by Dannika Dark
Was he really thinking about love?
For the first time in his life, he was. He’d always imagined himself settling for the sake of children, for his pack’s respect—careful not to choose a woman he would have feelings for. Lorenzo had denied himself that level of intimacy for years, as he was certain it would lead to ruin. And now, despite all he had convinced himself of before, he realized he could never mate with a woman unless she loved him.
Suddenly, love mattered. Not respect, obedience, or even perfection.
Ivy was an expressive spirit who spoke freely, but not when it came to her heart. Now he understood why she kept it so guarded—she needed to know that a man could accept her as an equal partner. But what needled him was that he didn’t get the feeling she thought herself deserving of love. Ivy was willing to trade love for respect, deciding the two could never be a package deal for a woman like her. In another life, that’s exactly what he would have wanted. But she had uncovered a side of him he’d long suppressed, and new feelings were awakening within him that he’d never experienced.
“Is she asleep?” Austin asked, holding the front door open.
“Lead me to her room,” Lorenzo said, clutching Ivy tightly in his arms.
Soon after they’d left the restaurant, Ivy had fallen fast asleep in his truck. It was close to dawn but still dark, and the emotions and long trip had taken their toll on her. Not wanting to rouse her for the sake of good-byes, he’d gently pulled her into his arms and carried her up to the house. She smelled like lavender, and he discreetly drew in a deep breath.
Some of the Weston pack was awake and stirring in the back of the house. A little blond girl with purple pajamas sleepily walked down the stairs and said hi.
Lorenzo winked and she giggled, her cheeks filling with dimples and blushing.
They ascended the stairs and walked down a long hall until Austin opened a door on the right, where Lorenzo placed her on the bed and covered her up with a woven blanket. Ivy had a humble room compared to his. Her bed was only big enough for one person, but the small pieces of antique furniture were exquisite. He ran his finger along the table next to her bed, feeling the grooves of the carved designs beneath his fingertips.
“She restores old pieces of junk,” Austin whispered. “You should see what those things looked like when she brought them home. Ivy has a way of making something damaged and unwanted into a piece of art. She’s talented as hell.”
“Let’s go somewhere private,” Lorenzo said, his voice low so as not to wake Ivy.
Austin led the way downstairs and to a hall behind the kitchen. They entered a small room, and when Austin switched on a lamp, Lorenzo closed the door behind him.
Austin walked around an L-shaped desk on the right side of the room and sat down by a narrow window. He motioned for Lorenzo to take a seat in one of the two chairs facing him. Lorenzo rubbed his shoulder and eased into one of the chairs.
“You can smoke in here.” Austin pulled out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter from one of the drawers and pushed the ashtray toward him. “These belong to Jericho, so if it’s not your brand…”
“It’s fine.”
Lorenzo enjoyed a good cigarette. He lit up the end of the smoke and set the plastic lighter on the desk. Then he tucked a strand of long hair behind his ear and leaned back.
“You look like a man with a lot on your mind,” Austin said, spinning the green lighter in a circle. “How did it go with Ivy’s son?”
“It went well,” he said, tapping the dusty ashes into the stone ashtray. “The parents opened their door and invited her in, which is more than I would have expected from someone in their situation. Pictures, updates, whatever—they promised to give it to her.”
Austin nodded, staring down at the lighter. “That’s good. To tell you the truth, I don’t know how to feel about all this. I guess it’s not my place to decide. I half expected her to come home with the kid.”
“So did I.”
“But… I can see why she wouldn’t. He’d remind her of what Fox did.”
Lorenzo narrowed his eyes. “She loves him as much as any mother loves her child. There was no pain or hesitation when she looked in his eyes, even though they’re the same eyes of the man who assaulted her. If she thinks this was the right thing to do, then we stand behind that decision.”
Austin leaned back in his chair and studied Lorenzo. “We? That’s quite an inclusive word.”
Lorenzo pulled in another inhale from his cigarette, keeping his eyes locked on Austin with cool confidence. He smirked and set the cigarette in the slim groove on the outer rim of the ashtray. “I have an offer for you, Cole. Something I think you’ll find interesting.”
The chair creaked when Austin sat forward and rested his arms on the desk. “And what’s that?”
Lorenzo slowly threaded his hair back. “Let’s talk about William first. How did he get along with your pack?”
Austin gave the question some consideration. “He’s a loyal wolf. Fits right in with the boys, and I can see why he’s your second-in-command.”
“How would you like his being here to be a permanent situation?”
Austin rubbed his mouth and jaw, pushing his skin around as he eyed Lorenzo skeptically. A guy like Cole was suspicious of motives, especially from him. They had a history that went back years, and they’d never been on friendly terms. Austin was one of the few Shifters who had gone to a human school, and that caused him to be singled out.
“What’s your angle, Church?”
“No angle,” he said, lifting the cigarette again and sucking on the tip. “I just happen to think he fits in well with your pack.” Smoke clouded the air between them and he carefully watched Austin’s expression.
“Are you offering a trade? Is that what this is about? Ivy for William?”
“In a way,” he replied. “Maybe compensation is a better word. William caused Ivy irreparable damage with his car, and your pack could use a strong man. I have another wolf who is looking for his time to shine as my second, and I think it’s a fair bargain. William needs to be reprimanded for his actions, and he’s well aware of that fact.”
Austin’s clear blue eyes glittered with amusement. “You don’t think William would have a problem with going down a rank? Reno’s my second, and that’s the way it is. No one is taking his place.”
“That’s your call,” Lorenzo said. “William needs to earn back the position of beta wolf in my house. Besides, he understands how to keep a strong pack aligned, and sometimes you can do that more easily when you’re not in charge. He once likened being the second to babysitting.”
Austin chuckled and twirled a pen on his desk. “I think I’ve heard the same comparison from Reno.”
“William is a good wolf. He’s not driven by materialism, and maybe he’ll fit right in with your group of merry men.”
Austin threw him a hostile glare. “Your backhanded compliments won’t get you far.”
Lorenzo chuckled and sat back, pulling his left ankle onto his knee. “I’ll speak with William to find out if he agrees to the trade, which I’m sure he will. He has a guilty conscience after what happened and realizes he’s lucky no one had him roped to a tree and gutted. This environment seems more his speed.”
“And this maneuver isn’t a trade? If so, then we need to have a separate talk.”
Lorenzo mashed the end of his cigarette out against the bottom of his shoe. “Contrary to what you may think, I don’t purchase my women.”
“So what’s your intent with Ivy?”
“Personal.”
Austin hastily snatched the ashtray and dumped the contents into a wastebasket beneath his desk. “Ivy isn’t a plaything. If you plan to seduce her from my pack with lies, then think again.”
Lorenzo launched to his feet and slammed his hands on the desk. “I would die for that woman! Do not question my intent. Whatever actions I take are mine to decide.”
He grew irritated when he saw Cole relax as
if he were savoring Lorenzo’s crumbling wall of control.
“As long as I’ve known you, Church, you’ve always been an asshole. A good businessman, yes, but a certifiable asshole. Maybe you treat your pack good and your women fair, but Ivy isn’t something to collect. I’m not handing her over to anyone who doesn’t know where the hell she belongs in his life. Your little outburst is the first time I’ve ever had a shred of respect for you, but you better to be ready to back up a statement like that.”
Lorenzo shoved every paper off Austin’s desk. They floated around the room before settling on the wood floor. The ashtray hit the wall and once the tidal wave of rage had subsided, he took a deep breath.
Austin kept his cool. “You can pretend all you want that you have the power to make up all the rules, but you know what? Women are the ones in control. They decide how things will play out, and maybe that’s what pisses you off. You’re afraid she won’t think you’re good enough, and it’s no secret you can’t deal with rejection. No one disobeys Lorenzo Church. And damn if I don’t find it curious as hell that you picked out one of the most opinionated women on Earth to set your sights on. The one woman who would turn down a Packmaster with wealth and power, because that’s not what Ivy’s all about. She’s the antithesis of everything you’ve pursued in your life, and maybe that’s what scares that hell out of you.”
“Maybe it does,” Lorenzo admitted under his breath. He stepped back and paced the room. “But I’m not here to discuss Ivy. I’ve made an offer to give up my second-in-command as compensation for damages. It is the most valuable thing I can offer. William’s worth is more than land or money, and those would be easier to give over than a man I respect.”
Austin slowly rose to his feet and placed his fingertips on the desk. “Tell you what. If William accepts the conditions of moving in permanently, then I’ll accept. I can’t put a man like him in an omega position, so it’s only right he’s the next in line below Reno. I can see the leadership skills in him and he fits in. The girls just love him, and it would be a fair trade. Ivy will never recover from her injuries, so perhaps that reminder of his actions will keep his loyalty in check.”
“It’s settled then. We have a deal.”
Austin nodded. “Breakfast should be real interesting. You wanna stick around for that?”
Lorenzo shook his head, feeling a pang of loss at the idea of William leaving his pack. He’d always looked upon him as a brother. “I’ll talk with him and then I need to return to my pack. I’ll instruct him to speak privately with you before he makes his decision, and if he decides this doesn’t work for him, then have him leave before dusk. I can’t force the trade because he’s a man of free will, but my doors will remain closed to him.”
“You wouldn’t want him back?”
Hell, a man like William was hard to turn his back on, but it was a matter of principle. “This is the best way he can atone for his mistakes, and if he doesn’t agree, then I can’t have the respect I’d need to allow him to lead my pack.”
“Understood.” Austin walked around the desk and folded his arms. “I’ll be honest and say I won’t be surprised if I don’t hear from you anytime soon. Ivy may come across as a fragile thing, but she’s one of the strongest women I’ve met. That’s a woman who knows what she wants in life… and what she doesn’t. She’s not afraid to make sacrifices. If you come back for her, then you’ve got some big balls.” Austin patted him on the shoulder and chuckled. “Just be ready to be kicked in them.”
***
Lorenzo left Austin’s house in a somber mood. Morning had arisen, cloaked in a thin veil of fog. The temperature had warmed up enough that his long-sleeved shirt felt too warm.
He sat in his truck for a long time in that driveway. At one point, the little human girl came outside and stood on the porch blowing bubbles. Denver wandered out behind her and settled in a rocking chair. Lorenzo thought about his own pack and how different they were in comparison. Family meant more to Ivy than it did most people because it had been stripped from her arms.
She wasn’t a woman impressed by money or status. Lorenzo squeezed the steering wheel as pain lanced his heart. Never had he felt this way about anything or anyone. Jesus, there was so much he wanted from her, but he had nothing to offer—nothing that would matter to a woman like her. And for the first time in a long time, tears welled in his eyes. He had been so foolish. He’d spent his entire life trying to avoid repeating the mistakes of his uncle, and in turn, he had become the very man he resented. One who only cared about himself, his power, and public opinion—until Ivy came along. She’d blindsided him, and now he stumbled in a daze, uncertain of which was the right path to take.
His wolf growled from within when he slid his key into the ignition.
In the foggy wake of morning light, Lorenzo faced the glaring truth that Ivy deserved a better man than him.
Chapter 25
Lexi laughed so vivaciously that it morphed into something Austin fondly called her Beaker laugh. We were gathered in the living room around the television, watching a home video sent straight from Cognito.
“He looks exactly like you!” April gushed in disbelief. “Look at that gorgeous long hair. The girls are going to go crazy for that when he gets older.”
I smiled proudly, and William discreetly placed his hand on mine from where he sat next to me on the couch. We’d spent time establishing a friendship since the day Lorenzo had dropped me off two weeks ago. William was now a member of the Weston pack, and Austin had taken him down to the local Council to sign the papers and make it official. William felt truly remorseful about what had happened, and maybe that’s why he went out of his way to show kindness.
“What the shit?” Denver said, walking closer to the TV and then pointing. “I think you need to give them a call and talk about what they have him wearing.”
“What the hell’s wrong with it?” Lexi spat out. “He looks adorable.”
Denver shook his head and plopped down in a chair. “Spider-Man? No, not cool. He’s the urban Tarzan with tights. If you want to put the kid in something cool, then you buy him a Batman shirt.”
A pillow soared across the room and hit Denver in the head.
“I think you need to hit him with something harder,” Jericho suggested. “Maizy, where’s your wand?”
She lifted her head from her coloring book where she sat on the floor. “I’m too big for a wand. That’s for babies.”
Lexi frowned a little. As much as she loved Maizy, she hated to hear comments like that—telltale signs her baby sister was growing up. It served as a reminder that she would one day grow old and die, long before Lexi. Each time Maizy outgrew her clothes or a toy, Lexi sulked. Her mother had raised two children already, so she didn’t seem as saddened by watching a child grow up. But she was also a mother who’d lost her son and valued how precious life was.
Reno stood in front of April and held out his hands. “Come on, princess. Time to go.”
“Maybe we shouldn’t. It’s foggy out there.”
He bent down and took her hands, pulling her up. “If my girl wants to go to the bookstore, then that’s where we’re going. Grab your bag and let’s head out before it rains or some shit.”
“What about the e-reader?” Trevor complained. “I thought you were going to get rid of all those paperbacks and go electronic.”
She strolled by him and scrambled up his hair as she walked behind him. “Don’t act like you don’t want to go with us.”
He twisted his mouth and looked up at her from his chair. “Well, I do like the smell of old books.” Trevor reluctantly stood up. “Got room on that bike for three?”
Reno chuckled. “I’ll hook a red wagon to the back, and we’ll pull you.”
Denver laughed uncontrollably when the visual hit him.
Trevor wandered into the hall and I heard a jingle of keys. “I’ll drive. Hurry up, April!” he shouted at the stairs. “Nobody is going to notice what you look like, so
you better not be in there putting on makeup.”
I leaned against William and smiled at the television. Lakota was singing a song his mother had prompted him to sing.
“He has your voice,” William remarked.
It wasn’t a secret I loved to sing, and I wondered what other traits of mine would pass on to my son.
I stole a glance at Izzy and Jericho. His hand was flat on her stomach, and she had her fingers laced over his. Their lovers’ eyes were lost to each other. That’s how it was supposed to be. Love. Companionship. Family. Lakota had been a curse under my father’s roof, and he would have been mistreated had he been allowed to stay. Watching him with all that courage made me more certain that I’d made the right decision. I was a part of that beautiful boy’s life, and what an honor it was to be able to share it with someone else.
Wheeler strolled in looking like a dangerous outlaw. He tossed a notepad in my lap. “Three more orders.”
“What for?”
“Sounds like two of them were to refinish some old furniture; the other was repairing a rocking chair.”
The day after my return, I began receiving calls at the house to do odd jobs. I didn’t know who had arranged for these clients, but somehow word was out that I had skills with restoring antique furniture.
“I’ll take the rocking chair, but let me get back with the other two. I need to see exactly what they want done.”
“If they’re willing to pay, who cares?”
I stood up and straightened my brown skirt. “It matters if they want me to strip off old varnish. Those are harsh chemicals to work with.”
“So? It’s not as if you’ll get a human disease like cancer.” He folded his arms and gave me a stern look.
I walked around the sofa and placed the notepad on a table. “We’ll see.”
Wheeler strolled up and leaned in close. “You’ve been acting real funny. Don’t you want a job?”
