“But I wasn’t worried about how I looked.” Stone crossed his arms.
“Not true, bro.” Rage rolled his eyes. “You carried all of those bags to prove that you can be easily manipulated into doing work that someone else doesn’t want to do.”
“Hmm … When you put it that way, he may become my new best friend.” Cole’s mouth spread into an evil grin. “I’m so tired. I bet you can’t carry me up the stairs to my room.”
“Forget you.” Stone turned around and opened the door once more. “I’m going to help Dad with pack duties.”
When the door shut, Cole sighed. “You just couldn’t be nice to your brother.”
“Me?” Rage grabbed my hand and led me to the small hallway on the right. “Don’t even try to place that on me.”
“Wait.” Cole pointed at his luggage. “Aren’t you going to take mine?”
“No.” Rage didn’t even bother to turn his head in Cole’s direction.
“You’re just not right.” Audrey giggled and patted Cole on his arm. “I’m so glad you’re staying with us this holiday.”
“At least one of you appreciates me.” Cole winked at her and placed his arm around her shoulders. “So since the hubs is preoccupied, why don’t we …”
I couldn’t believe him. “He has no boundaries.”
“Did it finally sink in?” Rage laughed as a stairway opened up on the left. “We’ve been saying that for a while.”
“I think it finally has.” It’s sad that it took Cole flirting with Rage’s mom to finally get me there.
We made it up the stairs. There was a large bathroom straight ahead, a door on the left, and two on the right side. All the walls of his house were painted various shades of gray. The house was simple but gorgeous.
“Alright, here’s our room.” He opened the door on the left and motioned for me to enter.
“Wait … ours?” I had to have misheard him.
He covered his mouth with his hand, but the edges of his eyes crinkled revealing the smile. “Yes … ours.”
“But we’re at your parents’ house.” They couldn’t be okay with this right? I already felt weird even though I couldn’t pinpoint why.
“You do realize we’re mated.” Rage reached out and tucked a stray piece of my chestnut hair behind my ear. “I mean, we can’t get any more serious than that.”
“You’re right. I’m being silly.” I didn’t know what was wrong with me. I felt like I was regressing to how I felt when starting at Bloodshed. I moved past him and entered the room. “I’m just so nervous.”
There was a king-size bed against the middle of the wall, framed by dark cherry furniture. To the right of the room was a private bathroom.
“There is no reason for you to be nervous.” Rage entered the room and placed my backpack by the bed. “Come here.” He took my hands and pulled me so that both of us sat on the bed. “You are my mate, and I love you. That’s all anyone needs to know.”
“But what if your parents hate me?”
“Then screw them.” Rage lowered his head and brushed his lips against mine. “Though they’re not going to because you’re an incredible person all on your own. I’m just your arm candy.”
I couldn’t hold my giggle in. He knew exactly how to put me at ease. “I love you.” I placed my hand on his neck and brought him back to my lips. I deepened our kiss and pulled back after a minute.
“I love you too.” He brushed his fingers over my lips and smiled.
“My turn.” Cole sauntered into the room and grabbed my waist, hoisting me back on my feet. “You just need to wipe your lips off first. I don’t want to indirectly kiss Rage.”
“Hey.” Rage pointed at Cole. “Don’t make me get up.”
“Look, I’ll admit you’re attractive for a guy, but women are more my thing.” Cole tapped my nose. “Especially hot ones like Ravey.”
“Aw, are you wanting a kiss?” I was thankful that Cole was going to be here. He may have been a pain in the ass, but he’d help me feel more comfortable.
“Hells, yeah.” Cole moved his neck from side to side. “Give me some lovin’.” He puckered his lips, which reminded me of a duck. “Rage watch me steal your girl.”
I leaned toward him and gave him a big sloppy kiss on his cheek. “How’s that?”
“Would’ve been better if it were on my lips.” His cheek glistened from my saliva. “At least I know Rage won’t ever be thirsty. You could water a whole damn town.”
“Asshole.” I laughed, smacking him on the arm.
“That’s what you get for making a move on her.” Rage stood behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. “Now leave us be.”
A hint of musk clung in the air as Stone appeared in the doorway. “Hey, Dad’s home and wanting to see y’all.”
“Of course he does.” Cole motioned to the door and smiled. “Come on, guys. Daddy’s home.”
“I told you never to say that again.” Rage took my hand and pulled me to the door.
As we walked into the living room again, Audrey stood next to her husband at a small bar table that was at the back of the room and turned as we entered. “And there they are.”
Rage’s dad’s back was to us as he poured some whiskey into a glass. “I can’t wait to meet the infamous Raven.” His hair was dark, and his build was similar to Rage. When he turned around, his dark brown eyes widened. “Dear God, she’s the spitting image of Liz.”
My stomach dropped, and I took a deep breath. How did they know my mom?
Chapter Fifteen
“I thought the same thing about her.” Audrey took a few tentative steps toward me. “I mean there are a few subtle differences, but that’s it.”
“How do you know my mom?” The words tumbled out even though it sounded as if someone else asked them.
“No, there is no way that can be.” Audrey shook her head as she placed a hand on her heart. “She disappeared, and no one could track her. We all thought she was dead.”
All of a sudden, cold realization crashed over me.
Rage placed a hand on my shoulder. “This could all just be coincidental. I’ve heard you speak of Liz in the past and her last name was Cromwell, not Wright.”
“Oh, that can’t be my mom.” Some of the terror evaporated, and I took a deep breath. “Her last name was Grayson.”
“Well, then it’s all just a coincidence.” Audrey gave me a sad smile. “I won’t lie. I kind of hoped you were her daughter. She was my best friend and vanished from the Academy one night.”
“Well, if Raven looks like her, she was damn hot.” Cole bumped shoulders with Rage. “Am I right?”
“Just ignore him.” Rage whispered into my ear even though everyone in the room could hear. “He feeds off attention.”
“That is a blatant lie.” Cole grabbed his chest and closed his eyes. “I need blood to survive.”