by Jenika Snow
“I freaked you out, didn’t I?”
Blinking a few times, she turned to him and shook her head. “You made me feel like I am actually wanted.” Tears pricked her eyes, and he pulled her close to him.
“Hey, no crying, unless it’s because you’re happy.”
She nodded against his chest. “I am happy. You make me happy, Charlie.” Pulling back and looking into his face, she was struck anew by the force of how much she loved him. It seemed crazy that she could feel like this for one person after such a short amount of time, but her feelings had been there all along, and until Charlie had told her he loved her, she hadn’t known it was so intense and consumed her fully.
He wiped her tears away with the pads of his thumbs.
“I hate to tell you this, but I told you so.”
For a moment, she was confused by his statement, but then it clicked into place. He was stating the fact that he had known they were having a boy and that he would be a bear. Smacking him playfully on the arm, she scooted back to her seat and chuckled. “Yeah, I guess you did.”
He started the engine, but before he pulled out of the parking lot, he leaned over and kissed her on the head. “You want to wait to tell everyone the good news until tonight?”
She nodded, because that was just what she was about to tell him. He took her hand in his and then maneuvered the truck out of the parking space and away from the doctor’s office.
“I need to stop by the butchers and pick up a meat order Bram placed for dinner tonight.”
“That’s fine. I’ll go into the supermarket and grab a few things.”
He pulled into a spot right in front of the little grocery store and cut the engine. “I won’t be too long. I’ll meet you inside.” He leaned over and kissed her on the lips. They climbed out of the truck, and he jogged across the street to Brady’s. She walked into Sweet Water’s small grocery store and grabbed a cart. If anyone wanted more than the necessities, they’d have to travel twenty minutes outside of town to the larger chain supermarket to get it.
After paper plates, plastic cups, and any other “party” items she could think of, she debated whether or not to grab a bottle of wine for Melissa and Candace. Deciding against it, because if she knew anything about Melissa, it was that she would probably bring a case of wine with her, she headed over to the bakery. After ordering a baker’s dozen of pastries, she stood patiently as they were being packaged.
“February?” Stiffening at the deep sound of her name right behind her, she slowly turned around and stared at Frank. Her jackal ex-boyfriend looked exactly the same: longish dark hair and cold, flat dark eyes. They had broken up—or more, she had left him. Memories of their relationship washed through her, sour and vile ones that made her feel like less of a woman and more of an object.
He had made her feel like no one else would want her, had told her as much on several occasions, yet she stayed with him. That was, until she grew a backbone, talked to her two best friends, and dumped his ass. No way would she let him intimidate her anymore.
She was now with Charlie and couldn’t help but feel like she was worthy of someone’s love and that they were worthy of her love in return.
“Well, shit, it is you.” He eyed her up and down, and she could practically hear his condescending words even though he didn’t say anything. “Damn, Ary, in just a few months, you’ve really packed on the pounds. And that’s saying something, since you were thick to begin with.” And there was the Frank she left. She didn’t say anything, couldn’t, because she was humiliated, but also because she was furious.
Opening her mouth would only end in her saying something vile in front of a lot of unsuspecting people, children included. No, she would bite her tongue, hope her pastries were almost ready, and walk away from him.
“Ma’am?” She turned and saw the baker handing her the box filled with her baked goods. Her face heated even further at the knowledge that Frank would no doubt have a comment about that. And just like on cue, he spewed his hurtful thoughts.
“I see you’re still eating like the world’s gonna end.” He started cackling that distinctive laugh jackals had. Her face felt like it was on fire, and she snatched the box, said thank you, and started to walk away. A hand on her arm stopped her, and her heart raced.
“Damn, Ary, the least you can do is say hi to the man whose heart you broke.”
Yeah, if she had broken his heart by leaving, then the world really had ended. Just days after she broke up with him, she’d seen him all over a human female. Shaking because of his icy touch, she straightened her shoulders and told herself she would not let him get to her.
“I have nothing else to say to you.”
The saccharine smile he wore vanished, and he narrowed his eyes. She went to turn again, but his hand gripped her wrist in a tight hold, and he refused to let go.
“You bitch. I put up with your shit for a whole fucking year, and now you act like you’re too damn good to even talk to me? You fucking bitch—” Before he could continue on his rant, he was thrown across the aisle, slid along the polished floor, and landed at the base of a soup can display. Chicken noodle soup cans fell all around him, and he moved away before he got buried in them.
Charlie stood a foot in front of her, and looking at his profile showed his rage and the fact that he was seconds away from shifting. Knowing she had to defuse the situation before it got worse, she took a step forward and placed her hand on Charlie’s forearm. The heat that came from him told her his muscles were contracting, preparing to shift and fight.
“Looks like Ary found herself a protector. Not that she’s gonna need a big bear to watch over her.” The fact that he was making yet another reference about her looks wasn’t lost on her, but then again, she didn’t care at the moment. There was no doubt Charlie could easily kill him, but then that would just open up a lot of problems she didn’t want Charlie to deal with.
“Come on, Charlie. It isn’t worth it. He isn’t worth it.”
Frank had since stood, and she could tell he was doing everything in his power not to attack or make another nasty remark. He had never been known for his restraint, but clearly he knew what he was up against and was actually thinking about the repercussions for once in his miserable life.
There was no contest that a bear could take a jackal, but Frank had never been the brightest male, and his temper and arrogant attitude had gotten him into a lot of trouble when they were dating.
Exhaling the breath she hadn’t known she was holding in, Ary was able to steer Charlie out of the grocery store, although she knew he was allowing it or it wouldn’t have happened. Once they were back in his truck, her groceries tossed in the back, all she wanted to do was drive out of there and never look back, but he didn’t start the truck or pull away from the store.
He had a tight grip on the steering wheel, and his knuckles were white as bone.
“Charlie, please, let’s go.” She kept her voice purposefully soft and placed her hand gently on his thigh. His muscles twitched beneath her palm, but he covered her hand with his and looked at her.
“That was the ex I take it?” He said it through clenched teeth. She nodded once, and a muscle under his jaw jumped. He returned the nod and went back to staring out the front windshield. “I could have torn him in half for what he said to you, and when he put his hands on you, kitten….” His voice was scary low, and she didn’t know any way to make things better aside from just leaving.
“I’m glad you controlled yourself, because he isn’t worth the air he breathes. Come on, Charlie, I’m excited to meet your brothers and tell everyone the good news.” She placed a hand on her belly and offered him a smile she hoped didn’t look unsteady.
He turned his upper body so he was facing her. His smile was forced but still there. “I didn’t mean to frighten you, baby.”
“I know, but when I said he isn’t worth it, that is exactly what I meant. I don’t want you getting in trouble because of some asshole l
ike him. I love you, Charlie.”
He exhaled, and his smile wasn’t forced this time. “I love you too, baby.” He kissed her on top of the head, and she closed her eyes and felt herself relax for the first time since the whole altercation started. They finally left and headed toward Bram’s cabin not far from where Charlie lived. She just wanted to put everything that had to do with Frank behind her and thought she had until she had seen him tonight.
Maybe she wasn’t as stable with her self-worth as she originally thought.
16
Melissa and Candace kept passing around the ultrasound picture, oohing and aahing at how cute the baby looked. Charlie and his brothers were at the dining room table drinking beer, while the girls stayed in the living room.
“Is it awkward for you, Melissa?” Ary took a drink of her lemonade.
“What?” Melissa handed the pictures to Candace and looked up at her. “Awkward about what?”
Ary tilted her head toward where the guys were at. Melissa waved her question off.
“Just because we almost slept together but I ended up going home with someone else isn’t a big deal, Ary. We parted ways on good terms. In fact, I saw him leaving with some redhead, so it’s all good.” She smiled. “Besides, I had a nice time with Nick.” She wagged her eyebrows, and they all started laughing.
This had all three of them laughing so loud the guys stopped their conversation and looked over at them curiously. They smiled innocently, which had all three guys narrowing their eyes suspiciously but going back to their conversations nonetheless.
“So, things are good with you two?” Candace asked her.
A flurry of butterflies started in February’s belly, and she felt her cheeks heat when Melissa and Candace’s matching grins met hers. “More than okay.” She leaned forward and lowered her voice. “He told me he loved me, and I said it in return.”
For once, Melissa was speechless.
“Oh my God, Ary.” Candace clasped her hands together and covered her mouth.
“Dammit, why can’t I find a hot bear shifter and have everything fall into place?” Melissa whined teasingly, but Ary could tell there was no heat behind her words.
“So you’re seeing that lion shifter again? Not really your style, Melissa.” Candace grinned, and both Ary and Melissa glanced over at their normally quiet friend. Candace had a little bit of bite in her tonight, and Ary decided it suited her quite well.
“You bitch.” Melissa poked Candace in the ribs and smirked. “Yeah, it isn’t my style. I’m kind of the love ‘em and leave ‘em kind of girl, but hey, it isn’t like I have anything better to do. Besides, he said he wanted to take me to dinner and go dancing this weekend. And also, he’s a manly man, you know, the kind who can crush an opponent with his hands.” She squeezed her hand as if to emphasize her point.
That brought back the memory of Frank and Charlie getting into it at the store. If February never had to witness something like that again, she would die a happy woman. She certainly didn’t want to have Frank’s vileness seeping into her current life, and she didn’t want Charlie involved in any of that. Frank was part of her past, and that was where she wanted him to stay.
Charlie could hear the females laughing in the next room, and the sound of Ary’s happiness made him smile.
“Man, you got it bad for your girl.” Bram’s words were filled with brotherly love. Charlie looked up at him, saw the fresh split lip and slightly swollen right eye, and sighed out loud.
“Bram, when are you going to chill on the fighting?”
His youngest brother cracked his knuckles and smirked. “Listen, it helps me with all this extra energy that builds and builds inside me until I feel like I’m going to explode. Besides, I like breaking a few noses. It’s fun.”
Charlie rolled his eyes, and Ford grunted in amusement. Out of the three of them, Bram had always been far more bear than human, and Charlie knew he took after their father in that regard.
“Anyway, enough about this and his need to kick some ass, and more about you and your girl.” Ford made a low, annoyed sound when Bram play-punched him in the arm.
“Dick.”
Charlie chuckled at his brothers’ banter.
“I never thought I’d see the day when you’d get pussy whipped,” Ford said absently. His attention was on his cell that was on the table in front of him. His brow was puckered, and a look of concentration was written across his face. When Charlie looked over at Bram, he saw a worried expression on his brother’s face.
He didn’t need to ask Bram what was wrong, because when his brother mouthed the word Mina, Charlie knew Ford was slowly going down a slippery slope of anger and pain. Ford had never discussed what really happened with him and Mina. One day, they were together, and the next, she was moving out of Sweet Water.
Ford would most likely be out tonight, drinking to numb everything he was feeling, and Charlie would be there picking him up and most likely stopping an all-out brawl that Ford started.
Yeah, he could see it all playing out in his head now and knew it was going to be one hell of a night.
17
The sound of a phone going off woke Ary, and she blinked her eyes open. She turned in bed and looked at Charlie fumbling with his cell.
“Yeah?” The sound of a male voice coming from the receiver could be heard, but it was too muffled, so she couldn’t understand what was said or who it was. “Fucking hell, Bram.” He scrubbed a hand over his face and sat up in bed. “We both knew this was going to happen, so chill the fuck out. You shouldn’t have let him get to that point.” A beat of silence passed. “Yeah, yeah. I’ll be there in ten.” He ended the call and set it on the table. “I’m sorry, baby. Ford is piss-ass drunk and starting shit down at Slater’s.”
Worry instantly settled into her. “The rundown biker bar right outside of town?” She was wide awake now and stared at his naked, muscular back. “I’ve heard that place is pretty dangerous.” And where the scum of the earth liked to hang out. Charlie was going there, and in the middle of the night no less?
“Yeah, and it is only getting more dangerous with Ford there starting a bunch of drunken shit.” He looked over his shoulder and smiled at her. “Don’t worry. Everything will be okay. Go back to sleep, baby, and when you wake up, I’ll be right next to you.” He leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead.
She watched in silence as he quickly shoved his legs into a pair of jeans and pulled a T-shirt over his head. He kissed her once more before he strode out of the house and to a place nightmares were made of.
She lay there alone, in his huge king-sized bed, smelling his scent surround her and wishing she wouldn’t worry so much. He could take care of himself, had been long before she came around. She had heard horrendous stories about prostitutes, drugs, and near murder at Slater’s. Why were Charlie’s brothers at a place like that anyway? Why that bar hadn’t been shut down was beyond her, but one thing was for sure—there was no chance of her going back to sleep anytime soon.
Slater’s was one of the roughest bars Charlie had ever been to. Because of its location, it made it damn near impossible to see from the road. So if you didn’t know it was there, you would never stumble upon it. He took the long, winding dirt road that took him past the pines and blue spruces until the dim lights of the bar came into view.
He parked his truck beside a line of Harleys and made his way inside. Slater’s was on the edge of Sweet Water city limits, hidden behind a thick line of trees and off the main road.
Classic rock blasted through the shitty, scarred door and surrounded him when he walked inside. Cigarette smoke, alcohol, sweat, and sex lingered in the air. The interior wasn’t big and only held a handful of tables, some busted up chairs, and a few stained barstools. The sound of breaking glass had him turning and looking to his left.
There, in the center of a loose circle, stood Ford. Bram was holding him back for the time being. An aged, human, beefy biker stood in front of Ford, his thin lips
spreading over his yellow, crooked teeth, and his huge, rounded belly shaking up and down from his laughter.
Ford looked on the verge of shifting, and Charlie was surprised he hadn’t yet and that Bram was able to keep him under control.
Ford’s mouth moved, and whatever he said had the biker’s laughter dying and his face turning a deep shade of red. An old and used-up looking human woman stepped up to the biker and whispered something in his ear. He shrugged her off, peeled his faded, leather Cut off his body, and cracked his knuckles.
“Shit.” Charlie ran a hand over his jaw. If that human knew what the fuck he was messing with, he’d turn around right now and walk his ass out the door. Charlie shoved the people aside until he was standing beside his brothers.
The stench of sweat was overpowering. He turned toward the biker and looked him up and down. He had to give the old human some credit, because there wasn’t an ounce of fear permeating from him.
“Listen, just walk away, man.” He could practically see the steam coming from the human’s ears.
“Whatchu say, boy?” He took a step toward Charlie, his fists in balls by his side, and the sound of his teeth grinding filling the space between them.
“Whatever my brother said to you to get you pissed off, I apologize. He’s drunk and clearly going through some shit. I’d be happy to buy you and everyone else a round of shots, or beer if you prefer.” No doubt, Charlie and his brothers could have taken all these humans, but he was tired and certainly wasn’t in the mood for any fucking drama. Placating the lot of them seemed far easier.
