Wicked After Dark: 20 Steamy Paranormal Tales of Dragons, Vampires, Werewolves, Shifters, Witches, Angels, Demons, Fey, and More

by Mina Carter

  She groaned. “Why did you make the meeting so early?”

  “For most of the human race, ten is a perfectly acceptable meeting time.”

  “Yeah, well, I’m no longer human, remember?” She wrapped the pillow around her head.

  Connall chuckled as he pulled it away and kissed her cheek. “Come on, love. Bank, consulate, lunch, and then you get some girl time with Sam.”

  She pushed her hair away from her face and sighed. “How much girl time?”

  “We’re all meeting for dinner. It’s Max’s last night in town, so he and Niall will be there as well.”

  She sat up and smiled. “Okay. I’m awake.”

  “I thought that might get you moving.” He climbed out of bed and tried to ignore his naked wife doing the same. He’d much rather take her back to bed.

  “Me too, baby,” she said with a grin and closed the distance between them. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his chin. “You could always join me in the shower.”

  “Could cut down on time, provided we don’t get too distracted.” He cupped her bottom. “No funny business, wife.”

  She giggled. “Good luck with that.”

  Connall led her to the bathroom and was surprised they managed to dress, eat, and leave the flat in just enough time for their meeting.

  Arriving at the bank, they were immediately led to a private office and offered coffee and pastries as they waited for the manager.

  “Shouldn’t we have gone to the consulate first?” Pepper asked. “Won’t I just have to change my name again?”

  Connall shook his head. “You’ll sign your new name and it’s taken care of.”

  “Is this a Scottish thing, or a money thing?”

  “What’s that?”

  “The fact that there aren’t hours of paperwork and red tape,” she clarified.

  He grinned. “I don’t think you want to know the answer to that one.”

  “Probably not.” Pepper made her way to the window and stared out. “This truly is a beautiful city. The buildings are exquisite.”

  “I’m somewhat partial to it myself.”

  Pepper faced him and crossed her arms. “I don’t know if I want to go to MGA.”

  “Well, that’s a change in topic.”

  She sighed. “I know. I’ve been wrestling with it for a few days.”

  He shrugged. “So, don’t go to MGA.”

  “Maybe I won’t,” she retorted.

  “Why don’t you want to go?”

  “I like Inverness, even if I’m stuck in the monster house. I love being so close to Jonesy and you. I also signed up for MGA to escape, which I knew at the time, but now that I’m married to a millionaire, I think I can perhaps let the money go. Maybe they can use it for a scholarship?”

  He closed the distance between them. “Ah, so my money’s not so much of a turnoff now, eh?”

  She patted his chest. “I’ve realized that there isn’t anything that could turn me off from you, but the money is certainly something I’m going to have to get used to. You’re still going to have to be patient with me on that one.”

  He smiled. “Of course.”

  “Thank you.”

  Further conversation was cut off with the arrival of the bank manager and the signing of paperwork. Their next stop was the consulate, and once her name change was done and Connall had ensured her permanent residency was recorded, it was time for lunch.

  He took her hand and they headed toward one of his favorite cafés. “So, how do you feel, Mrs. Gunnach?”

  “That’s Lady Cavell to you, sir.” She grinned up at him. “Or is it Princess Pepper?”

  He laughed. “Oh, that’s just too bloody adorable to be legal.”

  She giggled. “We’ll stick with Mrs. Gunnach, then.”

  They arrived at the café and were seated at a window table. They removed their coats and settled them over their chairs.

  An older gentleman, balding and gray, handed them menus. “Lord Cavell, it’s so good to see you again.”

  “Thank you, Nicholas. May I introduce my wife?” Connall turned to Pepper. “Sweetheart, this is Nicholas. He owns the café and makes the best shepherd’s pie in Scotland.”

  “You are too kind, sir,” Nicholas said as he beamed.

  “It’s lovely to meet you,” she said.

  “Wonderful to meet you too, Lady Cavell. Can I get you something to drink?”

  “Coffee and water please,” Pepper said.

  “Same,” Connall added.

  The man shuffled away and Connall squeezed Pepper’s hand. “I have something for you.”

  She waggled her eyebrows. “You always have something for me.”

  “Okay, something I can give you in public.”

  She frowned. “Bummer.”

  He laughed and pulled out a small red leather box, opening it to reveal a simple white-gold wedding band nestled in the satin.

  “Oh, Con, what did you do?”

  “Now that we’re officially married… ” He pulled the ring out and slipped it on her finger. “You have to have a wedding band.”

  Pepper ran her finger over the simple white-gold band. “It’s perfect. Thank you.”

  He leaned forward and kissed her. A bright light startled both of them and they jumped apart to see two photographers snapping pictures through the window.

  “Shite,” Connall snapped, and rose to his feet. “Let’s go.”

  Nicholas rushed toward them. “Go to the back, sir. We’ll get rid of them.”

  They grabbed their coats and made a run for the back of the restaurant. One of the kitchen staff guided them to a private office and Connall closed the door and pulled Pepper close. “I’m sorry, love. I should have warned you about them.”

  “It’s fine. Sam filled me in on the paparazzi.” She started to laugh and then seemed like she couldn’t stop.

  “What’s so funny?” he asked.

  “It’s just if you’d told me, even a month ago, that I’d meet a drop-dead gorgeous playboy with millions and he’d fall madly in love with me and marry me within a week of meeting… I’d have laughed and then probably cried because my life was such a mess.”

  “And now?”

  “And now I’m standing in the back office of a small café knowing that if the paparazzi aren’t diverted, we either won’t get to eat, or we’ll be relegated to a tiny corner in the kitchen. And I couldn’t care less.” She slid her arms around his waist. “It’s a little surreal, you know?”

  He chuckled. “Yes, I suppose it is.”

  “What’s going to happen tonight?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Um, hello, all three of the Gunnach men, plus Max and Niall all in one place? Half of Fallen Crown and three of the richest men in Scotland all in one place? It’s going to be a crap-storm.”

  “Not really.”

  “How are you going to stop it?”

  “Technically, it’s a private show for a few of their biggest fans—”

  “They’re playing?” she squeaked, cutting him off.

  He grinned. “Didn’t I mention that?”

  She smacked his chest. “How did you manage to keep that from me?”

  He chuckled. “Distraction, love.”

  She clapped and jumped up and down. “They haven’t played near me in years. The last time I saw them was six years ago.”

  “Max wanted to give you a wedding present and I suggested this might be a good one. Plus, he can kick off his tour and give a few other fans a chance at an intimate show.”

  Pepper threw herself into his arms. “Ooooh, I love you, love you, love you!”

  He lifted her to his height and kissed her. “So, this is a good gift, then.”

  “The best. Thank you.” She kissed him again. “But what about the paparazzi?”

  “No one will know we’re there. We’ll be in a private viewing box, where we’ll be served dinner.” He lowered her to the ground. “So, although word may get o
ut about the band, Ali and several of his best will be there for protection.”

  She clapped her hands again. “I can’t wait.”

  A knock at the door brought Nicholas. “I’m so sorry for the trouble, sir. I have a more private table for you, and lunch is of course, on the house.”

  “Oh, that’s not necessary,” Pepper said quickly.

  “It’s my pleasure, m’lady,” Nicholas replied. “Please. Follow me.”

  Once they finished lunch and Pepper insisted Connall leave the man twice the amount of the bill, Connall led her back to the apartment, using back streets and alleys just to be safe.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  SAM CALLED TO let Pepper know that Payton and Fiona would join them for their outing, and Pepper couldn’t wait for a day out with her friends. She’d been so wrapped up in Connall since they’d met, she felt like she hadn’t given herself a chance to come up for air.

  Her first order of business was a wedding ring for Connall and then something to wear for the concert. She kept her wedding band on, but decided against her engagement ring. She felt a little uncomfortable wearing such a large diamond without Connall there to beat off the robbers.

  Connall’s laugh sounded in her mind. Robbers?

  Better safe than sorry.

  “You are allowed to wear the engagement ring, sweetheart,” he said from the doorway of the bedroom. “And it also shows the rest of the world you’re taken.”

  “My wedding ring does that.”

  “Not until after the creep’s close enough to see it.”

  She chuckled and tried to put on her watch, but had trouble with the clasp and stuck her wrist out for help. “I know you think it’s silly not to wear it, but it’s not just because of the theft thing.”

  “What else?” He secured her watch.

  “Well, store owners see that rock coming at ’em, and they’re going to double their prices, especially when they see my checkbook.”

  “Your checkbook?”

  “P. E. Gunnach. It’s right there in black and white.”

  “What is?”

  “The invitation to take me for all you’re worth.”

  Connall laughed. “Och, love, you are bloody adorable.”

  She wagged a finger at him. “Are you laughing at me again, Dr. Gunnach?”

  “Wouldn’t dream of it, Mrs. Gunnach.” He cupped her cheek. “Besides, you’re going to the Mile. Everyone there knows my sister and Payton. They wouldn’t dare take advantage of you. They’re too afraid of Brodie.”

  “Not Kade?” she asked.

  “Kade’s a puppy dog compared to Brodie.” He smiled. “One store owner raised her nose at Payton some years back and found herself out of business and out of favor. Word got around.”

  Pepper gasped. “I can’t imagine that sat well with Payton.”

  “Oh, it didn’t. We found out quiet, unassuming Payton could out-yell pretty much anyone we know. I don’t think she managed to stop Brodie from interfering, but he’s certainly done a better job of doing it without her finding out.”

  “What’s the deal with them, anyway?”

  “Payton’s not twenty-five for another two months, give or take a week, which means her heart won’t definitively know Brodie’s her mate until then. But he knows she’s his. Has since she was fifteen, which was when he first met her. And I think she wants him to be hers, but she’s cautious by nature, so she’s waiting.”

  “Ten years? He’s waited that long?”

  “Aye. The waiting’s nearly killed him, which is why he joined the Royal Air Force for five years. But we’re on the home stretch now, and he’s trying to be less of a bull in a china shop around her.”

  “You all look ridiculously young. How does the aging thing work?”

  “The Cauld Ane age at the same rate as humans until mating year. After that, we age at about one year per one hundred human years. It’s not exact, but that’s about the average. Now that you and I have mated, our aging process becomes more like one year per two hundred human years. But with our hearts bonded, you and I will age at the same rate and die at the same time. ”

  “So even though you’re centuries older, you’re not going to die hundreds of years before me?”

  He smiled. “Nope. I’ll be around as long as you are.”

  She looped her hands around his neck. “Wow. Can you imagine everything we’ll see in our lifetime?”

  He kissed her. “It’ll be even more amazing seeing it with you.”

  “Yoo-hoo,” Sam called out. “Anyone home?”

  “Back here,” Pepper responded, and then grinned at Connall. “I’ll wear the ring.”

  He smiled and slipped it on her finger. “Thank you.”

  “I hope it’s okay I let myself in,” Sam said as she poked her head into the bedroom. “The door was open.”

  Connall frowned. “It was open?”

  Sam raised her hands. “Unlocked, sorry. Didn’t mean to worry you.”

  “Ready?” Pepper asked.

  “Yeah.” Sam led them back out to the front room. “Fi’s at our place, we’re just waiting for Payton. Alasdair’s getting the car.”

  “Where’s my phone?” Pepper mumbled as she patted her pockets.

  Connall handed her the purse and cell phone she’d left in the bedroom.

  “Right. Thanks.”

  He chuckled and kissed her cheek. “It’s my absolute pleasure to keep track of you.”

  “Someone has to do it,” Sam retorted.

  “Laugh, laugh,” Pepper said with a grin.

  Connall ushered the women from the flat and then followed them down to Kade’s apartment. Pushing open the door, he couldn’t stop his smile when he found Payton snapping something in Gaelic to Brodie. He thought he heard donkey’s arse or something similar.

  “Well, hi there, Payton,” Connall said. “I see my brother’s in fine form today.”

  She smiled at Connall. “Sure. Let’s go with that.”

  Sam giggled and hugged Payton. “Are you glad to be home?”

  Payton lived with her family in Edinburgh, close to Angus and Fiona, and not far from the office.

  “Definitely. It’s nice to have some space again,” she said, with a pointed glare toward Brodie. She grabbed her purse and pulled out an envelope. “This arrived for you at the office today, Con.”

  “Just in time,” he said as he ripped it open. He pulled out a black credit card and handed it to Pepper. “For you, sweetheart. Just sign the back and you can shop to your heart’s desire.”

  “No, that’s okay. I’m good.”

  He smiled. “It’s yours, Pepper. Take it.”

  “No, really. It’s fine.” She pasted on a fake smile. “I have those temporary checks from the bank, plus I have my credit card from home.”

  “I’d rather you take this card, love. It’s separate from our bank accounts and gives you a little more freedom, spending-wise.”

  “I don’t need it.”

  I want you to take the damn card, Pepper.

  I don’t want to take the damn card, Connall. You just put a hundred-thousand pounds in my shiny new bank account this morning. I don’t need a credit card as well.

  What if you want to buy something that costs more than a hundred thousand?

  She gaped at him. What could I possibly want that would cost more than a hundred-thousand pounds?

  “Fine,” he said.

  “Great,” she added.

  Connall turned away from her and handed the card to Sam. “Just in case,” he whispered.

  Sam shook her head, but slipped the card in her purse.

  Fiona walked into the room from the back of the apartment, followed by Angus. “Hi, Pay,” she said and hugged Payton, then turned to Pepper. “Hi, Pepper. How was your first day in Edinburgh?”

  “It was good,” Pepper said. “Even with the photogs.”

  Fiona rolled her eyes. “Ugh. They’re parasites.”

  “You’ll keep your eyes open t
oday,” Angus warned. “Right?”

  “Yes, Angus,” Fiona said. “Ali will also be close.”

  “Maybe we should join you,” Kade said.

  “No,” came the unified response.

  Sam laughed. “We’re big girls, Kade. We can handle a few photographers. Stop worrying.”

  He leaned down and kissed her quickly. “Be careful.”

  “We will,” she promised.

  “Let’s go before they pull rank,” Pepper said, and kissed Connall. “I’ll see you in a few hours.”

  “I love you,” he said.

  “Love you too, baby.”

  Pepper followed the group to the elevators and they headed to the garage to meet Alasdair.

  “Ladies,” Alasdair said as he opened the car door.

  “Hi Ali,” Sam said, and climbed into the back of the large SUV.

  Another man Pepper didn’t recognize sat in the front passenger seat. He smiled briefly at Sam and then turned forward again.

  Pepper followed Sam and sat next to her, pulling the seat in front upright so Payton and Fiona had enough room to slide in. They buckled up and Alasdair started the car. As they drove out of the garage, Sam opened her purse. “Okay, don’t be mad.”

  “What?” Pepper asked in suspicion, and groaned when Sam handed her the credit card.

  “Just take it, Pepper. It’ll be safer for you to use this than carry cash, and it’s certainly faster than writing a check.”

  Pepper turned the card over. “Is this one of those cards?”

  “What cards?”

  “Those ones for the stupidly rich with a monthly disposable income that equals the amount of an average person’s house?”

  Sam giggled. “Pepper, just sign the back and put it in your wallet.”

  “I don’t have a pen.”

  Sam grinned, handing her a thin Sharpie. “Had a feeling you’d say that.”

  Pepper rolled her eyes, but took the pen and signed her name. “Your organization skills are annoying sometimes.”

  Sam giggled. “Oh, I know.”

  “Will you do something for me?”

  “Of course.”

  “I know I have money to spend and I want to find something really nice for Con, but will you tell me if I’m either being cheap or spending too much? I feel a little out of my league… no, actually, I feel a lot out of my league here.”