Partners In Crime (Eternal Flames Book 9)

by Cree Storm

“Thanks, Barry.”

  "Oh, and Barry, I need all the photos you took of all the crime scenes for this case taken to the station before the end of your shift today," Vik stated without looking at the man.

  Barry sighed, "Fine. I'll do it after lunch."

  They all stood silently watching as both Tony and Barry packed up their gear and headed out to the hallway. Vik gave Sylux a look and he nodded, then moved toward the door. After whispering something to Ozcog, Sylux stepped back in and went back to his corner.

  “Am I being given a gift of a big, hot man for this, because Justice never mentioned it,” Donny stated as he walked to the table against the far wall and pulled on a pair of exam gloves.

  Vik knew the man was joking, and besides the little shit fucking his mate with his eyes, he kind of…sort of…liked the little shit. “Yes, I'm not taking any chances. Is there anything you need before we head out to meet with the Mayor?”

  “A mint iced coffee would we nice, or a ride on one of these big men, but hey, you can’t always get what you want, right? Go, go, I’m fine. I’ll check in with you later at the station with my findings,” Donny grumbled and waved them away as he leaned over Clayton’s body with a scalpel in his hand.

  Knowing that everything was being taken care of there, Vik and Baldwin took off to his car. They needed to meet with Justice and Illan and let them know what was going on.

  Vik parked across the street from Town Hall and waited for Baldwin so they could cross the street together. As they stepped up onto the sidewalk, Vik spotted Day toward the back of the building. Something about the way he was slouched down, chin against his chest and hurrying along, made him look like he was hiding, or at least trying not to be seen. It was all very odd, Vik thought.

  He raised his hand and opened his mouth to call to Day, but just then he heard his name being called from behind him. “Viktor!”

  Vik turned to see the cutie Pascal crossing the street toward him and Baldwin.

  “Hey, Vik, Baldwin. Was that Day I just saw back there?”

  “Yeah, I think so,” Baldwin answered.

  “Damn, I was hoping to catch him and see how he was doing.”

  “Why? Is something wrong?” Vik asked in concern.

  “No, I’m sure everything is fine. I just saw that he had a mean looking scratch on his face the other day while we were at Timmy’s and I wanted to make sure he was okay. I worry about those guys fighting those fires, you know? Even being shifters, it can be dangerous,” Pascal answered.

  “Well, whatever it was he’s probably healed by now with our abilities,” Vik replied.

  “You’re probably right. Anyway, are you on your way to see Justice by any chance?”

  “Yes, we are, why?”

  “Ollie was supposed to deliver these papers to Justice, but he pushed the work off on me again. I really didn’t have time to drive all the way over here, but what else was I supposed to do, right? Anyway, I’m sure you don’t have time for my petty grumblings. But would you be so kind to bring this to Justice so that I can get back to my work? I was right in the middle of gathering supplies for Dain and his mates, and if I don’t get a move on, I’ll still be looking at midnight.”

  “Sure, Pascal. No problem,” Baldwin said and took the offered file from Pascal.

  “Thanks, I owe you,” Pascal said in a hurry, then turned and ran off back across the street and jumped in one of Dain’s cars. They stood there watching as the little Santorini fox carefully pulled out of the parking space and onto the road.

  “I guess we’re delivery boys too today,” Baldwin said with a laugh, that sent a jolt of lust down Vik’s spine which lodged right in his balls.

  “Now, that sounds like fun,” Vik said sensually as he stepped closer to Baldwin, their chests pressed together. “You play delivery boy and I’ll give you a nice, big tip.” Vik pushed his hardening erection against Baldwin’s and was happy to see his mate was just as horny as he was.

  “I would love your nice big tip, especially if it’s leaking and impaling my ass. I want to taste you again and feel your seed slide down my throat. Say we can go back to your place after this and I will let you fuck me anyway you want, mate. Delivery boy and customer, police man and perp being arrested, or fireman using your hose, I don’t care, just tell me we can finally be alone,” Baldwin replied in a tight voice, showing Vik how Baldwin needed him as much as he needed Baldwin.

  Vik reached up and cupped Baldwin’s cheek, saying, “If it is within my power, as soon as we are done here, we’ll head back to my place and we’ll both get a chance at playing good cop-bad cop.”

  Vik moved in closer as Baldwin leaned down for a deep, passion filled kiss, loving the feel of his mate’s strong lips against his. Baldwin opened for him right away and Vik slid his tongue inside, dueling with Baldwin’s. The slide of their tongues and the taste of his mate making Vik harder than he already was and he could feel his cock leaking. He pulled back, breaking the kiss, then rested his forehead to Baldwin’s as he sighed.

  “Gods, I want you so bad, but we have to stop before both of us walk into that meeting with wet spots in the front of our pants and embarrass ourselves with these bulges.”

  “I fucking hate that we can’t go off to somewhere quiet right now. Come on, let’s get this over with so we can rush home,” Baldwin said as he stepped back and took Vik’s hand with his free one.

  CHAPTER 11

  “I am very honored, Justice, Illan, that you would all invite me to be a part of your supernatural council, but I’m not a paranormal,” Wade said as he sat on the couch in Justice’s office in town hall.

  Justice sat in a chair next to Illan, with the other council members gathered around. “That is why we want you, Wade. We have all talked about it and think it would be a good idea if we have a human on the council to represent your kind,” Illan answered.

  “I think it sounds like a great idea, but I’m sure there’s someone more qualified than I am,” Wade responded in his husky, sandpapery voice.

  “We disagree. As we thought about all the humans we know, your name kept coming up as the one with the most honor and trust. The people of Crystal like you, Wade. Not only do they like you, they trust and respect you. I have known you your whole life and you have always been a good man. A fair man who cares about others and that’s what we strive for on the council. I know you would never use the council for your own gain and will represent the humans with what is best for them,” Justice said.

  “I think it's a great opportunity and I must agree that out of everyone in Crystal, as much as I like most, I can’t see anyone but maybe my brother Rory filling that role the way you described. We all know money and power go to most people’s heads whether they be human, shifter, or other paranormal. I would really like to think about it for a few days if that’s okay with all of you?”

  “Of course, it is, Wade. Honestly, we would think something was wrong with you and be nervous inviting you to join us if you just jumped at the chance,” Destrain replied.

  Wade chuckled and the deep sound vibrated through the room. “It’s not that I am not honored, or even interested, but I have so much going on in my life, I'm not sure I would have the proper time to commit to the council that I think it would deserve. Especially for my people.”

  “We can work around your schedule. Yes, there are times things happen in this world where action needs to be take quickly, but most of the time we can take care of things by phone. And if you're ever needed but can’t make it, you can send your second in to represent you as your voice,” Ezra said.

  “My second?” Wade asked, his face showing his curiosity.

  “We each have a second who knows everything that is going on within the council in case one of us is incapacitated or unable to perform their duties. With what we're dealing with in Fallon’s case, any one of us could be killed at any second. So, to ensure continuity of the council our seconds would step in. In my case it would be Day, seeing as he is next in line t
o take over as dragon leader. And Ethan for Justice because of the same. With Destrain there is Avery and if something happens to him because Justice and I are his mates, then Twix would step forward. Nick has his second, as does Ezra, Manny, and Kerrick. And once Suneth joins us he will be appointing his second today, seeing as they are new to the town and the council.”

  Wade sat there looking at each of them as if he were studying them. Justice wasn’t nervous though, he knew Wade Wells was a very smart man. A good, honorable man who only wanted what was best for his country, his town, and his family. Even though Wade was human, he would be a force to be reckoned with and they would be lucky if he accepted their offer.

  After a few minutes of silence Wade cleared his throat and gave Justice an intense look. “Justice, I have known you all my life and I know what kind of man you are. So do the people of Crystal. We all respect you and trust you to lead us. I don’t know firsthand, but I have heard stories from my father when he was alive of how bad this town used to be until you became Mayor and changed it. As you know, I was gone for over sixteen years as I served this country in Afghanistan and Iraq, only coming home three years ago to find so much has changed, but I think for the better. You have made it the wonderful place it is today. You have done a great job here and I would follow you anywhere. You not only have my faith and respect, you have my trust and that’s not an easy thing to come by with me,” Wade said as he sat forward and rested his elbows on his knees and clasped his hands.

  “I also see the positives that have come from having the dragons come here, and now some of the other paranormals, but I also see the threats that have come and the destruction that has occurred, and I must tell you, I understand why the human residents of Crystal are so upset. And it is because of that, that I need to ask you this. If you all were to never come here or to leave now, would we still be in danger?”

  “In all honesty, yes,” Justice replied. “Before the dragons came here, Levi had started a string of arsons that took the lives of some of our residents. My wife Nina included. And as you know, Levi had been a part of this town for a very long time.”

  “Yes, but from what I understand, Levi was fine until Day showed up. Well, when he found out that Day was a dragon,” Wade pressed.

  “That’s true, but we found out that Levi was working against the phoenix long before Day moved to town. He was just doing it more slowly and carefully. Illan and his boys moved here after Nina was killed and Levi tried to frame Day for it. Levi was a threat to this town and all the residents and Illan and the others came here to help us. Since then a lot has changed and more enemies have shown up, but also more allies have come to help protect us all,” Justice said.

  “With King Suneth and his gargoyles coming to Crystal that gives us more protection against any foe who wishes to do us or Maddox harm,” Illan added.

  “And now with my people coming together and moving closer we can be here quickly to lend a hand in either town as well,” Ezra said.

  “Do you think that once this Fallon is dealt with that everything will quiet down and everyone will be safe?” Wade asked.

  “Honestly? No,” Illan answered and everyone gasped.

  “Look, I know everyone thinks that Fallon is our most feared enemy and to do away with him would bring us peace, but I know none of you are foolish enough to think that that is the do all, end all.”

  Illan turned his gaze to Wade and looked him right in the eye. “Fallon is a very big threat, but not just against the paranormals. He wants to kill and enslave the humans as well. That is not something new. That is not something we brought about. He set this plan in motion over a thousand years ago. It is only now that it is coming to pass.

  “I believe that is what the prophecy of the dragon and phoenix coming back together was about. The prophet saw the future of the earth as a whole, not one kind over another, and saw great sorrow and pain. The Gods saw the destruction of all of earth’s creatures. That’s when they granted Angelo with the vision, the prophecy, of what was to stop it, what could guard all of us from losing our planet. And that was the bond of the dragon and phoenix. Bringing them together again set in motion all the steps that need to be taken to stop any force looking to do us harm. With the knowledge that our kind has joined again, it has given paranormals of all kinds hope that we have a future. Until now, no paranormal has found their true mate since the great Shuite War. Now many of us are finding them.

  “This is what is drawing all paranormals together. To stand side by side to fight against any threat to this world, not just our kind. And because of that, I cannot believe that Fallon is the only one who will try to tear us apart and take over this world. There are others out there with the same grand ideas of world domination, both human and paranormal alike. We just haven’t found them yet, or they haven’t made their presence known yet. I believe that this is only the beginning. That from here on out, if we don’t pull together, and I mean humans too, that we are all doomed to lose not only our lives, but our freedom, and this planet,” Illan finished.

  Wade stared intently at Illan and Justice could see he was letting Illan’s words sink in. Justice looked to his mate, proud of the man. He loved Illan with all his heart and thanked the gods every day for bringing him this man and Avery, but at times like this, when Illan showed his true self, how smart he was, and how caring he was about all the creatures of the world, filled Justice with a pride he never knew existed. A love he was grateful for having.

  Wade sat back and cleared his throat. “I believe in everything you just said, and seeing as you are being so honest with me, I feel I must be as honest with you. I agree with you because I actually have some knowledge about some of the things you spoke of. There are things you don’t know about me. Things that until now I have kept very guarded and secret. But if I am to join your council I feel like you have a right to know.”

  Illan’s eyes twinkled as a smirk came to his lips. “I already know what you’re referring to and that has also been a part of mine and Justice’s thought process of asking you to be on the council,” Illan said.

  Wade’s eyes widened some, but quickly changed as they narrowed at Illan, then him, and back to Illan. “And what do you think you know?”

  “It is not up to me to tell your secrets here, Wade. Justice and I have not told the others. It is your secret to tell if you wish. If you decide to not join us and keep that secret, then so be it and Justice and I will never mention it to anyone, you have my word.”

  “What secret? What are you talking about?’ Suneth asked as he walked into the room.

  Justice watched as Suneth moved farther into the room, stopping only a few feet from where Wade sat. “As the new head of security for this town I think I should be informed if there are any threats against the people of Crystal. If you all know something then I think I need to know as well,” Suneth proclaimed adamantly.

  “Don’t get your panties in a bunch, little man. I have already decided to share this with your council, with the promise it stays in this room until I decide it needs to be told to any others,” Wade replied.

  “Li-little man? Do you know who you are talking to?” Suneth blustered, puffing his chest out.

  Justice bit the inside of his cheek trying to stop the laugh that threatened to break free from Wade’s use of little man and King Suneth’s reaction. At six four and two hundred and eighty pounds of pure muscle, the gargoyle king was no small potatoes. But Wade’s own six feet eight inches and over three hundred pounds of rock hard muscle had Wade towering over Suneth. It wasn’t even the height difference, because Wade was actually sitting at the moment, but it was the way Wade carried himself that made him appear bigger than he was. Wade was a very confident man and a very intense man when he wanted or needed to be. And it was that confidence that had him appearing ten feet tall sometimes.

  Plus, the shaved head, body covered in tattoos, leather jacket, combat boots, and five o’clock shadow the man always seemed to have only helped in
adding to that badass appearance. If Justice didn’t know Wade as well as he did, he would think the man was a deviant and a troublemaker, but he did know Wade and knew the man was good and honorable. He cared about this town as much as any of the other residents who were born and raised here and Wade would do whatever was necessary to protect this town and this country.

  Justice saw a spark of something in Wade’s eyes as he stared at Suneth with a smirk on his face. Was that interest he saw? Shifting his gaze to the gargoyle king, Justice almost burst out laughing when he saw the same heated look in his new friend’s eyes. The heat that flowed toward one another was almost visible.

  “I don’t care who you are, little man, because whoever you are means nothing to me. I am not one of your paranormals who will follow any orders,” Wade said snidely, then turned his attention back to the others, dismissing Suneth.

  Justice could see that Suneth wanted to say something else, protest about the way he had been spoken to, but the gargoyle king looked completely flustered and confused.

  “As Justice knows, I spent sixteen years serving this country and fought my way up to the most elite group of soldiers known, the SEALS. Seal Team six, to be exact. And I even worked my way up to the top of that to be the commanding officer of my team. But what no one knows, well, accept Illan and Justice apparently,” ―Wade said as he flicked his gaze to them, then back to the others, ― “is that since being discharged and returning stateside, that my men and I still do undercover work for our Government.”

  “You mean like Black Ops?” Manny asked awestruck.

  “Exactly. As you know, I run my father’s old auto shop here in town and I have extended it with the bike shop, but behind the scenes, my brother Rory and I run our team through there. Rory spent all the time I was away going to college, learning everything he could about computers. To my delight when I returned home, I found out my kid brother is one of the top hackers in the world. There isn’t anything Rory can’t find. Because of that, my contact with the government hired Rory on as part of my team. I don’t go out on missions as much as I used to and part of that is because of what has been going on around here. I have wanted to keep an eye on things here as well and keep the government from snooping around. Keeping all of you off their radar. But there are times I still do go out with my team, so those times you may not be able to contact me. Sometimes for months. So, maybe you might want to ask someone else to be the human representative on your council.”