Bad Mouth Read online

  She stiffened and looked as if she’d like to suck those words back behind her lips, too. He might have been angry about her obvious distaste for adjuvants like him, but he focused instead on her body language. She appeared to care what he thought or how she made him feel rather than letting distrust of him drive her. Maybe she did have some sense of justice.

  His involvement with the VLO’s investigation might not be a problem after all. It could work out to his benefit. He’d have inside information and access to the VLO’s resources. If they got too close to destroying what he’d built over the years, he could easily divert them.

  “This desk jockey can be a sonuvabitch to work with,” he said. She relaxed. “And I can’t shut my bad mouth off. Trust me. I’ve tried for two hundred years. It ain’t happening. Ezra hates it.”

  “Ezra?”

  “Adjuvant. Another Dominus and my brother in arms. He’s nothing like me. He’s all about everything human. You’ll love him.”

  She frowned then. Shit. It had been a bad choice of words. She didn’t have to say anything for him to figure out she had a thing against vampires.

  “Why did you ask about vampires being victims?”

  Whoa. It might be more difficult than he’d thought to keep her in the dark.

  “Checking out what side you’re playing on.” He shrugged. “You shouldn’t be a liaison, Valerie.”

  Her eyes widened, and then she looked down at her clasped hands. “It’s Val.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “And I know that.”

  He hadn’t expected her to admit her prejudice, especially to him, but she did and had the grace to feel bad about it. Strange that she would take a job where she’d be in constant contact with the object of her bigotry. Something motivated her, and he needed to dig up some answers fast before she discovered something that could trigger war between humans and vampires, a war that would only amplify the growing hostilities between Legion and Dominorum. The ruling Dominorum caste would never hold the lesser Legion vampires under its thumb in the midst of such a conflict. That would be a bloody fucking mess he’d do anything to prevent.

  …

  “Where do you suggest we begin?” Val asked.

  “Fuck if I know. It’s your investigation. I’m just along for the ride.”

  He turned from them and dropped into the corner of one of the sofas, his long legs sprawled out in front of him and his toned arm draped along the sofa back. Val wanted to punch a wall. He’d just proclaimed he could be helpful, but he was already acting like the roadblock she’d expected. Her exasperation grew when he said nothing more.

  She raised an eyebrow, but he only grinned and patted the sofa cushion next to him. She perched instead on the sofa across the coffee table from him. Graham sat beside her, a tad too close. He looked like he’d tasted something rotten, and she tried not to let that please her.

  “My office sent you the details of the case. Did you receive them?”

  “I did.”

  She sighed. “Well?” He smiled again, but said nothing. Her patience neared its limit. “Any impressions, thoughts, ideas?”

  “Yes. Humans are brutal.”

  “Kade, you know very well humans didn’t kill those people.”

  “I know no such thing. Do you always jump to conclusions?”

  “Dear Lord.” She rubbed her temples. “I follow the evidence. You know—proof. I’m sure you’ve heard of it.”

  The infuriating vampire laughed.

  “Oh, stop it,” she said. “I know what you’re doing. You’re trying to spin me up. No matter what you do, I’m not calling Olen.”

  Well, that worked. He made a frustrated sound low in his throat and leaned toward her. “Maybe I’m trying to shake you off that fucking high horse, knock that pretty head clear so you’ll actually listen. I can’t help if you won’t listen.”

  “I am listening.”

  “No. You’re telling me how it is.”

  Was he right? Possibly she may have missed something that he’d caught, but she couldn’t see how a human could cause the damage she had seen in the photos. Plus, the derangements were real and humans couldn’t create those. Still, she had to ask…

  “Did you find evidence that humans did any of this?”

  He took a long moment before he shook his head. “No.”

  Unfortunately, Graham took this moment to chime in. “We have evidence of vampire involvement yet you continue to implicate humans. Who’s the one who needs a knock on the head?”

  Val closed her eyes, wishing she could tape Graham’s mouth shut with his foot still in it. She stole a peek at Kade. He didn’t address Graham but stood, holding his gaze on her. Mortification sat hot in her cheeks.

  Kade offered her his hand. She slid her hand into his as she stood. His skin felt unexpectedly warm and work-roughened. Not the cold, smooth hand she expected of a vampire prince.

  “Mr. Rollins…”

  From the corner of her eye, she saw Graham’s confused expression. He couldn’t help it—he was too new around the Dominorum to understand their power, and he’d probably misjudged Kade because of the plain, faded clothes the vampire wore. She’d tried to explain that he had to tread carefully in their presence—they were like grenades with the pin removed.

  Of course, she’d said worse before realizing who Kade was.

  “Kade,” he said. “For you, it’s Kade. Think about who among the Immortalis you’d like to interview, and come to me tomorrow evening.”

  “We couldn’t get anything from them. Are you sure you can get them to talk?”

  “I wouldn’t guess you’d give up so easily.” His smile softened his words. “I told you I can be quite helpful.”

  “Good. I’m counting on it.” Reclaiming her composure, she backed away from him and pulled free from the compelling heat of his touch.

  “Tomorrow evening, Val. Come to me.”

  She nodded, shaking off yet another shiver. Come to me. The words whispered under her skin as she left the penthouse with Graham. Who was this adjuvant? Darkness lurked behind his eyes.

  As she entered the elevator, she opened the pictures from Alice. They made her stomach riot. He did this to his subjugates, deformed and mutilated them, scarred them inside and out. The pictures didn’t fit with the vampire she’d just met. His language was distasteful, he had a short fuse, and he seemed more than capable of violence, but he’d done nothing to harm her or Graham despite their ignorant remarks. He’d shown nothing but restraint, and in fact, seemed willing to cooperate and contribute to her investigation.

  “We should get someone else,” Graham said after they’d reached the lobby doors.

  “You go ahead and call Olen, but he won’t change his mind once it’s made. He doesn’t make decisions lightly.” A parade of emotions crossed Graham’s face, but she couldn’t interpret any of them. “You know, I thought you were vampire-happy.”

  “Not with him.” He scowled. “He looked at you like he could eat you whole.” His voice was as bitterly cold as the night air. They walked at a brisk pace to one of the available cabs at the curb. The fog of his breath brought to mind fire from an angry dragon, but his manner gentled when he opened the cab door and guided her in. “I don’t like it. I don’t like him.”

  It didn’t matter how either of them felt. They didn’t have a choice as to who they could work with. With a sigh, she relaxed against the seat and waited for the customary adrenaline shakes. And waited.

  They never came.

  Chapter Five

  Val’s nerves were strung tighter than piano wire by the time she arrived at Kade’s door with Graham. Her disquiet had only grown with each step that brought her closer to Kade. He was like no other vampire she’d encountered, and her physical response to him was like nothing she’d felt for any man, even for Will.

  “I’ll deal with him today.” Graham nearly growled the command. Her instincts said to growl back, but maybe he had the right idea. She felt like prey around Kade.
/>   “All right.”

  His head spun toward her so fast, she worried he’d given himself whiplash. “No arguments?”

  “Why would I argue?”

  He laughed, and she realized it was the first time he’d done so since they’d met with the Ancients. She’d missed his lighthearted humor. “Well, you’re a bit of a control freak, V.”

  She sent him a grudging smile. “Maybe. Just don’t put your foot in it like you did last night, and I’ll be fine.” Like she’d done any better.

  “You could have told me he was royalty.” A scowl marred his pretty-boy face.

  “And I would have if I’d known. I was as surprised as you were.”

  “You knew before I did, judging by that death glare you gave me.”

  “All right. You’re forgiven. You missed that part of the conversation.” She patted his arm affectionately and then held on a moment. Her voice softened. “I’ve missed your friendship, Graham. I don’t know how I would have picked myself back up without you after…you know.”

  His expression tightened and then relaxed into a soft smile. He put a hand over hers. “I missed you, too. I’m sorry for pushing you. I know what you’ve been through and I should have been more understanding.”

  The door to the suite swung open and Kade filled the doorway, tall and imposing. He looked deliciously disheveled in his worn jeans and navy T-shirt, the color’s intensity turning his irises a deep crimson. His hot glare went back and forth between her and Graham, and then his eyes narrowed on their joined hands on Graham’s arm. “You assholes gonna stand out here all day, or shall we get this shit over with?”

  Heat infused her cheeks, though she couldn’t be sure whether his language or his possessive gaze caused her uncharacteristic blush. “I’d rather you keep that language to yourself.”

  “I’d rather you found someone other than me to work with.” He stepped forward, towering over her as if to intimidate. Her gaze went straight to the hollow at the base of his throat where the V of his shirt’s neckline framed smooth, taut skin. Would it be cold against her tongue or warm like his hand the night before?

  She cleared her throat. “There is no one else.” She didn’t care if he thought she’d prefer anyone other than him.

  “Then get used to the language, sweetheart.” His words formed a low, sexy rumble near her ear. Oh. More shivers. Big surprise that her body continued to betray her. Kade stalked toward the elevators without a backward glance. Graham nudged her forward.

  “I thought I was the one dealing with him today,” Graham whispered in her ear. His voice was deep and rumbly, too. Why didn’t it give her the same thrill? Her friend was an incredibly handsome man with a wealth of charm. For the first time, she wished she could see him in that light. Her life would be so much easier.

  “You are.” She brushed his arm again, this time with an edge of nervousness. She didn’t know what to make of Kade, having become accustomed to working with more polished men, lawyers, businessmen, and politicians. Something about his crude humor made her want to laugh inappropriately. He was anything but polished.

  Her father, Kade’s polar opposite, would not be proud.

  They didn’t speak on the trip down to the lobby. Kade held the door open for her. Strange that he’d be chivalrous when he seemed like such a degenerate. A limousine awaited them, the driver standing by the open door. Kade held his hand out to help her into her seat, and she hesitated only a moment before taking it. Warm again. She thought older vampires were supposed to be cold, their heartbeats slowed to a near stop.

  He crowded in beside her, leaving Graham to sit opposite them, which her friend seemed none too happy about, judging by his heavy frown. Kade’s muscular thigh brushed against her slender one. His large frame took up most of the seat.

  “Where?” Kade aimed his clipped tone at Graham.

  “Wallingford.” Graham’s manner matched Kade’s as he handed the vampire a business card with an address on the back. Somehow, he didn’t pull off the alpha-male bit as well as Kade. Within moments, the limo pulled away from the curb and she wondered how the driver knew where to go.

  “Who are we interviewing?” Kade looked at her, but Graham answered the question, his hard expression making it clear he was in charge this time. She squirmed, finding it hard to give up her accustomed control, but Graham had been the one to initially interview this witness.

  “A Legion named Eva Langley. She’s young, less than a hundred years old. She found the body of a human male at Gas Works Park.”

  Kade’s face went blank and cold, his thigh moving away from hers. “Very well.”

  “Do you know Eva?” She couldn’t help herself. She couldn’t sit silently with her curiosity roused. And he’d roused it to Everest proportions with his sudden withdrawal.

  “No.”

  He said nothing more before they pulled up in front of a row of vividly colored three-story townhomes. They reminded Val of pictures her father had shown her of the massive apartment buildings in Singapore.

  Kade led them up the steps toward one of the homes. The night had grown misty, but the low fog and drizzle were high enough to see the houses clearly. The bottom level of Eva’s unit was an unassuming gray, but the second was purple topped by a violet-colored third story. He froze when he saw her stop to admire them.

  “Interesting, aren’t they? They’d seem boring if not for the color.” He smiled at her, a pair of luscious dimples appearing at his cheeks. “They’re fashioned after homes in Burano, Italy. If they were accurate, there’d be a canal lined with paddleboats at the rear of the houses.” He glanced around, as if seeing with fresh eyes. “Their landscaping sucks balls, though.”

  She nearly laughed at his candor, but caught herself. No one had ever talked like that around her and it spurred a moment of confusion while she tried to figure out whether his blunt honesty should be offensive to her.

  Ignoring Graham’s disapproving glower, Kade leaned closer to her and spoke in a hushed voice. “It’s okay to laugh, Val.”

  She sighed with resignation, gesturing for him to ring the buzzer. Only time could get her used to Kade, if that were even possible.

  As if she’d hang around long enough.

  When the door opened, it wasn’t a vision of evil inviting them in. Eva resembled an angel with her sleek, golden hair forming the halo. She was a picture of pale innocence, even with the red eyes and dainty fangs peeking out when she smiled a greeting. The sweet smile died when she spied Kade. Her head bowed immediately in placation.

  “My lord, how may I serve you?”

  “None of that now, Eva,” Kade said gently as he tipped Eva’s chin up. “We’re only here to talk.”

  Val gaped at him. He had a tender bone somewhere in his body. She never would have guessed. He was knocking her preconceptions about him down one by one.

  “About…the murder?” Eva’s wide eyes went from Kade to Val and then hung on Graham.

  “Yes,” Graham answered. Eva nodded and led them to a small but cozy living room. Plush furnishings and warm colors invited relaxation. It was apparent Eva lived in this space. Framed photos of all sizes adorned the walls, family photos, friendly outings, and gorgeous scenery. A massive bookcase against one wall packed in well-worn books, and a hearth edged with dark-stained wood took up the opposing wall. French doors led onto a patio lined with flourishing plants of all shapes and sizes.

  “Please, have a seat. Would anyone care for a drink?” Their delicate hostess addressed them all, but her eyes never left Graham. She couldn’t fault Eva. Graham was pretty to look at.

  “No, thank you. We just have a few questions about what you saw,” Graham said. He waited for her to sit before he sank onto the velvety chocolate sofa across from her. His focus attuned as much to Eva as hers attuned to him. “Why were you at Gas Works Park?”

  Good. He’d begun with something simple to ease into the interview. Eva looked like she could take flight any minute. Val sat beside Graham, but to
her relief and unexpected regret, Kade remained standing.

  “The bank I work at held a picnic there. After the cleanup, I wasn’t ready to leave, so I took a walk along the waterfront.”

  Graham nodded encouragement. “What happened when you got there?” He spoke softly as if he’d scare her off with his usual interrogator’s voice.

  The flush in Eva’s cheeks paled. “I saw someone, and I thought the idiot was swimming. Everyone knows Lake Union is restricted because of the contamination. The signs are posted all over. When he didn’t move, I got worried. I thought he might have drowned, so I jumped the rail and went down to the water.” She closed her eyes and shuddered.

  Graham sat forward and reached across the small coffee table to cover Eva’s hand with his. “What did you see, Eva?”

  Val cocked her head. Graham was the ultimate professional. She’d never heard him address a witness by first name, nor had he ever offered comfort. Then again, little Eva could bring out protective instincts in anyone, male or female. If Graham hadn’t reached out to Eva first, Val would have moved to the woman’s side to offer the support.

  Eva drew a tortured breath, and her words were shaky as she spoke. “I turned him up out of the water. His throat was torn open. He was pale, drained of blood. I pulled him onto the beach and called the police since he was human.”

  “Eva, this is important.” Graham’s hand tightened over Eva’s. “Did you see anyone else on the beach? Was there anyone near the body or leaving the area as you approached?”

  The Legion’s face went blank. “No.”

  Eva was lying. Val knew it in her gut. Val’s gaze went to Kade, who casually leaned against the hearth as he listened. His eyes met hers. She nodded toward Eva, but he said nothing. If anyone could make Eva talk, it would have been Kade, but apparently he had no intention of intervening. Fury burned hot in her stomach.

  Graham thanked Eva for her time, though the slumped set of his shoulders revealed his disappointment. They hadn’t received any information that hadn’t been in the initial report.

  They’d left the townhouse and were well on their way back to the Towers before Val unleashed her wrath. She’d moved into the seat next to Graham as soon as the door had closed. Kade didn’t seem to care, nor did he respond to the glare she pinned him with.