Chapter Five
Marcus watched the interplay between them and saw by the way Raven raged at the captain that she didn’t know about his plans to deceive heaven and hell. The captain was cold-hearted enough to let her pay for his sins.
From now on, Marcus would protect the sexy bounty hunter from the devil’s minions until he could prove her innocence or guilt. Approaching her, he said, “Do you have someplace to go?”
Defiantly she glared at him. “Excuse me?”
“The captain is definitely mad at you, so do you have any leads we could work together?” He tried a weak smile. “We’re partners.”
“No.” Her brows furrowed as she seemed to try to gather her thoughts. “Do you have any ideas?” she challenged.
He didn’t want to tip his hand. She thought he was human, so he had to tread carefully. She was a smart succubus and would figure him out soon enough. “Just offering to help. I don’t think you want to fight the captain by yourself, do you?”
When Marcus saw the realization that he had watched them fight shine in her eyes, he could tell her reaction wasn’t an act. Fear pulsed in her eyes. She understood what he’d just said.
Turning away from him, Raven refused to look up from the ground. “No.”
She was definitely shaken, but he didn’t know whether it was caused by the captain or something else. She was a bounty hunter for hell; he was a bounty hunter for heaven.
Before he terminated her, he’d show her mercy and let her explain her actions. “Fine, if the captain isn’t mad at you for something you did on the job, could it be something personal?”
Anger raged in her cool, blue eyes. “Like?”
Her sweet scent escalated with her anger, becoming so strong he had to step back and rub his nose to control his lust. “Like anything. Do you know where Stephen would go after work? Did he have any hobbies, perversions? Did you do anything together?”
She narrowed her eyes, and he knew she understood the questions were pointed at the captain. “No. I didn’t know anything about Stephen’s personal life. We only worked together. I didn’t spend time with him away from work. I have my own life.”
Marcus knew all about her personal life, but the real question was whether she knew about the captain’s personal life? “What do you do after work?”
Glaring at him, she snapped, “I dress in black leather, pick up strange men, and suck the life out of them. What do you think I do?”
Marcus chuckled. She had guts enough to tell him the truth and knew no human would ever believe it. “I’d like to see that.”
“Why don’t you hold your breath while I go home and change into my leather outfit? With luck, you’ll run out of air before I come back. Save both of us some time.”
Marcus had to give it to her. She had balls and wasn’t afraid to show them. When she was mad, she gave off an arousing scent. He fisted his hands to keep from grabbing Raven and kissing her.
He couldn’t fall under her spell again and still be able to do his job. She didn’t trust the captain. Would she confide in him so he could solve this case?
****
Raven walked away from Marcus, needing distance from him and that arousing scent his massive body kept putting out. Her phone rang.
“Raven, the senator is at the club. Get him this time, or don’t come back.” The captain’s voice was low and rough like always, but this time she heard the fear in his demand. The phone went dead. She didn’t have a choice. When he barked orders, she obeyed like a well-heeled hell hound.
She turned. Marcus stood right behind her. “What do you think you’re doing listening in on my personal phone call?”
“You looked like you’d seen a ghost. I was concerned.”
Raven heard the lie for what it was and knew he was snooping. “I don’t need your concern.”
He stepped closer, his heat teasing her body, but she fought the urge to kiss him.
“You’re pushing yourself to prove you’re talented. There’s no question about you being capable, so calm down.”
Raven stepped around him. “Thanks for the vote of confidence. I’ll find you later.”
Stopping at the cruiser, she asked the uniform for the keys, climbed in, and pulled away from the curb. Marcus was only human and would never understand her problems. When the captain said, “Get your bounty,” he meant now. She knew the penalty for not doing his bidding.