by Ginna Moran
Chapter 12
Warning Sign
NO ONE SAYS ANYTHING, BUT I know I’m walking funny. When Bronx bit me, I was so focused on not dying from my excessive drinking of his blood that I barely noticed the tender skin of his bite. But with Mikkalo? It’s reminding me with every step toward the car of the fun we had. My damn vagina loves the memory, but my poor ass cheek says I better be careful sitting in case.
“Is she okay?” Jameson whispers, trying to keep his voice low so that I don’t hear him.
Mikkalo chuckles. “She lost a competition with me.”
I suppress my embarrassment and straighten my shoulders, trying to walk as normally as possible.
Everett touches my shoulder. “Gwen, I can’t help but notice how stiffly you’re moving. Did Mikkalo work you too hard?”
I ignore the heat of Mikkalo’s gaze boring into my back. He anticipates my response as much as Everett but obviously for two different reasons.
“I’m great. A little tender,” I say, keeping my voice even. “Kind of wish Bronx didn’t insist on the pants.”
Mikkalo’s loud laugh echoes through the air, and he materializes in front of me, lifting me off my feet. Strolling the both of us ahead of his brothers, he bows his head, bringing his lips to my jaw. “I’m sorry, Gwen. I didn’t mean to laugh. Had I known we were heading out, I’d have picked somewhere else to give you a pleasure bite.”
I scrunch my nose and smirk. “Just wait. I plan to repay the favor.”
He kisses me. “Maybe not in front of my brothers.”
“I’m sure Jameson wouldn’t mind,” I tease, saying the words loud enough for him to hear.
Mikkalo laughs again and presses his index finger to my mouth to get me to stop talking. Bronx remains expressionless as he opens the driver’s side door. Everett doesn’t stop giving me what I can only describe as The Look. He’s probably going crazy thinking I’m injured, and the last thing I want to ask is for some of that damn numbing cream to put on my ass cheek.
Jameson raises an eyebrow at me from over the car. “Do I even want to know?”
Mikkalo says, “Yes,” while I say, “No,” and we both start laughing.
Bronx groans. “I know you’re welcome to have your inside jokes and privacy, but if you can calm the hell down and focus, maybe we’ll manage to succeed.”
“Damn, Bronxy. Lighten up,” Jameson says. “I think we could all use our girl’s laughter right about now.”
Bronx rubs the back of his neck. “I’m sorry. You’re right. I’m just—I worry about taking her, but I worry about leaving her here. She looks like she might not even be able to keep up if she had to.”
“She’s not going to have to. I got her,” Mikkalo says.
“Are you sure? You look more ready to play around than protect her.”
I cover Mikkalo’s mouth before he can respond, but my hand does nothing to stop him from growling in his throat. “First, you know I can protect myself or must I remind you? Second, I will be able to keep up. Don’t doubt me. And third, I know you trust Mikkalo with your life, so please, you must trust him with mine. I know none of you will let anything happen to me.”
Bronx turns to face us and reaches out and whacks Mikkalo on the back. “Our girl makes it hard to be annoyed with you, brother.”
“Right?” Jameson says, sliding in the front seat.
“My comment didn’t apply to you, Jameson,” Bronx says, flashing his fangs in a smile.
Jameson groans. “You just wait, Bronxy. You’re going to owe me a big fucking apology when you realize how difficult it is to resist her while she’s looking at you with her big, beautiful green eyes.”
“Oh, he knows,” Everett says.
Mikkalo laughs and sets me on my feet. “Pretty sure you do too, brother.”
Everett sits on the backseat and pats the place next to him, motioning for me to get in. My guys might not be obviously staring at me, but I know they’re focused on my every movement and sound. I clench my jaw and ease down on the seat, slow as hell, and release a breath at how sensitive the bite is. How every time I feel the dull ache, I remember my body exploding, and I get aroused. Fuck. Me.
“You good?” Mikkalo whispers, leaning into me.
“I would be if my body would chill the hell out.” I suck his earlobe into my mouth, nipping it softly. “The slightest pressure to your mark turns me the hell on.”
He digs his finger into my leg. “That’s what I was hoping for.”
I slide my hand over his leg, squeezing him back. “It’s only fair if you have to suffer with me.”
“It’s going to be a long fucking night,” Mikkalo whispers, touching my chin to guide me to him for a kiss.
Everett clears his throat, drawing my attention to him, and I blush so hard realizing that everyone remains silent, trying hard as hell to give Mikkalo and me a bit of privacy even in this closed space.
“I need you to sit straight, so I can properly fasten your restraints,” Everett says, messing with the straps.
“Um, I am sitting as straight as I’m going to get,” I say, twisting my lips. “Why don’t you guys just hold me in place?”
“We’re heading to the outskirts of our region, dandelion,” Bronx says.
I heave the most dramatic sigh. Shit like this is awkward as all get-out. I’m sure I’ll get used to it eventually, but I don’t want anyone to know that I purposely lost a fight with Mikkalo because the idea of him biting me excited me. I let him bite me somewhere I never thought anyone would consider biting. And I liked it.
“Gwen,” Everett says softly. “I know you want to be tough, but what did I tell you before? If you’re hurt or need something, it’s okay to ask. You don’t have to be shy or embarrassed. I want you to feel good always.”
“Maybe if we weren’t flying away from the estate,” I respond. “Or if it didn’t involve something personal.”
“Damn, Mikkalo,” Jameson says. “Our girl slip in the shower with you or something?”
“Jamie,” I say.
He swivels in the seat to look at me. “I think my brothers can suck it up if that was the case. I mean, we all heard how loud you moaned. You don’t have to get into the details or anything, but if you need something from your health keeper, just say it.”
I look at Mikkalo, who remains expressionless but still looks at me.
“I don’t mind,” he says.
I lick my lips. “If any of you think you might get even slightly jealous, cover your ears.”
Jameson chuckles while Bronx raises an eyebrow at me in the rearview mirror. Everett remains calm, waiting for me to tell him.
“You can just show me if it makes it better.”
I giggle, and I mean full-on giggle. “Definitely not but whatever. I just need your magical numbing cream for my ass cheek.”
Jameson tips his head back and releases a loud-ass laugh. Everett slides his arm between the seats and smacks his hand over Jameson’s mouth to shut him up.
He doesn’t, though. Talking into Everett’s hand, Jameson mumbles, “It was supposed to be Bronx or Everett to spank you, Gigi.”
I flick his shoulder. “It wasn’t a spanking.”
“Fuck,” Bronx, Everett, and Jameson all say in unison under their breaths.
I expect Mikkalo to growl at them or something, punch someone, but he breaks out in a cocky as hell smile.
“You bit her on the ass?” Jameson asks.
He continues to smile without comment.
“Damn,” Bronx whispers.
I wave my hands, my face so hot. I squirm a bit as silver flashes in all of their eyes, and I’m nearly certain they’re imagining all sorts of possibilities for later. “Don’t you guys get any ideas. I lost a fight.”
“On purpose,” Mikkalo says, bumping his shoulder to mine.
“How deep did you bite her?” Everett asks, keeping his voice even. He’s definitely in health keeper mode while Jameson looks like he’s on the verge of planning s
ome extreme fantasy, and Bronx looks like he’s lost in his own memory of his time with me.
“Not deep at all,” Mikkalo says.
“I’m not in excruciating pain. It’s just...I enjoyed it a lot. And it reminds me just how much every time I get the slightest amount of pressure,” I whisper to Everett, keeping my voice as low as possible.
He hums under his breath. “Damn.”
I whack him in the leg. “Hello? No mind wandering when you’re supposed to act as my health keeper. We’re not playing doctor. Will you just give me the cream?”
“You guys play doctor?” Mikkalo asks.
“Of course they play doctor,” Jameson says.
Bronx smirks at me. “It is kind of his thing.”
I backhand both Bronx and Jameson in their shoulders. “Okay, I’m enforcing our no details rule right now. The next one of you to comment will be in trouble. And nobody look. I have to pull these damn pants down.”
Silence fills the car, and I glare at each one of them, daring them to test me. Jameson looks like it takes everything in him not to turn in the seat, especially when they hear the snap of my pants unfasten. Everett remains expressionless as I shift on the seat to kneel.
“Why don’t you lie across my lap?” Everett says, scooting to the middle to give me room.
I do as he says, my damn body tingling like crazy as I position myself. Mikkalo plays with my hair, letting me rest my upper body on his legs. Everett tugs my pants down a bit more, showing off my thong, and a deep, throaty noise escapes Mikkalo’s lips. He totally gets turned on just at the sight of his mark on me, which doesn’t help my own insistent horniness.
“I’m going to have to touch it,” Everett says.
Mikkalo says, “Okay,” while I say, “Just be careful.”
I tilt my head to look up at him and realize that Everett’s comment wasn’t even intended for me. And hell. I didn’t realize how personal the letting them bite me stuff was.
“There’s a difference in the kind of bites we give,” Everett says calmly, like he can read my mind.
“Yeah, Gigi. We agreed never to bite you just to eat. If we’re drinking your blood for sustenance, it’ll be from a glass.” Jameson doesn’t look back as he says it.
“But you let me bite you,” I say.
He chuckles. “I think you underestimate the allure of your mouth anywhere near me regardless of what you’re doing.”
“We like fulfilling your needs,” Bronx says.
“Damn right,” Mikkalo says, massaging his fingers into my back.
An intense burst of pleasure rips through me, and I moan so fucking loud that everyone falls silent. “Holy shit,” I whisper to Everett. “What did you do?”
“That’s what I want to know,” Jameson says, swiveling in his seat. His eyes flash silver when our gazes meet.
Another burst of ecstasy washes through me, and I squeeze my legs together, feeling like I might explode in the best way possible.
“Fuck,” I say, digging my fingers into Mikkalo’s leg.
Everett’s hand touches the small of my back. “Almost done.”
“Really?” Shit. Did I just sound disappointed? How awkward.
He breaks his serious demeanor and chuckles. “I don’t have to be.”
“Damn it. Make room back there.” Jameson reaches out and touches my cheek. “Me next.”
I swat his hand. “Don’t you remember what happened the last time we got carried away in the car?”
He fake growls at me.
I smile and wag my finger at him.
He sighs. “Fine. But you’re missing out.”
“No, just saving all the fun for la—”
The car jerks and Bronx swears, tapping a few buttons on the dashboard. Everett quickly tugs my pants up and wraps his arms around me, holding me in place. I don’t have the chance to react as Bronx slams the brakes. Mikkalo, Bronx, and Jameson disappear, the slamming of three doors ringing in my ears.
“What the fuck?” I ask, shifting to try to get a view of what’s going on outside.
“Stay down, Gwen,” Everett says, locking me in place with his hands.
I dig my fingers into his legs. “Tell me what’s going on.”
“It’s those assholes again.”
A shiver trembles through me. “What?”
Everett rubs his thumb over mine, squeezing my fingers. “They must be tracking us somehow.”
My brows furrow. “Why do you say that?”
He tightens his jaw and looks at me. “It seems they’ve left us a message.”
I jerk upright, pushing against Everett’s attempt to keep me down. Slapping my hand over my mouth, I suppress a scream at the sight of the half-naked man stumbling around the road. And then I do yell out. Grayson’s familiar blond hair hangs limply against his head. Blood coats his body from crudely cut words sliced into his back that declares, “She’s not yours.”
“Grayson!” I screech, trying to open the door. “Grayson!”
Grayson stumbles as Mikkalo, Bronx, and Jameson surround him. He swings out a blade in an attempt to fight, my name sounding funny coming from his mouth.
“Gwen! It’s time to go home. If you don’t, more will die. Your brothers will be drained dry.”
“Grayson!” I shout again.
Grayson waves his blade into the air.
“Shield her, Everett,” Bronx calls.
Not even a second later, Grayson slides the blade across his throat.
I scream again and fight Everett as he tries to hug me against him. I swing out, hitting him in the shoulder hard enough to get him to let me go. Thrusting the door open, I dive out. Two strong arms catch me, and Bronx pulls me up and smothers me against his chest.
“Put me down!” I yell, punching out.
“No.” Bronx’s denial pisses me the hell off, and I manage to uppercut him in the jaw. He growls but still doesn’t let me go.
“Everett, I need you to verify,” Mikkalo says. “Not all the blood belongs to Grayson.”
I release a strangled cry and give up on trying to break free of Bronx’s embrace. Instead, I sink into him, hugging him close. His tense muscles relax, and he moves me to the back of the car to set me on the trunk to stand between my legs.
“We will make them pay for this, Gwen,” he says, swiping his fingers over my cheeks. “They have no idea who they’ve decided to fuck with.”
I suck my top lip between my teeth to get it to stop quivering. What had started as an amazing night quickly turns to shit all because of what I am.
“Bronx.” My voice barely sounds a whisper. “I don’t want you to act on my behalf. I don’t want you to put your coven in jeopardy. These guys, they know about me. Who’s to say they won’t try to ruin everything you’ve built?”
“You better not suggest that we give you to them,” Bronx says.
I crinkle my nose. “Fuck no. You think my brothers would trade themselves for the traitor against humanity? I just—this—I don’t want anything to happen to you because of me. Don’t feel obligated to handle this.”
“I don’t feel obligated, dandelion,” he says, leaning in close. “I am obligated.”
“Bronx.”
His eyes flash silver. “Let’s get one thing straight, Gwen. You’re our girl. You picked us. We didn’t get our power just by sitting around. And there’s no fucking way I’m going to let anyone get away with making you cry. I don’t care who they are.” Leaning in, he kisses me, pulling me so close that I can feel every inch of his body. “No one else can claim you.”
I release a small breath against his lips. “What have you done to me? I’d have kicked you in the junk for saying something like that before.”
He kisses me harder. “What do you feel like doing now?” he murmurs, pulling back to smile.
I pat his chest. “I better not say.”
“You and your love of torturing me. First that sexy show in the car and now this? Our time can’t come soon enough.”
“And if I’m not?”
“I get to bite yours.”
Jameson heaves a breath, materializing behind Bronx. He squeezes his brother’s shoulders and gives him a good shake. “Seriously, Gigi. It’s time for you to say something sexy like that to me.”
I snap my teeth at him. “Like what?”
He glares.
I stick out my tongue.
“Fuck yeah!” Mikkalo yells, drawing our attention from each other. He jogs in our direction, holding out his com device. “Gwen, it’s not him.”
I frown and blink. Bronx and Jameson somehow managed to distract me so much so that I nearly forgot why we were stopped out here in the first place. “What?”
“It’s not Grayson,” Mikkalo repeats.
I slide off the trunk of the car and push between Jameson and Bronx. No one stops me as I close the space to the body lying in a puddle of blood in the middle of the road. Everett carefully kicks the guy over so that I can get a better look at his features.
“Shit. You’re right,” I say, keeping my hands at my sides. My panic really messed with my head. Because of this guy’s build and hair color, I just assumed it was Grayson. I thought he said my name weirdly, but I thought it was because this guy has been manipulated.
“Those assholes went through a lot of trouble to find someone who looked like your brother,” Everett says. “I’m sorry you thought it was.”
I groan and stretch upright. “It still doesn’t change the fact that they have him or that they will kill others.”
“But this gives us an advantage. We know what to expect. They plan to go after your other brothers. We can set a trap,” Mikkalo says.
“You think so?” I ask.
He nods. “Maybe we can even start tonight.”
Chapter 13
Reimbursement
“KEEP YOUR VOICE DOWN. GWYNETH will hear you, Jerry. You know she never stays away long.”
“Never call her that again. It’s Gwen. Don’t confuse her with someone she’s clearly not.”
“Clearly,” Rochester says. “You haven’t allowed me the closeness it takes to treat her as my beloved.”
