Alex’s brows furrowed over his aquamarine eyes. “Interesting how everything stopped as soon as we began investigating. Kind of makes you wonder, don’t it?”
Nicholai popped a bite of caviar in his mouth and considered Alex’s observation. “Demetri said he planned on patrolling, even though the activity has stopped. Perhaps he discovered something.”
Stephan turned his penetrating, sapphire stare on Nicholai. “I assumed Demetri would be here this evening.”
“He said he would be here,” offered Julie.
“Where is he?” Alex asked.
“Your guess is as good as mine.” Nicholai shrugged.
Stephan’s eyes narrowed. “You’re worried.”
“It is not like my cousin. He said he would come to our party. He should be here.”
Alex shifted his stance. “I have an uneasy feeling. Maybe you should try to contact him, Nicholai.”
“Already did, both by phone and through our mindlink. I can’t reach him.”
Julie noticed a tic in Stephan’s jaw before he spoke. “That is troubling. If you cannot reach him through your mindlink, something must be wrong.”
“Either that or he is ignoring me.”
Stephan stood in quiet speculation. “How many places does Demetri have?”
“Three,” Nicholai replied.
Julie noted the concern etched in her heartmate’s eyes.
“Vlad?” Stephan called.
As Vlad approached the group, he gave Julie a nod of acknowledgment.
Stephan laid a hand on his shoulder. “Vlad, Demetri is unaccounted for. I want you to pop over to Demetri’s home here in Russia and see what you can find. Alex, you go to his place in Wyoming, and I’ll go to his home in Savannah. Check around, see if you can find any clues as to his whereabouts and report back here within two hours. Marcus, Nicholai, and Desmond will stay with the women.”
“I hope Demetri is all right.” Julie wrapped an arm around Nicholai’s waist.
“If anyone can take care of themselves, it is my cousin.” Nicholai gave her shoulders a squeeze. “Let’s not let the unknown spoil our special night. Until we find out otherwise, we will assume everything is fine.”
Julie watched Kat saunter over on long dancer’s legs. She moved gracefully and lithely, like a supple feline. “Let’s take our minds off the what ifs. Tell me all about the wedding plans.”
“Did someone mention weddings?” Christina called from across the room, then made her way over on quick feet.
“Where did you and Stephan marry?” asked Julie.
“In Vegas. We did a quickie wedding with Marcus as our witness. Quick, easy. No fuss, no muss. I highly recommend it.”
“Oh, no.” Christina shook her head and made her auburn curls brush over her shoulders. “I’m looking forward to a big wedding. I want it all: flowers, a catered reception, a large, tiered cake. The whole shebang.”
“Me, too.” Julie pictured the scene. Nicholai looking dapper in a tux with tails, her in a long flowing gown. “I want a big reception afterward with all our family and friends in attendance.”
“Me, too,” announced Christina as Marcus came up behind her and circled her waist with his arms. He rested his chin on her shoulder when she continued. “I want everyone there. All the Alphas, their families, heartmates, our friends.”
“Sounds like you and Julie will be inviting the same people. Maybe you should share the guest list.” Marcus nibbled on his heartmate’s ear.
“Sounds like we’ll be coming to two weddings back to back. Why not just have them on the same day and get it over with? That way we only have to dress up once,” quipped Natasha, joining the group with Desmond on her heels.
“Or better yet, why not have a double wedding,” suggested Desmond.
Christina and Juliette’s eyes widened simultaneously.
“That’s a great idea,” the women said in unison.
Each of the women turned to face their mates, but it was Christina who spoke first. “What do you think, Marcus? Can we? Do a double wedding?”
“If it will make you happy, cara, then it would make me happy.” Christina jumped into her mate’s arms, giving him a hug.
“How do you feel about it, Nicholai?” Julie glanced up at him, excitement tingling over her skin.
“When you look at me like that, I can do no other but say yes.” Nicholai placed a kiss on her lips to seal the deal.
The time passed with the group huddled together discussing wedding plans. Julie, concentrating on the plans, almost missed Alex, Vlad, and Stephan materialize one by one into the room.
“Did anyone find something?” Nicholai asked.
Vladimir and Stephan shook their heads.
“There was a half-eaten sandwich and a spilt glass of blood on the kitchen counter in Demetri’s house.” Alex dropped the volume of his voice. “There were also signs of a struggle not too far from the house. When I remembered Nicholai saying Demetri was patrolling the surrounding forest, I decided to take a walk. Up the trail, I came across a patch of snow that appeared packed down. It looked like someone had been pulled through the snow. I followed the drag marks. They led into the side of the mountain.”
“Like the footprints Demetri and I found.” Stephan shifted his weight. “Did you notice anything else unusual?”
“No.” Alex shook his head. “I sensed nothing, other than several blank spots in the mountain.”
“Blank spots?” Nicholai straightened. “I’ve been sensing voids as well. They happened every time Julie was attacked. Could there be a connection?”
“Perhaps.” Stephan rubbed a thoughtful hand over his chin. “Demetri and I sensed voids as well. We definitely should investigate further, but locating Demetri is the priority.”
“That doesn’t sound good,” Desmond observed. “Any idea who would attack Demetri?”
“Knowing him, it might be anyone,” a female voice called from the door.
Everyone turned toward the entryway. The woman with short hair sauntered across the room. Her leather duster flared behind her with each step.
She turned her yellow eyes on Alex. “Even his own mother could find a reason to attack a male chauvinist like him.”
“Tatiana, you made it.” Alex flashed a boyish smile. “I hope you don’t mind, Stephan, but I called Tatiana in on this once I discovered the foul play. The VES helped the last time we had a problem. I thought she might be of some help with this.”
Nicholai whispered in Julie’s ear, “Tatiana Bolovich is an agent for the Vampire Enforcement Squad. She worked with the Alphas on our last case when a fellow Alpha, Michael, went rogue and kidnapped Christina. She gave us intel that helped us close the case.”
Dressed in a leather bodysuit and shit-kicker boots, Tatiana looked every bit the femme fatale. Her hair matched her leather, gleaming blue-black as a raven’s wing, the ends bluntly cut, stopping just above her shoulders. Her feline-like eyes glared at the males as if daring them to take her on.
“So what’s this about Demetri going missing?” she asked.
“I found something suspicious on the property around his place in Wyoming,” explained Alex.
“Then you’re with me.” Her tone allowed no argument. “Tell me how to get to his house. You and I are going there, so you can fill me in and I can have a look around.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Alex snapped to attention with a smile on his face, appearing all too happy to have a reason to spend time with the sexy woman.
Tatiana rolled her eyes and led him from the room by the crook of his arm without so much as a see-you-later to the rest of the guests.
“All business that one,” Desmond remarked, with a tilt of his head.
“You have no idea,” Marcus murmured.
The festive mood now broken, the guests left one by one after saying their farewells.
Nicholai led Juliette to their bedroom.
“I’m so sorry about your cousin.” Julie wrapped her arms around his n
eck.
Nicholai’s arms encircled her waist. “He is a strong male, a great warrior. I’m sure Tatiana and Alex will uncover what has happened.”
“We will hear some good news soon,” Julie offered.
“I hope you are correct.” His dark brows furrowed. “I worry for my cousin.”
“I know you do. Didn’t you tell me Demetri is prone to solitude? Perhaps he went somewhere to be alone and think.”
“I will be glad when we know something for sure.”
“With the Alphas on the case, we are bound to find out something before long.” Julie stood on her tiptoes and gave him a peck on the lips. “In the meantime, let’s not worry. I’m sure soon we will hear he is safe and sound.”
Nicholai smiled. “I love your optimism. In fact, that’s not all I love.”
He ran the fingers of one hand through her hair. “I love your soft hair.”
The fingers traced down her throat. “I love your creamy skin.”
“I love your button nose…your rosy cheeks…your sexy lips.” He accentuated each named part with a kiss, lastly taking her lips in a searing caress that left Juliette breathless.
When they broke apart, the heat in his amber eyes burned over her. He wanted her, needed her to ease his worry. It was there in his mind for her to see.
Julie’s arms tightened around his middle. She leaned in for another taste of him. Her tongue pushed through his lips, explored his mouth. Like chocolate with a hint of brandy, his warm kiss melted her until their bodies became one. Needing a breath, Julie separated their lips and stared up at him. Passion had replaced the concern on his face, like she’d kissed away all his troubles.
“I love you, beloved.” Her warrior gazed at her with stars in his eyes.
She found it amazing to have a man regard her as if she were his entire world. He was certainly hers, and she couldn’t wait to make their lives together official.
“I love you too, Nicholai.”
The smile on his face lit his eyes and lightened her heart. “I’ll never tire of hearing you say that.
A word about the author…
Born in Virginia, Brenda Sparks now resides in the Sunshine State. Balancing her writing and personal life is challenging at times, but writing suspenseful paranormal romances is a passion that won’t be denied. Her idea of a perfect day is one spent in front of a computer with a hot cup of coffee, her fingers flying over the keys to send her characters off on their latest adventure.
Brenda loves to connect with readers. Please visit her at www.brenda-sparks.com.
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