Badass and the Beast: 10

by Shrum, Kory M.

  “So what’d you bring us?” Mindy said, breaking the spell.

  Mae released the breath she had been holding and stepped back so he could make it through the doorway.

  “Fried chicken, coleslaw and mashed potatoes,” he said, handing each of them a white Styrofoam container and a plastic fork before sitting on the floor with his own.

  Mae followed suit and sat cross legged on the floor facing him while Mindy took a seat in the only chair, crossing her legs.

  coleslaw.

  “Yeah, is there anything fun to do there? Like a club or a bar? Something so we aren’t cooped up here.”

  “Oh.” His dark eyebrows furrowed. “No. There really isn’t anything to do here. It is a very small, rather…um, religious community. Things close up pretty early and the people are, well they’re tight-knit. Not much on outsiders.”

  Another knock sounded on their door.

  2.

  Wes blew out a breath and closed his eyes for a moment, and Mae could have sworn he muttered, “Sorry,” but the next moment he smiled brightly at them. “Expecting someone?”

  Both girls shook their heads. “Maybe it’s the guy from the front desk,” Mae suggested.

  “I’ll check,” Wes stood up. He hesitated, glancing back at Mae once more before opening the door. She stood, wringing her hands.

  He put himself in the opening, keeping one hand against the jamb. “What are you doing here?”

  “I heard we had guests. Very special guests,” a male voice came from behind the door that made Mae’s skin explode with goose bumps.

  Mindy started for the door, but Mae caught her arm. She didn’t know why exactly, but she had a bad feeling—the breath she held burning in her lungs.

  “Aren’t you going to invite me in, brother?”

  Wes didn’t say anything for a couple seconds, and Mae took Mindy’s hand. “It’s not my room,” he said softly.

  The door pushed open wide to reveal a tall blond man in a brown police uniform who was as classically handsome as Wes was exotic. They were night and day. Wes didn’t back down, but the man didn’t seem to care.

  “Ladies,” he nodded to them. “I’m Isaac Kotka, the sheriff of Mission Valley. Wes’s brother.”

  Mindy pulled away from Mae and sauntered over to the door. “Now, sheriff, what brings you to our shitty motel room? Do you personally greet every person who gets stranded here?”

  He winked at her. “Only the pretty ones.”

  That was all it took, Mae didn’t like him at all. She walked up next to her sister and frowned at the man. “Why are you here, officer? Is there a problem?”

  His charming smile didn’t falter, but she felt his eyes run over her and linger on her neck for just a moment. “Well, I heard my brother rescued two very beautiful-which I now see is an understatement-women on the highway today. Wes,” he glanced at his brother, “can be a bit of a hermit. When I found out he put you all the way out here in this,” he made a face, “fine establishment, I thought I’d come out and offer the two of you better accommodations in town.”

  Mae looked between the two of them. “I thought this was the only hotel.”

  “Well, ma’am, it is, but the people in Mission Valley are very kind and generous. I had three different families volunteer rooms, before I even left my office this evening.”

  Wes wasn’t smiling. In fact, his jaw was clenched and his mouth was set in a hard line. “They’re only staying the night, Isaac. I’m sure they would rather stay out here.”

  “Of course. I just wanted to offer them a comfortable night’s sleep. Where are you ladies headed?”

  “Dallas,” Mindy said. “But we’re not in a rush. I think a better room sounds amazing. I feel dirty just standing in here.”

  “I think we’re fine here,” Mae said.

  Mindy rolled her eyes. “Then you stay. I’ll go with this fine officer into town. I don’t suppose there’s anything fun to do there?” She looked at him hopefully.

  “I’m sure we can find something to entertain you,” Isaac said, he glanced over at Mae. “You sure you wouldn’t like to come too?”

  Mae was positive she didn’t want to go, but she also couldn’t let Mindy go by herself. Wes’s face was stony and he never took his glare off of his brother. “If Mindy is going, then I’ll go too.”

  “What?” Wes snapped his head in her direction.

  A satisfied glint shined in Isaac’s eyes. “Great. Maybe you can even talk my brother into joining us. We’ll make an evening out of it. It isn’t often we meet another set of twins.”

  “Oh, you’re twins too? You look so different.”

  “Fraternal,” Isaac said. “Why don’t you gather your things?”

  The girls collected their bags and toiletries. Within minutes, they headed outside with the guys. Five to six cats roamed around the parking lot.

  “You’re both welcome to ride with me in the cruiser,” Isaac offered, taking Mindy’s bag.

  “Mae will ride with me,” Wes said sourly, trying to take her bag, though she fought him for it. Finally, he gave her an exasperated look and let go. “We’ll follow you.”

  “Mae?” Isaac asked.

  She nodded. “I’ll ride with Wes.”

  “Okie dokie. We’ll see you in town.”

  Wes yanked opened the door of his truck and all but shoved her into it, her foot catching on the crowbar. He stalked around the vehicle, slamming the door behind him. They drove in silence until Mae couldn’t stand it.

  “Why are you angry? If you don’t want to come, you don’t have to. Why did your brother come all the way out here to get us?”

  Wes gripped the wheel harder. “You and your sister need to leave as soon as you can.”

  “Why?”

  In the dark truck his eyes looked almost black when he turned to her, but he took her hand gently in his. “Nothing here is as it seems. Don’t trust any of them.”

  “You’re scaring me.”

  “Good,” he said softly. “I should’ve taken the two of you to Oklahoma City.”

  As the truck pulled to a stop, Mae snapped back to attention. They were in front of a large red brick home with a well-lit terrace across the front and four imposing columns.

  “Holy crap. Whose house is this?”

  Wes frowned. “My family’s. Isaac and our mother live here.”

  Mae mouthed wow and looked back at it. “Why are we here?”

  Wes didn’t look at her. Isaac knocked on her window making her jump. She slowly rolled it down.

  “I told you it was nicer than the motel.”

  “I’m staying here?”

  “You both are. Other people offered to host you, but we want you for ourselves.” He nodded toward the house. “Come on in. I’ll show you to your room. We hardly ever get to entertain guests. Mother will be ecstatic.”

  “Are you coming?” she asked Wes.

  “Yeah, brother, coming inside? Mom would love to see you.”

  Wes turned off the engine. “Wouldn’t miss it.”

  The inside of the house was every bit as impressive as the outside. Mindy ooo-ed and ah-ed over everything. Mae fought waves of nausea as her nerves pooled in her stomach in the form of twisted cramps.

  He led them up the wide staircase and opened the first door on the left. The room was decorated with heavy royal blue in silk and velvet. There was a fireplace across from the bed that was so big Mae could have stood in it. Her mouth fell opened.

  “Mindy, this will be your room.” She blinked away her shocked expression and smiled wider than Mae had ever seen her smile.

  “It’s…It’s…wow. I mean just wow. I have always wanted a room like this.”

  Isaac grinned. “I’m glad you like it.” He looked back at Mae. “Would you like to see your room, Mae?”

  Mae barely nodded and followed him out of the room with Wes trailing behind her. Isaac led her to the other end of the hallway and opened the heavy door on the right. Inside, the room couldn
’t have been more different than Mindy’s, but it was perfect in Mae’s eyes.

  A huge chandelier hung in the center of the room, the crystals sparkling. The walls were painted a warm taupe color and an old white fireplace that looked like it was reclaimed from a French chateau accented the wall to the left of the bed.

  “Do you like it?” Isaac asked.

  Mae snapped her mouth shut and nodded. “It’s lovely.”

  “Well, I’ll give you a few minutes to settle in. Then if you want to meet us downstairs, I think your sister has her heart set on going out.”

  She narrowed her eyes at Isaac, but he simply smiled and left. Wes stayed, hovering in the doorway.

  “You grew up here?”

  “Yeah. My bedroom was across the hall from this room.”

  Mae nodded. “You know, I’d love it if you would explain what’s going on.”

  “I can’t,” he said.

  She dropped her bag on the floor. “You can’t tell me vague things that scare me, but refuse to elaborate enough that I can understand. Your brother is a cop. Whatever is happening, it really can’t be that bad, can it?”

  Wes didn’t say anything, which only made her angrier, but she welcomed the anger because it smothered the fear. “Fine,” she said and brushed passed him.

  “Wait,” he called out as she thumped down the stairs. Pushing down the uneasy feeling she had been carrying since they arrived, she was done being afraid of nothing. Whatever Wes’s problem was, it wasn’t hers.

  Isaac was standing next to a tall, older woman with ash blond hair pulled back into a severe bun. She looked Mae up and down. “You must be Mae?”

  Mae forced a smile. “Yes. Thank you for opening your home to my sister and me. It’s lovely.”

  The woman pursed her thin lips and studied her. Wes stepped between them, silent as the night, and kissed the woman’s cheek. “Mother,” he said.

  She greeted him coolly and he stepped back to stand next to Mae, almost protectively. At last, the old woman smiled. “Call me Helena, dear. You are most welcome.”

  Mae tried not to frown at the abrupt change in her demeanor. Mindy came down the stairs, practically glowing with happiness.

  “And you, my dear, must be Mindy.” The woman gave Mindy a truly warm hug. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

  Mindy shot Mae a “this woman is weird” look, but thanked her all the same. After a few moments of chatting, they left for the town bar.

  “The Blind Tiger is just down the road. We can walk,” Isaac said.

  Mindy and Isaac chatted all the way to the bar, a match made in heaven—almost too good to be true. The two of them were so caught up in themselves that they didn’t even need the other one to be there to continue their conversation. Wes walked next to Mae silently, and she wished she was more like her sister. She was definitely attracted to him, but didn’t want to make an idiot out of herself.

  Isaac held open the bar door, and the girls walked in first. It was almost an instant reaction. A hush fell over the room. Mindy and Mae paused in the doorway as the eyes of strangers looked them up and down in an appraising manner.

  “Awk-ward,” Mindy said in a high pitched, sing-song voice to Mae.

  “I think I’m overdressed,” Mae said. “You might as well be the Queen of the England.”

  Mindy laughed and shrugged. “Oh well. We’re probably their first identical twins. Let’s give them a thrill.”

  “Min, I don’t think that’s a good idea.” But she was already gone, heading right to the bar, and Mae rushed after her.

  “Whatever, they want, Jim. It’s on me,” Isaac said over her shoulder to the bartender.

  “I don’t want anything,” Mae said.

  “She’ll have a shot of your best tequila and a mojito,” Mindy said. “Mae, stop being so damn boring. We’re going to have fun tonight if it kills you.” Mindy handed her a shot and clinked their glasses together then down it and looked expectantly at Mae.

  “One drink,” she agreed.

  The alcohol rolled down her throat, and the most glorious warmth spread through her body. Her entire body softened and numbed, even her eyelids felt heavy. She either needed to move or she would fall asleep standing there. She blinked at her glass. “What was that?” she asked.

  “Tequila!” Mindy shouted as she dragged Isaac toward the jukebox.

  Mae picked up her mojito and sucked it through the straw. She turned so her back, leaned against the bar, and blinked repeatedly as she tried to focus on the people around her. They were still staring, but she didn’t care. Wes watched Mindy and his brother with a scowl and furrowed brows. Mae sat her drink down and grabbed him by the shirt, pulling him close.

  Those dark blue eyes stared down at her, warming her even more than the alcohol. “I’m sorry I yelled at you.” She smiled, blinking slowly. Everything felt like a dream.

  “You have nothing to be sorry for,” he said.

  “I feel funny. And you, you’re pretty.” She trailed her fingers down his cheek and over his lips.

  He smiled ever so slightly. “You’re not so bad yourself.”

  She rose to her tiptoes, their lips a breath apart. Her hands slid down his hard chest and around his waist where she traced the muscles of his back. Her mind was blank of any thought or worry she had. All she knew was there was a beautiful man in front of her and she wanted him. Their lips met gently at first, trying each other. Wes pulled back slightly, one of his hands coming up to cradle the back of her neck. She couldn’t tell if it was real or not, but stars seemed to dance in his eyes as his serious face looked down at her.

  “You aren’t yourself,” he told her.

  “I feel great.” She pulled him back harder, nipping at his bottom lip. He groaned deep in the back of his throat and kissed her back, slipping a hand around her waist and pulling her hips hard against his own. Mae wiggled and ground against him as she kissed deeper. Molten pools of heat ran through her, melting her bones, annihilating all inhibitions.

  Wes tore his lips from hers and trailed them along her jaw and to the side of her neck. Mae purred and wove her fingers in his hair. He lifted his head and his dark lashes. “Let’s get out of here.”

  She let him lead her out and back toward the house. When the bar was out of view, Wes pulled her closer to him and she kissed him with abandon again. He whispered in her ear. “You need to throw up. You have no idea the danger you’re in.”

  She gave him a sleepy smile, not really caring. “You’ll protect me.”

  The sadness in his eyes pierced the hazy veil she was behind. He placed his jacket over her shoulders. “There will be very little I can do. This is all moving too fast. There’s no time. You can’t wait until morning. You have to go tonight. Now.”

  The words barely registered through the fog. What was he telling her? He left, or at least she thought he did. The world was spinning, spinning, spinning. All she wanted to do was sleep. A hand touched her back, anchoring her.

  “Take this,” he said, pressing something cold to her lips.

  Cool liquid poured into her mouth and burned all the way down to her stomach. A moment later her whole body lurched and kept heaving until everything went black.

  3.

  Somewhere that seemed very far away, someone was talking. Mae’s head squeezed and pulsed. Her limbs were so heavy she didn’t know if she could move them up high enough to cover her ears. Hands shook her, making her groan.

  “Mae. You have to get up. You have to leave now,” the voice said.

  She peeled open one eye then the other. It felt like she had been hit by a train. Wes knelt over her, but his eyes darted around them.

  “Stop shaking me. I’m going to be sick,” she said, thickly. Her mouth had a bitter taste lingering in it from the last time. “What did you give me?”

  “I know you feel like shit and just want to sleep, but there isn’t time. You have to leave.” He stood, offering her a hand.

  “I don’t have a car.” S
he pushed herself out of the cool, damp grass and stood on her own, though her legs wobbled and her body swayed enough she had to hold onto his arm to steady herself.

  He pressed his keys in her hand and led her to the door of his truck. “Take my truck. I will get your other stuff to you, but you have to go now while Isaac is distracted.”

  She nodded. “Okay. Where’s my sister?”

  He met her eyes. “There’s nothing we can do to help her now. She’s with him. Please just go. I’ll do what I can for her.”

  She forced herself to stand on her own two feet and squared her shoulders. “I’m not leaving my sister.”

  “You’re leaving her, because if you don’t, one of you will die. Without you, they run the risk of upsetting the goddess again, and they wouldn’t do that. They need you both for it to work. Leaving is the only way to save her.”

  “What?” Nothing made any sense.

  Wes sighed, and the vein in his eye twitched. “Have I mentioned you don’t have time?” His words were clipped.

  Mae folded her arms over her chest. “There’s no way in hell I’m leaving my sister without a damn good explanation.”

  “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you,” he said, shaking his head. She narrowed her eyes at him, making no move to get in the truck. “Look, they need twins. We can’t just go out and find them either. They have to choose to come here of their own free will. I didn’t want to bring you here. I tried to talk you into Oklahoma City. Please believe me now when I say your life is in danger.”

  She pressed the heel of her hand against her head. “Who needs twins?”

  “The glaring.” He nudged her toward the truck. “It will be a lot easier to help your sister, if you leave. I’ll explain everything later. I promise.”

  Earnestness flowed off of him. Nothing he said made any sense, but something was weird about this town. At the very least, she could find the next closest town and get help there. “Okay,” she said and climbed in behind the wheel. “But if Mindy isn’t with me by morning, I’m coming back with the police.”