Surrounded by Secrets (8 page)

“What?” Lillian shook her and frowned at him. “So there’s a litter of you guys somewhere else? And your mom was their leader? Really?”

“Yeah, that’s what I think. So my father, Thomas, isn’t the reason we can shift into mountain lions. If this Rodrick guy is my mom’s brother, and he said
her people
, that makes me think she’s also the reason we can shift, the missing link. So why the cover-up? And what really happened to make my mom leave her people?”

“Hmm, that
is
interesting.” Lilly leaned back against the couch and scratched her chin. “There has to be a serious reason why your parents never told you about her family. Did your dad explain anything when you told him what you’d found?”

Jack half smiled. “I haven’t told him yet. I haven’t told anyone. Until now.”

Her brows shot up. “Why? What are you waiting for? This is about your life. You deserve to know the truth.”

He lifted his hands in defense. God, she was always so feisty. “I agree. I wanted to get Josh’s opinion on it before discussing it with my father, but the morning I was supposed to meet him, I was busy staring at a nasty bite mark on your neck and trying not to shit my britches.”

Lillian chuckled. “I guess you did have your hands full.”

“And have had them full pretty much ever since.” He smiled at her.

She nodded. “Right.”

Jack stared at her, words he should say, words he should not say swimming around in his head. He knew if he said the wrong thing, he’d regret it. He sensed she was balancing on some fence, and he didn’t need to push her to the wrong side.

But what side was right?

Hell, he didn’t know.

“Will you come with me while I talk to my family about this?” The words rushed out, as if he knew that was what he really wanted all along.

She smiled brightly. “You want me there with you?”

He leaned his forehead against hers and gently wrapped his fingers around her waist. “Yes. I want you there. I-I need you there.”

Her sweet breath brushed against his cheek, and he bit back a groan. They’d been having sex twice a day, every day, and it still wasn’t enough. But he needed to stay focused. The comment she’d made about not being good enough to talk to really struck him, and he didn’t want her to think he wanted her only for sex.

She moved back and stared at him warily. “And then?”

He took a deep breath and extended his olive branch. “I promise to try to lighten up around you if you agree to keep working for my family.”

She arched one eyebrow. “And I can come and go as I please? I won’t have to stay at your cabin and wear clothes that don’t belong to me?”

He sighed, but nodded. He knew that was coming, and he wasn’t ready to let her go. They had too many unresolved feelings, and she was still learning how to adjust to her new way of life. But if he tried to force her hand, he’d push her away. “But if you decide to just leave and never return, I want you to talk to me. No one else. Got it?”

She smiled at him and nodded. “Got it.”

Well, that was a start.

Chapter Seven

Lilly stepped out of the shower at her house after another long day of work with renewed motivation. Three days ago, Jack had come running to her when he’d realized she’d left, and she’d actually gotten him to compromise on their situation without any trouble. But next time she should be careful with what she was asking for. She hadn’t realized that not staying with him had meant no sex for her!

At first she’d been relieved he wasn’t tempting her because sex would just confuse her more. She was all over the place emotionally when it came to that hottie with the body. There were moments when she wanted to strangle him, as in wrap-her-fingers-around-his-thickly-muscled-neck-and-squeeze-the-life-out-of-him-until-he-quit-breathing kill-him moments. And then there were times when she felt like squealing as if she were a love-struck teenager when she saw him. Sweaty palms? Check. Butterflies in the tummy? Check. Yeah, that just made her want to puke a little in her mouth.

But the no sex thing? That had to come to an end.

Okay, so she was being a little selfish. Jack did have other issues to deal with. He’d tried talking to his family the last two nights at dinner about what he’d discovered regarding his mother, but the first night, Mikaela wasn’t feeling well, so she and Josh had stayed home. Hadn’t that been just peachy?

Without Mikaela there, that left only Krista and Ariel as the other women. One sister had been attacked by the man she . . . by Jack—she still didn’t know how to refer to him—and the other was protective of that sister, so conversations had been strained where Lillian was concerned. And then last night, Rob and Ariel had been MIA. At least Krista had been friendlier last night. And with the news quickly spreading this morning as to why Ariel and Rob hadn’t been at dinner, Lillian understood why Krista had been chipper. Ariel and Rob had mated. Apparently that was a long time coming. But because of that mating, Lillian was doubtful Jack would have an opportunity to discuss the news of his family tonight since everyone would be celebrating the lovebirds’
choice
to mate.

Jack still wanted her there, though, and like the dutiful little kitten, she’d followed. But this time, she was going to get something in return since she figured there was no way in hell Jack would bring up the family topic tonight and rain on the newly mated lovebirds’ parade. No, the evening would be short, and she could get herself invited back to Jack’s place for some lovin’.

That was the plan anyway.

She put on some jeans, sexy boots, and a light cashmere sweater. The baby blue color really complemented her eyes. She grabbed her jacket, locked up the house, and headed toward her four-wheeler.

The ride there had been quick, the night air too cool already. Thankfully, she’d talked Jack into leaving the gate open between the old property lines, so she wouldn’t have to stop and use the keys she’d swiped when she’d left the other day. All this locking and unlocking business was just silly anyway.

She started to park close to the house, but decided it’d be best to park close to Jack’s cabin instead. At least then if he tried to let her down gently, she’d have a reason to go to his cabin afterward.

Then I’ll just seduce him.

She chuckled as she parked her ride on the side of the cabin and walked toward the main house. Her little kitty cat was giving up the goods tonight come hell or high water.

When she pushed open the door to the dining room, her eyes immediately sought out Jack. And may she be stricken down if he wasn’t gorgeous, tanned with piercing blue eyes. The others all had green or green-blue mixed, but Jack’s were startling blue. Sexy.

And those eyes were fixed on her.

She smirked when she headed toward him, only to hesitate when she got close. Thomas was standing by, and he turned toward her.

“It’s lovely to see you this evening, Lillian. We have much to celebrate tonight.”

She smiled and nodded, and then looked at Ariel and Rob standing arm in arm. “I heard. Congratulations.” Funny thing was, she’d meant it. Maybe she and Jack’s mating had been accidental—and when had she stopped blaming only him?—but Rob and Ariel had entered into theirs on their own terms. She was truly happy for them.

Ariel stepped over to her and hugged her. Lillian startled, but put her arms around Ariel and returned the gesture.

“Thank you,” Ariel whispered. Then she pulled back and looked at Lillian with a wicked smile.

“Don’t be surprised if we cut out of here early tonight. I’ve doused myself with catnip.”

A surprised laugh escaped Lillian’s lips before she pressed them together.

“What are you talking about over there?” Rob asked as he stepped over. He was glowing, and when Ariel smiled at him, Lillian felt a little twinge of regret. Why couldn’t her mating have been as loving as theirs must have been?

She automatically looked up, shocked that she’d even thought that, and immediately saw Jack watching her with confusion. Crap. She smiled at him, trying to forget the craziness that had just whispered through her mind. It was done. There was no going back. Besides, she didn’t want him to worry about what she was thinking. She wanted him horny. She didn’t have time for regrets of any nature.

She quickly pointed to the bar and then mimicked sipping from a glass, indicating she wanted him to get her a drink as both a distraction for him and a balm for her sudden jitters.

Jack nodded and stepped over to the bar to pour her a drink, when Jeffery walked in.

“Ah, time for dinner,” Thomas said. “We can continue prying into Rob and Ariel’s business while we eat.” He chuckled as they all made their way to the table.

“’Bout time you made an honest woman outta her,” Toby said as he lightly punched Rob in the arm.

“Honest woman? I don’t see a ring on your mate’s finger, Toby,” Josh said.

Toby blushed and quickly looked at Krista. She just giggled and shook her head as she took her seat.

“Um, we’re not talking about us. We’re talking about Rob and Ariel,” Toby said lamely as he sat down.

Lilly stood at her chair just taking in the good-natured ribbing. She hadn’t had a family like this, and it felt nice to see everyone enjoying each other’s company.

Jack came over to Lillian’s seat and placed her beverage on the table as he slid his hand onto her back. His lips brushed her ear. “You look beautiful, Lilly.”

“Thanks,” she breathed. And if she were being brutally honest, she did like the way he called her Lilly. It felt private, as though he was meant to be the only one to ever call her that.

He pulled the chair out for her and helped her get seated before walking to the other side of the table and to his own chair.

As Lillian had expected, the conversation was focused solely on Rob and Ariel. They both seemed lighter than air, but no way was she going to think about her feelings on their mating. She didn’t need any more envious thoughts sneaking up on her. Instead, she ate and watched Jack. Every now and then, their eyes would lock, and she’d smile behind her glass. Once she even got a wink out of him. God, and if that wasn’t like lighting a flame under those butterflies in her belly, she didn’t know what was.

After everyone finished eating, the conversation shifted to more mundane topics, and people started to stand. It was time to make her move. She stood and stretched, making sure her insanely large boobs were thrust forward. When she relaxed her arms, she looked nonchalantly around the room.

Great. Jack’s back was to her. She sighed and picked up her drink. She’d have to be more direct.

Lillian walked over to Jack and rubbed his arm as she circled to face him.

“I’m glad you’re here,” he murmured. Then he looked to the side. “Before everybody leaves, I think we should talk about something I’ve found.”

Oh crap! He was holding that dang photo. So he was going to broach the topic tonight. There went her night of sexing. She downed her drink and stood beside him for what was sure to be an interesting night for reasons she hadn’t been planning on.

“What’s that?” Rob asked, stepping forward.

“A photo I found of Mom and some other people when I was in Dad’s office,” Jack said as he watched Thomas.

The color drained from Thomas’s face. Apparently he didn’t need any further clarification to understand what photo Jack was holding.

“Relax, Dad. It’s okay,” Josh said as he leveled his shoulders and looked at Jack.

“Holy shit! You knew?” Well, well, well, apparently Josh didn’t need any more clarification either.

“Yes,” Josh said evenly. He glanced at Mikaela, who was rubbing her tummy a little too quickly to actually be soothing.

“What the hell is going on?” Toby asked as he walked closer to Jack.

Jack handed him the photo. “Read the back,” he gritted out.

Thomas seemed to finally get his wits about him to some degree because he shuffled over, but his mind was obviously somewhere else.

Rob peered around Toby to read along with him.

“I guess it’s time you all knew.”

“You’re damn right,” Jack blurted out. Lillian rubbed his arm. She didn’t want him doing or saying anything he’d regret later. To her relief, he leaned into her slightly.

“What the fuck is this, Dad? And why are we just finding this out?” Rob snapped while he glared at Josh.

“I just found out a few months ago. After Mikaela got pregnant. It’s not like I’ve known all along.”

“But you didn’t say anything? Hell,
that
was the reason I wanted to talk to you a couple of weeks ago!” he yelled as he pointed to the incriminating picture.

“Settle down!” Thomas roared.

Lillian jumped at the authoritative tone she’d never heard come out of the patriarch before. Jack wrapped his arm around her, but he didn’t look at her. It seemed as if it was a subconscious gesture, one she was more than willing to take.

“Joshua didn’t say anything to anybody because this is my story to tell. The only reason I told him is because his mate is pregnant, and it could become an issue.”

“Would you like for us to leave, Thomas, so you can talk to your sons in private?” Ariel motioned toward the women in the room as she asked.

“No, that will not be necessary. You are all my sons’ mates. This involves you, too.” He sighed as he leaned against the wall. “This story is long overdue, and I want to make sure you all understand because this is not going to be a topic open for discussion again.”

Lillian slipped out of Jack’s arms to pour herself and Jack another drink. The other women picked up on the hint and got drinks for their men and themselves, except Mikaela, who got juice. Mikaela obviously knew what was going on, but the two sisters looked a little shell-shocked.

“I met Felina Lyons on a fall day not unlike today.” Thomas wasn’t looking at anyone. His eyes were glazed as if he’d retreated to that place he’d visited as soon as the topic of the photo began. “She was a vision.” He sighed and looked at Jack. “And off-limits.”

“Because she was some sort of queen?”

Thomas half smiled. “Not yet, but she was destined to be. You see, we were raised with several prides of mountain lion shifters. There was a caste system similar to that of historical European classes. Your mother was of the royalty class and was betrothed to a male from an elite pride. I was raised within a working-class pride, which consisted of people who were not of the purest blood.”