Diablo Lake: Protected

by Lauren Dane

  Her theatrical, put-upon sigh made him roll his eyes.

  “When I was a kid I remember being so mad that being a witch wasn’t like Samantha in Bewitched. Like why can’t I just blink up a four-course meal? Oh, I get to be great with roses? Big deal! I want to crinkle my nose and make some damned French fries.” She tucked some hair behind her ear. “I can’t believe I need another haircut. I love it short, but it grows so fast I need to have the back of it shaved. I probably should go for one of those long bobs. They call them ‘lobs’ but I’d rather call it a blob.”

  “Sometimes I have no idea where conversations with you go. I mean, don’t get me wrong, it’s usually worth the journey. But yeah, you’re like D&D sometimes. Lots of wandering around.”

  She pinched him and then made an annoyed sound. “You have no body fat. I find this suspicious. Did you truck with dark arts to get that belly? Remember I asked you earlier and you didn’t answer. Probably dark arts.” She shook her head with a sigh.

  “No dark arts. Sorry to burst your bubble. I’m a werewolf. We have really fast metabolisms. I exercise every day, but mainly because of the werewolf thing. Plenty of room to run here. Not so much in London. As for your hair? I’ve got some basic skill in using clippers. When you’re in the middle of a desert you need to keep your hair as short as possible. We learned to barter and to give haircuts.”

  “I’ve often thought how sad it was that you can’t actually bite someone and make them into a werewolf. I’d surely love that metabolism.”

  “I bet you have.” That and all sorts of off-the-wall stuff he was sure.

  “Like, that’s not something lots of people wonder? I mean, it’s not like I made that up. It’s in books and stuff.”

  “Fiction books.”

  “Well, werewolves actually do exist. So.”

  He failed at holding back a snicker. “Just not ones that come from genetics instead of bites. Like how it actually works...” He caught himself and snorted. “I’m catching it from you. I’m going to start meandering through every conversation now, right?”

  She laughed so hard it gave her the hiccups but it felt damned good there in her gigantic bed, the scent of sex and magic in the air.

  “Tell me stuff. What was London like?” she managed once she’d returned to bed after a foray into the kitchen for snacks and some sugar to cure the hiccups—though he wasn’t sure he was ready for a sugared-up Aimee.

  “I think you and London would be a great fit. It’s a mix of young and old. Great pubs. It’s familiar enough but still different. Really fantastic mass transit. Shiny red busses and lacquered black cabs. Excellent fish and chips. Lousy coffee but I haven’t had a good cup of hot tea since I left.”

  “Funny, I was away from Diablo Lake for two years as I finished up all the coursework and practicum stuff I needed to work in the program I do. I came back on weekends and all that jazz, but I never actually felt home anywhere else. That doesn’t mean I don’t want to travel though. I’m saving to take a trip two years from now.”

  “I was gone for seven years. Because of the military I got to travel more than I would have otherwise. The world is so big and yet really small all at once. But you’re right. Diablo Lake is home. For better and for worse, I guess. Where do you want to go on the trip you’re planning?”

  “I’m working on two different itineraries. One to Japan and one to Italy. I’m not sure which one I’ll do yet. The research is fun.”

  “I’ve never been to Japan, but it’s on my list. I’ve been to Rome. Busy. Talk about old! Every block you walk down there’s so much history woven into everything. The traffic in Rome is one of the few things I can honestly say made me truly fear for my life. But they have excellent coffee.”

  “I approve of your love and appreciation of coffee. Why’d you come back?”

  He sucked in a breath and then got himself comfortable, getting the pillows behind him propped just right.

  “I only had a year left to go in my program so I’d have come home soon enough anyway.”

  She hesitated a while before speaking again. “Because of all this stuff going on between Dooley and Pembry?”

  “Among other things, yes. You’re correct that there’s a problem and that wolves aren’t handling it so it’s involving the whole town. I’m trying here.”

  She rested her head on his shoulder. “It must be hard. I’m sorry.”

  It seemed at that moment that a warm wave of comfort flowed through him. Her magic, he realized and then wasn’t quite sure how to feel about it.

  “What do you mean? What must be hard?”

  Aimee scoffed. “Don’t sound so nervous. I’m not going to fistfight you right here in my bed. I wouldn’t want to embarrass you with my physical prowess and make you sad that you’re not as badass as me. Since I had you inside me just a few minutes ago, I figure I may as well get to know you better.”

  He failed at withholding a wince. “I apologize. Suspicion is my nature. Not fair, but there you go.”

  She nodded, taking his meaning and accepting his apology. “I mean leaving a situation you were in to come here when everything is in flux and your brother is getting all this attention and he’s not half the wolf you are.”

  He frowned because that was pretty accurate. And then he let out a breath. “It’s complicated.”

  Aimee continued, “I know I’m blunt. Not as bad as some can be. But I say what I mean and if you ask my opinion, I’m going to tell you. Everyone wants something from you here. They want you to make decisions. Want to you fix things and lead. They want your power or your influence. I want stuff from you, but not your power. And I don’t need you to fix me or make my choices. I just like the man. Wolf. Wolf man.”

  With one arm, he squeezed her to his side briefly. He didn’t want her to feel as if he suspected her of any of that. But it was true otherwise. It was hard to know who to trust.

  Aimee though? He could breathe around her. Even though their situation was complicated he knew what they shared was something he could find solace in rather than have to avoid.

  “I was raised to lead, to make decisions and take care of problems. It comes with the gig. Not everyone in my family is the same as Darrell.”

  She waved a hand lazily. “I grew up here and I count just as many Pembrys as Dooleys as friends. But that doesn’t make it any easier on your heart to have to go against your brother, I’d wager. Even when he’s as big a tool as Darrell.”

  “He’s spoiled. I have hope he’ll grow up. Someday.”

  She harrumphed at that. Yeah, he wasn’t sure that would ever happen either.

  “Tell me about your job,” he said to change the subject.

  She told him about all the people she visited. How she connected them with the services they needed. He heard the affection in her tone when she discussed her clients, even the prickly ones. Was glad witches and shifters had someone like her looking out for them when they needed it the most and he said so.

  “It’s my gift. My magic is nurturing magic. Healing. I can do other things, but that’s what I feel I was called to do. I’m lucky because we have a secure funding source, something social services, especially rural ones, always have to worry about. I get to help people. I learn their stories. Each one of them has so much to offer. My schedule is pretty much my own. I drive a lot, but I use the time for audiobooks and podcasts. Best of all? I get to provide services to the folks here in Diablo Lake. Sometimes I’m the nearest some people will come to a doctor unless things are really dire.”

  He really liked this woman with her weird sense of humor and giving heart.

  “That’s pretty awesome. I’ve been meaning to talk with Miz Rose about the possibility of a doctor in town.”

  “Really? That’s a fantastic idea. I brought this up a few times to the city council but some people
always got in my way.”

  “My father is old-school. He got rich holding on to every nickel and he sometimes forgets the penny smart, pound foolish saying. I’m the CFO of the pack, essentially. The money we’d save in the long run, especially given the benefit to our pack members, if we had a doctor in town once again would be significant. I guess I can talk to you instead of Miz Rose. Since she scares me and you just make my dick hard. Though, if I’m totally honest, I can admit there are times I’m scared of you too.”

  “Are you trying to butter me up?” she teased.

  “Why? Do you like that sort of thing?”

  “You’re getting the hang of this, Prime.” She nipped the meat of his pecs.

  “I’m not officially Prime.”

  “You don’t need a declaration to be what you so clearly are. What kind of name is Macrae anyway? You have a brother named Darrell, your dad is Dwayne, how did they come by Macrae?”

  “My great-great-grandmother’s maiden name was Macrae.”

  “I like it better than Darrell. Then again, that might be because Darrell is a turd and has ruined the name for me forever. What’s the story with your brothers anyway?”

  “In what way? Because that question could mean a dozen things when it comes to my family.”

  “Well, Billy is okay. He’s not a total idiot and he’s not throwing fists at the market, a bit too passive but we can’t all be super wolf. Darrell is mainly who I mean. Samuel, well, he’s a work in progress, but I have hope he can turn himself around if your family supports him when he needs it.”

  Samuel was the baby of the four boys. As for his problem? He wouldn’t say it out loud and embarrass his mother, but everyone who came after Darrell got less attention. Samuel got scraps. He and Billy at least had something before Darrell had been born. And then his aunt and uncle had pretty much stepped in with Mac to be his support system. Samuel always pushed everyone away and it was sad.

  “Sammy’s thinking of going into the military, though I’m trying to talk him out of it. There’s a fucking war going on and he’s just casting around looking for ways to avoid jail time. Maybe he would benefit. I know I did. But he’s got poor discipline and poor control and I just don’t think he can handle it.”

  “What about a community-service-project-type thing? Would it be all right if I looked around to see what might be available for him?”

  “You’d do that for Samuel?”

  She snorted. “Of course I would. It’s not only a nice thing to do, it’s part of my job. It’d be nice to have some of the younger shifters working toward being more stable.” She yawned. “You sleeping over? Keep in mind that you can say no and I won’t be insulted in the least.”

  Normally he’d be out the door. He never wanted to give any impression of being more involved than he truly was. Sleeping with someone was incredibly intimate. It left you vulnerable to someone else in a way few things did.

  “I think I’m going to have to get used to this, uh, more plainspoken way of communication.”

  “Don’t mock. I could be one of those coy, simpering women who pins all her hopes and dreams on her man. I don’t need to be propped up and my sense of worth isn’t based on anyone else. But I like to sleep after sex and I have to be up early and the city council meeting is tomorrow night. You can use the shower in the guest bathroom in the morning. I think there are extra toothbrushes and stuff.”

  “I’d like it if you simpered I think. I mean, if we were alone and you were naked.”

  “How totally unusual for a man to say,” she mumbled as she burrowed under her blankets.

  He didn’t want to move. Her warm, curvy, naked weight rested against his side. The room smelled of magic and sex. The bed was more than roomy enough even if he’d wanted to move away from her.

  But.

  “I have a meeting first thing in the morning. I need to go home because that’s where my suits are and I have to drive down to Knoxville.” Normally, he’d have been glad of that excuse, true as it was. But he did find some disappointment in his gut that he had to go.

  “All right. I suppose I’ll see you tomorrow night at the council meeting.”

  He cursed under his breath and she snickered.

  “Let’s hope things are calmer this time around.” He rolled from the bed with a sad sigh and she sat up, the blanket falling down to her waist, exposing her tits and making him nearly trip over the pile of his clothes.

  “This is Diablo Lake. It’s going to be chaos in some way. Let’s just hope it’s the kind without bloodshed.”

  “After the meeting, you and me? Drinks? I’d invite you to my house but I don’t really have one. I mean, I do. I’m living with Huston, but you know what I mean.”

  “I do. But I have no roommates so you can come here. Bring a suit if you want to sleep over after you satisfy my carnal urges.”

  He snorted as he got his clothes back to rights.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow.” He leaned across to where she perched, kissing her quick and pulling away before he got caught up in her again and never left.

  “Bye. Thanks for the orgasms. Lock the door behind you.” She snuggled down into her bed once more and that image of her stuck in his head until he fell asleep in his own, much smaller bed, less than an hour later.

  Chapter Eleven

  The next evening, still a little delightfully sore in all the right places, Aimee blew out a breath before she opened the door. An early dinner with Miz Rose, Katie Faith and the moms was usually a fun event. Especially once the moms started in on the white wine.

  Tonight was different though. They had a lot to discuss and most of it didn’t have fun involved at all.

  Still, the scent of White Shoulders greeted her as she was pulled into a hug from Miz Rose. “Come on through, sweetheart. Everyone’s in the kitchen.”

  The crew in the kitchen was made up of blood relations or those as good as, like Katie Faith and Nadine. Aimee’s mom waved and then gave her a quick hug.

  There was a large spread so she filled her plate and settled at the big table as everyone ate for a few minutes.

  “Have any of you heard anything official from the wolves?” Miz Rose asked as she joined them all.

  Katie Faith said, “The Dooley wolves are duly chastened and apologize profusely for what happened night before last. I’ve also encouraged them to hasten toward a resolution with the Pembrys.”

  “I can’t get the mayor to return a call and he wasn’t in his office today. Apparently he’s pretending to be sick instead of a coward,” Miz Rose told them with a sniff.

  Man, if Miz Rose came at her with that attitude she’d be hiding under a table. Maybe that was where Dwayne was just then.

  “I know Mac is trying to deal with it,” she told them before thinking about how it would make people react.

  Everyone turned to look at her and that was when she realized her oops.

  “What?” Aimee asked, though she knew exactly what.

  “How is it you know what Mac Pembry is or isn’t doing?” her mother asked with a raised brow.

  Aimee’s cheeks heated with her blush. “Oh. Well. We’re, uh, dating.” If she counted the makeout session as the first date and the night before as the second, it was fair to say they were dating instead of fucking. An important distinction when one was talking to one’s momma.

  “When did this happen?”

  “Really recently. Anyway, so he and I had dinner with Katie Faith and Jace last night. I believe he’s genuine about wanting to make things better. I just don’t know if his father will get out of his own way to let that happen. They keep pushing Darrell and if you ask me none of them want him as Patron except his buddies. Makes me question Dwayne’s leadership so much more the longer this goes on.” She shrugged. “But I’m not a wolf. In any case,
all this silly ducking of phone calls and the like is weak.” She realized she had to decide whether or not to go to Mac with that.

  She cared about it differently because he was more to her than a hot dude she boned. There was a vulnerability about him when it came to his father. A weight he shouldered without complaint, but one she saw nonetheless.

  It made her protective of him.

  “Is this a serious thing?” her mother asked, totally off the official subject and straight into Aimee’s business.

  Aimee sighed, staring back her mom’s way. “It’s very new.”

  “I didn’t ask you if it was new or not.” Steel edged her mom’s tone.

  Southern mommas did not mess around when they asked you a question. TeeFaye was no different.

  “It’s not casual. That much I know.”

  “You and me need to take some time later, all right? We didn’t finish our conversation the other night.” Her mother’s narrowed gaze told Aimee she hadn’t forgotten that promise to tell her about the situation with Bob.

  Great.

  She nodded.

  “So we go in tonight and demand to be heard,” Miz Rose said to everyone, getting them back on track.

  Aimee said, “We’ve made it clear multiple times that the worsening situation between the wolves is negatively affecting the town and the people who live here and are protected by her magic. Katie Faith, what was that business between JJ and Dwayne?”

  Katie Faith rolled her eyes as she shook her head. “He’s pokered up but I’m guessing it’s about Jace’s dad. He’s gone off on a hunting trip. His own version of ducking calls.”

  “So this is old business. Personal business and it’s getting in the way of the rest of us.” Nadine’s mouth flattened into a line that spelled trouble.

  Aimee added, “But it’s not pack business. I mean, it is because it involves the wolves, but it’s about people. It usually is. So we have a better chance of solving things that way. We just need to know what each one of them needs and find a way to get them close enough to that to solve this.”