Bad Mouth

chapter Six


Night had consumed the city over an hour ago, but Kade was still sitting on his ass. Waiting. His rock glass shattered in his hand. Cursing under his breath, he brushed the shards off his thighs and the seat fabric. He waved away his driver, who’d jumped out from behind the wheel to assist. Pulling out a new glass, he poured more scotch and downed it in one toss. F*cking humans. They’d invented watches. Couldn’t they read them? His time was precious. Kade snorted at his acrimony and poured another double. Too f*cking bad he couldn’t get drunk this way. After last night’s debacle at Eva’s, he’d need to be drunk to survive any sort of repeat tonight.

Of all the cases they could have checked out last night, the humans had to choose Gas Works Park. So much for trying to impress Val with his power and influence. He counted himself lucky Eva hadn’t noticed anyone at the scene. Or if she had, the little Legion vampire had enough sense to keep her mouth shut. He had to be much more careful in the future, especially with a woman of Val’s station out for vampire blood.

A light rap at the window told him the humans had decided to show, but when he glanced up, only Val’s doormat friend stood there. Who had invited that fool? His mood had already soured at the wait, and Kade didn’t take kindly to the knife twist of the bastard’s presence. After kicking the door open, he stepped out and scanned the curb. An ass-ugly Prius had parked behind Kade’s Mercedes, but no one else waited in it. Val was nowhere in sight. Was he to be saddled with this douche bag the rest of the night?

“Val’s coming,” the man said. Kade grunted, not much inclined to acknowledge the human’s existence. “Look, Mr. Rollins, I apologize for my offense last night.”

“Don’t give it a second thought.” Kade gave Fischer a look designed to chill bones. “I haven’t.” The dumb f*ck probably figured Kade had lost sleep over the bullshit.

“Sorry!” Val called from halfway down the block as she jogged toward them. When she reached them, she was out of breath, bending at the waist and bracing against her knees. Her gorgeous, spun-gold hair spilled forward in a wavy mass, obscuring her pixie face.

“What did you do? Run all the way here?” the douchebag asked.

“Stupid cab…got some call…and dumped me off…ten blocks short.”

“Why did you take a cab?” Kade frowned and then pinned Graham with a glare. Why didn’t that bastard pick her up? “How did you get here? That’s yours, isn’t it?” He gestured to the Prius next to them. Douchebag nodded but looked abashed.

“Well, I’m here now. What are we waiting for?” she asked.

Kade growled. “Next time call me. I’ll get you or I’ll send a car.”

Her fae eyes went wide. “That’s very…kind of you.”

“Don’t get your panties in a bunch. I won’t be kept waiting next time.” Damned if he’d let her think him soft or something. She tilted her head, her brow lined with suspicion, but then her lips tightened and drew down at the corners.

“I said I was sorry. Take it or leave it.”

Ah, hello there, erection. Long time no feel. Good thing he wore a long jacket this evening. It hadn’t taken five minutes of exposure before he was raring to go with the woman. What would she do if he hit on her?

“What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

He shook his head. “Who have you chosen to beleaguer this night, Val?”

His lips quirked up unbidden. Damn, she was cute, even when she was intolerable. No one had ever challenged him the way she did, and he couldn’t stop himself from being inexorably drawn to her. She seemed to have stowed her anger from the previous evening, though if tonight was a replay, she was sure to find where she’d packed it away.

“We’re going to see Ptolomy Keraunos. He lives in Bellevue and one of the bloodings happened at the edge of his estate. A neighbor walking her dogs found the body.” Her eyes narrowed and her voice lowered to a husky rasp. “Feel free to help at any time.”

He caught her warning but found it more sexy than threatening. “I know Ptolomy. You might get nothing even with my help.” He looped her arm through his and tugged her toward his Mercedes.

“What are you doing?”

“What does it look like? Going to Ptolomy’s. Are you coming or not?” When Douchebag made a move to follow, Kade turned on him. “Bring your car.”

He didn’t wait to see how the man took the order. Instead, he dropped his gaze to Val’s slender and graceful hand tucked into the crook of his elbow. He smoothed his palm over the back of it, his nerve endings stupidly giddy at her softness. Despite her obvious misgiving about their shaky alliance, she smiled up at him briefly before ducking into his car. When his belly executed a pirouette worthy of the Kirov performing Swan Lake, a scowl settled onto his face. She made him feel weak inside.

Holy f*ck, he liked her and it burned in his gut. He’d like her even better bent forward over the seat cushion with her slacks around her knees. He would tie her wrists with the seat-belt straps and wrap her eyes with the wispy scarf she wore. Her long hair would make a great handhold. Dammit to hell and back. It didn’t matter how deep in the dirt his mind went. He liked her. A f*cking human.

“What happened in here? Did I miss the party?” She glanced sidelong over her shoulder at him, and that image of her bent over the seat nearly bowled him over. “It smells like a dive bar.”

He bit off a laugh. “A memorial for the untimely death of two jiggers of Glenlivet. Here, let me slide by first.” The sinner in him pushed his hips complete with rigid flagstaff right against her backside as he climbed past her. It didn’t make him smirk as he’d thought it would. Instead, her sweet, round ass humbled him. He wanted to drop to his knees and worship it with his mouth, maybe with a little bit of teeth.

“Would you quit it?” Her exasperation cut through his musing. He’d cleared the seat of glass so she could sit without the danger of splinters. Last thing he needed was her blood in the open air to tease his already manic senses.

“Quit what?” He reclined against the seat and angled toward her with his legs stretched across her floor space.

“Let’s just say you should have a parental-guidance warning across your forehead.”

This time, he let himself laugh. “Rated MA for Misogynistic A*shole.”

He didn’t miss the slight quirk of her lips, even though she rolled her eyes and settled into silence for most of the ride. To his regret, when she broke it, it was to discuss work. “I didn’t get anything more than a summary of Ptolomy’s interview. What’s he like?”

He shrugged. “Like any other vampire. He’s a Dominus, an old one. One of the oldest. Been around longer than Olen’s had gray hair.”

She bit her lip. He could almost feel her nerves, but all she did was square her shoulders and take a deep breath. It didn’t matter if Ptolomy’s aged power petrified her, he knew she wouldn’t let her fear stop her. That turned him on so hardcore he wanted to lick her resolve.

She should be nervous, however. Ptolomy didn’t dance to anyone’s tune, not even his, and he would tell them nothing. Kade would put money on it. This Dominus was too damned old to care about anything other than his own twisted pleasures. Funny how the word twisted applied to all the Ancients. Maybe anything living as long as a vampire would eventually become a perversion of nature.

Kade had never had much real trouble with Ptolomy. The male didn’t exactly fly straight, but he never put himself on the outs with the Rex and his Domina.

The iron gate in front of Ptolomy’s home swung open automatically when they pulled up. As they neared his mansion, Val clutched her satchel with a white-knuckled grip. Her lips trembled, and she pulled her thick black peacoat tighter, readjusting the tie at her waist. He felt her chill, it was written so plainly in her body language. Her vulnerability broke open a rare pocket of warmth in him. Without thinking, he reached for her, pulling her close against his side. She sat stiffly at first.

He stroked his hand up and down her arm, firm and soothing. Her body softened, the tension easing, and she relaxed her head against his shoulder. Unable to deny himself, he nuzzled her pale blond curls, stowing her heady lilac scent into his memory. She felt softer than mink. He turned his head to brush his cheek against the luxurious sensation.

She lifted her head to meet his gaze. Those eyes were brilliant pools of green Caribbean, her pupils dilated with arousal. Hell yes, she wanted him. But they were also wide with surprise. He’d only sought to comfort her, but now his head dipped toward hers. When she licked her lips in response, it was all he could do to be gentle when he wanted to ravage her mouth.

He touched his lips to hers, a tender sweep across and back again. An electric charge zipped all the way to the bottom of his feet, drawing his body tight. Just as he would have settled more firmly against her sweet mouth and part her lips with his tongue, the door swung open.

She jerked away from him, her fingers at her mouth and her eyes clouded with confusion and regret. F*ck. He shot his driver a withering look, and the man cringed. He shook his head sharply before the man could stumble over an apology. Douchebag had also arrived at the side of the car, and Kade didn’t want the bastard to know anything was amiss. Holding a hand out for Val, he guided her out of the car and to the heavy doors of the mansion where Ptolomy no doubt waited impatiently for them.

…

Her lips tingled where Kade’s had been, but Val’s mind was a jumble. Why had she let that kiss happen? She’d been at the head of a panic attack; maybe that had weakened her enough to succumb to Kade. Maybe she would have taken the comfort from anyone. That didn’t really fly because had it been Graham, she would have turned a cheek. She knew because Graham had made the attempt before.

Even more surprising than her easy participation was Kade himself. He’d caressed her hair with his face, like a thoughtful lover, and it had put her body and mind into a sweet, blissful fog. He’d been so soft, so careful, his lips whispering along hers. She would have taken him for the caveman-kiss type complete with bruising force and an invasion of tongue and teeth.

“Ready for this?” Kade asked. With a start, she realized they were in the foyer, and she still held his hand. She dropped it like it was on fire. Apparently it had been on fire because her hand burned hot from the contact.

“Yes, I’m ready.” She scrambled to focus on the task. She’d have to interrogate this ancient vampire without freaking out. Couldn’t be too difficult. She’d done similar interrogations before. In a secure interrogation room. Next to her, Kade appeared utterly at ease. She let go a sigh of relief. He wouldn’t let anything happen to her. He comforted her in more ways than one.

When they entered the sitting room, Val did a double take. A boy of around fifteen awaited them. He rose with a thunderous look on his face.

“How dare you keep me waiting?” He directed his wrath at her.

Who in the hell? Her mouth dropped open, closed, and then open again as she floundered for words. “Who are you? Where are your parents?”

That kicked the thunder on the boy’s face even higher, but Kade bent over, laughing so hard and deep she thought he’d lose his lungs. She glared at him. “What are you laughing about?”

The boy crossed his arms and strode over to Kade. “You have the nerve to laugh at me?”

“Not you,” he said, putting a hand against his flat stomach. He continued to chuckle but gestured toward Val. So he was laughing at her. Why on earth? When he didn’t quit, she stomped on his arch with every bit of force she could muster.

“Ow, f*ck!” He straightened and focused his dark, intense gaze on her. His surprise mirrored hers. She’d never resorted to physical violence before, but he had a way of stirring something primal in her. Then the boy started laughing, and she forced her attention away from Kade.

“I’m afraid I have no parents, young one,” the boy said, the laughter clinging to the corners of his mouth. He extended his hand. “You must be Valerie Craig. My name is Ptolomy.”

She stared at him, stunned silent. He dropped his hand when she stayed frozen in place. Kade nudged her forward, but her movements were stiff as she followed Ptolomy toward the sitting area.

“You could have warned me,” she whispered to Kade behind Ptolomy’s back. Graham hadn’t briefed her either, the rat.

“You know he can hear you, right?” Kade didn’t bother lowering his voice.

“I-I didn’t know you turned children.” Her wits finally returned to her. “I apologize for my reaction, Mr. Keraunos.”

He waved her apology away and directed her to a bright red, curvy sofa as he sat in a similar one across from her. A quick glance around showed her Ptolomy appreciated a minimalist environment with slashes of vibrant color rather than cluttered decoration. The faint scent of patchouli oil in the air seemed out of place, though not such a stretch considering what she’d seen of Ptolomy’s personality.

“No worries. It’s been a while since I’ve been so amused. Amusement becomes quite rare when you’ve been around as long as I have. I enjoy seeing a woman, a human woman at that, get a potshot in on Kade here.” He grinned at a scowling Kade. “Aw, come on, chap. My thrills are few and far between.”

“I’ve heard the rumors, squirt. More like thrill a minute,” Kade said. Her gaze hung on him first. He was so large, with hard-packed muscle and an easy smile on his face that belied his cruel reputation. Sitting next to Kade, Ptolomy formed a stark contrast with a short, lean body, bronzed coloring, and surfer-boy, wheat-colored hair, an unusual look for someone with a name such as his. He was absolutely not what she’d expected.

The ancient boy focused on her again. “We truly don’t turn children anymore. Thing of the past, during the most barbaric eras. My Sire stole me from parts unknown and turned me because his love interest at the time desired a child of her own.”

“At the time? They…broke up?”

“You could say that. They lasted ten years, a blink of an eye to a vampire, and then he grew tired of her and cut her head off during a bout of raunchy sex.”

The brutality was appalling enough, but the boastful words coming from such a youthful mouth were jarring. He grinned, pleased at her reaction.

“I was on my own after that, but I’d destroyed him by the time I reached my two hundredth birthday.” His smile gone, his face wore a cold mask. “Ask now what you will so I may get back to my thrill a minute.” He aimed an amused glance at Kade.

A barely dressed nymph of a woman came in and flounced down on Ptolomy’s other side, a pout on her lips. Her breasts thrust against his arm, and her hand crept up too high on his thigh to be decent. Val squirmed, but Ptolomy palmed the nymph’s breast and then brought the woman’s hand over his crotch.

“Classy,” Kade said. “And pretty bold for a kid with no hair on his balls.”

“Hey, there’s hair there,” Ptolomy said, disgruntled. “It’s just really, really fine.”

“Please,” she said. “Can we get this over with?”

Ptolomy seemed agreeable, probably wanting to get back to his thrills. “I didn’t feel the need to share this with your investigators, but I find I’d like to share this with you. Since Kade and I are such great, long-time friends.” He winked at Kade.

Kade’s smile curved even higher. “Oh, pipsqueak, we’ve never been friends.” Dark shadows played in his gaze. She shivered again, but for an entirely different reason. What kind of sinister relationship did these two have?

“I will cut to the point, Ms. Craig. I did not witness or hear the attack at the edge of my property.” That fact no doubt infuriated him, judging by his hard tone. “But the security cameras caught two humans at close proximity to the site of the blooding.”

“Humans? Are you sure?” she asked.

“Without doubt. You couldn’t miss the humans. Goth with piercings, and one had a Mohawk, the kind with big spikes. One of my staff said he’d seen them before, near some abandoned buildings along the waterfront.”

Finally, maybe they were getting somewhere. “Did he say where along the waterfront?”

“South end of Harbor Island at the mill.”

“The old Fisher mill? What was your man doing out there?”

“His sister works at the marina.” Ptolomy’s smile turned lecherous. “But he wandered off a few streets for a…bite to eat.”

She groaned. Were they all this warped? “I thought the place burned down a couple years ago.”

Kade answered, “Just one of the piers.”

The area Ptolomy spoke of was isolated. The only reason for anyone to wander down there was to find or cause trouble. She’d send a VLO team to check it out in the morning.

“You have video of these guys then?”

“Yes. Greta will make sure you have a copy before you leave.” With that, he pushed the nymph off the couch. The girl frowned, but left to do Ptolomy’s bidding. “You can’t see the blooding because it happens off the edge of the camera, but you get a glimpse of the humans.”

“Not the vampire committing the murder?”

“No.” Ptolomy smiled and stood. “That is all I have for you, young one.”

She shook her head. It sounded odd coming from one who appeared half her age.

Ptolomy walked them toward the doorway and looked back at Kade, a warning in his expression. “Soon, my never friend.”

Kade nodded once, and then Ptolomy was gone. “Did you get what you need?”

“Sort of. He’s not one to answer questions, is he?”

“Never was.” He gave her a wolfish grin. “See? I can be helpful.”

He certainly had been helpful. She surmised the boy vampire wouldn’t have cooperated if her interactions with Kade hadn’t so amused the Ancient. Maybe Eva hadn’t been lying as Val had assumed. But her instincts had never failed her in the past.

She nearly jumped from her skin when Graham appeared and offered his hand. She’d been so focused on Ptolomy and Kade, she’d forgotten about Graham. He held up the disc with the video on it. Frustration clouded his face, but he held his tongue. She didn’t doubt that once they were alone, he’d clue her in on whatever bothered him.

When they walked into the chill Bellevue air, he leaned down to her. “Ride back with me.”

She glanced at him and then at Kade, who was speaking to his driver. Her stomach sank as Graham maneuvered her toward his Prius. Kade scowled her way and headed for her. Graham tugged until she jerked her arm from his grasp.

“I can walk on my own, thank you very much.”

He made an irritated sound. “I’m just trying to get out of here. Why are you dragging your feet?”

She sighed, but he’d made a good point. They were done with interrogations for the evening. There was no reason to spend any further time with Kade. Why was that such a disappointment?

Kade approached her with a determined stride. “Where are you going?”

“Home. We’re done for tonight.” She hoped he couldn’t hear or see her lack of enthusiasm. He had a big enough head without thinking she enjoyed his company.

“I could take you home.” The hardness of his face softened, and it made her want to stroke the skin. Bring him closer for another kiss like the one they’d shared earlier. She could almost forget he was a vampire.

When she started to speak, Graham cut in.

“I’m driving her. We have work to discuss.” He grabbed her elbow again, pulling her back a step. She yanked away again. His manhandling had gone too far.

“Go wait in the car,” she said, with maybe more force than necessary. He winced, but did as she requested. She exhaled and turned back to Kade. Her sigh turned to a gasp at the dangerous glow of his eyes as they followed Graham to the car. “Look, I’m sorry he’s so rude, but he doesn’t think you’re safe for me to be near.”

He stepped in front of her, so close she could rest her cheek against his chest if she wanted. And darn it, she kind of wanted to. Instead, she tipped her head back to see his face clearly. He bent even closer, as if to kiss her again. Her breath seized in her chest, and her lips parted. This couldn’t happen. Graham sat in his car not ten feet away watching them with rapt attention that burned into her back.

“I’m not safe for you,” he murmured in her ear. He darted his tongue out to taste her earlobe, sending a miniquake traveling down every nerve ending. A whimper escaped before she could cut it off. She clenched her hands to keep them from clinging to his shirt. He backed away and smiled at her. “You see?”

Her nod was jerky. “Yes,” she whispered.

Then his stone visage returned, and his eyes lit red again. “I’m even less safe for him.” He tipped his head toward Graham. “He wants you.”

“That’s ridiculous. We’ve been friends for years.” She wasn’t sure why she resorted to the lie, but it felt easier than dealing with Graham’s feelings.

Kade’s cynical expression indicated he could see right through her. “I’m not known for my control, Val. Do something about him, or I damn well will.”