by Brenda Trim
“Who are you and what have you done with my best friend?” Brittany teased.
Tori laughed and waved her comment away. “You know I’ve wanted to retire for a while now. I figure there’s no harm in starting now.”
“And the fact that your Fated Mate asked you to handle this case differently has nothing to do with it?” Britt asked, before taking a bite of food.
“I’m handling the case like I would any other. Problem this time is Lana is pretty pissed at me and may explode if I don’t give her my final report by Saturday.”
“You’re playing with fire there, chica. You don’t want to be on Lana’s bad side. If you turn it over to the realm police to prosecute, she will skin you alive. I like my best friend in one piece,” Brittany added with a grimace.
Tori’s stomach knotted further and her head pounded. She knew Brittany was right. Hell, she would be killed just for giving Santiago information about the case. There was a code to be followed and she had broken every rule in the book. Her neck was on the line, and the worst part of it all was that she didn’t care. He had asked her and every fiber in her being wanted to agree. Plus, it seemed like her and her Fated Mate were connected on every level, even working together. She’d never had more fun investigating a case before.
It helped that her instincts had screamed at her that something wasn’t quite right about Sam. There was something he wasn’t telling her and she was determined to find out what.
“I like it hot. You know that,” Tori joked as she set her fork down. Her appetite had been nonexistent all day, and despite the yummy smell of the enchiladas she couldn’t eat. “But I appreciate your concern. I’m handling this like I would any other case I’ve been given, so there won’t be suspicion. I will fulfill the contract if that’s what is warranted.”
“I’m glad you haven’t completely lost your mind to this mating crap,” Brittany blurted and then shrugged when she realized what she’d said. “Speaking of matings and contracts. Have you officially told Lana that you aren’t taking Von’s contract for your Fated Mate?”
“Yes. And, no she was not happy with me. I’ve never seen her pale skin turn red that fast. I swear she searched her mind for a way to take the case anyway, just to take my mate from me. I may not like Santi for what he did, but I don’t want him dead… anymore.”
“Because you lurve him?” Brittany teased.
Tori shook her head and slapped her best friend on the shoulder playfully. “No, I don’t love him. My hormones are on overdrive and panting for him nonstop. He can call lightning, Britt, and let me tell you, holy shit, never felt anything so powerful.”
“Ugh. Stop. Too much information about wolfboy.” Brittany laughed.
“You just wait until you meet your mate. It hits you like a bomb and leaves you stunned and a slave to the compulsions. I just hope the Goddess doesn’t give you a mate who murders your brother, ’cause it’s fucked-up to want a male with such fervor you can barely remember your name and at the same time loathe him for taking your only family from you. How do I resolve that?” That was the problem and reason Tori hadn’t slept in days.
“Oh, honey. I had a suspicion that this was hell for you, but I don’t think I truly appreciated the position you are in. I don’t know what to say, except your heart will lead the way. It has never steered you wrong before,” Brittany said, grabbing a cookie off the plate.
Tori stood up from the table and gathered their plates. As she crossed to the sink, she considered what her gut was telling her. “That’s the problem. I’m confused. Even more so since I discovered he wasn’t wrong about Miguel,” she admitted. She hadn’t yet told her friend about the visit with Tobias. She hadn’t wanted to talk about it yet.
“What?” Brittany exploded, jumping from her chair and rushing to Tori’s side. “What do you mean he was right about Miguel? I know you’ve always suspected, but you never had proof. This should have been the conversation starter. I know this is major shit for you.”
Major was an understatement. More like life changing, devastating, and all-consuming. Heartsick, Tori dried her hands and grabbed her glass of wine. “He took me to a client of Miguel’s. A bear shifter who was hooked on Angel’s Kiss. It was awful. He told me Miguel sold to him and tried to get me to go to Miguel’s house to get him more of the drug. I have never seen anything so sad, Britt. He was barely able to hold a conversation and was covered in sores. He hadn’t bathed in weeks, if not months, and was skin and bones. His bear was nearly feral.”
“Are you sure he’s reliable? Could he be telling you what Santiago told him to?”
Tori’s head was shaking before Brittany had finished speaking. “I wish that were the case. It would be easier than knowing my brother sold drugs that killed people and ruined families. Tobias has a mate and child out there and doesn’t give a shit about them at all. That’s how devastating the drug is. I didn’t believe what Santiago was saying about Miguel until Tobias talked about the painting I did of our parents.”
“I’ve had to patch enough human stiffs up and cover evidence of their drug use, but never could have imagined a supernatural dying the same way. From what I’ve seen and heard from grieving families, it’s a slow and insidious decay that leads to death. We heal too fucking fast for that. Must be some major mojo behind Angel’s Kiss.” Brittany shuddered and wrapped her arms around her chest.
“I didn’t fully appreciate the way this drug hijacked a being’s free will and left nothing but dust in its wake. As much as I don’t want to admit it, I can see why Santiago has a hard-on for the dealers and manufacturer. As a cop and Dark Warrior, he had to see a hundred more Tobiases and even worse. Doesn’t excuse him for what he did to Miguel. Mr. High and Mighty can’t practice what he preaches when it comes to following the law. He wants everyone else to follow it to the letter, but he is above it, and that just pisses me off,” Tori admitted.
Brittany tightened her ponytail as she headed out of the kitchen and into the living room. Tori followed, wondering what Santiago was up to. They had parted with the agreement that he would help her with her case, but he hadn’t asked her for another date or time to see her again. Perhaps he was tired of her refusing him regardless of being Fated Mates.
“I trust you put your wolf in his place,” Brittany said with a smile as she kicked her shoes off and curled her feet under her on the couch.
Tori snorted. “Yeah, but I doubt he appreciated it. It can’t be too bad. He still comes around. Of course, that could be because he’s my slave now.”
Britt laughed, sputtered white wine out of her nose, and cried out, “Ow, ow, ow,” while laughing.
A knock sounded at the door, and she got up to answer it, saying, “Stop spitting wine all over my couch. Thank the Goddess that’s white and not red, bitch.”
Tori turned her attention to her unexpected visitor and tried to sense who was on the other side of the door. In her profession, she had learned caution. Having supernatural senses came in handy when trying to detect threats. She wasn’t psychic and her sense of smell wasn’t as keen as a shifter’s, but she had developed a sixth sense for when someone intended her harm. More than once she had avoided a silver bullet between the eyes.
Her palms began sweating and her heart leaped in her chest. The male standing on the other side of her door posed the biggest threat. Problem was, the thought of running never entered her mind. Wondering what he was doing there, Tori couldn’t get the door open fast enough.
“Hi, dulzura,” Santi murmured with a half smile. His eyes focused over her shoulder when Britt burst into another round of laughter behind her. “I see you have company. Should I come back?”
His masculine scent wrapped around her and had her mouth watering. He was too sexy standing there, and she wanted to tear off his long-sleeved shirt and run her hands over the hard muscles of his chest. The tight jeans told her he was just as affected by seeing her. Knowing he stood on her stoop sporting an impressive erection because he wanted her was
a boost to her ego and made it hard to think straight.
Santi cleared his throat, making her blush. She had no idea how long she’d been standing there ogling him with her imagination running wild. Glancing up, she saw he was tugging at his goatee. She’d noticed he did this when he was nervous or deep in thought. It was fast becoming her favorite habit of his.
“No. That’s Brittany. She thinks she’s funny, but she really isn’t,” Tori called over her shoulder, eliciting another round of laughter from her friend.
Shaking her head, Tori stood to the side and motioned to the interior. “What brings you here?”
“I can’t stop by to see my mate?” he asked. The uncertainty in his gaze melted her heart. He was always so confident and sure of himself that this vulnerability was endearing. Santiago wasn’t an overly emotional male, but he poured his heart into their mating, and it was obvious he was stepping outside his comfort zone.
There was an empty ache in her chest from the loss of her brother that pained her constantly and urged her to reject him and put him in his place, but the urges made that impossible.
“Depends on if you brought any chocolate with you.” She enjoyed the way his muscles flexed and moved in his tight jeans as he walked in front of her. She would follow him anywhere just for the view.
“Good to know chocolate is the price of admission. Dark or milk?” he asked with a heated glance thrown her way. His eyes promised to fulfill her every dark desire.
Heat pooled low in her belly and her nipples peaked under his consideration. She wanted to climb him like a mountain right there in her hallway. Better yet, her backyard was completely fenced in, so she could take him outside and he could call the lightning again. A sensual shiver ran down her spine with the thought.
“I like what you’re thinking, dulzura,” he admitted as he stroked a finger across her heated cheekbone. Her mate mark chose that moment to flare to agonizing life. It had been bothering her since it had appeared, but anytime they touched it became almost unbearable, settling down only when their bodies joined.
“Am I interrupting something?” Britt asked from behind Santiago’s shoulder. Tori jumped, having forgotten her friend was even there, while Santiago didn’t even flinch. Some assassin she was. It was embarrassing that she hadn’t heard her friend approach.
“Later,” Santi promised and kissed her briefly before turning to Britt, who had her arms crossed over her chest and a grin on her lips.
She’d never really thought about her appearance before, but suddenly she wished she were stunning like Brittany. They were both in yoga pants, having come straight from the gym, but Britt was as gorgeous as if she was dolled up for the red carpet.
Tori enjoyed the way Santiago wrapped his arm around her shoulder and tugged her into his side.
“Santi, this is my best friend, Brittany. Brittany, this is Santiago,” Tori introduced.
Santiago stiffened at her side and added, “Her Fated Mate.”
Tori rolled her eyes and elbowed Santi. “Yes, my Fated Mate. Now that you’ve marked your territory, let’s sit down.”
“As Tori’s best friend, do you have any advice for me?” Santiago asked as they made their way back down the hallway.
“Don’t answer that, Britt. Never forget girl code. Besides, payback is a bitch and someday you will find your Fated Mate,” Tori blurted when she saw her friend smile with glee and start to rub her hands together.
“Don’t worry, my lips are sealed, Tor. I can’t believe you lived with the king,” Brit continued, turning to Santi. Tori was grateful for the change of topic and not at all surprised by Brittany’s statement.
The Vampire King was a massive figure in their world and loved by most. Those who had sworn fealty to Zander did so because he was such an enigmatic leader and engendered loyalty. Tori had sworn fealty with her parents centuries ago, and would die for her king.
“My parents would shit themselves if they knew I was talking to a Dark Warrior. Not to mention that Tori is mated to one. Is the king really as ruthless as they say?”
Santiago sat next to Tori on the couch and crossed his foot over a knee. His hand rested on his leg, but his fingers were tapping out a rhythm. Was he nervous? That seemed odd. He had never been anything but self-assured and arrogant.
“Zander is a great leader, but he’s a stickler for the rules. He expects compliance with the laws from his subjects and won’t tolerate insubordination, but he is fair and cares deeply about the realm.”
Tori sensed Santi was struggling with conflicting thoughts on his own disobedience and how it was dealt with. Was he recognizing that he needed to answer for his actions? Some rules could never be broken, and being a Dark Warrior in a position of power, it was vital that Santiago believed that.
“I have never met anyone more dedicated to their duty or more capable of leading us into a new era. He has shouldered a great amount of responsibility from a young age and never faltered under the pressure. The Goddess couldn’t have broken the mating curse with a better male.” Admiration shone through Santi’s every word, as well as a hint of longing.
More than once it had been obvious that he missed his fellow warriors, which was understandable. Sure, he denied it, but she knew he missed holding the position of Dark Warrior. At his core, Santiago was a protector. She imagined his life lost some meaning not being out there with his comrades stopping demons and their skirm.
“He should be a stickler for the rules. He has to protect thousands of lives. If everyone broke the rules because they thought it was best for the realm, anarchy would reign. Have you met the new princess? I’ve heard rumors that demons are stalking her and almost killed her before she was ever born.”
“I haven’t met her yet,” Santi replied tightly. “Don’t believe every rumor you’ve heard. The latest archdemon, Kadir, is dead. No doubt he will be replaced, but Zander and the warriors have it under control.” It was easy for Tori to sense his sadness through their bond. Reaching out, she clasped their hands, offering him what comfort she could.
“I never put much weight on rumors,” Britt said with a wave of her hand. “I know your job is dangerous and I imagine as king, Zander is in even more danger, and I can’t stand the thought of an innocent baby being targeted. She didn’t do anything to deserve to be hunted.”
Santiago slid his arm behind her back and pulled her into his side. Resisting the urge to lean against his body was difficult, especially when Britt would not have batted an eye if she had. It wasn’t propriety that stopped her, but the fact that she didn’t want to give Santiago any more mixed messages. It was bad enough that she had given in to the desire that was a living flame between them.
“Orlando told me that Isobel is a very special little girl, and trust me, she is in the best possible hands. The realm’s most formidable look out for her and will keep her safe along with her father. Zander is king for a reason, and I imagine he has done everything in his power to ensure her and his mate’s safety. I may not live there anymore, but I will always look out for her as well,” Santi vowed.
“Have you made any progress on your case?” he asked Tori, changing the subject before either of them could respond.
“Just that Horus has worked for Sam for years and no one likes Sam. I’ve never investigated someone who doesn’t have any friends or family before. I don’t know what to make of it,” she admitted, still bothered by her discoveries. They added to her unease and had her questioning everything Sam had told her and presented to the Guild.
“That’s odd for any being, but especially supernaturals. Mental illness isn’t common in the realm, but it does exist. Perhaps he has some disorder that makes him isolate himself,” Santi postulated.
“I guess that’s possible, who knows. Regardless, I haven’t found any evidence to support his claims, but O’Haire hasn’t gotten me Horus’s bank records yet,” Tori replied, falling easily into a discussion with Santiago. It was actually nice to bounce ideas off him and discuss the cas
e. Made her dig deeper and consider facts in new ways.
“Is this what you guys talk about all the time? Cases?” Britt interjected.
Heat crept over Tori’s face as she looked back at Santi. The lust was back in his gaze. Turning back to her friend, Tori tried to ignore her building desire. “No, Santi actually took me on a date the other night to the Japanese Gardens, smartass.”
“As fun as all that sounds, I’m heading out before this place goes up in flames,” Britt replied as she stood up. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t,” she called before she left, shutting the door behind her.
“I like her, but I’m glad she’s gone,” Santiago murmured after the snick of the door closing echoed through the house.
He tilted her head back with a finger under her chin making her meet his glowing brown gaze. She knew what was coming when he lowered his head. She hadn’t expected the searing kiss as his lips met hers with such passion that it left no doubt about his claim on her soul. Her wings flared out of her back, and his talented fingers went straight there, teasing the seam where they met her back. After several minutes she managed to break the kiss before she lost all ability to think.
“My bedroom is down the hall,” she informed him and squealed when he picked her up.
“I love that you don’t shy away from the passion between us. I didn’t come here for this, but I am not going to deny either of us,” he promised, heading to her room. She had no complaints about that.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
“Why are you calling realm police?” Tori muttered as she flipped through the pages of the report O’Haire had given her that morning.
Realm police had outstanding hacks that could get into any database in the blink of an eye, which was one reason she had started going to them. Unlike many of her sister Valkyrie, she had no desire to use the criminal element to gather her information. She’d failed those lessons at the academy, and because Lana was a royal bitch and didn’t want to encourage the others to use realm police as a resource, she’d put Tori up as an example of what not to do.