by Donna Grant
“Slow.”
“I’m going insane here, Marshall. My siblings are my responsibility. If anything happens to Riley—”
“It’s not going to,” Marshall interjected. “Don’t go down that road. You need to stay positive for your brothers.”
Vin sighed loudly. “Where did you look today?”
“Look, I know you’re worried, and I know you want to be here searching yourself, but perhaps it’s better if you don’t second-guess everything I’m doing.”
Besides, Marshall didn’t like lying to his friends, and with every call where he didn’t tell them about Riley, it would eat at him.
“Shit. That’s not what I’m doing,” Vin said. “I’m sorry. I just want something to hold on to, something that says my sister is going to come back to us.”
Marshall tilted his head back to look at the ceiling. “We all know how strong Delphine is. Her magic is powerful.”
“Davena was telling us all the different ways Delphine could hurt Riley. I had to ask the question, which made Davena answer it. That Voodoo bitch wants to destroy our family, Marshall. And she’s going to use Riley to do it.”
“I know.”
Vincent snorted. “Christian said you’d probably figured that out.”
“It makes the most sense.”
“Well, at least my sister is alive.”
Marshall closed his eyes. “Yeah.”
“You shouldn’t be there, and you especially shouldn’t be going up against Delphine alone. This family has lost a lot of friends over the years. We don’t want to lose you, as well.”
“Since I’m not ready to kick the bucket just yet, I’m treading carefully.”
Vincent was silent for a moment. “Be safe, Marshall. And don’t trust anyone.”
* * *
Don’t trust anyone.
Vincent’s words rang in Marshall’s head the next day as he waited on the bench for Riley. Though Vin hadn’t said it, he was telling Marshall to be wary of Riley if he encountered her.
And after his brief conversation with the youngest Chiasson the previous day, Marshall planned to take everything she said with a grain of salt.
He glanced at his watch. It was thirty-seven minutes past the time Riley was supposed to meet him. Since everything hinged on their speaking again, he didn’t intend to leave. He’d stay there all damn day if he had to.
At least the violinist was back. Marshall spread his arms along the back of the bench and stretched out his legs, one ankle crossed over the other.
The detective in him took in everything around him, cataloging it in his mind—because details were important. He noted the people walking past him, the ones listening to the performer, and those who milled about for other reasons. It was easy for him to spot and separate the tourists from those who lived in the city.
In many ways, he missed the vibrant hum of New Orleans, the mix of the old and new, and how it seemed to seamlessly mesh together. Fun and danger mingled together like dance partners, each trying to take the lead.
And thrown into the jumble was the supernatural.
Someone approaching on his right caused Marshall to turn his head in that direction. The concern that had been courting him each minute Riley was late vanished when he saw her.
“I can’t believe you’re still here,” she said with a relieved smile as she stopped beside the bench.
Marshall motioned for her to sit beside him. He looked over Riley’s gray jeans and white shirt, appreciating how both garments showed off her body. “I had nowhere else I wanted to be.”
She pushed her hair back over her shoulder and turned so that she faced him. “I’m sorry for being late. I couldn’t get away.”
“Everything all right now?” he asked as he covertly looked around for anyone who might be following her.
It didn’t take long for Marshall to find the tall, black man who stared at Riley as if she were his favorite toy, one that had been stolen by someone else.
Riley laughed softly and leaned back. “Yes. I’m glad you waited.”
They stared at each other for a few minutes before she looked away. Finally, she asked, “How do you know about the supernatural?”
“You can’t be a cop in this city and not see something. I also know people who hunt the evil creatures.”
Her head cocked to the side as a small frown puckered her brow. “You make it sound as if there are monsters who are good.”
“Would it shock you to know that I know for a fact that some are? Just as humans are both, the same is true for the supernatural.”
She looked forward, lines of thought bracketing her mouth. “I always assumed they were all evil.”
“Always as in forever, or since the attack?”
Blue eyes slid back to him. “I can’t recall what I thought about them before the attack.”
“Does that mean that you knew of the supernatural before?”
“Yes,” she answered immediately. Then she frowned.
He shifted his body some to face her. “What’s wrong?”
“Sometimes, I can answer things like that without knowing how the information is there.”
“It’s locked in your mind.”
A grin curved her luscious lips. “You make it sound as if my memories have been secured away.”
“In a way, they have.” The longer the tall man stared at Riley, the angrier Marshall became. “How long do I have with you?”
“As long as you want.”
“Is that so?” he asked with a grin. Then he got to his feet and held out his hand. “Do you trust me?”
She took his hand and stood. “Yes, though I don’t know why.”
Marshall wrapped his fingers around hers. “Let’s walk.”
They talked of easy things like the weather and tourists. Riley laughed and joked right up until they reached the edge of Delphine’s domain where she came to a halt. Marshall said nothing as he watched Riley, whose gaze was glued to the invisible line before her. On the surface, she looked calm, but he noticed that her breathing had quickened, and her fingers now gripped his hand tightly.
“If I leave this section of the city, the supernatural can get to me.”
He turned her to face him. “I don’t want to scare you, but the fact is, the monsters can get you anywhere—even in this part of the city.”
“No. Delphine wouldn’t allow that.”
“I’m sure she wouldn’t,” he answered. There was no need to try and persuade her differently.
Riley licked her lips and glanced at the ground where the invisible marker was that sectioned off Delphine’s part of the city. “I don’t like living in fear. The longer I hide from it, the longer it’s going to take me to get my life back.”
“We can turn around,” he offered.
She looked at him and lifted her chin. “No. We’re going forward.”
“Lead the way, Miss Chiasson.”
Riley was smiling—and still holding his hand—when she stepped over the boundary into the vampire sector of the city.
They walked quietly for some time before she glanced at him. “You look at me as if you know me.”
“What would you say if I said I did?”
She shrugged and shifted to allow another couple to pass on the sidewalk. “I’d want to know from where and how.”
As they passed a restaurant, Marshall looked in the windows and saw the black man’s reflection from across the street. No matter where they went, he was going to follow them. And Marshall wanted Riley alone.
He looked down at her lips, his balls tightening.
Oh how he wanted that kiss.
“How do you feel about boat rides?”
Her eyes grew large as she grinned. “I love the water.”
“Good,” he replied.
In a matter of moments, they were at the water’s edge, where they jumped on one of the tour boats. Marshall inwardly smiled when the vessel pushed away from the pier with no other passengers getting on be
hind them.
He and Riley walked to the opposite side of the boat to the railing. Someone bumped into her from behind, sending her straight into his arms.
Marshall held her protectively as he gazed down into her eyes. God, how he wanted to taste her lips.
6
G od, how she wanted to kiss him. Riley’s palms were flattened against Marshall’s chest, and she could feel the heat and hardness of his sinew through the black shirt. Desire scorched her, leaving a trail of need in its wake.
The way his gunmetal eyes looked at her, truly seeing her as a person and not an object, made her skin tingle. She enjoyed being in his arms and feeling his strength. He walked and looked like a man who could take on anything, and she felt safe with him.
Before she could think about it, she rose up and pressed her lips briefly to his. As she was drawing back, he captured her mouth and slid his tongue along her lip. Riley opened for him immediately.
The taste of him was heady, intoxicating, and caused her body to warm, and longing to quicken her blood.
He kissed her slowly, thoroughly. Gradually deepening the kiss until she was clinging to him, need thrumming through her as her sex ached. His arms were the only reason she was still on her feet.
When he ended the kiss and looked down at her, she struggled to get herself under control, fought not to pull his head down for another taste of his amazing lips. Because, damn, the man could kiss.
“I’ve been wanting to do that for a long time,” he said in a low, soft voice.
“Then why in the hell did you stop?”
He smoothed hair away from her face. “I didn’t want to. In fact, I don’t ever want to stop.”
Something was happening between them. Desire, yes, but something more primal, more untamed swirled between them. Though it frightened her a little, she didn’t want it to end. Ever. It felt so good, like basking in the glow of the sun.
Whoever Marshall Ducet was, she knew she could trust him, and that he would keep her safe. She didn’t question that—or the craving she had for him.
His hand splayed on her back, pulling her against him so she felt his arousal. Her stomach fluttered, and desire pooled low in her belly. She lifted her face, silently begging for him to kiss her again.
“I can hardly think with you near,” he murmured.
“Stop thinking.”
His eyes darkened as he stared at her, his craving blatant. And palpable.
Breathing became impossible as she struggled not to tear his clothes off. The crush of people was a constant reminder that they weren’t alone.
His other hand came up along her side, his thumb stopping at the base of her breast. He held it there, teasing her while he leaned forward and brushed his lips along her throat. Her moan was drowned out by the person speaking through the speakers while pointing out sights. Marshall’s hot mouth made a trail from her neck to her ear.
“I want you,” he whispered.
She took his head in her hands and moved it so that he was looking at her. “Yes,” she said just before pulling him down for another kiss.
The rest of the world fell away, leaving only the two of them and the raging, rampant desire that burned uncontrollably between them. He felt so good, so right. Like they had been destined to meet. Now, all she had to worry about were her brothers.
She jerked back, breaking the kiss as she searched her mind to continue the thought. The thread she clung to evaporated, taking the certainty of family with it. She didn’t have any brothers. She was alone in the world.
Then what happened to your family?
“Riley?” Marshall asked as he studied her, worry in his slate-gray gaze.
She swallowed and shook her head, facing the railing to look over the water. “I’m sorry. I just...I....”
“Shhh,” he said and put an arm around her. “It’s all right.”
She stood there, waiting for him to press for more. When he didn’t, she looked over at him. “This is normally the part where people ask what’s going through my mind.”
He pulled his gaze from the water and shot her a half smile before raking a hand through his dark locks. “Something traumatic happened to you. Your mind is trying to work it all out. The less you worry about giving answers, the quicker they’ll come to you.”
“Is that your professional opinion?” she teased.
A soft chuckle fell from his lips. “Actually, yes. I’ve seen a lot of horrible things working in law enforcement. There are times to push someone for answers, and there are times when we can tell that a person just needs some space. Right now, you need someone to stand with you while you sort through everything.”
“Have you had much experience with head trauma?”
There was a slight pause before he turned to her, leaning his other arm on the railing while still touching her. “How do you know you had head trauma? Did you go to a hospital? Did a doctor see you?”
With every question, she found herself frowning. “I... No. Delphine found me and took care of me.”
“Do you remember the attack?”
“Bits and pieces,” she said with a shrug.
He nodded slowly. “Then how do you know what happened?”
“George told me how he found me.”
“George, huh?”
The wind coming off the water was cooling her heated skin. “George is one of Delphine’s followers.”
“I thought Delphine found you.”
“She did.”
“But you just said George found you.”
Riley rubbed her temple. “He did.”
“Were they together?”
“I don’t know,” she snapped. Then she took a deep breath. “I’m sorry.”
Marshall rubbed his hand along her back. “No, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have pushed you. Old habits, and all that.”
She gave him a quick smile. “The thing is, your questions have merit. They made me revisit what I’ve been told, and I can’t answer your last question. Mainly because I’m not sure if they were together or not. Neither has said they were with anyone.”
“Will you tell me about the attack when you’re ready?”
Riley scooted closer to Marshall and looked back out over the water, shaking her head to loosen the strands of hair that clung to her face. “I remember being scared. It was nighttime. I want to say that there were others with me, but I can’t see them. Like there’s a fog. It’s like my brain is telling me I wasn’t alone, but if that’s the case, why can’t I remember them?”
“You will in time,” he assured her.
She sure hoped so. While she’d been content these last few weeks without knowing her past and getting over the migraines, she suddenly yearned to recapture the memories—good or bad—of her past so she knew who she was.
“I wanted to run,” she continued. “I think I might have even tried. My memory is just so murky about the details. But I remember the terror. And the pain as I was slammed to the ground.” She lifted her hands, turning them over to look at her palms. “I recall how the pavement cut into my hands. There was a broken bottle near. I reached for it to use as a weapon, but I couldn’t grab it.”
She fisted her hands and slid her gaze to Marshall. “I can’t remember anything clearly after that. George tells me that I fended off the werewolf while it was trying to bite me.”
“What color wolf?”
She blinked. “Color?”
“Yes. Every were is different. If you can recall the color, we might be able to find him or her.”
“I don’t know,” she said, shaking her head.
He straightened and wrapped his arm around her again. “It doesn’t matter. How long ago was this?”
“About eight weeks or so. George said I was out of it for a while.”
“And they didn’t get you to a doctor?”
She shrugged while wrinkling her nose. “Voodoo and all that. Delphine is apparently pretty powerful.”
“And you trust her?”
He bowed his head. “Point taken.”
“Do you not like her?”
“I’ve never met her.”
“That’s not what I asked,” she pressed. “You don’t necessarily have to meet someone to like them.”
Marshall’s smile was tight. “I’ve not heard very good things about her.”
“And?” Riley pressed. “I hear an ‘and’ in there.”
He stared at her a long moment. “She tried to hurt a few of my friends.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know. Delphine has only ever been good to me.”
“Let’s hope it remains that way.”
Why then did Riley have a feeling that there was another meaning to his words? She wanted to press him for more, but there was a part of her that was a little scared of discovering anything else.
After all, she had thought Delphine bordered on sainthood. Now, she learned that the priestess had tried to hurt others. Riley wanted to say that perhaps Delphine was defending herself, but the words wouldn’t come.
“You’re thinking too hard,” Marshall said.
The sound of the motor slowing made her sad. “The ride’s over.”
“That doesn’t mean our day has to end.”
She smiled and turned to face the city. But the sight of George and Delphine standing on the pier wiped the expression from her face.
“What is it?” Marshall asked. Then he followed her gaze. “Ah. I see.”
Delphine had said she could do whatever she wanted for the day, so why were she and George there? It infuriated Riley. Especially since Delphine told her she wasn’t a prisoner.
“Is he your boyfriend?” Marshall asked, referring to George.
Riley pulled Marshall behind a group of people. “He wants to be. He won’t take no for an answer,” she replied, letting the frustration ring in her words.
“You don’t have to go with them.”
She stopped and faced him. “I do. I can’t explain it, but I have to go. I need you to hide, though.”
“Hide?” he asked with a quirk of his brow.
“Please.”
He looked over her head to the shore before he gave a single nod. “I want to see you again.”