Invisible Warrior (The Protectors Series) Book #11

by Teresa Gabelman

  “You know Wyrick?” Mira and Kira both said at the same time.

  “Who the hell is Wyrick?” Jared said before glancing at Sid. “And yeah, I got nothing on that one.”

  Sid shook his head. “Me neither.” He frowned. “The disappointment is staggering.”

  “So, if this Orjyll dies, then you guys are safe?” Steve asked, for once ignoring Sid and Jared’s back-and-forth bullshit. “Drew Boo is safe?”

  “Jesus!” Sid slapped his hand against his forehead. “Mira and Kira, we had a Linus, Orajel, and now Drew fucking Boo. How the fuck do you expect me to take this shit seriously?”

  “Because they could die. That’s how.” Steve growled then realized he had tightened his hold on Drew when she became wiggly. “This innocent baby could die.” Okay, Steve realized he was being a little over the top, but dammit, he wanted to know what in the hell they needed to do to make sure Drew had a chance to grow up and enjoy a full life of—

  “Steve, let me take Drew.” Mira looked up at him as she tried to take Drew from his grasp.

  “Sorry.” Steve immediately released her then looked away from Mira. Shit, he needed to chill the fuck out.

  “Damn, Steve,” Jared said, his voice serious. “We know this. Calm down. No one will get near that baby girl. You can bet your ass on that.”

  Steve nodded, in total agreement. His eyes met Jill’s, and he knew she knew. Out of anyone in this room, Jill knew him the best, and she knew, dammit.

  “I know Wyrick very well,” Sloan finally answered Kira’s question. “I will get in contact with him to see if I can find out where in the hell this Orjyll is hiding out.”

  “How do you know him?” Kira seemed fascinated by the fact, her eyes round with awe.

  “I met him a long time ago. We fought together many times.” Sloan smiled at the memory. “I have mad respect for the man.”

  “I’ve only heard stories about Wyrick, but you’re right. He is the most powerful warlock, and he outranks all covens. Only the high priestess was allowed to have counsel with Wyrick,” Kira said, then stared off in deep thought. “He could be our salvation, Mira.”

  Steve had been watching Mira closely during all the warlock talk, and she didn’t seem impressed.

  “Fat chance of that, Kira, so don’t get your hopes up. We’ve always dealt with this on our own, and the probability of that changing is low. You’ve been searching since Mom died—by that bastard’s doing—and have yet to find him. We will always be on the run, and now I’ve brought an innocent into the whole mess.” The lost look on Mira’s face almost sent Steve to his knees. “I’m so sorry, Drew Boo,” she whispered to the baby using Steve’s nickname.

  He knew every Warrior’s protective instincts kicked into full gear. Steve’s the strongest. “I vow to protect not only Drew, but you and your sister.” His voice strong and true, he slammed his closed fist against his chest.

  “As do I,” Duncan vowed right after Steve without hesitation, his fist also meeting his chest.

  And so it went until every Warrior vowed their protection to the two women and child. Sloan stood in the center of the room, a proud tilt to his head as his Warriors did what they were made to do. “It seems you have the protection of my Warriors.” He bowed his head slightly and then his fist met his own chest. “As well as mine.”

  “Thank you,” Mira whispered as a tear slid down her face. Steve fought the instinct to banish it away with his finger. He looked toward Kira who stood, her eyes bright with tears, but none fell.

  “Yes, thank you.” Her voice was softer than Steve had heard to this point. He then understood Mira’s sister very well. Her strong front was just that, a front. She had a lot of weight on her shoulders protecting her sister as well as her niece, the last females of the Dragonfly Coven.

  Chapter 9

  After making sure that Mira and Drew, as well as her sister, Kira, were settled with the help of all the mates, Steve headed to his room for a shower, shave, and to change his clothes. Once finished he rushed out and almost ran Jill over.

  “Damn, Steve.” Jill righted herself. “Where in the hell are you going in such a hurry?”

  “Sorry.” Steve grabbed her arm after knocking her into the wall. “I’m heading out to Lee County. Since Mira and Drew are safe here, I asked Sloan for the day off.”

  Jill frowned. “You shaved your mustache. Steve, you shouldn’t let Jared and Sid get to you.”

  “Nah, they were right.” Steve shrugged. “It was just something new I was trying. Listen, I need to get going.”

  “You know there’s a father, right?”

  Jill’s words stopped him in his tracks. “Yeah.” Steve didn’t turn around because, in all honesty, he had thought that many times but didn’t want to face that fact. “But he’s not here, is he?”

  Jill waited until Steve turned around. “You going to Lee County to break it off with Leda?”

  Damn, he really didn’t want to talk about this because he didn’t really know what the hell he was doing and knew it would show. Jill knew him best and could read him like a book. “I have to. It’s not fair to her.”

  “That you have feelings for Mira.” Jill nodded with understanding. “I just don’t want to see you hurt, Steve. Talk to Mira about Drew’s father before you get in too deep, okay? And as for Leda, you know best your feelings.”

  “Thanks.” Steve nodded, glancing at his phone. He had texted Leda telling her he was coming, but she hadn’t responded yet. It didn’t matter; he was going either way. “I appreciate it.”

  “So, you want company? I have nothing going on. It’s my day off. Plus, I miss Hunter’s dumbass.” When Steve hesitated, Jill added, “I promise to stay out of your business and let you do what you need to do. Just let me be there as a friend. Okay?”

  “Sure, the drive sucks alone anyway,” Steve replied, thankful for Jill tagging along with him. “I have to stop by Sloan’s office real quick and then we can take off.”

  “I’ll meet you out front after I tell Slade what’s up.” Jill headed in the opposite direction. “I’ll drive.”

  “Shit,” Steve hissed. Jill driving was always a butt pucker.

  “I heard that!” she called out as she disappeared around the corner.

  Steve chuckled as he walked toward Sloan’s office but stopped when he heard Mira’s soft voice coming from the game room. Heading that way, he stopped at the door. She was on the couch facing away from him, her head bent.

  “Why can’t I do this?” Mira’s voice was upset, and it sounded like she was crying.

  Without thought, Steve walked in and around the couch. “Whoa!” Steve stopped and turned his back. “Hey, my bad. I didn’t know.”

  “It’s okay, Steve.” Mira sighed. “It’s just a boob.”

  “Yeah, but it’s your boob,” Steve said under his breath, then rolled his eyes.

  “You can turn around now.” Mira sounded so down Steve’s non-beating heart hurt. “I don’t know what I’m doing wrong.”

  “You aren’t doing anything wrong, Mira,” Steve assured her like he knew all about breastfeeding. “Slade said Drew may not take it, some babies don’t. You’re doing everything you can, but I think little Drew Boo has a mind of her own and is going to do what she wants to do on her own time.”

  A small smile replaced the sad frown on her face as she stared at Drew. She then looked up at Steve. “You think so?”

  Steve snorted. “I know so.” As her smile spread, Steve knew without any doubts he wanted to be the only one putting that look on her beautiful face. Her dark hair hung around her in waves. The natural blush of her cheeks gave her a glow and her eyes so expressive Steve could read her like no other. Realizing he was staring at her, he cleared his throat and tried to find his nuts instead of thinking lovey-dovey shit. “Just give it time, Mira. If she takes to it, she does, and if not, that’s fine too.”

  “I just want to do everything I can for her health, and they say a mother’s milk is the hea
lthiest.” Mira shrugged her shoulders.

  “Drew is going to be kicking ass and taking names soon.” Steve laughed. Then he kneeled down so he could touch Drew’s cheek. “She’s as healthy as a VC Warrior.”

  “She really is,” Mira agreed, her gaze finding Steve’s. “Thank you, for everything. Hey, wait. You shaved your mustache.”

  “You don’t need to thank me for anything, and yeah, it was itchy.” Steve ran his hand over his clean-shaven face. “It was just something I was trying out. Jared and Sid gave me so much crap about it, so the less they can dog me about, the better.”

  “Well, I liked it, but I also like you without it.” Mira smiled as she took the bottle off the table next to them.

  Steve didn’t reply. He just watched as Drew took the bottle like she had never tasted anything better. “Who’s the father?” popped out of Steve’s mouth, and he hoped he didn’t sound as angry as he felt asking the question.

  Mira didn’t answer right away; she didn’t even look up at the question. Her head and eyes remained lowered. “He’s out of the picture” was her only reply.

  Before Steve could ask anything else, Kira walked in and stopped, her stare intense as she looked from Steve to Mira. “She still wouldn’t take the breast?”

  “No.” Mira shook her head still looking down.

  Steve stood and stepped back. “I’ll be gone most of the day so if you all need anything, just find Adam.” He set a paper down on the table. “This is everyone’s numbers.”

  “Thanks, Steve.” Kira had walked over and sat next to Mira. “But we’ll be fine.”

  Wishing Mira would look up at him, Steve stood as long as he could before finally taking a step away from her, her short answer about Drew’s father haunting him as he walked away and out of the room.

  ******

  “What in the hell are you doing?” Kira whispered at Mira.

  “Feeding Drew,” Mira replied, wiping a drip of formula from the corner of her daughter’s mouth.

  “Mira, this is dangerous,” Kira continued, ignoring the fact that Mira totally tried to misdirect her question. “We are not meant to…. If you have any feelings for him, you need to stop. It can’t happen.”

  “I know this, Kira. How can I forget when you’re constantly reminding me?” Mira huffed as she stood to pace while she burped Drew. “I am so sick of curses, spells, and magic. I never asked for this life, and now I have Drew to think of.”

  “You may not have asked for it, but it is yours, and there is nothing you can do about it,” Kira shot back as she always did. “You are powerful, more powerful than you realize, and we both know Drew’s capabilities will probably outweigh us both. You need to stop feeling sorry for yourself and—”

  “Feeling sorry for myself?” Mira shouted, startling Drew. “You best just step on out of here, Kira. I’m sick and tired of you always thinking you know what’s right for me.”

  “That boy, who is totally in love with you, is not right for you,” Kira said as if she knew it all, and that angered Mira even more.

  “He’s a man, and you are really pissing me off, sister.” Mira’s eyes narrowed. “Stay out of my business.”

  Drew gave a burp, so Mira walked over to the little bassinet that Jill had brought her and laid her down. She knew Kira wasn’t going to leave it alone, and she wanted Drew put safely away when she knocked her sister on her ass.

  She was right; Kira wasn’t finished. She walked over and yanked Mira’s shirt down exposing the crooked heart-shaped birthmark that was no longer brown, but glowing red. “Shit!”

  “I said stay out of my business.” Mira pushed her sister’s hand away, then gave a sharp nod of her head, sending her sister flying backward onto the couch and on her ass.

  Noise from the doorway caught her attention. Standing inside were all the mated women staring at them wide-eyed with gifts in their hands. Kira had turned to look as she tried to stand.

  An invisible hand tugged Mira’s hair. “Ouch!”

  “Release me,” Kira growled. “Or I’ll yank a chunk of that hair out of your head.”

  Mira did release her as she glanced at the women sheepishly. “Sorry, just a little disagreement.”

  “All sisters fight.” Lana grinned, glancing at Caroline. “I know we sure did… do. So, any chance I can become a witch?”

  “Yeah, me too. I sure would like to put a hex on a few people.” Tessa laughed as she walked further into the room to stare down at Drew.

  “Did your sister always get in your business?” Mira asked Lana, but glared at Kira.

  “All the time.” Both Lana and Caroline answered at the exact same moment, then laughed.

  “Yeah, we’ve had some knock down drag out fights, but not as much as we used to.” Caroline cocked her eyebrow. “Because Lana carries a gun now.”

  Everyone laughed at that. “Well, we wanted to get Drew some things so we decided to have a little thrown-together baby shower for you.” Nicole handed Mira a gift bag.

  Mira stared at the bag, which began to blur. A single tear hit the pretty pale-pink tissue paper. “Thank you. I don’t know what to say.”

  “There’s nothing to say,” Pam replied, taking Drew from Tessa as Angelina cooed at Drew.

  Becky walked in late with Sloan following, carrying a beautiful baby crib. Mira slapped her hand over her mouth as the tears overflowed.

  “Every baby needs a safe place to sleep.” Becky smiled, then hugged Mira. “So hush those tears, Momma. Let’s see what other goodies little Drew has.”

  Mira laughed and cried at the same time. Her eyes went from Becky to Sloan. “Thank you so much.”

  “You’re welcome, honey.” Becky let her go and stepped back as Sloan just gave her a nod. He then touched Becky tenderly on the cheek before he walked out, leaving the women gushing over Drew.

  Mira’s eyes found her sister, who looked at her with a sadness that made her heart sink. This wasn’t going to last, she knew. But until then, she would enjoy the friendship for herself and Drew. Putting on a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes, she turned toward the women and joined them as they gushed after the only thing that mattered to her other than her sister.

  Chapter 10

  Steve and Jill pulled into Beattyville two hours later. He was never so happy to get out of a car in his life. Jill still sucked at driving, and he had a suspicion she did shit on purpose just to freak him out.

  “Looks like all the rebuilding is finished.” Steve glanced at the feed store they parked in front of, and the restaurant that had pretty much burned to the ground. “Looks great.”

  “It does.” Jill nodded as they made their way into the feed store where Emily stood behind the counter.

  “Hey!” Emily looked up, surprised to see them. “What are you two strangers doing down this way?”

  Steve hugged her after she’d walked from behind the counter, as did Jill. “Well, I came to give your mate a hard time and to see you. Steve came to see Leda.”

  “Ah.” Emily gave Steve a knowing smile. “How sweet.”

  Jill gave Steve a sideways glance before saving his ass from explaining anything. “Where’s Hunter?”

  “They’re training down in the woods.” Emily walked toward the door. “Just go down that side road and—”

  “I know where it is.” Steve gave a wave, then headed out the door. “I’ll stop back up before we head out.”

  “You better!” Emily warned him, then glanced at Jill who started to follow Steve. “He okay?”

  “Yeah, he’s okay.” Jill glanced at Emily over her shoulder. “For now.”

  Steve had heard Emily’s question and Jill’s response. He just hoped no one here hated him after this. He worried as he walked quickly down the street. He scanned the area remembering the last time he was here. It seemed so long ago, and he felt like a totally different person now than he was then. It was really a weird feeling, and he wasn’t sure he liked it. He quickly cut off the road and headed down a cleare
d path going deeper into the woods, his keen hearing picking up voices.

  Stepping into a clearing, he spotted Dell and Hunter surrounded by people he didn’t know, and then there was Leda with her exotic-looks, listening as Dell explained something. A twig cracked under his foot causing every eye to fall on him.

  “What’s up, bitches!” Steve grinned as he closed the distance.

  “Well, holy shit, what the hell are you doing here?” Hunter parted from the group to meet him with a handshake.

  “What’s it to you, punk?” Jill said, coming into the clearing.

  “Oh, damn. I thought I smelled trouble.” Hunter passed Steve to give Jill a hug. “Emily is going to be so excited to see you. Me, not so much.”

  “Hush.” Jill punched him in the stomach. “And I already saw her. She blabbed on where you were.”

  “Well, come on over and I’ll introduce you to the new members of the pack.” Hunter led them over and started introductions. “Guys, this is James, Les, Devon, Josh, Ross, and Taz. And this is Jill and Steve. They’re VC Warriors who have helped us out a time or two.”

  Steve nodded, looking at the woman named Ross and wondered how a beautiful woman became a Ross. “Nice meeting you all.” Steve noticed the one named Taz was eyeing him which he wondered about, but the one named Devon decided to be a dumbass.

  “You’re a VC Warrior?” Devon grinned, looking Jill up and down crudely. “How in the fuck do any of them get any work done with her around. Damn!”

  “’Cause her mate is one big motherfucker who will kill you with his bare fucking hands.” Steve cocked his eyebrow at the asshole, not liking the way he looked at Jill. “His name is Slade. Slade ‘The Slade Train’ Buchanan.” Steve decided in this instance not to use his other nickname, Dr. Hottie McVampire.

  “That’s a stupid name,” the one named Devon muttered. But Steve heard him loud and clear.

  “You won’t think that when he makes a stop on your face.” Steve snorted with a shake of his head.

  “I remember him,” the one named Josh said. “Yeah, Devon, you best step down ’cause I don’t think you want to deal with that dude. Isn’t he the doctor?”