Page 46 of Tossed into the Mob
“I knew who your father was.” He launched into an explanation of working in a restaurant the Durands owned and meeting Emilio. “We were fated, and he marked me, but we could never be together.” He lifted his sleeve and showed a small scar I’d always assumed was the result of a childhood accident.
Both Treyton and I sat still, not saying anything as the sadness that had engulfed me after reading Emilio’s letters returned.
“He looked after us financially, but I had an inkling that something bad had happened, and that’s when I bought the gun.” He tapped his mating mark. “We weren’t together but our bond was real.” Dad went on to say that Emilio had told him to leave a letter for me in case something happened.
“He led a dangerous life and was aware he could be killed, but he couldn’t walk away from the life. Originally the letter mentioned contacting the Durands, saying he worked for them, but when I suspected something had happened, I didn’t know who to contact in the Durand family.” He added that he was scared to just turn up at their door.
“Until you met my dad and saw the documentary and put two and two together?” Treyton reached out and took Dad’s hand. “It must have been hard, the not knowing.”
Dad nodded and wiped away tears. “I always wondered if you would turn out to be a shifter, Brock.”
I pinched my arm and grimaced. “Nope. I’m as human as a human could be.”
He’d chosen not to tell me about my father, and if I’d been in his position, maybe I would have done the same.
“I never stopped loving him. Still do.”
Dad wasn’t talking to me or Treyton. He was somewhere else, perhaps imagining himself with Emilio. I took his hand, and he squeezed it. He’d carried this burden since I was born, and I hoped he could eventually move past the sadness and live a life filled with purpose.
Dad reached out to Treyton with his other hand. “I see how you look at one another and I know that look. Don’t let anything keep you apart.”
We hadn’t talked of where we’d live or even what I was going to do. I’d lost interest in my studies, but if Treyton and I were to mate, we’d have to make that hard decision. I couldn’t imagine living far from Dad. He needed me.
An hour later we were back at Treyton’s apartment. Though there was no rush to mate, after listening to Dad, I wanted to complete the bond we shared.
"Are you okay?" Treyton put an arm around my shoulders.
“Not really.” I turned to him and cupped his cheek. “I can't shake off the feeling that we should mate now. There’s nothing stopping us.”
“That kinda was the plan.”
I tapped my brow. “Oh yeah. I forgot.” I laughed at myself being so forgetful.
“You’ll be tied to me for life and by extension the Durand family and La Luna Noir. That’s a lot of baggage.”
I pointed over my shoulder, and Treyton peered behind me. “I’ve got my own baggage. Having a traitor for a father, the one who wanted to annihilate your family, for starters.”
He pressed his lips on my forehead, and my body tingled. I wondered if that sensation would fade over time or when we got old he’d still make my body sing.
“My wolf is excited, particularly as we’ve waited so long and he messed up big time.”
“Will it hurt?”
He laughed and pulled me close. “After everything you’ve endured, you’re worried about a tiny scratch?”
“Maybe. Yes.”
He explained how his claws would extend and he’d mark me on my chest. “Or my beast can bite if you prefer.”
I chose the scratch.
“Not all humans mark their mates.”
“What? No way. I’m your mate, and I’m going to sink my teeth into your flesh so all shifters understand you’re mine.”
He pulled off his sweater and shirt and my heart galloped. His bare skin never failed to excite me, and I placed my hand on his chest to confirm his calming effect. My heart slowed, and I smiled. My Treyton, love of my life.
“I love you and adore you, and my life was incomplete before you turned up and aimed your gun at me.”
