Chapter Ten

Gage I was madder than hell. If I had the information two days ago that Erin had shared with us tonight, I could have kept her safe. We could have offered help to her boss and possibly saved more prized possessions. She was trying to stay true to her friend, and I got that, but I’d hoped she would have done more for her own self-preservation. I can’t think. I overreacted. I can’t even remember some of the things that I said, and I regret that. For that, I need to ask her forgiveness, but not yet. There are a few more things I need to say now that I’m calmer. There was only one way I could put things in perspective and deal with irrational anger. I needed to run. Let my wolf out. Soon.

Hunter stood tight-lipped, but I knew I was more hurt than he was. I’d built up a level of trust, a relationship with Erin, and she chose to keep this disturbing bit of knowledge to herself. This potentially fatal knowledge. After her disclosure, I lost it. I cringed at the memory.

“Erin Felina White, it was unfortunate that your friend asked you to keep his secret. It was wrong to do so after he died, you were tracked and stalked as a hunter does his prey and it was just pure luck that you weren’t here when they came back to visit the same end on you.”

“I don’t believe in luck. Fate. I have a destiny and it wasn’t to die today.” It was her last words before she broke down in sobs. “I’m sorry. I was trying to do as he asked.”

“I know, but we begged you to tell us. We told you why. Your fear and memories from it are now squarely on your shoulders and seared in your brain. Hell, you aren’t a child. I call you baby, but you aren’t one.” I walked to cool down a little and knew I had to stop. I squatted down in front of a now sobbing woman, in front of the woman I loved. I softened some.

“But you’re my baby and I died a little inside to know how close you were and are, to overwhelming danger. I can’t allow it. Do you understand? Never again.”

Hunter fixed me with an intense stare. He’s right. That’s enough. I drew her into my lap and kissed her tear-drenched face settling on her lips. “Please, baby, trust me, us, to take care of you.” I sighed in relief when she nodded and did something only a person who is comfortable with another will do. She used my shirt to wipe her tears. I fucking loved that.

I know Hunter allowed me to say my piece, but he stopped me before I could damage our budding relationship. I love her. There isn’t any other explanation. Hell, I’ve loved her for almost a year. I almost blew it in my fear for how much worse it could have been. We won’t have this discussion again. I’ve never seen anyone cry so much. It was good she got it out, it was unacceptable that part of her despair was due to my lack of control.

***

Erin I might have ruined everything. I didn’t think I could cry any more until I told two protective men what I hadn’t told them before.

When I was through the majority of my disclosures, Gage dumped me from his lap like a sack of potatoes. He made sure I landed on my feet and then he stood and moved away from me. “Erin, are you saying you had all these signs when you came home that night and didn’t say a word to me?” I had never seen Gage so angry.

“I couldn’t. Can’t you understand? He made me promise. It’s like an oath. I had to keep my word if I could.”

“What I understand is that you said you wanted us to work on this relationship to see where it went. That is when you should have said something. If not then, when you were worried about him for what I can see now was a damn good reason, especially given your abilities. You should have called me.”

“But you were in a meeting. I thought you might have a date or something.”

“Come again? You thought…”

I could hardly speak for the tears. “I’m sorry! I had some misplaced loyalties and might have misinterpreted some things, but I tried to get to him.”

“Yeah, that’s what I call a significant example of a breakdown in communication. Why didn’t you say anything when you were broken into, or when they tore your fucking place apart, or saw those damn photos or any time in between. But now? Now it’s almost anti-climactic, academic even.”

Gage continued to rant and rave and as a large man, if we weren’t so familiar with each other and if he had not so tenderly taken me to passion heaven, I might have been afraid. But I wasn’t; I couldn’t be. Hunter broke into the angry stream.

“Gage, enough. I get you’re angry, but… aw hell, she’s run again.”

I didn’t know what I was doing or where I was going, but I ran to the front entrance and before I’d gone ten steps, Gage had snagged me around the waist and yanked me against his heated body. I remember struggling to get away from him when all I wanted to do was be held.

He simply wrapped his arms around me like a blanket and held me until the fight was gone. He turned me around and took my lips. It was a rough, angry kiss. I cried and I could taste my own tears as he punished my lips, forcing his tongue inside. He lifted me into his arms and carried me like a child back to the office. I heard the door slam shut. I was in his lap and he was cradling me. Fates and fairies, I wanted him so badly.

Finally, he pulled back and laid his forehead on mine. His voice was shaking. “Do not ever keep secrets from us again. Not ever or Daddy will punish you. Am I understood?”

“Gage—”

“After what you just did, I deserve to hear ‘Daddy’ from your lips, little girl.”

I can’t believe how much that appealed to me. My insides wiggled like a puppy. I didn’t need or want this with Hunter, but with Gage it felt right. I thought I’d be freaked out with that scenario and when I read a book with it, I hadn’t heard of it before. It was okay, but I didn’t feel any particular interest in that type of relationship until Gage. I went all squirmy inside and warm. It was like I belonged to someone. But to actually call him that? Um…

“I don’t know if I can.”

“Oh, you can, baby. You want to, I can see it in your face. Do it. Call me Daddy or I’ll flip you over and—”

“No, Daddy, I’m sorry. I’ve cried so much my eyes and chest hurt. My nose even hurts.”

Gage gave me a big grin. “Good girl. You did it and it will be so much easier now. I don’t expect it all the time, but when you are in hot water, it will help you if you remember to use it with me.” He grinned and looked at Hunter who pretended to work on his phone while I lost my shit and figured things out. He had only interjected once and that was a miracle in itself. “It’s good for snuggles and treats, too.”

“Like making out?”

Hunter looked up from his device. “Hell yeah. I might even answer to it if I get some physical satisfaction.”

“You too? It’s sex, Hunter and for the record, you’re crude. This is why I do the talking.”

“Except when it comes to Erin, we are definitely sharing that task.”

I dropped my head knowing I’m still in deep kimchee. Hunter continues, “Well, Erin and I have to go and you, my friend, need to take care of business here.”

“After my run.” I watch the men have a whole conversation without words. Their connection is fascinating.

Hunter holds open my heavy coat that someone brought down earlier. I have no doubt he texted that exact order some time ago. Gage buttons me up. I start to protest and the look I got was enough to cut off any disagreement. Gage looked at Hunter and then me.

“Be good.” I couldn’t believe that for the second time since knowing Gage I want to roll my eyes uncharacteristically. I didn’t. I’m just tired.

“Come on, sweetheart. Let’s leave Gage to finish things up here.”

“Where are we going?”

“Home. I have work to do and research to finish. You have to settle into your room.”

“Our room,” said Gage.

Hunter nodded but didn’t say anything. His car miraculously appeared in the entry and he handed me in.

I could barely hold it together. My core ached and my pink bits were at a near scorching level even though I was so wet I was uncomfortable and needed new panties. Nothing cooled my need. Or maybe I’d leave them off with these guys around. Hunter was the right name for the man next to me. He gave off the most intense predator vibe I had ever experienced. Gage wasn’t as hard, but he was just as stern. I loved how nurturing he was. I found I needed it. I got a mental flash of warning. Gage is standing between Hunter and me watching me. I’m smiling, they have the same look they had when they took me to orgasm paradise. They begin walking toward me. I instinctively know the rest as they take me to the bedroom. I couldn’t help but smile.

Living in the city my whole life made this even more fantastical. Who would have thought that in the sea of manhood I would find my perfect man is actually two men and miles away from the nearest city? Gage was just as muscular if not a little more than Hunter, but he deferred to Hunter in a subtle way when it counted. It was apparent that they relied on each other and they worked well together. These men were symbiotic. Gage seemed to be no less commanding but in a kinder way. Hunter was like an efficient steamroller. He was also less likely to be happy when things didn’t go as he planned. Being with them, giving in to them, was freeing. They ticked all of my pre-conceived boxes of authoritarian overlord that made them seem like jerks sometimes, while still checking all my yummy boxes and that was dangerous.

Hunter answered his phone and spoke in clipped half sentences before hanging up. “Sorry, honey. Change of plans. You’ll have to work in town with me this afternoon. I have a sofa you can sleep on if you need a nap. My office manager is sick, and she’s the only one there. She’s locking up early and won’t be back. After I get you something to eat, we’ll go there.”

“But it’s late. Can’t you just close the rest of the day? You are the boss.”

“And I want to stay that way.”

“You don’t appear to be a man who is in the habit of asking people if they agree with you nor do you seem to consider that others won’t always be happy to comply. I bet you’re a hard boss.”

He paused and grinned as though that was a pleasant thought. “I can be somewhat difficult, but since all my employees, save a couple, are men, it doesn’t matter. Men don’t usually care for that touchy-feely stuff. Now that I know the rest of the story, let’s go back over the facts. On the last day, you went to James’ house…”

We started going over each detail while we drove, not to Hunter and Gage’s house, but to their offices. I trusted Hunter that it would be a safe place. When I went over what I’d done right before leaving Joey’s home for the last time, I stopped.

“That smell. It was the same as at my place.”

Hunter didn’t say anything, but he didn’t act as though it was news. “It means it was the same people.”

“Agreed. It’s a good chance given what we now know.” His look and meaning were not lost on me.

“I can’t keep apologizing.”

“I could do with you doing it a while longer.” He was serious.

He took me to a little restaurant that was more a café than a restaurant proper. The food was good, and the staff evidently knew Hunter and Gage, greeting one and asking after the other. Except for giving me long stares and insisting I eat, Hunter said very little. He was angry with me. Maybe frustrated was a better word, but I could feel the angst and the churning discontent rumbling just below the surface. He simply held it in better than Gage.

Hunter was silent now. He’d wanted to push me, likely yell but I’d never heard him do more than raise his voice a little. “I’m sorry.”

“Thank you. Erin, how many relationships have you had?”

“A couple?”

“Okay, good. Lasting how long?”

I shrugged. “A couple of months.”

He nodded. “We would like to be in a relationship with you.”

“Together.”

“Correct.”

“I don’t know how that will work. Or if I can do it right.”

“Oh, we don’t have any concerns about that. If you want to try, it begins now. We’re intense. Demanding. We expect a lot, but in return, we will give you everything—a house for you to make into a home. Space to continue your contracts and to create. Later, if things work out, we will look at more. Erin, we are ready to commit. You will need to wait and see if we’re good for you. You’ll know it deep down inside, but until then, we practice at making this work until it does.”

“Practice makes perfect.” I tried to lighten the mood but was surprised at his response.

“Precisely.”

“Do you mean that’s what the heaviness and clawing going on inside me these last few days means? I’m working on committing?”

“Yes. Exactly.” He was dead serious. Maybe what I was feeling wasn’t just stress.

“Honestly, I do feel that way, but it’s the stress.”

“Maybe, but I think it’s something else. I guess we’ll see.”

I nodded because what else was I to do? I redirect the conversation, uncomfortable about talking about myself. “Have you or Gage been serious with anyone?”

“No. You’re the first one who has ever appealed that way. You’re the person who calls to our inner selves.”

“I hope I’m worth all the trouble.”

Hunter nodded as he went back to his meal. “You are.”

When I was finished, he threw some bills onto the check and rose, offering his hand for me to take. I tried to ignore it, but his sigh of displeasure made me place my hand in his. He didn’t let go until he had helped me into the car, buckled my seatbelt, and closed the door. I opened my mouth to protest the buckling of my belt but found it better to remain quiet. He was still irritated about the earlier lack of disclosure. He wasn’t a man to go against. He patted my thigh in a comforting way and walked around to the driver’s side. It never once occurred to me that I could have refused to go or even deny his care of me. Deep down, I didn’t want to do either. I wanted to crawl into his clothes with him, or better yet, pull his off. I’ve no idea what has come over me, but I was seriously horny.

“You know you’ve used up your one get-out-of-naughty-jail card, right?”

I didn’t say anything because I wasn’t sure I want to have this conversation with Hunter. I mean, if Gage was the easy one and he’ lost it, I was more than a little worried about Hunter’s reaction. Frankly, I’d been concerned in the back of my mind that the other shoe had yet to drop on everything. The man beside me had been eerily calm about the whole incident. I sighed, I guess we were going to have Hunter’s yelling match now.

“I’m not sure what you mean?”

“Oh, you know exactly what I mean. I don’t allow disobedience or insubordination in my business or personal life. I don’t allow open defiance without a good reason. I expect honesty and integrity. You, honey, have broken all of those rules of engagement.”

“I thought all was fair in love and war.”

He looked over at me. “Which one is this? Love or war?”

“Both I suspect.”

After two traffic lights, he nodded. “Good to know. Now you know that if you ever do anything like you have done these last few days again, I promise the most inventive punishment you have ever dreamed of. One you will hate to love.”

“Hunter, I was doing what I thought was right. I’ve apologized. I can’t do more.”

“No, you had misplaced loyalties and I’m able to understand the confusion in this case, which is why you are not in my bed, lying naked as the day you were born, sporting a sizzling ass, and praying to come, knowing it won’t happen.”

Okay. I might not be able to digest that little tidbit for a while.

“And, Erin?”

“Yes, sir?”

“I’m not exaggerating.”

I had no doubt and that made me release liquid desire. Damn. I didn’t have a change of panties or pants. And I’m confused as to the addition of ‘sir’ because that wasn’t me. His manner seemed to demand it even if he didn’t verbalize it.

The rest of the twenty-minute ride was silent as he continued to maneuver the SUV through traffic and long intersecting roads of near emptiness. The snows were getting heavier. I sighed. It was nice that someone else was driving in the snow. I could do it, did do it, but I was afraid that I would slide into some snowbank and not be seen soon enough to rescue me from a frozen grave. Irrational, I know, but aren’t most fears? Well, no, not the ones I have right now.

Something or someone was after me and I had no clue why or how to stop this crazy merry-go-round that my life had suddenly become. I want off. Well, if I could take these men off with me, it would be perfect but even I understand that won’t happen. I was an adventure to them right now, nothing more than something to occupy their time. I’m not sure I believe it, but if I keep to that thinking in part of my mind, I won’t be annihilated if it was really true. My heart will be partially protected. Gage accused me of not having any self-preservation. I had plenty.

Pulling to the back of a professional building, Hunter didn’t say a word as he parked in the six-space garage complete with their engine block heaters.

“Don’t move. I’m coming around.”

“I can open my own door.”

Hunter literally snarled at me. “Dammit, Erin. Do. Not. Move.”

I took my hand from the handle. He was in no mood to battle with me, that was obvious. Possibly because I wasn’t like everyone else and didn’t automatically give in to him, but today, it’s likely because he is still angry over my lack of disclosure. Maybe I should just stay honest and speak my mind from now on—no more secrets.

How could they protect me or how could I even ask it of them if I wasn’t willing to help? Be honest. But I was my own woman and was no pushover. I meant it when I said I would go it alone. I understand alone. I hate it, but I get it. It’s comfortable in a dysfunctional way. Sharing myself or my life was scary as hell. I waited.

Hunter opened the back door and pulled out my backpack from last night. He opened my door and offered me a hand. I slipped my hand into his and with the other, I tried to grab the pack, yanking when he didn’t release it. It seemed to be the last straw for boss man, Hunter. He all but pulled me out of the doorway, shoved me against the side of the vehicle. He dropped my pack.

“Put your hands on the car.”

“What?”

His voice was coarse. “Do it,” he rasped.

I did. I’d been here before. My heart was pounding so hard I wondered if I could hear anything else. He came up behind me, pressing his hard-planed body against mine and kissed my cheek. “You don’t seem to understand the way things work here or how much danger you are in, so I’m going to help you process, sweetheart.”

He leaned enough away that I felt the loss of his body heat and my skin tingled. One large hand came up and covered both of mine on the car. Why I put them there, I’m not sure, but I felt compelled to obey him. No, it gave me a thrill to do as he asked. What kind of person did that make me? I was in real trouble. I tried to struggle, but it was to no profitable end because I didn’t really want to resist. He stepped close behind me again. I wasn’t moving until he allowed it.

“What—”

“I punish for disobedience. I’ve told you that. You know Gage does. But this right here, my love, is between you and me. I haven’t done a good job of showing you that part of loving us, being part of our lives, is obedience and consequences. I want you to have no doubt that you have crawled into my resistant heart and I intend to keep you. In captivity, if need be, forever. And I think I might like being my own disciplinarian when dealing with you.”

I felt the air change and knew he was going to smack my ass to declare his place in my life, in our relationship. I experienced trepidation but no fear. I’d learned through Joey’s books, even if I had not experienced it with these men, that Alpha or dominant shifters punished their mates when they disobeyed orders for protection and other things. Since it made sense in my crazy world to hold onto that bit of comforting fantasy, I waited for my pseudo-shifter mate to whale on my butt.

The thought excited me and that was another messed up thing in my life, not only had I no genetic ties to a living soul, no group of people to which I belonged, now I take the good relationships I have and turn them into my irrational fantasy world creations. I was going to ruin this. I could see the handwriting on the wall.

The hard jarring tore me from my stupor. My ass tingled and burned where his hand had landed. Without thought, I stamped my foot.

“Ugh. I’m sorry. Hunter, it hurts.” Maybe he would stop.

Nope. “I don’t believe you. I’m not finished addressing your lack of compliance and putting yourself in danger. You and I need more. You don’t even know who did this to you or your friend. They could be anywhere.”

Another hard, solid smack on my nether regions. And again. Damn, it hurt, but miraculously it began to unfurl something inside. I shivered but didn’t move. Another swat. Another shiver. A little more of the knot loosened. The feeling of belonging began to sink in with each deliberate, measured swat. There was a fire of a different kind occurring in my core, a blaze that created passionate heat that was stoked hotter with every firm landing of his hand on my now throbbing bottom. My pussy wept. I wanted more.

“Hunter, I need…”

“I know, baby, you need more.” His finger homed in on my clit and rubbed. It was as though there were no stretch pants between Hunter and my nerve center. “You’re so wet for me. You like it rough, you like submitting. And I like you to submit.” He chuckled. It was a ruthless sound of indulgence. “Sometimes.”

I raised my rear like a cat in heat. It was a desperate craving. I was overwhelmed with the urge to be taken and possessed by Hunter.

“Good girl. Give me your orgasm.”

Damn if I didn’t rub my slit over his hand. Rough, hard, dire. Faster and harder I ground into him. My breath was labored, raspy. I was scratching for the orgasm just out of reach. I yelled when he slapped my pussy, but it was what I needed. Stars blurred my vision as he lit my rockets of ecstasy. His tongue caressed my ear, then he bit my ear lobe as I came, and it was one of the most erotic things I have ever experienced. He licked then nipped at my shoulder, pinched my nipples through my shirt and my legs wouldn’t hold me any longer.

“Your beauty and receptiveness are incredible. I could play you like a fine violin all night.”

“Mm, but you spanked me.”

“I did and you loved it.”

“I didn’t—”

“No more lying. I think we’ve had enough of that, haven’t we?”

I couldn’t answer. How could I long for his hand on my ass? But I did. I wanted to take everything off and offer my body to him. It was almost overwhelming, and I heard my whimper. He turned me around and took my lips. What had started as a regular kiss morphed into something so hot, I choked with the lack of air when he pulled away. I gasped as I frantically tried to drag in oxygen.

“Oh my…”

“Come on, my little imp. We have things to do. And you have Joey’s story to read.”

“Hunter—”

“What, baby?”

“I know who it was that destroyed everything. Maybe even killed Joey. It was Hellhounds. They only come out at night. They are the preternatural answer to hit men.”