Fallen Protector

by Tl Reeve

  “Good, you’re awake,” Gabriel said, taking a seat. “Wouldn’t want to cut into your beauty sleep.

  The man’s lip curled. “Fuck you.”

  “Charming.” Gabriel glanced up at Rafe. “Why don’t we cut the bullshit? Who do you work for?”

  “I don’t have to say shit,” the guy said.

  “You’re right, you don’t.” Rafe took a seat next to Gabriel. “You’ve been read your rights.” He shrugged his shoulders. “But, you should know, your partner, James Escobar, he rolled over like a bitch in heat. He blames this whole thing on you.”

  The man sat back. “Fuck that, puta. He was always a little bitch, anyway. Since you got the info from him. I want my fucking lawyer.”

  “Can do,” Gabriel said. “You should know we’re going with two counts of first-degree murder, five counts of kidnapping, five counts of distribution of a controlled substance, several counts of drug paraphernalia, and five more counts of attempt to distribute a controlled substance. Also, your friend, James, will be getting immunity from the government for his cooperation.”

  Rafe stood then Gabriel. “Good luck, Mr. Orozco. We’ll get you to a cell then you can call your lawyer.”

  The man licked his lips. “Wait! I might have information for you.”

  Gabriel sat back down. “Go on.”

  Felix sat back and closed his eyes. “You’re here because of the murder in the field. Yeah?”

  Gabriel’s gaze snapped to Rafe’s. “Go on.”

  “Yeah, I knew it,” Felix stated. “What if I gave you information on that shit?”

  “Depends on what you know,” Rafe said, returning to his seat.

  “You think she’s a victim, you’re wrong.” The air of superiority surrounding Felix grew until Rafe thought he’d choke on it. “She’s part of this. She’s the leader. She along with her two bitches are the ones who lure men.”

  “They weren’t lured anywhere,” Gabriel said in a low tone.

  “Not this time. No. They found your men in a coffee shop. Hit them up. The rest was easy.”

  The realization of what happened pounded through Rafe’s veins. “Why them?”

  The guy shrugged. “Why not? They were sloppy. Had kids with them. They were more worried about the kids with them than themselves.”

  “How did they find Aurin and Bain?” Gabriel asked.

  “Tracker.” Felix shrugged. “Put it on the kid’s backpack without them seeing. Don’t believe me, there are videos of it. Of Saoirse injecting your people with Éviel. She got off on watching them fuck each other. Got off more when they fucked the dead girls. Of course, they weren’t dead when they were fucking. She killed them afterwards to keep the women from getting pregnant. She clipped the other two, Linsey and Heather’s vocal cords because they screamed too much.” He laughed. “You think you know everything. You know nothing.”

  Rafe rushed out of the room. He called the hospital where all three women were located and talked to the officer on duty. “Arrest Saoirse. Don’t let her leave. Don’t let her near the other two women. She’s our suspect.” When he got off the phone, he hurried down to the other interrogation room and knocked on the door. When Maxwell answered, he reiterated everything Felix told them.

  “Son of a bitch. Are you fucking serious?” Maxwell’s features twisted in rage.

  “Serious as a fucking heart attack. Felix says there are videos of the attack,” Rafe answered.

  “We have the connection to Kendrick, too,” the guy said. “You’re not going to like it.”

  “Didn’t think I would,” he replied. “What is it?”

  “When we ran Saoirse’s information, a blip came back. Looks like Kendrick is her uncle on her mother’s side.”

  The ground fell out from under Rafe’s feet. “What?”

  “Yeah, surprised us, too. We didn’t say anything, because we didn’t want to alert her or Kendrick that we knew,” Maxwell replied.

  “Next of kin have been called.”

  “Not hers,” Maxwell answered. “We said we did, again, so she wouldn’t be tipped off.”

  “I’ve had her arrested and the other two women protected from her,” Rafe announced. “Can’t have her getting out.”

  “I agree.”

  “So, what is Kendrick’s connection to this, besides being her uncle?” Rafe hedged, still hoping beyond hope his boss was one of the good guys.

  “Honest?”

  “No, lie to me,” Rafe replied in a droll tone.

  “Asshole. I think he’s trying to protect his niece.” Maxwell shrugged. “I think he knows she’s in deep and is trying to get her out.”

  “Won’t work,” Rafe grumbled. It also made Kendrick a liability. He couldn’t continue to head their division due to his bias. However, it made sense now why he’d want in on this case. “She’ll be going away for a long fucking time.”

  The guy nodded. “Oh, I know. But, at least we have closure here however shitty it is.”

  Rafe winced. “True. I’ll let Gabriel know.”

  “Hey, tell him this as well, we have a higher-up’s name. Yegor Orlov,” Maxwell stated.

  “Bratva?” Rafe scrunched his brows. The name had been around for years. Until now, Rafe thought of him more as a shadow than a real threat. No one knew what he looked like. No one had actually seen him anywhere near shifter initiatives. Still, he’d been a known figure in black market circles. He primarily dealt in arm deals and drugs. His ships could be found at the ports in New York. Which made shipping contraband easier for him.

  “Yeah. We need to get that info to Adrian.”

  “On it. But, Bratva?”

  “PBH, man. What can I say? The greedy bastards will go where the money is. I think if we can get him, we can finally break PBH’s back.” Maxwell stepped back in the room, sending Rafe back to Gabriel and their suspect, Felix.

  Wait until I tell Gabriel.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Gabriel and Rafe stepped through the sliding glass doors of the emergency room. Since receiving the information on Saoirse, they’d dug a little deeper and came up with a few loans she hadn’t been able to pay off, from a couple of unscrupulous characters. Her need to stay alive outweighed her morality. But there was more. When he thought back to Aurin and Bain’s last moments, he’d felt her excitement. Her verve. He’d also experienced her hate. Watching Gabriel’s friends be abused and mutilated, turned her on.

  She’d been the perfect decoy for them.

  After showing their badges to the nurse on duty, they took the elevator to the seventh floor. When the doors opened, the heavy presence of law enforcement greeted them. Each room had two guards, while Saoirse’s had four. According to the information they received, the two other women found with Saoirse were doing as well as expected and each were three months pregnant.

  The knowledge twisted Gabriel’s gut.

  After showing his badge to the guards at Saoirse’s door, he stepped inside with Rafe. The woman lay in bed, her head turned to the window. Her left hand had been cuffed to the bed as well, so she couldn’t go anywhere. They couldn’t take any chances. Gabriel cleared his throat as he closed the distance between them.

  “Miss Gabbard,” he said, coming up next to her bed. “We have some questions for you.”

  “I don’t want to talk to you,” she said, while continuing to stare out at nothing.

  “It would be easier if you did,” Rafe prodded.

  She snorted and turned over. “You know the truth. Or what you think is the truth.”

  Gabriel frowned. “I’m psychic. I saw it all. But, you can fill in the holes.”

  “You think I want to help you? You’re not even worthy to be speaking to me, you’re trash. Subhuman. You’re even more damned then a simple animal.”

  Her vile words were a smack in Gabriel’s face. Rage burned through his veins. “The only sub—”

  “Miss Gabbard,” Rafe said. “You’re under arrest for eight counts of first-degree murder, eight
counts of being an accessory to first-degree murder. You are also being charged with six counts of kidnapping along with manufacturing and distributing Éviel.”

  She laughed. “Do you think any of those charges will stick?”

  Rafe leaned over the bed and grinned. The evil, predatory expression shocked Gabriel and had the desired effect on Saoirse as well. “They will. We’ll make sure of it.”

  She gasped. Her hard exterior cracked then began to crumble.

  “You’ll be transferred to Bay State Correctional Facility within the hour. From there, you’ll be able to call your lawyer, and you’ll be given a trial date,” Gabriel said, before exiting the room.

  She laughed. “I’ll never stand trial. I’ll be out of this room quicker than your poor little PRA agents could scream for mercy.”

  Gabriel launched himself at her only to be stopped by Rafe. His mate kept his tone low, soothing as he spoke to Gabriel. “Not even smiting her would be good enough punishment. Let her continue to believe she’ll get out of here.” Then he said louder, so she could hear him. “She’s a liability to PBH. She’ll be lucky if she makes it to jail. Let alone sees a judge.”

  She screamed in rage. “You’re lying! I’ll show you. I’ll be back! I’ll make sure all of you suffer!”

  Gabriel snorted. “PBH’s schtick is getting old. You guys should try changing it up.”

  They walked out into the hallway, and Rafe stopped him. “You okay?”

  He shook his head. “No. But, I will be.”

  Rafe wrapped him in a tight hug. “Come on, it’s late. Let’s go grab a bite to eat then go back to the hotel. I have a feeling tomorrow is going to be much harder than today.”

  “I have a feeling, you’re right.”

  ****

  Gabriel woke to the heavy weight of Rafe at his back. After spending the day doing paperwork and going over the evidence pulled from each site, he’d fallen into bed, asleep before his head hit the pillow. Of course, Rafe woke him in the middle of the night, his raging erection rubbing Gabriel’s rear until they found relief in each other’s arms. The whole worry of not being able to knot, Rafe might have expressed to Gabriel, was dispelled the minute he locked inside Gabriel and couldn’t move.

  It seemed his wolf would be an odd one, only revealing itself when they were wrapped in each other’s arms.

  Laying there, in his mate’s embrace, Gabriel tried to digest everything Rafe told him the night before about the case. Bratva. It shouldn’t have surprised him. Russia interfering in anything going on in America was a given. No matter how many times the government had been warned, they stood idly by as money flowed to influential people and was pumped into PBH without notice.

  He also should have been happy to know they’d caught three of the main people who killed Aurin and Bain, but he knew there was more to it. He knew that the distribution warehouse also played into what happened along with the burned-out carcass of a laboratory. They hadn’t even worked through half of the information found at the destroyed lab. What the rest of the paperwork would reveal, taunted Gabriel. He needed more answers. Needed to do more. He supposed it was good thing they were staying on to complete the open murder investigations. It gave him more time to nail PBH’s proverbial ass finally. It would also give families closure and those who were shifters, a chance to rest easily.

  It might be wishful thinking on his part, but he also hoped when they were done, PRA wouldn’t have to exist. Sure, there’d always be orphans, but if PBH didn’t exist, they’d all be able to live in peace without fear.

  Rafe stirred behind him and tugged Gabriel closer to his body. “You’re thinking too hard.”

  Gabriel grinned. “Only about the case. We have so much more work to do.”

  “Are you having second thoughts?” Rafe nuzzled his neck before nipping at his mark.

  “No.” He rolled over. “I’m thinking about how long this might take, and if you’ll be okay with a baby tagging along.” Liar. Halo was his. Wherever he went, so did his daughter. It wasn’t the best way to raise her, going from murder scene to murder scene, living an almost nomadic life, but when all was said and done, she’d know her father did what it took to make them all safer.

  “Halo.” Rafe pressed his lips to Gabriel. “Once everyone goes home, it’ll only be us.”

  “My point,” Gabriel murmured. “You sure you’re ready to be a father?”

  Rafe raised his shoulder. “I wasn’t ready to fall, but here I am.”

  “True.”

  “Kid’s a different thing, though.” Gabriel glanced up at him.

  “Sure is,” Rafe agreed. “However, I have a feeling, we’ll do just fine.”

  “You’re always optimistic.”

  “It’s to balance out your pessimism.” Rafe kissed Gabriel again, pulling him flush to Rafe’s body.

  Gabriel let loose with a rumbled groan as he lowered onto Rafe’s thick erection. “Are you trying to distract me?”

  Rafe grinned as he began to move. “Is it working?”

  He gasped. “Yes.”

  “Good.”

  Sometime later, a knock came at the door, waking Rafe. He glanced at the clock on the nightstand and frowned. Shit. They’d overslept. Natalie had kept Halo for them, and he figured she’d have brought the little Nephilim to their room by now. The knock came again, and Rafe untangled himself from Gabriel. His mate groaned then rolled over, curling into Rafe’s pillow before falling back to sleep.

  Rafe threw on his shorts before answering the door. “You’re late.” He peered up at the person standing before him and frowned. “You’re not Natalie.”

  “No, I’m not. Thank fuck.” The guy folded his arms over his chest. “She told me my brother was over here. Where is he?”

  “Sleeping,” Rafe said. “Which sibling are you?”

  “What’s it to you?”

  “Bay, knock it off.” Gabriel sat up and yawned. “What are you doing here?”

  The guy pushed his way into the room. “You didn’t think I’d let you have all the fun did you?”

  “Because looking at dead bodies is ‘fun.’” Gabriel grabbed his jeans and threw them on. “You could have stayed home.”

  “What fun is that?” He leaned against the dresser where the flat screen had been mounted. “Besides, you know me; sometimes, I have to stretch my legs.”

  “Did you drive out here?” Gabriel scrubbed his head before snatching up his shirt.

  “Yeah, I did. Gave me time to think.”

  “I hate to interrupt this little reunion,” Rafe said. “But, what the fuck is going on here?”

  Bay turned to Rafe and clapped his hands. “Glad you asked. Since your call home, I thought it would be a good idea if I came out here to help you.”

  The call home he’d been referring to, had been Gabriel telling his parents and uncle he and Natalie would be staying on to close out the remaining cases. Rafe hadn’t counted on the youngest sibling to show up out of nowhere to assist. However, they could use it to their advantage as an extra pair of hands and eyes. Plus, the kid had a bigger chip on his shoulder than his team, and that was saying something.

  “Won’t Poppa and Hombre miss you?” Gabriel asked.

  “Nah, I can help find orphans out here, too. Not like my job is a difficult one.” Bay sized up Rafe. “So, this the one? The mate?”

  Rafe narrowed his eyes. “You got a problem with it?”

  Bay lifted his hands. “None. Just surprised. You’re not his type.”

  “I don’t have a type,” Gabriel grumbled.

  “Yes, you do.” He turned to Rafe. “Yes, he does. They’re shifter groupies.”

  Rafe popped a brow. “I’m not a groupie.”

  “Thank fuck.” Bay playfully punched Rafe in the shoulder. “Damn, dude, what do you press?”

  Another knock came at the door moments later, and Gabriel answered it. There stood Natalie with a crying Halo. His sister appeared exasperated and completely frazzled. Her hair was a
mess. She had purple sleep-deprivation bags under her eyes.

  “See, told you she needed you,” Bay said pointing to their sister.

  “You,” Natalie started, pointing at Bay, “shut up. You-you brat!”

  A moment later, Shax appeared, shirtless and out of breath. “Where’d he go?”

  “Where did who go?” Rafe asked.

  “The bastard with the white hair and tattoos,” Shax snarled.

  Bay leaned around Rafe and waved. “Hello again.”

  Gabriel groaned. “Bay, what did you do this time?”

  “Nothing.” He shrugged. “Well, maybe nothing.” He sighed. “Look, I wanted to surprise all of you. So, I got here and asked for a key to a room I thought you and Natalie would be sharing. Little did I know–”

  “Don’t say it!” Natalie screamed, handing Halo to Gabriel. “Don’t even speak it.”

  “How was I supposed to know?” Bay grumbled. “Both of you can be a little prudish. I figured I’d wake you up. Not find—”

  “Shut up!” Natalie shoved Bay. “You’re-you’re an asshole!”

  “But you love me.” Bay booped her nose.

  “I’m going to kill him.” Shax reached for Gabriel’s younger brother.

  “No, you’re not.” Rafe stared at him. “Not yet, anyway.”

  “Why is the rugrat crying?” Bay pointed to the baby in Gabriel’s arms.

  “She has a name, dingus. It’s Halo.” Gabriel walked over to the small fridge and pulled out a pack of milk. He slipped it into the microwave then hit 30 seconds and start. “She’s also my daughter.”

  “Our daughter,” Rafe added. “She’s Nephilim.”

  “And wolf.” Bay touched his nose. “I can smell the little pup.”

  “So, what’s your psychic ability?” Shax asked.

  “I don’t have one. I’m all wolf.”

  “Must suck for you,” Shax replied with a smug smirk.

  Bay winced, and Rafe could tell Shax’s words stung. He cut his gaze to Gabriel who shook his head as he put the warm bottle to Halo’s lips. “You work with orphans, right?”