Hunting Colby Read online

  “You’re so beautiful.” He placed tender kisses along my neck, my collar bone, until he reached my breasts. With slow precision, he traced my areola with the tip of his tongue.

  Beautiful? No one had ever referred to me as that. Fast, yes. Cunning, yes. Strong, yes. I wasn’t a Rose. I was built to fight and hunt, to snarl in my prey's face while I tore its throat out.

  I set my hands over my breasts. “Don’t.”

  Concern marked his face. “Don’t touch you?” His jaw tightened.

  “No, don’t lie. I know who and what I am. Don’t give me false compliments. They just hurt.”

  A small humorless laugh left his mouth before he pulled my hands from my body. “Haven’t you ever looked at yourself?” Lifting me in his arms, he carried me to the bathroom in front of the large mirror over the sink.

  I hung my head so my long hair would cover my small breasts.

  “Stop that.” Colby stood behind me and hissed the words in my ear while pulling my hair back over my shoulders. With his fingertips, he guided my chin up to meet his gaze in the mirror. “That is pure beauty. Never believe anything else.” He released his hold on me and ran his hands over the slight curve of my hips. “Sleek.” Traced the muscles of my upper thighs. “Strong.” He kissed the back of my neck and caressed my left breast. “Soft.”

  “Wouldn’t you like me more if I had curves like…like Rose or Connie?” There, I said it, my worst fears and vulnerability. I didn’t care to be feminine—God knows those heels were the death of me—but for Colby I could try. I glanced at my reflection.

  Lust filled his stare. “They’re weak. I would shatter their bodies and spirits, but not you.” He pressed against me, his fingers seeking the edges of my panties. “Sometimes I think you might break me instead.”

  I spun and jumped into his arms, wrapping my legs around him. We were truly well matched. In his eyes I was perfect, as he was for me. “Make me yours.” I gripped his hair and claimed his mouth.

  Stumbling to the bed, he carried me while undoing his jeans. His rush only inflamed my desire.

  I landed on the bed and watched as he struggled. His cock stood out thick and hard, a pearl of wetness at its tip.

  “Never buying button-fly again.” He covered my body with his, pressing his weight onto me, leaving no flesh untouched. Lifting my right leg over his hip, he gained better access to my entrance. He slid his cock between my nether lips, rubbing my bud, but he didn’t go any further.

  I hooked my feet behind his tight ass and moaned at the sweet torture. How long had it been since I’d lain with a male? Five, maybe six years? I’d waited long enough. “Fuck me.” With my legs, I pulled him closer.

  He had buried his face in my neck and hair, and all I could hear was his deep chuckle. “Don’t worry, I plan to.” Penetrating just an inch, he pulled out again. “You’re tight.”

  I clawed at his back, trying to guide him back inside, but he didn’t budge. “And you’re thick.” I groaned as he thoroughly pinned me to the mattress.

  “Ah-ah, not yet.” He gave me a hard look.

  Dominance games came naturally to our kind; however, we were both alphas. No subs lay in this bed. I snapped my teeth at his face reflexively and twisted my hips, almost rolling him. He was just too strong for me, which set my desires ablaze. I bucked under his body.

  Colby snarled back, sounding more wolf than human. He thrust inside me until his root met my apex. His angry noise became one of pleasure.

  “Yes.” It was all I could manage to say, the only word I could remember how to speak.

  He moved his hips, controlling the pace, until his balls slapped my behind. Gripping the headboard for leverage, he plunged deeper and harder.

  I met every thrust with my own. Clawing his ass, I needed all of him. Nonsensical noises filled our room, like animals gone crazy.

  He arched his back, still pounding inside of me.

  I hugged him close until my teeth found the flesh over his heart, and I bit.

  “Oh, God. Yes. Yes,” he cried out. The heat of his seed sent me over, joining in his climax, our shouts a mix of release and acceptance.

  I claimed him. He was mine. Forever.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Odd how time sped when I needed it the most. In less than eight hours I had planned an assault on one of the most powerful overlords in North America.

  My army? Three human slayers, Colby, and a baby Nosferatu. Yep, we were dead.

  I double-checked the two semi-automatic guns, both concealed under my jacket like Cesio’s guards would expect, but I also carried an inner pants holster. The gun was smaller but still a large caliber weapon and would more than sting. However, it was the wooden stake concealed along my spine under my shirt that I couldn’t afford for them to find. I wouldn’t let any of the slayers carry UV grenades, their strongest weapon against the vampire, because they could accidently fry Mutt. The bugger had grown on me, and I wouldn’t let my charge become toast on his first real mission.

  Mutt leaned against the far wall, watching the last-minute equipment checks. Eyelids heavy and muscles lax, he almost appeared bored.

  I strutted across to him and swung a fast jab at his stomach.

  He caught my hand in a crushing grip. “What the hell?”

  “Just making sure you’re ready.” I inspected his shirt and suit then tugged his tie straight.

  “Stop that. You’re making me nervous.” He slapped my hands away. “I’m good.” His voice broke and he cleared his throat. “Sort of. I’m a terrible liar, Gwen.”

  “Then stick as close to the truth as possible. We just need to get Colby in and distract Cesio. His men don’t know what Colby looks like. They’ll just think he’s a shifter guard.” He would slip away to search for Red as soon as we cleared security.

  Mutt blew out a breath. “Truth. I can handle serving Cesio a little of what I really think of him.”

  I snorted. “We want distraction, not a war. This is a rescue mission.” Reaching inside his jacket, I checked a hidden pocket in the seam that carried another wooden stake. “Do you think you can reach it quick enough?”

  He set his hands on my shoulder. “I’ll be fine. You have my back.”

  I should have rethought this plan. Mutt wasn’t ready for this kind of mission. Fighting, maybe, but not head-to-head political confrontation, a battle of words. Cesio could destroy what confidence I’d built in Mutt. “Yeah, I got you.” I turned away before I said anything stupid or sappy. At some point over the last few weeks, I’d started seeing him like a little brother and couldn’t help my protective instinct.

  Colby stood across the room, doing a final review of the plan with the three slayers accompanying us. He stared at me over their shoulders. With a nod at his companions, he strode toward me. He moved with the precision of a wolf. I’d always admired that about him. Functional, no waste of energy, and very aware of his surroundings.

  “Ready?” I asked.

  “Yes.” He glanced at Mutt. “Him?”

  “As best as he’ll ever be.”

  “You’re nervous. I can smell it.” He ran the back of his finger over my cheek.

  “I take my responsibilities seriously.”

  “I know.”

  “I’m supposed to teach him, not place his life at risk. If anything happens to him, I doubt I’ll be forgiven.” By myself. The others might not care, but I did. I gave Colby a weak smile. “Let’s get this over with.”

  We walked out to the team’s nondescript blue van. I sat shotgun, while the others took seats in the back. We’d run this like I did when accompanying Master Tane outside his compounds.

  The drive was silent. I didn’t care. My thoughts were loud and distracting enough—get in, distract Cesio, find Red, and then extract as fast as possible. I’d deal with collateral damages once the slayers were safely in their hidden base. Master Tane would need to know if any of these rumors were true, and then the real shit could hit the fan. I placed his personal cell
number on speed dial. My suspicions were rarely wrong.

  Entering Cesio’s nest shouldn’t be difficult. His curiosity will be stirred enough to see Mutt. Extracting our ass out in one piece was what churned the acids in my stomach. I’d never had people I cared about on this kind of assignment.

  Images of Colby being hurt tried to pry its way into the forefront of my mind. I clenched my jaw and forced them away. Fear would damage my focus and I needed it razor sharp.

  Taking slow, measured breaths, I pictured bubbles floating in the wind then imagined popping each one with darts. I’d used this mental exercise for years to gather my wits and block out all external distractions.

  The van came to a stop.

  I glanced through the passenger side window at the guards by the door. Stepping outside the vehicle, I scanned the street and sidewalks like I would have done on any other security detail. Nothing seemed amiss as both guards focused their attention on me.

  I strode up to them. “Inform your master that a representative of the Nosferatu clan is here.” The words came out smooth and easy. They should; I’d said them often enough in the past.

  They glanced at each other briefly then one touched his ear piece and spoke to an unseen agent inside, informing the person of our arrival. The other leaned to the side to take a better look at the van. “How do I know you’re legit?”

  I raised an eyebrow at him. “Who would have the balls to use the Nosferatu name in vain?”

  He swallowed visibly. “I’ve never seen one.”

  “You have one who lives in the city.” Mutt kept to himself since I’d arrived in New York, busy with his training. Most of his clan did; ruling from the shadow added fear at the mention of their name. Even at Cesio’s club, the crowds had parted at his presence. I gave the guard a flat smile. “Be respectful and keep your comments to yourself. You’ll survive the experience.” Adding to the fear wasn’t part of my job but a perk.

  They should be terrified of the Nosferatu. With a little effort, Master Tane could alter every human’s memory in this city by himself. Not Mutt. He was still learning how to do it to one person without scrambling his brains, but the guards didn’t need to know that.

  The other guard gave me the go-ahead signal.

  I touched my own ear piece and gave the all-clear to Colby.

  Chapter Sixteen

  The slayers piled out of the van, surrounding a very confident-appearing Mutt. I stayed ahead of the group, Mutt in the middle with the human slayers, and Colby trailed behind. I struggled not to glance over my shoulder, wishing I knew how Colby planned to slip away.

  Mutt paused by the main elevator, a stairwell exit glowing above his head. He loomed over the security; his dark eyes took on a soulless quality. “Exactly how many levels in this building?”

  It took all my self-control not to grin at this show of attitude. Good boy.

  “Thir-thirty five, sir.”

  “Including the basements?”

  The guard nodded.

  Between the shuffle of bodies when the elevator arrived, I noted Colby wasn’t among us anymore. Such skill was the best aphrodisiac I could ask for. I took a deep, easy breath and let some of the tension building between my shoulder blades ease.

  We stopped on the fifth floor, which surprised me. I’d have thought an egotistical jerk like Cesio would have his receiving room in the penthouse.

  He greeted us at the door, a huge smile fading from his face. “You?”

  Mutt nodded. “Me.”

  Shooting a glare in my direction, he gestured toward the room behind him. Doubt flowed over his face as his gaze traveled over the slayer guards dressed in suits, similar to what my teams in Rio wore. I didn’t blame him. The Nosferatu had no idea we were here, but Cesio didn’t know that. If he proved to be innocent, I was prepared to take the fall if our masters were upset by this ruse.

  Mutt took a seat at the table closest to the door like I’d instructed him, not waiting for Cesio. A small slight in vampire etiquette. Mutt might not be acquainted with the custom of letting the host sit first, but I doubted it.

  The overlord’s expression darkened and he took a seat across from Mutt. “Why am I given the honor of your presence?” His words dripped with scorn.

  “I’m searching for a slayer.”

  Giving us a secret smile, Cesio leaned back in his chair. “I thought the Nosferatu were the slayers.”

  “We are.” He steepled his fingers in front of his face and mirrored Cesio’s smile. “I’m glad you remember.”

  I wanted to high-five my young ward. Instead, I bit the inside of my mouth so I wouldn’t laugh out loud.

  “What is so important about this human?”

  “He was investigating vampire breeding within the city. His disappearance concerns me and my brothers.”

  “Then why aren’t they here?”

  “They are. Through me.”

  Yes! I’d been so concerned with how Mutt would perform in this meeting. He needed to gain Cesio’s respect and in turn those in this room witnessing their conversation. I moved from behind the young Nosferatu to lean against the wall, where I had a better view of both their faces and the door.

  The hilt of my handgun, at the small of my back, dug into my skin. It reassured more than bothered.

  “Creating new unauthorized vampires is quite a crime,” said Cesio.

  “Punishable by death.”

  “All our laws are punished by death.” Cesio shot back. “I don’t know why you keep asking me about this slayer. I haven’t any idea of his whereabouts or baby vamps.” He rose, as if dismissing us.

  We’d been in the room for a few minutes. Had that given enough time for Colby to find and free Red? I could only guess, and made my way toward the door as if to leave.

  Mutt remained in his chair, resting his foot on his knee. “Do you truly think I can’t detect when you’re lying?”

  My eyes bulged from their sockets. What had he said?

  From the way Cesio went still, I wasn’t the only one asking that question. “Are you accusing me of something?”

  “I think you killed the slayer when he got too close to the truth.”

  I hurried to Mutt’s side and set my hand on his shoulder. “I think it’s time to go.” We were here to distract, not start pointing fingers. There wasn’t much we could do with our small task force.

  Cesio nodded and leaned forward. “No, no, please stay.” He gestured to his guard, who moved to block our exit. “Check the prisoner as well. I don’t trust this one.” He nodded toward me.

  I clenched my hand into a fist but refrained from crashing it into Mutt’s head. He’d blown the lid on the whole mission, and for what? Our gazes met, but I didn’t see fear in his eyes, only determination. This wasn’t the time for him to take a stand.

  The sounds of struggle in the hall caught my attention. I twisted, my hand reaching over my shoulder for the wooden stake. Several plans for escape raced through my mind, but all of them included leaving Colby in this nest of traitors.

  The slayers didn’t leave their members behind. Neither would I. Sliding the stake free from its place along my spine, I took a step toward the exit. The guards at the door parted so others could toss a beaten Colby and Red at Cesio’s feet.

  I fell to my knees at Colby’s side, gripping the stake as I searched his injuries. We’d been over-confident, thinking we could raid an Overlord’s nest so simply. I should have listened to my instincts and called my master. Instead, my heart had swayed me, knowing Colby would never accept his help.

  Colby rolled, clutching his side, where blood seeped from a deep gash. With my help, he got to his knees. “I found Red.”

  The other slayer lay on his back, his black eyes almost swollen shut. Multiple bite marks scarred his exposed flesh. “Hey, Gwen.” His voice sounded like broken glass.

  Neither appeared fight-worthy. With an acid-raging gut, I glanced at a gloating Cesio, but he wasn’t paying me any heed. All of his attention was
focused on Mutt. “You were right. I was lying.”

  The Nosferatu no longer lounged in his chair. He sat on the edge, perched on his toes, ready to spring.

  “Why create new vampires? They’re just more mouths to feed.” I rose to my feet, making sure to keep the slayers between me and the guards at the door.

  The contempt in Cesio’s glance washed over me, leaving a bad aftertaste. “How will I explain your death to your master?”

  “He’s your master as well.”

  “Not for long, Gwen. Not once I rid this city of you, these slayers, and Nosferatu influence. It will be mine alone.”

  “It’s an army,” Mutt said.

  “Ah, the dog can think. How remarkable. Is this why your clan passed me over for you?”

  “That’s why you’re doing this?” Mutt jumped to his feet.

  Cesio’s guards grabbed him, pulling him away before he reached their lord. The three of them could barely contain him.

  “You can have it,” Mutt continued to shout. “You want to look like a freak? Have midday visits from creeps who try to train you by tearing your mind apart? Or have the raging hunger constantly eating at your gut?” The last sentence held an edge of hysteria.

  My breath caught in my chest and ached. I’d never known. He’d kept all these feelings hidden from me. How could I blame him? I did work for the guy who’d ultimately recruited him against his will. My master could be so cruel. I had always thought Mutt’s transformation had been voluntary.

  Our gazes locked. The anguish in his eyes vanished as a shield came down. He stopped struggling and straightened his suit. “Breeding vampires is against the Nation’s laws, Overlord Cesio. By the power I represent, you are found guilty and will be punished for your crimes.”

  Cesio chuckled. “Nicely said.” He turned his head toward me. “Maybe under your guidance he would have turned out to be a good leader, but the young are so easily destroyed, and you’re, what? Thirty years old in total, Mutt?”