by Milly Taiden
“Would have? I’m so sorry I didn’t realize…” She sputtered to a stop unable to finish her words. She knew the sorrow talking about a lost parent could bring.
“It’s okay. My mother and father passed away together. I think it was for the best. You know that they went together. I don’t think they could have lived without the other. I have never seen two people so connected and in love like they were.”
She sighed and slowly continued eating. “They sound like amazing parents. How long ago did you lose them?”
“They died a few years back in an accident. Not a day goes by that I don’t miss them. I have Luna and Luke though, and they help a lot. They were close to my parents, and when the accident happened it brought us all closer.”
“Luna is a wonderful lady. I am so glad Kira has her now.”
“What about you? Where are your parents? Are you close?”
“My mom died when I was a baby. It’s just me and my dad. He’s a good guy. I don’t see him that much, but we talk often. He just has some weird views, and now that Kira married Luke, he has gotten even worse.”
“What do you mean?”
“My dad doesn’t like shifters, never has. I don’t know why. Nowadays, it’s all about me settling down and finding a good man. He even has been sending his employees here to see if I would hit it off with any of them.”
“Sounds to me like he wants his little girl to be happy and have a family of her own.”
She shrugged and tried to change the subject. “So tell me, have I succeeded in getting you to give up your idea of celibacy for tonight yet?”
“You really are incorrigible, aren’t you?” He laughed and stood to pack up their leftovers and the blankets. “Come on, beautiful. It’s time to take you home before my good intentions wither and die and I have you spread eagle on my hood while I feast on your honeypot.”
“You can’t say things like that and then walk away like it’s nothing.” She protested with a pout. “You really are a cruel man. I’m practically begging you and yet you still refuse. What would your friends think if I told them?”
She backed up a step as he dropped the blankets and stalked toward her. For every step she took away, he took two closer. Before she had moved half a dozen steps he was in front of her, invading her space until her back was pressed against a tree. She was trapped between two hard objects and loving every minute of it.
“Now that you have got me, what are you going to do with me, Mr. Growly?” Carly licked her lips and gazed with unabashed lust into Bastien’s eyes, begging him to make a move.
“It’s simple. Keep you.”
Her eyebrows shot up in surprise. “That’s it? That’s all you have to say?”
He smiled and leaned so his nose pressed against her neck. He nuzzled in taking a deep breath of her scent. “Yes, that’s all I’d have to say. Babe, you want me so bad, you are soaking your panties. It happens every time I come near you. We’re shifters remember, we know. Don’t be embarrassed, love. I want you just as much.”
Carly was saved from answering when his phone rang. He leaned away and pulled the phone from his pocket. “Sorry. That’s Luna’s ring tone. She wouldn’t be calling if it weren’t important. She knew what I was doing tonight.”
She couldn’t move after he walked away to take the call. Her legs felt like jelly, and she ached like never before. That man was going to be the death of her.
He paced back and forth, his posture radiating anger and fear with each passing second. She didn’t know what was going on, but something told her they needed to go. Carly pushed off the tree and grabbed the fallen blankets and headed toward his truck.
He hung up and headed to where she sat in the truck waiting. “Sorry. I need to go to Luna’s. Do you mind?”
“No, of course not. Is everything okay?” Carly grew more anxious as she watched the emotions cross his face at her words.
“I don’t know yet.” Carly didn’t ask any more questions just sat quietly and watched as he raced to Luna. She didn’t know the other woman that well, but she really liked what she did know. Carly didn’t want to tempt fate by asking questions of him while he was concentrating on driving as fast as he could safely go in the darkened paths of the surrounding forest.
Within minutes they were pulling to a stop in front of Luna’s cabin. Bastien’s hand tightened on the steering wheel turning his knuckles white. Carly couldn’t see anything to justify his reaction. “What’s wrong?”
TWENTY
Bastien sighed in frustration. “I don’t want you to be in any danger. I don’t know what’s going on inside, but I don’t know if it’s safe for you to stay out here either.”
“Go check on her and find out what’s happening. I promise I will stay locked in the truck with the windows up. I’ll call my friend and stay on the phone so I won’t technically be alone.”
He stepped out of the truck. Carly watched as he studied the woods around him, and sniffed the air. “I don’t smell anyone that shouldn’t be here. Everything seems okay. Just sit tight. I will be right back to get you if it’s all clear.”
Carly smiled and pulled her phone out. She checked the digital display debating on which of her friends to call. Her phone was flashing with notification of three missed calls and five text messages. She scowled in annoyance when she saw her father and Ralph were the offenders.
She scrolled to the incoming text messages and her anger grew. How dare they question her whereabouts and demand a call back. Who the hell did they think they were?
She selected the last text and chuckled. Leave it to Toni to melt her anger. Toni had sent the last text with a simple message. “If you aren’t bumpin’ uglies with that sexy beast of a man, then you better be calling me to explain why not.”
Who was she to deny her friend’s wishes? She dialed Toni and before the phone had even rung completely, Toni picked up.
“Dude! You so should not be calling me right now. You are supposed to be locked in a compromising position with that heartthrob that commands your body. How can I live through your sex life if you don’t have one!”
Carly couldn’t contain her laughter at Toni’s exasperated tone. “Hi, Toni. I had a most amazing night. Thank you for asking.”
Toni blew a raspberry into the phone before replying, “Don’t even go there. Just spill the deets and please tell me it was steamy and hot and would make a hooker blush.”
“The date isn’t over yet, technically, but the stubborn ass says he won’t be sleeping with me tonight. Wants to show me what a gentleman he can be or some bullshit like that. Though to be honest, this has been one of the most amazing nights of my life. He blew me away with his planning and thoughtfulness.”
“Wait, if the date isn’t over why in the hell are you still on the phone with me?”
“We had to stop by and check on Luna, something happened. That’s why I am calling you actually. Bastien didn’t want to leave me alone in the truck. I compromised and said I would call someone, so if something happened you could call for help.”
“Why didn’t you say that in the first place? Is everything okay? What’s going on?” Toni’s questions spilled out in rapid fire, barely a breath in between.
“I don’t know. Bastien is still inside.” Carly surveyed her surroundings and the cabin but didn’t see anything amiss. Maybe it was nothing after all and she could still convince him to come home with her for the night.
“Since we are in limbo tell me everything.” Carly spent the next few minutes filling Toni in on the date and all that had transpired.
“Ma’am, please step out of the car.” Carly turned to see a man standing next to her window flashing a badge of some sort.
“Toni, hold on, there is a police officer at my window. Let me see what’s going on.”
Carly climbed out of the vehicle and kept the phone to her ear. “Yes, sir, can I help you?”
“Ma’am, I am going to need you to come with me.” Carly took a step back from
the stranger reaching for her arm.
“What the hell? What’s this about?” Carly didn’t have time to protest as the man lunged forward and grabbed her around the waist. She dropped the phone as she reached out to stop the man’s arms from encircling her, letting out a loud scream.
TWENTY-ONE
The front door to Luna’s cabin opened as he approached it. He looked back at Carly to make sure she was safe in the truck like she promised before he stepped in and closed the door. He had barely taken a step before his arms were full of a trembling Luna.
“Luna, what’s wrong? What’s going on?” Bastien pushed her back so he could look her over to make sure she was unharmed.
“The FBI came by. Well, they said they were FBI and flashed badges, but it was too quick to really look at them. They said they were here to check on us and they wanted to talk to you. They said it was about the cartel and some kind of activity. They wouldn’t tell me anything, just said they had to get in touch with you.”
He scowled in confusion. “Why me? They dealt with only Luke and Kira last time. Why did they want me, did they say?”
Luna shook her head before stepping back into the kitchen. “They wouldn’t tell me much, only that it was urgent and that you were in danger. I knew you were out with Carly. I got worried about the two of you being ambushed.” Luna grabbed the tea pot and filled it with water. “I asked them, but they were acting weird. Very strange and jumpy. I got nervous. I know something was off with them.”
“Tell me exactly what was said.”
“They needed to talk to you, that it was very important and couldn’t wait. They kept asking me where you were and when you would be back.”
“They mentioned the cartel?”
Luna nodded vigorously. “Yes, they said it was about some new information they had. They wouldn’t tell me any more than that.”
“Did you get their names? Did they leave a card? How am I supposed to get in touch with them?”
“That’s the thing. I don’t think they were FBI at all. There was something odd about that, and you could tell they were nervous. Fidgety, sweating, and anxious. Their names were Agents Bradford and Rockbury or so they said.”
Bastien didn’t get a chance to reply as his cell rang. “Hold on, it might be Carly.”
“Hello?”
“Bastien, it's Toni. Get outside now. Carly’s in danger!”
He didn’t even question the command, he dropped the phone and raced outside. Anger and fear fueled his pace. He ripped the door open and bellowed in fury. Carly was fighting a man with everything she had, and she was winning. The man was crawling away as fast as he could as Carly beat him with a stick.
He raced to her side and stopped her next blow. He pulled her into his arms and held on tightly. He just needed a second to make sure she was safe and unharmed.
“He’s trying to get away.” Luna called out.
“No, you don’t, you piece of shit.” He grabbed the man and hauled him to his feet.
“Just keep that crazy bitch away from me. She tried to kill me. What is wrong with her?” the man cried out in fear.
“You shouldn’t worry about her. You dared to touch what is mine. You will be lucky to eat through a straw when I’m done with you.”
The man paled as he got his first look at Bastien and his gigantic proportions. “What are you, a giant?”
Bastien ignored the man’s comments and turned to Luna. “Can we use your woodshed to keep him on ice?”
“Of course. I’ll get some rope and a lock for the door and meet you back there.”
Bastien smiled and dragged the man kicking and screaming to the back of the cabin. He wasn’t worried about the rest of the inhabitants hearing and calling the police. This was their mountain and news would travel fast that a stranger had attempted to harm his mate. Shifter justice would be delivered quickly and justly.
Luna exited the house just as Bastien reached the shed and tossed the man inside. The bright light from overhead temporarily blinded the cowering man and he raised his hand to shield his eyes.
Luna scowled. “That’s one of the guys who came to my door. He said he was FBI.”
Carly stepped around Luna to face Bastien. “He flashed a badge at me, but it was dark and I couldn’t see it very well.”
“Who are you? If you are with the FBI, why were you trying to abduct my mate?” Bastien shot out question after question, not waiting for a response. He could smell the man’s fear increasing as the seconds passed. “Give me your badge, now!” Bastien gritted out through clenched jaws. His patience was evaporating quickly.
“I’m not…It’s fake…Please don’t hurt me. I was only doing my job. I wasn’t going to hurt her, I swear.”
Bastien grabbed the man from the floor where he had fallen. “Start talking or you won’t make it out of this room alive.”
“Okay, okay. I was hired to kidnap her.”
Carly gasped. “But why? Wait, did you try to kidnap me the other night from the restaurant?”
Bastien’s head shot up at Carly’s words and he stared at her. “What did you say?”
“The other night, I was out to dinner with a….friend, and um, he went to get the car. I was standing outside the main door and someone tried to make me leave with them. There was a witness and he came to my rescue.”
Bastien’s bear wanted blood. Someone tried to steal their mate, and he hadn’t known about it. “Why? Tell me why, now?” Bastien growled as he pulled the man closer. “You are quickly running out of time. Start talking or say goodbye.”
“I’ll tell you everything I know, I swear, please just don’t hurt me.” The man whimpered and pulled at Bastien’s hands to get him to release him. Bastien relented and let the man drop back to the floor.
“I was hired to kidnap her and take her back to a safe house. I was told to hold on to her until I was contacted and given orders where to take her. I had to swear not to hurt her or cause her any harm.”
“Who hired you?”
“I don’t know. I swear I don’t. It was all done electronically. I received the call and they used voice distortion. I agreed, they wired me ten thousand dollars. Once I had her, I was to wait and they would call again with further instructions. That’s all I know, I swear.”
Bastien sighed. “Okay, ladies. Why don’t you both go back inside and maybe make some tea. Me and our new friend are going to have a quick chat.”
“Are you sure?” Carly looked from the guy to Bastien. The guy didn’t seem very big.
“Yeah, I’ll be fine. It’ll be just a few minutes.” The women trudged through the back door, closing it behind them.
“You said they would call you with further instructions. When were they going to do that?”
“They said it would be a few days, maybe longer. They needed time to make it look like she left town. They said it could be a week--” Bastien heard a foot fall crunch snow behind him. Must be Carly. How did he not hear the door open?
He turned in time to lift his arm, blocking the chopping ax swinging for his head. The handle hit his forearm bone, halting the anvil from splitting his head like a watermelon. A jolt ran through is body, snapping his bear forward.
Bastien shoved the ax away and grabbed for the swinger’s throat. He’d forgotten about baddie number two. Good thing the ladies were safe. That could’ve been real ugly if this guy had made it inside.
With his massive hand around perp two’s neck, Bastien slammed him against the shed’s wall. He was about to question him when a sharp pain slammed into his back.
Bastien went to his knees. The area between his shoulder blades felt like a pipe had been drilled through. Motion behind him caught his eye and he dove to the side, barely missing the chopped piece of firewood the guy in the shed slammed into him a second ago.
Bastien’s bear came screaming forward, exploding the clothes he wore. The second guy had reclaimed the ax, but not the color in his face. The bear swiped at him, catching the man�
��s coat on his claw and slinging him down.
He turned to the one he’d had captive. The man stood frozen. For being a bad guy, this dude was rather soft; he gave in easily. Terrified eyes followed the bear as it lifted onto his back legs and let out a roar. He turned and ran.
“There’re not paying me enough to stick around for this.” He was around the corner of the house in seconds. Bastien came down to four paws and swung his massive head toward the other bad guy. He eyed the bear with a fierce expression, as if he had a chance against nature’s biggest animal in the mountains.
When the back door to the house opened, he sped off, following the path his friend in crime took. Carly came running.
“Bastien! What happened?”
Two car doors slammed toward the front of the cabin and the sound of gravel being crunched under wheels signaled their leaving. Getting away. Bastien shrank to two legs.
“Dammit! I forgot about the second guy being here.”
Luna came out, holding a pair of sweatpants and T-shirt. Bringing spare clothes was probably second nature to her. They went into the cabin as Carly sat down heavily in the chair and stared bewildered at Bastien pacing the tiny room. Luna moved about the kitchen pouring tea into three cups. She brought them to the table and passed them out before sitting.
“I don’t understand what is happening here,” Carly whispered as she gazed around the room without really seeing anything. “This is surreal. I’ve never had anyone try this before. And I don’t have any enemies!”
Bastien watched as Luna placed a hand on Carly’s arm and gave a gentle squeeze. “You are safe, honey. Bastien would never let anything happen to you.” Luna’s words uttered with such assurance made Bastien smile. He loved that woman; she never doubted him or his abilities.
“Carly, do you have any idea why he would have been hired to come after you?” Bastien kept his tone gentle as he questioned Carly.
“No, I don’t.” Carly turned to Luna. “You said he identified himself as with the FBI? What did he want?”