Fight Song: A Paranormal Shifter Romance (Rocky River Fighters Book 3)

by Grace Brennan

  Looking to Kelly, Piper took in the surprise and banked hope in her eyes. Nodding slowly, not looking away from her, she said, “I’m sure. Just forget what you heard today, Frank. But thank you for coming so quickly.”

  “Of course. And I’m going to consider it forgotten, but Kelly,” he said with a stern look. “No more of these kinds of activities.”

  “Consider this the end of my short-lived criminal career,” she rushed out fervently, relief stamped on her features.

  Eyeing her one more time, Frank turned to Piper with a smile. “I’ll get out of here. Call me anytime you need me. And it’s good to see you back, Piper.”

  Watching as the sheriff made his way out of the kitchen, Piper felt Jax grasp her shoulders. Leaning into his warmth, she turned to Kelly, who was looking at her, her expression a mix of hope, sadness, and wariness.

  “I can’t believe you didn’t have him arrest me,” Kelly said quietly. “I would have understood. What I did was wrong.”

  “It was wrong,” Piper replied. “So fucking wrong. But I know you did it for the right reasons, misguided as it was. I’m not going to put you away for something you did because you wanted me to be happy.”

  “And I did. I do,” Kelly said earnestly. “You and Jax have always felt fated to me. Meant to be. And I could tell by just looking in your eyes that you still loved him, even though you were denying it with every breath you took.”

  She blew out a breath, shaking her head. “You’re very perceptive, Kelly. You’re clumsy as hell, and you have fucked up ways of doing things, but you see what people hide under the surface. That’s a good quality to have.”

  “All that’s true,” Kelly replied with a smile that quickly faded. Twisting her hands together, she took a hesitant step forward. “Are you very mad at me? I’m so sorry if I hurt you, Piper. I truly am.”

  Piper stepped forward, shivering as Jax’s hands trailed off her shoulders, leaving tingles racing down her spine. Shaking the feeling off and telling herself to focus, she took Kelly’s hands in hers, squeezing to encourage Kelly to meet her eyes.

  “I’m not mad any longer. I’m not even hurt. I understand, Kelly. It was wrong, but I get why you did it. And I’m not going to throw a twenty-year friendship down the drain because you wanted me to be happy, even if you went about it all fucked up. I value you too much to let you go. You’re stuck with me.”

  Eyes filling with tears, Kelly sniffled and pulled Piper into a tight hug. “How did I get lucky enough to have someone like you for a best friend? I’ll make this up to you, Piper. I swear it.”

  Piper pulled back from the hug, trying to keep a tight rein on her emotions. Boss Bitches didn’t cry. Glancing at Jax, she looked at him before turning back to Kelly.

  “You already have,” she said, tilting her head toward Jax. Smiling at Kelly’s instant excitement, she said, “But if you want to make it up to me more, you can be here first thing next Monday and help me get the store re-opened.”

  Kelly gasped, a smile lighting her face. “You’re going to re-open? So you’re staying? It worked?”

  Laughing, Piper shook her head. “Don’t let this encourage you to try it again with anyone else, but honestly, yes. It worked.”

  Squealing, Kelly clapped her hands together. “Yes! This is amazing.” Smiling big at Piper and Jax, she said, “I’ll get the mess cleaned up in front, and then leave you two alone.”

  “Don’t worry about the mess. We’ll get it later,” Piper told her.

  “Okay. I’ll get out of here, then. But call me later, please.” Leaning in close, she whispered, “I need details.”

  Lips quirking, Piper watched her friend leave, leaning into Jax as he wrapped his arms around her from behind. They were quiet as they listened to Kelly leave, and Piper basked in the warmth seeping into her.

  Turning her around, he said, “I’m proud of how you handled that. I thought for a moment that you were going to go after her.”

  “I almost did, until she explained herself. And then I realized this was a lot like what you did.”

  Drawing back, his brow wrinkled in confusion. “What I did?”

  “Yeah, when you broke up with me. As misguided as it was, you did it to protect me. And as misguided as Kelly was, she did it because she wanted me to find happiness again. You were both wrong with how you went about it, but you both meant well. And if I can forgive you, I can forgive her.”

  Nodding, he leaned into kiss her. When he pulled back, his eyes were blazing green and gold. “So it worked, huh? You’re staying?”

  Taking a deep breath, she blew it out as she nodded. “I think so. We still have some shit to talk about, but I think I’m ready to officially give us a chance.”

  “Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go home and get to talking.”

  Laughing as he grabbed her hand to pull her along, Piper tried to tamp down the nervous butterflies in her stomach. Part of her couldn’t believe she was really going to risk her heart with him again, but it was a very small part. The rest of her was ready to get on with living her forever out with him. Glancing up at him as he flashed a smile at her, her insides warmed. And this time, she knew, it truly would be forever.

  Jax strummed the chords for Piper’s Fight Song on his guitar, humming the words. He kept a spare guitar in his truck because he never knew when inspiration would strike. Grabbing the paper he found, he wrote down the song, line for line, finally adding the final verse. The ending that had been missing since he started writing it. It was complete now.

  Glancing up as Snickers wandered in, he put the pencil down and called him over. When he was near, Jax softly petted his fur as Snickers leaned into him, then scratched his ears.

  “Now that’s more like it,” he told the dog. “This is how it’s always going to be. Me and you, we both love the same woman. But we’re both going to have to share. You need to get used to that now, pup.”

  Smiling as Snickers snuggled in tighter, he glanced up, watching Piper come to stand in the doorway. Snickers obviously knew she was there, too, because he stiffened, growling at Jax before rushing to stand by her. Shaking his head, he watched as Piper leaned down to pet him.

  “I’m determined to win him over,” he told her.

  Looking up with a smile, she straightened up and nodded. “If anyone can, it would be you. I mean, you managed to win me back over, and I never thought that would happen.”

  “True,” he replied, heart leaping at her words.

  “Seth did a great job on the planters,” she said, making her way into the turret where he was settled on the window seat, and sitting near him.

  “That he did. He’s great at what he does.”

  “There was a new ending to the song,” she said softly, nodding to the paper.

  “I couldn’t finish it before. Not without you.”

  Smiling turning a little on the mushy side, she asked softly, “Will you play it for me again?”

  Nodding, he took a deep breath and briefly closed his eyes as he began playing the song. Opening them again, he locked gazes with Piper, putting every bit of the emotion he felt into the words as he sang them. When he strummed the last chord, she had tears in her eyes she was trying to blink back.

  “That song is so fucking perfect,” she said, voice hitching. Clearing her throat, she blew out a breath. “It’s beautiful. I really do think you should release that. It would be a huge hit.”

  Propping the guitar against the other window seat, he turned to face her more fully. “I’m thinking I will. It’s complete now, and I want the world to know our story. To know the love we have for each other.” Lips quirking, he shot her a look. “But I refuse to sell it to Nickelback.”

  “You were doing so well until you said that last part,” she said with a laugh as she smacked his chest. “You should be so lucky for Nickelback to want to record one of your songs. So what’s the name of the song?”

  Brow furrowing, he shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ve been calling it
Piper’s Fight Song lately.”

  “Fight Song?” she asked, voice puzzled.

  “I knew it touched you after I played it for you that first time. I decided I’d use it to win you back, and stand outside your window singing it if I had to.”

  “And you think that would have worked?” she asked with a laugh. “Well, you can’t call it that. You need something more relatable. What about Key to My Heart?”

  “Key to My Heart?” he asked thoughtfully.

  “Because of that line. And because it means something to us. You used to tell me I had the key to your heart all the time.”

  “Because it’s true. It always has been.”

  “I know,” she replied softly. “And I know it will always be true, moving forward.”

  “Is that what we’re doing? Moving forward?” he asked, watching her intently as his heart leapt in his chest.

  Hell yes, that’s what we’re doing, his eagle shouted in his chest as he danced around.

  Calm down. It’s not official until she says the words. She’s only given hints so far, he told his bird.

  Piper took a deep breath and looked him in his eyes. “You know I never got over you. And all those old feelings came back when I saw you again. I realized the other day that despite everything, and the time that went by, I never stopped loving you. But I’ve been scared, Jax. I understand why you broke it off with me like you did. I get that you thought there wasn’t another choice. But I was still scared. What would stop you from doing it again?”

  “Piper—”

  “No, let me finish,” she said, holding up a hand, violet eyes bright. “It hasn’t been very long since we found each other again, so it’s hard to comprehend how completely I trust you again already. But I do. I know you want me. I know you love me. I know it’s forever for you, and you won’t let me go again.” She glanced down before looking at him again, eyes intense. “I feel the same way, Jax. I love you. So much it’s hard to breathe through it sometimes. And I don’t want to go back to Seattle. I want to stay here and make a life with you. I want to have our forever again.”

  A rush of emotions washed through Jax, and he swayed in his seat, dizzy with relief. “Fuck, Piper. You have no idea what those words do to me. What they mean to me. I hoped, wished, prayed, to hear them again, but I wasn’t sure I ever would. Those words from your lips are life.”

  Lunging forward, he captured her lips with his, kissing her with every bit of the emotion and intensity he felt. When he pulled back, their chests were heaving and her gorgeous eyes were dazed.

  Cupping her cheek in his hand, he waited for her eyes to clear before saying, “I’m never letting you go again, Pippy. I will never let you down. I will give all of myself, every particle of my being, to make you happy. Everything I have, everything I am, is yours. I love you so much. I wish you could get in my thoughts so you could know just how much I love you.”

  Leaning into his touch, she grabbed his other hand and put it over her heart. “I already know. I can feel it in here. And I know because I feel the exact same way.”

  Taking a deep breath, trying to dispel some of the dizzying relief he felt, he blew the breath back out. Time to go all in. “I told you what a mate is. What one means to a shifter when they find them. What I didn’t tell you is that we claim our mates. And I want to claim you. It would solidify our bond, make us permanent in every way. But when I say permanent, I mean it. It’s irreversible. So if this is something you’d be willing to let me do, be positive you want me forever.”

  “I will always want you forever,” she replied softly. “How is it done? How do you claim me?”

  “I’d mark you with a talon.”

  “Wait, you do it while you’re in eagle form?” she asked, startled.

  “No,” he replied, chuckling. “I can partially shift. Not many shifters can, but eagles do.” He held his hand up and focused his energy, watching as his fingers sharpened to talons.

  Gasping, her eyes went wide, and she reached out her fingers, tentatively touching a talon softly. “That is so cool.”

  “Right?” he said with a smile, letting his hand go back to normal. “I’d mark you somewhere, usually on the shoulder or back. You can pick where. I won’t lie, it’ll hurt a bit. I have to go deep to make sure it sticks, make sure it scars and leaves a claiming mark. But then my scent would be a part of you. My mark will be stamped on your skin. Every shifter who ever saw you would know you’re mine in an instant.”

  “I like the idea of that. I like the idea of wearing your mark on my skin, and I’d wear it with pride,” she said breathlessly before pulling back with a frown. “But how will people know you’re mine? I need those bitches out there to know you’re taken.”

  “You dig your nails in pretty good when we’re making love,” he said with a laugh. “You drew blood last night. A few more nights in the bedroom, and I’m sure you’ll mark me up good and permanent.”

  “Oh, shut up,” she replied, smacking him in the chest with a laugh. Smile fading, she searched his eyes as she nodded. “The answer is, yes. I want you to claim me. I want to be yours in every way possible.”

  Heart leaping, he crushed her to his chest, barely able to comprehend the emotions crashing into him, the intensity knocking the breath from his body. Not so long ago, he thought she was lost to him forever. He thought he’d never hold her in his arms again, never have her by his side, never get to love her like she deserved to be loved again.

  He’d been miserable, and his eagle had been broken, wings crippled from the loss of his mate, almost dead in Jax’s chest. But now his eagle was flying high, and Jax was happier than he thought he would ever be again.

  He would love her with everything in him. He’d make sure she never regretted giving him a second chance, and he’d devote his life to making her understand just what she meant to him. To making her as happy as she made him.

  Pressing his lips to hers, he murmured, “I love you. Always.”

  “And I love you. Always.”

  Jax wandered into the kitchen, looking for something to snack on. Piper would be home from the bakery soon, and then they were going out to eat, but it had been a long time since lunch. Eyes falling on a plate of lemon drops on the table, he grinned as he walked over and took a seat.

  Eagerly picking up a cookie, he took a bite, eyes closing as flavor exploded on his tongue. There was nothing in the world that tasted as good as Piper’s lemon drops. A whine hit his ears, and he glanced down to find Snickers gazing at him expectantly.

  “Oh, no,” he said. “Cookies are not on the Piper approved doggie snack list, and I’m not risking her wrath if she finds out.”

  Dismissing the dog, he popped the rest of the cookie in his mouth. Looking down again as Snickers pawed at his leg, Jax paused for a second as an idea occurred to him. Glancing around and listening hard for any hint of his mate coming home, he grabbed another lemon drop and looked at Snickers.

  “Okay, mutt. Here’s the deal. If I give you this cookie, you have to make friends with me. We call a truce. No more growling and snapping at me when Piper comes home. I’m sharing my cookies with you, you share Piper with me. Do we have a deal? Give me some paw on it.”

  Jax leaned his other hand down and Snickers put his paw in it. Giving it a quick shake, Jax gave him the cookie, watching as he ate it. This could work. He wasn’t above bribing a dog to be friendly with him. He’d give the spoiled Devil Dog all the treats in the world if it helped win him over.

  The sound of a door shutting hit his ears, and he looked at Snickers, hissing, “She’s home. Finish up that cookie, fast.”

  Attempting to look casual as Piper came to a stop in the doorway, he smiled at her as she looked around.

  “There are my boys. I’m glad you found the cookies.”

  “Yeah, thanks for that,” he said, risking a quick glance at Snickers to make sure he was done.

  “Snickers? Why aren’t you coming to greet me, boy?” Piper asked, looking puzzle
d.

  Crap. Too much, too fast? Watching as the little dog jumped up and ran to Piper, Jax’s shoulders relaxed a bit. Bending down, she ruffled his fur, and then looked up with a smile.

  “You two must be starting to get along better now. He didn’t run right to me or try to guard me from you.”

  “Yep,” Jax replied, standing to give her a kiss. “I think we’re finally on the same wavelength. We just needed to come to a little understanding, is all.”

  Walking up to Piper, he took her lips in a kiss, inwardly smiling when Snickers remained silent and didn’t try to get between them. The Great Cookie Bribe was working.

  Best. Idea. Ever.

  Fighting to Win

  Book Four in the Rocky River Fighters series

  Lyrics to Key to My Heart:

  Key to My Heart

  ©Patrick Farrell

  When I saw you for the first time,

  I could imagine that our love, would be so divine.

  Knowing as the years passed, our lives forever entwined,

  You, my dear, are never far from my mind.

  I told you, right from the start. That you hold the key, the key to my heart.

  Together we can gaze upon the highest star. Together forever, love will always be ours.

  20 years have gone so fast, where does the time go?

  But nevertheless knowing you still have a lifetime to go.

  Never knowing what lies ahead, your heart will always show.

  Every time I see your smile, I see your angelic glow.

  I told you, right from the start. That you hold the key, the key to my heart.

  Together we can gaze upon the highest star. Together forever, love will always be ours.

  And if you missed the first two in the series, here’s a look!

  Heart of a Fighter

  Book One