Lewis: The McCade Dragon –Erotic Paranormal Romance Page 4

  “Oh yes. I’d love that. I have one of those reader things that I use. I have read all the great classics, as well as heard a few movies too. You don’t watch television, do you?” He told her that he preferred to read, but had been known to sit and watch movies in bits and pieces. “Yes, I’ve done that as well. I do find that I miss some important plot changes when I do that. It makes for a different feeling when you don’t know all that’s going on.”

  Lewis took her to the bedrooms that were empty first. He didn’t want her to think he was rushing her to their bedroom. Not that he didn’t want her…something about her made him think of lazy afternoons making love all day, and then holding each other. He’d never been much of a person who snuggled, but with her, he thought that might change as well. When they entered the master bedroom, he told her what was in the room.

  “I have some furniture too. Not as much as would be needed to fill this house, but things that I have collected over the years. For now, it’s in storage because of where I live.” He asked her about that. “I live in a house that is built into the mountain. It’s warm in the winter and cool in the summer months. And I have fresh water too when needed.”

  “I bet it’s lovely. With the wild things around you as well as the trees. I’ve not lived here very long, but there are a few animals around. I did have the furnace replaced, as well as the air conditioner to make it nicer in here. The house was in good shape, but just a little outdated. Of course, as you know, I enlarged a couple of the rooms too.” She nodded as she wandered around the room, picking up things and then setting them back down. “You said that you could tell about things with a touch. What do you feel when you do that? I mean, do you feel it or get images?”

  “Both. Like with this framed picture. I know that you and your brothers are in it. That it’s not a recent picture. Your mother took it. None of you were happy about having it taken, I don’t think.” He said it was the day his father died. “You are sad because of that?”

  “No, hardly. He tried to kill me. My mom, she shot him in the head while he held me down with a boot at my neck. His plan was to make my mother heel to him or he would remove my head. So she shot him. I think that I was feeling guilty about that, and my brothers felt badly for our mom too. I know I did.” He picked up the picture that she was talking about. “None of us wanted to be at his funeral. We wanted to take Mom home, pamper her, and then celebrate. He’d been a monster for a long time before this.”

  “Much like Butler.” He put the picture back as she spoke of the man that had started this all. “Butler wasn’t a good man, ever, and a worse king. I was friends...well, not friends, but I knew his wife. Prisane was a good queen. A nice person, and she provided well for us all. I was her magical assistant. Not that she needed me…she was already powerful, but she let me help her in ways that we both learned from. Butler never took her magic or her very seriously. He thought her just a female. And one who should bow before him in all that he wished.”

  “She had his son and hid it away from him. That must have been hard for her. Warrior told us how she had turned him into a human for a time to help her.” Raven nodded and said nothing more. “How did you get your name? It’s very beautiful.”

  “When I was born, it was storming badly. As I was laid in my crib, the woman who had helped my mother with the birthing said that I should be called that, Rain. But almost as soon as she finished the words, Poe came in to sit upon my bed.” She laughed, and Lewis felt the tug of his own laughter too. “He never left me. Even when mother nursed me, he was there, squawking and making a ruckus. So when I was old enough to have my magic come to me, I made it so he could speak. I don’t think he’s been quiet since then.”

  As he showed her around the rest of the house, he told her of his restaurant, as well as the things he had planned for it. Telling her how he’d gotten the home they were now in, how little he’d paid for it, as well as owning shops that he was working to get moving as well. She seemed shy to him, and he found he wanted to bring her out of that shell. So when he took her to the back yard, he was surprised when she bent at the waist and pulled a small plant to her nose.

  “Rosemary. It’s very fragrant, isn’t it?” He said that it was, he loved to use it when he cooked. “I dry it and keep it for spells. Nothing bad, mind you. Just a few sleep potions, as well as a salve for wounds.”

  “Do you have a place to dry them? I mean, I’m assuming that you did. You should have a garden here too. I’ve been reading up on what witches might need, trying to get our home ready for you, and other than a few things, I didn’t find much other than a garden was your treasure.” She smiled at him, and Lewis felt like he’d been kissed by the sun in a wonderfully amazing way. “You smile at me like that and I might even buy you a tractor.”

  “I’d not be able to plow it in straight rows, I’m afraid.” When she laughed, he did as well. Her joke was just off the cuff, like she’d only done it to make him laugh with her. Lewis touched her cheek and she leaned into his hand. “You are such a warm and caring person, aren’t you, Lewis? I think that I could happily live with you for the rest of our days.”

  “I’d like that too.” He wanted to kiss her, to taste what he could of her, but Poe took that moment to come to them and sat on the ground before them. “Something wrong?”

  “Yes, my lord. There are people on their way here. Not your family. I have gone to see them. But this person it is not one that would be associated with Butler either.” The gravel crunching in the drive had him pushing Raven behind him. “They don’t have evil in their hearts, but I do not trust that either.”

  “You said that you’ve met my family.” Poe nodded. “Are they all right? None of them have been injured or taken, have they?”

  “No, my lord. They are well and hearty. You mother, she is most upset with me, however. I startled her when I was talking to young Gavin. A delightful young boy, he is.” Lewis raised his hand and Poe stopped talking.

  “Could you make sure that Raven gets in the house? And I know that—”

  “I’m not leaving you.” He told her it might be dangerous. “Yes, it might, but we’re stronger together than we are apart. Just let me put the brooch on.”

  He watched her as she pulled it from a purse like thing that she had on. The long strap of it was made of leather; the bag itself was worn, but decorated with beads and stones. As soon as the brooch was in her palm, Lewis wanted to touch it, just to feel the magic that there was, and when she put out her hand with it in it, he took it from her and put it on her blouse, right at the opening of it so that it touched her skin.

  The magic that settled over him was warm. It was as if he’d been chilled before and someone had put a heavy blanket over him. Taking her hand into his, he walked to the front of the house and nearly told her again to go hide when he saw who was there. This man had been giving his family trouble for a few weeks now, and today wasn’t going to be any better.

  Reaching for his family, he told them that Byron Clayton was here. The cursing had him laughing, and then his mom spoke to them all. He knew that Raven could hear them too when she smiled at her response.

  While I don’t usually like that sort of language, Kenton, I think that with this man, it is warranted. What does he want now? Us to turn over all our deeds to the buildings downtown? Lewis said that he’d not spoken to him as yet. Well, you be careful, son. You have a mate coming.

  She’s here, with me. No one spoke, and he knew they were shocked. She and I were using this quiet time to get to know each other. If you guys come over, you can talk to her too. I think, Mom, that you met Poe, her raven, not long ago.

  I did. Nearly scared a decade off my life. So that’s her bird, is it? Well, we’ll have to talk about his manners when I see her. His mom laughed. But one thing at a time. We’re on our way, son.

  As soon as Byron saw him, he knew that he was going to be trouble. Byron told them that he had someone with him, a man in a uniform, but Lewis couldn’t see what
sort of service he was from. His family said they were nearly there. He thought it funny when Raven rolled up her sleeves, like she was ready to mop the floor with the man’s head. Poe landed on his shoulder but didn’t speak. He supposed not everyone would be as accepting of a talking raven as they’d been.

  ~~~

  Byron hated that he had to come out here and talk to this man. But since Lewis wasn’t answering his phone, nor was he accepting the certified letters that he sent him, he decided enough was enough and he’d have to talk to him face to face. Williams, a man that owned a large operation that dealt with bodyguards and such, was with him in the event that Lewis got smart with him. Which Byron really hoped that he did.

  “Lewis. That’s a little strange, even for you, isn’t it?” Lewis asked him what he meant. “You have a crow on your shoulder. I knew that you were eccentric, but I didn’t think you were that much.” He laughed, but Lewis didn’t. “I was joking, young man. Where is your sense of humor nowadays?”

  “With you? I have none. And it’s a raven, not a crow. What is it you want, Clayton? I think I’ve made it clear that I’ve no desire to sell you that building.” Byron nodded and reached for his wallet. “I don’t know what you think you might be doing. But you reach for anything in that pocket again, I’ll have you down on the ground in a second.”

  “You’re awfully hostile today. Are you showing off for the pretty lady here? It’s not like him, honey, to be so—” He had no idea how it had happened, but he found himself not only down on the ground, but in a great deal of pain. When he saw the shoes of Lewis in front of him, he wondered what the fuck Williams had done.

  “I want you to meet my wife, Raven McCade. She doesn’t like to be called honey, nor, and this makes me so happy, does she like the bullshit that you’re tossing around. Now, I’m going to have her let you go, but you are going to state your business, I’m going to refuse you, again, and then you’re leaving.” He asked him why he’d not sell. “I don’t want to.”

  He was released. When he stood up, Raven moved to stand beside Lewis, who wrapped his arm around her. Byron hadn’t heard he’d gotten married. Not that it mattered to him, but he wanted that building. Before he could try again to get him to sell, a few cars pulled into the driveway, and all his family just seemed to pour out of them.

  Byron was afraid of their mother. She was hell on wheels, as his own mother used to say. When she had something to say, you listened. While she wasn’t mean about it, she did make her point any way that she could. He backed up when she stood in front of him.

  “What are you doing here? I thought you’ve been told that you are not going to get that building. Several times, as a matter of fact.” He opened his mouth to speak, but she cut him off. “Lewis and the rest of us are getting mighty sick of you coming around every day to see if we want to sell. We do not. Now, be on your way.”

  “I had no idea that you owned it with him.” She crossed her arms over her chest and tapped her foot. “Maybe you and I should talk. Perhaps you can convince him to sell to me. It’s a lot of money to turn down, if you ask me, and the building has some sentimental value for me.”

  “Yes, we heard you telling us that. But after doing a lot of research on it, it’s funny, but your family name never shows up. Not even any cousins, or anyone else that might be related to you. So, come up with a better one, Byron Clayton. That story is getting as old as I am.”

  His anger at these people spiked and he took a step toward the old woman, and stopped when he heard the voice behind him.

  “Touch her and you’ll never be able to use either of your arms again. I will yank them from your body and beat you to death with them.” He put his hands behind him and the man laughed. Byron was reasonably sure that it was Kenton…he was the only one not in front of him right now. “Good boy. Now, you’ve been told several times that we’re not selling to you. I think you should take that as gospel. Get into your fucking car and get off this land. And if we catch you around any of us again, I’ll sic the pack on you. And you know that I can.”

  He looked at the tree line and saw them, perhaps fifty of them, then, as one, they moved forward, and he could see that his first number wasn’t even close. He thought that there were well over a couple of hundred wolves with their teeth bared, for him to have no doubt they’d attack if any one of the McCades said the word.

  “Look, I think we’ve gotten off on the wrong foot here. I am willing to pay you just about anything you want for the building. What can you want it for anyway? I mean, you own everything else in the district, don’t you? What is one less building for you?” Lewis asked him what he was going to do with it if he were to own it. “Now, that wouldn’t be very good, would it, if I gave over all my ideas for the place? Let’s just say that I do have big plans for it.”

  “No.” He opened his mouth to say more, but Lewis turned to the pack and Byron knew that they were finished. “Don’t return, Clayton. And I’m giving you fair warning now, as soon as you leave here, I’m going to call the police and have a restraining order put on you. I’ve tried to be nice about this, but you’ve pushed me too far. You’re going to regret if it you return here again.”

  “Are you threatening me, Lewis?” The woman next to him laughed. “You think this is so funny? What if I told you that he was turning down millions of dollars by not selling to me? You don’t think that’s so funny now, do you?”

  “I’m sure that Lewis doesn’t need the money, especially not yours. And even if he did, I have plenty enough for the two of us to live out the rest of our lives and never touch the principle, just live off the interest. Do I think it’s funny? Yes, it’s very funny if you think that’s the way to get anyone to do anything for you.” She put out her hand and touched his. “You’re not a good man, Mr. Clayton, and you’ll soon be found out.”

  She knew. He didn’t know how she knew or even how much, but she knew enough to scare the shit out of him. Turning to his car, he stumbled twice getting to it. When Williams seemed to linger a little too long for his tastes, he laid on the horn to get him moving. He needed to get away, to think about what was going on. Clayton was all the way to the main road when he had to pull over and get out of his car to puke.

  “Christ. They were going to have me killed.” Williams leaned against the car and said nothing. “Did you hear them threaten me? They were going to have those wolves kill me.”

  “Yes, but it’s no less than you deserve.” He looked at the man and asked him what the fuck he was talking about. “First of all, he’s told you no. Secondly, he told you no several times. And this is the real kicker…you were going to hurt their mom. Now, mine would have called the cops on you had you done what you did to theirs. But Mrs. McCade would have whooped your ass all over that yard and back again without even breaking a nail. And had she done that, no one would have ever found our bodies. You don’t fuck with the McCades. And had I known that was where we were headed when you asked me to come along, I would have told you no too.”

  “You’re afraid of one little old woman?” He laughed, and Williams just nodded. “They have something that I want, and I’m going to get it.”

  “Good luck with that, is all I can tell you. But from here on out, you want someone from my firm to go with you, then you’re going to be shit out of luck. I like the men that I work with, and I won’t have them killed because you have a burr up your ass.” Williams started to walk away, but paused and looked back at him. “Here is a piece of advice that I know you won’t heed. When you’re told that you’re to stay away from them, I’d do it. It will save your life. Not might save it, but it will. Those men and women are not ones to fuck with.”

  Standing there on the side of the road, Byron wondered why they were so set on not selling him that building. It wasn’t like they didn’t really own the rest of the buildings in that area. And since they’d been putting in shops and having them worked on, the value had gone up a great deal. But the building he wanted, the one that he’d li
ed about, was going to make him a millionaire. And they were thwarting him in his efforts.

  Six months ago, Byron had taken a walk in the merchant district. He’d been trying to cut some of the fat off him, and his doctor had told him that walking was a good way to start. So he’d made his way toward that area and happened to find one of abandoned buildings open. Not quite true…he’d broken the glass and let himself in. But he’d wanted to have a sit down, and thought that he’d find himself a chair inside. And oh, what a treasure he’d found. Not so much on the upper floors—and there were five of them—but down the rickety stairs to the sub levels.

  The basement of the place had been filled with all sorts of boxes. Most of them had so much mold on them that he couldn’t read the lettering that had been on them, no matter what he’d done. But in the back, well hidden from the rest of the things that had been stuffed down there, he’d found four big assed trunks.

  Opening them had been a little more trouble, but when he finally figured out how to cut through the leather along the back, he fell back on his ass, surprised at the contents. Money. A great deal of it too. Stacks and stacks of it. Picking up the first few bundles, he knew that he had fallen on one of the best finds that anyone could ever have found. But to get them out of the building had been impossible the next time he went to move them.

  The cameras were everywhere now. And if that wasn’t bad enough, there were wolves, pack members, wandering around the area like they owned it. Even driving his truck on the roads had gotten him pulled over and questioned. There wasn’t any way for him to get the heavy trunks out without anyone seeing him. He’d researched; taking the trunks was against the law, so he decided to buy the building and get them legally. But that hadn’t worked either. Now there were signs posted everywhere he walked, when he could, that stated that the place was off limits unless he had a permit. He’d not been able to go back since, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t keeping an eye on his building. Byron just had to make Lewis, and now his mom, sell it to him. With the amount of money in the place, he wasn’t going to have the law come back and bite him in the ass for it.