“Justin, relax. It’s not another man, if that’s what you’re thinking. It’s a she. I have a spirit guide.”
“A what?”
“It’s a Native American thing.”
“A Native American thing?” Cool, as long as it wasn’t a man thing, it seemed he could handle it. He rolled to his stomach and Delaine climbed back on and continued her massage.
Delaine explained how Sapa had come to her when she was a little girl. At ten years old while out playing, she’d wandered to far from home and couldn’t find her way back. She’d stared with wide eyes at all the cars whizzing by and almost peed her pants when an old streetcar rumbled past, shaking the ground underneath her small feet. On the verge of panic, she spotted a huge cathedral standing out from the rest of the crowded buildings and ran as fast as she could to its towering doors. She ducked inside and looked around frantically but didn’t see anyone in the lobby or along any of the long candle-strewn aisles. Curled up in a dark corner, the tears gathered and fell in endless streams until she was all cried out. When she quieted, Delaine heard her grandmother’s gentle voice in the far reaches of her mind.
‘Meditate, child. Push away your fear and call on your spirit guide,’ the voice said.
From as far back as she could remember, Delaine had spent every summer with her grandma on the Rosebud reservation up in South Dakota. Granny had taught her about God, called the Great Spirit or Wakantanka in the Lakota tongue. Whether Delaine was visiting the res or her granny had come to see her in California, she’d always taken the time to teach her little granddaughter of their ancestry, the importance of understanding their natural connection to the land, walking the old paths, and knowledge of natural and spiritual guides.
That day, a frightened and alone Delaine closed her eyes. She cleared her mind the way her grandma had taught her and called out to the Great Spirit with all her strength, heart and mind.
‘Great Spirit? It’s me, Delaine. Can you help me please? I’m lost and I want to go home. Granny said you would help me if I asked you to.’
That’s when Sapa had come to her. The black female mountain lion calmed her with gentle strokes against her mind, sending concern and care through their newly forming bond. The lioness had been with her ever since, guiding her through dangers and sharing her spirit’s wisdom through the years.
Justin’s mouth hung open, but not because he thought she was crazy. He believed her. In fact, he not only believed her words, he was surprised to find he was somewhat jealous of Delaine and her guide. He’d never had such a close relationship with anyone, human or otherwise. And in his line of work, he’d expected to be alone until he died.
*Since you love us, that will change. You will indeed be close to us.*
Justin flew from his spot on the floor. “What the hell was that?” he yelled in surprise, dancing on the balls of his feet.
*You are a worthy mate.*
“Whoa!” Justin turned around in circles looking for who’d spoken.
Delaine rolled on her back, laughing while Justin looked at her like she’d grown two heads. She laughed harder, holding her stomach as the muscles clenched and spasmed with her giggles. When he turned a ghastly beet red in the face and looked ready to take on a gang of bad guys in a hand-to-hand fight, she calmed down long enough to explain.
“That was Sapa speaking into your mind, honey.”
“Sapa?” he gasped, looking around like he expected to see a big black feline stalking around Delaine’s living room. Delaine felt Sapa send his mind a calming push. He settled enough to finally ask, “How did she do that? And what did she mean?”
“She said that since you love us…wait,” Delaine’s eyes went wide on a pause. “You love me, Justin?” After the way she’d kicked him to the curb? The way she’d acted about his job when she hadn’t even considered telling him about hers? She cared for him deeply, no doubt about that. But could he really?
Justin joined her on the floor and gathered her into his arms until they were face to face, nose to nose.
“I do love you, Delaine Jeris. I love you more than anything or anyone.”
Delaine tried to check the tears gathering behind her eyes. Since they wouldn’t listen she closed her eyes and ducked her head beneath his chin as her heart slammed in her chest. He loved her? Already? And after the way she’d treated him?
“B-But we haven’t known each other that long,” she whispered disbelievingly.
“Baby, I don’t know how, but I do know why. You’re beautiful, Delaine, inside and out. You’re strong, but vulnerable. You’re honest, caring. I can’t explain how I feel what I feel, but just know that I do, with all my heart, love you, baby. You’re my Lakota queen, my dark-eyed love. From the top of your kinky head to the soles of your feet, I love you.”
She bawled earnestly now as he stroked her hair, and Justin could have sworn he felt her happiness, her amazement, swirling in his head just out of reach. His large hand stilled, his hand in mid-stroke down Delaine’s back. He could swear he heard…purring? Sultry, deep purring.
“It’s Sapa, honey. I hear her too,” Delaine said, snuggling closer against his chest.
“So what does it mean?”
“It means she accepts you. You love me, so Sapa shares herself with you.”
“Has, uh, has this ever happened before? You two ladies, giving yourselves to one lucky man?” For some reason he had to know if she’d felt this close to anyone else, even her ex-husband. He broke out in a broad grin at her response.
“No, she’s never, I mean we’ve never done this before. And there’s something else I’ve never done,” she crooned, raising her head from his chest and repositioning her body to straddle him. With trembling fingers, she stroked his cheek while her deep brown eyes locked with his. He tilted his head, wondering at her soft yet serious expression. Then two simple but powerful words tumbled from her mouth.
“My name,” she whispered.
He said nothing, but the bottom of his stomach roiled as he regarded her. She couldn’t possibly be doing what he thought she was doing, could she? She opened her mouth to speak again and his head started throbbing. Well, no wonder—he’d stopped breathing.
“I-I uh.” She snapped her mouth closed, looked down at a spot on his shirt somewhere around his pecs and took a deep breath. When she raised her lashes, he saw everything she wanted to say right there on her beautiful face. The love and care she felt for him was all visible, but would she say the words? He started to tell her that it was okay, that she didn’t have to say or reveal anything she didn’t want to. Before he could get the words out, their world changed forever.
“Justin, I love you too. And my name is Alesia. Alesia Younglion. The only people in the world who know are my children, my boss. And you.”
Justin was sure his heart had never been so full of emotion in his life. This woman floored him, and he was simply undone. A lone tear made a path down his cheek and Delaine, uh, Alesia, gently kissed it away. After a moment, the bands around his chest loosened and he pulled her to him for a tight hug and a quick kiss before easing her back a bit to take in her lovely face.
“How do you say it?” When she tilted her head in confusion, he said, “In your grandmother’s tongue. Your name, how do you say it?”
“Younglion? Igmutanka Ojilaka.”
“Mmm,” he groaned, leaning forward to swipe his tongue across her full bottom lip. “Sounds much sexier than Cooley.” Her giggle warmed his insides.
“Damn, you and Ms. Sapa sure know how to sweep a guy off his feet.” His voice dropped to a husky drawl, full of emotion and just a hint of smart-ass-ism.
“Oh shut up and kiss me already,” Delaine laughed up into his face. He brought his lips down in a hard, demanding kiss as strong hands dropped to the curve of her ass and slipped underneath to gently finger her jean-covered core. Chuckling into her mouth when she squirmed, he proved that now it was her turn to purr.
* * * * *
Their pla
ns were finalized after a last phone call to Derrick and Geri. Too tired to do anything but snore, they made it to bed just before sunup. The instructions on the tape told Delaine to meet Baker at midnight, so they slept in until Justin woke Delaine with tender kisses across the sensitive spot on her neck.
Delaine had spent the afternoon teaching Justin how to call Sapa and recognize the lioness’ push against his mind. It was eleven forty-five, and Delaine was in the elevator headed down to The Vault. She summoned Sapa into her corporeal form and sent her ahead to scout. The big cat sent clear images of who was waiting below to both her and Justin.
Delaine stepped out of the elevator and was met by two armed men she’d never seen in the Astin facility before. She knew Baker and ten more thugs waited in and around the lab she’d snagged the samples and videotape from…Sapa’s reconnaissance also confirmed Sarah Ann’s tip—Pam was nowhere in the building.
She was taken to Baker in the back room. Her two escorts had kept their hands to themselves until now. Suddenly her elbows were yanked painfully behind her back. She instinctively schooled her features into a bored mask as a sharp pain lanced from the joint up through her shoulder blades. Determined to convince the idiots she was powerless, she bided her time with a deep, calm intake of breath and forced herself not to pull away from the men and thrash them into the ground.
Baker turned his steely-eyed gaze on her and smiled nastily. Sapa roared in her head, wanting Delaine to take him down fast. The lioness quieted after Delaine reminded her Justin and the backup they’d called in needed a few more minutes to get into position. Baker’s cultured voice interrupted her conversation with her spirit guide.
He stepped much too close and skimmed the backs of his fingers along the underside of her breasts. Delaine ignored him and painted on her who-gives-a-damn face. Her stomach heaved and her skin crawled, but Baker would never have the satisfaction of knowing she was ready to hurl her dinner. He spoke softly, like a gentle lover.
“Where’s the tape, Jeris?”
“I didn’t bring it, asshole, but it’s someplace safe. I didn’t trust you to have Pam here. Since I don’t see her in this room, I guess I was right.” She focused her thoughts and asked Sapa to send Justin a mental picture of what was going on.
“Well, that’s too bad for your friend, isn’t it?” Baker scoffed. He flipped open his phone and pushed the speed dial. After a few seconds he hung up, his brow furrowed. But he quickly recovered, replacing his frown with a carefree grin.
“So tell me, Ms. Jeris. Who exactly are you? Who do you work for?”
Geesh, what a stupid question, Delaine thought as she looked at him like he was as dumb as a bucket of raisins. She didn’t bother to answer. Baker knew damned well who she was. He’d known since the day she arrived.
“You know,” Baker drawled, “I don’t like your nonchalance. You’re in a good bit of trouble, young lady, yet you don’t seem concerned.” The last word was said as he stepped back and backhanded her smartly across the face. Again Delaine reined in her temper even as her neck snapped sideways. Her calmness only seemed to make Baker madder. Good.
Her lip quirked up into a condescending smile. Bastard. Just wait until she was free. She was going to kick his ass. Blood pooled into her mouth from the small cut he’d opened up at the corner of her mouth. She gathered a nice wad of it and spit it directly into Baker’s face.
The wad landed on his right cheek, and he recoiled as if a snake had bitten him, as if her spit was the vilest thing on the planet. He quickly retrieved a sparkling white handkerchief from his lab coat pocket, wiped his face and threw the soiled piece of cloth in the trash bin near his feet. Then he smiled the most chilling, unsettling show of teeth Delaine had ever been on the receiving end of.
“You know, my lovely Ms. Jeris, I’ve heard that sliding between the legs of a black woman is a life-changing experience. I’ve never had the pleasure. Until now.”
“Please,” Delaine spat. “You think I’d give you some of this? You’re crazier than I thought.”
“No, not crazy. Empowered. And in just a few minutes, you’ll be begging me to fuck you.”
Delaine laughed outright. Not a cute little chuckle. No, this was an all-out, full belly laugh. He had no idea who he was fooling with. But he’d sure as hell find out, and soon. All he had to do now was make his biggest and final mistake. She didn’t have long to wait.
Delaine stoically watched Baker as he walked over to a locked cabinet. He pulled out a large banker’s box full of packages that looked like plastic bricks full of little pink candies. He ripped one open and retrieved a single pink tablet before turning his malevolent glare on her.
Baker approached with the tablet balanced on the end of his finger, just as he’d done to the woman on the digital video. But Delaine wasn’t that woman. As soon as he stood in front of her, he commanded her to open her mouth.
Then all hell broke loose.
* * * * *
Justin and a team of D.E.A. S.W.A.T. crept through the seldom-used tunnels he and Delaine had escaped through before. Justin gritted his teeth as the images of what Delaine was facing streamed into his mind. It practically killed him to allow his woman to face their enemy alone. Hell, he was still trying to figure out how she’d talked him into this cockamamie plan. Slowly getting used to a presence in his head, he was only a bit startled when Sapa spoke into his thoughts.
*In time you will become less surprised at the persuasiveness of your mate, Akicita Justin.*
Delaine had explained to him earlier that the great lioness had nicknamed him, Akicita, “warrior” in the Lakota tongue. He didn’t feel like much of a warrior right now, but knowing Sapa had dealt with Delaine’s stubbornness since childhood made him feel at least a bit less inept.
*Dealt with her stubbornness? As our Suta would say, you have no idea.*
Justin snorted quietly. If a spirit couldn’t rein her in, then he must not be such a bad mate after all. Sapa’s calm assurance, lots of deep breathing and fantasizing about what he was going to do to Baker kept him from bursting into the room. His grip tightened on the handle of his gun when Baker backhanded Delaine across the face, but he kept still, hiding in the closet without a sound. When Baker had the drug in front of Delaine’s face, on his signal, he and his team burst through the closet doors and filled the room.
* * * * *
One of the men holding her released her arms and ran for the door. The idiot opened the door and ran right into the fists of several armed law enforcement officers. S.W.A.T.! Yeah, she’d know them anywhere. She inwardly winced at the sickening sound of fists sinking into flesh, and the thug was quickly down. His friend, who appeared to be a little smarter, grabbed her by her arm again, but this time she had a hand free.
Her technique was clean and quick. With her free hand she backhanded her captor across the bridge of his nose with a closed fist. His head snapped back on his neck like a rubber band pulled too tight. She stepped back and gave him a clean kick to the ribs and he went down like a sack of potatoes tossed off the back of a truck.
Delaine felt Sapa pushing at her mind with urgency. What was her spirit guide doing? The lioness was supposed to be looking out for Justin. Urgency rushed through the bond and Delaine turned to find herself facing a very angry, charging Baker.
“Noooooo! I won’t let you ruin me!” Baker screamed, running toward Delaine brandishing a very heavy-looking, stainless steel lab tool.
Delaine recognized a mad scientist when she saw one. If he was going down, he was determined to take somebody with him. And right now, she appeared to be a perfect candidate. Unarmed, he was on her so quickly she only had time for a single thought.
“Sapa! Help!” Delaine yelled out loud.
*Take what I offer, Suta.*
Delaine felt her body fill with the strength of the lioness. Her skin tingled with untapped power as she saw Baker through the eyes of her spirit guide. No longer the big bad villain. He was now prey.
Ti
me slowed. Even Baker appeared to move in slow motion as he charged her with his makeshift weapon in one hand and the fingers of his free hand tensed and curled like claws. The second his clammy hands wrapped around her neck, she slipped her hands up between his outstretched arms, took a single step in and swept his legs from under him. As he was falling backward, she checked with her hip and he went flying over her back. On his way down to the floor, she slammed his head into the concrete. But the rest of his body continued to fly. In the end, there was an unmistakable crunch when his chest met his face. His neck and every vertebra down to the middle of his back snapped like dry dead twigs.
Sapa roared in her head as Delaine growled low in her throat, breathing heavily. The surge of strength and power slowly subsided as the lioness retreated from the forefront of her mind. Delaine hated taking a life. She’d been raised to always respect life, no matter how rotten or corrupt. She was grateful when Sapa sent peace and pride through the bond. The spirit of the lioness would always fight to protect her loved ones. She was the ultimate hunter and refused to be ashamed of defending those in her care.
Delaine looked down at Baker, his wide green eyes unseeing, and his pale face permanently etched with stunned disbelief. Sapa flashed images to her of what was happening all over the building. Baker’s boys had been rounded up, none escaped. The premises were being searched for more evidence, though the box full of pink tablets in the still unlocked cabinet was more than enough.
Then Justin was at her side, pulling her into a warm embrace before hauling her toward the door.
“Justin, wait. We’ve got to do a mop-up here.”
“Not today, baby. Derrick’s already called in another team to do it. We’ve got to get to the hospital.”
“Hospital? Why?”
“When our boys burst into Baker’s house at Lake Norman, Pam was in the middle of an almost successful escape. One of the bad guys shot her, baby.”
“What!?”
“I said, Pam’s been shot. Let’s go.”
On the Prowl Page 14