Damn, this was the guy who had her best friend in knots. Bella pulled on her friend’s hand until Charley leaned over her. “That’s why we were going to that new club instead of taking me to the old one, isn’t it?” Bella asked, earning a growl from Tank.
“What new club? You went somewhere else?” He glared at Charley and bared his fangs.
“You have no right to even question me. Your words exactly were, ‘I’m sorry, pet, but I can only take this one day at a time.’ Well, that day was up, so don’t go all wolfman on me, or I’ll conk you on the head with a damn bone.”
Bella’s gaze jumped to Tank. He laughed and sat back in his chair, but Bella swore he was going to break the arms of the chair from how hard he gripped them.
“Little lady, I’ve got news for you. There will be no other clubs. Now that I know what you’ve been up to, it seems I need to bring in the leash and put it on a little bit tight, yes?” he asked, his voice dropping down like only a Master or Dom could do, making Bella squirm in bed.
The door opened, and a woman brought in a tray of food, distracting everyone for a few seconds. But as soon as the woman was gone, Tank’s gaze was back on Charley. “I’m waiting.”
“Back off, wolf boy,” Charley snapped, and Bella whistled.
“Easy there, lady, we don’t need a brawl in here. Charley, I need a wheelchair for now. Also, we’ll drive your car since mine is obviously totaled. Tank, finish your story and leave Charley alone, at least for now.” She smirked when Charley actually growled at her.
“As you wish. Anyway, the father of Sana-Sun was not happy that Adish ignored all the signs of their destiny. So, long story short, he punished Adish, but in doing that, he also banished his daughter. They now reside in the center of the Earth itself. Adish controls the fires below, and every so many years, I believe it was a 100 years, his the children of the Earth relive his destiny. Specifically, one family bears Adish and Sana-Sun’s children for them—four of them to be exact. Each is part wolf and part gargoyle, a combination no one else on the planet has. They have gifts that are different, also. It’s up to these four to accept their destinies or...” Tank pointed up to the screen. “The fires below are released.”
Bella frowned and shook her head. “That’s bull. What about the other volcanoes that have erupted over the past few years? No, there has to be more to it. I’ll give you that I’m connected to him somehow, but me saving millions? Nope, not believing it. Plus, if he has such great powers, why not use them to stop all of that? It just doesn’t make sense.”
“Those were nothing, but between Adish’s curse and him being pissed at what the people are doing to the land above him, well, it could be bad. This is on a bigger scale. You mentioned seeing a couple earlier?”
“I thought maybe they were my parents, you know, since I don’t know who they are.” Bella gulped down the juice and frowned at the empty plate. “This didn’t quench shit. I need a burger and chilly-cheese fries.” She looked over at Charley, and her friend laughed.
“Let me guess. You want me to run to Oh Bigs, right?” she asked, and Bella nodded.
“If you find my purse, I have money in it.” She looked around, and Tank got up and went to the small locker in the room.
“Yep, your purse is in there, but the food is on me. If Charley doesn’t mind getting an order for me and the guys out there too?” Tank asked.
“No problem, free food is free food. Make a list and I’ll go, but you’ll keep an eye on her? I have a feeling we’re not done seeing the bitch.”
As if on cue, another man opened the door and peeked his head inside the room. “She’s back,” he said.
“Told ya!” Charley went to get up, but Bella grabbed her hand.
“No, let’s get this over with now. Let her in,” Bella said.
Tank stretched and leaned his hip against the bed. “You are protected from her black mumbo jumbo, but I have a feeling you don’t need my protection that much.” He turned and stepped back but never left her side as Daisy came into the room.
She glared at Tank, then at Charley. “I see you have your pets watching your back,” she sneered.
Bella laughed. “Honey, only you need pets around you. I have true friends, not fake ones. Now what the hell do you want? It’s obvious you can’t stand me, so why show up? Want to see if I was still living?”
“I wish you were dead, but no, seems like the powers around you are much stronger than we first thought. Don’t come to the house again. All your belongings have been burned. Mom will shoot you if she sees you near the house. Do I make myself clear?”
The hairs on her arms stood up, and she noticed Daisy doing something with her fingers. “Do you really believe your little spells are going to hurt me?” Bella said.
Daisy was slammed against the wall behind her, but no one in the room had done it.
Tank moved forward and snorted. “You have underestimated your enemy, it would seem. I don’t know your agenda, but I will find out, and when I do, you better run, little girl. Because I can promise you this: her man will not tolerate one episode of your crap.” Tank snarled and bared his teeth at her.
“Would you be so kind to show Daisy out, please, Tank? It’s getting kind of stinky in here,” Bella said, waving her hand. She cringed when Daisy went flying into the closed door. “Oops, sorry, guess it was me.” She laughed, afraid of what she’d just done, but she refused to let on that she was scared.
Her sister rose from the floor. Her expression was determined but showed a trace of fear as well. “I’ll see you soon, and I won’t be alone next time.”
Alarms went off and metal creaked as the building swayed.
Tank looked over at her. “Pull it in, Bella,” he shouted, and Bella took a deep breath.
The shaking stopped, and Tank grabbed Daisy and threw her out the door. “Don’t leave her side until I get back,” he told Charley. “Maverick, you stay here until I’m done taking the trash out.”
“Well, shit! Are all of you freaking giants?” Bella mumbled as a man just as tall as Tank came into the room.
He snorted and took up position next to the door.
“Guess he’s not much for talking?”
Charley shook her head, turning her total focus on Bella. “Now tell me what the hell you just did.”
Chapter Four
Raul climbed out of the shower and grabbed his phone. He didn’t recognize the number but still answered it.
“Yeah,” he growled, balancing the phone between his head and shoulder as he wrapped a towel around his waist.
“Sorry to disturb you, Alpha. My name is Tank Rander. I’m the enforcer for the Cleveland Pack. Hold on a second.” Tank tried to cover the mouthpiece, but Raul still heard him. “Get the hell out and don’t let me find you here again. She might be forgiving, but I’m not!” Raul heard rustling before Tank spoke into the phone again. “I wanted to let you know I’ll be escorting your chosen one to you in the next few days, as soon as she the doctor clears her.”
He stopped what he was doing. “What are you talking about?”
Tank laughed. “Do you really believe your own pack is the only one who knows about the stories? They’re known all over the world, sir. But we might be delayed,” Tank growled.
“What’s going on there?” Raul moved to the living room, hitting the Page button for his brother, Mario.
“I was just throwing out the little bitch who’s trying to stop your mate from coming to you. Her family adopted Bella as a child. From what we know, they treated her only with a bare amount of decency until recently. Her bitch sister has tried to use death magic on her twice, but Bella is not without her own protection. Then she was in a hit-and-run that almost killed her the other night. Fuck, she did die twice, the doc says.”
Everything stopped. “When did this all happen, the accident?” he asked and listened as Tank recounted the events. The ache in his chest had happened when she’d died, but then again, this could just have been a coin
cidence. His mate could be someone else.
Mario walked in. “Tank, hold on for a minute.” Raul covered the phone with his hand. “I need you to take a trip for me to check someone out. This guy on the phone is claiming he’s with my mate and they’re on their way here. I don’t need a bunch of bitches showing up claiming to be mine, but this one is different. I can’t go, not with everything going on around here. But since you’re my brother, I believe you should be able to tell if it’s a scam. Plus, someone has already tried to kill her twice, including her adoptive family. I’d feel better if you were there.”
“Where are they?” Mario said, pulling his phone out.
“Cleveland, but hold on; let me find out what hospital.” Raul put the phone back to his ear and heard Tank yelling.
“Damn it, woman, what are you doing out of bed? Does the doctor know?”
“Back off, Tank. I told you I’m not sitting in here and waiting for someone else to take a shot at me. The sooner I can get out of here, the better. Don’t get all growly at me, little doggie. Plus, the doctor approved of it.”
The woman’s voice made Raul hard in a second. The thought of someone trying to kill her had him in a partial shift.
Mario snatched the phone out of his hand. “Go cool down; I’ll take care of this. We don’t need another eruption,” he snapped.
Raul noticed the ground shaking under them. “Fine, but, Mario, protect her,” he ordered and turned to get dressed. He and the pack’s construction crew were going to set up temporary housing for those who had survived the explosion.
* * *
Bella glared at Tank. She hated to yell, and hated being yelled at even more. She’d had enough of that during her life. “Finish your call and allow me some dignity here,” she mumbled as Charley shook her head, taking her purse with her as she walked toward the door.
“I’ll be back with decent food and a big strawberry shake for you. Tank, quit upsetting her and give me some money.”
Tank snorted, handing her a $100 bill.
“Double Maverick’s order. I usually eat what he does anyway.” He turned and sat in the seat Maverick had vacated when Tank had come into the room. “You there, sir?” he said, returning to the phone call. “We’re at University Hospital, in Elyria, room 783. Fine... We’ll see you when you get here, Mario.” Tank turned off the phone and looked at her. “Seems as if you’re getting a personal escort to Vegas. His younger brother is flying in. He’ll be here tonight.”
“What? Are you out of your ever-loving mind? Why would you do this? Damn it, Tank!” To say she was furious was an understatement.
“Stop!” Tank said, coming over to her. “You know something is going on here, and I needed the extra help protecting you, Bella. We don’t know what that bitch is up to or, for that matter, her family. You yourself said her father wanted you.”
“Don’t even remind me.” She shivered.
“Trust me on this, Bella?” he asked.
“I have things to do when I leave here, Tank. I’m not going to have a babysitter with me all the time.” She couldn’t help fidget, knowing damn well where she needed to go before the trip.
A small smile formed on his lips. “Aww, so you need some attention, do you?” Tank stood and ran his finger down her cheek as he stared at her, giving her the look.
“Stop it,” she mumbled and shoved his hand away. “This is my personal business, not yours.”
“Then you’ll come to our club where you’ll be safe,” he said, turning to sit again.
“I don’t know anyone there. I don’t need a stranger for my last night here.” She stared up at the TV where, once more, the man she’d seen earlier came into view. “Have you met him? What’s he like?”
Tank snorted. “He’s one of the most powerful and deadly wolves in the US. He’s fair but won’t stand for any crap. I heard he took someone’s head off with a swipe of his hand. May I make a suggestion?”
She studied him. “What?”
“Maverick is one of the most popular masters at our club, and I know for a fact he’d be very happy to help you. Seems he’s taking a liking to you, which could be good, considering who you’ll belong to. It’s obvious your passion is burning strong in you, and we don’t need that. Or there’s the possibility Raul’s brother could help you.”
“Are you out of your mind? His brother? Ewwww. And as far as Maverick, I can’t ask him, Tank. I don’t want someone to feel like they have to do it; you know what I’m saying? I mean, come on, most men would rather have a Barbie-type woman, and I’m sure no Barbie.”
The door to her room slammed open. Maverick walked in, not stopping until he was at her side. He tilted her head up. “Name the night, little woman, and I’ll give you all that you need.” He bent down and covered her lips in a kiss that had her insides heating.
“Stop!” Tank yelled and pulled them apart. “This can’t happen. Look.” He pointed to the TV stand that was now melting. “It would seem only one man is to touch you now, Bella. You’ll have to wait.”
“Wait? Are you fucking nuts?” Bella glanced at the stand and sighed. “I swear to God if this so-called man doesn’t step up, I’m cutting his balls off. Sorry, Maverick,” Bella mumbled, knowing she was pouting.
Maverick laughed. “Oh, this alpha is going to have his hands full. You are beautiful, little lady.” He left, and she couldn’t help watching him leave the room; his tight jeans had her wishing for something that couldn’t be.
“You might want to take the TV off the stand before it falls,” she said to Tank.
He grunted but reached up and lifted it out of the harness just as the doctor came into the room.
“What’s going on?” he asked, frowning.
“Sorry, got a little carried away, I’m afraid. Of course, I’ll pay for it, but I didn’t want the TV falling off the stand,” Bella said.
“Well then, that answers one question. You do have some other species’ DNA. We’ll have to move you to the other wing, where our things won’t get damaged, I’m afraid,” the doctor said, putting what looked like what a nurse would carry when taking blood onto the bed she had just vacated.
“What are you doing? Doesn’t the nurse usually draw blood?” She eyed the doctor as he smiled, pulling a syringe from his pocket. She glanced over at Tank, and he frowned, moving in front of her.
“Why don’t we call the nurse? I’m sure you have plenty to do and don’t need to worry about Bella,” Tank stated.
“Nonsense. This is what a good doctor should do. But first, you need a tetanus shot since that piece of metal from the truck was embedded in your leg.” The doctor moved around Tank, but once again, Tank stepped in front of him.
“Sorry, Doc. You’re not giving her anything until I see Angela here.” Tank reached over and pushed the Call button on the bed. “Let’s just make sure you belong here, shall we? I’d hate to have to rip your head off. After all, you’re only trying to help her, right?” His words were mixed with little growls, and Bella knew Tank was showing his teeth.
The doctor stepped back and grabbed his little box. “Well, let me go get her for you, then.” He moved to leave the room, but Maverick was there with the nurse, blocking his way.
Angela frowned. “Who are you, and what are you doing with my box?”
The man shoved her out of the way and ran, and Maverick took off after him. Tank turned and came back in the room. “We’re out of here now. It’s obviously not safe. This is the third time someone has tried to harm you.” He glanced back at the nurse. “Get me a wheelchair in here now.”
“She can’t leave. Do you realize she just had major surgery and died twice? She shouldn’t even be out of bed. No, you should still be conked out. And we weren’t told you had DNA from another species.” Angela walked over to the bed and took Bella’s chart.
“I didn’t know either. I just found out I’m adopted, hence the accident. Tell me, since that man obviously wasn’t a doctor and I can’t trust his words, what is
the prognosis of my legs? Will I get full use of them in a couple of weeks?”
The nurse shook her head. “Well, for a human, it could be at least a year, but since it’s obvious you’re something other than human... I don’t know, that would be for the real doctor to tell you, and he won’t be here until tomorrow morning.”
“Well, we have no choice. I have to leave. Tank, I need clothes. I’m sure mine were ruined. Call Charley and have her stop at my apartment for me. Wait, is it safe for her to go there?”
“No, she shouldn’t.” Tank whipped out his phone and dialed. “Answer your phone, Charley,” he growled and looked at the nurse. “I need that wheelchair now.”
“I have to get the on-call doctor first.” She ran out of the room before Tank could stop her.
“Damn it! We don’t have time for this.” He pulled the phone away from his ear and glared at it before putting it back to his ear. “It’s about time you answered your phone. Forget everything. We need to move Bella. I’m taking her to the local pack house on Chester Avenue in Cleveland. Now get your ass here so you can follow us. Do not go back to her apartment. Something isn’t right.”
Tank hung up and looked at her. “Does that bitch or her parents have that much influence around here?” Tank asked, sitting next to her on the hospital bed.
Bella rubbed her arms and shook her head. “I have no idea. As I’ve said, they kept to themselves and didn’t include me in anything. That ceremony they were doing when I walked in wasn’t the first, either. I used to hear the animals’ screams every other night. I thought it was wild animals outside for a while, until I got older. That’s one of the reasons I stayed out in the woods until they were done with whatever they were doing. I couldn’t stand to hear the screams.”
“What’s going on here? Angela said something about you leaving, and why are you out of bed? For that matter, how are you out of bed?” an older gentleman asked as he and Angela walked into the room. The nurse handed him Bella’s chart.
“He’s the real doctor on call. I informed him what was going on. Your friend lost the guy he was chasing, I’m afraid,” Angela said, just as Maverick came into the room, growling.
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