by Jane Jamison
“All of the above, if that’s what you want.”
“I don’t…I can’t.” She leaned against the tree for support and bowed her head. The snake she’d killed was near her feet, but even the sight of that couldn’t get her to move. It took every ounce of strength she had to try and understand what they’d told her. In the end, she couldn’t take any more.
“Will you take me back to my car?”
“Of course.” Tony moved closer and reached out his hand. “You don’t need to be afraid of us, Liv. We’d never hurt you. As animals or as men.”
“I just want to go back to Dorrie’s.”
“We want to take you back to the ranch.”
“No. Not yet. Not until…I just can’t.”
“Okay. We’ll do whatever you want. We’ll get dressed and take you back.”
At last, she took his hand. She kept her head down and didn’t look in their faces. If she did, she’d lose any hope of thinking logically. The sensation of her hand in Tony’s was almost too much to bear. Her mind was a mess, but her body was clear enough. She wanted them, and now that they’d told her that they loved her, she’d have no resistance.
“You fucking cunt.”
Livi jerked her head up and yanked her hand out of Tony’s. She found it hard to focus her eyes on Dina. She blinked, hearing the growls of her men and seeing them shift out of the corner of her eye.
Dina pointed the rifle at her. “I’ve had enough of you, you fucking whore.”
Back in their wolf forms, the men growled, their ears back, their tails low. Tony and Nick pressed their bodies close to her legs.
She’d had enough and couldn’t take any more. Anger gave her the courage to stand up to her attacker. If only she’d brought her gun!
“You shoot me and they’ll tear you apart. You know that better than I do. Put the rifle down and move away. If you do, we’ll leave you alone and you’ll do the same for us.”
Dina’s laughter had a wild edge to it. “Fuck that. I’ve spent my whole life wanting them. And I would’ve had them, too, if you hadn’t shown up.” She shook her head. “Don’t you get it, you dumb bitch? You’re like fire to our ice. You don’t mix with our kind. You wouldn’t last a day as their mate.”
“And you would?” She backed up, once more putting her back against the tree. It had been her support during the night and was still giving her the support she needed. Bending over without taking her eyes off Dina, she stroked the growling wolves at her sides.
“I’m a werewolf. I can give them what they need and want. In time, with you out of the picture, they’ll realize that.”
Livi made her decision to protect them as they’d protected her. All at once, it no longer mattered what they were or what skin they were in. Inside where it counted, they were the men she loved and who loved her back.
She bent lower and whispered, “Run. I won’t see you die for me.”
And yet, as she knew they would, they didn’t move. Her throat clogged with the love they shared.
“Call them to your side.”
Dina frowned. “What?”
“You heard me. If they’re really your mates, then call them to you. If you’re the one they want, then let them show it. Let them show me.”
She could see Dina fighting to believe they would come to her if she asked them to. But she knew they wouldn’t. Not now and not ever.
“Dina, you’ve got to believe this. Even if I didn’t exist, they’d never want you. All these years, you’ve known that. Now it’s time for you to own it.”
“Fuck off. You’re wrong. They’re mine.” Dina lifted the butt of the rifle to her shoulder. “Once you’re dead, they’ll come around.”
“No they won’t. Come on, Dina. You know that.”
A war raged on the woman’s face, but Livi saw the truth there. She knew how the men felt, had known for years. Yet, until Livi came to town, she’d held out hope that they would learn to want her.
“Why don’t they love me? I’m perfect for them.”
“I don’t know, Dina. They just don’t. Now put down the gun. Don’t make this any worse than it already is.”
She let out a sigh when Dina lowered the rifle. But her relief was gone in the next second when Dina jerked it back up and pointed it at her again.
“No, this isn’t right. Do you think I can stay in Lost Hills and watch you with them? I’m not going to live my life knowing they’re with someone else.” She lowered the barrel of the rifle, pointing the muzzle straight at Tony.
The wolves growled and took a step closer. Livi spread out her arms, telling them to halt. “Don’t do it, Dina.”
The last ounce of hope that Dina had held on to for so long was gone. Despair crumpled her features into a mask of pain. “I’m going to kill all of you. That way I won’t have to suffer.”
“And what will you tell everyone, Dina? Do you think they’ll forget that I was ever in Lost Hills? Do you think other people like my friends and my editor won’t come looking for me? And what about the men? Their friends won’t rest until they discover what happened to them. No, Dina, you can’t pull this off.”
A sneer lifted the corner of Dina’s mouth. “Ah, but that’s the good part. I won’t have to worry. I’ll kill them while they’re in their wolf bodies and blame hunters. Then, once they’re out of the way, I’ll shift and tear you apart. They’ll think the men killed you before they were shot.”
“No, Dina. I don’t believe you’re a killer.”
Madness glittered in Dina’s eyes. “Then you’re an even bigger fool than I thought. The more I think about it, the more I like it. I’m going to enjoy ripping the skin off your bones.”
“It won’t work. You can’t kill them all before one of them reaches you first.”
“Yes, I can. I’m a great markswoman. And they know it, too. I’ll lay them out before they get within two feet of me.”
Livi didn’t doubt a word that Dina had said. Yet they were going to die if they didn’t make a move. She let the tears she’d held back start to fall.
“Quit crying, bitch.” Dina thrust out her chin. “See? How could you ever choose such a pussy for your mate?”
“Just let me say good-bye to them. Please. Just one last hug.”
“Fuck no.”
Livi hated it, but she had to make it seem genuine. “Please. I’m begging you.”
Dina rolled her eyes. “Fine, but make it quick. I can’t be gone too long before my mom figures out that I’m not there.”
“Thank you.” Livi knelt down and wrapped her hands around Tony’s neck. The other two wolves crowded around her, nuzzling her, telling her that they loved her.
Hugging Tony as tightly as she could, she buried her face against his strong neck and put her mouth close to his ear. Hoping the other two could hear her, she whispered, “Get ready.”
Then, letting her arm drop as though to reach out to Eric who stood on the other side of Tony, she slid her palm along the ground.
Her hand closed around the snake. “Now.”
She stood up, flinging the snake from her as hard and as fast as she could. Dina saw it flying toward her and let out a shriek.
The wolves jumped into action, landing on top of Dina. The blast of the gun boomed.
“No!” Livi dashed toward the wolves. Nick lay on top of Dina as Tony and Eric got to their feet, snarling as they backed away, giving Livi room to reach Nick.
He shifted, his body still lying on top of Dina’s. By the time she grabbed his shoulders, fearful of what she would see once she pulled him away, he’d changed back into his human form. She could sense Tony and Eric shifting behind her.
Dina lay on her back, her eyes closed, but breathing. Blood flowed from just above her elbow and down her arm. “Oooh, you shot me.”
“You’re lucky you’re still alive.” Eric picked up the rifle and handed it to Livi. “Do you know how to use one of these?”
She’d only shot her gun once, but it was enough. “
Just point and pull the trigger, right?”
“That’ll do it. Hang on to it until we’re dressed.”
The men dressed quickly, leaving Livi to deal with the moaning Dina. She lifted the shirt away from the woman’s arm, holding the rifle in the crook of her arm, and saw that it was only a flesh wound. “It’s not bad and you’re not going to die. Just take it easy. We’ll get you into town as fast as we can.”
Eric took Livi’s arm and pulled her to her feet. “Let her be. She’ll heal fast enough.”
“She’s shot, Eric. We can’t just leave her. Here, take the gun and let me wrap something around her arm.”
“Look, Livi.” Nick took the rifle from her, then pointed at Dina’s arm. “See? It’s already healing. It’ll take a few more hours, but that’s a perk of being a shifter. We heal fast.”
Tony yanked her away from his brothers and pulled her into his arms. “Damn, baby. Worry about yourself first. Worry about us.”
“Fuck you! You’re going to pay for this!”
Livi pivoted around in time to see Dina lurch to her feet, stumble toward the edge of the clearing, then push her way into the brush.
“Don’t let her get away!” She tried to go after Dina, but Tony held her tightly against him.
“Don’t worry. We’ll find her again.” Eric took the gun from Nick, walked over to a tree, and swung it hard against the trunk. The rifle cracked into two ragged pieces.
Tony put his arm around her to steady her. “Come on, Liv. Let’s get you back to town.”
* * * *
The Parker men respected Livi’s request to not talk about their future. Too much had gone on and she needed time to think. They escorted her back to her camp, then packed her up. None of them spoke except when it was necessary.
As Eric loaded the last of her gear into the back of her car, she faced them, still unsure of what she wanted to do.
“It’s not that I don’t love you.”
They drew closer, intense expressions, hopeful expressions on their faces. “Then come back to the ranch with us.”
She ignored Nick’s outstretched hand. If she touched them, her mind wouldn’t work and she’d never sort anything out. “I can’t lie. I want to, but I have to get all this straight in my head.”
“It’s okay, Liv. Whenever you’re ready, just let us know.” As usual, Tony was the first to give her leeway.
“I will. I just don’t know how long that’ll take.”
“If it takes forever, we’ll still be waiting for you.”
It was the most romantic thing Eric could’ve said. “Okay, then. I’ll talk to you soon.”
“But, Livi, don’t you have questions?” Nick edged closer. “Like what it’s like to be our mate? Like about being a werewolf? About leaving your job? About having kids?”
She’d thought she was overwhelmed before, but he’d thrown more confusion at her. She hadn’t given any thought to what it would mean for her job or the possibility of having a family. “I can’t handle all that right now. The way I see it is this. I know what you are and I have to decide if I can live with that first. Please give me a little time.”
They didn’t speak again, but watched her as she got behind the wheel and started the engine. Putting the car into gear, she started down the road and glanced in the rearview mirror.
Was she leaving her future behind her?
Chapter Eleven
“Tell me what to do, Rae.” Livi lay back on the bed with the phone against her ear. For once, the cell phone reception was good.
“I can’t do that. This has to be your decision. But I’ve got to say, as far as I’m concerned, you’ve hit the jackpot. Not one, but three men want you. Wow. That’s f’ing amazing.”
Her best friend, Rae Barnes, was right. She’d ended up finding three perfect-for-her, wonderful men. But Rae could at least help her make her decision even without knowing what they were. She’d keep that secret to herself.
“Can I give up my job?”
“Oh, please, girl. You hate working for Bradley and other rag mags. Maybe this is your chance to fulfill your dream of owning your own studio. You could start small and see if the business takes off. I’m guessing it’ll be cheaper to do that in Lost Hills. Besides, I don’t think it’s the thought of losing your job that’s keeping you from making the choice to go or to stay.”
“You’re right.” She chewed on her bottom lip. “But what about the other thing?”
“You mean that they’re different? That they don’t live what people would call a ‘normal’ life? I could give you better advice if you’d tell me what that really meant. What are they? Survivalists or anarchists?”
She couldn’t tell her the truth. How could she tell anyone that the men she loved could change into wolves and other animals? “No. Nothing like that.”
“And you say you haven’t discussed the future? Things like having a family?”
“Not yet.”
“Then that’s what you should do. You need all the facts before choosing which way to go.”
“Yeah, I do.”
Silence filtered the air between them.
“I’m getting the feeling that the job and their weirdness, even having kids, isn’t going to matter as much as one thing.”
“And that is?” She’d known Rae would get to the nitty-gritty of the situation soon enough. That’s why Rae was the one she always called whenever she needed clear-headed advice. Never mind that Rae had moved to Nashville, Tennessee. They were still just as close as they’d been when Rae had tried making it big in L.A. as a singer-songwriter.
“Answer this without thinking, okay?”
It was a trick Rae had used many times before. “Okay. Shoot.”
“Do you love them, Livi? If push came to shove, would you trade your life for theirs?
“In a heartbeat.”
“Then you’ve got your answer. All the rest of it is just white noise.”
She was right again. Leave it to Rae to make her see what she had to do. “Thanks. I knew I could depend on you. Once again.”
Rae’s tinkling laugh brushed her ear. “And don’t you ever forget it, you hear? I expect to be fully compensated for this sage advice, got it?”
“Okay. What do you want?”
“I want you to bring those three hunks who stole your heart to Nashville and see me perform sometime. After all, your story has just inspired another soon-to-be-mega-hit song.”
“Consider it a done deal. And I won’t even ask for any royalties.” Livi smiled for one of the few times since leaving the men in the woods.
“Livi, could you please come downstairs?”
Livi heard Dorrie’s call from below and covered her phone. “Be down in a minute.” She lifted her hand. “Hey, I’ve got to run. But thanks again for listening.”
“No problem, girl. Be sure to let me know how it all turns out, okay?”
“Will do.” She ended the call then sat up on the edge of her bed. Her bags were packed and ready to be loaded into her car. Still, she hadn’t made the move to do so. The sadness that permeated her body had taken the strength from her legs.
Dorrie had greeted Livi upon her return, wringing her hands, pain and misery reflected in her body and eyes. Somehow news of Dina’s attempt to kill them had made it back to Lost Hills shortly after she’d returned to the B&B. Dorrie was obviously brokenhearted and worried about her daughter, and yet, although Livi had offered to leave right then, Dorrie had refused, begging her to stay a little longer. She couldn’t think why the woman wanted her to stay, but she hadn’t had the heart to refuse her.
Still, she made sure she had her gun in her backpack and kept her bedroom door locked.
Livi took a deep breath and headed for the stairs. She paused at the top, casting her gaze over Dorrie, Wyatt, and the Parker men standing at the bottom waiting for her. Going down the steps felt like it took a lifetime.
“Miss Brackin?” Wyatt tipped his hat, as before reminding her of an old
-time cowboy.
“Livi.”
“Right. Livi.”
He crooked his head toward Tony, Nick, and Eric who stood a foot behind him, but were no less intense than if they were standing right next to her. She hadn’t been apart from them for long, but the sensation of having them so close made her knees threaten to buckle. If she’d had any doubts about loving them, they were gone in that instant.
“I wanted you to know that Dina won’t be bothering you any longer.”
Dorrie gasped and clasped her hand to her throat. “Please. Where is she? She’s not answering my calls or texts. Is she all right?”
Wyatt turned his dark eyes toward the harried woman. “She’s fine. The wound wasn’t that bad. She’ll heal, you know that. Dorrie, I’m sorry to tell you this, but Dina’s been banned from Lost Hills.”
“Banned? In this day and age?” Maybe it was the wrong thing to say, but she couldn’t help it. She’d expected him to say that Dina had been arrested, not banned. “Is that like being shunned the way the Amish do?”
“In a way.”
Dorrie started to cry, making Livi feel horrible. Although she knew she wasn’t to blame, she still couldn’t shake the guilt eating at her. “This can’t be happening. Oh, my little girl. Where has she gone? Will I ever see her again?”
Livi tried to wrap her arms around Dorrie, but she pulled away, refusing the comfort. “I think maybe I should leave.”
Dorrie didn’t protest as she’d done before. Her sobs raked her body.
“Who made the decision to ban her?” She had so much to learn about her men and their way of life.
Eric stepped forward. “Wyatt, why don’t you take Dorrie into the kitchen and talk?”
Wyatt tipped his hat to her again, then took Dorrie’s elbow. “It was good to see that you’re all right, Livi. Dorrie, come along with me.”
Livi waited until Wyatt and Dorrie entered the kitchen then turned back to the men. “I thought there wasn’t any authority in town. Even if there were, how could she have had a trial, gotten convicted and sentenced in such a short time?”
Nick took her hand and forced her to come along with him into the living room. “Sit down, Livi.”
