by Sarra Cannon
His body went rigid into full investigator mode. Sera smiled at the posture as she followed him. She often got the same way when tracking down a lead for the papers—or gossip mags. Total focus, intense determination led to stiff necks and backaches, but usually got the job done. At least we have something in common.
They walked to the spot of the attack. Talon eyed the chain link fence at the end of the street. He scanned the heaps of dust along the ground. “We found a bunch of these at the crime scene in Buckhorn,” he said, pointing to the dirt piles. “Want to tell me what they mean?”
Careful, pet. Guy’s warning echoed in her mind as if he called to her from across a canyon. She didn’t need the reminder.
“I-I can’t.” Her thoughts scrambled. How could she tell him without revealing her secrets? He’d seen her fire in his wolf form, but admitting it aloud? A warm light radiated from the shadows behind Talon. The rays shone like sunshine in the darkness, a ball of gold burning into itself. Her mind cleared staring into it, but it disappeared too soon. “I’m sorry. I’m afraid I’ll have to plead the fifth.”
“You’re not on trial, Sera. I just want to know the truth.” He reached for her, stroking the fragile skin above her collarbone with a feather light touch. “I can’t protect you, if I don’t know who’s after you.”
The tips of his fingers burned against her skin like a brand, but it somehow brought comfort. She swayed into his touch, silently begging him for more. “I’m afraid.” Her voice cracked with the admission.
“No one’s going to hurt you. I’m not leaving.” He tugged her forward, holding her against his chest.
It should have caught her off guard, but somehow it felt right, too right. She anchored her hands on his waist and titled her head to meet his eyes. “You don’t understand. I’m not afraid of,” she paused, searching for the words, “of whoever’s after me. I’m afraid of hurting people, of hurting you.”
“Have you hurt someone, Sera?” His voice remained steady as he met her gaze, but a flicker of doubt shadowed his features.
Her tongue felt like sandpaper. Fear prickled at the base of her spine. She wanted to tell him the truth, but could she? “The creatures from Buckhorn, the ones I told you about before.”
“Yes?” A hint of quiet rage bubbled under the surface of his question. She prayed it wasn’t direct at her.
“They were here again and attacked the van Strife used to abduct me.” She sniffed. Guy’s presence began to emerge again. She clamped it down with a hard rock ballad before he rose to the surface. She rambled on without breath, afraid to lose her nerve. “I led them away. Strife was hurt. I dropped her by a mailbox and kept running. They followed me. I tried to find a place away from people. The alley was empty. They came close. They tried to hurt me, so I...”
He ran a hand down her back, a gesture of reassurance and support. It gave her the strength to continue. She had to say the words for better or ill. No going back. He’d seen the truth; now, he needed the explanation.
“I burned them.” Her breathing quickened. “I had to. They would’ve killed me. Then, you came and I pulled it back. I didn’t hurt you. I pulled it back.”
“Shhh.” He hugged her close, tucking her head under his chin. “I know. I saw the light around you. I felt the fire.” He spoke into her ear. “It’s alright. You defended yourself. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
The absolution washed over her, a peaceful balm to ease her guilt. Hearing it from him was an unexpected gift. But, even more important than his approval, was that she’d proven it to herself. She’d controlled the fire all on her own and she used it to stop killers. She didn’t hurt any innocent people. She’d made mistakes in the past, but she wasn’t a bad person. For the first time in years, she felt free.
Don’t get ahead of yourself, pet. Need I remind you of dear old Matt? Guy spoke low, a harsh whisper in the recesses of her brain. Yet, his words cut as potent as acid.
She yanked from Talon’s embrace, already shivering from the loss of his warmth. “I’m sorry,” she muttered. “I can’t. I shouldn’t have done that.”
“Sera. I know you feel guilty. It’s always hard; even for me after years on the job. But if those creatures came after you, then you had every right to protect your life. However you can do it.” His neck muscles tensed as he growled deep. “That’s why it’s called self-defense.”
A shudder ran down her spine, ghosts from the past assailing her thoughts. She hadn’t used her abilities against any living soul before her nightmare in Buckhorn, except for one other. A raging fire engulfing the yellow Mustang in flames, the screams of agony from her friend, the accusing eyes of the police, the sights and sounds of her memories made her stomach turn sour.
“Sera.” Strong hands gripped her shoulders and shook. “Sera, you with me?”
She blinked. “Huh? Oh yeah, sorry.” A wave of nausea rolled through her. Bending at the waist, she gripped her midsection. “Gimme a sec.”
“You alright? What’s wrong?”
“It’s nothing. I’ll be fine.” She pulled from his grasp, but he knelt beside her. Concern filled his eyes as he placed a hand at her nape.
“Let me help.” He massaged the knots at her neck. The pressure helped ease the tension and soothe her worries.
“Thank you,” she whispered. “I don’t know what came over me.” The lie brought the bile to her throat; she choked it down roughly. She’d not be stepping on that hornet’s nest. As far as she was concerned, the past could stay right where it was—behind her.
“No problem.” He straightened, helping her to stand. A cocky smile played on his lips. “It gave me an excuse to touch you anyway.”
She grinned at his teasing. “So you’re only brave when you have an excuse, huh?”
His features lit up like a firecracker, clearly loving the dare. “Oh you may find I’ve got some more courage than that.”
“Uh-huh.” She cocked a hip to the side, relishing the ease with which he could diffuse the tension and make her troubles fade. Not to mention she had the chance to flirt. “I’ll believe it when I see it.”
Without a second’s hesitation, he wrapped an arm around her waist and trapped her against the hard lines of his body. He descended quickly, claiming her mouth. The kiss started with infinite tenderness, allowing her every opportunity to pull away. It was wrong. It was reckless. It was unprofessional. And it was oh so right. She remained steady, startled by his abruptness, but loving the feel of him. When she parted her lips in invitation, he plunged inside. His tongue danced with hers, the thrust and retreat mimicking a more intimate act.
Sera’s head swam. It’d been years since she even dared a chaste kiss, let alone this. She gripped the back of his head, her hands tangling in his hair. He cupped her backside, pulling her closer. She wrapped a leg around his waist and he held her thigh with a rough palm. As she rubbed against the bulge of his jeans, spots danced behind her eyes at the delicious friction. They moaned in unison.
Talon pulled away first, dropping her leg. He slammed his hands on either side of her head, resting his weight on the wall behind her. His breathing grew ragged, matching hers. The loss of his warmth, even though he stood mere inches from her, shook her to the bone.
She struggled to find words. He met her eyes and opened his mouth as if to speak, but a shrill siren cut off conversation. As the whining alarm grew closer, the spell that came over them broke. A steely determination radiated from him. “That’ll be the team. The crime scene will be overrun by now. It’s best we get you out of here.”
“Why?” A sense of foreboding washed over her.
His face darkened. “Do you trust me?”
“What? I-I don’t know. I hardly know you.” Her insides cooled, the ardor vanishing. The truth hit hard. She didn’t know him at all. Yet, she wanted to…badly. And if that just didn’t send her running for the hills. She clasped her arms over her chest. “What does it matter?”
“Your life may be at stake
, so I’d say it matters.” He pinched the bridge of his nose, then scrubbed a hand down his face. “Look, I need you to come with me and not ask questions, okay? I’ve kept you here too long. Strife was trying to get you out of town or so she claimed.” His eyebrows drew together. “I don’t like the vamp, but I agree with her. We need to get to a safe house.”
She looked around. The alley seemed to grow smaller and a lot more hostile. She had no reason to be afraid, not when she’d finally started to get a hold on her power, but what if those things attacked again? She didn’t want to be a killer. “Okay. Let’s get out of here.”
His forehead crinkled, lines of suspicion dancing across his brow.
“What?” she cried.
“That was too easy.” He took her hand as if she’d bolt.
She gave him a sly smile. “Agent Rede, every now and again I might be agreeable, but I’m never easy.” Her lips pouted in a frown, recalling their kiss from a moment ago. “Well, not usually.”
He smirked, mischief glimmering in his expression. “Don’t worry, Ms. Benenati. It’s my animal magnetism, hard to resist, has that effect on women.”
She threw him an incredulous look and sighed. “Well then, I guess I should be grateful I have a rabbis shot.”
He laughed, a rich baritone filled with male confidence. “Not to worry. I don’t bite.” He stole her earlier words. “Well, not usually.”
“Somehow I don’t quite believe you.”
He grinned and led her toward the fence. A quick shift of his hand provided a set of razor sharp claws. He swiped a hole in the links big enough for both of them. Holding the pieces apart, he ushered her through the space. “After you.”
She mumbled her thanks and stepped onto a grassy expanse. “Where are we?”
Tucking her hand in the crook of his arm, he said, “Don’t worry. Follow me.”
They walked across the field toward a long strip of pavement. The lines in the road and the roar of planes in the distance revealed their location. “The airport?”
“Your instincts to run this way were excellent.” He motioned toward the airfield. “I’ll inform our pilot to fire up the PCD jet. We’ll be leaving Phoenix for a while. My team will gather some of your belongings.”
“No. No way.” She tried to pull from his grasp. “This is crazy.”
“I’m afraid this is the lone strategy to guarantee your safety.” He ignored her attempts to escape and tightened his grip. “Sera, please.”
Her feet sank into the floor along with her heart. The reality of the situation sent her mind into a tailspin. “What’s going to happen?”
“Nothing. I’m going to keep you safe, and you’re going to enjoy a vacation. That’s all.”
She didn’t dare tell him, but her safety was the least of her worries. The fire crackled inside her, dull like burning embers, but waiting to be stoked once more. She prayed it didn’t rage into an inferno and burn them both.
Chapter 12
SKY HARBOR AIRPORT, PHOENIX, ARIZONA
The pilot and ground personnel fired up the government jet, but not fast enough for Talon’s liking. Usually the PCD’s twelve person rigged out plane, complete with TVs, laptops, and leather seats, provided the perfect means of transportation. Not today.
Talon paced the runway, anxious to get Sera to a safe house as fast as possible. “I want to be in the air in ten minutes. Not a second longer. You get me?”
The crew chief nodded and waved for Talon to mount the metal steps. “No problem, sir. Let’s have you join the lady now.”
His body tensed at the mention of her presence. He yanked the red muffs from the man’s ears. “If anyone asks, I’m alone on this flight. No one.” He stalked closer. “Be sure you hear every word. No one is to know another is aboard. Understand?”
“Yes, sir. Of course, sir.” The crew chief shook his head. A gleam of sweat appeared over the man’s upper lip.
“Good.” The biting night breeze blew across his face, doing nothing to defuse his frustration. He stepped aboard the jet.
The stark bone interior matched the ivory leather seats and two-seater couches. To the rear of the plane, four chairs faced each other in a perfect square. A wood table sat between them, bolted to the floor. Each seated compartment contained a laptop, stored safely with encrypted codes. If the plane fell into enemy hands tomorrow, it would take an eternity to crack the computers’ safeguards thanks to PCD genius psyke twins, Meg and Mack.
Unlike shifters or vampires, psykes most closely resembled humans’ anatomies. Their advanced mental faculties, however, individual and different for every psyke, put them in the strictly other category. The PCD twins particular talents to track information and know certain things—especially when you wanted to hide something—always gave Talon pause. Not that Meg or Mack would ever peer into his brain without permission, of course. And not that he had anything to hide. Right. Keep telling yourself that hot shot. He shoved away the bitter thought and looked over at Sera.
She sat on a forward facing chair in the middle of the row. Her head leaned against a window, her long legs tucked under her. She rubbed her hands against her arms. The short denim skirt and torn blouse could do little against the jet’s frigid air.
Talon swallowed the lump in his throat as he stared at her. His mouth watered like a lovesick dog. He tore his gaze from her sleek curves. He shook his head at the power she held over him, not liking it one bit. Procuring a blanket from a front cubby, he draped it over her body.
“Thank you,” she said softly. Her chocolate brown eyes watered. She snuggled into the cotton material, a smile crossing her face.
He sat beside her. The urge to offer comfort and protection warred with his need for detachment. As an agent of the law, he couldn’t get involved with a witness. It went against every moral fiber in his being, against every lesson he’d ever been taught. But, it was more than that, it went against a failsafe born from a nightmare he relieved in his mind.
Screams. Gut-wrenching, awful screams filled his ears. He didn’t move. His legs froze as if carved of ice. He stuffed his fist into his mouth to keep from crying out. Bang. Thump. Scream. The pattern repeated over and over. Bang. Thump. Scream. Eventually the screams changed to moans, then whimpers, then silence.
The visceral images staggered him. The memory of what emotion could cost, the merciless price of it, hit him in the gut. He would not let his feelings bleed him dry. Lust. It’s just lust for the pretty blond. This attraction to Sera ate at him, the hunger growing stronger each minute in her company.
“Shit.” The curse sprung from his lips before he could stifle it.
“What is it?” she said, a sluggishness to her words.
“Nothing, sorry.” He fingered his cell phone, then held it up for her to see. “I’m going to make a few calls. Why don’t you try and get some rest?”
“Ok.” Her hand flew up to cover a yawn. “That’s a good idea.” She burrowed deeper into the leather seat. A sliver of her slender ankle peeked from under the blanket. “And Talon, thanks for coming for me.”
“Sure,” he mumbled, securing the cover over her foot. His fingers grazed her calf and she hummed her approval. He pulled his hand away as if he’d touched fire. Hell, maybe he had. “It’s my job.”
He walked to the plane’s rear with swift steps. When out of earshot, he cursed his traitorous body. “Stupid. Stupid.” The small contact with her bare skin, the most innocent of caresses, had his blood roaring in his veins. “Like some damned teenager.”
Longing for a shower of the icy persuasion, he sunk into the chair and switched the overhead air to high blast. His phone throbbed against his palm, distracting him from the aching lust. “Four messages.” He flicked through the missed calls and snorted at the voicemail. “Can’t they do anything without me?”
The heavy mantle of obligation pressed down on his chest. A family trait of duty before all else instilled in him since birth. He tended to saddle the weight of responsibility p
retty well, if he didn’t say so himself. But this mindboggling, all consuming, magnetic pull toward Sera fired his brain in ten different directions. It’d be so easy to let the team handle the shit, and take the time learning every inch of her body here and now. His cock throbbed as he recalled her soft skin, her sweet scent, her wanton mouth.
The piercing cell’s ring ripped him from the fantasy with a jolt. He flipped over the device in his hand, thanking the saints for the little electronic miracle. His whole body shuddered. He’d never wanted to cast caution aside before and thinking how close he came to that edge for her... “No. That’s not who I am.”
He steadied his breathing, letting his mind clear. When the firestorm passed, he picked up the call. “Hello?” Gravel coated his greeting though he tried to clear it.
“Talon. Holla-friggin-louya. Slick was throwing a conniption. Do you know how worried your boy was?” Jame’s teasing mixed with traffic honking. Sirens’ cries rebounded in the distance.
“Yeah, I got that from the four messages. Tell him I’m fine.” Talon ran a hand through his hair, then rubbed his neck and shoulders.
“Will do.” Her wide grin shone in her words. “So, what’s new with you?”
He snickered at her sarcasm. “Oh you know, Jame, protecting a witness from a gang of serial killing perps. You?”
“Ya-huh. I’ll get to your witness in a minute. But let’s see. Lots going on with me. I seduced that pitiful newsie, got some juice about a dirty cop, dealt with the press, traced my boss’ mysterious all call, broke up a fight with a numb nut shifter and snippy vampire, and I was thinking about getting some pink streaks for my hair.” Her babbling stank of sniping. “But then I thought, nah, pink’s not my color. Stick with the platinum.”
“Jame. Can we cut to the part where you chew into me, and I remind you I’m team leader?”
“Oh yeah. That reminds me, oh fearless leader, the next time you issue an all call a bit more heads up be nice.” A Texas grunt of agreement slipped through the background noise. “See Bull agrees. Now, that I got you on the line, finally, want to let us in on the secret?”