Derek, page 16
“Looks like you’re about to get your answer.”
Jackson actually looked nervous when Liv pulled up. She barely put the car into park before I was at her door. She launched herself into my arms the second she was free of her seatbelt and I lifted her off her feet, kissing her roughly. I hate being apart from her, even just during work.
When she pulled back, she beamed at me. “Hey big guy.”
Rubbing my forehead against hers, I smiled. “Hey kitty.”
They were the things we were most judged for but they were also the things we loved the most about each other. She may be afraid of heights but she’ll take any excuse she can get to get on my shoulders and mock people for being shorter than her. And I reveled in the she-cat who was coming out more and more now that she felt safe to be herself. We’ve shifted together a few times and she’s playful and affectionate, not at all like the rumors about her kind.
Glancing past me, she raised an eyebrow at Jackson. “So I’m guessing you told them?”
He made a face. “Yes, and they’re trying to sucker me into being alpha.”
“Ha! I told you!”
Theo and I looked between them, confused, and Liv shrugged. “He needed a cosigner and help with the downpayment. I’m thrifty, I had a decent nest egg.”
Once again stunned silly, I set her on her feet. “Why would you do that?”
She smiled softly. “Because I want you to be happy. And I knew this would make you happy. We’ll all be together with plenty of room to grow. You won’t ever have to be afraid of being alone anymore.”
Elation washed through me and I yanked her back into my arms, holding her tightly. She nuzzled my chest, letting out one of her sweet sighs, and melted against me.
“You do realize if we move here, we’ll have to see them like that all the damn time, right?” Theo grumbled.
“Yeah, but we’ll also be there for them when they have cubs and I don’t think you’re going to want to miss that,” Jackson replied.
I hummed at the thought of cubs with Liv. She’ll be the perfect mama. She was made to protect people. Panther, bear, it didn’t matter. They’d be loved either way.
She told me every day that I’m not a monster and I was starting to believe her. Monsters don’t join crews and have mates. Monsters die alone. And Liv made sure I wouldn’t have to worry about that anymore. Thanks to her, I have everything I could ever hope for. All because I went to a stupid amusement park.
Liv
To celebrate starting a crew and the final sale of the land we would eventually move to, we christened the space by having a barbecue and camping out. Jackson eventually accepted the role of alpha and because I respect him, I had no issue pledging to him. He was nothing like the alpha when I was living with my parents. And nothing like Derek’s uncle. He’s kind and patient and only uses the alpha voice if things get heated and our animals won’t settle. Things would never be perfect, after all. A panther, a wolf, and two bears, all dominant and a little wild, we were bound to butt heads every once in a while. But we had each other’s backs and when push came to shove, we were a family.
I set out a few camping chairs while Derek and Jackson set up the grill. We haven’t done any work on the land yet so we had to stick to the patch of dirt we were using as a parking lot to avoid any fire hazards but no one complained. Theo was pulling out beers from the cooler in the bed of Derek’s truck, handing them out with a grin on his face. Sergeant Fuller, who finally introduced herself as Rhea, was out of uniform for the first time, rocking an ACDC t-shirt and jean shorts, cranking the music from her jeep and bobbing her head. Even the contractor working on Jackson’s garage was invited, a quiet gorilla shifter named Malcolm, though he went by Mal. He was digging a pit for a fire later.
It was a party of shifters and for once we didn’t have to hide who we were. We could shift if we felt like it, make any noise that suited our moods, and we didn’t have to hide. Jackson didn’t know what gift he provided us by pulling this together. It was a haven and I couldn’t wait until the mobile homes were delivered so we could move here and finally live in peace.
Watching my gentle giant argue with Jackson about whether steaks or burgers should go on the grill first, I smiled softly. I never figured this would be my future. I avoided other shifters, hiding who I was for so long, if someone would’ve told me I’d be mated and in a crew one day, I’d think they were high or something. I even planned on stopping my birth control. It can be difficult for shifters to get pregnant, sometimes it takes a few years, so it wouldn’t hurt to start now. We had plenty of time to practice. I still haven’t told Derek about my heat. It happened twice a year and he was in for a big surprise when it hit.
Like he could feel me watching him, his gaze lifted and locked on me. A slow grin crossed his face and he immediately abandoned his argument with Jackson, striding over to me. He moved with confidence now, no longer worried he’d terrify people just by walking past. Confidence looks good on him.
Pulling me into his arms, he pressed a soft kiss to my mating mark, sending a shiver up my spine. I felt him smile against me, nuzzling my neck and pulling back to look at me.
“Why are you smiling?”
I bit back a grin. “I’m smiling because I’m happy.”
He hummed, resting his forehead against mine. “What makes you happy?”
I sighed, closing my eyes and leaning into him. “You. You make me happy.”
“Why?”
We played this game a lot. He still had insecurities and I was happy to remind him of what he meant to me.
“You make me feel safe and loved. You make me laugh and I look forward to seeing you every day.”
His big hand cupped my chin, his thumb stroking my cheek. “Sweet kitty. What did I do to deserve you?”
Smiling at him, I kissed him softly. “You loved me. That’s all I needed.”
“I’ll always love you. Welcome home, Liv.”
I’ve never heard anything more wonderful than those two sentences. After years alone, I’m finally home.
Blackridge Haven Series
COMING SOON
“You’ve got to be kidding me. Again?!”
It took work to hold back the snarl in my throat. Ethan was getting on my nerves. He was always a little shit but lately during this weird construction period on the garage, he’s been pushing everyone’s buttons. And since he liked to target Derek, I was almost always chasing his ass away. He was going to get himself killed one day. Derek isn’t violent by nature, he doesn’t like to fight if he doesn’t have to, but if you push him over the edge he’ll rip you apart and I didn’t have the energy to deal with all that.
Storming off the construction site, I jumped into my truck and sped away, nearly hitting a car in my blindspot in my haste. I jerked the wheel, dodging them, and grimaced when they laid on the horn and flipped me the bird as they passed. Taking in a deep breath, I attempted to settle my bear and eased into traffic more cautiously this time.
Scrubbing my beard, I followed the flow of traffic to the little garage we were renting closer to the town center while my family garage was being rebuilt. A few weeks back, Derek’s cousin burned it down in an attempt to draw Derek out and put him down. I didn’t blame Derek, though I know he still feels guilty about it, but it almost wrecked me. That garage has been in my family for three generations and my chest aches when I think about what I lost. The only reason I kept it together was because not long after that, they made me alpha of our little ragtag group of shifters. They trust me to keep them together and protect them and I don’t have time to fall apart.
Between getting the garage rebuilt, handling the business out of the rental, and setting up the land I bought with Derek’s mate’s help so that we could finally have some freedom, I was busier than ever and chasing down Ethan was the last thing I wanted to be doing right now.
When I pulled into the parking lot of the garage, I let out a groan. Ethan was sitting out front, pinching his nose to stem the bleeding and Theo was off to the side, trying to keep a pacing Derek away from Ethan and probably from having an uncontrolled shift. I pulled out my phone, dialing the number I knew by heart by now, and put it to my ear.
“Hey, Jackson.”
I sighed. I may be alpha but only one person could get Derek under control enough to get back to work. “Hey, Liv. Think you can take a break?”
She hummed, her focus probably on the client she was with. “Derek?”
“Yeah. Ethan’s bleeding.”
She snorted. “Yeah, alright. I’m on my way.”
She worked across town so I knew it’d be a minute. We were closer than we used to be but for now it was up to me to deal with this shitstorm. Shoving open the door to my truck, I slammed it shut behind me and stalked over to where Derek and Theo were waiting. Theo had his hands up like he was trying to calm a wild horse and Derek’s eyes looked wild. Once I was out of range of Ethan and the customers who were waiting inside, I put power to my voice, narrowing my eyes on Derek.
“You will not change here. Calm down.”
He didn’t always have the greatest control of his bear so taking the choice to change away from him wasn’t an easy order for him to swallow and he shuddered before sucking in a deep breath. He released it slowly and when he lifted his head and locked eyes with me, he nodded once. He wasn’t calm by a longshot but the threat of exposing our kind to the entire town was gone, which was a start.
Turning my focus to Theo, I ground out, “What happened?”
Derek wasn’t the only one riled up, I could see the wolf just under the surface. Theo didn’t like people messing with his crew and ever since we joined up, he’s been difficult to deal with. He glared just over my shoulder, his body tense.
“Asshole was asking for it. He kept saying the only reason Liv was with Derek was because she was a freak and probably fell on her head as a kid. I don’t know what his problem is with them being together but if he doesn’t stop–”
I shot him a dirty look, silencing him. “I’ll handle Ethan. Stay away from him and stop getting involved. You’ve got work to do. Get it done.”
After he stalked off, muttering to himself, I regarded Derek. He’d calmed a bit but his fists were still clenched and his eyes darted around like he was looking for an escape. I couldn’t expect him not to react when someone was badmouthing his mate. He’s devoted to her. She was the first person in his life not to immediately react with fear when she met him. Instead, she found him fascinating and chased after him, completely throwing him for a loop. He fell head over heels for her and she didn’t fight their bond. When they aren’t working, they’re attached at the hip and I couldn’t be happier for my friend.
“She’s on her way, D. Just keep it together a little longer.”
He ran his fingers through his hair and dropped to a squat. Putting my hand on his shoulder, I squatted next to him, giving him my support until a familiar squeaky engine caught his attention and his head jerked up. We really need to get her to let us fix that rust bucket she calls a car. It doesn’t look right for the mate of a mechanic to have such a messed up vehicle.
Concern overtook her features and she threw the car into park and raced over. I felt the tension break and Derek finally relaxed when she threw her arms around his neck and started whispering to him. Leaving her to handle him, I went looking for Ethan, ignoring the ache in my gut. That wasn’t something I’d ever have in my future. I had too much riding on my shoulders to go looking for a mate. And who’d want to be mated to a weak alpha who couldn’t control his crew without someone stepping in?
Ethan was still sitting on the bench out front. I grabbed him by his collar, hauling him out of sight of the customers and around the building to the little area some of the guys took their breaks. When I shoved him forward, he stumbled, nearly eating it face first. He swung around with a scowl but the look was ruined by the fact that he was still pinching his nose.
“Wha da hell?” His speech was muffled, which would be hilarious if I wasn’t so pissed off.
“Don’t. I know you started it. You always start it. Give me one good reason I shouldn’t fire your ass for constantly causing trouble?”
He glowered but stayed silent. He was walking a very thin line. I knew his background, I knew he would have a hell of a time finding work anywhere else, but I wasn’t going to put up with him screwing with Derek anymore. He’s on my crew, it’s my job to protect him.
“Last chance, Ethan. I mean it. Leave Derek alone. He’s got a girlfriend to worry about, he doesn’t need to spend the rest of his life in prison after murdering your ass. Keep your fucking opinions to yourself. If you can’t handle that then hand in your notice. I’m done.”
His eyes dropped to the ground. I don’t know why I give him so many chances. He’s a pain in the ass. I’ve always had a soft spot for the younger ones, he reminds me of my little brothers, but I can only take so much. And I can’t put him in line like I did my brothers. Ethan’s human. That wouldn't end well for either of us.
“Is it broken?”
“Don’t think so,” he mumbled.
“Good. Then shove a tissue up there and get back to work. And stay the hell away from Derek. And the customers for that matter. You’re making us look bad.”
He nodded once and edged past me, heading back into the garage. With my mood as bad as it is, he could probably feel the rage and dominance coming off me. Even humans with their dull instincts knew when a predator was pissed off. And I was royally pissed off. I swung around, about to head inside to check on the rest of them, but I changed my mind and spun around again. I need to calm down if I’m going to deal with them right now.
By the time I felt like I was back under control, Liv had done her thing because Derek was back inside, working with Theo on a minivan that was causing a harried mother some issues. Liv was about to get back into her car when she noticed me and waved me over, leaning on her door when I approached.
“Do I wanna know what upset him so much?”
I scowled. “No. I handled it. You workin’ late tonight?”
She pursed her lips, her gold eyes scanning the open garage doors behind me. It seemed obvious now that those eyes belonged to a panther but she learned young to hide her animal so we didn’t find out until later what she was. She’s so good at hiding, I thought she was human. Even Derek was unaware and they were halfway to mated before he found out.
“Not overly late. I’ll probably be home a little after dinner. I would’ve been earlier if–”
“If I didn’t have to keep calling you out here to fix this for me. I know. I’m trying, Liv.”
She sighed, pushing away from her door to come stand by me. Putting her hand on my arm, she gave me a sympathetic look. “I know that. And you aren’t going to hear any complaints from me. I love Derek and I’ll drop everything to make sure he’s okay. But this has to stop. He doesn’t deserve to have to work like this. Why are you holding on so hard to Ethan? He’s a dick.”
Glancing over my shoulder, I tracked Ethan as he changed a tire, his expression muted. “There’s more to him than you know. But I’ve given him enough excuses. He’s on his last chance now. If I can’t get through to him, I’m cutting him loose.”
She nodded. “Good. I’m heading back to work. Make sure I don’t have to come back here today, I had to knock half the price off the tat I was working on to make up for making them wait so long.”
As she got in her rust bucket and drove away, I let out a long sigh. Just another reason I had to do better. I almost wished I’d never agreed to become alpha. I’m not as strong as they think I am.
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Other Books by A.F. Montoya
Mafia Wives Club Series
Impulsive Desires (Book 1)
Reckless Desires (Book 2)
Seductive Desires (Book 3)
Rekindled Desires (Book 4)
Illicit Desires (Book 5)
Forsaking the Mafia
A Monster’s Devotion
Devil’s Capture
A.F. Montoya, Derek
