RedKnife (Skin Walkers Book 2) (16 page)

Chapter 28

“Find.  My. 
Angel
!” RedKnife growled viciously, hands planted on Monroe’s desk as he scowled down at the Dominant.

“We’re looking.”  Monroe’s expression was serious.  If there was one thing the Dominant didn’t mess around with, it was a Walker Angel.  “Legion is checking the surveillance now, and…” His words cut off as his eyes turned sightless, looking through RedKnife instead of at him.

Waiting impatiently for the telepathic communication Monroe was receiving to end; RedKnife fisted his hands and released them repeatedly in an effort to alleviate his need to punch something.

Monroe blinked hard, then returned his attention to RedKnife, his lips thinned into a grim line.  “She was handcuffed and taken away by Detective Cameron and two officers.  It seems little Ms. Sambrano is currently in the custody of the Great Falls P.D.”

RedKnife threw back his head and roared.

Within minutes, Monroe had contacted the Great Falls P.D. and set up a meeting with Cameron.  RedKnife wouldn’t be refused, and accompanied the CEO and three other Sentries to the city.  Hell, it had taken some talking to keep the man from flying straight to the city and breaking his One free.

At the Police Department, the four Walkers were led into a small interrogation room.

“Have a seat,” Cameron directed, fumbling with some paperwork.

Ignoring him, RedKnife attempted to calm his temper as Monroe claimed one of the two empty seats and smirked at the detective’s bowed head.  Cameron was attempting to place some paperwork into a manila folder, but it slipped through his fingers and fell to the desk.  Cameron’s head snapped up to see if anyone was looking at the documents even as he snatched them up in a crumpled and disheveled mess before turning his back on the group and sorting the papers to get them into the file.

Behind Monroe, King snorted and Haka chuffed a laugh.  RedKnife wasn’t as amused.  The thought of this bumbling fool being in charge of his Angel’s safety was galling.

The detective finally claimed a seat.  “Okay.  I’ve got some questions that’ll…”

Monroe cut him off.  “Where is the woman?”

The detective flushed.  “As I was saying, I’ve…”

Monroe slid a CD across the desk, tilting his chin down to narrow his eyes on the bumbling detective.  “This is video surveillance of StoneCrow Estates.  Specifically, the Crow’s Nest, where Ms. Sambrano works.  I understand that she confessed, but as the footage will show, there is no way she could be responsible for Mr. Jamison’s sudden disappearance, as she was working on the night in question.”

Opening his mouth to argue, Cameron flushed beet-red when Monroe carried on.

“Offering aid to your…
capable
staff, I sent my Sentries to scour Mr. Richardson’s acreage.

“You can’t do that, it a potential crime scene.  You could have compromised…”

“My Sentries discovered Mr. Jamison’s remains on the north eastern end of his ranch.  Apparent
bear
mauling.”  Monroe flicked a pointed glare at King over his shoulder before shoving a folded piece of paper toward Cameron.  “Here is the specific location.  Now, save yourself the time and disgrace of looking any more like a fucking idiot than you already do and release Ms. Sambrano.”

RedKnife couldn’t stifle the rolling growl that rumbled up from his chest.  It drew the detective’s gaze and he paled as he eyed the three men standing over him, his eyes darting back to RedKnife and his dark sneer.

“This’ll all need to be verified.  We can’t simply take your word. 
Someone
could have staged it to look like an animal attack.”  Cameron aggressively shoved back from the desk.

“Oh, it
was
an animal attack.”  Monroe grinned, then shrugged negligently.  “I don’t really give a damn how you verify the information I have so graciously gifted you with.  I only care that you are falsely imprisoning one of my employees.”  Monroe leaned forward, propping an elbow on the edge of the table that separated them.  “I’ve got more money than God,
Detective
Cameron.  If I need to smear this Police Department to hell and back just to ruin
you
, don’t doubt that I will.”  Sitting back, he smiled coldly.  “Now, be a good boy and fetch me Ms. Sambrano.”

Detective Cameron’s lips twisted in a sneer as he eyed Monroe for long minutes.

“
MOVE
!”  RedKnife bellowed, making Cameron spring to his feet.

Standing with shaking fists the detective turned for the door.  “If this information is invalid, or if you’re trying to play me for a fool….”

“I have no time for games.”  Monroe stood and plucked at his cuff.  “Do hurry.  It’s getting late.”

Cameron exited the room, leaving the door open as he departed.

Watching him go, RedKnife scowled at the detective’s back as he barked orders to an officer on the other side of a barred door at the end of the hall.  Monroe crossed to stand in front of him.  Taller than everyone else in the room, RedKnife could easily see over his Dominant’s head.

It only took a few minutes for Cindy to appear on the other side of the bars, looking small and defenseless.  RedKnife was taking a step toward her when Monroe lifted his hand, halting him.

“Easy. Let them bring her to us.”

***

Pacing her cell, Cindy wondered what in the hell she was going to do.  No one even knew she’d been arrested, and they’d denied her a phone call.

“Your boss is here.”

Staring at him from the other side of the bars, Cindy smiled at Monroe, grateful he’d come.  Her eyes landed on RedKnife, and her heart gave an involuntary flutter.  Her smile widened, then just as quickly evaporated when something strange happened.  A bright light flashed from the halo around her throat, accompanied by a high-pitched whine.  At the same time, she doubled over, then dropped to her knees with a pained gasp as agony seized her in an iron grip.

“
SHIT
!”  She heard Monroe hiss.

Then there was a deafening roar and a scuffle, but she couldn’t focus.  Something was happening to her, and it hurt like hell.

In her periphery she saw Monroe shove RedKnife back as King and Haka held his arms pinned.  Another Walker raced toward the cell where she was being held, even as Monroe continued barking orders.  “She’s afflicted.  Get
him
the fuck out of here!”

Sucking in an agonizing breath, Cindy wanted to scream, but the pain stole her ability to breath.  Left writhing in misery on the floor, all she could do was pant as cold sweat soaked through her shirt.  “
Aaaaaagh
!” she groaned through clenched teeth, rolling to her side.

She heard RedKnife snarl, “DON’T TOUCH HER!  SHE’S
MINE
!”  He fought King and Haka to get to her.

Cameron rushed to the cell door.  “What the fuck!  What happened?”

Monroe’s tone was impatient.  “Get her out of there!  She’s ill!

Cindy knew it was a lie.  He’d said she was ‘afflicted’, but it couldn’t be the Walker affliction.  Stoney said it happened to the Walker, not the human.  Something was wrong!  She wanted RedKnife.  He’d help her.  She tried to gasp his name, but nothing came out as her insides tightened around another knot.  “
Ooo-ooh
.”  Her voice broke on a sob, she rolled to her back, arms crossed over her stomach, and knees pulled into her body.  Tears were freely streaming now, and thunder clapped so hard outside that it rattled the building. 
RedKnife!
  She knew it was him.

“You.”  Cameron jabbed a finger in Monroe’s direction.  “Get the hell out of here!”

The detective pushed the cell door open, only to be shoved out of the way as RedKnife rushed the room, lifting Cindy into his arms.

Instinctively, she curled into him and moaned when some of the pain eased at the contact.  “R-RedKnife?”

“Shhh, my One.  I have you.”

Being carried from the jail and into a vehicle was all a blur.  Pain continued to wrack her body even as RedKnife attempted to soothe her.  She only recalled bits and pieces of the ride back to StoneCrow, and she picked up even less of the conversation, words about RedKnife willing the affliction onto her.  He didn’t take kindly to the accusation.

Entering the grounds of the estate, the vehicle rushed up the mile-long drive toward the main house.

“Take us to our home.”  RedKnife commanded.

King glanced at RedKnife in the rearview mirror as he drove the winding road.  “Shouldn’t she see Jenny?”

“What she needs, Jenny can’t give her.”  Monroe smirked.  “Do as he says and take them home.  He turned to grin at RedKnife.  “You’ll
heal
her.  Won’t you?”

RedKnife growled and Cindy’s pussy clenched at the sound.  When the scent of her need filled the car, RedKnife growled, “Drive faster.”

Chapter 29

God, how he wanted her.  He
craved
her. He’d been dreaming of her slick, wet pussy wrapped around his cock since their night in the cell.  He wanted it again.  Wanted
her
again.  No, want wasn’t the word. 
Need.
He needed her with such feral intensity that it actually terrified him.  He was addicted to her.  After one taste, he couldn’t be without her.  She could totally fucking end him!  Worse, he’d let her.

He could barely restrain himself from stripping her in the car.  The fact that his fellow Walkers would see her was all that stopped him.  When they finally pulled up in front of his cabin, he had the car door open before King had even pulled to a full stop.

He was halfway out of the vehicle when Monroe halted him.  “RedKnife?”

He didn’t respond, he simply stilled halfway out.

“She feels you betrayed her.  Don’t let lust rule your head.  Make sure she’s good before you claim her.”

He should have been grateful that Monroe was looking out for the best interest of his Angel, but he wasn’t.  It was
his
job, not Monroe’s, and he didn’t need the Dominant poking his nose in where it didn’t belong.

“I’ll care for my mate,” he grumbled.

Once inside their cabin, he carried his feminine burden to the bedroom, even as she stirred in his arms.

“Where are we?”

“Home,” was his short reply.  It earned him a small smile that had his cock pressing hard against his BDU pants.  He went to place Cindy on the bed, but she gripped his shirt.

“No.  It hurts to be away from you.”

“I know,” he murmured, turning to sit with her on his lap.  “I’ll fix that.  But first, I need to get these clothes off you.”

She smiled again and sat up.  Taking the hint, RedKnife worked to free her of her clothes while she sat propped on his lap.  While she was still sitting forward, he reached back between his shoulder blades, fisted his shirt, and pulled it free.  Then Cindy was cuddling into his bare chest.  The warm, satiny smoothness of her soft skin brushing against the hard contours of his body felt delicious.

He reached around her waist and undid his boot laces before toeing them off.  Then he turned, ripped the covers back, and used his big body to move Cindy back onto the bed.  Her hand on his shoulder beckoned him to follow, and he did so after shucking his jeans and boxers.

Naked in bed together, his world felt right.

“What’s wrong with me?”

“Affliction, he murmured, leaning up on an elbow to study her face as he brushed her hair back.

She remembered what Stoney said about only the Walker being afflicted.  “Is something wrong with us?”

“No.”  He smiled before his brows speared down.  “It’s my fault.  I am…
different.
  I didn’t know it would be like this.  I never wanted to hurt you.”

“It doesn’t hurt now,” she whispered.

“Cindy, I apologize for bringing Cody here.  I only did it to protect you.  And I apologize for ever putting in Monroe’s head that you were a threat.  We’ve been through much, and I don’t feel that I’ve ever truly just apologized.  I am sorry for all you’ve had to endure because of me.”

Tears filled her eyes.  “Is Cody…”

“He lives,” he rushed to reassure her.  “You are mine, and that makes your family, my family.  Any injury or threat to you or them is an injury or threat to me.  He won’t die for what he’s done, but he won’t be afforded the opportunity to threaten StoneCrow again.”

Her heart somersaulted at his words.  ‘
You are mine.’ 
She wanted to ask him what he meant.  Instead, she asked, “What will Monroe do?”

“He’ll make sure Cody knows exactly what he’s fucking with if he intends on going up against Walkers.”

Guilt crashed over her.  Even after all Cody had done, she couldn’t help feeling like she’d let her parents down by not being able to save him from himself.  After what he’d done, his attempt to implicate her, she knew it was the end of their relationship.  “He’ll still need my help to pay off his debt.  Even in jail, he won’t be safe from those men.  He isn’t the brother he should be, but I can’t let him be harmed.  He…”

RedKnife shook his head.  “His debt has been paid. 
All
of it.  Once he’s out of jail, he’ll be starting fresh, with a clean slate.  It’s up to him to keep it that way.”

She hated to ask, but had to know.  “What do I owe Monroe for paying the debt?”

His eyes glinted.  “Nothing.  Monroe didn’t pay the debt.  I did.”

“RedKnife, no!”  She tried to sit up, but his hand found her shoulder and gently lowered her back to the mattress.

“It is my honor to help you in any way I can.  If helping your brother means you’ll sleep easier, then it’s something I’ll gladly do.”  He smirked.  “Just this once.  He knows there’ll be no help in the future.”  He gave her a pointed look.  “From
either
of us.”

Relieved, Cindy relaxed back into the bed, her gaze dipping to RedKnife’s chest.  She’d seen the marks on him when they’d made love in the cell, but hadn’t wanted to ask then.

“What…” she tentatively lifted a hand and ghosted it over the raised marks on his chest.  When he didn’t pull back, she pressed her fingers more firmly against his skin.  “What are these?”

“Scars.”

Her gaze jerked up as a chastising smirk tilted one side of her mouth.  “Obviously.”  She lowered her eyes to stare at them again.  “But what are they from?”

RedKnife lowered back to the bed when Cindy raised up on her elbow to study him.  “Sun dancing.”

“Sun dancing,” she repeated, liking the sound of the word.  She blinked, then met his eyes.  “What’s sun dancing?”

He reached up and pulled her hand from his chest, but didn’t let go.  “It’s a ceremony.  It’s sacred.”

She didn’t move or respond, unsure how to proceed without offending him.  When he didn’t continue, her eyes dipped back to his scars.  “It looks like it was painful.”

He chuckled.  “It is a sacrifice of blood as a prayer for the people.”

“Which people?”

He smiled, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear.  “
My
people.”

Cindy’s face screwed into uncertainty.  “Do you mean Walkers or Natives?”

“Both.”

She pulled her hand from his to glance over one scar.  “And these?”

“We are pierced.”

“But why?”

He shook his head.  “It isn’t something we talk about, my One.”

“Oh.”  Her eyes dipped to his forearm.  “What about these?”

Lowering his lashes, he watched as she smoothed a hand over the three bands that marked his skin.  “I don’t know where they came from.”

“What?” Her tone was incredulous.  “I think you’d remember getting a tattoo, especially one so dark and filled in.  Three bands of slightly varying sizes sat closely spaced where they encircled his forearm.  It looked tribal, which made sense.

“They aren’t tattoos.”  He frowned at the marks.  “I was born with them.  My Grandfather said they’d lead me to what I desired most.”

“What’s that?”

He swallowed hard.  “You.”

“What happened to me at the jail?  What does it mean?”

His dark eyes held hers.  “It means you’re mine.”

“Stoney said the Walker is afflicted.”  She lifted her hand and closed it around the halo, almost afraid to hope.  “Can this be true?”

“What’s so hard to believe?”

“That this is real and…that it’s all
mine
.”  She pushed up to an elbow to lean over him.  “That
you’re
mine.  This type of thing doesn’t happen to people like me.”  Her eyes flooded with tears.  “I’m terrified of you.”  She accused and pulled back from him, rising to a sitting position and wrapping her arms around her knees as she pulled them into herself.  “What if you’re not real?  What if your words aren’t true?  What if…”

Sitting up, he captured her hand.  “I’m real, Cindy. 
This
.  Is.  Real.  I’m not leaving you.  I am
never
leaving you.  And if you depart this world without me, I’ll follow shortly after.”  He gently gripped her chin and forced her eyes up to his.  “I love you, my One.  What’s more, I
need
you.  I need you and want you more than you could ever possibly want or need me.”  He reached for her other hand and lifted both to cup his cheeks as he bowed his head.  “Please, give me the opportunity to prove my love to you.  I won’t let you down.  I won’t waste the chance.  I swear to you on my word as a Walker.  Let me make our dreams come true; let me carry the weight of our combined hopes.  I am man enough for it.”

She turned and looked into his eyes, and he flattened his back on the bed, lying still and giving her the opportunity to choose.  It didn’t feel right that he should take from her.  She was the one afflicted.  It’d be her doing the taking, she’d have to choose.  “You are wearing my halo.  My intentions are out there.  If we consummate this, there’ll be no going back.  This will be forever.”  Not just taking her was the hardest thing he’d ever had to endure.  So close to what he wanted most and he had to wait, to give her the chance to choose for herself.  To choose him.

One minute Cindy was looking at him, and the next she was on him.  Her soft body smoothing over the hard planes of his.  One hand cupped the back of his neck, and she positioned her hips.  No preamble.  She didn’t even kiss him.  Eyes locked with his, she slid him inside her.  Inch by glorious inch, but it wasn’t enough.  She was pulsing with the need for him to fill her, with the need for him to shoot his release deep inside her.

Shoving up so she was straddling him, she began to move.  Her feminine honey coated them, aiding in the exquisite friction.  She was a woman possessed, and after a few shy thrusts of her hips, she quickened her pace and rode him hard.

RedKnife threw his head back and hissed.  “Fuck me, my One!”  Then he growled.  He couldn’t stop it as his teeth clenched.   God, she felt good.  Wet, hot, tight.  She fisted him inside her, and his balls drew up as her pussy tugged on him, demanding his seed.

Large hands lifted to cup her breasts.  She arched into the touch and moved faster, her hips slamming upward, taking him impossibly deep.

“RedKnife,” she moaned.

Unable to wait any longer, RedKnife locked an arm around her waist and rolled them.  With her on bottom, he drove into her hard.  His pace was frantic, and the sounds of their sex filled the room.

“RedKnife, I’m going to….”

She didn’t need to tell him.  He could feel the desperate flutters in her channel.  When she finally tipped over the edge, her fisted grip on him shot him into release.  His body jerked hard as he pulsed his seed deep within her.

Hearts matched in tempo, RedKnife bent and kissed her lips before rolling again and sprawling her across his chest, his cock still firmly locked inside her.  Heart beats slowed, their mingled breathing evened out, and both Cindy and RedKnife closed their eyes.  Drifting into sated bliss, RedKnife’s heart swelled with the knowledge that he’d found his Angel, his One, and Cindy’s heart nearly burst with elation that she was no longer alone.  Outside the window, the weeks-long storm broke and the snow finally stopped falling.