by Unknown
Chapter Nine
“What the hell are you doing here, Lace?” Rafe helped her up the ladder they’d lowered over the side.
“Nice greeting, lover.” Lacy ignored his frown and kissed him until he jerked her close, knocking the breath from her. His mouth opened over hers hungrily until he finally gentled the kiss then pulled back. Lacy wasn’t about to let go. She inhaled his masculine scent that she knew as well as her own. God, she’d missed him.
“Look at you, you’re soaked. What were you doing in an open boat like that? Where’s your life jacket?” Rafe brushed her wet hair away from her flushed face. He leaned over the railing and said something harsh to the driver she and Ed had hired to bring them here. A rapid fire exchange in Spanish ended with Rafe tightening his grip on her. “You’re lucky you didn’t get tossed overboard. Careless bastard.”
“Yeah, well, we did tell him it was an emergency. Paco, that’s his name, took us seriously. He drove like he was making one of those James Bond movies.” Lacy glanced at Ed, who’d come on board behind her. “We flew across the water. I should have put on a life vest though.” She heard the man in the speedboat shout one last thing to Rafe before he reversed then headed out. God, she’d never been so scared in her life. The sea had been endless. The swells in the freaking Atlantic Ocean were enormous and no one had mentioned a life jacket. The boat had bumped over swells like it was trying to toss her overboard. She’d clung to the railing for dear life. Ed had looked like he was in his element, laughing as the spray hit their faces.
“Where is Paco going?” A burly man wearing a captain’s hat walked up next to Rafe.
“He said he’s going up the coast a ways to a safe harbor with some facilities. He needs to refuel and he’ll probably tie up there. He was pretty sure we’re in for a storm tonight.” Lacy shivered. Looking up at the gathering clouds didn’t reassure her. “He’s a cowardly son of a bitch. We tried to get him to leave last night but he wouldn’t take off until after sunrise.”
“Sounds like Paco. I know the place.” The captain shrugged. “But he’s right about the weather.” He slapped the steel railing. “Something to think about, Rafael. If you’re planning to move on Shiloh soon. We’ve got a couple of hours maybe before the sky opens up, I’m thinking.” He nodded toward the part of the boat that housed the ship’s wheel. “I’ll be checking the weather. Let me know what you decide but, for now, I think you have your hands full.” He smiled at Lacy. “¿Es verdad?”
“You’re right.” Rafe made the introductions then looked down to where Lacy’s claws had come out and were digging into his sides. “Lacy, sweetheart. You need to get out of those wet clothes. Obviously that was a rough trip.”
“Yeah. Cats and water. Not our favorite thing. You’re right. I’d kill for dry clothes. Too bad I left my suitcase sitting in your grandfather’s house. I had a few words with your grandmother and made a grand exit. That cost me. I wouldn’t go back for it because of my stupid pride.” Lacy shivered, aware of the dozen or so people crowding the deck who were eyeing her. Some looked friendly, some curious and some definitely hostile. A glance at Rafe showed he wasn’t smiling either.
“She give you a hard time?” Rafe kept his arm around her. “How is Grandfather?”
“He’s still alive, thank God. But Iliana didn’t think I should bother you. Since you were on a mission to get the antidote. Have you gotten it yet?” Lacy held her breath, hoping he’d done it and they were getting ready to just go back to Santa Cruz.
“No, I’m planning to try to take it soon.” He now looked downright grim.
“Oh, Rafe. Tell me what I can do to help.” Lacy clung to his side, getting him wet, but she couldn’t seem to care.
“You can get into some dry clothes first.” He looked around and gestured.
A smiling woman stepped out of the crowd. “Come with me, carina. I’m Chica. I’m sure I can find you something dry to wear.” She winked at Rafe. “So this is your woman, Rafael. Chasing you across the world right after giving you three babies. Not bad, primo.”
“Chica, Lacy. If you can help her out, I’d appreciate it.” Rafe nodded. “I have plans to make.”
“Thanks, Chica.” Lacy stopped when the little blond started to lead her toward some stairs. “Rafe?” He kept staring at her. “Are you sorry I followed you here?”
He pulled her to him again for another kiss. “I missed you like hell. Any other time I’d be glad to see you. But your timing isn’t great. There’s going to be some serious shit going down here soon. You could be in danger.” He shook his head. “Where are the babies? Are they okay? And you? Baby, you just gave birth. I hope you didn’t travel too soon.”
He looked her over from her wet head to her bare feet. Of course her shoes were in that speedboat that was no longer even a speck on the horizon. Where was her head these days? At least Rafe didn’t seem to care that she looked horrible, he just seemed worried. Okay, she could deal with that. Lacy held up one hand.
“First, I’m fine, checked out by doctors and everything. The babies are thriving and my mother is doing her best to make sure they are fed, diapered and pampered to within an inch of their little lives.” She ran a fingertip over Rafe’s jaw, his five o’clock shadow giving him the dangerous sexy look that she loved. “And if there’s serious shit coming, I want to be neck deep in it with you, honey. No ifs, ands or buts.”
“Wonder Woman. I love Wonder Woman.” Rafe kissed her palm. “You’d have been safer staying there, with Grandmother. She was right about that.”
“When you were only the boat ride from hell away?” Lacy laughed. “How could I just wait back there like your obedient little woman when you might need me? Surely you know me better than that.”
“Yeah, baby, I do.” Rafe ran a hand down her back and squeezed her butt. When some of the other men whistled, he gave them a blistering stare. “I love you. If we weren’t in a hell of a hurry to get this antidote, I’d take you downstairs right now and show you how much I’ve missed you.” He kissed her silent when she started to ask him about his plans. “Later. Now go with Chica. Dry off.”
“I love you too. Promise you won’t leave before I get back up here.” Lacy kissed him quickly before he turned to Ed. Damn it, he didn’t answer her.
“Who the hell is minding the club while you’re off halfway around the world?” Rafe didn’t seem to care that Ed was twice his size when he got in his face and poked him in his massive chest.
Oops, time to retreat even though she wanted that promise from him. She heard Ed mumble an answer while she followed the woman. This was a big, luxurious ship. She cast another anxious glance at the darkening sky before she went below. The idea of being on the water during a storm didn’t exactly fill her heart with gladness.
“You are very tall. But we have some men’s things that should work for you.” Chica rummaged in a duffle bag and came out with gray sweat pants.
“Tall and still bloated from childbirth.” Lacy looked over Chica’s petite figure. “I hope I can trim down again. Those pants and a loose t-shirt, the looser the better, will work.”
“Don’t worry. I can tell you from experience that it takes time to lose the baby weight. And you carried three at once!” She grinned. “How excited Rafael was when he told us.”
Lacy pulled out her phone. She and Chica spent a few minutes cooing over baby pictures. It was her knee-jerk attitude lately and she didn’t apologize for it. Chica had two kids at home and pronounced Lacy’s babies perfect, even using her own phone to share pictures. After that, Lacy wanted to let her mother know she was okay and to check on the babies, but getting cell reception proved impossible.
“Yes, this is a dead zone for cell and Internet service.” Chica made a face. “You know, I was surprised that Rafael came home to the clan. He vowed never to return when he left.” She looked away when Lacy shucked her wet clothes. “He was very bitter back then. Some of the people were unkind, you see. His mother was nasty. She didn’t try
to get along in the village. She lured Rafael’s papa away time and time again. Pobrecito Rafael. He was left to be raised by his abuela. That means grandmother.” Chica turned around. “I don’t know if you speak Spanish.”
“Just a little. I do live in Texas. There are a lot of people who speak it there. So I’ve picked up some common phrases. I can ask where the bathroom is and order food.” Lacy smiled and pulled back her wet hair. She would have to get an app for her phone to help her translate some of the words Chica had tossed so casually into her conversation. “You have a rubber band for this mop?”
“Oh, no! Let me find a comb for you. It is too pretty a color to just pull back. And Rafael will like to see it free, I think.” Chica found a comb and asked Lacy to sit on a bunk. “Let me. I like to do hair.”
“Thanks.” Lacy relaxed as Chica carefully worked through the tangles. “You’re being awfully nice to a were-cat. You do know I am one. Right?”
“Rafael has made no secret of it. Hey, he loves you. I saw that in his eyes when he noticed you coming across the water in that boat. So I accept you. And you had his children. You will forever be part of the clan now. No matter what.” Chica sighed. “That is what his mother didn’t understand. Rafael’s birth tied her to our clan but she didn’t care. To leave her little boy and him a demon…”
“What?” Lacy jerked and then winced when the comb got caught in her hair. “Rafe’s a demon?” Had he ever told her that? Of course he hadn’t. It wasn’t the kind of thing she’d forget. Had Glory known?
“He didn’t tell you?” Chica sighed. “His mother is a bad demonio. We are sure she put some kind of spell on Rafael’s father. There is no other explanation for his leaving all he loved behind like he did. His clan, his family, his sons. It makes no sense otherwise.” Chica sat beside Lacy. “Rafael hates that part of himself. He’s a good man. You won’t ever see him do anything, um, demon-like. I’m sure of that. Don’t tell him I said anything about his mother. He doesn’t talk about her.”
“I can’t promise that.” Lacy was shaking. Rafe a demon? She’d seen some demons. Glory had suffered at their hands. Nasty didn’t begin to describe their tricks and torments. Oh, God. Now her babies had some of that nastiness in them. Why hadn’t she ever noticed, sensed it in Rafe? She faced Chica.
“You are sure about this. It isn’t just gossip you are passing on.”
“I have seen his mother, Lacy.” Chica shuddered. “For Rafael’s sake I wish I was wrong. But she is a demonio and there is no mistake about it. The red eyes, the shifting into something so evil you want to run for your life. And she can look at you and you are turned to stone.” She grabbed Lacy’s hand. “Can you believe it? You can’t move an inch.”
“I believe it. I’ve seen it happen.” Lacy bowed her head, thinking hard. What did this mean? Could she marry a man who was half demon? And what about his acting as father to her children? Wait. There was no acting, he was their father. Hell and damnation. Her head swam and she sat on the bed. She’d known Rafe for a long time. Loved him for months. There’d been no sign… Sitting here with Chica wringing her hands and watching over her wasn’t going to accomplish a thing.
“Thanks for telling me, Chica. I needed to know.” Lacy jerked at her t-shirt which wasn’t nearly as loose as she wished. She and her lover were going to have a talk. Like right now. She patted Chica’s hand.
“Don’t worry. I won’t get you in trouble. How could you know he hadn’t told me? We are practically on our way to the altar. He should have mentioned it.” Damned right. Lacy headed for the door.
“You are mad. Please, take a breath. Think. Rafael has much on his mind. Don’t burden him with this right now. The puta we are dealing with is dangerous. Rafael is going to have to confront her on his own. It is the only way to save his grandfather. If you bring another worry to him, it will distract him when he needs to be focused. ¿Entiéndeme?” Chica was beside her now, pulling on her arm when Lacy tried to leave the cabin.
Lacy stopped and did take a breath. Okay, the woman had a point. What was this about Rafe going in alone? Were these people crazy or just cowards? She wasn’t about to let her man, liar or deceptive bastard that he was, take on this puta, whatever that was, by himself. The woman had used poison on Rafe’s grandfather. Who knew what else she was capable of?
“I get it. Calming down. I’ll talk to him about this issue later. Thanks for the info.” She shook off Chica’s hand. “Now I’m going up. To be by his side.” Lacy stomped up the stairs. When she got there, Rafe was gone. Several other people milled around, looking worried.
“Where the hell is Rafe?” Lacy confronted Ed who turned to the person standing where Rafe had been minutes before.
“He’s gone to talk to Shiloh. I’m Marguerite.” The woman held out her hand and Lacy shook it absently. “We tried to stop him but he wanted to get this thing moving. Matias is dying, you know, and then there’s a storm brewing. Miguel, tell her. Rafael and Tomas took off as soon as she went below.”
“Is Shiloh the puta? Take me to Rafe.” Lacy stared toward the rocky land a hundred yards away. “Or am I going to have to swim to shore?” She shuddered thinking about it.
“Yes, Shiloh is the puta.” That man who wore the captain’s hat stepped up to her. Miguel. “Forget swimming. Won’t do you any good. None of us are going to lead you to him. Rafael has a plan, lady. He wants to do this alone with only Tomas along to report back if he needs us.”
“Lacy, these people know what they’re doing.” Ed tried to put his hand on her but backed away when she glared at him. “Let Rafe handle this. Tomas is his brother. He’ll help him if he needs it.”
“Two men? Against how many?” Lacy snarled. “Those odds suck and you know it.”
“You just got here, senorita. Don’t mess things up by going in there and catting around.” The captain was obviously used to taking charge.
“I don’t take orders from you.” Lacy stood her ground. “Why are you letting Rafe take all the risk? Are you afraid to go over there? This man,” she grabbed Ed’s sleeve, “makes a mean gorilla, or so I’ve heard. My cat is no slouch either. I say we go after Rafe and give him back up. Help his brother if it comes to a fight. Come on, who’s with me? Or do I have to swim to shore by myself?”
“She’s right. Why are we standing around with our thumbs up our culos when Rafael is putting his life on the line? We should at least be close by if he needs us.” Miguel gestured and led the way to the back of the ship. “You won’t have to swim, chica gato. I’ll lower the dingy. It’ll hold six. But the rest of you can shift and we’ll meet on shore. There’s a path to take to their enclave. Won’t hurt to be close if Rafael needs us.”
“Now you’re talking. You can shift into whatever beasts work best for you if it comes to a battle.” Lacy swallowed when she saw them pick up dangerous looking weapons and check for extra ammunition. “Or not.”
“You’re right, Lacy.” Chica tucked two knives into her boots and a wicked looking handgun into her belt. “I say we move out now. Rafael deserves our loyalty and support. He showed his cojones, gente, now show him yours.”
In short order they were on the move. Lacy carefully climbed down into the bobbing boat. More water. But she ignored it, even helped load the shifters’ weapons into the skiff. Before long they were on dry land, following one of the men who had scouted the area and could lead the way. Chica filled her in on the witch and her tactics as they walked. By the time the white fortress came into view, Lacy was terrified for Rafe. She had no idea what they’d find. The absolute quiet of the place was scarier than if they’d seen a fight going on.
Chapter Ten
Rafe flew into the fortress and landed in the middle of the open area before he shifted in front of a startled man who reached for his pistol.
“Take me to Shiloh.” Rafe stared hard, letting his eyes go red. The man trembled in fear, dropped his gun to the ground, then led Rafe toward a small building with a wooden door. A protection sy
mbol had been painted on the door and Rafe felt the power of it repel him. Strong but not impossible to deal with.
“Ask her to come out.” He pitched his voice to a low growl. Not bad. He almost sounded like the Devil himself. He knew Tomas was listening on a roof nearby. He hated that his brother could hear him sound like that.
The man hurried to knock on the door and rushed inside when a voice told him to enter. Soon a woman stepped outside. Shiloh. She wore a sheer white shirt held together by two buttons at her waist. Her breasts were full and high and he could see them clearly through the thin material. Her gauzy skirt flowed around her legs and her feet were bare. Gold bracelets jangled on her arms and her green eyes gleamed with interest as she looked Rafe over. More gold dripped from her ears and her wavy blond hair hung down her back almost to her hips. She was small but her power made her seem larger. Rafe didn’t move as she strutted toward him. He smiled, pleased when she licked her lips, her eyes bright behind thick lashes. Game on.
“Well, well. Who have we here?” She flicked a wrist and a dozen men ran out of various buildings to surround him. “You have the look of Clan Castillo. Did Matias send you?” She reached toward him with fingernails painted silver and filed sharp, as if she had weaponized them.
“Rafael Castillo. Matias is my grandfather.” Rafe bowed but kept out of reach. He wasn’t stupid. If she was indeed a witch, she could do plenty of harm with a simple touch. Of course there were guns pointed at him that could do more damage. He hoped Tomas stayed where he was, out of range.
“And how is my lover? Why isn’t he here himself?” She pouted prettily. “He has been neglecting me lately.”
“Perhaps that’s because my grandfather is dead.” Rafe continued to stare at her, not even blinking while she put on a show of screeching and tearing at her hair.
“No, you are lying. My beloved! He cannot be dead. How did it happen?” She fell to the stones, her face in her hands. He was supposed to believe that she was weeping.