by R. J. Blain
“So I did,” I replied, still laughing a bit as I handed my brother his phone. “Sorry, Elliot. I’ll set up your replacement toy when you get it, and I’ll make sure to include a nice present or two under the hood.”
“You better,” he mumbled.
Vicky grabbed Elliot’s phone out of his hand, grinning at the picture. “Damn, Anderson. He’s even more thorough than I am.”
My brother flinched. A flush darkened his cheeks as he muttered, “That’s not funny, Vicky.”
“Too soon?” was her amused reply.
I watched them with interest, and after deciding Vicky was the most likely to answer me, I said, “I detect an interesting and funny story somehow involving my younger brother. Do tell us, Vicky.”
“Please don’t,” my brother begged.
Vicky met my gaze before pointing at my empty plate. “Eat some real food, and I’ll indulge you.”
As my brother groaned, Richard slid over the plate of roast beef. “I told you, protein is what you need right now.”
“Carnivores,” I grumbled, taking a few slices to appease the Fenerec surrounding me. “What did you do to my brother?”
“I played dead and blew up an SUV to do it,” she replied, turning to face my brother. They stared at each other for a long moment before my brother sighed.
“Vicky has multiple personality disorder and enjoys pushing me around,” he said, scowling. “And the second time you almost died; yes, it is too soon.”
I sucked in a breath at the emotion in Elliot’s voice. It took me several moments to remember the explosion in Washington—and the fact that my brother had been at ground zero, escaping with more than a few scrapes and bruises. “You were in D.C. for that funeral a while back. I remember him calling me about it.”
“I was in the middle of it,” she confirmed. “I hit my head.”
“That’s a nice way of putting it. You cracked your skull,” my brother snapped.
Revenge wasn’t something I did often to my brother—mainly because of the lack of opportunity. I pointed at him and said, “He was about twenty feet from losing his head altogether.”
Vicky stiffened, her eyes widening. “What? You were there? You didn’t tell me that!”
My twin stared down at the table, his face turning redder with each passing moment. “Of course I’d gone.”
“You just hit pay dirt on your brother,” Richard informed me with a grin. “I do believe he is blushing.”
I smiled. “It does indeed seem like he is blushing. Elliot, I hope you’re aware that I still have those photographs,” I said to test his reaction.
My brother lifted his head, his eyes wide. The red bleached to a sickly gray.
“Pay dirt indeed,” I told Richard, my smile broadening to a grin.
Elliot groaned, covering his face with his hands.
~~*~~
Long after I was full, my brother and the Fenerec plied me with food. By the time they deemed I had eaten enough, I was ready to sleep for a week, something I doubted any of them would appreciate. While I watched, the Fenerec each ate enough for four, both disgusting and enthralling me. Evelyn was working her way through yet another plate of fried chicken while I wondered where she was putting it all.
I was so engrossed in watching her devour her food that I flinched when Max whispered in my ear, “The captain wants to see you in his quarters after dinner.”
Once I could speak without gasping, I replied, “Aren’t his quarters right next to mine? He should come visit me.”
Max laughed, giving my shoulder a squeeze. “Captain’s orders.”
“He’s so pushy. Is now fine?” I glanced at the Fenerec, who didn’t seem inclined to want to leave their feast.
“Now is fine. I’ve been told you’re welcome to join him, Mr. Anderson.”
My twin rose from his seat. “If you’ll excuse us, ladies and gentlemen?”
The Fenerec waved us off. Evelyn smiled at me and said, “I love buffets.”
My knee ached as I stood, but the pain didn’t stop me from returning her smile with one of my own. “I’m glad. Please excuse me.”
If I had my way, I’d make sure she never looked so hungry again, even if it meant I had to take out stock in a cow farm to make it happen. I limped for a few steps before I forced myself to even my stride. Derek fell in behind me as we crossed the dining hall. The captain’s quarters were far enough away that by the time we arrived, I was wincing with each step.
“Are you okay?” my twin asked as Max knocked on Zachary’s door.
“It’s sore, that’s all. I’ll be fine. Stop worrying.”
“That’s not happening,” he replied. “When I’ve dealt with those behind everything that’s happened, then I’ll cease worrying.”
Zachary opened the door and waved us inside. “The Fenerec are still at dinner?”
“They’re going to savage the supplies at the rate they’re going,” I warned, wondering if the ship could handle the presence of so many Fenerec; if four could eat so much, how was Zachary going to feed all of the ones on board?
“We’ll be fine. I planned accordingly. How are you feeling?” He held the door open, gesturing to the opened door across the entry.
I waited for Zachary. “I’ll feel a lot better when everyone quits asking me that. What do you need?”
“I don’t need anything. We’re going to watch a movie,” he informed me, shoving me in the direction of his entertainment room. I blinked, letting him propel me along. Watching a movie was a tradition of ours, but one we usually indulged in during the first night of a voyage.
The last time had been my choice, not that we had a wide selection of our preferred genre. “Which one?” I asked.
“I’ll let you decide, but there are certain rules you must follow when choosing. We can watch one about a sinking ship, one about a sinking ship, or one about a sinking ship.”
I chuckled. “Sorry, but I’m not picking The Titanic. If you even try to convince me, I’m asking Richard to take you for a swim.”
“Oh, come on, Boss. We could wait for the wolves. I’m sure Evelyn would love an excuse to cuddle with you on the couch for four hours,” Zachary replied.
Shaking my head at my friend, I claimed the armchair, sinking down into its comfortable embrace with a low groan. “How about The Poseidon Adventure?”
With a huff, he countered, “The Perfect Storm.”
My brother sat on the couch, stretching his legs out. “How about 2012? That has a shipwreck in it, doesn’t it?”
“Disaster films are always fun,” I replied, leaning the chair back. “However, I stand by my original choice: The Poseidon Adventure.”
Zachary pointed at me, striking a dramatic pose. “You want to sleep through it, don’t you?”
I widened my eyes, pressing my palm to my chest. “Me? Sleep through The Poseidon Adventure? Why would you think such a thing?”
“I don’t know who improved your sarcasm skills, but I want to hit them,” Zachary grumbled, sitting beside my brother, snatching the remote from the coffee table. “Pick a movie you won’t sleep through.”
My brother ran his hand through his hair. “Are you seriously telling me that you watch ships sink while on a ship? Is this your idea of fun? Dante, you can’t even swim. Are you insane?”
Zachary laughed. “It was the Boss’s idea. Makes him feel all safe and secure, I think. Max, you have popcorn duty. Derek, take a load off—this is a strict no-working zone.”
“Security doesn’t work that way, sir,” Derek replied.
“Order one of your minions to go guard something—maybe the boss’s lady. You can watch over him from the comfort of the couch.”
“How effective, Zach. Why hire a security detail if you’re going to tell them not to do their jobs? Don’t listen to him, Derek. Guard and watch as you can—from the couch.”
Derek shook his head, sitting on the far end of the couch. “You’re as bad as he is, sir.”
�
��You’re both being all responsible,” Zachary complained. “Stop it. We are going to enjoy this film without any sign of seriousness at all. Captain’s orders.”
“I can’t believe you sent Max over just for this. I thought you needed something important.” I shook my finger at Zachary.
“It was Max’s idea.”
“Bullshit,” I muttered. “Hey, is there any chance you can get me a replacement phone, by the way?”
“We are not discussing business during movie time. There will be a new phone for you in Yellowknife. You’ll live until then. You can thank me later, but I already asked someone to set you up with a laptop. You’ll have it in the morning. Is there anything else?” Before I had a chance to reply, he snapped his fingers. “Didn’t think so. Movie time! What are we watching, gentlemen?”
“The Poseidon Adventure,” I grumbled.
“How about Ghost Ship?” my brother suggested.
I heard a bowl hit the counter in the adjacent kitchenette. “That movie is so nasty,” Max complained.
“All the more reason to watch it,” I replied, pointing at the television. “Make it so, Zachary! Maybe it doesn’t technically sink, but it’ll do.”
“This should be fun.” Zachary turned on the TV and selected Ghost Ship from his digital library. “Someone turn off the lights. This one is even creepier that way.”
“Don’t you mean disgusting?”
“Creepy, disgusting—close enough.”
Chapter Nine
Much to my amusement, I was the only one awake when the movie ended. Leaving my brother and friends to sleep sprawled on the couch in a haphazard pile, I turned the television off. When I made a quiet escape from Zachary’s quarters, one of Derek’s men was standing outside on guard.
“Do you know which room is mine?” I asked wryly, making a sour expression. “And I don’t suppose you happen to have a key, do you?”
A soft chuckle answered me, accompanied by a nod. “Follow me, sir.” It wasn’t far, and the guard opened the door to let me in. “Sleep well.”
“Thanks,” I replied, pausing halfway into the room. “Could you call the staff and let them know that someone is going to have to peel Zachary, my brother, and a few others off the couch?”
“I’ll take care of it.”
With a nod, I slipped inside and shut the door, heaving a relieved sigh at successfully ensuring some privacy. I slipped the door’s chain into place.
I flicked on the light. The stateroom proved to be one of the nicer ones on board, complete with a sitting area stolen directly from the Victorian era. There was a kitchenette, a bathroom, and a single bedroom. Evelyn was sprawled across the king-sized bed, still wearing her sleek satin dress. Her hair spilled around her, offsetting her tanned, freckled skin.
For a long time, I stood frozen in the doorway, admiring her as she quietly slept. When I finally managed to tear my gaze away, I was in dire need of a cold shower or a long soak. I found the promised jacuzzi tucked into a corner of the bedroom, a marble and gold gilded monstrosity capable of holding four comfortably. It looked deep enough to drown in. I shook my head, wondering why anyone would put such a thing in the bedroom.
As I explored the stateroom, I discovered that the bathroom also had a shower and a large claw-footed tub.
“This is insanity,” I muttered, tossing my jacket across the back of a chair in the sitting room. If I wanted to use the jacuzzi, I’d risk waking Evelyn—and end up in an easily compromised position.
I stared at her, fighting with myself yet again. I wanted her—I wanted her like I hadn’t wanted anyone since Suzanne. Guilt tainted my desire, as the realization sank in that I wanted Evelyn more than I had Suzanne.
Evelyn was a brightly burning fire, threatening to consume me if I stared at her for too long or got too close. Suzanne had been a colder woman, less vocal and forthcoming when it came to sharing my bed. I closed my eyes, sighing.
Maybe Zachary was right, and that bothered me most of all. He’d never doubted my love for Suzanne, but he had always doubted her affections for me.
In Evelyn, I couldn’t find any doubt, just need, desire, and comfortable companionship.
Part of me wanted to have a long, angry talk with Zachary about the impracticality of the room and his shamelessness in throwing Evelyn and me together. The other part of me wanted to thank him for it.
I wanted a lot of things, and most of them I wanted to do with Evelyn. Stifling a groan, I headed towards the privacy of the bathroom.
“Enjoy the movie?” Evelyn murmured sleepily. I froze. When I returned to the doorway, she was rubbing her eyes, yawning.
“Go back to bed,” I said in a soft voice, loosening my tie and dumping the scarf on top of my jacket. “I’m sorry I woke you.”
“The movie?”
I chuckled. “I was the sole survivor, I’m afraid. They fell asleep halfway through it.”
She looked at me, nodded, and snuggled into the blanket, revealing a lot of leg as she squirmed on the bed. I flushed, staring at her despite knowing I should look away. “Come to bed,” she murmured.
I wanted to obey her so much it hurt. I sighed and shook my head. “I need a cold shower followed by a long soak.”
Evelyn pointed at the jacuzzi. “Plenty of room for two.”
“That’s true,” I replied, wondering how I was going to emerge from my predicament intact and doubting whether or not I wanted to escape her in the first place. She sat up, her hair spilling over her shoulders in a tangled mess, which only made me want to run my fingers through her locks and restore them to order. The dress, which was rumpled from her sleeping, wasn’t helping matters any. It clung to her in all the right places, showing off the curve of her side and hips, as well as offering a glimpse of her muscular legs.
It was even worse than when she’d been crawling all over me in the nude. The satin teased me with just enough of a peek to make me want more.
“What’s bothering you?” she asked, staring at me with wide eyes, the jade tinged with the faintest ring of wolf gold.
“You’re too beautiful,” I blurted.
Groaning at my graceless compliment, I banged my forehead against the doorway. I was rewarded with her laughter.
“Thank you,” she murmured, the yellow in her eyes intensifying. “But something is actually bothering you. What is it?”
“Can I plead the fifth?”
“No, you may not plead the fifth,” she replied, her smile turning predatory as she slid her way off the bed. I held my breath as she closed the distance between us. “You’re trembling.”
It was entirely her fault, but I was powerless to say a word. She loosened my tie and untied the knot before tossing it aside. It landed on the floor behind her. I drew a deep breath to steady my nerves. “The proper order is for me to buy you a ring, get on my knees, beg and plead for you to marry me, and then have a ceremony,” I choked out. “That’s when you’re supposed to wear the white dress.”
What happened after didn’t involve her wearing the white dress for very long.
“I must test your restraint so much,” she murmured, dragging a finger along my jawline down to my neck. I winced when she touched the bruises circling my throat. “She hurt you.”
“She did,” I confirmed. “It’ll heal.”
“It better. I don’t require a ring, and there are better things you could be doing than getting on your knees. You can beg and plead as part of your proposal, if that pleases you. Ceremonies are for courts, not for Fenerec—or their mates.” She smiled at me, tapping my nose with her finger. “I’d be happy wearing a white dress for you whenever you want, if you like them so much.”
“I like you in that dress,” I replied.
“So why are you bothered, Jackson? They’re needless symbols. I know what sort of man you are. You won’t leave me. I will not leave you. I’m a Fenerec; that is who we are. I won’t change my mind. You won’t change yours. The rest isn’t important. I’ll let you hunt me to y
our heart’s content, if that’s what you want. You can give me a ring if you’d like, and I’ll give you one if you’d like. In the meantime, we’ll be very close friends with many, many benefits,” she whispered into my ear.
I closed my eyes and shivered at the feel of her breath on my skin. “You deserve better than that.”
“I think I’m the only one qualified to determine what I deserve. Maybe I deserve you ripping me out of this dress right here and now,” she growled, nipping my ear. “I deserve your loyalty in all things. You’re mine. Mine, Jackson. Get used to the idea.”
“Don’t I get a say in it?”
“We were discussing what I deserve, sir—and I deserve a man who will be as loyal to me as I am to him. That man happens to be you; therefore, no, you don’t get a say in it.” There was laughter in her voice. She nipped my ear again. “I suppose you can have a say in things.”
My worries warred with my immediate desires. “When I’m fifty, sixty, or older, you’ll still be young, beautiful, and spry. That’s part of who you are. I’ll age. You won’t.”
Evelyn sighed and rested her forehead against my shoulder. “I know. That isn’t going to change my mind. You’re an earth witch. You’ll age slowly enough yourself, sir. That is, of course, if you keep out of trouble and stop trying to get yourself killed.” She pinched my arm in rebuke.
“I don’t need another bruise,” I complained half-heartedly.
“We’re only guaranteed today. Being a Fenerec doesn’t mean I’m immortal; we die. It’s just a little harder to kill us. I’ll be yours for as long as we live.” She rubbed my arm where she had pinched me. “You’ll be mine, too. That’s how it works.”
“What if—”
Evelyn pressed her fingers to my lips, silencing me. “You don’t want to lose someone close to you again, not like you lost Suzanne. I understand. That’s what’s so beautiful about you—and it’s why you’re perfect for me. You understand commitment the way we Fenerec do. I can’t promise how long we’ll live. No one can. But as far as gambles in life go, I’m the safest bet you’ll ever make.”