In Sickness and In Elf (Paranormal Wedding Planners Book 1)

by AE Jones

  She stormed down the hall to the parking lot, climbed into her car, and clicked on her phone to study the list of contact names. Which one of the guys would be the most likely to buy her story? She made a decision and hit speed dial. “Gizmo, this is Alex. Devin’s been waylaid by my grandmother for a meeting. He wants me to come to the warehouse and get started with the simian. Can you give me the address so I can meet you guys there?”

  She held her breath waiting for his response.

  “You can’t wait for him to finish up with her?”

  “You’ve never spent time with my grandmother. There is no rushing the great Lorinda Bennett.”

  He sighed. “Fine. Ready to write the address down?”

  Alex pulled a pen out of her purse. “Ready when you are.”

  Thirty minutes later she pulled up to a nondescript brown brick building. She confirmed the address she’d written down and compared it to her GPS. It was correct. As she walked to the front of the building, gravel crunched behind her, and a car pulled into the lot. She flinched. Had Devin caught up with her already?

  She turned and gusted out a relieved sigh when Jack and Connor climbed out of a van. She waited for them to catch up with her. Jack nodded absently and Connor smiled at her and threw his arm around her shoulder while they walked to the building.

  “You made good time getting here. Giz called and said we needed to get a move on so that we could be here while you talk to the simian.”

  Alex frowned. “Do I really need that many babysitters?”

  Connor nodded. “He’s chained down, but Devin still wants backup here. In fact, I’m surprised he allowed you to come here on your own.” He opened the door to the building and she slipped in under his arm, attempting to avoid the implied question.

  Once inside, it took a few seconds for her eyes to adjust. The building was larger than it appeared from the outside. The front area was cavernous and empty except for a few sagging boxes. The entire space was gray, from the concrete floor to the cinder block walls. Dust and the smell of musty cardboard threatened to trigger a sneeze. Toward the back were a couple of closed doors. She turned to the twins. They stood silently next to the entrance, waiting expectantly for an answer from her. “Devin’s anxious for us to find out all we can from the simian. He should be along shortly.”

  Connor nodded. “Let’s go see Gizmo, and then we’ll walk you through the safety protocols before we go into the room.”

  Alex let Jack lead, and when they reached the doors, he opened the one on the right. When she stepped inside, she gaped at the sight of Gizmo. The table he sat in front of was crowded with equipment, including three huge monitors amid every electrical device developed in the past thirty years. It reminded Alex of pawnshop scenes she had seen in the movies.

  Gizmo smiled a greeting and nodded toward the monitors. “Our guest has been relatively quiet.”

  Alex went to stand behind him. On the screen was a live feed of the simian from three different angles. His legs and arms were chained, and he sat quietly in the chair. He didn’t look too intimidating. After a moment, he rattled his handcuffs, yanking at the chains and growling.

  Alex’s heart sped up. She stuffed down her anxiety and forced her voice to remain calm. “Does he know you’re watching him?”

  Gizmo shook his head. “I planted hidden cameras in the room before we put him in there.”

  “How did you escape our fearless leader?” a voice asked behind her.

  Alex cringed. Crap! She’d hoped to avoid Charlie. If anyone could tell she was lying, it would be him. She turned and smiled. “Trust me, he’s not far away. So when do I go in?”

  Connor stepped toward her. “Not until we talk through a few things. And you won’t be going in on your own. We’ll go with you.”

  If her plan was going to work she had to go for broke. “The simian will be more likely to open up to me if I go in there alone.”

  “Absolutely not,” Charlie stated flatly. “I’d like to live to see my next birthday, and if we let you go in there alone, Devin will kill all of us. Slowly and horribly.”

  Alex crossed her arms. “You wanted me to talk to the simian since you aren’t getting anywhere with him. How much do you think he’s going to say to me with you guys looming over him?”

  “It’s too dangerous.”

  Alex shrugged to cover her nervousness. “From what I can see, you have him chained down. I’ll stay a few feet away from him.”

  Charlie shook his head. “He’s stupid, but he’s not going to buy that we let you wander in there on your own.”

  “So we make him think I went there on purpose. Everybody knows I don’t like to be told ‘no,’ after all. He’ll buy it if I play the rebellious angle.”

  Connor smiled. “I like it.”

  Jack scoffed at Connor. “You would.”

  Charlie stared at Alex for several drawn-out seconds. “The rebellious angle might work. And it’s not too big a stretch, I’ll give you that much.”

  “Come on. You can be in there in seconds if things start getting crazy. Let me try.”

  Charlie let out a hard breath. “Okay. Don’t get too close to him. Stand far enough back that he can’t reach you. He’s strong, and will be highly motivated when he sees you.”

  Motivated to do what? She swallowed hard. She refused to wuss out now. “Got it.”

  “If you don’t feel safe, leave or, if you can’t, start screaming,” Connor added.

  Charlie punched Connor’s arm. “It won’t come to that. We’ll be right outside the door. We’ll get to you before you come to any harm.”

  She nodded. “I think it would make sense to have one of you burst in on me when I’m talking to him. That way, he’ll buy that I snuck in there. Then if I need to talk to him again, he might let something slip.”

  “You’re devious,” Connor replied. “I think I’m in love with you.”

  Alex gave him a half smile and he winked at her. He was trying to help her relax, and she appreciated the effort. “In fact, why don’t I let you know when I want you to come in? I’ll ask him if he’s hungry, and that will be your sign to come barging into the room making a fuss and drag me out.”

  Charlie’s lips twitched. “That’ll work. Okay, darlin’, are you ready?”

  “Yes.” Alex walked across the room with Connor and Jack. She took a deep breath and concentrated on the cool metal doorknob while she turned the handle. She opened the door a crack and slipped through the opening, acting like she was sneaking into the room.

  “Hello, pet.”

  Goosebumps ran along her arms at the sound of the simian’s deep voice. She jerked around to face him. “So it is true,” she blurted.

  His eyes widened. “What?”

  “They captured you. I didn’t believe it at first, but then they forbade me to come in here.”

  “They said I’d never see you again.”

  She took a step closer, but made sure to stay out of reach. “I was told that as well.”

  He chuckled at her. “But here you are.”

  Alex forced herself to grin at him. “I don’t take orders well.”

  “I knew there was a reason I wanted to keep you.”

  “Then why did you try to hurt me?”

  “I’m sorry I threw you away, pet. I had to escape.”

  She frowned. “I don’t believe you. They told me you hate humans.”

  He shook his head. “Not true. These men are lying. They’re holding me prisoner.” He rattled his handcuffs for emphasis. “Wait. Why are you here? Do you belong to one of them?”

  She huffed. “I don’t belong to anyone.”

  The simian’s pupils dilated. “Really? Then why are you working with them?”

  “I want the sabotage to stop. It’s ruining my family business.”

  He shook his large head. “Then you shouldn’t be planning mixed marriages.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “You’re helping supernaturals ma
rry humans.”

  Alex threw her hands in the air in mock frustration. “I didn’t know about the supernatural until a couple weeks ago! My family is innocent in all this.” She stared at his mottled red face for a moment and took a step back from him. “So you do hate humans. Then why do you work with them? The man in the woods was human, right? And from what I could see, he was your boss.”

  He bared his teeth at her comment and she scampered back like the heroine in a King Kong movie.

  “Richards is not my boss.”

  Alex almost did a little jig at the name slip. Instead she shrugged negligently. “He was bossing you around. Why would you even listen to him?”

  “I don’t listen to anyone.”

  Alex smiled. “So you’re the boss?”

  “Yes.”

  The simian stuck out his chest. If his hands were free, he might have even beaten his fists on it.

  “So you planned all of these attacks?”

  He frowned slightly before answering. “No…I mean yes, I helped plan them.”

  “What about Richards?”

  “There are humans who believe like we do, that we should not mate each other. They have connections that we don’t.”

  “So he was able to get you into the country club?”

  The simian nodded.

  Alex twisted a lock of her hair before cocking her head. “So you won’t hurt me even though I’m human?”

  He sucked in a deep breath, schooled his features, and turned his frown into what he must have believed was a reassuring smile. “I won’t hurt you.”

  Alex didn’t buy it for a second. “Good.”

  “Will you help me?”

  “I don’t know if I can. You’re not the only one being held against your will.”

  Lorinda’s Wedding Tip: Help the groom realize that the bride will not compromise on the things that really matter to her.

  Chapter 29

  This could not be happening! Devin stared in shock at the monitor. “What the hell is she doing in there?”

  He surged toward the door and Charlie stepped in front of him, while across the room Connor and Jack tensed, but didn’t leave their post.

  Charlie held up his hands. “Don’t. He’s starting to talk.”

  “I don’t give a shit.”

  “She’s fine. Jack and Connor are right next to the door and can get to her in seconds.”

  “He could snap her neck in seconds.”

  “Give her a chance. He’s eating out of her hand right now.”

  Devin managed not to growl, although his voice dropped an octave when he responded. “How did she even get here?” Devin glared at the two men.

  Gizmo paled slightly. “She called me and said you were tied up in a meeting and she needed directions.”

  “And you bought that?”

  Gizmo held up his hands. “She said you were following close behind.”

  “She’s a civilian with no training!”

  Charlie interrupted him. “That ‘civilian’ as you call her, came up with a great plan.”

  Devin clenched his fists and turned back to the monitors. “If anything happens to her, it’s on your head.” But as soon as the words left his mouth, he knew they were a lie. He was the one responsible for Alex. He was the one who had to make sure she wasn’t harmed.

  She stood fearlessly in front of the simian. She was amazing—chin raised, eyes defiant. What was he going to do with this woman?

  The simian’s voice sounded over the speakers. “They’re holding you prisoner too?”

  Alex nodded. “They don’t have me chained like you, but they won’t let me out of their sight. I think they’re afraid I’ll tell people about supernaturals.”

  The simian wiggled in his chair. “I could help you get away from them.”

  Alex’s face scrunched up, and if he hadn’t known better, Devin would have sworn she was genuinely confused. “How? You’re chained to the chair!”

  The simian leaned forward as far as his chains allowed. “Do you know where they keep the keys?”

  “Yes,” her eyes widened and she paused for effect. Devin couldn’t help but admire her acting skills. “What if they catch me?”

  “You can do it, pet. If you let me go I’ll take you with me.”

  “I don’t know. I’ll have to think about it.” She ran her hand along the table. “Are you hungry? Maybe I can sneak some food to you.”

  Charlie nodded. “That’s our signal. Time to play the part and yank her out of there.”

  Devin motioned to Jack and Connor to hold position. He stormed to the door and shoved it open, slamming it into the wall. Alex jumped away from the noise, her eyes widening in shock as she bit her lip. Her expression was so convincing that she couldn’t be acting. Maybe she was feeling guilty.

  “What are you doing in here?” Devin demanded.

  “I, ah…got lost and stumbled across your prisoner.”

  “Well you can stumble right back out. Now!”

  “Why are you holding him here?”

  Devin narrowed his eyes on her. “You have a bad memory if you need to ask. He tried to kidnap you and kill me.”

  “Shouldn’t you turn him over to the police?”

  He laughed harshly. “How exactly can we do that? He’s an ape demon. Get out of here and let us do our jobs.”

  She took a step back from Devin. “Are you going to hurt him?”

  “Out!” He lunged toward her and grabbed her by the arm, pulling her from the room. The door slammed shut, muffling the possessive growl that erupted from the simian’s chest.

  Devin walked with her across the room, and the rest of the team gathered around them. He was seething, heat bubbling just below the surface. She had no right going anywhere near that demon.

  “Are you going to let go of my arm?” she asked.

  He dropped her arm and she rubbed it with her opposite hand.

  Connor spoke first. “You were great in there. He totally bought it.”

  Alex smiled at Connor and Devin’s hands fisted. She turned to Gizmo. “Did you hear him name the human?”

  “Yep,” Gizmo’s hands were flying over the keyboard, “I’ve already started a search of the name Richards. Hopefully between the name and the composite, we can finally find out who this guy is.”

  “You had him eating out of your hand.” Charlie rested his hands on her shoulders and gave them a squeeze.

  She nodded. “I didn’t want to try too much with him in the first meeting. Next time, I’ll see if I can get some other names out of him.”

  “There’s not going to be a next time,” Devin said, his voice low and deadly even to his own ears.

  His team tensed, reading his voice and body language, and remained silent. Alex, however, either ignored or failed to heed his tone. “Why not?”

  He didn’t answer her, instead talking over her head to Charlie. “After a while, go in and start questioning him. Pump him for more information on the subjects he and Alex discussed. If he asks about her, be real cryptic.”

  Charlie frowned and then opened his mouth to speak, until Devin signaled with a faint shake of his head. Charlie hesitated and then nodded. “Got it.”

  Devin turned to Alex, holding out his hand. “Car keys.”

  She pulled them out of her pocket. She dropped them in his hand, and he tossed them to Connor. “Bring Alex’s car back to the house when you’re done here. She’s coming with me.”

  “What if I don’t want to go with you?”

  “We’re through negotiating,” he said, hauling her toward the exit doors.

  Lorinda’s Wedding Tip: Make sure the bride and groom spend some alone time together. They need to be reminded why they’re getting married.

  Chapter 30

  Who would have believed Alex had the vocabulary of a truck driver?

  She’d been sputtering ever since Devin gently nudged her out of the warehouse and into his car. He was actually impressed by the colorful variety of he
r language. He sat in silence and let her wind down. After a few more minutes, her red face faded to pink and she stopped her tirade. He said nothing, which seemed to fluster her.

  “I know I went behind your back, but I got some real, useful information out of him. Isn’t that what we wanted?”

  He stared intently at the bricks on the side of the building, not trusting his voice.

  “Devin?”

  He let out a harsh breath. “Don’t say another word.”

  “Excuse me?”

  He closed his eyes and counted backwards, slowly, from 99. She was the most obstinate woman he had ever met. He flipped on the satellite radio and turned the volume up until Pavarotti blasted from the speakers. Then he put the car in gear and sped out of the parking lot.

  One aria later, he pulled up to the house and shut down the engine. Now that the music had ended, they sat in tense silence.

  “Come inside.”

  She shook her head. “I think it would be best if I went home.”

  “Don’t make me carry you.”

  She stiffened in the seat next to him, her fists clenched in her lap. After a second, she opened the door and marched toward the house. Why did she have to fight him at every turn? He wanted to shake her and then wrap his arms around her and console her.

  The second he shut the front door, she turned on him in fury. He held up his hand like a crossing guard with a stop sign and she gasped. She clamped her mouth in a thin line, effectively blocking a torrent of no-doubt scathing words, and glared at him.

  “We’re not having this conversation in the living room,” he responded.

  “Why not?”

  He didn’t dare tell her about the hidden camera, since she was already bubbling like molten lava. And knowing his team, they were probably across town watching them on Gizmo’s laptop at that very moment. “Let’s go to the kitchen, I need a drink.”

  She seemed to buy his excuse, and he pushed open the door to the dining room, and she led the way to the kitchen. He opened the cupboard and pulled out two glasses, then opened the freezer and extracted the vodka. He poured one finger into her glass and two fingers into his own.