by Dahlia Rose
With caution, she laid her hand on his arm, and a tingle of awareness shot through her body. Resistance wavered, and she drew away. “I want to be with you, and everything inside says it’s right. But—”
“You want to do it the human way?”
“Yes. I want time to know you, to trust you. I’ve accepted that it’s you, but I want to feel calm about it and just take my time. I hope you can respect that.”
“Of course,” he said right away. “I will never force you to do what you don’t want to do. You will be happy with me, or I will make sure you’re happy wherever you want to go.”
She chuckled and shook her head. “You’re nuts, you know that?”
* * * *
They were in the midst of a playful battle of wits when they passed the sign that read Welcome to Aves, North Carolina. Tondi didn’t need to see anyone to know she had been found. She wasn’t sure if she sensed it or picked up a scent in the air, but there was no mistake—Kofi had arrived in Aves.
By the stiff set to Sam’s shoulders and the way he snapped his lips together, his smile disappearing, she knew he had picked up on Kofi’s arrival too. His powder blue eyes had turned stormy, and Tondi feared what was to come. Above all, she vowed to make Kofi see this was her new home, and she would not return to New York. She didn’t want Sam involved or anyone else in her new hometown.
“Drop me at the B&B?” she requested.
“No.”
“Sam.”
His mouth tightened, and he drove in the direction of his house. Unless she wanted to walk the couple of miles to her room or risk being discovered flying there, she had to wait for Sam. They showered and changed clothes. Sam had the nerve to do laundry, which pissed Tondi off. When he had done all he needed to at home, he gave her a ride.
“Might as well face him,” she said. “I think he’ll be at the coffee shop. Let’s stop there first.”
This time, Sam didn’t argue, and they drew into Sam’s reserved spot at the back of the restaurant. He held the door as they walked into the shop, but as soon as she passed the threshold, her lover shouldered past her and stood slightly in front of her. Tondi smirked and was about to tell him about himself when she noticed how his gaze rested on someone across the restaurant. Her stomach muscles cramped, and she followed Sam’s line of sight, her gaze resting on Kofi Noaks, the man her father wanted her to mate with and marry. He could hold his breath for all eternity.
Kofi stood at six foot, five inches, a chiseled black god of a man with defined muscle all up and down his body. His confidence in his appeal matched his physical make up, which wasn’t a bad thing. Rather, it wouldn’t be if Kofi weren’t so arrogant. Tondi could admit Kofi was sexy as hell, and she knew personally he had equipment a woman could use. He had stayed at her parents’ house a few times, and there had been “accidents” when she saw him naked. She believed Kofi had orchestrated the incidents. Kofi denied any such thing. Maybe he thought she would fall under his spell and throw herself into his arms, but that never happened. Kofi didn’t turn her on despite his physique. Aside from her father pushing her into the man’s arms, she didn’t want Kofi. Now she knew it was because Sam was her fated mate. No other man could do it for her.
“Tondi,” Kofi bellowed when he saw her.
All conversation in the restaurant ceased, and heads swiveled in their direction. The only sounds permeating the restaurant and coffee shop were the clink and clang of plates and pans in the kitchen and the whir of the grinder.
Tondi clenched her hands into fists at her sides as she approached him. Kofi had been having a conversation with Fane when she and Sam walked in. Fane handed him coffee, while Zuria waited tables. The moment Tondi drew up before Kofi with Sam at her side, Zuria left her post to join them. A throbbing pain started in Tondi’s left temple. “Why are you here, Kofi?”
Kofi’s angry gaze shifted from her to Sam and back again. His nostrils flared. He towered above Sam, although he had him only by a few inches. Kofi appeared much bigger, and Tondi had a sudden urge to grab Sam and run out the door. They should have stayed in the mountains. She peered at her lover, who had been so firm yet so gentle with her since she met him. To have Kofi hurt him would kill her.
“I’m here for my fiancée,” Kofi answered. “You had your fun, Tondi. Now it’s time to go home.”
“F-fiancée?” Zuria stuttered. Her eyes practically fired lasers as she turned to Tondi. “I should have known you were playing games with my brother.” She stepped in front of Tondi and stabbed a finger in her chest. “I warned you, didn’t I?”
Tondi narrowed her eyes. She had no patience for this human who’d hated her from day one, especially with no evidence that she’d intended to use Sam. “Back up.”
“Zuria, this isn’t the time.” Sam grabbed for Zuria’s arm, but his sister sidestepped him, and Kofi blocked his path. Zuria raised a fist, her face a mask of dislike. When she reared back, Tondi waited, wanting an excuse to let loose the frustration she felt.
“Zuria!” Fane leaped over the counter and dove for his lover. He enfolded her in his arms. “This isn’t our fight. Trust me on this, baby. We can’t get involved.”
“What are you talking about, Fane? Let me go. This is my brother we’re dealing with, and it looks like she’s going to stand there and let her man, who she’s been cheating on all this time, try to beat up my brother. You should have his back, Fane. If you don’t stand beside Sam, you won’t be in my bed tonight!”
Gasps rose all over the restaurant. Fane’s and Sam’s faces reddened. Kofi looked over his shoulder at Fane and sized him up with a glance from his head to his feet. Kofi made a rude noise in his throat. “Human,” he muttered in a dismissive tone. Kofi turned to Tondi. “Why are you involved with these kinds of people?”
“Oh no you didn’t,” Zuria shrieked.
“Zuria, hush,” Fane growled. Tondi guessed Fane had figured it out right away. He must know Kofi wasn’t human, and if he had even a hint at their power, he knew he, as a human, could not hope to attack Kofi and live. Tondi knew Kofi very well. He had no reservations about hurting humans if they got in his way. He didn’t like dealing with them because he saw them as inferior. Zuria might think Kofi referred to “these people,” meaning Southerners, people who lived in small towns, or even as white people, but she knew he really meant human people.
To complicate matters, Tondi hadn’t seen the two men Kofi had brought with him until they stood up from the chairs they occupied and surrounded Kofi when Fane came over the counter. Kofi, sneering and arms folded across his thick chest, glanced at the first man and then the other. The three snickered as if they shared a joke.
“I understand your need to have a last play before we tie the knot, Tondi, but a coffee shop owner? You can do better than that.” He waved a hand in dismissal. “Whatever. You’re done.”
He reached out to take Tondi’s wrist, but Sam knocked his hand away before he could make contact. Tondi found her sight blocked by Sam’s broad back. She stepped out to move around him, but Sam laid a gentle hand on her hip that would not be moved. “You’re not going to touch her.”
Kofi swelled. “You must have lost your mind.”
Sam shook his head. “You can look down on me and everyone here. Laugh if you feel like it. I don’t care. The only way Tondi will leave me is if she wants to or if I’m dead.”
Gasps and whispers erupted once again. Patrons leaned to each other in shock and confusion. “Was that Sam? Have you ever heard him threaten anyone?”
“No, I can’t believe it,” a companion responded. “He must have really lost it over that girl.”
“Hasn’t been that long,” another said. “Don’t you think it’s a bit much to risk his life for her? That man is huge!”
“Quiet,” Fane shouted, and the conversations died down. Tondi thought it would have been better if the customers continued to gossip. At least their issue wouldn’t be aired in front of an audience.
“We’re no
t doing this here,” Sam said, and Tondi almost sighed in relief. Sam’s voice was so low Tondi was sure no one other than their group could hear him. “Tonight, we’ll settle this. I’ll give you directions as to where.”
Kofi’s expression turned darker. “You think you can tell me what to do and when to kick your ass? As far as I’m concerned, I can do it right here.”
“Kofi!” Tondi broke away from Sam and confronted Kofi. She grabbed his shirtfront and tugged. The big man leaned down to her, irritation radiating off him. “You can either face Sam where and when he wants, or you can continue to chase me all over this country. Tell me how much confidence my father will have in you the longer this goes on.” She bluffed, of course. She had no intention of leaving Sam, but she figured Kofi wanted to end this. She needed him to see once and for all the two of them was not happening, but she would not put Sam at risk. She planned to face Kofi herself.
Fane elbowed between Kofi and Tondi. “No way you’re doing anything in my restaurant. Look around you, pal. I don’t think you want your secrets all over town.”
Kofi glared at Fane and then took in the interested gazes of the townspeople. He might not care about humans, but Tondi’s father maintained a strict code—no revealing of their true natures to humans. Kofi swore and nodded. “Fine. Let me know. Tondi, you’re with me.”
Sam’s arm snaked around Tondi’s waist, and he drew her to his side. “No, she’s not.”
Tondi held her breath, hoping Kofi wouldn’t throw caution to the wind and attack. He flexed his hands a few times, staring at her, and then stormed out of the restaurant, his men following. Tondi thought she heard a collective sigh around the room, and Fane called another server to take his place at the coffee counter. He herded them into his office and shut the door.
Sam dropped onto the loveseat in the office, and when Tondi went to sit beside him, he stopped her and drew her onto his lap. Tondi didn’t miss the venomous glare from Zuria. “I’m really sorry about all of this. I’ll go talk to Kofi and get him to back off.”
Sam’s hand spasmed on her hip. She glanced at him and saw his displeasure.
“I can take care of it, Sam. I don’t want you hurt.”
His mouth thinned.
“What you’re saying is that big bastard is going to kick my brother’s ass, and he won’t be able to do anything about it?” Zuria said. “You don’t think Sam can take him.”
“I didn’t say that!”
Zuria rolled her eyes. “You didn’t have to.”
Tondi stood up and stomped over to her. “I’m tired of the attitude. You don’t want me seeing Sam, but you still aren’t happy when I want to avoid him getting into a fight over me.”
“I don’t care what you’re tired of, and you’re right, I don’t want you seeing him. I don’t want him fighting for you.” Her scathing glance raked Tondi from head to toe. “Go back to where you came from. We don’t need you here.”
Crack!
“Tondi!”
“Zuria!”
Tondi found herself hauled off her feet and drawn back against Sam’s chest. Fane caught the fist Zuria had swung after Tondi smacked her. He drew his lover into his arms and frowned at Sam.
“I could have done a lot worse than that,” Tondi said. “You’d better tell her before she gets hurt.”
Fane paled. The anger in his expression drained away, and fear replaced it. “Sam, she wouldn’t…”
Sam put more space between himself, Tondi, and the other two. Tondi let him lead her away while she worked on her anger. She was used to women and men toadying up to her because her father had money and power. To have Zuria in her face was new. She realized not hurting humans had been the rule, not her personal conviction, and maybe she’d been just as arrogant as Kofi.
“It’s time to tell her,” Sam said. “Tondi is not like my kind. They can display…a lot more aggression.”
“‘My kind?’ ‘They?’ What are you talking about, Sam?” His sister looked from Sam to Tondi, confusion and suspicion obvious in her gaze. Tondi felt Sam’s muscles tense as he held her, and she imagined Zuria’s sense of betrayal when she learned Sam’s secret. Not just because she had never known he wasn’t human, but because Fane knew and she didn’t. Sam hadn’t trusted her, and Tondi would be pissed if he ever pulled that crap with her. Thinking that way helped to ease her dislike of Zuria just a little.
Sam and Fane looked at each other, and Sam let Tondi go. He moved around her and approached his sister. She followed with reluctance as he led her to the couch and sat down. Tondi hesitated and then moved toward the door. “I’ll let you two talk in private.”
Sam glanced up, alarmed. “You don’t have to go.”
Tondi smiled. Zuria sat wooden, eyes wide, face pale. “I think I do. Call me, okay?”
He nodded, and as Tondi left the office, she heard his gentle voice speaking soothingly to his sister. Tondi could only imagine the fallout. She just hoped Zuria loved him enough to accept him as he was. He’d had enough rejection from his own people and didn’t need any more from his sister. Either way, Tondi would wait for him and stay by his side.
Chapter Eight
Tondi lay on her back in bed. She’d heard Sam stir a few moments ago and enter the bathroom. She hoped he didn’t think he was leaving her behind to go fight Kofi. They had arranged to meet at one in the morning at a clearing in the woods where Sam had told her he and Fane used to go and that few humans knew about. She figured the few he meant were Fane and maybe Zuria, but he hadn’t specified.
When he came to pick her up at the bed and breakfast rather than call like he said he would, he had insisted they come back to his house. She knew from the anger in his expression he’d picked up on Kofi’s scent. Kofi and his men were staying at the B&B, but to his credit, the man hadn’t approached her. That didn’t mean Kofi was scared or that he had decided to back off. He just bided his time and savored the humiliation he was probably sure he would deal out to Sam.
Over my dead body.
She dressed quickly in the dark as she thought of Zuria. Sam had said she hadn’t taken the news very well of his being a shifter. Tondi had seen the pain in his eyes, and the worry. Zuria had asked for time, but her rage was clear when she had told Fane not to talk to her and she had packed a bag and left his house. Since Tondi hadn’t picked up Zuria’s scent at the only public accommodation, she guessed Zuria was staying with a friend. Tondi hoped the woman, who seemed very selfish in her opinion, would come around eventually. A blind man could see Fane adored her, and Tondi didn’t respect anyone who hurt Sam.
Sam opened the bathroom door and stopped in the archway at seeing her dressed. “Where are you going?”
“With you.” She squeezed past him to use the facilities. When she was done, he caught her arm. She flattened her hands on his chest and stretched up to kiss his lips. “Don’t even begin a lecture, Sam. I’m going. You can either drive me, or you can see me when I arrive there by flight. Your choice.”
He grunted and started down to the first floor. She followed. A short while later, they arrived at the site to find Fane leaning against a tree, waiting. Sam stalked over to him. “You don’t need to be here.”
Fane shrugged. “You’re my buddy. I’m not letting you face that guy alone.”
“He’s not alone,” Tondi said. She frowned up at Fane. “You’ll get yourself killed. There’s no way you can take even the weakest of Kofi’s men.”
“Wow, your lady knows how to cut down a man’s ego.”
“I didn’t mean it like that, Fane, but if things go wrong, Sam’s going to need you here…after.”
Sam spun to face her and nabbed her chin. “You are not fighting, Tondi.”
“Try to stop me.”
He opened his mouth as if ready to argue, but the snapping of a twig caught their attention. Tondi gaped at the men striding toward them, ten by her count, Kofi in the midst. All were as big as Kofi or nearly so, and all carried themselves with confidence. Tondi
’s throat dried, but she took a strong stance, ready for whatever happened.
When Kofi drew before them, he stopped and grinned, gazing over Fane and Sam. “This is all you have standing with you—a human? I’m sure you’re not trying to get Tondi to fight for you.” Kofi glanced toward his men on either side of him. “None of you lay a finger on her.”
A rumble of “yes, sir” rolled through the group. Tondi drew herself to her full height. “Well, they’re going to find themselves flat on their asses if they don’t take me seriously.”
Kofi cracked his fingers together, a grin splitting his face. “This will be a slaughter, and then I’ll take my woman back home where she belongs.”
Sam faced Kofi, chest to chest, eyes blazing with determination. “She’s mine. Try to claim her again and you’ll go home in a body bag.”
Kofi swore and swung at Sam. Sam blocked the blow and threw one of his own. Another man caught Sam in the side before he could make contact and sent him flying into a tree. Tondi shrieked in rage and lunged at the second man. His head snapped back when she cracked him in the face with her fist, but it didn’t look like she’d done much damage. Not unless one counted the throbbing pain shooting up her arm. She braced with fists raised for the man to come at her, but he worked his jaw, glaring at her.
“Hold on. You’re not ignoring me,” Fane shouted. He stepped in front of Sam as Sam was picking himself up off the ground.
“Move,” Sam said.
Fane bounced on his toes, refusing to let Kofi and the advancing crowd of men intimidate him. Sam grabbed Fane’s shoulder and dragged him back to stand in front of him. The startled expression on Fane’s face told Tondi the strength with which Sam had grabbed him had taken him by surprise. She knew Kofi’s man had put a lot of force behind his hit, and had Fane been the one to feel it, he would not have risen from the ground, broken bones and internal bleeding the least of his worries.
