Force of Nature (5 page)

Comfort in this apartment had been someone’s priority.

Phil told her she could move right into the apartment and the bar could be opened in as little as a month. She decided to do just that. She could live up here and work on the lower area as needed. She went to the bed and sat down.

CJ hadn’t lived anywhere that was her own for so long, not since she’d been in college. And then it was only in an apartment that she shared with seven other girls. She decided to stay there tonight and maybe for the rest of her life. Depressed more than she wanted to admit, she got up and went to her new car.

Car, she thought as she locked up the bar, was a gross overstatement of what she’d ended up with. The big monster SUV had been hers the moment she’d seen it. Black and sleek, she didn’t even look at anything else. But she did have the good sense to know how to haggle. Leaving the lot with the thing had been a major accomplishment to her and getting it for twenty grand under sticker had her happy as well. Phil told her he was going to take her with him the next time his car went in for repairs. Maybe she’d get the mechanic to stop charging him so much. CJ decided to buy him the little red sports car he kept glancing and trying hard not to drool at. It was the least she could do after all he’d done for her.

The malls were still open, lucky for her. She had so much fun playing in all the stores, she’d spent way too much money. She bought so much stuff at the kitchen store that it was tricky getting it all in her car. The bed and bathroom place had been very nice in that she was able to get all her needs there before going on to the furniture store. By tomorrow afternoon, she’d have her living room ready to use. She had to come back with someone who knew about televisions and computers, but she was confident that she’d done well on the small laptop and the portable TV for the kitchen. By the time she’d unloaded all the boxes and bags, it was well after midnight. She was just putting the comforter on the bed when her cell went off.

“I just drove by and saw your lights on. I’m guessing you like the place.” Phil sounded very pleased with himself.

“Yes, I do. Come back and see what I bought. You are not going to believe how much I spent tonight. I’ll order us a pizza.”

“Can’t. I have an early court in the morning. Tomorrow night it’s a date and I don’t want pizza. How much begging would I have to do to get a home cooked meal out of you?” She laughed at his pleading tone.

“Not much. How does…no, I won’t tell you. You come over and come hungry. I’ll make your favorite desert, though. How about carrot cake with cream cheese frosting?”

“How about I marry you and you simply cook for me for the rest of my life? However, if you cook like that all the time, then I won’t live all that long. What time?”

They agreed about a time and she nearly hung up when he stopped her. “I had the rig moved today. That Force guy is aptly named. He wants to talk to you. I sort of told him you were out of town. I don’t know what he meant, but he seemed to think that the two of you have unfinished business and was pissed when I told him. Do you think he’ll hurt you because you popped him in the nose?”

CJ didn’t know for sure. He didn’t seem like the violent type, but then neither had her father.

She finished putting the tea maker together to brew a pot of tea before she answered.

“No. I don’t know why I think that, but I do. He was pissed about talking to me? What does he want?”

“Don’t know, love, but he will probably put off signing off on the house until you do. Want me to set something up? It won’t be until after the weekend.” She heard his car door shut and knew he was home.

“No, not now. If he persists then yeah, but not now. If he doesn’t want the house then I’m sure we can find another buyer for it.” She looked out the window and down into the parking lot.

Her rig was sitting there under the lights. “Phil, don’t sell the rig just yet. I might not like this stationary living.”

After she’d hung up, she went to the bedroom. She couldn’t sleep. Thoughts of Austin and him pressing her against the wall kept her awake. Finally, she got up and went into the kitchen and brewed herself a cup of tea. The man was going to drive her crazy, she just knew it.

~Chapter Five~

Austin worked until he couldn’t stand up anymore. His fingers hurt and his back was killing him. He’d gotten the chairs done for the Anderson order and the table just needed another coat of gloss. He ran his hand over the smooth surface of the seat. Eight chairs and two more with arms was a big gathering. He was pleased with the work and had enough wood left over that he made a small cabinet and sink for the little girl they had. He loved making things for children and couldn’t wait to do so for some of his own pack members—as soon as he got a few anyway, he thought with a grin.

He made furniture and anything else that had to do with wood. He loved to design his own stuff and never tired of thinking up new ways of blending different types of woods together to make it unique.

Force Enterprise had been his father’s business and he and his brothers had all worked for him and with him for years. Force made furniture to last. And it also relaxed him to pull something out of the wood and make it into something.

When his father had been killed ten years ago by a drunk driver, Austin had decided to move on. His mom and family had come with him. He’d never looked back, on the other pack or his life he’d left behind. Austin was just closing up when someone tapped him on the shoulder.

He turned to find his sister standing there a huge grin on her face and her arms opened wide.

Picking her up, he swung her around until she begged him to put her down.

“So, did you miss me? I know I did you. Mom said that you found your mate and that you’ve decided you’re too good for her.” Holly grinned at him as he put his arm around her and walked to the house with her. “She also said she beat the snot out of you for trying to mark her.”

“Mom talks too much. I did not say I was too good for her, but she’s Webber’s daughter. I would think she of all people would understand that bit of news.”

Webber had shot Dallas one night. Dallas had been out for a quick run about six months ago and had come home with a bullet in his leg. The she-wolf he was with hadn’t fared so well.

She’d died at the hospital a few hours later. Webber had told everyone he knew that she’d been a werewolf and that’s why he’d shot her. Dallas still blamed himself for her death. The trial had never been started because Webber himself had died before it could begin.

“Don’t know, big brother, just telling you what I heard. Is she pretty? Will I like her?” Holly winked at him before she danced away with a grin. “I’m going to love her, I just know it.”

Austin looked over at the house top that CJ lived in. He had been by the house three times in the past two days and still hadn’t seen her. The rig was gone and he’d found himself driving around trying to find it parked somewhere. He wanted to talk to her and he wasn’t happy that her lawyer wasn’t doing what he’d wanted. Tomorrow was Thanksgiving and he wanted her to meet his family. Frustrated with himself, he tried again to tell himself that he didn’t want to see her only to make stupid plans like having her over for dinner in the next breath.

He looked at his cell when a text came through. It was his brother Dallas. He nearly leapt with joy when he read what he’d sent.

“Found her. She’s at the bar
The Jewel
. Remember the job we did for old man Carson? She has the apartment upstairs. Good luck.”

Austin rounded the house and went to the garage. He’d explain later and was out on the street when he stopped and answered his brother.

“Thanks. Coming home or do I have to come and kick your ass again?”

His phone rang when he sent it. “No, I’ll be there. I have a few things to work out before I can leave.” Dallas had something on his mind and Austin knew it.

“Tell me. You know you want to so spill it.” He drove toward the bar with the headset on and waited.

“I did a little background on your mate. You should know that her father made quite a scene a few years back. He hated CJ. I don’t mean in the ‘I wanted a son and have you,’ but really hated the girl kind of hate. He apparently beat her mom because she’d had the nerve to get ‘with child,’ as he’d told the courts, and he’d not wanted a kid. He hit CJ at her mom’s funeral and told her he never wanted to see her again.”

Austin pulled over to the side of the road. “Why? Why did he hate her? I mean, I can see him hating the woman…well, not really. A child, Dallas. Why would a man not want a child?”

“He seemed to think with a kid he’d not inherit anything from the family, her mom’s family, not his. He was more of a bastard than we’d thought.”

For his brother to say that, it meant a lot. Dallas had sworn that he’d hate the man until his dying day. Unfortunately, the man died before Dallas had a chance to see him brought to trial.

“Are you going to bring what you have with you tonight? I’d like to read it all. I’m…I’m not saying that I’m going to mate with her, but I do plan to see her. We have to talk.”

Austin wasn’t happy when his brother snorted, but chose to ignore it. After several more minutes of conversation where neither of them said much, Austin told his brother he’d see him tonight. Austin started up the car again and pulled out into traffic. He pulled up in the parking lot of the bar five minutes later.

There were two cars in the lot; he didn’t know either. One was a small red sports car the other a monster of an SUV, both with temporary tags. He went around to the stairs he knew were in the back and climbed them. He was just about to knock when the door was opened. Phil Campbell stood there with a huge grin on his face.

“She’s in the bathroom. I’m betting she doesn’t know you found her yet, huh?” Austin looked at the man, wondering what he meant. “Oh I know your brother found her. Had I not wanted him to, he wouldn’t have. Come in.”

Austin walked in the door and looked around. She’d made it hers. There was brilliant color everywhere including the kitchen where they now stood. He walked over to the living room area and ran his hand along the soft blanket that lay on the back of the couch. Austin turned to look at Phil.

“You helped him how exactly? And what the hell are you doing here all cozy?” Austin flushed when Phil laughed. “Sorry, that didn’t come out right.”

“I didn’t hide her in tons of paper work and false names. That’s how her father never found her. I’ve been around enough to know how to do that. As for me being cozy? She’s not my mate, but my friend. You’d do well to remember that, wolf.”

Austin felt the small surge of power from man before him. “Vampire. You’re a vamp. I don’t understand. How is that even possible?”

“I’m assuming that you mean ‘how am I a day walker’ and not that you don’t believe I can exist. My mother is a vampire, father is human. I got just enough of his DNA to allow it. And before you ask, no, CJ doesn’t know. I wasn’t sure at first how to tell her and then…” Phil shrugged. “Then it didn’t seem necessary. Have you told her what you are and what you are to her?”

“No. I’m not even sure I want her to be my mate yet. I need…her father was Charles Webber and he did—”

“Yes, I know. But you should also know that he did worse to her. He never liked her. He wanted her dead from the very beginning. Her mom, Rebecca, was a wonderful woman if a little on the whiny side. She should have stood up to him. Instead, she let her health go in the hopes that he’d kill her and she wouldn’t suffer any more. Unfortunately, or in this case, fortunately, CJ

found out and his true colors were shown.” Phil sat down. “She’s coming now and for your own good, I’d avoid the topic of me.”

Austin turned to the voice coming down the hall. He never stopped being surprised by her beauty and grace. She was on the phone and only seemed to pause a second before she continued on with her conversation. He sat down at the table with the vamp and waited.

~~~

CJ didn’t want either man here, but didn’t want to kick Phil out on his ear. He had brought her a house warming gift. She just wasn’t sure if she should have him return it yet or if she was going to keep it. Brice Preston came back on the phone.

“Okay, CJ. I got a run going out…nope, won’t work. They want a driver with our rig. Can’t make that work. I do have…shit, that won’t work either. I tell you, girl, if you’d called me two days ago, I’d a had you all kinds of work.”

CJ ignored both men as she pulled a pitcher of tea out of the refrigerator. She wasn’t going to be polite and offer either of them one when Austin stood up and got out two more glasses and poured him and Phil a glass. She was so frustrated she felt her teeth grind.

“What about after the holiday? Maybe I could take a few long distances for you. I have a sleeper cab and my permits are all caught up for crossing over lines.” CJ turned away from Austin’s raised brow. “I could even leave tomorrow if you need something.”

“Well…let me get back to you on that. I do have some short hops we can let you take out.

You know how much the others hate them things. I can see if one of the drivers want to give up a few for ya. Can I call you…say on Friday? I’ll have things all firmed up for you then.”

“Sure, Brice, that’ll be great. I guess stationary life isn’t what I’d thought it would be.” She took out a pen and wrote a maybe next to Brice’s name for runs. “I’ll look forward to hearing from you.”

When they hung up, she stood with her back to the two men in her kitchen and took a deep breath. When she turned around, she thought she had better control over herself. She was wrong.

“I don’t suppose you’re making plans to visit an uncle, are you? Because as far as you leaving on a long haul, that’s so not going to happen.” Austin looked over at Phil when he snickered. “What?”

“I think he’s trying to tell you to shut up.” She picked up both men’s coats and held them out. “I’m very happy you both stopped by, but as you can see, I have everything under control and I no longer need a father figure.”

They didn’t move. She wanted to stomp her foot and demand that they get out, but she was pretty sure she’d only make herself look foolish. She dropped the coats back on the chair and stalked toward the hall again.