Alpha Undercover, page 8
Gage rested his hands on his knees, seemingly not looking at anything while actually looking at everything. Outside the car, trees and houses and playgrounds whirred by as they crossed town. Inside the car, Cattaneo thrummed his fingers against a glass of scotch that he’d already bragged was imported from Argentina or some such. Trying to impress him, although Gage had no idea why.
All he could think about was Angie. Before he’d left the unit, he’d dropped his truck keys where the case had been. He hoped she saw them when she returned.
Cattaneo emptied his glass and refilled it, offering it to Gage. He’d already declined once so this time he just held up his hand. Cattaneo shrugged and poured another for himself. Up front, the driver stared out the windshield with the blank, tough expression Gage always found comical on the goons that worked for Cattaneo’s type. In the passenger seat sat Chatty Cathy, the usual bodyguard. Gage was beginning to feel sorry for the guy, the way he was ordered around on a leash.
“Do you know what’s in the case you retrieved for me?” Cattaneo asked, ending the awkward silence and Gage knew there was something big coming if the case was being brought up.
“I know it’s not lollipops and free health insurance,” Gage said.
Cattaneo barked out a laugh. “You’re damn right, it’s not. Give me that.”
Gage lifted the case and Cattaneo entered a combination then popped the locks. He opened the lid and spun it so that Gage could see its contents. Rows of silver bullets held in velvet loops lined the case. More Silverado. He’d carried the damn thing in his own hands. This was exactly what he needed to bust Cattaneo. He could have run out the door with it and busted the whole thing wide open within the hour.
“More bullets?” he asked, skeptically, just to poke the bear.
“Silver bullets,” Cattaneo said and Gage didn’t miss the note of bragging in the man’s voice.
“I thought silver bullets were only given to law enforcement,” Gage said.
“Precisely. Which is why each one is a ticket to freedom for me and my family,” Cattaneo went on, running a hand over the rows of shifter-killing bullets as if they were precious jewels. Gage wanted to deck the guy.
“And how’s that?” Gage asked.
“These bullets are highly sought after. Rare commodities and extremely valuable to those who are in the business of clean-up.”
“Clean-up?”
“When a city’s government has been overrun by nothing but white-collared, Fortune 500 elite and privileged socialites, something has to be done.”
“And you’re the man to do something about it,” Gage guessed.
“I’m the man who saw an opportunity,” Cattaneo corrected.
“So, you’re selling Silverado to these clean-up crews,” Gage said. “That’s what our deliveries have been about.”
“Well, I was. I mean, I am. Along with funding the clean-up of our own city.” Cattaneo’s smile turned devilish. “I’m sure you’ve heard by now that our dear mayor has passed.” Cattaneo’s smile vanished. “Silverado is in higher demand than I could have predicted. But I’ve run into a bit of a problem with my contact at the police department. That’s where you come in. You’ve impressed me, Gage.”
“Thank you, sir.” A problem, huh? He wondered if he should mention that problem was currently having a private conversation with Angie.
“I need this cop out of my way so I can continue my operations both here in Red Mountain and… shall we say, abroad.”
Abroad. Gage wondered if that was a reference to the out-of-state operation Darryl was running for him. “And what’s in it for me?” Gage asked. Cattaneo blinked, clearly not expecting such a direct challenge. “All due respect, whatever it is you want from me, I am a for-hire and money talks.”
“It does, indeed. Then again, so does love.”
“Ah, I believe the expression is ‘love hurts,’” Gage corrected. “Although, I’m not sure what you’re—”
“Fuego. I need him taken out. For good. If you do this for me, Angie is yours. In whatever capacity you desire. If you don’t, well…” Cattaneo smiled. “In this case, I believe you would say ‘love is a battlefield.’”
Gage was speechless. Had the man really threatened to harm his own daughter as leverage to force Gage to commit murder? Shit balls. He hadn’t seen that one coming.
The car pulled to a stop. Dazed, Gage looked out the window to find they’d done a complete circle of the town and ended up back at his apartment.
“I’ll be in touch,” Cattaneo said, effectively assuming Gage’s acceptance to his offer and dismissing him all at once.
Too stumped to argue, Gage got out and stood on the sidewalk until the tinted Town car had disappeared.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Gage blinked, surprised to find himself on the balcony of his apartment. Below, the sounds of afternoon traffic buzzed and hummed. When had he walked out here? The time since he’d arrived home had been an angry blur. He glanced behind him into the living room of his rented apartment and groaned.
His couch was nothing but exposed stuffing, revealed by angry claw marks up and down the almond-colored cushions. He looked down at himself and sure enough, naked. He’d been so frustrated, he’d shifted and his wolf had thrown a fit.
Dammit. He hadn’t wigged out like this since Bahrain. Not good. He needed to take some deep breaths. Meditate or get a drink or something. Between Angie leaving with the crooked cop and Cattaneo ordering a hit that could blow his cover—Gage was a mess.
“Get your shit together, man,” he muttered, running a hand over his face and stepping back inside the apartment. He shoved the sliding door closed and went in search of some pants. If Angie wasn’t back by the time he was dressed, he was going to look for her, cover be damned.
He’d just pulled on a pair of tactical cargoes and a black tee when someone knocked.
Gage flung the door open, eyes blazing, heart caught somewhere between relieved and distraught at the sight of the familiar blonde hair framing a spitting-mad expression. He yanked Angie into the apartment, tucked her into his arms, and buried his face in her hair.
“Gage, what are you doing?” she asked, her voice muffled against his shoulder.
“I was worried,” he said.
She shoved him and he let her go, still hovering close, wanting to soak up the sight and smell of her. “How did you even know it was me when you answered the door?” she asked.
“I’d know your scent anywhere, Ang,” he said. “Honeysuckle and sex.”
Angie’s expression softened, her lids dropping until she looked up at him through full lashes. But then just as quickly, the softness vanished. She crossed her arms over her chest. God, he loved that cold stare she had. Fire and ice. “If you were so concerned about me, why did you leave without me?” she asked, her lips forming a pout.
“I could ask you the same thing,” he said, the arousal turned to envy at the memory.
“Didn’t you hear the conversation?” she asked.
“I heard plenty,” he shot back. “That asshole cop making small talk, veiled threats, and then flirting.”
“Flirting?” Her mouth fell open and all that remained was the ice as she glared up at him. “I was not flirting with him. I lead him away to protect you.”
“Protect me from what? If he’s on your payroll—”
“Fuego’s not who you think he is,” she said.
“He might not be who you think he is, either,” Gage said.
Angie’s eyes narrowed. “Right. Because you’ve been around this scene for so long and know so much about all the players. Much more than I do, clearly.”
“That’s not what—”
“You’ve got quite a pair thinking you can march into my life, take me to bed one time, then act like you have some say—some inside knowledge—of my life and the people in it.”
“I don’t—Listen, I’m not… Fuck. Your dad wants me to kill Fuego.”
Angie fell silent.
Gage sighed and stalked into the kitchen, pawing through cabinets while he let that sink in. He returned a moment later with a bottle of whiskey and two glasses. He offered one to Angie with brow raised and she nodded.
“Make it a double,” she muttered.
“Atta’ girl.” He poured four fingers’ worth and handed it over.
She slugged half of it back, made a face, and then exhaled. “That’s not what I expected him to do.”
“But you expected something?” Gage asked.
She glanced up at him and then wandered to the window, cradling her glass. “Your couch …?” she began.
“Having a bad day.”
“You or the furniture?”
“Yes. What exactly did you expect?” He hadn’t moved from where he leaned against the doorframe but he might as well have been standing next to her. The tension and the secrets that rolled off her were tangible.
She stared out the window at the street below, but her gaze—her mind—was elsewhere. She frowned, tiny lines forming around her lips and he wanted to go over and kiss them all away. But he forced himself to stay put.
To keep his feet from moving, he took a drink. And waited for her to talk.
“He’s setting you up,” she said finally.
The words washed over him. He wasn’t surprised in the least that Cattaneo was positioning him as a fall guy. He had no doubt it’s why a new guy had been brought into an established operation. Especially one that was failing at staying supplied. It’s what he would have done too. But he was surprised Angie had offered up the information.
“You’re warning me,” he said carefully, taking a step toward her.
She turned to face him, her blue eyes heavy on his. And he realized: she wasn’t as immune to him as she claimed.
She cared. She wanted him.
But how much? His wolf whined and strained for him to go to her. To mark her and claim her as his before anything else happened. But the soldier in him held back. The job wasn’t done. He didn’t know which side she would end up on. He needed to make sure she was his to keep.
Maybe Hardy could do something.
“I don’t want to see you get hurt,” she said.
For Gage, that was enough.
He closed the distance. “I won’t let them hurt you either,” he whispered and felt her shiver as his breath washed over her ear.
He ran his hand over her shoulder and then down to cup her breast through her blouse. Angie moaned and he barely caught the glass before it went tumbling from her hand. He set it on the shelf at her back and then gathered her into his arms, palms cupping her rounded ass.
“My wolf wants to claim you,” he admitted.
She tipped her head back, offering herself fully. “Then do it,” she said.
“You don’t know what you’re saying,” he began but she clutched his shirt in both fists and brought her eyes level with his.
“I know exactly what I’m saying. Nothing is guaranteed tomorrow. But this—right now—I don’t want to belong to anyone but you,” she said. “And my leopard wants you just as bad.”
He could feel his heart thudding against his ribs. It matched the erratic beat of her own pulse at her throat. Still… he hesitated to do something that could never be undone. What if she went to prison?
Did it matter? His wolf wanted her. No one else.
But he was lying to her. He needed to tell her the truth about why he was really here. What she stood to lose when his job was done.
“Angel, before we... There’s something I need to tell you,” he said.
“What?” Her lids were heavy, drooping with lust as she looked up at him. He cursed himself for having a conscience. For choosing this moment to come clean when all he wanted to do was strip her down. But he couldn’t that while still lying. He couldn’t claim her without her knowing the truth.
“I’m not who you think,” he said quietly.
“Who are you?” she asked, her expression shuttering almost instantly in distrust.
“I’m … I came here undercover. To infiltrate and ultimately dismantle your father’s organization.” He could have done that a little smoother. Cushioned the truth. But he knew she wasn’t the type for a big lead-up or beating around the bush. Instead, he waited, his arms still around her, his heart hopeful.
Angie didn’t miss a beat. “Is that all?”
“Well … yeah.” He shook his head, bewildered. “You’re not surprised.”
She smiled. “I’ve suspected it for a while.”
“Does it change anything?”
“You get points for honesty,” she said. When he didn’t answer she smirked. “You don’t think I’m smart enough to have figured it out?” she demanded.
“Well, no, that’s not what I was saying—”
“I’m stuck with a horrible boss and an even worse father but my experience in this business, more than anything, has taught me to read people. You weren’t difficult to pin down.”
He tried not to let his pride get injured over that one. In fact, he barely felt the sting. He was too caught up in what she hadn’t yet realized. How his takedown would affect her. “But aren’t you worried about—?”
“Gage—your name is Gage, right?” She frowned but he was quick to nod.
“Of course,” he assured her.
“My father’s been getting more and more reckless in his dealings these past couple of years. Silverado… all of it—he’s out of control. I knew something like this would happen eventually and honestly, I suspected a coup rather than a legal takedown. I’m worried about a ton of things but you are not one of them. I trust you.”
“You don’t agree with him?”
She shook her head and Gage’s heart swelled. “Of course not. He hurts people. Especially the ones he claims to care about. I want justice for that. And I won’t stop you from trying to get it.”
Gage stood, speechless, with her hands still resting on his chest. He hadn’t expected her to take it so well. He’d prepared for a fight and now, he wasn’t sure what to say next.
“In the meantime, our time is limited. More than ever.” She looked up at him and his erection tightened at the sight of her desire so clearly written in her expression. Lips parted, eyes hooded and currently staring at his mouth. “Claim me, Gage. Please?”
He snarled—at his own frustration over everything they hadn’t said, hadn’t yet figured out—and shoved her skirt up. In one quick motion, he shoved her panties aside and plunged a finger inside her. She arched her back, pushing into him, eyelids drooping as she leaned against him.
“Gage,” she whispered. “I’ve been ordered around long enough. It’s time something was my choice. This is it. You. I want you to claim me. Don’t stop.”
He didn’t intend to. Not when she had her head thrown back and pleasure rolled off her in waves.
“Angel…”
He slid another finger inside her, his erection straining against his pants at the way his hand slid easily into the silky wetness of her folds. He held her ass with his other hand, pressing her into his hand as he worked her. With his thumb, he brushed over her clit, and felt her melt, her knees wobbling as she panted.
“So wet,” he murmured into her throat.
“Mmm,” she purred, nuzzling his chest.
He kissed a line from her earlobe along her jaw and finally claimed her mouth, increasing the pressure and the rhythm of his fingers as he took her lips and tongue with his own.
When her knees buckled, he pulled his fingers out of her tight walls and caught her hips, cupping her ass while he carried her to the couch. He faltered when he caught sight of the damaged cushions and Angie giggled. “Floor it is,” she said.
Lips curving, he lowered her carefully to the carpet then yanked his own shirt and pants off before lowering himself over her. Her hair splayed around her face looked like a halo.
God, she was a fucking miracle. And she was his.
He kissed her with the urgency and desperation he felt at the thought of how this all might end up. She kept up with him, tongues swirling, and raised her hips, rocking into him through her soaked panties. His erection swelled and throbbed at her movement.
He found her folds again with his hands and slid two fingers inside her, relishing the moan she gave him. He pushed her higher—almost to the edge—watching her face as she writhed and moved underneath him. Enough. She was ready and he was taking her.
His wolf practically howled with its need for claiming.
He slid his fingers free and guided his length to her entrance. She met him with raised hips, panting. “You sure?” he asked.
“Gage, if you don’t hurry up, I swear…”
He grinned. It was all the permission he needed.
With one delicious thrust, he was insider her. Tight heat gripped his cock, pulsing around him. Angie squirmed and Gage obliged, thrusting deep inside her. Harder, faster he drove into her, watching as she lost herself in the sensations.
He was close. So close. And so was she, he could feel it in the way she clenched around him.
He leaned down, whispering at her ear as she moaned for him. “Come for me, Angel,” he encouraged, still driving into her, steady and deep.
With a final cry, Angie let go, the tension around him pulsing and then disappearing as she came. She was fucking gorgeous with her head thrown back and her back arched for him. He held her curves, drove into her one last time, and let go.
His wolf rose as he came, howling and pawing and clawing at his human form. He wasn’t going to shift, he knew that, but he still held onto control to keep from hurting her. In the midst of the wave of orgasm, his teeth found the soft skin between her neck and shoulder and he bit down.
Euphoria and lust and love and everything in between swirled around him, drawing him down into the depths. Fated Mates. She was his now, he knew, as he swallowed a mouthful of her blood. He licked at the wound until the bleeding stopped and their heartbeats slowed, his movements lazy and satisfied.
She was his mate. And he was hers. No matter what happened next.
