by Robyn, Amy
“My mother wanted my father's love so desperately that she kidnapped me and said I was his and her love child.” She shakes her head sadly.
“He was not capable of love.” She gets a lost look on her face and I don't like it.
I can hear sirens in the distance and Gage moans as he sits up. I must have been in bad shape if Gage was out that long. I lean over and grab his arm.
“Gage. Are you okay?” I ask. He sits up slowly and I notice a silver streak running through his hair. It wasn't there earlier. Guilt grips me. Had I not run from the car like an idiot, I wouldn't have put Gage through this.
“What the hell happened?” I ask Talon.
“He healed you until his heart stopped beating. I pulled him away and was getting ready to do CPR, when he started breathing again and I got a pulse again. Scared the living shit out of me.” Talon is shaken from what he is telling me. I look over at Gage. He nearly died, trying to save me.
“Never do that again. Let me die, if you have to. You have a wife and a baby girl coming.” I tell Gage. He shakes his head.
“You think I would ever forgive myself if I had just let you die. Besides, your One needs you also. She has been through enough.” Gage puts his hand out to Emma. She looks scared for a moment and then tentatively reaches out to take his hand.
“Hi Emma, I am Gage. This one's brother.” He nods in my direction. She giggles softly and it gets my heart racing at the beautiful sound. I could kiss Gage for eliciting it. She has beautiful red hair that falls in waves to the middle of her back. I run my hand though it and nearly moan from how soft it is.
She looks up at me and I get lost in her eyes. They are so green and bright that they remind me of emeralds being held to the light. She truly is breathtakingly beautiful. I am very lucky she is my One.
Her skin is pale and creamy, yet her cheeks are flushed with color. I can tell she will noticeably blush with embarrassment or perhaps arousal. I can't wait to see it. She has no blemishes or freckles. Freckles are usually a given with those with red hair, so it is shocking that she has none. She looks like she is made of porcelain. I bet she would hate the comparison.
Her lips are full and dark pink. They look like they would taste good. Unfortunately they are also cut up and split in the middle of both top and bottom lip. I want to find the fuck that did that and bust his lips and see how he likes it. I want to ask my brother about those who were captured and what was happening, but I refuse to ask with her in hearing distance. I will not allow her to suffer further.
The ambulance pulls up and Graham comes over to take Emma to the ambulance. I growl at him. He puts his hands up and backs away. Good. I know he probably thinks this is funny. I don't care what he thinks. I may never be comfortable with her out of my sight again.
Talon comes over and helps me stand. I refuse to set her down. Talon leans forward.
“You need to let me carry her over or they are going to want to examine you and we both know that's not a good idea. You can walk with us and stay beside her the entire time and even go with her.” I nod my head because my jaw is clenched. I noticed that everyone is watching us. I roll my eyes. Like I haven't seen most of them act over the top with their Ones.
I climb into the back of the ambulance and the EMT tries to stop me.
“Family members only.” He says. I growl.
“He is my fiance and the only family I have.” Emma says. I smile over at her as the guy moves back to help Emma. I don't like the look he just made. He doesn't like the fact that I am with her.
“I don't trust this guy.” I tell her through our link.
“I don't either. I know for a fact that anyone can be in the ambulance, its once we get to the hospital that they can exclude non family members.” She lets me know.
“Refuse care. My brother can heal you.” She gives a slight nod.
“I am fine. As you can see the only damage is to my lips and nothing time can't heal on it's own.” She tells the man as he takes her blood pressure. He puts a thermometer in her ear until it beeps and writes it down. He completely ignores her. Warning bells are going off like crazy. He never once asked me where the blood came from that I am covered in. Not something a real professional would miss.
“She says she is fine.” I say loudly.
“She has to go to the hospital. They will release her if she is fine.” He again ignores us. He pulls out a needle to start a IV and that's when I get pissed.
“Touch one fucking needle to her and I will make sure it is the last time you touch anyone.” I yell at him. James comes over.
“What's going on?” James asks. He flashes his badge at the EMT, who looks afraid now, but hides it well.
“She doesn't want to go to the hospital. Her lips are her only injury.” I look at dagger and give him a look and then nod toward the paramedic.
“Can I see your ID?” He asks. The guy goes to reach into his pocket. James pulls his gun.
“I don't think so. Why don't you step outside. All people who work on an ambulance wear their ID around their neck.” The guy puts his hands up and climbs out. James takes him to the ground and cuffs him. He pulls everything out of his pockets and finds only a cell phone. He hands it to me. It is a old flip phone. I would bet money that it is a disposable phone. I open it and it only has one number in it. I hand it to James when he stands up.
“Just as I thought. If I call this number will it be Alexander Babikov?” James asks the paramedic or fake one anyway. The guy begins to shake.
“Kill me. Please kill me. He will do it slowly since I failed in this.” James grunts.
“This being kidnap the girl who just got rescued.” He shakes his head.
“She saw his face. She is dead already. He doesn't allow those to live once they have seen him. Unless you work for him.” He is shaking even more by the time James has him loaded into the car. He and Aaron go and check the rest of the ambulance. The driver is handcuffed to the steering wheel and a woman is unconscious in the passenger seat. He calls in more help and before you know it the place is crawling with cops.
I take Emma to the van and sit with her in my lap as we wait for the others. I rub her back in circles. I shudder to think of what could have happened if I hadn't been there. She would be back in their hands again. I will not be letting her out of my sight any time soon.
The EMT did say something about her seeing Babikov. This could get worse before it gets better. I run my fingers through her hair. I will do everything within my power to protect her. She will never know fear again.
She looks up at me with those big green eyes of hers. I lean in a brush my lips across hers. They are so soft but I know it would hurt her if I went in for more.
Her eyes are still closed when I pull away. She blinks them open and stares at me in wonder. She licks her lips and winces.
“Shit, baby. Don't do that. Gage will be in here soon and he can heal your lips.” I hope he can. He has to be tapped dry or close to it. She yawns and they started bleeding again. Shit. I grab a tissue and dab it gently. She whimpers.
Just as I am about to pull out my phone and call Gage, the four of them are there and climbing into the van.
“Gage, do you think you will be able to heal her lips?” Gage climbs back with us. He looks at her lips and reaches out a hand. She flinches back. He drops his hand.
“She doesn't like men to touch her.” Graham says. Gage raises a brow to me.
“Emma, this is my brother Gage. He has to touch you somewhere to heal you. It's best if it's close to where your hurt so that it takes less energy.” Graham explains to Emma. Emma reaches out and takes Gage's hand and puts it to her cheek.
“I was slapped in the face a lot.” She says. I growl low in my throat. She leans back into me. Gage closes his eyes and begins to heal her. I kiss the top of her head and hold her close to me enjoying the feel of her soft body against mine. When Gage pulls away his nose is bleeding. I grab a tissue and hand it to him. Emma touches her lips.
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“That is remarkable.” She looks at Gage with appreciation and I don't like it. I have never been jealous. Hell, I never even dated. I have tried to avoid anything that can turn sexual. I thought I was broken by what happened to me so many years ago. I was wrong. My body is very much in working condition since I have had Emma in my arms. Now I just need to worry about my mind.
I know I shouldn't be jealous of Gage. For one he is happily married and would never mess around on Ashley and second, She flinched away from his touch. She doesn't seem to have that aversion with me. She seems to enjoy my touch. That puts a smile on my face.
“Emma, you can't go to your house. That is the first place they will look. Is there somewhere else you would like to go?” Aaron asks. He puts the van in gear and start driving.
“She stays with me.” I growl. Emma stiffens. Shit, am I going to fast for her.
“My pets. They have been alone too long.” She starts to panic.
“Sam picked them up. I will text her and have her take them over to Forest's house. That is if that's where you want to stay.” She looks up at me. I can still see the panic in her eyes.
“Why are you scared?” I ask her.
“I don't want you to feel obligated because I am your...soul mate thingy.” I want to laugh at how she put it, but I can tell that would upset her worse.
“It isn't an obligation. It's a necessity. I need to have your near me.” I put her hand on my chest. It is still a little tender.
“I need to know you're safe. I nearly lost you before I had even found you.” She nods her head.
“What about my dog, cat and bird?” She asks. I realize she doesn't know about my gift.
“I love animals. You do know my gift is the ability to talk to animals?” Nope she didn't know, if her dropped jaw is any indication.
“I should say communicate. Not all animals have a language.” Her eyes get bigger.
“You and I have a lot in common. I can help you with your research and books. I was a big fan of yours long before I knew you were my One.” She looks over at Graham.
“Yes please have her take them to Forest's place.” She smiles shyly at me after Graham confirms that Sam will be by in an hour with clothes, pets and supplies.
We get to my house and my brothers are insistent on staying. I don't understand why. I take Emma around the house and show her where everything is. She seems to really love my master bathroom.
“Do you want to take a hot bath? My sister has left some of her shampoo and girly stuff here if you want to use it.” Damn, I am rambling.
“Yes please and do you have an extra toothbrush?” I go over and pull the one I bought for Talon in case he ever stayed over. He never does though. He only lives across the street after all. I show her where all of Jenna's toiletries are before I leave her to it. I get back downstairs and Ashley is there cuddled up with Gage on the couch. She is running Gage's new silver streak of hair around her fingers.
She looks up at me and smiles as I drop down into the chair across from her. I know I should probably be in bed after everything that has happened tonight, but taking care of my One supersedes my needs. Her needs will always come before my own.
“How are you feeling?” Ashley asks as she continues to hold Gage.
“I am better now that I know she is safe.” I tell her honestly. She looks down at the front of my shirt. Shit, I forgot. I look like I walked off the set of a slasher film. I came very close to dying tonight. A shiver crawls up my spine. The silver streak in Gage's hair will always be a reminder of what could have happened.
“I will be fine. I just need to shower.” I get up and go upstairs to shower and change. I grab me some clothes and head into the other bathroom to shower. I check on her through our link and find her washing her hair. I smile at how good it feels having her in my home. I quickly take my shower so that I can be downstairs when her pets arrive. I want them to be calm for her when she is finished.
I climb out and dress quickly. I get back downstairs just as the bell rings. I hurry over and answer the door. There is one of the women I met the other day at the office when Emma had gone missing. She is holding a cage with a parakeet in it and very large dog is standing beside her, dwarfing her in size.. A beautiful Blue Great Dane.
I put my hand out and send him calming energy. I show him that I am his friend. He sniffs my hand and then licks it. His nub of a tail starts wagging and he yips happily. I pat his head which is nearly to my shoulder. She had to have a giant dog. He is even large for his breed. I was expecting a little lap dog that girls go crazy for. I look at his tag. It says 'Blue' on it's followed by her address and phone number.
“Thank you for bringing them.” I tell her.
“Sure.” She looks at me skeptically.
“Hey, Sam.” Graham comes up and hugs the woman.
“I still have the cat and supplies in the car.” She says as Talon and Graham follow her out. I lead the dog into the living room.
“Put your hands out so he can smell you.” I tell those still inside. Aaron, Gage and Ashley put their hands out and I tell him to smell them and know them as friends. He already shows me that he is fiercely protective of Emma. I plan to help him protect her by training him.
When he finishes with his last sniff I tell him to go lay down. He does as he is asked. He is a good boy. Dogs are a bit like children. You have your hyper ones. You have ones who do not play well with others. You have the ones who don't follow orders and misbehave in general. This one is very well behaved and intelligent. For that I am very grateful.
Sam walks back into the room carrying a cat in a kennel. I take it from her and set it on the floor by the sliding glass door that leads out to the back yard. I open the kennel door and again put my hand out. She turns her nose up and gives me a impetuous look. Cat's are typically indifferent. It is in there nature. They will be good to you if you are to them. This one has been spoiled badly. I roll my eyes.
I let it know I am her friend and immediately she climbs out and rubs against me. She is loyal and beautiful like her owner, you have to be trustworthy for her to be good to you. I rub her head and stand up. Sam is watching me with a slack jaw.
“What?” I ask.
“Shelby doesn't like anyone but Emma.” She says pointing at the cat. Shelby is a long haired White Persian with bright blue eyes. The quintessential girl cat. The kind you see women walking around with, sitting on a pillow, spoiled and pampered. I roll my eyes again. At least they have personalities in spades. There will never be a dull moment in our home. Our home. Damn, I do like the sound of that.
I take the cage with the parakeet in it and hang it where I used to keep a hanging plant. I may be great with animals, but I kill plants. If you want a plant to die just take it to my house. It won't last a week.
The parakeet cracks me up. He keeps sending me images of taking things and hiding them in his cage under the newspaper clippings. He is quite the practical joker. I bet Emma has caught on to his game. I smile at the idea of us all living here. I hope Emma isn't attached to her apartment.
I never planned on having a One so I only have one spare room. We will eventually have to get a bigger place. I never thought about having kids because the idea of being intimate with someone had always turned my stomach.
I am not your typical man, who enjoys amorous activities. I wake up ashamed when I have had a wet dream or wake up with an erection. To me I had thought it was a weakness. If what happened to me, happened to you, you would feel the same way. I still have nightmares about being in that cabin. To want any kind of a sexual nature after what I survived. I shudder in revulsion. Now, I can think of the possibilities of having a normal life.
“Sam can you take her a change of clothes?” I ask her.
“Sure. Where is she at?” I lead her to the door and tell her that she is bathing before I head back downstairs. I hope Sam, Ashley and my brothers will go home soon. I know it is rude to even think, but I would very much like to get
to know my One. I get to the bottom of the stairs when the bell rings. Great, now who is here?
I get to the door, just as my parents walk through. My mom practically launches herself at me.
“Oh my poor baby. I only saw what was going to happen minutes before it did. I tried to call you but you had left your phone in my basement.” She hands me my phone as she sobs on my shoulder.
“I am fine mom. I promise. Gage was able to heal me.” Gage waves his hand above his head to mom.
“Gage is fine also. See.” I pull away from her so she can see Gage. My mom looks around as if looking for my One. I shake my head and laugh. She beams up at me.
“That is the first time I have heard you laugh since you were a teenager.” She says as tears pool in her eyes. Have I been that unhappy? Yes, I have been. I frown thinking of how much I have probably worried my parents and that is the last thing I ever wanted to do. I lean down and kiss her cheek. I will make it up to her.
My dad pulls me in and hugs me. Jesus they act like I have been missing or something. Maybe a part of me has been. I hug my dad back and smile at both of them.
“She is taking a bath.” I tell my mom as she starts her search again.
“I can't wait to meet her. In my visions she is very pretty. I worried this day would never come.” She is practically dancing. I can't help but laugh again. I lead them into the living room where the others are. Everyone jumps up and gives the older couple hugs and then the women go into the kitchen and start puttering around. I am sure mom is going to cook. It is what she does when she worried about one of us, as if food can cure anything. I am lucky to have her as a mother.
Chapter 6.
I love his bathtub. I lay back amid the flowery scented bubble and relax. I have already washed my hair and shaved. Now I am just soaking up the warm comfort. For the first time in a long time I feel safe. Forest has a way about him that makes me feel completely safe. It is strange to me. I never thought I would feel that emotion with a man.
I have a very difficult time trusting, especially men. It started at the age of fourteen and after my broken leg. Father had hired a nurse to care for me. She protected me from my mother until my father finally had her committed. Kelly, my nurse, was my only friend and confidante I had. That is, until that day.