by Meg Ripley
“Yes, ma’am,” he said with a mock salute before heading toward the kitchen.
A hot shower was just what she needed to clear her head. Leona knew she had to remember no matter how good-looking Hudson was or how much influence their entwined destinies had on her, there was still plenty of work to be done. She inhaled the steam as she lathered up her body, smiling to herself as she remembered just how much Hudson had appreciated every curve. No, damn it! That was just going to get her distracted again.
When she got out, Leona threw on a t-shirt and a pair of jeans, leaving her hair down to air dry. She followed the scent of coffee into the kitchen, where Hudson was also laying plates heavy with food on the table.
“I figured you’d be hungry,” he said, looking a little sheepish. “I know I am. We sort of skipped dinner last night.”
She sat down to the meal, realizing he was right. They’d been so busy discovering the connection between them that they hadn’t had a thought for food. “It’s delicious. You cooked the bacon perfectly.” He’d also made scrambled eggs, toast, and a fresh fruit salad. It might not have been the most complicated meal in the world, but it was exactly what she needed, and she planned to eat all of it. “Okay. So tell me more about this buyer.”
Hudson sat across the table from her, sliding a tablet in her direction. He’d already pulled up a few pictures of the man they’d seen on the boat. “Our friend is Husam Simmons. He’s been investigated several times for suspected terrorism, but so far, the U.S. government hasn’t officially been able to nail him on anything other than a few traffic tickets and tax evasion.”
“Interesting name,” Leona mused. She finished with her bacon and tried the eggs. She couldn’t identify what Hudson had used to season them, but they were scrumptious.
“Yes. Born in America, but there are some Middle Eastern influences throughout his family tree. I hate to say that profile unfortunately fits the bills of so many terrorists these days. And I couldn’t find any evidence of his relatives causing trouble. My guess is that he’s gotten involved with one of these training organizations that brainwashes them into believing they’re doing the right thing by taking out some of his fellow citizens.” Hudson frowned as he spread butter on a piece of toast. “They can shut down the borders and ban travelers from certain countries all they want, but it won’t stop these guys.”
Leona’s chest clenched a little. It had always been a risky business to work overseas with the Army. She’d been involved in operations that she knew the military wouldn’t make public for decades, and even once they did, people still probably wouldn’t believe what had happened. But it was entirely different when it was happening on their own turf, right next to happy suburban families and their children. Children like Sophie. “So what, exactly, do you think this guy is doing with these weapons?”
“I think he’s planning a major attack of some sort. I don’t know exactly when or where, but I do know that Garrison has been tracking him ever since he gave me the report of the facial match. He’s stored everything in a rented facility further down the river in Southern Illinois. It’s pretty rural down there, so he probably figures nobody will notice. Until he’s ready to put on a show, that is.” Hudson got up from the table to get the jelly out of fridge.
“Interesting.” Leona was glad to know that their comrades were keeping an eye on this guy. The two of them hadn’t had a chance to follow Husam after he’d bought the weapons from Kevin and Sean, especially once they knew his reinforcements were so close by. “Any more detailed information about who he might be working with?”
“I’ve still got some connections with the Department of Homeland Security, so I’m waiting to hear back on that. In the meantime, we’ve tipped off the right authorities. If they do their job, Simmons won’t have a chance to use those weapons.” He put the lid back on the jelly and passed it across the table in case she wanted it.
Leona was happy with all the protein, but a little sugar didn’t hurt, either. She absently topped her toast as she continued to scan the limited information on the tablet. “I wonder if our locals have any idea just who they’re dealing with. From the reports we went over back at Headquarters, I understood they were just selling this stuff on the streets. I bet they’d shit their pants if they found out the truth.”
“Fortunately, no one here is turning up on any lists. That makes me feel a little better about their intentions.” He finished his breakfast and took his plate to the sink.
“Well, we might get the chance we need to find out.” Leona almost wished there was more food, even though she didn’t need to get too full. It was just so good, and Hudson had really helped her work up an appetite. “Kim wants us to join their pride. She said she’ll just have to arrange a club meeting so everyone can vote on it.”
Hudson finished rinsing his plate and poured a second cup of coffee. “Did she say if everyone in the neighborhood is part of the pride? I got the impression it was otherwise when we went to that block party.”
Leona shook her head. “Not specifically, but she did mention that not everyone was like us. At first, I thought we were outed. She just meant lion shifters.” Kim seemed like such an innocent woman, and Leona had to wonder if she had any idea what her husband was up to when he left the house in the middle of the night.
“When will this meeting take place?”
“I imagine sometime after I give her our answer. I’m supposed to discuss our membership with my ‘husband’ and get back to her. Which brings me back to going to her place for lunch today if she’s available.” She looked at him over her coffee cup and raised one eyebrow, affecting a snobby accent. “I don’t know, darling. Do you think we’ll settle in this area permanently? Should we join their little club, or should we aim our sights a little higher? Say one of the country clubs closer to St. Louis?” They shared a laugh over the joke.
“Call her up,” Hudson said resignedly, “and let me know what I’m supposed to wear to this meeting.”
12
“You’re quiet this evening.” Leona was standing in front of the dresser, watching in the mirror as she put on a pair of dainty earrings that went nicely with the white jeans and blue sleeveless top she’d picked up at the mall that day.
They’d both needed to go shopping, in fact, because they hadn’t brought quite enough clothing for all these social events. Hudson grunted as a response to her question as he slid into the pale yellow button-down. He didn’t really like it, but it seemed like the sort of thing that was right for the event.
“Have the guys come up with anything else on Simmons?” She adjusted her hair before stepping out and across the hall for a pair of shoes, returning in just a few seconds. Leona had started sleeping in the master bedroom with him, but she hadn’t moved all her belongings over there yet.
It was an arrangement that Hudson felt suited them both, since they enjoyed each other’s company so much and were yet uncertain about what the future would hold for their relationship. “He’s laying low for the moment. Garrison called a while ago, all pissed off because the local authorities weren’t doing anything to raid the rented storage unit. I guess they don’t think something like that can happen in their little part of the world.”
“We know it can happen anywhere, but not everyone has witnessed it like we have.”
He grunted again.
“Okay, seriously.” Leona stood in front of him now, her hands on her hips. “What’s the problem? I wouldn’t bug you like this, but we’re getting ready to go into a pretty uncertain situation. If there’s something on your mind, I’d rather know about it now instead of later.”
He met her gaze, trying to decide how much he should tell her. There were so many thoughts going through his head, so many things to think about. He’d been on plenty of missions, both with the Army and with the Force, and he’d always been able to stay out of his own head. But there was never a woman like Leona with him, a woman that he knew he had to protect at all costs. They were a good
pair, and he wouldn’t have asked for anyone else to go with him into the field, but it still made it more difficult. If it were Drake or Flint or Garrison, there would be no questions.
Drake, Flint, and Garrison, however, were part of the problem. Hudson had seriously considered calling a couple of them in to serve as backups just in case things went south while they were at this meeting. But having them there also meant he might have to tell them what was going on between himself and Leona, and he wasn’t ready for that. He wasn’t ready for them to make a democratic decision to pull one or both of them out of Illinois and go a different route.
He also didn’t want to bring that up to Leona. He knew keeping their secret was just as much of an issue for her as it was for him, and it wasn’t fair to throw it back in her face yet again. Still, he had to answer. “I’m just not certain about this. Don’t make that face; I’m not saying I won’t go or that we shouldn’t go. It just makes me a little apprehensive since we have proof that these people are involved in illegal affairs.”
“You don’t strike me as the type who gets nervous.” She said it calmly and earnestly, not critically.
“Not normally,” he admitted. “There’s just more on the line this time. Let’s go.” He led the way out to the garage.
The drive out to the clubhouse that Kim had given Leona the address to was a quiet one. The two of them had already gone over their plan. They each had a pistol concealed in their clothing—a small measure that Flint would no doubt smirk at—and a small recording device. Whatever happened, they needed proof of it. But they’d already gone over everything, and there was little else to talk about.
“This looks like the place,” Hudson said as he pulled up in front of a large house out by the lake. The road to get to it had been a dark and lonely one, but the double wraparound porches of the clubhouse were blazing with light. More lights lined the asphalt driveway that brought them up to a sizable parking area. Quite a few cars were already there, and they’d arrived fifteen minutes early. The rest of the pride must have been eager for things to begin.
“Make sure you stay in character,” Hudson muttered as he put the car in park and turned off the ignition.
“No shit.”
Hudson got out and took her arm as they walked toward the front door. “And no matter what happens, we can’t become part of their pride. We can’t risk them getting inside our heads and finding out more information than what we’re willing to give them. It would mean putting the rest of the Force in danger, not just ourselves.”
“I know.”
He paused at the door, her hand still tucked in his elbow, and turned to her. “Leona, no matter what happens in here—”
“It’ll be fine,” she said with a smile. “I know it will. Let’s do this.”
Hudson nodded, knowing he’d been ridiculous to worry so much. Yes, he was doing this big step of their mission with the woman he was fated to—and loved—but there was no one else in the universe he’d rather be with. He knocked on the door.
It swung open almost instantly. “Here you are!” Kim squealed with delight as she ushered them in. “I’m so glad you came! Everyone was very excited to get together. Come on in! Kevin’s here, and Sean, and everyone else! Not Cathy, though.” She whispered this last part in Leona’s ear with a giggle.
The clubhouse was slightly outdated, but nice. Hudson surveyed the room, noting all of the available exits. He knew Leona would be doing the same, but old habits died hard. He shook Kevin’s hand heartily when he came forward.
“Nice to see you again, Hank! Come on in and grab a plate. We’ve got a good old-fashioned buffet going. I hope you like fried chicken.”
“Of course.”
The next hour or so passed by quickly and without incident. Hudson was introduced to several members of the pride that he hadn’t met at the block party. There was plenty of food and drink passed around, and he stayed fully aware of just how much he consumed. The potted plant near the couch was more drunk at the end of the evening than he was. He hoped the alcohol would influence Kevin to admit what he’d been doing, but he had no luck in that area. Hudson tried to stay as close to Leona as possible, but the women had a habit of sweeping her out of the room.
Just when he was beginning to think it was going to be an uneventful evening, Kevin tapped a fork against his wine glass. “Ladies and gentlemen, if I could have your attention, please.” The buzz of the crowd died down as everyone turned to him. Leona appeared out of nowhere and took Hudson’s arm. “We all know why we’re gathered here tonight. We have new friends in the neighborhood, good people who we know would make a wonderful addition to our pride: Hank and Leona Talbott!”
The attendees all cheered and applauded. Hudson gave a small wave. He expected this to be a big deal, but he didn’t like having all the attention turned on them.
“Hank, Leona,” Kevin continued, “we’d like to officially invite you to become one of us. We’re all here in your honor, and we’d be extremely privileged to induct you tonight.”
“That’s very kind of you,” Hudson said, wondering just how he was going to get out of this without offending anyone. A request like this wasn’t one the pride would’ve taken lightly, after all. “Leona and I have been discussing this wonderful opportunity almost constantly. It’s an incredible honor, and I can’t tell you how flattered we are that you would extend your circle to include us when you’ve known us for such a short amount of time.”
Leona nodded and smiled at his side, but he could detect the waves of anxiety that radiated from her.
“That being said, I’m afraid we can’t accept tonight.” A heavy silence filled the room, and Hudson could feel the suspicion rising. “You see, my wife isn’t feeling all that well, and I really do need to get her home.” He felt Leona slump a little against him. Nothing overly dramatic, but just enough to make his story seem feasible.
Kevin frowned. “I don’t think you understand. This isn’t an option. We can’t just have you accept an invitation into the fold and then reject it.”
“Not rejecting, just postponing,” Hudson corrected softly. “If you’ll excuse us, we’ll get on home. Then we can meet up with you another time and get this done.” He moved toward the door, bringing Leona with him.
“No.” Kevin made a small gesture, and the other male members of the pride closed in around them. One, whom Hudson recognized as Chris, reached out to grab him. He blocked him easily enough, swinging his arm to the side, but not before another shifter had snatched Leona.
His momentary panic didn’t last long. He hadn’t yet seen her combat, but she could hold her own. Leona thrust her elbows back into the man’s gut, then rammed her head back as he bent forward, sending him reeling away with a bloody nose.
“Dear, we don’t need to make such a show of this,” Kim said. She’d come up next to her husband, her glow of excitement replaced by worry. “We can do it another time. I don’t mind putting another meeting together.”
Kevin glared at his wife. “Stay out of this. We’ve got business to take care of.”
Hudson felt his inner lion awaken at the threat of the crowd around him, and he was tempted to shift right then and there. But someone attacked him from behind, throwing him forward. Hudson stumbled, grabbing someone else nearby for balance. His shirt must have lifted at just the wrong angle.
“He’s got a gun!”
Someone snatched it from the back of his waistband, but Hudson wasn’t ready to give up the fight yet. More men fell on him, pinning his arms and taking him to the floor. He fought back, but there was only so much one man could do when he was so outnumbered. He heard Leona’s grunts as she was experiencing the same, and the shriek of indignance as someone discovered she was armed as well.
Something thumped the back of his head and the world went dark.
His head throbbed as he peeled his eyes open. His stomach churned, but he clenched his teeth against it as he tried to take in his surroundings. They’d thrown them in
a room that looked like some sort of storage area with concrete walls and a solid door. There weren’t any windows, and he could easily surmise they were in a basement. A single bulb burned overhead.
Leona’s weight was heavy against his shoulder. Hudson instinctively reached out to check her for injuries, but his hands were bound. “Leona. Wake up.”
She stirred, her head lolling to the side. Her eyes opened partway, making her look even more cranky than she normally did when she woke up in the morning. “What the hell happened?”
“Do you remember anything from upstairs?” he asked. Hudson could remember it far too clearly, but he knew they needed to keep talking. It would help them regain consciousness, and they needed to get clear-headed if they were going to get out of this.
“Shit. Yeah. I think so. I just can’t believe they turned on us that fast.” She experimented with the ropes at her wrists and made a face of disgust at them before lifting her foot and peeling off her shoe. A small folding knife fell to the floor.
“Clever girl,” Hudson said proudly as he picked it up. The blade was sharp, and he sliced through the rope easily before handing the knife to Leona so she could return the favor. “I knew there was a chance this could go badly, but I didn’t think they’d react so harshly.”
“That must mean they either know who we really are, or they’re afraid we’ve found out who they are. How long have we been down here?”
Hudson automatically reached for his cell phone, but it was gone. Not a surprise. “No telling. Doesn’t feel very long.”
Leona got to her feet slowly, stretching her muscles and assessing her body. It looked like a waste of time, but Hudson understood what she was doing. She had to figure out just what she was capable of before she attempted an escape. “Have you looked at the lock yet?”
“I just woke up.” He followed her to the door. The small hole in the simple handle indicated a typical indoor lock. “Interesting that they’d have the knob on that way. I’d guess that means they had someone in here before, but it must not have been anyone who knew what they were doing.”
