by Kele Moon
“I did kill him, and I won’t apologize for protecting my people from that vicious monster.”
“My mother is dying. Please move. I need to get to her.” Amber looked up at him and pleaded, “Don’t take this from me too, Des. Don’t hurt me this way, by making me miss her last moments.”
“I understand. I never wanted to take anything from you.” Desmon jerked away as if the action physically hurt him. “But I’m asking you not to leave town.” He gave her an intense glare, as if he were used to his commands behind obeyed with a simple look of warning. “We’re not done talking.”
She pulled opened the door once he stepped back. Her hands shook as she collapsed into the car. His words sounded threatening, and she refused to look at him as she drove away.
3
Amber sipped coffee and stared at her sleeping sisters. Bea had passed out on the sofa, and Katie on the love seat. Exhaustion had Amber yawning but too many things were on her mind for her to rest.
Their mother had hung in there through the night, and then passed peacefully in her drug-induced sleep just past noon. The hospice nurse had been amazing, making all the tough calls. A doctor arrived shortly after, pronounced the death, and then the mortician showed up to take their mother’s body away.
Amber had cried with her sisters, fixed them something to eat and talked them into at least lying down since they had stayed up all night and into the next afternoon.
There were still funeral arrangements to make, phone calls to place. She glanced at the clock. It was past five, so plans would have to wait until tomorrow. It was at least a short list of notifications. Dianna, their mother, had burned a lot of bridges marrying her second husband. Most of her family and friends had stopped talking to her. She’d chosen an abusive drunk over the people who’d cared about her.
It still made Amber angry.
Her mother had sided with that bastard against her own daughter. Memories haunted her of her horrible childhood. Rich had resented being stuck with her. He’d never tried to be a father to a child that wasn’t his, calling her the shit end of the stick of a package deal. She’d always gotten blamed for everything and he liked to hit—a lot.
Her mother had just told her to try to do better, try harder, promising that eventually he’d come around, but he never had. Amber ran away after what happened with Desmon.
She put the mug down when her hands began to tremble. He looked good. Part of her had hoped he’d grown up ugly, but mostly she’d just wanted to avoid him. Luck hadn’t been on her side.
She stared at Katie, worried. What was she doing hanging out with werewolves? Amber planned to have a long talk with her sister about Merl. Part of her even felt responsible. As the oldest, she’d let them down by not being around to look out for them and give them advice. Her loyalty to Desmon, and determination to keep his secret, had left her sisters vulnerable.
Memories of her marriage came next, and she snorted. It wasn’t as if she’d lived a stellar life with Jeff and could claim to be a good example in the romance department. He’d been self-centered, controlling and manipulative. She should have known she couldn’t trust him, considering he crafted creative lies for judges and juries on a regular basis to get his clients not-guilty verdicts. He’d been charming though, and she’d wanted the perfect life he’d presented to her. She’d had a nice home, money and the stability that came with it.
Amber stood and stretched, before walking around the house she grew up in. It had always been a dump, but the years had brought more neglect. Now their mother was gone, and someone needed to step up, especially since Bea wouldn’t legally be an adult for another six months. Katie had made it clear she wanted to take care of their youngest sister, but that was before Amber learned she hung out in rough bars and dated a crazy, mean werewolf. A chill ran down her spine.
Decisions needed to be made. Tough ones.
“Why are you standing there glaring at the tub? What’d it do to you?”
She spun, staring at Katie leaning against the bathroom door. Her sister yawned, like the drama in the bar hadn’t happened the night before, but Amber didn’t let that stop her.
“You both should move to L.A. with me. We could sell this place and you two could split the money, whatever we can get for it, and put it in a savings account. I’ll send you to college. I won’t make you spend your inheritance on it.”
“I’m not leaving.”
“I’m offering you real security. That guy you’re seeing, Merl, he’s dangerous.”
“You don’t know anything about him.” Katie spun, walking down the short hallway. “I’m going to bed.”
“I do know.” Amber went after her. She grabbed her sister’s shoulder and spun her. “He’s a werewolf. A bad one. That’s enough.”
“He’s not that way normally. You pissed him off. You maced a werewolf, of course he overreacted.” Katie jerked free. “This is basic shit when dealing with shifters, Amber.”
“Now you’re making excuses? Painting your own little fantasy that makes it okay, like Mom did with Rich? How many nights did you spend outside in the woods hiding or locked inside your room, while he knocked her around?”
“What do you care? You left.”
It hurt, but Amber couldn’t deny it. “He never hit you or Bea. I wouldn’t have gone if he had.”
“You left a long time ago, and things changed. Merl protects me. Nobody fucks with me anymore. Dad was harassing me for money after he left us, and he slapped me around when I told him I didn’t have anything to give him. Merl made him stop.”
“Who protects you from Merl?”
“He’s never hurt me. He’s a wolf, they’re playful, but he knows the line.” Katie sounded sincere, then she narrowed her eyes in suspicion. “How do you know Desmon?”
Amber looked away from her. “It’s a long story.”
“And you don’t do long, do you, Amber? When are you leaving? Today? Tomorrow?”
“After the funeral. But I want you both to come with me this time. I have a three-bedroom condo. You’ll like it. There’s more than enough room for all of us.”
“Pass.” Katie stalked into her room. “Just leave, Amber.”
Amber followed. “I want a better life for you, and I promise Merl isn’t it. This house is going to fall down one day, and I don’t want you to be inside it when it does. What about Bea? Don’t you want a better life for her? Or does Merl have a friend you plan to set her up with? Is that your version of looking out for her? What’s your long-term plan?”
Katie faced her. “Survival. It’s what we do. One day at a time, big sis. You don’t live here anymore. You have no idea how it is.”
“And I’m offering you something better!”
“How do you know Desmon?” Katie repeated, rather than deal with the larger issue.
Realizing her sister wouldn’t let it drop, Amber admitted, “I met him when I was a little girl. He was out running in the woods and a car hit him. He changed in front of me, and I hid him from Rich.”
Katie plopped down on her bed like she was ready for a story. “That’s against the rules. Letting humans know about them.”
“How did you find out about werewolves?”
“I got a job in Hardly. They have a skin bar. Don’t give me that look. I made great tips, and they didn’t check my ID to prove I was old enough to serve beer. They just cared that I looked good in a bra and tight cutoff shorts. Dad had left. Not that he ever brought in much money, but we had nothing after he was gone. The only time he stopped by was to raid the house for more shit to sell.
“We were starving, and the electricity was about to get cut off. I had to work, and I needed more than what a fast food job paid. Then some dickhead got fixated on me and wouldn’t take no for an answer. He scared the shit out of me. Turns out he was from another pack called Goodwin. You think Nightwind pack is bad?” Katie shook her head. “Des would kill one of his pack for raping a woman, but Goodwin doesn’t have rules like that. Thei
r males just take what they want.
“I had to quit my job, but that son of a bitch came after me, tracked me here and found me in our town while I was picking up groceries. I ran, got to my car, but he chased me in his truck. I made it about two miles out of town and saw cars parked across the road ahead of me. I slammed on my brakes, but I was trapped between them and that bastard in his truck. I thought my life was over…but they saved me. Merl, Jazz and Jason were the ones who’d blocked the road. The guy didn’t take off, but instead tried to pull me out of my car. They all shifted and fought, killing the bastard. Des arrived and made me promise to never tell anyone what had happened or anything about them shifting. It was an easy promise to make. They saved my ass. I started dating Merl after that.”
“I’m happy he saved you, but Merl really is trouble, Katie.”
“He keeps my dad away and gives me money when I need it. Don’t judge.”
“Yeah, but what is he taking from you in return? He was going to fuck you in that bar in front of everyone.”
She shrugged. “They’re more comfortable with sex and nudity than we are. It’s not a big deal to them, and nobody else ever tries to touch me. Merl would hurt them. I belong to him, and they respect that.”
“You only belong to yourself.”
“So, Des is protective of you because you helped him when he got hit by a car and kept my dad from finding him while he was hurt?”
Amber knew Katie was changing the subject again, but she’d made her point. “He used to come visit me out in the woods after that day. We grew close.” It hurt saying the words. “He even asked me to be his mate when we were teenagers, and I said yes.”
Katie paled. “That’s a big deal to them, Amber. I’m not kidding. What happened? Why did you leave him? Alpha Desmon scares me a little, but he eats, sleeps and bleeds for the pack. Not to mention, he’s so hot. He’d be a good one to come home to.”
“Maybe he would have, but he broke my heart before I could find out. That’s when I took off. I’m sorry I left you and Bea. I was young, and it was a stupid, selfish thing to do. I really thought you’d be okay, and I wasn’t even sure if my father would take me in. I hitchhiked to L.A. and knocked on his apartment door. I was very happy to discover he still cared.”
“How nice for you. It got hellish around here once the child support your father used to send stopped coming. He had you, so no more checks. Bet you didn’t think of how pissed my dad would be over losing that booze money.”
“No, I didn’t,” Amber admitted. “I was almost an adult anyway.”
“Yeah, well, I’m not surprised. Don’t come in here and tell us how to live. You lost that right a long time ago. Bea and I will be fine. Merl will see to it. I called him to let him know Mom died.”
“You’re better off without him. Come to L.A. with me.” When that didn’t work, Amber pleaded, “At least let me take Bea with me. She doesn’t need to be exposed to him. What if she pisses him off, and he does to her what he tried to do to me?”
“Bea is my sister. Not yours. I’m the one who’s been here for her all her life. Now get out of my room.”
Amber was too tired to argue, so she spun and left, returning to the living room. Her baby sister still slept.
No way was she going to leave Bea in Hollow Mountain with Merl. Katie wasn’t thinking straight. The guy had anger and spontaneous hair growth issues.
The sound of an engine drew her to the front window, and she pulled the curtain aside. A large gray truck parked on part of the lawn and Merl climbed out of the lifted vehicle.
“Shit.” She walked to the door and opened it. She eased outside quietly and met him before he came up the porch. “I want to talk to you.”
He curled his upper lip but stopped walking. “My alpha said hands off you. I’m still pissed about what you did to me, but I’m willing to let it go. I came for Katie.”
“You’re mated to her?”
“Fuck no.”
He didn’t seem the type to make a lifelong commitment, so she wasn’t surprised. “I don’t want you near either one of my sisters.”
“I don’t give a fuck.” He stepped around her and headed toward the house. “Katie belongs to me.”
She lunged and gripped his arm, then released him when he spun too quickly for a human and glared at her.
“How much money will it cost me to get you to leave Katie alone? I’m not rich, but how about five grand?”
He arched an eyebrow. “I’m not giving up Katie.”
“My sister isn’t your property. You admitted she’s not your mate. Do you at least love her?”
“She amuses me, and she’s good in bed.”
She had to give him credit for honesty. “Ten grand.”
“You’re something else.” He growled low. “Be glad my alpha put you under his protection, or I’d just kill you. Never stand between me and something that’s mine.”
“Twenty.” It would hurt, but she was willing to pay it. He could dump Katie and her sister would agree to leave with her, getting Bea out of town with them.
He turned his head, openly staring at her car. “What about that? Would you sign it over to me?”
She inwardly cringed. She loved her Benz, but getting rid of it to save her sisters wasn’t a tough choice. “Yes.”
“Pass.” He grinned, staring into her eyes. “I just wanted to see how far you’d go. Katie told me all about her older sister. You abandoned them to your drunken parents. I’d call you a bitch, but that’d be too much of a compliment.”
“Rich wasn’t my father, and our mother didn’t drink when I left.”
“That doesn’t matter. Katie has a lot of resentment.” He leaned in close and smiled. “Do you know what that means?”
“You’re a low-life willing to take advantage of her?” Amber guessed.
He chuckled, not even bothering to deny it. “She appreciates belonging to me, and knows I won’t give her up. That kind of loyalty and devotion is priceless.” He turned away, jogged up the porch and entered the house before he added, “And sexy.”
“Damn,” Amber muttered, because he wasn’t as stupid as he looked.
She followed him inside. He wasn’t in the living room and thankfully he hadn’t woken Bea. She continued to sleep on the sofa. Soft voices drew Amber down the hallway to Katie’s bedroom. She paused at the partially open doorway, listening.
“No more excuses. I want you to move back in with me.”
“I can’t, Merl. I have Bea to think about.”
“She’ll be fine by herself. You can check on her.”
“The social worker would be all over my ass. She’s already come over here half a dozen times once hospice got involved for my mom. We talked about this. The state would come in, take custody of Bea since she’s still underage, and sell the house to pay for her care if I’m not here living with her.”
“That’s bullshit. We’ll sell the house now, so they can’t.”
“What about Bea?”
“She can live in one of my guest rooms.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Katie sounded firm. “I don’t trust some of your friends not to mess with her.”
“Are you arguing with me?” Merl snarled. “I’ve been damn patient with you since you moved home a month ago. I’ve had to cook my own meals and my place is a mess. What’s the point of having you if you don’t do anything for me, huh? I can’t fuck you when I want anymore, and you don’t take care of me the way you should. I deserve better.”
“I know. I’m sorry, Merl.”
“You should be. You need to be reminded that I’m in charge. You’ve gotten really mouthy since you’ve been staying here.”
Amber had had enough. She pushed the door open a bit to peer in, prepared to argue with the jerk. Instead, she watched as Merl grabbed her sister, kissing her. Katie struggled for a second but then went limp in his beefy arms.
Merl ripped her sister’s shirt, tearing it open to grope her breast
.
“Get your hands off her!” Amber lunged forward and grabbed him from behind.
He jerked hard, and she stumbled back, tripped on something and landed on her butt.
Merl twisted his head, glaring at her. “Get your ass up and get out, or I’ll hurt you regardless of Desmon’s order.”
“You should leave, Merl.” Katie pulled her shirt together. “My mom just died, and you’re being too cruel. I can’t take this right now.”
Merl turned on her. “What’d you say to me?”
“Just leave.” Katie sniffed. “Please? We all need to calm down.”
“You don’t talk to me like that.” He grabbed Katie by her throat and yanked her against his body. “I’m going to fuck you into submission again.”
Katie fought, using her fists to punch at his face.
Amber didn’t think, wanting to protect her sister. She kicked him in the back of his knee. It caused his leg to give out from under him, and he came crashing down on top of her. He didn’t release Katie when he fell.
Amber tried to wiggle out from underneath Merl and her sister’s tangled bodies, pinning her to the unforgiving hardwood floor. Katie kept hitting him and landed some good punches to the big brute. He howled out and rolled over. Amber got a good look at his face when he did, blood was pouring from his nose and his split lip.
He began to climb up Amber’s body, trying to get out of the small space their bodies were trapped in.
Warm wetness hit her face, going in her open mouth, the blood almost choking her. She twisted her head, squeezing her eyes closed, and shoved at him but he was too heavy. She remained trapped under him until he got himself clear. Amber rolled onto her stomach, frantically trying to wipe off his blood. She opened her eyes in time to see Merl leave the bedroom.
“Fuck it. I’ll replace you, Katie. Let your asshole sister take care of you from now on. I don’t need this shit! I’m not getting killed by my alpha over a piece of ass. It wasn’t even that good anymore.” The front door slammed hard as he stormed out of the house.
Amber turned her head, locating Katie sitting up against the wall. Katie was crying, with blood on her hands. “Are you okay?”
