Chapter Twenty-Five #2
“Thank you.” I lean forward, taking a deep breath. Bane stands and dishes a plate for the three of us. “I don’t want to eat without them.”
“They won’t mind,” Hunter says.
I lick my lips, staring at the mushrooms.
“Fuck,” Bane growls, and I look at him. He’s focused on something outside the door.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, following his gaze. I don’t see anything unusual.
“Get to Remy,” Hunter rumbles, standing quickly.
“Hunter?” Bane tenses.
“Too late,” he snarls. Hunter moves around me and stops on the other side of my chair, blocking my view.
“Tell me what’s going on,” I demand, meeting Bane’s eyes.
“It’s Vivian,” Bane says, moving his chair back.
“No,” I whisper.
“She scented us,” Hunter mumbles.
“Why would she come here? Does she still try to see him?” I push back my chair and look around Hunter.
There is a woman staring back at us. She stands rigid in the middle of the dining room.
She has black, thin, straight hair and dark eyes.
Her turtleneck is black and is tucked into black slacks.
Remy didn’t describe her, yet her image is just like I imagined. She glares and strides toward us.
“She hasn’t for months,” Bane says softly, moving behind my chair.
“Where is my son?” she demands as she steps over the threshold of the room. “I smell his scent.” She wrinkles her nose. “You’re the brothers,” she spits, and I narrow my eyes.
“He doesn’t want to see you,” Hunter says.
“I want to talk to him,” she sneers.
“Too bad,” Bane growls.
“You need to stay out of it,” she says. “I’m his family.”
“You were never his family,” Hunter says quietly.
“And you are?” she asks, and I grit my teeth.
“You know we are,” Bane says.
“I know he owes me.” She crosses her arms.
“Excuse me?” I slip off my seat and stand beside Hunter.
“Who are you?” She lifts her chin. Hunter sweeps his arm out, stopping me from moving forward. “I need to speak to Remy, not their plaything.” She looks at my mates with a snarl.
“Vivian, careful,” Hunter says roughly.
“I do love the way we have played,” I say, enjoying her wide eyes. “I’m thrilled I’ll enjoy their attention the rest of our lives.”
“Mates,” she hisses.
“Are you going to congratulate us?” I smirk when she gasps.
“You little—”
“I would say you could welcome me to the family, but you aren’t family,” I growl, trying to step closer.
Bane grabs my waist. “Remy doesn’t need you in his life.
He had a mother, and she was nothing like you.
She loved them, and you tore them apart, using Remy for your little games.
Instead of relishing the gift of him being in your life, you made him doubt his worth.
You're pathetic.” Her mouth drops open, and she moves further into the room.
“Remy has a family. He doesn’t need you spreading your misery on him anymore. ”
“Little girl, do you know what I am?” Her hands clench. I see movement behind her, but I keep my focus on her.
“A bitch,” I reply, and I hear a strangled laugh that sounds like Sally.
“I don’t care that you have an animal inside you.
I have four jaguars who plan to make me like them, and I’m betting they are a hell of a lot stronger than you.
I’ve heard you are afraid of your gifts, so you don’t scare me.
” I smile at her fury. “Fortunately, despite the things you did to him, Remy is loyal, kind, and would do anything for his brothers. He doesn’t need you in his life fucking it up.
” I was prepared for her anger, but not her fist coming toward my face. I didn’t see her move, and I freeze.
“You dare?” Remy appears behind her, and luckily, Hunter stops the motion of her arm with his fingers digging into her wrist. Lawson is standing behind Remy.
“Take your filthy hand off me,” she snarls at Hunter.
I don’t lose my temper often. I’ve seen too much anger in my life.
Hitting Brian was a first, but nothing like the rage I feel toward this woman.
My arm raises, and my fist flies through the air.
I watch as if it’s not my arm. My mates don’t react right away, so I must have done it quickly, but it seems as if it's in slow motion to me.
As my fist connects with her cheek, a sharp pain radiates up my arm.
She flinches, and her head turns slightly to the side.
“The only filthy thing that doesn’t belong in this room is you,” I grit out, hiding the pain, as I drop my arm. I blink rapidly and notice the shock on everyone's face. Sally is in the room, her mates behind her, and the doors are closed.
“You—” She snaps her mouth shut as Remy grabs her shoulder and turns her to face him.
“Don’t.” He points his finger. “This is my territory. You are not welcome. She is mine.” He steps forward, and she matches every step of his advance until she's pressed against the wall. “I am not a boy anymore. I won’t allow you to insult my mate, brothers, or me.”
“I need money,” she gulps.
“That shit isn’t my problem,” he says, shaking his head.
“Son—”
“Do not call me that,” he growls. “Ever.” He exhales harshly and steps back.
“I told you the last time you showed up here, never come back. I will reinforce that statement, however I need to. Imagine what my mate will do once she is a shifter. Until then, raise your hand to her, or even your voice, I’ll kill you. ”
“Fine,” she growls. “I’ll be civil if you help me.”
“I don’t want you here or near my mate,” Remy says, narrowing his eyes. “What happened to your new husband?”
“He was weak.” She lifts a shoulder. “He’s gone.”
“He divorced you,” he guesses, and she clasps her hands in front of her.
“Yes.” She looks to the side, unable to meet his eyes.
“He was smart.” Her eye twitches. “I’m assuming he made you sign a prenup.”
“I didn’t know what I was signing,” she mumbles.
“None of this is my problem. You don’t matter to me.
I thought this was settled the last time you came here.
” Remy leans forward. “This is my business.” He points at me.
“That is my mate. She will have everything I own. Those are my brothers that you took me away from. They are in my life; anything that Haven doesn’t get, they will.
You didn’t make the list of people I love.
I have moved on, and I advise you to also. ” He steps back.
“I know all about you,” Hunter says, stepping beside Remy.
“If you push this, I’ll ruin you. Be thankful for the money you have left because I have the power to take it all away.
” Her face turns red, and her eyes widen.
“All I have to do is push a few buttons, and the cash will be put in the accounts of other people who would be grateful for it.” Hunter takes his phone out of his pocket, and his fingers move over the screen.
“Look.” He holds it in front of her face, and she gasps.
“Because of this incident, one of your accounts is empty. Continue to harass Remy or even look at our mate, I’ll do the rest.”
“You—”
“Can.” Hunter tilts his head. “Just did.” I bite my lip as it would be inappropriate to laugh, but Sally doesn’t feel the same.
“Shit. That is brilliant,” she laughs, and Vivian snarls. Atlas and Luca step in front of the rabbit, crossing their arms.
“It’s time for you to leave,” Remy says softly, and she looks around the room. Sally and her mates slide away from the door, but Lawson doesn’t move. His hands are loose beside him, but his claws are out.
“Tell the beast to move and I will,” she grits out.
“Watch your mouth,” I hiss, and move toward Lawson.
“Brother, it’s okay,” Remy says, and grabs my wrist gently.
“She hurt you,” he says roughly.
“Yes.”
“She tried to hit our mate,” Lawson growls.
“Hunter didn’t let her.” Remy urges me behind him as he moves close to him. “She’s safe. Vivian can’t hurt me anymore.” He holds his hands out slowly and places them on Lawson’s shoulders. “We won’t let her hurt our mate.”
“What’s wrong with him?” Vivian says snidely. “He can’t control himself.” Remy hisses over his shoulder. I gasp as Bane lunges forward and wraps his hand around her throat.
“I don’t hurt women,” he rumbles, flexing his fingers. “I’ll make an exception with you.”
“I’ll go,” she whispers. “Please.”
“Bane, let her go,” Lawson says, rolling his shoulders, and Remy drops his hands. He retracts his claws. “I’m fine.”
“You sure?” Bane asks.
“Yes.” Lawson moves toward me and picks up my hand. “She needs to leave.” Bane releases her, and she inhales sharply, rubbing her neck.
“Goodbye, Vivian,” Remy says firmly, opening one of the doors.
She stares at him for a moment before moving slowly past him.
She pauses. “Remember everything we said.” She walks away, and he steps out of the room.
He stares toward the front of the restaurant for a moment before returning and shutting the door.
“What were you thinking?” he says, grinning.
“She was defending her mates,” Sally says, pushing between Atlas and Luca. “The family is never dull.”
“She was being mean,” I mumble, and Lawson holds my arm out.
“At the cost of your hand,” he says.
“It doesn’t feel good.” I stare at the quickly forming bruises.
“I bet,” Sally snorts.
“What hurts worse is that my mushrooms are cold.” I look at the table, and Hunter chuckles.
“I’ll get you more,” Remy says, stepping close. He looks at my hand and then meets my gaze. “Thank you, baby.” He pulls me close and hugs me. I wrap my other arm around his waist. “But don’t hurt yourself on my behalf again.”
“You can’t tell me what to do,” I say.
“Really?”
I tip my head back and see his smirk. “Except then,” I say, licking my lips. “I didn’t think about her being a shifter. I reacted. I’ll try to control myself next time.”
“Appreciate it,” he drawls and eases back. “Heather is waiting to bring in food. I’ll order more mushrooms.” He glances at my hand. “And some ice.”
“We’ll leave you,” Atlas says.
“No. Stay.” Remy opens the door. “I’ll have Heather bring your food in here.”
“Brother?” Hunter nods at him.
“I’m good.” Remy smiles and looks at me. “It will be a hell of a story for our first date.” He walks away shaking his head.
Lawson guides me back to my seat, and everyone follows. Now that the adrenaline has worn off, the throbbing in my hand is increasing.
“I’m impressed,” Sally says, leaning on the table. “Usually, we're in the club when all the excitement happens. What are your thoughts on sharing the story through the group text?”
I laugh.
“Fuck it. Do it.” I wave my hand and remember too late.
“Princess,” Hunter gently takes my hand. “We might need to see if you broke any bones.”
“I didn’t think about that,” Bane rumbles, standing over me in an instant. “Wiggle your fingers.”
“Let me take a look,” Lawson says, leaning over me. “I have some experience with broken bones.”
They continue to fuss over me, and I don’t mention that all the movement of their fussing is causing more pain. Instead, I bask in their concern. I look up, and Sally is staring at me. She smiles softly and winks before returning her attention to her phone.
Despite the horrible woman interrupting, my possibly broken hand, and the cold mushrooms, I couldn’t be happier.