Chapter 21

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

After Blur closed, I went to Shepard’s office. He was talking on the phone while Cross listened.

“Is he still talking about the mass grave?” I asked quietly.

“You heard about it?”

“I threatened to sic Vena on Detroit if he didn’t tell me.”

Cross grinned and closed the distance between us to kiss my cheek. “Clever, Everly. And, yes, he’s talking about the site. I get the honor of escorting you while Shepard and his crew head to the scene. Are you ready?”

“Yep. Just have to grab my things from my locker. What about Vena?”

“Anchor will take her back to the complex.”

Shepard ended his call and kissed my forehead. “I’ll be home later. Don’t wait up for me.” He turned to Cross. “Thank you for taking her, but this doesn’t give you an invitation to my suite.”

Cross simply smiled at him and took my hand. “You know I never need an invitation.”

Shepard narrowed his eyes at Cross, but I could see there was no heat behind the gaze. “Go on. I have to get the guys on the road.”

When we headed downstairs, only Boulder bristled this time, but it was because we had to pass close to him to get to the lockers.

He immediately stepped back, mumbled an apology, and fled to the main floor.

“You make an impression,” I said teasingly.

“When you’re this handsome, it’s hard not to,” Cross teased back.

“Did you just call yourself handsome?” Vena asked, bumping him out of the way to get to her locker.

“Your hearing did not betray you.”

“Geesh, and people call me conceited.”

“I’m not sure who the people you are referring to are, but I’d disagree with them. You are much more like a fishwife. Loud and abrasive.”

“Aw. You brought back your pet name for me.” She held a hand to her heart. “I thought you’d forgotten.”

Anchor and I shared an eye roll and shooed them out to the parking lot.

I let Cross drive to the pack house so I could check news feeds for information regarding the mass burial while not watching intersections. Unfortunately, I didn’t find anything online. Whatever was happening at the gravesite was being kept a secret for now. Just how many other things were kept from the public?

Cross kissed me sweetly after he parked the car in the lot. “I’ll see you soon.”

I nodded and headed past the guards at the door.

The few people I saw on the way to Shepard’s suite just nodded in greeting but didn’t try to strike up a conversation.

Once inside his rooms, I showered, dressed in pajamas, and headed to bed, only to find Cross there, waiting for me. He was wearing lounge pants and a t-shirt that looked suspiciously like Shepard’s.

“You’re poking the bear,” I said.

“Poking the wolf, actually,” Cross said. He patted the mattress. “Don’t worry. He knows I’m here.”

“Does he know you’re wearing his pajamas?”

“No. That’s a surprise for later.”

I shook my head at Cross’ antics. “Just don’t poke too much. He’s under a lot of pressure.”

“Never fear. I’ve lived a long enough life to know when I tiptoe near someone’s limit. He’s fine.”

Cross opened his arms. “However, I’m not fine. I’m starved for your attention.”

I crawled into bed and found myself wrapped in his arms a second later.

“What do you think is going on with the mass grave?” I asked once I settled in.

“Not to frighten you, but I think this is just the tip of the iceberg.” He kissed my head before turning off the light. “Enough dark thoughts for now. Go to sleep. I know you’re still a little sore from the accident.”

“I am,” I said. “But it was good that I had to work. It kept me moving.”

“Well, if you need any other activities to keep you moving, let me know. Otherwise, time to sleep.”

The feel of his fingers running through my hair followed me into my dreams.

Before I even opened my eyes, I knew Shepard had taken Cross’ place. Cross held me like he couldn’t believe he was holding me, but Shepard wrapped me in his arms like he was afraid I’d escape.

I dragged my hand over the arm caging me from behind. A soft growl reverberated through him, and he tightened his hold when I reached his hand.

“Squeeze any harder, and I’m peeing your bed.”

He chuckled and immediately released me.

“Be right back,” I said, climbing out of bed.

I took an extra moment to brush my teeth before I left the bathroom.

Shepard welcomed me with open arms and held me just as tightly, burying his nose against my neck and breathing me in.

“I guess things weren’t good last night?” I asked.

“Things went from horrific to bleak,” he said. “We found five more—I don’t even know what to call them other than body dumps.” He sounded so sad and tired. “So many people, Everly. It explains why all the nests we found seemed newly turned.”

“Because they were?”

He nodded. “Cross is trying to establish trust with the newer ones he comes across to find out where and how they were turned. There are older vampires out there hiding, just like Adriel and Vivian. Cross thinks his ex is behind this. If she is, she has a network of people helping her.”

“You mean humans?”

“There’s no other way for her to stay so hidden.”

“What can I do to help you?”

“This,” he said, snuggling me closer.

“While you might like this, it’s not actually getting anything done. What if I agree to meet with her and bring you and Cross with me? She didn’t seem bothered by the idea of Cross and me meeting with her before.”

“No.”

That was it. Just one word. It should have annoyed me, but honestly, I was a chicken and didn’t want to meet Cross' ex either.

“Then what are you going to do?”

Shepard lifted his head and looked down at me as I twisted to look back at him.

“Make it harder for them to stay hidden. Too many people have been found to keep this quiet. The police will make a public announcement today.

“Things are going to change quickly,” he said. “I want you to promise you won’t go anywhere alone.”

I smoothed my fingers over his cheeks, noting the stubble.

“Thank you for worrying about me,” I said. “But I’m not asking Detroit to walk me to the bathroom at work.

Shepard scowled at me. “You know that’s not what I was asking.”

“Not yet. But the more you worry, the more you’ll unconsciously smother my freedom. What I’m willing to promise is that I won’t turn off my tracking and will let you know wherever I’m going whenever I leave, okay? I swear I’ll be mindful of the higher danger and not do things that will cause you to worry.”

I saw the disagreement in his gaze and kissed him lightly. When he opened his mouth to argue, despite the kiss, I kissed him again. With tongue.

He growled and flipped us to pin me underneath him with my hands caged above my head. His gaze held mine for several beats before it swept over my face, lingering briefly on my lips.

“I was going to tell you that won’t work to get your way, but I’d be a liar.”

He cut off my soft laughter with an aggressive kiss.

He released me and his hands rode up my sides, skimming my breasts. A second later, he had my shirt off and groaned as he kissed his way down my neck and to the valley of my breasts. I threaded my fingers in his hair, drifting in the sensations he was weaving.

I was so distracted by his mouth I didn’t notice his hands at my waist at first. When I did, I lifted my hips, showing him my trust.

His growl vibrated through my chest a second before I lost my last bit of covering, and his mouth was on me. My hold on his hair shifted from a caress to an anchor as he proved his hunger for me.

I came so hard and fast from his mouth alone that I saw stars.

Panting and in a daze, I stared blankly at the ceiling while I waited for my pulse to slow. Shepard kissed my inner thigh then swept me into his arms to carry me to the bathroom. He set me on my feet as the shower warmed, and he stripped. My gaze unabashedly took in all of him. The muscled limbs, sculpted shoulders, and abs. I fought not to drool.

When he turned to me and held out his hand, I eagerly took it.

I loved showering with Shepard. He washed me with a singular focus, watching my reaction to each soapy caress. I liked everything, but I really loved the way he rubbed my scalp as he shampooed my hair. I was a puddle of relaxation when he finished washing me. It didn’t stop me from stealing the soap from him, though.

His pupils dilated as I ran my slick hands over his chest and down his abs. He claimed my lips for another intense kiss as I wrapped my hands around him and did my best to make him forget his name.

I swallowed his groan and didn’t stop kissing him until he stopped twitching. Panting, he leaned his forehead against mine and slowly washed my stomach. Once I was clean again, we left the shower, and he leaned against the shower as he watched me dry my hair.

“What are your plans today?” Shepard asked, sounding much more relaxed.

“I was going to see if I could make the promised dessert for Blur in your kitchen here.”

“Perfect. I’ll be around, coordinating search efforts and taking calls. Let me know if you need anything.”

He kissed my forehead and left to get dressed.

I spent most of the day in the kitchen, helping the women cook and listening to their conversation. They were worried, which I understood since their mates were out there hunting things that could kill.

Once the women cleaned up lunch, they let me take over the kitchen to make lemon ricotta cheesecakes for both the pack house and Blur. By the time the cheesecake had set, I had to get ready for my shift.

Shepard was in the suite when I walked in.

“Any news?” I asked.

“We’re still searching.” He finished buttoning his shirt. “I heard you helped in the kitchen. Thank you. Are you still up for your shift tonight?”

“Yep.” I gathered my things and headed to the bathroom. “I’ll be ready in a few minutes.”

“I’ll wait for you at the front again. I need to speak with my guys.”

I hurried to dress and grabbed the cheesecake from the kitchen on my way out. Shepard was outside like he said, watching a line of trucks pull away.

When he saw me, he took the cheesecake, inhaled appreciatively, and placed it in the SUV.

“I think Chef Griz will be impressed,” he said.

“I hope so. I thought it would go great with the lamb skewers and herb dip.”

Shepard answered calls and coordinated his people's search efforts as I drove us to Blur. It sounded like the few locations they tried earlier were busts.

Two black SUVs followed us when I pulled into the employee lot.

“Trouble?” I asked.

“Yes. It’s the liaison,” he said with a defeated sigh.

“Liaison to what?”

“Your kind. He is the go-between for your higher-ups and otherworlder higher-ups. I’ll have to talk to him.”

Communication was normally a good thing, but one glance at the black-suited men who got out of the SUVs told me they might not be very good at communicating with words. However, the back door opened, and a different type of man stepped out.

His honey-blonde hair brushed the collar of his tailored suit. He radiated a manicured flawlessness that didn’t seem human because it put me at ease and made me want to please him.

“Is he fae?” I asked.

“No. He’s human. The liaison is always a human that the fae gift with immunity from outside influence and an ability to calm. The side effect is a confidence that draws other humans in, which is probably what you’re feeling right now.”

Shepard opened his door. “Don’t worry. Hugh is harmless enough and good at his job, even without his gifts. Let’s see what he has to say.”

They disappeared inside before Shepard opened my door. He carried the cheesecake and held it away from Boulder, who was sniffing appreciatively as he held the door open.

“That smells delicious.”

“It might become part of the menu,” I said. “That’s if Chef likes it.”

Shepard handed it off once we were inside, kissed my forehead, and left to meet with the liaison. I veered to the kitchen where Griz and Gator were prepping for the night.

“I brought lemon ricotta cheesecake as promised.”

Griz stopped chopping onions to inspect it. “Looks and smells light and refreshing.” He cut into it with a clean knife and placed a slice on a plate. “Visually appetizing.”

I felt like I was in class, but I knew Griz didn’t mean it like he was grading me. He was telling me what he was both looking for and finding.

Picking up a spoon, he dug it into the cheesecake. “The right density.” He sampled the bite and nodded. “Light and refreshing as it looks with a balanced amount of sweet and tart.

“Well done, Everly. I think this is a perfect pairing for the lamb skewers. Let’s offer it to regulars who order lamb skewers during tonight’s service. Head out to the bar. Buzz has something for you to try, too.”

I couldn’t help but smile. It was one thing to get compliments from friends and family, but it was another to get it from someone who took cooking seriously and understood the complexities of taste and texture.

My joy faded a little when I walked out to the main bar and saw Buzz and Tank both quietly standing there with their heads cocked and vacant stares. Buzz held a finger to his lips and slid a drink toward me as he listened to whatever was being said upstairs. I silently sat on the barstool and sampled the pretty purple drink.

A short while later, the liaison walked down the stairs with his guards and left.

Buzz sighed and looked at me. “No need to threaten me with Anchor’s overzealous mate. I’ll tell you anything you want to know as soon as you tell me what you thought of the drink.”

“It’s good. Too fruity to drink a lot of, which is good because it’s strong.” I took another small sip. “Lemon, blackberry, and mint?”

He nodded. “To pair with your cheesecake. See if you can sell them as a set.”

“You got it. Now, what’d you hear?”

“Shepard explained the trouble he’s having getting the fae queen to help. The liaison is setting up a meeting for all the leaders. Shepard, Curran, Effora, and Cross–even though vampires have never been included before.”

The way he said it told me what he thought about that, but I wasn’t offended. Prejudices were hard to shake. That Cross could walk into Blur without being attacked or chased was major progress.

“How long will Shepard have to wait to hear back from him?”

“Not long. The liaison doesn’t play.” He gave me a reassuring smile, and I slipped off my stool to get ready for my shift. That was how Vena found me by the lockers when she came in.

“Hey, my sister from another mister,” she said. “Did you miss me?”

She wiggled her eyebrows and hugged me.

“You’re in a good mood.”

“I am. We took a break after scrying to work on Anchor’s spell.”

“La-la-la-la,” I said, covering my ears.

She laughed and pulled my hands down.

“It’s fine. No details. I promise. Well, about that anyway.

“The scrying stone is really begging to be crushed. We haven’t had a decent lead yet. I’m thinking of heading back to the market. You want to come with?”

“No, thanks. That would probably send both Cross and Shepard through the roof.”

She made a face. “Will your keepers allow you to walk D.C. with me to look for the cat?”

“Doubtful,” I said as we went upstairs.

Shepard put Vena in VIP and me at the bottom of the stairs so I could sell the dessert drink combo to the regulars, which proved to be a success.

We were out of cheesecake within the first hour, and other patrons were full of questions about whether desserts would be common now. They were interested, and I listened to all their thoughts and feedback, making a ton of mental notes.

I was still riding my success high when a commotion broke out at the door several hours later.

“Feeders!” Army yelled from the door.

Every wolf inside Blur bolted for the main door.