Into the night: The rogue series book one

by Toni Goode

  “I’m Emma. Your boys are adorable.” She said with a soft smile as her heart raced. She was always weary meeting new people, but this was Nicholas’ brother.

  “Up. Up.” Oliver called out to Emma as he put his arms up for her to pick him up.

  “Aren’t you a big boy.” She said as she lifted the small boy up in the air and he laughed loud.

  “More, more!” Oliver laughed as she spun him around some.

  “Oh, it’s nice to see you have someone here who isn’t afraid to get down with the boys.” Beth said as she walked into the room and looked at Nicholas. Emma stopped spinning Oliver as she looked at the red headed woman standing in the doorway. “Looks like Oliver is in love.” Beth said as she walked over. “I’m Beth and you must be Emma.” She smiled.

  “I forget how quickly word travels.” Emma said nervously as she put Oliver down and he whined in protest.

  “Red heads always cause a distraction. I should know.” Beth smirked and then she looked at Nicholas who walked out of the room with Sal. “It’s nice to have a female presence here again.” Beth said as she picked up Oliver who was being cranky. Charly had already run into the living room with the guys.

  “Yeah the place is a little dreary.” Emma agreed.

  “It wasn’t always like that but, well. Life happens.” Beth began to say and then thought better of it. Emma wanted to ask her questions. She wanted to know about the woman in the picture and what happened to her, but she didn’t want to push this new woman. For now, she could wait for her answers. “So, I hear you are staying?”

  “Yeah for now.” Emma said with a smile and then her eyes darted to the flames shooting up in the backyard. It was the barbeque grill. They had forgotten about the chicken. “Oh my god!” Emma said in shock and then she was running out the back door as Nicholas came running too.

  “Shit. Shit.” He said as he lowered the top on the grill, and it made the flames go down.

  “I guess the chicken is well done, huh?” Emma couldn’t help but laugh as he looked at her.

  “Some people pay big money for charred chicken.” He smirked some as she laughed, and he did too.

  Meanwhile inside the house Beth and Sal stood side by side. “Do you see what I see?” Beth said with a smirk.

  “Yep, he’s a goner.” Sal smirked as he kissed his wife’s forehead.

  They all ended up back in the living room as the kids ran around and played. The guys were telling stories of when they were younger. Nicholas actually looked carefree as they spoke.

  “These two will go on and on about their childhood. Let’s make some coffee and maybe the boys will go down for a nap.” Beth said as she got up and so did Emma. They walked into the kitchen as they began to get the coffee pot ready.

  “Nick seems to have a liking to you.” Beth said nonchalantly as she glanced at Emma.

  “What? Oh, he can barely stand me.” She shook her head some.

  “Really? That’s not what I saw.” Beth smirked. “I haven’t seen Nicholas this animated in a long time.” She added.

  “He definitely is different with his brother. Those two are like polar opposites.” Emma said with a grin.

  “You’re telling me. Nicholas has always had a certain way about him, but he is really a great guy. He just has a weird way of showing it.” Beth smiled softly as they got the cups out for the coffee.

  “Yeah I kind of see that.” Emma began as she shook her head. “I’m going to get my own place though and a job.” She added.

  “Oh? I see.” Beth said softly as they each grabbed two cups of coffee and went back into the living room. The toddlers were sleeping on the floor by the tv. “Now this is a rare sight to see.” Beth said as she looked at the boys sleeping and then at Nicholas and Sal who were sitting on the couch.

  “Coffee sounds great right about now.” Sal said as he grabbed a cup and Emma handed one to Nicholas as she sat on a couch across from him. They all sat and drank coffee in silence.

  “We should do this more often. The boys really miss you Nick.” Beth finally said as Nicholas looked up.

  “Yeah I should make more time.” Nicholas said with a nod of his head.

  “Who knows maybe you will be the next one to have a kid running around.” Sal nudged his brother.

  “Looks whose talking?” Nicholas laughed. “I’m sure you will have a bunch kids before I do.” He smirked as he sipped his coffee.

  “What about you Emma. You want kids?” Beth asked her as Emma swallowed hard.

  Emma sipped her coffee and shook her head nervously.

  “What is this? Like a million questions, damn.” Nicholas said sarcastically as he stood up now. “How about a game of pool?” He said as he looked at everyone.

  “Pool?” Emma asked with confusion. She had not seen a pool table in his house but then again, she hadn’t been in every room.

  “Yeah if you think you can handle losing.” Sal got up and walked over.

  “You guys can go. I will watch the boys and take a little nap myself.” Beth said with a smile. She looked at Emma as the guys began to leave the room. “Go on. It will be fun.” She said with a smile.

  “Are you sure? I hate to leave you alone in here.” Emma said honestly.

  Beth rolled her eyes. “This is the quietest I have had in weeks.” She smiled. “Go, have fun.” She added.

  “Ok.” Emma smiled and then left the room as she walked towards the guys voices. She entered the hall and a door was open as she stopped and looked in. It was a large room with a pool table and a mini bar. She walked in as they both looked at her. “Nice table.” She said awkwardly as she looked at them.

  “You play?” Nicholas asked as he grabbed a pool stick from the wall and Sal began to arrange the balls.

  “I’ve played a game or two.” She smiled as she walked in the room more. The truth was that she had played a lot. Her grandfather Walter had taught her how to play when she would visit him.

  “You heard the girl, she can play.” Sal grinned as he finished setting up the balls on the table. Emma walked over to the wall and picked up a cue stick from it. She held the stick out and made sure it was straight as Nicholas and Sal watched her.

  “What?” She said as she grabbed the stick of chalk and began to rub it on the end of her stick.

  “Why do I feel like we’re about to get swindled?” Nicholas asked with a raised eyebrow.

  “Worried?” She raised an eyebrow and then Sal laughed.

  “Oh boy, this is going to be fun.” Sal laughed. “I will play winner.” He added.

  “Alright then. Should I break or ladies first?” Nicholas smirked.

  “I mean if you think I can break. I hit the white ball, right?” She smirked as she walked around the table and he watched. Nicholas rolled his eyes and she smiled as she adjusted the cue ball.

  The sound of balls flying across the table echoed in the room as two solids and a stripped one went into the pockets. Both men looked at her with wide shocked eyes.

  “Solids.” She smiled as she lined up her next shot.

  “I believe you are being swindled.” Sal smirked as the game continued.

  Nicholas was genuinely shocked as he watched her play. She was damn good, and he played a lot of pool himself so he would know. He watched her sink the balls one after another for three turns. He had literally met his match. She missed on the third turn and she sighed as he lined up his ball. He sunk it immediately and then another. Emma watched with amusement as he sunk the balls. He was really good. By his fourth turn he had missed, and she smiled big. Her next few balls were lined up. She only had two left and then the eight ball.

  The first two balls went in without trouble and Nicholas ran his hand through his hair. At the bar he had been the undefeated champion for over a year and yet here at his home he was having his ass kicked!

  The eight ball was tricky as she looked at it. She moved to the left and then the right of the table. This was going to be a hard ball to sink but then s
he remembered some tricks her grandpa had told her. It had been quite sometime since she had played and even longer since she had tried any trick shots. She inhaled deep and lined up her ball. “Eight ball, corner pocket.” She said as Nicholas smirked. He knew this shot was nearly impossible. He had only made it once himself. There was no way she could make it. Good or not, she would not sink that ball.

  Emma let out a deep breath as she hit the cue ball. It bounced off the left side and then the right. Seconds later it hit into the eight ball and she nearly scratched. Her eyes got wide and so did the guys. The ball went in as the cue ball sat on the edge of the pocket but didn’t go in. “Oh my god. Oh my god.” She said with shock.

  “Son of a bitch!’ Nicholas said loud as he shook his head.

  “Holy crap. That shot is legendary. How the hell did you learn to play like that?” Sal said with surprise.

  “Yeah seriously. That shot is impossible.” Nicholas sighed heavily and then he ran his hand through his hair.

  “Well not impossible anymore.” Emma smiled big. “I win, I win!” She called out with excitement as she jumped up and down. “You ready to get your ass kicked?” She smirked at Sal.

  “I’m gonna need a drink for this.” Nicholas walked over to the small bar and began to pour himself a drink.

  “Make it two.” Emma smiled big.

  “Make it three.” Sal shook his head as she got the balls situated on the table.

  The next game against Sal went the same way as it did with Nicholas. “I give up. You got skills girl!” Sal laughed as Beth came walking in the room. Charly was crying as she held him.

  “Sorry to break the game up but the boys are cranky, and I need to give them a bath.” She said with exhaustion.

  “Alright, we gotta go. I want a rematch though.” Sal laughed as he began to leave the room.

  “It was really nice meeting you Emma. I hope to see you again soon.” Beth grinned.

  “Yeah, same here.” Emma said with a smile as Nicholas left the room to walk them out as Emma walked back over to the table. She sipped her drink. It was whiskey on the rocks. Strong as hell. She moved some of the balls onto the table as she practiced some trick shots.

  After Nicholas said his goodbyes to his brother’s family, he walked back to the pool room. He stood in the door way as he watched her for a moment. He was impressed with her billiard skills. She hit another ball as he walked in the room and she jumped slightly as she looked at him. “I was just practicing.” She said quickly as she looked at him.

  “From what I see you don’t need any practicing at all.” He smirked as he picked up his glass and took a sip. “I should probably practice.” He shook his head.

  “I hadn’t played in a while.” She said with a nervous smile.

  “Well shit then I wouldn’t want to see how you play if you played all the time.” He smirked. “Show me that move you did earlier.” He said as he walked over towards the table.

  “Which move?” She asked as she fidgeted with the pool stick. He was really intimidating to be around. He radiated power. It was intoxicating honestly.

  “The move earlier. The one where you beat me.” He smirked as he sipped his drink.

  “Oh, the double bounce.” She smirked.

  “The double bounce? That sounds professional.” He walked over to the table and grinned some.

  “Very professional. All the pool players use that lingo.” She laughed some.

  “Alright so show it hot shot. Let me see again.” He leaned against the table.

  “I’m surprised that a pool player such as yourself doesn’t know this move already.” She said as she set up the shot and then she lined up the cue ball. When she glanced up, she swallowed hard. He was staring at her and she couldn’t move for a moment. She quickly looked away from him and then hit the ball as it flew across the table but this time she missed. She missed big time. “Damn.” She said as she stood up now.

  “Can I give you a pointer?” He asked. Before she could answer him, he walked over to her. “You’re holding your body too stiff and you’re arching your back.” He said as he neared her. “Aim for the shot again and I will show you.” He said and all she could do was aim for the shot as she swallowed hard. He was so close now. “Now you see this right here.” He touched the small of her back and she froze as she stood there. “Straighten your back out and relax your posture.” He said as his hand went to her arm now as he leaned next to her. “Now relax and aim. Breathe in deep and let out slow then take your shot.” He said as she glanced at him. He was so close. “Relax and breathe. That’s all there is to it.” He said as his eyes lingered on her lips. “Now all you have to do is make your move.” He said and his words sounded so seductive. She began to get lost in them. His hand lingered on her arm and then his mouth was moving closer to hers. She felt her heart race as she stood there and then he was licking his lips as he inched closer to her. His eyes went from her mouth back to her eyes and back again. Seconds before his lips touched hers, a loud knock was heard. They both turned their heads and the knock got louder. He quickly left the room as she let out the breath she was holding.

  Nicholas walked quickly through his house as the knocking became louder and louder. “Alright god damn it, I’m coming!” He snapped as he got to the door and swung it open. His friend George stood there. He was out of breath.

  “We have company at the border. You need to come now. It’s some guys from the Nightfall pack. “Marcus is back there with them and I don’t know how long he can hold them off.” He said anxiously.

  Emma came into the room as George looked at her then at Nicholas. “Ok I’m coming.” Nicholas said as George nodded his head and began to leave quickly.

  “What’s wrong? Did he say the Nightfall pack is here?” She said with fear.

  “It’s fine. Just stay here. I will take care of this.” He said as he walked out the door.

  “But what if they won’t leave.” She said with fear.

  “Trust me they won’t do anything stupid. Just stay here and don’t unlock this door for anyone.” He said and then he was leaving as the door locked behind him. Emma began to tremble some at the possibility of what could happen. She felt sick. What if Lawrence made her go back? What if he came to the house? What if Nicholas had no other choice? If he was given an ultimatum to choose between her and his pack, she knew the pack would come first. She needed a plan and she needed one now. She wouldn’t go back there. She couldn’t.

  Chapter Twelve

  Nicholas made it in record time to the border where Lawrence’s men had gathered. There were three of them, but he could sense others nearby though he couldn’t see them. All the men had dirty blonde hair, but their ages varied from twenties to at least fifties. The main man in charge was the oldest of the three. A man named Oscar. He stood front and center as the other two men stood behind him.

  Nicholas walked right up to Oscar. He stood just over the line into their territory.

  “Gentlemen, Can I help you with something?” Nicholas said with a threat in his voice as he looked at the men. “Perhaps you are lost?” He said dryly as Oscar smiled at him.

  “I can see that you are the man in charge. Alpha Nicholas, is it?” Oscar said as he extended his hand out.

  “And you are?” Nicholas didn’t shake his hand.

  “My apologies. My name is Oscar, and this is Walter and Sean.” Oscar began as he kept his hand out. Nicholas looked at it and still didn’t shake it. “I come on behalf of my Alpha, Lawrence of The Nightfall pack.” He said as he pulled his hand back and Nicholas just blinked slowly at him.

  “Is there a reason that your Alpha was unable to come here?” Nicholas finally said seriously.

  “As you know life is busy especially for an Alpha.” Oscar began and Nicholas cut him off.

  “And yet here I am. What do you want? Or better yet what does your Alpha want?” Nicholas asked sternly.

  “We are actually looking for a woman and rumor has it that she has
been seen on your land.” Oscar said quickly.

  “You are going to have to be a bit more descriptive. We have many women here.” Nicholas said sarcastically.

  “Of course. Maybe this picture will help.” Oscar said as he pulled out a picture of Emma. Nicholas took it from him and then handed it back.

  “Nope, never seen her before. Anything else?” Nicholas raised an eyebrow.

  “Maybe you could take another look. Like I said there is a rumor that she is on your land.” Oscar held the picture out to him.

  “And you believe every rumor you hear?” Nicholas shook his head. “I’m sorry but I am quite busy, so if you don’t mind.” Nicholas said seriously.

  “Sir!” Oscar raised his voice just as Nicholas was turning around but he spun back and got toe to toe with him. Oscar’s eyes got wide.

  “I don’t like your tone and I am going to give you two seconds to step off of my territory.” Nicholas growled deep.

  “This is of the utmost importance.” Oscar finally said as he swallowed hard.

  “Apparently it isn’t that important if your Alpha couldn’t even find the time to meet me in person. Now like I said, back up and go back to whatever the hell you came from!” Nicholas snapped at him and spun around once more.

  “Lawrence won’t be happy to hear of your lack of cooperation.” Oscar said as Nicholas spun around again.

  “Then maybe you should tell your coward of an Alpha to come see me face to face and not disrespect me by sending his minions to do his work!” Nicholas snapped. He stepped closer to Oscar once more. “Now back off. This is your last warning.”

  Oscar shook his head and quickly stepped back. Nicholas watched as they left. “Tell me if they return.” Nicholas said angrily and then he was heading back to his place. He knew that things were about to get bad and real soon.

  Emma paced the living room as her nerves began to get the best of her. She couldn’t go back. She refused to stand beside Lawrence. Nicholas was taking too long and that worried her. She thought about hiding in the house but where? If Lawrence got into town then he would be able to sniff her out. She felt like a sitting duck in that house and so she quickly walked out into the back yard. Her eyes darted to the stables and she quickly ran over to them. The scent of the stallions could cover her own scent.