Annie Nicholas - Prima

“What’s that smile for?” He stopped by the gate to punch in his security code.

“Just recalling the bearskin rug in your study.” She’d seduced him on it.

His fingers hesitated over the keypad, and he tossed her a questioning glance.

Did she want a repeat performance? Not tonight. Unlike her vampire companions, the drive had exhausted her.

Sam parked next to them by the front entrance to the old stone mansion. Ancient trees lined the property, reaching up to the starry sky as if in worship. A cool breeze rustled the leaves and sent a shiver down her spine. All this night needed was a wolf to howl to complete the spooky affect. Maybe she should ask Robert to do it.

Her shifter friends spilled out of Sam’s rust bucket. She couldn’t believe they’d opted to use it. Maybe they expected more trouble than she did and thought it an acceptable loss in an attack.

Esther stumbled toward the bushes and puked.

They all watched in stunned silence. Robert raced to her side like a good mate and pulled her hair back. “I got you.” He slipped his arm around her, the concern clear on his face. The female was a rock. She’d be the last person Sugar imagined to get carsick.

The front door swung open. “Master Daedalus, should I have been expecting you?” A thin male with stringy dark hair wrung his hands as he approached the Nosferatu. Sugar's paranormal-creature alarm rung, but she couldn’t guess what he was yet.

“No, I couldn’t risk a phone call. I’m still not sure if any of the lines have been tapped.” Daedalus set his hand on the young male’s shoulder. “These are my friends, and they’ll be staying with us for a few days while I get Pal Robi Inc. back in order.” Daedalus pointed to the shifters. “Can you set them up in rooms while I escort Sugar and Pallas?” He picked up her luggage and headed toward the door.

Robert held out his hand and approached the stranger. “We’re from the Vasi pack.”

A set of luminous grey eyes met hers as the young male lifted his gaze from the ground. He sniffed the air and went stiff. The young shifter snarled. “I don’t deal with pack.”

Sugar’s eyebrows shot up. Shifters were a very social race, or at least she’d thought that until now. “Daedalus, maybe you should show the others to their rooms.” She leaned on her cane and drew closer to the tense shifters. “I’m Sugar and I’m not pack. Can you show me to my rooms?”

He blinked and glanced at Daedalus before taking her luggage from him.

For a moment, it appeared as if Daedalus didn’t want to hand them over. “Take these to my bedroom and start a fire in the hearth. I’ll settle the others. You have nothing to worry about. They’re not here for you. They’ve no interest in recruiting anyone. You’re safe, Stephen.”

He swallowed visibly before darting his gaze back to the ground. “If you say so.”

“Sugar is my fiancée. She’ll follow you.” He set a hand on her shoulder and whispered, “He’s not dangerous.”

She nodded once, unable to take her eyes off the stranger, another person Daedalus had never mentioned.

Stephen tucked her bags under his arms and returned inside, tossing furtive glances at the others.

Slinging her purse over her shoulder, she limped after him with her cane in hand. “Wait up.” She slowed in the foyer, impressed with the grand chandelier hanging from the ceiling. When she’d first visited here, there had been many people inside this house, and the chandelier had sparkled with light.

Now only empty darkness greeted her arrival.

“Where is everyone?”

“Dismissed.” He climbed the stairs.

“Daedalus fired everyone?” It didn’t sound like him.

“No, they’ve been transferred to other nests since the master wasn’t residing here anymore.”

“And you?”

“Groundskeeper. Someone has to mow the lawn and collect the junk mail.”

She chuckled. “You live here by yourself then?”

“Yes.” He led her down a wide hall decorated with different types of blades. She’d been a warrior’s lover long enough to name most of the weapons.

“So. No pack?”

He stopped in his tracks and took a deep breath. “You’re human. Why do you care?”

She continued walking until she could face him and shrugged. “I’m curious.”

“I’m not joining that pack.”

“And I’m not asking you to. I’ve never met a lone wolf before.”

“Master Daedalus took me in and gave me a home. Are you satisfied now?” His tone wasn’t angry, more hurt than anything. She almost regretted asking.

“Yes, I meant no offense.”

It was his turn to shrug. He opened the double doors to what looked like an apartment. They entered into a sitting area and crossed to a master bedroom complete with full bathroom. The only thing missing was a kitchen.

Stephen set her luggage by the bureaus and glanced at her cane. “Do you want me to unpack?”

“Oh no.” She waved him away. “I can take care of the bags myself.” It might take her a few hours, but she could technically do it.

He tilted his head and met her gaze. If he shaved, he’d be quite handsome. “You seem unsteady.”

She grinned. He reminded her of a younger version of Eric. “It’s an acquired skill. Really, I’ll be fine.” Gathering another nursemaid to hover around her would drive her nuts.

“You should be careful hanging around people like us. Humans tend to become collateral damage.” He exited the suite, closing the doors behind him.

She had already been damage. What would a little more be?

Leaning on her cane, she undid the buttons of her blouse with one hand. At home, she had covered most of the mirrors and didn’t own a full-length like the one on this closet. Slowly, she removed each piece of clothing and allowed them to flutter to her feet until she stood exposed.

A pale woman leaning on her cane stared back at her through the mirror. She appeared young, but her eyes were tired and haunted. Her breasts sagged, her ribs could be counted, and her hipbones poked out, let alone her lackluster hair.

The little food in her stomach went sour. Tilting her head, she broke eye contact with her reflection. She didn’t want to be that thing. How could Daedalus still want her when he knew what she'd once looked like?

With a cry, she hurled her cane, piercing the poor likeness. Mirror shards clattered to the floor. The sudden loss of support had her left leg buckling, but she never landed on the sharp, cutting pieces.

A set of strong hands caught her.

She twisted to meet a set of sea-blue eyes. Covering her breasts with her good arm, she turned away. Heat burned a path across her cheeks.

“What happened?” Daedalus crushed her to his chest as he carried her to the bed. He settled her bare ass on the covers while his gaze traveled over her skin. “Uh…”

She hadn’t allowed him a glimpse of her body since returning from the rehab center. “Stop looking.” She couldn’t grab a blanket without exposing herself completely.

He took a shaky breath and peeled her arm away from her chest. “No.” His low answer barely reached her ears.

Frowning, she twisted to face him, but her frustration vanished as something flashed in the corner of her vision. She followed it to a chunk of mirror protruding from his knee. “You’re hurt.”

He glanced at where she pointed. “I am?” With a swift jerk, he yanked it out and tossed it where the other pieces lay scattered on the carpeted floor. “Now what was I doing?” He pulled her hand off her breasts again, staring with interest, and scooted her farther on the bed. “Oh yeah…”

“Daedalus!” She attempted to use her sternest voice, but it wavered as his hungry stare swallowed her next words. Would she continue to push him away? Hadn’t she learned anything? “Go slowly.”