Chapter Seven

Mason

He was sort of listening. Mason climbed the steps to his cabin pausing on the porch. There was no chance in hell that Mason was not going to watch Levi ride away.

Mason had never been on a motorcycle, even though that was his twin's choice of transportation. Mason had always considered bikes to be a dangerously expensive hobby. That was of course until he was behind Levi, rumbling down the road, his hard cock rubbing Levi's lower back and Mason's arms tight around his man. That had been incredible, and he might have to apologize to Jason for how much shit Mason had given him.

Levi lifted and hand and waved.

Mason blew him a kiss.

Cheesy? Yes. Mason wasn't one bit ashamed. Levi had pretty much confirmed they were mates even if he didn't know that Mason was fully aware of the paranormal world. It was the right thing to do to wait to be together until they talked. Mason hated that he agreed. His cock really hated the fact that Mason wasn't getting thoroughly pummeled now.

Patience. It would take quite a bit of patience to wait for Levi, but Mason would get his man. That was if Levi could forgive him once Mason made his own confession.

The sound of Levi's bike faded in the distance and Mason sighed.

He already missed the other man.

And that was stupid.

Mason was going to have to get used to being alone. It wasn't like he could move Levi into his small cabin after one date. That would just be crazy. Maybe he was crazy because Mason had meant it when he'd said that once he had Levi in his bed, he would never let Levi out.

His cock throbbing reminded him that having Levi in his bed sooner rather than later would be optimal. Mason might have to take care of his pressing needs that night but soon it would be Levi. He was certain of it.

Behind him a rustle of clothing caught his attention. Mason lurched forward but he was too slow. An arm came around his throat and Mason was yanked back.

Years of training drilled into him took over.

Mason forcefully threw his head back and connected with his assailant's nose. The arm around his neck loosened. He dropped his shoulders before rolling them and spun from the enemy's hold then he swept out his leg. Mason hit his opponent behind his knees and the man fell.

"Fucker!" Mason spat.

Jason rolled from his side onto his back grinning up at him. "Hello, brother."

Mason nearly kicked his twin in the ribs but resisted. Barely. Good news—he was no longer achingly hard.

"Great reflexes. Whatever you've been doing with your Daddy seems to have kept you sharp."

Oh shit! Jason had heard that? Which meant he'd probably heard the entire conversation. Why? Out of all the times for his brother to show up without warning it had to be when Mason was allowing himself to live his own life. He might have called his twin, but Mason had expected a return phone call, not a visit. Jason must have already been close.

"Although I didn't even know there was a Daddy. I thought I was going to have to kick some muscle head out of your bed. Instead, I got here, and you were nowhere to be found. Then all of a sudden you show up on the back of your Daddy's bike. You refused to ride with me."

Mason offered his brother a hand to help him up. "If you called instead of just showing up, I would have known to be home. And it's because you"re a horrible driver and I trust Levi."

"Surprising you is so much better," Jason responded. He brushed off the ass of his jeans.

Mason took his brother's appearance in. Other than looking a bit dirty and disheveled, Jason seemed good. "I don't want to hear any shit from you." He pulled Jason into a hard brotherly hug. "Missed you, man."

Jason returned the embrace just as hard. "Missed your ugly mug too."

They were identical twins.

Mason pushed Jason away. "Asshole."

Jason smirked. "So, tell me all about this Daddy. He was hot!"

It took everything inside him not to explode. He did not want Jason checking out his man. Although Mason did need his brother's advice and help. "He's also paranormal," Mason informed him.

Jason froze in the act of lighting a cigarette.

Mason nodded. Jason had heard him.

"He's more than a one-night fuck?"

"I haven't even fucked him yet."

Jason whistled then placed the cigarette against his lips.

"You said you'd quit."

"I will."

It was an argument that Mason still hoped he would win someday. Their father had smoked like a chimney. Mason couldn't stand the smell. Too many bad memories associated with that scent. He took a step back.

Jason sighed before tossing the unlit cigarette over the railing. "Sorry. I know you hate the smell."

"I also don't want you to die from cancer."

"I'm too much of an asshole to die," Jason told him.

Mason bit his lip. He would not laugh. That would just encourage his brother.

Jason threw an arm over his shoulder. "You better have beer."

"Yeah." They were going to need it.

His front door was open. Damn it, Mason glared at his brother. "I just fixed the lock."

"I didn't break in. The window was open."

Mason stopped walking, forcing Jason to stumble. "Open?" He never left his windows open. They should have stayed locked tight.

"Yes?"

"My windows were open or unlocked? Don't fuck with me, Jason."

Jason lifted his hands. "I'm not. Your back window was open."

Cursing under his breath, Mason rushed inside. He needed to get a security system, but money was tight with him trying to remodel the cabin. He peered around the living room but other than the dirty duffel bag on his couch, nothing looked out of place.

Room by room, Mason searched his entire cabin, Jason at his back.

Nothing.

Someone had to have been there though. There was no other reason for his window to be open. Stupid mistake to make leaving it open though. Was it a warning?

"You think he found you?"

He turned slowly. His brother looked as scared as Mason felt. Mason leaned against the bedroom wall. Instead of handling things on his own, Mason had predictably called in his twin. He was so stupid.

"I shouldn't have called you," Mason said quietly. "You can still get away. If you leave now, they might not know that you were ever here."

Mason knew better! Jason was his weakness. He would do anything for his brother. Their father knew that Mason would call Jason if anything went wrong.

"Come with me," Jason demanded. "We can leave right now. I've found a few places that will work for a hideout. Out-of-the-way towns no one would ever look for us in."

Mason was already shaking his head.

"Look, I know you don't want to spend your life on the run or hiding but if he found you already—"

"I can't leave." Mason forced the words past his tight throat.

"Mas, please."

Fuck! It wasn't about him any longer. Mason would run at the first sign of trouble time and again, but he couldn't outrun his past any longer. There was an entire loving family five miles from his cabin. There was no guarantee that his father would follow if Mason left. Not if he thought there was anything weird going on around there. And there was a fuck ton of weirdness going on around there.

No way in hell could Mason leave Levi. Or Bryce and Nate. Lawson. Axel, Drake, Bo and Craig. Even Tristan.

Mason would not allow others to be hurt because he was too much of a coward to fight back.

He jolted as Jason grabbed his shoulders.

"We'll run. Stay one step ahead of him. We've done it before."

Mason met his brother's worried gaze. "I can't leave my mate."

"Your mate?" Jason screeched.

"Or you can call him my Daddy."

"Fuck!" Jason spat. "I'm going to need that beer so we can plan."

Mason really loved his twin.

* * * * *

Levi

He hated leaving his mate behind. If he hurried, Levi could get up to his rooftop and hopefully watch as Mason settled in for the night. At least that way he knew Mason was safe and sound.

Parking in the shed that had been converted for the bikes, Levi was nearly desperate to get up to his room. The vibration of the bike against his aching balls and hard dick had almost brought him to orgasm several times on the short ride home. Levi cupped his jean-covered erection and gave himself a squeeze. It was harder than he'd imagined leaving Mason alone. Levi's entire body craved his sweet mate, but Levi knew he'd made the right decision.

Slowly climbing off his bike, Levi's mind was on his mate and his hard shaft. Until the door slammed closed.

Levi jumped and spun. "What are you doing here?"

"Waiting on you."

He didn't have time for this. Being fully aroused, Levi didn't want to see anyone but his mate. "Not now, Tristan."

"We need to talk."

No! He hid his red face. Levi was so fucking horny. "It can't wait?"

"I did some digging on your mate," Tristan told him.

Levi growled. Through the fog of arousal, he heard a threat to his mate. His claws broke through his fingertips as his body began to heat from the inside.

"I need you to listen to me."

Levi knew he wasn't thinking straight but all rational thought had fled. "No one asked you to." Mason was his! His to love. His to protect. Levi could barely hold the gargoyle's instinct back.

"I could tell there was something he was hiding," Tristan said. The demon stood with his legs shoulder-width apart and his weight on the balls of his feet. Was he preparing for Levi to attack? They sparred often and Levi and Tristan were pretty evenly matched. "He's not who he says he is."

Every protective instinct he had exploded as all he could see was red.

Levi launched himself forward. He slashed at Tristan's face but the demon was quick. Levi blocked a blow to his side, but Tristan managed to kick him back. Levi nearly knocked the bikes down but caught himself.

"You're too lovesick to see that he's dangerous."

"My mate is perfect!" Levi roared. He attacked with all his fury.

He and Tristan exchanged blows. Blood flew. Tools were knocked over. Levi couldn't stop himself. He couldn't get control. Not when someone was a threat to his mate!

With a powerful left hook, he sent Tristan to the ground. He tried to follow Tristan down, to finish off the demon, when he was caught around the waist.

He went nuts. Kicking, scratching, punching, until three men held him down.

"Enough!" Gavin yelled in his face.

Levi blinked. What was Gavin doing in the shed? He grunted. Well Gavin, Shawn, and Trevor. And why were they all on top of him? They were heavy fuckers! "Let me up," Levi growled. His fangs were still extended and cutting into his bottom lip.

"Not until you calm down," Gavin told him.

"I'm calm," Levi lied.

Gavin snorted.

Damn it! Levi lay his head back on the cold concrete of the shed. Closing his eyes, Levi breathed deeply as he counted back from ten. He'd been working on his emotions although for a much different reason than this. He just couldn't believe that Tristan would betray him. They were friends! At least Levi thought they were.

"He needs to listen to me!"

Levi tensed at hearing Tristan's voice.

"Let Axel handle it," Gavin told him.

Levi opened his eyes to see his friend peering down at him with concern. "Mason—"

"Whatever it is, I've got your back."

He knew that Gavin would always have his back. Any of the men in his family would. Even little Nate, who spent more time in diapers than out, was a force to reckon with. Levi nodded.

"Better?" Gavin asked.

"Yeah." This time he wasn't lying.

"Thank fuck!" Shawn said before he rolled off him. "I didn't know you were so scrappy." He grinned at Levi.

Levi shook his head. He'd always been very controlled in showing his strength. Being a gargoyle meant that he was pretty much indestructible. The damage he could inflict on others would be massive, so Levi didn't lose control. Ever.

"Family meeting," Axel barked.

Levi winced. He hated to hear the anger coming from his Alpha. Levi might not be a shifter, but he still saw Axel as his leader.

"Go ahead," Gavin said to Shawn and Trevor. "I'll get Levi cleaned up and we'll be right in."

They waited until the others left the shed. Gavin rose and offered his hand helping Levi to his feet. His body already beginning to ache although it wouldn't be for long. He did heal quickly. Damn, Tristan could fight.

Gavin walked over to the sink in the corner they used when working on the bikes. Levi followed his friend over. Gavin turned on the water before motioning for Levi to get closer.

Levi washed his hands first as Gavin pulled down the first aid kit from the cabinet.

"What was that about?" Gavin asked.

"I'm…not sure."

Gavin lifted a brow.

"I don't know. Not really. Tristan started talking about how I couldn't trust Mason. That he was hiding something. I just lost it."

"Okay." Gavin handed him a clean rag. "Wipe that blood off. The boys will freak if they see it. Then we'll figure it out."

Levi took the rag. "He's my mate."

"Meaning?"

"I don't care who he is. He is mine," Levi stated.

"If he's yours, then that makes him ours. He's family."

Levi hadn't realized he'd needed the reassurance. "No matter what?"

"No matter what," Gavin agreed.