Part 7<\/b><\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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\u2019t readily comply, Angelus would convince him to rethink his decision.<\/p>\n
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. \u201cWhat?\u201d He barked into the annoying interruption.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel, it\u2019s Kate. \u2026Lockley?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cKate, I don\u2019t have time right now\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDamn it Angel you\u2019re gonna want to hear this. Your assistant, she\u2019s on her way here.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHere? Where?\u201d Angel leaned against the building, relief settling over him as the distant voice continued to explain.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe station, I\u2019m calling from the precinct. Seems she was arrested on suspicion of prostitution. She kept insisting that she was working undercover for me. They\u2019d 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\u2019t want her jailed at the precinct in that neighborhood.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks Kate, I owe you one. You have no idea how worried I\u2019ve been.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cActually 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\u2019t shut up. The last thing I heard before they broke contact was her threatening Joe that he\u2019d pull back bloody stumps if he tried.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s my girl.\u201d Angel chuckled into the phone, his tense muscles still refusing to relax. \u201cOK I\u2019m on my way. And Kate\u2026thanks.\u201d<\/p>\n
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. \u201cAh what fun we shall have old friend. Will you remember how the game is played?\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Her mind and body engulfed by the blinding pain and flashing scenes, Cordelia clung to the iron bars for support. \u201cWhat the hell was that?\u201d She gasped wiping the drool from her chin as she tried to catch her breath and steady her trembling limbs.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cRude much? Gees it\u2019s not like detox or withdrawal jitters is a new concept to anyone here.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cKate where is she? Why don\u2019t I see her?\u201d Angel bellowed as he charged into the station looking in every direction for his missing girl.<\/p>\n
\u201cRelax Angel and keep your voice down. This is not a place you want to come charging into acting like a crazy person. She\u2019s downstairs in a holding cell while the paperwork is being processed.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHolding cell? Paperwork? She didn\u2019t do anything Kate; let her go.\u201d Angel\u2019s request coming off as more of a demand irritated the off duty detective.<\/p>\n
\u201cBack off Angel. I\u2019m doing all I can here. She\u2019s not going to be charged with anything, but the paperwork still has to be processed. If I don\u2019t do this by the book, it will only arouse suspicion. I don\u2019t think you want anyone asking for your license, driver\u2019s or PI\u2019s; do you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, but\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThen calm down before someone thinks they need to restrain you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFine, I\u2019ll calm down but I\u2019m not waiting much longer. I want her released. I need to see her Kate.\u201d<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel?\u201d Anger and the possible vision momentarily forgotten Cordelia rushed to the front of the cell.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy, are you alright? Did they hurt you?\u201d Angel reached through the bars cupping Cordelia\u2019s face. Leaning closer to the bars that separated them, Angel planted several sweet and desperate kisses over her face. \u201cI was so worried.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel I was so scared. Where were you?\u201d The sound of her frightened and small voice clinched around his heavy, silent heart.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know baby. Me too, me too.\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Well guess that answers the million-dollar question. Not available. Damn.<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cOK Angel if you can pry yourself off the bars we\u2019ll let Miss Chase out of the cell.\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cHuh?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia pushed against Angel\u2019s hard chest. \u201cMove Angel so I can get out of this dungeon.\u201d<\/p>\n
The unlocking clink of the heavy cell door sounded like music to Cordelia\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Cordelia only needed a few seconds to revel in her freedom before she was ready to let the anger take over again. \u201cWhere the hell were you? And what took you so long?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat? Oh I was with Kate.\u201d In a moment of stupidity, Angel thought that answer sufficiently explained the time consuming paperwork that was required for her release.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith Kate!\u201d 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\u2019t 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\u2019s unsuspecting leg.<\/p>\n
Angel yelped as he hopped away from the unexpected and painful assault. \u201cWhat was that for?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat 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.\u201d Her hands firmly fisted against her hips Cordelia huffed at the slack-jawed vampire. \u201cWell what do you have to say for yourself dumb ass?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou got that little hellcat all riled up buddy and you fixin\u2019 to get us scorched.\u201d Angel\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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. \u201cJust so there\u2019s no misunderstanding\u2026\u201d Angel leaned down growling into the man\u2019s nervous face; smelling the sweaty fear coating his skin. \u201c\u2026This hellcat is mine and I\u2019m the only one that burns in her fire.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel stop threatening the cop; believe me when I say they don\u2019t like that.\u201d Cordelia wiggled and kicked, feeling like a sack draped across the vampire\u2019s shoulder. \u201cAnd put me down you idiot.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel turned his fleeting attention to the detective, offered a quick nod \u201cKate\u201d and continued in a swift stride toward the exit.<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel you are not carrying me out of here thrown over your shoulder like a freakin\u2019 sack of potatoes. Put me down before I stake your undead ass.\u201d<\/p>\n
WACK. The sting of his open palm slapped against her bottom was cushioned by his leather coat. \u201cCordy be still.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou did not just sla\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd stop talking. You talk too much. You know that? Never mind, we\u2019ll discuss it when we get home.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cArrrgg.\u201d<\/p>\n