by Jane Jamison
“Stone. No.” His whisper was low and firm.
He wouldn’t let him claim her. Not until they’d told her about their inner animals.
Stone blinked, his amber-filled eyes changing until they’d returned to their normal sky-blue color. His fangs disappeared a moment before he plunged his cock inside Rae.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist, and pushed her hips at him. Her head was turned to the side so Wyatt could see her rapturous expression. Her body moved with Stone’s like two pieces of a puzzle coming apart then coming back together.
Stone rode her, his hands flowing over her body, his mouth caressing every part of her that he could reach. They moved as one, and Wyatt, caught in the joy of watching them, couldn’t help but wonder if they’d moved as smoothly together.
When she cried out, the sound now familiar to his ears, he was ready to go again. Yet when Stone finally rolled off her, he could see that she was spent. Once they changed her, if that was what she wanted, then she’d have more stamina. Until then, he’d have to wait for another time.
For now, they’d stay with her until morning, keeping her cocooned between them. Her eyelids were already heavy and he could see sleep coming soon.
Tugging her body against his, he whispered in her ear. “We love you, babe. If you believe nothing else, believe that.”
* * * *
“That was pure bullshit, Stone. You had no business telling her about Sheila and my problem.”
Stone stayed where he was. He’d known Wyatt would be all over him. The only surprise was that Wyatt had waited until they’d left Rae’s place the next morning. She’d slept through the night, peacefully close to them as they’d lain on either side of her, not speaking, only using the time to luxuriate in having her close. Once the sun had started rising, they’d awakened her, told her that they’d call her later that day, and had left her alone, her eyes unable to stay open in her fatigue.
“I did what I had to.”
“So what I wanted didn’t matter a shit, did it? Like I said. It’s my problem. Not yours and it sure as hell isn’t Rae’s. You had no right telling her. I could’ve gotten it fixed before she found out.”
“Is that how you want it to be? You want to start off lying to our mate?” Stone had to make him understand. Had to make him realize what had really happened last night. “Don’t you get it, man? She took the leap of faith by telling us that she loved us. Your lies could’ve blown that all to hell before we even had a chance to know it.”
“Not telling her wasn’t the same as lying.”
“I don’t think she saw it that way. Besides, she had a right to know.”
Wyatt crossed the room and got up in his face. Stone had the wild urge to slam his fist into his scowl, but fought against it. They argued sometimes, and even got into real fights, but he didn’t want it to go that far.
“If you’re so concerned about what she should know, why didn’t you tell her about us, huh?”
“She couldn’t have handled both at once.”
The truth was he was worried about how she’d take finding out that they were werewolves. Human mates could have a variety of reactions from acceptance, to terror, to denial. He’d heard enough horror stories about werewolves revealing their secret identities in the wrong way only to lose their mate forever.
“I guess it’s just you that gets to make these decisions. Is that it?”
“She heard us arguing. You know she wouldn’t have let it go. And I damn sure wasn’t going to lie to her any longer. Once she knew the truth, she came back to us.”
“Yeah. But I get the gut feeling that we got lucky on that score.” Wyatt let out a string of curses. “Now what?”
“We get Jac off your back. Then we tell Rae about the pack. If she’s our mate—”
“Hell, you know she is.”
“I do. Once she knows, she’ll accept us. After that, we’re not keeping anything else from her. Not for any reason.”
“Like I told her. I’ll figure this out. One way or the other.” Wyatt pointed his finger at him, his eyes blazing. “It’s my problem.”
“We’ve gone through this. You’re in trouble, which means I’m in trouble. That’s the way it works.”
“Naw, it doesn’t. Back off, Stone.”
“Nope. You’re my brother just the same as if my mother gave birth to you. And more, you’re pack. Whatever goes down, we’re going to face together.”
Wyatt stalked to the front door. “Fuck it. Back off, Stone, or else.”
But Stone wouldn’t budge as Wyatt banged the door open and strode down the front walk. Wyatt was only trying to protect him, but that went both ways. He’d do his best to keep Wyatt safe whether he wanted his help or not.
* * * *
Rae knocked on the door, then thought about what she was doing. It hadn’t been hard to locate Wyatt’s sister even though Montgomery was a common last name. Sheila, however, wasn’t a common first name.
The door was opened by an older woman, dressed in a drab nurse’s uniform and wearing a sweater. “May I help you?”
“Are you Sheila Montgomery?” She didn’t appear unwell. In fact, she was robust.
“No. I’m her nurse. And who are you?”
“My name is Rae Barnes. I’m a friend of her brother.” Once again, she thought about changing her mind, but she’d already gone too far. “Could I speak with Ms. Montgomery?”
“I don’t think so. She needs her rest.”
“Dorris, who is it?”
The nurse held up a finger. “Wait here. I’ll be right back.”
She closed the door, leaving Rae alone in the hallway of the apartment building. A minute or so later, she opened the door again, then stepped aside and waved Rae inside. “Ms. Montgomery says she’ll talk with you. But make it brief. Understood?”
“Of course.” Rae followed Dorris into the dimly lit place. The furnishings were older, but in good shape. Although the apartment was small, it wasn’t cluttered.
“In here.” Dorris came to a stop outside French doors. “Don’t get her excited.”
“Oh, for Pete’s sake, Dorris, let her inside while I’m still around to meet her.”
The voice was shaky, but there was a steel rod running through it. Rae let Dorris show her the way in, then suddenly wished she’d changed her mind.
Sheila Montgomery was a very ill woman. A woman who appeared to be living her last days on earth. Still, beneath all the tubing attached to her and medical devices beeping out her vitals, Rae could see the resemblance to Wyatt. She had the same intense look in her eyes that Wyatt always had.
“Come on in and have a seat.” She lifted her index finger to indicate the chair beside her bed.
“Thank you.” Rae took the seat and clasped her hands in her lap. Why had she come to see Wyatt’s sister anyway? What would they talk about? And yet she’d known she’d had to come if only to meet the woman that meant so much to Wyatt and Stone.
Sheila coughed, hardly more than a whisper, but it shook her body, sending it into painful-looking convulsions. Her pale skin showed her blue veins, and her chest was sunken as were her eyes and cheeks.
“Are you all right? Can I get you something?”
“I’m fine.” The hazel eyes latched on to her. “You’re Wyatt’s and Stone’s Rae, aren’t you?”
She liked being referred to as their Rae. She liked the fact that they’d told Wyatt’s sister about her even more. “Yes.”
“And you came to meet their sister before she dies. Is that it?”
Rae was taken aback. She was as blunt as her brother. “Their sister? I thought you were Wyatt’s sister, not Stone’s.”
“I may not be genetically linked to Stone, but he’s as much of a brother to me as Wyatt is. Leastwise in my heart. And after all, that’s where it really counts.”
Rae liked her. It was strange, but she could sense a connection to her. Not like the connection she had with the men, but a s
isterhood bond that recognized a woman of like mind. “I agree.”
“Did they tell you about me?”
“Yes, but they don’t know I’m here.”
She nodded, her loose, wrinkled skin making her seem like a woman twice her young age. “Let’s cut to the chase, okay?”
“Sure.” She squirmed in her seat. And yet, she was ready to answer any questions Sheila had.
“Do you love them? Both of them?”
She answered without needing to give it any thought. She hadn’t thought of much else since they’d told her that they loved her. “Yes.”
“More than anyone or anything else?”
Rae matched Sheila’s gaze with her own. “Yes.”
“Good.” She coughed again, bringing a cloth to her mouth.
Rae tried not to gasp at the red splotch of blood splattered on the off-white color. “I needed to meet you.”
“He’s in trouble, isn’t he?”
She didn’t know what to say. If Wyatt had wanted his sister to know the truth, he would’ve told her.
“Don’t bother trying to lie. I can see the answer on your face.”
“They’ll be all right. I promise you that.”
Sheila managed a weak smile, but Rae got the impression that it had taken a lot out of her to do so. “Will you promise me something more?”
Rae didn’t hesitate as she might have with anyone else. Sheila meant too much to the men she loved to say no. “What is it?”
“Will you love them no matter what they are?”
She’d expected almost anything, but not that. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
“Everyone has a dark side, even you and me. What we are, what we truly are, is always buried deep inside us. Promise me you’ll still love them even after they show you that other side of them.”
“I’m still not sure what you’re telling me. But please know this. I couldn’t love anyone more than I love them. Dark side included.”
“Just remember that once they show you.”
She didn’t know what else to say. Until she understood her meaning, she’d have to rely on the faith of their love for each other. “I will.”
Sheila lifted her hand an inch off the bed, and Rae took it. Her skin felt cold, the way her grandmother’s hand had felt the day she’d died. Rae thrust the horrible thought away.
“Take care of them for me. Swear it.”
Rae squeezed her hand as hard as she dared to. “I swear.”
“Thank you.” Sheila closed her eyes as she drew in a ragged breath. “Now that we’ve got that settled, let’s talk about other things. You’re a singer, aren’t you?”
“I do my best and I write my own songs.”
“And do you play the guitar?”
“What self-respecting singer-songwriter in Nashville doesn’t?” She grinned, more at ease now that they’d changed the subject.
“Then grab Wyatt’s old guitar over there and sing for me. As you might guess, I don’t get out much for entertainment.”
Rae laughed, got the guitar, and took her seat again. “Okay. What would you like to hear?”
“Happy songs. Sing me one of your songs.”
“Got it.” Rae made sure the instrument was in tune, then started playing and singing one of her favorite songs. The song’s story was a simple one, about the true love between a young woman and the man she would marry. The song was upbeat, full of life, and hope for tomorrow.
Sheila laid her head back, a soft smile playing across her lips. “I like it. Keep going.”
Rae added another chorus, bowing her head as she got deeper into the lyrics. When she looked up, she saw that Sheila’s eyes were closed. Alarm whipped through her until she noticed the soft rise and fall of her chest. Taking care not to wake her, Rae put the guitar back and tiptoed from the room.
As soon as she was in her car, she broke into tears. Her heart ached not only for Sheila but for Wyatt and Stone, too.
* * * *
Finally, the night of Nashville’s New Talent Contest had arrived. Rae stood off to the side of the stage and watched as one of her favorite performers, Leslie Maytlin, did a sound check. Once she had it the way she wanted, she gave the sound man running the board from the back of the bar a thumbs-up. A spotlight shone on her as the woman directing the lights used Leslie to set the stage lighting. Everything would be in place when the first performer took the stage.
The Dive was packed well beyond the legal capacity limits, but no one was willing to leave. Ruben was happier than a cat with a mouse treat and wasn’t about to turn away any of the crowd. Speakers had been set up on the outside of the building to accommodate the overflow while every waiter and waitress who worked there, along with a few temporary helpers, scurried around, keeping the alcohol flowing.
“It’s the big night.”
She jumped, then gave Reed a smile. He’d agreed to back her up again since he wasn’t entered in the contest. “Yeah.”
“Are you nervous?”
“Well, duh. Who wouldn’t be?” And yet, as nervous as she was, her mind kept drifting back to Wyatt and Stone. Where were they? Stone was taking his shot at the prize even though Wyatt was still planning on withdrawing by simply not taking his turn on stage. They’d both said they’d get there in plenty of time to see her before the contest began.
“Have you seen Wyatt or Stone?”
“Nope.” Reed scanned the crowd, but finding anyone in the throng of people was next to impossible. “That’s weird that they’re not here yet. They’re both entered.”
The tickle of worry that had latched on to her went a notch higher. “I hope nothing’s wrong.”
“I’m sure they’re okay. They’re probably hung up in traffic or trying to find a parking spot. The public lots around The Dive filled up an hour ago.”
“That must be it. Carolina dropped me off and went to hunt for a parking space. I hope she doesn’t miss me on stage. I could use all the support I can get.”
Reed put his hand on her shoulder, comforting her in a brotherly kind of way. “Well, you know you’ve got me routing for you. Just don’t tell the boys.”
She laughed and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. “Your secret’s safe with me.”
“Here come the judges now.”
Rae followed his direction as the five people who would determine the winner filed in from the hallway leading from Ruben’s office. She still didn’t think it was right that Ruben was one of the judges, but no one else had said anything so she wasn’t about to complain. It wouldn’t do any good anyway. Everything was already in motion.
The judges were well known in both the Nashville community as well as the music business throughout the world. Grant Shepard was a Grammy award winner several times over. His huge six-foot-six-inch frame grabbed everyone’s attention, but it was his deep baritone voice that brought them back for more. Next came Melinda McCarthy, one of Nashville’s homegrown singers whose career spanned more than three decades. She still looked slim and vivacious even in her fifties.
“Oh, good gracious, is that Sherman Hanks from True Blue?” She’d known a representative of the recording label would be a judge, but to have the president take on that role was more than thrilling. He’d taken unknowns and turned them into stars in all genres of music from country to rap.
“Yeah, that’s him.”
The last judge taking her place next to Ruben was Charlene Henry, the mayor’s wife. No one considered her an expert on music, but she was a great supporter of the arts and country music in Nashville.
“Hey, sweetheart, how’re you doing?”
Relief swamped her as she spun around and flung her arms around Stone’s neck. “Oh, thank God. I was worried you wouldn’t make it.” She kissed him, hard, and didn’t care who saw. When she pulled away, she was breathless.
“Now that’s a greeting.” Reed chuckled, then winked at her. “And my cue to leave you two alone. I’ll go and get tuned up. See you on stage, Rae.”
>
“Okay. Thanks.” Her gaze drifted behind Stone. She didn’t want to ask, didn’t want to hear the words she feared were coming. Yet she had no choice. “Where’s Wyatt?”
Chapter Ten
“He’s not here?” Stone checked the holding area, then behind the makeshift curtain behind the stage where several of the other performers were hanging out. “Damn it.”
“What’s going on? He’s not hurt, is he?”
“No. He’s fine. I saw him earlier.”
He took Rae in his arms not only to comfort her, but so she wouldn’t see his own worry. Wyatt had been in and out of the house during the last few days, but they hadn’t spoken much. Stone had wanted to give him the space and time he needed. Yet when he hadn’t seen him earlier at home, he’d assumed he’d already left for The Dive.
“He’s probably trying to find a parking space.” As much as he’d sworn he wouldn’t lie to her again, he had to. A friend of theirs that lived nearby had offered his driveway, knowing that all the public parking lots would fill up fast. Whatever was keeping Wyatt had nothing to do with finding a place to park.
Bitsy swung by with a tray loaded with drinks. “Heads up, you two. They’re getting ready to call the lineup.”
At that moment, Mrs. Henry got to her feet from behind the judge’s seating on the stage and walked over to the microphone at the front. “Hello, everyone.”
Hoots and cheers echoed around the room as the audience edged closer to the stage, putting even less distance between each person. Stone pulled Rae back to the side of the holding area.
“My name is Charlene Henry, and as I’m sure most of you know, I’m proud to be the first lady of Nashville. But even more exciting is that I’m one of the judges!”
Most people chuckled at her joke, then quieted as she raised her hand for silence. “I’m so thrilled to be here tonight at The Dive’s first annual Nashville’s New Talent Contest.”
The singers raised their voices along with the crowd, but neither Rae nor Stone cheered along. She clung to him like a woman grasping at safety, but he had no way of helping her. His stomach was in knots as he once again searched the crowd for Wyatt.