“I’ll take care of it immediately,” Kelzeb swore. He walked away, mingling with the nearest group.
“Congratulations on your adorable son,” Jill told the couple. She jerked her head, giving them a signal to get lost, and hoped they understood. They did, leaving her alone with Aveoth.
She stepped in front of him. “You look ready to kill somebody, Wings. Deep breaths. We’ve avoided bloodshed so far and I’d hate to have to return your mother’s dress all stained. I mean, it wouldn’t be a loss. This thing should be turned into curtains anyway. There’s enough of it.”
He put his hands on her hips. “I want to kill the council.”
“What council?” She winked. “You disbanded them.”
The tension seemed to leave him. “They’ll always cause us trouble.”
“Assholes never change. True enough. It was pretty clear, though, that there aren’t any village idiots here to follow them, except that guy with the battered face and the porn queen clinging to him when they left.”
His lips twitched. “Village idiots?”
“Yeah. You know. Grab the ropes and torches to lynch someone and only the stupid people go along with it. They’re outnumbered, and the only ones in fear of being hung from a tree to be set on fire is them. Maybe the five of them can spend their time pretending to be plumbers while Winalin shows them the leak in her body where her soul escaped.”
“The battered one is Winalin’s brother.”
“Eww. Okay. Maybe he can hold the camera.”
He tugged her closer and pressed a kiss on her forehead. “You always amuse me. I never know what you’re going to say next.”
“I’m special that way and no take-backs now. You’re stuck with me. That mate thing sounded pretty solid and forever.”
“It is and I’m grateful.” He lowered his head, peering into her eyes. “How are you holding up?”
“I’m intimidated by your clan. I won’t lie. I’m hanging in though. Everyone who’s approached seems to be okay with me.”
“They are or I’d have drawn my sword.”
“You’re kind of hot when you get all murdery.”
“Is that an actual word?”
“It is when you knew what it meant. Plus, you’re the ruler of this place and I’m your mate. It’s a real word. I said so.”
“I love you, mate.”
“I love you, too. Now feed me. I’m starving.”
“I can do that. They are serving a buffet on the other side of the room.”
“Do we have to sit on that couch? Because I have to say that it feels like bricks are under those cushions. It’s the most uncomfortable thing ever.”
“I’ll have it burned.”
“Good. I’ll throw the match.”
“We’re a perfect pairing.” Aveoth released her and offered his arm. “Come with me.”
“Lead on, Wings.”
Chapter Sixteen
Jill stared out of the window of the taxi, feeling exhausted. The man sitting a few feet from her in the backseat cleared his throat, drawing her attention. Chaz seemed to be holding her gaze when she looked at him, but it was hard to tell. The dark sunglasses he wore didn’t show his eyes at all.
“Why are you wearing those? It’s not that bright of a day.”
He reached up and lowered them. “Why do you think?”
He and his brother had silver eyes. They weren’t human-looking in the least. She’d noticed that about them before.
“Can’t you mask your emotions and go to a more normal color the way Aveoth does?”
He shook his head. “Nope. They’re always this way.” He shoved the sunglasses back up. “Are you okay?”
“Not really.”
“I’ll keep you safe.”
“I have no doubt you will. It’s just that I didn’t expect this when Aveoth said he had a surprise for me last night. I was thinking kinky sex or something.”
Chaz smiled and averted his face. “Be happy it wasn’t my brother assigned to you. He’d have made some smartass remark to that statement.”
“Where are Aveoth and Fray?”
“Shopping.”
“How in the hell did Aveoth manage to get use of a jet? And who was that big guy waiting for us on it? Aveoth wouldn’t answer my questions.”
“Your mate was stressed, taking you around an unfamiliar male who kept looking at you in a way that made Aveoth want to kill him. Garson is a bit of a flirt.”
“Well, I’m still ticked. Aveoth practically dragged me into the bedroom on the jet, refused to answer my questions, and distracted me until I fell asleep.” The sex had been great but she wasn’t about to admit that to her guard. “By the time I woke up, we were landing and he just ordered me to shower and get dressed. Then he was gone and you were shoving me in this taxi.”
“We’ll talk when we reach your address.” He turned his head forward, nodding in the direction of the driver.
She sighed, understanding. The guy in front could hear every word they said.
Some of her bad mood faded when she spotted the familiar area. A few blocks later, the taxi stopped in front of Mack’s metal shop.
“Go first,” Chaz insisted.
She opened the door and got out. He slid across the seat, paid the driver, and climbed out the same door she had. He was careful not to touch her but kept close. The car drove off, leaving them on the sidewalk.
“Why’d you do that?”
“I wasn’t about to get out before you, in case the driver took off with you still inside.”
“Taxi drivers don’t abduct people, and especially since you were with me. That would be all kinds of stupid, since you’d seen his face and knew the number of the taxi. It was clearly marked on that card where the opening was to pay.”
“I don’t trust humans.”
“Tell me what’s going on, Chaz.” She glanced up and down the road. “Nobody’s around.”
“Lord Aveoth wanted to take you home so you could get your mother’s ashes. He called the VampLycans for help to arrange it, since they owe us a few favors. It turned out that one of Lorn’s enforcers happened to be in Anchorage and was en route to the airport, on his way home. The timing was there for the VampLycan to hire a jet instead of a bush pilot and divert it to pick us up. And Lord Aveoth wants to give you a gift for your mating, so he’s shopping while we go pack up your apartment. That’s all I’m saying.”
It was kind of romantic. “It was just so fast and unexpected.”
“It was either go last night or possibly wait weeks until we could find another opportunity for a VampLycan to be at a large airport.”
“And that makes sense…why?”
“VampLycans have the ability to erase memories and control humans. No sane pilot would have landed a jet on an airstrip that isn’t even on a map. Garson handled paying them and keeping them under his control. Neither pilot will remember being there. We weren’t aware that landing strip could even handle a jet until you were brought there in one by Decker. Normally when we travel long distances, we’ll hire a bush pilot in a small plane to fly us to larger airports, and then travel commercial.”
“But you have wings.”
“Radar can be a bitch to avoid in populated areas. And imagine having to fly almost two thousand miles.” He rolled his shoulders. “I’m fit, but that would be rough, especially if I were carrying someone in my arms. It would also take us days, since we can only fly at night outside of safe territories controlled by us or the VampLycans. Lord Aveoth didn’t tell anyone he was leaving, since the clan is still unsettled after yesterday. This way, we’ll be back before anyone notices we’re gone. Jets are faster.”
She sighed. “You know what? Let’s just get my things and get back at the airport. I’m tired, a bit cranky, and out of sorts.” She walked over to the main door and tried to turn the handle. It was locked. “Shit. Mack isn’t here. Come on.”
“Who’s Mack?” Suspicion laced Chaz’s voice. “Lord Aveoth won’t l
ike it if you had a romantic attachment to a human.”
“Mack is like a father figure to me. I worked for him and rented the place over this shop for dirt cheap. He’s probably with his boyfriend today or at a show for his newest pieces. He’s an artist. This is a metal shop. Want to guess what kind of works he creates?”
Chaz just chuckled.
She led him around the building to a gate and reached over it, feeling for the latch. Her fingers caught it and she tugged it open. Metal creaked as she shoved it open to ease into the backyard space.
“Close that behind you. Mack doesn’t want anyone to wander back here.”
The gate slammed and she went to the back door, bending and lifting a stone. The emergency key was a little muddy but she knocked it against the wall and shoved it inside the lock. She put the key back and returned the rock to cover it. “Come on in.”
Chaz gripped her arm and jerked her back. “I go in first.”
Right. He’s my bodyguard. She meekly stepped out of his way. “The worst thing you’re going to find is a mouse or spider. Take the stairs to the left. My apartment is up there.”
“What is that smell?” He sounded disgusted.
She entered behind him and inhaled. “Spray-paint primer. This is the area where Mack does that, and from how strong it is, I’m guessing he wasn’t here long ago. We leave the back door open to air the place out while he’s spraying.”
“I’m going to check this area over here.”
“The door on the left is the office.” She jerked her head. “To the right is the shop. I wouldn’t go into that area. Mack will have turned on the fans to help his sculptures dry after painting, but it still reeks to high heaven. Come on.” She took the stairs quickly and reached her apartment. The door wasn’t locked, but then, it never was.
“I said I’d go first,” Chaz demanded from behind her. He gently pushed her aside and stepped forward. He stopped dead right inside the door. “Someone has been here. They tossed your belongings. Do you know what they were looking for?”
Jill didn’t know if she should laugh or feel embarrassed. The drawers of the dresser were partially open, clothes hanging out of them. The laundry hamper was overturned in the corner, the contents spilled in a messy pile. The blankets were wadded up at the end of her bed and the pillow was on the nightstand, covering most of her alarm clock. The lamp had been knocked over next to it and was broken.
“Um, stand down, Chaz. This is how I left it.”
He gaped a little at her over his shoulder, appearing stunned.
“Don’t judge me. I had overslept the day I was kidnapped because I went to bed too late, and I kind of bashed my alarm with my pillow while I was still out of it. The lamp breaking was an accident. Then I couldn’t find anything to wear.” She nodded toward her dresser before pointing at her hamper. “I realized what I wanted was probably in there. Mack gets bitchy if I’m really late, and I didn’t want to hear him rant at me again. I would have cleaned it up after my shift.”
He masked his expression. “I see.” Humor sounded in his voice though. “Do you own a suitcase?”
“Boy, do I. I’m the queen of moving.” She strode over to the closet and opened it, pulling out an already-packed duffle. “This is the emergency go-bag I keep ready. Give me a few minutes and I’ll collect the rest of my stuff. She yanked a backpack off the top shelf of the closet and walked into the tiny bathroom.
“Emergency go-bag?”
“Long story, but let’s just say I’ve had to grab shit and leave fast before. My nice clothes are always packed.” She took her makeup bag out of the only drawer in the bathroom, returned to her small living/bedroom, and carefully placed her mother’s urn inside the backpack from on top of the dresser. “I’m ready.”
He seemed surprised. “That’s it?”
“I’m not taking my dirty clothes or what’s in the dresser. They all have holes from sparks flying. I do a lot of the welding for Mack. I have everything I need.”
“What about personal possessions? Humans tend to have pictures and things.”
“In the go-bag already. It’s kind of heavy. Do you mind carrying it?”
Chaz lifted the duffle and slung it on his shoulder. “Lord Aveoth believed this would take a few hours.”
“He was wrong. I do need to leave Mack a note, though. I feel bad about just taking off on him. He’ll have paper and pens in his office.” She went to walk out of the apartment but Chaz blocked her way.
“I go first.”
“Right. Okay. After you.”
He stepped out the door—but then halted so fast she almost slammed into his back.
Five quick, loud blasts sounded, nearly deafening her.
Chaz’s big body jerked repeatedly with those noises then pitched to the side, falling down the stairs.
Jill heard every thud. It shocked her so much that it took her seconds to react and understand those were gunshots.
“Fuck!” Survival instincts kicked in. She lunged, grabbed the door, and slammed it. Guilt ate at her over leaving Chaz, but he was a superhero, body-wise. Gali had said they could survive gunshots. She hoped that was true. Being mostly human meant she’d be dead if she were shot, too.
She stepped to the side, her fingers curling around the top edge of the dresser, and she yanked on it hard. It fell over, blocking the door. She spun and ran into the bathroom.
That door was thinner, but she slammed and locked it. She jumped into the shower/tub combo, put her foot on the corner of the tub, and yanked at the window latch. The window groaned in protest as it swung out. She threw out the backpack first, and then clasped the edges to jump up into the small hole.
The sound of wood smashing came from the other room, and she figured whoever had shot Chaz had just realized breaking down the door wasn’t their only obstacle, as an animalistic snarl followed. Two resounding booms indicated they were perhaps trying to kick the dresser out of the way, but Jill was halfway out of the open window by then, ignoring the pain of having her stomach dig into the thick windowsill.
She looked down at the double Dumpster beside the building, cursing because she knew the landing was going to hurt.
She kicked her legs wildly and bucked, lifting both arms to protect her head as gravity worked to make her fall out the window. She hit the plastic lids below.
Agony shot through one shoulder and her body flipped on impact. She rolled right off the Dumpster before she could recover by trying to grab hold of something, anything, to stay on top of it.
Her side took most of the impact when she slammed into the pavement. Jill lay there panting, hurting, but a noise from above made her turn her head to stare up.
The sight of Fido, his scarred face filled with rage, scared the hell out of her. He was trying to fit his bulky body out of the window, growling at her.
She groaned, favoring her right arm as she stood. The backpack lay a few feet away, and she snatched one of the shoulder straps with her fingers. There was no way she’d leave her mom’s ashes behind. Her legs felt okay but she was limping from her hip feeling out of whack. She headed as quickly as she could toward the gate to escape the backyard.
A man in a suit suddenly opened it before she got there, and she froze.
“Hello, Jillian.” It was the shark.
He pulled something from his breast pocket. She stared in dread as he uncapped the syringe and threw the cap on the ground.
“Your grandfather would like to have a word with you.”
“Fuck you.” She backed up, heart pounding. “Stay away from me!”
A body pressed against her back, stopping her retreat. She twisted her head, staring up at someone new and terrifying. He was tall, bulky, and his big hands clamped down on her shoulders. A cry escaped her at the feeling of excruciating pain. She was pretty sure he’d just dug claws into her skin.
“We knew you’d come back for your mother’s remains, and you didn’t disappoint us.” Shark came at her, looking smug and please
d. “You appear surprised. Your father has had men watching you all your life, Jillian. Your mother was important to you, and Decon had searched your homes many times. He knows her ashes are your most prized possession.”
“That’s a shitty way to put it,” she muttered. “Heartless bastard.”
“It’s true. We gave you to Aveoth knowing you’d come back for that urn, or he’d send someone he trusts to retrieve it for you. Then it was just a waiting game to grab whoever came. But you were our ultimate hope…and here you are.”
“What the hell does that mean?”
“Decker needed a way to control Aveoth. Now we have it. He’ll do whatever we want to get you back.” He waved the syringe. “It’s time for you to sleep.”
“Wait!” She dropped the backpack as her mind worked fast. “Aveoth won’t give a shit if you have me. He’s not the one who just got shot by your people. Do you want to know why?”
Shark’s eyes narrowed.
“Fido was right. Aveoth wanted to kill me because I’m so mouthy. I seduced the goon you idiots shot to get the hell out of there.” She forced a wide grin. “You are so dumb.”
He leaned in close and inhaled. “You smell like Lord Aveoth.”
“Only because the bastard bit me—and I bit him back. He didn’t like that. The scent will fade in a week or so after that nasty blood of his leaves my system. At least that’s what my new boyfriend said. Aveoth was furious that I wasn’t some demure moron ready to bow down to his every whim. He tossed me out of his home so I flirted with…” She jerked her head toward the building. “I can’t even remember his name.”
Fido came rushing at them from the back of the building. He must have given up on fitting through the window. He snarled, flashing fangs at her. She met his glare but then smirked at the shark.
“Cole, isn’t it? Sorry to disappoint, but all you’ve done is rid me of a pain in the ass. Or at least he probably would have been if you hadn’t killed him. He made me promise to mate him if he brought me home.”
“I don’t believe you.” Cole didn’t seem sure though.
“Don’t you think Aveoth would be here if I mattered to him? Do you see him? No. Maybe logic is too complicated for you, but try it for once.”