Chapter 15

Shepard's gazedarted around the restaurant. I could imagine him silently counting the number of witnesses and debating the risk. After a moment, he sat back in his chair and folded his arms in a relaxed pose.

"What do you want?"

"We need to have a frank talk about these two," Cross said.

"Not sure I like you talking like we're not here," Vena said.

The waiter interrupted to take our drink order. Cross asked for the appetizer I'd mentioned, proving that he'd been listening. As soon as the waiter left, he faced Shepard again.

"The vampires are up to something," Cross said. "For decades, they'd been supplying fae with humans but suddenly stopped a few weeks ago, cutting ties instead. Before they kidnapped Gunther.

"Why would they alienate themselves from their only allies and then kick the hornet"s nest, so to speak, when they had no safe home to fall back to? It doesn't make sense. So I've been asking around while I look for your other missing wolf.

"Rather than focusing on you and your men, who have been hunting them at night, do you know what the vampires chose to do? They sent a message to these two to meet up at a club with the promise of information about Anchor in exchange for information about me."

Cross shifted in his chair, interlacing his fingers as he leaned his elbows on the armrests to give the server room to set down our drinks. Shepard's gaze flicked to Cross' hands then to his face. Something about Cross' pose didn't make Shepard happy. And whatever had his dander up caused Cross to frown in return.

Then Cross ordered for all of us. Even Shepard. For a change, Shepard didn't react.

Once the server left, Cross considered Shepard before continuing.

"I arrived at the club in time to protect Vena and Everly and heard one of the leaders admit they knew nothing of Anchor. But the damage had already been done."

"I'd hardly call figuring out you have a thing for Everly damage," Vena said. "They already knew that. Why else would they have sent a feeder doppelganger to our house?"

I kicked Vena under the table, and she flushed. "Well, Cross seems to be in a reveal-all mood anyway," she defended.

"They knew I was interested. They were testing how much I care," Cross said without looking away from Shepard. "They were watching your people closely before that, though. One of the vampires has the ability to shift into a black cat. His scent was all over the crime scene for one of your recently abused pack members. I believe the cat was seen leaving the hotel on surveillance footage as well. The same cat has already visited Everly's home."

"I am so glad you didn't let me feed it," I said, remembering the incident. "It was at Juicy and Blur, too."

Shepard scrubbed a hand over his face and sat up straighter. His gaze dipped to Cross' hands again. "So you believe your people are going to use Everly to get to you?"

"Not my people. Others of my kind. And if they can't use Everly, they'll use Vena to get to Everly to get to me."

Shepard looked at Cross' hands for a third time. Or, more specifically, his ring.

"Why do you keep looking at his ring?" Vena asked, noticing the same thing I had.

"It's how he's able to walk in the sun," Shepard said. "And the reason he's so determined to win you over, Everly. His people didn't find out how much you mean to him. They found out how much you mean to me. He's been using you to get to me."

Cross snarled softly and leaned toward Shepard. "You continue to delude yourself, my friend. Why would I need to get close to you? Are you in some way important to me? You are not. I wasn't yet awake when Sierra was told to gather information on the werewolves in your club. It seems someone knows of your importance and likely knows Everly's connection to you as well."

Shepard swore under his breath.

"What's going on? What aren't you saying?" I asked.

Neither answered, and Cross settled back in his chair.

"Talk or we walk," Vena said. "No tracking app. No phone calls."

Both Shepard and Cross looked equally not okay with that. Cross spoke first.

"Long ago, another of my kind was very interested in the power my ring possessed. I left my homeland to escape her and slept, hidden for centuries before I was forced back into the world."

I felt a smidge of guilt for my part in that forcing.

"My ring cannot fall into the hands of any of my kind." Cross' gaze locked with Shepard's. "You know I speak the truth. Now ask yourself why my kind would cut ties with a supporter and try to find my weakness."

He tapped his ring.

"It's a powerplay," Cross said. "They know what you have, Shepard, and they'll be coming for it. And once they have what they want, they'll move on to bigger game."

"Shit," Vena breathed. "You have that kind of ring, too, don't you?"

Shepard's whole face twitched.

"We need to work together to stop them," Cross said.

Shepard barked a laugh. "Together? Not in this lifetime."

Cross placed a hand over his heart in mock injury. "I thought we had something special after I marked your backside."

Vena's laughter rang out through the restaurant as Shepard scowled hard.

"Less attention drawn, please," Cross said softly.

Vena calmed. "So the vampires want you both for the rings you have. Why? I mean, I get why they want Cross', but why yours, Shepard? What does it do?"

Shepard glanced away, and Cross tapped his ring on the table to draw his attention back. "We're being transparent here. You owe the girls that much."

"There could be people listening," Shepard said. "This is not the time or place for it."

"Smell the air, mutt. You know as well as I do there are no wolves or vampires here. They are all humans."

"If you call me mutt again, I'll rip out your fangs."

Cross smirked. "You're cute when you're mad. But before you have your way with me, answer the question."

Shepard growled but said, "It gives me a boost of power."

"And?" Cross pressed.

"They don't need to know that."

"Cross, just tell us," I said, getting annoyed.

"The ring helps him rule," Cross said.

The table jumped, shaking the glasses and silverware.

"Cute," Cross said to Shepard. "As much as I appreciate the love tap, I'm more interested in Everly than you."

"As in all the wolves?" I asked Shepard, ignoring Cross' attempt to provoke him. "Even the L.A. pack?"

Shepard gave a slight nod.

Vena frowned. "I don't understand. How does any of this explain what happened to Anchor? If he's not with the vampires, where is he?"

Both Shepard and Cross shook their heads.

Shepard's phone buzzed. He glanced at the message and then scowled.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

Cross leaned over and glanced at Shepard's phone. "It's a text from MC, asking if Shepard has eyes on the two of you."

Shepard angled his phone away from Cross and cast an annoyed glance at him.

"Tell MC to mind his own business," Vena said.

Shepard typed a quick message. "I told him to focus on patrol."

The server returned with the bacon-wrapped date appetizer that looked like art on a plate.

"I think all this clearing of the air deserves a celebration. Bring us your most expensive bottle of wine," Cross said.

When the server left, I glanced at the wine list to find the most expensive bottle didn't have a price on it. I cringed but told myself it wasn't like Cross didn't have a huge stash of money in my bank account.

Shepard narrowed his eyes at Cross. "What do you want from me?"

Cross leaned back as the server returned with the bottle of wine and four glasses. She showed the wine to Cross, who nodded. Uncorking it, she took a glass and poured a very small amount into it and then let Cross sample it. He nodded again, and she proceeded to pour two fingers of wine into each glass. She asked if we required anything else; then she left.

"Well?" Shepard asked Cross.

"The only thing I want is to keep Everly and Vena safe, which means we have to work together. What do you want from me to make that happen?"

"Stay away from them," Shepard said.

"Since I have saved them from death twice now, we both know that abandoning them is not in their best interest."

"Isn't it? You're the reason they're in danger. I'll take charge of their safety. You're no longer needed."

"Move past this already, Shepard," I said impatiently. "Whether he avoids us now or not, the damage is already done, isn't it? And, apparently, I would still be a target because of my association with both of you. Rather than telling Cross to go away, accept his help. He's already proven himself multiple times."

Shepard looked like he wanted to swear but didn't. Instead he considered Cross for several seconds.

"Fine. Let's work together. You can go places and gather information my people and I can't. And, since there's only one of you, doing that is the best use of your time.

"I'll have someone at Everly and Vena's house with them around the clock. But, to ensure I'm not wasting resources chasing after you, I'd like you to avoid going there."

"Can't you just tell everyone–"

"No, he can't," Cross said, gently interrupting me. "If his pack knew he was working with me, they would lose faith in him, and he would be immediately challenged."

I glanced at Shepard.

"Will everything I said to you in front of your house cause problems?"

Shepard's gaze softened. "No. We understand the power vampires can have over humans and don't fault the humans for it. We fault the vampires."

I looked at Cross. His gaze swept over my face. I saw a hint of frustration in his eyes and something else. Sadness?

"I will concede to temporarily not visiting their home," he said.

"Deal." Shepard looked more relaxed again.

Did they both think this would prevent Cross from seeing me in person altogether? If so, they were delusional. I had the man's money in my account. He had suits to pay for and still needed a home.

Thinking of everything I needed to do made me wish for the days when I spent the majority of my time either at home, creating recipes, or at Blur, working toward financing my dream. Yet, I couldn't regret waking Cross.

Seeing an opportunity to free up my time again, I leaned in.

"Hang on. If this is a negotiation, I have a stipulation, too. Cross will stay away from the house, but you have to help him get a birth certificate."

"Not possible," Shepard said.

"You have connections all over D.C.," I said. "You should have no problem getting paperwork for him."

"It's illegal."

"Fine. Then Cross can continue to use my bank account, and I'll help buy him a house under my name. One with a really nice kitchen so I can spend my Mondays and Tuesdays off there, working on my recipes."

"I approve your suggestion," Cross said, a smile tugging at his mouth.

Shepard's hurt gaze locked on me, and I struggled not to feel guilty. But if he was going to be stubborn, so was I.

Vena jumped in to help. "Giving Cross an identity wouldn't just help untangle Everly from Cross, Shepard. As a bonus, you'd be able to keep track of him. Where he's living. What he's investing in. If he travels."

Shepard glanced at all of us before saying, "I'll see what I can do."

"No. I want your promise," I said. "You want me free from Cross' influence? This is the way."

Shepard exhaled audibly. "Alright. I give you my word."

Vena browsed properties on her phone while I savored the appetizer under Cross' amused gaze. Shepard watched me, too. But his expression didn't hint at humor. He was worried.

I appreciated his concern. I needed it. While I knew I was safe with Cross, D.C. was infested with vampires who weren't safe.

However, when I thought of the VIP section at After Curfew, where we'd met Pet and Master, and the number of vampires waiting for an opportunity to snatch me, the food curdled in my stomach.

When the main course finally arrived, I couldn't enjoy it. After a few bites, I set my fork aside and waved the server over to ask to take it home. I even declined dessert.

"Are you sure?" Vena asked, watching me.

"Very." It had been an excruciatingly long morning, and I just wanted to go home.

The server arrived with the bill, and Cross indicated Shepard would take it. Shepard smiled at the waitress, but I could see the storm brewing as he looked at it.

"Thanks for the meal," Cross said, standing. "I'll see you around."

He vanished behind the server's back. Shepard's mask almost cracked. Instead, he handed over his credit card with a smile and asked the server to box Cross' untouched meal as well.

"Was there something wrong with it?" she asked.

"No. Just him."

She nodded and left.

My phone buzzed with a message.

Vena: What? No goodbye kiss for Everly?

She'd sent it as a group text to Cross, Shepard, and myself.

Cross: I have no intention of ever saying farewell to Everly.

I kicked Vena under the table when she would have typed a reply. The server returned with Shepard's card and a receipt.

"Thank you for lunch, Shepard," I said.

"Yeah. Thanks," Vena echoed.

"You're both welcome. And you should have come to me sooner about freeing yourself from him, Everly. I'll work on the papers Cross will need so he can remove himself from your life permanently."

Rather than think about whether I wanted Cross gone for good, I gave Shepard a small smile and stood as he pulled out my chair.

"So, did we clear the air about being possessed by the evil Cross?" Vena asked once we were outside again.

"For now," he said.

"Great! Then we'll drop you off at your place and head home," Vena said. "I am so ready for a house to ourselves again."

Shepard and I both paused walking to look at her.

"It's like you weren't even listening to their conversation," I said.

"What? Some vampires want to get us. Great. That's a nighttime problem, not a daytime one. All our watchdogs can show up before sunset. Until then, I call the couch, and no people. Except for you, Everly. You don't count as people."

"Thanks, I think," I said, giving her a dry look.

"Did you forget that there are two vampires able to move around during the day?" Shepard asked. "Even if there weren't, whenever you two have even a second to yourselves, you do something dangerous. Get used to company, Vena. It's not going away until this vampire situation is resolved."

She tossed him the keys. "Fine. You drive. I need to digest."

While Shepard drove us to our house, she continued her search for a home for Cross.

I didn't say anything, but I wondered if Cross would even want to stay in the D.C. area if the wolves knew his name and his kind was after him. He'd said he'd run once because of the ring. If Shepard helped him establish his identity in the modern world, wouldn't it be smarter for Cross to hide again?

"You're very quiet, Everly," Shepard said.

"It's not me you need to worry about when things get quiet. It's Vena."

"That's true," Vena said from the backseat as he parked in front of our house.

"Would you mind giving Everly and me a moment?"

"We don't need a moment," I said. "I'm not angry or thralled or planning my next escape. I'm tired and wondering what wrench life is going to throw at us next."

His expression softened. "I'm sorry I haven't done a better job protecting you."

"You've done a great job, Shepard. I'm sorry I haven't done a better job avoiding trouble."

"Same," Vena said from the backseat.

Shepard nodded and reached for his door. I took that as a sign we were good and got out.

As the three of us walked to the house, I was already imagining changing into my cooking clothes and experimenting in the kitchen. I had my stuff tossed to the couch and was in my bedroom before either of them could say a word to me. Vena took it as an opportunity to warn Shepard, though. I could hear her through the closed door.

"You're pushing her too hard about the strip search. I get why, though. My sister from another mister is hot and doesn't know it. Makes all the guys want to see her naked."

I opened my mouth to tell her to cut it out.

"I'm not some creep looking for a show, Vena," Shepard said. "You saw how he was with her. You saw his eyes flash black with hunger. Do you really think he hasn't bitten her?"

"I really think he hasn't. But if you're worried, I'll strip for you to prove I'm not under any influence, and then, once you trust me, I'll ask her to strip for me. Does that work for you?"

Shepard said something I couldn't hear.

"That's what I thought. When you want to go down that path, let me know. Otherwise, stop treating her like she's done something wrong. She hasn't."

Finished changing, I opened the door and joined them.

"Actually, I have. I know I broke your trust with what we did today, Shepard, and I'm truly sorry. You were just being so stubborn about listening, and Anchor–"

I glanced at Vena.

She nodded sadly. "And Anchor's been gone five days already, and you're worried about me doing something even dumber than asking a vampire for help?"

I nodded.

Shepard rubbed a hand over his face, looked down at the floor for a moment, then met my gaze.

"I'll do better from now on with the listening. Okay?"

"Thank you." I went to the kitchen and took out my notebook from one of the cupboards.

"What are you up to?" he asked, watching me.

"Stress baking," Vena said from the living room. I heard the opening credits to The Other House and the rustle of paper. Likely she was settling in to read some kind of paranormal book while we both enjoyed the background noise from our favorite show.

"Are you stressed, Everly?" Shepard asked, leaning against the counter as he watched me move around.

"How can I not be? I woke a vampire–thankfully a nice one–, Miles was kidnapped, and Vena and I almost died in the process and seem to have started a war between werewolves and the vampires. Gunther was hurt because of it, and Anchor's missing. And I'm doing things I don't want to do in the name of trying to keep the people I care about safe."

He moved as quickly as Cross, blurring in front of me. It took a second to register I was in his arms with his jaw pressed against my temple.

"It's not your fault, Everly. The hatred between vampires and werewolves started centuries before either of us was born."

His hand smoothed down my back, and after a moment, I wrapped my arms around his waist to accept his comfort and his forgiveness.

"I'm still sorry for my part in everything that's happened," I said. "I'm not trying to frustrate anyone or make enemies. Especially the enemies. It's not in my nature to hate like that."

"Lies!" Vena yelled from the living room. "You hate fairies and the outdoors."

Grinning, Shepard pulled back from me. His eyes might not turn black like Cross' did, but I still saw the hunger in them.

"Do you like peanut butter?" I asked.

"I do."

"Then, how do you feel about the best buckeye brownie apology you have ever tasted?"

"Don't tease me," Vena called. "Get baking!"

The hunger didn't fade, but he released me and returned to leaning against the counter to watch me bake. As I worked, we talked. It was at a level we hadn't before, and I got to know the elusive and extremely sexy alpha who owned Blur better.

After topping the ganache frosting with sea salt, I went to change so we could bring the brownies to the pack house. Vena and I owed Gunther a quiet thank you and Doc an apology for running off on him.

"If you're willing to stay for a bit, you can have dinner there, too," Shepard said as I opened the door for the three of us to leave.

I wasn't prepared for the blue demon to dart out of the bushes at us. I squealed and fell back into Vena. Her quick reflexes saved us both from planting on our asses.

However, it wasn't me the fairy was after this time.

It darted right for Shepard's face.

Shepard growled, the low sound sending all the warning signals. But the fairy didn't stop. It dipped at the last second and grabbed Shepard's shirt, dipping its arm inside.

"What the–"

The fairy fisted Shepard's necklace and pulled.

Shepard backhanded it out of the air. It hit the awning and fell to the grass.

"You better hope no one saw that," Vena said. "Those fines are serious."

"Get a container," Shepard said, stalking toward it.

"Are you insane? You want to trap it?" Vena asked.

"It was after my ring."

My eyes went wide, and I hurried into the house to grab a jar.

When I came out again, I heard Vena.

"--feeding into her paranoia that they are plotting against humanity. They're bottom-feeders, Shepard. They just like shiny things, which is probably why it was going after your bling."

"The bling that was completely hidden inside my shirt?" he asked dryly.

I handed him the giant pickle jar that still smelled like vinegar and dill.

He placed it inside and closed the lid.

"It needs air holes," I said.

"The jar is big enough for a few hours of air," he said.

I snatched it from his hands and headed to the kitchen. I didn't like fairies, but I also didn't want it to suffocate.

Vena followed me and leaned close to peek at it when I set the jar on the counter.

"Do you think he killed it?" she asked, tapping the jar.

"No. It looks like it's breathing. Wait…I think this is Miles' fairy," I said. "It looks the same. Why did it come over here?"

"Do you see that? Around its neck?" Vena asked. "It looks like a string necklace. Maybe it just wanted a bigger version of its own necklace."

"And you think I'm the stubborn one?" Shepard said with some disbelief. "It didn't see my necklace, Vena. It shouldn't have known I was wearing a ring on the chain at all. It wasn't there when I was standing in nothing but the ring at your parents' house."

Understanding what Shepard wasn't saying, I winced at Vena. "We should talk to Miles and figure out what"s going on."

"Miles wouldn't send a fairy to steal anything," she said firmly, proving she'd understood Shepard's implication that Miles had sent the fairy to steal the ring. "You know him better than that."

"Exactly. He wouldn't steal or have someone steal for him. That would be something out of character. Something someone else would have to make him do."

Vena frowned. "I'll call him."

"No," Shepard said. "It's better to go to his house. If he's expecting the fairy to return, we'll catch him off guard."

Vena looked close to tears, and Shepard gave her a compassionate look.

"You knew it was possible that he might be under a vampire's control, Vena. It's why we've been watching him."

"But we were just with him. Sierra turned into a mindless puppet. Miles wasn't like that."

"Hey," I said, wrapping an arm around Vena. "If Miles is thralled, it's not his fault. Let's just go return his fairy and have Cross meet us. He can tell if Miles is under a vampire's control."

She gave a hesitant nod.

"It will be okay," I said. "Even if he's linked with a vampire, we'll deal with it. Can you find something to make some holes in that lid?"

Pulling out my phone, I sent a quick group text as Vena took out her knife.

Me: Cross, can you meet us at Miles' apartment in 15?

Cross: Yes.