by Trina M. Lee
The handshake was brief, as if Briggs knew better than to let me touch him for too long. His hand was warm in mine, strong but human. Fragile. The urge to drag his arm close and bite into his wrist flitted through me. I managed to resist.
“The sooner you turn yourself in, the better. I can take you in right now.”
“Slow down there, pal.” I held both hands up and shook my head. “There are other things I need to take care of. Tonight is no good.”
The unhappy expression he wore grew pinched. “We don’t have the luxury of time here, O’Brien. I’m not sure you understand how bad things are for Juliet. She was caught covering up your kills. That’s a career killer for most agents.”
“Not to mention the fact that you need me to come in to win yourself back some points for all of those agents that were killed on your watch in the last week or so, huh?” The more I interacted with Agent Briggs, the more transparent he became. “I warned you guys about Shya. The dragon thing was a shock to me too, but you should’ve listened.”
The buzz of frustration seeped from him to tantalize me. He seemed to be trying extra hard to show no emotion. “So you stopped him from claiming Lilah’s throne. Don’t think I’m not grateful for that, but he’s still out there. Don’t expect any awards or gift baskets any time soon.”
“Of course not. It doesn’t matter what good I do, even when I die in the process. I’ll only be known for the bad. Sounds about right.” I had no excuse for the bodies I’d left in my wake, but a little recognition for sacrificing my mortality to stop the demon would’ve been nice.
Briggs stood up to leave, indicating that he could end the conversation but I could not. It was difficult to keep my head on straight when I wanted to slam him down in his chair and make him listen to my side of things.
“Don’t think that I haven’t tried to see things your way. I have. I do understand that you made a tough choice that was for the good of this city. Maybe there is some humanity in you somewhere, but where you go mayhem follows. And that I can’t ignore.” He nodded, satisfied with his explanation. “Can I count on you tomorrow night?”
Once again I cursed my sister’s stupid decision to work for the government. Putting it off would only make things worse for her. As much of a pain in the ass as she’d been, she had put her life on the line for me.
“I’ll be there when I get there. Don’t push me.”
“Alone,” Briggs said. “Don’t bring anyone else. I can’t break out more than one of you. It would be too suspicious. It’s already suspicious enough.”
I rose too, following him to the exit. “You know that if I don’t get out, Arys will come in there for me. He’ll tear that place apart.”
Briggs’s hand slid down to rest on his gun. It seemed like a habitual action. “I’ll get you out.”
I stood outside the door, watching him make his way through the parking lot to a dark sedan. After he’d driven away, I returned to my car to find Jenner right where I’d left him.
“See?” He grinned when I got into the car. “Told you that I wouldn’t be seen.”
“Good for you. Would you like an encouraging pat on the head?” I stared at the green lights on the dash, lost in thought. What had I just agreed to? It could be suicide.
“I wouldn’t say no to a blowjob.” When I didn’t reply, he frowned. “What? No witty comeback? That’s no fun. What happened in there?”
It had taken me a moment to realize what he’d said. Now my opportunity to insult him had passed. Bummer.
“I agreed to turn myself in so they would release my sister.”
“Damn. That was stupid.”
I couldn’t disagree. “I know. But she’s in trouble, and it’s because of me. I have to do this.”
Jenner grew serious, and I knew what he was going to say before he said it. “Alexa, you have to tell Arys.”
Chapter Thirteen
“I know that, Jez, but I don’t have a choice. Look, I need you to get Kale out of there for the rest of the night. Shaz and Arys are coming by, and I don’t want to have a fight on my hands.”
I listened as Jez told me once again how crazy I was for even considering turning myself in. Finally she accepted that it wasn’t open to debate and agreed to get Kale out of The Wicked Kiss. At my request Jenner had called Arys and told him to meet us at the vampire bar. I was a mess of nerves. Not only was I not ready to see Arys again, but I didn’t trust myself to be around Shaz yet.
“Chill out, girl. You’re buzzing so fucking hard I can feel my teeth rattling.” Jenner lounged in the passenger seat, waiting for me to work up the courage to drive back to The Wicked Kiss. “Want me to drive? I’m pretty good for someone who doesn’t do it often. I drove the shit out of your Jag and didn’t get a scratch on it.”
My head jerked his way. “What did you say? You drove my Jag?”
“Just a little. Pretty sure I wasn’t supposed to mention it so let’s just forget I said anything.”
I knew he was trying to distract me, and in a way it was working. Arys and Jenner had been busy boys over the past week, apparently even going so far as to steal Raoul’s car from my garage.
“You really need to go home, Jenner,” I said with a laugh. “I have enough on my plate without you here to encourage Arys.”
I pulled into traffic and headed back to the Kiss. It was only a few blocks away, a short drive. My hands were tight on the wheel.
“Fuck, I can’t wait to go home. My city is a lot more entertaining than your city. But you know, I think I’m going to miss you guys. Even you, Alexa.” Jenner tapped his fingers on the door handle in time to the song on the radio.
“My blood, maybe,” I muttered. “You are some of the entertainment in your city, Jenner. I imagine you’re having major withdrawal. Having your ego stroked so often must be addictive.”
He chuckled. “Not as addictive as you are.”
“Yep, definitely time for you to go home.” There was so much more I wanted to say. I wanted to beg Jenner to take care of Kale, to reach out to me at the first sign of trouble, to tell me if he was happy in Vegas. I couldn’t do any of that, couldn’t say a damn thing. All I could do was sit there in silence and wish like hell that Kale wouldn’t go.
The last few minutes of the drive were spent in silence. I could feel Jenner appraising me, analyzing my energy to determine what I might be thinking or feeling.
“What?” I asked when I couldn’t stand the silence anymore.
“Alexa, you know I came here to help Arys face your death. After you turned I stayed because I could see how broken up he was over it. From what I can see, you two are made for each other. Literally.” He paused, glancing out the window as we pulled into The Wicked Kiss parking lot. “I know that monogamy and happily ever after doesn’t come naturally to us and that whatever you’ve got going on with Kale is none of my business, but don’t shut Arys out. He needs you. And I’m pretty sure you need him too.”
I parked the car and turned it off before turning to him with a quizzical look. “Are you going somewhere with this?”
“I just want you guys to be happy. Lord knows somebody in this fucked up bloodline should be.”
He held my gaze, icy blue on warm brown, and I saw something in Jenner I’d never noticed before. Misery. He was allowing me to see that there was more to him than a sex-charged egomaniac. It made it a lot harder to dislike him. Dammit.
“I love Kale, but we both know it’s not meant to be. Even when I’m with him, it’s Arys I’m longing for.” I reached for Jenner’s hand. Power darted between us, creating a hot tingle in my palm. “Thank you, Jenner. It means a lot that you can put aside your differences with Arys to be here for him. I won’t forget that. I’m not convinced that any of us deserve happiness, but I hope you find yours.”
“You may be a manipulative, bossy bitch, but you’re starting to really grow on me.”
I punched his shoulder.
He laughed, feigning pain. “I’ll do my best t
o give Kale a chance. I’ll keep my promise. He’ll be safe with me.”
“Thank you.”
The moment ended when Shaz’s blue Chevy Cobalt pulled into the parking lot. The adrenaline hit hard. I shrugged out of my jacket and smoothed a hand through my hair with a quick glance at myself in the visor mirror. I was never going to be ready to face Shaz. Better to just get it over with.
“Wait.” Jenner caught my arm before I could exit the car. He pulled my blonde tresses over my shoulders so the fading vampire bite was hidden. It should have been little more than a pink blemish by now. “Let’s just keep this out of sight, ok? No need to get Arys’s undies in a bunch over something so trivial.”
“You’re such a shithead.” I slapped his hands away with a nervous laugh.
“Yeah, well, I don’t have a death wish.”
I stood in front of the Charger, unable to walk any further on my wobbly legs. Nerves shook me so hard I had to lean against the car to keep my balance. Shaz’s car slid into a parking space at the far end of the lot. I had to stand there and watch their approach with growing trepidation.
Jenner joined me, leaning close enough to offer silent support. The moment Shaz stepped out of the car and looked my way, I froze in fear.
“Don’t let me hurt him,” I said. “Please.”
The flash of white-blond hair was eye catching beneath the pale glow of streetlights lining the parking lot. Shaz’s shoulders were hard set, and he carried himself with readiness and determination. Arys fell into step beside him, and I had to look away. A tsunami of emotion surged forward to knock me off my feet. I gripped the hood of the car and took a deep breath, though it didn’t help the way it once would have.
When I looked back at them, they were much closer. Arys held up a hand to stop Shaz a car length away. Neither of them attempted to get any closer.
I locked eyes with Arys first. Those deep, drowning-blue eyes captivated me and made me feel safe. I wanted to throw myself in his arms again, but the sense of betrayal held me back. He’d pulled strings to get rid of Kale. I was not going to pretend he hadn’t.
The weight of Shaz’s stare finally drew my gaze to his. His eyes were all wolf. Solid green orbs that had me choking on a whine as my wolf sought to get to him. It physically hurt me to resist. Though my wolf ached for him, my bloodlust waited for the chance to sink fangs into his smooth flesh.
“Lex,” he said, his voice husky with wolf. “You have no idea how bad I’ve wanted to see you.”
“I do. I’ve missed you. Desperately.” The truth poured out in just a few words. I did miss him. I also feared that he wouldn’t be able to handle me as a vampire hybrid. He hadn’t done so great with my vampiric side before the turn.
With slow but steady steps, he edged closer, as if approaching a snake. Wary. Watchful. Jenner inched closer until he was within grabbing range.
Shaz didn’t hesitate. His footsteps never faltered. Fearless but cautious, he reached for my hands. I reveled in the werewolf heat he exuded, delighting in the musky wolf scent of him. When I didn’t immediately try to harm him, he pulled me in for a hug.
It had been far too long since I’d touched him like this. My arms went around his neck, a hand sliding into his platinum hair. I pressed my face to his shoulder and held tight.
The heady elixir of shifter blood pumping through his veins called to me. I’d tasted him before; I knew what lay within him. But in that moment, the wolf was in charge, and the bloodlust was its prisoner.
“I’m sorry,” I blurted, not knowing what exactly I was sorry for but feeling the need to say it.
“Don’t be sorry for anything. I know this is hard for you, and I know I don’t understand what you’re going through. Please, let me be here for you now.” Shaz kissed the side of my face, smoothing a hand through my hair before finding my lips. His kiss was tender and soft, a reminder of everything we shared.
My wolf clawed at my insides. She was pissed at being imprisoned for so long in this vampire body. Shaz’s presence was driving her into a needful frenzy.
“You haven’t shifted, have you?” Arys asked. He remained where he was, reluctant to come to me, possibly fearing another smack, or worse.
I shook my head, feeling both miserable and elated. It was a dizzying combination. “I’m afraid to.”
“Your wolf is still there,” Shaz said, pulling back to study me. “I can feel it.”
“As can I.” This from Arys who wore a pained expression. “You need to let it out.”
Again I felt the need to apologize. Denying my wolf put Arys at risk. Living with the echo of my beast wasn’t easy for him. I imagined it was hell to have the spirit of my wolf trying to tear its way out of him. I wasn’t sure how bad it could get. I’d never denied the shift long enough to find out.
“I just saw Briggs,” I said, changing the subject. “Juliet’s been arrested. I have to turn myself in to free her.”
Both Shaz and Arys exploded with protests. I waited for them to simmer down before I explained the discussion I’d had with Briggs. After playing the recording on my phone to them, Shaz grudgingly accepted it. As a wolf he knew that my loyalty to my sister had to come first. Arys, however, wasn’t as understanding.
“She chose the Feds over you multiple times. She tried to arrest you and backed up Briggs when he came to kill you. She does something good for you once, and it gets her in deep shit, and you’re the one who has to bail her out? Fuck that.” There was more fire to his temper than usual. I was reminded that he too was suffering the effects of our separation.
“She’s my sister, Arys. My blood. We were kids together. We giggled together at night when we were supposed to be asleep and snuck a peek at presents on Christmas morning before our parents woke up.” My voice cracked as a flood of childhood memories burst forth. “And then we were bitten by the same wolf and separated. The fact that we were reunited at all is amazing. She put her job and her life on the line to protect me. I can’t leave her there to suffer.”
Arys’s jaw clenched. He’d never liked Juliet. Though I understood why, his disapproval wasn’t going to change my mind.
“You can’t trust Briggs,” he said finally. “He wants you, Alexa. He wants you inside that building so he can get inside your head and turn you into a weapon.”
He sounded so certain. Briggs was capable of what Arys claimed. I didn’t doubt it. “Did he tell you that?”
“He didn’t deny it. When it comes to you, he doesn’t want to hinder what you are. He just wants to use you for his own gain.”
Jenner nodded his agreement. The two of them had faced off with Briggs. Maybe I hadn’t been there, but I knew they weren’t lying.
“I don’t trust Briggs. But I still have to do this. For Juliet.”
“Goddamn you’re stubborn, woman.” Arys’s snide tone didn’t match the concern in his eyes. He didn’t have to tell me that he was hurting. I could feel it. Arys wasn’t used to having things spin out of his control.
“So we’ll figure this out,” Shaz spoke up. “We’ll plan for a betrayal by Briggs and hope we don’t have to use it.”
Jenner made a big show of stretching and did his best to look bored. “Should I cancel my flight? Stay a while longer?”
“No,” I spoke quickly, before Arys could. “I appreciate the offer, but it’s best for you to get back to Vegas.”
We all knew what I wasn’t saying: Kale needed to leave sooner rather than later, if that was his choice. His continued presence would just complicate things further.
I exchanged a look with Arys, who had the decency to drop his gaze in a show of guilt. He wasn’t sorry though. It wasn’t in his nature.
“What time does your flight leave?” I asked.
Jenner glanced at Arys. “Eight o’clock. I booked it as early as I could after sundown to make sure I get home well before sunrise. When you were talking to Briggs, I booked a ticket for Kale online. Same flight.”
All three of them were staring at me,
awaiting a reaction. I couldn’t say for sure, but I thought Shaz was holding his breath. I wanted to lash out at Arys and shout at him for being such a selfish ass. This wasn’t the time or place for that.
With fists clenched, I said, “I’ll turn myself in after that flight leaves. Nobody is to speak a word of this to Kale.”
Arys scowled at the mention of Kale. Shaz’s expression was blank, but the way he stiffened and the sudden disgust that trickled from him spoke volumes. Their shared hatred for Kale caused me to recoil. I shrunk back against the car, feeling around for the door handle.
“You’re not leaving already, are you?” Shaz reached to grab my arm but jerked back as he second-guessed the motion.
Everything had changed. I felt it then, like a slap in the face. Like the fucking elephant in the room. I had changed, and now so had my connection with everyone else. It was disheartening.
“Yeah, I think I am. I’m not ready for this. Sorry, guys.”
I cast my gaze over the parking lot, lingering on a group of giggling young women near the door. I’d gone from opposing the blood bordello to becoming the madam of it and, tonight, an attempt at being a participant. Everything was so fucked up.
“You can’t keep avoiding us, Alexa. The three of us need to talk.” Arys stood there with his hands in his jean pockets, looking perfectly restrained.
I might have believed that once. I knew him now. He was trying to tread lightly, but he wanted to throw down and let me have it for leaving him hanging for a week while I ran amok with Kale. He probably deserved to do it too, as did Shaz. But I wasn’t up to having them make me feel like shit for my poor choices right then.
“Not here,” I said. “Somebody killed one of Dayne’s wolves. So I had to make an example of someone to keep my alliance. It would be pretty shitty if anyone saw the king and queen having this awkward moment out here.”
“Are you running back to Kale then?” Shaz asked, a challenge in his tone and pain in his eyes. “Every night that you’ve been with him, we’ve been waiting for you to come to your senses. Is that ever going to happen?”
