by Dahlia Rose
She wiggled in the place and tried to rise up.
Jace placed his arm across her lower back and spanked her, alternating between cheeks, several whacks in succession. After each swipe he would rub the spot, creating two different sensations. Tears formed at the corner of her eyes, and her breathing hitched as she gulped down air. Whimpers fell through her lips as every slap that connected with her behind sent a current sizzling directly to her pussy. She pressed her thighs together and her clit throbbed.
Lettie quickly relaxed her muscles and listened to his chuckle. “So my woman likes it a little rough.”
“Please, Jace.” Within minutes she’d been reduced to begging and she wasn’t sure if she was pleading for him to stop because they were out in the open or to finish what he started and fuck her in front of anybody who cared to watch. She lived in a working-class neighborhood and knew most of the residents had already gone to work but there were also a few folks that stayed home for whatever reason.
“Hey!” Leo yelled, “What the hell are you doing to my sister?”
The hollow sound of a screen door slamming sent a sense of relief through her, warring with her desire for Jace to continue with her punishment. She sighed and tried to rise, only to be held in place. “It’s my brother, Jace, let me up.”
“No. I give less than a damn who he is. This is between us,” he hissed
“Release her, motherfucker, and come fight a real man,” Leo bellowed.
“You obviously have never been mated,” Jace responded drily. “I am not hurting Leticia, simply teaching her a lesson.” He smacked her ass again.
Lettie could feel her cream coating the sensitive tissue of her labia. “Jace,” she whispered his name. Even if no one noticed what was happening before, with her brother yelling she was sure someone was more than likely watching now.
Jace released his hold and helped her sit up. Leo stood a few feet away, his feet planted in a wide stance while he gripped the aluminum baseball bat in a meaty fist. She glanced at Jace’s profile. His lips formed a firm line, and he stared at Leo through half-lidded eyes.
He crossed his arms and cocked his head. “What Leticia and I do are none of your concern.” His voice was a low rumble.
“I don’t know what the fuck is going on, but if you put your hands on my sister again, I will beat the shit out of you,” Leo huffed.
“Leo.” Lettie rose.
Jace gripped her wrist and she looked over at him. He shook his head. She narrowed her eyes. “Let me go.”
“I will put you across my lap again.” His voice dropped an octave. “Or maybe that’s exactly what you want. Tell me you didn’t enjoy that.” He leaned down and pressed his lips against hers before sliding off the trunk.
“I can’t…” Lettie sputtered.
“You did.” He stared back at her with a sexy smirk.
“Lettie, what’s going on?” A thread of confusion layered Leo’s voice.
She slid off the auto and stepped between the two men. “Leo it’s okay, put down the damn bat.”
“Of course it’s all right.” Jace ambled around her and offered his hand to Leo.
Leo looked over at Lettie and released the bat when she nodded. He took the Native American’s hand and shook. When he tried to pull back Jace held tight. “I’m going to let Leticia explain what’s happening, but you should understand something. One, get between my mate and me again and I will kill you. Two, if you ever raise a weapon at me again, you will be picking your organs off the ground. Either way you will die.” His voice was a low drone devoid of emotion. Jace released Leo’s palm and grinned. “Great to meet you.”
Her brother stared at him and shook his head. “Did you just threaten me?”
Jace strolled toward Leticia and took her face in his hands. He brushed his mouth against hers. She opened her lips, wrapping her tongue around his. His hands slid to the back of her head and into the tangled mass of hair at the nape of her neck. She lifted her arms and gripped his shoulders as he sucked her tongue deeper into his mouth.
Leo cleared his throat.
Her man broke his kiss and rubbed his forehead on hers. “Have a good day at work. I’ll pick you up at six. Pack a bag after the Hala. You and I still need to work out a few things. And bring your brother. I like him.” He looked over at her twin. “Threats are for children. I make promises.” He returned his gaze to Leticia. “Tonight.” He nodded and ambled toward his patrol car.
Lettie ran her digits over her lips. When did she decide he was her man? His vehicle turned over and he pulled off. She watched as he drove away and turned the corner until she couldn’t see the automobile’s taillights any longer.
“Little sister, start talking.” Leo strode up next to her.
“Don’t you have a plane to catch?” Lettie peered over her brother.
“Are you in some kind of trouble? I got a little money saved. We can book you a flight out tonight.”
“Can’t.” She spun on her heel and sauntered toward the house.
“Of course you can. You’ll stay with me.” Leo trailed behind her.
“Thanks.” She held the screen door open for her brother. “Let me put it this way. I don’t want to go with you.”
Leo stepped into the entrance and stopped beyond the doorway. “Talk to me, baby girl. What is happening?”
Lettie let the door slam behind her and shut the interior door, turning the bolt. “I have some time before I need to head to the university. Sit down while I make a pot of coffee. We have a lot to chat about.”
* * * *
Christophe watched the scene unfold between the Indian, Lettie, and a third player he had no information on. This shit was better than daytime television. He shook his head. All he needed was the route Lettie took to get on and off the res unseen. The nonsense going on with her and her lovers was just an added entertainment bonus. He knew she had to be a freak the moment he laid eyes on her. Too bad he wouldn’t get the chance to find out just how good she was in the sack.
It took a few hours and a bit of man power, but his assistant contacted him well before sun- up with Leticia Washington’s home address and the department she sometimes worked in at the university. His time in west hell was about to come to a close. Staking out her house had been his best idea yet. Granted, he’d been sitting in the sedan longer than he’d wanted to, and the urge to take a piss was riding him hard. The plan he’d put together in his head was coming to fruition. And Messina Corp. wouldn’t have to pay those damn Indians a fucking dime.
Trucks hauling the hot waste from various paper mills and plastic plants were on their way to town and he needed to give the dispatchers the coordinates to have the vehicles meet him. Once he had the location, he’d contact the sniper to make sure his people were covered just in case. The urge to pee had him dancing in his seat. He couldn’t hold his urine any longer and eased the door open. He planted his feet on the concrete and glanced around to make sure no one was around. Sure he was alone, he rose and walked the few steps to the trunk. He unzipped and pulled his cock free to piss against the rear tire. Christophe studied Lettie’s home. The only unknown factor was the tall, solid black man that followed her into the house. Done, he gave his rod a quick shake and tucked it back into his pants. He returned to the driver’s side and leaned into his car to reach into the glove compartment. The revolver he kept there would be his equalizer. He wrapped his palm around the butt of the gun and pulled it free. He did a quick check to make sure the chamber was fully loaded. And he snapped the barrel back in place.
Christophe straightened and rolled his shoulders. With the weapon firmly in his grasp, he stuffed his hand into his slacks pocket. Slamming the car door shut he walked to the curb and glanced both ways before crossing the street.
He marched up to her door and rang the doorbell. The sun’s rays seared his back as he waited. Soft footfalls reached his ears. Maybe he wouldn’t have to use the revolver. If Lettie answered, he would show her the gun and rush her
to his car. The barrier was swung open. Christophe stared up into the dark eyes of the big guy and drew his weapon. Change of plans. He extended his arm and pulled the trigger.
The pop echoed through the house and the recoil made him jerk his hand. Blood splattered over his fingers and wrist. His victim’s eyes widened as he stumbled back, clutching his belly. Christophe fired another shot into the fella and watched him crumble to the floor.
He marched into the house and stepped over the prone form. Leticia came running down the hall. He gripped the gun tighter and swung his arm, catching her across the jaw with the butt of the revolver. She slammed into the adjacent wall and slid down. Christophe snatched her up by the biceps and shoved her toward the front door.
She toppled to her knees and half crawled to the man he’d shot. “Leo!” She lifted his head, screaming.
Christophe pocketed the weapon and marched up behind her. He backhanded her, and she slid a few inches on the hardwood floor, pulling the guy into an awkward position. He didn’t have time for this. Christophe bent over her and worked her fingers loose of the guy’s shirt. Burying his hands in her hair, he jerked her up and shook her until she stopped sobbing.
She stared at Christophe and her eyes turned cold. Her chest heaved. “There is nowhere you can hide that I won’t find you. You will die by my hand.” Her voice was dead calm.
“Sorry, babe, consider yourself collateral damage.” He propelled her over the threshold. “Sadly you won’t live past tomorrow. But if you give me the information I need, I will give you a fighting chance. A gift from me to you. Now fucking march.” He wrapped his palm around her wrist and hauled her to his car.
When she hung back, dragging her feet, and tried to get back to the house, he rammed the gun in her side. “Get in the car. If you scream, I will shoot you and leave your ass dead in the street,” he whispered.
He lugged the door open and shoved her into the seat, running around the fender to enter on the driver’s side. In the sedan he glanced at her before starting the car. Her pale robe front was streaked with blood. She’d formed fists at her side and her breath was coming in small pants. Lettie stared back at him through narrowed eyes. He could almost see her thought process as she watched him.
“Give me the case on the floor.” He kept the gun directed at her.
Keeping her eyes on him she groped for the bag at her feet. She patted it a couple times before picking it up and ramming it across the middle console toward him.
“Do that again, and I will pull the trigger. I can still get the information I need if you’re simply hurt. Christophe shook his head. “There’s a spool of invisible tape in there. Get it.”
She pressed the latch that unlocked the case and the top popped up. He waited what felt like hours when it was only a moment or two before she dropped the lid and held up the tape.
“Wrap a piece around your wrist. Hold your arms out and keep them together.” He jerked the weapon at her.
The adhesive screeched when she pulled on the thin material. The little case hung from her wrist where she stuck the end of the tape to her skin. Using his other hand, Christophe circled her arms several times with the sheer flexible plastic until he was sure she couldn’t maneuver her hands. He threw his portfolio in the backseat and spun his seat, digging his keys from his pocket. A last glance at Lettie’s place and he started the car. Her front door was wide open and he could make out the top of a shoe. It was probably what kept the barrier from closing. He glanced at her and she was peering back at her home as they drove by.
“I’ll keep my word, Lettie. If you can show me the route you use to get on and off the res, I’ll leave you in the desert. You’ll have a fighting chance to get to a road or even someone’s home.” He kept his tone soft.
She’d locked her fingers together and settled her hands in her lap. Slowly she turned her face to him. “I use a canyon. Go to the crossroads where one way leads to the casino and the other into the tribe’s lands. Once we get on there, we need to cross a gully. Once we pass the dry creek bed, I promise no human will find us.” She pressed her lips together and twisted to face the street.
“See how easy that was. As promised when we’re done I will leave you there.” He pulled his cell from the niche under the dash and dialed his sniper.
Chapter Ten
Jace ignored the vibration at his hip. He was sheriff of the Supai Indian Reservation and had work to do, idiots to arrest, and a fucking sniper to find. He did not have time to field questions from his mother or his sister. They were taking the Hala to a whole other level of annoyance for him. He grumbled as he reached for his side and pressed a button to stop the buzzing.
One of his men appeared in his office doorway. “J, Myer is on the line, says answer your fucking phone, it’s important.” The side of his deputy’s mouth lifted up on the side.
Jace cocked a brow at Tully.
The man grinned wide. “His words, not mine. He’s on line three.” Tully disappeared from the entrance.
Jace reached for the handset and stabbed the flashing button. “I’m busy.”
“There’s been a shooting.” Myer’s voice boomed through the phone.
“That’s nothing new. You white folks are always trying to kill something.”
“Dumbass. A nine-eleven call came in and when my officers went to check it out, there was one man down with two shots to the belly. He said his sister was snatched out the house before he passed out. They rushed him into emergency surgery.” Anger colored Myer’s tone. “Some motherfucker brought violence to my town.”
“Do you need additional man power?” Jace leaned back in his seat. His gut tightened. “I can send Tully and a few others to help you out.”
“You’re going to need them, brother. The incident took place at Leticia Washington’s home. I’ve sent some of my men tracking, I’m about to…”
Myer’s words became a blur of noise. His beast flapped its wings in his mind, opening its beak to hiss in anger. Tension tautened the muscles along his shoulders. Perhaps he’d heard wrong. “Repeat that, coyote.”
“Your woman has been taken. My men are tracking her scent, When they checked in my guys were already at the res line. I’m about to meet them. Call your dad and let your people know we are on Supai lands.” Myers huffed.
“On my way.” Jace dropped the handset and yelled, “Tully!”
His deputy appeared in the hallway beyond the door as he slammed his chair back. “What’s up?”
“Gather the men. We’re going hunting.” Jace rose and grabbed the cell from his belt. He tapped the screen and scrolled down to find his sister’s number.
“Woot, woot,” Tully fist pumped the air. “You’re finally letting us go after that fucking sniper.”
“No, we’re hunting the ignorant bastard that took my mate.” Jace half listened to the rings as he waited for Teka to answer.
“Damn, the rumors were true. Even better, are you lifting the no-kill order?” His deputy rubbed his hands together.
“Yes, Jace?” Teka finally picked up the line.
“One minute, Teka.” Jace lowered the phone. “Let the warriors know they can disembowel the motherfucker.” He lifted the device to his ear. “Teka, have Mom or Dad call the elders together.” He started to unbutton his uniform shirt. In the background his men where whooping and calling out to each other, excitement and anticipation sizzling in the air of the station.
“Why?” his sister asked quietly.
“Some asshole has taken Leticia. I want the bitch found. Either they sanction the scarcity airborne, or I will take my men and lay waste to every son of bitch in the vicinity until I know she is safe. Remind dear old Dad that Custer’s last stand will be shit compared to what I will do.” He yanked the phone from his ear long enough to snatch off his shirt. “Do we have an understanding, Teka? Oh and Myer and his men are tracking on the ground.”
“Calling them now.” Teka rushed out the words.
“I’ll see you
from the skies.” He ended the call.
Jace dropped his uniform shirt on the desk and tugged his undershirt over his head, dropping it on the floor as he walked. In the station’s main room, his deputies were in varying states of undress. They all turned to stare at him in one unified movement. He unbuckled his jeans and toed off his boots before he lifted his head. “Men, the coyotes are hunting by land, so leave the dogs alone.”
Someone snickered.
“As I was saying, leave ’em be. If you don’t know a body, gut the bitch. We can take care of the paperwork later. There should be a woman with our prey. She is my mate and my scent will be all over her. Touch her and I will make your life hell in the few seconds before I kill you.” Jace dropped his jeans and rolled his underwear over his hips. “Fly warriors.” He jogged to the door and slammed through it.
It hit the wall with enough force to make the glass shatter. His men crowded around him, pushing over the threshold. They flooded the parking lot. Grunts and rumbles rent the air as they started to shift. Jace raised his arms and threw back his head. Pain skittered through him as his bones broke and realigned. He opened his mouth and his teeth melded and elongated, pushing past skin to form his beak. Black feathers sprouted through hair follicles. Jace took off running and hopped as his talons clawed at the cement. A few flaps and his wings caught the air current, taking him higher into the sky.
He glanced down. Shadows moved below them, a large mass that anyone not looking up might swear was cloud coverage. He angled his body and broke away from the others. Myer said they had tracked Leticia to the reservation line. He would start his search there. He soared along the cliffs, watching the ground for any movement. A familiar scent drifted to him and he twisted his head. Hundreds of condors trailed behind him, led by his father.
