Cade: Le Beau Brothers: billionaire Shifter Series BBW mates (Le Beau Series)

by Dold, V. A.

  He smiled at her warmly to calm her. He hadn’t intended to make her anxious. He tended to forget how intense he appeared to others.

  “Anna, welcome to our family. We’re so pleased to have you as a new daughter.” Isaac purposely called her daughter instead of daughter-in-law to announce her place in the family to everyone. She would always be a family member, not simply a mate who came in from the outside. This was a huge honor he was giving her.

  He stepped forward to Cade and Anna, clapping him on his back before pulling her into a warm, fatherly embrace. As he released her, he gave her a light kiss on the cheek as any parent would give a daughter.

  “Now back to the important task of grilling these steaks,” he said with a warm gleam in his eyes.

  Anna let the stress of meeting the family wash away. Now that Isaac was busy with the grill she took a moment to study him, she saw where Cade inherited a lot of his features. His father was tall, maybe an inch taller than him. They were both very handsome with long, wavy dark hair. He had the same well-built body with wide shoulders, muscular chest, and an abdomen that tapered into a fit, narrow waist. Even though he was intimidating as hell, he had warm, expressive brilliant green eyes. She really liked his eyes.

  His family made her feel like a member, not a stranger joining them, and she appreciated their generosity.

  She went into the kitchen to help Emma with last minute food preparations and table setting. As she was placing the silverware, she saw a wolf’s tail hanging off the end of the couch in the great room. Babe, is there another wolf here I haven’t met?

  That’s Simon. He remains in wolf form most of the time. We’re helping him recover from his four years in the Marines. He may not join us tonight, the family leaves the choice to be in human form up to him.

  She felt a strong draw to go to Simon, and before she knew what she was doing she’d walked over to the sleeping wolf. Not wanting to startle him, she spoke before she tried to touch him. “Hello, Simon, I’m Anna. Cade’s mate. May I touch you?”

  Cade and his mother had followed her as far as the doorway when they saw her walking in Simon’s direction.

  The wolf made a small harrumph sound and opened his eyes. She squatted next to the couch about four inches from his face waiting for his permission. He reached forward, stretching his neck toward her, licking her cheek. His wolfy hello made her giggle and she took it as a yes.

  Simon rumbled, he sounded like Cade when he was pleased or content, taking that as a good sign she stroked him and scratched behind his ears. Her touch must have felt good to him. His wolf continued the soft rumble of satisfaction in his chest. As close to a purr as a wolf could get from what Cade had told her. He adjusted his position on the couch which allowed her to reach his other side, he didn’t seem to want her to stop.

  When she heard Isaac calling for everyone to be seated she whispered, “I’ll come back after dinner if you would like.”

  As everyone was seated, a hush fell over the family as all heads turned to the doorway behind her. She turned to see what was causing this reaction. Simon slowly walked to her seat. It appeared as though he had to work very hard to walk those few steps. He extended his hand to her in greeting. “Welcome, Anna,” was all he said, but those two words spoke volumes. She gave him her hand and remained very still as he raised it to gently brush his lips across her knuckles. As he released her hand, he turned to Cade. “You have a lovely mate, brother. She’s a treasure.” Then he turned and walked back to the couch taking wolf form again.

  The dinner was very quiet as everyone digested what just happened. She wanted to know what had put the family into such a reflective state, but she knew someone would explain everything to her later when they were finished.

  She offered to help clean up after dinner but Emma pulled her aside and requested she sit with Simon again. She was helping him and that was more important. She wasn’t sure exactly how she was helping, but if this was what Emma wanted, she’d do it.

  Cade was bursting with pride for his mate. Her empathy and care of others had no bounds.

  He quietly sat in a chair remaining in the shadows of the room, not wanting to disturb her in any way. Today had been the first time anyone had seen Simon interact with another person who wasn’t blood related to him, and Anna had something to do with that. Somehow her touch had drawn his brother out of whatever dark hole he was trapped in.

  There was no jealousy over his mate stroking his brother, both he and his wolf instinctively sensed her attentions were a form of healing and not romantic in any way. He wasn’t sure what was happening between Simon and his mate, he only knew the results were profound. She was helping him return to them with just her touch. Even his wolf sat silently watching in awe of their mate.

  Cade focused on her hands. They were placed strategically on Simon’s head and chest. He would bet money she was unaware of the way she intuitively reached for the perfect position. A shifter’s wolf resided mainly in his thoughts and heart, a virtual second soul in the body. She had unerringly touched Simon’s wolf within without realizing it.

  He would have to ask his mother about what exactly was happening with his mate. He had a feeling, between her gypsy and voodoo training as a healer, she would have a theory. He was convinced she had tapped into her special shifter gift by accident. What an amazing gift to have.

  Anna sat on the floor next to the couch and placed her hands gently on Simon’s head and chest. She just held them there for a long time. As she touched him, she felt a mild heat radiating from her palms. The sensation kind of scared her at first, but the warmth wasn’t painful, it actually felt good, so she remained calm and went with it. Simon started his low contented rumble again and relaxed under her hands.

  The house had become very quiet, she realized she must have sat longer than she thought. Slowly her hands began to cool, not sure what she was doing, she took the temperature change as a sign to stop. He rolled off the couch and lowered himself to the floor next to her. He laid his head in her lap for a moment, gave her hand a little lick, then rose and padded down the hall and out of sight.

  Without a word Cade took her hand to help her stand so they could join his family around the fire pit in the yard. His brothers and parents were talking softly as they approached. Two chairs waited for their arrival.

  Emma spoke first. “How’d it go, Anna?”

  “I’m not sure what you mean?” She looked to Cade for answers but he appeared as curious as she was.

  Emma leaned toward her and took her hand. “You’re a healer. From what I saw today, you can restore another’s health with healing energy. From the surprise on your face, I’m guessing you never knew you had the gift. Natural healers use energy, herbs, crystals, essential oils, and many natural elements to heal others. Did your hands heat as you touched Simon?”

  “How’d you know?” she gasped and put her hand to her heart, reaching for Cade with the other.

  “I have many friends who’ve trained for years in the healing arts, but you, my dear Anna, are a rare natural healer. You don’t need training, you instinctively do what is needed for the injured person.” She smiled sweetly.

  “Training will make you even better at what you do naturally, and I can teach you the herbs and other tools of healing. I can mentor you if you’d like to work with me.” She rubbed her hands together as if she were anticipating training her. “I’ve dreamed of having a daughter to pass my knowledge to, but Isaac and I were never blessed with one until now.”

  Cade added, “My mother comes from a long line of gypsies in the old country, and voodoo in this country. Her knowledge is vast and her power is off the charts. My mother too, bears the mark of the new moon.”

  His remark snapped Emma to attention. “She bears the mark?” she whispered reverently.

  “Yes, I have one on my shoulder.”

  “Even better.” Emma became very quiet and wore an expression of deep thought.

  “Perhaps it’s a good time to e
xplain to Anna what’s wrong with Simon,” Isaac volunteered.

  The men exchanged glances, each nodded once. Cade began, “wolves are a very physical animal. They require a lot of contact with other wolves. The same applies to us. You may have noticed I touch you often even if only a light touch on the shoulder and stroke of your hair. That’s all a part of it.”

  “Simon joined the Marines four years ago without thoroughly thinking it through. In the service he was primarily surrounded by other soldiers. Touching each other’s not encouraged. Simon found himself rapidly regressing into himself as a protective response,” Isaac explained.

  “Whenever he had leave or was at a base where he could socialize, he’d find a way to get human touch. If there was a dance with women for him to touch and hold on the dance floor, he’d dance all night. If there were no social events planned, he’d hire a prostitute - not for sex, but to simply give him a body massage and stroke his hair. Overseas where he was stationed, ladies of the night are in massage parlors and there is a price list posted on the wall, you would think men were ordering fast food and the women were a cheap meal,” Marcus said with disgust.

  “He went as far as to get an extensive tattoo on his back of a wolf because the work took the artist days and days to do, all the while touching him. He said the wolf he tattooed on his back would come to him in his dreams and lay beside him quietly each night to comfort him so he drew the wolf and had his sketch done as a tattoo.” Marcus spoke very quietly as he described how his brother fought to cope.

  “He managed to remain sane, but he’d regressed into himself so deeply, we’re struggling to help him find his way back. We each take time every day to sit with him and just stroke him. Our attempts have been helping a little, but what you did today was extraordinary,” Stefan said. “Your gift is the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen.”

  “We can’t thank you enough for your healing today, Anna.” Isaac’s voice hitched with emotion.

  “I’d like to make a request of you and Cade if I may. I’m reluctant to ask this of you but we’re in dire need.” Emma sobbed. Isaac took her hand to offer what comfort he could as they sat in the circle. “Normally I’d never ask a newly mated wolf to spend extensive time with a wolf who is not their mate, but I’m afraid I must. Would you be willing to come by each day and do a healing session with Simon?”

  She looked to Cade. I'm sorry if this is difficult for you, but I truly can't deny this need in me. It's like an ache in my bones. As long as he's in this condition I won’t be able to stop myself. I was literally drawn into the room today almost against my will. This need to heal that I didn’t even know I had has a mind of its own.

  I love you, Anna, I'll always provide whatever you need. If that's healing Simon, then I'll come with you every day and lend you strength and support to heal him. Both I and my wolf understand this is all about healing. We feel no threat to you or to our bond with you.

  She wanted to jump in his lap and kiss him senseless for his understanding and support. She looked everyone in the eye one by one and lastly reached for Emma’s hand. “Emma, both Cade and I are happy to do whatever we can to help Simon. I'll be back every day until he no longer needs me.”

  Emma cried with relief. Isaac held her in his lap and rocked her as the men and Anna silently went to their houses on the estate leaving their parents to collect themselves.

  Anna and Cade walked to the house in silence, both deep in thought. So much had happened in one short day.

  Without speaking, he led her to the master bath and started the water. He added some lovely floral scented bath salts and a rolled up towel to tuck behind her neck. She curiously stood back and watched him as he worked effortlessly, as if he'd done this a hundred times.

  “Run a woman’s bath often, do you?” she jokingly teased him.

  He cleared his throat. “Not hardly. But I've watched you closely these past few days and this seems to be what you’d enjoy. Did I do it wrong?”

  “Actually, you did it perfectly.” She brushed her hand down his back as he bent over to test the water.

  “You're a terrible woman to torture me so,” he said right before he splashed her playfully. “Now get naked and enjoy your bath.”

  Anna hesitated. “Aren’t you getting in too?”

  “Not this time. I want you to take a little time to totally relax. You've had a lot to deal with today, and this is all for you.”

  He never ceased to surprise and amaze her. One minute he was an alpha male growling at everyone and the next he was running her a bath because he thought she needed a little me time.

  Cade went to the great room to give her privacy and check his messages. Etienne had called, they had been following Tim and he would begin monitoring him tonight in preparation of his modification. He was relieved the danger to his mate would be handled soon.

  He heard Anna enjoying her bath, she had really needed the relaxation time. Sometimes she didn’t know when to stop giving of herself and take a personal break. Well, he would make sure to take care of her if she wouldn’t do it herself. She was too selfless sometimes and he didn’t want her to exhaust herself.

  He glanced up as she entered the room; he’d have to call Etienne tomorrow. She was in the slinky silk negligee he bought for her with the new wardrobe. The sight of her in the almost see through gown had him breathing heavily. How'd I ever get so lucky?

  I have no idea, she teased

  She did a slow circle for him, stopping with her back turned, he knew she was giving him a good long look on purpose. Glancing over her shoulder, she gave him a sultry wink. Then she completed the turn. He had to force himself to remain seated.

  She grabbed both arms of the chair he was sitting in as she stood between his thighs. Slowly she leaned forward giving him a really good look at her cleavage. He growled when she stopped just out of his reach for a kiss. Little tease.

  Before she was able to move out of reach he snatched her into his lap and devoured her lips. “You're a terrible tease, but I like it,” Cade whispered in her ear.

  That made her giggle.

  He stood with her still in his arms and went to the master suite to re-inspect the bed. A man could never be too careful about the quality of his bed, he thought, as he made love to his mate. Twice.

  Chapter 16

  Etienne Delacour was monitoring Tim twenty-four seven. Cade had asked him to modify his memories and desires toward his ex-wife. Make him want to leave her alone, move out of Louisiana and be happy about it.

  Tim was harassing Anna. Cade wanted it stopped before the situation became deadly. Combine an unstable ex-husband and the local mob and you had a cocktail for pain and suffering. That was not to be allowed.

  He decided it would be wise to investigate the little beast of a human. He and three of his family followed Tim for the next two days. His best tech guy bugged Tim’s apartment, tapped his phone, and put a tracker on him.

  It didn’t take long to find out Tim was in deep with the mob. Tim was seen going to the casino every night after work and not leaving until the early morning hours. Upon Etienne’s orders the vampires became invisible and followed him into the casino the next night.

  Tim sat himself at a craps table and immediately began losing money. Based on his betting pattern, this idiot had no idea how to play the game. Combine ignorance with plain old bad luck and you have Tim James, loser.

  They watched him in silence as he racked up fifty thousand dollars in bad debt to the casino. Shaking their heads, this idiot was a dead man. About fifteen minutes later two thugs came to the table and dragged Tim into a back room. The vampires followed behind and slipped into the room before the door closed. Tim was roughly tossed into a metal folding chair. He hung his head as if by not being able to see the men in the room, he would be safe.

  “Tim, it’s come to my attention you have fifty in markers. How do you intend to pay that back?” The mob boss tipped his head to stare Tim in the eye. When he didn’t answer, the t
hug behind him grabbed him by the hair and forced his head up.

  “I don’t have the money on me,” Tim stammered.

  “My boys here tell me you have a wife, that you have been married a long time. Perhaps if I give your wife special accommodations for a while you’ll suddenly find my fifty to get her back?”

  One of the thugs tossed an eight by ten picture of Anna onto the table. The photo appeared to have been taken in Jackson Square. Tim remained silent. He didn’t correct them regarding his marital status, he would let them believe Anna was a good target and maybe that would save his ass. He was letting them think this would work.

  The boss caressed the photo. “For a woman in her forties she’s rather pretty, and I love a woman with extra cushion for the pushin’. I think she’ll enjoy being tied to my bed, don’t you?”

  The boss turned to his men. “Get him out of my sight, if he doesn’t pay within forty-eight hours grab my new sex toy.”

  Etienne’s men gave him a complete report on the situation Tim had gotten himself into. The bastard was purposely dragging Anna into it as well. Both Tim and the casino boss would need to be dealt with quickly. Give the idiot a couple drinks and he didn’t shut up. Cade was going to kill this moron.

  Etienne left a message on Cade’s phone and would wait for a return call.

  At eight a.m. the phone rang. “Cade, Etienne here.” The vamp was always a man of few words. Something he knew Cade appreciated.

  “What do you have?” He had answered the phone in the kitchen and Anna could walk in any second.

  “He owes fifty, if the money isn’t paid today they will come for Anna. And Cade, the kingpin threatened her sexually.” He spoke with sympathy in his voice. He hated telling his friend his mate was threatened.