Family Matters (The Montgomery Family Chronicles) Read online

  The Montgomery Family Chronicles

  Book 4

  FAMILY MATTERS

  J.J. Massa

  Names, characters, and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author's imagination or are used factiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or publisher.

  All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  Melange Books, LLC White Bear Lake, MN 55110

  Massa, J.J. Family Matters

  Copyright © J.J. Massa 2012

  Melange Books, LLC.

  www.melange-books.com

  Cover

  Prologue 7

  Chapter One 8

  Chapter Two 12

  Chapter Three 19

  Chapter Four 24

  Chapter Five 27

  Chapter Six 32

  Chapter Seven 35

  Chapter Eight 42

  Chapter Nine 47

  Chapter Ten 54

  Chapter Eleven 59

  Chapter Twelve 66

  Chapter Thirteen 72

  Chapter Fourteen 76

  Chapter Fifteen 80

  Chapter Sixteen 85

  Chapter Seventeen 93

  Chapter Eighteen 99

  Chapter Nineteen 104

  Chapter Twenty 112

  Chapter Twenty-One 117

  Chapter Twenty-Two 121

  Chapter Twenty-Three 130

  Chapter Twenty-Four 135

  Chapter Twenty-Five 141

  Chapter Twenty-Six 148

  Chapter Twenty-Seven 156

  Chapter Twenty-Eight 161

  Chapter Twenty-Nine 164

  Chapter Thirty 170

  Chapter Thirty-One 177

  Chapter Thirty-Two 184

  Chapter Thirty-Three 188

  Chapter Thirty-Four 194

  Chapter Thirty-Five 200

  Chapter Thirty-Six 205

  Chapter Thirty-Seven 209

  Chapter Thirty-Eight 215

  Chapter Thirty-Nine 221

  Chapter Forty 227

  Chapter Forty-One 230

  Chapter Forty-Two 234

  Chapter Forty-Three 237

  Chapter Forty-Four 241

  Chapter Forty-Five 244

  Chapter Forty-Six 248

  Chapter Forty-Seven 253

  Chapter Forty-Eight 255

  About J.J.Massa: 257

  More books by J.J. Massa 258

  Prologue

  The party was in full swing by the time Philly arrived. She gripped the champagne flute in white-knuckled determination, forcing back a surge of claustrophobia as she made her way through the pressing crowd. These parties were always the same. She wasn’t even sure why she came, although, as long as she was here, she might as well try to have some fun. Wasn’t that what Ashley and Quigs were always telling her? For once, she would take their advice.

  The strains of a sultry saxophone accompanied by a rich piano and bass guitar had replaced the throbbing beat that had stirred the crowd to a fever pitch only moments ago. Now, couples were pairing off and floating slowly around the packed dance floor. This might be a penthouse, but there just wasn’t enough space for the number of people packed into it.

  An eye on the beautifully dressed dancers, Philly was reminded of her late mother’s oft-used admonition to watch where she was going. Of course, easier said than done in a crowd like this. According to her favorite cousin, though, that’s what elbows were for…

  “Oof,” she coughed, realizing that the solid mass she’d walked into was a man–a tall, solid, muscular man.

  “Oh, my bad,” she apologized as she tried to clear her head. Tilting her head back, Philly looked up. Those eyes…She looked deeply into the beautiful light green eyes that had haunted her dreams for over half of her life.

  He looked down into her face and smiled at her. She couldn’t believe it, but he smiled at her. For once, finally, after all this time, he was seeing her. In fact, he was more than seeing her. To her shock, he was wrapping an arm around her and nuzzling her neck!

  “You don’t really want this, do you?” he rumbled in her ear, fingering the almost forgotten champagne glass that she’d somehow managed to hold on to without spilling its effervescent contents.

  “N-no,” she whispered, not sure what to say to him now that she was standing, encircled in his arms. She really only wanted one thing in her life and he was it, and standing right there in front of her. He was all she’d ever wanted, really.

  “I’ve had enough of that stuff for both of us. Dance with me?” His warm, mild baritone vibrated through her, turning her insides to butter.

  The power of speech temporarily deserted her and she nodded dreamily. This was like a dream come true. His smile was intimate and approving as he escorted her out onto the dance floor, pulling her against him and resting his cheek against her hair. They seemed to fit perfectly.

  She was certain that all of her dreams had just come true until he pulled a little away and looked down at her. Was he going to leave her there? Had she displeased him somehow?

  “What are you afraid of, little one?” he asked. “Surely not me?” His voice rumbled through her in a velvety satin caress.

  “I can’t believe you’re here with me,” she whispered nervously, breathlessly. She’d known he was meant for her for so many years. Werewolves only had one true life mate—two under extraordinary cases, but only if the first one was dead. He was hers.

  “Where else would I be?” he asked, staring into her eyes, unmoving. “You’re mine. You belong only to me,” he murmured, his voice dropping low.

  When she didn’t respond, he stroked her cheeks with his thumbs, and cupping her head in the palms of his hands, he tipped it back and lowered his mouth to hers.

  Chapter One

  “You’re doing great here, Peyton. I think you’re going to fit in just fine. Um, there’s just one more thing…” And didn’t that sound ridiculously ominous? Looking down at his desk, Tav rolled his eyes at himself.

  He wasn’t sure why his wife had asked this of him. It was certainly unorthodox for an Alpha werewolf to assign such a task to his Beta, though not unheard of. However, if anyone deserved to be…gifted with this task, he probably wouldn’t have chosen Peyton Livingston. The man always seemed so watchful to Tav. Intense. In spite of his misgivings, Tracey so seldom ventured any requests that he felt he couldn’t deny such a simple thing for her now.

  Tav had spent the last couple of months directing and helping his new agent and manager get acclimated. Peyton Livingston, young to Tav at not quite thirty-two-years-old, would act as more than his business manager, however. Tavist Darke was a husband, father, famous artist of paint, pen, and sculpture, and last but not least, Alpha to the Livingston-Montgomery werewolf packs of South Carolina and Georgia. It really was a big job and Tav had been doing it for a decade now, primarily by himself.

  The other Were watched him expectantly. They had thankfully managed to get past the vague hero-worship Peyton exhibited when he’d first arrived. Tav still wasn’t sure if that wasn’t more than a little tongue-in-cheek, to be honest. However, aside from Tav’s connection with Mik Montgomery, who was the extended pack Alpha for the entire Montgomery-Livingston pack, Peyton had been an admirer of Tav’s artwork, in a big way. Or so the other Were maintained. That, along with all the tall tales still circulating about how he’d rescued Bethany and later, Mya Montgomery, had turned Tav into
something of a mythical figure among their pack. Since the core pack made its home in North Carolina, Tav wasn’t there to put things into perspective.

  Clearing his throat, Peyton nodded at Tav, as if to encourage him. “Just one more thing?” he prompted. Apparently, Tav had been woolgathering a little too long.

  He sighed gustily, forcing himself to speak. “Sue,” he stated, leaning to pluck a picture off of his desk.

  Peyton arched a brow and shot a questioning glance at Tav, reaching out to take the offered photograph. “This was taken last year,” he murmured. Before handing it over, Tav swept one last fond gaze over the two women depicted.

  Tracey appeared happy in the photo, her heart-shaped face glowing as she and her best girlfriend whispered together. He’d caught them pouring over an old scrapbook, laughing and reminiscing. The flash had gone off just as they had looked up at him and before either woman had time to express surprise.

  It was a decidedly honest picture. Tracey’s vibrant red hair was tousled and bushy after impatient fingers had pushed it back countless times. Sue, wavy dark hair swept up in a messy bun, managed a casual elegance that Tracey would never have and never miss.

  Where Tracey was every inch the earth-mother—small, generously voluptuous, sensual, and welcoming, Sue was tall and slim, her figure spare. While she was attractive, she was not classically beautiful.

  Though Sue was only a year or two older than Tracey, she came across to strangers as very adult. Although not old by any means, she seemed ageless, as if she had lived several lifetimes. Tav knew that he’d only seen the lighthearted side of Sue because she allowed it. She’d decided instantly that Tav would be perfect for her best friend so she welcomed him in, giving him a playful view of her nature that only her closest confidants ever knew.

  “Sue?” Peyton prodded verbally, studying the picture. Obviously, the man would need more information than the woman’s first name.

  “Sorry,” Tav apologized, trying to organize his thoughts. “Her name is Sue Capitello. She’s my wife’s best friend. She's five-feet-seven, dark hair, dark eyes, well, you can see what she looks like in the picture. I’ve known her almost as long as I’ve known Tracey and she is very dear to me. To my family…Until now, we usually only see her a few times a year. However, Tracey has convinced Sue to move into this area.” He paused until Peyton looked up and caught his gaze briefly. “She doesn’t know about werewolves. I’d like you to meet her at the airport—she’ll be coming in from an overseas flight.” He pulled out a page filled with Sue’s flight information. “Her personal effects are in storage, so she’ll be staying at BB’s Bed & Breakfast in Old Moon.”

  “O-okay, I can do that. Meet a nice looking woman at the Atlanta airport…” Peyton mumbled suspicion plain on his face. Apparently, he believed that there was more to it than Tav had suggested. Of course, he was right. “And the catch?”

  “Sue’s a great lady,” he began, attempting to organize his thoughts. “She loves Tracey and the kids—me, too, as far as that goes. But she’s a mite…standoffish. Even when she’s kidding around, she can be abrupt, almost rude.” Peyton arched a brow and waited.

  That calm, patient waiting is going to drive Sue absolutely nuts!

  Somehow, Tav managed to keep the grin off of his face as he realized that, not only was he matchmaking, but Tracey had set him up to do it. Either way, it was good, clean sport.

  Very little bloodshed. Probably.

  “It’s like this…” Tav began, looking away from his assistant so as not to give himself away. “I promised Jacob and Christopher that I’d take them around to look at colleges over the next few weeks. And then Tracey wants me to spend more time with the twins, thus the long trip she’s planned. She also thinks it would be best if Sue made other friends in the area, besides just her. We’re not going to be here, you know. I hope you’ll help us out, Peyton.” He cleared his throat self-consciously. “You know I’m just a slave to my mate. We all are, aren’t we?”

  Peyton studied Tav for long moments, as if by looking alone, he could discover the other man’s intentions. His drawn out examination caused his superior to shift uneasily. Finally, the younger Were responded.

  “I wouldn’t know about the demands of a mate, since I don’t have one. I’ll do whatever you ask, of course. That is my job, after all.”

  Tav stifled a groan. Was this guy being serious or sarcastic? He really needed to get to know his new Beta better. Talk about standoffish. It would help if the younger man wasn’t so intimidating and distant in his own right.

  “Look. Most of this house is vacant and there are at least two or three very nice, very large suites on the second floor. How about seeing if she wants one? This place is big enough that the two of you can ignore each other. Besides, Sue cooks a lot—she cooks very well. I’m sure you can work something out. Keep an eye on her? The Sheriff has been having trouble with those boys of his, and I’m sure you’ve noticed he and I don’t mix well. Timmons has been around a long time. He does a good enough job with his small pack and the humans in the area. I leave him alone like I do because Ashley and her friend Philly took such a shine to him,” Tav explained, answering the unspoken question in Peyton’s eyes.

  “Philly? I see,” Peyton cleared his throat and took a deep breath, shaking his head sharply, brow furrowed. Something close to surprise and possibly recognition flashed in his eyes. He was a Livingston, of course, but that didn’t mean much, considering the number of Weres by that name in the pack. Maybe he’d met Philly at some family thing or other?

  Obviously, the young man had something on his mind. This was the first time Tav had ever seen him less than rigidly calm. He could be bothered about the set-up, perhaps. Tav shook his head and chalked it up to uncertainty in the new position. He needed to have him over for dinner more. Maybe when Peyton settled in a bit he’d be more comfortable. He wasn’t used to Tav yet—didn’t really know his family. How long had he been out of the military again? It had to be difficult to adjust to civilian life after being on active duty so recently.

  “I’ll do the best I can, sir,” Peyton assured him, once again interrupting Tav’s wayward speculation. “When does her flight arrive? Do you have another picture?”

  Forcing his mind back to the current conversation, Tav smiled and reached for a note pad. “Here you go,” he murmured, quickly writing the details down. Stifling a smile, he added, “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this, Peyton.” This wasn’t the military and the younger Were would have to realize that life around here was far more relaxed. Tav tore of the sheet of paper and handed it to his Beta. His smile fell away and a hard, steady stare took its place. “I know you’ll take good care of Sue.” Peyton nodded sharply, dropping his gaze. He’d never be submissive, Tav realized, but they could work around it. “Great! I’ll see you tomorrow, then. Let me know if you have any trouble.”

  Without waiting for a response, Tav rose and clapped Peyton on the shoulder, whistling as he strode out the door.

  * * * *

  “Cesare!” Sue squealed, shocked and thrilled to see her cousin as she stepped into the terminal from the plane. “Mi sei mancato, Cesare,” she whispered into his ear, telling him she’d missed him. And she had missed him, more than she could say.

  “Susanna!” His arms wrapped around her and he kissed her cheek warmly. “We’re in America now, so you must speak English,” he teased. Holding her away from him, he looked her over carefully. “Ah, but I have missed you, too, my sweet Susanna Lucrezia. I live here, so of course I came to keep you company during your layover. And you look so tired. That’s what months with your parents will do, no?” Over his shoulder he called, “Attilio, take her bag, will you?”

  “Attilio do this, Attilio do that…no please or thank you for poor Attilio…”

  Sue bit her lip, masking her amusement as she heard the man grumble. A stern glare from her cousin quieted his complaints somewhat, though he continued to mumble to himself behind Cesare’s bac
k.

  “Oh, si, yes, I thought I’d die if I stayed longer,” she answered Cesare, aiming a brief smile at his assistant. “All those pretty Mediterranean men weren’t enough to make up for Mama’s whining and Papa’s yelling…”

  “Well, let’s get you a nice drink, to celebrate your escape and prepare you for manly American hillbilly men instead,” he suggested, threading her arm through his as he led her to LaGuardia Airport’s VIP Lounge.

  Cesare had always been her favorite cousin; he’d always looked out for her, played with her and taken her causes as his own. It was worth coming back to the United States just to be closer to him, as if escaping her parents hadn’t been incentive enough.

  “Oh, well, I’m not sure how many men I’ll be meeting in the wilds of Georgia, but I’m told there will be a very fine specimen waiting for me at the Atlanta Airport,” she answered him, settling in to the comfortable chair he held out for her.

  “As long as you aren’t meeting wild men in this country place, I suppose I can let you go. Just be careful, Susanna. You know I worry about you. I don’t want anyone running away with my beloved cousin, hmm?”

  “There’s nothing to worry about, Cesare,” she assured him. “I swear, I can’t even remember the last time I kissed a man. There’s almost no chance of me meeting a wild man, much less running away with him. It will be perfectly fine, I promise.”

  “Well, as long as you promise, there’s nothing to worry about, is there?”

  Chapter Two

  Standing at the arrival gate in Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport holding up a poster-board sign, Peyton couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt like such a big dork. Under the circumstances, that was saying something. A werewolf couldn’t be first cousin to the infamous criminal August Livingston without taking a few hits—not in the Montgomery-Livingston pack, anyway. Besides that, he’d never really felt like he fit in. Holding a paper sign up at the airport wasn’t the most embarrassing thing that could happen to him, he knew, but it wasn’t dignified by any stretch.