by Crissy Smith
“I’ll talk to the commander first thing in the morning,” Cody told them. “With all this information and what Sal is bringing us, we should be able to convince him that this is urgent.”
“Do you really think he’ll agree to look into this?” Sam spoke up for the first time.
“I do,” Cody assured him. “This is what the Coalition was founded for. To protect shifters. Yes, we police our own kind to keep humans safe, but we also need someone looking out for shifters.”
“I should have said something sooner,” Sam said quietly.
“It’s not your fault. There were enough problems to have tipped us off to look into it before. That’s in the past and we can’t change it. Now we just have to do whatever is in our power to help,” Cody told him.
Sam sighed before nodding. Luca leaned closer to Jade. “We need to look into his ex-partner. See if we can get him on our side.”
“That’s a good idea,” she whispered. “Having inside information would really help.”
“I’ll try to get Sal to contact him. My brother has pull with the agency that not even the Coalition does,” he said.
Jade grinned. “It seems like this brother might just come in handy.”
“Sure, with the investigation,” he groused. “But he treats me like I’m still sixteen. It drives me crazy. When he found out I got shot on my last assignment he flew down here to confront Zak.”
“Really?” she laughed. “I would like to have seen that. Zak doesn’t seem like the type to be intimidated by anyone.”
“He isn’t,” Luca agreed. “It was quite funny how Zak riled Sal up.” He’d been so embarrassed when Sal had yelled at Zak. Zak had shrugged it off and acted as though it didn’t matter. When Sal had found out that Zak was interested in Abilene he’d cornered Zak and given him ‘the talk’. Abilene was important to Luca so she was considered part of the family. She’d joined him several times when he’d gone home to visit and they loved her. At the time Luca had found it amusing but now that it was about to happen to him he wasn’t so happy.
“I look forward to meeting him,” Jade told him.
He groaned. She had no idea what she was in for.
“I think we’ll break into smaller teams and work each case at the same time,” Cody stated. “Right now we only have Cole and Jade’s office files but hopefully we’ll get others. So we’ll all be picking up more than one here soon.”
“How do you want us to split up?” Jamie asked.
Jamie specialized in missing persons and would be an asset. Luca would love to work with Jamie on this.
“You have the experience. Why don’t you take the FBI and ATF for your team,” Cody suggested. “Zak’s team and the wolves will take one, and mine will take the third.”
Everyone in the room nodded in agreement. Luca would get a chance to work beside Jamie and also Jade. That couldn’t have worked out any better.
“Jade, why don’t you email what you have to everyone and we can get started. We’ll work here for a couple of hours so we have even more intel to give the commander. If anyone has any resources they can call, use them. Right now it might be unofficial but I don’t think too many people will question us,” Cody ordered.
“We’ll spread out in the kitchen,” Zak said standing. “Cody, why doesn’t your group take the dining room and Jamie’s can remain here?”
Jade was already busy typing on her laptop, probably emailing her file to the others, so Luca stood. “I’ll get us some more drinks,” he offered.
As the three different units separated, Luca really had to give them credit. These agents were using their free day to start an investigation on their own in order to help others. He was glad he’d brought up his concerns.
He pushed open the kitchen door and saw that Brady and Mitch already had their computers starting up. Zak stood at the counter, filling the coffee pot. “I’ll bring some out when it’s brewed,” Zak told him.
“I’ll just grab some bottles of water for now,” Luca said. He did that, but when he turned to go back to the living room Zak had stepped in front of him.
“You doing okay?” he asked quietly.
“Yeah, sure,” Luca replied, surprised. He was fine and he wasn’t sure why Zak was asking.
“It’s a lot to deal with. You’re not even fully healed from the last assignment and now we’re taking this on. I don’t know how the others feel, but I think this is going to be a battle. The FBI isn’t just going to roll over and let us look into their agents. Even with the commander’s say. It could get dangerous,” Zak said.
“You’re probably right but I have to see this through,” Luca replied.
“Just make sure you’re careful.” Zak pointed at him.
“I already have one big brother on the way so I don’t need another,” Luca teased. He was touched that Zak cared about him but he knew how to handle himself.
“I’m going to let you comparing me to your brother go,” Zak said with a scowl.
Luca just smiled before he walked past him to join his team. Zak lightly slapped the back of his head, shocking Luca.
He passed Cody’s unit in the dining room. The area didn’t get a lot of use as far as Luca knew, but there was plenty of room for the birds of prey division.
Jamie had moved to one of the recliners and had some papers spread out in front of him. Luca passed him a bottle of water before rejoining Jade on the couch. She had kicked her shoes off and was sitting cross-legged with her laptop.
She was gorgeous, giving all her attention to whatever she was doing.
“What can I help with?” he asked.
Jamie passed him over one of the pages. “See if you can find any names in there that we might be able to contact. Preferably shifters. They’ll probably be more than willing to talk to us. Especially if they know something is going on.”
“Got it,” Luca said. He read through the report looking for names of any of the other agents who had been with Shannon Barber before she’d gone missing. He pulled out his notepad and started to work on who might be able to assist them. He’d first need to find out whether or not they were shifters. He hoped to find something important.
* * * *
Luca pulled his SUV in front of Jade’s house and peered at the small brick home. The green grass looked full and rich. The porch light was on, illuminating the white wicker furniture she had placed under the large pane of glass. The curtains were currently closed but if he lived there he would keep them open to view the glorious area.
“This is it,” Jade said before yanking the door handle to climb out.
He’d agreed to go home with her when they’d been leaving his place so he’d packed a bag with a few days’ worth of clothing and his toiletries. Now that he was there, though, he was a little nervous. She’d seen his pathetic little apartment and now he was faced with her home. From the look of the outside he could only imagine how nice the inside would be.
“Are you coming?” She peered in from the open passenger door.
“Of course,” he said and smiled. The more time he spent with her he was really starting to question what she saw in him. He was from a small town that was mainly occupied by relatives. He worked for the ATF because he enjoyed blowing shit up. He hadn’t had many friends before he’d met the Coalition guys and he was feeling just a little lacking. Jade was brilliant. Back at Zak’s house she’d easily connected two names to all the cases. She’d only read through the files Zak and Cody had but had remembered the names of the agents involved in the assignments.
Her catch had saved them all time and given them a direction to start looking in. Sam had even known one of the men and had told them how he would have seen him with his ex-partner. That concerned all of them. As glad as he was for the break in the case, Luca was feeling just a little bit self-conscience. Jade was obviously brilliant and he didn’t know how long he’d be able to hold her interest. He wanted her with every part of him, his mind, body and soul. Hell, even the coyote insi
de seemed to calm when he was in her presence. Luca knew that was a sign of deep trust. There was just something about Jade that he recognized had potential for turning into a serious relationship. If he didn’t mind putting his heart of the line. And he wasn’t certain if he’d be able to. He’d never been in love before.
“Luca?”
Realizing that he had to make a decision, he pushed open his door then grabbed his bag from the back. After he slammed the door closed he strolled around the front of the vehicle to join her. She stood on the sidewalk waiting for him.
“You okay?” she asked with evident concern.
“Sure,” he said. “I guess I’m just a little nervous.
She jolted. “What about?”
Why had he said that? He wanted to groan. But he might as well tell her everything. The worst that could happen was that she’d send him home. Maybe that would be for the best. It would only be more painful if she realized later that he was boring. “Well, for one thing… This.” He waved his hand at her home.
“My house?”
“Yeah, it’s beautiful. I have nothing to compare to it. My apartment here is empty but my condo isn’t that much better and I don’t have any excuse for that. I’ve lived there for five years!” he exclaimed.
“You just haven’t found a place to put down roots. That doesn’t mean you’re lacking in any way. Hell, it might be perfect. If things work out between us you can move in with me. I love my house,” she told him.
“Move in?” he teased. “I just might take you up on that.”
She giggled before growing serious again. “That’s not all that’s bothering you, though.”
“No,” he admitted. “Want to sit?” He motioned to the porch chairs he’d admired minutes before.
“Sure.” She turned and strolled up the steps. She set her bag by the front door before pulling out one of the chairs to sit on.
He set his bag beside his seat and settled across from her.
“What is it? I thought we were getting along pretty well. Is it the thing with your brother?” she asked softly.
“No— Well, I’m not happy about you meeting him. Like I said, he forgets that I’m a grown man and I don’t want you to see me the way he does. I know I can be immature but I do make my own decisions,” he answered.
“I have fun with you, Luca,” she assured him. He believed she did but he just didn’t think that it would last.
“I don’t want you to get bored with me,” he confessed.
“Bored?” she gasped. “Are you kidding me? I watched the training video of you and the Coalition the night before we met you. As soon as I heard your voice and listened to how much fun you were having I couldn’t wait to meet you.”
“That won’t last. You’ll eventually get tired of my antics. Everyone but Abilene does.”
She was up on her feet in an instant. Before he knew what was happening she came around the table and planted herself in his lap. He grunted as she dropped down. Not because of her weight, but because he hadn’t been expecting it.
“You’re crazy,” she told him.
“And you’re very intelligent. Not only are you working for the FBI but you have your own research department in shifter behavior. What you know is probably ten times more than me, and I’m a shifter.”
“Luca.” She cupped his face. “I like everything about you. All my life has been dedicated to gathering as much knowledge as possible. I’ve never been good at just letting go and enjoying myself. It’s one of the reasons that while I’m a field agent I also specialize in another department.”
“Okay.” He wasn’t sure what she was getting at but she was looking at him like she expected a response.
“So I need you to make me have fun. I want your power and passion in the bedroom and your sharp mind and quick wit outside of it,” she explained.
That actually made him feel pretty good. “Yeah?”
“Yes,” she agreed. “So why don’t we go inside and you can get that incredible body of yours to nail me to the closest flat surface.”
He was hard in an instant. Even as much as he was shocked by her words, his body was ready to follow the order. He tightened his arm around her waist to pull her closer. “How about a small sample?” he asked. He didn’t give her time to reply. Instead he latched his mouth to hers.
She opened for him, allowing him to thrust his tongue inside. She moaned and he swallowed the sound.
“I love kissing you,” he said when they parted.
“Well, by all means. Who am I to deny you the pleasure?” she murmured before moving back toward him.
“If we don’t go inside right now I’m going to fuck you out here in full view of all your neighbors,” he told her seriously.
She grinned. “Really?”
“Let’s not find out,” he replied. He stood, picking her up easily, and stalked to the front door. “Keys?”
“Front pocket of my bag.”
Damn, he had to put her down in order to reach her bag. He set her on her feet before bending to pick it up. He searched through the pocket until he found the small key chain. He quickly unlocked the door before turning back to her. He held out his hand. She grasped the handle of his bag before moving to him. He took his pack from her hands then set it down beside hers right inside the door. Yanking her closer, he fastened his lips over hers.
As they kissed he moved her farther into the cool interior of the house. Another reason to keep their lovemaking out of public. Blessed air conditioning. He slammed the front door closed, but instead of backing her into it he gently pulled her to the floor.
Luckily, her entryway was carpeted so when their knees hit the ground there was cushion. He started to undress her slowly. When he had to remove his mouth from hers to pull her T-shirt over her head she gasped.
“You’re so hot,” he told her.
“You too,” she said. “I need you naked now.” She pushed his hands away and started to unsnap her pants herself. Luca matched her article for article until they were both bared.
He ran his gaze over her body as she laid back. Her tan skin was already glistening with a fine layer of sweat. He bent and captured her pert nipple between his lips. She arched her back, pressing into him.
“Touch me,” she pleaded.
No problem there. While he sucked her, drawing out soft cries, he ran his palm down her stomach to her wet folds. He brushed over her a couple of times before sliding his fingers from her folds. With two digits he entered her pussy.
She moaned long and low.
He pumped his fingers in and out several times.
“Please, Luca, now.”
Luca lifted his head to peer down at her.
“I want you,” she murmured.
He slid his hands to her hips and lifted her. Scooting closer, he positioned himself at her entrance. He slowly pushed in between her folds and penetrated her. He drew out just as slowly so that she felt every inch of him. He was proud of his full eight inches. He wanted to take his time. The previous times he’d made love to her they’d had passion and heat. Now he wanted to show her how much he cared.
“More,” she demanded.
Luca only shook his head. He thrust just as gently until she was fully wrapped around his cock. Her inner muscles clenched around his hard member. He groaned in pleasure.
It was wonderful. This feeling of complete connection between the two of them. She lifted her head and glared at him.
“Luca!”
He grinned and withdrew at the same pace. She growled as she pushed her hands under her and lifted. She repositioned herself on his lap. “Now I’m in charge,” she told him.
It wasn’t what he’d had planned but he could work with this. “Go ahead.”
Gripping his shoulders tightly, she rose up, causing his cock to slide out before she dropped back down. He held onto her waist but allowed her to set the pace. She rode him hard, head back and eyes closed, until he had no choice but to buck up and meet her bod
y each time she slammed back down.
They rocked, panting and gasping, until she screamed, crying out her climax. Luca held her close, finally thrusting until he reached his own release.
She blew her hair out of her face. “It just gets better and better.”
He chuckled. “I’m really considering asking you to marry me again.”
“Oh God!” she groaned. “Don’t start with that again.”
“You should have seen your face,” he told her. “It was classic.” It really had been.
“I would punch you but I’m too tired,” she claimed.
“How about a shower and then bed? We’re going to have a long day tomorrow with the added benefit that you get to meet my brother.”
“Oh yippy,” she joked then she yawned.
“Up you go.” He pushed her off his lap.
She grumbled but eventually climbed to her feet. She held her hand out to him. He accepted the offer and soon they were both standing in her front entryway naked. “Tour?” he asked.
“The kitchen is back through there.” She waved behind them. “Living room and a restroom down here.” She tugged him along. “I’ll take you to my room. The other rooms up here”—she started up the stairs—“are my office and the guest bedroom. Explore all you want. Just after I fall flat on my face in my nice comfortable bed.”
“You got it,” he told her. He tried to take in everything as she pulled him along. Her carpet was a light tan and went well with the cream colored walls. The house wasn’t big but she had plenty of room. He liked the homey feel to the place.
Her bedroom door stood open and they entered. The bed was unmade and did in fact look very soft. The comforter was black but the light sheets matched the color of her walls.
There were several pictures on the wall, all done in black and white. There was the Eiffel Tower, Brooklyn Bridge, Golden Gate Bridge and some other places he wasn’t close enough to see yet.
“I have an attached bathroom here so we can shower together,” she told him.
“We’d better get to it before you fall asleep in there,” he teased her.
