Piper: Queen’s Birds of Prey: Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance (Queen's Birds of Prey)

by Kathi S. Barton

  “I have no idea what you might be talking about.” Grant laughed. “I’ll thank you not to tell anyone what you know. They think I’m selfish. I’m sort of liking that for now. But the buses, they were needed, and I had the means to get them with very little effort on my part.”

  “No one thinks you’re selfish. And you’d be surprised at the fact that Piper knows what you’re up to. She is jealous at times that you’re quick at getting things done before she even hears about it.” Remi smiled at him. “Ah. I see. You do that on purpose. Good for you. It keeps her on her toes. The rest of them as well. I’m sure you know already, but what are your plans for your share of the hidden treasures? You have it all mapped out, I’m betting.”

  “I do—at least a portion of it. I’m going to open a place that will serve meals to those in need. I’m calling it Pay it On. Pay as you can afford it. And if you can afford two meals, the money will go toward someone that can’t afford a meal.” Grant told her that was a nice idea. “Thanks. I already have one opening in the worst part of Ohio. I’m hoping to use it as a model for a few more. It’s not my idea, but I’m expanding on someone else’s. I think it’s about the best way I can help feed the hungry.”

  They talked about other projects the two of them were heading up. Remi knew how to cook and enjoyed it. That alone was what helped her a great deal in feeding the masses with not much in the way of money. It seemed that Grant had a few ideas concerning helping the underprivileged.

  “When I was younger—even now, actually—there was always food on our table. Meat too, even though we didn’t eat all that much of it. I did figure out after a few years that if we were having meat, that meant my mom had invited someone to the house to get a hot meal. There wasn’t much in the way of poverty around here, thanks to Dante. But there were a few older people that had no one to help them out. No family.” Remi asked about the kitchen that had been set up. “That was a wonderful idea that Dante had. Having a kitchen cooking meals all day long for those in need. However, if a person wasn’t able to get to the kitchen, it did them little good. My mom tried to have meals delivered to them a few times, but as I got busier with school and such, it was more and more difficult for either of us to make sure everyone was fed. Not that it was anyone’s fault that these people didn’t have food every meal, but someone should have checked on them. That’s what I’m doing in larger cities. I have a group of older, but not elderly, people going door to door in the older areas and seeing what they can do for the shut ins. Not only does it get the people traveling a good meal, but they fix meals for the elderly person that they can reheat when needed. All of it is made in their home and with their things. It makes them feel safer, I believe.”

  “I love that. Yes, I can see that. I’m guessing these people, they’ll pick up things for them as well?” Grant told her that the only thing they couldn’t pick up was meds. “Why not medication? I mean, that would seem to me as a perfect thing for them to do.”

  “I have heard where groups of people will say that they’re helping the elderly by picking up things for them. Using their credit card or cash to go and get things like food and picking up their meds when they’re ready. Then when their bills come in, the person is gone with their medications and has been buying groceries for their own home instead of the person they’re working for. Medications, some of them, anyway, have a high resell value. I’d rather not have to have them go without medications over food anytime.” Remi thought perhaps this was something that not only had Grant heard about but had experience with too. “When necessary, there will be a car driven by a pharmacist that will take their medications to them. While there, he or she can explain what it is they’re taking, as well as any kind of side effects they might experience.”

  “Does Piper know how wonderful you are?” Grant’s face pinked up; embarrassment looked adorable on him. “If you ever feel underappreciated, you come and see me. A nice handsome man like you is good to have around.”

  He left her there then. Remi was still laughing about his hasty exit while she put some of the things that had been brought in today away. It had been her job to catalog and mark everything they brought here. Soon, she knew, they’d have to start looking for a larger place. At least one that would hold a few dozen shelves, as they were bringing the smaller things up now.

  As she emptied the last of the carts, she turned and looked at some of the things they’d been able to save. Most of the material and soft goods might well have been destroyed. But thanks to the magic that Grant had, a few of the dresses and some of the men’s clothing had been brought up with no issues. She knew that on other finds like this one, they would have been completely destroyed. However, magic had made it so everything was as nice and new as it had been when the ship was boarded. Remi hoped they’d put them in a museum someplace nearby. She was sure that others would love to see the sort of dress that was popular back then for the rich and stupid. Remi was sure they’d think of a different title for them, but hers was more appropriate.

  Leaving the warehouse, she locked up and headed back to the dock. Piper was coming her way with some more things to sort. It was going to be a long while before this stuff could be divided up. Remi was looking forward to using a few of the pieces in her new home. She only hoped that if she ever had a mate, he’d like what she had. Or he could just leave. At this point in her life, Remi could take a man or leave him. It no longer seemed important to her to have a man around all the time.

  ~*~

  Piper walked around the cave twice before she found the things she’d been looking for. Looking at her list, she had a long way to go before she was finished up. They had each remembered something they wanted her to look for. One of the things was the harness that the queen rode on when flying upon Mercy’s back. She knew where she’d seen it last, so headed in that direction. Grant came from one of the many smaller caves with his arms loaded down with things too. Piper went to help him.

  “I should have figured I’d find things I’d like to take back with us.” Piper asked him what he’d found. “Well, I did find that picture of the seascape that we were to look for. It’s very well done. Do you know who the signature is?”

  “Yes. If you look at it closely, you can make it out too.” Grant picked up the framed painting and held it close to his face. Finally, when he got it, he looked at her. “I had no idea why he never took it out of here in the first place. It’s a wonderful work of art. I’m sure if you were to look for that name there, he’s been painting like that forever. Who would have thought that Duncan would sign his work DHQD? But if you know what his middle name is, it makes sense. Duncan Harrison, Son of Queen Dante.”

  “He’s really good. Even as old as I believe this is, Duncan really was quite the painter.” She told him there were more, but she’d not been able to locate them. “I think I have a couple of smaller paintings of his. They were marked for me to sell them for the cash for unknown projects. I have a feeling, however, that she knew just what projects they would be used for. Don’t you?”

  “Dante could see the future in bits and pieces, I found out later. I have no idea how extensive they were. However, Duncan told me that she gave him a list of companies to buy up and when to sell them off. It’s what kept him from ever running out of money to keep the town surviving.” He asked her if that was legal. “I’m not sure it could be insider trading since she gave him the information well before the companies were made. I mean, I think that would be why it’s not illegal.”

  “You’re more than likely right. I never thought of the companies not even existing yet.” Grant laughed a little. “Well, I guess we should finish up here. I have plans to take you as many ways I can think of tonight.”

  “Why must we wait?” She moved toward him and hoped she was making a good move. “I would love nothing more than to take your cock into my mouth and suck you down my throat.”

  “Christ, woman. The things that co
me out of your mouth.”

  Piper bent in front of him and unbuttoned his jeans. He didn’t say anything more, but she could read his face and see that he was needy.

  Taking his cock out of his pants, she heard his sharp inhale of breath as she wrapped her hand around his thickness, watching Grant’s face. Kissing the tip, she moaned when his cock leaked onto her lips. Taking him into her mouth, she knew this was the way a man should be made love to.

  His cock was thick and long. She couldn’t swallow all of him past her tight throat, but he seemed to be enjoying what she was able to. As she fondled his balls, making sure they had as much attention as she was giving his cock, Grant wrapped his hand into her hair and held her still. Piper wasn’t having any of that.

  Letting his cock go, she licked him from root to tip. Lingering over the crown of him, she tickled the opening several times before he cried out enough. Piper wanted to make him come all over her. To mark her in a way that she’d never forget when coming to the cave. As soon as she was able to squeeze his balls, none too gently, he came so hard he nearly smothered her with his hot juices. It was enough to make her come too, screaming out his name as she tried to catch every drop of his cum.

  Before she could figure out his intentions, he picked her up and slammed her over his cock. The cool wall of the cave touched her back. The contrast to his too hot body with the cool stone on her back had her begging him to fill her. Grant fucked her hard, harder than he had before. As soon as he came, throwing back his head with it, she came with him.

  It was epic, coming this way. Holding onto him so that she’d not break apart, Piper begged for more. When Grant bit her on the shoulder, Piper screamed from the pain, then the pleasure of it. The man was going to kill her, she was sure of it. Then she simply blacked out.

  When she woke, she was lying on some of the material that had been stored in here. Piper could hear Grant; he was whistling a tune that she thought was as old as he was. Dressing herself, she felt the pull of several muscles as they stretched. She would have thought she was in better shape. However, there were no exercises one could do to prepare for making love like they had. Standing up, she held onto the wall as her body pulled even more.

  “You should play with some of the swords we have at home.” She looked at him and growled. “I’m assuming you don’t think that’s funny. However, I think you’re simply the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met when you do that.”

  “You’re nuts.” He laughed and laid some of the things from his hands on the floor beside her. After kissing her, he started to walk back to where he’d been. “Wait. What does swordplay have to do with being sore?”

  “Remi and I have been playing around with the swords for the last few days. It’s an amazing workout. She’s getting better daily. I’m just glad I can’t be killed.” Piper wasn’t even jealous that Remi was with her mate. “Remi said that at one time, all six of you were pirates. I would love to hear some of the stories about that.”

  “None of the rest of us liked it as much as Remi did. But we stayed with her until we found other things to do. We weren’t the only female pirates, as we first thought. More and more women took to the seas to help their families. For us, it was just a way to help with the boredom.” He asked her what they had gathered from the ships. “Mostly slaver ships were our targets. We’d return most of them to wherever they’d been taken from. A lot of them were happy just to have meals and water. They would stay on board with us until they could get their own ship and help us. For a long time, it was the only source of income we had. It was a learning experience, if nothing else.”

  As she loaded the things they’d gathered onto one of the many barge like carriers that they’d used long ago, she told Grant about all the things she’d noticed that needed to be taken care of in town. First and foremost, she thought they needed to have more jobs. Most of the younger people would leave New Town to find work.

  “I’ve been thinking about that too. Mom told me that someone has to travel all the way to the next town to get things to plant. Of course, my mom and I were planting the same seeds over and over because of what we are.” Piper asked him if he meant a greenhouse. “Yes. Not only that but also a few other department like stores. Nothing huge—I think that would take away from the quietness of the town. But a hardware store would be nice. Perhaps even a fresh garden place. Things that people can bring in and sell so that others can have a bit of the things they’ve not grown. Also, I’ve been thinking about two more projects. What would you say to having sheep in our keep? Not just sheep, but animals that would take care of the lawns without having to mow. I’m not saying we’ll never mow, but they can be a source of fertilizer as well as meat when they’re too old.”

  “I believe at one time, Dante had that going on. But back then, meat was much more important and not readily available as it is now. I like that idea. I also think that what you said about fertilizer is good. Natural is the way to go, I think.” Grant thanked her and then told her of his second idea. “An online auction weekly? What sort of things do you think we could put on there? I’m all willing to have our little town profitable, but I don’t know what anyone would want to buy.”

  “I was thinking of Key and the things he was telling us about the faerie gardens. The little things that they make, we could put them up for sale. Then, in turn, buy more seeds for them to plant. That would not only be profitable, but it would help them with foodstuffs as well.” She nodded, thinking of all the things they could sell off with the things from the downed ship. Piper told him about it. “That’s a perfect idea. No one would have to come here to see what they’re buying. Putting it online too will have millions of people looking at the treasures, as well as having an opportunity to buy things they’d not be able to usually.”

  “We’d have to run it by the rest of the family.” He said he’d not have it any other way. “Good. You know, we have a great deal of things in here that I think none of us want or need. Not to say that we should just get rid of it. But Dante did want us to sell some of it off for just that reason. A way to keep the town from going under.”

  As they stacked the things they were taking back on the two barges, they traded ideas on other projects. Piper was glad that Grant took them running the castle seriously. She did as well, but it was difficult for her to figure out how to get people to come there to live. Grant said he’d speak to Duncan about it. He was the only king he knew.

  “Me too, now that I think about it.”

  After Piper showed Grant how to carry his load, he lifted up in the air. He was doing much better than anyone else when it came to flying. Jude thought it was because he was fae, who had known how to fly long before she’d been hatched. Picking up her load, she followed him back to their home. Most of the things being brought back were for the other households, but a few pieces, mostly furniture, were for their home. She’d picked up the two bedframes that she’d been thinking about for one of the many bedrooms in their home.

  Where the hell are you? She asked Mercy why she was screaming at her. I’m having this baby. Come to me before I have to test not being able to hurt my mate and kill him. He’s driving me insane. You’d think he’d never had a baby before.

  He didn’t. After telling Mercy she was on her way, she reminded Mercy that Joel was a father because he’d not known about her as a baby. Miley was already born when he got her.

  I don’t care. He’s making me crazy here. She landed on the front lawn of Mercy’s home and told her sister she was there. Tell Grant I want him to take Joel on a long walk off a very short pier. Seriously, it’s not even that bad yet. He’s acting like I’m on my last breath here.

  Because he loves you. Mercy snorted. Well, he does. Why? I haven’t any idea. You’re a sourpuss and mean. I swear, there are times when I think you should have your mouth washed out with soap.

  Piper and Grant took the stairs up to Mercy’s room. Grant di
d end up taking Joel away. The two seconds she was in the room with him, she could understand Mercy’s issue. The man was a little bonkers.

  “What is it you want me to do?” Mercy moved back the covers that Joel had put over her and handed Piper the baby. “You’ve had her? Well, that sucks. Why didn’t you say so?”

  “There’s more. If Joel would have known that, I would never have gotten rid of him. This little bit was difficult enough without scaring Joel into having a heart attack. The man was about to bounce off the walls.” Not sure what she meant, Piper’s heart jumped when Mercy cried out with pain again that there were going to be twins. “The second baby is ready to be born. I’m so glad you’re here with me.”

  It didn’t take long for the second, then the third child to be born. A daughter, then a son, and another daughter in order of birth. Their magic was strong, Piper knew. All three of them were going to be powerful beings. After cleaning them up, the babies were laid on the big bed with their mom.

  “Joel is going to be such a good dad. Don’t you think?” Piper told Mercy she thought so as well. “I love him so much. And now I have three little ones that we’ll share. Miley is going to love it.”

  “I’m sure she will. Where is she, anyway? I’d have thought you wanted her in here with you.” She looked away. “What is it, Mercy? Why isn’t she here with you today?”

  “We had a fight. Not really a fight, but a disagreement on her being able to date. I said no, but she went to her father, and he said it was all right.” Piper asked her why he would allow her to date. “It’s not a real date, I found out later, but a bunch of her friends meeting for pizza. I swear to you, she never told me that part. That’s when she told me I was mean to her, and she was never speaking to me again.”

  “May I fix this?” Mercy cried. Hard sobs that made her own heart hurt with it. “Mercy, I’m going to fix this. I promise you. I’ll have her come to tell you how sorry she is too.”