“Jane isn’t a monster.”
“Not yet. But—”
The bedroom door flew open. Dr. Bob stood there, his eyes wild. “You need to see this—see her!”
“What’s wrong with Jane?” Aidan shoved him out of the way.
“Nothing…nothing at all!” Dr. Bob’s voice broke with excitement. “The stitches were barely hanging on and when I removed them—
Jane wasn’t in bed. She stood, studying herself in his mirror, his shirt hiked just beneath her waist. She wore only his shirt and the pair of blue panties he’d put on her the night before. Jane wouldn’t have liked waking naked and so he’d wanted to make sure she was comfortable and—
Jane touched her stomach and twisted her body a bit as she stared harder at her reflection. He saw the slightly raised skin on her right side—that long ago burn that would forever mark her but…
Jane turned toward him. “What happened to me?”
But there were no other marks on her. The deep claws that had ripped into her stomach hours before—there was no sign of the damage from those claws at all.
“Aidan?” Jane’s voice was confused, a little scared. “What happened?”
The floor creaked behind him. He knew that Annette had followed him into the bedroom, he’d caught her light, distinctive feminine scent. “This is what I was talking about,” she whispered. “You give a vamp-in-waiting your blood…and you don’t know what will happen.”
“She’s healed,” Dr. Bob said, his expression still dazed. “I thought she was dying, but you can’t even tell Jane was injured! Even as I cut the stitches away, her skin was getting stronger. It’s the damnedest thing I’ve ever seen.”
Jane still clutched his shirt in one hand and her other smoothed over her stomach. Then that hand slid to her side and pressed to the old burn mark. “Aidan?”
Jane’s scared. “Dr. Heider, Annette—thanks for your help.” He moved toward Jane, positioning his body protectively in front of her. “But it’s time for you both to go.”
Dr. Heider was still gaping.
And Annette—she just looked worried.
“Go,” Aidan said again, pushing some power in that word. This time, they left. He waited until the door closed behind them, then he turned toward Jane.
Her eyes were so big. Dark and deep and confused. “I shouldn’t look like this. Not after the attack.”
Aidan reached out his hand and touched the smooth skin of her stomach.
Jane flinched. Then she was grabbing his hand, holding tightly. “Aidan, what is happening to me? Is something wrong with me?”
“Hell, no,” Aidan gritted as he touched her soft skin. “You are absolutely perfect.”
***
Paris led Annette out of the mansion. Dr. Heider had already fled, as fast as he could possibly go. But Annette found herself lingering. She paused at Paris’s car, then glanced back at the mansion.
Paris opened the passenger door for her. How sweet and all gentleman-like. She still didn’t get in the vehicle. “You need to watch Aidan’s back.”
“That’s what I’ve always done.”
“No, I mean from the threat he won’t see coming.” She hated to say this, but fear was blossoming inside of her. “He loves Jane so much. He’s bent nature to keep her safe.”
“Yes, um, I have no fucking clue what you’re talking about.”
“He’s made a new monster.” And his actions were going to change everything. “He gave her his blood—three times. The lucky three…” There was a reason the old tale about three blood exchanges had been pushed in popular culture so much. But three blood exchanges didn’t make a vampire. Just one would do that.
Three…three links you. Three gifts of blood given—given so freely—from a werewolf to a vamp-in-waiting. That could not be good. “She’s even stronger now. Jane’s healing at an incredible rate.” And Annette didn’t think enhanced healing would be the only side effect to show itself.
“But that’s good, right?” Paris asked as his perfect brow wrinkled. “If she heals fast, then she’s less likely to die in that whole violent way that would kick in the vamp genes.”
Her gaze lowered. “I don’t think it’s good.” She’d need to scry as soon as she got back to her shop. “I think it could be very dangerous.” Very, very bad.
In order to save the woman he loved, Aidan may have crossed a line—a line that would bring them all pain.
And hell.
She reached into her purse and handed Paris a small pouch.
His brow wrinkled even more. “What’s this?”
“It’s a precaution.” One that they might not have to use but… “The liquid inside can knock out a werewolf in his prime—an alpha werewolf.”
His fingers clenched around the bag. “You were planning to attack Aidan?”
“No, I was planning to save my own ass. When I came here, I didn’t know what I’d find.” But I feared it would be Jane’s dead body. “I like to protect myself.”
He opened the bag and pulled out the vial. “I can see that.”
“Put it in a syringe. Keep it close. If something happens and you need Aidan to…to calm down…use it.” Because as powerful as Paris was, he would be no match for an alpha who’d lost his sanity. “It won’t kill him, I promise. It will just knock him out long enough for you to secure him.”
He was still staring at the vial. “By secure him, you mean lock him down with silver.”
That was exactly what she meant.
“How were you going to use this on him tonight? I don’t see a syringe here.”
“I would have found a way.” She didn’t mention that she had a syringe hidden in her purse.
He put the vial back into the little bag and pulled the draw string closed once more. “Why give this to me?”
“Because there is a reason you’re Aidan’s right hand. You can be trusted.” He was an honorable man. A rare thing in this world. “And maybe I don’t want to see you get ripped apart by your friend.”
Paris took a step back. “You think Aidan would turn on me?”
“If you turned on Jane, yes, I do.” Without hesitation. “Some bonds are stronger than pack. Time for everyone to start realizing that.”
Chapter Eleven
Aidan lowered to his knees before Jane. His beast was howling inside of him—so desperate for her—but he kept a leash on that wolf. His control would hold. Where Jane was concerned, there was no room for error. His touch stayed gentle on her, and he leaned forward, feathering light kisses on her stomach.
Jane’s hands settled over his shoulders. “Aidan…”
“I need you, Jane.” She was alive. Safe. Strong. Right there with him. And Annette had been right—there were no promises for the future. There was only that moment.
For that moment, he had Jane.
He looked up at her. “If you want me to stop, say the word.” He’d always do what Jane wanted. Did she understand the power that she wielded? He was supposed to be the beast in charge of the city, but for her…I will give her anything.
Jane shook her head. “Stopping is the last thing I want.”
They both needed this—needed each other. Needed the reassurance of being skin to skin. The wild oblivion of pleasure that would sweep them away.
He pressed another kiss to her stomach, then Aidan eased down a bit more, moving lower, lower…
He kissed her through the soft silk of her underwear. A shudder slid along her body and the scent of her arousal teased him. He kissed her again even as his hands curled around her hips. His tongue slid out, licking lightly, but he couldn’t get the access he needed, not from that position.
He needed so much more from Jane.
He caught the edge of her panties with his teeth and yanked them down.
Jane gave a little surprised laugh. He fucking loved it when she laughed. Then she said, “My, what skillful teeth you have, wolf…”
“The better to strip you, my dear.”
&
nbsp; Her laughter came again, but the sweet sound faded when he scooped her into his arms and hurriedly carried her to the bed. He positioned her on the edge of the mattress, letting her silken legs hang over the edge. Then he bent once more, his hands moving to push her thighs farther apart.
And he tasted her. His tongue licked. Again and again. She moaned and jerked against his mouth, but he just kept going. He wanted Jane to come this way, for him. Wanted her to have the first blast of pleasure.
Her hips arched toward him. He kissed her tender flesh and kept stroking her with his tongue, just the way he knew she liked. When the pleasure hit her, he felt it. Her body stiffened. Her sex spasmed.
And he pulled back so that he could watch her come for him.
“Nothing is more beautiful,” he whispered, “than seeing you, like this.” Aidan rose, stripping off his clothes and tossing them away. He needed to be skin to skin with her. Needed to be deep inside of Jane.
She rolled, moving her body quickly and rising up on her knees. Then she looked back at him, her cheeks a sweet pink and her eyes gleaming. “I want it this way.”
Fuck, yes. He’d take her anyway. He climbed onto the bed. The mattress dipped beneath his weight. He grabbed her hips, positioned his cock, and drove into her in one long, hard thrust.
Balls deep. Perfect.
She moaned.
He gave a guttural groan.
And then he withdrew, only to thrust deep again. The rhythm was hot and fast, and he should slow down, he knew it, but—
“More!” Jane gasped out. “Don’t stop!”
He would do whatever she wanted.
Jane’s hands flew down and she shoved her palms into the mattress, balancing herself. He gave her more. Gave her everything. The bed was squeaking, the mattress rocking, and his hips pumped frantically as he drove them both toward the abyss of release.
He kissed her shoulder. Licked the skin. Then he bit her, a light marking that was the way of his kind. When his teeth touched her skin, Jane gave a quick cry. Not of pain, but pleasure, and he felt the contractions of her release all around his cock. His eyes squeezed closed because she felt so incredibly good.
Like she’d been made just for him.
He withdrew, then drove deep once more. The pleasure hit him, surging up hot and wild, and he yanked his mouth from her shoulder because he was afraid he’d bite too hard. That he’d hurt her.
He growled her name, and kept thrusting. The pleasure wasn’t ending.
“Aidan!”
His eyes flew open at her cry. She was still coming. He could feel it around his dick. Aidan wanted to give her so much pleasure. So much that she would always remember him—always remember this moment.
Always remember the way it felt when they were together.
Her hands had fisted around the sheets. She held them so tight. Her body arched like a bow and he curled around her, both of them absolutely lost.
Give her up?
His heartbeat drummed in his ears.
Hell, the fuck no.
***
“A second deadly mugging has New Orleans residents on alert this morning…” The pretty blond news anchor, Sarah Steele, stared straight ahead, her voice carrying just the right degree of concern. “Authorities have confirmed that another body was discovered in the St. Louis Cemetery late last night, another victim of a robbery gone wrong.”
“What the fuck?” He shot up from the barstool, glaring at the small TV. It was freaking early and he’d dragged his ass down to this tiny diner because he’d wanted to see people’s reactions to last night’s kill.
But the reporters were screwing up the story. It was no mugging. Fuck that. And what about the detective? Mary Jane Hart? Was the blond bitch on TV even going to mention her?
Folks at the nearby tables glanced at him, their expressions a bit worried.
They should be worried.
The blond continued, “Reporter Kennedy Jackson is live at the police station with an exclusive interview with Police Captain Vivian Harris.”
And then a new scene was showing on the screen. The camera focused on an older woman, one with a gleaming badge pinned to her chest. The woman looked all official as a microphone was shoved toward her. “Citizens should be on guard,” the woman explained. She had to be the damn police captain that the reporter had mentioned. As if on cue, text appeared beneath her image, text that read Police Captain Vivian Harris. “They should be smart. Citizens should always travel with a friend late at night and be aware of their surroundings. And if anyone sees something suspicious, do not hesitate to call the cops. After all…” She gave a tight smile. “We’re here to help you.”
Fuck, fuck.
“Rest assured,” the police captain continued doggedly. “I have my best team working on this case. The killer will be apprehended.”
Then—from off camera—he heard a reporter ask, “This makes two murders in a very short amount of time. Are we looking at a serial?”
The police captain’s eyes narrowed just a bit.
He realized he was holding his breath.
“No, Ms. Jackson,” Vivian Harris said clearly. “We’re just looking at a man who enjoys preying on the weak. A coward who hunts in the dark.”
His claws wanted to spring free. He wanted to attack. She’d dared to call him a coward?
Vivian Harris stared straight into the camera—seems like she’s looking right at me. “As I said before, this killer will be apprehended, have no doubt about that.”
Really? Then come and get me.
The camera cut away from her and the pretty blond reporter was back on screen.
Or…maybe I’ll just come and get you.
***
Aidan’s heartbeat thundered in his ears. He was still curled over Jane, the scent of their lovemaking filling the air. And he was already getting hard for her again. Hardly surprising. He pretty much always wanted Jane.
She looked back over her shoulder, smiling at him. “I love you, Aidan Locke.”
I would die for you, Mary Jane Hart.
“Want to take a shower with me?” Her voice was light, happy. And why not? She’d cheated death. They were together. They both should be happy.
“Absolutely.” Slowly, he withdrew from her. She gave a little moan.
And I’ll be coming right back inside you when we get in that shower.
He rose from the bed. Maybe his knees were a little weak. Making love to her could do that, not that Aidan would ever admit it. He wasn’t supposed to have a weakness. I do. It’s my Jane.
She rolled over, still smiling up at him. “I don’t know how it happened, I don’t know what magic you got Annette to pull, but I feel stronger than I’ve ever felt in my entire life.”
He forced a smile for her. “I’m glad.”
“Race you to the shower.” Then she was zipping past him.
He started to hurry after her but…
Something caught his eye. Something there, in the bed. Frowning now, he leaned over and looked closer at the bed covers. Sure, they’d wrecked that bed. Only…
The sheets were ripped.
He picked up part of the sheet and saw the long tendrils that looked as if claws had sliced into them. Aidan glanced at his own hands. He hadn’t let his claws out. He’d been touching Jane the whole time, so he hadn’t wanted to risk cutting her skin.
He picked up another piece of the shredded material.
Jane had grabbed the bedding. He remembered that. At the end, when she’d been lost to the pleasure, she’d fisted her hands around the sheets.
These are marks made by claws. I’ve seen marks like this before.
“Aidan…” Jane’s voice called. Light. Teasing. “I won.”
***
“I don’t like this,” Aidan said.
Jane rolled her eyes as she checked her gun. The weapon was good to go with silver bullets. And, for extra paranormal protection, she had a wooden stake strapped to her ankle. “Yes, well, I adore you,
but I don’t particularly care what you like about this part.” He’d brought her back to town, but been oddly quiet and reserved during the drive to the cemetery. Back to the scene of the crime. “I have a job to do, and I’m getting back to it.” Her gaze sharpened as she looked at him. “I’m not a cop because I like playing things safe. I’m a cop because I want to keep everyone else safe.”
He stood beside her, his arms crossed over his chest. “Did you forget you nearly died last night?”
“Hard to forget that bit.”
He glowered even more. It was probably not the time to tell him that she found his glowers sexy. Her body was practically humming. It was so weird. She couldn’t remember ever feeling this good. “I also didn’t forget,” Jane continued, “that I shot the bastard who attacked me. So if I shot him, he bled. And you—with that absolutely wonderful nose of yours—will help me track him.”
“Jane…”
“Come on.” She led the way into the cemetery. Dr. Bob had the victim’s body on his table, and she’d be heading to the ME’s office later for an update on Travis. Just to make sure there weren’t any new twists waiting for her. But for the moment, she wanted to try some blood tracking.
The scent of blood hit Jane just after she’d taken a few steps inside the cemetery. Strong. Coppery. A little…woodsy? Her nostrils flared as she inhaled the scent. Then Jane turned to the right. “I was over this way when he attacked.”
Aidan caught her elbow. “Jane, do you smell the blood?”
“Yes.” Her breath hitched. “He must have bled out a whole lot more than I realized.” And the crime scene techs must have been damn slouchy at their jobs. They should have cleaned the area far better.
She followed the scent, her steps quickening.
Then…
Jane stopped. There were no giant trails of blood on the ground. Well, not except for the stain that was from where she’d been. Someone had tried to clean that up. Jane pointed. “I remember falling here. You—you were crouching above me.” She threw a quick glance his way.
His face hardened. “Yes.”
She lifted her hand, as if aiming a gun. “He was right over there.” Where the slightly woodsy scent was coming from. Jane took a few lurching steps forward and then she saw the blood drops. Just drops. As if the killer had been running away and the blood had flown back in his wake.