Taming their Tailfins: Howls Romance

by Marianne Morea

  Taming their Tailfins

  Marianne Morea

  Coventry Press Ltd

  “Who says that my dreams, have to stay, just my dreams?”

  ~ Ariel, The Little Mermaid

  Chapter One

  Valerie Ross unlocked the front door to her best friend’s brownstone and stepped through to the tiled entrance. “Here goes nothing.” She dragged in a quick breath and looked around the deserted place.

  “Thanks a bunch, Hannah,” she murmured, disturbing a month of dust as she shrugged out of her jacket. “You leave town with some guy, and then leave me to pack up your life. Me, who you’ve known forever. But him? Five whole minutes. A guy who showed up naked out of nowhere. Someone you didn’t have time for me to meet, yet you had no problem swallowing the supernatural claptrap he spouted. Probably not the only thing you swallowed, which is why you’re so wrapped you’ve lost all sense.” With a half-hearted chuckle, she shook her head. “And now I’ve lost you.”

  With a frown, she walked the length of the foyer, her nose wrinkling in the musty air. Hannah’s note was exactly where she found it the first time. The day her best friend fell off the face of the planet. It was taped to the hall mirror with a layer of dust framing the paper as it hung at the center of the glass.

  Sorry, Val…

  I know leaving without a word sucks and you deserve better, but there was no time. I left a message on your cell, but as usual you didn’t return my call right away. I wish I had time to explain more, but even if I did you’d never believe me. You’ll just have to trust I’m okay, and that leaving with Soren isn’t as crazy as you think. I don’t know when I’ll be back, but if you really need to know more, find Sam Peddler. He’s usually at the park where I used to visit Aggie. He might be able to fill you in on the how and why of everything. All I ask is you keep an open mind. I know the voicemail I left makes me sound certifiable, but you have to trust I’m not. In the meantime, there’s a key to a storage unit and some cash in an envelope in the top drawer of the hall table. Hire a couple of guys to help move my stuff. Trust me, Val. Okay?

  I love you, dude.

  Hannah

  Valerie skimmed the note again and snorted to herself. “Find Sam Peddler.” Yeah, right.

  Aggie would have been her first choice for explanations, but the old homeless woman had gone M.I.A. as well. Figured. Not that Val would know either if she fell over them.

  Footsteps on the outside flagstones had her whirling on her heel. Val blinked at the older woman standing in the open doorway, designer purse on her shoulder and a crème colored envelope in her hand.

  “May I help you?” Valerie asked.

  “You really shouldn’t leave your door wide open like that, dear. This is Manhattan, after all. Anyone could come in off the street.” The woman stepped through the doorway with an older gentleman in tow, and the two walked straight toward where Val stood at the hall table.

  “Excuse me, but who the hell are you?” Valerie demanded, reaching for the sharp letter opener on the credenza.

  The pair had an aura of class about them, though the old woman’s soft smile gave her an air of Yoda cuteness. He was definitely a silver fox, and together, neither looked like a threat, but you never know.

  “I’m sorry Hannah never got around to introducing us. The woman dropped the envelope on the hall table. Valerie’s name was scrawled across the front in Hannah’s handwriting. “I’m Aggie Draakki, and this is Sam Gorgóna. Soren sent us.”

  Hannah’s description of the old homeless pair was the complete opposite of the elegant couple standing in the foyer now, and Valerie knew then, the two were involved in her best friend’s erratic and sudden hasta la vista, baby departure.

  “Soren sent you. That’s rich, considering he practically kidnapped my best friend.” Valerie didn’t bother to hide her sarcasm. “Don’t bother denying it. I’m pretty sure you two were involved, as well.”

  Aggie pulled her stylish cats-eye sunglasses from her nose and met Valerie’s unhappy gaze. “Hannah’s sudden departure must have seemed more than a little unusual. And you’re right. However, this isn’t a game and nothing untoward has happened. Hannah wrote you another letter,” she gestured to the crème envelope, “but Sam and I agreed a face to face approach would be more productive.”

  “Productive,” Val replied. “What did you expect to gain except a face full of suspicion from me? And while we’re on the subject, where exactly do you people disappear to with no phone or internet? The Amazon? People can’t take off whenever the spirit moves them. It’s not fair to those left to pack up the mess!” She swung a hand toward the rest of the house.

  Aggie opened her mouth to answer, but Valerie lifted a dismissive hand. “You know what? I don’t care what you do or where you go. I only care when it concerns my friends. Where is Hannah?”

  Ripping the note from the dusty mirror, Valerie held the paper out toward the old woman. “I haven’t heard from Hannah in a month! And don’t eyeball the envelope you brought. I don’t want another note, nor a text or snapchat or email!” She crinkled the note in her fist. “I don’t normally threaten people, let alone senior citizens, but if you don’t provide proof of life for Hannah in the next minute, I won’t be responsible for my actions.”

  “Young woman! Sam took a step forward, pushing Aggie slightly behind his hip. “There’s no call for your menaces! Aglaope insisted we help, but your fist waving will accomplish naught but our departure, and you’ll get no further in your quest.”

  Valerie’s brow knotted at the silver fox. “Where did Hannah find you? Shakespeare in the Park? I want to know if my friend is safe.”

  Turning on her heel, Aggie walked to close the brownstone’s front door. She stood for a moment with her hand on the handle, sparing a look for Sam. “We understand your concern. It’s expected of those who love us, though I thought you’d be more interested to hear if your friend was happy.”

  She exhaled before turning to face the angry young woman. “I have endured my exiled indenture on your streets, so you are not the first to threaten me with bodily harm. I had Sam with me, of course, but I assure you I can handle myself. So, in your vernacular I ask politely—” She offered a close-lipped smile that spoke volumes. “Back off.”

  “Fair enough.” Valerie conceded. “I’m not Hannah, Aggie. I’m not sucked in by romantic fantasies. I live in the real world, where most relationships grow warts over time, and never fail to disappoint. I do not believe in the impossible,” she paused, “nor in the supernatural.”

  She dropped her chin, eyeing the older couple. “I know all about your schtick and the bill of goods you sold Hannah. Shifters. Dragons. Give me a break. Hannah fell prey to your stories, but I’m a pragmatist. Contrary to what most people believe about big girls, I am not a member of the Lonely Hearts Club,” Valerie countered. “I do fine for myself in the love department, and standard rules don’t apply when it comes to me either. I will gladly back off, but I will hurt you if something bad has happened to my best friend.”

  “Proof of life.” Aggie nodded. “Concise and to the point. Like you, it seems.”

  “Enough chit-chat, you two. Tick tock.” Val tapped her wrist. “Where is Hannah? People don’t just disappear off the surface of the planet!”

  “Funny you should put it that way.” Aggie pushed past her into the living room. Stopping at the coffee table, she put her bag down before lifting a side flap and slipping a strange looking slice of stone from inside. It was thin and completely flat, and it looked wet.

  Unusual striations and symbols were carved into the rock’s flat face, and strange glyphs bordered its perimeter. At its center was a large s
ingle rune, and the whole thing reminded Val of the ancient Rosetta Stone she saw at the British Museum.

  “If memory serves,” Aggie continued, placing the flat stone on the dusty table, “Hannah has a small selection of good wine on the top shelf.” She pointed toward the hall closet. “Grab a bottle. You’re going to need it.”

  Valerie took a step forward, panic rising. “Why? Is Hannah hurt or in danger? If that caveman harmed one hair on her head, I swear—”

  “For heaven’s sake, woman!” Annoyance puckered Sam’s mouth. “Haven’t you yet realized we are all on the same side?”

  Aggie chuckled. “You say you’re not like Hannah, but if anyone needs to get laid, it’s you.”

  “Amen, my love. Pistol's cock is up, and flashing fire will follow.” Sam winked. “Henry V, Act 2 scene1.”

  Valerie balked, folding her arms in front of her chest. “Who the hell are you two?” She sniffed, knotting her brows at them. “My sex life has nothing to do with whatever it is that brought you here. Not that it’s any of your beeswax, but I do just fine.”

  “Methinks the lady doth protest too much.” Aggie nodded to Valerie’s defensive stance. “You’ve got your arms clutched in front of you like armor. Trust me, girl, you need to get laid. As to what Sam and I are doing here, we are trying to have an adult conversation with you, yet all you want to do is fight. I understand you’re worried and uneasy, but anger and panic will earn you nothing but a fast track to premature aging.”

  Valerie huffed. “Who’s fighting? I just want to know about my friend, so can we get on with it?”

  “You’re a pretty girl, Valerie. Curvy and fierce. Like Hannah, you’re the kind of woman the men of my world would love to love. Though, you’re missing the one thing Hannah had, and that’s a willing imagination. I’m not usually this blunt or this crude, but how else can I get you to listen and actually hear what I say? You said standard rules don’t apply to you. Well, how about keeping your mouth shut and your mind open? You’ll have all the proof of life you want, but you need to keep your opinions and prejudices to yourself, at least until I’m finished.”

  “Wow, I never heard such talk from someone who looks like Yoda when they smile.” Valerie raised an eyebrow, but the old woman didn’t bite. “Look, I may be opinionated, but I am not prejudiced. Hannah’s story about Soren was cool. But it’s fiction. In my book, seeing is believing, but that’s a box Hannah conveniently didn’t check.”

  Aggie slid onto the couch in front of the strange stone. “You’re passionate, Valerie. You have untapped heat inside all that fire and fury, and I can see exactly what you need, even if you can’t.” She eyed the younger woman with a smirk. “And don’t hate on the sexy bit. Risqué flirting is a good thing. Helps keep you young.”

  “You’re quite the saleswoman,” Val replied, lifting her chin. “Like I said, I do fine for myself. Hannah was the one who needed a push.”

  Aggie shrugged as if to disagree. “A woman with your kind of passion needs an outlet. A long, strong, rock hard kind of outlet.”

  “That’s a fair thought, to lie between a maid’s legs.” Sam winked, reaching for Aggie’s hand.

  She grinned, squeezing his fingers. “Then you live about her waist, or the middle of her favors? Faith her private parts we.”

  “Dude, please. I’ll never watch Star Wars again without my ears bleeding.”

  Aggie winked. “Sorry, dear. If it’s any consolation, the quotes are from Hamlet.”

  “No doubt,” Valerie replied with a sarcastic snort. “Look, can we get on with whatever it is you want to show me on that weird stone?”

  “Yes. Of course. We’re going to need a bowl of water. Preferably in a silver basin. Four inches or more deep.”

  Sam settled into one of the chairs. “Get the wine first, love. Like Aggie said, you’re going to need it.”

  “Polite pass on the vino. Wine puts me to sleep and I’ve got a townhouse to clear out.”

  Aggie nodded. “The townhouse, yes. About that. I’ve made arrangements. Unless you don’t want my help with that either?”

  “No, that kind of help I’m all for,” Valerie replied quickly. “The more muscle, the merrier.”

  Aggie’s lips curled in a knowing smirk. “More muscle, huh? I’m glad you feel that way.” She glanced toward the front door, and a loud knock sounded in the foyer as if on cue.

  Valerie spared a questioning look for them both before getting up to answer the door, a nervous tingle in her stomach as she reached for the knob.

  Get a grip, Ross. It’s just a moving crew.

  Then why did those oversexed senior citizens look as if they were up to something?

  Val opened the door.

  Holy hot shit! That’s why.

  A huge, hulking tree of a man stood on the flagstone steps outside the front door. “Valerie Ross?” he asked.

  Slack-jawed, her eyes climbed the hard length of him. He had dark, shoulder-length hair tied in a loose ponytail and the kind of rugged good looks that temporarily rob you of coherent thought.

  “Uhm, yes,” she replied, nearly swallowing her tongue.

  Green eyes gave her an appreciative once over, and a delicious smile tugged at his beautiful mouth. “Aglaope sent us. We’re here to help stuff your box.”

  Stuff my what? “Excuse me?” She blinked. Us?

  “You’ll have to excuse my friend,” a second hulk of a man said, stepping onto the flagstone portico. “Pretty girls are his kryptonite. They make him forget his manners.”

  Holy wet panties!

  If the first guy made her brain hiccup with his rough, throw-you-over-my-shoulder-and-ravage-you look, this one left her speechless. While the first guy was dark with a devilish air, this guy was light, with long, sandy-colored hair and a calm manner.

  Valerie glanced between the two. Besides their size, the only thing similar was their incredible eyes. Green, like a Jolly Rancher candy.

  Big and unbelievably buff, these guys were definitely not the grungy, droopy-pant moving men she expected. They were at least six feet six, which made them a foot taller than she, with shoulders to rival the Greek god Atlas.

  Her lips parted as she stared at the two, but no sound came out. Nervous laughter threatened, but she coughed to cover herself.

  “Don’t mind my boys, Valerie.” Sam got up from the couch and walked toward the entrance to the foyer. “They may look like a walking demolition team, but they’re really pussycats once you get to know them.”

  Two sets of emerald eyes watched her, almost predatory, as if sizing her up for dessert. She didn’t know whether to be scared or turned on.

  “Valerie, dear—”

  Sam’s nudge pulled her back from her dumb stare. She cleared her throat. “Uhm, sorry,” Val croaked.

  “I’d like you to meet Zale and Adrian,” he continued. “I asked them to give you a hand with packing your friend’s belongings.”

  Val nodded, still not quite finding her voice. She cleared her throat again. “Boxes are upstairs.” Her hand drifted toward the steps off the living room. “In the master bedroom.”

  “Good.” Sam gestured for Aggie. “I guess we’ll leave you to it, then.”

  That snapped Valerie out of her funk. “Wait. You’re leaving?” She shook her head. “You can’t go. What about the proof of life Aggie promised?”

  “Like you said,” Aggie replied, shouldering her purse. “You have a townhouse to pack.” Mischief teased the corner of the old woman’s closed lips as she joined Sam at the door. “First things first, but I will leave you with something to think about while you three get to know each other.” Her gaze flicked to the two men still standing on the front porch. “Maybe Hannah wasn’t the only one whose imagination needed a push.”

  Valerie balked, but then she pressed her lips together. “This is so not cool. You played me.”

  “We haven’t played with you at all, but I’m sure if you ask nicely, my boys will be happy to oblige.” Sam grinned outri
ght.

  “Dude!” Valerie stomped her foot.

  Sam gestured to the strange stone still waiting on the coffee table. “Aggie left you everything you need for your proof of life. Just set the bowl of water in front of the tablet. The rune at the center will automatically access Elsa. She’ll take it from there.”

  “So not cool,” Valerie muttered. “And who the hell is Elsa?”

  “Electro Sensory Answering,” Sam replied. “Kind of like Siri, but a lot less intrusive.”

  They had to be kidding. “That’s impossible. Stone grounds electricity. It doesn’t conduct.”

  “Impossible is a very subjective word. Just remember what I said about keeping an open mind.” She nodded toward the device again. “Sam and I will be around, but I think you’ll find you have everything you need already. Three is not such a crowd after all.” The old woman raised an eyebrow, her double meaning as clear as the afternoon sky.

  Zale and Adrian stood on the flagstone waiting for Valerie to say something, but when she didn’t, Zale spoke up. “So, where do you want us?”

  Valerie closed her eyes for a moment, ignoring the slew of indecent options Aggie’s words conjured in her head. She exhaled. “Don’t go there, girl.”

  Her words were barely a whisper, but two sets of green eyes found her.

  “We go where you go, beautiful,” the hot blond giant replied with a slow, sexy smile.

  “Adrian’s right.” The dark one nodded. “It’s all about you, love. We’re yours to command.”

  The man’s voice was electric silk, sending that tingly feeling in her belly into overdrive. Her hands went to her stomach and she smoothed her camisole’s clingy fabric, hoping to God her nipples weren’t on display through the thin material.

  Damn.

  How the hell did she go from a hardnosed tell-me-what-I need-to-know-or-else, to this bubblehead who couldn’t utter a cohesive sentence?

  One answer.

  Aggie.

  The woman was good. Very good.

  I do fine on my own.