Chapter 6
Trevor was rudely jerked from the peaceful darkness of unconsciousness by a searing pain in his shoulder. His eyes flashed open to find Mrs. Tully pulling a vampire’s broken tooth from his arm. He blinked and relaxed, thankful the fight was over.
“Have you been giving my kitty Kat some love?” Mrs. Tully smiled gently because her missing feline had taken up with Trevor and probably had no intentions of coming home. She could hear Quinn growling somewhere behind her and tried to keep a straight face knowing that question could be misinterpreted.
Trevor smiled and nodded groggily at his neighbor then looked past the gray-haired lady to see Warren and Quinn glaring daggers at him. And sharp ones from the looks of it.
“What did you think you were doing taking Kat vampire hunting like that?” Quinn growled before Warren could.
Trevor frowned then narrowed his eyes on Devon’s brother. Kat might not know where Devon took Envy, but he would bet his shifting abilities that the older brother would know. “Kat said everyone was going and she was the only one without a partner. If I hadn’t gone with her, then she’d have been alone out there when she was attacked.”
“And why the hell would you feel obligated to help her?” Quinn wanted to rip Trevor apart just in case he was the one that left the mating mark on Kat. “How can you be so reckless with her!”
Warren rubbed his temple and then put a heavy hand on Quinn’s shoulder to keep him from moving closer to the undercover cop. “You were played. We told Kat she couldn’t go.”
“You should have known better then to tell me no,” Kat opened her eyes and sat up just as Warren and Quinn turned to look at her. Just her luck, she hadn’t realized she was naked and the sheet Mrs. Tully had her covered with slipped down to pool at her waist.
Quinn quickly leaned over Kat to put himself between Kat and everyone's line of vision… especially Trevor’s. He gritted his teeth as he jerked the sheet back over her. Then he locked his angry gaze on hers feeling the heat of silent combat spike his adrenalin along with other things.
“Can’t they be put in separate rooms for this? It’s not like they’re mates or anything.” Quinn searched Kat’s eyes, waiting for her to say Trevor wasn’t her mate.
Kat blew her bangs out of her eyes wondering why Quinn was looking at her like she had two heads. “Sure, we should have thought ahead of time to make a medical room for girls and another one for boys.”
“Maybe a waiting room would have been an even better idea,” Mrs. Tully said pointedly. “How about everyone who isn’t bleeding leave the room.” When no one moved she added, “Before I add you to the list of newly injured.”
Before Warren could get Quinn out the door, which was hard enough, Nick stormed in and made a beeline for Kat.
“What are you trying to do, sis? Give your brothers a heart attack?” He half glared and half pouted down at her, having just got back from checking to make sure the club was under control since all the owners had decided to ditch work for the night. “You were supposed to stay here where it was safe.”
“I’m fine,” Kat announced giving him a small smile for caring enough to be rattled. Sometimes Nick could be so endearing but she wasn’t going to let her brothers off the hook that easy, “And to everyone who said I couldn’t go with them tonight… you can bite me.”
“What?” Trevor tried to rise up and look at her, but Mrs. Tully pulled his arm out from under him and down he went again.
Quinn again glared between Kat and Trevor as the image of the mating mark flared in his jealous mind.
“You’re upsetting my patients,” Mrs. Tully complained.
Warren pushed Quinn the rest of the way out the door while calling to his brother over his shoulder, “Come on Nick. Let the doc take care of her first… then you can rant.
In the hallway, Quinn turned on Warren, “I would have stuck around to watch out for Kat, but stupid me thought her damn brothers could do the fucking job.” His voice was dangerously soft, needing an outlet for his anger.
“Maybe you should have come instead of sending spies,” Warren countered, feeling the old argument rear its ugly head. “I warned you to keep your hands off her when she was younger, but Kat has been a woman for a while now. You snooze… you lose.”
The instant rage went out of Quinn’s eyes, replaced by angry regret, before flaring right back up as he turned back toward the door with a growl. “I’ll kill him.”
Warren and Nick both grabbed Quinn in an arm lock, but it was Nick’s words that stilled him.
“It’s not Trevor you idiot. He was Envy’s boyfriend until Devon found her a couple days ago. Devon didn’t waist a minute stealing what he wanted… and if you keep fucking around, someone is going to find my sister, and you won't have a damn problem anymore.” Nick let go of Quinn’s arm with a jerk, “Got it?”
“So there is no one?” Quinn asked, calmly pulling himself away from Warren.
“I didn’t say that.” Nick smirked as he started down the hall, “Only, the guy is an idiot.”
Warren raised an eyebrow at Nick’s retreating form wondering just when Nick had become so smart.
*****
Kat raised her knees up and placed her arms around them then buried her face. She could hear some kind of argument out in the hall, a scuffle, and then it fell quiet. She didn’t want to be the reason the two families were fighting this time. It has been bad enough thinking it was her fault the first time, only to now find out it was because of Nathaniel’s journal.
Hearing Trevor hiss, she slowly looked up and glanced toward him feeling even worse. The stitches he was getting were her fault. She’d tricked him into going vampire hunting with her and it hadn’t been fair.
“I’m sorry,” she sighed when Trevor swung his gaze toward her. “I shouldn’t have dragged you into this.”
Trevor’s lips parted to say something but flinched when Mrs. Tully chose that moment to stick him with the needle again.
“Trevor is a big boy, hon, and he can hold his own quite nicely. Don’t be so hard on yourself. He was a good choice if you needed backup.” Miss Tully smiled down at the shifter when he looked up at her in thankful bewilderment, “Good choice indeed.”
Kat cocked her head wondering just what Mrs. Tully knew about Trevor. They were acting like they were old friends sharing a secret. It made her wonder if Envy shared that same secret. Envy had taken to the fact that Devon and the rest of them were jaguars pretty well. Maybe there was a reason for that.
“Does Envy know what you… are?” Kat asked Trevor point blank.
Trevor tensed, “What’s that?” Golden rule... pretend ignorance when getting ready to lie.
“A bear shifter,” Kat nodded as if she’d just solved world hunger.
Trevor couldn’t help it. He started laughing and at the same time, almost cried because it hurt like hell to laugh with broken ribs.
“What?” Kat asked in confusion.
Mrs. Tully smacked Trevor on top of the head. “Must be the drugs I gave him for pain.” She frowned down at him until he caught his breath. “Dummy,” she mocked.
Trevor rubbed his eyes suddenly very tired and slightly giddy. “I’d like to sleep in my own bed if you’re done with me, gentle doc.” He couldn’t rid himself of the smirk, thinking how funny it was. It was a good thing he hadn’t shifted into something lame. He started to laugh again, mentally hearing Kat accuse him of being a golden retriever but the laugh was quickly silenced when Mrs. Tully pinched him.
She gave him her best no-nonsense look, “Put your funny bone on the back burner before you hurt yourself. I’ll drive you home if you can make it to my car without sounding like a hyena or collapsing.”
Trevor nodded thankfully and put his arm around her shoulder for balance, but he didn’t dare lean any of his weight on her. Looking toward Kat he said, “You can repay me by not doing anything stupid like going out alone… even if you have to trick someone else into being your partner.” He winked as they left the room.
Kat smiled knowing in a round about way, Trevor had just offered his help if she needed it again. Goes to prove you can’t rely on first impressions.
Quinn stepped from a darkened doorway down the hall as soon as Trevor and Mrs. Tully were out of sight. He flexed his hands to get rid of the stiffness where he’d been gripping the door frame so tight to keep himself from shifting and attacking the already wounded man.
Even if Trevor wasn’t the man who had left the mating mark on Kat… the image of the Bear hunched over her naked form had been a little too real for his taste. “The bigger they are, the harder they fall,” Quinn growled as he started back for the room he where knew Kat was now alone.
Kat lay back on the bed but didn’t close her eyes. She was thankful to finally get some alone time but this bed was hard as a rock and her nice soft bed was right down the hall. Wrapping the sheet around her, she slid off the bed careful of the bandage that circled her thigh. If this was the worse of her injuries, then a good night’s rest would do wonders.
She almost made it to the door when she caught a glimpse of motion to her right and looked up startled. Kat blinked feeling more like a child from that action than she had felt since she was ten. She hadn’t noticed the mirror earlier.
Stepping closer, she frowned seeing several angry welts and cuts that she hadn’t remembered getting. Wondering if there were more than just the ones on her shoulders and neck, she dropped the sheet, letting it pool in the floor at her feet.
She jerked when the door swung open behind her showing Quinn standing there. Like a dear caught in the headlights, Kat didn’t move as their eyes locked in the mirror. It was the heat that flared within his irises that made her finely blink.
“I’m going to start charging admission,” Kat retrieved the sheet and pulled it back around her, this time tying it like a toga.
“You’re going to get a spanking if you try anything that stupid again,” Quinn countered, feeling way off his game for way too many reasons. She had been the only one that could ever make him feel this confused, angry, and desperate… all at the same time.
Fire leapt into Kat’s eyes as she swung around and closed the distance between them. She could stomach this kind of stuff from Nick and Warren… but not him.
Kat glared up at the interfering cougar, “You are not my brother… nor are you my lover.” She stumbled back a step when he leaned down and growled right in her face. Raising her chin defiantly she hissed, “What the hell are you doing still here. Why don’t you go home?”
“Why? So you can sneak out again?” Quinn accused. “We both know how dangerous it is to go vampire hunting in a group, much less alone.”
“I wasn’t alone!! Besides, I’m not the one who has a history of sneaking out on people who need them. You snuck out on me when you decided to hide behind that stupid journal. You turned your back on all of us ten years ago, so who’s to say I want your protection now? I can fight the damn vampires just as good as you can.” She pushed past him but not before Quinn slammed the door shut, locked it, and leaned back against it.
“Damn it, stop for a minute!” Quinn growled. “Can we have a moment of truce… would that be too much to ask?”
Kat watched his fingers slide from the doorknob with complete calm… the calm before the storm.
“Truce?” she gave a small smile and slowly lifted her eyes to his. “How is this for a truce?”
Before Quinn had time to breathe, Kat was pressing herself against him, letting him feel every soft curve beneath the thin sheet. When his lips parted in surprise, her lips crashed against his with enough force to rattle everything within him. He felt himself harden as her arms wrapped around him and he growled, intending to turn the dominating kiss back on her.
He wanted her… That’s when everything went wrong.
Kat smiled into the kiss as she unlocked the door behind him. Bringing her good leg up as hard as she could, her knee slammed into his groin. Slipping around him, she laughed at the pained expression on his face and pulled on the door.
The door swung open to reveal Warren standing within inches of it with his arms crossed over his chest and a protective glint in his eyes.
As if nothing was wrong, Kat stepped up to him and gave Warren a soft kiss on the cheek. “Thanks for being my back up tonight.” Before he could open his mouth to call her on it, she slid past him and headed for her bedroom, locking it behind her.
Warren raised an eyebrow and started to say something to Quinn about not pushing Kat, but Quinn cut him off.
“You don’t have to say it. I’m going home,” Quinn said in a dangerously calm voice. Kat wasn’t allowed to do that to him… not unless she meant it. He was going to teach her that little lesson as soon as she was healed.
*****
Arthur entered the huge parlor with a smile on his face. Mr. Valachi had wanted to see him, claiming the news was important. Arthur hoped it wasn’t a decision to move the wedding to a closer date. It was already bad enough that he’d agreed to Jewel living here under the same roof as her fiancé until the wedding… in a separate bedroom of course. It wasn’t like Anthony had left him much choice.
While the occasion was supposed to be a joyous one, Arthur knew he had ruined Jewel’s life by agreeing to this trade. He’d damned himself, becoming a self-centered ass that didn’t deserve the love and devotion Jewel gave him, but his sense of self-preservation had kicked in. That and the fact that Anthony had informed him in no uncertain terms that if he couldn’t marry Jewel as payment for her father’s debt, Anthony would kill him instead.
Arthur wanted to be there for his daughter regardless of how hateful he may seem in her eyes. He needed to keep up his façade just a little longer… and hopefully save them both.
Without Anthony’s knowledge, Arthur had contacted a childhood friend in Mexico and he was planning to run away with Jewel, where they would both be safe. They would disappear from this life and never look back. Just a bit more and his little girl would be safe and away from this monster disguised as a human.
“You wanted to see me, Mr. Valachi?” Arthur asked trying not to let his gaze flicker over toward the guards stationed behind Anthony. All the werewolves that were constantly here at Anthony’s beck and call made him nervous. Most of them looked human enough but the rest gave off the impression of the hired guns that they truly were.
Anthony smiled condescendingly, “Please Arthur, I’m going to be married to your daughter soon, so I think it’s permissible if you call me Anthony.”
Arthur shifted a bit, “Okay… Anthony. You needed to see me?”
Anthony nodded and stood up, straightening his suit jacket as he did so. “Yes, I wanted to inform you that the announcement of the wedding will be the headline in the paper tomorrow.”
Arthur’s smile widened although it felt like a scowl. “That is wonderful news! I know Jewel will be very happy,” He lied. “Have you made the decision whether or not to move the wedding date closer?”
Anthony opened a small case on his desk and took out two cigars. Handing one to Arthur, he produced a lighter and lit it before lighting his own. The two men savored the rich tobacco flavor before Anthony spoke again.
“I have decided to change the wedding date to next Sunday. All of the plans have been finalized and Jewel’s dress is complete.” Anthony smirked. “Who knew that getting a top designer to create such a masterpiece would be so demanding on the wallet? But, that is what my beautiful Jewel wants, and for me, money is no object if it keeps her happy.”
Arthur nodded, “Jewel is worth everything in the world. I still wish you both all the love and happiness.” He paused and looked away with a frown on his face.
“What is it?” Anthony asked.
“Are you going to tell her about the clan?” Arthur inquired.
Anthony’s expression became serious and he nodded. “I see what your concern is,” He stated and walked over to the window where his two personal bodyguards were stationed. “I have every intention of telling her… on our wedding night. Once I have placed the mark, it is tradition to reveal myself to her.”
Arthur nodded, “I understand, but I still wish you had told her previously or allowed me to.”
Anthony turned around to glare at his future father-in-law. “No! I will not have Jewel walking into this union believing she is marrying a monster.”
Arthur stared at his employer, surprised at the response. Anthony was a monster by forcing Jewel into marrying him. Did he not see that?
It was then Arthur had an epiphany. Anthony already knew he was a monster outside of the fur and claws of his wolf namesake, but he did not want Jewel to see only that side. He wanted her to see the kind and gentle side of his race… the side only she would ever see.
Arthur nodded and smiled again, placing his cigar in the ashtray. “Very well, I will go up and inform Jewel of the good news. I know she will be overjoyed.”
Anthony watched the other man leave the room before slumping down in his chair behind the desk. He rubbed his fingers across his forehead and closed his eyes recalling the first time he ever saw Jewel. She had still been a child and he was in his late teens. Even then, she had captivated him with her beauty and innocence and knew she was destined to be his.
Being older than her, he also knew she would never look at him with love or passion in her eyes. When Arthur screwed up the hit, he saw it as his opportunity to finally claim her in a way that would force her to get to know him… and give her time to learn to love him.
The expression on Jewel’s face when she was told about the impending wedding nearly killed him. He didn’t want her to look at him like that ever again. Since then, she’d fought him every step of the way, even when he tried to shower her with affection and show her his gentle side.
He knew he shouldn’t have forced her into this marriage, but it was the only way he could make sure she was by his side. Being an alpha of such a large clan had given him the means to take what he wanted and he wanted Jewel. He would not let her go without a fight and he hated the weakness his obsession gave him.
If he wasn’t in love with Jewel, then the alternative solution to the problem would have been to take Arthur’s daughter as payment and enter her into the slave trade along with the exotic animals they sold on the black market.
Anthony was also very aware of Arthur’s betrayal of his daughter. While Anthony did threaten to kill the man, the man still had the choice of refusing to abide by his wishes. He knew Arthur could not be trusted if he was so willing to give up his daughter to save his own skin… the mere thought of such betrayal angered him beyond reason.
Suddenly, he stood up and threw his huge mahogany desk across the room with a roar that shook the building. His bodyguards did nothing to stop his tirade, for which he was grateful. They would say nothing to the clan of his dishonorable methods of gaining a mate.
Anthony looked up at the painting of his father and roughly exhaled. His father had called him a disappointment many times… choosing his younger brother Andreas over him. Those words had been his last breath when Anthony had killed him and taken over the clan.
Arthur stopped at the top of the stairs when he heard the roar and looked around in a slight panic. He would hear the sound occasionally when he came to visit Jewel, but never found out who it was. Arthur knew it was one of the many werewolves in the house and he wondered if he really wanted to know who was at the source of the enraged howl.
Regaining his composure, Arthur approached Jewel’s bedroom door and inwardly winced at the guards standing on either side of it. He knew they weren’t there so much for her protection, but more along the lines of jailers. He nodded toward them and knocked softly on the thick wood.
When he didn’t receive an answer, Arthur turned the knob and slipped in. The room was dark so he reached over and hit the light switch on the wall.
Light bathed the purple room with its soft glow and Arthur saw that Jewel was not in bed. He went into the bathroom and the closet to see if she was there. When he found nothing, he went back into the main part of the room and saw the open window.
Rushing over, he looked out at the ground far below and noticed one of the drainpipes leading up the wall right beside the bedroom window. Jewel had always been a climber… she’d been the best rock climber in her entire boarding school and had many trophies to prove it. Sadly, using her abilities right now was not in her best interest.
Panic and fear washed over his body with a chill that went straight to his bones. Jewel was gone! Pulling himself together, Arthur turned off the light and slipped back out of the room.
“She’s asleep,” Arthur stated. “I’ll tell her the good news in the morning.”
When Arthur disappeared down the stairs, one of the guards opened the door and peeked into the room.
“Is she gone again?” the other asked.
“Yeah, she’s gone. I wonder if she’ll stay away this time.”
The second guard sighed, “For her sake, I hope she goes far away where Anthony can’t touch her.”
The bedroom door was closed and both guards returned to their positions as though nothing had happened.
Arthur strode out to his car and got in. Taking out his cell phone, he flipped it open and tuned it to find Jewel’s phone. Once he got the exact address, he was surprised to find it was at the church.
Pulling out of the driveway, Arthur waited until he got to the end of the street before burning rubber. He drove at breakneck speed toward the church hoping she was all right… and praying Anthony wouldn’t learn of her disappearance before he cod return her.
