“Trust me, I think you would be scared if you had to hear Ceric’s thoughts,” Burkhart says teasingly. Ceric shows him the finger as he continues to eat his breakfast.
“You say that we are the first people you can’t hear. Does that mean that you heard all your kidnapper’s thoughts?” Draco asks. I can practically see the wheels turning as he looks at Aria. At his question I feel her tense again; maybe it’s too soon to go into this; I don’t want her agitated. She takes a while to respond. I’m about to interfere and stop the questioning when she answers.
“Yes, I heard their thoughts,” she answers in barely a whisper.
“Did you tell her who her kidnappers were?” Before I can answer Wulf, she nods at him. “So, you know about the Keres MC?” she nods again. I know I’m looking at her in surprise, but I have never told her it was the Keres that had kidnapped her. I did tell her about the Keres but not that it was them.
“What?” I know that I sound shocked but if she knew that it was them then she knows it was because of me that she went through everything. She turns slightly in my lap looking back at me; her dark blue eyes are filled with pain with the memory of what had happened to her.
“When they took me from my house one of the men thought that the Elemental’s thought that they are so high and mighty, but that the Keres will obliterate them. At the time I didn’t know who the Elemental’s were but when you told me the name of your club I figured the rest out.” Even though we aren’t by ourselves her words are directed only at me. I expect condemnation, but I don’t see any. How can she not blame me for this?
“Also, one day when one of the guys came down to feed me he thought today is the beginning of the end for your mate, thanks for helping.” A tear slips down her cheek as she says that, but she shows no other reaction.
“I’m sorry, this was all because of me.” She looks surprised at my confession. “They wanted to get back at me and my club, so they used you.”
“No. This is because they are evil, not because of you. Or are you saying that it’s also my fault that you were shot with the dart with my blood on it.” My girl is amazing! With everything she went through she doesn’t blame me; she humbles me with her goodness.
“Did you hear anything else while you were there, about us?” Bjarni asks. I see that he has pulled Gabriela’s chair against his and has his arm around her shoulders while he strokes her neck. She seems to be napping with her head against his chest but then I see a smile light up her face and know she is just enjoying his attention.
“When they first took me, one of the men phoned someone from the car.” She stops and looks at me as if unsure if she should continue. I squeeze her waist lightly in encouragement. “I got the impression that they had acquired information about me from someone as he said that the information was correct. And …. ‘She is coming in handy.’ I don’t think that the ‘she’ he was talking about was me.”
At her words I see all the brothers tense, when Wulf bonded with Jas we had found that one of the Jezebels was passing on information to the Keres but since we had disposed of her we believed that we didn’t have any more rats amongst us, but from what Aria had just said we might be wrong. We do suspect that they are somehow watching us, but maybe it’s someone closer to us.
“Did you hear any names while you were there?” Gunner asks from the end of the table. Gunner has recently been patched, he may not be an Elemental but he’s just as deadly as any of us. He also knows who we are and what we can do, I trust Gunner completely. He doesn’t shy away from danger.
“I don’t know, I think I was there for a long time. I can’t remember specific names, it was mostly one man who came down with my slice of bread and water and mostly all he thought about was how he could hurt me.” As soon as the words are out of her mouth I wanted to know who the fucker was that hurt my girl. “Son of a bitch I hope he isn’t dead, because if I get my hands on him I’ll make him squeal like a pig.”
“It’s okay Sweetheart, if you remember anything let Brandr know okay?” My girl nods at Draco leaning further back into me. I feel her body relax as she realises that no one is going to ask her anything else.
“Celmund, is there any chance that we might have missed something from one of the Jezebels?” Wulf asks gruffly. I understand his worry; with Aria at the compound I needed to be more careful than before. “If we still have a rat in our midst we need to find it before that person can get close to any of our women.”
Celmund is shaking his head, a frown marring his forehead. I know that he has investigated all the Jezebel’s backgrounds, financials and what they are up to now. Gabriela had touched Gloria one of our Jezebels a few months ago and seen that someone was trying to kill her. Since then we had had eyes on all three Jezebels that we looked out for at the club.
“I don’t know Brother, I have looked at everything. I don’t know what else to look for,” he replies in a frustrated tone.
“What about family or friends who might be around?” Gunner suggests. “I know that Lidia lives with two other girls. Tina has a brother I think she said and Gloria I’m not sure about; she doesn’t talk much about her personal life. They might not even know that they are passing on information if the person is crafty enough.”
Celmund is already striding out of the kitchen at Gunner’s words. In an hour we will most probably have a list of family and friends belonging to our Jezebels.
“Let’s see if that gives us any leads,” Draco says quietly. He always takes it hard on himself when anything happens to one of the brothers. “Brandr, is Aria fine for us to take her energy levels?” he asks, looking directly at me.
“I don’t want my brothers to go through the anguish I did when I was shot with the dart and didn’t think I was going to find my mate in time before I lost my mind, and in the process my life. I have asked Aria about her gift. She has explained that if it’s only one person or two she can deal with the noise level in her head. It’s when it’s a crowd that she can’t deal with it. She is fine, just let us know when you want to do it.” I had discussed it with Aria and she was all for helping.
“Let’s do it tomorrow,” said Draco. “Celmund can set up at the bar.” I nod in acknowledgment. “Also, I believe Burkhart has told you about the missing person case?” Fuck! I had hoped that he wouldn’t bring that up in front of Aria; I hadn’t said anything to her yet.
“Yeah, he did,” I say dismissively.
“You need to go into the town with Aria and sort this out at the police station before they find out that she is here.” Instantly I feel Aria tense in my lap, her head turns slightly so she can gaze into my eyes questioningly.
“Don’t worry Sunshine everything will be fine, they have a missing persons file for you. We need to go in and show them that you aren’t missing.” I kiss her forehead trying to appease the fear. I can feel her tensing her muscles. “They will ask you about what happened, we need to come up with a story that keeps you out of their suspicions regarding your Gran’s murder.”
“They think that I killed her?” she asks.
“No, they are just looking for you now, but as soon as you appear you will have to tell them what happened.” I try to make my voice as soothing as possible, knowing from what she has told me that my voice sooths her. “Don’t worry I will be with you.” I say trying to calm her fears.
“Maybe Jas and I can also go, not to the police station of course but into town. We have been meaning to go for a few days now as Christmas is coming up and I can also see how everything’s going at the bakery,” Gabriela chirps in excitedly. I see Bjarni frown next to her. Looking over at Wulf, I see he’s already shaking his head in denial. Gabriela doesn’t go into the bakery as often as she used to since she employed someone else to help with the baking and has Jenny managing everything.
“Oh, that’s perfect. Great idea Gabriela,” Jas replies before any of the men can answer.
“You shouldn’t be going into town in your condition, you will tire you
rself,” Wulf growls with a concerned look on his face.
“Oh, nonsense! it’s not as if I’m going to be running a marathon I’m just going to look for Christmas presents, it’s a great idea.”
“It’s a fucking bad idea having all three women in town at the same time,” Bjarni grumbles with a stubborn set to his shoulders.
“Well isn’t that why we have you?” Gabriela says sweetly looking up at Bjarni innocently. Oh, she is good, I can see Bjarni giving in the moment she starts to stroke his neck.
“Fuck, I don’t like this,” he grumbles but we all know that he will do anything to please his woman.
“Does that mean we’re going to have a Christmas party?” Ceric asks excitedly, at his words all the men look at Draco in confirmation but before Draco can answer Jas interrupts him.
“Christmas is for family!” Draco is looking at Jas thoughtfully. Ceric, Burkhart and Caelius are looking at her as if she lost her mind.
“Okay we will have a Christmas party,” he states. Ceric whoops excitedly. “Only for family,” he continues. I can’t help it, I start chuckling at the men’s crestfallen faces. Even Bjarni and Wulf are grinning, as mated men we don’t mind not having women around but from their faces they don’t like the idea.
ARIA 10
I’m on the back of Brandr’s bike. I never imagined how exciting being on a bike could be, and to think I nearly missed this. If it wasn’t for Gabriela insisting on riding with Bjarni I wouldn’t have said anything. The men wanted us to go in the bullet proof SUV, but Gabriela and I insisted on riding with them. Jas hadn’t had an option previously, before she could complain Wulf had her in the SUV and buckled in.
I’m not looking forward to being in town surrounded by people. I know that I won’t be able to get out of this because apparently my picture is all over and it’s only a matter of time before the police know where I am, but the thought of them maybe keeping me there for questioning makes me break out in a cold sweat.
I just know that I’m going to freak out, and then they will commit me like my parents wanted them to do. Brandr must feel the tenseness in my body because he places his hand over mine as he rides, squeezing slightly.
Bjarni and Gabriela are riding next to us, I see her hands are in his jacket moving up and down as if she’s stroking his abs. I smile to myself thinking about Brandr’s reaction if I had to do that. One thing I have noticed about him is that he is always ready to fool around. He has been so caring, I know that he can be lethal, but I also know that he will never be like that with me.
We arrive in town parking our bikes across from the police station, Draco insists on coming in with us. The others except for the prospect and Celmund who stayed at the compound, will meet us later at Gabriela’s bakery.
Brandr guides me into the police station with Draco walking behind us. I can feel everyone’s eyes on me which makes me feel awkward, but then I stop frozen in my tracks when I realise that I’m not hearing anyone’s thoughts? How is that possible?
Brandr also stopped with a worried look on his face. “What’s wrong?” he asks looking around as if expecting danger. I feel Draco right behind me, I’m sure if I stretch my hand behind me that I will touch him.
“I can’t hear anyone?” I say softly so no one will hear me except for Brandr, but I must have spoken louder than I thought because Draco replies.
“Don’t worry about it Sweetheart we thought this might happen, Brandr might be a buffer to your gift. We will experiment later but for now I think it’s a good thing, don’t you think?” I realise my mouth is hanging open at his comment. A buffer, is that possible? If that is true, then I can go anywhere I want, if Brandr is with me.
“That’s so cool!” I exclaim in excitement. By Brandr’s expression I have surprised him once again, but then he presents me with one of his sexy as sin smiles and all I want to do is drag him into a room somewhere and have my way with him.
Brandr lowers his head until his lips are touching my ear. “If you carry on looking at me like that we won’t make it inside.” He teases.
“Maybe you can leave this for later, I have better things to do than look at your ugly ass making fish eyes at your woman.” Draco states huffily, but I can see a twinkle in his eye when I look back at him. Brandr shows him the finger, smirking as he walks towards a cop that is sitting behind a desk. After asking to see the detective responsible for my case I see the man swallow audibly as he looks at Brandr, then Draco.
“Sure, please take a seat he will be with you soon.” The man has barely finished talking when a middle-aged guy walks towards us. His eyes are fixed on Draco as he approaches.
“Well, well what have we here?” he smirks irritatingly.
Brandr places his arm around my shoulders bringing me closer to him. Draco looks at this infuriating man as if he’s not worth his time. I see the man’s hands fist in anger, but he’s trying to appear as if Draco’s uninterested attitude doesn’t affect him.
“I believe you are looking for me?” a detective calls out from behind the middle-aged guy who is still staring at Draco.
“Are you Detective Thompson?” Brandr asks.
“Yes, I am. How can I help you?” He stretches out his hand to shake Brandr’s and then Draco’s hands. When he turns to face me, Brandr moves me slightly behind him. I see that he has recognised me from the tensing of his body.
“You’re the missing girl, Aria Dell, aren’t you?” He’s about to take hold of my hand when Brandr moves forward so I am completely covered by his body. I see Draco move closer to my side, as if protecting me from anyone else that might be behind us.
“No touching,” Brandr says in a gruff voice. By the tensing of his body I know that he must be a scary sight to look at. If he hadn’t been so protective and caring from the beginning I might have feared him when he went all tense like this, but I know that he will never hurt me.
“I’m sorry but I am going to have to insist on talking to Miss Dell. She has been missing for over a month and her gran was found dead on their farm,” the detective says quietly. I see the other middle-aged detective that is still standing behind Detective Thompson smirk while he places his hand on the gun that is strapped to his waist.
“That’s why we’re here. We are told that you thought that Aria was missing. She is willing to give a statement, but you don’t have to touch her to do that.” Brandr responds possessively, the tone of his voice makes the hair on my arms stand up and he isn’t even talking to me, no wonder the detective is looking wary.
“Of course, maybe Aria can come with me into my office,” he says, pointing behind him as he looks over Brandr’s shoulder at me.
“I will be accompanying her,” Brandr states. He doesn’t wait for the detective to reply. Turning slightly, he takes hold of my hand. “Shall we,” he asks as the detective is still standing there looking at him.
“This is bullshit. You can wait out here while Thompson talks to Aria. Who do you think you are coming in here and giving us orders?” the other detective says angrily, taking a step towards us. Instantly Brandr and Draco have me behind them, both are tense, ready for a fight if need be.
Detective Thompson hurriedly intervenes, standing before the other detective with one of his hands up. “No harm in him accompanying Miss Dell, we aren’t interrogating her, just asking her some questions.” Detective Thompson seems friendly and not at all like the other one. Looking over his shoulder, he asks, “Norton weren’t you on your way somewhere?”
Norton glares at us as Thompson leads the way to his office. “Please take a seat Miss Dell, I’m sorry, one of you will have to stand as I only have two chairs,” he apologises as he looks at Brandr and Draco.
Brandr moves my chair closer to his, placing his arm around my shoulders protectively as Draco closes the office door and stands in front of it as if protecting us from anyone coming in.
“Now Miss Dell … Aria, can I call you Aria?” he asks with a slight smile. I nod in confirmation and he
continues. “Do you know what happened to your Gran?” Again I nod in confirmation.
“Do you mind telling me?” I feel Brandr squeeze my shoulder reassuringly. We had rehearsed what I had to say to the detective, I hope that I don’t say something wrong.
“We were outside in the garden when a car pulled up with four men. Two of the men who were in the back jumped out and walked towards us, as the other two men drove over our vegetables and herbs. Gran couldn’t run because of her arthritis but we made it inside before the two men caught up to us.” Even though I had told Brandr what had happened at the farm I still felt tears filling my eyes and slipping down my cheeks. Thompson opened a drawer, pulling out a box of tissues and placing it before me.
“Gran screamed for me to run, but I couldn’t leave her with them. Then one of them punched her in the face, I think he broke her nose as blood started to gush. My gran was a good person, they didn’t have to kill her. One of them held her from behind while looking at me and … cut her throat” I can see her sightless eyes in my mind as she had looked up at me when he had let her go and she fell on the floor. Even though I try not to, I start to sob, with the knowledge that I am never going to see her again.
“It’s okay Sunshine,” Brandr croons as he lifts me off my chair and places me on his lap, holding my head against his chest. “Do you want to stop?” he asks, softly kissing my forehead his hand strokes the back of my neck gently. I wish I could say yes and forget about everything that happened but sooner or later I will have to do this.
I shake my head, lifting it from Brandr’s chest. I look back at the detective and I see regret in his eyes for me. “The two men who were in the house punched and kicked me a few times as I fought with them to try and get free. I lost consciousness because the next thing I knew I woke-up in a moving car. We drove for a while before I decided that I should try to get free.” This part is what we had rehearsed so the police didn’t find out that the Elemental’s were the ones that blew up the Keres compound. “I was sitting in the back seat next to the door. I tried not to make a noise or let anyone know that I had woken up. I noticed we were coming up to a curve and that there were motorbikes approaching from the opposite direction, so I opened the door and jumped out of the moving car.”
BRANDR_Elemental's MC Page 8