Fighting for Julia [Panther Cove 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting)
Page 1
Panther Cove 3
Fighting for Julia
When panther-shifters and security experts Breck and Daven Sang arrive in Panther Cove, they’re delighted to find their mate. The moment they see Julia Watson, a long-legged strawberry blonde, they know she’s their destiny. Too bad Julia avoids men with dangerous jobs, like those who battle damned tiger-shifters.
When the men see her passion for painting and her love for the outdoors, their overwhelming ability to see her true self melts her resolve, and she wholeheartedly embraces their love.
When Daven is critically wounded in a skirmish, she rushes to his side to help him heal. Because of her love, she’s willing to overlook their dangerous job. However, once Daven and Breck insist on returning to duty, she realizes that to save her heart from breaking again, she must leave them. What can the men do to convince her to be their mate forever?
Note: There is no sexual relationship or touching for titillation between or among siblings.
Genre: Ménage a Trois/Quatre, Paranormal, Shape-shifter
Length: 40,715 words
FIGHTING FOR JULIA
Panther Cove 3
Melody Snow Monroe
MENAGE EVERLASTING
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
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A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK
IMPRINT: Ménage Everlasting
FIGHTING FOR JULIA
Copyright © 2013 by Melody Snow Monroe
E-book ISBN: 978-1-62242-006-3
First E-book Publication: February 2013
Cover design by Harris Channing
All art and logo copyright © 2013 by Siren Publishing, Inc.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.
All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.
PUBLISHER
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
Letter to Readers
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DEDICATION
To all the women married to men who put their lives on the line every day.
FIGHTING FOR JULIA
Panther Cove 3
MELODY SNOW MONROE
Copyright © 2013
Chapter One
Breck Sang could barely move. Never had his claws extended spontaneously or his hair sprouted on the back of his hands unless he’d been provoked. If a tiger shifter had been near, he would have sensed it. So what the hell’s going on?
Raucous laughter near the coffee bar finally entered his brain, and his body returned to normal. Well, almost normal. His heart was still galloping as if he was chasing some prey. He blew out a breath, glad that no one had noticed him possibly shifting in Delight, North Carolina, a town where he was surrounded mostly by humans. It didn’t matter that the two coffee bar owners were panther shifters. If he’d inadvertently revealed shifters existed, it would have caused a worldwide panic.
He glanced at his brother to see if he’d had the same reaction. Daven also seemed frozen, his gaze riveted on the three women standing in front of them. Before Breck had a chance to study the girls, their former boss, Jeremiah Jenkins, trotted up to them. A quizzical expression flashed across his face but was gone before Breck could ask him about it.
Jeremiah slapped him on the back. “Glad you could make it. Come on in and join our opening celebration party.”
Relieved to get out of this rarified air, he nudged Daven. “Let’s go.”
His brother shot him a glance. Did you see her?
Shit. From the way Daven’s voice was laced with panic, his suspicions had been confirmed. Their mate was near. His fathers had told them about the intense reaction one got when meeting one’s once-in-a-lifetime mate for the first time, but he always thought it was a tale to keep them single. They were almost seventy, which while young in panther years was still a long-ass time to be waiting for the perfect woman. Sure, that had given them a lot of time to sow their oats, so to speak, but always hoping she’d walk into their lives the next day or the day after that kind of sucked.
They’d just been recruited to work at Panther Cove, the most amazing facility he’d ever seen. Getting involved right now wasn’t the sensible thing to do, but no one had ever accused him of letting practicality rule when it came to affairs of the heart.
He slung an arm around Daven’s shoulder. “Come one. Let’s take advantage of the free coffee.”
That brought a smile to his brother’s lips. “Music to my ears.”
As they wove their way through the crowd, he couldn’t help but glance back at the threesome. He knew two of the women. One was engaged to Jeremiah and Mario, and the other one was about to marry the two heads of Panther Cove. That meant the strawberry blonde with the long legs, amazing ass, and tiny waist was going to be theirs. A combination of testosterone and adrenaline rushed through his veins, making his cock harder than the floor they were walking on.
Do you think she knows? he telepathed to his brother.
Daven’s shoulders were still too tense. “No.”
His dads had always claimed they’d know when the time was right, but they never said anything about the woman being clued in.
Halfway to the counter, Jeremiah turned around and waved to the object of their attention. “Hey, Julia.” He crooked his finger to motion her near.
The strawberry blonde whipped around, an
d Breck’s heart nearly stopped. He didn’t know what to focus on first. Was it the way her full lips had easily cracked a smile, how her clear-blue eyes sparkled like a river on a sunny day, or how her nose turned up at the end as if she liked to challenge a man? He didn’t dare lower his gaze and look at her breasts for fear he’d shift into a panther in front of everyone.
His cock got painfully hard thinking about getting to spend the rest of his life exploring every inch of her delicious body, and his senses overloaded when she bounced near him. She wouldn’t have known he wanted her, unless she glanced at his crotch.
Fortunately, she breezed on by without a glance and stopped at Jeremiah’s side.
“You need me to serve?”
“That would be nice.”
As soon as the enticing woman slipped behind the coffee bar, Breck moved next to Jeremiah. “She works here I gather?”
“Part time. She also waitresses at The Black Cat Bar.” From the way his lips kept inching up into a smile, their former boss knew what was happening to them.
Daven finally seemed to have come out of his stupor. “Julia have a last name?”
Jeremiah laughed and shot a glance at Breck. “I thought I spotted that hair. Is she—”
“Shh. Let’s not announce it, but yes she must be, given my body hasn’t stopped vibrating since we walked in.” Christ. He didn’t need the town to know they were in heat.
He shook his head. “Her name’s Julia Wilson.” The sly smile finally turned into a full-blown grin. “Trust me. Mario and I just went through the whole mating thing recently so I truly understand. At least Julia’s fathers live at The Cove.”
Having her be of panther descent eased his worry somewhat. At least exposing his other side wouldn’t create a stir. “Julia Wilson. I like that name.” The syllables rolled off his tongue as easily as an aged glass of cognac.
Jeremiah cocked a brow. “Watch out for her. She made it clear she doesn’t like anyone who takes risks for a living.”
“That shouldn’t be a problem. We’re about as cautious as it comes.”
“You might think so, but Julia won’t be convinced. From what I’ve heard, she won’t date policemen, firemen, and she especially won’t date men whose focus in life is fighting The Sword. What we do, or rather what I did, is a dangerous line of work.”
He thought Julia’s reasoning was somewhat over the top. “Even accountants can have heart attacks or a stay-at-home mom could slip, hit her head, and die. Hell, texting while driving can kill you.”
“True, but our line of work inherently has more risks. We’re fighters. You can get a bullet to your heart that’ll kill you on impact.”
He’d been in a ton of battles and his wounds had healed almost instantaneously. However, Jeremiah had a point. “I guess a tiger could swipe a claw across my jugular, and I’d be toast, but since we’ve been trained by the best, I’m planning on living a long time.” Like to four hundred.
Not only had Noble and Bantum Jackson worked them hard in the gym, but Jeremiah and Mario had provided amazing intel into The Sword’s operation. They were prepared to take them on.
“Let’s hope you do.” He nodded to the growing crowd. “Join in and meet the neighbors.”
“Thanks.” Given this was the opening celebration for joining Jeremiah and Mario’s fiancé’s tea shop with his and Mario’s coffee bar, he needed to let the man mingle.
Breck waved to Mario, who was setting cups on the bar as fast as he could pour them. He had to admit both of the men really seemed to be in their element here. Owning a brick-and-mortar store was not for him though. He knew he’d spent the rest of his days protecting The Shield.
Daven edged next to him. “What are we going to do?”
“What do you mean?” He glanced around to make sure no one appeared to be eavesdropping.
“We going to tell her?”
Breck actually laughed out loud. “That we’re her mate and that she has no chance of getting out of her destiny? Are you crazy? You heard Jeremiah. She won’t go out with us security types, especially if she thinks we’re her lifelong mates.”
His jaw tightened. “Then how do you expect to capture her interest?”
“Very carefully.”
* * * *
Julia loved mixing with the locals, especially since she’d run across all of them at one time. The four men who’d come in while she was talking with Kendis and Jen were the exception. She’d never seen them before. Since they were beyond hunky, she would have for sure noticed them. To her extreme delight, her senses told her all four were panther shifters. She’d definitely have to check them out. Too bad women couldn’t shift or she might have enticed them outside and suggest they go for a run.
For the next two hours, Julia handed out drinks and chatted with the people who bellied up to the bar, waiting for the newcomers to stop by. Only they didn’t. Jeremiah came up twice and picked up drinks for them. Darn.
Jen sidled up and grabbed a vacant stool. “How’s it going?”
“Busy, but I’m having fun.”
“I hope you don’t have to wait tables tonight.”
She laughed. “Alexandre insisted I take the night off.”
“That’s good. Can I help with anything? I’m a tea drinker myself, but maybe I can measure something for you or maybe wash some cups.”
“You? A devout tea drinker? I thought you couldn’t live without your latte every day.”
She grinned. “You caught me. I admit, there are times when I need the caffeine rush, but I’m becoming a convert. When I’m writing a story, I brew some fancy tea I’ve gotten from Kendis. There’s nothing better than the slight spice of tea to give me a boost.”
“If you say so.” An idea gathered. “Since you offered, there is something you can do for me.”
“Name it.”
She didn’t like asking for favors, but two of the newcomers hadn’t taken their eyes off her. It wasn’t the usual lustful glare, but it went deeper, as if they were trying to figure her out before approaching. “Put on your reporter hat and find out what you can about the two men who are speaking with your soon-to-be husband.”
Jen looked behind her. “Don’t need to. I know them. The taller of the two, with the slightly crooked nose, is Breckenridge Sang.”
“Ooh. He sounds rich.”
Jen chuckled. “I believe he comes from family money. He and his brother, Davenport, now work for Hercules and Casius.”
Her stomach tumbled. “Oh.”
Jen’s brow arched. “Oh?”
“Yeah. Why do all the hot ones have to be in such high-risk jobs?” Damn. And here she’d been fantasizing about what she could do with them in bed. Pouring chocolate over the tall one’s cock and licking it off had come to mind. As for the shorter one, he looked more of the cuddling type. She’d fantasized about letting him tie her up and lick her until she screamed his name. Now, she’d have to shelve that idea for some other men. “And why is it so damned hard to find a mate?”
Jen drank her iced tea. “Sometimes you have to overlook what they do for a living if you expect to find a you-know-what kind of mate.”
Jen hadn’t wanted to say the word shifter in public. “I’m not ready for that. I’ve waited a fifth of my lifetime already. A few more years won’t make a difference.” Though having waited seventy-six years seemed like an eternity to her. At least she only looked to be in her early twenties. Yay, panther genes.
“I suppose.”
Her two dads and her mom lived in Panther Cove, so the next time she visited, she’d have to make sure not to run into these two men. Seeing those two hunks might make her relent. “I’m guessing they live at The Cove?” The homes were very expensive and only the more essential people stayed there.
“Yes.”
That meant they were even more off-limits. “Hmm.”
Jen leaned forward on her elbows. “No harm in dating them. A girl’s gotta do something while she’s waiting for her perfect mate to com
e along.”
“My luck I’ll fall in love with them and end up fretting every time they leave the house.”
She wiped the counter in front of her and thought back to her days growing up in Panther Cove. There was this bronze statue in the middle of the compound that she used to play on. It stood a good ten feet tall and had three male figures on it. One was kneeling with the other two leaning over him. She never questioned what it meant, just that it was fun to run in between the tall figures.
It wasn’t until she turned ten that she learned the statue had been commissioned to honor all the slain panther shifters who died in the line of duty. Her heart still broke every time she looked at it now.
Jen rubbed her arm. “Julia?”
“Yeah?’
“Where did you go? Were you thinking about how your mom fell in love with two soldiers?”
She’d confided a lot of her youthful years with Jen because Julia wanted to make sure her friend knew what she was getting into when she married the now heads of Panther Cove.
“Kind of.” Jen needed to know of the horror of when her two fathers had gone out on patrol and hadn’t come back for days. Julia was nine at the time and remembered her mother crying for days. It turned out her dads had found a sick child and couldn’t leave him. Back then they didn’t have cell phones. “You know why my mom looks older than her age? It’s because she’s worried so much.”
“I’m sure she went through a lot.”
Derek, Jen’s other fiancé slipped next to her and nibbled on her neck. “I think Kendis is feeling lonely on the tea side of the store. Maybe you could keep her company.”