Dena alluded to a completely different meaning when referencing the doctor. Her eyes never left Flynn’s face, and it was obvious that she meant every damn word.
Jolie Harcourte was nothing more than a bed buddy and bank account for him.
She was sure of it.
Jolie spoke up before her mate could defend her. “If Flynn has to work this with his hands tied, then I’m not willing to assist the Philadelphia police with this, or EVER again. We’re a team, and it needs to play out like that, Detective.”
“That’s blackmail,” snapped Detective Callahan. “If he doesn’t get to be in charge, you walk?”
“Pretty much. Who knows Tommy better than a man who served by his side?” Jolie dared her to bring up their relationship. She was no fool. If Dena spilled the beans, she would be yanked from the case for having a personal relationship with Tommy.
Dena closed her mouth.
Jolie wasn’t screwing around. They had two jobs while here in Philly. Find Tommy, and then kill Zola.
This woman was an annoyance and nothing more.
“I don’t think you get the magnitude of this, Detective Callahan. I’m offering my services pro bono. While you don’t get that dollar value, the commissioner does. He’s paid my fee once before. Does your department have the retainer for my services?”
The commissioner didn't want to pay it if he didn't have to. His ex-detective hitting the big leagues with this woman was their lucky day.
He intended to use it.
“Doctor Harcourte, we need your help, and we’re willing to allow Detective Brogan as much leeway to do what we know he does well--solve this mess,” said the commissioner, glaring at Detective Callahan. Their department couldn’t afford the doctor, and they all knew it.
“But, sir,” she interjected.
“There’s nothing more to this than the fact he has had four more years’ experience in homicide than you do, Detective. If he was your partner, Flynn would be the lead on this case. The man had a spotless record, and the most closed cases in our precinct when he worked here. That alone speaks for itself.”
Detective Callahan sat. She nearly chewed off her own tongue to stay quiet.
Flynn stood. “We’ll go start working on this. Dena, I’ll email you when I find something.”
It spoke volumes as he escorted Jolie from the room. The look he gave the detective was one of warning.
Dena didn't take the hint. She was right behind them.
“Can I speak to you in private, Detective Brogan?” she asked, hissing between clenched teeth.
“No, Detective Callahan. Anything you can say to me can also be said in front of Jolie.”
It looked like she had no choice. The French bitch had a spell on the man.
It was obvious.
“Fine, this way please. Would you like me to get the red carpet out for the doctor, so her shoes don’t have to touch the floor?” she asked snidely.
He didn't bite at her bait. There was no way he was making this a pissing match.
Once inside the conference room, Dena slammed the door.
“Don’t you think you’re being a bit childish and dramatic?”
“Me? If you want to talk drama, let’s talk about her. She walks in here and all the cops practically fall on the ground, so she can walk across their bodies.”
Jolie couldn’t help that humans reacted to her vampyric ways like that. It was how her species survived. Males were drawn to her, just like females were lured to the men.
“There’s a cop guarding her leather coat. You think I’m being dramatic? Well, she’s beaten me on this one, hands down.”
“Listen to yourself, Dena. You aren’t talking like a cop. You’re acting like a woman in the middle of a temper tantrum.”
She looked like she was ready to breathe fire and took a step toward Flynn, only to be blocked by Jolie.
There was no way she was touching her mate.
Not again.
And not in anger.
“Am I supposed to be intimidated by you, Doctor?”
“While Flynn would take whatever you dished out, I won’t. I’ll knock you on your ass, so I suggest you think twice about putting your hands anywhere near his body.”
Dena Callahan clenched her fists as she stared into Jolie’s eyes. It was obvious she was weighing out her options. It pissed her off that the woman knew she was about to strike her ex.
“This is exactly the main reason why Flynn and I requested that we have control over this case. You’re letting your emotions interfere with your common sense, and that makes you useless to us, Detective. When it comes down to your pride, or Detective Gress’s life, there’s no competition. You’ll have to deal with it or back off and let us handle it.”
Jolie knew it was coming.
She’d done battle for centuries. It was clearly visible in Detective Callahan’s eyes before she struck.
The slap echoed in the room.
As did Flynn’s horrified gasp.
“I want him back more than you’ll ever know,” Dena whispered, tears filling her eyes.
Somehow, Jolie didn’t believe that she meant Detective Gress. The words were spoken, but the woman was staring at Jolie’s mate.
“You must or you wouldn’t have just thrown your badge away,” said Flynn, gently caressing the red mark on Jolie’s cheek. Dena was lucky that a slap was nothing to Jolie.
Very lucky.
“Feel better?” Jolie asked, trying to keep from clawing the woman to pieces.
Dena stared at her. “Oh God! I’m sorry, Doctor! I was just so angry and scared.”
Jolie turned to her mate. “May I have a minute with her, Flynn?” Jolie asked, feeling his panic. She sent her laughter through his body until he relaxed.
“Yeah, but if she touches you again, knock her on her ass,” he answered, kissing the red mark on Jolie’s cheek.
When the door was closed behind him, Jolie faced the woman down.
“I know that had nothing to do with Tommy,” she stated.
The woman said nothing.
“You’re going to have to accept that Flynn has moved on. He’s not interested in you, and you have to deal with that.”
It made Dena furious, but she couldn’t lash out again. It would mean her job.
“I was in love with him. He came to me one day a few months ago, informing me that it was over. He was done with dating cops or anyone else in this business. Flynn wasn’t interested in the emotional baggage to carry around. Then I find out from my new partner that he saw you, and it was love at first sight. I resent you so much, Doctor. I had him for months, and you had him for seconds, and I still couldn’t get an ounce of what he feels for you.”
“I see.”
“Now I’ve found a man, who I could possibly love again, and he’s ripped away too. I’m scared.”
Jolie could smell the lie, but she wasn’t sure which part was the bullshit.
So, she let it go.
“We’ll find Tommy. You can bet on that. As for Flynn, you have to accept that fate had different plans for both of you. I tolerated you touching him and striking me, but from this point out, Dena, it won’t happen again.”
She crossed her arms.
“Hate me all you want, but I hold Flynn’s heart. He’s not coming back, so let it go.”
Her body language spoke volumes.
“I hear what you’re saying, Doctor.”
Jolie was glad. The next time, it wouldn’t end peacefully. Someone would bleed.
“Now, if you don’t mind.”
She grabbed her purse and headed out of the room. Dena watched her leave.
“Oh, he’ll come back. Bet on it.”
∞ Chapter Four ∞
Tuesday afternoon
Jacques faced off against the young vampyre.
He could tell what Mathew was thinking. His opponent was trying to find the chink in his armor.
Well, Jacques had news for him. There weren’t an
y--not here on the battlefield. As long as Jolie and Flynn were safe, he wouldn’t be surprised or distracted.
This was his job.
He’d trained for almost one hundred years to be a guardian, and like it or not, Mathew wasn’t even close to his skill level. Being born a killer wasn’t the same as being trained as one.
For the last hour, Mathew had tried to take him down. Instead, he’d only managed to wear himself out.
In all honesty, that’s exactly how he wanted it. A slow target was a dead one.
“What are you waiting for?” Jacques asked, taunting the younger vampyre. It was odd for his kind to break out in sweat, but Mathew was covered in it.
It made him want to laugh.
“You’re tough for an old man,” he replied, trying to catch Jacques off guard.
“Yeah, well, Flynn could kick your ass, little one, and he’s a human.”
The taunt worked.
Mathew attacked.
As he rushed Jacques, he easily missed his mark and found himself on the floor, and on his back.
He cursed.
Jacques could see the frustration on his face.
“When you come at me, Mathew, put all your energy into it. You need to get your prey off its feet, and then you go for the throat. You’re trying to outthink me, and that’s not going to work. You need to use might to win this fight.”
Mathew jumped up and ripped off his shirt. It was covered in blood and sweat.
Jacques grinned ferally. If this boy wanted to protect the mistress, he needed to bleed for it. Granted, that offered him some satisfaction. After all, Jolie was his and Flynn’s mate.
“Are you ready?”
“Yes, Jacques,” he said, tracking the vampyre as he moved toward him in a hypnotic pattern. “Wait! If I hit you with all I have, do you want me to really attack you?”
“Yes. I want to see what you can do. Just don’t go for my heart. I’ll heal from the rest.”
What he really wanted was to see how badass the wannabe guardian could be. One mistake in a fight could cost them everything.
It could cost them Jolie, and that was unacceptable.
Jacques could feel his mates close, and he sent Flynn a message. They were going to test the vampyre. When Mathew made his move, Jacques was ready and easily moved out of his trajectory. His only wounds were claws across his shoulder. Unfortunately for Mathew, he took a much more violent hit.
Wandering into the gym, Flynn silently slipped out of his gun holster and blazer.
“What are you doing?” Jolie asked, as she tried not to flinch when Mathew went sliding across the floor. To his credit, he got up and jumped back into the fight.
“Shhhh,” he whispered. “Wish me luck,” Flynn stated, giving her a quick kiss.
Then he heard the silent signal from Jacques.
He watched as Mathew managed to take Jacques down, burying his claws in his chest.
Jolie gasped as Flynn moved fast. She didn't expect him to jump into the training, but he did.
Mathew obviously didn't think it was coming either. As his claws were buried in Jacques’s body, he lost focus. Then, he felt the hit. It was like being slammed into by a truck. Before he could figure out what had happened, he saw one of the masters over him.
“You didn't even look to see who was behind you,” Flynn said, helping Jacques up off the floor.
The young vampyre tried to remain perfectly still. Fear was choking him.
Jolie headed their way.
“Mathew, twice today I told you attack and move. You can’t sit on your victim and wait. Chances are that if you’re taking down a mated vampyre, there’s going to be a dual assault on you.”
Jolie wanted to say something, especially since Mathew was shaking, but she knew this was Jacques’s area of specialty.
“In a fight,” Flynn began, “I would have been watching my mates’ backs. The second I saw you touch one of them, I’d have been all over you--just like now.”
He still didn't move. This felt like more than just a practice session. Mathew thought this was Flynn warning him in case something like this ever went down.
“Assume the worst case scenario,” Jacques warned, as he pulled off his torn shirt.
“How did he do other than this mistake?” asked Jolie. She knew neither man would let him into a fight until he was ready. From what she saw, he needed time.
“He has potential,” stated Jacques, trying to be positive.
Jolie offered the young man her hand to help him up. “Great work,” she offered, not wanting to discourage him. “Did you enjoy yourself?”
“I did until Master Flynn took me down. For a human, he’s strong.”
The man grinned, his fangs peeking from behind his lips. “I’ll take that as a compliment,” he stated.
“Why don’t you go get some energy from Chloe and clean up? We’re done for the day,” Jacques offered.
Mathew nodded before heading out. He was still a little scared, but happy he found a place to belong.
Life was looking up.
When he was gone, Jolie glanced over at her half-naked mate. “I can’t recall the last time I saw you this sweaty,” she stated, grinning.
“Then shame on me,” he offered.
Flynn laughed. “Yeah, we know. You’re a killer. Women dig badass vamps.”
Jolie stared at him. “I happen to dig tough cops too, but how about a warning before you tackle one of our family members?” she asked. “I nearly jumped out of my skin.”
Flynn pointed at his mate. “It was spur of the moment.”
She lifted an eyebrow. “I think you enjoyed it.”
Both men began laughing. Of course they did. It was pleasurable to scare a vampyre who spent all his free time picturing Jolie in nothing but her birthday suit. Now he’d be wary.
This was a win for them.
She gave up. “I missed you today,” she said to Jacques, going into his body.
“My love, I’m a mess,” he warned.
Jolie didn’t particularly care. Going up on her toes, she rested her lips against his, pushing energy into his body.
The warmth wrapped around them.
Withdrawing her mouth from his, Jolie scanned his strong Romanesque features. “How did he really do today?”
There was a pause.
“Well, in a one-on-one setting, he might not get killed, but will he be storming the enemy’s castle? Not likely. His heart wasn’t in it.”
“How can you tell?” Flynn asked.
“I was in his mind.”
Jolie was curious. “Does he even want to do it? I don’t want to force him if he’s not meant to be a guardian.”
“Oh, he wants to be a guardian, but for one major reason.”
Flynn didn't like the sound of that. “Because he can get laid?”
Jacques nodded. “That’s his motivation. All he thinks about is what he’s seen and heard about guardians.”
Flynn growled low in his chest. There was a deep well of anger inside him that if he became a full guardian, Mathew could ask to share Jolie’s body.
Flynn turned, heading toward a punching bag. Once there, he buried his claws in it, and then ripped it from the hook in the ceiling.
Jolie watched with her mouth open. Normally, Flynn was a very calm, rational person. Now--he looked way over the edge.
“That about sums it up,” Jacques stated.
Flynn stared down at the wrecked bag. “Sorry. It was him or an object.”
Jacques crossed to him. When he placed his hand sympathetically on the man’s arm, their eyes met. “I know.”
Flynn couldn’t bear to think of what was coming. “We can’t let him guard her. Enough is enough.”
Jolie crossed to them. “Do I have any say in this?”
“No,” Flynn stated.
Jolie opened her mouth, but was cut off.
“He doesn’t fight like a guardian, my love. He fights like he’s a wounded animal. That’s not s
omeone you want in your corner in a battle. When we changed Flynn, I was worried that he couldn’t protect you, but he proved himself. Mathew isn’t there yet. When you protect the mistress, you have to fight like you’re expendable. I was collateral damage if it went bad. He fights to survive, and that’s not going to help us. A guardian has to put the mistress’s life over his own.”
“So we tell him it’s over?” That made Flynn happy. In fact, he wanted to dance.
Jolie stopped them. “No. You can’t do that to him. I’m sure you realized that this gives him a sense of peace. For now, how about we let him train, and we simply don’t leave him alone with me until you’re satisfied? One of you will have to make sure that you’re his backup.”
They could do that.
“He needs to feel useful. This gives him purpose. Please let him try. You never know. He might surprise us.”
The men stared at each other.
“Oh, and for the record, my guardians were never expendable. You and Flynn mattered more to me than my own life.”
Jacques didn't feel that way. If they were being honest, he might as well go for it. “Maybe that’s true for Flynn because he can procreate but not for me.”
Jolie was shocked he thought that. She touched his face with the palm of her hand. “Jacques…”
“I’m going to get cleaned up. I’ll see you in our room.”
“Wait,” she said, as he tried to move away.
“It’s true, Jolie. When we were young, most vampyres were the same size. The breeding between the humans was strictly to have children, and nothing more. Then families became wise and decided to choose the largest of humans to mate with, and thus giving them the opportunity to create guardian powerhouses. I used to be quite big for the typical defender. My mother procreated with a big man. Now it’s not fact. Human males are larger, stronger, and bigger than seven hundred years ago.”
Jolie could feel his pain.
“Take our mate for instance. You’re shorter than me, Flynn, but you’re body mass makes you bigger and stronger. If you were full vampyre, you could easily kill me. Times have changed, and I’m locked in the past. If I wasn’t Jolie’s and your mate, Flynn, I’d be expendable.”
Dangerous Retaliation (The Harcourte Vampyre Society Book 4) Page 7