Beneath the Skin (de La Vega Cats)

by Lauren Dane

  She snorted but held her tongue.

  They looked around the backyard and then let themselves into the house. The nearest neighbor was on the other side of a very large hedge and fence, and the houses were on big lots so he was hopeful they hadn’t been noticed.

  “I’ll take these rooms. Dario, you take the second floor. Mia, the basement.”

  She nodded and he wanted very much to tell her to be careful. But he didn’t because he didn’t say it to Dario and he knew she would be anyway.

  He wasn’t more than five minutes into searching the kitchen when she came back up the stairs. “Found a hidey-hole.”

  He called Dario and they headed downstairs. There was a washer and dryer at one end and a pool table at the other. And a panel she must have removed just behind the washer.

  “There was a lockbox in it.” She indicated the large box on the pool table. He popped the lock and opened it up to find pictures, birth certificates, property deeds and other types of paperwork.

  Most of it was for Bertram and Sharon Cole. But the pictures were another story.

  “It’s him.” Gibson held a picture of his uncle with his grandfather and had to swallow back the lump in his throat.

  Dario took the property deeds. “This is for the house we’re in now. But there are others. They might offer some clues as to his current whereabouts.”

  “Call it in to Galen so he can look into it.”

  Dario moved to do exactly that.

  “No passports.” Mia spoke up. “And the birth certificates are photocopies. It’s easier to carry off a fake with a photocopy. That’s probably how they got the original documents with the new names.”

  “Why assume they had passports?”

  “They had a hidey-hole. They have all these other documents. I bet they had a lot of cash stashed around too. It costs a lot of money to run.”

  “He didn’t run though. He’s orchestrating this entire thing.”

  “While he’s on the run. Not to South America, I never thought that story was true. But he’s away from home. He can’t use his bank accounts. They ran before too. He’s got to have been prepared enough to have passports just in case. I would have. You would have too.”

  Gibson nodded. He did indeed have stashes of cash here and there should he ever have to run.

  “Let’s see how many other hidey-holes we can find.”

  * * *

  In the end there had been three more hidden stashes around the property. Mia had a great eye. And apparently a penchant for great hiding places.

  As they’d had all the assorted things spread out on the bed of their hotel room, he’d turned to her. “How did you find them all?”

  “I was a teenage girl. I had a hidey-hole of my own. I’m sure my parents didn’t care about my diary, but I have two brothers and they would have. So I learned to hide things. And I got some training for it.”

  “As a teenage girl?”

  She laughed. “No, silly. How to spot someone who might be strapped with a suicide bomb. Or how to notice when cars looked a little different, or the road. Lots of IEDs killed our soldiers, you know. Anyway, it wasn’t what I did personally, thank God. But I thought the training would be useful and so I took it. I learned a lot, but I never imagined I’d need it back here.”

  “Whatever the reason, I’m glad for it.”

  She looked at him, reaching out to touch his face. He leaned into her palm, settling a little at the simple gesture. “I’m glad too. It’s hard for you.” She kissed him softly. Dario was off in his room working with the others on all the data they’d found that day so it was just them and he could be soft.

  She gave him that. That solace.

  “I wish it wasn’t this way. But you didn’t make it so. They started it, but you have to end it. And I’m sorry. But I have confidence in you. The Bringer is the heart of the jamboree. Sometimes justice comes with blood.”

  He swallowed back words he didn’t know how to say. They’d declared war when they came into de La Vega territory. There was no way around it. And no way around how he had to respond.

  With that spooky second sense she had, she seemed to understand he needed to back off and process the emotions that’d been stirred that day. “Take a shower. I’ll keep looking through this. You’re supposed to be meeting Bob in forty-five minutes.”

  She turned back to the bed, sifting through the papers and making notes.

  “You should join me.”

  She rolled her eyes. “We’d be really late if that happened.”

  “Sure, but it’d be worth it,” he tossed over a shoulder as he went into the bathroom.

  He had incontrovertible evidence that Bertram Cole was really his cousin Alberto. He sighed as he soaped up. He hadn’t wanted it to be so. He’d wanted it to be about something other than this. Anything other than this, damn it. He hated that his father would hurt anew over it. Max was on his way over to their parents’ home right then to tell him face-to-face. He felt for Max, who also wanted to avoid hurting Cesar.

  They’d met with a few neighbors and went to the school Tito’s kids had attended. They’d disappeared the day before their father had sent all those cats into de La Vega territory.

  What a fucking mess this whole thing was.

  Yet, what a boon Mia’d been on the trip. He’d thought he’d ceased to be amazed at how good she was at things, but that day had shown him she was even better than he’d thought. Her military training had been a blessing. He wasn’t sure he’d have found everything without her eye.

  And he liked having her at his side. Liked knowing that she understood how upsetting it was for him. Liked that she pushed on, knowing it had to be done. It was entirely new for him, letting himself depend on another in such a way. Sure he was fine with the investigation and the work of a Bringer. But she knew him on a different level and that was comforting in a way he wasn’t quite sure he understood fully.

  * * *

  “So, for fifteen years Alberto built a base of power here. He bided his time and gathered resources. This was not a momentary explosion of anger. This was premeditated. With their foray into de La Vega territory without permission they flirted with war, but when they shot me they declared it.”

  But not openly and honestly. No, everything his cousin had done was cowardly. And cowards were far worse than other kinds of threats because cowards had no core values. They had no honor. One couldn’t palaver with a coward because you couldn’t trust their word or deed. And if you had no options to avoid war, you had to fight and you had to win.

  And he could see Bob understood that clearly.

  “Whatever you need from us, you have. We take responsibility for what Bertram, um, Alberto and our other cats have done. But we ask for your mercy.”

  He’d checked in with Max before they’d arrived, and his brother didn’t want to punish Smithville for what their cousin and his men had done. If they found no one in the current leadership or general membership was involved. They were a very small jamboree. Less than ten remaining members after Alberto had left. Each member was being investigated by de La Vega and if a single shred of evidence was raised, the tenuous deal they made now would be null and de La Vega would extract their price.

  “My Alpha has decreed that should no one left here be in league with or having aided our cousin, you will be spared. But if we find out different, Bob, you know the price.”

  The other Alpha nodded. “I do. Thank you.”

  * * *

  They finished their dinner, having questioned Bob and his inner circle, and went back to the hotel.

  “I don’t think he’s here in Tennessee,” Gibson said in the dark as he and Mia lay naked, limbs entwined.

  “I don’t think so either.”

  “Tell me why.”

 
He’d taken to doing that. He asked her opinion, but wanted to know how she came up with it. Gibson understood the world in ways most didn’t. He liked to know the why of things, not just the facts. It made him even better at his job and it flattered her that he cared to know.

  “Jamborees are like the military. When they’re run well anyway. There’s a clear chain of command. Rules of conduct. Certain people do certain things. These cats who attacked you are true believers, but I don’t know that any we’ve seen so far have been strong enough to continue to run this operation without a leader. And not over the phone.” Cats didn’t work that way anyway. The power of an Alpha was far stronger in person. “He’s in Boston or nearby.”

  “This is personal for Alberto. He wants to see the carnage firsthand. It won’t be enough to get a report.”

  She agreed.

  “We need to declare a hunt.”

  She stilled as his fingertips continued to brush up and down her forearm. She’d only heard of such things as stories. “I never... I guess I thought those were old wives’ tales.”

  “My brothers and I have done it twice.”

  He didn’t elaborate, but she was sure they’d succeeded.

  “What can I do?”

  “This is not yours. The hunt will be me, Galen and Max. I have a feeling my father will join in as well.”

  “All right. What can I do other than the hunt?”

  “You’re doing it. But you have a job. You have to fly people around and truth be told, I like that you’ll be out of harm’s way as much as possible.”

  Possible. Bah. If he needed her—and she’d decide that for herself—she’d be there, job or no. And she’d misjudged Grace Warden greatly if the other woman wouldn’t see it as far more important to be at Gibson’s side in a time of need instead of flying here or there. She’d heard stories about how Grace helped Cade in a challenge when he’d been dosed with a biological agent that would have killed him had she not come up with an antivirus that had saved his life.

  “Hm.”

  He sighed. “You’re going to do whatever you want. But you can’t come on the hunt. It’s not for... I don’t want you to see it.”

  “Is it bad? Do you think I’d judge you?”

  “No, it’s not that. I don’t think you would. I think you understand why this is necessary. But in a hunt the beast runs riot, even when it wears the man’s skin.” He recited the lines from an old story and it gave her a shiver.

  “I need to not be worried about anything but the hunt. I need you away from it and safe so I can give over to it. Do you understand?”

  She turned to face him. “Yes. I do. But I’m here when you come back.”

  He hugged her to him. “I know. Thank you.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Her brother Joe had returned and she was on the way over to her parents’ to have a celebration dinner. She hadn’t seen much of them since she’d started her new job and after their discussion with her about living with Gibson. But she loved them and missed them and it was time to talk with them more honestly about just where this thing with Gibson was going.

  Joe stepped out onto the porch and caught sight of her, waving. She’d wanted to come alone, or with Gibson, but Gibson was at a meeting with his brothers to discuss some new information they’d found that afternoon. He’d offered to cancel to go to the dinner but she knew the longer this situation went on without resolution, the worse he’d feel about it. He wanted things to be done and she agreed it would be better that way.

  Not that she cared about the feelings of this cousin and his family. Alberto had put them all in danger with his actions. Not to mention he’d tried to kill Mia as well as Gibson. He had to be put down like the rabid animal he was.

  But Gibson had insisted that she have a guard with her at all times so Robby rode out with her that evening. He’d politely declined going in for dinner. She knew it was a guard’s job to keep in the background, but it still felt weird.

  Robby laughed. “Really. It’s easier. Your family would be more nervous with me inside and I’d be distracted. I appreciate the invitation, though. I have a cooler with food and drinks.”

  He came around to let her out of the car, scanning the area, and stood back. “You know where I am if you need me.”

  “Thank you.”

  She headed up the walk where Joe had come out of the house and stood on the porch.

  “Who’s that?” Joe tipped his chin at the car as he gave her a hug.

  “My bodyguard. Let’s get inside. He’ll get nervous with me out in the open.”

  “What the hell, Mia? Mom and Dad told me a little, but clearly not the whole story.”

  They went inside, she locked the door behind herself and kept him off to the side as she filled him in on everything.

  “Holy shit. Mia, this is trouble. This cat is trouble.”

  “Of course he is. That’s why they’re trying to find him.”

  “So why not stay away until they do?”

  “Because Gibson is my man. I’m in love with him, Joe. And I can help him so I do. He won’t let me do much really, so get that look off your face. If you think you all are protective, you have no idea what he’s like. Believe me, I’m as safe as I can be under the circumstances.”

  “You love him? Jesus.”

  “I do. I’m imprinting. He’s... I didn’t expect him. If you’d asked me three months ago who I’d end up with, it wouldn’t have been him. Or anyone like him. But now I can’t imagine it not being him. All I can ask is that everyone respects that. He’s not Silvio.”

  “I was just saying that.”

  Her grandmother spoke as she came into the living room. She tipped her cheek and Mia stroked her own along it. “Hey, Grandma.”

  “Come into the dining room. I’m about to talk about some things you’ll find interesting.”

  Joe widened his eyes as Lettie turned and left the room.

  Mia shrugged. You never knew what their grandmother would say or do so she just braced herself.

  Her mother waved, happy to see her when Mia came through. Her father kissed the top of her head when he came in from the garage with milk from the outside fridge.

  “Just in time. The roast is ready.”

  “Nice.” She grabbed a sliver of the meat when she moved to sit and her dad whacked her fingers with a spoon.

  “Manners.”

  She grinned, sheepish.

  Plates were filled and small talk was made, no one mentioning her trip and her grandmother remaining silent about this revelation she had in store.

  “Tell us.” Her mother finally spoke after they’d had a few minutes to eat.

  Mia gave them a quick overview of the trip. She didn’t provide a lot of details because some of it was stuff she knew Gibson didn’t want to be common knowledge, and while she knew her parents could be trusted, it was just better if they kept it unspoken.

  Her mother slammed her fist on the table.

  “He’s not good for you. From the first moment you met him you’ve been in danger. I don’t approve.”

  She sighed, wishing things were different. But they weren’t. “I know you don’t. And I’m sorry because I want you to like him. He’s a good man. And I’m in love with him.”

  Her mother blew out a frustrated breath. “And how does he feel? You’re younger than he is. He’s got more experience. You can’t go loving a male like that. He has other priorities.”

  “You don’t even know him, Ellen.” It was Lettie who spoke that time.

  Mia sent a grateful look to her grandmother before continuing. “I believe he loves me too. And I believe he’s imprinting. He...he’s marked me.”

  Her father scrubbed his hands over his face and muttered something incoherent.

&nbs
p; “This isn’t what I want for you.”

  “Mom, I know. It’s not ideal. But it’s not his fault. This whole thing is from the outside. He has to protect the jamboree. When he does that, it’s all of us he keeps safe. Can’t you see that? If you only knew the price he paid for the cats in the jamboree. For his family. All I can ask from life is an honorable man. I have one.”

  “Honorable! This is why I have serious reservations about being involved with the jamboree again on a regular basis. All this constant drama and violence. Not to mention the harm they’ve caused your grandmother and our family. Have you given no thought at all to that?”

  She knew her mother was angry but it was a slap and it hurt.

  Lettie put her fork down and wiped her mouth carefully. “I’ve had lunch with Imogene several times. I quite enjoy her and the truth of the matter is, there is no one left in that jamboree who had a thing to do with what happened to me. I believe quite strongly that none of them would do such a thing to anyone. Imogene is a good mother. Her sons are not the same as Silvio.”

  “Except for Carlos. The one who sold information to the human hate groups like the one that nearly killed our daughter. Does no one remember that?”

  “Mom, please. Let her speak.” Joe squeezed Mia’s hand briefly.

  Lettie was the one to rap knuckles on the table this time. “What’s past is past. It happened to me and I have accepted Imogene’s apology. I think you’re totally wrong about Gibson and Mia. Mia is strong. She’s a smart woman who knows what she wants. She’s not some silly young thing who doesn’t know the difference between lust and love. I trust her with this and I think you should too.”

  It was unexpected, to say the least. But really, that’s who Lettie was. She spoke her mind, even when it wasn’t what everyone else thought or said.

  Drew cleared his throat. “As you know, I’ve been with Stacy for a year now and I’ve grown really close with her family. First, Mia’s not the only one who’s imprinting. We’re going to do the joining in the fall. We’re saving to buy a place together.”