“Dr. Crane usually sees his last patient at six o’clock, so I’ll call for an emergency after-hours appointment,” she continues. “That gives me time to put in an appearance at work, and it gives you time to calm the hell down. We’ll meet there at seven and talk to him like rational, sane adults.” I want to refuse. I really want to tell her that we’re going there right now, but I know she won’t agree to it.
“Fine. Seven.” Perhaps I agreed too easily. Maybe I should challenge her, but I don’t. Instead, I sweep my thumb along her cheek, reveling in the soft blush that darkens her skin. “At first, I wished you would just walk back out the door and leave me to my anger,” I tell her.
“And now?” Her question is so innocent, so fearful, and I wonder why.
I offer her a calm smile. “Now I want to do this.” I lean in and capture her mouth once more, savoring the flavor of her tongue on mine.
I move closer, tugging her against me as I feel every soft curve of hers fitting into every hard part of me. My hands grip her ass, causing a squeak to fall from her plump lips, and I steal it as well as her breath when I walk us toward the bedroom.
I didn’t want to come in here, but it’s time. I know I need to move on. By the time I reach the bed, we’re both panting. Clothes fly in every direction. Our movements are hasty and needy, and soon, I’m leaning over Mila, feeling her smooth skin against me.
“If you want to stop this, then you need to tell me now,” I warn her. “Because the moment I fuck you again, there’s no way you’re walking away.”
“Don’t stop,” she pleads softly, gripping me tightly and planting a kiss on my mouth.
Hovering above her, I glance into her pretty green eyes before snaking one hand between us. Feeling her body lift in response, I can’t but smile.
“I think someone needs my attention again. Don’t you agree?” I murmur, raising a dark brow in question. My thumb circles her clit, and my index finger dips into the tight heat that makes me groan. I work her gently, watching her face as it morphs from needy all the way to pure hunger.
“Just fuck me, Odyn,” she whimpers when I pull my finger from her. I paint her lips with her shimmering arousal, and lean in to lick it clean, tasting her from her mouth.
My hips roll, and I feel her pulsing around the tip of my dick. I inch in slowly, reveling in her sweet moans, and her erotic mewls. I steal her mouth and fuck her, pulling out and thrusting back in. Her legs wrap around my hips as she holds me close, trying to pull me in deeper.
“Fuck,” I grunt when she tightens her muscles around my shaft, causing all my control to fly out the goddamned window. “You trying to milk my fucking dick there, sweetness?” I growl, slamming her into the mattress.
“Yes,” she hisses as I pound into her again and again. Pleasure torches my flesh, my blood hot and needy. I suck Mila’s nipple into my mouth and bite down until her body draws my orgasm right from my soul.
“You’re a bad girl,” I tell her.
I expect her to say something sexy, but she leans in and whispers, “I hope my mother didn’t just see that.” A laugh falls from lips, and it’s only after we’re under the covers and she’s asleep in my arms that I speak the words on my mind.
“What are you doing to me?”
* * *
It’s late morning by the time we force ourselves out of bed. Sunlight streams through the window, forming a halo around Mila as she sits on the floor with her legs crossed, focusing. At least she’s attempting to focus, because it only lasts a few seconds at best.
“This is ridiculous. Nothing is coming to me,” she utters in frustration, which amuses me even more. As much as I should be guiding her, there’s something almost childlike in her innocence to this. However, I know this is going to be a situation of life or death soon.
“Focus on the body you saw at the lab. Think about how angry you felt, how your body started shaking.”
“I am,” she huffs out, crossing her arms in front of her chest, and I realize that’s what I need. Her anger.
“This isn’t a game, Mila.”
“Fuck, Odyn! I know that!” Her eyes widen when she snaps at me, and I watch in awe as she trembles. It’s visible even from where I’m sitting. She’s so strong that I fear they’ll sense she’s using her powers right now. I need her to calm the hell down and focus.
“Breathe,” I tell her. “Feel that energy; focus on the heat coursing through you,” I guide her, hoping it will work.
“I can’t!” She’s on her feet, moving so quickly I reach out to catch her, but the moment my fingers tap along her skin, the current knocks me breathless. “Shit, I’m sorry.”
“And this is why I’m trying to help you, Mila.”
The shrill ring of her phone echoes through the apartment. She stares at me for a long moment before answering. “Yeah?”
Her eyes meet mine, and I know there’s been another murder. I go to her, but she shrugs me off and grabs her keys. I want to stop her, but I can’t because my front door is open by the time she hangs up.
“I have to go, Odyn.”
“I’m coming with you,” I insist, making my way out the door when she stops me.
“Stay here. Nick can’t see you at a crime scene again. It’ll just cause unnecessary drama I’m not ready for.” With a quick kiss, she turns and leaves me staring at the front door.
* * *
“Answer the goddamned phone,” I grit out once more, slamming my fist into the kitchen door. It’s been four hours since I heard from Mila. I wanted to be with her at the crime scene, but it seems that Nick asshole managed to find a way to shut me out. I had every intention of arguing, but she planted a quick kiss on my cheek and told me to stay. Like I’m a fucking dog and she’s my master.
I know something is wrong, I feel it in my bones. Pacing the living room carpet, I focus on the here and now. If I can find her father, we can put an end to all this. I’m done playing games with the Elders. They’ve taken far too much, and it’s time they’re stopped.
“She’s coming back,” Mila’s mother’s voice comes from behind me, but I don’t turn. I can’t look at her. I’ve failed her in the most basic of fucking tasks. “Odyn,” she calls to me, and for a moment, she sounds just like her daughter.
“She walked out of here in a rush. She thinks I’m trying to manipulate her, but I just want to keep her safe. Mila has no idea what’s going to happen with the Elders. I’ve been around them before, and I know what they’re capable of.” I turn to face Mya. “I’m going to find her. She won’t end up like Lola, I swear to you.”
She smiles and nods. “I know. I know you’re good for her.” Her voice tinkles, and I can’t help but groan. I really hope she didn’t see us earlier. The moment I open my eyes, she’s gone. Picking up my keys, wallet, and phone, I’m out the door, hoping like hell I find Mila before Dr. Crane and the Elders do.
Chapter 14
Mila
At first glance, there’s nothing glaringly different about the city today. There are a handful of drunks roaming the streets armed with plastic cups guaranteed to spill beer on your shoes if you get too close. Irate locals are cursing at a tourist-fueled traffic jam as if it’s not a daily occurrence. Young professionals race by in power suits, trying like hell to make it back from lunch on time. It’s a typical workday for the normal people of New Orleans.
Except for me. I’m walking down Royal Street heading toward Pirates Alley to investigate the Cremator’s latest work.
With every step, my heart pounds a little harder in my chest, and my breath sounds more ragged. No crime scene is welcoming, but there’s an uneasy feeling settling on the other side of the flashing red and blue lights I can’t explain.
Something that almost makes me turn and rush back into the safety of Odyn’s arms.
But I can’t.
Not after the way we left things. It’s obvious Odyn and I have no problem communicating physically — it’s rationally that seems to be the problem. We’re
two very different people. I’m fiercely pragmatic, and he’s . . .
Well, he’s not.
This thing between us is new and as unstable as a house of cards. We both need some time to regroup before words are said that can’t be taken back.
I sigh, my footsteps slowing. I dreaded this call. However, I’ll admit that it came at the perfect time. Shaking my head, I dodge pushy vendors as I cross the busy street. Death is never a welcomed interruption, but this one had impeccable timing.
As I duck my head under the protective lining of the crime scene tape, that thought comes back to haunt me. My brisk pace slows to a dead stop a few feet from the scene as a pair of tiny feet stick out of the bottom of a smudged sheet.
“No,” I whisper.
I cover my mouth, my eyes blurring as the ten burned but still recognizable toes of a child become the center of my attention.
For the first time in weeks, I finally let it all in.
The destruction. The loss. The pain.
The pure unadulterated evil.
Swallowing a choked cry, I take a step forward, but stop as I’m pummeled with images from yesterday. Standing over our first intact body wanting answers, and then frantic flashes of panic when the victim defied all laws of nature and mortality, giving them to me herself.
Odyn claims I did that. I tore her from one world back into one she no longer belonged.
All because she was recognizable.
Like those toes.
“Number eighteen,” a low voice rumbles behind me.
I scream, spinning around so fast I fall into a pair of strong arms and a hard chest. Trembling, I’m unable to take my eyes off the striking tattoo on his upper forearm. It’s completely void of color, but it’s the design that causes me to catch my breath.
A skull with a raven perched on top, pecking a hole in the bone.
Simple yet chilling.
I want to push away, but the man’s touch is potent, his very essence suffocating. Against my better judgment, I tear my eyes away and glance up to see a familiar face, but the tension in my body doesn’t release. If anything, it intensifies.
“I’m sorry, what?”
“I said the victim is number eighteen.” When my lips part but no sound emerges, Nick cocks his head, an unnatural look twisting his features. “Everything okay, Mila?” His eyes flick from the hold I have on his forearms up to the gaze I have locked on his face.
“Uh, yes.”
No.
“Were you going somewhere?”
Yes. Away from here. Away from you, but I don’t know why. I don’t know myself right now, and that scares me more than anything.
“I . . . uh, I just remembered I left my badge at home.”
He taps the metal shield hanging on a gold ball chain around my neck. “You mean this badge?”
Shit.
I press my lips in a tight line, lowering my gaze to where he’s pointing. “I guess I forgot it was there.”
“I can see why,” he notes, shifting the edge of my sheer blouse to the side. I hold my breath, terrified he’s going to ask why I’m still in yesterday’s clothes when his fingers trace the other cord hanging around my neck. “This is new.”
I’m filled with irrational anger as Nick reaches for my amulet. Whether I believe in its powers or not is irrelevant. It’s the first and only thing Odyn has given me, and I won’t have it mocked.
“It’s for protection. It was a gift from a friend.”
“You don’t seriously believe in that bullshit, do you?” His full lips turn into a smirk. “Don’t tell me it’s from that crack psychic jackass. Come on, Mila. I thought you had standards?”
“I thought I did too, but then I married you,” I hiss.
The jab was meant to hurt, and I can tell by the way he recoils that it was a direct hit. I guess I should feel bad, but I don’t. Nick Deveraux is a good partner, but he was a shitty husband. A lying, cheating, shitty husband who couldn’t keep his dick in his pants for a full seven days of matrimony.
He nods toward the sectioned-off crime scene where the small body lie. “Too bad he didn’t have one of your little good luck charms. He could’ve used it. Maybe it would’ve prevented him from becoming a kid-ka-bob.”
I recoil at his emotionless barb. “Were you always this callous?”
“No more than you’ve always been. Or maybe this friend of yours has just turned you soft.”
I flinch. “He’s more man than you’ll ever be.”
As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I want to stuff them back in and swallow them into oblivion. It’s too late though. Nick glares at me, his eyes narrowing until they’re burning slits of accusation.
“You fucked him,” he says, drawing out the words while eyeing my clothes again. When I don’t answer, he chuckles to himself. “Well, I’d be careful if I were you, sweetheart. I hear the last woman who opened her legs for him didn’t fare so well.”
Hot anger streaks across my vision, and my hands fist at my sides. Before I can register my movement, I swing, connecting to Nick’s cheek with a splintering crack of bone and flesh. The minute I pull back the pain hits, sharp spikes of electricity pinging up my wrist all the way to my shoulder.
Crying out, I cradle my injured hand against my chest. “Leave me alone, Nick.”
I don’t know why I didn’t think to put space between us. I suppose the shock of hitting him coupled with the excruciating pain brought my reaction time down to shit level zero. Otherwise, I would’ve seen his retaliation coming.
At least I like to think I would have.
Everything seems to move in slow motion, but in reality it’s only seconds before one of his hands cups my jaw, his fingers pushing into my skin so hard it brings tears to my eyes. “I’m afraid I can’t do that,” he threatens much too calmly. “Some things are out of my control now.”
* * *
I’m pacing outside the entrance to the medical arts building when Odyn jogs toward me, scowling with his fists clenched by his side.
“You’re late,” I huff, spinning around and heading toward the entrance. I only make it a few steps before he grabs me around the waist, flipping me around and tugging me against his hard chest.
“You’re defiant!” he bites back. “Why aren’t you answering your phone? I’ve been trying to find you for eight fucking hours.” He’s breathing hard from his sprint, and the rhythmic contact is destroying my focus.
Breaking his hold, I take a step back just to grasp a clear thought.
I open my mouth to tell him about the fun-filled afternoon I spent filing a complaint with HR due to Nick’s strange behavior but quickly shut it. In the short time I’ve known him, I’ve come to understand Odyn Broussard a lot better than he’d like to think. As aloof and reserved as he likes to appear, there’s a possessive fire in him that’s quick to act and blind to reason. If I share my suspicions, he’d drag me away from here, most likely to chain me up in his apartment “for my own good.”
This isn’t his fight. It’s mine, and I won’t be denied the answers I deserve.
Swallowing my confession, I tense under his scrutiny. “Number eighteen was a kid. If he’s targeting children now, I’m not wasting anymore—”
I’m interrupted as Odyn’s free hand cups my cheek, his thumb brushing over my chin. When I wince, he does it again, this time with a softer touch accompanied by a glare that could melt steel. “What the fuck is this?”
“What do you mean?”
“Don’t.” The word is spoken with harsh clarity, leaving no room for misinterpretation. He’s pissed, and no amount of tap dancing on my part will dissuade him from pulling the truth out of me. “Why is there a bruise on your face?”
I shrug.
“Mila,” he says, his tone deceptively calm. “I’m not going to ask you again. There’s a side of me you’ve never seen — one I don’t care for at all. If you don’t start talking, I’ll show you why.”
I want to tell him. Every inst
inct I have begs me to be honest with the man who’s systematically breaking through all my walls and shattering my defenses. But I know if I do, he won’t think straight. He’ll go after Nick, and my ex will be all too happy to take a punch in order to press charges and put Odyn behind bars.
I’m lying to protect him.
“I tripped on the curb at the crime scene and fell.”
Cloudy gray eyes glare at me as Odyn releases my cheek and hip, his hands pulling my own forward and tipping my palms up. “No scratches.”
“What?”
“If you fell forward and hit your chin on the curb, it’s only logical to assume your hands took the brunt of the fall. Otherwise you’d be at the hospital right now getting stitches.” My eyes widen, and his darken with a glint of sadness. “See? I can be just as pragmatic as you, detective.”
I don’t have time to talk my way out of this. Time is wasting, and the clock is ticking.
Jerking my hands out of his, I flip my hand over and point to the gash on my knuckle. “For Christ’s sake, Odyn. I landed like this.”
“With a closed fist?”
“It broke my fall, didn’t it?”
And probably Nick’s nose.
Turning back around, I fling the glass door open. “Are you going to just stand out there all day, or are we going to catch a killer?”
Odyn mutters to himself as he follows me down the hallway. “This isn’t over.”
I have no doubt it isn’t. But I’ll deal with it tomorrow.
As long as I live to see it.
Chapter 15
Mila
“I have an appointment,” I announce to the receptionist as she hangs up the phone.
Cursed in Love Page 9
