Sloan (The Protectors Series) Book #9 (14 page)

Chapter 26

Katrina sat in the kitchen waiting for someone to give her a ride to Becky’s. She was bummed that she hadn’t gotten to see Becky before she’d left with Sloan, but training called. Things were going a little better. The guys were mostly leaving her alone, except Ben glared at her constantly, but that she could ignore easily.

Hearing someone come in, she turned to see Steve. “Hey!” She smiled, happy to see him. Steve was awesome, but lately he seemed sad, and that wasn’t like him. She hadn’t known him long, but he was always cheerful, making jokes.

“What are you doing?” he asked, grabbing something to drink out of the fridge. He then sat down across from her.

“Just waiting for someone to get free to take me to Becky’s. She was off today,” Katrina replied, wanting to help Steve somehow. He had always been there for her and she felt like she was letting him down. 

“I can take you in a little while. I have to hang here until Jax gets back, just in case one of the trainees sees something on the monitor.” Steve rolled his eyes. “Fun shit.” He took a drink, then stared at the can of soda.

“You’ll get your powers, Steve.” Katrina leaned over the table and touched his hand.

“I’m seriously doubting it,” Steve replied with a sigh. “Hell, I’d even take the toxic farting gig, but that stopped. Go figure, huh.”

Katrina chuckled, then felt relief when Steve laughed with her. “Sometimes when we want something so bad it takes forever for it to happen. Just like in school when you wanted the day to end and stared at the clock, it ended up being the longest day ever.”

“Yeah, been there done that.” Steve leaned back in his chair. “I’ve always had this problem of wanting something and wanting it now. I’m not very patient. It’s just….”

“Just what?” Katrina urged him.

“I don’t want it to be a joke, like toxic farts or something like that.” Steve was dead serious. “I know I’m a goof-off, but I take my duties seriously and I want a serious power. Something that will help the Warriors.”

“You never know, you may already have the power you’re supposed to have, but haven’t realized yet.” Katrina added, “That’s what happened to me.”

“Yeah, maybe.” Steve flicked the can with his finger. “Sometimes I just want to disappear. Do you ever feel that way?”

“All the time.” Katrina nodded. “Usually I do because not a lot of people notice me, which is fine with me. I’m invisible to most anyway.”

“What I wouldn’t give to be invisible sometimes.” Steve shrugged, then sighed. “Yeah, sometimes I wish I was invisible.”

Katrina gasped, her chair sliding back and hitting the wall behind her. “Oh my God! Steve!”

“What?” Steve sounded alarmed. “What is it?”

“You’re invisible?” Katrina said, shocked, then laughed, her hand on her cheek in disbelief.

“Oh, ha-ha, Katrina.” Steve’s voice dipped in sadness. “I didn’t take you for a cruel person.”

“No, I’m totally serious.” Katrina stood to get something that showed a reflection. Yanking the chrome toaster off the counter, she all but pulled her arm off when she forgot to unplug it. “Shit!” She hurried and unplugged it, heading toward Steve.

She could see a shimmer of him, but it was truly strange.

“What the hell are you doing with the toaster?” Steve asked, his tone pissy.

“Here! Look!” She held the toaster out, which quickly left her hands. She watched the toaster jerk back and forth, up and down, sideways and upside down. It was a very weird experience watching the toaster float in the air until it dropped on the table. “Steve?”

Suddenly there was a big whoop that filled the room, the chair he had been sitting on was knocked over, and she was picked up off her feet. She was hugged and spun in circles.

“What in the fuck!?” Jared boomed as he walked in.

Katrina was getting dizzy, but she saw Jared and Sid, who had followed him in, staring at her in horror.

“She’s possessed.” Sid’s voice was serious and it kind of scared her.

“Put me down, Steve,” Katrina said and she was immediately put on her feet.

“Steve?” Sid walked toward her, looking at her closely. “Katrina, are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Katrina responded, and before she could say anything else, Sid was blocking at something.

“What the fuck?” Sid was in a fighting stance, looking around. “Something just touched me.”

Katrina was about to tell Steve to stop when she saw Jared’s hair lifting from his shoulder. A giggle slipped past her lips at the look on Jared’s face. His arm shot out and she heard Steve curse.

“Hey, damn,” Steve’s voice called out. “It’s just me.”

“No! That’s a fuck no!” Jared hissed, a look of disbelief on his face. “This cannot be your fucking power. No!”

“Oh, but it is.” Steve laughed gleefully. “Can you believe it? All this time I probably had my power, but didn’t know it.”

“Jesus!” Sid shook his head. “Okay, enough. Time for us to see you, Steve.”

They waited and nothing.

“Am I back?” Steve asked, but they all shook their heads. “Okay, now?”

“No.” Jared frowned. “Come on, stop screwing around.”

“I’m not.” Steve’s voice pitched high in panic. “Oh, God. What if I’m stuck like this? I’ll never get laid.”

Katrina rolled her eyes, walking toward him. Blaze had walked in and was looking at them all like they were crazy. “You wished to be invisible, so just wish to be visible.”

Suddenly, Steve shimmered back, his eyes wide with fright. “Am I back?”

“No,” Sid said, making Katrina frown.

Steve slapped his hands over his face. “Oh, God. What have I done?” He sank to his knees, his face still in his hands before he looked up to glare at Katrina. “This is all your fault, Katrina.”

“You’re back, Steve.” Katrina sighed, nodding toward Sid. “He was lying.”

“I’m back?” Steve leaped up and grabbed the toaster. “Oh, thank God.” He then kissed his reflection; actually, he kissed the toaster.

His eyes widened. “I wish for a million dollars!” he shouted, then looked around. So did everyone else. He then looked under the table.

“Ah, I don’t think that’s how it works.” Katrina shook her head. “Your words have nothing to do with it. Your power is invisibility. You just have to use your mind to achieve it. Try it again.”

Steve nodded, then frowned. “I’m scared.” He glanced at Katrina. “What if I stay that way?”

“You won’t.” She chuckled, then stopped when her gaze met Blaze’s.

Steve once again disappeared, but then reappeared quickly. “Am I here?”

“Yes.” Katrina nodded.

“Sweet! I’m going to fuck with Adam and Jill. This is awesome.” Steve headed for the door, but stopped and headed toward Katrina to give her the biggest hug. “Thank you!”

Not liking the questioning looks she received from Jared, Sid, and Blaze, she wished she had Steve’s power. Since she didn’t, she slowly made her way back to the table and sat down.

“Someone is going to kill him,” Jared said as he headed further into the kitchen.

“My bet’s on Damon,” Sid called out, rattling pots and pans. “No, probably going to be Sloan.”

“Honestly, do you know how much intel we can get using his power?” Jared stopped and looked at Sid. “This is pretty huge.”

“Guess we need to keep the kid alive then,” Sid replied as he continued to prepare for dinner.

Katrina sat listening to them and was amazed by the Warriors. There never was a dull moment. She used her peripheral vision to watch Blaze, who stood staring at her.

“Do you need a ride?” Blaze’s voice had her turning toward him.

“If you got time,” Katrina replied, hating to be a pain the ass.

“Come on.” He held the door open for her.

Katrina called out a good-bye to Sid and Jared as she passed Blaze, careful not to touch him. Yeah, Steve was lucky.

Chapter 27

Becky didn’t know exactly what was going on, but something was definitely not right. She felt Sloan’s tension as if it were her own. She watched the man he had been introduced to, Evan Nico. He was a big man, but nothing compared to Sloan. His hair was dark and he had a dark exotic look about him. As she studied him, knowing he was the reason for Sloan’s different mood, the man looked down at her.

“And who is this lovely lady?” He reached for her hand.

“Becky Spencer.” She smiled, but as soon as he touched her hand, she wanted to pull it back. “Nice to meet you,” she lied. She could have gone the rest of her life without meeting the man before her. His eyes kept going to her cleavage. The mayor’s had also, but the look Evan gave her was different and made her feel dirty.

Finally, Evan looked away, maybe because Sloan casually stepped in front of her, blocking his view.

“Ah, a jealous man, I see.” Evan smiled with a nod. “And totally understandable with such a beautiful woman. I’ve heard a lot of things about you, Sloan Murphy.”

“Good,” Sloan replied, his voice even, emotionless. Becky noticed that the mayor looked a little nervous, so it wasn’t just her feeling the tension. “I’m sure I’ll be hearing a lot about you also.”

“Oh, of that I have no doubt,” the man said, the lightness of his voice darkening. “Heard you’ve had a little trouble lately.”

“Nothing we can’t handle,” Sloan replied, his shoulders stiff, poised as if ready for something.

“Well, you let me know.” Evan took a step. “If you catch any involved, I will make sure they are prosecuted to the extent of the law.”

“Well, Evan, I appreciate that, but we already have seven in custody.” Sloan didn’t say anything else for a second, as if letting his words sink in. The change in Evan’s mood soaked over her quickly as his mouth formed a frown, his eyes narrowing before it was replaced quickly with an emotionless stare. That was very telling.

“Oh, is that so.” Evan’s friendly smile slipped. “Well, like I said, you turn them over to the authorities and I will make sure they get the max prison term. After a fair trial, of course. I’m pretty good at what I do.”

“This is VC jurisdiction, and we are also very good at what we do, but thanks.” Sloan sounded anything but grateful.

Evan’s cool demeanor seemed to slip a little, giving him an anxious edge as the skin around his mouth tightened visibly. Becky knew Sloan was saying things on purpose. She was witnessing her boss in action and he was damn good.

“Well, I have another function that can’t wait. It was nice meeting you, Sloan Murphy.” Evan nodded toward him, then looked around at Becky. “Ms. Spencer. I’m sure I’ll be seeing you both soon.”

“You can bet on it,” Sloan said as Evan walked away, but Becky thought she was the only one who heard until Evan turned to glance at him.

“Is something wrong?” the mayor asked, his confusion plain on his face.

“Definitely,” Sloan replied, finally looking away from where Evan had disappeared. He took Becky’s hand and headed toward the door.

Before she knew what was happening, she was inside the limo and Sloan was on the phone. Actually, it was a phone he’d pulled out of a backpack on the floor of the limo. It looked like a disposable cell phone. He looked up at her as he waited for whoever to answer, and she gave him a smile.

She was disappointed, but hoped it didn’t show. This wasn’t a real date. It was work and that was exactly what he was doing. Working.

“Put me on a secure line.” Sloan’s voice filled the limo. Again he waited, not saying anything. “Good. I just met Evan Nico, our new DA.”

Becky looked down at her dress and straightened it, not that it mattered now. But she didn’t want to seem nosey and she definitely didn’t want to look disappointed.

“Yeah, no shit,” Sloan was saying. “This is going to be tricky. He knows that I know something, which is fine. I want the fucker looking over his shoulder every second. And I think we need to have a little talk with our mayor. Yeah, George is the one who introduced us, very happily I might add. So this Nico asshole has made some definite friends with the higher ups.”

Looking out the window, Becky watched the scenery go by, wishing she could have danced with Sloan just once.

“This is why I don’t do relationships.”

Wondering why Sloan would be saying that to someone on the phone had her looking his way, but he wasn’t on the phone anymore. He was staring at her.

“Why are you saying that?” Becky tilted her head. “This was work and hopefully whatever you found out tonight helps you. And the sooner you get on it the better, I’m sure. I totally understand.”

Sloan chuckled. “No, actually, I don’t think you do. That bastard, Evan Nico, is behind the bombing at the gym, or at least that’s what the informants said and what Adam discovered while reading them. His name came up with all of them.” Sloan leaned back. “I didn’t leave to do more work because there is nothing I can do at the moment anyway. We left because of your safety.”

“My safety?” Becky’s head snapped back.

“Yes, your safety, which is very important to me,” Sloan said as he pushed a button, lowering the privacy window separating them from the driver. “Hank, can you do a twenty-minute drive, then head to my address please?”

“Yes, sir,” the man responded before Sloan hit the bottom, shutting the window once more.

“I think we have some unfinished business.” He crooked his finger at her.

Becky cocked her eyebrow, her insides going absolutely crazy to the point she felt like there was an earthquake inside her. “I thought you didn’t believe in twenty-minute fucks?” Okay, she couldn’t believe she’d said that, but seeing the wide smile on Sloan’s face and the fire in his eyes, she sure was glad she had.

“I don’t.” He reached over and pulled her onto his lap. “This is to get you ready for what I’m going to do to you as soon as I have you in my bed.”

“Oh, God,” she whispered, her body quivering.

“I plan on hearing that a lot tonight.” Sloan took her mouth, demanding everything that she was willing to give. She was willing to give it all.

******

Sloan had never tasted anything sweeter than her mouth. She was addictive. He had felt so bad knowing she was excited about the party, yet because of his world, they’d had to leave. There was no way he would have stayed and put her in danger. If it had been just him, he would have investigated a little longer. But Evan Nico was a smart man, that much had been obvious. He’d known he had to take his leave once he’d realized Sloan was on to him.

Sloan was definitely going to make it up to her, starting immediately. His mouth worked from hers to her neck, down to her cleavage. He loved the feel of her fingers in his hair. His pulled the dark purple dress low, exposing one breast, and feasted on the large rosy nipple. He bent and licked, then blew, watching her react to him. A woman’s body was amazing; Becky’s body was absolutely perfect. He worked her nipple with his tongue, teeth, and lips as his other hand pulled handfuls of her dress fabric out of his way.

His hand slid slowly up her silk-soft legs, his rough fingers a marked contrast. Once he reached his sweet destination, she opened for him. Every male instinct he possessed reared its head in triumph. The wetness that met his eager fingers had him roaring inside. She was more than ready for him. Leaving her breast, he found her mouth to absorb any noise she was about to make as he penetrated her.

Her hands were frantic, as was her body. She was damn tight, the knowledge made him harder, if that were at all possible. His fangs elongated and he wanted nothing more than to taste her—as a man, and as a vampire.

“You’re tight,” he said against her lips as he worked two fingers inside her. He wanted her ready for him.

She moaned and sensually moved her hips. “It’s been a while.” Her raspy reply made him smile. “Is twenty minutes up?” Her voice sounded so hopeful he laughed.

“Almost.” He began to pump his fingers inside her. “Are you a screamer?”

“I don’t know.” Her head lay on his arm, her eyes closed in bliss.

“We’re about to find out.” His voice was harsh with need, his cock harder than it had ever been. He couldn’t wait to get her to his apartment. Once there, he may never let her go. And for once in his long life, he was content with that thought.

His thumb found her throbbing nub and he flicked while his fingers pumped. Within seconds she was screaming in his mouth. Oh, she was most definitely a screamer.

He felt the limo slowing and knew they had arrived at his apartment. He continued to kiss Becky, bringing her down from her climax. Pulling away, he smiled into her glassy eyes.

“We’re here,” he whispered, brushing hair from her eyes.

He helped her sit up and was in the middle of helping fix her dress when there was a tap on his window. He didn’t tap back until he was sure Becky was ready.

“Do I… ah….” She cleared her throat as she fluffed her hair, then tugged at her dress, clearly rattled. The she laughed. “Holy shit, I can’t even form a rational thought. Let me try that again. Do I look okay?”

She didn’t look just okay; she looked well satisfied and he hadn’t even started to please her yet. He was glad his tux jacket was long enough to hide his obvious hard-on. “You look more than okay.” He smiled when she blushed.

“I don’t want to shock poor Hank,” Becky teased when Sloan knocked once on the window and the door opened.

Sloan winked at her as he stepped out of the limo, then helped her out. After giving Hank a generous tip, they both thanked the older man and headed inside. The doorman waited with the door already open.

“Good evening, Mr. Murphy. Ma’am.” He bowed his head slightly as they went inside.

“Hey, Gary,” Sloan greeted without stopping. “How’s the wife and kids?”

“Very well, sir.” Gary smiled. “Thanks for asking.”

He held Becky’s hand as they headed toward the elevator. Sloan only nodded to the deskman as they passed. The elevator opened and they walked inside. Sloan hit his floor button, then pulled Becky into his arms, smashing her up against his body to make sure she felt his need for her. When she moaned, he smiled with male pride.

The door opened and he led her to the end of the hallway. Unlocking his door, Sloan held it open for her. When she entered, a content sigh escaped her lips.

“It’s beautiful, Sloan,” she whispered.

For the first time in a long time, he really looked at his place. Sloan never called it home, because he was never here, but she was right. It was beautiful. A wall of windows overlooked the Ohio River, with double doors opening onto a balcony as long as the apartment.

He leaned against the wall as she strolled to the windows. Becky reached out and opened the doors and stepped outside. Standing at the rail, she raised her face to the sky. Sloan had never seen a more beautiful sight. No other woman had ever been in his apartment, but she looked as if she belonged.

Pushing away from the wall, he flicked on the radio as he made his way toward her. Becky turned at the sound of the music and smiled.

“You know, tonight I had only one regret.” She clasped her hands in front of her.

“I can’t have that.” Sloan stopped inside the door and leaned against it. “What was your one regret?”

“That I didn’t get to dance with you,” she whispered. Her eyes appeared bright and happy, and the moonlight against her skin made her glow.

Sloan reached out and tugged her into his arms. “If that is your only regret with me, then I’m doing pretty damn well.”

They swayed with the music. “I was very proud to be on your arm tonight, Sloan.”

“You trying to sweet talk me?” he teased against her hair.

“Yes,” she replied, and he felt her smile against his chest.

“Keep going. It’s working.” They both laughed before they became silent and just swayed in each other’s arms, enjoying the music and company.

After a while, Becky pulled away and slipped her shoulder straps down. Her eyes never left his. “I want you, Sloan.”

“You’re going to have me.” He watched as she lowered the dress to her waist, baring her breasts for him. Lowering it further, she slipped it past her gorgeous white lacy thong until it pooled to her feet. She stepped out of the dress, leaving her high heels in place. At that moment he’d never wanted anything more than her. “Every single inch of me.”