She mumbled behind her straw.
“What?” Raven slowly lifted her head and eyed Cassie. Barely twenty years old and a vampire of only a few days, she stood there like a seasoned vampire with at least ten years of experience, all thanks to Durant’s uber potent shifter blood. The girl had taken a call at the club meant for Durant and had been attacked. If they hadn’t turned her, she would’ve died from her injuries.
“He’s meeting with clients to get the club ready for the conclave.”
“Get him.”
Cassie gulped then quickly hurried toward the phone without comment. Raven could hear Durant’s brisk words across the club.
“Raven’s waiting in your office. She’s a little miffed, so you might want to come. Like now.”
Miffed didn’t even begin to describe the stunt Taggert had pulled.
First Durant and then him.
“Sit on her if you need to. I’ll be there in five.” The phone disconnected.
Raven saw the way Cassie eyed her. “I wouldn’t try it.” Her lips curled into a snarl, and Cassie lifted her hands in surrender, though she didn’t back down completely. If Raven tried for the door, Cassie would do her best to follow through on Durant’s order.
True to his word, Durant entered the door with a harried expression crouched in his eyes. He quickly scanned his office. When he spotted her, his shoulders eased.
“Leave.” He barked the command at Cassie, and she skedaddled out the door like her panties were on fire.
Then he turned those golden eyes of his on Raven.
“I was two levels lower than the main room when I felt you enter the club. What the hell were you thinking.” It wasn’t a question. The dangerous, hypnotic tone in his voice was back. The one he used when he was either seriously pissed off or wanted something.
He stalked toward her, his gait all loose-limbed of a shifter on the hunt. Refusing to be intimidated by the bully, she lifted her chin. Nothing he could say would make her feel any worse. She was devastated at the steep cost Taggert had paid over her stupid little grievance with Durant.
And it was all her fault for being so damned stubborn.
She should’ve known he would’ve tried something. “Would you care to explain why you let three strange male shifters into my house without my permission?”
Durant halted on the spot, but his eyes lit up as his animal rose fully to the surface. It was incongruent to see him in his outfit, so pressed and perfect, with his beast staring out at her so boldly. “What happened?”
“Besides them seeing me half naked, you mean?” She took pleasure in the little growl of rage that rumbled from him. “How about a thing called invasion of privacy? I could’ve accidently killed them.”
“Did they touch you?” He inched closer, his eyes roaming her body for injury as he prowled around her.
His perusal left trails of heat in its wake, potent enough to stun her out of her anger. He appeared genuinely concerned. “I’m fine.”
“The three brothers signed a privacy contract. Besides their excellent work, their guaranteed privacy is what makes them the best in their field.” He continued to hover over her.
The molten gold eyes peering out at her sent her back a step. He mirrored her move. There was less than a foot between her and the wall behind her. A snarl curled her lips at being cornered, and she planted her feet. He was a furnace, throwing off heat hot enough to singe.
And all she wanted to do was be scorched.
She shook off that thought. She would not be managed. If he took one more step, she would have him at her feet and enjoy every minute of seeing him there.
“You shouldn’t have come alone.” The danger in him was enticing, calling something deep inside her to come out and play.
“She didn’t.” Taggert stepped forward, a solid presence at her side and inching up the lust level to an almost unbearable degree. The men eyed each other, neither backing down. Then Durant caught sight of the collar and sighed.
Her palms itched to lay her hands on them, but it wasn’t all her desire. The energy in the club infected her. She’d be damned if she would be forced into a situation she hadn’t chosen.
All thoughts of scolding Durant for his impromptu remodeling paled at Taggert’s sacrifice and the incessant desire trying to consume her. “How the hell am I supposed to fight this?”
Durant blinked and some of the unflappable club owner returned enough for her to breathe past his rich leather scent. “You’re the alpha. You’re the one who has the control.”
“Why does everyone keep saying that? I don’t understand. Contact is supposed to help, but every time I get close to either of you, the desire is ten times worse.”
Before she could retreat, he snatch up her hand and pressed it against his chest. The fast beat of his heart thundered under her palm, heat radiated up her arm and raw lust nearly brought her to her knees. Taggert slipped behind her, his arm once more around her waist. His hand found its way beneath her shirt, his fingers splaying over her stomach. The heat of his touch, so intimate against her skin, caught her breath.
Power rocketed through her body.
His wolf.
He was close to the surface, reaching out for her.
She grabbed Taggert’s wrist, her nails bit into his skin, unsure whether she wanted to halt or encourage him. The rumble at her back did delicious things to her body, reminding her of what his kiss had tasted like.
Instead of protesting her lack of control, he prodded her forward, only stopping when her body was caught securely between both men. Durant gritted his teeth, his breath hissed out of his mouth in a way that weakened her knees.
“You can increase the lust or soothe those around you with a touch. Without any control, you’ll drive us insane before the week’s out.”
She brushed her hands over the front of Durant’s shirt and the beast gave a rumbled purr. Taggert leaned down and nuzzled her neck.
She barely resisted the urge to give him better access.
“I don’t think this is working.” She swallowed hard, trying not to so much as twitch least one of them broke.
She was terrified that it would be her.
Durant yanked up his shirt and shoved her hands beneath. They both inhaled sharply and didn’t move. Fine hair just above his pants met her fingertips, urging her to explore further, and she couldn’t resist stroking him. The hard muscles under her fingers flexed, begged for more, and he shuffled closer.
The tiger’s near crazed need to be free and claim what it wanted pebbled against her skin. Instead of frightening her, her teeth ached to give him what it wanted. She leaned her forehead against his shoulder, a light current, different from the normal electricity, rose from the contact.
His animal.
“Shhhhh.”
The tiger paused in its pacing and lifted his head. Time stopped dead. The beast was waiting for her to take what she wanted, what the beast so willingly offered. Taggert’s wolf took advantage of her distraction and brushed against her back, offering and taking comfort. She didn’t know how long they’d remained that way when she finally had enough strength to lift her head.
The tiger stilled, peering at her through Durant’s eyes, but the restlessness and need had abated. Though he didn’t look completely sated, he no longer appeared as rattled as when he’d first burst into the room. He continued to purr under her hands, but it was more a contented sound than one of lust.
“Touch.” Durant smiled.
Raven couldn’t prevent the heat of a blush from filling her cheeks at the men’s obvious arousal. For some reason, what had just happened felt more intimate than sex. She reluctantly pulled her hand away, nearly sighing when Taggert dropped his as well and stepped back.
She nervously cleared her throat. “We should go.”
Now that they weren’t touching, the desire of so many shifters in the room beyond beat at the door, racketed the lust back up. Part of her calm evaporated in frustration. She’d hop
ed the effects would’ve lasted longer.
“It was foolish of you two to come here so close to the full moon.” Gone was the contented man of a few seconds ago.
“It was better to face this now than be caught off guard at the conclave.”
His lips tightened, but he didn’t refute her claim.
“No female shifter is allowed out without protection for a reason.” He ran a finger down her cheek. “If someone had touched you, I would’ve killed them.”
Raven swallowed a gulp and resisted the urge to cross her arms. “I’ve managed to take care of myself for years.” She drew up enough energy to make it spark between her fingers, unconsciously playing with the current in a show of nerves she rarely revealed. “Why is now so different?”
“You weren’t a full alpha then. You had the DNA, but you only woke when you started to interact with other shifters. Most shifters will respect your position, but there are more than a few who crave what you can do for them more and won’t ask your permission. If they attack, you will have to retaliate or be seen as weak.”
A sickening sense of dread circled her gut. “Why are they so eager to throw away their lives?”
Durant snorted, his eyes darkening and a wave of heat snaked under her skin. Her breath caught. She had no doubt he did it on purpose to put her on edge. “I adore your confidence in your abilities, but you don’t know how persistent weres can be, especially with something as precious as a female alpha.” He crowded closer, his lips hovering over hers. “And if you don’t leave now, I’ll have you stripped and sprawled across my desk in less than minute, tasting every delicious inch of you.”
Part of her hesitated, and a flare of lust grew in his eyes.
Her courage quickly faded.
Taggert captured her hand, pulling her against the hard plains of his body as if to protect her. The contact returned some of her rational thought.
She craved Durant’s nearness, his taste, but she wasn’t sure she was strong enough to survive what he would do to her, what he would make her feel. She left the office on shaky legs, glad for Taggert’s support. Remembering his words of caution, she surveyed the crowd with a smidge of trepidation.
“Come.” Durant crowded close to her other side, his large frame hunching protectively over her. Her skin tingled at the closeness of both males.
She took three steps in the crowd when a whiff of fresh cut grass whisked by her. She halted abruptly, her head snapping up to search the crowd, half-wondering if she was going crazy, imagining things. Durant tensed, surveying the club for the slightest threat. Taggert stepped back to give her room to move.
“You sense him, too, don’t you?”
Jackson.
Taggert only nodded, his concerned thickened the air between them. “Whatever happens, don’t react.”
She turned away, not wanting to see his pity. Her eyes locked with that of a kid standing about fifteen feet from her, staring boldly at her with blue eyes so pale they appeared ghostly. She cocked her head, noticing the discord that simmered around him, but she couldn’t place what bothered her.
Then the crowd shifted. A man stepped in front of the kid as if to protect him, and another pair of eyes met hers.
Familiar eyes.
Jackson.
Frost clouded Jackson’s whiskey brown eyes as if rejecting everything that had happened between them. The reaction devastated her. Brutal pain struck fast, curling around her bruised heart like a meaty fist and squeezed.
She shoved her way through the crowd when a stillness to their right drew her attention. The too interested stare of a compact man of medium height sent a frisson of unease spearing through her. His analytical assessment of her stopped her cold.
Without being told, she knew this man had taken Jackson from her on purpose.
She sensed it then, the curiosity of his wolf. His aura shimmered without her even having to probe. When she blinked, she saw Jackson looming over the guy’s shoulder. Any injuries he’d sustained from the fight had vanished. His light brown hair was styled, his clothes pressed. His whiskey colored eyes never warmed as they used to when he gazed at her. Instead, he looked ready to squash her under his boots if she so much as took a step in his direction.
The ogre was back and then some.
“You have to leave. Now.” Durant tugged on her arm then growled when lash of energy leapt between them.
She immediately jerked away, but those nearest gawked at them in curiosity. “Who are they?”
“Jackson’s alpha, and the kid is the alpha’s heir.” Durant sounded resigned, knowing he wouldn’t be able to budge her without causing a bigger scene.
That didn’t mean he went meekly.
He dipped his head until his lips rested next to her ear. “You will pay for this when we’re alone.”
Somehow, she didn’t think he meant she’d get a good talking to. She refused to flinch under the golden glare of his animal. His hair was tousled, the barely-there strip of his tiger inviting her fingers to explore.
She slowly blinked and shook her head. “Don’t try that mesmerizing shit on me.”
She bit the side of her cheek to prevent herself from panting. Damned if she’d let him know how he affected her. Then he inhaled deeply and gave her a devilish smile. She had no doubt he knew what he did to her and relished her very intimate, guttural response to him.
Bastard.
Two could play at that game. She lifted her hand, trailing her fingers down his chest, over the open buttons on his shirt. She lightly brushing against the flesh beneath, enjoying watching his eyes dilate under her ministrations. “I wouldn’t try that again unless you want to walk around aroused for the next hour.”
A tinge of a smile tilted his lips. “Honey, all I have to do is think about you, and I’m in the same predicament.”
Heat filled her face at his announcement, and she tried to ignore the wave of pleasure that tingled through her body. Her skin prickled, and she lost her smile, slowly turning to face the people heading toward them.
“Miss Raven, I presume.” Jackson’s alpha gave a small nod of acknowledgment. “I’ve heard much about you.”
Raven refused to flinch as Jackson’s betrayal dug its claws into her and gave a vicious twist for good measure. Part of the hope she’d harbored that he’d left her under duress shriveled a painful death.
Jackson hadn’t been recalled.
He’d left with them voluntarily.
“How do you do.” She couldn’t believe her voice came out so steady when her insides seethed.
“I’d love for you to come and visit tomorrow for a job opportunity that might interest you.” He handed her an embossed card blazed with his name and address. Kevin, owner of Pak Pharmaceuticals, a company renown for research and development.
And Jackson’s alpha.
“I’m not sure you’d be able to afford my price.”
A smile curled his lips. “I believe we can come to a mutual agreement.”
Her eyes betrayed her and flickered to Jackson, but he didn’t acknowledge her in any way as he scanned their surroundings.
Raven wondered what she’d have to do to get him back.
A commotion across the room put Durant and Jackson into motion. Jackson hustled the kid toward the door, while Durant stepped between her and the threat.
“I look forward to seeing you.” With that, the compact wolf vaulted in the crowd to stand guard on the other side of his son.
Shouting erupted, but the crowd quickly dispersed. No one wanted to be banned before the conclave officially started.
“You will not go.” Durant loomed closer, crowding her in the corner. “You are nowhere near ready for negotiations between packs.”
“Did you notice anything odd about the trio?” Raven ignored his statement, staring long after the crowd had swallowed them. Something niggled at the back of her mind, something willing her not to give up hope, but she couldn’t place what set off her radar.
“Rav
en, there’s a call for you.” Cassie reached between them with the phone, and Raven shushed Durant’s little rumble of displeasure.
She grabbed the handset. “Raven.”
“Get your ass downtown. We have another incident. Two victims.” Scotts’ harsh voice scratched across the line. Sirens rang in the background. She mentally took note of the address he rambled off, absently brushing her hand up and down Durant’s arm without really being aware of the action until a light purr rumbled under her fingers. She froze at the sound then quickly pulled back.
“So soon?” That surprised her. “Give me ten minutes.” She hung up the phone. Not in the mood to listen to more lectures, Raven dashed beneath Durant’s arm and headed toward the door. His muscular body swiftly hugged her form as she followed Taggert to the exit.
“You can run, but this discussion isn’t over.”
Raven had no clue if he meant tomorrow’s meeting or what had happened between them in the office, and she wasn’t going to stick around to find out.
Chapter Six
“You knew that Jackson would turn on me, didn’t you?” Raven stalked toward her car, the darkness welcoming her with open arms. The cracked sidewalk had crumbled in spots, matching her composure.
Taggert sighed. “You don’t understand.”
When he didn’t say anymore, she pulled him to a halt. “Then explain it to me.” She hated the quiver in her voice, wishing for all that wonderful anger.
“Shifters are loyal to their alphas. Absolute. Any hint of doubt, and they are punished or even killed.”
Raven’s fists clenched at the thought of Jackson being harmed by his own people because of her. Pack was permanent. His status made him valuable. It made a sick sort of sense. As an enforcer, he knew too much about Kevin’s pack. He’d be too big of threat to just be dismissed. “But that’s not all, is it?”
“He’s protecting you. If he shows any sign of weakness, any softness toward you, the alpha will use that to his advantage.” Taggert grabbed her, his unusually display of male aggression knocking her out of her funk. “As much as you both might want it, he isn’t your wolf. You can’t think of him as such. Not anymore.”
Electric Moon (A Raven Investigations Novel) Page 5