“I don’t understand…”
“I know you don’t, and I can’t explain right now…but promise me you will wait for Jerry.”
She nodded up at him, her blue eyes swimming. He turned away. He wasn’t the comforting-tearful-women-type and at the moment he was focused on getting the Shephard woman out. Hell, this hadn’t been on his agenda for the evening. He didn’t know what was going on, but he had a pretty good suspicion. If he had an ounce of common sense, he would leave right this minute and call in his men to check it out. He felt the responsibility like the weight of the woman in his arms; but until he could confirm it one way or the other, he wasn’t taking chances. Kat Shephard had detected the taint of evil before he’d felt even the faintest hint of prickling shocks creeping up and down his spine, and that was worrisome. He’d have to figure that out later. She was obviously very sensitive; right now he needed to distance her from the area as soon as possible.
Jerry held the car door as Kassian ducked into the back seat settling Kat on his lap. The door slammed behind him as soon as he pulled his legs in, and the tinted windows shielded them from the trailing photographers and curious onlookers. He pulled a blanket from under the seat and tucked it around her as he realized he hadn’t thought to see if she had a coat and the November evening was chilly. The atmosphere still felt heavy and oppressive with something dark, though it was less pronounced now. He tucked the blanket more closely around the motionless woman in his arms. In sleep, she looked like a child, young and defenseless, her fisted hand resting quietly on his chest, her thick lashes forming dark crescents against her pale skin. Her intricate hairstyle had come loose and wisps of spun silk tickled his neck as Jerry cranked the heat and opened the rear vents. He absently stroked the softness of her cheek, his long fingers brushing a wayward strand of hair behind her ear and she curled into him like a lost kitten. He felt something heavy settle in his chest, a temptation in the air that had nothing to do with evil, but everything to do with sin. Damn, this was so not on his agenda.
Chapter 2
“What in the hell were you thinking?” The question was quietly spoken with no hint of the underlying concern it contained.
Kassian stared unseeing out of the smoked glass floor to ceiling windows, his expression tight. A slight lift of his chin was the only indication he’d heard. His tall, broad form blocked a good deal of the weak, early morning sunlight as he surveyed the orderly grid of the city spread out below. This morning he felt every damn one of his six hundred years. Over the last century, most of his emotions had become microcosmic. Emotions were a weakness; a vulnerability. Emotions got you, or those you cared about, killed. Empty detachment allowed him to survive. Now his resolve was shaken. The silver eyed woman had touched him, in a matter of minutes, somewhere deep and forgotten. Hell, he should have walked away. Instead, he brought her home. To his bed. With the press on their heels. He hadn’t intended it, couldn’t defend it. He sure as hell wasn’t looking for a woman; he’d gotten quite used to being alone with his culpability for companionship. On the rare occasions he slept at all, he slept alone. He found little pleasure in anything. Living for revenge had eaten at his soul until it was nearly consumed and he firmly believed revenge was the only thing that could restore it. He felt the quiet censure of the visitor enveloped in the comfortable embrace of Corinthian leather on the other side of the immense mahogany desk. It had been so long since anyone had been able to touch him. No, he hadn’t been thinking, he’d been feeling; and what the hell was up with that?
The expensive leather whooshed like satin on silk as Luca Fiorelli shifted his position in the chair. He endured the lack of response without complaint, exuding arbitrary elegance, each feature perfect and timeless. Long and lean, his black wool slacks were perfectly tailored, topped with an ivory, cashmere pullover stretched across the expanse of his wide shoulders. Not a single strand of the silver blonde hair, waving back from his high, smooth forehead and curling over the top of his collar, was out of place. His cool gray eyes were wide and placid as he regarded his friend across the polished expanse of aged wood.
Luca watched quietly as Kassian began to pace, striding about the confines of the large room like a sleek, caged panther. At over six and a half feet, his size alone was daunting enough, but the anger and frustration radiating from him in waves was almost palpable.
“Well, she’s here now, so we’ll deal with it. You need to get a grip, my brother,” Luca said in an even voice. “You have to find a way to distance yourself, make it less personal.”
“Less personal?” Kassian choked out tightly. “How the hell do you suggest I do that? It doesn’t get any more personal. Shit, Luca, you know that as well as anyone. I need to finish this.”
He straightened to his full height and looked down his long straight nose at the seated man, his dark eyes narrowed and spitting fire. Luca continued to regard him with an expectant expression, long legs casually crossed, looking as unruffled and relaxed as if he’d stopped by for brunch. Kassian envied him his cool composure. He returned to the window and fixed his gaze on the first stirrings of Saturday morning traffic. From his vantage point, high above the streets in his sanctuary of thick carpeting and soundproof glass, it was like watching a television with the volume set on mute. He concentrated on the easy, regular sound of his own breathing as the long minutes ticked by, fighting to maintain a relaxed stance. Kassian’s formidable anger had simmered below the surface for over a hundred years. Oh yeah, this was personal; damn personal.
“He knows exactly how to push your buttons, Mac…he always has. You need to get a handle on this. You wanted to tease him out of hiding, right? And now you have, but if you go out there half-cocked with both barrels blazing, you’re going to get yourself killed. You’ve waited this long, doing some recon first is the only sensible thing to do.”
Before last night, Kassian wouldn’t have thought getting killed was the worst thing that could happen, once Callista was avenged and Rapier was dead, of course. Before last night, he might have welcomed death. Death would be a release from the emptiness that had come to pass for his existence and the ever-present awareness of his mother’s grief and his own shortcomings. But last night, Katrina Shephard had awakened something he’d thought lost forever. He hadn’t yet decided how he felt about it.
“It was him?” Kassian inquired in a low voice, but he already knew the answer. There was no question about who they were dealing with. It had taken over a hundred years, but his patience had finally paid off; the bastard had re-surfaced at last. The mutilated body found last night in the Dumpster near Finley’s certainly bore the signs of Rapier’s proclivities. It was Whitechapel 1888 all over again. He and Luca had both seen it before. Brother warriors, they were part of the elite Defensori guard appointed to fight the Fallen and their animorti, a threat to both the mortal and supernatural order. Scotland Yard had never had a prayer all those years ago; Jack the Ripper wasn’t even human.
“The dead girl’s last known address was the House of Angels,” Luca shrugged casually, but the grimness in his tone was unmistakable.
Kassian had established the women’s shelter a few years ago, ostensibly in memory of his sister. His motives weren’t purely altruistic, however, no matter what anyone thought. He’d secretly hoped that the familiar reference, when associated with the McAllister name, would pique Jacques’s interest enough to draw him out after he’d remained hidden and stubbornly elusive for the last hundred or so years. Apparently the gamble had finally paid off. Unfortunately, Kassian’s single-mindedness failed to take into account that someone might pay for his bluff with her life, nor had he anticipated that an innocent like Katrina Shephard would get caught in the crossfire. The oversight was a testament to how obsessed he had let himself become with Rapier. Others were paying for his fixation. Hell, he’d been carrying the burden of blame all of these years, what were a few more rocks on the growing mountain of his guilt?
The Defensori had noticed the incre
ased numbers of animorti in the city over the last several weeks and suspected that something might be imminent. Animorti were little more than animated corpses recruited by the Fallen from the dregs of humanity; sycophants and slime pumped up on rage and lacking insight, lowlifes easily persuaded by the promise of power. The only entry fee into their society was a soul; most didn’t have much of one left anyway. By the time they realized the price they would pay for the empty promises of their Fallen masters, they were nothing more than expendable sponges for the evil of their makers, puppets nearly incapable of independent thought.
“Well, I’m sure he knows he’s gotten our attention,” Kassian said at last. “We should have guessed the coward wouldn’t come at us directly and would revert to hiding behind a helpless woman. He never changes his M.O. Get in touch with everyone and bring them up to speed.”
Kassian paused to pull his black tee off over his head and toss it across one shoulder. After depositing Kat in the middle of his king-sized bed last night, and barely resisting the urge to crawl in beside her, he’d spent the remainder of the dark hours walking the floors and waiting for Luca to return his call. The thick muscles in his back rippled as he stretched and flexed the stiffness from his tired body. An intricately tattooed claymore rippled along the length of his spine. The pommel started just below his hairline, the grip covering the back of his neck, and the perpendicular guard extending out along the bulky muscles of his shoulders. The double edged blade ran straight and true, ending in a sharp point above his tailbone. It was a handy way to carry a weapon. But like Luca, he preferred the quickness and convenience of daggers, and both warriors wore one embedded in the complicated tattoos on the inner aspect of each forearm from elbow to wrist.
“Oh, and assign someone to watch Elle Gates for the next few days. I was seen with her last night, too; he might perceive her as a connection to me. I don’t want to take any chances.” After spending the last century, and in fact the better part of his long life in the Defensori, avoiding relationships that could be used against him, there was no way he was giving his enemy any access to Kat or her friend at this stage of the game.
“Mac, you know as well as I do that we have a limited number of men available at the moment, we can’t afford to be a man down to babysit the Gates woman. We need to be at full strength if we are going to bring Rapier down this time.”
Kassian frowned. “Maybe you’re right…well, then let’s put some sigils up around her place; at least that way she’ll be safe at home, and we can have someone check on her periodically. Jerry took her home; he can give you the address.”
“Consider it done.” Luca stood and stretched, as well. The two warriors moved out of the office, through the bright, open living space, and into the galley style kitchen where recessed lighting gleamed on chrome, black granite, and stainless steel efficiency. Kassian poured two steaming mugs of coffee, while Luca peered into a white bakery box on the counter. He made a selection, propped a hip against the counter and munched contentedly on a crunchy, chocolate filled cornetto.
“God, these are good….do you remember that little pasticceria in the Borgo? Ah, Giovanna…now there was a delicacy I could sink my teeth into.”
He flashed a wolfish grin. Kassian swallowed a large gulp of coffee and shook his head.
“Luca, you are such a freakin’ hound.”
“You know my motto,” Luca grinned. “Love isn’t only blind, it’s also deaf and dumb and should be avoided like the plague. I, for one, know when to cut and run. Love softens and distracts a man, or as in my father’s case, destroys him. Better to avoid it altogether. There’s no room for divided loyalty in battle.” He pointed the remainder of his pastry at Kassian. “You should keep that in mind.”
Kassian rolled his eyes. He’d heard it all before. But simply because Luca didn’t believe in getting emotionally involved didn’t mean he didn’t believe in enjoying himself. Often. And there was never a shortage of willing partners.
“I don’t think you need to worry about the Gates woman, she’s basically an employee of sorts, one of many authors your company publishes,” Luca continued in a thoughtful tone.” No one would consider it abnormal or suspicious that you’d conversed with her at a party in her honor. But, this one...” He nodded toward the closed bedroom door. “What do you plan to do about her?”
“After I take a shower, I plan to wake her up, ply her with coffee, and send her home. We’ll put sigils on her place, as well. She’s done some freelance graphic work for the company so basically she could be seen as an employee of sorts too, and one not even connected to McAllister, really.”
“An employee of sorts who spent the night in your bed, Mac. Let’s not forget that little complication.” Luca’s narrowed eyes spoke volumes. “And there were plenty of people, reporters included, who witnessed your less than stealthy exit. Have you seen the papers? You two looked quite cozy as you departed the party last night.”
“Alone, Luca…see if you can pull your mind out of the gutter for five minutes. She spent the night in my bed, alone.”
The blonde warrior shrugged.
“My mind is only down there keeping everyone else’s company, my brother. How many people who saw you carry her out of there last night or read about it this morning will believe she spent the night in your bed alone? You know that, and I know that… correction, you know that…I just got here,” Luca chuckled ducking the swat aimed at his head. “The bottom line is Rapier doesn’t know that. You’ve got to assume he’s keeping tabs. The press will have done their homework; by now they’ll know who she is, where she lives, and that she didn’t go home last night. Sorry, brother.” He chucked Kassian under the chin. “By keeping her here last night, you painted a big red bull’s-eye right on her pretty little backside.”
Kassian’s jaw tightened as he prepared to disagree. Unfortunately, he didn’t have a valid argument available; Luca was right. He had made one hell of a mess even bigger. Katrina Shephard was a complication on more levels than he cared to contemplate at the moment.
“So, what do you suggest? She didn’t ask for this…she just got caught in the psychic crossfire.” He should have followed his initial instincts and stayed the hell home last night. He could have assigned one of his assistants to look into the information the Gates woman had uncovered. Of course, there was no telling what would have happened to Kat Shephard had he not been there to shut her down and get her out. But, then he’d never have met her and it wouldn’t be his problem. Yeah, right! Dragging a hand through his hair, he struggled to explain his uncharacteristic impulsivity to his friend, as well as to himself. “I’m telling you, Luca, I’ve never seen a mortal with her degree of empathic sensitivity. It was like she was physically experiencing the murder. I really thought she might not survive it…I had no choice but to put her out. Then what? Drop her off at home, pat her on the head, and leave her there alone and unprotected? Is that what you would have done?”
“Probably.” Luca popped the last bite into his mouth and chewed rapidly, appearing fascinated by the pattern on his coffee mug.
“Bull! You would have done exactly the same thing and you know it. Sometimes, I think you forget who you’re talking to.”
“Well, maybe I would have,” Luca grinned in acknowledgment. “But you can bet your ass she wouldn’t have spent the night in that bed alone.” This time Luca wasn’t quick enough and the backhand caught the side of his head.
“Finish your coffee and get out of here,” Kassian growled. He fished in his pocket and tossed the other man a set of keys. “Do me a favor and find her car…it should be somewhere in the vicinity of the pub. The registration in her bag says it’s an ’89 Ford.” He grimaced and saw that Luca did the same. “Drop it back here and then send someone to put the sigils around Elle Gates’ place.” He’d planned to send Jerry for Kat’s car, but by the time he’d taken Elle home, it was late and Kassian figured the poor guy deserved a break. This morning was soon enough to retrieve her car…
it wasn’t like she’d need it anytime soon. At that moment he realized he’d already made his decision. His whole plan, or rather, lack of one, had seemed a hell of a lot simpler last night.
“Have I mentioned you’re a really cranky bastard in the morning?” Luca gulped the last of his coffee and rinsed the mug in the sink. “What are you going to do about sleeping beauty?” He hitched a thumb in the general direction of the master suite.
“She stays with me.” Kassian wearily pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger. He had no idea how he would get her to agree. Didn’t really matter. She needed protection, and that was his middle name. She was staying whether she saw it his way or not, but it would be nice to be less of a bastard for a change. He had a strong suspicion that Kat was not going to be a happy camper. He ran a hand through his loose, shoulder length hair in frustration.
“What are you planning to tell her?”
“Oh hell, I don’t know,” he muttered darkly.
“Well, hey…that sounds like a fabulous plan. Let me know how it works out for you,” Luca smirked. “We could always go with putting sigils on her, too, you know.”
Rapier had finally surfaced and the situation was bound to get ugly. Not only had Kassian managed to put an unsuspecting woman in danger, the woman was the one person on Earth who had managed to somehow touch his emotions, something he hadn’t experienced in years. He sure as hell hadn’t been looking, and he wasn’t sure how he felt about it. One thing he was sure of, there was no way he was going to let anything happen to her.
“No, she stays with me. If for no other reason, it will make Rapier think I have something to lose and that may keep him from disappearing before we can get to him.”
Undiscovered Angel Page 3