The Sigma Menace Collection

by Marie Johnston

  Dane, they found us! They shot the tires and have us surrounded.

  Through Irina’s mental connection, he could see both her and Dani with handguns firing out their car windows.

  How many?

  At least five, mostly recruits. They’re getting closer.

  We’re almost there.

  Shit. The bars had closed and a group of recruits probably spotted the car as they drove by, recognizing the vehicle as the type Guardians used, maybe even recognizing Dani from her days as a recruit.

  “I sent a message to Mercury. They were on their way back already, so he’ll get to the lodge as soon as possible.” Rhys’ knuckles were white on the wheel from gripping it tight.

  Fear rode Dane hard as he watched the buildings fly by. They were almost there, he just hoped they made it in time. If anything happened to the females or the baby, it would be devastating for the entire pack.

  Gunshots popped nearby, they were close. Stupid recruits. Even in this neighborhood, gunfire would draw the police. Not that quickly, but they’d still make an appearance.

  Rhys screeched to a stop and they both hopped out, shedding their clothes. In this industrial section of town, there were no residential witnesses to watch some wolves rip apart more than a few humans.

  Dane shifted and sensed Rhys shifting behind him. They both took off, stalking the recruits who were targeting their loved ones. Rhys veered off to the left around to the car that blocked the front of Dani’s sedan, while Dane went for the recruits in the vehicle behind them.

  One recruit snuck up alongside the sedan. Irina was leaning out the window, firing over the hood of the car. Dane barked a warning. The recruit lunged to grab her arm. She twisted, using her free hand to yank him close and whack his head against the car frame. With her shifter strength, she secured him by his throat with her arm and jerked. His neck snapped and the body dropped.

  The two recruits Dane was stalking were distracted by the sudden fall of their compadre. He used the distraction to jump on one’s back to take him down to the concrete, knocking the weapon out of his hand. Dane turned to the other recruit before he could level his gun and shoot.

  Dane almost didn’t make it in time, but Irina had recovered enough to take her aim at the standing recruit. Her shot hit the man in the shoulder a millisecond before Dane latched onto his neck. His teeth sunk into the recruit’s skin until warm, acrid blood filled his mouth. The recruit fell limp with a sickly gurgle. Dane didn’t worry about the other recruit he knocked down, trusting Irina to cover him.

  He had switched to concentrating on the recruits attacking from the front, covering Rhys as he swiftly dispatched the threat. When silence fell, and none of the shifters could sense any remaining recruits, Irina climbed out of the car while Dani whipped around in her seat to check on Dante.

  “Ohmigod,” she said, “he slept through the whole thing. Should I be worried?”

  “No, dear.” Irina calmed her through the open window. “Babies can sleep through a marching band, but wake up to a mouse sneezing. As long as you don’t see any injuries, just let him rest. The hospital visit just tuckered the little guy out.”

  Dane flowed back into his human form, seeing Rhys had already changed back and was loading bodies into the trunk of the first car. Dane followed suit, with Dani and Irina joining in. They made quick work of the clean-up and were able to take off just as they heard the wail of sirens in the distance.

  Rhys drove one of the recruits’ cars since they couldn’t fit all the bodies into one trunk. Dane drove the SUV, and they bracketed Dani and Irina in their car. The recruits’ other car could be answered for by Sigma if the police were able to trace it.

  They made rapid progress back to the lodge without further incident. Dane’s gaze pressed to the road, he exuded calmness, but his insides were in turmoil. He and Irina had worked seamlessly together, just like old times. It should be exhilarating, but all he dwelled on was what would’ve happened if he’d lost her. How devastated Mercury would be if something horrible occurred to Dani or Dante. How the whole pack would’ve suffered. All those protective instincts, to keep Irina safe and destroy anything that threatened her, no matter the cost, welled up.

  As they drove up, Mercury paced outside the front door of the lodge, his expression pensive. By the time Dani pulled to a stop, he was pulling the driver’s door open, his features filled with immense relief as he helped her out and pulled her into a hard embrace, before reaching in to unbuckle a sleeping Dante and hold him close. He looked up to Irina, the silver in his eyes had stopped swirling.

  “Thank you, Irina.” His voice cracked. “I can’t thank you enough.”

  With a reassuring smile, Irina came around and put a hand on his shoulder. “We take care of our own, wildling.”

  Mercury sought out the commander. “I’m taking them to the cabin.” He didn’t wait for a response, didn’t wait for Rhys to give him permission, but turned away with his mate and child, leaving cleanup to the rest of them.

  Bennett was already hopping in the recruits’ vehicle. He’d go to the fire pit and unload the remains before taking the car out and dumping it, probably on Sigma property. He was notorious for leaving notes like: Black car: $10,000; Five recruits: $8,000; Burning your POS car and recruits: Priceless.

  Irina was heading back to their cabin, while Dane couldn’t help but watch Mercury walk away with his family.

  Rhys came up next to him, not saying a word. The male hadn’t felt the need to exert his authority over Mercury because to Rhys, they did this job to keep shifter families safe. Family came first, then the pack, then duty.

  Dane had been a completely clueless asshole. Watching the Santini family walk away holding each other, Dane couldn’t believe how stupid he had been. All this time, he’d been ridden by duty, determined to keep his pack and family safe. Instead, he’d left Irina at the most vulnerable time in her life. Hell, in both their lives.

  He should’ve stayed, cared for her, waited until she recovered, before he sought his revenge. She’d have probably even gone with him. Instead, he let the guilt he felt for failing his family, leaving them vulnerable, spur him into immediate action. He had felt the best thing he could do for Irina at the time was to hunt down every perpetrator and wipe them off the face of the earth. But he should have stayed by her side, mourning with her, easing her pain…being a mate.

  Even the previous night, he’d left her on her own to deal with Parrish’s attack, foolishly thinking that just because she was physically okay, she didn’t need any extra attention from him.

  “Rhys, I need to be with Irina.” And following Mercury’s lead, he left without waiting for permission.

  Irina had almost reached the cabin when she heard Dane approaching her from behind. She turned to face him, worry creasing her forehead. “What’s wrong?”

  He stopped in place about twenty feet from her, only wearing his black t-shirt and sweats, not bothering with shoes after changing back to a human so he could drive. “I’ve been a horrible mate, Irina.”

  “Oh?” His confession had robbed Irina of words.

  “I wasn’t there for you. I get that now.” He gestured in the direction of Mercury’s cabin. “It took a male who wasn’t even raised by our kind, and has barely been mated over a year, to show me how blind I’ve been.”

  Ah. Irina never thought this day would come. Dane had been all duty and honor ever since she’d met him as a young Guardian pack leader. It hadn’t bothered her, until that day. Then every day after, her anger toward him ate away at her deep love for him.

  Truth be told, she wasn’t blameless, either, wrapped up in her anger and despair. He’d tried to get her to open up, tried to help, but she’d kept him locked out. “We’ve both been blind to our faults,” she finally admitted.

  Dane’s mouth drew up in a sad smile. “I’m afraid I win the award, though. You know, not too long ago I told Bennett that I thought we lived so long because it takes us longer to get our heads out
of our asses.” He offered her a sheepish smile, his eyes shining with emotion. “I proved that theory right.”

  “We both did, Dane.” Irina ruefully shook her head, and sighed. “All those years…wasted.”

  “I understand why you didn’t tell me about your writing, or the extent of your success. You’re absolutely correct about what I would’ve done.”

  “I know and that’s okay.” Irina’s shoulders slumped. “Turns out, it’s done exactly what the council would’ve feared it would do. Brought danger to our door.”

  Dane closed the distance between them, rubbing her upper arms, his warm hands feeling so good on her bare skin. “We’ll get him, Irina. And save your career while we do it.”

  She looked up into his eyes, the green hue deepened, a sign he was aroused. Her breath quickened as she became aware of how much desire had built within her.

  “You were amazing tonight, mate. I haven’t seen you fight in forever.” He sounded wistful, like he missed witnessing her in battle.

  “Well, I’ll have to remedy that then.” She purred, embarrassing herself at the provocative sound that came out.

  “We have unfinished business from the other night.” Dane’s own voice deepened a few octaves, making Irina shiver.

  “We do,” she agreed breathlessly.

  Dane picked her up, swinging her into his arms and strode toward their cabin. “I’ve got to tell you, I may come just taking my pants off, it’s been so long.”

  Irina’s heart skipped a beat. “You mean you haven’t…?” She stopped, afraid to finish the rest.

  Dane wore a quizzical frown. “Haven’t what? Stepped out on you? Just for physical satisfaction?” He shook his head in disbelief. “I’ve royally fucked up if you think I could turn to someone other than you.”

  “I did wonder, I’m sorry. You’re still a virile shifter male after all.” Now she felt awful for doubting her mate.

  “Why do you think I swim so much? I didn’t plan what you saw me do on those rocks just to tease you. It’s a daily occurrence. Sometimes three times a day. Memories of how hot we used to be have kept me going.”

  He’d known she was there that day watching him, the naughty male.

  Once they got into the cabin, she twined her arms around his neck and murmured against his mouth. “I guess we’ll have to make new memories.”

  Grabbing her butt and pulling her close, his erection pressed against her belly. She reveled in the luxury of his mouth on hers. It had been just as long for her and she might just join him in climax before clothing removal.

  His taste…her tongue danced with his and it was so much better than memories. He was heat, and desire, and she couldn’t get enough.

  Dane growled, the sound reverberating through his body. His hands bunched her sundress up, lifting to remove it. They broke their kiss as the dress went over her head and he drank in the sight of her.

  Self-consciousness rose, she wanted to cover her abdomen from his perusal.

  “Don’t even think about it.” He nearly snarled. “You’re gorgeous and those scars are only a sign of how strong you are. A memorial to our family.” When sorrow threatened to invade her desire, her mate put a stop to it. “And I’m going to lick every last one.”

  Yeeessss. Dane dropped his knees, laying gentle kisses along her stomach until he reached one scar, then true to his word, he sensually licked every last raised silver slash on her belly. Unsure what he would do when he was done, Irina was insanely pleased when he continued to lick his way down, separating her folds until he found her center.

  Gasping at the first firm swipe of his tongue, she knew it wouldn’t take long for her to reach her finish. Dane knew it too and lapped at her ruthlessly until she clutched his shoulders, one leg slung around his back, gasping and crying his name while she shuddered her release.

  He stood, readying to strip himself down when she stopped him. “My turn.”

  His jaw worked as if wanted to argue, impatient to have his way with her, but she’d waited just as long as he had for them to rekindle their romance.

  Lifting his shirt off, she ran her hands down his solid chest and chiseled abs. She’d always loved her male’s body. So strong, so capable, and the pleasure he could give…

  Stretching the waistband of his pants past his erection, she slid them down his legs, dropping to her knees.

  “Sweet Mother, Irina,” Dane exhaled, “you don’t know how long I’ve fantasized about this.”

  “As long as I have, my love.” Irina swirled her tongue around the tip of Dane’s shaft; it jerked under her fingers. She licked down the entire length and back up again before enclosing her mouth around his width.

  Groaning, he gave a short thrust into her mouth, tunneling his fingers through her hair. “I’m not going to last much longer,” he warned her.

  I’m ready for you. Irina opened her mind up to the pleasure still thrumming through her body.

  Dane went rigid, his release made its way up his shaft, emptying into her mouth as Dane hissed her name in ecstasy.

  Swallowing every last drop of her mate, she peered up at him through her lashes and licked her lips.

  “Fuck, Irina. We need to do this more often.” Helping her up, he picked her up again to head to one of the bedrooms. He chose hers based on proximity and dropped her on the bed, landing on top of her.

  She wrapped her legs around him, hugging him closely. They crashed their mouths together as he placed himself at her entrance; she rose to meet him as he thrust forward. The fullness shocked her and Dane stilled, allowing her to adjust to his girth.

  “How about at least two or three times a day?” she asked coyly.

  He smiled down at her and she rocked her hips. They settled into an easy rhythm, enjoying each other, letting the impending explosion build naturally as they savored being reunited.

  Soon she began to move faster, so he thrust harder and buried his head in her shoulder.

  Oh yes, please. Willing him to bite her, she drew her knees up higher, granting him deeper penetration. It was like he read her mind. Just as she was about to peak, he opened his jaw and clamped down.

  Shouting his name, touching his bliss through their connection, she echoed his cry as he combusted within her.

  When they drifted back down to reality, he was still half hard inside of her. When she undulated her hips, he cocked an eyebrow at her.

  She nipped at his lips. “It’s my turn to bite you.”

  Chapter 6

  “Don’t be nervous.”

  “I’m not nervous.” Irina adjusted her clothing and faced her mate. “It’s just that these are the first pair of pants I’ve ever worn.”

  “Want me to help you out of them?” Dane’s husky tone implied he wasn’t teasing.

  She swatted his arm away from her pants’ clasp before she couldn’t resist him. “We’ll be late.”

  Dane sobered. “Are you sure you’re ready?”

  “Yes, we’ve been over this. Do you doubt me?” Irina meant to tease him, but her own doubts were creeping in.

  “Of course not. You’re ferocious, but this is something new, facing your stalker, trying to play him. I want to make sure you’re comfortable with every contingency plan we talked about.”

  Irina went to the mirror and twisted her fair hair up into a bun, sticking two painted mini chopsticks in to hold it in place. Taking in her appearance, she pondered how she had never looked so modern.

  They called in their resident personal shopper, Kaitlyn, who was more than willing to help update Irina’s wardrobe. There Irina stood, in a one-shouldered turquoise top and cropped jeans, with strappy sandals. She would look, for all the world, like a woman out enjoying the beautiful late summer weather by grabbing a cup of coffee and people watching.

  “We can’t plan everything. I’m ready, Dane. This male will not be allowed to tamper with my life.”

  Walking hand in hand down to the garage, Dane picked a car and they got in.

  �
��You know, I’m going to need to learn how to drive someday.” Irina had never before had a reason to get behind the wheel.

  “We’ll start today.”

  Dane explained everything he was doing as they headed to town. She listened with rapt interest, grateful for the distraction so worry wouldn’t churn in her gut the entire drive.

  Parking blocks from where they needed to be, Dane gave her a small kiss. He couldn’t go with her or he’d be sensed if her cyber-stalker was indeed a vampire.

  “The sun will be down in an hour. Keep your mind open.” Her longtime connection to Dane gave them the ability to not just speak to each other, but pass images like they did when she and Dani were attacked. It was as intimate as intercourse.

  Strolling through West Creek’s city center, Irina gave herself a few moments of enjoyment. How times had changed. Shifters could wander among humans, blend in and enjoy the same creature comforts as the dominant beings on the planet. Someday, Irina predicted, they wouldn’t have to hide, and they could mingle together as equals.

  But that day was not today, and the male who threatened her anonymity needed to be stopped.

  Irina sipped her tea at a small table on the patio of a quaint café. The pleasant ambiance encouraged relaxation and a sense of camaraderie with her fellow patrons. Chatter from the diner’s faded in her ears as she studied the humans ambling by. Every so often a shifter would drift down the sidewalk. Their eyes would meet, each would deliver a slight nod, and then go about their business. Fascinating.

  “Belle,” a masculine voice said from behind her.

  Startled and ashamed she let herself get caught off guard, she made sure not to turn too quickly and give away that information to her pursuer. Belle was her current pen name. She always used some part of her or her mate’s name in her pen names. She knew she shouldn’t, but couldn’t help it: Nina Lamey, Dana Wolf, Belle Ami.