First & Forever (The Crescent Chronicles Book 4) (17 page)

“It wasn’t supposed to be like this.”

“No? What was it supposed to be like? Am I supposed to fawn at your feet thanking you for picking me? Dream on.”

“Damn it, don’t be so difficult. You were there that night. We work so well together. It’s amazing. Can’t that be enough?” My heart ached. She needed to understand. She needed to accept how perfect we were for each other.

“You have that much confidence in your sexual prowess to think that means anything?”

“I am not talking about me, I’m talking about us.”

“There is no
us
. Whatever chance we had is gone. You tricked me, lied to me, used me, and pretty much did anything you possibly could to destroy us.” She pulled her hands onto her lap. “You’re the reason I was kidnapped and nearly raped. It’s your fault.” She looked down at her hands

My chest clenched, my body tensed, and I was ready to transform. Nearly raped? “I am so sorry. Words can’t even describe it. The thought of those brutes touching you…” I gripped the table, my knuckles turning white. “I promise you they will never bother you or anyone else again.” They’d never be doing anything again. I scooted my chair closer to her. “Please, give me a chance to make it up to you.” I didn’t hold back. I pleaded. I needed her to understand.

She looked up at me through tear rimmed eyes. “The only thing I want is an explanation. Why me? Why in the world did you pick me? You hardly know me.”

Now that was a weighted question. How could I possibly put my feelings into adequate words? “I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. Usually I get tired of a girl after a few days, but you? I’ll never get tired of you. You challenge me, and it only makes me want you more. I know you feel it too. Don’t bother denying it. The physical pull between us is undeniable.”

“That’s what this is all about? You’re physically attracted to me? I still don’t see how that makes me different.”

“Doesn’t the thought of being together excite you at all? You seemed so interested in my world, so caught up in it. Can’t that be enough for now?”

She glanced around at several onlookers staring and lowered her voice. “Levi, are you even listening to me? Do you really expect me to forgive you for what you put me through? You make it sound like you stood me up.”

“I’m sorry baby, I’m sorry. You were only kidnapped because you ran off. I didn’t expect you to do that. I already planned to explain more over dinner. Remember, I told you I had something important to tell you.” I leaned over the table.

“Don’t you ever call me baby. Do you hear me? Never!” Her expression was equal parts anger and fear.

I would kill those stupid cougars, but first I had to make things right with her. “Okay. I won’t. I’m sorry.” I picked up one of her hands, looking at the cuts and bruises on her wrist. She pulled her hand back. “I’m so sorry.”

She sighed. “Didn’t you think I’d try to take the ring off?”

I shrugged. I hadn’t thought that far ahead. I planned on just telling her that night. I was blinded by the need to make her stay. “I never really thought about it.”

“Exactly!” She stood up, nearly knocking over her chair. “You didn’t think and look where it got us.”

I followed after her as she hurried outside.

“Wait up!” I took her arm and pulled her toward me.

“Let go of me!”

“You don’t understand how important this is. You can’t just walk away from me. You have to be with me now.”

“I don’t have to do anything.”

“Give me a chance to explain more, to show you.”

“I gave you that chance inside.” She gestured to the door we just walked through.

“Let me show you more of my people, introduce you, make you see how important you are.”

“Why would I do that?”

“Because you’re a good person. Because even if you hate me, you don’t hate Hailey and you sure as hell don’t hate the city of New Orleans.”

“Why would being together affect New Orleans?”

“It means everything. Without you, my family’s reign ends and the headquarters likely moves—taking everything with it. Do you really want to see New Orleans robbed of more? Like Katrina wasn’t enough.”

“Shut up!” She yelled. “Don’t compare me leaving to a hurricane!”

“There is so much you don’t understand. New Orleans needs us. Please let me show you. If you still don’t want anything to do with us afterward, we’ll figure something else out, but at least give me one night to prove it to you.” I didn’t want to bring up her safety. I’d let someone else do that. The thought of seeing any more fear on that beautiful face of hers made me want to transform.

“One night?”

“Yes. Just one night.” I needed at least that. I needed to make her understand how important she was.

“Fine. One night and then you find a way to let me leave.”

I sighed with relief. I had a shot. “Good.”

We walked the rest of the way back to the hotel in silence. She wouldn’t let me help her even though I could tell she was in pain. I felt helpless. Allie made me feel more helpless than I’d ever felt in my life.

We reached the hotel, and I held open the door for her. She walked right in. I called after her. “I’ll see you soon. I’ll have Hailey give you all the details.”

“Details?” She stopped walking, and I caught up. “What kind of night is this?”

I smiled. “Just wait and see. All I’ll tell you is that it’s a party.” I kissed her on the cheek before walking away.

My next stop wasn’t one I was looking forward to. I had to tell my dad I’d officially taken her as my mate. The problem was I’d only be able to give him half the details. Somehow I didn’t think that would go over well. Thankfully my mom was with me when I stepped into my dad’s home office. Thankfully, Mom seemed to be completely over her annoyance at me.

“It’s done? She’s wearing your ring?” Dad was opening a bottle of whiskey before I even stopped speaking.

“Yes. Allie is wearing my ring.” That much was true.

“Wonderful. I’m proud of you, Levi. When’s the wedding going to be?”

I glanced at my mom, hoping she could help me out. “Allie’s young, Robert. Only eighteen.”

My father quickly brushed off the concern. “So? That’s a legal age to marry.”

“Yes, but think of her parents. Her father may not be comfortable with it.”

“I’ll talk to the man.”

“She’s agreed to our party though. We can just hold off on the human events.” At least I had that to offer him.

“Good enough for now. When do I meet the girl?”

“At the engagement party later this week.”

“Later this week? Perfect. She must be lovely if she was able to get you to settle down.” Dad gave me a knowing look.

“She’s perfect. The most beautiful girl I’ve ever met. She’s stubborn and strong headed, but I love that about her.”

“Sounds like you met your match.”

“I have.”

“Is that all?” Leave it to my father to want more than just the most monumental news of my lifetime. I’d given her the ring. For all he knew, everything was settled. Did he know more? The thought froze my blood. Allie and I would both be in serious trouble if that was the case.

“That’s all.” I took his opening and left the office. I wasn’t sure if I could handle any real questioning.

Mom caught up with me just as I walked outside. “We need to get her to agree.”

“I know.” I smiled tersely before heading back home.

Allie looked heavenly in the red dress my mother had made for her. She looked gorgeous in everything, but seeing her in my family’s color while everyone else wore black and white set me on fire.

Everyone noticed her. The chatter of the crowd died down as she walked in. I set aside my glass of wine and left a business associate mid-sentence as I made my way across the room to her. “You look amazing.”

“Thank you.” She took in my appearance. Hopefully she liked the way I looked in a black tux. “Was the red dress really necessary?”

“Absolutely. Red is definitely your color by the way.”

“You can give it up, Levi. Flattery isn’t going to get you anywhere.”

I shrugged. I saw the way her face brightened. Flattery helped. She cared about my approval whether she admitted it or not. “I’m just speaking the truth. Did you have any trouble getting here? The car came on time and everything?”

“Everything was fine,” she said distantly.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t bring you myself.”

“Hailey explained why
she
couldn’t come get me.” She spoke quietly, but the words still hit home. I’d have picked her up myself if I could have, but I had to do things by the books or someone would have figured out that not everything was as it seemed.

“I’m glad you’re here.”

“It’s beautiful.”

“Not as beautiful as you.” Nothing in the world was as beautiful as her.

“Is Hailey here?” She gazed out at the crowd. “Wait, isn’t that the Governor of Louisiana?”

“Yeah, that’s Bobby,” I said nonchalantly. “Remind me to introduce you later.”

“Is that Hailey over there?” Allie looked across the room. I barely recognized Hailey with her elaborate up do. Whether Owen liked it or not, she definitely wasn’t a little kid anymore.

“We can go talk to her in a minute. Do you mind if we talk to my parents first?”

She nodded.

I took her arm and led her over to my parents. She’d already met my mom, but the big introduction would be to my father. I’d been told I looked like a younger version of him. I suppose aside from his gray hair we did look alike.

“Allie, you look breathtaking.” My mother embraced her warmly. At least I could count on my mom to be helpful.

“Thank you, Helen. You look wonderful as well.” Allie smiled. She seemed perfectly at ease with the situation, and I wondered how much of it was an act.

My father broke into a broad smile when he noticed her. “Ah, Allison, my son didn’t exaggerate your beauty after all.”

Allie wrinkled up her nose before her face returned to normal. My guess was it had to do with his use of her full name. I had to smile at that. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Laurent.”

“It’s just Robert. I suppose you could also call me Dad if you wanted, since you’ll be my daughter-in-law soon.” He beamed.

Allie looked panicked. I hadn’t exactly mentioned that my father didn’t know the truth. I hoped she would just go along with it. “I think I’ll use Robert.”

“Fair enough. Levi tells me you two aren’t going to be rushing into a formal wedding. I understand your father’s concern with how young you are, but I’d be happy to talk to him for you. I look forward to meeting him sometime soon.”

Allie fidgeted uncomfortably. “It was wonderful to meet you, but Levi, would you mind stepping outside with me for a moment? I could use some fresh air.”

“Of course, sweetheart.” I took her hand. I needed to get her away from my dad before she lost it on me.

“We’ll be right back,” I reassured my father.

We walked away from the tent, and I had to resist the urge to swoop her up in my arms. She seemed to be in some pain again.

She spun around. “What the heck, Levi? Your dad thinks I’ve agreed to marry you?”

“Look, I know you’re mad, but with my dad there was no choice. He would have gone crazy if I told him the truth, and trust me it wouldn’t have helped you at all.”

“What are you talking about? All it would mean is us not playing this little game here. Like we’re fooling anyone.”

“Lower your voice. Seriously, if my dad finds out the truth we’re both in trouble.” She didn’t want to know what my dad was like when he got angry.

“What’s he going to do to me?”

“My dad is in charge of the entire paranormal community, and you doubt he could do something to you?” The ring couldn’t be undone. She had to be my mate. He’d find a way to make her stay whether she wanted to or not.

“I’m just a human. He can’t hurt me.”

“First of all, you are not just a human. You are my mate. Big difference, and he could force you to marry me tonight if he wanted to.”

“What are you talking about?” She shivered. She needed to be frightened of my Dad. I’d do everything to protect her, but my dad wasn’t someone to mess with.

“Like I said my dad has his ways. Let’s stop this. You promised to give tonight a chance. Please, won’t you at least try?”

“Okay.”

“Are you ready to go back in?”

“Sure.”

We walked back into the tent to the sound of clinking as several people tried to silence the crowd. My father strode purposely to the center of the dance floor.

“Thank you everyone for being with us tonight. It isn’t often that we have the pleasure of welcoming so many members of the community to our home, and we are so thankful that you were able to join us on this happy occasion. Many of you probably thought this day would never come.” My father paused as the crowd laughed politely. They would have laughed no matter how corny his lines were.

“I am well aware of my son’s reputation with women, but it seems he has met his match. I have never seen Levi so happy or focused, and I know that we can expect great things from him as he formally takes his position next year. On that note, it’s my pleasure to introduce you to Allison Davis, Levi’s beautiful mate.”

I steered Allie over to my Dad. She leaned into my side, seemingly happy to let me take the lead. “Thank you father. You’re right. I have met my match, and she’s my match in every sense of the word. I have no doubt you will all learn to adore her as much as I do. Our community is new to her, but I am sure she will make a seamless transition. Now sweetheart, will you give me this dance?”

She nodded.

A quartet struck up a beautiful ballad and loud applause filled the tent as I led her onto the dance floor. I took a slight bow and gestured for her to do the same. I watched my beautiful mate as I easily led us in a waltz. Her body moved comfortably with mine. Despite her words, I knew how natural she felt at my side.

The song came to an end, but the quartet started another slow tune without a break.

Taking advantage of the slower music, I leaned in. “Al, I’m sorry. I’d do anything to erase what happened to you. I messed up. I know I did, but I also know that there is something real between us.”