Secret of the Wolf (16 page)

“That’s okay. He’ll call me when he has more info.” God, she prayed the rogue wasn’t her brother. If it was, and she’d stayed silent…she’d have two people’s deaths on her hands. “Let’s take another look at the rift device, shall we?”

“Sure thing.” He left the room and returned in a couple of minutes with the device and schematics in hand. “I had them locked in my gun safe,” he said. “I would’ve given ’em to you last night, but I didn’t want to wake you. Not that your brother would’ve let me,” he added dryly. He handed her the device. “Here. Hold this a sec.”

She noticed the difference in the size and shape of their hands—hers slim and dainty, his wide and large.

She watched those hands as he pulled a small screwdriver from one of the side drawers of his desk. When he held out his hand, she put the device in it and watched as he took the casing off. She tried to focus on anything other than his long, strong fingers. But all she wanted was the feel of those hands all over her body.

Tori forced her attention onto the rift device. As before, she stared down at a small motherboard with a mini-processor and USB port.

He traced some fine wires with his finger and pointed to the USB port. “This gets hooked up to a…” He spread out the schematics and bent closer to the rendering. “I’ll be damned.”

“What?” Tori bent over and looked, too, but nothing made much sense to her.

“They’ve constructed a Wien bridge oscillator.” He glanced at her, his face only a few inches away. “It’s a type of electronic oscillator—an instrument for producing a voltage of a required frequency—that generates a very low distortion sine wave. This oscillator is built around four resistors and two capacitors and can generate a large range of frequencies.” His gaze dropped to her mouth. His eyes darkened and his lips parted, but then he seemed to collect himself and he shook his head. He looked back down at the schematics. “With something like this they could dial up whatever frequency they wanted and amplify it.”

“So they make the output of this”—she pointed to the device—“stronger?”

“That’s my educated guess, yes.” Dante straightened. “But how does that tie into the rift?” He blew out a breath and tucked his fingers into the back pocket of his jeans. “Okay, so walk me through how the rift works. The comet goes by and temporarily opens a rift, a hole, between the two dimensions.”

“Picture it like sliding down a zipper,” Tori explained. “The opening at the top gets wider the farther down you unzip. Entities spill into this dimension all along the opening, more of them toward the top and middle as it widens.” Using her forefinger and middle finger in the shape of a V, she drew double lines across the desk, bringing her fingers together to complete the shape. “Then as the comet gets farther away from Earth, it…it’s like the release of the effects of gravity snaps the zipper tab back the other way, closing it.”

Dante gave a low whistle. “Man, can you imagine what it’d be like if the rift wasn’t temporary? Or if it at least stayed open longer?”

They looked at each other, a look of horror on both of their faces. He must have been thinking the same thing.

“And this Wien bridge thing…could it have that effect?” she asked.

He frowned. “No, there’s no way something this size could keep the rift open longer.”

She looked at the schematics. “What if…” She looked back at him. “Could someone use this to model a larger device?”

He shared a look of alarm with her. “It’s possible. Shit. If they do that, the human race will be in a lot of trouble.”

T
hen he just sat there, this sheepish look on his little face, while eggs and flour pooled on the floor all around him.” Lily laughed until she had to reach up to wipe tears from her eyes. “Oh, my God. It was so funny.”

“Mom didn’t think so.”

Dante’s dry comment set Lily off again.

Tori couldn’t stop smiling at the interaction between the two. She and Rand had never been close like this. Maybe it was the age difference between them, maybe it was the way they’d been raised. She didn’t know, but watching Dante and Lily made her miss things she’d never had. “What did she do?” she asked.

“What could she do? I was ten and just trying to help.” He shrugged. “I misjudged how much I could carry.”

“Hmm. That might explain something,” Tori murmured with a sideways glance at him. “You had early training on not taking on more than you can handle.”

“These days it’s not a question of if I can handle it, but whether or not I have the time to give it my undivided attention.” He brought the cup of water to his lips. Over the rim of the glass his dark eyes snagged and held hers. “Because
this
particular project I’m getting into seems like it might be rather time consuming.”

She smiled, slowly, and leaned forward. “And worth every second, I promise.” She stroked her fingers up the stem of her wineglass.

Lily laughed. “Oh, brother, has she got your number.” She stood and began clearing the table. She paused, holding the bowl with leftover green beans in her hands, and let out a long, loud yawn. “Sorry,” she said when it was over.

“Why don’t you go lie down?” Dante came and took the bowl out of her hands. “We’ll clean up.”

“No, I can do—”

“Don’t be silly.” Tori stacked plates and forks and carried them to the sink. “You cooked, so it’s only right that we clean.”

Lily was clearly torn between being a proper hostess and being bone tired. Finally the fatigue won, because she said, “Okay. Have Dante make you a margarita. There’s still some left over from last night. His are the best.”

Tori smiled. “I’ll do that.” She picked up the platter that had held the steaks. Tori’s had been rare, and neither Dante nor Lily had seemed fazed by the blood running from the meat. “Dinner was delicious. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. I enjoy cooking. And with you here, it actually forced my brother to slow down long enough to sit and eat a real meal instead of just grabbing something on the run.” She winked at Dante and then left the kitchen.

 “Great, now I have
two
women ganging up on me,” he muttered.

“Oh, you’re man enough to take it.” Tori bumped his hip with hers and pulled open the dishwasher door.

As if they’d been doing so for years, they began loading the machine in unison. Tori finished putting silverware in the basket and, while Dante grabbed soap from under the sink, she pulled an antibacterial wipe free from its container and started wiping down the countertops.

Dante added soap to the dishwasher tray, then closed and latched the door. He flipped the dial to normal wash and turned toward Tori. She’d taken off her heels a few minutes ago and was giving a few last swipes to the countertop, her hips swaying with her movements.

“Come on,” he said. “Let’s grab the margaritas and head out onto the patio.”

She glanced at him. “Okay.” She grabbed the glasses while he removed the pitcher from the refrigerator. “Should I get Lily?” she asked.

“No, let her rest.” Dante knew his sister tired easily, and preparing dinner had taken a lot out of her. “We can always make more.”

They went outside and sat on a glider at one end of the patio. The misters kept the air cool enough that it was bearable to be outside in the heat. Though the sun had begun making its descent, it was still hot outside. “This is nice,” she commented, holding the glasses while Dante poured the drinks.

“It is. I put the misters in a couple of summers ago. I wanted to enjoy the scenery without suffering heat stroke.” He set the pitcher on a small glass table beside the swing and sat down, starting the glider swinging gently. He turned toward her and took his glass, holding it up in a toast. “Cheers.”

She clicked her glass against his. “Cheers.” She took a sip. “Mmm, delicious.”

Dante stretched one arm along the back of the glider and rested the other on his thigh, balancing his glass to keep his margarita from spilling. As the sun set and dusk bloomed, a few outdoor lamps he had lining the winding walkway turned on, bathing the backyard in a soft yellow glow. After a hard day at work, sitting out here for a few minutes to center himself never failed to calm him.

Until now. He was too aware of the woman next to him. Her light perfume scented the air around him, her warmth pulling him closer. He tried to look at her without staring, but it was impossible. Her bare feet sported shiny purple toenail polish. Her light-blue blouse paired with a soft peach scoop-necked top and filmy blue skirt accented her delicious curves. She looked downright edible.

He cleared his throat. “How’s your brother doing?”

“He’s good.” She frowned and shifted on the glider to face him, one leg bent. “Actually, I’m a little worried.” She paused. “I don’t know, Dante. He says he wants to catch up, to stay around so we can get to know each other again, and then he acts like he couldn’t care less.” She took a sip of her drink. “But then he goes and does something sweet like making dinner for me. Lasagna.” She seemed almost guilty as she added, “I almost canceled tonight.”

“Tori, I know how important family is to you.” Dante put his drink on the side table and twisted toward her. “You
should
have called and canceled.” Though the cynic in him whispered that Randall wanted something and that was why he was being so sweet. “I would’ve understood.”

She waved one hand. “He wouldn’t let me. It’s okay.” Her smile was genuine. “He’s going to stay in town, so we have time.”

“Yeah, well, you’re both immortal, so you definitely have plenty of time.”

A shadow of sadness passed over her face. “Living forever isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.” She pressed her lips together and looked down at her lap. “You make human friends and watch them grow old and die. And when you make wrong choices, the consequences never go away. At least as a human, death is the final forgiveness.” She raised her eyes. “You’re so lucky to have Lily. She’s lucky to have
you
.”

 “She’s been through a lot,” he said. “It’s just the two of us now, so we look out for each other.” He wrapped his arm around on her shoulder, feeling both strength and frailty beneath his palm. “Kind of like you and Rand.”

That slender shoulder lifted in a shrug. “I don’t know how much he looks out for me, but I do look out for him.” She sighed. “He missed a mandatory meeting last night, and pretty much expects me to make everything all right. Like I have a magic wand or something.”

“Hmph. Well, I guess that’s what older sisters are for.” He paused and stared at her. “You are older, aren’t you? I mean, it’s hard to tell, ’cause he acts like he’s about fourteen.”

“I’m older. He’s just…” She shook her head. “He’s always been a little…breakable. Coming through the rift and turning into a werewolf hasn’t done him any favors.”

Dante pondered that for a moment. “I’d think having superhuman strength, hearing, vision, and all that would give a boost in ego.”

“For some it does.” Tori’s tongue swept out to leave her lips wet. “For others, like Rand, it only highlights the deficiencies they won’t, or can’t, let go of. They focus only on the fact that if it weren’t for the wolf in them they wouldn’t have all those things you mentioned. Rather than seeing all they have gained, they feel as if they are the weak, ineffectual person they’ve always believed themselves to be.”

“I guess I can understand that.” He rubbed his thumb against her collarbone. “Is it just you and Randall? Or do you have other family here?”

She looked down at her lap. “I’m so glad to have him with me. You can’t imagine what it’s been like being alone for so long.”

That didn’t exactly answer his question. He put a hand under her chin and raised her face to his. “Tori? Do you have other family here?”

She hesitated, then looked up with moist green eyes. “Rand is the only brother I have. I’ve been alone for so long.”

Dante made a mental note that she still hadn’t really answered his question, but he let it go for now. He needed to reassure her. “You’re not alone anymore, sweetheart.” For the first time since he’d known her he saw uncertainty in her eyes. His heart skipped a beat. He’d done that to her with his damned vacillating. Not anymore. He took the drink from her hand and placed it beside his, then faced her again. “I promise you, Victoria, you’re not alone,” he whispered and slanted his mouth over hers.

He started out gentle, but when her lips parted and her tongue swept over his, gentleness gave way to rough hunger. He groaned and cupped his hands around her head, the tips of his fingers resting against her thick braid. Her hair was like silk, the lips beneath his even softer, making him wonder if she’d be this damned smooth all over.

Tilting her head, he slid his tongue along the seam of her mouth and then thrust inside. She made a low, eager sound, her hands sliding around to clutch his back.

Dante held her head still and deepened the kiss. Her mouth was sweet, with a hint of lime and tequila. He leaned back, resting against the arm of the glider, and spread his legs, drawing her on top of him. Her sweet weight settled between the V of his thighs, pressing against his growing erection.

Tori pulled back, just a few inches, and whispered, “I see
someone’s
got time for me.” She stroked her fingers across his fly, making his hips lift in response. “He’s got better sense than you,” she said.

“Yeah, well, I don’t usually let my cock do my thinkin’ for me.” He nibbled along her jaw line until he reached her ear, giving the lobe a slight nip. “But here…now…seems like a good time to start.” His mouth slid to the softness of Tori’s throat, tasting the saltiness of her skin over the pounding of her pulse.

“Dante…” Her voice had that sultry, throaty quality that always revved his engine.

He kissed her again, tongue sweeping the dark cavern of her mouth. She tasted sweet and rich, like dark chocolate. When she pulled his tongue deeper, suckling him gently, eagerly, he groaned and tugged her hips closer to his.

She pumped against him, a slow, steady undulation, a dance of desire that made his cock as stiff as a pike. Slender hands clutched at his back, kneading the hard muscles.

He’d never felt hunger like this before. Raw. Demanding and pulsating with a life of its own. He heard his name again, sounding far away. The rattle of the patio door impacted his awareness just as he heard Lily’s “Dante, I’m going…Oh.” A slight pause, then another, louder, “Oh.” She gave a sigh. “God, this is so not something I wanted to walk in on. Reminds me of that time with you and Suzie Weisterman when you were in the tenth grade.”

“Damn it, Lily.” Dante lifted Tori off him. He crossed one leg over the other and rested his ankle on top of the opposite knee. Hunching his shoulders, he curled his hands over his shins and tried to hide his erection. Tori moved back to her side of the glider, looking a little embarrassed and mightily amused.

“Don’t ‘damn it, Lily’ me,” his sister muttered. In the illumination of the patio lights he could see red flags of color streaking across her cheeks. “If you two want to get it on, why don’t you take it inside? Like, in your bedroom. Behind closed doors.” She put her hands on her hips. “You’d think you’d have learned after Suzie.”

“Oh, dear God…” Dante hung his head. His little sister hadn’t lost any of her ability to embarrass the hell out of him.

Tori laughed, clearly delighted with his discomfort. “Why don’t you sit with us for a while?” she said to Lily.

He shot her an
Are-you-kidding?
look, which she completely ignored.

Thankfully, Lily turned down the invitation. “I’d love to, but I just came out to tell you that I’m just going to go on to bed. And I also wanted to thank you for cleaning up the kitchen. I appreciate it.”

“It was my pleasure.” Tori got off the glider and went over to his sister. “I’m so glad to have met you, Lily. If you ever need anything, even an ear to rant to about whatever boneheaded thing your brother has done…”

“Hey!” Dante frowned. “I don’t do boneheaded things.”

“…call me.” She pointed over her shoulder toward Dante. “He has my number.” She gave Lily a quick hug and then retook her seat on the glider. “Guys do all sorts of crazy things that drive the women in their lives nuts. I know your brother is no different.”

“Boy, you’re right there,” Lily said.

“Hey!” Dante crossed his arms. “I can hear you, you know.”

Both women laughed. Lily gave a slight wave and went back into the house.

Dante sat there, trying to get over his embarrassment.

“I have to tell you,” Tori began, “I really like your sister. She’s sweet. And I admire the way she’s dealt with the double whammy life has thrown at her. It can’t have been easy, going through a divorce while fighting cancer.” She placed a hand on his thigh. “I’m sure it helped her to know she had you to lean on.” Approval filled her tone.

Her touch fired up his libido again, but her words upped his embarrassment. He didn’t like being complimented on something that he’d really had no choice in. “I only did what was right,” he said. “What was I supposed to do? Let her struggle on her own?”

“Of course not, but even family can be cold-hearted when it comes to people in need.”

He wondered for a moment if she knew the reaction her brother had had last night when Dante stopped by. Randall had been less than sympathetic about causing her trouble. Talk about cold-hearted.

She squeezed his thigh. “I think it says a lot about you, about the kind of man you are, that you wanted her to stay here. I applaud you for that.” Her hand slid up his thigh and halted just short of the mark.