Niko: Love me Harder (12 page)

“I’ve a better idea. I talked to death recently and he agreed dying isn’t fun. How about we live for each other?” She gave him a smile.

“Sounds like a plan.”

He held her hand tight. Leaning down he kissed her.

“Do you think you can put up with Nicolas sticking and pinching you as he looks you over?”

She nodded her head. “Tell him if he sticks or pinches me I’ll knock him out.”

“You bet.”

He walked out of the room to collect Nicolas.

This was commitment. This is what it felt like to stay with someone, even when the chips were down. She’d been so sure there would be none of that in her life, yet here she lay ready to stay by his side.

She looked up to see them entering the room together, brothers who looked so vastly different. No one would call them brothers unless they knew. But there was something. Was it the looks in their eyes or the swagger in their steps? There was something that declared them family.

“Dee I just want to take a look at you. Your lung was hit and I need to make sure you’re okay.”

“Nicolas, I hate to disagree with you, but I’m smart enough to know that if my lung was hit, I wouldn’t feel this good. I say that with the understanding that I feel like a car ran over me, then backed up. A punctured lung would put me in the hospital, maybe even the grave.”

“You’re right. That’s where you should be, one or the other. You have Dante to thank for not being there.”

She frowned. Nicolas was an excellent doctor, he practiced in several different fields of medicine. Right now he was talking like he was crazy.

“What?”

“The Rowl. How much of it did you eat?”

“A lot that stuff is addicting. The more you eat the more you want and it taste’s so good. It’s not like a drug. You said it was safe.”

“It’s not a drug and it’s safe. It’s also laced with a healing property that would have no effect on you whatsoever unless a certain created took a nip, exchanging blood.”

“How would Dante know?”

“He has to have their blood.” Neither wanted to be the first to go down that road.

Niko nodded considering this. “He’s a good friend to have, if that is the case.”

“He’s a good friend either way.”

“I know. Do you think his brothers are like him?”

“Possibly.”

“Would someone tell me what’s going on?”

“Dante added something to your Rowl that would help you heal faster. It would only work if I bit you, exchanging DNA. We don’t waste our raw materials, so he would only add it if he was sure. Between what he added and Nicolas, your life was spared. I have great brothers.”

She didn’t like the fact that Dante hadn’t told her, but she was alive because of it. She wanted them to trust her, to include her in their secrets, but trust was a two way street. It was a street she hadn’t gone down with any of them except Niko. She’d made it clear when she’d stayed with Aran and Rena that she didn’t want to get too close to anyone.

“You do have great brothers. So what did Dante’s little cocktail do for me?”

“You’re not going to be dancing anytime soon, but your lungs responded to a therapy, although not an intense one, that I would’ve used on my brothers in the same situation. So you’re mending, and given time, will be as good as new. For now no straining, no heavy lifting and sleep when your body tells you too. I have meds for you to take that will help. Keep eating the Rowl and see your friendly neighborhood doctor.”

She gave a tired laugh. “I think I can manage all of that. How long do I have to stay in bed?”

“You can get up tomorrow, as long as you heed my warnings.”

“Can I leave the house, with Niko, if I need too?”

“As long as you don’t over do it.”

“You should rest now. I’ll go tell everyone that you’re going to pull through.”

“Kitten, I’m going to go downstairs. I’ll be back soon. Sleep.” He leaned over and kissed her before following Nicolas out.

“Is she really going to be fine?”

Nicolas had stopped to wait for him at the top of the stairs.

“She should pull through no problems.”

“Then why do you look like that?”

“First Aran gets shot, from a bullet made on the planet Yulen, although most Yulens would never use a bullet like that. Then Rena is threatened, followed by Dee being kidnapped and now shot. I think someone is after us. This anger, it feels personal, like he wants to destroy us. What’s the best way to destroy the created?”

“Kill his Mate.”

Chapter Twenty

“Nicolas is here, carrying a bouquet of flowers. Would someone like to explain that to me?”

Dee threw Nicolas a devious smile and started to laugh. The two of them had been making out in the family room when Nicolas walked in. Making out, was all she could manage, but soon she would be well.

“Dee are you trying to get me killed?”

“He won’t kill you, yet. He likes to collect evidence first.”

“Not where you’re concerned. Tell him. Now.”

“Nicolas you take all of the fun out of life.” She loved to see Niko get possessive and she knew he wouldn’t hurt Nicolas.

“I like keeping the life in my life.” He grumbled putting the flowers down next to her, where she sat on Nikos lap, effectively keeping him from getting up and hurting Nicolas.

“The flowers are for Mr. Cohen. He’s a nice gentleman who is elderly. Every year for his birthday, his wife gave him flowers. She died several months ago and this year he won’t have any flowers.” She shrugged and blinked fast. “Everybody should have flowers.”

Niko stared up at her, his eyes brimming with love. Nicolas’s mouth hung open as he stared at her, respect shining deep in his eyes.

“I want that.” The whispered confession was so low that only Niko heard him. Nicolas met Niko’s gaze with eyes that were slightly shiny. “I want someone with a heart like your mate and my sister.”

Niko inclined his head barely, letting him know he’d heard and understood.

“So how do we deliver the flowers, kitten?”

“We go to the coffee shop.” She got up with a little more energy than she’d earlier that day.

She went to the stairs with a pep in her step, wondering if she could manage to run up them.

“Take it easy, doctor’s orders.” Nicolas called out after her. Her laughter was all they heard in response.

“How’s she doing?”

“She gets stronger every day and then she wants to do more.” Niko Replied. “How do you think she’s doing?”

“For a female who should’ve died on the table I think she’s doing remarkably well. She’s recovering quicker than I thought she would, even with Dante’s herbs. When will you complete the claiming?”

“I’m waiting for her to recover.”

“Until you claim her, she’s in more danger.”

Niko looked down and examined the pattern of the rug for a minute. Funny, he never really paid attention to it.

“Nicolas, I still need to explain to her what that will mean for her. Also, I need for her to be well before I decide to bite.”

Nicolas heard him, but he heard the unspoken words louder. Niko wanted to be, needed to be, balls deep in his mate before he bit her. It was a biologic imperative, a trait they all shared to some degree. It was something none of them thought they could fight.

“Are you guys ready?” Dee asked coming into the room.

She’d slipped into a pair of jeans that hugged her ass and made Niko lick his lips. She’d topped it with a red top that showed off her chocolate skin. She looked good enough to eat.

She was bouncing from foot to foot. She’d been cooped up in the house with Niko for two long weeks. She couldn’t work, but she could live with that. She had lots of time to take. Normally she wouldn’t complain, but all she could do was kiss and make out a little.

She’d tried to get a small taste of him, but he’d stopped her. No getting excited. He’d repeated Nicolas’s words verbatim. If she could’ve gotten her hands around Nicolas’s neck, he would be a goner by now.

She happily followed them out to the car. The ride to the coffee shop was spent on talks of who was the best warrior and what defenses they would use when everyone could gather for a war on their planet.

She’d sat back and listened to the good natured bickering. She was part of the created family. She would’ve never thought something like this could happen as she’d huddled in bed, scared to make a move as a child.

She picked up the flowers and exited the car when they reached the coffee shop. Mmm, coffee. She couldn’t wait for a cup. She walked in and waved to her friend.

“How’s the book coming?”

“It’s golden.”

She shook her head. “When do I get to read it?”

“Soon.”

Dee laughed and walked over to the counter. They had the same conversation every time she asked about the book.

“Hey I was beginning to miss seeing you.”

“You’re a site for sore eyes, Jim. How are you? Still conquering school?”

“Like a hero. I’ll be done soon. It gets closer every day. Makes me wonder what tomorrow will bring.”

“Word of advice, plan for tomorrow, live in today.”

“Noted. What can I get you? The usual? And who are your friends?”

She turned around and smiled at both Niko and Nicolas who were acting like they had never been in a coffee shop.

“The one with the blonde hair is my guy and the other is his brother.”

Jim stared at her for a moment before a fake frown covered his lips.

“I knew I would lose you if I didn’t move sooner. But how could I with school and all? I knew I would need an education to deserve you. Now what will I do?”

She watched him, trying not to laugh at his antics. He was too cute.

“I know how heartbroken you are. But you must go on without me.”

He wiped at an imaginary tear. “It’ll be hard, but I’ll survive.”

They broke out into small chuckles.

“Let me get your coffee. Do your friends want anything?”

“Give them the same.”

He nodded and walked away.

“What was that all about?”

“Jim? He’s a nice kid working his way through college. We tease a lot. It makes the late nights go faster.”

Niko retrieved the cups Jim put up and they found a comfortable seat. Dee sipped her drink, then moaned. Niko swallowed hard.

“Mr. Cohen should be here soon. Honestly, I’m surprised he isn’t here yet.”

They sipped their coffee and Dee told them about some of the people she’d met since hanging out at her local coffee shop.

She looked at the clock on the wall again. Mr. Cohen should’ve been here by now. She wasn’t liking the feeling in the pit of her stomach.

“Kitten, everything ok?”

“He should’ve been here by now, Niko. What if something happened to him?”

“He probably decided to stay in to mourn his loss in private.”

“No, Niko. You don’t know him. I do. I’m telling you, he should be here.”

“Do you know where he lives, kitten? We could take the flowers to him.”

She beamed at him. “That’s a great idea.”

She went back up to the counter, waiting for Jim to come over. She bent over and whispered in his ear. They talked several minutes, then she reached over the counter and hugged him.

“Let’s go. He lives close to here. We can leave the car parked and walk. They moved out of the up and coming neighborhood quickly and entered the world of people who had raised their children in homes they had owned for decades.

They were on a tree lined street that was clean and neat.

“He’s at 707.” They stood in front of an older home that looked like it could use some TLC, but still had the feel of being loved. There were rose bushes in front of the house and a welcome rug that had daisies on it.

“His wife planted those rose bushes. He told me that they almost broke up once. They were having this huge fight and he said why do you get all the flowers? I like them too you know. She hadn’t known, but he knew everything about her. That’s when she figured out that she was loving him how she thought a man wanted to be loved, not how he wanted to be loved. He never had to ask for flowers again. Every year for his birthday, he got them.”

They moved to the porch and knocked. No one answered. She knocked again and called out his name. “Mr. Cohen, it’s me Dee.”

Niko reached out and twisted the knob. The door opened without a creak. She turned to look at them. “Should we go in?”

“Yes, this looks like an invitation to me.” Niko took a deep breath, preparing to change if he needed to.

Nicolas did the same. Both of them smelled the scent of the created. It was twisted, but it was there.

“Stay behind us Dee.”

She nodded and followed them in.

“Mr. Cohen.” Niko called out. “We’re friends of Dee’s. We’re here to make sure you’re alright.”

They walked through the house calling out. There was no sign of him. They walked up the steps.

His body lay in the hallway.

“Is he dead?” Dee asked, as a sense of horror washed over her.

Chapter Twenty-one

Nicolas was on the floor checking Mr. Cohen. “He’s going to live. There’s no doubt a created was here. The question is why? Why would he come here?”

Nicolas stood with Mr. Cohen in his arms and walked him to the bedroom. He laid him down and ran out. “Going to get my bag.”

“Do you think he came after him as a warning to me? What could the warning be?”

She looked lost and scared. As long as she was in Niko’s house, which doubled as a mini fortress, she’d felt safe. She’d almost talked herself into believing that it was all a misunderstanding. Almost.

This was no misunderstanding. It was done deliberately. He was letting her know that he knew her, followed her, and that he could strike anywhere or anytime. He wanted her to know there was nothing she could do about it.

“Will he come back?’

“No, he did what he wanted. It’s over. He wanted to send a message.”

“Margaret? You remembered the flowers. You always remember.” Mr. Cohen muttered. “I miss you so much, I almost came to see you today, but at the last minute they said it wasn’t my time.”

Dee went over and sat on the bedside, taking his hand. “Not yet, Harry. You have to live. The kids still need you. Stay with the children for a while longer.”