Ruthless Read online

  “Yes.”

  Rand leaned against the wall and crossed his arms over his chest. I guessed him to be as curious as I was as to why Marina had called.

  “I’m calling because I’ve made a cake for a wedding that’s happening tonight. The Barn Cats are to play at the reception, but one of them, Tom, is sick and can’t come. A reception needs a band, and I wondered if you might be able to fill in.”

  I tried to keep up with everything she said. “You want me to replace the Barn Cats?”

  Rand rubbed a hand over the back of his neck and a smile spread across his face.

  “No. I want you to fill in for Tom. Play with the Barn Cats.”

  “Oh. Um…” I blinked at Rand. “She wants me to play with the Barn Cats,” I said to him.

  “You said you fiddled with your uncle.”

  “Yeah, but that was a long time ago,” I countered.

  “What?” Marina asked.

  “Sorry, hang on, okay?” I said to her then lowered my hand to my side with the phone.

  “It would be easy for you, right? You’re better than all of them put together,” he said.

  Was I? I still felt like the worst player in the world based on my professor’s constant critiques. But maybe he was right. This was a small town bluegrass band. “I could play with them, yes.” I doubted I was better though.

  He stroked a knuckle down my cheek. “Do it for fun. Do it for the Barn Cats. You’d be doing them a favor. And the bride and groom.”

  I nodded then put the cell to my ear. “Okay, Marina.”

  “Oh, that’s great. Can you be at the Greystoke Lodge at six?”

  “I’m sure Rand knows where it is.”

  Marina agreed and hung up.

  I touched my hair. “I need a shower and a navigator. I have no idea where I’m going.”

  “You playing the fiddle with the Barn Cats? Red, I wouldn’t miss this fun for anything.”

  Three hours later, we pulled up to a small hotel set beside a pretty curve in the river. It was two stories and sprawling, with a porch and black shutters. Window baskets of red flowers lined the first floor windows. White ribbons circled trees and linked them to form a path toward a patio with about thirty or forty guests. A bar was set up by the hotel’s side entrance, and wait staff were carrying around trays of appetizers. Marina’s pretty wedding cake was on a table by itself in the shade. I couldn’t miss the bride in her pretty dress and cowgirl boots and the groom in his western duds at her side. A wooden archway was covered in white roses, and I had to guess that had been the pretty altar.

  We climbed out, and a woman came our way. She had sleek dark hair pulled back in a ponytail and wore jeans and a black t-shirt that had a drawing of a cake in gold on the front.

  “Hey Rand!” She called but kept her eyes on me. “The real Natalie Sheffield. Love your dress.”

  I was used to wearing black pants or skirt and a white shirt for concerts, but this was Montana, and if the Barn Cats were playing, the wedding wasn’t formal. I’d chosen a long, flowy dress in dark green. Simple but a little bit dressy. I put my hair up, so it didn’t get in my way.

  “So glad to finally meet you. I’m Marina.”

  I nodded at her as I was hugging my violin case. “You, too.”

  “Thanks so much for coming. I’ll introduce you to—” At the sound of men’s voices, she spun about. “Oh, well, nevermind. The guys can introduce themselves.”

  Three men, all of whom I recognized from Cody’s, came my way. “You look like your uncle,” one of them said, a smile on his face. He was big, like a bear with gray hair. “I’m Kurt. This is Sam and Joe.”

  “Hi,” I said. “I think I remember seeing you guys play once when I was little. And the other night, too, at Cody’s.”

  “That right? Well, your uncle played with us until the arthritis in his hands forced him to stop.”

  My eyes widened. “Really?” I had no idea Uncle Adam played in a band. I looked to Rand, who shrugged.

  “Heard you’ve got some skills,” Joe said. He had a mop of white hair that stuck up in a way that reminded me of Doc from Back To The Future.

  Marina had said Audrey had told her that I played. She had no idea if I was good or not. That meant—I looked again at Rand. “You told them about me?”

  He set a hand on my back, gently stroked up and down my spine then winked. “Told them you’re a natural fiddler.”

  “I haven’t done it all that much, but I’ll try my best,” I shared. I’d never fiddled for an audience before and definitely not in a band.

  Kurt patted me on the arm. “You’re going to be great. I know it.”

  How, I had no idea.

  “Since you heard us the other night, you know how we roll. It’s time to set up and get started,” he added, and everyone went down the path to the reception.

  I leaned up and kissed Rand. “Thank you,” I said.

  He smiled. “Darlin’, I won’t ever turn down one of your kisses, but what was the thank you for?”

  “For believing in me.”

  His eyes went all soft. “Always. Now get up there and show everyone how amazing my woman is.”

  I stuck my case under my arm, so I could hold his hand. As we went to join the others, I realized he hadn’t said my mate. No, he’d said my woman. He was trying to do human stuff, to not let his wolf out so much.

  I loved him. I did. And this just proved it.

  Ten minutes later, the Barn Cats started their first song. I had my violin up under my chin and listened for a few seconds, then tapped my toe to the beat. Kurt looked to me, and I started in, adding a layer to the melody. I played simply and in the background for another minute. Then Joe gave me a grin, and I picked it up, getting into the song. Letting it all out. I got into the groove, let the music flow over me. I watched each of the guys, and we found our rhythm. The bride and groom began to dance, others soon joined. Rand pulled Marina—who must’ve been invited to stay since she made the cake—into his arms and did a few expert spins and turns.

  Everyone was clapping and stomping, having a great time. I was having a great time, too. Kurt signaled the song to end. A round of applause kicked up. “Having fun?” Kurt asked me.

  I couldn’t help but grin. “So much fun.”

  “You got a way with that thing,” Joe said. “Might have to make a spot for you in the band.”

  I shook my head. “I’m sure Tom will be feeling better soon.”

  “He will, but you’re joining us. Welcome to the band.”

  It felt good to be wanted like this. No resume. No interview. Nothing fancy. Just acceptance. Kind of like Rand. He’d just known. So had these guys.

  “I’m not sure—”

  “Time to get back to it,” Kurt said, cutting me off. I looked out at the guests who were eager for more.

  I looked to Rand, whose gaze was on me. Only me. He winked as the guys started a new tune.

  This. This right here. I added my violin to the music and let everything go. Didn’t worry about a thing but having fun.

  21

  RAND

  * * *

  Natalie carried out a plate of brownies when I stopped by her place to bring her to the barbeque at Rob’s. Her hair was piled on top of her head in a thick bun, and it nearly made me carry her inside to ravish her before we left. Not that I would’ve said buns did anything for me in the past, but anything Natalie wore or did seemed to turn me on, and every change in her dress or appearance just further enthralled me. And the long slope of her neck made my dick get hard and my mouth water with the urge to mark her.

  My wolf was antsy about bringing her around other wolves when she hadn’t been claimed—even though nearly every wolf who’d be there was mated. And it wasn’t like Nash or Johnny were going to move in on my territory. Nash knew the score, and Johnny was too fucking young.

  Still, logic had nothing to do with the crazy possessive thing I had going at all times for my mate.

  My mate w
ho hadn’t yet accepted she was mine.

  We were getting closer, though, or at least it felt like it. I didn’t know how long it would take her to decide, but I could tell she had feelings for me. She wasn’t snapping at me any longer. She wasn’t eyeing me with doubt. I was learning what made her eyes shine or her expression go soft. She liked that I noticed things about her, when I paid attention. She liked when I was supportive. She liked my help around the house although too much of it made her uncomfortable. She was starting to enjoy my constant presence at closing time at Cody’s. I could see her face light up when I came in, and there was a lightness about her as she flitted behind the bar, stopping often to talk to me or just share a smile.

  It seemed she didn’t like feeling out of balance with me, if I had to guess. She wanted consistency from me. Consistency of putting her first, which wasn’t a hardship and what I’d been doing from the very start. This was a fucking kicker because I was the one out of balance with her, and she had no idea.

  She literally had me by the balls.

  “How many people did you say were going to be there?” she asked, glancing down at the brownies as if there wasn’t enough.

  “Give me a kiss, darlin’,” I said. Part of the consistency was to kiss or touch her all the chances I could get, to know I’d always crave her. It wasn’t a hardship. Fuck, no. I wanted it, too. Wanted her lips, her entire body, all the fucking time.

  She cupped my jaw and gave me that fucking kiss.

  “Not too many, pretty much the Wolf guys and their mates. Clint and Becky. Nash. Oh, Charlie and Levi, too. Don’t be nervous, Red. They already love you,” I assured her.

  She rolled her eyes. “What? They have a nifty reaction to my smell, too?”

  I chuckled. “No, but they know you’re my mate. That means you’re going to be one of us now. As soon as you decide you’re ready.”

  “Ready to let you mark me,” she clarified. Becky and Audrey had shared the marking process with her, and she’d had a lot of questions for me afterward.

  I nodded, watching her face intently for any sign that she was ready.

  She kept a good poker face. I had to will my wolf and my dick back. Again.

  “Anyway, everyone will love you because I do and also because they know I would literally kick their asses if they weren’t on their very best behavior.”

  Natalie smiled. “You’re ridiculous,” she said in that warm way that made me feel as tall as a mountain.

  “Come on.” I held out my hand and took the brownies from her, stealing another kiss before I walked her to my truck. “I can’t wait to show you off.”

  She rolled her eyes again, but the sweetest smile stretched her lips. I opened the truck door for her and helped her in before I walked around to my side. Rob’s house was close enough to walk, but Natalie had her flip flops on that matched a pair of turquoise short shorts. Besides, we were already running late.

  “My parents are going to be there,” I admitted when I climbed in, setting the brownies down on the console between us. I didn’t want to stress her out, but not telling her didn’t seem right either.

  Her hand went to her hair then tugged down the visor to look at herself in the mirror. “What? Eek! I’m not ready for that!”

  I pushed the visor back up. “You look beautiful. They’re really nice and will love you just the way you are.” Like I do. I started the truck and offered her an encouraging smile. “Don’t worry about it. You’re going to have a great time.”

  I was fairly confident that was true, but if truth be told, I was as nervous as she was. What if she didn’t like the pack? My family? My friends? My mom was impossible not to like, but from what Natalie had told me of her parents, I wasn’t sure if she was going to be receptive to a healthy dose of mothering. They were my whole life. Always had been.

  I drove up the road to Rob’s and parked in the front circle with the other trucks. Levi, a long time ranch hand and now Cooper Valley’s new sheriff, and his mate, Charlie, stood out front with Clint and Becky, ogling Lily.

  I parked, went around and opened the door for Natalie. She held the brownies in a tight grip as if it was some kind of shield.

  “Hey guys.” I plucked Lily out of Becky’s arms and tossed my little niece into the air. The baby laughed and shrieked at me, her cherubic face the kind that could melt the wickedest heart. “This is Natalie Sheffield—the real Natalie,” I said with a smile.

  Natalie stuck out her hand and shook Clint’s. I blew a raspberry in Lily’s neck before handing her back to her mother.

  “This is my brother, Clint,” I said, pointing his way. “You’ve already met his mate, Becky.”

  “Hi, again,” Natalie said.

  “And the sheriff here is Levi. His mate, Charlie, is our local veterinarian.”

  They shook hands and shared greetings.

  “Her grandfather is probably wandering around here, somewhere, you’ll meet him, too.”

  “If you see a dog, he’ll be with my grandpa,” Charlie said.

  “So great to meet you,” Clint said. “We’re glad you showed up in Cooper Valley. Didn’t like your place sitting empty every day driving by.”

  “Well, thank you for looking in on it,” Natalie said.

  Clint tipped his hat. “Least we could do. Old Man Sheffield was a good neighbor to us.”

  “Come on, let’s get you a beer.” I steered Natalie into the giant ranch house, down the hall and into the kitchen, where she set the brownies on the long wooden farm table that was already covered with dozens of dishes. No one ever went hungry at a Wolf barbecue.

  Marina was pulling a pan of what smelled like cheesy-biscuits from the oven. “Hi, Natalie! Great to see you again,” she chirped, her face flushed from the heat of the oven. Colton leaned against a wall nearby, arms folded across his chest like he was her personal bodyguard. “This is Colton, and I was telling him just how awesome you were the other night.”

  Natalie shook hands with Colton.

  “Welcome, Natalie. Glad you made it. Based on what Marina said, you need to play for all of us.”

  “Oh, I… uh, didn’t bring my violin.”

  Colton grinned then flicked a glance at me. “Don’t worry. You’ll be around for lots of get togethers. The drinks are in a cooler out back. Help yourself.”

  Natalie offered a relieved smile. “Thanks.”

  My parents walked into the kitchen at that moment and froze. Stared then smiled. Not smiled—but beamed. My mom opened her arms wide. “There she is—”

  I shook my head quickly, trying to signal to her to tone it down.

  “Oops. Too much?” My mom clapped a hand over her mouth and dropped her other arm.

  Natalie laughed and hugged her. “Hi. Nice to meet you. And not too much. I’m not used to so many people wanting to meet me.”

  Although I knew her words were the truth, I couldn’t miss the awkwardness between them.

  “As you probably can guess, this is my mom, Janet, and my dad, Tom.” I went to my mom, kissed her cheek.

  “I’ll take a hug, too,” my dad said, engulfing Natalie in a bear hug. “Any woman who puts up with Rand and his wolf needs a hug.”

  That broke the ice because Natalie actually giggled. If it was at my expense, I didn’t fucking care.

  “Sorry,” I said, tugging her hand to steal her away. “My wolf and I want to show her off.”

  They shooed us out the back door.

  “They’re just excited,” I murmured once outside.

  “For us,” Natalie echoed like she was a little bit in shock.

  “Sorry, darlin’.”

  She squeezed my hand. “No, no. Don’t apologize. They’re sweet. I’m just not used to sweet. My parents are miserable human beings.”

  Yeah, just as I’d thought.

  Willow and Rob were setting up folding chairs around a couple long tables.

  “Natalie!” Willow cried with a wave.

  I leaned in and whispered her name. Nata
lie smiled and walked over to her. “So great to meet you in person.”

  “That’s right, you two talked before Willow came here pretending to be you, right?”

  “Yes, we spoke a few times on the phone setting it up. I guess we do look alike.” Natalie eyed Willow.

  “Well, close enough considering no one around here had seen you since you were ten,” Willow said. “Although my undoing was the violin. That’s how I got made. The Barn Cats were playing here, and they wanted me to get up and play with them.”

  “Oh no!” Natalie clapped a hand over her mouth.

  “Natalie played with them the other night, so she made up for your… shortcomings.”

  Willow rolled her eyes and smacked me on the arm.

  Natalie tipped her face up to me. “Wait… did you meet Willow when she was undercover and think she was me? You’re the one who saw me when I was a kid.”

  “Nope,” I swore. I could tell the idea bothered Natalie, the fact that I might have confused her with Rob’s mate. “I didn’t meet her until it all came out that she wasn’t you. If I had, she definitely wouldn’t have fooled me.” I tapped her on the nose. “You are unforgettable, Red.”

  I winked, and she rolled her eyes and hip checked me.

  Rob came over and looped his arm around Willow’s waist. “Natalie. It’s nice to meet you. The real you—not that it wasn’t even nicer meeting the fake you.” He pulled his mate in tight against his body and breathed in her scent like it was keeping him alive.

  In a way, it was. Unmated alpha wolves ran the danger of moon madness, and word was that Rob had been perilously close to it when Willow showed up. So she literally may have saved his life.

  Natalie laughed and extended her hand. “I’m going to just introduce myself as the real Natalie around here.”

  “Rob Wolf, your neighbor,” Rob said, grasping it.

  “And our alpha,” I filled in even though she already knew that.

  “I understand from Rand you and your uncle have protected our secret for years,” Rob said. “We’re indebted to you.”