Chapter Ten
The sound inside the suite was loud. Kieran grimaced as he and Dakota stood outside the door. He was freshly showered and changed but tired. He didn’t really want to do this, but he did want to see the teens before they left.
“It won’t be that bad,” Dakota said. She knocked on the door, grinning. “Just give them an hour.”
“They’re here!” He heard Carmen shout.
“Calm down and let me get the door. Turn that music down, too. They’ve had a long night,” Luca called.
Dakota glanced at him. “Oh, come on! This will be fun. You need more fun in your life.”
“I have fun,” he argued. She snorted in response. “I do!”
The door opened. Luca stood there was a big smile on his face. “Thanks for coming. I know it’s a lot to ask, but the kids really wanted to see you.”
“We don’t mind,” Dakota replied.
“Well, come in. Jackson sent up some room service. There’s plenty for everyone. Some of the food’s not bad. As long as you get past the corndogs, pizza pockets, cheese sticks and cake.”
“I love cheese sticks.” Kieran pushed his way past. Not only was he hungry for food, but he’d have to get blood soon, too. In the meantime, he really did love cheese sticks.
“We have five kinds of dipping sauce.” Adam pointed to a tray. “I don’t know what that pink stuff is, but the other ones are good.”
“Horseradish,” a tall man beside Adam stated. He smelt of shifter, wolf, and eyed Kieran warily.
Kieran dipped his head before stealing a stick from Adam. He shoved it into his mouth.
“He’s an adult,” Dakota said behind him. “I swear.”
Kieran merely grinned before grabbing more food.
“Let me introduce you around,” Luca said. “Cole is one of the team leaders at the Coalition.” He pointed. “Sitting there is Abilene, a pretty badass agent. She also puts up with one of the absolute craziest tiger shifters I’ve ever met.” Abilene flipped him off before going back to eating a salad that didn’t look appealing at all.
“And this”—Luca held out a hand—“is the love of my life. My mate, Jade.”
“Hello.” Jade waved. “Thanks for getting Luca stabbed in the leg and a chunk taken out of him.”
“He healed,” Kieran quipped.
Jade laughed. “Yes, he did. But now he’ll be absolutely insufferable, going on and on about taking on a Walker.”
Kieran shrugged. “He actually did a good job.”
Jade frowned. “Please don’t encourage him.”
“I’m Kieran and I’m hungry,” he said. “That’s Dakota. Don’t fuck with her and we’ll all get along well.”
“Language.” Dakota smacked the back of his head.
“It’s not like they haven’t heard bad words before,” Kieran griped.
“They need good influences. No more running around on the streets. From here on out, they’ll act their ages,” Luca said. He glared at the teens. “Isn’t that right?”
“Yes,” Jeremy and Carmen said together. Adam squinted at him.
“Right, Adam?” Luca stressed.
“Yeah, sure.”
No one believed Adam for a second. It was almost funny. Kieran bent so he was eye to eye with the teen. “Don’t think you can pull anything over on these guys. They’re trained agents. If you get into trouble, I’m going to drive down and kick your ass.”
Adam swallowed hard. “O…okay. I’ll behave.”
“Good.” Kieran nodded. “Now, where’s the booze? I deserve a drink.”
“Dakota! Let me show you the new clothes I got today.” Carmen tugged on her hand.
Kieran was glad he didn’t have to go look at clothes. Instead he sat between Adam and Jeremy. Cole was smiling then took a seat across from Kieran.
“You’re going to have to tell us the real story of how Luca attacked the Walker. I don’t believe a word he says,” Cole said.
“Hey! Fuck you, man,” Luca groused.
“Language!” Dakota and Jade yelled.
“Okay.” Kieran started to pile a plate with more food. He didn’t worry about healthy choices, though. He chose the same stuff that the boys did. “So I’m facing off with my cousins. Both are real bad dudes. But Marcel always liked to pretend to be in charge. So he’s there running his mouth with Luca sneaking up behind him and Elijah.” He didn’t plan to tell the entire story and he had to keep it PG rated, but he could see the excitement on Adam’s and Jeremy’s faces.
“I was like a ninja,” Luca said.
Cole snorted. “Yeah, right, man. I’ve fought beside you. You’d trip over your own feet.”
“I’m a machine,” Luca argued. “I could take them on again.”
“Anyway,” Kieran said loudly. “I’m keeping Marcel busy as Elijah is cowering behind him. Luca launches himself at Elijah.”
“It was badass!” Luca whispered. Probably so he wouldn’t get in trouble again.
“As Luca strikes, I go after Marcel. There I am battling my older cousin and I hear a roar. It was terrifying.”
“Because I’m a badass!” Luca repeated.
“Luca!” Jade yelled.
“Badass,” Luca murmured.
“Who’s been tamed by a wee little human,” Cole taunted.
“You want to talk about who’s been neutered, wolf? How about I get your mate on the phone, Alpha?” Luca responded.
“You’re an Alpha?” Adam asked.
Cole nodded.
“But we’re telling my story,” Luca said. “Cole can tell you later how he was given one of the largest Packs in the state.”
Kieran laughed. He’d never thought he’d joke around with shifters like this. Fuck, he was actually surrounded by them, with only one human in the mix.
Six weeks ago this would have been impossible.
Ever since he’d taken down the ones responsible for his years of torment, Kieran had been working up to this moment.
Acceptance.
He’d found it not only in himself but those around him. Caspar had told him to embrace his powers, who he was. Kieran was doing more than that, though.
He was embracing his life.
The one that he had. The one that he would have.
Kieran was a monster. He was a hero. A lover, friend, agent and so much more.
* * * *
Dakota held on to Kieran’s hand until he’d closed the bedroom door behind them. It had been a long night—shit, it had been a long few days. But the worst was behind them.
In a few hours, the Organization would be prosecuting Marcel and Elijah. They’d have a lawyer. Even be given the opportunity to defend themselves. However, Dakota was certain that Caspar would make sure they paid for all their sins.
The three teens had a home, finally. Luca would be leaving later that day to take the three shifters to his parents’ home. She couldn’t think of a better ending for them.
“Why’re you so quiet?” Kieran asked.
He was slowly undressing, looking exhausted.
So maybe not everything was settled. She knew that they would be facing Kieran’s father sooner rather than later. But, at least they’d do so together, with the help of their friends. It wouldn’t be easy—the Argent clan had a lot of power. Kieran had love, though. It sounded cliché and overly romantic, yet Dakota had faith.
“Dakota, you okay?”
“Yeah, just tired, I guess.”
Kieran dropped his shirt on the floor where his boots and socks already were. “Just think. If we didn’t deserve a vacation before, we do now.”
“That’s a good point.” She began to strip while walking to her own side of the bed. “So, beach or mountains?”
“Anywhere other than Texas is fine by me.”
Dakota laughed. “Yeah. I hear it’s hot there.”
“I could take you to Paris,” Kieran said. “Wouldn’t that be romantic?”
She pulled back the blankets. “Come on. Climb in.” Kieran slid onto the cool sheets before putting his arm around her. She flipped the covers over them. Dakota snuggled into his chest. “We could just stay in the suite. Not answer the door or phones,” she suggested.
“That would fine for a couple of days. The more I think about it, though, the more I really want to take you somewhere. Away from the city and all of our responsibilities.”
“Maybe for a week or two, that would be nice. But then we’ll come home.”
He brushed his lips over her forehead. Dakota felt treasured, lying with him like that. Kieran might be a badass Walker, probably one of the most powerful paranormals in the world, but he was also so gentle with her.
“I can’t believe this is where I feel at home. I hate this city.”
“You hated it,” she corrected. “We both know that it’s grown on you. That’s why you hunt where the locals are—to protect them. You could use Jackson’s feeders or some tourist downstairs. Instead, you go out of your way to take care of the residents.”
“If I have to live here, I might as well take care of the people who are trying to just make a living,” Kieran said.
“Well, I’m up for reassignment in a couple of months. I guess we could see about moving,” she said.
Kieran stiffened. “What? Why didn’t you tell me?”
Dakota laughed. “I already requested to stay. Caspar approved the paperwork as soon as he took over.”
“That wasn’t funny,” Kieran bitched. “We just bought this place.”
“I just wanted to check that you haven’t changed your mind.” That and she enjoyed messing with him.
Kieran rolled her over until she was on her back with him leaning over her. “You’re becoming such a smartass.”
“You must be rubbing off on me.”
“Oh, I’ll rub off on you all right.” He kissed her while he did indeed start to rub his hardening erection against her leg.
“I hope you’ll do more than that.”
Kieran laughed. “If I wasn’t so tired, I’d show you what I can do many times. Instead, I’ll just have to love you long and slow tonight.”
Dakota threw her arms around his neck. “Show me.”
“Maybe I have more energy than I thought.” Kieran sat up to position himself between her legs.
“You always do,” she said. Dakota closed her eyes to enjoy the feel of his tongue over her collarbone and lower. She gave herself to her lover. Kieran would always be there to take care of her.