Finley’s Feisty Mate (Dixon Pack Book 3) Read online

  “Are you girls ready?” Quinn asked, walking toward the door.

  “Ready.” They all said in unison. When she looked out the window, there were already a line of people waiting. This was unreal and exciting to watch, and now she was going to be a part of it.

  The moment the doors opened, the whirlwind of activity started. She didn’t know how many pieces she sold, but it was a lot. Everyone got a number and took it to the front and orders were packaged. She never had to mess with the money, which was good. Southern Treasures was a well-oiled machine and when she looked at her books she knew Quinn and Jade both were making a killing.

  She loved setting up Quinn’s program. She seemed so appreciative and she loved working with numbers again. Then she remembered why she was here in the first place. Dominic Santora. The same reason her parents were dead. She had to find a way out of this. Haine needed to go to school, and she needed to start her career. When this was all over…well, she was reluctant to even think that way. Right now, she still had no clue what Santora wanted with her.

  If she brought trouble to this place, it would kill her. She had already lost too much. These were kind people and she would do what it took to make sure no harm came to them.

  After dinner, she needed to work on finding a cop who would help them. There had to be a good cop out there somewhere.

  Chapter 9

  Alex sat after the door was finally closed for the day. She was exhausted as she watched Quinn lock the entrance and turn off the open sign. “You did great today. I loved how you told the woman how I named all my pieces. Not a lot of people know that story.” Jade sat beside her.

  “I actually researched you when I got my first piece. She seemed to like your stuff as much as I do. To be honest, they all do,” Alex said.

  “I’m exhausted.” Jade pushed hair away from her face. “And I’m starving. We’re all eating at the diner and we would love for you to come.”

  “Oh, well, I have to get Haine and I’m sure Charlotte expects us for dinner at the B&B. I can’t do that to her.”

  “Oh, yeah, you have a little brother. I can’t wait to meet him. He can come, too, and I doubt Charlotte would mind. She always has people that stop by just to eat dinner. In fact, that’s where you met Quinn and Simone. We always go by there to eat. That woman sure knows how to cook. I’ll call her to save it and we can order lunch from her tomorrow so it won’t go to waste. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind.”

  “I need to check on Haine first.” She wanted to go with the ladies, but first she needed to check on her brother. The store was so busy, she hadn’t even taken a break to see if he needed anything. It scared her that she had been so preoccupied; she totally forgot about him. It was one of those moments that alarmed her so much that Alex quickly got up and ran to the door that separated the bakery.

  “Alex?” She heard her name being called but the need to check on Haine was too much.

  Her heart beat so fast as she rushed inside the bakery frantically searching every table. There was only one man sitting in the corner and one of the workers was pulling taffy from a machine. She didn’t see Haine or Simone anywhere.

  The man sitting in the corner continued to watch her. Finn said they were in the kitchen when he took the picture. She didn’t give the man a second thought even when he stood, glaring at her. It didn’t matter, she had to find Haine. A tear fell from her face as she rushed toward the kitchen. Fear like she never felt before overcame her thinking something was wrong with Haine.

  “Sissy, look at the cake I decorated,” Haine said, smiling. He sat at a table decorating a cake. Her breath left her so fast she almost passed out. He was okay. He was okay.

  “Alex, Alex, are you okay?” Simone asked concerned. She stood beside another woman.

  A growl had her turning to find the huge man from up front standing at the door. The feral look on his face terrified her as she backed away. She shook her head in disbelief because fur was spreading across his face. This couldn’t be real, she thought. But it was. She was seeing it and still couldn’t believe it. The more she stared the more hair sprouted across his face and arms. He looked like a bear.

  “Alex?” She could hear the concern but she couldn’t seem to get air into her lungs as she watched the man change into something she still couldn’t comprehend.

  Panting, she whispered, “What the hell are you?” Fur continued to sprout over his arms as she backed away, but nothing was helping as she started to hyperventilate.

  “Get away from my mate,” Finn growled like the man turning into a bear.

  White dots floated across her eyes right before they closed.

  She woke staring at the ceiling.

  “Sissy?” Her little brother’s voice echoed in the room. Haine was scared.

  She turned her head and found Simone, Quinn, Jade, Finn, and a worried Haine watching her. “Hey.”

  “Are you okay?” Tears fell from Haine’s eyes. He was terrified as he hesitantly approached her.

  “I’m sorry, I scared you. I…” Alex tried to get up but her head spun. She felt sick to her stomach. She must have looked like a total dork.

  “Sissy…” Haine rushed to her side.

  “I’m okay. I just got up too fast.” Alex had to make Haine feel safe. She reached toward him. Without fail, her little brother dropped into her arms.

  “I thought you had left me, too,” Haine cried out. “I—”

  Kissing the top of her brother’s head, she could feel the relief in Haine’s body as he held tightly to her.

  “I think you need to eat. You haven’t eaten since early this morning,” Finn said, holding a bottle of water out to her.

  “Thanks.” Alex reached with one hand, trying to hold on to Haine with the other. Finn twisted the top off allowing her to take a drink.

  “Alex, you have to take breaks during the day and eat,” Quinn said with concern, sitting on the table beside her.

  “I know. It was so busy, I forgot and I was having fun with the customers and time just passed by and before I knew it, you were closing the doors.”

  “It gets like that, but ever couple hours you have to take a break and eat, even if you are having fun. I’m not a slave driver here, you know.” Quinn winked and pushed her hair from her face.

  “I’m okay, Haine. Just need to eat something, but I’m not leaving you. I promise.”

  “You promise.” Haines voice cracked, breaking her heart. She felt her brother’s pain. If she sensed it, then everyone else in the room did, too.

  She made her brother a promise and that was one oath she would keep, no matter what. No matter what she had to do to make it happen.

  Kissing the top of his head, she made eye contact with Finn and the others. “I cross my heart.” Alex’s stomach growled and Haine giggled breaking the intense moment.

  “Let’s go eat,” Quinn said, messing up Haine’s hair.

  As they walked out, Haine grabbed a hold of her hand. Then she remembered why she passed out in the first place. The man was changing into something.

  She immediately stopped. She knew she didn’t dream it. “What was he?”

  Quinn and the others turned and faced her. “It’s complicated, Alex. After we eat, I will explain it all to you, but you need to eat.”

  The man in question stood when they walked into the front room. He didn’t move toward her, he just waited. “Alex, this is Ben Crenshaw.”

  “I’m sorry I scared you. I thought you were trying to hurt my mate. You had a crazed look on your face.”

  “I wasn’t crazed. I was scared for my brother. He’s all I have, but I wouldn’t hurt anyone, especially your what did you call her? Your mate?”

  “Alex, let’s eat and all will be explained,” Finn said, pulling her toward the door.

  Simone and Haine were already at the door. Both were watching the taffy machine work. She watched as they talked and giggled. “Come on, my little baker. Let’s get some spaghetti. It’s on special today. Do
you like spaghetti?”

  “I love it.” Haine walked out the door with Simone. She smiled as they went hand and hand both seemed involved in their own conversation. Then her stomach growled again. Her curiosity would have to wait.

  “After we eat, I want to know what the hell I saw back there. If anything happens to Haine. If he tries to hurt him…”

  “I would kill him, Alex,” Finn said. “Nobody will touch either of you, but Ben isn’t a threat to you or Haine.

  Alex looked at Ben and her eyes narrowed. “Didn’t look like that to me.”

  “All will be explained shortly.”

  “Did Haine see it, too?”

  “Your brother never saw what was happening. Quinn was standing in front of him.”

  “You owe me some answers, Finn. I know what I saw.”

  “I will. Now let’s eat. I don’t want you passing out anymore.”

  Alex nodded. She looked over her shoulder and watched as Ben went back to watching Monica as she cleaned the counters. She’d seen that man change, but it was still too unreal to believe.

  Walking into the restaurant, Alex observed two men sitting at a big table. Both men rose as they made their way to them. “Hey, baby,” one of the men said, hugging Quinn to him. She found it odd to watch such an intimate greeting when the man started rubbing his face all over Quinn’s. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t turn away. It was a strange greeting but equally touching. The man seemed happy to see her and she acted the same toward him.

  “Alex, this is my ma…husband Arden Dixon. Baby, this is Alex,” Quinn said.

  “Nice to finally meet you, Alex. I’ve already heard you have been a tremendous help to Quinn and Jade today.” Arden leaned over and whispered, “Thank you for figuring out that program. I also own some businesses and would love to know what type of program would help me with the paperwork and keeping up with all that information. I hate tax time and my accountant knows that, but if you made my wife smile like you did today, then please, help me.”

  “Sure, I need to ask you some questions about the type of businesses you have in order to pick the perfect program. There are many you could choose from, but I know one that is made for multiple businesses. After dinner, maybe you could give me some information, and I would love to find something that works for you.”

  “Alex, this is my husband Bane Cross.” She watched as the man held his hand out to her. “And this is Haine.”

  “I’ve heard a lot about you, too, young man. My wife said you are a natural baker. And when she says that about a person, she means it.”

  “Thank you.” Alex watched her little brother shake both the male’s hands.

  “Hello, folks…Oh my gosh, well, look who’s back. My little Michelangelo.” Mildred put the menus down and pointed to the wall where several pictures were taped. “Everyone has been talking about your picture and how real it looks. We only have a few more days and the winner will be picked. I hope you two will be around for the announcement. It would be a shame for you to win and they have to go with the second-place winner.”

  Alex saw the sadness on Haine’s face at the thought of them leaving. She averted her gaze, opening the menu, trying to figure out what to do now. The longer they stayed, Haine would get more attached, and to be honest, she was, too. “You ran out so quickly the other day that you forgot to sign your picture. You want to do that now?” Mildred asked.

  Haine glanced at her and she smiled and nodded. She wasn’t going anywhere until that contest was over. The smile on his face made her heart beat faster. He looked happy as Mildred took him over to the wall.

  “I understand you have some questions about what you saw in the bakery today?” Arden asked.

  Alex turned to see everyone at the table watching her. She had lots of questions, but she didn’t know if she really wanted to know the answers.

  “What I saw today,” Alex paused and glanced around the table. “Tell me I didn’t see that man change somehow? He looked like he was turning into an animal.”

  When nobody said anything, Alex could hear her own heartbeat thrashing in her chest.

  Finn whispered, “It’s okay. I promise you’re safe here. Nobody will hurt you.”

  “Then tell me the truth,” Alex insisted, but still nobody answered.

  When she scooted her chair back, Arden spoke, “Yes, Alex. He was changing into an animal, but we have to know if you will keep what I tell you a secret? My people’s lives depend on it.”

  “On what? I don’t understand,” Alex said confused. This was crazy. Even Jade and Quinn were going along with this crazy ruse.

  “Alex, do you give me your word?” Arden asked again. His voice vibrated with power and for some reason she wanted to do exactly what the man said.

  “I still don’t understand, but yes, you have my word that what you tell me will never be repeated.” Alex sat, leaned back in her chair and waited for an answer.

  Their table was in the back of the room so there wasn’t any way someone could hear their conversation, but it didn’t stop her from glancing around the room. “I’m sure you have read books and watched movies about people turning into animal shifters,” Arden said. When she started to laugh, she saw that everyone at the table wasn’t even smiling. No this couldn’t be real. Surely not, but…

  “Yes, I’ve seen the movies and read the books,” Alex said. “But you can’t be saying that Ben was turning into an animal, a shifter.”

  “That’s exactly what I’m saying. Ben Crenshaw is a bear shifter and the Alpha of his clan. The reason he’s in the bakery is because of Monica. You met Monica and Josh today, right?” Arden asked, but Alex was still shaking her head about Ben being a shifter. When she remembered what he looked like, she saw a bear. The way his hair was growing and shit, shit, shit…closing her eyes, Alex vividly remembered how quickly it spread across his body. Then he growled at her.

  “Shit.” Alex exhaled deeply.

  “Alex, it’s okay. Just breathe,” Finn muttered, putting his hand on her arm.

  Her head turned toward Finn as she snatched her arm away. “Don’t tell me it’s okay. You just told me that shifters are real and that…” Alex looked over at Arden. “You said that your people…does…are you telling me you’re a shifter, too?”

  “Yes, I’m the Alpha of the Dixon pack. We are all wolf shifters,” Arden said, pointing around the table.

  Frowning, Alex shook her head. “You people are crazy. Please, Jade, tell me he’s just pulling my leg. Playing a joke on the new girl in town?”

  Jade and Arden exchanged glances. “It’s true, Alex. I’m a shifter. I was born a shifter. Only Quinn, Simone, and Finn were turned, but maybe that’s another story for another day because I don’t think you are taking this too well.”

  Afraid to move, Alex felt anger as the realization of what she had just gotten herself into took hold. Now they would be watching her, and what if she tried to leave? What would they do to her and Haine? Oh god, she had put her little brother in more danger.

  “Alex, we mean you no harm. You’re thinking this will cause you danger, but that’s not true,” Arden said.

  “Please, don’t hurt Haine. He doesn’t know anything about you guys.” Alex grabbed her arms and rubbed them up and down. Her body shook from fear. She had come to a small town to hide and now she was right back into something else. “And…please…God, what else have I done?” Tears ran down her face. She hated feeling so scared. She hated how wrong her gut had been to stay here in this town.

  “Alex, look at me,” Finn whispered. Lifting her head, she turned to the man she thought really liked her. “We would never hurt that boy. Never! And we would never hurt you. Think about it this way, if shifters were known, what would the government do? First, they would want to study us. Put us in cages. We have little ones like Haine and even younger. Parents would fight to protect their children and people would die. The Alpha only wants to make sure you won’t say anything about us to anyone. Ke
eping our secrets is essential. That’s all the Alpha is saying. Furthermore, I would kill anyone who touched one hair on your head, and that means anyone.”

  “I would never tell. I doubt anyone would believe me, anyway, but I would never do that to any of you. But what if I leave? Are you going to put us in a cage to guarantee I don’t? All I have is my word, Finn.”

  “Your word is good enough for me,” Arden said. The others sitting at the table echoed the same. “But we hope you will stick around, because we thought you liked us here, and Haine looks happy.”

  Alex turned and stared at her brother sitting at the bar with one of the cooks and Mildred. He drank a milkshake and laughed at a picture the cook drew, trying to copy Haines picture. “I am happy but…” She looked down at her hands knowing she would eventually have to tell them something.

  “Let’s not talk about leaving. Let’s just take it day by day. I think you need to eat and then we will worry about the rest later. How’s that?” Finn said, smiling.

  She watched as he put one of his hands-on top of hers. She knew he meant to calm her, but his warm hands only made her heart beat faster. Finn was special. He had stopped the others from asking her questions she wasn’t ready to answer and she liked him more and more for his gentle nature. But Finn was a shifter, and she didn’t know how she felt about that.

  “Okay, everyone, do you want to hear the specials?” Mildred said as she walked back to the table with Haine. Then the conversation changed and it was as if a group of friends had gotten together and told childhood stories about each other. She realized these people actually loved each other. They continually touched. Watching them became addicting. Even Finn and Jade touched each other, not in a sexual manner, but they frequently rubbed against each other. Finally, their food arrived and she had something to take her attention away.

  Listening to stories from their past made Alex feel more and more at ease here in New Hope, Georgia. She couldn’t understand how she liked this small town so much, but she did, and Haine seemed to love it here. Right now, she couldn’t see herself pulling him away from a place that felt this comfortable.