I Dated a Legal Devil, page 22
“Oh, you are wanted. You are very much wanted. Sometimes you don’t know how much you need something until it is dropped into your lap, and then you can’t imagine how you ever lived without it.”
Drin wrinkled her nose. “Like Klauz’s cooking?”
Klauz was behind her, and his hands moved over her body in seconds. “Flattering little minx.”
She reached up behind his neck and linked her fingers together. His hands moved over her, and he was smiling against her neck. “Obliging as well.”
She chuckled. “Always a lot more morally pliable after I have been with Vikor.”
He laughed, and Vikor returned from wherever he had gone while she was curled up with Ekron.
He had a leather box in his hands, and he pulled a table to the centre of the space and set the case down on it. “Drin, I have something for you.”
Klauz sighed and put his hands on her waist. “Best go see what’s in the box, pet.”
She grumbled, went to the table, knelt, and looked at the box. It was a pretty box with ornate corners. She looked around at the guys, and they were all watching.
She opened it and was surprised. “Oh. I thought they would be a lot heavier looking.” Five bands were arranged in the lining, and each had an engraving on it. She picked up one of the bands and read it. “Remark?”
She picked up the other medium band and smiled. “Techor?” The smallest bands read, “Klauz and Ekron. That means this one is Vikor.” She held the largest band between her fingertips before she tucked it back in the custom resting spot. She looked at him and said. “It appears that there is nothing here for me.”
She closed the box and got up. Techor opened the box and grabbed the anklet with his name on it. “I think this is for you.” He lifted her off her feet and set her on her butt on the floor. He opened the link and clicked it shut on her ankle. His smile was smug. “I do love your legs.”
Remark was twirling the right cuff around his finger. He knelt, opened the cuff as he met her gaze, and locked the cuff around her ankle. “Oh, I like that sound.”
She shivered, and Techor chuckled.
“Huh. Looks like there is something leftover, and I am definitely not a fan of leaving things over.” Klauz picked out the one with his name on it. “Stand up, pet.”
She got to her feet, and Klauz took her left hand. He murmured, “Now, you are mind, and I am yours.” The click sent a shockwave through her body.
It was a very sober moment, and that moment was broken by the riotous purr of Ekron as he held up his bracelet. He stepped in close and took her right hand. He pulled her close and kissed her as his purr continued rioting in his chest. There was a click, and she touched him with her right hand as their mouths met and parted and met again.
She sighed when he backed up and lowered her hands to her sides.
Vikor stood straight and looked at her. She hadn’t realized how imposing he was until that moment. He had always just been Vikor. Vaka’s older brother, the object of her crush, and stoic figure when Vaka invited her over. That was the past. She watched him approach and remove the collar from the box.
She shivered as he got closer.
“Lift your hair.”
She pulled her curls up and exposed her neck.
“Now, do you accept what I am offering you, Drin?”
She kept her gaze locked with his dark blue eyes. “Yes, Vikor.”
He smiled and opened the collar at the hinge. He slipped it around Drin’s neck and locked it as he kissed her softly. “Finally.”
She smiled and stroked his cheek. “Took you long enough.”
He laughed and lifted her high. “You have bought yourself a whole lot of trouble with that statement.”
“Bring it.”
She ended the night in an orgy with one focal point. Her. They all learned one thing that night. They all liked the bands.
Chapter Twenty-One
She yawned and stretched. The weight of one arm and one leg held her down. One was red, and one was gold, and she was pinned in between.
Drin felt a hand around her throat, and she chuckled. They were holding onto their bands.
Ekron gave her a sleepy smile. “It is amazing you can be so chipper after you wore us all out last night.”
She smiled. “Yeah, it was satisfying, but I could have taken you all again, though Techor and Remark’s penchant for doubling up made things go a little faster.”
The hand around her neck flexed, and someone snuffled at her hair. Ekron tried to part her thighs from the front, but Vikor’s leg was pinning her thighs together.
Ekron muttered, “Spoilsport.”
Vikor chuckled. “Didn’t you get enough last night and this morning?”
Drin muttered, “No.”
They both laughed. She looked around. They were at Vikor’s place. She grinned and started checking her com for nearby donut shops.
Vikor murmured, “What are you doing?”
“Cheating on Klauz with a donut or five.”
The door to the bedroom opened, and Klauz stood there. “You are thinking about takeout again, Drin, and part of your brain is giggling.”
She looked at him grimly. “I just want some of those fancy donuts. And maybe a gallon of good coffee.”
Klauz chuckled. “Why didn’t you just say so?”
“Because I am trapped. Trapped like a... I have no idea what ends up pinned under the devil.”
Everyone snorted.
Vikor moved his hand and stroked her hip. “My pet. That is what ends up trapped under me.”
She sighed. “Your pet still wants fancy donuts.”
Klauz laughed. “Here in fifteen. I also own a donut shop.”
Ekron tapped her jaw to close it.
Klauz left the doorway while laughing.
Ekron chuckled. “We have time for a shower.”
She nodded, and eventually, Vikor let her up. They made their way to his shower, and she was squeaky clean in five minutes and carried limp and out of the shower in ten. It was amazing what that tongue could do, and holding her up for Vikor was an easy task for Ekron.
“We are going to have to double up your wardrobe.” Ekron chuckled.
Vikor smiled. “You are having a lot of fun shopping for her.”
“With her. You should see the faces she pulls when I select lingerie and shoes. It’s hilarious.”
She pulled on the sheath dress that Vikor had produced and put on the shoes from the previous evening.
Ekron tugged on the lacing until it was snug and patted her lightly on the ass.
She made a face and left the room, heading for the living room. She heard a polite knock at the door, and Klauz answered, talking for a moment to whoever had delivered it. She crept up behind him, sniffing. She reached for the box in his hand, and he gripped her wristband. “Ah-ah, pet.”
“You are no fun.”
He laughed. “And that is a lie.”
The man who brought the delivery grinned. “This is her?”
Klauz pulled her forward. “Reg, this is Drin. Drin, this is Reg. He manages the shop.”
The manager extended his hand, and she shook it. “Pleased to meet you, Miss.” He lifted his wrist and took a picture of her. “Just so that anyone at the register can treat the boss’s mate politely. I hear you have trouble with that.”
“Yeah, but I am seeing a doctor now, so it should be fixed shortly.”
“Well, as Klauz has also told me that you are a junk food fan, I hope to see you frequently.”
“That is more likely than not. You are right around the corner from this place.”
He grinned. “Yeah, we are.”
Klauz saw the look that Reg was giving her, and he handed her the boxes and bags and sent her into the apartment with a pat on her butt that was fairly firm.
She headed into the kitchen to find Techor making coffee and Remark talking on his com, but he was sitting with his body in a relaxed pose, so it wasn’t anything important.
She set the donuts on the counter and put the bags next to them. The fresh scent of bagels hit her, and she groaned. She leaned on her elbows and just inhaled the scent from the bags like it was life-giving.
She heard laughter and saw Remark aiming his com at her.
Klauz laughed when he came in, sat her on one of the barstools next to the counter, and asked her, “What kind of cream cheese and what kind of donut?”
“Plain cream cheese on a poppy seed bagel and the most calorie-laden donut you can find.”
He chuckled and selected a donut with cream oozing out of it, a thick glaze with a zigzag of caramel, and a precise halo of sprinkles. Drin stopped herself from bouncing up and down, but it was a very close thing.
Klauz smiled. “One kiss, and you can have the donut.”
She sighed. “How much for the bagel?”
He pinched her chin, and then, the kiss began and didn’t stop until her breathing was ragged and her knees were pressed tightly together. It was a really good donut, and he had undercharged.
Her bagel was ready by the time she finished her donut.
She put a few pinches of salt on the bagel half and had it in her mouth before Klauz could levy another tax.
She had to slow her bites when a cup of coffee appeared, but she still made it through the bagel before the others had even gotten theirs out of the toaster.
She sat back and sipped her coffee. Her mates were moving around the kitchen, none fully dressed, and she wasn’t complaining. They were all very pretty in their very different ways.
Techor spluttered his coffee. “Pretty?”
She shrugged. “That is how I see you. All graceful lines and lovely muscles.” She finished her coffee and reached over to put the cup in the sink.
Klauz smiled. “How did you see Reg?”
“Slightly round person who brings donuts.”
He chuckled. “Good.”
Vikor asked. “How are you feeling, Drin?”
She chuckled. “Sated and relaxed.”
Ekron chuckled. “I think you should continue to have a relaxing day. Back to the house for a lazy day by the pool?”
She gave him a serious look. “What’s a lazy day?”
“Oh, I can teach you all about that.” He grinned. “We will need some cocktails, a pizza, and that little swimsuit.”
Drin cocked her head. “I don’t know where that suit ended up.”
Techor reached into his pocket, pulled out the scraps of fabric, and dangled them from his fingertips.
“Thanks, Techor.”
Ekron grinned. “See? We all cooperate.”
Vikor snorted. “I have some bookkeeping to do at the club.”
Techor nodded. “I have some errands to run, but I will get over there as soon as I can.”
Remark nodded. “I have to check in with dispatch. There are some long-term assignments that they are looking to post. My team is up for two of them.”
Drin looked at him. “How long is long-term?”
He smiled. “Two weeks. Worried?”
She bit her lip. “Well, yeah. You are threatening to break up my set.”
He laughed and got up, walking over to pin her against the countertop. “Nothing dangerous this time. Just scouting and extra training.”
She kissed him softly. “Good luck.”
He grinned. “Oh, I have already found my luck. I have no urge to lose it. Stay safe and avoid getting hungry. The guys are going to keep me posted as to your activities, but you might want to have my com code.”
Techor stiffened as she put Remark’s code into her com, and then, he came up and whispered his code into her ear. Klauz did the same. Ekron reached over her shoulder and flicked through her contacts. “Who is Mayel?”
“She’s a friend through the BDC. Another metabolic.”
“Why does she have stars next to her name?”
“Because she’s another metabolic. Duh.” She chuckled. “There aren’t a lot of us, and she and I chat late into the night when we have a surplus.”
Vikor cocked his head. “Is she like you?”
“Oh, no. Her power works differently. She’s an ambient collector.”
Remark stared. “Is she a soft blue with silver hair?”
Drin looked at him and stared. “Yeah.”
He started chortling and said, “A friend of mine will be very interested in that information. He’s been looking for her for years. He describes her as curvy-thin, short-tall, but the light blue and silver are always the same. He was in Ikan on his day off, and there was a fire in downtown. The blue woman ran straight into the flames, and then, she shot out the roof, and the flames followed her, wrapped around her, and she pulled the blaze into the sky with her. He followed her, and when the flames burned out, he caught her before she fell. She was arrested for being an illegal immigrant by peacekeepers, but she disappeared when she hit the system. He tells that story at least once every long mission.” Remark chuckled. “Now I have something to taunt him with. Does that sound like something your friend can do?”
“Yeah, it does. She tells that story, too, and if your friend noticed that her clothing burned off, it is the same woman. He can go through the roster at the BDC and see if anyone matches.” She smiled. “It will give him something else to do instead of telling that story.”
Remark chuckled. “Can I get her contact information?”
She spluttered. “No. No fucking way. He can get it the old-fashioned way, through the escort service via the app; if he is creepy about it, that will be that. Wait, what does he look like again?”
“Big, dark grey, huge leathery wings, and a whipping tail. Ice blue eyes.”
Drin blinked. “Yasit? Yasit has a crush on her?”
He kissed her cheek. “Crush might be the operative term if he meets her again.”
“If he gets rough, he might be in for a surprise.” She pressed her forehead to Remark. “Have fun, and don’t get hurt.”
One more kiss, and he was on his way. It felt like someone had burst her comfortable little bubble.
The other four polished off the donuts with her, packed her up, and then, they were on their way to Ekron’s place.
The sun was climbing higher, and Ekron bullied her into the bikini; from there, she put on a sheer wrap and brought a computer out to the deck near the pool.
She started by creating a catalogue of all the things that had been bought for her, from shoes to the bands. She then estimated the value, which made her a little sick. She then started a spreadsheet for dates and cross-referenced the amount of time and money that they spent there. Uneven relationships always made her a bit queasy.
The sun rose, and she noticed a cup of tea sitting next to her. She sipped at it and returned to her spreadsheet. She started feeling warm and got up, removed her wrap, and walked to the pool, moving until she was shoulder deep before she dove and went for a swim. Her body was burning, and that wasn’t normal.
* * * *
Techor felt the burn in her mind, and he called Ekron immediately.
“She’s in the pool; something is wrong with her. Her body is on fire and not in a good way.” He snarled. “I am too far away to help.”
Vikor cursed in the background. Ekron must have had him on speaker.
Techor heard Vikor calling Kritz, and he heard voices as he turned his car and headed to Z-Tech. He would be there in ten minutes.
He heard Kritz giving that same order to Vikor, and then, everything sounded like water as Ekron went to retrieve their mate.
Klauz was at his restaurant already. He was two minutes from Z-Tech. If only their one flier hadn’t left on a mission.
Techor contacted Klauz and sent a message to Remark. Whatever was burning her was getting stronger.
* * * *
Sound roared in her ears. She was burning up, and she couldn’t see a thing. The world had gone white. She felt hands, felt the fire, and then something was being shoved into her mouth, and she was being dropped. She floated, and the fluid gave her back her sight. She was in a Z-Tech tank.
Her skin was coursing with red and purple bands. Arcady was at her terminal, and bloodwork was being analyzed.
Kritz was speaking with a worried Klauz, and it was only when she banged on the inside of the tank that they looked at her. She pointed at Techor and beckoned him close. She pressed her forehead to the glass.
I have never tried this directly, but I hope it works. This is an allergy. A major one.
Has it happened before?
Twice. I was fifteen years old. We were at a wedding, and they served Kiamut tea. No one serves that at casual functions. Someone brought me tea at Ekron’s.
He turned his head and told Kritz. His eyes went wide in his blue features, and he nodded, speaking quickly to Arcady. She bolted out of the room.
Kiamut exposure isn’t common, and the allergies are less common. Who knew you had the allergy?
She recoiled, and he had the answer. Vikor made a call, and Ekron made another one.
Drin grumbled silently about a stupid allergy that only affected one in ten thousand actives for a plant that was so rare it was nearly extinct and only used for upper-class ceremonies in Biorvin. The only person who knew about it was her brother.
She had a thought, and she sent the message through Techor. Recovery from this effect was going to be tricky.
Everything went white again, and she began to flail in the tank. The seizures were starting. That wasn’t good.
A soft hand and the creak of leather told her how she had made it.
She croaked and kept her eyes shut. “Hey, Khytten. How are you and Salat doing?”
“Aw, sweetie. We are doing great. You scared the hell out of the prefect’s entire family. Finally, that pretty boy has a mate, and someone is trying to kill her? Your brother’s fiancé is squealing that your brother put her up to it.”
“That is probably accurate. He’s a bit of a twit, but he is greedy as fuck. I just got the payout from Vaka’s estate. They were trying to get the money before I started a family. I don’t think it ever occurred to them that Vaken is my heir for four million, and all of the money will be held until he’s thirty. Shisha is inheriting her parents’ money eventually.
