Branded by Lust: 4 (Night Seekers)

by Holt, Desiree

  Logan could almost see the blood drain from Rance Danvers’ face. “Are you sure?”

  “Sheriff, I wouldn’t joke about something like this. A neighbor called to see if Russ Connolly wanted to go into town for a beer and a burger. When there wasn’t any answer he decided to stop by. That damn dog of Connolly’s was barking its fool head off in the back. When the neighbor went to see what was wrong he found the body. Sheriff, he sounded like he was about to have a heart attack.”

  “God damn it.” The sheriff ground his teeth. “Did you dispatch someone?”

  “I sent Ford and Greg. They’ve been the lead on the other two and in on all your secret meetings.” She said the word secret as if it was tainted.

  “All right. Call the forensics team and the coroner. I’ll be on my way in a minute.”

  Ben was on his feet again, fists clenched at his side. “That ought to prove something,” he said. “If I was with you all morning and then here, I couldn’t have killed anyone.”

  “Maybe when you went to check your place before coming here.” But Danvers didn’t sound like he even believed it himself.

  Ben snorted. “Get real. I don’t even know where this place is where the body was found. Would I have had time to do that?”

  “You said you’re convinced the beast is real and is doing this,” Logan said. “Let us get out hunting it. The kill is fresh so it may not have gone back to its cave to hide.”

  “Give us the location of the body,” Rebecca broke in. “Ric, do you have all that information we went over uploaded to your tablet?”

  Garza nodded. “I do. We can plot where its escape route might be. Maybe even get lucky enough to find out what happens to it next.”

  Logan turned back to the sheriff. “Go on, Rance. Get your men out of here. Let us get to work.”

  He could tell the other man was reluctant but he also sensed something was going on that he didn’t want to know about.

  “Just get that thing out of here.” He stomped down the hall. The next thing they heard was the front door slamming and in a few moments the sound of tires on the snow-covered driveway as the vehicles pulled away.

  “I didn’t think he’d do it,” Ben said, scrubbing his face. “Jesus.”

  “I think the fact that arresting you would leave the devil beast still roaming his county was enough to persuade him.” Logan turned to Ric. “We’ve got some serious work to do. Let’s bring it all up on your tablet and figure out the best routes to take.”

  They spent fifteen minutes working out the logistics before they were satisfied they knew where to hunt.

  “You bring the big rifle?” he asked.

  Ric nodded. “I assume Bek is riding with me? She’ll handle the rifle?”

  “I am,” she told him.

  “What about me?” a voice broke in.

  They all turned to look at Randi.

  Rebecca cleared her throat. “You might want to go in the den and occupy yourself with your laptop for a while.”

  The woman’s eyes widened. “Are you kidding me? After I drew the sketch of this devil? I want in on this too. I think I have to see it with my own eyes.”

  Logan exchanged looks with Rebecca then with Ben.

  “You might see some things that are hard to believe,” he said at last. “Things it…might be better if you didn’t know about.”

  She shook her head. “After this I think I’d believe anything. I’m not a child, Mr. Tanner.”

  “Considering everything you probably should call me Logan.” He looked at the others again, saw the tension on Ben’s face and sighed. “She’s right,” he told them. “And we can’t waste any more time. Rebecca, take Randi and get in the helo with Ric. Ben and I will get going in a moment.”

  “All right. Just…whatever you see, don’t freak out, okay?”

  “Freak out? You mean there’s more?”

  “Just…hold it together until later. Okay, let’s go.”

  Logan watched as Ric led the two women to the waiting copter. Saw them all climb in. Watched Ric hand the big hunting rifle to Rebecca and make sure both women were buckled in. Then he and Ben walked out onto the back porch.

  “Time to do it,” he said.

  “I just hope Randi’s looking the other way.” He sighed. “Not that I can do anything about it. All right. I’m ready.”

  They undressed on the porch and Logan handed Ben a chain with a small disc on the end.

  “What’s this?”

  “When Ric spots the devil beast he will radio us the direction. This is the receiver.”

  In seconds they had shifted into wolf form and raced off across the snow. Logan happened to glance up at the helo, which was still rising. Randi Turner’s face was plastered to the window, frozen in shock. Another thing they’d have to deal with later.

  * * * * *

  Rebecca was so focused on the landscape below that it took a few moments before she realized Randi was tapping her on the shoulder. Ric had set them up so they could all hear and speak to each other so she didn’t even have to turn her head to say anything.

  “You saw?” she asked.

  “I don’t even know exactly what it is I saw,” Randi answered in a strangled voice. “Was I hallucinating?”

  “No.” Rebecca’s smile was grim. “Unfortunately not. Or fortunately, depending on how you look at it.” Silence. “Randi?”

  The other woman’s voice was unsteady when she spoke again. “So, if I saw what I think I did, are you also…” Her voice trailed off.

  “No. I’m not. But can we please discuss this later?”

  “Oh. Oh! Of course.”

  Then there was nothing but the sound of the rotors filling the cabin as Ric flew them over the mapped area. Below them, barely more than fast-moving dots against the white, Ben and Logan sped in their wolf forms, moving at a far greater speed than real wolves. Rebecca kept her high-powered binoculars glued to her eyes as she scanned in every direction. Her eyes were starting to feel the strain and she blinked hard, looking away for just a moment. She was just about to lift the glasses to her eyes again when Ric touched her arm and pointed.

  And there it was, about three miles ahead of Logan and Ben. She increased the power of the binoculars to zoom in on it more tightly then almost wished she hadn’t. It was worse than the photos she’d seen. Even worse than Randi’s sketch. And far more horrifying than the carcass they’d killed in Maine.

  Oh yeah. Someone’s been working on this. Someone with a brain seriously out of whack.

  Then she cleared her mind. She heard Ric speaking into the mic, sending the information on the beast’s location to Logan and Ben. In seconds they had changed direction, moving like sheepdogs to herd the beast toward a clearing. She slid the cabin door back and sighted down the rifle, the scope glued to her eye.

  “Take me lower,” she told Ric. “I want to get this thing before it somehow disappears.”

  Obligingly he tilted the nose and dipped lower, bringing her within rifle range. The beast, obviously distracted by the noise, paused and looked up, just as Ben and Logan neared where it was. She saw its lips curl back and its long tongue extend as it stared at the two wolves.

  It’s going to attack! No! No, no, no!

  She fired without thinking, again and again and again. The specially built rifle packed a bigger punch than an elephant gun but it still took five shots to stop the creature. As if reading her mind, Ric flew in even lower, giving her the chance to pump five more shots into it.

  And finally it was still.

  * * * * *

  They all sat in the kitchen of Logan’s ranch house. It was John Turner who poured the drinks this time, something they all needed after the past couple of hours.

  Ric had contacted Craig Stafford via the radio to send transport and scientists for the latest carcass. Then he’d radioed the sheriff and hovered over the spot while Logan and Ben sped back to the ranch. As soon as Danvers’ people arrived Ric went back to pick up the two men, now
dressed again, and they all waited, crime-scene tape strung around the scene, until the unmarked but familiar Stafford Global helicopter arrived with the men who would do the retrieval.

  Dr. Stan Grimaldi, who headed the team, looked depressed as he directed his people.

  “Whoever is doing this,” he told Logan, “is improving these creatures faster than we can catch up. It’s obvious the lust for the kill, for blood, is ramping up.”

  “I could have gone all day without hearing that.” Logan rubbed his forehead. “But I have to agree with you. And lust is exactly what it’s turning out to be. It’s almost like the creature’s brand.”

  “I told Craig we need to find the lair before it destroys us all.”

  “You know he’ll give you whatever you want. And us too.”

  “All I can say is, get busy.”

  Then there had been the commotion with Danvers and his deputies, many of whom insisted on snapping pictures with their cell phones before Rance could chase them away. Logan would have preferred they not do it but he supposed in their place he’d be hard-pressed to restrain himself.

  Now everyone else was gone. Eve had come to the house to prepare a meal for all of them although no one seemed to have much of an appetite.

  “So I guess it’s back to Texas for you,” John said, taking a sip of his drink.

  Logan nodded. “We’ll hang around for a day or two but yes, we need to get back. Because sure as hell, when we draw a breath another one of these devil beasts will show up and we’ll be off again. Craig also wants us to have a brainstorming session to see if there’s any way we can narrow the search for the lab to a particular area of the country.”

  “What if that place isn’t even in this country?” Randi’s voice was tentative.

  She was sitting next to Ben but it was obvious she was still processing everything she’d seen. Logan had seen better expressions on the faces of people who were shell-shocked. He sighed. Something else to deal with.

  “That would multiply our problems exponentially,” he answered. “Let’s hope you’re wrong.” He paused. “So Ben? Think you’ll be able to go back to the quiet life in the wilds of Montana after this?”

  He made a rude noise. “After such rousing support from my neighbors I’m thinking of selling my place and finding someplace else to retire from the world.”

  Logan exchanged a look with Rebecca. They’d both spoken to Craig about this and he was in full agreement with what they suggested.

  Rebecca studied the other man’s face. “What would you think of relocating to another part of the country? To a place so remote it’s called Desolation Ranch? Where you’d have others like you to befriend and work with. And be able to run whenever you wanted to.”

  The smile Ben gave her was the first she’d seen from him since they met. “Are you kidding? You’re asking me to join your team?”

  She nodded. “We talked to our boss and he’s in full agreement. It’s up to you if you want to say yes.”

  He tossed back the rest of his drink and leaned forward. “Damn straight I do. I just need to make arrangements to put my place on the market and trailer my horse.”

  “The team will take care of that for you,” Logan told him. “All you have to do is say yes.”

  “Yes. Of course yes.”

  “Um, I wonder if it would ever be possible for me to visit your place?” a small voice said.

  They all turned to look at Randi. The expression on her face was a mixture of panic and excitement.

  “I mean, I know what I saw today but don’t know what I saw. And I got to see that horrible beast in all its reality after drawing it. Since my folks moved I really don’t have any ties left to the area.” She shrugged. “I don’t want to intrude—”

  “Intrude?” Logan raised an eyebrow. “Are you repulsed by what you saw today or curious?”

  “Um…repulsed by the beast but curious about the rest. I have a lot of questions I’d like to ask. About all of you.” But it was Ben she glanced at.

  For a moment no one spoke. Then Logan nodded.

  “Maybe you could come back with us for a week and see what we’re all about. As long as you remember there’s a confidentiality factor. No media. At all.”

  “Who wants the media? I’m just not ready to let go of this.”

  “Okay then. Ric? How about you take the bird back to the ranch and I’ll call down there for them to send the plane back.” He relaxed for the first time since he and Rebecca had arrived in Montana. “Our little family sure seems to be growing.”

  Epilogue

  Rebecca closed her eyes and arched her body, the silken sheets beneath her smooth against her skin, the hard muscles of Logan’s body an arousing contrast. Catching himself on his forearms so she didn’t bear his full weight, the man she’d fallen so deeply in love with was worshipping her mouth. That was the only word for it. He nibbled at her lips, tugging with his teeth before licking each spot with a slight brush of his tongue. He traced the entire outline of her lips before resuming the nibbles.

  She pushed herself up against him, wanting him to hurry to get to the rest of her quickly. His low laughter rumbled through her body.

  “Patience, honey. Anything worth doing is worth doing well.”

  “But I want it all,” she murmured against his mouth. “Right now.”

  “I know you do.” His voice was husky now, thick with lust. “But I want to enjoy every delicious inch of your body.”

  “I want to enjoy yours too.” She shifted her thighs just enough so she could squeeze his hot swollen cock between them.

  “Do that too much and we’ll be finished before we get started,” he warned.

  Then he dropped his mouth to a breast, sucking one stiff nipple, again using his teeth and his tongue to stimulate and soothe. Rebecca loved the tiny little jolts of pain from the bites, slivers of electricity that shot straight to her cunt. As Logan continued to torment her nipple he palmed her other breast, kneading it rhythmically.

  Rebecca continued to squeeze his shaft, moving her hips slightly, trying to get him to hurry. Move faster.

  But god, his mouth felt so good on her, his tongue so arousing. So hot.

  When he moved his head lower the muscles in her pussy thrummed with anticipation.

  “Yes,” she moaned. “Yes, yes, yes.”

  He traced a line with the tip of his tongue down to her mound, tugging on her curls with his teeth before finding the hot button of her clit and rasping it with his tongue. Again she moaned, wanting more. Wanting it all.

  One finger then two slipped into her hot well, moving in and out as he continued to abrade her clit. She lifted her legs and draped them over his shoulders to give him better access to her body. She wanted him to fuck her with his tongue, to take her every way possible. When he lifted his head and slid his fingers out, moving her legs, she nearly cried out at the loss of contact.

  Then she heard the familiar ripping of foil and watched as Logan rolled on a condom. He knelt between her thighs, lifting her legs again. Opening the lips of her pussy, he entered her in one hard thrust.

  “Yessss.” She hissed the word.

  And then one finger pressed against her anus, pressed, pressed until it was inside and pushing deep. His other hand pinched her clit and the multiple assault on her senses was too much. She came instantly and explosively, clenching around his cock and crying out his name.

  Logan’s entire body tensed. He pushed with his hips again and again and again, his cock pulsing inside her. His finger was in her ass all the way, moving in time with his cock. As his hips pistoned so did his finger. Rebecca couldn’t believe that another orgasm was building when the first hadn’t yet subsided.

  It blasted through her as Logan’s climax wracked his body and they shuddered together. Nothing existed except the two of them and the electric void they’d been catapulted into.

  Mate! The word kept echoing through her brain.

  She had no idea how long it was before t
heir breathing returned to normal and she was sure neither of their hearts would beat out of their chests. Eventually Logan withdrew both his shaft and his finger and stumbled to the bathroom. She heard water running then he returned and scooped her into his lap.

  “I thought a nice warm bath would be in order.” He nuzzled the soft skin behind her ear.

  “Oh what a great idea.” She sighed. “Craig didn’t look too shocked when we told him we wanted to plan a small wedding.”

  He chuckled. “I think part of Craig’s plan is to make sure each of us has a mate. We should—” The buzz of the house phone interrupted him. “Damn.” He picked up the receiver. “Your timing couldn’t be worse, whoever this is.”

  “It’s me,” Ric said. “Sorry to interrupt the lovebirds but we have another situation. Better get dressed and get yourselves down here right away. Craig’s called a meeting. There’s been another kill.”

  “I can tell what it is just by looking at you,” Rebecca said. “Let’s get dressed. I’m determined that we’ll beat this devil beast sooner or later. Hopefully sooner.”

  About Desiree Holt

  Desiree Holt’s writing is flavored with the rich experiences of her life, including a long stretch in the music business representing every kind of artist, from country singer to heavy metal rock bands. For several years she also ran her own public relations agency, handling any client who interested her, many of whom might recognize themselves in the pages of her stories.

  She is twice a finalist for an EPIC Award, a nominee for a Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award. Her Ellora’s Cave release Rodeo Heat was the winner of the first 5 Heart Sweetheart of the Year Award at The Romance Studio, as well as a two-time CAPA Award-winner for best BDSM book of the year. She is a winner of the Virginia Romance Writers Holt Medallion. Romance Junkies said of her work: “Desiree Holt is the most amazing erotica author of our time and each story is more fulfilling than the last.”

  Desiree welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email addresses on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.