Her Stepbrothers are Saber-Tooth Tigers

by Trinity Blacio

  Guryon held up his hand. “It’s done and she’s an adult. How old are you, Little Red?”

  “She’s twenty-five. Too young to be going to private clubs.” Her father glared at her, and she laughed.

  “Dad, I could go anywhere when I turned twenty-one. There were things you didn’t know. I didn’t tell you everything,” she said, staring down at her coffee.

  “How the hell did you slip by your guard?” her father asked and turned to glare at one of his men.

  “Don’t you dare. He didn’t have a clue what I was doing, and it’s pretty easy to get by your men, Dad. I mean, come on, most of them were just sitting outside on their bikes with biker babes draped over them. They were too busy fucking most of the time.”

  “I’ll kill them,” her father growled.

  “Do I really need to remind you about the few times I caught you?” she said, earning a growl from Zena.

  “Point taken,” Snow admitted, smiling at Zena. “It was in the past, calm down, kitty.”

  “Why don’t we just get going? I can’t eat any more, and I really want to get there. We have a lot to do,” Leta said. “I mean, we don’t need everyone to come all at once, anyway.”

  Guryon laughed. “You just want to ignore my questions. So tell us, what kind of clubs did you go to?”

  Her face turned pink, and she shrugged. “One was a dance club. We loved to go there.” She popped the last of her sandwich in her mouth.

  Snow hissed. “You went to Devon’s, didn’t you?”

  “As I said, none of your business, and if they want to know, I’ll be glad to tell them later—in private, not in front of my father. Who still thinks of me as a child, obviously. Now, I’m done and I want to get moving.” Leta took a sip of her coffee and zipped up her coat. “Let’s go, please. I’m done talking, since it’s obvious he gets pissed at anything I say.”

  Guryon stood, knowing his mate was furious and she was right. It was time to get going. Snow had a stick up his ass, and if he kept it up, Guryon was going to put a real one up there to really give him something to bitch about.

  He nodded to Colin, who was also furious, as was Drew. “Let’s go, sweetie.” Colin held out his hand. “Tonight we’ll be in our own home, and I’m even volunteering to move anything you want all around the house till you deem it’s in the right place.”

  Leta laughed and patted his arm. “Good, because I have lots of stuff to move.” She hooked her arm around Colin’s and moved around the table. “Oh, and Dad? Love ya, but you are a pain in the butt.”

  Guryon snorted. “If he keeps it up, I’ll give him a pain in the butt,” he mumbled, and Leta laughed.

  “No, you won’t, because you know it would hurt me.” She glanced back at him and winked.

  “A broken nose or a boot shoved up his butt wouldn’t hurt his ornery self,” Guryon said, zipping up his coat and making his way to his bike.

  “Do you think something’s wrong with Snow?” Drew asked.

  “No, it’s just going to take him time to adjust. He’s moving his whole group, just learned about the threat, not to mention our enemies took his daughter and he is freshly mated. I know I can’t wait to get to the house. Having her being around other men is driving me crazy, and I want to finish the exchange so I’ll know she’ll be a little bit safer.”

  Drew nodded. “Let’s just hope the second exchange goes as well as the first one.” He put on his helmet and moved to his bike.

  “Even though my father has a lot on his mind, that doesn’t give him the excuse to be an ass, and that’s what he’s been since this morning. I’ve gone through just as much change as he has, if not more, and you don’t see me acting like a fool,” Leta mumbled and put on her helmet. “Zena is going to have her hands full, and I’ll be there to help her, because if I’m not, she’s liable to kill him. Where is he going to live?”

  “On the other side of the compound,” Guryon grumbled, getting a laugh from her.

  “That’s fine, but it better not be too far. Remember, Zena is Colin and Drew’s mom too, and she’s been with you guys for a while, so it might be hard for her too.”

  He lowered his head, needing to kiss her. Her big heart had just melted his stone one. The kiss was too quick. “You, my Little Red, keep surprising me.”

  “That’s good, you don’t want a boring woman at your side anyway,” she teased, wrapping her arms around him as he got on the bike.

  He watched as everyone moved to their bikes, then he started his. “Now, tell us what other kinds of clubs have you been to?”

  “I’ve been to a few—dancing, sex, and strip clubs. The strip club was a sleazy dive, but I wanted to see what one looked like. Let’s just say I’m glad Bess taught me how to use knives. It was that bad. I don’t know how anyone can work in those places.”

  “And what kind of sex club? Who did you go with?” Guryon asked and hated that he growled the last part, earning a laugh from her. He pulled back out onto the road.

  “Are the three of you going to crash if I tell you?” she asked.

  “No, we’re not going to crash,” he said, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t hunt down the man.

  “Nope, not telling you who, and it really doesn’t matter. He wasn’t really much when it came to being a Dom. I think he was too scared of my dad, but I did get to watch a few scenes, and another Master showed me what some of the furniture was like. Now, would I like to go to one with you three?” She shivered behind him, and he smiled.

  “We will be exploring that quite a bit. I was told the compound has a nice private club. They also have a dance floor and live bands sometimes. So you’ll have your night out, I promise. There’s also a large clubhouse where we’ll have gatherings with the other warriors.”

  “You’ve been to these types of clubs before? Are you a Master or Dom? You don’t want a slave, do you? Because I’d have to cut something off you,” she mumbled.

  He laughed, and Drew snorted. “No, we don’t want a slave, Little Red. We just like to play, but we are Dom’s.”

  “So no Master stuff?” she asked.

  “No, but we will explore what is best for us,” Colin stated.

  “We’ll make sure my father or your father doesn’t show up at this club while we’re there? Because that would be, um, nasty. Could you see your mom—?”

  “Don’t say it, Little Red, or I’ll have to spank you. I don’t want that picture in my head, thank you,” Drew grumbled, and she laughed.

  “Yeah, that’s what I thought too. I have a feeling having our parents so close is really going to suck a little bit. Are there any stores in the development? There’s so much we’re going to have to figure out. You told me what an Orak was, that Guryon is in charge of our family, which is called a Kith, right?”

  “Yes, and stop worrying. It will take time, Little Red, and we’ll be right there with you. You’re not alone anymore. Lean on us,” Drew tried to reassure her.

  Chapter Eight

  For the past five miles, Guryon had been driving on this road, which followed a stone that was about fourteen feet high. You couldn’t see crap aside from the stone. Leta knew they were getting close to their destination.

  “This is part of the homestead where we’ll be living. They aren’t done building the walls, but it’s coming along. I’ve been thinking, and I want to run something by my family,” Guryon said into the microphone in his helmet.

  “My brother, father, and I are different. We have more gifts than the others. I would like us to live at the opposite end of the compound from my brother. If he’s at the front, for example, I would like us to live at the back—”

  “That would enhance the protection of the place. Smart idea. I have no problem with it,” Colin stated, cutting off Guryon.

  “I see no problem with that, and I agree,” Drew said next.

  “I’ll follow you wherever you want to go,” Leta said, hugging him. “But can we have a house with a porch? I’d love to have a nice big swing on
the front porch to sit on. That’s one thing I’d miss, especially at night in the summer.”

  “I’ll get you a porch and swing, Little Red. Thank you,” Guryon said, turning the motorcycle to the right, following the brick monster. All too soon, Leta saw the entrance into Harbor Woods. Her stomach knotted and her hands got sweaty. She was anxious to start this new part of her journey.

  Guryon must have sensed her nervousness, because he reached down, grasped her hand and squeezed. “We promise to make you happy, Little Red,” he said, but her gaze was on the thirty something man standing at the entrance.

  “Did they send out a welcome wagon or something?” she asked.

  “I don’t know, but stay put,” Guryon said as he pulled to the side of the entrance and turned off the engine.

  Drew and Colin followed suit, along with three of Guryon’s men. “I’ll stay with Red; you go on up. I don’t see your father or brother,” Drew stated, leaning on Guryon’s bike and pulling her into his arms as she slipped off the machine.

  “Yep, not going anywhere. What is it with you guys and bigness? My God, it’s like facing a stampede of giants,” she grumbled, resting back against Drew.

  Guryon smiled down at her. “We were built to be warriors, Little Red. Plus, you’re little.” He tweaked her nose and nodded to Drew as the rest of their party pulled up to wait. Her father and Zena walked up to them. “Our welcoming party?”

  Leta frowned. “You don’t think they were attacked, do you? Maybe that’s why so many men are there at the gate?”

  Drew stood but held on to her as he scanned the area around them. “I don’t sense anything, but then again, those things are hard to spot unless they’re to close you.” Drew looked to her father. “Tell your men to keep the women close to them just in case. Mom, stay here while Snow warns the others.”

  She rolled her eyes. “I’ll go with my mate, and stop being so protective. We have men all around us now.” Zena shook her head and looked at Leta. “It seems we’re both going to be stuck with overprotective men.” She growled and followed her Snow, even though he glared at her when she caught up with him.

  “I sure do like your mom. She’s got some balls on her, and from what I’ve seen so far, she’s raised her son’s to be outstanding men,” Leta said.

  “Really, and how would you know this? We’ve only known each other twenty-four hours and haven’t done our exchange yet.” Drew smiled down at her, and she melted. Leta had come to realize Drew was the quite one, but when he smiled, his whole face lit up, especially his eyes.

  “You know, you have the most beautiful eyes when you smile. I hope our daughter has your eyes. Our first son can have Guryon’s eyes.” She wrapped her arms around Drew and rested her head on his chest while keeping an eye on Guryon as he spoke with one of the warriors at the gate.

  The men parted, and she could see Guryon’s father and brother walking toward him with Maya’s husband. “Well, looks like we’ll be good to go here in a few,” she said, laughing when she noticed Maya behind the men with another woman.

  Akaos turned and said something to Maya, who flipped her husband the bird and kept moving toward them.

  “Now I know I’m going to like that woman,” she laughed as Akaos seemed torn over whether to stay with the ones talking or follow his woman.

  “Watch,” Zena said, coming up next to her. “I bet all the men in that group follow Maya and that woman out the gate. They’re not going to allow her out here without protection.”

  Sure enough, the group of ten warriors including Guryon started to follow Maya toward them. “Are you going to do that to me too?” she asked Drew, and he growled, making her laugh.

  “I take that as a yes.” She patted his chest and moved up to meet Maya. “It’s great to see you, Maya,” Leta said, hugging her. “Thank you for coming to greet us.”

  “I wanted you to meet my daughter,” Maya said. “She’s mated to Talhrn, so it’s going to get complicated. She’ll be Guryon’s sister-in-law, but also uncle. Dee, this is Leta and my older brother Drew. The other brother is back there with Guryon. His name is Colin, and this is Zena, Drew’s and Colin’s mother.”

  “Maya, damn it, you know better than to leave the compound,” Akaos said as Guryon’s brother, Talhrn, wrapped his arm around Dee and pulled her back into his arms.

  “Kitten, what were you told about leaving the compound?” Talhrn asked and bit the side of Dee’s neck.

  Leta looked down at the ground a little embarrassed when Guryon stepped in behind her, wrapping his arms around her. “We do have strong women, don’t we? This one here was trying to battle six Gwelings by herself when we showed up.”

  Leta snorted. “What was I supposed to do, let the creeps touch me? Don’t think so. You should have seen what they looked like; green, icky skin.” She shivered. “Nope, they weren’t going to touch me.”

  Maya and Dee looked at her, nodding. “I’d be the same way. I’d rather fight than let anything or anyone touch me. Been there, done that, not going to happen again,” Dee said as Talhrn ran his hands up her arms.

  “Okay, enough of this depressing stuff. We need to get you settled. Tomorrow the warriors will all have a chat.” Maya used her fingers to emphasize chat. “Seems Guryon’s soon-to-be stepmother, Zena is going to tell the group about her experience with these things. So we need to get you settled in. Lacey would be here herself, but one of her little ones is down with a cold and she’s flipping out, but you’ll meet her tomorrow.” Maya looked up at Akaos. “Do we have a list of houses for them?” she asked her mate.

  “What, you’re asking for my help now?” he stated, obviously not a happy camper.

  Colin growled, and Akaos glared at him, but Maya’s whistle had them all looking at her.

  “Enough already. Colin, back down. I’ll deal with my mate. Akaos, they have driven here in the damn cold and need to get settled. Please,” she asked, and he nodded.

  “Guryon, as you requested, your residence will be in the back of the compound.” He handed Guryon a sheet of paper. “Here is the house that I think will do nicely for you four. I’ve assigned the house across the street for her father and his mate.” Akaos glanced at Snow, then at Guryon. “Did you explain?”

  “Haven’t had the time. I’ll let you inform her father what’s going to happen while I get my mate settled,” Guryon stated and lifted her in his arms.

  “What’s going on?” she asked, eying him, knowing that smile wasn’t good.

  “I’ll tell you as soon as we find our house and start unpacking.” He placed her on his bike and handed her his helmet.

  “Two others?” her father growled as she put it on. “Guryon!”

  Bikes started up, drowning out her father’s words, and Guryon started his.

  “Why do I get the feeling my dad is going to visit us real soon?” she mumbled, and Guryon groaned, as did Drew and Colin.

  “This is going to be a very long day,” Drew growled.

  “No, it’s not, because her father is going to have to accept it. He’s in our world now. Your mother links him to it.” Guryon moved the bike around the crowd as she waved to Maya and Dee.

  “Wait one minute. Do you mean my father will have two other men, like Drew and Colin? Will they…are you? Oh crap! We are doomed tonight.” She rested her forehead on Guryon’s back. “Someone just shoot me now,” she mumbled.

  ***

  Guryon pulled all the way up the drive of the dark green home they had been assigned to. Guryon had to admit it was a nice new house. It even had the large front porch his woman wanted, not to mention the three-car garage in the back.

  “Nice, we can store our bikes and get a couple of cars,” Drew said, pulling his bike up next to Guryon’s.

  “Look at that backyard. I can have a garden, and if I’m not mistaken, that’s one of the largest lilac trees I’ve seen in a while! Yes!” she said, taking off her helmet and running her hand through her hair. “It even has a big deck so we can grill. No
w let’s hope there are hardwood floors and a big kitchen with granite counters too.” She turned as the trailer carrying his stuff backed in, followed by the other one carrying hers.

  “At least they had a long drive too. Well, we might as well get moving. Do you have the keys too?” she asked.

  “Yep, they were attached to the paper.” Guryon said as Colin swept Leta up in his arms.

  “Our woman needs to be carried over the threshold,” he told them.

  Leta laughed and patted his chest. “Silly man, that’s for when one gets married. We’re not married.”

  Colin stopped and stared down at her. “Little Red, mates are human words for husband. You are our wife in all aspects when the bonding is done, but you’re also more than that. You’ll feel the connection you do with Guryon with all three of us eventually. We’ll also be able to communicate privately with each other in our heads.”

  “Wow, I don’t know if I want you guys roaming around in my head. I mean, what if I want to surprise you sometime?” she frowned and glanced at Guryon. “You’re already in there, aren’t you?”

  He nodded. “I can feel your emotions and see little things, but I won’t probe into you mind unless you are willing to share your thoughts, just as you can see into mine if you chose to.” He kissed her frown. “Quit worrying about it, you’ll get used to it. Now let’s get this show on the road before your father comes storming over here. Plus, I want to see what the inside looks like. Don’t you?”

  She smiled and nodded. “Of course. This is going to be our new home for a while, so I’m looking forward to fixing it up. Tell me, do I get to go through your belongings too?” she asked, and he laughed.

  “Whatever we have is yours, Little Red,” Drew said, moving in behind them as Guryon opened the back door and walked into a massive kitchen.

  “Wow!” she whispered as Colin lowered her to her feet in the middle of the room. “Now this is a dream kitchen.”

  “Isn’t it?” They all turned at the sound of a woman’s voice from the doorway behind them. “Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you, but my husband and I make sure to visit the new homes to drop off a welcoming box. I’m Dorothy Edward, and that one frowning behind me is my husband. Those two coming through the door have your box for you. Oh, Dan Edward is our son and a warrior too.”