by Faith Gibson
Frey dug his phone out of his pocket. He paced in front of Kai while he waited for whoever he was calling to answer. “Bryce isn’t picking up.”
“That’s because he and Karson are floating in the ocean outside the pod.”
“What?” Frey’s phone rang. “Jules?”
Kai could hear Julian. “Frey, the jet just crashed. Kat says everyone is okay for the most part, but the fucking jet just crashed in the middle of the godsdamned Pacific!”
Frey gripped his hair with his free hand and pulled. “Okay, yeah. Kai was just telling me the same thing, except the mates are floating in the pod. I need to call the FAA. See if they can get a location. Bryce would have alerted them. Jules, get all the males who had a mate onboard the jet on a call and have them meet here at my house. They…” Frey closed his eyes. “They should have been close to Hawaii given how long they’ve been gone. I’ll alert the Coast Guard too.”
Kai wasn’t going to wait the time it took for them to get to Hawaii before calling in backup. He dialed his brother Pono. When the call connected, Pono greeted him. “Mālō.”
“Pono, I need your help. Josie’s plane went down somewhere in the Pacific, probably close to Hawaii if our timing is correct. Frey’s calling the FAA now to get the coordinates.”
“Shit, Uso. If the plane went down—”
“They were in some kind of pod, so Josie and the other mates are alive. But you can get to her before I can.”
“Yeah, okay. Wait. A pod? What the fuck?”
“That’s what she said. I don’t exactly know how it worked either.”
Frey walked up and explained. “The cabin of the jet is a pod. Rafael had it designed that way in case of emergency. Like an ejector seat, the cabin can be separated from the rest of the plane.”
“And here I thought my Cessna was special. That’s some next level shit right there,” Pono said.
“It is, and I’m grateful for it. Otherwise Josie and the others would be dead right now.”
“Let me grab Tamu, and we’ll hit the air.”
“Thanks, Uso.” Kai was glad Pono was taking their dad. His father had met Josie via the video conference, and Josie would recognize him. After he hung up with Pono, Malakai took up the pacing Frey abandoned while making his calls. Kai had never felt so helpless. His mate was somewhere in the middle of the Pacific, and it was going to be long hours until he reached her. He wasn’t alone in his plight, but that didn’t make the urgency any easier. Vehicles showed up, one by one. Jasper, Dane, Gregor, Nikolas, Mason, Dante, and finally Julian all looked like Kai felt. Frey didn’t make them wait to hear his plan.
“I’ve called Sinclair. He and Sixx are going to head out to Hawaii. The Big Island to be exact. According to the FAA, Bryce sent out a MAYDAY to the control tower there. He said his altitude was too high to try to land safely in the water and was therefore releasing the cabin pod. They advised against it, but Bryce said the safety of his passengers was his responsibility. The jet went down about a hundred knots southwest of the Big Island. The Coast Guard has already been deployed. Sin and Sixx will meet the mates and stay with them until we can get there. They’re taking Gannon and Thane with them. Dane, if you need to stay here, I promise we will look after Marley.”
Dane ran a hand through his already tousled hair. “How can I stay here and let Marley think my job means more than she does? And has anyone figured out why a perfectly sound plane would lose its engines? Don’t you think this is more than a little suspect?”
“You think the plane was sabotaged?” Nikolas asked.
“Don’t you?”
“But nobody knew the mates were being moved,” Mason said.
“Oh, gods,” Julian muttered. He looked at Frey, his eyes haunted. “Lachlan knew.”
“But he’s at the Pen. Hunter and Carter are with him.” Frey stepped closer to Julian, but Julian took a step back, shaking his head.
“They wouldn’t know… I need to get home to my computer. It’s closer than the Pen. Frey, call Remy. Have him put Lachlan back in his cell until I know for sure.”
“Julian, do you honestly think the male would risk something as suicidal as taking out all our mates?”
“I don’t have time for this,” Nik growled. “Sophia is in distress. I can feel it. I’m going to get to the airport so I can get to my mate. My mate who is pregnant with my daughter. Jules, you do what you have to, but this is what I have to do.” Nik strode away from the others toward his car.
“I’m with Nikolas. I need to get to Willow.” Mason jogged after Nikolas.
While Frey argued with Julian, Kai called his brother with the information of where the plane had gone down and where the mates were being taken. By the time he hung up, Julian was close to a breakdown.
Frey was in Julian’s face yelling, “This is not your fault.”
“But it is! It was my security system Hagen bypassed allowing the Unholy to get to our homes. It’s my computer system that has been breached. What good am I if I can’t keep my family safe?”
“Katherine is safe. Thanks to the pod you designed for the jet. All our mates are safe because of you.”
“Yeah? Tell that to Rafael.”
“Brother, Kaya is alive. She’s going to be—”
“Scarred for the rest of her life! Every time Rafael looks at her, he’s going to remember it was me who let her down. Fuck!” Julian phased fully and launched into the sky.
“Godsdamnit, Julian!” Frey yelled at the retreating form of his brother. He tapped his phone and put it to his ear. “Remy, we have a situation. I need you to put Lachlan back in his cell for the time being. If he asks why, tell him… Fuck, tell him it’s on my orders, and that’s all you know. Tell Hunter and Carter they’re welcome to stay at my home for the time being. Have one of them call me after you get Lachlan in his cell, and I’ll explain it to them. Just so you are aware, Julian believes Lachlan is somehow responsible for the Clan jet having engine failure. The mates are safe, but… You know what? I want you to tell Lachlan and the others the plane went down and there were no survivors other than the pilot and his brother. Watch Lachlan for his reaction. I’m on my way to the airport, but call me back once he’s in his cell. Thanks, Brother.”
“What about Julian?” Jasper asked.
“I can’t worry about him right now. Dane? Marley will understand if you stay here. I have Lorenzo and Paxton to monitor the situation with the Unholy.”
“Yes, but what about the computers? If Lachlan did have something to do with the jet, who’s to say he’s not working with Drago? If that’s the case, we need Julian more than ever. Fuck! Is this shit ever going to end?”
“Fuck.” Frey grabbed his hair with both hands and blew out a breath. “I’ll stay and find my brother. The rest of you head to the airport so Nikolas doesn’t leave without you. Tell Abbi I will be there as soon as possible. I’m calling Sixx and have him reserve a resort for the mates. They’re going to need some down time once they’re rescued.”
Kai didn’t like that idea. “I’m still taking Josie to Manono. Behind bars or not, I don’t trust Drago or Lachlan or whoever not to have someone watching our movements. I’d advise you to do the same. An island of Gargoyles will be safer than a resort. My brother, Pono, and my tamu are on their way to Hawaii to stay with Josie until I get there.”
“Your tamu?”
“My father,” Kai clarified. “They’ll be able to help guard the others too. Dane, if you stay here, I promise on my honor I’ll watch over Marley.”
Dane sighed. “If we only knew whether or not Lachlan was working against us.”
Gregor, who had been silent up to that point, spoke up. “I’ve communicated with Tessa. Frey, you need to get to your family. Abbi’s fine, and so is Amelia, but Abbi’s pregnant. Dante, Isabelle said to tell you to stay here and do what you need to on this end. Dane, Marley said the same thing. Drago’s plan is to separate us, of that I have no doubt, but we can’t leave the city unprotected. Tessa k
nows this, and she demanded I stay here to watch over Rafael and Kaya, so that’s what I’m going to do.”
It was obvious Dane was still torn. He dragged a hand through his hair, tugging on the ends. “Someone needs to find Julian.”
Dante gripped Dane’s shoulder “I’ll do that. Isabelle and Connor will help look after the others until you get there. Kai, if you don’t mind, I’d like for you to take them on to Samoa with you. I’ll feel safer knowing they’re on your family’s island.”
“Of course.” Kai fisted his heart and bowed his head. “I’m going, and I suggest anyone going to our mates leaves now.” Kai walked off, leaving the others to make their decisions. He knew the mates were safe for the moment, but he didn’t know who was watching their movements. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust his Clan to safeguard Josie, but he trusted his family more. The island was secure. The safest place for his love to be.
When Kai arrived at the airport and located Nikolas and Mason, Nik had a plane and pilot ready to go. The pilot turned out to be Lawton. Kai didn’t know all the Clan members as well as some, but he did know they each had pasts where one or more would have had the opportunity to learn to fly a plane. By the time they boarded, Frey and Jasper were the only ones to come with them. It took an hour before they were added to the queue for takeoff. While they were waiting, Kai asked Frey, “Did you hear back from Remy?”
Frey scrubbed a hand over his face. “Yes. He said Lachlan was as visibly shaken as were Hunter and Carter. Either he had nothing to do with the plane going down, or he’s an excellent actor. I called Julian and left him a message, telling him to get his ass to work. Since he didn’t answer, and I don’t know where his head is, we need someone watching the Unholy. I told Remy to leave Lachlan out of his cell for now.” Kai prayed Frey had made the right call.
Most of the Goyles had the ability to speak to their mates through their bond, and Kai took advantage of it. His beast had been checking in with Josie every so often, so Kai was aware of the situation. He leaned back in his seat and let his mind wander to the future. Past all the bad shit, to where they had their home rebuilt and there were little Samoan god babies running around.
Chapter Twenty-Two
As soon as they were in the air, Nikolas was out of his seat, pacing.
“Nik?” Frey reached out for his brother’s hand.
Nikolas didn’t pull away. He gripped Frey’s hand tighter. “Sophia… Lydia…” Nikolas choked back a sob.
“Is something wrong with my niece?”
“No. Sophia passed out during the whole pod-flying-through-the-air debacle. When she came to, she couldn’t feel the baby move, but Isabelle checked her over. As far as they both can tell, the baby’s fine, but…” Nikolas collapsed into the seat next to his older brother. Frey’s strong hand gripped Nikolas’s neck. Frey squeezed and rubbed the muscles, giving Nik his silent comfort while allowing Nik to regain his composure. “That was too close,” Nik whispered. He didn’t care if the others heard his anguish. They all came close to losing their mates, but he and Frey would have lost so much more. Dante too. Both Nik and Frey had unborn babies to worry about, and Nikolas knew if he’d lost Sophia and Lydia, he would have followed them in death. “While I was freaking the fuck out, my beast took over and spoke with Sophia’s. Her shifter promised mine it would never let anything happen to our child.”
“My beast was also talking to Josie,” Malakai said from across the aisle.
“Really?” Nik straightened and focused on the Samoan. “I’ve never heard of anyone else being able to communicate with the shifter. Is that because of the Auspice of Sevens?”
“Yes, but my beast prefers to call it a blessing, and I prefer curse. Other than the whole nearly dying incident when she and I first met, I have changed my tune. My shifter can speak to her when I’m focused on something else. Keeps us connected.”
“Is it wrong I’m glad mine can’t speak to Willow?” Mason asked, grinning. “I chalk it up to my age, but some of the things it thinks makes me cringe. I can’t imagine it telling Willow all the things it wants to do to her.”
Nikolas barked out a laugh. “Ooh, a dirty beast? Do tell us more.”
“Uh, no thank you. Didn’t you hear me say cringe?” Mason’s cheeks turned crimson.
Before Nik could give the young Goyle any more shit, Sophia’s beast popped into his mind.
We’re being rescued. The Coast Guard has Bryce and Karson safely aboard their boat, and now they’re trying to figure out next steps.
“The Coast Guard has arrived. Frey, what do you know about the pod? Can they somehow open it and get the mates to safety?”
“They can, but depending on the current, it might be better for them to either tow the pod behind them or lift it with a wench system onto the boat. Since I don’t know the size of their vessel…” Frey held his palms up. “Bryce should know this since he helped Julian design it.”
Nik’s shifter relayed that information to Sophia’s. Bryce helped Julian design the pod. He’ll know what to do.
Nikolas wiped his hands on his jeans. “I hate that Sin and Sixx aren’t going to get to the island before our mates.”
“No, but they have Bryce and Karson watching out for them,” Frey said.
Kai laughed while sitting with his eyes closed. When he opened them, he told Frey, “Amelia is keeping everyone entertained. She keeps asking when they can go on the ride again. Molly is feeding into Amelia’s excitement, and Connor has expressed the need to start a journal of their experience.”
“And Willow?” Mason asked.
Kai held up a finger. After a few seconds, he smiled at the younger Goyle. “She is trying to help keep Amelia in her seat. The pod rocks back and forth if anyone moves around too much, and Katherine is experiencing extreme seasickness.”
“Damnit. I wish Julian would get his head out of his ass.” Nikolas knew better than anyone his brother’s need to protect the family, but he also knew Katherine was pregnant They hadn’t shared that with too many of the Clan at Julian’s request. Nik also knew Julian had been slowly declining into depression with each move their enemy managed to make against his security system. “We need to find another Goyle to take over the lab. Jules needs a vacation. A long one. If Lachlan did have something to do with the jet going down, Julian will take the male’s head, and Hunter won’t have to worry about having a traitor for a mate.”
“With the number of Gargoyles in our Clan, there has to be at least one who is proficient in computers. Have you searched the archives?” Frey asked.
“I have. There are a couple who look good on paper, but I haven’t had a chance to vet them. For a while, Julian was in a better head space. Teaching Tamian’s mate gave him something positive to focus on, but with these latest developments, he’s fallen farther backwards. As soon as we get our mates home safely, I’m going to amp up my research. That plus rebuild my home.”
“You think it is salvageable?” Kai asked.
“I’m hopeful. Sophia and I both love our home. If I have to, I’ll tear it down and start from scratch. I’m going to make sure it’s exactly the same as it was before the explosion. What about you? How bad is your home? Or should I say Sixx’s?”
“Josie and I told Sixx we wanted to buy it. He was getting the paperwork drawn up, so for all intents and purposes, it’s ours. And yes, I want to rebuild it as well if at all possible.”
“It’s a good thing we all have large homes. You’re welcome to stay with Abbi and me,” Frey said.
Nikolas knew where he was going to be. “Sophia and I will be with Julian and Katherine. It will give me the opportunity to keep an eye on him.”
Jasper leaned forward with his forearms on his thighs. “I figure Trevor and I will stay at Travis’s since he’s out of the country. Travis spends most of his time with Brynna anyway.”
“Kai? Think you and Josie could handle Amelia twenty-four seven?” Frey asked.
“I know we could, and I appreciate the offe
r, but we have Josie’s apartment. Maybe you should keep your home open for Rafael and Kaya. They, Sebastian, and Priscilla need a place to land as well.”
“I imagine Rafe’ll take her to Italy to their villa. She’ll have all the privacy she needs to recover, but you’re right. Just in case he doesn’t, they can stay with me.” Frey leaned his head back against the seat. “I’m just glad she’s alive, or we’d be dealing with a much different King.”
Nik could imagine. Except Rafael had Sebastian to think about. Surely, he wouldn’t turn the future King over to someone else to raise. Instead of thinking about such macabre happenings, he closed his eyes and listened as his beast called out to Sophia’s.
Josie was actually excited. Yes, she’d come close to dying, but the rescue was something out of a movie. The Coast Guard had brought in a helicopter, and two cables were attached to where the parachutes had deployed. The lift was rough, rocking the cabin, but with all of them once again sitting and secured with seatbelts, it wasn’t scary. The cabin swung back and forth like the pirate ship she’d ridden at an amusement park when she was younger. Through it all, she spoke to either Kai or his Gargoyle, telling them everything that was happening. He was now on a plane with Nikolas, Frey, Jasper, and Mason, heading to Hawaii. Kai’s brother and father were going to meet her there as well, since it would take longer for Kai to reach her.
It took several minutes after the pod was lowered to the deck of the boat for Bryce to get the door open. For a badass Gargoyle, the male seemed flustered. Josie wasn’t the only one to notice because Tessa asked him what was wrong.
Bryce looked behind him before he spoke. “They’re asking all kinds of questions I can’t answer. Like what all of you were doing on a private jet going to a private island. I told them I am merely the pilot,” he whispered.
Bryce tensed as a Coast Guardsman popped his head in the door. “Is everyone okay? “
Isabelle stood. Now that the pod was on solid ground, it didn’t rock. “I’m Dr. Isabelle Di Pietro. Everyone is unharmed, thanks to our pilot’s quick thinking.”
