Page 7

Chapter Five

S park sipped his coffee the next morning, eyeing the three men at the table across from him.

They all resembled their father, but not a single one of them looked anything like Mina.

All large men, every last one had Shadow’s dark hair and eyes.

He knew they were staring him down in hopes of making him feel uncomfortable, probably hoping he’d blurt out something, but it wasn’t working. Yet.

“Dad didn’t say why he invited a Steel Rider onto our property. Personally, I think you look more like a chew toy,” the oldest looking one said. “But I suppose we should refrain from gnawing on your bones until we know why you’re here. Wouldn’t want to upset a club deal.”

Spark snorted and took another swallow of his coffee.

He knew the moment Mina entered the kitchen, but he didn’t dare take his eyes off the three wolves across from him.

Her scent teased his nose and the very air shimmered with her presence.

He heard her take a mug off the tree and pour herself a cup of coffee, listened as she opened the refrigerator, probably for creamer, and then stirred something into her coffee before closed the refrigerator.

When she came and took the seat next to him, he glanced her way and flashed her a smile.

The top she wore covered the bite he’d left on her tender skin, but he knew it was there.

Her long, blonde hair was pulled back in a ponytail, making her look even younger.

She took a sip of her pale coffee and then smiled at him.

Her brothers growled.

Mina jerked her gaze their way and scowled at them. “Shut it.”

“Don’t be flirting with the…what the hell are you anyway?” one of the brothers asked Spark.

“Maned wolf.”

The third brother sniffed in disdain. “What a weak ass animal. You’d think your club would have sent a bear at the very least, if they were going to negotiate with Dad.

And why the hell he let you stay in the house I can’t understand.

Guests are given lodgings away from the house and family. You’re an outsider.”

Mina looped her arm through Spark’s and stared her brothers down. “He’s in the house because I want him in the house.”

The oldest stood, knocking over his chair. “Oh, hell no! You are not to hang around with that mangy cur. You’re going to mate a proper wolf, someone Dad trusts with good standing in the pack.”

“Enough, Jarod.” Mina growled softly. “I’ll mate whomever I damn well please, and you have no say in the matter. I don’t need your permission.”

Another brother opened his mouth, but Mina jumped on him.

“I don’t need your permission either, Simon. It’s my lifem and I’ll do what I want with it. You think I want to hang around and see if Daddy decides to use me as a bargaining chip to sweeten some deal? I want to choose my own mate!”

“Mina, you know we want what’s best for you,” the third brother said.

“Jonathan, it is sweet that the three of you are worried about me and want what’s best for me, but who are you to decide what that is?

Don’t you think I’m old enough to decide what’s best for me, to know my own mind and what I want or need?

Or do you think I’m still just a child? Because if that’s how you think, I shouldn’t be worrying about a mate at all. ”

They gave one another uncomfortable looks then went back to staring at Spark.

He quirked an eyebrow at them, but continued to sip on his coffee without engaging them.

It seemed his mate had said enough already.

He was proud of her for standing up for herself, even if she hadn’t told them she already had a mate.

Spark figured that would come in time. She’d confess all when she was ready to, and Spark didn’t see a reason to volunteer the information before then.

“Are you hungry?” Mina asked. “I could scramble some eggs and fry some bacon.”

“I could eat,” Simon said.

“I wasn’t asking you. I was asking Spark.”

Jarod snorted. “Spark. What the hell kind of name is Spark?”

Spark wisely kept his mouth shut. He doubted his mate wanted to hear he’d earned his name by having a way with the ladies. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt her feelings.

Shadow stepped into the room, surveying everyone.

“Boys, don’t you have something better to do with your time?

Jarod, didn’t I tell you to make sure Striker’s buddies were gone?

Just because the ringleader of that train wreck was thrown out doesn’t mean the others won’t try to rise up without him.

I want every last bad seed out of this pack, and if they’re patched in, you know what to do.

We voted on this last night so no one will stand in your way. ”

“Yes, Dad,” Jarod said and quickly walked past his father and out of the kitchen.

“Simon, don’t you have books to work on today? We have bills to pay regardless of what else is happening around here.” Shadow glared at his son. “Leave your sister alone.”

“But, Dad, we weren’t bothering Mina. We were just questioning Spark here.” Jonathan grinned, but it melted off his face quickly under his father’s scrutiny.

“And who are you to question a guest in my home?” Shadow asked.

“Well, I… We…”

“That’s what I thought. Go find something to do, Jonathan. I don’t want to see you in my house again until you’re invited.”

Once they were alone, Spark curved his arm around Mina’s waist and pulled her in close, burying his nose in her hair.

He’d wanted to wrap her in his arms the moment he’d seen her this morning, but those pesky wolves had been present and he didn’t dare do something to give their relationship away.

Not until Mina wanted to let them in on the secret.

“I take it neither of you told the boys why Spark is here?” Shadow asked.

“Daddy, it isn’t their business.”

Shadow grunted. “Let me explain another way. If you don’t come clean, and tell the club that you’re mated, you’re still going to have males approach you, and I doubt Spark is going to sit back and watch it happen.”

“Why did you really bring me here?” Spark asked.

“Mina could have stayed at my house and we could have gotten to know one another just as easily as we can here. Perhaps it would have been easier, since her brothers wouldn’t have been breathing down our necks.

” Spark watched Shadow and didn’t miss the smirk.

“You’re a smart boy,” Shadow said. “Why don’t you tell me why I did it?”

“Because you aren’t ready to let Mina go, and you’re hoping I’ll change my allegiance to the Silver Skulls so your daughter can remain here with you.”

“Told you that you were a smart boy.”

Mina planted her hands on her hips. “Daddy! That was horrible of you. I’ve told you before, I’m ready to spread my wings and get out from under your authority for a while. How could you try to trick Spark into patching into the Silver Skulls? That was so wrong of you!”

“You’re my only daughter, Mina. I know the Steel Riders are only two hours away, but that’s too far. I want you here on the property. There’s a patch of land behind the house here where I could have a nice cottage built for the two of you.”

“I appreciate the offer,” Spark said. “But I’ve been with the Steel Riders a long time.

Unless they throw me out, I’m not going anywhere.

My house may be small, but I think Mina could be happy there.

And if she isn’t happy, I’ll work harder to provide her with a bigger, better house.

I want her to feel at home and make the place her own. ”

“And what about when the baby comes? Wouldn’t you prefer having more hands available to help care for it?” Shadow asked.

Mina gasped and paled.

“Baby?” Spark looked at her expectantly. “What’s he talking about, Mina?”

She shook her head and backed away.

“Damn it, girl. You still haven’t told the boy? What the hell are you waiting for?” Shadow demanded.

“Spark, I…”

He narrowed his eyes, hooked an arm around her waist and pulled her close again.

Dropping to his knees, he pressed his nose against her belly and inhaled deeply.

The scent was faint, but her wolf was now mixed with maned wolf, and since they hadn’t had sex in weeks, it could only be from one thing.

Spark looked up at her, startled by the tears that had gathered in her eyes.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked. “If you hadn’t come to the club last night, would you have ever told me?”

“I didn’t know how you would react,” she said. “I wanted more time with you before you found out.”

“Mina, I’m going to be a father. I had a right to know. Did you think I would only want you because of the baby? I can’t think of any other reason for you not to tell me right away.”

Tears fell down her cheeks.

“I didn’t bring you here to make my girl cry,” Shadow said.

“You obviously knew so you’re just as responsible.” Spark shot a glare at him. “If it weren’t for the baby, would I even be here right now? Would you have cared that Mina had her mate with her if a baby wasn’t involved?”

“I want my girl happy, and from what I can gather, the thought of being with you makes her happy.”

“He’s right,” Mina said. “Being with you does make me happy, Spark. It doesn’t matter if we’re having a baby or not.

I want to be with you. I want to start a life with you, to make a home together.

And I don’t care if it’s with the Steel Riders or the Silver Skulls.

I would like to be near my family, but two hours isn’t exactly the other end of the world. I can make it work.”

“I can’t,” Shadow grumbled.