Better Than Luck

by Brandy L Rivers

  “Love you, Dane. You know that. I don’t like the idea of sharing, but it’s the only thing that is guaranteed to save her.”

  He grabbed her face and brought her down for a kiss. When he finally released her, he looked into her eyes. “What are you going to say to her?”

  “I don’t know. Come up with something brilliant. I know how much she hates our father, but she doesn’t hate me. I just have to make her see the truth. Dad was an arrogant asshole who thought he deserved the world. He doesn’t. She never thinks of herself first. She’s not like him. Neither am I.”

  “From what I’ve heard of the prick, I’m glad you didn’t turn out like him.”

  “Me too.” She let out a breath. “Adam works today. I plan to go to her when he’s at work. I just hope I say the right thing.”

  “You will. You always figure it out.”

  She snorted. “Not always. But I try. I don’t want to lose my big sister. If it wasn’t for her, I might not have seen the truth where good old dad was concerned.”

  “Between you and Adam, I think you’ll bring her around. I just hope you’re right about Adam’s reaction.”

  “He’d do anything for Danika. And he’s smart enough to realize this is her best chance.”

  “Good luck. Not that you need it, my little leprechaun.”

  Giggling, she took another kiss.

  He stood and carried her back to the bedroom.

  Chapter 10

  “You can’t keep me here,” Finnian stated, slamming his hands on the table. “What the hell have I done?”

  Preston snorted. “Well, we’re still working on the paperwork. And until you’re documented properly, we can’t release you.”

  “And why am I in chains?”

  “Cuffs, and because you’re clearly not willing to accept you’ve broken many laws over the years, and we’re willing to forgive all of that, but you need to have the correct documentation.”

  Finnian’s lip pulled back with a snarl. “Bullshit, and you know it. He thinks I’ve done something wrong.”

  He snorted. “No, he’s worried how your daughters are going to take the news you’re alive.”

  “Danika hates me. Dominique…well, I don’t know if Danika turned her against me or not. Still, I want to talk to them, see for myself if they hate me.”

  “Yeah, well, right now is not a good time.” Preston pushed himself back, shaking his head.

  “Why’s that?”

  “None of your business.”

  Finnian placed his head on his hands and tried to think of a way out of the cuffs, out of the room, out of the damned situation. For years, he hadn’t had to deal with anyone else. And now, nothing wanted to work in his favor. Normally, a weak link would give, the mage would be called away, and he would forget to the lock the door. He would slip out and find an exit.

  But no, the cuffs held tight.

  The mage was unaffected.

  And he wasn’t budging from the damned room.

  What was going on? This never happened.

  “What? Things not working out for the leprechaun? Can’t always have your way.” Preston flipped the chair around and straddled the back, staring into his eyes. “Never had a run of bad luck, have you?”

  “What would you know about my luck? My daughter suffered from cancer she could have fixed if she had just had sex with a friend of mine. She turned her sister against me. She drove a wedge between Diedre and me for years. And then I still lost my beloved in a raging fire because I was trying to get money to make Diedre’s life better after my daughters tore her heart out and left her alone.”

  He snorted. “Wait, you tried to force Danika into having sex with one of your friends when she was a kid?” His face twisted into a sneer. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”

  “Me? You do realize most Fae go through the awakening young. She was old enough. She may have been raised human, for Diedre’s sake, but it would have saved so much pain, so much money. Diedre wouldn’t have hated me when I left to make enough to pay off the medical bills. I paid off all those bills by gambling. I didn’t have a lot of options.”

  “Wow, so this is all about the trouble you went through? Shit, no wonder she hates you.” Preston pulled out a phone and looked at the screen. He rolled his eyes. “You’re not going to be stuck here forever, so relax.”

  “Easy for you to say. You don’t understand me.”

  Preston huffed. “Doubt I want to.”

  Finnian fisted his hands. “Why do I need a babysitter?”

  His brow cocked. “Maybe I like watching you squirm.”

  And maybe the mage was blocking his luck somehow.

  * * * *

  Danika woke when Adam climbed out of bed. He quietly got ready while she watched him. She saw the worry on his face, the stress in his shoulders.

  Did he have a point about the other option? Yeah, he did. She needed to look for another solution before giving in. There had to be another way.

  He came back and knelt beside the bed, looking into her eyes. “Feeling any better?”

  She took his hand. “No. I don’t like my options.”

  He let out a breath. “I’ll say this once. You made me jump into the werewolf thing with you. You didn’t land with me. Now I need you to really think about this. I’m not letting you go. The best option is one where you live as long as I do. You just gave me a much longer life. Now I need you to do the same for me.” He kissed her palm. “I don’t expect your answer now. I need you to hold Makayla a while longer and really think about what the old-fashioned way might mean for her. I don’t want her to grow up without you. I’d fall apart, and I’d make a horrible single dad.”

  A tear slipped down her face. She knew he was right. But maybe Tremaine could find another answer. Maybe Dakota. She had a little time to look for anything else.

  “I love you, Dani. I’m not letting you slip away.”

  She pulled his hand to her lips and kissed his palm the same way. “We’ll figure this out.”

  “Wish I didn’t have to go. Henry wants more work done. I can’t bail on him.”

  “Should I come by? Think Anne will be there?”

  He snorted. “I don’t know. And what are we going to tell her? Until you can go in and she can see you’re cured, she’s going to insist on pumping you full of chemicals that are going to make you sick in hopes of making you better. I’m sorry if it makes me a selfish bastard, but I can’t accept that as an answer. Especially now that I’m Other. You made that choice.”

  “You said—”

  He covered her mouth. “We made that choice. For us. But I asked if you wanted to wait to make sure it would work for you. I don’t want to be Other if you aren’t. You get that, right? This was for us. So, I need you to consider one night, hell, a few minutes even, with someone else for an eternity with me. Because all I’m seeing is a pleasurable experience for you that gives us forever with our little girl.” He placed another kiss. “Don’t say anything right now. Just think about it.” He stood. “Got to go.”

  “Love you, Adam.”

  “Love you more.”

  “No, I do.”

  He sighed. “Maybe the same. But if that’s the case, you’re going to realize we need this.”

  Her eyes closed. “Give me a little time. Maybe there’s another way.”

  “If you’re right, we’ll take that route. If not, please, Dani, for us.”

  “We’ll talk.”

  Nodding, he left the room. He’d head straight to Inktastic. The shop she named when they moved out to Edenton to open a shop. Tomahawk moved out because that’s where his brother had lived. One of them. The other came out often.

  She needed to figure out what she was doing. When Makayla woke up, she’d take her to the bookstore. She could pick out a book, and she could talk to Tremaine, who seemed to know everything, or how to find out about it.

  Chapter 11

  Adam hurried into the shop and found Fallon getting her station
ready. He popped his head in. “What are you doing here on your day off?”

  She spun and gave him a tight smile. “How is she?”

  “Danika? Upset. She was really hoping being a werewolf was the answer. She doesn’t like our other option.”

  “So I gathered. I think she’ll come around. Right now, I’m getting ready to make it so her asshole of a father can’t leach any luck from her or anyone else. Anyone with my tattoos should be safe. Which means maybe we should give you a little extra detail somewhere so I can work the magic before Robert brings him.”

  His brow pinched. “Uh…yeah, okay. Will that work?”

  “Yes, and if I can convince Danika, I’ll add a little detail somewhere, just to protect her too. I know you’ve done all of her ink.”

  “Most. But yeah, I can convince her. Especially if you do the same for me. In fact, I know what I want you to do. I want her name.”

  “What about Makayla?” she asked.

  His face lit up. “Put the three of us in the design. But we’re not putting needles anywhere near my bluebird until she’s old enough to give some serious thought about what kind of ink she may or may not want.”

  “No, but you could have Devlin work the same magic into a bracelet, anklet, anything.”

  “Yeah, okay. Where do you want me?”

  Fallon grinned. “Don’t you have someone coming in?”

  “Yeah, but Henry won’t be here for an hour. And I may have to come up with something to tell him. I’m sure Anne told him about Danika.”

  “Sit.” She pulled out a blue ink and nodded to the arm of the chair. “Put your arm face up. I’ll do it on your inner wrist.”

  “Okay.” Though he dreaded that spot. He knew it was tender. So many clients winced and whined through the inner wrist.

  Before he could think, Fallon cleaned the spot and quickly made a spiraling circle with their three names in a scrawl.

  “You’re much too good at this. I’m surprised all my clients still come to me.”

  She snorted. “You’re talented too. Just no magic to back that up. They come to me for the magic.”

  “And the tattoos that practically come to life. I’ve seen your tattoos move. Shit, I can’t stare at Preston’s work too long without noticing water rippling, wind blowing hair, and a glow emanating from his blades.”

  “Never noticed Brody’s move?”

  “Oh, I have. But he didn’t go for nearly as dramatic.”

  “No, but there’s a story in the ink I put on him. At least what I designed.”

  He smiled. “You know, you two fit so well together. Think Danika and I are going to mate?”

  “Without a doubt. Need us to take Makayla off your hands again? Make sure you two have time to properly enjoy that aspect?”

  “God, do you think we don’t have sex when she’s around? And please don’t attempt to tell me you two don’t bone with the twins in another room.”

  She laughed. “It’s not that. Things are more intense when the bond forms. You won’t want to stop for anything.”

  “Yeah, well, Makayla sleeps sound. That’s not going to be an issue. And I’m not convinced we didn’t form some kind of bond before this.”

  “She is part Fae. You may have formed their version of a mate bond, but I don’t know many unawakened Fae.”

  “I don’t know.” He let out a breath. “She scared me today. I thought I might lose her.”

  “You won’t. We’ll find a way to convince her. Amethyst is already talking to her brother. They may be in later to give you some ideas on how to broach the topic if you haven’t already started.”

  “And you’re taking away Finnian’s ability to steal luck, right?”

  She nodded as she sprayed the new design, then wiped it. She slathered ointment over the tattoo. “Let’s hope it works correctly. I’ve never done a spell to keep an ability under lockdown.”

  “But you’ve already protected everyone you’ve inked?”

  “Robert believes so. Finnian can’t leach luck from him or Preston. He thinks it’s because of their tattoos. I get the principle behind it. I talked to Tremaine. He says it’s possible. Might backfire for Finnian eventually, but hey, that’s okay, the guy is a world-class douchebag. I had a few run-ins with him forever ago.”

  His brow cocked. “How well did you know him?”

  She snorted. “Only enough to know he believes the world revolves around him, and that there is something seriously wrong with him because he draws luck like a vacuum. I get why she doesn’t want to be like him. Just have to convince her she won’t be.”

  “Easier said than done.” Adam closed his eyes. “I’ll find a way, though. I have to. Maybe if she hadn’t insisted I become a werewolf the same time she tried, I could let it go.” A sad laugh escaped. “No, I’d still be begging her to sleep with someone else.”

  Fallon smiled. “Because you love her more than anything.”

  “Of course I do. Makayla too.” He rubbed over his heart. “And this way, Makayla can have a brother or sister or two.”

  “Very true.” She grinned. “You want more little people running around.”

  “Don’t you?” Adam asked, one brow arched.

  “Not yet. Two are a handful. Give me time, and I’ll want more. We’re not done.”

  “Good, because I know Brody would be happy with a houseful of kids.”

  “There was a time I never wanted kids. But now, with Brody, I will be happy with more. Now get out of here. Henry will be early, and you need to figure out what to say to him.”

  “Got to say something to buy Danika enough time to figure out how to tell them the truth. And I want to talk to Amethyst and Dakota. See if they have some insight for me.”

  * * * *

  Robert entered the interrogation room, walked over to Finnian who glared at him, and placed a hand on his shoulder. He yanked consciousness from Finnian and his head slammed forward. “Coming?” he asked Preston.

  Preston’s brow’s pinched. “Yeah. You okay?”

  He took a slow breath. “Ever feel like you need a break from all these assholes?”

  A laugh bubbled up. “Yeah, been there. I took my break and got pulled back in. Maybe you need to step back and take a less active role for a little while. You’re being pushed too far.”

  Robert rolled his eyes. “Why’s that?”

  “Assholes? I remember when you hardly ever swore.” Preston took a seat. “Seems to happen more and more. Not that it’s a complaint, but your restraint is ready to snap.”

  “Maybe it’s being with Liz and Tremaine. They’ve loosened my tongue.”

  Preston’s brow cocked. “It’s more than that. I remember a time you would have handed Finnian over to the Council and let them sort it out.”

  “What would you have me do? He’s a threat to everyone around him. He can’t control the ability to take luck and I was in his memories long enough to see how many have died just by being around him. And he doesn’t even notice. And now he’s around Edenton where my friends and family are.”

  “I get it and agree. Comes as a surprise. Probably because this is a new side. Still, I think you need a vacation.”

  “I do. More than you know.” Robert ran a hand down his lapel. “Let’s get him to Fallon before I second-guess my decision.”

  “It’s the right one, Robert.”

  “Yeah, but what if his luck runs out? I’m streamlining his death. At least we’ll all be safer.” And after Emily called to tell him what happened to Danika, he really didn’t want to let Finnian make her decision harder.

  “Very. Now let’s hope this asshole doesn’t fuck with Danika’s decision.”

  Chapter 12

  Danika pushed the stroller into A Good Book.

  Makayla reached for Tremaine as he came around the corner. She excitedly cried out, “Trem, books!”

  Laughing, he knelt and unhooked her from the seat. “Go on.”

  Danika smiled as Makayla threw her arms arou
nd Tremaine, then ran for the books.

  “She’s so much like you,” Tremaine said.

  “Really?” She wasn’t so sure. But everything had started to weigh on her.

  “Yeah, she’s got your spark, your joy for life.” He smiled sadly. “I understand things aren’t good right now. I’m guessing you want to know if there’s another way to get around the leukemia, other than what Emily already suggested.”

  “Adam keeps suggesting it. I don’t understand how he could want to share me with someone else, even just once.”

  Tremaine chuckled. “You’re asking the wrong man. I share Liz with Robert. I share Robert with Liz.”

  “That’s different. The three of you are a cohesive unit. I can’t imagine one without the other two.”

  “That wasn’t always the case, Danika. Years ago, it was just Robert and Liz. I never thought I’d be where I am. But that isn’t what Adam’s going to be doing. He wouldn’t be sharing you. He’d be ensuring you lived a long, healthy life by his side. Adam loves you more than anything besides Makayla. He wants you there for him, for her. It would be a pleasurable way for you to beat cancer for good. It wouldn’t come back.”

  “But I’d be having sex with someone else.”

  He lifted a shoulder. “Got bad news for you. The only Fae I’ve ever heard of going through an awakening without sex either lived hundreds of years without sex with another Fae, or they were tortured past a breaking point and the magic flew free. Never heard of any cancer being that catalyst. The problem is your body craves the magic. And I have a feeling I know why. At least the first time around.”

  “Why?” she whispered.

  “Others who don’t eventually tap into their magic usually have health issues. Our bodies generally need magic, or in your case, luck. You’re part human, and with human blood, you can wind up with human issues.”

  “What does that have to do with anything? I’m half human, so I can get cancer. I know that.”