“Please don’t tease.”
Diving back into the kiss, she whipped their need into a frenzy with just a touch. Her mate had gone rock hard, and Jolie wanted to take him for a ride.
The other woman’s words flittered into her mind. Yeah, this would be one he would never forget.
When he was free, Jolie stroked him.
“Baby,” he begged.
Jolie could feel his hands sliding up her legs. They were taking the skirt with them.
“I need you,” he whispered against her mouth. “I’ve never needed you more than I do right now.”
Reaching down, Jolie pulled the offending undergarment out of the way. She wanted to feel Flynn buried in her. Moving her throat closer to his mouth, she stroked him.
“Feed.”
He didn't even think twice. His fangs sought out the spot on her throat, which he’d claimed as his own and took the plunge.
At the same time, Jolie slid him home.
They moaned as their bodies joined. Slowly, Jolie began riding her detective. His hands guided them as his mouth drank from hers.
Flynn wanted to shout in triumph.
There was nothing better than this.
As she rode him, Flynn ached to explode. He fought hard to keep from losing it. Jolie had a way of making it damn near impossible. He was buried in her body, and she was sending him erotic pictures.
It was her breathy whispers in his mind that nearly undid him.
“Flynn!” she hissed as he drove his hips up in the confined space.
Slowly, she was freed from his mouth. “Jolie, baby, you’re making me crazy,” he admitted, watching their joined bodies meet and then part.
“So close,” she murmured.
He was too, but he knew what he needed to push him over the edge. “Please,” he whispered, dropping his head to the side.
God! He wished he was naked.
Jolie saw the artery beneath his ear jump, and it called to her. While she preferred his throat, this would have to do.
Flynn struggled to stay in control as she teased him with the tip of her tongue. It traced across his erratically beating pulse.
Then without warning, she struck.
Flynn exploded apart, taking Jolie with him in the eruption. Wave after wave of heat pumped from his body and into hers.
He moaned as her mouth worked fervently against his flesh. “More,” he whispered. “Take more.”
Jolie was starving, and while the orgasm satiated part of her, Flynn’s blood quenched the hunger.
They floated up, her in his lap.
“Mmmmm,” he murmured, running his hands over her ass. “That was pretty amazing make up sex,” he said, as she set his throat free.
Jolie licked her lips as she stared down into his eyes. “I missed you.”
He laughed. “We weren’t apart that long.”
Jolie touched his cheek with reverence. She loved the feel of his whiskers against her palm. “A second from you is too long.”
His heart kicked in his chest.
“That’s why no woman could ever replace you, Jolie. They don’t have an ounce of what you do.”
She smiled. “Now when you think about getting a ride, who will you be thinking about?”
“Jacques.”
She slapped him when he grinned.
“Only you, baby. Only you.”
“Let’s head into the police station. We have work to do.”
“I smell like sex and French perfume,” Flynn stated, as she climbed off his lap.
“Yes, I know.”
Because that was the plan.
The ride there was calm, and Flynn was glad. He’d remembered his sunglasses, and it was probably a good thing. While his eyes weren’t nearly as sensitive as Jolie’s or Jacques’s, the sun wasn’t always his friend.
He liked the dark so much better.
“Are you okay?” he asked, meaning the light.
Jolie nodded. “Yes, handsome.”
“I think that tonight, we should head back out to where Tommy was taken, and then to his apartment. Maybe there’s something that the police missed--something vampyre that only we would understand and pick up.”
Jolie was good with that.
“We can bring Mathew. This is good training for him.”
At the mention of his name, Flynn didn't look pleased.
“Great.”
“Flynn, why are you tense?”
He wanted to complain, but he knew he shouldn’t. This was their world, and he was a guest in it.
“You can tell me anything.”
“Do you recall that intense feeling of jealousy and anger when you picked up Dena’s scent on me?”
Jolie knew where this was heading. “Yes, my love.”
“Well, Mathew’s on you pisses me off. It makes me want to do irrational things. Plus, if we’re being honest, I don’t think he can pull this off. Yes, he’s a vamp and strong, but he’s got issues.”
Jolie understood his worries. After smelling another woman on him, she got it. As for Mathew needing to overcome a great deal, she got that too. “He has to learn. That’s why my big strong men will be there to keep little ol’ me safe.”
He glanced over. “Sarcasm isn’t attractive after sex.”
Jolie laughed. “Hey, I have to deal with your ex-bed bunny, so sorry if my mood isn’t all sunshine and rainbows.”
Yeah, he needed to go there.
“About her. I need to tell you the entire story. I hope you don’t get mad at me, but I think honesty is the best policy on this.”
“Go ahead, Flynn.” Jolie patted his thigh, urging him to continue. “I won’t be upset.”
“She’s going to keep baiting you, and I want you to know that when we slept together, it was just sex. I’m beginning to notice that she might have seen it as something a bit more.”
Jolie laughed. “You think? She would have accosted you on our kitchen counter if I didn't walk in.”
He was well aware.
“Just before we met, in fact, it was that exact day, I’d already decided that two cops shouldn’t date. It’s too messy.”
Jolie watched him. She wished she could see his eyes. They were the window to their shared soul.
“Then I saw you. In that moment, I knew you were special. I was stirred up, pissed off, and horny as hell.”
That made her snort. “A day hasn’t gone by that you’re not one of those things, my love.”
He was aware.
Vamps had that effect on him.
“I think she was in love with me.”
There.
He said it.
“Isn’t she dating your partner?” Jolie had seen that in his head when she was sending him sexy visuals.
“Yeah, and that’s just one more issue. When we get Tommy back, she’s going to hurt him. I can tell.”
“You’re worried about losing your friend.”
He was, and in more ways than one.
“It’ll all work out,” she promised.
“Are you sure?”
Jolie smiled. What she wasn’t saying was that if that woman hurt either of the men, she’d make sure she paid. It was something she needed to handle quietly.
Woman to woman.
Jolie nearly laughed.
“We’re here, baby,” stated Flynn, glancing over at Jolie in concern. “It’s really sunny out there,” he stated, grabbing their jackets from the back seat. “Do you want me to drop you off at the door?”
Jolie touched his cheek. “I’ll be okay. I’ll stay against your body. It’ll afford me some shade. You’re a big man.”
He grinned.
“And apparently a pervert.”
Exiting the driver’s side, he went to her door. Once she was out, Flynn kept Jolie against his side. While she wouldn’t burst into flames, she would drain of energy.
He could at least keep her fed if she needed it.
Inside the door, he set her free. “Are you ready?”
Jolie was. “Can I hold your hand?” she asked.
Flynn didn't hesitate. He pulled the door open and led her in. Once in the main area, he received many stares.
Some were because of Jolie, and some because he’d worked with these cops for a few years.
He headed to the sergeant’s desk.
“Detective! Long time no see.”
“Yeah, Sarge, it has been. We have an appointment with the chief.”
He checked Jolie out. “Yeah, you can head into the bullpen. I think he’s in his office.”
Flynn didn't miss how the man leered.
“And she is?”
“Doctor Jolie Harcourte,” he said.
Jolie offered her hand in greeting. The man took it, practically falling over the desk.
When Flynn gave her a look, she merely winked.
“We better go,” he stated, tugging her fingers free from the man’s grasp. At any minute, the desk sergeant might decide to do something that would piss him off.
When they turned, there were more cops waiting for them. “Ma’am, can I get you some coffee or tea?” asked a young cop in uniform, as he reached her first.
“No, but could you find a place for my jacket?” she asked, handing it to the man.
“I’ll guard it at my desk.”
Flynn laughed until he realized the cop was serious.
“Come on, baby, before you start a riot,” he whispered in her ear. Flynn could feel eyes on them, and he glanced toward the bullpen.
There was Tommy’s partner.
Dena didn’t look entertained in the least, and it appeared the fall out wasn’t done yet.
If looks could kill…
Flynn led Jolie through the maze of desks until they reached the chief’s office. Once they were inside, Jolie took a seat on the leather couch. Beside her, Flynn dropped his arm over her shoulders.
Normally, he wouldn’t be touchy feely in the workplace, but both men were checking out Jolie’s legs.
Sue him.
He was a mate.
“Detective! I hope New Orleans is treating you well,” the commissioner stated.
“It is, sir. When I heard about Tommy, we had to come,” Flynn stated, playing the worried friend card. Yes, he was concerned, but mostly it was because they had a vampyre to kill.
No one needed Zola running amuck in the city.
“I have to say that we’re perplexed as to where Detective Gress could have been taken. The serial killings, which he and Detective Callahan are working on, have been going nowhere fast,” he admitted.
Dena didn't look happy.
The commissioner continued, “When I heard that you were going to help us, Doctor Harcourte, I couldn’t believe our luck. Having your assistance twice in one year is a fortunate thing for our department.”
“What can I say?” Jolie asked. “I have a soft spot in my heart for this precinct, Commissioner. It’ll be my pleasure to help out. I’ll just need the files and some time to break down the information,” she answered, glancing over at Detective Callahan.
“I have them right here,” Dena stated, but didn’t move to give them to Jolie.
No one missed the look on her face, including her bosses.
“Well, give them to the doctor, Detective. We need these killings stopped, and soon,” ordered the chief, glaring at his detective in silent warning. “The doctor’s time is VERY expensive.”
“About that,” Flynn began.
The man glanced over. “Yes?”
“Commissioner, Flynn and I discussed this, and we’ve decided to take this on pro bono. Tommy is our friend, and I won’t take any money for my services.”
“Are you sure, Doctor?” asked the commissioner, obviously relieved. Doctor Harcourte was the top in her field and with a price tag to match.
“We are. Flynn and I agree, don’t we?”
He dropped a kiss to the crown of her head. “It’s true. Money doesn’t matter--only Tommy’s life does,” he replied.
Dena Callahan rolled her eyes.
Yeah, money didn’t matter since he was shacking up with a very rich woman. Maybe that’s why he was sleeping with her. Money was always a motivating factor for some people.
It took everything for Dena not to open her mouth.
Jolie held out her hand for the files.
Reluctantly, she handed them over.
“Just give me a second,” she stated.
All eyes were on her. When the commissioner couldn’t take it anymore, he finally asked, “Do you see anything, Doctor?”
Jolie chose her words carefully. After all, this vampyre was hunting in Philly because of her.
“I see a great deal of rage, Commissioner. The way the throat is torn out, it’s an act of brutality. With the blood being drained from the body, I have concerns.”
“Why?” Dena asked.
Flynn took over. “There’s not enough blood.”
They knew what that meant. Zola was having a few snacks and leaving a trail of victims in her wake.
They couldn’t tell the humans that.
“I’m leaning toward ritual.”
“The coroner ruled out an animal attack,” Dena stated. “So, that leaves some sicko.”
“I would look toward a cult, or a group who is fascinated by blood.”
It was the only way to explain the blood loss, other than the truth.
“Maybe we have some vampyres,” Dena taunted.
“You might.”
All eyes were on Jolie.
“With the last case I assisted you on, you had people masquerading as those fantasy creatures. Maybe we didn't catch them all, and they’re back for more blood.”
The cops considered it.
Flynn was glad Jolie was quick on her feet.
“What about a weapon?” Flynn asked. It was a question he knew they expected one of them to ask.
“Unknown,” stated Dena. “The ME is puzzled.”
Jolie had what she needed. For now, they needed to get out of there. Zola would be watching the police station, knowing Flynn would show up there.
“May I take these files with me, Detective? I’ll go over them again. Hopefully, I can find you something useful,” she offered, daring the woman to challenge her in front of the chief and commissioner.
“Certainly, since we’ll be working closely together on this, I don’t have a problem with giving you Tommy’s copies.”
Dena had played hardball before with tougher people. Jolie Harcourte was some soft, wussy doctor. This was going to be a cake walk. They may have money, but she had street smarts.
In the end, they wouldn’t roll over her.
Not now. Not ever.
Jolie continued to flip through the files as Flynn discussed his partner’s disappearance.
“What can you tell me about Tommy’s last few moments?” he asked Detective Callahan. Granted, they’d already discussed it, but he needed Jolie to be brought up to speed.
“We left a crime scene and headed back here. After filing some paperwork, we decided to call it a night. I headed out first and was on my way to my place. Tommy told me he was heading to his. I turned off my cell. I really needed to sleep for at least five hours straight. When I checked my voicemail in the morning, I got his message about meeting with a Zola Saran. We pulled his phone records, and his cell phone showed an incoming call from a phone booth located ten miles from where his car was found. It leads us to believe that the abductor didn’t act alone.”
They both knew that was total BS. A vampyre could cover that quickly at night. Zola wasn’t a team player now that her mate was dead.
She was out for blood.
Jolie glanced up from the files. It was time to spin this to their advantage. “We need to consider the possibility that Tommy was taken as leverage. Maybe you and he got a little too close to the true killer, and he was taken because of it.”
“Or this could be revenge,” Flynn offered. “We shut down that last seria
l killer. If Jolie’s right, and someone got away, of course they’re going to go after one of the people who tried to stop it.”
They were laying it on pretty thick. Hopefully, someone would buy it.
“That’s a possibility that my detectives didn't consider,” stated the police chief. “Thank you for that insight, Doctor.”
Jolie simply nodded. She was deferring to her mate. While she was an expert, this was his old home turf. She let him run it.
“We’ll help,” stated Flynn. “I still have contacts in the city, and I can rework the case that may have started this all.”
The commissioner agreed. “Good idea, son.”
Dena wasn’t happy. “I hope you don’t think that you get to walk in here, Flynn, and tell me what to do. You aren’t even allowed to carry a gun here in Philadelphia without the police commissioner’s consent.”
“I’m just trying to find my friend, Dena. I can work with the police or on my own. Trust me. It doesn’t really matter to me either way,” he stated, getting angry.
Jolie reached out and twined her fingers with his, and he immediately relaxed.
“We have the resources and staying power to do this on our own, Commissioner.” Jolie stared at the man as if challenging him. “I’ll personally fund this from our money.”
“Of course you will,” muttered Dena angrily. “The rich always think they’re entitled.”
The commissioner gave her a dirty look. “Detective Brogan, are you carrying right now?” inquired the chief.
“Yes, sir,” he said, never looking away from Detective Callahan. “I have a permit to carry a private firearm in Pennsylvania. I also have the right to protect my family. Jolie is well known, and we’ve had issues with her safety in the past.”
Okay, maybe that was a stretch. Vamps and hunters really didn’t count.
Not in the real world.
“My carrying a gun here is strictly to keep her safe. As you can imagine, she gets quite a few death threats, since she works for the police and other federal agencies.”
“As the commissioner, Flynn, I’ll clear it for you. While you’re here in Philadelphia, you can display your badge and gun. Your record stands.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Detective Callahan stood. “I’m not going to work a case where I have to take orders from someone who isn’t even on this force anymore. He bailed our city with his high priced girlfriend.”
Dangerous Retaliation (The Harcourte Vampyre Society Book 4) Page 6