“What do you and the Alpha believe?” Jay asked.
“Darryl and I think another species is showing an interest in our territory, attempting to get us to leave.”
“What kind of species?”
“We’re not sure, but we’ve found some unusual tracks and a foreign substance that…um…smells odd.”
“Would you like us to take a look?” I asked, my internal cheetah slashing his tail in excitement.
She scanned us again, finally making up her mind. “Yes. Do you charge a flat rate or by the hour?”
Jay had spoken to Uncle Aaron’s lawyer about what we should charge, as well as having him fax over a binding contract if we were actually hired. Ms. Turner didn’t flinch when I told her the amount of our retainer, mentioning the hourly fee we charged when out in the field and the slightly lower in-house fee. Researching in front of a computer was not the same as digging through evidence, and being reasonable with our prices would only ratchet up business. At least I hoped so.
I pulled out our fresh-off-the-printer standard contract, filling in the blanks with the pertinent info and signing, then sliding it to Staci for her signature. We gave a business email address as the only way to contact us. “I’m afraid we’ve just moved to this area, and we’re working with a real estate firm on finding an appropriate office.”
We signed, arranging to meet with her in three days on the island.
I held the door and she nodded in amusement, but this time around she was the one to extend her hand. Before she left, she moved a little closer. “I’m putting my trust in you and your company, and in that spirit I’m going to offer up some advice. The next time you meet with a client, wear something more businesslike.” She winked. “See you in three days.” I paid the check and we headed for the door, anxious to see if Ivy had gotten along all right with Samson.
IVY
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
I’d changed back into my bathing suit, wandering to a spot along the pier’s railing that had the best view of the coming sunset. Even though it was getting toward the late afternoon, the sun was still warm, and there was a breeze that ruffled my hair, cooling my neck. Samson was on his rear legs, his front paws on the railing next to me, checking out the pelicans diving for fish in the distance. Wiggly Butt and I had come to an understanding. He wouldn’t growl or drool on my feet and I’d continue to pet his hippo-sized head.
“What are you doing?” Jay asked.
“Enjoying the day. What’s your prob?” I took another few steps, balancing perfectly.
“You can’t stand on the railing. You might fall in.”
“Please get down.” Charlie looked pissed. Too bad. They’d left me out here to babysit their mutt without even getting me a bottle of water.
“I can swim.”
Jay leaned over the edge. “That’s a long jump.”
“Ever hear of diving?”
“That far? I don’t think so, squirt.”
“Jay, don’t…” Charlie said, ‘cause he knew. He knew I was gonna dive in and there was nothing he could do about it.
”Don’t tell me what to do.” Before either of them could stop me I was in the air, flying toward the surface in a perfect swan dive.
“Where have you been? I sensed you earlier but the tides were wrong.”
“Lord Tellek.” I bowed, hoping he wasn’t angry.
“Well?”
“We’re together. He thinks I know more than I’m saying and he’s keeping me near him. He’s given me twenty-four and then I have to spill.”
“Speak properly.”
“Yes, Lord. In twenty-four human hours I have to tell him the truth.”
“Good. Is he waiting for you as we speak?”
“Yes.” At least I hoped so.
“Go back. Report again with his reaction to your tale. Your life and your family’s future depend on how convincing you are. Do not anger him for any reason. He will strike you down without mercy.”
“Yes, Lord.” Too late for that not angering bit. I hesitated. “Is my family okay?”
“They work. They live.”
“Thank you.”
“Go.”
I swam to shore. Charley was already there with Wiggly Butt. “Where’s Jay?”
“He jumped in after you. You didn’t see him?”
“No. I’ll go back.”
“Stay here. I’ll go.”
“No, I’m stronger in the sea than you are.” I dove under the waves, sending out feelers and locating Bozo the Bear swimming around about halfway between the pier and the shore. He saw me and growled. “Why are you playing around out here? Charley’s waiting on the shore.” I said.
“I dove in to rescue you, dimwit.”
“I’m a mermaid. Can’t you tell? Shall I break into song to prove it?”
“You’re a somethin’ all right.” He grinned at me, a dimple popping out near the corner of his mouth. “Will your singing attract crabs? I could cook up a couple Sebastians.”
“I thought you grizzly guys liked trout or salmon.”
“Yeah, well, do you see a stream anywhere around here?”
“There are actually stores where you can get buy fish.” He snorted when he laughed. It made me laugh too. “Come on, betcha can’t beat me to shore.”
“Huh. We’ll see, Ariel.”
It was pretty close, ‘cause he was stronger than I thought, but I still beat him.
“If I didn’t have these jeans on I would’ve won.” He looked down. “Shit. I loved these jeans. Now they’re ruined. At least I got the shirt and sneakers off.”
“They aren’t ruined. Haven’t you heard of a saltwater wash? Rub them with sand then throw them back in the ocean. After you take them to the laundromat they’ll be the softest, coolest jeans you ever wore.” They looked at me like I was a nut case. “It’s true.”
Charlie was still fuming, pacing back and forth. “You’ll never do that again.”
“Sorry I scared you, but I’m training to be an Olympic swimmer and diver.”
“Nobody’s both.”
“I’m unique.”
Samson trotted over, looking all happy to see me. I reached out to pet him but he used his head to knock me on my butt, then started digging, spraying sand all over me.
“Hey, Monster, I thought we were friends.”
“Friends don’t do stupid things.” Charlie said.
“You made him do this.”
He had the freakin’ nerve to laugh at me. He shrugged. “I can’t even make him stop stealing my food. He does what he wants.”
“I thought you could make anyone do anything, Charles Liam William Cuvier.” I dove back into the water to rinse off, furious at Samson and Charlie, but mostly at myself. Now he definitely knew that I knew who he was. This sucked big time.
When I got back to shore, Jay was in his boxers rubbing sand on his jeans and Charlie was using The Monster as a pillow. He’d laid a towel out for me—right next to him. Looks like we were having a chat.
CHARLIE
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
She strolled out of the Pacific Ocean like it was a hot tub. The Pacific is cold, even in Southern Cal. “The water doesn’t chill you?”
“Not the ocean.”
“Are you an unseelie species?”
She turned away, pretending to dry off her feet, which had already dried off in the sun. “An unseelie species. That sounds like a laboratory rat.”
“I don’t mean any disrespect.”
“I told you. I can’t say. When we reach around five human years we pledge ourselves to secrecy. If I speak to a stranger about what I am, I’ll suffer.”
A truth. “I’ve met quite a few unseelie, did you know? I spent time in the Demon Realm with my Uncle Isaiah.”
“I know of Isaiah. He’s Naberia’s son.” Her tone was venomous.
“Isaiah isn’t like his mother. He’s cool.”
“Naberia decimated my people. Her son is the offspring of a poison
ous snake. So, not cool.”
Brushing her shields with my magic, I waited, wanting so much to learn more about this female’s past. “Why would Naberia attack your race?”
“To force us into submission. The quest for more territory, more power. The usual shit.” She pulled her knees up, resting her head on her folded arms. “I’m tired. Where are we sleeping tonight?”
Good question. “We’ll get a hotel room.”
She lifted her head, scowling. “I’m not sharing a bed.”
“Jay and I can bunk together, although I can’t guarantee that Samson won’t make himself at home on your bed.”
“The Monster can find his own bed.”
“Can’t we hit a laundromat tonight?” Jay asked. “I’m out of everything.” Ivy and I glanced at his brightly colored plaid shorts; the ones that made him look like a prep school wannabe on acid. “Hey, I had to pack for this trip in record time.”
“I was packed for months,” I said.
“Yeah, right.”
I lifted my hands, palms out. “I was, I swear.”
“There’s a laundromat two blocks from here,” Ivy offered up.
I shrugged. “Looks like we’re doing laundry. Woo hoo.”
“You aren’t one of those guys who still makes Mommy do his laundry, are you?” Ivy asked.
“Liam does the laundry, even Mom’s.”
“Who’s Liam? Your poor cousin who’s trying to get back on his feet and you’re giving him room and board as long as he does the chores?”
Jay was laughing so hard I thought he was gonna collapse in a heap. “Char, really? Liam washes your undies?” He explained to Ivy, “Liam is one of the king of Faerie’s grandchildren, one of Garrett’s closest friends. He’s half fae-half human.”
“He uses magic. Jeez. Who does yours?” I asked.
“Um…” Jay pulled at his collar, looking uncomfortable.
“I’ll know if you lie.” I grinned.
“My dads switch off.”
“Your step dad and your real dad?” Ivy asked.
“They’re both my real dads. They’re a couple. Been together for 25 years. Peter’s a lawyer and Kyle owns a martial arts school. I’m adopted.”
“They sound awesome.”
She’d meant it. “What do your parents do?” I asked.
“I have a Father and two sisters, but when I was ten I was given to my guardian to raise. He died a few months ago, so I have a new guardian now.”
“Sorry.” Jay sat down next to us, spreading out a napkin and giving Ivy her take-out meal from the restaurant. She pushed it back to him and shook her head.
“It’s cool having a guardian. He’s been good to me.” And according to her aura, that was a lie.
Jay pushed the food back, encouraging her to eat. She picked at it and Jay helped.
The laundromat was where she’d said, so while our clothes were in the washer, Jay bought some ice cream, complaining about how we’d never had a chance to order desert. Ivy only ate a couple of spoonfuls, her mood having plunged downhill since we started talking about parents.
While the dryer spun, Jay sat next to her, allowing her to rest her head against his arm. In less than a minute, she was asleep, smiling like she was having a great dream. She was probably just tired.
Guilt was nagging at me. Should we give her guardian a call? Was that who she wanted to report to? My instincts told me not to allow it, especially since she’d just lied about him being good to her. My family will be killed if I don’t report in. She’d been telling the truth when she told me that.
I’d have to question her again soon, because it wasn’t only my mixed-up life affected by the decision to hold on to the girl. Jay had decided to stick it out with me, and that put him at risk, too.
I folded our jeans and shirts, finagling a plastic garbage bag from the attendant for the rest of the stuff. We found a motel that looked decent and booked a room with two queen beds. After showers we crashed.
Samson was growling softly and licking my hand, the usual “stranger danger” signal. I glanced at my phone— 2 am—and nudged Jay, who woke up instantly on full alert, an ability that had shocked the crap out of me the first time I saw it happen. I‘d always thought of him as pretty laid back, except when he was angry. Then watch out.
Our room was dark, so Jay peeked through the curtain. “Don’t see anything.”
I sent out magical feelers, searching for signs of any supernaturals in the immediate area. Bingo. “There’s a fae outside our room.”
“Why?”
“Don’t know.”
“What should we do?”
“I’ll put up a couple of protective spells. Then we wait.”
Jay and I took turns sleeping and listening. Samson curled up by the door, ready to bite the unlucky supe who decided to break in. Around dawn I sensed the fae had gone. Jay and I took one look at the time and crashed again.
Ivy had slept through the whole thing.
IVY
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Wow. Waking up in a room with two shirtless guys who were the personification of hotness was not so bad, even though it was way too early to actually make a move out of this comfortable bed. I stretched my arms over my head, my legs to their fullest length, luxuriating in the space I had all to myself. I made a silent wish that we’d be back in this room again tomorrow.
The males’ dreamy state gave me the perfect opportunity to check them out. Jay was closest and snoring softly, the sound more soothing than annoying. His usually animated face was relaxed and peaceful, making him seem younger than Charles, even though he was a couple years older. As he’d slept, his light brown wavy hair, shorter than Charlie’s, had fallen across his face. With his hair like that, I wouldn’t be able to see his eyes, the blue so vibrant it always surprised me. His lips were full for a guy, his face normally expressing extremes of happiness, irritation or curiosity. His personality was open, leaving little doubt about how he felt on a subject. I liked that about him.
Charlie kept his feelings off his face whenever possible. He was pretty successful, except for his eyes. Everything was there, even though the color was wrong. I wished I could see him as he really was, the way he was inside the lines. The black and white picture I’d seen while we were researching him and his powers showed a slim young male with very light hair. He’d seemed to be laughing in the picture. I hadn’t seen much of that since I’d met him.
Most of the time he looked worried.
Charlie sighed and turned over, facing away from me now. Their blanket had fallen to their hips giving me an eyeful of Jay’s sculpted chest and Charlie’s muscular back. My face suddenly heated in what was probably the queen of all blushes, warmth traveling through my limbs and pooling in my belly. I covered my face with my hands, stunned by this intense reaction. I’d never been this close to two young half-naked males, two available males, and it was affecting me in unexpected ways.
When I returned home, maybe with Charlie in tow, I’d be expected to mate with someone the chieftain chose for me. I had no say in the matter because I was one of the few remaining females still able to reproduce. A male of good lineage would be chosen, and I would have to do my part to save my people.
“Are you okay?”
Jay must have seen me wipe away a tear. “Just woke up kinda early.” I said.
He yawned, his enormous mouth opening beyond what should be physically possible. “We were up half the night.”
“Why?” I asked.
“There was a…”
“Jay!”
Charlie had stopped him from saying something and now they were looking at each other strangely. “Did those guys who took me come back?” I asked. “Those wolves?”
“No. It was nothing for you to worry about.” Charlie answered. “I’ll let Samson out and then we’ll get dressed and get some breakfast.” I watched as he mumbled something in Samson’s ear, opening it when he was done.
“Why can’t I kno
w?” I asked, already in a bad mood.
“It has nothing to do with you.”
“None of my business, in other words.”
“Well, yes.”
I grabbed my clothes and changed in the bathroom, swearing under my breath. If there was something dangerous going on then I had a right to know what it was.
Jay and Charlie had changed while I was in the bathroom, so we were out the door in record time. “What’re we doing after breakfast?” I asked.
“Looking for a place to rent.”
“An office or a house?”
“Maybe both.”
“You’re gonna find something in one day?”
“Yep.”
I looked at Jay, hoping to find someone else who thought he was crazy. No go. “He can do it. Watch. “
“You gonna glamour someone into giving us the keys to their house?”
“Where do you get ideas like that? We’re going to a real estate office. But first we’re buying some clothes.”
Two hours later we were walking into Seven Hills Real Estate, decked out in brand new business attire. The guys were in sports jackets and slacks and I’d gotten the most awesome blazer with a matching short skirt and a silk blouse. I’d also convinced them to buy me a leather skirt and boots but they made me swear that I wouldn’t wear the outfit to business meetings.
“Ms. Riley?” Charlie was smiling, extending his hand. Yeah, he was smooth.
“What can I help you with Mr. Crawford?”
“We’re looking to rent a house with an office we can see clients in. It would need to have a separate door to the office.”
“I have three that might fit your criteria. Would you mind showing me some ID?”
“Of course.”
“I’m sorry, but I can’t consider renting to you until you’re over 21.”
“We’re not discussing alcohol.” He smiled. God, he sure had charming down.
She flushed. “I understand, but you can’t possibly have a high enough credit rating at this age.”
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