“No.” The gruff tone was devoid of its usual anger.
It sounded like pain.
She risked another step closer, reached out for him but quickly dropped her hand. No contact. No matter how many times she told herself she could never touch others without hurting them, she could never pound home the fact. “You haven’t contacted anyone since you arrived. I haven’t seen you take advantage of the country space to run.” Something didn’t feel right, hovering ever so temptingly out of reach.
His wolf fluctuated wildly, nipping against her shields, but she sensed he didn’t do it on purpose.
“My job is to monitor the situation. Watch Taggert.”
“I won’t tell if you won’t.” She gave him a small smile, not expecting him to curse and whirl toward her.
Anger devastated his face. Her breathing hiccupped in her chest as the primitive look sent her knees quivering. She tensed to retreat, then carefully planted her foot in the same place. She knew not to run. Running would make her prey and give the beast more control. But the knowledge didn’t lessen the urge to do just that.
“Jackson?”
He halted inches from her. His power didn’t. It drowned her, pressed on her lungs. When he stooped over her, she flinched but stood her ground. Then he inhaled slowly.
“You smell like Taggert.” Jackson didn’t retreat, just turned his head to meet her gaze with those yellow eyes. Displeasure twisted his lips, his words pulled from deep within. The slow rumble trickling from his chest raised the hairs on her neck. The kind that either froze one in their tracks or made them run in the opposite direction.
The low tone only increased her awareness of him. “He was helping me.” She bit back the rest of her words, afraid to say more lest he guess how his nearness scrambled her thoughts.
He inhaled deeply. “Truth.”
Raven blinked, his shocking revelation eased the awkward tension that hovered between violence and the urge to touch him. “You can scent the truth?”
A devilish smile tipped his mouth, twisting that tension firmly on the pleasure side once more. “My gift as an enforcer.”
He straightened so swiftly she stifled her gasp. “Touch me.”
“Huh?” Raven slowly shook her head. She couldn’t. Not when there was a chance her gift could touch him as well. No matter how tempted. A whisper at the back of her mind begged her to take the jump. Not only would he guarantee her untold pleasure, she could finally learn about shifters phenomenal control up close and personal.
As long as she didn’t kill both of them in the process.
“You touched him.” The words growled from his throat, a tone he seemed to use strictly for her alone, and he crowded closer. “You allowed him to touch you.” It was an accusation.
What the hell? This was not the Jackson she’d come to know. Raven searched for the ball of power and realized it had grown in order to compensate for the shadow.
Grew so much that she was leaking everywhere, threatening to swallow everything whole.
Oh, crap.
She slowly pulled the power to her core. Her heartbeat raced, sweat beaded her hairline as the energy fought to stay free. The power called his wolf, drew him to the surface, making Jackson more aggressive as the beast slipped its human’s hold. No wonder he was playing with her.
Her skin prickled. Heaviness grew in the air. Her hair moved and crackled with energy as she methodically locked all the power down tight. She hadn’t realized she closed her eyes until she opened them to find Jackson exactly where she left him. Only human this time, staring at her with suspicion and more than a bit of curiosity.
Her life could do without his curiosity.
“What did you do?” All his vaunted control was back.
Time for retreat. “I should get ready.” She whirled and entered the bathroom. She shored up her core, but that didn’t fix the problem. She couldn’t let it spill over again, especially not tonight in front of a room full of vampires. She would not become a snack.
“I can’t shift.” His words halted her on the threshold.
Then the full implication of his words struck her.
Their attraction.
That meant she actually wanted him for the ass that he was and not the stupid idea she’d concocted to use a shifter to find control over her growing power.
She whirled to face him, so shocked that she blurted the first thing that came to her mind. “But your wolf almost broke free from your control. I saw your fangs and claws.”
Jackson shook his head once, his eyes never leaving hers. “Only when I’m near you and never a full shift. My alpha sent me to the club, gave me official leave from the pack to avoid being challenged. I’m an enforcer. I can’t enforce without being able to go wolf.”
“So Taggert—”
“Babysitting.” A derisive curl twisted his lips. “Shuffled away like an old wolf with no teeth.”
“But you’ll die if challenged.” Her heartbeat stuttered at the thought.
He gave her a steady look and shrugged. “Can’t shift, can’t be an enforcer. You need to be strong enough to protect the pack.”
The matter of fact way he said it gutted her. “Your wolf can heal—”
“There’s nothing wrong with my wolf. He healed the spinal injury that laid me up, but we haven’t been able to change since. The strain to allow me to walk drained us too much.”
The thought of him injured so badly sent her head spinning. “But, eventually, you’ll be able to go wolf.” The tightness in her chest eased. She couldn’t imagine a world without him in it, bossing around some poor, unsuspecting girl. She gazed over the expanse of lawn, trying to bury the quick spurt of jealousy that stabbed at her at the thought.
“I’ll never live that long,” he said it firmly, without pity.
Her head snapped up at his reply, the tone of his voice. Her eyes narrowed, and her anger built like a wave. The sneaky bastard was up to something. “Why tell me now?”
A smug smile curled his lips. “Your choice is to either mate me or release me back to my pack.” He edged closer but didn’t touch her.
Her lips tightened. “And your death.”
He shrugged, watching her closely. “Eventually. My alpha can only protect me so long. I’m an enforcer. If I’m challenged for position, I will lose.”
“Why tell me? Shouldn’t you be too proud to ask for help?” Spite made her ask. Instead of insulted, his smile hardened.
“You’re not going anywhere without me tonight. If you bite him, you bite me.” Without another word, he left the room.
Raven slumped, her ass landing on the bed. Great, just what she needed, another complication. They were playing her, each of them. And they did it so well she couldn’t see a way out of it that didn’t lead to their death. Unless...
Raven shot to her feet and scrambled for the door. “Dominic!”
She halted on the landing and waited. Then she saw his head pop out of the study, his wavy hair standing on end from running his hands through it.
“You bellowed?”
A blush filled her face. She ignored the others as they came at the commotion and hurried down the stairs. “I need to speak with you.”
The skin of his face tightened, and he gave a nod, stepping back into the room to let her enter. “After you.”
Raven paced, watching him calmly take a seat. She noticed the brittle set to his shoulders. Some of the chaos in her mind quieted, and she stilled to stare at him. “What’s wrong?”
Dominic raised a brow. “I thought you wanted to talk.”
She waved a hand, trying to pin-point her unease. “You first.”
“Just working through the plans for tonight.”
He sounded sincere, but his eyes tightened at the corners. Yes, he was worried about the upcoming mission, but that wasn’t what was bothering him. But she knew better than to try to force the issue. He’d only shut her out. “I’m there if you need me.”
He gave her a stea
dy look then shook his head after a lengthy pause. “No, it’s best you remain behind.”
Wrapped up like a china doll. She shoved off her disgruntled thoughts. Contrary to her earlier protests, she’d do what needed to be done if they found an operational lab.
“Why don’t you tell me what has you all fired up.”
“I want you to claim the boys.”
“No.” He leaned back in his chair, his posture anything but casual.
The air in her lungs left in a rush. “But you didn’t even think about it.”
“Jackson is already part of a pack. The only way another can claim him is if his current alpha released him or a female sought approval and mated him.” Dominic gave her a cryptic look from those green eyes that she couldn’t decipher. “As for Taggert, only a woman or an established alpha male can claim a slave.”
She ignored Jackson’s situation for now. “But you’re an alpha.”
He snorted. “Not by half. I’m not established. I have no territory. I have no mate, and I haven’t proven myself. If I did this, I’d have so many challengers, I would be fighting for the rest of my very short life.” He gave her a smile to soften the blow. “I’d try if I thought it would help.”
“No.” She cleared her throat, uncomfortable with the understanding in his eyes. “I don’t want to put you in that position.”
Son of a bitch. She didn’t like being cornered.
“You could give them back.”
Raven shook her head, her gut clenching at the suggestion, the visceral response surprising even her. “I’d be signing their death warrant.”
“Not your problem.”
She stared at him, taken aback by his brusque statement. “The whole problem started because of me.”
“Not true. Taggert knew he was facing a death sentence. You’re just the Hail Mary pass. Jackson will go back to his pack. Neither will fault you for denying them.”
They might not, but she would fault herself. She couldn’t do it. Dominic leaned over the desk. Something in his demeanor riveted her.
“Be careful. Weres are tricky. Don’t let them guilt you into something you don’t want. Once you take this step, it’s irrevocable.”
The hard bite to his words made her question her decision, doubt the fragile trust growing between her and the men under her care. “You think it’s a mistake.”
“I think you need to worry about yourself first. But it’s ultimately your decision.” The guarded answer gave her nothing, yet said everything.
She nodded. “Stay safe. I’ll wait up.”
Dominic straightened, rubbed his jaw and gave a tired smile. “Go to sleep. We’ll call you if you’re needed. We’ll meet in the morning to discuss.”
Raven watched the team leave, not feeling an ounce of guilt for her slight subterfuge. They had their mission, she had hers. When she entered the kitchen, she met Taggert’s chocolate brown eyes and jerked to a halt, afraid to enter the room, wishing she could turn around and pretend nothing had happened.
Until she saw the emotions he tried so hard to bury.
The hope within the depths of his eyes reminded her of what it felt like to be in the labs, looking for any scrap of kindness, but knowing better to expect any.
How could she do any less? Panic wedged in her chest, and she swallowed it down. Her fear wasn’t worth his death. If anything happened to her, at least he’d be safe. Clenching her fists behind her back, she cleared her throat, wincing at the painful tightness. She croaked out the words that would seal their fate and tie them together for the rest of their lives.
“How do you want to do this?”
Chapter Eighteen
Sweat dampened Raven’s hairline. This was really going to happen. As Taggert’s smile blossomed to a full out grin, energy snaked along her nerves, rising as the control over her emotions weakened. “Before we go any further, explain each step of the process and what I can expect.”
She wasn’t stalling. She was being analytical. Cautious.
And maybe stalling just a little.
The door slammed against the wall. Startled out of her own worry, the spark building under her skin dissipated, burning as it reabsorbed back into her body. Jackson loomed in the opening, chest heaving and ready for battle. Something about his stiff posture and tight expression relaxed the brutal grip on her throat.
A deep rumble rolled up from Jackson’s gut as he faced Taggert across the room. “Back off.”
Raven winced. Though things would be so much harder with him there to watch, part of her was relieved to have someone present in case things went wrong.
He was dependable.
Reliable.
He would give his life to save Taggert. Even from her. “Taggert, go upstairs and get ready for tonight.”
Taggert practically bounded out of his chair, muscles flexing in a beautiful grace that drew the eyes. Silence lengthened after he left, and Raven finally turned to face the glowering Jackson.
“You agreed to do it, didn’t you?” The accusation lashed through her.
Frustration boiled over, and she snapped back. “Isn’t that what you wanted?”
“Yes.” He spit out the one word between clenched teeth.
A deep sigh for patience escaped her at his contrary attitude. Funny enough, his disgruntlement firmed her resolve. “I won’t let him die a slave because I have a few reservations.”
But that didn’t stop her stomach from churning with dread at the prospect of her abilities interfering with what was normally a commonplace procedure. She and commonplace didn’t get along all that often.
“I know.” The low voice held no emotions, the fury died, only the splintered yellow in his eyes remained alive with his vitriolic emotions.
When he didn’t offer further protest, she couldn’t delay the inevitable and stepped toward the door. When he backed out of the way without a word, she paused. “Will that mean your duty has been satisfied?”
The drum of her heart beat loud in her ears, and she hardly dared to breathe, memorizing the details of his rugged face as she waited for his answer.
“Sorry to disappoint, but I’m here until the end of the month and they remove the collar.” A cruel twist to his lips tripped her heart in her throat. A spike of excitement tingled across her skin at the promise in his eyes. “And I’ll be watching closer than ever.”
Raven licked her lips and turned away, ignoring the way the knots eased from her gut at his promise. It was ridiculous. His threat should’ve angered her. She doubted he intended his comments to give her a strange sense of peace. It also gave her time to figure out an alternative way to help without putting him in more danger by mating him. He deserved a chance at a normal life, not trapped in her chaotic version of hell.
The house was quiet as she climbed the stairs. She entered her room, then pulled up short at the sight of Taggert, gloriously naked on her bed, every inch of him on display. Her mouth watered, and the heat of desire burned through her body. She knew she should turn away, but she couldn’t make herself move and deny herself the view of all that flesh just waiting for her touch.
The dread came back in a rush, along with the inescapable feeling that fate wouldn’t let her escape this unscathed. Jackson stepped in behind her with barely a space between them. His delicious heat soaked into her skin, easing the cold stealing down her spine.
Worry fell away. Muscles relaxed. A brush of fur rolled through her. The need to run, the urge to hunt, increased.
“Cover up.” Jackson snapped out the order, pushing against her back.
The contact worsened her condition. The smell of fresh cut grass filled her nose. She turned toward Jackson, her ache morphing into pure physical need to touch him. To take what she needed. She didn’t have to think anymore.
Desire thickened her blood when she saw passion reflected in his eyes. He wasn’t unaffected. His fist clenched, his muscles shook as they locked into place. She suspected that at the slightest hint from her, he wou
ld pounce. When she met his gaze again, he very deliberately tipped his head to the side, offering his throat.
She shuffled closer when Taggert stuck his arm between them. Jackson snapped his teeth in warning, but Raven caught the smell of forest and freedom, breaking the spell Jackson wove.
“What’s happening?” This couldn’t be right. She shouldn’t feel this uncontrollable lust that spiraled through her body.
She was so screwed. She hadn’t even touched them.
Taggert pressed closer to her back, forcing her into Jackson’s warmth. “Our wolves are showing their pleasure.”
A shiver shook her whole body at his bald explanation. Good Lord, no wonder shifters wanted to touch so much. When he lowered his head next to hers, she tipped her head to watch him, fascinated by the way he licked his lips. The way his gaze zeroed in on her mouth as if he wanted to taste her again.
He nudged his wrist to her chin. “Bite.”
Her lips tingled at his hunger. He brushed his wrist against her mouth and the urge to taste him so intimately bucked through her, along with a deep fear what would happen to them if she went through with this. “Jackson?”
His jaw flexed, teeth bared as he grunted. “Do it.” He followed Taggert’s lead and pressed closer. All she felt was them and the need to stake her claim.
She opened her mouth and laid her lips again the warm skin of Taggert’s wrist. Desire swelled through her body. The clothes between them became an annoyance when all she wanted was to touch flesh. He groaned, urging her on by pressing closer, sliding his hand down her side.
“Please.” The words were spoken on a breath of air. When she would have turned to face Taggert, Jackson grabbed her hips, and she moaned at the feel of him snug against her, so ready that she throbbed with need.
Taggert whimpered at her arousal. Jackson grunted and both men pressed closer. The grip on her hips turned brutal. “You have to call your wolf and bite. I can’t hold back much longer.”
Raven met his gaze, saw the strain on his face as he held their animals in check. Her job as an alpha she realized, something she failed to do while she allowed the novelty of the emotions to overwhelm her. Giving up the inevitable, she parted her lips and bit.
Electric Storm (A Raven Investigations Novel) Page 16
