by Dee Garcia
Wendy’s eyes light up all the more with that last bit. “I love that. Baby wolf.”
“Little wolf and baby wolf.” I shrug, bringing a palm to her flat stomach. “I didn’t think I could love you more than I already do, but fuck, I’m looking at you now, thinking about you growing swollen with my child, and I feel like my chest is going to blow.”
“I love you, Tavi, so much.” A vow—absolute and everlasting.
“And I, you, my love,” I return, stealing a peek at the clock on the wall. “You’re lucky we have somewhere to be; otherwise, I’d be throwing you onto that bed and ripping this dress off right about now.”
Her expression darkens deliciously, every inch of it. “I have an idea.”
“What’s that?”
“One hour.” She sticks a finger in my face. “We go for one hour. Show our faces, say hello, mingle...and then we’ll come back, and I’ll let you do just that. Hell, we can even bless the house.”
This woman said bless the house. My face nearly splits in half. “I was thinking the same thing. There’s a few places I can name off the top of my head that I need to have you on.”
“The piano, by the fireplace, the island in the kitchen, the porch—” Counting each one off, I nip that little index finger, cutting her off.
“Let’s go before I say fuck the hour, and I start checking some of those off right now.”
“Lead the way, daddy wolf. Where you go, I go, remember?”
Oh, I remember, little wolf. I remember.
We’re off after that, traveling a lot quicker than usual. Probably because she let me carry her this time without protest. I guess I have the shoes to thank for that.
The heels are sexy as fuck, but they aren’t hiking shoes, that’s for sure.
Once we make it to where the terrain flattens out, Hook’s palace illuminated just a few hundred feet away, I set her down and take her by the hand, leading her to festivities. Hook and Tinksley have decided to celebrate both their engagement and their coming little one in one lavish event.
What I find a little ironic and a whole lot of crazy? How both the women who were once attached to Peter Pan have now moved on, found their true love, and are expanding their lineage.
At the same time.
“So when do you want to tell my dad?” I question. I know it’s likely too soon, but that man is going to be over the moon.
“Let’s hit the eight-week mark first, then ten. If Ward still thinks everything looks good, then we can have our own celebration. Nothing elaborate like this, but it could be a fun surprise to throw out in the midst of a house warming party,” she beams, flashing me that carefree, megawatt smile.
“However, whenever and whatever you want, little wolf. I’m down for—”
Argh!
Arm shooting out, I shush Wendy in an instant, head snapping toward the sound. “Did you hear that?” I whisper.
“I did, it’s a woman. Sounds like she’s somewhere over there.” She points off the thicket of trees on our left.
Argh! Ahhh!
Yup, definitely coming from that direction.
“Stay here,” I order, but I can feel her dark head shake before I see it at my side. “Not a chance in hell, love. I’ll stay behind you, but I’m going, too.”
I don’t bother telling her otherwise. It’s probably safer she come with me anyway. I’m not sure what exactly that nose is, but if it’s one of these leeches preying on an innocent victim, they could go for her next.
And we all know that’s not going to fly.
I’ll dismember anyone who comes within ten feet of my girl without the bat of a lash. End of story.
The sound continues as we trail in silence through the darkened coppice, alternating from mewls and whined protests to agonized pants and harsh breaths. It has to be a bloodsucker, there’s no mistaking it, and as soon as I catch a hint of white, I know I’m right.
It’s one of Hook’s men taking his fill without an ounce of remorse.
Keeping Wendy behind me, we close in. Closer.
Closer.
Closer still.
Until I nearly fall back on my ass when I get my first glimpse of an image I’ll never be able to erase from my mind.
“Lil?” I ask incredulously, blinking a million and one times because it can’t be her. It just can’t.
But it is.
It’s my sister, blood running down her neck, silvery dress bunched over her hips, getting fucked up against a tree by the motherfucker who almost didn’t make it past my bite all those nights ago.
We stare each other down, a calculating smirk curling his lips as he turns to her and runs the tip of his nose along her cheek, his eyes never straying from mine.
“Tell him, Petal,” he purrs, grip on her thighs tightening. “Tell your big brother who you belong to now.”
THE END
At least for Tavi and Wendy, it is.
(This is where you flip the page…)
“I’m not letting you go,” I grate, using every last bit of self-control I possess not to unleash the rage I feel throttling through my veins.
Those almond-shaped eyes I fell for months ago narrow sharply on my form. “You don’t have a choice. I’m done with you, done with your lies, your secrets. Done being your little plaything.”
“You’re not a plaything,” I grate again, inhaling deep, calming breaths.
Tigerlily cocks her head to one side, bringing a condescending finger to her chin. “Sure about that? Because you know everything there is to know about me, every damned thing, yet I don’t know even a quarter of your story. That’s not how a relationship works, at least not in my world, so as I said—I’m done.”
Her words, the way she turns on her heel to leave me in the dust, is like a cold slap to the face, jetting me from zero to one-hundred in seconds flat.
Flashing behind her, I grip the nape of her neck and haul her back toward me, our chests colliding with brutal force. “Don’t fucking walk away from me,” I growl, locking my fingers in her hair. “You’re mine, Petal, you should know better than that by now.”
“I was yours, Armand, and you just fucked that all to hell.”
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Acknowledgments
Another one for the books, y’all—number 14! <3
To my sposa and my bae bae—thank you for being my dream team. For always having my back, for believing in me, pushing me, and always urging me to be better. I love you both infinitely.
To my PA, Victoria—your constant love, support, and friendship mean the world to me. Thank you for sticking by me every step of the way, always adjusting my crown, and reminding me that I can do this. I owe you more than you know.
To my Alphas and dear friends, Danielle, RiRi, and Tasha—thank you for tolerating me on a regular basis. You read for me, give me honest feedback, let me vent or gush when needed, and do it with love. You three will always have a special place in my heart.
To my devious Devils—thank you for still being here with me. Your constant cheers and endless amounts of love keep me going. I can’t wait for you to see what I have planned for 2020!
And lastly, but certainly not least, to my babies and the man—thank you for putting up with me when I get cranky. I know the nights may be long, and sometimes, even the days, but I promise you it’ll be worth it. I’m doing this for us.
About the Author
Self-published author Dee Garcia was born in Miami, Florida. A voracious fan of romance novels and a long time lover of the written word, her mission is to craft unique, compelling stories that will give her readers a place to briefly escape the monotony of everyday reality. With fierce, headstrong heroine’s and swoon-worthy, possessive Alpha males weaved into her thrilling tales, Dee hopes to leave her mark on the Indie world, one decadent plot twist at a time.
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&n
bsp; Also by Dee Garcia
Stand-alones:
• Volatile Obsessions (Dark Romance)
• Snare (Zombie apocalypse/Dystopian)
• Jagger (Erotic Romance)
• The Ashes of Blacklier Manor (Dark Gothic Romance)
——————
Duets/Series:
• The Scarsi Family Series (Mafia)
X-394 (Book One)
Dead or Alive Part 1 (Book Two)
*Book Three to come*
• The Bloodshed Duet (MMA fighter)
I Am Lioness (Book One)
Hear Me Roar (Book Two)
• The Rosewood Realm Series
Venom (Book One)
——————
Co-writes:
• The Saint Cecilia Slayings Serial
(Dark Erotic Romance/Crime Thriller)
Tainted (Book One)
Corrupted (Book Two)
Depraved (Book Three)
Coveted (Book Four)
*Book Five & Six to come*
