Tainted Souls: A Shadow Creek Novel

by J. C RIMELL

  Gabrielle felt the crimson glow in her cheeks and wanted to cringe. Shit. “Oh, no. I guess I assumed it would be the other soldier, Ryker, that's all.”

  Nevada shrugged. “Sorry to disappoint you.”

  Awkward.

  Nevada speed read through the menu. “I'm fricking starving, are you ready to order?”

  Nodding her head, Gabrielle decided on the tuna salad, and after a friendly chit-chat with Becker, the owner, Nevada went ahead and ordered the house burger with all the side dishes.

  She studied the soldier for a minute. The woman was… Drop. Dead. Gorgeous. Her flawless complexion alone was enough to drool over. But her full lips and high cheekbones gave a feminine edge to the hard, muscular frame of her small body.

  “So, how's the prep going for the operation in 'Ooh La La' land?”

  Gabrielle smiled at the woman's sense of humor. “Good. Should be ready to roll out in two weeks.”

  Nevada's grin showed a set of dazzling white teeth. “I can't lie. I'm soooo looking forward to the change.”

  Gabrielle took a sip of her LaCroix sparkling water. “Is your job that bad?”

  The woman grunted. “Have you met the guys I work with?” She leaned her elbows onto the table and relaxed her shoulders. “Nah, I love 'em all, really. And I love what I do. I could just use a different challenge right now.”

  “I have everything you need to go over.” Gabrielle reached into her briefcase propped against the table by her feet and pulled out a slim box file. “Here,” she said, handing it to the soldier. “There's all the information you need on Chaput. A USB with a detailed map of his premises and known businesses. All your ID's. Passport, driving license, a complete background history.”

  Nevada looked inside, took out the passport and flipped open the cover. “Sophia Lane? Geez, how sweet. Thanks.” The food arrived and Nevada licked her lips, grabbed the burger and took a huge bite. “So, you and Ryker, huh?” she hedged around the mouthful of food.

  Gabrielle's mouth parted in mid-flow of taking her first forkful of tuna. “What?”

  “Oh, please, girl… It is so damn obvious.” She chuckled, clearly amused.

  Clearing her throat that had gone dry with panic like a fish on land, she responded in a polished, professional tone. “I keep my work completely platonic.”

  Nevada's neat brows bowed, making those glimmering eyes wide. “Really?”

  Putting down her fork, Gabrielle frowned. “Of course. Work is work.”

  “Holy crap. You've got it so bad you're in denial.” She sat shaking her head while chomping on a French fry.

  “I do not.”

  “So do, babe.” Her eyes bounced up again and held Gabrielle's in their intensity. “Hey, I get it, sister. All men come with is a load of crappy do's and don't's and before you know it they think they own you or some shit.” She shrugged. “Don't sweat it, I won't say a word.”

  Gabrielle had suddenly lost her appetite and pushed the food around her plate.

  “We're going out tomorrow night if you wanna tag along. Don't worry,” she winked playfully, “Ryker won't be there, it's girls only.”

  “Sure, why not,” she replied coolly. It'd beat sitting around on her own again in the B&B scrolling through Netflix and fantasizing about a certain soldier.

  I do not have it bad for him… Do I?

  Twelve

  Madeleine wasn't sure if it was a good idea, but what the hell. It had been god only knew how long since she'd been outside the confines of the lair. Fleet was right, she needed a break.

  Damn, I'm so mad at him right now, she thought openly, with no intention of hiding her feelings. She hoped he would hear her.

  Her nostrils flared in temper. She needed to loosen up and forget about things for a while. And what better way to do it than a night out with the girls.

  Standing in front of her closet, she blew out a breath at just how limited her clothing was. She only had one outfit, which hadn't seen the light of day since… well, since she cared to remember. Shifting the other hangers forward, she pulled out the little black dress she'd tried on once and bought on impulse during a rare shopping trip many moons ago. Her mouth twisted, doubtful if she would even still fit into the skimpy little number.

  She tossed aside her bathrobe and slipped into one of the two lingerie sets she owned. Shimmying into the dress, she smiled with a sigh of relief as the silk glided against her skin. It still fit her like a glove. She closed the closet door to look in the full-length mirror.

  With wide eyes, she stared at the woman looking back at her. The figure hugging material skimmed her thighs and clung to the curve of her waist. The bra enhanced her voluptuous breasts, leaving the scoop neck showing just the right amount of cleavage.

  “Holy shit,” she muttered, surprised by her own appearance. After trying on the calf high, leather heeled boots, she almost bottled it, and probably would have if Nevada hadn't shown up when she did.

  “I've come for my friend Madeleine, what have you done with her?” Nevada teased when Madeleine opened the door to her quarters. “You look hot, girl!”

  Madeleine swallowed the sudden apprehension that swirled in her stomach. Nevada reached forward and tugged the tie from her hair, letting her long cinnamon curls tumble loose. “There,” she said with a satisfied smile, “that's even hotter.”

  She couldn't help but give Nevada a once over. The female shifter was sex on legs; confidently squeezed into skinny black leather pants, red stiletto's and a black strapless tube-top which showed off her graceful, muscular shoulders. The woman was dynamite.

  Unable to back out of it, Madeleine grabbed her little black purse and headed out into the corridor to meet up with the others.

  Nevada whistled low at Lakota, Eve, and Delta who looked equally stunning dressed in their figure hugging outfits that made Madeleine's dress look almost timid in comparison.

  A wolf-whistle echoed down the corridor from Snow as he came up behind them. “Seriously, I have no problem with you ladies going out in any of those outfits.” His wide appreciative eyes darted between them all. “But you do realize how much attention you're all going to get, right?”

  Lakota laughed. “That's the general idea.”

  “Good job I'm coming with you then,” he replied with a smile tugging at his lips.

  Eve rolled her eyes at him. “No way! We're being chaperoned?”

  Fleet caught Madeleine's eye as he walked toward them in the corridor. She sensed his hackles bristle when he saw the female members of his pack looking so ridiculously beautiful and sexually attractive. Fleet had never shown any attraction that way for any of them, but his eyes seemed to spark with male appreciation.

  “A man would have to be blind and a bit insane not to notice you ladies and the way you look tonight.” His warm but firm gaze settling on Eve. “That's why Snow goes or you don't.” Fleet's tone left no sway for argument. “I know you can take care of yourselves. Have a good time, but please stay safe.”

  Madeleine threw him a glare as they headed out. The sound of her friends feminine laughter picked up her spirits and taking a deep breath she refused to be dragged down. Just for tonight, she was going to have a good time. Just for tonight, she would forget all about how violated her alpha had made her feel. Would forget about the shifter with the secretive eyes and the kiss that set her heart ablaze.

  No, Ryker wasn't coming with her, not tonight.

  Gabrielle pulled the sedan up to the security gate at the compound and a few moments later Fleet let her drive through. She parked behind a black SUV stationary at the front of the building. Checking her makeup one more time in the rear view, she took a deep breath and peered down and admired the new outfit she'd bought. There had been nothing but trouser suits and some comfy Pj's in her closet at the B&B.

  Not that she had anyone to impress. “Oh, stop kidding yourself,” she said under her breath. All day long she'd thought about nothing else. The chance she might see him here. And the dress
was the sexy kind: a deep jade, figure hugging, one-shouldered little number that the woman in the store said brought out the color in her eyes.

  She grabbed her leather clutch, checked her issue, Glock 23 was sitting pretty and swung her legs out of the car keeping them close together. Yeah, that was a must seeing as the dress rode high up her thighs, the cool night air hitting her bare skin and making her shiver as she climbed out.

  Her attention shifted across the grounds to three men sparring in a training area. Yep, her eyes lit up the moment they landed on Ryker. She had to admit, the other men man pretty good eye candy too, but it was Ryker that captivated her. Bare chested, muscles bulging and the sheen of sweat over his body as he grappled with a red-headed guy, it just did something to her...

  Murphy, Ryker, and Gunner were in the outdoor training arena preparing for patrol when their pack mates came strutting out to the SUV parked outside the front of the building. All three men stopped what they were doing and turned to look at the group of women.

  Ryker broke free from the other two men, unable to stop himself he marched over to the group. “Madeleine,” he called out, grabbing not only her attention but that of the pack too.

  Her head whipped up in his direction, rolled her eyes toward the darkening sky in annoyance that she'd been unable to avoid him.

  “Where are you going?” he asked with a piqued timbre to his voice.

  Madeleine met his shadowed gaze. “Out.”

  He thrust his hands onto his hips, his chest still heaving. “I can see that,” he paused, watching as the others climbed into the vehicle that was idly running with Snow in the drivers seat. “Out where exactly… dressed like that?”

  Oh. “Dressed like what, Ryker?” Madeleine thrust out her chin, steadied her nerves, damn well cross Ryker thought he could have any kind of say over where she went or how she dressed.

  Nevada stuck her head out the front passenger window. “You coming, Madoc?”

  Ryker tugged the peak of his cap, bit of a curse. “You know what I mean, Madeleine.”

  She scowled at him. “No, Ryker, I don't think I do?”

  He took a hold of her arm and pulled her away from the SUV, away from the pack. “You're going to attract unwanted attention to yourself dressed like that, damn it.”

  Maddened by his remark, Madeleine yanked her arm free from his grip with ease, it hadn't been a tight hold. “Who said it would be unwanted attention?” She moved in close to him, his face looked different somehow; he'd grown a thick goatee and from beneath his cap, she could see his hair had started to grow out. She looked up, and he lowered his head to meet her gaze. Her voice dipped lower, “Maybe some attention is just what the doctor ordered. As for the way I'm dressed,” she paused, letting her eyes roam down his bare chest and back up to meet his fierce glare, knowing damn well he had caught a full glimpse of the swell of her breasts. Part of her enjoyed the fact he'd done so. “It has nothing the hell to do with you.”

  She strutted away, her body swaying with a sexual feminine grace that made his body tight and his blood hot beneath his skin. He'd never seen her dressed like that. The black skimpy dress showed off her body in an erotic, alluring way and she would have god knows how many sets of eyes looking at her like she's…

  What the fuck was Gabrielle Robinson doing here? And dressed like she's...

  Mine.

  The word bit into his conscience. His wolf paced confused, restless and very fucking horny. He shook his head trying to rid the sudden lust from his body.

  No, Madeleine wasn't his, she deserved far better. Just why he suddenly felt so protective, possessive over her, had him questioning just what the hell was going on with his emotions when it came to his pack mate. And seeing Gabrielle? Whatever. Liked he cared if she heard all of that shit or not. If you didn't care, you wouldn't be doing the mind-fuck right now, and your cock wouldn't be stood to attention in your sweats, asshole. He had to admit, seeing her dressed like that had certainly made his pulse race.

  Fuck. What. A. Mess.

  A few seconds later the vehicle pulled away and he was joined by Murphy.

  “You ready?” the quiet shifter asked him.

  Ryker frowned and gazed at the tall male stood beside him. Murphy's face was turned forward with his hidden eyes still fully focused on the vehicle that was now fading out of view. “For what?”

  “Trouble.”

  Gabrielle had heard the argument. Saw how Ryker had looked at the woman called Madeleine, the one who was sitting next to her in the SUV.

  Yeah. Awkward.

  The woman was beautiful. Why wouldn't he have the hots for her?

  “So, how long have you and Ryker been together?” Did she really just ask that? Oh, shit. She cringed.

  Madeleine spun her head with a look as sharp and deadly as daggers. “What?”

  “No, girl, you got it wrong,” Nevada said turning in the front seat to face her. “He was just being a protective ass. Right, Madoc?”

  “Ah, is it any wonder? Have you seen the way you ladies look tonight… Damn,” Snow cursed, his eyes doing a once over all of them in the rear view.

  Madeleine's eyes were still fixed on Gabrielle's when she replied, “Right.” The word held a frosty edge. The woman seemed mighty pissed over something that was supposedly nothing. Either that or she had a dislike for her.

  Nodding, Gabrielle lowered her gaze. “No matter, it's none of my business.” She denied the sinking feeling in her chest meant anything. She was being stupid, acting like a teenager with a crush on a guy she hardly even knew.

  Murphy did another four rounds of the assault course after the group had left. He was dripping with sweat, there was a fire in his chest as he heaved in heavy pants, his leg muscles burned and he was shaking with the adrenaline.

  And he was still unable to strip her image from his mind.

  “For fuck's sake.”

  His eyes had zeroed in on Eve like there hadn't been anyone else in the world. Her long, jet black hair hung in a waterfall down her back, her ice blue eyes sharpened by a little makeup. And when he'd caught a glimpse of her outfit he'd almost choked on thin air. Lord, she suddenly hadn't looked so young. Her legs were endless, made so by the narrow heels of those strappy sandals. The black skirt was...Jesus...was barely a skirt and the sparkly, blue strapless number hugged her pert little breasts. He'd silently thanked God when she slipped into a leather jacket and covered them up. The wolf in him was jealous. Neither he nor his beast wanted her going out looking that… beautiful. He didn't have any claim over her, but it didn't dampen his secret longing for her, no matter how much he tried to fight it.

  You know it will happen.

  Murphy rolled his eyes. The damn angel was back. Since the attack a few days ago, he'd actually enjoyed the peace and quiet. Samil, the angel of death on his back had been healing too, and the tranquility was something that Murphy relished. The angel had an opinion on everything, whether Murphy wanted to hear it or not.

  Since when did I ask for your opinion? Murphy asked telepathically.

  You didn't. But I'm giving you a heads up.

  She's too young.

  Yeah. I'm going to have to disagree with you on that buddy. I've seen her… you know… when your back's been turned.

  Keep your eyes to yourself or I'll have them gauged out of my skin.

  That wouldn't work, you know that, right?

  Murphy grunted. What do you know about females anyway?

  Are you really asking me that? Dude, I'm right here on your back every time you're with one.

  He cursed under his breath. Yeah, well, you don't know anything about a woman like Eve. And, shit– it suddenly dawned on him–neither did he.

  Thirteen

  Snow stopped the SUV. “Okay, ladies, we're here.”'

  Madeleine scowled at Nevada's smug reflection in the rear view. "You could have told me we were coming here."

  'Fire & Ice' boasted luxury and rich, swanky clientele in the neighborin
g town, Grace Valley. She suddenly felt underdressed for the occasion as she took in the elegantly clothed men and women entering the establishment.

  Nevada turned to her with a pointed stare. “What difference does it make?” Twinning her arm with Madeleine's, she tugged her forward. “Come on, let's party.”

  The lighting was low over the intimate seating and corner booths that encircled a large dance floor. It was just filling up as people danced to some mellow, pop music. Slipping into one of the booths that offered a good view of the floor and the bar, Madeleine positioned herself on the end of the seat, opposite Snow and Gabrielle.

  “Good evening ladies and gentleman.” A formal greeting from an attractive female member of staff. With her attention solely focused on Snow, the seductive timbre to her voice hard to miss. “What would you like?”

  Madeleine watched as Snow kept his cool, but couldn't avoid letting his eyes take a leisurely walk up and down the woman. Squeezed into black hot pants, a white sleeveless shirt and black dickie bow, Madeleine had to admit, the woman had legs to die for.

  “Tequila all round,” Nevada said from her seat in the middle of the group.

  “Tequila. Coming right up,” the waitress replied, her eyes still fixed on Snow.

  “At least, one of us will be getting laid tonight,” Lakota teased once the waitress had left. The group fell into laughter and Snow grinned. He flicked his head over his shoulder, his gaze following the female in question. “Yeah,” he said with male cocksure attitude, his head whipping back to the group, “she'll be in for the ride of her life a little later.”

  Nevada rolled her eyes. “P-lease.”

  Madeleine tried to forget the altercation between her and Ryker just before leaving the lair. Damn him, she cursed silently. Who did he think he was telling her how she should dress? Where she should go? He had no claim over her. They were pledged to the Society, even if the thought of being able to have a mate had fluttered a tiny ray of hope in her gut. Especially since Cade and Kit had defied the laws bestowed upon the chosen ones and gotten away with it. Then again, Cade had the right lineage. She was just a human who'd turned by accident after a rogue attack. If it wasn't for her gift of healing, the Society would never have chosen her.