Kristal Hollis - Charmed By The Wolf

Braced for a smart-mouthed jab, Tristan was thrown a bit off-kilter by the condolence. Maybe the hard-core incarceration had taught Jaxen to have a better perspective. At the very least, it had improved his surly attitude. Tonight, he seemed almost chipper. Then again, who wouldn’t be happy to be free of Woelfesguarde?

Nate handed his empty plate to Tristan, then leaned forward in his chair. “Jax, have you thought about what you’re going to do now that you’re home?”

“I have.” Jaxen forked the last bite of crust and held up his plate toward Tristan. “Another slice, if you don’t mind.”

Annoyance nipping his pride, Tristan took the plate. Although Jaxen flashed him a bright smile, an icy gray zapped all the blue from his eyes. It was gone in a blink, and Tristan decided he’d imagined the color change.

“I picked up some trade skills over the years,” Jaxen continued. “Thought I’d look for handyman work.”

“Why not work for me?” Nate asked.

Tristan’s first impulse was to protest. Ruby’s hopeful look silenced him.

Obviously, she had asked her brother to give Jaxen a job. Tristan couldn’t fault his father or Ruby for trying to keep Jaxen out of trouble. Besides, with his father and the construction crew looking out for Jaxen, Tristan wouldn’t have to.

“You’d actually hire me?” Jaxen’s voice held an uncharacteristic note of emotion.

“Why wouldn’t he,” Ruby said. “You’re blood-kin.”

Since his input wasn’t requested or required, Tristan quietly withdrew to the kitchen. Tuning out the discussion on Jaxen’s actual job skills, Tristan rinsed his father’s plate, hand dried it and placed the dish in the cabinet. Next, he doled out his cousin’s second piece of pie and returned to the living room.

“You’ll start a week from Monday morning. That’ll give you time to get reoriented.” Nate grinned.

“I appreciate it, Nate. Thanks.” Jaxen accepted the dessert from Tristan with a slight nod.

With nowhere to sit comfortably, Tristan stood next to the couch, close to Ruby.

“I want you to do your best.” Ruby shook her fork at Jaxen. “No cuttin’ up, and I mean it. Nate is giving you a serious job.”

“I won’t mess up this time, Mama.” Jaxen kissed her cheek. “I swear.”

For all their sakes, Tristan hoped Jaxen would make good on his promise. But he wouldn’t hold his breath.

“If you work hard and demonstrate an aptitude for the business—” Nate cleared his throat “—I’ll let you take over when I retire.”

What the hell?

Though he stood perfectly still, Tristan felt as if he’d smacked head-on into a brick wall.

“Are you kidding?” Jaxen looked genuinely happy, in contrast to the stormy emotions swelling inside Tristan.

“I never joke about my business.” It was the one thing Nathan Durrance loved more than anything. Except for his sister, Ruby. And, apparently, Jaxen.

Jaxen’s attention swung to Tristan. “Is this all right by you, cuz?”

“Of course it is,” Ruby interjected. “Tristan would rather ride around in a comfy po-leece car all day than do hard work.”

The tops of Tristan’s ears heated. Swiping a palm across his mouth, he swallowed the spew of words burning his tongue.

Jaxen set down his plate. “What happened to you becoming an architect?”

“Plans change.” Tristan’s lungs no longer seemed to process the air inside Ruby’s house. “I have to go.”

“Always rushing to leave. Family time don’t mean squat to you, does it?” Ruby’s disapproving gaze cut Tristan to the quick.

“I told you earlier, I’m on duty tonight.” Tristan paused at the door. “I’ll stop by tomorrow to fix lunch.”

“Don’t bother.” Mouth scrunched, Ruby squinted at Tristan.

He gave her a curt nod and walked outside. Unfortunately, summer humidity had thickened the night air as much as the tension had indoors. Dark, threatening clouds floated across the sky, bright from a near full moon.

Damn! Why did that time of the month seem to come around faster when he wasn’t looking forward to it?

“Hey, cuz, wait up.” Jaxen leisurely descended the porch steps.

Tristan leaned against the grill of his truck.

“Hard to believe you ended up in law enforcement. Why weren’t you one of the dozen sentinels who escorted me?” Jaxen spit on the ground. “Gavin’s going a bit over-the-top, don’t you think? A dozen, really?”

“Not my call. And I wasn’t involved in your escort because I’m not your keeper, Jax.”

“No, you’re not. You’re family.” Jaxen hooked his thumbs in the belt loops of his jeans, his shoulders loose and posture relaxed. “Are you okay with your dad’s decision?”

“It’s his business. He can do whatever he wants.” What irked Tristan was that his father hadn’t bothered to discuss his plans with him, who by blood rights was the heir.

“Not what I asked.” Jaxen shook his head, good-naturedly.

“Fine.” Tristan sighed. “If you’re serious about turning your life around, then I’ll be happy for you to take over my dad’s construction company when the time comes.”

“Glad to hear it.”

“But, toe a straight line or—”

“Or what?” An irritating grin spread across Jaxen’s mouth.

“I’ll make your time in Woelfesguarde seem like a picnic.”

Jaxen laughed, hard.

Tristan pushed away from the truck and stood tall. “I’m not that little kid who idolized you. I will put you down without a second thought if I think you’re going to hurt someone again.”

Jaxen sobered and fell silent.

Tristan opened the truck door and climbed inside.

“For fuck’s sake, Trist. We were kids.”

Tristan didn’t miss that Jaxen didn’t express regret over the incident.

“You getting me banished kinda makes us even. Don’t ya think?” Jaxen held the truck door so Tristan couldn’t shut it.

“Not by a fucking long shot.” Tristan yanked the door closed and rested his arm on the open window, keeping Jaxen in his line of vision. “For the record, you got yourself banished. I simply didn’t lie to give you an alibi.”

“Why don’t we forget all the stuff that happened when we were kids? I’m ready for a fresh start, how about you?” Jaxen extended his hand.

Tristan’s inner wolf prowled restlessly and his instinct warned against a truce until Jaxen proved himself.

“Come on, Tristan. Clean slate?”

“Time will tell.” He cranked the truck engine.

“Watch yourself out there.” Pregnant clouds drifted across the moon and a shadow darkened Jaxen’s face, twisting his features into a grotesque mask.

Unease coiled in the pit of Tristan’s stomach. “Always.”

Chapter 5

Butterflies darted and fluttered in Nel’s stomach as if they were auditioning for a Cirque de Soleil performance. Starting tomorrow, she would be responsible for the success or failure of the Walker’s Run Resort’s new children’s activity program.

Although Penelope confidently managed her kindergarten classes, she never volunteered to take the lead in any of her school’s events. She made a great assistant, but being in charge was something she never had the confidence to attempt.

“It’s fabulous.” She gazed at the colorful paper-ring garland swooping from the ceiling and crisscrossing the room. “I couldn’t have hung it without your help. This old lady on a ladder is a Shakespearian tragedy no one wants written.”

“Nonsense.” Shane MacQuarrie stepped off the last rung and gave her a mischievous look. “You’re in your prime and quite the catch, milady.” He bowed low.

“Why, thank you, kind sir.” Laughing, Penelope curtsied.

No older than his early twenties, Shane was too young for her to have a romantic interest in him, but his easy manner and teasing banter had immediately put her at ease.