up his arm. "Ready?" I asked before turning on my heels and making my way to the living room.

  "I guess so," Blue said with a little laugh from behind me as he moved to follow me.

  "What's going on?" Knox asked, his voice tight.

  "Blue is going to help me find one of my mom's killers," I told him, skipping my way up the stairs. "This way," I directed them. They followed along without complaint, though I swear I heard Knox let out a little grunt.

  We passed Spanky on out way up the stairs and I couldn't refrain from rolling my eyes at him when I saw the look of disapproval on his small face. I walked all the way down the hall, pushing the door open to the last room. I stepped inside, unable to help my smirk when I hear Blue let out a little gasp as he got a good look inside of the room.

  "Holy shit."

  I turned to look at him, watching as his eyes flitted across all of the technology in the room, starting with the big computer monitor sitting on a desk. "It should be good enough for you to work on, yes?" I asked, bouncing on my toes.

  He gave a nod, a transfixed look on his face as he sat down in the chair in front of the monitor. He let out a small string of words too low for me to hear before turning the monitor on. He'd completely checked out, but I didn't care as long as it meant he was about to get me some results.

  I leaned against the wall, folding my arms over my chest as I watched him get to work. I briefly let my gaze settle on Knox, finding the vampire standing by the door, his brows pulled together. His eyes met mine and a muscle twitched in his jaw. "How did you know that Blue was a hacker?"

  I didn't say anything for a few moments, the sound of Blue's fingers racing across the keys the only sound. After a stare off that lasted too long, I shrugged my shoulders. "I told you, I know things but it's of no concern to you how I know them."

  His mouth fell open, his gaze shooting to Blue but the shifter didn't even spare him a glance, his gaze locked on the computer. "What-" Knox began but I swiftly turned my back on him, moving up behind Blue.

  I placed my hands on his shoulders, a wicked grin on my face as I stared at the monitor. "Time to work," I told him.

  And work he did, never stopping for a moment, even when he'd ask me questions, his fingers gliding across the keyboards. He let out little grunts of satisfaction each time he broke through a firewall and it seemed like it only took minutes before we were staring at the Hell's Point Police Department data base. Blue continued to type until images flashed across the screen and I blinked as the images of the crime scene at my old home appeared before disappearing just as quickly.

  "Let's see," Blue muttered, squinting at the screen.

  "What do you have?" I asked, eager as I stared at the writing on the screen.

  He let out a soft hum before a frown spread across his face. "They brought in a suspect two weeks after your mother was murdered. They got a partial fingerprint that matched him," he muttered.

  "And?"

  "And they let him go." He turned slightly in the chair, looking up at me.

  I recoiled back, my hands balling into fist as I stared at him. "Why did they let him go if they had a fingerprint on him."

  "It was only a partial," he corrected me, his eyes returning to the screen. "It wasn't enough for them to hold him but the lead detective was pretty sure he did it, at least according to the statement he left on the case. Unfortunately, the guy had a solid alibi and with their only being a partial...."

  "They had to let him go," Knox finished, reminding me of his presence in the room.

  My skin flushed with heat and my heart beat quicker in my chest as I gritted my teeth. I shook my head, not believing what I was hearing. "What was his name? It seems I need to question him myself."

  Silence.

  "What was his name?" I shouted, punching a hand into the wall and listening as the plaster crumbled.

  "I don't have a name," Blue said as he stood, hesitant. His lips pulled together slightly. "Just calm down and I'll bring the papers downstairs to the living room after I print them out." He pointed at the printer where I could already hear the ink rack moving across the paper.

  I opened my mouth to argue, to tell him I didn't need to calm down and that I wanted fucking answers, but instead I left out of the room, storming down the steps. I could already feel my good mood slipping and knew it was only a matter of timed before I lost it.

  Knox followed behind me, not saying a word. I sat down on the cou
ch in the living room, my fingers tapping against the arms of the chair as I waited impatiently.

  Blue appeared, papers in his hand. He placed half the stack on the table, keeping the rest in his hand. He cleared his throat before reading off. "The suspect's name was cleared from the file and I couldn't find it no matter how hard I looked, it's completely gone from the system. But the file says that he had a wife and a kid, they were his alibi for the night of the murder. And the file also said he was an investment banker but there was nothing else. And they didn't have any other suspects listed either."

  "An investment banker?" I asked with a frown, stuck on the job title. "What the hell? Why would a money pusher kill my mother?" I rubbed the spot between my brows, my skin flushed. If the banker was the only suspect then he had to have been one of the men there that night, especially if they got a partial fingerprint on him. It's not like my mother entertained many guests at our home and certainly not any damn investment bankers. The finger print could have only gotten there on the night of the murder.

  Blue tilted his head to the side slightly as he watched me, rubbing at his lips. "I don't know."

  I jumped to my feet. "Fuck," I slammed my hand against the table, watching as papers went flying.

  "Calm down, it's going to be okay, Charley," Blue tried to hedge carefully toward me, his brows pulled together. His eyes went over my shoulder for a brief moment.

  "We can find out more about him, find out his name, and then we can watch him," Knox suggested. "We don't know if he actually did it and he has a family, a wife and daughter. We don't want to accidentally take the life of an innocent man with a family."

  I whipped around to stare at him, my eyes narrowing. "He can't be a good man. He was a fucking suspect for a reason." I said, pointing at the documents now tossed haphazardly on the ground.

  "I know," Blue responded, moving to stand next to Knox so I could see them both. He raised his hands in surrender as I glared at him. "That's why Knox is right, we need to do more research and find out who exactly this man is before we do anything else. . If he really is one of the monsters who killed your mother, we'll figure it out."