Cougar's Luck (Pacific Northwest Cougars Book 2)

by Moxie North

  They weren’t normally dangerous. Most of their illegal activities were now shrouded in fairly legitimate enterprises. They were a mob that had evolved. There was often more money in Vegas in legal businesses.

  Vincent though, he had always been a loose cannon. A string of minor assault charges along with a few lawsuits for harassment that quietly disappeared. And worst of all an absentee father that had wiped his hands of his son, but had not cut him off from the family resources.

  He might not be the brightest bulb, but he was still dangerous.

  Everett looked down and saw his limp, satiated mate smiling happily into the couch cushions. Fuck, it made him feel like king of the world when she had that smile on her face. He did that, he was the one that brought that pleasure.

  “Baby, wanna go for a swim?” he said placing kisses along her bare spine.

  “Mmm hmm,” she said. Although it was muffled by the cushions again.

  Laughing, Everett picked her up and walked them towards the swim deck of the houseboat. He didn’t know what he was expecting since he had zero experience with a houseboat. But a three-story, six bedroom yacht was not on his radar.

  The thing was huge, it was spacious and decked out to the nines. He’d taken the number from Micah for the florist and had them fill the main living area with yellow roses. The air was thick with the scent from them. Layla, of course, had gone all girly on him and started crying when she saw them. That made him feel good too.

  Apparently they had the boat moved to a moored location that was very quiet. They took a small boat out to it when they arrived at the marina. There wasn’t a soul around. The weekends would be packed, but for now they had their little cove all to themselves.

  Everett wanted his beautiful bride to relax and have fun. He also liked that out in the middle of the water, his worries about outside intrusions were limited.

  “Duchess, you have to wake up. I really would hate to toss you in the water naked.” He’d snatched her bikini bottoms when he’d pulled his own swim trunks off.

  “I can’t promise that we won’t be putting on a show for the neighbors. Just think of the scandal, Vegas heiress skinny dipping in Lake Havasu!” He tried teasing her and he all he got was one eye cracking open to look at him like he was a lunatic.

  “I’ll stand you up, you just hold still. This sad excuse for a bathing suit just ties on anyway,” he said, trying to sound disapproving. He and his cougar thought the fact that they could just pull one little string and get to heaven was fucking brilliant.

  He slid her feet to the floor and leaned her into his body, dressing a fucked out shifter was like nailing jello to a tree. Somehow he managed to get her covered and the ties double knotted.

  “All better,” he said, giving her a soft kiss.

  “All better,” she mimicked.

  Picking her up into his arms, Everett judged the distance and took off at a run, catapulting off the edge of the boat.

  The ear piercing scream of Layla was drowned out the moment they hit the water. He could feel her kicking at him trying push away so she could swim back to the surface. Everett was strong enough to do it for both of them and did.

  Breaking the surface, she was sputtering and swearing.

  “Asshole! I was warm and sleepy. Now I’m wet and angry,” she growled.

  “Really? You’re angry at me, Duchess?” He wanted to remark about cats and water, but changed his mind, wisely.

  Everett scooped her legs around his waist and rubbed his dick into her clit causing her to gasp.

  “Yes. Wet, angry, and horny. You win,” she said, giving him a long deep kiss. She wasn’t really mad, although she was going to have to do her hair now. That was a bitch in the desert.

  They swam for a while, splashing and dunking each other like a pair of teenagers. They also kissed, a lot.

  Once they made it back to the boat, they both showered and Layla made dinner. Everett claimed he was hopeless in the kitchen. She didn’t think he was bullshitting her. She asked him to peel a carrot and his confusion at being handed the vegetable and the peeler was comical.

  For two days, they ate, swam, and made love. They also talked, late into the night. Everett shared his dreams and his fears. Layla gave him back all the trust he’d given her. She shared how long she’d been waiting, but never believing her mate was real. The love of the families, now matter how annoying they could be, was a big topic.

  In between talking and kissing, they would stare at each other. It was like a sappy teenage romance movie. Everett didn’t care, he was a man in love. Sappy was okay, sappy was expected.

  They continued to talk after a late lunch, as the light outside slid into twilight. They moved into the bedroom just to hold each other. The light lapping of the boat lulling them both into a content stupor. The cabin was warm, but the breeze across the water eased the dryness in the air.

  Everett brushed the hair away from her face, marveling at just how beautiful she was. He couldn’t help but think of their little girls growing up to have their mother’s beauty.

  “Can I ask you to do something for me?” he asked her quietly.

  “Of course, you know I’ll do anything for you,” she replied instantly.

  “Can we sleep shifted? I know my cat wants some time and being out on the water makes it hard. I’m sure he’d like this compromise,” he explained.

  “Yeah, baby, I like that,” she said, giving him a kiss. She rolled back a bit and told her cat it was her turn. She shifted in a soft shimmering shower of color.

  Watching the expression on Everett’s face was lovely.

  “Beautiful,” he said, before shifting in a spark of light. His cougar was thrilled to have a chance to rub fur with her cat again.

  The two cougars bumped heads, rubbing their fur against each other. Soaking up their mate’s scent. Everett’s cougar stretched out, yawning and spreading his paws wide in a lazy stretch. Layla’s cougar watched, then brushed her head along his belly up to his neck, purring and scenting. They rubbed, licked, and bonded in their fur together.

  Lying down, paws intertwined, heads touching, they fell asleep.

  Chapter 27

  Everett only got two days after their return from the lake to bask in the bliss of being newly mated. He’d gone back to his suite at the hotel to finish up work with the security company. Layla had gone back to work and instead of finishing her night in her own room, she’d join Everett for long hours of lovemaking.

  Her mother was in full swing party planning. Her sisters were officially back, now that they knew they couldn’t be mated off to Everett. They kept showing up at the hotel under the guise of wedding planning, when really they were just hanging out in the club. Not that Layla cared, having her sisters so close was great. Plus, they always kept the party going.

  There had been no more signs of Vincent after the van incident. Although Layla still wasn’t sure that had anything to do with him. Her cougar was clearly on Everett’s side. But honestly, this wasn’t some action movie where you got run off the road by the bad guy. This was real life and that did not include car chases.

  Everett had just been in the club checking on her when he got a phone call. One look at the caller and his brow furrowed and he excused himself to take the call. Layla could feel the tension rippling off him. She wanted to rush to him and comfort him, but by the angry pacing he was doing in the lobby, she decided against it.

  Everett was pacing, it wasn’t angry exactly. He was having a little trouble pinpointing his emotions at the moment. His mother had called. She was explaining to him how she had kissed and made up with Dax and Effie. Though he believed this was more because his sister Kenzi had banned her from seeing the new baby until she could prove she could accept Effie as a mate into the family.

  Their family was growing quickly and Kenzi was a new mama with a cub and a big bear family around her. Her mother being snotty and unwilling to accept the fates decrees was threatening to disrupt his sister’s happy lif
e in the woods. Kenzi could dig her heels in with the best of them and clearly she’d won.

  So his mother was telling him about the lovely dinner she’d had with Dax and Effie. They talked it all out and she was so glad Effie was all right after their little ‘spat’.

  Everett listened, waiting for his mother to get to the part where Dax told him about Layla.

  “Oh sweetheart, I can’t tell you how happy your father and I are that you found your mate. And a Klein! Who would have guessed?” she chimed, like this was some shocking revelation.

  “Well, since you have been trying to secure one of the Klein pack for Dax for years, not that surprising, mother,” Everett intoned.

  “Oh, you know what I mean. And the youngest girl, aren’t you the lucky one,” she said like the younger daughter was somehow better than the other sisters.

  “Yes mother, I am very lucky. Layla is perfect for me. I would love for you and dad to fly out and meet her.” Everett really didn’t want his mother there, but his dad he knew would love Layla.

  “Oh, well that’s wonderful, dear. We are in the plane right now on our way to you,” she informed him.

  Of course she was. Of course the minute Dax had told her, she’d gassed up the jet and dragged his father probably kicking and screaming onboard.

  Taking a deep calming breath, Everett could almost feel his animal rolling its eyes. “I’m sure we can arrange a room for you here mother. Actually the room I’m in is very nice. I was thinking of moving to Layla’s room for now anyway. At least when we aren’t at the compound.”

  “Speaking of that, I’m sure her mother is thinking about throwing a little pack gathering to welcome you. I have some ideas I’d love to run by her for the event.”

  Oh, his mother knew good and well they were having a wedding. Dax would have told her. The brothers made a promise years ago to never leave a man behind. All information was given to their mother so that no one was left surprised.

  “Mother as you know, we are already legally married. Layla wants a wedding so we are having one at her house, then a pack ceremony after. Her mother has already started the planning. Layla has set out exactly what she wants and what she will be getting. They do need your assistance in getting our pack out that can make it. We would like to keep this intimate if we can. Just our packs alone is a huge number and although their house is big, it’s not that big,” Everett warned.

  If his mother had her way, every business associate on the west coast would be invited. The number could hit the thousands in the blink of an eye. That was not a good time for anyone.

  “I’m sure you and Grace will be able to figure out a way to ensure both packs are comfortable and having somewhere to sleep.”

  “Well, you know we have to invite the bears now,” his mother sniffed.

  “Mother, don’t be a snob. Those bears are family AND they were there to help out Dax with Effie. Not to mention your daughter is married to one. Your grandchild IS one and they will be with us for a very long time.”

  Everett said this in a very deep, clear voice. He usually didn’t bother standing up to his mother. He let Dax take the brunt of his mother’s craziness. He was Alpha after all and Everett was pretty sure it fell under his job description.

  Now Everett was in charge of keeping HIS family happy and out of the crazy line of fire.

  His mother was going to play nice or else.

  “Of course dear, they are all family. I’m just saying we may need to charter a bigger plane to get them here. Have you seen them? They are all enormous, seriously I think the shortest is the boy’s mother and she’s six-foot!”

  Lilibeth was a solid five-foot-ten, but he knew it drove his mother crazy to be surrounded by giant bear shifters. Man, he hoped there were pictures. He’d have to text Kenzi to see.

  “When are you arriving mother?” Everett really wanted to get off the phone with her.

  “We should be there in the hour. I have a car picking us up to take us to the hotel. Do you think you can arrange for us to meet with Layla’s parents? Maybe dinner tonight at the hotel?”

  Great now he was her assistant and concierge. “I’ll handle it, mother. Layla will check with her family and I will meet you here when you arrive. Fly safe,” he said this quickly before hanging up. Yeah, it was a dick move on his mom, but he was in combat mode.

  Turning back to the club, he could see Layla on the phone but her eyes on him. She was clearly watching him. She always was he noticed. He saw this because he was always staring at her. No matter how rocking her body was or how beautiful her face was, he wanted her eyes. Always her eyes. They settled his soul and he hoped his did the same for her.

  Seeing him walking towards her she hung up her phone and waited for him to reach her.

  “Problem?”

  “No, just my mother. So actually yes. She’s on her way, as in she is actually on a plane right now. Think we can swing her a room for the night? Better yet, just give her mine. I haven’t used it in a few days. Plus she wants to meet your parents. How about dinner tonight on neutral ground?” Everett said this all in a rush.

  “Room will be freshened ASAP. I’ll call my parents and make a reservation for the steak house tonight. I’ll get the private room. Anything else?”

  Everett was amazed at her calm demeanor. Granted she hadn’t met his mother, but surely she’d heard the rumors.

  “No, they have a car already. I know she likes synthetic pillows if we can arrange that,” he said as an afterthought.

  “Of course, we want them to be comfortable. Let me go arrange that,” she said, striding off with a business-like air.

  “Damn, that’s sexy,” he murmured to himself.

  Everett walked over to the bar even though the club wasn’t open yet and introduced himself to the bartender. He ordered a beer and sat on a stool waiting for his mate to return.

  It took about ten minutes for he to come back, which meant Everett was halfway through his beer.

  “Done. The room is being prepped. Your things are being moved to my room. My parents will be here at eight for dinner. The room is reserved and I had the sommelier alerted that wine snobs were arriving.” She said this with a twinkle in her eye.

  “Have I told you today how fucking amazing you are? Seriously?”

  “Hmm, not today. Tell me again,” she said, wrapping her arms around his neck.

  “You are amazing, beautiful, smart, funny, and sexy as hell,” he said kissing her mouth. He slid his tongue between her lips and forced her head back. Her mouth opened under his and he took full advantage, tasting and enjoying her submission. Even in a kiss it turned him way the fuck on.

  Breaking the kiss, she looked at him. “We got this, babe. You and me, our families aren’t a big deal. They are all manageable. We know the tricks and how to ease through their insanity. Luckily both of our families are a little crazy. I don’t even think it’s a shifter thing,” she said with a laugh.

  “You’re right, there has to be totally normal shifter families out there. I have high hopes for our future.”

  Giving her a squeeze, he stood up off the stool. “I need to go check in with security, thanks for the beer,” he said, giving her ass a squeeze that made her jump and squeak.

  “Ass,” she said to him even though she was laughing.

  “Yes, your ass is fine. Later, Duchess,” he said with a smirk and sauntered away.

  Chapter 28

  Layla wasn’t sure, but she thought he was swinging his hips a little extra for her benefit. Damn, his ass was fine too. It was a shared love for both of them. Amazing all the things they have in common she thought with a snort.

  Figuring she could fit in a little more work, she said goodbye to the bartender and headed towards her office.

  It wasn’t an hour later when she got a call that Everett’s parents had arrived and been escorted to their suite. They also informed her there was a delivery for her and would she like it back in her office.

  “It’s no
t flowers is it?” she asked with a groan. She did not want to deal with another tacky display from Vincent. Besides she still had some of her gorgeous yellow roses from her mini vacation in her office. Everett had so many vases delivered they took some to her room at the compound and brought some to work.

  “No ma’am, just a box,” came the reply.

  “Sure, bring it back whenever you can,” she said before hanging up.

  Layla was going over her next month’s party schedule when the knock came at her door.

  “Come in,” she called out, without looking up.

  A front desk person came in carrying a package about the size of a shoe box. It was wrapped in brown paper. This was odd because pretty much everything she ever had delivered was in one of the usual major shipping company boxes.

  “Thank you,” she said, taking the box from the woman.

  The woman left and Layla placed the box on her desk. It had her name and the address of the hotel on it but no return address.

  Grabbing a pair of scissors she started on the tape that was coating the whole box. As she peeled away the layers, her nose picked up on the smell. It was blood.

  Tearing away the last strip of tape sealing the lid, she pulled it off and the stench overwhelmed her. There was a white piece of paper with the words, You tore it out, it belongs to you now, written in black block writing. Not unlike the last note from Vincent. Picking up the paper she saw a rotting, blood covered heart. Her nose picked up right away it was animal, probably a pigs judging by the size, but real nonetheless.

  “Oh god,” she said with a little gag. Reaching for her phone, she hit speed dial and called through security.

  The phone picked up and she asked for Everett.

  “Duchess? What’s up?” he asked, sounding distracted.

  “Hey, could you and whoever is in charge right now come up to my office?” she said quietly.