Heavyweight (Hallow Brothers Book 3) Read online

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  Published by The Hartwood Publishing Group, LLC,

  Hartwood Publishing, Phoenix, Arizona

  www.hartwoodpublishing.com

  Heavyweight

  Copyright © 2017 by Tricia Andersen

  Digital Release: November 2017

  All Rights Reserved. No part of this book 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.

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination, or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales, or organizations is entirely coincidental.

  Heavyweight by Tricia Andersen

  Samuel Hallow is desperately in love. However, he knows his family won’t condone his relationship with his boyfriend, Henry. The brothers mate for life and neither man has had the mystical tattoo appear that binds them to the one chosen for them.

  Delilah, Henry’s lifelong friend, comes to town and Samuel is consumed with unexplained lust. He and Henry both sleep with her and the tattoo appears on all three of them, marking the trio as mates for eternity. He nearly loses the others when he confesses his true nature – that he, like his six brothers, are werewolves. Although Delilah and Henry are angry and obsessed with their careers, they can’t stay out of his bed.

  Can he protect his lovers from the vampires who hunt them, who want to use them to get possession of Momma Hallow’s ancient amulet? And will the Hallow Brothers stand united when they discover that Henry, the man Samuel loves, embodies an ancient evil magic, hell bent on conquering the world?

  Dedication

  To Lisa, my editor – Thank you for suggesting this crazy idea that I write werewolves. Thank you for the tough love. Thank you for cheering me on and encouraging me. Thanks for believing in me. I am eternally grateful.

  And to Lisa, my beta reader, my friend – thank you for helping me bring the Hallows to life. Thank you for listening to me. And thank you for being such an incredible friend.

  Chapter One

  Sam wasn’t sure which one started it. He just knew they both needed to fucking stop.

  He grabbed the spare pillow on his bed and clamped it down over his head. All he wanted was some peace and quiet to sleep. His shift in the office, watching over the game apps they designed and managed for the Japanese firm that hired them, ended at four in the morning. He took a hot shower, had a quick cup of tea, and got himself completely relaxed. He drifted off to sleep.

  The first tiny sliver of sunlight that pierced the night sky either woke Roscoe, Momma’s feather-bare, temperamental rooster, or Ruby, Sam’s newborn niece. Maybe they woke up at the same time because they sure as shit started to wail at the same exact moment. Sam had just begun to dream. He huffed angrily as he peeled the pillow from his face. It would take him forever to fall asleep again.

  Roscoe was still crowing his morning greeting to the Hallow family. Apparently, he never roused Momma. Sam cocked a grin to himself. Maybe he should do the honors and shut the little fucker up for good. He’d make a great addition to lunch.

  He did notice that Ruby was quiet. Despite her early morning wake up calls, Sam adored her. She had her dad’s thick, dark hair but her mom’s blue eyes. She looked like she belonged to Joshua, not Caleb. That was the only truly discerning feature between the two Hallow brothers referred to as “the twins.”

  Sam heard a rustle in the grass outside. He sighed. Since his cabin was right next to Caleb and Meg’s and his bedroom window was within feet of their porch, he often heard them come and go. Cay must have kicked his wife out of bed to take care of their daughter. Fucking asshole.

  That was until Sam heard a male voice start to sing. The tune was soft, sweet like a lullaby. He strained to listen to the melody, to make out the words. He busted out in laughter.

  Cay was serenading Ruby with the greatest hits of Eminem. Curse words and everything. Sam shook his head as he still chuckled. He tossed the covers off, pulled on a pair of sweatpants, and strolled through his cabin until he was outside.

  “Seriously, dude,” Sam said teasingly. “Are the lyrics to ‘Rock a Bye Baby’ too much for you?”

  Caleb’s head popped up as he stopped. He was dressed only in a pair of jeans. The images inked into his skin were shadows in the early summer morning gloom. His shaggy dark hair was more rumpled than usual. Cradled in his arms against his chest was a tiny baby wrapped snug in a pink blanket. A pacifier bounced up and down as she sucked.

  The whole scene was enough to make the average red-blooded human female’s ovaries explode with need. Too bad for the rest of the women on the planet. Cay was the first Hallow to be eternally mated. And Meg would kick their ass.

  Caleb shrugged at Sam. “I don’t remember what the fuck Momma used to sing to us. All I could remember was Eminem.” He forced a smile. “Sorry we woke you.”

  “Eh, it was probably that old piece of crap Roscoe. I wish that old bird would up and croak.”

  “With us boys, I’m surprised he’s still alive. It’s still dark. You could get back to sleep.” Caleb freed a finger to brush a lock of hair from Ruby’s forehead. “We will be snoozing soon.”

  Sam shook his head. “I’m too wired now. I’ll try to doze, but I won’t get a good sleep. I’m going to the club tonight. I’ll get a good sound sleep after a long night of no strings attached sex.”

  Caleb cocked a grin. “You’re rolling the dice that you’ll find a woman who will let you sleep instead of trying to fuck your brains out?”

  Sam chuckled. “Either option sounds like a winner to me.” Sam strode across the grass to press a butterfly kiss to his niece’s forehead. “Get her back to bed and go snuggle your pretty wife.”

  “Hmm, I can think of other things to do with my pretty wife.” Caleb winked. “Catch ya’ later, bro.”

  “Night. Morning. Whatever.” Sam offered a quick wave and then climbed the porch steps into his cabin. He shuffled through the small abode and then crawled back into bed. He tossed for over two hours until his bedroom was flooded with warm sunlight. He scooped up his cell phone and fired off a text. “I sure as hell will sleep tonight,” he muttered to himself. He stood, pulled on his gym clothes, and then grabbed his bag to train.

  The gym was empty when Sam arrived. He kicked off his shoes in the hallway outside that led to the dining room. The smell of baking bread wafted through the massive building. He stepped inside the gym and then flopped on the mat. He pulled his wraps from his bag, wrapped each hand, and secured them. He slipped his fingerless gloves over his hands. He stood and wandered across the room to the mirror that spanned from the ceiling to the floor. Watching his reflection, he threw a series of combos. He studied every motion, corrected each punch if it was the slightest bit wrong.

  Sam’s attention was torn from the mirror when he heard the door open. Micah sauntered in dressed in a T-shirt and blue jeans. He nudged his glasses up his nose. “I hoped you were in here.”

  “A little overdressed to practice, aren’t you?” Sam asked with a smirk.

  “I wasn’t planning to practice. I’ve been looking for fights for you guys.
Leroy has a heavyweight fight in three months. Number one contender fight. The winner gets a shot at the champion.”

  Sam rested his hands on his hips. “Fuck number one contender. I want the championship. You and Cay are the champs right now. It’s my turn. Get Felix Ross on the phone. Tell him it’s me and him for his belt.”

  “Both Cay and me got called out, remember? And you weren’t the first heavyweight Leroy chose. Your opponent already called Felix out. Felix turned him down flat. So he chose you to fight. Felix said he’d take on the winner.”

  “So I’m the one to get beaten down, right? I’m being set up. Why would you offer me a fight like that?”

  “I wouldn’t if I didn’t think you had a shot. Rumor has it that the son of a bitch who called Felix out redecorated Leroy’s car. As in did enough damage to total it. Leroy handpicked you. He must believe you can destroy the bastard.”

  “Who the fuck is this guy?”

  “Leroy wouldn’t say.”

  “And Felix?”

  “Felix has never seen you in the cage, but he knows the Hallow name. He’ll be there. He’ll see you fight. And Leroy won’t let him out of his deal.”

  Sam sighed then shrugged. “Fine. Book it.”

  Micah nodded. “I will. Go get something good to eat tonight. Tomorrow you start fight camp. I’ll let Josiah know too.”

  “So our darling big brother can devise new torture for me?”

  Micah laughed. “Something like that. Want me to ask Momma to make you something? Or Eve or Meg? I have an in with Eve and all since I sleep with her.”

  Sam shook his head. “I’m good. I’m going into town tonight with Josiah, Ezekiel, and Joshua. I’ll find something there.”

  “Okay, bro. I’ll call Leroy.” Micah gave a brief wave as he slipped out of the gym. Sam turned his concentration back to his image in the mirror. He threw a couple of punches when the door flew open again with a bang against the plastered wall. Ezekiel and Joshua stepped in dressed in T-shirts and fight shorts with their gym bags slung over their shoulders. Sam grinned. Now he would get some real work in.

  He sparred and rolled with his brothers until well after lunch. He had enough time to grab something from the kitchen, shower, and dress to head into town. He was greeted in the kitchen by his sisters-in-law, Meg and Eve, both beaming. They helped him get a sandwich whipped up and then handed him a baggie of cookies to go. He sighed as he watched them chatter as they baked. He loved them both but was jealous. It wasn’t of their relationships with his brothers. It was that they belonged to the family. They were the found puzzle pieces in the Hallow pack that fit perfectly. I am so in love right now, but no one here would accept it. Mating will never happen. It’s not the way we’re designed. So I can never share this incredible feeling with anyone in my family.

  Sam spent more than an hour finding the right thing to wear for his night out. He was dressed and sitting in the front seat when his other three brothers made their way to Josiah’s car. His heart was pounding in his chest. His hands were clammy. He couldn’t stop fidgeting. He was nervous and excited all at the same time. Every time. This happens every time.

  “Shit, Sam needs to get laid,” Joshua joked as he and Ezekiel climbed into the backseat.

  Samuel wiped his hands on his jeans. “I need to unwind.”

  “Sex should do that,” Josiah commented as he slid behind the wheel. He flipped on the ignition then sped down the trail that led from the camp through the thick woods.

  He tried to keep up with his brothers’ chatter as they drove the three hours to Duluth. It was almost impossible. His mind was on his final destination. He could already feel the pillow he would share that night against his face and see the incredible dark eyes he loved. He let out a sigh of relief as the city lights of the Minnesota town came into view.

  The crowd in the club seemed to part as the four brothers strode inside. They at least took notice of the Hallows. Women trampled each other to be the first to get to them. A busty blonde wrapped herself around Sam like a boa constrictor. His cock sprung to attention at her touch. She wasn’t the one he wanted to touch him, but it didn’t matter. The little bastard had a mind of his own. And she would be the perfect distraction. Samuel knotted his fingers in her hair and tugged her mouth to his. His tongue tangled with hers as he kissed her.

  “Go figure,” Ezekiel said with a laugh. “Sam isn’t three steps in the door, and he’s already at it.”

  Josiah tugged Ezekiel into the crowd. “Leave him alone. Let’s go.”

  Samuel didn’t know how long he kissed the blonde. When they broke apart, they were panting for breath. And none of his brothers were around. He rested his forehead against hers. “I need to take a leak.”

  She kissed him quick and then swatted him on the ass. “Hurry back, lover.”

  He winked and then snaked his way through the mass of bodies to the restrooms. He wasn’t lying. He had to go. But he wasn’t going to find her. Once he was finished, he took one last look for his brothers. Each of them was oblivious to everything but the woman they were wrapped around. He snuck out the side door and jogged down the street.

  »»•««

  Samuel studied the neighborhoods around him as he strolled down the road. Industrial buildings melded into lower income housing. The houses evolved in size until he was on the edge of the suburbs. He smiled as he grew closer. His legs were tired. He walked at least three miles. But it was all worth it.

  He stopped in front of a large but modest two-story house. The porch was lined with impeccable shrubs. He took a deep breath and slowly let it out. He climbed the porch steps and knocked on the door. He knew he wasn’t breathing as he waited.

  The door was tugged open. A tall man in a polo shirt with thick-rimmed glasses stood with his arms crossed over his chest. His thick, wavy brown hair was neatly parted. He held a kitchen towel in his fist. The smell of pot roast drifted out to the porch and tickled Samuel’s nostrils. He bit his lower lip.

  “I didn’t think you were coming,” the man remarked.

  “I’m sorry, Henry,” Samuel apologized. “My brothers were hard to get rid of.”

  Henry’s eyes dropped to the bulge in Samuel’s jeans. “Yeah. That’s what it looks like.”

  “I had to distract them so I could sneak out. Can I come in?”

  “Was she brunette? Blonde?”

  “Did you want me to bring her along?”

  Henry glared. Then he smiled. “Not tonight. Tonight I want you.”

  “Then let me in.”

  Henry popped the latch on the door and pushed it open. Samuel stepped inside the door. He wrapped his hands around Henry’s hips and drew him against him. Henry moaned as Sam parted his lips with a sweet, sensual kiss. Henry’s soft lips sent shivers down Samuel’s spine. He could hear Henry moan through the kiss.

  “Dinner is ready,” Henry murmured as their lips still touched.

  “I love you. You know that, right?” Sam asked.

  “You may want to hold onto that until you taste the roast.”

  “You could make me charcoal briquettes, and I would still love you.”

  Henry grinned as he wrapped his hand around Samuel’s. “I love you too. Let’s eat.”

  Samuel followed like an obedient puppy as Henry led him through the house to the dining room. He took in the walls lined with books. The occasional artifact decorated a shelf. Henry was a librarian at the local university. Books were his life. More and more, Henry was becoming Samuel’s life.

  He gazed at the man still holding his hand. He didn’t understand the attraction, but it was like a moth to a flame. It had been ever since Samuel dumped a hot cup of coffee on him in that coffee shop almost a year ago. He’d been with dozens of women before that and a few men too. But none of them were Henry. Henry was his disease and his cure. If I ever find my true mate, I’m screwed.

  Henry stopped in the dining room and let go of Samuel’s hand. He shoved his hands in the pockets of his khaki pants. I
t was so fucking adorable.

  In the center of the table sat what looked like a perfect beef roast. On either side of the platter were bowls of potatoes and carrots. There was also a basket of freshly baked rolls and a chocolate cake.

  Samuel groaned. “Henry, you spoil me.”

  Henry smiled as he pulled out a chair and motioned for Samuel to sit. “I like spoiling you.”

  Samuel took a seat as Henry crossed around the table to his place. They each dished up their plate and started eating.

  Henry pushed a piece of beef around his plate and then looked up at Sam. “So, what’s new?”

  “Since I talked to you this morning?”

  “Of course.”

  Samuel stabbed at a potato. “I took a fight. It’s a number one contender match.”

  Henry was quiet. “Do I get to come watch you?”

  “Of course you can. I’ll get you a ticket. I want to make you proud.”

  “Do I get to meet your family?”

  Samuel set his fork beside his plate. “Henry, we’ve talked about this.”

  “You’ve talked. I disagreed. What I said didn’t matter.”

  “It does matter. My family wouldn’t understand us. They’re old fashioned. They expect me to end up with a woman.”

  Henry stared. “Is that how you plan it to be?”

  Samuel couldn’t answer. How could he explain? He, his brothers, they all mated for life. Never had he heard of any male in their pack mating with a man. But then his immediate knowledge consisted of Momma, Pappa, and his brothers. Outside the family, he only knew of his grandfather’s pack in Maine, and what they did to human mates was unthinkable.

  Samuel slid his chair from the table and strode over to Henry. He tilted his lover’s chin up and kissed him deep. “Henry, I love you. That’s all that matters. I’m not thinking of women. Hell, I don’t care if I never get married. I want you.”

  Henry swiped his tongue across his lower lip. “Aren’t you a sweet talker?”