Part 7
Angel raced toward the alley where he had left Cordelia, cursing himself for his foolishness in believing she would be safe there. Cursing himself for the lustful desire and bruised pride that had compelled him to bring her here in the first place. He had felt her fear, her defiant anger wash over him. Losing all thought of eliminating the cold-blooded killer that stood before him, Angel rushed from the building. Cordelia; his only purpose to protect her.
Angel stood frozen, his frantic gaze locked on the empty car. He scented the alley, not demon; but here the fact that her abductors were human offered little solace. Scenting his way back to the street the trail abruptly ended in a mingled blend of fear, anger and male dominance. Whoever had taken his woman had not left on foot.
His woman, the words floated through his fear numbed brain. Cordelia Chase was his, to continue any mental debate concerning that fact was a waste of precious time. Time he would use to find the human animals that had taken her and make them regret their mistake of touching his property.
His options limited Angel began retracing his steps to the old, abandoned building. The first murder had occurred three weeks ago. Angel was certain that was more than enough time for Bane to be aware of every creature, human and demon that inhabited this seedy place. Angel would ask his old acquaintance for assistance. If he didn’t readily comply, Angelus would convince him to rethink his decision.
Angel focused on his quest, desperate to squash any emotions that would weaken his concentration. The vampire jumped, just barely stifling the squeal that threatened to erupt, as the phone clipped to his belt vibrated against his backside. “What?” He barked into the annoying interruption.
“Angel, it’s Kate. …Lockley?”
“Kate, I don’t have time right now…”
“Damn it Angel you’re gonna want to hear this. Your assistant, she’s on her way here.”
“Here? Where?” Angel leaned against the building, relief settling over him as the distant voice continued to explain.
“The station, I’m calling from the precinct. Seems she was arrested on suspicion of prostitution. She kept insisting that she was working undercover for me. They’d have my head if my superiors thought I had involved civilians in a case. I did tell them that I used the agency she worked for on occasion and convinced them to bring her here. I knew you wouldn’t want her jailed at the precinct in that neighborhood.”
“Thanks Kate, I owe you one. You have no idea how worried I’ve been.”
“Actually Angel it was easy to convince the uniforms to bring her here. They were more than willing to hand her over. Seems she was causing quite a ruckus. Joe even threatened to put a muzzle on her if she didn’t shut up. The last thing I heard before they broke contact was her threatening Joe that he’d pull back bloody stumps if he tried.”
“That’s my girl.” Angel chuckled into the phone, his tense muscles still refusing to relax. “OK I’m on my way. And Kate…thanks.”
The consuming need to feel his woman safe in his arms blinded Angel to the danger lurking in the shadows. Darcy Bane, schooled in the art of the hunt by Angelus, listened to the desperate ramblings of his once evil cohort. “Ah what fun we shall have old friend. Will you remember how the game is played?”
***
Her mind and body engulfed by the blinding pain and flashing scenes, Cordelia clung to the iron bars for support. “What the hell was that?” She gasped wiping the drool from her chin as she tried to catch her breath and steady her trembling limbs.
Cordelia had been pacing the small confined space she was sharing with a dozen other ladies of the evening when she had been assaulted by the first searing invasion. Unable to ignore the gaping stares of the other occupants and in no mood to be gawked at like a monkey in a cage, Cordelia lashed out at her temporary roommates.
“Rude much? Gees it’s not like detox or withdrawal jitters is a new concept to anyone here.”
***
“Kate where is she? Why don’t I see her?” Angel bellowed as he charged into the station looking in every direction for his missing girl.
“Relax Angel and keep your voice down. This is not a place you want to come charging into acting like a crazy person. She’s downstairs in a holding cell while the paperwork is being processed.”
“Holding cell? Paperwork? She didn’t do anything Kate; let her go.” Angel’s request coming off as more of a demand irritated the off duty detective.
“Back off Angel. I’m doing all I can here. She’s not going to be charged with anything, but the paperwork still has to be processed. If I don’t do this by the book, it will only arouse suspicion. I don’t think you want anyone asking for your license, driver’s or PI’s; do you?”
“No, but…”
“Then calm down before someone thinks they need to restrain you.”
“Fine, I’ll calm down but I’m not waiting much longer. I want her released. I need to see her Kate.”
***
“Cordy!”
“Angel?” Anger and the possible vision momentarily forgotten Cordelia rushed to the front of the cell.
“Cordy, are you alright? Did they hurt you?” Angel reached through the bars cupping Cordelia’s face. Leaning closer to the bars that separated them, Angel planted several sweet and desperate kisses over her face. “I was so worried.”
“Angel I was so scared. Where were you?” The sound of her frightened and small voice clinched around his heavy, silent heart.
“I know baby. Me too, me too.” Angel whispered and cooed as he relished the relief slowing seeping into him. Allowed to finally smell and taste her unique flavors the demon was assured that his precious girl was safe and for the moment content with the small samples the iron barrier would permit.
Kate Lockley watched the tender scene, not quite sure, what exactly she was witnessing. She had been around the couple on several occasions and other than his protectiveness over the young woman, Kate had not picked up on any underlying feelings.
Well guess that answers the million-dollar question. Not available. Damn.
“OK Angel if you can pry yourself off the bars we’ll let Miss Chase out of the cell.” Kate was more than ready to stop the heated display that had the eyes of every occupant, both employed and incarcerated, glued to the reunited couple.
“Huh?”
Cordelia pushed against Angel’s hard chest. “Move Angel so I can get out of this dungeon.”
The unlocking clink of the heavy cell door sounded like music to Cordelia’s ears. Cordelia Chase arrested for prostitution. Her brain sizzled with embarrassment at the thought of her so-called high school friends enjoying that little tidbit.
Cordelia only needed a few seconds to revel in her freedom before she was ready to let the anger take over again. “Where the hell were you? And what took you so long?”
“What? Oh I was with Kate.” In a moment of stupidity, Angel thought that answer sufficiently explained the time consuming paperwork that was required for her release.
“With Kate!” Cordelia could only assume she looked like one of those cartoon characters with steam gushing from their ears just before their head exploded. She didn’t care about her appearance at the moment. She cared that she had been cuffed like a common criminal and caged like a rabid animal while Angel was with the blonde super cop doing God knows what. The pointy toe of her scuffed and scratched boot made contact with the shin of Angel’s unsuspecting leg.
Angel yelped as he hopped away from the unexpected and painful assault. “What was that for?”
“What was that for? With Kate? You were with Kate? While I was being arrested for prostitution, while I was locked away in this dungeon full of stink and stank, you were with Kate and you ask me what was that for? I ought to kick your ass.” Her hands firmly fisted against her hips Cordelia huffed at the slack-jawed vampire. “Well what do you have to say for yourself dumb ass?”
“You got that little hellcat all riled up buddy and you fixin’ to get us scorched.” Angel’s head jerked around hearing the tawdry remark and snickering laughter coming from the police officers that were huddled together getting an eyeful of the scantily clad vixen and her tirade. His sight swinging back to Cordelia, Angel ripped off his coat and covered his possession from their unwelcome view.
Before Cordelia could do more than open her mouth to start on him again, Angel flung her over his shoulder and stomped toward the foul-mouthed man. “Just so there’s no misunderstanding…” Angel leaned down growling into the man’s nervous face; smelling the sweaty fear coating his skin. “…This hellcat is mine and I’m the only one that burns in her fire.”
“Angel stop threatening the cop; believe me when I say they don’t like that.” Cordelia wiggled and kicked, feeling like a sack draped across the vampire’s shoulder. “And put me down you idiot.”
Angel turned his fleeting attention to the detective, offered a quick nod “Kate” and continued in a swift stride toward the exit.
“Angel you are not carrying me out of here thrown over your shoulder like a freakin’ sack of potatoes. Put me down before I stake your undead ass.”
WACK. The sting of his open palm slapped against her bottom was cushioned by his leather coat. “Cordy be still.”
“You did not just sla…”
“And stop talking. You talk too much. You know that? Never mind, we’ll discuss it when we get home.”
“Arrrgg.”
