Chapter Five
Najha pushed down her sunglasses as she walked out of the hair salon and into the sunshine. Her hair once again straightened and styled for her evening out. The next stop she was about to make was the nail place.
She’d been coming to the Red Dragon now for five years. A girl just needed the hair, nails, and toes done up once in a while.
“Hey, Najha,” Amy, the owner, greeted her as she walked inside.
“How are you?” Najha hugged her.
“Good, good. Long time no see, where you been, girl?” Amy was a small beautiful Asian woman who’d always been welcoming when she took the time to go see her.
“I’m good, been too busy to even do the girly stuff.” It was true, working at the cafe had taken most of her free time as well as being sick or injured. Her training had been amplified now that Thorn agreed she was to become a warrior and help with the cause.
“Come, sit down. Let us get you started.”
Najha sat back and enjoyed the experience.
After her pedicure, she was taken over to the desk for her nails.
“You pick out color?”
“I need to have tips only this time. French manicure all the way. I’m actually wearing a white dress to the party.” It was a lot to get Najha into a dress, but her brother had a way about him that demanded obedience.
“You will be beautiful in your dress. Your beautiful skin, long black hair, and beautiful jade eyes. You’ll be screaming fuck me to eligible bachelors here on Bainbridge Island.”
Amy’s voice lulled her into a relaxed mood. “Oh stop, I’m not that kind of girl.”
“I know; you need to get rid of your virginity first.”
Najha chuckled. Yes, Amy knew this secret, it had come up once or twice in their chats.
Another technician walked up to Amy. “Ma’am, can you squeeze in Mrs. Muggels?”
“Certainly, see if she can come at noon.” Amy used her file and started on her nails.
“Okay, noon, I’ll schedule her.” The other technician seemed nervous as she walked away.
“She okay?” Najha pointed.
“No, she is new, but not cut out for this business, too shy.” Amy had been known to give the girls a chance right out of school. If they didn’t cut it, she asked them to leave. It wasn’t good for business otherwise.
“Sorry, I know you hate letting anyone go.”
Amy nodded. “Yeah, it sucks. How long you in town for?”
“Just three days. Jonas has a party I’m helping him with. Wants me to co-host it with him. A new deal, I guess.” Not going first to her brother’s, Najha hadn’t really heard yet what it was all about.
“So, that’s why all these crazy, rich women want appointment today. When is this event?”
“Tomorrow night.” Her nails took longer than they were supposed to because both Amy and Najha talked too much.
After paying for the work and a generous tip, Najha hugged and kissed Amy on the cheek. “Have a great day. Thank you, I once again, look like a girl.” She held up her newly manicured long nails, then raised her flip-flopped newly pedicured foot, and twirled around showing off her new hairstyle, Najha was happy with the turnout.
“You’ve always looked like a girl. With a rack that size,”—Amy pointed to her breasts—“and beautiful model perfect face. Najha, who the hell are you kidding? Knock’em dead tomorrow night.”
Feeling better about herself, she walked the few remaining blocks to her motorcycle. Driving the short distance of a mile or two, she’d worn the flip-flops. Not wanting to ruin her nails either, she would have to go slow.
Parking in Jonas’ driveway, she grabbed her pack from the saddlebags and headed toward the front door.
Before reaching it, Jonas greeted her. “Sis.” He ran down the steps grabbing her pack. “You look amazing, beautiful, and stunning! If you weren’t my sister, damn, I would have to consider jumping back over the fence.” He hugged her to him.
“Yeah, right.” She frowned. Her brother constantly joked about his sexual preferences. “Let me in, you dork.”
Guiding her with his arm around her, they walked up the stairs.
After settling her things in the guest bedroom, she was hungry, so she decided to see if Jonas wanted to go out and eat or stay in. She would even offer to cook.
“I can’t keep doing this, Jonas.”
The intense conversation stopped her at the kitchen’s entryway.
“Shush, my sister.” Jonas walked over to show her he’d probably scented her first, waving her in. “Come on in, you already heard him.”
‘Shit, Jonas, really?’
‘Enough!’ he scolded her through their very own private path.
‘What, he doesn’t know?’ she asked before proceeding into the kitchen to meet his newest partner. “Hi, my name is Najha.” She stretched out her hand in greeting to the beautiful, and when she really put her thoughts to it—pretty man standing at the counter.
“Hi, the name is Simona.” His head was shaved in a fade, with eye, lip makeup, and cleavage she’d only dreamt of.
A female name? Najha doubted her ability to rationalize if this person was a guy or girl. “It’s nice to meet you, Simona.”
“No, no, darling, it’s all my pleasure. I’ve heard so much about you.” He looked over at Jonas. “Love, you’ve never mentioned how exotic, exquisite, delightful, and pleasing to the eye she is.” Simona pulled her into his arms. “How nice it is to finally meet you, my lovely.”
Breathing deeply, Najha took in the man’s entire scent. He was human, his pheromones were both man and woman, but there was something off about the entire individual. “I’m so sorry, did I interrupt something?” Najha pulled away and walked over to her brother. Looking up she witnessed his expression of grief, unhappiness, and sadness.
“Yes, yes you did, my dear.” Simona sighed.
The melodramatics were just a little too much drama for her to enjoy being around. What did Jonas see in him?
‘Najha, ‘til you hear everything, don’t judge,’ her brother whispered in her mind.
‘What the hell is wrong with this dude?’ She could instantly know a person and their history by her nose, this guy was too much of something for her to get the whole picture.
“I needed to tell Jonas here, I was almost done completing my sex change surgery next month. I’ve decided to go overseas to have it done. You know. The money and all.”
“Bullshit, Simona here isn’t happy in who he is and hasn’t been for a long time.” Jonas pushed off the counter he’d been leaning on.
“Well, if you’d just supported me in this.” Simona used his hands and waved them up and down his body, dressed in tight skinny jeans and a too tight t-shirt, showing off his breasts which were larger than hers.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I’ll let you be, I’m going to the pier to get dinner, and will you both be joining me for dinner?” Najha pulled her hair back and bound it up in the scarf she’d been holding onto. Her thick tresses were giving her problems, but she struggled to get the mess out of her face and not whipping around her head, destroying the newly styled hair.
“Let me help you, dear.” Simona walked over to her and grabbed hold of the binder then her long hair, pulling it tight and wrapping it up until he was happy putting the binder on…done perfectly and it wouldn’t slip out of the bun.
What a wonderful individual and talented. Najha backed away turning toward him. “Thank you, you are amazing.”
“Well, honey, it is what I do for a living.”
This comment surprised Najha, she knew Jonas’ partner worked for their company. “Oh really?” She raised her brow to her brother, who was leaning up against the table, looking smug as a cat who’d just ate the family’s pet mouse.
“Oh, my gosh.” He smothered a feminine giggle with his hand. The man should’ve been born a girl.
“Am I missing something?” Najha frowned.
Her brother coughed first, then threw back his head laughing. “Yes, you definitely messed up on this one completely.”
“What?” Najha asked.
“Oh, no, darling, I sure ain’t his sugar.” Simona walked over to her.
Just before the transgender man said anything more, she heard an outside door open then click shut.
“Honey, I’m home,” a deep male voice yelled out. Shoes kicked off, then stocking feet trod lightly on the beautiful dark hardwood floors leading to the kitchen. “Hello.” A well-dressed man walked into the kitchen.
It wasn’t what he looked like, it was how he walked, talked, and greeted her brother—Najha found herself being star-stricken.
He stalked her brother, reached him and commanded his attention with as little as a small kiss on Jonas’ lips.
Najha’s body heated, every sensory nerve fired up, this man was power—plain and simple.
Jonas stepped away first, then turned to her. “Najha, I would like for you to meet, Grainger Luzzatto, my—”
“No need, love.” Grainger turned, as his powerful well-muscled body with easy grace and a commanding air of self-confidence, moved toward her. He lifted her hand and kissed it. “Najha, it is a pleasure to finally meet you.” The rich outlines of his shoulders strained against the fabric of his suit coat as he waited, holding her hand for a short moment.
Finally, she recovered enough to answer him. She shook her head and surrounded him with her arms. “We hug in our family. Granger, it’s a pleasure,” she whispered. When they separated, she couldn’t help but notice his beautiful, haunting dark eyes, framed with a dark eyeliner which only enhanced his handsome square face, and his full lips held a smile that only showed off his perfect white teeth.
“Najha, your brother has told me all about his baby sister.” He turned to Jonas. “But he forgot to inform me what a beauty you are. Can I be bold enough to ask, are you a white mixed with a little dab of Asian or Hispanic?” He held his thumb and finger apart an inch.
She glared toward Jonas, not sure what to say to this man who had questions nobody dared ask her before.
Her brother stepped forward and put his arm around her shoulders.
It immediately calmed her with the warmth of his lycan settling in and around her.
“Najha is my half-sister. Her mother is Asian. Yes, she is a beautifully mixed individual. It is rude of you to question her though like this.”
“Oh geez, I’m so sorry. I just found it very curious that you two weren’t full siblings. Your father must have been quite a catch?” Grainger’s dark, curly hair cut short had a few stray pieces fall down over his forehead.
When he reached up to push and straighten the locks, she immediately saw the pure raw power that coiled within the man.
“Come, Grainger, please go get dressed. We need to leave soon.”
“Of course, I’m sorry for intruding on your visit. I’ll see you upstairs shortly?” he questioned her brother.
This man wasn’t lycan, but something about him had Najha’s warning signals blaring loud and clear.
When he walked away from her toward Jonas, his body spoke animalistic-like, almost creepy spider or coiled snake. Tattoos disappeared down his neck into a white button dress shirt. He ripped off a black silk tie throwing it on the counter. “It was a long day. Simona, what are you up to today? More plastic or therapy?”
“Oh stop, handsome. I’m done with all that jazz, just waiting on the final decision and of course, insurance.” Simona pouted then her bright red lips puckered and smacked together. “I should go home. We’ll take up this argument another time?”
Najha followed her brother as he walked Simona to the front door. “Come by any time, I’m always open to discussion.”
“Don’t you worry none, beautiful. I’ll be by sometime next week. Najha, a pleasure meeting you.” Simona kissed her cheek.
“Nice to meet you. Are you coming to the party tomorrow?” The frown from her brother told her Simona wasn’t invited.
“I’m not among his group of people, dear.” He pointed to Grainger.
“That’s not true, and you know it. You’re a good friend. This is business.” Jonas opened the outside door letting Simona out.
Simona sauntered down the stairs, turned and waved, blowing a kiss. “I’ll see you soon kiddies.”
“Bye,” Najha and Jonas said together.
Najha turned and pointed with her thumb. “What’s up with him?”
Her brother pushed the door shut after they reentered the house. “That…would take too long to explain.” Jonas laughed.
Following him to the kitchen, she asked, “You hungry?”
“Yeah, Grainger and I are taking you to the restaurant.” Jonas rinsed out two coffee cups from the counter, placing them in the drainer.
She looked around for the other man, then asked, “He’s very handsome, but—”
Jonas put his finger over her mouth. “Don’t.”
“Okay?” She felt even more perplexed.
“Hey, you ready?” Grainger walked back into the kitchen. He was dressed entirely different, changing his demeanor and appearance. A black t-shirt, sleeves rolled up, exposing full-sleeved tats. Expensive gold watch on his wrist, his only bling. Designer navy blue jeans fit his tight muscular ass and legs like a second skin. Boots adorned his feet.
“Yes, I’m ready.” Jonas was also dressed casual but elegant. He liked his expensive designer clothing and items. But he did make a lot of money. He was considered a billionaire by human standards. Jonas spoiled himself, his family, and friends. Her brother used some of his money to take care of the lycan, but he’d always took care of himself first. Not skimping on material items, Jonas lived in an expensive house, had fast cars and expensive toys. He’d refused to stay in Shades Run, not only because their father didn’t agree with Jonas being gay, but he also didn’t like or want to be on a motorcycle or in leather. It just wasn’t Jonas. “Najha, are you going like that?” Jonas pointed to her blouse and jeans.
They were clean, and she felt comfortable. Pulling her blouse out from her waistband, she asked, “Is this okay?”
“You’re fine. It’s my home away from here.” Grainger smiled. The feral look in his eyes turned them from dark to slits back to dark.
‘What the …?’
‘Don’t!’ Jonas sounded in her mind.
Najha gripped her temples and pushed on them. He’d caused her pain and a throbbing headache.
Her brother walked up and put his arms around her, his warmth and love soothing the pain immediately.
She raised her brow and stared at him.
He shook his head. “Are you ready then?”
She nodded. “Let’s do this. I’m hungry.” She rubbed her stomach.
The men led the way out of the house.
Jonas opened the door. “After you two.” He waved.
She stopped on the top step staring down at a long stretched Humvee limo. “Oh, hell no,” she mumbled.
“Yep, we’re taking you around Bainbridge Island and to our new restaurant.” Jonas smiled and held his elbow crooked. “Come on, Najha, have a little fun.”
“Okay, I suppose.”
Before they reached the car, a man dressed in a black suit, stepped around and pulled the back door open. “Ma’am, Mr. Andreiko, and Mr. Grainger, it’s a pleasure.”
Jonas stepped forward, waving. “After you, Najha.”
“Wow, service.” She folded her petite body inside. Two seats were facing each other, she took the one with her back to the tail end of the car.
Both Grainger and Jonas settled in across from her.
Najha smiled. “This is fancy.”
“Yeah, sometimes I like to enjoy myself, don’t want to drive.” Grainger sat back against the seat next to her brother.
They seemed happy…Najha wanted nothing else for her brother. “Tell me what do you do for fun around here?”
“We’ve been busy getting the new restaurants up and running.” Jonas smiled.
“Tell me about this new business adventure?” she asked.
“Well, Grainger here is a five-star chef. He originally came to my company to seek an investment partner. After we started dating, I took the opportunity to look at what he offered. I liked what I saw and enjoy his fine food. I put forward my own money into the expansion project.” Jonas didn’t often sacrifice his own money for anyone. He sent as much as he could to their people but kept most of it for himself and his needs. He didn’t invest unless it was a for sure thing.
Najha gazed out the window at the passing scenery, they were heading toward the business district of Bainbridge. Grainger seemed to speak freely about what he was thinking. A nice enough gentleman who surprised her. All maleness about him screamed Alpha, so it was startling to see her brother, also an Alpha, with someone this dominant. Her brother’s lover was some kind of shifter, he must be…Najah just couldn’t put her finger on it. Her brother didn’t want her to pry at it either. She shrugged. So, I won’t. “This party tomorrow is for?”
“Jonas being kind enough invited his peers, partners, and business associates, along with you, Najha, to the opening of my very own Bainbridge, Italian restaurant. Luzzatto’s Bistro & Pizzeria. This is the fifth restaurant I’ve opened and by far, the most expensive.”
“Where are the others?”
“Seattle, New York, Minneapolis, and Tacoma. I moved here last year, the real estate is expensive, and I didn’t have enough capital to get it off the ground.” Grainger leaned over and handed her a folder.
Opening it, there was a large brochure with pictures of a new building with his logo across the top. Information about the business lined the other side. “What are your plans if this doesn’t go as planned?” Why she was questioning the success of their endeavor, Najha had no idea.
“It will.” Jonas leaned forward and pulled the lever on the door, admitting them to the outside.
The car had apparently stopped, and Najha hadn’t been paying attention, her mind so engrossed in the information lying in front of her. She hoped her brother knew what he was doing.
After an amazing dinner at the new, still unopened restaurant, then returning back to Jonas’ house, Najha made her way to bed with a full stomach and more information than she needed. Tired, she laid in her bed with her brain and eyes still wide awake. Everything else needed sleep.
‘Why can’t you sleep’? A deep male voice whispered, her mind path finding him, awakening something only he created. It was hot, steamy, sexy, and definitely a no-no. Lucien was dangerous to her hormones.
‘Why do you not sleep? How are you my secret admirer or a stalker?’ She laughed silently in her mind, not wanting to wake her brother or Grainger.
‘Oh, definitely a stalker,’ he teased.
‘I’m scared.’
Her melodramatics only encouraged him more.
‘What is a sexual fantasy you’ve dreamt of having?’
His question caused her clit to spasm as it increased her excitement and sexual desire only he could create. ‘I have no idea what I should dream about with a man such as you. I don’t usually kiss and tell.’
‘Just a little something to put me to sleep.’
His deep, calming voice stirred her pussy to dampen and increase her want for him. She’d had a great day and enjoyed talking to him this way. ‘Lucien, I’m not sure what you want to know, but I can tell you I’m touching my pussy. Now, I’m licking my fingers, and I want something hard…’
He moaned. ‘Tell me, have you ever had a man put his cock inside you?’
‘That, sir, is none of your business.’ Trying to remain light and teasing, she went on, ‘I mean, if you really need to know, I will tell you, but I must warn you, you might not like it.’
‘Oh, it is something I really need to know. Tell me!’ he growled.
‘Did you just growl at me?’ She tried to gently push her way into his memories. Najha knew she was risking everything, but her mind wasn’t functioning well with him constantly working his way into her heart. What the hell was she going to do? Falling in love wasn’t an option.
They seemed to be opening to each other, and that was going to get her killed. Thorn wasn’t going to allow the match between them. And it saddened her drastically. She wanted to give him something. Her light was what his darkness needed for him to live on and not suffer any longer. She attempted to lightly push warmth and brightness into him.
‘Love, how do you know what I need?’
‘I feel the darkness creeping through you. I want to give…’ What was she doing? Angry with herself for letting it get this far, she tried to slowly remove herself from his mind. But he must have known she was trying to leave him because the pain of their battle for wills struck her hard and fast. She bent over and grabbed the sides of her head. A wall slammed down, as piercing pain ripped through her brain, shoving her out of his mind. ‘You’re mean. That fucking hurt. Why in the hell did you do that?’ She hoped her spell held up and Lucien hadn’t figured out what she was.
He growled, ‘Don’t ever do that again! How does a human have such a talent as you do, Najha?’
Oh yes, he was back, this time demanding, arrogant, who was this bastard? Certainly not the man she was just flirting with. Taking her time, her shields enforced stronger. Her lycan waited below the surface for her protection. ‘I didn’t do anything. But you did. Why would you hurt me so?’ She tried to show him the pain he’d caused. ‘See?’ She sent the pain back at him, this time she pushed harder to see if she could get a little further inside his memories.
‘If you want to see my memories, just ask. I didn’t give you permission to enter my thoughts or memories because you haven’t allowed me to see yours. What are you hiding, Najha?’ His thick accent seemed even stronger than normal. She couldn’t keep the spell much longer. Her barriers were slipping. The weakness and tiredness had crept up on her. She needed to hunt and feed. ‘I must go now, I’m sorry.’
‘No!’ Lucien shouted surprising her. He was so bossy.
She chuckled. ‘I’ll talk to you soon.’
‘Where are you?’ Would he go to Thorn and question him about the human girl who’d worked at Ruby’s? Biting down on her fist, she tried to calm her fears and come up with something for this intelligent man. Slipping out of bed toward the window, she sat down and stared into the night. Puget Sound behind Jonas’ house calmed her nerves. Why was she connected to this man?
Wanting the answers, she held up her hands, weaving a spell. ‘Protect me, this being must not know what I am, with this spell cloud me in your loving arms and keep my true identity from him.’
Inhaling the fresh air, Najha calmed her body, relaxing from head to toe. Next, she became light, a healer herself, magic was second nature to her. No need to even think about it, she built stronger and safer walls around her memories, identity, and thoughts.
Reaching out again, she found the single thread leading her to Lucien. Asking permission this time, ‘I’m sorry, I’m not sure what you are accusing me of, it wasn’t intentional that I promise. I’m visiting family. I’ll be home soon.’’
‘I forgive you. Can you answer the question I asked? How can you speak to me this way?’
‘I don’t know. I’ve been able since I was a small child to hear others in their own minds. I’ve been able to see the good and the bad. Can you tell me? Are we connected?’
‘Do you believe we are?’
‘I don’t know. But when I’m in the same room with you, I can’t stop thinking about you.’ Why was she telling him these things? Did he wind a spell around her? Was this a trick for Lucien to discover who she really was?
‘You can’t hide your identity from me.’
He was right, how stupid did she think this five hundred and some year-old vampire was? ‘Lucien, tell me something special about you, please?’ She tried a different approach. If he thought she was a normal young human, maybe he wouldn’t try to keep pushing his way into her memories and thoughts. She could feel the pressure of him trying to.
Najha was losing her battle of self-will and became anxious and nervous. She quickly checked the protection spell and weaved the human covering spell just for precaution. Her father was going to be furious if this backfired on her.
‘Okay, I’ll play. I have power most others don’t have.’
‘What makes you so special, over other men?’ She felt proud of herself for asking this particular question.
‘I am different.’
His cockiness didn’t bother her, only excited her more.
‘Okay, I speak to only a few this way, because my mother is a gypsy and we learned it as children. It’s part of my people. I guess some would say we’re magic.’
Najha chuckled. ‘Magic, that’s silly.’
‘You are friends with Jayden?’
‘Yes, Jayden is a very special friend to me. Since she married Thorn though, we don’t spend much time together, and she’s a little different. I’m not sure what’s wrong with her?’ She was proud of herself for coming up with this answer, as she knew very well Jayden had been turned to lycan by her father. Then she added, ‘I do know Jayden is from a gypsy family as well. You should see if you’re related?’
‘Oh, we’ve already figured that one out. We are related. She is the daughter of my butler and housekeeper.’ Lucien was telling half-truths. His way of going around the answer was genius.
She was enjoying their conversation. It made her feel good inside. Her lycan was calm and happy. The wolf needed her mate even more than she did. He was actually pleasant to converse with. Once she stopped being paranoid, bantering back and forth with him, getting to know their likes and dislikes was actually fun, and she didn’t realize how fast the time flew by until she peeked outside and the sun was rising up on the horizon.
‘Call of the Wild or Large Cats?’ she questioned.
‘Oh, definitely, Large Cats,’ he teased. ‘American Pit Bulls or French Bull Dogs?’ he asked her.
‘That’s easy, Pit Bulls, much larger and meaner.’
‘Not true, have you ever had one lick you aggressively? French Bull Dogs can beat the other anytime.’ Lucien’s joy was apparent in all his answers. He was a man she could stay up all night and talk to.
‘Look, I have a big day tomorrow. I need my sleep. Can’t go to a party with bags under my eyes. Lucien, this was fun. Thank you.’
‘Maybe another time then. Sleep well, my love.’
The love part shocked the hell out of her, she leaped out of bed landing on her feet and hands. ‘Love? Why do you say stuff like that?’
‘I speak to all women that way. You are no more special than the next. I do apologize and didn’t mean to offend you.’
His statement crushed her young heart. ‘Well whatever, good night.’ She pushed him out of her mind, building those walls up once again, swearing to never let him in again.
This just wasn’t going to happen, again. A lycan shouldn’t or couldn’t ever be with a vampire. It was against the law of her people. Why did his statement about other women carve such a large chunk out of her heart?
Sleep was a long time coming for Najha. Toward sunrise, she finally drifted off, trying not to let her emotions get in the way of what was the right way for her and the lycan. Not ever talking to Lucien again—being the only answer.