Wolfsbane

by Ronie Kendig

  “You all right?”

  The quiet masculine voice pulled her around.

  Leif Metcalfe hesitated a few feet away, hands tucked into the pockets of his jeans. The youngest brother so resembled Canyon the awareness caught her off guard. He’d come from the side of the house, which meant he had a perfect view of them as they kissed. Had he seen the exchange? Somehow, something in his expression said yes, he’d seen everything.

  An engine roared to life.

  Dani turned in the direction of the sound, the same direction Canyon had gone.

  Pealing tires rent the night.

  She shuddered against the sound but recovered. Stiffened her spine. “I think I’m ready to leave.” Canyon—he’d had her keys! How would she get home now?

  Seconds later, Stone and Willow burst onto the back porch. “What was that?” Willow asked as she rushed down the steps.

  “Canyon,” Leif said.

  “What happened?” Stone asked his little brother as his gaze skipped to Dani, then to the front of the house.

  Leif cast a look to Dani, and she willed him not to say what he’d seen—if he’d seen anything. Guilt and shame mingled, making her muscles ache. Who was she kidding? She’d allowed Range’s attention for the sole purpose of being around Canyon. How could she be so callous and cruel? And now, the family she adored would find out she was an awful person. It would happen sooner or later. She never understood why they’d accepted her—they were perfect. Perfect Christians. Perfect family. And she was … far from it.

  “You know Canyon,” Leif finally mumbled.

  “Yeah, I do, which is why I came out.” Willow frowned at Dani.

  “Same here. He’s never angry.”

  Except with me. Ashamed and guilt ridden, Dani stared at the ground.

  “Mom needs your help in the kitchen, Leif.” Willow tucked a hand through Dani’s arm and led her away from the house, Stone on her heels. “Want to tell me what happened?”

  “Nothing.”

  Stopped, Willow checked the house. “Canyon left here ticked off. My brother … you might not know him very well, but it takes a lot to get him riled. He’s been to hell and back, and he can roll with just about any punch.”

  Dani felt her chin trembling and chewed the inside of her lip to stop the involuntary reaction. “Look, I’ve just been here too long, okay? I’m tired and should get home—my dad had called my cell phone several times.”

  It wasn’t a whole lie. He’d called. Twice. Because he couldn’t find something. He wouldn’t worry about her. Never had. Nobody had.

  Except Canyon.

  “Dani?”

  “Look. I know everyone in your family has decided I’m Range’s girlfriend. I get it. I do. And I’m very grateful to him. He’s handsome, he’s sweet, he saved my life—” It felt as if a spark had lit her fuse. “But I’ve spent time with Canyon. Took a walk with him. He taught me to surf. And last night, he knew I was—”

  “Wait.” Hand up, Willow’s brow knitted. “How many times have you and Canyon been out?”

  Wow, why did that sound so bad the way Willow said it? Dani shrugged. “Just a couple of times. Maybe three.”

  “Three?” Stone’s face personified his name—a granite expression, hard, unpliable.

  Panic ping-ponged through her belly. “I know how it looks, but you don’t understand—”

  “No,” Willow said. “I think you’re the one who doesn’t understand—”

  “Leave it, Willow,” Stone ordered.

  Wait. What were they hiding or protecting her from? “What?” Dani shifted between the siblings. “What aren’t you telling me?”

  In the darkening night, Willow seemed to pale. “Never mind.” She pushed her hair back, then pointed to the car. “Canyon put your keys in the ignition.” She backed away, unwilling to look at Dani. “Excuse me.”

  “Willow?” Dani whirled to find Stone watching her. His expression inscrutable. His eyes unreadable. “I know you think I’m horrible, but—”

  “No, it’s …” A shaky smile drew across his face. “Don’t worry. Everything will be fine.”

  The last time someone said that, she spent months as a sex slave.

  Virginia Beach, Virginia 29 April

  “Man, you suck.”

  Gulping the pill, Canyon whipped around, planting his board in the sand. “Stone.” Had his brother seen him down the painkiller? He’d hidden it all this time, buried the pain, the memories, the guilt … buried them with a hefty dose of medicine. As a medic, he knew it wasn’t the right way to handle his issues. But seeing a psychiatrist would only get him diagnosed with PTSD. A label didn’t help. He knew what he was dealing with.

  Correction. Running away from.

  He smoothed a hand down the back of his neck. Maybe he should talk to them, come clean. For a moment he considered his brother. Yeah, right. With all Stone was dealing with, he didn’t need Canyon’s trouble. Besides, it would beg questions about the pills. No way would he face questions about taking them.

  He glanced to the bank of cars lining the street and swept the salt water from his face. “What’re you doing here? Is everything okay? Marie?”

  “Marie is … Marie. Nothing has changed there. I’m not sure why I ever thought I could tame her.” His older brother pushed off the rock and sauntered closer, his hands in the pockets of his slacks. “I’ve watched you compete at this sport for years.” He bobbed his head toward the tumbling waves. “But I’ve never seen you fall off as much as you did in the last half hour.”

  Half hour? Had Stone been here that long? Canyon grabbed a towel and dried his face. “Water’s choppy, unpredictable.” So was his heart. And mind.

  “That’s never bothered you before.”

  “Doesn’t bother me now but makes the ride different.”

  Stone nodded to the bottle resting at the top of Canyon’s pack. “Back still giving you problems?”

  “Yeah.” Warmth speared him. He’d never lied to his brother. But Stone had a reason for being here, and it didn’t have to do with surfing or back problems.

  “Board needs more wax.” With that, Canyon started priming his board for another run to work off the tension.

  “What happened at the house, Canyon?” Firm, stern, and direct. Stone had never been any other way. It’s what made him a good lawyer and city councilman.

  “Nothing.” Why did he feel like he was seventeen again and coming to painful terms with his idiocy and arrogance, terms that had severed his relationship with his family for two long years? He smoothed the wax over the deck, working the knots out of his shoulders with each circuit. Anything to keep from seeing the disappointment in Stone’s face.

  “This has a lot of the same earmarks as—”

  “Don’t!” Canyon spun. Pointed at his brother. “Just … just leave it alone. Same as I’m doing. Okay? I’ve changed. That’s a lesson I don’t need to learn again.”

  Stone studied him.

  Since when did his brother have the same eyes as their father? Or the same tight, disapproving lips as their mom? When his brother finally turned back toward the water, Canyon realized he’d been ready for a fight. He let his shoulders ease down. Took a calm breath. Used the towel to wipe off his hands.

  Stone squinted against the setting sun. “It’s been a long time since you were mad enough to snap at me.”

  Canyon wrung the towel.

  “If you don’t want to talk, I get it. But I’m worried.”

  “Well—”

  “Don’t tell me not to worry. I can see it written all over your face, Midas.”

  Canyon gritted his teeth. The high school moniker carried through during Special Forces training and right to Nightshade. But nobody—save Stone—knew how much he hated that name. Which was why Canyon kept using it. To remind himself of the mistakes, his stupidity.

  Stone swiped a finger across his upper lip. “Okay, listen, I can’t leave here without saying this.”

  Defenses up, hea
rt perimeter armed, Canyon stood ready for the lecture.

  “I know you like her.”

  That wasn’t a lecture. And stupid lug that he was, Canyon looked at his brother.

  “A lot.”

  Truth pushed Canyon’s attention to the sand.

  “From what I saw at the house Sunday, the feelings are returned.”

  Pulse racing, he swallowed. Man, he’d never forget kissing Roark. How everything in life faded away during that moment.

  His brother huffed. “You’ve always had a special touch when it comes to women.” Stone held up his hand. “No, even I can admit it. But I don’t know if what Danielle feels is because of your charms or if it’s real. Either way, it makes me wonder …”

  “What?”

  “If you were out of the picture, would she welcome Range’s attention?”

  The question hit center mass. Canyon thrust the towel onto his pack. “Not a problem.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I’m going to make it clear there’s only one Metcalfe she can date.”

  “Is that why you’ve avoided her and the family for nearly two weeks?”

  He shook his head against the warning in his brother’s voice. “I’ve made up my mind. I crossed a line. It won’t happen again. I swore thirteen years ago I wouldn’t interfere again with Range.” He fastened his attention on his brother. “I keep my promises. No Metcalfe cuts in on another.”

  “You’re scared.”

  He scoffed.

  Stone stretched his jaw, peeked out at the water again. “What happens when you realize your plan isn’t going to work?”

  “Of course it will.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I’m not going to repeat high school.”

  Stone tilted his head. “You think this is high school all over again?”

  Arms wide, Canyon chuckled. “What else? I mean, isn’t that what everyone’s thinking? There goes Canyon again. Stepping in on Range’s girl.”

  Closing the gap, Stone frowned. “You’re dealing with a grown woman who has been severely traumatized.”

  Was Stone really angry? “Actually,” Canyon said as he moved back, still assessing his brother’s reaction. “I’m not.” When Stone scowled at him, Canyon raised his hands in surrender. “Like I said, I’m not going to repeat my mistake. He wants her….” The words caught at the back of his throat. He couldn’t finish the thought audibly.

  “Canyon, you’re headed for trouble.”

  He laughed. “Dude, chill. I just told you—I’m out of the picture. Gone. Range can have her.” Acid had nothing on the way those words ate at him. “I’m not going anywhere near her.” That was the truth. He’d resolved to stay away from her now. He’d gotten close, stolen that kiss—man, what a kiss!—and then his brain returned. Range would kill him if he knew.

  “You’ve been out with her three times already.”

  He scowled. “You’re out of your mind.”

  Stone shoved a fist between them. “One”—he raised a finger—“you went to her house.” He raised another finger. “Two, you took a walk with her on the beach.” A third. “Then you gave her surf lessons.”

  “So what?”

  “What happened to your self-imposed rule of only one date?”

  Canyon shrugged. “Those aren’t dates. We just … talked.” How could he explain without violating Roark’s trust, without telling his brother she’d tried to kill herself? “Listen, I was helping her work through the trauma.” He gave another shrug. “Seriously. That’s it.”

  “When your feelings for her catch up with your denial, you know where to find me.” Stone turned and trudged up the beach.

  Denial. Canyon snorted. Whatever. He grabbed his board and started back into the water when his phone rang. He riffled through his pack and found the phone. His adrenaline cranked at the caller ID. He pressed the button. “Go for Metcalfe.”

  “AHOD now.”

  The gruff all-hands-on-deck command told him two things. One, the Old Man had gotten things lined up. Two, Nightshade would escort Roark back to Venezuela.

  Which meant his vow to Stone was a lie.

  Roark Residence, Virginia 29 April

  “It’s time.”

  Dani shifted in the early morning sunshine streaming onto the patio. The general, dressed in uniform, had come on official business. The business of the U.S. government determined to dump her in a jungle. She was unable to move as his ominous words slithered around her heart. Choked off the singular hope that this nightmare would meld into the dark void where she’d hidden the memories of captivity. Rape. Bruzon. Now, she was headed straight back into his territory. Denial webbed her feet to the floor. “Time?” Why did she act like an imbecile and ask a question she already knew the answer to? “Yes.”

  It’d been weeks since the hearing. Enough time to believe this day might not come. “Now?”

  “I’m afraid so. And we must hurry.”

  “Hurry where?” Her father emerged from the house, decked out in one of his slick Italian suits and sporting a glare that bespoke the famous tension between the two men.

  Trepidation held her fast. Even though she knew what General Lambert referred to, she could not bring herself to speak it. “It’s time, Michael.”

  Her father stilled, his hazel eyes flicking between the two of them.

  “I … I, uh, guess I should get my things.” Dani skirted the table and started toward the house. “Pack light.”

  “Danielle,” her father said. “See me in my office before you leave.” “I don’t think that’s wise, Michael.” “Don’t tell me how to manage my own affairs.” Pulled around by the sharp tone, Dani waited at the french doors. Her father looked ready to blow a fuse. One that led to a twelve-kiloton blast.

  “I meant no disrespect.” The general nodded to her. “We have little time.”

  “She certainly has time to say good-bye to her father.” With that, he stalked to his office.

  After a furtive glance at the general, she darted up the stairs. She stepped into a pair of black jeans and a burgundy T-shirt. Once she managed to tie her hair up, she grabbed a few unmentionables, a pair of jeans, a couple of T-shirts, and toiletries, then stuffed them into a duffel bag. She’d been on enough military operations to know to pack only the necessities. The Corps of Engineers had taught her a lot about discipline and efficiency. She could only hope those got her through this rerun of a nightmare she’d hoped to blot out of her mind.

  Back downstairs, she debated whose patience to tempt. Her father’s by not saying good-bye, which was weird anyway. He’d never been an emotional person. Never liked good-bye. Even insisted her mother’s casket be closed for the ceremony. Or she could tempt the general’s, and what would she lose? Not getting to go—yeah, right. Like Lambert would let her get away with that.

  She diverted from the stairs and quickened her pace. At his office door, she raised her hand to knock.

  “Leave her out of this!” her father shouted.

  Another voice rumbled but the words proved indiscernible.

  Dani eased open the door.

  Her father’s gaze snapped to hers, his hardened expression remained fixed.

  The general moved into her view. “Are you ready?”

  No. “I have my things.”

  Olin nodded.

  “Danielle.” Her father came closer. “Here.” He lifted a gold chain with a ruby-embedded rose dangling from the pendant. “It was your mother’s. She wanted you to have this.”

  Dani let her father slip the beautiful piece around her neck. But a weight plunked against her stomach. Why did this gesture feel so much like, “Good-bye, I’ll never see you again”?

  CHAPTER 11

  Nightshade Shack, Virginia

  1 May

  Dude, I think you need a new call sign.” Calling one of the newest members of Nightshade “Squirt” didn’t sit right with Canyon.

  John Dighton quirked an eyebrow. “Why?” He grinn
ed. “Is it intimidating?”

  “No, just makes me think you’re some punk kid—worse than the Kid.”

  “Hey, I heard that.” The Kid sauntered into the Shack and dropped his duffel.

  Canyon nodded. “See what I mean?”

  Grinning, the former Navy SEAL bent over the table, palms pressed against a large map.

  “If you would like a new call sign,” Azzan said as he joined them, “make sure Midas doesn’t give you the name.”

  “Why?” Dighton considered Canyon warily.

  “Because of him, they now call me Aladdin.”

  “Dude, what can I say?” Arms held out to the side, Canyon chuckled. “On a surfboard, flying over the water, you look like Aladdin.”

  “That is a discriminatory and derogatory statement. Being half-Palestinian, half-Jewish doesn’t make me a medieval character from Arabia.”

  Canyon eyed him. “You’re learning American political correctness fast.”

  Aladdin shrugged. “I must blend in, right?”

  “Gather up,” Max said, hands on his belt as he stood at the head of the conference area with Cowboy beside him. “We’ve got a lot to work out. The Old Man is en route with the girl.”

  Should’ve greased up. Maybe then she wouldn’t recognize him painted up. Like when they went deep into the Philippines and Max’s wife hadn’t recognized him. Was it too much to hope for that Roark wouldn’t realize he was there?

  “Squirt is going to give the rundown on the details.”

  Squirt faced the team. “First, I appreciate your trust. It’s not taken lightly—”

  “Whoa.” The Kid stood straight. “Is that an accent I’m hearing?”

  Scowling, Squirt speared the Kid with a fierce look. “Be careful, Kid. You start getting smart, they might mistake you for someone else.”

  Laughter trickled through the room but Canyon had noticed it, too. Dighton had an accent. “Down Under?”