“You’re very welcome,” she said to him warmly.
He made her laugh when he took the towel from her and started rinsing it in the sink, then turned to her and pressed his finger to his lips as he said, “Shhhh.”
“Okay, it’s our secret,” she said.
When he was finished washing out the towel, he washed his hands and then looked around the room as he dried them. He peeked out the window at Carolena and her kids and didn’t see Lily. He asked Destroy, “Leelee?”
“She’s sleeping. She fell asleep while Rowan read us a story.”
Carnage’s eyebrows raised, and he walked over looking for the book. Rowan, having already returned to her place on the sofa, held it out to him. Carnage took it, running his fingers over it and smiled, handing it back to her. He motioned toward it and raised a hand as he shrugged, his way of asking about it. Rowan smiled, having surmised the big male didn’t speak much. “It’s about pirates and adventures and hidden treasure.”
Carnage nodded and motioned that she should keep reading, but before she did Destroy asked, “Did you happen to see Enthrall when you were out?”
Carnage shook his head, no, then he raised his hands, palms out, to ask why?
“I saw him last night when I went to borrow this book. He was out of sorts. He was most certainly not happy. He ended up ghosting away and leaving everything on in his home. I turned off his lamps and closed his doors before I left. I was meaning to check on him, that’s why I asked if you’d seen him,” Destroy explained.
Carnage thought about what Destroy said as Rowan started reading her story again. He was about to send Destroy to Enthrall’s home to check on him when the bell sounded.
Carnage got up and went out on the deck to see who it was. It was Enthrall. Carnage waved him up, and in the next moment he was on the deck beside Carnage. Carnage looked at him critically, sizing him up. Destroy was right; he didn’t look himself.
Carnage patted him on the back, “‘Kay?”
Enthrall gave Carnage a brief smile, “Of course.” Then quickly changed the subject. “I hear you had a visit from our Windigo last night?”
Carnage nodded, growling.
“I was thinking, if he’s here after Rowan, perhaps Rowan should be staying in my home. The Windigo is here by my permission. There’s not been any trouble, he’s kept his word and chosen to remain on his own, hidden away. But now, he’s crossed the line. He may not know that I am aware, but regardless, I believe that Rowan in my home will remove any threat to your own home. What say you?”
Carnage’s eyes were wide, and he was nodding vigorously, “‘Es!” Then he patted himself on the chest and said, “Saaay!”
Enthrall smiled, “Exactly what you said, right?”
Carnage nodded, then struggled to say “‘Es! Gooo Trawl howsh!”
Enthrall chuckled, “They just wouldn’t listen, would they?”
Carnage shook his head, “Nooo!” he said exasperatedly, thankful that finally someone got it. He didn’t wish the woman ill, and he didn’t want anything to happen to her. He just wanted everyone who had invaded his home to go invade someone else’s. And if she was gone, the Windigo wouldn’t come back, and he wouldn’t need Destroy to help protect his family. Enthrall was more than capable of helping Destroy protect Rowan. Everyone would be happy, and as Lore liked to say, “Win - win.” Not to mention Carnage could get back to his quiet, non-social, with the exception of his family, life.
Enthrall put an arm around Carnage’s shoulders, as best he could — the male was huge, “Come on, then. Let’s make them understand.”
Chapter 12
“I do understand, but I really think she’ll be more comfortable here, where she knows Carolena,” Destroy protested for the umpteenth time.
Enthrall turned his head toward Destroy, “I am not talking to you. I’m speaking to Rowan. And Rowan is perfectly capable of making her own decisions.”
“No, she’s not!” Destroy shouted.
“Excuse me?” Rowan shot back at him. “I most certainly can make my own choices!”
“I don’t mean you can’t, I just mean you shouldn’t. So I’ll make your choices,” Destroy dug himself deeper into the hole.
Enthrall opened his mouth to speak, but thought better of it, and sat back to watch Destroy make his point for him. He wouldn’t have to convince her — Destroy was doing it all by himself.
“Destroy, you have no right to make decisions for me. And I resent that you think you do,” Rowan said.
“You don’t understand, Row. I promised Carnage I’d stand with him against the Windigo. And he promised he’d stand with me. And I can’t be there to protect you at Enthrall’s if I’m here standing with Carnage,” he said exasperatedly.
“But if Rowan is with me in my home, the Windigo will not come to Carnage’s home. And if he does, when he senses her absence, he’ll leave here as well,” Enthrall explained.
Destroy was close to losing his temper. He was frustrated. He’d made some very good points of why Rowan should not stay at Enthrall’s home, and no matter what he said, Enthrall came up with a counter point of why she should. He didn’t want her there. Period. And that should be enough! He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and prayed they didn’t push him to the point of telling his real reason for not wanting Rowan at Enthrall’s. Enthrall always accused him of being a jealous, petty male. And if he told the real reason, it would certainly appear that he was exactly that.
“We are fine where we are, Enthrall,” Destroy growled out.
“She needs to move to my home, Destroy,” Enthrall pressed.
“You know? I’m very tired of you two speaking about me and what is the best plan for me as though I don’t have the brains to make a choice. I will go wherever I choose,” Rowan said defiantly.
“Surely you understand that residing with me temporarily will leave Carolena and her family with less chance of danger,” Enthrall said.
She did — Rowan understood this perfectly, which is why she said, “Yes, and that is why I’ll be returning to your home with you, until I can make other arrangements for my future.”
“No! You can’t be with Enthrall!” Destroy shouted.
Rowan turned on him, fists on her hips, eyes blazing, “Yes, I can!”
“No, you can’t!”
“Why? Give me one good reason why?” Rowan yelled at Destroy.
“Because he’s not mated!”
“What?” Rowan asked, confused.
“We’re not mated. Though you are mine, I’ve not claimed you yet, and he will take you! He almost took Carolena from Carnage, and if I’m not there, he’ll take you!” Destroy shouted.
Enthrall just sat, looking straight ahead, trying to figure out the best way to diffuse this situation and get Rowan to his home.
“Are you serious?” Rowan asked.
“Yes! I’m totally serious. He almost kissed her. I saw it! I was watching!”
“No. That’s not what I mean. Do you seriously believe that I’m unable to say no if I don’t want to be pursued by a man? Do you believe that just because someone decides they want to make me theirs that I’d just give in and say okay? Do you think that I’m unable to say, ‘No, I’m not interested?’” Rowan asked calmly. She’d reached a level of anger that had taken her from shouting to a deceptively calm voice.
Destroy’s mouth was gaping. He’d done it. He’d lost track of his mouth and admitted why he didn’t want Rowan in Enthrall’s home. His brain was rapidly searching for a way out of the hole he’d dug for himself, but nothing was coming to him.
“Allow me to make myself perfectly clear, Destroy. I am a grown woman. I can make my own choices. I’m sick to death of men ruling my life, making decisions for me, telling me what I should and shouldn’t do and what is best for me and what’s expected of me. Not you, my father or any other man, or male, or whatever it is you consider yourself is going to have any say in the choices I make from here on out,” Rowan lectured the Goyle
.
She turned to Enthrall, “Thank you for the offer, Mr. Enthrall. I humbly accept your offer of shelter until I am able to make other arrangements.”
“Nooooo!” Destroy yelled.
“Yessss!” Rowan yelled back.
“I will not have it!” Destroy snarled.
“Then it’s a good thing I don’t care what you will and will not have!” Rowan screamed at him.
Destroy threw his head back and roared.
Rowan stepped toward Destroy and screamed at him as loud and long as she could.
“Woman, you infuriate me so!” Destroy yelled.
“Well, then we have something in common,” she snarked at him before turning to Enthrall. “You’re a Vampire…can’t you wave your hand or something or such and take us to your home now?”
“As a matter of fact I can,” he answered.
Rowan shrugged her shoulders and held her hands out, palms up, “Well?” she asked.
In a few short seconds, Enthrall stood, pulled her into his arms and ghosted away.
Destroy kicked the sofa and shouted a few choice words before he remembered that he was not alone. He turned and saw Carnage, Carolena, and Lily, who had awakened from her short-lived nap, all sitting at the kitchen table watching him. They had all sat quietly watching the entire thing play out.
“Are you alright?” Carolena asked.
Destroy thought about her question, and as he did, a smile slowly started to form.
“Why are you smiling?” Carolena asked him, puzzled that he went from infuriated to smiling.
“We have something in common,” Destroy grinned, “she said so.”
“Yes, you both know how to make each other angry apparently,” Carolena answered.
Carnage snickered.
“She infuriates me because I care so much. I infuriate her because she cares, too,” Destroy said.
“Uhh, I don’t think that’s the reason, Destroy.”
“Sure it is. Didn’t you hear her? She said we have something in common. And she also said she wasn’t interested in Enthrall.”
“I didn’t hear that,” Carolena answered.
“You didn’t listen well. She said she knows how to tell a male no if she’s not interested. She meant Enthrall,” Destroy said confidently, nodding.
Carolena turned to Carnage, “Did you hear Rowan say that?”
Carnage scrunched his face up, shaking his head, “No,” he garbled out.
“No, me either. I heard that if she should decide she doesn’t want someone, she knows how to say no. I also heard that not you or anyone else is going to determine anything about her life from now on. Which leads me to believe that it will be a long time before she allows any man into her life. Especially one that tries to order her around.”
Carolena looked at Carnage and raised an eyebrow.
Carnage nodded his head, “‘Es.”
“Yes, I think that the next man who doesn’t try to order her around is most likely to gain her attention more than any who tries to push his will upon her. Wouldn’t you say so?” Carolena asked Carnage.
Carnage nodded again.
“I bet Enthrall knows that, too. He is a very smart man. He will most likely tell her that whatever she wishes is fine with him,” Carolena said nonchalantly. “Or, at least that’s what I’d do. If I were a man who was interested in her.”
Destroy tensed at her words.
Lily tugged on her Papa’s sleeve. When Carnage looked down at her, she pointed at Destroy and said, “Stoy say’d a bad woud.”
Destroy was visibly more tense than just moments before. “Damn! I think you may be right.” Suddenly he was running for the door, “I’ve got to go! I’ve got to get there quickly!”
Lily looked up at her mom, “He say’d ‘anoder one.”
<<<<<<<>>>>>>>
Enthrall ghosted into his own living room, was careful that Rowan was standing on her own and balanced, and stepped back from her.
“Are you steady?” Enthrall asked.
“Yes. My! That was quite exciting!” she said.
Enthrall smiled and said, “Welcome to my home, Rowan. Make yourself comfortable.”
“Thank you, Enthrall,” Rowan answered, taking in her surroundings.
“Before Destroy gets here, I want to make something perfectly clear. I’ve never tried to take Carolena from Carnage. She loves him. I would never interfere in their happiness.”
“You don’t owe me an explanation,” Rowan replied. Then, “Is he coming?”
“Still… I want it known, I am not that kind of man. Contrary to what others may think, I have a rather strong moral compass.”
“I have no doubt,” Rowan said, smiling.
“Thank you,” Enthrall answered. Then said, “Make no mistake, Destroy will be here momentarily. He has decided that you are his.”
“I am not his. I belong to no one but myself, until I decide otherwise,” Rowan said.
One corner of Enthrall’s mouth turned up, “He’s not a bad male, just has some growing up to do. He needs to mature, learn how to put others before himself. But he’ll get there.”
“He makes me so angry! He has no right to tell me what I should and shouldn’t do. I just want to box his ears!” she said.
“Believe me, I know the feeling. But honestly, he only means to take care of you. To protect you and watch over you. It’s the most responsible I’ve ever seen him.”
They both startled when Enthrall’s front door was pounded on.
Enthrall shook his head disbelievingly, “Told you,” he said.
Rowan’s eyes got big, and she pointed to the door while mouthing, “Destroy?”
Enthrall nodded before calling out, “Come in.”
No one came in, the door did not open. But whoever was on the other side pounded on it again.
“Come in!” Enthrall shouted to the door.
Again, no one entered, just another insistent banging on the door.
Enthrall stalked across his living room, reached for the doorknob and yanked his door open, revealing a very strained Destroy.
“Did you not hear me call to come in?” Enthrall asked.
“I did.”
“Then why did you continue to bang on my door?”
“I was knocking. You made it clear I should knock to ask for entry to your home. So, I knocked. To show respect. And to ask entry,” Destroy explained.
“I told you to come in!”
“Yes, but you did not know that it was me. Now you do. May I enter?” Destroy asked pointedly.
“Yes, Destroy. Please enter my home,” Enthrall dramatically invited.
“Thank you! I would like to enter your home.”
Destroy stepped inside and looked around, eyes immediately lighting up when they landed on Rowan, “There you are! I have come to watch over you again.”
“I do not need watching over, Destroy,” Rowan said.
“Oh, I know. You are strong, and resilient and self-reliant. But humor me, Rowan. I need to feel as though I make a difference. May I please watch over you and help to keep you safe?” Destroy asked, finishing with a blinding smile filled with his charm and confidence, his head cocked slightly to the side.
Rowan’s brows pulled down over her eyes as she watched him, not sure what he was up to with this new attitude.
Destroy rushed to add, “Of course, I will never assume to make your decisions, only to ensure that all you decide is enforced and you are safe. With your approval, of course.”
“Of course,” Rowan added skeptically.
“Yes,” Destroy agreed, nodding.
They stood there, looking at one another, while Enthrall stood aside, doing his damnedest not to laugh out loud. Destroy had obviously been speaking with Carolena, who had somehow influenced the male.
After a few awkward moments Rowan finally asked, “What? Why are you still standing there?”
“I am waiting for you to allow me to watch over you. May I have your permissio
n?” Destroy asked, bestowing another glowing smile on her, batting his eyelashes the way he’d seen Lily do when begging for sweets.
“Are you going to stop telling me what I should do? Where I should be and making decisions for me?” Rowan pressed.
“I want only your happiness. Whatever brings that is what I want,” he answered ambiguously.
“Fine. Thank you, Destroy.” She was not a fool; she knew that she’d drawn the attention of a Windigo — she needed all the protection she could find, and Destroy seemed to have learned his lesson. “I will greatly appreciate it if you would look out for me a bit longer — protect me.”
“I am honored to do so,” Destroy answered. Then he turned to Enthrall, “Where am I sleeping?”
“What?” Enthrall feigned surprise, knowing full well that Destroy would never leave as long as Rowan was under his roof.
“Rowan has accepted my offer of protection, so, I will be here as well. Where should I sleep?” Destroy asked again.
“At your own place,” Enthrall answered.
“But she accepted my protection. And I knocked — technically you invited me, after you saw it was me,” he said, eyes wide, waving his hand in the air as he spoke.
Enthrall raised his eyebrows in surprise. But honestly, he was beginning to admire Destroy’s ability to manipulate the situation, and he really wanted to see where it would go from here. “The sofa. You may sleep on the sofa, Destroy. Rowan is sleeping in Carolena’s room, and I’m sleeping in my own.”
Enthrall expected Destroy to object, but he didn’t. He merely smiled, “Thank you, Enthrall, for your hospitality. Now, what is for lunch? I’m starved!”
Chapter 13
“You expect me to feed you as well as give you shelter?” Enthrall asked, not at all surprised.
“I can prepare something — I don’t mind,” Rowan said.
“Excellent!” Destroy piped up, “we will prepare something together, Row! It will be wonderful.”
Destroy, Book 2, Whispers From the Bayou Page 10