by Unknown
“You can say that again,” Lily replied.
“This child is only about three freaking years old,” he muttered, already picturing the little one in his mind. It was burned into his memory.
Sometimes, his job sucked.
This was one of those days when he actually thought about letting Jolie and Jacques take care of him, so he could escape it.
He hated looking at this.
Day in.
Day out.
In his life.
In his dreams.
Sometimes, it was more than he could bear.
“Yeah and once again, there are no signs of a struggle, no external wounds, and there appears to be no sexual assault. It’s the same MO, and we still have no clue as to what the hell is going on in this town.”
Brogan pulled on the purple latex gloves before moving closer to the tiny little girl. His heart broke as he approached her prone form, lying on the cold floor in her bright cheery clothes. She was maybe three feet tall with black curly hair, and little fingers that would never grow into adult hands. He felt the anger building, and he fought desperately to keep it buried deep.
“Are you okay, Flynn?” Lily asked, taking in the emotion on his face. She was beginning to worry about him. Maybe the real reason he was there was because of burn out.
It was common in cops, and he had all the symptoms.
“This feels wrong,” he said to no one in particular, as he picked up her little hand, his own shaking in anger.
“What do you mean?” asked his partner, crouching down next to him to get a better perspective. Maybe she would see what he was picking up.
“It looks like she’s sleeping.”
“The dead do, Brogan,” Lily stated matter-of-factly. Reaching out, she touched his shoulder in sympathy. Sometimes, it got to you, breaking you inside.
He looked damaged.
Lily offered him some advice. “You’re letting this affect you, Brogan. You need to detach. Maybe go home and talk it out with your girlfriend. Jolie might help you gain some insight.”
Flynn didn't speak.
“In fact, go home, get naked, and forget for a little while. You need a distraction to get through this.”
There was no point even going there, since sex wasn’t an option for him. He was a celibate man on the razor edge of sanity.
“Let’s get this over with,” he said, ignoring her as he stepped out of the way, so the photographer could finish up his job.
It was going to be a rough night.
All he could do was hope he survived it.
∞ Chapter Two ∞
Harcourt Manor
It was quiet in the house, and yet uneasiness was brewing in her. Jolie sat on her bed, curled up against Jacques as she waited for the other third of her unit to return. The missing man was her main concern, even as her fingers ran up and down the naked arm of her mate. Normally, she’d be wantonly crawling all over him, but Jolie wasn’t feeling it.
All of this was making it hard to concentrate. She was worried about her human. No, deeply distraught would be a far better word.
“Jolie, my love, you’re not here with me. Do you want to talk about it?” Jacques asked, taking her hand in his to leave a kiss on the inside of her wrist.
Hearing her name, she turned her head to focus on the vampyre lying beside her. He was one of the most beautiful men she had ever seen in her long life. He was mysterious, handsome, and reminded her of a fallen angel-one of the sinful ones who always got you into trouble.
Then again, in her opinion, that was the best kind.
“I’m sorry, my love,” she offered, as she touched the black silky hair that hung past his shoulders. Lying beside him should give her so much peace, but tonight Jolie was lost in worry. “I’m thinking about Flynn. Something doesn’t feel right with him, and I’m not talking about his mood lately. His energy feels off. When I was in his head, I felt like I was weighed down. I wanted to cry at the pressure crushing me.”
That had his attention. “Continue, mon amour,” he urged, needing to hear more.
“I know that during the day, I shouldn’t spend too much time in his mind. It’s draining but after his nightmare, and the way he’s been acting, I’m scared. Could he be feeling like this because of us? I’ve never bonded anyone to me before him, and I don’t know if this is some side effect that we weren’t prepared for.”
Jacques stared into her lavender eyes. “Flynn will be fine, Jolie. We’ll take care of him. Now, I’ll call Mina and Chloe. You’re depleted and need to feed.”
Jolie cuddled into his body. It always gave her that warm fuzzy feeling when he wanted to take care of her. Lying in bed with her men was a treat. Jolie always felt tiny beside them. Sometimes, a girl just wanted to feel safe and protected.
Even if that girl was a killer and the undead.
When they heard the knock on the door, Jacques called for them to enter.
“Blood or energy, Mistress?” asked Chloe, as she approached their bed.
“Energy please,” was her reply, as she took the girl’s hand in hers. Slowly, Jolie began drinking from the woman. The waves of power flowed into her body, replenishing her. When she was finished, Jolie thanked her donor.
“Mistress?” whispered Chloe with regret.
“Yes?”
“We’ve been contacted by the local societies. They wish you to join them at their next gathering. What message do you want to send back?”
Jolie sighed. “I knew it would happen eventually. What did you tell them so far, Chloe?”
“Only that you would let them know, but all of this feels forced. I don’t think we have an option. I think they’re expecting you to show.”
“Thank you. I need to think this over and discuss it with the men. Unfortunately, we can’t hide forever. I knew they would feel us in the city eventually. It looks like it’s time to show them our hand. I’d hoped that we would have a bit more time.”
Yeah, and Jolie also hoped that Genevieve wouldn’t be able to find them.
It looked like they were batting a big fat zero.
Jolie glanced over at her mate, needing a little reassurance. When they opted to head there, all three of them hoped that their existence in New Orleans would be peaceful.
Instead, it was turning into a mess.
Mina finished feeding Jacques, and then stepped back. “Don’t worry, Mistress. It’ll all work out. We’re new here, so maybe they just want to say hello.”
Jacques couldn’t help but smile at Mina’s optimism. She was always so cheery and positive.
Time and experience told Jolie otherwise, but why burst her bubble? “You can go,” Jolie stated, dismissing them. She knew that what was coming would threaten them all. Vampyres didn't just call you up to say hello.
They wanted to watch you.
Test you.
Oh yeah, and kill you.
“Come here,” Jacques said, opening his arms. When she didn't hesitate, his heart gave a little skip in his chest. He loved the time they spent together. It wasn’t that he didn't appreciate Flynn being there with them, but the man was still rather edgy around him.
It was like he was worried that he would get bit.
That visual made him smile.
Jolie curled against Jacques, enjoying their time. He was truly her everything. For almost six centuries, he had only been her guardian. It was only recently that she took him as her mate. The second she did, Jolie began living her life. Nuzzling her cheek on his pale chest, Jolie listened to him inhale sharply. Deep down, it excited her that she could get this reaction from him.
“Let’s discuss something other than the obvious. I need a distraction,” she suggested.
Jacques grinned ferally. “Well, if you really need to be distracted,” he offered.
She laughed, ignoring his innuendo. Jolie was far too worried to have sex.
Hell!
That had to be a first.
“Did you sleep well?” she a
sked, even as he pressed her into the pillows.
Staring up at him, Jolie casually brushed some strands of black silky hair from his cheek. There was nothing in the world like touching him.
That was a lie. Touching Flynn gave her the same thrill.
“I did, but waking up beside you was my highlight,” Jacques admitted. He’d die a million times if she was his prize when he woke.
Slowly, he lowered his mouth to hers. As always, Jolie fell into the kiss. It was warm, welcoming, and gave her chills. Although, try as she might, her heart wasn’t fully into it. Jolie was trapped in endless worry for the man not with them.
What could she say? She was attached.
One might even say in love.
When Jacques pulled away, his fangs peeked out from behind his lip. “You’re distracted today,” he admitted.
“I’m sorry, Jacques.” Staring into the green, serene pools of his eyes, words weren’t needed. They’d shared so many looks over the centuries. “I can’t help but worry about him. Each day, when he heads out, I fear he won’t come home.”
Jacques kissed her on the tip of her nose. “It’s okay, my love. I worry about him too. After all, he’s our soul.”
The only thing that captivated her more than Jacques’s good looks was his compassion. It was easy to be taken in by how handsome he was. Countless women had gravitated toward him during their time together. Yet, not once could she ever remember him noticing anyone but her. His sweetness called to her.
He was a really good vampyre, and she was lucky.
“Don’t worry, Jolie,” Jacques reassured. He nipped at her neck with his teeth, teasing her. While she wasn’t thinking about sex, he couldn’t say he wasn’t. It was in the forefront of his mind, taking everything he had to not bring his mouth to her pulse. Jacques wanted swallow her whole, so she could live deep within his body.
Suddenly, Jolie paused.
“Jacques!” she said with alarm.
“Mon amour, what is it?” he asked, pulling her protectively into his body.
“It’s our detective. He’s really angry. Something is upsetting Flynn.” Reaching out for him, what waited for her was shocking. Anger and rage rolled through her, rippling her skin as if something lived beneath.
Jacques shoved calming energy into her body, trying to keep the hatred away from them.
When Jolie could breathe, she reached for him.
“What?” he snarled.
“Flynn, are you okay?” she asked, knowing that he was close to the edge. If this kept up, her detective would break apart under the pressure.
“I’m just tired.” He used the old standby, trying desperately to keep her out of the filth of his job. She may have seen many things, but he wanted to protect her from some of the garbage that he had to wade through.
“Do you need us to come to you?”
“No, I’ll be home in a while. I’m just finishing up here.”
“Flynn,” she began.
“No, Jolie. I don’t want you near this.”
This wasn’t the time to argue with him. “Be well, darling.” She touched him with love and peace. When he appeared to be calm, only then did she withdrawal.
Tears filled her eyes.
“We have to do something to help him when he returns home. I’ve never seen him this irritated. He’s not just tired, Jacques. I can feel it. This is far more serious than just the Genevieve issue. We’re going to lose him if we don’t fix this.”
He was willing to do whatever was necessary to help patch up their little private unit.
With his thumb, Jacques wiped away a wayward tear. Since Jolie was so worried, as her mate, it was his job to offer her some reassurance.
“We’ll talk to him when he’s home.”
“Thank you, Jacques.”
Immediately, he began plotting a way to protect his family even more. Maybe he was worrying for no reason, but just in case this ended up going bad, they needed a backup plan.
“You’re welcome, my love. I’d do anything for you and our Detective.”
Jolie had no doubt.
∞ ∞ ∞
Tuesday Evening
Patiently, they waited for him in the kitchen.
When Jolie heard him pull into the garage, she was able to finally relax. At least he was home, and they could begin to heal what was damaged in his heart. Vampyres were very sensual beings, needing touch and contact to survive. It wasn’t odd for them to cuddle in a big pile of bodies, wrapping themselves around each other, just because.
Jolie suspected the man entering their home was in need of just that. Flynn needed some contact. Maybe it would help alleviate the stress which was destroying him.
If she lost him, her heart would never be the same again.
Before his arrival, Jolie planned to feed his body and soul. Chloe had been instructed to make him some dinner. They often forgot that he still had human needs, and eating was one of them. Possibly by warming him up with his favorite food, it would help chase the chill away.
Something needed to work, because it wasn’t like him to be this agitated with his job. When Flynn sauntered in, they had their proof. It was far worse than they suspected.
He looked haunted.
“Hey,” he said, pausing by the door. Even though they’d told him this was his home now too, there was always that little wave of awkwardness.
How did you not feel weird coming home to your non-girlfriend and her undead lover?
Tossing his keys down, he tried to fake some sort of pleasantries, but he knew they wouldn’t buy it. Just the way they cautiously watched him, said it all. Then again, Flynn was pretty sure he looked like he had been repeatedly beat down.
“Hello, Detective.” Jolie stared into his icy blue eyes, and they appeared dead. She knew that she would do anything to take that look from him, if she could.
Jacques immediately moved his arm from Jolie’s shoulder. He was well aware what the man needed. Jolie would be the cure for all that ailed him.
The last few weeks were very uncomfortable between them. He and Flynn were walking on eggshells when it came to Jolie. For him, it was a new thing to have to share her, but for the detective, he was willing. Detective Brogan had saved them both, and in the process, he had been bound to them for all eternity.
Honestly, it was the least he could do.
The man before them had offered up his life for theirs. That one act spoke of his character. Now, he was locked into a world that few humans were allowed to see, and which even fewer survived. His suffering was theirs to carry.
Once free from her mate’s body, Jolie wasn’t sure if he would want the contact, so she gave him the opportunity to meet her halfway. If he did, Jolie knew she’d desperately try to kiss away all the sorrow.
“Flynn?” she asked, opening her arms.
There was no hesitation, and immediately, he crossed to her.
“Jolie,” he whispered, desperate to feel her against his body. As of late, she was the only one who could give him any peace. When her arms wrapped around his waist, and she began nuzzling his chest like a big warm cat, he began to regain a sense of normalcy.
His body was so damn tense that it made her heart ache. Burying her face in his throat, Jolie took in the man pressed against her. He smelled like his normal cologne and death.
It broke her heart as he held onto her like his life depended on it. This man was usually the solid rock in everyone’s lives, and to see him teetering on the edge, made her want to do anything to give him peace.
“I missed you,” he whispered into her hair.
Jolie stared up at him and smiled. He was the other third of their relationship, and although he was as handsome as her Jacques, they were total opposites.
Flynn’s sun kissed flesh enthralled her. While her Jacques glided across a room, Flynn was a force to reckon with. He was big, intimidating, and sexy. When she watched him, she wondered what it would be like to…
Jolie swallowed.
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It took everything to force her attention back to the man, and not what was secretly brewing deep within her body. She could see Jacques watching her from over Flynn’s shoulder.
Cautiously, she kept her mind blank. She was between two unmovable forces. Her love for Jacques, and her love for Flynn.
“I’m worried about you,” she offered, as she ran her fingers over the little worry lines at the corners of his icy blue eyes. The astute, strong cop just looked lost to her. When she touched his lips with her fingertips, he smiled gently against them.
Flynn couldn’t deny it. He wasn’t handling any of this well. From the dead children, to the vampyre hunting them, he was one hell of a mess.
“Mon ami, are you going to be okay?” asked Jacques from the table.
“Yeah, I am now,” he answered, as Jolie tugged his mouth down to meet hers. When they shared a gentle mating of mouths, the shadows receded.
Well, far enough that he could breathe again.
For now, he was home and safe. Tentatively, he let his lips linger, unsure if this was something that he should be doing.
After all, Jacques was right there.
As he began pulling away, Jolie refused to let him. Her hand sunk deep into his silky black hair, and she deepened the kiss. It tore through his body, stealing his heart and the very breath from his lungs.
It was always like this with her.
He was caught in it and could only hold on for the ride. Before, he had been so very cold and lost, but now she was sharing the very essence of her body with him.
God, he needed her, them, and the family.
As his body came alive, despite trying to keep it at bay, Jolie mercifully broke the kiss. She stared into his eyes, offering him the truth. “I’ll keep you safe. You can hide in here,” she whispered, taking his large hand in hers before placing it over her heart.
Emotion filled his eyes. He was so overwhelmed, that Flynn needed a second to escape it all. Closing his eyes, he retreated and tried not to lose his heart further to her.
He was already screwed.
How could he tell her that the love he felt was killing him? Not having that last piece of her was eating away at the little portion of his soul.