by Lisa Oliver
“We should have brought the pram,” Darwin whispered. “We could have used the bar at the front as a battering ram and knocked some ankles.”
“Then people think they can handle the babies.” Simon shuddered. It was bad enough having the twins in slings. He’d never known the townspeople to be so nosy. Simon could handle most people and was getting adept at shielding his little ones, but when Mrs. Hooper got right in his face, demanding to see the town’s newest residents, he found himself meekly undoing the sling and handing Thomas over. He couldn’t believe the softening of Mrs. Hooper’s face when she examined first Thomas and then Sebastian. But as soon as she relinquished them, she disappeared with nothing more than a sniff and a “they’ll do.”
“How much longer is this going to take?” Simon noticed Darwin was shuffling around, rocking Sebastian who was starting to fuss. He was about to mention that he’d never attended a local election before, when an official from the Shifter Council strode onto the stage.
“I’ll make this brief.” The man’s gaze quieted everyone in the room. “The results of the Arrowtown elections for the position of Mayor and Sheriff are as follows. There were two contenders for the Mayoral position. Harold Quincy received thirty-seven votes. Ra King received four hundred and seventy-six votes meaning Ra King is the new Mayor of Arrowtown effective immediately.”
“You did it, babe,” Seth squealed and threw his arms around Ra who looked stunned as the crowd went wild. Simon didn’t know why his friend was so surprised. Instead of putting up billboards and grandstanding, Ra visited every registered voter in Arrowtown. He took the time to drink tea, coffee or beer, listened to people’s concerns and what they wanted to have happen for their little town. He took notes and assured everyone he’d do whatever was possible to make things right. Not that there was a lot wrong, but having simple things like a crossing near the school and two new lights in the main street at night…Ra took the time to hear every complaint and concern. Something Quincy never bothered to do.
And now Ra was mayor. As much as Simon knew Ra would do a good job, he could see a lot more work coming up for him in the future. Ra’s attention span when it came to paperwork wasn’t the best. Like any tiger, he was easily distracted. Simon made a mental note to keep him on track as best he could.
“Attention. Attention please.” The council representative tapped on the microphone. “Please. Hold your applause until I’ve finished.” The crowd all quieted down and Simon noticed Mal holding Rocky’s hand. “Now, for the position of sheriff, there were two candidates; the existing sheriff Robert Quincy and Rocky, no listed surname. Mr. Quincy received twenty-four votes and Rocky received four hundred….” His last words were drowned out as Rocky let out a huge whoop and a holler, jumping up and down with Mal like a couple of school kids in a puddle.
“We did it, we did it.” Ra and a lot of Cam’s regulars were all pushing forward. Simon grabbed Darwin and pulled him back against the wall, shielding his mate and their twins with his bulk. It was a madhouse and showed no signs of stopping until the council representative blew a loud whistle.
“One more thing, and then I’ll leave you to your celebrations,” he said when everyone settled down. “These appointments are final and no debate will be entered into for either position. As with any shifter town, if someone has an issue with these results they are free to leave this town, request transfer to another shifter town or make their own arrangements. This election and voting were conducted under the authority of the Shifter Council and as such the entire population of Arrowtown is bound to accept the authority of these positions and the people holding them. Failure to do so will relate in charges laid and those people removed from the town.”
From the sounds of the results, Simon didn’t think anyone but Quincy and his cronies were going to object and they weren’t likely to stay in town long anyway. He started looking for an easy way to get through the crowd. Thomas was still sleeping, which was a miracle in itself, but Sebastian was agitated and Darwin had his thumb in the little one’s mouth, giving him something to suck on. However, the council member had one more thing to say.
“Is Simon the snake shifter lawyer present?” Simon looked around to see everyone looking at him curiously. He slowly held up his hand. “Come up here please.”
“Here, let me,” Darwin said as Simon carefully undid the catches of Thomas’s sling.
“I’ve got him,” Brutus hurried forward and carefully took the sleeping Thomas from Simon’s chest. He immediately felt cold, but he knew his baby was in safe hands. Jumping up on the stage, he shook hands with the representative, wondering why he’d been singled out. His heart sank as he had a horrible thought. Had Lenin’s death finally caught up with them? Nah, surely not. He’d have heard something about it by now and besides, the council wouldn’t call him up on stage to arrest him.
“I wanted to congratulate you on your handling of the class action lawsuit against former Sheriff Quincy and the ex-Mayor. The council considered your demands and reviewed all of the evidence; your friends are excellent dancers I might add,” Simon felt his cheeks heat up. “In light of the numerous statements and copious video evidence offered….”
“People videoed us dancing?” Seth yelled from the audience.
“A lot of them did,” the council member smiled. “You men have nothing to be embarrassed about. However, as I was saying, in light of the evidence and the careless disregard shown for public safety by the sheriff and by extension the mayor who signed the warrant it is the finding of the council that all assets of the Quincy family will be seized immediately and sold by the council, the proceeds of which will be disbursed among the plaintiffs. Simon, you won your case.” He’d barely finished speaking before the crowd erupted again. It was just as well the town hall roof was solid.
All Simon wanted to do was get back to Darwin who was beaming at him proudly from the wall by the side of the stage, but he was stopped at every turn. People shaking his hand, letting them know how proud they were of him. A few were worried about his fees while others wondered what type of settlement they’d get. It was no secret that Quincy and his family owned a lot of land.
Promising he’d get back to them the following day, Simon pushed and wiggled his way back to his mate only to be stopped by Ra just as he got there. “You have to come and see my new office,” Ra said, barely able to contain his excitement. “I know the babies need feeding but there’ll be somewhere there you can do it. Come on. You helped me win, you all have to come and see where I’ll be working from now on.”
Taking Thomas from Brutus, who didn’t seem keen on giving him up at all, Simon nodded. He sure hoped the twins didn’t think there was this much excitement going on every day. He just wanted to go home and cuddle up with his mate and babies and try and snatch a few winks.
~~~~/
“It’s not as though I’m flopping a boob out,” Darwin snapped at Ra as the tiger led them into his new office. “I just need to find a microwave…oh. Hello, who are you and more to the point, what are you doing in here?” His eyes widened as the woman, who’d been splayed in a very seductive manner across a huge desk, hurriedly grabbed her coat and wrapped it around her naked form.
“What are you doing here more like?” She had sass at least. “Mayor Quincy will be here shortly. I’m here to give him my present. It’s our way of celebrating his election win.”
“Quincy lost, babe and believe me, I’m not looking for the sort of present you would give Quincy.” Ra strode in. Even in his biker gear, he still exuded power.
“You’re the new mayor?” The young woman’s eyebrows disappeared under her curls. “Well, I must say this is an improvement. If you want to get rid of your friends, I can share the present with you. They can stay if you insist,” she shrugged her coat off her slim shoulders revealing gravity defying breasts, “but it will cost you extra.”
“Cost me…,” Ra spluttered but Seth walked right up to her and settled her coat so she was covered
again.
“What’s your name?”
“Mary Beth. Or is it Mary Sue. Hmm. I should have made a note of what Quincy prefers, but no matter. You can call me baby.”
“You can call a cab, go back to your car or wiggle your nose and fly out of here for all I care, but you’re not staying here.” Darwin didn’t realize Seth had an ounce of anger in him, but it seemed where his mate was concerned, he had a spine of steel.
“But…but….” Tears welled out of perfect baby blue eyes, but Darwin could see them for what they were. He knew he’d seen her somewhere before and finally put a name to the face.
“Crocodile tears will get you nowhere, Jenny. It is Jenny, isn’t it? From the Cat Club in Jackson?” He grinned as a look of recognition flashed across the young lady’s face.
“Ravishing Rider? Is that you? What the hell?” She took in the baby sling, the tote bag full of diapers and bottles and in particular the way Simon stood behind him, probably wearing his menacing face. “You used to be an exotic dancer.”
“And now I’m a daddy and true mated. So, tell me, what the hell is a nice girl like you doing with a guy like Quincy?”
“I’m his personal secretary. I have an apartment and a lovely car and I’ve had a regular paycheck for the past four years.” She looked around the office. “Or at least I did. Did you mean it, when you said he lost the election? He’s not the mayor anymore?”
“’Fraid not, Jenny. My friend Ra is the new mayor and that tall guy over there, he’s the new sheriff so watch your tongue. Looks like your free ride is over.” Darwin felt sorry for the young woman, but she was a shifter and quick on her feet. She wouldn’t stay single for long.
“Free ride?” she huffed, sliding off the desk and flashing her legs which were worth looking at. “I deserved every cent I got, putting up with that old fart, panting and sweating over me every chance he got. I could have charged him double and it still wouldn’t have been enough.”
“I hope you’ve managed to put some aside for a rainy day,” Darwin shook his head. “Because believe me there’s a storm coming.”
“If you’d like to come along with me, miss, I’d like to talk to you about your relationship with the ex-mayor and in particular the origin of the funds you’ve received for your…er…services.” Rocky stepped forward and grabbed her gently by the arm. “Why don’t we go to my new office and we can talk about it.”
“I’m not in any trouble, am I?” Jenny sent Darwin a worried look.
“No, sweetheart, just go with the sheriff and he’ll take care of everything. Who knows, you might get a reward for your information. I’m sure the sheriff’s office has a fund for that somewhere in their budget.”
“If they do, I bet you anything you like Connie got it. She had the same arrangement with that ugly sheriff…” Following Rocky out of the office, Darwin could still hear her complaining all the way down the hall.
“At least you know where you’ll find the money for the new street lights and crossing for the school now, babe. From the sounds of things, the hooker fund will more than pay for it,” Seth said brightly as he jumped into Quincy’s…now Ra’s chair. “I think I could get to like this being a mayor thing,” he said as he swung the chair around.
“Where’s a freaking microwave?” Darwin asked, suddenly tired of politics. Looking down he noticed Sebastian had fallen asleep again but he wouldn’t be settled for long. “Unless you want to spend your first day as mayor soothing starving babies, find me a way of heating up these bottles.”
“I think the mayor’s busy, babe,” Simon nodded at where Ra and Seth were making out in the office chair. “I’m sure there must be a canteen around here somewhere.”
“I think I’ll head home,” Brutus said throwing a bemused look at Ra and Seth. “This political shit’s made me hungry.”
“Yeah, we might head over to the sheriff’s office. Mal might need a hand keeping Rocky’s exuberance under control,” Lucien laughed.
“Hmm, maybe Deputy Joe will let me play with his handcuffs or maybe even his baton.” Liam’s laugh was hollow compared to Lucien’s, but Darwin could tell the man was trying. Although, teasing a local deputy about sex might not be the best way to get over an absent mate.
Darwin vowed to have another go at talking to Liam later that evening. The kindly lion seemed to love the babies’ bedtime routine and now Thomas and Sebastian had arrived he seemed to want to share his cuddles equally with all five children in the house. At least that’s what Darwin suspected when he found Liam in the nursery feeding Sebastian at three o’clock in the morning.
“Come on, little dudes,” Darwin peered around Simon’s arm to see Thomas looking up at him with bright blue eyes. “Take a look around before we go; one day this seat of power could all be yours.”
“Minus the hookers,” Simon growled as he led them out of the room. Darwin shrugged and wisely kept his smirk to himself. Simon was already proving to be the most protective of parents but if he thought he could hide two shifter boys from sex? Oh well, they had a few years yet before Simon had to worry about things like that.
Chapter Thirty-Six
“Annabelle, no, put them down. Seth!” Darwin yelled as he watched Annabelle sitting on the floor, her chubby legs stuck out in front of her, her little finger waving around in circles as Sebastian and Thomas floated around the living room in a pale blue haze.
Seth came running in, slapping his hand over his mouth. Darwin glared. “My babies are floating,” he said with a growl. “Not a week old and they are floating around the living room. I left them in their crib in the nursery. I damn near had a heart attack when I saw they were gone. Get them down.”
“I could tempt her with a biscuit, but then…she might drop them.” Seth was struggling to hide the pride on his face as he watched his daughter. “You know, she’s very advanced for her age.”
“Drop them?” Darwin watched, his head spinning in time with the floating babies. There was no way he could catch them both at once. “Can’t you get them down?”
“Well, I could, I suppose.” Seth scrunched up his nose. “It’s just, I don’t really use my magic. I haven’t been trained and I’m always worried I will f…get something wrong.”
“Then how is Annabelle doing this?”
“Natural talent?” Seth shrugged.
“For stealing?” Darwin tried to curb his anger. He was still trying to get over the shock of seeing his babies in midair. But it wasn’t Seth’s fault, even if the rabbit wasn’t sure whether to laugh or clap at his daughter’s antics. “They were in their beds. They’re still asleep, although they won’t be for long. What happens if they wake up?”
“I’m sure Annabelle was just curious. She did the same thing to Michael and Sage a few weeks ago, although they were all in the same room that time.”
“How did you get them down?” Darwin had seen Ra in the kitchen with Michael and Sage when he was doing his mad baby hunt.
“Annabelle fell asleep and her brothers just sort of floated down.” Seth held out his hands. “I’m really sorry. I know you must have got an awful fright. But you have to admit they look really peaceful sleeping in the air. They are gorgeous babies.”
“Flattery won’t get you anywhere,” Darwin grumped although there was no malice in his tone. Seth had every right to be proud. Annabelle was only ten months old and her concentration skills were mind boggling. Today she was dressed in cute denim overalls, with a pretty pink t-shirt underneath. She looked adorable, her eyes wide with wonder as she watched the babies move around.
“She’s due for a nap soon,” Seth said helpfully.
“And we all know how much she doesn’t like taking a nap.” Darwin edged around the ‘magic circle’ and sat on the couch. “I think the pair of you should seriously find someone to train you on your magical abilities.”
“Annabelle told me, you know, back when I died.” Darwin heard the story of Seth’s birthing experiences when he first arrived in Arrowtown, “S
he said I just needed to think it and it would happen.”
“So, if you imagined Ra standing in front of you in a toga, you could make that happen?” Darwin was intrigued.
“Shall I give it a try?” Seth giggled.
“Hang on.” Darwin got up and scooted over to the kitchen door and peeked in. Ra had Michael and Sage in their high chairs and was making coffee.
“The boys are in their high chairs. You should be okay.”
“I really shouldn’t.” Seth was busting with excitement.
“Hey, worse that happens is it doesn’t work.” Darwin grinned. “Make it a short toga.”
“You’re not eyeing my mate’s legs,” Seth slapped him on the shoulder. He closed his eyes and Darwin watched as a blue glow, similar to the one surrounding Annabelle and the boys appeared all over Seth’s skin. Seconds later Ra appeared dressed in a short cream toga with a green wreath of some kind plastered on his head still holding a mug of coffee.
“Oops, I was going for something manlier,” Seth laughed as Ra roared, “what the hell?” Looking down at his lack of pants.
“Seth was just experimenting,” Darwin explained quickly. “He has to find ways of dealing with Annabelle.” He pointed at the baby who grinned and opened her arms wide, causing Thomas and Sebastian to drift to the edge of the room. “She moved them out of their crib.”
“Just grab hold of them,” Ra’s look of retribution had Seth dissolving into giggles again. “I’ve learned the magic glow doesn’t hurt you if you touch it and it disappears once Annabelle’s distracted with something else.” He reached for Sebastian, who was the closest and Annabelle waved one hand, sending the baby to the other side of the room, laughing her head off.
“Daddy play,” she burbled.
“Daddy’s not playing, darling,” Ra huffed as a sweep of Annabelle’s pudgy fingers pushed Sebastian out of his reach. “These little ones need to be in their beds, sweetie.”
“You go for Thomas while she’s distracted,” Seth whispered.
