Kym Grosso - Kade's Dark Embrace

As she was about to bolt, Tristan grabbed her possessively around the waist, and turned to Kade. “So, you two know each other? Care to share?”

Sydney wanted to shove Tristan’s hand away, but she didn’t want Kade to suspect she desired him. The thought crossed her mind to let Kade think she belonged to Tristan. What would it hurt? Tristan knew the truth. Didn’t he? He was holding her as tight as a dog held onto his bone, so she decided to go along with the charade.

Sydney sighed, “Yes, Tristan, as much as I despise discussing work while I'm at play, and I was so about to get into some play, Kade and I met today on a case.” She shot Kade an annoyed look. “Now, would you like to enlighten me as to how you know Kade?”

Tristan smiled knowing she wasn’t telling him everything. “Well, Kade and I go way back, good friends from the bayou.”

She raised an eyebrow, “Bayou? Really? Okay then...whatever. Well, you two have fun...talk about old times and all. Sorry, Tris, can’t wait around tonight...gotta get back to work. Until next time, mon loup.” She placed a chaste kiss to Tristan’s lips as Kade watched with jealous eyes. Narrowing her eyes at Kade she quipped, “And you...mister P-CAP, not sure if or when I'll see you again, but later.”

Kade reached out to grasp Sydney’s hand at the same time Tristan released her waist. Kade gazed intensely into her eyes and spoke firmly, “Yes, my dearest Sydney, when we meet again, and we will meet again, it will be a pleasure. I promise.”

Sydney stared at him for a moment almost unable to break their gaze. Unsettled by her reaction to him, she thought it some must be some strange kind of a paranormal, chemical reaction gone wrong. Why was she so attracted to him? She just met him. And his smooth voice...it wrapped around her like silk. She had to get out of there before she jumped his bones. Taking a deep breath, Sydney turned on her heels and walked away, not looking back at either one of them.

Sydney practically ran to the ladies' room. She could not figure out how to get control of her emotions. She was just about to have sex with Tristan only to find herself wanting to sleep with Kade by the time she left the bar. Questions spun in her head. How exactly does Tristan know Kade? And what the hell is happening to me? I know that this guy Kade is lying, but he is freaking hot. Down, girl, get a grip. Short on answers, she decided to get back to the lab as soon as possible. Changing into her work clothes, she stomped out the door. Since sex was out, work was officially back on the schedule.

Tristan laughed out loud, shaking his head. He wasn’t exactly sure what was going on with Sydney, but he loved watching her dress down another guy, even it was a friend. Sydney was a great girl, but she did get her feathers easily ruffled when her 'needs' weren’t met.

As much as he hated being interrupted, he knew exactly why Kade was here, and he didn’t want to wait to get the details. He also wasn’t ready to share information with Sydney. That’s why he told her to go upstairs; stubborn woman didn’t ever listen. He expected nothing less from Sydney though; she was a detective after all. But, he still didn’t want her involved in the paranormal business that he needed to discuss with Kade. Sure, Sydney was a tough as nails cop, but she was still human, and he was determined to protect her from whatever evilness had just set up shop in his city.

“So, what’s the deal my friend?” Tristan inquired. “I’m glad I called you. I knew that shit was going to go down soon. Just glad you were here and could go to the scene.”

“Definitely black magic, but it was a vampire...the girl was drained. I'm not sure of the ritual, but if I had to guess, someone is trying to build power. I will be engaging P-CAP to recommend full takeover of the case in the morning once the coroner has run an autopsy,” Kade disclosed.

Tristan’s face hardened. “I want you to know that I'm very appreciative of your offer to come and help. My pack is very concerned about a rogue vamp targeting women, and I need to assure them that P-CAP and the vampire community is taking care of it. Even though the vamp went after a human this time, it could be a werewolf next time. I can’t have it.”

“Tris, I will take care of this asshole. I'm sure it is a vampire, but there may be more than one person involved. Whoever is responsible will be dealt with. You can trust me on that.”

Sensing his friend was clearly on top of the case, Tristan relaxed a little, looking to change the subject. “So, what else is up? Seems you have been a busy boy since you’ve been in town. Getting in trouble already, huh?” he joked.

“Who me? I can’t possibly know what you're talking about,” Kade said, denying any wrongdoing.

“Yes, you. What the hell was up with you and my lovely detective Sydney? You know, the one I was about to have sex with until you arrived and so kindly interrupted us. My girl was really pissed at you. You haven’t even been in town twenty-four hours. What did you do to her?”

“First of all, I did nothing to her. I simply informed her that she was not leading the case, and I think you’d agree with me on that point. She may be a cop, but she’s human. I might let her consult after the coroner is finished, but she will not lead this case. And secondly, from what I can tell, my friend, Miss Willows, is not yours . You may have thought you were getting sex, but it didn’t take much to interrupt you. She flew off like a little bird. So, she must be just a friend, and I have been around long enough to know that she certainly does not belong to you.” Kade was dead serious as he challenged Tristan. The tension was palpable, thanks to the words that just left his lips. What the fuck was getting into him that he would challenge a friend, let alone an Alpha, for a human woman on foreign territory?

Not backing down, Tristan raised an eyebrow and reached over to put his hand on Kade’s shoulder. He was asserting his dominance while diffusing a potential argument. “Kade, my brother. You challenge me in my own club? I realize you have had a long day of travel, so I will overlook the way you just expressed yourself. As for Sydney...let’s just say that she is, shall we say, a close friend, a very close friend. A friend who occasionally shares and experiences her most intimate desires with me. However, as you so eloquently just pointed out, she remains uncommitted. And while I would love for her to figure out why she builds emotional walls around herself, I am a businessman not a psychologist. Most days, Sydney is a bad, ass-kicking, ask-questions-later cop, but she does walk on the wild side here in my club. I may join her or even watch her at times. But, make no mistake about it; even though we are not committed, Sydney is under my protection and the protection of my pack.” He sighed heavily, “She will not be hurt if I have anything to say about it. And from where I am sitting as Alpha, I have everything to say about it.” He paused for a second to judge Kade’s reaction and then continued, “Kade, you and I have known each other for a long time, so I can tell by the look in your eyes that something is stirring in you...you want her. I can’t tell you not to pursue her, but I am warning you; do not hurt her, emotionally or otherwise, and if at all possible keep her away from this killer.”

The tension dissipated with the Alpha’s strong words. Kade shouldn’t give a shit what Tris did with the cop, but he did care. He tried to shuck that pang of jealousy. What was he thinking? Frustrated with himself and his feelings toward the human woman, he struggled to focus on why he was even here in Philadelphia. He was supposed to find a killer and then get back to business in New Orleans, nothing more, nothing less. He needed to put Miss Willows out of his mind if he was going to get anything done.