The Fire Within

by Dana Marie Bell

  The Shem turned, despair and anger fighting across his face. “You’ll never take us all, Neph. We know who you are now.”

  “That remains to be seen.” And Dante raised his arms, his fire swirling around him in a deadly dance, lifting the hair off his neck in a rush of super-heated air. Immune to his own fire, Dante laughed, the sheer joy of the flame dancing across his flesh almost euphoric.

  With a simple thought, he unleashed the full force of that dancing flame on the Shemyaza who’d tried to kill his mother and threatened his woman.

  The stench of burning flesh filled the air as black smoke billowed out of the Shemyaza. Cranston shrieked briefly, so quickly engulfed by Dante’s fire that he was dead before he could drop to the ground.

  “Damn. Remind me not to piss you off.”

  Dante turned to Seth with a grin. “Damn straight.”

  Seth laughed. “You might want to tone down the flames, Johnny Storm. I think we might be close enough to civilization for someone to come investigate. They don’t need to see your Human Torch imitation.”

  “Testa di cazzo.”

  “It’s not nice to call your friends shithead, shithead.”

  Dante laughed and, with great reluctance, doused his flame. By that time the Shemyaza was reduced to nothing but ash. There was no body to clean up, and no need to remain in the cold that was now seeping into his bones. The ache in his arm, forgotten in his fiery anger, returned with a vengeance. He clutched it close with a grimace. “C’mon, fly-boy. Let’s go home.”

  Seth nodded wearily and retracted his wings with his own pained grimace. “We need to report to Gabriel, especially about your new appendages.”

  Dante sighed. He was not looking forward to the archangel’s interrogation, as gentle as it would be. They’d disobeyed Gabriel’s orders, and despite their success the angel was going to be pissed. “Shit.”

  Seth laughed as they began to slowly make their way back to Dante’s home. “Better you than me.”

  “I hate you so much right now.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Beth tried her best to force her shaking hands to work. “Let me make tea, Teresa,” she said, watching as Teresa began filling Dante’s tea pot with water.

  “Why didn’t you run after my son?” Teresa demanded, hands on her hips. There was a dark bruise on her temple that had Beth worried about concussion. “He’s hurt. He shouldn’t be out there alone.”

  “Because I knew he’d rather I stayed with you, making sure you weren’t hurt.” She’d known almost immediately where she was needed, and it wasn’t running after a Shem.

  “Come on, Teresa. Your hands are shaking. Let me make the tea.”

  Before Beth could protest, the tea pot was taken from her hands. “I’ll make the tea.” Damien, who’d arrived with Seth shortly after Dante ran off, had helped Beth carry Teresa into Dante’s house. “You two sit.” She was gently seated at the kitchen table and handed a biscotti. “Here, eat. It will settle your nerves. What exactly happened tonight? Gabriel will want a full report.”

  Elizabeth had to stifle a laugh, but took the biscotti. Her nerves were fine. Dante would tear Cranston apart for hurting his mother. She just hoped he came home to her unharmed.

  “I agree. Why did the Shem come here with a gun?” Teresa asked as Damien put the tea on the table. She took a seat across from Beth, her hands nervously cradling her own mug.

  “Simple. He’s the one who killed Jennifer Blake.”

  “The lawyer? The one working for the politician?” Teresa sounded surprised.

  “Yes. He was stealing from the Blessing campaign... Sort of.”

  Teresa scowled. “What do you mean, sort of? You either are stealing, or you are not stealing.”

  Beth tried to gather her scattered wits. She kept jumping at every little sound, wondering if it was Dante. Or Cranston. Thank God Damien was here, or she’d be a lot more afraid. Just knowing Seth was with Dante made her feel easier about him being out there, fighting. She’d seen Seth up against Diana, and knew what the Angelus was capable of. Seth was fierce when those he loved were threatened, and Dante was one of the few people he truly loved.

  Beth was grateful for that beyond words right now.

  “Cranston once worked for Romanov Enterprises. Piotr Romanov is not known to take kindly to people mishandling funds, and Cranston was definitely mishandling them. Andi found out about it, but before Piotr could investigate Cranston himself Cranston’s manager fired him.”

  Teresa nodded, her hands still tightly wrapped around the mug. She hadn’t taken a sip yet, but neither had Beth. “So this was revenge against Romanov.”

  “Exactly. I don’t even think Cranston knew he was working for a Nephilim, because the two of them never met face to face.” Beth’s hands clenched around her own mug, enjoying the warmth as she continued. “Cranston stole money out of Romanov’s personal fund, diverted it to the Blessing campaign, and began laundering it. He used Jennifer Blake as a blind, not knowing that she was having an affair with Todd Blessing. When she started looking into the financial records, Cranston realized that he hadn’t been careful enough. There was a Romanov file on the computer, but not on paper, and Jennifer must have found it. That’s what got her killed, not Shem hunger.”

  “So the Shem’s feeding off her was a red herring?” Damien joined them at the table. He took a seat next to Teresa and crossed his legs, very much the gentleman at leisure.

  “I think so. It’s also why Cranston stole the files out of Blessing’s office. He had to make it appear that the Romanov file never existed, but my friend found traces of it on the computer and was able to track the money from there.”

  Teresa frowned in confusion. “Why didn’t he just take the money and leave?”

  Elizabeth smiled grimly. “He wasn’t after money. He wanted revenge for losing his cushy mortal lifestyle. Killing Jennifer was a spur of the moment thing. An anonymous tip to the police, a little internet search of Jennifer’s records, use Blessing as the man moving the money around, and voila! Conspiracy du jour.”

  Teresa looked thoroughly confused. “But how did he hide what he was from Dante, let alone Piotr?”

  “Piotr never saw him, remember. As for Dante, he utilized a trick that Gabriel said he’d seen before. He threw off enough Shem stench to hide himself in that office, and just made sure that Dante only saw him inside it.”

  “Clever,” Damien grunted.

  “I bet Blessing was next on the murder list,” Elizabeth said quietly, looking up at Teresa’s shocked face. “In order for the murderer-as-Romanov plot to work, Blessing would have to die. The money would then mysteriously reappear in Romanov’s accounts, and the police would go looking for him as the murderer.”

  Damien nodded. “But you caught Kensington before Cranston was ready.”

  Elizabeth nodded, jumping a little as the doorbell rang. Damien got up to answer it, gun in hand, as she continued, “And Kensington, instead of keeping his mouth shut, sang like a bird. Romanov even spoke to me, although he didn’t tell me everything he knew.”

  “Of course I did not, mladshuyu sestru. At that time, I was trying to protect you. You have no place hunting Shemyaza.” Piotr Romanov, handsome as sin and cold as ice, sauntered into Dante’s little kitchen. “Where is Dante?”

  Beth wiggled her fingers in greeting. Now that he was no longer a suspect, she could treat him like the friend he was slowly becoming. “Chasing a Shem.”

  He nodded, smiling at Teresa Zucco with all the charm of a man who knew his own worth and didn’t give a damn about what anyone else thought of him. He picked up Teresa’s hand and kissed her knuckles. “Mrs. Zucco. You look exquisite, as always.”

  Teresa shook her head at him before rapping him on the head with her free hand. “You are a naughty boy, Piotr.”

/>   Piotr laughed, the sound light and genuine and warm as the summer sun. “Da, I am.”

  Damien was staring at him like he’d grown a second head as Piotr poured himself a cup of tea.

  “Cranston planned on running when he realized we were closing in on him, but Dante and I got to him before he could get away. He knew we wouldn’t let it go, so he came here.”

  “And ran into me.” Teresa scowled. “I cannot believe I allowed him to get the drop on me.”

  Piotr kissed her hand again. “It can happen to the best of us, prekrasnyy odin. That is why we always work in small teams, so that we never have to face a Shem alone.”

  Teresa didn’t look convinced, but before she could retort Seth and Dante came into the house. Dante looked pale, worn, his sling gone.

  Beth ran over to him, embracing him. “Ow.”

  “You’re hurt?” Her voice came out shaky.

  Dante embraced her tightly. “Only a little. I’m fine, tesoro.”

  “Dante!”

  Elizabeth turned to see Teresa standing in the doorway. Her hands were on her hips, and her lips trembled as she began to shout at him in Italian. Elizabeth only understood one word in ten, but she got the general idea.

  Seth was rubbing at his left shoulder. “I’m going to head home to Abby. She’s craving strawberries.” Seth grinned sheepishly. “I’m having some chocolate covered ones delivered tonight, and I want to be there when they arrive.”

  Seth was good for her friend, and Beth couldn’t be happier for them. “Tell her I said hi, and we have to go to lunch soon. And Seth? Thanks.”

  Seth nodded. “It’s what we do.” He rubbed his hands together and glanced around the room. “Anyone need a ride?”

  Both Damien and Piotr shook their heads, and Seth left after a brief goodbye.

  All the while, Teresa was berating Dante for getting injured even as she fussed over him. She insisted on pouring his tea, scowling at Piotr when he offered to do it.

  Piotr laughed again. “Very well, sestra. I will leave you to fuss over your son in peace.” He glanced at his watch, his expression returning to the cold, remote man Beth had first met. “If you’ll excuse me, I have an appointment I must keep.” He bowed once more over Teresa’s hand. “Dobryj vyechyer, malen’kaya sestra.”

  Teresa surprised them all. “Prebyvaniem bezopasny, moĭ brat.”

  Piotr laughed, the delight-filled sound so at odds with the cold-looking man. He kissed Teresa on the cheek and whispered something in her ear that had her laughing and swatting him in response. In a swirl of motion he was gone, leaving behind two very bemused-looking men and one very satisfied Teresa. She settled back down at the kitchen table with a secretive smile. “He’s a good boy.”

  Damien opened his mouth, but the glare Teresa sent him had him shutting it quickly. “I think that’s my cue to leave. Want me to report in to Gabriel?”

  Dante nodded. “Please do. Elizabeth and I have some things to discuss.”

  Damien nodded. “Stay safe, my brother.”

  Dante did the man-clench thing with Damien. “Stay safe, my brother.”

  “What did all that mean?” Beth whispered to Dante. “The Russian stuff, I mean.”

  “You know how I say ‘stay safe, my brother’?” Dante whispered back as Damien took his leave. “That was Piotr and my mother doing the same, except he called her sister.”

  “Oh.”

  Dante smiled at his mother. “I’m calling Dad to come and get you.” Dante winced as he reached for the phone. “I don’t trust myself to drive right now.”

  “I can do it, Dante.” Teresa gathered her things. “I know myself well. I have a slight headache, but I’m certain I have no concussion.”

  “Are you sure, Mama?” Dante cupped her cheek in his hand and studied his mother’s face intently. Whatever he saw there seemed to reassure him. Beth saw the relief that washed over his face, and was glad for it.

  “Si. I am fine, la mia fiamma.” Teresa kissed her son’s cheek. “Take care of your Elizabeth, hmm?”

  Dante’s answering grin was evil. “I plan on it.” He walked his mother to her car, leaving Beth waiting by the kitchen table. To give herself something to do she began cleaning up the tea cups and half-eaten biscotti.

  “Elizabeth.”

  She turned, only to find herself engulfed in Dante’s arms. He kissed her with a desperate longing that had her leaning into him, wrapping her arms around his neck and holding him tight.

  He’d been scared, and now was seeking comfort whether he understood that or not. But Beth did. She’d seen his pained relief when his mother had begun yelling at him, the sheer desperate want when he’d looked at Elizabeth. Something had happened out there, and now Dante needed Beth to make it all better.

  She freed her mouth long enough to mutter, “Bed.”

  Dante allowed her to tug him toward the stairs, his gaze hot and fiery on her the entire way. She could feel his heat licking up her back, her neck, along her rear end. He touched her with his flames, and she shuddered in response.

  At the top of the stairs he wrapped her in his arms once more. “I need you, Elizabeth.” He kissed her again, desperate and hungry.

  “Bedroom, tesoro.”

  He shivered against her. “Si. Bed.” He growled a warning when she shoved him off her. “Elizabeth.”

  She cocked an eyebrow at him, crooking her finger at him and backing toward his room. “C’mon, fire man. Let’s get horizontal.”

  He didn’t laugh the way she’d expected. Instead, Dante stalked after her, his clothes hitting the floor as he got naked.

  Good plan. Elizabeth pulled her own sweater off, then toed off her boots. “On the bed.” He whimpered, looking pained, and she laughed. “Dante. Get on the bed so we can fuck like bunnies.”

  He practically bounced on the mattress, he hit it so swiftly. She would have laughed again if he hadn’t immediately grabbed his arm. “Ow.”

  “Ugh. Stay put, you stubborn son of a bitch.” Dressed only in her bra and panties, Beth raced down the stairs to grab Dante’s pain pills and a glass of water. She carried them both upstairs, handing them to Dante with a scowl. “Take them.”

  He meekly swallowed the pills and lay back down. “Now what?”

  She was pleased he hadn’t fought her on the pills. “Now I ravish you.”

  “Oh. I like ravishing.” He groaned as she licked the side of his neck. “Is this the part where I think of England?”

  She giggled. “You’d better be thinking about more than that.”

  He tugged her close. “Trust me. You’re the only one I’ll be thinking of.”

  She smiled slightly. “Well?”

  He cupped her face in his hand and turned her toward him, leaning in for a kiss. She felt the tenderness in his kiss, the love in his trembling hands.

  She was home, where she belonged, and she was never leaving, Francesca and Lillian be damned.

  He ended the kiss gently, and much too soon. “I love you, Elizabeth.” His expression was filled with love and desire.

  She couldn’t keep the smug look off her face. “Good.”

  One golden brow rose. “Good? Just ‘good’?”

  Aw, listen to him grumble. Poor baby. He’ll break out the puppy eyes soon. “Not good?”

  He glared up at her even as his good hand cupped her ass. “Elizabeth, I want the words.”

  She hadn’t understood how serious he was about those three little words. How uncertain of her he still was. It was her fault, she knew. Her doubts about how fast their relationship had developed disappeared the moment he had run after Cranston, leaving her behind. The combination of pride and terror couldn’t be denied. “I love you too, Dante.”

  His slow smile lit her from the inside out. “Good.�
�� He kissed her again, taking her mouth slowly at first, gently, silently telling her of his love.

  But all too soon gentle kisses weren’t enough. It had been too long since he’d been inside her, and she needed him.

  Before she could do what she’d planned, his fire licked along her skin. “Dante.” She gasped, her breath stolen as his fire curled around her nipples, dancing over them, heating them.

  “Love you.” His flame stroked her between her thighs, caressing her clit. “I need you.”

  Shit. This was going to be far faster than she’d planned. Something about Dante’s inner fire sent her reeling, damn near ready to beg for his cock. “You’d better be ready.”

  He grabbed his cock with his good hand. “Ride me, tesoro. Come for me.”

  This time she was the one who whimpered as she straddled his hips. She gasped as she slid down his length, the searing warmth of his cock branding her as his from the inside out in an incandescent pleasure that rocked her to the core.

  She began writhing on his cock, brushing her clit over the blond curls that decorated his stomach just above, moaning in pleasure as his fire continued to stroke her skin, her clit, her hair. She was ablaze, on fire for him, ready to come at just the touch of his heat.

  “Going to come, tesoro?”

  She nodded, her head back, riding the wave of pleasure that engulfed her. Only Dante could make her come so quickly, so hard that she saw stars.

  “Again, tesoro.” He squeezed her ass cheek and grinned. “Come all over me. Mark me as yours.”

  She glared down at him even as she began to rock on him. “You’d better be mine.”

  He laughed, deep and rich, thrusting his hips up and driving his cock deep. “I’m all yours, love. You’re the only one who’s withstood the fire within me. How can I not be?”

  Beth was going to say something, but Dante did something with that fire of his that had her crying out in pleasure. She felt lit from within, glowing with him as he thrust into her. She placed her hands on his chest and rode him, reaching for that incandescent pleasure that was hovering just out of reach.