Caden

by Tl Reeve

  “Iced tea,” Keeley said, sitting beside her sister. “She’ll take the iced tea. She needs the sugar and caffeine.”

  Chapter Twelve

  The shit was going to hit the fan. Someone had to say it, might as well be Caden. His gut had been churning all morning. The feeling of something bad about to happen felt like an itch he couldn’t reach, no matter how much he tried. He thought it was due to it being the first night of the full moon and the worry of Danielle rejecting him, but after the other morning, he had a feeling they wouldn’t have any issues.

  What was it then?

  He stood in the middle of the station with Kalkin as they readied for their morning briefing. Their little issue with Tiffany had been thwarted several times. They also hadn’t seen Everett. It put Caden on edge. The Strawberry Festival was coming up in a little over four weeks, and with that, they would have to increase patrols. Already, they’d caught a couple of Quincy’s men hanging around Mrs. Martin’s shop—Caden suspected—so they could take Danielle or worse, kill her and nab Aiden.

  Caden rubbed the back of his neck. Shit, he had to stop thinking about it. He was getting twitchy and causing people to give him sideways looks. Shit. He shifted his stance. Irritation pricked at his skin. His wolf brushed against his skin, causing the hairs to stand on end. His lip curled as a predatory snarl filled his chest. He pushed the animal down. Now wouldn’t be the best time to shift. He worried what he might do—who he might hurt. That’s how bad it’d gotten.

  “Got something to say,” Kalkin growled.

  “Sorry. Don’t you feel it?” He winced at his tone. Hell, even his words sounded a little paranoid for his tastes. “It’s like ants crawling all over me.”

  Kalkin grinned. “Full moon?”

  Caden shook his head while concentrating on keeping the shift at bay. “Like something is about to happen.”

  The humor in his brother’s face disappeared. “What do you feel?”

  “I don’t know. My stomach has been in knots since I woke this morning. As time has gone by, it’s worse. My skin is crawling. I feel like there is an electrical charge in the air.” He couldn’t shake it.

  The stares of those surrounding them bore into Caden, and it only made the sensations worse. Damn it, why now? Why did he have to freak out now? They were doing so well. He made progress. He’d been clean and sober for almost six months and now he’d lose his shit? No way, he wouldn’t do it. Maybe, he needed to take a minute and run. Just get it out of his system. Try again. Call Danielle, make sure she and the kids were safe. No, he’d go home and check on them. Yeah, it would be better. Seeing her would settle him a bit more. She’d still been sleeping when he slid out of bed earlier. He hadn’t wanted to disturb her because he figured it was the first time she’d actually had a chance to sleep soundly since she and Keeley had received the funding for the orphanage.

  “Keeley and Danielle were coming to town this morning. I am sure if anything happens, you’ll be the first to know.” Kalkin squeezed his shoulder. “Don’t worry. We’ll keep her and the boys safe.”

  Caden grunted. “I know. It’s fucked up is all.”

  “I understand. It’s how I felt when we were trying to find Simon. We’re also upping patrols,” Kalkin said. “We won’t take any chances. We’ll be working twelve-hour shifts, until we can eliminate the threat. We have a county to protect. We have a community and families to protect.”

  Jace handed Kalkin a file. “This is all the intel we have collected on Tiffany and Raymond since we were alerted to them poking their noses around town. Besides the couple of incidences at Mrs. Martin’s, they haven’t been spotted. Doesn’t mean they’re not out there. We all realize there are places they can hide.”

  “Good,” Kalkin answered. “I suspect, since the trailer park has been knocked down, they’re limited to where they can go, but we will root out those places as well. The demo-crew will be at the lot for another couple of days working to clean it off. We’ll keep up patrols there. We don’t need the equipment vandalized.”

  After a contentious council meeting between the council members and Kalkin, the council relented, agreeing the eyesore of a trailer park had to go. Kalkin had talked the council into springing for some low-income housing there through Habitat for Humanity. As much as Kalkin could be an asshole, he also had a soft spot for people who were in need of help. He also suggested Rapier and his brothers put in a bid for the contract. Sure, they’d have to hire a crew to help, but if the Dryers wanted to put down roots, they had to start somewhere.

  “Let’s get to work,” his brother barked. “Cad—”

  An explosion ripped through the building. Then a second. Orange and red flames enveloped the department, cutting Caden off from Kalkin. Fire spread along the walls and tracked over the ceiling. Black smoke made it hard to see through and breathe as the raging inferno consumed the building. The acrid stench of chemicals burned Caden’s throat as he tried to get his bearings. They had to get out of the building. Inside they were as good as dead. One of the deputies opened the side door to where their cars were parked. He motioned for them to follow, and another explosion ripped through the side of the building when he stepped over the threshold.

  Tripwire. Fuck!

  Time slowed to a crawl. Pieces of cement block and mortar imploded, shooting into the building. The deputy who’d been standing there had been engulfed by a fire ball. From the window beside Caden, he could see a car lift into the air then fall from the sky. For one brief second everything had gone silent. Almost as if someone hit the pause button. Then it all went to hell in a handbasket.

  The screams. Holy fuck. The screams. They reverberated through Caden’s mind as he was flung backwards from the concussion of the blast. He grunted, landing in a heap. Another body fell on his and the rough growl of his brother alerted him to who it’d been. He shook his head, trying desperately to clear his clogged senses. The ringing in his ears drove him to the brink. His vision swam. Every inch of him hurt, even the hair follicles on top of his head. In the parking lot another car exploded.

  The structure shook from the force. More debris fell on him. The searing heat scorched his skin. He rolled trying to get away from the white-hot agony. He cracked open his eyes and found the arm of his shirt on fire. Nice. I’m on fire now? What the fuck? He patted it out and groaned at the burning sting radiating from the spot. Of all the stupid things. His brother’s face appeared in front of his. Kalkin was saying something, but he couldn’t hear anything. He wrapped his hands in the front of Caden’s shirt and shook him.

  “Caden! Move. We have to move!”

  He was on his feet in the next second. His world spun out of control. He reached out to steady himself and singed the palm of his hand. Caden hissed. “What happened?” His words were a little slurred, which scared the shit out of him. His heart pounded, and his wolf paced below the surface. It brushed against his flesh, wanting out. But, it wasn’t safe. It wouldn’t be for a long time.

  “One guess,” Kalkin said. “Come on.”

  They ran for the back of the building. Fire kissed their skin as they ran for the prisoners at the back of the station. They couldn’t leave them there. He wouldn’t be responsible for their deaths, nor would he allow his brother to be either. As they approached the cells, the putrid stench of burnt flesh and blood caused him to gag. The screams of those still trapped tore at Caden’s need to protect. Of all the places they could have attacked...

  “Fuck,” Kalkin growled. “Two are dead.”

  “This was planned.” He went to the second cell where one their habitual DUI suspect, Charles, Caden thought his name was, lay on the floor. A chunk of ceiling fell on his leg, pinning him. Blood pooled around the injury, and he had a few scratches on his face and arms. Considering what happened, the man appeared in good condition.

  “Help!” The man cried out in pain as he tried to push the piece of concrete off his leg. “Please.”

  “We are.” Caden opened the door as
quickly as he could. “Can you walk?”

  “I... I think so. I don’t think it’s bad.” Caden helped him push the rubble off his leg then steadied him as he stood. He leaned against Caden for a moment before taking a tentative step. “Yeah, I can.”

  “Walk in a straight line. Don’t stop. Don’t hesitate. We’ll be right behind you.” He urged the man in the direction of the back door. In the cell beside him, Kalkin did the same. “We have to check the rest of this place. What a fucking mess.”

  “We let down our fucking guard.”

  The sound of approaching sirens gave Caden a moment to say his thanks, then he went back to searching the space with his brother. From the impact alone, there were several injured, besides those who’d already perished. Anger burned through his veins. “Again.”

  “We need to call the girls and Charisma. We have to get extra guards on all of them. This might not be over.” His brother had a point. For all they knew, this was a distraction.

  Another explosion ripped through the area, shaking the building. Kalkin’s gaze collided with Caden’s, and they both ran. They pushed through the door at the same time, just as the fire ball from the direction of Charisma’s house filled the sky and he just knew. Caden fell on his ass. “Mother fuckers!” A ragged scream was ripped from his chest.

  “Don’t,” Kalkin snapped. “Don’t do it, Caden. Don’t let them see you care.”

  “Fuck you.” He didn’t give a rat’s ass who saw him fall apart. His station had been destroyed. The sweet little human who took in an orphaned shifter was probably hurt, or worse, could be dead. He couldn’t get to Danielle. Fuck. His heart sank. What if something happened to her? She had said she was going to check on Crow, hadn’t she?

  “Snap out of it, fucker!” His brother grabbed him up. “Not here.” The hard set of Kalkin’s blue eyes demanded Caden follow his brother’s order. “There are people hurt inside. We have to get them out.”

  Caden grunted. He followed his brother back into the station. The shouts for help and the cries of those hurt echoed in his head. He pushed aside the strewn remains of filing cabinets and tables. Of charred paperwork and shards of glass. The smoke had turned noxious. The building was older than them and who knew what exact toxins were in the walls and ceiling. They found the body of the deputy who opened the door and didn’t stop. Not now. He pushed the scene to the back of his mind and made a sweep of the building.

  “Get out,” a firefighter called. “We’ll clear it.”

  Water cooled his overheated flesh as the man began dousing the walls. The fire was dissipating. The smoke though was still thick as shit. He followed another of the firefighters out of the building. Caden bent at the waist and coughed. Then coughed again. Too much smoke. Damn, this sucks. Allen, one of their paramedics, shoved an oxygen mask into his hand. He put it to his mouth and took a deep breath. The choking cough wracked his body as he crumpled to the ground. A few moments later, Kalkin appeared at his side. He handed the mask to his brother.

  The squeal of tires and the slamming of doors drew his attention to the curb. Mackenzie and the Dryer men were with him. Each of them appeared ready to take down whoever attacked the department. They approached Kalkin and him.

  Mackenzie extended his hand to Caden. “Get up, boy.”

  He smacked his brother’s hand away, not ready to be touched. If Mackenzie touched him right then, he wouldn’t be responsible for what happened. “Don’t.”

  Rapier extended his hand. “Not here.”

  “And here I thought I might get a little sympathy.” Caden coughed as he stood.

  “What the fuck happened?” Rapier also helped Kalkin to his feet. “We heard the explosion and got here as quick as we could.”

  “Firebombed.” Kalkin coughed. “Charisma’s house too, if the direction was any indication.”

  “Shit,” Rapier snapped. “What do you need us to do?”

  “Loraine?” Jace called. “Loraine?”

  Caden’s head popped up. “Jace, isn’t she with you?”

  His brother shook his head. The frantic way he kept looking around had a knot of dread forming in the pit of his stomach. “No. We got separated after the second blast—Loraine!”

  God dammit! Someone was going to pay for this. Before he could tell his brother to let the fire department do their job, Jace ran headlong into the building. “Damn it, Jace!”

  Caden, Kalkin, and Mackenzie gave chase after their brother, pausing at the door as a black cloud of smoke billowed out of the structure.

  Rapier was right behind them, standing to their right. “Do you think he’ll find her?”

  If anyone could find Loraine it was Jace. “He’ll find her.” Alive or dead, Caden didn’t know.

  “Medic!” Jace screamed. “I need help!” He hobbled out of the building carrying Loraine. The woman hung in his arm. A gurney appeared beside Caden and two paramedics were there, easing Loraine into place. They placed her on the monitor, and Caden held his breath. He didn’t know what would happen to Jace if she died. The soft beep...beep...beep of her heart had him breathing a sigh of relief.

  “We have to get to Charisma’s house and check on them,” Kalkin said.

  Jace shoved at the paramedic who tried to move him away from Loraine’s side. “I don’t care what you want to do. I’m staying right here. Work around me.”

  Allen hung his head, almost as if he was resigned to the fact he’d have to put up with Jace. Then, he got to work. While one started the I.V. the other began taking her vitals. The whole time his brother held her hand. His lips were moving, but Caden didn’t catch a word he spoke.

  “No need,” Mackenzie said, drawing Caden’s attention. “Royce said something about going to Danielle’s. Charisma and Marie were going to watch the kids for Danielle and Keeley there.”

  A sense of relief washed over Caden. “Someone needs to get Penelope. Charisma is going to be out of her mind worried about her sister after all this.”

  “I can go,” Saber said stepping forward. Caden had been so out of it, he didn’t realize the man came with Rapier. “As long as someone calls the school and tells them I’m coming for her.”

  Kalkin nodded. “I’ll do it.” He motioned for Logan to join them. “Take Saber to the high school. He is to pick up Penelope Winters and bring her to Danielle’s house.”

  “On it.” Logan hurried for the closet car with Saber hot on his heels. Once they were inside the vehicle, they took off in the direction of the high school.

  “Kalkin,” Everett said, approaching them.

  Caden clenched his hands into tight fists. Everett was the last person he wanted to see right now. “Get out of here, Everett.”

  He held up his hands. “I’m not here to cause any problems. I want to help.”

  Kalkin eyed the man. “What can you tell me about this shit?”

  Everett approached. “You know exactly who did it.”

  “Cut the bullshit,” Caden snarled, getting into the man’s face.

  “I’m telling the truth. This is all a distraction, and you have a traitor within your pack,” Everett replied. “This is only the beginning. You know what their end game is, Kalkin.”

  Rapier stepped forward and glanced between Kalkin and Caden. “Hey, not to break up this little word salad party, but where are your mates?”

  * * * *

  “So here is what I thought...” Danielle pushed the binder she used to hold all the information on the upcoming Gala across the table to Keeley. The page was open to the floor plan of the building they were using. “I don’t want to do assigned seating. It restricts the conversation to the table of twelve and prevents mingling.” After they left the house, Keeley announced the best place to sit and plan the extravaganza would be Yo-Jo’s, Danielle agreed. She couldn’t properly explain it, other than since Caden began to stay with her, all of her normal cravings along with a few new ones began to creep up on her. Including the frothy concoction in front of her—a mocha-something-or-ano
ther.

  Keeley placed her berry-colored drink on the table before pulling the book closer. “Raferty men aren’t the best conversationalists. I’d say limiting conversation and mingling might be beneficial and eliminates the chances of them saying or doing something inappropriate or stupid.”

  Danielle snorted.

  “Am I lying?” Keeley popped a brow.

  “Unfortunately, you’re not.” Danielle sighed in defeat. She’d done a lot of research on planning this event.

  “One site had suggested setting the room this way.” Keeley tapped the picture. “It has the potential to increase donations by twenty-five to thirty percent.

  “Give it to me,” Danielle demanded, leaning over the table. She tried to snatch the book from her sister’s hands, but Keeley slapped her hands.

  “Hold your horses. The only downside? The guys would just have to be on their best behavior.”

  “Girls,” Mrs. Martin said, approaching them from the front door, eyeing the disarrayed space the sisters shared. Their table was covered with menus from the caterers, pictures of centerpieces, and swatches of fabric for the tablecloths and napkins.

  “Morning, Mrs. Martin. Join us.” Keeley gestured to a chair.

  “Is there room?” the pack elder teased.

  “For you…always,” Danielle said, removing the bag she had dropped on the chair next to her.

  “Can I get you something?” Keeley asked.

  “Oh, I’d love a hot tea. Any flavor will do,” Mrs. Martin said as she sat down.

  “You’ve got it. One tea coming up.” Keeley stood and walked to the counter to place Mrs. Martin’s order.

  “You girls look busy,” Mrs. Martin said, peering down at the books.

  “Confused is more like it.” Danielle pushed an errant strand of hair behind her ear. “Neither one of us has ever planned anything of this magnitude. I want, no, I need to make a good impression on potential donors. The children are counting on me—us.”