Partners In Crime (Eternal Flames Book 9)

by Cree Storm

  “Holy shit,” Manny exclaimed. “Not for nothing, but what you just said makes me want you on our side even more.”

  Ezra and Nick chuckled. “I must agree with my young, exuberant friend here,” Ezra said.

  “Me too,” Nick added. “And your honesty and trust here today only sells me on you joining us even more. As a former Marine myself, I give you my word whatever you decide, your secret is safe with me.”

  After everyone agreed with Nick that Wade’s Black Ops operation would remain a highly guarded secret, the meeting broke up, with only Illan, Justice, Wade, Manny, and Suneth left.

  “Why did you ask us to stay, Justice?” Manny asked.

  “Because Vik and Baldwin said they would be here soon and they have some information on the case. I thought you all should be involved.”

  “Me too?” Manny asked in surprise as his brows raised into his hairline.

  Illan chuckled. “You too, kiddo. Now that you are a part of the council as the fairy representative, and also a resident of Crystal, we feel you should be involved in all of this.”

  “I still can’t believe you asked me to be on the council and Rune talked me into it. He should be representing the fairies, not me. I have no clue what they want.”

  “That’s why we’re all here to help you and so is Rune and your Dads, of course. It’ll be okay, Manny, I promise,” Justice said.

  “And don’t forget that sexy mate of yours. Frankie sure did fill out nicely while I was gone,” Wade said as he sat back against the couch and put his right ankle over his left knee.

  Dual growls echoed through the room and Justice and Illan looked at each of them.

  “I understand why I growled with Wade talking about checking out my mate, but why the hell did you growl, Suneth?” Manny asked.

  “Because me and my gargoyle are not happy that our mate is checking out other men,” Suneth snapped harshly as his gaze bore into Wade.

  CHAPTER 12

  "Hey Justice, sorry we took so long, but that Donny guy you sent is a trip and―" Vik stopped speaking when he saw everyone's shocked faces aimed at Suneth and Wade. "Uh, is there a problem here?"

  "I'm―uh, not sure," Justice muttered, not turning away from Wade.

  Vik looked at his long-time friend. Wade just sat there looking at King Suneth. Vik could feel the tension, but Wade's expression gave no outward sign of angst or anything else. "Wade, is everything alright?"

  "I'm not real sure, Vik. Can I ask you something?" Wade asked in a very controlled tone.

  "Of course," Vik replied without hesitation.

  Wade continued to stare at King Suneth. "I've been around shifters a long time and you and I have talked about this mate thing since Day and Ethan got together."

  "Yeah," Vik said cautiously. Not really knowing where this was going.

  "You told me that a mate is the other half of your soul and that when you find that one or more meant for you, that shifters know by scent. You told me that often you don't question it, that even if you never met the person before, you trust in fate and claim each other in accordance to your ways. What if you come across a mate that doesn't know their mate by this scent thing? What happens then? Does the shifter just jump them or do you talk first?" Wade asked.

  "A forced mating is against our shifter laws, Wade. We have paranormals that don't know their mate by scent at all. Pixie's for instance, they know their mate by a kiss. Fairies have to have sex with the person, Elves must taste their blood, and Griffions―well, you get what I'm saying. The thing is, during those times, the shifter will either allow their mate to prove the claim or they might even do things to get to know each other if the mate is not comfortable with determining the truth in the mating claim," Vik answered.

  Wade gave a small nod. "And Fate doesn't get it wrong? I mean, what if you mate with someone and you find out you can't stand each other? Or that you have absolutely nothing in common?"

  Vik's brows drew together in confusion. He had no clue why Wade was asking him questions about mates. He had thought this meeting was to ask Wade to be on the Council. Sighing, Vik said, "Look, I have no clue what's going on here, or why you're asking these questions, Wade. All I can say is that I've never heard of Fate's choice being wrong or anyone asking for or considering a break in that bond. The expectation is that the mates enhance each other's lives. Each mate offers something to the other that is needed in order to make the bond strong, not weak. If Fate deemed you worthy enough to have a mate, then there has to be a good reason why."

  Baldwin stepped forward, placing his hand on Vik's shoulder, saying, "A mate is someone that you put before yourself. Their needs, wants, and desires become your own and you don't feel slighted, because yours becomes theirs as well. A mate is a blessing, not a curse. It brings a better awareness to your surroundings, it makes you more cautious of what you do, because you know if anything happens to you the other will suffer and that is something you cannot bear."

  Vik looked around. "What the hell is going on? And why are you asking me these questions, Wade?"

  "Because Wade is my mate," Suneth said low and with a deep vibration in his words.

  "Oh shit! You're the mate to the King of the Gargoyles?" Vik gasped.

  Wade's right brow rose. "King? Is that who you are?"

  "Yes," Suneth answered.

  Wade snorted, "Interesting."

  "Let's just hope you two can claim each other a hell of a lot quicker than Vik and I have been able to," Baldwin muttered.

  Justice gasped, "You didn't claim each other last night? I sent you home! Do not tell me you worked instead, Vik!"

  Vik felt heat rising into his cheeks, muttering, "No, I kind of fell asleep."

  "You fell asleep!" Everyone exclaimed except for Wade. He continued to stare at King Suneth.

  Baldwin stepped forward. "Yes, we fell asleep. Remember, we've been working practically nonstop since these murders started. Which is why we're here. Doc Clayton's murder―"

  Wade sat forward. "Wait! Gary Clayton is dead?"

  Vik nodded. "Yes, we're not sure of the time of death, but from what we can tell it was a random act this time, not something planned. It had to have happened late last night or very early this morning. Donny said he should know more after he finishes his autopsy."

  Justice sighed, "I still can't believe that his killer had the audacity to walk right into the coroner’s office and kill the man. I mean, the cameras had to of caught the person, and how the hell did they even get in?"

  Vik held his hand up. "Cameras? What cameras?"

  "I had key cards installed in all the city buildings as well as video cameras installed in those institutions and around Crystal when Fallon first started threatening our town. I wanted to make sure that we didn't miss others sneaking into Crystal without us all being aware of it."

  Vik was infuriated. "Why didn't you or Nash tell me? Son of a bitch, we might have the murderer’s face on film and no one bothered to say anything?"

  Justice looked as guilty as he should. This information was something he should have had months ago. Fuck that, he should have been told when they were installed!

  "I'm sorry, Vik, I thought Nash informed you a long time ago. If it helps, Illan, Nash, and I looked through the videos and nothing out of the ordinary was found," Justice replied.

  Shaking his head, Vik snarled, "No, Justice, it doesn't help. People are dying out there and I have been busting my ass trying to find out who's behind this and none of you saw fit to tell me or my men about these fucking cameras! Why?!"

  Baldwin growled low and deep, "Because they were watching everyone in case someone close to them joined up with Fallon."

  Vik gasped, "Is that true?"

  Justice and Illan didn't answer and that was answer enough for Vik. Pulling his badge from his pocket, he tossed it on the Mayor's desk.

  Justice yelled out, "Vik! Vik, wait!"

  Vik walked to the door and turned around. "You have known me my entire life, Justi
ce. You were like a father to me when my own died. I can't believe you didn't trust me and Frankie or any of others of your blaze with this information. I can't work for someone that doesn't trust me. I quit."

  Vik took the stairs two at a time as Baldwin yelled his name. The pain and betrayal he felt was like a dagger to his heart.

  Rushing into the middle of the road, Vik damn near got hit, and would have if Baldwin hadn't shifted and lifted him into the air.

  Slowly, his mate lowered him to the ground, shifting back to his human form, and snarling, "What the hell are you trying to do? You could have gotten fucking killed!"

  Vik couldn't speak, the pain was too intense. Instead, he brought his watery eyes up to Baldwin's angry ones. His mate's features immediately softened and he took Vik into his arms. Vik drew in one ragged breath after another, the scent of his mate calming him like nothing else could.

  "Vik, are you going to be alright?"

  Vik pulled back and saw Wade standing there looking concerned. Nodding, Vik wiped at his eyes, saying, "I will be as long as I have my mate with me. I just can't believe they didn't tell me something so crucial to this case."

  "Or the fact that they were there at all?" Wade asked in understanding.

  Nodding, Vik replied, "Yeah, that too."

  Drawing in a deep breath, Wade looked away and then back at his long-time friend. "Vik, I don't know if this helps, but sometimes when you're in charge of something bigger than even you, you have to make some really tough decisions. In the military, it's called need to know."

  Wade snorted, then continued, "The thing is, the choices are not personal, they are what is good for the mass majority. If that means hurt feelings, then so be it. Even when I trust someone like a brother―or even if it is my own brother, there are times I just can't tell them things. In the beginning Justice had some tough choices to make. None of them personal, but all to keep the people in this town safe. Wouldn't you do everything you could to keep the people of Crystal from harm?"

  "Of course," Vik rasped.

  "Then ask yourself, how far would you go? Are hurt feelings enough to keep you from acting for the greater good?" Wade asked with a shrug.

  Vik sighed loudly, his shoulders slumping. "I would have done the same thing he did if it meant keeping Crystal from harm."

  "Look, everyone knows you have been working yourself to the core on this case, trying to keep all its citizens from becoming the next victim to this maniac. Add to that, if what Baldwin said is true, and what you said is true, this wanting to mate and holding off has got to be wearing you down even more," Wade stated and then pulled Vik's badge from his pocket. "Take this, go home, claim your mate, get some sleep, eat a good meal and then―only then, get back to work."

  Vik took his badge back. "How did―"

  "No one wants anyone else on this case but you, Vik. You, Baldwin, and Orion are the only ones the humans trust right now. Everyone is looking to you guys to find the man or woman out there killing us off," Wade responded.

  Vik looked at Wade, whispering, "Even if the killer is human?"

  Wade pulled back slightly. "Do you think the murderer is human?"

  Nodding, Vik replied, "Yes, I really do. Nothing else makes sense. The wounds are not from a vampire, no out of the ordinary scents that would tell us a shifter has been around the area in weeks. I even had Pascal come to a couple of the crime scenes and there are no portals they could see from Fairy or pixie paranormals, the way the wounds were inflicted, and how they chose to drain the blood, all of this has me believing that this killer is a human."

  Nodding, Wade replied, "I'll talk to the people I know and see if anyone might know of someone that might have it out for you guys. Also, maybe later I can get with you guys and you might show me what you have. I can bring my brother along as well, and he might be able to help. He really is amazing with computers."

  Vik was confused about how Wade thought he might help, but then again, he would do whatever he could to keep the people in this town alive and well. "How about we get together later tonight? That will give Barry time to get the photos to the station, Donny should have some information on the autopsy he's doing on Gary, and Finn and Marco went to Denver already to get those reports in person."

  Nodding, Wade replied, "How about nine? I have some things I need to take care of, and I think that will give my little brother time to pull together what he can as well."

  "Sounds great to me," Vik answered.

  Wade turned to leave and Vik called out, "Wade!"

  Turning slightly, Wade called back, "Yeah?"

  "Thanks for bringing my badge back and for what you said about the town trusting myself and my team," Vik said.

  Smiling, Wade replied, "I never lie, Vik. I might not always tell everything, but I never outright lie to anyone."

  "What are you going to do about Suneth?" Vik asked with a smirk.

  Wade grinned wide, "Well, now I am giving that man some considerable thought. I have always relied on fate and gut feelings. It's kept me alive for a lot of years in some really sticky situations. I don't think I'm going to question her now. However, that doesn't mean I'm not going to let the bossy man stew a bit."

  "Wade, good luck on your mating," Vik said in all sincerity.

  Looking at Vik, then Baldwin. "Good luck to you guys as well. My suggestion, turn the phones off and lock your doors. For just a little while, take the time to do something for yourselves. You've earned it."

  Wade walked away and Vik looked at Baldwin with a desire he knew he was transmitting to his mate. Baldwin opened Vik's car door. "Let's go, mate."

  Vik laughed as he got in. "That is exactly what I was thinking."

  CHAPTER 13

  Vik's back was slammed into his front door as Baldwin plundered his mouth with tongue and teeth. Neither man was willing to release the other as Vik did his best to put the key in the lock. When it didn't go in for the third time, Vik pulled back as Baldwin ravaged his neck, and Vik moaned, "Damn it, I can't get the fucking door unlocked."

  Baldwin flipped Vik around, both men breathing hard and Baldwin grinding that log he called a cock into Vik's ass, nibbling and biting on Vik's ear lobe. If Vik didn't get the fucking thing opened soon, Baldwin was going to break the damn thing down. He needed his mate, now.

  "Fuck, Baldwin, let me unlock the damn door," Vik practically begged.

  Baldwin pulled back slightly, and Vik panted, "No! No! Don't stop. Don't stop."

  Patience gone, Baldwin took the key from Vik and immediately unlocked the damn barrier between them and the bedroom. Both men fell inside. Baldwin pulled his shirt over his head and Vik did the same with his, making his way towards the back tossing his clothes left and right.

  Kicking the door closed, Baldwin dropped his shirt, and started to undo his pants, hopping on one foot, then the next, boots flying in all directions. Vik disappeared into the bedroom, but Baldwin damn near broke his neck when he knocked into a chair trying to get his fucking pants off. Gods, he had never felt a need so great in his life.

  Naked, except for his socks, Baldwin rushed into the bedroom and about swallowed his tongue. Vik was on his hands and knees with two fingers in his ass. "Fuck, that's beautiful."

  Shaking his head, Vik rasped, "No, you in me now is beautiful. This is―this is necessity. Now come here and claim me, mate, before my balls explode."

  Baldwin licked his lips as he watched Vik add a third finger to his ass. Grabbing the lube Vik must have dropped to his side, Baldwin placed a large dollop on his hand, hissing as he grasped his hard, weeping shaft to slick up. "Fuck, my dick is sensitive."

  "Give it to me, big boy. Damn, I need you," Vik said with a moan.

  Baldwin moved in behind Vik, cupping one of the glorious globes in his palm.

  "As much as I would love to get into all that foreplay, I think we are way beyond the ability now. Claim me, damn it!"

  Baldwin had to agree. His own balls were so tight, he thought they might squeeze off i
f he didn't get into his mate now. Taking Vik’s hips, lining up his cock, Baldwin pushed in. Both men hissed, Vik arching his back, as Baldwin pushed farther and farther until he made it past the first ring of muscles.

  "Fuck! Yes!" Vik hissed, pushing back to imbed him deeper.

  "Don't―Don't―want to hurt―you," Baldwin stammered, doing his best to go slow.

  "I swear I'm fine. I can take it!" Vik practically begged.

  Baldwin understood the piercing need to finally claiming what was theirs, but he absolutely refused to do anything that could hurt Vik. Baldwin was never more thankful in his life than the moment his balls slapped against Vik's ass.

  "Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!" Baldwin chanted as Vik wiggled one way and then another. "Stop moving or I'm going to come already."

  Vik whimpered and dropped his head down. Baldwin knew the urgency his mate was experiencing, but there was no way Baldwin was about to do anything until he had some semblance of control.

  Baldwin breathed in and out until he felt he had some control over his orgasm. Slowly pulling back and then pushing inside Vik's channel with enough force to knock the man forward so that only Vik's shoulders braced him on the bed. Vik's groan of pleasure encouraged Baldwin to move like that once, then twice more.

  "Baldwin, damn it! Fuck me like you mean it!" Vik shouted.

  Grasping Vik's hips in a tight hold, Baldwin pulled back as far as he could, then slammed forward. Thrusting in and out, over and over, both men moaned, groaned, and made sounds Baldwin had never heard anyone, including himself, make before.