“You bring so much color into my life, Esme,” I say as I pull into a driveway that’s hidden between two overgrown bushes. Someone is definitely hiding themselves based on the whole cloak and dagger thing we’ve been doing since Colton took the phone call. I decide to back the truck into a parking spot, although that term is relative as well seeing as there are two ruts that pull up in front of the small cabin. Other than the initial bushes as I drove down the driveway, the area is relatively barren with regard to trees, so I’m not worried about this being an ambush. Still, it always pays to be cautious which is why I execute a three-point turn then back my truck next to the non-descript four-door sedan sitting there. “You ready?” I ask, looking over at her. She twirls her index fingers and I see the sparks fly before they settle across both of us. “A little extra, huh?”
“I don’t like this, Beast. So I’m making sure that we’re fully covered.”
I nod, turn the truck off then hop out before I walk around to her side. This may be my favorite part of her riding with me because once I open her door, she turns around, places her hands on my shoulders while mine go to her hips, then she slides down my body. Each and every single time she does this, my breath catches in my throat. Before we go further, I lean in and kiss her until we’re both breathing hard. Taking her hand in mine, I lace our fingers together as we approach the rickety looking porch.
“Don’t go no further,” a voice calls out. I hear the unmistakable sound of a shotgun being readied and halt, pulling Esmerelda behind me.
“You know who we are, you called Colton,” I yell out, anger at our current position evident in my tone. “He told you who would be coming as well. Would you like to see a display of what my mate can do?” I taunt. Okay, maybe that isn’t such a good idea since he has the shotgun, but I’m tired, hungry and pissed. My cousin and his mate are somewhere being held captive and this fucker apparently holds the answers.
“Names,” he demands, his shadow barely seen in the darkened doorway.
“Beast and Esmerelda,” I reply, my anger now barely in check. Who in their right mind would travel into the middle of nowhere just because?
“Alright, you can come closer but take it nice and slow,” he commands. We edge closer but my eyes never stop scanning for any other threats. Once we’re at the bottom of the stairs, he steps onto the porch, the shotgun still pointed at my chest. I know if he decides to pull the trigger I can heal but not knowing what he has it loaded with has me more concerned for my mate. She must sense my unease because I feel her pat my side as if to say we’re going to be fine.
“Okay, you got us out here, can we dispense with the gun?” I ask, waving my hand in his direction. “You have information we need, man, and the sooner we get that, the sooner we’ll be out of here.”
“Y’all want some lemonade?” he asks, setting the gun off to the side.
I’m about to lose my shit, shift and destroy him when Esmerelda says, “I’d love some please.”
“Just made it fresh. Come have a seat and I’ll be right back.” The strange little man, because he is little, coming up to maybe my ribs, scuttles back into the house leaving me to stare bemusedly at where he was just standing.
“What the fuck?” I mutter, stepping onto the porch and sitting in a rocking chair, Esmerelda sitting next to me. She reaches for my hand and I watch as she flicks her fingers, seeing the sparks of magic float around to surround us.
“We’ll be okay, sugar bear. He’s scared and nervous.”
“Which I don’t give the first fuck about, Esme. Ice and Leigh are in danger so the sooner this bozo tells us what we need to know, the sooner we can be on our way to getting them back.”
“Shhh, Beast. It’s going to be just fine.” She pats my hand while I continue to grumble under my breath until our reluctant host returns with a tray that holds a pitcher of lemonade and three glasses filled with ice. He sets it down on the table that’s between his chair and the one I’m sitting in then quickly pours us each a glass. Esmerelda takes one and sips before she smiles. “This is delicious,” she praises.
“It’s all in the ratio, ma’am,” he replies, handing me a glass. I barely keep from rolling my eyes at his words. What kind of man knows shit about ratios and lemonade for fuck’s sake?
“Well, you certainly have it perfected,” she replies as she continues to drink her lemonade. Personally, I’d prefer an ice-cold beer but since beggars can’t be choosers, I decide to drink mine as well.
“So, what was it that you wanted Colton to know?” I ask.
“Beast, he’s nervous, can’t you smell it?” Esmerelda asks.
“I know he is my beloved mate, but we need answers sooner rather than later,” I reply.
“Just go cautiously so we don’t spook him before we find out where Ice and Leigh might be,” she warns, raising her brow at me. Sassy witch. When I return her look, she flicks her
