by Kasey Belle
“Mister Hunter. Mister Alan. That’s Uncle Nick.” She pointed at him.
Mal kissed his cheek and murmured, “Relax, baby.” Then he turned his attention back to the giant enforcers. “Nico. I’d like you to meet, Hunter and Alan Stanford. Guys, my mate, Nick Speer.”
He shook each man’s hand in turn. They took the seats across from him and Mal making Nick feel more comfortable now that Hunter and Alan weren’t looming over him. Mal nudged him in the side and nodded toward his father, Damon. Leo stared at Hunter and Alan completely mesmerized. Nick’s mouth dropped open in shock when Leo leaned forward reaching for Hunter and the man didn’t hesitate to answer the silent request. He plucked Leo from Damon’s arms and settled him against his chest.
Mal shook his head. “What is it with you two and children? Grown men tremble at the mere mention of your names. Yet cubs think you’re about as scary as a box of kittens.”
Hunter shrugged a small smile tugged at his lips. Leading Nick to believe he was the more relaxed of the two. Alan, who had yet to remove his sunglasses, blushed. He freaking blushed. Nick didn’t know the man, but he had feeling that rarely happened, if ever.
Emma Grace tilted her head. “Hunter and Alan aren’t scary. They’re nice, Uncle Mal.”
“Of course, they are.” Mal nodded his head in earnest. “Their giant marshmallows.” Hunter rolled his eyes.
Hunter turned his head and shared a look with his brother. Nick assumed they were speaking through their family link.
Alan nodded. “Pixie?”
“Yes, Mister Alan?” She rubbed his cheek with her tiny hand.
“Would you go grab Hunter and I some water and maybe something sweet to eat?”
“Okay!” She gave each man a kiss on the cheek before she hopped down from Alan’s lap and ran off, excited to fulfill her appointed task.
Alan cleared his throat and leaned forward. “Sorry it took us so long to get back. We did a little recon. We checked out the house you shared with your sister and Daniel, Nick.”
Nick’s heart rate kicked up as a sense of dread washed over him. He took a sip of water. “And?”
“It was clean.”
“What does that mean?”
Alan’s expression turned grim. “Empty. There was nothing left. If we hadn’t known better, we would have thought the house had been unoccupied for a while. Which is exactly what whoever cleared the house wanted us to think.”
Pain pierced Nick’s heart and any hope of recovering mementoes for Leo shriveled up and died. “It’s gone. They took everything?” He didn’t bother to hide the tears that filled his eyes or his despair. Mal carefully gathered Nick into his arms and held him, murmuring nonsensical words, and soothing him. It was exactly what he needed right now. Nick never felt more loved or cherished than when his mate’s strong arms were wrapped around him protecting him from the world.
“I’m so sorry, baby.” Mal held him not rushing Nick while he tried to gain control of his emotions. Nick took a deep breath and sighed.
“Nick.” Hunter said firmly gaining his attention. Nick turned his head and waited for him to continue. “Right now, Alan and I are going with the assumption that the whatever belongings y’all had in the house were moved, not destroyed. It would have been premature to do so. Alpha Speer or his men would need to go through them, especially any documents or computer equipment, in the hopes it would help locate you and Leo. Our guess… if we go looking we’ll find everything in Virginia.”
“Do you really think so, Hunter?” He watched Hunter carefully knowing his wolf sense would pick up even the most imperceptible change in demeanor.
“I do.” Hunter ended his simple response with a decisive nod.
He was telling the truth. There was no subterfuge in his response. And just like that, hope bloomed once again. He pushed out of Mal’s arms and used the napkin to wipe his eyes praying he didn’t look like a raccoon. He blew out a breath and sat a bit taller gathering his inner strength and sass. “I’m sorry I broke down like that. You know what they say. Every wedding needs a little drama.”
“Who says that?” Mal teased.
Nick tossed him some side-shade. “People. Hunter, if y’all really think so then―” He ducked his head. “I bow to your expertise, giant playthings of children everywhere.”
Hunter and Alan glanced at each other and snickered.
“I like him,” Alan said to his brother.”
Hunter nodded. “Yeah, he ain’t bad.” He turned his attention to Mal. “Best be on your toes, Malcolm. This one’s gonna give you a run for your money.”
Before Mal could respond his father piped up. “The best ones always do.” Erik raised his beer bottle in a toast.
Mal returned the toast then planted a loud kiss on Nick’s cheek. “I love your sass, baby,” he whispered in Nick’s ear. “I’ll show you how much, later.”
“Get a room.” A deep voice called out.
Nick looked over his shoulder. Max, Shelly, and Lily Rose had joined them.
Shelly tossed them a wave. “Y’all mind if we invade your space?”
Mal stood. “Of course not, darlin’. I’m assuming you and Max are a package deal?” He asked dryly.
She giggled. “Sorry, but yes.”
“Fine.” Mal blew out an exasperated breath. He turned his mischievous gaze on Max. “You can stay as long as you hand over the cub.”
Max rolled his eyes and placed Lily Rose in Mal’s arms. The little blond darling was a few months older than Leo. His nephew giggled when he saw his little friend.
Everyone at the table greeted the newcomers and Max helped Shelly into a chair then took the one next to her. Nick hadn’t spent much time with the lion shifter. A few minutes here and there mostly in passing when Leo spent time in the pack nursery. He was the strong silent type. His unusual golden amber and copper eyes held a wealth of experience, not all of it good.
Max’s shirt sleeves were rolled up to mid-forearm exposing a mono-chromatic tattoo of roses and lilies on his right forearm ending at his wrist. Nick wondered, not for the first time, if his whole arm was covered. His left forearm was free of ink.
“He has a full sleeve on his right arm.” Shelly must have noticed him staring. She reached into the small purse she carried and pulled out her cellphone. She manipulated the screen then gave it to Nick. “Take a look.”
Starting at Max’s right shoulder were various scenes of a gladiator fighting a lion that ended mid forearm and seamlessly blended into the rose and lily tattoo. Nick used his fingers to expand the image. The detail was amazing.
“Flip to the left to get a look at his others.”
Max muttered. “Woman.”
Nick watched them through his lashes. Their interaction amused him. Shelly smacked Max’s arm. “Hush. Their awesome.” Shelly was the complete opposite of her tall, dark and brooding mate. She was about a foot shorter than his six-and-a-half feet, with golden blond hair and expressive emerald eyes. Shelly was shy until she got to know you then she turned into an outgoing chatter box.
Nick looked through the rest of the photos. The tattoo on Max’s upper left arm made Nick’s heart hurt. It appeared to be a memorial tattoo. A pair of combat boots with a military issue rifle of some type planted upside down inside one of them, a Kevlar helmet rested on top, and dog tags hung from the rifles grip, all backed by an American flag.
He flipped to the next one. It was a realistic mono-chromatic portrait of Shelly with her eyes closed wearing a peaceful expression. “Wow. It’s so life like.”
Shelly’s eyes sparkled as a smile lit her face. “I know. Greer did it. He works for Max. He’s a genius.”
He gave her back the phone. “Thank you for showing me those against your mate’s wishes,” he joked. He turned his attention to Max. The man stayed silent, just staring at Nick, his face void of expression. He wondered what Max was thinking. He was a hard man to read. “Fiona showed me her back tattoo,” he blurted. “It’s freaking awesome.
”
Max’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. A pleased smile curled his lips and completely transformed his face making him look much younger and approachable. “Thank you. It’s one of my best pieces.”
Emma Grace returned with a bottled water in each hand and Luke and Jay in tow. Each boy carried a plate laden with various sweet treats. “I’m back with your goodies and water, Mr. Alan. Hi, Uncle Max. Hi, Aunt Shelly.”
“About time. I thought you forgot about me.” The giant man poked out his lower lip.
Emma Grace rolled her eyes. “No. I had to wait for help. I couldn’t carry everything. I only have two hands you know?” She waved them in front of Alan’s face.
Nick leaned against Mal enjoying the familiar atmosphere. Alan now held Lily Rose. Hunter still had Leo. Lily Rose and Leo babbled and giggled with each other. Mal’s fathers shared one of the plate of sweets with Luke and Jay. Emma Grace chattered away with Max and Shelly. Mal occasionally added his own banter to the various conversations. Nick stayed silent soaking in all the positive energy and unconditional love.
Chapter 27
Nick sat at the kitchen table with Fiona drinking tea and snacking on an assortment of Maddie’s cookies. He thanked the Fates for her company. Mal went into town with Traynor to pick up supplies from the feed store. He’d spent every moment of the past few weeks in his mate’s presence. Mal off doing his own thing left Nick feeling off balance. Leo was in the daycare with Lada and Fiona’s sister-in-law Amelia. He’d been playing on the floor with Amelia’s cub Jonah and Shelly’s cub Lily Rose when Nick last checked on his nephew.
“I hate that Paul and Cathy aren’t going on their honeymoon because of me.” Nick felt so damn guilty. The happy couple should be basking in post-marital carnal bliss right now.
“Stop. We’re family. We protect each other. Plus, they’re doing the honeymoon over Christmas. That was already the plan before you showed up. Neither Cathy nor Luke have ever been to Disney, so Paul booked them a suite inside the park so they could have the Disney Orlando Christmas experience. I have never seen two more excited people in my life.” Fiona grinned.
“I’m sure they are excited. Paul and Cathy should have at least gone off for a couple’s weekend. But they couldn’t because they can’t leave Luke. My presence puts him in danger.”
Fee narrowed her eyes. “Listen to me, Nicholas Terrell Speer.” Oh shit, she used his full name. When his mother used to do that, it never ended well for him. “You put that guilt away. It has no place here. I know you aren’t used to having a bunch of people to rely on. I get it. Trust me, I do. People leave. They die. They abuse you. Before I came here, I could count the number of people I trusted on one hand.” Fiona ticked off her fingers. “Shelly. Max. Kell. I only trusted Kell because he was David’s best friend.” She took his hand in hers and looked him right in the eyes. “I thought all I needed was those three. I was wrong. I never realized how incomplete I was until I met my mates and discovered this big crazy-ass family.”
Nick couldn’t help but smile at the spot-on description. “I know. It’s just overwhelming and I keep thinking; What if I let them down? What if someone is hurt because of me?”
“What if? What if? Stop. I thought the same thing when I came here.” Fiona told him how she ended up in Copper Creek. Her stepfather had owed money to a gangster named Matranga. He ordered her and Emma Grace’s abduction thinking it would force Fiona’s loser stepfather to pay what he owed. A bastard name Carl kidnapped them and tried to rape Fiona. She’d taken a beating but she still killed the fucker saving herself and Emma Grace. They escaped and headed for Copper Creek. She knew Kell would keep them safe and drove through the night. They’d almost made it to the hospital in Austin when a car ran a red light and plowed into Fiona. The accident nearly took her life, but also brought her together with her mates. Matranga sent a guy named Manny after them and he eventually tracked them here and attacked her and Emma Grace down by the creek not far from the main house. She fought him off until help could arrive. He cheered when she told him Declan killed the asshole.
After hearing her story Nick understood why he felt an immediate kinship with Fiona. They were both on the small side and people tended to underestimate them because of it. They’d both killed to protect their own.
“So you see? Danger and mayhem isn’t new territory for the Double C. Resistance if futile, Nick. I tried and failed. Save yourself some time. Give in and come over to the dark side. We have cookies.” She wagged her eyebrows and snickered before donning a serious expression again. “Family first. Always.”
Nick swallowed and tried to get his words past the lump that had formed in his throat. It proved to be an impossible task, so he nodded his agreement instead.
“Good. Glad we cleared that up. I’d hate to have to get out my Voodoo doll and use it against you in order to make you comply with my demands.”
Feigning distress, Nick placed a palm to his chest. “You wouldn’t.”
“Oh, I totally would.”
Nick scoffed. “Voodoo isn’t real.” He leaned back in his chair and rolled his eyes. She was so cute. All feisty and threatening him with parlor tricks and ghost stories.
Fiona gave him an evil grin that sent a shiver down his spine and made him glad she was on his side. “Wanna test your theory?”
Nick opened his mouth to say something snarky, when he and possibly his balls were saved by a tiny whirlwind disguised as a pixie.
“Mommy! Mommy!” Emma Grace shouted as she ran into the room. She slid to a stop next to Fiona’s chair practically vibrating with excitement.
Nick thought Emma Grace looked adorable in her fluorescent green tank top, jean shorts, and pink cowgirl boots. Her long curly hair tied into two pig tails. The boots were the third different pair Nick had seen her in since he’d arrived at the ranch. He wondered how many pairs the little diva had in her collection.
“Whaty? Whaty?” Fiona answered with a grin as she pulled her little girl into a hug.
“Shane and Chris are coming home. I was with Daddy and Da and Shane called. Da let me speak to him and he telled me they were coming back from Nawlins for Aunt Jennifer’s wedding. Isn’t that wonderful?”
“That is wonderful.” Fiona placed a kiss on her cheek.
“Who is Shane and Chris?” Nick wondered. He realized he’d asked the question out loud when two pairs of eyes turned on him.
“They are friends,” Emma Grace explained. “Good friends. Shane is a wolf like you and Chris is human like me. They are mates.” She tilted her head. Her little eyebrows scrunched together as she frowned. “Well, sort of.”
“Sort of?” You either were, or you weren’t.
Emma Grace nodded. “Yes. They are missing their third. You see, they love each other like you love Uncle Mal. But… they also like girls. Shane said the Fates haven’t given them their girl mate yet.” Her little face fell. “That makes me sad. I hope they find her soon.”
Fiona brushed a hand down Emma Grace’s back. “Don’t worry, cher. When the time is right, the Fates will work their magic.” She turned her attention to Nick. “You’re not much older than Shane and Chris. They go to LSU and stayed in New Orleans to help out at Emma’s House for the summer.”
“That’s the children’s home,” Emma Grace jumped in. “Kids who don’t have mommies and daddies live there. Mommy named the house after my first daddy’s mommy. That’s where I get my name from. My grandma, Emma and Aunt Shelly’s mommy, Grace.” Emma Grace pushed the hair that had escaped her pigtails away from her face and beamed up at him.
Nick returned her smile. “It’s a very pretty name, too.” He tapped her nose with the tip of his finger making her giggle.
“Shane is like you. His parents died in a car accident when he was a boy. His uncle is mean like yours too. He caught Shane kissing a boy from school and his mean uncle said he couldn’t live with them anymore.” Emma Grace’s eyebrows furrowed, and she crossed her arms over her chest looking indignant
as hell. “I don’t know why people are so mean. It doesn’t matter who you love or if they’re a boy or a girl. Love is beautiful. Right, Mommy?” Fiona nodded. “People who are ugly on the inside make love ugly, because they have hate in their hearts. That’s bad.”
“You’re pretty smart for your age.” Nick teased her hoping to coax the smile back on her face. Being on the receiving end of one of Emma Grace’s smiles was like basking in sunshine.
His plan worked. Emma Grace’s face lit up. “Yep. I am. Mommy telled me that about the ugly people. But, I already knew it anyways.”
Nick snorted a laugh. She was a precocious little thing. He stood and carried his empty mug to the sink, Fiona followed behind him doing the same.
“I think you’ll like Shane and Chris. Neither of them have had an easy life. They could use a good friend closer to their age.” Fiona expounded on Shane and Chris’ history. How they’d been street kids when she’d met them. Then Fiona went on to explain why she started Emma’s house. Her stepfather murdered her mother when Fiona was five. He’d been abusive toward her and her mother. She’d ended up in a state children’s home. She’d been angry and unadoptable. Fiona bounced from foster home to foster home, finally running away and living on the streets of New Orleans, until age sixteen when she met the LaFont’s. They took her in and loved her as if she were their blood. David, Fiona’s fist husband, had been their son.
There was no mistaking the pride in her voice when she spoke of the Lafonts. She wanted to pay forward her good fortune. So she started Emma’s House creating a safe haven for older children who were considered unadoptable―as if that were a thing, runaways, and those who’d been kicked out of their homes and living on the street. Fiona was selective in who she let in the doors. Bullies, predators, and drug addicts were not allowed. Kids with criminal records were vetted based on the offense. Residents or workers caught committing crimes or acts of violence against other residents were quickly dealt with and removed from the home. It was a safe place and all the kids knew it. Word on the street traveled fast. If you are a kid and needed help, the doors at Emma’s House are always open. Some of the residents had been there since the doors opened, and those―like Shane and Chris―who aged out at eighteen stuck around as volunteers.
