NAC & The Holly Group - Box set: Alpha Team

by Chelsea Handcock

  “Hey, Mia, you’re also going to have to write a pretty descriptive list because I have no idea what babies need, do you Ethan?” Cash said with a goofy grin that was completely odd on the face of the big burly biker.

  “Nope, sorry dude, we’re in the same boat on this one,” Ethan laughed.

  “Hey, listen guys, I want to get back to Emma and the baby before they wake up. Is there anything else? Cash if you need more money, I have about a couple hundred on me.” When Dalton went to reach for his wallet, Cash stopped him.

  Damn it, he said he wanted to get back to Emma and the baby, but it wasn’t want, he needed to get back to them. His skin was crawling with the need. His bear was prowling and ripping at his insides. The beast needed to protect and sitting in a conference room away from them, wasn’t helping him. Fidgeting he tried to calm his bear and inner turmoil; he couldn’t afford to piss the guys off any more than he already had. If it turned out Emma wasn’t his mate, she had to be a witch because she’d definitely put a spell on him.

  “No, man, we should have. I think it’s best that we treat this as we would any mission and use the funds we have put aside,” Cash told him.

  “Mia, I have chicken soup simmering on the stove and fresh bread on the counter. Dalton picked some up from Ruby’s before all hell broke loose. It only needs to be dished up when Emma is ready. That should do for now. I also put some of my biscotti out for her as well; don’t eat it, asshole, it’s for Emma.”

  “Dude, you know how much everyone likes your baking, it will be lucky to make it out of the kitchen.” Bas stated.

  “Well it better fuckers, that woman’s been through hell. She deserves it more than any of you slackers.” Cash crossed his large tattooed forearms across his chest and tried to look menacing.

  “I don’t get any either, Cash?” Ryleigh asked, looking at him with what could only be called doe eyes. She loved Cash’s baking, and he knew it.

  “Damn, okay, you and Mia can have some,” he smiled, his arms still crossed and still trying to look menacing. “All you other assholes stay out of my stash.” Cash looked at the dejected looks of his team members. His biscotti was to die for; it was a family recipe that was passed down from generation to generation. Everyone fell in love with it the first time they tasted it, and Cash loved using it as a bargaining tool.

  “If you give me a list of things you would like Emma to eat,” Cash told Mia, giving up on his attempt at intimidation, “I can also do a grocery run while we’re out. When I get back, I can make up a few meals for her that will only need to be heated up. I figure you want her eating six smaller meals a day?” It wouldn’t hurt for Ryleigh to jump on board with the meals as well. “Hint, hint lil sis.”

  Mia liked the big tattooed man; he had a soft spot for her friend, and it seemed it extended to all women. She still wouldn’t want to meet him in a dark alley alone, but he was growing on her, all the men of the Alpha team were. She could see they were strong, menacing, and rough around the edges, but they were also kind, loyal, and trustworthy; that was something Mia hadn’t had the pleasuring of seeing in a very long time. It also brought up memories of the man she’d run into during the mission; she hoped he was half as good as the guys sitting around the table. She couldn’t seem to get him off her mind. He was as big as Jacks, but where Jacks was dark, he was light. Streaked blond hair and vivid blue eyes, and damn, a body a Greek God would die for. The man was hot, but unfortunately for Mia, also dismissive. He hadn’t even seemed to notice her and that hurt. Mia never put herself out there, too many ghosts from her past, but she felt drawn to the man like nothing else. She needed to forget about him and focus on what was going on, here and now. Kayden Walker needed to stay out of her mind and maybe out of her life. She felt a shiver run up her spine; thinking of never seeing him again was like a foreboding, like it was going against her nature. Looking around the room she noticed the guys were waiting for her to finish; her little trip in her own mind hadn’t gone unnoticed, she hoped no one asked what she’d been thinking about.

  “Yeah, Cash, that would be great. We don’t want to overwhelm her system, but I think a little treat will be good for her, as long as you left a little extra for Ryleigh,” she quipped, “and me. I’ve been hearing about your biscotti for weeks, and I want to know if all the rumors are true. I also think we should discuss taking shifts to help Emma with the baby. Newborns generally wake up every four hours to eat. Emma needs some serious sleep right now to heal, so I think we all need to chip in for baby duty.

  “I’ll talk with Emma, first. I don’t want her to believe we’re keeping her baby away from her. It’s important that we feed and change the baby in the room with Emma as much as possible. Emma’s hormones are going to be out of control for a while; if we stress her out by taking the baby away, it might prolong her recovery.”

  Again, these big burly guys surprised Mia because although the look on their faces could only be described as fear or apprehension, they readily agreed to help out with Emma’s baby. She couldn’t wait to see them interact with the tiny baby.

  “Listen, guys” Ryleigh said, “Jacks, you, Ethan, and Bas are going to have to introduce yourselves to her. I think you scared the crap out her when you burst into the exam room.” She remembered the look of fear on Emma’s face when the guys had burst into the delivery room. Shoot, they had even surprised Ryleigh and she knew them.

  “Yeah, I agree with you, Rye. Emma turned white as a ghost when we made our impromptu appearance in the exam room. I can honestly say, I wouldn’t be letting any of you cuddle my newborn if I was Emma.” Mia noticed that Cash looked a little saddened by her statement and she felt kind of sorry for the guy. The others just sat there, but she could see a bit of shame or disgust on their faces.

  “I’ll start making up those lists for you guys. There’s quite a bit here for the baby, formula, diapers, and blankets, but you’re going to need a bed and bedding. Sorry, guys, but you’re also going to have to buy several outfits. Babies go through a lot of clothes.” Mia smiled at the look of horror on Cash and Ethan’s faces. “Ready to get your shop on guys?” Mia laughed. She hoped two huge scary military like men looking at baby clothes and things didn’t raise and attention. She would love to be a bug on the wall at the store though, she figured it would be pretty funny.

  “I want to check the results of the test I have running in the lab and then check in on Emma and the baby as well. Jacks, any idea where you’d like to put them? They can’t stay in the exam room. Do you guys have enough rooms for them to have one to themselves? We can keep the baby in the isolate until you get back with a bassinet.”

  Jacks took pity on Dalton; the man had asked to leave a while ago to be with Emma and the baby, and yet, he was still sitting in the room listening to everyone. He was mad as hell at the disrespect Dalton had shown him, and he would address all of that later, but for now, he would give him something.

  “Yeah. Dalton, I want you to get the room next to yours ready. We can introduce ourselves once they’re ready to move into their new room. I think we should give Emma a little time to adjust to her new surroundings before we make her deal with us, her first impression couldn’t have been that great. She seems comfortable with Mia, Ryleigh, and Dalton; right now, let’s keep it that way. Cash do you think she would be comfortable with you being in the room alone with her and her daughter, right now?”

  Dalton loved the idea of keeping Emma close and having them in the room next to him was ideal. He couldn’t help but think that he would prefer her being in his own room, but knew it wasn’t the right time. He would bide his time. He had also noticed the looks his Alpha and Second had been giving him since his outburst earlier, and he was a bit apprehensive about what was to come. Both men weren’t happy with him. Jacks permanent scowl and Cash’s tight lips indicated he would definitely be paying in blood for his behavior, but the real problem was he absolutely didn’t care and that blew his mind.

  “I’m not sure, man. I believ
e that it might be a good idea if we double up at first going in with Mia, Ryleigh, or Dalton. That way she can get used to us.”

  “I agree. Okay, everyone knows what they need to do. Baby, I think you need to go get some of that soup and then get some sleep. We can take a shift tomorrow.”

  Ryleigh sagged back in her chair, she knew she’d been out of control and was thankful he wasn’t calling her out on it in front of the group like she had. Damn! She was a horrible wife and mate, all she wanted to do was curl up in bed and hide under the covers. She needed to start thinking before she blurted out the first thing that came to her mind. She’d not only humiliated herself, but Jacks, and that was unacceptable. She could only blame so much on hormones.

  “Thanks, Jacks,” she sighed, “I hate to agree, but I’m tired. When is Wyatt getting back? We still have all of Franklin’s data to get through, and I found several more hidden files. I need his help. Actually, I need everyone’s help to get through all the data.

  “We may need to take shifts for both baby duty and searching through the data. There’s so much and it’s all jumbled. The only data that was laid right out has algorithms that have to be solved first. We have some locations and contributors, but I doubt we even have a little piece of the big picture. I’m starting to think that all of it was a front, a diversion if anyone came upon it. It seems so unlikely that Franklin would lay out such crucial information when everything else is coded. I was considering bring some people in to help, but now with Emma and the baby here, I don’t think that’s a good idea anymore.”

  “I think you're right, Baby. I don’t think any of us thinks bringing in anyone else at this point is a good idea.”

  Ryleigh wanted to cry at how sweet Jacks was being, dang the poor man was getting hit on every side, and he was still as stoic as ever.

  “Here’s a thought. Bas, do you think your hacker would be willing to come help?” Jacks asked. “She obviously has the skills we need to get through this data. Not to mention, she might be able to help out until Wyatt gets back from helping out Kayden and Milo.”

  “Jacks, I still don’t feel comfortable with an unknown hacker coming out here. What I mean, is this someone Bas met on the Web or something? This data is sensitive, we can’t trust just anyone with it, and I’m sorry, but hackers don’t have the best reputations, Bas and Wyatt excluded, of course. We would have to tell this person about shifters, Pandora, and Davis. I don’t think we should let some random hacker know this information, no matter how long they’ve been helping you guys.”

  Chapter 26

  Bas had reached his limit with Ryleigh’s constant questions. She was new to the group, but damn it, she wouldn’t let it go. It didn’t matter to him that she had that beaten puppy look on her face. She needed to realize they were professionals, the team functioned and flourished well before she became a part of the group. Her past sucked, but fuck, she needed to trust her team.

  “Listen,” he said, slamming his hand down on the table, “Peyton isn’t some random hacker, she’s my sister, goddamn it! I would trust her with not only my life, but everyone’s in this damn room!” Bas said shocking everyone.

  Ryleigh blurted out the first thing that came to her mind

  “But shifters don’t produce female children, she can’t be your sister!” Ryleigh blurted out, taken back by Bas’s outburst. She knew she’d been overstepping and should’ve heeded Jacks warnings, but she couldn’t help herself. With the Holly group, she was in charge, and she was so new to the dynamics of the Alpha team. She was making a fool out of herself, but she was scared. This person knew things, was asked to find information out that could put them all in danger. She couldn’t blindly accept things anymore, there was too much at stake for all of them.

  She was honestly failing at this Alpha mate thing, she was supposed to support Jacks and be a good influence, but all she was doing was causing problems. Feeling the tears that were threating to spill from her eyes, she tried to compose herself as best she could and listened to what Bas had to say.

  “No, they don’t. Peyton is my step-sister although I see no reason to include the step part. She’s my sister.” Bas knew that Ryleigh was struggling, he could see the tears in her eyes. Damn, he hated it when a woman cried and hated even more when he was the cause. But Ryleigh needed to get with the program, they weren’t inept. She had such a small amount of time to adjust to everything and so much had happened to her in that time. No wonder she was feeling a bit threatened. Feeling sorry for his actions softened his tone.

  “My dad married her mom when we were very young. Their relationship didn’t last long, but Peyton’s and mine did. She was a prodigy with computers, but learned rather quickly to hide her talents, not unlike you, Ryleigh.” Bas knew that was a low blow, but he wasn’t used to someone questioning his loyalty to the team. “Her mom was shady and my dad was even worse. She hasn’t had it easy and prefers her computers and dogs to actual people. She’s a better hacker than Wyatt or I put together, but she stays under the radar. Shit, she’s never taken a computer class in her life, it’s all pretty amazing.”

  Ryleigh could see the pride Bas had for his sister on his face. She wanted to shut up, but too many things had happened recently.

  “If you don’t believe me, you can ask Wy.” Tightening his fists on the table, he snarled, “He knows about her. Shit, this whole team has worked with her for years, well before you came along, Ryleigh, and I’m sorry, but she has done more good for NAC and the Alpha Team than you or The Holly Group ever have. My word has never been a problem before and I don’t appreciate you questioning it now. No disrespect, Jacks, but What the fuck?”

  Jacks knew he needed to get the meeting back under control, and he knew that Bas was right, the team had never questioned Bas about his hacker friend until right now. He knew Ryleigh was being influenced by her childhood and what had happened a few short months ago, but he couldn’t have dissension within his team. He hoped his mate would get the hint and stay quiet or at least not piss off anyone else. Taking her hand, he squeezed it lightly, hoping to get the message across.

  “Listen, man, we’re all running at high alert, right now. With the discovery of Shifter females, and the threat from Pandora, Davis, and the Affiliation, not to mention Eli’s betrayal, tensions are high. I knew you and Wy vetted your sister and that’s good enough for me. We would be happy to bring her into the fold.” Jacks was thankful when Bas leaned back in his chair, visibly relaxing.

  “If you want her help,” Bas replied, “you had better start building some kennels because she won’t leave her dogs behind. If she does agree to come, you ought to check her DNA as well. Like I said before, her mom was shady. I overheard a few conversations she and my dad had, and I think Peyton was actually an IVF baby. Judy, her mother, got a huge payout for getting knocked up. I believe she was supposed to only be a surrogate, but took off with Peyton thinking she could get more money by not giving her up right away. She would sell her soul to the devil if the payday was big enough. The woman always had an angle. Her plan didn’t work out the way she wanted, she got spooked somehow. I know that both she and Peyton had papers because I checked it out when I got older. Peyton’s started from birth, but Judy’s only started from about two days before Peyton was born. Whoever drew them up was good, I still haven’t been able to find out anything about Judy before the papers showed up. Judy took off when Peyton was about thirteen and spent five years in the system. Peyton hasn’t heard from her since then, at least that’s what she likes to tell me. I don’t think she wants to worry me. We can only assume that Judy changed her identity again because we haven’t been able to track her down.”

  “Shit,” Jacks laughed, “our lives are turning into a fucking soap opera. Mysterious Hacker, shifter sisters, and pregnant damsels in distress. What's next?”

  “Babe,” it was Ryleigh’s turn to laugh, “don’t ask questions you really don’t want answers to.”

  “Okay, Bas, give your sister a call.
If she’s willing to come here, I'm prepared to let her help. How many dogs does she have? Why do we need an entire kennel?”

  It was Bas’s turn to laugh; he loved the confused look on Ryleigh’s and the others faces.

  “Oh,” Bas said proudly “didn’t I mention Peyton is the best service dog trainer in the country?”

  “Oh my god,” Ryleigh exclaimed, sitting straight up in Jacks lap, “are you telling me your sister is Peyton Carlton? The Holly Group has been trying to get one her dogs for three years. She has a waiting list for the next five years. She only lets in five dogs a year, training them for a minimum of two years before she’ll even consider adopting them out. She even makes the people adopting her dogs do an intensive six-week training course. If you don’t pass, you don’t get the dog. Shoot, the interview process, just to be considered, was more difficult than getting top secret clearance with the government.”

  Bas was proud of his sister’s accomplishments and liked the excitement Ryleigh was showing, bouncing up and down in Jacks lap. He also liked the discomfort all the bouncing was causing his Alpha; served him right. The fucker was always so composed and steady. The little minx was good for Jacks.

  “Yep, that’s my other little sister.” Bas grinned, looking every bit the proud brother.

  “We might have more problems than that,” Cash said. “I’ve heard of your sister, too, she trains military, government, and police dogs. She’s pretty well known; taking her away from her normal routine might raise some eyebrows. We all know how the government likes to watch their assets. Not to mention we’re bear shifters and all dominant, her puppies might have a problem with that. Have you been around her dogs, if so, how did they act? Sorry, man, but I have to ask. Does Peyton know you’re a bear shifter?”