Chapter 8
Danger
I stand in my room naked, staring into the full-length mirror. Tonight is my date with Ferg. I took a shower and now I need to get dressed.
However, I have no idea what to wear. I’m going to the diner to study, so I don’t want to look too dressed up. I also don’t want to look like I’m trying too hard.
Still, if Big Red comes in, I want him to eat his heart out for not asking me out first. I cup my little breasts and chew on my lip. With those big hands, he probably passed because of these mosquito bites.
I turn sideways and groan. All this ass could have been divided up to at least get me a solid C cup. Turning fully and looking back over my shoulder, I lift on my toes and clap my cheeks.
I can’t help laughing to myself. This wagon might have gotten me through college faster if I weren’t so shy. I turn back around and squeeze my breasts together.
“Go with a corset top. It will make them look bigger and a pair of liquid jeans. Maybe he’s an ass man,” I mutter to myself and shrug.
I snap my fingers as the perfect outfit comes to mind. The top has a corset bodice with flirty sheer sleeves. The jeans I have in mind fit like a second skin and are embellished with rhinestones. I even have a pair of wedges that will give me some height.
My heart skips a beat as I think of Big Red. It’s been two days since I’ve seen him. I rub at my chest.
Can you miss someone you don’t know? I’ve gotten so used to seeing him. I’ve worked double shifts, and still, he was there when I arrived to get my studying done. A morning or two, I’d gone to the diner to get my schoolwork done first because this place is a zoo and I can’t think straight.
Even then, he has walked in in all his fine glory. I shake my head. When did I become so obsessed with a man I don’t know?
I slip on a red thong and give myself one more once-over. I’m so tempted to lie on the bed and rub one out to thoughts of all that red hair between my legs. I bet my orgasm would be as powerful as he looks.
I roll my eyes at myself. This date isn’t even with him. I need to pull it together. Good thing I don’t know his name. Wouldn’t put it past my scrambled brain to call Ferg by the wrong name.
I look at the time and growl at myself. I really do need to get some studying in before my date. Shrugging off all my wayward thoughts, I head to my jewelry box for my hoop earrings.
The moment I open the box, fire runs through me. My hoops are missing and so are my bracelets Angel had been eyeing. My fingers tingle as if sparks of anger can fly from them.
I need to move out of here. The lack of boundaries has reached new heights. Placing a hand over my belly, I remember the weekend I decided to be adventurous.
I’d gone to a fair upstate, and while there, I got these bracelets. They were something just for me, a little splurge on myself. I glance at the time and I’m pissed all over again.
I need to get to the diner to study. Storming out of my room, I go in search of Angel. I find her and Leona in the living room eating cereal, my cereal. I ball my fists. Ugh, I hate it here.
“Where are my earrings and bracelets?” I growl, surprising myself.
“Oh, I borrowed them the other day for my date,” Angel says and shrugs like it’s no big deal.
“You better go get my shit and clean them. Now . By the time I’m walking out of the door, I better have those fucking earrings and bracelets in my hands,” I seethe.
“Oh shit,” Leona breathes.
“And you put my money for that cereal on my desk. I told you last week to stop eating my shit. I can’t afford to sponsor you trifling, disrespectful bitches and I’m not your fucking doormat to keep stepping on. I’ve had enough,” I snap.
The sound of a slow clap breaks through the tension in the room. I turn to find Tangy leaning against the wall with an amused grin on her lips as she claps.
“I’m here for it. I told y’all to stop underestimating her. I would have been whipped both y’alls asses,” Tangy sings.
I roll my eyes and turn back for my room. Once inside, I do have to give myself a pat on the back. I never speak up for myself.
I don’t even know where that just came from. I look in the mirror and give myself a smile. I still feel that tingling in my fingers, and my chest is so warm.
I close my eyes and take a calming breath. I’m not about to let these bitches give me a heart attack or stroke. Maybe it’s time I look for a new place with new roommates.
“I can come out of my comfort zone for some peace. It’s only going to be for four months or so,” I mutter to myself.
I really am over living here.
***
I tuck my hair behind my ear and highlight the last passage I just read. A few more pages and I’ll be able to make my flash cards to study. I’ve been so lost in my books I haven’t been watching the time.
After finishing the last of my notes, I look to see what time it is. It’s getting kind of late and I’m hungry. Glancing around the diner, I don’t see any signs of Ferg.
I wait for the disappointment to hit, but it never comes. However, when I think of my biker and the fact that he hasn’t shown up either, I sag in my seat with a pout.
“Hey, honey. You still don’t want anything?” Helen comes over to ask.
I sit up straight and rub my palms on my jeans. I think her words over. I’ve been telling her I don’t want anything more than water because I’ve been waiting to have dinner with my date.
My cheeks warm with embarrassment as I realize I’ve been stood up. As if to taunt me, my stomach growls. Even the guys I don’t want don’t want me.
“Can I get a cheeseburger and fries with a chocolate shake?” I finally say.
“Sure thing, honey. You look really pretty today, by the way.”
“Thank you.”
I throw myself back into my notes and studying. However, I keep glancing out the window for a certain biker. Maybe he got tired of the food here or lost interest.
After about another hour, I’m full and I know my notes like the back of my hand. Exhaustion begins to set in, so I decide to leave. I pack my things in my backpack and stand to head out.
Helen tosses me a smile and wave. I give a small wave back. When I step outside, the air is crisp. I stop to look around the diner.
One of the reasons I started coming here was the curb appeal and the view of the little jogging park across the way. The place is in the middle of the city, but Oscar, the owner, has made it seem like it’s in the middle of a small town.
There are rose bushes on either side of the diner. The fragrance fills the air. You wouldn’t know the dumpsters are behind the bushes on the right side.
You can’t always find a spot in the small lot out front. Luckily, tonight, I have one and don’t need to walk across the street to my car. I’ve become more aware of how eerie this street can be at night since my biker hasn’t been here to watch over me.
I miss him. Not just because I felt like he would make sure I got into my car safely. It’s more than that. I have this ache in my chest and a deep need to see his face.
I’m so lost in my thoughts; I startle when I reach my car, and someone grabs my arm. My mind goes to my pepper spray and baton. Stupid me, I didn’t take either out of my backpack before leaving the diner.
At this hour, that should have been the first thing I thought to do. I’m so much smarter than this. Panic rises and I make the split-second decision to fight. I’m not going out like this.
I ball my fists and spin to face my attacker. However, I come face to face with Ferg. I wish I could say I’m relieved, but my adrenaline is already pumping, and my brain hasn’t had the time to process whether I’m safe or not.
My heart is still racing. Before I can recover, all hell breaks loose and I swear it’s like I fall into a movie.
Bradan
“Have you seen Kendrick?” Reilly asks as I head for my office.
I have a few things I need to take care of since my brain has been preoccupied over the last few days. One of those things being signing off on the approval for Seraphina’s return to the human realm.
Others don’t always need papers, but when they want to pass through a gate with certain supplies from their realms, they need our approval.
Seraphina’s sister, Nori, is a fire healer. Some of the things she needs to heal can only come from the fire realm. Since Nori is hiding here under our protection, when she needs supplies, Seraphina is the one who goes to retrieve them.
“He went to the party at Ricci’s with his mate. Is everything all right?”
He pulls a frown and reaches to rub the back of his neck. “Yes, for now, all is well. I just have a few questions for him. Nothing that can’t wait. I’m going to take a ride. You want to come?”
“Nah, brother. I have some things I need to handle here. With Kendrick finding his mate, I might need to step up around here, so I might as well get things off my plate to get ready,” I say.
“Why now? What’s going on?”
“Your guess is as good as mine. I can only hope that whatever is going on has a trickle-down effect. I’m tired of being alone.”
Reilly snorts. “When are you ever alone?”
“You know what I mean. Even with the fire fairies, I have to hold back. That shit gets tiring, you feel me?”
“I do. I can’t remember the last time I tried,” he replies with a distant look in his eyes.
I know exactly where his thoughts are. I still hurt for my little brother. This life has been cruel to us at times. More so for some of us than others.
“When you find your mate, all of that will be a thing of the past, then you can finally let go,” I say and pat him on the shoulder.
I don’t miss the momentary flash in his eyes. I’m not about to get into a fight with him about this. I’ve never backed down from Reilly. I’m well aware of what he’s capable of.
I also know I’ve gotten a few flames off before he’s been able to strip my powers in the past. We’ve given Kendrick a handful to deal with over the years. I think I used to provoke Reilly the most when we were small.
Especially as boys before we understood his powers. My little brother is a force to be reckoned with. I just happen to love a challenge.
However, tonight, I have other challenges on my hands. I need to get my work done and clear my head. I’ve felt the pull to the diner all day.
I’ve reached a point where I’m tired of being led around by the nose. I don’t know what’s drawing me there and I hate the fact that I want that little human I can never have.
It’s best I stay away from her and that place. If only the gods loved me enough to somehow make her mine. I tighten my jaw as that thought comes unbidden.
I asked the ancients who used to look after us if our father would give us mates. I was told that he would someday, and they would be made just for us. Perfect in every way. I never shared this with my brothers.
Although I’ve held out hope for centuries that one day I would find her, and she would be just as I imagine. Small in height with a great ass and pretty face. The little human fits all my desires for a mate.
Shaking my thoughts off, I toss Reilly a salute and continue for my office. My thoughts are lost in the documents I sign and send to their destination with magic. I’ve managed to ignore the pull to leave the clubhouse, getting the feeling to come to a low hum.
Suddenly, it’s like a box is blown open and the feeling is so strong I think my stomach is going to pitch. I grab the edges of my desk and try not to set the thing on fire.
It’s like I’m hit in the gut with a sledgehammer. The room begins to pulse around me as it comes in and out of focus. I can feel my powers humming against my iron as if it will force its release.
“Holy shit. Motherfucker,” I bite out against the pain.
I’ve never been hit with anything like this. Trust me, going up against Reilly can be painful and Kendrick has knocked me on my ass a time or two, but nothing like this. Not even being iced or drowned by Ardan can compare to this feeling. My vision blurs for a moment.
After blinking a few times, I glance around me and can see the heat waves coming from my desk. I release my tight grasp before I set the entire thing ablaze.
I take a deep breath for clarity and that’s when I understand what’s happening. I can see her face clearly. I know where I’m to be.
I roar in fury and will myself to my bike. I don’t know what awaits me. I may need to transport her by human measures although I will not use such to get to her.
Once straddling my hog, I follow the pull to the little human I believe to be my mate. That is the only way this could be happening. My magic does all the work to get me to her.
I bounce out onto the street less than a block away. I can taste her fear in the air. I waste no time riding the short distance to the parking lot up ahead.
Inhaling the air, my fury rises. It’s the same scent we found in the area around where Kendrick found Ray. I will kill them all.