Her Stepbrothers' Demands

by Trinity Blacio

  “And you are?” The one man stepped around Daman, glaring at him.

  “That is my grandson R.D. Madox, his father stands next to him, Cole Madox, and I’m Hendrix Madox. Now, why the intrusion into our home?” their grandfather asked, coming out of the office. R.D. had to hold back the smile as all three men took a step back.

  His grandfather, even at the age of 200, scared shifters in their prime and humans didn’t stand a chance. “We were investigating a tip left by an informant that Ms. Alexander’s company is laundering stolen money from your own company, Mr. Madox.” The man stared at R.D., and he smiled.

  “Really, I never heard of any such thing and, believe me, I would be the first to know if any of my money was missing. As a matter of fact, I believe my brother sent her some money to invest for us. We always like to help new companies start out.” R.D. stated.

  “Nice try Mr. Madox, but your company isn’t the only one involved. Ms. Alexander, we need to see all of your books now and I’m afraid you’ll have to come with us.” The man stepped to the side, trying to reach Jasmine.

  Her little gasp behind him and the fear that radiated from her, made both R.D. and his father growl.

  “I’m afraid that will not be happening. My granddaughter goes nowhere without us, plus as my grandson has mentioned, Ms. Alexander is not well. You can contact our attorney. I’m sure you have heard of him,” his grandfather took over, as R.D. turned to kneel in front of Jasmine.

  Tears rolled down her cheeks. “We’ll fix this, Princess, I promise,” R.D. whispered and reached up, brushing the tears away.

  “I’m sorry, sir, but I have orders to take her downtown with all her files now,” the guy demanded behind him.

  R.D. turned to see the man who had been doing all the talking take out a piece of paper. “This here is my warrant. Do I need to call in extra help or are you going to step aside and allow me to do my job?” the man snapped.

  “Hendrick, I’ll go. Please let’s not start trouble,” Jasmine scooted to the edge of the couch, placing her hand on his shoulder trying to lift herself up, but fell back with a cry of pain.

  “Don’t do that again. You are going to sit right there. Young man, get Terrace White on the phone now!” his grandfather snapped at the man.

  R.D. stood. He had had enough and was going to get rid of this trash, when her small hand slipped into his. He looked down and she shook her head. “Please, I don’t want you to get into trouble.” Her big brown eyes held so much pain that his heart was breaking.

  “I’m not going to get into trouble, Princess.” He leaned down and kissed her lips softly. “Katherine, will you pack some things for Jasmine? Take father with you, because right now we don’t need him…” he looked over at his father as did Katherine.

  Katherine gasped and jumped up, moving to his father side, twining her fingers with his claw hand, hiding it behind her back. “Come, we need to pack Jasmine some things to take and I really don’t want to go into that room after…well you know,” she whispered, running her cheek against his father’s chest.

  “Ms. Alexander isn’t going anywhere?” the fed said, right before he started talking into his cell phone.

  “Come, father will take care of this. Jasmine, we’ll pack some of your books you love too. Tomorrow I’ll have Daman and a couple of men bring the rest of your things to the main house,” his father stated, ignoring the men behind him as he turned to wink at Jasmine.

  His father’s gaze met his. “Maybe it’s best we eat at the main house, get her settled there. I’ll have the cars ready.”

  “You’ll go nowhere, none of you. We are inside, sir,” the supposedly fed said into the phone, waving a gun at them. The other two men spread out, also holding weapons. “Yes, we’ll wait for your arrival Mr. Bellow. Yes, the outside is secured. We have our men moving in now.”

  The stupid man on the phone didn’t realize he just sealed his own death. Before he had hung up, R.D., his father and grandfather were moving.

  Chapter Six

  Jasmine was so shocked by the man’s words, she didn’t notice how the others were reacting until R.D. released her hand. Logan flattened her down onto the couch, covering her with his body as her mother came flying back onto the couch to join them, with Daman protecting her.

  A growl, screams and then bones cracking were all she heard. She could not see anything as Logan had her face smothered against his chest.

  “It’s safe for now,” Cole stated and Logan lifted himself up and looked down at her.

  “You okay?” he asked and she laughed.

  It was that or scream. “Oh yeah, just great. I love having men come after me and have death on my hands. They are dead, aren’t they?” She lifted her head and looked around, but didn’t see anything. A chair was knocked over and that was about it. “I should have left,” Jasmine sat up and ran her hand through her hair.

  “Why did you take me off that plane? All of this didn’t have to happen.” She shook her head and looked up at R.D. as he came over to her. A scratch on his face was the only indication that there had been any kind of fight.

  He bent down, his arms going under her, staring at her the whole time he lifted her up. His nose touched hers. “Because you’re ours, Jasmine, get used to it.” He glanced over his shoulder at his father. “Dad, I’m taking her home now. I’ve had Daman call in the pack, guards have been doubled. I suggest you and Katherine come and stay with us. This man isn’t going to stop and the main house is the best place to take him on. Have Sid pack the bags and Daman can bring them, but I think the women need to leave now. We don’t know how close he is.”

  Cole nodded and started shouting orders as her mom ran out of the room and headed towards her and Cole’s suite, while R.D. and Logan moved towards the garage.

  “Logan, grab her purse and computer. We have her bags from the airport already at the main house so that will have to do for now. We’ll come back for the rest after this mess is over,” R.D. stated, moving quickly, careful not to jar her too much.

  She looked over at the big old teddy bear, R.D.’s grandfather. He moved with them, frowning and concentrating on his surroundings. “So are you going to tell us who you were talking to in the office before all of this happened?” Jasmine asked, reaching up and scratching the bandage on her neck. “Can I take this thing off? It itches. And when am I going to be able to stand on my own two legs? This is getting to be annoying. I feel like a baby. How am I supposed to protect myself if I can’t even stand?” she frowned and hated that she sounded like a sniveling brat. She realized that she needed something she’d left in her room. “Wait!”

  “I need to go to my room,” she said as R.D. stepped outside and the Hummer pulled up for them.

  “You don’t need the gun that’s up there. I have plenty of them at home, if it makes you feel better, but don’t worry, we’re not going to allow anything to happen to you. Trust us; we’ve taken care of the one threat, no?” R.D. asked, looking down at her before climbing into the limo with her still in his arms.

  “You were in my head, weren’t you? Why can’t I read your thoughts?” she glared up at him feeling a little weird.

  “Don’t worry. You’ll be able to reach me through our mating link when we are fully bonded.” R.D. stated, looking up as his grandfather climbed into the front seat of the car. “You’re coming?”

  “Try and stop me. Plus, we have back up coming. It seems Hisao keeps forgetting he is also wanted by his own kind. They been searching for him for another incident, and now this attack on my granddaughter has the elders fuming.” His grandfather grinned and it wasn’t a nice one. It was one that he always knew something major was going to happen.

  “You see, my best friends, two of them actually, are elders and his kind. To say they are pissed would not be accurate. They’ve called in their most deadly hunters to meet us at the main house in 20 minutes. Oh, and we have visitors at the house. That’s the main reason I came by. It seems your cousin Maddy decide
d to pay us a visit. I swear she’s almost as bad as you, young lady.” R.D.’s grandfather glanced down at her and she squirmed under that stare she knew all too well.

  “What? I didn’t do this. I wanted to leave, remember.” She turned her head to look out the window as a single tear rolled down her cheek and onto R.D.’s hand. “It’s not my fault he hurt me as a child, grandfather.”

  “Damn girl, stop that. You know what I’m talking about.” Hendrick reached back and tugged on her hair. “No, that wasn’t your fault and that thing will die for touching you. You and Maddy are going to get along great.” He smiled, even though it didn’t reach his eyes. He looked at his grandsons. “You two are going to have your hands full. I knew this one was going to be trouble. Your Dad and Kathrine kept saying she was a quiet one, but I knew better, didn’t I,” he teased her.

  “Don’t you dare. That was over ten years ago. Plus, you knew what I was doing, you old fart,” she snorted.

  “What did I miss?” Logan moved into the back seat carrying her laptop and purse while behind them Cole and her mom hopped in the other waiting car.

  “Grandfather was going to tell us a story about our woman,” R.D. actually teased and she knew he was trying to take her mind off of everything.

  “Not going to happen. That was between us, and you promised,” Jasmine gave her grandfather a glare, which only had him laughing.

  “I promised not to say anything to my son or to Katherine. Your mates have a right to know what a sneak you are.” Hendrick glanced out the window, scanning their surroundings, but continued his story.

  “Our princess here came to spend the week with me after graduating Junior High. She had just turned 15 and the boys around the house were just starting to notice her. Well Cole though it a good idea that she would stay the week with me while he had a little chat with the local boys.”

  “He did what? I’ll kill him! No wonder none of them came near me when I came home,” she grumbled.

  “You’re lucky he did, seems Cole already knew you were meant to be with his boys. They had come for a visit when you were about ten. I’m sure you don’t remember, but it was right after R.D.’s son was taken. He wasn’t paying any attention and neither was Logan, but when you came into the room and started playing with your dolls both of them turned to stare at you, frowning. They might not have noticed it, but your father did. R.D., both yours and Logan’s wolf came rushing to the surface when she walked into the room.” Hendrick glanced over his shoulder at the two of them. “Most likely you thought it was because you were upset about your son, but Cole knew better. He’d seen the same reaction to other men and girls that would be their mate when they reached adulthood.”

  “Why didn’t he tell us?” Logan snarled.

  “Because Jasmine deserved to be a teenager. Her childhood was hell and your father was bound to make sure she had it all. Now back to my story.” Hendrick looked over his shoulder at her and winked.

  “One night it was about 6:00 because it was dinner time. Your grandmother went in search for Jasmine, but she was nowhere to be found. One of the hands heard we were searching for her and mentioned that he had seen a cab come and pick her up about an hour before. It took me about 30 minutes to follow her. I was furious to say the least, but when I found her, all that anger left me.”

  His big green eyes met hers and he smiled. “Never had I been more proud of her. One of her friends from school was at the hospital having some minor surgery, but while visiting her it seems our princess also volunteered on the children’s ward. Your grandmother and I found her reading a story to a group of children. When we walked in, she looked up and winked at me, but continued her reading. She even had one of the aids enthralled with her.”

  She blushed, remembering Tank. She’d had the biggest crush on him in high school. “You said something to him, didn’t you?” Jasmine frowned. “One day he was talking to me and the next time I showed up to read, he stood in the doorway and wouldn’t come near me.”

  “Sorry, but I too knew this boy was not for you. You two have a precious woman there. I could actually see her reading to your children that day. Even your grandmother said she couldn’t wait to see your children. Damn it, what the hell is Maddy doing now?” The car pulled around in front of what had to be some sort of mansion. It almost looked like the house in the 70’s TV series.

  “Crap! If you think I’m going to clean this thing, you have another thing coming! Damn, it’s huge.” Jasmine looked at Logan and then at R.D. “You two need that much room?” she squeaked, while watching the woman sunbathing in the front water fountain.

  “Okay, now that would so be me,” she laughed. The woman turned seeing the cars come in and she started to wave at them.

  “Hi cuzs! I was getting a little bored waiting for you so I decided to get some morning sun, well afternoon now. Are you going to introduce us?” The woman asked, staring at her and nudging Logan.

  “Where the hell did you get that suit? Does your father know you wear clothes like that?” Hendrick growled. “Get in the house. We have company coming.”

  “Oh, they’re already here. Stupid jerks. I didn’t know you have blood suckers as guests.” she mumbled and glared back at the door.

  “Jasmine, meet my cousin, Maddy Brawn. Maddy, this is our mate, Jasmine Alexander. She’ll be living here now. Do not go outside today. We’ve upped the guards and the pack is coming in. Go get dressed and tell the staff to open the left wing.” R.D. ordered.

  Maddy looked up at R.D. in shock “What’s wrong? We haven’t opened the left wing in ages. The last time we were under… Who’s attacking? Are mom and dad safe?” She glanced at Hendrick as he guided Maddy into the main hallway while they followed.

  “Your mom and dad will be fine. No, this attack is on Jasmine herself. So that means you stay inside until this over. Maybe you can help her get settled later when she can move around. Show her where the pack will be staying, the food pantry and such. Jasmine, as the alpha woman of the pack…see I didn’t say bitch.” Hendrick winked at Maddy, and she rolled her eyes.

  “In other words, you get the job of making sure the pack house and your home has all it needs. I’m afraid you’re the mother of the pack, while these big fools are the dads. So I take it the two in there are staying here, too?”

  “Yes, put them in the first room in the West wing. That way, they will be close if these threats do break through. Sorry Maddy, I want you across from them. We will all stay close together.” R.D. stated as her mom came into the house.

  “Okay, who designed the house? Was it before or after the series Dallas?” her mother asked and turned to glare at Cole. “You have some major explaining to do. Like why the hell wasn’t I told of this place? This property touches ours, doesn’t it?” Her mother put her hands on her hips and Jasmine had to laugh. She loved seeing her mother like this with Cole, because he always took it personal and sure enough, today was no different.

  Cole yanked her mother close and nipped her nose. “Behave, and yes we own everything in between here and our home. Pack members live in the houses, our businesses are all part of the pack as a whole. Now, let’s go greet our guests instead of standing here in the hall. Masters, would you please get some breakfast going for us. Make sure it’s a big one too; my daughter and her mother need to have extra protein. There should also be more of the protein shakes too.” Cole said, looking past her, and that is when she saw two men and two women standing there staring at them.

  “And they are…” Jasmine almost growled and wondered if she could ever have what her mother and Cole have with his sons. If any of those skinny woman standing there were their bimbos there was going to be a big problem.

  Chapter Seven

  R.D. had heard the little sigh when his father had gone all alpha on Katherine. It seemed their little woman craved the same kind of loving and they were just the males to give it to her, but right now the little growls coming from her were directed to their staff.

 
“Sara, Monica this is our mate, Jasmine. Jasmine these two will cook anything you want served for dinner. They will also help you with the house. And no. they are both mated,” he said, hiding the smile. Their mate was actually jealous.

  “I owe you both an apology. I’m sure we can speak later, but if you wouldn’t mind, I would love some coffee? I haven’t had any since I’ve gotten up and I have to have it.” Her mother snorted in front of her when they walked into a room that could fit three of her bedrooms into it.

  “This is the gathering room. Our own private living area has a family room, but for now we will meet with pack here,” R.D. whispered in her ear as he set her down on a rocker recliner and turned to greet the two men Maddy had told them about.

  “Welcome to the family Jasmine,” Maddy said coming up next to her and handing her a cup of coffee. “Your mom told me you like only cream. I’m like you. If I don’t get my coffee, my whole day is shot. Well, I better go change before Gramps has a heart attack.” Maddy leaned down and placed a kiss on her cheek.

  “Plus those two in front of us are rude. Do you believe they had the audacity to tell me what to do?” Maddy rolled her eyes and winked before turning to leave. “I’m going, I’m going.,” she said towards Hendrick, who growled.

  “Burn that damn thing you’re wearing too.” Hendrick ordered, but she only laughed, leaving the room.

  Jasmine laughed, taking a drink of her coffee, and then moaned. It was heaven, that was all there was to it. She owed Maddy big time. The dark roast of the coffee covered her taste buds in an almost orgasmic sensation. The change not only enhanced her hearing and vision, but her taste buds too. She was in heaven.

  The room had gotten quiet and she lifted her head up to see R.D. and Logan staring at her with heat in their eyes. With a quick glance downward, she could see that wasn’t the only thing hot it seemed. Her face burned as she scanned the room. Sure enough all eyes were on her.