Better Than Luck Read online

  “Right, out for myself? Keep telling yourself if that helps you sleep at night. Every decision I make, I do it with my husband, with our child in mind. You never did. You just expected everyone to go along with your bullshit.” She left, slamming the door on the way out, anger coursing through her.

  She stopped in the middle of the racks and gripped the metal of one. Taking a deep breath, she tried to push it all out. Maybe Tremaine was right. She shouldn’t have bothered. She knew he would never see the truth, and yet, she had to get it out.

  Once her hands stopped shaking so badly, she made her way to the counter where she found Tremaine crouched on the floor, pointing to a picture in a book. Makayla smiled up at her and ran. She caught her halfway and scooped her up.

  “Hey, baby. How are you?”

  “Hugs.” She squeezed Danika. “Love, Mommy.”

  “Love you more.” She did, so much.

  “We go?”

  Smiling, she looked into Makayla’s eyes. “Want to see Daddy? And our friend Henry?”

  “Ya-huh.”

  “Real soon.” She kissed Makayla’s head and turned to Tremaine. “What do I owe you?”

  “Told you, this is my gift to you. Don’t argue. The books are on the counter in a bag. Her smoothie and your tea are up there too. Don’t forget to drink it.”

  “I won’t. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. Now get going. See Adam and go home, relax, and forget about that guy back there.” He mouthed the word asshole.

  “You got it.”

  * * * *

  Adam worked on a fine detail in Henry’s sleeve. The man was practically covered. He’d been working on various pieces for twenty plus years. Normally, they chatted, discussed work, life, their wives. Now, the conversation had dried up.

  At least until Danika strolled in with Makayla in the stroller. “Hey, Henry. You wanted to see the munchkin?”

  “Of course.” He grinned at her. “You’re really okay, Danika?”

  “Yes, I’m doing well. And I’ll be calling Anne very soon. Promise.”

  “You don’t know how relieved I am to hear that. We want you around. All of us.”

  “Yeah, I hear ya.” Danika took Makayla out of the stroller and put her on her hip. “Say hi.”

  “Heny, hi.”

  “Hey, squirt. Having a good day?” he asked.

  “Got books.”

  Danika met Adam’s gaze and he couldn’t help smiling. Whatever happened in the bookshop, she was happy now. He just hoped that lasted, and she didn’t change her mind about being a leprechaun. He didn’t see any other option. And it was awkward as fuck trying to figure out what to say to Henry or Anne.

  Hell, with Henry’s profession, he really didn’t know what to say to him. Adam had known about Others most of his life, and never once told Henry anything, knowing he was a paranormal investigator. But what he did rarely had anything to do with Others. Mostly debunking ghosts or hauntings. Occasionally, they found proof. But if anyone would accept Others, he would.

  Which gave him an idea, but they weren’t delving into it with Makayla right there, in case he was wrong, and had to call Robert to erase a few minutes from his old friend’s head.

  “How have you been, Henry?” Danika asked.

  “Work’s been crazy. We’ve been investigating a run-down, abandoned insane asylum. Lots of creepy stuff.”

  “That right? I’m sure there are lot of unhappy souls lingering. They probably feel stuck.”

  “I believe so. Some are so angry.”

  “Have you found someone who can send them on?”

  He sighed. “Not one willing to go there. The place is a danger.”

  “I can imagine.”

  Henry smiled at Makayla. “I wonder what kind of trait you both have to give you blue hair.”

  Makayla rubbed her hand in her hair. “I like blue.”

  He grinned. “It suits you, just like your mother.”

  “Thank you,” Danika said. “I’m going to take her home and make lunch.”

  “It was good seeing you. Call Anne. She’s worried, though I’ll tell her you’re doing well.”

  “Thanks. I’m sure we’ll see you soon.”

  Adam put the tattoo gun aside and stood to give her a quick kiss and place one on Makayla’s head. “Be good, angel.”

  “Love you, Daddy.”

  “You too, Bluebird.”

  Danika put Makayla back in the stroller and headed out.

  Chapter 14

  “I want to see Dominique,” Finnian sneered. “I have a right to see my daughters. You brought me the ungrateful bitch. You could at least bring the one who loved me.”

  “Loved? Don’t think she does now?” Preston muttered.

  “Of course not. Danika is a manipulative whore.”

  “She’s been with the same man for nearly twenty years,” Preston replied. “She’s not a whore.”

  “Twenty years? And they just now have a child?” Shaking his head, he rubbed at his face. “If she had just gone through the awakening she may not hate me so damned much.”

  “You’re a fool, Finnian. You seem to ignore the fact tragedy follows you. Not her, you. Everyone you get too close to suffers because you pull luck from them, leaving them in terrible situations.” Robert dropped into the seat across from Finnian.

  “You can’t keep me.” He sat forward. “I haven’t done anything wrong.”

  “I saw into your head. And unfortunately, your plan is to attempt to destroy your own daughter. As a father, I can’t begin to imagine hating my own flesh and blood.”

  “You don’t understand. Danika put us through hell. She took the difficult way every damned time. She almost destroyed Diedre’s love of me.”

  Robert pushed away from the table and looked at Preston. “I’m dropping him in the Charleston Headquarters and letting the documentation department sort him out. He can go from there.”

  “Good plan,” Preston answered, a smirk on his face.

  What Finnian wouldn’t give to wipe it from his face. “You can’t drag me across the country.”

  “I can, or would you prefer China?” Robert countered.

  “Are you fucking kidding me?”

  Preston laughed. “Oh, he’s not. Push your luck and my man will drop your ass in Antarctica.”

  “Would, but there’s no headquarters capable of creating documents there.”

  Preston’s brow cocked, but he kept his mouth shut.

  Did that mean there was some form of headquarters in the icy region? Not that it mattered. He would have no way back. “Fine, Charleston.”

  “Maybe China would be better,” Preston suggested.

  Robert smiled cruelly as he met Finnian’s gaze. “Don’t complain, and I’ll take you to Charleston. They’re the best equipped to get you going.”

  * * * *

  Danika sat on the back porch, watching Makayla play in the grass with her teddy bear. She was tired again, but she refused to fall asleep until Makayla was tired or Adam was home.

  And maybe she should have taken a moment to call Anne, but she still wasn’t sure what the hell to say to her.

  She jumped when someone sat down beside her. “Oh my God, what are you doing here?” she squeaked at Dominique.

  “Wanted to make sure you know I love you.”

  “I do.”

  She nudged Danika’s shoulder. “And that I’m not an evil, horrible leprechaun. I’m just me, and I happen to be a leprechaun.”

  “Going to try to convince me to sleep with someone else?” Danika asked without humor.

  “Do you see another option that guarantees you an eternity with Adam? Unless someone kills him to be with you?”

  Danika let out a breath. “I get it, Dominique. I’m going to do it. You don’t have to sit here and attempt to talk me into it.” She drew a deep breath.

  “Adam loves you. That’s not why he wants you to do it.”

  Danika managed a smile. “I know that. To
ok someone giving me a different perspective.”

  “And who was that?”

  “Tremaine.”

  She grinned. “He would be able to spin that, wouldn’t he?”

  Danika rolled her eyes. “Yeah, but not in the way you’d think.”

  Dominique smirked. “I wouldn’t mind being sandwiched between Robert and Tremaine…” She waggled her brows. “Not that I would ever give Dane up for that, nor do I want Liz coming to slaughter me in some horrific way.”

  Danika laughed. “Oh, I don’t think you could pry either of them from Liz. But that hardly matters because you and Dane are great together.”

  Dominique smirked. “So, who are you going to sleep with?”

  Danika shuddered. “It’s not like that.”

  “You know what I mean.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Don’t know yet. Kind of scared. I’ve been with Adam for so long I can’t even imagine what it would be like to be with someone else.”

  “From what I hear, Mathis and Paavo would be happy to bring both of you over and make it good.” Dominique lifted a shoulder. “You two wouldn’t even be the first two they brought into the bedroom.”

  A snort escaped her lips. “I’m sure, but how is Adam going to feel about that?”

  “For you? Perfectly fine. Seriously. He’s only going to see the benefit of having you around forever, especially since you decided to make him jump into being a werewolf before you knew it would work for you.”

  Danika turned to her sister. “Some part of me thought it might not work, but I was trying to shut it up. God, I think part of why I pushed him into it was so I’d have to consider the other way. I couldn’t admit it this morning, but the more I think about it, the more I wasn’t sure it was really going to work. I just…shit.” She dropped her head.

  Dominique touched her shoulder. “What is it?”

  “Don’t hate me, okay?”

  “Why would I ever hate you, Danika?”

  She winced. “Dad’s alive. I found out last night when Adam and I went out. We were in Seattle. I guess he figured out where I was.”

  “I know. Adam told me this morning. He’s still an asshole.” She stared off into the woods. “Why wait eighteen years to find us? He’s probably in trouble again and hoping we can offer some kind of help.”

  Danika snorted. “The bastard blames me for Mom’s death. But I was in Seattle, not anywhere near France where she died in that fire. He blamed me for tearing them apart because I wouldn’t fuck his friend to get rid of the cancer. God, he’s such an asshole.”

  “Yeah, he’s an asshole all right. How do you mean he found you?”

  “Guess Adam saw him across the street from Brody’s. They told Hayden, who called Robert. Tremaine says there is something wrong with him, that’s why he leaches everyone’s luck so bad. He doesn’t even realize he’s the cause of all these horrible incidents.”

  “Can it be fixed?”

  Danika winced. “Not the way you’d probably like.”

  She sat back. “Don’t be cryptic. What do you mean?”

  “He had Fallon tattoo wards that will prevent him from inadvertently sucking all the luck from anyone else and killing them.”

  She lifted a shoulder. “Well, that’s good, right?”

  “Yeah.” She didn’t mention the fact it would likely kill him since he may not have his own luck anymore. All his fault.

  Dominique looked her in the eye. “So, where is he now?”

  “Didn’t ask. After Dad called me a whore and terrible mother I left.”

  A sneer twisted her lip. “Oh, that piece of shit. He doesn’t understand you. He never did.”

  “That’s obvious. I guess he thinks you’ll take his side. So if you want to contact him, ask Robert. Personally, I don’t ever want to see him again, or deal with him.”

  “Don’t blame you. Wish I’d been there. I’d prove him wrong. Asshole.”

  Makayla finally noticed Dominique and popped up to run to her. “Dommy, Dommy!”

  Dominique stood, scooped Makayla up, and swung her around. “Hey, princess. You being good?”

  “Very good.”

  Dominique brought her close for a hug. Makayla grabbed her face and smacked her lips for a big kiss, then hugged Dominique tight.

  “Love you too, munchkin.” She sat down, putting Makayla in her lap. “What are you doing?”

  “Playing. Come on.” She scooted off her lap.

  Danika giggled. “Better follow her.”

  Dominique did.

  Danika sat back and closed her eyes. She didn’t want to think about her dad, or sleeping with other people. And she knew it would most likely be Mathis and Paavo because it could be just sex with them. It didn’t have to be awkward. They’d been lovers since long before she’d been alive. They shared a bond so intense it was impossible to miss. They often invited other people into their bed, but never apart, always together.

  The siren lived and breathed sensuality. And still, she felt weird about it. It wasn’t what she would have jumped at. But she also knew Fallon had been with them once upon a time, long before Brody. All to save her life.

  Dominique carried Makayla back. “She wants a nap.”

  “Sleepy, Mommy.”

  Danika hopped up. “Sure, you can sleep.” She took her daughter from Dominique and got her into the bed before going to the living room. And if her sister wasn’t there, she would curl up with Makayla and take a nap.

  “What has you so melancholy?”

  “Got to figure out what to tell Anne and Henry.” Danika yawned.

  “Why do you have to tell them anything?”

  Danika sighed. “I went to Anne first. She diagnosed me.”

  “Why there?”

  “Remember, I didn’t want to be anything but human. I didn’t want to be Other.”

  “But now you know Dad isn’t like most leprechauns, right? That we aren’t like him?”

  “Yeah, but I went there because I didn’t want to see Jolene’s pity. I didn’t want to be told I should just be Other. I thought Adam wouldn’t want to be a werewolf. And I’m still not one hundred percent comfortable with the idea, but I’m going through with it.”

  “Well, I want to know all about it.”

  Danika smirked. “We’ll see how embarrassed I am afterward.”

  “So, why didn’t you tell me you thought you were sick again?”

  She groaned. “Didn’t want to be. Was hoping I was exhausted from pregnancy, or something.”

  Dominique put an arm around her. “Should have called me. I would have listened.”

  “Wasn’t ready. I needed to talk to Adam first. Then I thought the werewolf thing would work. I just don’t want to be like Dad.”

  “And now you know you won’t.”

  “Yeah, would have helped if I knew that fact sooner.” Danika turned to Dominique. “How are you and Dane?”

  She grinned. “Good. He proposed. Why did our men take so long to propose?”

  “Don’t know, but I didn’t care about a ring. I always wanted him, that’s it.”

  “Same with Dane.” She giggled. “He’s so sweet.”

  “How did he propose? And where is the ring?”

  “Being fitted. But he took me hiking, up to this beautiful waterfall he heard about. It was gorgeous. While I was dipping my toes into the water, he climbed up beside me, looked into my eyes, and told me he always wanted to be mine.” Dominique grinned.

  Such a sweet gesture from a man she wouldn’t have expected it from. “He can be romantic,” Danika answered with a smile.

  “And he can be creative.” She waggled her brows.

  “I’m sure he can be.” Danika giggled, then yawned. “I’m tired. I’m going to go lie down with her. Thanks for coming, though.”

  “Love you, sis.”

  Danika let out a breath. “Are you going to call Robert?”

  “Doubtful. Dad was always a dick. Doesn’t sound like he actually cares for us. I
want about as much to do with him as you do.”

  “He wants to see you.” Danika rolled her eyes.

  “Because he’s an asshole and thinks I don’t hate him.” A smirk twisted her lips as she shook her head.. “It took him leaving time and time again to see how he is. He’s too concerned with himself and no one else.”

  “That’s typical for him.” Danika squeezed Dominique’s hand. “See you soon?”

  “You got it.” She hopped up, hurried to the door, and waved before slipping out.

  Chapter 15

  Adam sat at his desk, going through the books. He wanted to go home to Danika, but he was waiting on Amethyst, who had promised to talk to her brother about helping Danika.

  So strange. Just a few days ago, if someone had asked what he thought about Danika being with anyone else, he would have been pissed at the thought. No way around that.

  And still, knowing this was the best way to ensure their long, happy lives, it was his only option. One he didn’t mind in the least. And knowing that Paavo and Mathis would likely do this for her, for them, made the worry he’d lose her fade away.

  Besides, in his younger days, he’d been curious. Danika wiped away all those thoughts, but now, well, the curiosity was back.

  There was a knock on his door. “Come in.”

  Amethyst stepped inside, followed by Paavo and Mathis.

  He sat up straighter. “Amethyst told you about Danika?”

  Paavo nodded slowly. “And we’d like to discuss everything first.”

  “Of course.”

  Amethyst stepped toward the door. “I’ll let you all have that conversation.” She shut the door behind her.

  “I understand she needs one of you to get her off. I have no problem with this, not in the slightest.”

  “Are you sure?” Mathis asked.

  “Positive. And if it’s not too awkward, I want to be there. I’m not sure she’ll go along with it if I’m not.”

  Paavo took a seat. “How comfortable are you with a man touching you?”

  He lifted a shoulder, keeping eye contact. “I’ve considered it. It’s not something I’d shy away from, though I’m not sure how far I’d be willing to go.”