Zoey Avenger (Incubatti Series Book 2) (5 page)

“I get it.” She accepted his card.

“I have office hours, too. I’m accustomed to … hiding things,” he cleared his throat. “Bodies. Weapons. Technology. Whatever you need to make disappear, so the people don’t suspect. My office is located in a very discreet location. Address is on the card.”

“So you work with Olivia? Declan, too?” she asked.

“Very closely,” he confirmed.

“And you’re still standing.” She tilted her head to the side. “How is that?”

“I’m not sure I understand the question.” For the first time since he waltzed up to her warehouse, his openness retreated.

“A human man can’t stay on his feet next to a half-succubus, let alone a full one,” Zoey said. “Did you take a drug? Something to keep the sex magic from affecting you?”

“Proprietary technology,” he replied. “Experimental, actually. I’m happy to report it’s been working for me, though the side effects aren’t yet known.”

“What is it?” she pushed.

After a brief hesitation, he pulled up one sleeve to reveal what looked like a simple band around his wrist. The unassuming technology was an inch wide and made of gray rubber.

Zoey took his arm and examined the band. It was like the one she used to track her daily activity. It plugged into a computer and her phone each night, and she downloaded all the information, her vital signs, activity and everywhere she’d been, for Chrissy to monitor in an attempt to uncover the trigger that was causing her blackouts.

The idea that this human was able to tolerate sex magic with apparent ease made her consider the other practical applications of such a device. Chrissy would need the band to take apart in order to be able to duplicate it. Guessing Grant wasn’t going to turn it over willingly, Zoey released him.

“What are your office hours?” she asked.

“Eight to eight, daily. If I’m not there, just call.”

She met his green gaze, considering. “This all seems weird.”

“As an independent group under its own command, I felt it best to approach you before I had another mess to clean up. It might be more helpful if you called me directly.” His look was steady, his body showing no signs of deception.

“We hit the big times,” Lydia said. “Kinda scary.”

“Do you deal with the Cambions, too?” Zoey asked.

“Their interests are not in alignment with those of the people,” he replied. “As a liaison, I wouldn’t turn down a meeting with them, but I haven’t sought them out.”

“Because they kill people,” she murmured.

“I have the job of helping the Incubatti cover up those murders,” he said. His jaw clenched, and a troubled look crossed his features. “I much prefer to cover up the Sucubatti killing of Cambions.”

“You know my work.”

“I do.” The smile was back, this time warmer. “I’m a fan.”

Zoey laughed, pleased to know she was making a difference when she felt like she was drowning in the minutiae of running Team Rogue. “I’m going to check out your story before I consider calling you.” She lifted the business card.

“I expected as much. My understanding is that you have a close personal connection to the new Enforcer chief and the Sucubatti IAB leader. Either one will vouch for me.”

Her smile faded at the mentions of both. “Yeah. Thanks. You know your way out?”

“I do.”

“Lyd, go with him. We get in scuffles with a local gang, and you’re totally out of place here,” Zoey said, gaze sweeping over his suit again.

“Will do,” Lydia stepped away.

“Nice to meet you, Grant Brown,” Zoey said.

“You, too, Zoey.” He turned away to follow Lydia.

Zoey watched him.

Lydia was right. They really had hit the big time, if someone who worked with members at the level of Olivia and Declan sought her out.

We just need big time money.

Chapter Four: Declan

Declan debated calling her back, the same way he did every day.

As if two minutes is long enough for her to change her mind about talking to me.

He set the cell down. She’d changed her number seven times the first week, fourteen the second, and he lost track of how many times the third. Every time she shook him, he managed to track down her new number. With Zoey, it was a matter of patience.

And apparently, attrition. She hadn’t changed her number in a week, the longest stretch of time she’d gone without doing so, a small sign of defeat.

He tapped his pen on the desk he’d inherited from his father a couple of months ago. With Ethan’s promotion to the Council and Declan’s elevation to the Enforcer Chief, he’d had enough to keep him busy since Zoey left.

But that didn’t mean he didn’t miss her or that thinking of her had gotten any easier, because it was only getting harder to stay away. He knew where she was, stalked her on nights when she had blackouts, and followed her operations. The location of Team Rogue was a tightly kept secret of the Enforcers, who were able to compare notes with one another about where their soul-mates were.

What he couldn’t explain: how Olivia was continuing to control Zoey when her people were frantically searching for her. Whatever was wrong with Zoey and causing the blackouts, it was accelerating. The moment his connection to her was severed by the blackout, he launched out of wherever he was – his bed, the gym, his office, meetings – and went to her last known location, tracking her on foot until he discovered where she’d gone. If it was impossible for him to leave for fear of someone following him, he sent a brother to find her, which was how Aiden managed to tangle with his soul-mate this night.

“Any word from Aiden?”

He rose from his chair and motioned for the speaker, his father Ethan, to enter. “No,” Declan replied. “I’m sure he’s fine. I did send Grant her location, so no one will get suspicious about us calling in all her Cambion slaughters.”

They went to the small living area off the office that was big enough to be an apartment. There was a mini-bar and kitchenette behind one divider, a living area with a couch he’d spent many nights on, a bathroom with shower, his desk and conference room area.

It was everything he’d dreamt of long ago, the position he’d been groomed for since he was ten, to become the youngest Enforcer Chief in history. His succession was bittersweet. The same day he became the Chief was the day he lost his soul-mate. The memory of that day tormented him, and he looked around the office. The satisfaction and pride he expected to feel was missing, a casualty of knowing he’d let down the person who mattered most in the world. Unaccustomed to being powerless, he’d struggled to find balance lately.

“Funny. Now that I’m on the Council, my own sons won’t tell me what they’re doing.” Ethan eyed him. His Texas twang was thick, his muscular body showing no sign of his age despite his greying temples.

Declan smiled. “It’s for your protection, Dad. Plausible deniability.”

“You are everything I expected you to be and more.” Ethan’s grin was big. He sat down on the couch while Declan took the oversized chair.

I miss windows. He had no way of knowing the time of day, for there was no daylight or nighttime in the underground compound. He was surprised to realize how much he missed being able to see the outdoors. His tired mind was taken by errant thoughts more often than he liked lately.

“How are things?” Ethan’s asked.

Declan refocused on his father. “Is this my father asking or the Councilmember?”

“Father.”

Declan debated what to say. “Everyone on the planet wants to talk to me lately.” Except for the one person I want to talk to. “I didn’t realize how busy you were. Not sure how you found time for us like you always did.”

Ethan shrugged. “You get into a routine after a while. People learn when you’re open to them and when you’re not. You have to train those around you. Though, I imagine it’s much harder for you, given the circumstances.”

“Nothing I can’t handle,” Declan replied.

“I know, son.” Ethan smiled. “That’s why you’re behind my old desk.”

“You did an amazing job, Dad. Everything runs really smoothly.”

The skin around Ethan’s eyes softened with warmth. “How’re the rest of my ungrateful boys?”

“Good.” Declan felt himself relax around his father. “Tommy checks in daily. I’ve figured out it’s what he’s not saying that’s important,” he said. “Olivia has him very tightly guarded over there.”

“The same way we do her liaison here.”

“Not tightly enough,” Declan replied acidly, thoughts going to Heidi, the woman who drugged him and had been in bed with him when Zoey discovered he was cheating. She had been a temporary liaison during the incident and was replaced by another succubus after.

There was no arguing the point that he’d been drugged, especially not to someone like Zoey. He’d given up trying to find an excuse or reasoning she’d accept. She was all heart. Even if he hadn’t done it on purpose, he’d still done it. One day, when she picked up the phone, he’d have a chance to explain things without knowing if what he said mattered to her.

“It’s part of the game, Declan, and Olivia knows how to push your buttons,” Ethan observed. “Using Heidi as the liaison was one way to keep you off-balance.”

“Was,” Declan corrected him. He no longer blamed Heidi for seducing and manipulating him into betraying Zoey. There was a time when seeing Heidi filled him with an emotion he struggled to control, but he had tamed it when he realized she was a distraction from the real danger. Olivia was the mastermind who created the plan to drive a wedge between Zoey and him, and his focus shifted to the IAB chief rather than her lackey.  “I’m over her involvement now. Angrier at myself than anything else.”

Ethan nodded in understanding.

“Zoey’s getting smarter, her Hunters more effective. Her team has been relentless. They took out a hundred and fifty Cambions in one attack and raided a Sucubatti safe house last week. They walked out with the Halflings joining their fight. They’re on the offensive,” Declan said, pride trickling through him. “I take a great deal of satisfaction knowing that Olivia is going crazy about this.”

“As is the Incubatti,” Ethan said. “Neither society has ever had a challenge like this. Your kitten has drawn the attention of both Councils. I’m not certain how long it’ll be before they decide to work together.”

A part of Declan knew this. The security branches of the two supernatural societies were tentatively collaborating while the Councils stood off to the side, always the noncommittal politicians. If the cooperation between them ever became formal, there’d be some issues.

“Fortunately, I think Olivia’s ulterior motives and the usual philosophical divide about Cambions will prevent any sort of openly accepted cooperation,” he murmured. “I’m happy to operate in the gray.”

Ethan chuckled. “A few weeks ago, you weren’t sure about wading into the ocean of gray that makes up our arena.”

“I understand better now,” Declan admitted. “We need the ability to hide our secrets from everyone, even our own Councils.”

“Point taken. I respect your boundaries.”

“I know, Dad.” Declan drew a deep breath then rolled his shoulders back. “I’m hoping Aiden brings back good news. I have a sense that Zoey’s burning the candle at both ends.”

“Like her soul-mate.”

“It’s my job. I’m not in a position to pick up the pieces if Team Rogue goes under. Not yet, at least. I have to be ready.”

“So you are playing them against Paul,” Ethan said, referring to the leader of the Cambions.

“I make sure Zoey knows where to look. I also trimmed the Cambions’ budget for weapons and enacted a more rigid policy of pre and post mission reporting. That’s it so far. Baby steps,” Declan said.

“How are you contacting her? Open communication with her is dangerous, son. You’ve got the Council, Paul and Olivia scrutinizing your every move.”

“I can handle all of them.” Declan smiled. “You trained me well, Dad. That’s all I’ll say.”

“As long as she stays off the radar of the Council.” Ethan snorted. “I’m proud of all my boys.” He stood. “Let me know when Aiden makes it back.”

“Will do.” Declan walked his father to the door. “Have fun with your politics.”

“Like a bull in a china shop.”

Declan had no trouble imagining his father butting heads then going out drinking with the Councilmembers. They were very different in their approaches, each cunning in his own way.

Declan glanced around his office. He hadn’t been above ground during daylight in nearly a week. If he didn’t force himself to take a break, he’d never see the sun again.

Then again, work took his mind off Zoey and the gaps that kept occurring in his link to her. She was blacking out more often, always at night. He felt it, and his own experience, coupled with reports from the incubuses he sent to check in on her when he couldn’t break away, confirmed it. Somehow, Olivia still had her claws in Zoey, and there was no way of knowing how or why without kidnapping his soul-mate and putting her under some sort of medical observation. Doing so would destroy any chance of eventual reconciliation.