Unleashed by Shadows (By Moonlight Book 10) (8 page)

There was nothing slick or tailored about him, from the loose tee shirt skimming his long, fit torso to baggy cargo pants and tennis shoes. He was surfer blond and tanned with blue eyes that hit with flood lights of warm, healthy energy. Next to Cale’s head-on-collision directness, he was all snuggly puppy and hand-in-hand walks in the moonlight. The kind of man you wanted as a best friend and to marry your sister. Apparently, Cale thought so.

“Tina wanted to know if the steaks were done.”

“Be on the platter in a minute or two. Go ahead and wash up,” he prompted Cale. “I’ve got this under control.”

“Good.” Cale sighed in relief. “I’m hungry enough to eat one of your neighbors.”

A moment of cautious hesitation proceeded Alain’s laugh. He pointed over the back fence with his fork. “I’d suggest Mr. Miller. His dogs bark all night, and he’s too free with his comments about my crabgrass.”

Cale grinned, winking slyly. “Thanks for the recommendation.”

There was just enough gleeful malevolence in his expression for the very human Babineau to remember who and what he was. His smile faded.

Kendra thumped her mate’s hard, if empty, belly. “Stop that.” Then for their host, added, “He’s just kidding.”

“I knew that,” Alain claimed, only a touch of uneasiness lingering.

Kendra hauled Cale inside to whisper, “Don’t forget what he is,” to which Cale replied, “I don’t want him to forget what I am in case he decides to mistreat my sister and nephew.”

There was no amusement in his tone.

“Bathroom’s over here.” He led her down a narrow hall then turned her abruptly up against one of the closed doors. He leaned close, body pressing into hers, features dynamic with intensity. “I want this, Kendra. I want what they have.”

Her heart leapt, but she kept her response light. “A nine-to-five, a mortgage in the suburbs, and dishes in the sink?”

He huffed in kingly disdain. “Don’t be ridiculous. This!” He made an abstract gesture. “You feel it. I know you do. The sense of closeness, of a real family. We had those dreams once, and they were torn away from us. I want it back, Katy.”

She swallowed hard, her hand touching his face. “I want it, too.”

He pulled a big breath and urged gruffly, “I want to make babies with you.”

“Aw, geez,” interrupted a tall, lanky youth as he exited the bedroom opposite. “Not right here in the hallway, please. There are kids present.”

Cale gave an explosive laugh to break the tension and pulled the boy into a rough headlock. “Your timing sucks, little man.” Cale let him straighten, but didn’t let him go as he put his other arm around the blushing Kendra. “Ozzy, this is my queen, that sunrise I was telling you about.”

He smiled a bit shyly. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”

At the sound of the slider opening, a delicious smell intruded. Cale drew it in noisily. “I’m starving. If I can’t have what I really want, I’ll have to settle for second best.”

“You are so embarrassing,” Oscar exclaimed, wriggling free.

“I’m an education.”

Ozzy laughed at his uncle’s boast. “I don’t think that’s the kind of schooling my mama would approve of before I’m old enough to drive. Wash your hands while I try to wash out my mind.”

Cale grinned. “Good luck with that.”

Oscar smiled at Kendra. “You must be a saint to put up with him.”

“That’s what I’ve been hearing.”

Cale steered her toward the bathroom to Oscar’s wry, “Leave the door open, or we’ll never get dinner.”

“Wiseass kid.”

Kendra angled up to the sink beside him to smile at their reflections. “He’s cute. They all are.”

“One big happy family.”

So why didn’t either of them really believe that?

*

Dinner went well, the food excellent, the conversation animated and centered mainly around Oscar. All too soon, Cale pushed back from the table to thank their hosts.

“That was great. Haven’t had a meal this good since I lived with my momma. Hate to break things up but I’ve got to meet with my brothers tonight and I need to get Kendra back to the hotel.”

Kendra wasn’t quick enough to hide that this was news to her. Unwelcomed news, at that.

“It’s still early,” Tina interjected. “Kendra, why don’t you stay. Alain can take you into the city when he goes to work. I hate to think of you alone in a hotel room.”

She hated the thought of it, too.

Cale shrugged. “Fine with me, if it’s no bother.”

“And I can help you clean up,” Kendra offered.

“Oh, that isn’t necessary,” Tina insisted, “but the company would be wonderful.”

Cale stood. “Walk me out, baby.”  As Kendra rose, he bent to touch a kiss to his half-sister’s brow. “Thanks for having us over. It’s nice to do normal things.” No one questioned his meaning. He slapped Alain on the back. “Take care of your family, brother. They’re the best you’ll ever have.”

Babineau accepted his comment and his pointed stare with a brief nod.

The early evening air still held the gentle warmth of the day, making it almost balmy as they walked to Cale’s bike. She could tell his hurry was mainly to avoid questions but she wouldn’t let him get away that easily.

“So what do you have planned with your brothers? Some sort of princely debauchery?”

Cale laughed, hugging her tight against him, letting her know that the interest piqued in the hallway was still very much on his mind. “Nothing like that. Just some business. Silas will be there to drain the life out of anything enjoyable.”

“Good,” she muttered under her breath.

His hips nudged hers. “I meant what I said earlier.”

“So did I.”

“Good.”

She gave him a slight push. “You’d better go before I decide not to let you leave.”

“Kendra? You’re the best I’ll ever have.”

Her emotions trembled but her voice stayed strong. “Don’t you ever forget that.”

“Not a chance.”

His kiss was way too explicit for a PG neighborhood. By the time he lifted away from her damp lips, she found herself clinging to him when she’d promised herself she wouldn’t. She gave him a determined push.

“I’ll see you later.”

His hand sketched over her hair. “Yes, you will.”

*

The party was in full swing on a private rooftop terrace where tropical plants, intimate open fronted cabanas and chic outdoor furniture surrounded a large pool. At one end, a DJ spun tunes through massive speakers lining a small dance floor, and on the other a neon-edged bar, and banquet length tables offered refreshments. Most of the male guests were in jackets and ties, the women in slinky evening gowns or barely there bikinis. Party boys boasting gym pack abs and little else played volleyball in the water. And off to one side, Casper Lee held court.

When the elevator opened, his pale glance was drawn then held by the tall, stunning trio in black designer suits and shirts with silver ties that highlighted the diamonds in their ears. They exited together and paused to survey the crowd with deadly precision before parting so a fourth could stride between them.

Mick Terry.

His features set with the same harshly chiseled arrogance, the small fighter had also opted for designer sleek but he wore his single button black Dolce jacket over a boldly bared chest with its sleeves shoved up to his elbows. The effect was as snarlingly sexual as the black and red tattoo on his forearm.

“Is that him?”

Casper reluctantly tore his stare from the strutty Shifter heading for the bar with the threesome in tow to respond to the figure standing in shadows behind him. “Yes. What do you think?”

“The three are definitely Terriot princes. No one else in their clan would dare flash carats that size. Or have taste quite that garish in jewelry.”

“And the other?”

“Could be he is what he claims to be, a Lesser friend. Bram the Beast’s sons all have his stature and that flamboyant hair. All except the one who overthrew and banished him to inherit. He’s said to be the vicious little runt of the litter. I’ve never met Cale, only James. That can’t be him. They’d never place their king in such a vulnerable position in another territory unless he was asking to be taken hostage.”

Lee considered that while considering the man he hadn’t been able to get out of his thoughts. “What do you know about the House of Terriot?”

“That they’re greedy, treacherous and brutal beyond description. That they’d rather die than admit failure or have to humble themselves for any reason. They don’t come down off their mountain unless it’s for war. Going after them there would be like taking on a badger in its hole. You’d get torn to pieces. We faced them once and managed to drive them back, but we don’t relish having to do it again.”

“So what are they doing here, out in the open as bold as can be?” he mused, calculating gaze lingering on Terry and his friends. “Find out.”

*

Cale scarcely had time to sip past the suds on his beer before he was accosted.

“What are they doing here?”

He followed Silas’s disapproving glare poolside where his brothers were quickly surrounded by bikinied girls. “Behaving themselves. They were invited by our host. Would you prefer them where you couldn’t see them?”

“I’d prefer them in Nevada.” He flicked the lapel of the Dolce & Gabbana jacket. “Couldn’t find a clean shirt?”

“Figured he’d be less likely to slit my throat if he’s drooling over my pecs.”

“Be careful. He might want to buy what you’re advertising.”

Cale leveled an icy stare. “Hey, I’m just a selfish, indiscriminating man whore who fucks anything that moves. Isn’t that what you told Kendra?”

Silas chose not to comment. “Where is she tonight?”

“Safe with family.”

Since he was here and his sister was honeymooning, it didn’t take MacCreedy long to narrow down the options and be reassured. “Good.”

“Did you think I wouldn’t be taking care of her?”

“If you were, she’d be in Nevada, too.”

“You underestimate her. You always have. That’s why she’s with me.”

Further discussion on that point curtailed when Nica joined them looking unusually feminine in a gauzy turquoise dress that skimmed her knees. Skillfully applied makeup and a loose updo softened the hawk-like angles of her face.

Cale noticed. “You look very lovely tonight.”

Caught by surprise, she went immediately on the defensive. “I could still kill you before you blink if I had to.” Her cool dark blue gaze assessed him in a sweep. “That’s little overtly tarty for my taste.”

His grin was swift and his laugh genuine.

“Excuse me.”

They turned toward a pretty young man with olive skin and wavy black hair.

“Mr. Lee would like to speak with you. Follow me.”

“Into the lion’s den,” Cale murmured as he trailed behind the MacCreedys.

*

As Cale predicted, after they were brought before him, Casper Lee had a difficult time tearing his stare away from the skin exposed by the deep vee of his suit jacket. Absently, he gave the young delivery boy a pat on the ass and murmured, “Thank you, Angelo. Leave us.”

Angelo made a pouty face but quickly faded away.

Lee gestured to the elegant hooded settees. “Make yourselves comfortable.” As Silas and Nica settled together in one of them, Cale continued to stand. He followed Lee’s glance poolside where his brothers, even Kip, had paired off with eager companions. “Thank you for bringing them. I trust they’re being suitably entertained.”

Cale offered a thin smile. “You offer everything here they require to amuse themselves.”

“And you, Mr. Terry? Are you easily amused?”

“No. Not when there’s business pending.”

Casper waved him into a chair. “Sit. If you refuse to relax, at least look comfortable.” When he did as asked, Lee turned to Silas. “Has he told you I’ve decided to give him a second chance?”

“Yes, but was rather vague about the terms. I’m hoping that’s why we’re here tonight.”

A chuckle. “Maybe I invited you because I enjoy the company.” When Silas said nothing, Lee smiled. “You’re an astute man, Mr. Creed.”

“I’m a businessman, Mr. Lee, so let’s get to it. What are your terms for continuing our relationship.”

“Relationship,” he echoed with a sigh. “Yes, indeed. Mr. Terry has convinced me that if I move him up in the game, he will not disappoint me. Such a move requires certain concessions he’s been unwilling to make to this juncture. I need to be assured he’s ready to make them now.”

Silas glanced at Cale, his fleeting scowl an
I told you so
regarding his absent shirt. “What concessions?”

Lee tented his pudgy fingers. “Top billing comes with obligations to satisfy a select audience. For their patronage, they expect a higher level of entertainment than simple beasts brawling.”

“By select you mean what exactly?” Nica asked.

“Private competitions if you prove yourself worthy. That, Mr. Terry, is something you have to earn. Their interest in you will determine how far you rise and how much you gain by it.”

“When do we start?”

Lee smiled at Cale’s question. “Always so quick to jump in head first.”

“That’s why he has me,” Silas interjected. “We’d need terms and concessions spelled out, and we need to know exactly who we’re dealing with. We want to meet your boss.”

“You don’t believe that I’m in charge, Mr. Creed?”

“No.”

His curt reply had the icy blue eyes narrowing slightly. “But of course a shrewd man like you would realize that. He’ll be here tonight. I’ll introduce you. But you’ll talk to me about business.”

“Then let’s talk.”

“Fights are once, sometimes twice a week. You’ll be available whenever called. Mr. Terry will keep himself fit and ready. No more permanent body alterations.” He gestured to the ink on Cale’s forearm. “Some of our clients are a bit prudish. And you will keep yourself clean, chemically and sexually unless told otherwise. That’s one rule that cannot be broken.”

“No problem,” Cale assured him.

A thin smile. “So you’ve told me.”

“Why is that so important if he’s just a fighter?”

Lee looked to Nica with a patronizing air. “Oh, he’ll be so much more than just a fighter.”