Rafael Read online

  “I thought he was dead.”

  “From what I can tell, there was never a burial, just a memorial service. No body could mean no death.”

  “Tell Nikolas that is his primary focus. I will reschedule his place in the rotation. He is to continue digging until he finds this man or at least someone related to him.”

  “Yes my King. Any more from your lady?”

  “She’s not my lady. However, I have decided to go to the Ball this year. It’s a masquerade affair so I will be able to observe her more closely.”

  “This oughta be good.” Julian rarely allowed his vocabulary to lax into slang the way Nik’s did. Rafe laughed at his cousin.

  “Yes, it oughta.” With that, he disconnected.

  Rafe dialed the number he had memorized after the first time she called. “Kane.” Sweet gods, that voice.

  “Chief Kane, this is Rafael Stone returning your call. What may I do for you?” Besides throw you down, strip you naked, and ravish your body?

  “Mr. Stone, there are a few more questions I have for you. I also need to get that security footage you assured me would put you at the office at the time of the murders.”

  “Ah, back to that. I was hoping this was a social call. I will have the security feed sent to your office, unless you would like to look at it here?” What the fuck was he doing? Inviting her to his office last time had been a test of willpower like nothing he’d ever endured and now, he was willingly going to go through it again?

  “As a matter of fact, I would like to see it at your office, not that I think you would tamper with the evidence.”

  “Of course. I have a few errands to run, but I can meet you at my office around noon. Will that be sufficient?”

  “Yes, I will see you then.” The phone disconnected in his ear.

  Obviously his charm was losing its luster. Hers, however, was not. He adjusted the erection that was pushing against his zipper. He could either wait for it to subside, or he could take care of it in the shower. He opted for the latter.

  Chapter 17

  Rafe’s nose picked up the delicious aroma of lavender and vanilla. Today it was mixed with something else: metal? Willow escorted Kaya into his office, and he noted she was wearing her pistol. For some reason, he found her even sexier when she was armed.

  “Please, come in Chief Kane. Willow, we will require the security footage from the day of the murders. We will view it in the conference room. Thank you.”

  “Won’t you have a seat?” Rafe gestured to the same chair she sat in last time she was here. Again she wore the obligatory uniform that did nothing to showcase her figure. Rafe wanted to see her in something more casual, more flattering.

  “No, thank you, Mr. Stone. I have things to do, so I’d prefer to get on with viewing the footage.” Her demeanor was all business. This was very disappointing.

  “Very well, follow me then.” He led her to the room just down the hall where he had earlier set up an elaborate meal. “I was hoping you would join me for lunch. I am starving and cannot eat all of this by myself.” He gestured to the spread of pastas, salad and French bread.

  “Mr. Stone, this isn’t a social visit. I am a busy woman.” A busy woman who was taking inventory of the food in front of her.

  “A busy woman who needs to eat. Miss Kane, when is the last time you enjoyed a home cooked meal?”

  “Are you insinuating I can’t cook?” She had her hands on her hips and a scowl on her face.

  Ah hell. “Not at all, but if you are as busy as I believe you to be, you probably do not take the time to cook for yourself. You either eat out or grab something quick on the way out the door. Am I correct?” Her eyes flashed with annoyance. Yes, he was correct.

  “I would hate for you to throw this out after you went to the trouble of cooking it.” Was she goading him or just being curious?

  “Oh, Miss Kane, I assure you I didn’t cook this. My housekeeper did. My cooking skills are lacking at best. Grilled cheese sandwich is about the extent of my expertise in the kitchen.” Her smile at his honesty lit up the room as well as his libido. Before she could see the evidence rising behind his zipper, he rounded the table and stood behind a tall chair. “Please, have a seat.”

  Kaya took the chair directly across from his, and they dished food onto their plates in silence. Willow came into the room, pushed a button on the wall causing the projector screen to descend from the ceiling. She laid the remote beside Rafe. A few minutes later she returned carrying a tray of drinks. She set them down and left the room without a word.

  “Now, Miss Kane, would you like to watch the footage while we eat or would you rather wait?” Of course, he asked her just as she put a bite of food in her mouth. He watched as she chewed, her tongue sneaking out to lick red sauce off her lips. It was a good thing there was a table between them. Rafe wasn’t sure he had the strength to resist kissing those lips.

  “Now is good. I’m sure it’s going to show exactly what you said. Otherwise we wouldn’t be sitting here.” Of course, she was correct.

  Rafe pressed play on the remote and observed Kaya’s face as she watched the screen. He didn’t have to watch to know what it showed. Were he guilty, Julian could have doctored the feed so well that not even the best forensic lab would be able to tell. As it were, he had nothing to hide. Except the ever present erection in his pants.

  Her face showed nothing other than the acceptance that he told her the truth. He didn’t bother turning the feed off. It continued on throughout the day showing her coming into the office. He knew this part by heart. He had played and rewound this scene until he could see it in his mind without error. He found it most interesting when she stopped and studied the various pictures. “Have you traveled much, Miss Kane?”

  Startled, she jerked her head to look at him. “What?”

  “Travel, have you done much of it? I noticed you looking at the photographs on the wall as if you were reminiscing.” He hoped she said no. He wanted to be the one who showed her the world.

  “Oh, yes. I mean no. I traveled to Europe right after college, but it was a short trip. I wanted to see the world before I got pinned down in a job.”

  Kaya’s mouth held him mesmerized. Her bottom lip was slightly fuller than the top; the kind women paid money to get. Her teeth were white, but the bottom front were slightly crooked. Her eyes lit up when she mentioned Europe, but just as quickly dulled when she spoke of her career. Rafe had inquired into her background and already knew she had followed in her father’s footsteps as one often did when a parent’s life was cut down too early.

  “How do you feel about your career now, Chief? Still living to fight the good fight or are you ready to pass the white hat to someone else?”

  Her face shifted back to that look she got when she was thinking how best to answer as she pushed the empty plate away from her. Rafe wanted to see more looks on her beautiful face, namely those when she was lying underneath him in the throes of passion. He wanted to be closer to her, damn his body’s reaction. He stood and circled the table. He leaned his backside against it, leaving his legs spread to give his twitching cock room to expand. He looked down at her, waiting on a response.

  “Most days, I still feel like I’m making a difference, doing what I am meant to do. Others, I feel like I’m losing traction and the bad guys are winning. What about you, Mr. Stone?”

  “What about me?”

  “You’ve been an architect your whole adult life, correct? Is it still as satisfying as it was the first time you designed a building?”

  Rafe rewarded her with a rare smile. If she only knew the first building he designed was one of those in a painting she gazed upon in the lobby, she would probably run screaming. “Yes, it is. Designing a building that stands hundreds of years is almost indescribable. When you stop to think of all the people who come and go, whose lives leave a footprint in that building and then multiply it by hundreds of buildings; it is really astounding. I feel like I design more than just t
he building, Miss Kane. I create the backdrop to the plays that are life.”

  “Wow, that was…beautiful. Can I ask you something personal?”

  “You can ask, doesn’t mean I’ll answer.”

  “Why the anonymity? Why hide out instead of showing the world who you are?”

  “Is it that important that the people see my face? I am not a Hollywood star who wishes to have his personal life exploited in the tabloids for the world to pick apart. I’m a private person, Miss Kane; I do not crave the limelight. What’s mine is for me to enjoy. Should I ever find someone to share my life with, that will also be done in private.”

  Kaya leaned forward in her chair as if to better hear him. Maybe she just wanted to be closer to him, he wasn’t sure. He took a chance and softly stroked his forefinger along the top of her hand. Instinctively, her hand turned over and clasped his fingers with hers. The look in her eyes was a mixture of lust and uncertainty. Keeping their hands locked, he pulled her to her feet and angled her between his open legs.

  She didn’t hesitate; Kaya moved her body closer to his. In this position, they were almost eye to eye. She reached up with her fingers and touched the scar running through his eyebrow. She would probably wonder what happened there. Hopefully one day he could tell her. Then she traced her fingers down his cheek to run her hand along his jaw. She seemed mesmerized by his whiskers.

  Rafael placed one hand behind her neck, under her ponytail. Wanting to see her blonde hair down, he removed the rubber band, allowing her locks to fall along her back. She seemed to be holding her breath. He threaded his fingers through her hair and pulled her face to his. He rested his forehead against hers, not wanting to move too fast.

  Kaya exhaled and touched her lips to his. Rafe stood from the table and pulled her head back so that she was looking up at him. He grazed his lips over hers, barely on a whisper. When she closed her eyes, he pressed their mouths together. The hum flowing through their bodies was heady. He pulled her hips to his knowing she would feel his erection against her stomach. He wanted her to know how she affected him. When he felt the gasp escape her throat, he lost his control.

  He licked the seam of her lips, asking to be let in. Once she granted permission, he let his lust for her flow through his mouth, rolling off his tongue onto hers. Kaya’s hands moved from his shoulders up into his hair. With every twirl of their tongues, her grip became more frantic; pulling him closer, but at the same time pushing him away. She was as conflicted as he. His hand on her hip moved down to her ass, squeezing. She moaned into his mouth and moved her hips so that she rubbed against his cock.

  The blood was coursing through Rafael’s body, pounding loudly in his ears. If he were smart, he would use his shifter instincts to calm himself, but this out-of-control feeling was new to him. If this was what being mated felt like, he wanted to lock Kaya in his bedroom and never leave.

  When the kiss broke, she pulled away, placing her fingers on her swollen lips. The look she gave him was tormented. “I have to go. I’m….” She didn’t finish her thought. She just rushed out the conference room.

  Fuck. It was probably a good thing she left. Rafe was about 2.5 seconds away from coming in his pants like a teenage boy watching porn for the first time. He raised the rubber band to his nose and inhaled the scent of her shampoo. If he wasn’t sure she was his mate before, he was now.

  Chapter 18

  “This is Katherine Fox reporting live from Lion Hart Gym where New Atlanta resident, Timothy St. Claire, has just been arrested for the assault on several members of the facility. Owner, Geoffrey Hartley, would not give us an interview but eyewitnesses have confirmed that Mr. St. Claire apparently went berserk and attacked not only Mr. Hartley but two of his gym members. We will have a follow-up story tonight at six. Reporting live, this is Katherine Fox.”

  The camera panned out showing the front of the gym. Timothy St. Claire was in handcuffs being put into a patrol car. Bystanders were gaping at the scene, and police were speaking with Mr. Hartley.

  Tessa Blackmore muted the sound on the television when her burner phone rang. “Hello.”

  “Are you watching the news?”

  “Yes, that’s bullshit and we both know it. Tamian is the calmest person alive, well next to you. I didn’t realize he was going by Timothy now. Don’t worry, I’ll get to the bottom of it. Anyway, I’m glad you called. Isabelle left me a voice message. She wants my help with some blood samples. I think she’s stumbled on another one.”

  “You know what to do.”

  “Yep, I’m on it.” She thumbed her phone off and turned the volume back up on the TV. Katherine Fox was a hot little redhead. “Reminds me of myself,” she mused aloud. Once the news report switched back to regularly scheduled programming, Tessa turned the television off and dialed Isabelle’s number.

  “Tessa, I am so glad you returned my call. Please tell me you are in the states and can help me.” Isabelle was always serious and most of the time a little dramatic. She was the polar opposite to her cousin. Even though they were close in age, they didn’t socialize together. Tessa just couldn’t see Belle hanging out at a biker bar.

  Laughing, Tessa replied, “Slow down, Belle. You sound like you’re about to find the cure for cancer.”

  “If I didn’t need your help so bad I would hang up on you. You know I hate Belle.”

  “No, you hate the cartoon. Just remember, Belle’s beast ended up being a handsome prince. Besides, coming from me it’s cute.”

  “You think everything coming from you is cute. Anyway, where are you?”

  “Well, Cuz, you’re in luck. I’m in New Atlanta.”

  “Wait, how long have you been here, and why haven’t you called before now? You know I always want to see you.” Since when? Isabelle never once asked her to visit unless she needed her help. Obviously she needed her now or she wouldn’t be calling.

  “Jesus H, I just got here. Now, give me a few hours to throw my shit together, and I’ll come to you. Are you still at the clinic?”

  “How do you know I’m at the clinic?” Isabelle sounded irritated.

  “Where else would you be? You’re like a dog with a bone when you get your nose to something new or obscure.” Tessa didn’t bother to tell her she had eyes on her cousin. Being the daughter of one of the most infamous doctors in history could lead to danger. Now that Belle had discovered another anomaly in a blood sample, Tessa was afraid shit was fixing to get real.

  “Whatever. And yes, meet me at the clinic.”

  Tessa looked at the phone when she heard the dial tone. Isabelle must be stressing for her just to hang up, but like her cousin said, whatever. She looked at the monitor that was feeding from Isabelle’s office. Her cousin was sitting at her desk, head in her hands. Yep, definitely stressing.

  Isabelle needed a break. She’d been at it all night with no answers. Combing through her father’s journals proved more frustrating than helpful. Her cell phone rang, and she looked at the caller I.D. Not recognizing the number, she almost let it go to voicemail, but she was a doctor. If someone needed her, she should answer.

  “Dr. Sarantos speaking.”

  “Doctor Sarantos, it’s Dane. Dane Abbott. Listen, I know I said I didn’t want any pain pills, but it’s getting worse. Doc, I think I’m dying.”

  “Dane, let me send an ambulance to get you, bring you back in.”

  “No, I don’t want to be a burden. Just please call in the pain medicine to the pharmacy at the hospital. My neighbor’s gonna pick up the scrip for me.”

  “Mr. Abbott, are you sure? I don’t like this. If you won’t come to me, at least let me bring the medicine to you now so you don’t have to wait.”

  “Yeah, okay. You have my address right?”

  “Yes, it’s in your file. I’m leaving now.”

  Isabelle called Tessa. “Listen, I have to run out and see a patient. He’s the one whose blood I want you to test. Can you meet me at his apartment? Ok, I’ll text you the address. See you in
a few.”

  Tessa wasn’t a doctor, far from it, but she had an amazing ability to puzzle through mysteries and come up with a viable solution. If Isabelle didn’t know better, she would think Tessa’s father was the famous doctor turned scientist instead of the crazed tyrant hell-bent on destroying mankind with his army of hybrids.

  Isabelle grabbed a supply of pain medicine that was currently waiting on FDA approval. It was on the last test before getting the go-ahead, and she was sure it was going to go through. It was stronger than ibuprofen but not as addicting as Oxy. When she developed the drug, she’d taken it herself so she felt no qualms about giving it to Dane.

  Her GPS led her to the apartment complex. Tessa was leaning against her black Harley, already waiting on her cousin. Her auburn hair was streaked with bright red and was longer than the last time Isabelle had seen her. Her green eyes were bright, and her one dimple was deep from the grin on her face. Isabelle often felt plain in her presence.

  “How did you get here so fast?” Isabelle asked as she walked past her toward the entrance.

  “I was already in the neighborhood. So what’s up?”

  Isabelle explained her findings to Tessa as they rode the elevator to the third floor. “He called asking for pain medication and he sounded really bad.”

  They found apartment 314 and knocked. When there was no answer, Isabelle knocked louder, “Mr. Abbott, it’s Dr. Sarantos.”

  Tessa reached for the doorknob and turned. Unlocked. She pushed the door open a few inches and peered inside. “Shit.” She opened it all the way to show Dane’s unconscious body on the floor.

  Isabelle knelt down and felt for a pulse. “He’s alive; pulse is strong. Actually, it’s too strong for him to be unconscious. It’s beating like he just ran a marathon. Here, help me get him to the sofa.”