Brass’ eyes widened but he recovered quickly. “The male calling himself Arron said he couldn’t find Mel after we captured his son. He was hoping she’d return to her apartment, and he’d have the opportunity to use her as a hostage. Statements he’s made to the sheriff implied he saw enough the night Darren was taken by our team for him to assume Mel had become tightly associated with one of our males. When she didn’t return…his next target became you, Mary.”
Surprise canceled out her fear of him. “Me?”
“It makes sense. Mel has no family living in this state. You two have a strong friendship bond. He thought we’d trade his sons for your life.”
“Shit,” she muttered. “But I’m here. So who did he capture?”
Brass looked at Snow.
Snow shook his head. “Wait for Lash to return before you tell her. She’s going to need him.”
Mary wasn’t an idiot. It had to be someone she was close to. Brass had said it was a couple being held at gunpoint. “Joel and Darlene?” Her boss and his wife were important people in both her and Mel’s lives. Anyone could figure that out. “Shit.” She bit her lip, staring at Mel.
Her friend paled and tears filled her eyes.
“They’re tough,” Mary reminded her. “I mean, we both saw that old guy. He picked the wrong people to go after. At the first opportunity, you know one of them will take his ass down hard.”
“Yeah.” Mel sounded relieved. “He’ll probably underestimate Darlene. She looks all sweet but then—wham! She’ll clobber him.”
Mary heard loud thumps and someone breathing hard. Then Lash came barreling into the room, shoved Brass out of his way, and his golden gaze landed on her. She was thrilled to see him. He came at her fast, dropped to his knees in front of her, and took her hands.
“They promise to get your parents out safe! I’m here, Mary.”
He was panting. Out of breath. His words were all snarled…
She must have heard him wrong.
“What?”
Lash shot a glare at Snow.
“We didn’t tell her yet. I thought it was best that you were here first,” Mel’s husband said.
Lash snarled and rose on his knees, holding her hands tighter. He was still breathing hard.
She peered deeply into his eyes. Her heart pounded. He couldn’t have said what she thought she’d heard. Her parents had left, were on their way to Las Vegas. She’d watched their RV drive off the day before Mel’s wedding. She’d even waved to them.
“The male has your parents,” Lash rasped softly.
Denial had her trying to jerk her hands from his but he refused to let go. “No. They’re in Las Vegas. Dad wanted to do some gambling and Mom was going to get tickets to some musical she’s always wanted to see that’s playing there right now. They were looking forward to all the buffets.”
Lash lifted her hands and placed them on his chest. He was damp. That normally would have grossed her out a little. Sweaty guys weren’t her thing. He let them go and cupped her face.
“Our males will save them, Mary.”
Lash had to be wrong. She looked at Snow over his shoulder.
He had a sympathetic expression as he met her gaze. “Sheriff Cooper confirmed it. They are being held at gunpoint by the male inside their house. The sheriff made the male let him talk to both of your parents ten minutes ago, to make certain they were alive and unhurt.”
The sheriff knew her parents well. If he said it was them, it meant it was true.
Chapter Eleven
Lash felt helpless. He hated it. His strong mate had burst into tears. She hadn’t even done that when he’d leapt down at her that first time, after she’d ended in his domain. Nor had she shed tears when he’d made it clear he was keeping her.
He adjusted her on his lap, where he held her.
Snow’s mate tried to come closer but he flashed his teeth at her. The human female backed up. Snow glared at him from behind her and wrapped his arm around his mate’s waist to keep her away. Mel might be Mary’s friend, but Lash’s protective instincts wouldn’t allow anyone near her while she was vulnerable.
It hurt him inside to see Mary this way. His feisty mate was worried about her parents. They probably acted like prey, too. Now some bad human had them locked inside their home and was threatening to shoot them with a gun. Another sniffle from his mate had him petting her, holding her tighter against his body.
“Are there any updates?” His mate lifted her cheek away from his chest to stare at Brass.
The male shook his head. “Sherriff Cooper is still attempting to talk the male into giving up and coming outside.”
“Give him the two assholes he wants!” Mary pleaded. “Then re-arrest them after my parents are safe.”
Brass shook his head. “Bradly Hadly is still recovering from his injuries. Our doctors have him in an induced coma on healing drugs. Even if they woke him, our doctors believe he’d be too weak and unstable to travel. The other male that the sheriff took has already been transferred to a larger city. His station isn’t equipped to keep prisoners long term. Sheriff Cooper believes the standoff will end eventually. We just need to wait it out.”
“Or that bastard could murder my mother and father.” Mary’s voice broke. “I want to go there.”
“No!” Lash snarled.
Brass denied her request at the same time. “It’s too dangerous.”
Mary peered up at Lash with teary eyes. “I have to go. I want to be close. I need to be. I can’t take this waiting around. That way, I’m at least there and can see for myself what’s happening. What if they do get shot? I need to be there, Lash! Please.”
Lash looked at Brass. The male shook his head. He did the same to her, letting her know that wasn’t an option.
Mary’s delicate features twisted into something not so cute. “Goddamn it!” She hit Lash on the chest with her fist as she yelled.
She wiggled, struggling to get off his lap. He worried about her hurting herself and let her go. She got off his lap and stood, facing Brass. When she pointed at him, her entire arm shook.
“Those are my parents, and I’m not a fucking prisoner here! You seem to be in charge. I demand to be taken there so I can see what the hell is going on, and to make sure everything is being done to save them. Bite me if you’re going to, but move your large, scary ass out of my way! I’ll walk there if I have to.”
Lash was on his feet in a heartbeat and tried to wrap his arms around his mate. She was losing her temper now. He grunted when she threw an elbow back and got him in the lower ribs. She was a bit boney, and it hurt. He growled at her.
She twisted around, glaring up at him. “Don’t. Just…don’t. I’m so mad.”
He felt his own anger rise. “I didn’t go after your parents.”
“I know that. I just want to go to my parents’ house, or as close as I can get. I want to talk to Sherriff Cooper. You’re stopping me from doing that.”
“We can let you talk to him by phone,” Brass offered.
She twisted again, glaring at the other male. “No. I want to talk to Sheriff Cooper in person.” Then she looked at Mel. “How good of a shot are you? I doubt this town has a sniper, but can you hit that old bastard? There’re plenty of windows in my parents’ house.”
Mel gaped at her, mouth falling open.
Snow growled. “Mel is not shooting more humans.”
“Because it’s okay if she does it to save New Species, but not my parents?”
“Sherriff Cooper has jurisdiction,” Brass explained. “He’s not allowing our teams very close, either. He believes he can talk the male into giving up without violence.”
“Fuck Sheriff Cooper!” Mary raged. “Those are my parents!”
“Mary.” Lash kept his tone low and tried to soothe her. “Let me get you something to eat.”
She spun. “If you suggest a brownie, I will shove it up your ass right now, Lash. Food? Really? As if I could eat right now!”
“Mary,” Mel whispered. “You need to settle down a bit. None of this is helping. Your face is turning all red and you’re acting like the crazy hillbilly you accuse me of being all the time.”
Mary started to cry again. Lash grabbed her and pulled her against his body.
“I just want to be there so they know I’m close. Why are they even home? They were supposed to be in Vegas!”
Lash felt helpless again, and he hated it. He looked over her head at Brass. “Take us to where it’s safe but close to her parents.”
Brass’ mouth compressed into a grim line. He shook his head.
Jaded stood up from where he’d been sitting on the floor near the door. “The area is secured by the deputies and our teams. The only danger is inside the house.” He held up his phone, showing something to Brass that Lash couldn’t see. “This is a satellite image of the area and the house her parents live in. They have no close human neighbors. We could at least take them to the team we have there. She’d be safe but could see the house.”
“It’s not a good idea.” Brass met Lash’s gaze.
Jaded walked to Brass and lowered his voice. Lash could hear the words, though. “It might make her feel better. Our team is set up near an old barn that her family uses for storage. Our males have a good view of the house and where the sheriff is staying behind his vehicle, talking to the male inside the house. She’ll be able to see that everything is being done. We can get her out of there quickly if violence breaks out.”
Brass lowered his voice, too. “You want us to take an upset female, one who is possibly pregnant, near all that? What if she were to run at the house to get to her parents? She’s unstable.”
Lash understood Brass’ concerns but they weren’t necessary. “I won’t let her run into danger.”
Both Jaded and Brass faced him.
“She’s my mate. I want to take her there.”
“Shit.” Brass reached for the radio attached to his belt. “I’ll put an escort together.” His gaze locked with Lash’s. “You watch her close and keep her with our people when we get there.”
Lash nodded and rubbed Mary’s back. He ducked his head. “We’re going, Mary.”
Her sniffles ceased and she lifted her chin. “Thank you.”
“I’d do anything for you.”
“I’ll go too,” Mel announced.
“Fuck,” Snow growled. “Fine. We’ll all go.”
Brass walked out of the open doorway into the hall. Lash cocked his head, listening to the male arrange for a few more teams to assemble outside the hotel to drive them to wherever Mary’s parents lived. He also contacted the teams on scene to let them know more Species were coming with his mate.
Lash steered Mary toward the bathroom down the hallway. She tried to struggle a little but he just picked her up and carried her. Once they were inside, he used his foot to kick the door closed as he put her back down on her feet.
“Move. What are you doing? They said I could go.” She pushed at him.
He blocked the door. “Mary, you need to make promises to me.”
“What?”
“You must promise to stay with me. No running at the house. I won’t allow you to get hurt. You must promise me you’ll let the humans stay in charge, and not try to rescue your parents.”
Her eyes widened.
“Don’t even think about it,” he snarled. “Promise me.”
“I promise.”
“Splash water on your face and use the toilet. I don’t believe you would like to pee outside.”
“I need some privacy. Remember what I said about that? You’re not watching me go.”
He sighed, annoyed. “Humans.” He opened the door and stepped outside before rushing to the other bathroom in the suite. She would probably get upset if he peed outside with her watching. Once they left Reservation, he wasn’t letting her get more than a few feet away from him. She was being unstable.
Not that he blamed her. She loved her parents.
* * * * *
Lash had thought it would be less stressful for his Mary if she were able to see her parents’ home. He’d been wrong. She stood within his arms, peering around the old building called a barn, muttering under her breath every few minutes. She did it again.
“Why is the sheriff and his deputy just sitting there doing nothing? It’s going to be dark soon, damn it!”
His gaze left her to stare at the house in the clearing a good distance away. The barn sat in a field to the side of the structure, giving them a view of the front and one side. It was a two-story human home. All the windows had material blocking the view inside. The sun was about to go down. It was growing dark fast.
The older white-haired male in uniform was crouched behind a vehicle with another younger human male in almost matching clothing. Sometimes Lash could pick up a ringing cell phone from their direction but not the words spoken. Timber had informed them that the bad human was the one calling the sheriff from time to time.
Almost two dozen Species males were grouped behind the barn with them. They were frustrated over not being able to do anything. Lash agreed with the males. Waiting around was boring. Though, they were making plans on how to breach the house if the human sheriff gave them permission.
Lights suddenly came on around the exterior of the house. They were attached to the building, near the lower floor.
“Damn,” Mary muttered. “I was hoping that asshole wouldn’t notice them.”
Lash lowered his head to hers. “Notice what?”
“My dad cut down all the trees around the house because squirrels were living in them, and tons of birds. Then we had some possums coming up to the house, trying to get into the trashcans. He added bright lights, since they don’t like them.” She clutched his arm. “He did it for me. I heard them at night from my bedroom and it would freak me out.”
Warmth spread in Lash’s chest upon hearing that. His mate was afraid of animals, and her father had cared enough to try to keep them away from her home when she’d been a child. It showed how much the male loved his Mary. “Lights are good. You’ll be able to see the house still. Humans don’t have good night vision.”
“I was hoping some of your people could sneak up once it was dark,” she admitted.
“The human hiding behind the vehicle said we can’t do that.”
“Hiding is right,” Mary mumbled. “All he’s doing is taking that dick’s calls. Why the hell doesn’t this town have a sniper?”
“What is that?”
“Someone who can shoot really well from a distance and hit a difficult target with precision. They could shoot that asshole inside my parents’ house.”
Lash stared at the home. “I have good eyesight and can’t see inside. All the windows are covered.”
“Fucking curtains,” Mary sighed. “How long is this going to go on?”
“I don’t know.” They’d been there for a good hour. “You should rest. Take a seat on the ground for a bit behind the barn. I’ll watch for you.”
Mary turned her head, glaring at him. “I will after I get to see and talk to my parents.”
More time passed. His mate sagged a little in his arms after the sun went down. Lash was frustrated that she wouldn’t sit down, but at least she wasn’t crying anymore. Being near the house seemed to make her feel better. He was glad he’d brought her.
Snow and Mel approached. His mate didn’t even seem to notice. The other female was frowning.
“Mary? Why don’t you come eat something with me? Snow spread out a blanket for me. We’ll have a little picnic. The NSO sent some sandwiches and drinks.”
Mary didn’t even bother to glance at her friend, keeping her focus on the house. “Not now, Mel.”
“It’s been hours. At least come sit down and drink some water or something.”
“Not until my parents are safe.”
Lash felt frustrated. What if they stayed there all night? It was growing a little chilly for a human, but he thought he coul
d keep her warm, since she stayed in front of him, allowing him to keep her against his body.
“Mary, your folks would want you to take care of yourself. They’ve got food and stuff inside their house.” Mel stepped closer. “Come on, best friend. Have something to eat with me and get off your feet for a bit. You need a break.”
Mary tensed and turned her head. “For all we know, that asshole has them locked in a closet. He’s old. I can’t see him being able to keep a gun trained on them for all this time. Do they get a break from this shit? No.” Mary stared at the house again. “I’m glad you’re here, but don’t bug me right now, Mel.”
Mel sighed and backed away, taking Snow with her. They took a seat behind the barn with other Species, eating the food that had been sent. Lash was hungry, but he wasn’t letting go of his mate or leaving her side.
A gunshot suddenly pierced the night.
It came from inside the house.
Mary tried to jerk out of his arms. Lash tightened his hold on her. She struggled but he was stronger. “Calm,” he snarled.
“Oh God,” Mary sobbed. “He shot one of them!”
“You don’t know that.”
The Species with them all tensed, preparing to rush at the house. Timber hurried to Brass, seeking permission to act. The response was a firm no. The male reminded them that they were ordered to stay in place until Sheriff Cooper allowed them to take over.
The white-haired human behind the car suddenly stood up, holding some horn-shaped device.
“Arron, answer the damn phone,” Sheriff Cooper’s voice boomed. “What’s going on in there? I told you that it’s going to take time to arrange for your sons to be transferred from county lockup. There’s a lot of red tape to cut. Pick up the phone!”
“You’re lying to me,” a fainter male voice shouted from the house. “I want my sons!”
“I’m not lying,” the sheriff said through the loud device. “I told you the truth. We don’t have the means at my station to hold people I arrest long term. There’s just a few cells in my station. I usually only hold drunks there or domestic violators for a few hours until they sober up or cool off.”
Best Friends (New Species Book 15) Page 33