by Tigris Eden
“Nerina,” his voice dipped lower. So low, it touched the southern region of her core and stirred awake the need to have him deep inside her. Don’t go there! She scolded herself internally. “I want to protect you. Work with me here. Let me take you to Eden’s Den. You’ll be safe. Blue is one of us, and I’ve already asked his permission.”
She was not going to Eden’s Den to be trapped there with nothing to do, but watch women get tied up and fucked brainless. It was not an ideal situation for her. She couldn’t stay in her cabin either. That bummed her out more than she thought possible. She’d only lived in Talkeetna for six months, but it had been six restful months. Six months of not having to deal with looking over her shoulder and wondering when Oscar and his men would catch up to her. Why would Raven turn her in like that? Because you rolled her over for Victor and his brother. Mistress Red would not easily give up on any mark, especially from someone that had stolen something from her. Something Victor still hadn’t shared.
“How about a compromise?”
“No deal Nerina. You’re coming with me and until we can figure out why your dear uncle has come looking for you, you’ll stay where I can keep an eye on you.”
“He wants me dead.”
“Why?”
“Because my father’s wife called the hit on my family. My father and mother were not married. She was his mistress. I’m the illegitimate daughter of Roman di Bagonerigo Civiti.”
Victor’s eyes widen significantly which meant tales of her father had travelled to remote locations of the globe. If Victor heard of her father, then he would understand the kind of trouble she was truly in.
“Your father is the crime boss of the Civiti family?”
“Was the crime boss. My uncle or my oldest half-brother is in charge now.”
This time he took two steps back.
Now you’re starting to understand Vic.
“They never said he had a daughter.”
“That’s because I don’t exist in that aspect where the public is concerned. He has two sons though. Roman Jr. and Adamo. Now do you understand why you can’t protect me? Oscar is looking to get rid of me for good. Wipe the slate clean so there is no evidence.”
“You’re still coming with me to Varangian’s.”
“Where?”
He shook his head and cleared his throat before saying.
“Blue’s, I meant I’m taking you to Blue. Get whatever you need so we can leave. We’re going tonight. We’re expected.”
He still wouldn’t get it through his skull she was not leaving with him.
He can be your ride into Anchorage, and then catch the next flight out. The very next flight.
“Fine. Let me get my things.” Nerina said reluctantly.
Nerina ran inside and grabbed her emergency travel bag. It held everything she would need to disappear. She didn’t bother with the computer, but she did fry it. Just in case Raven brought them here. Her cash was stashed in the outhouse. She quickly walked outside, past Victor to grab her other bag. It was a smaller bag, one that wouldn’t bring attention to her when going through customs.
“Okay, I’m ready. Let’s go.”
Victor pulled his phone from his pocket and made a call.”
“Where are you?... Okay… Got it. West end of the clearing…. Right… We’re on our way.” He stuffed the phone back into his pocket, and before Nerina could complain he was shifting right before her eyes. Only he wasn’t the white wolf back in the cave. Now he was a beast. A snarling beast, with an elongated snout, and a jackal like head with a body of a warrior. The only thing missing was the staff in his hand that she knew was depicted on pyramid walls back in Egypt. Slowly he approached her. She wasn’t going to stand there like a dummy and not do something.
“I will not hurt you.” Came the voice from the beast.
“Says the big bad wolf.”
The beast snarled.
“Seriously Neri, I won’t hurt you. I just want to protect you. Always.”
Always? That was an odd thing to say.
“Victor did you hit your head or something?”
“No and I’m not Victor. I’m Menes, his warrior.”
Okay. Victor did not say he had the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde thing going on.
“And you’re here because…?”
“To take you to Bödvar.”
Menes walked cautiously towards Nerina. She was scared. Menes was tall, too tall. Minus the jackal head, he had an amazing physique. Okay, the face isn’t too bad either. Awkward, but not bad. His skin was a smooth dark brown, almost red in color. She could see him clearly in the pitch black of the night. His face did have a likeness to the God Anubis. With the head of a jackal and body of a man. The only thing that was missing was the linen skirt that would otherwise cover his man parts. Man parts that were not lacking in any way, shape or form. Gross! Stop looking at his man parts. You’re life’s in danger. Get a grip.
“So how are we supposed to go to Eden’s Den with you looking like that?”
“Colin is on the west end of the clearing waiting for us. I’m here to get you there in time to catch up with him. Otherwise it would take you and Victor the better part of two hours to make the journey walking. With me carrying you, will make it there in an hour, little one. So come into my arms.”
“Come into your arms?”
“Yes,” Menes voice dipped lower. Rumbling until there was a full on growl emanating from his snout. “We don’t have much time, hurry Neri.”
Well, there were worst ways to travel she supposed. Like in a body bag. This was definitely a trip she was sure to remember. She only had one question for him once their run through the forest was over. How in the hell was he going to get dressed after this? He was after all, naked. The ground was littered with Victor’s clothing, and there was his phone right there, in the snow. Bending down she picked up the phone, hefted her bags onto her shoulder, and walked straight into the beast’s arms. He lifted her with ease. Cradling her in his arms, he looked down at her with amber glowing eyes. There was something passionate about the way he stared at her, as if seeing her for the first time brought him immense joy. Victor’s alter ego obviously felt something for her.
“So, we um, leaving or what Menes.”
He shuddered. Full on shuddered like trying to shake away the cold.
“Say my name again little Neri.” He purred softly against her forehead, his snout wet against her skin.
“Um Menes, get a move on. Time is of the essence right?”
He said nothing more as he took off at a dead run behind her cabin and into the star filled night. She wasn’t supposed to feel comfortable in his arms, but she was. Warm too. Being in the arms of Victor’s alter ego, felt safe. Right.
Victor smiled down at a sleeping Nerina. She’d fallen asleep, and Menes had gotten them there in under an hour. Running like the wind, his warrior had not wanted to hold the small female for longer than he needed. Menes was just as attached to Nerina as he was. Which was a very bad thing. Considering they were going to be mated to Sasha in the spring. This was why it was acceptable for the Alpha to take more than one mate. Ultimately the two would appeal to one or the other of his kind. There was his human looking side, then there was the warrior side, and of course his wolf. The warrior side, which was Menes, a Werewolf of the Secret Order Of Anubis. A true follower of the God who kept watch over the dead. Menes wanted Nerina to himself. A conversation that neither could afford to have. Even though they were two sides of the same coin, they often saw eye to eye. When one took over, the other took a back seat. Although he could ascertain Menes emotions and thoughts, he was powerless to do anything. Menes was given free reign one night out of the month and it was only during a full moon. Or at least that was what he’d been told. Tonight had been a new moon. Something he would need to discuss with his father later. He’d intended to carry her himself, but Menes had quickly taken front on that idea.
“You
got here in record time.” His brother commented while meeting him in front of the truck, holding a pair of clean clothes for him to change into.
“That’s because Menes took over.”
“No shit? The warrior just popped out and not even on a full moon?”
“That’s what I said.”
His brother looked just as confused as he did. Victor walked to the cab of the truck and placed Nerina into the back. She still hadn’t stirred. She’d been scared of Menes at first, but as he ran, she’d relaxed, even tentatively stroked his skin on the first leg of the journey. Something Menes took great pride in. It meant she felt safe enough to let him lead. Dressing quickly, Victor got into the car with his brother and took off towards Anchorage. Blue had been very accepting of their current situation. and was getting a room ready for her at his club. Victor just hoped that whatever bone her uncle had been thrown would wear off quickly. The town couldn’t afford to have trouble. Drawing unwanted attention was a big bone of contention for the Pack. Something was bothering him about what she’d said earlier where her father was concerned, but he couldn’t place his finger on it.
The door to Eden’s Den opened and Blue emerged wearing gray slacks and nothing more. In one hand he had a tumbler filled with whiskey, in the other was a Cuban cigar.
“Well, get her inside.” He rumbled.
“You think you can put a shirt on?” Victor asked.
“I think I can’t. Remember you asked me for the favor, not the other way around. Bring her in wolf.”
Victor walked to the side of the cab and gently lifted Nerina out. Her arms immediately went around his neck and she burrowed into his chest, mumbling something he couldn’t quite understand. The club was closed. The only patrons inside were those that worked the bar, or the stage. Women and men moved out of there way as they made their way into the heart of the club, and then down a level where Blue’s living quarters were.
“I’ve had one of the girls arrange her room down a ways from mine. We don’t want to scandalize her more than we need to.” Blue chuckled.
“You’re such a hedonistic bastard, Blue.” Colin jested.
It was true, Blue liked to indulge and frequently, but never for his benefit, it was always for his partner. The man changed partners like women went through their moods. Fast and without reason. Although he never slept with them, they were always satisfied when he turned them loose.
“I aim to please, Colin.” Blue smirked.
The room that was done up for her was opulent. Crème colored walls and wainscoting designs. A huge bed sat enclosed on all three sides with what looked like one huge privacy screen with drapes hanging over the edges providing a semi-private enclosed area. In front was a crème colored chaise lounge with a white silk robe lying over the arm of the chair. Rich dark mahogany furniture stood out in contract to the crème colored bedding and ostentatious paintings that covered the ceiling. Pictures of women and men being restrained by roped covered the ceiling walls in black and white prints.
“Are you trying to turn her into one of your lackeys?” Colin asked after he whistled.
“No. She belongs to Victor. I would never encroach on another man’s territory.”
“She doesn’t belong to me.” The lie tasted foul in his mouth as he laid her down on the bed and pulled the blanket up over her sleeping form. She was his, but not his. It was all so confusing. She would never understand the way his kind accepted two brides instead of one. Not that Sasha would allow it. She was the type of woman that wanted all the attention to herself. Even though she really had no say, she would make life very difficult for Nerina. Add that with the fact that Nerina was still very much human. There was no hope for the three of them entering into any kind of relationship. Public or behind closed doors.
“Sasha would have his balls before she let a human female join them.”
Blue just grunted and took a pull on his cigar before saying, “He could always change her, but I digress. Come, let the girl sleep. You can tell me all about the situation downstairs over a glass of hundred eighty year old scotch.”
“Now that sounds doable. I want to hear the story as well.” Colin commented as the three of them backed out of the room. Victor lingered for only a second, making sure that she was comfortable before closing the door.
Victor talked quietly as they made their way down to the bar.
“She’s the daughter of Roman di Bagonerigo Civiti.”
“The fucking crime boss of the Civiti family?” Colin hissed.
Yeah, he knew. It was all kinds of bad. It was one thing having Hunters try and track them down. It was another to also have the mob gunning for their town looking for one lost woman.
“Same thing I said.”
“Sounds to me like you all have a problem on your hand. First the women in the club are after you and your brother for something you stole. Now you have the Mob looking for one Italian beauty.”
Tell him something he didn’t know.
“Well it’s too late now. Victor’s warrior has already bonded with her.” Blue stated dryly.
“How the hell can you tell that?” Colin wondered. Victor wondered the same damn thing; only he didn’t voice his thoughts.
Blue turned giving both men a look that said, ‘I’m not stupid so don’t treat me like I am.’
“Victor, Menes has bonded with her?”
Growling, he stalked over to the bar taking a seat.
“It was unpreventable. I fucked her in the cave for two days. But it’s not something that can’t be broken. She hasn’t yet tasted my blood. It’s one sided. There’s been no blood exchanged. Only the giving of my blood. I’ve not tasted hers.
“It damn well better be. You’re getting mated to Sasha in the spring.”
If one more person reminded him of that fact he was going to snap someone’s neck. He knew damn well what his responsibilities were. He didn’t need to be reminded.
“I got it brother. I don’t need you to tell me who I’m mating in the spring.” He growled.
Blue said nothing but watched the interaction between the brothers, all while sipping his drink and puffing on his cigar.
“So now we have the Mob in town?”
“No, not exactly. They’ll be back in the morning to question everyone in town. But I know father is taking care of that now. If anything the two men should be here in Anchorage, bunking down for the night. There is no way they can go anywhere else. Which means we need to head back.” Victor stated, downing the rest of his drink in one swallow. The drink slid down his throat to warm his belly. He didn’t need liquid courage, but the burn was something he welcomed along with the tingle on his lips.
Chapter 14
“Mom! Hold on! Dad! I’m coming! I’m coming!”
Nerina woke with a scream on her lips and a warm hand against her belly holding her in place. She thrashed against her would be attacker. But the hand holding her down spanned her entire stomach and gripped her with brutal strength.
“Calm Caterpillar, no one here is going to harm you.” The deep voice soothed. Nerina’s eyes peeled open and in the dark she could see the club owner Blue. He was staring down at her with intense eyes.
“How long have I been out?”
“Couple of hours.” The accent in his voice was more pronounced as he spoke slowly to her.
“My throat’s dry, I need some water.” Residual effects of her nightmare. She either woke up in her own sweat, or parched as of if her throat was burned. Her host produced a tall glass of water from the bedside stand. The room she was currently in was fit for a queen, or even mistress of the universe it was so immaculate. Accepting the water, Nerina emptied the glass.
“Quite the dream Caterpillar.”
“Yeah, well, my dreams are my own big guy. Mind giving me some privacy.” It wasn’t a question.
Blue’s blonde hair moved with his nod as he stood and backed away from the bed. The pressure from his hand on her stomach easing, reminding her of just
how strong he was. The bedroom door closed with a decisive click. Throwing back the covers, Nerina jumped out of bed and quickly ran to the restroom where she could empty the contents of her stomach.
At least the plumbing is inside. Well, there was that. The water was a welcomed wake-up as she splashed her face and rinsed her mouth. Shower. That’s what you need is a shower. Yes! A Shower. She’d seen the robe lying across a chaise lounge, and decided now was the perfect time to detox via hot spray. There were times when she couldn’t stand to be near anything hot. There were also times when she needed the heat to be reminded of all she’d lost. Mother. Father. All in one night. She didn’t even get to say goodbye.
Damn. Suck it up girl.
Pulling in a deep breath she stripped, hit the knob all the way to the right and waited for the spray to heat before stepping in. The water was a balm to her skin, but a knife to her soul. It was a horrid kind of therapy but it worked. Muscles sore, Nerina washed from head to toe, wishing she could scrub the images and sounds out of her mind of that horrid event. Everything was vivid, raw. If she closed her eyes she could smell her burnt flesh as it peeled from her body in strips exposing muscle and nerve. Instinctively she touched her lower back. Smooth skin greeted her fingertips as suds sluiced down her body. Gone. The scars were gone. No sign that she was ever burned at all. Nothing to physically remind her of all she lost. A month ago she would have given anything to rid herself of the painful reminder. Now she wasn’t so sure. Was it even a fair trade that she had heightened senses? Could what happened to her even be called a blessing or was she supposed to die. She wasn’t religious by any means, but Nerina truly believed everyone’s time was set to expire at a certain time.
You’re over thinking again. Relax. Regroup and make some choices.
That’s what it all came down to. Making a choice. Did she stay or did she go. Victor wanted her story, but she wasn’t ready to give it. There was nothing pretty about her upbringing. Her life was a mixture of deaths and celebrations. And some of those celebrations commenced because of someone’s death. She’d fully participated in most all of them. She knew she was going to hell when her time came. Everything that led up to events that were taking place now, could in part be put on her shoulders. Her mother was happy being the other woman, and she should have accepted that. But Nerina wanted her recognition, her rightful place as the daughter of Roman Civiti. Not just some hired hand sent out on jobs. It was a known fact that she was Roman’s daughter. The title alone wasn’t enough. She wanted the respect that came with it, and because she wasn’t given it, she’d pressed her mother. Made sure to let her mother know she didn’t appreciate her father was only allowed to visit in secret under watchful eye of his bodyguards.