by Tia Didmon
“If I die the gun will be destroyed. They all have a small explosive inside the brain module. If you try to break in, it explodes. You try to override its programming it explodes. Only I can activate it.”
Jess motioned the other weapons. “These are all programmed to your team. There are ten of you?”
Kiki nodded. “We are the first generation of D.S. but they are already recruiting for the next squad. I believe they want one at every PIA office.”
Jess frowned. “What is D.S. and what is your mandate?”
Kiki touched the gun lightly, then locked it in place. “D.S. is for death squad. Officially we are to the PIA what SWAT is to the police force.”
Jenner’s voice lowered. “And unofficially?”
Kiki met his gaze. “Every member of my team has had a... run in with the demon race. We don’t know each other’s story but it’s clear not one of us has an issue taking a demon down. But that’s not all.”
Jenner’s eyes flashed with anger. “What can be worse than training to kill your best friends’ husband.”
Kiki glanced at Jess. “We are training to deal with weaponized abilities.”
Jess frowned. “What does that mean?”
“The PIA recruits us because we have high psychic shields but many of us have... other talents. If an agent or hybrid as they are now calling those of us with advanced psychic talents, breaks the law we are being called in to deal with them. No trial. No jail. We are the answer.”
Jess looked through the glass at the meat dummy. Even from the distance she could see the cement wall through the large hole in its charred chest. “You will take out PIA agents that betray the government. You will be the one to kill... us.”
Kiki’s look scarred her. “Yes.” Kiki locked the cabinet and turned to Jenner. “What should I do? My background put me on this squad and they want to encourage my relationship with Laura.”
Jenner frowned. “Why?”
“They want Laura back Jenner and Valen is in their way. He even jaywalks and we will be at his door.”
Jenner rubbed his face with both hands. “I’ll warn him. Will the PIA assassinate a demon without cause?”
Kiki shrugged. “I’m not positive but we’ve been told they have to break the law first. We’re a hit squad so it would have to be a serious infraction.”
“Except in Valen’s case,” Jenner growled.
“I would recommend you make it look like Laura is still under your control,” Kiki said.
“She was never under my control,” Jenner denied.
“It looked that way and the fact that she did everything you asked made PIA brass very comfortable. I don’t know what’s on the horizon but don’t be surprised if they test your sister’s loyalty to you.”
“If they even touch her...”
Kiki touched his arm. “You aren’t getting it Jenner. They will never harm you or Laura. Don’t forget who put this squad together.”
“My fucking father.” Jenner stomped from the room.
Jess looked at Kiki. “I’m so sorry, Kiki. I don’t know what to say.”
Kiki looked at Jess for a long time before answering. “What would you do?”
Jess knew what she was condemning Kiki to before she answered. “I would stay as part of the squad and learn everything I could. I would break ties with the people I was closest to in order to make them safe then protect them from inside the spider’s den.”
Kiki nodded. “I figured you would say that.”
Jess stared at the new weapon. “What are they calling that thing?”
Kiki looked sad. “R and D calls them DK10’s we call them what they are. Demon Killers.”
Jess left the armory with a stone in her chest. She had to find a way out of this disaster. She approached Jenner’s desk, flinching when she saw his eyes. He was pissed.
Jenner slammed down the phone. “We have a new development.”
Jess swallowed. “What?”
Jenner glanced around the room. “Laura used to volunteer at the animal shelter. The owner Ed was murdered.”
Jess nodded. “Yes, I heard about that.”
“Well he had updated his will, but we held onto it in case the stolen one surfaced.”
Jessica’s eyebrow went up. “Someone produced it?”
“It was delivered to city hall yesterday.”
Jess was confused. “Who gets the land in the current Will?”
“The city,” he said.
“And in the new one?”
“Kiki and Laura.”
Jess shook her head. “I don’t see how the city getting the land is advantageous.”
Jenner smiled coldly. “Because the city can choose who to sell it to. If you have connections, you could get it at a steal and it would all be legal.”
“There’s more.”
“Ladon Enterprises has already put a bid in on the property.”
“Shit. We need to look into Ladon. There’s no way this is a coincidence.”
Jenner grabbed a tablet off the desk. “Let’s go upstairs and talk to Valen and Dante and keep this between us.”
Jess followed Jenner into the service elevator that took them to the living quarters upstairs. He didn’t knock as he walked into Laura’s apartment.
Laura sighed, while Valen chuckled. They were sitting on the couch with the frail cat sitting between them. Both were petting the loudly purring cat.
Jenner put his hands on his hips. As Dante sat down on an adjacent chair. “The will from the Shelter was just produced.”
Laura startled. “By who?”
Jenner recalled all the events of the last hour as Jess attempted to ignore the sexy demon looking her over.
Valen stood. “This Ladon Enterprises is obviously connected to the Ladon demons. What information do you have on this company?”
Jenner flipped up the tablet. “I sent out a request from our office before I came up here. They’re based in Seattle so I have little. They’ve had some criminal allegations. They’ve been brought up on charges for money laundering, fraud and tax evasion but nothing stuck. Seattle PD believed they had connections to a local crime family but we haven’t confirmed that either.”
Valen looked mad. “So, the Ladon are a race of criminals?”
Jenner lowered the tablet. “It’s looking that way.”
Valen looked down at Laura. “Can you find out who is running Ladon Enterprises?”
Jenner glanced at Jess. “Can you find out who is calling the shots in Seattle? The casino here isn’t operational.”
Jess nodded. “I have a contact in Seattle PD. She will get us anything she has. I just need a couple hours.”
Dante looked at her. “May I assist you?”
Her body heated instantly. She tramped down the reaction. “I don’t want Maddie or Darnell brought into this. I will work in my office.”
Jenner held up a hand. “Actually, I don’t think it would be a good idea for you to work from your desk. I agree you shouldn’t work from your apartment. Can you work from Dante’s?”
Jess hated warm feeling that bloomed on her skin as much as the satisfying smile that lit Dante’s lips. “Sure.”
Jess entered the apartment assigned to Dante. It had the same layout as Laura’s but like hers there was little furniture. She kept her eyes averted as Dante removed his suit jacket and hung it on a hook by the door, needing to stay focused on her task.
She sat down on the leather couch, activated the tablet Jenner had given her and pulled up the report on the Ladon as Dante sat beside her. When her body heated in the now familiar sensation, she put the tablet on the coffee table and stood. She went to the fridge and opened it, surprised when she found it fully stocked, then noticed the unmarked green wine bottles lining the fridge door. “Any chance those are wine?”
Dante smiled. “No.”
Jess swallowed. “Juice is fine.” She poured a glass of orange juice before grabbing the phone. “I need to make a few calls.”
/> “Please go ahead.”
She grabbed the tablet off the table as she stood to stare out the window. The apartment had a limited view. Traffic whizzed by, ignorant of the catastrophic events unfolding above the city streets. She dialed the number as the muffled noise of street traffic reached her ears.
Daisy picked up on the first ring. “Officer Bell.”
“Hey Daisy.”
“Jess! It’s good to hear from you. I thought you had transferred to LA?” she said warmly.
“I did but I need your help.”
“Shoot.”
“Ladon Enterprises is opening another casino here. There are rumors that they have connections to a crime syndicate. Can you get me everything you have on them, specifically who is running the company?”
“I’m part of that investigation but we have little. They’re dirty but they have some powerful friends. We have the names of the current CEO’s but we don’t have the founder’s names. I’ll get you what I can.”
“Send me over everything you have and thanks. I owe you.”
“You bet.” Daisy hung up.
Dante sat back crossing his legs. “This Daisy is a friend I take it.”
Jess nodded. “She’s part of the Seattle PD authorized to work with us. She’s smart and dedicated. I really like her.” She was sorry this would be the last time she talked to Daisy.
Dante’s eyes narrowed. “You are sad.”
Jess cleared her throat. “I’m good, I just... well this situation is more complicated than I expected.” She grabbed her phone when it chimed. “Daisy sent me an email. I’ll pull it up on the tablet.” She opened the file. “I don’t recognize the names of Ladon Enterprises CEO’s, do you?” She handed the tablet to Dante.
He scanned the file. “No, but we will take this to Valen, if he doesn’t recognize anyone then we will contact the council.”
Jess frowned. “What council?”
Dante stood, placing the tablet on the table. “The demon council. We have at least an hour before we can meet up with Valen and Laura.”
Jess felt the race of excitement buzz through her. “We can go now.”
Dante pulled her close to his body. “Valen and Laura are meeting with a lawyer. They are submitting the updated will. Someone at Ladon Enterprises is about to have a bad day.”
Jess searched his eyes. “Who are these people?”
Dante ran a hand down her cheek. “I do not know... yet.” He kissed her.
The slow burn he had created with his soft caresses erupted into a firestorm of want and need. In seconds she was clutching his hair trying to bring him closer to her body. Images of her on her knees, taking him into her mouth played through her head like a movie. Was that him or her? Did she care? She ripped open his dress shirt, sending the buttons bouncing along the hardwood floor. As she began to kiss his throat, working her way down to his abdomen.
He growled when she nipped his chest, close to his nipple. His hands gripped her shoulders, pushing her down.
She undid his pants before taking the hard length of his erection into her hands. His cock rested on her lips as she looked up at him.
His eyes were a fire with lust. “Suck it Jessica.”
She felt her pussy clench at his words. Liquid heat soaked her panties. Still, she wanted control. This moment was hers. She caressed him lightly with her hand, opening in her mouth as if he were about to reach heaven before, stoking him with her hand once more.
His hand moved to the back of her hair. “Jessica,” he growled.
She drew him into her mouth, her tongue swirled around him in a lazy sucking motion. She felt his fingers tighten on her scalp. The thin line between pleasure and pain. She could feel his need for control. She was determined to make sure he had anything but.
Jess felt an arousal that bordered on pain. The feel of his thick shaft, thrusting into her mouth and the tense stance of his body made her feel as if she were the only thing that existed in his world. His hungry gaze watched every erotic caress of her soft lips as she began to suck harder and harder, attempting to draw his essence into her mouth.
He moaned before anchoring both hands in her hair and pumping into her mouth. She had a moment of fear before, relaxing into the erotic firestorm. He pumped into her with steady abandon before his hot jets erupted down her throat with an animalistic growl emanating from his throat.
She licked him gently, so engrossed in her work the loud banging on the door, caused her to fall back onto the floor.
Dante pulled her to her feet as Jenner shouted.
“Open up Dante. Now!”
Dante fastened his pants then opened the door.
Jenner stormed in and walked up to Jess. “Tell me you’ve been here the entire time?”
Dante’s eyes flicked red. “She has been at my side since we left Laura’s.”
Jenner’s glanced at Dante’s unbuttoned shirt. “Shit. I’m sorry.”
Jessica’s eyes narrowed. “What happened?”
Jenner rubbed his eye. “Someone used your pass to enter PIA headquarters.”
Jess went to her jacket and grabbed her pass out of the pocket. “It’s right here.”
Jenner sighed. “They cloned it.”
“Who?”
“No idea. They are wearing a black hoodie but whoever it is has a similar body shape and height to you and with your pass.”
Jess nodded curtly. “You had to be sure. I understand. How did they get my pass? I’ve only been around PIA agents or...” She looked at Dante. “The Moretti’s.”
Jenner shook his head. “I have no idea, but I intend to find out.”
Jess glanced at the buttons lying on the floor, trying not to blush. “What were they after?”
“They broke into the armory.”
She gasped. “They stole a demon killer.”
Jenner rubbed his chin. “They tried. Apparently only the guns owner can authorize transport via fingerprint.”
“What happened?”
“It blew up. Half the armory is destroyed.”
“Was it Kiki’s?”
“No. It was a team mate of hers named Arno. He is one scary mother, and he is pissed.”
“Were the other demon killers... DK10’s destroyed?”
“Nope. They have their own shielding. They protect themselves and their owners.”
“Smart weapons?”
“Oh yeah. These things are a whole new level of scary.”
Dante looked between them. “And Kiki is in the middle of this mess?”
“Yes.” Jenner and Jess said in unison.
“Merde,” Dante said.
Jenner nodded. “Yeah, there’s one other thing. Marcus was just informed about the death squad. He’s beyond furious.”
Jess felt her stomach sink. Every department knew about Marcus and his psychic ability. “What’s he going to do?”
“Private interviews with every member of the PIA. The witch hunt has begun.”
Chapter 6
Jess and Dante followed Jenner up to Laura’s apartment. She could tell he was nervous about his sister’s safety. Jess didn’t know who had infiltrated the armory. She hoped it had nothing to do with her but she intended to find out either way.
Jenner walked into Laura’s suite without knocking. The smell of tomato sauce simmering hit their nostrils.
Jenner went to the stove, pulling a lid off a stainless-steel pot. “You making spaghetti Laura?”
She shooed him from the kitchen. “You know cooking calms me.”
Jenner’s face darkened. “I won’t let anything touch you.”
Laura sighed. “You can’t protect me from everything Jenner.”
Valen crossed his legs as he sat on the couch. “It is his duty to try.”
Laura shot her husband a dirty look. “Don’t encourage him. You’re worse than he is.”
Jess leaned over the counter. “I love spaghetti.”
Laura glanced to Jess. “Well, you are welcome to have some
when it’s ready. Jenner eats it so fast he doesn’t taste it and I can only get Valen to eat chocolate.”
Jess stared at Valen. “He eats chocolate?”
Laura laughed. “He does but I’m not sure it’s because he likes the taste or because it drives Kiki mental.”
Valen shook his head. “Laura said that chocolate makes me more... human.”
Laura huffed. “I said it made you more endearing.”
Valen shrugged. “That too.”
Jess turned to Dante. “Do you eat any... real food?”
Dante shimmered in her mind. There is something I would like to eat.
Jess gave him a dirty look. We aren’t alone.
Our thoughts are private.
Keep your perverted thoughts to yourself.
Dante’s smile died as he looked at the door.
Marcus entered without knocking.
Laura threw up her hands. “Now, I remember why I don’t miss this place.”
Marcus nodded to Laura. “My apologies Laura but I need to... talk to Jessica.”
Dante moved toward the startled director. “What do you require... Samera?”
His questioning look said he noticed the threat in Dante’s voice. “It’s Marcus to my PIA staff Dante.”
Dante’s eyes flashed. “What do you want with Jessica?”
“We had an intruder. He cloned her ID. I demand to know where she has been that allowed someone that kind of access.” Marcus said.
“She was with us or in this building. They cloned her ID on site,” Dante said.
“I agree, that is why I need to... review her recent activities.”
“No one touches Jessica’s mind but me,” Dante growled.
Marcus’ eyes widened. He glanced to Valen.
Valen shrugged. “My brother has chosen. I suggest you adhere his warning.”
Marcus stared at Jess with understanding. “I apologize. I was not aware...”
“Now you are.” Dante interrupted.
Valen sighed. “You know how trying this time is... Marcus.”
Marcus nodded. “I do.” He looked at Jenner. “I will inform the PIA that I have interviewed you and Jessica.” He left without another word.
Jess was looking around the room. “What just happened?”
