AnnaRose (Tails Book Four)

by R. E. Butler

  “I’ll work up a schedule for this coming week,” Titus said as he rose to his feet. “I’ll put you on for Monday night at five, so you guys can enjoy the weekend.”

  “Thanks,” Hemi said. He stood and shook Titus’s hand.

  “You’re moving back into your place?” Titus asked.

  Hemi walked him to the door. “Yeah, the security system is ready to go, and Duke’s going to keep the patrols going until we know for sure the coyote’s left her alone.”

  “Sounds good. See you guys later.”

  Hemi turned and said, “You ready, sweetheart?”

  “You bet.”

  They headed down to his truck and drove to her parents’. They were down-to-earth people, very friendly and welcoming. He wasn’t surprised when her mother, Camille, greeted him with a hug. Her father, Jake, shook his hand and invited them into the kitchen.

  “I hope you’re hungry,” Camille said as they sat down.

  “Always,” Hemi said. He’d never seen so much food laid out for breakfast before. It looked like a buffet, with French toast as the star.

  He waited for everyone to fill their plates first and then stacked four pieces of French toast on his plate and added sausage and potatoes to the side. While they ate, they talked about the move into his place and the security measures he’d had installed, from motion lights and cameras at the doors and windows, to window break alarms. The house was wired from top to bottom.

  “The pride’s got patrols that run during the night, and they’re going to make more frequent trips around our place when I’m working at night just as an extra precaution,” Hemi said. “We hope that he’s taken the hint and moved on.”

  “That would be wonderful,” Jake said. “I’m sure it helps that you’re a couple now.”

  Hemi glanced at Annie in confusion.

  “He means that we’re mated.”

  “Oh, right,” he said with a smile.

  “Will you still get married?” Camille asked as Hemi poured syrup on his French toast.

  “Yes,” Annie said. “But we’re not in a rush.”

  “We’re so happy for you both,” Jake said.

  Hemi hoped his own parents would be as happy and generous with their compliments, but he doubted that would be the case. After the meal was over, Hemi and Jake cleared the table and put the dishes away while Annie and her mom carried the boxes from Hemi’s truck into her apartment.

  “You got a little quiet during the meal,” Jake said as he dunked a pot into soapy water.

  “I didn’t think it was noticeable.”

  “It was, but you don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to. Just seems like something’s bothering you and I’m a good listener.”

  Hemi marveled at his attitude. “You and Camille are just so different from my parents. It was hard not to compare your attitudes.”

  “You mean because we’re happy for you and Annie?”

  “Yeah.”

  Jake shrugged. “Part of that is because Camille’s and my parents didn’t want to us to be together. Our fathers were business rivals, and there was a feud between our families for decades. My mom always said that the rivalry was what drove us together, and that it was out of spite, but that wasn’t the case. Her parents thought I was a bad influence on her, and I was what she colorfully refers to as a bad boy, but there wasn’t anything I wouldn’t have given up to have her by my side. I always had a thing for Camille, even when we were kids, I just liked being around her. We started dating in high school and had to sneak around because of our parents. We eloped after high school because she got pregnant, and we refused to come home unless they got over their feud.”

  “Did they?”

  “It took three years and Annie’s birth, but yes. Our parents buried the hatchet and our families were friends again. Because of what we went through, there’s no way we’d ever judge Annie for who she wanted to be with. It doesn’t hurt that you saved her life too,” he said with a wink.

  Hemi chuckled. “Right place, right time.”

  “I’m glad you were there for her. And I hope that damn coyote will take a hike and never show his face again.”

  “Us too.”

  Jake set the pot on the rack to dry and wiped off his hands with a towel. “Ready to help the girls?”

  Hemi finished cleaning and set the bottle and towel on the counter. “You bet. I just need to make a call first.”

  Jake left him alone in the kitchen while he called his mom. She didn’t answer, and he didn’t want to leave such an important message on her voicemail, so instead of going into details, he said, “Hey, Mom. I really need to speak to you and Dad about something important, so would you please call me back as soon as possible? Thanks.”

  He hoped they would return his call quickly.

  Annie’s garage apartment was small but comfortable. They were only taking her desk and bookshelves, and Hemi had already cleared out one of the bedrooms to make an office for her.

  He and her dad cleaned out the kitchen cabinets next. By the time his stomach was growling for dinner, they’d emptied her closets and bathroom, packed up the kitchen, and rolled up a rug she really liked.

  “We’re going to get on our way,” Annie said, when her parents asked if they’d like to stick around for dinner. “Otherwise it’ll be super late before we get home.”

  “Thanks for everything,” Hemi said.

  “Of course, that’s what family’s for,” Camille said.

  They headed down to his truck and he opened the door for her. When she was seated, he shut the door and walked around to the driver’s side. He paused when his phone buzzed and pulled it from his pocket.

  He hummed in surprise to see a text from his father, since neither of his parents had returned his call.

  Come for dinner, Son. We have much to discuss.

  He replied, I’m wiped out, Dad. I can call you and we can chat, or I can come over tomorrow for breakfast.

  There was a long pause and then his dad texted: Your mother and I know about your mate and we have much to discuss.

  Hemi opened the door and sat behind the wheel, leaning over to show Annie the texts.

  “How did they find out?” she asked.

  “I don’t know. I don’t think Demi would’ve told them. Maybe they heard it through the pride grapevine.”

  I’m glad you know I’m mated, but that still doesn’t change that I’m exhausted. Tomorrow is better for us.

  We want to meet your mate tonight. Please come see us immediately. It’s important.

  Hemi stared at the screen. “It’s weird.”

  “What is?” Annie asked.

  “All of it. Dad hardly ever texts me. Hell, neither of them text much. They prefer phone calls.”

  “Do you think they’re mad about us being mated?”

  He shrugged. “Maybe.”

  “Well, we can make a stop there, right? It won’t hurt. If they want to yell at you for mating someone as awesome as me, then we can just leave. But maybe they want to meet me and get to know me.”

  He barely held back his snort. His parents weren’t the sort to change their minds so fast. They’d been hounding Demi for weeks about Benecio. He doubted they’d suddenly decided their kids could mate who they wanted without their input.

  “All right, but the second they look sideways at you, we’re out of there. I don’t want to expose you to their negativity.”

  She kissed his cheek. “You got it. But try to be positive. Maybe they had a change of heart.”

  “It would be nice if they did.” But he didn’t think that was the case.

  Chapter Fifteen

  As they walked up the front steps of Hemi’s parents’ home, Annie’s stomach was in knots. She was as nervous as she’d ever been in her life. She’d never had a boyfriend’s parents not like her. Not that Hemi was her boyfriend—they were much more serious than that—but she’d be mortified if her parents didn’t like him and behaved terribly toward him. Thankfu
lly, her parents were awesome and never judged her for her romantic choices. Plus, it was easy to see that they just plain liked him.

  He stopped at the front door and turned to face her. “I just want you to know that no matter what’s said in there, I love you. You’re mine and I’m yours, and whether or not my parents agree with our mating doesn’t really matter. I want them to like you, but if they don’t then it’s their loss.”

  “I love you too.” She rose onto her toes and kissed him. “I hope they like me, but I’ll be okay with it if they don’t. I think.”

  He smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “You’re amazing and I’m the luckiest cat on the planet.”

  She was feeling pretty lucky herself.

  He knocked and then opened the door. “Mom? Dad? We’re here.”

  Annie followed him into the house, and he shut the door behind them.

  “We’re in the kitchen,” a woman said. Her voice was high and tight, like she was stressed, which made Annie feel bad. Did they really not want a human for a daughter-in-law?

  “Ready?” Hemi whispered.

  Not really, but she nodded anyway. “Yep.”

  He led her down the hall and then stopped short. She bumped into him and nearly fell on her butt. Managing to stay upright, barely, she said, “What was that for?”

  “Hello Annie,” a man’s voice said. A voice she never wanted to hear again.

  She leaned around Hemi and gaped at the scene. Roy stood between Hemi’s parents, who were seated at the head of the table. He looked unkempt—like he hadn’t slept in days. His hair was mussed, his cheeks were thick with stubble, and his eyes were wild and bloodshot. He lifted his hand and revealed a gun, pointed at the back of Hemi’s mom’s head.

  “Let my parents go,” Hemi said, his voice a low growl.

  “Nah,” Roy said. “I’ll keep them right here until I get what I want. Which is Annie. So, come over here and we can end this right now. No one has to get hurt.”

  “Roy, this has to stop,” Annie said. “You can’t hold Hemi’s parents hostage. Just let them go and we can talk.”

  “Right, and get rid of my leverage? No thanks.” He tapped the butt of the gun against his head. “I’m not an idiot.”

  Annie slowly took her phone from her pocket, trying to make her movements small and not noticeable. But she failed.

  “Don’t bother,” Roy said, practically crowing. “I got another scrambler. No one’s coming to your rescue. You want these people to live, you’ll do the right thing and leave with me.”

  Annie took a step forward, but Hemi blocked her path with his arm. “You’re not going anywhere with my mate.”

  Roy pressed the gun barrel into the back of his mom’s head, and she gasped and sobbed.

  “Please don’t hurt my mate,” Hemi’s dad pleaded. “Take me instead.”

  “I don’t want either of you,” Roy said. “I want her.” He pulled the gun back and waved it toward her and Hemi. “I’ve had enough of this nonsense. You need to stop pretending that you and I aren’t mates and parading around with this poser. It’s high time you joined me as alpha female.”

  “She’s not going anywhere with you,” Hemi said. “I’m sorry, Mom. Dad.”

  “It’s not your fault,” his father said. “This male is clearly off his nut.”

  Roy struck his dad in the head with the butt of the gun and Hemi roared in anger, taking a menacing step forward as his mother cried and held onto her mate.

  “I’m not crazy. I’m missing my mate.” He leveled a menacing glare at Annie, and she wanted to take a step back, but she stood her ground.

  “I’m not your mate. I told you that we weren’t mates when we had coffee. You can’t think that this is how things are supposed to go between real mates.” She hoped like hell if she kept him talking long enough that somehow Hemi might figure a way out of this. But if not, she’d go with Roy. She’d never let anyone be hurt on her behalf—not if she could stop it.

  “You’re mine,” Roy said, matter-of-factly.

  “I’m not letting Annie go,” Hemi said. “She and I are mated. She’s wearing my marks. Even you can see that she’s not yours and you need to get the hell away from us and move on.”

  He tutted. “Marks can be cut out.”

  “Roy, please. Stop this. Just leave and we won’t call the police.”

  He snarled and fangs elongated in his mouth. “I’ve had just about enough of this talk from you, mate. I saw you first—that makes you mine.” He cocked the gun and Hemi’s mom whimpered.

  “Wait!” Annie pushed past Hemi. “I’ll go, okay? Just don’t hurt them.”

  Hemi’s dad lifted his gaze and met hers. He shook his head. “Don’t. He’s dangerous.”

  Tears threatened and Annie sniffled, shrugging off Hemi’s grip. “I can’t let him hurt you guys. I love Hemi. It would kill me if you got hurt because of me.”

  “Come along, mate,” Roy said, putting his finger on the trigger.

  “I’ll go! I’ll go!”

  “No!” Hemi roared.

  Scared to pieces, Annie walked slowly toward the trio, her hands up and her eyes filling with tears. “I’m sorry, Hemi,” she whispered.

  Roy lowered the gun a bit and smiled. “That’s it. That’s right. Come join me.”

  Hemi’s mom moved so quickly that she was a blur. The gun went off and Roy stumbled back, dropping it and grasping at a knife that was sticking out of his chest. “You bitch!”

  Hemi raced toward Roy, but he jerked the sliding door open and raced away.

  Annie watched in shock as Hemi and his dad followed. “Call the police!” Hemi yelled, and then he disappeared into the woods.

  She sagged against the table, her knees going weak. Hemi’s mom was at her side a moment later, and pulled a chair back, helping her to sit.

  “I’m Tabitha, by the way,” she said as she pulled out the chair next to Annie and sat. Her hand was trembling as she reached for her phone in the center of the table.

  “I’m Annie.”

  Tabitha chuckled. “I got that. It’s nice to meet you, even though the circumstances were terrible.”

  Annie nodded.

  Tabitha called Duke first, who said he was sending lions out immediately to catch up to Hemi and his dad, and then she called the police, who would arrive shortly.

  Annie stared at her hands, her eyes watering and her vision going blurry. “I’m sorry.”

  Tabitha put her arm around Annie. “Please don’t be sorry. You can’t control other people’s behavior, and sometimes we cross the path of the wrong person and we have to deal with the fallout. The important thing is that none of us were hurt badly and he didn’t get away with you.”

  Annie accepted a tissue and wiped her eyes. “Can I ask you something?”

  “After what we just went through, you can ask me as many things as you’d like.”

  The smile made tears spill over Annie’s cheeks again. “I thought you’d hate me. Because I’m not a lion.”

  “Well, before all this, I didn’t hate you, but I hated the idea of my son not being mated to a lioness. Quentin and I grew up in traditional homes and we taught Hemi and Demi the same values we were brought up with. First it was Demi going against our wishes, and then Hemi.”

  “He didn’t go looking for me, though. I wasn’t on the prowl for a shifter mate or anything.”

  Tabitha squeezed her hand. “I know that, dear. After Roy showed up, I realized you and Hemi really were meant to be together and I hated that he was trying to get in the way of your mating. You’re heart-matches and no one should attempt to break that up.”

  “I don’t deserve a guy like Hemi. He’s amazing.”

  “I think you do, dear,” she said with a gentle smile.

  There was a knock at the front door, and Tabitha rose to her feet. “I’m sure it’s the police.”

  She returned a few moments later with two police officers. They took each of their statements, collected Roy’s g
un, and dug a bullet out of the wall. Tabitha had fixed coffee for everyone.

  Annie couldn’t stop looking out the open sliding door, hoping Hemi and his dad would come back soon, unharmed.

  One of the officer’s walkies buzzed and he stepped out of the kitchen to speak. He walked back in a few moments later. “They found the suspect. We’re sending an ambulance to meet with Hemi and Quentin.”

  “Are they okay?” Annie asked.

  “Yes. They’re going to stay with the suspect until the ambulance shows up, and police will be there as well.”

  Annie blew out a relieved breath. “I’m so glad.”

  Tabitha sank into the chair next to her and hugged her. “Me too.”

  * * *

  Hemi texted Annie as he stood next to Roy, who was on the ground. The scent of blood was super heavy in the air, and it was pretty clear to him that Roy was dying, but there wasn’t anything he or his dad could do about it. They’d called for an ambulance and carried him to a dirt road so the EMTs could get to him more easily.

  Hey sweetheart. You okay?

  Yes! Are you? Where are you?

  Dad and I are fine. We’re waiting for the ambulance. We’re about a mile from the house. Roy is dying. I don’t think he’ll make it to the hospital.

  I feel bad for saying I’m glad.

  Don’t. He could’ve killed my parents or hurt you or me gravely. That’s not a male to grieve over.

  You’re right. I hope you can come back soon.

  Me too. I need to hold you. See for myself that you’re okay.

  I need that too.

  He heard the ambulance’s sirens and knew they were close. Turning to face his father, he said, “Listen, Dad.”

  His dad put his hand up. “Hold on. Before you say anything, I just want you to know that your mother and I are glad you found Annie and that she’s clearly your heart-match. We’d already figured out how much you cared for her by the way this asshole was ranting about you foiling his attempts to get to her. I’d be an idiot to say you shouldn’t be with your heart-match.”

  “I’m surprised.”