His warmth overwhelmed her. She froze under the weight of his arm as he nudged her forward. His cologne flitted through the air and she breathed in his musky scent.
She should pull away from him. Shove him off her. Yet, there was something comforting about his touch. How odd. No one but family had been permitted to touch her since her abduction. It was why she avoided being out in public.
Cooper led her away from the crowd and out onto a terrace. He shut the door behind them and she sucked in the crisp night air. The brick patio was empty. Peculiar, since the evening was pleasant and the interior was bustling.
“My sister owns the restaurant. This is a private patio reserved for family and special guests,” he explained.
She hadn’t even seen a sign stating the patio was private. Then again the room had been whirling.
Cooper pulled out a chair for her and she plopped down, scooting closer to the table as he took a seat across from her.
“Do you like fish?” Cooper asked as he handed her a menu.
“Yes.” Her fingers grazed against his as she accepted the menu. Goosebumps blossomed on her arm and she shivered at the contact. Why am I having this reaction to him?
“Good. My sister makes a mean tuna steak,” he grinned.
Amy shifted under his gaze. His eyes held hers and she swallowed thickly as an overwhelming sense to…she didn’t even know what passed through her. “You never said…are you a Hawaiian native?” she asked as she glanced over the menu. There was a lot to choose from and hopefully her question would stop his intense stare.
“I am. I’ve actually never been to the mainland,” he admitted.
Amy peered up at him over the tip of her menu. “Really?”
“When I was a kid, I wanted to get off the islands and head to New York or somewhere…anywhere, but here. But now, I can’t imagine being anywhere else,” he admitted as a woman walked out onto the patio.
“Cooper,” the woman greeted as she set two ice waters on the table. “I wasn’t expecting you tonight.” The lady peeked over at Amy and beamed. “I’m glad you stopped by. I’m Mindy, Cooper’s sister,” she said offering her hand to Amy.
Amy gulped as she fisted her hands in her lap. If she didn’t accept the other woman’s hand it would be rude. And weird. She could do this. Her fingers trembled as she slipped her palm into Mindy’s. “It’s nice to meet you,” she forced out.
“Likewise. Cooper doesn’t bring girls here often. You must be someone special,” Mindy said, her beam widening.
“Mindy,” Cooper grunted as he nudged her from behind.
“Right, sorry.” Mindy swatted at him. “You need a few minutes to look over the menu, sweetie?”
“Um…” Amy stammered as her eyes swept over the selections. “I think I’ll try the tuna steak with pineapple sauce.”
“Great choice. Cooper’s favorite, too. You want something to drink besides water?” Mindy asked as she glanced between the two of them.
“Coke.” Amy lifted her water glass up. The ice cubes chinked against the sides as her hand shook. Thankfully she was able to get a sip without spilling all over herself.
“I’ll have my usual,” Cooper replied, handing his menu to his sister.
“Sounds good. I’ll be back in a few,” Mindy said, sharing a look with Cooper before she sashayed off.
Cooper groaned and leaned forward on the table. “Sorry about her. Mindy’s a bit nosey, but she’s a sweetheart.”
Amy nodded and continued to guzzle her water. She’d had enough interaction with other people today to last her a lifetime. If she could curl up in a hole somewhere right now she would. But she had to get through dinner first. What was I thinking? I wasn’t. Cooper had her discombobulated in more ways than one.
“You don’t like being around people, do you?” he asked as he narrowed his eyes.
Amy swallowed, coughing as a chunk of ice lodged in her throat. She cleared her throat and winced as the cube slipped down her esophagus. “What do you mean?”
“I read people for a living. I saw how nervous you were at the station. I can’t say it’s gotten better since we arrived here. If you’d rather leave…” he trailed off his offer hanging in the air.
Amy huffed. Am I really so obvious? Probably. Her heart jumped at the opportunity to end the evening and head home. But then what? Part of her liked being out with Cooper. A smile pulled at the corners of her mouth. Hadn’t she been cursing him an hour ago? It wasn’t so bad when it was just the two of them. Besides, if she tucked tail and ran now, wouldn’t that only create more questions?
“I’m fine.” Amy set the glass on the table and smoothed her hands over her jeans as she let out a deep breath. She could do this.
Cooper leaned back against the chair and propped his ankle over top of his other knee. “Do you have any Christmas plans?” he asked conversationally.
Amy shrugged. “Not really. I already told you my family doesn’t do much around the holidays,” she reminded him.
Cooper nodded. “We might have to remedy that. Do you at least have a tree?”
Amy shook her head. Knowing Rhea, they’d have one soon enough.
“No tree? You know, finding pine trees in Hawaii is not an easy task. You had better get moving if you want a live tree,” he grinned. “Have you always hated Christmas?” he wondered as he gazed at her.
“Yes!” she replied adamantly. “Winter on the other hand has always been my favorite season.”
“We don’t get too much of that here. I’ve never seen snow,” Cooper laughed.
Amy smiled and relaxed into her chair. “It’s beautiful. I used to love going outside to build a snowman or ice skating and then coming in and warming up with a steaming mug of hot chocolate.”
“That sounds fun. I might have to plan that trip to New York after all. You ever been?”
Amy nodded. “We lived in New Jersey and were pretty close. We use to go into New York City at least once a month,” she explained, glancing up as a man approached the patio door.
The hairs on her arm bristled and she shifted in her chair, her eyes narrowing on the opening. A dank, familiar smell drifted toward her and she swallowed. No. It wasn’t possible.
The guy shoved through the door, their drinks balanced on his tray. “Hey, Coop…” the man’s greeting died as his eyes landed on Amy.
Amy’s breath hitched in her throat as she shoved her chair backwards and jumped to her feet.
She’d lived on this island for ten years and never once come across another wolf. Why now? Does Cooper somehow know about me? Was this a test?
“You’re a…” the guy trailed off as the tray tilted and crashed to the floor. Liquid, glass, and ice splattered all over sending Amy reeling back further.
“Caleb? I didn’t realize you were home,” Cooper said shooting to his feet. His eyes darted from Caleb to Amy and back again. “You two know each other?” Cooper demanded as he looked at both of them.
“No.” Caleb backed away from the table. “I just didn’t expect you to have a chick out here,” he said his eyes widening as he took Amy in.
Amy shivered under his scrutinizing gaze. The air around the newcomer reeked of wolf. He was like her—a bitten wolf. Someone had made him. Where was the wolf that’d bitten him? More importantly what did Caleb want? What would he do knowing there were other wolves on the island?
Screams and shouts erupted around her and Amy blinked in confusion until she realized the noise was coming from inside the restaurant. A loud bang rung out. Amy flinched as another pop sounded. Is that gunfire? What in the world is going on? She flitted her gaze from the wolf to the interior of the restaurant. People scampered frantically through the dining room, running in different directions.
“Get down,” Cooper hollered appearing by her side and shoving her to her knees before dragging her up against the side of the building. His hand wound to his back and tugged out a black gun. He clipped it and grasped the weapon with both hands. “Caleb! Ge
t down,” he ordered the other man.
Amy blinked as her mind spun trying to catch up to what was happening. Shrieks ripped through the air and Cooper crawled toward the door peering over the ledge and into the restaurant.
“There’s at least two gunmen,” he said, his eyes flitting to Caleb and then to her. “I’m going in. Stay here,” he insisted, his gaze drifting to Amy. “Keep your head down.”
Amy opened her mouth to protest, but it was too late. Cooper was already opening the door and creeping inside. Caleb stared at her a long moment before he too entered the restaurant.
Another shrill pierced the air and Amy flinched as the door flew open and a few patrons scattered out, hopped over the intricate wrought iron gate, and fled onto the beach. What should I do? Run? Go inside and help? People were still in there.
Before she could decide, the back door flew open again and a woman stumbled out with a man right behind her. Amy peered up as the guy jabbed his victim with a gun. Mindy. Amy worried her lip as the man shoved Mindy toward the beach. She couldn’t let him get away with her. God only knew what his intentions were.
Slowly, she rose to her feet. He hadn’t seen her yet. She crept behind him, narrowing her eyes as she waited for him to move the gun away from Mindy.
“Keep moving,” he snarled as he flung Mindy forward.
Amy reacted, lunging at the man and shoving him into the wall. “Run!” she screamed at Mindy as the owner fell forward and stumbled across the pavement. Mindy gave her a wide-eyed look before sprinting across the sand.
Amy growled as she turned back to the assailant. The man spun around and threw a punch at her, which she easily dodged. She might be small, but people didn’t understand werewolf strength. Anger bloomed inside her as she held the man in his spot. Her nails elongated, sinking into his flesh. The man clutched the gun tightly in his palm, but the barrel was pointed up at the awning away from her.
What was wrong with people lately? First the shop and now the restaurant? Had the holidays made people go mad? There was a reason she didn’t like Christmas. She swore the damn holiday was cursed.
The man flailed in her grip, drawing her attention back to the present. Stupid jerk. She didn’t know what he’d planned to do with Mindy, but she could imagine. Her nails sank deeper, causing red to bubble onto the man’s skin. He screeched in pain and sent his elbow careening toward her face.
Pain exploded in Amy’s jaw and coppery warmth flooded her mouth. She blinked back tears as the guy jerked his hand free. The cool barrel of his gun pressed against her exposed midriff just as the gun exploded.
Amy stumbled back as white-hot pain flared in her belly. Stars dotted her vision and she wavered on her feet. The man lunged at her and she swung out with her shifted hand, swiping her sharp claws across his face. Just keep fighting. Don’t give up.
The man howled in agony, his hand flying to his face where deep lacerations were seeping fresh blood. Then without notice, he was gone.
Amy stumbled back, falling against a railing as her eyes blinked rapidly. No, he wasn’t gone. Someone had tackled him.
A sickening crack ricocheted through the air and her attacker ceased all movements. Cooper’s brother climbed off the deceased man and glared at her with golden eyes. Wolf’s eyes.
“Stay away from me,” Amy hissed, holding up her hand.
“You’re like me, aren’t you?” he asked cocking his head to the side.
Amy’s knee gave out and she stumbled forward catching herself on one of the chairs.
“You’re hurt. Were you shot?” Caleb asked reaching out for her.
“Stay away,” Amy snarled, flicking his hand away.
“Amy?” Cooper’s voice called from somewhere inside the restaurant.
“Does Coop know?” Caleb asked his eyes widening as he turned back to the open doorway.
Crap. Cooper would insist she go to the hospital. She couldn’t go there. Then he’d really have questions. Caleb turned to the doorway and she used his momentary distraction to make a break for the beach.
The world seemed to swirl around her as she forced one foot in front of the other. Her ears rung and nausea curdled in her belly as searing pain gripped her. She had to get away. No one could find out what she was. Her fingers trembled as she reached into her jean pocket and curled them around her cell phone.
She continued her grueling pace as she swiped a sweaty finger across the touch screen. The screen didn’t change. No. She wiped her clammy hand on her jean and tried again, thanking God when the screen changed. She mashed her fingers over the familiar numbers and lifted the phone to her ear. Mason had to pick up. There was no way she’d make it home.
Her feet gave out and she pitched forward, landing face first in the sand. Grains filled her mouth and bit into her eyes. She spit and crawled across the beach. She had to keep moving. Had to get out of here. Darkness clawed at her vision and she blinked rapidly, but it did no good. Christmas really is cursed. Dots blurred her vision and the blackness swallowed her whole.
FIVE
Cooper locked his handcuffs around a man’s wrist and latched the other end to a thin pole. It would hold him for the moment. He needed to secure the area, check for wounded, and ensure Amy, Caleb, and Mindy were fine.
His eyes narrowed as he took in the area. People hunkered behind tables and crouched in corners. The men had come in quickly and fled the scene just as fast. He’d shot one man, but they’d gotten away. At least he’d subdued another. He doubled checked the cuffs. The jerk wouldn’t be going anywhere.
“Everyone okay in here?” he asked, eyeing the frightened patrons.
A few nodded. Most were stunned into silence or sobbing quietly. No one appeared injured—not severely anyway.
He trotted out to the terrace. Caleb sat on the ground. Next to him was a lifeless body. Cooper dropped to one knee and placed two fingers to the perp’s throat. Nothing. Caleb was ex-military. Killing wasn’t exactly something new for him, but his brother stared unseeingly at a spot in the distance.
“You okay, bro,” he asked setting a hand on his shoulder.
Caleb jumped, his eyes widening as he turned to him. “Yeah.”
“Where’s Amy and Mindy?” Cooper asked. A feeling of dread pitted in his stomach. Something was wrong, but he didn’t know what.
“Mindy ran down the beach. She’s fine. Amy…” Caleb trailed off as he scrunched up his face and shook his head.
“Is she okay?” he asked.
Caleb wiped a hand over his sweaty brow and cleared his throat. “I don’t know,” he mumbled.
Copper shot up and hurried to the edge of the patio, staring out onto the beach. In the back of his mind, he knew he should call for backup, but he couldn’t help the gut-wrenching worry that something bad had happened to Amy.
His eyes canvased the beach. A small group had gathered a few hundred yards away. He glanced past them and further down the beach.
A blur of blonde hair bobbed in the distance. He’d recognized Amy’s form fitting tank and jeans anywhere. How could he forget her ass? He’d been trying not to stare at it all day.
Her legs gave out and she flopped down face first into the sand. Cooper’s heart lurched and he darted toward her. She’s hurt. What happened? His fingers clawed into his jean pocket as he sped across the sand. She needs help.
Amy’s form struggled across the ground a few feet before she collapsed again. This time unmoving. Cooper raced harder. His thighs and lungs burned from exertion as he finally clawed his phone from his pocket.
He skidded to a stop next to her and shoved silky locks out of her face. His fingers probed her neck, and he closed his eyes as a breath escaped her lungs. She was alive—barely. The phone shook in his hand as he skimmed over the surface, typing the familiar three numbers.
“No!”
The phone was snatched out of his hand and thrown, landing with a splat into the cascading waves. Cooper frowned and turned to glare at his brother.
“
No hospital,” Caleb told him adamantly.
“What? Are you nuts! She’s hurt. She needs a doctor. Now!” he argued as he turned back to Amy and gently rolled her to her back. Red bloomed on her shirt. A familiar circular hole tore into the fabric. Amy had been shot.
“You can’t take her to the hospital,” his brother growled.
“I don’t have time to argue,” Cooper insisted. “She could bleed to death. Give me your phone!”
“And I don’t have time to explain. Trust me,” Caleb insisted.
Cooper’s nostrils flared as he turned to his brother. He gasped as he took in his brother’s golden eyes. The same golden color Amy’s had been the other night. What is going on?
“We have to get her off the beach,” he whispered. “People like us can’t go to a hospital.”
People like what? Are Amy and Caleb somehow similar? How is that possible? Caleb was his twin brother. They’d been best friends and in constant contact until Caleb had gone off the radar for a mission a few years ago. Had something happened to his brother? Nothing was making any sense.
“I’ll explain everything,” Caleb promised. “First, let’s get her out of here and some place safe.”
Cooper gritted his teeth. He wanted answers now. But Amy couldn’t wait. Even if he hadn’t seen his brother in years, he trusted Caleb with his life. “Fine. But you better explain,” he snapped as he cradled Amy close and scooped her up into his arms. “She’d better not die,” he warned. Not only was he walking away from a crime scene, as an officer of the law that was a big no-no, but also he was carrying off a severely injured woman, denying her medical care. If Amy perished, it would be on his head. She wasn’t going to die. She couldn’t.
“We can’t go to Mom and Dad’s,” Caleb said as he led the way up the beach. “They’ll have questions.”
Cooper grimaced. If they weren’t taking her to the hospital, then they should take her home. “We can go to her place. I’m sure her brother will be more than willing to help.”
“Brother? There’s more like her?” Caleb swung around, his eyes widening as he glanced from Amy to Cooper.
Sugar, Spice, and Shifters: A Touch of Holiday Magic Page 24