His Gypsy had a garden tub large enough for four people to sit in comfortably. Images of her taking a bath all by herself made him sigh and he conveniently put himself in the picture with her.
Shaking his head, he went into the bedroom to look around and arched an eyebrow at the California king bed. It was obvious that Gypsy liked some things big and he grinned as a wicked thought steamrolled through his mind. Walking to the foot of the bed, he spread his arms out and fell face first into the softness.
*****
Warren walked into the main half of the club and shook the drywall dust from his hair. It was a process getting the new extension done, but at the speed things were going it would be ready just in time for their Halloween Masquerade. He had just entered his bathroom to take a shower when his cell phone beeped at him.
Picking up the device, Warren frowned as he read the text message from Kat. Shaking his head with a heavy sigh, he turned off the water in the shower and headed down to Moon Dances main room. At least he hadnt already been in the shower when the text came through it wasnt every day Kat texted him with a 911.
When he emerged from the side door, Warren quirked an eyebrow at the state Devon was in. His brother was in his jaguar form with his eyes clenched tightly shut and appeared to be in a great deal of pain. Kat stood over him with her hands on her hips giving him what sounded like a lecture.
The serious expression on her face told Warren that this really was bad. He glanced toward Quinn who was obviously gaining a lot of enjoyment out of it if the smirk the cougar wore was any indication.
You need to pay attention to what Kriss told you, Kat said. If you dont, youre gonna be like this for a while and Ill feel absolutely no sympathy for you.
She crossed her arms over her chest exasperated with her brother. Trevor had been gone at least twenty minutes and her bone head of a brother still couldnt stand up. She questioned Trevors ability to calmly walk away. She was sure Trevor felt the same way Devon did but knew he wouldnt be moving around if he was thinking bad thoughts about Devon.
She glared at Devon when he growled at her, Dont you growl at me. At least Trevor has the semblance of mind to stop thinking like that.
Why is Devon on the floor? Warren asked as he walked across the room.
Quinn smirked from his seat at the bar, It appears that Envy is pregnant with Trevors baby and Devon wants to kill Trevor for it.
Warren made a face at Quinn since none of that explained why Devon was wallowing on the hardwood floor.
She was already pregnant and didnt know it when she mated with Devon, Kat sent a glare at Quinn for being so vague. None of them knew it until Envy passed out and Mrs. Tully ran tests to be sure. Now, because the baby belongs to Trevor, Devon wants to kill him.
Warren squeezed his eyes shut and pinched the bridge of his nose. While that explained a few things it still didnt answer his initial question. He sighed and decided to repeat himself, Why is Devon on the floor?
Hes on the floor because Kane has Trevor and Devon under a spell, Kat shrugged for lack of what else to call it. Now, when Trevor or Devon tries to hurt each other, or if they even think about hurting one another theyre reduced to this. She spread her hands out indicating the idiot on the floor.
Warren frowned, Let me see if I caught all of that. Devon is angry because Envy got pregnant before she met him and he wants to kill the father of her baby but he cant because Kane was smart enough to put him under a compulsion spell?
Quinn shrugged, Thats it in a nutshell.
Smart man, Warren muttered then shook his head wondering why he hadn't already gotten word of this from Michael instead of hearing it from Kat. He leaned against the bar and stared thoughtfully at his brother for a moment.
The situation was rather funny, but at the same time he couldnt believe Devons train of thought on this. It was obvious his brother wasnt thinking very clearly. If Devon did kill Trevor, then where would that leave Envys baby. Not counting the fact that Envy would always resent him for it for denying her child the chance to know its real father. This above all else angered Warren.
Leave him, hell figure it out. Warrens voice was cold.
Kat winced, Ouch, thats pretty brutal.
You said theyre reduced to this state when they think about killing one another, Warren repeated waving his hand at Devon. The only logical thing would be to stop thinking along that line. We cant force Devon to change the way he thinks. If he loves his mate however, then hell stop acting like an idiot.
Warren watched Devons ears flatten against his head and a not so friendly growl rumbled across the room. An answering rumble from Warren silenced the growl and Devon lowered his eyes to the floor before squeezing them shut again.
There wasnt anything Warren could do to save him this time. This was something Devon needed to learn for himself or maybe he did need his big brothers help in this. A slow devious smile pulled at the corners of Warrens lips as it dawned on him just how to fix this problem.
I know that look Warren, Kat said quietly already feeling sorry for Devon, and dont you dare think about it.
Quinns smirk returned, Should I start carrying a camera with me at all times?
Yes, Warren said.
NO! Kat shouted at the same time.
Warren stepped closer to Devon, towering over his jaguar form. So what if Trevors seed is growing deeeep inside of Envy, he prolonged the word deep on purpose just to cause Devon to react it worked. The way I understand it they slept together for months before you ever laid eyes on her.
Devon screamed and jerked trying to get away from the pain.
Making love all the time, Warren continued and tapped his fingers to his chin thoughtfully. Yeah, Ive heard that can cause a baby or two, he smirked wondering how long it would take Devon to become immune to the taunts.
Devons temper had forced him into his jaguar form and because of that his animal instincts were pushing him to strike out at the male that was trying to steal his mate. Devons head whipped around toward the door and he fought the pain as he started pulling himself across the floor toward it.
And just where do you think youre going? Warren asked. He grabbed Devon by his hind legs and started pulling him across the floor. Trevor came to this club thinking you were a killer are you trying to prove him right? And what do you think would happen if you did manage to kill Trevor? Do you think Envy will thank you and run into your arms?
Devon actually growled up at Kat as he was drug by her. He dug his claws into the floor leaving long scratches in the new tile. Kat watched helplessly as Warren dragged Devon down the stairs into the dance pit, his body thumping on each step.
Quinn put his hand over his eyes and started laughing but abruptly stopped when Kat smacked the back of his head.
What, he said unable to hide his smile. Its brilliant. By the time Warren is finished with him, Devon will be completely numb to the topic.
Kat glanced back toward the stairs Devon had been drug down. Dont underestimate Devons stubbornness, She remarked. How would you feel if I was pregnant by another male right now?
Quinn sobered at the buzz killing thought, Id advise you to tell Kane to brush up on his spells he would need more than one.
Kat blinked in surprise at her mate then sighed softly. Well, at least hed stopped making fun of Devon.
Chapter 2
Chad pulled into the driveway of Trevors apartment and parked beside Evey. He turned off the car and sat back for a moment thinking about everything that had happened in the last couple weeks. Between him and his sister, he didnt know who was the most screwed up now well okay, hed let Envy win that one. Still, his hadn't been a cake walk either.
Just the thought that hed been killed and brought back to life by Kriss and Dean was nothing less than harrowing. It gave him the chills knowing he was supposed to be buried in a cemetery somewhere over done. In short, it scared the crap out of him. To make matters worse, neither Fallen seemed to know what the consequences of their actions would be on future events.
Hed gone back to PIT headquarters to get his duffel bag and luckily caught Ren alone in his office. Hed taken the opportunity to again ask Ren if there was anything he should be aware of. Unfortunately, the all-knowing Ren didnt know anything more than Kriss and Dean and it grated a little bit on Chads nerves.
At this rate, he would probably spend the next few weeks walking on eggshells to make sure nothing else happened but in his line of work, that was never a guarantee. Chad had finally just shrugged it off and decided he was just as human now as hed ever been and to hell with the unknown. The decision had actually taken a load off his shoulders.
Hello Chad, Eveys soft voice called over to him.
Chad looked out the passenger window and smiled, Hey Evey. He got out of the car and walked over to her drivers side door. When her window rolled down, he leaned against it pretending he was actually talking to a person, although his gaze was focused on the lit up dash. How are you doing?
When you look this lovely, its hard not to feel good, Evey answered making Chads smile widen.
I cant argue with that logic, Chad said running his hand across her roof.
Trevor left the key to the front door in my dash, she opened the passenger door. Its all yours.
Chad stepped back when the door came ajar then slid in the front seat to open the glove compartment. Hows Trevor doing?
Evey sighed, Im afraid Trevor isnt here he said something about letting off some steam by kicking some bad guy butt.
Chad frowned, that sounded like Trevor but why didnt he take Evey?
Why arent you with him? he asked putting a voice to his curiosity.
He said he needed to be alone for a while, Evey answered. Hes upset because hes afraid the conflict between him and Devon will upset Envy and cause her to lose the baby.
Chad shook his head, I dont think itll come to that. Both of them are hard headed but theyd never intentionally hurt Envy.
He loves her, Evey said sounding almost sad.
Chad nodded, Yeah, I know.
So instead of thinking about Devon, hes gone to take his pain out on something else? Evey wanted clarification of the mystery of human nature. The more she learned the more curious she became.
Why didnt you follow him? Chad asked avoiding her question. He had a feeling he knew which team Evey was on when it came to the two men.
My scanners can only track him when hes in human form. Trevor knows that and wanted to give me the slip. Before he left, he transformed into an owl and flew away, Evey explained.
Chad retrieved the apartment key out of the glove compartment and went back to his car to get his duffel bag. Leaning back against his car, he gazed at Evey liking the car more and more every time he came in contact with her. I guess there isnt too much we can do about it then, is there?
Evey sighed, I guess not.
Chad stood there a moment and took in the slightly dusty appearance of Eveys body and smiled. How would you like a nice bath and waxing?
Evey started humming and Chad nodded, One Sexton bath coming up as soon as I change.
Chad, Evey called as he approached the door.
Chad looked over his shoulder, Yes?
Dont wear a shirt, Evey purred.
Ah, you want the Sexton Sexy Special do you? Chad appeared to think about it then winked at the beautiful car, I think that can be arranged.
Evey continued purring.
*****
Envy walked into Kriss penthouse apartment and immediately sank into the familiar comfort of the sofa. She already missed Devon missed Chad and every time she even started to think about Trevor she wanted to cry. The only reason she wasnt crying was because of the baby it had a calming effect on her. Mix it all together and honestly, she was starting to feel a bit numb.
Dean gave Kriss an odd look but Kriss shook his head, silently telling Dean that hed explain everything later.
This is a first rate mess, Envy said softly and grabbed one of the throw pillows to hug.
Kriss sighed, Its not your fault that any of this happened Envy. Devons just gonna have to get it through his thick skull that he cant attack the father of your baby at random.
Envy lowered her chin to the pillow and hugged it a bit tighter, He he promised he wouldnt attack Trevor.
When? Kriss asked, curious as to why a promise like that had even been made.
After we got back from that vacation with you and Tabby they fought in Chads front yard. After that, I made him promise not to start anything with Trevor because I didnt want to see either one of them hurt. She bit her bottom lip feeling heaviness in her chest. They hadn't hurt each other but she was pretty sure shed hurt both of them enough to make up for that.
Dean frowned, Maybe you should remind your kitty cat of that promise.
Dean, Kriss said warningly.
What? Dean demanded softly. If Santos loves the girl then he should prove it by keeping his word.
Envy exhaled loudly, Dean does have a point Kriss.
Point or not, I dont think this is the proper time to be saying it, Kriss griped.
If not now, then when? I have to start thinking about the little guy, Envy said quietly. I dont think the club would be a good place to raise a child. I mean, it worked for Devon and his family but I dont want to bring my little boy up in a night club.
Of course not, Kriss agreed But what do you want to do, move back in with Chad?
Envy whipped her head back and forth, Oh hell no. Chad has enough to deal with. Last thing he needs is to take on my problems. Besides hes already living with the babys daddy. No, I think until everything settles down, Im just going to pretend Im a single parent.
Another apartment perhaps? Dean offered before Kriss was stupid enough to suggest she stay with them permanently.
Envy shrugged, Its an idea, but I always hoped Id have a home when I finally decided to have children.
Kriss expression immediately perked up, HOUSE HUNTING!
His outburst startled Envy making her snap her head up and blink owlishly at him. House hunting?
Sure, Kriss said. You dont want to be at the club when the baby is born, right? Finding a house and filling it with furniture and baby stuff would be perfect for getting your mind off things.