Rogue Warrior: (Dark Warrior Alliance Book Seven)

by Brenda Trim

  She had the building in mind and was close to being able to buy out all the humans and purchase the entire place. After she killed Santiago, the place would be hers.

  "I do now. I like the open space, but it's hard to get used to the noise. Between the city and the neighbors, it's hard to get any sleep," he admitted.

  "I don't know how you do it. I've always wanted a loft for my studio, but I couldn't live there. I'd love to see yours sometime. I’m in the market to buy."

  Handing her the glass of wine and taking a sip of his beer, he led them to a table in the back. "All those paintings at your house were yours? I just thought you were a hoarder. My place would be a perfect location for painting, lighting issues aside," he teased.

  The mention of the time he'd visited her house was just the reminder she needed to keep from falling under whatever spell he seemed to weave over her. "Yeah, I guess it is pretty crowded right now. It won't be like that for long. I’d really like to see the place. It may replace the building I’ve been saving up for."

  He sidled up so close to her that she could feel his body heat licking along her skin. His breath hit her cheek, testing her resolve again. "I can show you my place right now. In fact, it's close enough to walk to." The hand at the small of her back burned through her light jacket and sweater.

  Taking a deep drink of her wine, she looked up and saw the effort it was taking for him to keep the glow from his eyes. Uncertain of how long her willpower would last, she nodded her agreement. "Sure, that sounds good. Lead the way, warrior."

  It was now or never, Tori thought, butterflies filling her stomach.

  *****

  Santiago slid the massive door to his loft closed and leaned back against the steel, needing a minute to calm down. He couldn’t believe that she had all but invited herself back to his place. He had suspected that Tori had followed him to the club when he'd caught her scent in the alley near the bar.

  When the dickhead had hit on her, he’d almost removed the human’s head from his shoulders. It was satisfying to hear the way she had rebuked the male but didn’t outright deny Santi, fueling the connection he felt to her.

  It appeared she had done a one-eighty from the last time he had seen her, when she'd fled on a moment’s notice. He assumed his chance with her was over, but here she was, alone with him and flirting her ass off. He couldn't blame it on the alcohol. She hadn't even consumed the one glass of wine he’d bought her. Flirtatious behavior aside, he sensed something wasn’t quite right.

  She was hiding something, if the tension in her body was any indication. And what a body she had. He crossed to her side as she commented on the space. He didn't really give a shit if her paintings would fit, or if the lighting was perfect or not. He had just wanted to get her alone.

  Not one to waste time second-guessing what he wanted, he grabbed her hand, spinning her to face him. She swallowed hard and for a split second, looked frightened. She should be afraid, he thought. He planned to ravish her body and leave them both sweaty and sated before the night was through.

  He cupped his hands around Tori's face, covering her mouth with his. The kiss was explosive and had him groaning into her mouth. Goddess, she tasted good. Santiago shuddered as she wrapped her hands around the back of his neck and pulled him closer. He traced his tongue over her lips, coaxing her mouth open.

  Her tongue stroked tentatively over his and all rational thought fled. He tasted anger and determination, but was too lost in the moment to tease it out. All he knew was that he had to have more of her. More skin, more heat, and more passion.

  Walking her backward, he kept their mouths fused. When she bumped into the wall, he plastered her against the bricks and wrapped his hands around her waist. The female was slim, but her lush curves were driving him mad. She was fire in his grip, writhing and wriggling against him, making his cock hard as stone.

  "Tori, baby, I have to have you," Santi murmured, lifting his mouth and breaking the kiss. The curve of her cheeks was so delicate, he feared she would break. Her chest heaved and her glowing green eyes remained locked on his while he drew back enough to pull his shirt over his head.

  She bit her bottom lip, and he cupped her chin, running his thumb over the abused flesh. Leaning down, he nuzzled the side of her neck, drawing her thunderstorm fragrance deep into his lungs. "Tell me you want me," he ordered. He wasn't going to take her unless she gave some indication she wanted this too.

  Moaning, she ran her fingers over his back and tilted her head to the side, giving him more access. Her slick black hair fell over his shoulder like a silk scarf, tickling and caressing his skin. His heart beat double time with the contact. He worried he wouldn't be able to disengage if she didn't want to take this further.

  He held his breath until she finally answered him. "As much as I shouldn't, I want you, Santiago." He reared back at the odd note to her voice.

  The rub of her breasts against his chest enticed him as she arched into him, scraping her nails down his back. Hissing, he acknowledged that her Valkyrie was seducing the hell out of his wolf. His cock pressed into her stomach, wanting out. He couldn't take his pants off or this wouldn't last very long.

  Lowering his head, he tugged at her sweater, sweeping her jacket from her shoulders. "You'll have all of me," he said, kissing her exposed collarbone.

  She ran her tongue around the shell of his ear as she balanced on one leg and wrapped the other around his hip, bringing her hot core into contact with his erection. The heat burned even through the layers of clothes still separating their bodies. "Stop that, or this is going to be over before it gets started."

  "Stop what?" Her eyes held mischief and something else as she tilted her pelvis, grinding against his cock. The fabric of his leathers was too rough on his shaft. He wanted to feel the soft, slick heat of her feminine flesh rubbing against him.

  "Torturing me," he growled, grabbing her hips, trying to still her movements.

  "Or what?"

  "Or I'll have to spank you," he promised. His erection kicked in his pants, more than on board with the idea. He wasn't like Kyran with his deviant proclivities, but this Valkyrie was tempting him to go outside his normal boundaries. With her, he imagined there wasn't anything he wouldn't do. His wolf howled in his head, in full agreement.

  "Honey, I'm a Valkyrie, that's foreplay for us," she teased, releasing a low moan when his grip tightened, increasing the friction between their bodies.

  "I'll show you foreplay," he promised, yanking her soft pink sweater over her head. Her bra followed, and he lowered his head, running his tongue over one turgid peak. He flicked and sucked first one nipple and then the other. Her head thumped against the wall and her eyes slid closed.

  Smiling against her flesh, he reached down and unzipped her skintight jeans. He reached around the back of her waistband to push down her pants, and she shoved against his chest.

  "No, Santiago," she cried as his fingers touched something metal tucked into her jeans. He grabbed the object before she could stop him. Yanking, he pulled out a coiled rope that had a leather grip at one end.

  "What is this? Please tell me this isn’t meant for me," he demanded, needing to hear her deny it almost as much as he had needed her body moments ago.

  She ignored him, zipped up her pants, and grabbed her jacket. Shoving her arms through the sleeves, she clutched the two sides closed as she glared at him. "Why, you like being lied to?" she snarled, snatching the weapon from his hand. An electrical current ran along his hand and up his arm when her hand came in contact with the weapon.

  Santiago knew that when Valkyrie were reborn, they were gifted a weapon, and this must be hers. He watched her expertly wrap it around her hand, forming a small circle that her clothes could easily hide.

  "What's your game, Tori? Were you going to fuck me first and then kill me?" He couldn't have been so wrong about this female. He had known she was an assassin, yet he had fooled himself into believing she was different. Pieces started clicking t
ogether for him as she stared at him defiantly.

  "As if I'd ever fuck the male who killed my brother!"

  The blood drained to his feet and he swayed where he stood. "What did you say?"

  "You heard me. I know what you did and I vowed to Miguel that I would make you pay, and that is exactly what I am going to do." Her chest heaved with her angry words, and her cheeks were tinged red from her anger, yet her lips were still swollen from his passionate kisses.

  "What do you even know about what really went down?"

  "I know you killed my brother. That's all I need to know!” she shouted.

  "No, that's not all you need to know. Your brother was dealing Angel's Kiss, Tori. He was responsible for the addiction and deaths of many individuals."

  "No, he wasn't. You're wrong," she denied, shaking her head violently.

  He grabbed her shoulders and forced her to look at him. "Listen to me. I would not lie to you, but you need to hear what I'm saying. Your brother was in deep with some fucked-up shit. Yes, I injected him with a dose of the very drug I witnessed him selling to an addict. But I did not intend for him to die, which makes me question how much of the shit was already in his system. You have to believe me."

  She sagged in his hold and deflated before his eyes. She couldn’t deny what he was telling her, and it was obvious she hated it. Clearly, she had loved her brother dearly and was having a hard time admitting that he wasn’t on the up and up. "You've suspected the same thing about him, haven't you?" he challenged.

  Nodding, she quickly brushed a telltale sheen from her eyes before turning them in his direction. "In my investigation of you, I found small bits of evidence that Miguel had sold the drug. But, it wasn’t concrete and I’m not turning my back on him until I know the truth."

  "I know it's not easy to learn that your brother was less than your expectations, particularly when he isn't here to defend himself. He shouldn't have died. Trust me when I say that it eats at me every day that I’ve caused you pain. Unfortunately, I can't change that, but I will help you gather information so we can find the sorcerer or witch responsible and make them pay. They are the ones who brought him into their twisted world," he vowed.

  Tori didn't need to know that he was going to do it anyway, with or without her help. He didn't know why, but it was important to salvage things between them. Maybe because he felt like he’d lost everything and didn’t want to lose her, too.

  "You would do that?"

  "Yes, as long as you promise not to try and kill me again," he said with a wry smile. "Speaking of, this wasn't the first time, was it?"

  Her head jerked up in genuine shock. "Yes, it was. Well, the other night at the club I had intended to take you out and fulfill Von's contract, but when we danced, I couldn't think straight and had to get out of there. But before that, never."

  He narrowed his eyes, not sure if she was telling the truth. "You didn't take a shot at me when I was in the ring at the fight club?"

  She put her hands on her hips, the picture of feminine pique. "Mark my words, if I’d taken a shot at you, you'd be dead, Reyes. No, I didn't. The real question is, what were you doing in a fight club?"

  "You should understand better than most the need to let off steam in a healthy, constructive way that doesn't really harm others."

  "That's a crock of shit if I ever heard one. You're a Dark Warrior. I imagine you get all the release you need fighting demons and skirm, not to mention the training I'm sure you guys go through. You just want to feel like the big man on campus. Even if you are right about my brother, you aren't any better than him, fighting like that. You are victimizing the other fighters every time you step into the ring. You are stronger, faster, and a more skilled fighter."

  Those were the exact same words Gerrick had shouted at me months ago, but when Tori snarled them, they landed like punches to the gut.

  "It's not like that," he implored.

  "It's exactly like that. You want to help me? Start by looking in the mirror," she said coldly and snatched her sweater and bra on her way to the door.

  The sound of clanging metal reverberated along with her haunting words as she left him standing alone.

  CHAPTER SIX

  Orlando scooped a bite of spicy chili into his mouth, moving the bowl to catch the beans that spilled over his spoon. "Fuck," he cursed as a pile of beans and meat hit the hardwood floor of the hall. "Sorry, Nate," he called over his shoulder.

  Nate stuck his head around the doorway of the kitchen and rolled his ruby eyes. "Dammit, O. I just had Sylvia mop these floors. Get your ass over here and clean your mess."

  Orlando shrugged, continuing on his way. "Sorry, buddy, Zander needs me in the war room, which is why I'm eating on the go. Besides, it’ll do you good to clean a floor. It builds character. Isn't that what Angus would say?"

  "Fuck you. I'm going to put itching powder in your leathers," the male threatened. Orlando laughed at the dragon shifter. He had replaced their previous majordomo so that Angus could return to take his place as King of Khoth.

  "Look forward to it. Rubbing on my junk all day? Why didn't I think of that sooner," Orlando joked.

  "You are a very sick male, Ace. You need therapy. You should see if Elsie can do some sessions. No, Pip, don't eat that, it’ll make you shit all over the place," Nate griped as he looked at the little fuzzball at his feet.

  Pip was a furry animal that resembled a small koala, but wasn't native to Earth. He was Mack’s beloved pet from Khoth, but the dragon shifter would just as soon throw him in the oven and bake him for dinner.

  Orlando continued walking and eating while the male's words shot to his heart. There was no way he was going to ask Elsie to do sessions with him. Ever since Santiago had made the accusation about his feelings for the Vampire Queen, he couldn't get them out of his mind. The last thing he needed was to be tortured by being alone with a female he shouldn't desire. Not when she belonged to the powerful male sitting across the room.

  "Liege, what can I do for you this evening?" Orlando asked, taking a seat at the large conference table, trying to quell his discomfort. He put down his bowl of chili, his appetite suddenly gone.

  "I want to talk to you aboot Santiago," Zander replied in his thick Scottish accent as he signed a piece of paper before setting it aside and looking up.

  "Okay, what about him? I haven't really seen him much since he's been back at work. The captain has had him pretty busy catching up on cases."

  "Have you seen him when you've been oot on patrol?"

  Orlando cocked his head and considered Zander. "No, I haven't seen him outside the station. Why?"

  "I received a verra disturbing call tonight, and if he hasna been with you guys, then he has been patrolling on his own. He's going to get himself fucking killed," Zander cursed, running his hand through his black hair.

  Shaking his head, Orlando wondered what the hell was going on with his partner. He had worked beside Santiago for over two hundred years, and never would have guessed the male would go so far off the rails. It was one thing for Santiago to feel like he was being treated unfairly, but this was going way beyond that.

  Concern for his friend had him asking, "What exactly did he do?"

  "Dr. Fruge from one of the realm clinics called me and told me one of my Dark Warriors was in there last night with a serious injury. Santiago denied being one of us, demanding the doctor treat an injured female he'd brought in, but the doctor recognized his tattoo and gave me a courtesy call."

  Orlando crossed his ankle over his knee, glad he had put his food aside. To think that something might have happened to Santiago had his stomach churning even more. "How badly was he injured? Is he still there?"

  Zander picked up a tumbler full of amber liquid and took a drink. Had to be his favorite Scotch. Orlando wondered if the male had slept any in the past week. His guess was no if the dark circles under his eyes were any indication. He also showed a prudence that Orlando had never seen.

  Baby Isobel
was still so young that Orlando bet she was keeping both Zander and Elsie up all day, giving the Vampire King and Dark Warrior leader little to no downtime. He was sure it didn’t help that Isobel carried the power of the Triskele Amulet and would always be a target of every demon and skirm.

  As if called by his thoughts, Elsie walked into the room with Isobel propped on her hip. Zander got up and crossed to his mate. After placing a kiss on Elsie's lips, Zander turned his attention to his daughter.

  The king's palm engulfed the baby's head as he ran it over her soft brown curls. They were just like her momma's. Elsie had gorgeous, long brown hair that was naturally curly. It drove her nuts, but Orlando loved it.

  "How’s my beautiful nighean?" Zander kissed the baby's head and placed his arm around Elsie's shoulders.

  "Happy and content," Elsie replied. "It's her mom that missed you. Hey, Orlando."

  "Hey, El," Orlando murmured, walking over and tickling Izzy's foot. “How are you, sweetheart?” he cooed, and Isobel reached out to grab his hand. She was the cutest baby he'd ever seen and the shining light of their household.

  He had anticipated the house changing after she was born, and it had, but not in the ways he had thought. He’d anticipated lots of crying and poopy diapers, and while there were certainly plenty of messy diapers for everyone to change, there was very little crying. Isobel had an aura about her that immediately set you at ease. It was impossible to be around her and not smile.

  "Sorry, a ghra," Zander interjected. "I got a call aboot Santiago and have to deal with that before I can spend time with the two of you." The love shining between the two made Orlando feel even worse. It was wrong to covet his friend's mate, he reminded himself, hoping he could finally let go of whatever it was he felt for the female.

  "Oh no, I hope everything is alright with him. I just wish this mess would end and he would come back home already. I know he will find his way back to us, and that helps, but I still worry about him out there on his own."