* * *
Grabbing Joan by the waist, Bonnie guided them both out of the club and into the fresh air of Crossia's North Village. She set Joan down by the wall against the club and went to hail a cab. Outside the lounge club, patrons stood in clumps, smoking and chatting in private tones, unconcerned about the women who were breathing hard beside them. It was Crossing after all. People could be stabbing each other and no one would blink.
"Oh, my God! This was supposed to be my night!" Joan moaned and Bonnie couldn't help but roll her eyes. Of course, this was what her friend would be worried about. There was a drunk supernatural on the loose and no one except her knew about it. Although she didn't like the idea, she knew she had to speak to her father as soon as possible.
"We should have just stayed home as I suggested," Bonnie stated, her eyes darting from one side of the road to the other in case a cab pulled up.
"I'm sure we could have, but I was so horny, Bon, I'm still horny right now and I can't even get a man to sleep with me," she grumbled and sagged more deeply against the wall.
Bonnie couldn't help but admit to herself that she too was horny. She could use a good romp in the proverbial hay to release the tension of the last, oh well... Six years or so. The moment she graduated college, she became overran with work. It was either that or mixed-in dinners with Joan. She stopped going on inconsistent dates with inconsistent men long before she graduated college.
It didn't take Bonnie long to realize she was special. Not just because she could sense supernaturals. She discovered that she couldn't stand certain kinds of men. Men who were raised by women. Men who were boys. Men who wanted their mommy. She didn't want to be her lover's mommy period. What she wanted, needed, was a man who would make her his bitch. His conquest. His slut. His lady and equal in public, but whore and slave in the bedroom. She wanted her clothes ripped off, her ass spanked, and her nipples bitten. She wanted...
"Bonnie!" Joan's voice snapped her out of her nightdreaming.
She turned to face her and noticed that she was pointing behind her. "Where did you go just now, Bon Bon?"
Bonnie turned to find a cab waiting in front of her and took in a deep breath. Ignoring Joan's question, she turned to her and grabbed her hands. "We should get going. The cab is here."
"I know right? That's why I snapped you awake, remember?" Joan scoffed. "And I'm supposed to be the drunk one."
"Get into the car and stop whining," Bonnie grunted leading Joan towards the car. The driver, a round-faced man who originated from the Leechan Republic, was nice enough to help Bonnie get Joan into the car without being asked. Bonnie slid in next to Joan and before the driver could close the door, she whispered, "Thank you."
"It's okay, we do this all the time," he replied with a shrug like he has been-there-and-done-that-every-other-week. "Where are you headed?" he asked the moment he slid into the driver's seat.
"Downtown, please," Joan whispered and leaned back against the seat.
As they rode home, Joan began to snore and Bonnie took the time to stare at the passing buildings.
"What do you do?" the driver suddenly asked and Joan snapped her gaze to the rearview mirror.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Was just asking. You look like a decent girl with a good head on your shoulders to be taking risks like this."
"What the hell are you talking about?" Bonnie blurted, she didn't understand. Why was the cab driver asking her personal questions? Bonnie was beginning to feel very very uncomfortable.
"Relax, Madam, I'm just trying to make conversation," he said, a slow smile forming on his dry lips. Bonnie kept staring at him with wild eyes. She wasn't normally this paranoid but after the encounter that she had with that supernatural, her spidey senses were all over the place. She couldn't place her finger on it but something was very very wrong tonight.
"How long before we reach my address?" Bonnie asked, her eyes never leaving him through the rearview mirror.
"It shouldn't talk long now," he replied. "We'll be there in a few minutes." Bonnie contemplated calling her father but thought better against it. She wasn't going to give him what he wanted by proving she couldn't take care of herself. There was nothing to worry about. She was going to drop Bonnie at her apartment, and then hail a different cab back home. It was only going to take a few minutes and she'd be safely tucked beneath the warm canvas of her blanket.
All she had to do was wait a few more minutes - minutes that were slowly becoming the longest moments of her life.
* * *After what felt like forever, the cab driver finally pulled up in front of Joan's address. Bonnie softly woke Joan and aided her into the building as quickly as their legs could carry them. Using the keys in Joan's purse, Bonnie unlocked Joan's apartment, tucked an already sleeping Joan into bed, and then went into the kitchen to get some aspirin and water for Joan. Bonnie contemplated staying over till morning, but then she remembered she had a client's work she had to deliver first thing tomorrow and knew she couldn't stay. Bonnie locked Joan's apartment with a spare key and took the elevator to the lobby, wondering if she'd get a taxi this late. The taxi driver that had brought her hadn't been an option if not, she would have just asked him to wait. But doing that had been a no-no for her because Bonnie couldn't help but feel like something was very off with him the moment he started asking her personal question. Bonnie walked out of the building and glanced around the dimly
* * *“Nate, is that you?” Nate heard Darrell's casual shout at the sound of the closing front door. The question didn’t get an answer, because Nate's mind was on what he’d just done. He dropped his keys into the hand-carved wooden bowl on the table just inside the Midtown two-bedroom flat he shared with Elliott. Strolling into the well-decorated living room, he nodded to his roommate and their guest, two of his pack members. The balcony door opened and Danny, the fourth and final member, walked in with a look that said he knew things that no one else did. But the truth was, Danny recently became as suspicious as ever since Katherine. As Nate stepped further into the room, he noticed all three werewolves staring at him, their nostrils flaring at his impossible-to-ignore stench. Oh well, there went his plan to lie about where he'd been. From where Elliott sat on their couch, he demanded, “Why do you smell like murder?” Nate exhaled deeply and walked behind the sleek bar to reach fo
* * *Elliott rubbed his head. If he didn't do something to calm Nate quickly, things were going to turn shitty. “Alright. Easy, boy. We’re just a little surprised, and worried about you. About all of us.” Elliott threw a clean, white bar towel to Nate who caught it at the same time Darrell rose from the couch, walked towards him, and held out his hand to Nate who quietly placed the broken glass in his hand. Satisfied, Darrell processed to pick up the remaining pieces of glass from the floor and threw them in the trash next to him. “Give me the towel for a second,” he said to Nate and Nate handed it to him with a grimace as Darrell began wiping the blood off his hand. They were treating him like a child and although he didn't like it, it gave him a weird but comforting feeling. “It's okay, I've got it, buddy," Nate finally said and collected the towel from Darrell. Darrell smiled and picked up the trash can while Nate proceeded to wrap his nasty wound up. Darrell walked away
* * *Nate rose on his elbows and looked at his best friend. “For a minute I thought you wanted to have a sleepover.” Elliott's hard features remained as he grinned, “Who says I don’t?” The smile stopped at his brown eyes, which were now glowing in the darkness. Here he didn’t have to hide his supernatural qualities as they did out in public. “When was the last time you killed someone?” Nate asked. Elliott stared at him. “Never have. I thought you knew that.” They’d been friends for eleven years since they were eighteen, but they’d never talked about this subject. “No.” Nate sat up, his shoulders heavy. “I didn’t.” “Why did you ask?” Elliott inquired. “Never mind.” Elliott nodded, rubbing his closely shaved head as he glanced out the window at the New York skyline before meeting Nate’s waiting gaze. “So, are you gonna make me torture the whole truth out of you?” Nate smiled a little. “I’d like to see that.” “No, you wouldn’t,” smirked Elliott. “Seriously. What’s up with the wo
* * *An hour later, Bonnie walked into the restaurant looking and feeling more like herself. She planned on telling Joan everything, but the words kept getting stuck. It seemed so dark a thing to haunt a beautiful morning with and she didn’t want to bother Joan about it until she had all the information she needed. Putting it behind her, for now, seemed a more positive, proactive approach, so she smiled extra wide and suggested a toast instead. Joan raised her glass, waiting. “To both of us getting home safely,” Bonnie said. Joan paused and clinked the champagne flutes together with a shrug. “We could toast to that every day.” Bonnie took a sip. “Mmm.” “Right?” Joan licked the pulp from her top lip and set the glass down on top of her menu. “What have you got cooked up this week?” Happy for the change of subject, Bonnie took another sip and set her glass down as she answered, “Well, I’ve hired some teens to do a Twitter campaign for Mac Designs.” “That clothing store in the Cros
Bonnie began walking into traffic without thinking and his widening eyes and hand flying into the air made her look at what she was doing. She scrambled back onto the sidewalk and glanced away, embarrassed, then found her gaze drifting back to meet his. Bonnie tried to look casual when she felt anything but. What is he doing here? She bit her lip and glanced around, then back to him. He wasn’t alone, she realized. A good-looking man with shaved short hair and mischief in his eyes stepped forward and said something in his ear. His friend wore jeans and a blue t-shirt with yellow writing that read, “Deal With It.” When other pedestrians walked past her, she realized she’d missed the light’s change. Joining them as though nothing ridiculously peculiar was happening, she kept pace with the crowd, but could not take her eyes off him. She smoothed her hair self-consciously and then realized she was being silly. Hold your head high, girl. That’s how to do it. Arriving in front of him, she
Nate watched her yelling at him. Of course, she was scared; why hadn’t he thought of that before showing up like this? But he couldn’t tell her the truth. She had him in a bad spot and she didn’t even know it. She’d looked at him like he was the problem like she was scared of him. What could he tell her? I’m the one who saved you? That guy will never bother you again, or anyone else–I made sure of that. I know where you live because I brought your things back to you. That bag in your hands, I know what’s in it. I studied everything in the purple wallet you’ve stuffed too many receipts into for it to close. I even know you forgot to take your pill yesterday. When she left, didn’t turn around or look back, he walked to the nearest building and leaned against it, watching her, oblivious to the many, many New Yorkers walking past him enjoying the bright Indian summer day. He pulled out his phone and called Elliott. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.” “You scare her off or something? Wh
Darrell walked back to the kitchen. “You want some coffee? I’m assuming you do. So the woman last night, is she who’s got that weight on your soul? You know what I’d do?” “What?” “I’d go find her.” Not sure he wanted to reveal that he already had, Nate decided to ask, “How would I do that?” “Her scent. Duh.” Oh. That. The fresh shampoo mixed with her aroma that he couldn’t get out of his nose. And then the sweet scent of arousal he’d gotten a whiff of when they were walking hand in hand. God help me. “It’s a big city. That’s not so easy.” A knock at the door swung both of their heads in that direction as a muffled voice called through, “Let me in.” Danny. “How’d he get in the building?” Darrell mumbled, impressed. Nate opened the door and walked Danny with a look that sized up the messy room with distaste. He turned on his packmate. “Elliott tells me you’ve contacted the woman you saved.” Nate cast a guilty look at Darrell and shrugged at the dropped jaw waiting for him in t
But then he heard someone behind him in the doorway and he spun around to see Linda standing there with her suitcase in one hand, her light blue coat in the other, keys jingling as she nervously fiddled. She asked, quietly “Are you okay?” the rain pattering loudly behind her. With all the self-discipline he could barely muster, he struggled against his wolf and cracked his neck as he gave a very curt nod and grated through gritted teeth, “My…friend…seems to have left.” “You need a ride somewhere?” Danny blinked to the ground and then back to her. He grimaced and commanded his wolf to calm the fuck down. Gasping for air, he said, “Excuse me a moment. Please, don’t leave.” He walked to the bathroom and shut the door, splashing water on his face. The cold baptism he coupled with direct and soothing, silent mantras. I’ve got this. I can do this. Control. Control yourself. Let her go. She had to leave. Let her go. You are stronger than this. Afraid he’d lose his ride out of here, he q
He listened at the door to make sure what he heard wasn’t some kinky, consensual sex play. It wasn’t. He stepped back, looked left and right for anyone watching. No one was around. He closed his eyes and listened for heartbeats in nearby cars. The lot was empty of human beings. He focused on the door and took a single step back. Cracking his neck, his eyes began to glow and with all his supernatural strength he shot out a powerful kick. The door split in two, splintering at the hinges. A disgusting sight waited for him inside. The dead-eyed employee of the motel had a woman of at least sixty against the wall. At the explosion, they both looked toward the door. Her eyes were wide with terror and shock, his narrowed in irritation at the interruption. Her suitcase lay on its side on the ground like she’d tried to throw it at him, the contents splayed on shag carpet. The attacker had a bite mark in his arm, but now was pinning hers. Her polyester pants were down around only one ankle and
Danny collapsed on top of her trembling body, panting as Kat held him close. She kissed his neck, lacing her fingers into his damp hair. But without a word he got up and pulled out, leaping off the bed like she was contagious. He strode swiftly to the bathroom, slammed the door and then had the audacity on top of everything, to fucking lock it. On shaking elbows, she rose up and stared at the door. The shower came on, muffled through the walls. She blinked at the sound, unable to believe what she was hearing. “Oh my God,” she whispered, stunned and terribly hurt. Getting up, she slowly paced the room. Her shirt was broken, as were her bra and panties. Only her jeans were intact so she put them on, went to his suitcase and pulled out one of his t-shirts, a black one she would no doubt swim in. Slipping it over her bedhead, she grabbed a pair of his dress socks and put them on, too. As she tugged on her sneakers, the shower turned off. She froze then ran for the door, swooping down to
He released her, glanced to the guy behind the gun-proof glass watching the scene with interest. “Come on,” Danny grumbled, reaching for his suitcase. The fact that he held the door again was a miracle but that’s just what he did. She hesitated. He cocked his chin as if to say, Well, what are you waiting for? “You never cease to amaze me,” she snarled at him, walking cautiously past like he might slam it on her if she wasn’t careful. As soon as they were outside, he led the way with the self-confidence of someone who knew she would follow. “Why am I staying here with you? Am I a glutton for punishment or what?” Under the minimal shelter of an insufficient awning they made their way to Room 7, millions of drops hitting them from the left. Without finesse he jammed the key in the lock and again held open the door for her. “Since when are you a gentleman?” “I’ve always been a gentleman. Have you really forgotten that?” She shrugged and walked inside, looking around the original décor
“Wish I had a towel,” she smiled. He stared at her until it faded away. “What are you doing up here? Is this your car?” “It’s my parent’s car, which you would know if you’d ever come over to their home. And I’m going to MarhVelly.” She paused at his expression. “What? Why the face?” Danny stared at her. There’s no fucking way. He pushed wet hair away from his forehead and asked in a very low voice, “Why are you going to MarhVelly, Kat?” Flustered she blinked back to the road. “Lobster. I’ve never had it there, and I’ve always wanted to.” Pointing ahead, she glanced over to him, “Oh no, looks like an accident.” He turned and saw ominous lights of both fire engines and police cars spinning through the storm. He and Kat were quiet as they waited to see how bad the damage was. A car was turned over, the driver nowhere to be seen. Probably already taken away by a speeding ambulance. Two more driverless cars lay on one another in the fast lane. A tow truck was busy pulling the upturned
“Okay, I can handle this,” he said, under his breath, not believing it. As though on dramatic cue, lightning illuminated the heavens followed instantly by powerful claps of thunder. In heavy undulating sheets, the rain exploded from the darkness, assaulting his Audi A4 Sedan. With every curse word he could think of he searched for the windshield wipers. He hit the turn signal, accidentally turned off the lights and put them back on, and hit the cruise control. “For what I paid for this piece of shit, the wipers should be zipping on their own at the first drop of rain.” Finally, the wipers moved and he cranked them up full gear. Exhaling, he sat back, gripping the wheel. “If Eli could see me now. He’d never let me live this ineptitude down.” For two miles he drove fairly quickly despite the storm until suddenly red taillights illuminated the darkness. Stopped traffic. “SHIT!” He slammed the brakes and hydroplaned to a diagonal stop, narrowly missing the rear end of a Subaru. Panting,
“It’s called conversation. Someday you’ll learn how to participate in one. The car is there. Gas it up before you bring it back. And remember to let Jonathan put the gas in. A man wants to be the man,” Marcy replied. “You think so, eh?" Kat paused near their coat rack filled with scarves and coats. Quite a few hats were hung on the rungs as well, each assigned to at least one memory, not all of them good. “I’m going over to get the car now. Is Dad there?” “Your father is sitting across from me. So no.” “Since when do you and Dad have lunch together?” She frowned at all of it. It seemed like every inch was seeped in memories. Breaking up sucks so badly. “What’s going on?” “Your mother and I are getting to know one another again!” Henry Zane called out, loud enough to be heard, but not loud enough to make an undignified scene. Kat stared into her parent’s past, at the infidelities on both their parts, the fights, the estrangements. “Is this true, Mom?” “Oh, it’s Mom now, is it?” h
As soon as he hit send, Danny jumped up and headed for the bathroom easily the size of a small Crossia studio. He hadn’t held back when he’d renovated this unit. After the Co-op approved him, he’d gutted the place to match his taste. Everything elegant. Shining. Black or charcoal grey, with the ceilings white for an added feeling of space. His bathroom had two showerheads with room for four people, not two. There was a separate, Jacuzzi bathtub. If he and his wolf friends were going to live like humans, they should live like the best of them, since by default werewolves were superior already. Not that human beings would see it that way. He ran the water extra hot and stripped off his clothes, kicking the annoyingly tight shoes aside with extra gusto. As soon as the scalding water hit his sore back, he sighed long and loud. Then he turned and got a surprise. It felt a little better than he thought it would. He glanced down. “What the fuck?” He was hard as a rock. Now that he was payi
This was her chance to make a run for it…or to commit to him for good. He was a good man. Such a good man. Her family loved him, probably more than she did. He’d make an okay father except for the probability that he’d not teach them anything new. He’d probably just make carbon copies of him, a man designed by the term “normal.” For God’s sake, Don’t Rock the Boat was one of his favorite things to say whenever Kat had a contrary opinion she meant to voice among their judgmental social circles. “Well, Kat. What is it?” Her body was as tense as though she were about to cage-dive with Great Whites. She closed her eyes begging for the answer from her angels, or anyone who could tell her that she should follow her heart. The room was so quiet. She held her breath, waiting. A small voice inside of her whispered, You know what you have to do, and suddenly she inhaled. “Kat, you’re scaring me.” Meeting his frightened brown eyes, she shook her head with sadness. “I’m sorry, Joe. I can’t ma