Cougar's Luck (Pacific Northwest Cougars Book 2) (13 page)

E
verett only got
two days after their return from the lake to bask in the bliss of being newly mated. He’d gone back to his suite at the hotel to finish up work with the security company. Layla had gone back to work and instead of finishing her night in her own room, she’d join Everett for long hours of lovemaking.

Her mother was in full swing party planning. Her sisters were officially back, now that they knew they couldn’t be mated off to Everett. They kept showing up at the hotel under the guise of wedding planning, when really they were just hanging out in the club. Not that Layla cared, having her sisters so close was great. Plus, they always kept the party going.

There had been no more signs of Vincent after the van incident. Although Layla still wasn’t sure that had anything to do with him. Her cougar was clearly on Everett’s side. But honestly, this wasn’t some action movie where you got run off the road by the bad guy. This was real life and that did not include car chases.

Everett had just been in the club checking on her when he got a phone call. One look at the caller and his brow furrowed and he excused himself to take the call. Layla could feel the tension rippling off him. She wanted to rush to him and comfort him, but by the angry pacing he was doing in the lobby, she decided against it.

Everett was pacing, it wasn’t angry exactly. He was having a little trouble pinpointing his emotions at the moment. His mother had called. She was explaining to him how she had kissed and made up with Dax and Effie. Though he believed this was more because his sister Kenzi had banned her from seeing the new baby until she could prove she could accept Effie as a mate into the family.

Their family was growing quickly and Kenzi was a new mama with a cub and a big bear family around her. Her mother being snotty and unwilling to accept the fates decrees was threatening to disrupt his sister’s happy life in the woods. Kenzi could dig her heels in with the best of them and clearly she’d won.

So his mother was telling him about the lovely dinner she’d had with Dax and Effie. They talked it all out and she was so glad Effie was all right after their little ‘spat’.

Everett listened, waiting for his mother to get to the part where Dax told him about Layla.

“Oh sweetheart, I can’t tell you how happy your father and I are that you found your mate. And a Klein! Who would have guessed?” she chimed, like this was some shocking revelation.

“Well, since you have been trying to secure one of the Klein pack for Dax for years, not that surprising, mother,” Everett intoned.

“Oh, you know what I mean. And the youngest girl, aren’t you the lucky one,” she said like the younger daughter was somehow better than the other sisters.

“Yes mother, I am very lucky. Layla is perfect for me. I would love for you and dad to fly out and meet her.” Everett really didn’t want his mother there, but his dad he knew would love Layla.

“Oh, well that’s wonderful, dear. We are in the plane right now on our way to you,” she informed him.

Of course she was. Of course the minute Dax had told her, she’d gassed up the jet and dragged his father probably kicking and screaming onboard.

Taking a deep calming breath, Everett could almost feel his animal rolling its eyes. “I’m sure we can arrange a room for you here mother. Actually the room I’m in is very nice. I was thinking of moving to Layla’s room for now anyway. At least when we aren’t at the compound.”

“Speaking of that, I’m sure her mother is thinking about throwing a little pack gathering to welcome you. I have some ideas I’d love to run by her for the event.”

Oh, his mother knew good and well they were having a wedding. Dax would have told her. The brothers made a promise years ago to never leave a man behind. All information was given to their mother so that no one was left surprised.

“Mother as you know, we are already legally married. Layla wants a wedding so we are having one at her house, then a pack ceremony after. Her mother has already started the planning. Layla has set out exactly what she wants and what she will be getting. They do need your assistance in getting our pack out that can make it. We would like to keep this intimate if we can. Just our packs alone is a huge number and although their house is big, it’s not that big,” Everett warned.

If his mother had her way, every business associate on the west coast would be invited. The number could hit the thousands in the blink of an eye. That was not a good time for anyone.

“I’m sure you and Grace will be able to figure out a way to ensure both packs are comfortable and having somewhere to sleep.”

“Well, you know we have to invite the bears now,” his mother sniffed.

“Mother, don’t be a snob. Those bears are family AND they were there to help out Dax with Effie. Not to mention your daughter is married to one. Your grandchild IS one and they will be with us for a very long time.”

Everett said this in a very deep, clear voice. He usually didn’t bother standing up to his mother. He let Dax take the brunt of his mother’s craziness. He was Alpha after all and Everett was pretty sure it fell under his job description.

Now Everett was in charge of keeping HIS family happy and out of the crazy line of fire.

His mother was going to play nice or else.

“Of course dear, they are all family. I’m just saying we may need to charter a bigger plane to get them here. Have you seen them? They are all enormous, seriously I think the shortest is the boy’s mother and she’s six-foot!”

Lilibeth was a solid five-foot-ten, but he knew it drove his mother crazy to be surrounded by giant bear shifters. Man, he hoped there were pictures. He’d have to text Kenzi to see.

“When are you arriving mother?” Everett really wanted to get off the phone with her.

“We should be there in the hour. I have a car picking us up to take us to the hotel. Do you think you can arrange for us to meet with Layla’s parents? Maybe dinner tonight at the hotel?”

Great now he was her assistant and concierge. “I’ll handle it, mother. Layla will check with her family and I will meet you here when you arrive. Fly safe,” he said this quickly before hanging up. Yeah, it was a dick move on his mom, but he was in combat mode.

Turning back to the club, he could see Layla on the phone but her eyes on him. She was clearly watching him. She always was he noticed. He saw this because he was always staring at her. No matter how rocking her body was or how beautiful her face was, he wanted her eyes. Always her eyes. They settled his soul and he hoped his did the same for her.

Seeing him walking towards her she hung up her phone and waited for him to reach her.

“Problem?”

“No, just my mother. So actually yes. She’s on her way, as in she is actually on a plane right now. Think we can swing her a room for the night? Better yet, just give her mine. I haven’t used it in a few days. Plus she wants to meet your parents. How about dinner tonight on neutral ground?” Everett said this all in a rush.

“Room will be freshened ASAP. I’ll call my parents and make a reservation for the steak house tonight. I’ll get the private room. Anything else?”

Everett was amazed at her calm demeanor. Granted she hadn’t met his mother, but surely she’d heard the rumors.

“No, they have a car already. I know she likes synthetic pillows if we can arrange that,” he said as an afterthought.

“Of course, we want them to be comfortable. Let me go arrange that,” she said, striding off with a business-like air.

“Damn, that’s sexy,” he murmured to himself.

Everett walked over to the bar even though the club wasn’t open yet and introduced himself to the bartender. He ordered a beer and sat on a stool waiting for his mate to return.

It took about ten minutes for he to come back, which meant Everett was halfway through his beer.

“Done. The room is being prepped. Your things are being moved to my room. My parents will be here at eight for dinner. The room is reserved and I had the sommelier alerted that wine snobs were arriving.” She said this with a twinkle in her eye.

“Have I told you today how fucking amazing you are? Seriously?”

“Hmm, not today. Tell me again,” she said, wrapping her arms around his neck.

“You are amazing, beautiful, smart, funny, and sexy as hell,” he said kissing her mouth. He slid his tongue between her lips and forced her head back. Her mouth opened under his and he took full advantage, tasting and enjoying her submission. Even in a kiss it turned him way the fuck on.

Breaking the kiss, she looked at him. “We got this, babe. You and me, our families aren’t a big deal. They are all manageable. We know the tricks and how to ease through their insanity. Luckily both of our families are a little crazy. I don’t even think it’s a shifter thing,” she said with a laugh.

“You’re right, there has to be totally normal shifter families out there. I have high hopes for our future.”

Giving her a squeeze, he stood up off the stool. “I need to go check in with security, thanks for the beer,” he said, giving her ass a squeeze that made her jump and squeak.

“Ass,” she said to him even though she was laughing.

“Yes, your ass is fine. Later, Duchess,” he said with a smirk and sauntered away.

L
ayla wasn’t sure
, but she thought he was swinging his hips a little extra for her benefit. Damn, his ass was fine too. It was a shared love for both of them. Amazing all the things they have in common she thought with a snort.

Figuring she could fit in a little more work, she said goodbye to the bartender and headed towards her office.

It wasn’t an hour later when she got a call that Everett’s parents had arrived and been escorted to their suite. They also informed her there was a delivery for her and would she like it back in her office.

“It’s not flowers is it?” she asked with a groan. She did not want to deal with another tacky display from Vincent. Besides she still had some of her gorgeous yellow roses from her mini vacation in her office. Everett had so many vases delivered they took some to her room at the compound and brought some to work.

“No ma’am, just a box,” came the reply.

“Sure, bring it back whenever you can,” she said before hanging up.

Layla was going over her next month’s party schedule when the knock came at her door.

“Come in,” she called out, without looking up.

A front desk person came in carrying a package about the size of a shoe box. It was wrapped in brown paper. This was odd because pretty much everything she ever had delivered was in one of the usual major shipping company boxes.

“Thank you,” she said, taking the box from the woman.

The woman left and Layla placed the box on her desk. It had her name and the address of the hotel on it but no return address.

Grabbing a pair of scissors she started on the tape that was coating the whole box. As she peeled away the layers, her nose picked up on the smell. It was blood.

Tearing away the last strip of tape sealing the lid, she pulled it off and the stench overwhelmed her. There was a white piece of paper with the words,
You tore it out, it belongs to you now
, written in black block writing. Not unlike the last note from Vincent. Picking up the paper she saw a rotting, blood covered heart. Her nose picked up right away it was animal, probably a pigs judging by the size, but real nonetheless.

“Oh god,” she said with a little gag. Reaching for her phone, she hit speed dial and called through security.

The phone picked up and she asked for Everett.

“Duchess? What’s up?” he asked, sounding distracted.

“Hey, could you and whoever is in charge right now come up to my office?” she said quietly.

Everett didn’t even ask why, he just hung up. She knew he was probably running to her, and she was right, because the door burst open a very short time later.

Everett’s face was scared and angry as he ran his eyes over the room, then sniffed loudly, zeroing in on the box on her desk.

Walking up to the desk he saw the note and the heart.

“Fucking hell, Duchess. I told you this asshole was not done.” He said this in an angry tone but still wrapped her in his arms. She was strong, but this still was fucked up and shook her.

“Sit down on the couch for a minute, baby,” he said walking her over. Rich, the man in charge, was already looking over the package, using his pen to move the wrappings around.

“I’m going to call this in, with your permission, Ms. Klein. This is not a prank or someone we should be taking lightly. Do you have any idea who it might be?”

“I don’t want to admit it, but it’s probably Vincent Domolo,” she said with a sigh.

“Domolo huh? I’ve heard of him. Let me make the call, don’t touch anything else,” he said, then walked out to make the call on his cell phone.

Everett had been looking over the package with Rich. He turned back to Layla and saw her sitting with her arms wrapped tight around her body.

Taking the two steps to reach her, he scooped her into his arms and sat back down, placing her in his lap.

“Don’t accept any more packages or deliveries in your office. Anything for you needs to go straight to security, yeah?” he said quietly, rubbing her back in slow circles.

Layla rested her head against his shoulder and breathed in his calming scent. She managed a nod that she knew he felt.

“You know that’s not human right?” he asked.

“Probably pig, still disgusting,” she replied.

“It’s fucking whack, Duchess. I think we need to put someone from your pack on you until this blows over,” he suggested.

He could feel her start to protest and he said, “I know you can take care of yourself. I know you are one badass cougar who can kick the shit out of any human you want. But I would feel better if someone was watching your back when you are busy and I’m not around. It would take a weight off of my mind,” he said, making it sound like it was more for his benefit than hers.

Everett was trying to be calm on the outside. Inside his cougar was scratching and roaring to get out and track this fucker down. How dare he send a fucking rotting heart to his mate. There was rejected suitor sad letters and flowers, but resorting to bloody boxes of organs was beyond needing mental help.

“I think that is probably a good idea. I’ll call Will,” she said with a sigh. She knew this was not a lot to ask. He was actually taking this a lot calmer than she thought he would.

“You sit right here. I want Will to see this too,” he said. Everett pulled out his phone, dialed Will’s personal number and then waited. When he picked up he simply said, “You’re needed in Layla’s office,” then hung up. His tone said everything Will would need to know.

Rich had walked back into the room and leaned against the wall as they waited for the police and Will to make an appearance.

Will showed first, his feet skidding to a halt as he entered and sniffed. His eyes glowed yellow, but he kept them directed at the other shifters in the room. He walked to the box and couldn’t contain the growl when he saw what was sitting on his sister’s desk.

“Police on their way?” he asked Rich, his eyes fading to normal before addressing the human.

“Any minute. Your sister says she has a good idea who might have sent it,” he commented.

“We all have a good idea who sent it. But this is not someone we can go knocking on his door and asking him if he’s been delivering any organs lately. His family would take offense and I’m not wanting that kind of attention for my family or the hotel,” Will explained.

“I understand. But I felt this was something the police should document,” Rich replied.

“No, you were right to call them. This is too sick to not have down somewhere.” Will sighed, this was some serious bullshit. It was contained to his sister, and that was not something he was comfortable with. He looked over at Everett, he could see the rage in his eyes he was trying to hold back for his sister’s sake.

He gave him a small nod, they would talk later.

The police arrive and in the time it took to give her statement and the police to remove the offending box, it was time for dinner.