“I don’t know anything about any magic,” Diego said. “But I know about the shit people do to each other.”
Eric regarded him a moment. “Something happened to you, Diego, something beyond your partner being killed, even your father being killed.”
“A lot of things have happened to me.” Diego’s old anger stirred. Cassidy looked up at him, as though sensing his pain, and Diego went back to petting her. She needed the comfort as well. “But they’re not what I’m talking about right now. I want to get Reid. I’m happy to arrest him and lock him up, but first I need to find him.”
“I’ll send some of my trackers to his apartment to have a sniff around,” Eric said. “So we can start looking.”
“I already sent Xav over there to keep an eye on the place. Reid might not go back there, though, now that we know where to find him.” Xav, as angry as Diego about last night’s attack on Cassidy, had been happy to help.
“Reid doesn’t need to go back,” Eric said. “My trackers can fix on his scent and use that to search him out.”
Diego shook his head. “I can’t let you start an all-out hunt. Reid’s still a police officer, and if you hurt him or kill him I might not be able to help you. Cops hate cop killers, even if the cop is a criminal himself.”
Eric gave him a hard green stare. “I can help you find him, Diego. I have resources you don’t.”
“I know that, and I appreciate it. I don’t mind some assistance, Eric, but you have to let me take him down.”
“Fair.” Eric’s voice was mild, but Diego knew better. He’d have to watch him.
Cassidy growled, a throaty rumble, gave Diego’s hand a lick with a rough tongue, then languidly climbed off him.
Her cat was beautiful. Diego thought about the cow crack Reid had made and decided to break one of Reid’s limbs for that.
Cassidy made her way down the hall to her bedroom. Eric suddenly slammed his bottle to the coffee table and climbed to his feet. “I’m grilling outside,” he said. “Stay for supper.”
Shifters couldn’t do something as simple as cook out. The whole family got involved—Jace grilling buns and putting together the extras, neighbors drifting in to lend a hand or contribute food, and earning themselves an unspoken invitation.
Shane’s mother, Nell, came over with a luscious-looking pie. “Blackberry,” she said as she passed Diego. “Bears’ favorite.”
Diego planted himself at the cooker and watched Eric spreading steaks across the grill along with burger patties. Expensive steaks, if Diego were any judge.
Eric had sent his trackers to Reid’s apartment as promised, but he’d instructed them, with Diego standing next to him, to let Xavier take point. Brody and company already liked Xavier—most people did—and agreed. Xav told Diego on the phone that he also didn’t think Reid would show his face at the apartment again, but said he’d work with the trackers and keep them cool.
Diego picked up a spatula and flipped a burger Eric didn’t reach in time. “Next time I’ll bring you some of my mom’s adobada. You’ll sweat into next winter.”
“Sure, human. We need that in this climate from hell.”
“Spicy foods cool you down. Scientific fact.”
“Right.” Eric poked at the meat. “I bet you thought we ate everything raw.”
Diego shrugged. “I figured you hunted it down and dragged it home.”
“I’ve done it. Back in the wild, when there was nothing else.” He gave Diego a serious look. “Then we discovered barbeque sauce.”
Diego chuckled as he took a drink of beer. Then Cassidy walked out of the house, and all coherent thought left him.
She’d changed back to her human form and now wore a white sleeveless blouse, ass-hugging jeans, and sandals with a hint of heel. She’d brushed out her hair, and now it hung past her shoulders, parted simply in front.
Cassidy’s tall body swayed as she walked. She didn’t parade herself; she simply moved without hurry, as she walked to the cooler on the back patio, and all her curves moved in perfect harmony.
Diego wasn’t the only one watching her. Every male within range stopped and stared as Cassidy extracted a beer from the cooler, opened it, lifted the bottle to her lips, and took a long, slow drink. It was like watching heaven. Diego followed the beer spilling down her lucky throat, imagined the sweat on the bottle’s neck as her mouth slid around it.
“Mating need,” Eric said without looking up from the grill.
Diego jumped. “What?”
Eric gestured with his fork at the males whose gazes riveted to Cassidy. “Cassidy is of cub-bearing age, and she’s no longer mated. Males outnumber females around here five to one. Whenever Cassidy walks outside, every unmated male around zeros in on her.”
Diego saw that. Blatantly or subtly, the men watched Cassidy. “And you let them?”
“They can look all they want, but it’s Cassidy’s choice. The males can claim her and fight each other to the death for her, but she can still turn down the mate-claim. The high ratio of males to females means that the females get to be choosy.”
Diego frowned at the hungry stares trained on Cassidy. “What if they don’t wait for her to be choosy?”
Eric flipped a steak. “Cassidy’s my second, plenty dominant enough to make anyone she doesn’t like back off. Plus, she’s my sister. Anyone touches her against her will, they know they’ll answer to me. And, trust me, they don’t want to.”
Diego didn’t have to be Shifter to understand. Eric wouldn’t need to threaten or even look belligerent. Just as in the neighborhood that had spawned Diego, the people here knew who ruled, who could do what, and what would happen if they disobeyed the unspoken rules.
The difference between Diego’s world and Eric’s was that Eric implied he’d respect his sister’s choice. The man who had ruled Diego’s neighborhood had pretty much kept his sister away from all comers, whether she liked it or not. She’d tried to kill her brother one day, just to get away from him.
Cassidy smiled over at Eric and Diego, oblivious that she was the topic of conversation. She came to them and clicked her beer bottle against Diego’s. Diego had a hard time breathing.
Cassidy slipped her hand under Diego’s arm. “Take a walk with me.”
Eric turned back to his burgers and steaks, and Diego let Cassidy move with him to the edge of the party. A few more steps, and they were in darkness.
“I know you and Eric are talking about tracking down Reid,” Cassidy said. “I also know that Eric will try to keep me out of it. But I want to find him.”
Cassidy’s voice held an edge. Diego recognized that edge, having heard it many times from himself.
“I’m going to kick his ass for touching you, Cass,” he said. “I want to, and I can. And if he had anything to do with Donovan’s death, I’ll get him for that too. I promise you.”
Her eyes glittered in the darkness. “Are you going to shut me out too?”
“No. But you were ready to kill Reid tonight. If he hadn’t gotten away, you’d be in deep shit—so deep I wouldn’t be able to get you out of it. You have to let me do this my way. I’ll gather evidence against him to make the charges stick. If I’m careful, I can get Reid convicted for murder, not just assault and abduction. Trust me, I want him to go down.”
“We have to find him first.”
“I’ll find him,” Diego said with conviction. “Xavier and I are good at what we do, we have your brother’s trackers, and Eric seems to be good at what he does too. Between all of us, Reid doesn’t stand a chance.”
Cassidy’s face softened, but he saw the sadness in her eyes. “Diego…”
Diego put his hands on her shoulders. “Believe me, Cass, I’m going to get Reid for even trying to hurt you. And if he had anything to do with your mate’s death, he’ll pay for it. And if he didn’t, I’ll find out what really happened to Donovan, and make whoever killed him pay for it. I swear to you.”
She looked perplexed. “Why would you do all t
his for me?”
Because he understood what she was going through. Someone had killed a person she loved and gotten away with it. Donovan’s death must be an open and festering wound for her, and Diego wanted to heal her.
Diego knew damn well he might never run to ground the men who shot Jobe, might never have the satisfaction of taking his vengeance. But he could at least do this for Cassidy.
Diego squeezed her shoulders. “I’m doing it because you have a great ass.”
Her answering smile flared. “Lots of women have great asses, Diego Escobar.”
Diego slid his hands to the ass in question. “But I like yours best.”
“Yeah?” Cassidy’s touch flowed to his own buttocks. “Yours is pretty nice too.”
Diego caressed her, finding her firm and sweet. “This is dangerous.”
“I like dangerous.”
He touched her Collar, which felt smooth and cool, like an innocent piece of jewelry. “You all right?”
“The Collar didn’t have time to do much damage today. You petting me helped. A lot.”
Her smile sent fires through him. Diego touched the Collar again. “I don’t like to see this hurting you, mi ja.”
Cassidy looked up at him, her eyes full. “Thank you, Diego.” She reached up to him, mouth hot, and Diego kissed her without hesitation.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Cassidy wrapped her arms around Diego’s neck and melted to his heat. They swayed together, mouth to mouth, body to body. Cassidy’s hurt, guilt, and anger receded as she sought him hungrily.
Diego’s mouth was scorching. He opened to her, lips moving on hers, his tongue sweeping in. He pulled her against him, and she felt his obvious wanting, hard and without shame.
Cassidy cupped his buttocks, the fabric of the dark pants he wore for work catching on her fingers. She slid a hand up his chest, feeling his heart beating hard beneath her touch, and worked his tie loose. She liked the heat under his suit coat, felt the frustrating restraint of the leather holster tight against his side. She wanted to touch all of him.
She moved the loosened tie and popped open the first buttons of his shirt. She felt his damp throat, his smooth skin above his T-shirt, curls of hair touching her fingers. Cassidy broke the kiss to lick the hollow of his throat, his dark skin beckoning.
Diego ran his hands through her hair. She’d loved how he’d petted her when she’d been in cat form on his lap, in smooth, comforting strokes. He’d been a friend soothing her hurts, nothing sensual.
Now was all sensual. Diego ran his hand down to the small of her back, pulled her up to him, opened her mouth with his. He slid his fingers beneath her waistband, the low ride of the jeans letting him find the elastic of her panties and caress beneath it.
Out here, in the darkness, alone, Cassidy could drink him in. No shame, no worries. This man was awakening her mating frenzy—awakening all her emotions—for the first time in a long, lonely while.
Diego’s teeth scraped her lips, and Cassidy scooped herself into him, loving it. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him close while his fingers did their dance on the mound of her buttocks.
Something bounded out of the darkness, swerved past them, kept running. Wolf, by the scent. Diego broke the kiss as another wolf charged after the first. The two ran through the scrub, noisily disappearing into darkness again.
Diego looked around, breathless. “What the hell was that?”
Cassidy too tried to catch her breath. “Lupines. Those two just mated. They’re in a mating frenzy.”
“Mating frenzy?”
Cassidy kept her arms around Diego’s neck, not wanting him to step away. “The need to mate—constantly. Mating until you fall dead asleep. Then waking up and doing it all over again.”
Diego smiled his hot smile. “Must be something in the air.”
“Must be.”
Diego kissed her again, leisurely this time. He finished by brushing light kisses to her lower lip. “Cass…”
He was going to ask to sleep with her; she saw it in his eyes. He wanted her. Cassidy would say yes, and she’d love it. It would tear her up inside, because Donovan had been her mate, and she’d never forget that. She was confused, and scared, but still she knew she’d say yes.
A shrill peal cutting the air had Cassidy almost lifting off the ground. She gave a nervous laugh as Diego pulled his cell phone from his pocket. He studied the readout and gave it a regretful look.
“Sorry, Cass. I have to take this.”
Cassidy nodded, folding her arms over her stomach as Diego backed away. He touched the corner of her mouth, still looking regretful, then he turned and headed toward the house as he answered the phone.
Cassidy hung back to watch him walk away in measured strides, a man sure of himself. She liked that he never apologized for kissing her, nor tried to joke about it or express any shame about it. He kissed her because he wanted to. And he enjoyed it. If the phone hadn’t rung… Would she have been sorry for going home with him? Or just loved it?
“Damn, girl.” Lindsay materialized out of the darkness. “I saw that luscious kiss. On a scale of one to ten, I’d give you an eleven.”
“That good, was it?” Cassidy asked distractedly.
“That hot. Lip-smacking, I’m-pea-green-with-envy hot.” Lindsay bumped her hip against Cassidy’s. “What are you going to do about it?”
Cassidy’s throat felt tight. “I don’t know yet.”
“You don’t know? I do. You’re going to go for it. Diego has no human mate, he’s gorgeous, and best of all, he has a brother. For me.”
Any other time, Cassidy would laugh at her, but she was too wound up. “Part of me wants to.” She let out her breath. “All right, most of me wants to, especially the relevant parts of me. But I’m not sure it’s a good idea. It’s still too soon.”
“Cass, Cass, Cass.” Lindsay shook her head. “You don’t have to have the mating ceremony with him. You don’t even have to see him again if you don’t want to. But you’re throwing off pheromones so hard, you’re making me itch. I’m starting to have dreams about Shane and Brody. At the same time. Don’t do that to me. I only want to think about pretty Xavier.”
Cassidy unbent enough to grin. “You want me to jump Diego’s bones so you will calm down?”
“Yes. You owe it to me as your best friend.”
“What you’re really saying is that I should get Diego out of my system.”
“Amen, girlfriend.”
Lindsay had a way of putting things in perspective. Cassidy watched Diego standing between her and the house, having stopped to talk hard into his phone.
Getting Diego out of her system was probably a good idea. But remembering that searing, masterful kiss he’d just given her, Cassidy knew it would never be that simple.
Cassidy started back for the house, ignoring Lindsay’s Atta girl behind her.
Diego finished his call, closed his phone, and waited for Cassidy to catch up to him.
“Cass, I’m sorry, I have to go. There’s something I need to take care of.”
Cassidy’s heart beat faster. “Was that Xavier? Did they find Reid?”
“No.” The warmth in Diego’s eyes had gone, and he seemed distant now, closed off. “It’s a different case. I need to go talk to somebody.” He leaned down and brushed a kiss to her lips. “I don’t know how long this will take.”
Meaning he thought he wouldn’t be coming back tonight. Cassidy folded her arms, trying to suppress her disappointment. “I understand.”
Diego cupped her cheek. “See you tomorrow?”
“Sure.”
Diego smiled again, but absently, as though his thoughts were far away. He kissed her lips again, then turned and left her.
She watched Diego walk to the house, pause and say good night to Eric then Nell, who sat on the Wardens’ back porch in an Adirondack chair, and duck inside. As Cassidy reached the porch she heard Diego’s Thunderbird roar to life then rumble away down the
street.
Eric gave Cassidy a brief, one-armed hug as Cassidy passed him. She returned the hug then sank down into the chair next to Nell’s. Cassidy’s mouth was still hot from Diego’s kisses, and her entire body throbbed.
“You look unhappy, Cass,” Nell said. “What did the human do? Or, wait, maybe it’s something he didn’t do.”
Cassidy shrugged. “Not his fault. He has a demanding job.”
Nell crossed her strong legs and sipped from her beer bottle. “Don’t hit me with your bullshit, sweetie. You’re upset about it. But you need to remember, he’s not Shifter. Most humans hold themselves back, no matter how much their needs scream at them. That’s why they have so many psychologists.”
“Some Shifters are holding back too,” Cassidy said.
Nell patted her hand with her large one. “I know it’s tough, Cass. I lost a mate myself. I know what you’re going through.”
“I know. Thanks, Nell.”
So much loss. That was why Shifters had agreed to human strictures, so they could recuperate from all the loss of their past. To recover, lick their wounds, strengthen. The humans thought they’d confined Shifters and controlled them with the Collars, but Shifters had learned to find strength in communities. They were rebuilding themselves behind the fences humans had erected for them.
Nell lifted her beer bottle. “Doesn’t stop me from wanting a good shag, though. Embarrasses Shane and Brody, but too bad for them.”
Cassidy had to laugh. “They’ll get over it.”
“My boys try to intimidate the hell out of any male I show interest in. Not that males aren’t intimidated by me already. Damn, I wish I were petite.”
Cassidy squeezed Nell’s hand. “Males don’t like alpha females.”
“I know that, the shits. Until there’s a fight. Then they want us to save their asses.”
Cassidy shook her head. “Males.”
“That human of yours is no submissive himself, you know.”
“I figured that out the day I met him,” Cassidy said. “I saved his life, and it seriously pissed him off.”