He scrubs a hand over his jaw. “Maybe, or maybe not. If this person has been watching you for a while, it might appear that Jack and you are closer than you are in reality.”
“I have had a funny feeling this past week that someone was watching me, but I thought it was the asset.”
Dane frowns. “Why would the asset be watching you? That’s not his job.”
“Because I’ve seen him a couple of times.”
“What?” Dane folds his arms over his chest, reviewing me through hooded eyes.
“He was hanging around on Sunday night when I was with Kylie.”
Maddox scrunches up his nose. “I didn’t see him.”
“The guy in all black with the stupid shades on—that was him, right? You didn’t spot him?”
Dane glares at Maddox. “What the fuck? Some male is watching Alinthia and you didn’t notice?”
“I stepped out of the car to grab a soda and another time to take a piss. It must’ve happened then.” Maddox scratches the back of his head, and judging by the big scowl he’s wearing, he’s as mad at himself as Dane appears to be. He locks eyes with me. “I’m really sorry, Alinthia.”
“It’s fine, nothing happened to me. Besides, isn’t the asset on our side?”
Dane starts pacing the room. “That doesn’t sound like the asset, and he has no jurisdiction to follow you, so I don’t think it was him.”
Beck shows me a picture on my tablet. “Is this the guy?” The guy in the picture looks like the reincarnation of Kurt Cobain and about as far removed from the guy I saw as you can get.
“No. It definitely wasn’t him.”
“Fuck, fuck, fuck.” Dane grabs fistfuls of his hair, pacing the room in a heightened sense of agitation.
“Can males shape shift into female form?” I ask the obvious question.
“It doesn’t tend to happen as mannerisms can’t be faked, but, technically, yes, it’s possible,” Dane confirms.
All the color leaches from Coop’s face. “I think I’m actually going to be sick.”
“I think I might join you.” If that guy is the one impersonating me, then it means he had … I trail off, unable to continue the thought.
All the guys look a little green around the gills, and no one says anything for a couple minutes.
“Whether it’s him or someone else, there’s something more important to consider here.” We all turn to Coop. His face contorts unpleasantly again. “I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but if this person is going after Alinthia’s loved ones, then Jensen is in a lot of danger.” He pauses for a moment. “I think we have to warn him.”
“We can’t expose who we are,” Dane cautions.
“I think that decision has already been taken out of our hands, Dane. Who knows what this person has been saying to him or what she plans to tell him. We need to get there first. To tell him the truth.” I wring my hands together. “I can’t stand by and watch her toy with his affections and manipulate him like that. I can’t let her hurt him anymore than she has. We need to tell him, and we need to tell him today.”
Dane emits a defeated sigh. “I’m beginning to regret the day I agreed to stay on this planet. Things are getting more fucking complicated by the minute. And all this shit is distracting us from our priorities.”
“Maybe it’s time we left,” I suggest with a sharp ache in my heart. “I can’t stay here if it continually puts those I love in danger.”
“Even if we leave,” Maddox cuts in, “there’s no guarantee they won’t come for your family and friends, to use them as collateral to get to you.”
“Mad Dog is right,” Dane says. “It’s too late to relocate now. The time to make that call was months ago. We made a decision, and we need to live with the consequences of it.”
“Well then, we definitely need to warn Jensen.”
“I don’t like it, but there’s no other choice now.” Dane cracks his knuckles. “I guess we’re going to the dance after all.”
CHAPTER 28
I stand in front of the mirror, checking my reflection one last time. Kylie is delighted I’m going —at least one of us can summon the requisite level of enthusiasm. I can’t bring myself to look forward to it, not when I know what I have to tell Jensen tonight is going to alter everything he thinks he knows about the universe and about me.
I tug on the hem of my dress, regretting letting Kylie talk me into it. The top of the black and gold dress is a tight-fitting strapless bodice and the bottom half is a skater-style skirt that rests about two inches above my knees. One flutter of wind and I’ll be treating the boys to one hell of a view, Marilyn Monroe style.
I’ve straightened my hair and pinned it up with loose strands framing my face. My eyes are smoky, fanned by thick, black lashes coated in layers of mascara. I apply some blush to my cheeks, some gloss to my lips, spritz some perfume, and then brush some bronzer over my neck and shoulders, and I’m done.
The girl staring back at me looks nothing like Victoria King. It’s as if my outer appearance has altered in line with my inner one. While the dress is still classy, and it doesn’t reveal too much, the old me would never have worn something like this. My legs look long and shapely thanks to the gold and black stilettos which have given me another few inches in height. It’s just as well Coop is over six feet tall.
“Alinthia.” Coop raps on the door. “Are you ready?”
I suck in a brave breath, grab my clutch, throw my jacket over my arm, and stride toward the door. I open it with more confidence than I feel. “I’m ready.”
“Ho. Lee … Um … Wow.” Coop is uncharacteristically tongue-tied as he sweeps his gaze over my body. The look on his face is a combination of awe, love, and lust, and it does funny things to my insides. “Alinthia.” My name is a reverent whisper gliding off his tongue. “You look more beautiful than words can express.”
“Thank you.” Already my mood is improving, and I smile. “You don’t look so bad yourself.”
That’s a complete and utter understatement.
In his tailored black suit, white button-down shirt, and slim gold and black tie, he looks good enough to eat. His blond hair is freshly washed and styled, sleeked back off his face, highlighting his exquisite bone structure and those stunning blue eyes I regularly get lost in. I almost lose the ability to speak when he steps in closer to me.
“I don’t want to ruin your makeup, but I desperately need to kiss you right now.” His eyes affix on mine. “If that’s okay, after, you know …” He trails off, his Adam’s apple bobbing in his throat.
“We are not speaking of that again, especially not tonight. Consider it forgotten.” I’m not sure if I can honor that statement, but I’m going to try damn hard. I meant what I said earlier; that impersonating bitch is not going to destroy what I have with Coop.
“I’m so not worthy of you,” he says, pushing me back into my room. He slams the door shut with the heel of his dress shoe. “And I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but I’m so grateful to have it. Thank you.” Lifting my wrist to his lips, he plants a delicate kiss on my skin, right in the place of my tattoo. Delicious tremors zip up and down my arm from that one soft touch. Without warning, he spins me around, pressing my back into the door and caging me in with his arms either side of my head. “Alinthia.” He brushes his lips across my mouth in a feather-like touch that unravels me.
I whimper, and a cocky smile transforms his features, lighting up his entire face. “It’s so good to see you smile again,” I admit. “I want you to keep that smile on your face for me tonight.”
“Whatever you want, beautiful. I’d do anything for you, Alinthia. Anything.”
He places a kiss to the underside of my jaw, and I whimper again. The scent of his cologne wafts around me, elevating my desire to a new level. “I know you would, Coop. And I would do the same for you.”
He pulls back to look at me, still keeping the same closeness between us. His eyes radiate with so many emotions, and a powerfu
l sensation trundles through our bond as we stare at one another. His eyes are glassy, and I want to freeze frame this moment, commit the loving look on his face to memory.
“I love you, Alinthia,” he whispers, never tearing his eyes from mine. “I love you so very much.”
Gently, I palm his face. “As I love you.”
We move at the same time, like magnets drawn to one another. When our lips meet, it’s a collision of hearts, minds, and souls, and I feel his kiss all the way to the tips of my toes. Usually, Cooper is quite precious about the way he kisses me, like I might break. But not now. He’s devouring my mouth, licking the seam of my lips and pushing his tongue inside. I respond enthusiastically, exploring the minty freshness of his mouth and reveling in the soft massage of his lips. I’m on fire, and I don’t want the feeling to ever stop. Yanking on his jacket, I pull him flush with my body, grinding my hips and relishing the feel of his hard length moving against me. I gasp into his mouth as moisture pools down below. I ache for him, the need to feel him inside me almost consuming.
He breaks away first. “Damn, Alinthia. The way you make me feel is indescribable. I want to say to hell with our plans and bury myself inside you, but we’ll have to take a rain check.” His face contorts sourly. “We need to inform Jensen tonight.”
“You’re right,” I rasp in a breathy voice. “And I’m proud of you. I know you and Jensen don’t get along, so I appreciate you looking out for him.”
“I may not like him much,” he says, adjusting himself in his pants before snorting. “Who am I kidding? I can’t stand the guy, and it’s totally because I’m jealous of his past with you, but he’s an innocent, and he doesn’t deserve to be dragged into our mess. Besides, he looked after you for years when we weren’t around, and I guess I owe him for that.” I almost keel over in shock. “And I know you still care about him, and I care about you so, um, yeah. Stopping speaking now.”
He grins, a cocky, smug grin, and I kiss him deeply, pulling away before it gets out of hand again. “I love you so much.” I hug him, closing my eyes as I bask in the glow of his embrace.
“I love you too, beautiful, but if we don’t get downstairs pronto, Dane is going to blow a gasket.”
I dash to the mirror and quickly fix my hair and makeup and then dart back to Coop’s side, sliding my hand in his. He pecks my lips, and then we superspeed out of the room, down the stairs, and into the lobby.
The others are waiting for us, and my eyes almost bug out of my head at how hot they look. They are all wearing the same black suit and white button-down shirt as Coop but with different colored-ties. Beck has a dazzling blue one that suits his skin tone, Maddox a jade green one that makes his eyes pop, and Dane has a fiery red one to match his personality.
Their hands are clasped behind their backs, and they are staring at me like they’ve never seen a girl in a pretty dress before. Well, Beck and Maddox are.
Dane is indifferent.
As always.
“Princess.” Maddox steps forward. “You are absolutely stunning.” He leans in, still with his hands behind his back, and kisses my cheek.
He sends a pointed look at Coop, and Coop turns me into him. “We each have something for you, beautiful.” He produces a rectangular black box from the inside pocket of his jacket.
“You didn’t need to get me anything.” My heart spikes in my chest, and I gulp over the sudden lump in my throat.
“We’ve missed out on a lifetime of shared memories, and it’s time we rectified that.” He opens the box, and I gasp at the beautiful diamond pendant. It’s five hearts in a cluster, resting at the base of a delicate gold chain. I turn around while he fastens it on me.
Tears prick my eyes as I look down, admiring the gorgeous necklace. “Thank you so much. I love it.” And you. I think it, but I don’t say it, because I haven’t uttered those words to the others yet, and what Coop and I shared upstairs is private.
Maddox takes my wrist in his. “That’s good to know, sweetheart, because my gift matches Coop’s.” I watch as he fastens a matching bracelet around my wrist. Five diamond hearts rest atop a gold band, sparkling and twinkling under the bright chandelier.
Carefully, I hug him, pressing a kiss to his cheek. “It’s spectacular. Thank you, Maddox.”
“You’re welcome.” He holds my hand to his mouth, kissing my palm.
Then Beck steps forward, his face ablaze, and my heart feels for him. “You look really pretty, Alinthia,” he says quietly. He’s practically quaking in his shoes as he takes my other wrist and ties a corsage around it. It’s a simple collection of white and cream roses and baby’s breath, and it complements my dress perfectly. “I hope you like it.”
“I love it.” I raise my wrist to my nose, sniffing the delicate floral fragrance. “It smells divine.” I hug him briefly, brushing my lips across his cheek. “Thank you.”
An anxious flutter starts up in my chest when Dane pushes off the doorframe and strolls toward me. I’m guessing the guys coerced him into getting me a gift. I can’t imagine he chose to get me something of his own free will. My heart almost flies out of my chest when he drops to his knees in front of me, curling his warm fingers around my leg. “What.” I gulp, pausing to catch my breath when his fingers caress the skin at my ankle. My knees almost buckle under me. “What are you doing?” I manage to spit out.
He grins up at me, while his fingers continue to sweep around my ankle. I bite back a moan, swaying a little on my feet. He straightens up, smirking. “It’s a matching anklet. Now you have the complete set.”
“Thank you.” I hope my sincerity feeds through the connection.
The pulse in my neck throbs wildly when he moves in close to my ear. “You look fucking hot.” His seductive voice sends shivers cascading over me, and he chuckles under his breath. “Be careful or I might be tempted to take a taste tonight.” Heat floods my belly and my cheeks, and if I was aching before, I’m absolutely throbbing now.
I’m not sure what expression is on my face, but Maddox busts out laughing, shaking his head as he opens the front door. We all troop out after him and climb in the car.
The school parking lot is already half full, and couples wander into the building in droves. Dane pulls the SUV into a vacant spot, and we all get out. Coop offers me his arm, and I accept it gratefully. “Stay close to me,” he whispers. “I have a feeling I’ll be fighting every guy in the place off for most of the night.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“You’re so adorably clueless.” He slides his arm around my waist, holding me tight as we walk to the gymnasium which has been completely remodeled for the night.
We wander into the dimly lit room, and I spot Zara at a table near the front. She looks up at me, as if I’ve called her name, and I wave at her. She does a double take, staring at me with blatant shock. She glances left, then back at me, and then left again.
All the tiny hairs lift on the back of my neck.
“Oh. Shit.” Maddox is the first to spot them.
Time seems to stand still as I turn around in slow motion. Jensen is staring at me with a horrified look on his face. The girl clinging to his arm grins at me, striding toward me with her head held high, hauling Jensen along for the ride.
All the blood drains from my face, and I clutch Coop’s arm tighter. “What the hell is she doing?”
“She’s got a fucking nerve,” he hisses, steam practically billowing out of his ears.
I watch the impersonator as she advances, taking in the short figure-hugging red dress with the low neckline displaying plenty of cleavage. Her hair—my hair—is loose, cascading in soft curls down her back. Her makeup is far heavier than I ever wear mine, and her ruby red lips turn into a sneer as she closes the distance between us, stopping right in front of me.
Staring into my own eyes—my own face—is beyond creepy. The entire room has stopped talking, hell, they’ve probably stopped breathing, and someone has turned the music down. Jensen is staring at
me and her, and I don’t need to read his mind to know he’s as fucking confused as I am.
She trails her eyes over me in a flippant manner, her derision evident in the way she assesses every inch of me. I want to say something, anything, but I can’t force my mouth to form words.
“Well,” she says in my voice. “Isn’t this just dandy.”
Maddox growls and she slants an amused look in his direction before eyeballing me. “Has the cat got your tongue, sister?”
“Sister?” I splutter.
“Oh dear.” She feigns sympathy. “I’m guessing your sexy protectors didn’t inform you of the fact you had a sister?” She plants her hands on her slim hips, and my eyes fix on the tattoo on her inner wrist. “Allow me to rectify that. I’m Alandra, your long-lost twin.”
CHAPTER 29
Cooper
I glance at my brothers, and they look as shell-shocked as me. “What kind of aura is that?” I send the thought telepathically to all my brothers. “I’ve never seen anything like it.” Most auras have some distinguishing color or feature which alludes to their race, like the Herassan glow a purple-blue color, and the Torc have little clusters of green dots on the edge of their aura. Verronians have a luminous white light surrounding them and those who are bonded, like us, have a shared contrasting color. Ours is red. But this girl’s aura is a dusty gray, a blurry, smoky kind of aura, something I’ve never come across before.
“It’s an ancient aura, one that’s almost extinct,” Beck confirms.
“What species is she?” Dane inquires.
“It’s a feminine aura, but I don’t know any more than that. I’ll need to investigate further.”
Alandra laughs, pulling me out of the silent discussion and back into the moment. Her laughter is huskier and haughtier than Alinthia’s dulcet tone. “Aw, shucks. This has come as quite the surprise, hasn’t it?”
Her superior tone drags Alinthia out of her comatose state. “What are you doing here? And why were you pretending to be me?”
The Secret Heir (Alinthia Series Book 2) Page 20