Texas and Tarantulas

by Bailey Bradford

  “Diego, shift before Trent mistakes you for one of them!”

  “I won’t shoot any more of them unless they come at me.” Trent was worried about Mahon, but the bear was throwing wolves down left, right and center. There was more yelping coming from that pile of spit and fury than the biggest kennels in the state.

  Trent kept his shotgun ready. Mahon hadn’t wanted him to kill tonight. Trent was sorry to bust his protective bubble. He’d done what needed to be done.

  Mahon was still slinging wolves when Joe yelled and took off running.

  Trent was torn between following him or standing guard near Mahon.

  But Mahon was more than holding his own. Trent took off after his brother and found him skidding to a stop not far from where two wolves were fighting.

  Joe snarled. “I want to end this for Diego, but…”

  “But he’s earned the right to take that alpha on,” Trent finished. “I’ll kill the bastard if he hurts Diego. Then Diego can be mad at me.”

  It had to be a difficult thing, to take on the…the thing that had been the supreme leader of Diego’s life up until a few short months ago. Trent’s respect for his friend grew stronger.

  Diego was vicious, too, snapping those sharp teeth and darting away from attacks. When he bit the alpha wolf’s shoulder, it was hard to tell who was more surprised of the two.

  Trent decided to start cheering him on. “Woohoo! Go Diego! Make us a nice fur rug!” To Joe, he whispered, “I am gonna have to come up with a better use for shifter pelts if this shit doesn’t stop. I have much better things I could be using my head for.”

  “Like devising ways to give me shit?” Joe asked. “You’ve been falling down on the job.”

  “I’ve been busy,” Trent said, putting a hint of hurt in his voice. “You know. Falling in love. Losing my home. Stuff like that.” Trent turned around and shined his light on Mahon. “Oh. More buzzard food.”

  Mahon was lumbering toward them. Behind him were several dead, and-or maimed, wolves.

  As soon as Mahon was close enough, he called out, “You’re okay, right?”

  Mahon shifted mid stride. “Good, yeah. Not more than some scratches here and there. Those wolves needed better fighting skills.”

  “They needed to be smart enough to not take on a bear,” Trent exclaimed. “Diego’s busy taking out the bane of his existence. I’ve always wanted to say that.” Trent turned back around and with Mahon at one side on Joe at the other, they watched Diego put an end to the wolf who would rather die than let him go.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Tuesday afternoon, Sheriff Kenzie showed up. She didn’t look happy. “Trent, Joe, significant others.” She waved at Diego and Mahon. “We got some of the DNA tests back. Also, the medical examiner thinks she has a cause of death. I say thinks, because the bones are so old and she’s going to get a second opinion. As of now, it looks like the woman was murdered because of the way her skull was fractured. Doc said it wasn’t the result of aging.”

  Trent and Joe exchanged a look. “Why’d you say it like that? The woman was murdered?”

  Kenzie shuffled the papers around then tapped the one on top. “I understand if you want to do a retest somewhere else. Y’all paid to get these done through a private place, and thank you for that.”

  “Why are you stalling?” Joe asked. “Spit it out.”

  Kenzie looked at Trent. “The remains are your mother’s.”

  “We figured it was her,” Joe began.

  Kenzie looked reluctant as she held out the paper. “The thing is, she isn’t your mom, Joe.”

  “How—?” Trent shut up. The how was obvious. Kenzie was holding up the DNA test results. “Am I—? Are we—?”

  “You two are half-brothers,” Kenzie confirmed.

  It shouldn’t have mattered, but Trent’s relief sent endorphins bouncing through him. He was worried about Joe, though. “Joe? What do you want to do?”

  Joe just stared at him blankly.

  Trent hugged his brother.

  “That’s why she was only coming back for you,” Joe said in a flat voice.

  “What’s he talking about?” Kenzie asked.

  “He’ll explain in a minute. Let’s give them some time to take in what you just told them.” Mahon handled the sheriff well.

  Trent was glad because he was more concerned about Joe than bones or dead parents. But Joe might not feel that way. He’d just learned that part of his childhood, part of his history, period, had all been a lie.

  “What the hell happened back then?” Joe finally asked. “No one ever mentioned Dad having another wife. You know how people gossip. Someone would have said.”

  “How far back can you remember?”

  Joe let go of him and took a step toward the window. “I remember before you were born, before she was pregnant, too. Seems like she’s the first memory I have, actually.”

  Trent had always figured that if one of them were born of a different parent, it’d have been him. His dad must have really been disappointed in him to have treated him like he did. Or maybe it never had been about him. “Your mother must have meant a lot to him.”

  “She’s probably buried out here somewhere,” Joe said bitterly. “He lied to me all the time he was alive. Even after. He could have left a message in the will or something.”

  “I’m sorry. I wish I could give you an answer about who your mother was. If Dad hadn’t thrown everything of Mom’s out, we might have learned something.” Trent let his memory-dream roll through his head again. “She loved you. Remember her making cookies with you?”

  “Dad was furious.”

  “He was,” Trent agreed. “He didn’t like her spending time with you. He wouldn’t have let you go.”

  “He didn’t let her go, I think.” Joe sighed and he seemed to shrink into himself. “Go tell Kenzie what you told me about the memories. Send Diego in here, please.”

  Trent was surprised Diego had left with Mahon and Kenzie. “Okay. Joe, you know I love you. I love picking on you and knocking you on your ass when you’re being hard-headed and ornery, too. But I love you, period.”

  “Don’t get mushy on me, bro.” Joe’s genuine smile eased some of Trent’s worries.

  “Wouldn’t dream of it.” He went and found Diego. “Joe wants you.”

  Then Trent told Kenzie about the memories, told her all he could remember and that he wasn’t sure if they were even real.

  Kenzie pulled out another paper. “Interesting about the shovel, since that’s what Doc suggested as a possible weapon. Plus, no offense, but your dad is sounding more and more like a head case, and we already know that statistically, when a woman is killed, it’s almost always by someone she knows. The majority of the time it’s a current or ex-boyfriend or spouse.”

  “Couldn’t it have been one of the ranch hands?” he asked. “They both were gone not long after.” And he probably wasn’t helping his case any. Or his father’s case, rather.

  “Yeah, about that. No one in town or at the surrounding ranches remember their last names. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to find them.” She dusted off a spot on her pants. “You want to see where we found her?”

  “I don’t want to, but Joe says I need to.”

  “Big brothers can be such a pain sometimes, but they can also be right.”

  He knew that. “Should we go once it’s dark, since that’s what I see in the dream?”

  “Let’s just check it out now.” She set the papers on the table. “These are y’all’s copies of the tests and examination. You bringing your guy?”

  “And telling Joe I’m going.” Trent waited for Mahon to join him, then they walked back to talk to Joe.

  “I’m coming along, me and Diego both,” Joe said upon hearing their plan.

  So they all piled into Joe’s truck and followed Kenzie to a remote area of the ranch that they didn’t even use for the cattle. It was too barren, no water source anywhere the cattle could reach with ease. And a
ll the drive over there, new bits and pieces of memories surfaced.

  When the truck stopped, Trent clutched at Mahon. “I snuck out to follow Mom. She was outside with Dad. They were arguing—not loud, but quiet-like, all urgent gestures and hissed words. Mom got in the truck, and Dad got in the driver’s side. He didn’t let anyone drive that old blue truck but him.”

  “The one with the camper on it,” Joe said.

  “Yeah. They were too busy with their quiet argument to even notice me get in the back. I couldn’t close the camper door all the way. Something was hinky with it.” Trent paused. “I should tell the rest with the sheriff listening.”

  “Okay. She’s waiting anyway.” Joe got out.

  So did Trent and the rest of the crew.

  Trent started his story over again, this time with Kenzie listening in. “I remember the truck coming to a stop once, at the end of the drive leading to the road. Then it turned around and we went this way. He shut the engine off, so I knew he was done driving for a while. He dragged a plastic covered lump back here. I knew, even then. I knew. He dropped the—her, he dropped her then hit her with the shovel. Then he dug, and I must have made some sound because he looked right at me. He didn’t come closer. Maybe he didn’t see me for sure, didn’t want to confirm it in case he had to kill me then too. And it haunted him, knowing or suspecting that I knew.”

  “He really did kill her,” Joe said. “And no one knows who my mother was, if she’s out here somewhere or if he just took me from her. There’s so much we will never know.”

  Diego stepped in front of Joe. “You can’t dwell on the past. Think about what you do have, who you have in your life. All of this, it doesn’t change who you or Trent are. You’re both still the same wonderful people you’ve always been. I understand that you won’t be able to let this go easily, but you need to try to. Don’t let it eat away at you.”

  “He’s smart. Listen to him,” Kenzie advised. “And Trent, I’m going to need you to come back to the office when you can. There’s no rush here, but I’d like to close this case.”

  “I’ll be in tomorrow.” Trent wanted the case closed too. He had a life to build with his lover, and with Joe and Diego. It was time to shake their pasts and embrace their futures.

  Epilogue

  “Come here, Rascal.”

  Mahon marveled at Trent’s patience with the puppy. “He isn’t going to fetch.”

  Trent scowled at him. “Don’t make it sound like that sweet puppy is not so bright.”

  The puppy in question, some mixed breed that was going to be the size of a small car—Trent said Mahon exaggerated but Trent was full of it—flopped onto his back and started wiggling. His tongue hung out and he rolled in the dirt.

  “Gilda learned how to fetch in two days.” Mahon couldn’t help but brag about the puppy he’d picked out. He gave her a belly rub. “Of course, then there’s Betty. That’s my failure.”

  Betty gave him a none too bright but very adorable look. She was small and cuddly, unlike Gilda, who happened to be Rascal’s sister.

  “They’re all sweet, that’s what matters.” Trent laughed. “And I’m going to keep telling myself that every time one of them eats another pair of boots or digs in the yard. We’ll never have grass.”

  “But we have a nice house,” Mahon said. “And a fenced yard. And the puppies. We have three out of four of our goals met.”

  “Three out of five,” Trent corrected. “You forgot something.”

  Judging by the look in Trent’s eyes, Mahon had a damned good idea of what it was, too. “Pups can play outside for a while.”

  Trent took off for the back door.

  He stood up and raced after Trent.

  The second Mahon stepped inside, he realized his mistake. Trent tackled him, knocking Mahon to the carpeted floor.

  “Gotcha!” Trent peppered his face with kisses. “Happy anniversary.”

  Mahon rolled them over until he was nice and comfortable with his groin against Trent’s. “One year ago today, you knocked me out.”

  “And you knocked me off my feet.” Trent wiggled. “Get naked, honey. I have plans for my dick and your ass.”

  “Well, when you put it so romantically—” Mahon took a quick kiss then sat up enough to help Trent get his boots off. “You do the rest of yours and I’ll get rid of mine.”

  Mahon was barefoot, as he often preferred to be. He shoved down his shorts and flung his T-shirt aside. There was lube in the key ring and bill holder by the back door. They had the stuff stashed all over the house—and even a tube outside.

  He wasn’t ready for it yet. “I want your dick in my mouth first.”

  “Like you have to ask. You want it? Take it.” Trent held it at the base and wagged it at him. “It’s right here.”

  Mahon took him half way down with one bob of his head.

  “Fuck, Mahon,” Trent whimpered. “Never tired of this.”

  Mahon agreed, letting his rumbled words vibrate along Trent’s dick. He fondled Trent’s balls and ran his knuckles over Trent’s asshole.

  Trent pushed at his shoulders. “Up.”

  Mahon came off Trent’s cock but licked over the slit.

  Trent flipped him over onto his back.

  “Give me the lube.” Trent held out his hand.

  Mahon hadn’t even realized he’d still been holding it. He tossed it to Trent.

  There was the snick of the cap, the lewd gurgle of the liquid and shortly thereafter, Trent pushed slick fingers into him while licking Mahon’s dick.

  Even after a year together, Trent took his time, pleasuring Mahon, making him feel special and desired.

  Mahon floated on the blissful sensations Trent gave him. When Trent put his shoulders under Mahon’s legs and lined his cock up to Mahon’s hole, Trent locked gazes with him. “You know I love you. Every day I wake up with you is the best day of my life.”

  Mahon knew it, because it was the same for him. “Only you, forever.”

  Trent entered him then, and Mahon gave himself up to the man who’d captivated him from the moment Mahon had seen him.

  He was Trent’s, until the end of time.

  Coming Soon from Totally Bound Publishing:

  Spotless: Home

  Bailey Bradford

  Released 10th October 2014

  Excerpt

  Chapter One

  “I don’t want to help with the dishes,” Rhea said, stomping her foot. With her bottom lip pushed out and those big blue eyes of hers, she got her way entirely too often.

  If her current tendency to throw a hissy didn’t get curbed quickly, then there’d be a world of trouble from her in another few years. Solomon pointed toward the kitchen. “I suggest you help with the dishes like you’re supposed to if you ever want to see your Nintendo 3DS again.”

  Her pretty eyes rounded. “You wouldn’t!”

  Solomon arched one eyebrow at her. “Care to bet your 3DS on that?”

  Rhea stomped her foot again. “You used to be nice!”

  “So did you,” Solomon told her, keeping his voice level. His intention wasn’t to hurt Rhea, only to make her aware of how she was behaving, or misbehaving, as it were. Parenting was hard. Parenting sixteen siblings? Sometimes that was a nightmare—not that Solomon would ever walk away from his responsibilities.

  “I think she should have dish duty for the next month.”

  Solomon just barely kept from stomping his own foot at Steven’s suggestion.

  “I hate you!” Rhea yelled before pivoting and running into the kitchen.

  “Not helping,” Solomon snarled as he turned to Steven. “I had it under control.”

  Steven held both hands up. “Calm down. I was only trying to help. You’re right. I shouldn’t have butted in. It’s just…” He sighed heavily and rubbed his brow. “She used to be so sweet, and now she’s… That.” Steven gestured in the direction of the kitchen. “I don’t get it. It’s like aliens took over one night while she was sleeping.”r />
  Solomon chuckled and felt his irritation drain away. “She’s not the only one who’s had fits about stuff, Steven.” The younger kids had been more prone to such things than the older ones, like Erdwin and those around his age. “I think they’ve forgotten most of the bad that was done to them, and they’re probably as close to normal as any kid can be. Hence, the fits. Most parents have to put up with them.”

  Cole and Shaun joined Steven and Solomon, with Cole shaking his head. “My dad could just look at you and make you behave.”

  “Your dad is the most powerful shaman in existence,” Solomon pointed out. “And his mate is creepy.”

  Cole barked out a laugh.

  Shaun giggled but bobbed his head.

  Steven grunted and crossed his arms over his chest. “Cliff isn’t such a badass.”

  Cole hissed and lightly thumped Steven on the back of his head. “Language.”

  “That means you get to do all the laundry tomorrow,” Solomon gleefully pointed out. That was the rule—curse and you had laundry duty. With so many people living in one residence, laundry was a never-ending cycle of hell.

  “If you cuss again, that’s two days,” Shaun warned. “And trust me. You don’t want two days of laundry duty. It kills the soul.”

  Solomon was amused by Shaun’s dramatics. “You should start up an acting troop. Think of it—you could put on shows when the pack gets together for ceremonies. Oh!” Solomon bounced on his toes. “You could re-enact Remus and Cliff’s big fight with the evil shaman!”

  Shaun slapped a hand over his own heart. “Oh, my dream come true! To be on the stage—” Then he ruined his performance by guffawing like a lunatic.

  “Maybe we spoil them,” Steven said, returning to the original issue.

  Solomon wanted to argue that they didn’t. Lying wasn’t something he was good at, however. “I want them to have everything,” he admitted. “Starting with better behavior for some of them, so I suppose we need a family meeting.”