Bite Marks & Broken Hearts (The Killigrew Street Case Files, #1)

by T.J. Rose

“Tell me more about this sexting.” The words left my mouth before I could stop them, and I almost couldn’t believe what I was saying.

If only he knew how that knowledge had stirred something fierce in me—not simply lust, but an overwhelming need to ensure his first experiences would be nothing short of sacred. Oh, the ways I would worship him, if given the chance. I would take him apart with centuries of practiced patience, piece by precious piece, until he was consumed with pleasure.

The depth of want that coursed through me was painful. Dangerous. This beautiful creature would be my undoing, and I found myself welcoming the fall.

The sensation overwhelmed me, my brain short-circuiting. Twenty years. Twenty years since anyone had held me like this. The simple intimacy of it struck me deeply, and I felt my throat constrict. A hot, sharp ache built behind my eyes as Flynn’s warmth seeped into my cold skin. His breath tickled the nape of my neck, steady and reassuring. My chest tightened with an emotion I couldn’t name. Something between grief and joy, between longing and finding. A tear slipped free before I could stop it, trailing silently down my cheek and onto the pillow. I had forgotten what this felt like. To be held. To be touched with such innocent tenderness. To feel anchored to another, tethered to safety. To feel human. Like darkness wasn’t all I had to offer.

“It’s my job,” I said stiffly, and his hand paused its movement. I immediately wanted to kick myself. “That came out wrong. Obviously, I care for you. Quite a bit.” His fingers resumed their hypnotic path through my curls. “Quite a bit, huh? Wow, you do flatter me so.” I gently kicked him with my leg. “Careful with that cheek.” His laugh vibrated against my back as he drew me impossibly close. “Or what?”

“My sweet angel,” I whispered, the endearment slipping out of me from a hidden corner. “Mi amor.”

I shifted on the sofa. “I’m gay too,” I said, testing how it felt to just… say it. Back in Braymore, each confession had been a weight in my chest, knowing how the town’s Catholic population would react. But Rory’s eyes never left his phone. “Yeah, cool. Now, do you want to see more photos of my ex’s replacement me? I swear he went looking for my upgrade.”

when Flynn Carter set his course, not even a storm could throw him off it. And right now? My compass pointed straight at Sebastián Salazar.

“The GPS is already programmed to track your phone’s location,” Felix continued. “And I’ve looped the CCTV feeds along every possible route for a mile radius so far. No one can see you.” “Good work.” I pressed the start button, and the engine purred to life. “I’m sure this is exactly what my mother had in mind when she paid for my masters in cybersecurity and digital forensics,” Felix muttered.

“Listen to me. Earlier, in the bakery…” I drew in a shaky breath, needing to get the words out. “You asked what I wanted from you.”

“The truth is, I want everything.” The confession scraped raw in my throat. “Everything. And that terrifies me.”

“And you’re not convenient.” I reached up, cupping both cheeks with trembling fingers. “God help me, Flynn, you’re the most inconvenient thing that’s happened to me in two decades. And I still can’t stay away.”

“You deserve someone whole, someone unmarked by centuries of darkness. But I’m selfish enough to want you anyway.”

Flynn’s arms encircled me, pulling me closer into his lap, clinging tightly. If I die here, at least it’ll be while being held like something precious. Something worthy.

“You remind me of the ocean,” I murmured into the darkness. “Wild and endless and home.” The world swayed gently. My thoughts foamed, dissolved, scattered. “The sea’s too big without you.” The words slipped out, barely a breath, as darkness crept in at the edges. “Don’t want to be alone again.” Then, he was gone.

His skinny black tie had somehow survived the chaos relatively intact. My fingers closed around the silk, using it to steady myself. “What are you—” I pressed my finger against Seb’s lips, silencing any further spiral of self-recrimination. His eyes widened as they fixed on mine. “Putting this stupidly pretentious tie to good use.” I yanked the silk, pulling him towards me, and smashed our mouths together.

“Sebastián,” I breathed like a prayer. “This is what it feels like,” he murmured against my cheek, between kisses. “What?” “This is what it feels like to be alive.”

He looked up at me, his eyes locked on mine. “I should have guessed that every part of you would be equally delicious.”

He took his time cleaning me with gentle licks, making sure not a drop remained, before pulling back with a satisfied hum. “You’ll have to forgive me,” he murmured, running a hand through his dishevelled curls. “I’m a few decades out of practice.” “Shut up,” I managed, still breathless. My head spun as I pushed myself up to sitting, tucking myself away with trembling fingers.

Kit’s eyes narrowed as he looked between us, taking in the scene. His expression shifted from concern to something more calculating. It was painfully obvious what had happened, but surely he wouldn’t embarrass us by saying anything. “Well, well.” Rory leaned around Kit’s shoulder with a grin. “Looks like someone’s been having a bloody good time.”

But watching Priya fuss over him stirred something warm in my chest. Flynn needed this—needed to know people cared about his well-being.

“When’s your next scheduled check-in?” “Given recent events, I’m going to have to bring our meeting forward.” Kit’s eyes gleamed with familiar mischief. “Try to sound less enthusiastic about it. You know, some people actually enjoy their weekly therapy.” I shot him a look that would have withered a lesser man. Kit just grinned, as immune to my glares as he’d been since we’d met seven years ago. “Go home, Kit.” I waved him away. “Get some rest. I’ll see you in the morning.” Kit rose, but paused at the bookcase. “You should get some rest too. And by rest, I don’t mean brooding in your office all night.” “I already made such a promise.” “Spending the night in Flynn’s room, then?” Kit’s grin turned wolfish. “How domestic of you.” I refused to dignify that with a response.

“This is what happens when you lock me up all day.” My voice came out muffled against his chest. “You can’t trick me into feeling guilty about keeping you safe.” His tone was stern, but his hands came up to rest against my back.

The door opened, and Seb slipped back inside. He took one look at my face and sighed. “You’ve been in here catastrophizing this whole time, haven’t you?” “No,” I insisted, but my voice came out higher than usual.

“Flynn.” The way he said my name made my knees weak. “Look at me.” I lifted my gaze to meet his, and once again, I was drowning. “Do you have any idea how attracted I am to you?” His thumb traced circles on my biceps. “How incredible I think you are?” He pressed a soft kiss to my jaw, making me shiver. “How honoured beyond words I am that you want me to be your first?”

“Are you ready?” “Yes.” I bit into my lip. “But sorry in advance if it’s not the best.” Seb’s cool fingers caught my chin, his thumb gently tugging my lip free. “It’s already the best,” he murmured, eyes so, so soft. “Whatever happens—it’s already perfect because it’s you.”

This was just me and Seb, finding our way together. I reached for his hair again, fingers threading through those soft curls. “Now then, vampire. Where were we?” My voice grew more confident. “Ahh yes, you’re all tied up and muzzled. At the mercy of a mere mortal.” Another defiant arch of his body. “Ah-ah.” Pushing him down, I caught his chin, forcing him to meet my gaze. “I decide what happens now. When you move. When you moan.” I shifted my weight deliberately against his growing hardness. “When you come.” The sound he made then was decidedly undefiant.

“Flynn,” he moaned, one hand cupping my face, making me look at him. “My Flynn.” The possession in his voice, the way his eyes burned into mine—it was too much, too perfect. “Yours,” I managed, the word breaking on a sob. “God, Seb, I’m all yours.” “I’ve got you,” Seb breathed, his hands tightening on my hips. “Let go for me, mi amor.”

With gentle hands, he shifted us onto our sides, pulling me back against his chest. His arm draped over my waist, cool and secure, like an anchor holding me safe in harbour. For the first time since leaving Ireland, since leaving everything I knew behind, I felt like I’d finally found home.

He gestured to the bookcase. “These all document much happier times. My European travels through the Renaissance. Dancing in the courts of France. Learning to paint in Florence. Great love affairs—” “Love affairs?” I pulled back, hating how my voice pitched up. A smile tugged at his mouth. “Don’t be jealous.” “I’m not!” But my face heated, and his knowing look didn’t help. His smile grew wider. “You know,” he said, lifting our still-joined hands to press a theatrical kiss to my knuckles. “All those centuries of experience just led me here. To this moment. To you. My favourite vampire hunter.” “Oh my god.” I tried to pull my hand away, laughing despite myself. “That was terrible. You’re terrible.”

Felix leaned back against his desk, fiddling with a USB stick. “You know, Seb has been acting strange of late.” His tone held a teasing lilt. “Oh yeah?” “He keeps smiling way more. It’s weird.” He shuddered dramatically. “The other day, I caught him humming. Humming. I’ve been here over a year, and I’ve never heard him make any noise that wasn’t a sigh or a threat.” A warmth spread through me, pushing back some of the cold doubt. “Thanks, Felix.”

“You okay? You don’t look okay.” Felix’s concerned voice pulled me from my spiraling thoughts. “Not really. I’ll see you later. Unless Katie manages to knock Seb out and drag me back to Ireland, in which case, it was nice knowing you.”

“So,” I said. “One warning. Katie thinks you’re a member of a dangerous gang, a stalker, completely obsessed with me, and you’ve locked me up in your hotel.” He shot me a look. “So… pretty much entirely correct then?”

“I can’t do this.” The words tumbled out before I could stop them. “She’ll never talk to me again.” Seb caught my uninjured hand, and squeezed it gently. I stared at our joined hands, fighting back the urge to run. “You’ve got this. It’s almost all over. Remember how you made me be brave, earlier? Well, now it’s my turn. And if things do go badly, I’ll be right there.” He lifted our hands and pressed his lips against my knuckles. “I promise.”

“But what about Sebastián?” Katie hissed. “You’re sure he’s not some sort of gangster?” My pen scratched against my notepad as I feigned deep concentration. “Does he look like a gangster?” “No,” Katie admitted. “He looks like one of those black and white movie stars. All brooding and handsome. Like James Dean, but hotter.” “Katie!” “I’m sorry!”

Footsteps approached my table. I looked up to find Katie’s lips pursed. “If you hurt my brother, I will cut you.” “Noted.” “Right across your handsome face.” “Where else?” She smiled, and I felt we had reached some sort of understanding. “I will protect him with my life. I swear it.” Katie glanced at Flynn, possibly to communicate, well that was a bit intense.

“This is suicide,” Adrian spat. “Marcus will tear you apart. He’s stronger than you know!” “Your concern is touching.” I straightened my coat. “But I’ve dealt with far worse than Vale.” I pulled out my phone, and jammed Priya’s contact before barking, “Peacock? Bring a van as close to my location as you can.” Next was Felix. “Magpie, prepare room 410,” I instructed, before sliding my phone away. “God, I love it when you get all authoritative like this.” Rory bounced on his heels. “Makes me feel all tingly inside. Like watching a stern headmaster during assembly.” Kit’s wolf form made a choking sound that might have been laughter. “Rory.” I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Your schoolboy fantasies are not appropriate right now.” “Whatever you say, Daddy.” “I swear, I will throw you off this windmill—” “Careful now. Flynn might not like you manhandling other men.”

I leaned against the wall, watching them wrestle while our prisoner stared, bewildered. Sometimes I questioned my life choices. Five centuries, and here I was, supervising what essentially amounted to supernatural children. White had promised me a professional operation when she’d offered me Killigrew Street. Instead, I had a hyperactive wolf with inappropriate jokes, his grumpy brother, a tech genius getting sassier by the minute, and a Gifted witch operating on tea and sarcasm. And yet… they were mine. My ridiculous, dysfunctional family.

“You know, I used to think the ocean at sunset was the most beautiful sight in the world.” My thumb traced his jawline. “Turns out I just hadn’t met you yet.”

“I want to take you,” he murmured, dark and honeyed, the words ghosting against my skin. “May I have you?”

I tilted my head, baring my throat. “Bite me,” I breathed, beyond caring how desperate I sounded. “I want you to, Seb. So, so much.” “No.” The word rumbled from his chest—dark, commanding. “First, I want to show you how good I can make you feel. You’ll come from my cock, not my bite.” I tried not to die. Okay then.

My head fell forward into the pillow, muffling my stream of curses as he explored with devastating thoroughness, alternating between broad strokes and precise attention that left me gasping. This wasn’t merely sex. This was worship. “Seb…” I managed between ragged breaths, my whole body aflame with need.

I whimpered into his mouth, my body caught between wanting to pull away and wanting to draw him deeper, until finally—finally—he stilled, fully seated inside me. When I managed to open my eyes, the reverence in his expression stole what little breath I had left.

A particularly deep thrust stole my breath, pleasure crackling through every nerve ending. Then the words tumbled from my lips, a wavering rush I couldn’t stop: “I think I’m falling in love with you.” He went utterly still above me, those dark eyes searching mine with an intensity that made my heart stutter. “I know I’m falling in love with you.”

When his eyes finally met mine again, they were wild, pupils blown wide. “Lord above me, your blood…” He sounded utterly undone. “It’s like nothing I’ve ever known.” His hips snapped forward with new urgency. “You taste of summer storms.” Thrust. “Of starlight and salvation.” Thrust. “Like everything I didn’t know I was searching for.” Thrust. “Like mine.”

At the bottom, Seb pulled me close for one more lingering kiss that made my toes curl against the carpet. “Perhaps we should face Felix first.” “No, definitely hot chocolate first,” I insisted. “I need fortification before dealing with that particular horror.” As if summoned by his name, Felix’s voice crackled through the ancient intercom system. “I can hear you, you know. And yes, hot chocolate first. I need time to bleach my brain, anyway.” I buried my face in Seb’s shoulder, caught between embarrassment and uncontrollable giggles. “Sorry, Felix!” “No you’re not,” came the dry response. “No,” I agreed, meeting Seb’s dark eyes. “I’m really not.” Seb’s answering smile was worth every bit of embarrassment we’d face. Worth everything.

Flynn’s blue-tinged lips curved into a smile as he ran both hands over Rory’s head, examining the way moonlight caught his fur. “So they can understand me like this? Just like normal?” “More or less,” I said, watching Rory press against Flynn’s legs like an oversized house pet. “Their base instincts are stronger in this form—the urge to hunt, the urge to protect. But they’re still themselves. Still perfectly capable of rolling their eyes at me when I give orders.”

“Promise me…” Each word felt like shards of glass in my throat, but I persisted. “Promise you won’t go back to how you were before. Alone. Refusing to let anyone in.”

The moment Flynn had looked up at him, terror melting into trust as Sebastián promised to keep him safe. Keep him safe like he was never able to keep me. And Flynn had believed him completely, without question. Like a gift freely given. Flynn in the kitchen with another. Shy, awkward. Making him laugh, drawing him out of his shell. Sebastián’s heart had swelled watching them, seeing Flynn’s gentle persistence.

“Foolish child.” Lilith’s voice scraped across my soul like winter frost. “After everything we shared?” I poured more power into Flynn’s lifeless form, feeling my own existence beginning to fracture. “You never shared anything,” I gasped. “You only took. Like them. Like Rodrigo. Like all of them.” The air grew thin as Lilith’s darkness coalesced around us. “Then you choose death? Again?” “No.” I met her terrible gaze. “I choose life. His life. My brother’s happiness.” The cracks in my skin spread wider, purple light bleeding through. “I choose to end this cycle of suffering.”