Smashed (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #8.5)(22)

“The FPA has been testing supernatural DNA, hoping to one day genetically enhance human soldiers. Briggs is doing his own testing, trying to find a way to control supernatural creatures and humans with supernatural abilities.” She spoke in a low, even tone.

“The lock up in the basement at FPA headquarters…that’s all his, isn’t it?” I asked, expecting the nod I received. “And you? Has he done anything to you?”

“No. I don’t think so. I trust him.”

It was not news that the FPA were involved with experiments of the supernatural kind. Currently they employed a handful of supernaturals, Juliet being just one of them. Controlling a vast number on a large scale though, it was unlikely. Yet, it was also something to be taken seriously.

“You can’t trust him, Juliet,” I said against her lips before plunging a hand into her thick tresses. “He has to be stopped.”

With a soft murmur that sounded like, “But I love him,” she grabbed hungrily for me. She dropped her coffee cup in the process, and it hit the ground between our feet, splashing us both. That’s all it took to break her out of my thrall.

She shoved away from me so hard she almost fell on her ass in the parking lot. She stared at me with horror-filled wolf eyes. “What kind of sick shit is that? Is that what you did to my sister?”

“Oh yeah.” I grinned. “But to be fair, it goes both ways. That woman can seduce me with a glance.”

“Fuck you, Arys,” she snarled. “You are a sick, twisted person. I can’t believe you would do that to me. I’m Alexa’s sister, dammit.”

“Which is exactly why I did it to you,” I said with a flippant shrug. “You had answers that I needed. Hopefully it was enough.”

“Enough for what?”

“Enough for me to put the squeeze on your man.”

She reached for her weapon, and I shook my head. “You don’t want to do this with me, one on one. Trust me. It’s better if you just walk away. I’d hate to have to kill you. Alexa is already pissed with me.”

She stood there looking both vicious and uncertain. Then she snarled, “You’re a f*cking douchebag, Arys.”

Spinning on a heel, she stormed away to the black sedan at the back of the lot. After slamming the door much harder than necessary, she tore out of the parking lot with a squeal of tires.

I watched the taillights disappear down the street. I liked to pride myself on my uncanny ability to handle women. But no man on this planet had it in him to handle two O’Brien women. Not even me.

Chapter Seven

Needing to see Alexa was driving me mad. And if I couldn’t do that then I wanted to be in solitude, just me, a pencil, and paper. If I didn’t work my frustrations out on the page, it would come out in a horrible, bloody way. Seeing as Alexa was already taking that road, I had to show some self-restraint.

And I could do it too. I could play the part of the well-controlled vampire, wallowing in a small bungalow in a small town, completely detached from the world. It wasn’t really me though. The real me was back in that strip club, seducing and killing women in cold blood with Jenner.

Knowing that Alexa was losing herself to the twin flame madness was the only thing keeping me sane. For now.

There was no sign of Jenner when I returned home. I strode through the house, dropping clothing as I went. I cranked the shower on hot and stood under the spray so it pelted my face with steaming, angry drops.

For several minutes I just stood there, thinking about Gabriel, about Juliet, and how I so desperately wanted to have my wolf back in my arms. Thoughts of her led my mind down a path filled with memories of passion and blood. What I wouldn’t have given to be with her, to be inside her. We were supposed to be together.

With one hand on my cock and the other bracing my weight against the tiled wall, I escaped into some of my favorite memories of Alexa. Rather than relieving the need for her, it only made my longing for her grow. I groaned and slammed a hand against the wall, watching the tile crack beneath my fist.

I wasn’t one for tears. It had nothing to do with lack of emotion, but after three centuries of Harley, it took a lot to make me cry. However, right then standing alone in my shower jacking off like a horny teenager and pining after Alexa, I wanted to.

And I might have. But by the time I got out of the shower, it didn’t matter. I’d already put it behind me.

The front door slammed with Jenner’s arrival. I stepped into a pair of soft, grey sweatpants and rubbed a towel over my wet hair. I used some mouthwash, ran my tongue over the silver hoop in my bottom lip, and exited the bathroom.

“You are not going to believe what I found your woman doing,” Jenner announced as he flopped down on the couch.

“Abducting a Fed?” I replied, pleased when he frowned.

“If you already knew, then why the hell did you send me to tail her?”

“I didn’t know until Juliet told me they’re missing an agent.” I sat in my favorite chair and pinned Jenner with a fierce stare. “So, did you talk to her?”

His head bobbed, and he gave a wan smile. “I did. If you can call it that. I tried to talk some sense into her. She told me that if I didn’t get out of her way, she’d send me back to you with my head stuffed up my ass. She’s a real classy broad, that one.”

I grinned, somehow finding reassurance in Jenner’s report. “Is that all?”