by Crissy Smith
“Sorry, Dakota.” Two agents came from around the side of the building. “It’s boarded up good. There’s no way to get inside without ripping off some of the wood.”
She shook her head. “That’d make too much noise. Send them into a panic.”
“What do you want to do?” Kieran inquired. He could already tell that she was coming up with a plan.
“I can shift and go in.”
“No.” There was no question. He was not going to allow her to put herself in danger that way.
“K,” she murmured. “We have to do this quick. There’s no telling when a damn news crew will show up. I don’t want these kids to be on camera. We need to get them out of here.”
He glanced around and knew she was right. For the last several months, it had seemed that someone was tipping off reporters to every incident that they were investigating. That wasn’t good when their Organization was meant to work in secret. Luckily, the news had associated them with the Shifter Coalition instead of realizing they were something much more dangerous. Already, a ton of people stood at the taped-off area where the local PD was holding them back. Numerous cell phones were being pointed at them as the humans took pictures and videos. He growled, still hating technology. When he’d first started working for the Organization, things had been so much simpler. He’d not had to worry about someone catching him and exposing his secrets. Now, the lives of the agents were put in jeopardy every time someone showed up to get their fifteen minutes of fame.
“I can go around the back and just punch my way inside,” he said. “No one will even see me.” Kieran would rather put himself in danger than her. What he was couldn’t get out. The world was still stressing over the existence of shifters. If humans learned of vampire-type creatures, there’d be no peace for the paranormal community.
“Can’t,” Dakota said. “Caspar would kick both our asses if someone captured that.”
He grunted. Like he gave a damn about what Caspar thought if it meant keeping Dakota safe. The more screen time she received, the less chance she’d be able to do her job. Dakota actually loved being with the Organization and protecting innocents while Kieran just didn’t like to be bored. He found the excitement and danger worth the time he put in for work. Kieran wasn’t a good person. He’d come to terms with his faults a long time ago. Dakota made him want to be a better man, but Kieran wasn’t even sure that was possible.
“I’ll shift. In my jaguar form, they should be more willing to follow me. I’m more dominant and their instincts will be to cower. I can handle this.”
“Or they’ll attack as soon as you get inside,” he argued. “It’ll be three against one.”
“They’re only kids, K.”
God damn it, he didn’t want her going in there alone, where he couldn’t see or help. He also wasn’t happy about her having to reveal her animal side in front of the public. “You.” He pointed at one of the agents. “You got an SUV?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Back it up to right here,” Kieran ordered. “As close as you can get.”
“Right away!” The male agent, human, hurried off.
“What are you doing?” Dakota gripped his wrist, frowning.
“You can transform inside. I don’t want anyone seeing you. I’ll open the back and you can jump from the vehicle to the building. If someone has the right angle, they might catch you, but it’s the best we can do.”
She nodded. “Good idea.” Her features, which had been drawn and tight, softened. When she looked at him like that, Kieran felt like a king. Deep down, he knew eventually she’d stop when he disappointed her. For now, it was enough that she still believed in him.
“I’m staying right by the opening. I swear that if you get hurt, I will not be happy.”
“I know.” She lifted her hand to cup his cheek. “But remember that they’re just scared kids.”
He loved her. God, just looking at her concern-filled eyes, he lost his breath. After having had to live her entire life on her own, knowing she had no control about her future, Dakota was still the kindest person he’d ever met. The shifters inside were a threat. Dakota could choose to use force and capture them. Instead, she was revealing herself in order to help them.
She impressed the hell out of him.
It was probably his instincts, as well as past events of his life, which led him to want to use force to end the situation. Not that the kids inside would be harmed, but it’d take less time to force his way in and capture them. That made him feel shitty. Another reminder that he was truly a monster. He’d killed and he’d have to live with that. Sure, he’d only eliminated paranormals who had broken the law and hurt others, but he was tainted. Dakota lived her life for others. It was a small wonder what the hell she was doing with him.
“Be careful,” he demanded.
“I always am.” She rocked forward to press her lips against his.
Kieran grabbed the back of her head, forcing the quick peck she’d meant into a deep, meaningful kiss. Dakota opened for his probing tongue and her unique flavor burst onto his. He’d claim and mark her in any way that he could.
“The vehicle is coming,” Dare said in obvious amusement. “Unless you want to go ahead and undress her here in front of everyone.”
Kieran pulled away so he could glare at Dakota’s partner. If humans hadn’t been around, he would have flashed some fang.
Dare laughed. Kieran liked it better when everyone was terrified of him.
Dakota patted his knee before she stood. He followed suit. As Dakota moved off to the side, Kieran directed the agent in backing up. When the SUV was where he wanted it, Kieran opened the back door for Dakota.
“We’re going to discuss you pushing into my call later,” she warned him.
“Sure.” Kieran would do it again. They both knew that.
“I mean it,” she said. “You need a night off.”
No, he didn’t. Kieran needed to stay busy. The unease and twitchiness he’d always felt was stronger than ever. It was as though he could sense something big was going to happen. And when things happened to Kieran, they were always bad. He hoped all hell wasn’t going to break out that night. Kieran was tired—exhausted, really. He could fight but hoped he wouldn’t have to. “If I hear anything going wrong, I’ll get inside.”
With a roll of her eyes, Dakota climbed into the back seat. He slammed the door closed before motioning the other agents where he wanted them. He’d be the one closest to the opening. He wasn’t kidding. If he thought she was in danger, he wouldn’t care what he had to do to get to Dakota.
Inside the dark vehicle, Dakota was pulling off her shirt. Kieran walked to the back so he’d be able to open the hatch when she was ready.
As he waited, he looked around with a fierce look. A couple of the humans gawking started to shuffle where they stood. He was intimidating and he knew it. Kieran dared anyone to come close.
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About the Author
Crissy Smith lives in Texas with her husband, daughter, and three Labrador retrievers. The three dogs love to curl up under her computer desk and nap while she writes. It doesn’t leave a lot of room for her but what’s a woman to do?
When not writing or reading, she enjoys hunting, camping and shooting. But she has a girly side too and is addicted to pedicures and coffee.
She has been writing since she was a teenager and still loves everything to do with the paranormal. Her stories and characters all have a place in her heart. She loves the Alpha male, the dominant werewolf, and the Master vampire, which find their way in most of her books.
Learn more about the characters she has created at her website where they have their very own page. It will be updated from time to time to let you know what's going on with them. Also you can find out who will be in the next book.
Email: [email protected]
Crissy loves to hear from readers. You can find her contact information, website and author biography at ht
tp://www.totallybound.com.
Also by Crissy Smith
Seduced by the Neighbour
Lacey’s Seduction
Eternal
Bid High
Fated Love
Vamps in the City
Were Chronicles Pack Alpha
Were Chronicles: Pack Enforcer
Were Chronicles: Pack Territory
Were Chronicles: Pack Rogue
Were Chronicles: Pack Community
Were Chronicles: Pack Mates
Were Chronicles: Pack Daughter
Were Chronicles: Pack Hunter
Were Chronicles: Pack Council
Were Chronicles: Pack Security
Were Chronicles: Pack Beta
Were Chronicles: Pack Secrets
Were Chronicles: Pack Balance
Were Chronicles: Pack Investigator
Were Chronicles: Pack Law
Corporate Wolves: The Favour
Corporate Wolves: Losing Control
Secrets: The Shifter and the Dreamer
Shifter Chronicles: Birds of Prey
Shifter Chronicles: Bear Claw
Shifter Chronicles: Eye of the Tiger
Shifter Chronicles: Coyote’s Kiss
Shifter Chronicles: Wolf Pack
Shifter Chronicles: Lion’s Claim
Bloodlines: Bite
Bloodlines: Control
Bloodlines: Embrace
Caught in the Middle: Magical Ménage
Bite Me!: Savage Love
Summer Seductions: Summers’ Girl
Cloaks and Daggers: Vampire Hunter
What’s her Secret?: Last Call
What’s her Secret?: Designated Alpha
