Abby laughed. Even to her ears it sounded bitter. “If I wasn’t allowed near his friends, what makes you think I’d know anything about enemies? Although...” She hunted after the elusive memory grimly, and was finally able to bring it forward. “I seem to recall him saying something about being connected to the mob, but I just thought at the time that it was more of his boasting.”
Seth and Piotr’s eyes met. Piotr nodded once, slightly, then stood. “I think we’ve covered as much as we possibly can right now. Why don’t you two try to get some rest? You can wrestle some more with this problem during your stay here. In the meantime—” he walked toward the door and held it open for them, “—please take advantage of the hospitality of my home.” Piotr grinned, for the first time appearing human, and approachable. “Even if it does look like a Disney villain’s mansion.”
Seth covered his mouth and coughed, but not before Abby saw the way his lips curved in a startled smile.
Piotr bowed. “I hope you enjoy your stay, Ms. Marcheson.”
Abby followed Seth out into the hallway. “Thank you, Mr. Romanov.”
“Piotr, please.” He shot Seth a knowing smirk. “I believe we will see each other often in the future, yes?”
“Yes.” Seth took hold of her hand and drew her close to his side.
“Then you’ll have to call me Abby.” On impulse, she leaned up and pressed a kiss to Piotr’s cheek. “Good night, Piotr. And thanks.”
She allowed Seth to pull her away, aware of the stunned expression on Piotr’s face. “Dobryj vyechyer, malen’kaya sestra.”
“What did he say?” she whispered as Seth led her to the grand staircase.
From his pleased expression it was something good. “Stay safe, little sister.”
Chapter Eight
Once in the bedroom, Seth held out his arms and Abby threw herself against him. She was trembling.
He understood, even if he didn’t like it. Her stalker was using her fear of Doug to terrorize her He was surprised she’d held it together this long. He’d fully expected her to breakdown in Piotr’s office.
If Doug was dead, then...yes. It all made sense now. The Shem had assumed Doug’s identity to terrorize Abby.
They had a Chameleon on their hands.
He’d need to update Gabriel immediately. Chameleons were among the most dangerous of the Shem, able to hide themselves in plain sight, away from angel-born eyes. Chameleons could change their shape at will, imitating specific people and appearing human to all but the most acute angel-born senses. They were adept at hiding their auras, even more so than an Angelus. And Shem Chameleons fed off of the fear they generated when their impersonation terrified their victim. As the mind of the victim broke, the Chameleon would feed until nothing was left but a husk...
Or a body.
None were as adept at hiding themselves as Chameleons, not Angelus, not even Fallen. Dante and Damien would need to know what they were up against. The usual methods of hunting wouldn’t work here. Damn it. If they had an Oracle in their cell this wouldn’t be as big a problem. The visions of an Oracle could potentially cut through the illusions Chameleons used to mask their presence. Instead, they’d have to narrow down their search, concentrate on where the Shem stink seemed to linger through time, building up until not even a Chameleon could hide it any longer.
Seth cursed under his breath. No wonder they hadn’t been able to catch the son of a bitch. He could be literally anyone, anywhere.
But before he contacted the Double Trouble Team, he had to calm Abby.
He held her tight and hoped he could ease some of her tension. Gradually, she relaxed. She lifted her head from where it had been resting against his chest.
“Thank you. I haven’t said it yet, but thank you, Seth.” She pulled his head down and he took her unspoken invitation, and her lips.
“God. Abby.” Abby clung to him as he gently lowered her to the bed. He followed her down, wrapping himself around her. He kissed the place where the dress draped away from her shoulder, enjoying the shudder that racked her body. He nipped his way up her neck, pausing gently bite her earlobe until she was shivering and clinging to him. Her body arched into his, her legs moving against him restlessly.
She was addictive. Perfect. She was drugging his senses, drowning him in soft skin and delicate scent. He thought he would die of pleasure when her hands pulled his shirt from his jeans and began a lazy exploration of his skin. He wanted her naked beneath him, her beautiful breasts bared, her legs wrapped around him as he took her.
He tugged and yanked at the green dress until she lifted it over her head and threw it to the floor. He damn near came on the spot when he saw she wore the red underwear he’d bought for her. Her creamy skin glowed against the satiny material. He couldn’t stop himself, and didn’t want to. Every instinct he had said to make this woman his own. He bent his head and marked her right breast, sucking and nipping until she developed a dark hickey. Satisfied, he slipped his hand under the material and drew her breast out, taking her nipple into his mouth. She threw her head back, crying out. It was the sweetest sound he’d ever heard, a siren’s song of need he had every intention of answering. She grabbed his head and held it in place, clenching and unclenching her hands in his hair. He gave her what she demanded, unclasping her bra so both her breasts were free.
“Seth. More. Please.” Abby’s tone was desperate, practically dragging his mouth to her other breast. He groaned in response. It was a demand he was more than happy to comply with. She quivered beneath him as he kissed his way across her chest, arching up, offering herself to him. He lapped at the skin around her tight little nipple until she was begging him to take her into his mouth.
“Oh, Seth.” Her legs wrapped around him, cradling him between her thighs, pulling him ever closer to her, and he moaned against her breast. She clasped his ass, kneading him as he finally took her nipple between his teeth. He nibbled on the tender flesh and she ground against him.
Could she come just from this? The thought intrigued him. Someday he’d explore that—nibble and suck until she screamed out her pleasure—but not today. Today he was so hard he was afraid he’d break in half when he finally freed himself from his jeans.
He lifted his mouth to hers once again, kissing her in a fever of need, his hands roaming down her body to strip off her panties. He fingered the soft, wet flesh between her thighs, eager to feel her climax under his hands.
* * *
She thought now might be a good time to tell him something, something important, but she couldn’t remember what that something was. The need to tell him grew even fuzzier as his mouth moved to the hollow of her breasts, lingering there, tasting her, feeling her shape with his lips before moving once again to encircle her breast. He sucked on her nipple until her entire body throbbed with need. “Seth, please.”
His fingers moved faster between her legs, thrusting into her, mimicking the act they both wanted. Her hips thrust against his hand, the pleasure building, the friction of his jeans adding sensation on top of sensation. She reached for his zipper, eager to feel the weight of him in her palm. She wanted to stroke him, learn him. Taste him on her tongue.
More than anything, she needed him inside her.
Seth’s fingers twisted and a brutal climax ripped through her, startling her. Her whole body convulsed, her thighs tightening around him, blind to anything but the feel of him.
When it was over, he sat up and ripped his shirt off, throwing it onto the floor by the bed. She plucked at his nipples, smiling when he hissed. She laughed, aware how husky her voice was. “You like that?”
The heat in his gaze should have scorched her. He eased his jeans down his legs, kicking them, his underwear and his shoes off the bottom of the bed.
He lowered himself on top of her, his erection pulsing against her entrance. “Now. Where were we?” His expression was filled with a stark need that caused her to shiver in reaction.
She grabbed hold of his cock and squ
eezed, amazed at her own boldness. Doug had never made her feel so brave, so free. “Right here.”
He was perfect. Even the scars here and there only added to his allure. She traced one with her finger. “Where did you get this?”
He paused, his hands stilling. “I’ll tell you later.” He kissed the side of her neck, his whispers rasping against her. She shivered. “Promise.”
Perhaps Seth had his own bad history, one she didn’t know about. She’d lost track of him when she was still a teenager. What had happened to him?
Then she forgot all about scars and pasts. His cock nudged her opening. “Abby.”
So big. He was so big, so long, as he entered her. Nothing had ever felt so right as Seth van Licht entering her body, making her his. This time when she grasped his ass, there was no denim between her palms and his flesh.
Oh. That was perfect, too. She squeezed, just to make sure.
Yup. It was firm and round as he thrust inside her. Perfect.
She traced her nails down his flat nipples, loving his reaction as he closed his eyes and groaned. She leaned into him, and did to him what he had done so many times to her—she suckled him.
She was startled by the strength of his response. He rolled over and grasped her head, holding her to him. He set his feet flat on the mattress and thrust into her like a wild man. She moaned, digging her nails into his shoulders even as she loved on his nipple.
She lifted her head from his chest, grinning when he whined, and moved to his other nipple. She could feel her breasts rub against him, the sensation of his chest hair against her nipples teasing, tantalizing. She paused, moving herself back and forth, back and forth, until he grabbed her and rolled her onto her back again with a low growl.
“Tease.” He nipped her neck. Her answering laugh was low, cut off by his kiss as he began thrusting into her once again.
“Mr. Van Licht?”
The knock on the door startled her. Seth froze above her, his eyes glazed with passion, his cock throbbing inside her. She willed with all of her might for the butler to go away.
She closed her eyes in silent anguish as the knock came again, unable to stop the shudder that rippled through her. Seth inhaled sharply.
“Mr. Van Licht? Mr. Romanov would like to have a word with you, sir.”
Seth swallowed, frustration pouring out every part of him. She was equally frustrated. He stayed quiet.
“Mr. Van Licht? I believe Mr. Romanov said the matter was urgent, sir. Something to do with the young lady’s case.”
It was clear the butler was going nowhere. Seth groaned, hugging her fiercely. She was so frustrated, she felt like hitting something.
“I’ll be down in a moment.” Seth lifted his head from Abby’s shoulder and kissed her desperately, his body moving once more over her, sinking inside her.
Thank God. If she didn’t come in the next two seconds, there was going to be a dead butler.
“Very good, sir.” The measured tread of the butler could be heard moving down the hall.
Seth sped up, obviously determined to come, and come now. She thrust up against him, eager for her own pleasure.
Seth reached between them and began tweaking her clit. “Now, Abby.”
She nodded. Nothing could have stopped her, not the butler, not Piotr, not—
“Seth!” She choked, her whole body seizing as she came, beautiful agony scorching her from the inside out. She was pretty sure her nails drew blood as her hands convulsed on his biceps.
Seth grunted, his face twisting. He thrust into her harder, faster, chasing his own bliss. It came as she returned from her own mind-numbing orgasm, his body arching into hers. He groaned, and liquid heat poured into her.
She’d thought seeing him naked was perfect. She’d been wrong.
Slowly, their breathing returned to normal. She could feel him relaxing, holding his weight with ease. “Seth?”
“Hmm?” He sounded lazy, satisfied. Ready to sleep in her arms, right where she wanted him.
“Go see what Piotr wants.”
She laughed when he whimpered and hugged her tighter, but it quickly morphed into a yawn. He pulled out of her sated body and sat up, his eyes tracing over her. She could see the satisfaction in his gaze. He’d turned her into a limp, wet noodle, and he couldn’t be happier about it.
Honestly, neither could she. She smiled, lazy and warm and happier than she could ever remember being.
* * *
He could feel his pulse begin to pound again at the expression on her face, and bit off a vicious curse. His cock, which should have had enough for the night, twitched when she stretched. He lunged for his discarded clothes, dressing as if his life depended on it.
Delicate fingers traced the wings on his back and he shuddered. If she only knew what a hot spot his wings were. “I like your tattoo.”
He turned and took those fingers in his hand, kissing them one by one. He’d have to explain what the tattoo really was someday, but for now he needed to find out what his brother wanted. Nothing was more important than Abby’s safety, not even his throbbing erection. “Wait for me, sweetheart. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
By the time he was done dressing, Abby’d curled up under the sheet. She appeared so seductive lying there, her hair in a tangle on the pillow, the sheet tucked primly under her arms, that he longed to climb back into bed with her and stay there until the trump of doom.
Then she yawned again, and he knew she’d be asleep before he left the room. A body could only handle so much stress before it gave out, and she’d hit her limit. She looked so innocent and sexy that he felt his heart turn over in his chest.
God, he loved her. She owned him and didn’t even realize it.
He smiled ruefully. “Get some sleep, Abby. I’ll go find out what Piotr wants.”
She stifled another yawn and nodded. He leaned down and planted a soft kiss on her lips. He pushed away from the bed and strode from the room before he could give in to temptation, glancing back once as he turned the lights off and shut the door.
Her eyes were already closed, her breathing even. He shook his head as he closed the door behind him.
Seth walked quickly to Piotr’s study, eager to return to Abby. He was surprised to see Andrea leaving. Piotr worked his PA far too hard, if she was still at it this late at night. She nodded to him in a totally professional manner, but the wink she gave him was friendly. She walked away, vibrant energy in every movement. Apparently, she’d been given an assignment, and Seth knew from past experience that when Andrea sank her teeth into a project, it wouldn’t be long before she got it done, and done beyond Piotr’s harsh expectations. Seth wondered if Doug’s history was that project. If so, he suddenly felt a whole lot better about the future. Andrea was tenacious when it came to business. He could only imagine how determined she’d be for a friend.
He entered Piotr’s study, closing the door behind him. He seated himself in one of the comfortable leather chairs in front of Piotr’s desk. Piotr wouldn’t have summoned him for just anything. He’d deliberately waited until Abby would be in bed. He couldn’t have guessed that he’d be interrupting their lovemaking.
Then again, with Piotr’s Cambion powers, he probably knew exactly what he was interrupting. The man fed on sex, after all, and he’d probably just gotten a bellyful.
“I think it’s a Chameleon, and Damien agrees.” Piotr turned to face him. “That would make the most sense. The fact that you could barely sense it, that it looked like that mudak but no one can find it, lends itself to that theory.”
Shit. That confirmed it. “That’s not all.” Piotr sighed. “I have the information you requested. Dante sent me the file—after much arguing on my part.” There was something in Piotr’s voice that caused Seth to stand up straighter.
“What did he find out?”
Piotr’s fingers moved gracefully over the keyboard. “This.” Piotr turned the monitor so that both men could see what was written there.
/> “Son of a bitch.” Seth cursed softly, eyes glued to the screen. One picture was of Abby and her family, the four siblings and two parents, arms entwined, smiling at the camera, taken not long before the fatal fire. The next clipping showed an unrecognizable Abby with her face bruised and bandaged, slowly walking into court, her wrist in a sling. Her parents followed with assistance, her father in a wheelchair, her mother’s face and arms heavily bandaged. There was a picture of Doug—a tall, handsome blond man with a slender build—smiling for the cameras as he was led into the courtroom. Seth clenched his teeth and pressed on.
The last picture was the one that caused him to mutter a curse. It was a picture of Lindsay Marcheson in handcuffs. The image was grainy, but unmistakable. It had never been in the papers, or on the Internet, or he would have found it sooner. He had no idea where Damien had found it.
What the hell?
“Tell me, old friend, how well do you think you know Ms. Marcheson and her family?”
Seth lifted his gaze and stared into the concerned face of his brother and best friend. “Not as well as I thought.”
Seth had a serious problem. On the one hand, he could prove his trust in Abby by waiting for her to reveal her secret. On the other hand, whoever was stalking her had broken into his family’s home and could return there, intent on harming them.
Damn it. He had to know what to expect. Hopefully, Abby would forgive him.
“Tell me all of it.”
Piotr nodded. “Abby Marcheson, born July twenty-seventh, is the middle child of Carol and Kevin Marcheson. She has an older brother, Bill, a younger sister named Lindsay, and a younger brother named Kent.”
Seth frowned. He knew all of this, but barely remembered Kent. When he’d finally come out of his depression over the loss of Fiona, he’d been sorry to hear the youngest Marcheson had lost his life in the fire Doug set. Kent had still been a child when Seth was around. He would have been sixteen by now.
“Abby went to beauty school straight out of high school and managed to catch the eye of a fairly prestigious salon, Mane Frame. The owner took her in and gave her an apprenticeship, and she works there still. Five years ago, she landed in the hospital due to multiple facial fractures, cracked ribs, a broken wrist and a damaged larynx due to Douglas Finley attempting to strangle her to death.”
All for You Page 17
