by Lauren Dane
“I don’t think so. I mean, at least not right away. We talk to them first. Find out what the hell is going on. What happened with Kendra and Renee’s mother. They need the closure and we need the intel. After that, well, accidents happen and you’re free to be sure they do.” Max punched the speed dial for Galen and filled him in. Galen informed him that Rosemary had shown up moments before and was on a call with Renee and Kendra. They’d keep Renee inside as much as they could, which wasn’t much given that the following day was a Monday and Renee would want to go to work.
Gibson interjected with information as they spoke, beginning to build a plan. Jack added his points, telling them he had his people on it as well.
“Busy girl, your wife.” Gibson’s mouth might have shaped into a smile very briefly as Max hung up with an annoyed snarl.
“She’s not going to let this go and I can’t blame her. As much as I want to, I can’t. This is about her, about her people, and she has every right to want to deal with it. Her mother needs avenging.”
Gibson lifted one shoulder. “Max, it’s not going to stop there and you know it. She has a vision for the future of witches. One you and I both realize is totally necessary. This attack thing isn’t isolated. Even when we find and eradicate this threat, there’ll be more. She has a path. Like you have a path. And those will intersect. For instance, when you both drag the jamboree into the twenty-first century. She’ll draw fire, but hold you to the course. We all need it.”
“She couldn’t just be a schoolteacher. No. She has to be Buffy the Fuckin’ Witch Slayer or whatever.”
Gibson did laugh at that. “You’d be so bored with a woman who wasn’t your equal in the ambition department. But you’re both going to fight a lot. She’s headstrong, you are too. You’re used to total obedience and having everyone simply turn to you for direction. She is not the type to ask permission. It’ll make the sex hotter though.”
“I draw the line at discussing my sex life with you.”
“Must be smokin’ hot then.” Gibson stood straight. “She won’t agree to a driver to work, but if you were smart, you’d take her yourself.”
“It would be a lot easier if she just obeyed me.”
“Dream on, asshole.” Gibson opened the front door. “Gonna be difficult to protect her fully at work. All those kids around, adults are extra watchful of strange men.”
“I know. But she won’t take any time off. I’ve asked. Do what you can.”
“Always do. Night.” With a last wave, Gibson walked out the door, leaving Max alone and agitated in his front hallway.
Chapter Thirteen
“You’re going to kick my ass.”
Kendra looked up, halfway into a smile for her brother-in-law when he said that. “Gibson de La Vega, what have you done?”
He’d been there, just outside the school, waiting at the driver’s-side door of his SUV. Where Max had the sleek Jaguar, Gibson had opted for a menacing-looking dark SUV with smoked windows. It suited him.
He opened the passenger door and she hopped in. She didn’t feel like arguing over taking the T back home so if they wanted to run out and drive her all over town, so be it. She should make them go shoe shopping or something.
“The place was deserted. Your father’s place.”
She growled and he huffed an amused snort. “Christ, you two are exactly alike. It doesn’t matter if your father was there last night when you decided to run off and stand in the crosshairs. We don’t know enough to do anything just yet. Kendra, believe me when I tell you that I want to deliver the justice you so deserve. The justice for what he did to you and Renee, what he did to your mother. But we need to be smart. Gathering intelligence is smart. I want to know what we’re walking into. How many people are there. If they’re armed. Even if I don’t have magick like you do, I have other skills. You and me, sweetcheeks, we need to work together on this.”
She frowned, hating that he was right. “You suck. Who am I just like?”
He made a sort of hissing sound. “Max.”
“Did you just hiss at me?”
“Cats hiss when they’re annoyed.”
“You’re going to end up with a woman who is an even bigger pain in the ass than I am. I can’t wait.” She giggled.
“According to my brothers, pain-in-the-ass women are the best kind.” He gave her side eye. “I’m not convinced of that just yet.”
“Ha. So what’s the next step then?”
“I’m taking you to Max.” He drove on, silent and menacing, even though no one could see it but her.
“Are you always so chatty?”
His gruff demeanor eased for a small moment. Amusement danced in his eyes. “Don’t tell anyone. They won’t believe you anyway.”
“Here’s my contribution to the whole working-together process. I spoke with the witch who mated with one of Gabe’s wolves in Portland. He was very nice, open. But he did not take on a wolf. He said his magickal energy improved his focus. I proposed he come out here and learn from Mary and my aunt so he could teach the witches in his neck of the woods. He’s thinking about it, going to speak with his wife. He’s hesitant. We’ve all been taught so much fear of learning any other forms of magick. I told him to think it over. Not like I’m going anywhere.”
It vexed her. They had all these rules to protect them, she got that part. But when it turned around on them and made them more vulnerable, she wanted to scream. Energy was energy, it could be used for good or ill, it wasn’t like she was teaching anyone how to kill the subject to steal their essence. But if those from other traditions could offer some insight and new skills, why not use that? Why not use that to teach those witches their tradition too? She knew some of the loosely created covens would feel threatened at the potential loss of individual power bases, but she’d cross that bridge when she got there. Anyway, if she brought it up, Max would flip his lid and start on her about the danger of this, that and the other thing.
“All right. Thank you. You guys are as complicated as the shifters are, you know that?”
And apparently as murderous. “Meh. Several things. First, what’s next with the plan to get my father? Second, I’d rather meet Max at home. I don’t want to go to Max’s building. Beth is there. I don’t have the strength to deal with her.”
“Who does, bebe, who does? Ignoring her won’t make her disappear though.”
“I know that. But it saves my blood pressure and short of killing her, it’s the best I can do right now. She’s pregnant, I’m not going to do anything that would endanger the baby.”
“Shall I share something with you about my sister?”
He pulled into his very own spot in the lot beneath Max’s building. Totally not listening to her—something else he had in common with his brother—but she wanted to hear the details about Beth, so she let it go. For the moment.
“Beth was really into school. Popular, pretty, had lots of boyfriends. She was a cheerleader, on the debate team, all that jazz. In her senior year she was assaulted after a party. Or I should say someone attempted to assault her and she fought back. She’s no one’s victim, my sister. But she’s the one who got in trouble because by then, people knew about shifters, but like now, they didn’t trust us. The boy made it out like she’d seduced him and then flipped out. She lost everything. All her friends, her human ones anyway, she was expelled and my parents sued. Eventually they let her back for the end of the year and graduation, and they publicly apologized.”
“But she was never the same.”
“Nope.” Even as he spoke to her, he never took his attention from the immediate area. He was a serious multitasker. “I’m telling you this, not because it excuses what Beth is now, but because it sheds some light on it. You’re that way. You want to know. And, since it’s just you and me here, I think you might understand what i
t feels like to have everything you counted on taken from you in an unfair way. You rose above that, you triumphed, and you’ve found something amazing with Max. She’s never shaken it all the way off, and the way our jamboree acts, or has in the past, only made it worse by being so insular.”
What could she say to that? It wasn’t that it made everything all right, or acceptable at all. But it helped her understand and maybe she could approach it differently. Maybe.
“What’s Carlos’s story?”
“Him? He’s just an asshole. Third-born son in a world where oldest counts most.” That barely perceptible shrug again. “Doesn’t seem to have held any of the rest of us back, but Carlos’s biggest issue, in my opinion, is that he’s not Galen, much less Max.”
She chewed her lip as she thought it all through, or attempted to anyway. “I don’t know if it’s okay for me to ask you something. I don’t know the rules.”
He paused. “I am the Bringer. Do you know what that is?”
“A cop of sorts?”
“Something like that. I am the bringer of justice. I am the bringer of law and stability. You are next-in-line, but you are also someone I know I can trust. Tell me and I will let you know if you’re on the right track.”
“Can I say, before you close up again and stop talking in more than one syllable, that this is the most you’ve said since I met you and I really appreciate it?” She knew he would be uncomfortable with the praise so she quickly moved on. “Can you watch Carlos? Max loves you all so much. I think perhaps he might be blind to someone close to him who might wish to harm him for whatever reason.” Carlos bothered her a lot. Beth, well Beth was just a spoiled bitch. But Carlos had the light in his eyes. That sort of fervent hate that rarely avoided ending up with violence and pain. She didn’t trust him at all.
“It is absolutely acceptable for you to bring any and all concerns for the security of anyone in the jamboree to me. It’s your job, and mine. And to answer your question, yes. I have been and I continue to. I also have issued a rule to my guards to not admit Carlos to your home if Max is not present.”
Her heart slammed against her rib cage. He’d warned her for her own safety. Had chosen her over his brother. She knew he’d be uncomfortable with any show of overt emotion so she nodded and grabbed her bag.
“Thank you.” Nausea writhed through her belly for long moments. If Carlos attempted to harm her or betray him in any way, it would break Max’s heart.
“Wait.” Gibson got out and walked around, exactly like that brother of his. He opened her door and escorted her through the walkway and into the lobby.
“Yes, yes, it’s old-school and all. But I’m a gentleman and by getting out first I can survey the immediate area and block you as we move into the building.” He put a hand on her lower back but kept his gun hand free as they moved. “By the way, Max and I would appreciate it if you’d consider going to the range to learn how to shoot. It’s an important skill.”
So Max knew then? About Carlos? Or was this about Carlos? Gah!
In any case, he’d phrased it as a request rather than an order. She could get on board with that. “All right, yes. That sounds like a good idea. As long as it’s after school or on a weekend I’m in.”
Renee waved the two of them over to her small coffee/smoothie bar located in the sun-flooded lobby. “Gibson! Try this.” She shoved a tall glass his way.
Suspicious, he sniffed and then drank some of the liquid.
He...purred.
Renee clapped, beaming. “You like it. Yay!” He ducked his head a moment.
“Yes. It’s quite good. Thank you.”
“Don’t let this get out or anything.” Renee looked from side to side and leaned toward Gibson. “But Kendra and I are the awesomest sisters ever. Stick with us and you’ll have ginger orange juice iced green tea any time you want.” She gave him a quick peck on the cheek and he smiled, sweeter than Kendra had ever seen.
Gibson shook his head, but the smile remained a little longer before his normal inscrutable scary-guy face came back.
Kendra hugged her sister. “I want to talk to you, but I expect Max is waiting. So, how about you, Jack and Galen go to dinner with us? You too, Gibson. Max took me to this place, dark oak paneling, sumptuous banquets and the best steak I’ve ever eaten. It was our first official date.”
“He took you to Amor. He knew it even then.” Gibson tipped his cup. “This is delicious. Thank you, peaches.”
Renee blushed.
“Bring a date, Gibson. You’re good for the digestion and all, on account of you being so handsome. Renee and I can sneak off to the bathroom and objectify you guys.”
He sighed heavily, but she knew he smiled as he pretended to totally focus on his drink.
Before Kendra could take three steps toward the elevator, Max exited, stealing her breath, looking masculine and very handsome in a perfectly tailored three-piece suit.
She sidled up to him, forgetting everyone else but Max. “My goodness, sir, you’re the very model of masculine beauty.” She fluttered her lashes and he dipped down to kiss her quickly.
“You’re one to talk. You know what that schoolteacher thing does for me.”
She wanted to laugh. She wore blue pants, ballet flats and a deep crimson sweater. Hardly prim, though certainly not sexy. Her hair was loose and she wore a scarf to hide the bite mark he’d given her.
He untied it slowly, revealing the spot where he’d first sunk his teeth into her skin. Her breath came short as she wanted that again.
“Ah, ah, ah. Cari, you’re going to tempt me to ravish you right here in the lobby and get me arrested and disbarred. Thing is, I want to see you naked but for diamonds dripping over your breasts. Can’t afford that if you get me disbarred.”
She grabbed his lapels and dragged him closer, tiptoeing up to whisper in his ear. “I want you to mark me again. On the inside of my thigh.”
Their energy reverberated, humming, vibrating until she nearly came from it.
“I want to lick you until you say my name. You know how you do it, stuttering, breathless, like a sob. It makes my cock hard. Let’s go home right now. I just finished for the day. Was on my way down here to bother Renee and wait for you and Gibson, and look at what I found.” He kissed her.
The kiss left her breathless. “We can’t.” She rested her forehead against his chest. “I invited Gibson, my sister, Galen and Jack to dinner at Amor.”
He groaned. “All right. But we don’t need to meet them for another hour or two. Let’s go home first. Then you can be all relaxed at dinner.”
She smiled up at him. “You’re naughty and I should feel bad for tempting you off the path of righteousness. But I so don’t.”
“You know, I don’t think I had much whimsy in my life before you. I enjoyed it, but since you hurtled into my life, I’ve had a lot of fun. You make me laugh. Fill me with happiness.” He kissed her forehead. “Not many people are playful with me. You are. That means everything.”
She swallowed hard, blinking back tears, pressing herself to him, hugging him as tight as she could.
“Gibson, Kendra and I will go home for a bit and meet you all at the restaurant at seven. Does that work for you, babe?” he asked Renee.
“Totally does. Galen took me there for our anniversary, I love that place.”
“We’ll see you then. Gibson, thank you for bringing Kendra here.”
Gibson bowed with a stiff formality that was more than a run-of-the-mill thank-you and you’re-welcome. That happened at the oddest moments, but Kendra had become sort of charmed by the old-world formality between Max and his family at times.
Kendra darted over, kissed her sister’s cheek and rubbed hers along Gibson’s. “Thank you for everything. I’m glad to have you in my life, helping me. And I didn’t forget that you
haven’t outlined a plan for what comes next in the search for our father.”
Gibson barked a laugh, taking her hands with a huge smile. “Oh I do like you two.” He turned, winking at Renee before giving Kendra his attention again. “Tonight at dinner, we’ll talk and plan. All right?”
She nodded. “Thank you.”
* * *
Max loved to watch her get dressed. He stood in the doorway to their bathroom and greedily took in the way she slathered on lotion. They’d most energetically fucked both in the garage and on the stairs up to their bedroom.
Naked, she glistened under the heat lights while he watched her caress every part of her skin she could reach. He’d been banned from helping with this task the last time when he’d coaxed her into three orgasms as he went down on her. All because he’d been helping her get lotion on her back. Really, what was the world coming to when a man got punished for trying to help?
“Get that look off your face, Max.” She met his eyes in the mirror, smiling.
“Uh-uh. I have lust in my heart for you, Kendra. I’m busy with that just now.”
“We’re going to be late if you don’t hurry.” She narrowed her eyes at him, holding out a hand. “No! If you come in here, you know what will happen.”
“That’s why I’m trying to get in there.”
Trying unsuccessfully to hold her laughter back, she pulled on her panties and bra, and he pouted a moment. “You’re so mean to me.”
“Go!” She tossed the deodorant at his head and he ducked, grinning. He’d meant it when he told her he hadn’t really had much fun in his life before her. She made him laugh. Just by thinking about her, his mood lifted. She pleased him even when she was being a bitchy pain in his ass.
He’d had lunch with his father. His father had spoken to him of how strong and special Kendra was and how much he and Imogene had loved how they fit together.
And then he’d warned Max about the future.
He’d wanted to bounce it off Kendra. She saw things in ways he couldn’t. He appreciated her candor and her insights. But they’d been busy with love, and who wanted to leave their lover’s arms to talk about family politics?