Authors: Trinity Blacio
“She is right. Once Tamara starts to show, I want to keep her here, protected. Council has eased up on her going places, thanks to her father putting in a nice little threat to them. It also didn’t hurt that Grandfather and Maxim’s word carries a lot of weight, and it is only a weekend. She never did have that honeymoon.”
Tamara jumped up, hugging Lars. Potatoes rolled off the table, but she didn’t even notice.
Laughing, Alton bent over to pick them up. “We have a few other places to check out before we head to New Orleans. I’d like to check her personal things on the base, if it’s okay with you?” He looked at his grandson and placed the potatoes on the table.
“I don’t know about that, Grandfather. That would be breaking her trust in us, but she did have an apartment off of the base.” Lars wrote down the address and handed it to him. You two could start there and we can all meet in New Orleans next week.”
Stuffing the address in his pocket, Alton nodded and stood. Maxim moved to his side. The one thing that was a plus was the time allowed Maxim and him to build their relationship, to strengthen it. They would need a divided front when dealing with their woman.
As if sensing his thoughts, Maxim reached up and squeezed the back of his neck. “We’ll find her, and when we do, we won’t let her out of our sight again. I have a feeling our woman has kept more secrets from us then we know.”
Chapter One
Willow stared at her three-year-old son and laughed as he and her mother worked on the model she had purchased for him. She had been home a week, but still she felt on edge. Mrs. Sayles had been right; something was coming. Willow just didn’t know what. She shook her head and glanced once more at her son. At the age of three, Dylan was well advanced compared to a human child. Already, he read and worked puzzles. His bright blue eyes looked up at her smiling. “You going to help?”
She shook her head and took a sip of her coffee. “Nope, this one is for you. I know you can do it.” Traveling like she did, earning money to support her son, had one big drawback—leaving him. Already he had grown so much since the last time she’d been home.
The warm breeze coming in through the window brought along with it the vision of what New Orleans was all about—people. Bakeries, cooking up a storm, the sound of the street cleaner going down the road cleaning up from the last night activities, the sound of neighbors greeting each other as they set up their wares for another day.
Yes, Willow loved living here. That was the one thing the asshole had given her. Willow cherished her son above anything else. No one would take him away from her. That was another thing she had in common with her mother. She too had protected a little girl with dark streaked hair and big brown eyes.
Her mother’s laugh brought her back to reality, as Laurann came over and joined her at the table. “Take your model over there. Your favorite show is coming on,
Ghost Adventures
.” Her mom pointed to the small coffee table, before Laurann’s attention turned to her. “So spill it, who are the men that are coming?” Never one to mince words, her mother gave her the look that had her squirming in her seat.
Sometimes having a mother that could see things was a big pain in the ass. Willow grumbled and sat her coffee down for a minute. “Bloodmates,” she stared at her favorite coffee mug.
“You do know I can’t prevent them from finding our little spot, right?” Her mother cocked her head to the side, staring at her and then gasped. She stood up so fast her chair went flying backwards, making her grandson jump up. “This is bad. Why didn’t you tell me your sister comes?” Her mother started to pace back and forth, her skin showing the markings of the Cheetah in her.
“Calm down, mother. Tamara’s my best friend, she wouldn’t expose us to father if I ask her. Plus, he’s locked below for a few years, so not to worry. I don’t even know if she’ll come here.” Willow placed a kiss on her son’s head as he climbed onto her lap, watching his grandmother flipping out.
“Is Nana okay? Do I get to meet my grandfather?” he asked, looking up at her and she shook her head.
“Not for a while, baby,” she whispered to herself. Oh, she had known the sacrifices her father had made for the chosen few and she couldn’t blame her sisters and brothers. But Willow could blame him for now even realizing he had another daughter, the oldest daughter. The first princess of the dark realm.
She glanced over at her mom, who was now staring at her and shaking her head. “I’m sorry, baby. I just couldn’t risk others knowing who my mate truly is. Look at the bitch who’s latched onto him now. Think of what she would do to us if she knew.” Her mother moved to the large bay window and looked out at the people moving down the streets. Even though humans would see their houses, they wouldn’t see the true people that live in them.
“Here we are safe, from his father and the others. I’ll trust you, Willow, and your sister, but…” her mother turned to her. “Give your men a chance. If Baal was anyone else, I’d welcome him in my arms. But that one night will have to hold me for eternity.”
Tears filled her eyes as Willow could see the loneliness in her mother’s eyes. “Was it worth having me? You were cut off from everyone you knew.”
At once her mother was there, kneeling beside her, kissing her son’s head, knowing he didn’t understand all of this. “I never regret what I have. I’m proud to be your mother and mate to Baal, even if he does not know it. That one night he showed his true self to me. I don’t think he’s done that to anyone. At least I hope not.” Her mother looked back to the window.
“Even though he does not remember that night, I have the memories to hold me and I know for a fact he would be very proud of you, Willow.” She glanced down at her son. “And he’d love his grandson.” She started to tickle him and he laughed, squirming on her lap.
“Let’s go for a walk, the three of us. We haven’t done that in a while and there aren’t that many people out yet.” Her mother stood and laughed as her son ran to get his shoes.
“You know what will happen if I bind myself to these men?” Willow stood, staring into her mother’s eyes.
“Yes, but we’ll take the risk, baby. You need to be with them. Dylan needs to have a father, or fathers.” She tried to wiggle her eyebrows and Willow laughed, hugging her mom.
“I love you momma and I’ll always be here for you.” She backed away and stared down at her son who held his stuffed dragon toy that she had given to him at birth. Even though it was worn down Willow always made sure to keep it clean for him, even sewing it when it needed it. Dylan might be a smart child, but he was still a little boy at heart.
“Come on baby, let’s take our walk,” she took his one hand when he placed the dragon in his little backpack that he carried everywhere he went, then took her mom’s hand. They moved out of their house down onto the street. Wearing a pair of shorts and a halter top, the heat didn’t over power her like so many that came to New Orleans. She loved these outings, walking down Bourbon Street and around with her mother, visiting with neighbor’s, before the tourists come out and filled the streets.
Willow glanced at her mother. She appeared to be in her early 30’s to humans, but in reality she was well over 500 years old. With her long thick wavy hair sweeping down to her ass, Laurann drew eyes everywhere they went.
With olive coloring skin, rare for any fay, but not Cheetah shifters, her mother was stunning. Willow tripped and almost fell, her mother and son started to laugh. “You’re not paying attention, daughter, and I thank you for your thoughts, but I don’t want to see you flat on your face,” her mother teased, before stopping and tensing up. She slowly scanned the street they were on.
Not wasting any time, Willow once more placed the spell over her and her son, making sure no one would recognize who they really were. Her mother followed suit.
“They’re here, I can smell them. The dark ones, your brothers and sisters. It seems they are going to great your sister. How did they know she was coming?” her mother asked, once more moving down the street, watching and knowing the danger had passed now that their true identity was covered.
Whoever leaked this information was too close to her friends and family. Willow growled and scanned their surroundings. From what she could tell, there was at least ten who were there that might cause trouble. “Someone close has betrayed them than because I know for a fact Lars and Gage protect her well.” She looked at her mother and Laurann nodded.
“Call your sister and warn her. We’ll figure this out together. I want to meet these men and it won’t hurt for them to court you properly here where I can watch.” Laurann glanced down at her son. “Dylan needs to get to know them too.” Her mother turned towards their favorite hotel.
“Who? We having company?” Her son asked, all excited about guests coming over.
“We’ll see, baby.” Lydia sucked in her breath and pulled out her phone. At once Willow noticed the calls she’d missed. Over 20 of them, and half of them from Alton and Maxim. “Here it goes, but if they mess up, I’m gutting them,” she mumbled and her mom smiled.
“Of course, dear,” she said and Willow snorted.
Not even bothering to listen to the messages, Willow punched in Tamara’s private number and waited, but she didn’t have to wait long.
“Where the hell are you?” her sister and best friend asked. “Do you know how crazy Maxim and Alton are going?” she asked. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, Tamara, but I wanted to call and warn you there is a leak in security there. You’re going to make a trip to New Orleans and your brothers and sisters are waiting for you to arrive. I wanted to let you know before you got here. Have Lars and Gage bring you the Hotel Monteleone if you still want to come. I’ll make sure there is a room for you three, and it will be protected. I’ll explain when you get here, sister,” she said and hung up the phone.
“It’s done. They’ll be here soon,” she said, as they made their way to the hotel her mother protected. Not one of her brothers and sisters would be able to enter the building if they carried the dark seed from their father.
With the tugging on her hand, Willow looked down at her son. “Mommy, who’s coming?” he asked again as they stepped into the hotel lobby and almost ran into the two she had been dredging.
“Damn, they’re quick,” her mother said, smiling at her.
Kneeling down in front of her son, Willow smiled at him. “These two men in front of me are my bonding mates, Dylan. If I decide to bond with them, they will be your stepfathers. But your aunt is also coming soon. You’ll love her.” She glanced at the two behind her and nodded to them.
“Alton, Maxim, I’d like you to meet my son and my mother, Laurann Drango.” Both of them released the spell that protected them, knowing they were safe in the hotel, showing exactly who they were.
No one said a word, until her mother stepped forward, placing herself in front of Willow. “Do you have a problem with my daughter now that you know who she truly is?” A bit of a growl came out and Dylan started to crawl into her arms as she stood, turning to stare at the ones who could destroy her.
“Why is Grandma growling?” he whispered. “Did the big men do something bad?”
Maxim bowed to her mother and smiled at the boy. “We were rude and I apologize for that. My name is Maxim Evens, but I have a feeling you already know this? I must say I’m impressed with what you have done here.” Maxim waved his hand, indicating the hotel. “It must have taken some time to protect such a large area.”
“I have my ways. I’ve heard of you, Maxim, a long time ago. Why should I trust you with my daughter when so many of your people turned their back on us?” She nodded to Alton who stood there staring at her. “And what is up with him?”
Willow placed her hand on her mom, and squeezed it before stepping around the two. “His wife was murdered by the psycho other I was telling you about.” She stepped around Alton and Maxim with Dylan in her arms. “I’ll set up the reservations for Tamara.” She called over her shoulder. It was obvious to her that Alton still had issues with Baal’s siblings. Well, that was fine by her, she didn’t need them here anyway, but Willow only got a few steps before Alton placed his hand on her shoulder, stopping all movement.
“I’m sorry Lydia, you just shocked me,” Alton said stepping around her to stand in front of her. His fingers touched her neck and cheek before he dropped his hand, sending a chill up her spine.
“Mommy, why is he calling you Lydia? Doesn’t he know your real name?” Her son turned to Alton. “My mommy’s name is Willow,” he told Alton and Maxim who moved beside Alton.
“Very interesting indeed?” Lars stated, coming over to join his grandfather and Maxim.
She moaned and glanced back at her mother, who laughed. “It was her way of protecting us,” Laurann stated and nodded, taking her son out of her arms. “Go tell… Oh never mind, here he comes. Manuel, how are you doing?” her mom asked, as he leaned down and kissed the side of Willow’s cheek, earning a growl from Alton and Maxim, but he ignored them.
“You have been gone too long, little one. Your momma has missed you. Now, what brings you here and who are the men breathing down my neck?” he asked, always protective of her and her mom.
“We need the suite please for my sister and her husbands. Lars Cooper, this is a friend of my mothers and mine. We’ve known him for a long time. He runs this place. As for those two, the one on the right is Maxim Evens, and the other Lars’ grandfather, Alton Cooper. Now, if you will excuse us, Mother and I will finish our walk. Oh, and Manuel, I guess these two will be needing a room if they’re staying too,” Willow stated and went to move away from the group, but once more Alton stopped her with his hand on her arm.
***
“We would like to join you on your walk? It would give us a chance to get acquainted with your son?” Alton asked, as he moved around to Willow’s side and smiled at Dylan. “I’m sorry I didn’t say anything earlier. My name is Alton Cooper.” He held out his hand to her son and Dylan squinted his eyes at Alton, then placed his smaller hand into his.