***
Howard
I watch the four guys as we walk down the drive. They don’t look threatening at all, and that raises my suspicions. I’m on high alert, and I know Brad and Jared are too. The fact Jared has come shows them how confident a leader he is. Most would send their seconds. Jared isn’t like other alphas though. And that’s why our pack is different from others. Like his father, he tackles shit himself, and he wouldn’t ever ask us to do something he wouldn’t willingly do himself. Our offshoot from the main pack is strong. We’ve been tested a fuck of a lot lately, but we’ve always come out on top, and we’ve not needed the overall pack alpha to step in. Hopefully, that will continue as we deal with whatever shit comes our way. We stop a couple of feet from them. One of them is pacing while the others stand facing us.
‘Why are you still here?’ Jared asks folding his arms across his chest. The guy who’s pacing stops to face us. He looks unhappy to be here. He’s doing his best not to show it, but I smell fear—clear as day. I make a point of sniffing the air, letting them know I’ve got the scent.
‘We haven’t come for trouble,’ one says. He’s the biggest: cowboy boots and a huge buckle on his belt—strange considering he’s from Phoenix. He has broad shoulders and a shaved head. Number two has a similar appearance. In fact, they could be brothers. Guys three and four are skinny and runt-looking. I pay them no attention and squaring my shoulders, I step forward, getting in cowboy’s face.
‘What the fuck do you want then?’
He steps back, but I follow.
‘Easy, friend,’ his brother (I’m assuming) says, putting his hand on my shoulder.
‘I wouldn’t do that if I were you,’ Brad says right behind me. The guy removes his hand fast.
‘We aren’t your friends,’ Jared says almost immediately. ‘Now what the fuck do you want?’
‘Well, see that’s why we’re here,’ cowboy says.
I laugh and shake my head.
‘What? You want us to invite you in and play fucking nice? Stupid motherfucker.’ Brad says what I am thinking.
‘I won’t ask again. What the fuck do you want?’ I ask getting a little pissed off. I’m acutely aware that one of these fuckers could have laid a hand on my female.
‘Just hear us out is all,’ cowboy asks.
‘Well, say what you gotta say then!’ Jared demands.
‘We’re packless. We didn’t go back with the rest.’
‘You expect me to believe that?’ Jared says sounding just as annoyed as I feel.
‘It’s the truth,’ he replies. ‘The pack was in a mess when you killed Max. Daniel wasn’t alpha material. We came here because we didn’t get any choice, but we deserted before we were due to fly back. They don’t have another alpha yet, either.’
‘So what, you expect us to believe that you left your homes, your families? And just didn’t go back?’
‘We didn’t have homes or families. We weren’t allowed. We lived in the house you stayed in as single men. We weren’t allowed a mate—all we had was each other.’
‘Okay, if that’s true, what do you want from me?’
‘We came out here hoping for a better life.’
And you want my permission to live here as nomads?’ Jared asks. ‘Answer is NO!’
‘No, we want to join your pack.’
Well, fuck me. I wasn’t expecting that. None of us were, judging by Brad’s gaping jaw and Jared’s silence. I laugh humourlessly, and Brad joins in. Jared though stands there like he’s trying to work it all out.
‘We’re going inside. DO NOT move from this spot,’ he demands. Cowboy nods and looks at the others who do the same.
‘We will be back,’ he tells them, walking away. Brad and I stay a few minutes longer. Jared gets Brody on the phone.
‘Stay on the phone and give me a signal if one of these motherfuckers even twitches while we have our backs turned.’ Both Brad and I turn and walk towards the house too.
We get in the kitchen, and I have to ask. ‘I wanna know if one of those pieces of shit ever beat on my girl.’ And I shout up the stairs for Willow. The females all come in.
‘Do you recognise any of those fuckers out there?’
Her shoulders come up in a shrug. ‘I’m not sure. I don’t know if I’ve forgotten, but I don’t remember any of them. Brody would be the best person to ask.’ At that, Brad disappears, and Brody emerges.
‘Any of them familiar?’ I ask straight away
‘Yeah, the brothers came to the pack around the same time we did, and they didn’t like it but stuck around anyway. The other two were always there from what I remember. The pack spanned a fair distance though, so although I recognise them, I know they didn’t live with us.’
‘Any one of them ever lay a hand on Willow?’
‘No.’
I nod my okay, satisfied we have that out of the way. Now we can discuss what happens next. I take a seat at the table and pull Willow onto my lap, stroking her arm, hand to elbow. It soothes me. Brody rolls his eyes, but right now, I couldn’t give a fuck.
‘Thoughts?’ Jared asks.
‘Well, we took that ugly fucker in, no questions.’ Brad laughs pointing to Brody. Who gives him the middle finger.
‘Are you saying that’s what we should do?’ Jared asks sounding a little incredulous.
‘Fuck no. I just wanted to call him ugly.’ He grins, giving Brody the finger right back.
‘What do you think?’ I ask Jared, ignoring Brody and Brad’s dicking about.
‘Honestly, I’m shocked as fuck—wasn’t expecting that.’
I shake my head. ‘No, me neither.’
‘What did they ask for?’ Devon asks sitting herself on Jared’s lap.
‘To join the pack.’
Her eyes widen. ‘Really?’ Jared and I both nod.
‘I kind of get the impression it’s not a regular thing here?’ Brody says.
‘It’s not. You got in because it’s what Willow wanted,’ I tell him. And take pleasure in the look that comes across his face.
‘It’s not the norm. People here are usually born in, or mated in, but exceptions are made occasionally,’ Jared says nodding at Brody.
‘Guess I’m lucky then.’ He smiles.
‘Oh, if only you knew just how fucking lucky,’ I mutter making Willow dig me in the ribs. Brody glares my way. And honestly, my patience with him is thinning very fucking fast. I could punch the fucker right now and still not feel satisfied. Harrison stands and folding his arms, he lifts his chin, signalling he has an opinion. Jared nods.
‘How about you let me have them for a few days?’
Jared laughs. ‘You needing an outlet?’
‘It’s been a while.’ Harrison smiles.
‘I’m not sure we’re at that stage yet, but it’s definitely an option. Anyone else have any ideas?’
I give the room my opinion. ‘I’m on the fence. I didn’t get a good feel about the two runt-looking fuckers, but the other two have balls, and you gotta respect that.’
‘I agree. If they are here for trouble, I didn’t get that vibe, but I’m not just going to allow some nomads from an enemy pack into our home.’
‘Fuck no,’ I agree. ‘So, what do you wanna do?’
‘First, I want to know if any of them played a part in the death of that little girl. Harrison, if I get even an inkling that they did, you have a green light.’
Harrison nods, almost bouncing on his heels, excitement clear on his face. ‘Then I guess we go from there. They need to prove themselves as trustworthy and worthy of being in this pack. I’ll also talk to my dad, see what he thinks. Since they won’t be staying with the pack, we should discuss where a good middle ground is. He may have a better place than where I have in mind.’ He stands, kissing Devon on the forehead and moves to lean against the kitchen worktop, dialling his dad.
‘Do you think they can be trusted?’ Willow whispers. I push her hair out of her face and kiss her nose.
‘What is Harrison going to do?’ Umm, how the fuck do I answer that?
‘He has a way of getting the truth out of people.’
‘He’s going to torture them then? You don’t have to sugar coat it, Howard. I’m not stupid,’ she says smiling. Phew.
‘Let me just go and check in with Jared,’ I tell her lifting her from my knee. Jared had left the room when his dad answered the call. I kiss her and pull her in for more when she tries to get free. It makes her giggle and bite her lip. Fucking hell, what I could do to her right now. I close my eyes against that little fantasy because right now I have shit to do. I move away, smiling as I walk towards the library. Jared is still on the phone, so I lean up against the door jam. He signals for me to come in, so I do. He doesn’t sound stressed or annoyed, so it’s got to be a good call so far. As I sit, he says his goodbyes, and he sits opposite me.
‘How was it?’
‘He left it up to me but agreed with me about them not staying on pack land, at least until they can be tested. He said he could arrange a couple of different places. I just need to give him the nod.’
‘Sounds good. You should let him handle that for you.’
‘Yeah, I think I will. They have more resources and can definitely test them—away from Willow and Brody.’
‘Fuck Brody. You can throw that fucker in with them all I care.’
‘He still riding your arse?’
‘Like a motherfucker, and my patience is wearing thin, Jared. I’m not gonna lie, I could punch him every time I look at him at the minute.’
‘I feel ya. I’ll have a word.’
‘You don’t need to.’
‘I do. I’m not having him come here to your home and treat you like that. That shit’s not gonna fly.’
‘Shit will fly if he doesn’t sort himself out.’
‘Exactly, and I’m not having that. I want everyone having each other’s back. We don’t need shit like this.’
‘So what now?’
‘Well, these fuckers are going to tell me about that little girl. If I’m happy, they can go to a hotel for the night until me and dad figure out the best place to send them, but right now let’s get them off our fucking land.’ We walk into the kitchen, and Jared gives Brody an order to watch the surveillance and Brad comes back out with us. We walk out and pretty much the same as before—one skinny runt fucker is wearing a hole in the driveway. He’s up and down so much.
‘He could be high or needing a fix,’ Brad says not caring if they hear. The thought had crossed my mind too because he’s sweating badly. But that could also be fear. The other guys had been sitting on a small wall while they waited, but they all stand and wait for us to get to them.
‘Got a question that needs answering before we go any further,’ Jared states. ‘We had a body dumped on the perimeter fence on Christmas Day. Any one of you know anything about that?’ The two cowboy-looking dudes look at each other and shake their heads. The tweaking motherfucker stops dead in his tracks. He has a wide-eyed look on his face like a deer caught in the headlights. We all notice, but say nothing.
Instead, Jared continues. ‘That a no, then? That’s good.’ He looks them all in the eye. ‘How did you all come to decide you were gonna bail together?’
‘What do you mean?’ cowboy asks.
‘I mean, are you all good friends? Did you devise a plan? Did they come to you? Or did you go to them? That kinda thing.’
‘Oh, yep, understood. Well, we’re brothers,’ he says lifting his chin to his brother. ‘We shared a room with them…’ He throws his thumb over his shoulder. ‘They heard us talking about not going back, and they wanted to stay with us. That’s it in a nutshell.’
Jared nods his head. Both Brad and I move in to take hold of a runt each.
‘So you won’t mind if we ask these too scared-looking fuckers a few more questions then?’ His eyes widen a little as he watches me pull the guy’s arms so far up his back his shoulder pops.
‘No, if you think it’s necessary.’
‘Oh, I think it’s necessary,’ Jared says matter of factly. ‘While these two are escorted somewhere they can be questioned, I’ll take your phone number. Do you have digs?’
‘Digs?’
‘A place to sleep.’
‘Oh, sure yeah. We’re in a hotel about an hour’s walk from here.’
‘What’s it called?’
The guy looks at his brother wide-eyed. ‘Umm, premier something. I can’t remember.’
‘Okay, I think I know where you are. Give me your number and go back to the hotel. I’ll be in touch tomorrow.
He reels his number off, and Jared saves it on his phone. ‘What are your names?’
‘Aston and my brother here is Avery.’
‘Okay, Aston. I will be in touch.’
‘Umm okay, what about them?’ he asks pointing to the one practically crying in my hold.
‘Not a concern for you just now,’ Jared tells him.
‘Right, okay, tomorrow then?’
‘Tomorrow,’ Jared confirms. They walk away. ‘And don’t show up here again unless you’re invited,’ he shouts after them. They nod their heads and carry on walking.
WE TAKE TWEAKY and tweakier through the kitchen, and Harrison lights up like a fucking Christmas tree at the sight. He jumps up and out of his seat with a grin like all his Christmases came at once. He is fucking jonesing for this. Willow doesn’t bat an eye as we push them around everyone and down the stairs. In fact, she smiles at me. I want to get these fuckers secure and get back to her. I noticed she had food in front of her at least, but sooner I get this done, the sooner I’m back with her. Harrison does his fucking rope tricks, and before we know it, they look like they’ve fallen out of a bondage club. They are in pain and can’t change form. He ties knots in all the tender spots, and every move they make causes them some sort of pain. By the time it comes to questioning them, they’ll no doubt sing like fucking birds.
‘They look so fucking pretty,’ Brad mocks. ‘Peace out, motherfuckers. Hope you sleep well,’ he yells as we leave them hanging from the ceiling. Harrison is still admiring his work as they writhe and moan.
‘Harrison,’ I yell over my shoulder. ‘Come on, man. It’s not time yet.’ He grunts, and I know he just wants to get on with it. But we’ve got to leave them a while first—let them suffer.
They pleaded with us of course, the minute we grabbed hold of them. They pleaded their innocence of killing that girl. Begged us to let them go, told us we wouldn’t ever see them again, blah blah, fucking bullshit. One or both of these fuckers are guilty of her death. It was obvious the second we mentioned it. I make my way to the stairs.
‘So you finally got to her then?’ Brad winks at me. I can’t help but smile because I’m fucking happy about it. He doesn’t need it clarifying. Everyone knew when we got back. He’s just happy for me, I can tell.
‘Yep, wore her down.’ I smirk.
‘I bet you fucking did, you dirty bastard.’ He laughs, socking me in the arm. I shake my head at him. ‘How’re things with you and Maiya?’
‘Real good, man, pleased as fuck she took a chance on me.’
‘How she doing with the blood thing?’
‘Whole other story. She’s doing well, but she needs more regularly. We’re gonna have to think about changing her soon.’ His mood changes, and I instantly feel bad for asking.
‘It’ll work out, Brad. She’s one of the strongest women I’ve ever known. Fuck, look at what she came back from?’
‘I know, that’s what I keep telling myself.’
‘Have faith,’ I tell him as we enter the kitchen, a brooding Harrison following behind us. I sit by Willow and grab some food from the centre of the table. Her smile is all I fucking need, and there it is. I reach out and squeeze her thigh, and she leans her head against my shoulder like we’ve been doing this our whole lives. ‘You eaten enough?’ I ask her. She nods, just
as Jared asks Brody to walk with him.
***
Jared
I walk to the library with Brody in tow. ‘Have a seat,’ I tell him. ‘You know why I wanna talk to you?’ He looks at his feet and then back up at me, looking a little dejected.
‘Howard, I’m guessing?’
‘Yep, you got it. So what the fuck is going on with you?’
‘I’m just looking out for my sister.’
‘Looking out for what exactly?’ I’m perched on the arm of the chair, so I’m directly facing him. He looks away, takes a deep breath and sighs.
‘I just don’t like her with him.’
‘You don’t even know him.’
‘I know the first time we met, he knocked me out and just about every time after that he had a go at me. He’s aggressive. I don’t want that for her.’
‘You ever see him being violent with a female?’
He shakes his head.
‘No, you haven’t. Let me tell you a little story about how Howard and I became close. Howard’s father was a motherfucker who beat on his female and his son. Howard would defend his mother and get beaten because of it. But he never stopped getting in the way. He came to my house one day, covered in his mother’s blood. His father had beaten her so badly she was unrecognisable, and she died in Howard’s arms. He was knee-high to a grasshopper, and he fought with everything he had trying to stop his father. But his father still killed her, and then he beat him too.
My father killed Howard’s father. And Howard lived with us from that day on. See, this is where I don’t get what your problem is. He is the last fucking person on this earth who would lay a finger on a female. THE LAST. You feel me?’ He looks a little white after my speech. But he swallows hard and then speaks.
‘I didn’t know.’
‘Now you fucking do. This shit needs to stop.’
He nods. ‘I’m sorry. It’s just I couldn’t protect her. I fucking failed her. I fucking left her when she needed me. Those bastards beat her within an inch of her life, and I couldn’t stop it. I couldn’t do a fucking thing to stop it. I just want to protect her.’ He sobs out the last word, and he crumbles in front of me. I look around the room, not really knowing what to do for the best. I decide on a shoulder squeeze. He takes a huge inhale and then starts again. ‘I fucked up at the restaurant. It was all on me. I know that. I blamed him… God, I blamed him for everything.’
Fated Love (Stone Pack book 3) Page 20
