Playing Cat and Mouse: A Zodiac Shifters Paranormal Romance: Leo

by Tl Reeve

  “You’re so full of shit,” she laughed. The sound rankled his nerves.

  “It’s the truth. You might not understand what the truth means, but I do. I am doing this for him. I’m not selfish like you.” He winced when he was done. The anger coursing through him made him say shit he didn’t believe, however, in order to sever the ties between them, he had to destroy it.

  “Chicken shit,” she said. The anger had bled from her. Her scent changed. Regret and sorrow wafted from her.

  “No. Practical. I won’t take anything from my brother. He has already given up so much for me.”

  She made an irritated sound. “You wouldn’t be giving up anything if you pick both of us.”

  He shook his head. “I’m sorry. I think you should leave.” Christoph stood. “My brother is the most important person in my life. He comes first before my own needs.

  “Loyalty is great, Christoph.” She touched his cheek and a spark of recognition rolled through him. “Nevertheless, the minute your loyalty gets in the way of what can be, it is blinding you.”

  “I will take it under advisement.”

  She gave him a sad smile. “I’m afraid you won’t, and you’ll lose everything because you’re too stubborn to see anything in front of you.”

  “I doubt it,” he replied, opening the door for her. “Take care of him. I fear I have done it for so many years, he won’t be able to on his own.”

  “I will,” she answered. “At least speak with your brother before you do anything rash. Please.”

  “I will,” he promised.

  The minute he closed the door, he slid to the floor. He couldn’t watch her leave. He might have done something stupid like stop her. Throw her to the ground and take what was his.

  He had to be strong for Wilhem. The ticket he booked to California would give them all some much needed distance. They’d talked about opening a US branch of their business. This gave him a reason to get away for a while. He could say it was all business. Then when he came home, he wouldn’t tell anyone.

  As silly as it sounded, he did this for his brother. A true act of love and devotion. He had to give his brother the one thing he needed most. Freedom. To finally not have to worry about a clingy brother.

  He walked back to his desk and sat down. He still had so much stuff to get through before the end of the day. His flight was supposed to leave at ten that night and arrive at six in the morning. At least he would be able to sleep for the majority of it. He hated long flights confined in a tin can. He’d endure it. For his brother he would do anything for him.

  The door opened minutes later and Sandy stuck her head in. “I have lunch,” she said. “Are you hungry?”

  He shook his head. “Not now. I have a few more calls to make and then I’ll eat.”

  She stepped inside. “Christoph, I’m not sure what’s going on, but that woman didn’t appear happy, and you’ve been moping since last night. Do you want to talk about it?”

  He chuckled. “It’s fine. A misunderstanding is all. Things will be fine. I promise. Why don’t you take the rest of the afternoon off? You’ve done so much in the short time you’ve been here. I don’t want you overworking yourself.”

  She bit her lip and stared at him for a moment longer than she should have, however he didn’t reprimand her. “Sure. I could use a little time to get everything straight at home. Thanks.” She stopped as she placed her hand on the handle. “If you ever want to talk about anything, I am here for you.”

  He nodded. “Thanks, everything will work itself out. I appreciate your offer.”

  “You’re welcome and for what it’s worth, the lady appeared to be crying on the way out,” Sandy stated, while exiting his office.

  Shit. He’d done it now. Wilhem was going to tear his ass apart for making his mate cry. Why me?

  Chapter Eight

  “He won’t listen to reason,” Samiyah whispered, when she met up with Wilhem at her office. “He is convinced the only way to save you embarrassment is to leave. He believes if he doesn’t, he is taking something from you. What? I have no clue.”

  Wilhem blew out a breath. “We have done everything together. Christoph is next in line if I couldn’t find a mate.” He took her hand in his. “I should have realized something was wrong, the minute he pulled away while we talked about you.”

  However, hindsight was twenty-twenty now. He could see everything clearly. His brother wanted his mate. No matter if he was supposed to want her or not. He had to fix this. Wake his brother up. He needed to challenge him without pushing him farther away.

  “It’s almost as if he hates himself for being my mate as well,” she added. The anguish in her tone made Wilhem frown.

  “No, he thinks he is doing the right thing with walking away. He’s sacrificing his happiness for us.” The asshole. He knew better than to do this shit.

  Wilhem had no issues sharing Samiyah with Christoph. They hadn’t talked about it ever being a thing, but it didn’t mean they could change what had been right in front of them. She was their mate. Not his. Not his brother’s. Theirs. Together.

  “Talking about it won’t do us any good,” she muttered.

  “No, it won’t. I’ll go see him.” He stood then crossed to her desk. Wilhem grabbed the pad of paper off her desk and a pen then proceeded to write down his address. “Meet us here at six tonight. I will have this sorted by then.”

  She gave him a skeptical look.

  “I promise.” He placed everything back in its place then came back to her side. “It will work itself out. I just have to beat some sense into him.” He gave her a small smile before cupping her cheek. The warmth of her skin seeped into his palm. The sensation invigorated him. Gave him the strength he needed for the fight he knew was coming.

  As he walked out of Samiyah’s office, he realized they only had one choice — mate her together. No way he’d sacrifice himself for his brother’s happiness nor would he allow Christoph to do the same for him. Now he just had to make his brother see reason. Wilhem pulled his phone from his pocket before dialing his office number.

  “Bosse Event Planners,” Sandy announced when she answered the phone. “How can I help make your dream event a reality?”

  “Good afternoon, Sandy, it’s Wilhem.”

  “Oh hey,” she replied, with a soft chuckle. “Guess I didn’t need to add the flare, huh?”

  “It’s appreciated and perfect,” he answered. “Is my brother there?”

  She sighed. “Yes, and he seems very…unlike himself.”

  “There was a small issue last night at the event. It’s nothing really. Can you make sure he stays there for a moment? I am on my way to speak with him.”

  “Of course. Oh, and happy birthday, Wilhem.”

  “Thank you, Sandy.”

  He ended the call as he got into his car. He would have to make this conversation a quick one. The clock was ticking for him, and if they didn’t have a mate by midnight, well, he didn’t want to contemplate what happened next. Quite possibly nothing, their roles would be reversed. However, Christoph’s sense of failure would increase and he might do something stupid.

  He started his vehicle before pulling away from the curb. The way over to the office he tried to think of several different ways he could broach the subject of their mating and giving his brother the shove he needed. Yet, he also couldn’t force him to do what he didn’t want, even if he wanted, which might confuse most people.

  Wilhem snorted. “Ah brother, why do you have to be the stubborn one?”

  Not that he wasn’t. He’d been called thick-headed. A mule. Hard-headed. He didn’t take it personally. However, if someone didn’t stand up for themselves and be firm on their convictions, how could they achieve their goals? He and Christoph hadn’t become the people they were by letting everyone walk all over them. They were strong determined men.

  They helped those who needed it most when they needed it and they remembered to protect themselves when others would have
gladly stepped on their toes as they climbed the professional ladder. They had a successful business because they knew how to work with people.

  Now, he had to use all those skills he learned, on his sulking twin. He smirked as he pulled into the parking garage next to their building. Once he was done with Christoph, he wouldn’t know which way was up and he’d be unable to deny his attraction to Samiyah.

  “Hello, brother,” Wilhem said, entering Christoph’s office. He’d learned from Sandy that his brother hadn’t been happy about sticking around, but oh well.

  “Shit, should have known,” he sighed. “You used Sandy against me.”

  Wilhem laughed. “I did. She’s come in handy over the last couple of days, hasn’t she?”

  “Told you she had potential.”

  Yes, he had. “We should talk, before you jet off to wherever you’ve decided to go.”

  “There’s nothing to talk about, brother,” Christoph replied, pouring himself a drink. He lifted the glass in Wilhem’s direction. “Want one?”

  “No, and yes we do.” He sat down on the white couch in the intimate sitting area away from his brother’s desk. They liked having their meetings there with clients. It relaxed people. Gave them a sense they were talking friends not “planners”. They were able to open up about what they wanted. What their deepest desires were.

  “You’re not going to leave this alone are you?”

  “Nope, not until you make me understand why you’d walk away from your mate,” Wilhem stated.

  “Isn’t it obvious?”

  No. Not really. “About the only thing obvious here, is you’re being stubborn.”

  “Oh, fuck off,” Christoph snarled. “I’m doing the right thing here.”

  “So, you’d rather go insane than claim your mate with me? Help me rule our pride and protect those we care about? Seems a little selfish on your part, don’t you think?”

  “You’re not serious?” His brother stared at him in disbelief. “Please tell me you’re not serious.”

  “Dead. Answer one question for me, and then I’ll get out of your hair and wish you a happy life,” Wilhem said, determined to prove his brother wrong.

  Christoph plopped down on the couch adjacent to him. “Fine, one question.” If he thought he could glean anything from his mannerisms or expressions, his brother had completely shut down on himself.

  Wilhem frowned. “Tell me Samiyah isn’t your mate.” He touched his nose. “Remember, I know when you’re lying.”

  Christoph sighed. “Are we going to do this again?”

  “Not an answer, brother.”

  His brother sat there for a moment. He rolled the empty tumbler between his hands, staring at the last drops of his drink gathering at the bottom. “Why are you doing this?”

  “Because it’s the only way we’re going to work out our current predicament.”

  Christoph sighed. “It’s not as easy as you want to make it.”

  “Yes, it is. There is no denying a mate. It’s ingrained in us. We are lions. We find the one person who completes us. The one person who can make every bad situation bearable. The one who will bring light to the darkness, and will love us no matter what. Why wouldn’t you want something so precious in your life? Make me understand your way of thinking, brother.”

  “You’re right, the one person who will complete us, Wilhem. Not three of us. Not you, me and Samiyah. We can’t share her. She is rightfully yours. I am willing to give her up so you can have everything in life you deserve.”

  “You’re such an asshole,” Wilhem growled. “I don’t fucking care if I have a mate in my life if you’re not here to experience it with me!”

  Christoph grunted. “You don’t mean that. You can’t. You are the rightful heir to our pride. Samiyah is your mate.”

  “She is ours, if you’ll get your head out of your ass and see what is right in front of you.”

  His brother shoved off the couch and began to pace, the crystal tumbler continued to twirl between his palms. “Hypothetically, how would we explain this to father? Hmm? Or our mother?”

  “Do we have to explain it? Do you believe they won’t be receptive to the idea we have the same mate? It fits with who we are. We’ve done everything together. Why not this?”

  “Shouldn’t we want to have separate lives now?”

  Ah, the crux of their situation. Wilhem always wondered if maybe Christoph felt like the odd man out. Or carried the burden of being a tag-along. They were thirty-five, though, and while their parents might not have properly thought about his emotional wellbeing, they did their best.

  “We’re twins, I don’t think it’s possible,” Wilhelm chuckled before growing serious. “Did I tell you about the time before you arrived at school, when I’d been crippled with sadness?”

  His brother shook his head. “No.”

  “I was. I didn’t say anything to anyone, because I’ve always carried such a weight on my shoulders as heir-apparent. I thought I had to be strong and not show any emotion. When someone would ask how I was doing, I’d paste a smile on my face, laugh and cut up. I never allowed anyone to see what it felt like to be away from you. It was as if someone ripped a piece of me away. When mom and dad sent you to me, after you got sick, it was the best day ever. You were with me, and finally I was whole.”

  Christoph stopped pacing. “Why didn’t you ever tell me?”

  “Because I didn’t want to appear weak. I didn’t want to disappoint our father.” He sat forward, placing his hands on his knees. “Let me ask you something else, don’t you think they’re expecting this? Since we were born we’ve been inseparable, what difference will sharing a mate be?”

  “So, you think they already know?” Christoph cocked a brow. “And, they’ll be okay with it.” He didn’t miss his brother’s skeptical tone.

  Wilhem shrugged. “Won’t know till we tell them, but I’d be lying if I didn’t think they suspect it.”

  “Fuck.” Christoph ran his fingers through his hair. “I screwed all of this up, didn’t I?”

  He shook his head. “No. You will though, if you keep pushing me and Samiyah away from you.” Wilhem stood and placed his hand on his brother’s shoulder. “Answer the question, is Samiyah your mate?”

  His brother blew out a breath. “Yes, she is.”

  “Then cancel your plans. Let’s go get our mate.” Wilhem clapped him on the back of the shoulder. “You might have to grovel.”

  His brother laughed. “I’m sure you’re right.”

  Chapter Nine

  Samiyah arrived at Wilhem’s apartment promptly at six. She didn’t want to delay the inevitable. After her conversation with Christoph, she didn’t suspect she’d ever see him again.

  She’d never apologize for using a spell to liven up their party. Humans lived such uptight existences, to allow them to let go of their inhibitions gave her pleasure as well. Their thanks and happiness was all she ever wanted. Nevertheless, she hadn’t meant to inadvertently make Christoph question what he felt for her. She’d never trick him, yet in a small way she had.

  When she went to see him, she thought if she could explain what she’d done to liven everyone up, he’d accept her apology and they’d move on. Together. However, he only seemed to become angrier. Had he thought she’d done it on purpose? To cause the brothers to fight with one another?

  Wilhem at least spoke with her, tried to reassure her she hadn’t done anything wrong, but it still left her wondering if she could ever repair the damage done. Samiyah knocked on the door and waited. She supposed she’d find out in a moment when Wilhem answered the door.

  “Coming!” That wasn’t Wilhem.

  Samiyah took a step back from the door and braced herself for an onslaught of rage. Did Christoph know she’d be there?

  “Samiyah,” he said opening the door. “Come on in.”

  She blinked. Glanced around him into the spacious layout the back at him. “Are you sure?”

  He dropped his head forward
. “I should apologize. Please come in.”

  She stepped inside, still a little weary of him being there. Wilhem hadn’t called to tell her what happened during his little impromptu meeting with Christoph. Had the man had a change of heart? “Thank you, where is Wilhem?”

  “Getting everything ready,” he answered. “Please, make yourself at home. Can I get you anything to drink, goddess?” The corner of his mouth kicked up in a wicked smirk.

  “Water is fine. Thank you.” She tracked him as he entered the kitchen then returned a few moments later carrying a bottle of water. “How did the meeting go?”

  Christoph sat beside her. “As well as expected.” He placed his hand on hers. “I am sorry. I shouldn’t have been so ugly to you. I…well, if you ask Wilhem, he’ll tell you I had my head in my ass.”

  Pretty accurate assessment. “I am glad you’re doing better.”

  “He made me realize we share everything. It was bound to happen. We’re supposed to have the same mate, and to be honest with you, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about the kiss we shared.” He leaned in and brushed his lips over hers. “I hope you can accept my apology and accept the fact I can be an ass sometimes.”

  “I—”

  “You’re here,” Wilhem said, entering the room. “I should have called you back.” He strode straight to her. The powerful, graceful glide of his frame had a niggle of arousal blooming within her. He placed his hand behind her on the couch, then bent his head to kiss her.

  Her mind spun.

  Wilhem’s tongue glided over hers, coaxing her to take from him. When she did, he rewarded her with a deep, masculine groan. His hand fisted in her hair, holding her to him. He commanded the kiss. Sipped and nibbled on her bottom lip before pulling away to smile down at her. “Hi.”

  “Hi,” she replied, feeling the heat fill her cheeks.

  “How could I have ever walked away from this?” Christoph scooted closer to them.

  “I don’t know, brother. I have been asking myself the same thing since I found out about your little plan.” Wilhem winked at her.