NICCO
“So how does this work?” Hope asked, plopping herself in the back of the Tahoe. She looked excited. Vinnie looked at me in the rearview mirror.
“Alpha?” he asked.
I looked at him and then let myself smile. “She seems okay with it,” I said to him. Vinnie grinned back at me.
“Do I get to meet your wolf, too?” Hope asked Vinnie with interest. He looked back at me again, and raised an eyebrow.
“She wants to meet Lupo,” I said. “Where can we do that?”
“One of your warehouses, probably. Or we can cross into Jersey and find somewhere out there.”
“Jersey, please,” I said. I knew Lupo would like to run a bit and I didn’t take that opportunity when I was back on the Packlands.
I leaned back against the seat and closed my eyes. Things went a lot better than I had expected.&
NICCOHope settled into my life quite well.Most of the women I would bring home would expect things of me.Too many things.Things I wasn’t willing to give them, like time.Hope demands nothing.She wants to add to my life, not take away from it.It was refreshing and, where once I foresaw a future alone, I could now foresee a future with someone. I knew I needed to bring her into the business, but every time I tried to explain it, I was at a loss for words. There are just some things that you can’t explain. My world is dark and violent and there is a very thin line that is beyond blurred between what is right and what is wrong.I have acquired a reputation for being a Alpha/Don with values, meaning I won’t harm the children, unless they’re directly involved.Three weeks ago, I had a sixteen-year-old who thought he was smarter than me.&nbs
HOPEI had second thoughts as soon as I got into the backseat of the car.The driver wasn’t anyone I had met before, and he was as silent as Caleb had been.No one talked around Alpha Nicco unless he wanted them talking.I looked out the window, trying to enjoy the scenery while ignoring the feeling of dread in my stomach. I may have made a mistake.I had wanted Nicco to tell me what I needed to know so that I could be the Luna he needed, but I wasn’t sure about this part.I was good with numbers, not people.And I was pretty sure I wasn’t going to like what Nicco was going to do, whatever that was.The driver pulled to a smooth stop in front of a huge warehouse with graffiti on it.It looked run down until you really looked at it.None of the windows were broken and the doors were designed to keep people out.Or in.I tried not
HOPEThe man on the table began sobbing.His arms were so spread out and held taunt that he couldn’t draw a full breath, so his sobs were mewing noises.I focused on my breathing, keeping a close eye on Vinnie and his knife.Nicco resumed the conversation.“So, George, at this point we generally cut off a finger.I’ve found that to be the most effective.You lose a finger, but you can still work and do what you need to do to make the money that you pay me.You may need a few modifications, of course, and typing the A on a keyboard just got harder, but, generally, it just serves as a reminder.A painful one, but a reminder.”The mewing noises didn’t stop.The man wasn’t able to control his terror.I watched a pool of urine begin to spread and drip off the table.Nicco continued.“Back in my grandfather&rs
HOPENicco started walking back to the garage area where the cars were parked, me in tow. I was so confused, and my mind was whirling. I had no idea what he was talking about, and I had a million questions. Unfortunately, his phone rang.“Vinnie, take Hope to the car, please,” he said, giving me a little push towards Vinnie. I obediently walked forward, following Vinnie. Nicco turned back to the office.“Bet you have a ton of questions,” Vinnie said in a low voice.“Yeah,” I answered, softly. “What the hell is happening? Why did Nicco name me as Luna? I thought he wasn’t sure because I was human.”Vinnie gave me a smile. “He was mated to you by the moon goddess. He was hesitant at first because you are human, but he has realized that the moon goddess doesn’t make mistakes. You are Nicco’s mate and by default, Luna of his pack.”That cleared nothing up for me. If possible, I was more confused. “So, do we get married or something?” This is one jacked up proposal if that’s
HOPEI was still in Nicco’s arms, held tightly when he asked me what we should do. I didn’t answer, just leaned forward and gently took his earlobe in my mouth. And then I began to suck on it.Nicco moaned again and began moving, but not in the direction of the bedroom. He crossed the room in three steps, gently putting me on my back on the couch. I held open my arms to him, but he shook his head.“I want you now,” he demanded, his voice husky. I nodded, raising my arms above my head. Nicco pulled my top off from me and tossed it to the ground before struggling out of his shirt. I watched, an eyebrow raised, enjoying seeing the rippling of his muscles. I licked my lips.Nicco reached down and pulled me to my feet, turning me around and pulling my pants off my hips in one smooth motion. I stepped out of them, and he kicked them in the general direction of my shirt.&nb
HOPEI stood nervously outside the door. I could hear the crowd inside the ballroom, and I had seen the reporters being admitted earlier. Nicco was turning this announcement into a whole big thing, and I was really uncomfortable with it.After we had our moment in the living room, Nicco had gotten on the phone and an hour later three women were at his door with evening gowns. They dressed me in a silvery, glitter sheath and put my hair up into an elegant updo with curled tendrils falling over my face. Despite my protests, they strapped me into heels that I teetered around on, trying to see through my heavily mascaraed lashes. I didn’t recognize myself in the mirror and I wasn’t sure I liked the look.But I was proclaimed perfect. Nicco didn’t want me looking like a young, inexperienced girl. He wanted me elegant and sophisticated and, according to him, my reflection reflected this. I sighed, shift
NICCOHope fell asleep in the car on the way home, sprawled on the seat with her head on my lap. I looked down at her, a smile on my face. She was perfect tonight. My Luna.I caught Vinnie looking at me in the rear-view mirror. I frowned at him and his response was a huge grin. “You can’t fool me, Alpha,” he said, quietly. “Sweet Hope has finally captured your heart, too.”I let my features soften. “Yeah,” I admitted. “She has.” I reached down my finger and stroked her cheek. “She was really good tonight, wasn’t she, Vinnie.” Vinnie nodded. “She sure was. She’s going to be a great Luna.”“I hope so,” I said, softly, not wanting to wake her. That was true. I really hoped she would be a good Luna. I still had doubts because she wasn’t a shifter, but that punch to Angelica’s mouth today was a pretty good one. Not many human women could best a she-wolf. I was assuming she caught Angelica by surprise, but still. That was a good shot.Vinnie smoothly pulled up in front of
HOPEI rolled over and snuggled into Nicco. He put his arm around me and tightened it and I almost purred in pleasure. I was here, in his arms, and I was his Luna. And he had marked me. I was so happy.Too soon he rolled away from me and kissed me on the forehead. “Early morning meeting,” he whispered. “Stay in bed a little longer. We can have lunch together and then go into the office.”“I’d like lunch,” I said, tossing back the covers. “But I’m not going to stay in bed. I’m going to go down to the fitness center and then I’ll be up. I want to look at the programming again.”Nicco nodded. “Why don’t you come to the office after your workout,” he suggested. “I can send Vinnie back with the car to get you.”I shook my head. “It would be easier to work at your office