Bureau Under Siege (12 page)

Ronan saw the Vampire’s fangs in his mouth, already dripping with blood. A sharp punch to his stomach took his breath away for less than a second but it was enough for the man to pummel him almost to the ground. Ronan dug deep, using his vast experience to regain his footing, grabbing the man’s clothes and head-butting him square in the center of his nose.

Blood exploded everywhere, blinding the Vampire and Ronan pushed home his advantage. Taking hold around his neck he rolled backwards, onto the floor, placing his feet in his gut and flying him upwards, through the air to land hard on his back. Ronan sprang up and over, landing on his chest, knees either side of his chest as he punched him furiously in the face. He saw his eyes dim, losing consciousness and then he sprang to his feet and moved towards Creed.

As soon as he let off on the pressure the Vamp grabbed his ankle.
“Fucker had been faking
,
”
he thought as he almost tumbled to the floor. Ronan caught a streak of fur in his peripheral vision, the next moment Serge’s Wolf was on top of the Vampire, mauling him to shreds.

Shaking off the now loose hand around his leg, he stalked over towards a shaking Creed. The hatred that poured out of his guard was so strong he tasted it in the air around him. As he drew nearer, he could clearly hear Mikhail’s taunts in heavily accented English.

“You think you can take me? You’re not strong enough. Never were. You were weak then and you’re weak now. Look at all the men you brought with you! You didn’t have the balls to come on your own! You...”

“Shut. The. Fuck. Up!” Creed’s voice was laced with barely restrained fury.

Ronan stopped beside Creed, the fights slowly ending in the warehouse. His men taking out all but a couple of Mikhail’s, who were still fighting on. He knew it would be finished soon. Apart from Mikhail that was.

“So, you’re Mikhail Karloff,” Ronan drawled in a condescending tone. “Thought you woulda been bigger, more powerful, but hey, you’re just like any other mob boss.”

Mikhail’s eyes locked with Ronan’s. “Who are you?”

Ronan gave him his best smirk. “Me? Oh, I’m nobody, just a friend of Creed’s.”

“You dare to talk to me like this? You dare to stand before me and show me disrespect? You...”

Ronan butted in, “Yes, I dare. You’re nothing but a pest and I’m pretty sure we’re gonna do what we do with all pests here…exterminate your sorry ass!”

Creed actually smiled. A feral and rather scary smile, but a smile nonetheless.

Mikhail’s eyes glanced at Creed then back at him. “The two of you? That doesn’t seem fair, now does it?”

“No, not the two of us.” Ronan inclined his head towards Creed. “I’m sure my man, Creed, can take you down all on his own. However, I insist on doing a search of you first.”

“What?” Mikhail glared at him. “I do not think so, Mr. Nobody.”

“Serge! Sam!” Ronan shouted and in moments Sam stood beside him, with Serge’s Wolf snarling and snapping at Mikhail.

“You
will
let me search you before you and Creed start.” Stepping forward Ronan slapped down Mikhail’s hands. “After all, we’ve seen just how dirty your men fight and you are not going into this with any kind of weapon.”

Serge’s beast continued to snarl, snapping so close to Mikhail’s hands that the Vampire raised them in the air. “Good, I see you already know the stance for being searched.” Ronan grinned as he started to pat the man down.

A low rumble started in Ronan’s chest, coming out as a growl when he found several weapons: two silver daggers, a nine millimeter handgun and a silver stake. The last was hidden at Mikhail’s back, in his waistband. Ronan’s skin burned as he removed the silver items, passing them to Sam who pulled his sleeve down to cover his hand.

“As I said, you and your men fight dirty!” Ronan spat the words out, his eyes full of disdain as he pushed Mikhail away from him.

Creed stepped forward. “Just you and me now.”

Laughing, Mikhail scorned him. “Yes, just you and me and our
memories
! You have yours of that Witch and I have mine of my beautiful Oleg.”

“Oleg was a monster and he despised you. You were, and still are, too damn stupid to see that! He hated you, hated your touch, and hated your
special
form of loving!” Creed was almost frothing at the mouth as he spoke, his eyes slits, his hands clenched into tight fists.

“No! You lie!” Mikhail roared and flew at Creed with a ferocity borne from insanity.

Ronan jumped back, out of the way, as the two powerful Vampires locked in battle. Mikhail’s nails long and sharp, slashing at Creed’s face…trying to rake his eyes and blind him. However, Creed was well versed in fighting. Ronan was well aware of his activities in the “fight clubs” and although officially they were frowned upon, Ronan knew it could be a good stress reliever for some of his men.

Creed was right up there at the top of the league, possibly the best fighter in the entire US. Watching as Mikhail engaged his guard, using down and dirty methods and pure Vampire power, Ronan knew Creed was going to need every last bit of experience he had.

“Shit! This is gonna be close!” Sam exclaimed and Ronan agreed.

The warehouse skirmishes were now over, Mikhail’s men either dead or in custody. Ronan turned around, ensuring they were secure and saw his men all watching the fight that was now in progress. Some were giving encouragement with shouts of “Go Creed!” “Rip his fucking heart out!” was also a popular choice, while others just stopped and stared, taking in every detail of the bloody fight.

And, bloody it was, both Vampires having scored direct hits on the face, causing split lips, cuts above the eyes and, Ronan noticed, Mikhail’s nose was definitely broken. Both were obviously seasoned fighters, Mikhail appearing well matched against Creed.

Sam’s stage whisper was exactly what he was thinking, “Fuck! Creed better take him down ‘cause if he doesn’t, I think the men will rip him apart!”

Ronan kept his eyes trained on the struggle as Mikhail tried to best Creed. A particularly hard punch from Creed causing Mikhail to stagger back, with Creed following, raining blows down on the man with such ferocity that he was sure Creed was not
here
. No, Creed would be seeing the body of the woman he loved, broken, bloody, and debased.

He knew if it were Starr that he would be acting the same. With hatred and anger, loathing and disgust at the man who was the cause. Just thinking of someone hurting Starr caused his heart rate to rise dramatically and his breathing to almost cease.

“You okay, Puff?”
he asked, using their link.

“Yes, but this Wolf will need medical attention. I’ve managed to stem the bleeding but the bullet is still inside and I’m sure it’s silver.”

Ronan relaxed as soon as he heard her voice in his head.
“We shouldn’t be much longer, Creed is dealing with Mikhail right now. As soon as it’s over we’ll be leaving.”

“Good, I want to get the Wolf some aid and I’m feeling helpless at the minute.”

“Not long,”
he replied, turning quickly and motioning to one of his men.

“Go and get one of the SUVs and find Starr, she’s just outside, with an injured Wolf.”

The look on the guard’s face clearly told of his upset at missing the rest of the fight, but he nodded and ran off without saying a word. Ronan’s attention immediately returned to the battle that was raging in front of him and he thought, for a split second, whether he should intervene. No, if he did he knew Creed would never forgive him and his men needed this too, for the loss of their friends in the explosion.

Creed was fighting like a man possessed, his movements determined, fast and deadly. Mikhail appeared to be flagging as Creed continued to pound into his adversary. Ronan’s eyes widened as Mikhail stepped back, his hands up in front of him, “Stop! I surrender!” he shouted as Creed stopped his onslaught.

“What?” Creed asked, shocked.

“I surrender!” Mikhail said again as Creed shook his head.

Creed roared, the sound hurting Ronan’s ears as he screamed at Mikhail, “This fight doesn’t give you that choice. You didn’t give my mate that choice!”

Creed stepped forward, slowly, as Mikhail backed up. Ronan watched as his guard stalked the man responsible for Darya’s death and knew he would act the same if it were him. Mikhail’s eyes darted all around, looking for help; he got none.

“This is for Darya!” Creed shouted as he took hold of Mikhail around his neck, turning him around and holding him tightly. With increased pressure Mikhail’s arms flailed, his feet kicking, as Creed slowly but surely ripped Mikhail’s head from his body.

Blood spurted all around as Creed threw the head onto the ground, his own head bowed, his chest heaving great gulps of air into his lungs. Ronan went over, placing a hand on his shoulder, “It’s over, let’s go home.”

The dark and dangerous Creed turned his tortured eyes and stared into Ronan’s. “Yes, let’s go home.”

Taking a huge breath in, Creed’s face changed right in front of Ronan’s eyes. Now it was his usual arrogant, cold, hard mask. “Right, men, let’s get these fuckers back to base. Pile up the dead in a heap and we’ll set fire to them and burn them back to hell where they belong!”

Yells and shouts filled the warehouse as Ronan turned and walked away, Sam at his side and Serge’s Wolf trotting in front.

“Hell of a day,” Sam commented as they stepped over body parts, blood and gore.

“Yup,” Ronan replied with a sigh, “I want a nice long, hot shower when we get back.”

Sam laughed. “Me too, hey, I might get lucky and Char will join me!”

Ronan slapped him on the back. “Good luck with that, now, let’s get Starr and leave these guys to do clean up.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Sam grinned.

Chapter 12

Ronan awoke with a start, his arm around Starr and his heart heavy. Today they were travelling with the Wolves to bury Drake and his two Pack mates. It was going to be difficult and he knew he could’ve said he had work and couldn’t go, but he just didn’t have it in him to do that.

Seeing the lively Wolf in his mind’s eye, his lips twitched up into a smile before his thudding heart reminded him of what they would do later today: place his naked body in a hole in the ground.

Starr’s voice in his head gave him a start,
“You okay?”

Pulling her snug against him he nuzzled into her hair, inhaling her unique scent that had changed in an ever so subtle way over the last few days. Ronan imprinted it in his memory, guessing it was the pregnancy that had changed her smell. One of his hands rested on her stomach, gently caressing it with his fingers.

“I’m as well as I can be in the circumstances. I still can’t believe he’s gone.”

Starr’s hand overlaid his, her finger rubbing in little circles. “I know but hopefully the ceremony will help,” she said aloud, turning her head to look up into his face.

“My God, Starr!” he gasped as he saw her face, the glow on it even brighter than before, “You’re beautiful! If you look like this while you’re pregnant I may just have to keep you in this state all the time!”

The indignant look that came over her face had him chuckling as he leaned down and kissed her gently.

“Indeed you will not! And are you trying to say I wasn’t beautiful before I had your child in my belly?”

Continuing to kiss her he let his hands roam over her body, her skin soft beneath his touch.
“You’ve always been the most beautiful and perfect thing on God’s green earth to me, Starr, you know that.”

Pulling away she gave him a hard look, “Smooth, Fang, very smooth.”

“Truth! Anyway, we better get moving, we need to transport the bodies and get ready for the ceremony at dusk.” Ronan rose and held a hand out to her. “There’s a lot of preparation for a Wolf burial and then afterwards the Pack transforms and goes on a hunt in honor of their fallen Pack mates.”

Already in their bathroom, Ronan turned on the water. “Don’t worry, we don’t need to stay for that. In fact, we wouldn’t be allowed to take part in the hunt. It’s Pack only, so we’ll come back then.”

Starr looked thoughtful for a moment. “Is Sam going?”

Leading her into the cubicle he nodded, “Of course, why?”

Starr put her head back, under the water, letting it cascade down her back. “Well, if Sam’s gonna be there it means he can bring back the vehicle we use. Doesn’t it?”

“Yeah.” Ronan couldn’t help but reach out, running his hand across her wet body, cupping a breast as he stepped closer.

“Hmm, that’s nice, but I was gonna say, do you want to fly back? I need to go Dragon so we could kill two birds with one stone so to speak.”

Lowering his head he nibbled on the now pert nipple, Starr quivering at his touch. “Sounds good, Puff, but right now I’m more interested in your lovely breasts. You know, I think they’ve gotten bigger,” Ronan said and cupped the one his tongue was licking, “yup, definitely bigger.”

Starr pushed her hips forward. “Stop playing games, Fang, your girl is needing you to deal with this heat ya got going.”

“Moi? You mean you like this?” he asked as he nibbled on her nipple as she gasped, “Or this?” his fingers found her swollen nub, twirling it slowly, “Or what ‘bout this?” he asked as he slipped his fingers inside her warm sheath.

“Fuck!” Starr cursed as her legs started to quake and shiver.

“Yes, please, if you’re offering!” Ronan laughed, picking her up quickly, her legs wrapping around his waist as he entered her fast and hard.

“Hey!” Her eyes popped open, staring into his as he continued to thrust deep inside her.

“What? You said, fuck, so I’m just carrying out your command, beautiful.” He smirked and slowed his pace,

“Oh my god, don’t stop, Ronan, don’t you dare stop!” Starr grabbed hold of his hair, pulling his mouth to her neck, his already descended fangs piercing her delicate skin, taking them higher until Starr screamed his name with abandon.

As she still shuddered in his arms, still clamped around his cock, his seed erupted within her. Ronan’s legs shook as he lay his forehead against hers, water running over them both.
“I love you, mo chroi,”
he spoke into her mind before placing her gently on her feet.

“I love you too, more than you’ll ever know,”
she replied, a rosy glow and a cheeky smile on her face.

Ronan swatted her behind. “We better get ready, wench. You’ve caused us to be behind schedule.”

“What? It wasn’t me that started these shenanigans!” she argued as they soaped each other quickly.

“Well, what am I supposed to do when you flaunt that body? Don’t blame me, Puff!”

Laughing she rinsed off the soap, pushing his chest with her hands. “Come on then, get moving, big guy.”

All too soon they were dressed, Starr in a plain, black trouser suit with a white blouse, Ronan in a black suit, white shirt and black tie. He hated the tie, only ever wearing it for funerals. Slipping her hand into his Starr gave it a squeeze. “Better get going,” she said quietly, a sad look in her eyes.

“I know, I’m just trying to postpone the inevitable, but they’ll be waiting for us downstairs so I guess we should go.”

With Starr in heels and his own feet wearing dress shoes, they took the elevator. The soft murmur of voices reaching his ears before the doors even opened. Walking out he saw the area full of people, Vampires, Witches and, of course, Wolves.

Jason walked over, looking somber and sorrowful. “The bodies are loaded and once the vehicles have left, a lot of us are going Wolf and making our way cross country. We’ll get there before you and have things started. The healer is ready and awaiting the bodies to purify them for burial. Hell, you know what’s required, I don’t know why I’m even telling you.”

Ronan clasped Jason on the shoulder, knowing his grief was vast at losing three members of his Pack in such a brutal manner. “It’s okay, Jason, we’ll get going so you can run free and lead your Pack home.”

Jason’s eyes were so desolate as he nodded and said quietly, “Thank you.”

Ronan raised his voice, “Okay, those using the SUVs please load up, we’ll see the Pack when we get there.”

Wolves moved to the back, near the rear door leading out into the vacant area behind their buildings, while everyone else made their way to the SUV’s. Ronan noted Creed was already seated in one, his injuries from the day before almost healed.

Sam was in theirs, Charmaine sitting beside him in front, so Ronan helped Starr up into the back then got in beside her. Sam’s eyes were bleak as he turned around. “Fucking awful day!”

“Yes, it is,” Ronan agreed. “How’re you, Charmaine?”

The young Witch smiled shyly. “I’m okay, good, I mean I’m good, but I’m sorry for the people that were killed.”

Starr gave her a smile. “I know what you mean, it seems somehow wrong to feel anything but sad, but that’s just not the way things work. We can still feel happy ‘bout some things and sad ‘bout others.”

“Yes, exactly.” Charmaine nodded, her long hair flying around as she did so.

“So, you’re settling in okay?” Ronan enquired, realizing he may have to find a position for the young woman.

“Yes, I’m going to help Celeste out for a few hours a week. With paperwork and stuff and Esther’s going to train me in witchcraft, so I’m happy ‘bout that.”

And so the journey went, passing in idle chit chat as they moved closer to the Pack land and the funerals of his men. One of which was a close friend. Ronan’s heart grew heavier the closer they got and Starr’s hand snaked over, clasping his in a show of comfort.

Too soon they left civilization behind, now travelling on back roads lined by forests either side. Ronan knew they were now on the outskirts of Jason’s Pack land and it would only be another half hour or so before they arrived. As his mind wandered to happier times with Drake he was brought back to the present by Charmaine’s voice.

“I’m a little nervous, is there anything I need to know? Anything I shouldn’t do?”

Sam sighed. “No, baby, we’re just there to witness the ceremony. The Wolves will be taking care of everything.”

Ronan looked out his window, now seeing some of the cabins almost hidden within the trees.
‘Shit, I wish I was anywhere but here,’
he thought as he felt the heavy load of being the Director of the SEB. These Wolves had died under his command and he felt it was somehow his fault.

“It’s not your fault, mo chroi, it was Mikhail Karloff’s doing.”

Starr’s voice in his head caused him to turn and look at her.
“I didn’t speak that, how do you know I was thinking it?”

“Because I know you,”
was all she said as she leaned her head on his shoulder, trying to give him comfort.

“
Cac
!” he cursed aloud. Sam’s eyes meeting his in the rearview mirror.

“You okay?” his friend asked.

“Not really,” he replied honestly.

“I know, Ronan, I feel the same. I keep going over and over it and wondering if we did somethin’ wrong. Ya know?”

Ronan did know. “Yeah, but I can’t see what we could’ve done to have stopped it. We weren’t expecting a suicide bomber, for fuck sake! Who the hell does that?”

Sam sighed. “No fuckin’ idea.”

Starr leaned forward, obviously trying to change the subject. “So, Charmaine, Sam, have you set a date for your party?”

Ronan saw the blush as it crept up the young Witch’s face, her eyes darting over to Sam. His friend, on the other hand, had a huge grin. “We thought maybe next weekend, if that’s okay?”

Starr chuckled. “That sounds great. We can do with something to look forward to.”

“It’s not too soon?” Sam queried, a worried look passing quickly over his face.

Ronan leaned forward, patting Sam’s shoulder. “No, it will maybe help everyone to let off some steam and celebrate. I’ll get it organized for you both.”

“Is there anything you need?” Starr asked, her question directed to Charmaine.

“Need?” Charmaine looked confused.

“Yes, need.” Starr smiled. “It’s tradition, the happy couple get presents so if there’s anything lacking in Sam’s bachelor pad then now’s the time to tell everyone.”

“Oh,” Charmaine looked thoughtful for a second, “I could use some decent pots and pans for cooking. He doesn’t have a lot of stuff in the kitchen and I love to cook.”

“Good. When we get back put a list together and I’ll make sure it’s passed around and things ticked off.” Starr snuggled closer to Ronan, “We’ll get you the pots ‘n stuff, but anything else just let me know.”

Sam snorted, “Hey, it’s not like I used the kitchen for anything other than the fridge. Gotta keep my beers nice ‘n cold.”

Charmaine reached over, slapping his knee, “Well, I’ve got to eat, so it’ll be a fully working kitchen from now on.”

Sam’s hand moved with lightning speed, landing on top her Charmaine’s. Holding it there and stroking the top with his thumb. “I know, baby, I know. All this talking about the ceremony has reminded me ‘bout something. Hope you don’t get embarrassed me asking in front of my friends here, but, I don’t know anything ‘bout Witches rituals or history on this kinda stuff. Do you wear rings? Like humans wear wedding rings, do you?”

Starr gasped. “You haven’t asked her already? Sam! I spoke to you ages ago about this!”

“Sorry, it slipped my mind,” Sam stated and turned, giving them a lopsided grin.

Charmaine half laughed, her face blushing again. “Well some do and some don’t. If I’m being honest I have to say I’ve always wanted a ring on my finger, but, not the usual ones. I’ve always wanted an eternity knot, could I get one of those?”

“An eternity knot?” Sam frowned, as if he had no clue what Charmaine was talking about.

Starr came to his rescue. “Sam, I’ll check them out and email you. There’s gotta be somewhere nearby that does them.”

“Thanks, Starr! You’re a life saver!”

Charmaine’s face was now almost scarlet as she looked over at Sam. “Char, you can have whatever the hell you want.”

Ronan looked at his friend and couldn’t help smiling. The changes in Sam were phenomenal and he couldn’t be happier for them both. Starr’s fingers still clasped his and she gave a small squeeze as she motioned with her head towards the front. At first he thought she was meaning Sam and Charmaine but then his heart thudded as he saw they’d arrived.

*****

Creed’s vehicle was the first to arrive as it held two of the bodies in the rear, wrapped up tightly within stark, white sheets. He hadn’t spoken a word to the Elite Guard driving and was grateful that the Vampire hadn’t tried to engage him in small talk. His guilt gnawing at his insides as they pulled into the large open area of the Pack.

The closer they drew to the Pack land, his stomach and senses went into overload. Not only guilt playing havoc with his stomach but something else…something very weird indeed. Only once before had he ever felt anything like this and he knew it couldn’t be that. No, whatever was causing his stomach to churn and adrenaline to pour into his system was most definitely
not
what had caused it so many years ago.