“No!” Pat backhanded Sydney across the face in response.
The sight of his mate being attacked sent Kade into a rage that was only slightly tempered when Sydney stood firm. Instead of faltering, she rebounded from the blow to her cheek and laughed at Pat’s surprised expression. She lunged at him, pinning him onto his back. Kade made a move toward Pat, but Mya leapt to her feet, a knife in her hand. Her attempt to thwart him was interrupted as Anthony fired his weapon, his bullet slicing into her thigh. By the time Kade had reached Sydney, she had Pat’s face wedged against the floor with her hand. Like a rabid dog, she’d gone feral, with her fangs poised to kill. Kade watched with pride as she took her prize, tearing her teeth into his flesh.
Maniacal laughter emanated from Dominique, and he caught sight of her dragging Samantha across the room. Holding Luca’s gaze, she lodged her fangs in Samantha’s shoulder. Luca charged and jammed his fingers up into Dominique’s lips, trying to pry her jaw open, but like a vise, she tightened her bite. Kade slipped behind Dominique and dug his claws deep into her neck. She thrashed but didn’t relent as his fingers strummed at her carotid. Extending his nail further, he sliced at it, sawing away the tendons that held it in place.
Blood streamed from the wound as she fought death. Kade closed his eyes, relieved when life drained from her body. She slumped in his arms, finally releasing Samantha into Luca’s waiting embrace. Kade stumbled back onto the ground, carefully placing Dominique’s limp form on the carpet. Drenched in her blood, he fought the regret that he hadn’t helped her, stopped her from evolving into a debauched nightmare. Despite her identical appearance to Dominique, he still doubted that the life he had taken was that of his friend. Conflicted, his instincts warred with what appeared to be the reality of the situation.
Kade gazed over to Sydney, who wore a sympathetic expression. Pat lay dead and mangled beside her. Physically, she’d healed herself, stealing his essence. Shoving off the ground, Kade went to her, carefully scooping her up into his arms. As her tears began to flow, he crushed her to his chest. The familiar scent of his mate calmed his beast, his fangs rescinding.
“It’s okay, love,” he whispered.
“He’s dead.”
“It’s over.” Kade’s heart broke for her, aware that she was still far too human to go unaffected by her actions.
“I killed him…I knew I would but I feel…” she stammered.
“You did what you had to do. You knew this world…my world, it wasn’t your own. But now, it is.” A surge of guilt for changing her into a vampire rushed fresh through his mind. “I wish things were different.”
“No, don’t…don’t apologize. Whatever just happened, I’d do it again. You’re the only thing that matters to me…nothing else.” As the shock wore off, she pushed away from Kade and scanned the room for Samantha. Her friend shook and cried within Luca’s arms, but was still alive. Although Samantha was a witch and had the capability to heal herself, she’d been badly attacked. “Oh my God. Is she okay? The baby?”
“They’ll both be all right, but I’ve gotta get her out of here,” Luca responded.
“Thank God,” she breathed in relief. “Where’s Tony?”
In the melee, he’d gone missing, but Kade heard his voice coming from the hallway. He glanced over and caught him talking to Mya, who was laid out on the hardwood floor. Her eyelashes blinked but she wasn’t verbally responding
“He’s okay. He’s right there,” Kade growled.
“Mya… I don’t understand what happened. I just don’t know…”
“Don’t know what?”
“How they’re all linked together. Scurlock said Dominique was his mother. That makes no sense. And Mya…they knew her somehow. She shot me…protecting him. I don’t get it. He tortured her. Why would she protect him? My God, you should see her neck.” Sydney shook her head in confusion. She moved to go to Anthony but Kade wrapped his fingers around her wrists.
“Leave them. Tony can handle it.” Kade intentionally held her back. While Sydney appeared to be calm, he was concerned she’d kill again.
“We can’t just leave him.”
“We’ll text P-CAP. Look, Tony’s cuffing her right now. She’s not going anywhere.”
“But we need to know why she did this.”
“Soon enough, love. Right now, what we need to do is get home.”
“And Dom…why would she do this? That woman…she looks like Dominique but it’s crazy. Is that really her? Something is off here. I don’t get it.” Sydney rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand.
“We’ll talk about it later.” Kade still hadn’t come to terms with the fact that he’d killed Dominique. It was out of character for her to commit such a heinous crime. Something about the way she talked, the slight changes to her skin was contrary to what he’d known for decades. He wondered if his mind was playing tricks on him, but like Sydney, he still had trouble believing it had been her.
“I know what you’re thinking…. how else could she have gotten to Samantha? We need to talk to her and find out what happened,” Sydney continued.
“Not now.”
Sydney nodded in agreement, acquiescing to his suggestion. Kade stood and lifted her into his arms. On any other night, he’d stay and investigate, searching for a resolution to the unresolved questions that remained. Whatever answers they sought could wait until morning. Tomorrow was a new day, and the only thing he needed was to have his mate, to be lying in bed with her, in her, to claim her again.
Chapter Fourteen
The hot spray pelted her skin and she dipped her head forward. The wretched remains of death washed away down the drain with any remnants of regret she’d harbored. Reborn as vampire, she’d now live by Kade’s law. Her decision made, she’d never return to the police force. She wasn’t sure what she’d do moving forward, but she was certain her immortal life with Kade promised opportunities beyond her wildest comprehension.
Her thoughts turned to Samantha, who on the way home swore up and down that the red-haired vampire wasn’t Dominique. As soon as they’d returned home, Samantha had been checked by the doctor, and neither she nor her baby had been seriously harmed.
Sydney had always known that as a vampire, Kade couldn’t father a child. It was only through Samantha’s magic that she and Luca had conceived. Recalling the demon’s attack, Sydney held her hand to her belly, grieving for the child she’d only recently discovered she’d wanted. It was a bitter pill to swallow, knowing that she was physically incapable of bringing life into this world.
“You’re thinking too hard, love,” she heard Kade say as he rounded the glass enclosure, coming up behind her.
“I suppose I am,” she replied.
“You upset about tonight?” he asked.
She moaned and laid the back of her head against his shoulder. His cock prodded her back, causing her to smile. Even when her mood had soured, Kade could lift her spirits.
“Hmm…no answer?” He kissed her temple.
“Just thinking,” she hedged.
“About tonight?”
“Samantha and her baby. Ava, too.”
“The Alpha’s child? Were you thinking about the demon?” He paused. “The night you were attacked?”
“Maybe. No. I don’t know…just about babies, period.” Sydney held her breath as Kade’s silence hung in the air.
“Wait.” Kade spun her around in his arms. He took her chin into his hands and guided it upward until her eyes met his. “We haven’t talked about this very often. I always assumed…”
Sydney gave him a small smile. She found it amusing that he was searching for words to articulate what he suspected.
“No…you never wanted any…Are you trying to tell me…?”
“I don’t know…just forget it,” she lied. Attempting to look away, her effort was thwarted as his hold grew tighter.
“Look at me, Sydney.”
She did as he said, her heart pounding in her chest. Is he angry with me? I
should never have brought it up.
“Do you want a child?” Kade asked softly. He released his tight grip, sliding his fingers upward to caress her cheek.
Sydney pressed her face into his palm, accepting his comfort. She nodded, closing her eyes. It broke her heart to come to this realization at a time in her life when it was no longer a possibility. Tears brimmed, and she lifted her lids, meeting his gaze.
“Don’t cry…it’s okay.”
“But I shouldn’t want this…it’s not fair to you.”
“Hey now, just because I never said I wanted a child with you didn’t mean that I didn’t want one. The only thing that’s mattered is being with you.” His lips grazed her forehead. “I’ve been alone for what seems like forever. And when you came along…Goddess, I just couldn’t have been more shocked. You breathed life back into me.”
“But…”
“Let me finish. When you said you didn’t want kids, it was a relief to me only because I knew I couldn’t give them to you, but never because I wouldn’t want you to carry my child. If you’d told me you wanted a baby when we’d first met, I wouldn’t have pursued you. I wouldn’t steal your right to have children from you.”
“I didn’t want kids. It’s just being around Ava and seeing Samantha all these months. I can’t explain it.” Flustered by her own feelings, she struggled to express why she’d changed her mind.
“Six months ago, you were a young woman who had options. People grow, Sydney. Not all people know they want children. Sometimes we change, our priorities change.”
“I feel like I should have known. But I’m a different person now.”
“It’s natural to want more. I want more. I regret we waited to get married and I want to do it…as in yesterday.”
She laughed and slid her palms up his chest.
“I’m not joking. Who knew this was going to happen this week? Some asshole comes back and tries to murder you. I could’ve died too. I’m not saying it’s going to happen again, I’m just saying we’ve got to live life as if we were human…as if this day could be our last. We’re not terribly immortal when staked. No matter how much we’d like to predict the future, that isn’t one of our abilities.”
“I wish.”
“Yeah, me, too. So that’s why I want to get married this week. No waiting.”
“Okay.” Kade never ceased to amaze her with his decisiveness. Even if she wanted to, she couldn’t deny him.
“And after that, we can figure out this baby thing.”
“But we can’t…”
“We couldn’t have kids when you were a human, but maybe there’s something we can do. Look at Samantha and Luca…they’re pregnant.”
“But she’s a witch.”
“True. But even vampires hold a little magic. Sam might be able to help us. We can ask Léopold too. Just because I haven’t heard of it ever happening, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. I’m old, but not nearly as old as him. He’ll help. And if they can’t help us, there’re people…you know, agencies who can help us.”
“Adoption?”
“Of sorts. Not human of course, but there are all kinds of beings around us, love. And not everyone is ready or wants to be a parent. It’s an option.”
“Are you serious?” Sydney asked. Her heart felt as if it’d burst from the hope he’d given her.
“Completely.”
“I love you so much,” she cried, squeezing him tight.
“I love you, too.” He raked his fingers up into the wet strands of her hair, bringing her lips to meet his. “No more tears. We got this.”
“Yes…”
Breathless, she welcomed his tongue as it swept against her own. Her nipples stabbed into his muscular chest as he commanded her body. Strong hands gripped her thigh, wrapping it around his waist. The cool tiles against her back contrasted with the explosive heat that grew between their slick bodies. Delirious from his kiss, she rocked her aching pussy against his leg. She bit at his lips, and reached for his rigid shaft, her fingers teasing its crown. Before she had a chance to stroke him, he’d dropped to his knees, nudging her open with his firm shoulder.
“Wider.” Kade’s fingers flittered over her hipbone.
Obeying, she stepped aside, giving him full access. Her heart raced as his eyes flickered to red before focusing on his task. The first lash of his tongue to her clit startled her and she reached for his head to steady herself.
“Don’t move,” he ordered, his warm breath teasing her pussy.
The dominating tone of his voice spiked her arousal and she whimpered as he sucked her sensitive nub into his mouth. His fingernails scraped her bottom, crushing her mound to his face. He feasted upon her, and she shuddered as his fingertip teased her entrance.
“Kade,” she breathed.
“Tonight,” he swiped at her clit with his flat tongue, “we begin anew.”
“Yes, that’s it.” Her hips tilted forward, her body trembling as he plunged two fingers inside her. She rose onto the balls of her feet, the rush of orgasm shaking her to her core.
“Hmm.” He hummed at her lips, flicking her swollen pearl and sucking it into his mouth.
“Ah yeah…like that. Oh, fuck, don’t stop. Yes, yes,” she screamed. Heaving for breath, her body fell limp as the waves of climax rolled through her.
Giving her no time to recoup, he spun her around and bent her at the waist so her ass was exposed to him. She trembled in anticipation. More than needing to be possessed, she sought to lose herself in the ecstasy of all that was her mate.
She groaned aloud as he buried himself inside her from behind, filling her to the hilt. With her palms flat on the misty wall, she braced herself for each forceful thrust, the sound of his flesh slamming against hers. The sweet prick of his fangs at her shoulder held her in place, reminding her to be ever mindful of the moment. His warm lips on her skin, the scent of him in the air while wrapped in his strength overwhelmed her.
“So hard…yes!” She gave a cry of pleasure as he fucked her with unrestrained fervor.
“Ah yeah. Jesus, you feel good.”
“Don’t. Ever. Stop.”
“This is only round one, baby,” he teased.
“You promise?” He pounded into her, and she cried out loud. “Ahh.”
“You have no idea. Plus, you owe me a spanking for coming to get me by yourself.”
“What?” Her pussy tightened around him at the thought of it. Sydney submitted to no one….except Kade.
“You heard me.” He scraped his sharp teeth across her pale skin. Drawing a bubbling line of blood, he lapped at it with his tongue.
“Yes…please,” she cried, the sweet pain of his fangs at her neck.
“I love the sound of you begging,” he grunted, slamming into her. Reaching to her breast, he pinched her ripe tip.
“Please, Kade…ahh.” The twinge on her nipple sent a jolt straight to her core. She gasped, attempting to stem her orgasm.
“Please what?” He laughed, knowing he couldn’t hold back much longer.
“Bite me…Just do it…Please.”
“Since you asked so nicely.” Without further warning, he struck, his teeth penetrating deep into her shoulder.
Sydney screamed, shuddering as the ripples of ecstasy tore through her. Limp against the wall, she panted; intense spasms consumed her.
Obsessed with her happiness, Kade plunged into his mate. Drinking in her delicious essence, he groaned as he came inside her. As his pulsating release subsided, he rejoiced in victory. His mate reclaimed, life was complete.
Chapter Fifteen
Sydney stirred in Kade’s arms. Asleep, he gently snored and she smiled. Renewed with hope, her chest constricted with love. The man who owned her heart had given her life again, never giving up on her, even when she’d wanted to give up on herself.
She moved to leave the bed, and a gentle arm pulled her back inside the warm confines of the sheets.
“Where do you think you’re going?” h
e asked.
“Nowhere,” she giggled.
“Liar.”
“I just wanted to see what Tony was doing.”
“Ah…leaving me for another man?” His eyes narrowed, but the lilt of his smile told her he was joking.
“Not on your life.”
“I couldn’t share you.” He twirled his forefinger into her hair.
“You don’t have to. Our time with Tony…you know how I feel about him, but he’s not you.” She kissed him lightly on his chest.
“We can still play with him every now and then, though,” He raised a playful eyebrow at her. “That is, if that’s something you desire.”
“You do surprise me, Mister Issacson.” Kade had always pushed her sexually, testing the limits of where she’d find her greatest pleasure.
“I enjoy the detective’s company. He’ll leave us soon, but he was there for you…for me. We owe him,” Kade added, his tone serious.
“He’s true blue. Always has been,” she told him. “But you’re right…he’s going home soon. We’ll need a donor.”
“I don’t want strangers in between us.”
“We can find someone we both like. Many someones, perhaps. But for food only, nothing more.”
“Agreed.”
“Thank you for understanding.” She smiled, relieved that he didn’t want to have a sexual relationship with donors. It wasn’t as if he’d ever asked. But after what they’d done with Anthony, she’d wondered about his expectations.
A knock sounded and Kade drew the sheet over his mate’s bared breasts.
“Come in,” he called.
Anthony sheepishly entered the room, his gaze averted. Sydney laughed, realizing he was still unsure of how to proceed with their relationship. She was relieved when Kade broke the ice.
Romancing the Paranormal Page 37
