NICOThe police waited for me downstairs. I knew it couldn’t be about last night. Minsky wouldn’t involve the police. He wasn’t that stupid.“Mr. Lupei, I am DC Brown. We have a warrant to search your premises for narcotics.” The short, stocky man came right to the point.I took the paper from him. “And this is why?” He could search all he wanted. I don’t shit where I eat.Brown looked at me like I was a piece of horse dung on the sole of his tiny boots. “We received information that drugs were being sold at your club Mr. Lupei.”Sal sneered at him. “No way. Boss don’t allow drugs at The Bad Moon.”“This is definitely not the club Constable.” I shoved the warrant back at him.“Detective. We made arrests at your club last night Lupei. We’re shutting you down.” he smiled a smug grin at me. “We can do this the easy way, or you can accompany us down to the yard.”“By all means. Have at it. I had no idea drugs were being sold at my club. I have a no drug policy…”“Cut the crap Lupei. We’ve
DARINAThe police had ransacked the place - it was a royal mess, and the staff were angry, muttering amongst themselves. The three of us helped them to clear up. They left nothing undisturbed. Even the paintings were askew, but at least nothing was broken. I was a nervous wreck waiting for Nico to come home, pacing up and down in the lounge.“He’ll be fine.” Sal said, “They have nothing on him.”“But you do deal drugs and lord only know what else. It’s just a matter of time before you all get caught Sal. Can’t you see? Or killed.” I was frantic. “When will it be enough?”“You’re getting hysterical. We won’t get caught. Do you think we’re amateurs?”“No, you’re not and that’s the problem. I can’t live like this. For fuck’s sake! We kidnapped two women! I am now an accomplice to a crime. I never asked for this.” The more I thought about the more I wanted out. I thought I loved him enough to overlook the fact that he was a criminal, but sometimes love just wasn’t enough.He had to choose
“Please, let me speak to my husband. He… he has money. He will pay you. Please.” Minsky’s wife was boring me with her non-stop ranting. The daughter at least stopped crying. She sat huddled in a corner.I walked around the cage I had them in. Minsky owed me a lot more than money. I gave him what he needed to gain the position he was in and all I asked was a small favor. Now he will learn that Zmeya Petrov isn’t someone to cross.Lupei did well. I expected more resistance from him. Maria was right, the little blonde girl had him by the balls. It made me laugh. No woman or man will ever have that power over me. The problem with Necolai Lupei was that he felt too much for these humans, and that was going to be his undoing. They were nothing. We were the superior beings.“What do you want? Tell me!” the woman clutched at the chicken wire of the cage. I stopped to stare at her.I saw the revulsion in her eyes and smiled broadly at her. “Nothing from you, Mrs. Minsky. Soon you and your dau
DARINA Nico and I were in the garden when Petrov called. I heard everything he said thanks to my werewolf hearing I wished I didn’t have.“What are you going to do Nico?” I watched him pacing back and forth on the front lawn, his face a thundercloud. Flashing green eyes turned towards me.“I’ll have to get Vasile and his family out of there. But I need help. I have to go to Romania.” he said as he jogged back to the house.I followed him, walking slowly. He didn’t say anything about my father. But what Petrov wanted was clear.“Sal you’ll have to run business for a few days. I’m going to Romania.” Nico and Sal were in the study. I heard their voices drifting down to me. “You’ll keep Darina safe. I can’t risk taking her with me.”He was leaving without me. Think again Nico Lupei. I marched up the stairs to the study.“What? Are you insane Boss? Are you going to go to Constantin’s pack?”“I have no choice but to ask them for help.”“But what about us? And you said yourself Petrov’s gua
“Is it one of us?” I caught a scent of the man or should I say werewolf. “Do you think it’s one of your old pack?” I whispered back.“I’m not sure,” Nico said digging into the steak. “But we’ll soon found out.” He grinned a lopsided smile at me. “Eat your food.”We finished our lunch, paid, and left the café hand in hand. Like sightseeing tourist we walked around looking at the various shops and curiosities, all the while being mindful of the werewolf following us.Nico sauntered in the direction of an alleyway and pushed me against a wall, kissing me. I giggled against his lips. The next minute he grabbed the man by the scruff of his neck and pulled him into the alleyway.“Who the hell are you and what do you want?” he snarled into his face. He was shorter and stockier than Nico and I estimated him to be a lot older.“It is you, Necolai, isn’t it?” the man smiled at him. “I thought I recognize your carrot top.”Nico released the fair-headed man. “Victor?” Nico’s snarl turned into a l
“No, no. You’re mistaken. I’m not pregnant.” I looked from her to Nico. I tittered; this woman was nuts. I’ve been taken my contraceptives regularly…except for the time I crashed the car into the gate. Oh no!Nico chuckled, “That explains a lot actually.” His smile was blinding.I shook my head. “No, impossible.” This can’t be happening.Mariana scoffed and took my hand. “Come. I’ll make some herbal tea. For you Nico, I have something stronger.”She led the way into the back of her shop which was just as colorful and crowded as the front.“The place hasn’t changed at all since last I’ve been here.” Nico said at which Mariana laughed.“Business have been good. The tourists are crazy for the gypsy paraphernalia.”“Of course and you tell their fortunes as well, Madame Mariana.” Nico laughed good naturedly.Mariana winked at me. “I’m never wrong. I can tell whether you’re having a boy or a girl. Do you want to know?”“I’m sorry. I am definitely not pregnant.” I can’t be.Nico watched me,
NICO I never thought I would say those words out loud. But I did. I loved her, every inch of my stubborn little mate. Love was a four-letter word I didn’t believe in until now. This painful feeling when I looked at her, at times it felt like I couldn’t breathe now I know what it was called. I loved her. So much it hurt. And now she was carrying my pups, twins. There were no words to describe what I felt. Joy, fear, love, all mixed together. She wanted us to move on from this life I knew. Would it be possible to leave it behind? Big Jim always said that you don’t choose this life, it chooses you and I believed him. But for Darina I would do anything, anything to keep her and my babies safe. I just had to finish this, get my revenge, and kill Petrov. It all seemed so simple, but the truth was I feared how it would end. Darina helped Mariana prepare dinner for us in Mariana’s small, crowded kitchen. I sat outside in the icy winter breeze, smoking and planning my next move. I would lea
Leaving the city behind, the train snaked its way over the mist enshrouded lake, traveling east to the forest where the Shadow Moon Pack lived. I got off at the station sniffing the familiar woodsy scent and crisp mountain air that I had so long tried to forget.With my backpack slung over one shoulder I made my way out of the station, brushing past other passengers, blending in with them. A light snowfall covered the road and dampened my clothes as I began my journey on foot. I walked until I found a place among the trees lining the road that gave enough cover for me to transform into my wolf. Quickly I undressed, shoving everything into my backpack and I changed into my wolf form.The red wolf grabbed the backpack in his strong jowls and ran off in the direction of the Shadow Moon’s territory, keeping low to the ground careful not to be detected. Strange after so many years the way to the pack was so fresh in my memory that it seemed I’ve never been gone.I enjoyed the wolf’s excite
The atmosphere in the living room was tense as seconds ticked by waiting for Nico’s reply. His arm around my waist tightened and trying to calm him, I stroked his broad back, feeling the muscles contract under my palm.But then he spoke. “Zane, Mariana, I don’t want my children to grow up not knowing where they came from. I want them to know their grandparents.”I blew out a deep breath I never knew I held in. Nico looked at me and back at them. “All these years knowing what hell we’ve suffered at the hands of Constantin and yet you did nothing. It’s hard to wrap my head around it, knowing that I am your son.” The lines around his mouth deepened while he looked at Mariana.“I didn’t know everything, Nico. You know he never allowed us to visit.” Mariana stepped away from Zane who went to sit down with Anthony by his side. Anthony put a comforting hand on Zane’s thigh and Zane covered his hand with his own.Mariana reached for Nico. He made no move to go forward. “I never wanted to give
DARINAWhat was taking so long? “I can’t stand it anymore. They should have been here already, Sanda. Something’s wrong.” I was in panic mode, pacing around the living room.“Slow down, my love. Nico won’t let himself get caught. You’re making yourself ill.” Sanda smiled serenely back at me, lounging on the couch.“I don’t know how you can just sit there so calmly. We should have gone with Zane.”“Darina,” Mama came into the living room with Daciana on her hip. “Is Lycas with you, because I can’t find him.” Daciana held onto Mama’s neck with her little fist in her mouth, giggling at us.That boy would be the death of me. “I left him in the playpen together with his sister, Mama.” He must have transformed again. I sighed. Using the mind link, I sent out messages to the pack to help find my small wolf cub. “I have a mind to spank his little behind.” I said, storming to the front door.“Boys will be boys.” Sanda laughed. “He’ll turn up when he’s hungry.”“Someone lost a pup?” Nico filled
“Can everyone just calm the hell down!” I glared at Zane and Sanda. My grip on Darina tightened as I held her around her waist with her back to me, hiding my erection. She didn’t struggle but leaned back against me ever so slightly. “I get it, you are mad at me. I fucked up. Maybe.”That earned me a snort from Sanda and Zane’s eyebrows raised a few inches. He stood with his arms folded across his broad chest and I knew from the look in his eyes he was considering breaking a few bones.“But as soon as the dust settles and we’re all back at Romania, we can go on with our lives. Just like you wanted. No more humans trying to get us killed or wanting to use our pups for lab rats. No more Mafia. Okay?” By the gods! What more did they want from me?Sanda came towards me. “Idiot.” Her hands on her hips, she glared at me, “You should have trusted us.”“Sanda’s right.” Darina wriggled her way out of my grasp. “That’s not how you treat us, your mates. We don’t keep secrets from you.” She went t
NICOA few days earlierJohn wasn’t kidding. That blast knocked the shit out of me, also, burned off my clothes. I guess I should have moved further away before I pressed the button. Then I heard Sanda scream, and it took all of my willpower to stop the wolf from rushing back to comfort her.Our mate was in anguish, and he fought me with everything he had to go there. She was crying, screaming my name. I dug my nails into the earth and clamped my jaw shut not to cry out. The wolf turned his back on me in disgust.We’ll go back when it’s dark, hide in the stables. I tried to placate him, but he huffed and turned away. My blood turned to ice when I heard the men screaming for Darina to stop. Oh, no! She ran towards the burning wreck! That was when the wolf took over. There was nothing holding him back. He rushed towards the blaze, but the heat was too much. Whining he backpedaled.But then Sanda came, and I heard her say that no one could survive that. I reigned the wolf in hard. Patie
The day of Nico’s funeral came, the day all of us dreaded. Zane, silent as a ghost, moved about the mansion, looking but not seeing, touching things but not feeling. I had no words for him. Because I felt the same. Mama knew better not to touch me or look at me with pity. She only did that once and I snapped at her. I needed to be strong for my babies and for Sanda. She needed me more than ever. More than once I found her in the bathroom, hiding in a corner, crying. I’ve never seen my dear one so broken.“What makes it so hard for me, is that I could do nothing to protect you or Nico.” She said through her tears, “I’ve failed both of you.”I took her into my arms and stroked her tear-streaked face. “Nonsense. Stop this. If we have to blame someone, blame Nico. His arrogance got him killed. Nothing else.” I kissed her trembling lips, closing my eyes, because I didn’t want her to see how deep the hurt was that I felt.So many cars, so many people coming to his send off. All of his assoc
DARINAMen running, women screaming and above them all I heard Sanda’s voice lifting into a howl. I crushed the twins to my chest, wide-eyed and terrified. My legs wanted to run, to see what was happening, but my brain refused to cooperate.Katherina ran to me, clutching her belly. “Darina! Oh, my God!” She fell down at my feet, sobbing.I was frozen like a statue with the twins in my arms. They cried just as hard as Katherina. She looked up at me. “His car… oh, my God, his car…”Something snapped into place in my brain. “Whose car?” Nico and Sal went out early that morning. I put the twins down next to Katherina and my legs carried me out of the house.When I saw the inferno in front of me, I sank boneless to the ground. “No. No. No.” I couldn’t believe it. Not Nico. Not my mate.Sanda ran to me, her face contorted with anguish. “Darina, he’s in there. We have to get him out.” She screamed at me, but my ears refused to hear.“It can’t be. No.” I clawed at the earth beneath me. Sanda
NICOHours earlier“Are you sure about this, Boss? I mean, why do this now when everything is going so well? We’ve destroyed our enemies and we have control over the city once more.” Sal tried his best to convince me to discard my plans. Although he did everything I asked him to do, he wasn’t happy about it. Which was fine by me, he didn’t have to like it.The meeting with my associates went well. Business was picking up and the money rolled in. Problems with the cops and the feds were minor. Most of them could be bought, it was just a matter of the right price.Sal and I were having lunch at a bar in London, going over the plans for my death.I touched Sal’s shoulder. “Yes, Salvatore. I am doing this for my mates and my pups. Zane is right, I don’t want this life for my children.” I twirled the glass in my hand, staring at the golden liquid. Besides, I owed it to my pack because of all the trouble I caused.“But you lived for this, for our business.” Sal groaned, “I can’t do this wit
DARINA I can’t believe the arrogance of this man! Acting like he is invincible or immortal for that matter. Sanda followed Nico around like a watchdog, she never says it, but I know she loves him with every fiber in her body, just like I do. Thank the gods for the twins, because I would lose my mind worrying about Nico and our safety.“He just received another threat, I heard when he answered his cellphone.” Sanda came into the nursery where I had just bathed the twins and put them in their cribs. “The voice was disguised, like they used some kind of machine.” She plopped herself down onto the rocking chair, holding Daciana’s pink unicorn on her lap.My hands stilled on the clothes I folded. “Sanda, if you continue trying to be his bodyguard, you’ll make yourself sick. If anything should happen, there’s not much we can do about it, is there?” I made my voice sound casual, but my stomach clenched with anxiety.She glared at me like I was crazy. “Don’t patronize me! You’re just as worr
“You have officially lost your mind.” Salvatore spat out his cigarette. “What the fuck’s wrong with you, Nico?”“Lower your goddamn voice.” I growled at him and pulled him after me down the steps. “I don’t want the girls to hear us.”He pulled his arm out of my grasp. “Well, I think they should. Talk some sense into your…”“Salvatore!” I let my Alpha aura wash over him and he submitted at once, dipping his head in deference. “Let’s take a walk to the stables.”He followed me, silenced by my authority. It started to rain, and I lifted my face to the cold, grey sky. I would miss this place. This was the first place where I felt I belonged.Sal drew his hand through his dark mop of hair. “Please tell me you’re not serious.”“Dead serious. I want to fake my death. But it must look believable.” I went into the stables, inhaling the warm scent of hay and horses. There was no way I was going to leave my horse here.Salvatore looked at me as if I had grown horns. “How the hell do you expect m