by Moxie North
“I was calling for him, but I think you might have a better take on this.”
“What’s going on?”
“I’ve got a case and it’s affecting me more than I would like.”
“Well, I’m not sure how we can help you out with that.”
“Actually, I was wondering what you’d think about me calling Mary,” Anson asked, letting the question hang in the air.
His papa paused for a minute and it made Anson nervous. “Why would you need to talk to her?”
“How did you know Dad was the one?” It was a very personal question. Most Kindred never asked anyone after they had experienced it themselves. It was too personal. Too private to share with people casually.
“Sean pissed me off. He made me so mad one day that I screamed at him and told him it was over. He screamed back and told me that I couldn’t quit on him because I was mad. Two people in love didn’t get to give up. When he got that angry at me, I heard the call and so did he. I know it’s crazy and doesn’t seem like a good way to find your mate. But for me, his passion brought it out. You know how much I love picking fights with him still. That’s why.”
Anson chuckled. His dads did love to argue. They bickered all the time. It was always loving and often over the top. It made sense with their personalities that they would be connected that way. They were both very passionate, opinionated people.
“So, why would you be bringing this up?”
Anson looked out over the water. “I’m attracted to my client. I’m worried about her. I can’t sleep because I know she’s in danger. She’s beautiful. Like really beautiful. Someone has made her life really tough and it pisses me off.”
“It sounds like you’re doing your job. You might be a little invested, but you’ve always rooted for the underdogs. You never like to see anyone hurt that can’t defend themselves.”
Anson knew his papa was trying to talk him away from an obsession. “There’s that. I can’t seem to think straight around her. She distracts me… I’ve been sleeping on her porch,” he admitted.
“Wow,” Jory laughed. “You are in deep. Maybe this is supposed to be where you’re at. The Great Mother has a plan for us. The more you fight it, the more she’s going to make you have to work for it.”
“So, I shouldn’t worry that all I think about is getting her in my bed?” Anson didn’t mind talking to his dads about this stuff. They had always encouraged open communication and honesty.
“I think that your attraction to her could be just physical. You could always find yourself a willing partner to see if that’s it.”
Anson couldn’t stop the loud growl that rolled out of him.
Jory laughed. “I guess that means you aren’t interested in anyone else. Your answer is in front of you. Just let nature take its course.”
“Do you think I should call Mary?”
“I think your Dad would tell you not to. I’m going to go against that and say go ahead. Just make sure to call me and let me know all about it when you’re done.”
Shaking his head, Anson looked down at his feet and grinned. Papa was always the troublemaker.
“I might just be brave enough. I don’t like not knowing what my next steps are. This isn’t how I like to do things.”
“Then call her and find out. Just be prepared for what you might find out. This might be your mate or it might just be someone you’re supposed to protect. Don’t feel that it is the end of your options for a mate. If she’s important to you, she may just be a good friend.”
Anson let out a relieved breath. “Thanks, I needed to hear that.”
“I’ll tell your dad you called.”
“Thanks. I love you,” he said.”
“Love you too, buddy.”
Anson hung up and dialed the number for Clan Fehu’s Crone. He’d had the number in his phone for a few days. Something had possessed him to look it up the other day, and now he knew why. The phone only rang once.
“Been waiting for your call,” Mary said by way of answering.
“You knew I was going to call?”
“You think I got this job by guessing?”
“So, she’s my mate?” Anson ground out the words. He was mad that Mary didn’t just tell him. A phone call, an email, anything.
“Who? I said I knew you were going to call, not why.”
“Then she’s not my mate.”
There was a long sigh over the phone. “You aren’t real smart, are you? Gaia only gives me signs when I need them. If there is something I need to do to move two people together. Did you ever think that some people have it easier? That they just happen in to each other? Not everything needs a giant blueprint of plans to work out, sheesh.”
That didn’t answer Anson’s question. “I need to know. I’m… confused.”
“Shit, boy, you’re supposed to be confused. If it’s true love then you shouldn’t know which end is up.”
“The human I’m working with is different.”
“Aren’t they all?”
“I’ve met plenty of humans that don’t occupy my thoughts the way she does.”
“Then maybe you need to give the universe a freaking chance! You young ones are so impatient. Everything is on demand. Take a breather and go spank one out if you can’t control yourself.”
The utter horror of their respected Crone telling him to masturbate caught him off guard.
“Uh…” Anson started.
“Oh, don’t be a prude! I’ll tell you if there was something you needed to know. There’s nothing you need to know. So you might as well settle back and enjoy the ride.”
The phone clicked dead and Anson was left standing on the deck, no more sure of his situation with Piper than he had been before.
“Fuck,” he ground out, shoving the phone in his pocket.
“Anson?”
Anson swung around to see a red-eyed Piper standing with her arms wrapped around herself. Past her, through the French doors, he could see her parents in their kitchen opening a bottle of wine. He went straight to her and pulled her into his arms. He’d be damned if he’d leave her hanging out there when she needed someone to help hold herself together.
“How did it go?” he asked softly.
“They’re mad, scared, and disappointed. Pretty much what I expected.”
“They love you,” he assured her.
“They do, that’s why they can’t understand why I kept it from them.”
Anson looked up to see her parents frowning at him. Hugging probably wasn’t what they were used to seeing in the bodyguards they’d seen on television.
Taking a step back, he still kept in her space, providing a buffer if she needed it.
“Should I talk to them? I’d be happy to tell them what we have in place.”
“I told them. They want me to move in here with them.”
“I can see why. But I’m sure you told them no.”
Piper smiled ruefully. “I love them, but I can’t live with them anymore. Besides that ferry ride in the morning is a killer.”
Anson frowned at the word.
“Sorry,” she said.
“It’s fine. I’m glad you have someone else watching out for you.”
“A lot of good they would do. They’re strict pacifists.”
“Well, lucky for you, I’m not.”
Chapter 13
Piper had a glass of wine in her hand. The flames in the gas fire pit in front of her flickered and gave off just enough warmth to keep her cozy in the outdoor area. Anson had been circling the party, moving in some kind of pattern that made sense to him. His eyes were always on her. At least she assumed they were because every time she sought him out in the crowd she would see that flash of silver.
The party had been a flurry of activity, the word that a Kindred was present spread quickly. Luckily, her parents’ friends were all great people and almost everyone was excited to introduce themselves. He’d told them all he worked with her at the bank and her parents
played along with it. It was a nice lie that kept her from getting those sad understanding looks she was so used to now. Instead, she got winks and knowing looks. A few were bold enough to give her a thumbs up, thinking she was dating him.
Piper wasn’t going to explain herself. She’d done that enough in her life. There had to be a day in her future that she could reach where she wouldn’t have to explain anything. She could just be.
Anson was coming around back to her, checking in to see if she needed anything. She’d reminded him that he wasn’t her servant. He told her to stop being difficult and asked again whether she needed a drink. He’d returned with the wine she requested then started off again.
Piper kept her eyes on him as he approached. She loved seeing them. The reflection would have sent off warning signals in a normal person. To Piper they made her feel more relaxed. She felt her shoulders drop when she saw them. She wouldn’t have been honest if she didn’t admit that once or twice she had thought how it would feel when he didn’t watch over her anymore. If her stalker could be found and put behind bars that would be the last time she’d probably see Anson. He’d move on.
“Can I get you anything?” his deep voice asked as he stopped in front of her. She had to crank her head back to look at him.
“I don’t usually get sloshed at my parents’ house. I’m warm and slightly medicated after three glasses, thanks.”
Anson took a seat next to her. “Your mom’s a good cook.”
“She is. She loves entertaining. I never had that urge,” Piper said with a laugh. “I have an aversion to parties where I’m the center of attention now.”
“Makes sense. I don’t like people looking at me either.”
Piper made a choked sound. “You know people look at you all the time, right?”
“I know, doesn’t mean I have to like it.”
“I suppose not. Must be hard to be Kindred. There are some humans that just can’t get over the appeal of you and your kind.”
“I’ve dealt with groupies all my life. Kindred know it’s part of living together. I still would rather be alone in the woods or out on a board in the ocean.”
“That’s nice. I’m not much of a camper. I do like beaches though.”
“Do you ski?”
“Sort of. It’s mostly a controlled fall down the hill. I’ve yet to break something. I don’t go for myself, only when others guilt me into going.”
“I’d like to go with you. I enjoy snowboarding. We might have enough snow this year to ski by Thanksgiving.”
“You think you’ll still be on my job then?”
Anson was quiet for a moment. “I think that however long it takes, we might as well keep living.”
Piper didn’t want to let the idea of spending time with him on what could be construed as a date to wiggle into her mind. It was too tempting.
“I don’t suppose we’ll be able to fix this anytime soon.”
“I think we’re looking in places that no one has looked before. I have expectations of finding this man,” he said, his voice angry and she could hear his bear as he spoke.
Realizing he wasn’t happy with the topic, she asked a question that had been bothering her for a few days. “Were you avoiding me last week?”
Anson seemed to hesitate. “Yes and no. You needed to meet everyone. Your routine had to be run through each person. But yes, I was giving myself some space.”
“Giving yourself space?” she asked.
“Like I said on the ferry, this isn’t just business.”
Piper set her glass down so she could bring her hands up to cover her face. She didn’t need fairy tales, she needed peace.
“I’m sorry if it seems like I’m pushing you away. I mean, I am, but it’s really for your own good.”
Anson reached up and pulled her hands away. “You think it’s for my own good?”
“I know it is. Nothing changes. I’m under a cloud here. I’m sinking, Anson. I can’t allow myself to think that way.”
“What if I’m the one that is meant to hold you up? Give you the break you need?”
Piper loved the way that sounded. A break. She always had to hold everything together so tightly. She felt like she would fly apart if she didn’t. Managing her job, her safety, her broken relationships, so many people and feelings that she felt responsible for. There wasn’t room for doubt or to let her take a breath.
“And what if you aren’t?” she whispered, searching his eyes, hoping he could see that she couldn’t give him anything.
“Shouldn’t we try? See if there is something there?”
“I wish I could give you even that. That I had a little to offer you. If I was selfish I’d let myself indulge in the fantasy. Think about it when things were dark. That would be nice,” she said softly.
Anson let out a growl that she was sure others had to have heard.
“Please, Anson, not here, not now.”
“I’m not letting this go, Piper. You need help.”
Piper didn’t disagree with him. She took such pride in managing herself and her affairs. Anson looking at her so fiercely made her falter for only a moment. She couldn’t hold his gaze for long. His eyes spoke of things that she couldn’t have. Looking too long would confuse her.
Taking a sip of her drink, she turned her gaze back to the fire. Handsome Kindred or not, Piper had to keep strong for herself.
Anson didn’t know what to do. His papa’s words kept echoing in his head. He reached out to those he thought could help him and give him some sense of whether he should or shouldn’t pursue the woman sitting across from him. The pain in her eyes was so deep, so entrenched, that his animal side wanted to rip it out with his claws. He wanted to take her home with him, tuck her into bed, and keep her protected. Even if that meant shifting and watching over her.
Not that his small rented apartment was good enough for her. He’d been renting it for two years and had never even bothered to decorate it aside from the photos he pinned to the wall in the living room. The collage reminded him of his life, all of his parents, his Clan and the adventures and experiences he sought out on a regular basis. It was the single guy’s version of a photo album. He traveled so much that his time was spent at work or outdoors when he was free. His house was a place to sleep, not to live.
Anson watched her, he couldn’t help himself. Every small movement she did registered with him. Her plump limps pressing together as she looked like she was chewing on her problems. Her sad eyes directed into the flames that were reflecting back at her. Her forehead looked tight, as though her mind was running a mile a minute. Between her job and her problems, she was running full tilt and Anson wondered if she ever had a quiet moment.
The Crone hadn’t said that she was his mate. She also didn’t say she wasn’t. Anson needed to buckle down and do his job. Find out who was following her and causing her stress, that was his job. That was his mission. If he could finish the job, there was a chance what he was feeling would just fade and life would go back to normal. He would go back to searching for his mate. Piper would go on living her life.
For some reason that outcome didn’t set well with him. It bothered him and made him want to roar. There was nothing about it that felt right. His feelings were valid. He liked her. Everything about her. Why shouldn’t he spend time with her? Because she didn’t want him. That was why.
But, he felt that she did, deep down. Her words to him belied the fact that she was rejecting her own feelings towards him. That meant there were feelings to be had. Standing, Anson started taking his perimeter walk again, his eyes scanning for trouble as they kept slipping back to her. A middle-aged woman came and sat next to her and he saw Piper put on a happy face for the woman. Anson could tell that it wasn’t real. She slid a mask over her face whenever anyone else was around. That mask didn’t come on with him. He took comfort in that. She was real with him. She was vulnerable. He wasn’t about to let that gift go unnoticed. She trusted him. If he had to start somewhe
re with her, he’d take that.
Chapter 14
Piper was under her covers with her phone. The Great British Baking Show was on television and she kept having to look up the names of the foods to figure out what the heck they were talking about.
“Huh, a Victoria Sandwich is just a cake. Good to know,” she mumbled to herself.
During the drive home last night, Anson hadn’t said much. She didn’t really know what to say to him either. The tension in the car had a taste. The small space filled with sweetness and anger. His words yesterday confused her just from the fact that he was Kindred and she was a human that wasn’t his mate. There were rules about that. Most Kindred didn’t even date humans on a casual basis.
Piper had roomed with a Kindred girl in college. She had let her in on the details of things she’d already known. Most humans knew not to question the Kindred on the minutiae of their world. It wasn’t taboo, it was just respectful to allow them their culture. If a Kindred had a child with a human that wasn’t their mate, it could be good for a while, though the looming potential of a true mate always hovered over their lives. Most humans couldn’t live with that uncertainty. Even if that Kindred was in love with their child’s parent at the time, mates superseded everything. Marrying a human that wasn’t your mate hardly ever happened anymore. Producing a child and having to share that child with a mate that could come along at any time never made for a happy ending.
