KnightForce Ethan (La Patron's KnightForce)

by Sydney Addae

  “Thanks.” Ethan disconnected, started the truck, and headed toward the house for his equipment. “Sir?”

  “Ethan,” Alpha Jayden answered.

  “I’m running into a few problems and need assistance.”

  “What do you need?”

  “To start, deep background checks.” He gave him the information on Jim, Sanders, and Pamela.

  “I’ll have this to you this evening.”

  “Thank you, Sir. Something about Jim bothers me. I’m going to check out a few things to see what he’s up to.”

  “Jim, the fiancé?”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  “Okay, just be careful. I’ve assigned five pack members to assist you. They think you’re working on a special project for me and have no idea your mate is involved. But they know the area, terrain, and people. Use them, don’t go all Lone Ranger on this.”

  “Yes, Sir.” Ethan hadn’t expected assistance. He hoped they could check out Sanders and Jim without drawing attention.

  “They’re on the way to the house.” Alpha Jayden paused. “Callum is still there as well. He wants to help.”

  Ethan had mixed feelings about how much help Callum would be, but Alpha hadn’t asked his opinion or permission. “Yes, Sir.”

  “Good luck on winning your mate. La Patron and La Patroness are interested in this because we know so little about human breeders. Expect to hear from them from time to time. La Patroness has offered assistance and insight if you need it.”

  “Thank you, I’m sure I will call on her wisdom,” Ethan said, understanding it was expected he accept the offer whether he wanted her help or not. Fortunately, he believed La Patroness could help him understand how human females thought and give a few tips on how to win her from Jim. He’d contact her after he searched Sander’s house.

  Arriving at the house, he parked, and went inside. Intent on gathering supplies, he went straight to his room, grabbed his leather bag and filled it with his technical gear. Finished, he turned and ran into Callum, who leaned against the living room wall.

  “What’s going on?” Callum asked.

  “Nothing much, I’m headed out to handle some recon.”

  Callum straightened and shoved his hands into his pockets. “Is that why they’re here?” He tipped his chin toward the windows where five wolves loped toward the porch from the woods.

  “Yeah, Alpha Jayden mentioned he’d send help.” Ethan didn’t care for the delay but realized it couldn’t be helped. He placed the bag on the table and headed to the kitchen for a drink.

  “How can I help?” Callum asked from the entrance.

  “Something about these guys,” Ethan shook his head. “It’s off. Plus, they have a spy.”

  “Spy?”

  Ethan took a long pull and nodded. “Yeah. A teacher from across the hall. I’m not sure what to make of her yet but she left with them.”

  “Them?”

  “The fiancé and his army buddy.” Ethan tossed the bottle in the trash, grabbed his bag, and walked outside to meet the full-bloods. “Ethan, KnightForce for the state of Maryland and Alpha Jayden,” he said, looking each person over.

  “Fulton’s,” the tallest one said. “My den.” He pointed toward two females and two males. “Call me Fulton.”

  Accustomed to small pack dynamics, Ethan nodded and explained what he hoped to accomplish today to the Fulton Alpha.

  “I know exactly where that place is,” Fulton said. His dark eyes flashed. “Lots of security for such a small place, even former military. Getting through all of that will take some time, probably be nightfall before we can search the house.”

  “Not with the tools I have. Couple hours’ tops. Plus, we won’t deactivate everything, just what’s necessary to search the grounds.”

  “Sounds good. How do you want to go in?” Fulton asked.

  “What do you suggest?” Ethan countered.

  Fulton pursed his lips in thought. “Since you have equipment, use the truck. You won’t get close to the place from the road. You’ll need to park and come in on foot.” He waved to his son. “I’ll have someone move your truck from the road until you’re done.”

  Pleased with the plan of action, Ethan nodded. His mind raced ahead, mentally checking equipment and supplies. “Do you know what kind of deterrents he uses?”

  “Traps are the worst, not only can you not move with your foot caught in one of those things, he’s rigged it to send electrical pulses through your body making it impossible to shift,” Fulton said.

  “Do you think he knows about us?” Ethan asked, surprised.

  “Most likely.” Fulton nodded.

  “Well, that makes this more interesting. Wonder if Jim knows?”

  “Did you order a background check?” Callum asked.

  “Yes. Alpha Jayden said I’ll get it tonight; it’ll be interesting reading.”

  “Just need to change shoes and I’m ready.”

  Ethan nodded as Callum turned and walked into the house. “What do you want us to do?” Fulton asked.

  “The equipment I have will disable cameras, sensors, and most alarms. I’m sure there’s a backup somewhere; Callum will handle that. I want the area searched for underground tunnels or labs. La Patron’s interested in this case and we don’t want any surprises.”

  Fulton straightened when he heard La Patron’s name. Good. Ethan didn’t want men who weren’t 100% committed to their Alphas on his team.

  “Agreed,” Fulton said, and then looked at the four from his den. A few moments later he turned back to Ethan as Callum walked outside. “We will cover the area from four directions.”

  Ethan nodded and took his bag from Callum. “Let’s do this.” With Callum at his side, he moved toward the truck and they headed out. His thoughts drifted to Vanessa. She’d been afraid of something.

  “Alpha?”

  “Ethan.”

  Ethan quickly shared the tidbits of information regarding Vanessa’s time in New Jersey and asked for more information.

  “Whatever you need to secure your mate, Ethan, we’ll do. Trust your instincts. If you think this guy is shady, he is. Since these guys are former military, I’ll contact Jacques to get this information expedited. He has a higher clearance than I do.”

  “Thank you, Sir.” A sense of rightness settled on his shoulders. He pressed the gas and they shot down the road. Vanessa Prince was his mate and he’d do whatever was necessary to make that a reality.

  Chapter 17

  Jasmine stared at Silas and then shook her head. She’d fallen asleep on the sofa, but his words penetrated her sleep. “What do you mean Callum was poisoned?”

  “Jasmine...”

  She held her hand out, her fingertips brushed across his chest, stopping him. “What is he doing at the compound?” Her thoughts traveled to the young teen she’d rescued several years before during his first change. Even though they didn’t see each other often, he held a special place in her heart.

  “I told you, he wasn’t at the compound. He’s in Northwest Maryland near Garrett Pack Lands. He and Ethan were doing work for Jayden.” He rubbed the back of her hand.

  “Ethan? Good, he’s the best.” She released a breath and leaned into him. “Tell me what happened.”

  Silas explained the mission and the distress call he’d received from Jayden when he couldn’t reach Callum. Silas explained he’d examined the pup and realized what had happened. “Passen and Matt are working on it.”

  “Have they found out anything yet? Poor Jayden and Maureen. They must be worried. Has he reached Callum yet?”

  “Not yet, we’re waiting for him to wake up and then we’ll make a decision what to do. I’d like to run some tests before he goes home. Passen is concerned that there was no smell and how fast it incapacitated the pup. And, it was done in public with humans around.”

  “Sounds like you’re on top of it.” She released a long sigh. “First Thorne, now Callum. Seems like some type of unhappy reunion going on.” H
er heart ached thinking of Thorne. Silas had bent over backward for the boy, and for him to behave like this… it was unbelievable.

  “Reunion? I don’t see how you came to that conclusion. Thorne’s locked up and Callum’s laid up. No comparison in my book.” He placed a kiss on her forehead and leaned back. “You were snoring when I came in, think you can go back to sleep?”

  “Snoring? Really?” She looked up at him.

  “You snore. Loudly when you’re tired.” He pinched her chin.

  Her hand flew to her mouth. Seeing the twinkle in his eyes, she relaxed. “Good one.” She paused wondering if this was a good time. “What are you going to do about Thorne?”

  Silas’ face hardened as he stood. “What do you think I should do?” He took a step backward while running his hand through his hair. “What have we done to the rebels across the nation who terrorize pack members?” He looked over his shoulder at her. Their gazes clashed. The mercy or forgiveness she hoped to see wasn’t there.

  Her heart fell to her stomach. “I don’t know. It’s just so sad. I can’t imagine Renee…”

  “Don’t do that,” Silas said his voice hard. “Renee would never do to you what he did to Rose and Lilly. I may not like your sister, but I know she loves you and the kids more than anything. She’d cut off her arm before doing something that would cause any of you trouble. And if she went against the law, she’d tell you up front. She’s no coward, so don’t compare her to him.”

  Touched by his backhanded defense of her sister, Jasmine nodded. “You’re right, Renee would’ve told you or anyone how she felt about the matter and then went about her life, but she wouldn’t cut me out. We’ve been through too much together to do that.” She paused and then swallowed hard. “I fed Thorne at my table, allowed him to sleep in my home, he was a sweet boy. That’s the Thorne I’m sad for, not the smartass I saw on the monitor earlier today. He’s changed into a real piece of work. I thought Cameron was going to hit him a couple times. Especially when Lilly started crying. It was sad.”

  For a few seconds neither of them spoke.

  “Jasmine, I can’t release him. I warned you and him the last time. He made his choice to go against me, perhaps gave inside information regarding the compound. Remember how the water was poisoned and all the other attacks we suffered.”

  She gasped. Would Thorne go that far knowing his sister lived in the compound? Did he hate them all? She tried to understand what would make him turn against them and failed.

  “I’m not saying he did any of those things, but I will know the extent of his activities when we get home. I don’t want to argue or fight with you about this. I need you to stand with me on this matter.”

  “Silas.” She didn’t want to fight either. She knew he had right on his side, but she couldn’t stomach the idea of harming Thorne.

  “Based on everything you’ve taught me about family, he’s not a part of ours.”

  “He will always be Rose and Lilly’s brother,” she said, feeling conflicted and helpless.

  “That’s by birth. He hasn’t been a brother to either of them in a long time.” He moved closer, took her hands and pulled her up into his arms. “You’re not going to be happy with my decision. I understand and accept that. As La Patron, I’m never going to make you happy every time and that saddens me. I want your support in my decisions which isn’t realistic, but it’s my heart’s desire.”

  “Silas, please.” She tried to pull away, but he tightened his hold and placed his chin on the top of her head. For a few seconds they stood in that position while she grappled with her emotions. “On a base level I do understand. Don’t think I don’t, and I support you whenever I can, you know that.” He squeezed her tight.

  “You’re the only reason he’s still alive. Not that I want you to see him, but if you’d like to see him before —”

  She buried her face into his chest. “No. I saw and heard him today on the monitor. I want to remember the sweet boy who slept in my house. But I think I should say this. I don’t want you to kill him or have him killed.”

  “Jasmine.” Silas released her. His disappointment buffeted her and she hated that.

  “Honesty between us always. Remember? I’m just telling you how I feel, nothing more or less.”

  “What if he’s the reason behind Frog’s death? Or if the blood of pack, whose names and faces you don’t know, are on his hands? What do I say to the families of the rebels who were executed for doing what Thorne did? Why does this rebel get special treatment? Because his sisters are mated to La Patron’s sons? So the laws are not for everyone? The laws do not apply to La Patron’s den? They can do as they please? Disobey the Goddess and the laws? Why serve an Alpha like that?” His voice ended on a roar. The veins in his neck stood out and one pulsed on his forehead. Heat from his anger enveloped her. His eyes flashed emerald green as his beast rose.

  Jasmine placed her palm on his arm and waited.

  He swallowed a couple times, clenching and unclenching his fist. “I cannot allow this to pass, Jasmine.” He stepped back.

  Her hand fell away. “I never asked you to. I simply told you my feelings, just as you told me yours. Now we both know how the other feels and can put this behind us.” She moved closer and looked up. “We won’t always agree, that’s a part of life and being a couple, but I will always love and support my mate. You have my heart. You own my heart, Silas, you’re first. First.”

  He grabbed her and held her close. “I love you. Love you. Love you so much,” he murmured over and over.

  “Love you too, Wolfie,” Jasmine said. Somehow they’d get through this. As difficult as this was for everyone, her man needed her support and she wouldn’t let him down.

  Chapter 18

  Vanessa sat across the table from Shyla, drinking a glass of red wine while thinking of creative ways to choke a few straight answers from her friend. They’d discussed Pamela ratting her out to Jim, and called the woman all kinds of names, but they hadn’t talked as much as she’d like about Ethan. She placed the glass down next to her plate of half-eaten steak and cleared her throat.

  “I’ve been here an hour and you haven’t told me anything.”

  Shyla continued chewing her steak and then pointed her fork at Vanessa. “Thirty-five minutes and I told you I don’t know anything about the man you don’t already know. If you’re interested —”

  “I’m not interested,” Vanessa huffed.

  “If you’re not interested, why the questions? And why didn’t you ask him when you had the chance? He came to your class, that was the perfect time.”

  “I don’t like you,” Vanessa muttered, tossing her napkin on the table and picked up her plate. “How could I’ve asked him if he kidnapped women? Or if he was involved with some weird kind of cult? That’s not something you ask a stranger.”

  “True, but you think I know this, and knowing you were kidnapped, I’m keeping that information from you? Is that what you think?”

  Great, now she’d offended her friend. “No. But you have to admit what he did was weird.” Vanessa took her plate to the kitchen, scraped and rinsed it before placing it in the dishwasher.

  “Weird? Not at all. Sexy? Hot? Romantic? Hell yeah. Anyway, Jim could use the competition.” Shyla placed her plate in the dishwasher, grabbed Vanessa’s hand and tugged her into the living room. “What’s really going on? You don’t visit on school nights, tell me what happened.”

  Vanessa wasn’t sure how to explain the uneasy feelings she’d had since she and Jim talked earlier. There was something going on with him. He’d shown up at the school after telling her he didn’t have time to come and say goodbye. Claimed he had an important meeting and couldn’t be late. Then that look of possession, not affection, when he held her. Even now chill bumps exploded across her skin in remembrance. And there was a hint of cruelty in his gaze when she complained of him hurting her. He didn’t release her immediately, which concerned her. Had Jim changed or had she been blinded by sweet
words and artificial affection? Was he rushing the wedding to keep her from changing her mind or because of Ethan? She shook her head to clear it of conflicting images.

  “I’m not sure about Jim.” There. She’d spoken the words.

  “What do you mean? Is this about having sex to make sure he can handle his business in the bedroom?”

  “No.” Vanessa said. “I’m doubting our relationship.”

  “Why? Ethan?”

  “Hell, no. You know me better than that. It’s Jim. Today he showed another side. Possessive. Got all weird when I told him to back off.”

  “Wait. Did he hurt you?”

  Vanessa’s head snapped up at the low growl in her friend’s voice. “Calm down Wonder Woman, he held on longer than I wanted, that’s all.” She waited until Shyla leaned back in her chair to continue. “I can’t put my finger on it, but today his words didn’t sound romantic, but more desperate or something.” She swallowed hard trying to find the right way to say what she felt. “Anyway, when he left I was glad, and that’s really unusual. Normally I want him to stay all the time. I like being with him.” She pulled her leg beneath her and took another sip from her glass.

  For the next few moments neither spoke.

  Shyla placed her glass on the coffee table. “I have one question. It’s always bothered me.”

  Vanessa snorted. “Just one, that’s a surprise.”

  Shyla waved down her comment and leaned forward. “What goes on at Sanders’ place?”

  “Huh?” Vanessa hadn’t expected that.

  “I mean, every time Jim comes to town he goes to Sanders’ place, practically lives there. What man prefers to stay with his friend rather than his woman?” She held up her hand. “He’s not gay, you’ve already confirmed that. So there must be something else. What do you think?”

  Vanessa hadn’t thought much about it other than she wanted Jim with her. “Sanders is a bounty hunter, they’re military buddies and are good friends. Why do you think something’s going on up there?”

  Shyla shrugged. “Always seemed strange, that’s all.”