Out of the Shadows (6 page)

Her strength and determination was
alluring. Even if she clearly had no clue what she was getting into. If Lark
felt that strongly about Rick, Gene, and Preston, even Emily, it made her so
much more tempting. Loyalty was one of the things he’d always wanted, but never
had.

Still he stood firm in his stance
to protect his family. Until this was over, Emily would be a target if she left
the property unsupervised. Emmett wasn’t going to just let her go.

Devon rounded the top step into the
second floor living room. Vincent lay lounging on the couch, a bag of chips
beside him, the TV blaring.

“You’re back,” Vincent greeted. Devon
ignored his brother hoping to avoid any conversation. He needed time alone to
think, and to get Lark’s intoxicating cinnamon-vanilla scent out of his
senses.

“Well, while you were off getting
a cake for our lovely sister, I had to go dress shopping. She wants it to be a
surprise for Marcus.” Vincent said as he popped a chip into his mouth. “How was
the lovely Lark?”

“Fine,” Devon grumbled, pushing his
brother’s legs off the couch so he had a spot to sit. It would be easier to
have this chat now. Vincent was not above following and pestering him until he
had procured all the information he wanted.

“Really, because you seem
irritated?” Vincent said. He scooted into a sitting position. “You have a thing
for her don’t you?”

“No,” he ground out. Vincent
chuckled, eyebrow raised, and Devon knew there was no use lying. “Does no one
care about the severity of our situation? We could go to war! By socializing
with humans we put them in danger and Emily is my first priority.”

“True, but from what I understand
they aren’t exactly looking at the situation with blinders on. They know about
us, they accept us, and Rick isn’t going to let anything happen to them. As for
Em, we have the whole pack behind us. Dad will lose all interest in her when he
finds out about the mating,” Vincent assured him.

“Do you really think Emmett is just
going to let all this go? He’s been focused on this alliance for the better
part of a year. It’s important to him,” Devon reminded Vincent. He knew this
wasn’t close to over Rick realized this too. Everyone else seemed to be looking
at this with a blind eye.

“You worry too much, Dev. Now tell
me about the hottie you spent the afternoon with?” he asked, a devilish smirk
on his lips.

Typical Vincent response. He loved
his brother but he seldom took anything seriously. It was a flaw, but it would
be nice to be carefree every once in a while. He envied that about his brother.

“Did Emily find a dress?” he asked.
Devon didn’t feel like discussing the irritating and arousing argument he’d had
with Lark.

“She did, and we had lunch. It was
a productive day. Em wants to invite Lark to the ceremony. They really hit it
off the other night,” Vincent smiled smugly.

“Of course she does,” he sighed,
leaning back into the couch. He scrubbed a hand over his jaw. “She does realize
that Lark and her sister won’t understand the actual ceremony, right?”

Vincent shrugged, a Cheshire cat
grin spread wide across his face. His brother was having entirely too much fun
teasing him.

“Does it matter? It may be
different from what they’re used to, but none of us have ever been to one
either. Hell, Marcus and Em are only learning the Latin they have to. I doubt
they will understand half of what they’re saying. Besides weddings are great
places to hook up.”

Devon scoffed and ran his hand through
his hair. “We could go to war and you’re worried about me hooking up?”

“You must really like her, Dev,”
Vincent continued. “Not only have I seen the way you look at her, but the fact
that you are running from her instead of chasing her says it all.”

“She’s a beautiful woman, who
happens to be like a daughter to Rick. I’m not going to pursue her. You know I
don’t do relationships. That wouldn’t be right,” Devon stated. He stood up
prepared to go to his room. This wasn’t something he cared to talk about.

“Oh, calm down, Dev, I’m only
teasing. You should know I only flirt with her to get a rise out of you. Thank
God you finally admitted it. I don’t know how many more longing looks I can
take,” Vincent said, quickly standing up to block his way. “You know you can
talk to me if you need to, right?”

“Don’t hold your breath, brother,”
Devon replied with a glare. He shook his head knowing full well Vincent could
sense his agitation. With a low throaty grunt, Devon headed to his room. The
faster he figured out the cause for his attraction to Lark - the faster he
could get rid of it. She was beautiful, but it was much more than that.

Devon walked up from the horse
stables. He’d taken on some of Marcus’s duties so he and Emily could prepare
for the ceremony. It was well past dusk and he was exhausted and starving.

The blinding beam of headlights
rounding down the driveway caused him to shield his eyes. The green SUV stopped
in front of the main house. A familiar head of blonde locks popped out. Her long
golden curls were swept haphazardly into a ponytail, stray strands around her
face. Her red tank top and light jeans fit her snugly. He groaned at how
breathtaking she looked.

He walked faster, a war raged in him. Should he talk to her,
or flat out ignore her? The wind blew, and Lark’s delicious cinnamon-vanilla
scent invaded his nostrils. Reaching for the car, he saw the assortment of
boxes in the back of her trunk and knew helping her was the only option.

“Slow day?” He questioned, stopping beside her.

Lark gasped, and jumped backward, and nearly dropping the
boxes in her hand. He lurched forward, his hand gripped the boxes as well as
her soft fingers.

“God,” she hissed. Her chest heaved
and her eyes flickered to his. Her cheeks flushed red matching her shirt. “You
scared me. Where did you come from?”

“Sorry.” Devon adjusted the boxes and took them from her.
Their hands grazed across each other when he pulled away. Heat scorched him
from the innocent touch, and he fought the urge to feel more of her silky
skin.

Devon cleared his throat, “I
finished up in the stables and was on my way back to the house when you pulled
up. I thought you might need some help.”

Her blue eyes watched him through tiny slits before lowering
to the boxes. “Oh, um, thank you.” Lark bit her lip and shuffled back and forth
on her feet before picking up the rest of the boxes.

“So, slow day?” Devon asked again. He shouldn’t be making
conversation, but his brain and mouth didn’t coordinate.

“Yeah, Fridays are either slow or super busy. There’s no
happy medium, so I never know how to plan. I don’t think anybody here will be
complaining though.” Her eyes met his again, a small smile on her lips. She
abruptly turned back to the trunk and slammed it shut with her free hand.

“It smells delicious.”

Lark took a step back from the car,
she opened and closed her mouth seemingly confused. Without a word, she turned
and marched toward the house. Devon sighed. He’d done a wonderful job of
pushing Lark away thus far. Of course she wouldn’t take a compliment in stride.

“I’ll have the cake ready by five tomorrow or I can just
bring it here. Whatever works for you,” Lark called over her shoulder.

Devon swallowed, allowing his eyes to linger on the sway of
her body for a moment before catching up to her. “I’ll pick it up. Expect me
before closing. Might as well save you the trip out here.”

Lark abruptly stopped, and he halted his movements to keep
from running into her. She turned and fixed a haughty glare on him. “I thought
I made my stance clear. You’re apparently not letting it go, are you?”

“I was actually just trying to be nice, but now that you
bring it up…”
And now I’m being an ass again.
It was for the best. He
did not do relationships.

Lark scoffed and rolled her eyes. “Maybe I don’t look like
much to you, but I assure you, I am tougher than I look.” She spun on her heel
and stomped to the front door.

“I don’t doubt it,” he mumbled. Devon couldn’t help but
admire her body as she marched away from him. Each interaction they had only
added fuel to his desire. He imagined it was the opposite for her, as she
seemed further enraged.

***

Lark exhaled slowly, before she opened the screen door. How
could one man she barely knew have such an effect on her? It didn’t help that she
was getting mixed signals. His words were condescending and rash, while his
eyes said something different. Granted, it had been a while since she’d dated. She
got the impression that he was interested, or maybe she was losing her mind.

“Lark,” Gene greeted.

Lark gave him a grateful smile as he took the boxes and she
walked in the house. “Thanks, it smells great in here.” The aroma of peppers
and seasoned meat assaulted her senses.

“Emily made stuffed peppers for dinner. It’s as amazing as
it smells,” Gene laughed, walking toward the kitchen. “Do you want some? Sarah
and Preston aren’t back from their horseback ride.”

“Sure, thanks,” Lark smiled, the food did smell delicious
and she hadn’t eaten dinner yet. She followed Gene into the large kitchen, her
taste buds salivating.

Gene set the boxes on the counter and opened the fridge,
pulling out a few containers and handed her a paper plate. “Here grab something
to eat.”

“Thanks.” Lark popped the top off the container.

Devon strolled into the kitchen as she began spooning mashed
potatoes onto her plate. A sigh escaped his lips when he saw her. He set the
boxes on the counter and then grabbed his own plate.

Lark bit her lip, she didn’t want to let him get to her. Her
emotions and hormones were still on overdrive from their confrontation in the
driveway. She couldn’t decide if she wanted to kick or kiss him. Maybe both? It
would be great to deny any feelings for him, but she couldn’t ignore the
electricity their interactions caused.

Their gazes locked as they both reached for the same
container. Eyes boring into one another.

“You guys want a drink?” Gene broke the tense silence. He
ran a hand through his dirty blonde colored hair before opening the fridge.

“A beer,” Devon exhaled. He took the container of potatoes
from the counter and spooned some on his plate.

“Just a water, please,” Lark added.

“You both look like you’ve had a rough day,” Gene said. He
slid the bottled water across the counter to her and set Devon’s beer in front
of him. Then he twisted the top off his beer and took a drink.

Lark bit her lip deciding on whether she wanted to be bold
with Devon or not. “I had three interviews today. I swear, I don’t think I’m
going to find anyone to fill the two positions at the bakery.”

Gene chuckled and Devon cleared his throat.

“I keep waiting for the right candidate to come along, but
so far everyone has been a letdown,” Lark continued. She glared at Devon as she
sipped her water.

“Maybe you’re just being too picky,” Devon shrugged, as he
took a bite of his pepper. His eyes still on her.

“Well, it is my business so I think I have a right to be.”

Gene leaned on the counter next to her. “So, I heard Grant
is back. He isn’t pestering you, is he?”

“No, he’s fine,” Lark smiled, thankful he intervened before
things got out of hand with Devon.

“Well, let me know. You know I never liked him,” Gene
teased, while he playfully bumped her elbow.

Lark laughed, some of her unease fluttered away, an idea
formed in her mind. It couldn’t hurt to see if Devon might be interested. Why
she still cared baffled her.

“So is now a bad time to tell you
Grant and I are going out Saturday night?” Joy overwhelmed her at her ability
to keep a straight face.

Gene’s eyes widened as he shook his head. “If you’re still
interested. Don’t stop on my account. I’ll tolerate him for you.”

Lark shrugged watching Devon from the corner of her eye.

Devon stiffened and took a long
swig of his beer. His jaw was set and he looked irritated. She’d been hoping
for a reaction and had gotten one. Now she needed to figure out how that made
her feel.

“Are you coming to the ceremony on Sunday?” Gene asked, his
eyes flicked between Lark and Devon, clearly sensing the tension. He lifted his
bottle, and took a drink of his beer.

“Uh, sure, yeah, it sounds fun,” Lark stumbled over her
words.

Lark felt Devon’s angry hazel eyes
on her. She clamped her jaw and glared back. How could he go from jealous to piss
off so fast? His mood swings infuriated her.

In an attempt to ignore his brooding
mood, she asked, “So if it’s not a wedding, what exactly is it?”

Gene shifted his eyes to Devon then back to her. “Our
culture has been modernized over the years, but back in the day instead of a
traditional wedding, we had mating ceremonies,” Gene answered.

Lark quirked her eyebrow, that sounded a little kinky.

Gene laughed at her, “It’s not what you think,” he
continued. “Basically it’s a series of vows and rituals performed. The male and
the female promise themselves to each other. They prick a spot on their palms
and combine hands and blood whilst saying a sacred vow. The ceremony is
completed upon them both getting a tattoo, or mark, on their left shoulder. The
mark signifies that they have sworn their life, love, and loyalty to one other
person. They will never love, or lay with anyone, but their mate.”

“Sounds interesting,” Lark said.

“Come and see for yourself,” Gene offered. “I promise you’ll
enjoy it.”

“I don’t want to impose,” Lark hesitated. Gene’s cappuccino
eyes flicked from her to Devon.

“Lark, you’re family. You wouldn’t impose. I’m certain I’ve
heard Emily mention your name several times in passing. She is very excited
about having another woman around,” Gene smiled reassuringly.

Well, at least she’d made an impression with one of them.
“Okay,” Lark said.

“The more the merrier,” Devon said sarcastically.

“I couldn’t agree more,” Lark replied, deliberately
misunderstanding him.

Devon lifted his bottle and
chugged the contents. Tossed his fork in the sink and threw the empty bottle
and plate away. With one final glare fixed on her, he growled under his breath
then stormed out of the room.

Lark shivered and set her plate down.
What is his
problem?

“He’s like that with everyone, don’t take it personally,”
Gene said quietly.

“And here I thought it was just me,” Lark attempted at
humor.

Gene laughed and shook his head. “Devon’s a complicated guy,
don’t hate him yet. There’s a lot you don’t know about him.”

Lark sighed and nodded. Complicated, that was one way to
describe Devon. Though she could think of a few more colorful words to use.

***

Devon thundered up the stairs. He didn’t know why he was so
enraged. Well he did, but he hated that he was. How could one single woman get
under his skin so bad? It seemed as if she purposefully mocked him.

“Hey thanks for covering for me this afternoon.” Marcus
stepped out of the room he shared with Emily.

“Yeah, no problem,” Devon murmured. He just wanted to get to
his room and blow off some steam.

“What’s wrong, Dev?” Emily asked, her head popped out of the
bedroom.

“A certain blonde beauty is downstairs, and got him all
riled up,” Vincent mumbled, his focus intent on the video game he played.

Devon swiveled his head to his younger brother
questioningly. How did Vincent even know Lark was here? Devon forced a smile,
unclenching his hands. “Nothing’s wrong.”

Emily frowned studying him. “Okay,” she drawled.

“It’s been a long day, I just want to get some rest,” Devon
explained. Relief filled him when Emily relaxed against the door frame.

Emily smiled and looked to the stairs. “Lark is here?” Devon
nodded and her smile widened. “Good, I was hoping she’d come on Sunday. It
would be nice to have another girl here. Excuse me.”

Devon rolled his eyes as Emily bounded towards the stairs
and quickly disappeared.

“She’s been talking about Lark non-stop since yesterday
afternoon,” Marcus said, eyes on the empty stairwell. “She hasn’t really ever
had the chance to socialize or even make friends. This is a new experience for
her. If I haven’t thanked you already, Dev, thanks.”

Devon nodded, he couldn’t dispute that Emily was happier. “You're
welcome, did you get everything squared away?”

“We did, I think for the most part we’re ready to go.” Marcus
sat down next to Vincent, picking up the extra controller.

“Good.” Devon closed his eyes and turned back to the stairs.
He’d never found out what time Lark closed tomorrow. While he could ask Gene or
Rick, part of him wanted to see her again.

***

Lark sat on the porch swing, enjoying the gentle breeze, as
she rocked back and forth. Gene had excused himself to use the bathroom, and
she enjoyed the quietness of the manor. It still amazed her how so many people
could live here, but yet it remained peacefully quiet.

She looked up as the screen door creaked open, and Emily
stepped out. Her long brown hair fell softly around her smiling face.

“Hi,” Emily said, lacing her fingers together.

“Do you want to sit?” Lark planted her feet on the porch,
bringing the swing to a stop.

“Thanks,” Emily said, as she took a seat. “Devon said you’re
making a cake for me. He said that you had something amazing planned. I’m so
excited.”