The Alpha Target

Twelve

“So where do we go from here?” Trey asked, his eyes boring into the side of Cora’s head.

She shrugs a single shoulder before locking eyes with Rocco, waiting for agreement with her next words. “We trail him.” It wasn’t ideal, in fact it was far from ideal. At this point, they would have usually gathered significant evidence to bring the target down. But Knox was no ordinary target. He was as smart as he was cunning and this was their next best option.

Rocco nods. “We don’t have anything else to go off right now and we have no idea where he’s taken the girls. We’re going to have to let him lead us to them.”

“Why can’t we just kill him and get it over with?” Declan offers in an impassive tone. This was taking far too much time for his liking. Though the thought was soon shaken out of his head when he received a sharp smack from Darca.

“And get us all killed in the making? He isn’t some dumb target like we’re used to, we have no idea what we’re dealing with,” she hissed. “Besides, you heard Blaise. We need evidence that he’s behind this before we go in all guns blazing.”

Cora conceded that, they really didn’t have any idea what they were up against. He’d already suppressed her expectations, proving himself to be a worthy contender in their game of cat and mouse. Who was the mouse? Cora wasn’t sure yet, it seemed Knox was intent on it being her.

Naturally, Cora had decided against freaking out her colleagues and informing them that not only had Knox been watching her out the window, but he’d also managed to get into her room and back out going unnoticed. She would argue she’d failed to tell them due to not wanting them to worry, but that was only a lie wrapped up in the tiniest shred of the truth.

If she was being honest, Cora was finding herself somewhat intrigued by Knox and his capabilities. She knew she should fear him, the devil watching her in the shadows preparing to drag her to hell, but instead she found it oddly exhilarating this game they were playing. Drawn to him as she was, she wasn’t ready for the game to end. She wanted to see it through. She was high off whatever sick-trill he gave her, one her wolf couldn’t seem to get enough of.

She wanted to feel disgusted in herself for being so devastatingly attracted to the man who put Lucifer to shame with his wicked ways. And though she was angry – angry at him for being a cruel, clinically insane, murdering bastard – riding alongside the anger was adrenaline, intrigue and – goddess help her – desire.

The bastard had somehow wormed his way into the forefront of her mind and now he was there, he was clinging on to everything he could. She wanted to hate him, she really did. Because what kind of woman found herself undeniably lusting after a man who orchestrated such a despicable business, earning from the defencelessness suffering. Yet no matter how many times she had repeated that to herself when he left the view of her window last night, she couldn’t seem to find the drive to really convince herself.

Perhaps that was because everything they had found so far only seemed to point in a different direction to Knox, but then wasn’t that what a masterful criminal did? Severed the ties to the crime so he’d come away looking innocent, confusing investigators and sending them on a wild goose chase. So, because of that, Cora had resulted in becoming more determined than ever to find evidence that pinned this on Knox so she could end her infatuation with him once and for all.

“Split into pairs,” Rocco announced, circling back to his desk chair. “Let’s see where he leads us.”

***

“How long do we have to wait to see if he’s in there?” Darca sunk back into the drivers seat, her head resting against the window.

Her and Cora had been sat staking out one of Knox’s bars for over an hour, waiting for an appearance from the man of the hour. The day had long turned into night and the next day was slowly creeping over. They’d seen many groups of shifters enter the bar in the last hour, each excited about their riveting night ahead while Cora and Darca sat in darkness, refusing to draw attention to themselves.

Sure, it would be easier to confirm whether Knox was working tonight if they’d just gone into the bar like a customer, but they needed the element of surprise and Cora was certain Knox would know the second she stepped through those doors. Besides, she knew he was in there. She wasn’t sure how she knew or why she knew, but with the way her nerve endings were set alight and her wolf was practically purring within her, she knew he was there.

“He’s in there, just wait,” Cora ordered an impatient Darca, who only huffed in response. Darca wasn’t a fan of stakeouts, she couldn’t sit still long enough to endure them. Her fingers would itch to do something. Cora, on the other hand, had no issue with the waiting game. Especially when it came to him. Now it felt like she was the one in control, watching and waiting for him.

Ten minutes later, when Darca was preparing to complain once again, Cora’s eyes landed on the familiar face that strode out of the bar and straight into a blacked-out range rover. Though his eyes never met hers, the devious smirk that sprawled along his lips told her he knew she was there. He could feel her as she felt him. His white dress-shirt and black dress-trousers clung to his body, threatening to rip through his muscular build, only darkening his aura and Cora would be lying if she said it didn’t stir something within her, he really was a beast of a man.

Her breath got caught in her throat as she allowed her eyes to drink him in. He wore authority and intimidation like a woman with a designer purse. Knox was Hades, stepping out from the underworld and wreaking havoc on her peaceful life.

“He’s there,” Cora announced, eventually finding her voice, urging Darca to get ready. “He’s in the blacked-out range, let’s see where he takes us.”

Darca shuffled in her seat as she started the ignition of the SUV, her eyes glued to Knox’s car as it pulled away from the side of the road. Keeping a safe distance, they followed the car down the streets of Florida’s busy town. The pair remained quiet as he led them out into the suburbs, far away from the bustling city night life.

“Where do you think he’s leading us?” Darca queried.

Cora had no idea. “Hopefully to the girls,” though she knew it was wishful thinking. Nothing was ever easy or simple where Knox was concerned.

“He’s stopping,” Darca commented, her eyes squinting as the range rover came to a steady halt outside a tall building in the middle of nowhere. It looked like a commercial structure with five floors, likely where many businesses operate. It wasn’t on the list of the properties he owned, which is why it didn’t make sense why he had led them here.

Then it clicked. He knew they were following them and now he was testing Cora, testing whether she had enough courage to face him. Didn’t he know she lacked a flight response? Her eyes narrowed into slits as Knox climbed out the vehicle before walking with determined intent towards the back of the building.

“Stay here,” Cora ordered as she positioned her earpiece. “Let me know if anyone follows him up.”

Darca’s eyes practically bulged out of their sockets. “Are you crazy? He’ll kill you!”

Cora rolled her lips. “No, I don’t think he will.” But yeah, she most likely probably was crazy because anyone sane certainly wouldn’t follow the devil into darkness so he could drag her to the pits of hell. But maybe she was just addicted to the fear and excitement he awoke in her. “Just stay here, I’ll let you know if I need you.”

Before Darca could argue, Cora leaped out of the SUV and swiftly ran across the road, following the same path she had watched Knox take. Her trainers thundered against the ground, wasting no time in getting to the back entrance. The steel door was firmly shut, but his lingering scent that desperately called to her let her know this was where he disappeared through.

As the door creaked open, emergency lighting faintly lit up a dingy steel staircase. It was eerily silent, reminding Cora of those horror films Darca made her watch which usually led to Cora screaming at the stupid actress “DON’T GO IN THERE!”. Well, now Cora was the stupid actress as she carefully climbed the concrete stairs, taking one step at a time to avoid making a sound.

Anxiety stirred within her, knowing she was soon to come face-to-face with the man who’d forced his way into her mind, her home and her life. Was she anxious from the fear or the excitement? She wasn’t sure, most likely both. She knew he wanted her to follow him here, but she wasn’t sure why.

Five flights of stairs later, Cora finally came face-to-face with a door. Taking in a breath of courage, she forcefully shoved the door open, allowing her to step out onto the roof of the building. It took her less than thirty seconds to find his penetrating build leaned over the edge, gazing out into the abyss of darkness. The side of his jaw gleams in the moonlight, glinting off the rock in the sky as if he was built to be seen after sundown.

Before she can make her way towards him, he turns and faces her. Oxygen crystalises in her lungs as Knox takes one last hit of his cigarette before flicking it to the ground and stomping it out. Smoke billows from his mouth as he looked at her from beneath his hooded eyes.

Jesus Christ.

“You shouldn’t litter,” Cora says, earning a slight grin in return. Knox bends and picks up the cigarette bud and deposits it in his pocket.

“Sorry, little rose,” he rasps. “Won’t happen again.”

But Cora could hardly say thank you when she was too entrapped by the dark God before her. He was absolutely breathtaking. She would like to blame the cold night air on the ice in her lungs, but she knew better. Adorning a smart get-up, every single inch of the fabric stitched to the exact millimetre of his body. His clothes fit him impeccably, moulding to his muscular arms, trimmed waist and thick thighs.

Cora’s knees weaken, along with her resolve. She had the most insane urge to stand beside him, bend over the edge and let him f**k the rest of whatever sanity she had left out of her. She wanted to be delirious from his c**k, and to make matters worse, she knew he would absolutely surpass every one of her expectations if she let him.

Before she can think further on that thought, Knox walks towards her with a sinfully dark smirk on his face, his piercing blue eyes roving over the entirety of her body. “Following me, little rose?” His voice was deep, smoky… deadly.

Lifting her chin in defiance, her brow quirks as she holds his gaze. “I thought I might try a night in your shoes.” God, the way he was looking at her should be f*****g illegal. Flames lap at his pupils as the heat in his gaze intensifies. She felt exposed, the way he was looking at her was searing her from the inside out.

There was the slightest curl in his lips causing Cora’s mouth to instantly dry. So easily he could morph from a beast to a man. His hand slowly drifts up her arm, past her chest, gently grazing his fingers across the column of her neck. Her wolf purrs from his touch, and Cora very nearly does too. “You don’t need to do that, baby. I’ll tell you anything you want, all you have to do is ask.”

“Where are the girls, Knox?”

His grip tightens around the nape of her neck. He was so close now, towering over her, and she could feel his minty breath fanning her cheek. He wore intimidation like a second skin, but Cora didn’t feel any fear in this moment. Despite the fact that he could so easily break her neck right now, she somehow knew he wouldn’t.

He peered down at her, his beautifully terrifying face so close. “Anything but that.” The thumb of his spare hand carefully brushes against her lip, sending a delightful shudder down her spine. “You don’t fear me,” he murmured, intrigue flickering in his heart-stopping eyes.

“Should I?” Cora probed, her gaze never leaving his. Yes, she should. But even if he said she should, it wouldn’t stop her from being stupidly addicted to the game he was playing with her.

“If you were smart, you would,” he answered honestly, his domineering gaze fixing her in place. “You know you should fear me, but the curiosities within you are running too wild to care. But if you were smart, you’d run. Run for your life.” Then he tilted his head, something dangerous flickering in his eyes. “Though I’d always catch you.”

Cora scoffs. “You’re crazy.” Though that didn’t stop her heart thundering in her chest as his gaze travelled down her body, leaving a trail of heat touching every place his eyes touch.

“Hmm,” he trailed his tongue along his lower lip. “Yeah.” He agreed. “But so are you, baby. You know you shouldn’t be drawn to me, but you can’t ignore that pull, can you?” He smirked, a sinful little act that drove Cora crazy with lust. “You’re addicted to the push and pull. You just don’t want to admit it. But deep inside you, you’re begging to be caught. And you shouldn’t doubt that I’ll catch you, little rose. There’s no escaping me.”

She twisted her lips, refusing to admit any of those things were true and deciding to change the topic. “What’s the end game here, Knox? You going to have me killed eventually?” she almost laughed it out.

“No one hurts you, but me,” he told her definitively, as if it was supposed to bring her some form of comfort. He leaned closer, his scent invading her scenes and clouding her judgement as she drowned in his intoxicating smell. “But the pain I’ll bring upon you is the kind you’ll need. The kind your body begs for me to find deep inside that sweet little exterior. The kind that’ll devour you from the inside out, until every intake of breath will only stroke the inferno I’ve created inside of you. Like oxygen feeding a fire, I will consume every inch of your sweet little body until you can think of nothing else but how to get me deeper inside of you.”

Cora blinked, her breathing caught in her throat and her heart thundering against her chest. The ache between her legs begging her to let him consume her. But she couldn’t allow herself to get distracted by his words that promised nothing but raining havoc on her peaceful life, despite how desperately she wanted him to deliver on his threat. She pressed her palm firmly against his stone chest, shuddering at the feel of his body under hers. “Where are the girls?”

Her hand trailed down his abdomen, reaching the waistband of his trousers. A fire lit in his eyes, showing her how much he wanted her. But before he could answer, she swiftly tugged the gun from the back of his waistband and pressed it against his stomach. Her eyes trailed up to his mouth, where a smug grin was forming. Something deep inside of her knew this man had no fear of death. He didn’t know fear in general. “There’s my smart girl,” he says with a smirk.

Slowly, Cora let the gun slide down his abdomen and she relished in the tremble of his body. Her gentle lips were now pressing against his ear. “Are you scared, Lucien?”

“No,” he breathes out, his c**k becoming painfully hard, even more so from the way she ushered his first name.

“Nervous?” she asked, her lips now resting on his neck. She lowered the gun, letting it glide down his skin until it was positioned at his crotch.

“No.”

“Then why are you shivering?” she whispered.

“Because,” Knox let out a breath, donning a devilish smirk. “I’m really f*****g turned on, baby.”

Cora gazed down, before lifting her gaze to meet his. Shaking her head, she lifted the gun and pointed it directly at his head. “Where are the girls?” she demanded. Her wolf whimpered as she continued to point the gun at the man, pleading with its human to not hurt him.

Lucien, unfazed by the gun, suddenly strode towards her in a swift movement and roughly slammed her body into the steel door she’d entered through. It had happened so quick she’d barely had time to blink. But that wasn’t what annoyed her in this moment, it was the fact that if this was anyone else in front of her, they’d never have gotten the opportunity to catch her off guard. Knox was messing with her skill.

“I don’t respond well to threats, baby.” He warned. “That’s two punishments I owe you now. But don’t worry, I’ll deliver soon.”

She yelped from the contact and the gun slipped from her fingers, colliding with the ground. It was a miracle it hadn’t gone off from the collision. Knox’s hand rested to the side of her while the other roughly gripped her throat and squeezed slight, caging her in, as he lowered his lips to her ear. “Your first punishment will be later.”

And in one fluid motion, he wrapped his arms around her waist and flung her over his shoulder, before abruptly leaving the rooftop. As much as he wanted to stay there with her, Lucien had a few further things to take care of before he could allow himself to get wrapped up in his mate’s proximity. He’d be back for her later though. Cora smacked his back repeatedly as he carried her down the stairs she had not too long ago crept up. “Put me down, you bastard!”

She continued hitting his back with all her force, but a sharp smack to her ass made her jolt. “What the f**k!”

“Keep hitting me, baby, I sure do love repaying the favour,” Knox chuckled as he continued his journey down the staircase.

Cora continued to curse at him, uttering words that would have even Lucifer wince, but Knox found himself only further amused by the spitfire he’d discovered was his mate as he marched her back to the SUV she’d been following him in.

He couldn’t help but chuckle as her friend, who was sat in the drivers seat, stared at him wide-eyed and mouth agape as she watched him carry Cora to the car like a sack of potatoes. With a hard yank of the passenger door, Lucien dropped Cora into the seat and fastened her seatbelt, all while Cora glared at him with such heat in her eyes it made him wonder how he hadn’t dropped dead already.

He turned to her friend, the one who he’d recently learned was called Darca. “Take her home to bed,” he ordered, before slamming the car door shut and leaving the two women in a daze.

Cora and Darca exchanged glances. “Tell me everything,” Darca demanded.