My Paranormal Valentine: A Paranormal Romance Box Set

by Michelle M. Pillow

  They definitely had a twisted sense of humor when they marked him as a Guardian and then sat back and let him get the shit beat out of him by his own father.

  But he kept that to himself. He walked her to her car and stopped at the door. “I’m still trying to wrap my head around all of this.”

  “I know.” She stared up at him from under dark lashes. “Can I tell you something?”

  “Sure.”

  Her lips curved at the corners like a shy smile. “I liked you way before I saw the mark on your shoulder.”

  Without thinking, he bent to brush his lips to hers. She returned the kiss, her mouth soft and slow against his. He slid his arms around her waist, drawing her tight to his body. She fit perfectly in his arms. His pulse shot below his belt until his erection pressed against her, aching for more.

  He tasted her lips with his tongue, and she opened to him. The moan that escaped her nearly undid him. He pressed her back against the car, bringing one hand up into her hair, tangling his fingers in the silky strands.

  Her hands wandered lower, gripping his ass. He rocked his hips against her, his desire overriding rational thought until she broke the kiss, breathless. “Take me to your place.”

  He didn’t hesitate. He grabbed her hand and hustled her to his car. The drive was a blur, like he couldn’t breathe until he had her back in his arms. He kissed her again as soon as she got out.

  “Malone!”

  Cold shower. He turned around to find John jogging toward him. He stared at Mel for a second, and then narrowed his eyes at Nate. “Am I interrupting?”

  His tone made it plain that he knew damned well he was fucking interrupting. Nate took a step away from Mel. “We ran into each other, and I gave her an update on the case. You remember Melanie Jacoby. Mel, this is my partner, Detective Gilman.”

  John shook her hand, his tense expression unchanged. “Good to see you again. I’m sorry for your loss.”

  Mel released his hand, crossing her arms. “Thank you. I’m choosing to focus on finding her killer instead of her loss.”

  John raised a brow. “There’s no evidence of a killer. Didn’t you tell her, Malone? The ME ruled it an accidental death.”

  Why was John being such a dick? Nate frowned. “Why are you here?”

  “You weren’t answering your cell phone. We got a potential lead on the C-4 in the theater.”

  Shit. He hadn’t even looked at his cell phone during dinner. “Let me grab my badge.” He turned to Mel. “Sorry about this. I’ll drop you back at your car in a minute.” He glared at John. “Don’t be an asshole.”

  John smirked. “I’ll do my best.”

  Chapter Seven

  Mel waited on Nate, half expecting his partner to arrest her. It wasn’t a crime to make out with a detective, but judging by his partner’s reaction, she’d definitely offended him in some way.

  “Sleeping with him isn’t going to bring your friend back,” he said, keeping his attention on the gate to the condos that Nate had just gone through.

  She put a hand on her hip. “Excuse me?”

  He glanced her way and then back to the gate. “Nate’s a good detective. He knows better than to get involved with a witness.”

  “So I must be seducing him?”

  He shrugged. “You tell me.” He finally met her eyes. “What’s your endgame?”

  “Is it so shocking that I think Nate is a great guy?”

  A flash of concern lined his eyes before his stern law enforcement mask settled back into place. “I just don’t want to see him getting tangled up with a witness, and when things go south, I don’t want to see her reporting him to the department.”

  Mel sighed. A tiny part of her had to respect that John was protecting his partner, but still… “You just assume it’ll ‘go south’ and you don’t even know me. Nice.”

  “I know Nate. Women fall all over him, and they’re hurt when he walks. You were a witness he questioned. He shouldn’t risk it with you.”

  Mel crossed her arms. Tightly. “You’re warning me that he gets around?”

  Nate opened the gate, dressed in his standard slacks and button-down shirt. His holster was a new addition, too.

  John lowered his voice. “I’m warning you that he doesn’t do relationships, so if you’re going into it with that hope, don’t be pissed later.”

  “You’re still here.” Nate walked up.

  “Just chatting with Ms. Jacoby.”

  Nate looked at them both before raising a brow to his partner. “Were you being an asshole?”

  “No more than usual.” John met her eyes, and finally he nodded. “Nice seeing you again.” He went to his car, calling over his shoulder. “I sent you a text with the address, Malone.”

  “Be right behind you.”

  Mel got back in Nate’s car, her mind spinning. Nate hadn’t given her the “player” vibe at all, but the first thing he’d said when she told him about Guardians was that the gods picked the wrong guy. Maybe the relationship thing his partner mentioned was hidden in Nate’s comment.

  She stared out the passenger window, digesting Detective Gilman’s information. She’d had her share of heartbreaks over the years, and her most recent had come right before she’d moved to Crystal City. It had made making the no-dating pact with her sisters an easy choice at the time.

  But heartbreak was part of what made relationships a thrill—taking that risk. She didn’t usually shy away. The rush of emotion—the feeling of free falling—made diving in for another chance worthwhile.

  Or maybe that was her muse hungering for more tragedy.

  “You’re really quiet. Did John say something to upset you?” He glanced her way, then back to the street. “He really is a good guy, but he’s protective.”

  Mel reached across to rest her hand on his thigh. “He’s definitely that. He told me you’re not a relationship guy and if I get angry and report you, you could get in trouble with the department because you questioned me as a witness.”

  He rested a hand over hers. “Ever since I met you, keeping it professional has been practically impossible.”

  “So it’s true.”

  “Which part?”

  “You could get in trouble for seeing me.”

  He raised her hand to his lips, brushing a kiss to her knuckles. “I can handle a little trouble. How about you?”

  Scars and a thrill seeker. Gods help her…

  She smiled, looking over at him. “No risk, no reward, right?”

  He squeezed her hand and released it as he pulled into the parking lot behind Gracie’s. He parked beside her car and turned to her. “I need to chase down this witness with John. Can I call you later?”

  Mel nodded. “I’d like that.”

  “Good.” His smile faded. “Until I find out who was trying to blow up the theater, I’m going to assume it’s connected to your roommate’s attacker. Stay with Callie. Be safe.”

  She opened the door. “I will.”

  Mel got in her car and turned on the engine and the headlights. Nate waited, and then followed her out of the lot. He may not have thought he’d be a good pick for a Guardian, but he was dead wrong.

  He walked down the white runner toward their leader. His robed brothers and sisters cheered his approach, encouraging him forward. His breath echoed behind the thick mask. When he reached the platform, he removed the hood of his robe. Their leader anointed his head with oil before placing a laurel wreath over his hair.

  He turned to face the Order. They were a small group, twelve souls representing the twelve original Titans. And with their help, the children of Gaia would once again be free and bring about the Golden Age of Man. No more human wars or strife. No egos, no famine, only milk and honey.

  But first they needed to stop the daughters of Zeus. The muses could inspire the human race, bringing about new technologies that would eliminate the need to dig into the earth’s core, into the prison in which Kronos had been trapped by his own son.


  The cheers quieted, and their leader spoke. “Children of Gaia, Mother Earth calls us to free her son.”

  More cheers.

  “Our brother has brought us one step closer to the goal. The Muse of Astronomy is no more.” Their leader took his wrist and raised it high like a prizefighter as he drank in the praise.

  “There is more to do, but we are moving the Order of the Titans forward. The Golden Age of Man will return, and we will be heralded as heroes of mankind.”

  He turned to face their leader and tipped his head down with reverence. When he straightened, he descended to join his brothers and sisters. Beside the platform was a stack of wood and twigs with twelve torches circling it. The members of the Order spaced themselves so they each stood behind one of the twelve torches.

  Their leader looked up at the night sky, calling to the heavens. “We send our victory to Uranus, Father Sky. Soon his children will be free.”

  He took up his torch in time with the others, lifting the flame above his head and awaiting the final signal from their leader.

  “Brothers and sisters of the Order of the Titans, tonight we celebrate with sky and earth.”

  All the torches touched the dry wood. Sparks flew into the night as the fire consumed it, and the black smoke rose up like a serpent. He smiled behind his mask.

  With a taste of accomplishment in his mouth, he vowed to continue his work until the muses were no longer a threat to their mission. He would become a hero for all time.

  Mel walked through the door to find all her sisters gathered in the circle around Callie’s round dining room table like King Arthur’s knights. “Wow, did I miss my invitation?”

  Callie rolled her eyes. “This is why we made the pact. While you were out on a date, the rest of us were here trying to figure out how to keep the theater safe until we can get it finished.”

  Mel took a seat. “So I guess you aren’t even curious about the Guardian prophecy Clio found?”

  They all turned her way, and Clio grinned. “It’s true, isn’t it?”

  “Seems to be.” Mel glanced around the circle. “Nate has a birthmark on the back of his shoulder. He said it started burning when he met me, and it appears his gift is psychometry. We think it only works if the thing he touches is related to the muses—mainly, to me.”

  “I knew it was true. It’s so romantic.” Clio placed a hand over her heart.

  Callie rolled her eyes. “Some of us don’t need to be guarded, thank you very much.”

  Mel chuckled. “Not to rain on your parade, Clio, but that prophecy doesn’t say anything about loving us, just protecting us. It’s not like that birthmark wakes up undying love.”

  Clio sobered, her shoulders slumping a little. “So you guys aren’t dating?”

  Mel mentally smacked herself. Sometimes being the Muse of Tragic Poetry made it tough to be a good friend.

  “There’s definitely an attraction there, but there’s a better than average chance it’ll blaze in like an inferno and then fizzle out.” Although she always expected the worst, saying the words out loud actually sort of hurt. She didn’t want them to be true.

  “The sooner it fizzles out, the sooner we’ll have your full attention again. We’ve got work to do.” Callie poked at the blueprints in the center of the table. “Distractions could cost us everything. Nia wanted this as much as any of us. We need to finish what she helped us start.”

  Mel tried to focus on the discussion of hiring security guards, putting up cameras, and starting a list of potential Titan sympathizers, but her mind kept wandering to Nate. She usually jumped boldly into new relationships, recognizing they wouldn’t last, but this regret was new. Diving into this could hurt her. She really liked this guy.

  For once, this might be more tragedy than I can take.

  Nate sat across from the dockworker while John stood a few feet back from the table. Nate would be the ‘good cop’ this time, and John would be the intimidator if needed.

  “I told you all I know,” the guy said.

  Nate skimmed his notes. “Two shipments of explosives checked in at the port, one for Ace Demolitions and the other for?”

  “It’s not on the list?”

  Nate lifted his gaze. “But you already knew that didn’t you?”

  His eyes widened in mock surprise. “I didn’t know. It must’ve been a mistake.”

  Nate frowned. “Don’t you have to check the purchase orders and packing slips?”

  “Sometimes.”

  John approached like a shark smelling blood in the water. “You’re telling us you let two shipments of explosives into Crystal City without checking the documents?”

  The dockworker recoiled, crossing his arms. “I checked ’em.”

  “Good.” Nate picked up his pen. “So who picked them up?”

  The guy chuckled. “I look at a hundred purchase orders and packing lists a day. I can’t remember a list that came in last week.”

  Nate went for the kill. “We didn’t tell you it came in last week.” He got up from the chair, staring the guy down. “If you can remember that, maybe you can tell us who paid you to keep quiet?”

  “Please…these people…” he stammered. “They’ll come after me. I needed the money. My wife lost her job.”

  “I don’t care why you’re doing it,” Nate said.

  John placed his hands on the table, leaning in. “But we can protect you if you give us names.”

  Nate’s gut twisted. He’d made that promise of protection once before, and then he’d found her dead body.

  “Some guy named Lewis Gold came to the dock and paid me a grand to let him know when the C-4 arrived instead of logging it in the book. I think he worked for Belkin Oil.”

  Nate jotted down the name. “Thanks for your cooperation. Detective Gilman will help you with paperwork for police protection in case of prosecution.”

  He left the interrogation room. Rationally, he understood that protection from the department was usually successful, but making those kind of promises still sickened him. They were far from infallible. And failure led to Maggie losing her mother on his watch.

  He rolled his shoulders back, struggling to box the memories back up. At least now he had a name. It could lead to a dead end, but it was another thread to chase.

  John came over to his desk. “You okay?”

  “Yeah.”

  “You couldn’t get out of that room fast enough.”

  He sighed and looked up at his partner. “I don’t feel good offering our protection like it’s a blank check for safety.”

  John shook his head. “This isn’t an abusive ex-husband.”

  “I know.” Nate nodded. “I’m fine. Really.”

  John pulled a chair over. “You going to follow up with Belkin or you want me to do it?”

  “You can take the lead over there. I’m going to cross-reference the partial plate and see if I can find a Lewis Gold on the title of a silver Honda Accord.”

  “All right.” John grabbed his coat and paused. “I’d be a bad partner if I didn’t warn you off the Jacoby woman.”

  “Her name is Melanie.” He lifted his gaze to his partner. “And it’s really none of your business.”

  “You questioned her on a case. What’re you going to do when you’re finished with this one and she goes to the captain and tells him you took advantage of her?”

  John’s advice was solid, but for some reason it rubbed Nate the wrong way. He stood up, knowing he had a couple of inches on his partner. “She’s not that kind of person.”

  “Because you’ve known her so long, right?” He shook his head. “There are less dangerous ways to get some tail.”

  He turned to go, but Nate grabbed his arm. “Don’t ever call her that.”

  “You don’t seem okay to me.” John glanced at Nate’s hand and then back to his face, frowning. “Not by a long shot.”

  Nate let go and stepped back. What the hell was wrong with him? He cleared his throat. “I appreciate y
our concern.”

  John nodded. “Just be careful, okay?”

  “I will.” He sat at his desk and rubbed his shoulder. His equilibrium was off. Why had John’s comment gotten under his skin like that? His partner knew him better than anyone, and Nate didn’t do relationships. Not really.

  But something about hearing him refer to Mel as “some tail” pissed him off.

  So what exactly was she?

  His muse.

  His.

  He groaned and grabbed the DMV list from the partial plate search. This was a problem he could potentially solve. He stuffed the papers into his bag and got in his car.

  But instead of going to his condo, he ended up on Lothlórien Lane. He parked on the street and smacked his steering wheel. Being a Guardian was apparently very similar to being a stalker.

  His cell phone buzzed. He pulled it out and found a text.

  Across the street.

  He looked up and Mel waved from the sidewalk in front of her friend’s place. She jogged over as he lowered his window.

  “Fancy meeting you here.” She rested her elbows on the door.

  “I was going home. Not really sure how I got here.” God, that sounded pathetic. He shook his head. “Are you all right? Maybe that’s why I was drawn over here. I’ve never been much of a stalker.”

  “So your partner told me.”

  He frowned. “What’d he tell you?”

  “That you’re not a commitment kind of guy.” She shrugged. “He really is protective of you.”

  Nate nodded, pressing his lips together. “He damn sure is.” He pointed at the house. “Everything okay in there?”

  She glanced over her shoulder. “Yeah. My sisters are brainstorming plans to keep the theater safe when we’re not there.”

  “Good. Security cameras would be a step in the right direction.” The awkward conversation was killing him. He reached up, slid his fingers into her hair, and pulled her in closer. His lips fused to hers, and she hummed into the kiss, resting her forehead against his.

  “You should invite me into your car.”