Nights Embrace (Others of Seattle) (26 page)

Roxy shrugged.
“I’ll walk that road when I get there. Stop trying to bring me down.”

Trevor stepped up to the table and
passed Mikey a drink. “You didn’t have a coffee, Mike. I thought I’d bring you one.”

Taking her chance to escape the awkward conversation, Roxy said,
“Since Skylar’s friend is coming, I’ll move to an empty booth.”

Before she could stand
Mikey grabbed her hand and looked into her eyes. “I’m glad you’re happy. Really.”

“Thank you.” She squeezed back and let go.

Winding one arm around her waist, Trevor pulled her close and walked her to the next booth. He motioned for her to sit. She did, and he slid in next to her, keeping her close.

“You’re doing it again,” he whispered.

“What’s that?”

“Shutting your friends out. You’re drawing back.”

“Skylar knows something is up.”

“Only because you’re worrying. Relax. I promise
, it’s fine.”

She nodded. Then a stunning crimson haired woman slid into the
booth, her eyes were reddish brown, and she didn’t look like she was wearing much, if anything, under her coat. Something was off about her, Roxy’s senses were pinging off the charts.

Before Roxy could ask
what the fuck
, Jordan sat down beside the stranger.

Pieces clicked into place, but there were still big holes in the
puzzle. Roxy managed a tight smile. “Hi.” She couldn’t help wishing Jordan had stayed away. This was way too awkward

Jordan raised his hand in a lame wave, a pleasant expression plastered on his face, but it didn
’t mask the pain in his eyes. He nodded to the woman. “This is Leanan. Leanan, Roxana Nights, and Trevor Malone.”

“Nice to meet you?” Rox
y answered, and couldn’t stop it from sounding like a question. Trevor squeezed her tighter and gave her a slight smile.

At least he seems comfortable.

“Pleasure is all mine. You are so lovely, Roxana.” The words rolled off Leanan’s tongue in a husky caress.

Roxy looked to Trevor, pleading with her eyes.

Understanding flashed across his face.

Trevor jumped in.
“Hi Jordan, good to see you again. Good evening, Leanan.”

Roxy
’s heart nearly stopped.
Does Trevor know her?
Do I even want to know how?

He squeezed her thigh and gave her a
reassuring smile.

Roxy looked over and was met with Jordan’s confused stare.

Skylar came to the table. “Roxy, you’re going up first,” she sing-songed.

As much as Roxy hated going first, she would take it to get away from Jordan and the woman
who was giving her the heebie-jeebies.

* * * *

Once again, Jordan felt like an ass.
Why the fuck did I listen to Leanan,
Jordan wondered for the hundredth time. She convinced him it would be good to introduce her to Roxy.

He knew it had
bad idea written all over it. Roxy was clearly uncomfortable. Leanan somehow knew Trevor.

If Trevor was fucking Leanan behind Roxy’s back, Jordan
would probably get himself killed trying to kick his ass, but he’d do it for Roxy.

Roxy took a deep breath as she looked up at
Skylar. Relief flashed across her face. “Let’s do it.”

Trevor got up and held his hand out to Roxy. Jordan watched as she took Trevor
’s hand and stood. He pulled her close, giving her a soft kiss before taking his seat again.

Jordan suppressed a groan. Leanan leaned into him, whispering quietly.
“Don’t worry. He’s an old friend, nothing more.”

His brow arched
, unsure they had the same definition of the word
friend
.

Her smile was wicked.
“He was never interested. His friend Joey, well let’s just say I know him better, but that was nearly twenty years ago.”

Jordan wasn
’t sure that made him feel any better. And how the fuck old was this guy?

Trevor sat on the edge of the booth, his eyes trained on Roxy who stood beside the stage. Her head was down as she read over whatever she had written.

There was a time when Jordan had loved to hear the words she wrote for him. A time when everything seemed perfect, and it would never end. Then the
need
started.

At first he was able to cope with it. As time went on, he needed to fuck other girls to keep him steady. Roxy was the only one who could quiet the need for any length of time, but making love to her never lasted.

If only I knew then what I know now, what I needed to set the rest of those women aside, I could have kept Roxy happy.

It was hard to breathe as
he let reality settle in. It was really over and far too late to salvage anything they had shared. He wasn’t even sure he could handle being her friend.

Skylar
’s voice rang out. “Everyone welcome your favorite local Word Artist, Roxana Nights.”

Roxy looked up and rolled her eyes as she climbed on to the stage. She gave Trevor a brilliant smile
while she moved to the microphone. “Hi everyone. I wrote this for the new man in my life. The man who turned everything around.”

My Heart’s Home

It only took a second and my heart was captured

His voice drew me in but
his shy smile stole my heart

Our eyes met and I was hopelessly lost

Everything fell into place and I knew at once

I would never leave his side

We didn
’t even meet until the next day

But I couldn
’t get him out of my head

He stole my heart when we finally did

He gave me everything I stopped believing in

He filled my soul and completed my heart

His touch shatters my fears and dries my tears

His lips drive away the shadows and brings heaven

His gaze brings a smile that never falters

His love completes my heart in a way I never knew possible

His heart and soul are mine
, and only mine, forever

Every word hit home, like a blade to Jordan’s heart. Tears threatened to fall, but he sat there in mute agony.

Then there was applause.

Trevor sprang to his feet and made his way to the stage. Roxy jumped down to throw herself into his arms.

“I can’t,” Jordan
whispered, to Leanan, but more to himself. “I fucking can’t do this.” He let out the frustrated cry, and slipped through the crowd. He pushed through the doors and found himself in the cool night air.

He
let his feet carry him down the road and into an alley where he pulled out his phone. For once, he needed to do right by Mike. He sent a text Doug.
My heart’s just been torn out. Please make sure Mike gets home. I can’t be at the Jitterhouse right now.

Doug’s response came seconds later.
Sorry, man. I’ve got Mike covered.

Shutting off his phone, he shoved it back into his pocket.
Jordan needed to walk, to shut out everyone and everything. He desperately needed to forget for a little while.

“Hey, Jordan,” Leanan
beckoned.

He kept going, not looking back.

“Look, I get it. You have to let her go,” she called.

“Fuck, I know. I get it. It’s over, really over.
Let me clear my head. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“For what it’s worth, I really am sorry.”

“Me too,” he answered before breaking into a run as the damn broke and tears streamed down his face.

Roxy hopped off the stage the second Trevor stepped into the crowd. Everyone parted, giving them room to collide as they wrapped their arms around each other. Her lips met his, her kiss heated. Everything, everyone fell away, leaving only him and his
A Chroí
.

She broke the kiss, her beautiful eyes locking on his.
“It wasn’t cheesy?” There was a pretty blush on her face.

“No, not at all. God, I love you so much, Roxy.”

The applause turned to cat calls and whistles. “Come on, let’s get out of here,” she decided before pulling him to the rear of the building. She took him through a small kitchen and out the back.

Sorcha
stepped up beside her. Roxy gasped. Trevor pulled her closer.

“Can’t get a read on them,” Sorcha said. “They were on the street but disappeared. It’s weird. I know they are around but how the hell did they mask their scents?”

“Did you call Fiona?” Trevor asked.

“Everyone
is nearby. We aren’t letting this slide. We will end them. I fucking hate that we are in a busy city.” Sorcha gave Roxy a sympathetic look. “You okay?”

Trevor smiled grimly, taking her face in his hands.
“Roxy, I’ll keep you safe at all costs,” he assured her.

She shoved him back, her eyes narrowing.
“Like hell you will. We’ll keep each other safe. Got it?”

He wanted to tell her no, to hide, but knew he wasn
’t winning that argument with a pissed off new wolf, no matter how much he loved her. “Got it,” he snarled back, frustrated with the situation, and her stubborn streak.

Her brow arched.

Sorcha snickered until they both glared at her and her eyes bugged. “Right, we should be going.”

Sorcha led them through the alleys as much as possible. Then he caught the scent. They were surrounded by
ten wolves. An ambush, but did Dina and her pack know the rest of his clan was anticipating their presence?

Joey silently caught up, and Trevor felt Roxy startle
beside him.

“Shit,” she whispered. “I thought you were one of them.”

“Shh, they’re close,” Joey answered.

A growl erupted from Roxy.

Trevor took her arm and spun her toward him. Her eyes were her beast’s icy white blue. “Calm yourself,” he cautioned, wanting to rein her in. “They smell anger better than most emotions. You need to breathe deep and let the rage go.”

“I’m going to kill Dina!
Knowing what I know now, I’m going to kill her.”

He swept her hair behind her ear, and held her gaze.
“One on one, remember that. If they all come for you, you can’t take them all. It’s about team work.”

Her chest heaved, but she nodded.
“One on one,” she agreed.

The sound of hee
ls on pavement echoed. Roxy’s head snapped up in time to watch Dina stroll into the alley.

“You know, Trevor,” Dina spoke in a sultry tone, “you could have had a real woman, but you pick this little pup with anger issues.”

* * * *

Dina stood between the buildings, her eyes flashing in hatred as she met Roxy
’s glare. Rage surged out of control, Roxy lost it. She started for Dina with a snarling growl.

She made it two steps before Trevor caught her around
the waist. “It’s a trap. Don’t let her separate you from us.” There was truth in his words, concern too, but the truth sank in.

Forcing herself to
slow down, she leaned into Trevor and breathed deep. He was calm but tense in readiness, while she was a whirlwind of pissed off aggression.

“Aww, so you can tame her little beast,” Dina taunted.

Trevor’s fingers grazed up Roxy’s side, his lips brushed over her ear. Need replaced the rage as he coached, “That’s right. Don’t let her get to you. She’ll come to us and you can beat the shit out of her.”

Joey snorted.
“That’s great. Turn her on. That’s not going to make Dina go ballistic.”

Before Joey could finish his statement, Dina was flying toward
Roxy as Trevor was ripped away from her.

Shit.
Dina in her face prevented her from turning to see what happened to Trevor. Roxy had enough time to pull her arm back and punch Dina with everything she had.

There was a wet crunch, and then Dina howled as she fell to the ground, holding her face.

Before the bitch could land, Roxy was thrown to the ground. Then a boot slammed into her, a sharp pain pierced her side. She saw red as she shoved Boyd’s foot away and shot to her feet.

Seemingly surprised by her willingness to fight back, h
e stumbled as she pushed him against the wall with her forearm and punched him in the side in quick succession. Satisfaction came with every crack of his ribs until he slid down the wall. She slammed her foot into his head before whirling back to find Dina climbing to her feet.

“Fucking bitch, you’re going to die,” Dina screamed.

Then someone started to sing in an old language. The voice was beautiful, haunting, and strangely soothing to Roxy.

Dina grabbed her head, shrieking,
“Leave them, you fools!” She took off at a run, her people following

Roxy couldn
’t draw a breath. Pain flooded her senses, radiating out from where Boyd had kicked her. She put her hand to her side, and found a wet hole between her ribs.

* * * *

Trevor dodged another swing, and kneed Connor in the balls as Fiona’s song rose, sending Dina and her mutts running. He turned to find Roxy crumbling to her knees. Her eyes were on her own blood-soaked hands.

His heart slammed against his chest, his feet moved of their own
accord. Trevor swept her into his arms. “No,
A Chroí
. You can’t leave me.”

“Come on,” Joey yelled, grabbing his
shoulder to drag him away.

Time passed
as his feet thundered on the pavement. He hardly saw what he ran past. Someone guided him, and when they finally came to a stop, keys were pulled from his pocket and he was ushered inside.

“Lay her on the table,” Fiona told him.

He did, his heart shattering because Roxy’s body was ice cold. She barely moved except for the tiny rise and fall of her chest that came too infrequently.

“Help her,” he pleaded.

Joey pulled Trevor away from Roxy.

Shane stepped in, ripping
Roxy’s shirt from her body. “It’s deep. Probably hurts to breathe.”

Trevor roared, wanting to go back
and brutally kill Boyd and Dina before they ever got their hands on Roxy.

Fiona l
aid her hands on the puncture wound and began to sing. Trevor recognized the spell. She’d used it on them more than few times.

“Did you see the way she attacked Dina? Busted her eye socket.” Joey thumped Trevor on the back.

Sorcha smacked Joey. “Hush, this isn’t the time.”

Roxy
’s eyes fluttered open and her hand locked on Trevor’s. “Tell me that bitch is dead,” she snarled.

Fiona stepped back with a chuckle.

Trevor shoved Joey aside, making room to sit beside Roxy on the table. Her hand went to her side with a frown.

“You okay?” He asked.

She shrugged. “Hurt to breathe. Then it all went black. What happened?”

Trevor caressed her cheek, giving her a fierce smile.
“You beat the shit out of Dina and Boyd, but you scared the hell out of me when it was over. What happened? What caused the wound?”

“Boyd, his boot
. A blade I think?” Roxy shook her head, and swayed into him. “Dizzy.”

“It’s the blood loss,” Siobhan
ascertained, going to the fridge. She came back with a giant raw steak, placing it in Roxy’s hands.

Roxy didn
’t even look as she tore into the hunk of meat. The meat’s blood ran down her already bloody hands.

Trevor knew reality was going to hit her hard any minute now. Every one of his clan had been there within the first few weeks of changing. He could feel the storm of rage brewing inside her, it just hadn’t
surfaced through the pain yet.

Trevor kissed the top of her head
. Her eyes flashed white blue, a growl rumbling from her lips. Shaking his head, he went to the fridge to grab a bottle of V8, and a dishtowel so she could attempt to clean her hands. What she needed was a shower.

He came back and her steak was devoured. She sat there licking her fingers as she looked around the room. Then
her eyes fell to her hands.

She jumped, a cry escaping her lips.
“Shit, shit, what the fuck did I do?” There was panic in her tone, and Trevor wanted to take it away.

Shane calmly made eye contact with Roxy and explained.
“You ate a steak. You needed the protein.”

Roxy
’s nose wrinkled and she winced. “Okay, but I was growling… at… at Trevor.” Her expression crumpled as she turned toward him. “I’m sorry,” she squeaked.

He smiled, closing the distance.
“Don’t worry about it. You wouldn’t have hurt me. You just didn’t want anyone to take your food.”

She buried her face against his chest.
“What did I do?”

His arms wrapped tight around her.
“You showed Dina and Boyd that you’re a lot tougher than they thought.”

Roxy leaned back, looking up at him.
“I felt Boyd’s ribs cracking. And Dina’s face made a crunching sound.” A vicious grin spread on her face. “It felt good to hurt them.”

Trevor nodded.
“Yes, but I don’t like that he hurt you.”

Her hand fluttered to her side, and then she twisted to try to look, but the hole was gone already.
“I’m already better?” Her brows creased.

He opened the bottle of V8 and placed it in her hands.
“We heal fast. Now drink. It will make you feel better.”

Her nose wrinkled as she looked up at him. “Why V8?”

Siobhan spoke up. “Lots of vitamins to help replenish your missing blood.”

Trevor nodded.

Roxy tipped the bottle up and gulped until it was gone.

Siobhan squeezed her shoulder.
“We all go through this at some point. You did well though. You might be dizzy for a few hours.”

“Great, so I’m the only one who came back injured?” Roxy groaned, looking down at her hands. She snapped the dishtowel out
of Trevor’s hand and tried to wipe away the already drying blood.

She looked up at him with sad eyes.
“I made a mess.”

Trevor placed his hands on her shoulders.
“It’s nothing. I need to know you’re okay.”

“Yeah, great. I’m the only one hurt, or was.
I’m pathetic.”

“No,
there’s no truth in that that.” Sorcha sat down next to her, throwing her arm around her. “You did better than any of us would have only days after becoming a wolf.”

Roxy
’s eyes narrowed at Sorcha. “You’re not making me feel any better.”

A smirk twisted Sorcha
’s lips as she nodded. “Does the fact that Joey pulled a muscle help? Or that Nick has a black eye? Or how about Trevor winding up on his ass when he was so focused on you he didn’t notice the bastard come up behind him?”

“Maybe a little,” Roxy
admitted. “If I believed it.”

“Good, because it’s all true. Now
, stop moping. You did amazing, even when some arsehole punctured your lung because he couldn’t win a fist fight against a girl.”

Roxy’s eyes lit up.
“That’s an excellent point!” She shoved her hair behind her ears.

Siobhan laughed softly.
“Don’t worry. You’re going to have a few anger issues until you get settled into life as a werewolf.”

Shane nodded.
“Now that you’re better, we’re going to take off.” He waved as he took Siobhan’s hand to pull her toward the door.

Sorcha squeezed Roxy tight.
“See you tomorrow.” She hopped off the table and headed to Joey who was already by the door.

“Yeah, remind me not to piss you off,” Joey teased. “You’re a beast.” Sorcha and Joey were next to leave.

Fiona gave Roxy a small smile. “You did wonderfully. Don’t forget that.”

Nick waved as he left with Fiona.

Trevor locked the door and turned back to Roxy who still sat on the table. “Come here, love. Take a shower with me.”

* * * *

Roxy followed Trevor into the bathroom. He started the water before pulling the clothes from his body. She watched his muscles ripple, the way the ink on his back moved with his physique. He truly was an amazing creature.