Page 20 of Theirs

Quiet greeted him on the other end, and then a gruff male voice said, “I would like to speak to my daughter.”

He smiled as he hadn’t heard much about Susie’s family. She wasn’t fond of talking about them. This was his chance to get some info. “She’s not here right now. Is there anything I can help you with?”

Blake could hear a woman in the background, giving instruction. “Fine. You’ll do. Tell her she needs to be at the Plaza at seven o’clock, no later, and if she brings a date, tell him to be mindful because she will be sitting with Richard. He is still not happy she gave back his ring. Anyhow, tell her it’s best if she comes by herself. I don’t want any drama.” He heard the woman telling Susie’s father to ask about the two men at the restaurant Ellen had told them about. The man mumbled that his daughter would never disgrace him by being with two men publicly.

Blake gripped the phone and tried not to break it as he snarled, “Okay, I have all the information. Why don’t you give me the address for the function again, just in case she has forgotten.” Susie’s father told him the address of the Crown Plaza Hotel, and that it would be in Function Room A.

After hanging up, he stomped back into the kitchen and informed Brian of his conversation. “You don’t think she’s still embarrassed to be with both of us, or is still undecided about us? Should we confront her?”

Blake grinned at his brother. “Oh, we are going to do better than that. We are going to go to a dinner tomorrow night.”

Brian smirked, and rubbed his hands together. “Let’s show her why she was given two mates.” Blake chuckled as he thought he couldn’t wait to see what excuse their little mate came up with.

Chapter Eleven

Susie gripped her purse tighter as she entered the function room at the Crown Plaza alone, feeling guilty about lying to her boys. She hadn’t really lied, more like stretched the truth. She did go to Jane’s, and she was going to have dinner, so all in all, mostly the truth. She just hoped it was enough to convince their shifter noses.

She groaned as she walked in and her father and stepmother glided up to her. The first comment out of Julie’s mouth was “I thought you were going to gym, so you could lose weight. What happened?”

In a foul mood for having to fib to her men, Susie snarled, “I’m here. Think yourself lucky.” Julie huffed, and Susie groaned as Richard, her ex, strolled over to them. He wore a black suit and looked as slick as ever. His blond hair was gelled back, and his teeth bleached as white as he could go. His lean frame did nothing for her. She shivered in disgust at the thought of his touch.

Her father shot her a “be nice” look, and she gritted her teeth. Richard took her hand and placed a sloppy kiss on it. Susie shivered again in revulsion and resisted the urge to wipe her hand on her dress. “You look beautiful as always, Mrs. Sutten, and I see my gorgeous girl has arrived. You don’t mind if I steal her for a dance?” Susie almost gagged as her stepmother giggled and nodded.

Susie snatched her hand back as soon as they were far enough away. “What the hell are you doing?”

Richard yanked her to him as they danced across the floor. Ignoring her earlier question, he smiled down at her. “We look good together. I bet you miss me.” She shook her head and pushed at him when he tried to kiss her. Thanking God when they were interrupted by a stunning woman, tall, with dark olive skin and midnight black hair tied into an elegant braid. She had full puffy lips, which at the moment where turned down in a frown.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” Richard seemed speechless, as he stared at the beauty. Susie took the chance to maneuver out of his hold.

Richard found his voice. “I assure you, ma’am, I can because she is my fiancée.” Susie growled, stomped her foot, and opened her mouth to tell him she most certainly was not when the lady laughed. “Oh, really? You might want to tell my sons who have been staring at her since she got here, and are coming this way ready to kill you, that.”

Susie turned just as Richard did, watching him pale, as two handsome men in black tuxedos stalked up with death in their eyes. Susie smiled, and sighed. “I love those two so much.”

Not caring where she was, she rushed to them and threw her arms around both of them. “I’m so glad you came. I missed you so much. You two look so hot.” She grinned up at them both. “Wow. Lucky me.” Reaching up, she pulled Blake’s face down and brushed her lips over his before whispering, “I’m sorry for lying. Forgive me. I love you.” Letting him go she reached for Brian and did the same. Turning she gulped as she saw everyone had stopped and was staring at them.

****

Brian was pissed, and to top of the evening off, his mother was here, and she’d helped out Susie and not them. His anger eased when Susie ran to them and hugged them both in a very public display. It almost fully disappeared when she leaned up and kissed Blake and then him, whispering how she loved them. He smirked at Mr. Blond and wrapped his arms around his precious mate, savoring her, uncaring about the show they put on in front of these people.

Susie reluctantly detangled herself from him and moved to face Mr. Gaping-mouth Blond, but to Brian’s utter shock, his mother was smiling, and his father did the same as he joined the scene.

Susie froze in front of him, and a long drawn out moan left her lips. He couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped as two short people came rushing over. The man stormed to them like he was twice his size. Although his stomach certainly made him look bigger, he was really only a little bit taller than Susie. The woman had her red hair done in a huge elaborate hairdo on top of her head, and her face was packed with makeup. He tried not to laugh at the dress she wore, as it was about two sizes too small. They pushed their way through the gathered little crowd, and in the gruff voice he’d heard on the phone boomed out, “What is going on here? Why are there two men holding my daughter?”

Brian’s chuckle turned into a cough after he said who he was, and he gripped Susie’s waist tighter. He saw Blake do the same with the hand he held. Susie squeaked out, “Um, Dad, these are my men, Blake and Brian.”

Her father’s eyes widened, and the woman he assumed was Susie’s stepmum gasped. “I told you Ellen wouldn’t lie about something like this. You didn’t think your angel would do anything like this to embarrass you.” The woman turned to everyone. “Ladies and gentlemen, I’m so sorry for this little mishap. If we could all just move over to the auction table, we will start the bidding earlier.”

Some of the people moved away and followed Susie’s stepmother. Her father stood still, staring at him and Blake. Glancing at his brother whose face was a stony mask of anger, Brian dropped his hand from around his mate’s waist and held it out to her father. Her father glanced at the offered hand then raised his eyebrow. “Is this some kind of joke?”

Brian looked to Blake to see if he would help, but even from where he stood, he could hear his brother’s teeth grinding. To make matters worse, Mr. Blond piped up. “Come on now, Susie, stop this nonsense and tell these men to unhand you.” He took a step forward and Susie took a step back to avoid him. Blake let out a snarl that had Blondie huff and walk away.

Susie’s father sighed, and in a deflated voice grumbled, “Thanks for coming, but you can leave now.” He turned to Susie, shook his head, and walked to join his wife. Brian glared at the back of his head as he walked away.

Brian’s mother stepped into his view and whispered, “It’s lovely to meet you, Susie. I’m sorry it couldn’t be under better circumstances.” He and Blake gave a shocked gasp as their mother pulled a stiff Susie into her arms. “Welcome to the family, Daughter. I look forward to our dinner next week.” She kissed her cheek and Susie seemed to sag in her hold. “Don’t worry, he will come around. Go home, and make sure my boys take care of you.”

Susie kissed his mother’s cheek back before mumbling. “Thank you so much. I feel so extremely lucky to have a mother-in-law like you.” His mother beamed down at their mate and gave her a little push in their direction. He watched as Blake shook his head, laughed, and settled Susie between them. Their mother was up to something, but right now he didn’t care.

Smiling down at Susie, Brian offered her his arm. “You ready to go, honey?” She grinned and they walked out of the hotel.

---