KILLIAN'S MOON (BOOK 12) (RISE OF THE ARKANSAS WEREWOLVES)

by Jodi Vaughn

  Blood poured out of the wound. He quickly applied towels against her chest to stem the flow.

  “Hold this and I’ll give you some more wine.” He pressed her hand against the blood-stained white towel and stood.

  He grabbed her glass off the bedside table and poured more wine into it.

  He wished he had something stronger for himself.

  He walked over to the bed and handed her the wine. “Drink this and I’ll bandage you up.”

  She did as he asked and drained the contents of the glass. She handed him the empty glass back and eased back onto the bed.

  She looked up at him with trust in her eyes. It shook him to his core.

  He sat on the bed and pulled out some bandages. He pulled the towel away. The blood had already stopped flowing. With her healing powers of being a werewolf, the wound would be completely healed in a few days.

  He focused on wiping the dried blood away and covering the wound.

  “You make a pretty hot doctor, Killian,” Lilliana said softly. Her words were starting to slur.

  He grinned. “Do I now?” He taped down the bandage and picked up the supplies. He set everything on the bedside table.

  “Yes. You do.” She poked him in the chest and blinked slowly. “If this Guardian thingy doesn’t work out, you should totally go into medical school.”

  “Right. I can totally see myself going to college.” He snorted.

  “You could. You could do anything. You’re really smart.” She nodded slowly.

  “And you are really drunk.” He shook his head.

  She frowned. “You don’t think you’re smart?” She grabbed his arm and forced him to look at her.

  He shifted his weight on the bed. “I am a Guardian, Lilliana. I use my hands and my strength for my job. Not my brains. Besides, I was told enough times growing up that I shouldn’t aim too high.” He forced a laugh.

  Old ghosts of insecurity rose up in his mind before he could banish them.

  “Your parents told you that?” She frowned.

  “My father did. Enough times. My mother didn’t really take an interest in me. She was too concerned with her parties and social standing.” He shrugged.

  “Then they must be eating their words right now. To see how far you’ve rose.”

  “I have no idea. I haven’t seen them in years.”

  “What?” Just like that, the frown was back.

  “It’s easier this way. Besides, the males I work with are my family.” That wasn’t a lie. Lorcan and Brutus were closer than brothers to him.

  “And you have me too.” She smiled and reached for his hand. She laced her fingers through his and closed her eyes.

  “Hang on. Let me get you comfortable.” He reached down and pulled off her boots. “Jeans too?” He looked at her for permission.

  “Yes, please.” She smiled sleepily.

  He tugged her jeans down past her feet and tossed them on a chair in the corner. He took his boots and shirt off. He left his jeans on and crawled into bed with her and covered her with the throw on the end of the bed.

  She smiled and curled her body into his, fitting against him perfectly.

  He sighed and let himself drift off to sleep with her at his side and in his heart.

  Chapter 29

  Killian woke before the sun came up. He eased his arm out from under Lilliana’s head and grimaced at the soreness in his neck.

  He wasn’t used to spending the night with a female. He’d always left after sex. With Lilliana, he found himself wanting to linger.

  He gazed down at her lying peacefully in the bed. Her dark hair framed around her face, and her long eyelashes rested against her cheek as she lay lost in sleep. He slowly moved the blanket to look at the dressing above her heart.

  He gently untapped the bandage and peeked behind it.

  The wound was quickly healing. She would be healed quicker than he anticipated.

  She blinked and looked up at him with sleepy eyes. “How’s it look, Dr. Killian?”

  He grinned and trailed a finger down her cheek. “It looks great. Another day and there won’t even be a scar.”

  She smiled wide. “See I told you I could take a bullet.”

  He lost the smile. “Don’t even joke like that. The next one might not be steel. It could be worse.”

  “Silver. I know. Good thing those humans don’t know werewolves exist.” She shrugged and eased up on the bed.

  “Wait. Where do you think you’re going?”

  “I need to get up and cook breakfast for the guests. They’re expecting it.”

  “Oh, hell no. You’re doing no such thing.”

  She frowned. “But Mrs. Spell is expecting it. I’ve never called in and never miss cooking a meal that I was scheduled to cook.”

  “Then you are overdue for a break.” He pulled back the covers and tucked her legs underneath. “Now you lie here, and I’ll make sure she knows you are sick.”

  “Wait, you can’t do that. Why would you be telling her I’m sick? We’re not even supposed to really know each other. She’s going to think something is going on between us.”

  His smile widened. “Something is going on between us.” He bent down and kissed her lips.

  “She doesn’t need to know that. She has a strict policy of no cavorting with the guests.” She frowned as she shifted her weight in the bed.

  “Good. I’m not exactly a guest. I’m undercover. So we can cavort away.” He smiled broadly.

  “I need to get up.” She sat up in bed and grimaced.

  “Stop right there. I’m not letting you go anywhere. I’ll lock you in this room if I have to.” He walked over to the door.

  “The door unlocks from the inside, so there’s that.” She cocked an eyebrow.

  He growled. “Look, just don’t leave this bed, okay? Can you do that for me?” He turned and stared hard at her.

  “Fine. If I get fired, I’ll just go to work making donuts for the donut shop down the street.” She glared.

  “Perfect. I love donuts.” He grinned and headed out the door before she could respond.

  He strode toward the main house of Monmouth. The light was just turning purple and gray, signaling a start to another day. The air was cool and sharp and felt good against his skin. Despite last night’s disastrous recon, he felt hopeful.

  Lilliana was okay, and that’s all that mattered to him.

  He walked up to the back door of Monmouth and opened the door.

  Mrs. Spell was standing in the kitchen, making a pot of coffee.

  Her eyes lit up when she saw him. “Killian, I didn’t expect you to be up this early. The coffee will be ready in a minute.”

  “Thanks, Mrs. Spell.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I actually was looking for you. Not the coffee.”

  “Oh, really?” She turned and gave her full attention to him. “What can I do for you, my dear?”

  “It’s Lilliana. I ran into her outside, and she’s really sick. She’s not going to be able to make breakfast for the guests this morning or dinner tonight.”

  Mrs. Spell’s brows furrowed. “Oh dear. That’s a problem. I’ve never canceled a meal for my guests before.”

  “Well, you don’t want her cooking. Not with whatever virus she has going on. It could spread to the guests, and they would give you a poor rating on the website.”

  Mrs. Spell’s eyes widened.

  “Can’t you just cancel?” he implored.

  “I’m afraid not. I suppose I can make do this morning with a basic breakfast of eggs, bacon, and toast. But I have no idea what to do about dinner. I already have eight guests confirmed for tonight.”

  “Just cater it.” He shrugged.

  Mrs. Spell let out a gasp. Her hand flew to her chest. “Cater it? I could never do that.”

  “Why not? They are from out of town, they’ll never know the difference.”

  She lifted her chin and pressed her lips into a defiant line. “I would know the difference, Kill
ian.”

  He fought the urge to roll his eyes. “Fine. I’ll cook it.”

  “You?” She frowned.

  “Yes. Me. It can’t be that hard.” He shrugged. “Besides, I’ve cooked meals before.” It was a total and complete lie. He had only grilled a steak or two in his life, but if cooking dinner meant Lilliana had time to recover then he was about to become a top chef.

  “I don’t know, Killian. Our guests come for an experience. Not some every day meal they can get at home.”

  “Trust me. it will not be an ordinary meal. Just leave all the details to me.” He gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. She turned and poured herself a cup of coffee.

  “Fine. You cook dinner tonight. But it better not be a bomb. Or Lilliana gets fired.” She narrowed her eyes and headed into the sitting room.

  He pulled his cell phone out of his jeans pocket and punched in some numbers.

  “What do you want?” Brutus growled over the phone.

  Killian sighed and swallowed his pride. “I need your help.”

  Chapter 30

  “What the fuck is this about?” Brutus scowled and placed his hands on his hips.

  Killian clapped him on the back playfully. “Dude, I told you I needed your help.”

  “You didn’t fucking say it was to cook dinner.” Brutus growled. “I drove my ass hours to get here because I thought you needed backup.” Brutus glared. “Killian, you told me you needed backup.”

  “I do need backup.” Killian shot him a smile. “I need backup in the kitchen.”

  Brutus glared. “I’m an Assassin, not a pussy foot baker.”

  “Shush.” Killian frowned and pressed his fingers to his lips. “Keep it down. I don’t need the whole house to know what we are.”

  Brutus gave him a bored look. “Killian, how the hell did you get in this position anyway? This has nothing to do with the recon that Barrett sent you on.”

  “It has everything to do with it.” He closed the kitchen door and glared at Brutus. “And if you don’t mind, could you keep your voice down?”

  Brutus sighed then eased into a chair at the small kitchen table. The wood creaked under his weight. “Fine. But you tell me how me helping you in the kitchen is part of the mission.”

  Killian rubbed his eyes. “I found the connection between the bakery and the drugs. The Natchez Bakery owner is paying someone to make these big cakes, Hummingbird Cakes, and is using them to transport the drugs.”

  “Then we need to take down the person baking the cakes and the owner of the bakery.” Brutus stood. “Have you told Barrett about this information?”

  “No.”

  Brutus rounded on him. “Why the hell not?”

  Killian held out his hand and took a breath. “The female baking the cakes had no idea her cakes were being used for smuggling drugs. She’s innocent. And we can’t take down the bakery owner just yet because I haven’t tracked down where they are transporting the drugs. After dinner tonight, I plan on going back and following them to their destination.”

  “And tell me again why we are concerned about cooking dinner?”

  Killian gritted his teeth. “Because the baker of the cakes, who happens to be a Were, is also the cook here at Monmouth. She was with me last night, and she ended up getting shot.”

  “Fuck, Killian. Are you crazy? Bringing a female with you?” Brutus eyes blazed.

  “I had no choice. She’s very stubborn,” Killian countered.

  A slight sneer tugged at Brutus’s mouth. “Now I see.”

  Killian frowned. “Now you see what?”

  “You have found your mate.” Brutus snorted.

  “Mate? What the fuck is wrong with you. Lilliana is not my mate!” He growled.

  Brutus’s eyebrows shot up. “So, her name is Lilliana.”

  Killian scrubbed a hand down his face. “Brutus, will you stop acting like an asshole and help me with dinner?”

  Brutus stared at him in silence. Killian was pretty sure Brutus was going to tell him to fuck off.

  “This female is the one that usually cooks?” Brutus asked.

  “Yes. And she needs to keep her job. That’s why I told the owner that I would cover dinner.”

  “Why the fuck didn’t you just have it catered?” Brutus glared.

  “I told her I would do that, but the owner refused to have something brought in. She says she wants to create a dining sensation for her guests, and they expect a home-cooked meal.” Killian forked his fingers through his hair.

  “And you called me. Why didn’t you call Lorcan? He makes those fancy pants dinners all the time.”

  Killian studied the floor. “I tried. He wasn’t answering his phone.”

  “So I’m sloppy seconds. I knew you were an asshole.” Brutus crossed his arms.

  “But you’re also a good cook. Remember that meal you cooked for us when we were in the woods tracking down that serial killer? We ran out of food, and you found and killed that squirrel and cooked it over a campfire?” Killian smiled. “That was one of the biggest squirrels I’d ever seen and the tastiest.”

  “You dumbass. That wasn’t a giant squirrel. It was a fucking nutria rat. I swear you can’t remember shit.” Brutus scowled.

  “A rat? Are you sure? It had teeth like a squirrel.” Killian suddenly felt a little queasy.

  “I know a fucking nutria rat when I see one. I was trying to catch a ground hog, but that sucker was too fast for me.” Brutus shrugged. “So I grabbed the rat. Meat is meat.”

  Killian closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

  “Look, we need to cook dinner tonight. I can’t do it alone. I need help.”

  “I’ll do it. But after dinner, we are tracking down those drugs.” Brutus pointed at Killian. “And don’t think your girlfriend is off the hook. I’m going to be doing my own investigation since you’re too close to the situation.”

  “Whatever, man. Just help me get dinner done and out of the way. Where do we start?”

  Brutus blinked. “First. We need to get some meat.” He gazed out the kitchen window. “I think I know where I can get some.” He opened the back door and headed outside.

  Killian rushed to the door and poked his head out. “No rats, Brutus. No rats.”

  Chapter 31

  Lilliana shifted in the bed. She glanced at the fading daylight and then at the time on her cell phone. It was dinnertime.

  Killian had checked on her throughout the day, bringing her something to eat and seeing if she needed anything for pain. She slept on and off for the rest of the day, but now she was itching to get out of bed.

  She eased up on her elbows without feeling any pain. She pulled her shirt up and slowly peeled back the bandage that Killian had so carefully applied.

  The wound was healed, leaving behind a slight red mark. In another few hours even, the mark would be gone.

  She smiled and pulled the dressing off her chest. She threw back the covers and stood.

  Her stomach growled. Suddenly, she was ravenous.

  She smiled. She would head on to the house and see what kind of meal Killian had prepared for tonight’s guests. And maybe get some for herself.

  After a quick shower, Lilliana put on some jeans and a long-sleeved, red T-shirt. She tugged on her boots and grabbed her keys off the counter.

  After locking the door behind her, she made her way toward the house.

  The cool night air played with her hair and tickled her face.

  She loved spring. It always made her think of new beginnings and that anything was possible. And now, since meeting Killian, it made her think of…love.

  She stopped in her tracks as the L word popped into her head.

  She shook her head and curled her fingers into fists at her sides.

  “No. Don’t even put that in your head, girl. He’s not the one for you. He’s someone important. He has a demanding career, and he’s not the kind of male to settle down.” She groaned. Not only had she developed feelings for Killian,
she was losing it and talking to herself as well.

  “Perfect,” she muttered to the night.

  “What’s perfect?” a deep male voice asked.

  She jumped and turned. “Damn, you scared me.” She pressed her hand to her heart.

  “Didn’t mean to. Was just getting some air after dinner.” The large male stepped into the light near the back door.

  Her stomach dropped. She inhaled. He was a wolf too.

  She let her gaze drift down his large body. He was the same height as Killian, just a little stockier where Killian was lean and muscular.

  This stranger had a military style haircut, and his eyes were dark brown. He wore a black T-shirt, dark jeans, motorcycle boots, and leather fingerless gloves.

  He had the same look behind his eyes that Killian had, but everything else about him was different.

  “So, you are one of the guests for dinner? You must have arrived today,” she said.

  “No and yes.” He took his assessing gaze off her and stared out toward the gardens.

  “Excuse me?” She blinked.

  “No. I was not one of the guests. Yes, I arrived today.” He looked back at her and scowled. “Killian called me. Said he needed some help in the kitchen.”

  “You are a cook?” He looked more like a good-looking serial killer to her.

  “Something like that. I hear you bake cakes.” He lifted his chin and narrowed his cold eyes.

  “Killian has been talking about me to you.” Her heart fluttered. She didn’t know if this was good or bad.

  The back door opened, and Killian stepped out into the night. He stopped short when he saw her talking to Brutus.

  “Lilliana. You should be in bed.” Killian’s face creased with concern.

  “I actually feel a lot better.” She looked from him to Brutus and then back at him. “Let’s say there are no residual effects of my illness.”

  “You mean the gunshot wound is completely healed,” Brutus said.

  Her eyes widened.

  “It’s okay. He knows. He’s in the same line of work as me.” He lowered his voice as he spoke.