by Elle Boon
“Fuck them. We’re immortal. What the hell does it matter what anyone thinks?”
“I feel you bro, but what about Selena? She isn’t immortal like us. Which brings me to another question,” Malcolm held up a finger. “How does this work?”
“Fuck if I know, Mal. Son of a bitch…Why can’t Zeus fucking answer my questions? I’ve been calling out to him for the last fifteen minutes.”
They both stared up at the sky, and then looked at each other and laughed. Malcolm slapped him on the back and turned serious.
“Max, let’s just take it one day at a time. I can’t imagine they”—he pointed up and continued—“would fuck us over. Zeus said we all would find one woman to complete us. That doesn’t mean you and I don’t have the same woman. Hell, if I remember correctly, we were intended to be one being instead of two. Of course, Zeus would never admit he fucked up. I mean, I am the smart and handsome twin, while you’re the—”
Malcolm dodged the large fist aimed at his head.
“You’re such a shit. I should have drowned you when you were a kid.”
“I was never a kid.”
The reminder of their creation had both brothers brooding in silence. Max turned when he heard the unmistakable sound of a Harley roaring toward them. Max loved the sound of the custom pipes on a Harley that let you know, long before you saw the bike, that it was coming.
“Is that who I think it is?” Malcolm asked.
Max saw the unmistakable helmet of Rafe Blackstone, his second in command. Rafe was seven feet, two inches of solid muscle with a smooth, bald head the ladies seemed to love and dark skin with black eyes. Some would say they were a dark brown, but they were black as pitch.
Rafe stopped his bike next to the curb and kicked the stand down. With a flick of his wrist, he turned the machine off, pulled his trademark helmet off, and shook his bald head.
“Hey, Rafe, what’s up? You shake all that hair out of your face?” Malcolm asked.
Rafe tilted one corner of his lips up and lifted his right hand off his thigh to scratch his cheek with his middle finger.
“Nah…I don’t think so, dude. I love you, but you’re just not pretty enough for me,” Malcolm joked.
“Max, can’t you control your baby brother?” Rafe asked.
“Nope…So what are you doing here?” Max asked.
“I’ve just rode up from Texas following a lead. When it dried up here, I thought I’d look you up.”
The Ravens had a connection and could sense when another was near. Max must be losing it, because he hadn’t sensed Rafe until he was almost on top of him. So not a good thing, when Max knew they were not the only immortal beings on Earth.
“You have a lead on the goddess or is it something else?” Max asked.
He sent a thought to Malcolm, wondering if he felt as uncomfortable as him. A shake of his twin’s head gave him his answer.
“I’m not sure what it is. How about you guys?”
Shit…Not good if neither of them could sense Rafe. Looking over his shoulder, he looked at the closed door to the club and inhaled. He needed to center his thoughts and check for other threats. Not that he thought of Rafe as a threat, but if he hadn’t sensed him, maybe he’d missed another.
With his mind focused, he didn’t find anything other than Rafe and Malcolm. He knew Selena was inside, but there seemed to be a blank space surrounding her. He promised himself he’d knock down the walls protecting or hiding her. The thought of her being hidden popped into his mind, and took up a more sinister twist.
“Max, did you hear me?” Rafe asked again with a puzzled look.
“We heard you Rafe, and the answer is negative. We haven’t heard anything, or found anything for that matter, on the missing goddess. Shit man, the way it’s going we won’t know until the end of time. Or if Zeus is correct, in a few short months when his baby girl explodes.”
“Fuck…” Rafe rubbed his hands across his bald head and Max smiled at the gesture.
There were only two of the Ravens that had bald heads and they looked almost identical, except Rafe was much bulkier and about two inches taller than Vin. Both had the same snapping black eyes and dark skin, but they were not twins like Max and Malcolm.
“Where’s Vin?” Max asked. Usually where there was one, the other was close by.
Rafe shrugged his shoulders. “Somewhere in the Middle East. He said he was following a lead.”
Max shared a look with Malcolm, and then made a snap decision. “We found our Fated.”
“What? Wow, congrats to you both. What are their names, where are they?” Rafe asked, looking around.
“Her name is Selena Ramos,” Max said.
“What’s your lucky lady’s name, Mal?”
“Selena Ramos.”
Max already had his hand balled into a fist, expecting his friend to say something stupid, except Rafe took him by surprise when he flashed his white smile, threw his head back and laughed. Max shared a puzzled glance with Mal while they waited for Rafe to calm down.
Max stepped forward, prepared to kick the bike over with his friend still on it. Rafe snapped his black eyes open and with a nod tossed his leg over the bike. He reached out and grabbed Max in a bear hug, then releasing him grabbed Malcolm. Rafe slapped Malcolm’s back a little too hard and laughed when his brother slapped Rafe on the back of the head.
“Did you guys think I’d judge you or her? Fuck me, man. I’m happy you guys found her. Now we just need to find Zeus’s daughter and all’s good.”
Max grimaced. He wished it could be that easy. But finding the golden girl Cronus had stolen and hidden somewhere here on Earth was proving close to impossible. Rafe averted his gaze, but not before Max saw the look of envy cross his friend’s face. He knew the feeling. Many times over his long existence, he had seen a couple in their late years holding hands, or sitting next to each other. He’d felt their peace and love flowing through them and would get a pang of longing.
Malcolm seemed to be less fucked in the head as he spoke in low tones, explaining to Rafe how they each met Selena. He skipped the office details. Thank the gods! He’d hate to have to kill them both.
“When do I get to meet her?”
Malcolm looked at his watch. “She officially opens in about a half hour. The local radio stations should be here shortly. They’re going to broadcast live. Selena’s a smart businesswoman.”
Max nearly choked on his spit when his brother puffed his chest out like he had something to do with her achievements. Silently he agreed with him. Selena was everything he ever wanted in a woman. He just never dreamed he’d find her, and share her.
“Let’s go inside and I’ll introduce you to her,” Malcolm said, taking the lead.
Rafe pocketed his keys and followed Malcolm inside, while Max took another long look around. He noticed the streets were filling up, and more people were walking up and down the sidewalk.
Selena’s club already had a line forming behind the red rope, which was being manned by a large man Max had checked out earlier. With a thought, he lifted the shield that kept others from overhearing their conversations. To onlookers, they would’ve heard three men standing around discussing football or some shit. He followed the others at a slow pace, and with one last look up, he asked for guidance.
Chapter Nine
Selena couldn’t help but stare at the tight asses of the two men she’d just shared herself with. Damn, but they were fine. She waited until the door shut off her view before she focused on the amused gleam in her best friend’s eyes.
“What?” Selena asked, placing her hands on her hips.
“Hmm…Let’s see.” Tamara tapped her chin. “Did you fuck them both or what?”
Selena swallowed hard. She didn’t know if she should laugh or hit Tamara. “Shut up, you be-otch…Grrr.”
“Don’t growl at me. I’m just asking.”
She covered her cheeks with her hands, trying to hide the blush she felt creeping up her body. Ta
mara had a way of making her feel like a teenager all over again. Her pulse fluttered; she ran her tongue over her swollen lips.
Tamara followed the gesture, making Selena groan at the knowing look.
“Let’s just say I kinda sampled them both, but I didn’t have sex with both of them.”
Selena consoled herself with the fact she hadn’t lied. She just omitted a little truth. A smile crossed Tamara’s face, and she patted Selena on the arm.
Damn. Double damn. Thank the goddesses, Tamara let the subject drop. They walked over to the bar in the center of the room. She listened to the rundown of stock and checked the girls to see they all had on the matching tank tops and denim bottoms.
“You ladies look awesome. Thank you all for working so hard to learn the steps to all the songs. I know you’re probably nervous, but as long as you smile, you’ll do great.”
“Yes…Just what she said and to the bouncers.” Tamara turned wide, innocent eyes to them. “If someone steps out of line, ask them to stop, but be polite. If someone starts a fight, ask them to leave. But be polite. If someone…”
Selena slapped her hand over Tamara’s mouth. “Are you quoting Patrick Swayze, from Road House?”
“What did I say? He was great, and it worked, didn’t it?”
“Did we watch the same movie, Tam?” Selena couldn’t help but laugh, and wiping the tears from her eyes, found herself staring at the door to the outside. With a look at her watch she noticed the time. Clapping her hands, she motioned everybody to their stations.
“Heads up, girlie, here come your men,” Tamara began, and stopped with a gasp.
Selena had already spotted Malcolm and his long-legged stride being followed by one of the largest men she’d ever seen…Shit…He had to be well over seven feet tall.
The door shut behind them, blocking the light and temporarily blinding her, but she continued looking at the entryway trying to see Max. She released a breath when he strolled in at a much slower pace. His whole demeanor had changed. She watched as he scanned the place, and if she didn’t know better, he also seemed to look into their minds.
She met his gaze, and a jolt of recognition flooded her body. She had the overwhelming urge to run across the room and climb inside his body. What the hell? She tore her eyes away and found herself being jerked into the arms of Malcolm.
He bent and pressed a kiss to her cheek like a butterfly’s wings’ caress. Her arms wound around his neck, and she kissed him back, skipping his cheek, aiming straight for his mouth. He groaned and took control of the sweet caress, kissing her fiercely.
Malcolm lifted his head with a ragged groan. “I missed you too, Lena.”
Hearing a deep rumble, she turned and met the amused stare of the overly large man. She tried to unwind her arms from Malcolm and put some distance between them. Malcolm pressed a possessive hand to her rear and held her in place, letting her feel the massive erection straining the front of his pants.
She felt an answering wetness between her legs and squirmed. “Malcolm, let me go.”
Stretching muscles still languid from her earlier romp with Malcolm and Max, she stilled when she felt another body press into her from behind.
Looking over her shoulder, she shivered at the look in Max’s eyes.
“Lena, this is our friend, Rafe,” Max said.
“Nice to meet you.” Rafe nodded.
Selena noticed his eyes were black as night and he seemed riveted in place, staring as if transfixed at Tamara. She turned her head and watched as Tamara backed away with a look of horror.
She tried to mind-talk with Tamara, but slammed into a brick wall. Wincing, she raised her hand to her head and stepped back into Max, whose arms came around her.
“Rafe,” Malcolm growled. “You’re scaring our woman.”
He shook his head and with reluctance turned those eerie black eyes back to her. She didn’t know if she should stick her hand out or run screaming like a little girl for the nearest exit.
Good manners almost lost, but then he stepped forward with a grin that lit up his face and flashed the whitest smile. He gripped her bicep in a surprisingly gentle squeeze and pulled her from between her two men and into his body.
She saw a wicked glint pass over his face before he pulled her from Max. He turned her, bending her over his arm, and shocked them all when he blew a raspberry on her neck.
She giggled…Freaking giggled…What the hell…First I almost ran screaming like a gawd damn girl, now I’m fucking giggling? Next I’ll be fainting into a swoon like a maiden in one of my fairy tales.
He released her almost as quickly as he grabbed her and laughed, before pushing her into Max’s arms again. Okay, so the man was truly hot in a scary kind of way, but what the hell?
Malcolm and Max had matching scowls on their faces that gave her an overwhelming urge to comfort them. Reaching out, she held Malcolm’s hand in her left and placed her right on Max’s thigh. She felt the tension leave their bodies and wondered at their response to her touch.
Rafe stilled in his movements and focused on the retreating form of Tamara. “Who is that?”
“Tamara Mejia. She’s my best friend and business partner,” Selena said with a bite of steel in her voice.
“Easy, kitten, I would just like to meet her.”
She sputtered. “Did you call me kitten?” Turning to look at the amused smile on Max’s and Mal’s faces, she asked, “Did he just call me kitten?”
Rafe’s eyes followed Tamara as she fled to the stock room. Selena’s cheeks heated as she saw the speculative gazes of her employees, looking at her in Max’s and Malcolm’s arms.
Taking a deep breath, she met each gaze with a fierce look. She held her head up and watched as her men stepped beside her and presented a united front. Every woman in the room smiled and most of the men seemed uninterested.
Shrugging, she raised her hand to her mouth and whistled a high-pitched sound, getting everyone’s attention.
“Okay, people. It’s almost show time. If you have a problem with anything, please come see me or Tam. If you can’t find either of us—” she stopped as Max held up a hand.
“If you can’t find them, come to me or Malcolm.”
His tone brooked no argument. She marveled as everyone nodded and turned to their stations. With a bounce, she headed toward the door. A slow smile slid across her face, before she moved directly in front of the opening.
Max pulled her up short. Swallowing the small bit of fear, she opened her mouth to object. He stopped her with a groan and leaned down, pressing his lips to hers, and murmured, “I just want you to slow down, baby.”
“What do you mean? It’s time to open the doors.”
“I am aware of this, but you need to take a breath. You look ready to faint.”
She giggled and slapped a hand over her mouth and tried to block the sound. They must have thought she was a Barbie doll twit giggling like a friggin’ loon, dammit.
“I always get this excited on opening day. Usually Tamara and I share a shot or two before we fling the doors open.”
“I’ll buy you a shot just as soon as we—and I do mean we,” he said, looking over his shoulder at Malcolm, “ensure your safety.”
Pushing at his chest, she grunted when he didn’t even pretend to feel it. “Listen you two, you’re not my…my daddy, so just back the fuck up. I can take care of myself.”
“Oh goody, Max, our woman is feisty. Do I get to spank her first, or do you?”
Selena let her eyes flutter closed and prayed for patience. Opening them, she pinned them with a glare. Their eyes opened wide in surprise when they looked at her, and stepped back. A strange sensation wracked her frame, as a thrill of power raced through her, making her hair feel as if it stood on end.
She felt sure she resembled Drew Barrymore in that show where she started fires with her mind. Selena laughed at the image, and some of the energy dissipated, leaving her shaken.
“Don’t fuck with me, bo
ys. I’m not your little lady to be tucked away. Now step aside so I can open my club.”
She didn’t wait for them to move. With a lightning fast move and more force than they were obviously prepared for, she shoved at their shoulders and glided between their hulking forms.
She bit her lip, and held the laugh she felt bubbling up at the stunned look on their faces. With a flourish, Selena flung the doors open and walked out. Coming to an abrupt halt, she beamed, seeing the line of people waiting to get inside stretched all the way down the block and across the road.
Grabbing the bull horn her bouncer Alan handed her, she brought it to her mouth. In a clear voice, she welcomed everyone and said she’d see them inside. People didn’t want to hear a speech from the owner, they just wanted to party, and her clubs always gave them what they wanted.
She rocked back on her heels when she felt two sets of strong bodies surround her and lead her back inside.
Malcolm leaned down and whispered, “Selena, you’re in so much trouble.” He nibbled the lobe of one of her ears.
His breath was hot next to her ear. She shivered at the promise of retribution reflected in his eyes.
“I’m not scared of you or your brother.” She was happy her voice didn’t shake.
“Good,” Max said in a guttural voice.
She walked inside. How could these two strangers make her feel so much? She’d been with Tim, her high school boyfriend, for two years before they did the deed. Once they did the deed, he seemed to think it should be done every day. Looking back, she realized she had never really wanted Tim the way he did her. If he hadn’t died, she knew they probably wouldn’t still be together. Why the hell had she not tried having sex with a normal man before tonight? And to think she gave up her celibacy to not just one man, but two of them.
Exasperated, she ran her hand through her hair and let out a huff. She didn’t really want to be working right now, which was another first. She wanted to grab hold of her men…Whoa…They are not my men. They are just…“Grrr.”
“What’s the matter, baby?” Malcolm asked.
Startled, she spun around and came to a stop in the middle of the dance floor. How the heck had they ended up there?