EnemyMine (6 page)

Emory ended the kiss abruptly, before she could blink.
Stunned, she gasped for air and looked at him. His attention was no longer on
her, his whiskey-colored irises now glowing amber and aimed over his shoulder
at the bedroom door that opened and closed.

“Trey.” Emory pressed against her until she was trapped
between his massive body and the wall. “I told you to wait for me downstairs.”

“You know I’ve never been patient,” a deep, obviously male
voice responded. “Did you ask her?”

Mary was tempted to push Emory away and greet the intruder
when she heard feet shuffling across the floor before coming to a stop. The
soft rasp of fabric giving way informed her that the man had taken a seat in
the chair across the room. Emory remained as he was, standing like a shield
between her and the man he obviously viewed as some kind of threat.

She felt the subtle tensing of his muscles beneath her
fingers when he answered, “I’ve been with her less than five minutes. What do
you think?”

“I think that’s why I followed you. If I’d given you ten,
you’d have taken things from the wall to the bed.”

Mary’s face burned as shame slammed into her, and she
inhaled sharply. A complete stranger had walked into the room with her
half-clothed and rubbing up against Emory like a happy-go-pet-me cat. She considered
shoving Emory away until she realized he’d partially blocked her humiliation
from view, and she didn’t want the man who obviously had questions for her to
get a full-on visual of her embarrassment.

Oddly enough, it appeared Emory was aware of her feelings.
He growled, a low, rumbling sound that was menacing enough to make her cringe.
“Get out.”

“Don’t push me. Not today.” The man returned the growl with
one equally as threatening. “Ask her about the fucking bag.”

“I’m not going to tell you again.” Emory lowered his arms,
forcing Mary to let him go. “I won’t have you upsetting my female because of
some cash and a tattered map. If you won’t leave the room on your own, I’ll
drag your ass out.”

The room spun, making her dizzy. They’d found the map and her
stash of money.
Sweet Jesus.
Did they think she was a willing member of
her family? Did Emory’s brother want to know if she planned to return to one of
the compounds to give up the pack’s whereabouts?

Not good. So not good.

Would the man called Trey give her a chance to explain or
would he kill her? Emory had thrust her between his massive frame and the
wall—shielding her body with his—as if he knew he’d have to protect her from
harm. Surely that wasn’t the case. The two men wouldn’t attack each other.

Would they?

Before she could contemplate her options, Trey growled—but
not in a way that was at all human or normal. A chill ventured down her spine
and terror froze her in place. She couldn’t see the danger she knew Trey
represented but she could feel it. Tension permeated the room, palpable in its
intensity.

“You think you can threaten me, you ballsy little shit?”

“I don’t think anything,” Emory replied. “
I know
.”

Mary jerked when she heard the scrape of chair legs followed
by a loud crash. Before she could question what caused the disturbance Emory
was gone, leaving her so quickly she didn’t have time to cover her semi-nude
body or make a mad dash for the bed.

She gawked in disbelief at the men who rushed each other,
collided and started fighting like opponents in a cage match. Emory and the man
she remembered from her apartment—Emory’s brother, apparently—shared the same
coloring and build. They each had dark hair, tanned skin and stood over six
feet tall. Although from what she could see through their flurry of fists and
punches, Trey kept his hair shorter.

Trey grasped Emory by the shoulder and they smashed into the
wall, leaving a huge dent in the once smooth and flawless plaster. Another
sudden move and they did the same thing to the wall a few feet over, creating
an odd set of shapes that were almost identical.

Heaven help her. They were so strong, so deadly. Her family
had warned her about that, had drilled into her head how dangerous shifters
could be. One slap from either of the men fighting across the room would likely
kill her. No swelling skin or bruises to care for following a blow or punch. If
they managed to get hold of her she’d be lucky to end up in the hospital on
life support.

She moved as far away from them as possible, until her back
was flush against the far wall.

“You ungrateful bastard.” Trey crouched and shifted his
weight from one foot to the other. “Don’t you remember how this ended last
time? No? Let’s reminisce. I kicked your ass and sent you packing.”

“I’ve had enough of this shit.” Emory rushed forward,
tackling his brother to the ground. Trey tried to roll over but before he could
Emory wrapped his large hand around his brother’s throat and snarled, “I’m not
the shifter I used to be.” Then he reached back with his free hand, grabbed
hold of Trey’s crotch and squeezed.

“What the fuck!” Trey howled. “Get your goddamn hand off
me!”

“Not yet. Not before you hear what I have to say. There’s
something you should know, something I should have told you a long time ago.”
Emory kept a grip on Trey’s throat and jewels as he leaned forward, looking his
brother in the eye. “I rolled over. I let you win. Do you honestly think it
would have been that easy? I made sure it was a nice show, so the pack would
understand why you had to make a tough decision. I didn’t intend to kill you
when I entered the fight between us, I never did. No matter how much of a
danger I’d become, I’d never hurt my own blood. I was using you to end my
misery.”

“Bullshit,” Trey huffed.

“No bullshit. Truth.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“That’s your choice,” Emory said. “But do you really want to
fight me a second time to prove you’re right? Is it worth that much to you?”

“Shit.” Trey paused. “Truce?”

Emory released Trey and nodded. “Truce.”

Mary released a sigh of relief but it was short-lived.
Without warning the door to the bedroom burst open, rattled on the hinges and
slammed into the wall. Before she could wrap her head around that the largest
man she’d ever seen entered the room. He targeted his gaze on her and she
froze. His dark hair was pulled back at his nape, bringing attention to eyes
that were liquid gold. The orbs practically shimmered across the distance,
stark against his tan skin. But it wasn’t his eyes that held her attention, it
was the large hands he’d formed into tight fists.

Her heart sank to her stomach and she felt lightheaded.

One hit from Emory and Trey, she might survive.

One hit from the man staring at her and they’d be scraping
her carcass off the floor.

Fucking shit!

Emory jumped away from Trey, ignored Diskant and strode to
Mary. Fear was coming off her in waves, covering the room in the smell of her
terror. Her eyes remained glued to Diskant, the brown pools growing wide as
saucers. When Emory reached her he yanked her into his chest, obscured her from
view and covered the top of her head with his hand. She remained board stiff,
her arms limp at her sides.

Goddamn Trey!

Mary had been receptive to his advances until his older
sibling had ruined everything. Now she was as terrified as he remembered her
being weeks before, after she’d seen him partially change. Carefully, he
stroked her hair and murmured soft nothings to her. She didn’t fight him but
she didn’t relax. He considered showing his brother the damage he’d done and
demand Trey apologize but he didn’t want to make things worse. Instead he
continued gentling her with his touch, keeping her close.

“It’s okay,” he whispered. “I made a promise to you and I
won’t break it. Trust me, Mary. All you have to do is trust me.”

“Is she okay?” Diskant’s voice was softer than usual—no
doubt to ease Mary’s fear—although Emory could tell the Omega was furious.

“She’s in shock.” Emory kept his tone level as he feathered
his fingers over her hair. “It’s too much too soon.”

“I told you to give them time alone.” By the outrage in
Diskant’s voice, Emory knew he was directing his attention to Trey. “What the
hell did you do?”

“If I’d given them anymore time alone he’d be indisposed
until they were fully bloodbonded.” To his credit, Trey had the decency to
sound uncomfortable. “I only wanted an answer to my question. Emory flew off
the handle.”

“He’s just been reunited with his female, dipfuck. I allowed
you to stay so long as you didn’t interfere with his personal shit.” Diskant
paused and Emory felt the weight of the Omega’s gaze on his back. “And from
where I’m standing you not only interfered, you inserted yourself right in the
fucking middle.”

“It wasn’t like that, D.”

“Get out.”

Emory didn’t have to turn to see the look Diskant was aiming
at Trey, he could visualize it. Despite the fact that Trey was older than
Diskant and had been his Alpha once upon a time, Diskant wasn’t someone any
shifter wanted to fuck with. It wasn’t any wonder Mary had been terrified. At
six feet, six inches and well over two hundred and fifty pounds, Diskant Black
stood taller than most men inside a room. And he didn’t ask anyone to do
anything, he
told
them to. If you were unlucky enough to receive
negative attention from the bastard, it was best to do what he said and move
the fuck along.

“And my answer?” Trey asked, continuing to tempt disaster.

“Go down to the basement and make yourself a drink or five.
Ava invited a few females over to welcome all of you home so do yourself a
favor and take a load off. You need to get your shit straight and mellow out.
Answers from my guest are my problem to deal with. The pack is no longer yours,
it’s mine. You’re crossing the line with me and I won’t have it. If you don’t
prioritize, I will.”

This time Trey didn’t respond.

Emory heard the crackle of wood as someone stepped on a
piece of the shattered door and exited the room. As Trey’s scent faded, Emory
stepped back and looked at Mary. It felt like something squeezed his heart,
applying pressure until it was difficult to draw in air. Poor thing was trying
not to panic, taking shallow breaths. She wouldn’t look at him and kept her
face forward so that her gaze remained on his chest.

“Ava mine,” Diskant called to his mate. “We need you, baby.”

“I’m here,” Ava said softly and Emory waited as she
approached.

It was hard to believe Diskant had mated a female who could
read human thoughts and manipulate emotion. A few of the older pack mates
believed it was a blessing, a way to keep the pack safe from those who were
unaware of their existence. Personally Emory hadn’t given it much thought.

Until now.

If Ava could ease Mary’s fear, he’d gladly accept any help
she offered.

When he started to step aside Mary suddenly came to life and
grasped his arms. Her nails scraped and pierced his skin as she buried them in
his biceps and pulled him close.

“Stay where you are, Emory,” Ava instructed, reaching out
and placing her fingers on Mary’s forehead. “She doesn’t want you to go. She’s
just got a lot running through her head.” Ava sighed after a moment and glanced
over her shoulder. “Diskant managed to scare the poor thing. Next time I’ll
have to remind him that we don’t break down doors to greet guests.”

Diskant strode over and placed his hands on Ava’s shoulders.
“I thought I should break the fight up sooner rather than later.”

“Neanderthal,” Ava scolded.

“And you love it.”

Ava ignored him and concentrated on Mary. The tiny female
stared at his mate for well over a minute, her irises shifting from light to
dark blue. After a moment Mary blinked several times, as if shaking off a haze,
and looked at Ava.

“We were just talking, but we didn’t speak.”

“You’re right,” Ava said encouragingly. “We were talking but
we didn’t speak.”

“How…” Mary reached for the neatly stitched wound near her
temple. “It’s head trauma, isn’t it? I’ve lost my marbles. I’m in La La Land.”

“You’re fine.” Ava lowered her hand. “It’s a gift I
have—telepathy. I use it when I need to.”

“Telepathy?” Mary echoed disbelievingly.

“Telepathy,” Ava confirmed. “Watch.”

Mary’s eyes flared wide and she gaped at Ava. They gazed at
each other, eyes locked and focused. After several seconds the alarm in Mary’s
expression changed to one of wonder. Her eyes drifted to Diskant.

“Really?” she asked, watching the Omega. “You can?”

“Oh yeah.” Ava nodded and grinned.

“Can what?” Emory asked.

“She said she can control him.” Mary continued staring at
Diskant, a frown forming on her expressive face. “I’m not sure I believe her.”

“She controls me, huh?” Diskant purred and slid the hand
resting on Ava’s shoulder down her back and placed it on her ass. “Is that what
you told her, mate?”

Ava cleared her throat and Emory saw her squirm against
Diskant’s hand. “Drop to a knee and show Mary you’re as gentle as a kitten,”
Ava murmured thickly. “I’ll make it worth your while.”

Just like that, the Omega was on his knees. He rubbed his
chin on his mate’s arm and winked at Mary. “See?” he said in a low timbre that
Emory knew had everything to do with the sexual promise in Ava’s request.
“Harmless as a newborn.”

Then, like the sun parting the clouds and sucking up all the
gloom from the day, Mary smiled. It was a small gesture, the slight lifting of
her lips at the corners, nothing at all like the full-fledged grins she’d given
him in the past. But damn it, it was a fucking smile. In light of how terrified
she’d been, he’d take it.

“Are you satisfied now?” Diskant smiled at Mary and cocked
his head to the side. “Or do I have to debase myself more than I already have?”