Jake (Immortals of New Orleans #8)(94)

"She knows damn well she's never going to mate with a wolf. And I've gotta say, Dimitri's game must be fucking on if he got her to the point where she was willing to take his beast. Not that I'm blaming him." Quintus held up his palms defensively, and continued. "I'm just sayin'. And no offense to you either, bella, but women can be a crazy sort when they're in love. Ilsbeth gets what she wants. And she wanted your beta. Again, I'm not saying it's right, I'm just pointing out that Ilsbeth has a habit of getting what she wants. Which brings us to the Kris. She knows that Kai's spell isn't working. So maybe she says to herself, 'I've got my eye on a certain Kris I've always wanted. This particular one can help her and me.' It's like a two-fer."

"Maybe, but I think you're giving her too much credit," Jake replied.

"Okay, look at it this way. Take me for example. I'm helping you both. I've looked out for Kai. Does that mean I'm nice all the time? A regular do-gooder? Yeah. No. Not even fucking close."

"But Jax trusted you. You and he have a history. So even when you had me by the short hairs in your creepy ass bar, I still was thinking," Jake paused and gave a chuckle, "I was thinking, 'What a fucking asshole'. Point taken. I didn't trust you."

"Kade trusts Ilsbeth. And what happened at the club?" Quintus laughed. "Don't be a pussy."

"Fuck you." Jake glanced at Kai and nodded. "He's still an asshole. Don't let the suave Dracula bullshit fool you."

"The point of this is that Ilsbeth, while she may be a bitch, and possibly evil, she's not all bad. Not one hundred percent."

"I think you're off base on this one. You don't know her like I do."

"There's something about that Kris that responds to Kai."

"It's not even gold. You guys know I can manipulate gold … but this? It's what? Pewter? No, there's something … a reason I was supposed to find it," Kai insisted. 

"I'm not doubtin' that, sweetheart. It's the intention I'm worried about." Jake released an audible sigh. "Okay, we take the Kris. But I'm telling you both, I have a bad feeling about it. Here, give it back to me. I'll put it in my backpack."

Jake pointed to a large shopping bag sitting next to the door. In a few short strides, he snapped it up and shook out the black camo canvas sack, placing it on the bar. "Not what I used to use in the Navy, but it'll work."

He reached inside the bag again and retrieved another item. Tossing the tissue paper aside, Jake unveiled a metal box and set it on the counter. He flicked open the hinge and stared down at the black beauty.

"What's that gun for?" Kai's eyes widened.

"You do know you're going to see a vampire demon goddess, right? That isn't going to do you much good." Quintus rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, I've had my fair share of fun with demons," Jake said, recalling how he'd shot at one that had attacked Kade's fiancée, Sydney. The human detective had also fired off several rounds, but none could save her from the demonic force. "Believe me, I know it's not going to take out Kasdeya. A bullet might not kill a vamp, but it'll slow em' down for sure."

"It's true. A few strategically placed shots will knock down your average vampire," Quintus conceded. "Hope you're a helluva shooter though, because if you don't hit an artery, you're just going to piss them off."

"I'm not an amateur, bite boy. No worries, I'm on it. I also got you both a few concealable stakes." Jake checked the ammo magazine, and clicked inside the gun. He scooped up the remaining cartridges and tossed them inside his backpack.

"As you've most kindly pointed out, I'm a vampire. I don't need a weapon. I am a weapon," Quintus sniffed.

"Everyone can use a weapon, Quint. It's backup. Just in case. These little guys? No bigger than a pen. Depress a button here." Jake clicked it and a sharp pointed stake ejected.

"I don't need it," he insisted.

"Just fucking take one." Jake tossed it at him and Quintus snatched it out of the air, inspecting the small projectile. He handed one to Kai, who slipped it inside her jacket pocket. Once again, he delved into the bag and quickly retrieved and unfolded a shoulder harness. He made quick work of slipping it on and clipped in his gun.

Jake focused on the Kris, and withdrew a leather knife roll from the bag. He picked up the athame, and within seconds, he'd rolled it up and secured the ties.

"Here," Kai said, handing him his leather jacket.

As he reached for it, his hand brushed over hers. The touch of her soft skin reignited his desire and his heated gaze met Kai's. Mate. Jake wondered how the hell he'd ever lived without her, and inwardly laughed at his ridiculous state. Over the years, he'd enjoyed teasing the hell out of every wolf who got sucked into mating, and now he was helpless to resist the attraction.