Mike knew what he was doing, and Reece had let him win the real match.
CHAPTER TWO
Reece drove Victoria to her apartment, hating that she hadn’t breathed a word since they’d hopped in her Mini Cooper.
At six-four, his head brushed the ceiling of her compact, but she loved it. Not that she was much shorter, she was just shy of six feet, but he assumed she liked the looks she received when she stepped out of the tiny car. Of course, Victoria could step out of a Ford Escort and heads would turn.
As he’d thought from the first time he’d seen her, she looked like Wonder Woman in the flesh: tall and shapely, with ebony black hair that fell like silk to her waist, olive skin, and chestnut-colored eyes that were so deep and rich it looked like he could swim in the depths of them. Yep, she looked like a living and breathing Amazon.
“Can I walk you upstairs?” he asked as he parallel parked in front of her brownstone.
She turned to him, a question in her eyes. “Of course,” she said as if he’d asked the stupidest question in the world.
Victoria wasn’t a chatterbox. He could only guess that the years she’d spent around all the male creatus that she’d learned not to reveal her feelings. Unlike some girls he’d met in his life that he wished would stop ranting about their feelings, he wished Victoria would just talk to him. He wanted to know what she was thinking.
Reece hopped out and opened her door. At least she allowed him to be a gentleman. He took her hand and led her up to her fourth-story flat. He wished they could skip the stairs and just jump the four flights, but unless it was an emergency, he’d learned to rein in his strength.
Although they were a peaceful race, the myths about supposed vampires were too forbidding ever to reveal themselves. If the government found them, they’d hunt them down, just as they did thousands of years ago. Reece had agreed with Derrick on that discussion. Humans would not be okay with a superhuman who ate raw meat, living next door, no matter what some of their kind believed.
Reece allowed Victoria to walk in front of him and open the door.
She stepped inside, then turned to him.
Oh, no, he thought. He stepped forward and quickly drew her into his arms before she could speak. Ignoring her dazed expression, he ran his hand up to the back of her head and pulled her closer, immediately pressing his lips to hers. In seconds, his lips tingled. He requested entry and she accepted him. He touched his tongue to hers, luxuriating in her warmth and the flavor of the red wine she always liked.
He worked his kisses across the line of her jaw. “Victoria,” he said as he worked his way down her neck.
She lifted her head, sighing, so he reached down and scooped her up into his arms, carrying her to her sofa. He wanted to go straight to her bedroom, but considering he hadn’t showered yet, he figured he’d wait to suggest that.
Still cradling her, he carefully sat down, making sure she wasn’t touching the front of his body. He continued his kisses along the exposed area of her chest. Her black blouse had a gentle scoop, just enough to entice him, without being revealing.
“Reece,” she said, running her fingers through his hair.
He glanced up, hoping she didn’t want to stop. Creatus didn’t marry; they fell. Once they fell, it was over, so there was no need for a formal ceremony. Although according to Victoria, creatus usually went to the courthouse to make their marriage official, so they didn’t run into any legal issues.
Tonight, he didn’t care about any of that. He wanted to fall, and he wanted her to reciprocate. Just the tingling on his lips made it evident they were a match; they just needed to let go to the feeling, allow it to course through their bodies. He’d still be able to get his job done. Other members of the family were able to function away from each other.
“Before you say anything, can I take a shower?”
Victoria cocked her head. “Why?”
“Well, I did just finish a sparring match, so I’m sure I smell.”
She laughed. “You barely broke a sweat, and you don’t smell. We need to talk, though.”
Not wanting to hear what she had to say before he had a chance to sweep her off her feet appropriately, he shook his head. “Shower first.” He kissed her quickly, then picked her up and set her down beside him, twisting his body at the same time, so she couldn’t see in front of him. He stood up and made his way to the shower. Once inside the small bathroom, he said, “Unless you want to talk in the shower…” he trailed off, waiting for the tongue-lashing.
She just sighed again, then based on her soft steps leading away from him, walked into the kitchen instead of following him in here. Not that he thought she’d hop in the shower with him, but he loved to tease her. They’d been taunting each other with sexual innuendoes from the day they’d met, the day she’d practically beaten the crap out of him. He wondered if it’d stop once they finally made love, if they ever made love.
If her conversation had anything to do with what he thought it did, he might never get to be with her; he may lose her forever. He couldn’t imagine the loss. He didn’t have to fall to be head-over-heels in love. Her leaving might not kill him, but it would devastate him.
The door opened, and his heart soared.
“Here’re the sweatpants and t-shirt you left. I washed them.” And the door closed again. Not even a peek…or a playful warning that she was going to peek. Was this really because he’d won the match? Hell, he was sure Mike hadn’t even tried that hard.
Irritated now, Reece turned off the shower and stepped out. He wanted to just stroll out there with nothing but the towel around his waist and carry her to the bedroom, but Victoria wasn’t some ditzy broad. She liked power, but she wouldn’t want him to act like a caveman.
Reece pulled on the sweatpants, but left the shirt on the hamper where she’d placed it. He glanced in the mirror. He looked like the other creatus with his olive skin and sharp features, but he’d inherited his human mother’s blond hair and hazel eyes. Was that the problem? Did Victoria think he stood out as an outcast, someone who’d never really be one of them? Maybe he should have left his hair dark, even though she’d said that she liked his natural color.
He opened the door to leave, but then reached back and grabbed the t-shirt. What difference would it make if he showed off his six-pack abs? All of the men who were in love with Victoria had well-built physiques, a natural characteristic of creatus. Especially Mike. Mike had two inches height and twenty pounds on him, but he was solid. Not an ounce of fat.
He walked into the kitchen while he pulled on the shirt.
“Mm…Mm…Mm. Sorry I washed that shirt. It would have been nice if you had to walk around half-naked, like one of those guys on the covers of all the romantic-suspense novels I don’t have time to read anymore. Of course, now I have one strolling around my apartment. If the women only knew.”
Reece couldn’t resist a sigh. He’d never be able to read this woman. He stepped around the small island and wrapped his arms around her. “Where were we?”
“I was trying to talk with you before you took my breath away,” she murmured. Her words said one thing, but he could hear the smile in her voice and smell the merlot on her breath. Two glasses of wine and she was sweet and sassy. He loved it. Thankfully, whatever had been bothering her before didn’t seem as important now.
He pressed his lips against hers, but spoke through his kisses. “Can’t we talk later…preferably in the morning…after breakfast in bed?”
Victoria leaned back. “My, my, aren’t we being presumptuous?”
Reece drew her back against him. “I don’t want to be without you, Victoria. I don’t want you to fall for another man. I don’t want to see you with Mike.”
She laughed, but it sounded nervous. “Where is this coming from? You’re the one who said we needed to wait while you saved the world.”
“I didn’t say I’d save the world—”
“You insinuated,” she cut in. “Eidolon. The super phantom.�
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He rolled his eyes. “I didn’t come up with the name. My SEAL team did. Because I was great at infiltrating camps unseen. If I might remind you, I infiltrated your camp.”
“Yes, you did.” She smiled.
And they were back to the innuendoes, which meant no sex. If they were teasing about sex, they weren’t having it. It was when they weren’t speaking that they were in danger of falling, when they allowed their lips and hands to do the talking.
“So, what’s bothering you? I figured it was because I whooped Mike.”
“Mike needs a good ass kicking every once in a while.”
He narrowed his eyes.
“Oops. I forgot. Ass is a swear word where you come from, and your mother would wash out my mouth with soap. Sorry, I grew up around all guys, so it just pops out sometimes.”
“I thought you were worried about him,” he continued.
“I was. He’s one of my best friends, Reece. That’s never going to change,” she reminded him.
“I know, and I’m okay with that. I understand completely, even if I hate the fact that he’s in love with you.”
Victoria leaned back against the opposite counter and picked up her glass, draining the last drop of the red ambrosia that she loved so much. He’d say it was her only vice, but she never over indulged. She’d drink one or two glasses at the most.
She smiled as she set down the empty glass. “Mike’s not in love with me. He’s in love with the idea of being in love. If he really loved me, he would have fought for me all those years I pined for Derrick. Instead, he always hung back and dated everything female that walked upright. If he was in love with me, he should have told me years ago. And then, he bowed out and arranged our evening together. That’s the love of a best friend, not the love of your life.”
Reece stepped in front of her and rested his hands on the counter, blocking her in. “Are you sure? Maybe he’s just playing a strategic game. And what about you? Whom do you love?”
Victoria stood straight and pulled his arms around her. “Now, that’s a stupid question. Who’s in my apartment? Mike’s never been here overnight.”
“Jonas has—” Reece dropped his head as soon as he said it, wishing he could take back his words. But she’d allowed Jonas to come into her apartment even after he’d tried to abduct her.
Victoria shoved him back and walked toward the living room. She didn’t respond, which was worse than if she had.
“I’m sorry. That was uncalled for. I don’t even know why I said it.” He sat down beside her and touched his hand to her cheek. “I really am sorry. That was…I don’t know what that was. Jealousy. Sorry.”
“Reece,” she said, looking at him, her eyes glassy. She rarely cried, but emotions ran deep inside of her, whether she wanted to admit it or not. “I’ve never felt a spark from any of those men. Not even Derrick. I thought maybe everyone was faking it, that falling didn’t actually exist. Until the first time I kissed you.” She leaned into his hand. “I don’t think there’s a doubt, but we have so much going on right now. And—”
He pulled her into his arms. “I’m sorry. No more ridiculous comments or pressure from me. I promise. If it happens, it happens. I’m not going to stop it or push it.”
“Reece, this isn’t about us. That’s not why I’m upset. I’m scared.”
He leaned back to look at her. “Of what?”
“My uncle… He wasn’t there tonight. He’s never missed a gathering…of any kind. Especially a match. He’d normally be ringside.”
“What are you saying, Victoria?”
“My mother, Dean’s sister, died because of a human. He’s always been angry that she died because of a drunk driver—a human driver. Creatus rarely lose loved ones. We seldom get diseases. We’re hard to kill, but we can die by blunt force, if it’s bad enough. He’s always been bitter.” She took a deep breath and let it out. “What if Dean’s the mole?”
CHAPTER THREE
Jonas Cutter stepped back from the tomb where he’d placed his mother’s ashes. First his father, then his brother, now his mother. He had no family, no one he loved anymore. Each one of them had died because of the prejudice of humankind.
His dad, because of his own prejudices. Because the moment he found out that he’d fathered half-human, half-creatus children, he’d wanted to turn them over to his superiors as aliens. So his mother had killed his father, broke his neck right in front of him—to save him and his brother.
Then the agent who’d been hunting them, who’d only wanted a prize—he’d wanted Reece and Derrick to turn themselves in for the spree of vigilante killings that his brother had been committing—had killed his brother.
Jonas had researched every death. Each one of his victims had deserved to die; actually, they’d deserved worse. One of his targets had appeared to be just a thief. But it turned out that the dirt bag had just killed a woman for a few bucks and was back on the street within hours, looking for another victim.
Ry had made sure that the rapists and child molesters had gotten what they deserved: the death penalty. Even if he’d gone about it the wrong way. Unlike the US justice system, though, where it was unlikely that even an arresting officer had witnessed a crime, Ry had seen each offense with his own eyes, so he’d played officer, juror, judge, and executioner.
But even the creatus government held a trial with a jury of the defendant’s peers. Another difference with creatus law, though, was that it didn’t take months or even years to build a case. If a person were guilty of breaking the law—creatus law—anyone could cast a charge and demand a meeting, requiring the family to vote on punishment.
Ry had done exactly what Jonas had wanted, more than he’d wanted actually. He’d been scaring the humans, letting them know that something higher on the food chain existed, and when the time was right, Jonas had planned to take it to the next level.
Jonas hadn’t thought about becoming protectors again, though; he’d wanted to scare the humans. Ry must have realized that they could win the love of humankind by protecting them from the dirtbags of society.
Jonas had already leaked the creatus seal, hoping that humans would trace the wax symbol back to thousands of years ago when it was their only means of communication. Although there were chilling stories in the creatus history, most of the stories spoke of how a super being had saved an innocent’s life.
Ry had made one mistake, though; he’d killed a cop. No one could be sure what had happened that day in Kristina Heskin’s apartment. Maybe Ry had been defending himself or maybe he just claimed responsibility. Whatever the case, his brother was now dead, because of a human.
And another human, well, part-human, had the only woman he’d ever loved. Victoria and Reece seemed to be awfully chummy, especially since she’d saved his life after he jumped in front of a bullet for her. Jonas smiled. He’d always been competitive, and Reece had just presented him with a larger challenge.
Of course, Jonas was holding all the aces, though…because he had Reece’s daughter.
“You okay?” the blond-haired beauty asked as she rested her hand on his forearm.
Jonas turned to Meghan and shook his head. “Not yet. Someday.”
“I’m sorry.”
Jonas wrapped his arm around her waist and led her back to the vehicle he’d stolen. He’d need to dump it now that an agent was after him. As soon as Reece returned to work full time after healing from his gunshot wounds, he’d be back on the case. So he’d have to get an ID and buy something legal.
He held the door for Meghan and she hopped up. She really was beautiful, but she was too young. Yeah, she was eighteen and he only looked to be in his early twenties, but he was still forty-four, and his heart belonged to Victoria, always had. He’d told her, but she couldn’t stop fixating on Derrick. Even when Derrick fell for Kristina, she’d still wanted him, one of the reasons he couldn’t kill Kristina. If Kristina had died, she had to die with Derrick. He still couldn’t do it; he’d never taken
a life. Yeah, he’d hung her over the side of a building, but he never could have killed someone in cold blood.
Ry…it was hard to believe that his brother could have killed all those people, even if they deserved it. He’d always known that Ry loved Victoria. He’d seen the rage in his eyes when she and Derrick had made out in front of them. It hadn’t occurred that often. Derrick was very private, but he’d been wasted that night, and Victoria had taken advantage of the situation.
Ry had been furious, asking why Jonas hadn’t said anything to her, challenging him that if he loved her, he would have said something. It seemed that his brother would have been okay if Victoria had chosen him, but no one else.
Jonas stepped up into the truck and dropped his head on the steering wheel.
Meghan’s warm hand rubbed his arm. “I’m so sorry. I lost my mother too, so I know it hurts.”
He looked up. “How did she die?”
“Not sure exactly. Gran said she’d gone to live with my dad in Miami. She’d left me with my grandmother. Supposedly, she was a mess. A major addict. Gran said that Reece had tried to clean her up, but then she’d gotten in with the wrong crowd in Miami. A drug deal gone sour was all Gran would say.”
Jonas stared at her, thinking through her words. “Didn’t Reece work with the DEA in Miami?”
She nodded, then the light flashed in her eyes. “You think he was involved?”
“The question is, do you? Why do you hate your father?”
Meghan sat back and crossed her arms. “Because he abandoned me.”
Jonas shook his head. “He didn’t actually abandon you. He paid your way, kept food on your table, protected you. My father tried to turn me in.”
“Yeah, that is worse. But I still hate him.”
Jonas smiled. Good, he thought. It’d serve his purpose better if she hated Reece. Even though he doubted she really hated him. She was just behaving like a scorned woman. Although she was the age of an adult and had a rockin’ woman’s body, maybe she hadn’t matured completely.
Creatus Series Boxed Set Page 50
