Shifted Illusions

by C. E. Black

  “Hello, Henri.”

  “Beth.”

  “Henri?” Leo chuckled. “I haven’t heard that name in years.” His laughter faded as he studied us. His lips twisted to the side, and he cursed under his breath. “You’re the woman Hawk dated a while back?”

  “Hawk?”

  He pointed to my ex. “That’s what we call him.”

  “You’re a half-breed,” Hawk accused me, ignoring Leo.

  I pursed my lips and narrowed my eyes. “You’re a hawk shifter.”

  Hearing the accusation in my voice, Henri raised his eyebrows.

  “Is Hawk right?” Leo asked.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Telling them the truth might save my life. Or it could end it even faster.

  Shifters weren’t kind to those of us who were part shifter and part human—half-breeds. Especially if we weren’t capable of transforming into an animal. Technically, both of my parents were mountain lions shifters. But one of them must not have been full-blooded. I wasn’t sure which. My parents had died soon after I’d been born. I’d never found out how or why. And I wasn’t ready to talk about them right now. Maybe not ever.

  “You’re safe,” Leo promised again.

  I wanted to believe him, I really did, but my past told me a different story.

  “We were in the living room, clear across the cabin,” Henri said. “The bedroom door was secure, and we weren’t shouting.”

  So, he’d been eavesdropping. Rude. I lost all expression, giving him nothing.

  “The only explanation is that you have abilities,” he continued, undaunted by my raised chin. “Yet, you smell human…” He breathed deeply through his nose and leveled me with a stare.

  I swallowed my gasp. This time it wasn’t fear making me tense.

  His eyes widened fractionally as if he’d realized the same thing I had. The chemistry between us hadn’t dissipated with time as I’d hoped.

  “Enough, Hawk,” Leo growled at the same time I answered them. “Yes.”

  Leo twisted to look at me as Henri’s stare only intensified. I suddenly had both men’s undivided attention as they waited for me to elaborate.

  Two pairs of smoldering gazes were locked onto me. I could practically feel the heat of their stare. I should have been uncomfortable with their attention. Instead, my stomach twisted with desire.

  The sooner I was out of there, the better. And the only way they would let me go was if I told them the truth. Not everything. Of course not. But enough.

  “Yes, I’m a half-breed,” I confessed. Surprisingly, both of the men’s postures seem to relax simultaneously. “I can’t transform into an animal, but I have some speed, a tiny amount of healing ability, and my hearing is on a par with full-bloods. I can also scent other shifters if they’re nearby. Though I didn’t scent you, Leo. I want to know why. But first… I want clothes. Then I want an explanation.”

  7

  Hawk

  A string of curse words, every single one I could envision, ran through my mind as I spread mustard over a slice of bread. We’d persuaded Beth to eat something, and needing a minute, I’d volunteered to make sandwiches while she dressed.

  Damn it! My dream woman was right here, in my house, her husky voice giving me a hard-on just like the first time we’d met.

  She wore a sheet for a dress as though she’d just rolled out of my bed. Technically, she had just rolled out of bed. Not my bed, but Leo’s. And not for anything sexy, I reminded myself.

  The image of her in Leo’s bed between the two of us… loving her together…

  I pinched the bridge of my nose and groaned. I shouldn’t be imagining her like that. She probably had a concussion. She’d almost died.

  The thought sobered me.

  I sighed, wondering how it’d all went wrong with Beth. We’d barely gotten to know each other when she’d ended things.

  I recalled the night we’d met. At a strip club called Banana Hammocks. And no, I hadn’t been working there. Long story short, after a bachelor party gone wrong, we’d ended up getting mauled by some overly excited women. While Leo jumped on stage to save our asses, I’d seen the woman of my dreams sitting alone across the room. One look into her bright green eyes and I’d been a goner.

  A few teasing remarks later, and she’d finally agreed to have dinner with me. But only if I danced with Leo on stage. Unfortunately, she hadn’t stuck around afterward, only leaving a little scrap of paper with her phone number. Luckily for me, she’d answered my call.

  She’d been sweet and funny, though a tad guarded. I’d thought for sure she’d eventually trust me. But apparently not. After our third date, she’d broken things off. The date had been awkward, and she’d spend the entire evening fidgeting, and I swear I’d smelt a hint of fear coming off of her. But nothing I’d said or done had eased her mind.

  And I hadn’t heard from her since. Until now.

  So much time had passed, and I still couldn’t get her out of my head. A vision of her long, wavy brown hair and rounded face came to mind. The sound of her husky voice still haunted my dreams. Raspy and seductive… And her lips. I’d tasted them only twice.

  “Fuck,” I exclaimed, as my dick throbbed behind my zipper. “Not happening, dude.”

  Something cold and wet oozed between my fingers, causing me to grimace. I’d squeezed the slice of bread to death in my balled-up fist. Sighing, I threw the ruined bread in the trash and washed my hands.

  I had no chance with Beth. I never had, really. And now she was with Leo. End of story.

  At the sound of Leo’s bedroom door opening, I made the rest of the sandwiches while listening to Beth’s hesitant steps down the hallway.

  At the entrance to the kitchen, she stopped. I could feel the heat of her stare on my back, burning me. She was either glaring daggers or undressing me. From the scents I’d detected in the bedroom earlier, both scenarios could be accurate. Either way, I let her look her fill.

  When I placed the plates on the table, I stopped to contemplate the three place settings. Warmth filled my chest. Most nights, it was only me sitting there. Leo came by from time to time, but we rarely ate at the table, preferring our pizza and beer in front of the T.V.

  I gave Beth an uncertain smile. “Have a seat,” I told her, waiting for her to sit before taking my own.

  She eyed me suspiciously for a moment before picking up the sandwich and taking a small bite. She closed her eyes and groaned before biting off a larger piece.

  It wasn’t anything special, a turkey BLT, but her approval had me grinning before taking my own bite.

  “Sorry,” she mumbled around a mouth full of food. She swallowed and wiped her mouth with a napkin. “I was starving. And I haven’t had a sandwich this good in a long time.”

  “It’s nothing fancy.”

  She licked her lips. “But there are fresh vegetables,” she said. “And this tastes like high-quality turkey.”

  Distracted by the sensual way her tongue swept across her lips, I almost missed what she’d said. “You don’t eat fresh vegetables often?”

  She shrugged while finishing her sandwich. I immediately stood to get her another. I’d made a ton, intending for Leo and me to eat most of them.

  She hesitated, watching me as I placed another sandwich on her plate before she replied, “Money’s a little tight right now. And vegetables are more expensive this time of year.”

  An uncomfortable feeling hit me square in the chest. The idea of her going without food didn’t sit well. How long had she had money troubles? Did she have a safe place to sleep? Someone had attacked her outside of her work, Leo had told me. Was she in some kind of trouble?

  “Where’s Leo?” Beth implored.

  “Right here,” he said, stomping through the door leading to the back deck. He carried an armful of wood for the fireplace. “The weather’s getting bad out there. Figured we might need this.”

  “Really?” Beth said, stretching her neck to get a better lo
ok out of the window. “The sun was out just a little while ago.”

  “That’s mountain weather for you. I heard we’re expecting an ice storm. Looks like it’s coming in fast. Raining yet?” I asked Leo.

  “Starting too,” he replied, his expression softening as they focused on Beth. “Glad you’re up and moving around. How are you feeling?”

  “G-good,” she stuttered, heart in her eyes as she stared back at my best friend.

  “Turkey BLTs, sweet!” he said, catching sight of the sandwiches. “Let me take care of this, and I’ll join you.”

  My heart sank. It had been a long time since Leo had been so animated. In the few hours Beth had been here, he’d grinned more times than he had all week. I sure as hell hadn’t been able to do that for him. And from the expression on Beth’s face, she’d already caught feelings as well.

  “Okay,” Beth whispered as Leo left the room, her brows drawn deep. Then she shook her head, giving me a small smile before she resumed eating.

  Leo came back a few minutes later, and we all ate in silence. I tried not to be obvious as I glanced at Beth from the corner of my eye now and again. She looked almost the same as the last time I’d seen her. Her ruby lips were still plump and inviting, her eyes as green as fresh grass. And her voice… Well, we all knew what happened to my cock when she spoke.

  She was as sweet as she was gorgeous. And I wanted to know more. And from the looks of things, this would be my chance. No doubt I’d end up in love with her. I could imagine it already. She would be so easy to love. But we weren’t meant to be. I might have scented her arousal earlier, but attraction didn’t mean squat when witnessing the hungry glances she shot at Leo when he wasn’t looking.

  Beth finished eating and sat back with a sigh. “Guess the interrogation is about to start,” she said.

  Leo nodded for me to begin, but when I opened my mouth to speak, she surprised me by starting her own interrogation.

  “How did you hide your scent from me, Leo? I have a decent nose, and I didn’t sense you were a shifter at all. Not when we first met.”

  “And now?”

  “Now you smell like a lion,” she replied. “How?”

  “That’s classified.” The words slipped out before I could call them back. I should have denied it. The word classified was bound to arouse her suspicions.

  Sure enough, she narrowed her eyes at me. “Classified? As in the military? Are you both servicemen?”

  “Yes,” I replied, ignoring the dark expression Leo was sending me. “And we can’t talk about it.”

  “Who were those men?” Leo interrupted, changing the subject before she could ask any more questions.

  Beth pursed her lips, giving him an expression that said he wasn’t fooling her. But she let it go with a sigh.

  “I don’t know,” she told him.

  She was lying. Not completely, though. I leaned forward, ducking my head to catch her eye. “Who do you suppose they were? Any enemies, ex-lovers?”

  She wrapped her hands around the glass of water in front of her plate and began rotating it mindlessly. She shook her head. “I didn’t recognize their scent.”

  Truth.

  “Did they say anything?”

  “No. Yes.” She rubbed her forehead with her free hand, her cheeks turning red. “I don’t want to say. It was disgusting, and I doubt it will help right now.”

  I glanced at Leo, who stared at the table, his expression hard. His hands rested on the table, his fist clenched so tightly his knuckles were white.

  I cleared my throat, and he snapped his angry gaze at me. His face clearing, he leaned back against the chair, hiding his hands in his lap.

  “The way they grabbed you, it looked personal,” he said, his voice deeper than it had been before.

  “I didn’t recognize them,” she repeated, still twisting her cup, the sound of the glass scraping against wood making my teeth ache.

  Leo must have felt the same. He leaned forward and placed a hand over hers, stilling her movements. “You’re safe here.”

  “I don’t know that.”

  “Believe it,” he growled.

  A glance at me from under lashes had me tipping my chin down in acknowledgment. “You are. I promise. We can help you, Beth. Let us.”

  She stared silently at the table for several seconds. Leo rubbed his thumb back and forth over her hand, and I had to glance away as jealously burned through me. She was already comfortable with his touch.

  I caught Leo watching me and narrowed my eyes. He said nothing… Did nothing. Only stared. Was it a challenge?

  Beth suddenly jolted and jumped from the table. “Work! I have to get to work. What time is it?”

  My cell said it was almost midday. When I told her, she cursed. “I’m going to be late for my shift.”

  “Call in,” I told her, but she gave me an irritated look.

  “I missed my shift at the Beanery this morning. And I didn’t lock up last night. There’s no way I still have either job.” She groaned, her words not making any sense.

  “Either of them?” I asked.

  “She works at The Beanery too,” Leo told me. “Beth, call the coffee place first and tell them you were sick. It might work. But don’t worry about the flower shop—Marguerite’s, right? I locked the place up tight before I brought you here.”

  Her shoulders slumped with relief. “Thank you.”

  I handed her my phone, and she clutched it gratefully. “You can take it in the bedroom if you want privacy.”

  “I appreciate it,” she said, giving me a watery smile. “After I make my call, can I get a ride? If we leave soon, I’ll make it in time for my shift at Marguerite’s.”

  “Is that wise?” Leo asked before I could.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean two men tried to abduct you last night. Reckon we should talk about it?”

  “There’s nothing to talk about. Some assholes attacked me. You took care of them?” Leo nodded. “So, there’s no reason I can’t go home then.”

  When Leo said nothing, Beth spun on her heels to go make her calls, but there had been something in her expression. Disappointment? And maybe a hint of anxiety. Something wasn’t right. My shifter senses were tingling. She couldn’t leave. Not today.

  “Ice,” I shouted, startling both of them. “You can’t leave.”

  “Why not?”

  “The weather. A bad winter storm is coming.”

  “But there’s plenty of time before it hits. It’s not even…” She drifted off at the sound of thunder.

  Perfect timing! I almost fist-pumped the air. “Thunder-ice. See?” I moved to the window and pulled back the curtain, showing her the mixture of freezing rain, ice, and snow falling from the sky.

  “The weatherman said people should stay indoors,” Leo stated, looking up from his phone. “It’s too dangerous to be out on the roads right now. I seriously doubt your boss will keep the shop open today. They’ll probably be closed tomorrow too.”

  Beth strolled to the window and stared out at the gray and white landscape in silence. “Guess you’re right,” she whispered. Then she twirled around, glaring at the two of us. “I’ll stay because it’s obviously the right thing to do. However, I want to get one thing straight… I may not be a full-blooded shifter, but I’ve taken self-defense classes. I expect both of you to act like gentlemen.”

  “No one’s ever accused me of being a gentleman.” Leo smirked.

  “Then you better learn quick,” she said with attitude, but I noticed her hand shaking as she gestured to me. “I’d suggest asking Henri for lessons.”

  “You are safe with us, Beth,” I promised her, hating she even had to be concerned. Leo might bluster and tease, but she needed to understand she was safe. Neither of us would ever hurt a woman.

  Beth gave a jerky nod before heading down the hall toward Leo’s room, my phone in hand. Leo and I shared an uneasy look. Though the relief of having her stay overrode the feeling.
r />   “This should be interesting,” Leo murmured.

  “Yeah… Interesting”

  8

  Beth

  I pressed the end button and stared down at Henri’s phone. Marguerite had been understanding and had assured me she wouldn’t be open for the next two or three days, depending on the weather.

  My boss at The Beanery, however, was not so sympathetic. Once this storm blew over, I’d have to find another job. I couldn’t live on Marguerite’s paycheck alone.

  Or… Maybe I should leave town. Those men the night before might have been two assholes looking to ruin someone’s life, but I had a feeling there was more to it. What if they’d found me?

  I tapped in a number from memory and put the phone to my ear. It rang three times before voice mail picked up.

  Sighing, I left a message. “It’s me, Bethany. If you get this, call me. I know you said you wouldn’t be in touch unless necessary, but I haven’t heard from you in months. And there was an incident last night. Call me. Please.”

  Hanging up, I sucked in a breath and laid back on the bed. Staying here probably wasn’t the best idea. Actually, it was probably the worst. But I was safe here. Which would scare a normal woman. But I wasn’t normal. And I hadn’t had a normal life.

  As weird as it was, I trusted Leo and Henri. When I was around them, something inside of me eased. I wanted to close my eyes and give in. I was so tired. I hadn’t slept, really slept, in what felt like years.

  My eyelids drifted shut. A nap sounded wonderful. I could agonize over everything later. Like the two men in the other room who made my insides twist into knots. Did they feel the same? From their heated looks, I’d say yes. But both of them were shifters. I stayed away from shifters for a reason.

  I fell asleep while still considering the two men who had my insides all jumbled and woke up to find the room dark. Someone had pulled the curtains and covered me with a warm blanket. The tinkling of ice and rain hitting the roof told me the storm had hit. And it was cold.