by Faith Gibson
“We need to talk.” War finished his coffee then tossed the empty cup in the waste can. Leaning against the dresser, he crossed his arms over his broad chest. The bite of food she swallowed threatened to stick in her throat. She washed it down with a long drink of coffee.
“Okay.” She wiped her hands on a napkin, not daring to take another bite.
“Ryker got a lot of information from Lewis and his buddy. Since your parents will be here in a couple hours, Ryker wants to talk to you about what was said. Mav is still on the road and won’t be here before you leave.”
“I’m not sure what more there is other than what I already told you, but I’ll talk to him.”
“I want you to know I’m going to take Talbert down. He won’t be kidnapping anyone else.”
Kerrigan was thankful for that, but she was worried about Mac. “What will happen to the people who live there?”
“Since I’ve not been involved in these operations before, I’ll let Ryker answer your questions. I’ll go tell him you’ll be ready to talk in thirty minutes. That enough time for you to finish eating?” War pushed her sandwich toward her, but she’d lost her appetite.
“We can go now. I’d just as soon get it over with.”
“Sweetheart, I’m sorry if this upsets you.” War pulled her into his arms and hugged her close. She allowed him to comfort her, even though he was wrong about why she was upset. She didn’t understand why she felt so attached to him when they’d just met. Yes, she was grateful he saved her. But it was more than that.
Pulling away, she plastered on a smile. “I’m fine. Let’s just get this over with.”
Kerrigan was nervous. She trusted War, and she felt his father was a nice man, but Ryker scared the crap out of her. War used a key card and let them into the other room. Ryker was leaning against the dresser with his arms crossed over his chest. If she had met him on the street, she’d have avoided eye contact and walked away as fast as possible. When he turned his stormy gaze toward her, she almost ran back to her room. With War behind her, she couldn’t retreat. Kerrigan stepped closer to the wall so he could pass by her. Instead of doing so, he placed a hand at the small of her back and remained by her side. It was only a small bit of comfort, but it was enough to keep her calm.
“We had a little chat with Lewis and Steven. Both men assured us nobody is held at The Sanctuary against their will. Steven said he found you when you were all but unconscious and were asking for a doctor.”
Kerrigan stiffened at the accusatory tone. “I was in a great deal of pain, yes, but I wasn’t unconscious. He mentioned his brother was a doctor, but when I woke, I had no idea where I was, but later found out I was hundreds of miles away. That definitely hadn’t been part of the plan. When I asked to leave, Gideon told me I was free to go, but I would receive no help. That I had to find my own way out. When I attempted exactly that, they sent their dog after me. Same as with McKenzie, only she wasn’t lucky enough to have a Gryphon waiting for her. I didn’t talk to very many people, so I have no idea if there’s anyone else who was taken there against their will.”
Warryck took a step closer to Kerrigan, but she shifted away. She wanted his comfort but not at the risk of him alienating his brother. He had plans to become part of their world again, and she wouldn’t come between them. For an hour, Kerrigan told the three Gryphons all she knew about the compound. Ryker asked her the same question several times, and she was getting tired of it. War had interceded on her behalf, but she cut him off each time. When Ryker asked her another question she’d already answered, she opened her mouth to snap at him, but her phone rang, saving him from her redheaded temper. “That’s my parents.” She excused herself and left the room, retreating to her own.
“Dad?” she answered as she pushed open the door, letting it slam behind her.
“Hey, honey. We’re in the lobby. We just need your room number.”
Kerrigan leaned against the wall, sliding down to settle on her ass, pulling her knees up. She told her dad where to find her, and she hung up. Maybe it was better if she went with her parents. War had enough on his plate without worrying about her getting in the way of his family. It was obvious Ryker didn’t believe her, and she couldn’t stand to be around the man any longer.
Pushing to her feet, Kerrigan set about packing her clothes. When her parents knocked, she let them in. She was immediately crushed between their arms. She let them have their moment to realize she was really okay. “I’m fine, I promise. Let me get my things, and we’ll go.”
“But we don’t have a return flight scheduled. We didn’t know how long you needed to stay, and besides. We want to meet the man who saved you.” Kerrigan’s mom pushed her hair back from her face, searching the way she did when she was worried.
“He’s next door, but you can meet him in a minute. If it’s okay with you, I’d like for us to rent a car and drive back.”
“Honey, it’s a sixteen-hour drive to South Carolina. Unless you were planning on returning to Maine, we thought you’d want to come stay with us.” Kerrigan’s dad took her hand and led her to the bed. Sitting them both down, he turned her face toward him. “What’s going on?”
“It’s been a really long morning.”
“But it’s only a little after nine.” Her mother sat down on her other side. “Kerri, what’s wrong?”
“I...”
Chapter Twenty-Six
War
“WHAT the fuck was that?” War swung his arm backward toward the door Kerrigan had just gone through as he glared at his older brother.
Ryker pushed away from the dresser and ran a hand through his long beard. “That was me getting all the information we needed to raid the fucking compound. Don’t come in here, acting like you know how to interrogate someone.”
“Interrogate? Jesus H. Christ. Kerrigan isn’t some suspect. She’s the victim here.” Warryck tightened his hands into fists, ready to knock some sense into his brother. He wished Mav was there. His twin would have gone easier on Kerrigan while still getting useful information. Ryker was hardened by his past, and he gave no fucks whether anyone liked him or not. What happened... Oh, fuck. Kerrigan was a tall redhead, just like—
“It’s clear you have feelings for Kerrigan, but Ryker was doing his job.” Up until that point, Sutton had kept quiet, but he stepped between the brothers, turning to face Warryck. “Yes, he might be a little brusque, but his methods are effective. We needed to make sure she remembered everything correctly. When we take down these bastards, we need to have all the information, and sometimes asking a question more than once gets a different answer. We have to make sure we know what and who we’re dealing with. Heading into a heavily guarded compound is different than going into one of these places where they’re all Kumbaya and shit. We don’t dismantle every cult we come across, even if we don’t agree with their ways. If they aren’t harming anyone, we leave them alone. It’s the ones who are raising armies we focus on.”
“Did you get enough information to take this one down, or am I going after Gideon on my own?”
Ryker smirked, and War took a step closer. “What’s your problem with me?”
The bastard had the audacity to shrug. “You’ve been a college professor for twenty years, yet two weeks on the road, and you think you’re ready for what we do.”
“Yeah, it’s been twenty years, but don’t forget, I have done this before.” War had killed a human, the one who caused Harlow’s death, and he still had no regrets over it.
Sutton placed a hand on War’s shoulder. “I know you’re a Gryphon, Son, and we haven’t forgotten what happened with Obadiah Hutton, but you can’t go off half-cocked or alone. We’re going to take them down, but we will do it once we have a solid plan in place. Neither Lewis nor Steven would admit to The Sanctuary being part of the Ministry. It doesn’t mean they aren’t. The two could be in the dark as to who Gideon answers to. The fact that they didn’t come after you with guns doesn’t mean they don’t have them at t
he compound. We have to do a little recon to see exactly what we’re dealing with. It’s not just grown men. There are women and children, and we have to make sure they’re safe. Go check on your woman, and after she and her parents leave, we’ll regroup.” War didn’t correct his father about Kerrigan being his. She wasn’t, even though he wanted her to be.
He let himself into the room next door. “Kerrigan?” Her parents were already there, so he paused at the edge of the room. “You must be Shawn and Enya. I’m Warryck Lazlo.”
Both her parents jumped to their feet. Her dad held out his hand, pumping War’s grip heartily, but her mom pulled him into a hug. Kerrigan hadn’t been kidding about her mother smothering him with gratitude.
“Thank you, Mr. Lazlo. Thank you so much for finding our girl.”
Warryck hugged her back, looking over her head at Kerrigan. Kerrigan rose from the bed and put something into a bag that was already mostly packed. Shit. He knew she was pissed, but he’d hoped for more time with her.
When Enya released him, War stepped up beside Kerrigan and grabbed her hand before she could gather her bags. “I’m sorry about Ryker. He was an ass, but he said it was only because he needed to make sure you remembered everything exactly as it happened.”
“No, I get it. So, I guess this is it?”
“Are you leaving now? What about the flight home? I didn’t call Lucy.”
“I think we’re going to drive. I want to spend some time with my parents.”
War reached up to cup her face, but hesitated, not wanting to upset her parents by touching their daughter. “I... Can I call you? After this is over?”
“Yeah. I’d like to know what happens with everyone. Especially Mac. I doubt Sparrow is going to want to leave her parents, but I know Mac would like to get out of there and start a new life. Maybe she and I can start a cult survivor’s group.” Of course, Kerrigan would want to know what happened, but that was all. She wasn’t interested in seeing him. Ignoring her parents, Kerrigan pulled War down and kissed his cheek. “Thank you for everything. I wish... Just take care of yourself. Okay?”
She wished what? Warryck wished they were alone so he could tell her how he felt. Explain, or at least try to, how he wanted her in his life when this was over. “I will. And you do the same. Maybe...” War couldn’t finish his thought with her parents in the room. “Call me if you need anything. Anything at all.” War wrapped his arms around Kerrigan and held her tight, pressing a kiss to her temple. When he released her, War looked into her eyes, conveying the feelings he didn’t dare speak. Tears peppered her eyes, and he turned toward her parents before he broke down and tossed her over his shoulder, taking her far away.
Her parents were staring at him, but he plastered on a fake smile. “It was a pleasure to meet you both.” They returned the sentiment, and War let himself out of the room. Instead of going next door to face his family, he left the hotel. He couldn’t watch Kerrigan get into the car with her parents and drive away. He still couldn’t understand how he could come to care so much for the woman in such a short time.
War wanted to get away. He needed time to clear his head. He was torn about going back inside and begging Kerrigan to stay, but he knew he had to let her go with her parents. If he was going to prove his ability to become part of his family’s world, she would be too distracting. And, by Zeus, he was going to prove himself to Ryker. He wasn’t worried about his dad. Sutton would have his back like he always had. Even when War let Lucius and Vera adopt Lucy, Sutton had been the buffer between War and Rory. He often wondered if Harlow had lived if he himself would have been a buffer between her and their daughter.
Three bikes rumbled into the parking lot, and a Hound he vaguely remembered rolled up on War’s bike. King pulled up to War and turned off the motor. “You’ve kept her in great condition.”
“I ride every chance I get. I might not be part of the MC, but I prefer two wheels over four.”
“You ever think about joining us?” One of the other Hounds – Sultan, with his shaved head, dark beard, and mirrored sunglasses – joined King, running his hands across the smooth skin of his head after removing his helmet.
“Yeah. Now that I’m no longer teaching, I want to get more involved with the family, and that includes the club.” Warryck didn’t know how Kerrigan would feel about that, but if they had a chance at a future, it would have to be on his terms this time. He’d spent too much time away from his family, and he wouldn’t accept a woman not willing to be part of their world. Kerrigan had enjoyed riding on the back of his bike, but that didn’t mean she would want everything that went with being a biker’s woman or a woman who could agree with the types of jobs the Hounds took. Still, it was a deal breaker, because he had enough regrets from his first marriage. Marriage? Slow your roll, asshole.
King handed the key over. “Ryot asked us to meet him and your Pop in their room to discuss plans for going after Gideon. Are you in?”
Thoughts of getting away for a bit were replaced with another type of need. War wasn’t going to let the Hounds go after Kerrigan’s captor without him, and he wasn’t going to let his brother steamroll him either. Yes, Ryot – Ryker – was in charge, but this was his revenge for Kerrigan, much like going after Obadiah had been his revenge for Harlow. He rolled his shoulders and kept his feelings about Ryker to himself. As Ryot, his brother was these Gryphons’ leader, and they wouldn’t stand for War to badmouth him, even if he was a Lazlo. He had to remember that they were a different type of family. One War wasn’t a part of. At least not yet.
“I’m in. I just needed a bit of fresh air and to let Kerrigan and her parents have some privacy.” That wasn’t necessarily a lie, but they didn’t need to know why he couldn’t breathe at the thought of Kerrigan leaving. He followed King, Sultan, and a Hound who introduced himself as Judge, back into the hotel. Kerrigan and her parents were stepping out of the elevator. When she saw War, she gave him a sad smile. War itched to pull her into one last embrace, but he entered the lift with the Hounds. He didn’t miss the wide eyes of her parents when they sized up the three large males with him. Shawn put a hand on Kerrigan’s back, urging her toward the front door.
“She yours?” Judge asked as the elevator moved upward.
“I hope so. We’ve both got a lot of things to work out, but...” War didn’t know how to explain it, nor was he sure he wanted to. He didn’t know these Gryphons, and he wasn’t ready to share with anyone other than Maveryck.
“She know about our kind?” Judge pushed his sunglasses to rest atop his thick, dark hair.
“Yes. She saw me shift into my lion when those cult fuckers busted through the door. And before you ask, no. I didn’t wipe her memory. If she’s going to be part of my world, I need to trust her.”
King clapped War on the shoulder. “I get that. I did the same thing when I met my woman. Shifted when she was in trouble. She peed her pants then burst out laughing. The first time she threatened to put catnip in my food, I knew she was a keeper.”
Judge barked out a laugh. “If I had to eat Millie’s cooking every day, I’d be begging for catnip.”
“Shut up, you fucker. Her cooking’s not that bad.” King pushed the other male, and Sultan coughed to hide his own laugh. King punched his shoulder, too. “You’re both jealous you don’t have someone as pretty as my Millie to go home to every night. So what if she’s not a good cook? She’s sweeter than any woman I ever met, and she gave me two beautiful babies.”
The other two men smiled at their friend, and both agreed his wife was a good woman. War wanted that for himself. Not just the woman, but the camaraderie with others of his kind. He’d spent too many years pretending to be human while keeping most of his fellow professors at arm’s length.
When the elevator doors opened, War led them to Ryker’s room. He didn’t bother knocking. He used the spare key card to let them in.
“Did our two captives make it back to The Sanctuary?” Ryker asked.
King steppe
d farther into the room and took a seat on the sofa. “Yes. We did a little snooping while we were there. The good news is the children are relegated to one area of the compound. There were twelve guards stationed around the perimeter, but from what we could tell, they aren’t armed. Not visibly. The two men drove the car into a large building which looked like storage of some kind. They were taken by four guards to a house that is secluded from the other smaller living quarters. A man fitting Talbert’s description left what we assumed was their church and walked to the house, accompanied by one guard. He remained in the house a few minutes before he came back out alone. He left the compound and headed this direction. When he was about two miles out, he pulled into the parking lot of a strip mall without getting out. Then, fifteen minutes later, he turned and headed back the way he came.”
“Are you sure it was Talbert?” Sutton asked.
“Unless he has a brother, pretty sure. We were in eagle form when we were scouting, so we didn’t get any pictures. It’s tame as far as compounds go. There were a few men walking from one building to another, but like most of the ones we’ve gone into before, it was quiet. When Talbert left the church, all the women soon followed and went their separate ways. None of them were speaking to one another.”
“Kerrigan said they have separate Bible study every day before they go do their assigned jobs. What exactly did you convince Lewis and Steven to say upon their return?” War asked. Ryker mentioned altering their memories, but he didn’t share what he “pushed” into their minds.
“I didn’t want them spouting nonsensical things, so I merely suggested they tell Gideon they found Kerrigan’s room, but she was already gone. I scrubbed the parts where you shifted into your lion and knocked them out, as well as being interrogated. Everything that happened from the time they busted open the door to when they were put in their car is gone.”