Force of Nature Series Boxed Set (Books 1 - 4) (6 page)

“Not much. How does…no, I won’t tell you. You come over and come hungry. I’ll make your favorite dessert, though. How about carrot cake with cream cheese frosting?”

“How about I marry you and you simply cook for me for the rest of my life? However, if you cook like that all the time, then I won’t live that long. What time?”

They agreed about a time and she nearly hung up when he stopped her. “I had the rig moved today. That Force guy is aptly named. He wants to talk to you. I sort of told him you were out of town. I don’t know what he meant, but he seemed to think that the two of you have unfinished business and was pissed when I told him. Do you think he’ll hurt you because you popped him in the nose?”

CJ didn’t know for sure. He didn’t seem like the violent type, but then neither had her father. She finished putting the tea maker together to brew a pot of tea before she answered.

“No. I don’t know why I think that, but I do. He was pissed about not being able to talk to me? What does he want?”

“Don’t know, love, but he will probably not sign off on the house until you do. Want me to set something up? It won’t be until after the weekend.” She heard his car door shut and knew he was home.

“No, not now. If he persists then yeah, but not now. If he doesn’t want the house then I’m sure we can find another buyer for it.” She looked out the window and down into the parking lot. Her rig was sitting there under the lights. “Phil, don’t sell the rig just yet. I might not like this stationary living.”

After she’d hung up, she went to the bedroom. She couldn’t sleep. Thoughts of Austin and him pressing her against the wall kept her awake. Finally, she got up, went into the kitchen, and brewed herself a cup of tea. The man was going to drive her crazy, she just knew it.

~
Chapter Five
~

Austin worked until he couldn’t stand up anymore. His fingers hurt and his back was killing him. He’d gotten the chairs done for the Anderson order and the table just needed another coat of gloss. As he ran his hand over the smooth surface of the seat, he could feel his connection to the wood somehow. Eight chairs and two more with arms was a big gathering. Austin was pleased with the work and had enough wood left over that he made a small cabinet and sink for their little girl. It was a personal thing for him that he loved making things for children, and couldn’t wait to do so for some of his own pack members—as soon as he got a few anyway, he thought with a grin.

Austin made furniture and anything else that had to do with wood. He loved to design his own stuff and never tired of thinking up new ways of blending different types of woods together to make it unique. It also relaxed him to pull something out of the wood and make it into something.

Force Enterprise had been his father’s business, and he and his brothers had all worked for him and with him for years. Force made furniture to last. When his father had been killed ten years ago by a drunk driver, Austin had decided to move on, and his mom and family had come with him. He’d never looked back on the other pack or the life he’d left behind.

Austin was just closing up when someone tapped him on the shoulder. He turned to find his sister standing there with a huge grin on her face and her arms opened wide. Picking her up, he swung her around until she begged him to put her down.

“So, did you miss me? I know I did you. Mom said that you found your mate and that you’ve decided you’re too good for her.” Holly grinned at him as he put his arm around her and walked to the house beside her. “She also said the girl beat the snot out of you for trying to mark her.”

“Mom talks too much. I did not say I was too good for her, but she’s Webber’s daughter. I would think she of all people would understand that bit of news.”

Webber had shot Dallas one night. Dallas had been out for a quick run about six months ago and had come home with a bullet in his leg. The she-wolf he was with hadn’t fared so well, and had died at the hospital a few hours later. Webber had told everyone she was a werewolf and that was why he’d shot her. The trial had never started because Webber himself had died before it could begin. Dallas still blamed himself for her death.

“Don’t know, big brother, just telling you what I heard. Is she pretty? Will I like her?” Holly winked at him before she danced away with a grin. “I’m going to love her, I just know it.”

Austin looked over at the top of the house that CJ lived in. He had been by the house three times in the past two days and still hadn’t seen her. The rig was gone and he’d found himself driving around trying to find it parked somewhere. He wanted to talk to her and he wasn’t happy that her lawyer wasn’t doing what he’d wanted. Tomorrow was Thanksgiving, and he wanted her to meet his family. Frustrated with himself, he tried again to tell himself that he didn’t want to see her only to make stupid plans like having her over for dinner.

He looked at his cell when a text came through from his brother Dallas. He nearly leapt with joy when he read what he’d sent.

Found her. She’s at the bar The Jewel. Remember the job we did for old man Carson? She has the apartment upstairs. Good luck
.

Austin rounded the house and went to the garage. He’d explain later, and was already out on the street when he stopped to answer his brother.

Thanks. Coming home, or do I have to come and kick your ass again
?

His phone rang when he sent it. “No, I’ll be there. I have a few things to work out before I can leave.” Dallas had something on his mind and Austin knew it.

“Tell me. You know you want to so spill it.” He drove toward the bar with the headset on and waited.

“I did a little background check on your mate. You should know that her father made quite a scene a few years back. He hated CJ. I don’t mean in the ‘I wanted a son and have you’ sense, but the ‘I really hate you’ sense. He apparently beat her mom because she had the nerve to get ‘with child,’ as he told the courts, and he’d not wanted a kid. He hit CJ at her mom’s funeral and told her he never wanted to see her again.”

Austin pulled over to the side of the road. “Why? Why did he hate her? I mean, I can see him hating the woman…well, not really. A child, Dallas…why would a man not want a child?”

“He seemed to think with a kid he’d not inherit anything from the family—her mom’s family, not his. He was even more of a bastard than we’d thought.”

For his brother to say that, it meant a lot. Dallas had sworn that he’d hate the man until his dying day. Unfortunately, the man died before Dallas had a chance to see him brought to trial.

“Are you going to bring what you have with you tonight? I’d like to read it all. I’m…I’m not saying that I’m going to mate with her, but I do plan to see her. We have to talk.” 

Austin wasn’t happy when his brother snorted, but chose to ignore it. After several more minutes of conversation where neither of them said much, Austin told his brother he’d see him that night. Austin started the car again and pulled out into traffic. He pulled up in the parking lot of the bar five minutes later.

There were two cars in the lot; he didn’t know either. One was a small red sports car, the other a monster of an SUV, both with temporary tags. He went around to the stairs he knew were in the back and climbed them. He was just about to knock when the door was opened. Phil Campbell stood there with a huge grin on his face.

“She’s in the bathroom. I’m betting she doesn’t know you found her yet, huh?” Austin looked at the man, wondering what he meant. “Oh, I know your brother found her. Had I not wanted him to, he wouldn’t have. Come in.”

Austin walked in the door and looked around. She’d made it hers. There was brilliant color everywhere, including the kitchen where they now stood. He walked over to the living room area and ran his hand along the soft blanket that lay on the back of the couch. Austin turned to look at Phil.

“You helped him how, exactly? And what the hell are you doing here all cozy?” Austin flushed when Phil laughed. “Sorry, that didn’t come out right.”

“I didn’t hide her in tons of paper work and false names. That’s how her father never found her. I’ve been around enough to know how to do that. As for me being cozy? She’s not my mate, but my friend. You’d do well to remember that, wolf.”

Austin felt the small surge of power from the man before him. “Vampire. You’re a vamp. I don’t understand. How is that even possible?”

“I’m assuming that you mean ‘how am I a day walker’ and not that you don’t believe I can exist. My mother is a vampire, my father is human. I got just enough of his DNA to allow it. And before you ask, no, CJ doesn’t know. I wasn’t sure at first how to tell her, and then….” Phil shrugged. “Then it didn’t seem necessary. Have you told her what you are and what you are to her?”

“No. I’m not even sure I want her to be my mate yet. I need…her father was Charles Webber and he did—”

“Yes, I know. But you should also know that he did worse to her. He never liked her. He wanted her dead from the very beginning. Her mom, Rebecca, was a wonderful woman, if a little on the whiny side. She should have stood up to him. Instead, she let her health go in the hopes that he’d kill her and she wouldn’t suffer any more. Unfortunately, or in this case, fortunately, CJ found out and his true colors were shown.” Phil sat down. “She’s coming now, and for your own good, I’d avoid the topic of me.”

Austin turned to the voice coming down the hall. He never stopped being surprised by her beauty and grace. She was on the phone and only seemed to pause a second before she continued with her conversation. He sat down at the table with the vamp and waited.

~~~

CJ didn’t want either man there, but didn’t want to kick Phil out on his ear. He had brought her a house-warming gift…she just wasn’t sure if she should have him return it or if she was going to keep it. Brice Preston came back on the phone.

“Okay, CJ. I got a run going out…nope, won’t work. They want a driver with our rig. Can’t make that work. I do have…shit, that won’t work either. I tell you, girl, if you’d called me two days ago, I’d a had you all kinds of work.”

CJ ignored both men as she pulled a pitcher of tea out of the refrigerator. She wasn’t going to be polite and offer either of them one, but Austin stood up, took out two more glasses, and poured him and Phil a glass. She was so frustrated she felt her teeth grind. 

“What about after the holiday? Maybe I could take a few long distances for you. I have a sleeper cab and my permits are all caught up for crossing over lines.” CJ turned away from Austin’s raised brow. “I could even leave tomorrow if you need something.”

“Well…let me get back to you on that. I do have some short hops we can let you take out. You know how much the others hate them things. I can see if one of the drivers want to give up a few for ya. Can I call you…say on Friday? I’ll have things all firmed up for you then.”

“Sure, Brice, that’d be great. I guess stationary life isn’t what I’d thought it would be.” She took out a pen and wrote a maybe next to Brice’s name for runs. “I’ll look forward to hearing from you.”

When they hung up, she stood with her back to the two men in her kitchen and took a deep breath. When she turned around, she thought she had better control over herself. She was wrong.

“I don’t suppose you’re making plans to visit an uncle, are you? Because as far as you leaving on a long haul, that’s so not going to happen.” Austin looked over at Phil when he snickered. “What?”

“I think he’s trying to tell you to shut up.” She picked up both men’s coats and held them out. “I’m very happy you both stopped by, but as you can see, I have everything under control and I no longer need a father figure.”

They didn’t move. She wanted to stomp her foot and demand that they get out, but she was pretty sure she’d only make herself look foolish. She dropped the coats back on the chair and stalked toward the hall again.

“Then stay. I don’t give a shit. I’m tired and I’m going to go to bed. When you leave, lock up.” She was nearly to the hall when she felt hands wrap around her waist. “Put me down, you moron. I didn’t invite you here, and neither one of you are on my buddy list tonight.”

Austin sat her in the kitchen chair and Phil put his hand on hers when she made to move. “Don’t,” was all he said before Austin sat too. “We need to have a conversation with you, and you’ll do much better sitting down.” Phil looked over at Austin before he continued. “I think it’s time we both come clean with her. She needs to hear it from us so that she’ll better understand what we want from her.”

Austin nodded. “All right. But I haven’t a clue what to say or even how to start this. It’s going to be one hell of a shock for her to—”

“Hello, right here,” CJ snarled at them. “If you’re going to talk around me then I don’t need to be here for it. If you don’t mind, as I was saying, I’m going to—”

“I’m a vampire. He’s a werewolf.” She looked at Phil as he made his statement, then over at Austin, who nodded at her. “We need to make you understand what we are, because it’s going to become important that you know. Especially now.”

“Especially now. Now why? No, don’t tell me,” she told him when he started to speak. “It’s because of the zombies, and they won’t touch me because of you two. Or I know, I have to know now because…you’re pregnant and having Austin’s baby. No, that doesn’t work either. Let me think.”

CJ felt her mind race. She had heard of people believing they were vampires and werewolves, but she’d never actually met one. The other day she had been reading something about dentists who were implanting teeth in the mouths of their patients to make them appear to have canines or fangs. There were even contacts that made their eyes turn to a golden hue or glow.

“He’s not lying, CJ. He’s really a vampire, though he’s a day walker because he’s a half breed…no offense meant,” Austin said to Phil. “He didn’t tell me how old he is, but I would say…well, nearly three hundred, give or take.”

“Very good. I’m nearly three hundred and twenty-six. And none taken. I think I look good for my age, don’t you?” Phil looked at her and winked. “How you doing, kid?”

“Peachy.” CJ got up to pace. “So, you’ve been my friend for nearly ten years and I’m just now finding out you have an alter ego? Is that what you call it? I’m not sure.”

“Hmm, a little tense yet. You’ll work it out.” Phil got up and refreshed her tea as he explained. “I don’t have an alter ego, love. I’m just me.”

“So, do you turn into a bat? And you.” She pointed to Austin. “Do you turn into a dog or something once a month?”

“I’m a wolf, not a dog. And yes, I turn once a month with the pull of the moon. But I can shift when I want.” His tone made her mad.

“Look, buster, you two just told me a wild tale of mythical creatures and I’m supposed to buy it? Back off.” She started pacing more. “You guys really believe this crap and you want me to go along with you. I should be locked up. All of us. I think I need a drink.” She started for the stairs when she suddenly turned around and looked at the men. “You both should go home. I’m going to be awhile.”

She went to the bar and then around to the business side of it. The liquor had been delivered the day before. She had planned to open the following night, with the televisions on to all the games and drinks served all night. But when she had sat down and tried to tell herself she was going to make it, she felt an overwhelming need to run. And then Phil had shown up, and not ten minutes later, Austin. She grabbed the first bottle she saw and started to read the label. She knew the moment Austin entered the bar.