by Jools Louise
“I can think of one other place that Ghost may have compromised,” Sketch said suddenly, glancing around him. “Let’s get everyone out of the hospital. I have a bad feeling that our unhinged paraplegic may just be insane enough to blow up this place, too.”
Cullen cried out, looking at David’s bandages. “But you can’t leave! You just had surgery,” he said with a whimper, his eyes flickering wildly with utter terror.
“Honey, calm down,” David said, his manner low-key despite the urgency of the situation. “Skull here’s a deputy sheriff, and there’s a whole bunch of people who work in town who can help get everybody out. Sketch, go and speak to the bears and wolves in the main ward, would you? Alert them, and make sure they head to John’s. Have him expect a sudden flurry of customers in wheelchairs.” He hit his emergency call button to get Lex or one of the nurses to come. A second or two later, Leo came running, looking flushed, with Lex in tow. “Guys, I don’t mean to interrupt your break, but Cullen here suspects that Ghost planted another little surprise, and I agree with Sketch that the hospital would be a prime target. The school is also being searched, and the dorms at the ranch.”
Lex took charge and sent Leo off to help with egress for the walking wounded. “Now for you, my friend,” he told David, then rushed out and returned with a portable heart monitor. After firing it up, he unplugged David from one monitor and into the new one, then attached the IV tube to a wheeled stand for transportation. “We’ll take the bed,” he said to Skull. Sketch had already departed to tell John. “Cullen, you and Brodie and Boomer help me steer this thing. They’re not the easiest things to maneuver.”
The three shifters nodded eagerly, and each took a corner, then began tugging the bed away from the wall. Within five minutes the entire clinic was empty, with Ryder on his way, along with a bomb squad. Ghost was smart and could have hidden the device, if there even was one, anywhere.
As he was wheeled along the sidewalk toward the café, David had a thought. “Cullen, did you have a backpack or anything when you escaped Flashpoint’s thugs?”
Cullen shook his head. “No, I had nothing. I shifted to get away and ran for my life. No time to get anything.”
“I remember seeing a backpack when I came to visit you a couple of weeks ago,” David said thoughtfully. “In your locker, beside the bed. I didn’t think much of it, since I figured it must have been yours. But maybe Ghost wanted to send an extra message, since he knew that you were his mate.”
Cullen paled dramatically, and shuddered. “He can’t win,” he said, blinking rapidly. “I won’t let him win.” Then he ran back toward the clinic. David shouted after him and saw Ryder’s team arrive by helicopter, rappelling onto the street commando-style.
“Ryder, Cullen just went back into the clinic,” he shouted desperately, clutching his chest at the sharp pain that seared through him. “He’s heading for his locker.”
Ryder, clad in black fatigues and looking badass and tough as fuck, nodded, waved his squad toward the hospital, then departed double time. They had a bomb to dispose of.
“He has a second team en route to the ranch,” Skull said tensely, looking upset. “I just hope Cullen doesn’t go and explode the bomb by doing something stupid. He’s a little erratic.”
David laughed, still holding his hand over his chest. “He’s bound to be,” he said, breathing with shallow pants. “The man was mated to a fucking psychopath who used him for target practice.”
* * * *
Cullen raced inside the hospital and skidded a little as he turned the corner into his ward, a private room that he’d stayed in when he was brought in. He didn’t remember too much about those first days, his memory foggy, but he now had the clarity of hindsight and knew that Ghost would absolutely have wanted to finish the job he’d started. Cullen had been removed from the clinic early on, as there had been concern that the ones who had attacked him would return. Which meant Ghost had been thwarted. But it also meant that the man would have used the opportunity to add to his diabolical plans. He may not have killed Cullen, but he sure as hell would have murdered many more.
“Hey, Cullen, I wouldn’t open that locker if I were you,” Ryder said as he entered the room, just as Cullen was about to pry the locker open.
“Ghost could have booby-trapped the thing,” the bigger man said, his voice calm and quiet, soothing Cullen. Behind him stood a team of black-clad storm-trooper types, wearing full bomb-squad gear, looking menacing as they stared at him.
“He was here when I woke up,” Cullen said, his voice breaking as tears filled his eyes. “He didn’t manage to finish the job, so he must have planted something here. It’s what he was like.”
“I know,” Ryder said gently, tugging Cullen away from the locker. “Now why don’t you let my team take a look and keep you safe,” he added, leading Cullen from the room. “We don’t want Ghost to win at anything, do we? You’re precious to us, because you survived. The biggest two-fingered salute you could give that bastard would be to live, go to college if you want, and be the best you can be. Ghost wanted you to die? Don’t do it. Live instead.”
Cullen stared at the man, the words hitting home. Then he nodded slowly. “You’re right. I want to go into medicine,” he admitted. “I want to be a pediatrician, actually, and help the little kids.”
Ryder smiled at that. “Then get your skinny ass out of here, and let my guys do their thing while you sip coffee and munch on pastries at the café.”
Cullen nodded quickly, looking up as one of the storm troopers took his arm gently.
“Let’s get you out of here,” the guy said, his face obscured by his helmet, his voice smooth as silk, with a little tinge of spice.
Cullen nodded again, mesmerized by the voice alone, and left with his guardian.
PART III – CLOSING CEREMONY
Chapter Thirteen
David eyed his companions with a rueful grin. He should have known that his favorite group of critters wouldn’t last too long before their natural excitement and free spirits got them into trouble yet again. This time, thankfully, they were at least in good company, surrounded by a large group of David’s friends and his mates, who sat with him to watch the closing ceremony.
“I’m glad the hospital wasn’t blown up,” Moe said as he cuddled against his brother Flint on a couch that had been dragged into the main ward. “We would have missed the show.” Sherman, sitting next to the brothers, grinned over at David, and they shared a look of complete understanding.
“Sweetie,” Kathleen, Moe and Flint’s mother, said softly. “Even if it had been, we still would have made sure you got to see this.”
Moe giggled delightedly. “Cool,” he said, giving a cheeky thumbs-up.
“I’m glad the school wasn’t blown up, either.” David grinned, leaning back against Sketch, who was propped up against the pillows, looking content. “I would have hated for you to miss any lessons next week, once the tournament is over.”
“Mama told us that would never happen,” Flint said, rolling his eyes. “She’s really strict about us running off all the time.”
“Cramping your style, little bro?” Chaz asked, laughing at the boy.
“Big-time,” Murray piped up, snuggled against John and Cameron, with his brothers and sisters nearby, munching popcorn.
Everyone laughed at his retort, and John tickled his son in retaliation. “Young man, if that’s all it takes to corral the Critters, then I’m all for having your mother teach full-time until David is back up to snuff,” he said drolly, and blew a raspberry on Murray’s belly.
Squealing, Murray wriggled free and hid behind Sherman.
“Ooh, look, there’s Blue and Candy,” Moe shouted at the top of his lungs, bouncing up and down and sending Flint reeling.
“Dude, chill,” Skull drawled. “It’s not like you haven’t seen them before.”
Moe giggled and pulled his brother back into position, who giggled, as well, and hugged Moe affectionately. “It�
��s pretty cool, seeing Blue up there on that float,” Flint said. “He plays the drum really well.”
David nodded, thinking exactly the same. The little boy had been chosen to lead the procession into town after completing the circuit of the stadium. He was now perched on top of a huge papier-mâché African lion, which sat regally atop a float adorned with streamers, flashing lights, and a dozen other shifter creations. Murphy and Aiden accompanied their son, and the rest of their adopted children waved and drummed along with Blue, keeping perfect time. Behind them, over fifty floats followed in convoy, decorated in different themes and colors. David spied his father on one along with Mick and Jamie, with four little girls who were bouncing around in excitement, waving madly at the crowd that lined the road to town.
“Did you get everything ready for Alfie?” David asked John, knowing that his friend had been plotting, as they all had, to give Alfie a huge surprise for his massive contribution to the tournament.
John grinned wickedly, looking devilish, his green eyes twinkling with laughter. “Oh, yes,” he replied, practically rubbing his hands together gleefully. “Rafe’s in charge of that part of the plan.”
“Do you promise this won’t go wrong?” Chaz asked dryly, eyeing John warily. “The last time you got left alone to play, you nearly blew a hole right through to Australia.”
John chuckled but looked unrepentant. “What can I say?” he replied, winking. “I just love blowing stuff up.”
Cullen, sitting in a chair beside David’s bed, piped up. “John, you’re a menace, aren’t you?” he asked, and giggled when John shot him an offended look before smiling widely.
“It’s been said before,” the big Brit replied, smirking and high-fiving his mate, Cameron.
“It’s been said many times.” Cameron grinned, kissing John sweetly. “I still love you, though.”
John grabbed Cameron and tugged him back again for a deeper smooch, growling a little when Cameron laughed at his antics.
“Daddies, quit teasing. The parade’s nearly here,” Murray scolded the pair with a warning look.
John rolled his eyes and carried on locking lips for a few seconds longer before parting with a smile for his husband. “I was nearly there after that one,” he whispered in Cameron’s ear.
David exchanged an amused glance with his mates at the audacious comment. The man was incorrigible. Music grew louder, and even in the clinic they could all hear the cheerful beat as the first float entered the town limits, past Cody and Thomas’s house, which was lit up like a Christmas tree with loads of fancy decorations and lights. The news anchor got all excited, and David chuckled at the guy’s obvious delight. Apparently, he liked the effects.
“There’s Kaden,” Flint said suddenly, squealing, and sure enough, there was Kaden in his biker gear, along with his entire crew, wearing their cuts and straddling their big motorcycles. The growl of fifteen powerful Harleys rose above the music as the bikers provided assistance as outriders to the floats, forcing the crowds alongside the road to move back, giving them room as they meandered toward the park at the center of Sage.
“He’s a sexy hunk of studliness,” Skull said, his turquoise gaze following Kaden. “I’m hoping he keeps wearing that cut until much later.”
David chuckled and heard Sketch’s answering snort. “Dude, I feel the same about you in your uniform,” he said with a lecherous wink. David blushed as all eyes turned on him and his mates.
“Don’t look at me,” he protested, raising his hands. “I can’t help it if they like role-playing.”
“Baby, we’ll make sure to include you just as soon as the good doctor says your heart can stand the excitement,” Skull whispered, then leaned over to kiss David lovingly. “Four’s a whole lot more fun and frolics.”
David blushed even more and hid his face in his hands as the comment generated a great deal of laughter at his expense. He peeped through his fingers at the television and watched the procession reach the park. Douglas was there along with his mates, Ryder and Cracker, looking cool wearing all black, with a black band around his acid-blinded eyes. Alfie stood there, as well, wearing a beautiful emerald-green sheath dress and stiletto heels in the same hue, his hair spiked up with gel. His face was perfectly made up, and on either side of him stood Jay and Mason, proudly guarding their leopard shifter mate, their eyes alert for trouble since Flashpoint might still cause a ruckus.
The bikers surrounded the park, and the floats all slid gently to a stop, forming a long line through town as the music died down a little, the crowds cheering loudly. There was a bandstand in the middle of the park, where Alfie and his entourage were standing, forming the epicenter of the street party that was about to start.
“Ladies and gentlemen and fellow miscreants,” Alfie began, his voice echoing around town via the network of loudspeakers. There was laughter at his jest as well as raucous applause before the audience settled down again. “Welcome to Sage.” More clapping, which went on for some time.
“Our little town wouldn’t be the same without a little drama, tension, and downright danger,” Alfie continued after a while, grinning wryly. “We had hoped that all those idiots out there who don’t like shifters would do the right thing and just stay home, but you know, as do I, that Sage is the most happening place on the planet…why wouldn’t they want to join in the fun?”
David laughed along with his companions. Alfie had a way with words.
“Despite their best efforts, however, and some severe injuries to one of my best friends, they didn’t succeed in spoiling the Two Spirit Tournament. They won’t succeed, because we have something that they don’t—we don’t hate. We welcome all those who need help and support and understanding. We don’t shun our children for wanting to be themselves; we encourage them. We don’t try to show our differences of opinion with violence and aggression; we showcase our skills and uniqueness as individuals, and put on the greatest show on earth.” Alfie spread his arms wide to encompass the town and everyone in it. The cheers were deafening this time.
“Wait for it,” John murmured, looking smug. David had to smile. Alfie was in for a surprise himself. The man had worked so hard to get this tournament going, and he deserved a special recognition.
“I want to thank everyone who’s made this possible,” Alfie said, concluding his speech. “Without all of you, without your commitment and spirit and heart and soul, we wouldn’t be here now, celebrating the very first Two Spirit Tournament. Thank you. Now let’s party our socks off.” He clapped for the audience and began to turn away.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” a voice interrupted. It was one that David recognized but couldn’t quite put a face to. “Before you leave, I’d like to show special appreciation from the United States government, in recognition for all you have achieved here in the last few years.”
David gasped as he saw the US president himself, Maurice Sheldon, step forward from behind the bandstand, flanked by a bevy of Ryder’s elite troops. He looked tall and distinguished, wearing a dark suit and tie, a white shirt, his hair a steely gray.
“Alfie, would you join me, please?” Sheldon said graciously, and Alfie looked at his mates, confused. They grinned back and shoved him gently toward the president, shooing him away comically. “Young man, I’ve been watching with interest what has been accomplished here, in the spirit of unity and compassion and freedom,” Sheldon added. “It’s a great pleasure, and a true honor, for me to award you this medal, to recognize your hard work and commitment to creating a tournament that is nonexclusive, but welcomes contestants from all walks of life, and most particularly those who have spent a lifetime in the shadows. This is the United States of America, and I’m proud to have our shifter brothers and sisters recognized as being a vital and ancient part of that society. Long may these tournaments continue.”
Sheldon was handed a velvet cushion, which held a small box with a medal inside. He lifted the medal, carefully pinned the award to Alfie’s dress, and kissed him on both c
heeks. “Thank you, Alfie,” he said. “This is the first time I’ve awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom since I’ve been in office, and it truly is an honor to award it to someone so worthy.”
Alfie looked stunned, his eyes glittering with tears as he stared in stupefied silence at Sheldon, shaking his hand belatedly, and then turning shakily to step into Jay and Mason’s warm embrace. The crowd went berserk, cheering, clapping, whistling in appreciation.
“Wait for it,” John drawled. David arched a brow, wondering what the man had up his sleeve now.
“In addition to awarding Alfie this medal,” Sheldon said gruffly, clearing his throat, “there’s one other who stepped up when it was needed, without knowing what he was starting. He took a young man, David, under his wing when that man was thrown aside by his own father. He drew a line in the sand and made a stand for freedom, shifter rights, and the security of our nation, besieged by a group of people whose only aim was to maim and kill and destroy others. That is what this nation was built on, when our human ancestors came over from foreign shores and took what wasn’t theirs to take from an ancient people who lived here for centuries before we did. Those are not the values that we want for this nation now.” Sheldon’s voice rose, mesmerizing and intense, impossible to ignore. “Our land is about hope, and unity, and freedom and tolerance…and we should celebrate our differences, not try to destroy them.”