Panther's Pride [Black Panthers 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting)

by Leah Brooke

  “Neither you nor Leland has slept in months.”

  Joe rose from his seat, too restless to sit still, and moved to the window. “How can I sleep when I know she’s out there somewhere? Broke. Moving from place to place with her sister, trying to live on the small salaries they’re making. I don’t know if she’s eating enough. She never ate enough. It’s cold up north.”

  His stomach had been in knots for so long that he didn’t remember what it felt like not to have them. They tightened now. “When I’m lying in bed, how can I not wonder if she’s warm enough?”

  Joshua stretched his long legs out in front of him. “When is Leland expected back?”

  Joe shrugged, partially turning. “I don’t know. Not until he makes sure that Marcus and James don’t make the same mistake we did.”

  Two of the pack members who lived several hours away had been stunned when they’d learned about the contents of the notebook during the annual meeting, and even more stunned when they found their mate.

  They’d called Leland in a panic when they had some trouble. Several of them had gone, and Joe and Joshua had just returned home.

  Turning from the window, Joe crossed to the desk, leaning back against it. “How did Marcus and James seem with their mate? Did they seem like they were having any trouble sharing her?”

  Joshua shrugged. “No. Marcus was a little like Leland and didn’t like the idea of being controlled by his cock, but he can’t keep his eyes off her. They’ll work it out. Leland was talking to both of them when I left. He looks like hell.” Joshua’s lips thinned. “So do you.”

  Joe waved away his concern. “We’ll both be fine when we get her back.”

  “Joe.” Joshua sat forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “You’re going to have to consider the possibility that you may never find her.”

  Every minute of every day, the thought of that crossed his mind and scared him to death.

  To admit it out loud, however, made it too real to face. Straightening, he went back to the window. “We’ll find her.”

  They had to.

  Joshua got to his feet, moving in behind Joe. “You can’t keep going on this way. You and Leland have both lost weight. You’re wandering around all night. You look haggard. Did you ever think that there might be another mate for you out there?”

  The thought of touching another woman nauseated him. Shaking his head, he turned away again, brushing past Joshua. “No. I don’t want another woman. I want my mate. I want Glenna.”

  “But, Joe—”

  He whirled, slamming his hand on a nearby table. “No, damn it! And I don’t want to hear another word about it.”

  The phone rang, and with a curse, Joe circled the desk to answer it, pausing to give Joshua a warning glare. “Not another word.”

  Lifting the receiver, he reached for a pen. “Hello?”

  “Joe? Leland. I just got a call. One of the gangs in Cincinnati found her. A couple of them stole her purse, and it had her ID in it. The leader knew about the reward and just called.”

  Joe’s stomach clenched. “They didn’t hurt her, did they?”

  “Their leader swears that they didn’t. I told him that of we found out she’d been hurt, not only wouldn’t there be a reward, but we’d come after him. He swears she’s fine and has been watching the house where she lives to make sure she doesn’t bolt again.”

  The excitement in Leland’s voice fueled his own.

  Joe’s heart stopped beating and then began to pump so fast, it made him dizzy. His legs turned to rubber, and gripping the phone tightly, he dropped into the leather chair. “You know where she is?”

  “Got the address right here. I’m on my way home. We can leave right away.”

  Joe jumped to his feet again, too restless to sit still. “I’ll be waiting.” Hanging up, he turned to meet Joshua’s searching look. “Leland knows where she is. He’s on his way. We can’t go after her on his motorcycle, so we’re going after her as soon as he gets back.”

  Dropping into the chair again, he blew out a breath, filled with relief and overwhelming excitement. “Finally. When I get my hands on that woman, I’m never letting go of her again.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Glenna sighed as she lowered herself to the worn seat on the bus, grateful to get off her feet. Pulling her coat more firmly around her as far as it would go, she rubbed her growling stomach, and tried to get into a more comfortable position.

  She was cold, hungry, and exhausted, but she didn’t dare relax.

  Sharing a look with the older woman sitting in the seat beside her, she hid her own alarm and forced a smile. “Don’t worry, Mrs. Kline. They’re just loud.”

  The young men in the back of the bus got rowdier by the minute. They seemed to be intoxicated, their crude language slurred as they continued to edge closer.

  It was late—after midnight—so she and her elderly neighbor were alone with the unruly young men.

  Patting the older woman’s hand, she smiled encouragingly, wishing she still had a cell phone. “Our stop is next. You’ll be home before you know it.”

  The noise made the headache she’d had for hours even worse, and she found herself counting down the blocks to her stop.

  When they finally got there, she mentally groaned at the thought of standing again, already shivering at the thought of more walking in the cold.

  Gripping the seat in front of her, Glenna struggled to her feet, biting back a moan when her swollen feet protested. She stood back, attempting to smile reassuringly as she let the clearly frightened woman out and into the aisle in front of her.

  For the thousandth time, she wished for Leland and Joe.

  Mrs. Kline shuddered and glanced over Glenna’s shoulder. “I think they’re getting off with us. This is why I don’t go out at night anymore. This used to be such a good neighborhood. I’m just glad I remembered the diner you worked in was close to the hospital. Letta and I just lost track of time.”

  Forcing another smile, Glenna patted the other woman’s shoulder. “I’m just glad your friend’s feeling better. Come on. Let’s get you home.”

  Following the other woman toward the door, Glenna met the bus driver’s gaze in the rearview mirror, her stomach clenching at the concern in his eyes when the four men come up behind her, with the obvious intention of getting off. “Good night, Ned.”

  The bus driver shifted his gaze to the men coming up behind her, his lips thinning. “Good night. You be careful.”

  Forcing a smile got increasingly more difficult. “Always.”

  She held on to the railing as they left the bus, afraid of being jostled from behind. Holding her coat closed as much as she could, she took Mrs. Kline’s arm and started down the sidewalk, breathing a sigh of relief when the rowdy group started off in the other direction. “See, Mrs. Kline? There’s nothing to worry about. I’ll walk you home, and you can call your son tomorrow about getting your car fixed.”

  Her winter coat from home didn’t stand a chance against the bitter wind and icy winter in Cincinnati. Being unable to close it only made matters worse.

  Her teeth chattered, her swollen feet aching even more from the cold. “I’m just glad you caught me so neither one of us had to take the bus home alone at this hour.”

  The older woman clicked her tongue. “I can’t believe you were still working.”

  Glenna shrugged, concentrating on putting one foot in front of the other. She was tired, cold, scared, and hungry.

  The ache for Leland and Joe seemed to grow stronger every day.

  If they were here, she wouldn’t be scared.

  She wouldn’t be cold.

  She wouldn’t be hungry.

  She couldn’t forget how deeply she’d slept in their arms, and the warmth of their bodies and the sense of security surrounding her that made her feel safe in a way she hadn’t felt since.

  She hadn’t slept a night through since she left them.

  “One of the other girls called in
sick.” Although exhausted, she’d stayed, grateful for the chance to make some extra money.

  Gripping Glenna’s arm, the older woman moved closer. “Are you all right? You’re shaking, and even in this light, you look a little pale.”

  Reminding herself to keep putting one foot in front of the other, Glenna forced another smile, relieved that although her feet were killing her, her headache had begun to go away. “I’m fine. Just a little tired.”

  She was freezing, so cold that it hurt.

  Her coat didn’t fit her anymore, but she hadn’t wanted to spend money on a new one. She’d kept checking out the thrift stores, but so far hadn’t found anything.

  Her job at the elementary school cafeteria and part-time position at a downtown diner didn’t allow for luxuries, and she considered a new coat that she would only be able to wear for a few months a luxury.

  She had more important things to spend her money on.

  Pausing in front of Mrs. Kline’s row home, Glenna inwardly cursed when she heard voices, and turned to see the men from the bus coming closer.

  “Why do keys always fall to the bottom of a purse?”

  Barely resisting the urge to yank the purse from Mrs. Kline’s hands and find the keys herself, Glenna made a murmur of commiseration and glanced over her shoulder again.

  Keeping her body between Mrs. Kline’s and the group coming closer, Glenna closed her hand over the mace in her right coat pocket, while drawing her small flashlight out of the other. “Does this help?” Shining the light into the older woman’s purse, she glanced over her shoulder again.

  “The light’s shaking so much, it’s hard to—oh! Here they are.” Producing her keys, Mrs. Kline looked up, beaming triumphantly, her smile falling when she saw the men approaching. “Why don’t you come in with me?”

  Forcing a smile, Glenna took the key from the other woman’s hand and unlocked the door herself. “I’ll be fine.”

  She just wanted to get home.

  Pressing a hand to her neighbor’s back, and aware that the men had slowed, Glenna inwardly winced at their language and urged her neighbor inside. “Go inside where it’s warm. You’ve had a long night.”

  By the time she saw Mrs. Kline safely inside and made sure the older woman had locked the door behind her, Glenna’s hands and feet felt like blocks of ice.

  Grateful that the men had paused under the corner streetlight on her left, she made her way down the steep stairs and turned right.

  She had only one block to go.

  Blinking back tears, she pulled her coat as close to her body as she could, gripping the mace tightly.

  Tonight wasn’t the first time she’d run across a group of youngsters looking for kicks on a Friday night. Once such group had stolen her purse only a few days ago, but with the temperatures below zero, the streets were deserted, giving it an eerie feeling.

  “Hey! You wanna party with us?”

  Glenna stumbled when a hand closed over her shoulder. “No, thanks.”

  She pushed the hand away, fighting the urge to run. She knew they would catch her, and she couldn’t take the chance of falling on the icy patches remaining on the sidewalk from the recent snow.

  Knowing that running would only anger them and escalate the situation, she walked briskly, her feet screaming with every step.

  “What’s the matter, honey? You think you’re too good for us?”

  Taking the mace from her pocket, she held it close to her body in front of her with her finger poised on the trigger.

  She hated being afraid. If only Leland and Joe were here.

  “Hey, bitch! I’m talking to you.” A hand landed on her shoulder, spinning her around and almost making her fall. To make matters worse, she lost her grip on the mace, which went flying.

  Furious at them for scaring her and terrified of being hurt, she went on the attack, unable to shove the hand holding her shoulder away. “Look, you son of a bitch! I’ve had a long day, and I don’t need any crap from you. Go find someone else who’s interested.”

  The apparent leader of the small group stepped closer. “You’ve got a smart mouth.”

  Dressed in a leather jacket and well-worn jeans like the others, he moved closer, his slurred speech telling her that whatever drugs or alcohol he had in his system would make him highly unpredictable. “Somebody needs to teach you a lesson.”

  With a cry of horror, she leapt back, straight into a solid wall of heat.

  Joe

  “Funny, I was just thinking the same thing about you.”

  Leland.

  Recognizing the hard arms wrapped protectively around her, pulling her out of harm’s way, and the icy voice coming from her right, Glenna slumped with relief.

  The young thugs stopped in their tracks, the looks of fear on the faces unmistakable, even in the low light.

  And highly amusing.

  Both Leland and Joe stood several inches taller than any of the young troublemakers, had muscles that couldn’t be hidden, and a look of meanness about them that would scare anyone.

  The leader of the small group, though, apparently had enough drugs or alcohol in his system to allow bravado to overrule common sense. “This isn’t any of your business. Why don’t you get the fuck out of here before you get hurt?”

  Leland moved so fast that it was nothing more than a blur, fisting a hand in the leader’s jacket and lifting him several inches off the ground in a show of strength that amazed Glenna. “If you weren’t a kid, you’d already be dead.”

  Because Leland’s back was to her, she couldn’t see his face clearly, but she didn’t need to see him to know that his features would be twisted in anger in a look that would scare the devil himself.

  By the looks on the young men’s faces, fear had finally penetrated the chemical-induced fog surrounding them.

  Towering over them, Leland snarled and tossed the leader aside, sending him skidding across the sidewalk and into the street. Seconds later, they all took off, cursing and tripping over each other in their rush to get away.

  Joe’s hands moved over her abdomen, his entire body stiffening. “Leland?”

  The wonder in his voice brought tears to Glenna’s eyes as he turned her to face him. His eyes glittered with emotion as he stared down at her. “I can’t believe it.”

  “What?” Leland moved in behind her. “Is she okay?” Gentle hands came around her as he turned her to face him. “You’re pregnant!” Laying his hands over her swollen abdomen in a protective gesture that warmed Glenna, he hugged her close. “Oh, God.”

  The emotion in his voice brought tears to her eyes, and burying her face against his chest, she breathed him in.

  She had to be dreaming.

  Joe closed in on her again, bending to slide one arm around her back and one under her knees, lifting her high against his chest. “Baby, are you okay? Baby, talk to me.”

  The edge of panic in his voice and the worry in his eyes snapped her back to the present. “I’m fine. What the hell are you two doing here?”

  Leland shrugged off his thick leather coat and tucked it around her, the combination of warmth lingering in his jacket and the heat from Joe’s body like heaven. “We’ve come to retrieve something precious that we lost six months ago. Damn it, Glenna! Why the hell did you leave like that?”

  Bent protectively over her to block out the wind, Joe strode down the block to the small house she shared with her sister. “Not now, Leland. She’s trembling, and I don’t know if it’s from fear, cold, or the combination of both. She doesn’t need to be yelled at right now.”

  Another gust of icy wind stole her breath, and with a soft whimper she couldn’t hold back, she buried her face against Joe’s neck.

  The warm scent of him brought back flashes of erotic memories she’d spent the last six months trying to forget.

  Lifting her head, she frowned up at Joe, pulling Leland’s jacket closer. “What do you mean—back to the house? How did you know where I was? How did you know whe
re we live?”

  Noticing what she was trying to do, Leland tucked his jacket more securely around her. “We’ve had people looking for you for months. We’ve been in every fucking dive in Cleveland looking for you, and finally realized you’d left the city. There’s a reward out for you, and the gang leader of the assholes who stole your purse knew about it. When he saw your ID, he called me. We just pulled in a little while ago, and after talking to your sister, came out to look for you. This fucking wind’s blowing in the wrong direction so it took some time to catch your scent.”

  Bile rose in her throat. “You talked to Fiona?”

  Leland whipped his head around. “Of course. She’s scared to death that something’s going to happen to you. She told us how hard you’ve both been struggling and that visits to the doctor are eating up all your money. By the time you pay for the rent, you don’t have enough to eat.” He ran his hand over her abdomen. “You’re ours. Both of you, and I’ll be damned if I’m going to let you get away from us again. You’re coming home with us.”

  Glenna stiffened, blinking back tears. “No. I won’t be responsible for something happening to you the way it did your parents, and I’m not about to put my child in danger.”

  Leland growled. “We can protect you—both of you—and things have changed. You’ll be under the protection of the entire pack.”

  Stiffening, Glenna shook her head. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”

  She couldn’t go through it again. She hadn’t recovered from the last time they’d ripped out her heart and shredded it into little pieces.

  Joe’s cold smile filled her with apprehension. “You don’t have a choice, baby. You’re coming home with us, and this time, sweetheart, the entire pack will be watching over you. You won’t be able to escape again.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Leland fisted his hands at his sides, feeling like a caged tiger as he paced the small living room. He couldn’t take more than a few steps before he had to turn again, the sense of confinement and the reality of Glenna’s living situation enraging him further.