by Elle Lincoln
I slide the bar across to answer my cousin’s twentieth call and press the phone to my ear. Last thing I need are nosy wolves listening in to my conversations with my cousins. “Ash.”
She sighs heavily before shouting in the background. “Call the rangers off, she’s alive!”
See? I knew it. I should have answered the twelfth call. That’s usually when she gets psychotic. “Ash, I’m fine, I’m sitting on my porch drinking my bean juice. All is well.”
“You should have answered my call, Sabina.” So we are diving right into the snark. This is just her fear talking. Sometimes when we go out, I swear she has her coworkers keep tabs on us. And by coworkers, I mean soldiers. I’ve questioned it, and she doesn’t confirm or deny that possibility.
“I just needed some time to think.” My eyes catch on a nosy silver wolf, his ethereal eyes glowing in the early dawn.
“What happened?” No nonsense. Straight to the point.
“A lot has happened.” My breath gusts over the receiver, making the line crackle.
“Did you get into Uncle Allen’s room?”
“I did. But I didn’t have much of a chance to search through it, not yet.” That’s on today’s agenda. Since the guys are keeping their distance, I have nothing else to do but search and find out what Dad knew about me. Especially now that I now know what he did for the pack. Everything is suspect at this point, even Ash. “Ash?”
I bite my lip to stop myself from going on, not sure how to even bring the topic up.
A door creaks and closes in the background. “You are safe to say what you need to now.” Meaning she’s in one of those weird rooms where no one can listen in on her. Which I call bullshit on, because I highly doubt any branch of the government would allow that to happen.
I can’t just come right out and ask her what she knows, and that only irritates me more. I feel like I’m standing in a hurricane, trying to keep my footing and unable to all at once. Then the wind whips me away and I’ve landed in a foreign realm complete with talking wolves.
“Spit it out, cousin.”
I can’t. “How’s Mom?”
“That isn’t what you were going to ask, but I’ll allow it for now.” Her voice softens as she continues, “She’s okay with the aunts. Grandma is keeping them well supplied with alcohol and cupcakes.”
“How is Grandma doing at the bar? Have the twins fired her yet?” I’m betting on no, because Grandma is nothing if not a criminal mastermind when it comes to something she wants. She’s quiet about her past, and I fully suspect that woman was more of a force when she was younger. I wish I could have seen it.
“Of course not! The patrons think she’s hilarious, and her tips now feed the family.” I can almost hear the smile in her voice. “The twins are debating keeping her on full time. She is, of course, considering this because she hates working the customer service lines at the hotel.”
“Benefits?”
“You know she doesn’t need benefits,” Ash reminds me. “She’s got Pap’s benefits for life.” Our grandfather worked as a Philadelphia beat cop. His stories fuel summer nights even long after he left this world. Just another loss and a harsh reminder of why the guys are staying away.
Now, I’m even more disappointed. “Good. She has no reason to stay somewhere she hates working. I can’t wait to talk to the twins and get their take on it.” I smile knowingly. Don would do anything to please Pepper, and I’m pretty sure so would Connor.
“I agree.” An uncomfortable pregnant pause drifts over the line where all that I hear is static and radio whistling. “Sabina?”
“Yeah?” I kick back, allowing the rocker to creak over the deck planks.
“Umm.”
I stop rocking, cocking my head to the side in thought, though Ash can’t see me. While Pepper may speak anything and everything that falls from her lips, Ash doesn’t flounder for words. Ash speaks with the poise of a seasoned professor. “What is it?”
“I hid something in the truck for you.” Her voice drifts over the line softly and with hesitance.
I groan. “Not you too!”
“What did the others leave?” Ash perks up at this revelation.
“Nessa left me a satellite phone.”
“Smart.”
I hum at that, because she isn’t wrong. The cell service out here is spotty in certain areas. “Pepper, well, I’m sure you can guess what she left me, though I’ve yet to find it.”
“Probably a hot pink dildo,” she says in her no-nonsense voice. She also probably isn’t wrong.
“I’m wondering if the twins hid anything.” I tap my chin in thought as I rock once more.
“They gave you the bottle of tequila, they wouldn’t have hidden anything. That isn’t like them.” She’s right, the twins are used to our family’s antics and choose forwardness over cunningness.
“Just our crazy cousins,” I tease, but their thoughtful insight fills my heart with love. I may not admit it, but I adore their thoughtful gifts. No matter how obnoxious. The best gift they give, however, will forever be the time they choose to spend with me.
“I hid mine in the wheel well. I had Pepper install a magnetic box up there during your last inspection. You will probably find a similar one in the opposite wheel well.” Her words rush out of her in one lump.
Again I pause in my rocking, unsure how I should feel. Pepper inspected the truck right after Mom brought it back. I was relieved it was just one less thing I had to worry about, but now I know she and Ash had ulterior motives. “We are all going to sit down and have a lengthy conversation next week.” There’s no heat in my voice, I’m pleased, but I won’t give them that.
“You are welcome. Look, I’ve got to go, don’t forget to text Pepper that list and I’ll see you soon.” She pauses, her breath ghosting over the line. “I love you, Sabina.”
“Love you too, Ash.” The line clicks over and I’m once again left alone. This time, though, I’ve got a goal in mind. I eye my truck like a tasty treat because my cousins left me gems in there. I set my coffee and phone aside, and dart down the steps barefoot. The cool planks chill my skin as I scurry down to the dewy grass.
I expertly step over the stones like a pro and head to the closest wheel well. I brace myself on my knees, trying to take the pressure off of them as I peer up at the curve to where a little magnetic box sits. I heave it down with both hands, the magnets refusing to budge until I yank with all my worth. I flip backwards onto my ass with a wince as small rocks cut into my butt.
Flicking the lock open, I feel my breath stall in my chest and my heart skips a beat. My fingers run over the world’s smallest gun. The cool metal is soft beneath my fingertips. “What were you thinking, Ash?”
I’ve never shot a gun. I had no intentions of ever shooting a gun aside from the pellet gun my dad had to keep the squirrels out of his bird feeders. It never once crossed my mind until I wanted a gun to take out the attacking wolves. My heart slows as the shock wears off, and I pick up the small piece of paper stuck to the corner of the case.
“Silver bullets. Shoot to kill.”
For a full moment, my entire body freezes. The saliva in my mouth dries up and a shiver racks my body. As though the guys may catch me doing something wrong, I snap the box closed, lock it, and put it back where it was. I glance all around me, but luck is on my side because I parked the truck parallel to the house, so bushes keep prying eyes away from seeing me. Is it too much to hope that the guys didn’t see that little box? I hope not.
That answers one question. Ash knows. Do Pepper and Nessa? Is that why they also left me those little gifts? A satellite phone and a what? Ash sounded off on the phone, as though she had more to tell, but that isn’t unusual for her since she prefers to choose her words wisely.
I scuttle upwards, rocks tearing at my feet as I sink down in the gravel on the other side and pull out the second box. Pepper was good. She carved out a small little section that fits right into the toolbox in the truck bed.
I never would have known this was here unless I looked for it.
I yank the second box down and sit in the gravel facing the long driveway. Nothing moves in the brush or the thicket, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t out there. It doesn’t mean they aren’t watching my every move. I feel like I’m doing something wrong, but my curiosity eats at me. What did Pepper leave? Did she really leave me with something as scandalous as a dildo, or is there something more?
Like birth control. She wouldn’t. Would she? Yes, yes she would. Also, I didn’t even think about it. What if I get sexy time with the wolves? It’s been so long since I’ve even had sex that I haven’t bothered with birth control or condoms.
With a deep breath, I unhook the latch and open the damn box. Inside sits a brand-new purple silicone dildo in plastic wrapping. No. Not a dildo. A... glorified bullet. Something that used to be a tiny little egg-shaped object that was most commonly known as the clit destroyer. Or the clit shredder.
I sigh in disappointment that she didn’t leave me with a sword or something even more detrimental to my health. I stand and shut the box, intending to go inside and finally ease this burn that’s been itching under my skin since the moment I met these wolves.
“What do you have there, doll face?”
I scream, nearly dropping my new prized possession. I clutch the box to my chest, eyes wide as I stare at Liam across the bed of the truck. “Nothing.” But a blush creeps its way up my neck, blooming like a sunburn in the summer.
I’m toast.
“Oh, but Doll, that doesn’t smell like nothing.” His voice drops to a sexy whisper, and everything inside of me tightens with need.
I point an accusing finger at him. “No. You aren’t allowed to touch.”
“That so?” He steps closer to me, his chest naked and glistening in the rising sun. His hair is disheveled and sleep tousled, though I know he was just running through the forest. “What’s in the box, Sabina?”
He has to go and use my actual name, disarming me and throwing me off. “Pickles.” Shit, nervous reaction. I have no excuse. I have to follow through now. “Yep. Pickles.”
“Hidden in the wheel well?” He is not buying it, and now he knows where my secret hiding place is.
“Yep. Pickles. Hidden in the wheel well.” I step backwards to the front of the truck, avoiding him, only my back slams into a hard, firm chest. A hand wraps around my waist, throwing me off as it slowly slides across my stomach beneath my kimono. A moan slips from my lips. Didn’t I wish moments ago the wind was a hand to caress me?
Shit, no! They are playing me.
I inhale deeply as a scruffy chin slides my head to the side and peppermint washes over me. “What do you have, little cub?” His other hand tries to pry the box from my grip, but I won’t allow them to. I white-knuckle that fucker for all I’m worth.
Liam steps around the truck wearing nothing but low-slung gray sweats that leave absolutely nothing to the imagination. My pulse spikes with lust as Athos’s hand squeezes the flesh of my stomach.
This is not a fair fight.
Liam smiles at me, his head dipping as he accepts some challenge I must have thrown off. “I have an idea, Alpha.” He backs up, releasing the tailgate, and lets it thunk down.
“One last chance, Sabina, what’s in the box?” Athos speaks directly into my ear in his low voice, sending shock waves of pleasure through my body.
At least this box isn’t the one with the gun. I cling to that moment of clarity. “Pickles.” Okay, I lied, there is no clarity in this brain. None at all.
“Bullshit.” He lifts me up, sliding his arms around me to walk to the tailgate.
“I have things to do, Alpha.” My protest falls on deaf ears as he plops me on the tailgate.
I keep my eyes north, because their sweatpants keep disarming me. Who the hell invented those sweatpants? I have questions. Okay lies, I have a thank you card and some chocolates.
They both step up to me, each one pressing a leg inside my own. Clearly, they have no qualms about touching one another. Still, I clutch the box to my chest, not ready to give up its secret contents.
“Let’s talk about this. I thought we were abiding by a no touching rule, namely no touching Sabina. Though Sabina wants to be touched now.” I swallow at their twin smirks, which throw me off further.
Glancing at each other, they silently communicate, leaving me out of it.
“Here’s the thing, Doll. We have a theory on this curse.” Liam smirks, captivating me as he leans down into my space.
Oh, sweet baby cubs, he smells like sin wrapped up in a perfect delectable package. Just for me to lick. Wait... no, stop.
Snort. Yeah, if they are willing to touch me and found a way around the curse, then I will let it happen. “What’s that?” I lick my lips, my eyes straying to his. What does he taste like? I bet it’s like a warm ray of sunshine on the first day of spring.
“Christian made an excellent point.” Athos now leans in, his body also crowding mine.
I clench the box tighter. “I doubt that.” My voice is now a breathy whisper, and my restraint is slipping.
“So we did some research.” I whimper a little as Liam leans in to sniff my neck, his scruff burning a trail along my flesh.
“What... What research?” My body tingles as though fire ants are beginning their march once more across my body. I need so much more than this.
“Is that what you really want right now, Sabina?” Athos murmurs in my other ear. “To talk?”
“No.” My grip slips and their heat disappears, and with it, my box. “No! You don’t play fair!”
Liam snickers as he bounces away with my box. Athos steps back, a grin on his face giving him a boyish appearance that he should wear all the time.
“Oh, Doll, what do we have here?”
My eyes widen as I glance back at Liam who somehow shredded the vile plastic packaging, the kind that takes hours to pop off, and he’s waving the purple clit shredder with a challenging glint in his eyes.
Athos tuts under his breath. “Shall we find out, Liam?”
Chapter 17
“Look. Guys.” I swallow because I don’t think men understand what that beast does. “You know on any other day I’d be down for this, but, ahh... I’ve totally got my period.”
Liam chuckles, his dimples popping out of his cheeks and disarming me once more before he stalks closer. His body looms above me, his shadow casting warmth that sinks into my bones. I watch as his chest rises oh so slowly, his nostrils flaring. “Oh, doll face, that’s a lie.”
Athos grips the purple clit shredder in his hand, which engulfs the damn thing. His thumb rubs over the soft cushy material before he smiles like a fucking rogue. “What is it about this little device that has your heart rate picking up like that?”
Oh, great, another little tidbit. They can hear my heart rate on top of smelling my arousal. Super, what other little surprises will these beasts have for me?
Then he does it. He finds the hidden button and, with a soft click, the vibrations begin. His hand wraps around the soft silicone, his body tensing as his head cocks to the side. Smiling, he glances up at Liam whose gaze stays locked on mine.
“Right, so if you could just turn that off, yeah, that would be great.” I wiggle down the tailgate, intending to hop down, but Liam moves quickly and presses me back, his hand splayed across my chest.
“Not so fast, Doll.” His hands land on my knees, his touch lighting a fire under my skin and stealing my breath. Slowly, he presses my legs farther apart before he pauses to grip the space just above my knees. His thumbs press into my thighs, sparking a flame that ignites, traveling up my legs.
Who needs a clit shredder when I’ve got a Liam?
“Touching, no touching.” I’m panting, am I panting? Another click sounds as Athos finds the controls and sets the glorified bullet to pulse. “No touching.”
“Doll, we aren’t touching you.” Liam leans in, and the scent of the cupcakes
and icing closes in on me as his breath wafts over my neck. My entire body pebbles with erotic goosebumps, basking under his attention. “In fact, I quite like this idea. What do you think, Alpha?”
The pulsing stops with yet one more click. “Little cub, what were you planning on doing with this?”
Do I just own up to this? Deny it outright? Hell, they caught me with a box holding a purple stimulator from hell. Waterproof, I might add. “I was going in to take a shower.” I flutter my eyelashes at him. Not confirming or denying anything.
“And this?” His voice darkens, deepens as lust passes across his features. “Were you planning on showering with this?”
“I’ve been a very dirty girl.” Why? Why do I say the things that I do? It’s like Pepper is the devil on my shoulder, and when I open my mouth, she spills out. Also, do I really want a guy to use that on me? They have no idea what that thing is capable of.
But I can’t backtrack now.
Liam chuckles, drawing my attention. His hands slowly glide up my thighs until they lift to tug at my kimono. The silky ties fall to the side, fluttering open to reveal the matching sleep set beneath.
“There are so many things we can do to you without touching you,” Liam purrs, as he devours me with his eyes. Hunger slips across his face, dissolving my mirth and inciting desire to burn hot under my skin.
My breathing hitches as I glance back to Athos. Surely they will stop this, though I want anything but that. Actually, I want them, not some toy, and yet... this could be an alternative I can get behind.
I lick my lips as the challenge solidifies in my spine. “Like what?”
Athos turns the vibrator back on, his hands pulling the kimono to the side. “Lean back.” He laces the command in his voice with an otherworldly power that I now recognize. The magic of it washes over me, increasing my pulse as need pools in my belly. “You provided us with the very tool we needed to watch you come undone beneath our fingertips. Did you think we wouldn’t choose to?”
