Elias’s body was hard beneath her. There was no mistaking the press of rigid flesh against her hip. Elias wanted her. Her breathing increased and her breasts began to ache. How could she be sexually aroused at a time like this?
Then he kissed her. Their lips touched and breath mingled. She moaned and opened to him. He teased her at first, stroking his tongue over hers before plunging deep. Strong fingers gently stroked her face.
Elias represented safety and caring. As tempting as it was to just let herself go, the boys were just beyond them in the yard, and nothing had been settled between her and Elias.
She was breathless when they parted. She licked her lips, enjoying the way his eyes darkened as he followed the path of her tongue. “What do you mean it depends on me?”
He looked as though he was struggling to recall his train of thought. Then his gaze turned even hotter. “I want you in my life. Forever. But there are things you have to know before you make that final decision.”
Was he asking her to marry him? She started to speak, but he placed his fingers over her lips. “First things first. Come back with me for the night. You and Billy will be safe from Connor and we’ll have some privacy to talk.” He gave a subtle jerk of his head.
When she looked at the yard, Sage and Reece were both watching them as Billy ran in circles around them. She’d forgotten Elias had told her about his superior senses. That meant his nephews had them too. They’d probably heard every word she and Elias had said.
Her cheeks heated, but it was too late to be embarrassed. Since they were involved in her life too, they deserved to know the truth.
She wouldn’t mind getting away for a day or two. She hadn’t had any vacation time this summer. She’d taken all her time off when her father had died. “All right. I have to clear away from lunch and pack a bag for us. It shouldn’t take too long.”
“It takes as long as it takes.” He set her on her feet and stood behind her with his arms loosely linked around her waist. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Could she trust him to keep his promise? It had hurt her when William had left her, but it would devastate her if Elias walked away. Her feelings for him were much deeper. A woman’s love as opposed to the infatuation of a girl. Plus, her son’s heart was on the line as well. He’d already been dealt too many blows.
“Just for tonight. I have to work in the morning.” As much as she wished she didn’t have to, she couldn’t afford to lose a day’s pay.
“We’ll start there.” She sensed his determination, and that actually gave her hope. God, was she really considering tying her life to that of a man who wasn’t really a man?
Billy laughed as Sage picked him up and swung him in a circle. Elias smiled and brushed a kiss on her temple.
As crazy as it seemed, that’s exactly what she was going to do.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Sue tugged at the hem of her shorts. It felt strange to be nervous around Anny. They’d been friends for years and had spent countless hours together. They’d laughed and cried and shared good times and bad. But that was a long time ago, before Anny had left home and tragedy had struck Sue’s life.
She and Anny were seated on a plush sofa in her friend’s home. Billy was playing with Tigger and Seymour. He’d always loved Anny’s cats and it seemed they remembered him. He was crawling on the floor, dragging a piece of string behind him, laughing as the cats pounced on it.
Reece was curled up in the corner, still in wolf form. She was beginning to wonder if Elias was pulling her leg on that one. Yet whenever she looked into Reece’s eyes, she saw a human intelligence. Sage had gone off with an older woman earlier, citing pie as his reason.
Armand had driven off with Elias a short time ago. It was just her and Anny, the woman who’d been her best friend but who was also a stranger in many ways. They’d both been through so much, but not together.
“What happened?” she asked her friend. She picked up her cold drink, had a sip and set it back on the colorful coaster on the coffee table. Surely after everything she deserved to know. “It has something to do with the animal that attacked you, doesn’t it?” It couldn’t have been anyone here. Anny didn’t seem to be afraid of any of them.
Anny pulled her legs up on to the sofa and curled around to face Sue. “It does.” She shuddered and Sue felt bad for making her remember. “It was actually Armand’s father.”
“His father?” Wow, talk about bad relations with the in-laws.
“He left me for dead, but you came along and saved me. I can never repay you for that.”
“Anny.” She reached out and laid her hand on her friend’s arm. “We’ve been through that before. You don’t owe me anything.”
Anny picked up the braid that hung over her shoulder and fiddled with the band at the end. “I died in the hospital.”
“I know. The doctors brought you back.” What did that have to do with how she’d come to live here with Armand?
“I was different after.” Anny lifted her eyes, silently pleading for understanding.
“Anny, whatever it is, it’s okay.” Sue made sure Billy was still occupied with Anny’s cats. “Tell me.”
“I was healing at an accelerated rate. I could hear things far away. And my vision was so acute it almost hurt. I’d had a vision when I was dying.”
“About going to heaven? Seeing the light?” Sue had heard about such things.
“No, about wolves. Specifically, one wolf who asked me if I wanted to live.”
Sue frowned, and she sensed Reece was interested. His ears perked up and his eyes never left them.
“I said I wanted to live and the wolf entered me.”
“Entered you?” She repeated, not quite believing what she was hearing.
Anny nodded. “Most people bitten by a werewolf die. It’s very, very rare for someone to live.”
Sue was still trying to wrap her head around the idea of a wolf entering her friend. “You sure you weren’t hallucinating? You did die,” she reminded Anny.
The other woman gave her a sad smile. “If I’m hallucinating, so is everyone else. I can shift into a wolf. The bite changed me. Permanently.”
“Holy crap.” Her head whirled with the implications. “That’s why you stayed away. What about the man who bit you?” She didn’t want to call him Anny’s father-in-law. That seemed wrong on so many levels considering the man had tried to kill her.
“He’s gone.” The stark finality of Anny’s words told her that the man was dead. Sue didn’t ask what had happened to him. She’d seen the way Armand looked at her friend. If there was a threat to her, he would have taken care of it.
A shivered snaked down Sue’s spine. Violence surrounded this small group of people. Even though the room was warm, she felt cold inside.
“I came to see Armand. I needed to understand what was happening to me, and he was the only one who could tell me.” Anny continued her story and Sue listened intently. “He was shocked. He didn’t know I was the woman who’d been attacked.” Anny sighed and rested her head against the sofa. “I stayed away to protect you, at first. The man who’d attacked me was still out there.”
“And after?” Because Anny had just told her the man was dead.
“After, it became about protecting Armand and everyone here. I’m truly sorry, Sue, but how could I explain all this?”
Sue understood her friend’s reasoning—there wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do to protect Elias and the boys—but it still hurt. Reece stood and came to her side. He rested his head on her shoulder. She ran her fingers over his strong head, grateful for the support. “I get it.”
She was now a part of this world. She knew what they were. Reece gave a little whine. She shook herself out of her funk when she saw the concern in his eyes. She wasn’t sure if he was older or younger than Sage, but he was still young enough that her
maternal instincts kicked in.
“It’s okay, Reece.” She rubbed his ears and then patted his sturdy shoulder. He butted her in the arm before returning to Billy’s side.
“You and Elias have a lot to discuss when he comes back.” Anny took her hand and squeezed it. “I can tell you one thing. This might seem like a violent world, and it is in many ways, but if Elias commits to you, you can be sure he’ll protect you to his last breath.”
That wasn’t quite as reassuring as her friend had probably intended it to be. Sue had already known too much loss. The last thing she wanted was for Elias to be hurt on her behalf. Then there was her son. What about his well-being? And Sage and Reece?
The cats were sprawled on the carpet grooming themselves, the string they’d been playing with only moments before was forgotten. Billy was now playing with his trucks. He laughed when Reece growled and playfully pounced. The cats took affront to the action. Seymour hissed and ran off with Tigger right behind him.
Reece licked Billy’s face and made him laugh. He was so good with Billy. So was Sage. When she thought about the way the boy tugged on and climbed over Reece, it made her smile.
“Don’t make any rash decisions,” Anny warned her. “Think about what your life might be like if you stay. If you have any questions, I’m here.”
Sue had a lot to think about. And the foremost concern in her mind was what was happening between Elias and William. Sue took a deep breath and reached for her iced tea. She hoped she hadn’t made a mistake.
* * * * *
Elias was looking forward to the coming confrontation. Armand pulled his truck into the empty spot in front of an office building. “Remember,” Armand reminded him. “Don’t lose your temper.”
It would be difficult, but he’d do it for Sue and Billy. “Got it.” He grabbed the envelope that contained the papers Sue’s lawyer had drawn up. Randolph Owens hadn’t been pleased to see Elias, but he’d handed over the documents as instructed.
“Follow me.” Armand walked toward the building. The guy was proving to be a valuable ally. His research had turned up quite a few interesting things, the least of which was that William Walsh was engaged to Loretta Turner, whose father owned the company of Turner and Associates. The business had a long history in banking and investment. Old money all the way.
Armand pulled open the glass door and Elias strode in. A middle-age woman manned the reception desk. She raised her eyebrows as she noted their jeans and T-shirts but plastered a smile on her face. “How can I help you, gentlemen?” There was a slight derisive note to her last word, but Elias ignored it. He didn’t care what she thought of him.
“William Walsh.”
The woman frowned. “Do you have an appointment?”
“Tell him it’s about his son.” Elias figured that would get him in quicker than anything.
The receptionist picked up the phone beside her and made a quick call. She thought she was being discreet, but with his wolf hearing, Elias heard it all. She’d told whoever picked up the phone on the other end that there were two unsavory-looking men to see Mr. Walsh.
Elias checked on Armand, who was rubbed his hand over his chin to hide his grin. Elias rolled his eyes and waited until the woman completed her call. “Someone will be down to escort you up.”
Security, no doubt. Elias inclined his head and sauntered toward the elevator to wait. Armand hooked his sunglasses into the front of his T-shirt and passed the time by studying the small area.
Finally, the elevator dinged and the doors slid open. Sure enough, a big, burly man in a suit greeted them with a nod. “Gentlemen, please come with me.” He moved to the side to give them room to enter.
Elias stepped on with Armand right behind him. There was a lot of old money here. The place practically reeked of age and tradition. Good to know. It would make this transaction a lot easier.
They went up several floors before the machine stopped. The doors slid soundlessly open and their escort stepped out. “This way.”
Elias hid his amusement as they were led down a narrow hallway, his feet making no sound on the thick carpeting. It wasn’t an office they entered, but a small conference room. William was trying to intimidate them.
This time, Elias did smile. William frowned and stepped forward. “I’m afraid you have me at a loss. I have no idea who you are.”
“We’re friends of Sue.” That stopped William in his tracks.
“She sent you?” William crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the glossy oak conference table, trying to appear nonchalant, but Elias could smell his fear.
“Let’s just say she’s allowing us to handle a few small details for her,” Elias informed him. Armand leaned against the wall near the door, quiet but ready to back him up if necessary.
“Should I have my lawyer present?” William half-joked.
“Yes. That will save time.” The quicker they could get this done, the faster he could get back to his woman.
William pushed away from the table. “I don’t know what your game is, but I think it’s time for you to leave. My lawyer will contact Sue’s. I don’t deal with people I don’t know.” He motioned to the security man who was waiting inside the door.
Elias shook his head when their escort started forward. “Don’t you even want to know what’s in here?” He waved the manila envelope in the air.
William frowned and put his hand up to stay the security man. “What is it?”
Elias opened the envelope, drew out the document and handed it to William. He automatically took it and scanned the legal papers. “What the hell is this?” He kept reading and his face turned red. “She wants me to give up all parental rights to my son.”
“All claims.” Elias shifted his weight on the balls of his feet. He wanted to attack and take William down for what he’d done, but that wasn’t the way to win this battle. “What does it matter?” He lowered his voice and continued. “You barely see Billy now as it is. And there’s no money to be had.”
“How much is Sue paying you to deliver this? If she thinks I’m going to be intimidated by some thug, she’s got another thing coming. This only gives me more ammunition for when we go to court.”
“William, William, William,” Elias gently chided. “You’re not listening. You’ll sign those documents or your employer and your fiancée will learn a lot more about you than you’d like them to know.”
William’s jaw tightened and fury leapt into his eyes. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Through the man’s bluster, Elias scented his fear. That made him dangerous to Sue.
“It’s simple. You sign these and walk away from Sue and Billy, and we go away. You never have to see or hear from any of us again. Don’t sign, and you’ll lose everything before I’m done. Your job, your money and the woman you’re engaged to. If you sign, we all win.”
“Billy is my son,” William stubbornly insisted.
“In name only. A sperm donor is not a father.” Elias was losing patience. “It’s your choice. Either way, Sue will win this. It’s up to you if you lose everything. Come on, man, think. You want a kid to solidify your position in the firm.” When William’s gaze sidled away, Elias knew he’d hit the man’s motivation dead on. “Have one with your fiancée. The boss would never accept another woman’s child as his grandson.”
He stepped closer, wanting to intimidate William. Petty of him, but he couldn’t help the jolt of pleasure he got when the other man paled. “There is no money left from Sue’s parents. There were bills that needed to be paid. The only money is in trust for Billy.”
Elias had an idea. Sue might kill him for it, but it was the right thing to do. “Sign it and your lawyer can add a clause where you no longer have to pay child support.”
“What?” He could see the wheels turning in William’s head. Not having to pay child support would be like gett
ing a bonus check every month.
“That’s right. You could start your life over. Free from the past. No one needs to know about some of your more questionable decisions when you were younger.”
He could see the indecision on the man’s face and leaned closer to whisper one word in his ear. “Davenport.”
William froze. God bless Armand. William Walsh had been let go from the firm several years ago after the implication of impropriety. Nothing had ever been proven and no charges were laid. Financial firms didn’t like any negative publicity and usually let white-collar crimes slide. They just got rid of the supposed perpetrator.
Elias leaned back. “What do you say? We can all disappear from your life forever. All you have to do is sign.”
William straightened his shoulders and walked around the conference table. He picked up the phone and spoke to the woman who answered. “I need Simmons from legal down here immediately.”
Elias glanced at Armand who wasn’t even trying to disguise his disgust. It hadn’t taken much prodding at all, which was too bad. He’d been looking forward to really putting pressure on William.
He’d never walk away from his nephews. They’d have to kill Elias to get him to give up custody of his boys. And here was William ready to give up all claims to Billy, and for what? Money.
There was a light rap on the door and another man entered. “You wanted to see me, William?”
William nodded. “I need you to look at this document for me and we need to add another clause before I sign.”
Simmons took the sheaf of papers, sat at the table and began to read. “You really want to do this?”
“Not really, but it’s best for Sue and for Billy. She’s threatened legal action, and I don’t want to drag my son through that.”
Elias almost snorted aloud at the way William twisted the situation so he’d come out looking like the good guy.
“You realize you’re giving up all rights to him,” Simmons reiterated.
Wolf on a Mission: Salvation Pack, Book 6 Page 26
