Romancing the Sweet Side

by Tianna Xander, Elle Boon, HA Fortman, Trinity Blacio, Cheryl Dragon, Caitlyn O'Leary, Dawn Montgomery, Megan Slayer, Viola Grace

  “I’m sorry, I need to wrap this around your neck and shoulders. It will help suck up the extra puss and blood that will drain from you. Alpha, keep her still and warm. I’ll go help clean up and wait with the others,” the man-doc said, pushing the towels around her.

  “I owe your sister an outfit; wait, no, that bitch that did this owes your sister,” Betsy thought, wondering if Gage could really hear her thoughts.

  “I hear them. Have since this morning. You’ve been in and out of it. And you don’t have to worry; that woman is dead, along with Sara. I haven’t decided what to do with the others.” Gage leaned over and kissed her lips softly. “Sleep, quit trying to fight it. No one will bother you. Jared is right there in the corner of the room, no one can burst through windows in here. You are safe. Even though I keep saying it and you keep getting attacked, it won’t happen again.” He kissed her cheek before settling down next to her.

  She closed her eyes, sighing as Gage curled up next to her, his heat was so nice. “I’m really your woman?” Betsy asked, trying to grasp everything that had happened in the last two weeks. She couldn’t lie to herself anymore.

  Ever since she’d driven into this town, it was like a peace had settled over her. Even now, lying next to Gage, Betsy wasn’t scared or nervous. Tomorrow, she would sort things out; right now, Betsy felt as if someone had shot her up with pain pills. She was dopey and her body felt as if a lead plate had been placed on top of her. Tomorrow...

  * * * *

  Gage carefully pulled away from his woman, tucking the covers around her. It was early morning and the two other females had to be judged. He wanted it out of the way so Gage could concentrate totally on his woman.

  His sister waited for him, also, in the other room, with some clean clothes for Betsy. He could hear her little snarls in the other room, and Gage grinned. His sister was a fierce one when it came to family, and she had fallen in love with Betsy the moment she had seen her.

  Matter of fact, Angie had been the one to point out Betsy in the store. If she hadn’t done that, god knows how long it would have taken him to meet and claim her. He glanced over at the guard that Jared had picked to watch over them so he could go home and clean up.

  Yes, even he had slipped into the shower before crawling into bed with Betsy earlier, wanting to be clean when he had Betsy in his arms. Throwing on his jeans, Gage made his way out into the outer office, gently closing the door behind him as the guard followed him out.

  Since there was no way to get into the bedroom behind him, Betsy was safe. He leaned down and placed a kiss on his sister’s head. “She’s still sleeping; go ahead and put the clothes in the bathroom. I’m sure she’ll need a shower when she gets up and, Angie...” Gage stared at his little sister. “Thank you,” he said.

  She smiled and patted his arm. “Get rid of this trash so you can spend the day with your woman. She’ll need you today.”

  He nodded and lifted his gaze to the two women who knelt, with their heads bowed, waiting for their fates. Their two friends already dead. Their parents behind each girl also knelt behind them.

  “Rise, Mick, Katherine, Dominic, Gloria. There is no reason for you to kneel; you did nothing wrong,” he said and circled the two women, snarling. “Why should I spare your lives?” he asked Nancy, standing before her. “Look at me,” Gage snapped, and she jerked her head up.

  “I’m so sorry, I didn’t know; neither of us knew she was going to do this.” Tears rolled down her cheeks. “Sam and I were coming here yesterday to ask forgiveness when Sara showed up. I swear I’m telling the truth.”

  “Sam?” Gage snapped, and the woman whimpered, peeing her pants.

  “Gage, stop terrorizing the women. Didn’t you know it’s more effective to apply honey to the situation?” Betsy said, coming up behind them, freshly showered and dressed.

  “The only honey I’ll be applying to any woman is you. They destroyed your personal things. Your pictures!”

  Her face turned a dull pink, and she glanced down at her feet.

  Sam raised her shaking hand. “No, pictures I took them. My mom lost some of our pictures when we were small. I know what it meant to her, saved them.” The girl peaked up at them; he was surprised she even spoke.

  “Really, you saved my pictures?” Betsy stepped forward, but he pulled her back to his side.

  “Stand, the both of you,” Gage ordered. “I don’t trust you, but I’m willing to give you another chance. Know this, if you screw up this time, it’s your parents who will be suffering before I kill you both. Is that understood?” Gage growled.

  Both women nodded. “Now, for your punishment, for the next three months, you both will volunteer to help the elderly in their projects. I expect you to use this time to learn all that you can from them. I want a complete history written from their accounts at the end of your three months. We’ll use it as a start to recording our history in the pack. Nancy, I know you like to draw and take pictures. By all means, take all the pictures you want of our community and the things going on. All of this while you finish your college classes. You are also not allowed to participate this month on the hunt. You will watch everyone else having fun. I want you to see what you would be missing if you were gone. Not to mention you will both help your parents get their homes ready for winter. Sam, go get those pictures now and bring them back here. You will live with your parents for the three months. Get out of my sight,” he snarled, and they both fled out the door.

  He sighed, looking down at the pile of pee.

  “I will clean it, sir,” Sam’s mother said running to the kitchen, getting the supplies.

  “Maybe I should help?” Betsy asked, and he shook his head.

  “No, these women attacked you.” He frowned down at her. “You have a soft heart.”

  “It is good to have a woman with a soft heart. She will even you out. After all, she will be the mother of all wolves when you join together under the full moon next week,” his grandfather said, coming into the room.

  * * * *

  “Excuse me?” Betsy said, turning her glare up at him. “A week?”

  “Grandfather, meet my mate, Betsy, and yes, a week. It will be the first run and a perfect time since the pack will all be there,” Gage said as Sam came running in with a box, almost running straight into his grandfather.

  “Be careful, little sprout, there is no sense hurting yourself when you have so much work ahead of you,” his grandfather said, and the girl looked down, ashamed.

  “Sorry. Miss, here is what I could get out before Sara destroyed the place.” The woman held the box out, keeping her head down.

  “Thank you so much for this, and Sam...” Betsy stepped forward, taking the box from her, waiting for the girl to look up.

  When Sam looked up, Betsy smiled. “I forgive you, but hanging around with others who are nasty also makes you part of the group. I hope to see what you and your friend can do with this historic project. History was my favorite subject in school. If you need help or guidance, I’m here.” Betsy stepped back to his side, and Gage could see the surprise on the girl’s face.

  “My woman has a daughter your age?” Gage asked, and Betsy nodded but frowned.

  “If she is eighteen, then yes, but my daughter is very shy, I’m afraid. After being bullied in school, it was very hard for me to even get her into college.” Betsy cocked her head to the side and stared at Sam. “We’ll see...”

  “No!” Jared growled behind them. “Your daughter will not be put in danger, and I don’t trust them. They haven’t earned that trust.” Jared snapped, looking at Betsy then at him. “Sorry, but it’s too soon to put an innocent near them.”

  Gage covered her mouth with his hand. “Jared makes a good point, but if Sam and Nancy can prove their loyalty over the next few months, we’ll see. After all, there is your son yet that hasn’t met any women, right?” Gage asked and knew in that instant Sam had seen the pictures of him.

 
; She squirmed and looked down.

  Betsy laughed. “I don’t know how you know so much about me, but no. Rudy hasn’t met anyone special. He and Cheyenne are coming up this weekend to see that I’m settled.” Betsy looked up. “So, Mr. Alpha, get your polishing skills up, because this will be your time to impress my kids.” She nudged him and turned toward to the door.

  “Oh, I need car keys, please. Seems I need new clothes and a few other items,” Betsy said, holding her one hand out.

  He shook his head and took the box from her. “Grandfather, I’ll have to take a rain check, but make sure to leave dinner open and tell mom and dad, too. Have everyone meet at the steak house, my treat. It’s time for the family to meet my woman.”

  “What?” Betsy shrieked right before he pushed her toward the door. “Parents!”

  He leaned down and kissed her pouting lips. “Yep, parents. I have to endure your children; you will my family tonight. But for now, we spend the day together, getting to know each other. Come, let’s go shopping, and let it be known I hate to shop.” He groaned but saw the little smile on Betsy’s face.

  Yes, it would take time, but he had the woman of his dreams beside him, and she wouldn’t be going anywhere anytime soon. One thing Gage had learned from all of this was to cherish tomorrow and to live today to the fullest.

  The End!

  About the Author

  Trinity Blacio has been writing for the past ten years. She is married and has two children, living in Elyria, Ohio. Her favorite things to write and read are paranormal, ménage, science fiction, erotic and fantasy.

  Places to find me.

  Website: http://trinityblacio.com

  Twitter: https://twitter.com/trinityblacio

  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trinityblacio

  Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2856931.Trinity_Blacio

  Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Trinity-Blacio/e/B0039ALI00/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1

  Encore

  By

  Cheryl Dragon

  Chapter One

  “Officially back in Mosgrove Lake, Illinois. How’s it feel to be home, Jenna?” Steve asked.

  Jenna Palmer glanced out of the tour bus that had her named painted on the side. Her two tour buses were custom made and worth more than the crap home her mother rented when Jenna was little—before the authorities took her to the Holland House.

  “Feels better now than leaving in that old scrap heap of a used school bus we started with ten years ago.” Jenna smiled.

  “Hell yeah!” Fred twirled his drumsticks around his fingers.

  Toby and Kevin rushed the window.

  “We’re going to show them what reject kids can do,” Toby said.

  “The lake looks smaller,” Tamara said.

  None of them had been back since. The band had formed in Holland House—the group home on the outskirts of the small town. Kids from all over the county ended up with Mrs. M at the old Victorian house with multiple barns if they couldn’t be placed with family or foster families.

  Jenna was the only one originally from Mosgrove. She breathed easier when Steve headed the bus for Holland House instead of the heart of town.

  “It’ll all look smaller. Be different. But a charity concert will help Mrs. M a lot more than just a check. It’ll help the town.” Jenna had gone rounds with her manager about it. She sent a donation to help every year, but with state funding cuts and needed repairs, they needed more. They needed attention.

  Steve parked the bus in the shade of a barn. They’d arrived a few days early to set up and visit.

  “Not much of a crowd,” Tamara said.

  “Everyone thinks we’re coming in tomorrow. Mrs. M didn’t want a huge crowd freaking out the kids.” Jenna shrugged it off. The group normally had mobs of fans when they toured summer fests and other concert venues.

  “This is weird.” Fred held onto his drumsticks. “But Sam says we’re sold out.”

  “Sam?” Jenna hadn’t let herself think about him in a while. There was a chance he’d still be in town. The only guy to be kicked out of the band. The only serious boyfriend she’d really had, but it’d all happened when they were too young.

  “Shut up,” Toby said to Fred.

  “Wait, you guys still talk to Sam?” Jenna asked.

  Kevin put his arm around Jenna’s shoulders like a big brother. “You and Sam broke up six years ago. We all respect that. He’s still our friend. We kept an eye on him. He got sober.”

  Jenna hung back as the guys filed out. She looked at Tamara. They’d been best friends since they’d been stuck sharing a room as pre-teens.

  “What? He got his life back together. We’re Facebook friends. He’s still hot. Be a grownup and don’t make it weird. You’re the big talent.” Tamara waved at Jenna.

  Tamara sang backup and handled the keyboard. Jenna sang and wrote their songs. Back in high school, there were more duets with Sam.

  “Life on the road was just too much for him.” Jenna had forgiven him. She’d forgiven a lot of people and put them behind her. He probably had a wife and kids.

  “Yep, he’s a homebody.” Tamara nudged me off the bus.

  Mrs. M hugged like other people said hello. She’d gone gray but was the same stocky, pale woman clad in jeans and T-shirts.

  “My star,” Mrs. M whispered in Jenna’s ear.

  “It’s all luck.” Jenna knew the band wasn’t on a huge label, but they were pure rock and roll with power ballads and heart.

  “Luck, hard work and a lot of miles on that bus.” Tamara hugged Mrs. M. “Homemade food and home sounds good.”

  “It’s always your home. We’re full up on beds, but you’re welcome for the food.” Mrs. M started introducing the band around to the kids.

  It was nice not to be mobbed. Foster kids were unpredictable. They didn’t trust or show their feelings easily. There was hope in their eyes. This band wasn’t teen music, and Jenna felt a bit old when she looked at the residents. But the band owed Mrs. M. She was the one person who’d never let them down.

  “You look lost,” said a man from Jenna’s past.

  She turned. Sam Tolwood’s unmistakable green eyes caught hers. He stood six feet with broad shoulders and muscle. He’d filled out a bit, but his dark-brown hair was still cut short. He flashed a slight smile, and the dimples got Jenna, like they did every time. Her heart fluttered and her knees weakened.

  “The town isn’t big enough to get lost.” She’d done enough interviews and talked to enough crazy fans to think fast.

  “Never thought you’d come back,” he said.

  “Mrs. M. She never let me down. Didn’t even think I was crazy for wanting to make it in music. I owe her.” Jenna tried to push down the emotions spinning inside of her.

  “We all owe her.” He nodded.

  Jenna liked the road, because there was always something new. Not a lot of attachments. Her core group and crew were solid, and the rest of the people in the world were temporary.

  “Are you sure you’re okay?” Sam asked.

  “Sure. Just weird being here. I didn’t know everyone was keeping in touch.” She knew leaving would be harder than she thought. It was so easy at eighteen with a high school diploma, her band, a guy who loved her and a used school bus they called home.

  “They reached out. Social media makes it easy to check before you message. You look great.” He smiled and looked her up and down.

  “You look better than I expected. Not the town drunk, so that’s good.” Jenna folded her arms.

  “Five years sober. We can leave Mosgrove Lake, but it doesn’t erase our past, family or flaws.” He moved closer. “Want a tour of the old places?”

  The familiar scent of him shut down any resistance she had. They’d been so close. Her first everything with a plan for a life together, and it all crashed so fast.

  “I guess. I need to freshen up first. Maybe grab some water,”
she said.

  “You got it. Follow me.” He turned, and Jenna had to admit, he still looked great in a pair of jeans.

  * * * *

  After a pit stop, he poured her a tumbler full of homemade lemonade. He screwed on the lid and stole a glance at her as she seemed lost in a memory.

  She was so pretty, still didn’t wear a lot of makeup. That powder stuff, some lip-gloss and mascara. He knew her routine. That thick brown hair was pulled in a ponytail now, and her big brown eyes never missed a thing.

  Her curves hadn’t changed much, but men always looked. She took her fashion habits from Mrs. M, boot-cut jeans and V-neck T-shirts that didn’t show too much cleavage but hugged her body.

  Guys would take advantage. He fought the protective streak. She wasn’t his anymore. Kevin and Steve were the best bodyguards around—the gay couple treated Jenna like a little sister. Sam knew she’d be safe with them. Fred and Toby were protective, too. Jenna wasn’t dumb. She’d surrounded herself with good men who loved the music.

  “Lemonade ready?” she asked.

  Her voice broke the trance on him. Sam handed over the drink and looked at the floor. He missed his friends in the band; they’d forgiven him. Jenna was the one person he could never make amends to. Yet, here she was not yelling or hating him. Well, maybe she hated him.

  They’d grown up.

  “Tour or do you have to go?” she asked.

  “Sorry. Tour.” He walked around the island. “Kitchen.”

  “I know where things are. You’re sure you don’t have a job to get back to?” Jenna asked.

  “I own a bar. My manager is fine without me.” He led her through to the laundry area.

  “A bar?” She shook her head.

  He rocked back on his heels. The big, ugly issue. His drinking ruined his music career, his relationship and his future.