by SF Benson
On the third ring, she answers. “Yes, Hank?”
“I need to buy an airline ticket. You going with me or not?” No beating around the bush. I’ve pampered this female long enough. Something tells me she might like it a little rough.
The line goes quiet.
“Edwina?”
She drawls, “Do we have a deal?”
Not this shit again. I rub my forehead.
Say yes so she’ll go. The trip will be more pleasant if she does.
“Yeah, yeah. We have a deal. Just keep up your end of the bargain.” I disconnect and close my eyes. Edwina is gonna be the death of me. Sooner or later.
“Hank?”
My eyes pop open. Agnes sits in front of me with a deep scowl on her face.“You okay?”
“I will be.” I reach for the coffee cup and add cream and three sugars. “Just have to make a trip to New Orleans I don’t want to take.”
Agnes squints. “Want some unsolicited advice?”
This woman reminds me of one of the relentless nuns who taught me in elementary school. Agnes is giving me the advice whether I agree or not.
“I’ve had my eye on you, Hank. I remember that whole unfortunate mess with Sheila Montgomery. You fell hard for her and lost. She was your first love, but she won’t be your only love. Do yourself a favor and just forget about her. ”
Part of me realizes Agnes only speaks the truth. Another part of me wants to hold out in case Sheila comes crawling back to me. And then there’s the part that wants to go forward. It wants to discover what life with a certain vampire might offer.
“I know. This isn’t about me trying to get back with Sheila though.”
“But does this trip involve her?” Agnes points out. “Ever ask yourself why she ended up with Tyson?”
I stir the concoction, set the spoon on the table, and grip the coffee cup. My voice drops. “Every single day, Agnes. Without fail.”
She shakes her head and says in a soothing voice, “Ah, honey, you and Sheila were just kids discovering love. That jaguar was never truly yours. I knew her before you two hooked up. She always had a wandering eye, sniffing at every cat that stepped in the diner. While you were at home recovering from a hunt, she was meeting Tyson right here.”
Fuck! I always wondered why I’d wake up alone after one of our adventures.
Agnes taps the table. “I watched her shady behavior for as long as I could. One day I couldn’t take it anymore. I pulled her to the side and told her what I thought of her antics.”
Although I’m pretty sure I don’t want to hear Agnes’s words, curiosity forces me to ask, “What did Sheila say?”
Agnes reaches for the sugar dispenser and begins straightening packets. “She said being with you didn’t provide a safety net for her.”
I flinch. Working for the Falls Creek PD is a solid career. I joined the force shortly after Sheila and I got together. The work allowed me to provide for her and any kits we might have had.
“Sheila was afraid you’d be killed working for the force,” Agnes continues. “Naturally, I didn’t believe her lame excuse. I told her when your number’s up it doesn’t matter what you’re doing. She said Tyson had a better chance at a long life.” The vinyl bench squeaks as Agnes pushes herself up. “You don’t need someone that fickle around you. Let her go.”
It never crossed my mind that Sheila might be flighty. Selfish? Yes. I guess it’s true that you learn something new every day.
“Now that Edwina Devereaux…”
My head rocks up. “What about Edwina?”
Agnes leans over the table. “She can be a bit of a bitch, but I think she still has a good heart for an undead soul.”
I laugh out loud at her assessment. “Good one, Agnes. You do know that’s forbidden territory?”
“So what? I’ve never agreed with Council. Just a bunch of supernatural bigots if you ask me. Everybody has the right to love whoever or whatever they want.”
Agnes has a point. “Glad to know I’m not the only one feeling that way.”
“Trust me, Hank. There are plenty of folk in Falls Creek who feel that way, not just the supernaturals.” She pats my shoulder. “Think about what I said. Let me go grab your breakfast.”
Yeah, Edwina Marie Devereaux has her issues, but she’s easily tolerated. And thankfully, she’s not Sheila.
I scarf down my food, leave Agnes a generous tip with my tab, and head to the station. Hopefully, Captain won’t have a problem giving me some time off. I’ve banked plenty of overtime and haven’t used any of it. A vacation is long overdue.
Walking up the stairs to my desk, I find Captain Roger Miller, another human from one of Falls Creek’s founding families, standing near my chair. Wonder what he wants.
“Morning, Richards.” He jerks his chin in my direction.
“Morning, Captain. What’s up?”
“Got a call this morning from the NOLA PD. Come with me.” Captain wiggles his finger and lumbers toward his office in the corner.
A sinking feeling settles in the pit of my stomach as I slink behind him. Closing the office door, I stop in front of Miller’s desk. “What’s going on?”
“Sheila Montgomery Richards filed a missing person report on your brother,” Captain says as he rifles through a stack of papers on his desktop.
Why the fuck did she do that when I told her I was coming? “Captain, I spoke to Sheila this morning. She said nothing about a report.”
“We wouldn’t know if Superintendent Harris didn’t do me a favor. Maybe you should go down to New Orleans? Check things out. If your brother’s missing, Harris could use your help.”
“I’m sure NOLA PD can handle a simple missing person’s case.” Getting involved in another jurisdiction’s investigation wasn’t the smartest move. The few times we’ve had precincts outside Falls Creek come to town, our officers found it intrusive. It’s best to let NOLA PD handle their own cases. If they need my input, I’ll give it, but for all we know, this is some domestic shit and Tyson’s taking the coward’s way out.
Captain bobs his head up and down. “They can, but Harris gave his permission for you to work the case. He’d rather not have the NOLA Council on his ass. Take the rest of the day off. If you need any resources, Richards, everything’s at your disposal.”
Well, I guess things just got easier.
As I turn to leave, Captain adds, “Oh, and Richards?”
“Yeah, Captain?”
“Don’t fuck this one up. Internal Affair’s got its eye on you.”
Understood. The whole mess surrounding the deaths of humans earned me some desk time. I’ve been warned by the department and Council—any further screw-ups and I’ll be suspended indefinitely. It’s just more shit I don’t need in my life. If I’m not a detective, what do I have left?
Chapter 4
Edwina
What the hell was I thinking? I shouldn’t have agreed to go with Hank. Having to face Kragen after all this time is bad enough, but returning to N’awlins puts me in Cash’s path. A place I don’t want to be. One thing’s for sure though: I can’t return the way I left. The last thing I need is trouble with the Falls Creek Council, too.
The door creaks open, and Beaumont, the Ancient vampire, stands on the other side. His bushy salt-and-pepper eyebrows shoot up. “What are you doing here, Edwina?”
“I need to see Luc. Is he in?”
“Wait in the study. I’ll get him.” Beaumont pushes the door shut and glides down the hall.
Stepping into the room, I’m instantly greeted with laughter. It stops and Kelsie and Victor look up.
“Edwina,” Victor says flatly.
“Victor.”
His mate glares at me.
“Calm down, Kelsie,” I tell the child. “I’m here to see Luc.”
“I’m here.” The low-pitched voice comes from the hallway. “Victor and Kelsie, give us some privacy.”
The succubus hybrid and I exchange deadly glances before Victor sw
eeps her out of the room.
Taking a seat in front of the fireplace, Luc points to the vacated wingback chair. He steeples his hands in front of his chest before speaking. “What do you want, Edwina?”
“I’m leaving town.”
Luc tilts his head to the side. “Is this permanent?”
“No. Kragen just needs my help.” Telling the head of Council about Hank would be a colossal mistake.
“We spoke recently. Kragen said he contacted you, but he didn’t think you’d come.” Luc reaches for the bottle of crimson on the table next to the chair. “Join me?”
“Yes, please,” I say. Luc always has the good stuff.
He passes me a goblet, and the fragrant beverage tickles my nose. “What changed your mind?”
A good lie will suffice. “Kragen has done a lot for me. I owe it to him.”
“No other reason?” Luc eyes me from over the rim of the glass.
I squirm. Why is it everyone thinks they know me so well?
“Because you’ve allowed everyone to know you.” Luc reads my thoughts before taking a sip. “Edwina, we go back too far to start keeping secrets now.”
“Ancient history, Lucas.” I try to focus on the life-giving fluid in my glass.
“Doesn’t mean I’ve stopped caring about what happens to you, my dear.”
“What do ya think ya know?” I drain the glass to keep from saying something stupid while reconstructing the shield around my thoughts.
“Before you shut me out, you were thinking about Hank. That’s an interesting turn of events. It’s my place to—”
“Warn me the relationship is forbidden?” I set the glass on the table. “Tell me, Luc. Who am I supposed to hook up with? The vampires in this coven stay away from me as if I have the plague. I can’t travel freely without reporting to ya. Am I to spend my eternity alone?”
Luc purses his lips. “Sounds like a personal problem. You can’t go around harming others and not have any repercussions.”
“Everyone I’ve harmed deserved it.” I won’t sit back and become fodder for everyone’s jokes. A spell or two cast in the right places would put a stop to the abuse.
“And it’s that attitude which ended our relationship, Edwina. You still have not learned to be submissive.”
I stand up. “If that’s the type of relationship ya have with Inés, more power to ya. I’m nobody’s sub.”
“You still don’t get it. Really a pity.” Luc shakes his head. “Be sure to report in when you return.”
I can’t get home fast enough. That high-and-mighty prick has a lot of damned nerve trying to tell me how to behave. I’m still amazed I ever found anything admirable in him.
You were desperate.
Not anymore!
Slamming the heavy door behind me, I stop in my tracks. Bloody meat smells, coming from my kitchen, hit my nose. My anger makes me blind sometimes. I failed to notice Hank’s car outside.
“Everything all right, Edwina?” He calls out from his spot in front of the gourmet stove. If it weren’t for Hank, none of my high-end appliances would be used.
“Yes. Nothing to worry about.”
He removes a large steak from the built-in grill and places it on a platter. “It’s quite rare. Want some?”
It’s times like this I wish I still ate food. I push past him and yank open the fridge door. Hank’s replenished my supply. My lips curl up when I notice a few bags of AB negative on the shelf. I grab a packet and rip off the cap. I down half the container before I realize Hank’s staring at me.
“What?” I ask and wipe my lips.
“Shall we start over?” Hank hands me a napkin before taking a seat at the island. He cuts into his steak and says, “Hi, Angel. How was your day?”
Using the napkin, I clean my mouth and chin. I take a deep breath. One…two…three…four… Exhale.
“Edwina?”
“I went to see Luc.”
“Why?”
“Whenever I leave town, I have to report to him. Part of my punishment.” I sit across from Hank.
“They’re still punishing you for going after Alexander?”
“Ridiculous, right? Anytime I leave they want to make sure I’m not on the hunt again.” I crush the empty vinyl bag in my hand. “Why are ya here?”
“Not yet, Angel.” Hank speaks around a mouthful of steak. “We need to finish this discussion first. What did Lucas say that pissed you off?”
Great. It’s something else Hank doesn’t know about me, and I’m not sure I want to divulge it all.
Do you want to lose him?
My mouth opens and closes before I spit out, “He said I didn’t know how to submit.”
“Wait just a fuck!” Hank drops the fork on the granite counter. “You don’t submit to anyone! Not me. Not him.” Pushing his plate aside, he stands. “I think I need to have a chat with Mr. Council Leader.”
I jump off the stool and rush to Hank’s side. “No! Ya don’t have to defend me. I’m good.”
Narrowing eyes gaze down at me. “Explain. No bullshit either, Edwina.”
I take a step backward. “Luc was the first.”
“The first what?” Hank bares his teeth.
Involuntarily, I take another step back as if the shadows could envelop and protect me. The words topple from my mouth. “The first being I was intimate with after Alexander turned me.”
Hank holds his head back and roars. The plate and silverware clatter on the counter. My feet refuse to move. I don’t know whether to be scared or ashamed. So I wait.
Time ebbs and flows as I wait for Hank to stop. As the noise dies down, he picks up his plate and shoves the rest of the meat into the trash. The dishes are placed haphazardly in the dishwasher, and he shoots me a venomous look before stepping out of the kitchen.
Slowly, I tiptoe behind him. “Hank? Say something.”
He whirls around. His hands fist while his eyes bulge. “Don’t you think you should have told me you were fucking the damned Council leader?”
I flinch. “It was decades ago. I met Lucas when I arrived in Paris. He was newly turned, too. We were desperate. Two souls looking for a little compassion.”
“The undead don’t have souls,” Hank growls and turns away from me.
I stand my ground unable to move toward him. His words shouldn’t hurt me, but they do. My throat aches as I say, “Be that as it may, it was short-lived. He told me my problem was I wouldn’t submit to him. Luc believed females had little worth. He still does.”
Hank’s hands clench and unclench repeatedly. “You. Do. Not. Submit. Ever. Understood?”
I shake my head, but he doesn’t notice. His back is still to me.
“Do you understand, Edwina?” he yells, facing me.
“Yes! Yes! I don’t submit ever to anyone.”
His chest heaves up and down. “That asshole doesn’t rule you. The BGS doesn’t rule you. Do whatever the fuck you want. Understood?”
Fear makes me say, “Yes.”
Hank swallows loudly. “As long as I’m by your side, you don’t worry about reporting to Luc Duquette ever again. It’s one of the things I had an issue with before I gave up the cluster for Sheila—females being forced to submit. Panther organization isn’t quite like that of the wolves. We don’t have alphas or betas, but we do have elders. They believe females shouldn’t have any influence over the cluster. I disagree.”
“That’s why ya gave it up?”
“Yeah. It left me on my own, but it was better than putting up with that bullshit. No one disrespects you, Angel. If you learn nothing while we’re together, remember that.”
My forehead furrows. “Did ya say we’re together?”
“Yeah.” A questioning expression crosses Hank’s face before he walks toward the double doors. “I guess I did.”
“Where are ya going?”
“I need some air. Be back in an hour.” The confusion dissipates and is replaced with a mischievous look. “And Edwina, this is the
only time I’m gonna give you an order and expect you to follow it.”
Cocking my head to the side, I fold my arms over my chest. “And what would that be?”
“When I come back, I want your naked ass in the hot tub.” He faces me. “My beast needs some time to play.”
Damn. Never in all my years have I had a man, human or otherwise, stand up for me. Never has anyone cared enough to make sure I could stand up for myself. That shit is hot.
“Oh, and one more thing… If you can walk when I’m done, I’m taking you out tonight.”
My lips curl up. “Really? Now, where are ya taking me, cher?”
“Don’t know, and right now I don’t care. Just know your days of hiding out in this…” Hank sweeps his muscular arms out. “No more hiding from the world, Angel.”
“Ya finished, dawlin’?”
“I am.”
I glide over to him and wrap my arms around his neck. “Thank ya.”
Hank’s hands go to my hips. “For what? Being a lunatic?”
“No. For showing concern for me. I assure ya what happened with Luc was years ago. He left me. I didn’t see him again until I came to Falls Creek.”
The corners of Hank’s eyes crinkle up. Damn this man is handsome when he smiles at me like I’m a ray of sun. I could get used to this.
“Maybe ya can skip ya run? We take this upstairs?” I urge.
He kisses my forehead. “Naw, Angel. I need to run. If not, my beast will rip the shit out of your pretty little pussy. And we both don’t want that.”
Hank slips out the door, leaving me tingling with anticipation.
Chapter 5
Hank
A lot is on my mind when I step outside. Edwina’s confession is at the top of the list. It hurts a little that she didn’t trust me enough to tell me about Luc sooner. After all, the whole damned town knows what happened with Sheila. In all honesty, I have no right, no claim to Edwina, but still… We have always maintained an honest relationship.
