Breathe Into Me

by Nikki Drost

  “I can’t wait to find my mate and become a father.” Cass peers up at me as he sinks the eight ball. “How can you not want to find your mate? Don’t you want to know what it feels like to have that kind of unconditional love? Or to care for someone so much that you’d give your life for theirs?”

  Hell freaking no, I have enough problems without throwing a mate into the mix. “I already have that, Cass. I’d die for the four of you any fucking day of the week.” I mean it too. If it ever came down to it, I’d sacrifice myself in a heartbeat if it meant that one of these men could live.

  “It’s not the same thing and you know it. Linc, Micah, help me out here.”

  I glance over at the next pool table where my brothers have just started a new game.

  “I agree with Cass, finding a true mate would be incredible not to mention watching her carry your young. Damn amazing if you ask me,” Linc says as he lands two balls in the corner pocket.

  “I’m with James, it might be okay for some of you, but I don’t have time for a mate and as far as having kids, I have enough problems getting you chuckleheads to follow my directions.”

  I have to laugh at my brother’s honesty. He’s the oldest of the four of us and because of that fact alone, the angels felt that he was the best choice to lead all of us. It was easy when it was just a handful of Enforcers, but now that we are nearing a thousand members, it’s getting harder for Micah to rein us all in.

  “What the hell is wrong with you two? Are you telling me that you’d be content to be alone for eternity?”

  I roll my eyes at, Cass. God he can be such a drama queen.

  “Who said anything about being alone? While you two are home with your wives and rug rats living boring mundane lives, we’ll be fucking different women every night.”

  That’s another problem with having a mate. I can’t imagine only being with one woman for the rest of my life. We are immortal beings, which to be honest doesn’t mean we can’t be killed. It just means we live longer than humans do and we are a hell of a lot more durable.

  “I’ll take a boring life with a good female over the life I have now any day of the week,” Cass says while looking toward the front of the bar.

  I follow his eyes and can’t stop the growl that escapes from my throat. Davenport has just walked through the door with a group of men, probably fellow cops.

  “Dude, do not start shit with him, remember what happened last time.”

  I ignore Linc as I watch the cop order a round of drinks. The last time I had the pleasure of being in that fucker’s company he arrested me for assault. The stupid SOB didn’t realize that I had just taken out several werebears on my own, thank you very fucking much. He had called for backup and hauled us all into the station. After an hour, Officer Davenport had released the bears and left me to rot in a cage. Nothing pisses me off more than being trapped. It had been early morning by the time he let me call Micah to post my bail. The second I got home, I shifted and ran for hours to clear my head. My little stint in jail had trudged up a shit ton of bad memories for me and I needed an escape. I blame that fucker for everything that he made me relive.

  Micah joins my side and leans closer to my ear. “I know what you’re thinking James and I swear that if you touch one hair on that pretty boy’s head I’ll string you up by your balls. Do I make myself clear?”

  I love my brother, but right now, I’d like to set his ass on fire. I reluctantly nod in agreement. I know that my brother is just looking out for me. I turn my attention back to Cass and a new game of pool. I line up the cue ball and just as I’m about to break, the sound of feminine laughter distracts me causing me to scratch. I glance up to see Kelsey entering the bar with, Henry Ross. Our eyes meet from across the room. She offers me a sweet smile before taking a seat at the bar. Micah snaps his fingers to get our attention.

  “That reminds me. Do you all see that lovely blonde that just walked in? She’s off limits.”

  ***

  I feel like I’m about to explode. For the last hour, I’ve been forced to watch Kelsey from across the room. Every time I hear her laugh or see her smile, I want to walk over to her and demand that she come home with me. Hell I’m not even sure we’d make it back to the cabin before I striped her of her clothing and had her crawl into my lap. Fuck me, but that female is hot.

  “Earth to Jamie, dude it’s your turn.”

  Huh? I glance at Lincoln who isn’t even trying to hide his amusement.

  “Man if I didn’t know better I’d swear that you were in love. You haven’t taken your eyes off of that girl all night.”

  Did he just use the dreaded L word? I mean he’s right of course, not the part about being in love with her, but the part about staring at her. God she is so fucking beautiful, everything about her is perfect. Her long hair is the color of the sun and it looks thick and soft. I’d love to wrap it around my hand as I thrust into her from behind. Speaking of that, her ass looks fucking amazing in the tight faded jeans she’s wearing. I’d do just about anything for the chance to squeeze it, although I wouldn’t be able to stop there. Her green tank top hugs her upper body and only helps to showcase her perky breasts. Fuck me I bet they would fit perfectly in my hands. This girl is absolute perfection. She’s not even trying to look sexy in her casual outfit and natural makeup, she just is. Most of the women in here are dressed to impress with their tight clothing and overly done makeup, but not, Kelsey. She doesn’t have to show off her body to catch a man’s attention. God knows she’s held mine all night. This female is classy and elegant and deserves a real man. One who would treat her like the princess that she is.

  “All right, I’ve had enough of this.”

  I shake my head to clear it and realize I never did take my turn. “Sorry, cub, I’m just distracted tonight.” I start to lean forward to make my shot, but stop abruptly. Shit, I can’t even remember if I’m solids or stripes.

  “You’re solids, dipshit,” he chuckles.

  “Thanks.” I line up my shot, but I’m so distracted I scratch the cue ball giving the bear the chance to wipe the floor with me.

  “Damn, wolf, you suck tonight.”

  I don’t bother to argue with him. Instead, I go back to pining over a woman that is way out of my league.

  “Bro, you are about to cross over into creepy stalker territory. All you’re missing is a pair of binoculars and sting singing in the background. Just ask the girl out already.”

  I sigh loudly as I run my thumb over my bottom lip.

  “You heard what my brother said.”

  I know Micah’s doing it out of respect for Andy. Kelsey is her best friend and she probably wouldn’t appreciate every one of us trying to get into her friend’s panties. Now if Kelsey were to become interested in me, then Micah would have to lift the hands off rule. I wonder how I can speed things up and make that a reality.

  “You know I love and respect Mike and I’m always the first one to uphold his orders, but I think he’s wrong about this one. I’ve known you for five decades and I’ve never seen you look at a woman the way you are right now. That girl is different from the others. Don’t even try to deny it.”

  I open my mouth, but quickly close it. I can’t tell him the truth because I don’t know what that is. “Nah, I just want her because I can’t have her.” Yeah that’s probably it. I bet the second I came inside of her I’d lose interest.

  “God you’re so full of shit I need boots to listen to you, but whatever, if you’re not going to be honest with me, at least be honest with yourself. You like her and if I were you I’d let her know how I felt because a girl like that won’t be single for long.”

  I’m about to tell the nosy bear to mind his own business when I notice Davenport eyeing my girl. Whoa, where in the hell did that come from? Fuck it. It’s time to let Davenport know he has competition. I gulp down the entire contents of my beer.

  “Huh would you look at that I need another drink.”

  Lincoln chuckles as I
make my way to the bar. I make it out of the billiard room when Micah steps out from the shadows.

  “James.”

  My name is growled in warning so I know without a doubt that my brother isn’t going to take any of my bullshit tonight.

  “I’m just getting another beer. Now get the fuck out of my way.”

  Micah narrows his sapphire eyes at me as he searches my face for sighs of deceit. He won’t find any. I know how to follow orders and deep down I know he’s right. I may not agree with it at this particular moment, but I know my place. I squeeze my brother’s shoulder as I side step him and head for the bar. Finn places a bottle of Budweiser in front of me before going back to mixing drinks.

  “Hey Finn what is the name of this shot again?” Kelsey is eyeing the glass in front of her like its poison.

  “Tis called a four ‘orseman, darlin’, tis made with vodka, gin, tequila, an’ rum, nigh draink up.”

  I watch in amusement as Kelsey shrugs her slender shoulders and tosses back the toxic mixture.

  “Yer me kind av doll, Kelsey Collins, nigh peck another shot.”

  Kelsey picks up something that resembles a menu. “Let’s see, how about a gold rush.”

  Finn chuckles before turning his back to her. He grabs a bottle of Goldschlager and Jagermeister and makes it a double. I need to put a stop to this before it gets out of hand.

  “You do realize that he’s trying to get you drunk so you’ll take his sorry ass home.”

  Kelsey smiles as she turns in my direction. She’s so close I have to stop myself from reaching out and touching her. “Yeah I figured that out about four shots ago.” She narrows her eyes as she inspects my battered face. “What happened? Did a jealous husband catch up with you?” she chuckles.

  “Yeah, something like that,” I sigh. Fucking Dallas, he needs to get over this shit. It was one time and anyways it’s not like I even remember the girl’s name.

  Finn places the shot in front of Kelsey while giving me the finger. Well atleast now he can say that I’m cockblocking him. I watch as she tosses back the shot and hands Finn the empty glass.

  “You should slow down, Kelsey, as it is I’ll probably have to carry you into the house,” Henry says before taking a sip from his beer.

  “Ugh stop being such a downer, Henry. I had a stressful day at work, not to mention having to dodge Nathan’s advances all day. I’ll say one thing about that lawyer, he’s persistent. Anyways, I think I’ve earned some fun.” Kelsey picks up the list of shots, but before she can make another toxic choice, Tim Davenport makes his presence known.

  “Hey Kelsey, when are you going to wise up and go out with me? I’d rock your world and you know it.”

  Kelsey tosses her head back in laughter. “I’d tell you to go fuck yourself, Tim, but I’m pretty sure you’d be disappointed. Now for the last time I’m never going to go out with you, and I’m certainly not going to have sex with you. Oh and as far as you rocking my world, I have a feeling that your rocket would take off without me, if you catch my drift.”

  I can’t contain my laughter and neither can, Finn. Damn she’s a feisty one. Davenport appears to be unfazed by her insult.

  “If you don’t believe me you can always ask, Sarah. How is your sweet sister doing, Henry?”

  The man in question gives Davenport a pure look of hatred. “I know you didn’t just ask me about my sister, you piece of shit. You’ve got three seconds to apologize before I kick your ass.”

  The cop flips the veterinarian off and offers him a smile that’s full of arrogance. Henry smiles back at him as he starts to empty his pockets. Shit, if these two begin to exchange punches there won’t be a damn thing I can do to stop it. I won’t be able to help Henry until he gets hurt. I hope that kid knows what he’s doing. For a human, Henry is a good size male, but he doesn’t strike me as the type who gets into to many fights. I’ll let Henry get a few good punches in before I break it up. That way Micah can’t accuse me of getting involved. I’d be doing my job after all. The two men stand nose to nose, Henry seems determined while the cop continues to act superior.

  Kelsey hops down off her barstool and tries to place herself between the two men, but is unable to move either one of them. “Henry, you know he’s not worth it, he’s drunk, just let it go.”

  Shit, she needs to get the hell out of the way before one of them throws a punch.

  “Get out of the way, Kelsey. Besides Tim’s about to apologize, isn’t that right?”

  Davenport begins to laugh in Henry’s face. “You know the last time we did this was in high school, I believe it was right after I went out with your sister. Man she was a sweet piece of ass.”

  Henry steps forward, but Kelsey has managed to squeeze in between them. “Henry look at me.” She pushes her friend a few feet away from the cop. “I know he’s an asshole, but you promised me you would never fight again. Let’s just go home.”

  “Yeah, Ross, you should go home,” Davenport says while Kelsey continues to hold her friend back. “But before you do, I have to know how can you live with two of the hottest pieces of ass in town and manage to keep your dick to yourself? God knows I wouldn’t be able to keep my hands off of them.”

  Man, Davenport is lucky Adam isn’t here right now. My best friend wouldn’t even need to touch that cop to end his life. He’d just remove all of the air from his lungs.

  “Tim, I swear to god if you don’t shut up I’ll let him go.”

  “Do it, he’s not going to touch me, not without your pansy ass brother here to hold his hand,” Davenport taunts with a smirk.

  “I’ve never needed help kicking your ass. Or have you forgotten what happened the last time we threw down? I had to be pulled off of you because I had beaten you unconscious.”

  The look on the cops face tells me he remembers all too well.

  “God Tim, you just can’t help yourself, can you? I was doing this for your protection, jackass, not his, but you just fucked up, nobody talks shit about my twin. Henry he’s all yours.”

  Hot damn, not only do I get to watch that cop get what he so royally deserves, but also Kelsey has chosen to get a front row seat, one that just happens to be seated right next to mine. Man it must be my lucky night.

  “Let me tell you how this is going to go. I’m going to kick your ass and after you rat me out to my father, just like you always do, you’re going to forget my sister’s name. You will also never hit on Kelsey or talk about her or Andy again. Do you fucking understand me officer Davenport?”

  Damn who would have thought the pet vet would have a set of brass balls. Henry doesn’t give Davenport a chance to respond before throwing out a devastating right hook that connects with the bastard’s jaw. The cop falls back on top of a table sending numerous beer bottles crashing to the wooden floor. He’s clearly dazed from being caught off guard.

  Henry doesn’t wait for the cop to gain his barring’s. All hell breaks loose as people scramble out of the way as Henry continues to beat the shit out of Tim Davenport.

  After several brutal hits to his face, the cop finally starts to turn the tables and slams Henry’s back into the front of the bar. Finn quickly pushes glasses and bottles out of the way, so they can’t be used as weapons. Smart. The cop gets a few good hits in when Henry head butts Davenport sending him to the ground. Blood begins to trickle down Henry’s face from an open cut above his eye, but it doesn’t stop the vet from delivering several hard kicks to the cop’s ribs. God damn, this kid is tough. I’m silently cheering him on from the bar when Henry does something that earns him a place in my hall of fame for badassery. He stares the cop in the eyes and gives him a smug smile before stomping his shit kicker into the cop’s groin. Damn that had to hurt, I ignore the impulse to cover my own balls and cringe with sympathetic pain. Davenport screams as he curls into himself.

  “It looks like you won’t be forcing yourself on any innocent women tonight asshole.” The vet wipes the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand. With on
e last look at the POS on the floor, Henry heads back toward his belongings. Once everything is put back into his pockets, he takes a seat next to Kelsey and she immediately begins to fuss over him. I keep an eye on Davenport and his three friends who are trying to get the writhing cop off of the floor.

  “I hope that you’ve gotten that out of your system, Henry Ross, because I want you to promise me that you will finally let this go. No matter how many times you kick his ass it’s not going to change what he did to, Sarah. You have come too far to let that man ruin your life, not to mention the fact that I don’t want to have to visit you in jail. Besides you know orange isn’t your color.”

  Instead of tossing out an insult or a sarcastic comment just as I would have done, Henry stares into space for a brief moment before barking out a laugh. “The motherfucker deserved it, Kelsey, but you’re right. Orange isn’t my color.” Henry jokes as he accepts a clean towel from, Finn. He wipes his face then holds the cloth to his forehead.

  “Finn, give that man any drink he wants, it’s on me.” I’d be happy to buy Henry Ross drinks for the rest of his life, that human earned my respect tonight.

  The Irishman chuckles as he fills a shot glass full of Jaeger placing it in front of the vet. Henry holds the glass up in a silent thank you and slams back the liquor. Davenport has finally made it to his feet, but it’s obvious he’s in quite a lot of pain.

  “You’re going to pay for this, Ross.” His threat is directed at the Henry but his eyes are focused on, Kelsey.

  I can feel my anger rise at his insinuation.

  “Get the fuck out of here, Tim, and take your threats with you before I kick your ass, again.”

  With help from his worthless friends, Davenport shuffles across the floor and out the door. Finn places double shots of only god knows what in front of all of us.