Gypsy: Sons of Sangue

by Patricia A. Rasey

  Her brow creased with worry, one of her palms resting on her rounded belly. He almost envied Kaleb for his contentment. Grayson wasn’t sure he’d ever know that kind of peace.

  “Can’t you help Ryder through it?”

  “It doesn’t work that way, Suzi.” He grinned. “We can help our mates. Not another dude.”

  “Then how come Blondy was able to help Tamera?”

  Grayson sat back, kicked his feet up on the coffee table, and crossed his arms behind his head. He could hardly believe the words “You ass,” hadn’t left her lips since entering the living room. Mark the calendar. Suzi was actually being civil to him. After giving one of her best friends to someone else and all but kicking her out of the clubhouse, her demeanor surprised him.

  “Any male could’ve done as much for her. What I meant is a male can help a female.” His smile grew. “Men are on their own. I’m not about to crawl behind any dude and hold him.”

  Her lips thinned. “I wouldn’t think so. Not if you couldn’t do so for your own mate.”

  The smile faded as the humor drained from him. “I was wondering where the hell Suzi Stevens had taken off to. Good to see she’s back. Get it over with, say what you came to say before I lose my good nature.”

  One of her brows rose. “You have a good nature?”

  “You know I didn’t ask for a mate. Regardless of what any of you have to say about the matter, Tamera’s the one who bit me. I didn’t willingly share my blood with her.” Grayson plopped his boots to the floor and made to stand when Suzi held out her hand. “Give me a reason to continue this conversation. Every one of you have tried and convicted me without a jury. Not a one of you have ever stopped to consider my side, what I lost within the blink of an eye. I went from a life I loved to… Hell, I don’t even know what this is. I feel like I’m caught in some sort of weird void. I haven’t even had sex in nine months.”

  “Too much information, Gypsy. But for what it’s worth, I’m sorry.”

  Grayson opened his mouth, then closed it just as quickly. He sure in the hell hadn’t expected an apology out of her. “You’re sorry?”

  She nodded. “Maybe my hormones are all out of whack. I certainly don’t approve of the way you’ve handled the situation, but you’re correct. None of this really is your fault. Tamera should’ve known better.”

  “So you’re saying she knew ahead of time what would happen if she drank from me?”

  Suzi shook her head. “I won’t go that far. All I’m saying is she should’ve known. Maybe the alcohol contributed to her actions.”

  “Or the Disco Biscuits.”

  “She was on ecstasy?”

  Grayson ran a hand down his jaw. “I’ve said too much.”

  “You can’t bring it up and just pretend I didn’t hear it, Gypsy.” She shifted in her seat. “Spill it.”

  Either he had a damn big mouth, or he just didn’t know when to shut up. He took in a deep breath. Too late for turning back now. “I was bound and determined to get between that redhead’s spread thighs. You did your damnedest to keep it from happening.”

  She chuckled. “I did.”

  “We were at the Rave as you know. I took her upstairs and had every intention of carrying through … until I found out she was on X.” Grayson ran both hands through his hair, pushing the strands from his face. “It’s dangerous to have sex with a human on ecstasy. Their heart can’t handle it. So I stopped. I told her to get dressed. And from there you know the rest.”

  Suzi remained silent, looking at her lap. When she glanced back up, her gaze seemed sad. “Like I said… I’m sorry, Gypsy. Don’t get me wrong, I still think you’ve been a complete ass in the way you handled things. You were. In spades. Tamera’s not as bad as you make her out to be. She made a mistake, Gypsy. A huge mistake and you got caught up in it. Can’t you find it in yourself to forgive her? Or is it too late now that you’ve given her to Blondy?”

  “I thought it’s what you wanted?” He raised one brow. “Campaigned for it even. You and Cara both made it known you think he’s the better man.”

  Her eyes twinkled in her humor. “I did. Hell, he probably is.”

  Ryder groaned, drawing their attention. His eyelids fluttered rapidly in his dream state. He cried out and his back arched from the couch, before retreating back to his more peaceful state. Grayson looked back to Suzi. She rubbed her palm over her rounded belly and blew out through pursed lips.

  “You okay?” he asked. Christ, if anything happened to her while she was in his care, he wouldn’t have to worry about Tamera. Kaleb would have his head.

  “Probably just indigestion.”

  He winced, scratching his nape. “Don’t you dare go having the baby on my watch.”

  She chuckled. “I wouldn’t dare.”

  Grayson stood and pushed the coffee table closer to her. Placing a palm beneath her calves, he raised her legs and placed her heels on the table surface. “Here. You need to take it easy.”

  She settled into the chair a bit more and rested her head on the pillow back. “Better.”

  “Good. You need anything—”

  “I’m fine, Gypsy. Really.” She sighed, closing her eyes.

  “You know I can’t argue.”

  Her brows knit together over the bridge of her nose as she raised her head and looked at him. “About what?”

  “Blondy is clearly the better choice.”

  “You agree? Wow.” She smiled. “Remind me to tell Hawk you actually agree with me. He needs to know I’m more than just a pretty face.”

  “Trust me, he knows.” This time Grayson laughed. “It takes a strong woman to tackle an ego the size of his.”

  “Maybe. But I wouldn’t have him any other way.” She rubbed her belly, looking down on it as it moved. Her smile warmed her face. “I think this little guy will go a long way in grounding Hawk, too.”

  “I believe you’re right. You can see it in the way he looks at you.” Grayson looked back at Ryder. “Now why not take yourself back to bed before I totally fucking unman myself by getting more mushy.”

  She stood, bracing her hand in the middle of her back. But before she left the room, she said, “Gypsy?”

  He turned and looked at her.

  “I hope it’s not too late.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I know Tamera would be happier with you.” She wet her lips. “Whether or not you’re the better man.”

  The door softly closed behind Suzi. His thoughts returned to his mate. If indeed she was still his mate. He leaned his head against the chair back and watched the rise and fall of Ryder’s chest. As far as he knew, Anton could be fucking her at this very moment. Grayson wouldn’t have anyone but himself to blame if that were the case. He had thrown Tamera out and told her he was giving her to his MC brother.

  Now was a fine time for second-guessing himself, after the deed was likely done. He thought about how he might react, seeing the two together. Just the thought started his blood to simmering. He needed air. He needed the wind and surf. As soon as Ryder completed his change, it was time to head for the coast to clear his head. If Tamera became Anton’s mate in every sense, then so be it. He’d have his old life back. The Blood ‘n’ Rave all but called his name. He’d look up the first leggy blonde and brunette he could find, though not a redhead. No, never again.

  So why the hell did the thought of returning to his old ways seem less than enticing? Grayson grit his teeth. He needed to get Tamera out of his head before he did something he might later regret. Jealousy had him slow in the head and not thinking clearly. Yeah, a leggy blonde and brunette was exactly what he needed. That and a big surf. Nothing like catching a wave to clear your head.

  “Get ready, Bro,” he said, looking at Ryder who was still dead to the world, “As soon as you’re through this, we’re heading to the coast for a few days. It’s about time to hit the sand and surf. Get the hell out of here.”

  * * *

  Draven sat in a chair at th
e corner of Cara’s desk, tapping his fingers on the arms of the steel chair. His gaze darted from Cara to her partner, who sat behind his desk with his elbows on the desk and his fingers steepled. She wished to hell Hernandez would trust her on this. Draven really didn’t know anything.

  While waiting for Draven to arrive, she had called Kane on her cell and found what had actually happened to the body of the captain. She assumed Ryder still wasn’t in any shape to talk, and no one knew if there ever was any drugs to be had. Best guess, it was a setup.

  “Who told you about the shipment, Draven?” Joe asked, gaining his attention.

  Draven pulled a hair band from his nape, twisted his hair behind his head and fashioned a messy bun. “It was a Devil, man. I got a phone call, said blow was coming in. Told me where the shipment was being delivered. Said I didn’t have to do anything, that some man named Kelley would bring it to me.”

  Which made sense.

  The Devils had set up a scenario to see if Ryder Kelley would snitch to the Sons. By telling Draven the drugs would arrive, they’d also know if he was a snitch by whether the cops showed. Luckily, only Grayson and Anton made an appearance since Cara kept the knowledge to herself until much later. When Kelley’s fellow MC brothers arrived and no cops were anywhere to be found, they knew their snitch had to be Kelley and not Draven.

  Grayson and Anton running down the long pier as the two Devils made their getaway only proved the Devils’ theory. This would definitely work in their favor.

  “And you never thought to call us?” Joe asked.

  Draven looked quickly at Cara. She sure in the hell hoped he got the message to keep his mouth shut about their actual phone call. She had told him she would handle it, and report to her partner if there was reason to. Draven knew she had sent the Sons in her place.

  “I told Cara,” he said, looking back at Joe. “She said when you guys arrived, there were no drugs.”

  Good boy.

  Joe looked at Cara. “So what the fuck happened?”

  She shrugged. “How the hell do I know? Find this Kelley and I’m betting he can tell us. Look at it like this, Joe… It works in our favor.”

  “How so?”

  “Now the Devils will trust Draven. This Kelley guy wasn’t so lucky. Too bad for him, but it’s one less dirtbag Devil on the streets.”

  Her partner narrowed his gaze. Cara wasn’t sure he bought it, but at least she knew firsthand he wouldn’t be finding Ryder Kelley any time soon.

  Joe puffed out a breath of air, pushed back his chair from the desk and stood. “I guess you’re dismissed, Draven. You hear anything, and I mean anything about this mess or a Devil named Kelley, you call. No hesitation. You fucking work for us.”

  “Absolutely,” Draven said, sliding back his own chair and standing. He looked back at Cara. “If you need anything else, you may want to be a little less conspicuous and not have me stop here. The Devils find out I’m cooperating with you, it might be my ass you find dead.”

  He walked out of the office, anger evident in his stride. Cara couldn’t blame him. Joe wanting to interview him at the S.O. was a risk for the barkeep.

  “He’s right, Joe. Next time you want to talk to him, we may want to do it someplace a little less public.”

  “You’re right, Brahnam.” Joe’s lips turned down. “I let my anger rule.”

  “Then we agree.”

  He nodded. “We need Draven alive. I want to catch these son of a bitches red-handed and get them the hell out of our state.”

  Chapter 8

  Stepping out of the shower, Tamera wrapped a white towel around her midriff. The cool breeze coming in the opened window caused a shiver to run down her spine. She walked over to the white wood frame and meant to close it when she spied Anton outside in just a pair of whitewashed jeans, hanging low on his hips. His chest glistened with sweat as he swung a maul over his head and struck the large thick log, sending firewood splintering to the ground. They had a good few months before winter took hold. She supposed Anton used the excuse of needing wood to busy himself. Hours had passed since her arrival and they had yet to talk again, let alone be in each other’s company.

  It was as though Anton avoided her, kept from the farmhouse on purpose. Tamera supposed having her underfoot changed things, made him uncomfortable. He had been a good friend and a great listener, but maybe she had said too much. Now faced with the possibility of having Tamera to himself, he was far too aware of her feelings for Grayson. He swung the maul again, the loud crack filling the air, before he glanced up at the second story window and caught sight of her watching him.

  He held her gaze for a long moment before going back to work, with a bit of an extra swing in the long handle of the maul. His shoulder muscles worked and his chest heaved in exertion. His dark blond hair paled in the full sun. Her heart ached at the mess she had made of everyone’s life, and all because she had been incredibly selfish, not once considering how she might affect the lives of others. The promise of immortality had been potent, so much so she had been willing to make a pact with the devil, disregarding the consequences.

  Tamera wished there was something she could say, fearing Anton and Grayson’s friendship had been irrevocably damaged. Grayson tossed her out, made his decision to let her go, giving her to Anton as a mate. Had she kept her big mouth shut, then maybe things would be different between her and the blond vamp. After all, Anton had made it quite clear he would be honored to have her as a mate, desired her even. Instead, she had told him about Grayson coming to her, wanting to fuck her and she had been the one to turn him down.

  Idiot.

  Had she swallowed her last shred of pride and taken what Grayson had offered, she’d now be lying in his arms instead of wondering what tramp he chose to take his sexual frustrations out on. Anton swung the maul a final time. He used his forearm to wipe away the gathering sweat from his forehead before leaning it against a tree. He gathered a load of wood and headed for the barn near the rear of the farmhouse and began stacking a small pile. Tamera was now faced with a man who wouldn’t claim her until she no longer cared for his MC brother. She wished to hell and back she could love Anton, and maybe given enough time and distance she could, as long as she didn’t wind up alienating him first.

  Tamera inhaled deeply, taking in the scent of the ocean. The rocky coast was just off the horizon. Anton lived closer to the shore than he did the clubhouse. He seemed to purposefully keep himself at bay from all his brothers, as if he preferred the solitude. She wondered how long he had lived out here on his own, and how he had handled having Grayson underfoot the past nine months. Her arriving on his step probably didn’t set any better with him, especially knowing she had damn near slept with his competition.

  Lowering the window, she turned and walked from the home’s only bathroom and headed for the bedroom Anton had shown her to earlier. She couldn’t help but wonder if Grayson had slept in the bed. Just as she reached the whitewashed room, decorated with a midnight blue and wine comforter with matching drapes, a knock sounded on the front door. At first she meant to allow Anton to answer the call, but then realized he might not hear the sound from the backyard. The knock sounded again. Tamera turned and headed down the open staircase, tightening the towel above her breasts. Pulling aside the sheer curtain covering the long window lining the door, she noted a tall brunette standing on the porch, a large wicker basket in her hand.

  She probably should ask the caller to hold on while she threw on some clothes. Being a woman, though, it wasn’t like she hadn’t seen one half naked before. Anton’s large white towel covered her from breast to mid-thigh, so there really wasn’t much to see anyway. Tamera slipped the security chain free from the guard, then unlocked the door and opened it.

  The young woman’s eyes widened as her eyes traveled Tamera’s form. Maybe getting dressed would have been the wiser move.

  “Can I help you?” Tamera asked.

  “Ummm…” The poor girl stammered, nearly tongue-t
ied. “I was hoping to see Anton Balan. He still lives here, doesn’t he?”

  Tamera wasn’t sure how much Anton might want her to reveal about their relationship, whatever that was. “Blondy’s out back.”

  “Blondy?”

  “His nickname.” Did Anton keep his MC life a secret from his neighbor? At least Tamera assumed she was one because no car sat in the driveway. “Sorry, pet name I gave him. He’s out back chopping wood. Shall I call him?”

  She shook her head, then lifted the wicker basket. “I made him a pie. I thought I’d bring it by.”

  Tamera poked her head out the door as if looking for a vehicle she already knew wasn’t there. “Did someone drop you off?”

  “No, I walked.” She looked over her shoulder and down the road. “About a half mile that way. It was a beautiful day.”

  “You come by often? Make Blon … um, Anton treats?”

  “Kimber.” Came from someplace behind her. Anton’s deep voice resonated through the room. By the way he said her name, Tamera couldn’t discern if he was happy to see the leggy brunette or not.

  The tall, reed thin woman smiled. Using her free hand, she tucked her butt-length hair behind one ear. Her cheeks turned a pale shade of pink. Well, hell! Anton was keeping secrets.

  He followed with, “Come in. Please,” and took the basket from her hand. “You will have to excuse my state of dress. I was splitting firewood.”

  Kimber did as directed, her boobs making it inside well before the rest of her skinny ass. Had it not been for those, a strong wind might just blow her away. At least she didn’t have to worry about drowning. She had her own personal flotation devices. Those couldn’t be real could they?

  “Does she…” Tamera let the vampire thing hang out there. Not sure if Anton had ever made his status to mankind be known to this woman.

  “No.” Anton turned and headed for the kitchen. “And you should put some damn clothes on.”

  Well, excuse her all to hell. Was he seriously going to treat her like a doormat because Miss Boobs showed up on his doorstep? Oh hell to the no. It was one thing to be treated like a pariah by Grayson, because he hadn’t asked for Tamera. Anton, on the other hand, freely put himself into the equation. She was quick on the heels of her recently to be named mate.