Electric Storm (A Raven Investigations Novel)

by Brutger, Stacey

  “Hold on.” Taggert rounded the corner first, dressed only in pants.

  She had to wonder why people always said hold on. Like anyone would let go on purpose. Sweat loosened her grip, and she worked to re-position her hold.

  “You better hurry.” The floorboards rumbled when Taggert and Jackson sprinted toward her.

  Taggert reached her first and latched onto her wrists, drawing her upward. As she lifted her leg to boost herself up, Jackson reached out and grabbed her arm to help haul her back on solid ground. Jealousy winged through her at the ease in which they lifted her. They didn’t even strain under her weight.

  Her body brushed theirs when her feet finally touched the floor. Her knees trembled, and she took comfort from their touch and scent.

  “What the hell were you thinking?” Jackson grabbed her jaw, angling her face up to his. Any gratitude melted away at his hard expression.

  “You think I wanted to fall?” She jerked back from him, unnerved at the way the imprint of his touch lingered against her skin. The near miss must have scrambled her wits. To avoid his probing stare, she dropped her gaze and was confronted by the delicious gap in his pants where he’d zipped them but left them unbuttoned. The image shouldn’t have been inviting, especially when he was angry, but somehow it didn’t matter. A smattering of hair arrowed down his chest to disappear in his jeans, asking to be explored further.

  Raven turned, cursing that her vaunted control had vanished. She was feeling more emotions. Desires. She couldn’t allow that. The last time she tried to get close to someone, she’d nearly killed him. That day still haunted her, and Rylan had never forgiven her, forever maintaining his distance from her.

  Her idea of taking a lover seemed foolish and further out of reach than ever. She’d been so desperate to find answers to her condition that she’d grabbed an impossible idea doomed to fail.

  The sight of the railing drew her attention, and she tucked away her wayward emotions. She needed to focus on a mystery she could handle.

  Smooth.

  Her fists clenched as she peered over the edge. “The fall wouldn’t have killed me, but a stake through a heart would’ve been another matter.”

  Fury tightened their bodies, their animals all but ready to pounce on anything that dared move. Though the death wouldn’t have been permanent, it would’ve hurt like the dickens and put her out of commission for a while. Since she shut down to allow herself to heal, she hadn’t monitored the house last night. Was this trap set by someone to stop her hunt? Or someone who wanted to hurt her specifically?

  “London!” Uncaring if she woke the whole house, Raven bellowed his name again. The man moved low to the ground in a blur of speed. When he detected no threat, he slowly approached the broken rail below, studied the ends. His brows drew together as he came to the same conclusion.

  “The alarms were set. No one should’ve been able to enter without my knowledge.” There was an apology in his voice and a boatload of anger. Those massive arms of his flexed as if holding back his animal counterpart. If he ever caught the person, she doubted anyone would find the remains. He was good at that type of thing, and she didn’t ask questions. Better not to know.

  Jackson ran a hand over the end of the railing, testing the smooth cut, his mouth tightening into a frown. Taggert’s hand tangled in the back of her shirt, and a slight shudder passed through him. Without looking back, she reached for his hand and gave a squeeze.

  “Why don’t you both go and change.” It wasn’t a suggestion. She needed to talk to London about security.

  Taggert left, reluctance showing in the way he lingered. Jackson didn’t twitch from his spot. “We didn’t do it. Don’t let your fear put distance between us. We’re here to keep you safe. Taggert won’t return to the auction. If you throw him out, you’ll be signing his death sentence.”

  There was no plea in his voice. He wouldn’t beg, but the tension in his frame told her enough. He was afraid she would send them packing.

  “Was there anyone else determined to claim Taggert?” It seemed unlikely since Taggert had remained unclaimed for nearly five years.

  “No.” Jackson turned and walked back to her room at a slow and steady pace.

  The stiff set to his shoulders, the clenched fists said he was lying. Or at least he wasn’t telling her the whole truth. “Come to the study when you’re done.”

  Another look at the railing below made her swallow then she pushed it away and spoke to London, her determination hardening. “Gather everyone for a meeting. Study. Five minutes. And get that railing fixed.”

  “I’ll review the exterior tapes.” London jerked his head absently in what she thought must’ve been agreement and disappeared into the security lair. There was no incrimination in his voice about the lack of internal cameras. She hadn’t refused his advice, but told him flat out that the first power surge, the electronics would be shot. He’d accepted the inevitable and did what he could, mumbling something about a security nightmare.

  Raven hesitated at the top of the stairs, staring down the dark corridor leading to the safe room she’d constructed for Rylan. She placed one foot on the stairs and hurried to the study before she did something stupid like go to Rylan and question him about last night and the secrets he was keeping from her. Could her proximity be making their bond stronger?

  She pushed open the door, her gaze automatically flashing toward the chaise.

  Empty.

  Durant and Cassie were gone.

  A little of the tension left her shoulders. A short reprieve. It wouldn’t be long before Durant came knocking. He’d changed his mind too fast for him not to want something.

  She slipped into the chair behind her desk and picked up the phone. Three messages from Scotts about the case, telling her to call him as soon as she got them, each more urgent than the last. And one awkward message from Durant, thanking her for her assistance and to make sure that she’d returned home safe.

  The time of the call had the hair on her arms standing on end. Five minutes after the lightning strike. Could their new bond have a bigger aftereffect than anyone expected? The thought left a chill in her heart that burned down to her soul. Taggert was already changing by just being near her, and she hadn’t even claimed him fully. What would he become if he remained in her care?

  Not surprising, Taggert and Jackson were the first to arrive. Taggert handed her a pair of pants, and she took them gratefully. She was tucking in the shirt when Dominic entered. She avoided his eyes and the assessing look he gave her.

  “What did you tell Scotts?” She tapped her pen against the desk in annoyance. “He seems awfully anxious to talk to me this morning.”

  “The truth. That you followed a lead on one of your cases and you ran into his killer.” Dominic didn’t look away as he continued. “I sent him the approximate location Rylan gave me.

  Anger narrowed her eyes. “You purposely sent them into danger.”

  He stalked forward and planted his hands on her desk. “It’s their job.”

  “And it’s my case. You had no right to interfere.”

  “I have every right to protect you.”

  Raven pushed back her chair and matched his pose. “So what? Better them than me?”

  “Yes.”

  The muscles in her jaw ached as she gritted her teeth, trying to stem the flow of words. “I can take care of myself.”

  “It was your body they carried in the house last night. Your back was shredded to ribbons. Chunks of your flesh were missing.” Dark eyes met hers, and she knew he blamed himself for not being there.

  “And I’m fine.” She reached out to touch him, needing to ease that flinty look he hid behind. He jerked away, his animal giving him the ability to be there one minute and across the room in the next without appearing to have rushed.

  “All better.” His voice was flat. He didn’t believe her.

  “Dominic, this is what I do.”

  “You take suicidal missions and too
many chances. You have others relying on you now. What happens to them if you die?”

  Something behind his words disturbed her, some hidden emotion she didn’t know how to name. There was nothing she could do to make him trust her. He was close to twice her age, still in the prime of his life, and he treated her like a young cub.

  Heart aching, she hardened her spirit and accepted it would always be so. “I’m good at what I do. I’m one of the best in this area, and that includes you and yours. Don’t try to shut me out of this investigation. You won’t win.”

  God, she couldn’t stand to do nothing. She’d go insane. She desperately wanted to be like everyone else and walk the street without fear, without searching for danger. To dare touch someone without having them look at her with terror. That would never happen for her, but she could make sure others were safe by doing her job.

  Dominic’s stance softened. “Raven—”

  “What did I miss?” Trish sauntered in the room, dressed in clothes that had to cost a fortune, and doused in her normal bottle of perfume. Her gaze landed on Taggert, and her expression softened as she seated herself next to him with barely an inch separating them. “Thanks for saving me a seat.”

  Taggert’s breath hitched. Every muscle in his body tightened, but he didn’t move. A hint of woods came to her, and Raven smelled his distress. Brow furrowed, she watched his agitation mount when Trisha smiled his way.

  Raven didn’t understand it. Trisha wasn’t being malicious, but the attention froze Taggert to his seat. “Taggert, could you please go to the kitchen and tell Dina we’re waiting for her? She can finish breakfast after.”

  His movements were slow, measured, but she could tell it was an act to prevent himself from bolting. Trish sighed when he stood to leave, her eyes glued to his backside. Once he disappeared from the door, she turned and gave Raven a dirty look.

  “While we wait, why don’t you tell me what you found out about the group.” Raven resumed her seat and aimed her attention on Dominic to get her mind off Taggert.

  “Like you care. You’re too wrapped up in your little life to give a damn about anyone else.”

  “Trish.” Dominic’s sharp rebuke shut her up but didn’t take away the hatred burning in her eyes.

  Raven’s chest stalled at being forced into a corner. It was time to stop hiding. She could do what he asked, help them search for the lab he believed was in the area, and finally prove she was capable once and for all.

  “You say the word, Dominic, and I’ll be there.” She didn’t see the flash of triumph from him she’d expected. Cold fear twisted through her at the thought of going back into the system and being at the mercy of those sick bastards. Some humans thought they were animals without a soul, thinking there was nothing wrong with torturing and killing others who were different.

  There was a long pause when he finally answered. “No, we can use you better later when the lab is found. We’ll need your contacts then. You’ll be too visible in the field. If even one person recognizes you, your safety will be compromised.”

  Relief trickled through her, and she slowly sucked in a breath of much needed air. She was the one who’d destroyed the last lab, the one who’d broken everyone out. The scientists had created her and would do anything to get their hands on her again in order to study and dissect her. They would create killing machines modeled after her, but ones that would obey.

  “Did the virus work?”

  A small smile tipped his lips. “We slipped your computer program into their system, piggybacking it through the security feed. Within minutes, it allowed us access into the building.”

  Relief edged through her, easing some of her tension. “When do you go?”

  Dominic grunted. “London convinced me that he and Trisha should go in alone. Dina, Jenkins and I will go as backup and wait.”

  “Jenkins? Are you sure?” A chameleon could come in handy. He’d been near death when removed from the facility. It was a miracle he survived all the damage they’d done, extracting his bone marrow in hope of transferring his ability to others. The man desperately wanted to join the operations. Even though she knew it was best to stay away from anything to do with labs, she couldn’t ignored the twinge at being excluded, easily understanding Jenkins’ need to be a part of something.

  Color bleached from Dominic’s lips, no doubt gritting his teeth as he waited for her to protest. She didn’t. “When do you leave?”

  She needed to question a few vampires. Without him, she’d be able to focus more on finding answers and not on protecting his back. Shifter blood, especially purebloods, gave vampires a high when consumed directly from the source. The last time they went into a vampire setting, Dominic had been propositioned three times in as many minutes.

  His green eyes narrowed dangerously at her easy capitulation. Raven stood her ground, keeping her face impassive. He had his job, and she had hers.

  “Sorry I’m late.” Dina bounced into the room, and the standoff broke. Dominic relaxed, and the muscles of her shoulders eased a fraction. Dina took a seat next to Trish, completely missing the panther’s scowl.

  Taggert’s gaze immediately locked with Raven’s when he entered the room, like no one else existed. He sauntered to her side, trying to appear inconspicuous and failing. He leaned against the bookshelves behind her, and it was everything she could do not to twitch. She hated not being able to see everyone in the room.

  When she opened her mouth to tell him, his desperate need to remain at her side swamped her. That shut her up. She promised herself to talk to him later and find out what the hell was going on with him and the cat.

  “We’ll start without London.” Raven leaned back in her seat and studied each person in the room, feeling silly dressed in Jackson’s oversized shirt. “You’re here until the end of the week. I propose we cut it short.”

  Dominic slowly shook his head once. “No.”

  She only spared him a glance. “Someone broke into the house last night. If my guess is correct, London will find nothing. I can’t guarantee you’ll be safe.”

  Dina snorted. “We’re not safe wherever we go.”

  “We’re staying.” London lumbered into the room with those words and shook his head at her unanswered question. “Nothing on the tapes.”

  “We’ll do rotations at night, two person details, one inside, one out.” Dominic’s order drifted through the room. “I’ll bring Jenkins back with us tonight to even up the numbers.”

  “There’s no need. You’ll be gone by the weekend anyway.” The room fell silent at Raven’s announcement.

  “Not until the killer’s caught.”

  Raven hadn’t expected that though she should’ve guessed. “This is a police matter—”

  “That’s somehow caught up in one if not both of your cases.” Dominic crossed his arms, doing a pretty fair job of intimidation. Though he might be alpha, she didn’t care, and opened her mouth to tell him so when he beat her to the crux of the problem.

  “You might be able to take care of yourself, but you now have others to watch over as well.” Raven winced at the way Jackson scowled at Dominic’s words.

  “We take care of our own.”

  Dominic slowly turned, his autumn scent wrapping a wall of protection around her. “Until she makes her choice, she’s not yours.”

  A backlash of tension flooded the room as both of their animals flared at the challenge. Energy swirled around her body and every second that passed stole her breath. No one so much as twitched at the palpable threat. “And until she either makes a choice to cement the pack or cut you lose, I don’t go anywhere.”

  This was getting out of hand. She refused to be a bone between the two men. Without saying a word, Raven rose and walked toward the door. Taggert followed her, but everyone else remained seated. “Let me know when you’re done with your pissing match, and we’ll talk business.”

  Raven silently closed the door after them and hurried up the stairs. Maybe if she was quick
, she could escape before the others realized they’d been duped.

  Conscious of Taggert’s gaze on her, she quickly grabbed the first things in her closet and disappeared into the bathroom. In less than five minutes, she was ready to go. Instead of heading back downstairs, she opened the balcony window and greedily inhaled the fresh air. She swung her legs over the railing and jumped over the edge.

  The impact jarred her bruised back. By the time she straightened, Taggert had landed silently next to her on the spongy lawn in a graceful way she envied. “I don’t suppose I could talk you into staying?”

  Those dark eyes met hers. “Where’re we going?”

  “To help the police find a killer.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  “Where the hell have you been? I’ve left messages all morning.” Scotts held up the yellow police tape for her to duck under. He appeared haggard, deep grooves of stress cutting lines in his face. His shoes and pants were splattered with mud. “Not you.” He dropped the tapeline in front of Taggert, moving his bulk to block him from crossing. “You stay here.”

  Raven nodded, and Taggert dipped his head ever so slightly. She scanned the tree line, hardly recognizing the area of attack in daylight. “I got here as quick as I could. What’d you find?”

  “Another body.”

  She missed a step, then increased her pace to catch up. She’d been afraid of that. She wondered if it would be Cassie’s friend or the mysterious woman she’d encountered last night. She didn’t doubt that she could kill, but Raven didn’t think her hit had been strong enough to take down whatever or whoever she’d seen. The shadowy figure had been too fast, too strong. “Where?”

  “The stream. We couldn’t wait for you any longer and pulled him from the water.” Scotts led the way past the other officers, and they stepped back, giving her a wide berth. Scotts, Ross and those who didn’t know better, treated her with respect. The others waited for her to fail, hating that an outsider had to be brought in on their case. She couldn’t blame them. She’d feel the same in their place.