Forbidden Secrets (Lee County Wolves Series) Book #5

by Teresa Gabelman

  They quietly trailed Taz until they reached a wall. Stepping around him, Leda stared at the shelves now full of her uncle’s stuff. Putting her mother’s journal safely in the waistband of her jeans, she swiped her uncle’s belongings off the bottom shelf and onto the floor. She proceeded to do that until only the upper shelves remained. Satisfaction thrummed through her at destroying his things, making her feel more in control.

  Stepping back, she grasped the small handle that had been discreetly placed at the bottom shelf and pulled it out. With a tug, she stepped back as the shelves, as one, rose toward the ceiling, the rest of her uncle’s stuff falling to the floor as it rose higher. Once the shelf was fully opened, it revealed the paper-thin fake wall.

  “I’ll be damned,” Garrett breathed behind her.

  When she pushed and the door didn’t give, a smile lit her face. Her uncle had no clue of its existence. She used her shoulder, but it only gave a little bit. Taz moved her aside and used both hands to push the door open. Leda reached in and flipped a switch as hundreds of little light bulbs lit the way deep into the tunnel.

  “This is how we escaped,” she said proudly. “My father worked on this himself for years because he didn’t want anyone to know about it. It saved Sam and me that night. My mom shoved us in here, said her goodbyes and then lowered the shelves. I heard everything until I knew I had to run for Sam’s sake.”

  “How far does it go?” Dell stepped in, having to duck, as did all the men.

  “A mile, I think.” Leda thought about how long it seemed that night as she carried Sam. “The lights were burnt out more than halfway through. We came out right at the other side of town where the creek runs.”

  As the men studied her father’s work, she stepped out, looking around. Seeing large boxes, she walked that way and pulled one open. It was full of jewelry, all kinds of pieces. Going to the next box, she opened it and frowned. This one was filled with guns. Reaching down, she picked one up. It was unloaded.

  Hearing the shelf being lowered, she looked that way. “No!”

  Garrett stopped and glanced over his shoulder at her.

  “I want the bastard to know my father and mother outsmarted him in the end.” Once again, she looked into the tunnel, then returned her focus to the boxes. “Leave it, please.”

  The guys joined her without saying a word and started searching with her. “Looks like he’s got a lot of stolen merchandise down here.” Garrett frowned, then walked farther back on the other side of the cellar. “Same thing back here.”

  Knowing what she had to do, she gave the basement one last look before she headed toward the stairs. Climbing up, she waited for Taz to pass her, knowing the routine. It was fine. She wasn’t in a great state of mind to protect herself.

  She stepped into the kitchen, where her family had so many great moments, as well as a few heartaches, then turned away in distaste; it was filled with booze, overflowing ashtrays for the ones who bothered to use them, and dirty dishes piled in the sink.

  Without a second thought, she headed toward the front door, down the porch steps and then turned to look at the house without concentrating on the bodies littering the ground. Her mind made up, she glanced around at everyone who remained staring at her. She saw Hunter holding her wig. When she held out her hand, he walked over and passed it to her. She took the picture of herself out of Taz’s hand and tossed them both on the ground.

  “Anyone have a match and some gasoline?” she said loudly as she stared at what used to be her home.

  “Blaze!” Jared, who stood to her left, called out. She glanced his way. “We have something better than matches and gas.”

  Blaze moved to stand next to her. “You sure about this?”

  Leda nodded, noticing Blaze looked toward Sloan, who gave him a nod, and then to Dell, who also gave his approval.

  “Best step back a bit,” he warned, and waited until Taz pulled her a safe distance away.

  Leda watched as a ball of fire danced in Blaze’s hand. She glanced up to his flaming eyes, knowing he was waiting for her. She nodded.

  Blaze reared back his hand and threw the fireball toward the house, with many more following until it went up in flames. The whole group watched it burn.

  “This the only one?” Blaze asked as he stepped back next to Leda.

  As she watched the only home she had ever known burn, she glanced down at her picture and wig, then back up again. “Yeah, this is the only one.”

  Burning her home while leaving the rest intact would show her uncle that this was an attack against him and no one else. Even when this was over, she didn’t think she could live in the house she had loved without the memories of what happened there. This whole town held good memories, but also nightmares that she didn’t think any of them could overcome. As much as it hurt, she watched the only thing that had once belonged to her family burn. It was time to start with a clean slate, somewhere that didn’t hold a nightmare around every corner.

  Reaching over, she took Taz’s hand, which wasn’t far from hers, then turned her back, knowing this wasn’t the end of her past. She’d just made sure of it.

  “This is going to leave one hell of a message,” the vamp called Sid said as they all strode away through the now empty shifter town.

  “I’m counting on it,” Leda whispered. She had been changed forever, and there was only one person to blame for that. Soon, they would come face-to-face, and she would be more than ready.

  Chapter 16

  The ride back to Lee County seemed to take forever. When Steve, with his minivan full of people, had dropped Taz off at his bike, there wasn’t even a question that Leda was coming with him. Actually, he was really worried about her. It was as if she were on autopilot, only speaking when spoken to. She had sat on his lap to make room for someone else in the van, and he’d felt her body shivering.

  He followed Steve until they passed the Lee County sign before turning off. Finding a secluded area, he slowed his bike to a stop.

  “What are we doing?” Leda asked, her head still pressed against his back as she held onto him.

  “I need to make sure you’re okay,” Taz answered honestly.

  “I’m fine.” Her response seemed automatic. Before he could speak, Leda laughed. “But we both know that’s a lie.”

  With an aching heart, Taz got off the bike before he helped her. Leda stretched and rubbed her legs before looking up at him.

  “How about ‘I’m fine, all things considered.’” Leda shrugged thoughtfully, as if trying her words out herself. “Yeah, that sounds better.”

  “If I could change any of this for you, I would.” Taz picked a strand of her hair from the corner of her mouth and moved it behind her ear. “But that wouldn’t solve the issue.”

  “No, it wouldn’t.” Leda sighed, then rubbed her eyes. “But at this point, I might just let you take care of it all, and I’ll go hide in some dark hole until it’s over.”

  He offered her a small smile. “That wouldn’t be something you would do.”

  Shaking her head, Leda threw her head back. “Why wasn’t he there, Taz?” As she stared at the sky, he knew she waited for his answer, but he didn’t have one. “What if I made a huge mistake taking them from their homes? He’s going to come for me. I made damn sure of that. I left Lee County alone because I didn’t want to involve anyone. Now I’ve got innocent people involved.” She shook her head, her voice catching. “I miss them, Taz. I miss them so much. My dad would have known what to do. Why did this happen? Did I make a mistake?”

  She started to unravel before him, and hell, who could blame her? He was still reeling at what he had learned and couldn’t even imagine her feelings.

  “Listen to me.” Taz gently tugged her hair, bringing her face to meet his. “None of those people had to leave. They wanted to leave, and you gave them that freedom to choose. And I know you miss your parents, I understand, but you have people who care about you, who are beside you in this by their choice.”
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  “Are you here by choice, Taz? Or is it some obligation you feel you have for me?” Leda whispered as her eyes searched his.

  “Do you really have to ask me that question to know the truth?” Taz growled, pulling her into his arms. His hand gripped her jaw, bringing her mouth to his. The kiss was possessive but full of feelings that couldn’t be denied. When their lips parted, Taz pulled away the barest of inches. “My life belongs to you. What you feel, I feel. What you experience, I experience. We are one, and I would lay my life down for you.”

  A tear slipped down her cheek as a soft smile curved her lips. “You love me?”

  “Yes, I love you.” Taz ran his thumb along the bottom of her lip. “More than you can ever imagine. From the first day I saw you, I knew you would be mine.”

  “I love you.” Leda kissed him softly, then wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him close. After a few minutes, she sighed. “Sorry about my little pity party.”

  Taz grinned against the top of her head. “If anyone deserves a pity party right now, it’s you.” He pulled back to look down at her. “But we need to go before they send out a search party. I just wanted to make sure you were okay and give you a minute before you see Sam.”

  “I can’t wait to see him.” Leda nodded with a large grin, but then it began to slip as memories clouded her eyes.

  He could see Leda’s excitement fade as thoughts entered her mind, which pissed him off. Her bastard of an uncle had ruined a family, and that was something he definitely wouldn’t get away with, even if Taz had to hunt the motherfucker down himself.

  “Hey, nothing has changed.” He led her toward the bike, then leaned down and whispered against her ear, “He’s still your brother. Nothing changes that, ever. I will protect him with my life, as I will you. You are a package deal that I will cherish.”

  Leda looked at him thoughtfully. “I never knew you were so sweet.”

  Neither did he, which surprised him, but when it came to her, he did things that were so out of his ordinary that nothing shocked him when it came to Leda and his feelings for her. “Just don’t tell anyone, especially Steve.”

  The first chuckle he’d heard from her since they were reunited escaped her lips, and he would make damn sure he heard it more often. Just like he had before all of this happened.

  Not even half an hour later, they pulled into Beattyville. There was a crowd waiting near Garrett’s house. Taz pulled up and parked, but Leda’s eyes were searching for Sam. Seeing him push his way through the crowd of people, she jumped off the bike, tripping and going down on her knees.

  “Dammit, Leda.” Taz helped her up just as Sam slammed into her, knocking her back down.

  “Leda!” Sam cried, burying his head in her neck and nearly choking her to death. The sobs that shook his body tore her apart. Guilt rushed through her for leaving him.

  “Hey now.” Leda tried to pull him away so she could see him, but he held her even tighter, making it impossible. “I’m back, Sam. Come on now. Let me see you. I wasn’t gone that long.”

  “Y-y-you were go-go-gone forever.” Sam sniffed into her hair. “Pl-pl-ease.”

  “I won’t.” She squeezed him with her promise, knowing what he was saying despite not voicing his fears. “I’m sorry, Sam.”

  She glanced up to see her and Sam’s pack moving toward her and her brother. With Taz’s help, she stood, with Sam still wrapped around her. Soon everyone surrounded them, giving her and Sam hugs and thank-yous for her help. The responsibility she now had on her shoulders was so overwhelming it terrified her. These people had left their home—in hell, but still their homes—to follow her. Did she deserve such trust?

  As soon as she thought she couldn’t take it, she felt Taz at her back with his hand on her shoulder.

  “Okay, everyone!” Dell walked through, taking control. “We are finding arrangements for all of you. Just be patient.”

  John Biel stepped forward. She remembered him well. He was a good friend of her father’s, but somewhat older. “I’m good with a hammer,” he said, his eyes leaving Leda and going straight to Dell. “I can build most anything I set my mind to. I’m not here for a handout. I thank you all for what you’ve done and would love to be a part of an honest pack.” Lots of murmurs of agreement sprang up from the group of her old pack. “We are loyal and have already had a discussion of what we can offer.”

  Leda smiled as she looked around at all the hopeful, yet ravaged and tired faces.

  “We want our pack to grow and flourish,” Dell replied, glancing at Garrett, who nodded. “And we don’t turn down loyalty and hard work, that’s for sure.”

  John beamed with pride and gratitude, as did the others of her pack. Proud, she offered John a big smile. They were good people who deserved so much more than what her uncle had offered them.

  John then turned to Leda.

  “Thank you for what you did for us today.” John glanced at Sam, then back to her. “We didn’t know what happened to you. I’m so sorry for your loss. Your father was the best alpha any pack could ever have, and your mother was a real sweet lady.”

  Feeling her throat tighten at his words and the agreements coming from those behind him, she swallowed hard. “Thank you,” she managed to say and knew if she said any more, she would be blubbering all over the place.

  “Hey, everyone,” Janna called out. “I know you all are hungry. We have a lot of food ready at the coffee shop.”

  A few stayed behind to thank Leda personally, but soon the crowd faded away toward the coffee shop. Finally, Sam loosened his grip and wiggled to get down, then looked way up at Taz.

  “I knew y-you’d sa-sa-save her.” Sam grabbed Taz around the legs, giving them a big hug. Then he stepped back, gazing at Taz with a look of hero worship.

  Her heart melted as Taz knelt in front of Sam and put his hand on his shoulder. “I will always save Leda when she needs saving.” Taz gave him a nod, and Sam gave him a nod back. “Now go get yourself something to eat so you can get big and strong, because I might need your help.”

  Sam gave him a high five, then took off running. He stopped and turned to look at Leda. “Don’t leave.” He didn’t stutter.

  “I won’t.” She crossed her heart. “I promise.”

  She slowly stood as her breathing came in rapid spurts. “He can’t find him, Taz,” she whispered, but Dell and Garrett were close enough to hear her words.

  “He won’t,” Taz said, his voice hard and sure.

  “Nothing will happen to Sam, Leda.” Garrett finally took her into his arms, giving her a hug. “Nothing will happen to you either. You’re protected here.”

  Leda nodded, not feeling so sure. She knew these men could protect her and Sam, but she also knew her uncle better than they did.

  Her eyes found Jamie. She stood with Devon, who carried a huge plate of food. Jamie waved her over as Malcolm came walking toward them slowly.

  “Jamie wants you,” he said, his eyes not meeting hers. “And we both know how Jamie gets when she doesn’t get what she wants.”

  A smile broke over Leda’s face. “Believe me, I remember well.” She glanced at Taz, who was glaring at Malcolm before he looked down at her.

  “Go ahead. I’ll be over in a second.”

  She started to pass Malcolm but stopped, then gave him a hug. “I know you were doing what you thought best for your sister. I forgive you.”

  Malcolm looked at her in surprise but remained silent.

  “I’ve always looked at you like my big brother, and that hasn’t changed, nor will it.” She wanted to make it damn clear that she had no feelings other than that toward him. “And if you ever think to turn on me again, know that these three men behind me will kill you, plus a few more who aren’t present at the moment. This is my family now, and it can be yours if you get your shit straight.”

  “Thank you.” Malcolm cleared his throat, then went to hug her, but he stopped when Taz growled.

  “Don’t even think about it,
” Taz warned without taking a step, but everyone knew he was ready to pounce. “She may have forgiven you, but I haven’t.”

  Chapter 17

  Taz glared at Malcolm long enough to make the man uncomfortable. He then watched Leda go sit with Jamie, noticing she bypassed the food. That was something he would take care of as soon as he got some answers to questions that had been bothering him. And he wanted the answers without Leda being there. Right or wrong, he would let her know in his own time if he felt she needed to.

  “When is this bastard supposed to be back, and where has he been?” Taz’s voice drew the interest of Dell and Garrett. Most of the Warriors were still there and had walked toward them. Hunter and Marcus also arrived.

  “He doesn’t always say where he’s going, but at the earliest, tomorrow.” Malcolm looked him straight in the eyes as he answered, but that meant nothing to Taz. He’d had people lie to his face many times.

  “Is he searching for Leda?” Taz continued.

  “He’s always looking for Leda.” Again, no hesitation in his answer.

  “Why the bounty only on Leda and not Sam?” Garrett took a turn at Malcolm.

  Steve and Adam walked over, both with big plates of food, Steve glancing at Taz. “Garrett and Dell filled Sloan in on the situation and then told us.” He frowned at Malcolm.

  “And don’t pull the age card.” Sloan also appeared. “Because we all know in our world that’s bullshit.”

  “Leda is the one who’s a threat to Allen, or should I say whoever she mates with.” Malcolm focused on Taz. “Sam is not the threat, because he’s not Jason Kingsman’s son, and it can be proven.”

  “How?” Dell asked, doubt evident in his voice.

  “The journal,” Taz said as his eyes once again found Leda, seeing it sticking out of her waistband.

  “The journal.” Malcolm nodded. “Allen tore that place apart looking for that damn journal but never found it. I always knew where it was. Right under his nose.”