by Anthology
He seemed to make a decision and come out of the deep thoughts he’d been engaged in, turning to look at Arlo. Simultaneously, he took Lindsey’s hand in his and squeezed lightly, reassuring her that she’d done the right thing. He knew she was there and he seemed to be glad she was.
“Whatever you need for them, let me know. I don’t want anyone else dying here tonight if I can help it,” Grif declared in a strong voice.
Arlo seemed impressed, nodding. “Thank you, Alpha.”
“See to your men. We’ll talk in a couple of hours unless you need me for something before then.” Grif was already moving back toward the front of the house, Lindsey at his side and Arlo following close behind.
“Understood. I’ve pulled everyone in and will station them around the house. Nobody will intrude without our knowing.
“Good. We’ll convene in the living room at dawn, if not before.”
“Roger that.” Arlo left them by the front door and jogged toward the barn.
Grif turned and took Lindsey into his arms, hugging her close and just standing there for a moment, in the darkness of the porch, resting his chin on top of her head as she listened to the steady beating of his heart. She loved this man. So very much. He’d been through hell that night and she was glad they had all lived to tell the tale. She wouldn’t know what she’d have done without him—or Belinda—or even Matt or Steve, for that matter. This family had come to mean so much to her in such a short amount of time.
The door behind them opened and light spilled out from inside the house onto the porch. Matt stood at the door, looking out at them. Grif let her go and they walked into the house as Matt stepped back to allow them to pass.
Belinda was in the living room and she ran to Lindsey when she caught sight of her. She looked like she was holding up well as Lindsey hugged her close. Strong arms came around them both—Grif on one side, Matt on the other. They just stood there for a moment, the family sharing a group hug that made everyone feel better.
Maybe there was something to this shifter need for touch after all, Lindsey thought. Even after the hug ended, it was clear Belinda didn’t want to go too far from her brothers or Lindsey.
Touched to be included in the family, Lindsey sat on the big sectional couch with Belinda close beside her. The little girl snuggled into her side while Matt and Grif talked with Steve who had just walked in the door.
The guys looked like they were talking business. Steve was probably talking over the events of the evening from his perspective. There was a lot of back slapping and serious looks.
“You okay now, Belinda?” Lindsey asked, putting her arm around the young girl.
“Yeah,” she replied with a muffled sniff.
“You were so brave when you went out that window and jumped all the way down to the ground. You’re going to have to teach me how to do that without breaking my leg one of these days.” Lindsey squeezed Belinda, offering comfort and encouragement.
“It’s not that hard.” Belinda looked up at her and gave her a shaky smile. “I can show you sometime, if Grif says it’s okay.” She looked over at her brothers and Lindsey realized the men were pretty much done talking.
“I think we all need to spend a few hours as a family,” Grif said to his brothers, knowing they were still as shaken as he from what had almost happened to the girls tonight. “And we all need a few more hours of sleep.”
Both Steve and Matt nodded agreement and Grif turned to where his two ladies sat together on the big, sectional couch. He’d bought it with comfort in mind and he’d slept on it more than a few times, both in his fur and in human form. It would do.
“What do you say we camp out down here until morning? To tell you the truth, I don’t want to let either of you out of my sight.” Grif crouched down to look at Belinda’s pale face.
She’d had a terrible fright tonight, but she was holding up well enough. Still, he didn’t want to send her back to her bedroom—or to any room where she’d have to go to sleep all alone. She wouldn’t sleep, and he wouldn’t blame her. Better that they all stay together for now. At least for the few hours they had until dawn. Maybe some of them would be able to rest as long as they knew everyone was safe and accounted for—and less than a few feet away.
“What do you say, munchkin? Maybe we’ll put a mellow movie on and try to catch up on our beauty sleep down here for what’s left of the night?”
Belinda launched herself into Grif’s open arms and clung to him. He worried at first, but he felt her smile against his chest. She was okay. Or she would be, given enough time to get over tonight’s shock. She drew back after a few moments and smiled up at him.
“Thanks, Grif. Can I pick the movie?” She let him go and danced backward, toward the rack where they kept a bunch of DVDs.
“Sure thing. Matt, get the milk and cookies. Steve, get some pillows and blankets from upstairs.” He sent everyone off on errands, then collapsed on the big couch, next to Lindsey. His arm went around her.
Damn, it felt good to have her close. Just having her near calmed him and made him realize once again how lucky he was.
His family had been fractured by the losses of their sister and mother, but they’d come through it. And now they’d finally ended the threat that had hung over them like a dark cloud. They could move forward from here.
The first step would be going back home. Grif was already formulating plans to close up the cabin and head back to Las Vegas. He hadn’t talked it over with Lindsey yet, but he had hope that she’d be eager to start their new life together in Nevada. She knew his Clan was based there and that they’d have to return sometime. Now that Timmons had finally been dealt with, it was a good time to go back.
“Milk and cookies?” Lindsey asked, chuckling at his side.
“What? Cats like milk. Belinda will drink a couple of glasses and be asleep before you know it. Just you wait and see.” He nuzzled her neck, making her giggle.
He liked hearing his mate’s laughter. Things could have gone terribly wrong so easily tonight. He was thankful that everyone he cared about had come through this all right. Even the injured guys on Arlo’s team were out of danger and would recover. Steve had told him when he’d come in and Grif was relieved.
The only casualty was Timmons and as far as Grif was concerned, justice had finally come to the man who’d murdered Jackie. Late, but it had finally been served.
Belinda chose a movie and slipped it into the player. She climbed over Grif’s lap to snuggle in between him and Lindsey. He didn’t mind. Belinda was still a child. She had to be feeling especially vulnerable after what had happened earlier. Grif would cuddle her for what was left of the night if he had to, to reassure her that they were all okay and that life would get back to normal. She was safe. They would all be as safe as they could be—together.
Steve and Matt returned as the opening credits started playing to an animated movie about the panda who did martial arts. It was one of Belinda’s favorites and Grif had to admit, it had beautiful art and a nice message. He didn’t mind that they’d already seen the movie a few dozen times. Tonight was about comfort. If watching something familiar and amusing would bring comfort to Belinda, Grif didn’t mind at all.
Matt poured glasses of milk for them all and passed around the plate of cookies as everyone settled into place. Steve sorted out pillows and blankets and Lindsey helped Belinda make a little nest in the center of the huge couch. Grif snagged a pillow and stuffed it under his head, lifting his feet using the built-in recliner function that was hidden in certain parts of the sectional sofa. Lindsey had her own on the other side. He watched her figure it out after seeing his chair’s transformation.
Matt and Steve each had their own recliners on either side of the couch. Steve was closest to the door and Matt had taken the chair to Lindsey’s right, between her and the window. His brothers would probably snooze, but they’d be on guard too, should anything threaten the family.
Though Grif seriously doubted a
nyone or anything would get through the contingent of soldiers stationed very visibly all around the house. They were out in the open now, as he’d noticed when he glanced out the door and window earlier. They’d been shamed by the failure of their perimeter earlier. Grif understood the pride they usually took in their work. They’d be hyper vigilant now after the earlier breach.
As predicted, Belinda downed a couple of cookies and two glasses of milk before nodding off in her little nest of blankets and pillows. He watched her for a few minutes, lowering the volume on the television with the remote control. Lindsey smiled over at him and he knew she understood.
He saw the love in her gaze and his breath caught. They were going to have such a great life together. He’d make sure of it. He’d protect her from whatever dangers might come and teach her all about being were. She’d done well tonight. She’d helped get Belinda to safety and performed better under pressure than he’d had a right to expect.
He was damn proud of her. Damn proud to call her mate. And he knew his people were going to love her. She might not have been born a shifter, but she had heart to spare and a sense of honor that went deep into her soul. She would grow into the role of Alpha female, but he thought maybe she had the makings of a great matriarch already. Her love and compassion would be a gift to his Clan and he knew they were going to love her. The rest would come in time.
And at least now, he was much more confident that they’d have that time. The biggest threat to his family had just been dealt with and it was a load off his mind. For the first time in years he felt able to breathe more easily.
There would be other challenges, he knew, but this particular danger had been dealt with—finally. Grif, for one, was relieved.
Chapter Fifteen
When Lindsey woke, light was streaming in from the window to her right and she was alone in the big living room. She could see armed soldiers standing guard near the windows, facing the forest, on alert for any hint of danger. She knew it was probably overkill, but she was glad of their presence after the events of the night before.
She stretched and heard quiet movements from the direction of the kitchen. Then she noticed the scents of frying eggs and bacon. Oh, yeah, she was hungry. Her stomach rumbled as she stood, but she had other pressing needs at the moment.
She tiptoed quickly upstairs to use the bathroom and find some clean clothes. A few minutes later, she emerged from the master bath to find Grif there. He was freshly shaven and just tugging on a clean T-shirt.
When he saw her, he opened his arms and she went to him, loving the feeling of his warmth, his sexy, muscular body pressed against her. He kissed her and she tasted the mint left by his toothpaste mingling with her own. Yeah, this was a nice way to start the morning. Especially after the fright of the night before.
“Good morning, my love,” he whispered as he let her up for air.
“Good morning yourself,” she quipped back, though she hugged that little phrase—my love—close to herself. How had she gotten so lucky to have captured this man’s heart?
Of course, he’d captured hers. Probably back when he’d been prowling around her grandfather’s property as her Spirit Guide. Or more likely, before that, when he’d fixed the old generator. Maybe it was when he’d come to her rescue in the diner, back when they’d first met. Yeah, that was probably it.
He was such a great man. Someone who’d come into her life and swept her off her feet even while she was engaged in clearing the debt of honor left by her grandfather. How had he managed to capture her heart when her whole life had been turned upside down? All too easily, actually. He was just that kind of guy.
“What?” He smiled down at her, those amazing smiles of his coming much more easily this morning, it seemed.
“I was just thinking how lucky I am.”
“Luck? I prefer to think it was fate,” he teased, swooping in to place playful kisses on her lips, her cheeks, her forehead. “They say the Lady works in mysterious ways. I think She made you a cougar just for me. And I, for one, think She knows what She’s doing. You’re perfect for me, Lindsey. And more than that, you’re even perfect for my family and I know the Clan will feel the same.”
Mention of his Clan made her bite her lip with a tiny bit of worry. “I hope you’re right about that.”
Grif leaned in and freed her lip only to capture it with his own in another searing kiss. It would have gone further, but a knock sounded on the door.
“Breakfast is ready. Get it while it’s hot,” Matt called out from the hallway. “We’re feeding the army outside today too, so if you don’t come now, there might not be any left.”
Lindsey laughed as Grif groaned. “Dammit, he’s probably right. The team brought some provisions with them, but we’re going to supplement as best we can until the stores open up in town and we can send someone down for supplies. They didn’t expect to bivouac here this long.” He released her and headed toward the door, opening it and waiting for her to precede him. “Speaking of which, I’ve been meaning to talk to you about going home.”
Lindsey felt a little weight settle in the pit of her stomach. She knew he wasn’t a permanent resident here, but she’d hoped to avoid the possible trauma of meeting his Clan until she felt a little surer of herself. She kind of dreaded what they might think of her. Maybe they wouldn’t approve of someone like her—someone who was only just learning how to be a shifter—for their leader. So many things could go wrong. She was more than a little scared of how they would receive her.
“I guess there’s nothing to keep you and the family here anymore, huh?” she admitted as they walked toward the stairs together.
“This is our vacation place. We come here a few times a year, or whenever we need to get away, but there’s work to be done at home now that Timmons has finally been stopped. And I think the Clan atmosphere would be best for Belinda right now. Plus, I want them to meet you. I know they’re going to love you as much as I do.” He paused at the top of the stairs and leaned down to place a reassuring kiss on the top of her head, accompanying it with a quick hug.
He let her go and they started down the stairs. She lagged behind a bit, still not quite feeling the same level of confidence in her ability to win over a whole Clan of shifters.
“I hope you’re right,” was all she said in reply.
Grif smiled at her over his shoulder. “Of course I am. Trust me. I’ve known most of them all my life. They’re going to be very happy for us both.”
She sighed as they arrived on the ground level. “If you say so.”
They walked toward the kitchen arm in arm and were just in time to snag breakfast before Matt started to feed their guests outside. Nothing more was said about the impending trip to Nevada, but Lindsey worried about it for the rest of the morning.
Timmons’s body was already on a plane heading for Nevada, Grif learned as Arlo briefed him about the team’s activities after the family had retired. Arlo had been in contact with Slade and he was meeting Arlo’s guys at the private airstrip in the desert that they used when they wanted to fly under the radar, so to speak.
Slade and his priestess mate, Kate, would examine the body as soon as possible. Grif congratulated Arlo on his fast work and started laying the groundwork for withdrawal from the area for both the team of soldiers and his family.
The majority of the fighting men would go back to their homes elsewhere in Wyoming—on that mountaintop where Jesse Moore had managed to gather the retired elite of the top military units. A small contingent would stay with the Redstones until they were home, traveling with them to Nevada on the private plane Grif had asked Arlo to call in.
Grif and his brothers would close up the house and take care of any last minute details as pertained to their property. The team would see to the grounds and barn they’d used. All in all, it wouldn’t take long to be ready to roll. Grif hoped they’d be able to pull out that very afternoon, in fact.
He understood Lindsey’s hesitancy, but he knew
in his heart that she had nothing to worry about. He had faith that the Lady wouldn’t have given him a mate who couldn’t handle the role she would be expected to fulfill in the Clan. If it turned out to be too much for her, he could always step down.
He was fully prepared to do just that if he realized Lindsey was overwhelmed—or, less likely, if the Clan rejected her. His mate was more important to him than the Clan. That was a statement he never thought he’d make before finding her, but now that she was in his life, he understood the harsh truth of that simple fact. If they didn’t like her, he’d leave. Simple as that.
There were four other Redstone brothers who all could be just as effective as he in running both the company and the Clan. He’d leave it to them and take his mate back to Wyoming. He could easily live in the cabin and he knew she liked the area as well.
He had a solid Plan B if things went south, but he really didn’t think they would. Lindsey may not be everyone’s idea of a kick-ass, take-no-prisoners Alpha female, but there was a lot more to being Alpha than fighting skill. In fact, among cats, Alpha females tended to be the nurturers, not the fighters.
It was different for other kinds of shifters, but his mother hadn’t really been able to fight her way out of a paper bag, yet she’d been the beloved matriarch of the Clan for as long as he’d been alive. Grif knew Lindsey had the same capacity for love, understanding and compassion. He’d seen it in action with Belinda and he knew once she got to know the people of his Clan, her big heart would expand to encompass them all as well. Just as it should. The Alpha female of the Redstone Clan had always been someone who could love the whole Clan and treat them all like family.
He just needed Lindsey to understand that. It was something he had a hard time putting into words, but she’d understand once she met some of his people. He just knew it.