The Grizzly Bear's Barista: A Howls Romance (The Shifters of Sanctuary Book 3)
Page 9
“Color me not surprised.” She glanced over at his SUV again. “Do you think they need to see a doctor?”
“I don’t know. Danika has a black eye. Jack looks like his father worked him over with a belt.”
Bow gasped. “Oh, that poor little boy. Don’t leave them sitting there. Have them come inside.” Storm couldn’t help but smile. Jack Paulson had gone from enemy number one to welcome guest in the blink of an eye. “I’ll call Nikki. See if she can come down and have a look at their injuries. Stevie is inside playing with Vinny. I’ll explain the situation to him. He’ll understand. Don’t worry.”
Koda and Ella welcomed Danika and Jack with open arms. Stevie was a bit more reserved. The cub eyed Jack with caution as he played tug-of-war with Koda’s dog Vinny. Not that Storm blamed the kid. Jack had bullied him since kindergarten.
After much convincing, Nikki and Ella took Danika into the spare bedroom so Nikki could examine her. Nikki had also explained to Danika they should call Dr. Baker, the pediatrician in town and have him come out and look at Jack. Not only to make sure the kid was okay, but to catalogue the abuse as evidence for the Sheriff. As medical professionals, both Nikki and Dr. Baker would be required to report the abuse and make and official report. It would go a long way in getting them justice.
Jim had joined Koda and Storm in the kitchen. They discussed what they needed to tell the other employees about the threat to Danika and Jack. Strangers were never allowed on the property unless they’d been vetted or had business with the refuge. However, they needed to make sure nobody fell for a sob story and let John Paulson through the gate.
Storm picked up Jack’s quiet footsteps as he approached them. The little boy tugged on Storm’s shirt. “Mr. Storm?” he whispered.
Storm bent down, so he didn’t tower over the kid. “Yeah?”
“Do you think I should apologize to Stevie?”
Storm nodded. “I really do.”
“Do you think he’d let me?” Jack nibbled his lip his eyes darted in Stevie’s direction.
“Would you mean it?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Then I think he’d let you.”
“Okay.”
Storm kept one ear on his conversation with Jim and Koda and the other on Stevie’s with Jack. He didn’t doubt Koda was doing the same.
Jack sat across from Stevie with Vinny in between them. Stevie looked at the boy but otherwise didn’t acknowledge him. A few moments passed when Jack finally spoke.
“I’m sorry, Stevie.”
“Why’d you do it?” Stevie wasn’t going to make this easy on the kid. Storm probably shouldn’t admit that made him feel a bit proud, but it did. Stevie not being pushover meant it would be harder for him to be taken advantage of.
“My dad. He’s mean. He was always saying mean stuff about how your mom lets you dress like you do or saying stuff about gay people. Not that you are. I don’t know if you are. It doesn’t matter… but…” Jack took a breath. Storm could tell the kid was barely holding it together. “Anyway. I thought if I was mean to you my dad might like me better and he would stop hurting me and my mom.” The kid shrugged. In the mind of a child his reasoning made perfect sense.
Storm glanced at Jim and Koda. They weren’t even pretending not to eavesdrop anymore. Both men looked ready to commit murder. He knew exactly how they felt. If he thought they could get away with it, he’d encourage it.
“Did it work?” Stevie asked Jack.
Jack held out his bruised arms. “Nope. Will you forgive me? I promise to never be mean to you again.”
Stevie wiped his eyes. “I forgive you, but on one condition.”
“Name it.” Jack smiled. It was the first one Storm had seen on the kid.
“You have to help me with my homework since this―” He waved his cast at Jack. “―was your fault.”
“Deal.” Jack held out his hand. He and Stevie shook on their pact. “What’s his name?” Jack pointed at Vinny.
“This is Vinny Pawzienza.” Stevie spelled the dogs name amusing Jack. Both boys cracked up when Vinny pushed Jack over and began licking his face.
Later that night after he and Bow made love, and she laid curled up in his arms, Storm tried to imagine a world where he felt compelled to put his hands on his mate or cub in anger. He couldn’t. He didn’t understand how someone could harm the people they should protect and cherish the most. He never would.
“That was a good thing you did today, Storm.” Bow kissed the tattoo on his chest. “Although, a heads up about where you were off to would have been nice. Just saying.” He felt her smile against his skin.
He squeezed her a little tighter. “Sorry. I promise to never leave you again without first giving you my itinerary.”
“See that you don’t.” She looked up at him nothing but love shining in her eyes. “You’re a good man. However, I’m still not changing my last name.”
Storm snickered. “I’ll wear you down eventually, you’ll see.”
“Yes, we will. I’m so happy the universe blessed us with you.”
If she was happy, he was fucking ecstatic. Storm had been doubly blessed with the perfect mate and cub. Hopefully, they would be gifted with more cubs in the future.
After what he witnessed today, Storm realized exactly how fortunate he was. So many times, the universe could have said fuck it and allowed Storm to die during one of his many missions, especially that last one. Where would that have left Bow and Stevie? Possibly in the hands of someone like John Paulson. With that realization came the decision to stop waiting for the other shoe to drop. By waiting for something bad to happen instead of relishing the gift he’d been given, Storm disrespected their fated bond. No more. He would cherish every moment he spent with his family. Tomorrow would take care of itself.
Epilogue
Shit. Bow was never going to forgive him, Storm thought as he reluctantly went in search of his mate. He found her in the bedroom tugging a flowing purple tunic over her head. He frowned when her delectable breasts disappeared from sight. Her head popped through the neck hole. When Bow saw him, she smiled then her lips immediately dipped into a frown.
“What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know how to say this but to just… say it.” He took a deep breath then blurted, “I’m so sorry, mate. I broke our son.”
“What? What does that mean?” She rushed toward him. He stopped her when she attempted to push him aside. “Move, Storm.”
“Stevie isn’t hurt,” he assured her.
Bow jerked her arm from his hold and planted her fists on her hips. She tapped her foot. “Next time start with that. You nearly gave me a heart attack. Now, explain.”
“I think I may have inadvertently turned Stevie into a serial killer. No pun intended.”
Bow’s lips thinned as her impatience grew. “You aren’t making a lick of sense.”
“I’ll show you.” Storm took her hand. “Come with me but do it quietly.”
He led Bow to the kitchen and stopped her when she would have entered. Storm moved Bow in front of him and wrapped his arms around her waist so her back was pressed to his front. He leaned in a whispered in her ear, “I caught him eating my Rice Krispies. You know how I feel about my favorite cereal.”
Bow grunted and muttered, “Everyone in Sanctuary knows.”
Storm ignored her little barb. Not like it was a lie. “I’m still not sure how he found my stash. He wouldn’t say. I wanted to dissuade him from ever eating my cereal again, so I told him the commercials were a lie.”
She glanced up over her shoulder at him and cocked an eyebrow.
“I explained the snap, crackle, and pop weren’t just a fun manufacturing design, but was actually the cereal screaming as it drowned.”
“What?” Bow slapped a hand over her mouth. Her body shook with silent laughter.
“It’s not funny,” he hissed. “Stevie is on his second bowl. I’m not sure which is worse, him eating all my cereal or the fact that
every time he brings a spoonful of Krispies to his mouth he giggles maniacally before he eats it. I’m pretty certain I turned our special snowflake into the next Dahmer.”
Bow pushed out of his arms and practically ran to their room. Worried, he rushed after her. When he got there she was bent over, clutching her stomach as she laughed her ass off. Storm crossed his arms over his chest not the least bit amused. He was fucking serious. “Get a grip, Rainbow. I’m serious. That boy sitting at our kitchen table gleefully slaughtering bowls full of puffed rice is not our Stevie.”
Her laughter stopped, and she stared at him with a blank expression only blinking occasionally. Then, Bow snickered. He glared. She let out a little titter. He gritted his teeth. Another round of giggles hit. He growled.
“Oh, my goddess, Storm. I love you.” She made her way over to him. She patted his chest with her palm. “Stevie may have been born to sparkle and be fabulous, but he’s still a boy.” Bow scrunched up her nose as if the mere thought disgusted her. He would have believed it did if her eyes were still shining with amusement. “All kidding aside, I’m afraid he gets his evil super villain streak from me.”
“Not possible. You’re perfect and sweet. You don’t have to lie to make me feel better.”
“I’m not lying. Haven’t you ever stood on a curb next to someone and wondered what would happen if you gave them a little nudge into traffic?” She asked in mock innocence then fluttered her lashes at him.
“Uh, no. Have you?” Please say no. Please say no.
The horror he felt must have been written all over his face because another giggle erupted from her, but this time it was the same one Stevie used. Her eyes held a mischievous gleam as she shot him an I’ll never tell smirk and shrugged a shoulder.
Bow attempted to walk passed him to leave the room. He snaked out an arm and ensnared her waist. He tugged her until her body was flush with his. “So, what are you saying? I mated an axe murderer or some shit?”
Bow rolled her eyes and scoffed. “I wouldn’t confess to crimes for which there is no evidence.”
“That’s it.” He tossed her over his shoulder and stalked to their bed before unceremoniously dropping her to the mattress. He was on her before she stopped bouncing. Storm caged her in.
****
She loved messing with him. Storm made her life complete even though he could be too serious sometimes. The look on his face was priceless when she asked him that Norman Bates inspired question and she couldn’t help but tease him a bit more.
She pushed at Storm’s shoulder. “Move you big oaf. You need to tell Little Stevie Dahmer to get a move on or we’ll be late.”
“Brat.” He licked and nibbled her neck while he tickled her until she begged for mercy.
“Can you get off me now?”
“I’m trying to.” He flexed his hips. His hard cock rubbed against her sensitive clit making them both moan.
“Off of me not off on me.” She rolled her eyes. “We don’t have time. Ella said Danika and Jack agreed to join us at the lake. They finally feel safe leaving their cabin. We can’t be late.”
Storm threw her a big pouty face before climbing off her. “Fine.” He held out his hand to help her up. “But, we are picking up where we left of when we come back, Mrs. Brightman.”
Rainbow shook her head. “Stop looking so smug. You distracted me with sex and promises of more sex. I didn’t know what I was signing until it was over.” That wasn’t true, but damned if she’d admit it. Bow had willingly and with much pride, changed her name to Brightman when they were married. Ella and Nikki, as well as the entire town, thought it was hilarious. She had a collection of Rainbow Brite memorabilia at the shop to prove it.
“Hey, be nice to your mate. If you behave the rest of the day, I’ll let you kiss it first when we get home tonight.” He grabbed his crotch and wagged his eyebrows.
Bow snickered and wrapped her arms around Storm. “Aw, you’re too good to me.”
“My benevolence knows no bounds,” he quipped.
“True. I know I’ve said it before, but that was a good thing you did for Danika and Jack. Hopefully now that they’re free they’ll both find the happiness they deserve.”
“They will.” He rubbed his nose against hers. “Stop feeling guilty, cupcake. It’s been months. You didn’t know.”
“I hated that poor little boy.”
“Of course, you did. He hurt your little boy. Nobody blames you.”
“I know. I’ll get over it, eventually.” She allowed Storm to hold her for a few more moments. Bow once again thanked the Goddess for sending Storm, her big lovable grizzly bear, into their lives.
The End.
Acknowledgement
Thank you to my Beta Crew and my ARC Angels for your willingness to take time out of your busy schedules to support this indie author.
Trademarks/Copyrights mentioned in this book do not belong to this author and are property of their owners and are their own entities: MK3 & Ontario Knife Company, X-Men & Marvel Comics, Coca-Cola, J.K. Rowling & Slytherin, Ziploc, Kellogg’s & Rice Krispies, Rainbow Brite & Hallmark.
About The Author
Independent Author Kasey Belle, whose sarcastic tendencies and faulty filter will most likely lead to an untimely death, is a southern belle with a sexy imagination.
Kasey promises her readers few things: soulmates, sexy times, and a happily ever after…always. Other than that, the sky’s the limit. In Kasey’s opinion, a good romance is raw and honest, limited only by the author’s imagination, not dictated by what society deems as normal. Love is love, and all forms are beautiful.
When Kasey isn't writing and perfecting her craft, she is spending time with family/friends or kicking back with a bottle of Moscato. Kasey admits she's addicted to tattoos and books and won't be seeking help.
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Other Works
Copper Creek Pack Series
Their Cajun Queen: Book 1
Prideless: Book 2
Healing Cathy: Book 3
An Unexpected Triad: Book 4
Mating Mal: Book 5
A Perfect Fated Christmas: Book 6
Box Set Volume One (Books 1-3)
Box Set Volume Two (Books 4-6)
The Shifters of Sanctuary (A Howls Romance Series)
Resisting His Irish Spitfire: Book 1
His Foxy Lady: Book 2
The Grizzly Bear’s Barista: Book 3
Soulmate for a SEAL Series
A Swing and A Dare: Book 1
Stand Alone
All You Need is Love and Coffee
For Upcoming Releases and Works In Progress visit my website www.kaseybelle.com