by Kim Schubert
Okay, I couldn’t fault that logic, “But why not just go after you himself?”
Nila shook her head. “The cages were iron.”
“Oh, right.” Everyone knew dragons and half dragons had an iron allergy. Okay, well, I did now.
“Do you know where to find them?” I asked.
She nodded.
I rubbed the back of my neck. “Let me clean up and we will head out.”
Thirty minutes later Nila was directing us to her father while I tried calling Logan again. It went straight to voicemail.
“Hey it’s me,” I sighed heavily. “I hope the baby is okay. I’ll be back soon.”
I called Mark, it also went to voicemail. I didn’t bother leaving a message.
Yeah, no worries guys, I was just kidnapped by some psycho humans running a sex trafficking ring, but I’m fine.
I groaned. Why did I care? I was used to doing shit on my own and I needed to stay that way. I hardened the guards around my heart, leaning my head against the cool window.
I must have zoned out at some point. When we came to a stop I blinked, getting out of the car at the entrance to a tunnel. Abandoned train tracks curled up at the entrance and dead leaves crunched underfoot.
Nila ran into the dark cave. Blue looked at me and I looked back at him. “After you, my dear.”
I huffed, following Nila at a much slower pace.
A language I didn’t recognize bounced off the rock walls, Nila speaking excitedly, her voice constricting with her tears.
Blue and I came to a stop in a huge cavern littered with gold treasure.
“Touch nothing,” I hissed to Blue. “He’s half dragon.”
Blue’s eyes widened before he nodded. “I didn’t know dragons still existed.”
“Me either.”
Nila came out sans her father, with two vampires following her. They looked disgruntled, bound with silver, but unharmed. She stopped a safe distance from us and I was almost insulted. I had just rescued her ass.
“I’ll give them back to you if you promise no retribution. He did what he thought he needed to in order to save me.”
“Fine, but next time, have him call me.”
Nila nodded, smiling as she released the two annoyed vampires. “Thank you, Olivia.”
“Anytime.”
…
“Hi Garrick, I found your executioners,” I announced to him chipperly on the phone, driving said executioners to their vehicles.
“Really?” Garrick asked. “They’re alive?”
“Yeah, but you can’t seek retribution,” I informed him.
“Did you agree to that on my behalf?”
“Yeah.”
Garrick groaned. “Olivia,” he chided.
“Just hear me out.”
I filled Garrick in on the details. Turned out the half dragon father was burning the areas as a warning and he thought the vampires he collected might have something to do with his missing daughter since they were poking around. He had no idea he had bagged himself two powerful executioners. Remind me not to piss off a dragon. However, aside from being hungry, they were unharmed.
“Do you think the humans hurt the dragon girl?” Garrick asked.
“I know they did.” My voice was soft.
Garrick grunted, “How did he manage to capture the executioners?”
“Don’t ask,” they both answered in unison.
…
I gave my SUV to the displaced executioners when we found their vehicles were not where they’d left them, hitching a ride in Blue’s SUV.
“So Olivia, are you going to ask me about Logan?”
I grunted.
“The man is beside himself, which you should be able to tell if you allowed your damn wall to crack.”
I grunted.
Blue sighed, exasperated. “Tell me, how do you plan on handling this?”
I thought back to Garrick’s advice. “I’m going to try, Blue. I don’t want to be alone forever.”
His head turned abruptly, shocked.
“Not a fucking word,” I warned.
Chapter 14
We made it back to St Ann in record time and went straight to the hospital.
“You’re a fucking terrible driver,” I scolded Blue, getting out of the car.
He smiled. “You just took down an entire ring of bad guys with minimal help and you fear my driving skills?”
“Abso-fucking-lutely.”
“Bags?” Blue asked, opening the back of the SUV.
“You going back on guard duty?” I questioned.
“Probably. I’m already attached to the little shit.”
I smiled, taking the bag Blue handed to me. “What’s her name, anyways?”
“Ginny.”
“Ginny,” I repeated.
A few nurses gave us strange looks and wide berths. Even though I had washed all the blood off, apparently I hadn’t dropped the killer gleam in my eyes or my scowl.
Blue led the way to Lorraine’s room, where we put our bags down. The room was empty and we headed down to the NICU.
We turned a corner and I stopped in my tracks, seeing Logan holding Ginny, rocking her gently. His white shirt looked dirty, the bags under his eyes pronounced. I went to the glass, holding my hand against the cool surface, smiling at him.
Slowly, he registered I was there, the relief etched onto his exhausted features.
He indicated the side door with a flick of his head. A nurse went to open the door and I walked into his outstretched arm as his other held Ginny close to him. I nuzzled into him, feeling my shields dropping away of their own accord. Damn traitors.
He kissed the top of my head and I held onto him, watching the small bundle cradled against his chest.
“Can I hold her?” I asked softly.
“Yeah,” he said, relieved, handing off the small bundle.
Ginny squawked, probably pissed about losing her comfy warmth. Moving her up, I laid her check against my chest, bouncing and swaying while I cooed to her. She settled pretty quickly, snuggling in.
I looked to Logan, finding his eyes brimming with unshed tears. “She’s perfect, Logan.”
He leaned, in kissing me hard. “You saved her,” he whispered.
I blinked back my own fucking tears, assholes. I shrugged. “Go shower and eat, I got this.”
He nodded. “Lorraine has been pumping behind the curtain. What did you say to her?” he asked me softly.
I smiled. “Motivation. Did you know she has a sister in New York?”
Logan laughed, softly kissing Ginny’s head. “I won’t be long.”
I nodded. “Relax, I got this.”
…
Ginny was fed, burped, and in a clean diaper before she fell asleep on my chest. I lounged in the recliner, my hands rubbing small circles on her back.
Logan had tried to come back but I sent him away.
“How you doing, sweetie?” the night shift nurse asked me.
“Good, you need to check her vitals again?”
She nodded, taking Ginny’s temperature, listening to her heartbeat. “It’s the darndest thing how quickly she recovered. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like it.”
I smiled. All it had taken was giving Mal protection under The Council. I closed my eyes, leaning my head back to rest.
A warm hand landed on my thigh and I kicked out before my eyes opened.
Logan rubbed his stomach. “Sorry,” I muttered.
He leaned down to kiss me firmly, his tongue seeking entrance into my mouth. I obliged him, sucking on the heated flesh.
Logan leaned closer, cupping my cheek. Reluctantly, he leaned back, resting his forehead against my own. “I was worried about you.”
“Ehh, no need to be. Just a couple of humans.”
“That kidnapped you?”
“Fucking Blue, did he rat me out?”
Logan laughed, taking Ginny from me. “Come on, we are being released.”
I groaned, s
tanding and rubbing the kink out of my neck, wrapping an arm around his waist.
We went back to the room and I didn’t see Lorraine.
“Where is she?” I asked, a pang of jealously hitting me unexpectedly. She was able to bear Logan a child, something I could never do.
Logan looked around, “I don’t know. She should be here.”
I nodded, shrugging. “Mark and Blue?” I asked.
“Bringing the cars around.”
I nodded, picking up my bag and Logan’s. “Ready?”
He nodded, strapping Ginny’s little form into the car seat before picking her delicately up.
…
Mark and Blue were waiting for us with Logan’s SUV and Blue’s. I rocked Ginny in her car seat as we waited for Logan to finish the paperwork.
I recognized the click of the heels before turning to see Grams purposefully walking toward me with Lorraine.
My lips flattened into a thin line.
“Where do you think you are going?” Grams asked.
“With my baby,” Lorraine hissed, trying to snatch the car seat from me.
I slapped her hand away with a resounding smack.
“You threatened to kill her, you signed off on all your rights to her after she was born. What makes you think you can touch her?”
“I signed that under duress. She is my child and I want to take care of her,” Lorraine sobbed.
“Really? Then where is her milk?”
Lorraine blinked rapidly. “She doesn’t need it anymore now that she is better.”
I scoffed at her, “You are pathetic.”
“And I don’t suppose you know how Ginny’s miraculous rapid healing occurred?” Grams mused.
“Fuck off, Grams, you will not get involved here,” I warned her. Was her hatred for me so great that she would even meddle in all this?
She held her head regally high. “I must protect those you steamroll over with your single-minded focus on what is best for you.”
“This will not end well for you,” I gritted, my voice low with menace.
“Is that a threat?” she asked gleefully.
I smiled. “A prediction. Meddling in business that doesn’t concern you never ends up well.”
Mark and Blue stepped up next to me. “Problem, luv?” Blue asked.
“Is there?” I asked Grams.
“You will be hearing from my lawyer regarding this gross violation of a mother’s rights.”
“Do what you need to,” Logan said, done with his paperwork. “I’m not afraid of you or your idle threats, Grams. If you want a legal battle, I am happy to accommodate.”
…
“Thanks for all your help, Blue,” I said.
“Anything for you, my dear.” He turned to Logan. “Do us all a favor and don’t knock up anymore obnoxious humans.”
“He won’t,” I answered, a little too quickly.
Mark nudged my arm. “Feeling a little possessive?”
I huffed, “Homicidal is more like it.”
“Oh dear, and here I thought you got that out of your system earlier,” Blue teased.
I shoved him. “Later, Blue.”
He tipped an imaginary hat to me. “Later, luv.”
“So, where to?” Mark asked, behind the wheel.
I turned to Logan in the backseat with Ginny.
“I guess I need to find a house pretty quickly,” Logan commented absently.
“The manor,” I said. “The kids will be overjoyed to see her.”
Logan nodded, leaning back against the headrest, watching his small daughter.
…
As we pulled into the driveway, I noted my SUV was back. That was quick.
The children couldn’t get enough of Ginny, cooing and entertaining her for hours on end, allowing Logan and me to meet with Tommy.
“I have a list,” he said, handing me the printout. “I emailed it to you,” he told Logan.
I looked over the six possible locations. “This is well clustered.”
Tommy nodded. “It has to be. Only those six locations provide enough rainfall, sunlight and humidity for the plant to survive.”
I nodded, turning to Logan.
“Do you want to come with me?” I asked him. His gaze shifted out the door to where we could hear the kids playing with Ginny.
“I can take Jerry and Mark,” I offered.
He looked back at me with sad eyes. I stepped closer to him, laying a hand on his arm. “It’s okay, Logan, take care of our girl. I’ll go kick ass.”
He laughed, “I am your mate and Alpha. You should be staying here, and I going.”
I shook my head. “She needs you, Logan, and I do as well. But I can wait.”
His eyes searched my own and I let the mate bond flare into full force. He nodded, feeling the truth of my emotions.
“OLIVIA!” Grant yelled, bursting into Tommy’s room. “What in the seven hells did you do for this kind of money?”
I smiled, “Rescued Garrick’s executioners.”
Grant heaved, panting, “That’s it?”
“Also took out a group of human traffickers, but that was a side project.”
He stared at me, dumbfounded, and I patted him on the arm. “Does Garrick have any more jobs he wants to throw our way?” he asked eagerly.
I shook my head. “This was a fluke. Apparently, Grams called him, warning that I would be asking for a loan. I took a job instead.” I took a loan from my mate, though. Ugh, that still didn’t sit well.
“Great,” Grant said, shaking his dark locks back. “Also, we sent all the accounting discrepancies to the attorney. She was pretty excited about it.”
“Wonderful, let’s hope it’s enough to bury the bitch.”
I took out my phone, calling Mark and Jerry. No time like the present to hunt down an extinct plant.
…
I sent the kids back to homework and weapons practice while Logan laid Ginny down in the bassinet in our room.
I had the baby monitor set up on the island while Logan worked in the kitchen. I took out two wine glasses, pouring myself one and setting one next to Logan at the stove.
“How does it feel to be a dad?” I asked.
“Terrifying. It’s insane to me, to think I am entrusted with such a being.”
I nodded. “I could see that.”
“I want you to contact Sage tomorrow. It’s her territory and I want her to help you.”
I swallowed back my protest. “If that’s what you want.”
He nodded. “It is. I know you don’t like her, but she is a powerful ally.”
I smiled, taking a long sip. “I’ll try to get past it.”
He nodded and met my gaze. “Thank you.”
Chapter 15
Morning arrived with Ginny sleeping on my chest and Logan passed out circled around me as I leaned against the bed frame.
I stretched my toes, running a hand over her soft, bald head.
She stirred, squawking before laying her head back down. Logan picked his head up, reaching out to pat her back.
“Want me to take her?” he asked groggily.
“No, get some rest, I have time before I leave.” He nodded, sliding his body around mine once again.
I combed my fingers through his hair, enjoying the silken way the caramel locks felt against my skin. I could get used to this. I could wake up like this every day. That thought had me closing my eyes with a smile.
…
Three hours later, I released my hold on the precious little Ginny, transferring her to the bassinet so Logan could get a few more hours of rest. Silently, I stalked downstairs, slipping my boots on.
I peeked outside and as usual, Jerry was right on time to pick me up at this ungodly early hour. Even the kids weren’t awake yet. I slung my bags over my shoulder and was headed to the door when Logan came padding down with Ginny wrapped in his arms.
“Hey, go back to sleep,” I said, turning to him. I watched them together, my heart w
arming. I took a step toward him, tilting my head for a kiss. He met my lips gently.
“Be careful,” he warned, his irritation and frustration seeping through in the mate bond.
I should be going with you.
I shrugged, kissing Ginny. “I’m always careful and there are more important things now.”
He regarded for a long moment and I could feel he wanted to say more, probably along the lines of “I love you.” I just smiled and left as quickly as I could.
Sliding into the back seat, I complained, “I still don’t see why we can’t take my vehicle. I have all my weapons organized in the back.
Jerry laughed, “Because it stinks.”
“It does not,” I shot back.
“It does,” Mark agreed. “Possibly even worse since the vamps returned it.”
“Whatever,” I grunted, settling against the clean interior of Jerry’s vehicle.
I rubbed my forehead, “Which Compass Alpha’s territory are we heading to?”
I knew the answer.
“Sage,” Mark said, turning around. “Why?”
I chewed on my fingernail. “Do you have her number?”
“I do, but I thought you didn’t like her.”
“I don’t, but it would be helpful to have another set of eyes so we can split up the list. Call her and see if she has anyone in Iowa we can borrow.”
Mark nodded, hitting a few buttons on the touch screen console. Sage’s voicemail spoke over the speakers.
“Hey Sage, it’s Mark. We are doing some research and we’re hoping you might have a few shifters near Humboldt, Iowa. Give me a call back.”
…
Eight hours later, we arrived in the small town of Humboldt. I stretched, arching my back, relieving the kinks from being cooped up in the SUV.
“We are losing daylight, Olie, let’s move,” Mark warned.
I looked over at the setting sun, lighting up the sky a rosy pink color. “Yeah, let’s move. I don’t have the advantage of shifter sight.”
Jerry came around the front of the vehicle, cracking his knuckles with a flourish. “I can help with that.”
The wiggling of his fingers, I was pretty certain, was for show and not for function. Six balls of light lifted from his hands, growing in size as they encircled us.
“That is cool,” I muttered, impressed.