by Faith Gibson
“Since Tuesday. I wanted to hit the beach, but I didn’t have a vehicle to carry the longboard.”
“So you went and bought a Jeep.” It wasn’t a question. She didn’t know what it would be like to go buy something just because you wanted it.
Michael reached for her hand, entwining their fingers. “Yes. I’ve already explained that I have amassed quite a fortune over the years. That money is now yours, even if you never accept the mate bond. As soon as I found out we were mates, I had the paperwork drawn up that names you as my sole beneficiary. Like I told Desi, I’m not going to try to buy your love. Instead, I will spend the rest of my days earning it. Showing you I deserve it. But if something were to ever happen to me, it’s all yours.”
Rae was speechless. That was the total opposite of what one would expect from a relationship with someone who had loads of money. Instead of a prenuptial agreement stating she didn’t get but so much of his net worth should their relationship fail, he was offering it all to her. Then again, he would more than likely outlive her by many, many years. Still...
“I know you love black, so why did you get white?” she asked, getting back to the subject of his ride. She already knew the answer, but she wanted to hear him say it.
“Because it’s what you would have chosen had you been with me.” He lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed her knuckles. God, how she had missed having contact with someone, even the simple things like holding hands or a chaste kiss. Sitting next to him was heaven, but when he touched her, she was ready to climb across the console and straddle his lap, driving be damned. It was a good thing Desi was following them, or she’d be asking him to pull over.
“Rae.” Oh, god. He was feeling it, too. The way his voice dropped when he wanted her was such a turn on. Not that she wasn’t already turned on enough. Once she decided back in her bedroom to give their relationship a chance, it was like a switch had been flipped. Images of a naked Michael were all she could manage to think about.
“Where are you taking Desi to fly?” Changing the subject seemed like a good idea. “Is there anywhere you won’t be seen?”
“We have a secluded area we use for training. It’s surrounded on all sides by trees. He won’t get to fly very high, but he’ll get a feel for what he’s been missing. I’m taking a big chance, but I cannot let our son go on any longer without knowing what it feels like to use his wings as they were intended.”
She couldn’t wait to see both her men with their wings in action. The bright lights of the city got dimmer, and soon they were pulling off the pavement onto a gravel drive. If you didn’t know it was there, you would miss it. The driveway was more of a path the farther along they drove. When they arrived at a security gate, Michael said, “Desirae Rothchild Gentry” into the speaker. The gate swung open, allowing them to pass through.
“That was my name. Well, sort of. Why is that your password?”
Michael didn’t answer immediately. He kept his eyes on their surroundings until they were in an open field. When he shut the vehicle off, he turned to her and admitted, “Because I pray to all that is holy that will be your name sooner rather than later.”
Chapter Sixteen
Desi’s body was humming. The same intense adrenaline that pumped through his veins right before he stepped on stage was now coursing through him. He was finally going to fly. He’d never tried to even lift himself off the ground, afraid someone would see him. Rarely did he call forth his wings, even when the shifter within begged him to do so. Now that he knew what he was, some of the feelings he’d had over the last year made sense. Most of the time, he felt as though he’d been sucked into a vortex leading to an alternate reality. Today, that feeling was intensified a hundred times over. He had met his father. His father, who was a badass Gargoyle.
Desi wasn’t a monster. Not an Unholy like he’d feared in the beginning. He was a half-blood Gargoyle, and instead of being scared, he was fucking stoked! He had a family waiting for him with open arms, like his father had done. It was all Desi could do to keep his shit together when Michael held his arm out for him in his mom’s bedroom.
He had waited his whole life for that moment. It had been so much more than he’d ever dreamed it could be. Even though his mom had told him what a stand-up guy Michael had been during the few months they dated, he still dreaded meeting the man. He was afraid he would have turned into an old dead-beat asshole over the years. His fears were quickly abated when he watched the way Michael was around Desirae. Mate bond or not, there was no doubt of Michael’s feelings. When his mom retreated to her bedroom, Desi thought Michael was having a heart attack. When his father asked him to go check on his mother, he knew then the reason for Michael’s distress. He could also feel his mother’s torment. If he could feel it so deeply being only her son, he couldn’t imagine what her mate was going through.
Ultimately, it was his mom’s decision on whether or not she would give Michael another chance, but Desi couldn’t have been happier when he felt her sadness wash away to be replaced with hope. He hated telling her of his feelings growing up without a father, but it was something she needed to hear. Something he had held back all those years. If Michael had never reentered their lives, he would have kept it all to himself. But now that his father was back, Desi wanted the chance at a relationship with him. If he proved to be unworthy of their love, then at least Desi could say he tried. He had a feeling that wasn’t going to happen. He didn’t have to hear the words to know that Michael loved them both.
He angled out of the rental car and hurried to where his parents were waiting. God, that sounded weird. His parents. Maybe he shouldn’t be so excited at having both a mom and dad now. He was a grown man, for fuck’s sake. Even if Michael hadn’t been a Gargoyle, Desi would still have been excited at the prospect of finally having a father figure. “So, how does this work?” he asked the man who looked more like his brother than father.
“How often do you phase?”
“Fully? Hardly ever. In the year since I’ve transitioned, I’ve called out my wings twice.”
“I would imagine you don’t have a lot of alone time or anywhere you can let yourself go freely.” Michael removed his t-shirt and tossed it in the seat of the Jeep. Desi did the same, remembering the shredded shirt from the first time his wings broke through.
“Even though this place is fairly secluded, we can’t risk flying as high as you’d probably like. Let’s try to keep it below the tree lines, okay?”
“I can do that.” Desi’s shifter was vibrating inside. It knew what was coming, and it was ready. Michael’s wings appeared behind his back. Desi gasped. Even though he had expected to see his father as a Gargoyle, the sight before him was astonishing. Michael’s face took on a sharper edge. He still appeared human, only with something... more. Desi now knew what he looked like when his wings were spread out behind him. He took a deep breath and transitioned. The first time had been beyond excruciating. This time it happened as naturally as taking a breath.
Michael bent his knees, and with one thrust of his wings, was airborne. Desi remained firmly planted as his father circled in the air above. “Your turn. Don’t think about it. Let your shifter take over.”
“That’s easy for you to say, Old Man,” Desi muttered lovingly, but did as instructed. He closed his eyes and imagined himself lifting off. His wings beat easily, the wind blowing his hair over his shoulders. Desi opened his eyes and couldn’t stop the grin that stretched across his face. “I’m fucking flying!” he shouted, laughing.
Michael circled around and came up beside him, returning his smile. “Easy as breathing.” His father got a little fancy, swooping down in front of Desirae. The breeze from his wing tousled her hair.
“That’s so not fair,” she yelled up at them. Desi continued soaring low, making sure to stay below the treetops as Michael had requested. His father landed in front of his mother. “You want to fly with me, Doll?”
“Yes,” she whispered. Desi was still g
etting used to his sensitive hearing.
Michael placed one arm around her waist and the other under her knees and instructed, “Hang on.” When her arms were wrapped around his neck, Michael launched himself back into the sky, carrying Desirae as if she didn’t weigh anything. Desi smiled as his mom squealed like a little girl riding a roller coaster for the first time. Desi focused on his own experience, knowing it would be a long while before he had the opportunity to fly again.
Never had Desi felt as free as he did when he had his wings stretched out behind him. He felt alive when he was on stage in front of thousands of people. What was happening now was a different type of rush. This right here was finding the real Desmond Rothchild. The one he was destined to be. Music was his passion. This... this was his soul.
For the first time in his long life, Sixx felt complete. Even though he’d missed out on so much of Desi’s life, his son accepted him as his father. The hesitation in Rae was there just below the surface, but now that Desi was on board with Sixx being back in his life, he prayed Rae would let go of the lingering doubt. Flying with his family had been so simple, yet it touched him deeper than anything ever had. If Desi didn’t have to get up early for the drive north, he probably would have flown all night. Since he needed rest, they headed back to Sixx’s home after taking to the skies for a couple of hours.
Once again, Uri’s rental was missing from the driveway. Sixx didn’t mind, though. The Norseman and his best friend needed this time alone to get their friendship back on track. It also meant Sixx had the house to himself with his family. Family. Rarely did he think about that concept in terms other than the Clan. Now, it was all he could think about.
Sixx left the garage door open so Desi could enter the house through the side door with them. “Uri has one of the guest bedrooms, but you’re welcome to any of the others. Or, if you prefer, you can stay in the guest house. I haven’t been down there since I arrived Monday, but it should be fully stocked.”
“Since I’m only here for one night, I’ll just crash upstairs.” Desi took his overnight bag and headed up the steps after Sixx told him where the bedrooms were.
“I’ll be right back.” Sixx had brought all of the flowers from Rae’s house. He handed her the first one he sent and instructed, “Put this wherever you want it.” He placed the second one on the table in the kitchen, and he held onto the orchid as he picked up her bags. He carried both to his bedroom with Rae now following. “Uh, Michael? I thought you said the guest bedrooms were upstairs.”
“I did.”
“Then where are you taking my things?”
“Rae.” He wasn’t about to let her spend their first night together apart. He entered his room and placed the orchid on the dresser before striding to the large walk-in closet, where he deposited her bags just inside the door. “If you think for one second you’re sleeping in a guest room, you’re wrong.” She was standing with her mouth open, hands on her hips. He closed the distance between them and picked her up. She had no choice but to wrap her legs around his waist with his hands spread under her ass. “This is your bedroom. Our bedroom. You are home, Doll. If you don’t like this house, we’ll find something else you do like, but from here on out, we’re together. Now that I’ve got you back in my life, I’m never letting go.” Sixx wanted to get down to business – the business of getting her naked and burying himself balls deep inside her stunning body – but he wanted to make sure Desi was settled first. Instead of tossing her onto the bed and climbing on top of her, he placed a chaste kiss to her lips. Firm yet gentle.
“Let’s go check on our son.” He placed her on her feet and grabbed her hand, leading her back the way they came. When they reached the kitchen, Desi had his head in the refrigerator.
“Mind if I fix a sandwich? All that flying made me hungry.”
“This is your home now, Desi. There’s only one rule. Call before you show up. I’d hate for you to see something that might scar you for life.”
Rae slapped Sixx on the arm. “Michael!”
Desi cringed. “Yeah, that’s an image best left behind closed doors. I know how I got here, but it’s not something I want to think about.” He returned to digging through the refrigerator.
“Let’s step outside,” Sixx suggested to his mate. He could never get enough of the warm California breezes. He left the patio door open so as not to shut Desi out of the conversation. Rae placed her hands on the railing, and Sixx stepped up behind her. He wrapped his arms around her, enclosing her hands in his. “Gods, Rae. This is perfect. I know we only have Desi for one night, but you have no idea how long I’ve dreamed of this moment.”
“Probably about as long as I have.” She leaned her head back against his chest, and he placed a kiss on top of her head. She still smelled like orange blossoms and sunshine after all these years. Inhaling deeply, he drew her essence into his nostrils, allowing her scent to wash over him.
“Did you just sniff my mother?” Desi asked as he sat his plate down on the table.
“I sure did. When we find your mate, you’ll embed her scent in your mind as well.” Rae laughed gently and shook her head. Desi ate his sandwich, and Sixx enjoyed just being in that moment with his mate and their son.
A few minutes later, Sixx’s phone pinged, alerting him to a text. When he opened it, Julian had good news. Found Desi’s mate. Simone Campbell, costume designer. Was in California. Now in New York.
Sixx thumbed out a response. Address? Phone number?
Coming to you now.
Thanks, Julian
“We found your mate. I should say Julian found your mate – Simone Campbell. She’s a costume designer.” His phone pinged again, this time a photo was attached. Sixx turned it around and showed Desi.
“Holy crap. She looks just like the picture mom drew. Pretty Momma, you and I are going to have a little chat about why you kept your art from me,” Desi chastised. The drawing couldn’t have been more exact if a police sketch artist had drawn it. “I remember her now. Her hair’s different than when we met, but it’s definitely her. When the band decided to go with the whole horror theme for our stage show, the label brought in both set and costume designers.
“I don’t remember seeing her before I transitioned, but if she’s my mate, I must have been around her at some point. The one time she and I were together wasn’t pretty. She kept insisting I use the same fangs that were used on the set of a vampire movie. Said they were more realistic than the ones I’d been using. I wasn’t in a very good place then. I was still trying to figure out what the hell was wrong with me, and she was not helping my mood. I may have allowed my real fangs to slide out. I also may have hissed at her. She was not happy with my attitude, and she stayed away from me after that. I remember being turned on at her feistiness. At least, that’s what I thought it was.”
Sixx had to admit his son’s mate was a looker. The woman in the photo had at least one black parent. Her curly hair was a gorgeous honey color that complimented her lighter skin. “If you’ll give me your number, I’ll forward the information Julian sent. It’s up to you on whether or not you want to find her.” Desi rattled off his phone number, and Sixx stored it in his contacts.
“I’ll need to think about it. You said Julian isn’t reaching out to his mate because of the shit that’s going down with the Greek. Are others staying away from their mates, too?”
“No. There are only a few of us blessed to find our mates so far, but Julian is the only one holding out. We would rather have our families close to us so that we can protect them. Katherine, Julian’s mate, is a news reporter. If she were my mate, I’d snatch her up so fast it’d make her head spin.”
Rae’s body language went from interested in their conversation to pissed off in two point five seconds. He thought back over what he said and realized she was jealous. He smiled on the inside, thankful his mate didn’t want him thinking about claiming anyone else. “That came out wrong. I’d snatch her up to keep her safe. She’s not my type
, Rae. She’s a mouthy little redhead that looks for trouble so she’ll have the next big story.”
“I didn’t say a word,” Rae huffed, crossing her arms over her chest.
“Didn’t have to, Pretty Momma. I already told you that we Gargoyles have built-in mood detectors. You can’t lie to us and get away with it,” Desi explained.
Sixx was going to enjoy getting to know his son. He was so proud of the man Desi had already become in such a short time. Now, he was accepting his place as a half-blood. “He’s right. While some of us, like Dante, have special abilities, all of us are able to gauge moods and emotions.”
“So next time you run to your room crying, just remember, he’s feeling it, too.” Desi thumbed at Sixx. His son wasn’t wrong. When Sixx thought Rae was kicking him out of her life for good, his heart felt not only his own pain, but hers as well. It was the worst feeling he’d ever been subjected to.
“Oh, god, Michael. I’m sorry. I...”
“Shhh. Come here.” Without thinking, he pulled her to his chest and wrapped his arms around her. His shifter rammed into him like a rock fan in a mosh pit. He bounced off and came right back at him. Calm down, fucker. We’ll get there, but not right now. “I don’t ever want you to try to hide your emotions from me. That would be worse than you being truthful. Look at me, Rae.” When she leaned back so she could look up at him, he said, “The truth is important. We’ve already lost too much valuable time because I couldn’t tell you the truth. No more. That goes for you too, Desi. I want all of us to promise to always be honest with each other.”
Desi stood from the table grabbing his now empty plate. “I’m good with that. What say you, Pretty Momma?”
“I say I can live with that.”
“Good. Now, I have to get up early to drive back for the show, so I’m going to leave you two crazy kids to it. Michael, I’m sorry I can’t spend more time with you seeing we just met and all, but the show must go on.” Desi gave him a set of devil horns.
