Eternal Hunter

Chapter 15

“She doesn’t know, does she?”

Jude led Erin’s mother outside and closed the door behind him. A thud shook the motel room wall. Huh. Wonder what Erin threw. “Ah…Doesn’t know what?”

“That she’s yours.”

His brows rose. Oh, but he hoped the door and walls were thicker than he’d thought.

He grabbed the woman’s arm and hauled her away from the room. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Don’t I?”

His jaw locked.

“I smell her on you. Smell you on her. That’s the way with mates. Like she’s under your skin and you’re under hers.”

He wouldn’t deny it, because Erin was under his skin. In his very blood. “Then you tell me…how is it possible for a woman to be a mate to two shifters? One a wolf and one a tiger?” Because it wasn’t possible. No way.

“Erin’s not your usual shifter. Maybe the rules don’t apply to her.” Her fangs flashed as she said, “Or maybe that asshole who’s claiming her is dead wrong.”

Good emphasis on dead.

“I want to be with her again,” she told him. “I know I’ve screwed up, but I miss her. I’ve missed her for years and I want back in her life.”

“That why you’re in Lillian? Hunting the locals? ’Cause you’re looking for her?” This setup wasn’t making sense to him.

“Yes.” A hiss.

He just stared at her.

“Hunting the local idiots was just bonus.” Her hands went to her hips. “I didn’t hurt anyone. Just had some fun.”

Right. The kind of fun that had led the gnome to his shotgun. Jude figured he owed the wolf before him for that. Another damn scar on his body.

But, curious now, he asked, “If I’d been after Erin at Mort’s, if I’d been going to have some…fun with her, what would you have done?”

“Ripped your throat out.” Said immediately.

Good to know.

“I know I’m messed up,” she told him with a straight stare. “And I know I’m not the mother she needs.” The woman wet her lips. “But I need her.” Her hand dove into her back pocket. When her hand came back up, she shoved a bent business card at him. “When…if she ever wants to talk to me, give her that number, okay?”

Not waiting for his answer, she spun away from him and marched toward the line of cars waiting in the parking lot.

After five feet, she stopped. “You gonna get that bastard claiming to be her mate?”

“Count on it.”

She tossed a quick glance over her shoulder and the smile on her face was pure Erin. “Good. Do me a favor — rip his throat out for me.”

Then she jumped into one of the cars and spun out of the lot.

“Will do,” he whispered, watching her go. Ripping the bastard’s throat out was the plan, after all.

The early morning sunlight burned her eyes. Thanks to her mother and the not-so-small matter of a murder, last night had been a real bitch. Erin marched away from the motel room, her bag clutched tightly in her hand. Coming back home had been exactly as hard as she’d thought it would be.

And just when she’d thought her life couldn’t get any more screwed up…

“Erin.” Jude grabbed her arm, jerking her to a stop. She blinked, trying to shove her way out of the pity party and focus on him.

“Company,” a breath of a whisper from Jude.

She followed his gaze and saw the gleaming curves of a BMW sweep into the old lot. Erin caught a glimpse of the driver’s face.

Judge Harper. “He must have another meeting,” she muttered. A meeting at the motel. No big surprise for the judge. “Come on, let’s get out of here.” She was more than ready to hit the road.

The BMW jerked to a halt, and Harper shoved open his door. He sprang from his car and his gaze instantly zeroed in on her. “Jerome! Erin Jerome! Wait!”

Great. Erin took a deep breath, aware of Jude stiffening behind her. Pasting a fake smile on her face, she asked, “Something I can do for you, judge?”

He stalked toward her. As usual, he looked all determined and cocky and confident — then he stumbled. The judge jerked to a halt and stared down at her.

She lifted a brow and stared right back.

“I–I had to find you. Cartwright told me you were leaving.” A heavy pause. “I went to Katherine LaShaun’s house.”

Erin blinked. “What?” The last thing she’d expected.

“I had to go! When I heard about the body”—his nostrils flared—“I needed to see for myself what was happening out there.”

Yeah, she’d wanted to see the scene, too. But she hadn’t been allowed on sight.

Harper’s eyes darted to Jude, then back to her. “Erin, can we talk, privately?”

“No.” The instant answer came from Jude and from Erin.

Harper’s lips thinned and he dragged a shaking hand through his already tousled hair. “You and Greer have to understand. Trent’s death wasn’t my fault.”

Oh, what? Was it hers?

“The wife recanted, she—”

“Even without her testimony, there was more than enough evidence to convict.” Flat, cold. “We both know that Trent was abusing her. The guy was guilty as the devil, and we had the chance to stop him.” But he’d walked.

Then, well, died.

“We did.” The judge rocked back on his heels, and for a moment, he didn’t look as strong or as fit as he’d appeared in the past. He looked…tired. “I guess he’s stopped now, though, isn’t he?”

“I guess he is,” Jude said, voice like a cool breeze.

Death had a nice way of stopping folks.

Harper flinched. “I didn’t know this would happen. I just — I just made the only judgment I could.”

Erin didn’t know what to say to the judge. After a moment, he turned away from her and shuffled back to his car.

Erin watched him, aware of Jude’s strong presence at her back. Harper felt guilty. She could see it, feel it. Guilty enough to seek her out.

And he’d come — to what? Neither one of them could go back and change the past. Too many ifs in the world. If he’d convicted Trent…if she’d worked harder to prove the bastard’s guilt…if Sylvia hadn’t faltered…

You couldn’t go back.

The judge knew that and so did she.

Harper stopped at his car. He glanced back at her. “I know what they say about me.”

On the take. So many criminals walked right out of his courtroom with barely a slap on his wrist. “Do you?” She murmured, but Erin knew he heard her.

“I want those bastards who break the law to pay,” he told her. “Just like you do.”

Then why didn’t they? Why did so many ease past him?

He pulled open the driver’s side door. “I do the best I can, Jerome. Guess it’s not always good enough.” His eyes narrowed. “Don’t you ever have regrets?”

Too many. Erin gave a grudging nod.

“Is the bastard ever gonna leave?” Jude murmured in her ear and wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

A ghost of a smile curved Harper’s lips. “I thought you might.” Then he climbed into his car.

Erin leaned against Jude. Damn but the man felt solid.

Harper drove away with a soft purr of his engine.

“You ready to get the hell out of this town?” Jude asked after a moment of silence. The thick, uncomfortable kind of silence that made her want to squirm.

“More than ready.” Before she had any more unwanted visitors from her past. Like a certain detective she’d prefer to avoid. Talk about regrets. Erin swallowed and tried to shove the past away. “We didn’t get any closer to finding the bastard, did we?”

He turned her toward him. “We’re gonna catch him, sweetheart.” Absolute certainty there.

But when? Before or after he killed someone else?

“We will catch him,” Jude repeated.

And, once again, Erin forced herself to nod.

Once they were in Baton Rouge, Erin tried to get back into her routine as fast as possible. But, her routine had an unexpected addition.

She’d been given a babysitter. Okay, not a babysitter so much as a six-foot-two, two hundred pound, pissy demon who tailed her every move.

Erin looked up from her files and stared at said pissy demon.

Zane raised his brows and stared right back at her.

He was five feet away. Slouched in her ratty spare chair.

And the man wasn’t going anywhere.

When she and Jude had returned to Baton Rouge, Jude had dropped his little protection bombshell on her.

Until the wolf was caught, she’d have twenty-four seven protection. One of the Night Watch hunters during the day — while Jude was out digging up leads. And at night, Jude would be with her.

Now, she was all about the Jude at night part. Yeah, that worked for her. More than worked.

But Zane, and the irritating humming the guy kept doing under his breath, well, he wasn’t so much her thing.

Jude even had the human woman scheduled to take a shift with her. A human.

For protection?

That was just insulting.

One of the assistants came bustling in. “Erin, here’s the transcript from the Parsons trial—”

A long, loud whistle.

Amy jumped and dropped the folder. Her hand flew to her chest as her head jerked to the right and Erin saw her spy the lurking demon.

He smiled at her. “Hi there.”

Erin growled.

He kept smiling at the assistant.

Don’t need this. Don’t. Need. This.

“Thanks, Amy, I’ll review it later today.” A dismissal. Probably too curt, but damn if Amy wasn’t starting to smile right back at the demon now. Great.

Erin cleared her throat. Twice. Amy finally darted out of the office, but not before she gave one long, last look at Zane.

“You’re an ass.” Erin told him, meaning it.

He blinked. “Ah, you’re just mad ’cause I’m not flirting with you.” He shook his head. “But I don’t flirt with women who can fry my brain.”

Well, at least she was in his safe zone. Erin bared her teeth. She really didn’t like the reminder of that vicious encounter. “Didn’t we already go over this? Demon versus wolf? Why did Jude send you to watch me?”

A lazy shrug. “’Cause he trusts me.” A pause. “And he knows I’d fight like hell to protect you.”

Her eyes widened. That was new. The guy sounded like he meant those words, too. “You don’t even like me.”

“Sure I do.” A slow stretch. “Would even want to fuck you, if Jude hadn’t already claimed you.”

Heat burned her cheeks. No, no, he hadn’t just said—

A soft chuckle escaped his lips. “Relax. I said I would want to. Didn’t say I was going to.” His right foot swung in a small circle. “I like women with a wild side.”

Oh, then he’d probably love her.

But—

But she wasn’t interested. Not at all.

He wasn’t Jude.

Jude.

Erin rubbed her right temple. A vague ache was starting to build there. Not enough sleep, probably. After seeing dear old Mom, she sure hadn’t been able to sleep well.

And knowing that the wolf was still out there—

Not exactly a situation conducive to rest and relaxation.

“Where is Jude?” she asked him, sinking deeper into her chair.

“Hunting.”

She knew that. “He’s got backup, right? I mean, he’s not out there alone?”

“Jude really isn’t the backup type.”

The ache turned into a throb. “Everyone needs backup.”

Another rap at her door. Sighing, Erin called out, “Come on in, Amy, it’s fine for you to—”

The door swung open. Not Amy this time. Jude.

Her lips wanted to curve at the sight of him. She could almost forget about the ache in her temple because she was just so glad to see him.

Jude. Tall and strong, with that thick mane of blond hair. Blue eyes shining so bright.

His stare heated when it landed on her. Erin rose, bracing her hands behind the desk. “Ah, Jude, I was…ah…wondering where you—”

“Wanted to check on you,” he said, breaking into her stumbling and so not suave words. He jerked his thumb toward the door. “Zane, give us a minute, okay?”

“A minute? Damn, man, no woman likes it that fast.”

Her eyes widened. No, that jerk just hadn’t said—

Jude’s snarl had the demon jumping from his chair and heading for the door.

When the door shut behind Zane, Jude stared at her in silence.

Then he locked the door.

Erin swallowed, realizing her throat was way too dry.

“We need to talk.”

She flinched because, those words, oh, they were never good.

Knew this would happen. Jude knew all her secrets now. Everything about her mother and the wolf within.

How screwed up do you have to be to get abandoned by the pack?

“Erin?” A deep rumble as he took a gliding step closer to her.

Right then, she was very grateful that the desk was between them. “Ah…okay. Wh-what do you want to talk about? Have you — have you found out anything about the stalker?”

His lips thinned. “I got some places to check out today. I might have some news after that.”

“Good.” Her fingers knotted together. What was she supposed to say? Sorry my mother tried to attack you and sorry I’ve been lying-slash-keeping-the-truth-about-myself-from-you, but, hey, the sex between us is great and when I’m with you…I feel good.

Better than good.

Almost happy.

No, not almost.

Even with that bastard on her trail, when she was with Jude, she felt safe. Like she belonged.

And, yes, dammit, happy.

“I need to know…” Jude’s jaw set as he walked around the desk.

So much for that safety.

He caught her upper arms and held her with fingers too tight.

Both temples throbbed now in a hard, fast beat.

“Are things different between us?” Jude asked. “Because of what I told you? Do you…? Ah, hell!” He kissed her. A deep, toes-curling-yes kiss that had her heart racing and her sex clenching.

His tongue slipped past her lips. Tangled with hers. Tasted.

And she sure tasted him.

Her nipples hardened against the lacy edge of her bra. The points ached and she rubbed them against his chest, seeking relief. No, pleasure.

Because Jude knew just how to offer pleasure.

His lips broke from hers. “Erin, the way you smell”—his nostrils flared—“sweet cream and candy — my own treat.”

She gulped and knew that her smell—sweet cream and candy—had to be flowing stronger right then.

His forehead pressed against hers. He sucked in a sharp breath and shuddered.

Or maybe she did.

“Tell me it didn’t change anything,” he growled. “Tell me you know I’m not like that psycho after you.”

Understanding broke through the sensual need. Jude was worried she’d turn from him? Because of his past?

And here she’d been afraid that her wolf heritage would send the guy running.

“I’d never hurt you, Erin. I swear.”

Her lips brushed over his. Soft, so soft. When there had never been much softness between them. “I know.” And she did. His past might not be pretty. Neither was hers. But the truth was that she trusted him.

Dangerous, she knew. Trusting anyone, especially a shifter, was a big risk. Born with two faces, meant to lie — that’s what some said about the shifters. But Jude was different.

He was fighting to protect her. Not trying to hurt her or control her.

Yes, he’d killed. There was darkness in him. She’d felt it, seen it. Yet Erin didn’t think Jude would ever turn that darkness on her or on anyone else that didn’t deserve the fury of his hunt.

No innocents will be hurt.

She pulled back a bit and tried a smile, hoping to lighten the thick mood and ease a grin back to his lips. That sexy scar — she loved to see it rise up. “Besides, since we’re not mated, I know you’d never go territorial on me.”

He stiffened.

No smile and his face, if anything, seemed harsher.

“Jude?”

His hands dropped. “Mated or not, I already am territorial when it comes to you.”

Her mouth dried. What did he mean? Was it more than sex for him? It was so much more for her, but she hadn’t wanted to hope—

“I’m not an easy man, Erin. Never will be.” His shoulders were so straight. His hands had fisted. “I’d sooner fucking cut off my own hand than ever lift it against you.”

His voice shook.

So did her knees.

“But, hell, yeah, I’m territorial about you. You’re in my head every minute. I close my eyes, and I see you and I want you so much I can hardly breathe.”

Oh, that was—

“The timing for us is shit.”

True. Her timing was generally always like that.

“And I know with that asshole out there, the last thing you need is a man trying to get too close.”

Jude already was too close because the things he’d said…You’re in my head every minute. I close my eyes, and I see you and I want you so much I can hardly breathe.

She could have said the same things about him.

All true.

“So I’m gonna take him down,” Jude growled, “and I’m gonna take the fear out of your eyes and I’m gonna prove that you can trust me, that I’m not some sick freak like him.”

“No, Jude, I know—”

“You’ll see who I am.” He stared down at her. “And we’ll see if we can’t fix this damn timing.” She saw him take a hard gulp of his own. “And as for the mating…”

Her chin lifted. “I can’t control the mating. If that — that wolf is right, then—”

“Then nothing! You…you’re different from every other shifter out there, sweetheart.”

Yeah, different. Nice, easy word for her situation.

Because she’d always been different.

“You’re different…human and shifter. So what makes you so sure that you’d mate like the others? What makes you so sure you’d only have one mate?”

Her lips parted in surprise. “Jude.” What was he telling himself? No, no, he had to see — shifters only had one mate. One chance for children. Fate didn’t care if a shifter’s mate was a killer or a savior. The mating was forever.

The beast inside her had recognized the wolf. That part was the most humiliating for her. So humiliating, she hadn’t told Jude. Her body had known the wolf shifter at the first touch. No, not her body, but the dormant beast inside. Erin had been horrified, afraid, but, dammit, aware of him. An instinctual response she couldn’t control. One that made her sick.

“I know.” Simple words, gruff.

Her gaze met his and she saw the understanding in his eyes. Understanding and a banked rage. Erin licked her lips.

“I know,” he continued, “but I also know how your body responds to me, and I know the beast. It’s awake when I’m near, and it’s hungry for me.”

He was right.

Erin rocked back on her heels, banging her hip into the desk. She’d thought the sex was just great because she wasn’t having to hold back and because, well, Jude was freaking fantastic, but what if there was something more there?

What if…

No. No one got two mates, and sure as hell not someone who couldn’t even manage one shift.

“Forget the mating,” Jude told her and his eyes burned with intensity. “The mating isn’t what matters anyway.”

He’d know. He’d seen firsthand just how wrong those fated matings could be.

So had she.

“I’m not looking for a mate for the beast.”

But with full-blood shifters, the beast was never separate from the man. Not really.

His fist thudded against his chest. “I’m looking for someone who—”

“Get the fuck out of my way!”

Erin jerked at the raised voice. Her gaze locked on her closed door. That voice…she hadn’t heard that deep baritone in months.

“Back up, Boy Scout, or I’m gonna have to hurt you.” Zane. Loud, confident, pissed.

“What the hell?” Jude strode toward the door.

Erin, moving much slower, did the same. Shit for timing. Always.

“Try it, asswipe. I’m a cop. Lay the first finger on me and—”

Jude yanked open the door, a snarl on his lips.

Erin scrambled after him.

She caught sight of the two men in the outer office. Tall and strong, almost nose to nose.

And she knew that her day was about to get even worse.

The throbbing in her temples flared again. Harder. Aspirin. Need aspirin.

“Zane!” Jude’s voice snapped. “Who the hell is this guy?” His nostrils flared and Erin knew he was trying to catch a scent.

But he’d only smell a human because Lillian Detective Ben Greer was human through and through.

Ben shoved Zane out of his way and locked his warm chocolate eyes on her. “Erin.” Softness there, and anger.

She eased to Jude’s side, far too conscious of all the curious stares. Way too many people were around. Amy. Another assistant, Donna. And Karrie, the ADA next door was also peering in, though it looked like she was trying real hard not to be obvious. “Ah, Ben, it’s been a while.”

“A while since you left me bleeding out in a hospital bed, you mean?”

Okay, no softness that time, only anger. She stiffened and took the hit because the way she figured it, she deserved his rage. He’d been hurt because of her.

“Aw, Jude, come on! Let me take this prick outside and teach him some manners,” Zane wheedled.

Ben jerked out his badge. “I’m a cop. I’d like to see you try to teach me some—”

Zane grinned and stepped eagerly forward. The fact that Ben was a cop didn’t seem to matter much to him.

“I take it you’re Ben Greer?” Jude asked quietly. His legs were braced apart. Hands loose at his sides.

Ben’s gaze raked him. “And I take it you’re the asshole who’s sleeping with Erin now?”

Amy sucked in a sharp breath.

Jude just smiled. “Yeah, I am.”

“Then you’re also the prick who was screwing around with my case files.”

Jude just shrugged.

Erin knew it was time to take charge. She stepped forward, putting herself between Jude and Ben.

Ben. He looked the same. Handsome face. Thick, slightly curling brown hair. A dimple in his chin.

A solid guy. A good cop.

Human.

Not for me.

He didn’t understand her. Never would.

Not like Jude.

“Ben, perhaps we should go into my office and talk.” Away from all the watching eyes and straining ears.

He pulled in a deep breath. His fingers whitened around his badge. “Yeah, yeah, let’s do that.” His head cocked to the right. A move she’d seen a hundred times. A move he always made just before he threw out a challenge to a suspect.

Her heart thudded too hard in her chest. He’d come to Baton Rouge. Why? Not for me, but for…

“Let’s go talk, Erin, and you can tell me just why you interfered in a murder investigation this weekend and why the hell I found your picture clutched in the hands of a dead man.”

Ah, that would be why.