“So you thought you’d rape her, too.”
“She’s fine.” He grinned and made a crude gesture of licking his tongue out to indicate oral sex.
She rolled her eyes. “I want to know more about this Judas.”
“Nothing to tell.”
She lowered her foot on his balls. “You want me to kick your balls up into your throat?”
“Damn you hoes,” he muttered, and Alexi pressed down hard and he let out a scream. “Okay.” He held up a hand. “He started working for Breakers recently. He’s maybe in his early thirties. He’s black and a sharp dresser. He’s exactly what you expect an Ivy Leaguer to be.”
“How’s that?” She had an idea about snotty upper-middle-classed offspring.
“He thinks he’s entitled to pay her back because she blew him off. You know, he says when a woman can walk away, and those were his exact words.”
“Five by Five wants the city back?”
“I’m not in the know, lady,” he snapped. “I’m told what to do, and I follow through.”
“Who’s your boss?”
“The Wrench. He runs things out of Texas. Was a close friend of The Hatter besides being his chief enforcer. That’s all I know.”
“Is it?” She pressed harder on his package, and he started to push her off when she leaned forward and struck him across the face with her gun. “Who’s the ho now?”
He growled at her.
“What’s the Wrench planning on doing down here?”
“He wants back in, and he’s willing to go to war with Breakers and Mojo if he has to.”
The cat picked up the sound of the returning car and he laughed.
“You’re dead, bitch.”
“Wanna bet?” She waited until she heard the car door slam, only one. The key in the lock, and the doorknob turned, and she squeezed the trigger just as the door opened.
Alexi whipped around and took out the man with a single shot right between the eyes.
****
“Do you think Alexi’s here?” Tatiana asked when they returned to the club.
She’d had Corri stop by the boutique for a brief conversation with the store’s manager before she called her boss in France.
Tatiana had gotten a few days off for bereavement even though she wasn’t grieving as she probably should be.
“I’ll check,” Corri said. “But I want to take you up to the room first.”
“Do you think someone can get to me here?”
She shrugged. “I won’t lie. The cartel has ways of getting what they want if that’s who’s after you, but Alexi’s gone up against an organization or two. She knows how to hit back just as hard.”
“Is she mafia?”
“You’d have to ask her,” Corri replied and brought them to an elevator and inserted a key. “But you’re safe with her. You just have to be straight with her, and she’ll never screw over you.”
“Am I the type she usually goes far?”
“Innocent? No. She likes women who don’t get attached or not for too long.” Corri pushed the call button.
“Does she work in the clubs?”
“She used to do some scenes with women or men who wanted to, but not sex,” Corri told her. “That is what you’re asking?” The elevator door slid open.
“I’m just afraid she sleeps around.” Tatiana climbed in.
Corri laughed and pushed a button and the car lurched taking them up. “She’s been selective for a long time. I think she’s looking to settle down, but it’ll take a certain kind of woman.”
“What kind is that?” Tatiana asked curiously.
“The kind of woman who isn’t afraid of her life and can give herself whole-heartedly without looking back.” The door slid open, and Corri stepped out. “I guess it’s something your grandmother knows a little bit about, but Alexi’s life isn’t nearly as dangerous.”
Tatiana followed her to Alexi’s playroom and waited while Corri unlocked the door, slipped inside, and dumped Tatiana’s overnight bag and small suitcase next to the chair. Then, she checked out the room.
Afterwards, Corri got out her phone and dialed a number. “Hey, Alexi,” she said. “Are you here in the club? … No. Okay.” Corri looked at her then. “Alexi wants to know if you’re staying the night.”
“I’d like to.”
“Did you hear that?” She smiled. “Yeah, I’ll take care of her. Peace. Out.” She ended the call. “Alexi’s out, but she’ll be back in a few hours. Can I get you something?”
“No. I think I just need some time alone.”
“I’ll be outside. I’ll knock before I come in. If you don’t hear a knock, assume it’s not me.”
She nodded, eyes wide. She could protect herself if it came down to it. Her power was stronger than it had been even a week ago, which puzzled her.
Witches didn’t have power surges. They gained in strength mostly from experience.
“All right.”
Corri left her alone, and Tatiana went to the bed to sit down. She kicked off her shoes and leaned back against the mountain of pillows. The bed had been straightened in her absence, and a basket of fruit occupied the dresser.
She rubbed her arms as her thoughts drifted to Alexi. Her life wasn’t anything Tatiana had imagined for herself, not completely.
She wanted someone who made a good living which would allow her to follow one of her dreams, to be a mom and housewife. She knew it was antiquated in this day and age, but she didn’t want to work.
She did because it gave her the independence she’d craved from her parents. With a wife, she’d imagined she would still have some independence while caring for her family and doing some charity work.
Tatiana released her hair from its chaste knot and ran her fingers through the thick corkscrew curls. Ewan had wanted her to straighten her hair like April, but she’d refused. She liked not having to deal with chemicals. Anyway, she knew they wouldn’t tame her hair long.
Tatiana closed her eyes, thinking of what Corri had said about her grandmother. She knew what her grandfather was and stood by him. Her mother stood by her father even though Tatiana often wondered if they still loved each other.
She never wanted to wonder if her wife loved her, and she wanted to be able to give her trust and loyalty to the woman she married.
Tatiana’s eyes drifted closed, and she saw herself with Alexi, knowing… She drifted off to sleep.
****
Alexi smoothed her fingers along the soft curve of Tatiana’s face and turned away from her. She didn’t really care about Rayne, and as far as she was concerned, she didn’t owe him a damned thing.
Alexi could find this Judas on her own and execute him, but the man did deserve to know there was a target on his wife’s back. He probably wouldn’t believe her.
She pushed out a harsh sigh, but she would make sure he got the message.
She input Felix’s number and waited two rings before he came on the line.
“Alexi,” he said curiously. “I don’t imagine it was hard for you to get my number.”
“I have a message for you, Felix,” she said. “Rayne actually. Five by Five is gunning for his family. His wife and granddaughter Tatiana are the immediate targets.”
“How’d you find this out?” he asked.
“The guy’s name is Judas. He’s one of yours I hear, but I don’t know who, and I doubt the guy would have told me if he had known Judas’s real identity.”
“Are you certain I have a traitor in my ranks?”
“As certain as I can be,” she told him.
“That you’re bringing this to me must mean it’s true.”
“What’s true?” she asked belligerently. The cat raised its head, and she turned finding Tatiana watching her with sleepy eyes.
“That you’re sleeping with Tatiana or at least have appointed yourself her protector.”
“Does it matter?” Alexi demanded.
“Not to me,” Felix drawled. “She’s a beautiful girl who coul
d give our two organizations an alliance, but I think Charles will have a problem with you,” Felix told her.
“I don’t care what Charles thinks,” she replied. “The only reason I’m even talking to you is because I felt I owed it to Tatiana in case she cared about her family.”
“I’ll let him know,” he said. “Perhaps you should keep Tatiana with you to avoid issues later.”
“I agree.”
“I’ll let you know when I have him,” Felix said. “And Alexi, I’ll give you a pass on this one if you find him first as long as you let me know who he is.”
“I’ll let you know if I hear anything, but I won’t be looking for him,” she said, lying smoothly. “That’s your shit, just make sure you clean it up before it makes a mess all over me.” She ended the call and set her phone on the dresser.
“Who was that?” Tatiana asked softly.
“Your grandfather’s boss,” she said slipping her hands into her pockets. “I came across some information about the men who attacked you last night.”
Tatiana sat up. “Alexi.” She patted the bed.
Alexi joined her, facing her. “I guess you’re tired.”
“What I’m tired of is being sheltered,” Tatiana said softly. “Tell me everything you did and what you were just telling Felix, and who he is.”
Alexi told her everything she’d asked to know without holding back, and when she was finished, she expected Tatiana to shrink from her, to run, but she didn’t.
She looked down and reached out to rest her hand on Alexi’s. “You killed because of me?” There was wonder in her tone that surprised Alexi.
“Yes.”
Tatiana leaned toward her and kissed her gently. “Thank you.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
“Aren’t you—don’t you despise me?”
“No,” Tatiana said with a little smile. “They were going to come back for me, and someone else might still come after me. I trust you to protect me.”
Alexi cupped her face. “I will keep you safe, Tia.” She rested her forehead against Tatiana’s.
“I believe that.” She put her hand on Alexi’s shoulder. “Do you think Felix will make sure my grandfather knows what’s going on?”
“Yeah.” She nodded. “I could get you a suite at a hotel. I know this room is small.”
“You could take me home with you,” Tatiana suggested. “I’m assuming you don’t live here.”
“Are you sure you want to do that?” Alexi asked.
“Yes.” She smiled. “Show me where your heart is.”
Alexi laughed. “My heart is right here,” she murmured.
“Well, show me where you unwind.”
“I do have an apartment here in the club. It’s bigger with two bedrooms and a little kitchen and living room. I spend most of my time there.”
“Take me there.”
Alexi climbed off the bed and grabbed Tatiana’s bags while Tatiana put on her shoes. Then, she led her out into the corridor where another woman waited for them.
Alexi handed off one of the bags before taking her to a private elevator and up to another floor. This one had two doors on it.
“Galli, go ahead and get moved in up here with Corri once we’re inside. I’ll be here all evening.”
“Right away,” she said. “I’ll coordinate with Zoe to get two other guards up here.”
Alexi unlocked a door and motioned Tatiana inside. Lights came on automatically, flooding the entry. Tatiana walked through into a spacious living area that flowed into a kitchen.
“I’ll leave the bag here,” Galli said. “And I’ll lock up.”
“Thanks,” Alexi said and picked up the suitcase and led the way to a large bedroom with a queen bed and several small windows along the wall up high.
The room was simple, sapphire blue and silver predominating with hints of red in the throw pillows on the bed. The dresser’s square mirror reflected her disheveled appearance back to her.
Tatiana could tell this was where Alexi slept because it held the same hints of vanilla, and the small framed pictures on the wall screamed comfort of home.
“You sleep here?” Tatiana asked as Alexi set the bags down next to a chaise.
“This is my room, but I can put you in the guestroom if you prefer.”
“No.” She shook her head. “I want to be with you.”
Alexi gave her a smile. “The fridge is stocked, which means I can make us dinner in a bit.”
“We can do that together.” She ran her hand up Alexi’s chest, and a soft purr drifted to her ears that she couldn’t ignore.
There were witches who could shapeshift, like Veda. And there were witches whose connection with their animal totem was so strong they could merge their consciousness with them for a short time.
Tatiana had never learned the art. Her mother thought it was too primal, too beneath them. However, that didn’t mean Alexi wasn’t one such witch or just one such woman who’d learned to tap into animal energy.
Care had to be taken when using animal energy or one could become part animal. Maybe that’s what had happened with Alexi.
Alexi studied her. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Like what?”
“Like you’re trying to see inside my head,” she said evenly.
“I was just thinking how you make the cutest purring sounds sometimes.”
Alexi took a step back from her, and Tatiana snorted.
“Oh, really?” Tatiana asked, mocking in her tone.
“I have a washer and dryer here, too,” Alexi said. “I’ll show you where that is.”
“Alexi.” She hurried after her, grabbing her arm as they reached the door. “I was—listen a minute.”
“What?” Alexi pulled away from her and faced her. Her expression was impassive.
Tatiana sighed. “I’m a witch.”
“I already know that,” she replied calmly. “So, what were you trying to do? Use magic on me?”
“No. I-I wouldn’t do that to you unless it was to save your life,” Tatiana said. “I was thinking that you must have mastered the ability to shapeshift.”
Alexi frowned. “Seriously?”
“It could happen.”
“I know that,” Alexi replied. “But have you ever seen it up close and personal?”
“N—yes. Only once, but she was a witch.”
“Right. Well, I’m not a witch, Tia.”
She nodded. “Okay.”
Alexi stepped back from her and shook her head. Tatiana didn’t know what to say, and the air around her sparked with color.
Tatiana’s breath lodged in her throat as clothes tore, the bits of fabric showing sleek russet skin that became black. She blinked, and when she looked again, before her stood an animal clothed in black, green eyes staring at her.
Stunned, her mouth fell open, and her hand went to her lips. The cat watching her had intelligent eyes.
The animal came toward her, slowly closing the distance until she was toe-to-toe with her. Then she butted her head against Tatiana’s hand.
“Alexi?”
The cat chuffed.
“Okay,” Tatiana said and rubbed her head.
Her pelt was shiny in the light. The ebony the same as her hair in human form. However, there was a scar on one ear, and the necklace still hung around her neck.
“You’re beautiful,” she murmured. “Are you a true shifter? I’ve heard about the race, but my mother doesn’t really think highly of you.”
Alexi’s response was a low growl.
“You’re your animal, and your animal nature is a part of you all the time,” Tatiana told her. “She thinks it makes you less intelligent.”
Alexi surprised her then by tipping her head back to nip her finger.
Tatiana gasped, and Alexi shifted back.
“Your mother doesn’t know anything about us,” she said darkly and went to the closet.
“That’s probably true. I mean in the stric
test sense, but she knows the basics.”
Alexi came out of the closet wearing a polo shirt, the buttons open, and a pair of casual pants.
“You know, you’re kind of a hot cat,” Tatiana teased.
Alexi winked at her. “So are you.” She headed into the other room, and Tatiana followed.
She watched as Alexi went into the kitchen and poured herself a drink. “Can I get you something?”
Tatiana shook her head. “No. Why do you think someone wants to hurt me to get to my grandfather?”
“Honey, this isn’t just about your grandfather, I don’t think,” she said. “Do you think Ewan would have you attacked?”
“No.” Tatiana shook her head. “My mother said she thought he was working for my grandfather. I think his father was working with my grandfather.”
“Laundering money through the cleaners,” Alexi murmured.
“I don’t know.”
“What school did Ewan go to?”
“Princeton. His dad wanted him to go there.”
“Is he your age?”
“He’s a year older. Why? Did someone say he was behind this?”
“No.” Alexi took a sip of her drink, but her expression was taut.
“You have to tell me,” Tatiana insisted. “We can’t work if you’re going to wrap me in cotton-batting, Alexi.”
Alexi lifted her brows at her. “Work?”
“I mean—damn it you know what I mean,” Tatiana snapped. “I thought this might go somewhere, and I thought you thought that, too.”
“I do,” she said, her face filled with surprise. “I just didn’t think you wanted to do anything about it.”
“If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be here,” Tatiana retorted. “I thought the fact I came back here to you made it clear I’d made up my mind.”
Alexi took another swallow of her drink. “Assumptions are like assholes.”
“Well, now you know. No need to assume.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
“I don’t understand you,” Charles said with a glare at his daughter-in-law. Everyone had gone home leaving the family to their grief in peace.
His son was seated on a chair in the living room while Melissa stood staring him down as if she was ready to claw his eyes out. April and his wife sat quietly as they always did, watching the show.
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