“Hello.” The man smiled, giving Kira a wink. “We’ve had a little problem. Well, here, let me show you, brother.”
“Brother?” both Kira and Wyrick said at the same time.
“New information?” The man peeked over his phone at them, then turned the phone toward him and laughed. “I think we’ve shocked them.”
“I believe we have. Did you Warriors really think I would be that easy to take down? Ah, Wyrick, how you underestimate me. I have many enemies. I’m everywhere. Is it me or is it not? You will never know because the fact is, I have as many loyal followers as I do enemies who will do anything for me. Yes, even die for me as you have seen. I’m unstoppable, and I don’t even have my full powers yet, but soon that will change.” A voice came from the phone as the man holding it turned it around, showing the man Steve had seen in the Walmart surveillance video. “So, now that is out of the way, you Warriors can think on that for a bit and what you’re up against coming after me while I talk to Kira. That was Kira I saw, right?”
“I’ve thought about it, and well, I think you’re a fucking pussy.” Sid stood with his arms crossed. “Hiding behind your ugly-ass brother, and women.”
“You know, Sid, I thought the same thing, and well, I’m on board to find this fucker. How about you guys?” Jared asked, as he glared at the phone.
The Warriors all around agreed, but Sloan was the one who spoke the loudest. “You are going to be hunted down by every VC Warrior in existence.” Sloan’s voice was low and intimidating. “And you will be caught. Might not be today… might not be tomorrow, but we will catch you.”
“Yeah, okay. Who was that, your fearless leader?” Orjyll sighed as his brother lifted the phone toward Sloan. “Sloan Murphy. I’ve heard so much about you and let me say, I’m not impressed.”
The woman laughed.
“Shut up, bitch,” Kira sneered her way, but the woman just smiled even bigger.
“Oh, I hear her. Kira! Hurry up and show me her, Milton.” The man panned until it was aimed toward Kira.
“I’m so sorry to hear about your sister, Kira dear.” He gave a fake sniff. “My condolences. And as I’m sure you miss her terribly, let me assure you that very soon you will be seeing her.”
Ronan stepped in front of Kira, his growl deep and low. Steve watched as Kira stepped around him and walked toward the phone. “My sister is fine, you piece of shit!” Kira spat on the ground.
“Such unladylike behavior for someone so beautiful.” Orjyll sighed, then laughed. “But that’s what I expect from the Grail women. Beautiful heathens. So, how’s little Drew doing?”
It took three Warriors to hold Steve back. Sloan even gave him a warning glare.
“Listen, I have a little news for you.” Kira leaned in toward the phone. “You will never have your full powers back, even if you succeed in killing me and my niece.”
“Now stop, this is so embarrassing for you, Kira.” Orjyll tsked with a shake of his head. “It’s going to happen. I know… they know… so get on board. Your sister is already gone. Let’s just stop all this running and give in. Hmmm, what do you say?”
“Did you not hear what I said?” Kira sneered into the phone. Then a grin lit her face. Steve was watching the asshole holding the phone closely. He didn’t trust the son of a bitch. He looked toward Ronan, who was doing the same. “My sister is fine.”
“If that’s what you want to believe.” Orjyll shrugged. “Then okay, but in the real world, I know she is—”
“A vampire.” Steve stepped forward, making sure the asshole saw exactly who was talking. He wanted Orjyll to know exactly who was coming for him. “That’s my world, motherfucker, and you’re living in it, but not for long.”
“No!” Orjyll shook his head, his voice a high pitch. “Milton! Is that true?”
“Milt don’t know shit.” Steve glanced toward Kira before looking back at Orjyll. “Welcome to VC Warrior world. You’re going to be in for a bumpy fucking ride.”
“Kill her!” Orjyll shouted, but before Milton could even reach for his gun, the sound of a whip cracked through the air. Steve grabbed Kira out of the way as Ronan’s whip wrapped around the man’s throat and with one yank, his head was severed from his body.
The phone clattered to the ground face up, with Orjyll staring up. “What happened? Milton?”
“Milton can’t come to the phone right now,” Jared called out as a few of the Warriors chuckled.
“Damn, Damon,” Sid said with a laugh. “I bet you’re having withdrawals. You haven’t decapitated anyone in a while. You okay, brother?”
Steve walked over and glared at the phone. “I would show you what happened, but it’s pretty gross.” Steve gave him a grin that didn’t meet his eyes. “If it’s a war you want, it’s a war you are going to get.”
“Kira!” Orjyll raged over the phone. “I will find you. You are dead. All of you are dead. Wyrick, you son of a bitch, you will hang and burn!”
Ronan looked down at the phone. “Shut the fuck up and listen real good.” Ronan rewrapped his whip as he stared down at him. “The ride has just begun. My name is Ronan. I’m a VC Warrior, and if you even breathe in Kira’s direction, I will kill you just like I killed your brother.”
Orjyll starting screaming things, but Ronan lifted his cowboy boot and stomped on the phone, sending the room in silence.
“Ah, fuck, man.” Jared frowned down at the crushed phone. “Just when it was getting good.”
Chapter 34
Steve walked back and forth in the hallway. He felt sick. He wanted to vomit, and he was sweating like he was in hell. Who knew vampires could sweat? Due to his human traits, he had to change his shirt twice. Looking at himself in the hallway mirror, shock rippled through him at the fear on his face. Shaking his head, he smacked his cheeks hard, then grabbed the small box and walked out of his room.
“Hey!” Adam and Angelina met him in the hallway. “You doing it today?” Adam asked, almost as excited as Angelina, who was practically jumping up and down.
“Shush!” Steve glanced around to make sure they were alone.
“Dude, we’re on the second floor. No one can hear us.” Adam chuckled with a roll of his eyes. “Now get your ass moving!”
Steve hurried but then slowed. He was going to be about ten minutes early. Slowing himself down, he thought about the last few weeks and could hardly contain himself. “Fuck it!” He started to jog until he was standing in front of a door. Raising his hand, he knocked, then stepped back.
The door opened to a crack. “You’re early.”
His intake of breath nearly choked him. “And you’re beautiful.”
Mira opened the door. Her smile spread, but then she covered her mouth. Steve grabbed her hand, pulling it away, then lifted her chin when she dodged his look by dropping her head. “Don’t hide from me.”
“I just can’t get used to them.” Mira closed the door.
“You will.” Steve watched her, then had a very unsettling thought. “Do you regret that I changed you?”
Mira turned to look at him, her new golden eyes opening wide. “No, Steve.” She stepped closer and touched his cheek. “How can I regret being able to still be a mother to Drew. You saved my life.”
“Well, I think you are gorgeous with your new chompers,” Steve teased before kissing her.
“Chompers?” Mira frowned. “That doesn’t sound attractive.”
“On you, it is very attractive.” Steve held her tightly. “You ready?”
“Almost! Give me just another minute.” Mira hurried to the bathroom and closed the door.
It felt weird being here without Drew being in the room, but his daughter was making her rounds tonight. She was being babysat by everyone in the compound. Even Sloan and Becky were taking a turn. Steve walked over and sat on the bed, his eyes going straight to the bathroom door.
The night two weeks ago when he had left Mira still in a state of turning, Steve had come back to find Mira with her eyes o
pen. She was still in and out, but she was definitely healing as well as thick into the change. It only took a week for her to get her hunger under control so that she could be with Drew. Slade had fixed her up with some high potency blood, which subdued her quicker and longer. It pretty much eliminated her excessive thirst for blood.
Soon, she would be taking his blood. His dick throbbed with that small thought. He couldn’t fucking wait, but he needed to be patient. The danger with Orjyll was far from over, but this was their life. They didn’t always get the bad guy. Every day, the Warriors were on the hunt for the threat to all of them. Orjyll was one of many enemies, but he was number one on the list.
The door opened, and Steve stood. Mira walked out in a simple strapless black dress. Her high heels made her legs look amazing, and she already had fucking hot legs. His dick continued to throb to the point he wanted to grab it, but he stopped himself. Not a great first date impression. Maybe going out for dinner and dancing wasn’t such a great idea.
“Well?” She turned slowly so he could see. And see he did. The dress hugged her ass, and he groaned. She looked at him over her shoulder. “What? What is it?”
“That ass,” Steve said, then his eyes popped open wide as he shook his head. “Did I just say that out loud?”
She giggled. “You did.” She nodded, then ran her hand over it. “Does it look okay?”
Steve laughed, then choked, trying to get the words out of his mouth, but they just wouldn’t form. His dick was talking better than he was as it pounded at the front of his pants, and these were his loose ones. Holy shit.
“You need help with that?” Mira’s eyes roamed down his body to his cock, which he could have sworn was nodding yes, please take care of me.
“It hasn’t been six weeks.” Steve finally formed words, and he wanted to suck them back in his mouth.
“I’m fully healed now, thanks to you.” Mira grinned as she slipped the dress’s stretchy material down her shoulders, over her bare tits, past her slightly rounded stomach and shimmied it down her legs before kicking it off, hitting Steve in the dick. He was shocked it didn’t hang there.
There she stood, fully naked, only wearing high heels. And like an idiot, all he could do was stare. Oh, he knew what to do with a naked woman, but first, he had to get his fill of looking because he only dreamed of what she looked like. Now he knew, and it didn’t even compare to his dreams.
“I really want to eat in tonight.” Mira stood unembarrassed before him. “Is that okay?”
Steve finally got his feet moving and stopped directly in front of her. He cupped the back of her neck and brought her mouth to his. The kiss was fast and hard. Her hands worked on his pants and soon had them unbuckled, unzipped, and down around his feet. He was impressed because not once did they break their kiss until she grabbed for his shirt.
He made sure she was ready for him. “This is going to be fast. Not the way I envisioned the first time with you, but fuck it.”
“No, fuck me,” she whispered against his mouth. He reached around, picking her up by the ass. Slowly, he lowered her on his throbbing dick, with her guiding him inside.
“Time to eat.” He tilted his neck, and she didn’t hesitate. It was as if she knew exactly what to do, and do it she did. While she sucked, Steve pounded into her. She gave as good as she got.
“Jesus, Mira,” Steve panted, finding them against the wall. He had no idea how they’d gotten across the room.
She pulled away from his neck and kissed him as she met his thrusts. Tasting his blood on her lips, sent him over the edge and thank God, she was there too.
Breathing heavily, he headed toward the bed where he collapsed with her on top of him. Neither said a word for the longest time. They just lay there, enjoying the sensation of being connected.
“I love you,” Mira whispered against his chest.
“I love you more,” Steve also whispered, his hand rubbing her back in circular motions.
Mira sat up then laughed. “I still have my high heels on.”
“I like that look… a lot.” Steve winked, sitting up. He glanced down to see his pants still around his feet. How the fuck he didn’t kill them during all that was beyond him. His eyes caught sight of the small box next to his feet. Standing, he pulled up his pants and buckled them.
“Hey, what are you doing?” Mira frowned, watching him.
Steve picked up the box and stared at it. He had only told one person what he was doing, but two of them knew because the one couldn’t keep his fucking mouth shut. Steve smirked at the thought. He didn’t have a family. The only close friend he had was Adam, who had gone with him to pick out what was inside the box.
“Steve, what’s wrong?” Mira touched his back gently.
Taking a deep breath, Steve turned to stare down at her. “Nothing’s wrong. It’s just more comfortable for me to do this with pants on.”
“Oh, should I get dressed?” She started to get up.
“Fuck no!” Steve all but shouted, then cleared his throat. “I mean no, you’re absolutely….” His eyes fell on her breasts, and he couldn’t form a fucking thought.
“Steve?” Mira stared into his eyes.
“Huh, oh, yeah.” Steve grabbed his shirt and draped it around her front just so he could focus. “Just for a minute so I can do this and then I need you naked again, woman.” He winked, making her blush then laugh.
Steve felt the box in his hand and began to sweat. Fuck! Okay, he could do this. She was going to say yes and not destroy him.
“Mira Grail.” He held out the box and opened it. “Will you please be my mate and marry me?”
She slapped her hand over her mouth as her eyes formed blood tears. Before she could speak, he stopped her.
“But wait, before you answer, I have something else to ask you.” Steve glanced away for a minute before looking back at her.
“Steve, you’re scaring me a little.” Mira’s voice shook.
“I’m sorry, but this is so important to me that I’m a little afraid myself.” He decided to be honest with her. He knew he was a badass, but he needed someone to share all his feelings with, even if it was his pussy side. He was terrified she was going to say no.
“Nothing you say to me should make you afraid.” Mira scooted closer to him.
“I want to adopt Drew,” Steve finally blurted out. “To me, you are a one-package deal, and I want it all. I promise to be the best father, but that’s what I want to be, not step anything. Just Dad.”
Mira dropped her head in her hands. “Yes!” she cried out. “Oh my God. Yes, Steve.”
“I will never let you or Drew down, Mira. I swear it.” Steve’s fist connected with his chest. “You are mine, for now, and always. Even your birthmark says you are mine.” He touched the flaming red, crooked heart.
“Actually, it says you are mine.” Mira looked from her mark to him. She propelled herself into his arms and held him tightly. “For now and always,” she repeated against his neck.
“Damn straight!” Steve added his own little flare, making her chuckle.
******
Ronan stood in the game room while everyone passed Drew around. He’d come in for a beer and to see Kira. She had been distant and quiet since that night two weeks ago. He had a feeling that as soon as Mira was for sure on her feet, she would disappear. He’d bet his best horse on it, and that was saying a lot.
His eyes rose to the door as Steve and Mira came in arm in arm. “She said yes, bitches!” Steve announced, holding up Mira’s hand with a nice-size ring on her ring finger.”
“Hey! I thought you were going out for dinner and dancing.” Angelina frowned, but then hugged Mira in congratulations.
“We decided to have dinner in.” Steve wiggled his eyebrows, getting a thumbs-up from most of the Warriors. “We also have another announcement to make.” Steve walked over to take Drew from Nicole.
Ronan watched Kira closely, and she didn’t look pleased with the announcement, but befor
e he could think more about it, Steve made his second announcement.
“I’m also going to adopt Drew Boo.” Steve stared down at the baby and anyone looking could see the love he had for both momma and baby.
Kira’s eyes rounded, but she faked a smile before slipping out of the room. Ronan set his beer down and followed her. The front door was closing as he exited, so he headed that way. She walked toward the side yard and then stopped, staring up at the moon. Ronan slowly made his way toward her, giving her time to collect her thoughts.
“You don’t seem happy with the big announcements,” Ronan said as he stood beside her, also peering up at the sky.
Kira glanced over at him then shrugged. “It obviously doesn’t matter what I think.” She sighed after a second. “I mean… I am happy for my sister. Steve adores her, but there’s still the curse. If something happens to him, it will devastate her more than anyone realizes.”
“You can’t live your life on what-ifs,” Ronan said, contemplating her. “What if I walk out to my car, trip and hit my head, never to wake up again?”
“You’re a vampire. I don’t see that happening.” Kira snorted with a shake of her head.
“It could.” He grinned. “And how do you know if the curse is really—”
“It is.” Kira didn’t let him finish.
“But don’t most curses have an out?” Ronan edged, thinking out loud. “Who says true love won’t break the curse?”
“Are you a romantic?” Kira gave him an unbelieving look.
“Maybe, or maybe I’m just realistic, and curses aren’t real.”
“They’re real,” Kira shot back. “You see that ring around the moon?”
Ronan stared back up. “Yeah.”
“Something wicked comes this way.” Kira looked from the moon to Ronan.
“Are you going to tell your sister when you leave?” Ronan asked, searching her face for the truth.
“I don’t know.” Kira turned to walk away, but stopped, gazing at him over her shoulder. “Take care of yourself, cowboy.”
Invisible Warrior (The Protectors Series) Book #11 Page 22
