Alaskan Sabears 2: Game Over (Siren Pulblishing Ménage Everlasting)

by Becca Van

  Phelan settled deeper into the sofa, adjusted Tammy on his lap, and nudged Hopper before pointing toward the coffee mugs. Hopper handed him and Tammy their cups before picking up his own. Tarik was seated next to Hopper with Celeste on his lap and Hodge was sitting next to him. Cal and Fin were sitting on the floor near the fireplace, and Serge and Ward were kneeling in front of the Christmas tree and the pile of wrapped presents.

  Hopper and Phelan had sent away for Tammy’s gift but instead of placing it under the tree, Hopper had slipped it into his pocket. He couldn’t wait to see her expression when they gave it to her, but she wouldn’t be getting their gift until all the others had been passed out and opened.

  Jenny was sitting between Talon and Royal on the other sofa and from the excited gleam in her eye whenever she glanced over toward them, she knew something they didn’t. Phelan gave a mental shrug, sure he would find out what was going on very soon.

  Over the last few weeks he and Hopper had been asking Tammy a fountain of questions regarding her art but each time they did, she quickly changed to subject. If he and Hopper hadn’t felt her excitement and happiness through the bond, he would have pinned her down and not let her up until he was satisfied with her replies. However, a sixth sense had warned him that if he’d done that, his mate would have been very disappointed with them, so he’d held off. Nonetheless, he was determined to get answers from her tonight and he wouldn’t be letting her sleep until he had what he wanted. Even if he had to torture the answers from her. With pleasure, of course.

  Phelan’s face started aching from smiling so much, but he wouldn’t have changed anything. Well, except for the other single members of their stealth. He wished with his whole heart that Calloway, Finbar, Serge, and Ward found the other halves to the souls real soon. He’d seen the other guys watching him, Hopper, Tarik, and Hodge as they interacted with Tammy and Celeste. The longing and loneliness he’d seen in their gazes hurt his heart, but there was nothing he could do to change anything. It was up to fate whether the others met their mates or not.

  Phelan squeezed Tammy’s waist tighter when she went to rise. He didn’t want her leaving his lap because he loved holding her so much.

  “Let go, big guy.” Tammy glared at him but there was no fire in her gaze.

  “No.”

  “For shit’s sake, Phelan, let your mate go so you and Hopper can open your present,” Calloway snarled.

  “Boys, no arguing,” Jenny said.

  “Yes, ma’am,” all the men replied.

  “That’s better.” Jenny sat back with a sigh and smile.

  Phelan reluctantly released Tammy and helped her to stand before he and Hopper took the large wrapped gift from Cal. He looked all over to see who it was from but there was only his and Hopper’s name on the sticker. However, his stomach was roiling with excitement, and when he felt Tammy’s hand on his shoulder, he had his answer. He didn’t need to see her face to feel how tense she was. Besides being able to feel her emotions, her nails were digging into his shoulders through his shirt. When he glanced at Hopper, he saw Tammy had her hand on his shoulder, too and from the looks of it, Hopper was going to have nail marks in his skin, as well.

  “Together?” Phelan quirked an eyebrow at Hopper.

  “Together.” Hopper nodded.

  And then they were both carefully ripping Christmas paper from their gift.

  Phelan’s heart stopped beating when he saw what their gift was. He’d never seen anything so amazing in his life, but it wasn’t because he was looking at the mirror image of himself with his sabear leaning into his side. He was absolutely awestruck that their mate was so talented and that she painted for him and Hopper. This was a gift from the heart. One he would cherish each and every single day of his life, just like he cherished his mate.

  His gaze roved over every brush stroke and he could literally feel her love for him and Hopper jumping off the canvas at him. He sucked in a deep breath just as his gaze landed on the signature at the bottom right hand corner. Stealthy.

  It wasn’t until someone cleared their throat that Phelan noticed that no one was talking or moving. He felt a little pain zip into his heart and realized he was feeling Tammy’s emotions. He glanced at Hopper and then they both rose before handing the painting to Tarik. Phelan and Hopper pushed the coffee table away from the sofa and then Phelan curled his finger, beckoning Tammy over to them.

  Tammy drew a deep breath, straightened her shoulders and sauntered toward them. Even though her expression and body language was full of bravado, inside she was once more that scared little girl who’d followed him and Hopper around.

  She stopped a few feet from them and thrust her chin forward. Another tell on how truly scared and uncertain she was.

  Phelan and Hopper held a hand out to her and he held his breath until she laced her fingers with theirs. Using his free hand, Phelan cupped her cheek. “Thanks doesn’t seem to be enough for our gift, baby. You are so fuc…uh, freakin’ talented. You are the most amazing woman I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. This”—Phelan pointed toward the painting Tarik was still holding—“is the best gift I’ve ever been given.”

  Hopper lifted Tammy’s hand to his mouth and kissed the back of it. “You are so damn beautiful, you take my breath away. I’ve never seen myself captured so well except in a photograph. If it wasn’t for the brush strokes I would have thought this was a photo, too. I’ve never seen my sabear until now. Thank you, Tammy. From the bottom of my heart.”

  Tammy blinked when moisture filled her eyes and her lips trembled when she smiled, but they were happy tears sheening her eyes. Phelan’s heart surged with pride, but not for himself and not for his best friend. He was proud of how amazingly gifted their mate was and now that he’d seen her signature, he knew she was already making a name for herself in the artworld. He’d even read an article regarding the new up and coming painter called Stealthy. What he hadn’t known was that Stealthy was his mate.

  Phelan couldn’t wait any longer. He glanced at Hopper and then they both went down to one knee. Hopper began speaking before Phelan could.

  “You have filled my life with love, laughter, and joy. I love you so much, Tamara Parks. Will you marry me?”

  Phelan squeezed Tammy’s hand drawing her gaze. “I love you, baby. Please marry me?”

  Tears welled and streamed down Tammy’s. “Yes.”

  Phelan plucked the ring box Hopper had removed from his pocket and opened it. Hopper picked up the ring and slid it onto Tammy’s left finger.

  “It’s so beautiful.” Tammy stared at the ring before meeting each of their gazes. “Thank you. I love you both, too.”

  Cheers erupted around the room but Phelan and Hopper only had eyes for Tammy. When she threw herself at him, Phelan caught her, wrapped his arms around her, and kissed her passionately.

  She broke the kiss and crawled into Hopper’s lap. Phelan watched as his best friend and mate devoured each other mouths. His smile was so wide his face ending up aching again. Maybe, by the time he was fifty years old, his facial muscles would be used to being used for smiling instead of frowning. It was definitely going to be fun to find out.

  * * * *

  Tammy was so nervous and excited she couldn’t sit still. It had taken them nearly two full days to get to Chicago with interconnecting flights, and now here she was in a luxurious suite, ready for the taxi ride that would take her and her mates to the Chicago Institute of Art and her showing. All the members of her stealth, as well as her parents, had flown to Chicago with them. She just hoped that at least one of her paintings sold so she wouldn’t end up feeling embarrassed.

  “You look gorgeous, baby,” Phelan said as he came up behind her and wrapped an arm around her waist. He pressed his nose against her neck and inhaled deeply. “You smell delicious, too.”

  “Thanks.” Tammy turned in his arms and caressed his cheek.

  “The taxi’s here,” Hopper announced as he entered the living area of the suite. �
�Let’s go. We don’t want to be late.”

  Tammy nodded and laced her fingers with Phelan’s and Hopper’s as they led her out. Her stomach was roiling and although it was snowing and freezing cold, she was sweating. She wasn’t sure she’d survive the taxi ride without throwing up.

  Hopper held the door to the taxi open and held her hand as she lowered herself to the seat. Phelan got in beside her and Hopper got into the front.

  “Where are the others?” Tammy asked as she peered out the back window over her shoulder as the taxi pulled out into traffic.

  “They left about thirty minutes ago.” Hopper met her gaze over his shoulder and winked at her. “Take a deep breath, sweetheart. Everything’s going to be fine.”

  Tammy hoped he was right but she wouldn’t relax until she saw the reaction as people looked at her art.

  * * * *

  “Tammy, you’re here.” Celeste charged toward her and wrapped her up in a hug. She squeezed her friend back and tried to cling when Celeste pulled away. Tammy blinked the moisture from her eyes and sucked in a deep breath. “Every single one of your paintings already have a sold sign on them.”

  “What?” Tammy whispered.

  “You’re a hit, girlfriend. All your paintings have sold for the asking price,” Celeste said.

  “Are you kidding me?”

  Celeste shook her head. A sneaking suspicion rolled around in her brain and she locked gazes with the sister of her heart and raised her eyebrow in query.

  “Don’t look at me like that.” Celeste pointed at her. “I didn’t have the chance to make a single offer. Your paintings had to have been sold prior to tonight. I raced in here with Tarik and Hodge wanting the first pick, but I was too late.”

  Tammy turned to gaze at Phelan, about to ask if he’d somehow bought one or all of her paintings, but when she saw the unhappy scowl on his face, she had her answer. She turned toward Hopper and knew he wasn’t happy either.

  “Welcome to the Chicago Institute of Art. I’m Hayden Tilly, the manager. Could I see your invitations, please?”

  Tammy smiled at the man but when she saw the anger in his eyes, the smile slid away. She handed over her invitation and had to bite her lips when the man’s eyes widened with shock. He lifted his head from the paper in his hand and stared at her.

  “You’re Stealthy?”

  Tammy gave a slight nod and peered down at the invite. She hadn’t noticed until just now that there was a small purple star on the bottom right hand corner of the invitation. She wondered if that mark was on everyone’s invite or just hers. She would have to try and remember to ask her family and or mates later.

  “It’s an honor to finally meet you.” Hayden Tilly offered his hand.

  Tammy shook it but something about the man set her hair on end. She didn’t like Hayden Tilly one bit and from the way he was looking at her, he didn’t like her either. She didn’t care whether the man liked her, but hoped he wouldn’t let his personal likes and dislikes interfere with their mutual passion. Art.

  “Please come with me. I have some paperwork you need to sign and a check to hand over. You, my dear, have sold every single piece of artwork.”

  “Who bought my paintings?” Tammy asked as Hayden hooked her arm into his and steered her through the crowd toward the far side of the room.

  “Does it really matter?” Hayden snapped. “Just be grateful your work sold.”

  Tammy stopped in the middle of the room, unhooked her arm from his, and took a step back. “Why are you so angry with me? This is the first time we’ve even met.”

  Hayden inhaled deeply and forced a smile. “I’m sorry for snapping. I’m tired. It took me months to organize this showing and nearly all week to display the artwork to appear at their best. I’ve only managed a couple of hours sleep each night, all week.”

  “Tammy, is everything all right?” Celeste asked as she came to stand beside her.

  “Who is this lovely creature? Wait! Don’t tell me. I’ve seen your face before. You’re Celestial.”

  “Not anymore,” Celeste replied.

  “Oh? That’s a pity. I’d love to have you sit for me.”

  “You paint?” Tammy asked trying to make polite conversation, but everything inside of her was screaming to get away from the manager.

  “I’ve been known to dabble a time or two.” Hayden stared at her, his face stoic, but his gaze was filled with so much anger. She wanted to turn tail and run, but she couldn’t. The man had been nice enough to invite her to show her work. The least she could do was be polite and talk to him. “I’ll never be as good as you or the other artist’s work we’re showing tonight, though.”

  Was that the reason he was so angry? Because he was jealous?

  Hayden seemed to push his ire away when he swept a hand out in front of him. “Come on into my office. We need to get the business side of things over and done with. Then you can mingle and enjoy your well-deserved accolades.”

  Was that sarcasm she’d just heard? Tammy scrutinized his face but he was getting better at masking his emotions.

  “Do you want me to come with you?” Celeste asked.

  Hayden chuckled. “Whatever for, my dear girl? We’ll only be gone five minutes or so. I’m sure you don’t want to be bored by the business side of things.” He swept his hand out to encompass the room. “Eat, drink, have fun.”

  Tammy sucked in a breath, glanced once more at Celeste and followed Hayden through the throng and into a long hallway. Chills of apprehension wracked her spine when she saw how long the dimly lit hallway was, but she pushed her trepidation aside. She should be excited that she’d sold all her artwork.

  “Here we are.” Hayden opened an office door and flicked on the light before stepping aside to allow her to enter. She glanced about the room, relieved to find nothing scary or anyone else present. “Take a seat.” He indicated the chair in front of his desk.

  Just as Tammy sat down she heard the door close and the lock engage. That wasn’t normal. Why would the manager lock the door to his office? Was he worried that someone would interrupt their business transaction?

  “Right.” Hayden hurried across the room and around his desk before taking a seat. He rummaged through a stack of papers on his desk and then smiled at her. “Here we are.” He pushed the papers toward her. “If you could sign where I’ve indicated, our business will be concluded.”

  Tammy hummed in agreement but she wasn’t about to sign anything without reading it first. Her parents had taught her to read a document over, including the fine print, so she wouldn’t be signing something that wasn’t above board, or her life away. She picked up the first contract and started reading.

  “What are you doing?” Hayden asked angrily.

  Tammy’s heart slammed against her ribs when she saw how angry he was. He was red in the face and veins were popping out all over his face and neck.

  “I’m reading the contract.”

  “There’s no need.” He waved his hand in the air again. “I assure you everything is on the up and up.”

  “I’m not doubting you,” she replied calmly. “But I never sign anything before reading it through first.”

  Hayden huffed and she sighed with relief when he settled back in his chair, so Tammy started reading again. She flipped to the second page and when she saw Hayden’s name on the contract as the buyer, her heart stopped beating, the breath backed up in her lungs, and the hair on her nape rose. Again.

  She turned when she caught movement from the corner of her eye and sucked in a breath as fear permeated her heart.

  Tammy had known there wasn’t something quite right about the manager and she’d been naïve to ignore her instincts. She should have kept her senses and wits about her as she read through the contract because if she had, her life may not be in danger.

  Hayden had risen from his seat and he was aiming a gun at her head.

  She licked her suddenly dry lips, and though she was scared out of her mind, with her heart rac
ing and breathing shallow, she tried to keep calm. “What are you doing?”

  Hayden sneered at her. “I’ve spent my life trying to be as good as you and the other young upstarts. Nothing I did was ever good enough. I took on this job twenty years ago, and what do I have to show for all my hard work? Nothing.” Hayden moved around the desk, keeping the gun trained on her.

  “Well, I’ve decided it’s time to get my just desserts. You are going to sign those contracts and then I’m going to kill you. When you’re dead I will sell all your work. I’ll be rich and will never have to work another day in my life. I’m going to retire on a tropical island and live the high life.”

  “Hopper, Phelan, help. The manager’s crazy. He has a gun and plans to kill me.”

  Tammy tried to hide her wince when her mates roared through their link. Even though she wasn’t hearing them audibly, her eardrums still reverberated and pain sliced into her brain.

  She took another deep breath as her mind whirled. She had to keep Hayden talking. She needed to give her mates time to get to her, but what terrified her was that Phelan and Hopper would lose control and then they’d have the whole world on their doorstep. There was no way she wanted her mates taken from her by the government, military forces, or scientists because they couldn’t control their animals. If they shifted in front of everyone, their lives would be over.

  “Tarik, you need to make sure my mates don’t shift. The manager is holding me at gun point and has plans to kill me after I sign the contracts.”

  “Fuck! Don’t sign them,” Tarik yelled.

  “I won’t.”

  “What are you waiting for?” Hayden shouted, swiping a pen from his desk and shoving it toward her. “Sign the fucking documents.”