by Julia Sykes
Dex
An Impossible Novella
Julia Sykes
Contents
Copyright
Impossible Series Reading Order
Author’s Note
Sparrow
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Master
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
A Decadent Christmas
Chapter 7
Crusader
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Prey
Chapter 10
Decadent Knights
Chapter 11
Chloe
Chapter 12
The End
Also by Julia Sykes
Copyright © 2016 by Julia Sykes
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Impossible Series Reading Order
While the books in the Impossible Series can be read as standalone romance novels, the following is the suggested reading order:
Impossible
Impossible: Sean’s POV
Savior (An Impossible Novel)
Rogue (An Impossible Novel)
Knight (An Impossible Novel)
Mentor (An Impossible Novella)
Master (An Impossible Novel)
King (An Impossible Novel)
A Decadent Christmas (An Impossible Series Christmas Special)
Czar (An Impossible Novella)
Crusader (An Impossible Novel)
Prey (An Impossible Series Short Story)
Decadent Knights (An Impossible Series Short Story)
Highlander (An Impossible Novel)
Centurion (An Impossible Novel)
Dex (An Impossible Novella)
Author’s Note
This novella tells scenes from the Impossible Series from Dex’s point of view. This is a prequel to his full-length novel, Hero (Coming Soon).
Part I
Sparrow
1
“Bring it, Dex.” Katie winked at me and made a little waving motion with her hand, goading me toward her.
I hesitated, pausing at the edge of the mat in the training room. Getting physical with my new partner probably wasn’t the best idea. For starters, she was a rookie. I’d been with the FBI for nearly two years. I could take her down easily, and she might even get hurt if she didn’t know how to block properly.
But that wasn’t the real problem. The real problem was my dick and its very persistent desire to get inside her. Everything about Katherine Byrd enticed me. Her body was athletic from training, her muscles lightly defined, but she had soft curves in all the right places. Even under the harsh fluorescent lights, her creamy skin took on a pearlescent sheen, and a few of her heavy copper curls escaped her ponytail to frame her delicate face.
I realized I’d been staring at her lush pink lips for a fraction of a second too long, and my gaze snapped up to hers. Emerald eyes sparkled with easy humor.
“You scared, partner?” she teased and waved me over again.
Definitely.
I was scared I’d get a hard-on as soon as I touched her perfect body.
“Nope,” I said instead. The word came out clipped with stress. I sucked in a breath and did my best to master myself. My will was stronger than my physical urges.
Her eyes glittered, and her lips curved up at the corners. “Liar,” she accused.
My own mouth twitched; her levity was infectious. “Do you always tease the guy who has at least a hundred pounds on you? Surely they taught you better than that at Quantico.”
“They taught me how to handle myself.” She tossed her curls back off her face. “You won’t break me, big guy.”
No, I wouldn’t break her. I’d learned how to use my size carefully when I trained to be a field agent. I could kill a man with my bare hands, but those hands could be gentle, too.
There were all sorts of ways I wanted to use my hands on her, some harsher than others.
I shook my head. Those thoughts certainly weren’t helping my hard-on problem. I had to spar with her. She was my partner. I needed to learn her strengths and weaknesses so we could work as a team in the field.
Work. This is about work.
“Come at me,” I ordered as I stepped onto the mat. “Show me what you’ve got.”
“Do you only speak in clichés?” She rolled her eyes just before she moved.
She went on the offensive, but I dodged her attempted hits. She was fast, I’d give her that.
But within less than five minutes, I pinned her beneath me. I was careful to keep my full weight off her.
Her eyes widened, her mouth popping open in surprise. My gaze fell on her parted lips. Only inches separated us. Her chest rose and fell beneath mine, her breasts pressing up against my torso. I breathed her in: peonies and something slightly earthier that was entirely female.
I had less than half a second to register her saucy smile. She rolled, and in my moment of reverence I lost the upper hand. Before I knew what was happening, she lay atop me, her forearm resting against my windpipe.
I could have pushed her off. Regardless of my position, I was still infinitely stronger than her. But she looked so pleased with herself, her big green eyes shining with pride, her posture radiating self-assurance. It was her first day on the job. I didn’t want to take that confidence away from her.
Besides, she’d done a damned efficient job. If I weren’t a trained agent, I’d likely be unable to break her hold.
“Good one,” I praised, smiling up at her.
She beamed at me, and her prefect smile knocked all the air from my chest more effectively than her slight body could ever manage. “Thanks.”
“Scott, Byrd,” our boss’s harsh voice cut through whatever magnetic pull she had over me. When I looked over to where Franklin Dawes hovered next to the mat, his amber eyes were cold on mine.
Katie immediately stiffened and pushed off me, her joyous expression smoothing to a mask of cool composure. “Yes, sir?” she asked in a carefully deferential tone.
His gaze softened on her, slightly mollified by her respect. “The CPD have a perp in custody who they think might be linked to several rapes in the Chicago area. Now he’s been connected to a murder. I want the two of you to go down to the station to question him. If we have a serial rapist on our hands, the investigation falls under our jurisdiction.”
I got to my feet, nodding grimly. If the man was responsible for a larger pattern of criminal activity, his actions would be subject to our investigation on the Violent Crimes Task Force.
“We’re on it,” I confirmed. I looked to Katie, giving her an encouraging smile. “You ready for your first case, Sparrow?”
The nickname popped out like an endearment without a thought. I pressed my lips together, worried I’d crossed some sort of line. The way Frank’s stare sharpened on me suggested I had.
But Katie just grinned at me. “Of course. Let’s go.”
I couldn’t help grinning back.
As soon as we arrived at the precinct, unease settled in my gut. Our perp—Claude Parnell—was a nasty piece of work. He’d already reduced one of the female detectives to tears. I’d worked with her on a few cases, and I’d never seen her lose composure.
I studied the man through the one-way mirror outside the interrogation room. Even his lawyer appeared uncomfortable sitting beside him, edging her body away
from his. He gave her a wide smile. It might have been charming if it weren’t for the lascivious glint in his dirty dishwater eyes.
Objectively, Parnell was an attractive man, his face only lightly lined by age, his graying hair curling around a square jaw. Most women would be flattered by his interest in them.
But now, if he did possess a civilized veneer, it was slipping. He couldn’t seem to help taunting the powerful women who held him in custody.
“I don’t know if you should go in there,” I told Katie, placing a hand on her shoulder to hold her back. She felt far too delicate beneath my touch. She didn’t need to face whatever Parnell might throw at her. He was a sick fuck, and she was a gorgeous woman in a position of authority. A man like Parnell would go right for her. My protective instincts flared, and my fingers tightened on her.
She glanced up at me, surprised. “Why not?”
“Men like this…” I struggled to find the right words. “This won’t be easy for you. I think Parnell will respond better to me. Alone.” I placed special emphasis on the last, giving the word a ring of command.
To my surprise, her eyes flashed and she shrugged out of my hold. I hadn’t expected her to display a defiant streak. So far, she’d been playful and lighthearted; sweet and soft. The dichotomy fascinated me.
“I didn’t take this job because it would be easy,” she informed me coolly and turned the doorknob to enter the interrogation room. “You coming or not?”
My jaw firmed, and I nodded. “Go on, then.”
She’s an agent. She’s my partner. She needed me to watch her back, but she also needed me to treat her as an equal, not an innocent civilian with no training. It would be a slight to her if I tried to prevent her from doing her job.
I resolutely ignored the urge to dominate her, to command her to stay behind and stay safe. The keen desire to shield her from Parnell’s lecherous gaze rose up in me, swift and sharp. I swallowed it down with difficulty.
The moment to act on my instincts passed. Katie had stepped across the threshold. I followed her, shutting the door behind me.
I immediately regretted it as his dirty gray eyes riveted to her, and a slow smile spread across his face.
“Well hello, sexy Red,” he practically purred at her, his gaze flitting from her copper hair to her eyes before raking down her body in a slow, flagrantly sexual inspection.
She stiffened slightly, but her expression remained neutral. “Mr. Parnell,” she said coldly, “I’m Agent Katherine Byrd. This is Agent Dexter Scott,” she gestured to me. “We’re here to ask you a few questions.”
“That lady detective had questions for me, too. I don’t think she liked my answers much.” His smile sharpened. “But don’t let that stop you, Katherine. Have a seat.” He made a power grab, issuing an order.
She made the mistake of lowering herself into the hard-backed metal chair across from him. Her posture radiated defiance, but she shouldn’t have obeyed his command.
I quickly stepped behind her, remaining standing as I flanked her. I crossed my arms over my chest, drawing myself up to my full height as I fixed him with my most glacial blue glare.
“You will address her as Agent Byrd,” I informed him, my voice carefully controlled.
His eyes flicked up to mine, dancing with amusement. “I didn’t realize you brought your boyfriend.” His mocking eyes returned to Katie. “I guess some women go for the brutish type, but I’m all the man you need, baby.”
Her lips thinned ever so slightly, the only sign betraying her disgust. “Tell me about Judy Carson,” she commanded, ignoring his sexual implications and focusing on the murder victim. The woman had been brutally raped before being strangled to death. The M.O. matched several vicious rapes that had occurred over the last six months, but this was the first woman who had been killed during the attack.
“How did you know her?” Katie continued smoothly.
Dark brows rose. “I don’t know who you’re talking about. I don’t know anyone named Judy. But I’d like to get to know you better, Red.” He cocked his head, studying her again. “That pretty color’s natural, isn’t it? I bet the same shade of copper covers your cunt. Or do you shave it bare?” His smile took on a nasty twist as she paled. “Such pretty skin. Very expressive. No,” he continued in a light, conversational tone. “I think you’re wild down there. Innocent. Has any man touched that pussy? Because I’d be happy to oblige.”
“That’s enough,” I growled, my muscles bunching as I fought against the urge to rip the man apart.
He gave me a taunting grin. “I think your boyfriend’s angry, Red. Does he not share his toys?”
My hand closed around Katie’s shoulder. “We’re leaving. Now.”
He smirked at me. “Did I scare you off, Agent Scott?” he placed malicious emphasis on my title.
I fixed him with my deadliest stare. “I’m coming back for you, Parnell.”
He shrugged, unaffected.
“Come on, Katie,” I urged quietly.
She stood, her quick compliance indicating how shaken she was. Her fists clenched at her sides, but I noticed a small tremor before her fingers curled closed.
“See you around, Red,” he called after her.
Not if I have anything to say about it. I had a few choice words for the sick fucker, as soon as I got Katie away from him.
Once I closed the door on Parnell, she sucked in a sharp breath. She was far too pale, the rosy glow completely absent from her cheeks.
I reached for her hand, but she flinched. Slowly, I drew my arm back to my side, moving carefully so I didn’t spook her.
“Are you okay?” I asked stupidly. Of course she wasn’t okay. This wasn’t what she’d needed to face on her first day.
Hell, if I had my way, she’d never face it again.
She squared her shoulders, and her careful mask dropped back into place. “I’m fine,” she said tersely. “You shouldn’t have taken me out of there. It makes us seem weak.”
I frowned at her, not liking the resurgence of her stubborn streak. Everything in me told me she needed me to comfort her, to wrap my arms around her and hold her until the tension left her body.
But her determined posture communicated that such an advance would be unwelcome.
“Parnell was getting off on taunting you,” I asserted firmly. “It’s best if I handle this.”
She returned my frown, lifting her chin in defiance. “I can handle myself. I can handle him.”
“I’m sure you can,” I soothed her. “I’m not questioning your abilities. But Parnell wants to rattle you and break you down. He’ll stay focused on that instead of our questions if he has you in his sights.”
I glanced into the room. Parnell’s lawyer had moved even further away from him. I couldn’t leave her alone in there with the monster.
“I need to go back in,” I told her. “Wait out here and watch his reactions. I need your opinion on this case.” It was imperative that she knew I wanted to include her in the investigation, even if I was keeping her at a safe distance.
After a long moment, she nodded her agreement, but her features remained pinched with distaste. She didn’t appreciate being sidelined.
Well, too damn bad. Because if I had to hear Parnell utter one more vile word to her, I would attack him. And that would mean cutting him loose. I couldn’t allow that to happen.
It took all my willpower to summon up my control and go back into the room.
“What evidence do you have to hold my client?” his lawyer demanded at once.
I regarded her coolly, despite the desire to comfort her, as well. It sickened me to see how Parnell treated the women around him. If I could beat his ass, I would.
“He did a job at Judy Carson’s apartment a week before she was killed,” I said. Parnell worked as a plumber, and we had records of him having access to the victim’s home.
“A lot of people could have been in her apartment,” the lawyer countered.
“Parne
ll also has a record for sexual assault,” I reminded her.
“That was a juvenile offense.”
“Just because he was sixteen doesn’t mean it didn’t happen,” I corrected her sharply. Parnell had repeatedly assaulted his stepsister before she finally came forward. She was two years younger than him. If I could have my way, he never would have been released. The fucker deserved to spend the rest of his life in jail as someone’s bitch.
“You still can’t tie him to Judy Carson on the day she was killed,” the woman argued further.
“We will,” I promised. I wasn’t going to let him get away with it. We might not have the evidence yet, but I wouldn’t give up until we did.
“You can hold him for fourteen more hours,” the lawyer asserted. “If you don’t have any reason to charge him by then, you have no right to arrest him.”
I ground my teeth. That didn’t give us much time.
I fixed Parnell with a steady stare. “You’re not getting out of here.”
He simply gave me a shit-eating grin. I turned from him with a sharp jerk of my limbs, tearing myself away. If I didn’t leave now, I’d attack him. I needed to go gather evidence, and I needed to get it fast.
When I returned to Katie, she was still visibly shaken, despite her efforts to appear unaffected. I read her discomfiture in the stiffness of her muscles.
“Come on, Sparrow,” I urged gently. “Let’s go get what we need to lock him up.”
She nodded, putting on a brave face. Again, I resisted the urge to touch her.
She’s my partner. I had a feeling I’d have to remind myself of that fact far too often in the future.
2
The pretty blonde sub’s ass turned a pleasing shade of red as I brought the flogger down on her. I could appreciate that the scene was beautiful, and I cherished the trust she’d put in me.
