“Well, I met him earlier today, and when I ran from Channing after he bit the shit out of my neck, he appeared saying Ayden sent him to watch me.”
“That was weeks ago!”
“Yes, well, he says we’re to be mated.”
“What’s his name?”
“Connor.”
A deep intake of breath made panic rush through Melissa’s body. “What? What!”
“Nothing. You’ve just managed to capture the two people with the worst reputations. Way to go Melissa.”
“What do you mean?” Her heart raced at his dry tone. If this was serious, where were his emotions?
“You landed one of the most powerful, ruthless vampires in the world, and one of the deadliest werewolves to walk this earth. They can tell you more about it. Have fun. You’ll have them like putty in your hands by the time it’s over with. Damn, wait till Ayden hears how his go-to guy gets to be matched to you and Channing. So much for getting rid of the vampire now.”
“Why would you want to? He doesn’t seem so bad.”
“You haven’t seen what he’s capable of. He puts everyone’s nerves on end. He’s like a ticking time bomb that no one knows when it’s going to go off. Now that you can possibly calm him down some, we all might be okay. Go talk to them, Mel. And do what you do best: tell them how it’s going to be.”
“Okay.” Numb, she hung up the phone.
A knock sounded at her door, and hesitantly, she opened it. The look on Connor’s face confused her even more. Calming her nerves, she tossed the phone to the bed and gave him her full attention. “What’s wrong, Connor?”
“This isn’t how I wanted you to find out. I’d made plans to actually meet with you and see what happened between us, but now I’m not sure what to do. I’m not very good with people.”
“Is the coffee ready?”
“I believe so.”
Melissa nodded and grabbed his hand, pulling him into the kitchen with her. “I figure since we’re all…stuck. No, that’s not the right word. Please excuse me. I’m going to warn you both now. I have a problem with the way things sometimes come out. I tend to hurt people’s feelings on accident. A lot. I don’t mean to, but it’s something I’ve tried to control, and I just can’t. So, if I say anything that offends either of you, just tell me, and please don’t take it personally.”
Melissa made a cup, sighed, offered it to Connor, and made herself another. Once they sat down, she looked between both men. “I don’t know how else to put this so I’m just going to say it. I’m apologizing beforehand because I know this is going to sound rude. Now, I don’t know either of you. To just give in and say okay without a fight is not like me. So, after this cup of coffee, I’m going to nicely kick both of you out so I can get some sleep, and if I see you great. If not, well, nothing is different. We’ll all move on and pretend this night never happened.”
The men just stared at her. Channing was the first to lean forward. “After talking to Stephen, because I know that’s who you called, you still think you can move on like nothing is wrong? I don’t know about Connor, but I already know us three were meant to be together. I don’t like having to share you, but I’ve seen three relationships that I can compare with this, and you know what, I think I’m okay with how things worked out with them.”
“I don’t like it, either, but I know what Channing is talking about. I think this could work.”
Melissa laughed. “And I know the three trios you’re both referring to, and although you may be right, I’m not changing my life around backwards because of some pull. It’s going to take more than an invisible force to win me over. I want true love or nothing.”
“You wanted time to stop. With Connor you got it. I read your thoughts. I know what lingers deep down in your heart. You wanted an immediate connection, and you got that with me. You also were crushed when you discovered the news from your friends this morning. You were crushed because that’s what you long for more than anything else. You want love, a family. You want what was destroyed for you at a young age.”
Melissa felt her heart break at hearing the words out loud. Putting down her coffee cup, her hands shook uncontrollably. The anger pulsing through her was about to explode. “Leave. Right now.”
“Excuse me?” Channing’s eyebrows rose in his confusion.
“I said, get out of my house and don’t come back. Both of you—out, now!”
Their mouths parted, and Melissa couldn’t think. Flashes of the horrible memories raced through her mind. She didn’t know whether to pace or throw something. Why weren’t they leaving?
“Get out!”
They both stood, and she practically pushed them out. Turning the lock, she stomped to her room and slammed the door. She wouldn’t think about this. She wouldn’t remember.
* * * *
Connor followed Channing down the steps and kept walking. He had a room not a block away at a hotel meant for tourists. He really needed to get his truck and head to Ayden’s to explain what happened. His Alpha wasn’t going to like that he’d hidden the fact of staying even after he was ordered to cease watching Melissa.
“You’re going to see the big man, correct?”
Connor stopped walking and turned around. “Yeah. I think I should tell him what’s going on.”
“Hop in, I’m headed there myself. Do you think he’s still awake? It’s pretty late.”
“This is pack business. He’s always awake when it concerns these sort of things.”
Walking over and getting in, Connor mainly watched the scenery as Channing headed toward Corpus. The more his thoughts bothered him, the more he knew he had to talk to someone. Glancing at the vampire, he felt more comfortable around him the longer they were together. “So, what do you think he’s going to say? I think he was hoping you’d leave town soon. You know everyone’s scared that you might cause trouble, right?”
Channing shot him a glance, but then turned back to the road. “I’m not leaving without her, and I assume you’re not going to let her go. What can he say?”
Connor felt his temper spike. For so long, he’d fed off of the anger brought on by other people. Hell, it was his job to take care of things whenever no one else could. The fact that he’d had the chance to be Alpha in New Orleans didn’t matter. He never wanted that kind of responsibility. Why bring a mate and child into that kind of life?
After his own parents were killed, he swore he’d never put his future chosen through something like that. Women were meant to be cherished, not put in harm’s way. It was the reason he’d been watching Melissa. He wasn’t about to let anything happen to her.
“What, you can’t answer the question? What can Ayden say? If he tells me to leave, he can’t be stupid enough to think I’d leave without her. Do you think he’d put you through not having your mate?”
“No one will keep me away from her. Not even you, Channing. I know how powerful you are, but you don’t scare me. I don’t even really know her, but I’d already die for her. “
“Funny how this whole mating process works, isn’t it? So would I.”
Silence settled through the car until they were pulling up in front of Ayden’s red brick, two-story home. Lights inside were still on, and Connor sighed in relief. Good, maybe his leader wouldn’t be in a bad mood, and everything would go smoothly.
They got out of the car and walked to the front door. Ayden opened it before they could even knock. Connor watched him bite into an apple and gesture for them to come in.
“Guess how many phone calls I’ve received tonight, boys?”
Channing and Connor sat on the couch as Ayden collapsed next to Trevor on the opposite sofa. The two men stared at them. Connor could feel his wolf stir. He hated how he had the reaction of wanting to come right out and attack to defend himself.
“Well, I can imagine Stephen called you.”
Connor looked over at the vampire sitting beside him. Channing’s voice was very soothing, but he knew it was part of
the glamour.
“Oh yes, he did. Right after you left with Ev’s friend, Melissa. You know, I’m finding it awfully hard to keep myself sitting here when all I want to do is rip you off that couch and tear my teeth into your neck. You’re a guest in my house, Channing. That doesn’t give you the right to go out and fuck people that consist of my pack. Ev is considered pack, therefore so is everyone she’s close to.”
Connor felt the need to speak up, to defend the man sitting beside him, but miraculously he didn’t. Ayden’s hard gaze went to him.
“Do I need to even ask what the fuck you’re doing with him? As far as I knew, you were somewhere here in Corpus. Are you planning on telling me you’ve lied this whole time?”
“I couldn’t leave. Melissa and I are meant to be mated.”
“Jesus! How long have you known this Connor?’
“Since the first time I saw her.”
Ayden growled. “Weeks ago?”
“Yes.”
The large man stood, towering over him. The speed he moved still had shock value. “And can you tell me why you haven’t told me this until now? You know how I feel about making a mate wait. Is she in pain?”
“No, not yet. At least, not that I’m aware of.”
Ayden began to pace the floor in front of them. “So, what happened? Channing showed up and what?”
Channing shifted next to him. “Melissa and I—we’re also meant…to be together.”
Ayden fell over his feet, stumbling, and turned around with large eyes. “No fucking way.”
A female voice cleared behind them. “If I hear the F-word come out of your mouth one more time, Ayden, so help me God, I’m taking over or ending this conversation. I can’t even sleep, you’re talking so loud. And our bedroom is upstairs!”
Connor smiled and looked down. Nicole always did have a way to make Ayden soften. He watched his Alpha immediately walk to her side. “I’m sorry, baby. How’s my other baby?” A large hand spanned across Nicole’s growing stomach.
“Hungry. You really didn’t wake me, I wanted the strawberries.” She smiled and kissed his cheek as she headed to the kitchen. Ayden’s lips parted as he watched her walk off. He smiled and then erased it as he looked back over at the men.
“So, we have another couple consisting of three people. Great. With the way things are going, my pack is going to be half vampires. God help us. So what are your plans? How’s Melissa taking the news?”
Channing sighed. “I somehow pissed her off. She kicked me and Connor out. Told us never to come back again.”
“Aw, shit. Great going, Channing. I hear she’s quiet the firecracker. You should have heard the shit she gave poor Devon when he and Sarah got back together.”
“I think between Connor and I, we’ll be able to calm her.”
“You better hope so because you’re both ordered not to leave her side. She’ll experience no pain. I won’t allow it.”
“Wait, you can’t order me.” Channing started to stand but eased back against the couch. “I’m a vampire, not a wolf. I’m my own master. Hell, I have my own servants.”
Ayden shrugged. “You still do. But since you have two of my pack you’re pairing up with, you take your orders from me now. You’re in my territory. I run this shit, not you.”
Nicole stopped mid-step as she re-entered the room. “Words. I’m told the baby can hear everything you say. Do you want our son hearing that filth? I don’t. If I can refrain from cussing, then so can you.”
Trevor patted his knee, and Nicole curled into his lap. Connor watched in awe as she fed her strawberries to her other mate. Now that was what werewolf couples were supposed to do. It’s what he wanted with Melissa. He’d seen her numerous times, watching the sunrise or the sunset. She’d sit on her balcony forever and just stare at the ocean. He wanted to be the one she cuddled against when she did that.
“Is that clear, Connor?”
He looked up at Ayden. “What?”
“You’re both moving in with Melissa. Find a way to persuade her. I want you both there, starting tomorrow tonight. Now go upstairs and get a few hours of rest. You’re going to have one hell of a day convincing her.”
Chapter 7
Melissa curled into her blanket as the sun painted the skies with beautiful shades of color. The coffee cup felt warm in her hand, and she’d finally calmed down from the hurt she felt last night. If there was one thing she didn’t want to think about, it was her past. She’d done everything she could to forget it. Having it brought up again only seemed to reopen the wounds.
Sleep had proven impossible. For hours she’d tossed and turned until finally she’d given up and settled for listening to the gulf. The calm noise of the waves crashing always helped when she got in one of these moods. Standing, Melissa walked inside and grabbed Julie’s keys. Now would be the perfect time to switch out the cars. She’d get that out of the way and maybe come home to finally get the rest she needed.
Slipping her jacket on over her nightgown, Melissa grabbed her purse and locked the door. The moment she turned on the Mercedes, she cranked up the rap music and headed back to the Martini Bar. It hadn’t taken her twenty minutes before she pulled into the deserted parking lot.
“There you are, my beautiful truck. Damn, I missed you.”
Melissa locked Julie’s keys in her car and jumped in her seat. She headed back to the island, feeling sleep beckoning her. As she drove, she switched CDs and put on the one she always felt compelled to listen to whenever she didn’t want to think of her problems. The beat was just the one she needed. Before she knew it, she was turning onto her street, screaming the words to her favorite lyrics.
But it didn’t last. The lyrics went on as her mouth stayed open, devoid of noise. She pulled into her driveway, right next to a Mercedes and a big jacked up truck just like hers. Instead of it being red, this one was black. Confused and angry, she ran up the steps. Throwing the front door open, she paused, noticing it wasn’t locked. She could swear she locked the damn thing!
Two pairs of eyes stared at her from the couch. ESPN blared in the background. Shocked, she shut the door behind her. No words. Nothing would leave her gaping mouth. All Melissa could do was raise her hands in the air like an idiot, waiting for someone to explain.
“Oh, yeah, we’re moving in.”
Channing placed a fist full of popcorn into his mouth and held the bag out to Connor who followed suit. Still, she couldn’t move. Had these men lost their damn minds? Had she? They couldn’t just move into her home.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Would you like some?”
Channing held the bag out to her, and she finally managed to close her mouth, but she still couldn’t talk. All Melissa could do was shake her head no. “How ‘bout breakfast? Are you hungry?”
Looking over at Connor, she let her jacket fall to the floor. “No, thank you. Um, I’m sorry. What in the hell gave you both the idea to come into my home, and just move in? No, let me rephrase that. Break into my home. I know I locked that door.”
“You’re our mate. Of course we’re going to live with you.” Connor reached over and grabbed another handful of popcorn, smiled at her brightly, and popped the white fluff into his mouth.
“Plus, I have to admit. I like this place. You have a great view. I think I’m going to like living here.”
“Channing, you both are not living here.”
They just smiled at her. Smiled! Melissa smiled back and reached for her phone. “Excuse me, gentlemen.” Dialing Stephen’s number, she waited until he answered it.
“Hello?” The sleep edging his voice instantly made guilt wash through her.
“I’m sorry to wake you, but when you get up, I have two men who say they’re moving in, and I want them to leave my house. I don’t care if you have to arrest them. I want them out.”
Stephen yawned into the phone. “No can do, Red. Ayden’s orders. They have to stay.”
“Bullshit, I’ll call the chief.”
“W
ho also has the same orders. It’s pointless, Mel. You need to just accept this and get to know them.”
“I will not! Is Ev awake?”
“No, and I’m not waking her. She got up at five with morning sickness again. We thought it was finally gone, but I guess not. Anyways, I’m going back to bed. Have fun with those two.” Stephen laughed and hung up, and all Melissa scould do is stare at the phone, shocked.
“So, you never answered Connor. Do you want breakfast?”
Melissa threw her phone at Channing and charged. She wasn’t sure why, he just asked a question, and it wasn’t even laced with attitude, but she felt trapped. Connor grabbed her around the waist before she could reach him.
“Whoa there, honey. What’s wrong? We’re not here to make you angry.”
Sobs broke though Melissa’s throat as she saw her world closing in on her. She was used to making the rules. Without the ability to do so, she felt panicked.
“Shh, baby, listen.” He pulled her into his lap and sat on the couch, cradling her fighting body. “This is going to be hard, but please just give it a try. I know you don’t know either one of us, but we’re not terrible people, trust me. I didn’t like Channing that much at first, either, but he’s not so bad.”
Melissa laughed past her sob and buried her face deeper into his chest. Something about him holding her made her feel safer, at peace, like with the ocean. Heat fluttered in her chest, and she let the feeling overpower her. Maybe Connor wasn’t so bad. She hadn’t thought so when they were standing at the ocean.
“Thanks a lot,” Channing muttered from the sofa. Melissa wasn’t sure why, but she wiggled from his arms and crawled to the other man. Guilt. Damn, she hated knowing she’d reacted that way.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have thrown the phone. You were trying to be nice and I–I apologize. But you have to know that what you’re both doing isn’t right. It’s unfair to me, and it’s wrong.”
“It would be unfair to you if we let you go through pain. That’s why Ayden wants us here. Until you’re marked, the bond is going to grow stronger and more painful. The need to be with us at all times will overpower you. If you distance yourself too far, it could be agonizing. Please understand we’re not here to make your life harder. We want to make it easier. We want you to choose us.”
Melissa's Mates (Blissful Bets #3) Page 5
