Read Blue Moon Online

Authors: Lisa Kessler

Tags: #rock star, #paranormal romance, #Entangled, #shifter, #Select Otherworld, #second chance love, #Paranormal, #werewolves, #latina, #woman in jeopardy, #Lisa Kessler

Blue Moon (6 page)

BOOK: Blue Moon
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It was just after three p.m. when I pushed through the doors to the Full Moon Bar and Grill. Right between the lunch and dinner crowds. Perfect time to bug my folks.

My parents started the place before my brother and I were born. The Twenty-fifth Anniversary Banner hung across the top of the bar. They were actually in their twenty-sixth year now, but no one bothered to take down the banner.

“Hey, Mom.”

She glanced up from rubbing down the mahogany bar and grinned. “Logan! Come give your mom a hug.”

I chuckled and came around the bar. My mom was about a foot shorter than me, and I never let her forget it. I bent down to embrace her, lifting her feet off the floor. She laughed and shook her head. “Put me down, you brat!”

Being a good son, I honored my mom’s request. “Is Dad here?”

She picked up her towel. “Yep. He’s in the back concocting some new dessert.”

My dad was an amazing cook. He’d never attended culinary school. His recipes were a family secret, passed down from his mother, and he had great instincts, morphing a simple burger into an event. If Luke and I weren’t werewolves with fast burning metabolisms, we would definitely be husky.

I pushed through the swinging door to the kitchen, but the stove was deserted. “Dad?”

“Back here.”

Venturing farther into the food prep area, I found him hunched over a crème brûlée with a little blowtorch. He straightened, and we clasped forearms before he tugged me in for a tight hug.

My dad was my height, with a solid build. No one would ever guess he was in his late fifties. He and his twin, Niko, were the youngest in Malcolm’s Pack. He’d survived the failed Operation Moonlight with Adam’s father. The project was one of Nero’s first contracts with the federal government, and Malcolm and the others had signed up, thinking they’d be able to use their enhanced abilities to serve their country, but Antonio Severino had visions of shape-shifting assassins rented to the highest bidder.

After they escaped, my dad and the others settled here in Reno where he met my mom.

I could’ve confided in her, too, but she’d never been in my shoes. Since the shifter gene is carried in the Y chromosome, only males are born as werewolves. And if we’re lucky enough to find our mate, we eventually have to navigate telling her the truth. If the couple wanted children, she had to be bitten, turned into a werewolf like her mate.

My mom’s scar on her right hand was as precious to her as her wedding ring on her left.

“What’s up Logan?” He set the torch aside.

“Anna is back in town.”

He leaned back against the counter, crossing his arms over his chest with a hint of a smile. “She’s a great girl.”

I nodded. “Yeah, she is.”

He pulled in a slow breath and raised a brow. “Are you two dating again?”

Her scent on my clothes must’ve been a dead giveaway. “Uh…” Were we? “Not exactly.”

His grin faded. “Want to fill me in?”

“I should probably start with why I didn’t take her to the prom.”

My parents never pressed me for answers that night. I’d survived my first shift into a wolf the night before—maybe they’d thought it made me sore, or moody. I never asked, but I appreciated them staying out of it. Distancing myself from Anna, not answering her calls or her notes stuffed in my locker, had been the darkest time of my life.

So I kept it all inside and poured the pain into my music. My Gibson guitar was my only confidant.

“Dad, she’s my mate.”

He let out a whoop and grinned. My mom rushed in, towel at the ready. “Is everything okay?”

“Laura, our boy has found his mate, and wait until you hear who she is…”

Mom turned to me. They both looked giddy. Shit.

“It’s Anna.”

She beamed and hugged me so tight I could barely breathe. “I’m so happy for you, honey. You two are so good together.” She pulled back and frowned. “You didn’t tell us you guys reconnected.”

“It just happened.” I blew out a frustrated breath. “Truth is, I’ve known she was my mate since the day of the prom.”

Mom’s jaw slackened, and Dad’s brow furrowed. They looked at each other and back to me. Finally, Dad cleared his throat. “I don’t understand. You didn’t take her to the prom, and you didn’t talk to her again until now?”

“Yeah, I remember.” I groaned. “It was stupid, it’s just…I panicked. I shifted for the first time the night before, and I was on such a high from that, and at the same time I was still shaken up from protecting Luke.”

Not only had I experienced my first run with the Wolf Pack, but afterward, I’d found a jaguar assassin stalking my brother. It was the first time I’d ever taken a life, and it wasn’t sitting well with me when I picked Anna up for lunch the next day.

I sighed, staring at my parents. “I kissed her, and the world tilted on its axis. I knew.”

Mom shook her head. “But you loved that girl. How could you turn your back and walk away?”

I stared at my parents. They’d been together for almost thirty years now. They met after my dad and his Pack brothers escaped from Nero, from Operation Moonlight. He was already in his twenties with visions of opening his own restaurant.

How could I make them understand?

“Anna and I grew up together. Her whole life she’s wanted to be a journalist. She was getting acceptance letters from east coast schools.” I pulled my hair back out of my face. “I was a seventeen-year-old werewolf. How could I have a mate? Was I supposed to marry her while I was bussing tables here and hoping to be a rock star?”

I leaned my elbows on my dad’s worktable, staring down at my hands. “I didn’t know what to do, so I thought I should put her first. If I broke things off, she could go off to college and make her dreams come true.”

“Why didn’t you tell us?” Mom stepped up to the other side of the table. “It’s painful, unbearable, to lose your mate.”

I lifted my head, my eyes burning with tears I’d never let her see. “I couldn’t tell you, or anyone, because you’d try to talk me out of it.”

“That makes no sense.” My dad frowned.

“I killed someone the night before, Dad. It shook me, and I didn’t want her to be a part of our world. It was too dangerous.” I shook my head. Our world wasn’t any safer now. “I couldn’t bear to hold Anna back.”

My dad put his hand on my mom’s shoulder. “It’s water under the bridge now. She’s here. What are you going to do?”

“That’s why I came by. She’s trying to interview me for
Rolling Stone
.”

Mom’s eyes lit up. “You’ve never done an interview before.”

“I don’t care about the magazine, Mom. I want to fix my mistake. I want another chance with her.”

Dad shrugged. “You’ll have to tell her the truth.”

My eyes widened. “Tell a reporter werewolves exist?”

He sighed. “She’s Vivi first, a reporter second.”

“What if she can’t resist? I keep seeing the cover of
Rolling Stone
: ‘Logan Reynolds from Logan and the Howlers
actually
howls.’”

He shrugged. “It’s a risk. But if she’s your mate, and if there’s still love there… It’s your only hope.”

I swiped a hot pad, wringing my frustration into it. “Uncle Niko died to keep our secret from the police, and now you’re standing here encouraging me to spill it to a reporter? And what if she keeps our secret, and she ends up getting hurt?” My gut churned at the thought, as I whispered, “What if she stays, and I can’t keep her safe?”

“Sorry to break it to you, Logan.” My dad patted my shoulder. “There are no guarantees in this life. Not anywhere, with us, or with humans. And as far as telling our secret to a reporter, this is Vivi. The girl you’ve loved since you were a little boy. She loved you, too. You’re not giving her enough credit.”

“And what if you’re giving her too much?”

Mom came around and took my hand. “The police officers wouldn’t have covered for Niko. Werewolves would’ve been in all the papers. Vivi would never want to see that happen to you. She’ll protect you just like you always did her.”

My hands trembled with the fear of the ten-year-old boy who told his uncle good-bye. “What if you’re wrong?”

Mom gave me an empathetic smile. “What if I’m right?”

“I was afraid to tell your mother.” My dad laced his fingers with my mom’s “I lamented over it for weeks, but you know what happened?”

Mom chuckled. “I’d already noticed so many weird things about Nick, like the way he could hear sounds I couldn’t, and he could jump and run faster than any man I’d ever met before. Not to mention he bought an industrial stove and moved it all by himself. Impossible.” She smiled over at him. “After I finished laughing, and started really considering it, I was relieved to know the truth.”

“You’re saying Anna already knows?”

“No.” She shook her head. “I’m saying she knows you’re hiding something. Loving someone means loving all of them, and she can’t do that if you’re keeping a part of yourself hidden.”

Dad came around and pulled us both into his arms. He squeezed my shoulder. “You have to make this decision, son. My gut says that girl would protect you to the ends of the earth, but when it comes down to sharing the truth about who you are…you’re the one who has to believe in her.”

Chapter Eight

Vivianna

I spent the next two hours carefully crafting, rethinking, editing, and finally hitting send on my email to Damian Severino. The questions were probing, but not too tough, and I kept them focused on the connection to the school more than digging into why a defense contractor was expanding into Lake Tahoe.

If I could gain his trust, the rest of the story would come out. For now, I had to be patient.

My cell rang, and I almost jumped out of my skin. Madison’s picture flashed on my screen. “Hey Madison. What’s up?”

“I just got off work. Want to grab a drink someplace?”

I glanced at the clock. Shit. I’d forgotten about drinks. Logan was picking me up later. But maybe he could meet me instead. That was probably safer anyway. “Yeah. Where?”

“Rojo’s has karaoke tonight. Say six o’clock?”

“See you there.”

After sending a text to Logan about the change in plans, I headed into the bathroom to clean up and get changed. My phone dinged.

See you at Rojo’s at seven.

Perfect. I could visit with Madison and then introduce her to Logan. We probably wouldn’t be able to get him to sing karaoke, but having Madison with me would add a safety buffer. There wouldn’t be any passionate lip-locking with her at my side.

Heat flushed my skin, rushing through my body, just thinking about that kiss in the woods. I should be pissed. He had to know he was ruining my chances of ever moving on. No other man kindled the passionate fire inside of me that Logan did. And now that it was fresh in my memory, how could I accept anything less?

We hadn’t even had sex yet.

I splashed cool water on my face, snapping me out of the spell.
Yet?
Oh hell, I needed to get a grip. Enough of letting him drive the bus.

Rojo’s required something…hot. Logan had tempted me all day, so tonight I was turning the tables. Plus, I’d have Madison as my wingman. He could ache for me, see what he tossed to the curb, but he couldn’t have me.

I took my black leather skirt off the hanger and pulled down my crimson silk tank top. My black heels would complete the outfit. I examined my reflection in the mirror and smiled. When we were kids, I was a jeans and a T-shirt kind of girl. It wasn’t until college that I discovered different wardrobes—business casual, cocktail dresses, and clubbing wear.

Tonight was definitely a “tease your ex-boyfriend” ensemble.

I finished off my makeup with red glossy lipstick that matched the crimson top. Not bad. Next I bent over, brushing all my hair up and bundling it into a high ponytail. When I straightened, I pinned it into a messy bun, allowing for a few little tendrils to dangle down. Logan used to love kissing my neck and shoulders whenever my hair was up. And tonight, I’d be off-limits.

I pressed my lips together, wishing I didn’t want to feel the warmth of his mouth on my skin, his teeth teasing me even higher.

Enough!

Leaving the bathroom, I stopped to grab his guitar and then headed to my car. I got to Rojo’s five minutes late. Madison was already at the bar. Her face lit up as I made my way to her.

“Wow!” She gave me a once over. “You look amazing.”

“Thanks.” I smoothed my skirt before stepping up onto the barstool.

“Are you on a manhunt tonight?”

“No. Logan’s coming by in an hour. I just wanted him to see what he lost.”

She raised a brow. “Why is he going to be here?”

“He left his guitar at our place. He’s picking it up.”

Her smile faded. “When did he come to our place? I thought you were through with that jerk.”

“He’s not a jerk. He’s just…” I shook my head. “He wants a second chance.”

“You’re kidding me.” She sipped her drink. “You’re not considering it, are you?”

I ordered a mai tai and shrugged. “Not really.”

She sighed and set her glass on the bar. “Vivi, listen to me. He walked away without a word or an explanation. How do you know he won’t do it again? You’re setting yourself up for heartbreak, sweetie.”

“That’s the thing. I told him there’s no second chance unless he comes clean and tells me why he walked away.”

“Good. And did he tell you?”

“Not yet.”

She shook her head. “Not a good sign.”

“I know.” I paid for my drink and took a couple of swallows.

She nudged me with her shoulder. “Has it occurred to you that maybe the only reason you’re attracted to him right now is to get some closure? If he tells you why, maybe you can finally put him behind you for good.”

Her logic was solid, but that kiss in the woods told another story. Part of me was still his—had always been his.

“Maybe.”

She went and grabbed a notebook of the karaoke song library. “Any luck on your story, or did your ex steal your whole day?”

Hearing her bag on Logan was getting old, but I resisted defending him.

“Actually, Damian responded and said he’d be willing to answer some questions as long as I keep his identity secret.”

“That’s awesome.” She smiled, flipping pages.

I nodded. “Yeah. It took me a while to get the questions squared away, but I sent them over. Hopefully, I’ll know more soon.”

She pointed her perfectly manicured nail to “Fame” by Irene Cara. “I’m feeling eighties tonight.” Pushing the book my way, she grinned. “Your turn.”

“Eighties, huh…” I perused the titles and smiled when I found the perfect song. “‘Total Eclipse of the Heart.’”

Madison wrote the song numbers on a cocktail napkin and took them up to the deejay. I checked the time on my phone. With any luck, we’d be done well before Logan arrived. I wasn’t a
bad
singer, but…I hadn’t had any hit songs or performed in front of sold-out crowds of screaming fans. He didn’t need to see me goofing off at karaoke.

Not that I was trying to impress him. Much.

Madison came back and sipped her drink. “There’s a big line ahead of us, but we’re in the queue.”

Great.

We carried our glasses over to a table and clapped for a great rendition of Kelly Clarkson’s “Since You Been Gone.” After a few more songs, and a refill of my Mai Tai, I’d forgotten all about Logan.

The deejay announced Madison was “on deck,” and I cheered. She grinned and got up to wait beside the booth. “I’m gonna kill it.”

“You always do.”

And she did. Madison was a go-getter in everything she did, karaoke included. She made eye contact with people in the audience and belted out the lyrics with the passion of an eighties pop star.

And I got to follow that. Great.

I stood in the “on deck” area to the right of the deejay booth, my attention on the door. Half of me prayed I’d be finished singing before Logan got here, and the other half willed him to walk in.

Liquid courage warmed me from the inside out, but the second his broad shoulders filled the doorway, my stomach flipped and my pulse kicked up a notch. My lips parted, air rushing into my lungs as he scanned the bar. Finally, his piercing blue eyes found me.

Everything else faded away. The heat from the liquor spread lower, blossoming as my heart raced. He came closer, his gaze never straying from mine, but before he reached me, Madison finished singing and the crowd erupted in cheers. A few people were on their feet, and the deejay shouted at me.

“Go take the mic. This one has a short intro.”

Breaking the spell, I walked over and took the microphone from Madison, who told me, “Knock ’em dead.”

She stepped out of the spotlight as my song started. The lyrics moved across the screen. I fumbled my first cue a little. But after a couple more lines, I lost myself to the music.

I almost missed seeing Madison talking to Logan.

Almost.

And neither of them looked happy.

BOOK: Blue Moon
8.77Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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