Everything was neat and locked down for the evening as she stepped from the back entrance and set the alarm behind her. Mentally going over what she wanted to buy at the store, she paid little attention to people passing by. It was almost six and she was sure they had just as many errands to run as she did, if not more. She was ready to slide the key into the door lock when the very loud thump struck the roof of the car a foot from her.
Danea spun angrily on the offender, staring at the redheaded woman.
“Exactly what is wrong with you? This is my car and I’d prefer you kept your ham-fisted hands to yourself.”
Noah held up a palm when Wade went to step from the side of the building.
“Demon,” Noah said softly.
“Then we should…”
“Watch for a few minutes,” Noah nodded toward Danea. “I can move pretty fast if need be and I know you have some tricks, too .”
Skeptical, Wade remained in the shadows.
“I have a message for you.” The woman looked her up and down. “You don’t look like the others.”
Danea felt her chin go up. The woman was too much like her sisters. Perfect. Slender and tall with luxurious long curls that never seemed to stray.
“Use the post office or email or leave me a message on the phone. I’m going shopping,” she reached for the lock again, gaping at the hand that surrounded her wrist. “I do not like being handled. Especially by strangers with the smell of a demon.”
“So you can recognize us,” came the cold sneer. “I heard you were nothing more than a throwback in genetic breeding. Kind of plain and more than a little mousy.”
“And I heard most demons were brainless and smelled like sulphur,” she paused with a slight tilt to her head. “Thanks for confirming that tidbit. Now…” Danea brought her free hand over and gripped the woman’s thumb with a strong twist upward. She held it tightly in her fist, twisting a little more. The hand holding the keys came up and grasped the woman’s other wrist when she shot it toward Danea’s face.
She forced the woman to her knees. If there was one thing her mother stressed, it was self-defense. She sighed. Given who and what her father was, it was probably smart. She stopped when she heard the familiar ‘plop’ on her car roof.
“Galileo,” she said with a little sigh. “I can handle one demon.” She was silent, her eyes raised to meet those of the large Glaucous gull. “But I do appreciate your concern. Would you like to meet our new friend? I don’t know her name…”
The woman simply glared until her gaze took in the razor sharp beak and sharp, alert eyes. She swallowed hard and made an attempt to move away.
“Now. If you touch me again, I’ll break something, or maybe I’ll let Galileo watch you for a few days. He’s a scavenger, you know. Eats anything, though he pretends to be a gourmet,” she rolled her eyes at the loud squawk and released the woman and waited for the swearing to end. “What’s the message? Like I can’t guess at it…”
“Your father says to return home. Immediately,” she growled, rubbing her wrist and hand to ease the pain, her gaze shifting between the large gull and the woman.
“Oh, now there’s a surprise,” Danea rolled her eyes. “Thanks for the message.”
“I should have just dragged you to the pier and thrown you in for him,” the redhead took a step back, visibly shaking when the bird took a step off the roof of the car and paced toward her.
“You could have tried,” Danea shrugged. “You’re just a pawn. Go away and don’t bother me. He always pays up front, so unless you go bothering his people, they won’t bother with you again. I know his pattern and his style. If you even think he’s interested in you, you’re lying to yourself.” She saw the momentary look of surprise on the woman’s face. “Oh, you’re pretty enough. But he’s bred his limit and he doesn’t dabble and he never settles. So run off and find a nice demon to settle down with.”
“You’re a bitch.”
“Maybe. But I’m also realistic. I didn’t get seven sisters because he’s faithful,” Danea laughed and shook her head. “Last I heard he was still toying with a little witch down in the Caribbean.”
She sighed to the sounds of retreating heels on concrete.
“Follow her. Find out if there are others or if he’s sent anyone closer to him to town and I’ll bring you back a fish,” she said absently, watching the bird take off with wings flapping. She was about to sink the key into the door lock when there was suddenly a palm on the roof of her car, on both sides of her.
She was positive her heart stopped.
“Oh, god,” the words came out in a burst when she finally let herself breathe, her gaze swinging rapidly from side to side. “Are you trying to give me a heart attack?” She demanded, frustrated and exasperated.
“You were busy and we didn’t want to intrude,” Wade said, his voice low and warm against the incoming breeze from the water.
“Your friend didn’t appear very happy with you, Dani,” Noah watched her face.
Danea pulled her lips into a pucker. “Oh, well…some days just don’t go as planned.”
“Your father sends demons to convince you to visit him?” Wade turned his back to the car, arms crossed over his chest patiently. “And you have a pet bird.”
“You heard that,” she winced a little, peeking from side to side at the pair of them.
“We were waiting to see if you needed help,” Noah followed Wade’s posture, his legs parted and smile teasing when she looked at him. “You did point out to me repeatedly that you were capable of taking care of yourself. But just in case…”
“They tend to under-estimate me,” she answered cautiously, drawing her tongue around her lips. “Why are you here? Both of you. Together.”
“We’re taking you to dinner,” Noah informed her as if telling her it was raining, a forgone conclusion.
“Oh. No. I’m going shopping. I need some things in my apartment,” her head shook adamantly from side to side.
“Maybe later. After dinner. I heard from a friend you like gyros so we’re taking you to Auturo’s,” Wade told her casually, unfolding himself and quickly removing the keys from her fingers. He dropped them into one of his pockets and gestured toward the sidewalk. “Gyros, Greek fries and a nice salad. Something cold to drink and friendly conversation.”
“Sounds like a great evening to me,” Noah chimed in warmly.
“Strong arming a girl into a date is just a little on the…the…”
“High-handed?”
“Desperate?” Noah offered, shrugging and continuing to walk with her toward the side street and the quiet restaurant. “We’re not above using whatever means necessary to get you to agree, Dani.”
“Arrogant,” she said when she could make her brain pay attention again. “Danea. The name is Danea and I really don’t have time…” curls bounced as she swiveled her gaze from one side to the other, taking in the contrast between the pair of them. And how the heck did she get in the middle of them? Her gaze shifted from each hand gripping her on either side, escorting her like there was a purpose to it all.
“Everyone needs to eat,” Noah said, grinning at the stunned look she still sported. “And you are looking a little under-nourished.”
“Under…” she sputtered in disbelief.
“So why does your father send a demon as a messenger?” Wade asked curiously.
“Probably because she’s rough on the messenger and they’re too dumb to turn down the work,” Noah commented, smiling at the waitress. “Three, please, and someplace quiet where we can talk.”
“Of course, sheriff,” the young woman looked them both up and down while collecting the menus for them. “If you’ll come this way.”
“Thanks, Terry,” Wade guided Danea to the back. They seated her with her back to the wall and where she was safely surrounded by one on either side of her.
“Why are you doing this?” Danea ignored the menu, reaching immediately for the large glass of water tinkli
ng with ice.
“Why do you spend so much energy avoiding us?” Noah countered, leaning back and glancing at the menu before setting it aside.
“It’s nothing personal,” she said hurriedly, trying to look at them both at once and coming up cross-eyed.
“I asked you out to dinner, Danea, that’s pretty personal,” Noah said with a deep laugh, the hint of pink tinting her cheeks.
“And if I didn’t know better, I’d swear you invent things to do to avoid me,” Wade motioned to the waitress. “I think we’re ready to order. What would you like Danea?”
Two of them. One on each side of her, looking sexy and confident. The waitress looked at them like they were the prime special of the evening. Danea sighed.
“Gyro, fries, salad and an order of calamari, please,” she pushed the menu across the table. “Just water for me, thank you.”
It wasn’t that she didn’t want to go out with them. One of them, she corrected. Maybe on different days. Both of them together was just a little more than a girl could stand. Wade’s face had just the right slight edge of a shadow, his dark hair clipped short; in contrast, Noah had darker hair but not a trace of shadow, probably because he was mostly native American, she pondered, absently spinning the glass of water between her fingers. Wade had dark brown eyes and the green eyes Noah had were the only sign of his father’s Irish heritage. And both of them were now staring at her, she realized.
“Want to tell us why you don’t date?” Noah asked with a friendly grin. “Did we miss a clue that you don’t prefer males?”
It was a race to see who patted her on the back first.
Danea waved them away, eyes wide and glaring from one to the other.
“That is the most…male thing I’ve ever heard. I have a lot of work to do. A business doesn’t just form and build itself,” she informed them stiffly. “The last thing I have time for is…is…”
“So males are okay, it’s just us you don’t like,” Wade posed the question, innocence teasing through eyes that smiled despite the sad expression.
“I have never said…” she caught herself up sharply, lashes narrowed. “I hate you both.” But the odd little tingle that raced through her when they laughed was already making a liar out of her. She threw herself back in the chair, arms crossed over her chest as she glared from one to the other.
“I believe we’re witnessing her first pout,” Wade teased.
“Given our nature, one of many to come, I’m sure,” Noah chuckled, taking a drink of the iced tea he’d requested.
“It does make her lips really…kissable,” this time Wade did laugh when genuine surprise made her eyes widen. “Why do comments about your appearance spark an almost instant denial in you, Danea?”
“I don’t really hate you,” she finally said, sounding like a child and sighing. “I’m sorry. I was taught to behave better than that.
“My self-esteem is restored,” Noah chuckled along with Wade, both of them silent as the waitress laid out their meal. “Thank you.”
“It looks delicious, thank you,” Danea lifted the lemon and squeezed it slowly over the thick sliced rings of squid. Steam rose and she stared at the crunchy breading. “Why are you doing this? Why me?”
“Tell us why not you, Danea,” Wade sliced through the collection of meat and vegetables before drizzling the cucumber sauce over top of his platter. “Why do you believe we can’t be friends?”
“Maybe we should shift topic,” Noah commented, sounding casual. “Why are you avoiding your father?”
This time both men did make it with a palm to her back when she tried swallowing and breathing at the same time.
“You’re trying to kill me,” she mumbled when she surface from draining half her water glass.
“No, honestly, we’re not,” Wade returned to his food. “Noah said you have sisters. Do they live in the area?”
Danea sliced a piece off the meat and lettuce gyro and lifted it to her mouth, chewing in silence for a long minute.
“My sisters are younger than I am. I’m the eldest. They live with my father,” she answered with a politeness that made her response stiff. “We’re very different.”
“And you thought I would be better off with one of them?” Noah gaped at her.
Danea sighed. “I sometimes have…let’s call it, people issues. I’m great with little kids but not so much with grown up…male types,” she winced when she happened to peek up and see them both arch a brow in curiosity.
“And that would be us,” Wade said quietly. “Why not? You’re pretty, smart and have a wicked sense of humor.”
“And you don’t believe a word he just said,” Noah commented as he watched her blinking and staring.
“I…I…of course I do. That’s silly. He said it, so he must believe it,” she said quickly, taking another bite of food when her stomach demanded more.
“I didn’t say we didn’t believe it,” Noah said quietly. “I said you don’t believe it.”
“I think I forgot lunch. This is really good,” she said cheerfully, deciding to ignore his comment. “Thank you both, although, I’m not sure I should encourage you to abduct women for dates. It’ll get around that you’re a little desperate and looking like you do, you really shouldn’t have a problem…” she stopped abruptly, realizing those words had all escaped from her brain. “Oh…”
“Looking like we do…” Wade prompted.
“I…umm…I’d really like to skim over that one…it wasn’t supposed to leave my head,” she confessed.
“Sorry. I think I’d like to know what category you’ve placed us in,” Wade challenged calmly.
“She’s looking nervous,” Noah noted in between bites. “How do you see us, Dani?”
“Don’t you look in the mirror?” The words burst out before she could clamp her lips shut. She swallowed and glared. “I find it difficult to believe you don’t use your appearance to your advantage.”
“You find us appealing,” Wade said thoughtfully.
“I think you’re both very…”
“Have you kissed her, Wade?” Noah asked, earning another round of choking from Danea.
“I haven’t had the pleasure,” Wade reached over the table, his palm stroking gently down the side of her face. “But I’ve definitely been looking forward to the event.”
“I…” Danea let her breath slow to nothing. She saw his intent. She felt the seductive wave of power flowing toward her as he leaned in, his mouth cruising over hers ever so lightly. He barely touched her lips with his, the tip of his tongue out and drew it very slowly along the tiny opening between her lips.
Chapter Four
Wade Franklin felt his insides twisting; his heart hammered like nothing before in his life and his breath came to a stop when he settled his mouth over hers. There was no resistance in her but he did feel a hint of shock. And then there was warmth. No, his stunned brain corrected. There was heat. Searing, fire tinted heat that he knew he’d never be able to walk away from.
Then she pulled back, her head shaking and hands up, her fingertips on her lips.
“No. No, I won’t be like him,” she whispered adamantly, her head shaking. She looked at Wade and then at Noah. “I can’t be like him.”
“Danea…” Noah moved first, his hands out to push back from the table and stop her from bouncing up. “No. Stop and talk to us. What’s wrong?”
“You don’t understand,” she hissed, trying to rise and discovered herself unable to move.
“I didn’t mean to upset you, Danea, please, talk to us,” Wade offered a vague shrug when Noah met his gaze.
“We can’t let you run from us, Danea. It would destroy us,” Noah said the words quietly.
Danea stared at them. “I don’t have the kind of power to hurt you. You don’t know me. You don’t know anything about me.”
“Then tell us. Acquaint us with Danea Polnari,” Wade pressed. “Please. And you left a calamari ring,” he teased.
“It�
�s my favorite,” she admitted, pulling the corner of her lip between her teeth.
“What upset you?” Noah asked, releasing her shoulders and sinking back to his chair. He took a long swallow of his tea and motioned to the waitress for more. “Talk to us.”
“I don’t understand why you care. What are you doing this for?”
“I asked first,” Noah reached over and pushed her plate toward her with his fingers. “Eat, Danea and talk to us.”
“Alright,” she nodded to herself. “Alright, you want answers. Maybe then you’ll realize there is way too much…too much…augh! Something…just too much and leave me alone.” She looked from one to the other, lashes slightly narrowed as she let the words free. “My father is a male slut and I refuse to be like him.”
Is she was hoping to shock them, it didn’t work.
“Alright. That’s a good aspiration,” Wade said cautiously. “I don’t believe you are like that and neither does Noah.”
“I kissed you,” she hissed, one hand flying toward Noah. “And him. I kissed you both and believe me, if we’d been alone, I know it would have gone a lot further…” she slapped her hand over her mouth. “God, you start me talking and…”
“And we get answers and truth. That’s all we want, Danea. Even if it’s puzzling and might take a while to understand, we have to communicate,” Noah tipped his ice water into her almost empty glass. “Alright. You believe your father is…”
“Promiscuous.” Wade offered politely.
“You’re always such a professor,” Danea said, her laugh nervous and easing into a low chuckle.
“A male slut,” Noah repeated carefully. “Why do you think that?”
“I have seven sisters. Each one has a different mother,” she said tonelessly, looking at the stark surprise on their faces.
“And how’s your mother feel about that?” Wade finally asked, working his way through his meal.
“Oh, I was born first. And that makes my mother number eight,” Danea said with a condescending smile. “My mother never was married to him. He never married any of them. It was purely contractual. She knew what he was like and we moved. Far away and stayed out of contact for the most part as I was growing up. He’s arrogant and handsome and charming…when he chooses to be.”
Newport/Aftport #2: Danea Page 3
