“Don’t tell me you don’t love this.” She stroked the hidden gland that turned his cock into living steel.
He was a kite twisting in the wind, flying higher and higher only to spiral down in a dizzying spin then jerking back up to soar higher.
His throat grew sore from his strangled groans. “I’m going to come.”
Her husky reply shredded the last of his control. “Give yourself to me.”
All of the energy in the world gathered in his chest before exploding in a ball of light and heat, robbing all of his senses except for the heat shooting out of his cock and the sensation of her wet mouth sucking him dry.
It wasn’t until Brett tucked the cool sheet up to his neck that he realized he’d blacked out. Through half-opened eyes he saw that she had dressed and was pulling on her coat. His arms were still pinned over his head, the chain wrapped neat and tidy around his muscles like the stripes on a candy cane.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m securing our future.”
When she turned to leave, panic brought him fully alert. “Brett, come back here. You are not going out there alone. Brett.” He spat curses in several languages and pulled at the cuffs. “Do not think for a moment that this will stop me from coming after you. Brett!”
The click of her boots traveled farther down the hall, then nothing but silence as the door slammed and the lock clicked in place.
Chapter Twelve
Did she feel any guilt leaving Kristos naked and cuffed to her bed? Hell no.
Well, maybe a smidgen. But the man had to learn to let her fight her own battles.
When she arrived at the station the morning roll call was in progress, which allowed her to sneak undetected to her office. With a brush in hand, she went into the bathroom to tidy her appearance and gasped at her reflection. The brush fell to the floor, scattering across the tile.
“Holy shit,” she breathed and leaned closer to the mirror to examine the pale jade-green of her eyes.
She completed the bond. What the hell did that mean now?
Kristos said mated pairs could sense the other’s emotions no matter the distance between them. Would he be a living entity inside her, guiding, arguing and influencing her decisions? Was he in her mind now?
“Kristos?” she whispered, reaching out with all of her awareness.
Nothing, absolutely nothing, which frightened her more than the thought of having him in her head. Perhaps the chain weakened their emotional connection as well.
She shook away the panic that flared with that thought. Yeah, she was definitely going to call Lucian to release him. An hour, she just needed an hour to begin securing her future not only as sheriff, but also with the man she loved.
After she dressed it took only a few moments at the computer to launch the tracking program given to her by her contact in the city. Once she baited the trap she knew Neimi would be contacted, exposing the rats in the department. She linked the program to her Smartphone and set out to collect the vermin.
Roll call was wrapping up as she strode into the break room with a swagger loaded with confidence. “Good morning, gentlemen. Deputy Joyce.” She nodded to the one female in attendance.
Collins greeted her with a raised brow. “Morning, Sheriff. I didn’t expect to see you so early. I heard you were here pretty late last night.”
“You know what they say about crime never sleeping. May I take the floor?”
“Certainly.” Collins stepped to the side.
“I’ve received the warrant to arrest Jebadiah Neimi on suspicion of illegal mining and collusion. Ottley and Jax will stay in town to respond to all other calls, everyone else will assist me with the arrest. Neimi may be one man, but he thinks he’s king shit. Once he realizes he’s losing his crown he may panic and become unpredictable. We strike after the shift change at the quarry. Here’s where I want everyone to set up.”
On the white board she drew a rudimentary diagram of the layout of the area and assigned her men their positions. A charge of excitement lifted the hair on her arms as the deputies realized she was serious and for the first time in years they were going on a real, honest-to-God, takedown.
“Team A heads out in fifteen. Team B rolls out in thirty. Do not draw attention that something is going down and stay alert. We convene at the location at six a.m. Good luck.”
Once the room cleared she headed for her squad car, reaching for her cell as she climbed inside. The other line picked up on the first ring. “Alpha team, the ball’s in play. Stand by for my signal.”
“10-4, Sheriff.”
The cell vibrated as she ended the call. She looked at the display and felt the bile of betrayal rise in her throat. The trap was sprung. The time had come to arrest some of her own.
* * * * *
“By the Gods, brother, this is the saddest sight I have ever seen.”
Kristos cracked open eyelids that felt as if they were caked in rubber cement. “Kill me now,” he murmured with a grimace, or at least he thought he made the muscles in his face twitch. He was so weak that it taxed his reserves to move that little bit. Was it a blessing or a curse that Lucian was here to see him handcuffed to a bed and stretched out naked like a human sacrifice? A prime example of the stupidity of a man who let his cock out-think his brain.
Lucian took a moment to survey the sorry scene. “Oh how I wish I had a camera.”
A growl rumbled from Kristos’ throat, a vain attempt to show some sign of strength. To his further humiliation, it came out more like a feeble moan. “Just release me.”
“That woman of yours is resourceful. I could have used her as a royal guard.” Lucian chuckled at his brother’s horrified gasp. “Brains, strength, beauty. She would have made a fine assassin.”
Kristos swallowed a strangled groan, not wanting to encourage his brother. The only thing royal Brett was going to experience was an ass paddling. He still couldn’t believe she would use her sexual power over him to drain his abilities. It was sneaky, underhanded and he wished he thought of it first. Then he’d be the one to put a stop to the threat against her.
Lucian unwrapped the chain from around Kristos’ arms and raced with it out of the room. When he strolled back in at a much slower pace, a smarmy grin curled his lips and his eyes twinkled with the laughter Kristos was now able to sense he was dying to release. “How did you come to this predicament?”
Ignoring his brother’s question, Kristos focused on bending his wrists to better grip the chain linking the cuffs. His fingers felt as substantial as marshmallows as he struggled to grip the metal. With a frustrated sigh he clanged the cuffs against the bedframe. “Uncuff me. Now.”
“I think I’ll let you break out once your strength returns.” He crossed his arms. “Did you let her do this willingly?”
“I have no problem with maiming you if you don’t release me now.”
“Ah, come on Krissy. I have such few pleasures in my life. Let me have this one. No?” He raised a brow when Kristos continued to stare at him with all of the anger, humiliation and worry he funneled into an arrow straight at his heart. “Oh, all right.”
Lucian grasped the chain between the cuffs and snapped it in two like a twig. Kristos groaned as the circulation returned to his arms like a million fire ants crawling over his skin.
“How are you feeling?”
“Like a boarhund shit me out then stepped on me.” He swung his legs over the edge of the bed and rose slowly to stand. The world spun, buckling his knees and causing him to collapse back onto the mattress.
“You’ve felt worse.” His brother pointed out.
“What is with you today?” He couldn’t stop the cranky petulance that colored his tone.
“It is the joy of new experiences. For instance, I’ve never experienced this before.” Lucian grinned joyfully as he held up his phone. “A text from your sheriff that says, ‘Your brother is at my house and needs your assistance. Please be kind’. To say I was intrigued would be an un
derstatement.”
“She must have the evidence to go after Neimi and doesn’t want me to interfere, otherwise she wouldn’t have gone to such lengths to prevent me from doing just that. Silly girl. It’s my honor to protect her.”
“Brother, is it more important for you to be right or for her to be yours?”
What little energy he regained was instantly deflated at Lucian’s words. In his hearts he knew that he would have to let Brett steer her own course, but the male in him fought that reality as vehemently as she fought his interference. “I’m afraid to lose her.”
“Then let her fly. She’ll come back to you.” Lucian tilted his head from side to side. A considering frown crinkled his brow. “I’m not sure I can get used to you being a blond.”
“What?” He stumbled to his feet and staggered to the mirror over the dresser. His hearts raced at the sight of the honey-blond hair that curled around his ears. The bond was complete. Brett was his mate.
“Congratulations.” Lucian handed him his clothes.
“Thanks.” He pulled on his jeans, still distracted by his new appearance, then he ran both hands through his hair and doubled over with a groan. “How can I not go after her now?”
“Can you sense her?”
He slowed his breathing and stood still. Borrowing from the well of Lucian’s serenity and steadfastness, he reached out with his powers, sifting through the sea of emotions of the people in the town to hone in on the one whose signature matched his own.
“I found her.” His eyes flew open and he rubbed at an ache that settled behind his sternum. “She’s…sad.”
“Is she hurt?”
“No, just sad. I have to help her.” He finished tugging on the rest of his clothes.
“What do you have planned so that I can interject a thread of sanity?” Lucian held up a hand to stop the interruption that had sprung to his lips. “She’s my sister now. I don’t want anything to harm her either, but we must be rational.”
Kristos absorbed the affection Lucian had for Brett and relaxed with the knowledge that between the two of them she would be safe. “If she has the evidence to arrest Neimi, she must also know, or least has a suspicion, about who on her team is working against her.”
Lucian nodded and began to pace. “That may explain why she is sad. I know how difficult it is when someone you have trusted betrays you.” Their eyes met in a brief moment of remembrance. “If you were Brett, what would you do?”
He smiled at the thought of what hell she’d bring down. “Go right up to Neimi and face him like a warrior.”
“Who would you have as backup?”
“My most trusted men, and at least one traitor to lead the way and to make an example of.”
“Of course.” Lucian’s smile widened. Kristos wondered if he knew that his posture straightened into the stance he used as the Head of the Guard. As stern a taskmaster as there ever was. “So what will you do?”
“Observe from a distance and interfere only when necessary.”
Lucian clapped him on the back. “You can be taught.” He held up a finger and crossed to the door. “I have something for you.”
He gaped in shock as Lucian tossed him his royal uniform. “What about maintaining a low profile?”
“We are all learning how to do what is right and not necessarily about being right.”
“Thank you, Lucian.”
“Thanks nothing. I’ll be right beside you.”
His bark of laughter hurt his throat. “I knew it. The Chameleon is too powerful to resist.”
“I wouldn’t say that, but your woman is in need and I will provide help.” He held out his hand with his fingers curled in a half circle.
Kristos slid his palm along his brother’s then locked their fingers together to form a tight circle. They released their hold then gripped each other around the forearm and bent at the waist in a short bow.
The Llanos brothers were on the mission.
Chapter Thirteen
“Jiminy Christmas,” Brett muttered when she spotted her men on the forest floor a hundred yards outside Neimi’s personal residence.
Six of her most-trusted deputies lay flat on their bellies with their elbows bent to hold binoculars or night vision goggles to their eyes. With black and green makeup smudged over their faces, they looked like life-sized plastic army men.
Reutgers spotted her first, flashing a series of hand gestures that made absolutely no sense. She knelt next to him and tightened the straps on the Kevlar vest around her chest. “When was the last time you all trained on stakeouts and takedowns?”
“Billings didn’t think we had enough crime to warrant the expense.”
She rolled her eyes. “Of course. Update please.”
“Lights came on about twenty minutes ago. No one’s gone in or out but there’s been a lot of shouting,” he reported.
“Who’s inside?”
“Neimi and a woman.”
“His wife?”
“Nope, she left at about twenty-two hundred hours with a suitcase. This one arrived about thirty minutes later.”
“Sister, niece?”
His cheeks turned pink enough to be seen in the twilight. “I don’t think so.”
Ewww, she gagged.
The intel she gathered revealed that Billings and four others had received the same amount of pat at the same time from accounts traced to the Neimi family. Three of her deputies were easy to identify for they all banked with the tiny family-operated Cedar Savings and Loan. It was either arrogance or lack of knowledge about current technology that made them forget that with a few keystrokes, one’s entire livelihood became an open book to whoever had the knowhow.
But the fourth person, Colleen Bastian, was still a mystery. She never served on the force nor was she a spouse of an officer. She also didn’t hold an account at the bank. There wasn’t a connection to anyone in Cedar other than the fact she received the same payout from Neimi that was distributed by the bank manager.
Brett staged the fake operation at the quarry hoping one of the potential suspects would warn their benefactor and reveal themselves in the process. Fifteen minutes had passed since the alert went to her phone that Neimi had been contacted by someone on her squad. It was a call she anticipated, but it didn’t soften the blow that one of her own betrayed her.
The group went still as the front door opened and a young woman ran out dressed only in a bright-white bra and miniskirt. She picked up a rock and threw it at the front window. “Screw you, Jeb. That’s for the hundred you still owe me.”
“Just get out,” he bellowed from inside.
Brett snickered. This was turning out to be a hell of a morning.
As the unknown trick took off down the lane in a plume of exhaust and gravel, Brett’s phone buzzed softly with an incoming call. A smug grin stole across her lips as she answered, “Mr. Neimi, you’re up awfully early.”
“Sheriff Briggs, it seems that there’s been a little misunderstanding.” A touch of panic edged the smooth delivery.
“About what?”
“I heard there’s a warrant out for my arrest, which is completely uncalled for. I suggest you and I meet to discuss these allegations before you embark on an endeavor that could ruin your career.”
“Well, Mr. Neimi, I’ve gathered lots of evidence that I’ll be happy to show your lawyer. You can discuss strategy with Judge Mancini, who you will be sharing a holding cell with until you’re transferred to County. I’d normally suggest you call Terrance Neely at the bank to arrange your bail but he’ll be sitting beside you as well.”
“You’re making a mistake, sweetheart. One that will cost you more than your job.”
“Bring it on.” She disconnected the call and swirled her finger in the air, signaling the troops to move. “He’s running scared. We go in now. Ready?” At their nod, she took the lead down the hill.
Four deputies circled ’round the front of the house while she approached the back door with Reutg
ers and Tyson, who carried a battering ram. She raised her hand and counted down. Three…two…one.
The oak door gave way in a shower of splinters with one solid stroke. Brett barreled through the kitchen with her weapon drawn. From the front of the house she heard the crash of wood and glass as the others stormed the entry. In the noise and confusion her training kicked in, helping her maintain a laser-like focus on the movement of every man as they searched the first floor.
They found Neimi in his study next to an open wall safe. A duffle bag lay at his feet, overflowing with bundles of cash.
“Hands in the air,” she shouted. “Hands in the air now!”
He dropped the strap in his hands and slowly raised his hands. “Sheriff, what a surprise.”
“You’re under arrest.” She holstered her weapon and spun Neimi around, slamming him face first onto the desk. She cuffed his wrists behind his back and read him his rights.
“It doesn’t have to be this way.” He talked over her. “I can offer you a deal better than Billings. And your men too. I can pay you all. In cash. Over there.” He gestured with his head. “Five hundred thousand dollars. Take it. And there’s more. I can be reasonable.”
Brett didn’t like the way her men eyed the stack of cash on the floor. That was a lot of money for a little bit of effort. She’d have to move fast to make sure their consciences won out over their pockets.
“I take it you’re forgoing your right to remain silent?” She grabbed him by the back of the collar and shoved him toward the door.
His arrogant smirk remained despite the rough treatment. “My word is good. Isn’t it, Deputy Collins?”
Brett turned to see Collins standing outside the broken front door. “Colleen Bastian, I presume?”
He flushed red. “How did you know?”
She pointed to her phone. “There’s an app for everything.”
It was a joke made when the last thing she felt like doing was laughing. A piece of her died on the inside as she forced the words out of her tight throat. “Mick Collins, you’re under arrest.”
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