by Robyn, Amy
I believe in us, that is why “yes” came so easily for me. I now look forward to the future instead of hiding from my past. I rest my head against his and breathe him in. I had never believed in love at first sight until our eyes met the first time.
“I love you.” I whisper to him before sleep takes me.
Chapter 13.
We are getting ready to go to the police station. James set it up so that we get five minutes alone with the bastard that tormented Emma while she was held captive. I would like nothing more then to spend that five minutes beating the crap out of him, but this is Emma's show. She needs the closure and to face her fear. I will do whatever she wants me to do.
It is not all that shocking that her brothers insist on coming with us. They have agreed to wait in the other room though. I am thankful they didn't fight me on that. They do not need to be privy of all that occurred that horrible day that she was with those evil men. It should be up to her if she wants them to know.
When we get there Riley and Logan both give Emma a hug before we are led back into a room. The room is perfectly square. There is a mirror on one wall and the others are white and bare. In the center of the room is a table and on one side is a man cuffed to a chair both hands and feet. On the other side are two chairs for us to sit on.
Emma ignores the chairs and walks up to the disheveled man. He looks startled to see her here. Good. She stops in front of him.
“Why?” She asks. He turns his head and ignores her. She leans down and says something quietly. I can't hear what she is saying. When she pulls her head back I think it's the end, but then she lunges forward and knees him in the nuts. The guy turns red and then nearly purple before he screams.
James comes in and doubles over in laughter. I thought he would pull her away and reprimand her, instead he pulls her into a big hug. I growl at him and pull her away. James is still laughing his ass off. The monster is crying and cursing in Russian. When Emma starts laughing also, I can't help but join in. The laughter is a healing laughter. One of letting go and choosing life. One of a promised future.
James takes us into another room and tells us that they have Alexander Babikov's location. Apparently, the monster has been letting Alexander stay in his girlfriend's house, while his girlfriend stayed with him. When said girlfriend found out what he had done to Emma and probably worse to countless other women, she decided to tell James all that she knows. Thankfully all she really knows is where the main prick is staying.
Alexander will be in custody before the end of day. Ethan who will be showing up in the next few minutes will be leading the team and making the arrest. Everyone is very excited to see the end of this whole ordeal. This man has been kidnapping women and selling them as though they are nothing more than cattle.
“You ready to go?” I ask Emma as we walk to the front again to meet up with her brothers.
“I would like to meet Ethan before we go.” She says. I nod my head and lead her back into the lobby. The brothers are already on their feet and exchanging hugs with a man with similar looks, only larger in height and build. Still not as large as Talon, but not many in the world are. He comes closer than most though.
“This is our sister, Emma.” Riley says. Ethan walks over and tries to cup her cheek and she flinches. He pulls back and I can see a tick starting in his jaw. He doesn't like seeing her fear, anymore than the rest of us do. He puts his hand out and she places her hand in his. He smiles down at her.
“Sister.” He says as emotions play across his face. You can tell he is struggling to keep from pulling her in and hugging her. She must have noticed also. She walks into his arms and wraps hers around him. He lets out a strangled sound and holds her in his arms. It is a beautiful moment and I am not even jealous that she is in another mans arms. That is a huge concession for me.
“You look just like mom.” He tells her as he pulls back and looks down at her. She laughs softly.
“Yes, everyone has said so.” He laughs boisterously.
“I bet they have. I am so glad to meet you.” He hugs her one last time and then steps back and looks at me.
“This is my One, Forest.” Emma introduces. I put my hand out and clasp his firmly.
“I have heard a lot about you Forest. I get to work closely with you guys.” He has a firm grip. He doesn't try to show his massive strength like some will. He is humble like Talon. It makes me proud to welcome him to the family. I think he and Talon will hit it off very well.
“We look forward to it.” I honestly say.
“Everyone has been very welcoming except your sister. I think she thinks I am a.... hmm.. what was it again... Oh yeah a puffed up jerk is what she called me.” Ethan says and I can't help it I start laughing. I mean clutching my belly in laughter.
“She said that to your face?” Emma's eyes widen as she asks.
“No, I have only talked to her on the phone. We might have gotten off on the wrong foot. I might have even called her a pretentious bitch.” Riley and I both growl.
“Hey, I know I was wrong and I plan on making things right. In my defense I had just tied up a case on a serial killer, that we had been tracking for two years and the fucker injured my partner in the take down. I was a little wrung out. I will apologize to her when I see her.” He looks over at Riley.
“Is she your One?” Ethan asked Riley who still looks pissed on Jenna's behalf.
“No, but I can dream. The woman is perfect.” Riley says. Poor guy has a monster sized crush on my sister. My sister is old school. She doesn't believe in wasting time dating if it's not her One. Riley has zero chance.
James comes out of the back room followed by a dozen officers. He walks over and they start making introductions. I grab Emma's hand to leave. She calls out to Ethan over her shoulder.
“Come over for breakfast in the morning.” She yells over all of the voices. Ethan beams at her.
“I wouldn't miss it for the world.” He says with a wink at her. We get out to the car and all pile in.
“I have one more stop to make.” I tell her as I pull out of the parking lot. She just nods. She has no idea what I plan to do. I pull into the jewelers parking lot and her eyes widen when she looks at me.
“Really?” She whispers.
“I can't have my fiance walking around without a ring.” She beams at me as her brothers shout congratulations to us.
We walk into the shop and it only takes her moments to choose her ring. Her eyes were so drawn to it that the others faded into the background. It was perfect. It looked like a standard princess cut except it has light purple diamonds surrounding the larger diamond. She is all smiles when I slide it onto her finger. Riley and Logan slap me on the back before pulling Emma in for a hug.
“This is the beginning of our journey.” I say as kiss her lightly on the lips. She smiles up at me though her tears.
“I will love you always.” She says as the tears spill over and down her cheeks.
Book 6. Jenna
Chapter 1.
Today has started out terrible. I woke up late and tripped over a pair of my shoes on the way to the bathroom. I swear I had put those damn things away last night. I tore two pairs of pantyhose while putting them on and jabbed my eye with my mascara brush. It has been a nightmare so far. I walk out of my house and see that the neighbor's dog has gotten out again. I take him to their backdoor and stub my toe on a rock on the way. My cursing spooks the big dog and he ends up dragging me all over the yard before I can finally get him put away.
I am cranky and practically spitting fire by the time I get to the office. It can only get better. Right? Obviously not, when I tried unlocking the front door using my car key and it takes me ten minutes to get it back out. The phone is ringing like crazy and Sarah is not at her desk. Three guesses where she is. I growl as I make my way over to it.
“Windwalkers Incorporated. How may I direct your call?” I answer in the standard greeting.
“This is Ethan McMahon. I need to speak
to Aaron.” He says abruptly. It pisses me off. I met his mother and I know she did not teach her boy to talk to a woman that way.
“Did your mother teach you please and thank you?” I ask snidely. I know some of my low tolerance is due to the crap morning that I have had, but he is rude. I normally would just transfer someone without remarking, even when they are complete jerks. I can't do it today.
“Excuse me?” He asks as though I have somehow offended him.
“I met your mother last night and I know she would not appreciate how you speak to women.” There, put that in your pipe and smoke it.
“Look, I don't know who you are, but I need to speak to Aaron. It is a matter of urgency and I do not have time to answer to a pretentious bitch.” Oh hell no he did not just say that to me.
“This is Jenna Windwalker. I will transfer you to my brother. You puffed up jerk.” I wanted to call him more but I (unlike him) was taught not to curse at people. I wish I would never have to meet the giant ass. Ugh, I will though undoubtedly. He is going to be working with us and his sister is marrying my brother. Maybe it's time to move away. I roll my eyes as I transfer his call to Aaron. I am being pathetic. I will just ignore him. It's a good thing his brothers are very nice.
I spend the rest of the day in my office. I had no client calls to make today which makes things easier. I catch up on paperwork where my only concern is not getting a paper cut. I even stay locked away during lunch. At four thirty I decide to call it a day. I will order a pizza and call it an early night. Tomorrow is a new day. Thankfully. Hopefully it is better. Let's face it, it can't get worse.
Chapter 2.
I am exhausted and yet here I am leading a team into hell. We are going in blind because we can't risk the perpetrator discovering that he has been made, and trying to flee. This fuck needs to be brought down. He is the one who kidnapped my sister for the second time in her life. I will take down the entire house if it means getting to him.
Fuck the rules in this take down. This shit is personal. We have the house completely surrounded and now we wait to make sure he is inside. I have taken out my binoculars and I'm looking in through the living room window. If he is there it is just a matter of time before he passes in front of it.
Even if he tries to flee there isn't anywhere for him to go. Unless he has an underground tunnel. The layout we received from a realty company says there isn't. The house looks like all of the others on the block. I call them cookie cutter houses. I would never want to own one. Come on people haven't you heard of originality.
There it is, movement. I see him pass by the window. That is what I have been waiting for. I hold my hand up to the men, a sign to hold their position. I keep watching until he passes the window again before crossing the street. I know that he is in the back of the house, so that is where I head.
I put my hand up again for them to hold as I duck into the backyard. I do not want them with me because I may need to use my gifts. I want to get in, kick this guy in the balls, and get him cuffed. It sounds easy, but these things rarely are. I keep to the shadows and away from any windows.
When I get to the backdoor I Pull my gun out of my holster. I make the element air lift a stick from the lawn and have scratch across the door. I wait a moment. When I do not hear the sound of footsteps, I do it again, only harder and louder.
I hear movement. I raise my gun and point it at the door at head level, as the door is thrown open. I am to the side and therefore he doesn't see me yet. He points his gun out in front of him and I use air to pull it out of his hands. I hear a pop from his shoulder since he was holding the gun so tightly. That's going to hurt like a bitch. Sure enough he lets out a howl. I use air to hold his arms up in the air as I walk up to him.
“What the fuck.” He shouts when he tries to move from his invisible bonds. He finally sees me come at him. His eyes bulge and he starts to sweat. If only he knew that if I wanted to, I could pull every bit of moisture from his body and watch him shrivel and die. I could use air to raise him thousands of feet in the air and drop him. I could make the earth open up and bury him alive. In other words, he is lucky I am a good guy.
“What the fuck are you?” He says in his thick Russian accent. I do not answer him as I empty his pockets, I am surprised the wanna be mafia prick isn't wearing a holster. I start searching everywhere else and I find a gun in the back of his pants and a couple of knives strapped to his legs. I pull out his wallet and check his ID. He has six different driver's licenses and three thousand in cash. I am not surprised. I know from his picture though that this is Alexander Babikov. I kick him in the balls. He screams. What a little bitch.
“That is for kidnapping my sister.” I tell him and then pull out my cuffs and cuff his hands behind his back.
“Be glad I am a police officer or I would be burying you.” I grab his arm and lead him around to the front of the house. I make sure to jerk him around by the shoulder that is dislocated. Is it bad that I enjoy his suffering, like he enjoyed so many women's.
“Alright boys. Get in the house and find anything you can that ties this asshole to the kidnappings.” I tell them as I shove his ass into the back of Steven's car. I slap the hood.
“Take him directly to the Chief. Tell him that this is my present to him. Make sure to lead him with the right arm. I dislocated it” Steven laughs as he puts the car in drive and takes off for the station. I head in to the house after the all clear is given. I divide the guys in to teams and send them in different directions, that way we can meet in the middle. I pull out my phone and call my mother who will be close to my sister and can give her the good news.
My mother answers the phone on the first ring, “Ethan. Is everything alright?” I want to laugh. This is how she always answers. It must come with being a mother, worrying about everything.
“Everything is fine, mom. I wanted you to let Emma and Forest know that we just arrested Alexander Babikov.” Mom sighs.
“Thank goodness. Are you hurt? Was anyone hurt?” There she goes worrying again.
“I am fine, mom. No one was injured. Let Forest know to remain diligent. We do not know yet if he might have sent someone else to get her again.” I am pretty sure we are in the clear, but it is always good to remain cautious, until certain.
“I will let them know. Where are you staying tonight?” She asks.
“I am staying with Gage and Ashley tonight.” It seems strange staying with strangers. Psions are a close knit community and we are always there for each other. It still feels strange. I have only talked to two of the Windwalkers and one was a disaster and the other was very polite and inviting.
Jenna, what a pain in the ass. Regardless I need to apologize. I was sleep deprived and stressed out. My partner and I had been tracking a serial killer for two years. The take down didn't go as planned and Bill, my partner, was hurt. He survived, barely. He is retiring early though. Not that I blame him. He is twenty years my senior. I will miss his advice.
I will apologize as soon as I see her. She was a bit of a bitch, but I had no right to tell her that. Who knows maybe she had been having a bad day too. All I know is that I am not looking forward to meeting her. My brother seems quite taken with her. Too bad she isn't his One. Riley will make a great husband some day. He is very always respectful.
I hang up with my mother and call Gage.
“Hello.” He answers.
“Hi Gage, this is Ethan. I wanted to get your address, so that I can head over there when I wrap this all up.” He gladly rattles off his address and I write it down.
“Did you get the bastard?” He asks.
“Yes we did.” I hear him sigh.
“Thank Fuck for that.” He says and I burst into laughter. Thank fuck indeed. He took the words right out of my mouth.
“I am so thankful I will be staying with you. Cursing is my greatest vice.” Gage laughs.
“You will find every one of us curses. Even my sweet looking sister can sound like a sailor when provoked.
” Yeah, I saw that side of her already buddy. I do not say that though. I am looking forward to getting to know Gage, he sounds alright to me.
I hurry and get off the phone with him and join the team in searching the residence. It isn't long before I am shocked to find all kinds of things linking him to the kidnappings. I thought I would have to search much harder to find anything. I gather it all and I am getting ready to leave when we hear muffled yelling. Where the fuck is that coming from. I listen to the earth. She tells me they is below ground.
It takes me a little while to find the hidden stairs that lead down into a basement and what I find makes bile rise in my throat. There are at least ten girls here and two are being held at gunpoint. Fuck. The women look pale and all of them are unclothed. They all stare at me with fright and horror. I shudder to think about what they have been through.
“Alright, you have our attention. Why don't you let the girls go.” I put my hands up and act as though I am as harmless as a kitten, when I am anything but harmless.
“Fuck you. You will just kill us.” Stupid ass number one says. They certainly were not paid for their intelligence.
“The only way you are making it out of here is in cuffs or a body bag. Choose now.” They do not answer with words, but they tighten their grasp on both the women and their guns. Idiots.
I use air to pull their fingers off of the triggers and yank the guns from their hands. They gasp in shock and then in pain as I start pulling the the moisture from their bodies, until they collapse unconscious. I decide to let them live and stop before it is too late. Already their organs are deprived and they will need to be hospitalized to regain the fluid they lost. I did warn them. It's not my fault that they are stupid.
I put my hands out non threateningly and walk toward the girls.
“I am a police officer. I am here to help you. Is there any more guys like these two?” They shake their heads. I lean down and handcuff these fucking idiots, just in case they regain consciousness. I count the girls and then pull out my radio.
