Chapter Seventeen
‡
“What did you learn?” Devon asked Kalan.
Because of the sensitive nature of the robbery, and the fact the store owner might have witnessed some strange happenings in the form of humans shifting into wolves, Kalan suggested they once more return to one of the department’s interrogation rooms to have their conversation in private.
“Other than blood, nothing was left behind at the scene, and we’ve yet to locate the money. We figure either the men shifted back and grabbed their stuff, or the first man came back for them and cleaned up. We may never know if the men lived or died.”
“Vinea said that she held the gun to the one wolf’s neck and pulled the trigger.”
Kalan lifted one shoulder. “She might have killed him then.”
Wounds to the neck were often fatal. “It really shook her up.” Devon had been surprised by how much.
Kalan’s brows rose. “After hundreds of years being evil?”
“Apparently, the cleansing has really changed her.”
“That’s good to know.”
“Here’s what has me really worried,” Devon said. “If either of the wolves lived, they’ll be able to identify her. And if one of the men died, the Changelings will be out for revenge.”
“What are you going to do? I doubt you can keep her cooped up for the rest of her life.”
He chuckled, but it held little mirth. “I suggested that, but she refuses to quit her job or keep a low profile. She did however agree to stay with me. At least at night, she’ll be safe.”
“What about your Pittsburgh office. Do you think she’d be willing to relocate?”
Devon would have to return at some point. “I’m hoping, but we need more time together before she’s ready to say yes.”
“I understand.” Kalan leaned back in his seat. “I can’t say I blame her for not wanting to hide. If everyone who feared for their life quit their job in order to stay safe, there would be no sheriff’s department.”
“True, but it doesn’t mean I have to like it. She says she can stay safe by disappearing, but I can smell trouble coming.”
“How about asking Finn to keep an ear out for any rumors about either a sardonyx sale or someone buying one of the local stores?” Kalan asked.
“I can do that, but I doubt a Changeling would be stupid enough to mention something like that.”
“I know, but short of bugging the Changelings’ headquarters, I have no other ideas.”
“Hell, maybe you should do that!” Devon said.
“The only person or people capable of not getting caught are Vinea or Ainsley. Even then, there is a risk.”
“I agree. Besides, Brother Jacob is probably paranoid enough to have the place swept on a regular basis.” Devon blew out a breath. “So now what do we do?”
Kalan tossed down the pen he was holding. “Dalton volunteered to snoop around their compound since he’s capable of taking down two or three wolves at a time, but I don’t want to chance him getting caught. Other than pissing off the Changelings, I don’t see how we can learn anything more.”
“Then our only option is to wait for their next move.”
*
When Devon returned home that night, the fire was going and Vinea was in the kitchen. He rushed up to her. “What are you doing up?”
She spun around and placed her hands on his shoulders. “I’m fine. Missy is a miracle worker.”
“You’re the miracle worker.” He ran his gaze up and down her body, detecting no ill effects.
“I’m making us some dinner. I hope you like it.”
“Where did you get the food?” His heart raced. “You didn’t go out, did you?”
She chuckled. “No. I could have changed my appearance and hoped for the best, but instead I asked one of the servers at work if she wouldn’t mind picking up a few things for me. I told her I was sick.”
“That was good thinking, but make sure you remain vigilant.”
Vinea stroked his arms. “You have to stop worrying about me. I’m not going to put my life on hold because of a threat. Hell, if I did that, I’d never go out.”
She was stubborn, yet brave at the same time. “I have an idea, assuming the dinner won’t burn.”
“It’s ready now. How about we eat first, and then have some fun?”
He laughed. Her idea of fun would involve having wild sex, but before they did, he wanted to be convinced that she could handle herself. “Deal.”
Together they served up the baked chicken, green beans, and a salad. “I hope you’ll like this,” she said. “I really don’t know what you like to eat.”
Vinea was trying so hard to please him, and his heart squeezed while his wolf yipped with joy.
You love her! his wolf howled with happiness.
Love? Devon wasn’t sure he would recognize the feeling if it bit him in the ass, but he knew he had this intense need to protect her. And hold her. And make love with her.
“Devon?”
“Oh, I eat almost everything. This looks amazing.”
She gave him a sly smile as if she could read his mind. If she possessed the ability to know his thoughts, he’d be in real trouble.
“Did you learn anything more about the robbery?” she asked.
“No. The owner hasn’t regained consciousness, and Kalan has no leads.”
“So he doesn’t know if I killed those wolves?”
“No.”
She let out a breath, as if relieved he didn’t have confirmation. “What about the owner? If he wakes up, what will he say?”
Devon shook his head. “I don’t know. The owner was shot and then collapsed just as I arrived on the scene. He might not have seen much of anything. At least I hope that’s true.”
“Bottom line, my lead about the robbery backfired.” Vinea looked off to the side, and Devon’s heart went out to her.
“No, it didn’t. At least I saw the three robbers—kind of. If I ran into either of the wolves I fought with again, I’d recognize them.”
Light returned to her eyes. “I hope you never see them.”
Once they finished their meal, he pushed back his chair. “I want you to do something for me.”
“What is it?”
He held out his hands. “Come here.”
Vinea pushed back her chair and stepped in between his outstretched arms. “Make love with you?”
He laughed. “Behave. No, at least not yet. I want you to show me how you could defend against an attack.”
Her brows scrunched. “What do you mean?”
“Let’s say I attacked you. What would you do?”
“Disappear.”
“Show me, but don’t do anything too drastic.”
She smiled. “Okay, I’ll play along.”
“I’ll pretend to kidnap you, and then you do your thing.”
She nodded. Devon reached out and grabbed her arm. A second later she was nowhere to be seen. Devon twisted around and held up his hands in a protective stance. The kitchen drawer that held the knives opened. “I said nothing drastic. Don’t cut me, okay?”
She might have answered, but he couldn’t hear her. Without warning, she pressed a sharp knife against his throat. Even though he believed she wouldn’t harm him, he needed to fend her off. Besides, Devon wanted to understand what she was capable of. He reached out to where he thought her wrist might be, but all he found was air. Dang. She just might be able to do a sneak attack on the Changelings.
He held up his hands. “Okay, that was good.”
Vinea appeared in front of him with a grin on her face, waving the knife. “See?”
“Got any other talents I should know about? I will admit the ability to strangle, cut, shoot, or hit someone when they can’t see you, is good.”
“Hmm.” She paced in front of him. “I used to be able to freeze time.”
“Freeze time? I don’t understand.”
Vinea set down the knife on the dining room table and returned. “Come at me,” she said, holding up her hands in a mock boxer’s pose.
Without asking what she planned to do, he ran toward her, but he wasn’t able to reach her somehow. How was that possible? Even though Devon was totally aware of his thoughts, the world seemed to have stopped. Then as if she’d flipped a switch, he was moving again, only Vinea wasn’t there.
“Over here,” she said waving and smiling.
“That was the strangest thing that has ever happened to me.”
She clapped. “I can’t believe I did that. I wasn’t even sure I could anymore.”
“You really stopped time?”
“Yes!”
“For how long?” His mind spun.
“Five seconds, maybe? It’s really hard to do. I have to keep focused on everything around me.”
“There have to be consequences.” Even if she’d stopped time during the fight with those two wolves, he wasn’t sure how much time it would have gained him.
She shrugged. “I can’t say as I haven’t tried it in years. I honestly didn’t think I had the power anymore.”
“Did everyone in the world lose those few seconds?”
“No. Just those I focus on.”
He wanted to understand the scope of her talent. “So if two people are next to each other, could you stop time for one and not the other?”
“I don’t know, but if they were right next to each other, probably not.”
“Regardless of your accuracy, I have to say I’m impressed.” Devon was quite satisfied that Vinea would be safe against the Changelings.
She moved closer and dragged a finger down his chest. “How impressed?”
He tapped her nose. “Very, but not enough to say you can let your guard down.”
“Don’t worry. Nothing will happen to me.”
“I hope not.”
“Would you miss me if something did?” She sucked in her bottom lip, and his wolf went wild. His balls drew up, and his pulse sped.
Then at the thought of losing her, a strong ache nearly crushed him. “I’d more than miss you. I’d be tormented for the rest of my life.”
She grinned. “You don’t have to go that far. Being sad is good enough.” Vinea winked, and his cock hardened further.
When she looked up at him with her gorgeous green eyes, he could no longer hold back. Devon pulled her so close the pressure from her breasts heated him up from the inside out. Between the relief at her having lived, to knowing she could take care of herself, the tension that had been building all day finally let go.
He ran his fingers across her jaw and then tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Cupping her neck, he leaned in close and whispered, “I want you, Vinea.”
She turned her face and brushed her lips against his. Devon’s cock was on full alert, and it nearly exploded as their kiss became more heated and passionate.
“I’m going to rock your world, Devon McKinnon.”
“Show me what you got, beautiful.”
*
“Get ready,” she said. “This time, I’m going to use my powers.”
His brows furrowed. When she swept a hand over her body and removed all her clothes, his eyes widened. Devon reached out to touch her, but she shook her head.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, obviously upset.
“Don’t move.”
He cocked a brow. “Or what?”
She gave him a sly grin. “Or I’ll put my clothes back on before you can even touch me.”
Devon laughed. “I accept that challenge.”
One minute she was three feet from him and the next, she was over his shoulder in a fireman’s hold. Vinea beat on his back and giggled. “Let me down. I wanted to suck on your cock.”
With a quick swat to her ass, he growled. “Oh, you will definitely get to do that, but first I want to see you try to keep those screams, moans, and adorable little quick breaths to yourself.”
He pushed open the bedroom door and dropped her on her back onto the bed.
She propped herself on her elbows. “Try me.”
“Don’t you worry, my little goddess, I promise I’m not stopping until you scream my name in pure ecstasy.”
Vinea couldn’t wait. Devon toed off his shoes and removed his socks. As if he wasn’t interested in her naked body, he placed the items in the closet. Her mouth drooled in anticipation. He slowly unbuttoned his blue chambray shirt, and his stall tactics only served to make her hornier.
She ran a finger around her nipple. “Need help moving along a little faster?”
“Nope.”
Spoilsport. Once his shirt was open, he unbuttoned his jeans, turned around, and dropped his pants down over his delicious ass. She so wanted to jump off the bed and bite him, but she didn’t.
After he stepped out of his jeans, he eased his briefs down over his finer than fine butt.
Okay. That was it. She couldn’t take the teasing any longer and had to finger herself in order to get some satisfaction. Wiggling her digit around, she searched for that spot Devon had discovered. She failed, but it was better than doing nothing. Damn man needed to hurry.
When he was naked, he kicked his jeans and briefs closer to the door then turned around. “You’re an impatient little minx!”
He stalked toward her with pure desire in his eyes. “What? I thought you forgot about me over here,” she said with a pout.
“Oh I could never forget about you, but by all means continue.” He crossed his arms.
“Like this?” she asked, pretending she wasn’t sure what he meant.
Vinea removed her finger and dragged her juices over each of her nipples. His eyes turned amber, and the hair on his arms thickened. Keeping his gaze on her face, he placed one knee on the bed and leaned close.
“Exactly like that, and now you will see how I do things.” He bent down and sucked her nipple so hard that her body arched up uncontrollably.
Oh, she was so ready for that.