Claiming His Bride

by MINK

  “Can we do this in the kitchen?” I ask. I’m a little smitten with how much everybody enjoyed my cake. I’m going to try to make another one.

  “Clearly, I would go anywhere to ask you questions.”

  I laugh and pull the door open to leave. I don’t even step foot out of our bedroom before Diego grabs me and turns me around to claim my mouth.

  Without a word, he turns me back around and smacks me on the ass as if giving me the approval to go now. I let out another laugh. I’m sure many would find Diego’s caveman tendencies too much, but I know he’s only teasing with those little actions. Something I don’t think he’s ever really done in his life. I’m all too happy to be a part of it. I enjoy the fact that he can let his guard down around me.

  “Is the world going to be losing Aurora Davenport? This place feels like people come here to stay,” she says as we make our way toward the kitchen.

  I notice she’s looking around at everything. I stop walking immediately. “This place is off the record. It’s not to be disclosed in anything you write about me. The men here are off the record, also.”

  “I got the memo about that one already.”

  I’m guessing one of the men told her that they’d be showing up at her doorstep if she uttered a word about this place. I’d be right there with them. I’m quickly feeling like this is my home too. That these people are becoming my family. I’ve been catching myself already calling Diego’s bedroom mine or ours.

  When we make it to the kitchen, I notice she’s still looking all around and not asking me anything yet. Or maybe she’s looking for someone rather than taking in the lodge.

  “Tiernan looks familiar, but I can’t place him.” That wasn’t a question at all. It wasn’t even a statement about me. “Is he always so on edge and growly?”

  I pop back out of the pantry I just entered with my hands full of ingredients. Daphne is now sitting on the counter with her legs swinging.

  “He’s actually the funny one around here.” If we’re picking titles for each of the men, he’s definitely class clown.

  “I’d help, but everything I make in the kitchen usually ends up tasting terrible. I’ve even been known to ruin that noodle in a cup thing.”

  “How about I make the cake, and you ask your questions?” If she wants to bring Kingston down, I’m all for it. As much as I love that my Diego would do anything for me, I don’t want him to get hurt because of me. I don’t want anyone else here to get hurt either, for that matter.

  On that note, I decide to respond to the statement she said earlier. I don’t have plans to go anywhere. I’m already home.

  12

  Diego

  When Aurora is gone, I get itchy. So I stride out of our room and force myself to keep walking past the kitchen where Aurora and Daphne are chatting and laughing.

  I need to check the perimeter. Though we took care of the threats that were encroaching, I can still feel that something isn’t right. Someone else is out there. Or maybe I’m just being extra cautious. Either way, I need to walk the grounds and check for intruders.

  I grab my coat and boots and slide my knit cap over my hair. With my rifle slung over my shoulder, I make my way out into the snowy wonderland.

  Snow isn’t my favorite. Mostly because it can hinder getting a kill shot. The glare and the weird things the sunlight does on snow’s surface can really screw with a marksman like me. But I’ve managed before. If I need to make a kill shot, I can still get it done even if the snow is practically blinding.

  I walk the upper edge of the property closest to the house. There’s already a small trail through the snow. Tiernan, no doubt. He gets antsy and comes out here to walk. I’ve noticed he’s been doing it even more since Daphne showed up. That red hair and inquisitive mind seem to be giving him fits. Good. He needs some excitement.

  When I hear the scuff of feet in the snow, I stop. Scanning the treeline, I wait for something to move. When nothing does, I pull my rifle and peer through my scope, the special coating on the lens sharpening every trunk, every shadow, and every piece of sky.

  Something moves, and I still, my finger not on the trigger yet, but flirting with it. I keep my eye on a large fir tree several yards into the woods. Breathing out slowly, I focus on it, my heartbeat slowing, my body relaxing. Years of training have resulted in me becoming a killing machine. Instead of adrenaline pumping into my system, it’s dopamine. I’m smooth, calm, languid as I wait for my kill shot. No jumping muscles or racing heartbeats to offset my aim.

  That’s what Aurora doesn’t really know about me. The pieces of my past that made me who I am. The brutality of my training, the things I’ve done. But when I told her, she didn’t seem scared. I’m sure if I gave her gritty details, that might change, but even so, I still feel nearly certain that she wouldn’t stop looking at me with big, adoring eyes.

  Movement pulls me from my thoughts, and I can hear a scuffling noise. I finally rest my finger on the trigger as a shape emerges from behind the tree.

  “Fuck,” I bite the word out and drop my rifle, then sling it over my shoulder again. “Damn it, Leonard, find some other tree to scratch your ass on,” I grumble at the big, fluffy lynx and keep walking the property.

  When I’ve done the entire circuit and am back at the fortified rear door, I stop and look out into the whiteness around me.

  I don’t see anything.

  I don’t hear anything but the wind soughing through the icy trees.

  But I can feel it.

  Danger is out there waiting. Not for me, but for my songbird. And I need to deal with it before it’s too late.

  My phone vibrates with a message right as I reach for the door. When I open it and read my contact’s information, my blood turns to ice, and a wicked smile turns my lips.

  “Wait. You’re going somewhere?” Aurora looks at me with alarm as I power through another piece of her delectable cake.

  “No.” I shake my head. “Just into Frozen Falls. I’ll be gone a few hours, tops.”

  “Why?” She licks the icing from her fingertips, giving me so many ideas.

  “I need to check in with my contacts around town.”

  “Just Zoom them.” She shrugs.

  I lean over and kiss the shell of her ear. “These aren’t Zoom conversations, songbird.”

  “Oh.” She shivers, and I love the goosebumps that erupt along her arm.

  I kiss her shoulder. “You’ll be safe here.”

  “I want to come with you.” She looks up at me with those big, trusting eyes.

  “I know. And one day soon we’ll go to Frozen Falls together. But for now, I need to do some things. Bad things.”

  “How bad?” She arches a brow.

  “The worst.” I pull her into my arms and lick the icing off the bottom of her lip. “I’m going to solve your Kent Kingston problem.”

  She pulls back. “How?”

  “First, I’m going to make sure there isn’t anyone else lurking to try and hurt you. If there is, I’ll handle them.” I don’t feel the need to elaborate on just how bloody that ‘handling’ will be. “And then I’m going to take out the source.”

  “Kent?”

  I nod.

  “But he’s coked out somewhere, probably in a penthouse surrounded by prostitutes or something like that.”

  “He’s in Frozen Falls.” I look up as Tiernan strides in. Though he’s wearing a button-down and jeans, I can tell he’s armed to the teeth. “Tiernan and I are going to town to take care of Kent. You’ll stay here where it’s safe. And when I get back, we’ll celebrate.”

  “Hopefully with more cake.” Tiernan eyes the empty cake plate.

  “I don’t like it.” She presses her palms to my cheeks. “He’s got security out the wazoo, and he’s a bad person, Diego. Rotten on the inside. He’s been stalking me for so long that I think maybe I’ve grown kind of numb to how awful he is, but don’t underestimate him.”

  “I’m not.” I kiss her palms. “I gen
erally wouldn’t take backup for something like this, but I’m taking Tiernan. All because I want you to feel comfortable that I’ll be safe. All right?”

  “Yeah, Diego works alone,” Tiernan chimes in and presses his finger into the crumbs left on the plate. “I was kind of shocked when he asked for backup.”

  She nibbles her bottom lip, the one still swollen from my kisses.

  “I can handle myself, songbird.” I kiss her forehead. “I promise.”

  She lets out a long breath. “Do you promise you’ll come back?”

  I’ve never made promises. Not about coming back, or being there for someone, or anything that could mean something. But with Aurora, I want my promise to bind me, to bring me right back to the woman who owns my heart and soul.

  “I promise, Aurora, I will come back to you.” I kiss her. “I love you.”

  Her eyes water instantly, and she flings her arms around my neck. “I love you, too.”

  “Really?” Tiernan lifts a brow.

  I growl at him.

  He holds his hands up. “Hey, I was kidding. Of course she loves you. You’re perfect for each other.”

  “We really are.” She giggles through her happy tears. “You’re everything I never knew I wanted.”

  “You’re a gift I will never deserve, but I promise I’ll do everything in my power to make you happy.”

  “You already do,” she whispers and hugs me tight.

  Tiernan excuses himself as we continue our embrace.

  When she lets up and meets my eyes again, I kiss her. Hard. Like it’s the last time. Like it’s the first time. I want her to keep this kiss on her lips as I leave to slay her demons.

  And then? Once I’ve left a crater where Kent Kingston stood, I’ll come right back to my songbird and claim her so fiercely that she will never doubt my devotion.

  After all, I promised.

  13

  Aurora

  I hate that I worry over Diego. It’s not that I don’t have faith that he can handle himself. I’m just new to this whole thing. At least he took Tiernan with him. The thought of Diego getting even a little scratch because of me is what worries me the most. His life has been filled with so much darkness already that I don’t want to add more to it. When it comes to me, I only want there to be light and sweetness.

  With that said, I’ve never hated Kent more than I do at this moment. He needs to be handled. I know going through the normal channels won’t work when it comes to him. I also know that if he’s not bothering me, his focus might shift to someone else. That person might not have the means to protect herself or be blessed to have a Diego in her life to take care of it. I mean, taking Kent out is best for womankind. That’s how I have to think of this situation.

  “So…” Daphne says, getting my attention. I hadn't seen her come into the kitchen. I was debating what I should make everyone for dinner tonight. Cooking will help keep my mind off Diego for a while. Or maybe not, because I’m pretty sure I’ve just been standing here this whole time thinking about him.

  “What?” I look over at her. She’s now dressed in black pants and a black hoodie. Her red hair is pulled tight in a high ponytail.

  “Don’t you think we should follow after them?”

  “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.” I think Diego would be upset if I left the lodge, but Daphne’s idea is rather tempting.

  She leans over, elbows on the island. “If anyone can calm Kent down, it would be you.”

  “He’s trying to kill me.”

  “No, he wants to kill you so that no one else can have you. But if you’re there when things get bad, maybe you could step in.”

  “And what? Offer myself up to him?”

  “No.” Daphne's shoulders drop. She shakes her head. “I just thought if Kent walks away from this alive, it’d be less of a spotlight on this place. But never mind. It was a stupid idea.” She starts to turn around to leave.

  “Wait!” I shout.

  She stops.

  “You’re still going, aren't you?” I ask her.

  “I’m sorry. I was baiting you, but when you said the offer yourself up thing, I realized what I was really asking you to do. You shouldn't go. Kent really is dangerous.”

  “But you’re still going to go.” It’s not a question. Her outfit says it all.

  “It’s kind of my thing. You know, the whole snooping around thing. Plus, I kind of want to watch Kent get what’s coming to him. He’s vile.”

  I make up my mind. “I’m coming.”

  “No, you’re not. You’re not offering yourself up to him.”

  She turns, trying to leave again. I grab her arm and stop her. “If you don’t let me come, then I’ll alert the others to what you’re doing.”

  “They can’t make me stay here,” she says almost petulantly.

  I give her a look. One that says the men around here do whatever they think the right thing is. In the blink of an eye they’d kidnap her for a few hours to keep us safe if they thought she was going to do something dangerous.

  She sighs and looks me up and down. “Change your shirt.”

  Good call. It’s bright pink and unmissable. I take off toward my room and grab a black sweater before I pull boots on. We’d packed winter stuff when we expected to stay in Frozen Falls. I grab a pair of gloves too before I run back to the kitchen.

  “That was fast.” Even as she says that, she begins to head to the door. I follow behind her, trying to keep up. If we want to get out of here, we’re going to have to be quick and stick together. She already looks like she has a plan in place.

  We enter a large garage. “Get in that Jeep.” She points at it. The thing is massive and has chains on the tires. She said ‘get in’ as if it will be easy. It’s so high off the ground I’ll have to climb up to get in.

  “I’m driving, but you start it up,” she says before she tosses the keys my way. I catch them mid air, then do as she asks. The Jeep is already facing outward. In fact, all of the vehicles seem to be.

  I turn back to watch as Daphne hits a button and takes off running toward the Jeep. She jumps in, and I realize she opened the garage door. As soon as it’s open enough for her to get out, she wastes no time in doing so. She guns it like someone is hot on our trail.

  “I'm not sure if there is an alert that goes off when the door is opened.” She shrugs.

  Charles and Barrow would have stopped us both if they knew what we were up to. The massive Jeep pushes through the snow as we head toward Frozen Falls.

  “How will we find them?”

  “Frozen Falls isn't that big.” True. I bet anything she knows everything there is to know about Frozen Falls and has memorized it. When we finally hit what I think is a real road, I make a loud sigh of relief. I hear Daphne make one, too.

  “Were you even sure you’d make it this far?”

  “Nope. I figured the worst that could happen would be that we got stuck, and they would have to come and save us.”

  “Been there. Done that,” I joke. It’s either that or panic.

  Daphne is so confident. I would’ve thought that she and Bells might bump heads, but Bells is the one who thought Daphne was on our side. I think I agree, especially after Daphne tried to get me not to come. Either way, Bells is going to murder us both when she finds out about this. Clover might frown me to death. It won’t be pretty.

  “Rescued by four interesting, handsome, shadowy men. Look how well that ended for you.”

  I smirk. “Good point.”

  “And Tiernan. He’s got enough interesting to last a lifetime. So many stories all rolled up into one man.”

  “I guess we’re all lucky to have wound up at the lodge.” I’ve found my home. With the way Daphne keeps bringing up Tiernan, I wonder if that’s part of the reason why she wanted to venture into Frozen Falls. I have a feeling this is about more than the story. In fact, this might be where her story begins.

  14

  Diego

  We pull up outside Ma
udie’s Town House, the only ‘hotel’ Frozen Falls has to offer. It’s a large Georgian colonial that burned in 1901 and was rebuilt as an exact replica. For decades, it was a brothel and rooming house. Now it’s a fancy place to stay. Frozen Falls is full of interesting facts like that. I suppose all old towns are.

  I stow my musings as I make sure my pistols are secure. A car drives past slowly, and I give it a long look. But it’s just a local. Now that the roads are clear in town, more people are moving around. All the better for us, since we won’t be noticed.

  “I’ve been waiting for something like this.” Tiernan practically beams as he checks his knives. “Hand to hand under the radar. God, yes. A challenge.”

  “The guys outside the lodge weren’t enough for you?”

  “Too easy.” He shrugs and peers up at the house. “This takes skill.”

  “Hope we’re not rusty.” I grit my teeth as I think about the asshole who’s holed up in Maudie’s.

  “Not a chance.” He throws a knife, misses the roof of the truck by only a hair’s breadth, and catches it with fluid ease. “We’re killing this guy, right?”

  I turn to him, my blood chilling as I settle my heart rate and ready myself for what needs to be done. “We’ll be heading back to the lodge with his body.”

  His grin grows. “I knew coming with you was a good idea.”

  I grunt a laugh and open the truck door, then jump down to the street. It’s still icy in patches, and snow is piled on the curb. Stepping over it, I meet Tiernan on the sidewalk. He gives me a nod, and then we split up. Given the fact he’s not a terrifying giant, he’ll take the front door while I head around to the back.