by Dold, V. A.
Etienne felt his fangs emerge slowly, he tilted his head just right so the light from the bulb made them glisten. He made sure Tim saw the entire show. Pulling his lips back, he hissed into Tim’s face causing the little coward to soil himself. Before Tim became too disgusting, he sank his fangs deep, drinking his fill. He didn’t try to dull Tim’s memories - he wanted him to remember and feel everything. When he was satisfied he roughly pushed Tim away from him and exited the room. He left him to lay cowering on the floor in his own stench.
Tim would never see Etienne again nor remember exactly where the mansion was located. The vampire who had collected him came into the cell and slapped a rag filled with chloroform over his face again.
Groggy and blurry eyed, Tim found himself in the middle of his living room floor with soiled jeans not knowing how he got there. He showered and then dialed the airlines. He needed to fly to Vegas as soon as possible. He was frantic, nothing else mattered but getting on a plane today.
As soon as he landed he went to the nearest cheap hotel for the night. The next morning the greasy man behind the glass window in the lobby directed him to a nearby fleabag apartment. It had taken all of one day to locate the filthy dump he would spend the next year living in.
Little did he know, Etienne had family in positions of power in Las Vegas.
He was being watch very closely.
Chapter 17
It had only taken Anna and Cade six weeks to fall into a comfortable routine at home. He worked much of the time from his home office, only going to town for essential meetings.
She quickly learned that her stereotype for a billionaire was completely off base. She knew Cade had money when she first met him. She had no idea how much. His preference for jeans, T-shirts, and biker boots over a suit, hid a billionaire several times over. He would wear a suit if needed, but he didn’t have to like it. They were too restrictive and didn’t fit his personality. He considered them an evil that must be observed when necessary.
She weaned off all of her previous clients and was now the main marketing consultant for the Le Beau family’s vast holdings. She spent hours each day pouring over what was being utilized properly and what needed changing. They made a great team.
As they finished breakfast, Cade’s phone chimed with a text. It was an update on Tim. He had been followed to the emergency room covered in boils. Etienne had immediately informed him when Tim had gone to Vegas. Anna had no clue what had actually been done to Tim only that the modification had already been handled.
He had heard on three different occasions over the last weeks Tim had become violently ill for no apparent reason. His sources were keeping a close eye on the weasel. It seemed he was still attempting to defy his orders. The stupid little man had better not cross the wrong line or parts would start falling off.
This new information gave him the green light to tell Anna, Tim was gone and wouldn’t be back. Not that he doubted Etienne’s abilities, he was just being cautious. The second level of punishment had held when Tim had purchased an airline ticket to fly back to New Orleans.
Nervously playing with is coffee cup “Cher, I have news on Tim,” he began.
Her head shot up from the newspaper she was reading.
“Etienne forced him to move to Las Vegas and never return.”
He heard her suck in a breath. “He’s really gone for good?”
“Yes, for good.” He took her hand and gave it a soft kiss.
“I never thought I would see the day,” she whispered.
He had plans for tonight, a special dinner was on the menu. Weeks ago he had given her a ring as a promise to always love her, now he wanted to make it official to the entire world. He needed to make a few calls to setup the arrangements.
She was coming out of her shock. “I’m so grateful every day for you. You know that, right?”
“I feel the same way about you. Are you okay, cher? I know this must feel very sudden.”
She laughed. “I’m great. I didn’t realize I was still carrying such a weight and now it’s gone. I feel like dancing.”
They enjoyed a long run chasing and playing until they couldn’t run another step.
After the exciting news he couldn’t possibly work. “Hey, babe, let’s spend the day being tourists and play hooky.”
She thought about that all of three seconds. “I’d love to.”
They had a fabulous day people watching at Jackson Square, having lunch with Richie and generally walking around the Quarter.
As the dinner hour was closing in, he texted Stefan to help with his plans. Within two hours they had reservations for dinner at the Red Grill in a private room few knew of.
“How about dinner in town tonight? I don’t feel like cooking, do you?”
“I’d love to eat before we go home. Where would you like to have dinner?” she asked. “Anywhere is fine with me.”
“I have an idea. Just come with me and let me surprise you.” He loved making her happy. This was going to be a night to remember.
His brothers had done a bang up job. The room had soft lighting and candles were on the table covered in a beautiful linen tablecloth. They had even managed to get a mini-grand piano brought in and a young man played quietly for them.
She smiled at him with her heart in her eyes. “You’re always doing such sweet things for me. How’d you plan all of this without my knowing?”
“Some days having half a dozen brothers comes in handy. I sent a few texts and like magic we have this romantic dinner.” He grinned.
After ordering champagne and hors d’oeuvres, he took her hand in his, playing with his ring on her finger. Slowly, without losing eye contact, he went down on one knee at her feet. “Anna, my love, would you honor me by being my wife as well as my mate?”
Her hand went to her mouth as she gasped in surprise. With happy tears swimming in her eyes she said, “Yes. Oh, yes, I’d love to be your wife.”
He gathered her in his arms kissing her deeply. “I love you so much, you have just made me the happiest man in the world.”
He kissed her deeply again pouring everything he was into it and taking everything she was in return.
As they ate dinner, they discussed wedding options. They both agreed a church wedding wasn’t what they wanted. A quiet civil ceremony at his parent’s home was the perfect choice.
After breakfast the next morning Cade called and made all the arrangements. All that was left was to call her boys.
Anna, walked into his office, “Cade, would you make a Skype call with me to Thomas and John? I would like to introduce you to them.”
“Absolutely, I would love to meet your sons.”
She set her laptop on the coffee table in front of them.
Luckily, they were both home, and in minutes everyone was in what amounted to the same virtual room. “Thomas, John, I would like to introduce you to my fiancé, Cade. Cade, this is Thomas and John.”
“Hello, Cade. I‘ve heard a lot about you. It’s nice to finally meet you.” John was always the accepting one.
“Fiancé, Mom? Really? Isn’t this a little fast?” Thomas was her protector as usual.
“No, Thomas, it isn’t. I’d love to have you come for our ceremony here at the plantation.”
“That’s great, Mom. When?” John was always one hundred percent Anna’s son, her personal cheering section. He was all for her new relationship.
“Two weeks from now on Saturday. If you are willing to come, we will send you airline tickets and pick you up at the airport. I’d love it if you stayed for a few days, but if you have a case which requires you back home on Monday, I understand.”
“Mom, I’d like to speak privately with Cade for a minute. Do you mind if we have a little time alone?” Thomas wore a very serious, all business expression.
“Go ahead, cher. I’d like to have a chat with him. How about you call John back in the bedroom and I’ll let you know when we’re done.” He knew Thomas needed to make sure his
mother was never hurt again. These two young men adored their mother and despised their father. He had always been hurtful and abusive to her in front of them, and they were very protective of her because of that history.
“Okay, Thomas. What would you like to talk about?” He knew he had to meet Thomas as a man and not her son.
“You do know I’m a trained cop, right? That I carry a gun? A loaded gun?”
He had to work very hard to not smile at Thomas’s zealous need to protect the woman he loved. He didn’t understand she was more loved and protected than any human woman would ever be.
“Yes, I do know that. Your mother is very proud of you. I know you watched your mother suffer for a lot of years with your father. I also know you would kill any man who dared to ever treat her like that again, and that promise is not an idol threat from a man like you.” Cade let Thomas know he understood where he was coming from and how seriously he took this.
“I guarantee you, Thomas, I’ll never treat her with anything other than complete respect. Your mother is my very heart and soul. If she died, I would literally follow her to the grave. I would never live a day in this world without her. I love her more than anything and I would give my very life to protect her and have the privilege to love her.”
Thomas scrutinized him a minute longer and then nodded his head once. “I believe you. I give you my permission to marry my mother. I’ve done a lot of research on you and, needless to say, had you followed and watched for the past few weeks. You are what you say you are. A fantastic business man, but also a man who puts family first. I want that for my mother, she deserves better than what she had with my father.”
“Thank you, Thomas, your blessing means a lot to me. I’m going to call your mother back in, if that’s okay.”
“Yes, please, have her come back.”
He settled her back on the couch and got John back on Skype. “Okay, boys, should I order tickets for you?” he asked.
She looked so hopeful, neither of the boys could deny her. This was perfect, her family would be there for her on the big day.
Two weeks sped by. Today he was going to marry the woman of his dreams, literally. His tailor had dropped everything to make him a new suit. He thought he looked good but Anna’s opinion would be the one important to him.
Thomas and John flew in the night before and were hanging with him and his brothers. He enjoyed spending time with his soon to be stepsons, both young men had very good heads on their shoulders. He hoped for Anna’s sake they would decide to relocate to the New Orleans area, she really missed having them with her.
Simon wasn’t able to hold human form for more than a few minutes, he lay resting in his room. The younger three brothers weren’t able to make it home on such short notice. Locating them in the South American jungle had proven difficult
He and the rest of the men had been confined to the main house. They were not allowed to step foot outside the door no matter what, per his mother’s instructions.
“I could really use a drink, who would like to join me?” Cade asked.
There was of chorus of “I would” from the men around the great room. Stefan volunteered to make the drinks while Marcus searched for something they could snack on. The waiting was beginning to wear on everyone and drinks with a little food would be a nice distraction.
Marcus was asking if anyone would like a refill when his mother walked in with the Justice of the Peace Judge Tibadou. Cade introduced him to the men before they took their places on the front lawn to await his Anna.
His father walked his mother to the archway before joining him to stand as his best man. He glanced at the leader of the small orchestra hired to play for the ceremony and received a thumbs up, they were ready and waiting for his signal to begin.
His mother gave him a wave and with a nod to the band, the music Anna had chosen filled the air. His mother was beautiful as she came towards him, her face was shining with joy for him. She took her place with them as Matron of Honor. He sucked in his breath, any moment and he would see her come into view.
The music changed tempo as Thomas and John stepped through the arbor with his mate. She was flanked on both sides by her handsome sons. He couldn’t breathe, she was so stunning. How did I manage to be gifted with such a beauty? he wondered.
His father gave him a little nudge to bring him back to his senses as Anna and her boys stopped in front of him. Thomas was very serious in his role as the eldest son, he made a show of presenting his mother’s hand to Cade. Her sons had accepted him as her choice and this was his way of showing he was onboard.
Cade reverently brought her to stand next to him as the judge led them through the traditional vows and the answered I do’s. The formal service was brief, only lasting five minutes, ending with them being presented as man and wife. The phrase was music to his ears. Wrapping her in his arms, he thoroughly kissed his new wife.
Many in the local shifter community had come to the wedding, filling every available chair. Finding a mate was often difficult, and as such, was celebrated by everyone. Add to that, the pack considered them the royal family and their future king was taking his queen.
He tucked his arm behind her knees and picked her up, carrying her down the aisle to the reception area with Anna giggling all the way.
Isaac was the star for the rest of the day, creating delicious treats and directing activities like a maestro. He was famous in the area for his barbeques and they were more than happy to let him take over the reception.
As the first round of steaks hit the grill’s surface they cut the cake. Anna enjoyed feeding him his piece, wiping a smear of frosting off his chin with heat in her gaze. He audibly groaned, this may end up being a very long afternoon if she kept looking at him like that.
Shifter weddings can go well into the night and often end in a pack run when the bride and groom retire. His wife was showing signs of fatigue; time to go home and have a private celebration.
They thanked everyone for coming, taking a few minutes to speak with Richie, and said their goodnights. It was official, they were now married in every way.
She had asked her best friend, Rose, to come, but she hadn’t been able to get the time off at such short notice. He knew not having Rose at the wedding had hurt her. He decided to make it up by arranging a surprise visit from Rose at Thanksgiving.
The boys spent the weekend at the main house to give the newly-married couple privacy. He had to search a bit to locate them the next morning.
He pulled them aside and arranged a visit from them as well at Thanksgiving, and then called Rose to coordinate with her. Within an hour, he had the surprise set and could hardly wait for Thanksgiving to give her this gift.
Chapter 18
Several months later
Cade let Isaac and Emma in on the secret visit of John and Thomas. Isaac was in charge of collecting the young men from the airport and hiding them at the main house until he gave the signal. They were keeping him informed on the flight by text. From the last message he received, the plane had landed and they were claiming the luggage. He expected his parents to arrive with the boys in about forty five minutes.
They were settled in front of the television watching a zombie series Anna loved. The episode would end right before he expected the car to pull in at his parents, perfect timing. When the show ended he would get her to go outside with him and then signal the boys to come over.
“Close your eyes,” he breathed, cupping her face gently in his large warm hands, blocking her view. He kissed her cheeks, trailing kisses to her cute little nose, then feather light, over her lids. Her breath was warm on his face as he leaned his forehead against hers. As at the wedding, before the boys got close enough to see her younger looks from the conversion, he used his magic to make her appear a mid-forties woman like they would expect. The couple heard footsteps as the boys came near, leaves crunching and twigs snapping. He had them stop about five feet away.
He gave her one last kiss
as he released her face and he took one step back from her. “All right, you can open your eyes now.”
When she opened them, her hand flew to her mouth as she gasped. The reality of what she was seeing hit her then and a squeal of happiness erupted from her as she launched herself at the two humans she loved most in the world. She was not a weepy woman, but she’d missed them terribly and her eyes misted and threatened to expose her girly side. She latched onto first one, then the other. “Oh, my God! I can’t believe you are here! How long can you stay? Are you having Thanksgiving with us? When did you get here? Oh, my God!!!! You are really here!!” When she finally let go, she asked Cade with delight glistening in her eyes, “How’d you know I missed them so badly?” Everyone laughed at her excited, nonstop stream of questions. She shot them out so fast she almost sounded like an auctioneer. No one had a chance to answer one question before she asked the next.
“I know things.” Remember, I not only hear your thoughts when you allow me to, but I feel what you feel. You missed them and it was important to you that you spend Thanksgiving together. It mattered to you so it mattered to me.
She had the biggest smile he had ever seen on her face. She was as close to glowing as a person could get. She tucked one arm in the crook of each of the boys’ arms and marched them into the house.
“Where’s your luggage?” She realized they weren’t carrying any with them.
“We left the bags at Isaac’s house.” Thomas gestured over his shoulder with his thumb. “Cade was hiding us until he had you in position for the surprise. We’ll go and get them in a bit. So how are you, Mom?”
“I’m great. And even better now you both are here. I still can’t believe you surprised me!”