Critical Intelligence Read online

  Missy motioned towards their booth and groaned.

  “Come on, it wasn’t that bad, was it?” His deep voice seemed to move through her very being. It caressed her in places it shouldn’t. That wasn’t the worst part. No. The fact that Missy wanted Roi to truly be touching her in all those same areas was what almost did her in.

  “What? The kiss?”

  Roi laughed. “Okay, but I was talking about the idea of me fucking you all night long. I’m willing to get an answer on how the kiss was.”

  She rolled her eyes and did her best to block the image of him doing that very thing. It was easy to imagine that very thing happening. Needing to get her mind off his dick, she nodded and changed the subject. “Thanks for helping me out.”

  “Ah, carefully avoiding having to answer how the kiss was for you. Wow, you’re good. Care to just drive the knife in and save time?” he asked, snickering as he went.

  “I didn’t see you offering up any information on it so why should I? It was what it was, Playboy Roi.”

  “Playboy Roi?”

  She snorted at the idea of him not being a playboy. “Please don’t try to tell me that no one has ever accused you of being a womanizer.”

  Roi ran his hand over her back lightly as they headed to the booth. She knew she should move away from him but she couldn’t seem to get her body on the same page as her mind. “Well, if anyone ever dares to accuse me of being one then I’ll refer them to you—the one woman I can’t seem to make a chink in her amour. That’ll kill that theory and blow my entire image.” He let out a soft laugh. “I’ve spent so long creating just the right image too. You know, just this side of smarmy with a pinch of dark and mysterious. It’s a shame that one tiny woman has managed to destroy it.”

  He certainly nailed the dark and mysterious part. Sure, he could be cocky and arrogant but there was something about him that Missy couldn’t put her finger on. Something that called to her on some strange level.

  “So, you stopped in here to eat, huh?” she asked, knowing that not once in all the years she’d grown up around the place had she seen Roi drop by.

  “Yep, I was starving and it was close. Tell me they have good food here.”

  “They do.”

  “Great, then let’s eat.”

  She went to protest but he stopped her before she started.

  “Think of it as two new friends feasting on … umm … I mean with each other.” The sexual implications in his statement both turned her on and turned her stomach. Giving into Roi meant giving into to being used and discarded at a moment’s whim. Men like him didn’t keep women around after their needs were met, and although meeting his needs sounded like fun, Missy wasn’t strong enough to fight another broken heart.

  She attempted to pull away from him, but it didn’t work. “Wouldn’t we have to be friends for your little scenario to work?”

  “Ouch,” Roi said as he pulled her towards him. She drew in a sharp breath as her body rubbed against his. “I think you know that we could be so much more than friends, little one.”

  Common sense surfaced and Missy elbowed Roi in the ribs. He grunted and she smiled. “My name is Missy, not doll, not baby, not sugar, not little one, not … ooh, you get the point.”

  “Yes, but I’d much rather have you get on my point, Missy doll.”

  Resistance is futile.

  Even her conscious had thrown the towel in. Trying to ignore Roi was like trying not to breathe--you could do it, but in the end bad things happened.

  Surrendering, she went to climb into the booth. Maybe after he ate, he’d leave. Somehow, she doubted it, but it was worth a shot. Sliding into the booth, Missy grunted as Roi pushed her aside, cramming her to the wall just to sit next to her. “Ugh, do you have to sit by me? There are plenty of chairs around here. Pull one up and sit at the end of the booth. Is it really necessary to cram me against the wall?”

  Turning to her, he flashed a wide, white smile. “Yep.”

  “That’s a rather wolfish grin,” she said, rolling her eyes.

  “You have no idea, Missy doll, no idea.”

  “Could you at least move down a bit? Three of us fit here fine and you’ve got enough room to have company sit next to you.”

  “Nope. I like where I’m at. The seat’s warm now.” Roi grabbed a fry off her plate and popped it into his mouth. It took Missy a moment to realize that she was staring at the entire event as if it was a live action porn flick. In many ways, it was. Roi had a way of making almost any actions oddly erotic. He also had an uncanny gift to grate on her last nerve.

  Sexy and annoying, gee, I attract all the good ones.

  “Do you mind?” she asked, reaching for her plate.

  Dropping his hand down onto hers, he put his face dangerously close to hers. “Not at all.”

  “Ass.”

  “Are you offering yours up?”

  “Gawd, do you ever shut up?”

  “Give me something to keep my mouth occupied and I might.” His gaze raked down her body and landed on her lower region instantly causing her quim to pulsate.

  Grabbing a fry, she shoved it in his mouth. “There, that should shut you up.” Missy picked up one for herself and popped it into her mouth while she gave Roi a wide grin.

  “Mmm, a woman who actually eats.” His hot gaze moved over her. “That’s rare. Where the hell do you put it or do you just eat one fry?”

  Missy laughed and looked at the table. “There are only three of us here tonight.”

  Roi glanced at the table and then her. “Are the other two men?”

  “Nope.”

  “Three girls eat five burgers, a large pizza and a basket of fries? And who is drinking beer? Shouldn’t you all have bottles of water or drinks with an umbrella in them?”

  Missy chuckled. “Melanie normally does have drinks like that. She’s on water tonight though. The beer is mine.”

  Suddenly, she could feel the weight of an unfriendly stare. Glancing around towards the back of the bar, she locked eyes with Norris and didn’t look away.

  Roi touched her hand and she jolted slightly in the booth. “Hey, are you okay?”

  Not taking her eyes off Norris, Missy nodded. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

  The sound of Styx’s Mr. Roboto came over the sound system. Missy shook her head, knowing Eadan was doing this to tease her. One of his favorite pastimes was making fun of her eclectic taste in music.

  * * * *

  Roi’s cock twitched and fought to be free of his jeans. It dug hard into the zipper, leaving him shifting uncomfortably. Having Missy this close to him was too much. He needed to find release soon or risk dying from erection overload. Though he’d never actually heard of that being fatal, there was always a first time for everything. He could hear it now, “Man reported dead after having an erection last several days straight. Cause: Hot exotic woman denial.”

  He’d damn near passed out when he’d spotted Missy in the bar. After showering, he decided that he needed to eat and had the strangest urge to stop by this particular bar while driving by. It was as if something was pulling him, tugging at his gut and he was powerless to stop it. Having been alive a long time and having seen enough odd occurrences to know better than to question his gut, he stopped. The minute he caught Missy’s scent, he knew what the driving force that called to him was--her. Who would have guessed that the one woman who hated his guts would turn out to be his mate?

  My mate? Why the hell did I refer to her as that? Slap me with a stupid stick, or would that be a ball and chain?

  Missy shifted slightly, allowing him a glimpse down the front of her red tank top. God, she was perfect in every way. Her breasts weren’t too big, but not too small and the fact that she was so damn tiny compared to him made him want to protect her all the more. If that wasn’t enough, every time she looked up at him with her chestnut brown, slightly-almond shaped eyes, he pictured what she’d look like staring down at him while riding him. It was so easy to imagine her silky
long black hair falling down and over him as she worked that little body of hers on his until they were both sweaty and sated. If being sated was even possible around her. He’d never wanted to caress a woman more in his life. He knew that one taste of her caramel skin wouldn’t be enough--it’d never be enough.

  His cell phone beeped, indicating that someone was two-waying him. Unclipping it from his waist, he pressed the button. “Geoffroi here.” He used his full name in hopes that whichever I-Op was trying to reach him would understand that he wasn’t in a secure location.

  “Geoffroi?” Missy mused.

  “Where the hell are you? And, what the hell are you listening to?” Lukian asked sounding incredibly annoyed.

  “Just getting a bite to eat, Captain, and enjoying the sounds of Styx … umm … just like everyone does. I just can’t get enough of them. Did you need me?” Being submissive and cordial would no doubt tip Lukian off that he wasn’t alone. If that didn’t work, claiming to like Styx would surely give it away.

  “Finish fucking whatever bimbo you found to scratch that itch you had and get your ass back here! And for God’s sake, burn that CD. New targets were identified. My half-unit wasn’t the only one in danger.” Using the term half-unit referred to one’s wife, or mate. Peren, Lukian’s mate, had been the target of several assassination attempts. If Peren wasn’t the only target that the group that was assisting Parker had, then more people were in danger.

  “Make sure he knows that I’m not a bimbo and we aren’t fucking! And tell him that I am not scratching any itch of yours,” Missy shot back, huffing slightly. “As if I’d ever stoop that low. I prefer masturbation to you. I know where I’ve been.”

  Roi jerked upright, needing to adjust his cock soon or risk permanent damage. Running his tongue over his lower lip, he looked at Missy. “Can I watch?”

  “Can you watch what?” Lukian asked. Roi ignored him.

  Missy glared at him. “Go to hell, Geoffroi.”

  Roi stiffened, wondering if his attempts at wooing Ms. Carter could possibly flop more. Shaking the thoughts from his head, he concentrated on what Lukian was telling him. Peren wasn’t the only target. “Roger that, Captain. Any indication on the identity of the targets?”

  A slight buzzing touched Roi’s mind and he knew that Lukian was attempting to communicate with him telepathically. It was one more bond that they shared. He focused on him and waited.

  Roi, this is bad. I’m staring at a file full of photos and information on at least thirty other targets. We’ve also learned about at least two teams of ex-military men from around the world that have been assembled to ‘reclaim’ the original targets. And…

  And, Roi pushed back at him. It gets worse?

  Yes, I’m afraid that it does. There was a long pause. Melissa Carter is on the list of targets, brother. Most of the targets have the word retrieve next to their names. She has retrieve or eliminate.

  “Missy’s has what?” A low growl emanated from deep within him. The very thought of Missy being in danger made the beast within him fight to get out. It wanted to hurt something. He wanted to hurt something.

  “Huh?” Missy asked.

  Roi’s palms began to sweat. He couldn’t keep his beast under control, talk on the phone, communicate with Lukian mentally and not slip up around Missy. “Shit, I’ll call you back in a minute, Captain.”

  Roi, I need you to track Missy down. I called Peren and she said they’re at some bar that Melanie’s family owns. Get your ass over there and…

  Calm down, Lukian. Missy is sitting next to me. I won’t let her out of my sight. I can assure you of that.

  I’m not even going to ask why she’s with you, but you need to stay with her. When you can, get her back here. Green wants to run some tests on her. I don’t want to scare her so take your time. Think of some way to ease her into coming with you. If she resists, drag her. I tried to get Peren to bring her in but she’s refusing to leave Melanie--something about her being sick. I don’t know. Plus, Peren’s dead set on it being you who handles this. I’m not willing to risk my mate’s wrath, so do as I say or I’ll be bunking up at your place until she calms down. Listen, if you feel that Melanie and Peren are in any danger, force them to come too. Got it?

  Roger that.

  You’ll also need to prepare yourself in the event we need to head out. Wilson and Jon are with the Colonel now. They’re trying to get a hold of PSI. I think Brooks has it in his head that we’re going to have to work hand-in-hand with them.

  You mean hold their hand, right?

  Yes.

  Roi out.

  Lukian ended their mental connection and Roi focused on Missy. She looked puzzled. He couldn’t blame her. He was about to say something to her when Melanie and Peren approached the table.

  “You okay, hon?” Missy asked, concern lacing her soft voice as she stared at her friend Melanie.

  Melanie nodded, but didn’t look too sure herself. Roi knew what was wrong with her. The condom broke while she was fucking Lance, his fellow I-Op team member. The minute that Lance’s semen entered Melanie’s body, she was considered his mate. Now that Lance was dead, Melanie was suffering from withdrawal, only she didn’t know it.

  “Roi, what are you doing here?” Peren’s brows drew together as a slow smile spread over her face. She sat down across from them and gave Roi an innocent look. He wasn’t buying it. If he didn’t know better, he’d swear that Peren already knew why he was there.

  “Don’t you mean, Geoffroi?” Missy asked, teasing him.

  He nudged her with his elbow and shrugged. “I go by Roi.”

  “I don’t know,” Missy said with a sigh. “I kind of like Geoffroi, it’s French, right?”

  He nodded. Roi’s lycan abilities allowed him to sense when someone was telling the truth, and from all he could gather, Missy really did like his name. That meant something to him, but he wasn’t sure why. It wasn’t like he really gave two shits what anyone else thought of him.

  He did know one thing, if Missy was on Parker’s list of targets then she wasn’t safe and he’d die before he let anything happen to his mate.

  Damn, there I go with the mate thing again. With this thought … I thee wed. Man, I need to get out more.

  Melanie rubbed her temples. “Guys, I think I’m going to head upstairs and get some rest. Sorry I have to cut our night short, but I’m not feeling very well.”

  “Head upstairs?” Roi glanced around the bar and wondered why anyone would stay within twenty feet of the place with a headache.

  She nodded. “Yeah, my apartment’s up there. Not the most ideal location, but since my family owns this place the rent’s free. Plus, it makes my brother and dad happy to know that I’m not far from either of them. They’re both within four blocks of the place.”

  “Do you want me to stay with you tonight? I don’t want you alone right now.” Missy leaned forward and touched Melanie’s hand.

  Roi’s insides lurched. Why couldn’t she make that kind of offer to him? He’d love to hear those words uttered from her rose-colored lips with him in mind. Reaching down, he adjusted his raging hard on.

  Yep, I’m going to die of erection overload.

  Around Missy, his dick seemed to be in a constant state of arousal. Too bad she wouldn’t be the one easing his ache. No, she’d made it very clear that she wanted nothing to do with him. Any other woman he wanted would have already creamed herself with the idea of getting a piece of him. Missy was different. She didn’t seem to find him the least bit attractive and he was sure she liked men--just not him. As soon as she was safe, he’d find a nice little blonde number and let her have the pleasure of sucking his dick, but only if she was a good girl.

  Yeah, and then think about Missy the entire time and feel like shit.

  Peren caught Roi’s gaze and held it. He nodded, answering her unasked questions. She wanted to know if he’d been in contact with Lukian. She smiled softly. “No, you know what--I’ll stay here with Melanie tonight
. Roi can give you a ride home since I drove you.”

  “What?” Missy asked, aghast. “I’m not riding him … er … I mean with him anywhere.”

  Her Freudian slip wasn’t lost on him or his cock. It was going to explode and take him with it, if he didn’t get the hell away from her and either jerk off or fuck someone--soon.

  Peren gave Missy a serious look. “Roi will be a perfect gentleman. Won’t you, Roi?”

  “Oh, yeah, perfect gentleman. Scout’s honor.” He saluted no one in particular and wagged his eyebrows.

  Missy groaned and dropped her head down on the table. It sounded like it hurt--she didn’t seem to notice. She mumbled something and all of them leaned in to hear her. Glancing up, her eyes narrowed. “What?”

  “Just wondering what you said, baby doll.”

  She gave him a wicked look that sent even more fire through his loins. The little woman held more power over him than anyone ever had.

  “I said,” she bit each word out, “Okay, I’ll ride home with you. But only if you don’t mind. If it’s out of your way in any way, shape or form, please just say the word and I’ll just stay here for the night. Really, I’ll understand. I’ll wait until Eadan’s done tonight and ride home with him. It’s not a big deal. Just say the word and I’ll…”

  Roi looked at Peren. “Does she always ramble on like this when’s she’s nervous?”

  “Yes,” Peren and Melanie said in unison.

  “I do not ramble and I am not nervous.”

  Melanie rubbed her forehead. “Listen, I really don’t want to put anyone out. I’m fine. You go home to Lukian and Eadan will take Missy back to their place. Plus, Lukian will want to spend time with you, Peren. Especially considering he proposed to you.”

  Their place? Missy lives with a guy?

  Roi stiffened and took a deep breath in as Melanie’s words sunk in. This Eadan would not be taking Melissa anywhere. She was his. He didn’t share well and he sure the hell wasn’t okay with Missy living with anyone but him.