Cougar's Luck (Pacific Northwest Cougars Book 2) (10 page)

T
he phone rang
three times before someone picked up.

“Yo yo ma!” This was a cute voice answering what was supposed to be his brother’s cell. Shit, it was crazy girl again.

“Is Dax there?”

“Ahh is this baby bro? How you doing? I know he hasn’t called you back, but Effie is not the world’s easiest patient, let me tell you!”

Before Everett could delve into a conversation with her, he heard another woman’s voice in the background. Then the sound of a scuffle with the words, “Give me the phone, bitch.” Then a, “No, I’m not done! You have a man, I want my own hottie!”

There was more scuffling, then he heard, “Hello? Is this Everett or Stryker?”

This must be the elusive Effie.

“It’s Everett, you must be Effie. Glad to hear you talking and presumably walking since it sounds like you won the fight with crazy girl.”

“Oh, I like that name for Cassie. Yes, I’m fine. Your brother, on the other hand, thinks I’m on death’s door. Can you convince him to back off?”

Everett started laughing, clearly she had no clue about how far her shifter mate could go with being protective.

“I’m afraid there is not going to be anything I can say to convince him otherwise. I can give you some advice though,” he offered.

“I’ll take it,” she laughed.

“Let him. Let him take care of you. Let him coddle you and pamper you. It’s truly the only thing that will calm his beast so to speak. He’ll let up when the sheer terror he went through while you were gone fades a little,” he said softly.

“Shit, you’re right. I know you’re right. I can’t wait to meet you, Everett. I need this kind of advice. I don’t have any siblings to offer wise words of wisdom,” she said.

“Ho, I’m family, hell I’m your sister, brother, mother, and drunk auntie. I’ll give you advice, give me the goddamn phone and stop hogging the cute guys!” This was yelled by Cassie in the background.

“Sorry, she’s noisy. Kinda like one of those yapping dogs that you just love to hate. Dax was in the shower, he just got out. Let me get him for you,” Effie said and he could hear the physical altercation as someone tried to get the phone from her again.

Everett took the moment waiting to stare at his bride exiting the pool. She was wearing a bright yellow bikini. She was lushly curvy in it and it barely covered the necessary parts. Layla knew he was watching, he could see her smile twitching her lips. She came over next to him and laid out on the blanketed lounge next to him. She grabbed her sunglasses slid them on and proceeded to pretend to ignore him.

“Everett?”

The voice came over the phone and Everett had to focus his attention on his brother.

“Yeah man, sounds like your mate is safe and sound at home.”

“Sorry, I know you wanted me to call. But I’ve been trying to keep her in bed. The doctor said she needed rest and quiet. She’s out by the pool with Cassie, the music is blaring and I don’t think that is what the doctor meant.” Dax sounded hassled and Everett totally understood that now.

“I’m sure you will keep her safe, bro. She’s your world now, what else do you have to focus on?” Everett asked this question to Dax, but he was also asking himself.

Dax being the alpha that never missed a beat, was quick to pick up on the depth in Everett’s tone and words.

“Something you need to talk about little brother?”

Taking a deep breath and looking over at his mate, he said, “I found her.”

There was silence on the other end of the line. For a moment Everett thought he’d lost the call.

“You did.” It wasn’t a question it was a statement. His alpha confirming what he heard. “She a Klein?”

“Layla Klein, youngest daughter. We met on a pack run. I wasn’t planning on this,” he admitted to his brother.

“No shit, hits you out of nowhere,” Dax laughed. “So what’s the plan? You guys going to date a while or what?”

His brother having to convince a human to mate with him wasn’t the same issues that two shifters would face.

“Actually, we’re bonded…and we got married last night.” He said this and then waited as the silence went on a few seconds longer than he was comfortable with.

Then he heard his brother laughing, not just laughing, howling and laughing. He could even hear Effie asking his brother if he was okay.

Finally, he heard the heavy breathing back on the phone and he said, “I’m so telling mom.”

“Fuck man! Don’t you dare tell her. I’ve got Layla’s mom already on deck here. I don’t need ours jockeying for position.”

Everett had to duck the towel Layla threw at him, but she was smiling so he knew she wasn’t too pissed.

“Well you have to tell Kenzi and there is no way she won’t blab to mom. You might as well get it over with. Rip off the bandage and face the firing squad.”

Everett snorted, “Easy for you to say, you aren’t talking to her anyway right now. Am I right?”

“Nope, she has to apologize to my mate for being, well, herself. And until she is ready to do that, she’s being ignored. Which of course she absolutely hates and I don’t expect it to last more than a few more days. So until then, she can torment you.” Dax thought this was a brilliant idea. He was feeling benevolent since his mate was alive and well and in his home. His mother was still on his shit list, but he knew that he’d forgive her…eventually.

“Can you do me a favor and tell Kenzi? And if you manage to wait a few days, I would totally owe you one,” Everett offered. He was not looking forward to his mother and her intrusion into his new happy bubble.

“Hmm, you owing me a favor. That is almost worth it. Alright, I’ll tell her, when she calls to apologize. That should give you enough time to settle in,” Dax suggested.

Everett would have to take that offer. Besides he needed to talk to Stryker anyway. It wasn’t a message he felt he should text or leave a voicemail. No, for his twin he really needed to have a heart to heart.

“Fair enough. Maybe when Effie is feeling better we can plan to all get together? Fancy coming to Vegas? I bet I can get you some sweet hotel rooms to stay in. I even have an in at the most popular club on the strip.”

Layla smiled to herself. Her man was talking her up, that was nice.

“I think that is a great idea. I’ll talk to the girls about it,” Dax replied.

“Girls?” Everett asked, confused.

“Where Effie goes, Cassie goes. They are like conjoined twins,” Dax laughed.

“That girl is a trip, how do you handle living with her?”

“After a few days, her love for my mate had me sold. How can I not tolerate someone who would take a bullet for my mate, man,” Dax said earnestly.

Everett understood that. With Dax came Effie and with Effie came Cassie. This was the reality of his new family. Changes were happening so fast, he was a little worried his family wouldn’t be able to adjust. There really wasn’t a choice about that. But it didn’t mean that there wouldn’t be any growing pains.

“All right, I hear that. Well, keep me informed of Effie’s progress. I’ll let you know when we have some things settled here. You know I’ll tell you first,” Everett promised.

“Congratulations, little brother. I mean that, I couldn’t be happier that you’ve found your mate. I’ll have someone to talk to now that will understand. And don’t be surprised if I call you soon. I’m here if you need me too, I’m no expert, but I’m a few weeks ahead of you, so consider me a wealth of information,” Dax laughed.

“Thanks, I’ll remember that. Talk to you later,” Everett said, then hung up.

Layla rolled her head towards her mate. She took in his tanned fit body. He was shirtless wearing just swim trunks. His dark hair and beard making his skin look even darker. The man was sexy, crazy sexy, and he belonged to her.

“Your brother coming for a visit?”

“As soon as he deems Effie able to travel. I’m sure it will be sometime after her doctor actually clears her,” Everett explained. He had taken the time to explain about Effie. How she was newly mated to his brother and that she was human. He got to the kidnapping part and even Layla’s cougar showed how pissed she was that someone messed with a mate in her family. She even said this and Everett’s love for her grew even more. Layla hadn’t even met his brother’s mate and she would fight to defend her. He really hoped the two women would get along.

“You can’t blame him for being protective. I can’t imagine what I would do if someone ever touched you,” she growled.

“Ahh, baby, that’s so sweet,” Everett teased her.

“You know I’m being serious. I’d kill anyone that touched you.”

“Sweetheart, that is so damn sexy. Say it again,” Everett growled.

Layla gave him a low growl. She wasn’t playing. Her man was all hers and she wasn’t about to share.

Everett saw his teasing wasn’t getting through to her. Reaching over he grabbed her around the back of the neck and one arm slung around her waist as he pulled her across to him. He positioned her straddling over his lap.

“Don’t worry about me, Duchess. I’ll be perfectly fine. I’m more concerned about you and your little stalker boy.”

“Vincent Domolo isn’t a stalker boy, he’s a pathetic wanna-be that lives off his family’s tit.”

“Tit or not, he still has resources that make me worry. Stupid people often have access to guns, drugs, and other nasty things. I don’t know why that is but it always seems to work out that way.”

Layla laid her head on his chest, took a deep breath in of his sun-warmed skin. Gawd, he smelled amazing. She wanted him again, and again after that.

“Let’s go back to the room, we have late check-out. I don’t want to talk about stinky Vincent. I’m sure we can make good use of the suite until then. After that we have two choices,” she murmured, giving his mouth a soft lazy kiss.

“Just two?” He returned her kiss just as softly.

“Mmm, we can go back to my parent’s house and get that over with. Or we can run away to Borneo.”

“Hmm, tempting, Duchess. But I should probably talk to your brother, get some things figured out about the work I’m doing for him. My brother is on family duty on my side. I’m really hoping he gives me a few days. So let’s take plan A and let your family congratulate and be happy for you. They just want to celebrate. And believe me, they aren’t scary. Wait until you meet my mother.”

Layla growled low in her chest, her cougar wanted to shift her claws out. No one, and she meant no one was going to rock her happy little boat of love. Not family, not friends, not work, and certainly not Vincent Domolo or Everett’s mother.

“I’ve got that covered, my love. Your mother and I will get along just fine,” she told him with utmost confidence.

“Make sure I have popcorn and a comfy seat when you ‘cover that’, seriously, I want to be comfortable with a snack,” he joked.

Smacking him lightly on the chest, she followed up with a scrape of her nails over his pec and across his nipple. Tease her will he.

“You’re right, we really should make good use of the room,” Everett said, picking her up in one arm. She wrapped her legs around him, she didn’t care what people thought. He managed to grab up their few belongings and stride into the hotel. He carried her that way all the way to their room. Then he got her to their bed and got carried away for a good long while.

P
ulling
up to the driveway at the Klein compound there seemed to be a larger number of cars than usual. Layla didn’t bother mentioning this to Everett. He seemed totally on board with jumping right in with her family’s craziness.

Granted, Layla was feeling pretty darn content herself. She’d lost track of the unbelievable orgasms she’d received at the hands of her mate. At one point she’d gotten so caught up she’d scratched her nails down Everett’s back and knew she drew blood. This just turned him on even more and while he was tying her hands to the bed post, she could see he was already healing from the sharp claws. Gotta love being a shifter.

As he parked the car, Layla braced herself for the coming storm. Taking a deep breath, she knew with Everett by her side, the next few weeks would be manageable. Besides they still had the Borneo idea available.

Everett opened his mate’s door and took in her long legs as she swung them out. Standing, her bright blond hair that was braided and resting over her shoulder, shone white in the bright Vegas sun.

Taking her hand, he brought it to his mouth for a kiss. Soaking in a little more of her scent. You would think after making love and or fucking the day away, he’d be satiated. Not even close. He wanted her now, up against the car. He wanted her pinned to a wall by the garden. He wanted to fuck her in the pool in the backyard. The options were endless. His cougar started making a mental list of locations they needed to check off.

Walking towards the house, they barely made it to the first step of the four steps up to the door when the huge double doors swung open.

There stood, Russell, Grace, Micah and his wife and two kids, Claire, her husband, and their two children. There was no sign of William, but that wasn’t surprising, it was a work day after all. And low and behold, there was Emily and Margo, looking smug as shit.

“You’re here! We’ve been waiting all day!” Grace called out, coming down the steps to wrap Everett in a huge hug.

Layla snorted, clearly she was being shoved off the favorite child podium. Everett just smiled at her with a knowing look. She stuck her tongue out at him and watched his eyes flare with heat.

Two seconds later, Layla was wrapped up in her sister’s arms as they all talked at once.

“I can’t believe it!” Margo screeched at her.

“Can’t leave you alone for a minute,” Emily chided.

“So happy for you, baby sis.” This was from Claire holding onto Bianca, her new little niece.

“Thanks, Claire.” Layla and Claire were a number of years apart and she never really connected with her sister. She had a hard time welcoming a human into the family. She didn’t understand her sister’s choice at the time and resented her man taking her away from them. Now she got it, now she knew her sister never really had a choice about her mate. He was chosen for her sister, just like Everett was chosen for her.

“How has mom been?” she whispered to Claire.

“Wedding planning. You didn’t think you were going to get away with sneaking off to some chapel of love did you?” Claire chided.

“Hey, it was classy, we had Elvis marry us. Wanna see the picture?” she said, laughing knowing good and well that her mother could hear them.

“Elvis? Seriously?” her mother yelped. “Layla Simone Klein, you are doing this just to frazzle my nerves. We are having the wedding here, everyone is invited. And if you behave I might let you help plan it.”

Everett looked at the bickering women, he knew his mate. She would cancel everything her mother had already set in motion to have the wedding she wanted. Smiling Everett offered, “I like burgers. How about a cake in the shape of a storm trooper?”

“Argh, you two are awful, just awful,” her mother said with a huff and turned to march back into the house.

Layla watched her father come over now that the women had said hello. He paused in front of her and cupped her face in his big strong hands. “My little Leelee, married and mated. You’re making me feel old, kitten,” his voice was gruff with emotion.

“Daddy, don’t make me cry,” Layla whispered back to him.

“Don’t you make me cry little one,” he said, wrapping her in his arms. They hugged for a long moment. When Russell pulled back from his baby girl, he looked at Everett.

Everett let them have their moment, then offered his hand for a shake. Instead, Russell let go of Layla and wrapped him into his arms and said quietly, “I know you’ll take good care of my little girl. If you don’t, I’ll hunt you down and skin you alive.”

Layla for some reason thought this quiet declaration hysterically funny and burst out laughing.

“Not funny, Duchess,” Everett said, as Russell slapped him on the back with a huge grin on his face.

“Totally is, my dad chasing your ass around the desert would be video gold.”

Grabbing his mate into his arms, he placed a kiss on her head. Not caring who was watching him. “Since there isn’t a chance in this universe that I wouldn’t take care of you or love you, I’m not worried about your dad tearing me a new one.”

“Awwww.” This came from Emily and Margo, who were both clutching their hands to their chests like they were watching a sad commercial about puppies.

“We better head in,” her father called. “Your mother has food laid out and if we don’t eat it, she’ll add that to our already long list of infractions for the day.”

“Trouble, dad?” Layla asked, confused.

“Erm, Micah and I were on cub duty when the girls were talking wedding stuff. There might have been an incident with a permanent marker and her new couch in the living room,” he said, clearing his throat.

“Dad! That couch cost ten G’s! You should be freaked out too!” Layla said with an exasperated tone.

“It’s not like the couch doesn’t work now. It’s just got a little extra decoration.”

Shaking her head, Layla understood why her mom was peeved. Their home was a showplace not just for her family but for the pack also. All of the pack was living well. They either worked for the hotel or a number of other businesses the pack ran. No one was struggling and everyone lived comfortable. That was the greatest accomplishment of being part of the Kleins.

“I better get in there before we have a wedding in teal and puce,” she sighed, turning to Everett. “Wanna help? It’s your wedding too.”

“Can I plead male on this one? If you think there is something I would definitely have an opinion on, then sure ask me. Otherwise, you have impeccable taste and whatever you chose will be stunning and classy like you.”

“Nice, suck up,” her dad said with a snort.

Everett just gave him a shrug. Hells yeah he would suck up to his wife. He was pretty sure Russell Klein wasn’t above schmoozing a little to his own mate when it was going to benefit him in some way.

“Oh, Duchess?” he called out as Layla turned to leave.

Looking back at him she raised her eyebrow with a haughty look.

“I like chocolate,” he said and gave her a wink.

Everett heard Layla snort as she turned to walk into the house and then his new father-in-law snorted right after that.

“Come on son, we’ve got things to discuss.” Russell wrapped his arm around Everett’s shoulder and led him into the house.