by Sydney Addae
"It's okay, we need to get the two of you someplace safe where you can finish this," Nionis said.
"Tell Quinn what to do. I'm not...can't think clearly right now," Jackie said as Quinn released her legs one at a time, holding her close while she steadied.
"Quinn, I'll drive your car and Chip will follow me. You two sit in the back and do not, I'll say it again, do not have sex while I'm driving. Wait until you get to the house." Nionis paused and pointed at them. "Say yes I understand."
"Understood," Quinn said his voice a deep rumble in his chest. Arms wrapped around each other, Jackie and Quinn slid in the back seat leaving no space between them.
Nionis started the car and pulled onto the road. "We got approval for you guys to stay at the safe house."
"Huh? Why?"
"Because you're not human deep and La Patron has a thing about his pups being exposed to everyone without a ton of security. When you're human deep it's not an issue but I'm thinking, you can't shut down your wolf right now, which means everyone on pack lands who's ever been near La Patron will pick up his scent through you."
"What?" Jackie tried to focus as Quinn placed kisses all over her face and neck distracting her.
"Never mind. When you get to the safe house have fun with your mate. No one will bother you or recognize your scents. Call me later."
"Yeah, okay," Jackie whispered as Quinn kissed her while squeezing her breasts. Zings of pleasure raced between her legs.
"No sex," Nionis yelled as Quinn unsnapped Jackie's jeans.
He placed his palm at the juncture of her thigh and rubbed.
On fire for him, Jackie moaned and drew his face between her palms, pulling him close for another kiss.
He growled and pulled her on his lap.
"Goddess help me survive this," Nionis muttered.
Jackie dropped her forehead against Quinn's and took several deep breaths. "We need to wait."
"How much further?" Quinn asked.
"Less than five minutes I promise," Nionis answered quickly.
"This... you...it's incredible," Quinn whispered as she pulled his face against her breast. "I've never needed anything or anyone like I need you right this minute. It's like everything I've ever done, or all roads in my life led me to you, to this point." He scoffed. "Makes no sense I know but that's how it feels, inside." He tapped his chest with two fingers.
Jackie took those fingers, kissed them and pulled his arm around her waist. "When I can think straight again, I'll try to figure it out... can't help it, that's just the way my brain works."
"I like your brain," he said before pressing a kiss against her breast. "Sexy brain." He kissed the other breast. "Sexy woman." He kissed the spot between both breasts.
"Goddess you smell so good," Jackie whispered running her fingers through his thick dark brown hair.
"We're here," Nionis said in a loud, relieved voice as she hit the brakes.
Quinn fixed Jackie's shirt in place and made sure her pants were buttoned before lifting her to the other side. Cautious, he opened the door and slid out. Inhaling, he turned noticed security guards in the distance but not too close. Certain the area was safe, he extended his hand to his mate and assisted her out the car. He didn't recognize this place.
"Where are we?" he asked Nionis as he and Jackie stood wrapped in each other's arms looking at the brick one story building.
"Safe house," Nionis said. "With the rebels following you to the restaurant, we don't want to take chances and I didn't think you wanted to wait and go back to the ranch."
"No," Jackie said pulling Quinn's hand and heading to the front door. "This is perfect. Thanks Nee."
"You're welcome," Nionis said starting the car.
Quinn waved goodbye, opened the door, and scanned the place. Sensing they were alone he picked up Jackie and walked inside.
"Don't forget the real reason you're at the safe house," Nionis cautioned. "Be careful or your mate may not live to sire your pups."
Jackie blinked away the sensual fog as Nionis' outrageous words sent a chill down her spine. Her father and mother would be seriously pissed if something avoidable happened because they were lax on security. But neuter Quinn? Goddess, that didn't bare thinking about. "How many guards are watching this place?" she asked Nionis while allowing Quinn to pull her toward the first open door off the hall.
"Five but you're La Patron's daughter, who knows how many will be enough? Just do what you need to do and go human deep when you can," Nionis said and disconnected.
"Did you check security?" she asked Quinn just as he opened the door.
"Not really." He turned, ran toward the door they entered, and locked it. He left and went to the back. She heard the clicks of locks engaging and leaned against the wall smiling. Her mate was being thorough she thought as another door opened and he walked down.
Jackie wondered what was in the basement but decided to wait and ask rather than investigate on her own. A few minutes later she heard his footsteps.
"Thanks for reminding me to re-check security." He took her hand, turned and headed back down the hall.
"Where are we going?" She looked back toward the bedroom door and then at his back as they entered the large eat-in kitchen.
"Basement, top notch security. Best of all I recognize it and was able to put in my code to activate it." He stepped into the stairwell, waited for her before closing the door and activating the alarm. Smiling he took her hand and walking in front of her, led her further into the basement.
"It looks better and bigger than upstairs," she said looking around at the comfortable living area with a large flat-screen TV, gourmet kitchen that put the one upstairs to shame, gaming area and three large en-suite bedrooms. Jackie didn't see much, Quinn's long strides had them inside a coral and cream bedroom. With the slam of the door behind them she was back in his arms.
The fire of need had been banked while they saw to their safety, but it was a long way from extinguished. Her arms wrapped around his neck as the kiss deepened. Moaning she pulled at his shirt, needing to feel his skin. They pulled apart gasping. He pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it to the ground.
Had she really thought him human before? The fire behind his dark brown eyes made them a lighter, sherry color that no human she'd ever seen could match. Muscles rippled across his chest and arms as he toed off his shoes and shoved down his jeans.
"Off." He pointed to her reminding her to stop watching and get naked. Eager to be with her mate, Jackie unsnapped her jeans, pushed them down and off. Unbuttoning her blouse, she sensed his gaze and took her time with each button. When done, she dropped it to the ground, reached back, unsnapped her bra and let the strap dangle from her finger. Smiling she looked at him. Her beast yipped and howled from the force of his arousal.
"Come here," she said dropping the bra and placing a finger beneath the elastic band of her panties. "I need a little help getting this off."
Quinn moved so fast she hadn't finished the last of her sentence before he lifted her in his arms, turned and fell on top of her on the bed.
"Tease your mate?" He growled clearly fighting his beast for dominance.
"Can you control him?" She didn't mean to be insulting and for many that question would be an insult but they were mates. She needed to know early on how he handled his beast.
His lips quirked. "He thinks I'm going too slow no matter what I say, he wants us inside you, claiming you."
"All that to say, what? You've got this?" She bit his earlobe.
His long claw ripped her panties.
She smiled and lifted so he could get them off.
"I suppose that's what I'm saying." Lying between her legs he pushed them apart while staring at her. "You're so damn beautiful. I'm the luckiest breed in the world."
He didn't mention pack. The thought slid across her mind and disappeared as his finger slid inside, stretching her. Wiggling slightly to get him where she needed her thoughts centered around the pleasure h
e wrung from her.
"Tight. Sweet," he said after sucking his finger. "Mine." With that one word, he thrust forward.
Jackie bucked and froze at the intrusion.
Quinn stopped. "You okay?"
How do you admit you'd been with a boy you barely felt, but now, being with a man, the stretch, the burn, and the hurt? "Give me a minute." She inhaled and relaxed as her body adjusted, accommodated his much larger girth.
Resting on his forearms, he remained fully inside her without moving. "Take your time, I'm not going anywhere."
Once the burn lessened she did a tentative hip roll.
He groaned but didn't move.
She rolled her hips and lifted slightly.
He groaned again but didn't move.
Sensing he wouldn't do anything until she gave the okay, Jackie relaxed further. She placed her hands on his ass and rubbed his firm cheeks. Their gazes met. His need and desire for her lit another fire in her, inflamed her confidence. She wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him down.
"Ready?" she asked.
He lifted slightly and slid back into her. "Always." With each thrust her need for him grew. She bucked and tried to move faster. He followed her lead, picking up the pace, thrusting deeper, watching her, always watching.
"More," she gasped sensing something just beyond her grasp. "Close."
He drove into her, hard and deep, shoved up her knees. "Wait for me, I'm close." Fast. Faster thrusts. Eyes closed she rose higher and higher. Higher than she had ever been. She hadn't known this level of bliss existed. She cried out as pleasure tore through her. Body shaking, she couldn't wait another second as she flew apart. His shout and shuddering above her announced they had both reached their peaks.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Silas sat back in his chair and stared at the large green, blue and white abstract picture his daughter, Renee, made for him while in college. It seemed just yesterday he held each of his pups in his hand, naming them with hopeful expectations. For the most part they all surpassed anything he could've imagined. His one complaint, if it could be called that, was none of the four seemed interested in remaining in West Virginia at the compound. His building of the art museum in Charleston was proof of how far a father was willing to go to keep his pups near.
He ran his hand through his hair to shake off his melancholy mood. "Jasmine?"
"Yes?"
"Where are you? I need a word." He stood preparing to meet with her.
"I'm here, walking to the door of your office." The outer door opened. He heard her speak to Rose before opening his door. Dressed in brown pin-striped fitted trousers with matching brown boots, and a short sleeve cream shirt she looked delectably polished with her hair pulled back in a bun
Inhaling deeply, he allowed her scent to fill and warm him. He extended his hand. She took it and he enfolded her in his arms. His beast eased as she rubbed his back in silence while sending waves of warmth through their link.
"Jackie met her mate."
Jasmine stiffened and tried to pull away. He held her close. "What? When?"
"An hour ago. It's the young pup, I had Jacques researching."
She eased into his embrace. "The one with Tango's mate? From the restaurant?"
"Yes. Seems they were both human deep and didn't know."
"What changed that?" she asked.
"I don't know. The report came from Gilbert's security guy, the one assigned to Nionis. He was in the car behind them."
"Where was Jackie's security?"
"We're looking into that. I think there was a mix up but won't know for sure until later."
For a few moments, he just held her. "She's too young to be mated."
Jasmine chuckled. "Really? Seems like Rone and Rose mated close to this age."
"So, is this it? Twenty? Is that the age where mates know each other?" he asked wondering how the rest of his pups would take the news.
"I don't know." She paused. "Jackie hasn't contacted me, or Renee I'm guessing. Wonder how she's handling it?"
"It?" he growled suspiciously.
"Mating heat. If it's as strong--"
"Stop. Spare me the image of my princess and someone I cannot find one iota of information about mating."
She rubbed his chest while grinning. "Your princess is becoming a queen, Wolfie. Another man will have the top spot in her life."
"That I don't mind, as long as he's a good man."
"Is there a man good enough for your princesses?" She asked in a sly tone.
He slapped her ass and tugged her closer. "Impertinent."
"Accurate assessment you mean."
"Not really. My wolf's aggravated because her mate is a mystery and isn't in our system."
Jasmine stilled. "What do you mean not in the system? He's not a rebel or something like that is he?"
"I don't know who the hell he is and that pisses me off." He released her waist but held onto her hand. "Who is Quinn York?"
"Other than your son-in-law I don't know," Jasmine said softly reminding him of his daughter's mated status.
"This can be a disaster. A rebel? You're the only reason I haven't had Gilbert or the Tennessee KnightForce get involved." He looked down at her. Read the compassion in her gaze and released a stream of air. "How do you want to handle it?"
"Wait for her to contact us. It's what I would want if it were me. When she contacts us with the news we'll deal with who he is at that time. Remember, this mating thing goes both ways. He has to accept her and we're part of the deal."
Silas snorted. "You're sure about that?"
She squeezed his hand. "Yes. Family is important, we raised them that way."
"I'd give up everyone to be with you," he said softly.
"You were raised differently, Silas. I'll bet she tells her sister before 24 hours passes. If Renee doesn't do something I'll be surprised. My guess is she'll go check the guy out and no, we won't ask her any questions or interfere with their relationship. Jackie will tell us when she's ready."
"You have a lot of faith in them." Being wolf he wasn't as sure as his mate over how his pups would respond in a mating situation.
"I've been through this with Rone and Rese. When you teach children the importance of family, they don't forget. Stop worrying. If ... what's his name?"
"Quinn."
"If Quinn is the man the Goddess or whoever assigns mates, has for Jackie, then we need to support them not make it harder."
He leaned back and stared at her. "You're not upset? You're ready to give our daughter to a stranger? And unregistered person, which is against our laws by the way."
"What happens if Jackie refuses her mate?"
Silas heard Jasmine's frustration but refused to give in, this was too important. "Breeds can walk away, she doesn't have to mate with him."
"No, but it'd be painful for her." She paused. "What's going on with you? Why am I defending pack policy? If it was another pack member would you react this way?"
"Maybe. He's unregistered, Jasmine. A law-breaker, someone who's against rules I created. I know nothing about him, that's the issue here."
"Okay, as long as it's not you wanting to hang on longer to your princess," she muttered.
"No. Well that may be part of it but there's a larger picture. What does he do when he learns she's my daughter and he's a lawbreaker?"
"What if Jackie knows he a lawbreaker and hasn't turned him in?" Jasmine countered.
Silas hadn't thought of that but knowing Jackie, he'd say Jasmine was right.
"If she hasn't turned him in it's for a good reason. At some point we need to trust our children's judgment as they go into the world," Jasmine added.
"How does that look? What message does it send that my pup allows lawbreakers to go free? It sets her up as judge, which she's not authorized to do." He shook his head. "This can of worms shouldn't be opened. I need to put a stop to it before things get worse."
Jasmine crossed her arms, meeting his gaze with fir
e in her eyes. "I hope you're not going to interfere with Jackie and Quinn's mating."
"Not directly. We need to know more about him, learn if he poses a threat," he said trying to make her understand.
"First off, if Jackie's mate is a threat to pack, we'll deal with it at the appropriate time. Like I said the bond goes both ways, he can't hurt or deny her either. That connection puts us in a better position to find a way to fix a problem."
Desperate, Silas spoke his fear. "What if he takes her away, hides her somewhere?"
Her brow rose along with an inelegant snort. "Is there a place on the earth I can't find my kids? Or you?"
A knot in his chest eased. His mate was right. As Alpha and sire, he could find his pups anywhere. Maybe Jasmine had a point and his reaction wasn't rational.
"Plus, Jackie's not weak. No man can put her in chains and keep her from what she truly wants. To think that's a possibility is an insult to the woman who raised her," Jasmine said firmly. "Once the mating frenzy eases up, she'll be able to think clearer. Don't do anything that will damage our relationship with either of them, Silas. I mean it."
Silas read the steely determination in her gaze and ran his hand through his hair. "Okay. You're the expert on family. You say the family bond will over-ride pack mentality to cleave to your mate."
Jasmine rolled her eyes. "That's not what I said."
Pleased he'd goaded her out of her anger, he smiled. "I'll back off for now. Jacques will continue searching for information on the pup, and I'll have Gilbert's security give them space. Will that make you happy?"
"Yes." She paused. "When David finds out, will he stay or go find Sarita?"
Silas had wondered about that. "I think he'll look for her to see if they're mates."
Jasmine nodded. "Renee and Tomas?"
"I never thought they were mates, Renee needs a stronger wolf than Tomas. They'll reconnect to verify that for themselves."
"I liked Tomas. He supported Renee's passion for art, and she put down her paintbrush to watch him play sports. For her, that spoke louder than words," Jasmine said.
"True. But I never thought it was love, gratitude maybe." He paused and then grunted. "A picture of Quinn York's been uploaded. Want to see?"
