Pieces (Patchwork #1)

by T. Aleo

  Oh well, probably for the best.

  Rolling my eyes, I wipe my hands before going to turn. But when I do, I turn right into Killian.

  “Oh!”

  He steadies me with ease, his lips curving as his eyes meet mine. Last night, his eyes seemed so dark, but this close, in this lighting, they look almost like butterscotch. It’s almost as if I’m seeing him in a new light, and it’s a pretty great sight.

  Wow.

  When his grin falls, I moan inwardly, and I know what he’s about to ask. “Your face? Did someone hit you?”

  Yup. Knew it. Shrugging, I look down before saying, “Yeah, I was sparring with my brothers. One got me.”

  He doesn’t say anything, so I look up to find his head has tilted to the side, watching me. When he reaches out, I’m frozen in place as he runs his warm finger along my swollen flesh, his lip quirking at the side.

  “Want me to beat them up?”

  I smile, my whole face moving with the motion. “You? Against my brothers?”

  He smiles back, his fangs scary but also very sexy. “Yeah, I’ll fight them for you.” When he adds a wink, I giggle.

  I freaking giggle.

  Oh, my.

  “Rebekah!”

  I jump at JJ’s voice as Killian’s hand falls from my face. Looking over at him, I give him a disgruntled look. “What?”

  He doesn’t even answer me; he just waves me away. I shake my head, looking back at Killian. “Sorry.”

  “I don’t think he likes me,” he says before I can move away.

  “No, he doesn’t,” I say with a grin, and he shrugs.

  “I’m not worried about it.” He leans against the bar as I slowly back away. “But I’ll worry if you don’t.”

  I can’t help it, I laugh. “You don’t even know me.”

  “So?” he says, standing to his full height, which is over six feet. “I know a beautiful girl when I see one.”

  The way he says it is almost private, and I feel my body fill with heat as I look away. Holy crap. Holding on to the bar, I feel his gaze on me, and I can’t even express how much it pleases me. I swallow hard. The person in front of me orders something, but I don’t even hear him. Before I can ask him again what he wants, Alena puts his order on the bar in a blur before turning to me.

  She snaps her fingers in front of my face. “Hey, schoolgirl, get it together.”

  I look over at her as she laughs, and I grin. “Come on, he’s cute.”

  “Yeah, but I’m not working this entire bar while you two flirt. Get it together.”

  I nod. “Fine, fine.”

  Still in a little bit of a daze, I start filling orders as Alena does the same. She’s right; I can’t get all caught up with him. Not only is it forbidden, but I also refuse to end up like Oceanus. In love with someone I can’t love. It would be stupid of me, and I won’t let that happen. Killian may be fun to look at, but that’s all. There is no way I’m sleeping with the guy.

  Soon Alena and I fall into the easy rhythm we are both used to. Only this time, we have a runner in Killian, which is awesome. He does almost everything we need, and it’s great. As I work, a few regulars stop me to ask what happened, but as soon as I say I was sparring with my brothers, it’s dropped. Everyone knows the badass nature of my brothers, so it only makes sense that I would get hurt. Since I’m a mere weak girl, and they are big, brooding men.

  Whatever.

  Getting three beers out of the cooler, I feel someone staring at me. When I look to the left, it’s Killian. Again. He’s been doing that all night. When he realizes he’s caught, he looks away, grinning, and I have to fight back my own smile. I’m not doing very well at not being affected by this guy.

  Clearing my throat, I say, “Killian, can you refill the cooler?”

  He nods and gets to work as Alena says, “Maybe you can hurry it up. You’re slow.”

  He just laughs as he heads into the back, and when the door shuts, I lean into Alena. “So you obviously don’t like him.”

  She laughs. “I get a weird vibe, but whatever.”

  But that perks my concern. “Weird vibe?”

  “Yeah, I don’t know. I mean, I talked to my aunt Mercy today, and she said she had spoken with him and that he had said I was confused. She apologized and stuff, so I don’t know, but I still feel like something is off with him. You know?”

  I shake my head because I don’t feel any kind of weird vibes.

  I like him.

  “Yeah,” I agree as the door opens and he comes in, refilling the cooler as I get back to work. And the subject of Killian leFevre is dropped.

  But just because the subject is dropped between Alena and me, doesn’t mean I stop thinking about him or watching him. It’s just too easy. He’s fun to look at, and I really don’t understand it. I’m not usually attracted to vampires, but this guy, he’s doing it for me. His eyes are distracting. Then add in his quick smiles, and I can’t help it, I want to know more.

  As we work, I try not to talk or even look at him. I know this pleases JJ to no end, but when Alena goes on break, I find myself wanting to speak to him. I chance a glance at Oceanus and JJ. They are talking very seriously about something, and I feel like this is my chance. Looking back to Killian, I find him watching me and he smiles.

  “It’s getting slow.”

  I nod, looking away. “Usually does around this time. It’ll pick up in about an hour.”

  “Cool.”

  “Yeah,” I say, and then I make a face. Why am I being awkward? As I look over to him, his eyes gaze into mine, and I suck in a breath. “So, where are you from?”

  He pauses and shrugs. “Places.”

  “Places?”

  “Yeah, all over,” he says then with a flourish of his hand before leaning his hip into the counter. “But who cares about me? I want to know about you.”

  “Me?” I laugh, shaking my head. “There is nothing about me worth knowing.”

  He scoffs. “You’re the daughter of the leader of the Patchwork. You’re important.”

  I smile as I shrug. “Depends who you ask.”

  “Well, if someone asked me, I’d say you were very special.” His lips curve as his eyes bore into mine, and my belly flutters.

  Crap.

  “How nice of you,” I say, trying not to be affected by him but failing miserably. “But I promise, I’m very boring.”

  He doesn’t look derailed at all. His eyes are bright as he says, “Maybe you should give me the chance to figure that out on my own.”

  Turning toward him, I raise my brow as I set him with a look. “How do you suggest we do that?”

  “I’m thinking an early breakfast, me and you. It would be fun.”

  Nope, he has no clue. But why am I embarrassed to tell him? Looking away, I shake my head as my face burns.

  “Wow, you’re turning me down?”

  I look up, a smile pulling at my lips. “Not because I don’t want to, but I’m not allowed to leave the compound.”

  His brows pull together. “Not allowed to leave? Aren’t you, like, twenty?”

  “Nineteen.”

  “I’m confused,” he says, and that’s visible all over his face.

  “Me too, buddy,” I laugh and he smiles. “But it’s true.”

  “So you can’t leave?”

  “Nope, that guy who doesn’t like you and my brother, both of whom are sitting over there, they make sure I don’t leave and that no one touches me.”

  He looks over my shoulder, his gaze falling on JJ and Oceanus, and something in his eyes flickers. Not confusion, though. Almost like frustration, which is kind of cute. Especially since I’m one frustrated chick when it comes to the men in my life.

  “Why?”

  “Reasons I don’t know,” I lie, and he shrugs his shoulders.

  “Can you shake them?”

  I laugh. “The big guy, yeah, but not the old guy. He’s quick for his age.”

  He nods, crossing his arms over hi
s wide chest. “Well, that’s an issue, I’d say.”

  “The issue of my life,” I agree as I suck in a breath before looking up to see a man coming toward the bar. “I’ll get him,” I say, needing to put distance between us. I’m pathetic; I sound like a fifteen-year-old girl, and he is probably making fun of me in his head. What adult can’t leave on her own?

  Oh. Me.

  Bullshit.

  Leaning on the bar, I plaster a grin on my face because the guy in front of me is hot and I haven’t seen him before. He’s huge, wide shoulders, dark brown hair, and sweet, honey-colored eyes. His grin is easy, and I find myself smiling back for real. He feels almost natural, familiar, like I’ve seen him before, but I can’t place him to save my life.

  “Hey, what can I get you?”

  His eyes cut to Killian and then back to me. “Nothing tonight, sugar. Just here for a visit.”

  When I see JJ and Oceanus rise out of the corner of my eye, I try to ignore them. “Cool, let me know if that changes.”

  Before I can move away, though, Oceanus is beside him, leaning on the counter. “A Kelley, in the Clandestine? That is odd, I’d say.”

  A Kelley?

  The Kelley?

  A part of the family that wants to steal me?

  Drawing in a breath, I look at him, confused, and he smiles almost mockingly at my brother, while JJ comes up on the other side of him, a knife partially concealed in his palm. “Ah, Oceanus, don’t be like that. I thought this club was for everyone in the Works.”

  My brother’s face doesn’t change. “It usually is, Thomas. But you see, that was before your family threatened the life of my sister.”

  Thomas’s face fills with confusion. “Blasphemy. We would never hurt the Princess von Stein.”

  “That’s not what we were told,” JJ says sternly. His voice scares me, and soon my heart is pounding. What the hell is going on? Is he here to kill me? I hadn’t even known it was him. That he was a Kelley. Oh, God. “And because of that, we’d ask you to leave, please.”

  Oh, thank God for JJ von Stein.

  “Now, boys, can’t we play nice?”

  All of us look behind Thomas to find a very stunning woman standing in all her gorgeous glory. She’s wearing a tight black dress, her straight black hair is in a bob and her honey eyes in slits. I have never seen her before, but I can tell instantly that she is Thomas’s kin.

  “Christiana,” Oceanus says, his eyes narrowing as both he and JJ stand, their shoulders back, on the defensive. “Two shifters in one night, all the product of Frank Kelley. Yeah, this isn’t fishy at all.”

  “Oh, please, I’m here to meet my brother,” she says, waving him off and moving past him to sit by Thomas. Her eyes meet mine. They are so bright, almost like no one could faze her. I, on the other hand, probably look stricken with fear. Or maybe it’s the fact that I can’t focus on her well. Smiling sweetly, she says, “Can I have a glass of your best Pinot Grigio?”

  My blood goes cold. I’m rattled by fear. They didn’t scare me before, but they just look so normal. So normal that for some reason, they scare me more. I don’t even realize I’m moving until I’m reaching for the bottle and pouring her a glass. I keep looking up to watch what is going on. JJ and Oceanus haven’t moved, their eyes flicking between Christiana and Thomas.

  “I promise, boys, we are just visiting. My brother is in from out of town. I’d love to hang out with him outside of our home.”

  I set her drink down, and she lifts it to her perfect lips, taking a sip. My gaze cuts to Oceanus as he clears his throat. “Well, Christiana, like I told your brother, I find it odd that a rumor has made its way through my family that you’re after my sister, and now you two show up. Tell me that doesn’t stink.”

  “Ah, it stinks, but I assure you, we aren’t here but to visit.”

  “I don’t trust you, and I won’t apologize for that.”

  She waves him off effortlessly, and my heart kicks up. I don’t trust her either. “Your precious sister is in no danger, and our fathers are to meet tomorrow. Would we really risk something stupid when William von Stein is coming into our home and we need his help?”

  I glance to JJ, who hasn’t moved, before looking back at Oceanus as his eyes narrow even more. Thomas clears his throat. “We are honestly just visiting. We don’t wish any ill will to your sister.”

  Oceanus doesn’t move. His gaze cuts to JJ, who is glaring. Time stops. The air so thick with tension. That is, until JJ nods. Tucking his knife back into his pocket, he says, “Fine, but we are watching. And Rebekah, you don’t serve them. Vampire, you’re on your own,” he barks behind me, and when I look back, Killian nods.

  “Yes, of course.”

  “Move,” JJ says to me, and I do as he says, coming to the end of the bar in front of them. Looking toward them as Killian moves to refill Christiana’s glass, I watch carefully, anxiety filling me from the top of my head to the bottom of my toes. I don’t know what is happening, and I almost think I should leave. But I don’t want them to think I’m scared.

  JJ’s voice is low as he speaks to Oceanus. “Something is not right.”

  “I agree.”

  “We should get her out of here.”

  “They’ll know we’re scared,” I say and Oceanus nods.

  “She’s right. I want to watch them.”

  JJ doesn’t answer at first, and when I look back at them, my heart is in my throat. While I agree something is up, the details are bothering me. “But if they were really wanting to do me harm, wouldn’t they shift into another person they knew I trusted and get me that way? Why would they come at me in front of everyone, in their real bodies? They know I can’t leave, so it isn’t like they can get me, you know? Maybe they are here just to visit.” Oceanus and JJ look to me, both of them with wide eyes, and I shrug. “You know what I mean?”

  JJ nods. “Yes, my Rebekah, you’re right, though I still don’t trust them.”

  “Yeah, good point, but don’t let your guard down.”

  “Didn’t plan on it,” I say with a laugh.

  But as I turn, Christiana’s eyes cut to mine, and I am frozen under her stare. Her lips curve, and her eyes are almost taunting. Like she is sizing up her prey. Angling my chin, I try to be as tough as I can. Her lips press together before she drags her gaze from mine and onto Killian’s.

  Well, that was intense.

  Moving to the back, I start to count the cash drawer since it’s almost drop time. But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t keep looking back to see what was going on. It makes me nervous, it scares me, and for once, I’m glad I have JJ and Oceanus as my babysitters.

  Wow, never thought I’d admit that.

  Christiana and Thomas haven’t been in since last week.

  Believe me, I’ve been waiting.

  For what, I’m unsure, but I’ve been watching the door to the Clandestine—and also my back, more so than before. I’d thought they couldn’t touch me, come anywhere near me, but staring into Christiana’s eyes, her menacing gaze, I realized I was very wrong. While JJ and Oceanus were there, on guard, I still felt vulnerable and I hate that.

  Or maybe I hate that everyone was right.

  I really do dislike being wrong.

  When Oceanus falls into the seat beside me, he flashes me a grin and I try to smile back, but it doesn’t work well. I’ve been on edge since the Kelleys came into the Clandestine, but it isn’t only that. He’s hiding how he’s feeling. He’s hurting, wishing like hell he was with Taegan. Rumor is, she’s going to be marrying the wolf in a month’s time. I want to urge him to run, but I know it would be a waste of breath.

  Looking toward the end of the table as my father lowers himself into his chair beside Samuel, I beg my heart to slow down in its cadence. But it has no plans to.

  This is my first meeting of the Patchwork.

  I know the only reason I’m here is because Oceanus fought for it, and I’m thankful for that. But it was way easier to be a badass when I wa
s oblivious to all the madness. While I’m still a badass, I’m a tad bit worried. Seeing those Kelleys—being face-to-face with my threat—really shook me, and I’m not a hundred percent sure if that’s a good thing or bad.

  Clearing his throat, my father looks out across the table that holds his children, his brother, and JJ and nods. “Family, thank you for meeting with me.”

  Everyone nods, smiles on their faces, while I just stare at him. I’m unsure why we are meeting, and the anxiety of it has my heart beating out of control. Though I soon I realize we are just here to talk about the goings-on of the Patchwork.

  I thought maybe it would be about the Kelleys. Actually, I was hoping. Because I need more information. I need to know why they were at the Clandestine. What had happened at the meeting between my father and theirs? And most all, will they be back? Am I still a target? I need to know, but apparently, that doesn’t matter because the topic at hand is if they want to hire more werewolves for the blood runs of the vampires.

  “The vampires will pay more.”

  I looked to Samuel as he held out his hands. He was pushing for more security, while Jonas and Father thought it was a bad idea. Apparently some of the wolves were becoming attacked by the rogue vamps that gathered in the dark alleys of our city. While we have the bastille, the vampires don’t do it that way. You commit a crime, they kick you out of the family. And if you commit another crime, they cut off your head.

  It’s kind of crazy.

  “But it will cost more, for us,” Jonas says simply, and he’s right. Since Father runs the Works, he is in control of matters like that. But the vampires pay us monthly, so I’m unsure why he is upset. “The vampires won’t pay for the extra security because it goes to the wolves, and we’ll be stuck with the bill to make sure they survive. Is their loyalty worth that?”

  Oh.

  “Yes, son, of course. I agree, I don’t want to pay for their bill. They are already using my workforce,” Father adds, leaning back in his seat as Samuel sits up.

  “Yes, they will pay,” Samuel pushes. “I’ve already spoken with Alistair. He wants the protection from the rogue vamps and is willing to pay extra.”