Skin Walkers: Monroe

by Bliler, Susan

  He’d done the one thing she could never forgive him for; he’d gone behind her back and with the help of Doctor Jenny Arkinson, he’d found the mothers of her adopted children. As she’d suspected all along, most of them wanted nothing to do with their kids, except Peyton’s mother. She wanted to see the little girl and Eden knew once she saw the child it would be the first step in the mother’s attempts to reclaim her, to take Eden’s baby away from her.

  Dipping her head she took a moment to draw in steadying breaths. When Monroe reached for her, she slapped his hands away and sucked back her tears and pain. When she spoke again, her voice had gone eerily calm, her expression had gone blank. She stared up at him and out of her periphery she swore she saw the three Sentries back up another step.

  “You brought distrust into our home, into our family. You’re going to fix this Monroe StoneCrow. You’re going to turn around, walk out that fucking door, and fix this right now because if you don’t…” She turned to the Sentries. “Leto, gather my children and have them brought to me.”

  Monroe’s heart slammed into the wall of his chest and he forgot to breathe. Was she leaving? Was she taking his children and his heart and walking out on him? “Angel, don’t.”

  She didn’t blink as her stoic gaze found his and she frowned. “I said now, Monroe.”

  Swallowing hard, he curled his hands into tight, white-knuckled fists. Stepping around her, he stalked out of the room and when King turned to follow him he was halted by Eden.

  “King!”

  Turning, the Chief of Security eyed his Domina.

  “He got himself into this,” she explained evenly. “He’ll get himself out.”

  Nodding once, King closed the door after both Leto and Monroe had exited. He didn’t think things could get much worse for Monroe. He was wrong!

  “King, secure me a vehicle. Bishop, contact Aries. Tell her I need her.” She spun and stalked to the door that led from the office to her and Monroe’s adjoining suite. “My children and I are leaving!”

  “Eden,” Bishop spoke, “he didn’t mean to hurt you. You can’t ask us to do this to him.”

  She stilled at the door, her back going rigid as she turned to sneer over her shoulder. Monroe had warned her of the power her role as his angel would garner. She was mate to the Dominant Walker making her the Domina to all Skin Walkers in their domain. She would be obeyed! “I’m not asking. I’m telling!”

  The door slammed behind Eden as she exited the room and Bishop turned to King. “I’m all for seeing Monroe suffer but this is fucking nuts! We can’t let her go.”

  “We can’t stop her,” King ground out as he turned to race to the hall door. “You get Aries. Make it look like we’re following Eden’s orders. I’ll get a detail together. If she leaves, she’s going to be guarded like she's the fucking queen!”

  “Isn’t she?” Bishop scoffed.

  King ignored the comment knowing how close to the truth it was for the Walkers. “Have Aries find out where Eden and the children are heading and contact me through the mist ASAP. I need to secure the perimeter before Eden gets there. Fuck,” he growled. “I’m calling in all teams! When you find Aries, send me Conn. Monroe’ll fucking kill us all if anything happens to his family!”

  “Should I contact Monroe? Let him know what’s happening?” Bishop raced to keep up.

  “No! He’ll turn around and come back and that won’t solve anything. He needs to fix this so she can forgive him.”

  “You sure,” Bishop challenged.

  “Fuck no!” And with that the two Sentries raced off to respectively do Eden’s bidding and to secure her family.

  ***

  Monroe stalked from the suite allowing his angel to do something no one else had ever dared…she’d dismissed him. He knew she’d be upset by his actions, but the hurt, anger, and betrayal he’d scented in her was unexpected and terrifying. She hadn’t even given him a chance to explain. What if he’d just pushed her away for good?

  Damn! He had to fix this…he would fix this! Eden’s anger was clouding her judgment now, but once she got the chance to cool down, to think about it, she’d see that he was protecting them. She’d see that he was right. Wouldn’t she? For the first time in his life, Monroe was terrified of being wrong, of having made the wrong choice, of having made a mistake.

  Ignoring the elevator, he rushed up the stairs, taking them two at a time even as he fought the urge to shift. He wanted this done so he could get back to his Eden to comfort her, to tell her what his stupid fucking pride had prevented him from telling her. He loved her!

  Grown out of admiration of her strong will, good nature, and willingness to give up her own life to protect Walker children that weren’t even hers, his respect had blossomed quickly into affection. She’d gladly die for her children; he knew she would…just as he’d die to protect her. He was a fool! How many times had he had the opportunity to tell her? Now, she was threatening to leave him and to take his children away without ever having heard those three simple words that he’d been too much of a coward to utter.

  Why did he keep fucking up with her? Every time he thought he’d done something to protect her or to guide her in the direction he wanted her to go, she wound up injured. She’d been hurt when he’d tried to coerce her into staying at StoneCrow of her own volition. Micah had misunderstood and had attacked, but those physical wounds were nothing compared to the pain he’d scented when he’d informed her that he’d gone behind her back and located the children’s parents. WHY? He snarled inwardly. Why couldn’t he just be open and honest and give her what she needed and deserved, the decency of having a say.

  He slammed into the Crow’s Nest, the estate’s pub and eatery that rested on the penthouse floor. He quickly eyed the patrons. Three of his Sentries: Bronco, Moke, and Legion lounged at the bar but snapped to attention when Monroe entered, instantly scenting his urgency.

  Without preamble he strode to the Sentries and began barking orders. “Pen!” he demanded as he reached across the bar and jerked a napkin closer.

  The bartender, Cindy KillsPrettyEnemy, dashed to the far end of the bar and returned just as quickly before sliding a pen into Monroe’s outstretched hand.

  “Legion,” he began, “get to this address in the city. The woman there is Lindsay Keys. Ask her how much she wants to forget Peyton ever existed.” He looked up, “Make it happen. No matter the cost!”

  Legion took the napkin and walked to the door.

  “Moke, get in the air and monitor anyone coming and going from the estate. GO!” He didn’t put it past Eden to try to leave. She’d been so damn angry he knew she’d be determined to teach him a lesson.

  “Bronco…” His words died as Legion, still standing by the door, cut him off.

  “Monroe.” Legion glanced at the napkin, “What if she won’t accept money?” The Sentries were fully aware of Monroe’s claiming and his angel’s adopted children. They knew the severity of the situation.

  Without blinking, without even a second thought Monroe responded as if discussing something as menial as the weather. “If she won’t come to terms…erase her.”

  Legion nodded before striding from the Crow’s Nest even as RedKnife shoved his way through the door, his eyes narrowing on his angel. No doubt, he’d sensed his angel’s distress through their bond. Seeing that his mate was fine. RedKnife crossed to the CEO.

  “I was summoned by King but sensed my angel’s alarm. What’s happening?”

  Monroe ran a hand over his craggy features even as his blue eyes glittered with rage. “I’ve offended the Domina,” was his only reply as he focused on the wall to contact Legion through the mist. “How close are you?”

  There was humor in Legion’s voice, “I’m good, but not that good. I’m only to Gap Road. Making good time though. I’ll contact you when I reach city limits.”

  Monroe roared in impatience and his behavior had the few patrons of the pub that weren’t Sentries forced into action. They slid from
their seats and booths to quickly exit the Crow’s Nest.

  When Cindy approached with a rock’s glass filled with clear cubes and an amber liquid, RedKnife took the glass from her hands and motioned with his head for her to get back. He didn’t want her near the agitated CEO.

  “Here,” he handed the glass to Monroe who frowned at it for long seconds before heaving a great sigh, accepting the drink, and downing the contents in one swallow.

  “I’ve offended my angel many times,” RedKnife offered stoically. “Apologize. It works for me.”

  Surprised that the Indigenous Walker would care enough to offer advice, Monroe nodded once. Without much else to do he took a seat at the bar and slid the glass toward Cindy for a refill. He knew Eden wanted him to personally fix what he’d done, but there was no way in hell he was leaving StoneCrow while his mate was so enraged. He knew from experience with his own kind that unchecked rage begot action. He’d have Legion handle Peyton’s mother and when everything was settled, he’d find Eden and soothe her.

  “Are you sure erasing Peyton’s mother is the way to go on this one?” Cindy approached tentatively. “I mean you have to think long term. What if Peyton asks one day?”

  Monroe sighed, staring at his glass. “I’d rather deal with that day when, and if, it comes than to bear the betrayal I scented on my mate tonight.”

  Downing a second glass of Scotch, the Dominant Walker frowned and it wasn’t from the taste of the high-end spirits he was consuming. He realized that Eden made him proud, not just proud that she was his, but proud of all he’d accomplished. His whole life he’d worked to create his Walker community, but even with it flourishing and with Walkers mating and procreating, it hadn’t felt complete. Not until Eden and their children had come into his life had he felt like he’d finally done what he’d set out to do. He’d made a home for his Skin Walkers and while she’d only just come into his life he couldn’t help but feel like he’d done it all for her. The appreciation he read in her eyes for what he’d created had bolstered his spirit and had somehow contorted his smug conceit into satisfied pride. She did that with everything. Every small part of him that he despised, she had somehow twisted into an admirable quality that he wasn’t ashamed of when he looked in the mirror. Even charging Legion with eliminating Lindsay didn’t leave the typical distaste burning his tongue. He would gladly erase one horrible drug addict from the face of the earth if it meant permitting his Eden to keep her beloved daughter.

  “CEO!” Moke’s voice sounded worried as it carried to him through the mist.

  Monroe plowed a hand through his hair. Now what? “Speak!”

  “There’s a convoy leaving the Highwoods. A single Humvee, driven by Aries Drago is being ghosted by a team on the road with two more in the air.”

  Monroe shot to his feet as Moke continued.

  “Seems like a hell of a parade for just Commander Drago’s angel.” There was silence a moment then, “Shit! Make that two teams in the air and three on the ground. Your family is on the move, Sir.”

  Monroe roared in rage as he raced from the Crow’s Nest with RedKnife fast on his heels.

  Chapter 19

  Eden had ordered Aries to take her and the children to the small town of Belt rather than the larger city of Great Falls because she knew it’d be where Monroe would assume she’d have gone.

  As the Humvee pulled up in front of the sleepy little Inn called the Bear’s Den, Eden felt drained. She was emotionally exhausted, but with the children watching her, she plastered on a false smile. She hadn’t been able to bring herself to set Peyton down since Monroe’s confession. Reaching down, she zipped the sleeping child’s jacket higher to ward off any chill.

  Spring nights weren’t particularly warm in the state and were colder in areas closer to the mountains. Thankfully, there was no rain. She wouldn’t have risked traveling with the children otherwise. She touched a finger to Peyton’s mere smudge of a nose and smiled. The poor babe’s afternoon nap had been cut short and the long drive to the town of Belt had, thankfully, rocked her to sleep. Eden turned to glance at the moon. Soon, the days would start getting longer and sun would stay up later than five. God, how she loved a Montana summer.

  “We’re here,” she beamed, her voice coming out too thin.

  “Why are we here,” Micah eyed her, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. “When are we going back to StoneCrow?”

  “Yeah,” Cole pouted. “I want daddy.”

  “Me too!” Ransum crossed his arms over his chest.

  From the driver’s seat Aries cleared her throat, “I’ll get us checked in, Domina.” She exited the vehicle and disappeared into the small office.

  “I told you,” Eden chimed. “We’re taking an adventure. It’ll be fun! She pointed at the picture of the dozing, cartoon-style, bear on the Inn’s sign. “See! This is where bears sleep. Don’t you wanna go inside?”

  Cole’s shoulders slumped, “I guess,” but there was no enthusiasm in his tone.

  “Come on,” Micah chimed in to Eden’s relief, “it’ll be cool.” His eyes darted to hers knowingly, “We can even see if there’s a hot tub.” He exited the vehicle and both Cole and Ransum cheered up instantly.

  “YES!” Both boys were clambering from the vehicle when Aries exited the office holding up two sets of keys.

  Eden didn’t miss they way the Walker woman’s eyes scanned the area or the way her hand reached to the back of her jacket to confirm that her pistol was still in place.

  “Domina, I’ll get the children settled.” She tucked a motel key into Eden’s pocket before reaching to take Peyton from Eden’s arms.

  “I’ll keep her. Just get the boys squared away and stay with them.”

  Aries nodded, “We’re just next door.”

  Eden carried Peyton to their room and deposited the sleeping child on the bed before dropping down beside her and pulling the girl into her arms. Silently, she hugged her baby and wept. She’d never let Peyton go, no matter who wanted her.

  After crying herself dry, Eden brushed her lips against Peyton’s forehead and sat up to gently remove her baby’s jacket. She peeled back the quilt on the bed to cover Peyton before crossing to toss the small jacket onto a chair that rested in the corner of the room near the door. Monroe had purchased the article for Peyton and the girl had squealed with delight. It was powder blue with green frogs dotting the expanse of the jacket. When the hood flipped up it looked like a little frog’s head with two large eyes lumped on top. It had been thoughtful, and Eden stared at the jacket for long moments wondering why Monroe would have gone looking for trouble by tracking the children’s parents.

  Resignedly, she turned and walked to the bathroom. She left the door open, just a crack, in case Peyton roused from her sleep. Eyeing her reflection in the mirror, she winced. Her eyes were all puffy and red from crying and she looked tired. Snatching a facecloth off the rack, she rinsed it under hot water before pressing it to her face and holding it there. What had she done? She’d let him in and he’d broken her heart. Self-loathing was swift.

  After washing up, she ran her fingers through her hair and debated showering. No. She wouldn’t trust to leave Peyton alone that long. She flipped off the light and exited the bathroom only to come to an abrupt stop just inside the room.

  She knew she should have been shocked to discover Monroe sitting on the chair in the corner watching her. He was bent forward. His elbows resting on his knees, his shoulders slumped. For the first time since she’d met him he looked…defeated.

  “What are you doing here?” She pushed her long hair over her shoulder as her eyes darted to Peyton to ensure she slept peacefully.

  “I’ll always be where my family is angel, whether they want me there or not.”

  She kept her voice pitched low. “I’m taking the children where they’re safe, where no one will attempt to take them from me. I thought I’d found that with you. I was wrong.”

  Hurt flashed through her eyes and Monroe wished someone e
lse had caused it so he could order them to be killed, but someone else hadn’t caused it…he had.

  “You’re only looking at it from your point of view, Eden. From the point of view of a mama grizzly protecting her young and I love that about you, but you have to step back, angel.”

  “I’ll never step back!” She hissed as she crossed to stand in front of the bed, as if shielding Peyton with her body. “Not where my children are concerned. Never!”

  “Step back and look at it from their point of view. Not them now, but them as adults when they come to us and ask if we ever made any attempts on their behalf to find their parents.”

  Dawning slammed into Eden so hard she actually grabbed her chest.

  “One day, my love, they’ll want to know that you and I set aside our own selfish pride to do what was in their best interest. That we tried to find their families and give them the opportunity to be whole.”

  God, he’s right! Her voice was a shaky whisper. “Monroe?” Had she been blinded by her own selfish need to keep something that wasn’t even hers to begin with? She sank onto the mattress behind her, staring unseeing at the center of his chest.

  He didn’t hesitate to drop from the chair to crouch in front of her and clasp her hands. “I’d never let them go Eden, not them and not you. Ever! But for their sake I had to make it look like we tried. Thankfully, my efforts failed with nearly all of them, but if they hadn’t,” he dipped his head and leaned forward until his forehead rested on her knee. “So help me, angel, I’d have killed any of their parents that would have come forth and demanded their child be returned. Lindsay will never even lay eyes on my Peyton. She’ll accept the money I’ve offered or,” he wasn’t sure whether he should admit it or not, but he was done keeping secrets from her, “she’ll accept her fate.”