Kiss Of Twilight (12 page)

Dupree stopped in the doorway and held his breath. Kara had twisted her hair into a knot and stuck a pencil through it. Loose tendrils clung to her nape. There was something so sexy about a woman's exposed nape. He wanted to walk up behind her and stroke her, nibble her soft, smooth skin. His body stirred at the idea.
Down boy.
Would the time ever come when he could think about her and not be instantly hard? He was beginning to think the answer to that was no. He tapped on the doorframe and she turned to face him with a smile.

"Has it really been two hours?"

The slowest two hours of his life. He nodded. "Are you ready?"

She stood and rolled her head side to side, like she was working out a knot, and stretched her arms over her head.

"Whenever you are," she answered, walking toward him.

Her eyes were bright and he got the impression her reply was to a very different question. They weren't going there. Right now at least. Didn't mean he couldn't play, did it? He lifted her hand to his lips and grazed the pads of her fingers with his teeth. He meant to leave it at that, but he couldn't resist leaning over to nibble at the pulse he could hear pounding in her neck. She leaned against him, running her hands up his chest, and moaned. "You are a bad, bad man, Dupree Jackson."

Laughing, he lifted his head to look into her dazed eyes.

"You like me that way."

"Oh yeah. Give me more."

She stood on her toes and bit his bottom lip. Damn, he wanted to skip the club, but despite her insistence he didn't think she was ready for what he wanted. He couldn't resist one kiss before stepping back.

"I'm driving."

"I need to grab my guitar."

She went back into the office and returned seconds later with the case. Then they headed out to his sports car. The club wasn't so far that he couldn't teleport them, but if this was a date, he was doing it right. He'd picked her up and he'd drop her at her door later. Maybe kiss her good-night. His heart pounded. Only a kiss. His father's chiding voice rang in his head.
Yeah right. Who are you trying to convince, boy?

Maybe driving wasn't such a good idea. In the close confines of the car, her scent enticed him. A hint of perfume, a hint of strawberries and vanilla. He reached over and rubbed a strand of hair between his fingers, and felt her freeze. Man and demon stilled, unsure if this was a subtle retreat or something else. He stopped at a light and turned to look her over. Her eyes were wide. Lips slightly parted. He stared as her tongue darted out to moisten them.

A car honked behind him and he realized the light had turned green. "This might have been a bad idea," he muttered.

He spent the rest of the drive keeping his hands to himself with a firm reminder that he wasn't some horny teenager on his first date. Sex in the car was
not
an option. He glanced over at her profile. Even if it was tempting.

"Anything on Baas yet?" she asked, finally breaking the silence.

"Tim expects the DNA results tomorrow, but Gray's out of town. Winter was planning on telling him what we know tonight. And as far as I can tell, Baas didn't have any meetings set up here."

She snorted. "Someone saw him."

He nodded. "Long enough to kill him at least." This was good. He could drive and talk to her. Distraction. "What about your end? Anything in Ben's stuff?"

"The computers are a dead end. I'll start on the papers in the morning." She paused, turning in the seat to partially face him. "When you brought everything over did you see any journals?"

Was she missing something? "No. Are they yours?"

"Ben's," she said softly. "Leather. Notebook sized. And apparently missing. Maybe that's what Baas was after."

"You think there was something in these journals worth killing over?"

"Maybe."

He was skeptical. Winter thought there might be something to find in Ben's papers, but Dupree wasn't so sure. He figured it was Gray's way of keeping them occupied while he dealt with the council. But Kara had spent a lot more time with Ben over the last few years than Winter or Dupree, and he was inclined to trust her instincts.

"Why?"

He was answered by silence.

"Kara, what's in the journals?"

"Secrets, I suppose. I don't think I've ever read them," she said so softly he had to strain to hear her. He couldn't have heard that right. He turned onto a dark street and drove to the end, around the back of a warehouse that already had a full lot. Putting the car in Park, he turned to look at her.

"You don't think?"

"Some of my memories of Ben are...fuzzy."

Alarm and disbelief shot through him. "Fuzzy or gone?"

She rubbed her temples as if thinking about it hurt. "It's like some are locked away and I don't have the right key."

Damn Ben. He started cussing under his breath. For this, he'd enjoy killing the man he'd once called friend.

"What is it?"

"It's one of his abilities. He can bury memories."

For a moment she looked stunned, then she grumbled, "I guess I shouldn't be surprised, huh? He could be pretty mercenary."

She was taking the news much better than Dupree. He wanted to find Ben and rip him into shreds. Kara was supposed to be safe with him. Protected. Not mind fucked.

"I wonder what I knew?" she mused. "Is it still locked in my head somewhere?"

Definitely taking it better than him. He made an effort to rein in his demon. "I'm sorry, baby. I don't know how it works. Gia would be the one to ask, but..."

"She's not here. Is it me or is that getting really old?"

That sounded like exasperation instead of jealousy and Dupree wasn't sure what to make of it. "What are you getting at?"

"It just seems like every time someone has a question lately, the only one who can answer it is Gia. I know she was the go between for most of the regional business for Ben, but this seems to go way farther than that. It's like she was the secret keeper or something."

"And you're wondering why Ben trusted her so much."

"Well." She shrugged. "Yeah. Aren't you curious?"

He was more curious what secret Gia had kept for Kara. If the wariness in her eyes was anything to judge by, he wasn't likely to find out tonight.

"Never really thought about it. Gia grew up here. She's literally known Ben her entire life. Why wouldn't he trust her?"

She narrowed her eyes before twisting in her seat and grabbing the handle on the guitar case. "I think it's about time someone gets curious. It's important."

"How do you know that? One of those fuzzy memories?"

She bit her lip. "Call it women's intuition."

He got out of the car and waited by his door, leaning his forearms against the roof, for her to do the same. He pushed the lock button on his keychain remote. When he straightened Kara had a strange, almost pained look on her face.

"Dupree, who emptied Ben's safe? That's where the scrolls were right?"

"Gia did," he answered, growing cold. Surely she wasn't suggesting...well, hell, what was she suggesting? "Spit it out, Kara."

"She's the secret keeper. It might as well be her official title," she said, lowering her voice when the club's door banged opened and a group of young hybrid soldiers erupted out. "The scrolls are old and their secrets could hurt all of us. If that knowledge was comprised, she'd share them. But Ben's journals? Even if there is something in them, she wouldn't betray Ben's trust. She would have read through them herself and maybe gone to you or Winter if she thought something warranted it."

He hated to admit it, but she was probably right and it convinced him as nothing else had that Gia wasn't gone on purpose. She would never have them exposed in any way. "If she took them, she hid them somewhere."

Kara's nod reflected the grimness he felt. "We have to find them. All those boxes at the house? I bet I don't find anything in them."

He was inclined to agree. However, he knew his woman. "But you'll look anyway."

"Of course." She drew the strap of her instrument case over her shoulder. "But not right now. We all need a break, at least for a couple hours." She gave him a gentle smile when he moved to stand at her side. "Even you."

Her words touched him. It had been a long time since someone's worry about his well-being had nothing to do with his remaining strong for everyone else. From anyone else it would likely have put his guard up or angered him. But something in him accepted her concern as something he was entitled to. It tamed the beast clamoring to steal what was left of his soul. God, he didn't deserve her. Though, he sure as fuck wasn't letting her go and he didn't even care anymore how selfish that made him. He took her hand and grinned.

"Let's go relax then."

The club was in a warehouse on the southern outskirts of the city. It was closed to humans except a small handful, who knew about the secret supernatural world that came out onto Camden's streets after the sun went down. Most of them were local law enforcement and Dupree was hoping to recruit them tonight.

Inside he steered Kara toward the bar, while he looked around the crowded room. He counted a handful of nightwalkers, a couple dozen hybrids and lupines, and three quad leaders. Two of them, Ingrid and Jordan, sat together. Lance was on the stage with Mitchell setting up instruments and plugging in amps.

Dupree wondered where the fourth quad leader, Robert, was, but only for a second. Robert was an ass. All he cared about was gaining more power--Winter's in particular. One day they'd have to deal with that but it could wait. Robert wasn't in the position to make a move against Winter. Yet. Pushing those thoughts away, he nodded a greeting to Mitchell, who jumped down and met them halfway.

"Hey, man." He slapped Dupree's back. "Been awhile. You playing tonight? I'll give up my drums for a set."

He was tempted. There wasn't much that compared to drumming out his frustrations. Maybe a night in Kara's bed. But he felt too raw and edgy tonight to step into the spotlight. Besides he'd seen several people he needed to touch base with.

"Maybe later."

"Oh come on. Kara won't mind sharing the stage, will you, babe?" Mitchell asked.

Dupree didn't even attempt to restrain his growl as he pulled Kara up under his shoulder. The womanizing wolf could damn well stay away from her. She tilted her head to look up at him.

"Oh c'mon," she teased. "We haven't played together in awhile."

The innuendo was almost more than he could take. He should put some space between them before he ravaged her here in front of everyone. He shook his head to clear the image from his mind. "You go on. There are a few people I need to speak to."

She bit her bottom lip. "Some date," she muttered. "I'm playing and you're working."

"I'm never off work. You know that," he felt compelled to remind her. When they moved forward with this relationship, she needed to be prepared for it.

"Yeah, I do." She gave him a wry grin that was just this side of wicked. "Go do your thing. While Mitchell tortures you with country music."

He groaned and grabbed her hand before she could dance off. "I wouldn't subject myself to that for anyone else."

Pulling her close, he kept one hand on her delectable ass and shoved the other through her hair. He drew her to him, slowly, wanting to take his time, wanting so much more than was possible in a crowded bar. The kiss was scorching. He felt more than heard the crowd around them hush--he wasn't exactly known for staking a claim in full view of God and everybody--but damned if he cared. He finally broke away when the clapping started. The blush that spread up her neck to her face went well with her dazed expression. He could get used to that.

"Just remember who you came with, baby," he whispered in her ear.

"Not yet," she said huskily. "But I'm ever hopeful."

He groaned, turned her around and propelled her toward the stage before he could give in to temptation and find the nearest dark corner.

Dupree watched her jump up on the stage and plug in her amp. Everyone but Vic was in place and he edged his way through the crowd throwing cautious looks at Dupree all the way. He couldn't help the surge of possessiveness that turned his eyes red. Kara thought he didn't know about her history with Vic. The younger man knew better. And he knew Dupree was barely tolerant of his friendship with Kara, especially since she'd been attacked by demons while Vic was supposed to watching out for her. There was no way in hell Dupree would trust Vic to that job again.

Mitchell leaned toward the mike. "Light a fire under it, man."

The crowd laughed as Vic hurried his pace and vaulted up to the stage. As soon as he pulled his guitar strap over his head, Mitchell launched them into the first song, Jason Aldean's "She's Country." Vic and Kara alternated verses and Dupree felt himself slip into the music. After a couple songs, Dupree realized he was just standing there staring at her like an idiot and headed into the crowd.

He went to Jordan and Ingrid's table first. The two quad leaders were speaking together quietly and nodded when he took an empty seat. They weren't the ones he focused on, though. There was also a nightwalker at the table, a soldier he'd seen around but didn't know. Dupree would have found his presence extremely odd except for the man's posture. His chair was scooted up close to Ingrid with one arm propped across the back of her seat. He sat preternaturally still, a skill all nightwalkers seemed to possess, except he was idly rolling the end of her braid through his fingers. He stiffened for half a second when Dupree sat and met his gaze almost challengingly.

Dupree nodded, not sure how or even if he wanted to put the walker at ease. "I'm Dupree."

"Gideon." He gave Dupree a prodding stare. "Luke speaks highly of you."

"Luke is a good man."

Gideon may have hooked up with a quad leader, but Dupree wasn't about to discuss his boss with him. They were interrupted before that could happen as Jonas approached sheepishly and handed Dupree a beer. He scowled as the young soldier retreated.

"How'd he get stuck with waiter duty tonight?"

It was something they rotated among the younger Order and lupine members, and was often given as a punishment, but Dupree had already given Jonas and Vic extra duty for failing to check out the parking lot when Kara had been attacked. This had to be something different, because when Dupree had looked over the night's schedule Jonas was off.

"Boy's got a mouth on him." Jordan, who was Jonas's father, shrugged but didn't elaborate.

"Anything I need to be aware of?"

Jordan grinned. "It's nothing age won't cure."

Ingrid laughed. "He got it from you," she pointed out. "And you aren't cured."

Dupree enjoyed the byplay, something he was rarely a part of anymore. For the last couple of decades he'd gotten used to keeping his few friends at arm's length. It was safer for them that way. Such close and frequent proximity to Kara was waking him up in unexpected ways. Trying not to think about that, he tipped the beer bottle back and looked around the crowded club again. A couple of the cops he'd hoped to catch up with were in the middle of a group of lupines, laughing in a back corner.

"Anything else that needs my attention?" he asked Ingrid and Jordan.

They exchanged a long look that didn't augur well.

"What?"

"A couple of my new guys were approached by someone about moving regions." Ingrid reached into her bag and pulled out a business card, pushing it across the table to Dupree. The only thing on it was a phone number with a local area code, which didn't mean a damned thing in this age of cell phones. "Their recall of the event isn't very clear."

Dupree went cold. It couldn't be Ben. They'd recognize him. Dupree didn't know anyone else locally who had that ability, but then none of them were very forthcoming about what they could do, and Dupree had no idea what skill sets existed outside of the Southern region.

"Why didn't you call me?"

She shook her head. "It was just a couple hours ago and I knew Kara would here tonight, which means you would. I didn't feel comfortable...well let's just say, I thought we should talk about this in person."

She lowered her voice. "It couldn't have been Ben. But why the hell would someone from another region be trying to poach our people? We're already way undermanned and everyone knows it. It doesn't make sense." She paused and he could hear the "but" in her voice.

"Unless?"

"Unless the point is to make us weaker," she said reluctantly. Gideon stopped playing with her hair and moved his hand to squeeze the nape of her neck.

"If that is the case, they have seriously underestimated the strength of your allies," the nightwalker said. "Marcus will not stand idly by if another attempts to weaken his mate's power in his territory." Gideon shrugged. "These people, whoever they are, will live longer if they take their cause elsewhere."

Dupree blinked and leaned back in his chair.
His
territory, Gideon had emphasized. The Alliance had been formed in the 1950s, but as far as he knew none of the other regions had taken advantage of it. Why not? He'd never thought about it before. He looked at Gideon.

"I always assumed Marcus was Lord of all the nightwalkers. Why hasn't he enforced the Alliance in the other regions?"

The walker huffed, cutting off a laugh. "No. He's Lord here, just as Mitchell is alpha here. We don't have a central ruling council like you hybrids. We have clans." He shrugged. "And they are independent."

"So the Alliance exists between the three races but is only relevant here?"

"Basically, yes."

"Huh."

He looked to the stage, his gaze going right to Mitchell who was banging out the beat to the heavy metal ballad Kara had just launched into. Dupree had been young at the time the Alliance was formed, new with his merging. Todd Brant had been their regional commander and Gray their council representative. They'd been the ones to promote the Alliance to the council. The ones who'd campaigned for it and convinced the others. He'd assumed Marcus and the old lupine alpha hadn't had to do anything but agree. It was obviously more complicated than that, if the local nightwalkers were willing to stand with them against the rest of the Order. That spoke of much more than a casual pact and perhaps more than simply supporting the hybrids because their leader was mated to the nightwalker Lord. Had Todd and Gray anticipated one day needing the Alliance for defense against more than the demons? Was that why they'd pursued it so relentlessly? Dupree remembered it had also been Ben's pet project. It couldn't mean anything now, but Dupree had a nagging feeling it did.

"Any of your people approached?" he asked Jordan, who shook his head.

"No."

"Alright. I'll fill Winter in, but I think we should keep a lid on this until we know something."

Jordan leaned forward. "This have anything to do with Contee, you think?"

He shouldn't be surprised Jordan knew about the councilor's murder. His wife was Timothy's assistant. Since Ingrid wasn't surprised he guessed the knowledge had been shared. He sighed. He'd known he couldn't keep it silent for long.

"I don't know. I can't see how they could be connected."

But it was too much damned coincidence. Jordan nodded like he'd read his mind.

"Too weird for them not be connected somehow."

"Maybe. We'll figure it out."

He needed to know a whole lot more before he was willing to draw conclusions. And he still had a lot to do tonight. He was just standing when Kara started a new song, Bill Withers's "Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone," though she changed the pronoun to he. No one joined in, but he barely noticed. He was watching Kara. He only had eyes for Kara. He'd always loved this song and he knew she was playing it for him. It was too much. Too much open declaration. Too much like drawing a line in the sand and demanding he choose. Her eyes were suspiciously shiny when she sang the last word. She undid the guitar strap, set it on top of the amp and jumped down to come to him while the audience applauded.

"Oh c'mon. I'm not that bad," she teased, reaching up to smooth the frown from his brow. She gave him a shuddering chuckle and pressed her forehead against his chest, shaking her head back and forth.

"You're giving me whiplash, Dupree," she said so softly he almost missed it. "You want me. You don't. Make up your mind already."

He couldn't take it anymore. He took her with him to grab her guitar and teleported them back to the house. To his room. She blinked a few times and when he knew she was focused and steady, he released her and set her guitar case down. She was silent while he tried to find the courage to face her and explain.

"Kara, I don't try to keep a distance between because I don't want you." He took a deep breath and turned around. He owed her an explanation. "I want you so much it...terrifies me."

She didn't answer for a long time and he wondered if he'd finally succeeded in scaring some sense into her. That would kind of suck.

"I can't imagine you afraid of anything," she said lightly.

"When you've lost as much as..." He didn't let himself finish. Even he could hear the years of bitter sorrow. The last thing he wanted from her was pity. She took a hesitant step forward. He clenched his jaw. "You should leave before we both do something we regret."

He saw immediately she misunderstood. "No, Kara, that's not what I mean. I don't want to rush this. I don't want to push you into something you aren't prepared for."

She looked at him like he'd grown an extra head. "Rush? Are you crazy?"

He laughed half-heartedly and nodded his head. "Absolutely."

She leaned back against the door and stuck her hands in her pockets. Her expression was angry and mutinous with a hint of hurt. The movement pulled her shirt tight over her torso and he sucked in a deep breath, afraid to exhale for fear of panting. "Explain it then. You've known me most of my life. We both knew this was coming. I'm not seeing rush here."

"You don't know when to quit do you?" he asked, falling back on irritation in defense even though he knew it was a waste of time. He had no defenses against Kara.

She cocked an eyebrow. "Would you like it if I did?"

No. No he wouldn't. And he liked the shuttered, uncertain look in her eyes even less. He held his hand out and she took it, let him pull her into the safety of his arms and tuck her head under his chin. She felt so damned right there.

"Is it so bad," he said softly, "that I want to take the time to do this right, darlin'? That I know how hungry I'm going to be to have
everything
from you once I get you in bed? And we both know I can't have everything until after...if...you merge."

He stepped back so he could look her in the eye and shook his head once. "I've spent a lot of time avoiding you because it was important to my control." He held his hand up before she could interrupt. "Let me finish, Kara."