Becoming Briar

by Erin West

  What the hell is his problem?

  “Do you expect me to hide away in the house forever?” I cross my arms as my fire flows to my hands.

  Bael’s jaw clenches and his gaze hardens.

  “She’s not going alone. I’m going with them. Just let me go change,” Drake cuts in, the tension diminishing.

  Yes. I forgot Drake was going, too. That should keep Mia in check, and me from having to get into why there are four men hovering around me. Needing to get away before Mia’s eyes bulge out of her face, I grab his hand. “Do you mind giving me the keys? I’ll go pull the car around.”

  Grinning, Drake pulls them out of his pocket. “Of course.”

  “Oh, no you don’t.” Eli comes over and plucks them out of hand. “She will not do such a common thing anymore. I’ll get someone to take care of this for you.”

  Placing her hands on her hips, Mia glares. “What the hell do you mean, common thing?”

  Snickering echoes through the room from Oren, who has his hand over his mouth, trying to muffle the sound.

  “This might be fun.” Bael stands up straight, his eyes wrinkled at the corners. “I think the vamp may just get his ass kicked.”

  Rolling his eyes, Eli shakes his head. “You all are idiots, and you,” he points to Mia, “need to understand that Rose is now tied to me, so there are certain privileges she has.”

  Oh, this is not going well. I grab the keys back from Eli. “If I want to go get the damn car from the garage, I will. Stop being so controlling.”

  Biting his lower lip, Eli’s shoulders droop. He doesn’t say anything but turns and takes a step toward the door.

  Aww, shit. I’ve hurt his feelings. I didn’t mean to do that. I grab his hand. “I’m sorry.”

  He lets my hand go and walks out.

  “Don’t feel bad,” Bael growls. “That asshole deserved it.”

  That may be true, but I don’t think he meant to come off that way. He was meaning well and trying to take care of me. I glance at Mia. “I’m sorry. Can you give me a few minutes?”

  She nods. “Yeah, I’ll stay here and talk to these fine men.”

  Drake heads out to the hallway. “I’ll be ready and down in the foyer in five. Just come when you’re ready.”

  Bael and Oren are sitting at the table, eating some breakfast, and Mia walks over and joins them.

  Not wanting to leave, I force myself to. It’s not natural to want to leave them alone with another woman, even if I know they aren’t a threat. I’m hoping that evens itself out pretty soon.

  It’s still day outside, so Eli can’t be out there, but he’s not in any of the other rooms either, so he has to be in our bedroom.

  I enter our bedroom and find him sitting on the bed with his hands in his lap. His face is downturned and his whole body is slumped over.

  “Hey.” My tone is soft, but I hesitate at the doorway. I’m not sure if he wants me here.

  He doesn’t move. It’s almost like I’m not even there.

  Taking a deep breath, I walk further into the room and sit down next to him. I reach out and take his hand, needing to touch him in some way.

  We stay like this for a few moments before he squeezes my hand.

  “I’m sorry I acted like an asshole.” His tone is so light, if my hearing hadn’t improved, I wouldn’t have heard it.

  “No.” I hit my shoulder against his. “I was. You were trying to be nice, and I felt like you were trying to tell me what to do.”

  He laughs. “I was and, of course, you’re too stubborn.”

  My heart flutters. It’s so rare to hear him sound like this. “You still meant well. You were just trying to take care of me.”

  Rubbing a hand down his face, he groans. “That’s true. But Rose, please be patient with me. I’m old and set in my ways. I’m trying to be a better man for you, but it won’t happen overnight.”

  Leaning over, I kiss his cheek. “You’re great to me, and thank you. You mean so much to me, I don’t know what I’d do without you. And… please be patient with me. I’m young and trying to figure it all out.”

  He turns his head and captures my lips with his. “Okay, as much as this pains me to say, you need to get going. Mia and Drake are waiting on you.”

  Kissing him one more time, I pull away. “You’re right. See you tonight.”

  His face softens, and he grins. “Of course. Have fun.”

  Getting up, I blow him a kiss as I walk out the door and head to the foyer.

  Drake and Mia are standing close together, whispering, when I make it there.

  What the fuck is going on? “Am I interrupting something?”

  Mia startles back and shakes her head. “No, nothing at all.” She smiles. “Are you ready to go?”

  Wrapping his arms around me, Drake presses a kiss to my lips. “We were just talking business, my love. Nothing you need to worry about.” He takes my hand and pulls me toward the door. “Come on, let’s get going so you ladies get some quality time.”

  They are keeping something from me, but I’m not sure what. However, now isn’t the time to press it.

  Mia gets in the backseat of the car, while Drake opens the passenger door.

  He motions for me. “Ladies first.”

  A grin spreads across my face and I slip in. Leaning across me, he kisses my lips. “That’s payment for my services.”

  I raise an eyebrow. “Oh, really? For any woman you open the door for?”

  Nodding, he kisses me again.

  What the fuck? I push him away. “What?”

  Swatting my hands away, he kisses my lips again. “Yes, every woman I open the door for, the payment is a kiss from you.”

  “Oh my God.” Mia groans from the backseat. “I think I might have just thrown up a little.”

  “Okay, okay.” Drake pulls back and shuts the door, heading to the driver’s side.

  She leans up, so her face is in between the driver and passenger seats. “He’s got it bad, girl.”

  My eyes follow his every move, taking in everything. I lick my lips, tasting him. “I do, too.”

  Plopping back into her seat, she sighs. “If you weren’t my bestie, I’d totally hate you.”

  The driver’s door opens, and he slides in beside me. “Where to, ladies?”

  “Between me having to deal with you and Eli, and Rose being kidnapped, we’re going to a spa.” She pulls out some paper and hands it up to me. “We’re getting massages and pedicures, girl. It’s time to relax.”

  That sounds like heaven. Yes, we have a ton of things we need to figure out, but a two-hour break won’t hurt anything, right?

  Drake reaches out and takes my hand. “Oh, hey, before I forget. I’ve got to go home to deal with some things tonight. Would you like to join me?”

  I’m assuming that’s code for pack, so of course I’m going to be in. “Yes, of course. I’d love to.”

  He squeezes my hand then raises it up and brushes a kiss across my knuckles.

  Not wanting to miss any time with Mia, I ask about the club where I used to work, and she still does. She talks the rest of the time about everything that’s been happening there, which is pretty much the same old stuff as before.

  When we pull up to the spa, there is a lightness in my chest and I’m a little breathless. I’ve never been to one before but have always heard good things.

  Mia gets out of the car and opens my door, pulling me out. “Let’s go, girlie. It’s time to get away from Mister Tall, Dark, and Handsome.”

  A wide grin spreads across my face and I follow her into the building.

  When we walk through the door, it’s like we’ve entered a new dimension. The lighting in the room is dim, and calming instrumental music plays in the background.

  Mia walks up to the front desk where a small, thin girl is standing.

  The waiting area is bare, so I head to a dark couch, or at least I think it’s dark, and sit next to a table that has a mini refrigerator filled with water and
limes. I grab a cup and fill up a glass. Refreshing tangy, citrus flavors flood my taste buds as I take a cooling sip.

  Soon, Mia joins me, getting her own glass. “So, they will be with us in a just a few moments.”

  Nodding, I pick at my cup, feeling her eyes on me.

  After a few moments, she scoots closer to me, invading my personal space. “So, this morning was interesting.”

  Oh, dear God, here we go. I still don’t even know what I’m going to say. I take a deep breath and open my mouth just as the door opens, saving me from having to say anything.

  A man comes out, dressed in white and holding a clipboard. “Mia and Rose, are you ladies ready?”

  Whew, saved by the massage. I jump up from my seat. “Yes, I’m Rose and I’m ready.”

  Getting up, Mia leans toward my ear, her tone barely above a whisper. “We will come back to this.”

  I cringe but step forward. Right now, all I know is that I’m saved, and we don’t have to discuss something I have no clue how to explain.

  We follow him to the back as he walks into a room with two beds. It’s not a huge room, about the size of a standard bedroom. “Here you go. Unfortunately, we only have a man and woman on staff today. Do either of you have a preference?”

  Oh, hell yes, I do. I don’t need another man touching me, making things even more complicated. “I’ll take the woman.”

  “Hell yeah.” Mia raises an arm. “I’ll take the man. This works out perfectly.”

  He jots the notes down on the clipboard. “Okay, great.” Once he’s done, he points to some robes hanging in the back room. “Ladies, feel free to strip down and get under the sheet on the table. If you want, you can wear the robe and the masseuse can then move it around as they get to the various spots on your body.”

  “Okay, great.” Mia begins removing her clothing without waiting for him to leave.

  The guy clears his throat and then hurries out of the room.

  I laugh. “You embarrassed the poor guy.”

  “Well, he should know better.” She’s already stripped down to her white bra and panties. “When us women need a massage, we need it now.”

  By the time I have my clothes off, Mia is already between the sheets on the table with her eyes closed. Oh, how I’ve missed her. I finish changing, pulling on the robe and getting situated on the table as someone knocks on the door.

  After a couple of hours, we walk out of the spa and Drake is sitting in the car, waiting for us.

  He jumps out of the car and opens my door for me, grinning. “How was it?”

  “It was amazing.” I step up on my tiptoes and kiss his lips. “I feel like a new person.”

  Reaching out, he cups my cheek. “I’m glad. Learn anything new?”

  “Yup.” I slide into my seat. “I need to do this more often.”

  Frowning, he gazes over at Mia and shakes his head.

  I glance in the rearview mirror as Drake and Mia stop behind the car. She glances down to the ground, almost as if she’s guilty. What the hell is going on?

  Drake slides into the driver’s seat, putting the engine in gear and heading to Eli’s.

  “Okay.” I shift in my seat. “What the fuck is going on?”

  Mia slumps down. “What are you talking about?”

  “Well, for starters, you guys were whispering when I walked into the foyer this morning, which was odd.” I move my hand back and forth. “Then, the question about learning something new, and you’re acting guilty. What don’t I know?”

  For the first time ever, Mia doesn’t have anything to say.

  “Drake,” I touch his arm, “will you tell me?”

  Closing his eyes for just a second, he opens them and glances over at me. “It’s her news to tell you, but if she doesn’t, I will. You deserve to know.”

  Biting the inside of my lip, I set my jaw. “Mia, you better tell me now. What are you keeping from me?”

  What could be so bad that she doesn’t want to tell me?

  She rubs her hands up and down the jeans covering her thighs, staring at her lap. Lifting her gaze to Drake’s and then mine, she lets out a sigh. “It’s time you knew.” She takes a deep breath and I hold mine. “I’m a witch.”

  “A witch? Like wands, spells, and broom-riding witches?” This is not what I was expecting. I clear my dry throat and jerk my gaze from Mia to Drake. “You knew all along?”

  She giggles under her breath, drawing my attention back to her with a glare. “Seriously? Wands and broom riding?” Her finger touches her lips and she cuts her gaze to the ceiling of the car with pursed lips. “That would be badass, but not exactly.”

  My grip on the center console tightens, and a loud popping sound echoes around the small area. I loosen my hold before I break the lid or catch it on fire. Did she know I wasn’t human when we worked together? Why hasn’t she told me before now?

  There are too many questions and, once again, not enough answers.

  Drake’s lips press together in a grimace, and he runs his fingers through his hair. “Yes. I knew when you introduced us at her house. I could smell it on her.”

  I can understand why he wouldn’t have brought it up. It wasn’t his place to tell me something that isn’t his secret to tell. But dammit, everyone close to me knew and I didn’t. My chin trembles and tightness fuses my throat. I will not cry, not now.

  Heat flushes through my body and my nostrils flare as I face forward in the seat, posture tense. “Did you know I was supernatural when we worked together?”

  She releases a heavy sigh. “Yes. I thought you didn’t want to talk about it. You never brought it up, and I didn’t want you to feel uncomfortable around me.”

  That may be true, but it doesn’t change the fact that she kept it from me, even after she met Drake and knew what was going on.

  “You still should have told me.” Crossing my arms, I jerk my head to the right and watch the trees and houses pass by.

  “I’m sorry. Please forgive me.” Her voice fades with each word. Mia and Drake’s feelings intermingle with mine, increasing the hurt swirling around inside of me.

  “I will. But I’m going to need some time.” My tone is flat as I avoid eye contact with both of them.

  Tension makes the car stifling during the rest of the trip to Eli’s. As soon as the car stops in front of the house, I open the door and head inside before either of them can say anything.

  The butler opens the door for me, and I walk past him without a second glance. I should learn his name if I’m going to be staying here. But I can’t find it in myself to care right now.

  Once I’m in the bedroom, secluded from everyone, I sit on the bed and place my head in my hands.

  Arms pull me into a comforting hold, electricity zinging from the contact. Eli brushes my hair away from my face, sealing firm lips over mine. I melt into him until he breaks the connection.

  “What happened, love? Did you not have a good time?” His soothing voice calms the turbulent emotions inside.

  Avoiding his gaze, I shake my head. “The spa was wonderful. I could make it a once a week occurrence. But,” I hang my head, “Mia told me she was a witch, only after Drake forced her to.”

  His arms tense, tightening around me. “You didn’t know? She’s the one that helped me dreamscape with you. Without her, I wouldn’t have been able to see you, to make sure you were safe.” He lifts my face to his, gaze boring into mine. “You shouldn’t hold it against her. She cares for you.”

  My shoulders droop and I let out a heavy sigh. “I know. I don’t really, but it was a shock and it felt like someone stabbed me in the chest when I found out that all of you knew before me.”

  “Ah, I see.” He rubs my back.

  “Do you?” I cock my head to the side and raise an eyebrow.

  He stands, pacing back and forth in front of the bed. “Yes, I have been betrayed many times in my existence. But the worst was when the woman I thought I loved left me for someone close to me.” His han
ds clench into fists, blood covering the tips of his fingers when he releases them.

  Covering my mouth, I try to mask the gasp at the revelation. I reach out to touch him, comfort him like he did for me, but he paces away from me again. “What happened?”

  I need to know, despite the churning in my stomach. Like somehow learning what hurt him before will bring us closer together or tear me apart.

  His jaw clenches and he hangs his head, taking a seat beside me. “I was introduced to Maria at a party. She was stunning, ruthless, and called to all of my darkest desires.” His unfocused gaze stares at the wall above my head.

  Does he miss her? Bitterness coats my throat and my stomach hardens from the reminiscent expression on his face.

  Closing his eyes, his voice carries on. “We were inseparable after that night, looking for our next thrill or high. If it could get us there, she would find it. One time, I invited my best friend to go with us. We had fun and Maria decided that it would be fun for him to keep joining us. I didn’t think anything of it. That became our normal, until one day, he wanted her all to himself.” He takes a deep breath.

  Stroking his forearm, I lean my head on his shoulder. “What did he do?”

  His shoulders droop. “They ran off together. She chose him over me, like all the time we had been together was nothing. I retreated into a dark place. Nothing mattered, and I let my humanity get buried deep inside. Seeing you in my club, months ago, started to bring it back for me.”

  My chest aches for him. This explains so much. Why he was opposed to sharing me with others and his jealousy. All of the tension in my body releases with my next breath. Love blossoms through me, love for this broken hardened man who is trying to be a better man for me, despite the circumstances.

  I wrap my arms around his neck, drawing him into a tight hug. “That must have been hard for you. But I’m glad it was him and not you.” Pulling back, my gaze softens, and I press my lips to his.

  There’s a knock at the door. Eli groans against my mouth, pulling away. He mutters under his breath, “Can’t anyone get some fucking privacy around here?”