by Moxie North
“Think your mom would send flowers?”
Layla looked at the large bouquet, it was just a little past being nicely extravagant. It was a little tacky.
“Not my mom’s style, yours?”
“Fuck me, I hope my mom doesn’t know about us yet. She’d already be here if she did. Oh man, I just realized you have to meet my mother. I apologize profusely now, and I’ll continue to do so for the rest of our lives.”
Layla couldn’t help but laugh, she’d heard rumors of his mother.
Grabbing the card from the vase she opened it still laughing. When she read the note, she stopped laughing.
Ever on guard now to his mate’s moods, Everett grabbed the card from her and read it.
YOU CHOSE WRONG
Written in a sloppy block print with the smell of cologne permeating the paper.
“Shit,” Layla groaned.
“What the fuck, Duchess? What am I missing?”
Layla needed to tell him about Vincent, not that there was much to tell. Still she knew how shifter males reacted to situations like these. She didn’t want him to go off the handle. She also didn’t want some stupid war started over a vase of flowers.
“It’s not a big deal, he just had a crush and wasn’t happy when I turned him down.”
To Layla’s ears, it was simple, it was over. No big deal.
Everett was quiet for a moment, trying to get a hold his emotions. His cat was furious, someone thought they had a claim on his mate. HIS mate. His rational human side was trying to think this through. He also didn’t want to scare Layla and show her just how angry he could get.
“Layla, how did he know you were here?”
The question was not one that Layla had thought of. She hadn’t even considered it.
“Fuck,” she said, quietly.
“Yeah, fuck. He must have been following you or he has people who work here. Who is this guy?”
Layla filled him in about Vincent, who his family was and her relationship, or lack thereof, with him.
“He’s just a guy that is used to getting what he wants. He’ll forget all about me when something better comes along,” Layla said, trying to appease him.
Scooping her face into his hands, he held her gently as he said, “There is no one better than you. He won’t give up, I wouldn’t.”
Shit, Layla did not need this hassle. She was happy damn it! Her world was perfect, the fates had found her mate for her. She’d already gotten over the introducing him to her family hurdle. Of course, her sisters were still pending. But she was sure they’d love him like she did.
“Well, I’m sure we’ll be able to be happy regardless of what Vincent Domolo thinks about my choices. Let’s forget this and order breakfast. Then we can figure out what we should do next,” Layla suggested. Hoping that he’d take her suggestion and move on to another topic.
“This isn’t over, Duchess,” he warned. There was no way he was going to take this lightly. His mate was his family, and no one messed with his family.
“At least when we live in California it won’t be so easy for him to find you,” he remarked.
This caused Layla to stiffen. “California? Who’s moving to California?”
Everett looked at her like this was an obvious question. “Well we are. You married me right? Don’t wives move where their husbands work?”
Clearly this was the wrong fucking thing to say as his mate let out a shrill hiss. “My husband’s work? What am I supposed to do? Sit around watching you play video games?”
Well, this wasn’t what he expected. Clearly his shifter mate relations class was outdated. “Duchess, calm down,” he said, holding his hands up like he’d have to ward off an attack.
“Don’t fucking tell me to calm down, Everett! You assume I’m going to pack up and leave my life, my pack, and my family now that we’re married? Why does it have to be me?”
Everett really hadn’t thought that far ahead on the why’s. He’d just wrongly assumed. Clearly.
“We can talk about this. Don’t you want to live with me?” he asked, it wasn’t really a question because he didn’t intend on letting her out of his sight.
“Of course I do. But my pack is here, my life is here. I love my job, all of my brothers and sisters are here. If we moved to California who’s there? Your parents? I mean your brother and sister already moved to another state. I can’t leave Nevada, Everett.” At these words, her anger turned to sadness. Everett was her soul but her family was her heart and they were all here.
Seeing her eyes start to well up, he quickly wrapped her in his arms and squeezed her tight. “Shh, baby, don’t cry. I’m sorry, I didn’t realize. You’re right, your whole life is here. My job can be done anywhere. We can stay here. I’ll find something to do I’m sure. We can live where you want. Just don’t cry,” he whispered. Fuck, he’d screwed the pooch on this one. What an asshole move thinking she was going to leave everything to go live in his pool house. With only his mother as female company. Yikes.
“I’m sorry to cry, I never cry. I just can’t leave my family. I love them all and my nieces and nephews. I have to see them grow up and…” she trailed off as her breath stuttered.
“I know, I totally get it. We will stay here. I told you, whatever you want. Always.”
Layla let her sniffles slow, she took in a deep breath and pulled away from his chest to look into his eyes. He didn’t seem angry or upset at her outburst. He looked kind of guilty and embarrassed. She wasn’t sure why, she just was relieved that he’d be willing to relocate for her. She’d make sure that he never regretted his sacrifice.
“Go get cleaned up, we’ll relax for a little while outside,” he suggested.
Layla gave him a kiss and got up to head the bathroom. She took care of business, brushed her teeth, and tried to make her hair not resemble the rat’s nest it had become. Walking back out to the room naked, she went to the bags her mother had delivered and opened one. She also used this opportunity to bend over and torment her mate. She heard the growl and smiled to herself.
Finding a maxi dress, undergarments and a pair of sandals along with her makeup and bathroom bag. Clearly her mother did not expect them to be gone long since the only other item in the bag was one of her bikinis. Now that was a good idea.
Holding up the bikini, Layla didn’t have to catch Everett’s eye. They were glued to her ass. “Wanna?”
Everett growled as he stood up from the bed to prowl towards her. He was an arm’s length away when the door knocked for the third time.
“Busy room,” she murmured.
“Breakfast,” he replied, going to the door. He’d put in the order while she was in the bathroom.
Accepting delivery of the food, Everett pushed the cart to the bed then, grabbed Layla’s hand dragging her to the table.
“Food first, then we’ll talk about you teasing me and making me answer the door with my dick tenting my shorts,” he warned.
Everett proceeded to feed his mate, then fuck her senseless. Swimming could come later.
Chapter 21
The phone rang three times before someone picked up.
“Yo yo ma!” This was a cute voice answering what was supposed to be his brother’s cell. Shit, it was crazy girl again.
“Is Dax there?”
“Ahh is this baby bro? How you doing? I know he hasn’t called you back, but Effie is not the world’s easiest patient, let me tell you!”
Before Everett could delve into a conversation with her, he heard another woman’s voice in the background. Then the sound of a scuffle with the words, “Give me the phone, bitch.” Then a, “No, I’m not done! You have a man, I want my own hottie!”
There was more scuffling, then he heard, “Hello? Is this Everett or Stryker?”
This must be the elusive Effie.
“It’s Everett, you must be Effie. Glad to hear you talking and presumably walking since it sounds like you won the fight with crazy girl.”
“O
h, I like that name for Cassie. Yes, I’m fine. Your brother, on the other hand, thinks I’m on death’s door. Can you convince him to back off?”
Everett started laughing, clearly she had no clue about how far her shifter mate could go with being protective.
“I’m afraid there is not going to be anything I can say to convince him otherwise. I can give you some advice though,” he offered.
“I’ll take it,” she laughed.
“Let him. Let him take care of you. Let him coddle you and pamper you. It’s truly the only thing that will calm his beast so to speak. He’ll let up when the sheer terror he went through while you were gone fades a little,” he said softly.
“Shit, you’re right. I know you’re right. I can’t wait to meet you, Everett. I need this kind of advice. I don’t have any siblings to offer wise words of wisdom,” she said.
“Ho, I’m family, hell I’m your sister, brother, mother, and drunk auntie. I’ll give you advice, give me the goddamn phone and stop hogging the cute guys!” This was yelled by Cassie in the background.
“Sorry, she’s noisy. Kinda like one of those yapping dogs that you just love to hate. Dax was in the shower, he just got out. Let me get him for you,” Effie said and he could hear the physical altercation as someone tried to get the phone from her again.
Everett took the moment waiting to stare at his bride exiting the pool. She was wearing a bright yellow bikini. She was lushly curvy in it and it barely covered the necessary parts. Layla knew he was watching, he could see her smile twitching her lips. She came over next to him and laid out on the blanketed lounge next to him. She grabbed her sunglasses slid them on and proceeded to pretend to ignore him.
“Everett?”
The voice came over the phone and Everett had to focus his attention on his brother.
“Yeah man, sounds like your mate is safe and sound at home.”
“Sorry, I know you wanted me to call. But I’ve been trying to keep her in bed. The doctor said she needed rest and quiet. She’s out by the pool with Cassie, the music is blaring and I don’t think that is what the doctor meant.” Dax sounded hassled and Everett totally understood that now.
“I’m sure you will keep her safe, bro. She’s your world now, what else do you have to focus on?” Everett asked this question to Dax, but he was also asking himself.
Dax being the alpha that never missed a beat, was quick to pick up on the depth in Everett’s tone and words.
“Something you need to talk about little brother?”
Taking a deep breath and looking over at his mate, he said, “I found her.”
There was silence on the other end of the line. For a moment Everett thought he’d lost the call.
“You did.” It wasn’t a question it was a statement. His alpha confirming what he heard. “She a Klein?”
“Layla Klein, youngest daughter. We met on a pack run. I wasn’t planning on this,” he admitted to his brother.
“No shit, hits you out of nowhere,” Dax laughed. “So what’s the plan? You guys going to date a while or what?”
His brother having to convince a human to mate with him wasn’t the same issues that two shifters would face.
“Actually, we’re bonded…and we got married last night.” He said this and then waited as the silence went on a few seconds longer than he was comfortable with.
Then he heard his brother laughing, not just laughing, howling and laughing. He could even hear Effie asking his brother if he was okay.
Finally, he heard the heavy breathing back on the phone and he said, “I’m so telling mom.”
“Fuck man! Don’t you dare tell her. I’ve got Layla’s mom already on deck here. I don’t need ours jockeying for position.”
Everett had to duck the towel Layla threw at him, but she was smiling so he knew she wasn’t too pissed.
“Well you have to tell Kenzi and there is no way she won’t blab to mom. You might as well get it over with. Rip off the bandage and face the firing squad.”
Everett snorted, “Easy for you to say, you aren’t talking to her anyway right now. Am I right?”
“Nope, she has to apologize to my mate for being, well, herself. And until she is ready to do that, she’s being ignored. Which of course she absolutely hates and I don’t expect it to last more than a few more days. So until then, she can torment you.” Dax thought this was a brilliant idea. He was feeling benevolent since his mate was alive and well and in his home. His mother was still on his shit list, but he knew that he’d forgive her…eventually.
“Can you do me a favor and tell Kenzi? And if you manage to wait a few days, I would totally owe you one,” Everett offered. He was not looking forward to his mother and her intrusion into his new happy bubble.
“Hmm, you owing me a favor. That is almost worth it. Alright, I’ll tell her, when she calls to apologize. That should give you enough time to settle in,” Dax suggested.
Everett would have to take that offer. Besides he needed to talk to Stryker anyway. It wasn’t a message he felt he should text or leave a voicemail. No, for his twin he really needed to have a heart to heart.
“Fair enough. Maybe when Effie is feeling better we can plan to all get together? Fancy coming to Vegas? I bet I can get you some sweet hotel rooms to stay in. I even have an in at the most popular club on the strip.”
Layla smiled to herself. Her man was talking her up, that was nice.
“I think that is a great idea. I’ll talk to the girls about it,” Dax replied.
“Girls?” Everett asked, confused.
“Where Effie goes, Cassie goes. They are like conjoined twins,” Dax laughed.
“That girl is a trip, how do you handle living with her?”
“After a few days, her love for my mate had me sold. How can I not tolerate someone who would take a bullet for my mate, man,” Dax said earnestly.
Everett understood that. With Dax came Effie and with Effie came Cassie. This was the reality of his new family. Changes were happening so fast, he was a little worried his family wouldn’t be able to adjust. There really wasn’t a choice about that. But it didn’t mean that there wouldn’t be any growing pains.
“All right, I hear that. Well, keep me informed of Effie’s progress. I’ll let you know when we have some things settled here. You know I’ll tell you first,” Everett promised.
“Congratulations, little brother. I mean that, I couldn’t be happier that you’ve found your mate. I’ll have someone to talk to now that will understand. And don’t be surprised if I call you soon. I’m here if you need me too, I’m no expert, but I’m a few weeks ahead of you, so consider me a wealth of information,” Dax laughed.
“Thanks, I’ll remember that. Talk to you later,” Everett said, then hung up.
Layla rolled her head towards her mate. She took in his tanned fit body. He was shirtless wearing just swim trunks. His dark hair and beard making his skin look even darker. The man was sexy, crazy sexy, and he belonged to her.
“Your brother coming for a visit?”
“As soon as he deems Effie able to travel. I’m sure it will be sometime after her doctor actually clears her,” Everett explained. He had taken the time to explain about Effie. How she was newly mated to his brother and that she was human. He got to the kidnapping part and even Layla’s cougar showed how pissed she was that someone messed with a mate in her family. She even said this and Everett’s love for her grew even more. Layla hadn’t even met his brother’s mate and she would fight to defend her. He really hoped the two women would get along.
“You can’t blame him for being protective. I can’t imagine what I would do if someone ever touched you,” she growled.
“Ahh, baby, that’s so sweet,” Everett teased her.
“You know I’m being serious. I’d kill anyone that touched you.”
“Sweetheart, that is so damn sexy. Say it again,” Everett growled.
Layla gave him a low growl. She wasn’t playing. Her man was all hers and
she wasn’t about to share.
Everett saw his teasing wasn’t getting through to her. Reaching over he grabbed her around the back of the neck and one arm slung around her waist as he pulled her across to him. He positioned her straddling over his lap.
“Don’t worry about me, Duchess. I’ll be perfectly fine. I’m more concerned about you and your little stalker boy.”
“Vincent Domolo isn’t a stalker boy, he’s a pathetic wanna-be that lives off his family’s tit.”
“Tit or not, he still has resources that make me worry. Stupid people often have access to guns, drugs, and other nasty things. I don’t know why that is but it always seems to work out that way.”
Layla laid her head on his chest, took a deep breath in of his sun-warmed skin. Gawd, he smelled amazing. She wanted him again, and again after that.
“Let’s go back to the room, we have late check-out. I don’t want to talk about stinky Vincent. I’m sure we can make good use of the suite until then. After that we have two choices,” she murmured, giving his mouth a soft lazy kiss.
“Just two?” He returned her kiss just as softly.
“Mmm, we can go back to my parent’s house and get that over with. Or we can run away to Borneo.”
“Hmm, tempting, Duchess. But I should probably talk to your brother, get some things figured out about the work I’m doing for him. My brother is on family duty on my side. I’m really hoping he gives me a few days. So let’s take plan A and let your family congratulate and be happy for you. They just want to celebrate. And believe me, they aren’t scary. Wait until you meet my mother.”
Layla growled low in her chest, her cougar wanted to shift her claws out. No one, and she meant no one was going to rock her happy little boat of love. Not family, not friends, not work, and certainly not Vincent Domolo or Everett’s mother.
“I’ve got that covered, my love. Your mother and I will get along just fine,” she told him with utmost confidence.
“Make sure I have popcorn and a comfy seat when you ‘cover that’, seriously, I want to be comfortable with a snack,” he joked.