The Wolf's Bandit: Paranormal Shifter Romance: A Howls Romance Page 4

  Robyn was rather sure the nun wouldn’t have said that if she knew about the taking from the rich and giving to the poor routine Robyn had going. Sister mistook her embarrassment as modesty. Robyn knew she was going to hell for this.

  “So, I transferred seventy-five thousand for them earlier today,” she said, trying to change the subject.

  “Yes,” Sister said, “that’s how I figured you’d be stopping by today. Wasn’t expecting two children, though.”

  “It was so heartbreaking how they were living. I’ll have the other half of the money for each next week.”

  “Seventy-five thousand in one week?” Sister asked. “Business must be great in the armored truck services.” Robyn heard the sarcasm in her mentor’s voice. Did the woman know about her side job? Sister said, “God works in mysterious ways.”

  “Amen,” Robyn finished. Sister Helen chuckled. Robyn looked around at the young faces she recognized, some not so little anymore. “How’s everyone doing? Any problems?”

  Sr. Helen led her down the sidewalk in front of the administration offices. “All your merry boys and girls seemed to be doing fine. I’ve come to believe that children who have experienced the harsh world understand when they are being given a second chance and they will do what they must to keep it. Which here, is to behave and do your studies. I’m sure you remember.”

  Robyn did remember. And Sister was right. She would’ve done anything needed to stay where she was safe and fed. She still would. As she glanced around, her eyes fell on a thin young teen sitting in the shadow of the living quarter’s entrance. Samantha was one of the first kids she’d brought to the school.

  Sister noted the direction of her glance and sighed. “Everyone except Samantha, I guess.”

  “She’s still not socializing?” Robyn asked. She originally found the girl curled up in the corner of a homeless center downtown. When Robyn asked her who she was and where she lived, the young teen only gave her first name and said she wasn’t returning home. Robyn could list a score of possible reasons the girl refused to return. Any of those could be right, and probably more than one.

  Samantha reminded Robyn of herself at that age—untrusting, unfriendly, uncaring. Robyn recalled what brought her out of her funk so many years ago. Sister Helen had given her a reason.

  Robyn stepped off the sidewalk, toward the living quarters she knew so well for so long. Not saying anything, she sat next to Sammie on the cold concrete steps. Caught in a moment of nostalgia, Robyn’s eyes roamed from one side of campus to the other. Not much had changed. Just the trees were bigger and the brick fence bordering the perimeter more crumbly.

  “Sammie,” Robyn said, “I need your help.”

  The girl twitched. “You need my help?” She shook her head. “What could I possibly do that you can’t?”

  Robyn smirked. That was exactly the sentence she said to Sister Helen long ago. “Did you see the little girl who came with me?”

  Sammie stared toward the group double-dutch jumping. “Yeah, she is young.”

  “She is.” Robyn hesitated, making sure she got the words right. She noted that Sister had approached the group and was talking to Ellie and her new friend. “She needs someone, a big sister, of sorts, to look after her. She has an older brother, but brothers don’t know squat about little sisters.” Robyn glanced at Sammie’s face. The scowl was gone. “She needs someone to explain how to braid hair and show her what earrings to wear, teach her how to be strong and independent. That kind of thing. You think you could help her for me?”

  “You want me to be a big sister?” The beginnings of a smile showed on her face. Robyn knew Samantha was an only child from the little she talked about herself. And that the teen had always wanted a sibling.

  Holding Ellie’s hand while she skipped along, Sister led the girl to where she and Sammie sat.

  “Ellie, this is Samantha,” the nun said. “Samantha knows everything there is to know about living here.” The little one’s eyes widened. Robyn smiled at how the child saw everything as so exciting. The harshness and self-isolation that had jaded her brother hadn’t reached her yet. Ellie would heal and survive as children tend to do. They bounced back much better than adults. Their innocence protected them in its own strong cocoon.

  Ellie grabbed Sammie’s hand. “Come jump rope with us,” she said, pulling on the teen’s arm.

  “I don’t know how.” Despite her hesitation, Samantha stood.

  “Me neither,” Ellie replied, “but they’ll teach us together.” The two ran back to the group and Ellie “introduced” Sammie to everyone, the new girl bringing the weathered one into the fold.

  Sister laid a hand on Robyn’s shoulder. “Money can’t cure everything for these children,” the wise elder murmured. “Sometimes they need more than what room and board supply...even after they’ve moved on.”

  With a smile, Robyn shook her head. She knew Sister Helen meant her and was still providing guidance long after her schooling years. Robyn hugged the elder sister, the only mother she remembered.

  Robyn glanced at her watch and realized if she didn’t hurry, her grandmother would be mad with her for being late. She said her goodbyes and promised to be back soon.

  9

  Aitan was correct in waiting close to Robyn’s car for her to return. But her actions, he couldn’t figure out for the life of him. He followed her through the city to a not-so-good area. Then the two children she put in her car were scroungy and much too thin for his liking.

  He followed her to a high-rise building where they disappeared inside. When he googled the name, he discovered it was a residence. So he knew where she lived.

  When he was about to leave for his dinner date, Robyn and the children came out and loaded into her vehicle. The young ones looked clean, nourished, and wore new clothes. That made him wonder if he had the wrong impression of the beautiful woman. If she would take in kids off the streets and care for them, how could she be a thief, stealing from others?

  Of course, he really didn’t think she was a thief, but perhaps someone in her employ was. Hell, he really didn’t think that was a good possibility either. He just saw that the company that safely delivered his grandmother’s royal ring several years ago—and was stolen—had delivered the tiara, too. That was the first and only connection he found in anything the police had.

  Leaving the high-rise residence, he followed her to a place that looked like a stone castle. Like an ancient estate in his country where someone with old money would’ve lived.

  He double-parked and walked up the sidewalk outside the brick fence hiding the property from the public eye. He heard many children shouting and screeching with joy. Enough to be a school. Was Robyn taking the kids to this place? The sign out front read Holy Pereth Academy.

  His main interest stood next to an older woman, talking. They were too far for him to pick up their speech among the city noise surrounding them. Instead of risking being arrested for acting strangely, he headed back to the SUV and started to his next destination.

  He was more than ready to see the expression on Miss Loxley’s face when she arrived at the same place he was going. A twist of fate had him saving her grandmother’s purse, and one good deed led to another.

  When arriving at the woodland home far outside the city, he was entranced by the beauty of the area. The green grass and rolling hills reminded him of home. The forests around the towns were lush with leaves bursting with reds, yellows, and oranges in the cool breeze. Autumn was stunning here.

  The barn-red front door opened and the little lady whose purse he returned waved him in. “Get in here, boy. It’s damn cold out there for an old woman.”

  He laughed. She reminded him of his grandmother, spunky and not afraid to speak her mind. “Thank you for inviting me, Ms. Loxley,” he said.

  She turned in the doorway and waved a hand in the air. “You won’t be when you realize why I really brought you here.” Aitan chuckled. He could only hope she was on the same
wavelength as he was—her granddaughter.

  Inside, the smell of fried chicken and vegetables floated to him. Almost as good as the familiar smell he noticed earlier.

  “Now, Aitan,” Granma said, leading him into the kitchen, “several of my granddaughters will be here for dinner soon. One in particular. If she strikes your fancy, you’re allowed to take her home with you.” Her tone and words made him laugh. She was serious, but she wasn’t. No matter how good Robyn smelled, he doubted she would leave her successful business to go to a strange country with a strange man. Though, he’d rock her world if she let him.

  His wolf agreed with that. That was worrisome since his other half seldom cared for who he slept with. Maybe with age came wisdom between him and his wolf. He needed to talk with his father about his shifter side—something he had seldom done in the past. Being young and arrogant, he never wanted advice or help with anything he did. His pride was strong. But again, age and wisdom came hand in hand.

  “So,” he said to Granma, “you lured me here to sell me to your highest bidder?”

  “Not really,” Granma replied, “there’s only one bidder.” Her sly smile sent chills down him. Oh, yes. He was ready for that one in particular also.

  The doorbell rang. Granma lifted a spoon into the air. “Would you get that, lovey?”

  Lovey? He’d been called worse, so lovey worked for him. He opened the door to a pair of beautiful eyes that mesmerized him even though they widened and the jaw below fell open.

  “What the hell are you doing here?” she whispered, looking around him into the home. He stepped back, opening the door wider.

  “Is that you, Robbie?” Granma called from inside. He watched her shocked face soften and flush red. She stepped in and past him without saying a word. He lingered in the entrance, giving Robyn and her grandmother time to hash out whatever was coming. Thanks to his super hearing, he heard every word.

  “Granma, why is he here?” Robyn asked.

  “You know him?” the elder asked. He smelled Robyn’s embarrassment and...fear? His wolf was not happy with that. Why was she afraid of him? His animal reminded him they were a fierce alpha capable of killing and terrorizing humans. Aitan thought, ego much?

  Robyn explained how he came into her office this morning out of the blue. Then Robyn asked how Granma knew him. When the grandmother mentioned her purse being stolen, Robyn nearly went into a meltdown. He fought the urge to run in and wrap her into him, telling her everything would be all right. He’d keep her safe. Why was he thinking this of a stranger and possible thief?

  10

  Making enough noise that the human females would hear him coming, he stepped into the kitchen where the women stood around the stove and the island with stools. Granma reached out and grabbed his arm and sniffed up his sleeve.

  “Besides,” Granma said, “he smells so damn good, don’t you think?”

  Robyn yanked her grandmother to the other side of the island. “Granma, you can’t go around sniffing strangers,” she whispered. He covered his burst of a laugh with a cough. Robyn stared him down with pursed lips. Lush, plump, pursed lips he wanted to run his tongue over and between.

  His pants started to tighten in the crotch and he slid sideways until his lower half was hidden against the side of the countertop. What was wrong with him? Why was his body responding like a teen getting his first “feel”?

  “Oh, stop, Robbie,” Granma answered, batting away her granddaughter’s hands. “I’m a grown woman who is too old to give a damn what others think at this point in her life.”

  Robbie cocked her hips and crossed her arms over her pert breasts. Something else he wanted to lick and rub on. Trying to get his mind off her, he ran fingers through his hair.

  “Nice to see you again, Mr. Hansen, but don’t doubt that seeing you with my grandmother alone in her home is not a welcome sight.”

  “Robyn Sher Loxley,” Granma warned. “That’s enough. Mr. Hansen is a welcome guest in my home, same as you are, unless you want to cause problems in which case your invite for tonight can be revoked.”

  “No, Granma. It’s—”

  The older woman sighed. “I know, granddaughter.” She kissed Robyn on the forehead. “You have a hard time trusting people. But someday you need to get over that. How do you expect to find a husband and have my great-grandkids if you don’t?”

  He watched as the younger Loxley’s face turned so red, he worried for a moment that she might pass out. He took a step toward her and the doorbell rang. She darted out of the kitchen.

  Granma waved a hand in the air. “Never mind her. She had a terrible childhood and didn’t grow up normal. I don’t know if she’ll ever straighten out.” She pointed a wooden spoon at him. “But that doesn’t mean she wouldn’t make you a great wife.”

  Aitan laughed. Yes, he and Granma were on the same page when it came to getting closer to the fiery little lady.

  Several squeals and high-pitched female sounds came from the other room. “The rest of them are here,” she said. “Let’s have a good dinner then you two can walk outside and get to know each other.”

  Aitan shook his head and wondered about the elder. What did she see in him to make her trust him? Granted, he got her purse from the robber and returned it, but that didn’t necessarily mean he was a good person. Not really, did it? Maybe there was something about Americans he didn’t know. Another good reason to talk to his father.

  A chorus of oohs and ahhs slapped into him from the entrance to the kitchen. A couple of teen blondes, a little tow head, and a woman who all smelled like mother and daughters stared at him.

  “Wow, Robyn,” the older teen said, “when did you get such a hot boyfriend?”

  “He is not my boyfriend, Lucy,” Robyn pushed into the kitchen behind her. “He’s Granma’s.” With that, the newest visitors’ jaws dropped in unison.

  The elder in the room cackled. “I’m much too old to keep up with the likes of him, granddaughters.” She smacked him on the ass as she went to the refrigerator. Even Robyn’s mouth fell open. That was the first time in his life he wanted to bury his tail between his legs and run. But he stood his ground, no matter how hot his face was.

  The middle child poked her older sister in the arm. “He’s too old for you, Lucy. Right, Mom?”

  “Good god.” Robyn rolled her eyes. “Aitan, this is Carolyn, my sister-in-law, and her girls, Lucy, Adeline, and Mags.” His sight fell on the youngest. She was adorable with her hair done up in tails on top of both sides of her head. Under his gaze, she slid behind her mom’s legs. He smelled great fear from her. That upset his wolf.

  As the alpha of his country, all in his pack respected his rule, but it was imperative no member fear him. He loved them all and would give his life for them. He asked only for that in return.

  Aitan squatted, stretching his slacks in the process. There was something about this girl that wasn’t right. His wolf detected it, too. Physically she looked healthy, but inside her soul was a locked box. Something that was afraid to come out. Perhaps a little wolfen magic would help.

  11

  “Hey there, little one,” he said. “There’s no need to be afraid of me. I’m just a big puppy.” Those words he used with the children in his reign who saw his huge size as scary. Of course, when he said puppy, they thought of it differently than this human would.

  She didn’t budge from behind her mother, her eyes still large. Then a slight smile tilted her lips. “You’re not a puppy,” she mumbled. “Puppies are little and pee on the floor.”

  He swallowed his laugh. “You’re right. I haven’t peed on Granma’s floor yet.” She giggled, covering her missing tooth with her small hand.

  “Why don’t you girls set the table,” Granma said. All three took dishes and silverware from the counter and hurried into the other room. Their mother stepped toward him, arm extended.

  “Hi, Aitan,” Carolyn said. “Nice to meet you.” She shook hands with him.

  “It is my
pleasure to meet you,” he said, letting a bit more of his accent come through. He could tell she wanted to say more to him, but she didn’t.

  “How did you meet Granma?” Carolyn asked.

  Robyn snorted. “She was mugged today.”

  “What?” The sister-in-law spun around to look for the elder who was waving her hand in the air as if to dismiss the statement.

  “It was nothing. My boy here saved it, earning himself an invite to dinner,” Granma said, tasting what looked to be thick white gravy that smelled delicious. But not as much as the woman standing opposite the island from him.

  “Robbie, honey,” Granma said, “get the dressings out for the salad.” She looked at Aitan. “Do you have a favorite taste for your greens?”

  He was about to say her granddaughter on a bed of spinach, naked, would be great. The granddaughter naked, not the spinach. “Whatever you have will be wonderful.”

  “Table’s set, Granma.” The two teens walked back into the kitchen.

  “Need waters on the table.” Carolyn pulled down glasses and the girls put ice and water in each and carried them to the table. As he stood watching the women swish around him, he felt a tug on his finger. He looked down to see Mags craning her head back to look up at him.

  “Will you sit by me?” she asked. He was surprised by the child’s bravery. Then again, if she was related to the courageous woman setting dressing bottles on the table, he could understand that.

  She squeezed his pinky and led him into the dining room with a table for eight. Granma sat at the head with Robyn and the teens on one side, Carolyn, Mags and him on the other. After a moment for grace over the food, the girls tore into the feast. And he thought shifter boys could put down the food. They didn’t have much on these girls.

  In a tiny voice at his side, he heard, “Why are you so tall?” She was adorable.

  “Because my mom and dad are tall.” Little more he could say to that. He scooped mashed potatoes onto his plate.