Bad Mouth

chapter Five


Val’s nerves were strung tighter than piano wire by the time she arrived at Kade’s door with Graham. Her disquiet had only grown with each step that brought her closer to Kade. He was like no other vampire she’d encountered, and her physical response to him was like nothing she’d felt for any man, even for Will.

“I’ll deal with him today.” Graham nearly growled the command. Her instincts said to growl back, but maybe he had the right idea. She felt like prey around Kade.

“All right.”

His head spun toward her so fast, she worried he’d given himself whiplash. “No arguments?”

“Why would I argue?”

He laughed, and she realized it was the first time he’d done so since they’d met with the Ancients. She’d missed his lighthearted humor. “Well, you’re a bit of a control freak, V.”

She sent him a grudging smile. “Maybe. Just don’t put your foot in it like you did last night, and I’ll be fine.” Like she’d done any better.

“You could have told me he was royalty.” A scowl marred his pretty-boy face.

“And I would have if I’d known. I was as surprised as you were.”

“You knew before I did, judging by that death glare you gave me.”

“All right. You’re forgiven. You missed that part of the conversation.” She patted his arm affectionately and then held on a moment. Her voice softened. “I’ve missed your friendship, Graham. I don’t know how I would have picked myself back up without you after…you know.”

His expression tightened and then relaxed into a soft smile. He put a hand over hers. “I missed you, too. I’m sorry for pushing you. I know what you’ve been through and I should have been more understanding.”

The door to the suite swung open and Kade filled the doorway, tall and imposing. He looked deliciously disheveled in his worn jeans and navy T-shirt, the color’s intensity turning his irises a deep crimson. His hot glare went back and forth between her and Graham, and then his eyes narrowed on their joined hands on Graham’s arm. “You a*sholes gonna stand out here all day, or shall we get this shit over with?”

Heat infused her cheeks, though she couldn’t be sure whether his language or his possessive gaze caused her uncharacteristic blush. “I’d rather you keep that language to yourself.”

“I’d rather you found someone other than me to work with.” He stepped forward, towering over her as if to intimidate. Her gaze went straight to the hollow at the base of his throat where the V of his shirt’s neckline framed smooth, taut skin. Would it be cold against her tongue or warm like his hand the night before?

She cleared her throat. “There is no one else.” She didn’t care if he thought she’d prefer anyone other than him.

“Then get used to the language, sweetheart.” His words formed a low, sexy rumble near her ear. Oh. More shivers. Big surprise that her body continued to betray her. Kade stalked toward the elevators without a backward glance. Graham nudged her forward.

“I thought I was the one dealing with him today,” Graham whispered in her ear. His voice was deep and rumbly, too. Why didn’t it give her the same thrill? Her friend was an incredibly handsome man with a wealth of charm. For the first time, she wished she could see him in that light. Her life would be so much easier.

“You are.” She brushed his arm again, this time with an edge of nervousness. She didn’t know what to make of Kade, having become accustomed to working with more polished men, lawyers, businessmen, and politicians. Something about his crude humor made her want to laugh inappropriately. He was anything but polished.

Her father, Kade’s polar opposite, would not be proud.

They didn’t speak on the trip down to the lobby. Kade held the door open for her. Strange that he’d be chivalrous when he seemed like such a degenerate. A limousine awaited them, the driver standing by the open door. Kade held his hand out to help her into her seat, and she hesitated only a moment before taking it. Warm again. She thought older vampires were supposed to be cold, their heartbeats slowed to a near stop.

He crowded in beside her, leaving Graham to sit opposite them, which her friend seemed none too happy about, judging by his heavy frown. Kade’s muscular thigh brushed against her slender one. His large frame took up most of the seat.

“Where?” Kade aimed his clipped tone at Graham.

“Wallingford.” Graham’s manner matched Kade’s as he handed the vampire a business card with an address on the back. Somehow, he didn’t pull off the alpha-male bit as well as Kade. Within moments, the limo pulled away from the curb and she wondered how the driver knew where to go.

“Who are we interviewing?” Kade looked at her, but Graham answered the question, his hard expression making it clear he was in charge this time. She squirmed, finding it hard to give up her accustomed control, but Graham had been the one to initially interview this witness.

“A Legion named Eva Langley. She’s young, less than a hundred years old. She found the body of a human male at Gas Works Park.”

Kade’s face went blank and cold, his thigh moving away from hers. “Very well.”

“Do you know Eva?” She couldn’t help herself. She couldn’t sit silently with her curiosity roused. And he’d roused it to Everest proportions with his sudden withdrawal.

“No.”

He said nothing more before they pulled up in front of a row of vividly colored three-story townhomes. They reminded Val of pictures her father had shown her of the massive apartment buildings in Singapore.

Kade led them up the steps toward one of the homes. The night had grown misty, but the low fog and drizzle were high enough to see the houses clearly. The bottom level of Eva’s unit was an unassuming gray, but the second was purple topped by a violet-colored third story. He froze when he saw her stop to admire them.

“Interesting, aren’t they? They’d seem boring if not for the color.” He smiled at her, a pair of luscious dimples appearing at his cheeks. “They’re fashioned after homes in Burano, Italy. If they were accurate, there’d be a canal lined with paddleboats at the rear of the houses.” He glanced around, as if seeing with fresh eyes. “Their landscaping sucks balls, though.”

She nearly laughed at his candor, but caught herself. No one had ever talked like that around her and it spurred a moment of confusion while she tried to figure out whether his blunt honesty should be offensive to her.

Ignoring Graham’s disapproving glower, Kade leaned closer to her and spoke in a hushed voice. “It’s okay to laugh, Val.”

She sighed with resignation, gesturing for him to ring the buzzer. Only time could get her used to Kade, if that were even possible.

As if she’d hang around long enough.

When the door opened, it wasn’t a vision of evil inviting them in. Eva resembled an angel with her sleek, golden hair forming the halo. She was a picture of pale innocence, even with the red eyes and dainty fangs peeking out when she smiled a greeting. The sweet smile died when she spied Kade. Her head bowed immediately in placation.

“My lord, how may I serve you?”

“None of that now, Eva,” Kade said gently as he tipped Eva’s chin up. “We’re only here to talk.”

Val gaped at him. He had a tender bone somewhere in his body. She never would have guessed. He was knocking her preconceptions about him down one by one.

“About…the murder?” Eva’s wide eyes went from Kade to Val and then hung on Graham.

“Yes,” Graham answered. Eva nodded and led them to a small but cozy living room. Plush furnishings and warm colors invited relaxation. It was apparent Eva lived in this space. Framed photos of all sizes adorned the walls, family photos, friendly outings, and gorgeous scenery. A massive bookcase against one wall packed in well-worn books, and a hearth edged with dark-stained wood took up the opposing wall. French doors led onto a patio lined with flourishing plants of all shapes and sizes.

“Please, have a seat. Would anyone care for a drink?” Their delicate hostess addressed them all, but her eyes never left Graham. She couldn’t fault Eva. Graham was pretty to look at.

“No, thank you. We just have a few questions about what you saw,” Graham said. He waited for her to sit before he sank onto the velvety chocolate sofa across from her. His focus attuned as much to Eva as hers attuned to him. “Why were you at Gas Works Park?”

Good. He’d begun with something simple to ease into the interview. Eva looked like she could take flight any minute. Val sat beside Graham, but to her relief and unexpected regret, Kade remained standing.

“The bank I work at held a picnic there. After the cleanup, I wasn’t ready to leave, so I took a walk along the waterfront.”

Graham nodded encouragement. “What happened when you got there?” He spoke softly as if he’d scare her off with his usual interrogator’s voice.

The flush in Eva’s cheeks paled. “I saw someone, and I thought the idiot was swimming. Everyone knows Lake Union is restricted because of the contamination. The signs are posted all over. When he didn’t move, I got worried. I thought he might have drowned, so I jumped the rail and went down to the water.” She closed her eyes and shuddered.

Graham sat forward and reached across the small coffee table to cover Eva’s hand with his. “What did you see, Eva?”

Val cocked her head. Graham was the ultimate professional. She’d never heard him address a witness by first name, nor had he ever offered comfort. Then again, little Eva could bring out protective instincts in anyone, male or female. If Graham hadn’t reached out to Eva first, Val would have moved to the woman’s side to offer the support.

Eva drew a tortured breath, and her words were shaky as she spoke. “I turned him up out of the water. His throat was torn open. He was pale, drained of blood. I pulled him onto the beach and called the police since he was human.”

“Eva, this is important.” Graham’s hand tightened over Eva’s. “Did you see anyone else on the beach? Was there anyone near the body or leaving the area as you approached?”

The Legion’s face went blank. “No.”

Eva was lying. Val knew it in her gut. Val’s gaze went to Kade, who casually leaned against the hearth as he listened. His eyes met hers. She nodded toward Eva, but he said nothing. If anyone could make Eva talk, it would have been Kade, but apparently he had no intention of intervening. Fury burned hot in her stomach.

Graham thanked Eva for her time, though the slumped set of his shoulders revealed his disappointment. They hadn’t received any information that hadn’t been in the initial report.

They’d left the townhouse and were well on their way back to the Towers before Val unleashed her wrath. She’d moved into the seat next to Graham as soon as the door had closed. Kade didn’t seem to care, nor did he respond to the glare she pinned him with.

“What happened to being helpful? Eva was lying, and you know it. You could have made her tell the truth. Are you hiding something about this?” She walked a thin line, speaking to him this way, but she couldn’t contain her fury.

Kade shifted in his seat, but his stony expression never changed. “Eva’s a sweet girl. She wouldn’t lie.”

“She’s not a girl. She’s a vampire, and she was covering up for someone. Are you saying you couldn’t see she wasn’t telling the truth? You can’t possibly be that blind.”

And that was, without a doubt, crossing the line.

Rage clouded his face before it set into stone again. “You wouldn’t know the truth if it bit your ass. You’re too busy looking for vampire conspiracies, thinking you’re so much better than us. Murders committed by Immortalis are extremely rare. I can’t even remember the last case. Nearly all crime, including murder, is committed by humans. So who’s the blight on society, Val? Humans lie, cheat, steal, kill…torture. It’s in your nature and you have no effective hierarchy structure to curb it as the Immortalis do.”

Graham sat forward, his hands curling as if he’d throttle Kade. “Don’t you dare talk to her that way, you f*cking piece of shit.”

Kade’s eyes went cold and incandescent red, his voice deadly quiet. “And what will you do about it, human?”

Val slapped a hand over Graham’s lips before he could hang himself. He just couldn’t hit that balance between argument and outright insult, not that she’d done the greatest job of that since she’d met Kade. However, Graham made no secret of his loathing for Kade, and she couldn’t let him get torn limb from limb because of it.

Val huffed. “I’m not investigating crimes committed by humans. My job is to find murderous vampires, and you’ve been worthless to this investigation so far. You’re wasting my time.”

The limo door opened. She ignored the driver’s helping hand and stepped out of the car on her own before turning back to Kade.

“I knew this is how it would end up. A vampire would never turn on another vampire, no matter how criminal. Make no mistake about this. I will find the ones responsible, with or without you.”

“Are you done then? Going your own way?” He sounded relieved. She had no intention of letting him off the hook, even if it meant he’d sit on the sidelines during all of the interviews. That would serve him right. He was nothing more than a decoration.

“No. We’ll meet tomorrow night.”

He sighed. “Fine, but keep your sidekick on a leash before he gets eviscerated.”

“You wouldn’t dare.” She couldn’t believe he had openly threatened Graham.

“Try me,” he growled. His eyes flashed at Graham, who looked on the verge of impetuous violence.

Without a word, Val tugged Graham toward his Prius. She had to find a way to deal with the two of them. The more their exposure to each other, the more likely Graham would meet an unpleasant demise. She had to keep them separated.

Or maybe she should cancel meeting with Kade. He wasn’t doing anything to help her investigation. Other than her vengeful desire to make him suffer, there was no reason to continue with him. She’d never have to see him again.

That should have satisfied her, but it didn’t. It made her restless instead. The fact remained that she needed his help. They had several deranged vampires to find, but without the benefit of his position, they had better odds of winning the lottery. If he intended to stand by and watch, she’d simply have to find a way to convince him otherwise.