Chapter 10 Declan #2
“It might be totally innocuous,” I said.
“Maybe Balthazar Freedman wanted to make sure his students were safe. Could be he wanted to make sure none of them were going to forbidden areas or something. Or,” I added, “the other option is he was a control freak and just wanted to keep tabs on everyone under his care.”
She wrapped her arms around her waist. “They never told me about those, if that’s the case.”
I stepped over and knelt down beside the changeling’s corpse.
Now that it was dead, its gray skin sagged on the sharp, angular bones.
The mouth hung open, revealing jagged brown half-rotten sharp nubs, the black tongue hanging out with slimy drool dripping from the tip onto the floor.
I wrinkled my nose in disgust at the stench that came off the thing: a combination of ammonia, freshly turned earth, and excrement.
I dropped the tracker into the thing’s open mouth. It flicked against one of the rotten teeth, then fell back, deep into the dead monster’s gullet. Whatever prick was tracking Veronica would have to stick his hand down into that horrifying abyss to retrieve it. That would serve him right.
Standing, I nodded toward the door, once again pulling my pistol from the holster. “Time to go.”
Veronica nodded and grabbed her bag, slinging it over her shoulder.
“Dec! Declan!”
I spun, lifting the gun and aiming the barrel at the open door where the shouting came from. Instead of another intruder or monster, skull-faced Danny stood panting at the door, Dom right behind him, both men looking harried.
“Dec, someone saw some freaky little kid down the street asking about your lady friend,” Dom said. “He…”
The man trailed off as his eyes peered around the disaster of the apartment and the twisted dead corpse of the changeling at my feet.
“Oh, shit,” Danny said from behind him.
“You’re a little fucking late with your warning, boys,” I growled, lowering the pistol. “Goddamn great job.”
“Fuck, man,” Dom said, taking a wary step back. “Sorry, bro.”
“Yeah, yeah,” I said, waving at him, digging into my pants pocket.
I tossed two hundreds down onto the monster.
“Get rid of this shit, will you? It’ll start to decompose pretty soon.
These things turn to sludge in less than a day when they die.
It’s why the humans never find any sign of them.
Get it gone, and you get the run of the place.
I won’t be back. The apartment is all yours. At least until I sell it.”
“Sweet!” Dom said. “A crash pad.”
Danny looked less enthused, even with his skull tattoo obscuring most of his face, I could see the disgust and horror in his eyes at the prospect of moving the dead creature.
“Veronica?” I said, holding an arm up for her.
She hurried over, allowing me to put the extended arm around her shoulder and guide her out past the two small-time crooks.
I still wanted to put a slug into both of them for what they’d said to her when we arrived, but that would have to wait ’til later.
Right now, I had to figure out what would be a safe place for her.
Hurrying past the two men, I allowed my hand to remain on Veronica’s shoulders.
As little as I wanted to admit it, I enjoyed the contact.
There was something about the touch of a woman I’d missed.
I didn’t want to be a jackass, but I couldn’t seem to kick it.
Like a smoking habit, or alcoholism. It didn’t help that this woman was one of the most beautiful I’d seen in my life.
At the end of the alley, I peered around both corners.
The sunlight now arced down, piercing between the huge buildings around us.
Gone were the creatures that had slunk around in the dark—the vampires, wraiths, and incubi.
Now, there were shifters, werewolves, and demons in their human form, along with a dozen other types of creatures that would pass for human on any given day.
None looked our way as they passed, and after a few seconds, I decided it was safe to head for the car.
“Come on. We’re gonna head back to my place. I don’t know where else to go for now,” I said.
Veronica nodded. “Thank you for this,” she said as we walked. “You’ve already done a lot for me. I hate that I’ve made your life miserable.”
Usually I’d have brushed off her thanks, but the way she said it? The look in her eyes? I could see she truly meant it, and that deserved an actual response. Pausing, I took her hand, holding my gun against my leg to prevent people from seeing it.
“Hey,” I said, doing my best to be sincere and push my usual gruff nature aside. “It’s my pleasure. I’ll help you in any way I can. Okay?”
She smiled and put her hand on my chest. An inexplicable surge of warmth shot through me—not from magic, but from my own hormones.
I swallowed hard, trying not to imagine her fingers on my bare skin, sliding down my stomach until they slipped around my cock.
Hopefully, she didn’t see any of those fantasies in my eyes as she looked at me.
“That means a lot. I… Well, I don’t have many people to rely on.” She made a sad little sound, something between a sigh and a humorless laugh. “I suppose right now, I don’t have anyone to rely on. I don’t know what I’d have done without you. If that thing had found me alone, I’d be dead right now.”
I cleared my throat and nodded, still trying to keep my thoughts professional rather than X-rated.
“Let’s get going. After running all night, I bet you could use a nap,” I said, then grinned at her. “And after a pretty lady dragged my ass out of bed at the crack of dawn, I could use one too.”
I couldn’t help but notice how cute she was when she gave me an embarrassed smile.
Declan, what the hell is going on with you? I thought as I helped her into my car.
When I got into the driver’s seat, I surreptitiously adjusted my pants because I was rock hard.
As I started the car, I chastised myself.
This was not the way to go about a job. I’d never in all my years of work felt like this for a client.
But there was something about Veronica. I had to admit it, whether I wanted to or not, I was incredibly attracted to her.
The face, the body, and the personality… all of it was beautiful.
The realization should have elicited relief and happiness.
It meant I wasn’t as dead inside as I’d thought.
Though, instead of relief, I was only filled with a deep dread and worry.
I wasn’t in love with this girl—God no—but I was already beginning to care for her.
And something or someone wanted her dead.
As I drove back through town, I brooded on that. What would happen if I failed? What would I do if whatever was hunting her succeeded? I didn’t know if I could survive failing once more. More blood on my hands? More innocents’ deaths?
“No,” I growled, clenching my fist around the steering wheel.
“Huh?” Veronica said, turning to look at me.
“Sorry,” I muttered. “Just, uh, talking to myself. Habit from living alone for as long as I have.”
She chuckled. “I get it.”
We were close to my place, having gone a more roundabout route just in case. She gestured out the windshield.
“You’re sure we’ll be safe there?”
I nodded. “They tracked you with that thing in your shirt. We weren’t at the apartment for as long as we were at my place, and they didn’t bust the door down there.
It’ll be fine. Even if those two dumb shits don’t handle the body like I asked them to, and the people hunting you find the changeling corpse, they’ll never be able to figure out who owns the apartment.
I bought it through a fake LLC. They can check all they want, and it’ll never lead them back to me. You’ll be safe there. I promise.”
“Good to know.” She gave me another of those crooked smiles that damn near tore me in half. I had to force myself not to keep staring at her as I turned onto my street.
The sun was fully up by the time I pulled my car back into the garage. I didn’t allow Veronica to get out of the car until the door slid shut behind us. I was sure no one would know where she was now that I’d removed the tracker, but better safe than sorry.
“Come on,” I said, opening my door. “Let’s get inside.”
She followed me into the house. I hung my leather jacket on a hook beside the door and kicked off my boots. I left my shoulder holster on and moved to the linen closet.
“What are you doing?” Veronica asked, craning her neck to watch me.
I took out a blanket and pillow, then turned to her.
“Oh,” she said, nodding. “Thanks. That’ll make the couch more comfy.”
“Stop,” I grunted, walking over and tossing the linens on the sofa. “You get the bed. I’ll take this. We’re gonna sleep until dusk. Safer to move about in the dark.”
She frowned and checked her watch. “That’s, like, twelve hours away.”
I nodded and sat on the couch. “I am very tired. I’m sure you are too.” I waved toward the bedroom. “Go ahead. Get some rest. I’ll be fine here.”
Veronica glanced at me, then at couch, a look of consternation on her face. She wanted to argue.
“Seriously, girl, I’ll be fine,” I said, lying back and pulling the blanket up to my stomach. “Turn off the lights,” I added before closing my eyes.
“Okay,” she muttered. “Good night, Declan. Thank you again. For everything. You’ve been amazing.”
Unable to help myself, I opened one eye and watched her walk to the bedroom.
She clicked off the light, though the morning sun still filtered through the curtains, lighting the living room enough that I could see her stop and turn to look at me again.
I closed my eyes quickly, but I could still feel her gaze upon me.
Finally, her footsteps faded toward the bedroom, and I had to force myself to keep my eyes shut rather than watch her go.
Once I heard the bedroom door close, I relaxed, sinking into the cushions and letting my mind drift. A shallow sleep descended upon me, wiping away most of my worries and thoughts.
In that hazy spot between sleeping and wakefulness, my mind spun to a place it hadn’t gone in a long time, visions brought forth unbidden by my subconscious.
I imagined Veronica returning to the room and kneeling beside me on the couch.
She looked down upon me with a faint sexy smile, her dark curls framing her beautiful face.
“I want to thank you,” she said, and before I could say or do anything, she cupped my face and kissed me, her lips unbelievably soft and warm.
My mind still spun, part of it believing this was real, and part understanding it was a fantasy. Neither part really cared. I clutched at her, running my hands across her body in hungry excitement, desperate for connection, to touch another person, to feel alive for the first time in three years.
Veronica pulled away, smiling at me before her hand slipped down and undid my zipper. My breath came in quick, excited bursts as I watched her. When she reached in and her fingers wrapped around my shaft, I nearly cried out in relief.
The cool air of the room felt even colder against the throbbing hot flesh of my cock. She stroked me slowly, languidly, her eyes never leaving mine. Licking her lips, she turned and lowered her head. I watched in near delirious anticipation as she opened her mouth and—
I jerked awake, and the fantasy vanished. Grumbling to myself, I rolled over, and by the time I slipped into real sleep, I’d almost forgotten the mental movie that had played across my mind for a few brief seconds.
Almost.
Sometime later, even in sleep, I got the distinct sense that someone was watching me.
My ingrained instincts caused me to claw up out of my dreams, fearful someone or something might be in the house with us.
Rather than coming face-to-face with a demon or warlock assassin, I found Veronica’s eyes hovering over me.
“Jesus,” I hissed in surprise, flinching back. “You scared the shit out of me.”
“I feel bad,” she whispered. She stood there, wearing my robe. It looked three sizes too big for her, and made her look smaller than she was.
I put a hand over my eyes. “About what?”
She snorted a laugh. “About making a senior citizen sleep on the couch in his own house.”
Opening my fingers to peer back at her, I let out a low growl that would have made any shifter proud. “Who the fuck are you talking about? Are you being a smartass right now?”
“Come on,” she said, taking my free hand and tugging at me. “Come to bed.”
Despite myself, I let her help me sit up, unease and excitement fluttering in my stomach. Did this mean what I thought it might mean? Surely not.
“I’m really fine out here, Veronica,” I said, my mouth and throat suddenly extremely dry.
“I’m not taking no for an answer,” she said, still tugging on me, urging me up.
I stood and allowed her to guide me to the bedroom. Unable to help myself, I glanced down, taking in the curves of her body, the gentle curls of her hair, and the softness of her fingers. I wanted this woman. Desperately.
I’d almost allowed myself to believe she was bringing me to bed to have her way with me until I stepped into the room and saw the bed.
I chuckled ruefully. She’d built a blanket and pillow wall down the center of the king-sized mattress, cordoning off two sections.
One for her, and one for me, never the twain shall meet.
You dumbass. Thought you were gonna get lucky, didn’t you?
“Nice barrier,” I said, trying my best to hide the disappointment I felt.
She shrugged and moved to the opposite side of the bed. “Figured it would prevent any weirdness.”
“Thanks,” I said, slipping under the covers of my side. “This is more comfortable than the couch.”
As she slipped off the robe, I had to swallow hard.
She’d found one of my old T-shirts in the dresser, the hem of which skimmed her upper thighs.
Below that, the tan skin of her legs was flawless.
Would she feel like silk if I traced her skin with my fingers?
Would goosebumps spread out under my touch?
Berating myself, I tore my gaze away. She clicked off the lamp on the nightstand, and climbed into her side of the bed.
Even though sunlight still came through the window, it was more than dark enough for rest.
“Good night, Veronica,” I mumbled.
“Good night, Declan,” she whispered. It was the last thing I heard before sinking into darkness.