Federal Paranormal Agency 6 - Leannan
Federal Paranormal Agency 6
Leannán
You have to be the best to go to war with the worst.
That’s the motto the agents of the Federal Paranormal Agency live by. They train hard to hunt down those that go rogue, enforcing the laws set down through the ages. They deliver justice to those that break the law and save the innocent. They are the enforcers of the paranormal world.
Toby Winters is a fox shifter and the youngest member of the FPA. Three years ago, when he was only eighteen, Toby went on his first mission. He was supposed to get close to a man named, Duncan Ó Branagáin, a former IRA agent who became a powerful leader in the Irish mob. When they meet, Toby quickly realizes Duncan is his mate. Toby’s loyalties are tested and he must choose between working the case and protecting Duncan.
Duncan Ó Branagáin is a powerful man. He was raised in a dangerous world and took over leadership when his father passed away. Duncan isn’t a saint, but it’s the only life he knows.
Everything changes when he meets Toby Winters aka Thomas Doyle. The young man turns his world upside down, making Duncan second guess everything he’s ever done.
Genre: Alternative (M/M, Gay), Contemporary, Paranormal, Shape-shifter
Length: 42,118 words
LEANNÁN
Federal Paranormal Agency 6
Olivia Black
EVERLASTING CLASSIC
MANLOVE
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
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A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK
IMPRINT: Everlasting Classic ManLove
LEANNAN
Copyright © 2015 by Olivia Black
E-book ISBN: 978-1-63259-837-0
First E-book Publication: October 2015
Cover design by Jess Buffett
All art and logo copyright © 2015 by Siren Publishing, Inc.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.
All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.
PUBLISHER
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
Letter to Readers
Dear Readers,
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DEDICATION
Leannán (LAN-awn) means Lover in Irish. To say that love is blind in Irish, one says “a lover sees no fault.” The title seemed to be the perfect fit for Toby and Duncan. I hope you all enjoy the story. Happy reading!
A weak man has doubts before a decision; a strong man has them afterwards.—Karl Krauss
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
About the Author
LEANNÁN
Federal Paranormal Agency 6
OLIVIA BLACK
Copyright © 2015
Chapter One
Three Years Ago
Toby Winters strode down the hallway at FPA headquarters in Los Angeles, California. The leader of the West Coast Division, Bruno Fischer, had called him in for a private meeting. Toby’s heart hammered wildly in his chest as anxious energy churned in his gut. This was his first official meeting with Bruno. He’d only just become a member of the FPA.
After years of training with the very best, Toby had finally earned a badge and gun. He might be young, only eighteen, but he was now part of the team. A team he’d wanted to join since he was only a kid.
When he reached Bruno’s closed office door, Toby paused, taking a minute to get his emotions under control. He didn’t want the leader of the FPA to know that he was nervous. Taking a few calming breaths, Toby lifted his hand, rapping his knuckles against the door.
“Enter,” Bruno’s deep, booming voice called out.
Grasping the handle, Toby took one more deep breath before opening the door. As he stepped inside the plush office, Toby spotted three other men, all of them wearing dark suits. From their scent, Toby knew they were human, which piqued his interest. Keeping his composure, Toby shut the door behind him.
“Thank you for joining us, Agent Winters.”
“Yes, sir.” Toby stood at attention, waiting.
“I’d like to introduce you to Griffeth Moor, Interpol, Conall Lìos, Scotland Yard, and Lionel Palmer, FBI.”
“Gentlemen,” Toby nodded.
“This is our youngest agent,” Bruno said. “Is he what you’re looking for?”
Three sets of eyes turned toward Toby, staring at him, inspecting him as if he were a bug under a microscope. Toby kept his composure, refusing to even flinch.
“He’s perfect,” Griffeth Moor said, the tone of his voice giving away the fact that he was British.
“Duncan Ó Branagáin is going to love him,” Conall Lìos agreed, a thick Scottish accent rolling over each word as he spoke.
“We’ve done recon on Duncan, including a background on all of his romantic relationships.” Lionel Palmer grinned, nodding. “He fits the bill, perfectly.”
“I’m s
orry.” Toby relaxed his stance. “I don’t understand. Who’s Duncan Ó Branagáin?” he asked, looking at each of the agents.
“Our agencies have been working together for many years, building a case against Duncan Ó Branagáin,” Conall started, stepping forward, away from the other two men. “He’s a breakaway agent, formerly IRA, and one of the leaders of the Irish mob. It’s next to impossible to get an agent close to him. Each time we’ve tried, the agent ends up dead within a matter of days.”
“We can’t afford to send any more human officers into his path,” Griffeth added. “We need a well-trained agent, someone who can take care themselves because we won’t be able to provide any sort of backup. If you decide to accept this mission, you’ll be going to Northern Ireland as a student and you’ll have to face him alone.”
“Do you think you’ll be able to handle that?” Lionel asked, raising a questioning brow.
“Yes, sir,” Toby answered, without giving it much thought.
“This will be your first solo mission,” Bruno interjected. “If you have any doubts whatsoever, you need to speak up now.”
“I’ve been training to be an agent for years. This might be my first official mission, but it’s not the first time I’ve been in the field.”
Bruno shared a look with the other agents, a silent message passing between them before the FPA leader nodded.
“You’re no longer Toby Winters. Your name is Thomas Doyle,” Griffeth said. “You’re a college student, taking some time off to travel abroad. We’ll supply you with new documentation. You’ll be given a folder with personal information and places that Duncan frequents. Memorize it. You’ll also receive a passport, cash, and airline tickets, along with an untraceable cell phone. Your trip will appear unplanned and spontaneous to anyone that starts digging around. There’s a good possibility that Duncan’s people will do a background check on you. They won’t find anything out of the ordinary.”
“Pack a backpack with only a couple pairs of jeans, a few T-shirts, and a light jacket. Duncan likes to take care of his lovers. He’ll want to rescue you. Let him,” Conall explained.
“You are gay, right?” Griffeth cleared his throat. “I’m not trying to offend you or insinuate that you need to do anything sexual with Duncan, but it would help.”
Bruno cursed. “He’s an agent, not a damn prostitute.”
“I’m not offended. Shifters don’t think about sexuality like humans do,” Toby told them.
“What kind of shifter are you, anyway?” Lionel asked, changing the subject.
“Why does that matter?” Toby asked, genuinely curious.
“I’m hoping you’re a predator because Duncan is, and if you’re not prepared to play this game and follow the rules, he’ll eat you up and spit you out.”
“He’s a shifter?” That would definitely make Toby’s job a hell of a lot harder. He’d have to stay on guard, careful not to give his own scent or emotions away.
Lionel laughed without humor. “No, he’s human. But don’t let that fool you for a moment. He’s a monster. A well-organized man prepared to kill anyone that gets in his way. Gambling, weapons trafficking, racketeering, extortion, loan-sharking, corruption, a gun for hire…” He counted out each offense. “These are just a few things that Duncan Ó Branagáin is guilty of.”
“Then why can’t you stop him?” Toby asked. “Why haven’t you arrested him?”
“Because we can’t prove anything beyond a reasonable doubt. He’s good. There’s no trail that leads directly to him. Every time we arrest him, we have to let him go. At this point, he’s laughing in our faces. Plus”—Griffeth sighed, blowing out a heavy breath—“we think he’s got a mole on the inside. That’s the only reasonable explanation. Each time we organize a bust on one of his warehouses, the place comes up clean.”
“This mission is top secret. The five of us are the only people who know all the details, and I expect it to stay that way.” Lionel looked at each of the men in attendance, sternly. When Lionel’s eyes landed on Toby, he nodded in agreement.
Griffeth walked toward Bruno’s desk. He flicked his fingers, opening his briefcase, and pulled out a thick manila envelope. He paused for a moment as if weighing his options before finally turning on his heel and strolling over to Toby. He held out the envelope, and Toby took it.
“Take the night to study all the intel we’ve gathered on Duncan Ó Branagáin. You need to know him in order to gain his trust. I’ll be back in the morning with your new identity. Meet us here at zero seven hundred hours. You leave for Ireland tomorrow. Be ready.”
“Yes, sir.”
The three agents—Griffeth Moor, Conall Lìos, and Lionel Palmer—shook hands with Bruno before making a quick exit. Once they were gone, Bruno took a seat behind his massive oak desk. The bear shifter leaned back. He appeared calm and relaxed, but after years of knowing the leader of the FPA, Toby knew the man was agitated.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m worried about you.”
“Because of this case?” Toby asked, walking toward Bruno. He placed the folder on the desk before dropping down in one of the available chairs.
Warm brown eyes connected with his. “You’re only eighteen, a mere child in the grand scheme of things. Taking this case is incredibly dangerous. You’ll be going on a mission, alone. We won’t be there to back you up. I feel like I’m sending my son into danger. If something happens to you…”
“My entire fox skulk was wiped out by a rogue,” Toby interrupted. “I saw them all get slaughtered, torn to bits and pieces. You and the other agents, you guys are my family, but I’m still an agent. I’ve been training for this mission since the day I arrived here. I may only be eighteen, but I’m ready. You wouldn’t have given me a badge and a gun unless you knew that I was capable of handling myself in the field. My past is behind me. I’m not that scared little boy anymore.”
Bruno sighed. “I’m still going to worry about you.”
Toby’s lips twitched. “I know.”
“If you find yourself in a bind, call me. I’ve got some connections, and I’ll get you out. I don’t give a fuck what those other agents say. You’re in the FPA. We don’t work for them.”
“Yes, sir.” Toby chuckled.
“Good luck, kid.” Bruno stood up and held out his hand.
All the agents called him kid. He’d been with them long enough to know that it was a term of endearment.
Standing up, Toby took his boss’s hand. “Thanks.”
“You’d better head back home and get to work.”
“Yes, sir.” Toby grabbed the manila envelope. Holding it in a tight grip, he left Bruno’s office without a backward glance.
Toby left FPA headquarters. Retrieving his white Range Rover Evoque from the parking garage, he drove toward the agency’s mansion in the Hollywood Hills. He stopped at the bottom of the hill and looked toward the camera. After a moment, the locks disengaged and the gate opened, welcoming him home. Toby drove along the private stone driveway leading to their estate on nearly four acres of land. The beautifully landscaped property was not only set up for privacy but also security. It was impossible for anyone to get near their home without being detected.
Pulling up in front of the house, Toby shut the engine off and grabbed the manila envelope off the passenger seat. He climbed out of the SUV and strode toward the front entrance.
Graham Bingham, one of the other FPA agents, opened the door with a grin. “Hey, kid. How did the meeting go?”
“I got my first case.”
“That’s great news!”
“Thanks.”
“Are you going to share the details?” he asked, raising a questioning brow.
“I can’t.” Toby cringed. “It’s top secret.”
Graham slapped his shoulder. “No worries, just be careful out in the field, okay?”
“I will, I promise.”
Toby passed the other agent and jogged up the stairs leading to his bedroom.
He walked down the short hallway to the last door on the right. Turning the knob, Toby slipped inside and closed the door, flicking the lock into place. He didn’t like keeping secrets from the other agents, but sometimes it was part of the job. Toby took off his jacket and threw it on the nearest flat surface. Toeing off his shoes, he walked to his bed and sat down on the edge.
Flipping up the metal teeth, he opened the envelope and pulled out the contents, spreading the papers out. Duncan Ó Branagáin.
The picture on top of the pile grabbed Toby’s attention, and his eyes widened in astonishment. He lifted the image, holding it in his hand. Duncan. Dressed in an expensive suit, the man looked like he’d just stepped off the cover of GQ magazine, tall, dark, and incredibly handsome with intense blue eyes. He was all hard angles and fierce planes, clearly as dangerous as he was beautiful. And worst of all, Duncan was every fantasy Toby had ever dreamed. He was the perfect combination of Michael Fassbender and Tom Hardy.
“Fuck,” he breathed out.
Forcing himself to drop the picture of Duncan, Toby quickly flipped through the documents until he found a stack of photographs. Studying the images, Toby realized that the other agents had been right. He did share similar features with Duncan’s former lovers. They were all young with boyish good looks and lean muscles. After studying the other men for a few minutes, Toby dropped the pictures back onto the bed and stood up.
He walked into the adjoining bathroom and stared at his reflection in the mirror, inspecting himself. He’d never thought much about his appearance before, but now, Toby took the time to judge himself. What would Duncan think of him? Were his lips too plump? Did he look too young? Would his features be considered feminine? Toby shrugged. It didn’t really matter. He was bait, plain and simple. Toby was going undercover to charm Duncan in order to send him to prison. His looks were of little consequence.