Breathe Into Me

by Nikki Drost

  “I fucking hate that Horseman shit,” Jamie mumbles as he casually tosses a fireball back in forth between his hands.

  “Please, let me go. I never wanted to hurt anyone I was just following orders.”

  Cass grabs Farron’s sniveling sidekick by the hair yanking his head back. “I don’t want to hear how sorry you are. I want you to start praying to whatever god you believe in because you are two seconds away from your last breath.”

  Normally Cass’s dark behavior would worry me, but he’s been just as stressed over this as the rest of us.

  “Here’s what’s going to happen, boys, you’re going to tell us the name of your Alpha and anyone else involved and then we’re going to kill you, do you have any preference on how you want to go?” Micah asks.

  Farron reaches forward and tries to grab a hold of Micah’s shirt, but he quickly gets a broken arm for his efforts. The coyote cries out in pain as his unknown friend starts to cry. Nothing irritates me more than someone who has the balls to kill innocents, but doesn’t have them when it’s time to die.

  “Start talking assholes cause I got better fucking things to do than stand here all night,” Jamie growls as his eyes flash crimson.

  “I’ll talk. I’ll tell you everything you want to know.”

  It’s about time. We need to get out of here before the cops show up.

  “Shut up, Darrell. Don’t tell them a fucking thing.”

  But before the male can open his mouth, a black escalade races toward us and comes to a stop a few yards away.

  “Damn it,” I groan. The doors open, Agents Rivera, and Spencer join the party with their guns drawn.

  “FBI, nobody move!” Andy’s ex smiles once he recognizes me. “Well, well, what the fuck ah you four doing here?”

  God I hate this guy, what the hell did Andy see in him?

  “We’re having a fucking tea party. You got a problem with that, Agent?” Jamie asks as he lights up a smoke. The asshole in question ignores my friend and eyes the men stuck in the mud.

  “How the hell did you get stuck like that?”

  Phelps smile widens as he glances at each of us. “Why don’t you ask this dickhead in front of me?”

  Micah chuckles as he sends his fist into the coyote’s jaw.

  “Hey back the fuck up,” Spencer yells as he moves in between the two men.

  “Sorry I have this awful problem with muscle spasms, I’ve been meaning to get it taken care of.”

  We stifle our laughter and I notice even Agent Rivera seems amused.

  “Right, now I asked you a question, what ah the four of you doing here? If I don’t start getting’ some answers I’m goin’ ta arrest all of you.”

  Well here goes nothing. “I’m sure our friend Lincoln mentioned that we are all bounty hunters. Well this guy has an outstanding warrant in New Jersey so we have every right to be here,” I answer. God I hope Tony finished setting up our licenses and Oscar Farron’s fake arrest warrant. That cougar is a fucking computer genius, but he can be easily distracted.

  “Sure he does, Carlos call it in and check their story.”

  I eye the arrogant cop in front of me. It hasn’t escaped my attention that he hasn’t put away his weapon.

  “Skip tracers?” He asks skeptically. “What’s the mattah? You guys didn’t have the balls ta become real cops?”

  God if this fucker only knew what we dealt with.

  “They’re lying,” Phelps yells as he struggles to free himself from the mud. “They aren’t bounty hunters they’re The Four Horseman of the Apocalypse. They are shape shifting wolves and they have elemental powers that were given to them by Angels.”

  I nervously watch as Agent Spencer looks from Phelps to each one of us then back to Phelps.

  “I see you’re getting’ a jump start on an insanity plea, well it’s not the dumbest one I’ve evah heard, but save the crazy for your attorney because I don’t want ta heah it.”

  Oh thank god, I sigh in relief. The coyote doesn’t look happy that his attempt to expose us hadn’t worked.

  “Can someone get us out of here please?” Phelps grumbles.

  “Why, you got somewhere bettah ta be? I know I’m not diggin’ you out. I’m wearing Hugo Boss for Christ sakes.” Agent Spencer gives him a smug look. “That’s a job for the local cops.”

  Agent Rivera joins us as he closes his phone. “It checks out, Spence, they’re all bounty hunters and this guy has a bench warrant in Jersey City.”

  I’ll have to remember to send that big cat a case of his favorite booze.

  “Well looks like we saved you a trip ta the garden state. No need ta thank us, you can go now, oh make sure you give Andrea my regards.”

  Farron and his partner begin to smile like its Christmas morning as Agent Spencer reads them their rights. We can’t leave now. Once those two are free, they’ll kill the humans. Not to mention that fact they know about our powers, we can’t let that become public knowledge.

  “I’ll make a deal with you, Agent Spencer, we take them, and you can have whatever’s in the crates they were loading into their vans.” I pray he takes the bait. Those coyotes are eyeing the humans like its dinnertime.

  Spencer scans the lot then heads to his SUV. He pulls out a crowbar from the back and makes his way to the nearest crate. Seconds later, he has it open and we get a load of its contents. Shit, they’re filled with AR 15’s and enough clips and ammo to take out an entire town.

  “Damnit now I’m goin’ ta have to deal wit that prick Wallace from ATF.”

  I try to hide my amusement, but it fills me with joy to know that Keith has someone who pisses him off just as much as he does me.

  “Carlos call for back up and the four of you get the fuck outta here, your job is over.”

  As the words leave his mouth three identical black vans race into the lot and begin to open fire. Everyone scatters and takes shelter from the spraying bullets. This is bad, we could take them out with our powers, but I think the feds would notice if the vehicles suddenly tipped over or blew up on their own. We have to start carrying guns. I glance around the front of the van. Farron and his friend are being pulled from the mud. Damn it we can’t afford to let them get away. The agents start to return fire, but there are too many shooters.

  I watch Keith inch his way around the van to get a better shot. The idiot is going to get himself killed. Of course, the nearest Omega heard his approach and turns to fire a round in his chest. Before I have time to talk myself out of it, I race forward and tackle Spencer to the ground taking a bullet in the shoulder. I cover his body with mine as the sound of squealing tires and the roars of engines fill the air.

  “Get the fuck off me, Stone.”

  I roll onto my back as pain radiates from my left shoulder. “You’re fucking welcome, dickhead,” I say as I make it to my feet while blood starts to pour down my arm. God, Andy is going to kill me for this, just once I’d like to go home to my female intact. I have a feeling she’s never going to let me live this down.

  “Ay dios mio,” Carlos says as he punches his partner in his shoulder. “You stupid puta, are you trying to get yourself killed?”

  I ignore the ticked off look I’m getting form Agent Spencer as Cass checks out my gunshot would.

  “The bullets lodged in your rotator cuff. Let’s get you home so Andy can patch you up.”

  Agent Spencer steps in front of me halting me in my tracks. “Where the hell do you think you’re goin’? You need an ambulance and I want some answers.”

  What I need is to get the bullet out, so my wound can heal. “The only thing I need is Andy, and people in hell want ice water.” I step around him and join my brothers.

  “Cute, you’re really goin’ ta throw Andy in my face right now?”

  “Your damn straight, after the shit you pulled the other day you fucking deserve it and more. I have news for you, Spencer. Andy will be my wife someday soon so you need to move on. I’m not asking, I’m fucking telling you she is m
ine and your time with her is over, got me?”

  His laughter fills my ears and causes my anger to skyrocket. “Bullshit, she’ll nevah marry you. You’ve been wit her for five minutes I had her for two yeahs and she turned me down.”

  Jamie grabs my good arm as I take a step forward. “Mark my words, Spencer, she’ll be Andrea Stone before the years out.” I flip him off, and turn and walk away.

  “I’ll believe it when I see it, Stone, and you owe me a new friggin’ suit,” he calls out to me.

  “Fucking bill me,” I yell back.

  Chapter 19

  “Welcome home, brother.” Adam embraces Lincoln the moment he steps through the door.

  The man in question has seen better days. His golden hair is disheveled, and his usual friendly face appears weary. He hugs his brothers one by one before being tackled by an emotional Grace.

  “I was so worried about you, baby.”

  Lincoln holds her close as he gently rubs her back. “Please don’t cry, Grace, I’m home now, every things okay.”

  I wave my hello and receive a warm smile and a nod. I’m so glad he’s home, maybe Adam can finally get some decent rest. When he returned home last night and told me what happened, I wanted to wring his neck. I still can’t believe he took a bullet for, Keith. Thankfully, there wasn’t any major damage done, but something else has been bothering him. He’s been quiet and withdrawn. I wish his father would call him back, I’m sure his behavior is due to his missing brother.

  “Does anyone know when Vanessa’s funeral is going to be?”

  I clear my throat and answer Lincoln’s question. “The wake is next Friday, and services will be the following morning.”

  He nods his head, his demeanor is full of sorrow, and seeing him like this breaks my heart. He really did care about, Vanessa.

  “Where are we on finding the bastard who killed my girl?” His sad expression turns dark and I swallow the lump in my throat. I know I’m in no danger from this man, but the look on his face is terrifying.

  “We had him, but the fucking Feds showed up, I’m sorry, cub, he got away. We have no idea where he is,” Jamie says.

  “Well if you’ll all excuse me I’m going to shift and wander the woods for a while, being stuck in that cage for five days was a tad suffocating.” He heads for the deck as he removes his shirt.

  “Don’t even think about trying to find this guy on your own. I’ve got every Enforcer on the east coast looking for him. We’ll find him,” Micah states firmly.

  Lincoln’s sinister laughter sends chills over my skin. “Here’s a news flash, boss, this isn’t just about avenging, Vanessa. I spent the last five days trying to figure this whole thing out. I finally put it together after having a conversation with Agent Rivera. It was as if all the pieces finally came together. Tavish and his son are behind this whole thing. He sent Farron to Westhaven.”

  “That doesn’t make any sense. You’re just stressed from being in that box for so long.”

  Lincoln rubs his enormous hand over his whiskered jaw. “Think about it, Cass, they targeted Adam’s mate, all the attacks have been in his hometown and now Bar Harbor, and its pack master is under attack and Adam’s brother is missing. I bet my life that Tavish isn’t going to stop until he wipes out the entire Stone line. He’s always hated Dominick and his family and now he’s organized an army of Omegas to do his bidding.”

  Several curses emanate from the men in the room.

  “Izzy is probably the only one that’s safe because Liza’s her mother. Blood is thicker than water after all,” Lincoln smirks.

  “I don’t fucking believe this,” Adam yells as he begins to pace the floor.

  “Believe it, brother. The Shaw clan has declared war on your family and anyone who is connected to them.”

  God this all makes sense. I bet this is why his father hasn’t called Adam back or why he didn’t tell him about his brother being missing. He probably wanted to keep Adam out of this to keep him safe.

  “We need to call in the troops and get our asses to Maine. Dominick is going to need our help.”

  “Cass is right. It sounds like Terric is going to try to take out you and your family so he can take over Bar Harbor and the pack. God help us if he succeeds in turning their alliance,” Micah says has he runs his hand through his black hair.

  “Now we know what all that fire power was for.” Adam sighs. “They were planning on giving the good people of Bar Harbor a choice, become an Omega, or die,” he growls.

  “That’s not all. Did you happen to notice if any of those bastards had the Alpha Omega symbol on their wrists? Our enemies haven’t used it in decades, but most of the dead coyotes from the night of the full moon had them tattooed on their arms. The symbol was also carved into Vanessa’s body and Landon’s girlfriend. It’s official boys, our enemies are no longer hiding in the shadows. They want us to find them.” More curses sound out and the tension in the room is palpable.

  “Then let’s not disappoint them. Linc the only place you’re going to is Boston. I want you to bring Grace to the penthouse, spend the night, and return in the morning with the others. Jamie, contact Brennan and find out the situation in Maine. Cass I want you to gather supplies and load up the SUV’s. Adam, you need to keep calling your father and warn Gary. He and Andy need to find a safe place to lay low while we’re gone. Let’s move boys, we leave at dawn.”

  ***

  The next several hours are complete chaos. The guys are running around packing up supplies and their phones have been constantly ringing since Micah sent out a mass email. Adam is on his phone with a coyote from Manhattan. Micah wants everyone to meet at a safe house in New Hampshire. He said the weres would be tipped off if random Enforcers just started showing up in Maine. This way they can storm Bar Harbor together. Lincoln has just left for Boston with a very unhappy Grace. It took over an hour to convince her to leave. Cass has been busy moving motorcycles and their cars into the garage for storage.

  I called my uncle to inform him of what’s going on. To say he’s not happy about this is an understatement. I’m not thrilled either. Gary wants us to stay in his cabin in Vermont until this whole mess is over. Unfortunately, I have a job and I can’t just put my life on hold. My boss was kind enough to give me some time off because of Vanessa’s death, but I’m supposed to start back to work in a few days.

  I watch Adam pace back and forth while he relays Micah’s orders. I’ve never seen this side of him. He’s commanding and eerily calm. I on the other hand am terrified something will happen to him or to one of his brothers.

  “Sorry about all the interruptions, angel, but it’s going to be crazy around here tonight.”

  I nod my head. “I understand. Is there anything I can do to help?” I’ve felt like I’ve been in the way most of the day.

  “Just being here with me is help enough. I wish I didn’t have to leave you, I hate the idea of you being unprotected.” He pulls me into the comfort of his arms and I lay my head against his heart. “I don’t want you to worry about me while I’m gone. I will come home to you. Nothing is going to keep me from you, ever.”

  I wish I could believe that, but I can’t shake this bad feeling that something is going to happen, something life altering. “I can’t help but worry about you, I love you, Adam.” I press my nose against his t-shirt and breath in his scent. “I love your cologne. It calms my nerves.”

  Adam kisses the top of my head. “I don’t wear cologne, luv, that’s just my natural scent. I’m actually surprised that you can smell it.”

  That’s strange. “Do you think it’s because we’re mates?”

  Adam shrugs his wide shoulders. “Perhaps, this is all kind of new to me, angel.”

  I’m not going to complain either way. The smell of sunshine and fresh air will always remind me of this man.

  “I want to talk to you about something.” He releases me and settles us at the end of his bed. His demeanor has turned serious which of course causes me
to instantly panic. “I’ve been thinking these past few days and I’ve come to realize that I love having you here. When I get back I want us to move in together.”

  His statement has rendered me speechless. It’s the obvious next step, but we’ve only been together for a few weeks. On the other hand, I love this man with all of my heart and I’ve enjoyed being here with him and his friends.

  Before I can talk myself out of it, I give him my answer. “I’ll move in with you on one condition.”

  “Name it and it’s yours.” He kisses my hand and the gesture brings a smile to my face.

  “I want us to live here.”

  His expression changes to one of disbelief.

  “You need to be with your brothers, Adam, not just because of your job, but I’ve seen how you are with each other. You’d miss them terribly and I don’t want to be responsible for that. Besides they’ve kind of grown on me.”

  He pulls me into his lap and stares deeply into my eyes. “You are the most generous, compassionate, and thoughtful female I have ever known. You never cease to amaze me, Andy, thank you for this.”

  Man, I can’t believe I’m doing this. It’s so crazy and so unlike me. Kelsey is going to be pissed that I’m leaving her alone with, Henry. I hope they don’t kill each other. “Don’t thank me yet, we have no idea how your brothers will take this, plus with me living here it means they are going to have to put up with Kelsey being around, a lot.”

  Adam begins to chuckle. “I know for a fact my brothers will be more than happy to have you here, and as for your friends, well let’s just say I’m sure one wolf in particular won’t mind at all.”

  “Okay, but you’ve been properly warned,” I chuckle.

  Adam’s hands begin to roam over my body as he holds me close. “I’m sure I can come up with a way to eliminate your fears.”

  The ringing of a phone cuts off my reply.

  “I’m sorry, angel, I have to take this.”

  ***