Bishop Read online

  Bishop

  Teresa Gabelman

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Also by Teresa Gabelman

  The Protectors Series

  Bishop

  Copyright 2020 Teresa Gabelman

  All rights reserved. The right of Teresa Gabelman to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. This is a work of fiction and any resemblance between the characters and persons living or dead is purely coincidental.

  Gabelman, Teresa (2020-2-26). Bishop (The Protectors Series) Book #15

  Kindle Edition.

  Editor: Hot Tree Editing

  Created with Vellum

  Chapter 1

  Bishop Valentino lay on his back, staring up at the ceiling. His heavily muscled arms positioned under his head as his body and mind relaxed before starting the day. This was his new place, his own. No sharing with his newly mated brother or other Warriors. It was empty of everything except a bed that he never slept on. He didn’t sleep, but lying down, he could relax and think. Some called it meditating. He, on the other hand, called it preparing his mind and body for the shit show that was his way of life. Killing, capturing, saving… so on and so forth.

  His eyes remained transfixed. He hadn’t blinked, and he expected some would wonder if he was dead. That was how still he’d remained for hours. In doing so, he was in control of his mind and body. And the one thing Bishop had was control. He very rarely lost it and when he did, he could easily and quickly call it back and regain control over any situation.

  The cell phone buzzed next to his leg on the bed, but he ignored it. He had exactly two minutes before he had to leave his place, and he wasn’t leaving a second sooner. The phone quieted as he knew it would. He hated technology, missed the days when there weren’t cell phones. It had been peaceful then, but now, everyone knew where you were because they could track you down within seconds because of the damn things. While that was good for many, for him, he felt trapped by it. Other than his brother, he was a loner. Viktor was the only person he could spend more than an hour with before wanting to kill them.

  The only movement on his face was a slight tip of his lip. His brother had found his mate, Lacey. He was so damn happy for his brother. Bishop knew Viktor had been ready, even before Viktor himself had known it. Seeing his brother suffer for years after losing Emilia had been hard on Bishop, but he’d remained steadfast beside his brother knowing that someone out there would bring the brother he once knew back to the man he was today.

  Knocking on the door downstairs finally had Bishop blinking. Sitting, he moved off the bed with ease and headed downstairs. He opened the door and stepped back, letting Viktor inside.

  “You stop answering your phone?” Viktor grumbled as he walked inside.

  “I had two more minutes before my day started.” Bishop shut the door, brushing past his brother. “Call me now and I’ll pick up.”

  “Smartass.” Viktor scowled as he looked around the place. “A little empty in here.”

  Bishop grabbed his jacket off the kitchen counter where he’d tossed it, then loaded up on his weapons, all while rolling his eyes at his brother. “Haven’t had a lot of time to shop, brother.”

  “Get yourself a mate.” Viktor grinned, glancing at him. “Lacey already has our place decked out, looking sweet. As if we’ve lived there for years.”

  “Yeah, I’ll pass on that.” Bishop slipped on his leather jacket. “So when is lovely Lacey going to be inviting me to dinner?”

  “Never.” Viktor hissed, his eyes narrowing. “At least not until you stop flirting with my mate.”

  “Afraid she’ll realize she picked the wrong brother?” Bishop grinned as he headed for the door, dodging Viktor’s punch.

  “I can’t wait to bust your balls,” Viktor grumbled, following him out.

  “You do that every damn day,” Bishop shot back. “Don’t know what would change that.”

  “Oh, there’s someone out there, and I can’t wait for you to find her.” Viktor climbed on his bike and put his gloves on. “Or for her to find you.”

  Bishop didn’t respond as he got on his own bike. After sharing a kiss with Bonnie under the fucking mistletoe and his mixed feelings for her, Bishop had realized that maybe it wasn’t in the cards for him to find a mate. He was okay with that. He didn’t have time to devote to a female right now. His main focus was to find Orjyll, kill the bastard, and anyone who got in his way.

  “Where we headed?” Bishop ignored his brother’s “mate” bullshit.

  “Meeting up with Steve at the warehouse.” Viktor glanced at the darkening sky. Snow fell lightly. “Sloan finally released him to work missions. He wants him with one of us until we’re sure his mind is right.”

  Bishop nodded, glad Steve was released, but he hoped it wasn’t too early. Witches were on the menu, so to speak, and it was time to start putting the pressure on. His bike roaring to life, Bishop took off. His back tire slid on the icy surface of the road as he pulled out of his driveway, but Bishop expertly kept it up with ease.

  The warehouse wasn’t far from his place. He had given a realtor a detailed description of what he wanted and where. The guy had done a good job finding him a place quicker than Bishop expected and in the price range. It didn’t feel like home yet, but soon it would. He’d always thought of building his own place, something he still would do, but now wasn’t the time. They never stayed in one place long, and he wasn’t ready to put down roots just yet. While Viktor wasn’t since meeting Lacey, Bishop was still a free agent.

  The snow came down harder the closer they got to the warehouse, making visibility near impossible. Fucking snow. He couldn’t wait for sunny weather; he hated this shit. Pulling into the warehouse, he parked and got off the bike, following Viktor inside.

  Bishop’s eyes adjusted quickly to see Kira, Bonnie, and Mira, along with Ronan on the mats.

  “You have to stop pulling your magic, Kira,” Bonnie was saying with an edge of irritation. “Believe me when I tell you those around my asshole father will not be pulling theirs. From what I’ve heard, he’s rounding up some of the most powerful witches and warlocks from everywhere. I’m surprised I’m the only one with a hit on her head.”

  “Actually, you’re not,” Mira said, then frowned when Kira glared at her. “It’s time they knew, Kira. I’m sick of keeping this secret.”

  “What secret?” Ronan snapped to full attention.

  “Damn,” Bonnie cursed with a hiss. “I bet old saggy ass wants her alive, though. I can’t believe I didn’t hear about this. Then again, I’ve been staying away from most witches since my price is mighty tempting, even to a goodie-two-shoes witch.”

  “You knew about this?” Ronan’s voice rose as he took a step toward Kira. Anger radiated off his body and tone of voice.

  �
�It’s just rumors.” Kira tried to lighten the implication of what was just exposed by Mira.

  “Bullshit,” Mira whispered, but they all heard her.

  “Mira,” Kira warned, but Mira ignored her, looking straight at Ronan.

  “She was supposed to tell you. Promised me she was going to tell you, but”—Mira disregarded Kira’s warning glare—“she hasn’t so I’m telling you.”

  Bishop listened, knowing exactly how Ronan was feeling. Well, maybe not exactly, but having a price on a loved one’s head sucked. He and Viktor had many prices on their heads over the years. It was something witches liked to do; both witches and warlocks had a reputation for being greedy. Made no damn sense to him since they could easily get anything they wanted without money by using their craft. Guess it was like a notch on their broomstick or something.

  “This is nothing new, Mira,” Kira said, but her eyes were on Ronan, who was glaring hard at his mate. “We’ve had a bounty on our heads since the day we were born.”

  “Actually, this is new,” Bonnie added, her eyes briefly meeting Bishop’s before going back to Kira, then Ronan. “Now whoever takes you can boast they bested the most powerful witch, bringing her to her knees.”

  Curses filled the air, Ronan’s the loudest. Bishop remained silent, knowing Bonnie was right. He glanced at Viktor, who gave him a knowing look. It was now known that Emilia had gifted her powers to Kira, which made the hunt and takedown that much sweeter. Even a white witch would be hard-pressed to turn down such an accolade.

  “She’s right,” Bishop said before Kira could dispute Bonnie’s claims. “It is different now. Not only are witches on the lookout for you, but non-witches who want the money and don’t care about the accolades of taking down the most powerful witch.”

  “I swear I’ll kill the bastard.” Ronan’s cowboy twang intensified with his rage. “I forbid you to put yourself out there like this.”

  “Oh shit.” Bonnie shook her head. “He went there.”

  When Kira put her hands on her hips, Bishop realized Bonnie was right. Ronan did go there.

  “Listen, cowboy,” Bonnie tried to explain, no doubt trying to stop the shitstorm brewing, “forbidding a witch is like, ah… standing behind a horse and sticking a needle in his ass.”

  “What?” Ronan finally looked away from Kira to glare at her now.

  “Yeah, what?” Bishop frowned, cocking his eyebrow at her.

  “Hey, I’m trying to talk ‘cowboy’ here.” Bonnie shushed Bishop. “And you heard me, Ronan. Forbidding a witch is like standing behind a horse and sticking a needle in his ass. You’re for sure gonna get kicked.”

  “Okay, that made no fucking sense at all.” Bishop snorted and shook his head.

  “And you are no cowboy.” Bonnie gave him a “duh” look before rolling her eyes.

  Before Bonnie could continue, Kira held up her hand. “Listen, and listen well.” Her voice was strong and sure. “No one is going to forbid me to do what I need to do to save my sister and niece. Not even you, Ronan. If you cannot stand beside me in this, then leave.”

  Bishop noticed Bonnie cringe as they all waited for Ronan’s response. He stared at his mate, and Bishop felt for him. Damn, what a fucking decision. Stand back while your woman saved the fucking day, putting herself in danger every second or turn and walk away. Yeah, he didn’t know what he would do in that situation, so he kept his damn mouth shut. Then again, he did know what he wouldn’t do. He would never walk away from the woman he loved. Definitely not happening.

  “I’m going nowhere,” Ronan growled the words, leaning toward Kira. “But neither are you, alone.”

  “What’s new? I’ve got an overprotective cowboy who won’t let me out of his sight.” Kira shrugged, then reached up and touched Ronan’s cheek before dropping her hand. “I have to do this, Ronan.”

  “She really does. So back up, cowboy, and let her do her thang,” Bonnie added, breaking their moment. This time Bishop cringed. Lord, that witch really didn’t care what she said, when she said it, or who she said it to. She glanced over at Bishop with a grin. “How do you like my cowboy slangin’ twangin’ talk?”

  “Can use a little work, witch,” Bishop teased, then laughed when she flipped him off. He glanced over at Mira. “Where’s Steve?”

  “I’m here.” Steve’s voice sounded right beside him, making him jump.

  “Son of a bitch.” Bishop threw an elbow, hoping to hit Steve. “Haven’t you been warned about being invisible and sneaking up on people, especially me?”

  Steve became visible. “Sorry, just making sure I’m ready to go. Haven’t been invisible for a while and wanted to make sure I still had it,” Steve replied, then grinned. “You had no clue, did you?”

  Bishop glanced at Viktor, who was grinning like an idiot. “What clued you in?” Viktor answered before Bishop could. “The way he jumped like a little girl or his squeal of terror?”

  “Fuck you, Viktor,” Bishop spat before looking back at Steve. “Don’t make me have to explain to Sloan why I had to kill you.”

  “Well, since Sloan knows me so well, I don’t think you’ll have to explain much,” Steve replied, then headed toward Mira. “Make sure I have a nice burial, babe.”

  Bishop heard Bonnie snicker, but when he looked that way, she was straight-faced. “What?” she said at his look.

  “Make sure she’s ready.” Bishop nodded toward Kira.

  “Oh, okay, Sloan Jr.” Bonnie saluted him. “What in the hell do you think I’m trying to do? Now, get out of here so we can work.”

  Bishop sent a glare her way, but when he turned to leave the warehouse, a grin broke out on his face. One thing about Bonnie was he loved giving her shit because she gave it right back to him. That was refreshing and something he wasn’t used to with women. He liked it, a lot.

  “You sure you guys aren’t… you know?” Viktor said as soon as they walked outside.

  “I’m sure,” Bishop replied, wondering suddenly why he replied at all.

  “Well, I think there’s a spark there,” Steve said as he passed them. “I know this shit. Bonnie just likes to play the tough girl, but I’ve seen her staring at you with googly eyes.”

  “Googly eyes?” Viktor laughed, staring at Steve.

  “Yeah, you know,” Steve said, then looked toward Bishop with his eyes all wanting and shit as he stared at Bishop. “Googly-eyed. Does no one know what that is? I swear I’ve even had to show the Warriors the googly eye,” Steve said seriously as his eyes went back to normal.

  “I swear to God, if you ever look at me like that again, no one, and I mean no one, will be able to identify your body,” Bishop growled, his fangs bared and gleaming.

  “Damn, this is going to be an awesome day.” Viktor laughed before taking off on his bike, with Steve quickly following.

  Bishop hung back, thinking of what Steve said, then glanced back at the warehouse before taking off after them. No, Steve was wrong. It was clear Bonnie had no real feelings for him nor he for her. They’d already got that shit out of the way, and he knew that’s why they got along so well. Easy. Friendship. Done.

  Chapter 2

  Bonnie watched Bishop leave then chuckled to herself. He sure as hell didn’t know what to think about her, and that’s the way she wanted it. She’d heard of Viktor and Bishop Valentino long before she’d met them, very well in fact, and no matter what her feelings for the man may or may not be, she knew his past. He had killed more witches than she was comfortable with. Bonnie had a code she lived by, somewhat, and well, she honestly didn’t know how she felt about Bishop’s past. If they had met up when he and his brother were on their killing spree of witches, would she have been one of their many kills? Probably, and that bothered her more than she wanted to admit.

  “So, what next?” Kira said, breaking her out of her thoughts.

  “Start out slow,” Bonnie said, walking over toward a pile of mats and sitting down as she looked around. “Make me believe I’m not inside this
building, but outside.”

  “Ah, and that’s slow?” Kira snorted, putting her hand on her hip, staring at her. When Bonnie didn’t respond but kept staring back, Kira sighed. “Okay.”

  Bonnie waited and waited. Nothing was happening. “Focus, Kira. You can do this. It’s easy.”

  “Then you do it,” Kira hissed, her eyes closed slightly.

  Shrugging, Bonnie called on her powers, and suddenly the building around them disappeared. “Done.”

  She watched as Kira opened her eyes and gasped, “Seriously!” Kira spun in circles before glancing her way, her eyes wide. “Me thinks you have been holding out on us, Bonnie.”

  “Well, you thinks wrong.” Bonnie stood, growing aggravated. “Kira, you haven’t been using your powers, being afraid Orjyll will find you. You’re out of practice. You should have been able to do this without even thinking hard about it. Focus, dammit. This is Witch Shit 101.”

  “Easy for you to say,” Kira grumbled.

  “And easy for you to do if you’d get the broomstick out of your ass,” Bonnie replied, then smirked. “Bet if your honey over there was in danger, you’d call on those powers real quick.”

  Just as Bonnie’s words were apparently registering in Kira’s brain from her wide eyes, Bonnie formed a long, pointy icicle in midair that headed toward Ronan. She had to give the cowboy credit. He just stood there ready to take the ice missile to the chest, but before it hit its mark, Kira’s hand shot out, and the icicle exploded into a million pieces, falling harmlessly to the ground.