by Kym Grosso
Chapter Three
After Sydney left the club, she drove directly to the station. She was used to working night shift, so even though it was midnight, she had plenty of time to get organized before she met with Adalee to get the initial findings from the autopsy. She was lost in thought when Tony slammed a wrapped cheesesteak on the desk. “Hey, Syd, thought you could use some food.”
“Oh, you do know exactly what a girl wants.” Sydney licked her lips and ripped the wrapping away. She bit into the sandwich, letting the onions fall down her chin. “Thanks so, so much! Mmm….messy, but soooo good.”
Tony shook his head, laughing. She looked like she was coming, not that he knew about that. He would love to have her just once, but he knew that was a line that he probably should not cross. Ever since he'd met Sydney Willows, he'd fought the urge to kiss her senseless and slam his cock into her, but he was pretty sure she didn’t date guys that often, and he was one hundred percent sure she didn’t date fellow cops. No use thinking about what he couldn’t have. Dragging his thoughts back to the case, he pulled out the file on the girl.
“Glad you like the sandwich, Syd, but you gotta eat quickly. Billings called an hour ago. She said she’s ready for us to review her initial findings and is expecting us in thirty minutes. Eat up. I gotta stop in and see the captain, then I’ll wait for you over by the elevator, so we can go down together.”
“Sounds good to me. And Tony…thanks for the steak sandwich. You're a lifesaver. Not sure what I would do without you.” Sydney was miffed after the incident at the club and couldn’t stop thinking about Kade. She was about to get her freak on with Tristan when that damn vampire came in and interrupted things. If he was a detective, she was the Queen of England. There was no way on Earth that guy was a rank-and-file detective. He was lying to her, and he was cocky. And shit, he was hotter than hell. Fuck. I have to get my shit together, get the vamp off the case, get some sleep, and then solve this murder. It was turning into the longest night she'd had in weeks.
After inhaling her food, she and Tony rode the elevator in silence, ready to get some clues from the coroner. As the doors opened on the basement floor, Sydney and Tony walked down the long, gray corridor that led to the morgue. The overhead lights flickered, providing a dim path to their destination. She had walked this hallway more times than she cared to count, but every time she did, the gray walls reminded her that she was there to face death. No amount of fresh paint could make it seem like just another hallway in the building.
She pushed ahead of Tony through the black double doors that led into the autopsy room. The smell of death hit her as the air wafted into her nose. It was something she never got used to, but it reminded her of why she became a cop. Someone’s life had been stolen. The girl was dead, and she would catch the bastard who did it.
“Hey there, Ada. So, what ya got?” Glancing around for a mask and gloves, she leaned over the body, inspecting the girl’s wrists.
“It’s a damn shame. This city is filled with some sick fucking bastards, but this one…he just…well, come see.” Adalee looked up through her plastic mask. She gestured down to the girl’s torso.
“She was tortured.” Sydney peered over the now naked body. The translucent skin seemed to float over the young woman’s muscles. Her body was littered with small cuts and marks, but none appeared to be deep. Sydney gritted her teeth and took a deep breath.
“That would be a yes.” Adalee took samples from the body as she spoke. “Not sure what made all the cuts, but it looks like she was whipped with something. Also cut with a small knife of some sort. And these,” she pointed to the girl’s wrists, “Looks like she was bound with rope. I found some fibers embedded in her skin, still waiting on trace. As for the cause of death, we’re looking at exsanguination. How she lost the blood? Not sure yet, but there’s no blood left in this poor girl’s body.”
“So we have a tortured girl who is drained of all her blood? Sounds like a vampire, which would mean we have to turn this case over to P-CAP. But there are no bite marks on her, so that means it could still be ours. What's the deal with the tattoos on her body, on her face?” Tony scribbled a few notes and glanced at Sydney.
“Well, it looks like he not only tattooed her face, but also something here.” Adalee pointed to the girl’s breasts. “This poor girl suffered before she died. I’m estimating that she’s been dead for a day or so but the water sped up decomp.”
Sydney pointed to the tattoo on the girl’s breast. “The tat…it looks like a sun, but the face, it’s strange. It's possible she got the tattoos on her own.”
“Maybe, hard to tell with the decomp. There's something going on here that makes my skin crawl. What if the tats are ritualistic?” Tony suggested.
Sydney was about to comment when she felt him around her. Kade. What the hell is going on? It’s him, and how do I know it’s him? She spun around to find Kade’s ice-blue eyes staring at her.
“Very observant. The tattoo is the sun god Huitzilopochtli. He symbolizes a belief in the afterlife. Could be a ritual, or could be nothing.” Kade took note of the body and started walking toward them.
Sydney looked over at Adalee, seeking her input, but she shrugged in response. “So, I take it you’ve been down here already?”
“Indeed.”
“Then you know that this is our case, not yours.”
Kade smiled at her, turning her insides to jelly. Everything in her past had told her to stay away from vampires, yet there was something about the way he spoke to her. She needed to establish her dominance before he took over not just her case but her resolve not to date vampires.
“It was great meeting you, Detective Issacson, or whoever you really are, but we’ve got this.” She cleared her throat, attempting to compose herself. “We have a lot of work to do. Really, you can go now.”
“Well as much as I would like to make you happy, and trust me, Miss Willows, I would, I have already talked to your superior, and it looks like you and I will be working together from now on. As you well know, when there is even the slightest chance of paranormal activity on a case, P-CAP has a right to request a co-investigation. I requested. Your department agreed.”
Sydney’s face reddened. She took a deep breath and exhaled.
“Okay then. But this is my city and my ass on the line. I expect honesty from the people I work with, and they expect the same from me. I'm telling you right now that I'm not putting up with your P-CAP secret shit. If you know something, you share it, and vice versa.” She wasn’t going to bring up the fact that he was lying to her, or question him about how he really knew Tristan.
“By all means, detective. Now, how about we get out of here and walk through the case? For the record, I know there are no bite marks, but I still suspect the perp is a vampire. We certainly prefer to bite our donors to satisfy our nutritional needs and our sexual appetites, but there are other ways to drain a body to get the blood. I intend to ask my vampire contacts to see if there has been any strange activity in town.”
Sexual appetite? Sydney’s face grew hot, and she cursed her reddening cheeks. She thought for a moment about what it would be like to have Kade’s lips on her neck, his teeth grazing her tanned skin, biting her, drinking as he thrust into her. She felt warmth pooling downward, desire flowing through her blood. She shook her head, trying to think of something else, wanting to shake the lust she was feeling.
“Well, we better get going.” Sydney forced herself to look away from Kade and glanced back to the girl on the table, a cold reminder of the task at hand. She caught sight of a pile of photos on Adalee’s desk. Snatching one off the top, she sighed. “Well, you may know some vampires, but I’ve also got some sources in this city. I think we ought to take a trip to a tat shop I know. If this girl got work done here in the city, we'll find out who did it. And maybe even get an ID on her.”
“I’ll let you know as soon as I find anything else,” Adalee commented, snapping off her gloves.
; “Sounds good. Thanks for the update.”
Sydney started to walk out the door. As she brushed by Kade, a chill ran up her arm. There was something about this man, this vampire. She didn’t know why he was making her so crazy but she’d have to get it together if she was going to work with him.
Kade smiled to himself, smelling her arousal. She might not like him but she lusted for him. He would take that for now. In the meantime, he would play nice so she didn’t end up staking him first.
Chapter Four
Sydney drove her convertible down South Street, enjoying the feel of the warm wind on her face. Owning a new car wasn’t an option, but she’d splurged on the used Mercedes. It gave her the feel of luxury without the worry of how she’d replace it were it to be vandalized or stolen. By the time she arrived at the tattoo parlor she felt slightly more relaxed than she had in the morgue. The captain had put Tony on another murder case just as they left. Her new partner, Kade, would be with her. She didn’t trust him, but the captain was crystal clear that she was to work with him on the Death Doll case…that was what the press was calling it.
Sydney had grown frustrated with the political games involved with her job. She was a good cop, but not exactly the most tactful person. Diplomacy wasn’t her strength. Despite her reservations, she had come to terms with the fact she’d be working with Kade to solve the case. Once it was all over, he’d go back to New Orleans to bite necks and suck blood, or whatever else vampires did with their time.
On her way out of the station, she’d told Kade she’d meet him at Pink’s Ink Tattoo shop. As she waited outside the storefront, a black limo pulled up and beeped at her. Kade. A limo? Detective, my fucking ass. A door opened and a large, good-looking man with long, dark hair got out of the car. She recognized him as the man who had been with Kade at Tristan’s club.
He walked around the car and opened the door. Kade exited with grace, as if he was going to a movie premiere. He was almost beautiful, if one could use that word to describe a man, but there was no mistaking the predator he was. Dangerous, no one would mess with this guy…even on the cold streets of Philly. Sydney caught her breath, noticing how handsome he was in khaki pants and a blue linen shirt with rolled up sleeves that accentuated his broad, muscled chest. He smiled at her as he caught up with his vamp friend.
“Hope you weren’t waiting long. Sydney, meet Luca. Luca, this is Sydney.”
As Sydney extended her hand to Luca, he gently took it and kissed the top. She was captivated by his green eyes that seemed to draw her in. With an Aussie accent, Luca whispered, “Nice to meet you, Sydney. So, it is you who has Kade out of sorts.” He let her hand go and chuckled to himself.
“I'm sorry, but I'm just not used to the hand kissing.” Sydney laughed as Luca released her hand. “In my business, I usually have guys either running away from me as I'm trying to cuff ‘em or trying to grab my ass. I know I should appreciate the chivalry, but it took me by surprise. Nice to meet you, Luca, you coming in with us?”
“Luca, you stay out here and keep watch. Let’s go, Sydney.” Kade shot a look over to his friend and stepped between them.
For the first time since he’d met her, Kade saw Sydney smile. He felt a stir of jealousy knowing it was Luca who’d brought it to her lips…so soft and full. He couldn’t help but wonder how it would feel to have those lips on his cock. Her scent was like breathing in the aroma of a fine wine, delicious. He wanted a taste. He couldn’t wait much longer. Damn, he almost forgot why the hell he was even here. What was it about her that seemed to distract him from any rational thought?
Kade held the door for Sydney. She’d walked past him, pretending not to notice that he had effectively blocked Luca from touching her any further. The shop was filled with teenagers and young adults whose eyes were fixed upon the pictures on the wall. They were searching for the perfect artwork, discussing where they'd paint it on the canvas of their young bodies. Holding up her badge, Sydney pushed through the patrons as if she was parting the Red Sea. It was crowded, so Kade was forced to stand up behind her, against her. She could feel the hardness of his chest on her back as they stood waiting at the counter. The contact between them distracted her, but there was no room for him to move back. Attempting to concentrate, Sydney scanned the room looking for her source. Her eyes lit up when she located her.
“Pinky! Hey Pinky! Over here,” she yelled over the rumble of voices.
Pinky was the owner of Pink’s Ink. She was a petite girl whose black, cropped pixie hair had just a wisp of hot pink flowing through her bangs. Her bright pink halter-top showed off her back, which was adorned with two large butterfly wings in various shades of pink and indigo. Pinky was well known as one who ran her shop with an iron fist in a velvet glove, and lived up to her reputation as she turned around to yell at a potential customer who was peeling a drawing off the wall.
“Get the hell off the art or get the hell out! Hey, girl, what ya doin’ down here? Finally come to let me put on that tat we talked about? And who is mister tall, dark and lickable behind you? Yummy.” When she turned to face Sydney, her large voluptuous breasts almost spilled out of the tiny top, which complemented her short black latex skirt. She turned up a corner of her mouth and ran her tongue across her lips, eyeing the large hunk of man standing behind Sydney.
While Sydney was used to Pinky and her flair for the English language, she could not help but feel slightly embarrassed. She could feel the hard heat of Kade up against her back and found it difficult to speak. For a second, she found herself wishing they were alone, naked, Kade thrusting up into her and…Get back in the game, girl! Focus!
“Hey Pink, this is Kade. Listen, I need a favor.” Sydney coughed, trying to act nonchalant. She held out the photo of the girl’s sun tattoo. “Before you ask, don’t. It's a case I’m working.” She looked over her shoulder at Kade. “Ugh, a case we are working. All you need to do is ID this tat, okay? Is there anything about it that looks familiar? Do you recognize the artist’s work? Maybe a customer who got a tat like this recently?”
Pinky stared at the photo and turned white. She peered over her shoulder to make sure no one was listening. “This…the lines, points and turns…it looks like the work of a guy who used to work in here. I fired him six months ago. I caught him wanking off in the alley. Just no. Seriously, who can’t keep it in their pants at work?”
“So, what did he say when you eighty-sixed him?” Sydney glanced at Kade and quickly focused her attention back on Pinky.
“Well, that’s the thing. He just looked up at me and kind of just…well, he just kept going, ya know? He finished. I told him that if I ever saw him near here again, I was calling the cops.”
“And you never thought to mention this to me over drinks?”
“Come on. You know how it is. This city is filled with sickos. No offense, Syd, but I can’t call the cops every time some asshole is out there waxing the bishop. I know it isn’t pretty but look around here. Cops got murders to solve. They don’t have time to arrest assholes who worship their dicks.”
“Point taken. So what’s his name? You got an address?”
Pinky began flipping through a candy-red, glittered address box on the counter, and pulled out a dingy index card.
“His name was Jennings, Drew Jennings. This address might be old, but here you are…it’s on the card. Looks like he was staying in North Philly…a few blocks off Broad Street. Syd, I know you're a cop, but watch your ass. You and I both know it isn’t the greatest area.”
“Thanks. Okay, we’re out of here.” Sydney turned to Kade, brushing her thigh against his. “We can take my car. Your limo’s going to look a tad out of place up there, and I’d like to try not to get shot at before we even get out of the car.”
“Listen, Sydney, if we do this, we do it my way,” Kade stated decisively. “I get this is your city, but I will not allow you to put yourself in danger. I see that you are strong, but you’re not strong enough to go against a vampire.”
/> “You may be a bad-ass vamp and all, but I know what I’m doing, this is my job. I am going. There will be no more discussion. If you need to enlighten me about the various ways you folks suck the lifeblood out of others, I’ll be happy to listen on the way up Broad Street. But let’s get this straight; it’s not my first time at the rodeo. I have studied supernaturals and even sparred a few times with a werewolf. I know how to kill a vampire as well as I know how to kill a human, so let’s go. We're taking my car. If Luca wants to follow in the limo, that’s his funeral, but I'm outta here.” She stood with her hands on her hips, tilting her head in defiance. All thoughts of how sexy he was rushed out of her mind and were quickly replaced by anger. Does he see me as some kind of damsel in distress? I’m a cop; what doesn’t he get about that?
“You don’t seem to understand what I told you down in the morgue. I lead this case, and you bloody well do not. You will go with me, because I allow it to be so. Do not make the mistake of thinking otherwise, Ms. Willows.” Kade shot her a look of irritation.
“Yeah, yeah, vampire. Keep talking but I’m the one who got us this address, and I’m the one driving. So sit your butt down in the car and let’s go.” She jumped in the car and started it, watching as he silently sat down next to her, looking as if he was about to explode. Working this case with him was going to be a lot of fun, just a laugh riot, she thought. She rolled her eyes and started off toward north Philly.
Chapter Five
As the wind whipped Sydney’s hair forward, she pushed it behind her ears. She loved her car, especially when she drove along the open highway. Philly was finally starting to quiet down. Aside from a few transients sleeping on the sidewalk, and the police, not many people were on the streets.
She glanced at Kade, who stared at her. She couldn’t help wondering what he thought of this place. She knew that vampires could be very old, and suspected Kade was an elder of some kind. Aside from his arrogant presence, he seemed well-spoken, well-traveled, and knowledgeable. She could only imagine how many things he knew about women; how to please them, make them scream. She wanted him to make her scream, but she knew getting involved with him would not be a good idea. But no matter how hard she tried, Sydney couldn’t deny her attraction to him. He was dangerous, hot, and sexy. And he would probably shatter her heart in a thousand pieces if she let him get close.
