Page 44 of Cider
“He’s had a witch in his bloodline.” Titus started to make some hot chocolate. “So, you’re half right and half wrong. He possesses a tiny bit of magic that’s generated in this power. It also means that I can take care of him without bothering with the human authorities.” He offered us an evil look that had me crossing my legs under the table. “It was one of the things I'd found out about him, but it hadn’t seemed to be important until now because he didn’t present as supernatural.”
It was the fangs. It had to be the fangs. That man was so hot it was just not fair.
Jack’s hands squeezed my shoulders, bringing my attention back to the situation at hand.
“Titus,” I blew him a kiss. “As much as I appreciate the thought of you destroying him for me, I think we should confront him and give him the option to leave town with Darcorp, or we let you have fun with him with Igor. She did find out about him for us. It only seems fair.” I looked at Lys. “Does that sound good to you?”
The vampire woman tapped a finger on her lips as she thought.
“It would probably be better to avoid all out murder at the rink, Titus. I think if we can get this asshole and that sad excuse of a company out of here before they can damage the other stores.” She patted Quinten on the arm. “Your brother was ready to go rip his face off this morning.” She glanced at me. “It was adorable.”
My cheeks hurt as I grinned at him. “Really? You were being over protective brother mode?”
Quinten just rolled his eyes. “Did you have to tell her that?”
“Yup,” Lys popped.
“Alright, back to the matter at hand.” Jack ran his fingers through my hair. It felt so good. “Are we really just going to go up to him?”
“No.” I paused to make sure they were paying attention. “I’m supposed to meet with him and give him my answer. That should be it. I’ll tell him that if he doesn’t leave town, I’ll expose him with everyone's help and he’ll never be trusted by any supe in the community. And, let’s be honest, some of the less savory people won’t like having a mind reader around town. They’d take care of him for us.” Aka Igor.
Billy pulled out the chair next to mine and sat down. “I don’t want you alone when you meet with him.”
Warmth spread through me. I loved him. My big mountain goat.
“I won’t be. You and the others will be in the back.” I traced his knuckles with my fingers. “I’m sure I won’t be in any danger.” My fox snorted. She’d tear the man's jugular out with her teeth given the chance but, if being all protective made my mates feel good, I’d let them think I’d need it.
“When should we do this?” Jack still stood behind me, offering his support.
“He said I’d only have the weekend to think about my answer to him. So, probably tomorrow. I’ll leave a note for him at Darcorp to meet me here after closing?” I glanced around the shop and the others all nodded. “Alright. We have a plan.”
Chapter 23
Time seemed to slow down over the next twenty-four hours. My mates and I went back to Billy’s and my place to relax until the next day. We talked in length about how I would prevent Samuel from reading my mind when I confronted him.
Jack was the one who knew how to do it.
“When he’s in front of you, imagine something around you. Most people visualize a wall, they build it up brick by brick. The few times I’ve had to shield my mind, I used my ice as my wall.” He pressed his index finger to the middle of my head. “What you use will be up to you, but whatever you do choose, you should start practicing through the night and during the day tomorrow so you’re prepared. I doubt he’s strong enough to get through it.”
I tried thinking about a wall. It was uncomfortable and didn’t feel right. My fox nudged me when I looked out the window. I could visualize the woods. Trees.
Thinking of a wall of trees came easier for me. The woods were where I was the most comfortable. My fox preened that she’d been the one to figure it out.
Titus started to teach me to play chess while I worked on keeping the wall of my mind always in the forefront. I wasn’t very good. I just wanted to bash the opponents pieces to smithereens. Apparently, that wasn’t the kind of play that chess required. I lost count how many times I lost.
Billy, on the other hand, was a natural. He and Titus played long into the night while I went to bed. Jack joined me and we had a little bit of naughty time before we both passed out in a blissful sleep.
When my alarm went off in the morning, I didn’t want to move. My mates were surrounding me on the bed, all of them somehow touching me. The only reason, besides the thought of showing Samuel up, that I got out of bed was because I had been about to pee myself. That would have been wholly unattractive.
Climbing over the body limbs of hot men was a great way to start the day. I was low-key nervous about the meeting with Samuel but only because I didn’t want him to give anyone my recipe. It wasn’t like it was super secret. Someone could probably figure it out, but the point was that it was mine. This was a great way to get rid of our problems, though. If he left town, he couldn’t hurt anyone else.
The shower was on full blast, the hot water running over my breasts when arms went around my waist. I leaned back against Billy, looking up at him. He was still waking up but his cock was at full attention. He’d opened the bathroom door so quietly and I’d been so preoccupied I hadn't heard.
“Hey, goatface.” I stood on my toes to kiss just under his chin. “Can I tell you something?”
He nuzzled my neck, his beard scratching my skin softly. “What’s that?”
“I love you.”
