“They’ll both need juice.” Xander sat back on his ass as he watched his brother. Owen was pale but breathing on his own. She handed him an orange and told him to eat it slowly, as he would still cough up more blood to rid his body of the residue. “You’ll need to rest for an hour or so before you shift. And when you do, make sure that you have someone with you. You won’t die now, but you’ll be weaker than you’ve ever been.”
“You saved my life.” She said that Xander had. Owen looked at Xander. “I don’t know how you did it, little brother, but I can’t ever thank you enough.”
“Wait. I thought he was an immortal.” She looked at Xander when Dominic spoke. “I thought that he couldn’t die.”
“The bullet was in his heart. That man hit him in the heart when he fired.” Xander looked at her then as he continued. “I could feel it; his heart was dying, and he was going to bleed out. When I touched Owen over the bullet hole, it was like I was a part of him. We.... In another minute, he would have been dead.”
“Yes, he would have. But he’s not, and that’s what we have to focus on.” They could hear the sirens coming. “If I were you, I’d just lay there for a bit longer. The weaker you appear, the less likely that I’ll end up shot as well.”
The police came into the barn with guns drawn and their hearts racing. The Winchesters seemed to be friends with all of them, and had them calmed in no time. The man was thought to have fallen down the ladder when he came down to confront Owen with a gun, and she let them think that. It wasn’t until later that she figured out what had happened.
“Hello, my lady.” The old vampire, Carmen, bowed before her. “It’s been a very long time, hasn’t it? I wondered what had ever happened to you.”
“And I you, my lady Carmen.” Carmen hugged her to her and whispered that she was glad to have helped. Addie had wondered where the magic, just a little, had come from to confuse the police officers. “Thank you for that. I take it you have a relationship with them?”
“Oh yes.” She pulled away as she continued. “They are my dearest friends. And I have given them immortality, but with a shot to the heart, it does not keep them from dying. You have given Owen and your mate more. I would suggest that you touch them all in the same way.”
“What way you are talking about?” She looked at Kelley Winchester as he wiped the huge red and white hankie across his nose. “You saved my boy there by being around. I don’t know rightly what you did, but I sure would like for you to give it to all of us if it means we don’t have to hurt like that. I think that there is a difference, ain’t they? About the immorality that we got from our good friend Carmen and you. Right?”
“There is. I had Xander save his brother so that, if you wish it, I could do the same for the rest of you. No bullet will penetrate your chest, no blade will cut your throat, and you’ll live well beyond any being ever born. You’re willing to do that?” He nodded and blew his nose when tears started to fall again. “Kelley, you’re a good man.”
“I’m a daddy that has seen enough of my boys and their mates hurting. You make it so they won’t die and I’ll do whatever you want. Anything.” She nodded. “Anything, you hear me, I’ll give you nearly anything that I own, just so’s I don’t have to feel so helpless when they’re ‘a laying before me dying like that again. It hurts me; to the core of my beating heart, it surely does hurt me.”
“I want you to love me like you do the rest of them.” He looked confused and she shook her head. “Or not. Either way, I’ll do—”
“Honey, I done already do love you as much as the rest of them. Since the moment you became my son’s mate, then you became our daughter too. You don’t have to worry none about that.” He hugged her tightly and then stood back. “You don’t make it easy, I have to tell you, to show you how much we all love you, but we do. Sure as shooting, I do love you. Even before you saved my boy there, I took you into my heart and let you take up a part of it.” Then he hugged her again.
It touched her all the way to her core, and she didn’t know what to say. No one, not one person but Xander, had ever accepted her like that before. And now his entire family had. Touching each of them gently on the heart, she even gave a little of the magic to Carmen. The woman was her friend too, and deserved to be around for them even in the daylight hours.
~*~
Agent Jamie Riddell wasn’t sure what was going on, but she had to talk to Addie, and soon, about what was going on here at the office. The woman had been her mentor, her friend, as well as someone that she could trust. This place was now overrun by big-headed men who were saying that Addie had killed without cause.
“Miss Riddell, we’re—” She corrected him again on her being an agent. “Yes, well, for right now you are. We’re trying to conduct an interview on what you know of Adaline Dyer.”
“I’m not sure that I know any more than you do, Mr. Bird.” He told her it was Finch. “Oh yes, you did say that, didn’t you? But as an agent for the FBI, I would imagine that you’d know more about her than I would.”
“Where would she be right now?” Jamie asked him what he meant. “She’s killed over a dozen of my men, is out there doing who knows what to someone else, and I need to find her.” His fist slammed down on the table and she jumped.
“You should get your story straight, sir. I heard that it was only seven, not over a dozen. And that someone who had been hiding out in the building where she shot and killed Mr. Boone shot at her. Wounded her in the chest, from what I heard. Then he fell to his death when she returned fire—and yes, she was returning fire, not shooting first.” He told her that she knew a lot for someone that didn’t know the woman all that well. “First, I never said that I didn’t know her. I told you I didn’t know where she was. Every time you asked me. As for the details of what I know or don’t know, you yourself handed us all memos on why we should be looking for her. There was a breakdown in communication, you said. She wasn’t to kill Boone, your men were. If that’s so, then why are you saying that she murdered your men when she was following orders that you gave her?”
He slammed his hands down again, but this time she didn’t jump. The little device stuck on her blouse was recording everything that was going on. Hers and Addie’s boss, Agent Conair, had given them each one the day that this shit went down with the Feds. The CIA being hired by the FBI to do a job. He’d been right, and now he was dead, as well as two people that they had worked with. Jamie figured that the only reason she was alive still was that she’d been out of the country when the shooting had occurred, and had only just gotten back yesterday. Today, she was being “interviewed” by someone in the Feds’ office for misconduct on Addie’s part.
“Is that what you were told?” She didn’t like the way he was asking her. As if she’d just given him a large candy bar and that he wanted more. “Were you told that she was to kill this Boone person? That she was to do it for the FBI?”
She had to think where she’d heard it besides from Conair. When she remembered, the door to the little room was opened and she saw the young man that had arrived with Finch earlier this morning. His whisper was just loud enough that she heard him.
“Her place is tagged. And so is her phone now. There isn’t any way that she’ll be able to call or talk to anyone without us knowing. Also, there’s a device on her car. If she gets out of hand, we’ll just cut her brake lines like we did the other guy.” Jamie looked around the room, wondering again what the fuck was going on. “You want us to shadow her too?”
“Yes, yes, that’ll be good.” He turned back to her. Finch looked so self-satisfied that she wanted to slug him. Instead, she asked him if everything was all right. “Yes, why wouldn’t it be? We’re the FBI, missy—we are always in the right. Now, what can you tell me about Adaline Dyer? You give me everything and I’ll decide what it is that I know and don’t know.”
It was on the tip of her tongue to point out that she was with the Central Intelligence Agency, but she didn’t. Thinking ahead
, she decided that she was going to find Addie, by whatever means possible, and let her know, somehow, what was going on here, and how much trouble she was in.
The talking went on for hours. She was much better at the round house than he was. He’d ask her a question, she’d turn it around until he wasn’t sure who had asked. Jamie also kept at him with his grammar. When he mispronounced a word, she told him. Used the wrong verbiage, that too was pointed out, until she had him so flustered that he didn’t know what way was up.
“Miss...I guess I should continue to call you Agent—for now at least, as I said. Agent Riddell, I’d like you not to discuss what has been talked about in here. Also, and you had better be aware of this, this is an ongoing investigation and you had better play ball with us. When you hear from Dyer, you’re to tell me. If she sends you a fucking letter or post card, I want it. You’re to tell me whenever you have any contact at all with her. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, of course. Very clear.” She stood up and he did too. “You have a nice day, Mr. Bird. And don’t forget that I work for the CIA, and I only report to one person. And since he’s not said a word to me, I will not be reporting anything to you. But you go on thinking that you have some sort of control over me and what I do all day long.”
She was shaking when she left the little office. Anger did that to her. And when she was this upset, she cried. Not because she was upset, but simply because she didn’t know what to do with such anger.
Jamie knew that she’d made an enemy in the man, and that was scary enough. But she had to go about her day and make plans. Whatever they were doing, Jamie was positive that she was going to be the next person to have a pretty little headstone.
First things first. She had to contact her leap leader and dad. Columbus had a large cat population, and her dad was leader of them. Being a cat, a tiger, she knew that he would be the only reasonable person that could and would keep her alive. Being in Washington so much, it was difficult to have much in the way of cat time. But she had managed so far. As soon as she sat down at her desk, he told her that he was too busy to talk to her today.
I’m in deep trouble, Dad. He chuckled, and she asked him what was so funny. I’m serious, Dad. They’re looking for Addie, and I could be next.
His voice changed then; he was all serious for her. Tell me what you need, baby girl, and you’ll have it. If it’s about work, over those other deaths, I’ll come for you myself. She told him that would be good. We’ll have some dinner, you and I, and when we’re all done, you’ll disappear like a fart in the wind. All right?
Honestly, she was afraid that what he was saying was true—that she would disappear. But would she be alive, that was the question. Jamie hated to make a mistake like this, but her dad, for all his faults, would keep her alive.
Yes, but less like a fart and more like a cat. These men mean business. They’ve tapped my phone and my apartment. Also, there is a bug and a tracker on my car. I don’t want to drag you into this any more than you already are, but I’m not sure where to go. They’re looking for Addie. To blame her for the death of that Boone man. He asked her what she had. You’ve always been too smart for your own good. I have things that will make it so she’s not guilty on this. Not a lot, but some.
Jamie had a great many things, but she didn’t want her dad to know. Not yet. She had Addie’s contract with the Feds, the canceled check from the pay off, as well as all the notes that Conair had taken when he was in the meeting. And a recording of the one she just had with the Birdman.
Damn girl. I would say that you’re paranoid, but I don’t think you are. I’m calling you right now. We’ll make plans over the phone for them. You be all gushy toward me, and I’ll let you pick up the tab.
She was still grinning when she picked up the ringing phone. After making the arrangements for him to come into town and have dinner with her, she set to work at her desk. She didn’t use this computer for anything. Not things like looking for information that wasn’t on the up and up. But she did pull out things from her desk and drop them into her purse. She wasn’t worried about them finding the things she had taken. Jamie had a little special bag that a faerie had given her when she’d been a child that she could hide a body in should she need to. And if things got as bad as she thought they might, she might have her dad hide her in it to get away.
At the end of the day she was no less stressed than she had been before. Nor any closer to finding the man who was looking for Addie. She could contact her, but not from anywhere around here. She had to get in touch with her friend and sigil. That was the only way.
The wand was used over her person on her way out. Jamie knew the drill. Her purse was open to the man standing there, and when Finch joined him, she made sure that she turned so that whatever he did to her things would be recorded. Watching him as he picked up her bag, she smiled at him when he dumped it out.
“We can’t have things going out of here that don’t belong to you, now can we?”
When he reached for her little box that held her tampons, his hand was suddenly grabbed from behind. Jamie looked up at the man standing there, her boss’s boss, the president of the United States.
“President Baker. I had no idea you were in town.” He took the little case from Finch and put it with her other things. “We’ve had some reports that files are leaving this office.”
“And that concerns you how, Finch? Last I knew, your office wasn’t even in this building. Why don’t you go there and figure out what to tell me when I visit you? But first, you’re going to apologize to Agent Riddell here for going through her personal items. That is something that also doesn’t concern you. And you were rude. I do not stand for rudeness.” She started to pick her things up. “No, he’s going to do it. And do so neatly.”
She wondered if he had any idea how difficult he was making this on her. But when he winked at her, she was sure that he did and simply didn’t care. As she was waiting on her purse, she told her dad what was going on.
Yes, I talked to him earlier. He’s a good guy, and he’s joining us for dinner. Don’t worry about being tagged or whatever they call it. Ben and I have it all taken care of. She asked him if he was going to take care of her when she lost her job. You know that I will, but you’ve nothing to worry about. I’ve got your back on this.
She hoped so, because the looks she was getting from Birdman were enough to make her think that he wanted her dead ten minutes ago. When she was handed her purse, she felt the small stab in her finger and jerked back. In that moment, she was terrified he’d poisoned her. But the president grabbed his hand and held it above his head while he hit Birdman square in the face. Christ, this was getting completely out of hand.
While he was laying there, unconscious, she held her finger to her mouth. No one was getting her blood. Not unless she allowed it. The president looked at her and then at the door. Her father was coming through it like he owned the building. Before he could get within ten feet of Birdman, the guards stopped him.
“I have it, James. Let these gentlemen handle it for us.” Dad nodded, and she went to him. She was in more serious trouble than before. Now she was dead if she didn’t get someone to help her. “All right then, let’s go and have a nice dinner.”
She was hustled into the limo. Just before getting in, her purse was taken from her and put in another car. As it sped off, she looked at President Baker. He smiled at her and asked if she’d sit up. The wand over her person this time went off a great deal. She was told that she’d have to strip down as soon as they were safe. Safe to her meant home. But that wasn’t going to do the trick this time. She knew it too. To these men, it meant being flown to the White House.
Her first visit, and she was being handed a robe and a metal case. As soon as she stripped down, another woman came in and cut several tags, chips, from her body. This was going badly, she thought. Bad as fuck. She only hoped that Addie was having a better time at this. But mostly that she was alive.
; Calling to Bug, she asked him to come to her, now. She was in deep trouble, and so might Addie be. The code they had was to give numbers, not names or places. Jamie hoped that she’d be able to save her.
Chapter 4
Addie looked over the note of numbers that had been given to Bug. There was something about them that she should know, but whatever they were, she didn’t know at the moment. Something made her want to run right out and find a secure line, but she wasn’t stupid enough to jump to any kind of conclusions. Not at her age. Besides, she didn’t think it was a phone number.
She looked over at Xander when he sat beside her on the couch. The run had done them both a world of good. But now they had to talk. And she was sure that she wasn’t going to be able to fob him off this time.
“Okay, you know what I want to hear. Right?” She nodded. “All right then. We’ve killed a man between us, saved my brother’s life too. Given enough of ourselves to keep my family alive, a vampire can now be in the sun all day, and we’ve not had sex. Not once. I’d like to remedy that right now. Or talk. Talking has it points too, but I need you.”
“I don’t understand.” He made a circle with one hand, thumb to finger, and stuck his other finger through it in a fucking motion. “I know what sex is, you idiot. What I don’t understand is why you don’t have any questions for me.”
“Oh, I have lots of those. More than I think I’ve ever had before. But I need you in the worst kind of way, and you and I are going to bond and mate. I can’t stand not having you as a permanent part of my life.” He pulled her to him, over him, so that she was straddling his legs. “Kiss me, Addie. Make me your mate so that I can be one with you.”
She did kiss him, giving him all that she could in it. And when he pushed her away, it was all she could do not to smack him in the face and take that grin off of it. But all he did was stand her on her feet and pull her to him. Addie cried out when he jerked her clothing off her and buried his mouth over her pussy.
Xander_Winchester Brothers_Erotic Paranormal Wolf Shifter Romance Page 5
