ROMANCE: Mason (Bad Boy Alpha Male Stepbrother Romance Boxset) (New Adult Contemporary Stepbrother Romance Collection) (79 page)

“I want Serena and Tamara taken to your house, Chuck.  One other wolf needs to be with them.  I don’t think they would be in any real danger, but their condition warrants extra caution.”  He looked around the room, assessing power levels.  “Saeed, I’ll need you to be with them.” 

Saeed nodded, pride filling his chest that he would be chosen as their protector. 

Dalton continued.  “I want two shifted before his headlights even hit the driveway.  The two shifted will watch and make sure nothing funny happens.  I’m sure he won’t be alone, and I’ll need time on my side.  Vampires are lightning fast; we won’t have much time to shift if need be.”  He looked to Trina and Chris.  “The two of you maybe?” 

Chris and Trina nodded. 

“So, that leaves Winnie, Chuck, Brian, and myself here with Autumn.”

“And me!”  Mika piped in indignantly. 

Dalton’s face softened.  “Oh, I’m sorry Mika, I forgot.  You should probably go with Saeed.” 

“No way!”  She shook her pony tailed head furiously.  “I’m not pregnant!  I’m staying with Brian!” 

Dalton frowned.  “Mika, this could be dangerous.”

“Any more dangerous than anything else so far?” 

“Maybe.  Yes, definitely.” 

Mika shrugged.  “I stay with Brian.” 

Dalton looked at Brian and tilted his head to the side.  “I’m alpha, but she’s your mate.  It’s your call.” 

Brian looked uncertainly down at Mika’s determined face.  “She stays with me.”

“Alright.”  Dalton said, and held Brian’s gaze a second too long.  The discussion about offering the gift to Mika needed to happen soon since she always wanted to be in the middle of things. 

Dalton addressed the group as a whole.  “Serena, go ahead and get whatever you need for the night.  I think it best if you three just stay there until morning; just in case.”  He waited until the three had gone to Serena’s room to get her things before addressing the rest of the group.  “I don’t want any nonsense tonight.  If a sucker tries to bait any of you into a fight or whatever just let it be.  I want this as peaceful as possible.”

“You know that won’t happen.”  Chris said.  “Daniel Blacksmith is a mean bastard and he never does anything on the up and up.”

“That’s the rumor.  Let’s just hope it isn’t true.” 

Daniel smiled as his two vehicles pulled into Dalton Brown’s driveway.  He liked how the trees clung closely to the sides of his bumpy little drive.  Mainly pine and cedar, the evergreens would give the comfort of seclusion year round.  He would remember that fine point after he had taken this place from him. 

Daniel exited the Suburban, his veins singing with his recent feast, and smelled the chilly air.  Yes, this was a beautiful natural place.  He was happy to see Dalton’s pack lined up in front of his squalor style house.  Although he was sure this wasn’t the pack en masse.

Dalton stepped forward as Daniel stepped in front of his vehicle.  He allowed his eyes to sweep the small group with Daniel, relieved this was all it was, although the man who got out of the Mercedes was the biggest he had ever seen.  If he were to bet, he would put his money on 6’7” and at least three hundred pounds, but probably a little more.  He wasn’t fat per say, but his muscle stretched against the black fabric of his suit, giving it an ill-fitting look.  Tonya was with him. 

The other people climbed from the Suburban: the servant Autumn and he had seen in Luray, a pair of tall Vampires with mischievous beautiful swarthy faces, and that left only one other.  She had to be Autumn’s mother. 

The woman saw Autumn and took a step towards her, but Daniel outstretched his arm blocking her way. 

“Daniel, let me see her!”

“You can see her just fine, darling, and you can talk with her later.  I’m sure there will be much for the two of you to talk about.” 

“Alright, Daniel, you have what you wanted; spit this precious information out.”  Dalton said.

“Dalton, your place is so…homey…so white trash.  It suits you.” 

“Funny.” 

“Are you not going to invite me in?” 

“No.” 

Autumn spoke softly to Dalton, and Daniel’s mouth curved as he clearly heard every word she said. 

“Yes.”  Daniel called out.  “That would be just fine.  Becky and I could come in and our entourage can wait out here.”  He looked at Winnie directly.  “Of course, I’m sure Winnie and Tonya would like to be part of the conversation as well.”

Winnie looked at her sister.  Tonya returned the look and demurely stepped to Daniel’s side. 

“Fine.”  Dalton said tightly. 

Chuck stopped Dalton with his hand to his chest.  They didn’t speak but Dalton understood what he wanted. 

“She’ll be fine.  I’ll make sure of it.”

“You better.”  Chuck said.  His tone more desperate than demanding. 

Daniel and Becky sat at the kitchen table with Autumn, and Tonya and Winnie stood on opposite sides of the table.  Essentially each choosing their current sides of loyalty, with Tonya behind Daniel and Winnie behind Autumn.  Dalton stood to Winnie’s right within a hand’s breath of Autumn’s head. 

“Let’s get right down to business.” 

“You look good, Mom.”  Autumn said and meant it.  She hadn’t seen her mother look so kept and young since she was a child.  “You must be laying off the booze.”

“Sort of.”  Becky replied, her eyes searching Autumn’s face. 

“That should be our first order of business.”  Daniel said cheerfully.  He cut into Autumn with his strange eyes.  “You see, she’s not your mother.”

“What?”  Autumn turned her head slightly s if she hadn’t heard him very well. 

Daniel played along and leaned forward, raising his voice.  “She’s not your mother.” 

“Then who is she?”

“Your aunt.”  He said plainly. 

Autumn looked to Becky to deny the accusation, but Becky could do nothing but lower her eyes. 

“You do remember the painting of myself and Leanne Coates, my wife?”

Autumn nodded her head, her stomach twisted.  She didn’t want him to continue.  She didn’t want to hear another word.  Dalton crossed one arm over his stomach and ran a hand over his mouth, keeping his eyes on Autumn’s head. 

“The thing is,” Daniel continued.  “Leanne did a foolish thing.  She was still human at the time, and that may have played a part in her devious scheme, but she stole my own child from me.  She was pregnant…with you…and spirited herself away to your Grandmother and Aunt here,” He indicated Becky with a trivial flip of his hand.  “She left you with Becky of all people!”   He laughed cruelly. 

“No.”  Autumn whispered weakly.  “You’re lying.”

Daniel frowned and shook his head slowly. 

Autumn looked at Becky who was leaking silent tears all over the front of her silk blouse.  She had the bizarre thought to tell her to take it off if she was going to cry.  Instead her body convulsed into reaction.  She pushed away from the table and staggered to her feet. 

“No!”

Winnie gave Dalton a startled look, her brow creased.

“The truly sad thing is that you were cheated!  Cheated of two wonderful things!  The first being my vampire blood; it’s in your body right now, waiting to be born, and the second is your natural witch blood.” 

Autumn gave a strangled cry and her eyes bulged.  “What are you talking about?”  Dalton reached for her but she shrugged him off.

“Becky you can take over now.”  Daniel said, clearly enjoying himself. 

“You…”  Becky didn’t know where to start and couldn’t even look at Autumn.  Autumn slammed the palms of her hands and on the table in front of Becky. 

“Look at me, you bitch!  I deserve that much!”

Becky’s eyes shot upward.  “We’re witches, Autumn!  Your grandmother, her mother, Leanne, me…maybe you too, I don’t know.”

“How would I not know this?  Any of this?”  Autumn’s voice screeched to near screaming.  Her face hand turned a scarlet red and Dalton seriously worried that she would have a stroke.

“I purposely didn’t teach you.  I told Leanne I wouldn’t.  I told her I would raise you like a normal child.”

Autumn straightened, her voice suddenly calm.  “A normal child.” 

Becky nodded.

“A normal child who was always living dirt poor while her mother drank herself to near death and snorted crap up her nose and on occasion shot things in her veins?  A normal child whose mother turned tricks in dirty bathrooms?  And eventually this normal child grew to an insecure woman with an abusive boyfriend whom you fucked on a regular basis.  That kind of normal, right?” 

Becky shook her head, snot running from her nose.  Autumn rounded the table and practically pushed Tonya out of the way to get to the paper towels.  Tonya looked at this human with a new light in her eyes.  She was a strong one. 

Autumn handed the paper towel to Becky but she didn’t take it.  Autumn shook it closer to her nose and stamped her foot. 

“Take the damn towel!  I don’t want your snot on my kitchen table!” 

Daniel raised his eyebrows.  “My goodness, you have a strength, don’t you?” 

“Don’t talk to me.” 

“But talk we must.  I want you to come home with me.  I want to share all of the glorious things I was never allowed to share before.” 

“Absolutely not!”  Dalton shot out.

Daniel observed him coolly.  “It’s not up to you…dog.  Feel lucky, originally I wanted her as a replacement for Leanne.  Obviously I can’t bed my own daughter.” 

“What about Whitley?  Why was she kept from us?”  Winnie asked, her voice starting low, but ending with force.

“Who?”  Daniel asked, then smiled coldly.  “Ah yes, Tonya.”  He shrugged.  “I never forced her to stay away from her family.  I simply encouraged her to not confuse her priorities.”

Winnie raised her eyes to Tonya’s.  “Dad was killed a year later.  Did you know that?  Mom couldn’t handle it, she went mad.  She lives at Crimson permanently now.  She won’t even talk to me.  I haven’t even seen her in over twelve years.  Maybe she’s dead too.” 

“Crimson.”  Daniel said with disgust.  “It’s a paranormal den of debauchery.” 

Tonya looked down at the back of his head incredulously.  “You’re a fine to talk about debauchery.”  She said quietly. 

Daniel snickered and shrugged again.  “Yes, that’s true, but my debauchery is handled with taste, wouldn’t you agree, Becky?” 

Becky didn’t answer and continued to rub at her nose.

“I want you to consider it, Autumn.  I understand you’re a married woman now, but I’m only asking to share your life.  You can return to this home later.”

“I said no.”  Dalton said and leaned over Autumn, his eyes dangerous and hooded.

Daniel ignored him completely.  “Think about it.  You have my number.”  Daniel stood and glanced meaningfully at Dalton.  “And she will keep my number, unless you prefer surprise visits.”  Daniel buttoned his suit jacket and motioned for Becky to stand.  “Tell your niece goodbye, Becky.” 

Autumn resisted Becky’s attempt to touch her, jerking her hands up and backwards as if a gun was being held on her.  She left the room and slammed the door. 

“I’ll be in town a few more days, Dalton.  If she wants to talk.”

“She has nothing to say to you.” 

Daniel smiled, willing his fangs over his canines.  “Would you rather she be instructed or would you rather wake up one morning with a pair of these lodged in your throat?”

“She wouldn’t hurt me.”  Dalton said confidently.  “See, when two people really love each other, they don’t hurt each other on purpose.”

Daniel turned to the door.  “You underestimate the power of need, Dalton.”  Becky and Tonya followed Daniel out the door. 

Winnie grabbed Tonya by the arm and forced her to turn around.  “Tell me you have no regrets, sister.” 

Tonya looked at Winnie coolly, but Winnie could see doubt in her eyes.  “I am what I am now.  I can’t go back.” 

“You don’t have to stay with him!”  Winnie hissed. 

“Tonya!”  Daniel called, his eyes intent on the two woman.  “Time to go.” 

Tonya pushed Winnie’s hand from her arm and turned without another word.  Dalton came out of the house and watched as the two vehicles drove away. 

“Is that it, then?”  Chuck asked.  “Is it over?”

“No.”  Dalton said and spit on the ground.  “It’s far from over.” 

“I don’t want to talk, Dalton.”  Autumn announced through the door.  “I just need to be alone right now.” 

Dalton looked over his shoulder, and the others tried to look anywhere but at him. 

“Baby, please let me in.  We don’t have to talk.  I just want to be with you.” 

“You need to handle your pack right now.  I’m sure they need instructions or something.” 

Your pack.  Not our pack or the pack.

“Give her a little time.”  Brian said quietly.  “This has been a hard night for her.” 

Autumn watched the shadow of Dalton’s feet move away from the door.  She didn’t know how long he would wait before coming back and she needed to move quickly.  She took the note and laid it in the middle of the bed.