“Wonderful, I’m free to go whenever you need me,” Jamie tried to sound professional and it was a decent attempt. He could hear Jamie rustling around in the background.
“Go ahead and get to the jet. We’d like you down there are soon as possible. Tell them what I told you and they will get you there as fast as they can.”
“Who am I meeting in Lubbock?” Jamie was going by the script, Andrew thanked any higher power that might be watching. All the shifters were watching wide eyed at the exchange except Brenton. It was Brenton’s idea to have these codes with only the few most trusted human members of the company. Out of the pride and harm’s way, but could still help them out if they needed it.
“Oh, it’s a huge group with a lot of new faces. You’ll see them at the airport, no worries. They know you’re coming.” A huge group meant it was all of them. A few people meant it wasn’t the entire pride. ‘Just a guy’ meant only one of them. But the rule was to say no names and pretend you weren’t the one being picked up.
“I’ll be there as soon as possible. Do you want me to call when I touch down?”
“No, that’s fine.”
Andrew hung up. The conversation lasted less than two minutes, good time.
“That’s it?” Sheriff growled. “You just ask some employee to come get you?”
“Without giving away who’s here, who’s not, and if anyone was listening, none of us are. Andrew talked like he wasn’t in Lubbock. Jamie’s good. He’ll get here.” Brenton smiled ruefully back at Sheriff. “We’re felines, Sheriff. We’re the definition of paranoid.”
“Shit,” Chris mumbled. “I wish I was rich enough to call on a private jet when it was helpful.”
“I’ve owned it for a few years,” Brenton mumbled. “Andrew, can you take Riley’s bag to her. And her clothes? If... anything is weird and she’s asleep, you let me know. Don’t wake her no matter what. She needs all the rest she can get.”
“Can do, Brenton,” Andrew nodded and went to the pile of stuff and searched for hers. Once he had it all, he tiptoed to the bedroom they’d given her.
He looked inside and stopped. She was asleep in the corner. After seeing the room she’d been… taken to in the compound, he couldn’t blame her. But it hurt to see. It hurt to see how the bed hadn’t even been touched. She couldn’t even try, and that really concerned him. He placed her things gently down and left just as silently as he’d come.
He passed Brenton at the kitchen, and waved his Alpha to follow. Brenton walked out with him.
Zachary, Gabe, and Troy were all on the front porch.
“She’s sleeping in the corner of the room,” Andrew said through gritted teeth. “On the floor, as far from the bed as she can. And the bruises are darker now than they were in the warehouse.”
“They’ve had a couple days to mature to the full ugly look of them,” Brenton added. “When we decide to leave, I’ll be the one waking her up. I might need to force her to keep moving for us and to eat when we get the chance. I would rather have her hate me for doing it than any of you.”
They all looked at their Alpha, and Andrew knew why Brenton had said it.
They could make her hate them by trying to force her to eat and keep going. Brenton could earn her hate by actually forcing her. He would be successful in keeping her alive.
“So, when are we moving out?” Chris’ head came out the door and Brenton turned to him.
“Give us two hours to clean the vehicles up a little. The least we can do is get all the glass and shit out, so we don’t cut ourselves again and again. Bring us trash bags and shit so we don’t get it all over this woman’s driveway.”
“Can do,” Chris was gone.
“Do you notice her… afraid of any of us during all this?” Zachary asked. It was hard to listen to.
Andrew nodded and so did Brenton.
“She stiffened when I talked to her,” Zachary looked down at one of his hands, opening and closing it. “Like I was the guy who had…”
“She didn’t want me near her when we got back here,” Troy mumbled.
“We need to keep an eye on her mental state until we find someone for her to talk to. And she needs someone to speak to. We all do,” Brenton leaned on the wall by the front door.
“We should never have gone back to Wild Junction.” Gabe’s words were harsh.
“I’ve realized this,” Brenton growled softly. “But it’s done, and we have to clean up the mess.”
“We promised to keep her safe!” Gabe roared. “On day fucking one! Pride is family, and we fucking protect our own!”
He roared at the sky after that, throwing the chair he’d been in off the porch. It broke into several pieces. Andrew mentally noted to make sure they paid for it later.
“We told her that we weren’t trying to rope her into any illegal shit, and look what fucking happens!” Gabe spun, his arms wide. “Look at this! Everywhere we go, the Kingson Pride inspires fear and resentment. Another fucking one of our kind tried to buy her! Our own Goddamn kind! Because she was ours!”
“Gabe, pl-” Troy tried to stand, but Gabe shoved him down.
“We’re just a bunch of fuck ups who are lucky,” Gabe snarled. Andrew felt punched in the gut with those words. “We poison everything we fucking touch, and now it’s touching her!”
“Gabe!” Troy looked to his brother, and Andrew could see the rift begin to grow. The pride was falling apart, and Riley was somewhere on her own, lost in nightmares they couldn’t save her from. They needed her to be okay as much as she needed to them to hold it the fuck together.
“I wish we were dead,” Gabe snarled at his brother. “I wish that car accident had taken me out years ago. Maybe then Riley wouldn’t have to deal with everything we’ve ever done being brought down on her fucking head.”
Brenton looked down at Gabe, who was snarling at Troy still.
“Gabe, quiet.” He was using being an Alpha on Gabe. Gabe’s mouth shut, and his eyes widened. Andrew was amazed that Brenton would go there. He looked to Zachary, who had a similar expression. “You will keep that shit from Riley, you will not say that to her. It would be the final nail in the coffin on her, and I won’t fucking allow it.”
“Yes, Alpha.” Gabe whispered.
“You will hold the fuck on for Riley, Troy, and the rest of us until we get home and talk about this.” Brenton grabbed Gabe’s shoulders and pulled the leopard to look at him. “I understand, Gabe. But I just need a little time. Just a little. Please.”
“Brenton,” he groaned, “I can’t-”
Brenton pulled Gabe into a hug, and Andrew was happy to see how the leopard held onto him. Brothers, the entire pride. They couldn’t let that go now.
“You are as much my brother as Troy’s. You have Zachary and Andrew, who would also do anything for any of us. And Riley will get better. We’ll help her, but we need you, too. And we need to find the fucker who did it to her. You can help with that once we get with the SSTF.” Brenton told him softly.
“Of course, Brenton,” Gabe mumbled into his shoulder. They all ignored the tears they saw on Gabe’s face. When he let Gabe go, Troy immediately held his brother. Brenton patted them both on the shoulder.
It was an emotional moment for them all. Gabe and Troy fed off each other. If one was openly having a hard time, the other was probably silently having one or trying to stop from falling into the same despair. Andrew knew they had to bring Gabe back from the brink quickly, or both would be lost again.
Chris and Thomas came out, holding gloves and bags for them all. The other two wolves followed with a couple brooms and dust pans. Neither of them commented about what the entire house probably just heard.
It would have to do. And it worked. Over the entire two hours Brenton had asked for, they cleaned up the Range Rovers and truck they had stolen. They would be abandoned in the airport’s parking lot, and none of them cared about leaving prints on them. The US SSTF would shut down any cases against them if they came up.
>
When they were done, the wolves took the bags to the end of the driveway for pick up. They weren’t here to ruin this woman’s house and leave it totally trashed. They needed to be respectful.
“It’s time,” Brenton whispered, standing with all of them. “Wolves, if you can get the fox, that would be great. And help with the bags. Zachary, Andrew, grab Sheriff and load him in. Troy and Gabe, help them get all our stuff.”
“And you?” Thomas asked, looking at their Alpha. Andrew bristled in response to the accidental challenge on Brenton.
“I’m getting Riley.” He walked away and into the house.
They all followed after a few more minutes. They hadn’t had a break, it was nearly dawn. They were tired, and they weren’t in a place where they felt safe enough to get any rest.
Andrew shook Sheriff’s shoulder gently.
“Hey, old man,” he smiled down at the bear, whose eyes opened with a growl. “Woah, Sheriff. No need for that. We’re getting to the airport. Zachary and I want to get you in the car.”
“Fine,” Sheriff grumbled, letting Andrew help him up. “Who’s getting kitten?”
“Brenton,” Zachary answered, throwing one of Sheriff’s arms over his shoulder. They hauled the bear up and walked him out slowly. His human wife was going to kill them for bringing her husband home in this shape, but Andrew hoped she understood that he was at least home. There had been a real possibility she could have been a widow.
They sat him down and stretched his injured leg out over the back seat. Troy and Gabe would both be driving since they did the thing with the wires. Andrew didn’t know how, neither did Brenton. Zachary might but he was more worried about their safety.
“I don’t like that I’ve got to drive,” Gabe growled softly.
“Why?” Andrew looked to the black leopard, frowning.
“Riley,” he mumbled, looking away.
“We’ve got make do,” Andrew reminded him. “You two have to drive and Riley is riding with us, not the wolves.”
“Yeah,” Gabe sighed, though Andrew knew he was uncomfortable with it.
“What now?” Troy asked quietly as he finished helping the wolves. The fox was being kept in the pickup, and two of the wolves needed rides in the Range Rovers. It was a tight fit for everyone, but Zachary made it clear that Riley would be in the front seat of whatever vehicle she was in and they all needed to deal with that. He wasn’t going to force her next to any of them,
“We wait,” Andrew told Troy after a long time.
They needed Brenton to be able to get her to come out.
BRENTON
She was a mess. Bruised wrists and ankles, hand prints all over her. Eyes red and puffy and she was so pale. She slept in the corner like he’d been told.
“Riley, beautiful. It’s time to get up,” he knelt down about three feet from her. He couldn’t invade her space. It would definitely freak her out.
Her amber eyes slowly opened, and he could smell the wave of fear. Could see how she was trying to figure out if he was friend or foe. Pride mate or stranger. He could feel the cheetah under her skin, just itching to break out and run for its life as the human in Riley tried to stick around.
“Riley,” he whispered, “it’s me, beautiful.”
She swallowed and nodded slowly.
“Can you stand?” He asked softly. She stood up, but stayed in the corner. He stayed on his knees, trying to remain as unthreatening as possible.
“Brenton,” Her soft husky voice was barely audible, “I’m sorry.”
“Why beautiful?” He was confused and stunned.
“I’m… scared and I don’t want to be. I don’t know why I’m so scared, and all I want is to hold you but…” the words broke in a sob, and he scooted forward just a little more. He reached out and touched one lock of hair.
He knew why she was scared. Her body was reacting to a perceived threat, him. After what she’d gone through, and with the adrenaline leaving her body… she was now very afraid because she couldn’t find a reason or the energy to be fierce anymore.
It could change in a heartbeat though, and he had to be ready for that. Felines never stayed down for long, often times finding an outlet for trauma in violence. He had to keep his eyes open for it, or she could lash out and seriously hurt someone.
“Let’s get you dressed, Riley.” He moved back again and grabbed her things. They had cut the bra off, so that was worthless. But everything else was fine. He shoved the destroyed bra in his pocket, so no one found it before he could burn it. He would burn it, so he could pretend it never existed in the first place.
He handed her each piece and let her dress slowly. He didn’t stand and helped her with her pants, opening them so she could step in just like he had at the hospital months before.
“It’s okay to be scared, Riley.” He looked up at her and felt her hands on his shoulders. He treasured the touch for a moment before continuing. “When we’re safe, we are going to find someone for you talk through everything going on. A doctor who can really help you figure it out. You went through something traumatic. I just need you to hold on a little longer. We’re going home, beautiful. The plane should be in Lubbock by the time we get there.”
“Home?” He saw a flare of life in her eyes with the word.
“Home. With Star and your paints. Our den with good movies. Everyone’s coming with us, too. We’re going to have house guests for a little while. Sheriff’s leg will be fine, once he sees a real doctor. The wolves don’t know what’s going on with their pack. The fox…”
“Lost his brother,” Riley whispered. “I know.”
“Are you ready to come out with me? Ready to face the next part of this?”
She nodded slowly, and he rose all the way, towering over her. Another spike of fear and he quickly stepped back from her. He was less of a threat on his knees in front of her but at full height, he intimidated her.
He offered his arm and she hesitantly took it. He wanted to yell praises to the heavens for it. She would still touch him. Even something small, she would still touch him.
He picked up the rest of her things and carried them for her. As they left the room, he couldn’t miss the small limp she had.
“Are you injured?” He stopped her after only a few feet, looking down with concern. She shook her head.
“Not seriously,” she mumbled. “I think I might have pulled a couple muscles through all of this, especially the escape. And I’ve got cuts on my hands and feet.”
“The moment we’re on the plane, let Troy look at them?”
“Okay.”
They were all outside, waiting on Riley and him. The moment they hit the front door, he didn’t miss how his pride straightened their backs and prepared themselves. Even Thomas, the wolf who had helped her out there looked over and tried to give her a smile. Some security and friendliness.
He had a lot of respect for that wolf. Thomas didn’t have to help her with any of it. He could have left her lost out in the middle of nowhere to figure it out on her own. He could have let her storm the compound by herself. And Thomas didn’t pity her. He considered her strong.
He was a good wolf; and Brenton hoped he would become a friend, if not to him, then to Riley.
“Hey darling,” Andrew smiled at her. “Zachary has already gotten you a seat claimed for the ride. We’re only going to be on the road for an hour or so. You get the front seat.”
“Thank you,” she murmured, looking at her feet. Brenton watched Andrew’s face change to worry and hurt, but he didn’t say anything else.
Brenton walked her to her seat. They had a full vehicle. Brenton would be behind her in the back seat with Zachary and Thomas. Gabe was driving them.
The other Range rover had Troy driving with Andrew, Antonio, and Sheriff piled in. The pickup truck had Chris, James and Finn. They could make it, they had to. They’d made it this far. By tonight, they would be in Wild Junction and safe.
The ride was quiet, and Brenton a
ppreciated it. It was cold without any windows, but that was their life at that point. They could handle a little cold if they had to.
The plane was already at the airport and Jamie stood at the stairs on the tarmac, looking anxious and worried.
Brenton approached him, and they exchanged a quick handshake.
“I never thought I would actually get the call, Brenton.” Jamie was a little pale looking at the group of shifters climbing out. Andrew and Zachary were helping Sheriff again. Thomas was talking to Chris and the other wolves. Finn stayed with them, unsure. Riley was standing a little lost with Gabe and Troy as the plane’s staff took their bags in.
“I never thought we would have to make it,” Brenton whispered.
RILEY
The plane was nice and comfortable. It had well-made, black leather seats in groups of four with tables between them. She found one where no one had decided to sit yet and curled into a seat by the windows.
Troy had gotten to her quickly, checking her injuries. He cleaned out the cuts and scrapes, then gave her shower shoes to keep her bare feet off the ground. The plane was equipped with anything they could have thought of. Brenton’s paranoia had seen to it.
When Troy was done, he left her alone to look out the window. The guys moved in and out of the main cabin, talking about how and when to send off the information to the US SSTF.
“I think we do it back in Wild Junction,” Zachary growled. “I don’t want them meeting us in Denver trying to talk. I want us home.”
“But if we send it now, they can react faster. We’ve already killed the entire night just getting out of the state,” Chris sighed. “We’re out. Let’s send this stuff. When we get the chance back in town, we can mail them the damn USBs for all I care; but we should send them something now.”
“I need more time to look through everything I got,” Gabe growled. “My brother and I need a break for a moment, we can’t look through this the entire trip.”
Wild Fire (The Kingson Pride Book 2) Page 22
