Skin Walkers: Gauge

by Susan A Bliler

  ***

  “She’s mine,” he heard a man bellow as he dropped in the cover of the trees to shift back to his male form. “I demand you give her to me!”

  Storming out of the tree line, Gauge stalked forward with a lethal determination.

  A car sat lopsided half onto of the thick wrought-iron main gate. When Marko said the man had tried to crash the front gate, he’d clearly meant it literally.

  The man was on his knees, surrounded by four Walker Sentries. They parted as Gauge approached.

  His shoulders bunched and his muscles tensed as he struggled to keep from ending the man then and there. A ferocious snarl left him when Marko stepped forward and gripped his arm.

  Marko lowered his voice, but spoke quickly, “Monroe’s on his way. If you’re going to do something here, make it quick!”

  Every Walker was aware of Monroe’s penchant for questioning enemies. It could be days before Gauge ever got this opportunity again.

  Gauge jerked free and was on the intruder in the blink of an eye. One hand clamped around his throat as he jerked the man to his feet and dragged him toward the woods.

  “What? Stop! W-what are you doing?” He stammered as he turned imploring eyes on Marko and the team of Sentries that merely watched as he was taken deep into the woods. “You can’t do this. He can’t do this! MAKE HIM STOP!”

  When Gauge disappeared from sight, the Sentries listened to the man’s cries as they turned to horrified screams. Terror scented the air and a ferocious bear’s growl sounded off the trees before the scent of blood blossomed in the air.

  “What if someone comes looking for him?” Banta asked at Marko’s side.

  “The man clearly came here with bad intentions. Do you think he let anyone know where he was going or what he’d be doing?”

  Banta shook his head, “If I were going to commit a crime, I’d tell as few people as possible.” They listened as the forest went silent. “What of the body?”

  “We’ll take it far from here. Leave it in the woods. He’ll be just another citiot who got mauled by a bear.”

  Chapter 21

  Standing at a table in StoneCrow’s elegant ball room, Gauge smiled proudly as the processional of angels and their offspring began entering. The room was dimly lit and soft music from the string quartet set an intimate tone. It was worlds apart from the carnage he’d just let loose mere hours before, but there was no guilt, no remorse. Surprisingly, a calming sense of closure came over the Walker.

  Leading the line of mates was Eden StoneCrow. Gauge hadn’t expected to see her, and apparently no one else had either. A few audible inhalations were heard before a round of applause erupted from the Walkers standing throughout the room at the appearance of their swollen Domina.

  Gauge watched as an impatient Monroe abandoned his table to greet his angel and children. The display was extremely rare.

  Beaming, the dominant Skin Walker slowed as he reached his mate. One hand cupped her cheek while the other smoothed over her rounded belly. Her navy gown hung to her slippered feet and the color was mirrored in the ties worn by her three sons and gowns of her two small daughters as they gathered around her.

  It wasn’t the outright display of Monroe’s affection that awed Gauge. It was his smile. The CEO rarely smiled and if he did, it was typically a terrifying sight, indicative of some maniacal scheme he’d soon put into play to terrorize his Walkers.

  Watching Monroe’s smile as it reached his eyes and shone through to his mate, Gauge realized he was witnessing pure joy. This was what Monroe wanted for his Walkers. His machinations and schemes were all pitted for one purpose. He wanted his Walkers to finally experience true happiness. Gauge swallowed at the sudden realization that Monroe was a more noble Dominant than many—including himself—had given the man credit for. He’d have to make an effort to thank the CEO sometime soon for his efforts on all their behalf.

  Any thoughts of confronting Monroe vanished when several pairs of male Walker eyes left the processional to turn toward a second entryway.

  Gauge instantly tensed and the air left his lungs at the sight that met him. His Ella, holding little Alysa’s hand, was walking toward him and she was the most exquisite woman he’d ever seen. He felt his heart swell with pride as he took an involuntary step toward them.

  Her white gown clung to her curves and flared at the hips, billowing around her like a dream. The beaded bodice glimmered and winked in the dim lighting. He was delighted that Brooklyn had remembered the high collar and billowy sleeves. Ella’s back was still scarred and he didn’t want her feeling any insecurities tonight. Her chestnut hair was piled up and her bright red lips were more than inviting.

  The Walkers around him stared at her and he heard murmurings from the unmated Walkers before he silenced them with a lethal glare.

  Aching desire exploded inside of him. He wanted her more than he wanted his next breath. When her eyes lifted and found his, he knew she was his! Her lips parted and a hand flattened on the swell of her chest as if she’d sensed it too.

  He hadn’t ever realized he’d loosed a possessive growl until King laughed at his side, “Easy, man.” King stepped away then to greet his angel as she entered the processional with their young daughter.

  Ella found her way to Gauge’s side and smiled shyly up at him.

  “Why didn’t you enter with the parade of wives and children?” He demanded.

  Ella shook her head, “Because we’re no one’s family, Gauge.”

  “You are mine!” his inner beasts howled, surging to the fore with their want for him to claim her. His tone softened, tempered with a tender emotion that he couldn’t place. “I expected to see you in the processional.”

  Ella smiled softly dropping her eyes to Alysa, unsure how to respond to his declaration that they were his. “I’m afraid we’ve taken too many liberties already.” She lifted her eyes to meet his, “If you don’t mind, tonight after the party I’d like to discuss my plans for our departure.”

  “Our?” Gauge questioned, his brows drawing together.

  “Alysa’s and mine,” worry shone on her face. “Gauge we can’t stay. Anthony knows we’re here. We’re a liability to the Walkers now. I’ve thought about what you said. Monroe is right to want us gone.” She eyed the table and dropped her voice, “There is more here to protect than a frightened woman and her niece. Monroe doesn’t want our kind of trouble and Walkers don’t need…”

  Gauge leaned in close to snarl, “I don’t give a damn what Monroe wants. You and Alysa are staying. That’s final.”

  Ella took an instinctive step back, using a hand to pull Alysa behind the shield of her own body. As Gauge’s eyes slid from Ella’s to the child behind her, she thought she caught the slightest hint of shame before it disappeared.

  “I only want to protect you, Ella.” Gauge brought his eyes back to her face and Ella felt a sharp stab of guilt at the pain she read there. “Both of you.”

  She smiled up at him, unable to keep her hand from lifting to his cheek. Her fingers were smoothing over the savagely hewn line of his jaw before she realized what she was doing and drew her fingers back embarrassed. I wish I knew how to trust. Teach me how to trust you, she silently pleaded. Instead, she dropped her head and whispered, “We’re not yours to protect.” But I wish we were. God how I wish the affliction would set in!

  Gauge barely controlled the growl that ached to roar from his chest at the truth of her words. He scented her need for him, for his protection and strength. Hell, he wanted them as badly as they needed him, but there was no affliction. She was right. They weren’t his.

  Ella watched as King stalked from the table to meet his approaching wife and their small daughter, Mahkya. She couldn’t control the jealousy that washed over her as King wrapped his arms around his beautiful angel and dipped her backward for a long sensual kiss before righting her then bending to scoop up their daughter and place a kiss on her cheek.

  Feeling like she’d intruded on a per
sonal moment, Ella dipped her eyes before looking up to find Gauge watching her curiously.

  “What’s that expression you were just wearing?” The blatant curiosity sounded threatening when asked in his typical demanding tone.

  Ella cleared her expression. “I don’t know what you mean.” She gasped when Gauge stepped closer, his hands gently griping her arms as he pulled her into him.

  “Yes you do. When you were watching King with Lilly and Mahkya. What were you thinking?”

  Ella passed a cursory glance at the tables on either side of them, hoping no one was watching the display. “Nothing.”

  “Ella!” Gauge demanded warningly.

  Her cheeks singed in embarrassment as she hissed, “Will you stop it. You’re causing a scene.”

  He didn’t take his eyes from her. “I don’t give a damn! Now,” he leaned closer until his nose was inches from hers. She watched as his eyes transitioned from their usual luminescence to the deadly matte black that meant he’d partially shifted. He was scenting her. He wanted the truth.

  “It was envy for Christ’s sake!” She darted a glance from side to side, aware of the several pairs of eyes that were now glued to them. She dropped her head and ground out between clenched teeth. “Let me go.”

  “Are you going to spank mommy?” Alysa’s words left several couples within earshot laughing and Ella’s cheeks flaming several shades of pink.

  Ella closed her eyes for the briefest of moments in an attempt to compose herself and tamp down the wave of humiliation that washed over her.

  “If mommy’s a bad girl then I’ll spank her, but not right now.” Gauge smiled down at the child before releasing Ella and bending to lift the girl with one arm while the other circled possessively around Ella’s waist. He watched as Alysa’s face crinkled into a worried frown.

  “But I don’t want you to hurt mommy.”

  Gauge kissed the girl’s cheek before titling his head so he was looking her straight in the eye. “I was just playing, pretty girl. You know I’d never hurt mommy.”

  “Promise?” Ella scoffed under her breath.

  “Yes,” he answered her directly.

  Her gaze jerked to his. She’d thought he hadn’t heard her words.

  Ella pulled away to drop gracefully into her chair as King and his family approached and took their seats.

  A server passed by and filled the children’s empty glasses with sparkling cider as Gauge retrieved the bottle of champagne that sat in a bucket of ice in the center of the table and filled each of the four adult’s glasses.

  “Thank you,” Ella whispered lifting the glass to her lips. She felt Gauge’s eyes on her and she shifted uncomfortably, aware that since she’d entered the room, he’d rarely taken his eyes from her.

  “I just love the Christmas ball, don’t you?”

  Ella couldn’t help but smile at Lilly’s genuine excitement. She too was secretly enjoying the rare occasion to don her finery. It felt magical. “Yeah. I’m a sucker for any excuse to dress-up.”

  “Well, you do it very well.” Lilly held up her glass and Ella raised hers in gratitude.

  “As do you.”

  Mahkya squirmed in King’s arms as she tried to turn and face the table. “Daddy, momma’s pretty.”

  “Yes,” King answered struggling to control the boisterous child, “she certainly is.” He turned and set the child on the floor and watched as she dashed away from the table and across the dance floor to the Walker dressed as Santa that was handing out treats and presents to children on the far side of the room. He looked ridiculous with his muscles bulging under the red suit so that the seams were clinging together by a prayer.

  Alysa turned to beam curiously up at Gauge. “Are you my daddy?”

  Ella, who’d just taken a sip of her champagne choked. Her cheeks flamed in mortification even as she caught sight of King reclining back in his chair, stretching his arms to fold them behind his head while a smug grin split his features. He stared at Gauge in obvious delight as he waited for his fellow Walker to respond.

  Ella dabbed her mouth with her napkin as Lilly patted her back.

  “You okay?”

  “Fine,” Ella croaked before reaching for her daughter. “Alysa,” she whispered before Gauge’s hand on her arm stilled her. Ella looked up to meet his eyes and was worried to discover they lacked the humor King clearly found in the situation. “I’m sorry, Gauge,” she offered tremulously.

  A soft smile touched his lips before lighting his eyes. “Don’t be.” He turned and tossed Alysa up into the air before catching her and pulling her close. “And you, pretty girl,” he nuzzled the child’s neck sending peals of laughter dancing through the room, “may call me anything you like.”

  Ella pulled her hand back and straightened uncomfortably, knowing even as she did how rigid she must look. She made a mental note to talk with Alysa later regarding their relationship with Gauge. Then to Ella’s great relief, Lilly changed the subject.

  “So Gauge, King tells me you’ve accepted a position with the Board of Directors.”

  Gauge nodded. “I figured it was time.”

  Lilly’s ruby red lips tipped in a smile, “Well, I was delighted and surprised to hear it. Although, I thought you’d vowed to shirk the Board if they ever came calling?”

  Gauge set Alysa on the ground and watched as she chased off across the room in pursuit of Mahkya. “I’ve decided that Monroe needs a little more overseeing then King alone can offer. We’re of a like mind King and I, and with the two of us on the Board, we’re able to offer more resistance to Monroe and his…ideals.”

  “Funny,” Lilly pursed her lips. “Why the sudden change of heart?” She slid her eyes to Ella knowingly.

  Ella knew where the conversation was heading even as she scooted her chair back, “I’d better check on Alysa.” Both King and Gauge stood as she rose and left the table.

  Lilly smiled at King as they watched Gauge’s eyes follow Ella across the room to her daughter. “She’s beautiful. The dress fits her perfectly.”

  “Yes,” Gauge responded appreciatively without looking at Lilly, his eyes instead sliding longingly over Ella’s petite frame.

  Lilly’s smile grew as she dipped her head at the sound of sheer male interest. “Uhh, I was talking about Alysa.”

  “Oh!” Gauge tore his eyes from Ella and turned to eye a laughing King.

  Chapter 22

  Ella was bent, wiping the remnants of a chocolate covered cupcake from Alysa’s lips when she felt a hand on her hip. Standing, she turned to discover Gauge smiling down at them. He was so close to Ella that she had to tuck her elbow when she turned slowly into him.

  “Alysa, uncle King has a surprise for you, pretty girl. Why don’t you go see what it is?”

  Alysa’s eyes lit with excitement as she and Mahkya raced back across the ballroom to a waiting King.

  Ella held up a hand, and issued a firm, “Don’t run.” But it was too late. Alysa was too fast and too excited to be bothered with her mother’s direction.

  Gauge watched as worry knitted Ella’s fine brows together. She watched, gnawing at her bottom lip, to ensure Alysa arrived safely at her destination. The tension in her slight frame eased when King stood as Alysa and Mahkya approached then bent and hoisted the young girls into his arms.

  “She’ll be fine,” Gauge whispered.

  “I know,” she snapped before she turned to look at Gauge apologetically. “I’m sorry.” She placed a hand on his chest but pulled it back at the last second. “I’m just not used to…to…”

  “To trusting other people with your child?” Gauge supplied, the slightest hint of mockery curling his lip.

  Ella dropped her hand and her eyes to wring her fingers together. “It may seem foolish to you, but she’s all I have.”

  When Gauge didn’t respond, Ella looked up to find him watching her intently.

  “A mother’s shoulders are broad, Gauge, so that we may shoulder the burdens. I’ve made the cho
ices I have to give her something better.”

  “Yet you’re not her true mother.”

  Indignation flared to life as Ella hissed, “I’m more than a true mother. I choose to defend a life that isn’t mine to protect. There’s no obligation here, only pure love. It’s sacrosanct, and clearly something you’ll never understand!”

  “You don’t have to protect her alone. You don’t need to be afraid anymore.” He’d nearly slipped and told her the truth about Anthony.

  “I’m not afraid, damn it! I’m mad!”

  “Mad?”

  “Yes,” she hissed as anger sparked in her eyes. “I’m not going to let what’s happened to Alysa and I harden me into some resentful, fear-laden shrew. What happened to us was difficult, but it doesn’t define us. I won’t spend the rest of my life cowering in fear and looking over my shoulder. I don’t care what happens to me, but I refuse to make her live like that. If it’s all I can offer her then what was the point of ever running in the first place?”

  He smiled, admiring her. She was his perfect mate, his angel. There might be no affliction, but he’d claim her anyway, and he’d never go back.

  “Gauge? What is it?” Her words were a whisper.

  He reached up to stroke over her soft cheek with the back of his strong fingers. “I wonder if that fierce allegiance could be supplied to anyone beyond that little girl.”

  She couldn’t tear her eyes from his. He seemed so at ease, so content. She’d never seen him like this before, and when he dropped his hand to thread his fingers between hers and lead her out to the dance floor, she simply followed numbly.

  Her attention was riveted on him. She could barely hear the din of the music over the thunderous beat of her heart as she studied him. Gauge was gorgeous tonight. She stared at the broad expanse of his back and the way his perfectly fitted tux hugged his massive shoulders before it tapered at his trim waist. Her eyes slid up to stare at the back of his head as he gently led her toward the center of the dance floor. His short blond hair looked so soft that her fingers actually itched to run through the satiny looking strands. Then out of the corner of her eye she noticed couples clearing the dance floor. She took a wider stride to catch pace with Gauge and she whispered up to him, “I don’t think we should be dancing. Everyone else is sitting down.”