Coyote's Kiss (7 page)

At least he didn’t get the feeling that they were more than partners. Even if he decided not to act on the attraction between him and Jade, Luca really didn’t want to have to go up against Cole. Cole was obviously more dominant. There was no doubt that if Cole was in a pack he’d be high up in rank.

Just because Cole was a wolf shifter didn’t mean that he was with a pack, though. It was rare for wolves to be rogue or on their own, but if anyone could handle living without family it would be Cole.

Luca still considered himself part of his home pack even though he didn’t live close to his family any longer. He made certain to return to his parents and siblings at least every three months. They would shift and run together under the moon. While the moon wasn’t necessary to be able to transform, Luca’s father had always loved to play around with the old legends.

He kind of liked it himself. When the shifters around the world had announced their presence, the entire Perez clan had gathered to decide whether they would join along. Luca and Sal had had no problem at the idea of being out in the open but their mom had been worried. She didn’t want her kids to get hurt by humans who feared what they didn’t understand. Luca had been lucky. His agency and friends had no problem with the shifter side of him. It was tougher for Sal, though. The FBI had actually suspended all shifters right after the announcement had been made. Both Sal and his partner were still fighting for their rights to be the same as their human counterparts.

“Did you know Special Agent Babcock or Adams before this?”

Sam’s question drew him out of his own thoughts and back to the present. “Sorry, no, we met them yesterday morning.”

“Oh, you guys just seemed to get along really well already,” Sam said.

Luca wasn’t sure how to explain why he was so comfortable with Cole and Jade. There was just something about them he liked.

“Is it because Agent Babcock is a shifter?” Sam asked.

“No, other than my partner, I’m used to working with humans at the ATF.”

“So you’re partnered with another shifter? Is that mandatory at your agency?” Sam questioned.

“We were already assigned to each other so it worked out well in the end,” Luca shared.

“I lost my partner when he came out as a shifter,” Sam told him.

Luca paused with his mug halfway to his mouth. Even at the ATF there had been a lot of partner exchanges when one found out about the other’s shifter status. But it was a major issue at the FBI according to his brother. He had to wonder why someone who had abandoned his partner would accept a position on the joint task force. He was at a loss for words. “Were the two of you close?” he asked with caution.

“I thought so. I didn’t take it well at first. I was a prick to him. I think now I was just shocked and listened to some of the assholes around the office. I’m hoping that I can make it up to him, though. Ask for his forgiveness,” Sam stated. “I’m just not sure where to start.”

Ah, so that was why Sam wanted to talk to him. Get some advice. Luca didn’t mind if it would help Sam’s partner. “Are you still both assigned to the same division?”

“No. After the FBI was required to take the shifters back, they were all moved into one unit. Until I met Agents Babcock and Adams I didn’t know that any team was combined shifter and human. My boss told me it was against regulation when I enquired about getting Danny back.”

It was such a shame that, even in the government, shifters weren’t getting the same rights as other workers. Luca was happy to be part of the unit trying to protect shifters’ rights and make sure that they were treated as equals. “What does he do now?”

“Fieldwork,” Sam replied. “I’m not sure what, exactly. They don’t come onto our floor, and we have a separate locker room and gym they’re not allowed to use.”

Luca saw red as anger filled him. That was such bullshit. No one deserved to be treated that way. He took several deep breaths before he could speak again. By the time his vision had cleared, Sam had his head bent over his cup, frowning.

“Sorry, man, but your division is fucked up. I’ve not heard that things were that bad for the shifters.”

“I don’t think it’s everywhere. I’ve tried to discreetly ask around to some guys I was in the academy with, but they didn’t really want to talk to me about it. I think they’re afraid to take a side in the matter.”

Someone needed to. If the shifters were being mistreated like Luca suspected they were, someone needed to step in. If it had to be Luca then so be it. He’d get hold of his brother and hopefully, with the help of Cole and Jade, they’d all figure out how to help. “What kind of shifter is your partner, uh, did you say Danny?”

“Danny O’Brien,” Sam said. “And I don’t actually know.” Sam flushed in obvious embarrassment.

Yeah, Sam must have turned his back on his partner quickly if he didn’t even know what kind of shifter the man was. But at least he was trying to do the right thing now. “How does your new partner feel about all this?”

Sam looked over his shoulder as though he expected Patrick to be standing right behind him, listening. “Pat’s got a few things of his own he needs to take care of. Some mistakes he made. That’s not my story to tell, though.”

“Do you think he’d be interested in joining in if I could come up with a plan to help the shifters in your office?” Luca asked, leaning closer to Sam. He didn’t want to promise anything too big, but there was no way now that he’d heard about Sam and his partner’s problems he could just let it go.

“What?” Sam jumped to his feet. “No, man, I thought… I mean, I didn’t want… You can’t get involved.”

Luca didn’t miss the way Sam’s hands shook before he stuffed them in the front pockets of his suit. “Hey, it’s okay, I just want to help. It sounds like the bosses might be up to no good. I just want to make sure everyone’s safe.” Sam was obviously worried about his ex-partner and Luca hoped he could get through to the young agent. “To make sure Danny isn’t being used or hurt.”

“I—” Sam frowned as he started to back off. “I gotta take a piss.”

Luca allowed him to leave, hoping that Sam could see that he just wanted to help. Luca didn’t know where the other agents were in the house. Ryder had gone outside and he suspected that some of the others were also spread out keeping watch. He picked up his cup and strolled to the glass door that opened into the front of the house. Just one of the two entrances that faced the street.

They didn’t have safe houses like this at the ATF. The Coalition not only had more money but was better supplied than the older government agency. Luca was just a little jealous. This home base was nicer than the apartment he was currently renting.

He missed his family even though he was surrounded by such good people that were quickly becoming his second family. He was renting two apartments—one there in Lake Worth, and the other his permanent address when located at the ATF. Neither was somewhere that he could see himself living in the next few years. He wanted to get his own house set up, but since his career was still up in the air, he was hesitant to do more than just lease a small space for now.

He’d been thinking about leaving the ATF to apply for the Coalition. It’d been pure luck that his last undercover assignment had landed him side by side with Zak. He wanted to transfer—the two things that kept him with his agency were his partner and the fact that he really did love what he did. The joint task force between the two organizations really was a dream come true. He and Abilene had to travel back to their office twice a week unless they were on a current case, but he didn’t mind.

If the trial run worked, maybe he’d be able to buy a house like the one he was currently hiding in. Maybe even choose a fixer-upper like Zak had. That way he could custom repair it and have everything perfect. He’d need guest rooms for when his family visited, especially Sal, so an older structure might be better so he could afford to remodel.

In the reflection of the glass he could see his own smile. He tried to keep his excitement down but he’d have been lying to himself if he didn’t admit how important it was that this task force worked.

The sound of a vehicle revving up pulled him from his thoughts. He gasped, spotting a huge SUV barreling down the street and hopping the curb.

A screech from Ryder above was his only warning before the vehicle stopped only yards from the door he was standing in front of.

Pop. Pop. Pop.

The SUV’s doors flew open as the blast of their rounds hit the house. It was a good thing that they weren’t using real bullets.

Ryder landed hard on the ground outside right before his eyes. He took a step back only to halt when he spotted Jade and Mitch glaring back at him through the door.

Luca’s instructions were clear. He wasn’t supposed to resist rescue even though that was what his instincts demanded he do. Mitch reached for the door only to find it locked. Jade grinned before using the butt of her rifle to smash the glass. The glee in her eyes was sexy as hell. Luca looked away so that his attraction wouldn’t be obvious. Right in the middle of a mission was not the time to have the hots for a fellow agent.

Mitch made it through the door and grabbed him.

“Freeze!”

Oh thank God.
Luca heard Sam’s command and smiled back at the human agent. It wasn’t going to be so easy to get him as they’d thought. Although really he was shocked that they’d been so bold as to hit the house with such extreme measures. No one had expected that.

“Move it. We’re out of time.” Cole’s yell echoed around the quiet kitchen.

“Luca, move toward me,” Sam ordered. “I have you covered.”

Pop. Pop.

He ducked in reflex as another few rounds exploded. Jade strolled right up to Luca and grabbed his arm. She’d taken out Sam with her plastic bullets before anyone had moved. For a human, she moved quickly.

“We’re here to save you, Mr. Perez. Please come with us,” Jade said to him.

He nodded and allowed her to lead him from the broken kitchen glass door. The others in the rescue team were spread out through the yard covering him, Jade and Mitch. “Nicely done,” Luca said as he passed Cole.

Cole only grinned back.

He was shoved none too gently into the back cargo area of the SUV. It was a tight fit, especially when Jade climbed in next to him. Crap, were they going to ride the entire way back to the Coalition like this? He started to pray that he’d be able to contain his arousal. Jade wouldn’t pick up on it with only her human senses, but the shifters with him sure would.

Damn, what a time to be in close quarters with a beautiful woman. He’d have laughed if he wasn’t trying so hard to will his cock to go down.

“Are you injured?” Jade’s hand landed on his thigh as she checked him.

Luca managed, hopefully, to turn enough so that she didn’t spot his erection. Her warm palm on him felt damn good. “I’m okay,” he croaked out.

Chapter Five

It hadn’t been the plan for Jade to end up in the back of the SUV with Luca, but she wasn’t complaining. Cole had pushed her right behind him so she had that as her excuse to take in Luca’s warm body and sexy citrus scent.

She might not have a nose like her partner but Luca smelled wonderful. She really wished that they were alone so that she could snuggle up close.

“You’re sure you didn’t get cut by any glass?” she asked, just to have a reason to talk to him.

“I’m sure,” he promised.

Jade left her hand on his leg while she leaned closer. Luca’s hard muscles moved under her palm as he shifted around. It wasn’t comfortable to be all bunched up. Although she did notice that he wasn’t pushing her away. She also was aware of how stiff he held his body and that his breathing was heavier than it should have been. The walk to the SUV had been brisk but they hadn’t been running. She peered at Luca’s face trying to figure out if he was hurt and just not telling her. “If we hurt—”

“Jeez,” he muttered.

“What?” she whispered back. She sat between his two outstretched legs, but in the dark vehicle she couldn’t really see anything. She slid her hand up, checking for injuries. Luca groaned, and she froze.

“Trying to kill me?” he accused.

“What are you talking about?” she asked. Had he bumped his head? Why in the hell was he acting so weird? She glanced over the seat at the others to make sure that no one was watching. Adam was driving while Cole directed him from the passenger seat. Brady and Mitch were still discussing the quick rescue, retelling how they’d caught Ryder by surprise. Since everyone else’s attention was elsewhere she went ahead and did what she wanted. She raised her free hand to Luca’s shoulder and stroked while tightening her right on his leg. His body against hers felt just as good as she’d thought it would. His skin was hot and she loved the feel of his hard body.

Luca lifted his hips, making her hand brush over his lap and his, oh yeah, erection. He was turned on. She bit her bottom lip to keep herself quiet before deliberately running her hand back over his hard cock. He lurched up, grabbing her wrist to press her hand right up against his erection. “Stop teasing,” he ordered in a low voice.

She shivered, turned on by his need. She brought her mouth a few inches from his. “I don’t think you really want me to get you off when everyone in this vehicle would know,” she murmured. “Do you?”

He bucked into her hold. “I’m trying to remember if I care or not.”

She liked his admission. Still, as much as she’d love to show him how much she wanted him, she didn’t want a quick feel in the back of a SUV with too many people close by. Tilting her head, she brushed her lips gently over his. His breath caught as she lifted her head before nodding.

“You’re going to have to move your hand if you don’t want me to embarrass myself,” he whispered.

Jade sat back up, peering over the seat to make sure that everyone else was still occupied. Cole was looking back at her over his shoulder with a grin. She shook her head, knowing that she’d get teased later. Luca shifted around so he was more comfortable.

“I can’t believe you all pulled it off,” Luca told them.