ROMANCE: Mason (Bad Boy Alpha Male Stepbrother Romance Boxset) (New Adult Contemporary Stepbrother Romance Collection) (65 page)

“What about your house in Syria?”  Winnie asked. 

“It belonged to my grandfather.  I can either sell it, or rent it.”  She lowered her eyes.  “We have a shifter friend in Syria who’s a policeman.  We would like for you to meet him.”

“Is he looking for a pack?”

“I don’t know.”  Trina responded.  “He might be.  Chris thinks he would be interested.” 

“Then invite him down.” 

Dalton looked over his pack as dishes began to be passed around.  A month earlier he had four, counting himself, and one little quirky human.  Now he had nine, including himself, still had the quirky little human, and a mate.  Yes, life was looking up, and who knew?  The two unborn might grow up to be shifters as well.  Eleven.

As if reading his thoughts, Winnie grinned at him.  “You now have the largest pack in this area of Virginia.” 

Yes, life was definitely looking up. 

“Oh God, I’m underdressed!”  Becky hissed as she and Teddy were escorted into a massive low lit dining room. 

Servers in black tuxedo’s gracefully served drinks and food to two dozen other guests.  It was Halloween night, but for the elite type of crowd currently present, it was just another reason to show off their finest.

Becky touched the front of her faded print dress and hated her cheap black heels.  The dress wasn’t even meant for fall!  It was a short sleeved summer dress, and she was freezing! 

“Don’t worry about it.”  Teddy distractedly replied, as he eyed every female, young and old, as they were taken to a table in the back.  One woman with jet black hair looked up at him coyly, her green eyes vibrant.  Teddy could already taste all the strange he hoped this business deal would bring. 

“Oh, this is just beautiful!”  Becky gushed to the host.  He held the chair out for her, as she touched the edge of the cream and gold table cloth.  She liked how her heels dug into the deep burgundy carpet.  Gold edged the carpet around the room, giving a perfect accent to the table cloth.  The whole place reeked of money.  Old money; and she hoped to meet a sugar daddy.  She glanced at Teddy nervously, as if he could read her thoughts.  A sugar daddy only.  Someone she could hop in and out of bed with, while reaping the financial benefits of such a situation.  She had decided of late (since Autumn was out of the romantic picture) that she really did love Teddy.  She didn’t quite understand why, but she knew that they were alike.  She knew they complimented each other, and she guessed that was enough. 

A waiter with a sparkling white apron tied over back dress pants, approached them and placed his hands behind his back.  “What may I get you both to drink?”

“Do you have Bud?”

“Yes, sir, very good.  And you, madam?”

Becky blushed.  “I would love a glass of champagne.”

“Very good.”  He smirked and walked away.

Teddy leaned towards her, nearly upsetting the candle centerpiece.  The flame flickered madly behind amber clouded glass as he caught it before it toppled over.

“What the hell is wrong with you?  Do you know how much that shit costs?”

Becky made a dismissive gesture.  “The note was an invitation.  Do you really think we’re paying for it?”

Teddy grunted and scanned the room looking for the raven haired beauty.  His eyes locked with hers and she gave him a wolfish smile.  She whispered to her brunette friend before they both looked at him and smiled invitingly.  The brunette winked and ran her teeth slowly over her thick lower lip.  Oh yes, this place suited him just fine. 

Becky looked at the slim menu.  With a frown she tilted her head to the side.  “There aren’t many choices.” 

Teddy tore his eyes away from the women, and gave the menu a cursory glance.  “Four kinds of salad, filet mignon, T-bone, salmon, and some kind of fancy chicken.  Looks like plenty to me.”

The waiter returned with their drinks.  Becky laughed like a young girl as the waiter poured the bubbly liquid in a long stemmed slender glass for her.  He slid a basket of dark bread onto the table with a heavy handled serrated knife for slicing. 

“Are you ready to order?”

Teddy produced the personal invitation from the inside of his brown spots coat.  “Does this mean we’re dining for free?”

The waiter looked over the paper and handed it back.  His smile was icy, but Teddy didn’t notice.  “Yes, sir, you and madam are a guest of Mr. Blacksmith tonight.”

“Blacksmith.”  Teddy said blankly.  “Right.”

“When will he be here to greet us?”

The waiter gave Becky a more genuine smile.  “Mr. Blacksmith doesn’t regularly dine in the common dining room, madam, but he will send for you shortly.”

Becky smiled broadly.  She liked the idea of being sent for.  She sat straighter and tossed her current coppery hair over one shoulder.  She was glad she had decided to let it start growing s few months ago.  It was finally at a good enough length for her to toss it a little bit.  It made her fell sassy.

“I’ll take the T-bone with baked potato.”

“And your vegetable?”  The waiter didn’t write anything down. 

“I don’t know…fries?”

“We don’t serve fries, sir, but I could have some nice asparagus or perhaps you would enjoy a side of broccoli?” 

“Yeah, sure…broccoli it is.” 

“Mam?”  The waiter turned to Becky. 

“I’ll have the Caesar salad and a side of baked chicken if that’s possible.”

“Yes. Mam.”  He bowed slightly and walked away. 

Becky began cutting small pieces of bread from the loaf, and smeared sweet butter across the top.  She took a bite and closed her eyes. 

“Teddy… you’ve got to try this!  It’s like…ambrosia!  It just melts in my mouth!” 

“You didn’t cut me a piece.”  He said flatly.

Becky’s eyes flew open.  “Are your hands broke?”

“No.”  He thinned his lips.  “But yours might be.”

Becky rolled her eyes and cut a slice of bread, tossing it onto the small plate in front of him.

Daniel Blacksmith watched the monitor with amusement.  He elbowed Bretton and his shoulders shook. 

“It’s like the Clampett’s have come to the Bull Mitch.”

Bretton snickered nervously.  He didn’t like these trashy people, and didn’t understand why his master wanted them so badly.  He could just go get the girl himself; why the game?  The again, his master loved games.  It was as if he constantly craved the human experience.  The irony infuriated Bretton.  He only craved the vampire experience. 

“Shall I go get them?”

“Once they’ve eaten.”  He turned the monitor off and closed the elaborate wooden cabinet that held them.  He smiled brightly at Tonya.  “I’m so glad you decided to stay!”

“I don’t stay for you.” 

Daniel’s face didn’t change.  “Makes no difference to me.” 

Tonya kept her face neutral.  To give too much away at this point would be a mistake. 

Daniel turned and snapped his fingers.  “What the hell?  Go ahead and get them.” 

Bretton left the room in long purposeful strides. 

“I think this is the best meal I’ve ever had!”  Becky looked regretfully at her plate.  Her stomach, not used to so much food at once, was packed and felt bloated.

Teddy had torn through his steak and baked potato.  The only thing left was the untouched broccoli. 

“Excuse me?”  Bretton stood beside the table in a similar fashion as the waiter, with hands clasped behind his back.  He enjoyed the feel of the suit he wore.  He didn’t always get to wear the entire thing.  His master liked everyone in his employment to be immaculately dressed, but sometimes an entire suit wasn’t necessary.  When he had to run errands around Luray, like the days he trailed Autumn Coates and her werewolf buddy, he was forced into everyday clothes, like jeans and sneakers.  He wanted to wear the suits every day. 

“Yeah?”  Teddy asked and belched loudly.  He ignored the scandalized look Becky gave him. 

“Mr. Blacksmith would be delighted for you both to join him.” 

A look of satisfaction scampered across Teddy’s face.  “Well, let’s go then.”  He stood and waited for Bretton to help Becky from her chair.  It irritated him how she immediately ran her skinny arm through his.  Just because a man offers you his arm, doesn’t mean you have to take it.  He looked for the black haired girl and her friend, but much to his dismay, they were gone. 

Becky asked question after question as they entered the elevator.  Bretton took her unabashed curiosity in stride.  After all how long would they actually be there? 

When the door swished open to the third floor, Becky Coates was completely speechless.  Daniel had purposefully had the amber scones along the wall dimmed to just a faint glow.  It gave the hallway an eerie presence, giving the brighter space of the open double doors at the end a beckoning allure.  Bretton could feel Becky and Teddy relax as they walked through those doors. 

“Oh my.”  Becky breathed. 

Daniel was leaning against the fireplace and came to them gracefully.  He could see the enamor working in Becky’s eyes as he approached. 

“Thank you for joining me.”  He smiled and kissed her hand, also enjoying the blush which crept up her neck.  “I’m Daniel Blacksmith.”

“Becky Coates.”  She replied weakly.  She felt her flesh begin to throb, and all she wanted, she was sure it was all she had ever wanted, was for him to ravish her. 

Teddy seemed to pick up on her wide eyed vibe, and practically pushed her out of the way.  He shot his hand forward.  “Teddy Roberts.” 

Daniel shook his hand briefly.  “Pleased to meet you.  Please come sit.”  He looked over his shoulder once, noting how Teddy was staring at the hand he had just shook.  He was probably trying to figure out why his skin was so cold now.  “Do you both like chocolate?”

“Yes.”  Becky attempted demure as she following him to the couch he indicated.

Teddy flexed his hand once more before following her.  “Sure.  Who doesn’t like chocolate?” 

Becky looked disappointed as Daniel sat on the couch opposite from them.  She looked even more disappointed as Tonya walked slowly into the room, her low cut green gown sparkling in the flickering candlelight. 

“Bretton, please go down to the kitchens and retrieve the tray of goodies I had cook prepare.”

Bretton vanished without a word. 

“Becky and Teddy, this is my associate Tonya.”

Becky eyed Tonya from head to toe, her blush now caused by envy.  Beside a woman like that, she was just worn and faded. 

Teddy was openly ogling Tonya earning him a snarky comment. 

“Want a picture?  It might last longer.”  Tonya sat as far from Daniel on his couch as she could.  She gave her tawny hair a good shake.  She had purposefully teased it and made it as wild as possible.  She knew Daniel hated stuff like that.  She narrowed her light brown eyes at the two humans across from her.  Tonya leaned an elbow on the slender arm of the antique couch and stared at them until they looked away. 

“Why did you invite us here?”  Teddy asked gruffly, turning his attention to his host.  He didn’t like getting bettered by a woman. 

Daniel crossed one leg over the other and rested both hands on his knee.  “Another associate of mine is an associate of yours.  I thought we should meet.  We also have another…acquaintance.”

Teddy narrowed his eyes.  “What associate?”

“Dionte Jackson.”

Becky’s eyes enlarged and glanced at Teddy quickly.  Teddy remained nonplussed. 

“We do a little work for him…so what?”  He tried to mimic Daniel’s cool demeanor and cross his legs too, but his bulk made it uncomfortable, forcing him to slide his leg back in place beside the other.  He chose to relax his posture and rest an arm over the back of the couch instead.  The detailed carved wood bit into his forearm, but he didn’t move it. 

Daniel pulled the corners of his lips downward momentarily and shrugged lightly. 

“There’s no problem, Mr. Roberts.  I just thought you may want to do a little work for me as well.” 

Teddy licked his lips.  “You said we had another acquaintance too.  Who is it?” 

Bretton sat the tray of delicacies on the coffee table.  Becky stared with open curiosity at the tray.  There were strawberries dipped in dark chocolate, and little petit fours.  She had always wanted one of those tiny pretty cakes. 

Teddy could care less about the tray.   He repeated his question.  “What acquaintance?”       

“Autumn Coates.”   

Becky’s body involuntarily lurched forward, her eyes bugging from their sockets.  “You’ve seen my daughter?  She’s…she’s been missing for weeks!” 

“Shut up.”  Teddy said quietly.  He leaned forward and rubbed the palms of his now sweaty hands together. 

“Don’t tell me to shut up!  She’s my daughter!”  Becky thumped her chest.  

“I said shut up!”  Teddy roared. 

Tonya twisted her lips in amusement.  These humans were proving to be entertaining after all.   

“Now there’s no need to offend the lady.”  Daniel chastised gently.  “It’s obvious she’s worried about Autumn.”  He offered the handkerchief from his jacket pocket as a fat tear fell from one of Becky’s eyes.