Keeping Cambria (8 page)

She narrowed her eyes. “I thought you were in charge of this crew, that I could negotiate my safe exit out the door. I can’t take on all of them. But if I had known you were their brother, I would already have killed you.” She stood up, assisted by his brothers.

He didn’t miss the fact that neither offered to help him up. He stood and brushed the dirt off his jeans. The next thing he knew, Viper landed a left to his jaw. He stumbled back, but remained on his feet and rubbed his face. “I deserved that,” he replied.

“If you weren’t my brother, I’d kill you,” said Viper.

“And if I wasn’t your brother, this whole scenario would have played out differently, understand?”

Judge wouldn’t apologize for having a little fun. Hell, she’d damaged him, not the other way around, but he would apologize because she deserved it. “Cambria. I’m sorry for toying with you. I would never hurt my brothers’ mate.”

She glared at him and didn’t say anything, but her weariness beat against all the vampires and werewolves in there. Venom and Viper needed to put her to bed—to sleep.

He headed for the door but paused and turned. “Remember, Cambria. You really didn’t beat me, because you are my brothers’ mate, and I couldn’t do anything but defend myself.”

She charged at him, but Venom caught her. Both of his brothers glared, but he just traced out of there.

He needed to fuck.

Chapter Five

Venom mentally told Gabe to find a damn car. He held Cambria up, her pain scraping down his souls. His beasts prowled, pushing him to kick Judge’s ass, but he, the man, didn’t want to. He knew Judge had agreed, like all the other men, to keep her wherever they found her unless her life was in danger.

Judge was the master manipulator, had pushed them too far before, but he’d purposely placed his body against her back, had physically touched her. That alone was a killing offense in the werewolf and vampire communities. She reeked of Judge, but they couldn’t fault him because his scent was on her front. Hell, she’d thrown herself at their brother. But why hadn’t Judge read her mind, known what she had planned and avoided her?

He’d also terrified her instead of trying to comfort her. But she had done the unthinkable and challenged him, and that’s all it took to engage Judge.

The brothers had never backed down from a challenge, especially Judge, but he was, along with everyone else, impressed with her cunning, quick wit, and all-around resourcefulness. And, damn, the woman could fight.

And it was hot as hell.

He and Viper could work with her to improve her skills, but they had already decided her hunting would come to an end.

Gabe indicated the borrowed ride was here. Venom scooped Cambria up in his arms and headed for the door. Viper ordered the man closest to him to contact Judge to put the club back together.

He slipped into the back of the SUV and kept Cambria in his lap. Viper slid in and positioned her legs on his thighs. She was exhausted, he knew, but she was too quiet.

Viper beat him to it. “Talk to us, Cambria.”

She glared at Viper. “What do you want me to say? I was scared shitless, I almost killed your brother, I can’t lift my arms up anymore, and I’m extremely tired.”

Viper stroked his chin. “So you don’t like to talk when you’re scared, almost killed somebody, and are sore, and tired.” He flashed her a smile. “Got it.”

Venom felt a smile against his chest, and he wished they were all naked, skin to skin, just holding her, nothing more. Viper rubbed her feet again, something she seemed to like.

He smiled. Their Cambria liked to be touched.

And that was fine with them.

By the time they arrived at their suite, Cambria softly snored in his arms. He couldn’t wait to get her clothes off, into bed, and ease the soreness in her arms. Viper opened the door and Venom got out with her, surprised she didn’t wake.

Viper beat the doorman to the door and pulled it open. He dealt with the man’s mind as they entered the elevator.

When the door dinged open, Viper followed him to his bedroom. Using his mind, Venom swept away the covers, and gently laid her down and dispatched her clothes. She moaned and turned on her side. Viper rolled her onto her back, and they both used their healing powers to soothe her arms. When they finished, they gently covered her and left.

“How long do you think she’ll sleep?” asked Viper as a glass appeared in his hand, no doubt filled with their favorite Glenfiddich fifty-year-old scotch. Viper sank onto the end of the couch and chugged.

Venom conjured himself the same thing, reclined in the oversized leather chair, and sipped his.

His brother chuckled. “Damn, she was hot when she was fighting.”

Venom didn’t say anything, even though he agreed. Something drifted in the back of his mind, worried him. He was used to agonizing about his brothers, even though they were virtually indestructible. But Cambria wasn’t, and even if and when they converted her, he doubted she’d be invincible. She was a female, the weaker sex—which suited him just fine. He liked women’s soft skin, the way a touch caused chills to rush in the wake. Skin was sensual, and he fucking loved it that way.

Converting Cambria would strengthen her
if
she survived. None of Hell’s Hunters had even tried a conversion, because the outcome was unknown, a risk they wouldn’t take. Now that he thought about it, mating her could have killed her, too, but they’d been too lost in her tight rear and sweet pussy, driven by two internal beasts who had definitely overtaken their logical human minds.

But that wasn’t what weighed on his mind. “Bro, what if Cambria doesn’t want to stop hunting?”

Viper’s gaze shot to his. “Well, we’ll just let the wolf convince her that she can’t anymore.”

The wolf was the seductive one, the one who wore you down with temptation and charm. “And how do you plan on doing that? She doesn’t seem like a woman who’ll just do everything we ask.”

“Who said we would ask?” his twin answered with a grin, but Venom knew his brother better than himself. Viper never asked, he demanded, and it would be a joy to watch those two square off. His hundred bucks was on Cambria. She might take those petite knives of hers and give Viper a run for his money.

“Would you make your
mate
stop something she loved to do?” he asked.

“If it’s not in her best interest? Fuck, yeah.”

Venom realized it was the wrong thing to do, but he had to agree; they and their beasts could never allow her to put herself in danger.

In an attempt to change the subject, he asked, “Do you know this Steven Johnson she mentioned to Judge?”

Viper bared his fangs. “No. Husband? Or lover?”

Venom hoped neither. No doubt, Viper would kill the bastard without thinking of what it might do to Cambria. “Well, before you slaughter him, hold off until we find out what this is about. Maybe we can help instead of kill.”

“Depends on who he is.”

Viper’s gaze had turned hard, a look he’d perfected at a young age. Venom exhaled. He’d always been able to manage his twin—so far. With a mate thrown in the mix, he didn’t know if it was possible.

* * * * *

Hours later, Judge sat in an okay hotel with his twin, Jury, because Venom and Viper had the suite. Two blonds lay in the king-sized bed, which had been nowhere near large enough for four until he’d doubled its size. The smell of sex was abundant, but he loved the scent. Nothing beat the sweet smell of pussy.

Fucked and fed. That was the brothers’ motto.

His mind traveled back to Cambria. When she’d launched herself at him, he didn’t tumble back because of her weight. No, he did it because now his scent would be on her back and her front. Man, his brothers were probably pissed, but he couldn’t blame them, and he wouldn’t trade the experience for anything.

Lucky for him, his heart, like his other internal organs, was on his right side instead of his left. Everybody knew that except Cambria. If she had shoved it through his ribs, he’d thought about feigning death just to see her reaction. It was a lesson she needed to learn. Never hesitate when you have the upper hand. Hopefully at least one of the middle twins would figure it out and tell her.

And he couldn’t read her mind, either, the only person he’d ever come across where that gift didn’t work. He needed to ask Jury to see if he could read her mind. Could be some twisted Hell’s Hunter thing. Maybe it was reversed, and Viper and Venom could read her mind and the rest of them couldn’t.

Would feeding from her let him into her mind? He could kick his ass for not stealing a sip. Ah, he bet she tasted like smooth, warm bourbon.

“You want to tell me why you picked two blonds who could pass for twins?” asked Jury.

Judge blinked. Jury was the instigator, the one who poked the snake with the stick just for the hell of it to see if the snake would actually bite.

“Did you fantasy fuck these two?”

It was true. The two in the bed could pass for Cambria’s sisters.

He wouldn’t apologize. “That’s exactly what I did.” He opened his mind to his twin and showed him the whole film, every time her skimpy skirt flashed the smooth flesh of her bare pussy, every time her firm, creamy breasts moved with every swing of her blade, every time her enticing ass flashed just to torment him. It was the most erotic movie he’d ever seen, and he would play it over and over in his brain until someone cut of his head or wrenched his sorry heart from his chest.

Of course, the version he played for Venom and Viper didn’t have those steamy scenes. The younger twins wouldn’t get the whole erotic flick either—he respected Cambria too much for that. The youngest set of twins had come in late, and who knows what their eyes had focused on. For the rest of his men, he’d erased bits and pieces of tits, ass, and pussy from their minds. But there was one thing that topped family—his twin. Jury would appreciate such fine female flesh.

“So it worked,” said Jury.

He frowned, “What worked?”

“Her tits were a distraction.”

“Oh, fuck, yeah.” The whole damn package was a distraction. “What did you think about it?”

Jury flashed him a grin. “I’m glad your photographic memory captured the good parts.”

* * * * *

Several drinks later, Viper heard her slip from the bed. He moved to follow her, but his brother shook his head. Soon he heard the flush of the john. He’d have to rely on his twin to help him figure out the best way to treat their mate. He’d never given much thought about bodily functions unless it was feeding or fucking. Cambria didn’t know them yet, so he had to remember to give her some privacy.

The bedroom door nicked open, and little bare feet brushed over the carpet. Venom touched his mind and said to remain on the couch, not to overwhelm her. He forced himself not to jump up and crush her to him. Only wrapped in a towel, which was much too big for his tastes, she stopped in front of them, the coffee table firmly between her and them.

Viper pulled his feet up. “You want to sit?”

She pushed her hair over her shoulder. “Sure.”

Her death-grip on the towel covered her breasts as she maneuvered to the couch. She sat and huffed out a large breath. “We need to talk,” she blurted out.

“Couldn’t it wait?” Viper pleaded. His cock hardened just from the sight of her, the smell of her, the…everything of her.

“No. Your…brother,” she rolled her lips in disgust, “told me that I was your mate.”

“Yes,” replied his twin. He caught a glimpse of uncertainty in his brother’s eyes.

“I don’t need or want a husband.”

“Mate,” they both replied.

Cambria rolled her pretty green eyes. “Is there a difference?”

“Absolutely,” replied Venom, and Viper was more than happy to let his brother dig this hole. “Inside of us are a werewolf and a vampire.”

“Yeah, your jerk brother mentioned that, too.”

“Yes. Our brother has a big mouth. Our wolf and vampire have deemed you as theirs.” Venom cleared his throat. “And we’ve claimed you.”

Her hands immediately flew to one of her bites on her shoulders. Venom continued carefully. “Those will never heal. They are permanent signs of…”

“Possession,” she whispered, her voice pained.

“No, no. That’s too strong of a word,” replied his brother, but it was actually dead on. Cambria belonged to them.

“What, then?” she demanded, her voice raised a tad.

Viper had never seen his twin struggle with words before, but Cambria tended to do that to them, tied them up in knots with a word, a look, a…whatever she gave them. Hell’s Hunters didn’t tiptoe around the truth and certainly not about their feelings. Just like Judge did today. The thought made his ire climb all over again. He forced his attention back to her. The answer was so simple. “It’s a brand that tells everyone else to leave you the hell alone,” he stated unequivocally.

Venom muttered a “damn it,” and she gave a huge gasp. Her gaze darted from Venom to his. “That may mean something in your fucked-up world, but it means nothing to us humans.”

She was mad? He opened his mouth to tell her just how lucky she was, but Venom threw him a punch in his mind.
Let me handle this. Just keep your fucking big mouth shut
.

“You’re right. Humans will think you have a hickey,” said Venom. Her lip curled in disgust. “But it’s much more. It binds you to us.”

“I don’t want to be bound to you. Unbind me, right now.”

Way to go, bro. You handled that well.

Fuck you!

Venom eased to the edge of his chair and enfolded her slender hand into his. “We can’t do that.”

“But…but.”

“But we’ll make you a deal. You give us a chance to date you, and if things don’t progress the way you need them to, we’ll walk away.”

“You can do that?” she asked.

Fuck no!
yelled Viper’s beasts.

What do you want me to do, man? Throw her over our shoulder? This way, we have a chance to change her mind without sending her running into the night.