Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Devon sat in his room thinking about what Michael had told him. It wasn’t the easiest thing in the world to accept… but the vampire had made several valid points.

With that in mind, he grabbed his jacket and made his way down the stairs. He turned toward the door that led out into the main area of the club and paused. Shaking his head, he took the short cut labeled Emergency Exit and stepped out into the alley.

The one thing he wanted more than anything was to find Envy and make sure she was all right. Foregoing the car, he started walking and felt his confidence begin to build back up with each step. Michael was right… he didn’t take her away from Trevor the first time. She wanted him just as much as he wanted her and that would never change.

Devon stopped at the next intersection and thought for a moment before turning the corner and heading downtown. Kriss had taken Envy so it was only common sense that he’d taken her to his penthouse. Of course, it was very likely that Kriss had told everyone where they were going but Devon had been too pissed off to really listen.

Honestly, he didn’t want to be the bad guy here. He just wanted his mate. Jaguars weren’t known for sharing their mate with another man so his reaction had been normal… he hoped Envy would see that for what it was.

Deep down, he knew Trevor was a good man too… albeit sneaky as all hell but still a good seed. He just couldn’t help thinking such violent thoughts about him using this baby to steal Envy away from him. Maybe he should talk with Kriss while he was there. The Fallen had been friends with Envy for a long time… before he or Trevor had even come into the picture. Hopefully Kriss would listen to him and even nudge Envy in the right direction.

***** Envy looked around the huge house Kriss had wanted them to consider in awe. The people weren’t living in it at the moment but all of their furniture and private belongings were still present. The realtor told them that it was an open house and the current owners were getting ready to move everything out within the next few days.

The house was a one story farmhouse type that reminded Envy of a few romantic movies she’d seen. The kitchen area was huge and there were five bedrooms… more than enough room to expand the family if Devon didn’t object.

Kriss suddenly ran across the hall directly in front of her making Envy jump.

“What are you doing?” Envy demanded peeking into the room he’d just run into.

“Checking closet space,” Kriss announced.

Envy arched an eyebrow as she walked all the way in and saw him on his knees with his head in the closet and his butt sticking out.

“Why would you need to check closet space?” she asked.

Kriss sat back on his knees and stared at her. “Envy, I’ve seen your wardrobe… you need closet space.”

Something soft rubbed up against her ankle, making Envy jump and she looked down. Her eyes got big and a wide smile crossed her face when she saw the most beautiful white kitten in the world. All she could make out was four little paws, a tiny face with big blue eyes, and white fur that went on for miles, sticking out in every direction.

“Aw,” she cooed and bent down to pick it up. “Aren’t you just precious.”

Kriss smiled softly when Envy picked up the kitten and started nuzzling it. He knew Envy had always loved cats, which was probably why she loved Devon so much. The kitten was just irresistible and Kriss got up to smooth down the soft downy fur. Of course, the kitten immediately began purring and nuzzling back.

“Let’s finish the tour and see what you think,” Kriss said after a moment.

Envy nodded and they explored the rest of the house, taking a look at the large living room, the master bath with garden Jacuzzi tub, and fenced in back yard which wasn’t quite as big as Envy wanted.

“I’ll have to think about this one,” Envy said after they were done. “It’s nice, but I’d like a larger back yard.”

Kriss shrugged, “Then we keep looking.” He had secretly hoped she wouldn’t pick the first house she saw. A smart shopper always needed several to compare.

Envy regrettably put the kitten down when they started to leave. She almost got teary eyed when she looked out the passenger window and saw it sitting there staring at them as they drove away.

“I want one,” Envy said plaintively.

“Housewarming present,” Kriss said then winked in her direction. “Devon would probably get a kick out of it too.”

The white kitten watched the car leave before trotting off into the bushes that lined the front of the house. As soon as it vanished, a large white owl shot out of the shrubbery and followed the car. It flew for several miles before landing in a large oak tree in the front yard of another house.

This one was a sturdy brick house that looked homey and comfortable. The owl drifted down out of the tree, transforming into a husky puppy. Its black and white markings made the puppy stand out against the soft grass. It sat there for a moment before making a beeline into the house.

“The owners have already moved out of this one,” Kriss said. “It’ll give you a better idea of where you can put stuff.”

Envy looked around, “Shouldn’t we wait for the realtor?”

“We will, I just didn’t want to wait to come in and look around,” Kriss answered then wiggled his eyebrows. “Besides, if the realtor has a problem with it, I can quickly change his mind.”

Envy’s mind hit the gutter, “Eww Kriss.”

Kriss smirked and pulled a wad of cash out of his pocket,” I meant with this… but I like the way you think.”

Envy smacked him on the arm playfully before wandering through the living room, mentally making notes where the furniture would go and entered the kitchen. She gasped when she saw how huge it was and smiled when she spotted the swimming pool and a large back yard through the kitchen window over the sink.

Hearing Kriss upstairs, she went up and her smile got bigger when she saw the bedrooms… three this time. The master bedroom had glass doors leading to a bathroom with a huge tub that could have probably sat six people. When she came out she giggled when she saw Kriss in the hallway playing with a little husky pup.

“Well aren’t we a cutie,” she said.

“Thank you,” Kriss said with a grin.

“I was talking about the puppy,” Envy responded giving it a hug. “He’s adorable. Does he come with the house?”

Kriss shook his head, “No, I think this little guy wandered in on his own. Probably lives around here.” He stopped playing and stood up to look at her with a big smile, “What do you think?”

Envy looked around the hallway, “Not bad, but I need to look at a few more.”

Kriss’ smile widened, “Okay, we’ll wait for the realtor to catch up, ask a few questions, and head to the next one.”

***** Dean entered the penthouse with a gallon jug of chocolate milk in a shopping bag. Setting it down on the kitchen counter, he cocked an eyebrow sensing Kriss and Envy were nowhere to be found.

He frowned down at the chocolate milk, feeling a bit put out because he’d made a special side trip to get it and now they weren’t here to enjoy it. He ignored the fact that he was supposed to have brought it back hours ago. With a wicked smirk, he grabbed the largest glass they had out of the cupboard and opened the jug… they weren’t here so it was their loss. It wasn’t until he’d drunk half of his first glass when he saw the note on the refrigerator.

“House hunting,” he muttered and emptied the glass, immediately filling it back up. He’d never tell another soul but chocolate milk was a very big weakness for him. Not even Kriss knew about his special fondness for the beverage.

Dean’s thoughts immediately went to Skye and he turned his gaze toward the large windows that faced the building across the street. From this vantage point, he could keep an eye on Skye’s hiding place… check on him without giving him the impression that he was spying… which of course he was, but he’d never reveal that bit of information either.

It had taken some coaxing but Dean finally talked the lost Fallen into leaving the dusty basement of the library. Skye hadn’t wanted to relocate but Dean promised him a safe haven in a different area of the city… his personal penthouse.

His mind flashed back to the moment Skye had entered the penthouse. Skye had moved slowly from room to room, caught between the amazement of cozy comfort and looking for something to jump out at him at the same time. Once he was absolutely sure nothing there would attack him, Skye had immediately settled onto the comfortable sofa.

Dean took the opportunity to ask him a few basic questions and fill him in on a couple things he’d thought the boy needed to know. He’d also given him a substantial sum of money to ensure he had everything he needed or simply wanted. He hadn’t been sure if Skye knew how to use the money, but after a few minutes, it was clear he did thanks to the amount of books he’d consumed and minds he’d touched.

He’d left Skye one of his cell phones telling him if he ever needed anything to call him. There was more than one reason he’d given him the cell phone… as long as Skye had it on him, he could track him using the GPS. Hopefully Skye hadn't pulled that info from any of the books or minds.

He’d tried more than once to convince the younger man that he was a Fallen but Skye refused to admit it. Hell, Dean was happy Skye was at least allowing him to help out.

The doorbell rang and Dean went to answer it, grinning as he felt just who was on the other side. With chocolate milk in hand, he opened the door and glared.

“Hey,” Devon said quietly. “I’m here to see Envy.”

Dean walked away from the door but left it open for the jaguar to come in.

“Is she here?” Devon asked after a minute.

Dean shook his head, “She’s out house hunting with Kriss. Knowing him, there’s no telling when they’ll be back.”

“House hunting?” Devon demanded remembering to keep his voice at a minimum around Dean because he sure as hell didn’t want to piss the Fallen off.

“That’s what the note said,” Dean stated and lifted the note from the refrigerator to show him. “I heard her say something about the club not being a good environment for the baby to grow up in.”

Devon felt his body go cold. Was Envy moving in with Trevor because of the baby? His anger began to rise and a migraine railroaded him in the middle of the living room as the thought of killing Trevor over this made his body retaliate.

“I wouldn’t take it personally,” Dean said and walked over to the huge windows. “The setting might have worked for your family but Envy feels otherwise. Besides, she thought it would be something constructive to do while you pulled yourself together.”

Devon heard Dean’s statement and began to rethink his situation. Maybe it wasn’t because of the bear shifter that Envy was doing this. The thought occurred to him that maybe she wanted them all to live as an odd type of family

“Great,” Devon growled, “now I have to live with the jerk off.”

Dean almost grinned again when Devon grunted from another sharp pain. “Jerk off or not… he is the father of Envy’s baby. Trust me jaguar, you’ll get your turn.”

The headache abruptly passed when Devon’s violent thoughts mellowed out. He took a deep breath of relief and straightened himself up. Looking over at Dean, he took note of the half empty gallon jug of chocolate milk and the fact that Dean was staring very intently at something outside.

Dean was indeed staring… at the penthouse windows where Skye had been given residence. He nodded in approval when he saw Skye walking around wearing the clothes he’d stashed there for that purpose. Now he was glad he’d gone ahead and purchased the apartment, stocking it with clothing and food the day after he’d seen the boy freed from the cave. Sometimes having premonitions of the future wasn’t so bad.

He gripped the window sill when Skye suddenly turned and left the apartment. Dean exercised every bit of his will power by not following. He’d told the boy he was not a prisoner and now he would have to prove it. It didn’t take much to understand that the boy was testing him.

Devon walked silently back toward the door and slipped out while Dean was staring out the window. It was obvious that something had caught his attention and Devon knew when it was time to leave. Besides… he didn’t really care for being ignored. Heading down the elevator, Devon decided to just head back to the club and wait for Envy to call him.

***** Chad smirked as he finished buffing Evey’s dashboard. He’d washed her the day before wearing only his swimming trunks and decided to finish the full car spa package he’d promised.

“There you go,” he said and tossed the rag out the open passenger door, “all clean and smexy.”

Evey purred, “I smell so good and I’m all clean and waxed.”

Chad laughed at the double meaning, “You’re too much Evey.”

“I have an idea,” Evey said. “Let’s go for a drive.”

Chad thought about it then nodded, “Okay, I don’t have to be anywhere today. Let me go put on a shirt.”

“Aw,” Evey pouted as Chad got out of the car.

Chad pulled on a clean shirt to go with his blue jeans and sneakers before heading out the door. Evey opened the driver’s side door and Chad slipped behind her wheel.

“Just leave the driving to me,” Evey said. “And make sure you have your seatbelt on.”

Ten minutes later they were downtown. Chad had his hands on the wheel but Evey was doing all the driving. It was strange riding in a car with a mind of its own but Chad had no complaints.

They had just turned away from the street that would have taken them towards Kriss’ penthouse when Chad saw a familiar person walking up the sidewalk with his shoulders hunched and his hands deep in his pockets. Sometimes it didn’t take a psychologist to spot depression.

“Evey, pull over,” Chad instructed.

Evey pulled on ahead and parked in a parallel spot a little ahead of the pedestrian. Getting out, he smiled brightly and waved Devon over.

“What’s up bro-in-law?” Chad asked as Devon approached.

“I just left Kriss’ place. I wanted to see Envy but Dean said her and Kriss were out house hunting.” Devon said.

Chad gestured to Evey, “Want a ride back to the club?”

Devon shrugged and gave him a small smile, “Sure,”

Evey opened her passenger door and Devon got in. “Oh my, who’s this dish?”

Devon stared wide eyed at the dashboard when he recognized the voice.

“Evey, this is Devon… Envy’s mate,” Chad introduced them.

“Ooh, so you’re the one Trevor’s told me about,” Evey purred.

“Why is Envy’s voice coming out of this car?” Devon demanded as Evey left the curb and took off down the street.

“It was a prank pulled on Trevor when PIT rebuilt his car,” Chad informed him.

“Yes,” Evey stated confidently. “I was built to all of Trevor’s specifications. I’m fast, I’m beautiful, and I want Trevor in my backseat.”

Chad’s eyes widened comically as Evey actually went out of her way to dig every barb she could into Devon… and if she could, Chad knew she’d be smiling maliciously.

“So,” Chad quickly changed the topic, “any idea why Envy would want to buy a house?”

Devon sighed trying his best to ignore the damned headache he was getting, “According to Dean, she doesn’t want to raise a baby at the club.”

“Of course she doesn’t,” Evey said flippantly. “Trevor would never stand for it.”

Devon pinched the bridge of his nose… he should have known better than to get in the car. Another migraine was beginning to build and he wasn’t sure if he could stop this one as quick as he had the last one.

When they reached the intersection just down the street from Moon Dance, Devon undid his seatbelt.

“Just let me out here,” Devon said wanting the hell away from this freak of a car.

“Why?” Evey asked in a shocked voice. “It’s not that far, I can take you as far as you want to go… even all the way.”

Devon didn’t like the way that came out. “That’s okay, I just need some alone time to think and walking is a great way to get it.”

“Are you sure?” Chad asked feeling torn on whose side he was on. He liked both Devon and Trevor… same as Envy.

Devon sent him a pained smile, “No worries bro, call us later.”

Chad watched as Devon quickly exited the car and headed toward the club. He was still in shock when Evey started laughing softly.

“You are a very evil car,” Chad informed her.

“I may be evil but I’m still beautiful,” Evey responded. “That and no one hurts my Trevor and gets away with it.”

Chad couldn’t help the grin that spread across his face.