Heroes Among Us: A Paranormal Romance Collection

by Ditter Kellen

  Ethan couldn’t hold back a moment longer. His head jerked back, and a roar burst from his chest to drown out Piper’s cries of pleasure.

  His release exploded from him, staggering in its intensity.

  Unable to gain control, Ethan pulled from Piper’s body and stumbled back a few steps.

  The hair on his arms had grown, and his nails were extended into claws.

  He staggered over to the dresser and took a look at his face.

  The eerie glow of his eyes stared back at him in horror. He peeled his lips back to reveal the beginning of descending teeth.

  “Ethan?” Piper whispered, her head turning to the side. Thank God, the blindfold held.

  Covering his face with his hands, Ethan squeezed his eyes shut and took several calming breaths, willing his wolf to heel.

  “Are you okay?” The catch in Piper’s wasn’t lost on him.

  “Just getting something to clean you up with,” he responded, the growl in his voice still prominent.

  He cleared his throat and hurried into Piper’s bathroom to wet a washcloth.

  Returning to her side, he freed her wrists from the bedposts and removed her blindfold.

  She stood before him in all her beautiful glory, looking for all the world like a woman well loved.

  A smile touched her swollen lips. “I could get used to that.”

  So could he, Ethan thought, pulling her in for another kiss.

  “Shower with me?” she murmured once the kiss ended.

  “I thought you’d never ask.”

  * * * *

  Ethan awoke before daylight the next morning to the sound of Piper’s even breathing.

  He glanced down at her head lying on his chest and smiled into the darkness.

  They’d made love several times during the night, including in the shower. And each time, Ethan had to fight his wolf from emerging.

  Was it always going to be that way with Piper? If so, how long before she saw him for what he truly was?

  Ethan couldn’t tell her about his shifter blood. He couldn’t risk her leaving him. Or worse, fearing him.

  He did, however, need to figure out a way to keep her safe until he could rid the world of the Fosters. He doubted she would agree to stay with him. Piper Hollister had an independent streak a mile wide.

  His phone buzzed from the nightstand.

  Easing out from under Piper’s head, Ethan plucked up his cell and checked his messages.

  He had one unread text from Billy. I sent the boys home since you were obviously staying the night at Miss. Hollister’s. Want me to have them back out there this evening?

  Yes, Ethan sent back before rolling to his feet. He gathered up his clothes and dressed as silently as possible.

  Grabbing a pen and a piece of paper from Piper’s dresser, he scrawled her a note. Good morning, beautiful. Dinner tonight?

  Ethan laid the piece of paper on his pillow and quietly made his way down the stairs.

  Disengaging the locks, he eased the door open and locked it behind him.

  Once seated in his car, Ethan took one last look at the quaint two-story house where his mate slept, smiled, and drove toward home.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Piper stretched, wincing at the tenderness between her thighs. Ethan had made love to her for most of the night, leaving her a limp mass of satisfied woman.

  She lifted her arm to touch him, only to find his side of the bed empty and cold.

  Her fingers brushed against a piece of paper resting on his pillow.

  Plucking up the small scrap of paper, Piper squinted against the sun shining through the blinds and read the words Ethan had left. Good morning, beautiful. Dinner tonight?

  With a satisfied smile, Piper threw her feet over the side of the bed and stumbled to the shower.

  Excitement over seeing Ethan later that night had her humming while she washed her hair.

  She’d never dreamed sex could be so incredible. No, not just sex. They’d made love slow and gently more than once, with Ethan concentrating on nothing but pleasuring her.

  Switching off the shower, Piper dried herself and padded barefoot back to her room to get dressed.

  She pulled on a pair of black cotton shorts, a black and white T-shirt, and her running shoes.

  A nervous feeling overcame her as she moved toward her bedroom door. She’d had unprotected sex with Ethan, something she’d never done before.

  Retrieving her cell from the top of her dresser, Piper called her doctor and made an appointment to get on some type of birth control. They would just have to use condoms in the future until it was safe to do otherwise.

  Piper hadn’t taken birth control in a couple of years. Hell, it had been that long since she’d had sex. And since she hadn’t been seeing anyone at the moment, there had been no need for contraceptives.

  Pushing the thought from her mind, Piper went downstairs to boot up the computer and hopefully get some work done.

  The doorbell rang as she reached the bottom of the stairs.

  Piper opened the door to a smirking Rhonda. “Hey you.”

  “Hey yourself,” Rhonda muttered with a grin. She breezed past Piper and headed straight for the kitchen. “So, how was it?”

  Closing the door, Piper followed suit. “How was what?”

  “Don’t be dumb, Piper. I came by late last night and saw a very expensive car parked out front. All the lights were off. Now, spill it.”

  Piper laughed, taking a seat at the bar while Rhonda set about making coffee. “Really, Rhonda, there are some things a girl must keep to herself.”

  “Oh, bullshit. I haven’t had sex in months. Now spill it before I die of curiosity.”

  Another chuckle bubbled up in Piper. “Okay, fine. It was the best night of my entire existence.”

  Rhonda’s eyes grew huge in her face. “I want to know everything.”

  Switching on the coffeepot, Rhonda hurried over to the bar to sit across from Piper. “Don’t leave anything out either.”

  Piper grinned.

  The next half hour was spent with the two of them drinking coffee and Rhonda practically drooling down the side of her mouth. “I’m jealous as hell, Piper. Shit like that just doesn’t happen to normal people.”

  “Ethan is far from normal,” Piper admitted, recalling the strange energy he’d put off during sex. “He has this way about him, like this powerful energy that I can’t get enough of. I keep pinching myself, expecting this all to be an elaborate dream and I’m going to wake up devastated that he’s not real.”

  Rhonda paused in drinking her coffee, her gaze narrowing over the rim of her cup. “You’re in love with him.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous,” Piper insisted with a frown. “I’ve only known the man a couple of weeks. I’m attracted to him, and maybe even a little infatuated at the moment, but love? Not a chance.”

  Rhonda sent her a knowing look. “Whatever you say.”

  After Rhonda left, Piper spent the rest of the day attempting to get some work done. But Rhonda’s words continued to plague her. “You’re in love with him.”

  Could she really be falling in love with Ethan?

  Suddenly nervous, Piper shut down her computer and left the house.

  Growing up, whenever Piper couldn’t think, she would go for a run. Jogging always helped clear her head.

  On her second lap around the block, Piper had an eerie feeling of being watched. She glanced behind her, but nothing out of the ordinary caught her eye.

  Shaking off her paranoia, she passed her house and went for round three. By the time she rounded the corner, the eerie feeling was back in the pit of her stomach.

  A black car with dark-tinted windows slowly rolled by, prompting Piper to pick up her pace.

  It slowed to a stop behind her, simply sitting in the street without moving.

  Piper’s heart began to pound. She left the sidewalk, darting left and cutting through a manicured yard to the short picket fence beyond.
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  Hopping the fence, Piper rounded the rosebush in the back of her yard, cutting her arm in her haste to get to safety.

  She rushed along the side of her house and quickly slipped inside, throwing the deadbolt in place.

  Her cell buzzed behind her, scaring the crap out of Piper. She snatched it up, attempting to slow her breathing, and brought it to her ear. "Hello?”

  “You sound winded, Piper. Is everything okay?”

  The deep timber of Ethan’s voice was a balm to her soul.

  She glanced down at the blood dripping from the cut on her arm. “I’m fine. I just got back from a run.”

  “Are you sure you’re all right?”

  Not wanting to worry him, Piper gave a throaty laugh. “I’d be better if you were here to shower with me.”

  A low growl came through the line. “Temptress.”

  Piper’s stomach tightened with need. “Yes, well, it’s your fault. You’ve spoiled me to the whole shower thing.”

  “Perhaps I will make it up to you tonight. That is if you plan on coming over. You never did call me.”

  Tugging the curtain aside to peer outside, Piper scanned the street for signs of the black car. “I’m sorry, I got busy with work. But yes, tonight sounds wonderful.”

  “I’ll send a car to pick you up around six,” Ethan returned.

  Piper released her hold on the curtain. “Actually, I have to drop off some things at my parents’ house. I’ll just take my car.”

  A brief pause ensued. “Okay, see you then.”

  The line went dead.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Ethan took a drink of his bourbon, remembering the conversation he’d had with Mack Steinberg, owner of Steinberg Corp.

  To say that Mack was unhappy with Ethan would be a gross understatement. He’d even gone so far as to threaten Ethan’s life.

  Rubbing the tension from the back of his neck, Ethan moved to the balcony to stare down at the lights below. Having his life threatened was nothing new to Ethan, and as for Steinberg, well, he could kiss Ethan’s ass.

  No, Ethan had bigger fish to fry besides Mack Steinberg. Fish such as Isaac Foster.

  It was way past time to take care of Old Man Foster. He and his son, Eric, had been a thorn in Ethan’s side since he’d stepped into the role of alpha. Ethan had tolerated Foster’s threats and trespasses, until Piper had come into his life.

  The thought of someone hurting Piper was unacceptable to Ethan. And if he had to kill every member of the Kenwood pack to ensure her safety, then that’s exactly what he would do.

  The ding of the elevator as it slid open caught Ethan’s attention. He sauntered into the room to find Piper striding through the foyer.

  Setting his drink on the coffee table, Ethan met her halfway across the room and wrapped her in his arms. “Mmmm, I missed you.”

  “I missed you too.”

  He pulled back and nodded toward the sofa. “Have a seat. What can I get you to drink?”

  Piper moved to the sofa and sat on the center cushion. “Do you have any tea?”

  Ethan smiled. “Iced tea or hot tea?”

  “Iced, please.”

  Disappearing into the kitchen, Ethan made Piper a glass of iced tea and poured one for himself.

  The cook looked up from his task of preparing a salad. “Dinner will be ready in twenty minutes.”

  “Very good,” Ethan praised. “It smells delicious.”

  Returning to Piper’s side, Ethan handed her a glass and took a seat next to her.

  He noticed a bandage on her left arm. “What happened to your arm? Are you all right?”

  Piper appeared flustered. “I’m fine. Just a little run-in with a rosebush behind my house.”

  He could hear her heartbeat kick up a notch. She wasn’t being completely honest with him. “How bad is it?”

  “It’s just a scratch, Ethan. Really, I’m fine.”

  Ethan decided to let it go for the moment. “I hope you’re hungry. Dinner will be ready in twenty minutes.”

  The elevator opened, and Billy appeared in the foyer. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but I need to speak with you.”

  Ethan got to his feet and waved Billy over. “I’d like for you to meet Piper.”

  Billy strolled into the room, the set of his jaw telling Ethan something wasn’t right.

  “A pleasure to meet you.” Billy leaned down and extended his hand.

  Piper accepted his outstretched palm, a warm smile on her face. “Likewise.”

  “Will you excuse me for a moment?” Ethan touched Piper on the shoulder and followed Billy back to the foyer.

  Billy stopped in front of the elevator, keeping his voice low. “Some members of the Kenwood pack were seen in Piper’s neighborhood today.”

  “Why wasn’t I notified?” Ethan growled, his hands going to his hips.

  Billy shrugged. “You only ordered her house to be watched at night. The ones who showed up for duty this evening happened to scent the strangers in the vicinity. It was faint, but still there.”

  Ethan thought about the injury on Piper’s arm and her reaction when he’d asked about it. “Thank you for letting me know, Billy. I want her house watched day and night from now on.”

  “Even while she’s with you?”

  “Yes. Rotate shifts every six hours. I want everyone to be fresh and watchful.”

  Billy pushed the button to the elevator. “I’ll take care of it, boss.”

  Clapping Billy on the back, Ethan returned to Piper’s side.

  He wanted like hell to press her about the injury on her arm, but how was he to do that without bringing suspicion on himself? She would have too many questions. Questions he couldn’t answer. Not yet at any rate.

  “Is everything okay?” Concern sparkled in her pale green eyes.

  She was so beautiful Ethan found it hard to look at her without wanting to rip her clothes off and make love to her right there on the sofa. “Everything’s fine. Just business stuff. Are you ready to eat?”

  Holding out his hand, Ethan helped her stand and guided her to the dining room.

  Dinner moved at a snail’s pace with Ethan’s gaze constantly straying back to Piper’s injured arm. Had Foster’s men hurt her somehow?

  His wolf snarled from within. “Tell me what really happened, Piper.”

  Startled, Piper glanced up from her dessert. “I’m sorry?”

  “Your arm.” He nodded to the bandage. “Tell me what really happened to your arm.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Piper shifted uncomfortably in her chair. How did Ethan know she hadn’t been honest about her injury?

  The thought disturbed her. “Okay,” she softly admitted. “I was out for a run and noticed a car following me. I cut through a neighbor’s yard and got a little too close to the rosebush behind my house. It’s really nothing. In fact, I don’t even know that I was being followed. It could have been a coincidence.”

  “It was no coincidence.” Ethan continued to stare at her with his whiskey-colored gaze.

  Pushing her dessert aside, Piper wiped her mouth with a napkin as warning bells went off in her head. “You know something about it?”

  Ethan leaned forward, covering her hand with his. “I have a lot of enemies, Piper. Which makes you a target by association.”

  Piper’s stomach turned over. “So, I’m in danger?”

  “I don’t know,” Ethan answered, tightening his hold on her hand. “But until we figure out who was following you, I think it best if you stay here for a while.”

  Surprised by his suggestion, Piper gaped at him. “You want me to move in with you?”

  “Is that such a bad thing?”

  It took Piper a moment to respond. “We’ve only known each other for a few weeks. I mean—”

  “Consider it a temporary arrangement,” Ethan interrupted. “If it’ll make you more comfortable, you can stay in the guest room.”

  Piper pulled her hand free of his. “But my work
, my cat. I mean, I can’t just pack up and leave like that.”

  “You can work from here, as well as bring your cat. Listen, Piper, if you’re on the radar of one of my enemies, you’d be a hell of a lot safer here than alone in your home.”

  Piper couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “You’re scaring me, Ethan.”

  “And I’m sorry about that, love. I really am. But please consider staying here for a while. It would make me feel a hell of a lot better.”

  Unsure of what to think, Piper merely nodded. “I’ll think about it.”

  “It’s either that, or I’m staying with you,” Ethan warned, getting to his feet. “And this is definitely the safest place.”

  Piper decided not to argue. They could discuss her living arrangements at a later time. For now, she had other concerns.

  She stood as well, following him to the balcony. “Tell me about the cash in your closet.”

  His shoulders stiffened slightly. Resting his hands on the railing, he stared out at the scenery below. “I purchased a compound a few years ago in the mountains of Alaska. Completely off the grid. If things ever get too hairy over here, the money is my safety net. Untraceable, and enough to sustain me for several years.”

  “How much is it?” she couldn’t help but ask.

  He glanced over at her. “Two million in one hundred dollar bills.”

  Piper nearly swallowed her tongue. “You’re insane, Ethan. What if your building were to catch fire, or one of your staff decided to help themselves to your bounty?”

  “I trust my staff. Besides, none of them would dare cross me.”

  “What does that mean?” Piper studied his gorgeous profile.

  Ethan shrugged, turning away from the railing. “Let me see your injury.”

  “Nice subject change,” she pointed out, holding up her arm.

  He carefully peeled away the bandage to reveal the deep cut underneath. It was red and angry looking.

  Ethan stared down at the wound for long moments before steering her toward the glass doors. “Let’s go put something on this before it gets infected.”

  Piper let him lead her upstairs, through his bedroom, and into his beautifully elaborate bathroom.