by Kym Grosso
“Whatcha want to talk about. How bad is it?” he asked.
“I shouldn’t have let you leave for San Diego,” she admitted. “I feel like this is my fault.”
“You knew?”
“Something just felt wrong when you came out of that hell hole, but you know, I couldn’t be sure. I was so mad at you…I just, I didn’t take time to find out.”
“It’s not your fault, darlin’. You didn’t do this. Now stop beating around the bush. What’s the prognosis?” Dimitri knew that whatever Gillian had done to heal him had only been temporary. By the time he’d landed in New Orleans, he could feel his ability to shift starting to slip again.
“It’s not gone, Dimitri. What we did tonight, it’ll only keep the evil at bay for so long. Maybe a week. Maybe less.”
“What the hell is it?”
“It’s not possession, if that’s what you’re worried about. It’s more like a parasite, eating away at you…your wolf. I need a stronger spell to get rid of it entirely, but I don’t…”
“You don’t know if you can do it?”
Ilsbeth nodded. Surprising Dimitri, she pressed herself into his arms and laid her head on his shoulder.
“You can do this. You’re the most powerful witch I know.”
“I have something you can take…a tonic of sorts. I made it earlier today, using your own hair, the sample you gave me before this happened to you.”
“Okay, so I’ll drink it or rub it, whatever you want me to do with it until you find a spell that works.”
“It may take a while. Maybe you should stay here with me,” she suggested. Lifting her head, she pressed her cheek against his. “I can be there in case the tonic stops working…to help you.”
“Now you know that’s not a good idea. I’ve got to be with Logan,” he hedged. Dimitri considered that he could make love to Ilsbeth if he wanted to have her. Even though she was bare in his arms, he felt no hint of desire.
“I want to help you,” Ilsbeth breathed, moving her lips to touch his. Desperation laced her voice as her eyes met his. “I may not be able to cure you tonight but I can keep this from killing your wolf…I promise.”
“I need to find a way to end this…permanently,” he said. There was a time when he couldn’t get enough of Ilsbeth, but she wanted too much. And now with her in his arms again, all he could think about was the woman he’d only known for two days, Gillian.
“Please Dimitri. Just think about this…us…we could be good together.”
Before he could stop her, Ilsbeth pressed her lips against his. He thought that he should force himself to kiss her, to prove his theory wrong. But as he tasted her, both his mind and wolf revolted, solidifying what he’d suspected. He’d always known that Ilsbeth wasn’t his mate. She’d been a friend and lover but nothing more. And what they’d shared, once upon a time, was truly over. He pushed her away, shaking his head.
“What? Why are you stopping?” she asked, breathlessly. As she attempted to fall into his embrace, he held her at bay.
“I can’t do this…you and I, it’s over. I’m sorry. I’m so damn sorry. I shouldn’t have let you…I’ve gotta go. Just give me whatever mojo juice you’ve concocted and I’ll be on my way. Where are my clothes?” Dimitri pushed up to stand on the grass, and gently pried her fingers off his arm. Goddess, how I’ve fucked this up. He felt terrible for letting her kiss him, for leading her on, unsure whether he even had or not.
“Where are you going?” she said, her voice laden with anger.
“Look, Ilsbeth. Whatever we had a few months ago was great while we had it, but it’s over. You and I both know it’s not going to work out. You know that despite your snarky remarks a few weeks ago, I still care about you. I just can’t,” he gestured back and forth with his hand, to her and to his chest, “I can’t do this…have a relationship. There are things going on with me. Things you don’t know.” Like that I’ve got a mate. “I need your help, but I’m not going to sleep with you and go and make things worse between us.”
Dimitri crossed the courtyard, locating his clothes on a hammock. He picked up his jeans and shoved his legs into them.
“Fine. Have it your way. But when you can’t shift again, and you need help immediately, don’t be surprised when I can’t get to you right away. I do have a life, you do know that? I’m not going to come running, just because you snap your fingers. If you stay with me, then I’d be around you more, maybe could work with you to fix this thing that’s eating you from the inside out.”
“I can’t live with you.” Dimitri slung his head through the t-shirt and continued dressing.
“Who is she?” Ilsbeth said, grabbing her robe off a nearby chair.
“What?” Dimitri pretended not to hear her as he slid his shoes onto his feet.
“Who is she? The shifter who healed you? You never did tell me. It’s an unusual ability to heal others,” she commented with a flip of her hair.
“Okay, well, number one, I never told you the shifter was a woman, but yes she is. And number two, you don’t need to know who she is because she’s not from around here.”
“Really? Nothing special?” she asked.
“Ilsbeth, how about we not do this, okay? You and I…we’re friends. Some day when you need something, and you know you will, you have in the past, and you will in the future. When it happens, I’ll help you. But right now, I need your help, okay? I need you to find the spell.”
“You’re lying.” Ilsbeth stomped out of the garden and returned just as quickly. Holding out her hand, she opened her palm, revealing a small flask.
“What do I do with it?” Dimitri took it from her.
“Well, if you’d stay, we’d have time to discuss this further…”
“Done talkin’, cher. Let’s have it.”
“A couple of teaspoons a day. If you feel like you’re losing touch with your wolf, call me. In the meantime, I’ll put some calls in to a few people who owe me favors. That should last you a few days, but you’ll have to come back.”
“Ilsbeth…” He wanted to hug her goodbye. She’d helped him and he appreciated it but touching her again would send the wrong message. He shoved the flask in his pocket. “Thanks for what you did tonight. I wish things were different, but you wouldn’t be happy dating me.”
“Don’t tell me what makes me happy or what doesn’t. This isn’t over,” she warned.
“Thanks again,” he said, making no move toward her. She crossed her arms and grimaced, and he took his cue to leave.
Dimitri followed the long outdoor path around the garden to get to his car, not wanting to go through her home. He figured that he’d best get out of dodge before she either hexed him or attempted to seduce him again. Ilsbeth, one of the most powerful witches on the east coast, was not one to be trifled with.
Dimitri had known Ilsbeth for over sixty years, and they’d weathered many a storm together, but he never trusted a jealous woman, let alone a jealous witch. Green with envy could get you turned into green mold if you rubbed her the wrong way. The only reason he was getting off without harm was because she cared for him. He’d pissed her off well and good tonight, and he knew she suspected that he fancied another woman. No matter what she thought, he wasn’t going to tell her anything about Gillian, not until he knew the truth about whether or not she was his mate.
In the face of not knowing for sure, he wasn’t going to admit his suspicion to anyone yet. Logan would know instantly if he had a mate, as would most of his friends. It would be hard to conceal. He needed to go to her tomorrow, confirm what he suspected to be true.
Unlike how Logan had hidden the knowledge from his mate, Gillian would be the very first person he told. Dimitri wasn’t even sure she’d accept it. She’d already run once. He wouldn’t be surprised if the little hell cat tried to go on the lam again. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me, he thought. He planned on teaching his feisty tigress a lesson or two on submission. He smiled inwardly, knowing he’
d fully enjoy the challenge.
As he reached his car, his phone buzzed in his pocket. Reading the text from Jax, he gave a small chuckle. Ready or not, Kitty, here I come.
Chapter Eight
Gillian’s feet hurt. She shifted again in the painful heels she’d chosen to wear and cursed the personal shopper that Jax had assigned to dress her for the evening. She smoothed down the black strapless couture gown, thankful for the thigh-high slit, which allowed movement in the otherwise skin-tight material. Given her impaired mobility, she felt unusually vulnerable.
She wrapped her hands around the brass handrail, and glanced down to the theater patrons who were busily taking their seats. Even though felines weren’t typically afraid of heights, she tightened her grip, revealing that the human side of her feared the very thing her beast craved. But she knew it wasn’t just the distance from the floor causing her stomach to tie in knots.
Gillian had thought of a million different ways to tell Dimitri that Jax would be announcing her mating to his beta. Jax had explained that this evening’s event was for the magazine, which employed both humans and supernaturals. Although mortals and wolves were well integrated in society, mating was a term used only by the shifter realm. Marriage, on the other hand, would be seen as more socially acceptable to the humans in attendance. Jax had warned her that their engagement would be presented as well, so that all understood his intention.
She’d attempted to reach Dimitri, but he hadn’t returned her calls or texts. Waiting alone for Nick to join her, her heart ached. Gillian wiped a small tear from her eye, the disappointment more than she expected. Goddess, she felt so stupid. She’d only known Dimitri for a couple of days, and she’d allowed herself to form an attachment. What had she expected? That he’d come for her like he’d said? That he’d decide to date her after she’d insisted that she wouldn’t be with a wolf?
Maybe he’d already found out from his Alpha about her supposed mating with Nick. She shook her head at the thought. It wasn’t even a real mating for Christ’s sakes, but still, it was being publicly declared. Nick told her he planned to kiss her, insisting that it would be best to make it more believable, and foolishly she’d agreed. ZANE was planning on doing a feature on them, and they needed to make it look real. She could just imagine Dimitri seeing a picture of her kissing someone else, a wolf no less. If she needed a nail driven into the coffin of her fantasy of seeing Dimitri again, an image of her locking lips with Nick would be the hammer.
She heard footsteps behind her, and assumed Nick had finally come up to join them. Earlier, he’d accompanied Gillian to her seat. He’d left momentarily to check with the guards, explaining that although none of Chaz’s wolves had been spotted, they expected he’d send in humans to report back to him. Lilac scented perfume alerted her that she’d been wrong about who’d entered, and she turned to the source.
“What are you doing here?” Gillian asked. The woman who she’d seen curled on Nick’s lap sidled up next to her. She wasn’t sure of the relationship between her, Jax and his beta, but sensed hostility from the second the woman had shifted, back in his apartment.
“I’m Star,” she announced, affording herself the view below. Never making eye contact, she presented herself with an air of entitlement.
“I’m Gillian.”
“I know who you are. Jax’s half-breed sister.”
“Excuse me?” Gillian’s eyes flared in anger.
“Listen, I don’t know what’s going on with you and Nick, but he’s mine, do you hear me? And your brother shares my bed as well. So whatever you’ve done to get me kicked out of their place, you better fix it or let’s just say you might become uncomfortable with your new home.” Star flicked her candy-red fingernails, admiring her manicure.
“Are you threatening me?”
“What do you think?”
“I think you’re dumb as shit if you think you can threaten a tiger. And must have a death wish doing it where my brother can hear you.” Gillian released a small growl but tamped down her cat’s urge to shift. A tasty wolf would be very satisfying right now. She took a deep calming breath, and her eyes flew to Nick who stood in the doorway.
“Nick darling,” Star sang, her demeanor sweet as taffy. She sashayed over to him, her see-through dress tugging at its seams.
Gillian turned her head away from both of them, willing her feral eyes back to their golden hue. She didn’t want Nick seeing her lose control, but she knew he’d heard every word she said. Grateful he’d come along, she used the opportunity to compose herself. Patience was a commodity she was running short of, and Jax would be less than pleased if she ate one of his wolves at his elegant event.
She heard Nick dismiss Star, and went to ask him when Jax was supposed to speak. All the attendees had been seated and the lights began to dim, signaling the performance was about to begin. But when she turned around, he was gone. The curtains to the entrance of the booth had been drawn. As she was about to leave to find him, the theater darkened and a single spotlight shone on Jax who stood smiling on stage.
With his typical charismatic and voguish style, he adjusted his tie and waved to several ladies in the front row, who swooned in response. For the first time in her life, Gillian felt sentimental, wishing she’d known her father. Had he been like Jax? Larger than life, lethal with a casual flash of his smile?
He began to speak and she quickly sat in her red velvet chair. Her heart started to beat faster, and she opened her purse to check her cell phone for the twentieth time today. No calls. No text. With no time to wallow in her disappointment, she heard Jax call her name.
“I’d like to welcome everyone to ZANE’s celebration of the arts. As you know, ZANE is dedicated to many charitable causes, and all proceeds from tonight’s performance and silent auction will go directly to our local chapter of Community Hospice and Service Pets International. This organization primarily helps to house and train animals for local hospices and has recently started to train service animals to work with autistic children and adults. I appreciate your support tonight and also the generous time and donations by the Lyceum Philharmonic who plan a Broadway-themed performance. Please give them a hand for their dedication.”
Jax gestured to the director, who came out from behind the curtain only briefly to acknowledge his contribution.
“Before we get started, I’d like to take a minute to indulge in a personal announcement. Many of you in the audience work for or with ZANE, so this will directly affect you. Recently, I’ve connected with my sister, who happens to be a terrific photographer. She’s going to be joining the ZANE team, and promises to bring a fresh eye to future spreads. Please say hello to Gillian Michel. Stand, Gilly,” he told her.
Gillian’s legs shook as she pushed out of the chair. A light blinded her as she waved, plastering a smile on her face. She thought she’d be sick, embarrassed that she was deliberately about to lie to hundreds of people, that the lie would sever any chance she’d be able to see Dimitri again. She steadied herself by holding onto the railing, and waited for Jax to continue. Nervously, she stole a peek over her shoulder. Where is Nick?
“There’s my baby sis. And I have wonderful news that I’d like to share, as it appears I’m going to be expanding my family further.” The faces of a few of the females in the audience went pale and Jax laughed. “This news directly affects my sister, ladies. No worries…our date is still on for later,” he joked.
Gillian waited for him to drop the bomb, and forced herself to open her eyes that she hadn’t realized she’d closed. Like watching a scary movie, she couldn’t take the suspense and had looked away. Everything about the moment felt incredibly wrong. She contemplated sneaking off to the airport, hopping a plane to some remote island where no one would ever find her. But running wasn’t really her style. Even though she’d left Dimitri in Vegas, she’d done it to protect him. Hearing Jax’s laughter reminded her that any minute now, her mating to Nick would be announced…that was if Nick actually sho
wed up.
“So as I was saying, my family’s about to grow. I’m thrilled to announce her intended mating to someone I’d be proud to call my brother.” His declaration was met with several whistles from shifters in the audience. “In other words, she’s getting engaged.”
The patrons broke out in loud applause and Gillian thought the smile frozen on her face would get stuck. Her dry teeth glued to her lips, the muscles in her cheeks began to hurt.
“Before we get started, I’d like to introduce her mate, her fiancé, Dimitri LeBlanc. Everyone please put your hands together, and wish them a long life together,” he told them with a broad smile, and gestured upward to her opera box.
Gillian’s knees buckled as she heard Jax tell everyone in attendance that Dimitri was her mate. Dimitri? No, she must have heard him wrong. Where was Nick? Bewilderment rushed through her as a large familiar hand wrapped around her waist.
“Congratulations, darlin’,” Dimitri whispered in her ear. His hard arousal left no room for interpretation. She gasped at his greeting, and he continued. “What do you say? Shall we put on a show?”
Gillian’s heart stopped, hearing his voice. How could it be? What was he doing here? Shocked, her eyes widened as she turned her head to see Dimitri standing next to her. Towering over her small frame, he gave her a dashing smile, turning her legs into jello. Her gorgeous beta, dressed in a tux, casually slid a hand down her back. The well-fitted suit did little to hide his extraordinarily well-built physique, and the sight of him took her breath away. Her mouth gaped open; she was at a loss for words.
“I’ll take that as a yes. I do enjoy an audience.”
Gillian melted into Dimitri’s arms as his mouth captured hers. Her tongue swept against his and she purred in pure joy. She moaned as Dimitri broke his kiss, yet she remained happily within his embrace. Overjoyed to see him, she slid her hands underneath his jacket, relishing his hard muscular body against hers. The taste of him remained on her lips, and she clung to him tightly, remorseful that she’d left him in Vegas. She heard him give a small chuckle and opened her eyes. Remembering that there were a couple of hundred people watching them, Gillian cleared her throat and caught sight of Jax, his eyes pinned on their display. All the while, she never let go of her beta.
