Unbreakable

by Tl Reeve

  Nico nodded, happy to be done with the conversation about his mate and getting to the task at hand. He’d make his way downstairs the second he was done with this meeting. “Appreciate you holding my job all this time.”

  “You’re a good deputy. Knew you two would eventually make your way back home and you’d need a job to support my niece.”

  If Nico didn’t know any better, he’d suspect his boss was attempting to butter him up. Being told he did a good job was unexpected and out of character for his boss. He watched Kalkin intently, looking for any indication he was being played.

  The cold bastard gave nothing away.

  He never fucking did.

  Kalkin Raferty was a hard taskmaster. And Nico knew from experience, an even harder boss. The Sheriff had high expectations of every single person who worked under him. In all the time Nico had worked with and for him, both inside and outside of the department, he’d heard very few thanks and even less praise from his boss.

  “How come I feel like I’m being set up?” Nico hedged.

  The sardonic smile on Kalkin’s face told him all he needed to know. The hair on his neck and arms stood up in warning. Yeah, as sure as the sun would rise in the east, the other man was up to something. Nico pondered it, recalling conversations he’d had with the other Rafertys the last couple months. Nothing had been mentioned. Didn’t mean shit either, since it was well known Kalkin didn’t give anything away until he was good and ready.

  “I know Bodhi and his bear already found a place to live. What about you and Hayden? Besides Hayden asking about your apartment.” Kalkin ignored Nico’s statment.

  Nico sighed, rubbing at the back of his neck and wondering how the other man even knew, since according to Bodhi they had found their apartment earlier that morning. “Not yet. We talked about finding a house with a big backyard. A place we’d call home, where we could start to lay roots.”

  Kalkin nodded. “I know of a place.”

  Nico bet he did. He noticed the new construction going up around the original homestead and Danielle and Caden’s home. Nico wasn’t stupid. Kalkin Raferty was building a family compound, keeping everyone safe and close like the mother hen he was.

  Nico just wanted his mate to himself.

  They were both sick and tired of them being confined to an apartment. Having to be quiet while they fucked. Hayden could get loud, not that he minded, he didn’t. Nico got off on hearing her moans, or when she begged him so prettily to come. Knowing her father or uncles were within hearing range would hamper their recent discovery—his wolf liked a little pain with her pleasure. He truly doubted Hayden’s family would like to know she got off on getting her ass spanked, being tied to their bed, or having clamps placed on her nipples while he pounded into her sweet little pussy, doggie style. Nico coughed, his jeans suddenly feeling tight in the groin at the thought of his sweet, little mate.

  “Done living in apartments, Kalkin.” Nico leaned forward, wanting to hammer this point home. “I’m also not going to live within a mile radius of any Raferty brother.”

  Kalkin chuckled. “Okay.”

  “Or Dryer,” he added, making sure to cover all his bases.

  “What about five miles? Is that a safe enough distance?” The amused expression on Kalkin’s face did nothing to ease the tension building in Nico.

  His interest, however, had been piqued. “Might be. Depends where it is, though.”

  “How about Sky City Court? Far enough?”

  Nico rubbed at his chin, contemplating the location. The small street was far enough away from both the Raferty and Dryer clans, but close enough to the station and main street.

  “Is there anything available?” There were only five houses on the street, and the wolf and human families that lived there, to his knowledge, were still residing in Window Rock.

  “Montgomery downsized,” Kalkin said. “All their pups have finally mated and are scattered through the town with their own families. House was just becoming too much for them. They bought a condo in one of the newer developments where they don’t have to maintain shit.”

  Nico nodded. Could be nice.

  “It’s available and clean. Made sure of it myself.” Kalkin dangled the keys from his fingers.

  “How the hell did you get the keys?”

  “Got my ways, boy.”

  “The house might be better suited for Bodhi and Emma.”

  It was a bigger house with a large backyard, made for a family.

  “Yeah. Problem is, I’m not offering to them. I’m offering it to you. You want it, it’s yours.”

  “I’ll talk to Hayden, see what she says,” Nico offered.

  Kalkin snorted. “Glad to see you’re as pussy whipped as the rest of mated males.”

  Nico rolled his eyes. The insult was a familiar one. It just had never been lobbed at him before. “Am not.”

  “Sure, you aren’t. No shame in admitting it.”

  Nico stood, holding out his hand. “Give me the damn keys.”

  Kalkin chuckled before he placed the keys in his hand. “Not done with you, boy. Sit your ass down. Got shit to discuss and dinner isn’t for another couple of hours.”

  The air in the room changed, and a shiver of anticipation rolled up and down his spine. The earlier feeling he had, about Kalkin wanting or needing something from him, returned.

  Playtime was over. Nico was ready to get back to work.

  Chapter Two

  Nico stepped out of Kalkin’s office, the big Alpha hot on his heels. The keys to the house weighed heavy in his pockets. A house. A huge house for him and Hayden. Bodhi needed it more. They were expecting cubs, while Hayden and Nico were childless still. A part of him wondered if hearing Emma’s news had somehow caused a stir of something in his mate. Sure, they’d messed around during the full moon way too many times, but if she’d been disappointed or upset, she sure didn’t show it.

  Maybe Kalkin had been right. Hayden needed to heal. She had to face the demons still lurking in her past. Being home now, with him, Nico hoped it would help. He passed the now empty desk where Brooklyn had sat and shook his head. The human had a bad attitude. How Kalkin put up with her biting responses or flaky attitude, he didn’t know, but her shit would get old fast.

  “Not your worry,” Kalkin said, pushing out of the reinforced area.

  “Is, if she keeps acting like she does.” Nico frowned.

  “Come on,” the Alpha stated. “I’m getting hungry.”

  They exited the station towards the gated area where all the enforcers were parked. Kalkin walked up to one of the monster vehicles and tapped the hood. He pulled a fob from his pocket then threw it at Nico. The medium-sized, egg-shaped rubber and plastic fob had every imaginable button on it. For a second, he wondered if there was an instruction manual for it.

  “Turn it over. Place your thumb on the pad,” Kalkin said.

  “What?”

  “Jesus, you haven’t fucking learned,” Kalkin grumbled. “It’s your vehicle. You’re calibrating it to you. Put you damn thumb on the pad.”

  Holy. Shit. Nico turned it over in his palm and did what Kalkin said. A red light illuminated the case then turned green. The doors unlocked, and the vehicle started. Nico glanced up at Kalkin, who climbed into the passenger seat. “Uh, Hayden’s vehicle is out front.”

  “She can get it later. Besides, neither of you will be driving tonight.” He closed the door then stared a hole in Nico.

  “Thanks,” Nico said, climbing in behind the wheel.

  “Don’t thank me yet.” Kalkin pointed to the screen on the dash. “The gate pass is programed into the vehicles. Also, if you need directions, it’ll come up on the windshield as a tiny screen. About as useless as tits on a bore hog, but it’s there if you need it. The rest of this shit you’ll figure out on your own.”

  Nico dropped the vehicle into drive then pulled up to the gate, and within seconds it opened, allowing them to exit. He had a ton of questions for Kalkin, especially
after finding out he’d be getting a partner. Most of the deputies teamed up. When he left, he’d been too new to have one as well, but he couldn’t believe, right out the gate, Kalkin would be giving him a rookie. According to Kalkin, the guy graduated the academy three weeks ago.

  Diego Vargas happened to be a mountain lion shifter like Hauser Benefield. He came from the foothills of California and not much else was known about him, other than the fact the guy aced his written and physical tests. Why he chose Arizona, again, no one understood, but for Nico it wasn’t here nor there. He’d train the guy, show him the ropes and hopefully show Kalkin he was also ready for bigger things within the department.

  Nico made the drive home almost on autopilot. A sense of calm washed over him. Even though he and Hayden had been gone for years, with only a few vacations, it hadn’t felt permanent like it did now. Everything about their small town gave him a bit of joy and a bitter bite of pain. He figured it had to do with how he grew up, but becoming part of the Raferty family seemed to soothe the tattered edges of a battered youth. He belonged to something bigger than him now, and nothing would ever change it.

  When they pulled into the driveway, Kalkin’s house was alive with activity. Children ran around the front yard giggling and screaming while others sat on the porch. Hayden stood with Bell, Christoph, and Jackson while Bodhi and Emma sat on the small porch couch. Aiden and Nicolas were crowded around Cassie, Nico bet, to reestablish their claim. Smoke rose from the back of the house as the scent of grilled meat washed over the vehicle. Nico inhaled deep. Home.

  “This is what she needs, Nico. It’s what she’s always needed. You two have done well for yourselves, now it’s time to fall back on us a little bit. Let us shelter you while you stretch your legs.”

  Fucking Kalkin. Always knew what to say. “Yeah...you’re right.”

  “I’m always right. Glad you’re finally figuring it out,” the Alpha quipped. “Come on, smells like Jace has already started cooking.”

  Nico parked in the usual space, then got out. Hayden sought him out first, joining him before he had a chance to enter the yard. The scent of cotton candy and sunshine enveloped him. Nothing smelled better than his mate. Nothing. He gathered her up in a tight hug, not wanting to let her go, ever. He had so much to tell her, but first he had to tell her about the house. No way she’d freak out in front of everyone. As it stood, when everyone found out they’d start asking the obligatory questions. Like, if she was pregnant. When they were going to have kids and so on. Hayden didn’t need their pressure. They’d figure it out as they went.

  “I have something to tell you. Let’s go inside.” Nico took Hayden’s hand and led her up onto the porch.

  “Why do I have the feeling I might not like this?” Hayden turned her worried-filled gaze on him. Like Kalkin, the color of her eyes depended on her mood. Icy blue when she was pissed. Cobalt blue when she was happy or aroused.

  “You’re going to love it, little wolf,” he said, kissing her forehead. “Promise.”

  He pulled her into the house, but stopped short when he saw Keeley, Danielle, Jasmine, and Loraine in the kitchen prepping the side dishes. Shit.

  “Language,” Keeley said from where she stood at the kitchen island.

  “Sorry. I kind of need to talk to Hayden,” Nico replied.

  “No one is at our house,” Danielle offered. “Is everything okay?”

  “Peachy,” he assured her. “It’s actually a surprise.”

  “We love surprises,” all three women said at the same time then laughed.

  “What is it?” Jasmine wiped her hands off on her towel. He hadn’t quite known how to take the woman when she arrived in town with Jenna and two little girls, Bell and Zoe. She appeared quiet and reserved, but she cursed with the best of them and had amazing tattoos. She also liked to wear huge over-sized glasses, like another little shifter he knew, Shelly.

  Hayden trembled beside him, something he realized she did when she got anxious. He’d like to say it got better with time and reassurance, but in situations like this, well, everything was fucked.

  “Why not. Everyone will find out eventually tonight.” Nico eased her over to one of the living room couches then helped her sit. He pulled the keys from his pocket before kneeling in front of her. “You had your heart set on finding some place to live today, but I have one better for you.” He placed the keys in Hayden’s palm.

  Keeley, Danielle, Jasmine, and Loraine joined them at the couch. A smug grin tugged at Keeley’s lips and now, everything Kalkin told him made sense. Keeley had been the mastermind behind this little project. His guess, between the three women standing with them, they’d all gone into the old Montgomery home and refurbished it for them. Which meant Rapier and his brothers also helped. Son of a bitch.

  “Language,” Keeley teased, winking at Nico.

  Hayden held the keys up. Her eyes were wide with shock, then a bit bewildered. “How...why...what? W-where are these from?”

  “Kalkin and I wanted to do something special for you and Nico. We know you need your space, and we understand why. When the Montgomery house went on the market, we grabbed it,” Keeley said.

  “A house filled with love and joy can only help a small family starting out,” Danielle added.

  “Plus, now you can have all the raunchy sex you desire without feeling cornered or embarrassed,” Jasmine stated.

  “And, you know you can always come home.” Loraine squeezed Hayden’s shoulder.

  Tears welled in Hayden’s eyes. Her bottom lip twitched, as she tried desperately to hold back her sobs. She crumpled in his arms as her body shook. This had been what he’d wanted to do in private. He knew how much she hated breaking down in front of her family. Yet, it also felt right too. They were surrounded by love. Hayden needed the extra support. They both did.

  “You did all this for us?” She turned to stare at her aunts.

  Keeley smiled. “We’re family, kid. This is what family does for one another.”

  “But, Bodhi and Emma need it more,” Hayden whispered. “They should have this house.”

  Danielle shook her head. “Bodhi and Emma are just fine. They have all the room they need.”

  “But, you don’t understand...”

  “We do. Bodhi will explain later,” Loraine said.

  Hayden looked back at Nico. “Are you sure?”

  God, he hated the sadness in her eyes. The unsure glint that usually came five seconds before she shut down. They’d come so far in such a short amount of time. She’d opened up in front of his eyes since the day he cemented his place in her life, more so since they held their mating ceremony. “Yes.” He didn’t have to say anything else. The sheer determination in his words would ground her in the moment, steadying her.

  “Then it’s perfect,” Hayden answered. “Thank you.”

  She gave them a watery smile before wrapping Nico in a hug. Her little body shook, this time with excitement. Her melodic giggle he loved to hear filled the room before she cried out in joy. “Told you, little wolf. Everything would work out.”

  “What’s all this?” Blake said, entering the house through the sliding glass door.

  Hayden held up the keys. “We have a house.”

  The man’s face lit up. “Do you now?” He hurried to their side. “You know, there might just be a treat or two for you and your hunky mate, somewhere hidden in your home. When you find it, just remember, poppa Blake put it there.”

  Nico suppressed the need to roll his eyes. Blake had gone out of his way to spoil Hayden. But, he had a feeling whatever Blake donated to the house would freak Jace out. The man had kinky written all over him. In a way, he fit the Raferty and Dryer families. All of them had their quirks. Jasmine enjoyed calling Rapier “daddy”. Kalkin liked a bit more of the whole spanking, discipline thing. Danielle and Caden were exhibitionists and well, Jace, Loraine and Blake had...well, they were dirty.

  Truth be told, all of the men and women of their unorthodox family had
their own fetishes. It could be seen in each of the mated children as well. Hayden laughed and laid her head on Blake’s shoulder while staring at the keys.

  “Tomorrow we’ll fill the house up with stuff,” Nico said. “We’ll make it our home.”

  She nodded. “I’d like that.”

  “Tonight, your uncle said we aren’t going anywhere.” Nico still didn’t understand why, but Kalkin never really explained anything until he was good and ready.

  “Sounds like Kalkin,” Hayden replied. “Should we get back out there? I’m sure people are getting restless.”

  “We’ll give you a few minutes alone,” Blake said, tapping Hayden’s knee then pointing to his cheek.

  Hayden indulged him, brushing a kiss across where he’d pointed. “Thank you.”

  “Alright, ladies, I’m sure there will be a mutiny soon if we don’t hurry up with their meals.” Blake rolled his eyes before strolling back outside to the pit.

  Nico waited for all of them to leave before tipping Hayden’s chin up. “Hey, you okay?”

  She nodded. “It’s a lot to take in, is all.”

  “Sure is. Kalkin about knocked me on my ass when he told me. It’ll be perfect for us.” Nico sat beside her, then gathered her into his arms. “It’s the fresh step we need to start our lives here.”

  “Doesn’t hurt we’re far enough away when we get raunchy.” Hayden giggled again.

  Nico growled and palmed her sex. “Speaking of which.” He nuzzled her neck. “I still need my little wolf. I can’t stop thinking about you kneeling in front of me, sucking my dick.”

  She gasped. “Nico.”

  “I don’t give a fuck about them hearing me. You should know that by now. They don’t seem to care when they announce their desires for their mates. You’re not a kid anymore. You have to remember you’re mine and what they want doesn’t matter. It’s what you want.”

  She frowned. “I know. It’s hard to wrap my head around all of it. You know?”