Tightening the Ropes [Dark Days Ranch 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) Read online

  Lewis quietly laughed. “Yeah, I have to admit. When she first looked at me I thought she had to be noticing someone behind me or something. I never imagined I’d ever get this lucky. I mean look at us Knox. We have her, and each other. I couldn’t have asked for a better gift than that. Lewis placed the rope on the floor and climbed back to Knox’s side.

  “I mean that. I am so thankful the bond chose me for the two of you.”

  Knox held out his arm and Lewis molded his body to him. “I’m thankful too, Lewis. I never thought I would say this, but I can’t imagine my life without y’all in it.” He slid his other arm underneath Lynna and pulled her to rest on his other shoulder. Even in her sleep she clung to Knox.

  “So what now?” Lewis looked up to him.

  “Now, I get to hold you two the way I’ve been wanting to for the last half hour. Sleep, Lewis, and when we wake we’ll figure out where we’re going to start our lives together.”

  Lewis obeyed and shut his eyes. Everything was going to be okay. Deep down he knew that, and as he basked in his mate’s arms he relaxed completely and let unconsciousness overtake him.

  Chapter 9

  “I got it! Knox! Lewis!

  Lynna ran into their new, small two-bedroom home waving around an envelope. She threw her cowboy hat on the table and unpinned her hair. Knox looked up from the recliner and pushed the foot rest down. Lynna was dancing around in a circle, waving her arms wildly in the air.

  “Dag wrote you back?” Knox scooted to the edge of the chair.

  “Derek,” she corrected. “And yes. It’s from the address Logan gave me so let’s see what he has to say.” Her smile was radiating. It had been almost a month since they had left the small basement and since then Knox couldn’t believe the transformation he had made. He felt like a new man, inside and out.

  Lynna pulled on his hand and made him move to the couch next to Lewis. “This will be great. I wonder if he’ll want to come see me. Then he can meet you two.” The exciting energy radiated from her. A month ago Knox would have been anxiety ridden from her vibes, but today as he watched her happiness all he could do was be enamored by how cute she acted.

  “Well?” Lewis urged her. “Open it,” he laughed.

  “Okay, okay.” She ripped the top of the envelope open and pulled out the sheet of paper. While she scanned over the words her smile faded. An ache took over his chest and Knox grabbed Lewis’s hand.

  “What does it say?” Lewis’s gripped tighter and he leaned forward.

  She shook her head. “No.” Her hand dropped. “No. I don’t believe this.” She thrust the paper forward and Knox grabbed at it. The handwriting was elegantly written as if composed by a calligrapher.

  My dearest Lynna,

  I regret to inform you that the person you seek does not exist. At least not here. From our investigation of Derek Gordova, we see he went missing and has since not been found. Our intelligence has reported back that news from unknown sources has conveyed your brother passed all those years ago.

  It was also mentioned to me that you’re bonded with our enemy. For that, you are lucky to even be receiving this letter. Out of your desperation, I felt I should let you know what I do. Other than that, it would be smart for you to look elsewhere for answers. Remember who you belong to. The rules apply to you as much as it does to any member of Dark Days. Look for your answers in your own territory. Again, we’re sorry for your loss.

  My sincere condolences,

  Dylan Antoine Gonzales

  “Same initials as Dag, too.” Knox looked up Lynna’s tear-stained face. He reached for her and she curled up in his lap.

  “The guy in the picture is Derek. I know it is. He’s definitely older than when he left, but he’s the same. I feel it in my blood,” Lynna said, exasperated. “Why doesn’t he want to see me? I don’t understand.”

  Knox tightened his arms around her. Lewis began stroking her hair and pleaded some unknown message to him with his eyes. Hell, Knox didn’t know what to do. He was never good at the emotional stuff. A month didn’t give him much experience, either.

  “Do you want to all sit down at the table and write him back? It says not to, but I don’t think it could hurt.”

  Lynna peered up at him. “No. It’s pointless. He obviously doesn’t want me to know he’s alive. It’s so out of character for him.”

  Knox sighed. “Lynna, vampires are just like that. They’re very private and once they’re reborn I hear they change. They truly do believe that the person they were before dies and they become someone new.”

  “So what you’re saying is that he’s not my brother anymore?”

  Knox knew it hurt her feelings, but he had to be truthful with what he knew. “Yes. I believe that with all of my heart. I don’t think much of your brother is there anymore. Especially if this man is the same one that is sending his own pack to blow themselves up just to hurt us.”

  The silence from his mate had him nervous. Lewis continued to stroke her hair while she just lay curled in his lap.

  “I got it.” Knox kissed her forehead. “Why don’t we watch an episode of Law and Order? You love that show.”

  “Yeah.” Lynna shrugged. “I don’t think I’m really in the mood.”

  This time Knox was pleading to Lewis, silently. They both stared at each other completely lost. Lynna stood and walked into the kitchen. “What would y’all like for dinner? I’m starving. I spent all morning sneaking around the station trying to figure out if they’d recovered anything from the footage of my truck. Chief caught me. All he did was wink and say it mysteriously disappeared. Would someone like to explain?”

  Knox laughed. “I should have told you a long time ago. Chief’s a wolf. I knew he’d throw it out once he saw me, especially since we’re mated now.”

  The refrigerator door stopped mid-way while she turned around and looked at him. “You could have told me, Knox. I’ve been stressing about it now for weeks.

  “I’m sorry. It slipped my mind.” He watched Lewis stand up and walk to her.

  “Why don’t we go out to eat tonight? It’s been a long day and the last thing you need to do is cook some big dinner for us. Afterward, we can make it up to you. Knox especially.” He winked in Knox’s direction and he couldn’t help but smile.

  “That sounds good.” She shut the door and wrapped her arms around Lewis’s lower chest. “Let me just change out of my uniform.”

  Lynna headed into the room and Knox came over to Lewis. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen her so upset. She’s been checking the mailbox every day since week two. This wasn’t the news she was expecting. I tried to warn her, but she had high hopes. I feel so bad

  “Yeah.” Lewis put his hands in the pockets of his tight Wranglers. “I guess my hopes were high, too. I really wanted her brother to come through. It would have made her so happy.”

  Knox picked up the keys and put his wallet in his back pocket. “Support her is all we can really do. It’s going to be tough at first, but I think over time the pain will ease.”

  A throat cleared from the bedroom and he looked over at Lewis. It wasn’t just a sound of someone going through the motions, but a deliberate noise to call attention. Knox walked forward and saw Lynna lying in the bed nude.

  “I vote we get a pizza ordered and stay in bed the rest of the night.”

  Knox pulled the shirt over his head without hesitation. He quickly stripped down the rest of the way. “Sounds good to me.” He dove on the bed and straddled her. “You sure you’re okay enough to do this?”

  Her mood was completely different. Knox could feel the happiness flowing from her pores and he couldn’t understand it.

  “Yes. I’m better now. I’m just going to have to trust in fate and let him come to me when he’s ready. Her white teeth showed as she smiled extra big. Almost fake. Knox felt flags going off, but pushed them away.

  “Okay. Well I’m glad you’re better now.” He pulled her on top of him and motioned to Lewis. “What
are you waiting for? Get your sexy ass in this bed.”

  Lewis lifted the phone. “Someone has to call in the pizza. Might as well be me. I got their damn number on speed dial.” He laughed.

  As Lewis made their usual order of two large pepperonis and a large supreme, Knox got lost in Lynna’s eyes. Her hair fanned out around his face and he stared up into what he viewed as heaven. He’d never get tired of basking in her beauty. When she was like this, no makeup, her hair down, and her eyes connected with his, the love he felt for her was suffocating. And it wasn’t a bad thing. It was just that intense. The same thing happened with Lewis. His mates had become everything to him.

  “Ordered!” Lewis’s shirt flew across the room and he tossed his jeans on the floor. He dove on the bed and grabbed Lynna’s legs. Knox knew the routine. He took the top half of her body and they flipped her on her back.

  “Let’s see how many times we can make her come before the pizza guy gets here.”

  Knox glanced at Lewis, and then gave Lynna a look. He grabbed Lewis by the shoulders and pinned him. “I say we see how many times we can make you come before the delivery man knocks on the door.”

  “I vote yes!” Lynna began jumping on her knees and clapping. Knox eased down to Lewis’s waist and wrapped his arm around her. He picked her light frame up and placed her hovering over his male mate’s face.

  “Now, he can please you, and you can help me pleasure him.”

  “Mmmm.” She lowered her face to his cock and Knox eased down the bed. He bent Lewis’s legs and spread them wide. A blissful sigh came from Lynna as she moved her pussy over Lewis’s face. She grabbed his hard cock and ran her tongue over the tip, moaning against him.

  Knox used his hands and gripped the sides of Lewis’s ass. Slowly, he ran his tongue over his mate’s sac and down over the opening of Lewis’s ass.

  “Fuck,” Lewis said, against Lynna’s pussy. The word was slightly muffled, but Knox could hear him just fine. In circular motions he teased his entrance until Lewis was pushing down against him. Only then did Knox slide the tip of his tongue inside.

  Sounds came from Lynna as she took Lewis deep into her throat. The mix was between a cry of pleasure and a low moan. Knox dreamed about their vocal responses to desire. He could hear their need to be fulfilled deep in his sleep, and craved to give it to them. The way they had shown him how to make love would forever be burned into his brain. For the first time in his life he felt like he was actually living. And it was thanks to them. They taught him love was more powerful than rushing to the next fight. Sure, he still craved the feeling. But it was being with them that gave him the rush he used to yearn for.

  Lynna’s head flew up and she bit her lip. The expression on her face was one he’d seen a million times. She was on the verge of release and the ecstasy she was teetering on was one he knew he needed to slow.

  “Not yet, sweetheart.”

  Lynna cried out as she opened her eyes to him. She reached down and began stroking Lewis’s cock.

  “It’s not fair. He always makes me come first.” Her cheeks were flushed as she held her orgasm at bay. He knew he couldn’t make her do it for long, but once she did let go it was going to be so much more powerful that she wouldn’t regret it.

  “You want me to make him come for you?”

  She rocked against his face. “Yes. God, yes. Make him come so we can feel it together.”

  Knox smiled as Lewis’s voice broke through. “Not fair, Knox!”

  The vibrations sent Lynna’s into a small spasm. “Hurry Knox. I can’t wait much longer.” Her head went back down and she sucked on Lewis tip until he rocked against her.

  Knox reached next to the bed and grabbed the lube. He placed some on two of his fingers and rubbed it down the length. Slowly, he inserted one, and when Lewis was relaxed, he eased the other one in.

  “Oh…fuck.” Lewis moved his hips against the friction of Knox’s fingers. He lowered his head and began sucking the left side of his sac into his mouth. With Lynna stroking him and sucking his cock at the same time, Lewis was being stimulated all over the place. Knox groaned as his own cock throbbed. He was going to fuck Lewis so good later. He loved being buried deep inside of his mate’s ass.

  “No. Knox! Shit.” Lewis’s body jerked and Lynna took his release in her mouth, sucking it down as her own body went into spasms. Knox leaned forward and she happily shared Lewis’s cum. He took his mate’s essence deep within him, letting it take over his sense of taste and smell. Damn, he couldn’t get enough. Once he was done with Lewis, he was going to bury his face in Lynna’s pussy. That would definitely be dessert.

  Chapter 10

  Lynna logged out of the station’s computer and slowly headed for the chief’s office. Her adrenaline was pumping so fast that she tried to calm herself. If her story was going to be believable then she needed to start playing her part.

  She knocked twice on the door and waited for him to call her in. At the sound of his deep voice she entered. “Gordova, what brings you here? Aren’t you supposed to be out patrolling the main highway today?”

  “Yeah.” She sighed and wiped the sweat that was beginning to form on her forehead. “Actually, I’m suddenly not feeling too well. You think I could call it a day? It’s been slow, anyway.”

  Chief looked down at his paperwork and motioned with his hand. “Sure. Get some rest. Let me know if you’ll be in tomorrow.”

  Excitement spiked, but she held it in. “Will do. Thanks, Chief.”

  Lynna headed for her truck. She was so glad they allowed her to take her vehicle home with her. She was going to need all the help she could get, breaking into enemy lines. If these wolves were as bad as she was led to believe, then maybe the truck would at least give them a second of pause. It hadn’t with her mate, though. Hell, she wouldn’t think about that right now. What she needed to do was get to Dag. Then everything would work itself out.

  As Lynna hit the main highway leading out of Fort Stockton she turned her siren on and pushed the truck as fast as she could. The drive was going to take a long time. If she was going to get in and out without being detected by her mates then she was going to have to haul ass like never before.

  The miles faded behind her and Lynna practiced what she was going to say to her brother when she finally saw him again. Sure, Knox didn’t think he’d feel much for her, but she couldn’t believe that. They’d been so close before he left. There had to be a reason that he had turned his back on them. Maybe he’d figured he was sparing her from the life of a vampire since he, himself, had been turned. She wasn’t sure, but surely they could move past that part and focus on their future.

  A sigh left her mouth. They had to. Her brother needed to be a part of her life. She wasn’t going to take no for an answer and that was final.

  Lynna looked at the clock and realized she was making amazing time. It was only nine AM and she’d been on the road for almost two hours. If she continued at this speed then she’d reach the address from the letter in another hour or so.

  Ringing broke through the truck and she cursed as she took out her phone. Knox’s name appeared on the caller ID. Should she answer it? She couldn’t bear lying to him. Lynna hit ignore and nearly became sick at the thought of what she’d just done. After the fourth time of ending the call she knew she had to answer it. He wasn’t going to stop and she couldn’t have him thinking something went wrong on patrol.

  “Hello, Knox.”

  “Lynna.” His voice sounded strangled. Almost like her name would barely come out. “Lynna stop the truck. I’m on my way to get you. Don’t do this, baby, please. Just turn around and come home.”

  “How did you know?”

  An agonizing groan came from his mouth. “The men said you hauled ass past the border a half hour ago. It’s not too late. Please. I’m begging you. Turn around before they realize it’s you. “

  Suddenly, Lynna was doubting what she was doing. Should she abandon her quest to rebond with her brother? D
amn, she was so conflicted. “Knox, I have to do this. If he could just see me then he’ll change his mind. I know he will.”

  “No. God. Please.” The desperation in her mate’s voice was breaking her heart. Words began being exchanged and suddenly Lewis was on the phone.

  “Sweetheart, you have to come home. Listen to me, this is dangerous stuff. You’re messing with things both of us don’t understand yet. If they catch you on their land they have every right to kill you. Do you understand me? Let’s say your brother isn’t who you think he is? What then, Lynna? What if he kills you? Think what that’s going to do to me and Knox.”

  “Lewis…” Lynna felt fear of her brother for the first time in her life. What if they were right and he didn’t accept her as his blood? She applied the brakes and began to slow. It was time to turn around. She couldn’t risk the worst case scenario. As a cop, she knew better than this. She’d been trained to use caution in every situation. What was she doing? There had to be another way. “I’m turning around.”

  “Thank you, sweetie.”

  Knox came over the phone. “Lynna, you don’t know how much this means to me. Thank you, baby. I swear we’ll find your brother. We’ll make him see you. Just get out of there as fast as you can.”

  Lynna pulled to the side of the road, ready to make a U-turn when bullets sprayed her truck. She screamed and hit the gas.

  “Lynna! What’s going on? Talk to me!” The panic in Knox’s voice could barely be heard over the acceleration of his H2.

  “They’re fucking shooting at me. I wasn’t able to turn around. I’m hauling ass back down the road.” She looked in her rear view mirror. “A truck came out of the brush. I think they’re chasing me.” More bullets dinged against the metal, and the back windshield exploded behind her. She ducked and pushed the truck faster. “Knox, I’m scared! They’re gaining on me, fast.”

  “Fuck. Keep me on the line as long as you can. Don’t hang up no matter what. If you have to, shove the phone in your bra, but try not to let them find it.”