“I don’t normally do this, but well, you see…” He stopped and cleared his throat, looking directly at Ariana. “I made a very bad mistake a week ago. I told the woman of my dreams that I didn’t want her.” People booed and hissed from the crowd. Roman didn’t let that deter him though, he shook his head and held up his hands. Silence descended on the bar. “I know, I know. I’m an idiot. I realized that as soon as I said the words. But I didn’t know how to take them back. Until now. You see, she’s here tonight and has no idea what is about to happen. So, with a little help from my friends, I hope to show her just what she means to me.”
Every eye in the place turned to where Ariana was sitting. Her heart started to race, and her palms grew sweaty. Blushing, she ducked her head, not liking being the center of attention. She hid her face in her drink as she sipped it, the smooth cocktail sliding down her throat.
When the first chords to All of Me by John Legend rang out, she snapped her head back up on a gasp. Jayden was playing on the piano, and Mateo and Grayson on the guitars, giving it a more haunting melody. When Roman started singing, her breath caught in her throat and tears welled in her eyes. He no longer looked nervous, now he wore an air of confidence. He was in his element. His voice was the one she had heard singing to the girls at night. She would recognize it anywhere. She listened to him sing to her with her heart in her throat. As he got to the chorus, tears slipped down her cheeks.
Cause all of me, loves all of you.
Love all your curves and all your edges.
All your perfect imperfections.
Give your all to me, I’ll give my all to you.
As he continued to sing in his smooth voice with just a hint of a rasp, pleasant shivers traveled up and down her body. Her heart soared with love for all of these men. They were all sweet, kind, and caring—even when they were being asses. This was what Roman had come up with to apologize. It was the most beautiful thing anyone had ever done for her. Ariana could feel herself getting aroused as his voice continued to flow over her.
She had never really had a thing for men in bands, but she was starting to see the appeal. All of her men looked sexy up on stage as Roman showed her he wanted to be her mate. That he didn’t mean the words he had said. He wanted to be with her forever and be a father to her children. Ariana was so focused on him that she didn’t even notice the napkin Aiden pressed into her hand. As Roman came to the last chorus, he got up and walked to her. Mateo and Grayson continued to strum the guitars, smiling over at her with love shining in their eyes. Jayden had his eyes closed with a soft smile as he stroked the keys. Ariana shivered as Roman took her hand, getting down on one knee. His eyes never left hers as he continued the song. Drawing out the last note, he looked at her with so much love in his eyes that she struggled for breath. Seeing this big, strong Scottish man on his knees in front of her, how could she stay mad at him? She couldn’t. Her heart was so full of love that she could no longer deny it. She loved every one of these sexy men.
“Ari-Lass. I was a complete arsehole. I didn’t mean what I said. You are my beginning and my end. Please say you forgive me?” he said right into the microphone. The bar was completely silent. Laughing and crying at the same time, she couldn’t speak. So, she nodded, flinging her arms around him. She kissed him among the cheers and cat calls in the bar.
After a few minutes of Roman ravaging her mouth, she pulled back just enough to swat him on the arm. Breathlessly she mumbled, “Of course, I do! You big lug! But don’t you ever do anything like that again!”
Everyone in the bar laughed as they heard her, thanks to the microphone Roman was still holding. Resting his forehead against hers, he smiled. “Never. I promise. Now let’s dance!”
He grabbed her hand and pulled her to the dance floor as the DJ started up again. The rest of the guys circled them, dancing along. Everyone was laughing, each of the guys taking turns swinging her around or kissing her. It was perfect. She didn’t care if the rest of the bar thought what they had was weird. She had her guys and they all wanted to be with her. For the first time in her life, she had hope. Hope that she would live longer than her twenty-second birthday. Hope that the curse would finally be over.
Thirty-One
Mateo
They danced for hours with each of them stealing kisses. Touching her as she moved to the beat. Drinking and laughing, Ariana was slightly tipsy as they headed back to the car. Mateo’s arm was slung over her shoulder when suddenly she gasped and doubled over, screaming. Mateo’s blood ran cold. Her scream was filled with pain, sorrow, and anguish.
“Ariana! What’s wrong?” he cried out.
“Talk to us, Sugar.”
“What the fuck happened?” Aiden was looking around for a threat, scenting the air, with his gun in his hand.
“Is she okay?”
“Ari-Lass, you need ta let us know what’s wrong. We cannae help until we know.”
Ariana reached out and grabbed his hand, squeezing with all her strength. He noticed it was considerably less than usual, and worry clawed at his insides. What the hell was going on?
Her head snapped up, blue light blazing out of her eyes for a split second before dimming then winking out completely. Her beautiful silver eyes looked dead and lifeless. Terror like he had never known before tore through him as Ariana slumped over. He caught her before she could hit the ground cradled her in his arms as the guys gathered around. Each of them had worried looks he was sure matched his own.
Please be okay. I need you to be okay.
Tears were streaming down her face, her normally bright and intoxicating voice was barely a whisper, her breath coming in gasps. “I have no magic. The third trial has begun. We need to get home. Now! The girls…” Her voice faded out as she started to shiver uncontrollably. The guys all shared a look of horror before springing into action. Jayden jumped behind the wheel. He handed Ariana to Roman when he held out his arms from the back seat. Stroking her back and whispering in her ear as Mateo jumped in the back with them, Roman tried to soothe her.
Mateo knew they would get there in less than fifteen minutes with Jayden driving. The man was a legend on the street racing scene. It was still going to be the longest fifteen minutes of his life. He needed to be prepared—they didn’t know what they were going to find back at the house.
Mateo brought his twin katana swords out of the ether where he stored them. With long curving blades that were wickedly sharp, and hilts wrapped in blue leather, with black ribbons streaming behind him, they gleamed in the moonlight streaming through the car window. They were a deadly pair forged by his great grandfather and passed down from generation to generation. They had never failed him. He hoped they wouldn’t now as the raced towards the cabin.
As they came upon the cabin, dread wrapped its icy, clawed hands around his heart and squeezed. Avery was out on the front lawn, bent over Easton, sobbing and pushing on his shoulder. Fuck! What the hell happened? Where was Zoey?
Oh no! No. No. No. The word repeated in his head as he jumped from the car when it skidded to a stop. Ariana stumbled out behind him. He slid on the ground, quickly straightening up and racing towards Easton. When he was ten feet from them, he noticed what Avery was doing, her words finally registered in his ears. She was frantically trying to stop the bleeding coming from his shoulder and leg. Crying out, “Daddy! Daddy! Please don’t leave me!”
The sight of Avery brought him to his knees. He was still five feet from them but couldn’t take another step. His heart twisted in his chest, and he couldn’t breathe, couldn’t speak. He couldn’t function until Ariana pulled Avery back, checking her over for any injuries and hugging her to her breast when she found none. He snapped out of it and crawled the rest of the way to Easton’s side. Aiden and the others tore past them, frantically calling Zoey’s name. Mateo’s heart sank. He had a bad feeling about what they were going to find.
“Avery sweetie, what happened? Where’s Zoey?” Ariana gently asked.
Avery
started crying harder and the terror in him spread. Ice formed in his veins. If anything had happened to that precious little girl, he would tear the fucker apart with his bare hands. He prayed his bad feeling was wrong. He needed it to be wrong. He listened as he healed Easton with what little healing magic he had.
Hiccupping a little, Avery’s chin trembled. “We were asleep when there was this loud crash. Daddy yell… yelled for us to run and hide. I ran into… Zoey’s room. I grabbed her and went into your room, Mommy. I hid her in the closet… I… I went back into the hallway. Easton was fighting this bad man. The… the… bad man stabbed da…ddy and threw him through the window. When he started for the stairs, I… I couldn’t make it back to your room… he was too fast… so I ran into mine and hid under the bed. I’m sorry, Mommy! He… He… took her!” Avery wailed and fell to the ground on her knees, burying her face in her hands.
Mateo’s heart stopped, wrenching out of his chest and falling to the ground in a mangled mess. NO! Not our little girl!!! His mind screamed at him. How could their perfect night end like this? Zoey gone. Easton almost dying. Ariana with no magic and Avery crying her heart out.
Mateo growled. This fucker had picked the wrong fucking family to mess with.
Ariana
Her mind and body revolted at Avery’s words as she held her daughter, rocking her back and forth. Her heart felt as if it was being squeezed in a vice. Ariana looked at Easton over Avery’s head. He’s breathing, thank fuck for that. Mateo growled and stood up, stalking into the house. She just watched him go. Ariana had never seen him this pissed before. He was the calm one,but right now he looked ready to rip someone apart.
Ariana continued to rock and comfort Avery. She knew this was the third trial. She had felt the same ripping sensation when she had been taken for the second time, only then it hadn’t been as agonizing. Her magic wasn’t as strong then as it was now. When she felt the ripping, like half of her soul was being forcefully torn from her body, she couldn’t hold back her screams. Now, she felt empty. Hollow. A shadow of herself, partly due to having no magic, but mostly because one daughter was taken by a psychopath and her other daughter forced to watch it happen. Forced to watch as one of the men she thought of as her father was hurt and her sister was taken.
Ariana’s gut wrenched, and she felt as if she was going to puke. I should have been here. I never should have let the guys talk me into going out. I’m a terrible mother, thinking only of myself and my fun. Leaving my girls defenseless. Ariana shook her head hard. No! Those thoughts would only lead her down a dark path, one she may not survive if she allowed herself to continue.
Kissing Avery’s head, she tried to soothe her. “Shhh… baby girl. Its okay. Everything will be okay. We’ll get her back. I promise. None of your dads, will sleep till she’s back home safe and sound.” Ariana looked up as the guys surrounded them, including Easton. They were done checking the house. Relief flooded her body, mixing with her terror and fighting for dominance, for control. By the dejected and angry looks they wore, Ariana knew they had not found Zoey. The terror started to sink into her bones, holding her hostage as it rampaged through her body, Ariana fought it as best she could. She couldn’t let the terror win; she had to stay strong for Avery. Ariana couldn’t let her daughter see her break down. After what felt like forever, Ariana was finally able to beat it back into submission. She had shit to do and couldn’t stay there on the ground, wallowing in self-pity and doubt.
Nudging Avery, Ariana pointed to Easton. “Daddy!” Avery cried out and jumped up to run into his arms. He lifted her up, hugging her close as Avery cried into his shoulder. His normally warm chocolate eyes were devastated as he stared at Ariana over Avery.
“I am so sorry, Love! I tried to fight him. He was too strong! Oh god, Ariana, Avery… I’m so sorry that I failed you!” Easton broke down, crying and hugging Avery closer, burying his head in her hair. Ariana’s heart felt as if it had been ripped apart and shredded, barely hanging on by a few threads. She couldn’t stand to see him like this. To see any of them like this. As she looked around, every one of the men had tears dripping off their faces, heads hung low.
“We all failed you. Failed Zoey,” Grayson whispered.
Ariana would not stand for this. They needed to snap the fuck out of it now! Starting with their leader. Ariana jumped to her feet, startling them. She strode up to Aiden and slapped him as hard as she could. Fuck! Holy shit balls. That hurts without my magic! Shaking out her hand, she glared at Aiden when he snapped his head back to her. The rest of them sucked in deep breaths, but instead of the fire she wanted to see, Ariana was greeted with sorrow and heartbreak in his eyes.
“Mommy! Don’t hit Dad!” Avery yelled.
Ariana spoke softly to Avery, never taking her eyes off Aiden. “Quiet for just a second honey. Okay?” Hardening her voice, she snapped “Snap the fuck out of it! We can’t fall apart!” Ariana glanced over at Easton. “East, when did this all happen?”
“About thirty minutes ago, I think.”
Nodding sharply, she looked back at Aiden. “Get your shit together! Shift and get his fucking scent. Find my… our daughter!”
Ariana stepped back as he rapidly changed, shredding his clothes. Looking over at Grayson, she said, “Shift and go with him. If we’re lucky you’ll both be able to get this bastard’s scent and track him to where he’s holding our daughter. You can get closer than Aiden can.” Gray immediately changed. Ariana’s heart was slowly putting itself back together, watching as these big, strong, handsome men jumped into action.
Jayden, Mateo, Roman and Easton gathered around her. Roman tried to pull her in for a hug. But she shook him off. “No. Don’t. If anyone hugs me now… hell if anyone touches me in a comforting manner, I’m going to break. If I break, I fail. If I fail, I die.” As all of them took a step back, Ariana chuckled, knowing they did that to make sure they didn’t accidently touch her.
Aiden’s howl had her spinning to find him. Both he and Gray were tearing off into the woods. Good. If they took her by foot then maybe they had a chance to catch them before they got too far. Ariana knew Zoey got heavy after a while of carrying her.
Zoey… Oh, god. If anything happened to her… Ariana shook her head. Closing her eyes, she mentally built a wall around those thoughts. Around Zoey. Dying a little inside at every mentally placed brick. I’m so sorry, baby. But Mommy has to focus right now. I love you. Be safe.
“What do you want us to do?” She knew Mateo’s voice when she heard it and opened her eyes to look at him. She honestly had no clue what the hell the rest of them should do. There was nothing they could do until Gray and Aiden found Zoey. As her eyes drifted over the cabin with its busted out windows, she got an idea.
“We need to board up those windows and get Avery inside. I need to call someone.”
“Who?” Easton asked, still looking dejected and wrung out.
“Jess.” Ariana took out her cell phone as she strode towards the house. How the hell had the fucker found them?
After two rings Jess answered the phone. It sounded like she was in a fight as there was heavy breathing, grunts, and glass breaking. Either that or Jess was having a damn good time with someone.
“Ari. What’s up?” Jess asked breathlessly.
Ariana chuckled. “Jess. Am I interrupting something?”
Jess grunted over the phone. “Not at all. Just a problem at work I’m handling. Once sec.” Ariana waited with her eyebrows raised as sounds of a scuffle came through the line. Idly, she watched the boys from the porch as they cleaned up the glass. Seconds later Ariana heard the telltale sign of someone getting punched.
“Stay down fuckerhead,” Jess mumbled before coming back on the line. “Okay girl all set. What did you need. How’s the girls?”
Ariana’s heart squeezed so painfully in her chest that she brought up her hand to rub it. “That’s actually why I’m calling, Jess.” Taking a deep breath, she pushed the words out through her tight throat. “Zoey�
��s been taken.”
Ariana had never heard Jess cuss the way she was now. The sound of Jess running hit her ears. “I’m on my way. Where are you?” Ariana rattled off the address to the cabin. “I’ll be there in twenty.”
“Jess, it’s an hour drive.”
“Not for me.” The line went dead and Ariana stared at her phone for a while, grateful to have such an amazing friend. Tears clogged her throat and stinging her eyes. Ariana took a deep breath. I can handle this. I am stronger than this. Turning to look in the direction Gray and Aiden had gone, she straightened her spine.
As soon as they found this fucker, magic or not, she was going to kill him.
Thirty-Two
Aiden
Aiden caught the fucker’s scent near the porch. As he took off into the woods, his heart turned to ash. His mouth was as dry as the Sahara Desert. Seeing Avery try to stop Easton’s bleeding, hearing her cry “Daddy” had broken him in two. Watching as Ariana fought hard not to fall apart, he felt his world crash down around him. He couldn’t believe he had needed her to snap him out of his daze. He was supposed to be the leader. Aiden should have already gone after the fucker as soon as they got to the house, instead he had needed Ariana to slap him before he got his shit together. He was surprised Ariana hadn’t lashed out at them or that she hadn’t retreated into her shell. No, this incredible woman had called Zoey their daughter. Telling him to pull his head out of his ass and find the fucker’s scent and go after him. She trusted him to find Zoey, and he would be damned if he let her down again. Any of them.
The scent smelled vaguely familiar, but he couldn’t place it. It didn’t matter now. He needed to find them and fast. Every second Zoey spent with the stalker… Aiden shuddered, almost losing his footing. He growled long and low in his throat. There was no way he would let that fucker hurt her. Ariana, Avery, and Zoey were his world, and he would move heaven and earth for them. Tear apart anyone who even dared to look at them wrong. They were his family, like the guys were. All three of the girls were the loves of his life.
Cursed by Fate Page 24