Another little person would be amazing, especially since the chemo and radiation could fuck with her chances at having another baby.
Adam plopped down in front of Makayla and winked at her.
Danika nodded slightly. “Fallon and Brody are taking Makayla home.”
“I’ll take you to dinner then. Where do you want to go?”
“Don’t know.” She looked into his eyes. A nap sounded amazing. “I’m good with takeout.”
He caressed her cheek, disappointment and concern in his gaze. “If you don’t offer a solid suggestion, I’m going to take you to your favorite restaurant.”
Her brow cocked. “You want to go all the way to Seattle for Thai?”
He winked. “With you, of course. And it’s not that far. Less than an hour. But I’d drive ten hours to take you somewhere you wanted.”
“One more reason I love you,” she teased.
Makayla threw sand at Adam and he chuckled.
He scooped sand up and buried her legs quickly. She giggled.
Brody leaned over to help bury her lower body. So she threw sand at Brody.
Ryan and Rhiannon were busy digging, talking back and forth in gibberish, but it seemed they understood each other.
Danika moved behind Makayla and started to scoot the sand toward Brody and Adam. “Let’s cover them up.”
Makayla clapped and hopped up, ready to join in the fun.
Chapter 3
Danika clung to Adam’s hand on the way home. A million thoughts bounced around her head, and she was having a hard time figuring out how to tell him her worst fear had come true.
“Talk to me, Dani. I’ll listen.”
“I know,” she answered. “I will.” First, she needed to find the words.
“You don’t have to be afraid. I’m not going to judge,” he promised.
“You never do,” she answered.
He took her hand. “I hate the distance.”
She pressed against his side, smiling up at him. “No distance.”
“You’re worried about something, and it’s worrying me. I don’t know what I should be worried about.” He turned them down their driveway and pulled out his keys. “Tell me, then we can go out, figure it out, and have a little time, just the two of us so I can prove whatever it is we can get through it.”
“You are my hero.” She leaned against the wall as he got the door open.
“Tired?” he asked.
“Shouldn’t be.” But she was. Little things tired her now. Another sign things were moving too fucking fast. She didn’t know how Anne could be so damned optimistic.
“But you are. Come inside. It’s early still. We’ll wait a little bit to go. I can hold you.”
“That sounds like heaven. Hell, we can order out and eat in bed.” She waggled her brows.
A frown appeared on his lips, but he nodded. Adam pushed the door open. She stepped inside and headed for the bed, falling on top with a sigh. Moving would be good. Opening her mouth better.
Her eyes closed and she thought about fighting off sleep.
Adam curled up behind her, wrapping her in his embrace. “If you’re that tired, sleep. We have all night.”
She let him lull her into dreamland.
* * * *
Adam considered going to her car and searching, maybe opening her phone to find a clue about why she was so upset. But after Henry called that morning to ask about Danika, and letting it slip that she was meeting Anne during business hours, he had a clue about what was going on.
And if leukemia was back, she was likely worried about fighting cancer the medical way. That was partly his fault. At the time, neither wanted to be Other, back when he had only seen the bad side of werewolves and didn’t know much about Others in general.
Adam couldn’t resist his blue-haired vixen. He knew the second he laid eyes on her, she was meant to be his. He didn’t know why, didn’t much care, but she was gorgeous, fun, and exciting.
They lay in bed the next day, side by side, staring at each other. She trailed her fingers over his jaw. “I have a secret. But I need to know something first.”
He curled his hand over her hip. “What’s that? I’ll tell you anything, Dani.”
She licked her lips. “You would, wouldn’t you?”
“Not gonna lie. I’m falling hard for you. Ask me anything.”
Her eyes closed for a second. She sucked her bottom lip between her teeth, then she opened her beautiful sapphire eyes. “Know anything about Others?”
“Werewolves, witches? Fae?” He shrugged. “A little.”
“I’m part Fae. Never went through the awakening, so I’m mortal.”
His brow pinched. “Why not?”
She let out a sad laugh. “My father is a leprechaun. Luck is on his side, but that means everyone around him gets his share of bad luck, and less good.” She sighed. “I left to get away from him before he could drag me down like he did my mom.”
“Why not just go through the awakening, come into your power?” Adam asked.
“You’re mortal, right?”
He nodded, swallowing hard. “Yup, with no desire to become vampire or werewolf. Only know of one vampire, but drinking blood doesn’t sound like fun. And I’ve seen werewolves lose their temper. Don’t need that shit.”
“What happened?” she asked.
He sighed. “The day after I finished my apprenticeship under Tony, my brother had me out to celebrate.” Adam chuckled. “My uncle taught him to be a motorcycle mechanic. Brody took over the shop when he died. He lives out in Edenton, a town east of here. Other than a few humans, they’re all werewolves, witches, and one asshole Fae who happens to be their sheriff. And my human as fuck brother feels at home there.”
“And you don’t?”
Half a laugh escaped. “No. Probably because that night I went to celebrate we were in Edenton’s bar. Looks like a fucking diner. But these two bastards were fighting over a woman.” He snorted. “They shifted to that half-beast form, tried to tear each other apart. Turned the little witch into a werewolf, taking her magic.” He rolled his eyes. “Fuckers were so wrapped up in their macho, dominance bullshit, they ruined that girl’s life.”
“She’s still mad she’s a werewolf?”
“Fuck if I know. I don’t spend a lot of time there. I usually convince Brody to come out here.”
“Because you saw a couple werewolves fight?”
“This wasn’t just fighting, Dani. They shifted and full-on brawled. Some of the other wolves tried to contain it, but they wrecked half the tables, chairs, part of the counter. The girl was scratched up and turned. I’m good with staying mortal.”
Smiling, she trailed her fingers down his chest. “Then let’s make a vow. We’ll stay mortal, die old and happy, together.”
Grinning, he rolled on top of her. “You have my word.”
“Likewise.”
That was the morning after they’d met. Love at first sight. For not being a romantic, he sure did wind up one.
Adam kissed her shoulder and held on tighter. Whatever was coming, as long as he had her by his side, he didn’t much care how that happened. They could become wolves. He could, and she could go through the awakening. They could grow old together. Whatever, as long as she didn’t let cancer take her.
Danika rolled over an hour later. “Sorry, babe.”
“Talk to me, Dani. What’s going on with you?”
She blinked quickly. “Remember how I told you I had Leukemia as a kid?”
“How could I forget? I remember everything, babe.”
“You do.” She let out a breath. “It’s back, and it’s moving fast. Anne says we can fight it. She’s optimistic.”
“You’re not.” It was a statement. He’d only ever once seen her this upset. And that was right after her father’s luck had run out, and it had dragged her mother down with him.
“I remember the hell I went through. Seems the bastard was right. I’m sick because I didn
’t do what he wanted.”
“No, you’re sick because people get sick. But you don’t have to be. Babe, I would do anything for you.”
“But you wouldn’t be happy,” she whispered, closing her eyes as a tear slid down her cheek.
He brushed it away. “I know you’re thinking about that conversation we had when we were young and dumb, Dani. But you know what? My view has changed. And you’re good with your sister being a leprechaun. What has her luck ever done to bring so much disaster to those around her?”
“She doesn’t abuse it,” she stated.
“Exactly. And would you?”
“I’m not sleeping with someone else, Adam!” She shot off the bed and moved away.
“I don’t mind being a wolf if you don’t. We’d be faster, stronger, and if any asshole ever hurts our little girl, we can teach them a lesson.”
She turned back slowly. “We fight this. You said—”
He was on his feet, pulling her into his arms as his mouth crashed over hers. He needed to find the words to explain that things were different, and as long as she was on board, he was one hundred percent ready for whatever steps they needed to take.
She gently pushed him back. “You said—”
He covered her mouth with his fingers. “I was stupid back then. I didn’t know any wolves. I do now. They’re family.”
“I know, but—”
He kissed her again. “Don’t. This isn’t about just doing it for you. Yes, that’s most of it, but think about this. We would have died in another fortyish years. This way, we’ll have forever. I don’t fear or hate werewolves now. Back then, I didn’t understand. Would being a werewolf be so bad if it gave us forever?”
Tears filled her eyes as she shook her head. “No. But only if you want that.”
“Would you do it with me? Would you want that? I know you don’t want to be a full leprechaun, but, baby, I wouldn’t care. Hell, I bet Amethyst’s brother and his man would help you there.”
She laughed sadly. “You’d want to give me away for a night?”
He shook his head. “Not give you away. I could watch. I could participate. I don’t care. It would give you all the time in the world. One night for you to lose yourself in passion and be cured? You bet your ass I’d be okay with it.”
She pressed her lips to his. “I can’t do that. I wouldn’t do that to you. Werewolf, fine, but not that. I promised myself to you.”
And fine, he got that. But still, he would keep that in mind in case something else didn’t work out. Because he wasn’t losing her.
“You’re too quiet. Forget that.”
He pressed his forehead to hers. “Werewolves then. I’ll call Slater.”
She wiped at her eyes. “Later. Tomorrow. Give me tonight. You mentioned my favorite restaurant.”
“Anything for you, Dani.”
“Not just for me. For us.”
“For us, always for us.” He kissed her. “You ready?”
“Can we sing karaoke?”
“Sure. I’ll even sing with you,” Adam promised. Not his favorite pastime, but to get her to smile, he would in a heartbeat. Any song.
* * * *
She glanced down to find her shoes still on. She hadn’t bothered to take them off. Adam hadn’t taken his off. He just curled up with her.
“You’ve always been so perfect.”
“No more than you. Now, are you ready?” he asked.
Dipping her head, she smiled. “You’re sure about the werewolf thing?”
“Yes, Dani. When I said I didn’t want to be one, that was back when I was still afraid they were all monsters. Remember when Brody became a werewolf? I quickly learned they weren’t all like that. Shit, things change.”
“I love you, Adam. I just needed to be sure.”
“I’ll call Slater and Brody tomorrow. We’ll set something up. In the meantime, let’s have a little us time. We don’t get a whole lot of that now.”
“Tell me you don’t regret Makayla,” she whispered.
“Never. She’s ours. Just like you’re mine. I’m not letting you go for anything,” he assured. “Not for cancer. Tell me you’re on board with spending forever with me.” He stared into her eyes, pleading.
She couldn’t resist. “For you, of course.”
“For us.” He took a quick kiss.
Chapter 4
Finnian Walsh stood at the window of a hotel room, overlooking Downtown Seattle. Somehow, he couldn’t find anyone who knew where to find either of his daughters, or they were unwilling to share the information.
Neither were listed anywhere. He couldn’t find a record of them. Years had gone by since the night he nearly burned alive. And everyone believed he was dead. He wanted revenge against Mercer, against Rory, for taking the woman he loved. And he wanted to steal a little luck from his daughters, who had abandoned their mother, all because she was in love with him.
Eighteen years, and not a day went by that he didn’t think of his beautiful wife. The love of his life. The one he meant to protect from himself.
He wiped at his eyes. He’d never missed anyone as much as Diedre. And his daughter was the cause of all their problems. Until Diedre went and got pregnant, life had been grand. For a time he loved them both. Until Danika got sick, then they needed money, money, and more money. It was never enough.
Then the little bitch wouldn’t even consider going through the awakening. She wanted to be like her mother, which he could respect, but she would have been like her, even if she had been more.
He snatched his jacket up and hurried out the door. Somewhere, someone had to have some information about either one of his daughters. And there was a good chance if he found one, he would find the other.
Question was, what would he do?
Would he hate them as much as he did when he learned they abandoned their mother?
* * * *
After dinner they headed out to Seattle. Adam really was pulling out all the stops. He took her to the karaoke bar she had dragged him to countless times over the years.
It took five trips to get him to sing when they first got together.
They had a drink before Danika pulled him toward the DJ with a grin. As much as she was tempted to force him to sing something he never would in any other circumstance, she decided to play fair.
The DJ asked, “What am I spinning for you?”
“You choose,” Danika asked.
His eyes lit up. “‘Truly, Madly, Deeply’.”
They’d only made love to that song a million times when they first got together. And he refused to admit liking the song, but he secretly loved it.
“Really?” she asked, breathless.
Adam slipped his hand into her back pocket with a grin. “Oh, I love you, Dani.”
The DJ handed them each a mic and Adam actually pulled her to the stage.
“I didn’t expect you to pick this song,” she teased.
“Oh, but it’s perfect.” He pulled her close and sang the song, ignoring the room, looking into her eyes. She did the same. Their connection was so strong. Always had been. From that very first moment.
And everything could have fallen apart, but they held strong. They always had.
The song ended, their mouths connected and the bar full of people faded away. He didn’t let up until her lungs burned, then he murmured in her ear, “Want to stay?”
“No, home.” She wanted to make love, forget her problems, and enjoy the rest of the night. Not worry about cancer, or becoming something else, or any of that nonsense. She just wanted Adam to herself.
They stepped off the stage, handed their mics to the DJ, and hurried through the crowd.
She stumbled when she saw a familiar face. The night she left played back through her head.
Downtown Juneau, eighteen years ago. She was out, having fun, not worrying about her boring day job. Her friends were in the bar, and she stepped outside for fresh air. She watched her father run down the stree
t as a man with a gun chased after him.
Fear poured through Danika. She ducked into an alley as the other man shot repeatedly. Dad ducked around a car, and the asshole kept firing, killing a woman and child while Dad ran into the street. The shooter ran after him and was hit by a semi.
Her father sat in a booth, watching her with such hatred her blood chilled.
Adam opened the door for her and she hurried out, pulling him in the opposite direction of the car.
“Where are we going?” Adam asked.
She swallowed hard. “Remember my asshole father?”
“The dead prick? Sure.” He frowned. “What’s wrong? Did you see one of the people who were after him?”
“No, he’s alive. I just saw him. Unless he has a twin, but he would have to be the good one, and the look he just gave me was anything but friendly.”
“I’ll go back in there—”
“Don’t, Adam. You can’t. He’ll just leach your luck and something horrible will happen to you. We’re leaving. We’re just going to make sure the asshole doesn’t follow.” She pulled him into a bookstore. One she spent a lot of time in when they lived in Seattle, before Edenton.
He licked his lips. “You better not take me back into that storeroom. We’ll never leave.”
Giggling, she shook her head. “No, but I know another way back to the lot we parked in.” She waved at Angie, who was behind the counter, and took Adam outside, down the alley, and onto another street. “We’re only a block away now.”
“How did you know about this path?”
She lifted a shoulder. “I explored a lot before I found a job.”
“I never minded you staying with me, even before you found one.”
Smiling, she nodded. “You always take care of me, and I try to do the same for you.”
“Oh, you do, love. You do.” He pulled the keys out. “Ready to go home?”
“Only if you make love to me,” she murmured.
Grinning, he moved to open the door for her. “You don’t have to ask for that. I plan to worship you.”
Better Than Luck Page 3