Breanna

by Karen Nichols

  “I think maybe the incident in town…” unusual for him, Jase heaved a sigh of frustration. With himself. “I never wanted you exposed to idiots like that, Brea. I never knew I could love someone as strongly as what I feel now.” Brea lifted a hand, slim fingers stroking along his face tenderly.

  “I can handle people in town. I can handle their small minds and derisive tones.

  I can’t handle it if I lost either of you,” she whispered honestly. “I saw the sadness inside my grandfather. He loved her so much, he wouldn’t…maybe he couldn’t…heal.”

  “Our mate,” Jase whispered, kissing her again, their foreheads touching.

  Brea snuggled down on her stomach, thighs pressed tightly together and the lingering effects of their lovemaking coursing through her. As usual, one of them was draped over her shoulder, the other lay on his side, his face pressed to her throat. She was never cold, that’s for sure, she thought before drifting off to sleep. There was time 302

  to talk. Lots of tomorrows to talk.

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  Chapter 34

  But she dreamt of the villa high above the coast of Greece and soon found herself standing on the empty wide, bright patio. Bare foot, she looked down quickly, breathing a deep sigh of relief that she had the unconscious decency to put on clothing, a pair of cotton shorts and tank top.

  She stopped in the arched doorway, the glass doors wide and opening inward.

  She stepped onto the cooler tiles and wandered through the large open area.

  She loved the dark colors mixed with the stark whites. Doors opened in both directions, so she went to the left and found a huge kitchen, all stainless and shining.

  She wondered if her grandfather cooked. She saw a few cook books and opened one, laughing. It wasn’t in English. She put it neatly back in place and went in the other direction.

  To the right was another door, the wide patio stretching along the length of the gorgeous flat villa. An office, she realized. One wall built in shelves that housed easily hundreds of books. But it was the photos that drew her closer.

  There were some of her father when he was younger. One of him with her mother. And several of a woman she guessed was her grandmother. She had pale hair that was streaked from the sun, long and flowing. Brea felt the tears, unable to stop them when she saw the photo of her grandmother gently patting the small, swollen belly. She felt her knees weaken and slid to the floor. She could feel her emotions; she 304

  could feel the absolute joy, her own hands going to her stomach and resting there.

  Sullivan Moore returned to his home with a shocking jolt of powerful emotions.

  He shoved the door inward, long legs crossing and standing in the center of the huge open space only long enough to focus and turn to his office.

  Breanna!

  He went inside to find her curled into a small bundle on the floor, her shoulders moving and sobs ripping into him with a pain he’d never known before. He dropped down, gathered her against him and let her cry. He reached into her mind, felt the raging sadness, saw the photos she’d looked at and the sensations that were hers because of her genetics.

  Everything that Regana had felt, Breanna now experienced. It had been so long since he’d felt that powerful surge of love that came from the small woman now sobbing against him, her fingers curled around the edge of his suit coat.

  “Child….what am I to do with you?” His palm moved lightly down the free hanging, feathered hair, stroking soothingly, grateful the sounds had slowed.

  “I…I don’t know how to stop the emotions from things…..we’re working on shielding it….I’m learning….just not quickly enough,” Brea told him jaggedly, supping in gulps of air that were needed after a bad cry. “I’m sorry. She loved you so very much.

  She always wanted to do things to make you laugh.”

  “She always found a way,” he admitted softly, glancing at the photos and sighing.

  “I just wanted to see you. Talk to you…..I didn’t mean to intrude. Maybe I should ask for a cell phone number,” she sniffled and shuddered, pushing against his arms and 305

  accepting the white hanky he offered her. “Thank you. I forgot the time difference.”

  “Up, child, let’s find you something to drink. Are you hungry? I’m sure my housekeeper left food in the fridge for me,” he stood up, his hands helping her stand, those wide, red eyes his undoing.

  “I’m alright, thank you,” Brea straightened her shoulders and dragged in a long breath. “Better.”

  “Liar.”

  “I am,” she blustered, peering up at him.

  “Where did you vanish the other day?” He walked her toward the kitchen, pulling a high stool free and gesturing to it.

  Brea winced. “I kind of drifted in my office at the new shop. Jase and Nick…found me…..”

  “Ahh….your pets….and it disturbed them because they guessed where you’d gone.”

  “They are not my pets,” she waggled a finger at him. “And when you see them again, please don’t antagonize them,” but she smiled at the chuckle from him. He would enjoy antagonizing her mates as much as her father did. She sighed. Males were so difficult to understand sometimes.

  His palm went beneath her chin, tilting it up. “You love them. Deeply.” Brea could only nod.

  “Then it’s a grandfather’s task to make certain they are worthy of you,” he teased, winking and rewarded with a smile. He placed a glass of juice before her.

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  “Drink.”

  She did as he said, sighing. “Father says they’re after my blood. For spells.” Brea watched a pair of pale blue eyes darken considerably, his jaw set.

  “I should have realized that sooner myself. Believe me, child, I’ve made it known there won’t be a place for them to hide if you are harmed,” he informed her, a rigid control on emotions he’d kept contained for too many years.

  Brea set her elbows on the counter, her chin in the center.

  “I’ve got four guys bent on mayhem to protect me…..and I should be happy about that, or at least a little bit thrilled, but the thought of any of you being hurt because of me….” She stopped abruptly, her head back and eyes wide when he gripped her shoulders and jerked her forward, their noses touching.

  “I have your attention, child?” He waited until she nodded quickly. “Do not think to brook my patience where your safety is concerned. Perhaps your pets or your father tolerate your independent streak, but where this is concerned, there is a strict limit.

  Should you go against anything I say with regards to this, I promise you, you will be turned over my knee for punishment only a grandfather can administer. Have I made myself quite clear?”

  “Yes, sir,” Brea whispered fervently, finally breathing when he released her. She watched the color slowly replace the fathomless black in his eyes.

  “Do not launch into a lecture about females being capable of looking out for themselves,” he said in the silence, pacing over the floor and pulling his tie free with a savage pull. “It’s genetically ingrained in us to protect you.” 307

  “Yes, sir.”

  Pale lashes narrowed, his gaze on her steady. “You sound like your grandmother.”

  “But you loved her,” Brea said softly, grinning at him. “Even when she made you crazy.”

  “Especially then,” he admitted with a sigh, his head shaking. “What element do you possess, child?” He watched the animation instantly on her face.

  “Element?”

  “My son hasn’t taught you your heritage?”

  Brea heard the smallest growl in his words, her head shaking.

  “Mother has been teaching me hers. Someone tried to kill them…..about eight weeks ago, now,” she saw the surprise and concern in his eyes. “The police said it was a home invasion…..and then the house blew up. But they said they couldn’t find how the fire started. They only just….just found me again….I thought they were dead,” she hated that she couldn’t control the e
motions wafting through her and inhaled raggedly.

  “Anyway…..they said they were hiding, healing….and only had enough power to shield themselves until they were well again. Then they came for me. So I guess you could say he’s been a bit pre-occupied.”

  “I’ll find answers, child, I promise you,” he said through his teeth.

  Brea was positive she saw a hint of fangs but didn’t want to whine about it.

  “People just got weird in our little town,” she shrugged, blinking when he took her palm and tugged gently.

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  “Come out on the patio,” he led her to the open space, out away from the villa to the rails. He held his hand out away from him, palm up. He looked from the small ball of flame bouncing in the center to the wide eyes watching it. “You have an element.

  Put your palm out and think of fire, just as this is….” He waited and watched.

  Nothing happened.

  “Maybe I’m not….” Her head shook slightly.

  “Think of earth, child. There are five elements to consider,” he told her sternly.

  “Now try air….” He waited, watching but felt nothing and saw nothing. “Water, child.” Brea felt her eyes go bigger, a small ball of water forming in the center of her palm. It grew to the size of a tennis ball before she felt her palm on her face, pulling her attention from her palm. She stared into his eyes.

  “If you do not focus, you’ll be beneath the water, child. Control the size. Think about what you want it to be…make it smaller…..good, good…..” he nodded, satisfied at her ability to control her element so far.

  Sullivan Moore sat alone on the patio two hours later, staring out into the waters of the sea far below. She was an apt student, eager and so very much like her grandmother. He shoved against the chair and went to his home office. There were things he wanted answers to and he wouldn’t find them dressed as a respectable business man. But he would have answers.

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  Chapter 35

  Brea couldn’t remember ever sleeping better. She was warmed on both sides, and the occasional straying palm made her giggle in her sleep. She dreamt of the villa on the coast and throwing bursts of water at the stone walls, laughing and learning.

  Occasionally one of them curled around her and she sighed, snuggling down and drifting deeper. Maybe because of her visit to her grandfather, she was more tired, golden lashes blinking and trying to clear the sleep blur so she could see the clock.

  Definitely past wakeup time, she thought, stretching and wiggling back against the palm on her behind.

  Then two hands tightened on her ass, keeping her from moving.

  “Where do you think you’re going?” Jase’s gravely, sleep filled voice rippled next to her right shoulder.

  Brea lifted her head, palms brushing the hair aside and elbows propping her up.

  “Wanna see what I learned?” She whispered like a kid at a sleep over. She listened to two deep groans but felt them turn their faces toward the center.

  She held both palm up, out in front of her and grinned at the golf ball sized bundles of water swirling there, one in each palm. Carefully, she rolled to her back, keeping her palms up and eyes focused on her game.

  A loud squeal echoed in the room when a palm came from both sides and 310

  cupped a breast with a teasing tweak of her nipples.

  Her focus went out the window and the water bubbles spilled down on her.

  “That was…..different,” Nick laughed, wiping at the water that splattered over them all.

  “I think I’ll go make some breakfast. I have orders to confirm and a couple ovens to see installed,” Brea shoved hands out of the way, and swiped her palm over her face.

  “It seemed to work better earlier,” she mumbled, ignoring their laughter.

  “And should we ask where that skill came from?” Nick shoved his legs over the side, stretching and reaching for the pants he worn the night before crawling into bed.

  “Grandfather. He thinks you make good pets,” she tossed over her shoulder, gathering up clothes and straightening the room, laughing at the growls behind her. “I think he’s a little like my father….tormenting you both will become a hobby.”

  “Did she just say…..” Nick gaped at the closed door.

  “She sure as hell did,” Jase sighed and took his clothing toward one of the empty bathrooms.

  Brea had plates of cut up fruit, fresh coffee, tea and French toast on the table when her mother and father came in the kitchen door.

  “You two look so cute together,” Brea went and hugged them both, waving them at the table. “Oh! Look what I learned!”

  She held up her palms and repeated her trick, giggling at the balancing little balls of water in her palms. She knew Nick and Jase had come into the kitchen from the main room and stood behind her, watching.

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  “Figures she’s a water elemental,” Rey said, pouring himself coffee and sipping gratefully. “Had to run that child down buck naked on her way to the ocean every other day once she learned to walk.”

  “That’s a nice visual,” Nick murmured, reaching for a plate and some of the thick, coated French toast.

  “Is it too impossible to ask you let us know before you go visit him?” Jase phrased his question carefully. He and Nick had talked about it. They knew they wouldn’t be able to stop her, hell they couldn’t even follow her.

  “No,” she looked up at him when he came behind her, his mouth down softly on hers for a brief few seconds.

  “Sweet,” he teased, reaching for a large mug for his coffee.

  “I just don’t always know it’s going to happen. He showed me his house the other day,” she announced excitedly, busy finishing cooking and unaware of the paled features on her parents. “It’s a marvelous villa overlooking to Aegean Sea. All white and huge rooms. He has pictures of you when you were little….and pictures of grandmother,” she said, her voice falling off. “He didn’t know you’d been attacked and he’s very angry about it.”

  Rey sighed thickly, pouring more coffee.

  “That’s not going to be good for someone,” he said, his head shaking. “My father was never one to let people slide.”

  “Why haven’t you talked to him?” Brea waited, her head tipped and eyes wide.

  “You’re both so stubborn….and he wonders who I take after,” she slammed the cabinet 312

  and stormed from the room.

  “Rey, if Brea is right and…..we’ve blamed him for things that weren’t his fault,” Hannah whispered, agony in her tone.

  “Brea is convinced that a lot was done using his name,” Nick said quietly, weighing whether or not to involve himself in the family issue until he met Jase’s expression. This was their family now.

  “This isn’t….”

  “Don’t go there,” Jase said flatly. “If it hurts her, it hurts us. Can you honestly look into either of their eyes and tell me it’s not our business? Trust me, being called Brea’s fucking pet isn’t my idea of fun, but she loves the old man.”

  “And somehow….being our daughter….she’s managed to get through a wall he’s thrown up for years.” Hannah said softly.

  “You have our numbers if you need anything, Hannah,” Nick stood and followed Jase from the room, the sound of papers and briefcases clicking heard before the front door opened and closed.

  Neither of them was surprised to see Brea waiting in the front seat of the SUV, her own case on her lap and a pair of sunglasses on her face. They exchanged looks.

  She’d never worn glasses before and they had a suspicion why.

  “I’m making lunch…..new stove…I’ll let you know when it’s finished,” she told them with a deceptively perky smile before disappearing into her shop.

  They could hear her chatter through the open doors, the workmen answering and laughing at something she said.

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  “Explain to me again why she’s pissed at us?” Jase tossed his case to the to
p of his desk and glared at the calmer Nick.

  “I don’t think she is,” Nick grinned. “Go over and tell her you forgot to kiss her and ask….she talks readily enough. I think she’s just…..plotting,” he saw the momentary panic in Jase’s eyes. “Yeah, my thoughts exactly.”

  “Be back in a few,” Jase decided maybe he needed just a little sample of their mate.

  He walked into the shop, instantly aware that the workmen looked at him with just a little suspicion.

  “Stores not open, buddy,” one of the older, large men told him, taking a step toward him as if to stop him. “You need to leave.”

  “You going to make me?” Jase asked, his tone level. For the moment. Then Brea came around the corner from what he guessed was a store room. She wore an apron and smelled like coffee and sugar. “Hey, babe. Something I can help with?”

  “Jase, yes, in here,” she snagged his palm and gave a little tug without even noticing the territorial battle that had been about to start. Brea stood at the side and gestured to a couple boxes the delivery people had put up too high. “I wasn’t here when my supplies were delivered and I don’t have a ladder yet. Would you put them on the floor for me? Please?”

  Jase stepped forward, easily lifting the four cartons to the floor, one of them making him frown, it was that heavy. Then he continued stepping forward, boxing her into the corner.

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  “Nice storage room,” he murmured, leaning into her and licking along her throat.

  “You taste like coffee and sugar,” he nibbled and bit until her fingers were curled into the front of his shirt.

  “Jase,” Brea shoved her hands into his hair, pulling his mouth to hers. It never stopped amazing her how having one or both of them near had a serious effect on the sex kitten in her. “Goodness…..did I forget to tell you good bye?” She teased, thinking of their rule of making certain they always said good bye when one of them left. She thought it was sweet and corny and even funny.

  “Actually….you stormed off like you were pissed at us,” Jase wasn’t interested in subtle. If something needed fixed, he had to know what it was first.