Control

by Crissy Smith

  Caspar had rescued Kieran on that cold night years ago from the cell deep inside Mount Fauna. He’d tracked his ex-partner and former best friend after the Organization had discovered Bradley Johnson had been kidnapping Day Walkers and experimenting on them, trying to figure out how to make the shifters live longer. Kieran didn’t remember everything that had been done to him, but what he did know was all bad.

  Bradley had wanted eternal life and the closest he’d been able to find was the Walkers. They weren’t immortal, but they did live longer than any other creatures. Bradley had been vicious in his pursuit, not caring how many Walkers he’d killed or hurt. Ten years Kieran had been tortured for the amusement and experiment of the shifters who’d held him.

  Until he’d been saved.

  Even though Caspar took Kieran home with him, it had taken months before Caspar could be around him without Kieran trying to attack, but eventually, through Caspar’s kindness and understanding, Kieran had stopped being the monster the shifters had made him into and had started to trust his rescuer.

  Through training, Caspar had taught Kieran to defend himself and become strong again. When Kieran had been ready, Caspar had broken every Organization rule by bringing Kieran into the fold. Kieran might have a lot of issues still, but he did believe in protecting those weaker than him. He knew he would spend the rest of his life in debt to Caspar.

  So when his boss, the man he respected more than any other, his father figure, had taken an assignment after Bradley had surfaced again, Kieran had been truly afraid. If anything happened to Caspar, Kieran wasn’t sure he would ever recover, even with Remy and Dakota by his side.

  Luckily, Caspar had worked things out so Kieran could follow his progress. Kieran had access to the reports Caspar was sending in and could follow along with the investigation. He could also email Caspar his own thoughts and suggestions. Hell, even Dakota and Remy had started following along and giving their own ideas.

  Kieran felt his pulse pick up when he saw Caspar had recently uploaded a video file. If Caspar was still giving updates, then he was still alive and well. At least that was one less worry for the night.

  His phone dinged before he could open the file. He picked it up.

  6 a.m. work?

  He answered quickly. Yes.

  I’ll come to you.

  Okay.

  Kieran put down his phone again after replying. He was glad Jackson was willing to come to his suite. They could have met in Jackson’s office or his own living quarters, but Kieran was hoping Jackson would grow more comfortable with Dakota. She was everything to him and it was important the two of them got along. Remy already loved her, so if Jackson would start to trust her, then his small circle would be complete.

  Kieran glanced up to make sure she was still asleep, and smiled. Her soft breaths wouldn’t be heard by a human ear, but he could easily pick up the sound. Satisfied she was where she belonged, Kieran double-clicked the video file and pulled it up before he pressed Play.

  It appeared to be a recording from a phone. He jerked when Caspar’s voice sounded.

  “This is the latest lab we found,” Caspar said. “We followed the trail to some caves in Arizona. Whoever was here had gone by the time we arrived. I don’t know if they were tipped off we were coming or if they just had a feeling. It’s obvious they haven’t been gone long, though.”

  The camera panned, showing a concrete room with metal tables lined up. Kieran shivered. It was too much like the room they used to take him to.

  “There were no living persons to rescue. We did find one dead Walker, though,” Caspar continued. “The evidence shows the Walker had been dead almost a week. I’ve called for a team to pick up the body to try to figure out the cause of death. The computers were all wiped, but hopefully we can recover some data. We haven’t been able to on the others, so I just don’t know.”

  Kieran didn’t like how defeated his boss sounded.

  “I’m not sure where to go from here,” Caspar said. “We started on the east coast and seem to be working our way back west. I’m almost certain Bradley is aware we’re hunting him.”

  “Fuck,” Kieran whispered. He balled his fist to keep from pounding the table. He wanted to be with his boss. He knew Caspar had a team he was working with, but Kieran didn’t trust them to keep him safe. If Bradley knew Caspar was stalking him, there was no way of telling what the sadistic shifter would do to him.

  Caspar was human. And, even though he was thoroughly trained, he wouldn’t be much of a match against Bradley. Caspar had been out of the field for too damn long.

  Even though Kieran would have a hard time dealing with the places Caspar was coming across, it would be better than watching from the wings. Waiting for something bad to happen.

  “I’m moving from the lab to the holding cells,” Caspar said. He entered a dark room and Kieran didn’t want to see. He should turn the video off. He wouldn’t, though.

  Caspar flipped on the light and Kieran’s stomach rolled. He closed his eyes, but he could still hear Caspar’s voice explaining the room and the three cells.

  He couldn’t fight the memories that rushed forward.

  He was cold, so damn cold. They had taken his clothes and left him lying naked and dirty on the metal bars. The entire cage was made up of steel poles. If he didn’t move enough, the imprint of them would show on his body. He didn’t have a blanket, a toilet—nothing. Just the fucking bars.

  Kieran wrapped his hands around the rods in front of him.

  What had he done to deserve this kind of treatment? He’d been traveling across country in his old pickup truck when he’d started having trouble with the stupid vehicle. It had been decades since the truck had seen better days, but Kieran still kept it maintained.

  It should have gotten him to his destination. But as the truck sputtered, he managed to get it off the dark highway and onto the shoulder right before it died.

  He’d popped the hood, but couldn’t find the problem. He’d filled up only thirty miles ago, so he had plenty of gas. Still, the vehicle wasn’t going anywhere.

  Kieran had stepped out onto the two-lane road, hoping to spot another vehicle or a house close by. He couldn’t see anything even with his enhanced sight.

  He’d pulled the jacket closer around himself and settled in to wait. If no one came in an hour, he’d have to hoof it to the nearest town. He had plenty of money, the only thing his father had given him when he’d sent him away, so getting another vehicle shouldn’t be too hard.

  It had only been twenty minutes before he’d spotted headlights headed his way. When the driver pulled over to the side and stepped out, Kieran had smiled. A shifter. They would surely help another paranormal. Kieran had been raised in a small town up in the mountains and had only known other Walkers like his family and humans. Very seldom did a shifter come around, but there had been a few occasions one would stop by to speak with his father. Caspar had enjoyed learning about other cultures.

  He walked forward with his hand out.

  Out of nowhere he’d been struck on the back of his head. As he’d fallen to his knees, he’d heard laughing. Right before at least three people began to beat him.

  At eighteen and away from his family for the first time, he had been terrified when he’d woken in the cage, alone, naked and in pain.

  Now Kieran wasn’t even sure how long he’d been held by that point. It seemed like a lifetime had passed already.

  Sometimes he hadn’t seen anyone for what had to be days and he would wonder if they’d forgotten about him and left him to starve. Other times the days ran together as his enemies spent their time torturing and abusing him.

  He’d prayed for his suffering to end. For all of it to end.

  Kieran gasped as he came out of the memory and found himself at his desk. He was trembling, chilled to the bone, and the video had stopped playing. He jumped to his feet to stalk over to the liquor bar.

  He poured two fingers of whiskey before tossing it b
ack then refilling the glass. The alcohol did nothing to warm him, but hopefully it would help settle his nerves.

  “Damn,” he muttered, strolling to the large windows behind his desk. He yanked open the curtains, not even thinking about the noise he’d make. Too distraught to remember Dakota, until he heard the bed shift.

  He froze, hoping she hadn’t woken. He didn’t want her to see him like this. When her breathing evened back out, Kieran sighed in relief and peered out of the window.

  The bright lights of the Strip twinkled below him. Even now, at three o’clock in the morning, there would be people running around, walking, some drunk, some just high on life.

  They were alive and unaware real monsters watched them from the dark. One wrong move, one misstep and they could become someone’s victim. Just like he’d been.

  He leaned forward and rested his forehead against the cool glass. The feeling of helplessness gnawed at him until the first tear fell down his cheek.

  Chapter Three

  Kieran decided to order room service instead of using the kitchen in the suite. He didn’t like to cook and the restaurant in the hotel was amazing. He placed his order for three along with two large pots of coffee before he hung up and strolled to the bedroom.

  He pushed open the door and stared.

  Even though it was still chilly to him in the room, Dakota had kicked off the covers and was lying naked on her side of the bed. The way her fingers stretched out toward his side made his heart flutter. Was she reaching for him? Even in her sleep?

  Kieran sauntered to the bed and ran his fingers through her long hair. She’d had it trimmed and the color re-done recently and he loved it. Her light brown hair had a mixture of blond, darker brown and red highlights that seemed to match her personality perfectly. She was a serious agent, but there were so many layers to her. Dakota could be fun and free while also strong and independent. Like the colors in her hair, she wasn’t just one thing. Every day when he looked at her, he was amazed.

  “Hmm,” Dakota murmured as she stretched. She blinked her eyes opened before smiling at him. “Hi.”

  “Morning,” he greeted. He bent and gave her a quick kiss then pulled back.

  She caught his sweater in her hand. “Why are you dressed?”

  It was weird for him not to greet her naked and wanting in the morning. There was nothing better than starting off his day with a reminder she belonged to him. “Jackson is coming for breakfast. I let you sleep in as much as possible, but he’ll be here in about fifteen minutes.”

  She groaned before releasing him. As she sat up, her gaze went to the alarm clock next to the bed. “It’s five-forty in the morning?”

  “Yeah,” he told her.

  “We’ve only been asleep for four hours?”

  “I know, but I thought you might want to join us?” He could have let her sleep. Since they both worked the late shift, that was when most of their work needed to be done and they normally didn’t get out of bed until late morning or almost noon.

  “You’d better have ordered coffee,” she declared before dragging herself off the mattress.

  “I did.” He knew his lover.

  She grunted as she headed into the bathroom. He would make it up to her. Dakota was not a morning person on the best of days and he knew if it wasn’t Jackson, who she was trying to be friends with, she would have rolled over and ignored him.

  He heard the shower turn on but since he couldn’t join her this time, he strode back out into the main area of the suite.

  The luxury suite had two bedrooms with a large living area, dining room and kitchen, plus a big open-plan office. The room smelled of Dakota and he never got tired of the scent.

  Kieran was so used to using his extra senses he didn’t really notice when he was. It had become as natural as breathing. Humans picked up aromas from the items and environment they were in. Shifters did as well, but also had the aroma of their animal nature. Walkers, however, never gave off any scent. They didn’t pick up any or leave any behind.

  So others wouldn’t be able to tell he’d been in the room for almost a month. But Dakota—her sweet and sexy scent had mixed with everything he owned. When he went to work, he smelt her on his clothes. He wished he could have her fragrance mixed with his on his skin.

  “So why are we doing this at six in the morning?”

  Kieran jumped, not having heard Dakota finish her shower or dress. She strolled into the room, drying her hair with a towel. She wore a faded pair of jeans and a white T-shirt. Her feet were bare, with the nails painted light pink. Fuck, he’d never had a foot fetish before, but he actually wanted to suck on her toes. What the hell was wrong with him? She would probably laugh at him if he shared his latest thought.

  “Hey! You okay?” she asked as she approached.

  He couldn’t admit he was almost dead on his feet, that the nights of not sleeping were starting to take their toll. “Yeah, lost in thought.”

  “That’s been happening a lot lately.” She tossed the towel onto the couch before she reached out to cup his face. “I’ve been waiting for you to talk to me about what’s going on.”

  Guilt flooded him. Still, she already put up with a lot from him. “I’m just trying to come to terms with everything. Caspar being gone, my transfer here and seeing Jackson.”

  “I know.” She rose to the tips of her toes and kissed him lightly. “It seems like so much longer than a month when I think of everything that’s happened. But, on the other hand, it doesn’t seem like I’ve had that long with you yet.”

  He wrapped his arm around her waist and tugged her closer. “I know what you mean.” He brushed his lips over hers before pressing harder and licking her.

  A knock interrupted them. He didn’t even have to breathe deeply to know it was their food. The strong aroma of coffee drifted to him.

  “I’ll get it,” he told her before giving her one more peck.

  Kieran walked to the door. Dakota grabbed the towel then headed back toward the bedroom. He unlocked then opened the door to the room service attendant.

  “Good morning, sir.” The young man greeted him with his hand on the rolling trolley.

  “Morning. You can bring it in and set up at the table.” He couldn’t remember the guy’s name, although he’d dropped off food several times now.

  “Yes, sir.” The guy stepped past him, pushing the cart.

  Kieran heard the elevator ding and glanced into the hall. He spotted Jackson exiting and grinned at his friend.

  When they’d been in the hellhole of Mount Fauna, Jackson hadn’t weighed more than a hundred and thirty pounds. Now his friend had bulked up and the way he carried himself screamed power and money.

  Each time Kieran saw Jackson, it was still hard to believe Jackson hadn’t been killed like Kieran had once thought. His friend had been dumped and left for dead, but found even before Kieran had been.

  “Hey,” Jackson said as he looked at Kieran with tired eyes.

  Concern had Kieran reaching out and pulling Jackson close as soon as he was within distance. “Are you okay?”

  Jackson shook his head. “Thanks for getting up early for this. I know you both work late.”

  “It’s fine,” Kieran assured him. “Come on.”

  Kieran turned and almost smacked into the waiter he’d forgotten about. The young man danced out of the way.

  “Sorry, sir,” he apologized to Kieran.

  “My fault.” Kieran reached for the black envelope that would require his signature. He made sure to give the guy a good-sized tip before signing his name and handing it back.

  “Have a good morning, sir.” He nodded to Kieran.

  “You too,” Kieran replied. He glanced behind him and saw Jackson had his back turned to his employee. That was strange.

  Once the young man had gone, Kieran closed and locked the door. “What’s going on?”

  Jackson took a deep breath. “Is Dakota joining us? I think it would be better to tell you both at onc
e.”

  “I’m right here,” Dakota said as she exited the bedroom. She’d brushed her hair, but it was still wet and she remained barefoot. “Let’s get some coffee. You look like you could use it.”

  “Please,” Jackson replied. He gripped Kieran’s hand and gave him a quick, hard squeeze before going to join Dakota.

  She was already pouring coffee into three mugs at the table. Jackson accepted his with quiet thanks. Kieran hurried toward them just in time for her to hand him his.

  “Let’s sit and talk.”

  “What’s wrong?” Kieran pressed.

  Jackson took a sip of the hot drink before he sighed. “Alex has disappeared. I’ve searched all night for him and there’s no sign of him anywhere.”

  Dakota shook her head. “Tell us everything.”

  Jackson’s hand was trembling, so Kieran gripped his wrist to try to settle his friend. Alex was Jackson’s number two man and from what he’d learned, Alex had been at Jackson’s side since he’d returned from Mount Fauna. They’d grown up together and the entire time Jackson had been missing, his best friend had never stopped searching.

  “There was a rumor of a couple of Walkers coming to town,” Jackson said.

  Kieran knew from what Jackson had told him before that he monitored all paranormals who came into his city. He owned more hotels, casinos and restaurants in the area than any other single person. He had been part of bringing Vegas back to being the top travel destination. In the early two thousands, the city had grown dirty and run-down. But Jackson had helped get the tourists to return.

  Part of that was making sure the city stayed safe for the visitors. He had an entire network of employees who watched vehicles, buses, planes and everything else for anyone who might want to cause trouble for innocents. It was no surprise Alex would research the appearance of Walkers.