Electric Storm (A Raven Investigations Novel)

by Brutger, Stacey

  “Jackson and I had a few things to settle.”

  Flashes back to Jackson’s darkening jaw and ragged clothes came back to her, and she groaned. “At least you didn’t kill each other.”

  Rylan turned slowly. “You don’t get it. You don’t even know how close to danger you were when alone with him.”

  His accusation left her completely flabbergasted. “What do you mean? He would’ve never hurt me.” At least she didn’t think he would, not without her giving as good as she got. He couldn’t risk being separated from Taggert or sent back to his pack with the threat of a challenge hanging over his head.

  Rylan shook his head and gave a bitter chuckle. “You don’t understand, and they’re too much of a coward to tell you. The female is the one who decides to mate, but the male can bind a female as well. He almost bit you. I saw the possessive look in his eyes. He wanted it so badly he barely held himself in check.”

  Raven licked her lips, her mouth going dry at the thought of being bound. “They said only a female can bind a male.”

  It was one thing to have others attached to her. She could protect them, do what needed to be done to keep them safe, but she refused to be under anyone else’s control.

  “A male can’t force a true mating because they don’t have the enzymes found in the woman’s blood that are needed to hold the connection. The bond fades. The man would have to bite her over and over to keep her craving him.” Rylan glided closer, his feet seemingly to hover over the floor. “And there is the matter of your blood. What do you think would’ve happened to him if he’d swallowed your blood? Do you think he could go back to his normal life after you?”

  Chapter Twenty-one

  PREDAWN

  Rylan’s question haunted her all the way to her room. She came to herself when Jenkins trailed downstairs, a sleepy yawn cracking his jaw. He gave her a bleary wave and shuffled past to the kitchen. Another member added to the Addams Family.

  Rylan cleared his throat. “You actually do have messages in the study.”

  “Of course.” She promptly turned around. Both of them were subdued. She refused to push Rylan out of her life, but she knew he wouldn’t hesitate to leave her if he thought it best. He’d already done it once.

  Unwilling to rock the boat further, she settled for a mundane topic. “Have you heard if the others were able to infiltrate the compound?”

  Rylan just shrugged. “They returned an hour ago. We didn’t speak.” She couldn’t help notice the careful lack of emotions. Even though he gave no indication, the tick in his jaw gave away his annoyance.

  Heartbreaking loneliness clung to him, but she understood his fear. Rylan was a powerful vampire. When he lost control, he did it a big way. She’d witnessed it happen once, and Rylan had never forgiven himself.

  She rounded the desk to find the morning paper London had left by the phone. The headlines immediately captured her attention. Police are no closer to cracking the case, tax payers’ money being spent on specialists. Skimming the article, she read the plug for RPL representatives being lobbied and tossed the paper aside with a sigh.

  She listened to the messages. One from the team saying the mission was successful, the building cleared of suspicion. The other message was from Jeffrey Durant.

  Unable to curb her curiosity about him, or her unease, she played his message. Just the sound of his voice over the phone lingered like a caress against her skin. She hated the helpless shiver that twisted her insides into mush. He was playing with her. And she couldn’t help wonder if claiming him made her more vulnerable to the chemistry between them. She hoped not as she wasn’t sure she would survive if he turned up the charm.

  The cryptic message just left her more confused. “Durant called, but he didn’t say what he wanted.”

  “There’s one way to find out.” Rylan nodded to the number she jotted down, then at the time. “He does work at a nightclub.”

  He smirked at her hesitation. It gave her the courage to dial.

  “Talon’s. What’s your pleasure?”

  Raven snorted. The greeting suited him. “I’m looking for Durant.”

  “I’m sorry, but he’s busy right now. Can I take a message?”

  A shot of disappointment pierced her, and that made her more disgruntled. “This is Raven. I’m retur–”

  “Of course. One moment please. I’ll get him.” Before she had a chance to protest that she didn’t want him disturbed, his voice filled the line. Despite the distance, the seductive tenor made her feel like a schoolgirl with her first crush.

  “I’d like to request your presence at my club tonight.”

  The carefully phrased invitation immediately put her on alert, any awkwardness dissipated. But was he warning her away or formally inviting her because of her status?

  “What time?” Either way it didn’t matter. She was his alpha. If he was in trouble, she’d go.

  “Say eleven?”

  Raven agreed, ending the call. She replaced the receiver, but let her hand rest there as she sorted out what bothered her exactly.

  Rylan’s teasing smile faded, his earlier amusement at her discomfort forgotten. “Do you expect a trap?”

  “I have no idea.” With that, she rose. She should be able to manage a few hours sleep before she had to be up. She paused in the doorway. “Thank you.”

  Rylan blinked, but otherwise didn’t look up or move away from the desk. “For what?”

  “For being here.” His start of surprise told her just how bad of a friend she was that she hadn’t told him sooner. Not waiting for his response, she left the room feeling his speculative gaze following her.

  She walked into her room, uncertain what to expect. Her gaze caught on the shattered window and the very obvious lack of balcony doors. She’d have that fixed tomorrow. Jackson wasn’t anywhere, but the sound of the shower spilled out of the bathroom. Taggert lay curled up on the bed.

  Naked. Again.

  Heat burned her cheeks, but more out of curiosity now than shyness. “Don’t you have any pajamas?”

  She went to her desk when she heard the bed creak.

  “No.”

  She turned and breathed a little easier to see he’d slipped on his jeans then felt petty for making him wear them. They couldn’t be comfortable to sleep in, especially since shifters hated to be confined. “You really don’t have anything else?”

  “You don’t need much when you’re a slave.” The answer was simple and heart wrenching.

  “You’re not one anymore.” She was pleased to see all signs of the collar had already vanished.

  Taggert cocked his head and stared at her. “You’re angry.”

  “No. Yes.” Raven sighed and grabbed a pair of shorts and a tank top from the drawers. “No one should be treated as a slave.”

  “Where do we go tomorrow?” He looked at the clock. “Today?” Taggert slid back into bed, his eyes tracking her every movement, seemingly fascinated just watching her. It still unnerved her to be the center of attention, but she was coming to understand his need to make sure she didn’t disappear.

  “You and Jackson will go shopping.” She had more than enough wealth to share. She never spent any of the money that had been given to her when they’d left the labs, reinvesting or donating it. It was time to put it to some use. “I’m going to ask around and see what I can find on Jason’s girlfriend.”

  “No.”

  She didn’t know Jackson had entered the room until he spoke. She turned, uncertain what to expect, a bit relieved to see him dressed in a pair of shorts. Okay, if she was truthful with herself, a little disappointed as well, but she quickly shoved that horrifying thought to the back of her mind where it belonged. “You were sent to protect him. I don’t want him to go by himself.”

  He crossed his arms. “We can help you.”

  “You can help by keeping him safe.” She walked to the bathroom, her clothes tucked close to her chest like they could shield her from him.

  S
he quickly shut the door, and immediately heard the men’s low voices in the other room as they plotted. When she exited a few minutes later, she breathed a sigh of relief to find the room dark.

  As soon as her head hit the pillows, she was out. It was the lack of warmth that woke her early that afternoon. Raven opened her eyes. Jackson lay on the couch, looking very relaxed and unlike himself while he slept, but she was alone in bed. Rolling over, she saw Taggert on the floor, his guitar in his hands. Besides his clothes, the instrument was the only other possession he had with him.

  “Play something.”

  All movements ceased. Then Taggert lifted the instrument, twisting it so she could see the face. The strings were ruined. That they would destroy something so precious to him infuriated her. “You’ll buy new strings today. Or get a whole new guitar for that matter.”

  She sat up, pulling the blankets up with her, and touched his shoulder. He slowly leaned against her thigh. When she didn’t move away, he relaxed.

  “I’m sorry.” It was so little to offer, she felt awkward. She gingerly lifted her hand and then touched his hair, running her fingers through the shaggy strands, the softness encouraging her to linger. “You’re no longer a slave. If anyone ever treats you like one, speak up.”

  He hunched his shoulders then laid his cheek against her leg as if he expected her to reject his tentative touch. Though she knew it was dangerous, she let the power dance close to the surface. The energy seeped into his pores, offering the only comfort she knew how to give. A connection he craved. His breath stuttered out of him, and he hesitantly set his hand on her foot.

  She glanced at the clock, reluctant to leave, but they had too much to accomplish to stay. It took her ten minutes to dress and get her hair up into a twist to cover all the streaks. And another ten minutes to get off the phone with her credit card company and repair man. By the time she turned around, Taggert was dressed, and Jackson had just stepped out of the bathroom.

  “Here.” She held out a card. “Charge whatever you want.” When neither man grabbed it, her brows wrinkled. “What?”

  “Pack members usually work and give a portion of their earnings to the alpha to keep things running.” Jackson appeared confused.

  Raven shrugged. “You both need things. I have the money.” She stared at them and didn’t understand the look that passed between them.

  Jackson took the card, his fingers brushing hers. The touch caught her breath in the back of her throat, and she quickly jerked back her hand. But not soon enough to cover her reaction. Damn shifters saw everything.

  “Make sure you both sign up for phones under my plan.” She handed over a business card, careful to keep her fingers free this time. “Tell him I sent you, and he’ll set you up with something sturdy.”

  Jackson pocketed the paper, and an awkward silence filled the room.

  “I better go.” When she strode to the door, Taggert followed. She drew up short. “What?”

  “Be careful.”

  Raven blinked at his concern, all the awkwardness rushing back. “You, too.” Before she could leave, he hugged her. As abruptly as he embraced her, he let go and darted out the door. Raven lifted a brow at Jackson, baffled at the behavior, her heart beating just a little too hard.

  Jackson met her gaze and heaved a sigh big enough to hear across the room. “You really don’t understand.” He chuckled, shaking his head. She couldn’t tell if he was laughing at her or not.

  “You’re family and family is a big deal to shifters. You were able to release the slave collar and that raised your status even more in his eyes.”

  Raven flinched. That was the last thing she wanted. Jackson saw her reaction, and his expression shut down. Well, hell. “I just did what you told me to do. Protected him.”

  “And danger will come when others find out about what you can do. Are you willing to kill for him?” Jackson spoke the stark words softly.

  Raven glanced down at her hands, hands that could wield so much power, but that also put everyone near her in danger.

  Jackson snorted at her lack of response.

  She’d killed. The faces of the men and women haunted her dreams. She just didn’t know if she could do it again and keep the last bit of herself that had survived the labs sane. “Call me if you run into any trouble.”

  Without waiting for his reply, she slipped out the door. She couldn’t handle any recriminations with her emotions so close to the surface. Thankfully, the rest of the house remained quiet, and she escaped without detection.

  In two hours, she’d only found three pieces of information. Jason’s girlfriend’s name was Sarah No Last Name, she’d lived with Jason, and she’d gone missing the same day Jason had disappeared. When Raven arrived at their house, everything that might have been Jason’s had been cleared out. Anything of Sarah’s had been destroyed. In the rubbish, the only clue Raven found was a torn picture of a laughing woman. Possibly Sarah?

  It was too much of a coincidence that no one claimed to know the woman. There were no hospital records and no missing persons report filed.

  Which led her nowhere except the last resort for missing persons.

  The morgue.

  The phone rang, startling her out of her thoughts. She glanced at the name displayed and smiled. Jackson. “Hel–”

  “There’s trouble at the Diago. Jackie and a few others have cornered Taggert outside the store. Unless they cause violence, I can’t touch them. No matter where we go, they’re following.” The frustration in his voice raised her own.

  He wasn’t telling her everything. “What’s holding you back?”

  “My job of protector changed the moment Taggert became pack.” As abruptly as that, the connection died.

  Changed? Changed how?

  She pulled the phone away, disgusted to realize she’d sucked every drop of juice out of it when her emotions rose. “Damn it.” She pulled the car out into traffic and did a quick u-turn, ignoring the symphony of blaring horns. Then Jackson’s statement struck her. He wasn’t her pack. Now that she’d mated Taggert, Jackson couldn’t interfere in any dispute with another pack.

  Jackson sounded furious, and she couldn’t say she blamed him. She wanted to believe it was because of his inability to shift, but she had an unsettling feeling that it was because she hadn’t mated him. Nor could she get rid of Rylan’s disturbing conviction that if she didn’t do something about it, Jackson would. Not on purpose. But if his control ever slipped, he’d come for her. Part of her was thrilled at the prospect.

  She was ten minutes away. By the time she pulled up, a crowd of people loitered at the entryway of the alley. Humans watched the scene but did nothing to intercede. Typical.

  “Stand back.” She pushed her way into the crowd. When they didn’t seem to hear her, she pulled at the energy rumbling beneath her feet, wrapping it around her like a shield.

  When she pushed her way into the crowd this time, her shield slapped against the bystanders just watching and doing nothing. People gasped at the nasty shock they received and scrambled to get out of her way.

  She saw Jackson first, his muscles bulging, ready to pounce. He noticed her almost immediately, and some of the tension pouring off him eased.

  Then she spotted Jackie in the group, her sharp citrus smell clogging in her throat. She ran her fake, ruby tipped nails down the front of Taggert’s ripped shirt. Something about seeing her touch Taggert so intimately had Raven’s power flaring to life. She acted quickly, pushing it through the earth. Instead of zapping Jackie, though, she aimed for Taggert.

  The bitch snarled and jerked her hand back as a bit of the current transferred to her. Taggert eyes splintered to yellow. The absolute stillness in which he’d held himself changed when he turned his head toward her. A smile lit his face.

  A few of the groupies backed away at his relaxed demeanor, creating room for her to reach his side. “Taggert. You are no longer a slave. You no longer wear the collar.” People gasped, and she could swear
she hard Jackson groan. “If they touch you, you have my permission to touch back.”

  To prove a point, she sucked in a gust of energy and sent it out like a wave. A number of them went down, a whine like a dog’s caught in their throats. A few hit the brick wall of the building and were out. The rest took off running.

  Raven calmly walked over to Jackie and smiled. The woman flinched, but then stubbornly lifted her chin. Raven crossed her arms. “Be very careful of what you start. It may begin with you, but I will make sure that I end it and anyone associated with you.”

  “I’ll make sure my alpha knows.” A smirk came to her lips, and with a pleased look in her eyes, she rose to her feet.

  “Do that. Tell him I’ll be at Talons tonight if he has anything to discuss with me.”

  * * *

  “You’re not going alone.” Jackson sat in the front seat of the car, his gaze focused on the traffic around them. But she didn’t need to see his eyes to know he was pissed.

  So maybe she shouldn’t have all but challenged another alpha, but she couldn’t allow Taggert to be bullied. “No, I suppose not.”

  Taggert’s hand barely brushed against her hair when the strands tumbled around her shoulders. “Hey.” She tucked a piece behind her ear, self-conscious of the way her unique DNA turned part of her hair silver. He inhaled deeply then settled back against the seat.

  His shirt gapped open, revealing a chest packed tight with muscles. He fingered a pack of guitar strings, and the hard knot inside her stomach since Jackson called finally softened.

  “I still need to stop by the morgue and see if I can find any records on Sarah. I–”

  She stopped speaking when Jackson picked up his phone. “Let me ask around first.”

  Raven hesitated. She didn’t want them anywhere near her investigation. It was becoming too dangerous; too many shifters were coming up missing. When she hesitated too long, the angles of his face hardened. Against her better judgment, she relented. She understood the need to be useful and hated the way people tried to protect her. He must feel doubly so since the loss of his wolf. “Do it.”