Gathering Darkness: A Paranormal Romance Collection

by Anna Zaires

  “And you’re not?” Victor gulps down the shot. “You moved like some Spetsnaz soldier when he attacked you. It was—”

  “I have good reflexes.” I have to get his mind off what he thinks he saw. “That’s all. It doesn’t make me a cop.”

  “But it does make you an accessory to this.” He points to Shkillet. “But here’s what bothers me. If he lied and didn’t fuck her, how’d he know what she had on her back?”

  “Well, we can’t ask him now.” I shrug. “Maybe he was a peeping tom? That’s not strange for a rapist.”

  “Perhaps.” He gives me a suspicious stare. “Or maybe you are. Did you see me fuck her yesterday? Did you watch us and use the info to make it look like he disrespected me?”

  “You wish. That’s one of your voyeuristic fantasies. Besides, wouldn’t you close the door and have some bouncer guard it if you were fucking?”

  Victor sighs and rakes his fingers through his hair. “Talking to you is as frustrating as talking to Nadia. You’re too good of a liar—probably helps you during poker.”

  I shrug and pretend not to know he’s talking about his daughter.

  “So.” Victor exhales. “The fact that he attacked you could mean you’re right. Maybe he knew that if he didn’t attack you, his death would’ve been... slow.”

  “You give him too much credit. He’s not that smart—only crazy.” I twirl my finger next to my temple in a gesture for insanity.

  Victor chuckles, but then he stops abruptly and stares at me.

  Feeling like I’m under a magnifying glass, I can’t help but notice the throbbing in my wound. The adrenaline rush has worn off, and it hurts like a son of a bitch.

  “You’re bleeding.” He frowns.

  “It’s nothing.” I don’t want to give him the satisfaction of admitting to weakness. “But thanks for your concern.”

  “Listen, whatever-your-name-is, I want to continue this conversation someday.”

  Great. Just what I don’t need. I think it, but don’t verbalize it.

  “In the meantime,” he continues, “I’ll spread the word that you’re under my protection so you won’t need to worry about the likes of Shkillet in the future.”

  I’m at a loss for words. I didn’t expect him to say that. That’s the third time I’m surprised today. I really should Read people more if I don’t want these surprises, but it’s tricky because of my limited Depth.

  “Here’s my card.” He hands it to me as if this is a normal business deal. “Call me if you need anything.”

  I take the card. Then he walks to the door and lets his bouncers in.

  “Take her to the hospital,” Victor tells the big guy who brought me here earlier. “Put the bill on my tab.” He looks at me after the bouncer nods. “I’ll be seeing you later, Ilona.”

  Numb with shock, I let myself be herded through the club. There’s no sign of the guy I’d danced with. Oh well. It’s not like that would’ve been anything more than a one-night stand. I’m nothing if not realistic. There’s no room in my life for a relationship.

  ***

  Patched up and tired as a dog, I take a cab from the hospital to my car.

  As I watch the streets whiz by, I have a million thoughts running through my head. They fight with one another, but the one that keeps getting my attention is that I have to get away. Away from Brooklyn, away from gangsters, away from all this shit. I need to let things settle here.

  It’s a smart idea, but what can I do? Where should I go?

  Ideas pop up, then fizzle out. Should I visit Vegas again? No, I’d need a new set of IDs for that, since they’re onto me big-time in that town. Monte Carlo is still out of reach; my fake papers aren’t good enough for Europe.

  As I get home and sneak into my room again, I realize that there is another place I could go. It’s closer, and there’s less heat for me there, even if it’s not that far distance-wise.

  By the time I get into bed, I’m on board with my new plan. I’ll get a couple of nights of good sleep, get my stitches taken out, patch things up with Eugene, and then grab a bus to Atlantic City.

  Has anyone been this excited about a trip to New Jersey before? I don’t know, and I don’t care. My world becomes all about the softness of my pillow as I fall into a blissful and much-deserved sleep.

  THE END

  Shifted Undercover

  by C. E. Black

  Between secrets and deceit, lies an untamed desire neither of them can resist.

  Nikki Hughes is newly married to a man she’s only known for six months. Adam is the perfect guy. He’s loving, hot as hell and only has eyes for Nikki. They have spent months getting to know each other and falling madly in love, but Nikki hasn’t been completely honest with Adam. She has a secret life he knows nothing about, and she plans on keeping it that way.

  Nikki has a job to do. One that means the difference between life or death. So what if she’s on a flight traveling to their honeymoon destination. Except, how is she supposed to work a secret job with a sexy as sin husband trying to seduce her every ten minutes? Well, it is one the reasons she agreed to marry the insufferable man so easily.

  When all hell breaks loose on the flight, Nikki finds herself in a deadly situation. And she quickly comes to realize that she’s not the only one keeping secrets in this relationship.

  CHAPTER 1

  Now boarding flight 342 to Miami, first class...

  “That’s us.” The deep voice sent my stomach fluttering, as I grabbed my carry on and followed my husband to the attendant.

  Husband!

  I couldn't believe I actually had a husband. I shook my head, still processing the last few months of my life. It was such a blur.

  “Here, let me get that,” he said.

  Adam reached for what was the equivalent of a large purse that I’d planned to bring with me on the plane, but my grip tightened on the straps. “No, no, I got it.”

  “Are you sure?” His head cocked to the side as he smiled, sending his adorable brown, wavy hair falling over one eye. The prominent dimples of his grin had a tendency to make me go weak in the knees and way too agreeable at times. This time, however, I had to hold my own.

  “Yeah.” Nodding, I looked away.

  “Alright,” he murmured, and turned to the flight attendant. I breathed a sigh of relief as I handed her my boarding pass.

  “Have a good flight, Mrs. Hughes,” she said, with a bright smile. I smiled back, but she had already moved on to the passengers behind us.

  As we boarded, my gaze scanned the interior of the plane. It was the first time I’d sat in first class. Though I’d protested that economy would have been fine, Adam wanted us to have the best of everything on this trip. It was our honeymoon, after all.

  Sitting down, I placed my bag at my feet and shifted to look out the window. No beautiful sky to see just yet. Only an endless amount of pavement.

  “Nikki?” Adam asked, as he sat down beside me.

  “Hmm?” I answered back, without turning away from the window.

  His fingers gripped my chin, the tips rough and calloused from years of working with his hands. He turned my face toward him for a kiss and right away, my stiff shoulders relaxed a notch.

  I opened my mouth to receive his skilled tongue, as his fingers brushed lightly against my cheeks. I’d never known a man that could kiss like Adam could. He teased, his teeth nipping my lips between tentative caresses of his tongue, before he delved into my mouth completely. Both of his hands now held my head in place, possessing me in the most seductive way. It was probably the number one reason I’d said yes when he’d asked me to marry him.

  “Now,” he murmured, as he licked his lips, causing my heart to skip a beat. “What’s with the stress? The wedding is over. No more plans, or worries about who wants what where. It’s our honeymoon. Relax.” He grinned.

  Stressed? He has no idea.

  “You’re right,” I agreed, and leaned in to kiss him quickly. His palm cradled my cheek
and when I would have pulled away, he groaned and deepened the kiss. I could do nothing but oblige.

  We were both breathing heavily by the time we broke apart. As his lips pulled away from mine, he moaned once again. “I swear, five and half hours is too long a wait to be inside of you. Please tell me you’re up for joining the mile high club? I beg you,” he whispered into my ear.

  My internal muscles clenched into a pre-orgasmic spasm as he spoke the words. I crossed my legs to ease the ache he caused so easily, but it didn’t help.

  “Only two hours until we reach Miami,” I reminded him with a grin. We were headed to the Cayman Islands for a weeklong honeymoon, but there was no getting out of the layover in Miami.

  “Two hours too long,” he groaned. “I don’t think I can wait.” His eyes pleaded, and I could have sworn his bottom lip poked out a bit.

  I chuckled and said, “Maybe.”

  Growling, he nipped my earlobe, causing me to giggle. The way his eyes heated when he looked down at me was the second reason why I’d married him. Only I could bring that look into his eyes. It was a heady and powerful feeling. One I never wanted to lose.

  Take-off was a breeze and once we reached altitude, we both relaxed back into our seats and I let go of the death grip I had on the arm rests. Like I’d said… easy peasy.

  Adam held my hand, his fingers interlaced with mine, as he laid his head back to rest his eyes, he’d said. Why he didn’t just admit he wanted to take a nap, I had no idea. I, on the other hand, read the suspense novel I’d brought along, though I’d been on the same page for over half an hour, nervously waiting for an excuse to leave my seat.

  Usually, these situations didn’t bother me, but I’d also never had my husband sitting next to me either. It felt so strange having him with me… almost terrifying, just as much as it was a comfort. Strange combo indeed, I mused.

  Being with Adam was like tumbling through a whirlwind. Everything happened so fast, my head spun. But I’d never been happier.

  We met at a local deli in DC when I’d stopped in to grab a quick bite to eat. Sitting alone and checking the local news on my phone, I had been surprised when a large man walked up, asking to sit with me.

  “There’s no more seats,” he’d said, smiling. “Mind if I join you?”

  I remember the tingle that began in my toes and worked its way up my spine when I’d first heard the deep rumble of his voice. I’d never heard anything so sexy in my life. And that smile… talk about a panty dropper!

  My eyes had done a slow perusal of his tall frame, taking in every long, broad inch of the man, before I’d finally reached those deep blue eyes. My lips had parted in a silent gasp as I stared. I must have nodded or said yes, I couldn’t remember. But his smile was sweet, and a tiny hint of pink had colored his cheeks as he sat down.

  It took a few minutes for me to pull myself out of the lust-filled stupor he’d caused, but once he began talking, I relaxed. I found that he loved to talk, and I enjoyed listening to him. Though he wasn’t like those guys that just wanted to talk about themselves. He’d asked me a million and one questions, and I had to remind him to eat his sandwich multiple times. He never complained or said I was too bossy. He just picked it up, took a bite, swallowed, and began talking again, like it was the most natural thing in the world to listen to me.

  He spoke about the construction company that he owned and operated with his best friend, Chris. I told him I was an accountant that worked from home. Thankfully, that didn’t seem to bore him at all.

  Next thing I knew, we were flirting, then exchanging numbers. Six months later, here we were, married and beginning a life together. It was exciting, if not a little scary. There was so much we didn’t know about one another. In fact, I was keeping quite a large secret from the love of my life, and somehow, I had to find a way to keep it that way.

  Stretching my neck left and right, I heard the satisfying sound of my joints popping, and decided I’d give the pretext of needing the ladies room. But before I could make my excuses, my hand was suddenly pressed against a long, rigid length that pulsed under my palm.

  I glanced at my husband from under lowered lashes and contracted my fist around his cock as it bulged against the zipper of his soft khakis. The flash of his cerulean blue eyes darkened into the color of the deepest denim. The sexy groan that slipped from his lips sent a white hot flare of desire straight to my core, leaving me wet and wanting.

  “Meet me in the bathroom.” His voice rumbled and I bit my lip as I rubbed his length beneath his tan slacks. His hips thrust, and my breath caught in my throat. “Please,” he whispered, and I was a goner. How in the hell could I say no to this man? Answer? I didn’t.

  Grabbing my bag, I stood and slid by him, making sure to brush my ass against his bulge as I went by. A sharp pinch to my ass cheek had me holding back a yelp, as I jumped slightly into the aisle. I turned to give my husband a warning glare, though it lacked heat from the grin I couldn’t hold back.

  “Wench,” he scolded. His grin turned wicked as he licked his lips. “You’ll pay for that.”

  Raising one eyebrow, I said, “Looking forward to it.” Then I swayed down the aisle, making sure my ass wiggled enticingly enough to- “Grrrr,” Adam growled, and my lips widened into a satisfied grin.

  Every time.

  CHAPTER 2

  As I swayed down the aisle, my mind was only half focused on our sexy rendezvous. The other half needed to focus, and as I came closer to the front of the cabin, my attention went solely to the two men sitting to my right.

  Their heads were bowed, hidden by the backrests of their seats. But as I drew closer, I was able to get a better look. The man seated by the widow had caramel skin that looked pale, as beads of sweat dotted his forehead. He glanced up and pierced me with his coffee brown stare. I smiled politely with a nod, and gave a fleeting look at his lap, where his wrists were handcuffed together. I kept my features blank, not allowing my gaze to linger for too long, as I continued walking toward the restroom.

  I had only gotten a short glimpse of the man sitting next to him, but he hadn’t held my interest as much. My curiosity was with the prisoner. Why had he looked so nervous? Of course, being arrested would make anyone anxious. And many people hated to fly. But my professional mind whirled with possibilities.

  Sighing, I put the prisoner out of my mind for the time being. This moment was only for Adam and me. Shutting the restroom door behind me, I studied the tiny cubicle and chuckled to myself. It was going to be a tight fit, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Adam gave it his best shot anyway.

  Shaking my head, I reached under my skirt for my panties, thankful for my clothing choice that morning. Long and loose, the blue bohemian style skirt would mean easy access for my impatient husband. I stuffed the panties in my bag and fixed my skirt, just as there was a light tap on the door.

  I had been right. Adam took up most of the tiny space, his shoulders so broad they just about reached from one wall to the other. I was crowded against the small sink, my eyes level with his expansive chest. My hands immediately reached for him, my palms laying on all that solid muscle, smoothing over the hard bulges. Adam looked at me intently, his gaze half lidded as he licked his lips.

  “This is a tight fit,” I told him.

  “I like tight fits,” he growled.

  He didn’t waste any more time talking. He captured my lips in a forceful kiss that spoke of his hunger, almost as much as the rigid length of his cock pressing against my stomach did. Our hands became a frenzy of movements. Mine went for his belt, as he palmed my breasts. He slid his thumbs back and forth over the sensitive peaks. It was arousing and maddening all at once. I wanted his skin on mine, flesh to flesh, but we were too far gone and neither bothered taking off our shirts.

  As I reveled in his touch, I did some teasing of my own. My hand gripped his now freed cock, sliding up and down the thick length, squeezing at just the right spot to elicit a deep rumble from his chest.

  �
��Hurry,” I breathed against his lips, just before his tongue possessed me again. My skirt was suddenly gathered at my waist, and long fingers parted my drenched folds. I moaned and whimpered, begging for more, but he kept his touch soft and light, knowing how turned on that would make me.

  “You’re so wet,” he murmured against my lips. Slipping a finger inside of me, he groaned as I clenched around him. “And tight. Damn, you feel so good,” he said, sliding that incredible digit in and out, with a slow pace that drove me crazy.

  I was suddenly hoisted into the air, held in the impressive arms of my husband. Spreading my legs, I wrapped them around his hips and rubbed my drenched center against his cock. “Now, please,” I cooed, earning another deep growl.

  “Your wish,” he murmured.

  My ass landed on the edge of the counter as he began working himself inside me. My hips wiggled to help him along, as I whimpered my impatience. He pressed forward, stretching me deliciously, until finally, I was full. We both sighed in relief, though it didn’t last long. Rapidly, it was becoming too much. I need him to move. Desperately.

  Adam’s head fell to my neck, licking the salty skin as he moaned and cursed. “God!” he exclaimed. “I love being inside you.”

  “I love it too,” I whispered. “But I love it more when you move.”

  “God, yes,” he exclaimed quietly, and pulled out only to thrust into me again. My head fell back, and my fingers dug into his strong shoulders. His cock slid in and out, slowly at first, driving me mad with passion, until he couldn’t handle it anymore and picked up the pace.

  He had one arm wrapped around my upper back, while the other held my hip, the possessive grip helping him control the angle of his thrust. A cry built up in my throat as his pelvis rubbed my clit with every plunge. Knowing me so well, Adam claimed my mouth just at the right time, drowning out my screams of ecstasy.

  My orgasm rippled around his cock, squeezing him like a vise and causing him to thrust with more force. Then, with one last plunge, he slammed into me hard, his cock pulsing his release as he mumbled and groaned his pleasure against my lips.