Текст книги "Wicked Edge"

Автор книги: Rebecca Zanetti

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Текущая страница: 14 (всего у книги 18 страниц)

Chapter 26

Zane Kyllwood didn’t particularly like witches, and he really hated sitting around and waiting in Daire’s penthouse. As a soldier, he was trained to go in fast and hard. This hanging out, studying deeds and maps, made him want to rip off his own head. Sitting at the table was not working for him.

An enemy had his brother.

A cold lump settled in his gut, and he had to work to force down the rage. And fear. Logan was trained and smart as hell. Even so, he was a kid. The idea of his little brother being tortured or beheaded made Zane’s head swim.

Kellach Dunne barked orders into his phone while pacing the long wall of windows, and Simone Brightston worked a computer on the counter, looking for surveillance footage. There had been a brief but entertaining scuffle between Kell and Simone when he’d ordered her to work in Daire’s penthouse. The woman had nicely refused, but Kell hadn’t taken no for an answer.

Based on the materials Zane had read, if Simone really wasn’t involved in the mining and sale of planekite, somebody sure wanted her to look guilty. He would’ve ordered her into safety if she’d been his to protect, too.

Sam slid an energy drink in front of him, and he took it gratefully. There was nothing like having his brother at his back. “Anything?” Sam asked.

“No.” Zane shoved another manila file across the table.

Their mom flipped through a series of maps, muttering to herself. Zane kept an eye on her, having no doubt she’d take off at some point to meet Bychkov without any backup. If there was a chance to save Logan, she’d sacrifice herself. He knew that much about her, if nothing else.

Sure she was young, but she’d always been steady and forward moving.

Not bat-shit crazy. And fighting polar bears, robbing banks, and plotting revenge against somebody as powerful as Bychkov was bat-shit crazy. Not to mention mating one of the Coven Nine enforcers. They were dangerous and nuts. Now Zane would either have to watch her take a dangerous experimental drug a second time to negate the mating bond, or he had to cut off Daire Dunne’s head.

Something told him neither path would be an easy one.

“I’m staying mated,” his mom whispered, turning a map around and holding it up to the light.

The woman had always known how to somehow read his mind. “No, you’re not.”

An eyebrow lifted, and she glanced around the map of Europe. “Behave yourself, young man.”

It took every ounce of control he owned not to reply with a “yes, ma’am.” He bit back any other response, cutting Simone a look. The witch had abandoned the computer and was watching the scene with sparkling eyes. “You might want to get back to work.”

“Watch yourself, demon.” She sniffed and turned back to the computer. “I’ll burn you to a crisp.”

Witches. He was suddenly surrounded by witches. “They’re all insane,” he whispered to his mom.

Simone snorted, typing away quickly.

“I like ’em,” his mom responded.

She would.

Sam, ever the peacemaker, leaned against the demolished front doorjamb and crossed his arms. “Mom, don’t you think you rushed into this a little bit?”

She shrugged. “Life can be short.”

Zane didn’t know her at all. Who was this woman? “Which is why we plan carefully and proceed slowly.”

“You’ve never done either, son.” She returned to studying her maps.

Okay, he needed to rein in his temper and fast. He had a mate and baby girl in Idaho, and the second he found Logan, he was taking his entire family there for some quiet time. His mom and all three of his brothers would remain at demon headquarters for the near future, and they’d all live in fucking peace.

“I’m not going to retire in Idaho and knit stuff,” his mom murmured.

“Are you reading my mind?” he barked out.

“Of course not.” She looked up from the map and blinked her pupils smaller. “I just know how your mind works.”

Yeah, which was why he hadn’t gotten away with anything since he was two years old.

Kellach switched off a call, and his phone buzzed instantly again. “What?” He stilled, and his shoulders stiffened.

Zane leaned forward. Was the call about Logan?

“When?” Kell barked. Then he listed, his entire body going stiff. “Got it. Thanks.” He slowly turned, and his gaze sought out his cousin.

“What?” Simone asked.

“The deeds, manifests, and corporation documents tying you to the mining, manufacturing, and distribution of Apollo have been leaked. The Coven Guard is on its way to fetch you and take you back to Dublin.” Kellach’s jaw hardened, and a muscle pounded down his neck.

Simone stood and clasped her hands together. “Then I should get packed.”

“No,” Kellach exploded. “You will not go with them. Not until we figure out what’s going on and clear your name.”

Her eyes darkened. “Kellach, you’re an enforcer for the Nine. You can’t hide me, and you can’t commit treason. I have to go.”

Zane watched the interplay. He kind of liked the spunky witch, and his best friend was pretty much in love with her. Probably. Nicholai Veis would kill Zane if he didn’t interfere. “I can offer asylum.”

“No,” Simone said.

“Yes,” Kellach shot back.

Zane reached for his phone and quickly texted Nick. “I’ll have one of my top soldiers escort you to safety.”

Simone threw back her hair, and a gorgeous blue flame danced down her arms. “Absolutely not. I am a member of the Coven Nine, and I will not run. It’s time to face these charges.”

“When will he be here?” Kellach asked, completely ignoring his cousin.

Zane glanced at his phone. “As soon as he lets me know where he is, I’ll get him.” Zane had an above average ability to teleport, and he’d transport his buddy, who unfortunately hadn’t inherited the gene. But Nick was a hell of a fighter even without the skill. “Right now he’s undercover on an operation that has nothing to do with planekite or witches, so as soon as he sees the text, he’ll call in.” But it could be hours.

“What kind of operation?” Simone asked.

Did she want to know out of curiosity, or was it something more? Zane rubbed his chin. “We’re negotiating a peace with the shifters out of Alaska, and Nick has gone under to, ah, obtain information.” Blackmail was fine in Zane’s world.

“I’m going to Dublin,” Simone said.

Kellach shook his head. “You’re in danger, and as an enforcer, I can order you to safety.”

She set her hands on her hips. “You can’t order me to break Coven law and hide, Kellach. You know that.”

Kell’s phone dinged, and he lifted it to his ear after reading the face. “Get back here. We have a prob—” His head lifted. His shoulders dropped. “You’re kidding me.” He shook his head. “No. Simone is busy.” Then he bit his lip. “Keep me informed.”

Zane lifted his eyebrows. “Problem?”

“You could say that.” Kellach studied the group at large. “Apparently the Titans of Fire are going to avenge a member’s death by attacking the Grizzlies.”

“When?” Simone asked.

“Right now.” Kellach shook his head and quickly typed something into his phone. “I’ll let Alexandra know, and hopefully the cops can stop the fight before it happens.”

Simone grabbed Zane’s drink and took a big swallow. “If Daire gets arrested, he’ll need his lawyer, because with Felicity about to meet an enemy, no way will Daire allow the Seattle cops to keep him.” She smiled. “I’m his lawyer. So I guess I can’t go into hiding.”

Frustration lined Kellach’s face, and Zane could relate. “Why don’t you warn Bear, so he can prepare to get Daire out of the line of fire in case there is a problem?” Zane asked. It’d be easier to avoid arrest than to get out of one.

Kellach nodded. “Good idea.” He punched in more keys on his phone.

Zane sighed and stretched back in his chair. He was getting way too involved in Coven business.

His mom smiled. “They’re our business, too.”

Felicity turned the map around. No matter what happened, she had to figure out a way to destroy the Sjenerøse mine. She’d gone through all of the stolen deeds, and so far, there weren’t any surprises. But planekite was so important, she wouldn’t be shocked to find a mine or two well hidden.

The tension in the penthouse was palpable, and it wasn’t coming from just Zane. Kellach continued to pace at a rapid speed, and Simone glared at him with her hands on her hips.

“Simone?” Felicity asked. “If you don’t mind a couple of questions, I was wondering what would happen if the Coven guards escorted you to Dublin.”

The stunning witch turned her focus on Felicity. “Charges will be read against me, there will be an investigation, and I’ll probably go on trial.”

Fascinating. The witches had been secretive for so long. “Who’s the trial judge for your people?”

“The remaining members of the Coven Nine will sit as judges.” Simone shoved curly black hair away from her face. The mass cascaded down her shoulders to the small of her back.

Felicity fingered her straight hair. She’d always wanted curls. “Um, what are the possible repercussions?”

“Removal from the Nine or death.” Simone stood straighter and rolled her shoulders. “For these charges? Death.”

No wonder Kellach Dunne wanted to force his cousin to safety.

Felicity’s phone vibrated against her leg. She stood and headed for the bedroom and bathroom, feeling everyone’s gaze on her as she moved. She hustled into the bathroom and locked the door. “Hello?” she whispered.

“Hello. Are you ready to bargain?” Ivan asked.

“Where’s my son?” Anger threaded through her, and she fought to keep calm.

“Logan is fine and will remain so. I have no wish to harm your son.” Ivan cleared his throat. “Last time we chatted, you were at the Seattle airport. Now, I can see you’re at Dunne’s penthouse.”

She frowned. “Yes.”

“Where?”

She glanced around. “The bathroom. Don’t worry. They can’t hear us.”

“Good.”

Felicity paused. “Well? What’s the plan?”

A bomb ripped through the night, and the entire building rocked. The mirror fell off the wall, and she barely had time to jump toward the door before glass exploded. She fell, her knees impacting shattered glass. Pain rippled up her legs. She scrambled for the doorknob and yanked open the door.

Smoke assaulted her.

Her kids. She crawled out and pushed to her feet, trying to kick past a bunch of pillows that had been blown from the bed. A gaping hole in one wall sent rain billowing inside.

She coughed out smoke and tried to focus, but the smoke stung her eyes. Tears streamed down her face. She stumbled into the other room to find black smoke. Kellach and Sam were sprawled unconscious next to another yawning hole in the outside wall. Rain and wind pushed their way in. If either of the men tried to get up and tripped, they’d drop ten stories to the concrete street.

Simone lay in the kitchen, only her legs visible.

Zane crashed through the inner wall, fighting furiously with two men in gas masks.

Oh. Gas. Her mind spun, and her stomach heaved. Trying not to breathe, she slid over to Sam and grabbed his pants legs. Grunting with the effort, she dragged him away from the hole. Her shoulders protested, and her back ached, but she left him and grabbed Kellach under the arms. He weighed as much as Sam, and she was sweating by the time she got him to safety. A quick check of their necks confirmed they were out but alive.

She searched for a weapon in the demolished room. Nothing. With a shriek, she flew across the room and landed on the back of one of the guys fighting with Zane.

Her vision blurred, and her lungs burned.

Whatever was in the grenade slid into her central nervous system. She had to fight to remain conscious. Even as she watched, Zane’s movements slowed.

The guy in the mask punched him hard in the face.

The man she’d jumped on reached back and yanked on her hair. Pain exploded in her head. She jabbed her elbow into her attacker’s neck, right in the sweet spot. His neck cracked. He dropped to one knee, and she jumped off him, spinning a side kick into his temple. He toppled to the floor.

She swayed. Three more men in masks ran through the door.

One of them reached her just in time to grab her before she fell. Her last thought was that she hoped Zane didn’t fall out the window while fighting.

Chapter 27

Daire signaled for Garrett to break off and fall behind the motorcycles roaring toward Bear’s headquarters to wage war. The kid nodded and began to make his move. He couldn’t afford to get taken down to the police station, and Daire couldn’t afford for the king of the Realm, Garrett’s uncle, to be pissed off right now. Hopefully Bear would diffuse the situation once they arrived.

If Bear stayed true to form, he wouldn’t diffuse shit.

Trees sped by, and a fine Seattle mist covered their bikes as they rode hell-bent for trouble. The Fire members reached the Grizzly courtyard, and two rows of Grizzly members were waiting. Wearing their cuts and pissed-off expressions, they looked as dangerous as the mountains rising high above them. Apparently Kellach had decided to warn them, which may have been a good idea. Or maybe not.

How could humans not see something immortal within these guys? It was so obvious they were bear shifters.

Daire growled low and cut his engine. He needed to get back to his mate and not fuck around with a bunch of humans and bears. Why the hell had he agreed to this mission in Seattle in the first place? Of course, if he hadn’t agreed, he never would’ve met Felicity.

The Fire members silenced their bikes. It looked like the numbers were about even, but the humans had no clue they might face bared teeth and three-inch claws.

Bear stepped forward, irritation sizzling in his deep eyes. “What the fuck?”

Pyro disembarked. “Where is our prospect?”

“No clue, man.” Bear lowered his chin and actually looked like a bear. Tension vibrated from him with an animal ferocity, and several of the Fire members shifted their feet uneasily. They might not know Bear was a bear, but their instincts seemed to be kicking in. “Why the hell are you here?” he all but growled.

Pyro motioned Daire forward. “We have a picture of one of your skanks with our prospect leaving a bar the other night. Where is he?”

Daire handed the phone to Bear.

Bear studied it, and his eyebrows rose. A growl rumbled from his chest. “That’s Tasha.”

“One of your skanks?” Pyro asked, triumph in his voice.

“No.” Bear returned the phone, his jaw tightening. “She’s a nice girl and not a skank. This was the other night?”

“Aye,” Daire said. There were many female members of Bear’s club, but in order to stay under the radar and appear like other clubs, nobody knew it. Women were either old ladies, skanks, or visitors to the outside world. To the inside? There were some badass female warriors in Bear’s group, but Tasha looked fairly young and probably wasn’t a full club member. “Any word from her?”

Bear lifted his head and surveyed his men. “Has anybody heard from Tasha?”

Nobody stepped forward.

Well, shit. “We think the prospect disappeared with her the other night.” Daire tried to communicate more.

“Leads?” Bear asked, fury flowing from him.

“Not yet. Working on it.” Daire glanced at Pyro.

Bear stepped toward him. “Does the prospect’s family know he’s missing?”

“Aye.” Daire bit back a snarl. “They’re here, in fact.”

Bear winced. “Sorry.”

It was nice to have a buddy who understood. Dealing with demons wasn’t easy in the best of circumstances. Daire stepped closer to Pyro. “Bear doesn’t know anything, and we need to get out and find our prospect. Let’s go.”

Pyro waved him off, the stench of smoke and booze pouring off him. He swayed in his battered boots, but determination hardened his jaw. “I promised the boys a good fight, and I figure we’re due. For Duck!” He rushed toward Bear and was instantly taken down by Lucas Clarke, Bear’s top lieutenant.

The Fire members billowed forward, already throwing punches.

Lucas wasted no time in flipping Pyro over and smacking his forehead into the concrete. A genuine smile, dark and grim, curved the shifter’s lips when Pyro began to gurgle up blood.

“I told you not to attack,” Daire muttered.

Two Fire members ran for Bear, only to be stopped by two angry Grizzly members.

Bear grabbed Daire’s arm, pivoted, and tackled him through the open door. Daire landed hard with a fucking bear on his chest. His lungs protested, and his ass hurt from smashing onto a wrench. “Get off.”

Bear kicked shut the door and stood, holding a hand to Daire.

Daire took the hand and jumped to his feet, rubbing his butt. “Put your damn tools away.”

“You’re welcome.” Bear reached down and grabbed the wrench to toss it onto the counter. It clanked away and landed on the other side. “Damn it all to hell. Can’t you control those Fire idiots?”

“Apparently not.” Daire shoved rain off his face.

Bear sighed. “We have about five minutes until the cops show up.”

Sirens echoed down the lane.

“Make that one minute.” Bear hustled for a back door. “Follow me.”

Daire ducked his head and followed Bear through an office to a garage holding a Bentley, a new Porsche, and a Spyder. “Nice,” he muttered, careful not to touch anything.

“My mechanics are the best in the Northwest.” Bear ran through a back door to where a couple of bikes were parked. “Take the Harley.” He jumped onto a Victory Gunner.

A helicopter’s rotors split the rain-filled night, and a beam of light poured down from a police helicopter.

“Shit.” Bear started the bike and roared toward what looked like a trail.

Daire followed suit, his head down to avoid the rain.

The light swept to and from, and he tried to keep to the tree line. Garrett Kayrs had better have gotten clear before the cops showed up.

Red and blue swirled through the clouds, and the screech of vehicles stopping competed with the helicopter noise. Gunfire pinged through the air.

Shit. Who was shooting? Pyro had completely lost it. If Daire could get him alone, he might be able to finally get a line on both the distributor and manufacturer of Apollo. Or maybe it was time to just torture the club leader for information.

Daire followed Bear down a narrow path, ducking several times to avoid tree branches. Wind whipped into him, and the rain traced a chilly path down his neck and underneath his cut. He thought about using fire to warm up, but the helicopter might see the flames and investigate. Adrenaline flowed through his veins, and the need to get back home to Cee Cee compressed his lungs. Instinct bellowed for him to return and shield her.

The path wound around trees and bushes for several miles, finally ending up at a logging road halfway up a mountain.

An SUV blocked the road, and Detective Alexandra Monzelle leaned against the passenger side door, gun out and pointed at them. Rain matted her no-nonsense blond hair to her head, and her eyes glowed a dark blue through the darkness. She was small and lean . . . and knew how to shoot. She was also mated to Kellach, but that didn’t guarantee any cooperation, unfortunately. She’d shot him a couple of times, Daire was fairly certain.

Bear rolled to a stop first, and Daire followed suit, both cutting their engines.

“Welcome back,” Daire drawled, twisting his neck to look inside the vehicle. Empty. Good. She’d come alone and not with any other cops. “How was Ireland?”

“Lovely. Your aunt sends her love.” Alexandra jerked her head. “Want to tell me what’s going on?”

Bear rested his arms on his handlebars. “Want to tell me how you even know this road exists?”

She eyed him. “I memorized every escape road within miles when I was investigating you.”

Bear grinned, flashing a dimple. “I think you’re still crushing on me, Detective.”

Daire rolled his eyes. “Bear, now isn’t the time to set yourself up for a death match with Kellach.”

“Ah, but she’d be worth it.” Bear winked.

Alexandra tightened her hold on the gun. “I’d prefer not to shoot you, Bear.”

“Sounds like foreplay to me,” the bear retorted.

Man, he really wanted to get shot. Weren’t most bears a honey pot away from insanity? Daire shook his head. The woman was as close to a sister-in-law as possible in his world, and while he had enough to deal with, he still felt concern. Though she’d mated Kellach, and her chromosomal pairs would increase to those of a mate and grant immortality, that took time. Right now, she was vulnerable. “Alexandra, you were shot way too recently. How are you?”

“Already healed,” she said.

Good. Daire cleared his throat. “You should have a partner or backup.”

She sniffed. “If I had backup, I’d be cuffing you and putting you in the back of the SUV. This way we can have a nice chat, and you can try to convince me not to cuff your asses.” She smiled, her aim staying true. “Give it a shot.”

“You can do whatever you want with my ass.” Bear chuckled. “I think I love you.”

Aye. Bear was nuts. Daire dug deep for patience yet once again. “Does Kellach know you’re out here alone?”

She released the safety on the gun.

Daire bit back a sharp retort. Something caught his eye. He twisted his head. “Is that a diamond?”

She blushed. “Yes.”

He smiled. “You’re engaged.”

“Yes. So please don’t make me shoot you.” She held out her left hand and turned it to reveal a diamond surrounded by emeralds.

Man, she was tough. He nodded. “Congratulations.”

“Thank you,” she huffed.

Bear winced. “I think you could do better.”

Daire reached over and punched him in the arm. He could let his friend get away with only so much. “Stop hitting on my brother’s woman.”

“Your brother’s what?” Alexandra hissed.

Shit. He’d forgotten the cop didn’t like archaic language and was just fine with shooting members of his family. Or Bear. She’d even shot Bear at one time. Daire had forgotten that fact. “You know what I meant.”

Bear grinned and shook his shaggy hair. “No, Daire. Tell the lady with the gun what you meant.”

That was it. He was going to have to kill Bear. “Alexandra, I have to get back to the penthouse, and it’s life or death.”

“It’s always life or death, and you’re not going anywhere until you both explain what’s going on,” she said, not moving an inch.

Daire glared at the barrel. Though a bullet wouldn’t kill him, it would hurt like hell and slow him down. He could leap over the handlebars and take the weapon, but that would just make Kellach mad. “Fine. Logan was with one of Bear’s members before disappearing, and I made the colossal mistake of showing the picture of the pretty redhead to Pyro. He figured it was time to avenge his nephew and wage war.”

“Kellach said that Logan had disappeared, and that’s why I headed down to the station early. But there wasn’t any information about missing prospects or anything interesting that happened around the bar where he disappeared.” Alexandra frowned. “Why is Pyro attacking now? Bear didn’t have anything to do with Duck’s murder.”

“I know, but Pyro is not thinking clearly.” Daire eyed his cell phone. “I really have to go.”

“Wait a minute. You said the woman with Logan had red hair.” Alexandra asked slowly, “What does the woman look like?”

Bear stiffened. “Why do you ask?”

“We have a head with red hair at the morgue. I just checked in and was assigned the case immediately,” she responded.

Daire brought up the picture and handed the phone over the front of his bike. “You’ve only been back a couple of hours.”

“It’s my job, and I’m good at it.” She glanced down, made the picture brighter, and sighed. “We have a redhead in the morgue.” She grimaced. “I’m sorry, Bear. We actually have her head but haven’t recovered the body yet. It’s definitely her.”

Bear growled, losing every inch of his teasing persona and showing the predator he usually kept veiled. “Where was her head discovered?”

“It was found in a garbage can outside of a restaurant on the north side. All the way across the city from the bar where she and Logan disappeared.” She shook her head. “I’m so sorry.”

“Time of death?” Bear asked.

“We don’t know yet.” Alexandra handed back the phone and holstered her weapon.

Bear rubbed rain from his face. “Was her head ripped off or cut off?”

“Cut off with a blade. Surgical precision and immortal strength,” Alexandra returned, all business. But sadness glimmered in her eyes, and once again, Daire could see what had taken his brother to his knees. The woman was tough and sweet, and Kell hadn’t stood a chance.

Bear half turned toward Daire. “Tasha was one of mine, Daire. Not a warrior, not a soldier, but a nice kid who probably was just hooking up with Garrett for fun. She didn’t deserve to die, and she doesn’t have any other family to avenge her death. If you know who did this, I want in.”

“I know who did this,” Daire said. The phone buzzed, and Sam’s face came up on the screen. “Sam?” he asked.

Sam coughed hard. “We, ah, were attacked.” He erupted in a fit of more coughing. “Smoke and drugs,” he gasped.

Daire gripped the phone. “Felicity?”

“She was taken.”