I slid my eyes to Zoe and found her smiling. “She gets that from you,” I whispered softly, only making Zoe’s grin broaden.
“She does,” my wife agreed. “She’s won’t be the one burning things to the ground, though. At least not today.” She surveyed the scene for a moment. “I’m going to create a hole right in the center of the group. When I do, you need to offer Franklin backup while we sort this thing out.”
“Sounds like a plan.” I leaned over and gave her a quick kiss. “Don’t play with them too long,” I admonished. “End it quickly if you can.”
Zoe shot me a derisive look. “I have no intention of playing with them.”
I cocked my head and arched an eyebrow, causing her to scowl. “Don’t play with them,” I repeated. “We have two children here and an explosive situation. Let’s end it fast.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” She made a dismissive gesture with her hand. “Just be ready. You’ll know when you see your opening.”
“Wait. What about me?” Maggie stepped forward. “My son is in that treehouse, too.”
“You have to stay with Zoe.” I was matter-of-fact. “She’s strong ... and powerful ... and will wipe the ground with them. She still needs someone to watch her back. I’m a stronger barrier for the bottom of that ladder, a bigger target. That means you have no choice but to stay with Zoe.”
Maggie worked her jaw, clearly unhappy. Finally, she nodded. “Okay. I’ll stick with Zoe.”
“Thank you.” I briefly ran my hand over Zoe’s back. “I’m ready when you are.”
She nodded, grim. “Let’s do this.” Almost immediately, her arms flew into the air and she unleashed a wall of magic that ripped an opening between members of the biker gang. The power rushed out of her with a distinctive whoosh, acting as an invisible train plowing a path.
Wolves flew end over end as the pathway opened. I didn’t look over my shoulder, instead trusting that my wife could handle herself and focusing on the true prize. I broke into a run, pumping my legs hard so I could skirt through the opening long before the wolves managed to recover. By the time Al’s gang members were on their feet, I was standing next to Franklin, my chest heaving. Zoe remained in the power position behind the group.
“Who are you?” Franklin asked, confused.
“I’m the mouthy one’s father,” I replied, pointing to the treehouse platform.
“Oh. Aric Winters. I saw you briefly when we stopped at the lumberyard yesterday. I didn’t pay much attention. I apologize for that.”
He was polite. I had to give him that. “Yes, well ... may I ask what you’re doing out here?”
“Protecting my son.” Franklin’s mouth firmed as he glared at Al. “I won’t let anything happen to him. I haven’t been around his entire life. I won’t let that continue.”
Up until this very moment I couldn’t be sure Franklin knew the truth. I had a hunch, but the confirmation relieved considerable weight from my shoulders. “I think Maggie will make sure that happens. But ... did you kill Ralph?”
He studied me for a long beat before finally nodding. “I thought he was purposely keeping my son from me. I confronted him. We argued in the woods and he threatened that he would never let me take his son away from him.
“I wasn’t expecting a fight,” he continued. “I thought we would be able to work past it. Instead ... well ... he attacked. That’s what happened at your lumberyard. If you want me to pay for any damages, I will.”
I furrowed my brow. “No one mentioned a fight.”
“It was in the woods, away from the building. I contacted him before I came to town, told him I wanted to talk. He agreed to meet me by your facility. I thought we would talk and at least try to work things out.”
There were a few holes in that story. “You thought he would simply accept everyone in the pack finding out he wasn’t Granger’s father?”
Franklin shook his head. “No, but ... he and Maggie were divorced. They weren’t together any longer. Besides, he wasn’t part of the official pack. He left when he filed for divorce – although I happen to believe he emotionally separated himself from the hierarchy years before – because the council threatened him if he went through with the separation.”
I was confused. “Wait ... they threatened him with what when talk of the separation arose?”
“Banishment.”
Honestly, banishment was worse than voluntary separation from the pack. I shouldn’t have been surprised that the pack elders were jerks when it came to Ralph’s and Maggie’s private lives, but the news still jolted. “Seriously, why can’t they mind their own business?”
“My thoughts exactly.” Franklin’s eyes shifted to Maggie, who stood close to Zoe and watched the interaction. “She looks good.”
I was amused despite the situation. “Don’t get all squirrelly. She’s always loved you. She told us that herself. I think assuming Granger was yours somehow kept her sane throughout the years. By the way, you’re still going to want a DNA test. Just because he looks like you ... .”
“It doesn’t matter. She’s all I’ve ever wanted.” Franklin turned misty. “You probably don’t get that because you’re revered by the pack, but it’s hell when they want to keep you from the person you love.”
“I do get that.” I meant it. “My wife isn’t a wolf.”
“I know. I heard all about her on the ride here.”
I was pretty sure I didn’t want to hear what was said about Zoe. It would only enrage me. “I don’t suppose you know how my kid ended up with your kid, do you?” I asked, changing the subject.
“Actually, I had no idea she was yours until she started spewing threats,” he admitted, rubbing his stubbled chin. “I mean ... I saw her at your store yesterday. She made me laugh with the tumbling ... and telling stories about her parents making her go to bed early so they could do stuff in the hot tub together.”
I frowned. “That kid has a huge mouth. She gets it from her mother.”
Franklin chuckled despite the tense situation. “I don’t think that kid had a chance to be demure because she got a double dose of mouthiness. I knew Granger was in trouble. I figured after what happened with Ralph that it was only a matter of time. I wanted to talk to him at the school, but it was already too late. Al was coming ... and I knew I had to get him away. Sami insisted on coming, and I had no choice but to take her because she wouldn’t shut up.”
Yup. That sounded exactly like my daughter. “Well ... we’ll talk about it later. For now, we have to deal with Big Al and whatever he’s got planned.” I narrowed my eyes as they snagged with Al’s furious orbs. “Hey, big guy,” I called out. “I think you left some things out when we talked earlier.”
The huge man issued a growl that made me think of a bear.
“You’re going to have to talk clearer,” Sami bellowed from above. “We can’t make out the words when you mumble like that, you big oaf. Use your words!”
I tilted my head and looked up. Sami, perhaps sensing my eyes on her, made eye contact. When she realized I was directly beneath her, she made a theatrical gasp sound and clutched at the spot over her heart.
“I’m so glad you’re here, Daddy,” she announced. “I was terrified without you. I haven’t been able to stop crying.”
Her eyes were completely dry. “You’re in big trouble,” I countered, firm. “We’ll talk about it when this is over. For now, stick your head back in there and keep quiet.”
Sami balked. “It’s not my fault,” she shot back. “Bad things were going to happen. You told me to follow my gut.”
“I’m pretty sure I didn’t mean this,” I yelled back.
“You didn’t say you didn’t mean this. It’s unfair for you to ground me because I didn’t know.”
“We’ll talk about it later,” I growled, meeting Al’s challenging gaze. “What?”
“Your daughter is cute,” he enthused. “She’s got a mouth like her mother.”
“I told you,” I yelled to Zoe, my
voice cutting a swath through a bevy of frustrated people. “She’s just like you.”
“Oh, stuff it,” Zoe supplied. “We have bigger things to focus on.”
Even though he had to be aware I wasn’t alone before she spoke, Al swiveled slowly to meet my wife’s terrifying gaze. I mean ... I love her. I would die for her. I enjoy doting on her. She can shrivel the testicles of men the world over with one glance, though, and that’s the look she bestowed on Al now.
“I think it’s cute that you bring your wife to fight with the stronger gender,” Al drawled.
I knew exactly what he was doing. “Yeah? I think it’s less than cute that you’re out here terrifying children. Why are you doing this? What do you want from Granger?”
“Perhaps we’re simply protecting him because his father would’ve wished it,” Al sneered. “Have you ever thought of that?”
“My ass,” Zoe countered. “You want something specific from him.” She narrowed her eyes to slits and I knew exactly what she was doing. Al, obviously, was too stupid to realize she was invading his mind. He remained haughty ... right up to the moment Zoe’s icy magic slammed into the forefront of his brain.
“What’s that ... ?” Al staggered as he fought to remain upright, his hands immediately going for his temples. “What is that?”
“What is she doing?” Franklin asked, confused.
“She’s trying to figure out why they’re here,” I replied, my eyes never leaving the murmuring wolves. They were confused … and ready to pounce. “She can read minds if she puts a bit of effort into it.” The momentary distraction gave me a moment to study the treehouse. Sami, her expression defiant, continued to stare out the window as she waited for the fireworks to begin. “Sami, come down here,” I ordered.
She slowly moved her gaze back to me. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?” She didn’t look keen on leaving the safety of the treehouse. “I think it’s better if we stay up here.”
“And I think you should come down here,” I stressed. “Bring Granger with you. We might need to run.”
Sami made a face that was right out of her mother’s répertoire. “We’re not going to run. Mom is here. She’s going to kick their ... .”
I cut her off with a dark look. “Young lady, I said to come down here right now. Bring your friend. I’m not messing around.”
Sami blew out a sigh, the sound long and drawn out. “Fine. But I demand an appeal if you try to ground me. This is not my fault.”
“We’ll talk about it when you get down here.”
“How does she even know what an appeal is?” Franklin asked. “She’s like ... six.”
“Eight,” Sami barked from inside the treehouse, causing me to smirk.
“She’s half wolf,” I told him. “She can hear the same as you and me.”
“And yet she’s half ... whatever it is your wife is,” Franklin noted, his eyes moving back to Zoe as she drilled her way inside Al’s head. “Seriously, what is she doing?”
“She’s not great at this part,” I admitted, my eyes flying up as the trapdoor above me opened to reveal Sami’s face. I opened my arms so she could drop into them, but she shook her head and reached for the ladder. “She’s better when it comes to frying people alive. The things that take finesse she struggles with. I don’t know what to tell you.”
“Come down, Granger,” Franklin prodded, his voice easy. “I’ll protect you.”
Granger looked uncertain. He glanced between the stranger he most likely shared DNA with and his mother, who was too far away to take him in her arms.
“Come down, buddy,” I pressed, grabbing Sami by the waist as she swung like a monkey and curled into my arms. “We’re going to take care of you. I promise you’ll be safe.”
“He means it,” Sami offered, giggling when I briefly tickled her. “He won’t let anything bad happen to you. He may tell your mother to ground you. He’s a bummer that way.”
“I’m going to be a huge bummer to you if you’re not careful.” I smacked a kiss against her cheek and then swung her around so she could land on the ground. I pushed her behind me, just to be on the safe side, even though I knew Zoe had things well in hand.
While Franklin worked to get Granger on the ground, I focused on my wife. She was concentrating ... hard. Al looked as if he was in terrible pain as his knees buckled. Still he struggled against her mental assault.
“Anything?” I asked. I was genuinely curious as to why Al would go after children this way.
“Something,” Zoe muttered, shaking her head. “I ... .” Her vision cleared as she snapped her head back and focused on me. “Oh, my ... bunch of jerks.” She stomped her foot as Al fought to recover, his eyes dazed. “I’m going to kill them all. I’m not even waiting for an explanation. This is it. Prepare to burn!”
Ten
As far as threats go, it was a little over the top. Funnily enough, Zoe clearly meant it, because she raised her hands and unleashed a torrent of sparkling magic in the direction of the nearest wolf without waiting to see if our enemies would react.
I didn’t know his name. There was a chance I never would. Within seconds, the wolf was engulfed in bright red flames, screams ripping from his throat. Ever calm, Zoe never moved her eyes from Al’s face.
“Do you see what I just did to him?” she challenged.
Al swallowed hard and nodded.
“That’s nothing compared to what I’m going to do to you.”
“You tell him,” Sami barked, instinctively moving toward her mother.
I grabbed her around the waist and hoisted her up, making sure her legs were locked around my hips before I pinned her with a dark look. “You stay here. You’re in enough trouble.”
She batted her eyelashes and feigned tears. “I’m so happy to see you, Daddy.” She threw her arms around my neck. “I was afraid.”
She only calls me “daddy” when she wants to get her way. Still, I was so relieved to have her in my arms I felt my resolve melting as I hugged her back. “You’re not hurt, are you?”
She shook her head. “Mr. Horton told us to go up in the treehouse before they caught up to us. He told us, no matter what, not to come down.”
“That was smart of him.” I rocked back and forth as Zoe stood chest to chest with Al. “You’re still in trouble. No ice cream for you tonight.”
Sami sniffled. “That’s so unfair.”
“Yes, well ... .” I trailed off as Al found his backbone and started arguing with my wife. This wouldn’t end well.
“I don’t know what you think you saw ... but you’re mistaken.”
“I’m mistaken?” Zoe’s eyebrows practically flew off her forehead. “I’m mistaken?” She turned shrill. “I don’t think so. I know what I saw. You’re moving meth in the area, and I think you’re a big piece of ... .”
I drowned her out with a cough so Sami wouldn’t be able to hear her choice words. “Maybe a little ice cream,” I conceded when Sami stared into my eyes, a shiver of fear causing her to shudder. I spared a glance for Franklin and Granger, and found them eyeing each other with a mixture of curiosity and nervousness. They did look alike. Granger was Franklin’s mini-clone. I had no doubt they were father and son. It would take a bit for their relationship to blossom, but I had a feeling it was going to work out ... for all of them.
“They’re cooking meth?” Maggie was incensed. “Ralph didn’t mention that. I can’t believe he would do something like that. It doesn’t sound like him.” She almost looked desperate when she glanced to Zoe for confirmation.
Zoe wasn’t the type to take the easy route, so she told the truth. “He didn’t want to, but he was a member of the gang and he had no choice.”
“Motorcycle club!” Al barked. “We’re a club, not a gang.”
“You’re a douche nozzle is what you are,” she argued. “Now ... shh.” She pressed a finger to her lips. “The adults are talking. If you keep pushing me, that simply means you’re going to die faster. Is that wh
at you want?”
Al blanched. “I’m not afraid of you.”
“You should be.”
“Yeah, you should,” Sami echoed, resting her head on my shoulder as I rocked her. Exhaustion was getting the better of her again, something I recognized from the previous day.
“Did she use magic?” I asked Franklin.
He shrugged, keeping one eye on Granger as he focused on me. “I don’t know. She seemed adamant that we head this way. I thought I was leading our little caravan, but it turned out to be her.”
“You didn’t pick this spot?” I was surprised.
He shook his head. “I don’t know this area. She said to come here.”
“How did you know that?” I asked, rubbing her back.
“I don’t know. I heard a voice.” She sounded sleepy. “It told me to come here.”
“What did the voice sound like?”
“You.”
“Me?”
“You told me to find high ground.”
I wasn’t magical. I didn’t understand why she heard my voice. It would make sense for her to hear Zoe, but me? It was a mystery. “Well ... you did the right thing.”
“Does that mean I’m not grounded?”
“No. Nice try, though.”
“Ugh.”
I kept my hand busy on Sami’s back as I watched Zoe continue to argue with the bikers.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Al hissed. “You have no idea what you’re even saying.”
“Oh, I know.” Zoe made a tsking sound as she shook her head. “I know exactly what you are and what you’ve been doing. You blackmailed Ralph into helping you.
“Don’t get me wrong, he wasn’t perfect,” she continued. “But he loved Granger. He didn’t want to embarrass him. He also didn’t want to risk his son falling in with a bad crowd.
“You knew that and you used it against him, especially when you found out that Granger didn’t share DNA with him,” she charged. “How did you find that out?” She grimaced as she dived back inside Al’s head, pushing hard. “Ah, here it is. Cavendish.” She flicked her eyes to me. “I don’t understand.”
Wolf On the Job Page 9
