Better Than Luck

by Brandy L Rivers

  Only, that didn’t fully make sense. If the powers that be could change everything back by removing the two, they would, in a heartbeat. Still, if he could offer a bit of help, he would. Especially considering he planned to help himself to the money she’d stashed away.

  How did he know? He could sniff out money. Sense it maybe. Didn’t matter, he had a gift he planned to use before letting himself out of the house and making his way to the airport.

  He now had all the documentation he needed. And he’d been careful to stay away from Vegas since his last run-in with Rory.

  First, another round. He rolled Abigail to her back with a smile. It wouldn’t be long before he wore her out properly and he could sneak away from the pretty but dumb mage.

  * * * *

  “I still can’t believe you left Finnian with Abigail. She hates us.” Preston pinched the bridge of his nose.

  Robert chuckled. “He’s bound to push his nonexistent luck. Remember, he’s wanted for theft in enough places it’s a miracle he hasn’t been caught. He’ll steal from her, and she’ll be quick to report him. Abigail will look like a fool in the process. Someone would have seen her leaving with him. She’s looking for a way to make us look bad. Consider this karma.”

  “Did you give this much thought?”

  Shaking his head, he lifted a shoulder. “Not until after I ran into her. She wanted help to prove we’re doing something wrong. We aren’t. And he doesn’t know about the tattoo, which is hidden in a discreet location, with an illusion hiding the ink.”

  “True. I’m liking this new side, Robert.” Preston stood and started for the door. “I’ll see you in the morning, unless something comes up.”

  “Doubtful. Where is Finnian going to find someone who can translocate as far as I can?”

  “Not one willing to take him where he wants to go.”

  Robert smirked. “Definitely not. Go. I need to get back home.”

  “If I didn’t drive, I might ask you to take me.”

  “You just want to speed home.”

  “Pretty much.” Preston waved.

  Robert picked up his phone and translocated home.

  Tremaine came around the corner, carrying Wilhelm, who immediately reached for Robert.

  He took him with a smile. “Hey, buddy.”

  Wil wrapped his little arms around his neck and squeezed. Robert murmured, “Ah, love you, Wil.”

  Tremaine wrapped an arm over Robert’s shoulders. “He missed you.”

  “I see that.”

  The little guy yawned.

  Robert looked over at Tremaine. “I don’t understand Danika’s father.” He held Wilhelm with one arm, while sliding his arm out of a sleeve. When he switched arms, Tremaine took his jacket.

  Lying back on the couch, he held onto his son. Wilhelm yawned again and snuggled into his embrace.

  “What did the bastard do?” Tremaine asked, sitting on the table.

  He let out a breath. “He blames Danika for everything that’s gone wrong. It’s his own fault. He was leaching luck from everyone around him to the point that many died just by being near him.”

  “Yeah, and I know how he was broken. HARP tortured him, broke something inside him. He doesn’t even realize it, but you fixed that.”

  Robert held his gaze. “You didn’t bother to tell me?”

  Tremaine lifted a shoulder. “Wasn’t sure you would go through with your plan of stopping him from leaching magic. Chances are it will kill him. He doesn’t have any of his own luck anymore. But he was tortured because he was abusing his power. The punishment just happened to backfire.”

  “I was stopping him no matter what. The bastard wants to take Danika’s luck, killing her. I saw into his darkest desires. He wants her to suffer. And he wants to use Dominique against her. What kind of asshole would hurt his own child?”

  “Finnian.” Tremaine snorted. “I’m glad you aren’t second-guessing your choice. It was the right one.”

  “What was?” Liz asked as she came into the room and smiled when she saw Wilhelm curled up on Robert. “Awe, he was tired.”

  “I’ll explain what we were talking about in a bit,” Tremaine promised.

  Robert yawned. “I may take a quick nap with Wil.” He fell asleep seconds after closing his eyes.

  Chapter 19

  Adam closed the new pirate book Tremaine gave Makayla. He couldn’t help smiling as he put it on the bookshelf. Pirates had been his favorite thing as a kid. He used to make Brody walk the plank if he wasn’t a good deckhand.

  He kissed Makayla’s head and snuck into his bedroom. Danika sat on the windowsill looking out. She didn’t turn to him.

  So he peeled his shirt over his head and made his way slowly. “Tell me you want to be my mate.”

  Danika wet her lips, finally turning to face him. “More than anything. Is she asleep already?”

  He chuckled. “I read the book three times. She didn’t move at all the last half this time.

  Standing, she took his wrist and turned it to admire the tattoo there. “Fallon will do this for me?”

  “She will. Just tell me when to set it up.”

  “Soon, but definitely not before you make me yours all over again.”

  Grinning, he took the hem of her shirt and pulled it over her head. Then he kissed her jaw, down her neck, and along her collarbone as he carried her to the bed where he slipped her bra off before laying her down.

  He captured her nipple between his lips, laving his tongue over the sensitive flesh.

  A sexy moan escaped her lips. “Adam, that’s not going to get this bond forging.”

  Lifting his head, he winked. “Nothing can tear our bond apart.”

  “Make love to me, Adam. I need you so much more than ever before.”

  He caught her waist band and pulled her pants down long legs before moving up to graze his tip through her slick folds. “Damn, so ready, Dani.”

  “Stop teasing. Make love to me,” she groaned.

  He slid deep and his wolf immediately rose toward the surface. He dropped his hands beside her shoulders and held himself there, breathing heavy.

  “You okay?” she asked, her eyes delving deep into his.

  He nodded once. “Intense.”

  One corner of her mouth tipped up. “Very. More than usual.”

  “Means we’re going to seal.” At least, he assumed they would. But why wouldn’t they?

  She grabbed his head and kissed him hard, her tongue gliding against his.

  He pulled back slowly before driving into her. She sucked in a breath, biting her lip to stay quiet. Normally, he could hold back, stay damn near silent, but now, he couldn’t. He wasn’t screaming, but his control frayed at the edges.

  Then Danika rolled and he fell on his back, on the floor with a grunt.

  She giggled as she sat up and rocked her hips forward. His hands landed on her hips, encouraging her to go harder, but he held back from gripping tight when he noticed the bruises still there.

  She rose and fell, her breasts swaying with the movement. He ran one hand up her abdomen to cup one breast and tug the ring.

  Her moan rocked through him. She took his hands, using his strength as leverage as she took the tempo faster and harder.

  He would have argued, but he couldn’t. She was doing everything he wanted, everything he needed. He might just lose his mind.

  * * * *

  Something was building. Magic? She hadn’t tapped into anything from her past since before her cancer when she was young. Fear trickled in, but Adam moved his hips, driving deeper.

  The innate magic of his wolf bubbled up, stoking a fire deep within her. Yet, it couldn’t burst free.

  Still, their essence wrapped around each other’s until merging. She’d always felt his presence since that first moment, but this was more. His emotion bled through.

  He rolled, taking her legs and guiding her ankles to his shoulders, and he drove deeper. Pleasure burned out of control and she felt
his ecstasy as sure as she felt her own release.

  Adam moved her legs to the floor and leaned over her, taking her mouth in a kiss. Love, that’s all she felt. Undying, unwavering, unfading love that only ever increased.

  Pulling back, he captured her gaze. “We should move back to the bed.”

  Smiling, she nodded. “Love you, Adam. So much.”

  “I feel it. I’ve always felt it, and now, your love pulses through my veins.”

  “I feel it too. So connected.”

  Standing, he pulled her to her feet. “Do you get why I want us to go through with everything with Mathis and Paavo.

  Tears filled her eyes. “Yes, I spent all day thinking about it. I would need you to do the same if our places were switched. She pulled him into bed. “My father could have easily convinced my mother to become a wolf, or vampire. He didn’t. He knew she would eventually die, and he never explained any of that to her. God, he’s such an asshole.”

  “What did he say to you earlier?”

  She snorted. “That I’m to blame for everything that’s ever gone wrong in his life. But I know it’s not true. I know he’s the one who caused all of his own problems. So, fuck him.”

  Sighing, he pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her. “I’m sorry, Dani.”

  “Forget that,” she murmured. “How’s this feel now that you’re a wolf?”

  A laugh bubbled out of Adam as he scooted down, looking into her eyes. “I didn’t think making love to you could feel any better, but it’s like my senses are a million times stronger.

  She wet her lips. “It’s weird. I felt my magic try to bubble up. I haven’t felt it that strongly since before I was sick the first time.”

  “Maybe the awakening won’t be so bad. I mean, I can’t imagine anything that’s going to feel that good being terrible.”

  Her face scrunched. “I never worried about that aspect. I mean, I know people who had horrible awakenings, but the majority enjoyed it, even if they tend to pass out from information overload.”

  “Think you’ll be able to see all of your father’s history?”

  Closing her eyes, she sighed. “Don’t want to. But I don’t know. I have always refused to let Dominique tell me anything about hers.”

  “Want to ask her before tomorrow night?”

  She peeled one eye open. “Not really. She knows I’m going through with it. And I think I’ll push as much as that off. I’m going to be busy.” Her brow pinched. “Never imagined being with two men, much less three at once.”

  He kissed her lips. “I’ll never ask you to do it again. But this is the only way I can make sure we get that long, happy life. And the only way we can guarantee you will be here for our little girl.”

  “Which is why we’re doing it.” She yawned, her eyelids drooping.

  “Sleep, Dani. I’ll hold you all night.”

  “Mmm, okay.”

  Chapter 20

  After Danika fell asleep, Adam slipped from the bed, pulled on a pair of sweats, and checked on Makayla. She slept soundly, holding on to her pillow. So precious and sweet. He didn’t have a clue why they waited so long to have her.

  And part of him had to wonder if she had enough of her grandfather’s blood to go through an awakening later. His eyes squinched shut as he gently shut the door. That was a thought he wanted banished from his head.

  To think Danika’s father wanted her to sleep with some older asshole just so she wouldn’t be sick when she was a kid boiled his blood. He couldn’t imagine. He didn’t want to. Robert had assured him that Finnian Walsh despised his eldest daughter. Not Dominique. No, just Danika. The one who rejected what he was.

  And knowing more of the pieces of the puzzle, he finally understood why, but she was starting to see that her father was an exception. Not the normal. Thankfully, he’d managed to get some answers out of Tremaine after arriving back at his office.

  Danika could not become like her father. Not even a little. He was broken, and all because he pissed off the wrong people. Now, he just hoped the prick didn’t wind up showing up before she went through the awakening.

  He pulled his phone out, checked the time, and held his breath as he placed the call to Paavo. There was an answer a ring and a half later. “Adam, has she agreed?”

  “Yes, but she’s nervous.” His voice was low, not wanting to wake anyone up. “And we have a sitter for tomorrow. She’s so easily exhausted right now. If tomorrow night works, that would be for the best.”

  “It does. And we’ll take care of her. She won’t hurt after this. And if she’s exhausted, it’s going to be strictly from being worn out in the best ways.”

  Adam smiled softly. “I wouldn’t trust just anyone with this. But I’ve heard the stories. About how the two of you are so perfect together, even though you bring other people in. I’m not worried.”

  “You are both safe with us. We know this is a one-time thing to save her life, but we’ll do everything to ensure you both enjoy the evening.”

  “I’m not stressing. And if there is something I can do to help, let me know. My only goal is her health.”

  “You’ll be a part of this,” Paavo assured. “If she’s been tired a lot lately, she may even have a burst of energy. A long one. She may be driving you home.”

  He chuckled. “I’ll be fine with that, but I feel like I could run a marathon. I was changed this morning, and I know I should have probably shifted and tried out the new form, but I was more concerned with Danika and what she would decide.”

  “Understandable. Maybe you should call your brother?”

  “Perhaps, but I can always deal with that tomorrow morning. I know Brody doesn’t go in early, and I already moved my two appointments to a later date.”

  “We have the day and night clear. Just tell us when you want to come over. I’ll send you the address when you’re ready.”

  “Thank you. Both of you.”

  “Don’t mention it. I’m just happy she’s no longer worried about what she’ll become. Her father…well, I can understand why she wouldn’t want to be like that. He is a walking disaster zone. If he’s in trouble, he leaches luck from everyone in the vicinity and they suffer for it.”

  “Yeah, I heard a little. He was in my shop, but Fallon cast wards to prevent him from being able to do it again. And it seems his days may be numbered now.”

  “I’d say that was perfect timing. Now, relax, enjoy your night. And we’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “You will. Good night.”

  Adam kicked back on the couch and dialed Brody. It was time to deal with what he was. At least start to. He’d bailed on everyone after they helped them, and with good reason.

  Brody answered before the first ring ended. “Freaking out yet?” Brody asked, humor in his tone.

  He chuckled. “No. I am sorry I ditched the wolves immediately after becoming one.”

  “Nah, they all understand. But how are you doing with the change?”

  “Great, so far. We mated and sealed. Tomorrow, probably early, I’d like to go somewhere with you and shift for the first time. Get that out of the way. But tomorrow night, we’re going to see Mathis and Paavo.”

  “I have to admit, I’m glad you have a way to keep her. I can’t imagine you without Danika. You two are so synced.”

  Adam chuckled. “Like you and Fallon. So, think you’ll mind taking me into the woods?”

  “Not at all. Want anyone else there?”

  He shook his head, then rubbed his face. “No. Just you. Though, do you think I need to talk to Slater?”

  “You can wait a couple days. He gets it. You have more important things to worry about right now. He gets that as much as any mated wolf. He wants you to be comfortable with everything. I guess he knew you had misgivings about wolves in the past. He was surprised but supportive of your decision, though Jess warned him it was coming.”

  Hell, Jess was the reason he hired Fallon and Amethyst. Adam worked that out before either showed up in E
denton. She was a werewolf and clairvoyant, as well as Slater’s mate. She’d become fast friends with Brody, even before she wound up with Slater.

  “Think he’d mind if I called?” Adam asked. “I know you could tell me all I need to know, but I do want to thank him.”

  “Yeah, you can. He’s always there for his pack.”

  “Thanks.”

  Brody chuckled. “So, when you’re up, and after you discuss it with Danika, come over. We’ll go from there.”

  “I’ll talk to you then.”

  “Sounds good.” Brody hung up.

  Adam held his phone up and found Slater’s number. He stared at it a long moment before pressing dial.

  “Evening, Adam,” Slater answered. “Didn’t expect to hear from you so soon.”

  “I just wanted to tell you how much we appreciate you trying to turn Danika and accepting me as a wolf.”

  “Hey, you’re family. Even if you weren’t a wolf to begin with, you’re still family.”

  “Always felt like it. Danika will be good after tomorrow night. Then, whatever you need, you have it.”

  Slater chuckled. “You’re a new wolf, one who chose to be for his woman. Get acclimated before worrying about that. You know me. Without a great cause, I’m not forcing any wolf into doing anything they don’t want, unless they’re starting shit they shouldn’t.”

  He drew in a breath and let it out. “Like the night Sophie was changed.”

  Slater let out half a laugh. “She turned out just fine and once she got used to the idea of being a wolf, she left scars on Alton and Rudy. She took her revenge.”

  “Yeah, but that was why I was so sure for so long I didn’t want to be a wolf. It was my first real introduction to werewolves. I knew of them but didn’t know any until Brody became one of you…us.”

  “But you know better now. Most of us are never like that. Not even most new wolves. And you’re grounded, you have stability. Alton was chasing a fix he couldn’t keep after being turned. That’s the problem with addicts becoming wereanimals. They can’t stay high enough to maintain balance.”