by Tl Reeve
Dani held the microphone out to her Keeley. “Currently we are caring for two dozen children, ranging in ages from sixteen to newborn babies. Some of the older children volunteered to be here tonight, to give you a chance to meet them and find out what they’re up to and how their lives have changed.”
Keeley gestured to the side curtain, which was in the process of being swept aside. Mrs. Martin stepped out on the stage, followed by Bodhi, Nico, Crow, Mace, Kingston, and two of the older girls, Robyn and Gwen.
Keeley handed the microphone to Bodhi who gave a short, abbreviated story about his life and how he didn’t have parents, but how Mrs. Martin and the deputies of Apache County had always been around, keeping the kids on the right path. Bodhi finished, smiled at their table and then passed the mic to Nico.
“What the fuck? He’s got a parent, he’s got a place to live and he’s not fucking abandoned,” Jace muttered, giving a rare comment about his son.
Maybe in Jace’s fucked up mind it was the truth, but all the Rafertys knew it wasn’t the case. “No, actually he is, Jace. Bodhi has two uncles and a nephew who’ve been largely concerned about his welfare for the last decade. Are you even aware he’s back living with Mrs. Martin because he can’t stay at Loraine’s house unattended?”
Shock showed in his other brother’s eyes. “I didn’t know. No one told me.”
Kalkin, who sat silently beside him, leaned in to address Jace. “Why should anyone have to tell you shit? You should’ve fucking realized it. You’re a deputy, who should be well versed in the laws dealing with underage children.”
It was dead quiet at the table. The sound of laughter, glasses, and silverware clinking together went up an octave, yet Jace never said another word or showed any more emotion. Jace was a cold motherfucker.
One by one the orphans continued to tell their stories until the littlest one, Crow, stood before them. He twisted his fingers in his shirt, then looked down. He wriggled his little body from side to side then finally said, “I’m a mutt. Miss Danielle, no one wants me.” He fled from the stage, Bodhi hot on his tail. The poor kid. Caden’s heart broke for him.
The soft ripples of chatter filled the silence as Danielle and Keeley stood there for a moment, stunned Caden assumed by what Crow had to say. He didn’t blame either of them, he too felt the same way.
The MC joined them moments later to begin the auction. One by one, twenty-five women, all over the age of twenty-one, were brought up on to the stage to introduce themselves and state their first name and number. Each person already had a pre-planned date set up, so no one got confused on what they were supposed to do. Keeley offered computer classes, while Danielle planned something with the children.
Danielle had been assigned number sixteen and Keeley number fifteen, which meant, to Caden’s glee, he’d get to see the big, bad Alpha sweat his balls off while he attempted to win his mate. The first fourteen went relatively quickly. Their winning bids had been between five hundred and a three thousand, a nice sum for an evening of fun.
When Keeley stepped forward, she dazzled the audience with a stunning smile. His twin’s mate was perfect for his often-grumpy brother. The bidding was slow and sporadic for his sister-in-law. Caden suspected it had to do with the glare his brother gave anyone who had the nerve to lift their paddle to bid for his mate.
“She’s going to have your ass if you keep this up. This is for charity,” he reminded Kalkin. “Sit back, observe and when they call for the last bid, raise your paddle.”
“Let’s see how you react, asshole, with your mate being up next,” Kalkin said.
“As long as Rapier doesn’t have the winning bid, I’m good.” He kept his attention on the bidding as it quickly went up to almost five thousand dollars once his brother calmed down.
“I’ve got five thousand nine hundred. Do I hear six thousand,” the female auctioneer called out. “Anyone? Going once…going twice…”
Kal stood, calling out, “Seven thousand.”
The crowd cheered.
“Seven thousand going once…. going twice…. sold, to the man holding paddle number one!”
Everyone else had sat quietly after winning their bid. Not Kalkin, he moved to the stage, snatched Keeley off it, and headed for the double doors.
Laughter filled the room at their exodus.
Danielle, ever quick thinking, snatched the mic from the auctioneer’s hand. “Kalkin Raferty, we’re nowhere near done. Bring her back!”
If he went by the dirty look on his brother’s face, Keeley was winning whatever conversation they were having. She patted him lovingly on the chest before turning and making her way back to the stage, her cheeks flushed red and a ready smile on her face.
Kal stormed back to the table, jerking his chair out so hard Caden was amazed it didn’t fly across the room.
“As always, bro, cool as a cucumber,” Caden teased Kalkin.
Their entire table erupted in laughter.
“Fuck you all,” Kalkin snarled.
Once the room quieted, Danielle stepped forward and the bidding began. On the outside, Caden knew he appeared cool. He forced himself to keep the paddle on his lap, while Rapier and several other guys drove the price on Danielle up quickly.
“Tell me you’re not going to let that fucking lion win her,” Kal muttered.
No, he absolutely wasn’t. Even if he lost the bid, he trusted her implicitly. She’d never allow Rapier to even touch her, knowing the smell of the lion on her would drive his wolf crazy.
Unless, of course, that’s her plan, Kal said.
Caden ignored him, choosing to keep his focus on the rapid-fire bidding, which sat currently at eight thousand dollars.
“Ten thousand,” he called out, raising his paddle.
The crowd oohed and ahhed with excitement at the rising bids.
Rapier, the prick, turned, giving him a mocking smirk. “Eleven thousand.”
What the hell? How did the Alpha of the ragtag Pride, who arrived on their doorsteps a little over a year ago, have eleven large just lying around? He thought about driving up the price and leaving the other man hanging. Danielle wouldn’t be pleased with him though. Rapier was her friend, and she’d be upset if the small Pride suffered because of her.
Now who’s pussy whipped. Kal chuckled.
Caden replied, discreetly with a firm elbow into the solar plexus of his twin.
“Stop projecting then.” Kal coughed.
“Eleven thousand, five hundred,” he called out.
“Eleven thousand, five hundred and one,” Rapier said.
Ah, maybe now Rapier was starting to worry about the financial end of him being a massive asshole. Caden stood. “Fifteen thousand.”
The auctioneer’s voice trembled. “Fifteen thousand going once…going twice…sold…to…Sir, what is your number?”
“Nine,” he called out.
“Sold to number nine.”
He’d never admit it, but he wanted to go snag his mate off the stage, take her back to the room, and fuck her till they both passed out. He caught Dani’s gaze, held it, and gave her a smile before he sat down.
“What a smooth motherfucker you are,” Kalkin ribbed him.
“Damn straight,” he said, keeping his focus on his mate.
The rest of the auction went by in a blur. He didn’t care about anyone else. He got the woman of his dreams, and he wasn’t letting her go. When everything was over, and the night started to wind down, Danielle took to the microphone one last time. Between the auction and the donations, they’d raised over fifty thousand dollars. Not bad for a few hours of fun.
Chapter Seventeen
Caden’s phone rang way too fucking early the next morning. Beside him, Danielle slept peacefully. Their night had been entertaining, to say the least. Between wanting to get lucky with his mate even though she’d been on a tight schedule for the auction, and the fact she attacked him once they had the boys down for bed, neither of them had slept more than a few hours.<
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Not that he was complaining.
He pressed the green answer button on his phone and placed it to his ear. “Yeah?”
“Get your ass dressed and over to the diner,” Kalkin stated. “We’ve got something.”
Shit. “On it.” Caden hit end then pushed the covers off of him.
“What’s wrong?” Danielle murmured, turning to face him.
“Duty calls.” He kissed her forehead. “Looks like something’s up.”
Her beautiful blue eyes fluttered open. “When?”
“Now.” He kissed her again. “Meet me for lunch?”
She gave him a sleepy nod. “Sure.”
He left their bed and headed for the bathroom. A quick shower would wake him along with a cup of coffee. After finding the partial print and who it belonged to the other day, he wasn’t sure if the DA would give them the warrant they needed. He hoped things were finally being set into motion. He made quick work of washing himself then turned off the water to get out.
Kalkin’s little speech last night rolled through his mind. He unburdened himself by telling Danielle the truth, and though he still didn’t accept her account of things, she and Kalkin had been right. The only way to fully put the past where it belonged was to find his daughter. Wherever she was, he had to see her for himself. Prove everything his brother did had been the truth. Caden wrapped the towel around his waist and headed down the hall to where he kept his clothes.
Once he was dressed, he slipped out the door and headed for his vehicle. The sun barely touched the horizon as he drove down the dirt road to the main thoroughfare of Window Rock. He figured all of the businesses would be opening a little later than usual, as all the shop owners had shown up for the dinner/auction Danielle and Keeley worked so hard on. He pulled up to the diner and found Kalkin sitting at a table outside along with Blackhorn. Both men had their heads bent together. Caden parked across the street then crossed to them. He lifted his hand to catch their attention.
As he stepped through the small gate, Kalkin glanced up at him. “Glad you could make it.” He pointed to the chair next to him and placed a folder on the table. “Check that out.”
Caden sat. He opened the file and started reading the ATF findings. The bombs were simple C-4 packs placed on the chasses of the patrol cars. Their triggers were small cell phones set to blow by remote detonation. He slouched, not sure what he’d expected to see in the reports when he turned the page. The fires were ignited by Molotov cocktails. Pure vodka, to be exact. They weren’t meant to hurt anyone—that was what the cars were for. In the report he read, the perpetrator used the Molotov cocktail to get them to open the door and step outside. Minimal work for maximum damage.
He flipped the page to a picture of the homemade device. The mangled, jagged black plastic remains of the trigger sat on a table. An arrow had been placed below a spot not seen by the naked eye. In the next picture, the arrow and the area were blown up to show the partial fingerprint. Jesus, like looking for a needle in a haystack. He turned to the next page and whistled. Allen Pendergrass. Paramedic and Raferty pack member, just as the preliminary arson investigation stated.
“The feds woke the judge up about an hour ago. They’re arguing for a warrant now. If everything goes according to plan, we’ll be able to observe the interrogation,” Kalkin said.
“Allen though?” Caden shook his head, still not able to wrap his head around the whole situation. “Everett said there was a traitor, but... Shit.”
“It fits how someone could get on the premises without anyone questioning why they were there. How many times a day do the fire guys hang out in town and use your lot?” Blackhorn questioned.
Caden didn’t really pay attention like he used to. He supposed he got complacent, and why would anyone from the fire department want to fuck with them? “I never really noticed.”
“We don’t really pass around parking permits if that’s what you mean,” Kalkin quipped. “I guess we made your point.”
Blackhorn nodded. “It’s not a bad thing, most of the time. However, it appears the one time you didn’t think you had a reason to pay attention, you got fucked good.”
“Without lube,” Caden muttered. “Can’t we assist with picking up that son of a bitch?”
Blackhorn shook his head. “Can’t. State police are backing up the feds. It’s easier on everyone. When this goes to trial, you don’t want Pendergrass’s lawyers claiming bias. You should be lucky they’re allowing you to even sit in on the interrogation.”
Caden’s hand clenched into fists. “He almost killed our brother’s mate.” Besides the money they raised for the orphanage the night before, another good thing came out of it all. Jace claimed Bodhi in front of everyone and brought him home. If only his brother would finish everything with Loraine and Blake. But, it hadn’t negated what happened to everyone else. “He killed two fine deputies and two inmates who’d done nothing wrong but committed some stupid petty crime—”
“He understands, bro,” Kalkin said. “It’s better this way. If we act like we have no clue what’s going on, then we can catch everyone involved with them none the wiser. It’s good for us.”
“For the record, I hate this option. There are too many variables. They could ambush all of those agents and state officers.” Caden shook his head. “I feel useless.”
“You and me both, but we have to have a little faith,” Kalkin stated. “Max is going to call Blackhorn when the warrant is served and they’re on the way to the courthouse. We’ll meet them there.”
“Annabelle is pregnant,” Jerome said, breaking the rising tension. “Three and a half months and for the first time in my life, I’m scared shitless. I have no control over this.”
“Well, I’ll be damned.” Kalkin chuckled. “Congratulations. I am sure your mate is over the moon excited.”
“Terrified too,” Blackhorn added. “Are you ever ready for kids?”
Caden snorted. “Never.”
Kalkin nodded. “But, somehow it works. What the hell you doing here? Shouldn’t you be celebrating or some shit?”
Jerome grinned. “Oh, we’ve known a few weeks, but Mrs. Pauline said, telling anyone could jinx us and you know how Annabelle is with her mother.”
Caden laughed. “Yeah, she’s still a spry old woman and she’ll take you to task if she thinks you’re breaking some sacred ritual.”
“I have the scars on my knuckles,” Kalkin teased.
“It’ll be good to welcome a new member to the pack,” Caden said. “I have a feeling our children will grow up in a better world than we did.”
“Yeah,” Blackhorn said. “I agree—” Jerome’s phone rang, ending their revelry. “Blackhorn.”
Kalkin and Caden exchanged glances. A niggle of worry worked through his stomach. They’d sat there for almost an hour, long enough for the town to wake. The itch at the back of his neck returned with a vengeance. Caden felt exposed sitting outside. They were sitting ducks if someone decided to attack them now. “I don’t like this.”
“What? When? How many? You sure.” There were slight pauses between each question as Jerome leaned forward. “Did they get him? Good, good. Yeah, we’ll be there shortly. Keep me updated on the other. Great.” He disconnected the call. “Shit. Two of the feds were shot. One of the state officer’s shot and killed Tiffany. But, they arrested Allen.”
Caden expelled a breath, sitting back. “Shit.”
“It gets better,” Jerome said. “Allen has been talking since he was arrested. We need to hurry.”
“We’ll go in my vehicle,” Kalkin said, standing. “What a fucking mess.”
“Where were Raymond and Marjorie?”
“Not sure. They weren’t at the residence. I’m sure we’ll find out soon enough.” Jerome got into the backseat. “I’m positive Allen can fill us in.”
The courthouse sat on an open plot of land, surrounded by a small courtyard and cherry trees. Several blacked-out vehicles were stationed around the side en
trance. The lights mounted on top of the vehicles were still swirling, alternating between blue and red. Max and two other men wearing bulletproof vests carried AR-15s and stood sentinel while three more agents flanked another man who’d been shackled. The man wore a large, full-body Kevlar vest, standard procedure for bringing in a murder suspect, especially when deputies or any type of law enforcement were concerned.
Kalkin parked behind them. He held up his badge when one of the agents stepped forward. The man nodded then greeted Jerome. These guys weren’t fucking around. Strapped to his thigh was a Glock 9mm. He had three clips on his belt plus two more for the AR he carried. A tear in his bulletproof vest caught Caden’s attention.
“Fuck, remind me not to get on your bad side,” Caden said. “Have you been checked out?”
The man removed his mirrored sunglasses and smirked. “I’m golden.” His eyes changed to an odd burnt sienna color.
“Crazy motherfucker.” Kalkin chuckled.
“This is Hauser Benefield,” Jerome said introducing them. “Hauser is part Navajo and part mountain lion.”
Hauser shook Kalkin’s then Caden’s hands. “Come on, let’s get you inside. Don’t want to keep everyone waiting.”
“Speaking of which, what happened out there?” Jerome fell in beside the agent.
“Hell,” Hauser answered. “We were ambushed. They had warning tripwires set up everywhere, including silent alarms. None of us could see them or hear them. If you ask me, I’d swear it’s some new setup shifters can’t even detect.”
“Shit,” Kalkin snarled. “So they had plenty of time to surround you or at least give you a run for your money.”
The agent nodded. “The other agent is at the hospital now. It’s not life threatening. He caught a bullet to the shoulder. Didn’t even know we shot Tiffany until we cleared the scene after Allen surrendered.”