Force of Nature Series Boxed Set (Books 1 - 4) by Kathi S. Barton

call you…say on Friday? I’ll have things all firmed up for you then.”
    “Sure, Brice, that’d be great. I guess stationary life isn’t what I’d thought it would be.” She took out a pen and wrote a maybe next to Brice’s name for runs. “I’ll look forward to hearing from you.”
    When they hung up, she stood with her back to the two men in her kitchen and took a deep breath. When she turned around, she thought she had better control over herself. She was wrong.
    “I don’t suppose you’re making plans to visit an uncle, are you? Because as far as you leaving on a long haul, that’s so not going to happen.” Austin looked over at Phil when he snickered. “What?”
    “I think he’s trying to tell you to shut up.” She picked up both men’s coats and held them out. “I’m very happy you both stopped by, but as you can see, I have everything under control and I no longer need a father figure.”
    They didn’t move. She wanted to stomp her foot and demand that they get out, but she was pretty sure she’d only make herself look foolish. She dropped the coats back on the chair and stalked toward the hall again.
    “Then stay. I don’t give a shit. I’m tired and I’m going to go to bed. When you leave, lock up.” She was nearly to the hall when she felt hands wrap around her waist. “Put me down, you moron. I didn’t invite you here, and neither one of you are on my buddy list tonight.”
    Austin sat her in the kitchen chair and Phil put his hand on hers when she made to move. “Don’t,” was all he said before Austin sat too. “We need to have a conversation with you, and you’ll do much better sitting down.” Phil looked over at Austin before he continued. “I think it’s time we both come clean with her. She needs to hear it from us so that she’ll better understand what we want from her.”
    Austin nodded. “All right. But I haven’t a clue what to say or even how to start this. It’s going to be one hell of a shock for her to—”
    “Hello, right here,” CJ snarled at them. “If you’re going to talk around me then I don’t need to be here for it. If you don’t mind, as I was saying, I’m going to—”
    “I’m a vampire. He’s a werewolf.” She looked at Phil as he made his statement, then over at Austin, who nodded at her. “We need to make you understand what we are, because it’s going to become important that you know. Especially now.”
    “Especially now. Now why? No, don’t tell me,” she told him when he started to speak. “It’s because of the zombies, and they won’t touch me because of you two. Or I know, I have to know now because…you’re pregnant and having Austin’s baby. No, that doesn’t work either. Let me think.”
    CJ felt her mind race. She had heard of people believing they were vampires and werewolves, but she’d never actually met one. The other day she had been reading something about dentists who were implanting teeth in the mouths of their patients to make them appear to have canines or fangs. There were even contacts that made their eyes turn to a golden hue or glow.
    “He’s not lying, CJ. He’s really a vampire, though he’s a day walker because he’s a half breed…no offense meant,” Austin said to Phil. “He didn’t tell me how old he is, but I would say…well, nearly three hundred, give or take.”
    “Very good. I’m nearly three hundred and twenty-six. And none taken. I think I look good for my age, don’t you?” Phil looked at her and winked. “How you doing, kid?”
    “Peachy.” CJ got up to pace. “So, you’ve been my friend for nearly ten years and I’m just now finding out you have an alter ego? Is that what you call it? I’m not sure.”
    “Hmm, a little tense yet. You’ll work it out.” Phil got up and refreshed her tea as he explained. “I don’t have an alter ego, love. I’m just me.”
    “So, do you turn into a bat? And you.” She pointed to Austin. “Do you turn into a dog or