Page 44 of John’s Yearning

“What the fuck, John?” Samson snapped.

Though he could guess what Samson was upset about, he wasn’t about to volunteer any information. He had to assume that his boss didn’t know the entire score, so it was best not to give him any more reason than he already had to chew him out.

“What are you referring to?”

Samson pushed him against the wall, his face only inches from John’s. “Did you really think I wouldn’t find out?” He let out a huff. “Using the twins to work a case Scanguards sent back to SFPD, and making them believe it’s their final practical assignment? Are you out of your fucking mind?”

“How did—”

Samson moved a step back. “Oh please! You do know that Damian and Benjamin are in constant competition with Grayson, or don’t you? You didn’t stop to think that they would rub it in the moment they got a chance? And you know what Grayson did? He came running to me, complaining that he wasn’t getting nearly as interesting a case to solve for his assignment as the twins.” Samson put his hands on his hips. “Imagine how surprised I was when I heard what the twins were working on: a child trafficking ring. And the person who gave them the assignment: you!” He jammed his index finger into John’s chest. “Care to explain what the fuck you’re up to?”

John cleared his throat, trying to buy himself time. Apparently Samson wasn’t having any of it.

“My patience is wearing thin!”

“Listen, Samson, I know you didn’t want this case, but I couldn’t just turn it down.”

“Couldn’t you? That wouldn’t have anything to do with that woman you’ve been fucking, would it?” Samson sniffed, making it clear how he knew.

Maybe he and Savannah should have taken the time to take a shower after sex, but there just hadn’t been any time. Following this lead was more important than worrying about what his boss and his colleagues thought.

“It’s about the children. About little girls who’re vulnerable. Little girls who’ll go through hell if we don’t find them in time. I can find them. I can bring them home.” He clenched his jaw. “And if I have to quit Scanguards to do that, then that’s what I’ll do.”

Surprise flashed on Samson’s face. For a moment, he stood there in stunned silence. “You’re serious, aren’t you? You’re willing to leave us for a case?”

“It’s not just any case.” It was about a little girl he was starting to care about as if he had a right to do so.

“It’s a case that has nothing to do with us.” Samson suddenly lowered his voice. “There’re no vampires involved. You said so yourself. Even Donnelly didn’t think this had anything to do with preternaturals.”

“That may be the case. But these people are monsters nevertheless. So they don’t have fangs, they don’t bite, they don’t suck their victims dry, but, by God, these people have less humanity in them than any of us.” He kept his gaze steady, meeting Samson’s eyes. “I found a lead. I know I can take them down. Please, Samson, you know what it’s like. You’ve been in their shoes. When your daughter was kidnapped—”

“Stop!” Samson raised his hand. “Not another word.” He took a few deep breaths, the memory of his own daughter’s ordeal reflecting in his eyes. He ran his hand through his raven-black hair. “You’re not playing fair, John. You know we don’t have the manpower.”

When John opened his mouth to protest once more, Samson continued quickly, “But because I know what these parents are going through, and because I know you mean well, I’ll give you forty-eight hours to take care of this.”

Forty-eight hours wasn’t enough time to solve this case, but he’d take it, and then ask for more later. “Thank you, S—”

“Under one condition,” Samson interrupted.

John held his breath.

“Grayson and Ryder will join you and the twins.”

Fuck!

John swallowed. “Grayson?”

Samson pulled one side of his mouth up. “You left me no choice. If I don’t put Grayson on this case, I’ll never have peace in my home again.” He made a motion as if wiping one hand on the other, ridding himself of an issue. “He’s your problem now.”

“Samson, you can’t—”

“I can and I will,” he said and pivoted. He was already marching toward the elevators, when he added, “And John, if Grayson gets into trouble, I’ll hold you responsible.”

Samson disappeared in the elevator. John heard the doors close, while he stood in the corridor, frozen. The good news was that he had two more bodies on his team. Ryder was a very capable young hybrid and would come in handy. The bad news was he’d have to deal with Grayson, the boss’s son. He was arrogant, entitled, and manipulative, which made being his supervisor a pain in the butt. Had those been his only defining characteristics, he would be hated by everybody. But Grayson had also inherited his father’s charm, and could wrap anybody, man or woman, around his little finger if he wanted to. Which made it hard to be mad at him for very long.

When it came to women, Grayson was like a modern-day Casanova—he hadn’t yet met a pretty face he didn’t like. And it wasn’t just women his own age who were susceptible to his advances, older women fell prey to him too. Which meant John had to keep him on a tight leash so he wouldn’t put his paws on Savannah. Otherwise John would have to teach the pup a lesson about coveting another man’s woman.

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