Shadowed 3 I’ll Be Damned (4 page)

“Cinder, no!” she screamed and ran to the window. Her heart pounded and she felt sick, expecting to see him sprawled on the pavement. The sidewalk below was empty and there was no sign of him. A cloud of smoke floated nearby and she wondered…

She heard voices behind her and turned as the police and EMTs entered her office.

“Ma’am, are you hurt?” asked an officer.

Jayden once again glanced out the window, then she turned back to the officer.

It was going to be a very long night.

It was early dawn when Jayden got home after being questioned by the police. She was finally released without being charged for killing the intruder who turned out to be Francois’ bouncer, Lou.

Unfortunately she had to tell the police she’d questioned Francois regarding a case she was currently working on and he’d threatened her.

Jayden’s client had wanted to avoid police involvement. That’s why she’d hired a private detective. Now, with a shooting in the mix, it was impossible to avoid the authorities.

Jayden felt as if she’d failed, even though she’d warned her client that Francois was a dangerous man. He wasn’t merely a club owner. He had strong connections to the criminal underworld. Drugs. Prostitution.

Jayden had hesitated to take the case, but her client had seemed desperate. Of course many of her clients were desperate, but something about this mother searching for her missing daughter got to Jayden, so she’d agreed to do her best to locate the girl.

With a sigh, Jayden peeled off her bloody clothes and took a long shower, as if she could wash away the horror of the night along with the gore. She wasn’t happy about killing a man, but it had been self-defense. Lou had no doubt intended to kill her and he’d shot Cinder.

Cinder bothered her even more than Lou. She still couldn’t believe what she’d seen. Part of her wondered if she hadn’t imagined it. If the police hadn’t asked her about the second wounded man she’d reported to the emergency dispatcher, she would have doubted her sanity.

She’d nearly told the cops the truth but refrained. They would think she was either crazy or a liar. Instead she told them what Cinder had suggested -- that the second man had run off. Maybe he hadn’t been injured as badly as she’d thought, or perhaps he’d been wearing some kind of bulletproof vest.

She insisted she had no idea who he was, but told them he’d helped her and hadn’t appeared to be with Lou. The police seemed satisfied, at least for the moment.

Jayden turned off the water, stepped out of the shower and dried off. She wrapped the towel around her and walked into her bedroom where she gasped upon seeing Cinder standing by the window. He’d cleaned up and changed out of his bloodstained clothes. Dressed in black pants and a red shirt that draped his muscular frame, he looked incredibly sexy.

“Damn it! You need to stop doing this. You’re going to give me a heart attack,” she said.

“I’m sorry. I just came by to make sure you’re all right.”

“And you promised to tell me who and what you are.”

“I know.” He stepped toward her. Their gazes locked and something in his luminous blue eyes aroused her so much that she almost squirmed. He lifted his hand to her face and caressed her cheek.

Jayden swayed toward him and he covered her mouth in a deep, tender kiss. His tongue stroked hers and he cupped the back of her head, his fingers sliding through her hair.

When the kiss broke, Jayden leaned against him, her palms splayed against his hard chest. She closed her eyes for a moment and shook her head. A realization struck her and she stepped back to glare at him.

Pointing in his face she said, “You bastard! It wasn’t a dream the other night, was it?”

His blue eyes widened and he shrugged.

“You know exactly what I’m talking about. When we…” She paced the room, torn between rage and shame. Then she paused. Why should she be ashamed? He was the one who --

“I didn’t force you,” he said.

She shot him a furious look. “You
lied
to me.”

“How did I lie?”

“I thought I was dreaming. You came in a puff of smoke and --”

“I never said it was a dream. If you remember, I
asked
if you wanted me in your bed.”

“We did it under false pretenses! Who the hell are you, anyway, and why do you keep bothering me?”

“Bothering? I saved your life twice and gave you unearthly pleasure once already.”

“Already? You think it’s going to happen again?”

He smiled and gently cupped her chin. “I hope so.”

Jayden knocked his hand away. “You still haven’t answered my question.”

“You’ve scarcely given me a chance to get a word in edgewise.”

She stepped closer to him. Cinder was a bit above average height and Jayden was quite tall, so they stood nose-to-nose. “Start talking.”

“You must know by now I’m not human, even though I look human.” He waved his hand in front of his face.

“I got that much. What are you? You change to smoke, right? How is that possible?”

He hesitated. “The explanation is too complicated for a mere human.”

She curled her lip. “So you’re condescending on top of being a liar.”

“I didn’t lie.”

“All right. Fine. Technically you didn’t lie. Are you an alien, a government experiment? What?”

“I’m not from this or any other physical realm. At least not as you know it. The best explanation I can give is I’m a supernatural part of the natural order.”

“That makes no sense unless you’re a…” She paused, then smiled faintly. “I feel like a kid again. My grandmother really believed in you, but I always thought it was just a story.”

His expression turned wary. “What’s just a story?”

“Guardian angels. That’s what you are, isn’t it? That’s why you’ve been protecting me. I didn’t think we could actually see you, unless -- Oh damn.” She covered her mouth briefly. “I’m sorry. I probably shouldn’t curse in front of you.”

“I don’t have a problem with cursing.”

“It seems you don’t have a problem with a lot of things angels shouldn’t do.”

“I’ve answered your questions. Maybe you can answer a few of mine.”

“Aren’t you all-knowing?”

“No, no. That’s for one being alone.” He lifted his eyes toward heaven.

“Oh. Right. What are your questions? Do you mind if I put some clothes on while we talk?”

He grinned. “Since you’re asking, I prefer you don’t.”

Jayden smiled and shook her head. “Something tells me you’re being a bad boy. Won’t pleasures of the flesh make you fall from grace or something like that?” She walked to her dresser and pulled out panties and a knee-length cotton nightshirt.

“There are different kinds of angels and we’re bound by different rules.” He approached and slid his arms around her from behind. He kissed her neck and Jayden closed her eyes and leaned against him.

“I shouldn’t do this,” she breathed as he tugged off her towel and cupped her breasts. His thumbs swept over her nipples and a sexual thrill tore through her from breasts to pussy.

“We’ve done it before.”

“I didn’t know then what I know now. If I make love to you, I’ll probably go to hell.”

He turned her in his arms so their gazes locked. Instead of his usual faint smile, his expression was serious with an underlying sadness. “You won’t go to hell, Jayden. You’re good. I can sense good.”

“I’m sure you can,” she said, then lowered her gaze. “I killed a man tonight. How good is that?”

“He was trying to kill you. If not for my powers, he would have killed me too.”

“Thank you, by the way. I never thanked you for saving my life -- twice.”

“It’s not necessary,” he said in a husky whisper.

He kissed her again, gently at first. When she closed her eyes and opened her mouth to his searching tongue, the kiss turned passionate. She didn’t protest when he picked her up and carried her to the bed.

Cinder gently placed her on her back and kissed her. She wove her fingers through his hair and returned his kiss. Their tongues joined in a sensual dance.

He kissed her neck and breasts while his big, warm hand cupped her soft mound.

Moaning, Jayden arched against his stroking hand. His thumb rolled over her clit and his fingers slid into her wet pussy.

“I love how you touch me,” she breathed.

“And I love touching you,” he said and trailed his tongue along her collarbone. Then he teased first one nipple then the other with his tongue. He kissed his way down her stomach and finally covered her clit with his mouth.

His tongue and lips stroked and tugged at her delicate flesh. He slowly devoured her until she shook and throbbed in an intense orgasm.

While she lay, catching her breath, he rose and undressed, then stretched out beside her in bed. Raising himself on his elbow, he gazed down at her. He caressed her hip and cupped her breast.

Jayden glanced at him with a contented smile. Her gaze roamed over his gorgeous body and lingered on his swollen cock. She curled her fist around him, learning his length and thickness.

Cinder moaned. She glanced at him and saw that his eyes were half-closed, an expression of lust on his handsome face.

Unable to resist, she slid lower in bed and settled between his legs. Still holding his cock, she took the bulging head between her lips and swept her tongue over it. She tickled the underside, then lapped him from root to crown while kneading his balls.

“Jayden, this is unbelievable,” he breathed, caressing her hair. “I’ve never felt anything like…” His words ended in a groan when she took him so deep into her mouth that he touched the back of her throat. Then she slowly withdrew his cock until just the tip rested against her lips and tongue. She sucked and licked until, with a lustful growl, he grasped her beneath her arms and guided her onto her back.

He covered her body with his and thrust into her. Their gazes locked and she clung to him while he filled her over and over. Cinder kissed her deeply. He gently bit her lower lip, then sucked it.

“Oh, Cinder,” she murmured, tightening her grip on him as her passion grew.

His lips covered hers in another deep kiss while he thrust faster and harder. She gasped as she came, throbbing around his stiff cock.

He tore his mouth from hers and cried her name as he climaxed.

When he finished, he lay on his back and pulled her into his arms. Smiling faintly, Jayden rested her head against his chest and listened to his strong heartbeat.

“What’s going on between you and Francois that he keeps trying to kill you?” Cinder asked.

Jayden lifted her head from his chest to meet his gaze. “Telling you about the case would be an invasion of my client’s privacy, but I suppose different rules apply for a guardian angel.”

“Exactly. Think of me as a supernatural partner. I want to help, Jayden.”

She studied him carefully. Not that she didn’t trust him. She’d seen his powers with her own eyes. He’d saved her life twice and made love to her like no mortal man could -- at least not like any man she’d ever been with.

“Francois won’t stop coming for you,” he said. “I’ve known souls like his before. They’re poison and unless you keep away from him, he’ll keep trying to destroy you. I can help, Jayden. Let me.”

Jayden sighed. “All right. I have a client whose nineteen-year-old daughter has been missing for three months. Before she left, she stole a large amount of money from her mother. The mother isn’t as concerned about the money as she is about her daughter. She believes the girl is involved with Francois. I think so too. I believe he’s holding her, maybe against her will. Obviously he won’t answer my questions, and I can’t get into his club or his home. Of course the girl might not be at either place, but I have a gut feeling --”

“Give me her name. And do you have a picture of her? Even better something that belongs to her, like clothing.”

Jayden’s brow furrowed. “Sure, but what do you need a possession for? Do you have psychic powers too?”

“No, but I can track her by scent.”

She smiled slightly and shook her head. “Angels aren’t exactly how I thought they’d be.”

“Just bring me what I asked for and I’ll find her.”

“If guardian angels exist, I wonder why the girl’s hasn’t helped her like you’ve helped me. With all the terrible things happening in the world, maybe there’s not enough of you guys to go around.”

“If this girl is involved with Francois and she’s still alive, I’d say her guardian angel is already working overtime.”

Jayden gave a small chuckle. “Cinder, you have a point.”

* * *

Sinister stepped into his apartment to find John vacuuming. Upon seeing Sinister, the older man switched off the vacuum and approached.

“Good afternoon, sir.”

“I don’t know. Is it?” Sinister walked to the couch and flopped onto it. He leaned his head back and stared at the ceiling.

His life was becoming stranger and more dangerous by the minute. He’d been sent to Earth to get in touch with his demon side and instead he was impersonating a guardian angel. He must be breaking some cosmic rule. Not that it mattered. One way or another he was damned.

“What’s wrong?” John asked. He stood near the couch and stared at Sinister. “Are you sick?”

“No. Just… It’s nothing.”

“Are you hungry? I’ve made some dinner, and it will take only a few minutes to heat up.”

“No. Thanks anyway, John. I’m going to my room. I didn’t get much sleep last night.” Sinister stood and headed toward the bedroom. Halfway there, he paused and turned back to the old man. “Have you ever pretended to be something you’re not?”

John smiled faintly. “When required. Are you pretending, sir?”

“You don’t have to call me sir. Cinder works.”

“Are you, Cinder? Pretending to be something you’re not?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“If it’s on your mind, then it matters.”

“I always have a lot on my mind, John. Get used to it.” Sinister stepped into his bedroom and closed the door.

“So you’re back,” Jodi said, his voice dripping hatred. “What did you do last night? Rescue drowning puppies? Help a few old ladies cross the street? You’re the most fucking pathetic demon I’ve ever seen.” Jodi pressed his scowling face against the smoke bars. “You were spat up from the hottest fire in hell. You could sit at our master’s right hand, but instead you choose to destroy yourself. And for what? A woman? A
mortal
woman?”