The Surrogates: The 5 Book Paranormal Pregnancy Romance Box Set

by Angela Foxxe

  Ripping his blindfold off his face, he quickly launched out of the chair, cupped Josie’s face, and kissed her as passionately has he had ever. She kissed him back, her lips hungry for him again. She closed her eyes and realized how much she missed him. God, it fell good to have his hands on her again, his lips pressed against hers. This was her home. This was everything that she needed.

  “I knew you’d come for me,” Kheem exhaled with a smile on his face.

  “I couldn’t leave you here with them,” Josie whispered to him. “We have to go, though. They killed Wahir.”

  “I know,” Kheem said, nodding to her and wrapping his arms around her, hugging her close to him. “I heard everything.”

  “He told me to distract the Hunters,” Josie shook her head. “I never should have left him.”

  “He injured two of them pretty bad,” Kheem told her. “He just came in blind and didn’t stand a chance. Did you say Hunters?” Kheem’s face was wrought with worry at the sound of their name.

  She forgot that he hadn’t been there when the word was out. He’d been locked in here the entire time. He had no idea what was out there for them. They were in serious trouble if they didn’t get away from this house soon and back to the resort.

  “Yeah,” Josie told him somberly. “There are a lot of them. They’ve taken over the majority of the island. They’ve got it on lockdown and they’re hunting for anyone linked to the violence. Their leader said that we were safe if we stayed in the resort.”

  “Do you trust them? I mean, they could be lying to all of us, getting us all in one place so that they could kill us,” Kheem said nervously.

  “Maybe,” Josie shrugged. “But we don’t have much of a choice. If they’re going to kill us, then we’re not going to stand a chance. We have to trust them.”

  “I don’t like the sound of that,” Kheem said. “Where’s Ony?”

  “He’s with Karen and King Ronald and the others are making sure that he’s safe from the Hyenas and Jaguars,” Josie told him. “He should be absolutely safe. With everyone around him.”

  “Then we need to move,” Kheem said to her with a serious tone, a tone that was entirely fearful, but trying his hardest to stay strong.

  Chapter 9

  “They killed Wahir?” King Ronald looked as if he might pass out from the news.

  Jamar wasn’t looking any better and Jonathan simply kept his head down. He was devastated and furious, but he wasn’t the kind of person that showed any of his emotions. They were all visibly depressed and unsure of what they were going to do now that news of Wahir’s death reached them. His death was going to give them all anxiety and fear.

  The Hunters had invaded, the Hyenas had killed one of their friends, and the Jaguars were nowhere to be found. They were in the worst possible situation. Nothing was going to plan. The only thing that they had going for them was the fact that Kheem was now safe.

  “This is a nightmare,” Jonathan said with all seriousness. “We need to make sure the Hunters know about Alizea’s home. We need them to wipe out all of these bastards once and for all.”

  “Getting a little emotional,” Josie said to him. “Wahir made his decision. He knew what was happening. He knew exactly what he was doing. Don’t think that he went into this blind.”

  “How do we know the Hunters won’t be coming for us when they’re done with the Hyenas and the Jaguars?” Kheem asked the question that was on his mind more than anything else.

  He’d been mulling it over the entire walk back. She knew that it was haunting him and that until he got the answer, he wasn’t going to be able to let it rest. In fact, it was just bothering him more and more with each passing second.

  “Because their leader is an honorable man,” King Ronald said with venom in his voice.

  It was obvious now, more than ever, that King Ronald hated Kheem above all other things that were happening right now. She didn’t get his animosity, especially after everything that had happened this far.

  “Do you think that everything is fine now?” Josie asked King Ronald. “I know that Wahir is dead, but now that everyone is back at the resort, will they leave us alone?”

  “Perhaps,” Jamar said with a shrug. “It’s hard to tell.”

  “Maybe we should go get Ony,” Josie said to Kheem while the rest of the Lion leaders took in the information that Wahir was dead. It hit them pretty hard. She didn’t blame them for their sorrow. In fact, she felt guilty that Wahir was dead more than anyone else out there. He was a good man.

  “About Ony,” Jonathan said, clearing his throat and drawing their attention. “Perhaps it’s better if we keep him protected for the time being.”

  “What?” Josie lifted an eyebrow and looked at Jonathan. “I think my child will be better kept with us.”

  “You think so? Haven’t you been wandering around dealing with everyone but your child?” Jonathan bit back at her venomously. “You’ve spent your time playing with your lover. Now, you’re suddenly interested in your child’s whereabouts.”

  “You best watch your tone,” Kheem said, taking a step forward, putting himself between Josie and Jonathan.

  “And you,” Jonathan took a step forward toward him. “The absentee father figure. Do you really think you’re in any shape to protect your child from the men and women who are trying to take them? After all, how many times have they gotten the better of you? You’re not the best in protecting the people you love, are you?”

  Kheem’s fists tightened and Josie could feel her fingers constricting as well. She wouldn’t sit by and let Jonathan deal with them in this way. She was tired of letting people treat them like this. In fact, she was done with everything having to do with King Ronald and the rest of this place. She would be better off anywhere else. She didn’t need to be treated like an inferior second-class citizen anymore. She wanted to be an equal with everyone else again. Things needed to be put back to the way they used to be.

  “Josie, Kheem,” King Ronald’s voice called out to everyone in the room, vying for reason and peace.

  She looked at him, wondering how much longer he was going to let things build and still do nothing. He had lost the respect of Josie and Kheem, how many other Clans were done with him because of his way of dealing with the Hunters and the renegade Clans. This was his last chance. After this, she was done with King Ronald if he didn’t act.

  “Perhaps it is best if you listen to reason,” King Ronald said to them. “Neither of you seem to be cut out to be parents. Perhaps it would be better if you surrendered Ony to those who are actually equipped to defend those you love. My associates and I would be more than happy to help take care of Ony. After all, it’s a dangerous world and things have been disastrous as of late.”

  Josie couldn’t believe it. She couldn’t believe he was actually saying this. Did he really think they were failing at this? That they were somehow incompetent? Because they weren’t. They were doing the best they could with what they were given. Without any support, they were just two people against all odds. Her fingers tightened once more, ready to strike out at him.

  “Over my dead body,” Josie said.

  “We figured as much,” Jamar took a step forward.

  “Wait,” King Ronald held up his hand again. “Understand where we’re coming from. The death of Wahir will make us look weak to the other Clans. With the Hunters and the two rogue Clans, my strength is dwindling to nothing. The Lions have been in charge since we took everyone over from Africa to Tarobi.

  This was my kingdom and now it is down to nothing. My people will turn against me soon and I cannot have that. The Hunters will find Wahir dead and they will also know I am weak. They’re going to turn their back on me as well. War within our kingdom is inevitable and we do not have the public support to win it. It is a lost cause.

  With Ony, we will be able to return one day with greater numbers, trained and equipped to retake the island from whoever claims my seat. With the Jaguars and the Hyenas gone, who
knows, perhaps we will be able to return sooner. If you willingly help us, then I will be much obliged, but I have a feeling that I know you very well. You don’t seem like the couple who are willing to be a puppet for my reign. But, if you agree to help us, you will have access to your child and a place in our future kingdom.”

  “Go to hell,” Josie said viciously.

  She didn’t need to think about it. She had heard enough. She was not going to let her child be a flag for his stupid political game for something that wasn’t even worth it. Tarobi was a glorified prison. They could do so much, but instead, they worked meaningless jobs in the shadow of vengeful Hunters who would be more than happy to kill them all. No, she couldn’t do this. She loved Ony too much and they deserved more than that.

  “I was afraid you wouldn’t hear reason,” King Ronald shrugged. “Very well,” he said without a drop of remorse. “Kill them.”

  Jamar was the first to launch at Kheem, rushing him without hesitation, eager for a chance to attack the man who had seemingly survived every other dangerous encounter that had come his way. Whatever Jamar thought he was capable of, Josie seriously doubted that he would have what was required to bring Kheem down. The man was unstoppable.

  That was what she was learning more and more about him with each passing struggle they had. Kheem met Jamar with his fists ready, swinging them hard at his face and making contact the moment he came within range. Josie turned and looked at Jonathan who was coming closer to her with each step. He was moving at a slow pace, deliberate and trying his hardest to intimidate her with his serious presence.

  She knew Jonathan wasn’t a killer. He was a bureaucrat and he was here just to put down the weak little girl. Well, she was more than eager to show him that she wasn’t someone to underestimate. In fact, she was going to mess him up real good.

  “Just give up,” Jonathan said to her with a cold voice.

  “Never,” she said.

  She swung for him, aiming for his face and watched as he stepped back from her, dodging the blow. It was exactly what Josie was hoping he would do. While he shied away from the punch, all he did was lean back. He didn’t pivot or step backwards. So she took her chance. Kicking him hard in the groin, she watched his knees snap together hard and his face pucker with the sudden shooting pain in his groin.

  As his hands clamped down on his groin, she swung her fist again, swinging upwards and catching him in the jaw as his head whipped back and he tumbled backwards. Josie had been in her fair share of fights and she knew how far she had to go before she hit that line that she couldn’t cross. She knew that you could only take a fight to certain limits before it became deadly.

  She was ready to cross that line.

  Slamming her foot down hard on Jonathan’s throat, she tried her hardest not to let the sound of his windpipe crunching bother her too much. His eyes were wide and his arms were splayed out across the floor as his dazed mind tried to recover, before she stomped the hope out of his life. His hands snapped to his maimed throat, but there was nothing he could do. Shifters were notoriously tough, but she had seen a man die from that before. She wasn’t playing around with him.

  Jonathan had outlived his welcome in her world and it was time for him to retire. His eyes widened, bugging out in horror as they bulged inside his sockets, his legs kicking, trying their hardest to find footing so that he could stumble away for help. He tried to stand up, but Josie planted her foot into his back and kicked him over, leaving him to die in the middle of the stage in the auditorium.

  Assuming Kheem was going to be the stronger fight, King Ronald had rushed to the help of Jamar who was taking a beating from Kheem. It wouldn’t be long before people started to transition and Josie knew once everyone started turning into animals, this fight was going to get a lot worse.

  So she rushed to help Kheem who was starting to take the worst of the battle with the two men. She watched King Ronald dig his knuckles into his side and knock the wind out of Kheem. He dropped to one knee at the edge of the stage and Jamar got his revenge by swinging his fists viciously at Kheem’s head.

  Kheem spun after receiving the blow on the side of his face, spinning and toppling off the side of the stage. Josie watched in horror, not sure what she could do. They were strong and they were better at fighting. Both of them had been in wars before. Both of them had actually killed men with their bare hands.

  She needed a weapon. She needed something that would level the playing field. If they transformed into lions, there was no way that she was going to be able to hold her own well enough to have any distinct advantage. No, she needed something more substantial than that.

  Before she could find anything, her eyes were drawn to the two figures lurking on the edge of the stage. Their bodies started to dance, launching this way and that, writhing and flailing as scarlet ribbons danced out of their back. It took a moment before she realized that there were bullets ripping apart the wall behind them, flecks of wood and velvet from the curtain. Her mouth dropped opened as she took a step back, watching as Ronald and Jamar were ripped apart by the silent bullets that only made sounds when they impacted the wood, hissing through their bodies like lethal whispers.

  She couldn’t believe her eyes, not that she wanted to, either. It was horrible to see as parts of them ripped open and soon they both dropped backwards, landing hard with a splatter. The moment both of them hit the floor, she watched as their vacant eyes stared off into the unknown, blood pooling under them at an alarming speed.

  When she opened her eyes, she looked to the back of the auditorium where there were two figures holding very large, very fancy rifles that looked like they could rip through the wall like hot lead through warm butter. Josie knew that if they turned those weapons on her, there was no chance that she was going to survive. Her only hope was to surrender and she did so willingly. Slowly, she raised her hands up over her head, surrendering to them and closing her eyes, praying that they wouldn’t kill her immediately.

  “We surrender,” Josie said to the two figures that started to move forward down the walkway. They took cautious steps. The first had their rifle trained on her while the other was very interested in Kheem who was still trying to get up off the ground.

  “Keep your hands where I can see them,” the person approaching her said sternly. She noticed that at the end of the man’s rifle was a very long silencer – that was why she wasn’t able to hear the bullets ripping apart King Ronald and Jamar. “Don’t make any quick movements. Stay where you are,” the man looked over his shoulder to his friend. “That one clear?”

  “Yeah, it’s the Panther,” the second person replied. “We’re clear.”

  “Jesus, you people sure know how to get in between a rock and a hard spot,” the man told her, taking off his facemask. “Cardel of the Hunters, at your service. We found Wahir and when we showed up, we heard the commotion. Figured you two could use some support.”

  “You just killed King Ronald,” Kheem took the hand of the second Hunter and let him pull him up to his feet. The person looked Kheem up and down before turning back to Cardel.

  “Suppose we did,” Cardel shrugged. “You know the law of the treaty. No Shifter is allowed to attack another Shifter or declare war. If you ask me,that looked like a declaration of war to me, didn’t it to you, Dutch?”

  “Sure did,” the second person said without a drop of emotion in his voice.

  “As for you two,” Cardel took over from that point, “I think you might want to prepare something for the rest of the survivors. I doubt they’re going to be so forgiving as we are. Or maybe they will. As far as I can recall, I think the Shifters are having a bit of a hierarchy rearrangement.”

  Cardel reached up to the radio on his shoulder and turned away from Josie, as if she wouldn’t be able to hear the conversation. “Auben, we took out King Ronald and his lackeys. It looks like the Lions are out of the den now. We’ve got the she-wolf and the Panther here. Awaiting orders.”

  He rela
xed after he sent his message, looking at the far walls of the room and showing a surprising amount of trust by leaving his back exposed to her. The man named Dutch, however, was watching both Kheem and Josie. Hopping down from the stage, she rushed to Kheem, making sure that he was fine. Beaten and bruised even more, he stood strong and tall, not willing to show any sign of weakness in front of these Hunters. She admired him and was proud of him.

  How was he supposed to take both of them? But, somehow he was willing to take the chance and he did what he needed to. He took the fight to both of them and stood tall. With a deep breath, she hugged him, exhaling as she felt the warmth of his body against hers.

  “God, I love you,” she said, shaking her head in disbelief that they were still alive. They were running out of luck, but what they had still was enough to keep her hopeful.

  “I love you too,” Kheem whispered, his eyes still on the enemies that were in the room with them.

  She knew that he was tense and nervous, but she wasn’t afraid of them. They weren’t going to kill them and they weren’t going to turn on them after saving them from King Ronald and Jamar. She had no idea what they would have done if they hadn’t shown up. If they hadn’t been tracking Josie, they would be dead right now. They would be gone and little Ony would be in the hands of King Ronald. That was more than she could stomach. She was grateful, indebted even.

  “Cardel, lock them in,” Auben’s voice came over the radio on Dutch and Cardel’s shoulders. “I don’t want to see their faces again.”

  “Yes, sir,” Cardel replied and turned around. He looked them over carefully before stepping toward them, Dutch still had his gun lowered but in their general direction. “You two have caused more than enough trouble. We’re done babysitting you and it’s time to get both of you out of here. All right? I want you both locked in here before things get out of control.

  Understand me? If I see either of you on the field again or being held hostage or at the center of any nonsense that is going on, I won’t hesitate to pull the trigger and end either of you. In fact, I would probably be doing this entire island a favor if I just put the two of you miserable sods out to pasture right now. But, you’re lucky the boss is a bit of a romantic.”