Taken by Nero Wolf (Magnificent Beasts Book 2)

by Ana Calin

  “You carry the weight of the world on your shoulders, big brother,” Drago says. “What are you going to do?”

  I shake my head. “I don’t know.”

  “How does she feel about all this? Does she know you imprinted on her? Because let me remind you what that means—she won’t be able to fall in love with another man either. She’s bound to you for life.”

  “I just know I want her to live, and happily. You know, she confronted me about restricting her freedom, and not letting her date men from outside Darkwood Falls, just like the former mayor did. I explained to her why, but she was in a rage, and I understood her, truly. She’d been waiting for her chance at freedom for a long time, and now that she finally thought she’d be able to reach out and grasp it, the new mayor comes with the same restrictions as the old one. I explained to her why that is, but she wouldn’t have it. That’s why she went to a pub, got herself drunk, and men surrounded her like moths drawn to a flame.” I ball my fists as I remember. “These feelings are going to kill me. I wish somebody else could feel what I do in my place.”

  “You’d kill anyone who did. If anyone ever comes on to Princess you’ll lose your mind. It won’t be easy, brother, keeping away from her. Especially if you insist on having her at City Hall.”

  “She can help us track Sullivan down.”

  “Yes, but the problem remains—how are you going to put up with having her so close, and not touch her, not make her yours every chance you get?”

  “I’ll be busy.” I prepare inwardly before I give him the big news. “Paola Valdez is coming to town.”

  Drago grins. “Now that is interesting news.”

  CHAPTER V

  Princess

  It’s hard, being around Nero. Knowing he’s here, just behind the high baroque double doors to my left, while I sit at the desk in the antechamber. I admit that I’m wearing a low-cut silk green shirt with a push up bra from Victoria’s Secret underneath especially to turn him on. Even though our encounters didn’t mean half as much to him as they did to me, he enjoyed doing me, and I’ll make him crave to do it again.

  But he doesn’t even look at me. Whenever I’m called inside to attend his meetings he’s completely focused on them, and whenever we meet down in the City Hall cafeteria, where numerous employees roam around him, he keeps with his back at me. All I get is glimpses of his chiseled profile. God, how I long to feel those masculine carnal lips on mine at least one more time.

  “Fuck this,” I grunt under my breath, and strengthen myself in the decision to stop caring. He’s going to see the one woman he ever had feelings for in only a few days at Theodore’s soiree, so I might as well lose all hope.

  I make an effort, and manage to focus on looking as deeply as possible into Sullivan’s business. After hours of research I lean back with the salad I got from the cafeteria, immersed in thought. It’s already after seven, the City Hall empty, and I can make myself comfortable.

  If I were Sullivan, why would I have sent my acolytes to put a sex drug in my drink, and what would I have wanted to achieve by doing that? A possible answer comes to mind as I fall deeper into a state of half-meditation.

  Maybe Sullivan wanted me out of the way before I could start discovering things about him and tell the werewolves. But murder would have made more sense than having his acolytes put a sex drug in my drink that would have killed me unless I had sex with somebody.

  Then it hits me— Darkwood Falls is one of the very rare places in the world where Fated Females exist, the kind of females that werewolves can imprint on and have children with. Then I remember something of my past, something I dismissed many years ago. Of course, why didn’t I think about it before?

  I re-emerge to full awareness to find Nero standing in front of my desk. I slide the fork slowly out of my mouth, after the last mouthful of salad I’ve taken. I realize I must have eaten slowly, lost in thought.

  “Waiting for someone, Miss Skye?” he inquires gruffly, his glowing golden eyes moving to my cleavage. I’ve loosened my shirt to make myself more comfortable, expecting I’d be alone. The upper sides of my green silk are gaping open, uncovering the lace trim of my black Victoria’s Secret bra. My cheeks flush red with embarrassment, and I hurry to button up the shirt.

  “I didn’t expect you back, Mr. Mayor.”

  His eyes move up and down my body, but I can’t tell whether it’s with lust or anger.

  “Well, it sure looks like you were expecting someone.”

  I look up at him, my cheeks burning with rage. “What are implying?”

  “It’s hard to believe you were licking the fork with your breasts half out expecting to be by yourself. Who was supposed to walk in and be impressed by the sight greeting him?”

  I stare up at him standing there in his fitted black suit, looking huge and handsome. Those golden eyes pierce mine, demanding an explanation.

  “Are you accusing me of having invited a lover to the office thinking you were gone for the night, is that what you’re saying?”

  His eyes blaze, his jaw set. He doesn’t reply, but I read the rage in his face, and a feeling sweet as honey replaces my own anger—satisfaction. I’m tempted to let him believe that. And, considering the decision I made just before he snapped me out of my thinking trance, I might actually do it. I’ll let him think I’m seeing someone—and this time he won’t be able to stop me, because the guy is a local. Or used to be.

  I gather my things, getting ready to go. “Tell you what. Why don’t you wait for my supposed lover yourself? Find out who it is. Have a nice evening.” I square my shoulders, clutching my stuff at my chest, looking him in the eyes as coldly as I can. “Mr. Mayor.”

  I walk around my desk, my heart thudding when I try to sidestep him. But he grabs my arm, forcing me to a halt, and when I look up into his face I’m sure I’ll melt. He’s looking at me with smoldering, bedroom eyes. I shake my head, certain I’m seeing only what I want to see. I try to jerk out of his grip, but he won’t let me.

  “I’ll have you continue your research,” he says in a low, rough voice. “I’ll pay you for your extra hours.”

  “May I remind you I don’t work here because I need the money. But because you asked for me help, and I agreed to give it.”

  Nero lets go of my arm but still stands in front of me, his scent of wild woods tantalizing my senses. I have to get away from him, and fast, before his presence gets me drunk and I fucking jump on him.

  I turn on my heel and head out of City Hall so fast that I misstep a couple of times in my pumps, twisting my ankles. It’s a miracle that I don’t break them by the time I get to my Beetle, slam the door shut and press the ignition button.

  Tears stream down my face as I drive home. It’s not tears of sadness or any kind of hurt, though, it’s tears of release. Nero’s presence does weird things to me, as if every cell of my body connects to him, craves him. But I won’t give in to that. I’ve heard many women insist they felt a connection to the man they stalked, justifying their clinging to him. I refuse to be one of those women.

  Nero

  THEODORE FRITZ’S MANOR glows from a distance. The scents of the crowd, booze and aperitifs hit me as I step out of the black car, the driver holding my door. I hate the feeling of being placed above others, and my mouth tightens the moment the first awestruck face meets mine.

  There was a time when people treated my brothers and me like junk, back at the orphanage. Looked down on us like we were second-hand creatures, less than human. Now that same kind of entitled people move aside as I step inside the drawing room. They’re the crème de la crème, all drinks and laughs, staring at me in fear and respect. But I’m not fooled. Times change, faces change, tradition and habits transform, but the psychology of these entitled bastards stays the same.

  “Our honored Mr. Mayor,” the host, Lord Theodore Fritz, greets. He spreads his arms widely as if welcoming an old friend, probably a way of establishing himself as someone who’s in the mayor’s confiden
ce. One hug would be enough to place him on a pedestal, securing him a special position among the crème.

  I’d probably even go along with it, make him feel safe so he can start making mistakes. I’m not above dirty strategies such as making him feel important, stroking his ego to get what I want from him. But there’s one thing about him that activates the beast in me, shutting down my better judgment—he’s into Princess.

  So I stop in front of him, squaring my shoulders, towering over him. His eyes widen. The bastard can’t believe I’m actually making him look bad in front of all these people, deliberately.

  He decides to sidestep me and just begin the introduction, trying to save face.

  “To those of you who haven’t had the chance to meet our interim mayor, may I introduce—” He motions to me as if presenting an auction item. “Mr. Nero Wolf.”

  Drago and Arianna come forth, the small woman with the face of an angel heavily pregnant. They proposed and vouched for me as mayor, and most of the elites here accepted to support me because I run multinational businesses that they want to at least dip their fingers in. And because of my influence that reaches even the Congress.

  Having me as mayor was a huge opportunity for them, and they didn’t even have to give me Darkwood Falls for good. I’m just the interim mayor, and the bastards think they’ll get something compromising on me before the six months are over, forcing me to support them even if I don’t win the elections. Too bad I’ve been in this game for too long, and I know every trick in the book.

  I make small talk with some of the elites, Drago and Arianna at my side, Theodore watching the whole time. He approaches me when he gets the chance, whispering in my ear.

  “You made me look bad in front of all these people, Mr. Mayor. I’d like to know what I’ve done to deserve that. I’ve supported you from the beginning, haven’t I? I even got your long lost girlfriend here.”

  “And I appreciate the support, Lord Fritz. But you tried to force my hand into creating a certain image for you, without having discussed it with me beforehand. I don’t appreciate being used.”

  “I never complained about you using me, have I?”

  “I never used you for free. I always paid you for your favors.” I turn to the side, looking down at the hunched man that looks like a hyena. “Or are you dissatisfied with the amount?”

  “Nero,” a familiar woman’s voice calls. I turn around and recognize the naturally tanned face of Paola Valdez.

  She stalks over to me, the crowd moving out of her way. She’s wearing at least twenty grand of designer clothes and accessories, her long, thick hair the color of walnut tumbling in styled waves around her. She’s got the same dark eyes and fixed gaze full of ambition, but devoid of depth.

  Paola is a woman who lives for money and power. Many admire her for it, but they don’t know what I do—Paola is an emotional cripple. She can’t love anyone because she’s not equipped to. As for men, they’re just a means to an end, even if those ends are mostly orgasms.

  I bend down just enough to let her put her hands on my shoulders, reluctantly touching my cheek to hers as she air kisses me.

  “What a fantastic surprise,” she says with a bleached grin.

  “Paola, good to see you. I didn’t know you were back in the States.”

  “I returned a few months ago.”

  I smile and look down, avoiding her eyes that burn with desire already. She was always a visual woman, quick to light up for what she considered a good-looking male. I would use that to get information out of her, but she’d want to fuck in return, and I can’t be with her anymore. Not after I had Princess, it would tear the heart out of me.

  We catch up for a while until Theodore leaves our side and goes on to welcome newcomers. I catch a glimpse of Princess somewhere in a group, and my whole body reacts.

  “Looking for someone?” Paola asks as I crane my neck for Princess.

  “Just thought I saw someone I know.”

  She slips an arm around mine. “Surely not someone you haven’t seen in years, like me. I would have expected to have all of your attention, at least for tonight.”

  There’s reproach behind her fake smile.

  “Of course.”

  She nudges my side, and I wind an arm around her shoulders. She’s wearing stilettos, but she’s still quite small compared to me.

  “So how come you never called? Or come to visit me in Spain?” Honey glazes the reproach in her tone.

  “You know how it is for me, always busy. The business, now political engagements. But I’m glad you came back. Too bad I had to find out from Theodore.”

  “Oh, don’t be upset. Like I said, I haven’t been back long, and I had to see to the family business first. Then Theodore contacted me, saying you were going to take over City Hall in Darkwood Falls, and that meant you were finally showing your face to the world.” She stops in place, making me do the same. “I have to admit, I decided to make a grab for you. You weren’t ready for a relationship five years ago, maybe something’s changed now?”

  “I’m still a player and a bad boy.”

  She laughs out loud. “You never were. If anything, you were too serious. But if your stone heart is ready to be melted, I’m right here with the right kind of flame.”

  Princess appears in my field of vision, and my eyes sharpen. My entire body tenses, and I can even feel the pupils of my eyes expand. I know that Paola follows the direction of my stare, but I can’t control myself.

  I can’t tear my eyes away from the beauty in the long red dress that hugs her fairy-like body. I’m dying to touch that porcelain skin, her long beautiful swan neck she exposes when she tilts her head to the side, smiling at someone. My eyes focus like a hawk’s to see who she’s smiling at, and fire roars in my heart—it’s Theodore Fritz’s young nephew, also visiting. Theodore introduced him to me when I arrived.

  Ramses Fritz smiles with all he’s got at Princess. It’s obvious he’s delighted to be around her, and a thousand questions shoot through my head—how long have they known each other, how familiar are they, did they use to play together as kids, or are they each other’s teenage crush?

  I could spit fire the moment his arms wind around her, her bare back tightening as his long fingers splay over it.

  “You know the girl?” Paola tries to slip her hand into mine, and I realize it’s balled in a fist.

  “She’s my secretary.”

  “And you wish she were more than that?”

  “No,” I grunt the lie. “I’m watching her because I don’t trust her. I think she was in on the former mayor’s shady business, and that’s the only reason I keep her around. I need to get my hands on all of Sullivan Haan’s secrets, if I’m ever to free this town of him.”

  “Speaking of that, what is special about this town? Why settle down here?”

  “My brother lives here now, with his wife. They’re expecting twins.”

  “Which one of your hunky brothers got married?” She frowns up at me. As far as she knows my brothers are too wild to settle for one woman, so this must come as a huge surprise.

  “Drago.”

  “What?” she yelps. “Of all the people in the world, Drago Wolf? The cage fighter and ladies’ man?”

  I shrug. “He found the right lady.”

  I can see the envy cross her eyes. She was always into me the most, but I know she would have taken whichever one of us she could get her hands on.

  “To be completely honest, I never thought I’d ever see any of your brothers married. You’re all breathtakingly handsome, rich, powerful, you have so many women at your feet it’s actually a shame that you should settle for one.”

  “Like I said, she is Miss Right for him. They fell deeply in love.”

  “So that’s why you took over City Hall as interim mayor? For them?”

  “I think this town can become a home for my family, yes. I like it. The mountains, the woods, the falls, the wild. It suits us.”

  She smiles
. “Indeed. So, you’re interim mayor now, are you going to run for the job in six months?”

  “I am. And many of the town’s elites are going to support me, because Sullivan took off with a lot of their money, and they know I can help them get it back.”

  Paola looks around with her ambitious little eyes, assessing the crème de la crème. “You might not need his former secretary for all that. I could help you track down Sullivan Haan.”

  I turn to her, pretending to be surprised. “You know him?”

  “Not only do I know him, I’ve done business with him, too. I actually expect him to contact me soon for more.”

  Jackpot. Even if she doesn’t take me all the way down to Sullivan’s core secrets, she can surely point me in the right direction. And, most of all, she can help me understand why Sullivan sent serpent acolytes to put a sex drug in Princess’s drink, a drug that would have even killed her if she didn’t mate.

  But in order for all that to work, I’ll have to pretend that she, Paola, is the center of my attention, at least tonight.

  Nero

  I FAIL MISERABLY AT making Paola feel she’s at the center of my attention. I follow Princess around as if my eyes are glued to her, and not only Paola notices. No matter who approaches me and tries to make conversation my eyes stay focused on her, even as I speak to them.

  I know Princess can sense me stalk her like a mad man, she glances over her shoulder often. Every time her caramel eyes find mine crazy sensations run all over my skin. The wolf is agitated, sensing his mate, and dying to possess her. But he can’t, and therefore he demands to shift, to sprint out into the woods and howl his devastating need up at the moon.

  Paola grabs my forearm, taking me away from the group we’re with at the moment.

  “All right,” she says in a no-nonsense tone as she draws me in an alcove. “I know you much too well, and you can’t tell me that woman is just your secretary. Not even that all you want is to use her to track down Sullivan.”