Punished Page 11

  Worse were the men who the guards allowed inside. Raphael didn’t think about what they were doing there. If he did, he knew he would kill the humans for their crimes against those women.

  They had learned what they already suspected—the humans were never allowed to leave. There were two guards Raphael watched in particular, and in a span of five hours neither spoke with anyone else or gave himself a break. They didn’t eat or drink. The men simply watched, their eyes darting as if intruders would make a beeline straight for their throats. The botos had made them terrified for their very lives, that much was obvious.

  It also made the men that much more lethal. A man would do almost anything to simply live.

  Ultimately, amid Alex’s complaints for food and Heath’s inability to stand still for longer than a moment, they’d left after accomplishing nothing. I can’t do anything. Raphael desperately wished there was something, anything, he could feasibly do.

  Otherwise, why should he spend his days apart from Mary? Leaving her that morning had been nearly impossible, and he’d gained nothing for it.

  He’d kissed a woman for the first time and loved it. He knew it was because of Mary. Only she had ever given him a taste of the life he’d always wanted, but known he would never have. Mary trusted him with her body, and she’d honored him with her permission to do whatever he wished. He would do what he wanted, he decided, so long as it pleased her.

  Finally, he would mark her, maybe in multiple places.

  Maybe he could lounge with her, learning this woman he’d claimed as his own for his last number of days. I would die with a smile on my face.

  “Hey look, Aiyanna’s here.” Alex swung from the car onto the sidewalk. “I wonder how much she’ll charge me to clean my room again.”

  “Just do your own damn laundry,” Heath muttered, wiping off his already spotless dagger.

  “I’ve never done laundry,” Alex said, affronted.

  Another squabble, and one much more likely to turn violent, was taking place just inside the firehouse’s foyer. Aiyanna was waving her hands around as Cael stood eerily still beside the pole, easily accomplishing what Heath had struggled to do all day. Leila stood beside them, shifting awkwardly as if she didn’t know whether or not she could leave without their noticing.

  “You called me, remember?” Aiyanna shouted.

  “I didn’t ask you to take my credit card.”

  Raphael couldn’t help but smile. Aiyanna drove Cael absolutely crazy on a near-daily basis. Cael thought she was the bane of his existence, but Raphael suspected she was the highlight.

  Leila watched the exchange with rounded eyes. She tried to slink away, but Aiyanna shot her a warning glance, effectively freezing her in place.

  “I’m sorry, I had no idea you’d mind so much!” Aiyanna exclaimed. “Don’t you think it’s okay to steal your boyfriend’s credit card?”

  Leila signed, No, shaking her head vehemently.

  “See, she agrees with me!” Aiyanna said.

  “I’m not your boyfriend,” Cael barked.

  “Sure you’re not.”

  Raphael put himself between them, earning a growl from Cael. “Get a room,” he told them. “Leila, come with me.”

  “I’m not with her,” Cael roared from behind him. He thought he heard Aiyanna shove Cael before leaving, slamming the door behind her with a bang.

  “I’m hungry; want anything?” Raphael asked Leila. She nodded eagerly, and he led her to the kitchen.

  “Sandwiches okay with you?” He took out some brioche bread and a few meats and cheeses. Leila nodded again, signing Chicken and Swiss, please.

  After they ate, Leila stopped Raphael from putting the bread away. Peanut butter toast on brioche bread is Mary’s favorite thing, she signed. You should make her some.

  Raphael did, putting it on one of their nicer—not cracked—plates.

  “What else does Mary like?” he asked. He liked the idea of wooing her. It would be like the courtships he’d seen over the years. That’s exactly what I’ll do.

  Leila scrunched up her nose, thinking. She looked a lot like Mary; they both had fair skin and long, straight hair, though the dye made Mary’s hair significantly darker. She had blue eyes, while Mary’s were the color of leaves in the spring. Their builds were similar, but Leila was covered in muscle, while Mary was far too thin. Still, Mary was more beautiful. She was a magnet he couldn’t draw away from.

  She was the smiling face of his absolution.

  When Leila started signing, she signed fast, excitedly. She loves things that are sweet and salty, like chocolate with popcorn, or fries dipped in milkshakes. Her favorite movie is Legally Blonde, because she’s convinced Delta Nu was based on her college sorority. She loves romance novels and that po-boy shop in the Irish Channel that used to have a South Park pinball machine.

  Leila’s smile turned sad. Most of all, she likes to paint. She hasn’t painted since our parents died, but I know she wants to every day. She used to be considered one of the best upcoming artists.

  “What did she paint with?” Raphael asked. He’d already planned to buy her all the supplies she needed begin painting again.

  Oils, Leila signed.

  Raphael nodded, recalling a nearby shop that sold paints and materials for art. Leila waved in front of his face. Richard did something to her, but you’re fixing it. Please, keep doing whatever you’re doing.

  Pure happiness burst through Raphael, touching his every cell. He felt himself grinning from ear to ear. I’ve brought Mary joy. I’ve helped her.

  He’d never made another person’s life better, but that would change with Mary. He just had to make sure she never learned of his death. It would hurt her, and he couldn’t allow that.

  Mary swept into the room, her head held high, shoulders straight. Her hair was a trace more golden than her sister’s almost-white hair, and her lips were redder than usual. She radiated confidence, something Raphael hadn’t noticed before. His Mary was truly breathtaking.

  When she saw him, she smiled brightly, sauntered up to him and surprised him, giving him a light, too-quick kiss on his mouth. On a reflex, he growled and pulled her back for another. She allowed it for a moment before breaking the kiss, jerking her head in Leila’s direction.

  Leila winked at him.

  Mary took his hand. “I need to talk to Leila. Can I come find you in about an hour?” She leaned in, kissed his cheek and whispered, “You promised we’d pick up where we left off this morning.”

  Raphael straightened, nodded. “We will, ülikena.”

  He thanked Leila and left the kitchen, hating the distance he put between them, but he had a few people he needed to speak to as well. He was surprised to find the man he was looking for in the living room, playing Alex’s racing game. Sebastian glanced at Raphael and cursed, the split-second lapse causing his car to plummet off some sort of winding road in outer space.

  “Do you have property with plenty of windows and light?” Raphael asked. Sebastian ran the brewery and used some of that money to invest in rental property all over the city. He even owned the building that housed one of the more popular bars on St. Charles Avenue and fed the renters a steady stream of Full Moon beer for a discount.

  Basically, Sebastian made it so none of them ever had to worry about money. That included Aiyanna, whether she knew it or not, and now Mary and Leila.

  “I do,” Sebastian said. “It’s only a few blocks from here. Want it?” Sebastian liked to make money, but he was equally as generous with it. It was one of the reasons Raphael liked him; if someone in the pack needed something, Sebastian always did the best he could to help, no questions asked—unless it was Alexandre asking. The last time he’d needed money, he’d tried to buy a strip club on Bourbon Street. After a few days he’d grown bored of the place, fired all the dancers and handed the deed back to Sebastian.

  “I want it,” Raphael said, “but not for me. Put it in Mary’s name—it’s going to be her art studio.”


  “She’s an artist?” Sebastian asked. He had the same hungry look in his eye he’d had when he first thought to buy property. “I can hook her up with some big name galleries. I’ll take a finder’s fee, of course.”

  Raphael wondered what her paintings looked like, wished he would be able to see one. He knew with certainty they would depict how she saw the world, with relentless hope and unwavering love. Sebastian would be smart to invest in Mary, and Raphael told him so.

  “I’ll make sure she’s taken care of,” Sebastian said. “Heath already spoke to me about it. You don’t need to worry about how she’ll be…after.”

  Raphael nodded, emotion nearly choking him. He didn’t doubt his friend. He knew bone-deep that he could trust Sebastian, Alex, and Cael to watch over Mary and Leila. He was relieved Alex had taken such an interest in Leila, meaning he’d always look out for Mary as well. These men were his friends. They were convicts, but Raphael was starting to doubt the werewolf judicial system more with each hour that passed.

  His friends rallied to save human women, risking their lives in doing so. They took care of each other and those they cared about, and had never once betrayed each other. None had committed any serious crimes since moving into the firehouse; they never set out to hurt another being.

  None of them deserve exile. They’ve earned their powers back, earned their freedom back.

  They probably would never get it, and Heath would die for his loyalty.

  Doubting his ability to speak, Raphael clapped Sebastian on the shoulder and grabbed a controller. They raced a few times—Raphael lost all three games. He didn’t understand how pressing a button on a piece of plastic could emulate driving a racecar. His car slid into a pit of lava. “Do you know what a Delta Nu is?” he asked.

  “Oh, man.” Sebastian grinned. “I think I know what you’re talking about. Those things are so girly, but I can help you get one.”

  Raphael didn’t care; he was going to court Mary. When they parted ways, she would have no doubt how he felt about her. She would know she was his, whether he could be with her or not.

  Chapter 8

  What’s up? Leila signed.

  She looked happy. A smile played at her mouth, and a secret glinted in her eye.

  “First, tell me what’s up with you,” Mary said. One of her favorite scents wafted toward her; on the counter were two pieces of toast liberally spread with peanut butter. “Those had better be for me!” she exclaimed, grabbing the plate.

  Raphael fixed it for you, Leila signed.

  Mary sighed around a mouthful of toasted brioche. “This is why we like him,” she said. “Your day?” she prodded.

  Leila hopped on the counter and swung her feet, her toes habitually pointed. One of my dance professors pulled me aside after class, she signed. Apparently Richard went to the arts counsel and asked them to rescind my scholarship. Mary’s heart sank, but Leila beamed. They told him no—they think I’m the best dancer for the award, and they’re renewing it for my senior year!

  Mary put down her toast and pulled Leila into a tight hug. “I’m so proud of you,” she said. “Look how your hard work has paid off; dance companies are going to beg for you after you graduate.”

  Another weight had been lifted. Mary had expected Richard to try and take away Leila’s scholarship, but she hadn’t known what to expect of the counsel, the ones who had the real power. She wanted to kiss each and every one of them. People can be good. Things really were looking up.

  Even so, Leila had to move from the house. Mary already spoke with Wish, who agreed to let Leila stay at his home right near Tulane’s campus. He wouldn’t let any harm come to Leila or Molly. Mary had had no idea he was a professor—still didn’t understand how he taught, considering his undead status—but it was apparent he was very educated. Maybe someday I’ll finish my degree. First, she had to get her sister somewhere safe.

  “I need you to go live with Wish for a while,” she said. “Please, trust me. The same people who hurt me before may attack here.”

  Leila slammed her palms on the counter, causing the cabinets to shake. I can help, she signed. I’m not a child.

  No, she wasn’t. Mary shook her head, putting her arm around her sister.

  “You’re a student, and your studies have to come first.” She squeezed Leila’s shoulder. “The firehouse is going to be a distraction for a few days, not to mention dangerous. The semester ends in a few weeks anyway. Finish strong.”

  You’ll come by and let me know how everything’s going, right?

  “I’ll keep you updated on everything,” Mary promised. “As soon as you can, you’ll be back here.”

  Leila nodded. Thank you, Mary, she signed, for everything.

  Tears stung Mary’s eyes. Everything they’d gone through had been worth it. She’d made mistakes but the fact was her goal was being met. Leila would be okay. Better than okay. She’s going to live her dreams.

  “Let me help you get your things together,” Mary said. Leila nodded, wiped away her own tear. They left the kitchen together, arms linked.

  * * * *

  “You can come with us,” Wish said seriously. Beside him, Molly clutched his hand like a life raft. She wore a shirt depicting the cover of To Kill a Mockingbird. Mary couldn’t help but hug the man, startling him.

  “I can’t,” she told him, “but I appreciate the offer.” She raised a hand, blocking her mouth from Molly’s view. “I think she knows who you are,” she whispered.

  Wish puffed up his chest proudly, a grin spreading across his face. He looked up when footsteps sounded down the hall, his expression turning wary. Cael followed Leila to the foyer, one of her bags in one hand, and a masculine-looking bag in the other.

  He’s coming to stay with us, Leila signed.

  “Added protection.” Cael set down his bag. “Don’t worry, I’ll come back here for the full moon.”

  He held up his hand for Molly, who slapped it in a high-five without taking her other hand from her father’s grip. Cael smiled at her. For the first time, Mary thought he looked genuinely content. It seemed to be good enough for Wish, who relaxed slightly, floating upward an extra inch.

  Mary watched as the motley crew filed out, Leila giving her one last wave over her shoulder.

  A warm body pressed up against hers, strong arms wrapping protectively around her waist. “Why are they leaving?” he asked, his voice rumbling through her.

  “I didn’t think it would be safe for Molly or Leila.” Mary leaned back against him, uncaring of her hair catching in the stubble on his chin. “Aiyanna told me the botos might attack here.”

  Raphael gently turned her to face him, sliding his large hand down to the small of her back. Mary reached up and untied his dark hair, watching it fall around his face.

  “Why didn’t you go with them?” Raphael asked.

  Mary rubbed a hand over his collarbone, covered by the thin cotton of his shirt. “I wanted to help you,” she said, meeting his gaze. “I can kill humans who threaten us.”

  “Aiyanna told you too much,” Raphael grumbled. He scooped her up in his arms, making for his room.

  “Where’s Leila?” Alex called as they passed.

  “She left for a few days,” Mary answered. “Don’t worry, Cael went with them.”

  Alexandre roared. Mary thought she heard him punch something. Raphael looked down at her, arching a brow. “That was a mistake,” he said wryly. Mary elbowed him in the gut, earning a grunt from Raphael.

  When they reached his room Mary shut the door behind them, flashing Raphael her most wicked grin.

  He threw her on his bed with a smile of his own, following her down. She released a surprised gasp at his weight, and he quickly flipped them over so she was draped across him. His chest rose and fell rapidly; he was breathing hard, and the hand at his side clenched. She glanced up at him to see his eyes closed.

  Raphael didn’t resist when she peeled his black shirt up, obediently lifting his arms fo
r her to take it off. She did, marveling at the vast expanse of his chest. His skin was deeply bronzed over the taut muscles that covered him. Yet somehow, he was the most wonderful cushion she would ever find. He was becoming her favorite place to rest her head. A few thin scars dotted his left side, over his ribs. She traced them with her fingers.

  “What are these?”

  Raphael watched her hungrily, giving Mary chills. “A few humans tried to mug me,” he said. “They stabbed me three times. Aiyanna healed me.”

  Mary gasped, covering her marks with her hand. He’d been stabbed. “What did you do to them?”

  Raphael lifted his shoulders in a shrug. “Nothing. They were just kids. Younger than Leila.”

  Mary wasn’t surprised. It was too easy for some to fall into the wrong crowds here, especially teenagers. She’d been lucky, having been sheltered for so long. That Raphael was merciful toward them, hadn’t thought to retaliate…She slid up his body until her face was level with his. Her hair fell on either side of them. “You’re a good man, Raphael,” she told him, her lips less than an inch from his. She leaned down to kiss him. You’re also my man.

  His hands cradled her face as they kissed. She felt his erection against her leg, yet his focus was on her face, her lips. She took his shoulders, pulling him even closer to her, and just held on.

  Raphael’s kiss was sweet and hungry, gentle but restrained. She tore her mouth away. He growled, his eyes narrowing at her. “Stop holding back,” she said. “I want you, Raphael, not who you think you have to be.”

  She could sleep with him right now and never regret it. Raphael would never be one of her mistakes.

  Raphael’s eyes blazed with emotion, but he said nothing, flipping them over again, pinning her underneath him. He lifted himself onto his elbows, relieving her of his weight. He gently brushed her hair from her neck, kissing her from ear to collarbone.