by Eve Langlais
I made a feeble token protest. “What about work?”
A raspberry blown through perfectly pinked lips said, with eloquence, what Brenda thought of that. “I took the day off. Screw the office. My BFF needs me.”
I certainly did. I needed her to tell me I’d not turned into a slut or caved to the government’s wishes. For so long I’d bucked the ménage laws, and now, I seemed to embrace them, succumbing to the allure of two men with nary a fight. I hoped the tax break was worth the certain headache—and heartache—I suspected loomed in my future. Perhaps now was a good time to buy those Ben and Jerry stocks I’d had my eye on. Sales of the decadent ice cream could shoot through the roof if my relationship went south.
With Brenda present to keep me from killing myself from boredom, my men prepared to abscond.
“Remember not to leave your apartment,” Pete said before he left, his kiss leaving me breathless.
“Yes, daddy,” I mocked.
His low growl and heated look made me smirk as I waved goodbye.
Anthony, on his phone in the corner of the living room, waited until my werewolf was gone before bestowing his own instructions. “It’s very important you not exit this place. I had a TDCM defense specialist place a ward on your condo. In the very slim chance the demon decides to show up here, he shouldn’t be able to come in.”
I reeled back from his words. “Excuse me, but why would he show up?” I wasn’t a magic user or part of the coven. And, despite all the sweets I liked to eat, didn’t think of myself as a particularly tasty treat, for demons at least.
“If he’s been watching the scene of the crimes or visited them, it’s possible he saw or scented you.”
“You mean I could be a target?” I didn’t squeak, but it was close.
“Not likely. You’re not a witch.”
“But I am a bitch,” I muttered.
“Good thing I like that about you,” Anthony teased.
Brenda just about choked.
Casting a dirty look her way, which she replied to with a grin and double digits waggling, I thoroughly kissed my man and indulged in an ass grope. He left flustered. Brenda turned green with envy, and I ate some glazed donuts in the hopes of curing my worry.
With nothing better to do, I relayed the events of the past few days to my BFF. Did I leave anything out?
Nope. Some secrets needed sharing. Besides, if I suddenly went missing, turned pale with a penchant for blood, or began to eye Brenda with something other than friendly intent, I wanted her forewarned. I knew I could count on her to stake me if I went all vampy and got out of hand. Just like I promised to chop off her head if she ever got an urge for brains.
It was nice to have someone to count on, although, if my lovers could be believed, that number had increased by two.
Speaking of which, “What should I do?”
“What do you mean?” Brenda asked as she took over my couch, sprawling lengthwise.
“Now that I’ve slept with them both at once, what happens next?”
“Great sex every night.”
“Apart from that.” And no, I didn’t succeed in stopping the blush heating my cheeks. Acceptable or not, admitting aloud that I’d fucked two guys and loved it wasn’t an easy feat.
“Have you talked about it with them at all?”
“No. It just happened last night. Do you think we’ll be doing that every night? Or will it be once-in-a-blue-moon kind of thing?”
She shrugged. “How the hell would I know? You could ask.”
I goggled her. “Ask? Are you freaking nuts?”
“Hey, you asked. If you’re too chicken to be direct, then I guess you’ll have to wait and see.”
Therein lay the problem, though. I didn’t want to wait. Waiting meant thinking about and reliving the pleasure, over and over again.
“What do I do if they decide to make it permanent? Are they gonna make us all move in together?”
I almost picked some eyeballs up off my floor, Brenda’s stare got so wide. “How did we go from ‘how will I survive screwing two hotties’ to ‘shacking up’?”
How had I? An answer eluded me.
“Chloe, is there something you’re not telling me?”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“A few days ago, you reluctantly agreed to let them have sex, no strings attached. Take it or leave it, even though they professed to want something more. Now, you’re talking about living together, making the situation permanent. This isn’t like you. You never make quick decisions like this.”
No, I didn’t.
“So, let me ask you again, in words you might understand. Do you love them?”
“I can’t.”
“Why not?”
“As you said, it’s too soon.” I barely knew them. We’d met only days ago. Already I couldn’t imagine life without them.
Fuck me, I was so screwed.
“Too soon, yet you’re talking about moving them in.”
“See what I mean about them messing with my mind? This isn’t like me. I swear, Brenda, they must have cast a spell on me.”
“Or you’ve met your soul mates.” She clutched a hand to her breast and sighed.
“That only happens in books.”
“Does it? You wouldn’t be the first woman to fall in love at first sight.”
“Fall in lust, you mean.”
“And just how do you think most relationships start?”
“This is different.”
“How?”
How to explain it just was? I didn’t understand it myself. In such a short time, they’d managed to turn my world topsy-turvy. To make me feel things I’d thought existed only in romance novels. Being with them brought me alive—mentally, emotionally, and sexually. I longed for things I’d eschewed—their presence and companionship, their humor and sharp wit, the way they took care of me, and not just in the bedroom. The protective circle they placed around me as if I was a precious object. Their jealousy implying the same. I wanted them, and not just occasionally or to scratch a sexual itch. I… I…
Nope. I wouldn’t think the words. To think them was to make myself vulnerable. I wouldn’t place myself at their mercy. I wouldn’t give them the power to hurt me. It was too soon for me to make decisions. Sure, on the surface, everything seemed to indicate smooth sailing and a happy ending, but Brenda did make one valid point, a point I agreed with. It was too soon.
The walls of my condo were stifling as my dilemma closed in on me. “I need to get out of here,” I muttered.
“Say what?”
“Why don’t we hit the second-hand store down the street and see what new junk they’ve got?” You never knew the deals you’d find. People dropped things off on consignment there all the time. Besides, shopping was a great way to take my mind off things.
“You heard what your boyfriends said. We shouldn’t leave your condo.”
“Bah. I’m not a witch. And you heard them. The thing doesn’t like sunlight. We’ll be perfectly safe.”
Turns out my decision to disobey might have saved our lives.
15
Keeping an eye on the time, I made very sure Brenda and I didn’t linger on the streets as late afternoon crept toward twilight. No way was I getting caught outside after dark. Moment of defiance or not, I drew the line at taking chances with our lives.
As we hightailed it back to my place, I figured we were safe from discovery. I’d not received any texts or calls from my overprotective lovers, which meant we could sneak back in with no one the wiser except my credit card company, who had borne the brunt of my escape.
How naïve of me to think our excursion had gone unnoticed. Brenda and I returned to absolute chaos, and not just the people kind. Not that I espied the mess at first, but I sure heard it.
Given his size and demeanor, I had already pegged Pete for the kind of guy whose bellow would carry, so I wasn’t surprised to hear his shouted, “What the fuck do you mean you saw nothing?”
Assumption? He berated the guards left behind to watch me. Guards who knew nothing about the numerous ways in and out of the condo complex.
I’ll admit my boldness in defying their orders didn’t extend to me flitting past them in grand gesture. More like I skulked and hid around corners as we made our dash for freedom.
Now someone paid the price for my victory. Brenda and I exchanged a guilty look as we strode up the hall laden with our shopping bags. Poor guys. I’d not meant to remain out so late, but we’d hit a bar for lunch and given the hour—past one o’clock—had indulged in a few liquid aperitifs. Time kind of flew after that.
Of more surprise than Pete’s cursing and vocal rampaging was Anthony’s booming, “Where the hell is she?”
Damn. I’d ruffled the usually collected vampire. I hastened my step, stunned at the level of worry, and shouted out an “I’m here, sorry—”
My words died in my throat as I reached the doorway to my condo and caught a glimpse of the destruction.
And I mean destruction.
Think of a tornado let loose in a small space, bouncing off the walls, maybe adorned with razor-sharp claws, and you’d get an idea of the wreckage left in its wake.
Except this wasn’t Kansas.
My poor condo.
My disbelieving eyes roved the devastation. I wanted to ask what had happened, who the hell was responsible for the sabotage, but I could only stare in utter shock.
Not for long. My feet lifted from the ground as I found myself caught up in a bear hug—or was that a wolf one?—of epic proportions.
“Thank fuck you’re safe. Where have you been? Are you all right?”
Before I could answer, another set of hands grabbed me and enveloped me in a second, equally bone-crushing embrace. Anthony murmured, over and over, “Thank God.”
How ironic that a blood-sucking creature of the night should invoke a deity. I didn’t ponder that incongruity for long. I couldn’t with my teeth rattling as I was shaken.
“I thought we told you to stay put.”
Having regained a few of my wits, I managed to retort, “I didn’t feel like it. Anyone care to explain what happened to my condo?” I swear, if I found out the boys did this when they discovered me missing, I’d dump their asses. Good sex or not, if this was how they reacted to me disobeying their caveman orders, then I didn’t want them in my life.
“By all indications, the demon showed up, and when he didn’t find anyone, had a bit of a temper tantrum.”
It took me a moment to digest his words. Icy fingers tickled my bravado, threatening to tear it away.
I fought back with a caustic, “A bit? I’d hate to see what the place would look like if our demonic friend was actually pissed.” Which reminded me, did my insurance have a clause to cover hissy fits by nonexistent demonic creatures?
When in a state of shock, resort to stupid musings. It helped keep the brain numb a moment longer.
Anthony didn’t appear amused. Good, because despite my words, I certainly wasn’t. “What happened to staying in the condo and not letting anyone in?”
“By the look of things, it’s a lucky thing I didn’t.”
Judging by the sour look in Anthony’s face, he didn’t appreciate my logic. Neither could he refute it, though.
“Good point. But if you weren’t here to let him in, then how did it happen? There are spells around your place. Or there were. Nothing of his ilk should have been able to enter, not without invitation.”
How sobering. Especially since no one had an answer; not Pete, not Anthony, nor any of the magic specialists who showed up. They did all agree on one thing, though. I was lucky to be alive.
My decision to disobey had likely saved mine and Brenda’s lives. I also got a great deal on shoes. Good thing because I’d need them.
Nothing survived in my place. What wasn’t torn to shreds stank worse than roadkill left in the sun. I called the odor eau of demon piss; they gave it some fancy sciency name that wasn’t cute at all.
The odor ruined everything, and the only thing left to do was abandon my shit.
My stuff. Ruined. Everything I own.
Gone.
At the knowledge, I finally broke down and cried. Yup, I turned into a pathetic weeping damsel.
I’d worked hard to create my home. Scrimped, saved, and hunted estate sales to furnish and turn a simple condo into somewhere I could relax and call my own.
As for my clothes, I’d bargain shopped for years to build a respectable wardrobe suitable for a woman who spent a lot of time in court dealing with suited lawyer types.
In one fell swoop, some fucking asshole, a creature that didn’t even belong here, had destroyed it.
I’d earned my right to a meltdown, and no one begrudged me it or told me it was all right, that it would be okay. Or that things weren’t as bad as they looked. Good thing or I probably would have bloodied their noses. It wasn’t okay. There was no silver lining for this catastrophe.
Under usual circumstances, I would have wailed all over the equally shell-shocked Brenda, but to my surprise, I had a chest to sob on. Make that a pair. Pete and Anthony took turns soothing me. They didn’t care that the other agents on site saw them. They didn’t seem to mind how my salty tears soaked their shirtfronts. Or the fact they’d essentially announced to all present that we were a threesome. I needed comfort, and they gave it.
Cocooned in their protective embraces, I gave in to my tears. Cried for the loss of my treasures. Sobbed my fear and frustration.
Lost in my melancholy, I didn’t take much notice of what went on around me, not until I realized they’d led me from the devastation down to street level and Pete’s truck. I dug my heels in. “Wh-where are we going?”
“Pete’s house for now. He’s got some stronger, more established wards.”
It was then I noted Brenda’s absence. What about my BFF? Having associated with me, was she also in danger?
Panicked for her safety, I cast a frantic glance around, looking to spot her. “Brenda? Where is she? She needs to come with us. What if this thing goes after her?”
“Don’t worry about that little spitfire, baby. She’s not alone. I called in some favors, and she’s gone to a pack safehouse under the guard of a few Lycans. They won’t let anyone harm a hair on her head.”
Brenda surrounded by a group of virile, hairy men? I worried more about their safety. Nothing energized my best friend like a brush with danger, and when her adrenaline got going, nothing with a dick was safe.
Assured of her wellbeing, I allowed myself to be led to Pete’s vehicle. Anthony boosted me into the front seat of the truck while Pete slid behind the steering wheel. Sniffling, I peered with surely red-rimmed eyes at my vampire lover.
“Aren’t you getting in?”
Anthony shook his head, his usually well-coiffed hair mussed and his expression taut. “Not quite yet. Fear not. You should be safe with the wolf.”
“What about you?”
“I require some items from my home. I won’t be long.”
“We should go with you.” For some reason, the thought of being separated raised my anxiety levels.
Lifting his hand, Anthony tenderly stroked my moist cheek. “It’s not safe. The people I have to entertain and work with have made it so my home is not guarded by the necessary spells. I’ll be along as quickly as I can manage.”
On impulse, I leaned over and kissed him softly. “Be careful.”
“Why, Chloe, don’t tell me you’re starting to become fond of me?” he teased.
Instead of a reply, I kissed him again, a more heated embrace that probably said more than I intended to admit.
With an expression of regret, Anthony pulled away and shut the passenger door. I stared at him standing on the sidewalk, wondering if I’d see him again, a knot of foreboding hurting my stomach.
A warm hand landed on my thigh and squeezed. “The vamp will be fine. It will take more than a
demon to kill him.”
“How reassuring.”
“Get used to it. You’ve entered a whole new world with your association with us.”
“So I should expect demon attacks and threats on our lives on a daily basis?”
“No. This is a unique situation. However, given what we are, and what we strive to do, sometimes events spiral out of control.”
Massive fail with the pep talk. I wanted to hear how they’d never place themselves in danger again. How I’d never have to feel this awful sensation of helplessness and fear, not just for myself but them. “Not helping here, Pete.”
“Just being honest.”
“Yeah, well, the truth sucks.”
“I’m sorry this happened to you, baby.”
I sighed. Me too. But the only way to erase the events was to rewind to a time when I didn’t know Anthony and Pete. Oddly enough, I preferred the destruction of my condo to the idea of never having discovered what I could have with them.
Not wanting to dwell on what this might mean, I changed the subject. “With everything that’s happened, I never asked what you found at the warehouse.”
Pete shrugged. “Nothing to tell. We showed up and surrounded the place. We were just about to invade when the fucking joint blew up. Kaboom!” He lifted his hands from the steering wheel in emphasis, and I dug my fingers into the seat.
Thankfully, we didn’t swerve off the road. His truck had great alignment.
“It blew up? You’re kidding.”
“Nope. Lucky thing for us, we were running behind schedule. Had we gone in when we were supposed to about five minutes before, we would have been caught in the blast. As it was, only a few agents got injured, minor burns and cuts.”
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” He flashed me a toothy white grin. “Wanna do a full body check?”
Yes, but while he drove probably wasn’t the most prudent time.
I did throw him a bone. “Maybe later.” Oh, how I loved the way his expression turned instantly smoldering. “So did you find out anything at all?”