When the bedroom door swung open, he halted. Anger-filled eyes drilled into her as he dragged her into the room. Pointing at the bed, he yelled, “Then why is the bed messed up? You always make the bed. Were you fucking him in here?”
Luna’s anger erupted. “I haven’t done anything wrong and you need to let me go right now! Just because I forgot to make the bed, doesn’t mean I had a man in it!” She started rubbing her arm as soon as he released her and backed away. She couldn’t seem to stop her tirade.
“What the hell is wrong with you? Why are you here anyway?” Luna watched as his face flushed and he started pacing around the room. Her confusion mounted when he randomly pulled drawers from the bureau.
“Someone told me they’ve seen you downtown. I came back to see if it was true.”
Luna jumped as a drawer landed heavily on top of the mattress. Bryan’s eyes were wide and questioning.
“Where are your things, Luna? Are you trying to leave me again? Answer me!”
She watched helplessly as he flung open the closet door and rifled through her meager belongings and stared incredulously into empty boxes along the top shelf.
Resigned to her fate, she silently followed his rigid body to the living room and watched him frantically search through the entertainment center shelves. Realization moved as a growing entity across his features and she steeled herself for the inevitable outburst. She closed her eyes when his large hands gripped both of her arms and pulled her close to his chest. She felt his hot breath beating across her cheeks with every snarled word.
“Where are your figurines, Luna? You’d never let anything happen to those. Tell me and we’ll go get them and bring them back. All of it! Everything comes back. You’re mine and I’ll be damned if some other guy is going to take you from me. Give me the address where your stuff is and I’ll handle it. Tell me!”
Luna felt herself crack. All the hardness she had girded into her emotions, the steely resolve to weather the ups and downs of his personality, and the nights of shrinking away finally broke through her dead shell of a body. She snapped her eyes open and willed every ounce of banked anger and revulsion to jettison in his direction. She didn’t recognize her own voice as it erupted in an angry spew of wrath.
“Get the hell off of me, you sorry son of a bitch!” She had no idea how she managed to get free of his grasp as she backed away and pointed a finger at his shocked expression.
“I hate you. I don’t want to spend another second looking at your face or hear your goddamn voice! I’m done. Do you hear me? I’m done with you!” His wide, surprised eyes let her know she’d hit her mark.
She didn’t get to experience his reaction. The crackling of the radio attached to his side ripped them both out of the intense moment. Bryan blinked a few times as she slowly backed up into the kitchen. Distance is good. Yes, let’s make some distance. She released her breath in relief when he slid the radio from its holster and answered. The garbled words made no sense to her, but Bryan’s response that he would take the call gave her a semblance of calm. He had to go. She hadn’t realized she was slumped against the cabinet until he approached her, arms outstretched and hands open in surrender. She straightened her spine and pushed a palm out to him.
“No. Stay right there. Don’t come near me.”
Bryan’s head slumped down and he dropped his arms. She watched his chest rise and fall as he took several calming breaths. She could imagine him counting to ten in his head so he could deal with the errant child standing before him. Bastard! She met his gaze and refused to look away.
“Luna, baby. Let’s calm down. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have yelled at you. My emotions got the best of me. Please forgive me.”
Luna let her shoulders drop. This was something she knew well. It was his standard apology routine. She could work with this. He needed to be out of the house, and fast. She lowered her head and he approached her with confidence. She felt his arms wrap around her shoulders and willed herself not to flinch at his touch. He lightly kissed her temple then lifted her chin with his forefinger.
“Sweetie. I can’t stand the thought of you leaving me. I know you don’t hate me. I’ve got to take this call, but we need to talk about this when I get home tonight.”
He bent down and pressed his lips against hers. Luna couldn’t bring herself to return the sentiment. She just didn’t have it in her to go that far. She raised her lashes and watched his eyes searching hers.
“Okay. I get it that you’re still mad at me. You know that I can’t let you leave, Luna. Not until we talk about this.”
Luna was too surprised to make a sound as he lifted her up and strode into the bathroom. He kicked the lid of the toilet down and plopped her on the seat. Her protest came too late as a set of handcuffs latched around her left wrist and secured her to the metal handrail next to the tub. Her mind couldn’t comprehend the scene. “What the hell are you doing? Let me go! This is ridiculous. I’m not going anywhere.”
Bryan kissed her on the cheek and walked backward to the door. “That’s right. You’ll stay right here until we have a chance to talk. I can see it in your eyes, Luna. You’ll bolt the second I drive away.” He disappeared around the corner.
She sat in stunned silence for a few moments. How could this be happening? How had this gotten so completely out of control? Luna tugged her arm and felt the metal bite into her flesh. Crap! She jerked her head toward the door when Bryan nonchalantly strolled back into the small room. He placed a loaf of bread, a jar of peanut butter, and another of jelly on the cabinet. He set a cup on the counter before turning around. He looked very pleased with himself.
“You have everything you need in here. I have to go. I’ll be back at the end of my shift.”
Luna grabbed his arm and held on. She hated the desperation in her voice. “Bryan. Don’t do this. You’re a cop for god’s sake!” She didn’t flinch when he wrapped her up in his arms and kissed her. She let him deepen the kiss and she sucked his tongue into her mouth. She kissed him with as much passion as she’d done in Houston. She pulled her head back and studied his expression. “Bryan. Please. Let me go.”
Bryan ran his hand across her hair and down the length of her braid. His voice dropped several octaves. “God! I forgot how good you kiss and the softness of your hair.” He wrapped the braid around his wrist and gently pulled her head back. His lips were soft as he placed them against hers again. A contented smile appeared as he released her and stepped away. “I knew you didn’t hate me. We’ll get through this, baby. I’m sorry I had to do this, but you didn’t give me much choice. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
Luna screamed his name until her voice became a harsh whisper. The bathroom was located in the center of the house and she doubted her neighbors were home, much less able to hear her. There was no one to help her.
Freedom had been at the tip of her fingers and she’d let it slip away. The need to share her feelings and the inability to lie had sealed her fate. She hung her head and cried for the loss of her mother, the shortness of her brother’s life, and the feeling of hopelessness that began to invade her soul once again.
* * * *
Cato glanced at the black canister full of police-grade CS gas perched at eye level above his computer monitor. He’d stuck it there as a reminder to focus on the Drexler research instead of the handheld he’d tossed in the drawer next to his keyboard. As soon as he’d found the cylinder rigged in Cassie’s car, he knew that his time playing Dick Tracy with the mystery woman was up.
All efforts were now directed at nailing Victor Dawson, a.k.a. Victor Drexler. Cato’s heart thundered in excitement at having just learned the real name of the dickhead planted in Cassie’s law firm and Severus’s prime suspect for gassing Cassie in her office. Once he’d confirmed his real identity, it became the work of a moment to locate incriminating evidence against Andrew Wynn, his sister Rachael, and Dawson. Combining the trio’s text messages, phone calls, and data stolen by Dawson, Severus would
have a nice, neat package to deliver to the federal agents. Wynn and Dawson were toast and they didn’t even know it yet.
Cato sat back in his chair and rolled his neck to loosen tightened muscles. He glanced at the clock on his computer and realized he’d been stooped over the damn thing for the last two hours. He knew that Severus had taken Cassie back to the condo and would be hunkered in for the night, yet he couldn’t wait to share what he’d discovered. This was too big and would end the dread that’d been hovering over Severus and Cassie’s head for way too long. Cato smiled at the thought. “You can finally claim your mate, amici.” Lowering his barriers, he opened his mind to call out to Severus and fell into the most sublimely, erotic feeling he wasn’t prepared for.
Cato lost all control of his body as he got caught on the upward crest of Severus’s orgasm. Everything his buddy was feeling slammed into his core. Back arching, he had just enough time to shove his feet against the floor and roll away from his desk. Electricity traveled up his spine and he grabbed his fully erect cock to stem the pending eruption. It was a futile effort. He practically tore the crotch open on his jeans, grabbed his insistent dick, and pointed it away from his face.
Grunting, Cato watched through narrowed eyes as cum shot over the side of his chair and landed on the floor. Struggling to his feet, he leaned heavily against a wall and watched in dazed amusement as he patterned it with the remainder of his load. Chest heaving to capture much needed air, Cato turned and slid down the wall. When his ass hit the cold concrete, he burst out laughing. Severus was in the same shape and obviously had no clue of their shared release. He was about to rectify that.
Son of a bitch, Severus! You almost knocked me out of my chair! I hate you right now, you lucky bastard. That was one god damn fine nut you just had.
Damn it, Cato! Call me on the phone!
Chapter 4
Cato laughed again when he felt Severus kick him out of his thoughts and slam down his barrier. He looked down at the limp cock resting peacefully across his palm and waggled it back and forth. “Well look at you. Didn’t see that coming, did yuh?” Taking a deep breath, he pulled his wasted body up from the floor and staggered to the bathroom. Cleaned-and-happy dick stuffed back in his jeans, Cato took care of the mess on the floor and walls. Plopping back into his chair, he couldn’t help but chuckle and shake his head. “That was a first.” Rolling back to his desk, Cato grabbed his cell phone and started to dial Severus then stopped. “Maybe I better give them a little more time to finish what they started.”
Setting the phone aside, he pulled the desk drawer out and stared at the handheld. He hadn’t turned it on since he’d left the parking garage. All through disabling the CS gas, towing Cassie’s car back to her house, and the return trip to the shop, he’d berated himself for worrying about her. He knew this was the whole point of his angst. She was just a “her” with no name, no face, and no idea where she could be. She was getting a bus ticket tomorrow and would be long gone. Hell, he couldn’t even find her in Austin. What level of crazed would he be on a statewide search? No. It’d be best to forget her. Pushing the drawer closed, he let loose a ripe curse, yanked it back open, and grabbed the handheld. He stared at it for a few blinks then placed it next to the gas canister and shook his head. “I’m a damn glutton for punishment!”
Cato dialed Severus and squashed a grin when his buddy’s voice immediately came on the line.
“Before you say anything, we’re not going to talk about it. Got it?”
“You’re no fun, Severus. At least you can’t take away my memories.” Cato could picture Severus rolling his eyes.
“Get over it, Cato. Those are my memories. Go get your own female.”
Cato felt his gut clench and he glanced to the handheld. He wanted to tell Severus about her, but what was there to tell? Hey, amici. I almost met this female and she could be the one. I’m dating her voice right now. Yep, he was totally insane. Despite his reservations, Cato reached out and turned the device on.
“Yeah. I know. I’m working on it, brother.” After a deep breath, he brought Severus up to speed. “I’ve got some news on Drexler. You have to come over here so I can show you. It’s good stuff.” He smiled at Severus’s relieved response.
“Finally! I’ll be right there.”
* * * *
The chair made another squeal of agony as it rotated slowly on its rusty cylinder. Cato shoved his boots against the floor and kept the motion going. He stared up at the swirling ceiling tiles and wondered where he’d stashed the WD-40. He knew he was just killing time while he tried not to think about his inevitable trip back to Insedivertus.
Head lolled back against the cracked leather, he closed his eyes and wondered how the hell they hadn’t seen it coming. The clusterfuck of a night had left him with a headache and his brain pinging with disbelief. Things had started out fantastic the moment Severus congratulated him for his find and went to total shit upon his inability to get Cassie on the phone. Between learning of her abduction and their frantic, citywide search, he would’ve never guessed at the final outcome. Severus’s stalker, Monica Sewell, had been the culprit behind each cryptic call, vandalism, and physical injury to Cassie. Unknown to Severus, Monica had fixated on him to the point of murdering her husband and kidnapping Cassie with a goal toward putting her six feet under. Drexler and Wynn had no part in any of it. He cringed at what might have happened if Severus hadn’t made Cassie stash the tracking pen in her purse. Cassie had been moments away from being shot.
Cato shuddered and pushed his thoughts to something more pleasant. He smiled when remembering how Cassie handled the news of their alien race. Severus had made the right move by having Lina reveal their secrets. Cassie calmly accepted the unbelievable and ended up telling Severus she loved him. She was a total female of worth, and funny, too. Severus was one lucky son of a bitch to have her for his mate.
Now, they were all slated to head for Insedivertus in the morning. Severus didn’t want to chance Cassie’s safety since the feds hadn’t caught Andrew Wynn yet. Cato tried to beg off except the trip served a dual purpose. Drusus was ordered home to present the mate pairing progress report to the Senate, so there wasn’t much point in arguing.
Cato glanced at the report lying on his desk and wished he could just hand it off to someone else. The thought of dealing with his father brought old feelings of anger back to the forefront. Labrax Telarius was a total ass and any time spent around him only drove that point deeper. He couldn’t get the same tired image out of his head. His mother had just taken her last breath and Labrax had shown no emotion as he covered her face and calmly left the room as if it was just another day. He’d stumbled home drunk two days later and they hadn’t spoken since. He’d stopped thinking of him as his father. Mate pairing was for life. Had his mother’s death actually released him from those feelings that quickly? Perhaps he’d never loved her at all. Cato had seen the lingering pain on his emperor’s face. Why couldn’t his father show at least a modicum of emotion? It was incomprehensible. It was if she’d never existed.
“Screw it! Why should I give him a moment of my time?” Cato glanced at the audio capture equipment. He knew it was too late in the night for his mysterious caller to be at the phone booth, but his mind was in turmoil and silently pleading for her voice to rise up and soothe him. After thirty minutes of dead air time, he huffed in resignation and walked away from the desk. He had to get home and pack. They were leaving in a few hours and he’d wasted enough time. As the doorknob twisted in his hand, the sound of a chirp brought his full attention back to the desk. “Impossible.”
“Austin Abuse Hotline. How can I help you?”
“Uhhh…hold on. Let me catch my breath.”
Cato ran back into the room and snatched the handheld from the shelf. Why is she breathing heavy? She should be at home. What’s happening? His mind thrashed with a million questions as he waited for her to say something. The sound of her soft pants ratcheted his anxiety to nuclear
proportions.
“Okay. Better. Sorry about that. Look, I know that Julie probably went home already, but I thought I would try one last time. I called to say good-bye.”
“No! Wait! Please don’t do anything drastic. We can help you.”
A soft gasp issued across the line. “Oh! No! Sorry! I’m fine. Really. I’m not going to do anything to myself. Crap! I’m making a mess of this.”
A sigh of relief followed her words. “Thank goodness! Hold on. Let me transfer you to Julie. She’s working a double tonight.”
“Really? Yes. That’d be wonderful! She’s been my rock for the last several days. Thank you!”
Cato listened to the sounds of traffic in the distance and worried for her. Why was she calling so late? Was she leaving as soon as she hung up the phone? At the last thought, Cato jumped from his chair, grabbed his keys, and ran for the truck. Maybe he could get to her before she disappeared from his life forever. Julie’s competent voice came over the line as soon as he turned the key in the ignition.
“Hello? This is Julie.”
“Hi, Julie. I’m sorry to bother you. I just wanted to say thank you for hanging in there with me the last few days. I’m going to miss talking to you.”
“Hi! What are you doing out so late? Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. I left him. I don’t know where I’m going. I didn’t have a chance to get my bus ticket yet. Half my stuff is still over there, but I don’t care. I’m never going back.”
Julie’s voice lowered in concern. “What happened? What made you leave before you planned?”
“Yeah. I’m still trying to sort that one through my head. He came home during his shift. He accused me of messing around with another guy since one of his buddies spotted me on Sixth Street. When he saw that most of my things were missing, he figured I was trying to leave again. The idiot handcuffed me to a rail in the bathroom and went back to work. I found a screwdriver in one of the drawers and dug around the handle until I could rip it out of the wall. Thankfully, he had a set of cuff keys in one of his coats or I’d be dragging the rail down the street with me. That’d be cute.”
Fueled by Lust: Cato (Siren Publishing Classic) Page 3