Patchwork pixie, p.16
Patchwork Pixie, page 16
James muttered, “Dane, you took sixty grand?”
“It was over eight years. It wasn’t one year.” He cleared his throat. “Fine. I will do the work for three days.”
Ruby laughed. “Oh, this is gonna be good. Hang on, I am letting Mark know that he can work you like a rented mule. Now, which days are you coming in? You are doing holiday stocking. It is just grunt work with a bit of skill for hours and hours and hours.”
Dane grimaced. “I have to take Teddy to the doctor tomorrow.”
Teddy frowned. “Why?”
“Just want to make sure that everything is good with you. Life with alphas can be rough.”
Teddy nodded and then made a sad face. “Tanner’s memorial is tomorrow.”
Dane stiffened. “I remember.”
Ruby leaned on Marshall. “I am betting that all of his kids are going to be there. There are five born, and then Beth got an early hit on a pregnancy test, and the fact that his parents and myself were the only people in his will. No mention of the kids that his family is supporting.”
Dane stared. “What?”
“Oh, yeah. It was a power trip to get betas pregnant. He loved imagining them being torn apart while having his kids. He was a real sadist.” She sighed and leaned against Marshall’s shoulder. “I am very glad that he’s dead.”
Grey was pale. “He deliberately got women pregnant?”
“Oh. Yeah. They were generally girlfriends of his friends. That was his favourite hunting ground.”
Teddy was grey. “Five kids?”
“And one from assault, though I find it doubtful that she will keep it. That last one was my friend. So, it shows you how he liked to play.”
Teddy looked at Dane, and he looked back with a calm expression.
“You know.”
Marshall took the hit when he said, “We can smell it.”
She looked at the dark Elite with wide eyes. “I... I...” Teddy burst into tears, got up and ran. Dane didn’t follow.
He got a notice from his phone, got up and left, then returned, and sat down again. “She’s getting a car home. Ruby, did he really have a bunch of bastards?”
“Kids out of marriage? Yeah. I am sure some of them were by force, but how she defended him when he wasn’t that nice to ladies says that she was probably all for it at the time. I know a few PIs if you are interested.”
She beckoned. “Gimmee your phone, cousin. If I know you, you have been paying for her phone and everything for a while. It makes getting the records easier.”
Dane looked at his phone and then slid it over. She put in three different numbers, including that of Lebor Urent. She smiled. “If you tell Lebor of Urent Security that you are Emmy’s cousin, he might want her there when he makes his report.”
She smirked and passed the phone back.
She sighed. “Well, do you have anything to air about me regarding my behaviour? Uncle Grey? Anyone?”
Leon sighed. “You should have come home sooner.”
“Couldn’t. I was under orders. I had to stay out no matter how bad my life got. I could never come crawling home. Of course, that was when I couldn’t refuse, but now, I would tell everyone to get stuffed and open my own company.”
There was a knock on the door, and Leon’s eyes brightened. He ran to the door, and when he came back, Emmy, with her thick blue streak, was standing there in her Elite omega glory.
Emmy smiled. “Please, tell me that there is still some food.”
Uncle Grey got up. “I am your Uncle Grey; this is Uncle Derrik and Uncle James. Those are your cousins, Gerald and Dane.”
“Ah, nice guy and douchebag. Pleased to meet you. I am Ruby’s younger sister, Emerald, and I answer to Emmy. I am the last child of our parents.”
Grey smiled. “Sit and eat. Discuss anything you like. Ask any questions.”
Ruby winced. He had just uncorked the bottle.
Chapter Twelve
It was a gruelling week of practices... practices and fittings. Ruby already knew every move of the production, and she and Rayden moved together as they slept. It tended to end with him inside her, but Marshall made sure that they slept enough for the early mornings, even if that meant an early bedtime for all of them.
The family dinner at Leon’s pack house was decidedly more upbeat than the week before. Emmy had brought Lebor, and Gerald asked, “Why do they all have energy pouring out of them?”
Lebor pulled his aura in. “Reflex when meeting other alphas.”
Ruby shrugged and said, “There can be worse dominance displays. Leon really likes these carpets.”
The alphas at the table turned and stared at her in shock. Emmy lost her control, and they both laughed their asses off. “That is the Ruby I remember.”
Ruby sighed. “Yeah. I was a jerk.”
Rayden pulled her onto his lap. “This might keep you mindful.”
“Doubt it.”
Emmy giggled again, and Leon was smiling. The omegas were having fun.
Dane was alone today and looked sad, but he was taking part in the conversation. “Oh, Ruby. I just transferred the money to you. I was an asshole for taking the money that you worked that hard for. I am profoundly sorry.”
She blinked. “I accept the apology. When you are ready, I know a lot of really nice betas who have personality, interests, and integrity. Just saying that I could make an introduction.”
Dane smiled. “When I am ready.”
Gerald raised his hand. “I am ready now.”
Emmy laughed. “I do like someone who isn’t timid.”
Ruby smiled and picked up her phone, tapping a message. She set her phone down and smiled at Gerald. “I have just asked a nice young lady if I can give you her number.”
Gerald blinked. “Seriously?”
“Seriously. If she says yes, you can take her to the show, buy her some hot cocoa or a wood-fired pizza or something.”
Marshall snorted. “You eat a lot.”
“So do you. I just admit it.”
Rayden laughed. “The crew had to do taste tests of all the food trucks after rehearsal. She picked some good ones.”
Gerald grinned. “Nice.”
The phone pinged, and all the alphas in the room stared at her. She looked to Gerald, “You are cleared for contact. Her name is Emily; she works at the candy shop. She does coding for recreation and is in her last year of her biomedical degree.”
Gerald handed over his phone, and she put Emily’s number in.
He grinned and darted out of the room. He moved fast for a big guy.
Dane blinked. “You really just had one ready?”
“Sure. I meet people, and most of them like me. I even know several women who found a certain deceased someone disgusting to the point where they left events when he showed up.”
Emmy raised her hand. “I know a lot of single women who throw catered cocktail parties, so do you want them able to cook or not?”
Leon chuckled. “This sounds like decision poker. I will get the cards.”
Dane sighed. “Dad. This isn’t a game. This is my life.”
“And you need more fun in it. I am getting the cards and the markers.”
James shook his head. “I will get them. I love this game.”
Ruby smiled and then got serious. “Have you started a divorce?”
“Annulment. It is being signed on Friday. She entered into the contract under false pretences, and the judge was willing to rush it through considering that Tanner’s family is over the moon to take care of another broodmare.” He looked at her seriously. “You are lucky you avoided that.”
Marshall said softly, “It wasn’t luck. She knew what he was and protected herself with the means at her disposal.”
Leon sighed. “I guess she always has.”
Ruby shrugged and looked up at Rayden. “So, tomorrow, I make a fool out of myself and fall on my ass?”
“You aren’t going to fall. I won’t let you.” He kissed her. “Besides, when you are on the ice, you fly.”
Ruby smiled as James came in with the cards and markers.
Emmy asked, “What are we doing?”
“We write the best candidates on our cards, along with what we think will be attraction points. Like person poker.”
Ruby smiled and handed over three cards and a marker.
Ruby quickly filled out her three and waited for her sister. Then it was cards up and elbows to the table with Dane sitting back with a cup of coffee.
“First, I am leading with the weakest. Old money, medium height, and build. Hobbies are watching other people ride horses and working at a food pantry as a volunteer. She specializes in fundraising.”
Emmy blinked. “Wow. I have a barista with a fresh face. Likes dirty limericks and enjoys witty banter.”
“Investment banker with a heavy volunteering history, great skater, and amazing sense of humour. If she falls, she gets up.”
Emmy smiled. “Sous chef at one of the best restaurants in town. Extensively well travelled. Up for anything and doesn’t date much because of her schedule, but she does like the idea of an alpha, but she hasn’t dated one yet.”
Ruby saw Dane’s frown. “The last one has had a crush on Dane for years. Knows his habits inside and out. She writes novels in her spare time that she never publishes. She can cook but rarely has folks over to cook for. She loves entertaining but had to get a job to put herself through school, so her dream of being a house mom was thwarted. She’s petite with blue eyes so bright you would think the sky came down to rest on her cheeks.”
Dane’s eyes got wide, and he started blushing. “Nia?”
Ruby shrugged. “I didn’t say a thing, but I have two more tickets for the VIP box on a day that your little brother won’t be there.”
Rayden snorted. “She’s been using hers to tip waiters and baristas after the cash.”
Ruby grinned.
Dane was dazed. “Nia Delany. She’s so shy.”
“Don’t get too attached to the idea until you are over Teddy. Nia isn’t a rebound or a fling. If you go into this lightly, she is going to fall hard, and if you hurt her, I am going to rip your knot off and beat you with it, and then, I am going to stuff it down your throat, cousin.”
Everybody around the table froze.
“I take matchmaking very seriously. If you use this information to hurt someone, I will hurt you, and you will remember it.”
Emmy broke the tension. “And that is why Michael Urthwait never tried to steal my bike again. She broke his nose and got suspended from fourth grade for a week.”
Ruby shrugged. “I don’t like those who think they can brute force things. I can, too, but I don’t unless provoked.”
Emmy smiled. “He’s a florist now according to Mom and Dad.”
Ruby grinned. “He did have an eye for colour. It was a pretty bike.”
Grey spoke softly. “What was Ruby like before the Elite arrived?”
“She was a champion to all. She loved running and laughing and playing. She was good at school but better with her hands. She helped Mom sew and knit, and all of our family animals wore bandages when she thought she would be a vet. The little faces on the bandages were supposed to be encouraging but were terrifying. I had nightmares for weeks.”
Grey continued to keep his voice low. “When did she start sleeping under her bed?”
Emmy was confused. “Never. Ruby curled up with me when I had nightmares, but she was fine until they showed up. Why? Did she have nightmares?”
Ruby looked to Grey.
Grey nodded. “She did. Leon had suffered a loss, and we were worried that he was replacing our little girl with his niece, so we tried to keep them separate.”
“The family suffered the loss. The family suffered a loss that none of you dealt with. Don’t forget it, honour it, but live the life that is left to you.” Marshall sighed. “It is all we can do.”
Leon chuckled, wiped a tear, and smiled. “She had a name, you know. Sophia.”
He leaned, and Grey put his arm around him. “I didn’t know she was Sophia.”
“Yeah, after my mom. Ruby and Emmy’s grandmother. Sophia Lestor.”
Marshall asked softly, “Ruby, weren’t your parents married?”
“Uh, they sort of were, but our dad had an identity issue.”
Emmy grinned. “Our dad is a runaway Elite.”
Rayden murmured, “Holy shit.”
Marshall said, “Ruby, why didn’t you tell us?”
“It never came up in the time we have been together.” Ruby smiled. “Dad stopped showing us his other face when the recruiters took our brother.”
“Did the recruiters know about your father?”
“Not that we know of, but they remained in the area for a few weeks before disappearing until I changed. That was when my mom said that if I was ever scared, I should just hide in a safe place until I was ready to come out.”
Emmy sighed. “Ruby was always more emotional than me. She didn’t have anyone to protect her like I did. Jasper was always the only boy trying to fit in. Then he was gone, and she was my brother and my sister, and she was very good at it.”
Ruby ducked her head.
Emmy reached out and took her hand. The spark that moved between them was gentle, and Ruby smiled. “I wonder if any of the dark Elite control lightning?”
Rayden said softly, “None that are in town. Why?”
“I think that either someone with electricity or is there one made of wool that can drive up the spark?” Ruby smirked.
Marshall shook his head. “Aside from Lebor, there is only one who could be her match. Lebor has already called him.”
Emmy’s cheeks turned pink. “Oh, right. He muttered something about that when I refused to stay the night. It just felt weird, you know? Lopsided.”
Ruby nodded. “I get that.” She reached up and stroked her braid tucked behind her ear. “Marshall was the first guy I was attracted to, and Rayden was the first to flirt with me. He unravelled me and locked me up at the same time. I am hoping for the same but different for you.”
Emmy smiled. “I get it. What’s with the braid?”
Marshall chuckled. “It is our version of a wedding ring. As the biting we engage in is mainly for enjoyment, she has a braid, I have one, and Rayden has one. Each lock was marked with our blood and then woven together. Now, they are indestructible.”
Ruby grinned. “Mine was a pain in the ass. My hair is long. Really long.”
Rayden chuckled. “We had to take turns.”
Leon snorted a laugh. Ruby flipped him off, and then she yawned, and Marshall cuddled her, easing her from Rayden and stroking her cheek.
She yawned again and dozed. Leon asked, “Why is she so tired?”
Rayden held her hand. “She’s on a different schedule with new activities. She’s adapting.”
Her uncles froze. Leon asked, “Why are you here? Don’t you need to rest?”
“I needed to be here because this was a family meal, and we were finally meeting with all the masks off. It was really nice, but after the next heat, I am going to take a time out. That will be one that counts.”
Leon blinked. “Why not this one?”
Marshall explained about the hormones, the non-hormonal birth control methods, and the short but blazing heat.
Ruby turned her head to his chest, and when he was too forthcoming, she bit him. Emmy cackled.
Rayden murmured, “You are missing dessert.”
Ruby lifted her head, and Rayden held a spoonful of trifle toward her. She took the mouthful, and her eyes got wide. She looked at Uncle Grey, and he coloured. He was the best pastry chef in the family, but he had not been allowed to pursue it once his alpha nature manifested. It was why he had bought the candy shop for Leon. It satisfied something in him. He had provided the basic recipes, and Ruby had tweaked them into the frantic sellers they were today. He also made the best trifle in the family.
Rayden was having far too much fun feeding her, so she had to stop him from getting another serving. “Dude, I am just about in a food coma. I have five minutes before I curl up against Marshall and fall asleep.”
Rayden laughed. “You fight sleep too often, and you are going to burn a ton of calories starting tomorrow. So, if I cheated, forgive me.”
She sighed and got a set of tickets out of her purse. “Slide these to Dane. Dane, ask Nia out for the premiere as a friend. Buy her some fun food, laugh when the pixies fall on their butts, and cheer for me and Rayden as we take our final bows. Trust me, it will go a long way. If you mean it, it will go even further. When you are done, take her to her car, kiss her cheek, and tell her you look forward to seeing her again when the time is right. Making yourself agreeable at close range is your next objective, and if it becomes a natural thing to want to see her happy, you can kiss her. Anything else and... well... you know.”
Dane nodded and looked at the tickets. “VIP box for an afternoon matinee?”
“Yeah. I wasn’t kidding. It’s going to be crawling with kids. I kept the first performance tickets for a new chance at making someone happy. While I am always willing to beat you down from now on, this is my offer to lift you up.”
Dane took his phone out and smiled. “I will take it.”
He took the two tickets and got up to make a call.
She looked at her Uncle Leon and said, “Make sure that he doesn’t fuck it up.”
Leon smiled. “I think you have given him what he needs. His recovery from Theodora is telling.”
“Yeah, something tells me that money was a motivator on both sides.” She yawned again.
Rayden said, “I believe that we need to get her to bed so she can start with the two shows tomorrow. It will be tiring and her first time out in the world as herself.”
She got the other two tickets out and handed them to Rayden. “Can you get these tickets to Gerald, and if he doesn’t want to go, Leon and Grey can have a date night.” She chuckled. “Or James and Derrik can cheer on the trolls. Or give it to friends. We have a very fun cast and lovely costumes, so it would be a shame that one seat went to waste.”
