โYeah? How does your elbow feel?โ I teased as he came at me low. He was quicker than I expected, but I was still faster. His claw dug into my shin as he overshot me. Blood wasnโt something that affected me, and honestly, it just pissed me off. There wasnโt time for me to strike back since Ethan acted as if he meant to over shoot me. Sweeping his leg out, I let him take me down so I could get in a few hits to his kidneys before I fell hard on the ground. Ethan flinched, giving me time to roll away from his elbow that was coming. My breath was heavy. With the wind knocked out of me, I had to focus harder from Ethanโs none stop attacks. The faster he swung his fist, the faster I had to block. It left me more winded than I started with. Knowing I couldnโt keep doing this, I had to change. It was my turn to be on offense. Ethan never left his left side open the way the rest of his pack did. His punches werenโt even in a pattern. Trying to find a hole was difficult until a thought came
โBig talk from a man that canโt swimโฆ and Iโll let you know that I found a way to cope!โ I spit back just as Callie passed me. She snorted at me. โIs that what you call it?โ โWhat does she mean?โ Rif asked as we got to our table. โThey do the dirty for the entire plane rideโฆโ Callie didnโt even try to hide her smile and amusement from us. โIt worksโฆโ Shrugging, Ethan kissed my forehead before pulling out my chair for me. Since the guys werenโt getting the food, I assumed it was going to be brought out for us. โDid you get your task done, Callie?โ Jolene leaned over and asked from down the table.โI did, thank you. Zoey was an amazing help. The only thing that needs done is for the guys to look at it all.โ โWe can do that after we eat.โ Ethan wasnโt looking at her but across the room. โFuck..โ We all turned to see Jax walk in the diningroom. โI thought he left?โ I whispered to Ethan. โHis plane didโฆโ No one spoke as Jax approched. โI sent Cara home. May I sit and chat?โ Tell
โI know you are working, but letโs have a movie night.โ Roxie plopped down on the couch. โI mean, there isnโt anything for us to do.โ Damon shut the door behind him. I could hear the lock snap into place before the girls jumped on that idea. โIโd love that. We never get to spend this much time together.โ โIs that going to bother you?โ Callie asked, looking at me. โNo. I have my headphones and if it does, then Iโll move to my bed.โ A cold chill came over me, making me go to the bedroom and grab a pair of sweats, socks, and a sweatshirt. Damon came back in as I grabbed a blanket and made myself comfortable on one of the oversized chairs in the livingroom. โCold?โ Damon handed me my headphones. I could hear Callie popping some popcorn, and Zoey was looking through the movies. โMaybe a little.โโIs there anything to drink in here?โ Jolene looked around.โBar is in the kitchen. Help yourslf, but get me a Jack and Dr. Pepper please!โ Jolene was looking around like it was the most inte
โGrace? Are you dressed?โ Ethan yelled at me from the bathroom. The morning came way too quickly, making me a little grumpy. โYeah, just putting my shoes on.โ Callie had picked out a pant suit for me to wear. The pants were tighter and stopped just above my ankle. There was a white bodysuit that still looked like a professional shirt. The matching black blaser sealed the look. After adding my jewelry and shoes, I was ready to go. โHere.โ Ethan walked in with a black box. He opened it and took my hand. โI had a fake ring made that looks exactly like the one I got you. That way, if something happens to this one, who cares?โ He switched out my rings before putting the real one in the box. โWhere are you putting that one?โ Ethan motioned me to follow him with his finger. Going to the kitchen, he pushed down on one of the back splash tiles. It opened up to a safe. Unlocking it, he added the ring to it before closing it again.โWhen did we get that?โ โWe have had it.โ Ethan shrugged. โ
My good mood disappeared as soon as I saw the stairs to the airplane. Before I could really say anything, Ethan picked me up bridal style. โHey!โ I yelled, but smiled at him. โWhat?โ He looked innocent. However, my comptuer was barely hanging on to my arm. โI got thatโฆโ Jolene took my laptop from me. โIโll need that!โ I yelled back at her. Ethan walked into the plane and set me down on a seat. โDo you think you can work?โ He sat down beside me. Nox and Jolene sat in front of us. I saw Axton sit at the front, and Kyle moved to the back of the plane. Vincent was across the way, but seemed rather preoccupied with his phone. There were some menmen I didnโt know who they were, but they sat randomly around. I assumed they were Noxโs men. This pant suit wasnโt the most comfortable thing to wear on a plane, but honestly, unless I am naked, nothing was comfortable. Jolene kept adjusting her blaser so much that Nox looked at her, confused. She shook her head, but sat still.Ethan nudged me
All the jokes died when the headquarters came into view. โWhat was the names of the people we met?โ โBertha was the toad of a woman in the front. Isaac Burish is the Chief of Operationsโฆ or was when you get done firing him.โ Vincent shrugged.โFiring him?โ โWe talked about this. We need a completely different staff. That means you need to fire him and take over it all.โ Vincent looked at me like I was crazy. โWhy do I have to do it?โ Rolling my eyes, the limo pulled up to the front. Betha and Issac were standing out front. Their smiles looked forced. โThatโs what happens when you own a company. Suck it up.โ Vincent spit before opening the door. Somehow, I flipped him off before Ethan pulled my hand down. โHe really isnโt as bad as he looks.โ Jolene whispered. She was trying to hide her smile. โHeโs an ass but does have a nice side.โ I whispered before Ethan pulled me out of the limo. โMrs. Anderson! Itโs so nice to see yoโฆโ Isaac hurried to shake my hand but stopped when he saw
โMaybe they are pointed at the enterances?โ Nox tried to rationalize it. โMaybeโฆโ I whispered, but I tried to access the feed. It wasnโt hard to access it. However, switching it over would be more difficult than anything else. โCan you do it?โ Vincentโs voice was quiet, but it was demanding. โGive me a minute.โ I spit back out at him. This was a deligate mission. If I did something wrong, it would tip them off. Still, I wasnโt sure they wouldnโt notice, regardless. My heart was racing. All I could think about is if I messed it up, what would happen? So many menโs lives were at risk over this. This would be easier if I knew if someone was in front of their moniters or not. Assuming they were, I needed to gain complete access. That way, when I flipped it over, the confimation button would should up on my screen. Opening my laptop, I logged in. Going to their account, I gained remote control over the system. Back on the desktop, I started adding the upgrades to the system. It was a
โThe fuck do you mean?โ Vincent was close to pulling out his hair.โThey found me and tried to kick me outโฆ.โ Exiting out of the account, I pulled up their park account. โWhat are you doing?โ Nox sounded calmer than I expected. โDeleting their service so they canโt use it.โ โSmart.โ Jolene sounded as calm as Nox. It took me a little longer to delete it than I would have liked, but as soon as I did, I was able to pull back up our feed. โWhere is everyone?โ I whispered.โThey are inside.โ Ethan whispered. No one spoke. All eyes were looking at each angle, wating to see if anyone was coming out or get any idea of what was happening. Every now and then, someone would come running out. It might be one of us or one of theirs. โI donโt like this,โ I said, finally. โLike what?โ Ethan asked.โNot being there.โโWhat is the plan for this building?โ Nox asked. He sounded distracted, like he only heard part of what we were saying. โWe need to clear the building and lock it down. This needs
โCHRISTIAN!โ I yelled back. He laughed, as that was our thing. Ethan set me down when we got to the top. Christian instantly wrapped his arms around my legs. โI missed you! You are getting so tall!โ โHey, sis.โ Vincent walked up to me with his arm out. With my belly, I could only do a side hug these days.โHow is my little nephew doing?โ Vincent shook Ethanโs hand. โVery happy where he is at.โ Vincent has been a little of a recluse this last year. Finding out the truth, being a full-time day and looking for a beta has kept him from coming around as often. Fortuantly, everyone has sympathized with him. They have really accepted him into our friendโs group. However, Roxie and Zoey are on a kick to find him a mate. Vincent game me a smile and scooped Christian up. โLetโs go inside or we will miss the party.โ Ethan held the door for us before quickly resuming his spot next to me. The moment we walked in, my breath was caught in my throat. It was just like I imagined it to be. A larg
1 year laterโGrace! We got to go! Everyone is waiting for us!โ Ethan was standing at our bedroom door. โIโm COMING!โ I growled back. My swollen belly was ready to pop at any moment. Our little baby boy was loving kicking his mother in the lungs so much that he refused to leave. โI can only move so fast!โ โYou are the most beautiful pregnant personโฆever.โ Ethan smiled at me as I walked out of the bedroom. The stretchy black evening gown clung to my body, really making my stomach look much skinner than I felt. From the back, you would never know I was pregnant, which confused me. My belly was very round, like a ball. โThis is all your fault.โ Rolling my eyes at him, I couldnโt help the smile that spread across my face. Ethan walked over and gave me his arm. โThank you.โ โJust thinkโฆโ Ethan patted my hand. โโฆ. you get to do this many more times!โ Looking up and glaring at him, โI will kick you in the nuts and end all of that.โ Ethan laughed at me. I doubt anything would hurt his m
By the time we made it to the club, I had taken a few more shots, and the buzz was going. The club was bouncing. Music could be heard from outside. There was a line down the sidewalk and neon lights were flashing all around. This was the vibe that I was hoping for. โEthan, I want to check on the computers. With everyone here, I havenโt actually got to see it yet and I want to check it.โ I had to shout since the music was so loud and we werenโt even inside. โGrace, you are a little drunkโฆ.โ Ethan raised his eyebrows at me. โPlease? Iโm not going to touch it. Just want to make sure itโs okay.โ Grabbing his arm, I put on my most pathetic face I could.โ โFineโฆโ Ethan rolled his eyes, but smirked. Wrapping his arm around me, he lead the way inside. โCallie, get everyone situated with drinks. We will catch up.โ Ethan instantly lead me away to his office. It was more packed than I had ever seen it. Granted, I had only been here like three times, but this was packed. More than once, we g
โWhat do you have that is the best with crab?โ Theresa thought for a moment. โTry the crab trio. There are three different ways crab is cooked. I think one is the crab alfrado, a mushroom stuffed crab and just steamed crab legs with a pepper, garlic butter to dip it in.โ โThat sounds perfect.โ โGreat. Would you like your legs already de-shelled?โ โYes, please.โ I said right as the guys came back. โIโll have a crab cake, please.โ Jolene smiled at Theresa. Theresa returned the smile. โFor you two?โ She looked at them. โSeafood fried roll.โ Ethan sighed and downed his drink. โI got another round coming.โ She said instantly. Ethan nodded and put his arm back around me. โWhat did Vincent say?โ I asked Ethan in the mind-link, so I didnโt hear what Nox, Stella or Rif ordered. โWell, turns out they were all people that went missing states away. None were from the same state, but they were all scholars in hacking or something cyber. Vincent thinks Zach or Derek had placed them there
Just as Ethan stood up, we arrived at the restaurant. I couldnโt help the sly smile that spread across my face before bitting my lower lip. โLetโs go,โ Ethan said before clearing his throat. He gave me a little nudge to get off the bus. โWhere are we?โ I asked as I stepped off. Ethan was quick behind me, wrapping his arm around my waist. โThis is one I have wanted to bring you to since I met you. Itโs a very upscale seafood place. I know your favorite food is crab and I think they will have what you want here.โ Ethan smiled down at me.โI love this place!โ Callie squealed. โTheir lobster is absolutely amazing!โ โIโve never been here!โ Zoey grabbed Leoโs hand, and they started the train to the front doors. โWe have a reservation. Itโs under Boone.โ Callie yelled from the back. By the time we walked in, the hostess walked off from the front. Zoey turned and smiled at us. I couldnโt help but look around. There was a massive sword fish mounted on the wall. The lighting was low, dark
After the house burnt down, we had to transport everyone back to their respected packs. However, all of our friends had to come back one last time to our pack and gather their belongings. Since they were already here, we had one last night together. Ethan set up a romanic evening that ended with everyone at the club for a night of dancing. All the girls were in my bedroom getting dressed. Callie had on a champain squence colored dress. It volumized her breast with a completely open back and only strings tolding it up. Her ass was about to hang out, but she looks amazing.Zoey had on a similar colored dress, but the top was more of a bra. Her stomach was open to a skirt that sinched at the side. Roxie was wearing a scarlett red dress. With long sleeves, the top was just enough fabric to cover her tits. It was an open stomach, but one side went down to a skirt that went to her calf. The other side had a slit that went to her hip, completely exposing her very toned legs. Stella was wea
Vincent turned and looked at us. โLetโs go home.โ He whispered and walked past us. Christian was clinging to Vincent like his life depended on it. โKeep your eyes closed, bud.โ He said as he walked out of the house. We all followed him. The battle was over and our warriors were collecting the dead. In the front was Derekโs body, Zach and Adaline. There was a rather large pile of men off to the side and a more respectible line of men that were ours. Leo was barking order with Damon, but Stella caught my attention. She was standing over Derekโs body with tears running down her face. Walking out of Ethanโs arms, I came up to Stella. She met my eyes before looking down again. โW-what happened?โ I hesitated before speaking. I wasnโt sure how this was going to impact our friendship. Though it had already been rocky as it was. โGrace?โ Rif walked up behind Stella. Putting a hand around his waist, he nodded. โWhatever it is, just tell us.โ I knew I had everyoneโs attention at this point.
Grabbing a lock of hair, I twisted it in my fingers. โYou know Vincent, she used Derekโs weakness and let him believe for three years that he betrayed you.โ Vincentโs hand wrapped around his neck. He squeezed hard enough to make her hurt but not enough to stop the breathing. โWhat should I do? Kill her or put her in my dungeon to yearsโ worth of torture?โ โIโm sorry! I can turn my life around and be the mother that Christian deserves. I only ever wanted to be a mate to you.โ She batted her eyelashes at Vincent. His grip tightened around her neck. โNothing I do will be enough. It wonโt be enough to vengue Derek, my dad or the years of head games you put on our son that Iโll have to fix.โ Tighter, he squeezed until his hand started shaking. โI regret ever sleeping with you, ever touching you, or even meeting you. The only good thing in my life is Christian. Iโm going to take your body and make a mockery of it. You will be an example of what it means to cross me. Iโm more powerful than
Ethan, Vincent, and I just stared at her with our mouths hanging open. โDerek thought he betrayed Vincent. He did everything to keep Vincent out of danger and keep his kid safe and you were playing him.โ My anger was rising as her words sank in. โYou let Derek live with this weight on him for years.โ Adaline shrugged. โWho is Derek to me?โ She mirrored those words, knowing it was going to get under my skin. โNow, my child is an heir to not only the mafia family, but to a very powerful wolf pack and a blood relative to a very profitable security business.โโYou never wanted me to create a program. All this was a lie to get the three of us here.โ The truth came crashing down on me.Marco pointed his gun at me. โYou are a very hard person to get ahold of. I told Zach to kidnap you by any means needed. He almost got you fucking killed. Iโm happy you survived, but yes, however, Ethan was only part of it because he mated to you. I just wanted Vincent and you.โ โYour dad was incredibly ann