Catching Her Mates

by Rebecca Airies

  “I think that’s a good idea. And maybe a snack at some point, because I don’t know about you two, but if we keep this up, I’m going to be one very hungry man.” Archer cradled Leslie in his arms and carried her toward the bathroom.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  The red-headed man drummed his fingers on the gray tabletop. John stared at the image on the computer monitor. Unfortunately, he couldn’t put the man in the interrogation room. John’s muscles tightened, and tension pulsed through him. The walls of the tiny interview management room pressed in. He took a deep breath, seeking calm. If a person’s exterior mirrored their character, Chris Cunningham would be covered in slime.

  Cunningham had agreed to an interview about the latest events. John rubbed his hands together. Surprising in itself. Perhaps Cunningham thought he’d be able to learn something about the investigation. He wouldn’t walk away with anything.

  Unfortunately, accusations and hard tactics were out. Cunningham would walk out before he could get a read on the man. Or call in a lawyer. John drew in a deep breath and rolled his shoulders. At least he didn’t have one now.

  Cunningham probably wouldn’t blurt out anything incriminating, even if he was involved. Both brothers had mentioned him. Something had to lie behind that, even if the animosity wasn’t connected to the case.

  “Keep the recording going until he leaves.” John glanced over at the officer monitoring the screen.

  John stepped out of the room and strode down the hallway to the soft interrogation room. The comfortable chairs and the soft yellow tone of the wall wouldn’t put him on edge like the interrogation room might.

  Demanding, poking, and prodding wouldn’t work. John rolled his shoulders and tried to relax. Information. They had to get Cunningham talking about the foxes and any tensions in the den. If they only had Josh and Mark Murray to go on, he might have questioned it, but other contacts backed the Murray’s story up. Would Cunningham try to paint a rosy picture where everyone was friends?

  He forced his lips up into a smile before he opened the door and walked into the room. Chris Cunningham turned and frowned at him. Apparently he didn’t like being kept waiting. Good. John walked over and sat on the other side of the table.

  “Did you need any more water, Mr. Cunningham?” John tilted his head.

  “No, I’m good. When your officer called, he said that you wanted to talk to me about the incidents that have been happening in recent weeks. I’m not sure what I can do to help you.” Cunningham smiled and sat back in his chair. Reddish-brown hair slicked back in impeccable order.

  “Yes, we did.” John took a deep breath. Something about the man rang as too perfect. The smug ass didn’t even appear concerned. “You’re the alpha of the fox den. I thought you’d know if there was anything strange going on there.”

  “Oh, I certainly would.” Cunningham nodded. “I like to keep a close watch on my people so I know that they’re happy and I can better see to their needs.”

  Tanned skin, a suit that looked designer, and gleaming cuff links. John tilted his head. Everything about Cunningham’s appearance spoke of success and respectability. Maybe the man’s attitude skewed any good impression.

  “Well, first, I’d like to ask you about the fox Councilman Mark Murray. Do you have any idea of trouble or animosity directed toward Mr. Murray?” John leaned forward. Would he reveal that he’d had a few run-ins with Murray?

  “Councilman Murray does great things for our people and has begun leading our people forward. I don’t know of anyone who would have a problem with Mark or his work.” Cunningham’s smile tightened. He pulled back as far as he could, and his eyes narrowed.

  Smooth tone, but the body language completely ruined the effect. Cunningham had a problem with Mark Murray. Interesting, but nothing he could use there.

  “Yes, I’d heard he was changing foxes’ attitudes.” John nodded. “But we really need to know who might have cause to run him over.”

  “Well, since he’s so well liked, I thought that it must be a normal hit-and-run. It had to be someone who accidentally hit him and ran away because they were frightened because of what they’d done.” Cunningham waved. A muscle flexed along the side of his jaw.

  “Mmm, well, that is a possibility.” John shrugged. That car hadn’t accidentally swiped him. Mark Murray was lucky to be alive. “Well, let’s move onto Josh Murray. He was also attacked.”

  “Yes, I was surprised that some thugs had targeted him. He’s no easy victim.” Cunningham shook his head and smirked.

  Such an arrogant man. John’s muscles tensed. Cunningham would back off if he pushed too much. Pulling in a slow breath, he held back a growl. Focus. Just get Cunningham’s views and statements on record. With any luck, they’d come back and bite the bastard in the ass.

  “No, he isn’t, but someone did attack him. I wondered what you thought of him, and if you knew anything about him. Do you think people would dislike him enough to come after him?” John rested a hand on the table.

  “Well, like his brother, he’s a great man. Most of the people that truly know him like him. He’s honest and forward-thinking. The only thing I could think of that might bring trouble into his life would be his job. He’s an attorney, and there are times when an attorney isn’t going to win. That could make some people angry.” Cunningham tilted his head, and his lashes half-shielded his eyes.

  Yeah, it had been a possibility until they’d cleared the people behind the threatening letters. If he wanted to shift blame, Cunningham would have to do better than that.

  “That is a possibility. There have been incidents involving other members of your den. Do you know of anything they might have in common? Anyone who would be angry with even some of them?” John nodded.

  “Well, not as a whole. I can have my secretary begin asking around. Someone might know something that will help you. I’m really concerned about the way my people are being hurt here.” Cunningham frowned.

  John fought to keep his expression blank. The man was concerned, but he wasn’t going to do anything himself. A real leader would have talked to his people. He would have visited the victims to see if they needed anything. The foxes did need a new leader, but unless someone other than Mark Murray intended to challenge, they’d have to wait.

  “That would be good. Maybe we can get some helpful information.” John nodded. Better not push too much more today. The man had avoided mentioning his troubles with those who’d been attacked. It was a first step.

  “Yes, I do hope you can catch the people who are behind this. My fiancé and I have been worried about this.” Cunningham dipped his head and stood.

  John raised an eyebrow. Must be a very recent engagement. It hadn’t been announced, and no one had mentioned it.

  “Thank you for coming. If you have any more information, please call me.” John slid his card across the table.

  Cunningham picked it up and slid it into his pocket. He’d probably toss it before he left the station. John rose to his feet and opened the door. Cunningham strolled out, a smug smile curving his lips. John rolled his shoulders. Unfortunately, Cunningham didn’t need to worry at the moment.

  John clenched his fist. Cunningham could simply be a douche. Cunningham might be deeply involved with this scheme. But they had to wait for the evidence.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Leslie blinked gritty eyes. Freak. An ache low and urgent throbbed. She lifted her head. One heavy muscled arm curved over her stomach, and a hand rested on her thigh. Damn, what a time to have to go.

  She gritted her teeth. The only problem about more than one man in a bed was getting out in the middle of the night. She could never get out without waking one of them.

  She crawled down the bed. The male on her right turned onto his side. His hand brushed her leg. She glanced back, hesitating near the end of the bed. The ache demanded relief.

  “Are you all right?” Judge lifted his head.

  “Yeah, bathroom. I’ll be right
back.” She eased off the bed and padded to the bathroom.

  She finished her business and washed her hands. When she came out, she stopped in the bathroom doorway. Only two mounds rested in the bed. She frowned.

  John’s darker hair stood out against the light tan pillowcase. Judge sprawled on the other side of the bed. So, Archer had to be gone. Again. She’d gone to bed one night with Judge, because Archer had work to do. The next morning, he hadn’t been in the bedroom. He’d been in his office, head pillowed on his arm on the desk and his computer screen still glowing.

  He’d better not be working all night again. He hadn’t said anything about problems. She frowned. He’d been in his office almost every day this week. So why wasn’t he in bed with them?

  She eased out of the bedroom and crept down the hall. Judge hadn’t moved when she came into the room. Maybe he’d gone back to sleep. If she could get Archer back to bed quickly, no one would notice them missing.

  Cool air drifted over her body. Her nipples puckered. Maybe she should have grabbed a shirt, but she’d just have to take it off again when she went back to bed. She drifted past the closed doors along the hallway. He wasn’t there. If he was up, he was in his office.

  On the off chance that he’d fallen asleep watching television, she swung by the living room. Shadow and darkness shrouded the room. No sign of him on the couch or the chairs. She continued on to his office. What was he doing? She knocked before she opened the door. Archer turned his office chair as she walked into the room.

  “What are you doing up?” Archer frowned and leaned forward. “You should be asleep.”

  “I could say the same thing about you. You have work tomorrow. The only thing I have is classes in the early afternoon. If I want to sleep late, I can.” Leslie dropped onto the couch Archer had placed in front of the window. “What are you doing?”

  “I’ve got a project bid I need to finish.” Archer waved. “It shouldn’t take too much longer.”

  “Why didn’t you say something about the bid? Movie night could have waited. Work sometimes comes first.” She frowned. He should have done his work rather than sitting through the movie. They could watch a movie any time.

  “Because I knew that I could do it now. I wanted to spend time with you.” Archer lifted his shoulder.

  “Archer, if it’s something important, like this bid, it’s important to me, and I want you to do it while you’re fresh and thinking clearly. I don’t want you to make any mistakes that will cost you money.” She braced her arms on her legs as she leaned forward.

  “It’s important to us, too.” Judge walked into the room, followed by John. “You need space to work on a bid or something like this, you tell us. We’ll give you what you need.”

  “I will, next time. Right now, I need to finish this so that I can join you three in bed. Why don’t you go to bed, and I’ll join you when I finish?” Archer swept his eyes over all three of them.

  “We’ll take her back to bed. Better not take too long, if she has to come looking for you again, we’re going to wrestle.” John strode into the room and picked up Leslie.

  “But…” Leslie looked over at Archer. “He’s not coming to bed yet.”

  “He’ll follow us soon.” John tucked her closer. “I’m awake now, and I’m hungry for my woman. And since Archer is going to be stuck in here working, it gives me some satisfaction to know that he’ll be thinking about what we’re doing.”

  “Wicked man. What do you have in mind?” She drew her fingers across his cheek. Warmth flared through her.

  “Well, there are a couple of things I have planned. But let’s go back to the room, and we can start. If he doesn’t hurry up, we’ll be asleep by the time he gets in the room.” John turned and walked out the door.

  He carried her through the house and back to the bedroom. Judge followed. John put her down on the edge of the bed. He skimmed his palms over her legs. She shivered. Sneaky man, trying to get her mind off Archer.

  “You should have woken one of us before you left the room. We would have come with you.” John knelt beside the bed.

  “And not woken wondering where both you and Archer were.” Judge sat on the bed beside her. “So what’s your plan, John?”

  “Well, I want to feel her lips on my cock and watch as you fuck her, but I think before we get to that, she needs a little attention to catch up to us.” John tilted his head and stared up at her.

  She licked her lips. Damn, that was a great idea. An ache burned low in her belly.

  “That sounds delicious. We can definitely heat her up.” Judge nodded. “Let’s lay her back on the bed and work on that.”

  Judge guided her back on the bed. Once she was down, he leaned over and trailed kisses from her shoulder down her chest. His tongue lapped at the slope of her breast. Her breath hitched as his mouth hovered over her nipple. The bud tightened. She lifted her hand and threaded the fingers through his hair. He was moving too slow.

  “Put your mouth there.” She tried to guide his head to the nipple.

  “I will, but I want to explore a little.” Judge ran his hand over her stomach. “If you’ll look down, there’s someone else you need to think about. I think John wants to taste you.”

  “You’ve explored my entire body. You only want to tease and hear me moan.” She’d rather have them now.

  “That’s always a good thing.” John spread her thighs wide and moved between them.

  She lifted her head. He pressed a kiss to her thigh and glanced up. A grin spread across his lips before he turned his head and grazed his teeth over her inner thigh.

  Tingles danced over her skin. She shivered. Fuck. She couldn’t take a long tease. Urgency pounded through her. Hers. She had to have hers.

  John turned his head and lapped at the lips of her pussy. He slipped his arms beneath her legs, drawing her closer. His tongue swept between the lips and rasped over her clit.

  She lifted her hips to get more pressure from his lips. Judge’s mouth closed over her nipple. His tongue twirled around the bud before he sucked. The pull speared straight to the tightening mass within her.

  “You taste so good.” John lifted his head but pressed his lips to her inner thigh.

  “Don’t play.” She tensed. Not tonight. Something wild raged within her, and each moment of teasing only amplified the surging pulse.

  “You mean don’t do this.” Judge nipped at her nipple.

  She tensed and drew in a hissing breath. Current swept through her. She gripped the blanket beneath her. Much more and she’d lunge right at him.

  “Maybe she means something like this.” John’s tongue lashed her clit over and over.

  Her breath rasped in her throat. She lifted against the pressure of his mouth. Tension coiled tighter. Rip. The fabric shredded as she pulled on it. More.

  “You’re mine. Ours. We’re going to make you feel so good.” Judge nuzzled her breast.

  Teeth scraped over her nipple. Heat seared through her. Hers. He was hers. She pushed at Judge’s shoulders. He rolled. She moved after him, but groaned at the loss of John’s mouth. A raging wildness pushed her forward.

  Judge’s green eyes stared up at her, shock widening them. Her gums burned as the sharp canines pushed through. She drew in a harsh breath. Got to calm down.

  “Do it, angel. Bite me. I want your mark.” Judge tipped his head to the side.

  She shook her head. “Not without you as ready as me.”

  “I’m ready for it.” He stroked her arms.

  “He’s ready. Give him what he needs, Leslie.” John’s legs pressed against hers.

  He hooked an arm around her, cupping her pussy. A finger pressed between and circled her clit. She gasped. Judge gripped her wrists, dragging them above her head. He gripped both wrists in one hand and wrapped his other arm around her. She couldn’t pull away from him. Her lips brushed his neck.

  “It will hurt.” She turned her head away.

  “I’ll love it, angel. I want your
mark.” Judge stroked her shoulders.

  “Give him what he needs, and I’ll send you over.” John rubbed his fingers in slow circles.

  She cried out. A roaring tide washed over her. Her teeth closed on Judge’s flesh and sank deep. Salty blood hit her tongue. A long male groan rolled through the room.

  “Good, that’s so good.” John danced his fingers over her clit. “We’ll take you up high again, and then I’m going to feel your mouth on me while I watch Judge fuck you.”

  Bolts of heat streaked through her body. Her hips jerked, pressing down against the contact. She squirmed. Tingles coursed over her skin.

  “John’s making you burn again, isn’t he?” Judge reached between them and tugged on her nipple. “Does it feel good?”

  “Yes.” She drew in a hissing breath.

  Thick fingers thrust deep into her pussy. Her breath hitched. The thick digits drug against the too sensitive tissues. A shiver ripped down her spine.

  “Soon, angel, I’m going to thrust my cock deep into your pussy. I’ll watch while you suck John. After he comes, I’ll ride you hard. Then as you’re coming, you’re going to bite John. He wants to wear your mark, too.” Judge plucked her nipple, tugging and pinching.

  “I damn well do. I’ve been waiting years to find my mate, and I want everyone to know that she claims me, too.” John’s thumb rubbed across her clit.

  Her hips rocked into John’s fingers. She cried out. Her inner muscles clenched. Spears of sharp pleasure lanced through her.

  “She’s getting close. I’ll sit on the bed.” John glided his palm over her back.

  The fingers pulled free from her pussy. She moaned and tried to ease back into him, but he’d already moved away from her. He lifted her off the bed and set her on her feet.

  John guided her to her knees on the floor. He brushed his fingers over her hips before he moved away from her. She shivered. The fire rose and flickered within her. Her muscles tightened as the sizzling heat ripped over her. He sat on the bed in front of her as Judge moved behind her.