by Faith Gibson
It had been a crazy few months since she and Zeke met in the airport. After Bradley was arrested, it came out that he had planned the attack while she was in Egypt with Sheila. The man who ran her off the road admitted Bradley paid him up front to follow Stella as soon as she returned from her trip. With Bradley showing up at the beach house, attempting to kidnap her, then shooting at Zeke, he was arrested on multiple counts and currently sat in jail where he would stay, hopefully for a long time. Stella put it out of her mind and focused on getting to know Zeke as well as Cyrus and Thomas.
Cyrus got control of his beast while Thomas remained at his sister’s house, visiting daily with Stella. The two became fast friends as they took walks along the water with Nonna. After a couple weeks, Cyrus and Thomas were finally together with Zeke acting as chaperone. When Cyrus had his shifter under control, he and Stella left the two men alone and went back to Stella’s house for a few days where they packed all her belongings. Stella put her house up for sale since they didn’t need it. They planned to use the money to purchase their first project. Before they got busy flipping a property, they were going to enjoy each other while nestled in what Zeke called their cabin.
The cabin was larger than the beach house, but to her, it felt more like home. The small town nearby was filled with friendly people, stunning scenery, and the best down-home cooking Stella ever tasted. Stella bought several cookbooks so she could replicate the meals they had while eating out. Zeke proved to be an excellent cook, and between them, they created some stellar dishes. Fried chicken with biscuits and gravy was Stella’s favorite. They worked off all the calories later in bed. In her previous relationships, Stella could take or leave sex. With Zeke? She was insatiable.
Speaking of her husband, Zeke was on the phone with his brother. Cyrus and Thomas had returned to Montana, and according to Cyrus, Thomas had taken to ranch life like he had been born to it. Even though he could work from anywhere, Thomas sold his business so he could focus on helping Cyrus and the elder Gillespies. As an apology of sorts from Jonas, he sent Tamian to Cyrus’s place and his parents’ ranch to “speak” to all the animals. When Stella asked Zeke about Tamian, he admitted he hadn’t been aware of his cousin’s ability to talk to animals. He also didn’t know how Jonas was aware of Cyrus’s trip back home, but he chalked it up to Julian being involved somehow.
“That’s wonderful news, Brother. Congratulations. Of course Stella and I will be there.” Stella already knew Cyrus had proposed. Thomas texted her almost every day, filling her in on life on the ranch. She was excited about visiting Montana and seeing the couple again.
She and Zeke had gotten married in a little chapel in New Gatlinburg the first Saturday after they arrived in Tennessee. They had been walking around the tourist town, stopping in all the shops, sampling everything from fudge to flavored moonshine, of which Stella was a fan. They had passed by more than one chapel when Zeke mentioned there was no waiting period. A few hours later, they came home with matching wedding bands and several mason jars filled with different varieties of moonshine, and every night after one of their home-cooked meals, Stella sipped the tasty alcohol.
Stella glanced down at the stunning band which matched her promise ring. Zeke admitted to purchasing the rings at the same jeweler before they left California. When he asked if she wanted to wait until her mom could be there with them, Stella told him no. Sheila had her own life now with Dr. Crabtree, and Stella prayed he would be the man who finally stuck around.
After Zeke hung up with Cyrus, Stella went to him where he sat on the sofa and straddled his lap. Curling her arms around his neck, she leaned in for a kiss. “I take it we’re going to Montana?”
“Yes, but you already knew that.” Zeke nuzzled Stella’s neck, kissing the spot just below her ear that drove her crazy.
“Thomas told me Cyrus proposed.” Stella gripped Zeke’s hair, tugging his head back so she could see his eyes.
“What? I can’t kiss my wife?”
“Not like that. You know what that spot does to me.”
Zeke grinned. “But you’re the one who straddled my lap knowing what that spot does to me.”
Oh yes, Stella knew, but she couldn’t help herself. “How long do we have?” she asked, wiggling her butt over his erection.
In one of his faster-than-should-be-possible moves, Zeke had Stella flat of her back on the sofa with his weight on top of her. Her legs spread automatically, and his erection pressed against her. Zeke rubbed his denim-covered hard-on against her, and Stella wanted more. She always wanted more.
“Not long enough for all the things I want to do to you, but long enough for me to do this.” Zeke unbuttoned Stella’s jeans and slid them and her panties down her legs before latching onto her clit with his mouth.
“Holy Bast,” she muttered. Zeke had perfected the art of oral on her. Whenever they didn’t have time to get completely lost in each other, he made sure she was sated. As soon as she came, Stella was reaching for his zipper. She had also learned what her mate liked, and Zeke loved Stella’s mouth.
Half an hour later, with clothes righted and teeth brushed, Stella stood by Zeke as he welcomed some of his family into their home. Stella felt as though she already knew Sophia, Nick, Tessa, and Gregor, but meeting them in person was so much better.
“Oh my gods! You could pass for an Egyptian queen,” Sophia declared as soon as she walked in the door, her nose scrunching like a bunny. It was the cutest thing Stella had ever seen.
Tessa, the feisty redhead, made herself at home, going straight to the refrigerator while Gregor asked Zeke where to put their bags. The two couples were visiting for the weekend, and Stella was beyond excited. Growing up an only child, she had missed out on so much. Having Zeke’s family there was a dream come true for Stella, even when Tessa found the strawberries-and-cream moonshine and proceeded to chug the whole jar. It was a good thing Stella had a case of it in the garage.
Sitting on Zeke’s lap, sipping moonshine, and listening to her new family tell stories of their travels was the most fun Stella ever had in her life. And this was only the beginning. One day, they would all add kids to the mix. Stella could imagine the cabin decorated for Christmas and filled with their family as they celebrated together. She could also see everyone at the beach house, having barbecues and fires on the sand. Her first thirty years had been dull and a little lonely, but the next thirty? They would be filled with family and her Ezekiel. The future had never looked brighter.
REMY
Prologue
Toulouse, France
2007
Dressed in his finest, Remy strolled through his family’s hotel. After four hundred years of being without a mate, he caught the most glorious fragrance on the air. Somewhere between the stone walls of Chateaux de Durand was his female. He first caught her scent in the restaurant, then in the entrance to the maze garden. He was determined to find her, so now he was going floor to floor. When he reached the door to room four thirteen, he found what he was looking for. Instead of standing there like a stalker, he returned to the lobby and waited at the end of the check-in desk.
“Is there something I can help you with, Monsieur Durand?”
“Yes. I need to know who is in room four thirteen.”
James frowned. “Is there a problem with the room?”
“No. I just need the name, please.”
James tapped a few keys. “Monsieur Felix Hogan.”
“Thank you, James.” Remy wasn’t one to jump to conclusions. This could be a father or brother. The male could have reserved the room in his name for an employee.
Or it could be her husband.
It could be, but I’m her mate, so I’ll just have to be patient.
What was another few years after waiting four hundred?
Remy turned from the desk when he heard a woman’s laughter coming from where the elevator was located. That intoxicating scent met his nose right before the most mesmerizing female in the world stepped into vie
w. All Remy could do was stare. Dirty blonde hair was piled on top of her head in soft curls. Blue eyes so pale they seemed translucent met his, and the woman stopped walking, her hand falling away from an older man’s elbow. The man paused when he noticed the woman was no longer walking with him.
“Isla, what’s wrong?” The man turned to see who she was staring at.
“Nothing’s wrong, Dad,” Isla said, her eyes never leaving Remy’s.
Remy broke out of his trance and stepped forward with his hand outstretched. “Bonjour. I am Remy Durand. I hope your stay at Chateaux de Durand is meeting your expectations.”
Felix Hogan grasped his hand tightly. Being Gargoyle, it took a lot of pressure to get Remy’s attention, but he knew in that instant that the male before him wasn’t human. When Mr. Hogan released Remy’s grip, he took a step closer to his daughter. Remy was relieved to know the man who had secured the suite Isla was staying in wasn’t a significant other.
“The Chateau is everything we expected when I booked it. Now, if you’ll excuse us…”
“Of course, Monsieur. If there’s anything you need, do not hesitate to let me know,” Remy said, but his eyes were on the gorgeous female who was his mate.
“Come along, Isla.” Her father’s tone was gruff, and it rankled Remy. No one, not even his mate’s father, should speak to her in such a way.
Isla winked at him, mischief glowing in her pale eyes, and she mouthed, “Later.”
Remy’s heart tapped double-time behind his ribs. He could do nothing but stand there and stare as she walked away. As soon as they were out the door, Remy went into the office and did something he shouldn’t have. He grabbed a blank key card and ran it through the machine to code it to her suite. He calmed himself before heading out to the lobby. He would be humiliated if James figured out what Remy was going to do. Instead of going directly to the elevator, he made his way to the restaurant and spoke with the chef about the day’s menu. Remy didn’t micromanage. His family hired only the best, so the chef was taken aback when Remy showed up.
“I only asked because the cassoulet is a favorite of mine, and I’ve been craving it.”
“Oui, Monsieur. You only have to ask. I can rearrange today’s menu.”
“Non. That won’t be necessary, but if you could manage to work it in sometime this week, I would be forever grateful.”
“Consider it done.”
“Merci.” Remy inclined his head and exited the kitchen. He made his way to the bank of lifts at the back of the hotel and rode one to the fourth floor. He reached out with his shifter senses to assure there was no one around. When he was certain the coast was clear, Remy let himself into Isla’s suite. Isla. A lovely name for a lovely female. His female. His beast was rumbling inside as their mate’s essence assaulted them strongly. Remy felt like a creep, but he wanted to know a little more about his mate before he spoke to her alone. And he would get her away from her father. His quick perusal of her room didn’t offer much about her personality. The only thing he garnered from snooping was she wore lacy underwear. When he opened the drawer and saw the frilly bras and panties, Remy had to grip his cock harshly. He also had to get out of her room.
“Hey, what are you doing in there?” a rough voice asked when Remy stepped through the door.
Remy turned to find a younger version of Isla’s father glaring at him. The male’s nostrils were flaring, and his fists were clenched at his side. “I was checking the thermostat to ensure it had been fixed.”
“And you often go into occupied rooms while the guests are unaware?”
“Non. Only when I want to assure there are no issues which would cause less than a memorable stay at my hotel.”
“Your hotel?”
“Oui. I am Remy Durand.”
The male’s eyebrows rose as though he didn’t believe Remy. “Well, Mister Durand, stay out of my sister’s room.”
“I was under the impression this was your father’s suite. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a hotel to oversee.” Remy didn’t give the male time to say anything further. He turned on his heel and strode toward the stairway, needing to put much space between himself and Isla Hogan’s suspicious brother. Instead of returning to the lobby, Remy went upstairs to his own suite and closed himself in. He laughed at himself for getting caught, but his laughter turned into a groan when he thought about Isla wearing the lacy undergarments. Instead of taking care of his throbbing hard-on, Remy called the florist who supplied the arrangements scattered around the hotel. With her brother hanging around, Remy would have to be sneaky getting the flowers into his mate’s room, but he would make it happen.
Remy paced his suite hours later. The flowers had been delivered, and Remy had handwritten a note, praying Isla’s father and brother didn’t see the roses and sabotage his plans. It was close to midnight when a soft knock broke him out of his pacing. One sniff and Remy knew she was there. He strode to the door and opened it. Isla stood before him, a dream in cream-colored pants and a soft lilac sweater.
“I got your note,” she whispered. Remy held open the door for her. Isla stepped across the threshold, but instead of venturing farther into the room, she stopped in front of him. Remy held his breath as she slid her arms around his neck, grinning. “Hello, Mate.”
Chapter One
October 2048
Remy tousled his son’s hair after kissing him on the temple. Rain had missed two years of school, but he was thriving with Marigold as his teacher. As soon as Amelia found out Rain was going to be homeschooled, she begged Frey and Abbi to let her do the same. Her parents had agreed, saying it might help Rain feel more comfortable having an ally. Amelia was a whirlwind, making everyone who met her smile, including Rain. She reminded Remy of a mini version of his mate. Isla had the same effect on anyone who was in her presence. Amelia and Connor had taken Rain into their duo, and the three were thick as thieves. Connor was younger, but his little mind was brilliant. He had his own tutor since he was a few levels above the other two.
Lorenzo was assigned to watch over the kids while their parents were at work. Remy was learning about running the Pen. Abbi had started teaching dance classes at the gym, and Frey was there to watch over his mate while running the Clan in Rafael’s absence. If Isla were still alive, Remy would have been by her side too. His lovely mate had been a force of nature. At four hundred twenty-three, Remy had almost given up finding his mate. Then one day, there she was in his hotel. Isla was on a business trip with her father when Remy caught her scent. Remy waited in the lobby every day until he finally found the female whose very essence called to his beast.
Things weren’t easy for the two of them. Her father had taken one look at Remy and refused to allow Isla to mate below her station. Not only were the Hogans from an Original bloodline, they were also one of the richest families in Australia. It didn’t matter that Remy’s family owned several vineyards in South France. Their wealth was nothing compared to that of the Hogans. Isla, being her own female, had given her father an ultimatum: respect her wishes or lose her forever. Her father relented, but her brother, Nash, had been happy to see her go. With Isla out of the picture, he stepped into her spot as second in control of the family’s company.
Remy and Isla remained in France. Instead of staying at Chateaux de Durand, they moved to one of his family’s vineyards. They had a charmed life, one which became even more enriched when their son was born many years later. The two had tried for years to have a child, but their love never wavered when it didn’t happen. Everything had been perfect until Isla took Rain to visit her parents. Nash called Remy with the news that both Isla and Rain had been killed in a car crash. Being the asshole he was, Nash also informed Remy the family had Isla and Rain cremated. Instead of getting on a plane and heading to Australia, Remy fell into a depression. Staying at the winery was no longer an option. He couldn’t remain where the memories of his family were greatest, so he moved to the States. He fell in with the Stone Society in California. When they
offered Remy a job running the penitentiary they were building, he took it. Remy had no experience with such things, but he had a brilliant mind for business, and he came to New Atlanta to learn everything he could from Gregor Stone.
Finding his son alive had nearly broken Remy, but it also brought him back to life. No longer going through the motions of making it through each day, he had something – someone – to live for. Knowing it was Nash who sold Rain to Dr. Craven had lit a fire in Remy. He was a male on a mission, and when he found his mate’s brother, he was going to tear him apart. It had been months since Rain had been returned to Remy, and that was where Remy’s focus was – taking care of his son. Henry Palamo, the Clan’s new computer expert, was currently searching for Dr. Craven while also figuring out who had targeted the Clan by hacking into the system. Once they found Craven, Remy planned to force a confession out of the man with regards to Nash and Rain. When he had that, Remy was going to take it to Isla’s parents and demand retribution.
When Rain was found, Remy had a moment’s hope his mate was still alive. He had called her mother, not to inform her Rain was with him, but to ask about Isla. Before he could ask what he wanted to know, Felix had grabbed the phone and demanded Remy never contact them again. They blamed Remy for Isla’s death, which made no sense. He had been thousands of miles away at the time. Maybe that was the reason. He hadn’t been there to protect her.
Remy made his way to the office as soon as he arrived at work. Since Deacon had retired to spend time with Sabrina, Gregor had promoted Aldredge to assistant warden and had left training Remy to the male. Aldredge had worked at the Pen for over ten years, so he was knowledgeable with the ins and outs, whereas Remy was learning from the ground up. With the New Atlanta Penitentiary being privately owned by the Stone Society instead of funded by the government, they had more leeway with how they ran things. That included housing the Unholy in what Gregor called The Basement. The lower level contained the monsters the Clan managed to get off the street.