“I can’t believe there are so many people five nine and above who work here.” Derek threw the papers down on the desk.
They sat at Katherine’s desk with a pile of files in front of each of them. The files they hadn’t gotten to yet rested on a trolley cart that one of the interns brought upstairs after Katherine made her request.
“Only five percent are women,” Katherine murmured as she read the latest file. So far, out of the hundred she had looked through, there were no clues as to who might be the mole.
“How many files are there?” Derek asked.
“Five hundred and forty. I’ve gone through a hundred and two. How many have you gone through?”
“Sixty-five. It’s late. I think we should give it a rest and go get something to eat. I’m starving.”
At that moment, Katherine’s stomach made a loud rumble. “I guess I’m hungry too. It’s after five. Where do you want to go?”
“Why don’t we take my convertible into Albuquerque for Mexican food? It’s parked downstairs in the company garage. After we eat, we can come back and give the file search another hour or so before we go home to the cabin.”
“Sounds good,” Katherine agreed. “Cara said we can use the apartment here if we want some privacy. With Stacey staying at the cabin and Hugh and Charlie in and out, it might be nice to have some alone time.”
“Let’s get you fed, then. If I’m going to have you all to myself, you’re going to need your strength. I wonder if we can get some whipped cream and chocolate sauce to go?” Derek smacked his lips and winked at her.
Katherine laughed. “You are so bad, Mr. Darkwood.”
“Only with you, tehila.”
They pushed the file cart into a closet with a lock and took the elevator downstairs to the Darkwood private parking area. Derek stopped at a locked cabinet on the wall and opened it to reveal car keys neatly hung in a row. He picked up the BMW keys and shook them in the air.
“I have to admit, having this car was one of the perks of pretending to be the playboy of Isanti. I love this car.” He smiled, and Katherine was transfixed. Her heart swelled with love for this man.
Derek took her hand and led her down the row of cars to a powder-blue BMW convertible. As he hit the key fob to open the door, a telepathic message slammed into their heads from Raven. Do Not Get In The Car! Get Away from it.
They both stepped back. Raven and Cara appeared next to them, coming out of the Shadow dimension.
“The car has been tampered with. I saw it explode.” Cara ran up and grabbed Derek’s arm.
Katherine’s heart raced. Someone wanted them dead. Derek walked over and put his arms around her. “We’re okay, honey. I think we should order something in. Raven and Cara, why don’t you join us upstairs?”
“How can you be so calm?” Katherine asked.
“You’re here in my arms, tehila, safe and sound.”
Derek looked over at Raven, and once again Katherine was sure they were talking telepathically to each other. Raven took out his phone and started giving orders for the car to be gone over with a fine-tooth comb. Cara stood at his side, wringing her hands.
Feeling sorry for her, Katherine reached over and gripped her arm. “Thank you for saving us tonight.”
Raven put his arm around Cara and pulled her under his shoulder. She nodded and leaned her head back against his chest.
Is she okay? Katherine asked Derek telepathically.
It’s hard on her to be the tribe’s seer. She is always afraid we’re going to think she is crazy, Derek sent back.
§
I think this proves that the assassin was out to kill, not kidnap. I want Katherine kept safe. Derek sent to Raven.
We all want that, and you need to be safe too, Derek.
We need some answers and soon. Katherine and I will stay here tonight.
Raven nodded, and they all walked back into the Isanti building. Once they reached the elevator, Derek felt as if he could relax some. Nobody would try something under the watchful eyes of Isanti security.
“How did they get the bomb in the car?” Katherine asked. “Aren’t there cameras in the garage to monitor it?
“That’s something we can find out as soon as we get to my office,” Raven said. “I’ll call down and have the camera footage sent up. Don’t worry, Katherine. We’re going to find out who is behind this.”
After an hour, food was delivered, and they all sat in front of a monitor watching Derek’s car.
“It’s the same guy who was in the elevator. He’s wearing the same clothes,” Raven pointed out.
“Wait a minute. Can you pause the picture?” Derek asked. “Look at his shoes. He’s wearing steel-toed boots. Whoever he is, he isn’t an office employee. He’s got to be with maintenance or the ground crew.”
“Nurse Eschbach is dating one of the mechanics,” Katherine said.
“How do you know that?” Raven asked.
“Gossip in the cafeteria. Everyone talked about it. I guess no one believed she was the type.”
“Maybe this guy is our mole. He could be using Nurse Eschback to gather information for him.” Derek turned to look at Raven.
“Why don’t we give it a test?” Raven said.
“What did you have in mind?” Derek asked.
Chapter Seven
“Are you sure this is going to work?” Katherine paced back and forth in front of the bed in the penthouse apartment of Isanti, Inc. “I’m afraid, Derek.”
“Come here, tehila.” Derek sat in the chair by the window. He motioned her over.”
Katherine walked over to Derek and let him pull her down into his lap. He held her tight for a moment before relaxing back in his chair. She rested her head in the crook of his neck. She smelled his musky leather scent and breathed deeply. She couldn’t lose this man, not the way she lost her first husband.
Your first husband should have never left you behind. You’re not going to lose me.
“I forget that you can slip into my thoughts. I can’t handle all this espionage stuff. Will we always have to live looking over our shoulders?”
“No. This is only a glitch in the road. We will get through this, and you will become my wife. The plan is simple. You tell Nurse Eschbach that we are going out to Isanti’s place this weekend. We will leave the rest to Joe and his team.”
“How do I make it look natural? I don’t want her to be suspicious. I never go down to the hospital to visit, which means I somehow have to bump into her.”
“Why don’t you send her a memo about the team for the Run-for-the-Cure marathon? Get her to come up here.”
“Okay, that might work.”
“Honey, you’re thinking too much. Relax. You’ll be great.” Derek leaned down and nuzzled her neck.
Katherine shuddered and turned to capture his lips with hers. Derek was always playful and calm. The only time he seemed to lose control was when making love to her.
You undo me, Kate.
Katherine ran her fingers down his shirt and quickly unbuttoned it. She needed to feel his skin under her hands. Derek cupped her breast and lightly teased the nipple into attention before easing the blouse off her shoulders. She slipped the shirt from his shoulders and ran her hand over his chest and down to his stomach, scoring his skin lightly with her nails. Then, she leaned down and sucked his nipple. Derek hissed and moved to hold her to him. She licked and sucked and bit down gently. Derek wrapped her hair around his hand and gave a little tug. “Behave, Kate.”
Katherine smiled and moved to the other side licking and nipping before sucking his nipple. She could feel his desire become stronger beneath her as she enjoyed his chest. She slipped off his lap and knelt on the floor between his legs. Reaching for his belt, she quickly removed any impediment between them. His member fell into her hands, strong and long, and she couldn’t wait to taste him.
Watching his eyes darken, she leaned over and licked the head.
“Katie, you’re going to kill me.”
&nbs
p; Katherine sucked his length into her mouth, licking that little spot under the head. Derek shuddered and grew harder in her hands. She loved his size, kissing and running her tongue up and down. She loved the control, knowing, at this moment, only she could please him.
Derek moaned and reached for her. “Come here, Kate. I won’t last much longer.”
He started to lift her, but she resisted, unwilling to give him up.
“Oh, no you don’t, little vixen.” Derek tugged on her hair, making her gasp. He stood up and lifted her into his arms. “When I come, it will be inside you.”
He stepped out of his shoes and pants and carried her over to the bed. He laid her down before removing her skirt and panties. Then, he removed her bra. Katherine lay on the bed, feeling sexy and wanton. She crooked her finger at him.
He chuckled and climbed on the bed between her legs. “Did you like sucking me?” Grasping her thighs, he pushed them farther apart, baring her to his sight. She felt a rush of moisture. How did she ever end up with a man as sexy as Derek?
He pushed one finger through her folds and into her moist heat. He felt her muscles clench around his hand. She moaned and wiggled.
“Derek,” she pleaded.
“It’s my turn to drive you wild, tehila.” He leaned down and licked up her slit. She whimpered. God she loved this man. He plunged his tongue into her depths, then began to lick. The pressure built as he added two fingers inside her and moved to suck on the little bundle of nerves between her legs. Her stomach muscles clenched as she tried to hold off the orgasm rushing toward her. She wanted him inside her when she came. “Derek, please. I need you inside me.”
He looked up as she lay there panting, afraid she would come without him. He moved up her body until he could position his length against her. He pushed in slowly. They both watched as her body swallowed him. Katherine shuddered and closed her eyes. She wasn’t going to last.
He pulled out and then pushed back in. Katherine marveled at the feeling of stretching and fullness. He continued the tempo, building pleasure. In and out, deeper and deeper, until Katherine thought he touched her womb. Hot, she was so hot. Her body began to shake as she pushed up to meet each thrust. She stared into his face and saw the exact moment when he lost that perfect control.
Gripping her hips, he moved faster and harder, pushing her body up, higher and higher. She would carry his fingerprints. Sweat slicked their bodies as each one tried to get closer. Fire rushed over them, and they both flew apart. Katherine cried out as her arms tightened around him. Derek moaned as his essence filled her. This man was hers, and she was surprisingly possessive. Shaking her head, she let ecstasy carry her away.
§
Derek leaned over and kissed Katherine. Her red hair, spread out over the pillows, glowed softly in the rays of the setting sun. He moved to the side and withdrew from her body. Lying down beside her, he pulled her closer into his arms. She sighed and snuggled into him.
He ran his fingers up her spine, caressing her soft skin. Great Spirit, how he loved this woman! The telephone rang and Derek reached over to answer it.
“Red Hawk…”
“It’s Joe. I’m sorry to disturb you. I just got a call from the local police. Katherine’s apartment has been broken into. The police want to speak to her. I’ll meet you at the garage and drive you over.”
“Dammit, Joe. This guy needs to be stopped.”
Katherine stirred and opened her eyes.
“I’m working on it. See you at the garage,” Joe said before the phone went dead.
“Is something wrong?” Katherine sat up, and Derek took in her mussed hair that was spread around her shoulders. One strand fell down to caress her breast. He sighed, hating to tell her about the newest calamity.
“Someone broke into your apartment. We have to go over there now. The police are waiting.”
Katherine’s eyes grew wide, and she jumped from the bed, reaching for her clothes. Derek walked over to the chair to find his clothes on the floor. They both dressed quickly and once more headed for the garage, this time going down to the bottom floor where the fleet of Isanti vehicles was parked.
Joe stood waiting by the elevator for them when the doors opened. “Over here. I checked to make sure, and this car is clean. Get in, I’ll drive.”
He always has to drive, Katherine telepathically sent to Derek.
I heard that, and, yes, I prefer to drive, Katherine. Now get in.
Katherine looked at Derek. “I guess that will teach me not to use my telepathy around you, Joe.”
Derek held the back door open for Katherine and, once she was in, walked around to the other side. “Joe has always been proficient at reading peoples thoughts,” Derek said, sliding into the sedan.
“Maybe, he should hang around the motor pool and see if he can pick up who the mole is. It might be faster than me going through all those files,” Katherine suggested.
“Good idea, Katherine. I already planned to check in tomorrow.” Joe maneuvered the car out of the parking garage and onto the main highway.
Isanti was about thirty miles from Albuquerque, and the glow of the city could be seen to the south. The sun had set, and the black sky filled with stars. Derek pulled Katherine into his side and wrapped his arms around her. Once more, she would suffer the consequences of being his mate. How would she cope this time?
§
Katherine steeled herself as she saw her apartment door with the broken lock. At least, most of her things had already been moved to the log cabin. But not everything had been packed yet, including her grandmother’s china. Joe led the way, while Derek brought up the rear. Katherine knew they kept her between them for safety. Joe opened the door, and an officer stepped forward to meet them.
“Mrs. Sloane? Your neighbor noticed your door had been tampered with and called us. Do you have any idea who might have done this?”
The officer stepped back, and Katherine stepped into the room. She gasped at the total destruction around her. Derek wrapped an arm around her waist and drew her close.
Her couch looked like someone had taken a knife to it. Polyester filling lay in piles on the floor, tables were overturned and lamps broken. On the wall behind the couch, someone had spray-painted a warning. “Stay away from Darkwood, or else.” Katherine’s heart pounded in her head. Everywhere she looked, pieces of her life lay broken. The only thing keeping her from losing her composure was Derek’s steady support. It’s just things, she reminded herself, things are replaceable.
“Mrs. Sloane, you work for Raven Darkwood at Isanti, Inc.?”
“Yes, officer, and Derek Darkwood is my fiancé.”
Derek shook hands with the officer while keeping a firm hold of her. Derek’s face looked grim. Needing to console him, she leaned into his embrace and rubbed her face against his shoulder.
“Do you have any enemies, Mrs. Sloane?”
Before she could answer, Derek spoke up. “Katherine hasn’t done anything to have enemies, officer. If someone is targeting her, it would have to do with being my fiancée or working at Isanti, Inc.”
Joe suddenly walked back into the room from down the hall. Katherine hadn’t noticed him disappear.
“This wasn’t a robbery. Katherine’s jewelry box is still in her room and looks untouched. You’ll have to check it, of course, Katherine.” Joe walked to the other side of her, standing protectively close.
The officer frowned, and Katherine jumped in to make introductions. “Joe Running Bear is the head of security at Isanti, Inc.”
After shaking hands with the officer, Joe pulled out his cell phone and began making arrangements for her apartment to be secured and cleaned. Once more, the tribe would take care of everything.
The officer asked a few more questions, and Derek or Joe answered. Katherine knew it was cowardly, but she let the men take control of the situation. She closed her eyes and rested her head against Derek’s chest. She didn’t want to face the hatred apparent in this latest attack. W
hy were people so cruel?
§
Derek wanted to punch someone. When he caught up to the guy responsible for this, he would kill him. Katherine leaned against him, her eyes closed. One lone tear escaped and rolled down her cheek. She was so brave to face all this. Inside, she hurt, and Derek hated that he couldn’t stop it.
The officer turned away, and Hugh knocked lightly on the door. Charlie stood behind him. Both their faces reflected their anger. Katherine had made quite an impression on the men in the Amazon. They thought of her as one of their own, and whoever hurt her would answer to them.
“We’ll get the door fixed. The cleaning crew will come in the morning,” Hugh said.
Derek nodded and turned to Katherine. “What do you need me to get for you, tehila?”
She blinked. Tears glistened in her eyes. “My grandmother’s china and my jewelry box are the most important things. We moved the rest already.”
Derek looked at Hugh and saw him nod. Both items would be waiting for her at the cabin when they returned.
“Hugh and Charlie will take care of that. Anything else?”
Get me out of here… Derek lifted Katherine into his arms and headed for the bedroom. He found the nearest hidden shadow and quickly opened a portal.
The cold of Shadow engulfed Derek and Katherine as he stepped inside. He closed the portal and concentrated on the master bedroom at their new home. Katherine needed to be surrounded by her things. The mist swirled around them, blocking everything from sight. Then, they were looking out at their room in Montana. Derek opened the portal and stepped out into the master suite, before turning to close the portal. Katherine lay quietly in his arms, her eyes closed. He knew she wasn’t asleep. He kissed her eyes, licking the salty tears away. Then he kissed her mouth. She sighed and opened to him. Her arms crept around his neck as he deepened the kiss. Their tongues tangled and danced together. When both of them were breathless, he pulled back and lowered her feet to the floor. She looked up at him, her arms still around his neck.
Love in the Shadows Page 9