by Faith Gibson
Drago removed his hand. “Breakfast is ready.” He didn’t wait to see if his… partner would follow. Drago knew he would because the male wanted to please Drago. After what he saw on the computer the night before, Hagen pleased him. Immensely.
Chapter Twelve
Josie sat on the side of the bed to call her mom. She should probably move to somewhere in the house that didn’t remind her of sex with Kai, but it was comforting. When she turned her phone on, a laugh escaped when she saw how many missed calls and texts she had. Before she could read the messages or listen to the voicemails, it rang, startling her. It was her dad. She couldn’t deal with a lecture without speaking to her mother first, so she declined the call. After reading the latest text from Presley first, she scrolled to the beginning. What started off as an irritated message progressed to nothing short of threatening. That might work in the courtroom, but Josie was done being Presley’s verbal punching bag. She ignored the voicemail from her sister and chose to listen to the one from her father. He said to take the day off and he hoped she was feeling better. Right. Josie wasn’t immune to his tactics either. Where Presley barreled over people, her father gave them lip service. To anyone else, Preston sounded sincere. Josie knew better. He was buttering her toast so when she took a big bite, it would go down easier.
Josie deleted all the messages then dialed her mom.
“Josie? Are you okay? Why weren’t you answering your phone? Do you need me to come over?” Josie knew her mom was truly worried. It was part of why Josie loved her so much.
“Good morning, and I’m feeling much better. A good night’s sleep was all I needed. I told you I was turning my phone off, and I’m glad I did, or the five hateful calls from Presley would have interrupted my sleep-in.”
“She didn’t take the news of you quitting well. Your father was mostly resigned, but I’m sure he’s going to try and talk you out of it by offering more money and your weekends free.”
“Mom! You weren’t supposed to tell them anything other than I needed a day off. Why would you do that?”
“I didn’t mean to, but your father is a powerful attorney. He kept badgering the witness, and I didn’t have anyone here to object. When I told him you needed time to recuperate, he kept on until I told him to back off or he was going to lose you. It snowballed from there.”
Josie closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. Yes, she was well aware of her father’s tactics. “Well, the good thing is he knows. But so does Presley. That might explain why I feel the need to get a restraining order against her.”
“What? Did she threaten you?”
“Oh yes. First, she said I couldn’t quit. That I owed her. It progressed from there to her saying she would ruin me. Something is seriously wrong with her.”
“You know she’s used to winning, honey. Not only is she losing Malakai to you, but you’re the reason she’s so good at her job. You make sure she has everything she needs when she steps into a courtroom. If you leave, her winning record could take a hit.”
Josie bristled, and for the first time in forever, Josie was angry with her mother. “Mom, Presley can’t lose Kai because she never had him to begin with. And after this morning, there is no doubt I’m leaving the firm. Not if, when. And that will be sooner than later. I’m sick of being her verbal punching bag.”
“I’m sorry, honey. I honestly didn’t know she was so bad.”
Josie started to tell her it was because she didn’t look hard enough, but Josie was already losing two of her family. She didn’t want to alienate her mom too. “Don’t worry about it. But for the time being, don’t expect me to come by for Sunday dinner. You and I can meet up for lunch instead.”
“Now don’t be rash. Your father loves you, and that will hurt his feelings.”
No, it really wouldn’t. Josie wasn’t the daughter he was proud of, and she had come to terms with that a long time ago. And what about Josie’s feelings? Now that Josie had her own man, she knew he would always come first, but would she still take his side if he treated one of their children the way her father did her? No, because Kai would never put her in that position. He was going to be a wonderful father.
“We can figure that out later. Kai has breakfast ready, so I’m going to enjoy it while it’s hot.”
“I’m surprised he found anything in your apartment to cook. You never eat breakfast.”
“That’s because I’m at his place. I didn’t stay at the apartment where everyone in my family has a key to let themselves in.” Josie wasn’t worried about that, because if things went the way she expected, she would be moving all her stuff out and terminating her lease. “I’ll talk to you soon. Love you.”
“Josie… I love you too.”
Josie disconnected and flopped back on the bed.
Josie?
Josie grinned at the voice in her head. It amazed her she knew the difference in who was speaking.
Yes, Mr. Gargoyle?
Josie felt the chuckle, and it was enough to get her moving. She turned her phone off and left it in the bedroom. She would deal with her father later. There was no dealing with her sister.
When she entered the kitchen, Kai was leaning against the counter. He held his arms open, and she didn’t hesitate to walk into his strong embrace. Josie tucked her forearms against his chest and turned her cheek so her ear pressed against his heart. She loved hearing the strong beat. It was soothing.
“Let’s eat.” Kai pressed a kiss to her hair, and Josie tipped her head back so he could take her mouth. When he did, it was the sweetest kiss in sweetest kisses ever.
True to his word, Kai took Josie to the patio after they finished eating and told her all the trouble the Clan had encountered over the last year. Josie sipped her coffee while stretched out in what she now considered their chair and listened without interrupting. Her mind took note of those mates who had been kidnapped, thrown in jail, and on one occasion both. Josie couldn’t wait to meet the other mates and hear their stories firsthand.
“Thank you for telling me.”
“I should have shared all this before we mated.” Kai threaded their fingers together.
“Do you think it would have changed my decision about being with you?”
“I’d like to say no, but the threat is serious. These males don’t go after other Gargoyles; they go after our mates.”
“And children.” Josie was in awe of little Connor. For such a young child, the boy was brave and strong. “If this Drago is such a threat, why doesn’t Rafael go on the offensive? I mean, I’m no King, but if someone were threatening my Clan, I’d hunt the bastard down and take him out. With everything you told me, it doesn’t sound like his army is that big, even if they’re mostly Unholy.”
“That’s a great question. I think Rafael is waiting until Isabelle has the antiserum perfected so we can save as many Unholy as possible. From what I’ve been told, the humans who become Unholy are men who feel they have nothing to live for, thus nothing to lose. With Drago’s second-in-command in custody, there will be no one left to lead the army. Yes, there are other Greeks who have joined him, but they are nothing more than foot soldiers. Without a leader, the Unholy would be left to their own devices, and that would endanger the cities where they live – namely, New Atlanta – since this is where they’re the most populous. We already have our hands full patrolling the city for the ones who venture out at night. They’ve been uncommonly quiet over the last month, and I’m afraid Drago is getting ready to make a move. Whether he’s tired of waiting or his army is larger than we’re aware of…”
“Is the plan with the antiserum to return all the Unholy being held in the Basement at the Pen to their human selves and enlist their help?”
“No. Humans are no match for Gargoyles. That would be akin to putting babies in a fence with wolves, for lack of a better analogy. Once they are given the antiserum, they will remain in prison until it can be determined where their minds are. I hate to say it, but most will li
kely remain incarcerated.”
“Then why turn them back? Why waste the resources on someone you don’t plan on setting free?”
“It’s the humane thing to do. I can’t imagine being trapped inside a monster. If they’re more human, they can be rehabilitated. At least some of them. As they are, they’re no more than unfeeling killing machines.”
Josie couldn’t wrap her head around the fact that Joseph Mooneyham was really Jonas Montague, and that Tessa was the baby who had been cloned. Kai had done his best to fill her in on everything he could think regarding the Clan.
“You never did show me you could fly.” Kai telling her about patrolling for Unholy and flying over the city had reminded her of his promise.
“I could do that now, but it’s safer at night. With satellites everywhere, it’s too much of a risk to do so during daylight. Not that we don’t fly during the day, but only if it’s absolutely necessary, or we are in an area we deem safe.”
“I can wait. Man, I can’t believe Sixx’s son is Desmond Rothchild. I listen to Cyanide Sweetness all the time.”
“You do?”
“Don’t sound so surprised. I love hard rock as much as the next girl.”
“I can see it now. You and Trevor are going to be best friends. We’ll have to see when they’re playing close by, and Jasper and I can take you and Trevor to a show. Desi will get us backstage.”
“Really? I can’t remember the last concert I went to. It was… hmm. I think it was my senior year of high school.”
“Then I’d say it’s past time you saw another one. What else is on your bucket list?”
“I have no idea. My life has been nothing but work these last eight years, and I didn’t see that changing anytime soon, so I didn’t bother to think about things I couldn’t have. This is exciting! Except…”
“Except what? If you’re worried about the threat with Drago, don’t be. We can’t put our lives on hold because of him and what might happen. We just have to remain cautious to our surroundings.”
“It’s not that. You’re making plans to open your business soon, and we need to focus on that.”
“Don’t worry, Sunshine. Yes, I want to open my training center, but you come first. I don’t want you to ever hold back from telling me your dreams or desires. Besides, my business is now your business. Everything I own is yours. If I know Julian, and I do, he has already prepared documentation to that effect.”
“Then what I have is yours, too.”
“You know, I’ll be focused on training, and I’m going to need someone good with computers to run the business side of things.”
Josie cocked her head and stared at the gorgeous landscaping. If she wanted it, this could be hers. “Who takes care of all this?” She waved her arm out, indicating the pool and all the vegetation. Kai frowned, and it took a second for Josie to realize she’d changed the subject. “Oh, I’d be happy to work with you at the training center, but I admit I know nothing about boxing, fighting stuff. I’ve never used software for things like memberships or dues or paying invoices, but I’d be willing to learn. If that’s what you were hinting at. I mean, if it’s my gym too, then I need to be involved, right? Because I seriously don’t want you hiring some sexy female with mad fighting skills to help out. You aren’t going to be training women, are you? If so, I know what my next hobby is going to be. Do they make gloves in pink? Not that pink’s my favorite color. It’s not. I prefer blue. Or green. Do you have a pool boy? Because that water is really clear.”
Kai’s eyes were alit with mirth. Josie ducked her chin and mumbled, “Sorry.”
Kai pulled Josie onto his lap and tucked her head beneath his chin. “Gods, you’re cute. Let’s see. Yes, there is a pool boy and gardener. There is also a housekeeper who cleans twice a month. I would prefer you helping out in the office, if that’s something you wouldn’t mind doing. I have no doubt you’re smart enough to figure out the software, but if you need help, Julian can assist. As for training women, I never thought about it, really, but if one were serious about it, I would rather not turn them away. I will gladly teach you anything that has to do with martial arts as long as it’s something you’re really interested in and not something you think you have to do. If there are women in our club, they will be introduced to you as both co-owner and mate. But I think we need to say you’re my wife instead because humans tend to frown on the term mate. You are the only female I want, and you never have to worry about me straying. I’ve not looked at another female sexually in a very long time. I’m talking a couple hundred years. I’m not built for one-night stands.
“The same goes for any men who come in to train. They will know you are mine, and as such, will never disrespect you. One strike and they’re out. It will be a place to hone their skills, and I expect their behavior to match their sincerity to become the best they can be. And yes, they make pink gloves.”
“You’re good at that. Keeping up with my rambling. I’m trying to get past my insecurities, but I need you to be patient. I know you care about me. I can sense how much through our bond. But years of feeling less than are going to take a while to go away. I trust you. With my heart and my life. I never expected to have what we do. It’s scary how intense it all is after just a few days, but I can’t dismiss it either. It’s crazy and exciting, and I’m looking forward to our future together.”
Josie caressed Kai’s cheek and turned her mouth to his. She was tired of talking. They had been sitting outside for a few hours, and she was ready to do some talking with their bodies. Josie turned so she was straddling his lap, and the hardness of her mate’s erection told her he didn’t object. Feeling brave, Josie removed her T-shirt, dropping it to the ground. Her breasts were heavy with need, so she pressed them to Kai’s chest as she devoured his mouth. He tasted like coffee, bacon, and male. Kai’s large hands kneaded her ass, encouraging her. She writhed against his cock, her panties getting wet. Kai slid one hand down the back of her shorts, not stopping until his fingers touched her slick folds. Josie rose up to give him better access. He took advantage, dipping his fingers inside.
“Kai,” Josie breathlessly moaned his name.
“That’s it, Sunshine. Ride my fingers.”
It wasn’t enough. Josie wanted Kai’s dick inside her. “Need more.”
With a couple slashes of his claws, Josie’s shorts were shredded, as were his jeans. Kai thrust into her. He scooted down in the chair and pumped upwards, hitting her just the way she needed. It wasn’t long before she clenched around him as she came. Kai slowed his pace, rolling his hips with his hands on hers.
“I could do this all night.” He grabbed her long hair, urging her forward so he could get to her mouth. His kiss was as slow and languid as his movements in and out of her wet core. Her thighs were burning, but she didn’t want to stop him until he got his fill. He must have read her mind because Kai stood, using the strength of his powerful legs, and walked them to the bedroom without his erection sliding out. He laid her on the bed and made love to her for what felt like hours. After his orgasm rocked them both, he propped on his forearms, pushing her hair away from her face.
“You’re everything to me, Sunshine.”
Kai was everything to Josie too. Instead of telling him, she showed him.
Frey heard Presley before he saw her. She was talking to the brunette she came to class with three nights per week. “I’m just going to show him I’m the better sister,” she whispered. When she walked into the room where the class was held, her smile fell. “Where’s Malakai?” She looked around as if he would magically appear.
“He and Josie are probably on their back patio enjoying supper. Then again, they might be enjoying other things.” Frey wasn’t normally rude or crass, especially to women, but this particular female was a bitch.
“What do you mean, their patio? And how do you know she’s with him?”
“Well, considering Josie moved in with Kai, what’s his is now hers. And I know what I do with my wif
e on the evenings I’m not here.”
“Moved in with him? Why would he do that? Josie’s not—”
“Stop right there. Kai did that because he plans to spend eternity with her. As for your opinion on Josie, it’s one nobody else seems to share. Especially not Malakai. He cherishes your sister more than life itself. If you live to be ninety, you’ll never find what they have. Kai doesn’t like pretentious, stuck-up snobs who look down on others, especially family. Now, if you want to remain in this class, you’ll stop trying to come between them. Not that it would work. The bond they have can never be broken. You’ll also keep your opinions to yourself, or you can find another gym.”
“You can’t do that. I prepaid my membership.”
“And I’ll gladly refund your money. I’d rather close my doors than cater to someone like you.”
Abbi stood in the doorway, watching. If she weren’t pregnant, Frey had a feeling she’d be showing Presley Pierson a few moves of her own.
“Now, either get ready for class or find the front door.”
“Come on, Elise. This place is a shit hole.”
“Nah, you go ahead. I kind of agree with Mr. Hartley.”
Elise smiled at Frey like she wanted to eat him alive. Frey mentally rolled his eyes. Ignoring the human, he called out to his mate. “Hey, Sweetheart. Did you need something?”
She gave him a smile he could appreciate and strode gracefully to where he was standing. He knew what his beautiful dancer wanted. Frey kissed her softly, keeping it tasteful while still filling it with all his love. He then knelt in front of her and kissed her belly. He loved Matthew and Amelia, but this baby was one they created together.
