Dwyer, Dixie Lynn- Task Force One: Dani's Got a Gun [The Men of Five-0 #4] (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Forever) (19 page)

“Through our sources, we found that he has been lying low since the attack in the apartment a few days ago. We fear that he is looking for you, Dani. He is wolf enough to sense that you are unique. You’re a healer, Dani, and that means you are very valuable to our race,” Miele answered.

“Because you have been chosen as the mate to our pack, the Fagan Pack, and also to Vanderlan, we believe that it is for good reason. Our pack has been under attack by rogue wolves on and off for centuries. We are one of the smaller packs in the world with only fifty thousand pack members,” Van stated.

“Fifty thousand seems like a lot of wolves. What does the largest pack contain?” Dani asked.

“Many packs have members in the hundreds of thousands,” Bently told her.

“The point is that we are a strong and solid pack. The location of our land and pack territory is crucial to maintaining a position and representation in the pack order. We have ties to many other packs and affiliated groups that maintain justice and survival for our race. The fear of possibly being taken over has grown over the past ten years. Someone out there wants our territory. They have gone to great lengths to destroy us. We’ve lost many members to murder or crimes that really didn’t look like actual crimes, but looked like setups,” Baher explained.

“So you think someone is after your territory? Margo explained to me about the circle of elders and how they are the ultimate power over the packs and maintaining peace. Can’t they step in?” she asked, and Van smiled.

“They can only do so much. They are kept busy day in and day out with maintaining protocol and handling pack law. It is kind of like survival of the fittest and we are being challenged.”

“Well, if I have these powers or whatever they are to help, then perhaps this might strengthen your fight.”

“Right now only a few know of your existence. We think it is in your best interest to speak with Margo and train with her. She is a healer and can help you to learn about your abilities and what your position means.”

Dani crossed her arms in front of her chest and gave him the evil eye. “And while I’m safe and secure in some bedroom with another healer, the rest of you get to go out and hunt down this rogue wolf? I don’t think so.”

“Daniella, this is not up for discussion,” Baher stated. He was truly getting annoyed with her attitude and recalcitrant behavior.

She stood up and placed her hands on her hips. “Not up for discussion? Bullshit! I am not some weak female who is going to bow down to any of you and sit inside some security room and act all girly while the rest of you risk your lives hunting this asshole. I’m in and involved in the investigation, or I’m not speaking with Margo and learning about this healing stuff.”

Baher stepped forward and grabbed her around the waist, hoisting her up against him.

They were both breathing heavy, and their hearts were racing.

“You have got to be the most stubborn woman I have ever met in my entire life,” Baher told her through grinding teeth.

“Well, then you haven’t been to the right places or lived in the real world. Most women are not damsels in distress, mister. They are independent, well-trained, and get-the-job-done professionals. Get used to it, or we’re going to be fighting every minute of every day.”

He shook his head at her in frustration then turned her around to face the others as he wrapped his arms around her midsection.

“So what are we going to do with her?” Baher asked his brothers, and everyone stared at Dani.

* * * *

Dani was feeling crazy. Every time one of the men made a comment like this one Baher just made, she felt such a sexual pull and need that she completely forgot why she was arguing with them to begin with. Randolph gave her a knowing smirk, and it both made her annoyed and made her smile.

“You know this isn’t fair, don’t you? I’ve been in law enforcement since I entered the police academy when I was twenty years old. This is what I do. Investigation is my life, and I don’t think I should have to give that up.”

They were all silent a moment.

“There will be no need for you to do it anymore,” Vanderlan stated in a deep voice.

When he spoke, she felt it in every part of her. There was a different connection than with the Fagan brothers. The intensity was the same, but with Vanderlan she felt it in her veins. It must have something to do with the whole blood and vampire thing.

“It is more than that, Daniella. You have no idea how difficult this is for us to be sharing you. As a vampire, I do not share. I have done my part in providing assistance to many types of mythical creatures and shifters, but, just like the wolves, I have searched all my life, centuries, for a mate, and here you are, and it seems that I must share you with wolves. It does not sit well with me. Just as I am certain it does not sit well with the Fagan Pack. But we all know that there is a higher power than our own desires and hang-ups. As my mate, I will do whatever I need to do to protect you and keep you by my side. You going off on a hunt for a beast that has gotten your scent and now craves you is not an option I am willing to even consider.”

“But, Vanderlan, I, too, am struggling with this entire concept. As a human, being sexually involved with more than one man at one time is slutty and taboo. Yet you all expect me to just accept it. You also expect me to give up everything I have worked hard for and achieved, yet you all give up nothing. How is that fair?”

“You will be quite busy as the Alpha female to the Fagan Pack. There will be many responsibilities for you, just as I am certain Vanderlan will have some for you as well,” Van replied.

She crossed her arms in front of her chest as Baher released her.

“I am not ready to give up my life and my career. I want it both, and I would appreciate it if you all could take the time to try to work this out. I can help you. Let me remain involved with the investigation.” A collective sigh went through the room. She could hear their thoughts. They wanted to keep her under wraps. They wanted to make love to her, hold her in their arms, and keep her safe. She saw their fear of this rogue trying to capture her, kill her, or take from her what it wanted. She felt it all as she closed her eyes and tried to remain strong.

“Please give this a try, and I promise to try my hardest to understand and submit to your demands as wolves and as a vampire. God that sounds so crazy,” she stated, and then Baher turned her around and pulled her into his arms.

“You are stubborn, woman.” He kissed her softly on the lips. She fell right into his trap as he made love to her mouth, while his hands explored her body and caressed her from ass to shoulders then back over her ass again.

As he released her lips, she hugged him back.

“One more thing,” she stated, and they sighed in annoyance.

“Do I really need silver bullets to kill a wolf?” she asked.

“You won’t need anything because you won’t be getting close enough,” Baher replied.

“There’s something else you all are going to have to learn about me. I like guns. I like all types of guns and I enjoy going to the range and letting off some steam. I’m a homicide detective and I have a license. I want my guns. I want to carry my weapon and I want to be prepared. It is who I am and you all need to accept that.”

They thought it over but without her hearing their words. They blocked her.

“I will get them for you. You can load your Glock and be prepared as you ask.” Randolph rose from the chair and exited the room.

The doorbell rang and Bently walked out of the living room to answer the door.

“That should be Margo. Can you be a good mate and accept her help in showing you what it means to be a healer?” Vanderlan asked in an annoyed tone. She was a bit taken aback by it but realized that was his vampire arrogance showing through. He was a superior creature and man. She knew that he had the ability to destroy most anything in his path and a bit of trepidation reached her heart. A moment later she felt the cool hand touch her shoulder. He had been directly in front of her, leaning against the couch, and now he was behind her, moving her hair away from her neck and whispering against her skin.

“Do not fear me, mate. I adore you already and would never do you harm.” He kissed her skin. His warm breath traveled through her body. “Besides, you are way too tasty.” He licked her skin then gently ran his sharp teeth across her neck and firmly against the vein. She shook with anticipation, feeling her own need to be bitten by him fill her to her soul. “Later,” he told her as Margo and Bently entered the room.

Chapter 12

“Okay, so let me get this straight. You’re telling me that as a healer, I have magical powers within me to heal even those who may be dying?”

“Well, technically yes. However, you cannot use it freely. Normally a healer is temporarily selected to provide this service to mythical creatures or whomever the gods feel it necessary to maintain power and justice. We, as healers, are never betrothed to anyone. We are free spirits when not serving. This is what makes your situation so outrageous and wild. To be betrothed, destined to be the mate of the wolf pack you are sent to help protect is rare. I’m not saying it has never happened, but it is rare. But then add in the vampire, too, and holy shit, the entire concept is insane,” Margo stated.

“That’s wonderful. So, I’m the first this has ever happened to. Is that bad?” Dani asked, feeling instant anxiety until Vanderlan sensed her worry and intervened. He began to console her and calm her worry. He was always there for her, and it both freaked her out and comforted her. She felt the others as well and Van projected some anxiety about the visit from the Fennigan Pack.

“Not bad per se but actually pretty damn amazing. It can only lead me to believe that you are destined to provide much-needed help along the way. Your wolves and the vampire will need your healing powers as they fight to maintain their standing and control of Fagan Pack territory. I cannot foresee what is to come, but if the gods have sent you here and have hidden you like this for this long, then there is something brewing.”

“Like what? Do you think there are more rogues out there?” Dani asked, feeling instant concern for her men.

“It is probable. So I think we should begin to explore your powers. There is really nothing to it as long as your heart is pure and remains focused for the right reasons. It is one of the fool-proof ways to ensure that a healer doesn’t stray from good to bad. You can’t heal an evil spirit. The gods have the ultimate power.

“So if a rogue or whomever tries to capture or exploit a healer, then they will not succeed. Unfortunately it leaves you with little power to defend yourself. However, you are different in that way, too. You are a fighter. You have your obsession with weapons and upholding the law. I am not certain of what is to come, but this current battle may only be the beginning.”

“Well, I guess we should get as prepared as possible. Although I think you may be wrong about the level of my involvement in this. The men seem to want to keep me out of this. I won’t be able to do that. I want to catch this rogue wolf. He has killed so many innocent people. While you explain things to me, can you also show me how to block my thoughts from them fully. They’re making me crazy by answering my thoughts and listening in then talking at the same time. It’s freaky. Besides, there are some things I would really like them to not know about.”

“Ohh, like what?” Margo teased.

“Well, earlier I panicked when I entered the room and saw them there. It was overwhelming to me to see them like that after we had sex. They are so very handsome and, well, appealing to every part of me. It was scary and I panicked about our relationship. I don’t do commitment, Margo. You know that.”

“You mean like your relationship with the cop, Jack?”

Dani blushed. “You knew about him?”

“Honey, he was a fine-looking man and a great body in that uniform of his.”

Dani chuckled as she thought about Jack.

Then she felt a pinch to her ass cheek and jumped.