“I’m not getting mated for another few centuries.” Daire raised an eyebrow. “Look at the hot mess it has made of your life. Adam is next, then probably Simone, and after you all kick out a bunch of fire-throwing witches, I’ll be a favorite uncle for years.”
“I bet you get mated before Simone,” Kell drawled.
“That’s a bet.”
Daire’s phone buzzed and he glanced at the face. “Mother fucker,” he muttered, stretching to his feet. “That’s Adam. There’s a problem at Fire, and we need to get over there now. I keep forgetting that’s our cover, and it’s time we found out who the damn manufacturer is of the drug.”
Kell nodded and turned to jog through the penthouse. “Where’s Simone?”
Daire didn’t answer.
At the doorway, Kell stopped to view his brother. “Simone?”
“I sent her on a job.” Daire reached around him and shoved open the door.
Kell flew into motion, forgoing the elevator for the stairs. His boots clomped in time with Daire’s. “What job?” He shoved open the door to the underground garage.
“She’s meeting with the demon liaison right now. If they have any history of who could’ve mined PK fifty years ago, we need it.” Daire strode over and slung a leg over his Ducati.
Kell coughed out air, amusement and irritation combining in his chest. “You sent Simone to meet with a demon? If it was Nick Veis, I’m going to hit you in the face for her.” Simone and Nick had a history, a long one, and it wasn’t pretty.
Daire shrugged. “Nick is the liaison, and he’ll tell Simone the truth.”
Kell swung a leg over his bike. “God, you’re an asshole.”
“I prefer the term efficient. I’m tired of Simone nearly disemboweling every man she gets close to, and the reason for that is Nick Veis. They need to figure it out.” Daire gunned his engine.
“You’re a fucking girl,” Kellach yelled over the roar. His brother. The badass leader of the enforcers and also a matchmaker.
“No,” Daire yelled back. “Her feelings get in the way of the mission, so they need to be sorted out.”
Bullshit. Kellach shook his head. Daire was a big softy for family, even though he came across as a first-rate dick. Kell ignited his own engine and yelled over the noise. “The demon isn’t good enough for her.”
“Nobody is.” Daire turned his bike and roared out of the garage, easily employing evasive maneuvers to keep from hitting a taxi.
Kellach shook his head again, not sure he wanted one of his favorite cousins to end up with a demon. Sure, they were allies now, but that wasn’t always so. In the way of the world, they might be enemies again. When had his people become so entangled with demons, vampires, and even shifters?
But Simone flashed sharp teeth every time someone mentioned Nick, so maybe there was no need to worry.
Kell skirted a minivan full of kids and drove through the city, finally opening up the throttle upon reaching clear road. He and Daire rode side-by-side, in sync. They’d been young when their parents had died in one of the battles leading up to the first large war.
Merely teens.
At that time, they’d drawn in, becoming a unit of three. When Simone had come along with no father in sight, they’d enfolded her as one of their own.
No, a demon wasn’t good enough for her.
He drove into the triangular compound of the Fire Club; a pall had settled over the place. The hair on the back of his neck rose, and a quick glance toward Daire showed absolute focus. Yeah, he felt it.
They stopped their bikes, and the sudden silence pounded down.
Pyro strode from the main compound, his face pale, lines fanning out from his eyes. He wore dirty jeans, scuffed boots, and greasy hair, but the stench of fear pouring from him covered any other scent.
Kell disembarked and strode toward the club leader. “What’s going on?”
“Follow me.” Pyro turned and hitched across the main garage and around to the back.
The smell of burned flesh instantly slammed into Kell. He and Daire kept going, not losing stride, even when Pyro’s steps slowed.
Pyro squared his shoulders and walked around the back corner of the garage.
“Holy hell,” Daire muttered.
Kell halted, his gaze catching on a man burned to nearly a tinder, nailed to a white pine. His head was down, his hair singed off, burns streaking down his naked body.
Gaping holes exposed scalded intestines, partially falling out of the abdomen. Part of the liver remained, but the spleen was gone.
Darts, a myriad of them, lined the cracked skin of the neck and most of the torso.
Kell stepped closer to the body and tilted his head. “Spike Evertol. It’s Spike.”
Pyro gagged, swallowed, and then nodded. “Yeah. He was dealing for us, while also leading the cops away from us.”
Kell turned to eye Pyro. “Spike was a snitch?”
“He doubled as one.” Pyro backed away, gagging again. “This is a message from somebody to get out of the trade, and the only one I can think of is Bear. The Grizzlies want to take over the distribution of Apollo.”
Kell rubbed his chin and cut Daire a look, who gave a barely perceptible nod. “No, Pyro. This is a message to you since your dealer was messing with the cops.” The manufacturer of Apollo would have no problem killing a lowly dealer as a warning to other snitches.
Daire pivoted on his heel to face Kell. “What do you want to do with the body?”
In other words, was there any reason to call in the cops and alert Alexandra?
Kellach shook his head. The farther he kept her from the witch at the helm of this disaster, the better.
Pyro slapped his hand against his thigh. “I’m in charge of the club. It’s my call.”
Kell had forgotten the guy was even there. “What do you want done with the body?” he asked, not really giving a shit. There was no need to involve Alexandra in this shit storm. As a cop, she’d be truly pissed he hadn’t notified the police of the murder.
Right now, all he needed was human cops in the way.
Pyro sniffed, his chest puffing out. “I’ll have the prospects bury the body where it’ll never be found. We can’t have cops around here. There’s a meeting in an hour with the board. I want to strike back at Bear.”
Garrett and Logan weren’t going anywhere near the crispy human. They’d both seen enough war and death. “I’ll take care of the body,” Kell said slowly.
“Suit yourself.” Pyro turned and scrambled around the building again.
Kellach wiped his aching eyes. God, he was tired. Tired of humans, tired of Apollo, tired of duty. “Should we warn Bear?”
Daire snorted. “About what? That a human motorcycle group is gunning for him? I think he’d laugh his furry ass off.”
Kell smiled and it felt grim. “Good point.” He sighed and turned back to the corpse. “I’ll take care of this.”
Daire shook his head. “I’ll bury him. You find your mate.”
Kellach moved toward the body, unwilling to make his brother deal with it alone. “Let’s get this done, and then I’ll lock her down.” Alexandra had no clue what kind of danger existed in the immortal world, and she wasn’t immortal yet, so she could die.
The idea of losing her, now that he’d found her, hollowed out his chest. Determination, male and sure, filled that void. Oh, she wouldn’t like it.
“I guess it’s time she met the real enforcer,” he muttered, reaching for a spike shoved through Spike’s shoulder. Irony or coincidence? Not that it really mattered.
“Good luck with that.” Daire slapped him on the back and reached for the next spike. The burned flesh made a squishy sound as he removed another spike. “They’re enjoying this game way too much.”
Kell nodded. “I know.” There was a sense of joy in the kill, and to think that Alexandra was chasing the bastard responsible heated Kell’s blood. Fear for his mate hurried his movements, while intent hardened his shoulders.
He’d wanted to slowly introduce her to his world, to draw her in and show her how amazing her life with him could be.
Instead, he’d have to shut her down, because no way would she leave the case voluntarily. Even if she understood the true danger, she’d stay. But she just wasn’t strong and tough enough for what was waiting out there.
He’d seen it in wars through the years. Wars and weapons humans couldn’t even imagine.
The other night, when he’d cared for her, had been the best of his life. Something told him he was about to face the worst.
Adam loped around the garage with shovels in his hands.
Kell frowned. “When did you get here?”
“Five minutes ago. Pyro filled me in after he’d finished puking.” Adam grimaced as Spike fell to the ground and shattered bones split in different directions. “I came to find you.”
Shit. How hadn’t Kell heard Adam arrive? “You on your bike?”
“No. I borrowed your truck.” He paused, his dark brown eyes deepening. “I’ve been doing research and hacking into databases. Your cop went to the correctional facility holding her father this morning.”
Kell’s head snapped up. “What?”
“Aye. As you know, her father was a drug dealer, and from what I can gather, still is.” Adam handed Daire a shovel, his gaze sympathetic.
“Apollo?” Kell ground out.
“There were several visits between Spike here and Alexandra’s father, whose name is Parker. So I’d say, yes. Behind bars, Parker is still in the drug trade.” Adam rubbed his chin while surveying the mess on the ground. “I don’t think your woman knew that fact.”
“Why would Alexandra go see him?” Kell shook his head. “Unless she knows now. She knows about the drugs, and she went to investigate. To meet him by herself.”
The woman hadn’t asked for his help. She hadn’t even told him about her plan, much less of her father’s probable connection to Apollo. Talk about lack of trust.
He exhaled the stench of burned testicles. “If her father is involved, maybe she’s not in as much danger as I feared.”
Adam shook his head. “Sorry, but I don’t think so. Her father’s a real bastard. Killed his own brother way back when, and according to police reports, dealt with rival dealers by slicing open their torsos.”
Kell stilled and then slowly turned to face his brother. “Do you think he’s a danger to his own daughters?”
Adam’s eyes softened. “Sorry, Kell. I do think she’s in danger from him, as well as from several other different directions. We’ll keep her safe, though. I promise.”
Kell nodded. It was his job to keep her safe, and it was time he stepped up. “I have something to take care of. Talk to you later.” Without another glance at the body or his brothers, he stalked around the garage and toward his bike.
Chapter 26
Lex wiped rain off her forehead and walked into the hospital, stopping short as Masterson walked her way. His arm was in a sling, and his color a bit white, but the guy was walking easily.
Joy filled her to such a degree that tears pricked her eyes. Even though he was fine, a few inches down, and the bullet would’ve pierced his heart.
He grinned, tired and weary. “Detective Lex Monzelle, actually happy to see me.”
She couldn’t help moving toward him to reach up and plant one on his cheek.
He blushed. He actually blushed. “I knew you had the hots for me,” he said, quickly recovering.
She chuckled, feeling loads lighter. “Everyone has the hots for you.”
“It’s a tough burden to bear.” He lifted his head as Bundt strode in the door behind Lex.
“Where the fuck’s your wheelchair?” Bundt snapped. “It’s hospital policy for discharges.”
Masterson snorted. “I don’t need a fucking chair from just a freakin flesh wound. Just take me home.”
Lex grinned. “Badass cop.”
“Amen, sista.” Masterson inched toward his partner. “Bernie’s out of the coma and doing good. All four of his daughters are there right now. The doc kicked me out. He’s kicking them all out soon.”
Lex faltered. “I’ll just pop in and say hi to everyone.” She turned toward Bundt, who still frowned at his partner. “Are you heading to the station after you get tough guy here settled?”
“I am. Why?” Bundt asked.
“Would you run the name Trevan Demidov? I think it might be a lead on Apollo.” She kept her voice bland. “I have a source. Maybe.”
Bundt nodded. “Absolutely. I’ll drop you a line after I get Masterson a milkshake and a comfy blanket.” He finally stopped frowning. “You going to my place or yours?”
“Mine will be overrun with worried chicks trying for an engagement ring,” Masterson lamented. “Can I stay at yours?”
Bundt rolled his eyes. He came from money, and rumor had it his penthouse beat any other in the area, hands down, but Lex had never visited him. “Fine, but I ain’t waiting on you.” He smiled at Lex. “Drop by and check on the dumbass later, if you’d like. It’s time you came over for a game or something.”
Her heart warmed. “I’m not bonding with you two morons just ’cause there was a shooting.” She turned and headed toward the long hallway before tossing over her shoulder, “Of course, I’ve heard you have the biggest flat screen around, so I might come to watch the Seahawks.”
“That’s not all that’s the biggest around,” Bundt called back.
She burst out laughing, unable to help herself. When she reached Bernie’s room, she crept quietly in and had to hold back a laugh at the resigned look on his weathered face. Four young women hovered around, tucking him in, handing him water, basically babying him.
She earned hugs all around, kissed Bernie on the cheek, and pretty much escaped. Yeah, she’d pay for that one.
For the first time in days, she felt that things would be all right. At least, professionally. Personally, who the hell knew? She liked Kellach . . . hell. She felt more for him than she had for anybody in her entire life.
But he was immortal, and an enforcer, and pretty much made up his own rules.
She was stubborn, set in her ways, and a fucking cop. Could they somehow meet in the middle and make it work?
Deep down, she wanted him. Needed him. But was that enough? Look at her mother. She’d loved a man who broke laws, killed, and emotionally beat the heck out of her. Love could blind a person.
Lex drove through her favorite hamburger joint. Eating on the road, she headed in to the station. About halfway there, her phone buzzed. “Hello,” she muttered.
“It’s Bundt. I found information.”
She frowned and pulled over into a gas station. “That was quick.”
“I’m good.” He chuckled. “Okay, the search took two seconds. Demidov was easy to find. A financier in New York about a decade or so ago. A big wig money wise.”
“Drugs?”
“Maybe, but no true connection. However, I’m sending you a series of society pictures that will definitely tweak your nipples.”
“Jesus, Bundt.” She took a drag of her milkshake. “Where is Demidov now?”
Keys clacked over the line. “Haven’t found him yet. Apparently, he left New York and dropped out of sight. I have Interpol doing a search now. Call me later.” Bundt clicked off.
Lex set aside her drink and waited for the images to roll across her phone. The first one heated her breath. Demidov was tall and sexy in a tuxedo, at some ball with glittering lights, blond hair slicked back, black eyes glimmering.
Next to him, smiling widely, was a stunning brunette wearing a sexy red sheath and an adoring smile.
Simone Brightston. Kellach’s lawyer and cousin. Her hair was lighter, but it was her.
Son of a bitch.
Lex slammed her phone on the passenger seat and flipped a U-turn, ignoring the angry honks around her. Damn it. The Dunnes were up to their fire throwing, immortal, dickhead asses in this mess, and she was tired of not b
eing clued in.
Her temper simmered, ready to roar, for the entire drive to the penthouse. Not giving a holy shit about assigned parking areas, she shot Bernie’s piece of crap car into Daire’s motorcycle slot and all but ran for the elevator.
Withholding information from an investigation . . . that’s what she’d charge Kellach with. Maybe accessory after the fact. Or before the fact. Or just for being a complete Irish asshole.
There had to be law somewhere about Irish assholes.
Reaching his penthouse, she tried the knob, not surprised to find it unlocked. Why would an immortal badass care about locks? Or the truth?
She stomped inside to find him sitting calmly near the fireplace, lounging in an overstuffed chair. He wore faded jeans and a black, button-down shirt that probably cost more than her apartment. The badass boots on his feet matched the leather jacket tossed over the couch.
He looked up. “Detective.”
Something about his voice gave her pause. For a tiny moment. Then she gathered her temper close and plastered on her cop expression. “You’ve been holding back, Dunne.”
“Have I, now?” he asked silkily.
A shiver tickled down her spine. The tone, the very body language . . . was all new. “Yes. Just who exactly is your lawyer, Kellach?”
No expression crossed his face, yet a new tension began to overwhelm the atmosphere of the room. “Why do you ask?”
“Just answer the damn question. Who is Simone Brightston, and what’s her connection to Apollo?” Family. Lex understood that. She’d do anything for her mother or sister, and anything for Bernie. Just how far would Kell go to protect Simone?
“Simone is my cousin, and she has no connection to a drug that harms witches. She is a witch.” Kellach steepled his fingers beneath his chin, giving him a thoughtfully dangerous pose. “Why do you ask?”
Lex had been trained in interrogation as well as interviewing. Give enough to get more back. “I think she has more connections than you’ve let on. How long has she lived in Seattle?” Lex had Bundt doing a full workup on Simone while also tracking down Trevan Demidov.
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