Jax (Immortals of New Orleans Book 7)

by Kym Grosso

  “I’m going to take you here right now, Kat. Do you understand?” he asked, his tone demanding.

  “I…I’m not sure if I can do this.” Despite her words, Katrina had already decided to submit to her Alpha’s darkest fantasies. She yearned to embrace every erotic lesson he sought to teach her.

  She turned her head back to Jax. He withdrew quickly and reached for his shorts. Retrieving a small tube, he returned, and she knew he’d planned this, regardless of Jake’s participation. Her Alpha was calculating, a man who always took what he wanted. Possessing her, he’d claim every inch of her body and she was certain she’d enjoy every second.

  Katrina shivered, waiting for him to fill her. As the cool gel dripped down her crevice, she inhaled in anticipation, his head brushing over her back hole.

  “You’re gorgeous, Kat.” Jake gently caressed her hair, gazing into her eyes.

  “I’m going to go gently, baby. Just relax into me, and push back,” Jax instructed. “Breathe.”

  “Ah…Jax.” Katrina’s lips parted, and she did as he said. A slight twinge rippled through her as he entered her tight band of muscle.

  “Don’t tense. Just let me in. That’s a girl. Oh yes…just a little more.” His fingers circled her clit, and as he settled in further, pain was replaced by saturating pleasure.

  “So full,” she cried, patiently waiting for him to move. But he remained still inside her, giving her time to adjust to his dark intrusion.

  “Ah fuck. Just give me a second,” he pleaded.

  “Please…Jax.” Katrina sucked a breath, her nerves on fire with desire.

  “Easy now.” Slowly, Jax pulled out and rocked inside her, all the while caressing her swollen nub.

  Jake held her hair as she slid him into her mouth. Overwhelmed with arousal, she laid her head on Jake’s thigh as she sucked his cock. Moving in a simultaneous rhythm, Jax penetrated her. He increased his speed and intensity, plunging in and out, until they both shivered on the precipice of orgasm.

  “Ah, I’m so close. Please, Kat,” Jake begged.

  “See what you’re doing to him…”

  Katrina barely heard her wolves, the rush of her climax teetering on the edge. She tightened her grip on Jake’s shaft, fisting him, and still sucking. Jake’s hips arched up into her mouth, his body shaking.

  “No, no…I’m going to…” Jake tried to pull away, but she held tight.

  The power of her Alphas surged through her body. Unable to hold back her release, she removed Jake from her lips.

  “My Alpha…” Screaming Jax’s name, a wave of ecstasy slammed into her.

  “Oh yeah, Kat, fuck yes,” Jake grunted, his milky essence spilling onto her breasts.

  “That’s it. Yes, yes…” Jax gave a final thrust, groaning, his glorious cry slicing through the air. “Ahh!”

  Katrina’s body went limp as the last remnants of her release rushed through her, the electricity of their explosive energy humming in her body. She’d experienced Jax’s extraordinary power, but with Jake’s added, her magick spiraled out of control. A warm washcloth on her skin lasted only a minute, before Jax swept her up into his arms. Cradled against his chest, she scented her mate. A peaceful sensation settled around her, the love of her Alpha rooted deep in her soul.

  Love. Never in her life had she told someone she loved them. Until now, letting someone inside her heart had never been an option. Waiting over two hundred years for her mate, she’d denied herself precious intimacy. Her perfect match, Jax pushed her limits and gave of himself so she’d be healed, strong enough to fight for both of them.

  In her mind’s eye, her wolf ran to his, together at last. In the morning they’d face reality, but for tonight, she closed her eyes, content to be within his embrace. Loving her Alpha.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Jax’s heart contracted as he watched Katrina sleep. Teasing her hair into his fingers, he considered the feeling that proliferated inside his chest. As a boy, he’d thought he’d fallen in love with the human girl. As a man, his juvenile crush paled in comparison to the emotions he held for Katrina. He’d always wondered what it would be like to be mated. While it was true that his wolf’s need to bond had been sated, it was his human need for intimacy that surprised him most. More than content, he couldn’t stop from smiling.

  “I love you,” he whispered, the words true to his heart. Saying it out loud exhilarated him. He considered telling her when she woke, but he didn’t want to scare her with his confession nor did he want her to think he’d said it because of their dire situation.

  His thoughts drifted to their interlude at the pool. Making love with her and Jake had been incredible. Connecting with Jake filled him with a deep sense of satisfaction. Their friendship, because of both the situation and Kat, had deepened to a level he hadn’t thought he’d experience again with another male.

  Although he’d felt his own power mesh with Jake’s, he was unsure how it affected Katrina. He suspected it strengthened her, but it remained to be seen. They might not know for sure until they were confronted with the demons.

  Jax glanced to the clock. In another five hours, they’d board the plane for New York. He planned to hold a pack meeting and announce his mating before they returned to the dungeon. He’d need the support of his wolves going into battle. Although Katrina would have to earn her right to remain in the pack, Jax was confident of her ability to lead with him as part of the Alpha pair.

  A loud bang to the door jolted him upright. He jumped out of bed and shoved into a pair of jeans. Jax quickly covered Katrina and took off down the stairs to address the source of the menacing noise. The incessant knocking intensified, and as he swung open the door, he was confronted with the angry vampire.

  “What the hell did you do?” Luca accused. He barreled toward Jax, shoving his chest with both his hands.

  “Out of courtesy to my mate, I’m going to give you one warning. Calm down. Put your hands on me again, and you’ll regret it,” Jax growled.

  “I’m sick of you fucking wolves…” Luca charged, raising a fist.

  With preternatural speed, Jax snatched his arm out of the air. Twisting it behind his back, he shoved him up against the wall, and jammed his face between the stair rails. Jax reached for a wooden spindle and snapped off a shard, stabbing it between Luca’s shoulder blades.

  “You know, I really tried to be nice, but you’re lacking manners.” Jax’s eyes darted to Jake, who walked through the threshold. Holding a white paper bag and cardboard beverage carrier, Jake stopped and assessed the situation.

  “Hey, no one told me we were having a barbeque. Are we making shish-kabob?” Jake gave Jax a sly smile. “I brought café-au-lait. Sorry I didn’t bring enough for everyone…didn’t know you were expecting company.”

  “Funny thing, neither did I.” Jax dragged the point of the stake over Luca’s shirt, tearing through the fabric.

  “Beignets though? Got plenty of those.” Jake set the drinks onto the floor. He slid behind the steps and dangled the pastry bag under Luca’s nose. “If you’re a good vamp, I might let you have one. But something here tells me you’re messin’ with my boy.”

  “Fuck you,” Luca spat. “Where is she?”

  “See?” Jax commented. “No manners at all.”

  “Did you ever hear that expression, ‘you catch more flies with honey’?” Jake reached into the sack and retrieved a powdery beignet. He took a bite and smiled at Jax. “I think he may have missed that one.”

  “Here’s your choice, Luca. Because clearly we got off on the wrong foot. I can release you and we can discuss this like adults. Or,” Jax paused.

  “I think you might want to listen to this part, big fella. Bite?” Jake held the pastry to Luca’s lips. “No? Okay, suit yourself but they’re delish.”

  “I could take this stake and drive it right through your rude ass. Because honestly, I have a lot of my own shit going on right now, and this? Yeah, I don’t need this right now.”

&
nbsp; “You’d better tell me where she is. I told you that she wasn’t allowed around you or Katrina, and now…” Luca unsuccessfully struggled to free himself.

  “Um, Jax…” Jax peered up to Katrina, who stood at the top of the steps wearing his t-shirt. Despite the serious situation, the sight of her warmed his heart and he smiled up at his mate.

  “What’s going on?” She yawned.

  “Nothing, baby. Luca here…well, you see, it seems like he didn’t get his coffee this morning.”

  “You know what that does to vamps. It’s terrible,” Jake added with a laugh. “Just can’t do a thing until he gets his joe. Cranky pants.”

  “Okay, let’s try this.” Katrina padded down the steps until she was at eye level with Luca. Setting her gaze on him, she brushed back her hair, twisting her ponytail. “What’s going on, Luca? And why is my Alpha holding a stake to your back?”

  “Samantha,” he breathed. Luca shook his head in frustration. “She’s been missing since last night.”

  “Jax, let him go. Please,” she pleaded.

  “Only if he says he’ll behave. Otherwise, I’m good with killing him.”

  “Jax, come on.” She turned to Jake, who rolled his eyes and gave another chuckle.

  “Beignet?” He offered her the bag.

  “Thank you, no.” Katrina stepped around him, making her way to the landing. Standing next to Luca, she put her palm on Jax’s arm and leaned to speak to her friend. “Luca, you know we’re friends, but you can’t just come into an Alpha’s home and threaten him. You may be old and strong but Jax is just as old, and please don’t take this the wrong way, but Jax will kick your ass. He’s Alpha for a reason, sweetie. Now I’m really sorry that Samantha is missing but we had nothing to do with it. You need to calm down so we can talk. Can you do that?”

  Luca blew out a ragged breath, and set his sight on Katrina. “Fine.”

  “See.” Katrina’s eyes darted to Jax and then back on Luca. She spoke to him softly and slowly as if he were a child. “Now take a few deep breaths and relax. Count to ten. Come on, do it.”

  Katrina looked to Jax and mouthed the words, ‘Put that away’, glancing at the stake. The Alpha shook his head no. “Please.”

  Jax’s body surged with anger for the asshole in his hold. The vampire had crossed a line by coming into his home and attacking him. If it had been any other person, they’d be dead already. The only thing saving his sorry ass was the fact he’d been friends with Katrina. Inwardly Jax laughed, considering how his mate was already changing his actions.

  “Are you going to behave?” Katrina placed her hand onto Luca’s shoulder and he nodded. “Promise. I cannot protect you if you break my trust.”

  “I promise,” he spat.

  “Jax, please let him go,” she asked.

  “I’m telling you right now, asshole. You’re extremely lucky that you have such a pretty friend. But if you go after me again, even she can’t save you.” Jax shoved him one last time before releasing him. He sighed as Katrina rushed into his arms.

  “You know, you wake up and you think, ‘I’ll go get some breakfast.’ But you just never expect this kind of shit at seven in the morning. It was exciting, though. I was kind of hoping for shish-kabobs. Guess not,” Jake joked.

  Luca stumbled back against the wall, and brought his hands to his face. Jax held tight to Katrina, sensing she was about to go to him. It wasn’t as if he didn’t care that Samantha was missing but the vampire had no right accusing him of wrongdoing, let alone attacking him.

  “What happened?” Jax asked.

  “Avery called the house last night.” Luca closed his eyes slowly then opened them again. Holding his hand to his forehead, he continued. “I didn’t want her to go, but you know these witches…everything’s been a mess with Ilsbeth gone. She, uh, she was a difficult woman, but she kept her coven out of trouble. This Mick fucker, he’s out partying in the middle of nowhere. That might be fine for some of the witches but there’s a lot of them who are more traditional. They stay in town. Last night, Avery called. Said she’d decided to move back to the Quarter and wanted Sam’s help getting situated.”

  “Did she go alone?” Katrina inquired.

  “No, I dropped her off at the coven house…like I’ve done a million fucking times before. I told her I’d be back in a few hours…which I was.”

  “How does she just go missing?” Jax threaded his fingers through Katrina’s.

  “I went to pick her up and they said she left with Avery to get some supplies. That’s not out of the ordinary, so at first, I didn’t think much of it. There’re a couple of stores in town where they get things for spells and so forth.”

  “But she never came back,” Jax concluded.

  “No. I went and tore up the coven house looking for them and there was no sign of either of them. So I drove all the way out to Mick’s. He wasn’t there but I searched the whole place. I mean,” Luca sighed, “I could tell she wasn’t there. I didn’t even scent her but I had to look.”

  “So you decided to come here?” Jake asked

  “Yes. Look, the other day…at Ilsbeth’s.” Luca’s eyes went to Katrina. “Samantha told me things.”

  “Like what?” Katrina’s tone was terse, and Jax squeezed her hand, reminding her he was there for her.

  “Jesus Christ, Katrina. We’ve known each other forever.” Luca paced, avoiding eye contact. “But she said you had magick in you. Not the kind you’re supposed to have. She said when she touched you, your aura…this is going to sound crazy.”

  “Just say it,” Katrina pressed.

  “She said, ah fuck,” he stopped to look at her. “She said you felt like Ilsbeth. Now like I said, you and I, we go way back. If you were Ilsbeth, I think I’d damn well know. But you scared her, okay?”

  “I’m not Ilsbeth.” Katrina broke free of Jax and crossed to Luca. She reached for his hand. “I’m still me, but Sam is right. They did something to me. There’s magick inside me that isn’t mine. Something about Ilsbeth’s house the other day…it affected me….spoke to me. I don’t know why it’s happening, but I can tell you that we had nothing to do with Samantha disappearing. I swear it.”

  “But we will help you find her.” Jax approached Luca, setting his palm onto Katrina’s lower back. “There’s one thing we agree on. This thing with Avery is suspicious and Mick is the only one who might have an answer. We’re going back to New York today, but first, I think we should pay Mick a visit before we leave.”

  “I’ll call the chopper,” Jake told him.

  “But I was already at Mick’s place. I told you that she wasn’t there. I couldn’t even find him.”

  “Maybe you couldn’t find him. Or maybe he was hiding? Or maybe he just was off in the woods? Regardless, I think we should give it a try. Between Katrina’s magick and us scenting as wolf…if he’s there, we’ll find him. My guess is that the warlock knows exactly where Avery went,” Jax surmised.

  “But Samantha would have never gone with her. She would have called me by now,” Luca explained.

  “If Avery is a player in this circus, we have to find out.”

  “Seems like she was his toy,” Jake noted. “A mistress, I’d bet.”

  “More like a prize student,” Katrina added.

  “Here’s the plan. Let’s get dressed and we’ll copter back to Bayou Goula.” Jax reached for his back pocket and checked the time on his cell phone. He pecked at the glass. “Jake, call the pilot and have him shift the departure time to New York. I’m texting Finn to let him know we’re going to be late, but he’ll have the pack together by the time we get there.”

  “Are we meeting in the city or how’s this working?” Jake asked.

  “We’ll fly into Newark and take the chopper up to the Finger Lakes. There’s a pack house a few hours outside of where they held us. Once we get there, we have to work fast. For whatever reason, these things seem to have better radar on Kat when she’s not in New Orleans.”

  �
�Could have to do with Ilsbeth,” Katrina guessed.

  “Maybe. This place is loaded with wards, every which way you turn. At home, you’re much more exposed.”

  “This is our home.” Katrina smiled at Jax, who gazed up at her from his cell.

  “Yeah, I guess it kind of is now, isn’t it?” Jax acknowledged. He glanced to the empty living room and made a mental note to ask her to help him decorate. Although he loved New York City, this was Katrina’s birthplace. She had friends and family in the Big Easy, as well as her own gallery. It wasn’t lost on him that she hadn’t asked to visit it, but he suspected she didn’t want to put her employees or neighbors in danger by doing so.

  “I have to find her.” Luca’s voice wavered as he spoke. “Our baby…she’s due any day now. She’s been through so much. Dominique…”

  At the mention of the vampire, Jax’s eyes darted to Jake then to Kat, before settling back on Luca. He hadn’t planned on mentioning the incident at the docks. But Jax had heard that Dominique had kidnapped Samantha a few months ago, almost killing her. After having experienced shape shifting first hand, thinking he’d seen Katrina in the club when he hadn’t, he doubted more than ever that they’d truly seen Dominique. It was much more likely that they’d seen an apparition or a glamour created by witchcraft.

  “Luca, I wasn’t going to tell you this, but the other night,” Jax paused and glanced to Katrina, “we all saw something that looked like Dominique.”

  “What?” Luca exhaled loudly and closed his eyes, an expression of shock washing across his face.

  “Just hold up there, okay? Before you think it was her that kidnapped Samantha again, I’ve got to tell you, we don’t think it was her. This thing looked like her, but that’s where it ends.”

  “What are you saying? It was someone dressed like her? She’s been missing for months.”

  “Just what I said…it looked like her. These things…demons, witches, whatever they are, they’re using some kind of magick to make themselves look like other beings. But they haven’t been successful with wolves.”

  “Demons have always been able to possess humans. They’re weak,” he noted.