Fine with me. Trent rammed the door with his bulk.
John did the same until the hinges gave away and the whole door fell back, landing on the floor with a deafening crash.
The scent of his mother and the kids got stronger. John growled. The deep rumble from his throat reverberated in the small enclosure. There were narrow stairs that lead to a lower level. They wasted no time and barreled down into what seemed to be an abandoned meat processing warehouse. The tiled walls were dingy, and the air smelled wet and moldy. Trent rammed through another door and was greeted with a startling scream. John followed him.
What he saw almost made him lose control.
It looked like a nightmarish scene from Dexter. The place Alfred used to hold his mother and the twins was covered in sheets of plastic from the ceiling to the floor; Alfred Benedict’s personal kill room.
Trent had the bastard beneath his mighty paw, dazed and cowering.
Then, there was Savannah, laid out on the work table, naked, wrapped in cellophane while the twins were gagged, handcuffed to a pipe at the far end of the room. John let
out a deep roar that shook the room, furious. He checked his mother first. She seemed to have been sedated. Next, John quickly ran over to the kids and partially shifted to try and free them.
Harry’s eyes widened, but he didn’t seem scared. “Cool,” he said after John removed his gag. “Are you a superhero?”
George didn’t say anything.
Quinn, Vanessa, and Jane burst into the room. Jane quickly rushed to the twins, in tears. “Are you okay George? Harry? Thank God.”
Trent kept pinning Alfred to the ground, snarling fiercely at the wretched old man. Alfred was utterly caught off-guard, reeking of fear. The bastard had no idea who he was dealing with. In panic, he tried to reach the knife that Trent had knocked out of his hand earlier.
Quinn hurried over and kicked the knife farther from him. “I don’t think so,” he said.
Vanessa found the handcuff key on the floor and quickly freed the twins. John shifted fully again, swishing his tail. Jane caught his eyes—she understood when he motioned to the door with his glance. Vanessa helped Jane usher the twins to safety.
With them out of the way, John focused his attention to Alfred. Oh, how he wanted to tear that old bastard to pieces.
Quinn used Alfred’s knife to cut through the plastic that was binding their mother. She started to come out of the drug-induced sleep.
“Mom, are you okay?” asked Quinn.
Their mother muttered something. When she finally completely regained her awareness, fury consumed her. She quickly slipped into her tiger skin and let out a fierce roar. The tigress matriarch crouched on the table, glaring down at Alfred, full of hatred.
He’s mine, she said.
Alfred took the momentary distraction to try to scramble away, darting out from under Trent’s massive paw to sprint for the exit. In the flash of an eye, Savannah whipped towards him and pounced off the table, and John heard bones break as she landed on top him. She bit Alfred’s neck and shook him like a rag doll.
Quinn cursed. Trent and John hurried to restrain their mother but Quinn halted them. “Mom’s in a frenzy. You can’t stop her until it passes.” When a weretiger in the clan was overwrought by anger and hatred, they slipped into a state of mind called “frenzy.” The weretiger would lash out and rage toward the object of their anger until the victim was dead, usually mauled to pieces. And if anybody tried to interfere, they would likely be torn apart as well. Quinn turned to John; his expression was stony. “Go take care of your wife and the twins. I’ll handle this.”
John growled and pounced through the door. The smell of blood made him agitated.
He wasn’t far from the room when the wailing scream behind him finally stopped.
Five
Jane rested her head against the backseat of the car while John drove, letting the twins hug her tight on each side. Her breath was slow and steady, but the heartbeats of the two children seated next to her were the most precious thing she’d ever felt in her life.
The twins were quiet. She’d checked them over for injuries, but it looked like they were fine physically, if more than a little shaken emotionally. Harry had been clinging to her from the moment they’d gotten out of the warehouse. George still seemed out of it, and that concerned her. Usually George was the level-headed one.
None of them spoke on the way home.
The chain of events had stopped abruptly, and it felt like a train had hit all of them. At least, Jane thought, that’s how it affected the humans. She wondered whether John could come in and out of adrenaline highs like that whenever he wanted.
John got a message from Quinn as they pulled up to the apartment, letting him know he and Savannah were right behind them. John helped her and the twins up to the apartment, and as they walked inside, the very pregnant Arielle threw her arms around the twins, and Jane couldn’t hold back the tears anymore.
“I came as soon as I got Trent’s message,” she explained. The questions came quickly. “Was anyone hurt? Where’s Savannah?”
“Hold the questions for a few minutes,” John asked Arielle. “Give them some air, won’t you? It’s been a hell of a day.”
“Of course. Sorry.” Arielle did as he asked.
John gave her a once over with critical eyes. “You okay? Trent said you didn’t feel well.”
“I’m fine now. Don’t you worry,” Arielle waved him off.
Jane sank down on the couch, but the boys seemed to have just gotten their second wind. Harry snuggled up next to Jane, but George sat alone in the wingchair, his face solemn.
Her husband took a seat next to her, watching the twins with concern. “Do you think they are traumatized?” he asked Jane. “Should we get them a pediatric psychiatrist or something?”
At this, George snapped from his silence. “Thank you but I’d rather not. I don’t want any shrink peeking inside my head.” His scowl darkened his face.
“We just worry about you, George,” said Jane calmly. “I can’t imagine how frightened you were in that awful place. If you can’t talk to us, perhaps you’d like to speak to someone who’d understand how to—”
“I’m fine,” George cut her off petulantly. “I really am.”
“Okay, okay,” said Jane. “You don’t need to get mad.”
“I’m not mad. I’m just… slightly upset.”
“Of course, you are. I know what you’re going—”
“No, you don’t know what I’m going through. Don’t insult my intelligence, Jane.”
Jane was startled at her little brother’s sudden outburst. “George…”
He fidgeted in his seat, hands on his lap, fingers twiddling. “They say a cornered animal is the most dangerous, right? That what’s Uncle Alfred seemed like when he took us.”
“He went bonkers,” Harry unexpectedly quipped, still clutching Jane’s shirt. He hid his face again after he said that.
Vanessa patted George’s shoulder and she crouched next to his chair. “You’re a brave little man, George. Maybe you could tell us what happened in there? It’s kind of important.”
George shifted uncomfortably. ‘Where’s Grandma Savvie?” Savannah had insisted they call her grandma and the twins had quickly grown attached to her.
“Grandma’s with Quinn and Trent. She’ll be home soon,” said John.
George gave a tiny nod. He calmed a bit.
“Can you tell us what happened, George?” prodded Vanessa gently.
He didn’t answer right away. Just when Jane decided to broach the subject tomorrow, suddenly George spoke. “He attacked us in the parking lot,” he said with quiet voice.
“Uncle Alfred?” asked Jane.
He nodded.
“How?”
“Taser. Grandma Savvie went down first. Then he hijacked the car. He told us if we screamed or cried, he’d kill Grandma. He had a gun. A big gun. We drove around for a while, then he made us take a p
ill. All I know is that after I swallowed that stuff, we were in the basement.”
“He gave you roofies?” Jane’s voice raised an octave.
Arielle let a surprised gasp.
Vanessa cursed.
Anger simmered to the top. How dare he? How could he? That bastard! I should’ve killed him when I had the chance. Jane caught her husband’s steely expression. He was also furious.
“Are you okay, George?” asked Vanessa. “How do you feel? Sleepy or groggy? Do you have nausea?”
George waved her off like it was no big deal. “A bit groggy but I’m fine.”
“So what happened next, George?” asked Vanessa quietly.
He grabbed a glass of water from the coffee table and chugged half of it. Satisfied, he leaned back in his chair with his fingers interlaced on his lap. He looked so mature; no one would believe he was only eight-years-old.
“Like I said, when I woke up, we were already in that basement. Grandma Savvie was on the table, and he wrapped her with plastic.”
“Did he have a helper?” This time John asked. “Alfred was old and frail. I can’t imagine he hauled an adult and two children by himself.”
George shook his head. “You’re wrong. That’s what he wanted us to think. He just acted old and frail. Really, he was in good shape for his age, agile. I saw him lift a heavy box like it was nothing.”
Jane cursed openly. That monster, she seethed. John took her hand and squeezed it for comfort.
George continued recanting his story like a clear-headed adult. “Harry was still in and out because of the drug, but it effects on me wore off. Uncle Alfred started taping the walls with plastic, and covered everything with it. I asked him why he was doing this to us. He didn’t answer at first, but I kept pestering him until he snapped. I thought to myself, if we’re going to be killed I might as well know the reason, you know?”
The three adults in the room unconsciously held their breaths.
“He said he did this because of our dad. Dad wasn’t a ‘real’ Benedict, while he was a trueborn. He hated Grandpa Will ‘cause he loved our dad better than him. If I may quote from him, ‘I’d rather burn all of the Benedicts’ fortune to the ground than let a bastard prance all over it.’”
“What does bastard mean?” Harry asked suddenly. “I thought it was a swear word.”
Jane shushed him quiet.
George continued. “I asked Uncle Alfred if he had anything to do with our dad’s accident. He didn’t deny it. He laughed like a crazy person. He said he did what he had to. He was cleaning house, he said. Started with Grandpa Will, our dad, and our mom. Jane, me and Harry were next.” He gulped. “Did you see that table with all the killing tools in that basement?”
Jane couldn’t recall. She was too worried about the safety of her little brothers; she didn’t notice anything else in that basement.
“Yes, I saw them,” said John.
“That table, which he called his tableau, was supposed for Jane. It was just unfortunate that Grandma Savvie was with us this afternoon. He said not to worry. He’d correct the problem right away.”
Jane’s blood ran cold upon hearing she was Alfred’s next target.
“I still wanted to ask him more questions but he got tired of listening to me so he gagged us.” George watched them all like he owned the room. “That’s when you came to save us. It was close. Another five-minutes and he’d have killed her. Is Grandma Savvie really okay?”
“She’s fine, George,” said John. “Grandma Savvie is a lot tougher than she looks. You’ll see her soon, I promise. She’s just a bit agitated right now. Once she calms down, you all can see her.”
George pursed his lips, looking exhausted from his explanation. “I’d like a glass of milk, if you don’t mind.”
“Of course, baby, of course.” Arielle hugged him, then walked him to the kitchen.
“Do you want some milk too, Harry?” asked Vanessa.
Harry nodded. Vanessa coaxed him to let go Jane’s shirt and held his hand as they walked to the kitchen.
For a long moment, Jane was at a loss for words. She realized that her hands were shaking. John sat next to her and kissed her forehead.
“It’s over now, babe. No one is going to hurt you or your brothers anymore.”
Jane really wanted to believe that but she knew how rotten her uncle was. She voiced her concern and was shocked when John told her Alfred was dead. Mauled to pieces by Savannah in her tigress form. Jane didn’t know what transpired in that basement after she rescued the twins.
Her mouth went dry. “John. I don’t care what happened to Alfred, but this is bad. The police—”
“There will be no police investigation. Quinn’s pulling his strings and Trent takes care of the details. It will be as if Alfred decided to skip town and go into hiding.” John stroked her cheek. “Everything would be okay.”
Still. Jane wasn’t sure about that. Alfred needed to go away but the police and a forensic team were going to investigate. She watched CSI.
“Are you upset because my mother killed your uncle?” asked John.
“No. Oh God, no. I hated that son of a bitch. And Jesus, he was going to murder your mom and my little brothers. The thing is—what if your mom gets caught?” she semi-whispered.
“Babe. Alfred was killed by a tiger. That’s the end of it. The police would never find anything incriminating about my mom anyway.” John gathered her hands in her lap and squeezed them hard. “Do you know why mom went ballistic on Alfred after she woke up from the sedative?”
She shook her head.
“Mom is the grand matriarch of our clan. She felt she had to regain her honor for letting herself and your brothers get kidnapped. She must have felt like a failure because she couldn’t protect the twins. That was why she went into ‘frenzy’ mode. A weretiger is most dangerous when she’s in frenzy. Nothing can stop her, other than letting her blow the steam off. I know we’re living in human society and mostly obey human law, but never forget that we’re not exactly humans. Underworld folks like us also have our own set of rules. In this case, eliminating a death threat to one’s clan is permitted. Believe me when I say everything’s going to be okay.”
“I see.”
“We’ll get through this. It isn’t your burden to bear alone. We’re family; how many times must I tell you that?” John planted a kiss on her forehead. “I love you, Jane.”
Her eyes widened. “You really mean that?”
“Yes.” His smile spread and his eyes twinkled rather mischievously. “Want me to prove it?”
Epilogue
Paris, three months later…
Harry, slow down. Don’t wander off by yourself or you’ll get lost,” Jane warned him when her brother tried to sneak between tourists in front of them. She caught him by the collar and kept him on his toes. Harry’s hyperactivity had proven difficult to handle in a public place with so many visitors. Every little thing excited him, and he just had to go and investigate it. Jane grumbled. “I swear to God, I should put you on a leash.”
George smirked with superiority. “I told you to buy that leash and collar when we visited that store earlier.”
“That was for a dog, George, not a human,” said John with a chuckle.
“Are you sure he’s even human? He doesn’t act like it,” George sneered.
“Shut up, George.” Harry kicked his twin’s shin.
“See? See what he did? I rest my case.”
“No fighting. If you two don’t behave, you don’t get macaroons.”
“What? No fair!” Harry protested.
“Behave, then,” said Jane in a stern voice.
Harry acted like George, mimicking his pompous stroll.
George gave him the stink eye. “Are you sure he’s even related to me?” he complained to Jane. “I wonder if mom picked up a stray by accident.”
“Enough. Be nice or no macaroons for you either.”
That quieted her twin brothers for a while.
They had been looking forward to getting some authentic French macaroons since they all landed in Paris. That afternoon, the four of them perused Saint-Germain-des-Près for a bit of culinary sight-seeing.
Jane sighed, turning to her husband. She linked arms with him as they leisurely checked every specialty shop for pastries. “Sorry,” she said to John quietly. This trip was supposed to be their belated honeymoon. But after the incident with Alfred, the twins didn’t want to be separated from her for more than several hours and they needed Jane to be the one who tucked them in to bed. What happened that night had traumatized them; even George, who pretended that he was fine. The psychiatrist said that George and Harry would need some time to adjust and regain their independence. Until then, Jane had to devote her time to her little brothers.
It was a blessing that she wasn’t the sole provider anymore. John and his family had helped her and the twins through a difficult time; they were always ready to offer her emotional support, especially Savannah. Not in a million years had she imagined that she would get along so well with the mother-in-law.
John looked at her. “What are you apologizing for? This trip is good for all of us. There will be plenty of trips we can take, just you and me, in the future. Mom said kids grow like a weed in the blink of an eye. They won’t be dependent on you forever.”
“I know you wanted a romantic honeymoon and this isn’t exactly romantic.”
“I don’t mind. Besides, I can have you all to myself after they fall asleep.”
“True.”
Because of the incident, Jane had a change of heart about the big wedding in Aspen. John agreed as well, since they still had to go through the mess that Alfred left them. So instead, they had a small ceremony with only close friends and family. There were less than twenty people in attendance, but it was an intimate and memorable affair.
Like John had predicted, Alfred’s disappearance was filed as a missing person case. When Jane and the private eye that John hired to investigate Alfred’s misdeed went through important papers in the Benedict’s family house, they found out that her father had indeed, had a will. He split the estate equally between his children and Alfred as his sole brother. Jane was distraught for a while upon learning the truth. She couldn’t imagine the greed that could poison a man’s heart to do the unthinkable. It wasn’t like Alfred was going to be left out and penniless. But Uncle Alfred wanted it all.
Wicked As He Comes: BBW Tiger Shifter Paranormal Romance (Tiger In Her Bed Book 3) Page 8