by Erin R Flynn
“Thanks.” My phone beeped, saving me from any more emotional talk, and I checked it. “Warrants are in. Let’s go ruin some weekends.”
“How about we go ruin it for people and you go rest?” Carter tried.
Brian and I snorted. He might have wanted me to do it too, but he understood there was no way to sit out when we were about to bring something so big home. Besides, I was seriously pissed they’d put a hit out on Brian and gotten me shot again.
I was extra pissed when my custom harness was also trashed from Carter ripping it off of me. Getting a good rig for easy draw that took breasts into consideration wasn’t easy.
“Take mine,” Carter offered, handing over his vest. “I was supposed to head right over to the coven to help Orson with the interrogations. I’m going to take a few of us since Melicent can hold so many humans. It would behoove us to get it done as fast as possible. Axel and Eugene only have to sit in on the tricky parts where their teams are doing the rest.”
“Got it, thanks,” I accepted, taking the vest and putting it on. We headed out, and I snorted.
“What?” Sands asked me first.
“Do I get like a refund for all I paid for breakfast? Is there like a rule that if you shoot the customer they don’t have to pay?”
“You have a warped sense of humor,” one of his guys commented.
“You are not the first person to say that,” I drawled.
Not even close.
19
An hour later we gathered at a building in Midtown to raid the law firm. I had a thought in the back of my head and decided to text it to Haton.
If the law firm owns this awesome building in Midtown NYC right by the UN, maybe you should talk with Queen Laila and the vampires about making this place like our embassy. Bijan gets a seat at the UN table, and maybe it’s time we do too.
I always loved starting trouble like that. She texted back that she would bring it up, but the idea had potential and if nothing else, gave a place for shifters to have refugee status at somewhere safe until more was sorted out.
She kept pushing for that, and it worried me how bad things really were outside our borders. Then again, I had enough on my plate to keep me busy with what was going on inside our borders.
“Thanks for joining the party,” I said to Detective Pratt.
“You throw good parties,” he chuckled, shaking his head. “It’s a shame you’re not staying.”
“She’s taken,” Brian grumbled as he gave me a hard look. “No getting shot.”
It was my turn to grumble. “Why do you all act like I try to get shot?” I didn’t wait for an answer, heading for the front door with warrant in hand, my badge around my neck and someone’s FBI jacket on.
Someone from security nodded, buzzing us in and approaching us with keys. “I figured this was coming,” she explained. “We were told about ten minutes ago not to let anyone in for any reason or they’d have us arrested. I’m guessing they wanted to cause enough of a ruckus to buy them time.”
“They’re destroying evidence,” I surmised, sighing when she nodded. “Crap. Well, we’ve got enough without it but always good to have more.”
“I heard that,” she chuckled, swiping her keycard and taking the first group of us up on the elevator. “I would guess some fled. I heard several complaining when they came in that people were taking off and it must be nice to have that option.”
I snorted. “It wouldn’t have helped. We’ve had eyes on the situation for a while now.” I didn’t want to admit that Laila and the fairies had actually been handling that since the FBI offices were dirty, but she was feeding information to us to help Galvin since he’d been all over the law firm since Memphis with a team he trusted.
And we’d now cleared. Because he’d trusted his security detail too, and not to say he was a bad judge of character, but there was only so much humans could really gauge from each other.
“This is the master emergency key and key card that will open anything you need,” she told me as she handed it over. She shrugged when I gave her a confused look. “I’ve got two young kids. I didn’t even want this job. They basically bullied me into it after they represented me pro-bono for a malpractice suit after my husband died.”
“They thought they had your loyalty locked down and control of you since they had access to the settlement,” I muttered, taking what she offered as I passed the warrant off to Brian. “What will you do now?”
She snorted. “The settlement they got for us is enough to cover us for years. I didn’t even need the job since the doctor fucked up so badly and my husband made good money. I only needed pro-bono because the hospital’s attorneys were locking me up at every turn. I came here because my husband said if you needed to win a case no matter the cost to you, you went here.”
“You knew they weren’t clean.”
She gave a slow nod. “Not anywhere to the extent they are. I thought… Yeah, I didn’t think they were like this. It was still worth it to nail that doctor who killed my husband and take care of my kids, but I’m not selling my soul to help them get away with whatever they’ve done.”
“And they’ve done a lot,” I warned her. “I’ll make it clear we took it from you.”
“Thanks.”
I did one better and put zip ties on her like she was already under arrest. One of the DC guys got the idea and grabbed her like she was in custody. She actually thanked him.
I was pretty sure that hadn’t happened to us before.
The doors opened, and sure enough there were over a dozen people standing at shredders or looking like they were clearing computers.
“This is the FBI serving several warrants,” I said loudly. “Step away from what you are doing or you will face additional charges of destroying evidence.”
I think it was the “additional charges” that got them because most gave me shocked looks as they moved away. Corbin went over to the computers with a few other agents and started undoing as much as they could. One guy went back down with the elevator and someone else’s keycard so they could get back up to the floor with more people.
The security lady guided us through the maze of hallways and offices until we got to the big dog’s office. I unlocked it and went in, visually clearing the room as Brian informed him of the warrant.
“I’m Gordon Smith’s attorney, and I’ll be coming with you,” a man informed me as I went right for the boss.
“Do you work here?” I asked him.
“No, another firm.”
“Then no, you’re not coming,” I chuckled, smirking at the boss. “You took a hit out on an Alpha. You’re not going to the humans.”
“We did not take a hit out on you,” he argued, frowning. “We’re not stupid. We knew that meant going to the Shifter Council.”
It was true so someone had gotten their wires crossed. It didn’t matter as the cartel could have still just taken one out on me on their own. Or the law firm had gotten the ball rolling on Brian’s hit knowing I would be there too.
I studied him. “You put the hit out on Brian Havers though, right?” I chuckled when his heartbeat answered for him. “Yeah, he’s mine. He’s got pack protection and everything. Hell, he’s my mating candidate. You’re still fucked.” I read him his rights as I restrained him, ignoring his bitching and arguing. “Not knowing the laws and regulations doesn’t mean you’re not held to them. Isn’t that right, counselor?”
“Plus, there’s the endangered shifters your clients were selling that you had knowledge of,” Brian drawled.
I spun the boss around when his heart freaked out. “He’s panicked. Is it the gulls?” Nothing. “The foxes?” Yup, his heart went crazy again. “Oh, he’s personally been bad with the foxes. That should be interesting to piece together.”
“This isn’t legal!” he bellowed as I dragged him out of there.
“Yeah, it is, and an animal like you is about to be in a cage where he belongs.” It made me feel really good to say that af
ter he was the man in charge trying to get all shifters named in court as “animals” so we didn’t have the same rights as citizens.
“We got things here,” Brian promised once we were back outside with several others. “Go meet the council contact and get them shipped out. The NYPD here has been cleared.”
“Keep your vest on and stay with others,” I reminded him, glad when he nodded.
I climbed onto the NYPD bus that was loaded with over two dozen of the top dogs and partners who were specifically named. A few of the ancients were with me and the NYPD driver we’d already cleared.
“For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Division Chief Seraphine Thomas,” I greeted after the driver got underway. “You are on this bus because you were specifically named during confessions by people already in custody for having committed a variety of crimes that allows me to send you directly to the Shifter Council. Now, unlike most humans, you cannot plead leniency or mercy for not knowing of certain laws.
“Why is that, you might ask? Oh, you all had to recertify on your bar exams when these laws went into play about eight or so years ago. Or it’s part of the bar exam since. So the average person might not know that fox shifters are endangered and go under a certain extra set of protection laws, but you did. Same with the gulls. And me since I’m Alpha. And before any of you argue you didn’t put the hit out on me, you did enough else.
“So you are being transported directly to the Shifter Council for your interrogations, and unlike Guantanamo Bay, you will not receive any torture. There is a doctor there who you will check in with, and you need to disclose any medical conditions and prescriptions you take, and all of that will be recorded and sent to the US government, which you are citizens of, to prove you are being treated humanely.
“As all crimes committed are federal, whether your state has the death penalty or not has no bearing on these proceedings. Your interrogations and subsequent confessions will be recorded and reviewed by law enforcement and AG’s office before sentencing is carried out. If you have any other concerns or questions about your rights, they will answer any and all of them and address them as needed.
“And before you try and pull any of the shit you did in Memphis, you cannot object to being in the same room as a shifter because of religious beliefs. That doesn’t work in regular prisons for racists, it won’t work here for you. In other words, you got caught and there’s no getting out of this. Your best bet is to give as much extra information as possible, as that will help in any reduction of sentences. Which is how you were all caught so damn fast.
“Enjoy the ride and the flight. Sorry you didn’t get a chance to kiss goodbye any loved ones, but you ran into the office to destroy evidence showing where your priorities were instead of some of your friends that were picked up at home who chose to spend their last moments of freedom with their families. Oh, and we caught those of you who tried to flee. You’ll see them again on the plane.”
I sat down and ignored the litany of offensive and horrible things said about me.
Sander gave me an amused look right before we reached the airport. “Do they really think calling you so many names will help them in any way? Like you’ll cry and let them all go?”
I gave a smirk over my shoulder at the idiots before looking at Sander again. “No, they’re trying to get me to shift and claw one of them up, which would give them grounds to have me put down as a feral animal in their eyes and get this whole thing thrown out. They’re on their Hail Mary.” I looked back at the humans who were giving me shocked looks I’d figured it out. “Idiots. You aren’t the smartest people here.
“And don’t even try it with the Shifter Council team. They are absolutely allowed to gag you for the flight if you try and incite anything on a plane in the air that endangers the others there. Besides, they have more control than me since they’re so much older. None of us are animals. We’re people who just are more than human.”
At least it seemed to make them save their breath.
We arrived, and everyone stayed on the bus while Emilio and I went to meet up with the Shifter Council party. I was struck stupid by the gorgeous guy who had the air of someone in charge.
“Is being super hot one of the requirements for team lead?” I snarked.
“Barry?” Emilio checked, turning up his nose.
“Eww, right. Maybe the rule got added after him?” I muttered, shrugging. I gestured to the new guy. “Come on, though. Axel. Eugene. And now this guy? Do they recruit super hot, super tall guys who have ‘don’t fuck with me’ practically tattooed on their forehead?” I glanced up at the guy. “What are you, like nine feet?”
“Seven,” he answered, his eyes dancing with amusement even as he kept his expression unchanging.
“I’m not short for a woman, but you all make me feel tiny,” I grumbled, studying him. His eyes were cool, not amber like people thought wolf eyes but almost auburn. Definitely some shade of brown with red flecks or tones. He smelled like something I’d scented before but not familiar. “Name?”
“Ari.”
I snorted. “Yeah, your parents nailed that right.” He gave me a confused look. “It means ‘strong’ in many African dialects and ‘brave’ in several Middle Eastern languages.” I frowned. “It’s also ‘lion’ in Norse, I think. Are you a lion? I’m not sure if I’ve met one, but you don’t smell new.”
His eyes flashed shock. “I doubt you’ve met one of me. You are the first person I’ve ever met who knew any of that off the top of their head.”
I shrugged. “I know several languages, and ‘ari’ is the root of a lot. And I’m meeting more and more shifters and paranormals every day, so try me.”
“Elephant.” He smiled when it was my turned to be shocked. “I thought not.”
“I’ve met an African forest elephant. She was black though, and I thought they were only found in Africa.” I looked at his dark skin, but it was more a deep tan, maybe mixed race, but I never got any of that right.
For someone so into languages, I was crap at figuring out race and ethnicities unless they had an accent.
He narrowed his eyes at me. “How did you meet one?”
I internally winced. I knew that shifter had been on the run, but I honestly didn’t know what had happened to her after she and Noah’s contact had gotten out of Africa. She might have been wanting to stay off the radar for other reasons.
Like being pushed into popping out babies sort of reasons.
Instead of answering, I let my power flare so the pecking order became clear. Him and his team bared their throats to me, and I pulled out my phone to contact Haton. She answered on the second ring, sounding as tired as I felt.
“Were you really shot again?” she asked.
I growled. “Hey, this situation is all kinds of fucked up. I’m sort of shocked it’s only been me and only twice. And I was wearing a vest both times. It’s not like I’m flippant.”
“Glad you’re okay.”
“Thanks. I’m here with the contact and the plane. Who did you send?”
“An elephant named Ari. He’s one of our best and not a pain in the ass like Barry. Oh, and thanks for sending him back knocked out like that. It’s been fun.”
“He’s lucky I didn’t permanently disfigure him given he made it clear my place in life was under him and he wanted me under him and I pussy whip everyone else and blah, blah, blah.” I chuckled when she didn’t say anything. “You’ve known he’s that sexist, but there was no reason to ream his ass about it before now, was there?”
“No, and thank you for giving us the reason, as you were right and many of us females constantly had problems with him and it was an issue others brushed off as our delicate emotions.”
I threw back my head and laughed. “You’re about as delicate as a fucking mountain. Yeah, you were totally crying in the corner because you have tits and someone was mean to you.”
“Yes, well, I’m sure you’re used to that bullshit as well,” she drawle
d. “Though it was nice to learn his team didn’t feel the same as him but just nodded along because they didn’t want to make him an enemy either. So we just need to find a new team lead instead of a whole team.”
“We’re just cleaning out the bad all over the place, aren’t we?” I chuckled. “Okay, well, we’ll get these ones sent to you and warn people that these have to be done extra, extra by the book as lawyers are, well, lawyers.”
“Yes, we have one team specifically that is like your Havers and rule followers, so they will handle them.”
“Thanks. I’m sure there will be another phone call soon.”
She sighed. “I appreciate you and how much you get done, but honestly, it would be nice to hear from you less, Seraphine.”
“I feel the same way, Councilwoman,” I drawled. We hung up, and I looked at the bus, giving them the signal to start the transfer.
“Are you not going to answer my question?” Ari murmured as he moved closer.
I slowly raised an eyebrow at him. “Do I answer to you?”
He shook his head. “No, Alpha. I’m not questioning you. I’m concerned for the elephant. There are not many of us at all.”
I thought about that a moment and pulled out my phone, texting Noah about it. “I know it was a rescue op out of Africa. Beyond that I don’t know if they want off the radar or like Axel who’s a clanless tiger. I don’t get all of that, so I sent a message that I want an update from someone we know that she’s safe.” I gave him a hard look. “If you’re thinking of taking her into protective custody to pop out babies or some of this other shit I’ve—”
“No, I want to make sure that never happens,” he promised.
“Good. Axel and Eugene know how to get in touch with me. I’ll make sure she’s safe and let you know.”
“You didn’t greet us,” he muttered as he cut in front of me then went to turn away. “And you need fuel.”
