by M. Jayne
“Thank you for the information, sire.” I was surprised that we would be allowed to run without an escort. He didn’t know us, not yet.
He arched an eyebrow. “Besides, Theo’s aversion to bowing, I go by Laird or Black.”
“Noted.”
“I think you will find that I prefer respect over fear. Novus continues to exist because the members are comfortable being a part of what we are building—a place of security and sanctuary, and a business plan that is flexible and profitable.”
I nodded, pleased by what I was hearing. I did not want to be ruled by someone who inflicted terror and used intimidation.
“The world is changing, so we have to change with it. I know there are other Packs that have cut themselves off, or they only allow a select few to interact with humans.”
“I’ve lived amongst humans my entire life,” I said.
“We must. Our business interests involve working with humans. I allow humans to live on our lands. We co-exist.”
My first lesson in how things are run by Novus was painless. Hopefully, the rest would be the same.
“We’ll wear jackets out on the bikes. It’s thirty-four, and without, we would attract attention,” Black shared. “If you don’t have a suitable jacket, we can find something that will work.”
“Give me a minute; I’ll grab mine.” I headed to the bedroom and was happy that the staff had unpacked all my things. I grabbed my leather jacket and rejoined Black.
“We are eating in a small room on the first floor. Conal and Glass are joining us. I figured that if you had questions, they’d be the ones that could give you the best answers.” He opened the door, and I followed him out.
“This is all new to me,” I shared. “I’m good with letting it unfold.”
“It’s going to be a change for you both. We are very different from what Olivia was used to with the Burkes. She may find us to be lax, and I fear that you will feel stymied.”
I took in air through my nose and released it slowly. “We’ve been attacked twice within the span of days. The second time, she almost bled out. I want her to be safe.”
“We will keep Olivia safe.”
“And I will do whatever is necessary to make it so.”
Black stopped and faced me. “I believe you, Graham Vincent.” He allowed a moment for that to settle in, and then we continued past the grand staircase and to a small room that was set up for our dining.
I felt as though I had passed a test. The Laird had let me know that Olivia would be taken care of, with or without me. It didn’t feel like a challenge. He’d made a vow.
Black took the chair at the head of the table across from Conal, so I sat opposite the leader of the guard, Glass.
Conal handed me a tablet. “The menu’s pulled up; make your selections. Everything is good. Madeline takes great pride in her kitchen.”
I scrolled through the page and selected a meatloaf sandwich with cottage fries, a side of Canadian bacon, and apple pie for dessert. I placed the tablet to the side.
“Solle wants to have you and Olivia over for dinner. She wants to discuss nursing opportunities with her,” Conal said.
“Tell the truth; you want to show off your young,” Black teased his Second.
Conal shrugged.
“Their young one is cute. She giggles and rarely shrieks,” Glass stated in a matter-of-fact voice.
“As far as I know, our calendar is open. I’m sure Olivia would enjoy having dinner at your home.” The thought of watching Olivia interacting with a baby caused warmth to spread inside my chest.
“We are learning to leave her with a sitter. I fear that it is more difficult for me than my mate.” Conal didn’t look guilty.
“I’m surprised there is not a playpen in your office,” Glass told the Second.
Conal wrinkled his nose. “If I could convince her not to cry during conference calls, I would.”
“If I thought it would make the damn things end faster, I’d set up an entire daycare in my office.” Black grinned. “Talk, talk, talk, and little gets accomplished.”
“In the Lycan and human worlds, it seems bureaucracy is filled with talk, but action takes much longer.” I’d attended my fair share of departmental meetings during my different careers. Sometimes, those in charge appreciated the sound of their own voices more than exchanging ideas with those who worked with them.
Black grunted. “So true.”
“You are a police detective?” Glass was asking. Although it sounded like a statement, I think she just had a very abrupt way of speaking.
“Homicide, this time.” I thanked the server who had appeared with our drink orders. “I’ve worked in different departments, sometimes rising through the ranks, and other times, staying on patrol. I’ve also done personal security.”
“Novus offers several options along those lines,” Black said. “That is, if you wish to stay in that line of work.”
“There will be tests,” Glass interjected. “I will need to evaluate your skills, as will others.”
“Of course.” I had figured that I’d need to fight. They could call it whatever they wanted, but the moment I’d registered as an alpha personality, I’d known they’d want to know what they were dealing with.
“That’s for later,” Conal said, waving his fork. “The plan is for you and Olivia to get to know us, see the town, and maybe look at the available properties. After you get comfortable, then decisions can be made.”
The food arrived, which gave me a few moments to consider how to word my question.
Everything smelled delicious. I waited until we had sampled the food before asking, “Is it because of what Olivia did for your Queen that you are giving us time?”
Conal gave Black a pointed look.
Black pulled on his beer. “I always appreciate a good question.” He took another drink from his bottle. “The simple answer is yes.”
I nodded my appreciation of knowing what was going on.
“The more in-depth answer is that I believe you have skills that can help Novus.”
I didn’t hide my surprise.
“What I’m trying to build here is something solid that will endure not only for our young, but for theirs, and so on. I want good people. I want you.”
I was unsure how to respond.
Luckily, Glass did. “Straight enough for you?” she asked in her deadpan way.
“Yes,” I grinned, “yes, it is.”
16
Olivia Stern
Issa had collected me from our room. Today, she wore black leather pants tucked into amazing stiletto-heeled boots and a magenta top that hugged her upper body. “Lunch will be in Theo’s office suite.”
I looked down at my faded jeans, black Converse high-tops, and the light blue blouse that had snap closures. I hoped that I wasn’t underdressed.
We entered a space that was bright and filled with comfortable furniture. Theo was lounging on a big, puffy chair with her jean-clad legs hanging over the arm.
“Hey.” She didn’t get up.
“Good morning.” I paused, unsure of what was expected of me.
“Grab a seat.” Theo motioned toward the sofa or the loveseat.
“Issa, can you take care of that thing?”
“What thing?” The petite female’s eyebrows drew together.
Theo shook her head once. “You know…the thing.”
“I will be waiting outside your door.” The guard turned and left us without another word.
Theo waited until the door closed. “I wanted us to have a few moments to speak alone.” She flashed a rueful smile. “I went over this with both Lore and Issa an hour ago.” She then looked toward the door. “I’m rarely ever alone,” she said. “At first, it was because I was an unknown. Then it was because I was Black’s favorite. I was honored that two of the Pack’s best fighters wanted to protect me. I went from always being the weakest in the room to having serious muscle at my command.” She gave a good-natured sh
rug. “I enjoy it.”
“I am no threat,” I said, feeling that I had to voice that truth.
“Thank you.” She held my gaze. “When I got back from Texas, I was in bad shape.”
“Your injuries were extensive,” I said softly, remembering how badly she’d been injured.
“I almost died on the runway and then again on the operating table. There was an undetected bleed.”
“You were very lucky.”
“My body healed eventually. My mind was much slower to recover, and it took a toll on many of the people around me.”
“If I may ask…” I bit my lip to stop my curiosity.
“You can. It was tough for Black, Issa, and Lore to watch me fall into depression. Black brought in doctors, and nothing helped long-term. I wanted to end my life.”
“What?” My body tensed.
“I told Issa that I couldn’t fight the thoughts. I begged her to stay with me and to call for Black.” Her expression held nothing of the warmth that I had seen earlier. Her blue eyes were full of pain. “He arranged for me to move to Ohio. I worked with an excellent therapist. Issa and Lore went with me. I got better, stronger, good enough to resume this life.”
“I’m thrilled that you could.” She was much stronger than I’d ever imagined.
“Because my guards sacrificed to care for me, I put up with their protectiveness. I owe them.”
I nodded.
“And I owe you.” Her gaze held mine. “When I asked for you to call Solle, I had no idea that I would put your life in jeopardy. I’m sorry that you had to give up your career, your family, and the only life that you had known.”
“You are a Marked. It was my duty to help…to protect you,” I said quickly.
“Then I hope you will accept my help in return, Olivia.”
“You…and Novus have given me much. The money…I tried to get my parents to bring the kids and leave…” My voice shook.
Her expression softened. “What happened?”
I rolled my shoulders before continuing. “I bought a phone, a burner, and called my father. I told him about the reward. He called me ‘stupid’ and an ‘idiot’ for helping you. However, he had no problem taking the money I sent to help them leave.”
“Many would say that you were courageous.”
“I called weekly, at different times. I kept asking if they had left. He made excuses.” I swallowed the lump in my throat. “I don’t even know if he told my mother that we spoke, but she would never have gone against his wishes.”
Her mouth tightened. “I saw how the Burke Pack lived. I understand.”
“One day, when I turned on the phone, there were texts from my father’s phone, photos of their remains. They beheaded my father and my older brother. They killed them all, even the seven-year-old.”
“It was a warning.” Her voice was harsh.
“I hit the road again and kept moving. I felt like I was being followed a few times. I ran into other Lycans, but they seemed to be on the run, too.”
“How did you meet Graham?”
I smiled. I couldn’t help myself when I thought of him. “I bought an identity and got a nursing job, rented a house, tried to fit in. I lived in a housing development where the houses were almost identical.” I paused to see if she knew what I meant.
“You began a new life, one that was very different from life inside the Burke Pack.”
“There was a murder across the street, and he came to talk to me. He burst through the door, and I thought, at first, he was an assassin, but then…” I blushed.
She grinned. “I’m glad that you found each other.”
“He was attacked twice; once I was with him,” I shared.
“I bet that was scary.”
“I don’t know…” I looked down at my knees. “I don’t know how to fight. I froze.”
“Everything moves so fast… There’s so much aggression.”
I let out a shaky breath. She did understand. “I was shot twice. I lost a lot of blood. If Graham had not ordered my wolf to change through our bond, I would’ve died.”
Her smile widened. “I knew I liked him. He’s a good protector.”
“He gave up everything to come here with me,” I whispered.
“You both gave up everything for me.” She swung her legs to the floor. “I want you to know that I will do everything I can to help you both settle in. Whatever you need, ask for it.”
“Everyone has been very kind. When we called Conal, he helped immediately.”
“Novus, well, most of the Pack, will help. They understand sacrifice, and they didn’t like what Charles did to me.”
“What happened to him? Is he still alive?” I asked in a quiet voice.
“I killed him.”
That made me sit up straighter. “You did?” It would take a very powerful female to kill a Lycan male?
“Black put a bounty on his head. He hid with a Pack in the far north until he pulled some crap there, and they delivered him to us.”
Charles had always felt entitled. I’d never liked him and had always made sure to stay away from him.
“The Lady used me to take retribution. It was her power, but my body, that ended his life.”
My eyes widened. “Wow.”
“Yeah.” She rolled her eyes. “There’s a video if you ever want to see.”
“Uhm.” I scooted more deeply into the sofa. “I’m…”
“Yeah, it’s not my thing either.”
I paused, unsure if I should ask. “Afterward…did you feel better?”
“Yes.” Her smile was huge. “I was a little freaked out, but everybody saw what I was capable of doing. He hurt me, and he had to pay.”
I nodded, considering her words.
“And now, his father should pay for your family and for your problems.” Her voice had turned cold.
“I…I didn’t say that,” I stammered in shock.
“You’ve thought about it.” It wasn’t a question.
“My siblings were just kids. Innocent.” My words were strangled as tears filled my eyes.
“Then he should pay.”
I tried to find my voice.
Theo continued, “You protected me. She will make them pay. I will make sure of it.”
“I can’t ask that of you.” Tears rolled down my cheeks.
“You helped me. You sacrificed for me. Those you loved lost their lives because of it. The pain must stop, Olivia.” A tear ran down her cheek. “Vengeance doesn’t cleanse the soul, but it helps you sleep at night.”
My chest was tight, and my throat burned. “Thank you, my Queen.”
She bowed her head and let out a loud sigh as she wiped the tears from her eyes. “I didn’t mean for us to cry.”
I quickly wiped my wet cheeks.
“So, now, let’s eat and laugh. After lunch, Solle is coming by with Tay. The baby always makes things better.” She smiled as she studied my expression.
“Sounds good.”
“You like children?”
I didn’t try to temper my reaction. “I want many.”
“Then we will take turns holding Tay.”
The door opened, and Issa entered. “Enough time has passed. I am hungry.”
Theo smiled at me and stood. “Then, let’s order.”
* * *
I didn’t get back to our room until after five. Graham returned twenty minutes later. He was wearing a big smile and seemed to have enjoyed his day.
He dropped his leather jacket on the back of the chair and joined me on the sofa. “Did you have a good time?”
“Yes.” We had laughed. “After lunch, Solle brought the baby, and she is so cute.”
“It was a girl’s day.” He rested his boots on the coffee table before us.
“Lore was around.”
“Were you all right with that?”
“It was like he knew that I might be uneasy with his presence, so he was around but not right with us.”
He nodded once to show he understood what I was saying. “Theo didn’t make you nervous?”
“She arranged so that we were alone at first. She’s been through so much.” I hoped that it was all right that I shared her story. “After the attack, she wanted to kill herself.”
“I’m sure the attack was traumatic.”
“I mean, she told Issa not to leave her alone because she was going to do it.”
“She’s better now, right?” His gaze searched my face.
“She is, but she wants to help others who’ve been abused. She cried with me when I told her about my family.” I looked away. I couldn’t handle the intensity of his gaze.
“You like her.”
“Very much.” I went on to share, “She suggested to Solle that I take over as nanny for their daughter.”
“How do you feel about that?” he asked slowly.
“It would be great. I mean, I love nursing, but it would be good that, if Tay had any problems, I would be there. I could help. Solle wants to go back to work, and they need somebody they can trust.”
“And that would be you.”
“Well, Solle has to discuss it with Conal.” I tried to tamp down my excitement. “But Theo seemed to think he wouldn’t have a problem.”
He smiled. “That’s good, honey.”
“I’m excited. I’m used to working, and Tay is so cute. It would be three or four days a week.”
“It sounds like it was a good meeting.”
“Theo cares. I can tell. She feels responsible for everything that’s happened to us, and she wants to help. She told me that she understood how we felt because she was dumped, Graham—I mean, really dumped—out of a plane on the airstrip. So, she gets what it’s like to give up everything to be here.”
He pulled me closer. “I love it that you seem happier.”
“I do feel better.” I rested my forehead against his neck.
“We will make this work.”
“Thank you.” I lifted my head and brushed my lips over his jaw.
“Why don’t you show me how grateful you feel?” His chuckle was low and rumbly. He dropped his feet to the floor.
“I can do that.” I climbed off the sofa and got to my knees between his thighs. My gaze never left his face as I unbuttoned his jeans and slowly eased the zipper down while he lifted his hips to give me greater access. “I want to do this,” I whispered as I ran the tip of my nose along his inner thighs.
