“Well, I have a reading on Sunday night, so I wasn’t planning on coming back till Monday. So I guess it will be Monday. You’ll miss one day of school, but you have the doctor’s note, so I’m not really worried about it. Hunter be careful, Ran was outside with your father.”
“I think we should all go together. I don’t think anyone should be around that man. Something is seriously wrong with him.” Maverick said, opening the door for all of them to move out of the room so her Mom could get dressed.
Linda was there waiting. “Is she going to be okay?”
“Yes, she had a bad allergic reaction to something. We’ve asked her to come back to Vegas with us. We can keep an eye on her that way.” Jess looked at her sister. “What are you going to do? Are you leaving your husband to be with David?” she asked.
“No, it was a mistake and he knows it. You should know he’s been moving out while you were gone. Him and his brother got a place. I’ll watch the cats. I made a mistake,” she said.
Jess stepped up to her sister and hugged her. “I love you Linda and you’re very lucky our marriage was already over. Don’t hurt me again, because I won’t forgive you next time. Thank you for taking care of the cats.” Jess looked back at the room. “Why don’t you take Mom home and help her pack. We’ll swing by and pick her up when we are finished at the house about…” she looked over at Maverick.
“Bran has a house lined up for us to see, so we should be there in about two hours.” Maverick stood behind her and placed a kiss on her head. “Thank you for watching her pets. We welcome you into our family, but don’t hurt your sister again. Family needs to stick together.”
The door to the hospital room opened and her Mom stepped out. “I’m ready to get out of here.”
“Betsy is going to take you home. We’ll be over to pick you up in about two hours. I guess Bran and Maverick want to look at some houses after the kids pack up their bags. I don’t like the idea of the asshole in our house while we’re gone though.” Jess sighed.
“Bran, find someone to replace the locks on the house. If her soon-to-be-ex needs to get into the house he can contact her sister. Only you will have the key, but I suggest you do not go there alone. Take someone with you, because it is only a matter of time before that other man snaps.” Maverick ordered.
“Maverick, Mom’s house has the old doors and we don’t want those ruined,” Jess said and her Mom nodded her head. “Plus, anyone can get into the back door.” She waved her hand and moved towards the elevator. “We’ll figure it out later. Come on Linda, Hunter, we have work to do if we want to get back in time for dinner. I want to hit the seafood buffet at the hotel. Amazing food and yes, Hunter, they also have other food there. Two hours Mom,” she said, and stepped into the elevator, taking out her phone and pushing Lori’s number in.
“Hey, I’m coming back tonight, please tell me you didn’t do anything to that editor?” Jess moaned, listening to Lori tell her that Kathryn had confronted the woman. “Damn it Lori, I wish she wouldn’t have done that. Now I’m going to look like a damn wimp running to my friends.” She went to bang her head against the elevator wall, but Bran placed his hand behind her head.
“Don’t.” One word and the look he gave her sent a shiver down her spine. Where Maverick was a force to behold by himself, Bran was seemed to be the silent and deadly type person.
“I’ll talk to you when I get there. Yeah, I’ll meet you at the wine bar around 8:00.”
She shut her phone off and looked up see Maverick staring at her. “What? Just because I’m not saying anything about this mating thing I’m not going to stop what I have to. I have two kids to support now and I have to find an attorney. Also, make sure you both bring some nice clothes so when we go out you’re not in jeans with holes.” She eyed her son, who rolled his eyes.
“What did Dylan say?” she asked, ignoring Maverick’s look.
* * *
Maverick glanced over at Bran, who shook his head. Seemed their woman had once more gained her confidence, but what was cuter, was the fact Jess seemed to think that she could push them away and that was not going to happen.
Bran pulled into the driveway of the old house and Maverick cringed. This place was a nightmare to protect. Already he could see things that would need changing if any of their family was going to stay.
“Isn’t it pretty. I love the front porch. It’s one of the biggest things Mom and I love about this place. Does your place have a porch?” she asked.
“We have a back deck and a pool, but no front porch,” Maverick told her, stepping up next to her. “You really like having a porch?” he asked.
“We wanted to get a swing for the porch, but never had the time or extra money to get one. But yea, sitting on the porch just doing nothing, watching everything around you. It’s like a zen place.” She patted his arm and followed the children into the house.
“What the fuck! I’ll freaking kill him.” Jess growled. “Did you know he did this Hunter?” Jess yelled at her son as he and Bran ran into the house.
“No, I swear this was not like this last night. Why would he do this?” Hunter shook his head. “Everything is destroyed. This has to be Ran. Dad wouldn’t do this, Mom.”
Jess stepped to the side and growled, then turned to go up the stairs. Maverick could actually see part of her cat coming through and right now was not a good time for her to shit. “Hunter, you and your sister stay here. Whatever you hear do not move.” He glanced at her son as he headed up the stairs, but turned a quick look at the boy, who nodded.
“Lock…” The scream of a cat made both of her kids jumping. “Jake, lock down the house, now!” Maverick ran up the rest of the stairs with Bran right behind him. In the master room, a beautiful light leopard was pacing the room and growling.
The room was trashed. What appeared to be her clothes were slashed into rags, had been pissed on and it looked like bleach had been thrown on them. He was furious and would take care of those responsible for the destruction of his woman’s things, but right now the biggest problem was the cat in front of them. She wanted to hunt and destroy those who had done this, but that couldn’t happen.
“Little Fawn, I know you can hear me. You need to settle down. You know you can’t go out there, the humans around here don’t know about us. You’d be hunted. Think of your children. They’re scared and need their mom right now.” Maverick knelt down as Bran did waiting.
There were two windows the cat could break through easily, and the way the cat kept looking at the windows, he knew she was thinking it. “No,” he growled, bringing his cat close to the surface. “You will listen to me.”
Jess snarled, but inched towards them. “I know, baby, and I promise they’ll be taken care of. Things can be replaced, but you can’t” Maverick reached out and ran his hand over her fur. “You are beautiful. I just wish this would have happened at our house where we could have gone out for a run.”
“She’s stunning. I’ve never seen one so light. Her fur is almost white and the spots aren’t black, they’re almost a red color.” Bran looked at him. “You know she won’t blend in much. We’ll have to make sure we have plenty of guards out watching when she does go out to run,” Bran said, and then jumped back, glaring at Jess. “You did not just bite me,” he snarled.
“Time to change back, Jess. Now!” Maverick ordered putting a little bit of his alpha gifts into the change, knowing it would be hard for her to make the shift, but also giving her no choice.”
It took only a few seconds for her change, sweat glittered off her skin and her hair was damp as she glared up at Bran. “I’m not different,” she snapped and stood.
Jess slowly scanned around the room, tears rolled down her cheeks as she took in the mess around her. “Everything,” she whispered and moved out of the bedroom into the bathroom, shutting the door.
The water turned on as he looked at Bran. “We need to talk to the kids.” Both of them headed down the stairs and noticed that Jake and
Hunter had turned the couch right side up and Rose sat on it. She was curled up on it with a blanket wrapped around her.
“My sister does not do change well and they destroyed a lot of her things,” Hunter said. “He’s not our Dad anymore.” Hunter said with tears in his eyes, but he held them at bay running his hands up and down his sister’s arm.
Maverick glanced at his son and noticed for the first time his own son was close to changing. “Jake?”
“She’s hurt. Her own dad hurt her.” His son had never shown such anger at anything. “Mine,” he heard him whisper.
A knock at the door made him jump off the stairs and answer the door before her son could get to it. “Can I help you?”
“That’s Dylan and his dad,” Hunter said, moving next to him.
“My dad wanted to meet with them before he approved, and my mom will be calling here to talk with your mom. What happened?” Dylan asked, looking behind them.
“It seems my dad and his uncle decided to destroy everything,” Hunter said and turned when Rose started to cry.
He heard a bang upstairs and he turned to Bran, who ran upstairs. “I’m sorry about this mess we just walked into. But rest assured, your son will be safe in our home. Hunter and Dylan will both have rules to follow and if they don’t, they’ll deal with me.” Maverick turned and as he heard Bran’s cussing upstairs.
“Where is his mom?” the man asked.
“I’m right here,” Jess said coming around the corner. “Sorry about the way I look, but it seems all my clothes were destroyed. But you know I consider Dylan my son, and I’ll kick his ass and Hunter’s if they mess up.”
The man nodded. “Fine, you can go. You’ll be back Monday?”
“Yes, don’t know when Monday but, yes.” Jess went to her daughter, sitting on the couch. Jess only wore Bran’s shirt, as she wrapped her arms around Rose. “I’ll get you new games, baby, and when we’re at the airport, we’ll grab all the magazines you like. That should keep you busy for a while. Now, I know your father didn’t touch your room, so why don’t you go up there and put a few bags together.”
“What if he comes back? Will he destroy the rest of our stuff?” she asked.
“No,” Maverick knelt before her daughter. “Right now Bran is calling in some favors. There are a few of our kind around here. They will watch the house while we are gone. When we come back, we’ll have a new place where we can set you up, but if it makes you feel any better, pack whatever you want. Jake will help you pack. Is that okay?”
“Yes,” she stood and moved up the stairs, but before Jake could move, Jess grabbed onto his arm. “I know that look, and if my daughter means something to you, tread lightly. One, she isn’t found of sex, Jake. She’s afraid of it after being hurt. I think she’s still a virgin, but still, she’s special, but don’t tell her that. All her life she was bullied because of her differences. So never tell her she’s just different.” Jess growled the last part and glared at Bran.
“I promise I’ll take care of her.” Jake stood, but Jess wasn’t done.
“She has a boyfriend.” Jess held up his hand. “He’s a lot like her, Jake. No they haven’t had sex, but he’s taken care of her the best he knows how. You’ll have to step lightly and allow her to change her mine, because if you force her, you’ll lose her. She’s very stubborn.” Jess snorted. “More so than me.”
Maverick glanced over at Hunter. “Go pack, bring whatever is important to you and remember I can smell anything.”
“Hunter there are bags under the sink in the kitchen,” Jess got up and moved into the dining room, but stopped, staring at all the glass. “I really hate that bastard.” She growled and reached down, grabbing a pair of slippers, and shaking them, making sure no glass was in them.
“You’re not the only one,” her son mumbled, following her into the kitchen which at least didn’t look like it had been touched.
“Yes!” Jess pulled some clothes out of the dryer. “I have undies, pants, but still no shirt. Guess I’ll have to keep your shirt,” she grumbled.
Maverick glanced at Bran who sighed and moved to her. “I apologized. I really meant it as you were something special, Jess. It’s rare for one of our kind to have the coloration like you do. Maybe that is why you are mated to Maverick and me. It’s going to take a special woman to deal with both of us.” He reached up and cupped her cheek.
She rubbed her cheek against his hand. “It’s a sore spot with us, Bran. With me, I’d just get mad, but Rose…” Jess shook her head and glanced at him. “Your son has his work cut out for him. She’s been hurt badly and as you have seen that she does not take well with this big change. Its good Mom is coming. Rose will need her in Vegas, especially when I have to things to do.”
Jess leaned over and placed a kiss on Bran’s cheek. “Forgiven. Excuse me while I put some clothes on. Well, at least I have some at the hotel,” she mumbled.
“We’ll go shopping this week.” Maverick looked around and frowned, stopping his movement abruptly.
“What’s wrong?” Bran asked, scanning around.
“Where are her pets?” Maverick asked, as Jess came back into the room. She looked at him.
“Oh, my God. Find them, Maverick, before the kids do.” Jess whispered.
Both Bran and Maverick searched, but didn’t find her pets and that was not a good sign. Even outside Jess had called to her cats but nothing. Their bags were packed, and the kids didn’t say anything, each of them were on the verge of tears.
Jess had placed cat food on the porch and locked up the house with the new keys. Bran’s call had three men out searching for those that had destroyed the house. Each one would be taken care of. Even though David hadn’t participated, he had been there, and he’d pay, but not with his life this time.”
Bran drove to the house showing. The new house was located about six streets up and was twice the size of the house they had just left. The basement was finished, as was the attic with plenty of room and it even had a porch for Jess. But he could tell she and the children were not really there.
“Bran, buy it. It will do for the year we are here. Make sure we close the sale quickly, so we can move in as soon as we can,” Maverick said, as Jess got back into the car along with the children. “I think the sooner we get everyone on that plane, the better. Let’s round up our soon-to-be mother-in-law and get a move on it.”
Rearranging the bags, and seats ¬ thankful that the car had three rows of seats they were finally on their way back to the hotel. Jess’ sister had a spare key to the house and promised no one would go in with the new key and that she’d check around for the cats each day.
Jake, Linda, and Bertie, Jess’ Mom, sat in the very back, comforting Rose who was still upset. Dylan and Hunter were in the middle seat, while Jess was between Maverick and Bran. Her head rested on his shoulder as they drove towards to the airport. “So where do you want to go first?” he asked Jess. “The house or the hotel?”
She looked towards the back. “The hotel. I think doing the tourist thing will help us all right now. I’d cancel going to the party tonight, but I need to see how much damage has been done. But Mom will be okay with the kids. I think with the pool, weight room and all the different things to explore at the hotel, it will keep them busy.”
“Maverick?” Rose called his name, and he turned.
“Yes,” he turned and glanced at her.
“Do you know if the seafood bar has sushi?” she asked
Jess wrinkled her nose up and shook her head. “She has to take after Mom, because ewww.”
Her Mom laughed. “My granddaughter has excellent taste.” The boys groaned and shook their head.
“I’m sure they have it or it wouldn’t be much of a seafood buffet. But if not, I will personally get you some. I know a few diners that specialize in it. Don’t worry, they have a good steak there too.” Maverick laughed.
“Can we do the Ferris wheel thing?” Hunter asked.
“No!” Jess
snarled.
“Oh, come on, Mom. Just because you don’t like heights,” Hunter argued.
“I can take the boys on it since it does not bother me,” Bran stated.
“Fine, but you will not rock the thing, and listen to Bran,” Jess grumbled.
“You’re really not fond of heights?” Maverick asked.
“No, I get disorientated easily. Never used to bother me. Maybe it’s old age, who knows. Even going up and down in the elevator a lot will screw me up.” Jess smiled up at him. “I guess we all have a lot to learn.”
* * *
Jess took a deep breath and moved into the party room with Lori and Viola at her side. She had finally given Bran and Maverick the slip, needing to face this by herself. Jess was starting to have strong feelings for both men, but right now, she needed this time to herself.
It seemed about ten minutes after stepping into the room, Kathryn made her way to her. “I want to apologize for what happened earlier. Not every editor is that rude and crude. As a matter of fact, I’d like you to meet Santana, she works for St. Martin’s. I’ve given her a copy of your synopsis that Lori had.”
“What? Lori, I asked you not to do that.” Jess shook her head. “I’m sorry Santana, I really don’t want to put pressure on anyone. I want my work to speak for itself.”
The woman snorted. “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t want to be. Tell me, do you really have the first book done?” she asked.
“The first book is done, edited, and ready to go. I’ve also started the next book too. I have some of the characters picked out for the other three stories that are left,” Jess told the woman.
“Could you send me the first three chapters tonight? I’ll read them and get right back to you by tomorrow. I promise. The story line alone has my curiosity. I can’t promise anything yet, but I want a closer look.” The woman handed her card. “Use that email, and thank you.” She turned and left.
Left My Heart in Sin City Page 7
