Chapter 23
Major called his twin on the way to his house. When Marshall answered, music mixed with loud voices sounded through the phone.
“Hey, Maymay. What’s up?”
“Tabitha and I are finished with our job, and Mason gave us the rest of the week off. We’re headed to my house, and I wanted to invite you over so I could introduce the two of you, but it sounds like you’re busy.”
“Nah. Kayden and I stopped by Ripley’s for supper. Now we’re hanging out with the demons. You know what would be a great idea? If you brought Tabitha here. We could all meet her at the same time.”
“Why do I get the feeling there’s more to it than that?”
Marshall chuckled. “Because you know me so well.”
Tabitha patted Major’s thigh. “I think that’s a wonderful idea, Marshall.”
“Oh. Uh, hi. Um, I didn’t know we were on speaker.”
“Sorry about that. If we show up at Ripley’s, do I get to defend my mate’s honor?”
Marshall laughed again. “Why do you sound thrilled about that?”
“Because I am. There’s somewhere we have to stop first. We’ll see you soon, yeah?”
“I can’t wait. Nahla!” Marshall yelled as he hung up.
Major eyed his mate. “And just where do we have to stop first?”
“Your house. I’m not going into battle without my armor.”
“Your armor? Tabby…”
“My clothes, Hottie. I am not facing my opponent dressed this way.” She gestured at her worn jeans and hoodie.
“You are perfect just the way you are, but I aim to please, so our house it is.”
“It won’t take long for me to change,” Tabitha promised as Major unlocked the door.
She took her bag to their bedroom and rummaged through it until she found what she wanted.
Major leaned against the door frame, amazed that she had items she deemed armor among her work clothes.
Tabby dropped her jeans and shrugged out of the sweatshirt, leaving her in sexy underwear.
She grabbed a pair of slacks, flapping them hard, and slid them up her long legs.
She then slid on a silk blouse. Both were a little wrinkled, but they almost looked like they were meant to be that way.
She slid her slender feet into a pair of stilettos while removing her hair from its braid.
Tabitha moved to the en suite where she opened her toiletry kit and refreshed her makeup before running her fingers through her tresses.
Her hair was naturally straight, but after wearing it braided all day, it was now wavy and sexy as fuck.
She slicked gloss over her lips, smacked them together, and turned, holding out her arms. “How do I look? Ready for battle?”
“Ready for something. Fucking Zeus.” Major wanted to skip Ripley’s and tear her clothes off, but he also couldn’t wait to see Fallon’s face when she got a load of his mate. “Come on before I change my mind.”
It had taken less than ten minutes for Tabitha to morph from girl-next-door badass to sexy badass. Fuck, he was one lucky Gryphon. They arrived at Ripley’s to a full parking lot. He texted Marshall to let him know they had arrived.
“When I walk in, one of the demons is going to meet me at the door and expect an impromptu singing duo. It’s our thing.”
“Oh, I can’t wait to see this. Come on.” Tabitha jumped down from the passenger’s seat, not waiting for Major to come around and open her door.
From the way her eyes were sparkling, he knew that wasn’t all she was ready for.
If his mate wanted to put Fallon in her place, he wasn’t going to stop her.
Major held his arm out, and Tabby slid her hand around his bicep.
He pulled the door open for her, and the song changed instantly from some older pop tune to his and Nahla’s favorite.
He grinned at his sister as she bounded over to him.
Nahla glanced at Tabitha, winking with mischief, then grabbed Major’s hands.
Most of the crowd stopped talking, knowing what was happening, and they all watched as he and his sister alternated belting out the lyrics.
Eyes glittering like stars, a wink that promises trouble
Lips glistening like cherries, a little taste, make it a double
Nails scratching my arm, one touch, it does me in
You give me that look, the one that promises sin
Pretty momma, don’t you wanna
Take a ride with me
Hop in the car and drive all night
Take a chance and see
Most everyone in Ripley’s was on their feet, clapping, whistling, and cheering.
Fallon was leaning against the bar, smirking at Major, but that didn’t last long.
Major felt a female at his back. Only this time, it was the right one.
Tabitha joined them on the next verse, and the crowd lost their minds.
Everyone except Fallon. Now she was glaring at Tabitha, but Major wasn’t worried.
His mate could hold her own against anyone.
When the song was over, he picked Nahla up in a fireman’s carry and placed his free hand on Tabby’s back.
He deposited his sister on her feet when they reached Marshall and Kayden, who had stools at the bar.
Marshall wore a big grin, and it was all for Tabitha.
Nahla tapped her cheek, and Major whispered to her before smacking a kiss there.
She rushed around the bar to help Nadya sling drinks.
Talking resumed over the music coming from the speakers. Marshall held out his hand, and Tabby took it. “It’s such an honor to meet you, Tabitha.”
“Same here. I feel like I already know you. All of you, actually. Major is so proud to be your brother.”
Nahla slid two beers across the bar. Major grabbed them both and handed one to his mate. Marshall lifted his drink. “Here’s to—” His eyes widened, and he continued, “To family and whatever happens next.” He tapped his glass to theirs, but his eyes were now squinty, which could only mean one thing.
“Hey, Maymay. I’ve missed you.” Fallon’s breath was hot on his neck.
Tabitha took a long pull off her beer before setting it on the bar.
She then stepped between Major and Fallon, placing her back to him.
The twins, instead of pouring liquor or pulling beers, stood shoulder-to-shoulder, watching.
The music continued playing, but the patrons got quiet. Marshall’s grin widened.
“You must be Fallon.” Tabitha crossed her arms over her chest, tapping her nails against her bicep.
Fallon narrowed her eyes, looking between Tabitha and Major. “Yes, I’m Major’s—”
“Fuck buddy? Yeah, he told me.”
Kayden, who’d just taken a sip of beer, spewed it out, dousing Fallon’s back.
She hissed, turning on him with her fist raised.
Before she could swing, Tabitha grabbed her wrist, twisting her arm behind her back.
Fallon tried to wrench it free, but Tabitha wasn’t letting go.
“You have a bad habit of trying to hit males. You really need to see someone about your anger issues.” She released Fallon’s arm and gave her a push.
Fallon twisted around, her face a mask of fury. “I’ll show you anger issues.” Fallon’s eyes flashed golden, but Tabitha’s Goyle growled, and Fallon took a step back. “What are you?”
“Nothing you’ve ever seen, but if you raise your hands to one of my family again, you’ll find out real quick what I am. I’ll rip your spine out through your chest and beat you with it.”
“If you were family, I’d have seen you before. Who are you really?”
“Tabitha Stone,” five voices said in unison.
“My mate,” Major added over Tabby’s shoulder. “Isn’t she gorgeous?”
“You don’t have a mate. I don’t know where you found this tramp, but—”
Tabitha surged forward, gripping Fallon by the throat, lifting her until her toes barely touched the floor.
Fallon grabbed at Tabitha’s hand, but it was no use.
Even though Fallon was a Gryphon, Tabitha was stronger being a Goyle who was mated to a Gryphon.
Tabby growled again, getting in Fallon’s face.
“Major and I exchanged mate bites this week. Unless you’re stupid, you know what that means.
” Tabitha released the other female, and Fallon landed on her ass.
Tabitha turned her back and pointed to her beer.
Marshall handed it to her but not before holding out his fist. She dapped it with a smirk.
Fallon climbed to her feet, dusting off the seat of her jeans.
She started to say something, proving she wasn’t that bright, when Nahla slapped the bar.
“Run along. We have family business to discuss.” Nadya made a shooing motion with her fingertips.
Major worried Fallon was either going to have a heart attack or shift in the middle of the bar.
“I’ll be waiting, Major.” Fallon looked Tabitha up and down. “You think someone like her is going to ride on the back of your bike?”
“No. I think she’s going to ride her own Harley. She’s a badass that way and so many more.”
Fallon scoffed. “Right."
Kayden stood, stretching to his full height. “Did you not hear him say that Tabitha is his mate? Did you forget our last conversation?”
Fallon’s eyes widened, and she shook her head.
After retrieving her purse from the other end of the bar, she pushed her way through the crowd who had been watching the show.
Once she cleared the door, they turned and cheered.
Major studied their faces, recognizing most everyone as a shifter.
He wouldn’t put it past the twins to have texted their friends.
Since there were humans present, Major had Nahla lower the volume on the music so he could voice them into forgetting the scuffle.
Kayden gestured to his stool. “Please, have a seat.”
Tabitha inclined her head. “Thank you, Kayden.” She downed the rest of her beer and slid the empty across the bar to where the twins were staring at her. “Hi. Let’s see. You’re Nahla, and you’re Nadya, right?”
The demons looked at one another before grinning at Tabby. “How can you tell?” Nahla asked.
“Major described you to me. I have my own twin, so I get the subtle differences.”