by Erin R Flynn
“You do not lie,” she muttered, studying him. “Fine, I will accept your apology after a night of penance and…” She smirked at me, and I realized I was growling loudly as I started taking off my gear as if knowing we were heading for the fight. “Oh how you love him, little sister. This is going to be such fun.”
“We can play all you want, but if you touch him or hurt him, you better fucking kill me first, and you know how that would hurt the others,” I warned.
“Yes, they are quite attached to you,” she sighed heavily before winking at Brian. She shook off her jacket and went for her boots. “Can I get at least a kiss from him if I win?”
“If he wants to give it to you, I would never stop him,” I said as I kept taking gear off and then my boots as well. “I would never stand in their way, but I would never welcome them back.”
“Yes, Grandmother said you had that line. It’s an odd one.”
I shrugged. “I was human. It’s girl code that you don’t encroach when it’s real. Others have played, but we’re too Alpha to share.” I smirked at her. “Well, I’m Alpha, you’re not yet.” Anger filled her eyes, and I wanted that, as it would make her sloppy.
I just didn’t want to push her enough that she might really try to kill me.
“Dude, we’re not leaving and missing this,” one of the guys said, and I realized Orson had tried to get the guests to head out.
“I’m so snitching you did this in front of work people and on a big day,” I warned her. “And that you didn’t even introduce yourself first. Eva would totally smack you for that.”
She flinched as we got naked. “She would. I am Melicent Dorcus, eldest daughter and next in line to be Alpha of the Greek wolves, high elder on the Greek council, and heir to the vast Dorcus holdings.”
“I’m Seraphine Thomas, Alpha of the Chicago, Milwaukee, and Grand Rapids wolves, Division Chief of the FBI, and Mistress of my coven.”
She frowned at me. “We will work on your introduction. Unless you limited it because of who is here, that was horrible.”
I shrugged as I took off my bra. “Never had to do it before. I sort of just threw shit out there I thought was sort of comparable.” I moved closer as I stretched out. “How are we doing this? Tap out rules? Make me bleed?”
“Sounds like fun,” she purred as her eyes flashed power. We shifted to our third form as we raced towards each other. I dodged her first attack, wanting to see her fighting skills and get a feel for her before engaging.
She did not like I could dodge her though, striking faster next time.
But again, I dodged. A few more rounds of that and I thought I could see the steam coming out of her ears instead of the heat of our breath from the cold. It didn’t stop me from smirking at her though and ramping up her frustration, as it would wear her out faster.
“Time out!” Emilio bellowed, and I was glad when she took several steps back as well, understanding fair play. “We just got a call about a situation. We’ve got to gear up and go in.”
“Got it. I’m almost done here,” I called back, much to her dismay.
“The fuck you are,” she snarled, coming at me again.
I shoved her past me and spun as I brought my elbow down on her head hard and harder the second hit, knocking her out. I sighed when she shifted back, picking her up, putting her over my shoulder, and bringing her back to our clothes.
“What are you doing with her?” Orson asked.
“She comes with. Someone needs to guard her,” I answered, shrugging as I dropped her off my shoulder none too gently and shifted back. “She’s still next to wear the crown, and that’s dangerous. I’m not leaving her unguarded when she’s on my turf.”
“She came for a pound of flesh,” Curtis reminded me.
I shrugged again as I hurried to get dressed. “We survive that. You’re thinking of it like a human where you can’t survive that, but I could literally survive her cutting out a pound of me. She’s grieving the loss of her baby brother. You know people aren’t all that rational then. She probably came to poke at me a bit and the moment she saw me it went all out the window.”
“Probably or you saw it?” he pushed.
“I’m guessing based on the temperament of most wolves and the few glimpses I got. She’s actually here to help me with something. I know that, and I could use the help, so yeah, we protect her until she wakes.” I looked at Orson. “Get her redressed, and someone call Dain. He can meet us wherever and show her for real what happened that night.”
“There are other things to address here,” Emilio warned, and after a moment I nodded that I heard him.
I glanced around at all the people that weren’t ours the moment I was redressed. “What you saw here has layers of shit you cannot understand, but it’s covered by several laws here and by paranormal laws of international councils. You open your mouths and share any of this and word gets around in some way you did not mean it, you were still the one who started it, and it will all be laid at your feet.”
“And we’re talking like starting an international incident with Greece sort of shit, as she’s basically next to rule the whole damn country and more,” Noah added, knowing the politics well since it involved me. “No, we’re not kidding, so those of you acting like we’re yanking your chains, we’re very fucking serious. You don’t know the layers of what to say to accurately describe what happened, and if you leave it out, you could start shit.”
“Everyone here are guests and will know how to behave accordingly or start shit with cooperation we all want too,” Curtis said, several others nodding.
“What was the date you were going to pick for us that we won’t have now?” Brian asked, sounding a bit like he was pouting.
“We could still actually have it if you don’t mind a delay.”
He snorted. “Not for a date with you.”
I was glad it was past dusk and most of them couldn’t see my cheeks flush.
2
“We’ve tried to get this group several times, but they’re smarter than the average drug smugglers,” Agent Atkins explained. “And they’re not running for the cartel. It’s prescription drugs only. However, they’re not bringing grannies their arthritis meds for cheaper no matter the company line. They’re bringing lots of oxy to fund all of this, so they have a whole network with dealers for that too. They’re rising fast, and it needs to stop.”
“Not just because of the drugs but they’re getting into a turf war they either don’t understand or do and we don’t want,” I surmised, nodding as I pulled on the wetsuit over my undergarments. “Got it. You want them to make dock and then get taken quickly so they can’t dump. Which means we get on the boat from the water while it’s still moving.”
“Yes, and we can’t get you on it from a small speed boat. We tried that, but like I said, they’re smarter and the second we did, they dumped it so we boarded an empty boat.”
“Got it.” I hurried to finish when someone came over the radio that the boat was sighted and approaching fast. I turned to Dain who had joined us. “The guards do not leave her side, and the moment she wakes, show her.”
“All of it?” he asked as he zipped up my wetsuit.
I swallowed loudly, shaking my head. “No, stop when I fire. She doesn’t need to see my memories of her brother’s face being—that done to it.”
“I understand. Be safe.” He kissed my cheek and let me go.
“There are no sharks in these waters, right?” Emilio checked as I climbed into the boat that was taking us out into the lake.
I swallowed the pain I felt as I remembered India Gupta, the shark shifter who had been killing humans for revenge at what they had done to her. If help had been available to her, so much would be different than it was, and I almost thanked Emilio for the reminder of why I was jumping into more shit soon. “No, no sharks. Just too much pollution. You might turn bright green after swimming in it for too long.”
“She’s kidding, right?” he muttered
to Carter as the boat revved up and pulled away from the dock.
Ahhh, ancients. They were always entertaining.
I thanked the Coast Guard for the ride before grabbing the gear and jumping over the railing. There was no good way to go into water as cold as Lake Michigan at the beginning of March, and I preferred to get it over with.
I also hadn’t warned the others, so it was interesting to hear the colorful language as they joined me.
“That was mean, Sera,” Carter grumbled as he swam closer as the Coast Guard boat left.
“Yes, but maybe I’ll warm you up later,” I flirted, chuckling when he wrapped his arms around me. “Are you trying to get body heat from me?”
“Sure,” he muttered, kissing my neck. “Setting our blood on fire. That will keep us warm.”
We didn’t have long to even tease as the boat showed up, Emilio checking the name just in case. Orson moved into position, as he was on the grapple and rope. He silently landed the plastic grapple hook in the perfect spot and quickly moved. There was a trade-off to using plastic, as it was only strong enough to hold one of us at a time unlike metal.
But it was quiet, which was what we needed. Besides, we were fast enough that he climbed up the boat and had three more lines tied off before it even reached the next spot. We’d made sure to spread out so the boat would pass us like ducks in a row waiting. There was no way it could speed through this close to the docks and not draw attention, so it had to slow.
When we’d gotten approval from the Senate for funding, another shocking thing we’d received was permission for certain allowances that other SWAT and special forces teams weren’t allowed to have unless they weren’t on US soil. For instance, military teams could use tranq darts or gag people, but we weren’t allowed to do that to American citizens.
Except they’d allowed us that. It was written into the rules for our teams that we would be called in only for the worst and hardest situations, and as such, in the interest of saving lives and keeping citizens safe, we were allowed to use tranqs or restrict them vocally. It was the prettiest way to write “we could slap duct tape over mouths,” but I was thrilled, as that made our jobs that much easier.
Like really easier.
Carter and I each grabbed a rope when they came by and climbed up. The second I was over the railing, I pulled my tranq gun out of where it had been holstered, feeling a bit like Lara Croft having a thigh holster and sheath for a knife. I kind of liked it. Normally I had my weapons up top, but that got in the way of climbing as fast as we did.
I moved up behind Emilio, tapping his shoulder for him to advance as we got the rest of everyone on the boat. It was a super huge and pricey yacht, and I heard one of the guys mutter that he wanted to keep the boat if we pulled this off. Yeah, I couldn’t blame him. It would be nice if there were such perks to getting the most dangerous and risky jobs.
Hell, I couldn’t even blame them after seeing how much they would make for this job. It was sad. I mean, really, really sad. Insulting really. I knew we were hurting for funding, but yeah, making what first year patrol cops did was just shitty given their experience and what we were going into. Luckily none of them needed the money being ancient. They were even discussing making a statement and donating the money.
Yes, it would do good, but also then it would be publicized how little they were being paid, as that was clearly a message to us as well.
I moved up when the next came up to my position and so on until we had people all over the boat, taking several of the crew down. They didn’t actually have all that many, as this wasn’t cartel or anything so badass, but it was still dangerous. Oxy was dangerous in a way people didn’t understand or take seriously, as it was a pain med and helped people, whereas crack did nothing good.
Once we were all aboard, we took them all down, Carter taking over the controls, and I headed to the bow of the boat to toss down the line to tie off. No matter how big the vessel and anchor, you still tied the boat off for safety reasons. Score one for the girl from the Navy who knew that.
Atkins was shaking his head from the dock. His team had already handled the four that had come to meet up with the boat, so all our bases were covered.
“We really don’t even get a keepsake or anything?” Orson complained as he carried two unconscious people over his shoulders.
“Don’t judge,” I warned the ATF people who were giving him disgusted looks. “He’s from a time where the invaders got the spoils. Besides, every agent has thought at least once that they wished they got gift bags for hosting the party. Thinking and wishing is different than taking.”
“Fair enough,” Atkins agreed. “Take a selfie with the yacht or unconscious guys. There’s your keepsake.”
Orson shrugged after setting the guys down. “Yeah, I could frame that. I liked having something to remind myself of the good we did. If we took over a lawless area and restored order, it was nice to have something to remind myself of the good to keep away the nightmares of death and blood.”
“I heard that,” one of the ATF guys muttered, moving to take pictures of the guys per protocol. That had been a good suggestion from Carter to put into our rules. That way there was nothing later saying that the vamps were feeding or whatever bullshit we would undoubtedly get. We took a set, and the agency we worked with on the bust would take a set so all our asses were covered.
It was smart, and I like being smart.
“Thanks for the fun again, Atkins,” I said as we shook hands. “I’ll leave some to help with the clean up if you need it, but I’ve got something else going on.”
He gave a slow nod, glancing over his shoulder to where I was looking. “Yeah, if they could bring people off the yacht and load them up, that’s all we need. You know the rest is tedious and time consuming.”
“So I’ve heard, but I was always undercover,” I chuckled, unzipping my wetsuit. “I never had much of that and instead scrambling to keep my cover safe.”
“Sounds just as fun,” he drawled. “Thanks for the help, and we’ll talk soon.”
I nodded and headed towards my SUV and the group gathered there, my eyes focused on Melicent, as she was the potential threat. Dain nodded he’d showed her.
“You want a drink or a few bottles?” I asked her.
She gave a watery chuckle and wiped her eyes. “Yes, thank you. There was some part of me that held out hope that…”
“I get it.” I shrugged when she shot me a look like she wasn’t buying that. “I still have that hope somewhere in the back of my mind or heart that it was all a misunderstanding and my parents tried desperately to come back for me. It’s been decades and still, some tiny part of me still hopes for that. I am truly sorry though. I never meant for Bernard to die.”
“I believe you,” she rasped, clearing her throat. “Thank you for showing me. It was more than I deserved for the way I arrived and trouble I started.”
“We all need an ego check now and again,” I forgave, smirking at her when she flinched. “You’ve realized they were easier on you as you’re princess and who will wear the crown one day.”
“Yes,” she grumbled. “It was not a revelation I was prepared for, but maybe it will help, as Mother says my ego needs to be checked often.”
I snorted as I yanked off my wetsuit and hurried to pull on my clothes. “I don’t doubt it, as we all need it now and again, but it’s hard to take that criticism from Alena.” She shot me a wide-eyed look. “I’m not saying her ego isn’t deserved, but we can all do better. I’ve found some baddies that were right under her nose too. She can be rather dismissive of people who are a threat.”
“She said the same,” Melicent chuckled as she climbed in the back when I did. “And that she was grateful to you for showing her and Father for real, as that is a situation that needed to be handled and investigated further given all the refugees we are bringing in.”
“I’m glad. I want them safe.” I cleared my throat as we pulled away, Orson driving us in my S
UV. “Anyone know you’re here?”
“No, as Mother was clear you would have to report my trip and much else, so know this is her answer to your issues with coming up with a plan.”
I threw back my head and laughed. “God, I love her and her ego sometimes. I was having trouble making pieces fit and do it like I want, as there’s so many factors and all up in the air, but of course she just takes over and handles it all.”
“Yes, she does have that knack, but according to Mother, Father, and Grandmother, so do you. It is why they feel you are perfect for our family.”
I was quiet a few minutes. “I won’t deny that, but I tend to warn people first. Most times.” We were getting closer to the club, and I wanted to handle a few things first. “You aren’t a Dorcus. You’re visiting to maybe fill in, and we’ll go from there. Most don’t have any idea of what I was even thinking up, as we both know there are ears everywhere no matter how tight lipped we are.”
“Yes, and eyes. You have many watching your movements, and that’s a problem for this to work.”
“Already handled,” I assured her. “Nina and I played for an undercover op on Valentine’s Day. I know how to work the spell, and that will make this happen.”
“Clever, very clever,” she chuckled as she put the pieces together. “Oh, this will be much fun for sure.”
“Yes, but you get you can’t be princess of it all here, right?”
She gave a slow nod. “Mother made that clear as well, and I have spent the past few weeks studying the laws here. I figure six months is enough to stabilize and decide what comes next while you have so many balls in the air.”
“Yeah, and the layers of dirt we’re finding and the stench around more makes this incredibly dangerous,” I warned her. “I want to make sure you’re clear on that and just how bad this is. Do not let your guard down for a second because it’s bad.”
“Got it. Thank you for the warning.” She reached into her bag she must have picked up from somewhere, as she hadn’t had it earlier, and handed me a few fat file folders. “Mother handled it all.”
