Ford scoffs, “That’s all you are.”
“You’re jealous because I’m more powerful.”
“Ha! You may have a stronger mind block than I do, but I’m just as powerful in every other way. Don’t think you’re better than I am.”
“Wanna make a bet?” I reach forward and fist his shirt. Ford doesn’t even flinch. I love toying with him.
“Bring it on.”
Heels on the hardwood floor pull my attention from Ford and cause me to sigh.
“I heard that, Solomon,” my mom’s voice carries down the hallway.
“If I were trying to hide my irritation, I would have, Mother.”
“You should be happy I’m here. The more the merrier to try and find whoever is after the pack.” Eloise Verascue comes into view and I shouldn’t be surprised by what she’s wearing. Yet, I am.
A leather skirt with two slits that have been loosely stitched together over her thighs. The skirt barely covers her butt. Her top is as skintight as the skirt, with stitching up the middle loose enough where my mom’s breasts look like they’re fighting to break free, which I have to say is nothing I need to see. She’s got leather cuffs on both wrists and a freaking riding crop in one hand that she slaps onto the palm of the other.
“Seriously?” Ford can’t hide how uncomfortable he is.
“You couldn’t have dressed more conservative?” I ask her. “Did you think your children would want to see their mother as a dominatrix?”
Mom smirks. “You’re both grown males. You have seen enough of this world that my outfit shouldn’t bother you.”
“We’ve seen a lot, sure, but not our mother looking like she’s about to tell our father to bend over and take it like a good boy,” Ford states.
I make a retching noise and buckle over, trying to keep my earlier drink from Lilah down. “Once we catch whoever this is, I’m getting out of here and bleaching my eyes and my brain of that imagery.”
“How do you both know I’m not the one who likes to be bent over?” Mom asks.
“That’s enough!” Ford yells. “There aren’t enough therapists out there to unpack this nightmare. I think I’ll take my chances with whomever attacked Eaton.” With that, Ford teleports away, leaving me with my mom, who I never want to see like this again. Fate, I hope my dad has more clothes on.
5
Ford
A full body shiver takes over as I try to rid my mind of seeing my mom in all that leather. Why did she think that was a good idea to wear to a party where her children and grandchild would be? Not that Jupiter cares what she’s wearing, but Sol and I do. Fate’s sake.
I’m standing in the medical room downstairs near the ballroom. Voices from throughout the house float to me, but no one is in this room and, for that, I’m grateful. I need a break from everyone for a moment to gather my thoughts.
Somewhere in this house is my mate, the most important being in the world to me. She can take care of herself. Sienna may be a fox shifter and not very ruthless, but when it comes to those she loves, she’ll do what she has to. Plus, she has my vampire awesomeness flowing through her, thanks to me gifting her my powers. Most don’t assume she’s spectacular but rather just a timid female. While she can be shy and more reserved, my mate is one of the most powerful females out there.
“You have to think that because we’re mated,” she says in my mind, a moment before she opens the door to the room I’m in and closes it behind her.
The lights are off. I’m leaning against the counter with my hands by my side. Sienna slowly walks toward me. The dress on her accentuates her curves, makes me want to bite her supple—
“Ford!” she yells in my head. “We’re supposed to be looking for the one who hurt Eaton, not thinking about sex.”
“Who says I was thinking about that? I’m merely hungry and would like some of your blood.”
“Uh huh. So it had nothing to do with you wanting to drink it from my breast where it’s pushed up, thanks to what I’m wearing?”
“I mean, I wouldn’t say no to such a thing.”
She places her hands on my chest and leans in to gently kiss my lips. I reach around her back and pull her against me. “One kiss.”
“Mmhmm.”
She lets me have that one then leans away while I chase her lips. “We have to focus, Ford. None of this right now. Later, after whoever is caught and dealt with.”
“Incentive. I can work with that.”
Using every shred of my willpower, I release my gorgeous mate and walk toward the door. Opening it, I sweep my arm out to let her leave first, but then someone running down the hall has me pushing her behind me as I step out.
Rion slows when he sees me. His eyes are emerald green, letting me know he’s only a breath away from shifting. “Ari’s missing.”
Those two words have my fangs descending, piercing my bottom lip. Ariane is as close to me as my own blood. She has my powers. I was the one to find her when she was pulled into a dream. I was the one to save her. Usually, when Ari feels a strong emotion, it hits me, and I have to find her to make sure she’s okay. I got nothing this time. However, I will murder whoever has her.
“Get in line,” Rion growls low, reading my mind.
“Can you find her?” Sienna asks and points to his chest. All shifters have an internal compass which points to their mate. Even Sienna and I have it. I wasn’t sure if we would since I’m not a shifter. It’s something I’ve become very used to. When we’re not together, I always know where she is and not in some creepy stalker way.
“Something is throwing me off,” he states. “Some kind of magic. Every time I think I have a location on her, I get there and it’s moved. I don’t like this.” Rion rubs the center of his chest.
“We’ll find her,” I tell him.
Solomon and my mom walk toward us. I can’t help the shudder that takes me over. Freaking leather. I wish she’d change. Glad I didn’t drink from my mate a few minutes ago. I have no doubt I would throw it up if I did.
“I will not change,” my mom says aloud. “Now, where was the last spot you saw your mate?” she asks Rion.
“We were upstairs in the hallway. We each went in a different direction and then she was gone. I couldn’t feel her anymore. Not her anger or anything. Who knows who took her? They could have teleported her anywhere.”
Pulling out my phone, I send a text to Raven and tell her where we are and that we need her and Ky. Or Robin for that matter. Any of the fae royalty will do.
Robin is the first to appear with Davian following behind her. She’s dressed in a red one-piece bathing suit with a rescue buoy in her hand. Davian matches in red board shorts. He has a whistle around his neck and shows off his tanned skin.
“How very Baywatch of you,” I say dryly.
“Not all of us can have a mother who’s as old as dirt who’ll let us raid her closet,” Davian replies then sees my mom behind me. “Sorry, Eloise.”
She waves him off. “No harm, young shifter. I may be four thousand years old, but I look damn good.” She puts her hand on her hip and twirls the riding crop with the other.