“I never lied to you.” Aden narrows his eyes. “And I never will.”
“Well, you sure as hell didn’t tell the truth.” She levels her chin and walks to the front door.
Aden’s intense eyes follow her. He can smell her anger; it’s thick, palatable. But there’s something else swirling around her. She’s upset, hurt.
“This isn’t your place, not yet, anyway.” She opens the door then turns to face him. “So leave.”
“We need to talk, Sophia,” Aden says in a low, throaty tone.
“No. We don’t. What you need to do is leave. This is still my property, and I will call the authorities if I have to. Now, please, make this easier on both of us and just go.”
Aden takes a step toward her, but Logan steps in the way.
“Come on,” Logan says. “You can straighten this out after both of you have had time to think and cool off.”
“This is far from being over.” Aden walks to the door. “We’re linked, you and I. And you will talk to me.” His inner gargouille is on edge, seeking release. And he struggles to remain in control of his emotions.
“Sophia.” Logan appraises her with a keen eye. “Will you, at least, allow Thor to stay here with you? Please.”
“He can stay for now, but both of you have to go. I don’t want to see either one of you.” She shakes her head. “I don’t want yawl here.”
Aden steps outside and glances through the window. Sophia’s silhouette lingers by the door. He listens to the click of the deadbolt being engaged then sighs. The thought of her being alone and unprotected makes him uneasy because now, she’s an easy target.
The keys in his pockets clank, and he shakes his head. It’s not as if locking the door is going to do her any good. Both he and Logan have keys to the place, as well as all the access codes. If he needs to get to her, he can. He’ll just have stay close.
Taking a deep breath, Aden steps away from the doorframe then walks toward the road, keeping an eye on the window.
Thor presses his muzzle against the pane. He puts both paws on the sill then licks a light layer of condensation off the glass.
Aden pulls his phone out of his back pocket. With a steady hand, he scrolls through the contacts. When he locates Gavin Cuen’s contact information, he hits the call button then listen to the phone as it rings.
It’s been months since he’s called upon his brethren. And even longer since he’s seen any of them face to face. Other than Logan, he and his kin keep to themselves. They’re loners. Well, at least, the Grgul’ya Codex clan affiliates are. Their numbers may be small, but they are a formidable force to be reckoned with.
But the Doccioner clan members, on the other end of the spectrum, seem to move out and recruit new members like the Black Death. Once they find a town or city, they spread out and devour everything in their wake until they’re stopped.
The phone stops ringing. “This is Cuen.”
“I have a job for you.” Aden tracks Sophia’s movements through the window. “You interested?”
“Sure,” Cuen’s husky voice booms. “What cha got for me?”
Chapter Three
Sophia Mahoney
A RAP AT THE DOOR makes her jump.
Thor trots over to the entry way and voices a low, throaty growl.
Sophia makes it to the door by the time the second round of knocks reverberate through the walls. She peeks through the peephole, and a smile washes across her lips. Slowly, she disarms the alarm then opens the door. She places a hand on Thor’s head and instruct him to sit. Looking up, round hazel eyes stare down at her.
Strong, masculine arms wrap around Sophia’s body. “They there, Soph. You’re a sight for sore eyes.” She’s picked off the ground and held in a bear hug.
Thor stands then walks around, wagging his tail.
Sophia closes her eyes, wraps her arms around his neck, and then she silently cries. “Oh, Travis. I didn’t know who else to call.” She rests her head against his shoulder. “How could I have been so stupid?”
Travis Thomas, one of her best friends, cradles her to his chest. “It’s going to be okay. My dad and one of his partners are reviewing the paperwork you faxed over to the house. Between the two of them, they’ll get to the bottom of it. I promise.” He wipes the tears from her cheeks. “It’s one of the perks of having an attorney for a father.”
Travis kisses the top of Sophia’s head then pulls her back into his frame for another hug.
The thud of approaching footsteps taps on the ground. Sophia’s body tenses. Looking up, she comes eyes to eye with Travis’ sister, Tara. Arms full of luggage, she waddles through the open doorway.
“What the hell?” Tara Thomas steps into the room. Her short pixie cut is bleached blonde with pink tips, which is a sharp contrast from the purple and orange she had before. “What happened to I’ll be back and help with the stuff?”
“I’m sorry, sis.” The corners of Travis’ lips quirk upward, and he grins from ear to ear. “But, from the looks of things, I’d say you have it all under control. Plus, you’re always saying how you want to be treated equal, so here’s your chance. And just so you know, you’re more than welcome to carry my stuff up to the master suite.”
“Master suite?” Sophia shakes her head.
Tara drops the bags then cocks her head to the side. “Fuck you.” She lift and arm, balls up her fist, and then she punches Travis’ bicep. “Hell, half this shit is yours anyway. I think you use more hair products than ten women put together.”
He cowers from her raised fist then smirks. “That’s because I’m the pretty one.” He winks at her, and then his robust laughter fills the room.
“Travis,” Tara grumbles. “Anyone ever tell you that you can be a real dick sometimes?”
“Yeah. You do, at least, once a day.”
Tara takes hold of Sophia’s arms, pulling her into an embrace. She cups Sophia’s face between her hands, peering into her eyes. “So, tell me all about the asshole that has you in tears. That way, I can kick his ass.”
Sophia walks to the couch with Travis and Tara on her heels. She sits down, and Thor lies at her feet. Slowly, she explains how she met both Logan and Aden in the park while on the jogging trail.
She fills them in on the break-ins but doesn’t mention the supernatural occurrences. It’s not as if they’d believe her anyway. Hell, if she hadn’t seen the gargoyles up close and personal, or the magic used with her own eyes, she wouldn’t have believed it either.
Sophia explains everything from the beginning but doesn’t go into detail about her relationship with Aden because it’s personal. And she’s not ready to share that part of her life right now. Not while it’s still a raw, opened wound.
Travis and Tara listen, silently. When Sophia’s finished speaking, Travis orders some pizza and then takes Thor for a walk. Tara grabs a few pieces of luggage and heads upstairs.
Curled up on the couch, Sophia’s left alone with her thoughts. How could she have been so wrong about Aden? The first guy she actually takes an interest in, and he ends up being a jerk. But a jerk she can’t get out of her head.
“So, tell me about Aden.” Tara’s voice fills the room.
Sophia jumps. “I didn’t hear you come back down.”
“Yeah.” Tara drops down onto the couch. She places her arms around Sophia’s shoulder and lies head to head. “I’ve never seen you this upset about a guy before.” She laces her fingers with Sophia’s. “You want to talk about it?”
“Well, that’s because I’ve never had anyone try and take my house before,” Sophia say, barely above a whisper.
Tara’s intense eyes make her feel vulnerable. Of all the people Sophia knows, Tara knows her best, so she turns away from her friend’s probing gaze.
“It’s more than that, Soph. It’s written all over your face.” Tara cups her chin. “Wait.” Her brows shoot up. “You had sex with him, didn’t you?” She pauses. “Fuck, you finally did it. You lost your virginity.�
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“Did I hear something about sex?” Travis bounces down the stairs. “You know that’s my favorite topic.”
“Oh, my God. Not now.” Sophia rolls her eyes.
“You did have sex with him.” Tara looks up at her brother. “I knew it.” She extends an open hand. “You owe me ten bucks, Travis.”
Sophia's eyes widen. “Wait. You two bet on my sex life?”
“Yeah, on the way over I bet Travis that you had sex with the guy. After all, he is older, which means he’s more experienced than the college pricks that flocked to you like bees to honey.”
“Jesus, Tara.” Sophia shakes her head. “You’re supposed to be my friend.” She huffs. “This is so like you.” She stands and take two steps before she’s pulled back onto the couch and across Tara’s lap. “And I didn’t have guys flocking to me.”
“Ahh...come on,” Tara says. “It was just a bet. You’d have done the same thing in the car with us if it had been someone else.”
Sophia takes a deep breath then sighs. “Yeah, you’re probably right.” She slips off of Tara’s legs. “I wouldn’t have bet money, though.” Her lips turn downward into a frown. “But it is what we did when we all went to Jennifer’s dorm room the night she broke up with John. Geez. That guy was such an ass.”
“Yeah. He was, wasn’t he? Plus-” Tara looks at Sophia with a grin. “You did have a line of guys trying to get into your pants. Don’t deny it.”
“Hell. I even I saw the line.” Travis chuckles. “If I weren't gay, I’d have been in that line, too. Hell, I thought about it a few times.”
“Oh, my God...both of you need to stop it, now!”
“So, are you going to give us all the juicy details?” Travis asks with a sly grin. “How was it? Did he rock your world? Did he hit your sweet spot?”
“Travis-” Sophia shakes her head.
He smiles, and his eyes light up with laughter.
Sophia gives him a demure smile. “You should know by now that I’ll never kiss and tell. Plus, I’m going to kill you if you don’t shut up.”
“Now, where’s the fun in that?” Travis asks. “How about we play twenty questions? You only have to nod if we’re right.”
“God, Travis.” She shoves his face away from hers. “You’re so not pulling me into a discussion or debate on this topic. Now, stop it.”
Thor stands and trots over to the entrance of the bookstore. His ears perk up. A light rap on the door sends him into a barking frenzy.
Sophia rises from the couch. “Excuse me. The pizza guy calls.” She walks to the door. “Thor, sit.” She waits for him to comply, deactivates the alarm, and then she unlocks the deadbolt. “I hope you’re hungry,” she calls out over her shoulder then pulls open the door.
“Why? What are you cooking?” Logan’s standing in the doorway with Aden behind him.
Sophia gasps and takes several steps back. This isn’t how she planned on spending her evening. No. Gargoyles, her friends, and pizza weren’t in the equation.
Both Logan and Aden step into the entry.
She backs into something solid then stumbles sideways.
“Whoa. Easy there.” Travis wraps an arm around Sophia’s waist, keeping her on her feet.
Aden’s eyes trail down to Travis’ arm, which is resting on bare skin, and he lifts a brow.
“Who is your friend, Sophia?” Aden clenches his jaws.
Chapter Four
Aden Clarkson
“THAT’S NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS.” Sophia shivers.
Aden’s eyes bore straight through her.
“I think you should leave.” Her voice cracks.
“Is this the guy?” A woman with bleached blond hair with pink tips steps forward. Her eyes travel up and down Aden’s form. “It is, isn’t it?”
“Tara,” Sophia’s eyes widen. “Please. Don’t start.”
Aden’s lips curl upward into a slight grin. “If you’re Tara, then, that would mean you’re Travis Thomas, aren’t you?” He takes a step, peers down at Travis before turning his full attention back on Sophia. “We need to talk, now.” Aden extends his hand.
She shakes her head then grabs hold of Travis’ arm. “I already told you. I have nothing to say to you, Aden.”
“Then, you will listen while I speak to you in private.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Travis directs Sophia behind him. “Plus, you heard her, she wants you to leave.”
“I wasn’t talking to you. Now, step aside.” Aden peers down at Travis. “Come, Sophia. We need to talk.”
“My. My. You are interesting.” Tara raises a brow. “You have a rather dominant personality. Don’t you, Aden?”
“You have no idea.” Aden holds Tara’s gaze.
“I think I do,” Tara replies.
“Oh, my God, Tara,” Sophia says, reaching for her friend’s arm. “Stop it, please.”
Aden takes a step forward, claiming more ground, and then looks Travis in the eye. “So, I take it; you’ll be staying here with Sophia.”
“Yeah. My sister and I are staying for as long as we’re needed.”
Thor’s bark resonates. The hair on his back rises and he ushers a low, throaty growl.
A shadow snakes up down the dark sidewalk outside. A man wearing shorts, a T-shirt, and a cap, comes into view. His hat has a Pizza Hut logo across it.
Thor sniffs the man’s royal blue flip-flops then trails his muzzle up his bare legs.
The pizza delivery guy, box in hand, freezes in place. “Oh, man. You’re big.” His eyes fix on Thor’s massive head.
Thor sticks his nose against the guy’s crotch.
“Whoa,” the delivery guy gasps. He looks from Sophia to Aden then back to Sophia. “You mind? He’s right at my jewels.”
“Thor. Come here.” Sophia motions with her hand. “Sit.” But Thor continues to sniff the delivery man.
Logan takes hold of Thor’s collar, leads him inside the bookstore, and then he guides him to the couch. “Lie down.”
Thor whines then plops down onto the hardwood floor.
“Stay.” Logan’s voice contains an underline growl to it.
Tara is hot on Logan’s heels. She follows him into the room.
Sophia’s eyes dart between Aden and Logan.
Aden approaches her. He takes a deep breath and drinks in her scent. It’s a mixture of anger, confusion, and raw emotions all rolled into one alluring aroma.
Her heart is racing. And he can hear every erratic beat thumping in her chest. He wants to pull her into his arms, but he restrains himself because he knows she’s not ready for that, not yet.
The pizza guy asks, “So, who’s paying?” He keeps his eyes glued to Thor, who is still laying on the floor.
Aden nods his head. “I got it.” He turns to the delivery man. He hands the guy cash then takes the pizza in hand. “Come on, Logan.” He hands Travis the pizza then turns to Sophia, once more. He draws her into his arms, and her eyes widen. “Make no mistake,” he whispers in her ear. “We will have words. Perhaps, not tonight, but we will talk.”
Goose bumps ripple across her neck and flow down her body. Aden studies her, closely. And her reaction to his touch doesn’t go unnoticed. A slight wolfish grin tugs at his lips.
He’ll give her the space she needs, for now. Especially, since he has someone keeping a watchful eye. It took his man, Cuen, less than thirty minutes to dig up information on Tara and Travis Thomas after Sophia called them, so she’s in good hands. And if anyone comes sniffing around, Cuen won’t hesitate to step in with extreme force.
Plus, now that they’re linked, he and Sophia, Aden can track her anywhere she goes. And if she’s in danger, he’ll sense it.
Chapter Five
Sophia Mahoney
SOPHIA CHEWS on the inside of her lower lip. From the window, she watches Logan and Aden get into the black Lexus. She shuts the drapes then makes her way over to the couch.
Thor follows her to the corner of the sof
a then sits on the floor at her feet. He stares up at her with big, coppery eyes, whines, and grumbles, and then he rests his head on her lap.
Sophia scratches behind his ears. She lets out a slow, ragged breath.
Tara sits on the cushion next to Sophia, and Travis plunks down on the arm of the couch.
I may have avoided talking to Aden, this time. However, I know, I’ll have to talk to him at some point. But right now, I’m just not ready to do that.
“Did you know he was a Dom, love?” Tara asks, softly.
Tara’s words pull Sophia out of her thoughts. She shakes her head. “No.” Her cheeks heat up, and she blushes. “I didn’t know, at least, not at first.”
“I can see why you’re attracted to him.” Tara raises a brow. “But I’m worried about you, Soph.”
“Don’t be,” Sophia says. “He might be a prick, but he wouldn’t hurt me, well, not physically, anyway. He’s not like that.”
“Maybe not. But Aden is exorbitantly confident that you two will be talking real soon. And if he’s as dominant as I think he is,” Tara says under her breath. “The man isn’t going to give up.” She pauses. “He has his mind set, and right now, it is set on you.”
“I agree,” replies Travis. “That one-track mind of his is going to keep him focused on what he wants.”
Tara nods. “And from what I just saw, what he wants right now, is you, love.” She pulls Sophia into her arms.
Travis flips open the box. “You want some pizza?” He extracts a slice.
“No. I’m not hungry right now,” Sophia says with a heavy sigh. “I’ll eat some later.”
Sophia stands and walks to the end of the couch. Thor’s ears perk up, and he looks up at her with those big innocent eyes.
“Where are you going?” Tara asks.
“I need a minute alone.” Sophia walks out of the parlor. She glances over her shoulder. Relief washes over her body because neither Tara nor Travis are following her. She needs some time alone with her thoughts—to sort things out. Sauntering into the restoration room, she walks straight to her uncle’s office.
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