“Well, then you will have a treat. My name is Orion and I’m another of your mother’s mates.” He opened the door for them and she nodded for Jordon to slide in. He hesitated for a minute before climbing in.
Her heart was beating fast and tears threatened to fall, but Betsy held it together, glancing over at the other limo where Lacey looked up and smiled. She mouthed. “You’ll be fine,” before getting into the other limo.
“He’ll stay, just believe,” Barry said in her ear, before kissing her neck. “I’m sorry about earlier. I was wrong, please forgive me, but I couldn’t risk you, Betsy. You’re our world.”
“As you are mine, but so are they. Believe in me, Barry. I’ve kept myself alive since I as six. I do have some smarts.” She climbed into the limo not giving him the time to say anything hurtful, like that he didn’t trust her judgment.
“There’s a fridge in here, can you believe it?” her son asked excited as he looked out the window. “Do you think we could get something to eat first when we get to the mall? I haven’t eaten yet,” He looked down at his hands and she placed her hand over his.
“You’ll never be hungry again as long as I’m around, I promise you that. What would you like to eat?” she asked, sitting next to him as her three men slid inside. Rhodes and Zanger sat up front on alert.
“Pancakes. I had them once before and they were so good.” He looked out the window. “That was before that guy came.” Jordon rubbed his tiny hands on his legs.
“Will you tell me what happened? They say it’s good to talk about it,” Betsy reached over and took his hand and squeezed it.
“You’ll hate me if I tell you,” his words came out as a whisper breaking her heart.
Chapter Ten
Barry and Davis sat across from Betsy while Orion sat next to her. Tears filled her eyes as she listened to their little boy tell of a stranger coming to the group home he had been placed in. Waves of fear came off Jordon as he told of how the new head man of the group home tried to assault him and a few other boys. He had been one of the lucky ones to get away, but not without some permanent reminders.
“I kept an eye out for the others, hoping they would be able to escape, but they put up a high fence and they couldn’t get out. That’s when I noticed some really big men coming to the place. I heard them talking and they were looking for me, so I ran to the other side of the city and stayed hidden. I was hoping they would leave so I could go back and check on my friends. When I got there, that’s when I noticed one of your men I think and I followed him back to the hotel.” Jordon glanced at him.
“He was different, not angry.” He shook his head. “I don’t know how, but I knew he wouldn’t hurt me. Does that make sense?”
Barry leaned over and placed his hand on the boy’s knee. “It makes perfect sense. You listened to your inner self and heart, they will never let you down. I’m proud of you Jordon, and we’ll take care of that man, I promise. I’ll personally make sure those other boys are taken care of,” he said and Jordon’s chest puffed out and Barry hid the smile.
“Would you like to visit your friends later? Maybe tomorrow we can go there so he can get his things?” Betsy asked looking at him and he nodded.
“If it’s safe, we’ll go kitten.” Barry studied the boy for a few minutes and asked the question. “Jordon have you had anything strange happen to you? You’re at the age where your first change will take place.” He mentioned this so Betsy would know where he was going.
Already he had a lot to make up to her, she was still fuming inside about what had happened earlier, and in a way she was right. He should have listened to her, but the thought of her getting hurt out weighted anything in his book. He looked down and frowned.
“Kitten, did you hurt yourself?” He reached over and pulled her to him laying her over his knees, looking at the back of her legs and hissed. “Why didn’t you tell us you were hurt?”
Orion snarled and reached into the fridge, getting a bottle of water and a pop and handing that to Jordon. “Drink, you look thirsty.”
“It’s nothing, I was more worried about Jordon. Now let me up Barry.” She kept trying to pull her dress down to cover her ass and the butt plug. Seeing her distress, Davis took off his long leather coat and laid it over her butt.
“Hold still and let Barry get the glass out and heal you. Jordon, do you have any cuts? because it looks like she was sitting on something broken when you were in the alley.” Davis asked, leaning over as he shook his head no at first, then under Davis’s stare he sighed.
“Maybe,” he gave the pop back to Orion and leaned towards the door looking down at his leg where the jeans were torn.
Barry looked at the boy. “Will you allow Orion to help clean it up? When we get to the mall, we’ll get you all new clothes and later you can take a shower when we get back to the hotel.” Barry dropped his voice down an inch, giving him a taste of the alpha in him, when he felt something bite into his thigh.
“Don’t you dare scare him. He’s terrified enough!” His kitten’s temper flared and he grinned down at her.
“You bit me, bad kitty,” Barry lifted up Davis’ coat and swatted her butt, shocking her and the boy.
His eyes got big, moving from his mom to him. “You spank her?”
Taking the bottle of water that Orion had given him, Barry proceeded to clean the cuts on Betsy’s leg. She said nothing, but her hold on his leg was gone as she listened.
“Yes, and I’m sure she will earn other spankings in the future.” Barry looked up at the boy. “Jordon, you are a part of all of us. Davis, Orion and I will be your fathers. I know it’s different from other families, but we are different, and I have a feeling you already know this? But understand one thing. I will never hurt you like that man did. None of us will, but if you put yourself in danger, don’t listen to the rules, I will paddle your butt. We require your respect as we respect you.” Barry patted the cut where he had taken out a piece of glass.
Orion reached over and placed Jordon in front of him standing so he was right in front of Betsy. “Hold still Jordon, this will sting a little, but it needs to come out so I can clean it.”
He flinched as Orion took out a piece of glass. “I’m sorry baby, guess I’m not doing such a great job being a mom,” Betsy said, reaching out and taking his hand.
The boy shook his head. “You care, you all care. I can feel it in here. When that man tried to hurt me, my body did something. I hurt him and I don’t know how, but I have a feeling you know?”
“We all know sweetie,” Betsy sighed and looked up at him. “Are you done?”
“Yes, you’re already healing. We’ll have to get you a new outfit at the mall too, this one is all ripped in the back.” Barry lifted her up, but kept her in his lap. “Come, sit beside me. We’ll tell you a short story.” Barry patted the seat next to Jordon when Orion handed him the pop.
“He’s all cleaned up and healing too.” Orion stated as Davis took Jordon’s seat after Jordon crawled up next to them.
“You see, we’re not human, Jordon. Your mom is what’s called a shifter. She has another being inside her that lets her transform into a big cat, a Bengal tiger. While I’m not from this world and either are Davis and Orion. We are warriors, protectors making sure others from different worlds don’t cause trouble.” Barry rubbed Betsy’s back trying to reassure her, but the knots there would need to be worked out later.
There would be no club tonight. Tonight they would spend as a family, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t play after the boy went to sleep. Oh yes, his friend Zanger had purchased everything they had set aside in the store before the boy had distracted them. Davis had even grabbed a few paddles that would work wonderful for their kitten.
“You really change into a cat?” he asked, looking at Betsy.
“Yes, and so can my mates. You see Barry here is head of our family. As you can see, he takes his job very seriously. Don’t get me wrong, there will be times when we don’t get
along and yell at each other, but I trust him with my life, as I do the others.” Betsy leaned forward.
“You see Barry is also part demon, so we don’t want to get him too mad,” she teased, winking at the boy who smiled.
“I heard that,” he growled and lowered his head, biting her shoulder and making her jump. She swatted at him, hitting his chest and he snared. “Kitten, what did I tell you about hurting yourself?” He took her hand and started to kiss and lick it when he heard her son laugh.
“I get it, kitten-cat.” Jordon laughed, smiling up at him. “You really wouldn’t hurt her, would you?” he asked looking at the three of them as they pulled up to the mall.
“No Jordon, I would protect her with my life like I would you. You are our son now and a part of our family for life. Now come, they have this great store called Ikks Junior and from what I’ve been told there are plenty of stores in here for you to shop in too, kitten.” He lifted her out of his lap and placed her where he had been sitting then Orion and he got out of the limo to scan the area.
There were a total of thirty other local warriors around the mall guarding them while they shopped. They too had been looking for a group that had seemed to settle in the area. Stories had begun to circulate that someone had been killing humans and others alike. Barry met Isaac’s gaze and he nodded, holding his hand back for Lacey to come out as he did with Betsy and Jordon.
Betsy placed her small hand into his and also did a scan, looking for any threat before moving away from the. Barry leaned down and whispered. “Already a protective mommy and it’s sexy as hell,”
She snorted but he caught the glimpse of a smile as she wrapped Davis’ coat around her even though it was way too long and big for her. Betsy buried her nose in it and smelled, taking in his scent as her gaze seemed to travel up his body. Barry smiled as Davis glanced back and winked at her, knowing he had seen her checking him out. Her face pinked and she frowned glancing at the doorway where Jordon hadn’t come out yet.
She leaned down and peeked into the door, “Jordon honey, it’s okay. No one is going to hurt you,” she said, aware that something was wrong.
“May I?” Barry asked Betsy and she glanced at Jordon who was curled up in the limo to him nodding.
“He’s scared, Barry.” Her voice cracked and at once Orion had his big arms around her hugging her.
“It will be okay, kitten. Barry will help, watch.” He heard before getting back into the limo and scooting next to the small boy. He picked him up and placed him in his lap, holding onto him.
“What’s wrong? It’s just you and me now.” Barry asked, rubbing the boys back, knowing cats need to be touched, reassured.
The boy was stiff in his arms at first looking towards the door before glancing back at him. “That man who attacked us bragged about coming here all the time. Said his wife worked in one of the stores. He threatened to say all sorts of things and I swear none of them were true, but what if my mom believes him?”
Barry’s heart broke as he watched the boy shake, trying not to cry and already afraid of losing his mom. He hugged him tight, pulling him close to his chest. knowing the boy needed the comforting. “For one, your mother and I would never believe anything coming from a man that would hurt little boys. Two, if he is here, and I kind of hope he is, I haven’t had supper yet and I know your other fathers would haven’t either. But as for your mother she will be the first one there to protect you, Jordon.”
He lifted the boy’s chin up with his finger. “Your mother has loved you from the first day you were born. There is no way she’s going to allow any person to take you from her. When she was telling you about me getting mad. You’ve never seen a tiger protecting it’s young. I tell you what, if you see this man from a distance, you come to me and squeeze my hand. You don’t have to say a word, it will be our little secret.”
The boy thought for a minute and smiled, nodding. He wrapped his little arms partially around him, trying to hug him. “Thank you so much. I wish you were my real daddy.”
****
Betsy had heard everything as Orion held her tight. A few tears fell on his chest as she held on to him tight listening to Barry talk to him. Nella inside roared and wanted to hunt the bastard. Her sister’s little snarls close to her indicated she too was hearing his words.
A large hand landed on her shoulder and squeezed. “We’ve already taken care of the home where he was, the police and our men are looking for this man. Clean your tears, little sister. Your son does not need to see them, he’ll just feel guilty,” Isaac said and she knew it was true.
She stepped back and Orion offered her a tissue. “I just want to find Mandy and go back. We have so much to do, furniture, Christmas shopping, clothes for the kids,” she smiled and tilted her head to the side, looking up at Orion. “And clothes for me. Some more jeans.”
Both Davis and Orion grumbled, but it was Barry who growled coming out of the limo. “There will be no jeans, well maybe a few for emergency, but plenty of dresses and other things.” He helped Jordon out of limo and she smiled down at him as he moved to take the hand she held out.
“We’ll see. Jordon, I’d like you to meet your aunt Lacey and your uncles.” After hugs and introductions, their group moved into the massive mall. Over four floors and all decorated for Christmas. As Lacey, Jordon, and she stood there just staring at everything the men spread out watching, but she heard their laughs.
“What?” Betsy finally said looking at Barry who had a huge smile on his face.
“You’d think you’d never been in a mall...” As soon as the words were out, he was there hugging her. “I’m so sorry kitten, I wasn’t thinking.”
“It’s alright, it’s the truth. Maybe one day we’ll have a normal life,” she sighed as did Lacey, knowing it would never happen. “Come on, let’s get some clothes so I don’t feel like a freak here walking around wearing this huge thing.” Betsy said, rubbing her cheek on the coat. “But the leather is awful soft, maybe I could make a pair of leather pants out of it?” she said straight-faced and Lacey chimed in.
“I think you have enough material there for two pairs, so make me one.” She said as they hit the escalator, heading toward the kids shop first.
“There will be no cutting up my coat,” Davis growled and they all laughed as she spotted an electronic game place.
“Jordon, do you like to play those games like Xbox and such?” Betsy asked and the boy’s eyes got all big and he shook he nodded. “Well, we can’t get a big system now, but maybe a hand held one? Which one would you like?”
Jordon stopped and stared up at her. “Really?”
Betsy looked up at Barry and he nodded. “I don’t see why not. It will give you something to do in the hotel while we search for your sister, and of course, I’m sure one of your fathers would play with you.” Betsy looked up and saw Orion’s eyes light up like a kid.
She laughed and nodded to him. “I think Orion knows all about the games, why don’t you go with him and pick out what you want.” Jordon ran to him placing his tiny hand in Orion’s as they headed to the game store.
“He’s beautiful, sis. Even after everything that has happened to him, his spirit is still pure and good. Let’s hope the other children fared okay,” Lacey followed her into the store.
“I want to go to the home and make sure. I know Jordon will be worried and it might ease his mind if he sees his friends.” She glanced up at Barry, who came up to her other side.
“I don’t see a problem with that as long there are no more incidents at the home before tomorrow. I think we should check the home and see if there are any of our kind in there. God knows how many other children were created and left. I’m really surprised your father didn’t kill them though.”
“He wanted to see them when they got older, to see if they had any powers. He had men watching them. Do you think they are still watching them?” she glanced from Barry to where Orion and Jordon were.
“He’s fine, and if the
y are they haven’t made a move. I think with your father and Drang gone, they are going to split up. They’re not going to know what to do. Eventually they’ll show their faces and we’ll find every one of them.” Isaac stated coming up followed by Dan and his parents.
“So is everyone ready for some serious shopping?” Dan’s mother asked, coming over to her and hugging her. “I hear we have lots to buy a little boy? Where is he?”
“Yes, where is our grandchild?” Barry’s mother asked as she joined their group along with her husbands.
Betsy laughed and nodded to them in the store. “Orion is buying him a hand held game so he’ll have something to do in the hotel while we’re here. We’re heading to get clothes afterwards. Afraid we both need new clothes.”
By the time Orion and Jordon came walking over, Orion had two bags in his hands and Jordon seemed to be bouncing on his toes smiling when some man slipped around behind Orion and grabbed Jordon by the back of the neck, shaking him.
At once, the tiger burst out as she started the shift. Orion spun and decked the man, grabbing Jordon while Barry held onto her, pushing her cat back with his power. “No, your baby needs you.” Barry whispered to her as Orion brought Jordon over to her. Isaac took the weasel of a man and moved to explain the situation to the officer that had come running over.
All she wanted to do was rip the man apart, but right now Jordon was shaking like a leaf. Betsy leaned down and picked the boy up. He wasn’t heavy and she needed him in her arms.
Going over to one of the big chairs in the middle of the mall, she sat down hugging, Jordon. “It’s going to be okay, he’s gone and no one is taking you away, I promise.”
“You really mean it, don’t you?” he leaned back and stared at her. “You’re not going to give me up or take me back to the home?” he asked and she shook her head.
“No, you are my child and you are going back to the house we have all picked out as soon as we find your sister. I did think you would like to see if your friends are all right. A new person is now in charge of the home and everything is being taken care of.” Betsy stiffened as Barry and Isaac came over with a different officer.
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