“No, but we did get word that the same thing happened about two years ago in upper Michigan.” Cain reached over and shook his hand. “Sorry about earlier, but I am protective of my family.” He gave him a card. “This is where you can reach me. It has my home address on it, too. Do you need Maria’s number?”
“Nope. I’ll see her tonight.” He tucked the chair in ready to leave when Cain asked him the question he knew was coming.
“You are going to change her?”
“You know I have no choice but to do so. Hell, the process has started already. It’s the only way for me to have children, and I want many.” Alexander laughed as he crossed the street. “I’ll keep her very busy, and there will be no coffee down here by herself either,” he yelled over his shoulder, as Cain busted out laughing harder.
Chapter Three
The sound of beeping machines and the scents of medicine and death surrounded Maria as she stepped to the elevator. She hated hospitals, but Maria had promised to sit with her friend while she went through her first chemo treatment and she was already late.
“God, am I old.” She reached up to push the eleventh floor button. Arthritis was slowly settling in, and age spots marred her once beautiful dainty hands—the only feature she truly loved about herself.
The elevator dinged and she waited for the door to open. Today had started out perfectly, but the confrontation with Cain had set her on edge. The thought of not being able to see her grandchild had been a hard blow. And she could have sworn someone had been following her since the incident. Twice, her daughter had tried to call her, but she’d switched off her phone, not wanting to deal with any more drama. Her friend needed her full support.
With a deep breath, Maria pushed open the door to Sandy’s room, where the IV pumped chemicals into her system. “It’s about time. You’re always late, plus you’ve missed the first fifteen minutes of The Walking Dead.”
“I can watch it next week. Are you tired? Food not staying down? I brought you ginger ale.” Maria set the bottles of soda on a console off to the side, came over, and hugged her friend, careful of the bags of medicine flowing into her.
“I’m fine. Hush up and watch. You can tell me what really held you up when this is over.” Sandy raised the volume when the show came back on.
For the next two hours, they sat and watched the first season, of The Walking Dead, while she held back the tears that threatened to fall as she helped her friend battle with nausea.
After the final credits rolled, Maria helped Sandy into her car and headed for her friend’s home. “So, you going to tell me what had your feathers ruffled when you came in?” Sandy asked sipping ginger ale and watching Maria with great interest.
“What’s there to tell? Cain and I got into it again. Seems I’m not qualified to watch my grandson. Oh, and I met the hottest biker guy ever. Too bad he was most likely wanting Tara, not me. Guess that’s another reason Cain went off this morning. Who knows?” Maria inched through traffic, taking quick peeks at Sandy to make sure she was all right.
“Wow, back up! What hot guy? Come on, spill it. I know there is more.” Sandy adjusted in her seat to face Maria. “And Cain will come around, he’s just a hot head.”
“I don’t really know the guy, per se. Have you ever heard of a guy who could make you orgasm by staring at you? Because, Sandy, when he came up to our table, I had my first man-made orgasm in over ten years. I still can’t get over it.” Maria sighed. “He and his motorcycle group pulled into the diner across from Starbucks. One minute he was leaning on his bike, the next he was standing next to our table asking to join us. He was going to buy us another coffee until Cain and his goons showed up. That’s when all hell broke loose. So, no names or anything, another reason my son-in-law is in the doghouse, big time. The first guy who had me trembling in a matter of seconds, and he scares him off.”
“Damn, I want to meet this mystery guy. But, Maria, stop presuming he was there for Tara. Come on, girl, you are beautiful. You have meat on your body, not like me, all skin and bones.”
Maria pulled into her friend’s driveway and leaned against the door. “I have a question for you. If there were really vampires and shifters out there, would you allow one of them to change you?” Oh, Cain might not have told her, but Maria was not stupid. If he and his guys were shifters, there had to be others, maybe her biker friend. A light went on in her head, connecting the two.
It all made sense, since Cain had called him by name. “Alexander! That is what Cain called him. I heard them talking, when I was leaving.”
Her friend laughed and got out of the car. Maria grabbed Sandy’s bag and followed her into the house. “Good, you have a name and, as to your question, I guess I would let the right guy change me. Hell, if it would get rid of this cancer, I’d do it in a heartbeat, but it would be a plus if it was one of those hunks we read in those books making the offer.” Sandy threw her keys onto the desk in the living room and plopped down on the couch. “So, where are you off to, and why the weird question?”
“I’m going home. Need to get ready for a double shift. We have a party of fifty tonight, and God knows how long they’ll be there.” Maria put her friend’s bag on the table and hugged her. “Tom, my boss, knows I’m needed here, if you call.”
“Why do you work? It’s not like you need the money,” Sandy asked, as Maria headed for the door.
“Because, if I didn’t work, I’d go crazy, and I enjoy working at club. Especially love working the weekends, when all the nuts come in. See you later, lady. Love you….” Maria slipped out of the house. She had to come up with the nerve to ask Cain about her friend and the only way to do that was to power up her phone. Also, she wanted to know how he knew the mysterious hot man.
As soon as Maria was in the car, she pulled out her phone waiting for the pings and messages to pop up, but the phone started to ring immediately. It wasn’t anyone’s number Maria recognized.
“Hello,” Maria answered as soon as she hooked up her Bluetooth so she could drive.
“Ms. Tahoe, finally. I’ve been calling nonstop for the past hour and was getting a little worried,” the male voice answered, sounding familiar, yet not.
“And you are who?” Maria asked, pulling out of Sandy's driveway, annoyed at the stranger.
“I’m sorry. My name is Alexander Winslow. You were about to allow me to buy you a cup of coffee this morning, among other things,” he purred.
She fidgeted in her seat and frowned at her phone, which was lying on the seat next to her. “What? How did you get my number, and are you okay? Cain can be a little bit of a dog protective of his bone when he becomes worried about my daughter.” She pulled onto the highway.
The man burst out laughing. “I’ve met Cain before and I totally understand his possessiveness about his wife. After all, he is a very powerful wolf.” So the man did know about Cain. She came to a speedy conclusion.
“Aww, so you are one of his species. I should have known. So, what can I do for you, Alexander? I hate talking on the phone while I drive.” Maria hoped to God he wouldn’t have the same effect on her while she was speeding down the highway. How humiliating to wreck her car because an orgasm took over her body.
“I’m not a wolf, Maria, although I’m not human either, but this is not the time or place for me to discuss this with you. I was wondering if you would join me for dinner tonight and other things….” She heard the tease in his voice and her nipples hardened.
“Stop, whatever you are doing. I can’t do that while I’m driving,” she groaned. “I’m sorry. I have to work tonight. If you would like to meet tomorrow morning for coffee, I’ll be there, but please don’t inform my son-in-law. It’s bad enough he follows us on Sunday. I don’t need him doing it every single day.” Maria honked her horn at the idiot who cut in front of her and slowed down to a crawl.
“Asshole!” she yelled out the window. “I swear, people can’t drive worth a shit today.” Maria had switched into the othe
r lane to pass the vehicle when she noticed the muzzle of a gun sticking out the driver’s window.
“Son of a bitch.” She took her foot off the gas pedal, dropping back. “Listen, I have to go. This asshole has a gun.” She disconnected trying to figure out what the guy was doing, when he slowed down even more. Something wasn’t right. This man wasn’t having some road rage, he was aiming the damn gun at her.
“Call Cain,” she shouted and her phone dialed his number.
“Yes, Mom. What do you want?” Cain asked.
“I’m—” She swallowed, her heart beating hard and her palms sweating. “I have a problem here. I’m on 75, and I think someone is going to try and shoot me.” The gun barked, and the bullet slammed through the side window and grazed the side of her head.
“Fuck!” she screamed and grabbed her temple as she gunned the car. She had no choice but to try and pass the jerk then get off at the next exit. “Tell my kids I love them, Cain, and I even love you. Got to go!” Another bullet hit the front window, leaving a circular hole. She brushed the tears away from her face, trying to keep the car on the road.
Maria put her foot all the way down on the gas and didn’t let up, passing the other car in seconds. She was really glad she’d picked out a Charger. Her car could fly when needed, and in this case, she needed it to race like the wind. She hoped the idiot behind her wouldn’t shoot out the tires.
Chapter Four
Alexander paced back and forth in front of Maria’s house, his heart in his throat. Someone had tried to kill his chosen one. Cain also waited with three of his men.
“I can’t thank you enough. If your beta hadn’t been following her….”
Cain snarled and pushed his hair out of his face. “Tara is fuming, but I’ve got her locked down at home, and we’re watching her brother who also knows what is going on. I take it you’ll have personal guards for her?”
They all turned as his beta’s car pulled into the drive, Maria in the passenger seat with a bandage on the side of her head.
“I wasn’t told she was hurt.” Alexander ran to her door and helped her out. “How are you doing?” He scooped her up in his arms, the thought of almost losing her after finding her too much to take.
“I can walk, and I’m fine. Just pissed the assholes got away after they fucked up my car. My insurance isn’t going to pay for this crap.” Her interest switched to Cain. “Do you think it is a rival gang or whatever you call your wolves?” his woman asked, digging in her purse and grabbing the keys to her house.
“Here let me have those. I want my men in there first.” Cain took her keys from her as Alexander scanned her body the best he could looking for any other cuts, bruises, or blood.
Cain looked inside and began shouting orders. Alexander peered past him and spun away, hoping Maria hadn’t seen the blood smeared all over the walls, pictures ripped apart, furniture in pieces, as if they’d been struck with a sledgehammer. He strode toward his car. “You’re going to my hotel room, and I don’t want to hear anything about it. Do you need any meds, or anything from inside?”
“You need to put me down, please. I have to deal with this, and I have no idea who the hell you are.” She squirmed until he lowered her to her feet.
“But….” He started to say something, but already Maria was heading back toward the front door.
“I need to see my house.”
Cain blocked the doorway. “No, Mom. Please let us take care of this.” He gripped her shoulders. “This needs to be said. You know how I told you Tara was meant to be with me, that our kind knows when we meet our chosen one?”
She frowned. “What does this have to do with anything? I’m tired, shot, and I assume my house is messed up. Just spit it out.” Her shoulders slumped, she took a deep breath.
“Alexander claims you are his woman, Mom. He can have no other. He’ll protect you with his life and has the men to do it. Go with him and let him explain things to you. I’ll have Tara call you later and we’ll pack what we can and bring it to you, but there is no way you are staying here. Someone is bound to hurt you and right now Alexander is the best protection.”
“I need my work clothes, stuff in my bathroom, and to feed Ecstasy. Oh my God, Cain, my baby. How could I forget him?” She darted around him into the front room and stopped.
“Ecstasy.” Her whisper squeezed his heart like nothing else could as he rushed into the house to find, along with the rest of the disaster, the mutilated body of a large dog in a puddle of blood.
Alexander picked her up once more and carried her out to his car. She didn’t say anything, holding onto his shirt as his beta opened the door. Gently, he put her down and fastened her belt.
“Grab a bag of her things and, Radar, I want these assholes. You and Clark work with Cain’s people. I also want Trent and Mathew at the hotel so they can meet Maria. She might as well get used to her guards. We’ll add more if need be.” He walked around to the driver’s side.
Seated, he faced the beauty next to him. Tears rolled down her cheeks, but she hadn’t lost it like most humans did when faced with a tragedy.
She gave him a watery smile. “What a great way to be introduced, huh? Do you think this has anything to do with what Cain said about that killer? I know there were a few women who were not happy my daughter took Cain out of commission.” She brushed her hair back, “Oh crap, I didn’t mean to presume. What are you, exactly, and do you bond like my daughter and Cain did?” Her voice squeaked as she wiped at the tears.
“Don’t be embarrassed. I know this is a lot to take in, and I promise as soon as we get you settled in my suite, we’ll talk. Relax, Maria. You’re most likely in shock.” He took her small hand in his and squeezed it.
She stared down at their twined fingers. “You know, in all my life, I’ve only had one man do this and both times were in high school, so long ago.” She lifted her head and watched the cars the passing cars.
“Your ex-husband never held you? Not even while you were giving birth to your children?” He asked not believing anyone could be so cold even for a human.
Her snort had him glimpsing over at her quickly.
“What?”
Maria twisted in her seat, facing him. “I was married for over twenty years. In that time, he never held my hand, there were no French kisses, no dancing, no kink, or anything else. When he wanted sex, it lasted three to four minutes, and it was done. So you see, Alexander, if what you two say is true, you are getting a woman who does not have much experience when it comes to men. Oh shit! I have to call work. May I?” Maria tugged at her hand and he released her.
She dug in the small purse she carried everywhere. “How long do you think I should tell work I’ll be gone? A week or two?” Maria grabbed her cell phone.
“Sweetie, I don’t think you’ll be going back. As soon as we work things out between us, I’d like to take you back to my home. From there, we can decide where we are going to live.” Alexander watched her stiffen up.
“I’ll tell them two weeks. I don’t know if I’m your…whatever. Just because I’m quiet does not mean I’m agreeing to all this. I don’t have a lot of choices right now with one of your or Cain’s goons after me. So, slow down.” She punched in the numbers but frowned a few minutes later. “Now that is weird. The number didn’t go….”
Smoke and sirens filled the silence. Off to their right, flames rose from a large diner.
“No! Stop, Alexander. I have to make sure everyone is okay!”
He drove past without slowing. “I can’t. Maria, I’m sorry. The person who did that could be waiting, and I won’t take a chance with your life.” He scanned around and behind them bound and determined to get to the hotel without incident.
Chapter Five
Maria stared out over the once-proud car city of Detroit, clutching a bottle of water, incensed. The hot biker man, Alexander, paced back and forth, talking on the phone to his second. She had called her friend on her cell as soon as they arrived at the ho
tel to make sure everyone at work was safe, but, to her horror, the manager and two of their newer employees had been trapped by the flames, along with a few customers.
Whoever didn’t want her around had upped the ante to murder. Maria sat by the window, took out her pistol, and made sure it was fully loaded and ready. “Do you really know how to use that?” Alexander took a seat across from her as she put it back in its holder.
“Yes. The first month after the divorce, I was robbed. Both kids had moved out long before, so I was all alone.” She met his gaze. “Please don’t tell my children this. It’s bad enough Cain knows all and sees all. I had to beg him not to say anything to my daughter. Who knows, maybe he did tell her, and she’s not saying anything. But I promised myself I would not be a victim again, so I went out and applied for my license and took classes.” She shrugged. “I’m a good shot. But that wasn’t enough.” Maria reached over and poured herself a glass of water from the pitcher on the table. “I wanted something more, so I enrolled in a self-defense class, too. So tell me about you. What are you?”
He stretched his long legs in front of him. He wore what appeared to be the same black jeans and a muscle top from earlier. All lean muscles, Alexander was built like a swimmer. Still, there was no doubt in her mind, he was dangerous.
“My people are called Pruvia or what human folklore calls vampire, bloodsucker, and so on. Yes, we do need blood to survive, but the most of us feed off those who are willing or those who don’t deserve to live.”
The glass of water almost fell to the table before she could put it down. He was a bloodsucker—great. “This isn’t going to work.” She shook her head. “I hate the sight of blood. I get lightheaded just thinking about it. Are you sure we are meant to be together? I mean, come on….” She waved her hand to him back to her. “We’re too different.”
Nana's Biker Friend Page 2
