“Jesus, it’s a long story.” Claudia pushed her hair back off her face and sighed. “It seems like a year’s passed and it’s only been two weeks.”
“Wait, I thought you said that you were snagged two nights ago?” Poppy asked confused.
“I was…I met Finch two weeks ago,” Claudia explained to the sisters.
“Go on,” Poppy said softly.
“We met at the intake center. I work there on cleaning duty some nights to make extra money. Anyway, I barely talked to him…then the next thing I know, he’s grabbing me in the parking lot of the center.”
“I just don’t understand why or even how would he have done that?” Pixie said before Claudia could tell her story.
“I don’t know why. I swear I only talked to him a few times.” Claudia fiddled with the hem of her shirt. “Honestly, I have no idea why he took me but I have to get back. As in, right now.”
“Let me think for a second.” Pixie held up her hand as if calling a time-out.
“I don’t have a second, dammit! I have to get back to my baby!” Claudia yelled at the sisters.
“Baby?” Poppy gasped at the same time Pixie said, “Oh fuck.”
At that moment, all three woman froze when the door chimed, signaling someone was about to enter.
“Shit!” Claudia swore in a panicked whisper. “Can you help me get home?”
“My husband is a council member. If Finch kidnapped you, he’ll take care of it. I promise,” Poppy assured her.
“Promise?” Claudia asked, doubt evident in her voice.
“Do you want me to stick out my pinky or something?”
Pixie winced at the sarcasm in Poppy’s voice. Her sister had been working on a shorter fuse lately as her pregnancy progressed. The smallest things sent her over the edge these days.
“Don’t worry. We’ll get this sorted out,” Pixie said with what she hoped was a confident smile. Patting Claudia on the arm, she sent up a silent prayer it was her brother-in-law at the door and not Finch.
The three women stayed seated as the door opened and Wheaton walked inside. Pixie saw Poppy droop in relief in her seat. Apparently she hadn’t been the only one worried they might have had an unexpected guest.
“Little flower, your new shoes arrived today in our shipment,” Wheaton announced as he walked through the opening without glancing up. Clicking on his tablet, he stopped when he reached the living area but kept his eyes trained on the device. “And some items for the baby that we—” Wheaton stopped as he finally noticed the woman sitting on the couch with a piece of rope dangling from her foot.
“Hey honey, can you tell me why Finch is going around Earth and kidnapping women?” Poppy said in a sugary-sweet voice.
“Wait. Finch what?” Wheaton asked, stunned.
“He kidnapped me,” Claudia stated in a firm voice. “I need to get home to my baby. Are you going to help me?”
Wheaton’s gaze darted back and forth between all the women, obviously unsure what was happening regardless of what had been said.
“Finch, want to explain what she is talking about?” Wheaton’s question jolted all three of the women into action. When Finch walked into the room behind Wheaton, all three started moving.
“Keep him away from me!” Claudia shouted as Pixie and Poppy shielded her with their bodies.
“Finch, you’re my friend but you need to stop right there,” Poppy said angrily.
“What the hell have you done?” Pixie asked, shaking her head at him.
“I saved her.” Finch moved slowly closer, hands out in surrender.
“Really? The rope around her wrists and ankles are disagreeing with that statement,” Pixie said sarcastically.
“Taking her away from her baby? What kind of monster does that?” Poppy’s voice was starting to break as tears filled her eyes.
“Baby? She doesn’t have a child,” Finch argued, locking his eyes on Claudia as she huddled behind his friends.
“What?” Pixie asked, peeking behind her.
“I have custody of my nephew. He’s only six months old,” Claudia replied hotly. “And because of that jerk he’s been at the sitter’s house for days without knowing what’s going on.”
“I was not aware you cared for a child…we will bring him here immediately,” Finch said quickly, moving closer.
“No we won’t because I’m not staying, you jackass.” Claudia relinquished her place behind her human shields.
“You are staying!” Finch yelled back, ignoring the shocked looks from the rest of the group.
“And why would I do that?” Claudia asked sarcastically as she now stood toe to toe with an angry-looking Finch.
“Because you may be pregnant with my child as we speak.”
Finch’s words caused Pixie to suck in a breath of air and immediately start choking on her spit. As Poppy patted her on the back, she watched the scene unfold in front of her as if viewing a soap opera.
“Finch, we need to speak. Now.” Wheaton’s voice relayed how angry he was. Not that Pixie was having a hard time seeing it with the way his jaw was clenched and the vein popping out on his forehead.
“As soon as she agrees to stay,” Finch shot back, not taking his eyes off Claudia.
“Holy shit…Finch is more alpha than I thought.” Poppy’s words were murmured out of the corner of her mouth but Pixie understood them clearly.
Nodding at her sister, she watched as Wheaton, Claudia and Finch started arguing, all three of them talking at the same time.
“I have a feeling this is gonna be a long story…do we have any popcorn?” Pixie asked her sister.
“Yeah, might as well get comfortable. This looks like it might take a while to untangle,” Poppy answered, still eyeing the group who took turns yelling at each other.
“Well, if she might be pregnant, then I have a feeling she was a little bit more of a participant in the kidnapping than we originally thought,” Pixie said, rubbing her belly.
“I agree, especially now I can see the way she is looking at him,” Poppy replied, nodding at the trio who were still so wrapped up in their yelling they weren’t paying attention to the sisters.
Her sister was right. Claudia was eyeing Finch with not only appreciation but also some affection. Not a look someone who had been kidnapped and mistreated would have on their face. And no matter what had been said, Pixie knew deep down Finch was one of the good guys. There was no way he would have forced himself on a woman. Raising her eyebrow, she soaked in the alpha waves he was sending out. If anything, she was sure he’d somehow convinced Claudia to participate in any hanky-panky that had happened.
Yep. This story was gonna be a good one. Might as well be prepared.
“So, two bowls of popcorn?” Pixie asked, skirting her way around the group and heading to the kitchen.
“Make it three. I have a feeling we’re gonna be here a while,” Poppy shouted back as she kicked up her legs on the couch.
About Leora Gonzales
I am an original Kansas girl who misses the Sunflower State every day. I spend my time reading and writing making sure my two kids don’t kill themselves or each other. My addictions include tattoos, cursing, good food and good company (not necessarily in that order). I believe that tough moments in life can be combated with good humor, and I find a reason to laugh or smile daily.
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Warriors of Phaeton: Dathrow
ISBN 9781419995002
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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bsp; Warriors of Phaeton: Dathrow Copyright © 2016 Leora Gonzales
Edited by Leora Gonzales
Cover design by Kelly A. Martin
Cover photography by PawelSierakowski, Jaromir Chalabala, Stacey Newman, Kopytin Georgy
Electronic book publication February 2016
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