Kade walked over to Sydney and grabbed her hands. She felt the electric desire running up her arms and throughout her body. “Sydney, I have given this some thought, and I believe Simone is somewhere in New Orleans. Somehow...maybe magic...she is projecting herself here. I need to go search for her there. I know you want to work this case, but things are going to get more dangerous. I need to keep you safe. I am going to talk with Tristan and leave tomorrow night.”
Sydney snatched her hands away from him. Who the hell was he to tell her that she had to get off the case? And he was leaving? “Listen, Kade, if you want to jump a plane back to the bayou, be my guest, but I'm not getting off this case just because you think there could be danger. Danger is part of my job; I’m a big girl. A girl who happens to own a lot of guns and knows how to use them. I even have a secret stash of stakes ready to go. There is no fucking way I am just giving up this case while you go off chasing an old girlfriend, so not happening.” She paused and looked around. “Listen, I appreciate you telling me everything. I need to think on this...get some sleep. Ada may have run more trace, and I want to get down to the station tomorrow to talk it through with her. Where are my clothes?”
Kade was growing tired of her stubbornness. Tomorrow, he would request that she be taken off the case. She’d be angry with him but at least she’d be safe. “Go check the upstairs bathroom. I asked Sara to put your clean clothes in the bathroom when she finished with them.”
“Thanks.” Sydney put down her glass and plodded upstairs to get dressed, still trying to make sense of what Kade told her. She could not believe this was as simple as a lover scorned. Why all the drama with the girls? The ritual? The tattoos? Something was not right. Simone probably did indeed want revenge, but there was something else. Sydney wasn’t sure what the missing puzzle piece was, but she certainly wasn’t going to let Kade push her off the case.
Kade heard her go up the stairs. That went well...not. He had to get back to New Orleans and find Simone. And he needed to talk with Ilsbeth to find out what Simone might be trying to accomplish with the oils and the girls. Simone was up to something, and he was going to find out was it was. This time she would not go unpunished. Vampire law was clear on this matter; she would be terminated.
Kade wanted desperately to go after Sydney. Knowing that she was so close to his bedroom made him crazy. He wanted to kiss her full lips and taste her...make her his...claim her. Although doing so at this point would only draw attention to her, and that was not something he would do. She was already in enough danger. He would call Tristan and ask him to keep an eye on her while he returned to New Orleans, even though he hated that Sydney may go to Tristan for more than friendship. It was killing him to know that Sydney and Tristan had been sexually involved, so asking Tristan was not something he wanted to do, but he needed to try to keep her safe and he could trust Tristan to do that.
They rode in silence on the way back to Sydney’s condo. She looked out the window, willing herself not to look at Kade. She felt aroused, and jealous, and pissed off at him for treating her like it was her first day out of the academy. Sure, these supernatural folks were a little tricky, but as long as they could be killed, she could handle it. As soon as she got home, she was pulling out her stakes and silver knives. She also had plenty of wooden bullets. Sydney straightened in her seat, resolving that she would find and kill whatever or whoever was killing these girls.
As the limo pulled up to her building, Sydney felt uneasy, not wanting to leave Kade. He sensed her hesitation and used the opportunity to move and sit next to her. Sydney reached for the door handle, and Kade took her other hand. “Sydney love, after I take care of Simone, I will be back for you. We have unfinished business.”
Sydney was about to reply that she was the one who was going to take care of the case, but before she got a chance to say anything, Kade pressed his lips to hers, wanting, taking. She shouldn’t want this, but she did. Sydney kissed him back slowly allowing him access. She felt his tongue enter her mouth, and she allowed her tongue to explore his as well. Kade reached around and held her by the nape of her neck. The kiss was passionate, yet tender. Sydney knew she had to go. She shouldn’t let herself get distracted by a man, but he tasted so good, and she wanted him here and now, inside her. She wanted more, but he was leaving. Coming to her senses, she reluctantly retreated from Kade not looking away from his eyes. “Um...yeah...goodnight, Kade.” She was flustered but still had enough wits about her to get up and out of the car on two feet. Just keep on walking, girl.
Kade knew someday she would be his as he watched her enter her building. Maybe she did not know yet, but oh, she would be when he came back for her. He knew damn well that she did not want to give up control to him, but she would soon. Now, if he could only keep her safe while he went to dispose of Simone and whatever craziness she had cooked up. He had enough of her games, and he was going to end it here and now.
Chapter Eight
Sydney woke to the sounds of the city: beeping horns, trucks, yelling, and laughter. It didn’t bother her though; she was used to the constant buzz of urban, background noise. The cacophony meant Sydney was alive, and so was the city. Like the swashing hum of the ocean, it was soothing to her ears.
It was late afternoon when she heard her door buzzer go off. She doubted it would be Kade. While he had told her that he was old enough to go outside during the day, it weakened him. And besides, why would he come by her condo when he was returning to New Orleans? She wondered if he was packing and when he was leaving. She kept thinking of the kiss: hot, passionate, erotic. She wanted him to kiss her so badly, and he did all right. She wanted to melt into him and make love to him in the back of the limo. It took every bit of self-control to pull away and go home without him. She had to force herself to remember she was irritated with him because he wanted her off the case, and that he was about to go chasing after a psycho ex.
She felt frustrated that she could not just order him to stay, but then that was part of what attracted her to him. He was strong, authoritative, domineering. She laughed. What was wrong with her? She swore she would not pine over a guy, especially some bossy vamp. She had plenty of men on her dance card. Whatever, Syd. Get over it. He’s leaving anyway.
Checking her security camera, she saw a man in a uniform with flowers. Clicking on the security panel, she answered the call, “Hello. Can I help you?"
“Yeah, I'm looking for Condo 225 B. Detective Willows.”
“Okay, come on up,” she said buzzing him in.
There was a knock at the door. Sydney peered through the safety hole in her door and all she could see was red. She heard another knock and a voice. “Flowers. Delivery for Detective Sydney Willows.”
She opened the door and gasped at the sight. There were more roses than she had ever seen in her life. “Oh my God, they’re beautiful! Here, put them on the dining room table,” she instructed. Sydney tipped the guy as he left, and then locked the door.
Sydney was astonished at the five dozen, long-stemmed, red roses tastefully arranged in an enormous Tiffany, crystal vase. She leaned into the flowers to sniff one of the buds, which smelled heavenly. Sydney may be tough as nails, but she loved flowers. Attached to a plastic holder was a small, red envelope. There was a single name written in calligraphy on it 'Sydney'. She gingerly opened the envelope not wanting to accidentally tear the card. She pulled out the card and read it, 'Dearest, Sydney, Your kiss is still on my mind. Be good while I’m gone love. I will return soon so we can finish what we started. Yours, Kade.'