Only a Mother Could Love (Afterlife Book 3) Read online

  Contents

  ONE

  TWO

  THREE

  FOUR

  FIVE

  SIX

  SEVEN

  EIGHT

  NINE

  TEN

  ELEVEN

  About the Author

  ONE

  Harper Hawthorne raised her mimosa and clinked glasses with her best friend, Brittney Conley. They both took a long sip and then let out a sigh of contentment.

  "Best way to start a day," Brittney said.

  "By getting drunk before ten in the morning?" Harper teased.

  "Exactly," Brittney said, laughing. "Hey, it's my birthday. If I want to get drunk this early, I can get drunk this early."

  Harper nodded. "I guess you're right. So what's on the agenda for today?"

  "My mother invited the two of us over for dinner tonight at six," Brittney said. "I told her we'd come. You're up for it, right?"

  "When have I ever missed birthday dinner at your mom's?" Harper asked.

  "Five years ago. You had a root canal that couldn't be rescheduled and you were too stoned off the pain meds to drive. I'd had too much to drink, so it wasn't like I could come get you. My mother was very disappointed, you know."

  "I can't believe you remember that," Harper said.

  "The first birthday of mine you've missed since we were kids," Brittney said. "Of course I remember. Have I ever missed one of your birthdays?"

  Harper thought back and then shook her head. "I don't think so."

  Brittney smirked.

  "Okay, so dinner at your mom's house. What are we doing until then?"

  Brittney shrugged. "I thought we might dress up in cute outfits and head to that new casino that opened. We can play blackjack and get free drinks."

  Harper grimaced. "You know how bad I am at blackjack."

  "I'll help you," Brittney said. "It's not that difficult. You just have to memorize the best play for each hand."

  "Oh yes, because that's so simple," Harper said. She drank the rest of her mimosa in a long gulp. They'd been drinking mimosas on their birthdays for the last three years. It was a tradition.

  There was a knock on the door. Brittney got up, ran her fingers through her red hair, and went to answer it. She muttered something about still being in her pajamas, but put on a broad smile anyway.

  When she opened the door, Chloe McAllister and Sarah Carter stepped in. They were both carrying gift bags.

  "Oh, hey guys!" Brittney said.

  "What are you doing here?" Harper asked.

  "Brittney invited us for her birthday party," Chloe said.

  Harper shot Brittney a look of disbelief. They'd always spent her birthday with just the two of them. It was as traditional as the morning mimosa. Brittney didn't seem to catch the look and Harper simply grabbed a couple more glasses and poured drinks.

  "Thanks for coming, guys. I think we're going to hit up the casino here in a little while. After I have a chance to shower and look decent for the day."

  "You always look decent," Chloe said. "Here, we got you something."

  She handed over her bag first, and then Sarah's. Inside Sarah's was a beautiful new purse that Brittney fawned over. Then she opened Chloe's and her eyes got wide with wonder. She slipped out a snow globe that showcased Paris in one if its rare snow days.

  "You remembered!" Brittney exclaimed. She hugged Chloe, and then went to place the snow globe on her mantle alongside the others that she'd collected. "It's my favorite of them all," she announced. She rearranged them so the Paris snow globe would be in the middle.

  "Of course I remembered," Chloe said. "I remember everything you say. I'm a great listener."

  Brittney went and pulled her into another hug. "Thank you, Chloe." She paused and turned to Sarah. "And thank you too, Sarah. The purse is beautiful. I'm going to use it today!"

  Sarah nodded. "I'm glad you like it. It felt like you."

  Harper handed out the glasses of mimosa and then sat down, drinking half of hers in one gulp. She tried not to feel jealous that her and Brittney's day had been interrupted. It was natural as they got older they'd make other friends. Besides that, she liked Chloe and Sarah.

  With her power of Sight, which she'd inherited from her great-grandmother, she was able to see Chloe for what she really was; a beautiful, winged fairy. Sarah was a bit harder because she was only supernatural when she shape-shifted into a panther or a wolf.

  Sometimes Harper found herself jealous over their powers; Chloe could use magic dust and levitate. Sarah could transform, and even when she wasn't in her animal form, she was an extremely athletic woman who could kick the ass of anyone who dared tangle with her.

  The rest of their team wasn't present; Alec Moradon, their leader -- and also a vampire -- and Conner Kingsley, a handsome incubus. Harper still didn't know exactly where Brittney fit into their group, but there was no denying that she'd proved her worth when she'd helped them protect a woman whose son had gone missing.

  "So, the casino," Chloe said. "What are we going for? Slots are a ripoff, you know. They only have like an eighty-percent payback. I mean, a few of them are higher, but trying to find them is nearly impossible with how often they're switched around."

  "We're not playing slots," Harper answered, slightly frowning about Chloe knowing their plans. "We're going to sit at the blackjack tables and try and win some chips."

  "Great," Sarah said. "I love blackjack."

  Chloe just made a face. "Not me."

  "Only because you got drunk and hit on an eighteen and lost," Sarah smirked.

  Chloe rolled her eyes. "That happened once, alright?"

  Everyone laughed. Brittney drank the rest of her mimosa and said, "I'm going to go shower. Make yourselves at home, alright?"

  "Sure," Chloe said, heading straight for the fridge. She opened it, and stared at the food for a minute before closing it and checking the cupboards. "What, does she live on frozen foods?"

  "Yes," Harper said with a laugh. "I did too, when I had my own apartment. Neither of us are great cooks."

  "I bet you're enjoying your time at Alec's then," Chloe said slyly. "He's a fantastic cook, and I bet that he loves to show off for you."

  Sarah nodded. "He really does."

  "He doesn't show off for me," Harper said, feeling her face heat. She thought of the time when she'd brought about a vision of her great-grandmother. She had done more than channel Ileana, though, she'd become her, and lived out her memories. She'd used the chance to kiss Alec, and see if any sparks flew.

  "So what is going on between the two of you?" Chloe asked.

  "Nothing," Harper said truthfully.

  "Not yet anyway," Sarah said, smirking.

  Her and Chloe exchanged a look, and Harper shook her head. "He's not interested in me anyway. He's just letting me stay with him until I find my own place. I'll probably start looking tomorrow. I can get a cheap apartment."

  Chloe shook her head. "I keep telling you, you don't have to worry about money. You get paid just like the rest of us."

  "Paid too much," Harper said. "I feel bad at how much money I'm getting. I don't do enough to deserve it, and I told you, I hate charity."

  Both Chloe and Sarah rolled their eyes.

  "I'll find an apartment that's within my budget," Harper said.

  "Whatever you'd like," Chloe said, "though I think you're being a little bit thick-skulled over this. The rest of us have nice homes, and nice cars, and whatever else we want. Why shouldn't you have the same? It can be a tax write-off."

  "I'm just not used to it," Harper said. "Maybe after I've done more work with you guys, I'll feel bette
r about taking whatever I need."

  Chloe shook her head. "You've done a lot already, Harper. Right Sarah?"

  "Right," Sarah said. "If it wasn't for you, Alec would have killed us all. Speaking of which... how is Alec after everything that happened?"

  "Thirsty," Harper said. "I don't see him that much. He hangs out in his room all day, and only comes out on occasion at night anymore. He said he's too tempted by the amount of people in the club."

  Chloe and Sarah both winced. After the demon Trentreen had made Alec drink human blood, he'd been struggling not to fall back into his old ways.

  "He'll be fine," Sarah said. "He overcame his thirst once, he'll do it again. Especially with your help."

  Harper nodded.

  "Let's not discuss that today," Chloe said. "It's Brittney's birthday. We're going to focus on the good things. You only turn twenty-five once."

  Brittney and Harper both agreed. They finished off their mimosas while waiting for Brittney to finish showering and dressing. Then they had to wait for her to apply her makeup, find the perfect shoes to match her new purse, and a belt that went with her skirt.

  "You look great," Chloe said when she returned to the kitchen.

  "Thanks," Brittney said.

  "So," Harper said. "Are you fronting me cash to gamble with?"

  Brittney laughed. "Don't you get paid now?"

  "Well, yes," Harper said, "but I'm saving up for a deposit on an apartment."

  Both Sarah and Chloe sighed in unison.

  "Sure," Brittney said. "My mom gave me two-thousand dollars to spend for my birthday, so I'm loaded right now."

  "Wouldn't it be nice to have a mother like that?" Chloe asked Sarah. Sarah just laughed and shook her head.

  There was a loud ding and all of them grabbed their cell phones. It was Harper's that had gone off. Chloe grabbed her wrist before she could look at it.

  "Wait," Chloe said. "Today, we're celebrating Brittney. Don't check that."

  "Why not?"

  "Because..." Chloe said vaguely.

  Harper shook her head, and turned her phone on. It was a text from Alec: we have a job.

  TWO

  "Do you think you and Brittney could stop and get some more drinks for the mini fridge?" Chloe asked Harper as they all prepared to head over to Afterlife. "I need to go change."

  "Sure," Harper said. "If Brittney doesn't mind?"

  "That's fine," Brittney said. She glanced down at her outfit and sighed. "I suppose I should change as well if we have work to do."

  "It's your birthday, you don't have to come," Harper said.

  Brittney turned towards Chloe. "I'm one of you, right?"

  Chloe smiled at her. "Of course you are, and you're coming with," she said. "And Harper, stop giving her that look.."

  Brittney smirked at Harper and she returned a wave of her hand.

  "Alright," she said. "You're right. Brittney, go change into something a little more demon-friendly, and then we'll hit the store and head to Afterlife."

  "Right," Brittney said. She ducked back into her bedroom, and Harper could hear her rummaging through her clothing for something more appropriate. Chloe and Sarah both left, and Harper was alone. She tapped her nails occasionally on the table while she waited for Brittney.

  When Brittney reappeared, she had scrubbed the makeup off her face, and had changed into a pair of designer jeans, a t-shirt, and a thin leather jacket. She'd put on flat sole boots. "Well? What do you think?"

  "You look fine," Harper said. "But seriously, Brittney, is this how you want to spend your birthday? I could call in sick or something and we could still hit up that casino. I'm sure they can handle one case without us. There's a good chance it'll take days anyway. We can always get caught up on what's going on tomorrow."

  Brittney shook her head. "Are you kidding? I'm starting to live for this stuff."

  Harper shook her head.

  "Seriously," Brittney said. "I'd like to become a full member of the crew. Besides that, my parents are threatening to cut me off if I don't do something. They either want me to start a career, go back to college, or get married and start a family."

  Harper was used to this too; Brittney's parents had been threatening to cut her off for the last two years. They never had, though, and she didn't think they would now.

  "Somehow, I doubt they'd approve of this career choice," Harper said. "Running around with a demon, a shape-shifter, a vampire, a fairy, and a gypsy."

  "Well, I'm not planning to tell them that," Brittney said. "I'm planning on telling them that I got a job at Afterlife."

  "Somehow, I don't think they'd want to their favorite child working at a nightclub," Harper said. "Don't they have plans for you -- like to turn you into a business mogul?"

  Brittney shook her head. "I'm pretty sure they've given up on that idea," she said. "They're grooming my little brother to run the family business."

  "Peter?" Harper said, surprised. "I never thought he'd be the sort to be interested in that kind of thing. Isn't he the trouble child?"

  "Not anymore," Brittney said. "He's calmed down a lot after graduating high school and getting away from that gang he used to hang around. He's in college, going to get an MBA. My father already has him attending important meetings with him, just to observe and learn."

  Harper shook her head, still shocked. "Little Peter..."

  "He's not so little anymore," Brittney reminded her. "He's twenty-one now. Only three years younger than us. Well, than you. Four years younger than me, as of today."

  "Oh, I got you a present," Harper said.

  Brittney scowled at her. "You know the rules. We don't get each other gifts. Our friendship is our gift to each other."

  "Yeah, well, I think you'll like this," Harper said.

  "Fine, fine," Brittney said. "What is it?"

  "Well..." Harper took out her purse. "You know I don't want you getting hurt, which is the only reason I had a problem with you joining Afterlife. But you're right. You've done plenty for us, and you might as well be one of us at this point."

  She pulled began digging through her purse till she found her wallet. She opened it up, and slid out a card. It was one of Afterlife's credit cards. She handed it to Brittney. Her name was on it.

  "What? Really?"

  "See?" Harper said. "I don't really have a problem with you joining us. But if you take this, you can't run. You're with us, through all the dangerous things we do."

  "I'm not going to bail on you, Harper," Brittney said. "This is probably one of the most important things I've done with my life. Can't you tell that it's changing me?"

  Harper looked her over for a minute. The Brittney she used to know wouldn't have been caught dead without multiple layers of makeup, a short skirt, and dangerously high heels.

  "Yes, it has changed you," Harper said. "I'm proud of you, Brittney. I don't think a year ago, you would have helped us."

  "I guess I'm growing up," Brittney said.

  "About time," Harper teased. Brittney retaliated by giving her a soft punch on the shoulder. Then they hugged.

  "We should get going if we're going to stop by the store," Harper said.

  They took Harper's car, deciding that they'd just ride together instead of taking two. They stopped at a grocery store, and went inside. They stocked up on all sorts of things besides drinks; they got pretzels, chips, and large sandwiches that could be cut up and shared.

  "Do you think we're taking too long?" Brittney asked.

  "No," Harper said. "Chloe's changing clothes -- you know how long that can take. We're fine. Alec can wait for a little while. It won't kill him."

  Brittney smirked, as they walked back towards the car, their purchases in their arms.

  "So, you and Alec."

  Harper had already explained the situation earlier to Chloe and Sarah and knew she was going to have to again. "What about us?"

  "Is there something going on there?" Brittney asked.

  Harper laughed. "No, not
a thing. He's not someone you get close to."

  "But you spend so much time with him," Brittney said.

  "I really don't," Harper said. "I mean, I'm staying in his apartment, but he keeps himself locked up in his room most of the time. He's really struggling."

  "Maybe he's waiting for you to make the first move," Brittney said. "I know you like him, at least a little. I see the way you look at him."

  Harper frowned as they loaded up the car. "Like I said to Chloe and Sarah, the thing about Alec is that I can't have a future with him. I'll grow old while he stays forever at twenty-nine. He can't give me a life, Brittney. He can't give me children, he can't even take me on a date because he can't go out during the day."

  "Are you planning on having kids?" Brittney asked, both eyebrows raised.

  "I don't know," Harper said. "I haven't given it much thought, but I imagine when I'm older, I'm going to want a family, and that's something he can't give me. I can't be with him."

  "Star-crossed lovers," Brittney said. "It's so romantic."

  Harper rolled her eyes. "Why don't you date him?"

  "Eh, he's definitely not my type," Brittney said. "Too pale, too brooding. I want someone who can experience the world with me, and that's not Alec."

  Harper nodded. "Come on, let's get to Afterlife."

  They hopped in the car, turned on the radio. They both sang along to a few songs before Brittney said, "Hey, no matter what the job is, don't forget we have plans tonight. My mom's, remember?"

  "Of course," Harper said. "Wouldn't miss that for anything."

  They pulled into Afterlife and Harper put her parking card in place. They both stretched, and then headed inside. As usual, since it was morning, the club was empty. They went to the backroom, and Harper used her key to unlock it. Brittney blinked, surprised by the setting.

  All of the screens monitoring the club were off, the lights were dimmed. Everyone was sitting around the table, with Chloe in the head chair. In the middle of the table was a large birthday cake with twenty-five candles set around the edge of the circular dessert.

  Brittney's eyes widened. "You did this for me?"

  "It was Chloe's idea," Sarah said.

  "I thought you should have a good birthday surprise," Chloe said. "Now come on guys, we have to sing!"