“For now,” Garrett replied, dropping his hand. “But you start trouble with anyone else in my pack, you will be asked to leave, is that understood?”
“Yes.” Sadie stood from the chair, then headed toward the door. “Thank you.”
Marcus watched her leave and knew this wasn’t the end. “That sounded real sincere.” He curled his lip.
“I can’t just kick her out of her home, Marcus. She’s not a shifter, so my authority over her is not like it is over our pack.” Garrett cursed and headed toward the kitchen. “So stop making threats to people until you talk to me first, dammit. It puts me in a bad spot.”
“She’s trouble and has been trouble.” Marcus knew when he’d demanded that Sadie left in his fit of rage he was overstepping his bounds, but it was the only thing he could think to say to her when everything went down that fit his anger.
“Like I don’t know that.” Garrett sat down heavily on one of the stools.
“You okay?” Marcus noticed how tired his brother looked.
“Haven’t been getting much sleep.” Garrett rubbed his forehead again. “Janna’s having a hard time again.”
“Damn, man.” Marcus sat across from him. “Anything I can do?”
“Yeah, stop making threats that we can’t act on.” Garrett glared at him.
“She isn’t finished. You know that, right?”
“Yes, I know that.” Garrett glanced toward the hallway, cocking his head. “And we need to keep a close eye on her. Janna’s up. I need to get up there.”
“Have you called Slade?” Marcus stood, wishing there was more he could do to help Garrett and Janna.
“Yeah, been talking to him daily.” Garrett grabbed some orange juice out of the fridge, then headed toward the hallway. “He’s going to be making a trip to see her in the next couple of days.”
That was good, Marcus thought. He needed to speak to the doc himself. He and Roxy had never used protection. With his makeup, he didn’t get the diseases that humans got and he couldn’t pass anything to her either, so in that they were safe. He could get her pregnant, but she was human. He had a lot of questions about that. Their mother had been human also, and they’d turned out fine, well, all except Hunter. That thought made him chuckle. Thoughts of having a family with Roxy made him smile. With a glance at his watch, he stood and headed out of Garrett’s. In just a few hours, he and Roxy could begin working on that family.
Chapter 17
“You okay?” Clare asked as soon as Roxy walked back in.
“Yeah.” Roxy sighed, trying to keep her anger in check. She just wanted to be happy and lose the anger. “Sadie was at Garrett’s asking for forgiveness.”
“Oh, I bet that was a sight.” Clare snorted. “Were there tears involved?”
“Oh yeah.” Roxy rolled her eyes. “And sniffing.”
“Fake as her tits, I’m sure.” Clare snickered.
“She got a boob job?” Roxy’s interest was piqued.
“Ain’t no way those puppies are real.” Clare poured herself some coffee and leaned against the counter. “She left town for about two weeks a few years ago and came back with a new bra size.”
“Why is she so…?”
“Much of a bitch? A ho?” Clare shrugged a shoulder. “She’s been that way since we were in school. Always going after other girls’ boyfriends, two-faced, and the only friend she’s ever really had was Deb. She uses her so bad, but Deb doesn’t see it.”
“I really would like to know how she found my ex’s information to get in contact with him.” Roxy frowned. “I know I’ve never really talked about it with anyone except you and I know you’d never tell anyone anything, especially her.”
“Damn straight.” Clare finished off her coffee. “I’m the best bestie you’ll ever have. Now, let’s stop talking about hos and tell me when your furniture’s coming in.”
Roxy grinned in total agreement. She was done talking about Sadie Johnson. The day after Marcus had shown her the house, he had taken her into Lexington to pick out furniture. It was a totally different experience than when she furnished the house she’d lived in with Bruce. Everything she had picked out with her ex he disagreed with, so in truth, everything in the house was his touch, not hers. With Marcus, he’d just stood back watching her decide what she liked and then told the sales person to order it. At first, she had been uncomfortable, looking at price tags and passing things up she felt were too expensive. Marcus had figured out what she was doing and took his phone out, pulled up his bank account and showed her, saying that was the money they had, so spend what she wanted. After that, she felt a little better, but still watched and calculated in her head as they went along.
“Most of it comes in today after two,” Roxy said, her excitement filling her voice. “Marcus is coming to get me.”
“He’s a good guy.” Clare nodded. “And has been in love with you since the day you came to town.”
Before Roxy could agree, the door opened and in walked Dell with the new shifters. Roslyn was with them.
“Hello, ladies.” Dell smiled, walking toward them with the crew following.
“Hi,” Clare said, her cheeks blushing as she looked shyly away from Dell.
Roxy did a double take at Clare. Dell? Well, how in the hell hadn’t she seen that? She quickly turned her attention back to Dell. “Hey, you all wanting some coffee? I also baked some cupcakes.”
“Cupcakes?” One of the men behind Dell peeked around with interest. “I’d love a cupcake.”
Clare disappeared in the back, then reappeared with a platter of freshly baked cupcakes and set them on the counter. “Best cupcakes in Kentucky.” She smiled. “Have at it.”
Clare and Roxy filled coffee and drinks for them as Dell sat quietly at the counter as the others talked. She watched as Clare filled his cup without saying a word. Clare, quiet… yeah, something was going on there. Roxy followed Clare to the back.
“We’re running low on sugar out front.” Clare reached up, getting some. “I’ll refill them before we close, but everything else should be stocked.”
“Sounds good.” Roxy rinsed out a pot, but she watched Clare. “Dell sure is good-looking.”
Clare was reaching up for another box of sugar packets just as Roxy spoke and dropped it on her face. “Ouch.” She rubbed her forehead. “Dammit, Roxy.”
“You okay?” Roxy asked, trying to sound concerned, but her laughter blew that.
Clare bent down to grab the box. “Yes.”
“Yes, you’re okay, or yes, Dell is a fine-looking man?” Roxy raised an eyebrow.
Clare thought for a moment, then glanced toward the door that led to the front of the shop. “Yes, on both counts.” She balanced the boxes, then just stood there. “But he doesn’t know I exist.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that.” Roxy kinda wished she had kept her mouth shut seeing the disappointment on Clare’s face.
“Well, I do. What would a man like that want with me, anyway?” Clare shrugged, almost losing the boxes but regained control. “It’s all good. I get to look, and I likey what I see.”
Feeling bad for bringing it up, Roxy dried her hands and headed back out front. Dell was taking the boxes from her and taking them where she needed them. Thoughts of matchmaking filled her mind, but she paused when she saw Roslyn—she just couldn’t get used to calling the beautiful girl Ross—watching Dell out of the corner of her eye. Okay, maybe she better leave well enough alone and let whatever happened, happen. Her eyes moved over the rest of the shifters. She had to admit, shifters were a good-looking lot. Big, strong, and good hair—what the hell was that all about anyway? The men had better hair than her. When she first came to town, Marcus had kept his short, in a military cut, but was now wearing it longer. She loved his hair either way, but his longer hair made him look wilder, and she really liked that.
“The real reason we came over here was so I could introduce you to these guys, not eat everything you had to offer and drink all your
coffee.” Dell smiled as he turned toward them. “Garrett wants all the businesses to know them, and them know you. First, what do I owe you for all this?”
“Put your wallet away.” Roxy frowned at him. “The cupcakes were on the house. I made them because we were slow and I was bored. I also wanted to try a new recipe, so you guys were my guinea pigs, so to speak. Hope you don’t get sick later.”
Seeing concern on a few faces, she laughed.
“Just kidding,” Roxy continued. “And we are getting ready to close so the coffee would have been poured out anyway.”
Dell nodded but didn’t put his wallet away. “I think you’ve both met Ross.” Dell nodded her way.
“We have.” Roxy smiled at the blonde as did Clare.
“This is James, Les, Devon, Taz, and Josh.” Dell pointed them out.
“Nice to meet you.” The one named Devon smiled.
Roxy nodded, knowing right off the bat that one was a charmer. He was handsome with blue eyes, which she had never seen with any of the shifters she’d ever met. “It’s nice meeting you all.”
“Devon and Taz are both going to be in charge of your business as well as seeing you home safely until things are back under control.” Dell turned back to Roxy, then glanced at Clare. “Do not leave to go home without one of them knowing. If you walk, they will walk with you. If you drive, they will make sure you get to your car okay.”
“No prob.” Clare nodded in understanding.
Dell turned his attention back to Roxy. “Marcus approved them.” He gave her a grin.
“Oh, is that a thing? Marcus approved.” Roxy laughed, shaking her head.
“It is now.” Dell pulled out a fifty from his wallet and placed it on the counter. “Don’t argue because I won’t take it back.”
Roxy started to open her mouth, but he was already heading for the door. “Thanks, and it was nice meeting you guys.”
“Don’t fuck up,” Dell warned both Devon and Taz on his way out.
“Doesn’t hesitate to say what he means, huh?” Roxy’s eyebrows rose, and she smiled at them.
“Tell us about it.” Devon stood and headed toward Clare. “You need help with anything?”
“Well, if you’re offering, the garbage needs to be taken out.” Clare grinned and headed toward the back. “I won’t pass up help with that job.”
Roxy laughed and looked toward Taz who sat quietly. His eyes were intense as he looked around. “You need anything, Taz?” Roxy asked, wanting to make him feel comfortable. He was a good-looking guy with long black hair and high cheekbones. She wondered if he was part Native American.
“No, ma’am.” His voice was deeper than she expected for someone his age. He couldn’t be more than nineteen or twenty, but he carried himself as someone much older.
“Are you from around here?” She made small talk as she prepared to close up for the night.
“Yes.” His one-word answer indicated to her that he wasn’t much for small talk.
The door opened and in rushed Leda. “Hey! Marcus wanted me to tell you that he would be here in a few minutes and not to leave.” Leda frowned. “I think I’m going to start charging them a fee for each message I deliver. Seriously, what do they think I am? A personal messaging service? Haven’t they heard of text messaging?”
Roxy watched Taz, who was staring at Leda. A small smile appeared on his lips at her words but quickly disappeared when Devon appeared with Clare. Then they narrowed and looked away. Interesting.
“Hey, Devon.” Leda smiled shyly.
“Well, hello, cutie.” Devon gave her that charming smile. “What are you doing here?”
“Giving Roxy a message from Marcus,” Leda replied, then looked toward Taz, obviously noticing him for the first time. “Oh, hi, Taz. I’m sorry, I didn’t see you sitting there.”
Taz gave her a nod without looking directly at her. Just as things were getting interesting, Marcus came in the door. “You just now gave her the message?” He frowned at Leda. “What the hell have you been doing? I told you half an hour ago.”
“Don’t start on me, Marcus.” Leda glared at him. “I had two other messages to deliver when I got yours, and honestly, Garrett scares me more than you do.”
“I can change that real quick.” Marcus glared back at her.
Leda snorted. “Sure, whatever. I know we live in the middle of nowhere, but there is a thing called texting. I’m going to start charging for these messages so get your wallet ready.”
With that, she headed out the door without waiting to hear Marcus’s reply. Roxy noticed two things at once. Devon watched Leda go with a leering look she wasn’t comfortable with. Taz was watching Devon with a deadly look of fury on his face.
“You ready?” Marcus was in front of her, his eyes searching hers. “Something wrong?”
“I don’t know.” She frowned, then shook her head at his look. “I’ll tell you later. Let me finish up real quick.”
As she headed toward the back, she glanced at Devon who Clare was talking to, but Devon was staring at Roxy, his eyes roaming up and down her body. When he noticed Roxy looking at him, he gave her a wink then turned his attention back to Clare. She looked over her shoulder to see Marcus talking to Taz, missing the exchange.
Once in the back, she checked the back door to make sure it was locked, then turned off the lights. Clare peeked her head in. “You got it?”
Roxy grabbed her arm and pulled Clare into the darkness. “Don’t trust, Devon,” she whispered, her eyes on the door to make sure they were alone.
“What? Why?” Clare whispered back. “He’s hot.”
“I’m serious, Clare. There’s something about him.” Roxy saw that she wasn’t taking her seriously. “Trust me on this. Don’t trust him. Living the hell I lived, I pay special attention, especially where men are concerned, and something is not right. He might just be a player, but even that should make you realize, hot or not, he’s not worth the trouble.”
“Damn,” Clare cursed, but nodded. “Okay, I trust you.”
“Good.” Roxy started to head out of the back, but Clare stopped her.
“Not even a little tickle—”
“No,” Roxy said with as much seriousness as she could, but then noticed Clare gave her a teasing grin. “Not even to tickle his pickle, you ho.”
“I love you, man.” Clare gave her a big sideways hug as they walked out.
“You better, or I’ll tell Sadie you need a new bestie,” Roxy warned, then laughed when they both tried to fit through the door side by side.
“Bitch.” Clare pushed through first.
“Ho,” Roxy shot back.
All three men were watching them. Marcus laughed. “Did you just call my mate a bitch?”
“She called me a ho,” Clare defended herself.
“I’ll walk you home,” Devon said to Clare out of the blue.
Roxy and Clare shared a look. “No, that’s okay, but thank you,” Clare said, pulling out car keys and dangling them. “I drove today.”
As if Marcus sensed something going on, he stepped in. “Why don’t you and Taz head on back to Jonah’s and see if Dell has something else going on?” He opened the door for Roxy and Clare. “I’ll make sure she gets to her car.”
Taz walked out and headed down the street without saying a word and without Devon. Marcus took the keys and locked up, watching Devon, who looked pissed off.
“Okay, what was that all about?” Marcus took Roxy’s hand as they walked Clare to her car.
“Ask her.” Clare hit the button unlocking her car. “All I know is I’m not allowed to tickle his pickle.”
Roxy laughed as Clare gave her a wave and got into her car. They watched as Clare drove away.
“Tickle his fucking pickle?” Marcus glared at her. “What in the hell do you two talk about?”
“You don’t even want to know.” Roxy leaned up and kissed him on the cheek. “I just don’t trust Devon. He seems shifty and definitely a player.”
“He didn’t,” she replied, and it wasn’t a lie. Looking inappropriately at her while flirting with her friend and even Leda wasn’t making a pass at her. It was just a male player being an asshole. “But trust me on this one. Also, he has his eye on Leda, and I know Leda is—”
“Yeah, I know.” Marcus frowned. “I saw her making googly eyes at him.”
“What?” Roxy actually stopped to look at him.
“You know, googly eyes.” He batted his eyelashes at her. “Googly eyes.”
“First, promise me to never do whatever in the hell that was you did with your eyes again.” Roxy shook her head. “And googly eyes is just… weird.”
“Isn’t that what it’s called?” Marcus asked as they started walking again.
“No, thank God.” Roxy glanced at him from the corner of her eye and knew he was teasing. “Googly eyes.” She laughed, shaking her head again. God, she loved this man.
Chapter 18
“Roxy, this is not up for discussion.” Marcus growled as he stood behind her while she was on the ladder hanging a picture. “I have to head into town, and you’re not staying here alone.”
“I’ll be fine, Marcus.” Roxy leaned back on the ladder to look at the picture. “How does that look?”
Marcus wasn’t looking at the picture, but her ass as she stood above him. “Nice.” He grinned. “Real fucking nice.”
Roxy looked over her shoulder at him and sighed. “The picture, Marcus.”
“Yeah, it looks good.” Marcus winked at her without even looking at the picture.
It had been a week since all the furniture had been delivered and they had spent all their free time making their new house a home as well as planning a wedding. He was in absolute love with his mate and couldn’t get enough of her. Would never get enough of her.
“Catch me,” Roxy said before letting go of the ladder.
“Dammit, stop doing that.” Marcus caught her easily enough, but it still made him nervous when she did shit like that. What if he wasn’t paying attention? Yeah, like that would happen, he thought to himself.
Forbidden Desire (Lee County Wolves) Book #3 Page 13