“Where is he?” Zan demanded.
“Me and my dad took him home with us.” She quickly climbed out the car when her father began pulling Cade from the backseat of his. “He’s waking up.” The words came out a breathless rush of relief. “Cade?”
“Honey, just get the door,” Danten ordered. “He’s a little groggy and unsteady.” He put an arm around Cade’s waist.
“I have to go. You know how to get here, right?”
“I’ll be there in fifteen minutes,” he told her tightly and the line went dead.
Zaria hurried to the door and opened it. Onions, garlic, and her mother’s favorite seasoning wafted out to greet her. It was burger day.
* * * *
When Zan reached Cade’s house a police car was out front but there were no signs the fire department had been called, and he wondered if Jarvis had gone after Cade because of what he’d said to him earlier. Jarvis had a track-record of going after those weaker than him, proving time after time what a bully he really was.
He got out recognizing the cop as Alexa. “What’s going on, Alexa?” he asked carefully watching her expression.
“I just got here,” she told him coolly.
“Have you called this in to the fire department?”
“I was about to,” she said, holding up her phone, but something in her eyes gave him pause.
Alexa used to be too smart to buy into Jarvis’s lies, but obviously something had changed that. He listened with half an ear as she made the call while he headed up to the house.
“What are you doing?” she called. “Get back here.”
Zan ignored her, picking up the scent of crystal dust given off by burning frezite. The scent of it had changed over the years as they used it at the orchard from one of asphalt to the scent of fresh water.
He got a little closer to the house, noticing half of it was gone while the other was slowly burning. An accelerant had been used to cause a quicker burn, which meant the person who’d used it wasn’t as experienced in how to handle the stones.
A quick and fast fire was what the stone was capable of when turned into an incendiary device. Plus, the user lacked a basic component for speeding up the burn process.
Tamarrin was a Barrian crystal often used with frezite while the Zytenian fire stone was another. They only had a small stash of it, but it grew in the cave beneath the cliff that had appeared on their orchard last winter.
He began to back away and picked up the scent of burning flesh, as well. He’d be charging into that fire now if he didn’t know Cade was safe.
“They’re on their way,” she said.
“Good.” He climbed back into his car and started it up. Zan hoped Cade had some answers because without them, he had no idea who to kill.
When he got to Zaria’s parents’, Zan parked in the driveway and headed up to the front door. Zaria pulled it open as he raised his hand to knock.
“Hi.” She gave him a wan smile, but the worry in her eyes was clear. “Cade’s pretty much okay.” She motioned him in. “Mom thought he might have a concussion because he was dizzy and vomiting.”
His gaze slid over her face. “Thanks for calling me,” he murmured. “I think my life may have depended on it.” Alexa hadn’t looked like she’d even been thinking about calling for help, just there to make sure the place burned and Cade had died.
If he even got a hint that was the case, he’d kill her for being so inhumane.
Zaria shrugged. “I’ll take you to him.” She turned and his gaze dropped to her firm bottom. He watched the sway of her hips and flex of her ass for a moment and the murderous thoughts fled.
She led him to the sunroom where some of the windows were colorful stained glass and white wicker furniture was neatly arranged around the room. French windows were open bringing in the scent of fall flowers.
Nina sat on a loveseat next to Cade, fussing over him while Danten occupied a chair across from them. The man always seemed to watch his wife carefully when any other man was around. And there was a light of love in his eyes that spoke volumes.
“Zan, I’m trying to get him to lie down,” Nina said in a chastising tone.
“I feel better,” Cade said, giving him an imploring look. “My headache is even starting to subside.”
“Do you remember what happened?” Zan asked as he went to kneel at Cade’s feet.
“I was talking to Jax and I heard this loud noise outside my garage. At first I ignored it and I heard it again. When I tried to get out of there I was attacked.”
“Did you see his face?” Danten asked. “Hear his voice?”
“One of the men was Hinesman, but there was a guy there with a Barrian light ring and one there with a molecular ring. There was also someone there with real power. He was pulling me backward trying to crush my bones.”
“There are only three men in town who can do that,” Danten said. “They’re of pure Barrian blood.”
“Who?” Zan demanded, managing to keep his anger under control.
“Julian Bridger, Sed, and Myles Dillon.”
“Trek has the ability to a lesser degree. It would take him longer to kill you, but he could,” Nina said softly. “You should see a doctor to make sure nothing was fundamentally damaged.”
“He will,” Zan replied tightly. “Thanks for saving him. We won’t forget it.”
“Good,” Danten said. “Because the time to repay might come sooner than you think. We want nothing less than your family’s alliance to the northern initiative.”
“What?” Zan demanded. He and his family didn’t socialize with many of the families in the sector, but they knew them all. However, they’d never allied with anyone until recently.
They were allied with the cats.
“Me and the elders have been talking and since you’re council now and represent the north, we expect you to vote with us.”
“I’d never planned to do anything less, especially since they and the cats normally vote together.”
“Daisy’s union with your family allied you to her family or the cat community?”
“The community,” Zan admitted and stood.
Cade stood too and swayed into him. Zan put an arm around his waist holding him close.
“Then, you should tell them that he intends to attack their community,” Zaria told him. “I heard him talking to someone this morning about setting the ball rolling for that.”
“How soon?”
“He didn’t say, but whoever he was talking to obviously knew. I just didn’t hear because he was on the phone.”
“I’ll warn them once I get home,” Zan said. “Keyos might want to go over there and talk to them about a defense plan.”
“We’ll fight,” Danten said. “As long as they return the favor.”
He nodded. “I’ll pass it on and get back to you. Come on, Cade. Kel will fix you right up.”
“Kel’s a healer?” Nina asked curiously.
“He and Keyos have medical knowledge and healing skills,” Zan admitted. “Why?”
“How advanced are they?” she asked, calculation shining in her eyes. “We do need a trainer for two of our novice healers.”
“I’ll speak to my brothers,” Zan promised.
“I’ll walk you out,” Zaria volunteered.
“You boys be careful,” Danten said in warning. “I have a feeling the trouble’s just begun.”
Chapter Fifteen
“Nothing’s broken,” Kel announced twenty minutes later.
Cade was seated on an exam table in the basement of the lodge where the orchard workers often took their meals. With no windows, the room was dimly lit by artificial light.
“You do have a mild concussion though, so I want you to rest. No party tonight.”
“But—”
“We’re canceling anyway,” Kel cut in smoothly. “Keyos feels it’d be best to just have a family dinner until things settle down.”
“Why?” Cade asked perplexed. He didn�
�t understand why they wouldn’t want to celebrate Zan’s victory. It was an accomplishment they should be proud of.
Kel threw his brother a look and Cade scowled.
“What happened?” Zan asked. “Key didn’t say anything to me when I got home.”
“Rhys did the run down on the dipshit who broke into the orchard, and he’s a scientist. His pal is a government agent. They’re working with someone to expose the town as an alien haven.”
“He didn’t tell Dade that?”
“No, but Rhys found a journal in the hotel room along with samples of frezite, Zytenian fire stone, a few other crystals I managed to grow myself, which means someone working here handed the samples over.”
“Any ideas?”
“I’ve narrowed it down to six men and two women. They all have access to my crystals. Rhys said the guy even had soil samples, as well as leaf and grass samples. He took everything, including the journals, and trashed the place. How do you want to handle it?”
“Fire them all,” he said. “First we’ll search their homes and computers.”
“Rhys can take care of the computers, but I’ll take care of the homes. Bria can help with that. I’ve been training her in our security protocols.”
Zan nodded. “Keep this on the down low. We don’t need them getting wind of it because they’ll hand off anything they have. Have you searched for surveillance equipment?”
“Yeah, and bugs have been placed in your and Keyos’s offices, as well as mine and Rhys’s. There’s some in the bar and the lodge. Luckily we haven’t been doing or saying anything about Barria lately.”
“Leave it in place for now and put jammers out.”
“Done already. Bria was more than furious when she discovered the cameras in the barn. She and her girl hook up in there sometimes. She was the one who found the cameras,” Kel told him. “Keyos is concerned we’re being targeted.”
“I think Jarvis is trying to get something he can use on me. He wants me out so he won’t have anyone looking over his shoulder.”
“Smacks of him being up to something more,” Cade murmured, leaning into Zan. “I think he’s trying to set up Judge Logan. He’s good friends with a couple of the western councilors.”
“He’ll be outnumbered in any vote,” Kel said carefully. “The judge wants things to be more like Barria, and so do a couple of the female councilors.”
“Ursula and Tangela,” Zan said. “I broached the subject of giving Jax’s constitution and bill of rights another try, and they seemed willing. They’re putting it to a vote. Jarvis was dead set against that.”
“Does he know you two are lovers?” Kel asked. “Could be the reason he went after Cade was to distract you.”
“I’m not distracted, Kel,” he said coldly. “I’m pissed off and Hinesman is the first person I’m going to chat with.”
“Let me or Rhys take care of it.”
“I’ve got it,” he said. “Jarvis needs to know I’m not backing down and I won’t be sending anyone to do my dirty work.”
“I know, but we have to do things quietly so Dade won’t get caught in the middle. He could lose his job because of us. That’s why we’re keeping him out of the loop on what Rhys did today. Every measure was taken to ensure he didn’t even pick up a hint of his scent at the inn.”
“I’m not going to go stomping around like a giant, Kel,” he snapped and Cade stroked his hand up Zan’s back. “For now, Cade stays with us.”
“I kind of figured,” Kel said with an amused smile. He backed toward the door both hands up, palms facing them. “Handle your business, man.” He turned and left them alone.
Zan sighed heavily and looked down at him. Cade couldn’t tell what he was thinking, but he did know Zan had made a statement twice today without really saying anything.
He’d made it clear they were together. Cade gave him a faint smile as heat radiated through his chest and he reached up to brush his fingers along Zan’s cheek.
“What are you going to do to him?”
Zan’s lips pulled into a line even as he shrugged. “Nothing, baby,” he said. “Why don’t you get cleaned up, and we’ll join the others for some dinner.”
“Come in the shower with me?”
“I need to talk to Keyos,” he said and bent to kiss him softly. “I’ll get you some clothes to wear.”
“I don’t want you to do anything crazy, okay? I made it out. I held my own.”
Zan cupped his face. “I could have lost you today, Cade,” he murmured. “That would have broken a part of me beyond repair. Whether you get it or not, you matter so much to me.”
Cade wrapped his arms around Zan’s waist. “I don’t want you to get hurt.”
“I won’t.” Zan kissed him. “Now, let’s get you cleaned up.”
Zan led him to a bedroom with an adjoining bath before leaving him alone. Cade stood there contemplating where his life would really go from here. Not because Zan had admitted he was important to him.
He’d seen something in Zaria’s eyes when he’d waken a little while ago. Her concern and fear for him had slammed down on him like a weight so heavy he still hadn’t been able to lift it.
He’d tried to rationalize her action as something connected to Zan, the man she really must want, but he couldn’t make himself believe it.
It would be nice to have her care and those soft fingers brushing his face, his body. But did he want her love or just the nurturing of a beautiful woman?
* * * *
Zan found his brother in the spacious office located off the eating area. All of the brothers used it on occasion and Keyos was lounging behind a desk with Dade across from him. Keyos wouldn’t be swayed when he made his mind up so if Dade was trying to disabuse him of some notion or sway him from taking any action, it would be a long time coming.
Family was everything and they’d learned that the hard way one night in Montana. Some human had betrayed them because he wanted the farm their guardian and his lover was building.
“Did you ask Rhys about it?”
“He lied to me,” Dade snapped tightly. “You boys can’t go breaking into people’s rooms and taking things. I had Jarvis all over my ass about arresting you.”
“You can’t arrest us for doing nothing,” Keyos said. “Rhys was here working.”
“I’ve got two people say he wasn’t,” Dade muttered and got to his feet. “That guard from the guardhouse said he went out around ten.”
“And he followed him where?” Zan demanded. He had a feeling the man was on Kel’s list of possible betrayers.
Dade’s gaze swung to him, blazing with anger. “It’s enough to make me search this place for the items taken.”
“Try it,” Zan snapped.
“No,” Keyos said. “Do it, Dade. Take care of your job, and I’ll take care of my family.”
“What in the hell is that supposed to mean? Rhys is my family, too, and I don’t want to have to arrest him!”
“It means what it means.” Keyos’s tone was frigid. “Right now, you’re a cop and me, my brothers, and our mates are family. You’re standing on the outside of that circle. Something is about to happen in this town, and we’d all better decide who we’ll be standing with.”
“Is that a threat?” Dade’s eyes hardened and he bent to put his hands on the desk. He looked down at Keyos.
Keyos got to his feet then and said, “Take it how you want to.” He turned from Dade and gave Zan a look that spoke volumes.
Dade wasn’t the enemy, but they’d say nothing in his presence that would compromise him.
“How’s Cade?”
“He’s okay. Walk with me,” he said and they left the room with Dade staring after them.
“What is it?” Keyos asked quietly as they made their way down the corridor.
“I had a talk with Danten and he wants our alliance to the northern elders.”
“I’m one of those elders,” he said dryly. “Why didn’t they come to me?”
>
“I don’t know. Danten is obviously unsure where we stand since we’ve never really taken sides on anything.”
He nodded as they stepped into a small exam room and Keyos closed the door behind them.
“He said they’d be willing to ally with the cats if that’s what it took. He’s pretty much of your opinion. A storm is coming.”
“I’ll talk to him later,” Keyos said. “He is right. The north needs to be as united as the south if we’re going to have any hope of surviving whatever is coming.”
Chapter Sixteen
Dinner was a very somber affair with light conversation. Dade seemed a little cold and Rhys was tense. Cade wondered if Dade would be able to maintain that line between his job and his family for long. He wouldn’t be able to and wouldn’t even try, but then, it had been a long time since he’d had a family. So he could just be needy and biased.
Two cell phones went off as Travis and Daisy cleared the table with Rhys’s help.
“What is it, Percy?” Dade demanded of the night duty desk officer.
They all watched him and Cade held his breath.
“What? Percy, slow down,” he ordered. “Son of a bitch,” he said softly. “I’m on my way. No. I don’t want Alexa. Call Wilson.” He got to his feet and turned his gaze toward the kitchen counter where Rhys was loading plates into the dishwasher.
“What’s happened?” Rhys asked as Daisy answered her phone.
“Judge Logan was attacked in his office.”
“What?” Jaxon exclaimed. “Dade, this was no accident. Charges were just brought against him today. I’m coming with you”
“I know about the charges, but you’re not coming.”
“Oh, like hell,” Jaxon said. “Zier will drive me and Cade is coming with us because we’re his lawyers. We need to know everything you know.”
Cade got to his feet and Dade growled. “Control your damned man, Kel. Cade, stay out of this. You boys don’t need to be in town right now.”
“Zier, let’s go. I’m sure he was in his office. Come on, Cade. I’ll bet that lying clerk of his embellished her lie even more and someone attacked him.”
Passion’s Brewing Storm [Alien Passions 4] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) Page 9
