by Faith Gibson
Four
Gregor was sitting at a high top close to the pool tables when Dante walked into The Tavern. New Atlanta’s bar scene was as lucrative as ever. People came from out of town just for the thrilling nightlife. There were bars and clubs for every walk of life, but Gregor and Dante weren’t into the busy dance scene. The Tavern was a hole-in-the-wall biker bar complete with a couple of shitty pool tables, a dart board that had seen better days, and cheap beer. The women who came there were after one thing: a one-night stand with a roughneck. Neither he nor Dante were in search of a hook-up, but that didn’t mean they didn’t enjoy looking. A hot woman was a hot woman.
Dante sat down, and a cute little blonde waitress bounced over to their table. “Hello, fellas. What can I get you?”
Gregor glanced at her nametag. “Hello, Candy. I’ll have a Budweiser.”
Dante added his order, “A double-shot of Jack, neat.” Candy told them she’d be right back and flitted off.
Dante was quiet, staring off into space. Normally he was a chatterbox, full of useless knowledge about bodies and autopsies and strange things he saw in the morgue. “Hey, what’s up?” Gregor was worried about his brother.
Dante took a minute before answering. “I’m not sure how I feel about this human bonding, to be honest. I know Rafael is all for it, but what if it doesn’t work out? What if we meet our mate, and they are nothing more than human? We have watched Sin go through the heartache of experiencing his wife die. Twice. Is it really worth it? What if they do get pregnant but can’t handle a shifter fetus?”
Their conversation was interrupted by Candy bringing their drinks. She leaned across Gregor, brushing his arm with her breast, handing Dante his drink. “Can I get you fellas anything else right now? Are you hungry?”
“No.” Gregor didn’t bother with the young girls feelings. He would leave a good tip, but he wasn’t going to encourage her advances. Over the years so many women had tried in vain to get the nod from both of them. Neither had risen to the occasion. Dante’s tastes were much more eclectic, and when he did reach out for female comfort, it was never close to home. Gregor kept a few women on speed dial in case his rougher side needed to be exercised.
“I have to agree with Rafael on this. I don’t think the fates would give us a mate, human or not, who couldn’t handle what we are. I am hoping to get closer to the good doctor, gain her trust, and subtly ask about her father’s journals. I still haven’t come up with a plan on just how to approach the subject though. Oh, fuck me.” Gregor almost doubled over.
“What is it?” Dante placed a hand on Gregor’s arm.
“I’m not sure, but it’s the same sick feeling I was talking about earlier.” He searched the bar, not seeing any familiar faces. Dante glanced around with him, not that he would know who to look for. Just when he was about to give up, a sexy voice infiltrated the room.
“Yo, Gavin, set ‘em up!” A redheaded biker chick came strutting though the bar. Tight jeans topped black riding boots. A Harley tank top was tucked into said jeans, a leather jacket thrown over one shoulder. A black belt with a shiny silver Bar and Shield buckle wrapped around her waist. Red hair swung in time with her hips.
“Holy shit, that’s her.”
Dante couldn’t take his eyes off the show. “Her who? Tessa?”
“No, the chick from the gas station.” Gregor would never forget that ass as long as he lived. Her smirky lips and those green eyes were a punch to the gut. “Fuck me.”
“I don’t recall you mentioning a chick from a gas station. Would you care to enlighten a brother?”
“A few years back, I stopped to get gas. She pulled in at the next pump over. Same bike as mine only chromed the fuck out. She must have twenty grand in chrome alone. Anyway, there was no receipt paper in the machine, so I went inside to get one. She dropped a dollar on the floor and when she bent over to get it, her ass ended up in my crotch. I swear to the gods, I thought I was going to pass out right then and there.” Gregor couldn’t take his eyes off the woman who was waiting for the man he assumed was Gavin to rack the balls on the pool table.
“Why don’t you go talk to her?”
“And say what, ‘Remember me, the guy you shoved your ass into’? No, I’ll just watch from here. If my reaction to her from this far is any indication, I don’t think I could stand to be any closer.”
“What if she’s your mate? Do you not want to find out?” Dante had finally lost interest and returned his gaze to Gregor.
“I’m not sure I do. But she can’t be. I mean, I’ve had these same feelings a couple of times at the Pen, and I know she hasn’t been in there. I’ll just enjoy the view from here.”
Tessa hadn’t been to The Tavern in forever. She was always too busy watching monitors and checking on her cousins. Tonight she decided she was going to let loose. She strolled into the bar, saying hello to familiar faces. When she saw her old buddy Gavin at a pool table, she yelled at him to set up a game. She wouldn’t play for money. Tonight was about relaxing, drinking a little, and shootin’ the shit with whoever happened along.
As she crossed to the far side of the room she yelled at the bartender, “Yo, Jimmy, hit me up.” She always ordered a Budweiser with a tequila shot. If she didn’t have things to do tomorrow, she might have ordered a double shot. She loved this bar. She could dress like she normally did, maybe embellish with a little more silver here and there, and feel right at home. She had been to some of the swankier clubs in the city, but they just weren’t her style. Techno-pop music blaring through speakers as a strobe light flashed around a room did nothing for her other than give her a headache. Here she could drop a few bucks in the jukebox, play whatever rock song she wanted, and kick someone’s ass at pool, all while just being herself.
Gavin didn’t wait for her to reach the table. He met her half-way across the room and picked her up in a bear hug. “Put me down ya big oaf!” She squeaked out.
He dropped Tessa to her feet and yelled over the music, “Trixie girl, where you been so long?”
“Staying away from riff raff like you! Are you ready to get your ass handed to you?” She cocked an eyebrow and issued the challenge. Tessa never gave a real name no matter how often she visited an establishment or how well she pretended to get to know people. Tamian and her mother were the only ones who called her by her given name: Andrea. She hated the name because Gordon had picked it out. Why her mother insisted on calling her that was a mystery. Elizabeth hated Gordon more than Tessa did. Tamian probably used the name because no one else outside the family did. It could also be since his middle name was Andrew, he felt it kept them connected.
Tessa used a different name in every city she visited, and sometimes it became difficult keeping them all straight. She tried to stick with names that were similar, at least ones starting with a T. In her heart she would always be Tessa.
She grabbed a cue off the wall and rolled it on the table to make sure it was straight. She chalked the end and pointed it at her old friend. “I’m feeling generous, I’ll let you break.” She grinned her devious smile, the one Gavin knew meant trouble.
“I don’t need your charity, Sweet Cheeks. Ladies first.”
Tessa barked out a laugh. “I don’t see a lady, but thanks.” She placed the cue ball close to the rail and lined up the stick, pulling it back a few times then letting it fly. One solid and one stripe went in. She studied the table, looking at not only the first shot, but several after. She was that good. “Nine ball, side pocket.” She always called her shots so when she took someone’s money, they knew she wasn’t lucky but skilled. After a couple of combos and a bank shot, she was on the eight ball. As she did with the others, she sank the black ball in the designated pocket. Grinning at Gavin, she said, “Rack’em.”
Jimmy brought her drinks and put them on the table nearest her. She picked up the tequila first and threw the fiery liquid down her throat, slamming the glass on the table. Gavin set up the next game while she took a few pulls on
her beer. Even before she drank the tequila she was feeling warm. There was a hum present in her body that shouldn’t be there. She took a look around the bar, checking out the other patrons. She just about choked when her gaze landed on Gregor Stone. What in the fuck? She should have eavesdropped a little longer, and she might have overheard his plan to come there tonight.
Gavin pulled her attention back to the game. “You in this one, Sweet Cheeks, or you gonna stare at the warden all night?”
Tessa glared at the man. “Shut it. I was not looking at him. You want to put some money where your mouth is?” She knew he would. Gavin couldn’t stand losing to her, but he definitely couldn’t resist a bet, no matter the odds.
“You’re on.” He pulled his wallet out of his back pocket and slapped a hundred down on the table. “That enough for you?”
Tessa grinned. “It’s a start.” She busted the balls and commenced to running the table. When Gavin was down three hundred bucks he finally gave up. Tessa surveyed the room. “Any other takers?”
“Yeah, I’ll take you.” Gregor was waving a hundred at her.
Five
The unease in Gregor’s gut would not lessen. When Gavin picked Trixie up and swung her around, Gregor’s beast fought to be turned loose. Dante convinced him there was no better way to find out if she was the cause of his discontent than to get closer. When she asked for another challenger, he took the opening. He rose from his stool and walked toward the pool table. She was glaring at him for some reason. “My money not good enough for you, Red?”
“Green’s green. Rack ‘em.” She turned her back on him and downed the rest of her beer. When she sat the bottle on the table she yelled to the bartender, “Jimmy, hit me.”
“You come here a lot?” He hadn’t been here in a while, but he did frequent the place enough to have remembered her.
“When I’m in town, which isn’t often. You gonna rack the balls or gossip all night?” Her sassy mouth reminded him of their run-in at the convenience store.
“Are you in a hurry?” He arranged the balls in the rack and set them on the dot. He carefully lifted the rack and hung it out of the way.
“I just don’t like idle chatter.” Trixie walked to the end of the table where he was still standing. “Do you mind?” He would have to move before she could break.
Gregor’s knees weakened. “Don’t mind at all.” He backed up so she could get into position. As he did, he inhaled deeply. That was a stupid move. The scent of leather and sandalwood washed over him just as it had a few years ago. He nonchalantly placed his hand on the table to keep his balance. Fuck me.
“Excuse me.” Trixie obviously wanted him out of her way. He did move but only far enough for her to barely get a shot off. When she missed she scowled at him. “You could give a girl a little room, you know.”
“And why would I want to do that, Red?” He flashed what he hoped was a sexy smile.
Instead of smiling back she continued to frown at him. “Because just maybe you’re creeping me the fuck out.”
Creeping her out? What the hell? He never had a problem with women before. “I guess you play for the other team then.” He took a look at the table and counted the balls since he had been watching her instead of the game. Seven stripes scattered nicely. He called his first shot and sank it with the cue ball lined up perfectly for the next one.
“Why the hell would you say that?” She was blocking his way.
“Excuse me.” When she didn’t budge, he nudged her with his knee. “You could give a guy a little room, you know.”
“Answer the fucking question, Stone.”
Ah, she knew who he was. Ninety percent of New Atlanta probably knew who he was, too. He didn’t hide from the television cameras when reporters came to the Pen. “So you know who I am, huh?”
She continued to stand her ground. “Of course I do, but you didn’t answer my fucking question.”
“Such language. And coming from such a pretty mouth. Would you please move? Or would you like for me to move you?” He would love to move her. Closer.
“I’m not moving anywhere until you answer my question.” The hand not holding a pool stick was propped on her hip. Taking a big chance, he grabbed her around the waist and kissed her. Her immediate protests turned into groans, as she opened her mouth and searched for his tongue. He was just beginning to enjoy the taste of beer and tequila when she bit him.
“Ouch, you brat! What was that for?”
“Don’t ever put your hands on me again.” She threw her pool cue on the table and retreated to the bar area. She grabbed the beer Jimmy brought to her and downed it in one go. Who could do that? Most men couldn’t even chug a beer without letting up.
“You’re just afraid to lose, Red,” Gregor yelled over the music blaring from the jukebox.
She slapped some bills into Jimmy’s hand then stormed out of the bar. Well hell. That didn’t go as planned.
Son of a motherfucker. Tessa knew when Gregor finally got his hands on her she would be in trouble, but she didn’t realize the bond would be as strong as it was. She was ready to climb his rock hard body and fuck him right there in front of Jimmy, Gavin, and everyone else. What possessed him to kiss her? Dammit! She never lost her cool. But holy Mother of Zeus, his mouth on hers caused her body to all but melt into a puddle. Her back still zinged where he’d placed his hand. Her lips were tingling, and she couldn’t breathe.
She pulled a pack of cigarettes out of her saddlebag and lit one. Leaning against her bike, she took a deep pull off her smoke, trying to calm herself. She should have left the instant she saw him. Now her chances of getting Tamian out of the Pen were slim. She would have to be extra diligent going to see Belle. Fuck! She screwed up. Tamian needed her, and whether or not Isabelle admitted it, she needed her too. Tessa pulled on her helmet and cranked her bike. She needed the wind in her face to clear her mind. She had a feeling nothing would clear her body. No, Gregor Stone had just imprinted himself on her, and she debated leaving the city tonight. Fucking full-blood.
Tessa took one last drag and blew a line of smoke out from between her lips. She snuffed the cigarette out on the sole of her boot then shoved the butt into the pocket of her jeans. Not bothering with back roads, Tessa headed straight for the interstate. New Atlanta traffic was always busy, but this late on a weeknight shouldn’t be too bad. She needed to open the throttle and let her bike run free. Trying to get her mind off Gregor, she thought about her cousins. She really should call and check in with Dane. It had been a couple weeks since he transitioned, and now he was back at work with the police department. If she got pulled over for speeding, she could ask him to take care of it. What’s the use in having relatives in high places if you didn’t access the perks of their positions? It was either that or hack the system and fix the ticket herself.
She rode until she was almost out of gas. Ironically, she pulled into the same gas station where her troubles all started. If the store wasn’t so close to her house, she would never set foot in the place again. She cut the engine and dropped the kickstand. She didn’t bother removing her helmet. It was late, and she was not in the mood to chit chat. She went in the store and dropped a ten on the counter. “Fill-up on three.” Chester picked up the money and said to her retreating back, “Good seeing you too, Trixie.”
She was really starting to hate that name. She had used it as a joke, but somehow it stuck. Still, it was better than Andrea. She filled the tank then headed home. She had a trip to plan, and that meant getting another watcher on Isabelle duty.
Tessa was the youngest watcher for the family. There were a couple of others, but they had families and didn’t travel as often. She knew Ezekiel was already in New Mexico, so she called Sam. Samuel Brooks was a cousin who lived in New York. He was a half-blood whose mate was a human. They had a daughter, Sophia, who worked in New Atlanta at the library. So far she wasn’t showing any traits of being a shifter, but they were still keeping an eye on her. Sam was training Sophia
to become a watcher herself.
Tessa called Sam’s number. The answering machine picked up after a few rings, so she left a message for him to call her back. She called his cell and got the same thing. Even if he were asleep, he or his wife, Monica, would pick up the phone. She thought about calling Sophia but decided to wait. Tessa had met Sophia, and she really liked the girl. She reminded her of a bohemian, free-spirited gypsy who was usually giggling about something. While they may not have much in common, the girl was smart and knew quite a bit about shifters and their history. Full-bloods included.
While Jonas and Caroline were opposed to the full-bloods finding out about their half-blooded relatives, they, along with Tessa’s parents, thought it prudent all offspring be taught their history. Tessa’s father was Xavier Montagnon. He was from the original line of shifters and was a full-blooded Elder. If anyone had reason to hide his human mate and offspring, it would be him. Xavier worshiped Elizabeth and doted on Tessa. Tamian wasn’t as close with their father since he had spent most of his youth with Jonas. While technically Xavier wasn’t Tamian’s father, he claimed him as if he were.
Tessa’s phone rang. She frowned when she saw who it was. “Hello?”
“We need to talk. Something has happened, and we need to strategize.”
“I was just about to schedule my trip back to New Orleans. I will arrange to fly there first.”
“I can’t wait to see you.”
“You too.” The line disconnected. Tessa opened her computer and booked her flights. This was going to be a long trip.
Six
Gregor stood off to the side of the room observing Rafael with Kaya. Just a couple of weeks ago all the brothers had little optimism in finding their mates. Now, hope was back. In the beginning, Kaya had been reluctant to let Rafael into her personal life, mostly because Rafael was a murder suspect. As soon as he had been cleared, she accepted his love and the bond. She seemed right at home in the manor. The only drawback Gregor could see was the fact she was a veteran cop and put her life on the line every day. Rafael was not happy about this, but he would not command her to quit. That was no way to start their relationship.