Chapter One

How the fuck were they married?

Micah rubbed his brow as he tried to push the sound of shouting voices out of his mind. He pulled the hood of his sweatshirt over his head. Maybe that would help. He huffed. It didn’t. He typed furiously on the keyboard as he fought to concentrate on the computer screen in front of him.

Caleb and Meg had been married for a few months, just long enough that she had a cute baby bump under her T-shirt. All the two of them did was fuck and fight. Constantly. Micah couldn’t even corner him about a rematch for the belt. Not that there were a whole lot of opponents banging down the door. After Austin Graves’s death, his gym fizzled to nothing.

Micah ran a large, powerful hand through his thick hair and then straightened his glasses. He sighed. He was jealous. He couldn’t lie to himself. He wanted his own mate to fight with. He wanted a mate to make love to. He wanted to share that mythical tattoo with her. He didn’t have the pull. Not even a tug. He was destined to spend his life alone until the day he died while his six brothers found love.

His attention was pulled from his self-pity as he heard a sniffle. Momma stood in the hallway outside the office. Her gaze was glued down the hall toward the source of the argument. Tears cut trails down her cheeks.

Micah shoved his rolling chair away from the desk and stood. “That’s it. I’m putting a stop to all this shit.”

Momma pointed at the chair. “Micah Bartholomew Hallow, sit right now.”

“Momma, their fighting is making you cry,” he countered. He bristled as he hopped from one toe to the other like he was ready to fight. They might have been family, but no one hurt his mother. And he had taken on his little brother before.

“Pay them no mind. Their mating is still sorting itself out. The fights Papa and I got in makes what Cay and Meg are doing look like a minor debate. I used to throw things at your Papa. But the sex we had after we made up.” She sighed as she wiped a tear from her cheek.

“I’m sorry, Momma.”

She smiled at him. “No reason to be sorry. I had Papa for a good long time. And he gave me seven precious gifts. I still see him every day in you boys.”

She shuffled across the office and pressed a kiss to Micah’s cheek. He watched as she left without another word. He frowned. The shouting had stopped. He heard the murmur of a greeting before the door that led outside slammed shut. Josiah strode into the office with his hands clenched on his hips. His teeth were gritted together.

“Went that well with the Japanese, huh?” Micah commented.

“These fucking disciplinary conference calls are bullshit.” Josiah nearly spat venom with each word he said. “Yes, I get there was trouble when the tower went down. I get it. But how much fucking money have we made them? How far have we bent over backward to fix the situation? We even have Meg doing tech support during the full moons now instead of Sharky. There’s no reason to be bastards about it.”

“We could strike out on our own. Build our own company.”

Josiah cocked his head to the side. His wavy black hair brushed his shoulder. “And risk exposing ourselves?”

Micah huffed. “Good point.”

Josiah rubbed his face. “I need a beer. Want to join me?”

“Sure. I’ve been listening to Romeo and Juliet bite each other’s heads off all day. I need to talk to Cay. Leroy is trying to line up someone for him to fight for the belt. But I can’t get our little brother to stop humping his bride or shut his smart-ass trap long enough to get him to agree to take the fight.”

Micah followed his older brother into the hallway. Together they made their way through the dining room but stopped dead in their tracks when they reached the kitchen. Caleb and Meg hadn’t snuck out like Micah thought. They were still in the kitchen. Meg was perched on the counter, her T-shirt pulled up to expose her rounded belly and her swollen breasts restrained by her bra. Her head was thrown back, and her eyes shut as she moaned. Caleb’s shirt was long gone. His jeans were unzipped. His thick cock was barely covered by his briefs. And his mouth was feasting on his mate’s neck.

“For the love of fuck, we prepare food there,” Micah nearly shouted. Josiah muttered a few curse words along with him.

Both Meg and Caleb looked dazed as they were torn from their revelry. Caleb smirked at Micah as Meg tugged her shirt down. “No worries, big bro. We know this is the closest you’ll ever get to sex.”

“Fuck you, Caleb,” Micah shot back.

“What are you talking about?” Meg questioned.

Caleb gazed up at her. “Didn’t you know? Mikey here is a virgin. The only one he’s been with is Penny Palm, and I hear she’s quite the lay.”

“Shut the fuck up.” Micah’s voice pitched dangerously low into an inhuman growl.

“The only woman in his life will be Mom. Because he wouldn’t have a clue what to do if a naked woman was sprawled out on his bed.”

“Caleb, stop,” Meg said in a chiding tone. “Micah is sweet. Some girl is going to be lucky to have him.”

“Then why don’t you have him if he’s such a great guy?”

“My luck wasn’t so great. I’m mated, and married, to you.”

Caleb stepped away from her and crossed his arms over his chest. “Really? So that’s how you feel?”

Micah threw his hands in the air. “No beer is worth this shit.” He stormed out of the kitchen, not stopping until he crossed the camp and retreated into his own cabin. He slumped on the leather sofa. He didn’t need the grief from his younger brother. So he hadn’t been with a woman. And maybe he was the only Hallow brother who hadn’t had sex. They even caught Abraham in bed with a girl from Littlefoot’s tribe. It didn’t mean he’d spend his entire life celibate.

Did it?

He lay back against the cushion as he moaned. “It’s official. I’m the family loser.”

He watched the shadows crawl across the ceiling as the sun set. The sound of loud, rowdy voices filtered from outside. Curious, he sat up in time to see three figures making their way to the vehicles. He stood and hurried out the door.

“Where are you guys going?” Micah questioned, not even sure who he was addressing.

Samuel, Joshua, and Josiah turned around. Samuel grinned at him. “Into town. We’re heading to the club. We would have asked you, but you always say no.”

Micah stared at him. He always did say no. He wasn’t interested in mindless sex. But maybe it was time for a change. “Mind if I tag along?”

The brothers looked at each other. Josiah shrugged with a laugh. “Not a bit. Come on. We’ve got to go.”

“Am I dressed all right?”

“It’s not a fashion show. You’re a Hallow. Women fight each other to get in our pants.”

“Who said I’m looking for sex? I can see if Leroy is there. Isn’t that where he hangs out?”

“Didn’t know you were into Leroy, but that’s okay.”

“Business, Josiah. I want to line up some fights.”

“Suit yourself. Let’s just go.”

Micah rushed down the steps and then jogged to catch up with his brothers. Samuel and Joshua were already in the back seat when he reached them. He slipped into the passenger seat just before Josiah shifted into gear and sped down the lane into the forest.

»»•««

The bodies gyrating on the floor made it hard to get to the bar. The thundering music shook the walls. Micah tried to follow his brothers through the crowd but found it hopeless. They were barely inside the club, and women wrapped themselves around them. Not that the boys minded. It was the reason they came to the club. Even Josiah, the oldest and the fair-minded leader, was lost in some random woman’s arms. They were here to score. All Micah wanted to do was build their careers.

He ordered a Jack and Coke as his ass hit the bar stool. The bartender nodded in response through the noise. Micah felt a hand slide up his arm and a pair of lips feather across his cheek. Another set of fingers caressed his cock through his jeans. He could understand why his brothers came here. They were gods in this place. They fulfilled every carnal desire. But love? He shook free from the hands that groped him and then took a sip of his drink.

He took a deep breath as he set his drink on the bar. He fought the chaos from his senses as he tried to focus on the sensation taking him over. Something wrapped around his soul. It caused his heart to race. It aroused him. He felt his cock stiffen and press hard against his jeans. He swallowed hard. What the hell had possession of him?

“Micah Hallow.”

He shot a sideways glance to find Leroy Nelson settling on the stool beside him. Micah’s belly turned uneasily. All he wanted to do on this trip was talk fights with Leroy. He needed to get some bouts set up for his brothers. It was his responsibility. But this force had a grip on him, and he didn’t want it to let him go.

He picked up his tumbler and took a swig. “What’s up, Leroy?”

“Seeing you here is a first.”

“Change can do a man good.”

“Is this a social visit?”

Micah frowned. “Social?”

“Are you looking to get laid like your brothers?”

Micah gave him a weak smile. “No. Business. I came to find you to line up some fights. I need to keep the boys busy.”

“What about Caleb? Is he ready?”

“He can be. He and Meg are expecting in about five months. So the quicker, the better.” Micah ended his words with a sip of his drink.

“Then this is coming at a perfect time.” Leroy handed him a plain white envelope. Whatever was inside was thick.

“What the hell is this?”

“My figures were off. It’s the rest of his purse. There’s a thousand dollars in there. I trust you’ll get it to him?”

“Yeah, sure.” Micah tucked it in his back pocket. “About those fights?”

“Look. I’ll be truthful. I’m only looking for one weight class. I almost have my fight card ready for my next promotion. I just need one more fighter. A middleweight. Know where I can find one?”

Micah shook his head. “Nope.”

Leroy smirked at him. “I went through my stats. There is one Hallow brother who is a middleweight. You.”

“I don’t fight, Leroy.”

“Why not?”

“Oh and five. I’m the only Hallow with a losing record. I can’t see without my glasses.”

“There are these nifty things called contact lenses. You should try them.”

“It’s not that easy.”

“The guy I have scheduled lives a state or two over. I don’t know how he knows you, but he asked for you specifically. The middleweight belt is vacant, so it’s a title fight. Main event. Huge purse.”

Micah gasped, but the music drowned him out. The force that took control of him did more that wrap itself around him. Suddenly it tugged. Whatever it wanted wasn’t in the club. “So you’re looking for someone who he can beat down.”

“Not necessarily. The crowd is still talking about Cay’s fight. They like you boys.”

Micah groaned at the invisible yank deep in his core. It was evident Leroy never noticed. He dug into his pocket for a few bills and tossed them on the bar. “Sorry, Leroy. I have to go.”

“Tell me you’ll think about it.”

“Sure. Fine. Whatever.” Micah shoved through the crowd toward the door. He didn’t stop until he was standing in the middle of the street. He came to his senses as a bumper kissed the back of his knee.

“You fucking asshole! What are you doing?” the driver shouted out the window.

Micah flipped him off.

The driver hopped out of his car in a rage. “I’m gonna beat the shit out of you, you dumb asshole.”

The fight lasted only seconds before Micah had the man’s face pinned to the hood of the car. “Watch where you’re fucking driving.”

The man mumbled something incoherent just before Micah let go and stalked down the street. He felt the urge in him burn through his veins. He had never been so aroused. He stopped for a moment and thought of the women at the club, scantily clad, gyrating against each other. They didn’t turn him on. He wasn’t sure what turned him on. All he knew was that he needed to fuck.

He wandered through the streets past shuttered stores and shacks until he reached the highway. With every step, the desire grew. It consumed him. He popped the top button of his jeans and slipped his hand inside to stroke his cock. He moaned at his own touch.

“Most dudes wait until they’re inside to jack off.”

Micah looked up as he ripped his hand out of his pants. A bum with long, greasy hair chuckled at him as he took a drag of his cigarette. Behind the man flashed a neon pink sign with three Xs. Micah’s gaze rose as he took in the building. It was long and painted in gaudy pink and purple. Posters of naked women were posted outside.

Whatever it was that took control of him led him to a strip club. Was he really that horny? He could have had any of the women back at the club he left his brothers in. Why go where he could only look but not touch? With a shrug, he pulled out his wallet as he opened the door. He paid the cover charge to the tiny woman in the booth with the biggest breasts he had ever seen. Once he was buzzed through, he opened the second door.

The room was dark with just a few bright neon lights casting a glow throughout the club. A long stage broke the room. Polished stone reflected the colored light. A brass pole ran from the floor to the ceiling on either side of the stage. A rough looking guy with a long silver ponytail stood behind the bar that ran along the back wall. Thundering dance music provided the soundtrack for a bleached blonde dressed in only a G-string to dry hump the pole.

Micah settled into a seat closest to the stage the best he could with his erection. The blonde blew kisses to the few patrons in the bar who left her bills on the stage. She winked at Micah as she strutted by. He forced a smile.

The tempo of the music changed as the blonde disappeared behind the curtain. Moments later, the cloth was thrown open again. The woman standing there stole Micah’s breath. Her long, ebony hair cascaded down her back. Her big, blue eyes twinkled in the dim spotlight. He could feel her full red lips on his and her long legs wrapped around his hips as he thrust into her. She was wrapped in a tight, red dress as she sashayed across the stage. With every step she took, she slipped the gown down her body until she left it in a crimson puddle on the black granite.

She stopped, dressed in nothing but a G-string, in front of Micah. Cocking her head, she licked her lips as she stared at him. Voices behind her shouted.

“Come on, Eve. Shake those jugs!”

“Don’t leave us hanging, baby!”

Micah growled. No one should be looking at her. No one but him, and he was going to gaze as he feasted.

She glanced over at the rowdy degenerates yelling for her and then smiled at him. Slowly she danced, but just in front of him. Her skin was a pure ivory without a mark or blemish. He wanted to catch one of her tight, pink nipples in his teeth. He couldn’t stop himself from stroking his cock through his jeans. He needed release. He needed her. She was the only object in his universe right now.

And at the moment he seemed to be the entire focus of hers.

She stretched across the stage to him, skimming the floor with her naked breasts and belly while doing some sort of naked yoga pose. As the song ended, the club patrons responded with boos. This must not have been her regular routine. The words fell from Micah’s mouth before he could stop them. “Sleep with me.”

The ebony-haired beauty glanced back at the back of the stage as she bit her lower lip. A guy in a designer suit stood at the door beside it with his arms crossed over his chest. His coat was pulled up enough to reveal a silver pistol. Micah couldn’t tell if he flashed it on purpose just to scare her. It seemed like it was working.

She turned her attention back to him. “I’m sorry. I don’t do that sort of thing.”

“It’s all right. I understand.”

She gave him one last smile as the music ended. His mouth might have conceded, but his body sure as hell didn’t. He tried to reason with himself, but the protest faded away. His brain processed only one command. To fuck. It was almost a primal need. And it only wanted her.

He watched her stand and then gather her dress. His eyes never left her as she strode across the stage and vanished behind the curtain. Forcing himself back into his seat, he watched the next couple of dancers. The lust that singed him flamed into an inferno. He cursed as he stood and turned for the door.

Micah spun back as he felt a hand grip his arm. Behind him stood the blonde who danced first. She was dressed in a tight tank top and the shortest shorts he had ever seen. She tugged on him one more time even though she had his attention. “Do you still want to fuck my friend?”

He laughed at the unexpected question but then grew serious. “Yeah.”

“Five hundred dollars.”

“Are you fucking me?”

“Nope. Five hundred. Are you in or out?”

Micah frowned. Five hundred dollars? He didn’t have that kind of coin on him, and he didn’t have a way to get it. He ran his hand through his hair and then clenched his hand on his hip. He was suddenly aware of the wad he had shoved in his back pocket back at the club. He slapped a hand across his ass, finding the envelope Leroy entrusted him with. The money was Caleb’s. It was the rest of his purse from his last fight. He and Meg were having a baby. They could use all the money they could get.

He grinned at the blonde. “Yeah. Tell her I’m in.”

The blonde pointed at the front door. “Meet her at the hotel across the highway in twenty minutes.” She cocked her head to the side as she pulled her arm to herself to twirl a lock of hair between her fingers. “Unless you want a go at me.”

Micah shook his head. “Sorry, sweetheart.”

“Suit yourself. Need condoms?”

“I’m good. Thanks.”

He watched as she bounced across the black painted cement floor until she disappeared behind the curtain. He laughed to himself. “My kind can’t get your shitty human STDs. It might be the only upside to being a werewolf.”

He pulled the envelope from his pocket as an evil grin spread across his face. “Sorry, Cay. I swear I’ll pay you back.” Without another thought, he wove through the club and headed outside.

»»•««

Eve stuffed her gown into her oversized purse and zipped it closed. Normally she took her time hanging it up, so it didn’t wrinkle. It was her favorite to dance in, just enough room to move in but tight enough to let men’s imaginations run wild. But tonight she didn’t care what happened to it. If it wrinkled, she would just iron it or steam it or throw it away and buy a new one. It didn’t fucking matter.

She’d felt that pull inside of her long before her last dance. It was like a tiny python crawled inside her and wrapped itself tight around her heart and soul. It breathed molten fire into her core. She had already had two tiny orgasms just by moving since the little creature took over.

She let out a slow breath. That man.

The moment she laid eyes on him sitting beside the stage, that little shit coiled inside of her moved. It tugged her to him. The thought of wanting, no needing, to have long, intimate sex with the total stranger terrified her. It was all she thought about while she danced. She had no idea where the desire that consumed her came from, but it washed over her like a tidal wave. The whole thing was bizarre. As she danced in front of the mysterious, dark stranger, she lost herself in his deep brown eyes behind his glasses. She wanted to be wrapped tight in those strong arms. She wasn’t embarrassed to admit that she checked out the ridge of his cock hidden by his jeans. If what she detected was true, he had to leave women unable to walk in the morning.

That was the reason she was making tracks out of the club. She almost said yes to sleeping with him. But Deacon was watching. He was already going to be pissed that she danced just for him and not the other degenerates in the club. If he had any idea that Eve wanted to have sex with tall, dark, and sexy, there would be no turning back. He’d wanted her to turn tricks for him for years. It was the only freedom Eve had from him. If she gave in and started hooking for him, Deacon would own her for the rest of her life.

“You gettin’ a drink at the bar, Eve?” The blonde who danced before her strutted across the dressing room wearing a tank top and a pair of jean shorts that left nothing to the imagination. Both were thin enough to make wearing them almost pointless. “I hear Barry has been askin’ about you.”

“Barry is nearly old enough to be my grandpa, Mitzi,” Eve laughed.

“His money spends the same, right? Sweet talk him ’nuff, and he might just go buy you some diamonds.”

Eve slung her purse over her shoulder. “Something’s come up. I’ve got to go.”

Mitzi’s eyes grew wide. “Are you going to go find that hottie you danced for? Deacon’s going to be pissed you danced for just one customer, you know.”

“I’m going home. Just home. And I don’t give a…”

The door of her locker slammed closed in her face. Mitzi squeaked at the noise. Eve gritted her teeth as she raised her head defiantly.

“You don’t give a what, Eve?” Deacon pressed himself against her as he braced his hands on either side of her head, trapping her against the lockers.

Eve glared at him without a word. He bashed his fist into the locker. “You don’t give a what?”

“I don’t give a fuck,” Eve finally answered.

He leaned into her until their noses nearly touched. “I have rules, Eve. Don’t show your attention to just one client unless they’re paying for it. Who the fuck was that guy?”

“Not a clue.”

“What did he ask you?”

“Nothing.”

“Eve, baby. Don’t lie to me. I know you. I’ve fucked you. I know when you’re turned on, and you’re buzzing right now.”

Eve snorted. “You’ve never turned me on. Don’t flatter yourself.”

“Who gave you money for your rent? Who gave you the cash for that piece of shit bike you own?”

“I built that bike from scratch, so fuck you. Who kidnapped me and dragged me here from Vegas? Who tied me up and jammed a needle in my arm until I was so hooked on heroin I couldn’t fucking see straight? The shit you’ve done to me could get you slammed behind bars for life.”

Deacon wrapped his hand around her throat. She swallowed hard as he slightly squeezed. “So call the cops. But let’s face it. They wouldn’t listen to a lowlife junkie like you. I don’t chain you to the wall. You have your own apartment. Go. Go back to Vegas. Oh, wait. You have no family, no friends to go back to. Let’s be honest, Eve. That’s why you use. No one loves you but me. It makes you sad. So you snort to get happy. So let’s talk about that twenty-four-thousand-dollar drug debt you have with me. Remember Daisy? Summer? Remember the way their blood flowed across the floor? You run, and you’ll be next. Now, start paying back that debt.”

Deacon turned his head. The grip he had on Eve’s throat kept her from following. He nodded. “Go catch that guy, Mitzi. Tell him five hundred to fuck Eve. She’ll meet him there in twenty minutes.”

Her voice was a squeak. “Yes, sir.”

Deacon turned this attention back to Eve. “It’s time you start paying back your debt, Eve. Bring me back five hundred dollars in the morning. Understand?”

Eve shuddered in his grasp. It wasn’t from terror of Deacon. It was from the sweet anticipation of the sexy stranger buried deep inside her, the feel of his sculpted body panting against hers. She hated it. She couldn’t agree to Deacon’s demand. She would rather die than belong to him.

The word no died on her tongue as she opened her mouth. The primal need that possessed her spoke instead. “Yes, I understand.”

Deacon’s smile was evil as he let her go. “Good girl. You got twenty minutes. Go.”

Mitzi nearly stumbled through the curtain. She regained her footing and nodded eagerly. “I caught him. He’ll be there.”

Eve glanced from her to Deacon. Without another word, she scooped up her bags and stalked to the back door. For being her last walk of freedom, she ached to get started.