“Cole is this what you wanted to be when you grew up, a bartender?” She was flushed. His foot was rubbing against her ankle, it was so simple, but her temperature was rising.
“I didn’t get a choice in what I was going to do. I was born knowing. Then we opened this bar, and I realized we needed a bartender, and I wanted to do it. It was the first time in my life that I got to make my own decision. I like tending bar, and I’m good at it. I like it even more since you have come around.”
Her smile brightened. She picked up her glass and sipped the wine. It was good, so she took another sip.
“When I was a child, everything was a secret. I couldn’t talk about my mother, I couldn’t talk about our home, and I couldn’t talk about my sisters and brother that went missing.”
“You have siblings?”
“I had siblings I doubt they’re alive anymore.” She lowered her head looking at the table. The wood grain keeping her attention.
You can’t tell him.
He’ll blame you for keeping the secret.
He’ll say we should have gone to the police.
It’s not your fault, you were too young to do anything.
She looked into the eyes of the last voice. She knew on some level that she was too young, but that didn’t stop the guilt. She would always wonder what would have happened if she had told a teacher.
Pain and maybe death.
Cole was silently cleaning up the table and putting the food they didn’t eat away. When he was done, he came and took her hand helping her stand. He picked up the wine glasses and the bottle and led them into the living room.
She sat on the couch with him sitting next to her. He pulled the coffee table closer and watched her.
She stared at him not saying anything.
“You can trust me, Jessie.”
“I know. I don’t trust myself, and I’m scared that you’ll be disappointed or disgusted with me when you find out.”
“I won’t.”
She nodded looking around the room.
“Why is your house a ranch?”
“When we fought planet side there was one position that could only be accessed if you climbed. It was several hundred feet in the air. I climbed it every time. With lasers and G-bombs going off around me. I had to fight the drones that were sent to kill me. When I finally had a choice of where to live I wanted to keep my feet planted firmly on the ground. Declyn understood, and I ended up with this house.”
She nodded, nothing he said made sense but she could hear the sincerity in his voice.
“I had four sisters and one brother. I think there was one or two before me, but I can’t be sure. When I was born, I was premature and sick. People used to come up to me and say I was the lucky one and they knew I was a blessing to my mom. When I finally got well I was maybe four or five, but then I picked up weight. My mom never knew why and I still don’t know why. All I know is she used to look at me and sneer in disgust because I was fat.
“The first time she got pregnant I was overjoyed. I would have a sister or a brother. She came home from the hospital without the baby. Several days later she smuggled it into the house and swore me to silence. She said no one could know about the baby or they would take her. Neighbors would come and bring her food and alcohol while I sat upstairs making sure the baby didn’t cry. Then one day my sister disappeared.”
Her heart was beating fast as she cried for the sister she never had a chance to know. Cole slid over on the couch and opened his arms. She dove into them clutching his shirt as she cried harder.
“It happened again and again. I didn’t know where they were going and all I could do was cry at night because they were gone. As I got older, I started to have suspicions. What could I do? If I went to the police and told them, it was my mother’s word against mine. I didn’t have any proof, and the whole world thought they died. All I could do was pretend that I was delusional.
“Then I got pregnant with Mia. Everything changed I became paranoid even as I told myself that there was nothing to be paranoid about. Yesterday she told me that Mia was beautiful and would bring in a large sum. I fled I didn’t know what else to do. I don’t trust the police because my mother lies so fluently.”
Cole’s hand was stroking her back making her feel better, reminding her that she did the right thing when she came here.
“Why do they want Mia.”
Shivers took her over, she was freezing. How could she tell him how depraved humans could be? He should know he was human. How could he seem so innocent yet fierce at the same time?
“There’s a ring of perverts who like children. You understand?”
His eyes blazed as his hand came to a halt on her back, but he shook his head no. It was as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
“They like to touch children and do things to their bodies that shouldn’t be done.”
“They try to mate with children?”
She swallowed hard. His eyes seem to be burning while his teeth appeared to be growing longer. His hand started caressing her back again.
“There’s no mating. They’re sick, and the children are disposed of after they turn a certain age and no longer excite them. You might not believe me, but one night recently I heard my mom talking about it. That’s when I knew I was right and that I had to leave. I thought I had more time to get more money stashed away.”
“Do you think they will come after you if you leave?”
“Yes, they are already coming after me. It will only be a matter of time before they figure out where I went. I have to leave I don’t want to bring them here.”
“This is the safest place for you and Mia. I’ll protect you.”
“I don’t want you hurt.” That was whispered against the side of his neck.
“Have you forgotten what the cop at the station said? It would take a Mack Truck to hurt me.”
“A gun is a Mack.”
He handed her glass to her, and she drank some more liking the warm feeling in the pit of her stomach. When she asked for a refill, he shook his head.
“You’re a light weight. It’s time for bed.”
One more night to sleep in Cole’s arms before she ran again.
Chapter Seven
It was a whimper of pure fear that had him opening his eyes. Jessie was sound asleep. It came again. He got out the bed and went into Mia’s room. She was standing on the bed her hands clutching the railings a look of fear in her eyes.
“Dada.” Her arms went straight up waiting for him to pick her up.
“Why are you crying, Casca?” She didn’t say anything just buried her head in his shoulder as he held her.
He walked around the room holding her until her whimpers of fear calmed. Then he took her to his bedroom and sat on the loveseat. She sat on his lap looking at her mother.
“Mama.” She began to cry again fear making her body shake.
“Mia, how am I supposed to figure out what’s wrong?”
She climbed to his chest and shut her eyes as he wrapped her in his arms. Her head rubbed against him, and he shut his eyes.
There was fear it was all he could feel. He looked around preparing himself for an attack, but none came. He felt a little hand take his, she pointed in front of them. The fog that was there rolled away.
He looked down to see Mia holding his hand, she was showing him what frightened her. There were two men holding her roughly making her cry while her mother was slumped on the ground. Dead or alive he wasn’t sure.
One man hit her because she struggled her little body went limp causing him to swap forms.
He opened his eyes to look at Mia who was looking up at him. She had a small flame burning in her eyes.
Mia was Kur’ik. How was this possible?
Jessie woke up and stretched feeling disappointed that Cole wasn’t lying next to her. She sat up to see him sprawled out on the little love seat with Mia on his chest. The smile that curled her lips went straight to her belly as t
he butterflies made her feel strange, jumping up she grabbed her phone and started taking pictures.
She never saw anything as adorable or as sweet as this. Her baby was stealing her male.
Wait, he’s not mine, and Mia’s not stealing him.
He could be yours.
He likes what he sees.
And he wants you.
He protects your honor.
He could belong to both of you Like Deja belongs to Enzo and Ven.
He could be mine? No, she needed to leave before she brought trouble to his doorstep. She didn’t know how or when but it was coming, and most likely it was bringing guns. She couldn’t risk Cole or the other people here.
Not people, aliens.
Are we still having this discussion?
So what if they’re aliens, they treat us right.
What if they want to eat us?
Cole’s head between her legs. She was already growing wet. That was not the eating fear was talking about, the thought of her becoming dinner was so laughable she couldn’t entertain it.
Leaning over she kissed Mia before she looked at Cole who was staring at her, she leaned over more and kissed him.
“You look uncomfortable.”
“Mia started whimpering last night.”
“Sorry, I usually hear her.”
“You needed your rest, trasire.”
He gave us a nickname.
I knew he liked us!
She didn’t know what the name meant, but she held it close to her heart.
“Give me Mia and that way you can get up.”
He handed her off. “I’ll take a shower and meet you in the kitchen.”
She nodded and walked out the room trying to control the joy that was threatening to overtake her.
“Mama.”
“Good morning, Sweetie.” She brought her up for a kiss then held her in the air until she started to laugh.
“Let’s see what we can find for you to wear today.”
She went to a drawer to see what was in it. Mia crossed the room and picked up a gray alien.
“Dada,” she said hugging it close.
“Honey that’s not Cole.”
“Potty Mama.”
She stood there staring at her daughter until she realized she was bouncing up and down, picking her up she rushed to the bathroom.
Mia was at the right age to be potty trained, but she refused no matter how often she tried to get her on the potty. Now she was sitting there like a big girl with the proudest smile on her face. When Mia was finished, she took care of her and watched as she lifted her hands to be washed.
When the door was opened, she left the room and ran down the hall going back to her room.
She likes it here.
If we're not careful, she’ll think this is home.
Would that be so bad?
Yes, because we are leaving.
There was a low growl that disturbed the voices in her head. “I’m not leaving.
They huddled together in a corner and shut up.
She followed Mia down the hall not sure what was happening. Something had changed in Mia and was slowly changing in herself. Should she rejoice or be afraid?
“I love you, Mama.” She picked her up and sat on the floor combing her hair.
Mia hadn’t spoken this many words in two weeks, and now she was talking. The doctor said when she started she wouldn’t stop, but it had been so long in coming. How could one day of being away from that house make such a difference?
“We better find you some clothes before Cole starts wondering where we are.”
“Dada.” She ran over and picked up her stuffed alien.
Jessie pulled out her duffle bag looking for pull-ups. Mia came over to look in the bag and picked up an unopened package of panties.
“Big girl panties?”
She looked at the pullups and then at the big girl panties. “You have to tell me when you have to go to the bathroom, Mia.”
She grinned and nodded her head. Jessie swallowed because her teeth were a shade too sharp and her eyes looked different. It’s nothing; just a phase children go through.
She dressed her and took her to brush her teeth before taking her into the kitchen.
Cole was there in nothing but a pair of jeans frowning as he read the direction of the package he was holding.
“Dada.” Mia ran to him lifting her hands for him to pick her up.
“Mia no.” Her face was red as she looked at Cole with sorrowful eyes.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t tell her to do that.”
“It’s alright, Jessie.”
“Cole.” She waved the stuffed alien around.
“I think he looks like a Cole, Casca. Aren’t you the smartest Casca ever.”
She grinned at him while she nodded and once again Jessie noted the changes in her.
“Today we eat Cream of Wheat and applesauce along with sausage. Tomorrow you get to cook so I know what else little mouths like to eat.”
She nodded biting her bottom lip so she wouldn’t laugh at the seriousness on his face. Later she would tease Deja about that little mouths comment that she was sure she would hear for a long time to come. Her joy left when she realized she wouldn’t be here much longer.
Cole fixed breakfast, and she got Mia into her highchair. She could tell by the way he was holding himself that he was proud.
After mixing Mia’s food so it wouldn’t be too hot, she gave her a spoon and let her eat.
She took a bite of her own food and gave a soft moan of pleasure. The look on his face made it worthwhile.
“This is good.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.” Her heart beat faster, and the emotions she listened to but tried to ignore on a daily basis were making themselves known. He mattered to her, what he thought mattered and it made her feel good to have another person in her life that she cared about. She looked from Cole to Mia and back again. Did she imagine things? She gave a shake of her head.
“Jessie, I thought it might be a good idea if you and Mia got checked out by the healer. I called him, he can see you both today if you’re willing.”
Her spoon stopped in the air halfway to her mouth. Why did he think they needed to see a doctor? Her eyes looked back at Mia who was happily feeding herself and making a mess. Her blue eyes looked at her, the eyes that shined at night even though she knew it was impossible. Blue eyes that looked so much like the green eyes staring at her.
“Jessie is due for an appointment soon and since I don’t think we’re going to make it. Seeing the doctor here would be a good idea.”
“Thank you.”
They ate in silence when they were finished she cleaned the kitchen while Cole took Mia to the living room. Turning off the water she listened to Mia call Cole Dada, she wished it could be true, but it wasn’t, and they would have to leave soon.
She dressed in a pair of jeans and a tee that fit. She would have to tell Deja how much she appreciated her generosity tonight.
“I’m ready.”
He had cleaned Mia up, and she stood there ready to go for a walk. She took one of her hands while Cole took the other. They looked like the perfect family, and her heart broke as she longed for something she would never have.
“Swing.” They lifted her between them swinging her as she laughed.
“Where are you going?” Xander was standing on his porch watching them.
“To see Tristan.” He fell in line with them.
“Xander where’s Caden. I never see one without the other.”
“We’re…twins?”
“You were born at the same time?”
“Yes, that.”
“You must be fraternal.”
“Fraternal?”
“You’re twins but you don’t look alike. Although to be honest all of you resemble each other.”
“It is how things are where we come from.”
And where is that?
We’
re not asking that because we like our happy pretend bubble.
It doesn’t matter because we are leaving tomorrow or the next day. Wait maybe it’s that day after that.
Leave me alone. You are all right, I like my bubble, but I know it can’t last.
They walked further down the street. The houses continued to be big. They owned more land than she realized. In the distance, there was a slight impression of trees.
“What’s that?”
“It’s the one place you and Mia cannot go. We keep wild animals there. They can’t get out, but it’s like a zoo with no gates. If you walk in, they will try to kill you.”
“Cole doesn’t want to scare you. They will kill you stay away.”
“I will.” Because I am leaving. Knowing they had an animal preserve here made her think they loved the community but at the same time, it was a dangerous thing to have so close to children.
“This is where Tristan takes care of the patients able to come see him.”
They walked up the steps to a smaller building and went in.
“Hi, I’m Tristan.” He was standing in the middle of the room. He was as tall as both Cole and Caden. He had green eyes. The more she thought about it, she realized they all had green eyes. It was one more thing to add to the list of things that didn’t make sense to her.
“Hi, I’m Jessie, and this is Mia. Thanks for seeing the two of us.”
The door opened, and a female walked in. She didn’t see a lot of females in the club, so she held her attention.
“Sorry, I’m late. I’m Cait.”
“Hi, Cait.”
“I’m a doctor, and I’ll be helping Tristan if that’s okay with you?”
“That’s fine. I’m Jessie, and this is Mia.”
“I got to meet Mia yesterday.” She waved at her. Mia smiled and hid her face in Cole’s leg before she laughed.
“She’s beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
“Why don’t we start with some paperwork. These are questions that will ask you about your mother and your father's history as well as any issues you have been diagnosed with. I will also be asking you about any medicine you are taking. Then there is the same set of information for Mia. If you follow me, I have a place you can sit and fill out the forms. We won’t start without you.”
Cole (The Wolves Den Book 2) Page 5
