Rafael Read online

  Looking around, Gordon found the ladder the albino must have used when securing the man to the beams. Carefully, he climbed far enough up to cut the rope. The lifeless body dropped ten feet, landing hard on the concrete floor. A few broken bones wouldn’t make a difference in the end.

  For a few moments, Flanagan just stared at the face that had haunted him for years. A face he saw in the mirror every day. Nudging the body with his foot, he rolled him over until he was flat on his back, hands that were still bound by the rope lying askew.

  Gordon bent down and grabbed his cheeks with one hand and shook. “Wake up, Magnus.” Getting no response, he slapped him across the face, leaving a huge hand print on his left cheek.

  “I said wake up Goddammit!” After another slap to the face, the man’s eyelids fluttered, focusing enough to tell who was yelling at him.

  Gordon ripped the tape off his mouth, knowing the man wouldn’t scream, but even if he could, nobody would hear him. “Hello, Magnus. It’s been a long time, Brother.”

  “Now, tell me where she is…”

  Rafe’s brothers Dante and Gregor, along with their cousins Julian, Geoffrey, Nikolas, and Mason, were standing around the conference room. Dante was the only one using the family surname of Di Pietro. The others adopted more common, modernized names when they left Europe. There were many more of their kind scattered throughout the city and surrounding states. Rafael was their King, and he and his circle ruled all of the Society in the Americas. His brother Sinclair ruled over the west coast. Each led a team that took turns patrolling the city for Unholy.

  “Sorry I’m late. I’m sure by now you’ve all heard about the killings at the warehouse. Dante, what did you find out?” The men took their seats, and Dante confirmed what he suspected earlier.

  “I was right about them being poisoned. It was a super strain of wolfsbane. It was injected through the scalp making a puncture wound virtually undetectable.”

  “Wolfsbane? Isn’t that harvested in the Alps?” Julian was practically a walking encyclopedia.

  “Yes, Jules. Someone would need resources overseas.” Dante confirmed his cousin’s question. “I put in a call to the chief to relay this information, but I have yet to hear from her.”

  Still standing, Rafe crossed his arms over his chest. “That’s because she was here.” There was a rumble throughout the room that included a medley of What? Excuse me? Here? And, you’re fucking kidding me. Rafe waited for the surprised men to quiet down. “Yes, I allowed an outsider in, but there’s a reason. A very good reason and we’ll get to that in a minute. First, back to the murders. If Magnus Flanagan is alive, we need to help find him. Gordon is going to cause chaos until he finds his wife and daughter. If he has his twin, the turmoil will be unlike anything we’ve seen in a long time. I just don’t understand why Magnus would choose to surface now after hiding for so long.

  “Julian, I want your team to install security systems on all the warehouses. Have them monitor the feed around the clock. If someone used our property as a dumping ground once, there’s a chance they’ll do it again. Then I want you to personally inspect the hotel. I want DNA samples from Magnus Flanagan’s room. Something about him showing up in public after all this time doesn’t make sense. Even if he were trying to draw his brother out, he could have done it in a more subtle way.

  “I will take your patrol tonight. Mason, you’re with me. Dante, you and your crew take the south, west, and east. Mason and I will take north. Gregor, any rumors from inside the Pen?”

  “Some, but not any we can verify as of yet. We should probably put someone undercover on the inside. If Flanagan does have Magnus, we need to find his base camp and quickly.”

  “I think that’s a good idea. We have been too lax in looking for him over the years. I will leave the details of that up to you and Geoffrey. Does anyone have anything else?”

  Nikolas spoke up, “Yeah, why was the sexy chief of police visiting you?”

  Rafe arched an eyebrow at his cousin, “Sexy?”

  Nik just shrugged while grinning at him.

  “Since you asked, I require your help with the archives. I want you to look up anything and everything that has to do with bonding to a human.” That brought on more rumblings through the room, everyone asking questions at the same time.

  He held up his hands. When the men calmed down he continued, “Gregor and Dante, you two have been around Chief Kane. Have you ever felt anything out of the ordinary from being in her presence?”

  Both men shook their heads no.

  “Frey, what about when you trained her at the gym, anything?”

  Geoffrey also confirmed that he did not.

  “Earlier when I returned her phone call, her voice alone caused the same type of stirrings that are brought on by the nearness of one’s mate.”

  Julian clarified, “You mean you got wood?” This was not meant as a joke, and the other circle members were equally as intrigued. Finding a mate as a Goyle was a rare occurrence, and if there were any possibility of mating with a human, it would be a blessing. It just wasn’t heard of.

  “Yes, Jules. If she could cause that type of reaction over the phone, I wanted to find out what would happen in her presence. So I invited her to come to my office for her interrogation. I just left my meeting with her before I walked in here.”

  Gregor asked, “How did that go? Were you able to control yourself?”

  “It was very difficult. Her scent alone is intoxicating, and when I brushed against her, I thought I would pass out. Nik, please go to the family library immediately and search every book, every journal. I prefer to keep this between us for now. I do not want to get hopes up where there are none.”

  “You have my word, my King; I will find an answer for you.” Nik bowed his head in respect. Rafe did not rule with an iron fist nor did he expect to be put on a pedestal. He treated his Clan as brothers, family. When one of them did bow to him, he felt it in his heart. They loved him and would do anything for him. He was a good and just ruler.

  “Thank you my brother. If there is nothing further, I am ready to hit the air.”

  On their way out the door, Rafael stopped Julian. “I want you to get me everything you can find on Chief Kane.”

  Julian nodded, “Will do.”

  Chapter 6

  Kaya could not concentrate on anything other than Rafael Stone. Driving to the hotel, she missed more than one turn. She finally pulled into the circular drive at the Westwood Plaza, formerly the Westin. It was one of the few larger hotels that had not been leveled in 2014. The area was slowly seeing a renewed growth, but New Atlanta was not the international hub it had once been. She pulled her cruiser to the front door and flashed her badge at the valet.

  Walking through the sliding-glass doors into the lobby, she surveyed the surroundings. She had sent another detective, Kyle Jorgenson, on ahead to lock down the hotel and begin the initial investigation. Either he had all the news people tied up in a room or the hotel staff had done an excellent job in concealing the kidnapping. She was certainly surprised to not see Katherine Fox nosing around.

  Dane and Jorgenson stepped out of the elevator together. As she approached them she asked, “Kyle, what do we have?”

  “The delegates were to begin the day together with breakfast at 8:00. The Vice President, his aide, and four others were the only ones in attendance. After waiting on the other delegates for thirty minutes, Vice President Reed sent several of his security detail to look for them. When there was no answer at any of the doors, they alerted the hotel manager who gave them access to the rooms. All of them were found empty. Nothing appeared out of the ordinary; all beds looked like they had been slept in. The Vice President has gone back to his own hotel.”

  Kyle had gone over the security footage. Somewhere around one a.m. the video feed had been set on a loop and then was reset around four a.m. That meant they needed to find out what had transpired in the three missing hours. Whoever pulled this off must have had insid
e help.

  Kaya held a printout listing the delegates in attendance. “I have already sent the list of names of the deceased to the Governor’s office. I’m going to let him notify the families. You two interview the staff and go back over the rooms when CSU is finished.”

  Dane took the list and asked, “How did the meeting with Rafael Stone go?”

  She pulled another list out of her pocket and handed it to him. “He has several alibis for the time of the murders. Call them tomorrow and set up interviews to get their statements. Also, we need to find Elizabeth Flanagan and figure out why her brother-in-law decided to surface now.”

  “I will call the people on the list but finding Elizabeth Flanagan is going to take time. I have a lead to check out too, but I’ll wait to see if it pans out before I give you the details.”

  “Okay, call me when you two are finished here.” She left them to their work and headed out.

  Driving home, her thoughts once again drifted to Rafael. Sitting in close proximity to the man caused her pussy to throb with a need like she had never felt before. Being a police officer was not a good occupation for a healthy relationship, and she wasn’t the one night stand type. Many years had passed since she’d been with a man. Being the chief of police was like a dating death sentence. She didn’t have time to date, but even if she took time her choices were almost nil as she refused to go out with anyone she worked with. The list of available bachelors in New Atlanta was a short one.

  Rafael was on that list, as were his brothers, but dating a suspect went against all protocol. Until he was cleared, he was off-limits. Besides, a man like Rafael Stone probably preferred petite, frilly women over athletic tomboys. Her closet was lacking in the fancy dress section. The policeman’s ball was the only time she ever dressed up.

  Kaya counted herself lucky to have seen the man in person. He was an enigma, and rumors ran amok from him being disfigured to hideously ugly to gay. Rafael was definitely no monster. It was possible he was agoraphobic, but she didn’t think so. The family built beautiful buildings including the state penitentiary that his brother Gregor oversaw. One wouldn’t normally describe a prison as beautiful, but the same ornate stonework was used on it as with the downtown office buildings. If the newspaper reports were correct, Rafael and the Stone family donated millions to local charities.

  Kaya, having arrived home, parked at the side of her two-bedroom house and shut the engine off. She leaned her forearms against the steering wheel and clasped her hands together. Why him? She was around men all the time, but never had one affected her the way he did. She couldn’t wait to get inside, grab a glass of wine, and strip down to her lace thong. She might not date, but she didn’t deprive herself of artificial gratification.

  Her modest home was situated on the north side of town and sat back off the road. Tall oak trees lined both side yards offering privacy from the prying eyes of neighbors. If her neighbors could actually see, they might be nosy, but she lived in the house she grew up in. The neighbors on either side were both getting on in age, and the only things they worried about watching were The Golden Girls reruns or the six o’clock news. Fifty years later and the four ladies of Old Florida were still making people laugh.

  Now inside, she pulled off her boots and socks, scrunching her toes in the plush carpet of her living room. She enjoyed the feeling of being barefoot because it meant she was home. No boots meant she wasn’t in the office doing paperwork or at a crime scene staring at the loss of humanity. Her father had been chief when she was a little girl. He was outside Jonas Montague’s clinic trying to calm the rioters when the first blast went off. Kaya was three at the time. She grew up knowing she would follow in his footsteps. She had vowed at an early age to put away every derelict in her city.

  Opening the refrigerator, she pulled out a bottle of Riesling and poured a tall glass. The wine was sweet and tart at the same time. The cold hit her tongue and felt good sliding down her throat. It quenched her thirst but did nothing to slake the fire that was still smoldering between her legs. She double-checked the doors and set the alarm.

  Thinking of the rugged architect and drinking wine was a dangerous mixture. Both caused her body to heat from the inside out. Kaya sat her wine on the nightstand then opened the window in her bedroom. The weather in October was a crap shoot. One year it was cool with the next being humid. Luckily this year was pleasant. The moon was almost full and was high in the sky, casting a soft glow through the window into her room. The thin lace curtain was fluttering from the breeze.

  Humming a tune, she began removing her clothes, slowly, seductively, as if Rafael were watching. Starting at the top of her blouse, she slid each button through its hole. With a small shimmy of her shoulders, the top slid down her arms, falling to the floor. Next she unbuttoned her pants and slid the zipper down. Slowly. Hooking her thumbs under the waist band, she pushed them down her legs, letting her hips sway. She stepped out of each pant leg and kicked them out of the way. The clasp of her bra was between her breasts. Breasts that were now heavy with need. Her nipples hardened as the silk material scraped across the sensitive nubs. The bra landed on the floor with her shirt.

  Kaya took a sip of wine and touched the glass to one nipple, then the next. She watched as they puckered even more. She downed the last of the fruit of the vine and let it intoxicate her just a little more. Tossing the now empty goblet to her bed, she allowed her body to sway in time to the sounds coming from her throat. She released her long blonde locks from the band that held them captive. Shaking it loose, her hair fell in silky waves down her back. Closing her eyes, she continued to seduce her invisible lover, circling her hips just above his ghostly lap.

  She ran her hands up her smooth stomach until she reached her aching breasts. Kneading, rubbing, twisting, pulling, she could feel the wet between her legs at the thought of Rafael’s mouth teasing each nipple while his hand found her core. Her silky thong was soaked through with her juices. Kaya slipped her hand under the material and cupped herself. Dipping two fingers between her folds, she continued her slow lap dance for her absent tormentor. Thoughts of Rafael being the one to pleasure her body stoked the fire in her belly, flames that were ready to descend to where she was rubbing her clit. With a couple flicks of her fingers, she moaned as she came.

  Chapter 7

  Rafe had flown with Mason several times. The younger Goyle was mastering his changes like a pro. Gargoyle shifters were quite different than the gothic stone figures depicted on buildings. They were primordial beings. Even though they had human traits, they were full-blooded Gargoyle. There were various phases of changing, those being extending claws, elongating fangs, and unfurling wings. The skin of the male Gargoyle was virtually indestructible. It was thicker than human skin but didn’t feel any different to the touch. One of the few things that could penetrate it was the fangs of another shifter. The older the Goyle, the faster and more innate the phasing became.

  Rafe led Mason through the sky to the north of the city at a safe level. Humans rarely looked up. Should they happen to, they would think they were seeing a large bird.

  Kaya Kane lived north of the city. It was no coincidence he chose this quadrant to patrol. The pull he felt when around her was too strong to ignore. As he and his young protégé closed in on her home, he told Mason to separate for a twenty block radius. Rafe continued to Kaya’s house until he hovered just outside. The only light on in the house was on the back side. The glow from a lamp along with the moon’s beams made it just bright enough that he could see Kaya through the thin curtain covering the window. Having excellent hearing, the tune she was humming sounded like a lullaby in his ear. The melody ramped up to a sexy number as she began to undress. Rafael found a tree limb to perch on so he could give the show inside all of his attention.

  Her blouse fell from her arms as did her pants, then her bra. The wine glass caressing her nipples caused a jealous stir in his chest. His tongue should be the cause of moisture on her beautiful breasts,
not a piece of glass. This slow dance felt as though it were choreographed just for him. His cock was straining against the fatigues he was wearing. His fangs ached to burst forth from his gums and claws scratched at the inside of his skin, begging for release. Kaya’s hand slid beneath the thin layer covering her mound, and he could smell her arousal as if his nose were buried where her hand was.

  Her breathing hitched, and her hand sped with the need for release. When Kaya yelled his name, Rafe had to grab his cock and squeeze. Fucking hell. Motherfucking hell. She was thinking of him! Mate or not, Rafael was going to bed this beauty and soon. The flap of wings brought Rafe out of his private viewing. With one last lustful gaze, he launched from the tree into the sky.

  “All was quiet except for a human bar brawl that spilled into the back alley,” Mason reported as they met in the air.

  “Very good. Let’s head toward the warehouse where the murders happened. I want to take a look around.”

  Mason flanked Rafael as they flew in silence, keen eyes watching the streets below. As they approached the warehouse, Rafe listened, scanning for humans. Finding none in the area, they made their descent. They landed soundlessly on the ground beside the loading dock, both tucking in their leathery wings. The King took in their surroundings, first by closing his eyes and smelling. Gargoyle senses were always heightened no matter what form they were in. Next he scanned the area, looking for anything the CSU team may have missed.

  He and Mason split up to cover more ground. After several minutes he called for his young cousin, “Mason, come check this out.” Rafe was squatting by a set of tire tracks hidden behind a row of saplings. “What do you see?”

  Mason pointed at the tracks. “Tread, large vehicle probably a van or an SUV. Makes sense the killer would have used a van so he could haul more people. An SUV is large but the seats would have to be removed. Tread appears to be from a late model Ford panel truck with the wheels out of alignment on the right side.”