Fury

Helping Hand

Once I felt calm and collected, I grabbed my charts and headed to meet Mr. Arceneaux. The frosted glass along the border of the room allowed to see the silhouettes of large men.  Each having a different body shape but each an aura of dominance. Taking a deep breath before opening the door to steady my attitude and put on a fake smile. 

I opened the door" Good morning gentleman, I apologize for the wait. I was involved in a minor car accident this morning. I am just fine so no worries. "

Three pairs of eyes stared at me then the questions fired off to quickly for me to keep up. "I said I am fine." My voice snapped at them before I could curve it to be nicer. I hated to be pitied and the looks I was getting were setting my mood more sour than anything. 

I cleared my throat from the awkward silence I ensued " Gentleman if we can get back to the matter at hand. Mr. Arceneaux did you bring what I had asked for?" 

"Yes, here it is" He looked uncomfortable in the office chair but shoved the papers towards me. A ziplocked bag with a toothbrush was setting neatly on the top page. I gave him a nod and sad smile as I shuffled through the papers, ignoring the other two men in the room. 

The first man I knew well from his pristine grey pinstripe suit to wrinkled hands. He was my superior, I couldn't say I despised the man but I knew he would have words waiting for me after this meeting was over. I focused my sole attention on Mr. Arceneaux as I felt the other man burning holes into my head. 

"Mr. Arceneaux it says here the last known for your sister was at Jackson Coopers home?" I raised my eyebrows reading the name. Jackson Cooper's housekeeper filed a report that strange men had entered the home at around 8 pm and tied the staff together before disappearing. She claimed she had no idea why they had come to the residence other than it was not his usual men. 

Jackson Cooper was on my list of most wanted as a shipping party. He would house the shifter females and pose as a wildlife refuge for animals in the human world. My inner beast growled thinking of the poor souls he had tortured and we were lucky to be human during our time in s*****y. 

I shook my head to clear the thoughts as I looked up to him in question. He cleared his throat and adjusted his tie "Yes, we had hired a private security firm to look into her disappearance prior to seeking out your help." 

I gave him a nod but chose not to push the issue with my superior within earshot. He was a human and we couldn't let him know the underlying reasons. I shuffled the papers in my hand taking my time to study each piece. The first page was a birth certificate along with other simple things about her Identity like her previous addresses and schooling. 

My breath caught when I saw a picture of her. She was beautiful. Her deep ocean blue eyes shone with so much energy I could almost feel the waves. Her hair was a light shade of blonde and would make all the designers jealous of the shading. She had natural darker skin with a hint of freckles around her cheekbones. The picture spoke a thousand words to my inner mind in horror. 

This girls was exactly the kind that would be used in the upper rings, her being a shifter would make her twice as valuable. I knew this was going to be no easy task to find her. My beast growled in furry of the images we have seen over the years of the girls. We would be blessed to find her at all, especially alive. 

" She is beautiful isn't she. Her spirit matches her looks, she is as wild as her eyes portray" His voice pulled me from the unholy thoughts and made my breath catch in pain. How on earth could I tell him there was little to no hope in finding her alive. 

"Yes, she certainly is. Could you tell me where she was last seen?" I needed to change the topic before I openly broke this man with my inner thoughts. He sighed in frustration and ran his fingers through his jet black hair, pulling a few strands free from the holder. I watched him with interest as he seamed to struggle to respond. He glanced towards the other men in the room but focused his attention back on me. 

"Well she and three others went on a girls trip to Italy. She was not reported officially missing for a five days." His voice was low and his dark blue eyes held so much pain it almost broke my heart. I nodded to him and patted his hand in comfort for him to continue. I studied his features as he kept on. 

It was strange the only resemblance I could tell was the eyes. However even they were a different shade of blue.  I scolded myself, I shouldn't be questioning their relation and making my own judgments when he is clearly struggling to relay the facts in her disappearance. 

"She had a friend make her a fake passport so we actually didn't realize she had left the country until later than this. We have been searching for her and asked everyone we could think of to help. The private security turned up empty after the Coopers incident so we asked around hearing you are the best." I tuned back in at he last few sentences and gave him a tight nod.

"I wouldn't say I am the best, I merely show more care to the matter. I keep my families in the loop within reason." I shifted my gaze to my superior as to help cover my own ass. His eyes lit up at my silent address of his presence. 

Shifting my gaze back " Mr. Arceneaux, I must be honest. I will do my best to search for your sister as I said, however she is of extreme importance to this ring now. Her otherworldly beauty will make her a prize. How do I put this politely, she will be high trafficked. " His face stayed stolic but his light eyes started to darken in anger. 

I noticed his lips pull back and I sensed his lion surfacing. "I am working in a large ring right now but I feel I can gain a lot of information at a gathering I am going to this weekend. I have been invited to a private event with high players in this game. Please do not worry as I said I will keep you in the loop." I took his hand in mine and gave it a squeeze, trying to convey my sincerity. 

He closed his eyes and grunted in a response. He squeezed my hand in return and nodded. I could tell he was starting to struggle to control himself. "Mr. Arceneaux please let me handle this. I promise you I will do everything I can to bring Emiylnn home." I gave him a small smile as he stared into my eyes searching for my truth. 

He nodded and started to stand, his jaw set tight. "Call me Ben." I smiled at him and nodded but said nothing more are he left the room. I could see his shoulders slump as he moved to the elevators. I stared after him and wished there was more I could do to help. I thought his every time I watched a family member of these girls leave. 

"Agent." My superior called and I sighed looking over to him. He smiled at me warmly as I stood up from my seat making my way over to the windows. "This is Special Agent Jack Masters from the CIA. He will be your copilot in the upcoming cases." I stared at my Superior in shock. 

"Garret this is not funny." I almost growled to him. "Oh its not a joke Taylmia. I have been given the order straight from the top, their will be no arguments on this." He stared at me pulling his eyebrows together in warning.  

"My partner is Agent Weston and my team is full. I will not work with anyone else." I glared back. I looked over the man standing next to Garret and my blood boiled. His blonde hair thick and with a slight wave to it, was styled to give him a polished look. His chiseled jaw was freshly shaved and his high cheek bones accentuated his bright eyes. His beautiful full lips pulled into a smirk making me clench my hands from slapping him.

"Taylmia this is not up for discussion. Catch him up to speed on the case and insert him in the job for this weekend. I have another meeting that has already been delayed." Garret dismissed me with a nod to the door and turned away to look at a file he was holding. 

I scoffed, stomping to the door leading to the hallway. To hell with him, I will only give this handsome prick the bare minimum details. I hated working with men in general, they always thought a woman was best served purpose was on her knees or back. I wouldn't bow to him and was going to make it damn sure known up front. 

"Well its a pleasure to be working with you Agent. I have heard nothing but good things from the department on your success." His voice was a deep baritone and I hated to admit I liked it. This only further infuriated me at his presence. 

"I cant say the same for you." I glared at him over my shoulder as he followed me down the hallway.  He chuckled and I rolled my eyes turning around "I need to introduce you to my actual partner and team. Despite what Garrett thinks, you will not be included in my weekend plans. I have worked way to hard to get this opportunity for someone who doesn't know the delicacy to swoop in and ruin it." I all but snarled as I opened the door to my office. 

He smiled at me "Oh I wouldn't dream of ruining anything for you agent. I am happy to see my place is to observe from a distance. A rose no matter the beauty does have thorns. " He slipped past me and stood at my desk looking around as if to feign indifference. 

My inner beast growled at his subtle flirting. I glared more at him "Yes and on occasion our thorns carry poison. " He looked back at me and smiled. 

I rolled my eyes moving to my desk closing files so he couldn't see them. What a strange day it had been, three guys with odd circumstances in one day encounters was definitely a record for me. All of them attractive for sure, 'Del, you putting off a pheromones' I'm not aware of?' I spoke in my head as I gathered the files in a pile. 

She scoffed but didn't elaborate. My door opened and Dolly glided in like the queen she is. "Hey sexy, what's on the agenda." She stopped short noticing the figure lingering to close for my liking.  Her dark eyes darted between the two of us "I wasn't aware you had company, I can come back later if your busy." 

I scoffed "Agent Weston this is CIA Jack Masters. Apparently he has friends in high places and wishes to join us in the trafficking case." I waved my hand in his direction pushing him away slightly. 

He shuffled over to her reaching out his hand" Nice to  meet you Agent Weston, I am here to help not take over despite what Agent Reaux believes" She looked down at his outstretched hand and back to me. My eyes rolled on their own and she grinned back at him shaking his hand. 

"We don't get fresh meat here often, so the pleasure is mine. Welcome to the team." Her voice carried an edge to it but he chuckled at her. 

"It's definitely new to be referred to as fresh meat. Haven't been called that since my fraternity days." He continued to chuckle letting her hand go. 

"Not surprising, how long ago was that last week?" I scoffed before I could stop myself. Dolly laughed aloud and shook her head at me. "Ignore her bitterness, as you can tell she usually eats before she speaks." 

I growled 'Dolly ' in our mindlink but she only smiled wider. "I don't mind a few bites." He pointedly smirked in my direction causing me to flush in anger. 

"Can we get back to work please or do you need time to adjust." I changed the topic quickly to avoid anything more. 

"Your such a work-acholic Mia, you need to relieve stress I can help with a to" I cut her off mid sentence as I slapped a file against her chest.  She sucked in a breath from the force and glared at me. Jack looked between us with an amused expression but said nothing. 

I grabbed the few files up and motioned to the door "If you'll follow us we are just going to start the briefing and get a plan together for this weekend." He nodded as we filed out down the hallway. 

I could feel his eyes on me as we walked and I ignored it until we reached the elevator. Turning my head to look at him as Dolly pressed the button he was staring at me. I glared at him as if to say 'what are you looking at' and he shook his head turning away from me. 

I mumbled 'jerk' under my breath and his head snapped to me. I jumped a little startled he had heard me as the doors dinged open. We stepped inside and as the doors began to close, I took a deep breath. It was then I noticed the deep redwood smell, a subtle hint of wilderness. I looked up to meet his eyes and the color was beautiful. His eyes were dark grey with a mix of blue sparks. 

His scent swirled the elevator and I cursed myself inwardly 'Damnit Del, why didn't we notice his scent before. He is a lycan no doubt.' she said nothing as we stared at one another. His comment on biting brought a slight heat to my face and his lips pulled into a smirk like he knew what we were thinking. 

I pulled my gaze back to the doors and cleared my throat as if to wash my shame down. No wonder I was especially prickly around him, my inner kitty was bristled by this mutt. His handsome features and dominant walk made perfect sense now. Which only made me more curious as to why he was here. 

Lycans rarely worked in any job which required travelling. They were signature pack animals and wouldn't serve well in being away from their kind to long. I looked back over to him and he looked away from my gaze, I started to wonder why he was here. My inner curiosity was rearing its head.

'If your not going to go after wolfy there I sure as hell am.' Dolly's voice rang in my head and I snorted in return.  

'Not a freezing chance in Hell' I growled back. I could hear her smile 'perfect' 

I rolled my eyes but did peak at the wolf in question and he was staring at me. I glared at him and he chuckled back shaking his head. "Can I ask why exactly you hate me so much?"

His question shocked me and I cleared my throat to think of an answer. Was I overreacting? He hadn't done anything to me yet but knowing from past experience I judged him quickly. I shook my head at him but said nothing as the door opened to reveal the 2nd floor. I stepped out just as quick and practically ran to the briefing room. 

I felt a little guilty for my quick judgment but replied when we got inside "Jury is still out on if your a threat to my case or not. I have worked very hard here and these girls are my top priority." 

"Understood, Agent and I will not endanger them more than their current state. If you give me a chance I can help you." His eyes shown sincerity but I was not easy to trust. I nodded but said nothing more. 

The meeting commenced with my teammates and after several hours we had a plan of action. Dolly and I would lead the mission alone as we had the only invitations for the event. The others would wait near by if we needed help and would be prepared for a full extraction if necessary. Ben filtered through my mind so I brought up Emilylnn's picture to the group. 

Dolly and I shared the same look and she mirrored my worry but we said nothing as the meeting went on. Jack sat with his elbows resting on his knees and never once looked away from the projection board as if he was deep in thought. 

I was happy to see he at least shown that he was paying attention and seemed concerned. He gave a few suggestions on the security measures that would be for our safety but mostly listened. 

It eased my mind that he was not over aggressive in his ideas and helped curve my thought that maybe he was just trying to help. I wouldn't tell him that but decided to lighten up some on my hatred as he did have good suggestions. 

By the end of the meeting we all shook hands and broke for the day. I was exhausted and Dolly seemed preoccupied with her new fresh meat as she called him. I excused my secretary and decided to leave early myself for a spa day. 

I was in dire need of a massage and my head was pounding from the activities of today. I ignored the tingle in my spine as I moved down the street flagging a cab for my ride. Little did I know I was being watched. 

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