by Tl Reeve
The lion backed off slowly and stopped, allowing the man control. He continued to wait.
For news on his cubs, his mate. Rapier fucking hated waiting.
“Rapier,” Jasmine screeched the moment the door opened and she caught sight of him.
He wanted to reprimand her as she took off, barreling down the hallway to where he stood, but instead he kept quiet the second he saw her pale face with tear tracks running down her cheeks. Her pretty hazel eyes were red and swollen and filled with so much anguish it made his gut twist.
Even though he felt anything but calm, he knew he had to project that image because otherwise, his mate was going to break. He knew the last couple of days hadn’t been easy on her. And as it had always been his way, he was willing to give her time and space to get her head on straight. He’d made the decision earlier that he was done with that route. Jasmine needed to talk. If not with him, someone. Anyone. He’d ask Keeley later if she knew of any therapist around Window Rock who could help.
They also had to have a conversation about her scent change. He figured she hadn’t notice due to all the shit going on, but pretty soon, it would be obvious to everyone. She’d be furious with herself if she didn’t paid attention to her change of scent—spring and something new.
Another one of his cubs was growing deep in her belly. The thought of having another child with his mate filled him with such joy and anticipation it pushed back against the rising tide of fear and rage.
“Kitten.” His voice took on the growly gruff edge of his lion along with a mix of emotions.
“Where is Zoe?” Jasmine brushed away the fresh wave of tears creeping down her cheeks while she tried to gather herself.
“There.” He nodded to the closed door.
Jasmine looked at it then him and back again. “Why are you out here? You should be in there with Zoe.”
“She’s safe now, Kitten, and besides Cookie wouldn’t allow me in,” he admitted.
“What…why not?” she asked confused.
Before he could even get a reply out, Jasmine was already making a move to open the door. Rapier stopped her, pulling her back toward his chest before wrapping his arms securely around her. One hand rested low on her belly, above where their cub slumbered. With a deep sigh, Rapier informed her why as he struggled to keep his tone neutral and calm. He left out the part about worrying about Zoe being violated by Quincy’s sick puppets. Jasmine sagged in his arms, whimpering in distress. Her tears splattered against his forearms, and he wished he could magically make everything better.
Just when he thought he’d lose his shit because he couldn’t stand the scent of his mate’s pain, the door opened, and Danielle gestured for them to come in. Zoe lay on the cot, and a brightly colored blanket covered her entire body. Her face had been cleaned, and the swelling on her cheek was already black and blue.
“She’s been sedated,” Danielle said before closing the door. “Best guess, they gave her a shot of Pentobarbital. I found a needle mark on her neck.”
Rapier’s mouth was bone dry, and his tongue felt thick, making it hard for him speak, so he nodded instead. Jasmine broke from his hold and made her way to the bed where she brushed back their daughter’s jet-black hair before she placed a soft kiss on Zoe’s bruised cheek.
“I suspect it was a hearty dose. She’s been here for at least fifteen minutes, and I’m not really sure how long she was out before Utah found her,” Danielle said before she scribbled notes on a file she held.
“How long,” he choked out. “Before we have to worry.”
She frowned. “Oh, it shouldn’t be long. With her shifter metabolism I’d be surprised if she didn’t wake up sooner rather than later.” Danielle clicked her pen closed before laying everything down on the small table near her. When she finally looked at him, Rapier could see the weariness around her eyes and the pinched look of her mouth. She was tired too, having spent almost every waking moment at the hospital. He knew she had come directly from there, leaving Keeley to help with Everett, even though Danielle was the stronger of the two in the healing department.
Rapier had to remind himself, worrying about Danielle was no longer his responsibility. It was Caden’s, and he was obviously sucking at it. “Thank you. I know you’re exhausted.”
She gave him a small smile. “It’s what family is for, right?” She glanced down at her notes. “Her cheek is bruised, not broken. She fought them, Rapier. Five of her nails were broken down to the quick. Her right wrist is sprained, and her right foot is broken.”
Later, after Bell was home and Quincy rotted in a jail cell or was six feet under, he’d be proud of how Zoe protected her sister and fought back. Jasmine whimpered, drawing his attention. She didn’t move from her position beside their daughter, and Rapier was glad, especially when Danielle approached him, placing a calming hand on his bulging biceps. He felt a warm burst of healing energy coming from Danielle. He scowled down at her, pissed she was wasting strength she didn’t have on his scraggly ass.
“She wasn’t sexually assaulted, and she’ll make a full recovery, once she wakes up,” Danielle whispered.
“Did you…” His voice cracked with emotion. “Help heal her.”
“Of course, but not fully. I gave her a push to help her already fast metabolism expel the drug. I figured Kal is going to want to talk to her.”
He wanted to talk to Zoe too. He needed to reassure himself and the lion she was safe. Kalkin would have to fucking wait his turn. “What about her foot?”
Danielle shook her head. “Nope. The bones were already knitting when I checked her over. When she wakes up, a shift should finish it up.”
Rapier nodded.
“Kids are resilient, Rapier. She’ll be running down the streets, doing cartwheels in a few days,” Danielle assured him.
If Rapier had anything to do with it, he’d build the tallest wall around his home for Zoe and Bell, once they got her back. The giant bailey would be perfect for them to stretch their legs and not get into trouble. The world…it could go fuck itself for all he cared.
“Mom?” Zoe sat up, pushing the blanket from her. Her clothes were ruined, ripped and dirty. Her blue eyes were filled with a mix of fear, panic, and a whole lot of pain. Rapier could smell it coming off her in waves. Zoe had her feet on the ground, attempting to stand, like she intended to find her twin before the pain in her foot had her wincing and sitting back down. “Where is Bell?”
The fuckin’ anxious edge in his oldest cub’s voice made him want to throw up. No cub should have to deal with this. When was enough, enough?
“We were hoping you could tell us,” he said, struggling to keep his shit together. Rapier knew if he willingly let the lion free, he’d rain carnage down on those responsible for what was done to his cubs.
Zoe’s face scrunched in thought, and she pushed back her wayward hair off her face. “I don’t know. This is all my fault. I’m the one that talked her into sneaking out. We were just going to find Bodhi and his friends.”
“Shhh, baby,” Jasmine cooed. “No one blames you, and Bell won’t either.”
Zoe shook her head in denial at her mother’s reassurances. Rapier understood his cub’s guilt. It was something he dealt with daily. “Don’t, Ma, I knew what I was doing when I did it.”
“Tell us what happened, Zoe,” Rapier urged. The quicker they got the information, the quicker they could locate Bell.
Zoe took a deep, fortifying breath before she began to speak. “Three hyenas came upon us in a clearing. Orphans.” Zoe glanced at Danielle. “They were in bad shape. Said they knew the town and that they also knew Sheriff Raferty. I wasn’t able to protect Bell.” Her features twisted in defeat before she began to sob.
Rapier snorted, before lumbering over to his mate and cub. Bending down in front of her, he gently cupped her uninjured cheeked. His thumb swiped the tears that fell from her eyes. “Ahh, baby girl, sorry to say, but protecting your sister isn’t your job. It’s mine, your mother’
s, and our pack and Pride. If anyone failed, it was me.” The lion, in perfect agreement with him, gave a soulful yowl in his head.
“Bullshit,” Danielle spat. “You all need to stop taking someone else’s misdeeds as your own. Neither one of you is the responsible party. Place the blame where it’s due. This is all happening because a single man got butt hurt and is now bound and determined to get back at those he believes wrong him. Raymond Quincy is to blame. That man has a frigging God complex. Thinking he can do anything he wants without repercussion.”
“Dani’s right,” Kalkin added from the doorway. Where the fuck had he come from? Kalkin’s ice-blue gaze took in the room before landing on his sister-in-law. “She okay?”
“She will be,” Danielle replied.
Kalkin’s gaze found his. “I need you.”
Rapier sighed. Time to get back to work. Standing up, he gave Zoe’s hand a gentle squeeze before releasing it and turning toward Jasmine. “I love you. Both.”
“Go,” Jasmine urged, her voice wobbling with emotion. “Bring our cub back.”
“I will, kitten.” His gaze dropped to her belly. “You take care of Zoe, and this one too,” he said before cupping her lower belly.
Jasmine gasped, letting him know he’d gotten it right. She’d been clueless of the growing life inside of her.
“Oh…,” Danielle said softly.
“I love you too,” Jasmine said, her voice stronger now.
“Take care of your mom, spawn.” He winked at Zoe before leaning in to capture Jasmine’s lips for a quick kiss. He inhaled deeply. The scent of cinnamon and spring was strong and calming.
Jasmine wrapped her thin arms around him, pulling him down so she could whisper in his ear. “If you find him, Rapier, and you get a chance, do what you need to do.”
Rapier stepped away when Kalkin cleared his throat.
“Be careful, my mate. I expect you to return with Bell and in one piece,” she reminded him wearily.
He cocked a brow. “I can promise to bring Bell back, but you know me, baby.” He gave her a cocky grin before he followed Kalkin out the door.
“Tell me you got the damned orphanage guarded.”
Kalkin nodded. “Royce is going to take Jasmine, Dani, and Bell back to the compound. I’m putting it on lockdown. Only Rafertys or Dryers will be allowed in or out.”
Rapier nodded. “Good.”
“And it’s only my brothers, and deputies I trust who’ll be protecting it.” Even better.
“Sheriff!” One of the younger deputy Rapier had seen once or twice but didn’t know his name hurried toward them. “This was just dropped off.” He waved a sheet of paper back and forth as he closed the distance. “Logan instructed me to bring it directly to you.”
Rapier fought the urge to snatch the paper from the younger man’s hand. He didn’t, only because he didn’t know for sure if it had to do with Bell or another issue. Kalkin wasn’t just dealing with Bell being taken.
“Motherfucker,” Kalkin growled after he read the note. “I swear to God, when I get my hands on Quincy, I’m going to tear that fuckin’ asshole to pieces.”
Chapter Eighteen
Rapier took the piece of paper Kalkin held out to him and saw red.
Give us Mackenzie, and we’ll give you the girl.
Below the message was a set of coordinates they were to follow in order to find Bell.
“Go back to the station,” Kalkin ordered the younger deputy, while Rapier tried to process the words on the paper. “Get a team ready. We’ll be moving out shortly.”
The deputy nodded. “On it.”
“So, all this…it’s because of Mac?” Rapier shook his head in shock, allowing the paper to fall to the ground.
“Or something he knows.”
“I told you, Mac doesn’t even fuckin’ remember anything.” Rapier snarled. The calm he fought so hard to keep was slowly slipping from his grasp. The lion surged forward and roared. His beast was in a killing rage. The man wasn’t too far behind, to be honest. “He didn’t even know his name in the beginning.”
Kalkin didn’t even blink.
Rapier dropped the white sheet of paper and watched as it slowly floated to the ground, barely disturbing the dirt and gravel there. He was going after Raymond Quincy. When he got his hands on the fucker, he planned to choke the life out of him. He didn’t give a shit what Kalkin thought about it.
He was done.
Done being away from his family for so long.
Done seeing the look of fear in his cubs’ and mate’s eyes. And, most of all he was just fuckin’ done with Raymond Quincy’s bullshit scare tactics.
“Don’t do it,” Kalkin warned.
Rapier turned to Kalkin. “Don’t stop me. We’ll come to blows on this if you try, Kalkin.”
“Raymond Quincy, his trial, his subsequent jailbreak, it’s all in the fuckin’ public eye. You do this,” Kalkin warned. “You’ll lose everything.”
“I won’t lose jack shit. I’ll be protecting it. Something I should’ve done ten fucking years ago. But I didn’t.”
“If you do this, Rapier, I won’t be able to protect you,” Kalkin cautioned. “Listen to me, Goddammit.” The other man wrapped his large hand around Rapier’s upper arm, holding him close. His tone was forceful and full of caution. “I’m not talking as your friend or the fuckin’ Alpha. I’m speaking to you as a sworn officer of the law. I won’t fuckin’ be able to protect you.”
Rapier didn’t remove Kalkin’s hold on him; doing so, he understood, would result in them coming to blows. Instead, he growled. “I don’t give a fuck, Sheriff. I’m going to do what should’ve been done before it even got this far. The law…it can go fuck itself.” Rapier roared, infuriated with the fucked-up situation.
“This isn’t just about you, Rapier. He’s involved my brother.”
“Mac is a grown-ass man. Fully capable of taking care of himself. Seriously, you’re going to waste my time standing here comparing a ten-year-old girl to an adult man?” he demanded, knowing full well it wasn’t what the other man meant.
Rapier didn’t give a shit.
“It’s not about that, Rapier. It’s about both of our families standing strong and fighting back,” Kalkin snapped.
Rapier knew exactly what the other man meant. He just didn’t give a shit. Kalkin, hell the entire Raferty clan, were good men, but it wasn’t their cub who’d been beaten and left for dead in the desert. Fuck, they still had no clues where Bell was, but Rapier had an idea where he’d start. The spot Utah found Zoe.
“Release me,” Rapier muttered.
Kalkin did as he asked. Rapier didn’t miss the flash of remorse in the other man’s ice-blue gaze. “I don’t want to have to arrest you, Rapier, but I will if I’ve got to.”
Rapier snorted. “Ask Caden to do it then, we both know he gets off on that shit. I won’t hold any grudges, Kal. You do what you have to do. Just like I gotta do what I gotta do.”
With that, Rapier tore off in the direction of where Zoe had been found. It wouldn’t be hard to do; he just needed to find where the Crime Scene Investigators were. And since they drove a big-ass blue van with white letters, it stuck out like a sore thumb.
The scene was closed off, which wasn’t a surprise, but amazingly he got through it with relative ease. He took everything in. Even though he wasn’t a police officer, he could still tell Zoe’s struggle didn’t happen there. He followed the kicked-up sand and drag mark to a bolder not far from where he stood. There. That was where they got her with the drug.
Rapier called forth his lion, who was tired of being suppressed for so long. The predator rushed forward, joining the man. Everything around them became crisper and clearer. He could now distinguish all the different scents and see things he couldn’t see without the help of his lion. Zoe had been right, there were three hyenas. All of them were sickly. He also found the scent of his princess.
Rapier grinned. It was time to go hunting.
As s
oon as Rapier had the scent in his nose, he took off, leaving the forensic team to clean up the area. He understood burning bridges now would hurt his pride in the long term, but it hadn’t been Kalkin’s twins or Caden’s sons. It’d been his daughters, his cubs who’d been tracked and hunted like game then tranquilized. Then one was left behind.
Correction, they’d left Zoe for dead. It was a message to anyone who found her, especially if it’d been Rapier. Leave one and take the other. The threat was simple—I see you. I can get to you at any time. You’ll never be rid of me. They’d set their sights on his princess, because she’d been dainty, unassuming, soft. She had a frailty to her, not a bad thing in the long run, but for Raymond, if one of his fucking henchmen saw a vulnerability, they exploited it.
Zoe... She’d fight for everything tooth and nail, as evidenced by the condition of her fingers and wrist along with the knock to her cheek. Pride welled within him. She’d done everything she could to give Bell a head start. Zoe also pissed him off. Both of his daughters had to have some inkling of an idea that jumping out their bedroom window wasn’t a good idea, same as leaving without telling anyone. For the life of him, he couldn’t figure out what his daughters were thinking.
They hadn’t been, and that was the problem. Because neither he nor Jasmine wanted to scare the girls, they’d made the biggest mistake, acting like they weren’t in any kind of danger. Had Raymond not been out there on the loose, had he not been threatened in front of YoJo or at the art show, Rapier wouldn’t have taken issue with the girls going off on their own. He’d—they’d set the girls up for the perfect storm, not to mention the fact Zoe had disassembled the security system Keeley had sworn was unbreakable.
If he wasn’t so pissed and scared, he’d be proud of his daughter for figuring it out. For now, though, he remained pissed. Breaking the sensors like she had allowed them to get out and caused this whole situation. The girls weren’t trained to check their surroundings. They had their mother and Jenna to check their environment. If they were followed, neither one would have known it.