“You smell that?” Eagan asked Quinn.
“She didn’t have that scent yesterday. This can’t really be what I think it is,” Angus said aloud, and he didn’t seem pleased, which really set her whole “I’m feeling sexy” attitude out the window. Now Angus found her scent unappealing? How could that be? Why should I care? She pulled her arm free and stared at him.
“What is it? Reggie noticed something different, too, but he wasn’t turned off like you, Angus,” she said.
“You mean you don’t know, sweetheart?” Delaney asked her, looking peculiar as he did.
“I didn’t say it turned me off,” Angus added, but she abruptly turned away from him.
“I don’t need this. I don’t know why you’re here but you need to leave. This is a crime scene and Reggie and I have work to do.” She shoved by them and back toward Reggie and the patrol officers on scene.
“You’ve got some explaining to do, Angus,” Delaney said to his brother.
“We know as much as you do. We’ll wait for Adrian and Brady to arrive, and then we’ll know if she’s mate to all of us or not.”
Sal could hear them talking. She was only a foot or so away, and as she felt her belly tighten and an awareness grow stronger in her, she started to feel panicky. Two more brothers were headed into town. That would make six, and by the looks of Delaney and Eagan, who had just shown up, feeling sexy changed to feeling scared shitless.
Chapter 7
“How the hell can this be happening, Angus? With everything we’ve gone through, is this another fucking joke by the gods?” Eagan asked, his thick Irish brogue more apparent with his anger coming through.
Angus stared at his brother. Angus, Eagan, and Delaney were leaning against the SUV, waiting for Sal and Reggie to finish up their paperwork after the incident in town. Quinn was with them, so Angus wasn’t too worried.
“It doesn’t seem to be a joke, but I understand your shock. We’re all feeling the same way,” Angus replied.
“She sure is good looking, and damn, what a body on her,” Delaney said aloud.
“You’re telling me. But when she pulled that gun, shot without hesitation, and didn’t even flinch at the mess those silver bullets caused, I swear, I was instantly in love with the lassie,” Eagan told them. Delaney chuckled. Angus grunted.
“What’s with you, brother? Still harboring the thought that you were responsible for Margo’s death?” Eagan asked.
Angus shot his brother a dirty look. “No need to discuss it. It is what it is. She’s dead,” he replied then looked up toward the building where he knew Sal was. His gut clenched with worry. It was a constant concern, an anxious feeling of being out of control.
“Maybe it is a good time to discuss it. Considering we’ve all been apart for nearly a year’s time, I’d say the current situation calls for a bit of chatting,” Eagan told Angus.
Angus grumbled a response and pushed away from the vehicle.
“So if you don’t want to talk about Margo, then why not explain about how you met Sal? And what’s with that name anyhow? Ain’t Sal a guy name?” Delaney asked.
“It’s short for something,” Eagan said.
“It’s Salina,” Angus told them, and he instantly found the name to be quite pleasant.
“So go on and explain,” Eagan said.
Angus told them about the night Sal shot Luka and Centron, and how it seemed they were seeking revenge.
* * * *
“He wants to see you alone in his office,” Reggie told Sal as they finished up their paperwork.
“Shit. I thought he left early today. How the hell did he find out I was working?” she asked.
“Sal, please, give me a break. He’s our damn lieutenant. Of course he knew you were working and of course he found out because you shot a guy to pieces.”
She nearly snarled at Reggie. “He wasn’t in pieces. I just ensured that he wouldn’t come back from the dead like some other criminals I recently thought I took out.”
He chuckled. “Try to hurry along. I’m sure Eagan and Delaney are antsy to get to know their new mate better.”
“You are such a jerk. Learning that you’re, well, what you are, is freaky enough. But your cousins? Well, they’re huge, they’re intimidating, and more keep showing up wanting to do whatever it is one does while mating or bonding or whatever. I can’t believe that you’re finding enjoyment in this. I am losing my mind and my patience. Can’t you get rid of them?”
He shook his head. “No can do, sweetie, and the faster you accept your destiny the smoother things will go. I can tell you that they’ll take very good care of you, and well, the mating process is very enjoyable and they will keep you very satisfied.” He winked.
“Reggie!”
“Besides, once they find out that Jaydin and Carbarone met you today, sniffed you, and that Jaydin kissed you, I’d say you’ll be in a heap of trouble with your men.”
“Don’t you dare do that. Don’t tell them about Jaydin. I don’t need some overprotective wolfmen to start acting all caveman and barbaric. I can handle Jaydin or any other male that comes sniffing around. Surely, even though I was oblivious to it, I probably got rid of a few of your kind before,” she said, her face flush.
“Yeah, I can name a few in this department alone who you knocked down a few notches. But Jaydin Carbarone is different. Don’t go falling for that nasty wolf’s charms either. He’s no good. He was part of the scam to kill your mates’ other mate, Margo. He’s no good.”
“It doesn’t matter anyway. I told you before that I’m not doing this the traditional way. I’m my own protector. Always have been.”
“Why can’t you just let things happen the way they’re supposed to happen? You know, nice and smooth instead of rough and chaotic?”
“Ha! I don’t do smooth. I’m more like a bumpety-bumpety-bumpety, yahoo, hold-on-for-your-life kind of gal.”
He chuckled. “That’s part of what makes this so fucking funny.”
“What?”
“Just how the Fennigan brothers will react once they find out you met Jaydin.”
“Santos!” She heard her name and turned toward the lieutenant’s door. Benjamin looked pissed off. She gave Reggie an “oh shit” expression and Reggie turned away, trying not to burst out in laughter.
Nice. Really nice.
She made her way to the office and the lieutenant was there, leaning against his desk.
“Close the door, Santos.”
Santos? He is pissed at me.
He looked her over and inhaled deeply then scrunched his eyes together. It didn’t sit right. She wondered if he were a wolf, too. She eyed him right back the way he did to her.
He raised his voice. “Don’t know how to take a direct order, do you?”
“Well, sir, I was feeling fine—”
“Feeling fine my ass! I told you to take a few days off. Reggie and the other detectives were looking into these two men you shot and killed. It appears that their family is interested in seeking some revenge. Didn’t they try to hurt you outside your home yesterday?”
“Well, technically it wasn’t their family, and I had that under control.”
“Under control? Like today’s incident where you fired your weapon again and took out some wolf with silver bullets?”
She swallowed hard. No one was really supposed to know about wolves. Was this a test of some sort? She was pretty sure Reggie and her father warned her about never talking or telling anyone about wolves and supernaturals’ existence on earth.
“What?” she asked, staring at him.
His eyes flared. “You know damn well what I’m talking about. You smell like Fennigan Pack. Why is that? What are Angus and his brothers doing in New York?” he asked her.
She didn’t feel right about this conversation. Her gut clenched. She suddenly remembered Quinn’s words about following her gut, her instincts, and her body. Maybe he didn’t mean in this way, but she sure wasn’t going to be the one
to break the ancient secret of wolves in men’s bodies walking the earth.
“Sir, I don’t know what you’re talking about. I don’t know any of those names you mentioned, and wolves? What’s this all about?”
He raised one eyebrow up at her and stared at her then inhaled again. Again, she wondered if he was a wolf, and if wolves could smell the scents of one’s pack or whatever, could they also sense and smell fear?
“They were there at the crime scene this evening. They showed up right after you and Reggie got the call over the radio. How can you stand here and lie to me?”
“Lieutenant, I don’t know why you’re so upset about this. About them. If the names of the men you mentioned belong to the friends of Reggie’s who showed up, then so be it. Reggie said that his cousins were in town. I really didn’t pay attention to them or remember their names. I was too busy trying to get over the fact that I’ve killed three men in the last forty-eight hours and two of them disappeared from the coroner’s office.”
He came back around his desk to face her. When he reached out to touch her hand, she felt her own defenses rise in warning. It was odd, but she kind of felt guilty, which was insane.
“Sal, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrogate you about these men. First things first, how are you handling everything?”
She took a deep breath and released it. Which was hard to do considering that her lieutenant was holding her hand and caressing her wrist. It gave her the creeps. Staring at Benjamin, her lieutenant and his big brown eyes, dark chocolate hair he liked to slick back, she felt a bit of a sensation to pull away inside of her. It was strange.
“I’m hanging in there. I think I’m handling things well.”
He caressed her hand. “Maybe you should take a few days off. Maybe visit your dad, or just do something to take your mind off of things.”
He looked her body over, and even though he was a good-looking man, her body didn’t react whatsoever. But it did for Fennigan Pack. What the hell?
“I’m good. I like my job and keeping busy doing what I do best makes more sense than taking some time off.”
“Sal, these men, the Fennigan Pack, I know they’re cousins with Reggie, but their reputations are shady to say the least. They’re very violent and barbaric. They come from Ireland and do things way differently than here. I just don’t want you to fall for their charms.” He pulled her closer and inhaled.
“Lieutenant.” She gasped and placed her hands against his solid chest.
“I can smell them on you.” His voice sounded so deep, and kind of angry. She pulled her hand from his, and stepped back. What was with his behavior? Why was he bad-talking Reggie’s cousins? She wondered what was happening here and figured she needed to end this conversation and get the hell out of his office. If her lieutenant was a wolf, maybe he was from a different pack that didn’t like Fennigan Pack? She could understand that if she was dealing with humans. Lots of times humans from one department or state agency had to cross jurisdictions for investigations and people felt like they were getting their toes stepped on. Could this be the lieutenant’s problem?
“What do you mean smell them on me? Like their cologne? I shook one of their hands, but that was it. Why are you sniffing me? Are you upset because you think they’re here to invade your territory or maybe become part of an inter-jurisdictional investigation?”
He stared at her and gave a smirk, not even close to a smile. “I’m just warning you to stay away from them. They’re no good. They’ll hurt you. I’m certain they are not here for business and to investigate a crime from Ireland here. It must be personal. Now tell me, how did the meeting go with the banker about the double homicide you and Reggie are working on?”
She wondered what was wrong with her lieutenant and then filled him in on the meeting, but left out her and Reggie’s theories on the guys losing their mates to abduction. They were waiting to hear from another investigator, a Were one, working the case who found out about the mates being held for ransom.
“No one was there when you arrived?”
Oh, he wants to know about the asshole father, Carbarone, whose son I shot in the head? Interesting. The lieutenant doesn’t know that I know Luka is Carbarone’s son. I hope my lieutenant isn’t one of the bad guys. That would surely suck.
“Some man by the name Carbarone and another guy, Jaydin.”
“Carbarone is a very wealthy, prominent man. Jaydin is just as powerful. You’d like him. He’s a fighter and doesn’t give up easily.”
“My kind of person indeed,” she replied.
He smiled. “Well, how about dinner? You must be starving, and since Reggie has his cousins in town, he’s probably made plans with them.”
“Oh, that’s okay. I think I’m going to head home, take a hot shower, and just crash. All the stupid paperwork I just finished made my head feel about ready to explode.”
He looked annoyed that she declined. Well, tough shit.
“I see. Well, tomorrow’s a new day, and don’t forget, I need you and Reggie to attend that dedication ceremony. Invitation only, so let Reggie know he can’t bring along his cousins.”
He smirked and she gave a half smile. “I’ll see if Reggie is still going to attend. Was there anything else, Lieutenant?”
He winked at her. “No, you have a good night, and I’ll see you tomorrow. Remember, it’s black tie.”
“Yes, of course.” She exited the office. She grabbed her things and didn’t see Reggie around. She waved a good night to those still in the office and headed toward the elevator.
She leaned back against the inside of it as the doors closed. She closed her eyes and took an unsteady breath.
What is my life turning into? I swear these feelings I’m getting, these vibes when people are talking to me is making me feel crazy. Does it have something to do with my powers? Who can I talk to about this? Why do I get the feeling that this ceremony tomorrow is going to turn into a serious situation?
With eyes closed she envisioned the party. She was dressed in a gorgeous, sexy red gown, her hair curled and pressed to one side, the back of the dress bare to right above her ass. She glanced around the room at numerous people and noticed who was human and who was something else. It was strange, but just by looking them in the eyes, she discovered who they really were. She saw their thoughts, felt their fears, their desires, and emotions. She locked gazes with a man, a handsome wolf, and realized who it was.
Jaydin.
The oddest sensation gripped her body and suddenly, out of nowhere she felt a strong, muscular arm wrap around her midsection and pull her back. His body was pressed hard against her own. She felt his erection, could feel his hot breath against her shoulders. She melted into his embrace, knowing, sensing that it was safest here instead of out there amongst all those unfamiliar faces trying to hide who they really were. Then came his lips, hard, yet warm against her neck. He kissed her, then brushed his teeth across her flesh directly over a vein. She shivered, her pussy throbbed, and she nearly moaned aloud. His grip tightened and she was right there, ready to come in his arms just from his movement and the feel of his teeth against her pulse.
The elevator doors opened. She opened her eyes, stunned at how lost she was in her own thoughts when she looked up and locked gazes with Quinn.
He looked so concerned. “Are you okay?” he asked her.
She cleared her throat and ignored the sensations flowing through her body as she pulled off the wall. He inhaled and held her gaze.
“I can ease that ache for you, mate.”
She nearly stumbled as she took a step. She was overwhelmed with the desire to throw her arms around Quinn’s neck and attack his mouth. She wanted to feel his hands all over her body. She closed her eyes.
“Are you okay?” he whispered against her cheek with his hands on her hips.
“Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?” she asked with attitude as she exited the elevator with him right beside her. She needed space, some distance between
her and Quinn. She needed to get her head screwed on tight or she was going to just give in to these strong sensations and let these men claim her like they said they were going to do.
“Everything went okay with your lieutenant?” he asked.
“Fine,” she snapped at him. Even talking with him this close and her body this much on edge made her shake.
“Good, so we can grab dinner and you can get to know Eagan and Delaney.”
She hesitated. “I’m kind of tired. I was thinking a hot shower and bed would be perfect.”
“A hot shower and bed with you sounds perfect,” he teased, keeping his large, warm hand at the dip in her lower back. She went to give him hell, but he chuckled and she knew he was joking. She hid her smile. It turned out that Quinn had quite an interesting personality as well. She looked at the SUV crowded with all the men. Now how was she going to get her own wild thoughts out of her head while she crammed into an SUV with four of them?
Chapter 8
“Are you certain that she doesn’t know who they are?” Jaydin asked Benjamin McCallister.
“Yes, sir. She claims that she only knows them because Reggie introduced them.”
“It doesn’t seem right. They showed up at the scene of the robbery right as Sal engaged one of the robbers. More than coincidence, I think.”
“Well, to me she seemed sincere. But there was something kind of different about her.”
“Different, how?”
“I don’t know. She always had this scent, pleasant, appealing, but there seemed to be more to it. She had a way about her. It was different. But then again, she had killed three wolves in a matter of forty-eight hours.”
“Don’t remind me. My cousin Luka is determined to see her suffer. However, I’ve explained to him that she hadn’t known who he was at the time. That she will learn her place and will succumb to our commands. As her Alpha, her mates, my brothers and I will be certain she knows her place.”
Task Force Two: Fennigan Pack's Earth Angel [The Men of Five-O #9] (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Forever) Page 8
