by Sydney Addae
“What you’ve done in such a short amount of time is amazing. I’m sure you’ll reach your overall goals in no-time,” Jasmine said as they walked toward the rear dining room reserved for them.
Several patrons watched as their large party walked through the restaurants with security standing outside the building and inside near the private room. Silas thought Lucian went overboard but since he never ate in human facilities like this, he remained quiet. In the back of his mind he wondered why they didn’t go on Pack lands to a restaurant. Didn’t they have their own?
Silas sat next to Jasmine and Lucian sat across from Silas while Solo sat next to Jasmine. Angus and Shyla sat on Silas’ other side with Duke sitting next to Shyla. Raven sat next to Lucian. It was an interesting arrangement which put Lucian directly in Silas’ view.
“How’s Storm doing?” Duke asked. When Storm asked for permission to come to America to challenge Hawke, Silas sent Storm to find the three full-bloods who had killed the former Alpha Ricardo. Up until that point no one had been able to catch the rebels which had been a sore spot for Silas. Duke had been Storm’s point of contact in Central America and the two had become friends.
“He’s okay,” Silas said reminding himself to contact Jacques regarding Storm and Razor’s situation.
“Now that’s a beast,” Duke said grinning as they placed drink orders. “He’s one of the best fighters I’ve ever seen. We could’ve used him a few months ago in Costa Rica.” He waved his hand and shook his head. “We had our hands full there.”
Silas smiled but didn’t say anything. Since Jasmine couldn’t mind link with the others he refused to engage in table conversation that would exclude her. “What looks good?” he asked his mate who looked ravishing in a purple sheath that clung to her curves in all the right places.
“I’m thinking beef medallions, they look good. What about you?” she looked up at him and smiled.
“I’m thinking we should’ve stayed on the island so that I could peel that dress off you slowly. You’re beautiful, irresistibly delicious.”
She laughed and pushed his shoulder with hers. “Behave.”
“Why? These single pups need to see what they’re missing without their mates or a good Bitch,” Silas teased as he leaned down and brushed his lips against hers. “So sweet. I’ll never get enough of you.”
He tensed and jumped up blocking her, just as Angus, Lucian and Solo did the same.
“Who the hell are you?” Lucian growled at two men who stood on the other side of the door.
“What happened to the guards you posted?” Silas asked Lucian.
“They aren’t responding,” Lucian said concerned.
Silas looked at Shyla. She stood and walked behind him as Jasmine stood and moved to his side. He didn’t waste time telling Jasmine to stand down, she was more lethal than most of the people in the room.
The door opened. A tall, heavy, dark haired man with a handlebar mustache stood in front of them. A larger male in a black suit held something in his hand and stared at them through cold blue eyes.
“They cleared the restaurant, Silas. There’s no one in here but us and them. Have Angus block any cameras,” Jasmine said. Before he could ask questions, the man holding the gadget started shaking as he rose a few feet off the ground. His yells were in that scratchy whisper Silas hated.
He glanced at Jasmine. Her eyes glowed a golden brown as she glanced up at him before shielding her gaze. Whatever device the man held in his hand hit the floor. Jasmine moved. Silas touched her arm to hold her in place.
“I have to do this. Whatever that is impacts wolves,” she said.
“Not mine.” Silas moved with blurring speed and slammed into the man standing closest to the door. He flew across the restaurant and hit the wall.
Lucian moved forward and picked up the device off the ground while staring at the large whimpering man who literally hung in the air.
“Angus,” Silas called over his shoulder and sent a jolt of energy to his brother to break whatever paralysis had taken hold.
Shyla, Duke, Raven, and Solo took deep breaths as they found their bearings. Angus moved quickly to Silas and placed his hand on the man’s shoulder.
“What the hell is this?” Lucian growled while staring at the device. He looked at the man Silas held on the ground and then up at the man still gasping above him. “Someone tell me what’s happening.”
Three Pack members ran inside shaking their heads. They stood in front of Lucian with their heads down. Lucian’s jaw tightened.
Warm air swirled around the room.
A cool breeze countered it.
Lucian spun around and stared at Jasmine.
“You can’t lose control in here, Lucian,” she said in a neutral tone. “We need answers. Someone attacked my mate and that’s never permitted.”
“You... you’re doing this?” Raven pointed at the human who had been elevated above the ground.
“Silas why did these men disturb the one night we came into town for dinner during our vacation? One night, that’s all we asked for. Why are they here?” Jasmine said in a hard tone.
The man in the air shuddered and shrieked as Jasmine moved toward Silas and Angus.
“Mistress?” Shyla said from behind her. “Can you ease up just a little so we can help?”
Jasmine held up her hand. “After I learn what the hell is going on that is so important these men attacked us in a public place when we’re surrounded by so much security. How did they know we would be here? What are they trying to accomplish? Who sent them and why?”
Silas stood slowly and moved toward her. “This man was Dr. Housman. We were hasty in not investigating Jandro’s family. His father, Rafe, is aware of Pack and is testing a device for financial backers in South America. Seems there are a few full-bloods uneasy over Lucian’s rise to power and have talked to humans, actually sought their assistance to win against him.”
“Full-bloods? Pack did this?” Lucian said in a ragged whisper and crestfallen face. “I want their names,” he roared, enraged. “Challenge me, win against me in a fight but never, never go to the humans and involve them with things like this. I will destroy them.” He left the device on a table and walked outside with the three Pack security guards.
Jasmine turned and dropped the human to the ground. “Check him for electronic devices.”
Shyla and Solo moved immediately to search the human who lay whimpering and twitching on the ground.
“Nothing, Ma’am,” Solo said.
“What happened to the staff?” Jasmine asked. “Or the people who were here when we arrived a few minutes ago? Were they all planted? A part of this test?” With each question a cool wind blew through the restaurant, moving utensils, fake plants, menus and causing the white tablecloths to flap.
“I’ll check,” Duke said and moved quickly to the kitchen.
“This makes no sense, Silas. Jandro came to the island for what? To run tests? To see if a device he wore was waterproof? Or if it would impact you?” She crossed her arms and stared at him.
“I’m not quite sure Jandro was an active participant or a pawn. Dr. Housman.” He pointed to the one lying on the ground with Angus. “Assisted Rafe, Jandro’s father in fine tuning the device. They used some of the Liege’s technology, amped it up and have been testing it in rural parts of Costa Rica, which is why Lucian had a difficult time in that area. Knowing what they used, Lucian will be able to neutralize it.” Silas spoke to Jasmine, Shyla, and Angus. “Not only will Lucian need to destroy Pack for sharing our secrets, but he’ll need to destroy the device and the others who created it as well.”
“This is shaping up to be the vacation from hell,” Jasmine murmured as she normalized.
“Just certain parts,” Silas said pulling her close and kissing her forehead.
She smiled slightly. “The police told Rafe where we’d be, didn’t they?”
“Yes. Solo has a few men watching the island right now. Two boats arr
ived after we left.”
She snorted. “We knew that.”
“Yeah. The detectives returned and another boat with humans. Pala isn’t sure who was on that boat since they went to a different part of the island. No one was able to penetrate the security shield,” Silas said.
“There’s no one in the kitchen,” Duke said moving toward them. “Everything’s cold, the place is cleaned as if they haven’t been used since earlier today. Either the staff knew what was going on or they were given time off.”
“Time off. These men were told Lucian and full-bloods can’t hurt humans,” Angus said as he stood. “That’s why they’ve been so bold in coming here. No one told them we can and do defend ourselves.” Angus moved toward the other man whimpering on the ground. “Just in case someone is watching the front of the restaurant, take that one out the back, Solo. Make sure no one ever finds him. Come back for this one.”
Solo and Duke walked over to the man lying dead on the floor, lifted him and walked toward the kitchen. Raven followed no doubt discussing what had just happened.
Angus touched the man on the floor.
Wide-eyed he jerked and rolled his eyes upward to look at Angus.
“Why are you here?” Jasmine asked.
The man looked at her. “Soorrry.”
Angus stood and stepped close to Shyla. He brushed his lips against her forehead.
“Hired gun. Not involved like the other one was. Here’s where it gets really ugly, Cortes’ brother in law, Rafe, exposed Cortes to various chemicals they were testing which have been known to cause cancer in humans. Guess who plans to take over Cortes’ business and fill that vacuum?” Angus asked.
“Jandro?” Silas said.
“No, his father, Rafe. Jandro will take over his father’s law firm. Jandro gave his uncle a plant, supposedly from his mom, which held the last of the chemicals. Once the old man inhaled close to the leaves, the chemicals would’ve pushed the older man over the edge. They hadn’t expected him to go crazy and try to kill Jandro. Maybe Cortes suspected something, who knows? Rafe had been so angry over what Cortes did to his son, he had Housman develop a lethal cocktail to kill Cortes but he disappeared before they could use it,” Angus said.
Jasmine listened through Silas and grew more and more angry. “Didn’t that Detective say the successor had to investigate the death of the dearly departed? Is that what this was? A test drive to see if that device could kill Silas?”
“Calm down, Jasmine,” Silas said as warm air swirled around them. Solo, Duke and Raven stood wide-eyed in the hall entrance watching.
“Shyla did this device impact you?” Jasmine asked turning to face her friend.
“Yes, Mistress. I couldn’t move. My beast wanted to break free but couldn’t,” Shyla said.
“Solo, were you able to move when they cranked up that device?” Jasmine turned to face him.
“No Ma’am. I wanted to move but couldn’t,” Solo said. His gaze flit from Silas to Jasmine and back to Silas.
“Duke? Raven? Angus?” Jasmine shot off their names while glaring at the man on the ground before looking at Silas.
The three all admitted they couldn’t move.
“This is what I’m talking about. They wanted you, Silas and I’m not having it. If this guy wants to be the next President, more power to him. If he wants to buy land on every continent, so be it. But he will not come after my mate to prove loyalty to any gang or business, is everybody clear on that?”
“Yes, Ma’am,” Duke and Raven said.
“Yes, Ma’am,” Solo said.
“Yes, Mistress,” Angus and Shyla said.
Hearing their agreement eased her anger slightly. “Now, I know this is your territory, Solo but they came after us here. Do we need to ask your permission or something to deal with Rafe and Jandro?”
“We’re not sure Jandro’s involved but what do you have in mind?” Silas asked.
Jasmine looked up at him. “I’m not restricted against humans. They struck at my heart so I’ll do to them what you would do if they had come at me.”
He stiffened and then eased. “Never say those words around me.”
“I feel the same anger right now that they would do this, after we helped that boy.” She shook her head. “Now I wonder if he had something to do with the Americans being killed?”
“No, Angus searched his memories. He was there but didn’t participate,” Silas said as Lucian returned inside.
“There’s a van nearby with a couple men that we’ve taken for questioning.” Lucian’s gaze flicked to Solo and back to Silas. Solo and Duke left. “I apologize for this evening and should’ve checked things more thoroughly. Duke says the people here were plants and no one was in the kitchen. Someone went through a lot of expense and trouble for this.” He looked at the man on the floor. “Shall we put him with the others?”
“Yes,” Silas said and stepped aside as Raven lifted the whimpering man and walked through the kitchen. Before she reached the exit door, Raven broke his neck and took him outside.
Lucian bowed to Jasmine. “You have permission to do whatever you want while in Central America. All I ask is that you don’t expose us. Being mated to La Patron I’m sure that’s not going to be a problem.”
“How many in the van?” Silas asked.
“Two humans. They were listening and recording the conversations. They didn’t have video, just audio,” Lucian said.
“Camera’s give off a distinct sound, we would’ve heard it or any device inside the building. I checked,” Angus said.
“Do they know the names of the full-blood traitors?” Silas asked.
“We will find out.” Lucian paused. “Would you like to come watch?”
“If we can grab food on the way,” Silas said, looking at Jasmine. “We’re still hungry.”
“Of course. We’ll take care of that. I’ll have food delivered.” Lucian looked around. “Are we done here?”
Silas put his arm around Jasmine’s waist, pulled her close and followed Lucian out of the restaurant. Outside he threw a shield around him, Jasmine, Angus, and Shyla as they walked toward the vehicle.
“We’re being watched,” Angus told Silas.
“I know. Someone wants to know if we were impacted by that device which I’d like Hawke to look over as soon as possible. Jasmine’s right, this is getting old. That technology is old. People wanting to be us is old. I’m ready to go home,” Silas said.
“After Mistress gets her revenge,” Angus said as he slid in after Silas, Jasmine and Shyla.
“Yeah, I’m not sure what to do about that since she was serious.”
“The last time someone in this part of the world came after you, well us, everyone suffered badly. So, I definitely understand why she’s not happy they’re targeting you again over something they manufactured in the first place,” Angus said.
“Right. It’s...it’s getting old.” Silas pulled Jasmine close as they drove off.
<<<<>>>>
The SUV’s pulled into an underground garage and parked. Everyone was escorted inside to the elevator and rode to the first floor. Several full-blood guards stood at attention as Jasmine and the others followed Lucian and Solo down the hall.
“Welcome, La Patron and La Patroness, to my home and headquarters,” Solo said with a slight bow as he unlocked and opened a door.
“Thank you,” Jasmine murmured.
“Welcome, Angus, Beta of La Patron’s Pack and his mate, Shyla,” Solo said.
“Thank you,” Shyla said as the entered behind Silas and Jasmine. The open floor plan had spectacular views of the ocean from the foyer. The living room flowed seamlessly into the dining and kitchen areas with a few doors and a hall leading somewhere.
“This is lovely, Solo,” Jasmine said looking around. “It feels warm, homey, restful. You did good.”
Solo’s cheeks pinked as he stood a little taller beneath her well-deserved praise. “Thank you, Ma’am. It’s comfortable and a good place
to recharge.” He extended his hand toward the comfortable looking sofas. “Please have a seat. Food is on the way. We will eat and then get down to the business of discovering the traitors and eliminating them.”
Jasmine followed Silas and sat next to him on the sofa. “This is comfortable.”
“Do you want me to buy you one?” Silas asked.
“Maybe. I don’t know yet.”
He smiled down at her. “Let me know. I live to please you.”
“Silas I promise not to intrude on your vacation, however, since you are here can I ask you a few questions regarding this new dilemma in my lands?” Lucian asked.
“Sure.” Silas leaned back and placed his arm over the top of the seat behind Jasmine. His fingertips brushed against her hair.
“Thank you. This technology, you said it’s old.” Lucian held the device they had taken from the men. “I’ve never seen or heard of it before. What can you tell me about it?”
“It’s something the Liege developed years ago when they ran tests on Pack on the Continent. Over centuries it migrated to the States and I see it’s here. The Liege no longer exists but every now and their legacy emerges with someone who wants to be like us or destroy us. The Liege ran experiments on both fronts,” Silas said. “That’s an extremely condensed version of something that took place over centuries. There’s a lot of history that goes along with it.”
“I can imagine and would like to hear all of it whenever time permits. However, right now I need to understand how to deal with this particular issue.” He held up the device.
“My suggestion is to allow Hawke to examine it. He’s an expert on Liege technology. He’ll tell you what was done and how to counteract it.” Silas took the device from Lucian and looked at it. He passed it over to Angus who looked it over as well.
“The reason La Patron and Alpha weren’t impacted is because of the Goddess’ marks?” Duke asked from his seat at the dining table.