Page 81 of Tainted Gifts
"It is," she says while exaggerating a chill. "The few that will speak about her say she doesn't come out unless her handler lets her. Whoever he is, he's the one pulling the strings, but make no mistake, she's by no means some submissive puppet. She has an endgame, and she's after something. They're residing deep up north... some underground cavern, I think."
I get sick to my stomach, now knowing who was calling me with my blood, and Jase almost tries to pull me into his lap before Kellan snatches my hand and pulls it to him. His hybrid heat is painful, but Jase forces his cooling touch into me, giving me more reprieve from the vicious heat.
Kellan finally drops my hand when he senses my discomfort, but he doesn't do so without huffing first.
"Anything else you can give us?" Jase asks, his voice shaky.
"Don't underestimate them. There's one more thing. They have guys inside the United. Be careful who you trust."
"Fuck," Jase murmurs to himself, gripping his head with his free hand.
"We should go and brief the few we trust," Melania says, motioning us out.
"There's a cleanup crew on the way to take care of the dead body in the hall," Jase says, exhaling a weary breath. "I need to wait for them and instruct them."
She nods as we stand, and the full blood informant stops us. "You got the bastard?" she asks, sounding a little pissed. "I wanted a shot at him. They apparently know who I am. I need a place to lie low."
"Here," Jase murmurs while handing her a card. "Call that number. They'll send you somewhere safe, and that man can be trusted. I can promise you that."
She nods appreciatively, and we all start heading out. The woman pulls Simone's hand in hers, and whips her around to plant a salaciously showy kiss on her lips.
"You come see me anytime," she murmurs softly when she pulls back.
Simone laughs lightly, and then nods before walking off. Melania playfully pushes Kellan's jaw back into place.
"Down boy."
Kellan stands a little taller, looking to me to see if I saw his drooling state, but I pretend as though I didn't. Truth is, I just don't care.
Jase threads his fingers with mine as he pulls me outside, kissing me lightly on the back of my hand. "Don't worry about this. We'll stop them."
"I know. I'm just worried about what they want with me."
"That small dose of blood wasn't enough. They need more," Simone says while fidgeting with the bra that is slightly too big for her, groaning when she fails to make it look better. "Whatever they need it for, we have to stop them. I'm sick of our world being all about blood."
I agree with that wholeheartedly.
Jase leads me down the halls, and then we split away from the other. "Mel, stay here and watch the halls. Kellan, take our informant out to her car. I don't want her having someone blindside her."
Kellan nods, though he's not too happy about getting bossed around. He looks at me, expecting me to join him, and then he grumbles when I cling to the man I love instead.
"I'm going to go find a bra that fits," Simone gripes finally pulling it off and tossing it to the ground without removing her shirt.
Jase lets a laugh free, and I lean into him as he leads me out. He stops me when we're just outside, and he pulls me into his arms in the most perfect embrace.
"I love you. If you want me enough to not give a damn about your counter drooling over Simone, then I think that speaks volumes. We can do this. We can be together."
I almost squeal, but instead I keep a feasible amount of giddiness.
"Of course we can. You didn't think I was serious?" I laugh out.
"I thought you were confused, but nothing should confuse you that much. I saw it. Heard it. Felt it. You love me like I love you."
I smile, feeling like such a goofy little girl, and then I pull him down to kiss me softly just before his phone rings.
"Shit," he gripes. "I have to take this. Duty calls, and this night just got crazy."
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