by Evans, Bryce
“And we are capable of taking care of ourselves and you too. You are our mate and that will not go away. My clan will protect you just like Jonas’s pack will and you’re not leaving,” Reece advised as he stood up straight, daring her to say she was going to leave.
River narrowed her eyes at the arrogant man. “I’m not leaving… Well I can damn well leave if I want too,” River blurted out.
“Then we will follow you,” Jonas added, trying to calm his mate down before she got out of control again. Reece seemed to get her started.
The nerve she had just evaporated. “You can’t do that. He will try to kill you too,” River replied anxiously. Her hands started to shake thinking about Paddock killing all of her new friends.
“River, you have no idea who you are talking about. We are Alphas and stronger than the average vampire and werewolf. Plus, Paddock tucked his scared ass between his legs and ran when he knew I was going to kill him,” Reece confided as his face hardened, thinking about River getting hurt.
“Let’s just see what happens and let us get to know you. Are you not tired of running? Don’t you want a place to call home? We can give you that,” Jonas pleaded.
River looked at Jonas then at Reece. More than anything, she wanted a place to call home. She wanted friends and a job she didn’t have to leave every week or month. She felt a strong attraction to these two men, but it wasn’t enough to get them hurt. She tensed at the thoughts running wild in her head. She could see it in their faces that they meant what they said, but River didn’t know if she would forgive herself if something happened to any of them.
“You don’t know how tired I am. I’m scared all the time and I never get to relax and just enjoy life. My whole life has been about surviving and that is all I know. I won’t let him have me. I…” River explained with tears pooling in her eyes. She wanted to believe what they were saying, but taking a chance may cost them their lives.
Reece and Jonas surrounded River on both sides. “River, it is time to make a stand, darling. Trust us to care for you and protect you,” Jonas urged River as he put his hand on hers.
She could see the concern in their eyes. They both seem to care about me, but why. They were the sexiest men she had ever seen. She couldn’t help but stare at the two men. Both were alike in some ways but so different. Jonas was the sweet, calm one who smiled and winked at her all the time. He was also built like a brick wall. He looked like he was an outdoorsman with his skin golden where he had been out in the sun. He had to be about six foot three. She could see his muscles through his shirt as he moved. He was strong with zero body fat. She wouldn’t mind seeing what he looked like with his shirt off—or his pants either. It was instinct as River let her gaze travel lower but the table stopped her as she looked up and found his eyes with lust in them. She licked her lips just thinking about the man naked. All she wanted to do was play with his hair. It was a light brown color that curled over his ears like a little boy’s would. He had hazel color eyes that sparkled when he smiled at you. River couldn’t help smiling back at him when he looked at her. He always had a grin on his face and a twinkle in his eyes.
Now Reece. He was as tall as Jonas but had leaner muscles, like a runner. He appeared more sophisticated, like a man who dealt with business but she could tell just how dangerous Reece Ramsey could be. His eyes were as blue as the sea. Vibrant as he glared at you. As Jonas smiled a lot, Reece didn’t smile at all. He was simply gorgeous with his brutish looks. His hair was a golden brown color that he kept shorter then Jonas. She could see Reece’s lips were fuller and oh how she liked how he kissed too.
Both of these men burned her up inside. She could tell they wanted to eat her up, and she felt the same way. But River didn’t know what to do. She didn’t want to bring danger to her new friends.
Two men, River couldn’t grasp that idea either. She looked up then back down at the floor trying to wrap her mind around the idea of two men at the same time. What would people think of me? What the hell are you thinking about them anyway? You have to run before you lead them to Ash and these men. Plus Reece is a vampire, you know the kind that sucks all of your blood, and Jonas may look innocent but he turns into a werewolf and who knows if he will leave any scraps of your body once he changes.
“I can see that pretty little head of yours spinning. Listen, baby, we can take care of you. I will put the guards on protection detail and will notify some friends who would love to get their hands on Paddock. He needs to be stopped before he brings too much attention to us. I will call the Council and inform them of what is going on. They may have already been notified but they don’t know who it is causing all the trouble. Now that we can put it together with your story, they will act on this,” Reece explained as he smiled at her for the first time.
Taking a deep breath, River still felt concerned about bringing the danger to these people but she knew she had to stop running sometime. River wanted it to be here. She loved it and she would have a job and a place to live. She still wasn’t so sure about Jonas and Reece, but…could she do this? Could she stop running and actually have a life.
“River, what are you thinking?” Ash asked.
River blinked as she looked up at Ash. “I have been running for so long that I don’t know how to stop. I’m so scared that I will bring this idiot to your front door, I want to take off just so he doesn’t follow me here,” River whispered in response.
“We will follow you, River, so danger will be with us too,” Reece’s voice softened as he spoke. River could tell that Reece was used to people doing what he said when he ordered them too. But she wasn’t a follower and she knew that would only cause trouble for him. He would eventually tire of her. She wasn’t a submissive person who would take orders.
“Hey, I have an idea. Let Reece contact the Council and see if the unit can catch this vampire. We need to find out if they have been watching this. Paddock needs to be stopped like you said before he brings too much attention to us,” Ash offered up a plan that she knew the Council would jump on. If the local police or the FBI captured this vampire then they would all be in jeopardy of humans finding out.
“I’ll be right back to make the call to the Council.” Reece smiled then jumped up from his seat and went to make the call. Jonas grinned and winked at River when she looked up at him.
“So what do you say, River? Because I have a lot of stuff to do and I will need your help,” asked Ash.
River needed to respond and blew out a deep breath and nodded. “Okay, I will give it a try.”
She knew that Ash wanted something permanent but River needed to be honest with her. She couldn’t promise anything long-term. These people had been great to her and she felt that she owed them to at least try.
“This is all I can do, Ash. I’m sorry. I want to see how this turns out but I’m so scared. I want this job. I really do. I will work hard for you and give you my all, but if I feel like he is getting close then I will leave. I can’t promise you forever.”
“Okay great.” River grinned as Ash continued to talk like she was going to stay here forever. “Well, we have a meeting in a little while so we need to get everything prepared for it. Let’s eat and then go and get the paperwork ready for the Alphas.”
River nodded then looked over at Jonas who was still staring at her. Her body went still as Jonas picked her hand up and kissed it. She gasped as she felt her body heat up again as he lightly brushed his lips over her hand. I will not let him do this. I can’t take it if he kisses me again. I lose myself. Damn it, River told herself as she straightened her back then moved her hand away from Jonas. Putting her hand in her lap, River needed to get some things straight with him. They needed some ground rules.
“I said I would try and that is all I can do. I’m not sure about this mate thing either. Please don’t pressure me about this. This was a lot to take in today. I don’t think I can handle much more,” River pleaded with Jonas to understand that she was human and wanted to slow ever
ything down.
“Baby, I don’t want to put any more pressure on you. I just hope you will give us a chance.” Short and sweet was how he put it. She didn’t need any pressure from him.
“I just want to feel normal for the first time in my life. I want this job and I hope you are all telling me the truth because I want to stop running. I really do and that is all I can promise.” River watched as Jonas nodded his head, agreeing to her terms.
Jonas wanted to touch her and hold her hand but she was guarding herself. He would allow her to get comfortable with him before he kissed her again. At least he hoped his wolf would give her that. He wanted to throw her over his shoulder and run away with her so he could be alone with her.
The waitress took the opportunity to bring their food to the table. River was hungry after everything this morning and she needed to eat and regain her energy. The food looked fabulous as she eyed the eggs and sausage like she was a starved animal. River closed her eyes as the aroma of the food made her stomach growl. She didn’t hesitate as she dug into the food without speaking to Jonas or Ash.
Jonas and Ash watched River eat. They looked up at each other knowing this girl had starved probably most of her life. Jonas could tell as she never looked up but continued to feast on her food. She made cute sounds, as she tasted each new food on her plate.
Reece returned after they had finished their breakfast to inform the group that this would be their first case. He was right when he stated the Vampire Council had been looking into these murders. “When people are found dead and drained of their blood it kinda gets their attention.” Reece smirked. Paddock Reed was now going to be investigated by the new unit. He will finally get his chance to get his revenge for his sister and her mate. “Paddock Reed has terrorized you far too long and it is going to stop.”
“What is the name of the unit?” River asked, trying to change the subject.
“Well we don’t know yet. We have been trying to come up with some names and when we get together with the Alphas that will be one of the things we are going to discuss,” Ash advised.
Jonas watched as Reece stared at River. He could see that it was making her nervous. He would talk to her when Ash and River left the table. This would affect both of them. She was human and he never expected to be mated with a human, much less sharing her with a vampire. He liked Reece and hoped they would be able to come together and share her. She was already fighting anything and everything he proposed. They would need to show her how good it could be for her here.
Jonas needed to discuss it with him about their future together. He had Kammy and Kerra to think about too. His life was changing more now that his mate had come into his life. Where would they live? How they were going to protect her? All these questions plagued Jonas.
“Are you ready, River?” Ash asked as she got up from the table.
“Yes, ma’am,” River smiled thrilled she finally had a job that she was going to enjoy. She couldn’t wait to dive into the computer and show Ash her skills. Getting up from the table she could see Jonas and Reece watching her every move. It made her nervous as Reece watched her intensely. His intense gaze made her quiver between her legs. His eyes were unreadable as she glanced back at him. The man was sex on a stick; except he wasn’t a man and if anyone could scare her to death it was a vampire. She needed to get control of her fear if she wanted to get along with everyone. She was letting her past dictate her life and she was ready to move on and start living. Today she was going to try to put the fear away and enjoy her life right now. She didn’t want to make any long-term plans or dream about ‘what if’. She was going to live in the moment.
Reece was going to ask questions about where they would be going when he glanced over at Jonas. He was shaking his head. Reece took that to mean he shouldn’t say anything. Reece and Jonas got up when River stood.
“We are going down to the meeting room to work,” Ash informed everyone as she stared at the two men. Reece let out a breath knowing that he wanted to know where his mate would be. Reece nodded and watched as River and Ash walked out of the dining room. River turned around and glanced back at the two men as she followed Ash out of the room.
*****
Reece sat back down in the chair. She was his woman and he had to share her. His attraction to her was heightened every time he looked at her or smelled her scent. She was a beautiful woman and he got hard when he looked at her. He tried to control the urge when he was around her but it was no use. There was something about her that made him crazy. He could feel that it increased when he touched her. He could smell her blood and it drove him wild. He could taste it on his lips slipping down his throat as he smelled her scent. Never had a person’s blood made him feel this way. Reece wondered if it was the mating pull or if it really was her blood. He didn’t want to have anything in common with Paddock Reed, but he knew he needed to speak to Levi and see if she was having the same effect on him.
Jonas watched as Reece looked off thinking hard about something. “Look, I know you want a mate by yourself, so do I, but the fates have brought us together. Apparently she needs two Alphas to protect her. She is that special. I understand—”
“I can smell her blood,” Reece blurted out.
“What?” Jonas asked surprised. He stared at Reece like he had a third head.
Reece put his hands in his head then answered. “I can smell her blood and it calls to me. Something about her blood is driving me crazy. I don’t’ know what it is,” Reece whispered.
Jonas’s whole demeanor changed hearing how River’s blood affected him. “Are you telling me that you will drain her if you get a taste of her?” Reece’s head snapped up, growling at Jonas.
“Hell no. Why would you say that?” asked Reece angrily.
“You just told me that you can smell her blood and that it calls to you. How the hell do you want me to take that?” Jonas snapped as he leaned forward toward Reece.
“I…I really don’t know what I mean. I know she is my mate but her blood calls to me like I need to taste it and have it in me. Somehow she is special and now I’m wondering if it is a vampire thing and her blood is special to vampires or if it is just me. I…don’t think, shit, I don’t know what I think anymore. I need Levi to be around her so I can figure out if it is just me or if it is all vampires.” Reece knew Jonas was taking this the wrong way. He could see the protection mode crossing his face. No longer was Jonas smiling. His face tightened like he was fighting the change.
Jonas never said anything further but got up and left the room. Reece blew out his breath knowing now he would have to make Jonas understand that he would never hurt his mate, but he couldn’t explain the part about her blood. He needed to call Levi and let him see River to see if he feels the same way. He trusted Levi not to try anything with her. Right now his emotions were jumping all over the place. He wanted to be patient, but her scent made him want to mate. This had never happened to him before. Most females he had been with smelled good, but River’s scent made his body kick into high gear. Her blood did call to him, but that was something new and he needed to get control of it before Jonas took his head off—and he wouldn’t blame him.
Chapter Eight
Ash showed River the paperwork they needed to prepare for the Alphas explaining the goals and duties of the unit. All the paperwork had been prepared earlier about the members’ pay and benefits, which were out of this world. The Alphas had gotten together with the Vampire Council and worked out a number for each member including the Commander of the unit. They wanted the members to be happy with the unit and making the amount of money more desirable was what kept the members happy and more likely to stay. She would jump up and down and stand on her head for this type of money. Jonas had been decided by the Alphas and Vampire Council to be the Commander. He would lead the group from case to case. Their base of operation would be housed out of the Lodge’s basement. Members could live at the lodge for free or buy a house near the lodge or in town.
“How long have you been able to see shifters animals inside them?” Ash asked River as she probed further into her life.
Ash watched as River sighed. She had stopped filling the envelopes and glanced back at her. “Well, it wasn’t until I met Paddock and then it seemed that everywhere I went I could see shifters. It scared the shit out of me. I ran over a little lady in the grocery store when I saw a wolf sitting inside a man. It freaked me out at first. Then I got used to it, I guess.”
“I will say that your gift is super cool, but I also know it had to freak you out when you found out there were shifters and vampires in the world,” Ash remarked as she started filling the envelopes again. She didn’t push River into talking about her life so she let the moment fade with no conversation. She knew River would speak when she felt like it.
River cleared her throat. “Before, I was just going through life thinking that my life was normal and boring, but when I met Paddock and found out that he was a vampire, my life became crazy and out of control. Now I don’t know what normal is anymore. Running all the time has made me miserable. I can smell vampires when they come in the places I work. That’s not normal, Ash. When I see a shifter, I can see the animal inside them sitting there waiting for their turn to come out. They look at me and follow my actions. Don’t you think that’s strange?” River asked. She knew she sounded crazy now. She could feel the goose bumps come up on her arm as she spoke about her life.
“No, I don’t, River. You have a gift and you have to keep thinking that it is. If you let your thoughts run wild with you, then it will only drive you crazy. It’s a gift so keep thinking that way. Okay?” Ash said.
River nodded not knowing if she could believe it or not. This so-called gift could get her killed or in the nut house crazy.
“I wonder what else you can do. It seems when you met Paddock it triggered something in you. Most of the time people with your gifts have more powers. I guess that is how you would say something like that,” Ash asked River as she continued to put the paperwork in the big envelopes.
