“What?” Charli shouted, insulted for her new friend. Realizing she had gained some of the other patrons’ attention, she lowered her voice. “And you are still with him?”
“I will be the first to admit that my mate is a hard person to like. Even Nikki still has trouble sometimes, don’t you?” Gabby asked her friend. After receiving a nod, she continued, “He’d been lied to about me when we first met. He thought I was a call girl. Anyway, long story short, when he discovered the truth behind the lie he sought me out only to discover I was his mate. He claimed me for that reason alone at first and then pushed me away. It wasn’t until I realized that I was his weakness and that was unacceptable to him that I found it in my heart to forgive him.”
“Of course it took us being kidnapped for him to come to his senses,” Nikki added.
“Wait, kidnapped, by who?” Charli asked, sitting forward. With a quick scan of the crowded restaurant she ensured their conversation wasn’t being overheard before turning her attention back to her new friends.
“By one of the local crime bosses. He wanted something he thought I had. I didn’t, but that didn’t stop him,” Gabby explained, shrugging. “Anyway, I had a rocky start to my relationship with my mate. But it all worked out.”
“What about you, Nikki? If you don’t mind me asking?”
“Of course not. You know some of it anyway,” Nikki replied, squeezing the hand she still held. “I met Viper when he saved me from the crime boss. He knew a little of my past, which is why he didn’t tell me about our bond for several weeks. Instead he wooed me, as he likes to call it. He visited me every night after work, slowly building up my trust in him. Then the nightmare of Paul returned. Viper told me who I was to him, but still he didn’t rush me. Soon enough I fell in love with him. But only once I had realized that he was nothing like Paul. And the rest I think you know.”
“Wow, and here I was worried about bringing danger into Judge’s life. It would seem that it’s already there,” Charli said, laughing uneasily. “I’m almost afraid I won’t be able to live up to that excitement. Talk about dull.”
“Please, what are you talking about?” Gabby asked. “You rushed in and saved Nikki’s life. You even went toe-to-toe with the big alpha mountain lion. Then you stole his car and disappeared for a week. When he finally caught up with you, your sister is rushed to the hospital. I haven’t known Judge for long, but I haven’t seen him so unhinged.”
Nikki nodded. “It’s true, Charli. Even Viper has been worried about him.”
“He’s had a lot going on with his pride,” Charli offered, ducking her head, trying to hide her embarrassment. And thanking the waitress’s good timing.
When they were alone once more, Nikki leaned forward and said, “True, but that’s nothing new to him. He’s been alpha of the pride for more years than any of us have been alive. And he’s seen much worse than a child going missing. He can handle situations like that with his eyes closed. You, on the other hand, he has no experience with. The guys only have one mate in this lifetime, and this is all new to him too.”
“It’s true, Charli,” Gabby added. “Judge, both here in the casino and hotel, plus in his pride, is the lawmaker. It’s what’s expected and generally what people do. What he says goes. Except with you, his mate.”
Before she could respond a shadow fell over her. “Well, well, well. And here I thought you were a figment of Delgado’s imagination. Yet here you sit, Clarissa.”
It was a name she hadn’t heard in two years. One she no longer answered to. It may be on her birth certificate, but for safety’s sake she’d had to bury it in her past along with everything her mother had bestowed upon her. Now her past had caught up to her.
“And who the hell are you?” Gabby demanded as Nikki tried to pull Charli further into the booth. But she couldn’t allow this man any room to sit with them.
“Oh sorry, where are my manners?” The man stared down at them. With his hand on his chest, he introduced himself. “My name is Jonah Biesterman.”
“Did you say Biesterman?” Nikki stuttered.
“I see you have heard of my family. I’m here to take over my uncle’s interests,” the man replied. “You may not have heard, he died last month.”
“And what are you doing here, in the hotel?” Gabby demanded again.
“I came to see one of the owners of this joint. A Devil Torments. But imagine my surprise when I walked in and saw Clarissa sitting here. Luck is shining down on me today,” Jonah said, reaching a hand toward Charli. She flinched away. “There’s a price on her head, but now seeing her, I’m not sure I’ll hand her over to Delgado. I can make a million in a day, but I don’t come across women like this every day.”
Though the words were coming from the man’s mouth, Charli knew they didn’t suit him. Something was off with this scenario, and she couldn’t quite put her finger on what it was. As if eager to prove her right, her ability gave her a little more information. An image came to her, one of this man. It spoke of his true nature, and it depicted a man very different from the one who stood before her now.
Don’t say a word. Otherwise you’re sentencing him to death, came the feminine voice in her head. It was one she didn’t recognize.
****
“So you really think this plan of yours will work?” Viper asked.
“It has to,” Judge proclaimed. “I can offer Charli what she needs, in terms of protection for herself and Emily, as well as a home and no more hospital stays for Emily.”
“What happened to my mate will do as she’s told,” Devil asked, smirking as he threw Judge’s words back in his face. Words spoken before he knew he had a mate.
“From what little I know of her past, I very much doubt she will go for that. Her father and his boss controlled her and her gift for most of her teen years through abuse. I won’t ask her to hand over that sort of control again. I don’t need to be a psychic to know that it’s a surefire way of losing her.”
“You might have no choice but to let her go,” Devil stated before a grin appeared on his face. “Chaos seems to have taken a liking to her. He even calls her sweetpea.”
He knew his brother was trying to get a rise out of him, but it wasn’t going to work. Apart from the fact that Chaos had a mate out there somewhere, the honor he carried within just his little finger far outweighed what an average man held within his whole body. It just wasn’t in Chaos to move in on anyone’s mate. Judge knew that without a shadow of a doubt.
Out of them all, he was the closest to Chaos, and he knew the sort of affection that the endearment “sweetpea” carried. It was that of brotherly affection. Judge had the privilege of witnessing a similar relationship between Chaos and a witch who was on the run from her family. It was a few years before he had discovered his mate’s existence, which meant he was free to initiate a romantic liaison. Instead he helped her find a safe community where she would be protected. No, he wasn’t falling for Devil’s jibes.
“I have no problem with him calling her whatever name he wishes, as long as it’s respectful,” Judge replied, reminding his vampire brother that he expected the same from him too. “Chaos is no threat.”
“No, but someone else is,” Viper interjected as he moved toward the office door. “The girls have an unwelcome visitor. Saul Biesterman’s nephew is downstairs claiming that your mate has a price on her head. Though what I’m getting from Nikki is that he’s looking to keep her for himself.”
“Like hell he is!” Judge growled, heading toward the lift and his mate’s side. As he did so, he phoned his security team, ensuring his mate would be protected while he dealt with this little weasel.
Saul Biesterman had been the man who’d kidnapped Gabby and Nikki and nearly killed them both. Judge and Chaos had taken great pleasure wiping the earth of his existence. But it seemed they were yet to be free of the crime boss. Apparently, Saul’s nephew was taking up where his uncle had left off, only this time it was his mate rather than Devil and Vipe
r’s that was being threatened. Judge’s ire grew the closer the lift carried them to the ground floor. By the time he reached the restaurant he was ready to rip the man’s head off and to hell with the witnesses.
Chapter Nine
Who are you? And who is he? she asked in her head, hoping the woman would be able to hear her.
I am Jonah’s handler, and he is who he said he is, Saul Biesterman’s nephew, came the quick response through their telepathic connection. But the rest is a cover. His father disapproved of his brother’s dealings and passed that on to his son. Jonah has worked for the FBI since he graduated college and now works in the organized crime section. He’s been trying to take down Delgado for five years now. When his uncle was murdered, it was decided that he would do more good undercover in the family business. We may be able to kill two birds with one stone with you.
Why are you telling me all of this? Charli asked, unsure whether she really wanted to know the answer.
Because, Clarissa, Charli, whatever you want to be called, this situation is a win-win for both of us. You are the key to taking down Delgado, and once we take him down, you and your little sister can go about your lives knowing he can’t hurt either one of you.
Pain shot through Charli’s head, and she raised her hand to rub her temple. She had shared her thoughts through telepathy only once before. The day Charli had been caught attempting to leave the house without anyone knowing to head off to college. For that she had received a severe beating from her father. The nurse who attended her at the hospital had spoken to her that way. Like this woman, she was a telepath. She ended up being instrumental in Charli’s escape.
After the ordeal, Charli had experienced migraine-like symptoms but had attributed it to the beating and the stress she’d been under. Now it would seem it was a side effect of talking to someone telepathically.
That’s because you are forcing your thoughts my way. Just think them and I will hear them, the woman explained, accurately reading her line of thought. Now company is coming. Your fae friend spoke to her mate in a similar way we are speaking, warning him of Jonah’s presence. You need to get away from all of them and meet me in the ladies’ before that headache grows worse.
Fear raced through her body. Could she trust this woman? She had little choice but to discover that answer for herself. Emily’s continued safety and future freedom depended on it. She would give anything to offer her little sister the kind of life she saw her friends at school living.
Looking around, Charli tried to find the woman. Instead her gaze landed on an extremely angry male. In fact, three menacing men stalked toward the table, their displeasure obvious for all to see. Judge seemed to be assessing her, taking in her exterior, before his eyes met hers. She could feel him deep within her soul.
His presence eased her fear, allowing her to think rationally about her options. Really she only had one. Meet this woman and free Emily from the prison she had been forced to live in for the last two years.
“Biesterman, what are you doing here?” Devil demanded, placing himself between the man and the table.
“I came to discuss business with you and was rewarded with a bonus.” Jonah sneered down at Charli.
“You have no business here!” Judge stated, moving into Jonah’s line of sight.
Move now! came the voice in her head.
“Excuse me,” she said, standing.
“Where are you going?” Judge asked, grabbing her arm.
“The ladies’.”
Leaning forward, he whispered in her ear, “No more running, kitten.”
“Please, Judge. I need to use the restroom,” Charli pleaded. “I’ll come straight back, I promise.”
Judge turned and nodded to two of the suited men behind her. “I don’t care if everyone else has to wait, no one is allowed to enter while she’s in the ladies’. Do you understand?”
With a nod, they came to stand behind her. Judge returned his gaze to hers, silently pleading with her. Releasing her arm, Judge brought his mouth down on hers. His lips moved over hers, adding the perfect amount of pressure. Instinctively she opened for him, inviting his tongue into her dark, warm cavern. He didn’t oblige. Instead he pulled back on a groan. Desire had replaced his concern.
“Stay with the guys,” he said, turning her. “And we’ll see you in a few minutes.”
On a nod, she began moving in the direction he’d pointed her, momentarily lost in where she was meant to be heading. Turning back to Judge, her gaze fell on someone other than her mate. Jonah Biesterman sent her a knowing smile. She would have been embarrassed by what had just taken place between her and Judge in front of these strangers had they not represented trouble for her and Emily. The same trouble she had been avoiding bringing to Judge’s doorstep when she’d run from him. Instead it was Devil who had attracted Jonah Biesterman to the hotel and casino, not her.
Jonah Biesterman knew of her tormentor. Delgado had forced her to do his bidding while she lived under her father’s roof. He was the cousin of her father’s boss, whose links to the mafia made him an extremely dangerous man.
Her gifts were what he sought, and she had denied him them by going to college. She’d chosen her college for many reasons, but the main one was the high level of organized crime present within the area. The fact that the city in which she studied was run by a crime boss was her saving grace.
Delgado couldn’t have crossed territories without inciting a war. Especially not for some insignificant girl. Because Delgado wouldn’t have freely divulged Charli’s ability to anyone through fear of losing control over her. He had just planned on waiting until she returned home, which she didn’t do until Emily’s mother was murdered.
Forcing her mind onto the job at hand, she continued to walk, looking around for the bathroom sign. Had she somehow missed it? There was nothing lit up highlighting which way she needed to go. Thankfully one of the men behind her tapped her on the shoulder and pointed toward the far corner. Following his direction, she came across a wooden door. Upon it was painted the universal symbol for the female and male. They would have been barely larger than her hand, positioned beside the handle that blended in with the dark wood. How was someone of her height supposed to see that over the significant crowd?
Twisting the handle and pushing her way through the door, she entered a narrow corridor. Her guards continued to follow her until she reached the door that held the female symbol. Forcing the heavy door to give way, she moved in through it before letting it swing back into place. Only it didn’t. One of the guards held it open.
“The boss wants you safe,” he said. “If you’re not out in three minutes, we’ll be coming in.”
Nodding, she continued into the large, marble bathroom. Waiting until she heard the soft click of the door closing, she began to search for the telepath. All the stall doors were open bar one, and the wash area was vacant. Unsure whether the stall held her and unwilling to disturb a patron going about their business, she waited. Only seconds passed before the stall door opened.
A slim, stunning woman walked over to one of the sinks and washed her hands before wetting some paper towel. “Wet your neck, ears, and temple. It will ease some of the pain.”
“Thank you,” Charli said, taking the offered relief. Her skin tingled when the cold water made contact. Remembering the time limit her guards had placed on this meeting, she asked, “What do you want from me?”
“Your help to take down Delgado. Jonah’s able to destroy his uncle’s empire, but he’s still trying to discover everyone who was in his uncle’s pocket. He suspects there’s a list somewhere, but the accountant’s missing. That being said, after five years of investigating Delgado’s operation, Jonah wants to be there when Delgado gets his comeuppance. You can do that!”
“How?”
“I can take him down in a week, but only with your help,” the woman replied. Fear shot through Charli at the idea of being anywhere near that man again. Her head began to shake its refusa
l. The woman’s hands came up. “Just hear me out.”
“You better make it good, and quick,” Charli said, sure that she would be refusing anything this woman had to say. “The guards gave me three minutes before they are coming in.”
“I won’t need that time. Firstly, let me introduce myself. They call me Iris.” She held out her hand. As Charli shook it, her head turned back toward the door. “Look, Charli, I need you to trust me on this. Delgado’s expecting a shipment of drugs in the next week. Rumor is he’s going to be there to accept it. All I need from you is the location.”
Charli slumped in relief. Was that all Iris required, for her to use her ability? That shouldn’t be too hard. Closing her mind off from everything except the monster who had stolen her youth.
She found herself coming face-to-face with the man in question. It wasn’t her eyes she was looking at him through. Moving her gaze, she found a mirror. Staring back at her was a woman no older than twenty-five, though her eyes would suggest they had seen more than most. Fear filled her, but it wasn’t Charli’s.
“Don’t you look away from me when I’m talking to you,” an all-too-familiar voice demanded as the young lady’s head was yanked back to face Delgado. “You will get rid of the brat.”
“No!” The woman’s hands went to her stomach.
“I’m not having a bastard kid of mine walking the streets. And I have no plans on marrying you, so you have little choice.”
“But I could…”
“You could get rid of it or I will do it myself,” Delgado shouted at the woman. “Here, let me show you.”
With no warning a fist landed hard into the woman’s stomach. She doubled over in agony. Seconds later, pain radiated through her head. The strike sent her skull slamming into the wall.
A hand landed on Charli’s shoulder, pulling her from the nightmare vision. Iris was asking her if she was all right as the restroom door slammed open. Her guards came barreling in.
“What happened?” one of them asked.
Mated to War Page 6
