She had the face of a glamorous movie star, bold light green eyes, enhanced by her tan complexion and lips, plump, seductive and ripe. She admitted to him once, that she thought about kissing him. He explained that it was natural for her to feel a bond with him and Tango, because they were the only two male figures in her life with no relation to her family blood line. After that moment, he had thought about kissing her, tasting her and taking away the pain that continued to give her sleepless nights. But he couldn’t. Her father, their closest friend had left them with the responsibility to take care of Melena if anything ever happened to him. He prayed that the magic spell surrounding her and her identity remained intact.
Saxton heard Tango approaching and one look at him as Tango glanced into the room and he paused to look at Melena.
“She is stunning. I hope she can handle this.”
Saxton stepped further into the room.
“I can see the switchblade, Melena.”
She turned toward him, placing her hands on her hips, with her leg still upright on the bench and the dress way up her gorgeous thigh.
“I know that, Saxton. I’m not planning on being in this position when I’m at the party. I’ll be all classy and conservative. Don’t you worry. I’m just glad I convinced Xavier to let me wear the wig and remain somewhat disguised. He didn’t seem too happy about it. I expected him to ask questions but he didn’t.” She adjusted the garter belt that held the silver switchblade. She stepped down as he and Tango approached. Xavier didn’t ask, because the magic spell over Melena was that strong.
“Conservative and that dress do not go hand in hand, Melena. Couldn’t you find something less provocative?” Tango asked, and she smiled then gave them both hugs.
“No worries. From our investigations over the past couple of years, Count Lumanesque Divanni likes women who are fashionable.”
Melena pressed her chest out.
“Christ, Melena, you’re…”
“Well endowed,” she replied to Tango as she pressed the palms of her hands along her breasts to her narrow waist and winked.
“They look good, don’t they? I mean, I think I’m a fully grown woman,” she added as she turned side to side in front of the mirror.
Tango ran his hands through his hair and turned away from her.
Saxton crossed his arms in front of his chest and stared at her as she looked to Tango’s back then back toward Saxton.
“Watch your sassiness. Remember the game plan. This is only recon you’re doing. We’re allowing this because you’ve been working for Xavier for years now. Your goal of intensifying the protection for circle members has taken precedence over everything else. You should try to converse with Donovan Kylton while you are there. If you decide to choose him as a member for the new Security Ring, then he may have to step down as a member of the circle. Remember, this is not about revenge.”
“I wouldn’t quite say that. I still seek my revenge. You both have taught me patience. But mark my words, Morago will die.”
“Melena.” Saxton gave her a stern expression, like that a father gave his child.
“Revenge was not what your father wanted,” Tango added, turning toward Melena.
“Oh, are we at this again. Blah, blah, blah, I am a woman with a mysterious past. My identity must remain a secret. For what? The two of you have kept so many secrets about my true identity away from me. ‘With time,’ you say. Well how frustrating is that? I want to know. I want to be prepared. Will Morago come after me if he knows I am the child of Zeikele Mahalan? Let him come. Let him find out that he was not successful in eliminating the threat.” She threw her hands up into the air as she walked toward the bed and grabbed her small black clutch.
“Please, Melena. We are working toward destroying Filletto, Divanni, and Morago from within. We must be careful. Besides, securing the circle of elders and getting rid of the bad members is necessary. ”
“Saxton is right, Melena. There will be other wolves there and certainly both human and male wolves who will try to…engage you with their charms.”
“Oh brother. I’m twenty-two and do not need to have the whole sex conversation with you two. Besides, I’ve been doing recon for the past three years with Xavier’s organization.”
“Melena, you’re an innocent,” Saxton began to say when Melena placed her hand on his shoulder then stood up on tiptoes to kiss his cheek.
She whispered into his ear. “How do you know I am?” Then she started to head toward the door but he grabbed her wrist and stopped her.
“Tango and I make it our business to know everything. Including your little obsession with romance books.”
“So what? I like romance novels. What’s the big deal?”
“Not just romance novels, but erotic romance novels,” Tango said.
Saxton saw her cheeks redden as she lowered her eyes.
“Just be careful, Melena. Wolves like to share their women and we’d hate to see you taken advantage of like that, because you believe what you read,” Saxton added.
She suddenly became very serious.
“I know what I’m doing and I know how my life must be. You two are all I have. You are both wolves and neither of you have ever made a move on me. I get it. I’m destined for loneliness.”
“Melena!” Saxton gave her a stern expression. He looked down into her gorgeous green eyes and remembered her youth, the fearful child who witnessed her family being massacred. She somehow pulled off an escape and contacted them as her father had taught her. He would never forget that day and nor would Tango.
“You are the most stunning woman and amazing person we have ever met. Wolves look to settle with their mate. We have cared for you and provided for you, but there will come a time when your mate will find you. He will be very lucky to have you. Be smart, Melena. Remember all we have taught you about humans and about weres. Your life, your entire existence depends upon it.”
She smiled at him then glanced at Tango who stood right next to them.
“You both are more than just friends, you are my family, and I love you both. Now how about we go take care of some business?”
They headed out of the bedroom. But despite Saxton’s words to Melena, he still had a heavy heart and some reservations about tonight’s gala.
Chapter 4
“It’s crowded. I don’t like crowds,” Chordeo said to his brothers through his wrist mic. He pulled on his collar trying to release the tightness, for the umpteenth time.
“None of us do. Just focus on the orchestra playing the music. You like that classical shit,” Mano said, and Chordeo could see him from where he stood by the upper balcony. There were a lot of people at the event and a lot of pack members of importance.
“I’m bored,” Chordeo said.
“Remain on alert. There are a lot of different people here and I don’t think the antiques are the only point of interest,” Gideon said through their mind link this time as he smiled and nodded at some group of men admiring a collection of jewelry.
“I found my point of interest. Look at the blonde in the red dress speaking with Divanni. I’ve never seen her before,” Chance stated. Chordeo was the closest as he eyed the beauty. She was definitely stunning and immediately caught the attention of many men. In a matter of seconds, she was surrounded by not just one wolf of importance, but seven. Four of which Chordeo personally didn’t care for.
“Son of a bitch, who is she?” Chance asked as he began to make his way closer toward Chordeo and the woman.
“Remain focused. I do not know whom you four are watching but you are supposed to be securing the area for the elders. Focus!” Gideon raised his voice.
Chordeo continued to watch the woman. Despite being the only female surrounded by seven men, it seemed she felt quite at ease. In fact, she was holding on to Divanni’s arm as he introduced her to Warnerbe Pierce, a member of the circle of elders and a pain in the ass.
Chordeo listened in on the conversation as he kept a close e
ye on the blonde. Her hair was short. Way shorter than he liked on his women but its style was appealing. Her hair accentuated her face and her long, tan neck. From where he stood he could tell she had large breasts under the tight bodice of her dress. This woman had class and sophistication. Who was she?
“I do not know the name. You say the last name is Zekar?” Count Divanni asked the blonde.
“Yes, sir, Melena Zekar. I’m afraid that I’m not really anyone of importance. I assist the city council with parties like this one. Not spectacular, like a countess, I’m afraid.”
“Ah, my dear, your beauty alone is quite intriguing. You’ve gained my interest.”
Chordeo rolled his eyes. How lame of a line was that? Then suddenly Chordeo felt his hackles rise. A man, dressed in a black cape over his black tuxedo descended the stairs directly next to where the small group of men conversed with the woman. As she stepped to the side, he caught a whiff of her scent while simultaneously acknowledging the presence of the vampire.
“Remain calm, Chordeo. It’s Julius,” Gideon stated through the mic.
“Something is up, Gideon. Her scent is amazing. Despite the fact that she is wearing a lot of perfume, it’s pulling at my wolf.”
“What?” Chance and Mano asked at the same time.
Chordeo moved closer.
“Hold back, brother. I’ll be there momentarily,” Gideon added.
Chordeo listened to the vampire speak. But his thoughts and his focus were on the blonde. He stared at her body and felt his cock harden. What the fuck?
“I thought you would be here, wolf. We have some business to discuss and it cannot wait,” Julius said.
“There’s no need to be so abrupt. After all, there is a beautiful woman present,” Divanni said, and the vampire looked at the blonde. Again Chordeo’s hackles rose. It was taking everything he had to not grab the woman and inhale her scent while protecting her from the eyes and the power of wolves and the vampire. He didn’t know what was coming over him but he knew he felt possessive.
The vampire stared into the eyes of the woman. He held her gaze, his eyes widened, and then he gave a small smirk. “You, I will surely like to get to know better.”
“Am I too late to join this little gathering?”
Chordeo saw the man enter the group and Divanni stared at him in anger. The blonde slowly back stepped out of there and so did Warnerbe Pierce.
“Who is the man in the white tux?” Chordeo asked his brothers.
“That is one of Filletto’s main guys. I’m right around the corner. I have you all in my sights,” Gideon said.
A group of men approached from the left. The man in the white tux smirked. “You didn’t think he would find out about the exchange, Divanni?” the man in the white tux asked.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. This is not the time or the place. If you’ll excuse me,” Divanni began to say and move toward the blonde, taking her hand as if he were escorting her away from the scene.
“Not so fast, Count. Morago wants to know where the jewels are.” The man in the white tux bared his teeth, and a low growl filled the area. The group of men surrounded the count and the blonde. As one of them reached to take hold of her arm, she reversed the move on him then shoved him into the center of the men. She began to exit down the staircase and Divanni followed. In a flash the men began to go after the other men as the vampire tossed those who dared to challenge him. Julius strained his neck to watch and see where the blonde went. None of this sat right with Chordeo.
“Stay out of it. Something is going on here. Let Julius handle this situation. I’ll explain later. Mano, Chance, do you have Donovan in your sights?” Gideon asked as he and Chordeo exited the area and followed Divanni.
“The item is secured.” Chance replied.
“Oh my lord, who is that?” Chance asked over the mic.
“Who?” Chordeo asked.
“I’ve got the blonde bombshell in my sights along with the count. They are three, two, one step from me. Fuck,” Chance said.
Chordeo glanced at Gideon who heard Chance raise his voice through their mind link. They were at the bottom of the stairs. Chance was following the blonde and the count. The two people were talking to Donovan Kylton.
Chordeo and Gideon came upon Chance.
“What’s wrong?”
“I know what you meant, brother, when you said there was something about her scent. It’s glossed over with perfume. She’s wearing a ton of it. But I swear, my wolf is on alert. So are certain body parts,” Chance said as the men and Filletto’s guy ascended the stairs and approached their group. Before the Dolberg Pack could move, a fight broke out.
* * * *
Melena was enjoying the party and she found the vampire to be quite attractive. But when he looked at her, she felt the sensation of comfort and immediately remembered what Saxton had told her about vampires and their powers. She blocked him immediately, which made him smirk. She hoped that she hadn’t projected any information about herself to him. Saxton and Tango warned her about mind influence. But something tingled inside as he eyed her over. She also felt as if she knew him or he was familiar. However, she never met a vampire and recently the only vampire she was researching was one named Julius Kordosky. Could this vampire be Julius? Was she attracted to him? Now wouldn’t that be interesting to lose her virginity to a vampire? She chuckled at the thought and then hoped that she hadn’t projected those thoughts to the vampire, who immediately smiled and showed interest. Shit. That wouldn’t be good. She needed to remain focused here.
Where was Xavier anyway? She glanced around, hardly listening to Divanni speaking with Donovan Kylton when she sensed someone else’s eyes upon her. Goose bumps covered her skin and awareness encompassed her being. She searched for the culprit. A quick glance to the right and there stood some huge-ass guy in a tux. He appeared too uncomfortable for the tuxedo and on guard. That was when she figured he had to be security for someone. They made eye contact and she swallowed hard. He was quite the bit of eye candy, too. Her belly quivered and her nipples hardened. She had to remind herself that this party was not for her pleasure but a means to an end to Morago. There must be something wrong with me. The first few good-looking men and I’m ready to spread my thighs and give up my virginity to strange wolves or even a vampire. Yikes!
As the situation turned a bit unsteady, she decided to leave before jeopardizing her identity and purpose here. She could hear some commotion going on behind her. When suddenly, Count Lumanesque Divanni grabbed her hand and escorted her away from the scene. As an escape method, she wasn’t complaining. He, too, was charming and good looking. Besides the fact that he was a count, he seemed nice. She knew from the investigations Tango and Saxton were doing that Divanni was in fact in cahoots with Morago. Plus, he somehow was connected to her family’s murder as well. She didn’t have concrete proof yet, but she knew they were up to something bad that would potentially harm the circle of elders.
What better way to get to know him than to chat a little while alone? But Divanni was a wolf, and wolves, as far as she was concerned, could never be trusted. Tango and Saxton could be, but no one else. The cold reminder brought on that feeling of loneliness and devastation. Then the thoughts again, that Saxton and Tango were hiding information about her identity. As she tried to figure that out, she felt some odd sensation hit her mind and then the blank thoughts. Again, she couldn’t recall anything about her childhood. She swallowed hard, straightened back her shoulders and remembered why she was here.
The moment they met Donovan Kylton she recognized him as a member of the circle of elders. She would have loved to give him a piece of her mind and she thought of it as Divanni walked away from her and left her alone with Donovan.
“I don’t believe we’ve ever met.” He took her hand and kissed the top of it. She didn’t miss his little sniff either. He scrunched up his nose and she had to hide the chuckle. Wearing the perfume would throw off their abilities and agit
ate their senses. It was just for kicks, but wouldn’t disguise the fact that she was human and had were blood.
She listened in, as another two gentleman joined the conversation. She felt a thrust of awareness hit her core as the man she thought was security stood beside her. He gave her the once-over and smiled. The other one held her expression firmly with intensity. They were both very large, and well built. Her feminine instincts kicked in as thoughts of how it would feel to be held in arms so big and strong invaded her mind.
“Who’s your friend, Donovan?” the big guy asked. Melena absorbed his dark crew-cut hair and gorgeous ocean-blue eyes. He was very good looking and rugged. The other man was almost identical but slightly taller. Her body immediately took notice in a totally different kind of way. Her breasts tingled, her nipples hardened, and damn it, her pussy felt so swollen. She clamped her legs together and cleared her throat. What the hell?
“This is Melena Zekar. Melena, meet Chordeo and Chance Dolberg.”
Xavier’s nephews. She’d heard about them. Xavier said they were away in Ireland helping another were pack. Why were they here? They looked like linebackers. Chordeo took her hand and brought it to his lips. As he kissed the top and held her gaze, she saw something change in his eyes. They nearly began to glow. As he pulled back, the other man, Chance, did the same thing. She started to pull her hand away, thinking that he was holding it way too long to be considered casual when the sounds of a heated argument echoed around them.
“They belong to my boss. He expects them back this evening.” The one man yelled. She noticed the other man, plus two others behind him approach, looking angry.
“Tell Morago, finders keepers,” the guy replied sarcastically and then chuckled. The first man didn’t take the second man’s comment lightly. Her ears perked up at the mention of Morago.
It was like some sort of crazy sci-fi movie. Men half shifted as they argued and began shoving one another. A thick, strong arm wrapped around her midsection, and as she grabbed the arm and tilted her head up to see who it was, there was Chordeo.
Dwyer, Dixie Lynn - SWAT Team Seven: Goddess of the Circle [The Men of Five-0 #5] (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Forever) Page 4
