by Tl Reeve
With a critical eye she turned to the right, then the left trying to see any hint of the baby she knew was nestled deep inside her body. Who knew being a chubby, fat girl would be so beneficial when pregnant? Although to be honest, Charisma knew absolutely nothing about pregnancy and the changes it did to her body. Now she’d have a front row seat.
Rubbing her hands down her lower belly, she wondered how a group of shifters, who could smell her lies, had yet to scent her pregnancy. She was dying to know but asking the question would open her up to a whole other headache.
She had enough on her plate right now.
Namely knowing she was going to see Royce in not so distant future.
“You look beautiful, Charisma,” Danielle said from the doorway, wearing her trademark flirty skirt.
She couldn’t remember a time when she saw the older woman dressed in a pair of pants. Even when working, Danielle wore skirts.
Her gaze flickered up, catching Danielle’s in the mirror. Hopefully, the other woman hadn’t seen her caressing her lower belly. “Thank you.” She ran her hands down the form-fitting dress and wished she had brought more of a choice of clothes with her. Her stomach, already a hot mess, thanks in part to the baby her body was growing, twisted and rolled with her nerves.
Danielle sighed from the door. “You’re going to knock him on his ass. Trust me on this. If I know anything, it’s Raferty men.”
Charisma frowned, doubting the tall, willowy female ever had to worry about how others perceived in her in an outfit and how the worry would drive her nuts the entire night.
She was projecting, and she knew it.
It wasn’t the cut or style of the dress or how it fit. Charisma was terrified of being face to face with Royce tonight.
This was stupid. Why was she doing this? It wasn’t worth the turmoil she was putting herself through.
“I’m not going to go,” she said before kicking off her shoes and reaching for the tie on her dress. “It’s pointless.”
Danielle pushed off the doorjamb, entering the room. She laid a comforting hand on Charisma’s shoulder. The tension between her eyes and deep in her belly began to ease, and Charisma knew what the other woman was doing.
“Kalkin suspected you’d say this. He called about ten minutes ago and asked me to relay a message to you.”
Charisma rolled her eyes. What was the worst thing he could do to her that hadn’t already been done to her? “Oh goodie.”
Danielle snorted. “He said, and I quote: ‘Tell Charisma if her ass isn’t at the house by the time the guest of honor arrives, all bets are off.’ He also said to tell you, and I’m paraphrasing here, he’d wasn’t above informing Royce you didn’t leave town and where you stayed last night. He said Royce would be out the door in two point two seconds to get your ass.”
“What an asshole,” she mumbled, not caring if Danielle heard her or not.
Danielle grinned. “No truer statement has ever been made about Kalkin Raferty. He excels at being one. I know right now he’s your least favorite person other than Royce, but trust me, Kal does have some endearing qualities.”
“Yeah? Name them for me,” Charisma said.
Danielle laughed, scratching at her head in thought. “I’m going to need some time to get a list together.”
“We’re going to be late, pumpkin.” Caden appeared in the doorway of Charisma’s room, dressed in a pair of black jeans and a light grey dress shirt.
Sometimes it was hard to believe the other man was an identical twin to their Alpha. Their personalities were so different. They were like yin and yang. Kalkin was an asshole. Caden was always so sweet and calm. Charisma had never seen the Beta ever lose his temper or yell at someone. The same couldn’t be said about the pack Prime Alpha.
“Charisma just informed me she doesn’t want to go.”
Caden quickly covered his surprise at his mate’s announcement. “Did you tell her my twin is about to sell her ass out if she doesn’t show?”
“Yes. Yes, I did. She’s still ruminating over it,” Danielle said. The corners of her lips tweaked in amusement.
Charisma was happy she could provide comic relief for the Rafertys. “I bet he’s bluffing.” Charisma crossed her arms and gave them her best look of defiance.
Caden snorted, clearly not impressed. “No, he’s not. Kal doesn’t bluff. Ever. It’ll go a lot easier if you put your damn shoes back on, pull up your big girl panties, and deal with your problems instead of hiding. Trust me on this, Charisma, burying your head in the sand and ignoring the elephant in the room with the hopes it’ll disappear does no one any good. Matter of fact, those problems tend to get exacerbated.”
“You don’t understand—”
“Do you love him?” Caden demanded, his voice rough and similar to his twin. It was freaky as hell. “If you tell me you don’t, I’ll go against my twin, my boss…fuck my Alpha, Charisma, and do everything in my power to get you away from Window Rock and settled someplace my nephew will never find you.”
Charisma looked away, not wanting Caden to see the tears in her eyes.
“It’s a simple question,” Caden pushed.
“Caden—” Danielle warned.
“Uh-uh, pumpkin. When I needed it, Kalkin didn’t pull back or go easy on me. He laid it all out in front of me, like the asshole he is. Made me open my eyes, baby, and made me see what I was about to lose. I’ll do no less for Charisma or my nephew.”
Blinking the tears away, Charisma took a deep breath to steady herself before turning to face Caden. “I love him.”
“Then fight for him,” Danielle said, wrapping a comforting arm around her.
“You make it sound so easy.”
“Oh, no…it’s anything but. It’s a leap of faith to put your damaged heart back into the hands of the person who damaged it in the first place. Broken trust isn’t easy to rebuild. It’ll be one of the hardest things you ever do. The road you travel to get to the end will be long, it will be winding, and it will be filled with obstacles, both good and bad. The payout…though…is a love so strong, so pure, like sunshine, and it’ll be like nothing you’ve ever experienced. Ever.”
“I’m scared.” Whatever choice she made didn’t just affect her anymore. She had her baby to think about now. Royce could potentially hurt her again, but not their child. She wouldn’t allow it, not while she still walked about this Earth.
Danielle snorted. “Honey, if you weren’t scared, we’d think there was something wrong with you.”
Caden growled, rubbing his forehead. “The asshole is getting impatient.”
Danielle smiled. “Tell him to calm his tits, we’re coming.”
Charisma snorted. Caden would relish relaying the message to his older twin. Charisma didn’t completely understand it, but according to Royce, Raferty twins were able to communicate with each other. Keeley also had the same ability. Compared to them, she had stronger gifts and could tap into anyone’s mind, though didn’t do it without permission. Thankfully, Charisma had never had the pleasure of that experience.
“Fuck me. He’s in a fine mood tonight.” Caden looked at his wife adoringly. “He wanted me to tell you to watch it. You’re already on thin ice.” Danielle smirked, and Caden cocked his head, watching his wife. “What in ever-loving hell did you do to him in your office yesterday?”
Danielle laughed. “Oh…I just gave him a gentle reminder of who and what I am.”
“I can only imagine. Remind me to never piss you off,” Caden half-joked with his mate before turning his attention to Charisma. “Ready to blow this popcorn stand?”
The drive didn’t take as long as Charisma hoped it would. The inviting home lay nestled between its cookie cutter variations. The street was quiet for a warm summer evening. It was perfect. Better than the stuffy apartment she lived in. The group of people standing on the porch were welcomed in by a glowing Hayden. A blanket covered her chest as she gently hugged everyone then closed the door. When she got out of the ca
r, a dark rumbled growl came from her right. She glanced over in the direction it came from and frowned. Royce.
“We’ll leave you two alone,” Danielle said. “Come in when you’re ready.”
She’d never be ready. “Royce.”
“Oasis.” He joined her. “Are you ready to go in?”
No. She’d rather be far away from this place, but obviously, that wasn’t going to happen now. “Let’s get this over with.” She walked away from him and followed Danielle and Caden. The door closed behind them, forcing her to knock and wait. Royce’s warm breath caressed the back of her neck as he stood behind her, waiting for the door to open. Several times she had to remind herself she’d made a deal with Kalkin to hear him out on everything pertaining the next part of the case. However, seeing Royce, her resolve crumbled.
Hayden opened the door, surprise and shock filling her features. “I didn’t think you were going to make it.”
“Kalkin convinced us,” Royce answered for them.
“Well, it’s good to have you here.” Hayden ushered them inside. “Everyone is here all ready. If you give me a second, we can sit down to eat.” She squeezed Charisma’s shoulder before leaving their side to enter the kitchen.
“Charisma.” Keeley left group she was in, which included her mate. “Welcome.” The other woman gave her a hug. It wasn’t as good as Danielle’s had been earlier, but it’d do.
The women’s bubbly personality was infectious. The tension in her back, neck, and shoulders eased. “Thanks. So, how are you?” She mentally kicked herself for being so damn formal. It wasn’t like she didn’t work for the woman.
Keeley laughed. “Relax, it’s a party after all.”
Yeah. Sure. Relax. “Right. For Asher.”
“Charisma.” The heavy weight of worry settled in her stomach once more when Kalkin joined them. Although she’d heard everything he’d said yesterday, she was still pissed at him and Royce. Not only had Kalkin put Royce in a no-win situation, but he had also put her in a position to believe Royce would sleep with another woman, while professing his love and devotion to her.
She didn’t look at him. She couldn’t.
“Charisma.” His voice was deep, dark yet soft and caring.
How exactly did he do it? Royce had the same ability. Her gaze flicked to where Royce stood, resting against the wall. He wore a pair of dark black jeans and a tight black t-shirt, accentuating the hard lines of his powerful body. He held a beer in his hand, and he was staring right at her. Even from this distance, she could see the pain in his beautiful blue eyes.
“Hello.” She dipped her chin, dropping her gaze to the floor to avoid looking at Royce or his intimidating uncle.
“What the fuck is it with the female mates and suddenly being all shy and timid around me and the Raferty men?” Kalkin asked.
Charisma knew it was a rhetorical question, but it didn’t stop Keeley from responding. “Might be the waves of assholeness coming off of all of you. It’s overwhelming.”
Charisma jerked at Keeley’s comment, still surprised, after all these years, at how the woman could throw zingers at her mate.
“Watch it,” Kalkin growled.
Keeley rolled her eyes. “If you’re not going to be nice, I’m going to make you be nice.”
Kalkin snorted. “You should know by now, sweet cheeks, no one can make me do anything I don’t want to do.”
Charisma nodded. Kalkin only did what Kalkin wanted. She cut her gaze to where Royce had been standing moments ago. He wasn’t there. She glanced around the room. Her heart tripped a beat, and she swore beads of sweat formed on her upper lip. Where did he go? She didn’t understand the irrational way her body responded to his departure, or why it worried her so much. If he wanted to leave, fine by her.
“Unless I threaten to take away your nighttime activities,” Keeley retorted before she flounced away.
Great. Now, it was just her and Kalkin while Royce sauntered towards them. Damn it, how had she not noticed where he’d gotten off to? How was he able to sneak up on her without even making a sound?
“Easy, girl. You got this,” Kalkin encouraged her.
“Charisma.” Royce stopped beside his uncle. His blue gaze swept over her from head to toe, lingering longer on her breasts and the skin showing from the low-cut dress.
She could have sworn she heard him growl.
“Royce.” Her voice quivered with fear.
“Jesus, Oasis.” Royce ran his hand through his dark hair. “You look beautiful, baby.”
Why couldn’t he have said that outside when he walked up on her? Why did have to wait until now, when they were in front of their family, in a situation she couldn’t get out of? “Thanks.” She tried to play it cool. Show how much he didn’t affect her.
“Fuck me, Royce. Do me a favor, will ya, if you’re going to fuck her, make sure it’s after the party and away from the younger kids. I’m not in any mood to give sex education to the pups,” Kalkin grunted before walking away.
Charisma’s eyes widened and dropped to Royce’s groin where she could see an obvious bulge.
“Is it…” She stopped, cleared her throat, and took a deep breath before continuing. “Did you really destroy our apartment?”
“Sure did. You left,” he muttered, before taking a long pull from the beer bottle. “It’s only a home if you’re there, Oasis.”
“Are you mad at me?” Her gaze flicked to his. Anger swirled with lust in those deep blue eyes of his. Then she mentally gave herself a slap. Who cared if he was mad at her. He had no right. He lied to her. Not the other way around.
“Nope, I’m not mad. I’m pissed off,” he snapped.
If she had been a dog or a wolf in this case, her hackles would have been up. How dare he? How fucking dare he be pissed off at her. She’d done not a single thing wrong. She got into his face, the tips of her toes touching his. If she’d been taller, they’d be nose to nose. The looming presence of his big body didn’t scare her one bit. “You’ve got a lot of nerve, Royce—”
“Not pissed at you, Oasis. I’m pissed at the situation. One I caused.” He took the wind right out of her sails.
“Oh,” she replied.
Royce inched her backwards with each step he took forward, until finally, her back touched the wall, and she was trapped. There’d been no concern for her personal space and her treacherous body softened at the heat emanating from him. His spicy cologne hit her nose, and she bit back a moan of need.
“I want to kiss you so badly.” Royce gave zero shits if the people around them were listening in or if she’d been uncomfortable. He leaned in, his nose brushed against her neck, close to where he’d marked her. “Fuck, baby. Your tits, in this dress, makes me want to lift your legs around my waist and fuck you until we both can’t stand. Who cares who’ll see us.”
“Royce—” She pushed against his wide chest with her palm, so she could get her breath.
“I can smell you, baby. Smell your sweet, wet pussy. Are you aching for me, Oasis?” he muttered against her ear.
“You’re not playing fair.” She whimpered when he scored her ear with his teeth.
Asshole. He knew his teeth on her skin was a hot button for her, turning her into a wet pile of goo.
“Not that you care or anything, but we’ve got kids watching you two, eating popcorn,” Kalkin said, interrupting the intimate moment between them.
“Oh!” Charisma grew warm with embarrassment. She squeezed her eyes shut, not wanting to meet any of the children’s gazes.
“Relax, no one saw or heard anything,” Royce assured her.
“Heard or saw anything…no, they didn’t,” Kalkin said. “Smelled the lust and need pouring off you two, well, fuck, that’s another story.
“Knock it off, asshole,” Royce snarled. “Not like they haven’t seen, heard, or smelled your desire right before you cart Keeley off to fuck her senseless.”
Uncomfortable by the scene she, Royce, and Kalkin were making, Ch
arisma pressed her forehead against Royce’s heaving chest. “Please stop.”
“Keeley told me to be nice, so here is my attempt at trying. I want both your asses in Nico’s office, five minutes after Hayden takes Asher up to his room. Got it?” Kalkin said.
“Yeah. Got it.” Royce backed away from her. Charisma would never admit it, but she missed the warmth of his big body.
* * * *
Dinner had gone quicker than Charisma anticipated. She didn’t know if it was because her mind had been elsewhere or due to the fact Asher was still healing and no one wanted to overstimulate the little cub. It, however, didn’t stop the sideways glances she gave Royce or the way she continued to remind herself, she only had a few more hours to get through, then she could go home.
When Hayden excused herself from the table, Kalkin cocked his head to the side. It was time. She stood from the table and followed Kalkin, Nico, and Royce to the office down the hall. She stepped inside and closed the door behind her before taking a seat on the couch on the opposite side of Royce. Whatever Kalkin was up to, she wanted to stay focused.
A few moments after she sat, a quick knock came at the door before the knob turned. The door opened slightly. Mackenzie and Saber entered the room. Saber hadn’t been present for any of the festivities, and Charisma narrowed her eyes. Why would her brother-in-law be there? It didn’t make sense.
Mackenzie appeared weary. His normally happy blue eyes were lifeless. His face, gaunt. He had dark circles under his eyes while strain lines formed around his mouth and between his brows. Charisma had been so wrapped up in her own misery she had completely forgotten about her father-in-law.
“Dad,” Royce said, acknowledging his father first.
Charisma frowned at Royce’s cold manner toward his father. Surely, he didn’t blame the other man for Holly’s misdeeds.
“Son,” Mackenzie replied. He sat in one of the two chairs situated in front of the massive wooden desk.
The silence killed her. Fucking Raferty pride. She glared at Royce before standing. If he wouldn’t take care of the eldest Raferty, she would. She crossed to the man, taking the seat beside him.
