The cab pulled up to the dock and the driver got out and opened her door. The fresh, cold, clean air blew the snow around the dock. She looked up at the large ship anchored next to a smaller one. Three weeks away from everyone she knew, except Sandy. The first thing she was going to do was order a masseuse; maybe he could ease some of this tension out of her shoulders. “Well, our jobs are safe, but boy, are they pissed at you. It seems the bedroom you were snooping in belongs to their sister, when she stays there.” Sandy grinned, grabbing her suitcase. “Oh, and by the way, I've told them where we'll be staying.” She giggled and ran up the gangplank. Annabelle turned around and glared at her. “You did what? How could you? I wanted the next three weeks to relax. Now I'm going to have to worry about them showing up.” She stomped after Sandy. “Don't worry about it.” Sandy frowned. “They did say something strange, though. Marcus told me to tell you that you've earned three. Do you know what he meant?” Annabelle's nipples hardened and she gasped. Three punishments, oh my God! Her panties dampened and she stepped onto the boat in a daze rubbing her ass. This was going to be a very long three weeks.
* * * *
Marcus paced back and forth in his office. Lance leaned against the wall and glared at his brother. “I told you she didn't believe us, and now we can't leave. We're too busy. We have three weeks till Christmas and dad is having a fit about the line breaking down.” Smiling, Marcus turned to his brother. “Well, I guess we'll just have to use a little of dad's magic to pay her a short visit tonight. You get the men working on the line while I make the plans for tonight. Ms. Annabelle won't be able to sit for three days when we get done with her. And she won't deny us anymore either.” He reached for the phone. Lance strolled to the door and stopped. “You know dad is going to be pissed that were not here.” “He won't even miss us with the others keeping busy. Plus, Dad knows about Annabelle being our mate. He won't complain too much about us being gone.” He laughed. “I'll believe it when I see it. Mom's been bugging him to turn over the duties of St. Nick to you for more than three hundred years, but nothing yet.” “Yeah, right, like Dad will ever do that. Right now I want to concentrate on our mate for the next twenty years. And I'm not ready for St. Nick work yet. It's bad enough that I have to ride with him. I swear it takes me two weeks to unwind after one night with him. I should make you do it this time.” “Um, no, thanks. The last time I went with him, I was ready to strangle the old man.” Lance opened the door to have their secretary step inside.
“Sorry to bother you, but your lawyer is on line one, and he said it was important.” Marcus nodded as she left the room, shutting the door behind her. He frowned at Lance and answered the phone. “Yes, Bill, what's so important to interrupt us?” Marcus listened and nodded his head. Lance moved closer to the desk and waited until he hung up the phone.
“We have to go now and find our mate. It seems her ex, Dave, is not only her husband, but a demon. Damn't it how the hell could we have missed this. Bill says he's been searching for her. Her apartment was trashed a few minutes ago and the police are searching for him now. The landlord saw him coming out of her apartment.”
Marcus snapped. “I'm calling dad. You tell the foremen he's in charge tonight. I want our mate in our home and safe before the night is out.” He snarled and reached for the phone again, but their father, St. Nick, flashed into the room, his hair already gray and his beard trimmed neatly for Christmas Eve.
“There's no need to call me. Go get your mate. I'll take care of everything here. Your mother has already stepped in to supervise the workers. We'll be ready. Right now our future daughter-in-law is in danger and I want her safe,” he ordered. Marcus nodded and moved to the door with his brother. The thought of their mate in danger sent a chill up his spine. His family had always been known as the peacekeepers among their kind. It was one of the reasons why his family was granted the privilege of being Santa Claus each year.
But if one scratch was on Annabelle's body, Marcus would destroy anyone who harmed her.
Chapter Five
“I can't believe you made us change hotels. We were booked at a five-star hotel, for Pete's sake.” Sandy pouted and flopped down on the queen-sized bed in her room.
“I told you I wanted time. You should have kept your mouth shut. This hotel isn't bad. I mean, come on, so it's a four-star. It has all the same stuff. It's just a little further away from town. Now, I want to take a hot bath and get out of these wet clothes. Why don't we meet in the restaurant, say around one? We can eat a late lunch since nothing starts happening here till dark anyway.”
She unpacked her bathing stuff and her outfit for that evening, making sure it wouldn't get wrinkled. “I can't believe I let you talk me into this dress. It's so not me.” She stared at the short black leather dress. Sandy jumped off the bed and headed for the door. “Hey, you look fabulous in it. You'll really make those two men nuts.” She laughed, shutting the door. “Yeah, that's just what I need to do. Not!” She grabbed her small toiletries bag and ran to the bathroom. Annabelle knew it should be too early to tell if she was pregnant, but this test claimed it could tell if your period was even just one day late. She stripped out of her clothes and opened the box, taking out the little stick. Her stomach knotted and her hands shook as she sat down on the toilet seat. Did she want to be pregnant? All her life she dreamed of having a family and children, but after Dave, she wasn't so sure. She sighed and relaxed as she urinated on the stick. “Now, just wait five minutes.” She put the stick on the counter and started the bath water running, dumping her rose bubble bath into the water. She inhaled the fresh scent as she stepped into the tub and sank down into the water. Closing her eyes, she relaxed and took a deep breath. She wouldn't get her hopes up. If she was pregnant, she would deal with it, but until then, there was nothing to do. As she soaked in the scented warm water, she thought, this peace and quiet is just what I need. “Annabelle, where the hell are you?” Lance bellowed into her room.
She jumped up and sloshed water all over the floor. How the hell did they find me so fast? The door to the bathroom opened and slammed against the counter.
Marcus and Lance both pushed into the room and glared down at her. “You have a lot to answer to, so I suggest you get out and meet us in the room in five minutes.” Marcus snapped. “Excuse me, but this is my vacation, and I'll be damned if you tell me what to do. We're not married, or whatever the hell you call it. Now, if you will excuse me, I'm going to finish my bath in peace. If you want to wait till I'm done, then fine, but know this: you're not going to order me around,” she said firmly and pointed to the door. They looked at each other. Before she could say anything, Lance reached down and picked her up over his shoulder, smacking her wet ass. “Damn it, Lance, put me down!” Her ass burned as he smacked her again holding in the moan that wanted to slip out. “Be quiet, Annabelle, unless you want the next room to hear you,” he snapped and threw her onto the bed. “We were willing to let you have your time, but you are in danger and we're not about to let you get hurt.” Lance sat at one side of the bed while Marcus sat on the other. “I'm sorry, Annabelle, but your apartment was trashed earlier today. It seems your soon-to-be ex-husband isn't who he claims.” Marcus pushed her wet hair out of her face and, seeing the goose bumps on her arms, covered her with a towel. “What do you mean? I don't understand. Why would he destroy my apartment?” Annabelle looked back and forth between them. “You know there are vampires and shifters, but there are other things we don't like to let humans know about because it would create a panic and it's not our place to inform the humans about them. Like wizards, shifters, and demons. Your Dave is a demon. I should have recognized it right away, but your scent, and the fact we found you, distracted both of us. Otherwise we would have never let you come here.
“For the past month, demons have been trying to take over control of the city. They want us gone and will do anything to make it happen. I'm afraid Dave is bound and determined to keep you from us. The demons believe this is a perf
ect way to push us out, but we won't allow that to happen.” She shook her head. “No, this can't be happening. We got married. I mean, I would have noticed something.” She wrapped the towel tighter around her body because all of a sudden, she was really cold. Lance scooped her up into his arms, rocking her back and forth. “Demons can take any form they want and stay that way for a long time. We'll take care of him, we promise.” He kissed the top of her head. She moved out of his arms and ran to the bathroom. “I'm going to be sick.” Annabelle hugged the toilet and threw up all her breakfast. She sat there for five minutes, until the dry heaves finally stopped.
Finally Marcus knelt down behind her and pulled her hair back. “I'm sorry your vacation is ruined, but we can't let you stay here. He's looking for you, Annabelle, and now that he knows you're important to us, he'll stop at nothing to destroy you.” She grabbed the towel on the floor and wiped her mouth. “Can you give me a few minutes, please?” she whispered. He sighed and got up. “We'll pack your things for you. We just told Sandy. We want her to come with us as well. We don't know what he'll do to her and I know she's close to you. You two can have the run of our house. We have a nice large indoor pool, a game room, library, all sorts of things to relax with. Plus, you'll have us at night.” He kissed her head and headed out to the bedroom, closing the door behind him. Annabelle jumped up and grabbed the little stick. She moaned and plopped down on the toilet. Two very distinct blue lines. She was pregnant. “No.” She threw the little stick across the room and cried. Both Lance and Marcus stormed into the room and stared down at her. “What's wrong? Are you okay?” Lance scanned the room while Marcus picked her up and carried her back into the bedroom. “Tell me what's wrong. You're breaking our hearts here, baby.” Marcus pleaded. As he said the word “baby,” her sobs became stronger. “What am I going to do?” she cried into his shoulder. “Marcus…” Lance said next to him quietly, pointing at the little stick on the floor. She cried even harder. Marcus's arms tightened around her and he sat on the bed. Lance sat next to him. “Is that why Dave's after you? Are you carrying his child?” Lance demanded, and snapped the little stick in half with his fingers. Annabelle sucked in a breath and jumped out of Marcus's arms. She grabbed the plastic bottle of water off the table and threw it at his head. “No, you stupid ass! I haven't been with anyone for over a year! You two bumbling idiots are it,” she screamed, and stomped to her suitcase. She grabbed her jeans and sweater and stormed into the bathroom, slamming the door and locking it. “Of all the fucking gall, to be pissed at me!” She jammed her foot into her jeans and then the next one. “The first time I've been with a man in a year and I get two stupid jerks.” She pulled on her sweater and grabbed her brush, then swung around, opening the door. “You know something? Since it's obvious you don't believe me, why don't you two just go home? I mean, there's no sense in you staying here. Oh, don't worry. I won't ask for a freaking nickel from you when the baby comes. I'll just move to our family's cabin away from the city.”
She saw Sandy standing in the room with them, her suitcase in her hand. “Hey, Sandy, if you want to go with these jerks, then by all means go. Hell, you should have gone with them in the bar, because I sure can't take their crap.” She stormed back into the bathroom and was going to slam the door again, when Marcus stepped in the way. “Enough! You're going with us and that's it. I'll be damned if I leave my mate at the hands of a demon. You have five minutes to get your coat and shoes on or we'll carry you out,” he snapped. “We'll deal with the baby issue later. Right now your safety is more important.” He left the bathroom as Sandy pushed into it. “Baby issue? What the hell are they talking about?” Sandy stared at her, then back at them. Annabelle sighed. “It seems I'm pregnant and those dorks behind you think Dave is the father.”
Annabelle pushed herself past Marcus and sat on the bed, pulling her boots on. “They what? You haven't been with that creep in over a year.” Sandy glared at both men, but they didn't say a word. They just picked up the suitcases and headed for the door. Annabelle grabbed her dress and coat, marching behind them as they left the room. “Don't worry about it, Sandy. As soon as this thing with Dave is over, I'm so out of here. It's time for me to move on anyway. I can work from the cabin and it's big enough for me and the baby.”
She didn't say a word all the way down in the elevator as she tapped her foot to the Christmas Muzak that played. If she wasn't so furious right now, she would be bawling her eyes out.
* * * *
Marcus threw their suitcases into the car and shut the trunk. There was no way she was going anywhere. Tonight they would prove to her that she belonged to them and she would accept them. He smiled and climbed into the car. At least they didn't have to drive far to their home in the center of the island.
You know Mom will be able to tell if the child is ours, Lance said telepathically to him. Marcus nodded, but he already knew their mate was carrying their child. They were going to be fathers and that meant they had no time. She needed to be converted now, before the fetus developed further even at a week into the pregnancy the baby would cause havoc to her system. There was no way a human could live through a pregnancy with a vampire baby. The baby and she would need blood every couple of hours when she got close to delivery. Marcus pulled into the long driveway that led to their ancestral home. The gate swung open immediately as they approached it. Guards strolled around the courtyard as they pulled up to the house.
Mom, we need your assistance at the door, please.
Marcus stepped out of the car, popping open the trunk. “I'm here, but I should warn you. Your mate is fuming and I can't say I blame her. What in the world were you two thinking, confronting her like that? All you had to do was ask me to find out, and she would have never known the difference. Now it's going to take twice as long to get her to trust you two.” We don't need the lecture. I know we screwed up. Marcus sighed. As he opened the back door, he extended his hand to help Annabelle out, but she refused his offer.
Annabelle stepped out of the car along with Sandy and scanned her surroundings. In the daylight, the house was massive and old. Her eyes got large as she took in the gardens. “I thought vampires could only come out at night?” She nodded to the guards.
“That is another myth others made up. While the sun is uncomfortable for most newly turned vampires, it won't kill us.” Marcus wrapped his arms around her waist and escorted her into the foyer of the house. Her body tensed under his touch, but he ignored her reaction as they stepped into the entrance. “Annabelle, Sandy, this is our mother, Eden. Mother, this is our mate, Annabelle Worldly, and her friend, Sandy Bower.”
His mother pulled Annabelle into a hug and shook Sandy's hand. “Why, she's beautiful, Marcus. You boys are indeed lucky to have such a beauty as your mate. Welcome to our home, Annabelle and Sandy. You've come at a great time. We're having our Christmas party tonight. There will be plenty of food, men, and more food.” She wiggled her eyebrows. Annabelle smiled. “Thank you so much for allowing us to stay here. I hope we don't cause too much trouble. I can't wait to meet some men, especially since I'm no one's mate yet!” She glared at Marcus. Eden laughed, and patted her hand as she wrapped both her arms around the women's waists and escorted them up the stairs. “Marcus, Lance, get their things while I show these lovely ladies where they'll be staying.” “Annabelle knows where our room is.” Marcus snapped. “And there will be no other men.” He slapped Annabelle's ass, getting a squeak out of her before she glared back at him. “Now behave, Marcus. You can't force something that takes time. I swear, Sandy, men these days just think they can take what they want when they want it. Whatever happened to courting? God, I miss the old days.” She shook her head and sighed. Marcus watched the three of them walk up the stairs.
Well, what did you find out? He strolled outside and grabbed the rest of the luggage with Lance. “She's only about a week pregnant. There is no demon baby here. Both of you have a lot to make up for and you'd better start tonight. I want…well, I'll be damn
ed—there's more than one baby. I can't make out how many, but I see at least two, maybe three. Damn it, you two, I want my grandchildren safe, so you'd better start kissing her ass.” He looked up at Lance and both of them sighed. “You know she's right. We have a lot to make up for already.” Marcus headed up the stairs with the luggage. “Yeah, I know. Me, more than you. When will I ever learn to keep my mouth shut? You'd think that after three hundred years, I'd know better than to go spouting off like that. We're also going to have to be more careful with her,” Lance murmured. Marcus stepped into the bedroom and watched Annabelle move around the room. She stopped and turned, meeting his gaze. “We've emptied the dresser there, and the closet to the right is for you,” he said. “I have three men at your apartment now trying to collect anything that wasn't damaged for you. They'll bring everything here tonight.” He sat her suitcases down on the bed. “Annabelle, I'm not good with apologies, but we owe you one. We shouldn't have spouted off like that earlier.” He walked up to her and cupped her face in his hands. “All I can say is we were both in shock. We just found you, and then to be blessed with a child? It was a surprise we didn't expect.” He gently kissed her lips. She pulled back and looked down at the floor. “Don't you think it was a shock to me? When Dave and I were first married, we tried to have children, but nothing happened. I went for testing and they couldn't understand why I couldn't get pregnant. Something about his seed attacking my eggs. They wanted to do more tests on him, but he refused. I guess I should have known then something was wrong with him.”
The Naughty Angel and Her Three Very Wise Men: A Christmas Ménage Page 4
