Night Shadows, page 1
part #3 of Night Series

Night 3
Night Shadows
Serena Abbott’s relationship with Ian and Alastair Wyndham was anything but normal. Her psychic abilities presented a challenge that neither man could ignore. Her abilities grew with her confidence, and the very real threat that she could one day read their minds stood between them. Because of it, she kept a distance between them that frustrated both of them.
While their love and passion for each other continued to grow, her growing and changing abilities had begun to terrify them. Serena had begun to get into the minds of people being murdered and, to Alastair’s and Ian’s horror, when the victims died, Serena started to go with them.
They could protect her from a physical threat, but was afraid that they couldn’t protect her from the visions that threatened to take her from them.
Fearing that she could one day read their minds and change everything, she fought letting them in—something neither one of them could allow.
Genre: Contemporary, Ménage, Paranormal
Length: 38,715 words
NIGHT SHADOWS
Night 3
Leah Brooke

Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK
NIGHT SHADOWS
Copyright © 2018 by Leah Brooke
ISBN: 978-1-64243-151-3
First Publication: April 2018
Cover design by Les Byerley
All art and logo copyright © 2018 by Siren Publishing, Inc.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.
All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.
WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.
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PUBLISHER
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
When Leah’s not writing, she’s spending time with family and friends and spoiling her furbabies.
For all titles by Leah Brooke, please visit
www.bookstrand.com/leah-brooke
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Epilogue
NIGHT SHADOWS
Night 3
LEAH BROOKE
Copyright © 2018
Chapter One
Enjoying the smells and the feel of the artist’s supply store, Serena Abbott glanced at her handsome lover again, smiling again at his unmistakable interest in the vast array of paint brushes.
After years of having to shop on the internet for supplies, she thrilled at being able to touch everything and to be out with other people, something her gift of being able to read the minds of others had prevented her from doing.
It still confused her that, although she seemed to be able to read the minds of everyone else, she couldn’t do the same with Alastair and Ian Wyndham.
The possibility that one day she might be able to scared her to death.
After gathering several tubes of paint, she made her way to the pencils to get more charcoal pencils for sketching, smiling when he glanced up to follow her movements.
Despite the fact that only two other customers shopped in the store, he watched over her protectively as if making sure that he’d successfully blocked their thoughts from her.
The mental barrier he and his brother could erect for her gave her a freedom she’d dreamed of but also tied her to them in ways that she still struggled to accept.
She grew stronger every day and had more success in blocking the thoughts of others that bombarded her each time she came out in public, but as she grew stronger, her abilities grew in ways she struggled to adapt to.
She credited her strength and growing abilities, as well as her growing ability to erect her own barrier, on the love and support of her twin lovers but couldn’t help resenting how much she had to rely on them just to live a normal life.
Such as shopping for paint supplies.
After choosing the pencils she needed, she grabbed two of the sketch pads she preferred and made her way to Ian, intrigued by his interest in the brushes.
She was more curious when she got closer and realized that he’d picked out several that he obviously intended to buy.
Moving to his side, she laid a hand on his forearm and smiled up at him, her stomach fluttering at the hunger in his gaze. “Are you planning to take up painting?”
“No.” Reaching out, he slipped an arm around her waist, his gaze sharp on hers. “Are you okay?”
Even wearing high heels, she had to look up at the man who stood a foot taller. Smiling, she leaned into him, loving the feel of his body against hers. She’d never realized just how hungry she’d been for human contact, something her lovers seemed to understand well. “Yes. You’re good at this.”
She knew he hated the fact that he couldn’t block her as well as Alastair could, and it had hit him hard when she’d accidentally gotten into the head of a dying woman and almost died herself because of it.
“So, what’s with the paint brushes?”
Ian gave her one of his rare grins, a playful grin that made her heart beat faster. “Hold out your hand.”
Caught in the erotic playfulness in his eyes, Serena smiled, her pulse tripping.
Curious, she held out her hand, her breath catching when he wrapped his around it and held it higher. Struck once again by how small her hand looked in his much larger one, she watched as he took one of the larger brushes he’d chosen and ran the soft bristles lightly back and forth over the palm of her hand.
Surprised that the sensation travelled up her arm and all the way to her nipples, Serena swallowed heavily. “It’s soft, but I don’t usually use a brush that large.”
Ian’s tawny eyes glittered with gold. “I think I’m going to enjoy using this one.” Turning her hand over, he watched her eyes as he ran the bristles lightly up her arm.
Serena swallowed again, the slow slide of the brush combined with the erotic intent in his gaze sending a warm surge of desire through her.
Ian smiled again. “Yes, this’ll do. When I get you naked, I’m going to enjoy running this all over you.”
“Ian!” Shocked, she glanced around, immediately realizing her mistake.
Ian’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “Careful.”
She’d called him by his name instead of Wyn, the name that he and Alastair used in public to hide the fact that two of them existed.
Nodding, she smiled in apology. “Darling, I don’t think you need that.”
His eyes narrowed as he inspected it. “No. I don’t need it, but I think I can have a lot of fun with it.” He pulled another one from his grip and held it up to her. “This one, I think, will be nice on your nipples.”
Sucking in a breath at the intimacy in his low tone, Serena watched, mesmerized, as he ran the much small one over her forearm, the thought of him brushing it over her nipples making them bead even tighter. She gulped heavily, her throat dry. “Uh, darling, maybe we should go.”
Gripping her arm when she started to move away, Ian raised a brow. “But I have one more I want you to see.”
His innocent expression didn’t fool her for a second.
She looked around, and even though no one looked at them, her face burned. “Put those down.”
He took the last brush he’d picked out and held it up for her to see. “I like the look of this one.” Lifting her hand, he turned it and ran the thinner, even softer brush, over the tip of her finger, his gaze holding hers. Bending slightly, he kept his deep voice low and intimate. “I’m going to use this one on your clit.”
With a gasp, Serena tried to jerk her hand away, shaken at being aroused in the middle of the art store. “You wouldn’t!”
Ian grinned, lifting her fingertip to his mouth, running his tongue lightly over it, the answering sensation at her clit weakening her knees. “You know better than that. When have you ever known me to back down from anything?”
Slipping an arm around her again, he took the basket she’d filled. “Did you get everything you need?”
“Yes. Wyn, you’re not really buying those, are you?”
“I certainly am. Come on. Let’s pay for this and go get some lunch.”
Inordinately pleased by her reaction, and amused by her flushed features, Ian led her to the counter and paid for their purchases. Filled with satisfaction that he’d shaken her so much that she forgot to insist that she pay for her own the way she usually did, he accepted the bags and took her hand in his.
“Hungry?”
Serena blinked, her violet eyes dark with desire. “What? Oh. I guess.”
Delighted with her, he led her from the store, shifting his gaze to glare at men who stared at her as they made their way down the sidewalk.
Wearing a blue blouse that made her eyes appear even more violet and a pair of faded jeans that lovingly hugged her ass, she drew attention everywhere she went.
The fact that she seemed oblivious to it made her only more intriguing.
She’d left her long, jet-black hair loose to swing enticingly at her waist with each step, drawing even more attention to her well-shaped ass.
The way she walked in her heels drew even more attention to the sway of her hips, forcing him to turn his head to glare at another man, who seemed to enjoy walking behind her and staring at her ass.
“You draw a lot of fucking attention.”
Serena glanced up at him, blinking as if she’d been in a fog. “What? Me? I think it’s you. You’re bigger than everyone, and sexy as hell. Every woman stares at you, a lot of them wishing they were in my place.”
“How would you know—” Ian grimaced, remembering that she could, indeed, read the thoughts of others. “Never mind.”
“They want you and try to imagine what kind of lover you’d be.” Pausing next to the passenger door of his sports car, Serena flattened a hand on his chest and tilted her head back to smile up at him.
His world tilted, her smile and dancing eyes holding him spellbound, the feel of her small hand pressed against his chest both humbling him and making him feel ten feet tall.
Love for her hit him hard, making it difficult to breathe, something that happened with increasing frequency.
His chest swelled, and unable to resist, he lowered his head, hungry for the taste of her.
Her smile fell, the light going out of her eyes, quickly replaced by a look of panic that had Ian scanning the area for the source.
“Ian?”
The fact that she’d used his name, the panic in her voice and the way she gripped the front of his shirt alerted him to what had happened.
He’d been so caught up in her that he’d forgotten about keeping the shield in place. Grabbing her close, he closed his eyes and focused on erecting it again.
Relieved that he could do it with more ease than he had in the past, he slammed the mental block in pace. Rubbing her back, he held her against him. “I’m so sorry, baby. I’m sorry.”
Drawing a breath, Serena pushed away just enough to look up at him. “I’m okay. I am. I promise.”
She turned, glancing around the busy sidewalk before grinning up at him. “It only slipped a little. I did it. I put it back up.”
Not wanting to tell her that he’d been the one to do it, he opened the car door. “That’s great, baby. Get in.”
Although they’d spoken in vague terms, he didn’t want anyone to overhear them.
After tucking her in, he rounded the car and slid into the driver’s seat. “We can go home. Do you have a headache?”
With a hint of his own panic, he realized that he didn’t feel anything and hoped like hell he hadn’t lost the connection with her.
Dropping her head back against the headrest, she turned to him. “Not at all. It happened so fast, and I was able to block most of it out before you finished it.”
Grinning, she touched his arm. “Didn’t think I knew it was you, did you?”
Ian cursed and started the car. “I fucked up. I’m sorry.” Pissed at himself and jealous that his brother seemed to have more success with protecting her, Ian shifted into drive and pulled out into traffic. “I got distracted.”
What the hell has you so pissed off? Did something happen?
Irritated at his brother’s interruption, Ian glanced at Serena, searching for any sign of discomfort, but found none. “I fucked up. Got distracted and let the block fall.”
Serena tightened her hold on his arm. “Oh? Do I want to know what distracted you? Maybe that blonde who was eyeing you?”
I don’t feel any pain from her. Is she okay? I should be able to feel it if she’s in pain, but I don’t feel anything.
Feeling better that his brother seemed to be experiencing the same panic that he had at the possibility of losing his connection with Serena, Ian smiled.
She’s fine. She managed to partially block things out before I could slam it down again. Looks pleased with herself, too.
“What’s that smile for? Thinking of the blonde?” Serena seemed more amused than jealous.
“No. Talking to Alastair. He knew I was mad and wondered if something happened to you.” After making the turn toward the Italian restaurant Serena liked, he glanced at her, taking her hand in his. “My weakness for blondes disappeared the night I looked across a banquet room into a pair of violet eyes. One look damned near rocked me back on my heels, and when I got a glimpse of black silk…” He reached out to slide a hand over her hair. “I started fantasizing about how it would look draped over my pillow.”
Lowering his hand again, he patted her thigh. “Ruined me for everyone else. You distracted me.”
Her stunning eyes widened, dancing with amusement. “I did? How?”
Ian tore his gaze from hers and forced himself to focus on traffic. “Just being around you distracts me.”
“Good to know. Are we going to Giorgio’s?”
“Unless you want to go someplace else.”
“I love Giorgio’s.” She half turned in her seat to look at him. “So why were you smiling when Alastair thought you were mad?”
Ian glanced at her, wondering what she would say if she knew how badly he wanted to pull over and kiss her senseless—to start. “I was mad—mad at myself. I let the barrier fall, and it could have caused you a lot of pain. When I didn’t feel the headache you usually get, I panicked, wondering if I’d somehow lost the connection to you.”
Sitting back, Serena frowned. “I don’t like that you and Alastair feel my pain. I thought you resented that.”
Ian sighed, still frustrated that the connection between them irritated him at times. “I also feel your pleasure. Look, Serena. I don’t know how this thing between us works. I’ve never had this kind of connection to anyone. I don’t like things that I don’t understand.”
Serena laughed humorlessly. “Boy, do I understand that.”
Ian forced a smile. “When Alastair and I got bored, we took on helping Jonathan. I thought I had a life that fulfilled me.” He took her hand in his. “And then I went to a wedding reception to confront a thug. A killer. I looked across the room, and my entire world changed. Since meeting you, things have changed so much that I don’t even recognize myself. I don’t recognize my life.”
“I understand, Ian. I knew it was only a matter of time before it got to you.”
Ian stiffened, not liking the finality in her tone. “Don’t even think that means I’m letting you get away from me.”
She looked out the side window with a sigh. “Ian, you know that, at some point, something’s going to happen that changes everything.”
Fighting back the combination of anger and panic, Ian tightened his hold on her hand. “We’ll deal with that when—and if—that happens. In the meantime…”
Smiling, he slowed and turned into the parking lot of the Italian restaurant. “Since you and I can only read each other’s thoughts when we broadcast them to each other, let’s practice over lunch. We can also play that game you and Alastair play.”
“Fine, but you have to get rid of that barrier. I have to practice tuning people out and focusing on my own.”
After whipping into a parking spot, Ian cut the engine and turned to her. “Only if you promise to let me know if you need it again.”
“I promise.” Her eyes sparkled with mischief, a look that had him dragging her closer. “Let’s see if you’re any better at this than Alastair.”
* * * *
Serena took a sip of her beer and watched Ian study the couple who’d just walked in. “You know, if Alastair was here, he’d make a face at me for drinking beer instead of wine.”
Ian continued to study the other couple, watching them surreptitiously as he sipped his beer. “He’s not here.” Turning to her, he smiled, moving his chair closer. “They’re married, but not to each other. They’re having an affair. They’re comfortable with each other, so the affair’s been going on for some time. They’re also not nervous that someone will see them, so they’ve been here many times, and they’re both far from their homes and jobs.”
