I make a noise in my chest, and she giggles. ‘Girl after my own heart,’ I tell her. I love a good burger. ‘There’s an American diner in town, you ever been?’ She shakes her head no. ‘They do a mean pecan pie too. Oh, and the milkshakes are to die for. You fancy that?’
‘Yeah, I’m in.’ She smiles. We drive down in silence. It’s not uncomfortable though—she just seems to be enjoying being outside. We pull into the car park, and I go around to help her out of the car. Although she doesn’t need it, she gets out just fine, and the look she gives me tells me she can do just that too. So I push my hands into my pockets, and we walk inside.
***
Maiya doesn’t eat a great deal, and what she leaves, I polish off no problem. I hate wasting good food. Besides, with my metabolism, I can eat for ten men. Easy. I watch her as she takes in her surroundings and whenever anyone passes, she discreetly hides the right side of her face. I sigh. Will she ever feel any better about this shit?
‘You really should eat more you know? With the baby and all.’ I wish I could have tied my tongue in a knot and not let those words slip from my lips because her face shows every ounce of pain in that second that she must be hiding from view.
‘I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything.’
Her eyes close and she seems to compose herself before she looks at me again.
‘I’d really like to have a normal day,’ she says, and her voice cracks a little. I smile and reach for her hand again, just brushing the tops of her fingers before she pulls them away.
‘No problem,’ I agree. ‘You done here or you want a shake? Coke? Coffee?’
‘No, I’m fine thanks. I couldn’t have another thing. I’m stuffed.’ I pull out my wallet, and she pulls out a cash card. I shake my head at her.
‘Nah, my treat.’ She puts the fucking card down on the table anyway and seeing we’re ready to leave, the waitress comes across. I push the card back towards Maiya, and she shoves it right back. The waitress doesn’t know where to look. ‘I said, I’m paying,’ I tell her again.
‘No, I will pay for my own at least,’ she demands and if I could tan her arse right now, I would, for making me look like a chump.
‘First date?’ the waitress pipes up. And I see Maiya’s eyes go wide like saucers as she gets up and starts heading for the door. I flick some notes at the waitress and pick up Maiya’s card.
‘Nah, just friends,’ I tell her, and she scribbles her number down on my receipt, which she gives me as I’m walking away. I take it and crumple it into my pocket. I’m too concerned about following Maiya right now. I get outside, and she’s waiting by the car, arms folded and looking down at her feet. ‘What the fuck was that?’ I ask her as I near.
‘What?’ she asks looking at me like I’m asking the most ridiculous fucking question known to man.
‘Come on, sweetheart. Don’t play dumb with me. The mention of a date and you go running—give a man a fucking complex acting like that,’ I huff spitting my dummy out like a toddler.
‘It’s not… Oh, forget it.’
I get in the car and push her door open, leaning over. ‘Nah come on, spill… it’s not what?’
‘Nothing.’
I tilt my head on the side. Mocking her, I quirk my eyebrow and twist my lips.
‘Nothing?’
She looks at me and smirks. ‘Yes, nothing. You were arguing, so I let you pay, that’s it.’
‘Okay, sweetheart, if you say so.’
She twists in her chair and looks me right in the eye. ‘Yes, I do say so!’
I don’t realise what I’m doing till it’s too fucking late and I’m leaning right in. My nose is touching hers as she moves forward a fraction too. And then my lips are pressed to hers, and my hand moves up the side of her face, pulling her forward. I can still taste the strawberry shake I had, but it’s completely forgotten as I taste her tongue against mine. One stroke of her tongue, and then she’s pulling away. Shit. She’s trying like hell to get the door open, and for a second I’m stunned and don’t move.
‘Maiya, look, I’m sorry. I don’t know what I was thinking, I just… I… I’m sorry okay?’
She turns around and looks at me, and her eyes are filled with tears again. I don’t know what the fuck else to say. She nods, and I look away, start the car and I drive home.
‘I don’t want to go back there,’ she says when I’m halfway,
‘You have to. You know that.’
‘I can just go back to the dorm. I’m sure I’ll be fine.’
‘You’re sure? Oh, okay then, but only if you’re fucking sure,’ I tell her sarcastically. ‘Don’t be an idiot just because I kissed you—won’t happen again.’
‘That’s not why, even though you can’t do it again, that’s not the reason.’
‘Sure it’s not.’
‘Listen. Buddy. I’ve been cooped up in that fucking prison for I can’t remember how long. It’s not all about you, although I’m sure you’re used to being the centre of the universe. You’re not the centre of mine.’
‘Well, fuck you too. I am the centre of the universe and fuck you for thinking different,’ I mock. Fucking thanks I get—for taking her out and trying to make her feel good. Won’t happen again. Fucking females. I pull onto the drive and watch as she jumps out of the car before I’ve even parked it. And she storms right through the kitchen. When I come in, all eyes are on me. ‘What?’ I ask.
‘The fuck was all that?’ Harrison pipes in, gesturing towards where Maiya has left the room.
‘Nothing. Nothing at all.’ I head to the surveillance room. I check and double check the monitors and go through more fucking flight lists. I’ve gone through thousands already, and I couldn’t find one clue as to which flight the kitsune bitch had taken. I had in my hand, a printed copy from a private airfield, showing everything up to two weeks after we found Devon. This is my last-ditch attempt since I’ve been through every flight manifest in every airport in the country over a two-week period. It makes my fucking head hurt. I stare at the piece of paper that has come via fax. I’d requested this info over a week ago, pretending to be a private detective and it has only just come through. I stare for a minute before I check it again. I can’t believe I’ve finally found it. I need to check with Jared, although I have a fucking feeling that this is the woman we want. It is an American passport that I’m looking at, and she is the only woman in the group. All the others are men. I have the names and copies of their passports as they had been scanned in—an extra security measure for small private airlines. I scrunch the papers in my hand and hightail it back to the kitchen. Harrison is stuffing the remaining piece of sub in his mouth, but he stops at the sight of me, raising his brows in question.
‘Jared?’ I ask. He points towards the library, and I hightail it down there. I find him in the wingback chair with Devon in his lap, sucking face. I clear my throat since I didn’t think to knock and just barged in. Jared doesn’t immediately pull away like I expect. Instead, he slowly disengages his mouth from hers and then kisses her on her lips, not once but twice, then again on her nose.
‘I’m sorry for disturbing your mouth fucking but—’ I stop as he kisses her again ‘but—’ I start again.
He growls. ‘Better be fucking important, Brad. I’m sick of you cock blocking me,’ he says making Devon giggle and hide her face against his neck. He moans a little as she does, and I realise that she’s not hiding her face. No, she’s sucking on his neck. Fantastic. Their arousal is thick in the air, and that scent in my nose isn’t good. It’s like watching porn. Instant wood. I clear my throat and walk forward, wanting to get this over with fast. I practically push the papers up Jared’s nose.
‘Think I’ve found her.’ I don’t need to specify who, there is only one ‘her’ we are looking for. They both stop what they are doing and suddenly look really serious. I grin at finally having their attention. Devon takes the papers as Jared stands them both up. Her face pales a little, and their eyes meet.
I don’t need spoken confirmation, that’s enough.
‘When?’ Jared demands.
‘A week after we found Devon,’ I tell them, Jared growls out his frustration, and I’m still waiting for Devon to speak. I haven’t seen her look vulnerable since she came back from those bastards, but right now, she does.
‘I want everyone in the kitchen now. Go and round them up,’ he tells me, and then he addresses Devon. ‘Baby, you okay?’ I hear him ask as I leave the room.
I get a message out on all the radios for everyone but the guards running the perimeter to meet back in the kitchen. The kitchen is full to bursting and Imogen is having a fit trying to get shit out and on the table for everyone to snack on. Jared walks in with Devon following. Everyone stops talking, and he stands at the head of the table.
‘Brad’s identified the bastards we’re looking for. We know where they landed and when, so we’ll be taking a trip. Howard, I need you to make contact with the North American pack and tell them we’re flying first thing tomorrow. It’s not up for negotiation—we’re coming. Harrison, speak to my father, advise him that we need bodies here to watch the females.’
He nods, but before he can leave the room, Devon speaks up, stopping him.
‘Harrison, wait. Jared, I’m not staying behind. I’m going with you.’
He shakes his head no. I fold my arms across my chest and wait. It’s like watching a fucking soap opera, watching these two. It’s comical. Jared: the alpha male being fucking pussy-whipped by his female. The girl has grit. I’ll give her that. She marches to the beat of her own drum and doesn’t fucking apologise for it. And all Jared can do is agree. His face is a picture. His lips flatten out, and I swear I can hear his teeth grind together.
‘That’s not up for discussion, Devon.’
‘I beg to differ, Jared!’
He sucks in a deep breath and his eyes close as he blows it out through his nose.
‘NO,’ she starts to protest again, and he slams his fist down on the table, at which point all argument blows out of her on a long sigh. He nods at Harrison to leave the room.
‘Brad, what’s that guy called who you’ve been training?’
‘Mitch?’
He nods. ‘He up to speed on the tech here?’
I nod my head in a definite yes. ‘Good. Because I’ll need you with me.’
I grin. Then suddenly realise the flaw in that plan.
‘Um, if I go I’ll have to take Maiya.’
He shakes his head and starts to protest.
‘Jared, I can’t stay away from her. I can’t leave enough blood to keep her going for however long were out there. We can’t be sure how much she needs at the moment.’
‘I thought that shit was all sorted?’ he asks frowning at me.
‘It was. Well, we thought it was, but turns out she’s gonna need more, and we can’t be sure exactly how much. If she doesn’t have enough, she could die.’
‘We’ll find another donor,’ he tells me, and I find myself losing my shit at the mere thought of someone else’s blood in her veins. I’m about to make a fool of myself and say just that when Zoe pipes up.
‘Jared, that wouldn’t be a good idea. Remember her reaction initially?’
Phew. Thank you, Zoe. Saved me a tantrum. Of course, he can’t argue with that logic—she went into a seizure when she first had my blood. Can’t risk that again. Devon is still pouting on his right, but I see her looking at me. I mean, she looks at me all the time but this is different. She’s studying me—trying to work something out. I can see the cogs turning behind her eyes. Then she smiles. I look around, like a prick, wondering who the fuck she’s smiling at. I haven’t done or said anything that would make her smile. Nope, just me. I smile back awkwardly so she knows I’m confused, and she shakes her head, still smiling. Okay, women are weird. Fact.
‘Fuck me. Fine! Maiya goes.’
‘Well, if Maiya goes, does that mean Zoe goes too?’ Devon asks. Jared nods as he rolls his eyes and takes in a deep breath. ‘Well then, I’m going. You can’t make me stay behind if all the other females are going. It’s not fair. Besides, I know the place, you don’t,’ she says as she prods him in the chest.
Howard comes in then. ‘North American Alpha weren’t too pleased with the short notice but said they would accommodate us. I just need to confirm the numbers.’
‘More than fucking necessary,’ Jared mumbles and Devon’s face splits into a grin, making me fucking smile. Pussy whipped.
Arrangements are made, flights booked. And the decision is made to close up the house since we are all going. The extra men too. After all, we don’t know how many we will be facing when we got there. The American pack will also give us men, seeing as though we are essentially ridding them of an enemy. They have to. That’s how it is. Now I just need to break the news to Maiya. I’m not entirely sure how to do that, so like a coward, I go in search of an empty room to contemplate it. Empty rooms at the minute though, are hard to come by. But since everyone is in the kitchen I seek out the formal dining room. It never gets used. And bingo—empty. Halle-fucking-luiah.
***
Maiya
I’m reeling about that kiss. I mean, what the hell was he thinking? I’ve just been tested for every sexually transmitted disease known to man including HIV. And I’m pregnant. And he kisses me. I may not be a genius, but I’m pretty sure things are passed via bodily fluids. He’s such an idiot. I’m sitting on the edge of the bed, contemplating all of that, when he walks in. I’m about to chew his ear, but I stop because he looks happy. Great, he’s pleased with himself.
‘So we need to get ready. We’re leaving for the States first thing, and you have to come because I’m needed there.’
‘What the hell, Brad? What… I… why?’
‘Got a lead. We need to go as soon as possible,’ he says as he begins rifling through his draws, pulling out clothes. From the wardrobe, he grabs a holdall and starts to pack. I’m still sitting on the bed digesting what he’s just said. A lead. On what? Who? And where? I’m about to ask when he clicks his fingers in front of my face.
‘Maiya, you got a passport?’ I nod because I do but I don’t think I have it here.
‘I use it for ID. It will be in one of my clutches in my room.’
Sighing he pulls his t-shirt up and over his head.
I’ve seen him do this before, but I was scared… terrified actually. Now I look at his back and watch as his muscles flex and pull as he takes out a new tee and puts it on. I feel my face heat, and then I feel hot and dirty. A shiver runs down my spine at the feelings I’m having. I shudder all over, and I’m just about to get up and run for the bathroom when he turns and starts speaking as though what’s going on in my body has no effect on him or the rest of the world. I mean, why would it? It’s me that’s broken. Me that’s…
I snap out of my state as he clicks his fingers in my face again. ‘Seriously, will you stop that?’ I snap. ‘What the hell do I have to go for anyway? I’ll just go back home.’
‘Oh, you will? Oh, okay. Not like you need me to keep you alive or anything huh? No, you go home, princess!’ he says all calm and sarcastic. Princess! Gah. I could punch him in the nutsack.
‘I hate you,’ I tell him, and he mimics me in a stupid high-pitched voice.
‘Real mature, princess, real mature,’ he mutters.
‘So, I have no choice then? You are going to make me go with you?’
‘No, you have a choice. You can stay here and hope you don’t die without my blood. Or you can get your whiney arse up and pack for the trip, yeah?’
Oh, I really want to punch him in his balls right now. ‘Fuck you,’ I mutter.
‘Superior hearing, sweetheart. Fuck you, too.’
I’m angry because he makes me feel… I’m not sure, but it’s dirty and wrong, and I don’t want that feeling anywhere near me. I hate it. I hate him. No, that’s a lie. I don’t hate him, not at all. God, I’m so confused right now. I lie on the bed,
ignoring him. I’m not sure how much time passes, but there’s a knock at the door, and Brad invites whoever it is inside. It’s the guy I spoke to, what seems like a lifetime ago when he followed Devon into a pub and called Jared. I can’t remember his name, but he’s miserable looking. He hands Brad a passport, and a bag, my bag!
‘Hey, that’s mine. Where did you get that?’
He rolls his eyes and mumbles something to Brad before he leaves. I get up and walk over, snatching my bag from his hands,
‘God, as if he went through my room!’ I tell him.
‘What did you expect, princess? You were fucking kidnapped and carted off from there. You think we’re just gonna send you back to collect a few things?’
‘Stop calling me fucking, princess!’ I yell.
‘Stop acting like a fucking brat then.’
Like a slap in the face, any retort is lost when he says that. Am I acting like a spoiled brat? I huff out a breath and go to the bathroom. I’m annoyed, but he has no right to be annoyed with me. I fling the door back, and he stands straight, looking at me.
‘You shouldn’t have kissed me!’ I yell before I cover my mouth in shock at what just came out. That’s not what I was meaning to say.
He doesn’t look fazed by it—he looks kind of bored. ‘No, I shouldn’t have,’ is all he says. And again I’m left reeling. His words sting. And I’m not really sure why.
I pack my bag in silence. He doesn’t give me my passport. It’s in his back pocket, which I can see from my position on the bed. I’m getting angsty, and although I went out today, I feel like I need some air. As if he’s read my mind Brad says, ‘I’m going out for a run.’
Although I’m annoyed with him, I don’t think about it. ‘I’d like to run too.’
He shakes his head and purses his lips. ‘Not that kinda run, princess.’
And I’m an idiot. Of course it isn’t. Like ice cold water splashing into my face, the reality of what my captors are smacks home. Animals. Wolves. Although, apparently different to the ones who kidnapped me the first time. Yeah right. Like I believe that. They have a prison in the cellar for fuck’s sake. He sees my face and tsks his tongue. He has told me over and over again about the differences and why I can trust them—him, but I’m not sold. Who would be?
Complicated Love Page 4
