Poisonous Desires Read Free Page B

crossed her mind, she pushed it away.
    “You are going to Draven’s Crossing. I need your services to find out about a possible Katnip ring coming to town. We have reports that several feline-shifter families are having difficulties with their children and this new drug.” Zerik’s obsidian eyes flashed with a hint of anger before becoming tranquil once again. “ Draven doesn’t understand how bad this could be for him. The Council takes away funding for places that could become hubs for drugs within the paranormal world. I don’t understand it, but it happens. Something to do with their antidrug policy. Personally, I think it’s because they’re not getting a cut. But that’s neither here nor there. These are our people, Nadia, my people. I am the head of the Feline Quorum, and I will not have my people subjected to a drug that could and has killed them.” Zerik’s acidic tone could have burned her if she wasn’t already so pissed off as it was.
    Her little sister had almost died from a bad batch of Katnip only a year ago.
    “Who do I report it to once I find out who’s distributing it, and how do you want me to handle it?” She was proud of herself; she’d managed to keep her tone light. Emotions swirled in her chest, but she managed to not give in to the scream of anger that clawed up her throat.
    Zerik may have had his fingers in a lot of illegal pies as far as the authorities went, but he was adamant on doing things the legal way if they could. She prayed he’d tell her he would be taking care of things and sending a Fixer rather than have her take someone out for him. That could get messy, and she doubted he’d want to pay triple her usual rate. Plus, there was the chance of ending up in jail for beating someone to death. Zerik wouldn’t pull strings to get her out.
    “You report it to Torger , the chief of police, and if he or Draven can’t do anything, the Council certainly shouldn’t be told. Then you call me, and I will send Misha .” He paused to let the words sink in. “I’ll send you your usual rate, plus extra.” He reached into his silk jacket, extracted an envelope, and handed it to her. “Here is your first-class ticket straight to Draven’s Crossing. Do you need a hotel?”
    Relief swept through her. Misha would make it clean, and she wouldn’t get arrested. Also, Misha would probably torture whoever was involved for information, and he took requests. Dark and delicious satisfaction rolled over her. Rather than focus on all the things she could ask of Misha , she turned her attention back to Zerik . As nice as it would be to stay at a high-end hotel on Zerik’s dime, she had to decline, and besides, she didn’t want to tell him she had a home in Draven’s Crossing already. That information he didn’t need to know.
    Nadia accepted the package. “No need, I’ll take care of it. Thanks, and no problem, Zerik , none. Don’t lose those guys.” She looked toward his bodyguards. They shifted under her gaze but remained emotionless. “They’re good. I’ll be in touch.”
    She rose. The bulkier of the two goons handed her her suitcase on the way out. Nadia hoped she could carry out Zerik’s mission for him without getting arrested. Goddess knew that whenever she entered Draven’s Crossing, trouble followed and Murphy’s Law stalked her.
     
    * * * *
    Urban shifted in the guest chair he’d been given. Nothing he did made him comfortable, not putting his weight on his left side or his right, trying to sit on the edge or leaning back, nothing. It didn’t help that he was hungry and horny. Damn Torger for calling him before he’d managed to grab some breakfast or do a quick jerk-off. He’d been into DCPD to visit his brother or to check in with friends, but he’d never had to be ordered into the office. Torger had demanded his appearance at the DCPD in an official capacity, but now things were uncomfortable with Draven hovering in the background like a pale-skinned,