by Sydney Addae
“It’d be nice if he makes it home,” Jasmine said as Silas poured waves of warmth down their link.
“Here or there, I’m seeing my grandson before we leave,” Amynta said with a determined glint in her eye.
Jasmine smiled as they returned to the living area to say goodnight to her mom, Jacques and her baby brother and sisters. Plans were made for lunch and shopping tomorrow. Angus left with them after giving her a hug and a promise to talk to Barticus later.
“You want us to take the rug rats downstairs and get them into bed?” Tyrese asked smiling down at David and Renee who looked up at him.
“Yes, that’s a good idea,” Jasmine said knowing how much her younger ones enjoyed being with their older brothers.
Renee stood and reached for Danielle’s hand. David took her other one leaving Tyrese with Jackie and Adam. Tyrone and Rose each held one of their sons. They all said their goodbyes and left the room.
Sarita waved good bye and headed to Asia who lifted and held her close. “You’re sleepy too, aren’t you?”
“No, Mommy.” Her loud yawn proved her words false. “Maybe a little,” Sarita amended.
The adults laughed.
Hawke strode over and took Sarita. “I’ll get her settled, visit as long as you need.” He said goodnight, walked out and closed the door behind him.
Jasmine, Silas, Asia and her parents took seats in the family room. Jasmine held her glass of sweet tea as she wondered what Barticus wanted to discuss with them.
“I like how you’ve organized things here, Silas. Have you considered expanding to other continents?” Barticus asked.
Jasmine choked on the tea she’d been swallowing.
Amynta looked concerned. “Careful.”
Jasmine coughed and waved her hand. “Sorry that just caught me by surprise.” She looked at Barticus. “You’re kidding right?”
“No. We have a council, Hawke’s brother is on it but we cannot agree on structure or much else. I’ve mentioned the manner in which the States are governed but no one wants to step into that role,” Barticus said.
“Neither do I,” Silas said smoothly. “I was chosen for this assignment which I’ve grown to love, but no wolf can lead as many Alphas as I lead without the backing of the Goddess. She gives me the power to lead, to compel and to discipline. Seek her counsel on who should lead on your continent.”
“We’ve asked and asked but she’s been silent,” he sounded frustrated.
Jasmine understood his dilemma, the Goddess showed up on her time table.
Asia’s phone rang. She held up a finger and stepped into the dining area.
Silas nodded. “The only thing I can say is continue seeking her guidance and doing the best you can. This is where she placed me. I wouldn’t be effective anywhere else.” He spoke with such absolute confidence, Jasmine looked at him.
“I understand. We’ll continue and eventually get it right,” Barticus said.
“I’m looking forward to lunch tomorrow with your mother, she’s so funny,” Amynta said into the silence.
“Glad Jacques found his mate, started his den. He’s a good one,” Barticus said placing his arm around his mate. “I’d like to start a den myself.”
Amynta pushed against his chest smiling. “Seeing Victoria, knowing she too has adult children.” She pointed at Jasmine. “And you too, Tyrone and Tyrese are lovely, very grounded and protective. Good traits.”
“Does that mean you might consider pups?” Barticus asked his blues eyes burning bright as they stared into his mate’s gaze.
Amynta’ smile widened. “Maybe.”
Barticus raised his hand and whooped. “This is the best Christmas ever.”
Silas grinned,
Asia returned to the room, sat down, her face tight. She didn’t bother to hide her distress and Jasmine appreciated it.
“Damian?” Jasmine asked. She knew it bothered Asia that she couldn’t mentally communicate with anyone other than Hawke, Amynta and Jasmine. None of the other captains used phones or the internet to receive reports.
Asia nodded and looked at Barticus. “Randi and Raoul are in Florida. Seems they fell into some trouble with a rebel leader who wants Randi. Raoul offered to give Damian all the information he has on the guy if he would allow him and his sister to speak with you. They seem to think it’ll be the last thing they do and they’d like to apologize to their Alpha. Damian says he doesn’t smell a lie, or deceit.” She spoke the words without emotion or inflection reminding Jasmine of the Asia she’d first met. That wasn’t a good thing.
No one spoke as the weight of Asia’s words fell in the room. Jasmine had heard the story of the twin’s betrayal, how they gave Amynta to her enemies. Asia could’ve lost her mother that day as well. She’d like to think she’d be forgiving but she wasn’t sure.
“They’ll give him the information he needs to wipe out this enemy whether I speak with them or not,” Barticus said, although his voice lacked conviction.
“Why should they?” Asia continued in that clinically detached voice Jasmine hated. “They are the first ones to step forward with a possible lead. Damian’s been tracking this group in the Everglades for two months and hasn’t had any luck. Fortunately they haven’t killed any more half-breeds since he arrived but they’ve eluded him so far.”
“Have you forgotten what they did to my mate?” Barticus snapped. His eyes darkened to a turbulent shade of blue.
“No. I haven’t but you’re acting as if they’re strangers. You raised them as your own for decades, they thought of you as their father. Now that I’ve come to know more of how families work I’d do everything within my power to keep mine together. Mom and I were outsiders in their eyes. Your children didn’t know who I was,” Asia said. “Did they know you had a mate somewhere? A child? For years they saw you as their father and then we came along and threatened their family, their world.”
“You didn’t threaten anything. You’re my blood, my child. Amynta’s my mate, it doesn’t matter that they didn’t know. They should’ve asked first. As their Alpha they should’ve asked me questions before taking my mate,” Barticus said, his tone hard.
No one spoke into the silence for a few moments. “Would you please speak to them, allow them to apologize, to clear their conscience. What would it cost you to allow them to die in peace?” Asia said.
Jasmine sensed the anger beneath the words and wondered what was really going on.
“If I speak with them… if I talk to either of them again… I don’t want to do that,” he said shaking his head.
“Why?” Asia asked, her jaw tight. “Because you still love them? Is that why you pushed them away rather than listen to what they have to say?”
“How can you say that?” He stared at Asia and she held his gaze.
“Or do you think I’m angry that you raised others while I suffered?”
Barticus groaned and closed his eyes.
Amynta gasped and looked at her mate and then Asia.
Asia’s gaze never wavered. “You raised a son and a daughter. They made mistakes, all of us do. But I wonder if this goes deeper?”
“What do you mean?” Amynta asked, her tone cautious.
“Daddy why did you banish your son and daughter?” Asia asked.
“Because of what they did to your mother, they took her to the temple for the reward.”
“Why did they need a reward? They had access to your bank accounts. Why would they turn mama in for money?”
Barticus frowned. He opened his mouth and then closed it.
“That’s a good question,” Amynta said looking up at Barticus. “At that point they could’ve written checks or gone to the bank and taken whatever they wanted but they never did that.”
“I think they were scared. They knew they’d crossed a line and left to escape your anger, to give you time to cool down. They never expected this to be permanent. How many times have they reached out, tried to contact you so they could apologize?”
“A few,” Barticus said a few moments of silence.
“As your kids they knew you and acted according to how you raised them. They ran in fear.” Asia leaned back and watched her parents.
“She’s saying he has some blame here, right?” Jasmine asked Silas.
“Yes and he does to a point. But I’m not sure I’d forgive my pups if they did something to you.”
“You’d exile them? Make them leave the country without support?”
“I don’t know. Either thing would break my heart, best to teach them now not to ever cross that line so I never need to make that decision.”
Moments passed in silence. Finally Barticus spoke. “I see your point. But let me make this clear. Yes, I raised them as my own but they knew I had a mate and a child. I never hid that fact nor did I speak of it every day. But you’re right I loved them as my own and it hurt to send them away. Worse, I know they’ve had a very difficult life since they left. I don’t want that same type of relationship with them but I don’t hate them.” He looked at Amynta and brushed his lips across hers. “I don’t hate anyone other than the Liege.”
She patted his cheek and rubbed her face against his chest.
“Will you talk to them?” Asia asked in that same blasted clinical tone.
“Yes, yes of course,” he said.
Asia cleared her throat, her gaze flitted between her mom and dad. “I talked to Randi and she’s very upset. She really misses you. The two of you were very close, she’d been your assistant of sorts. Now she’s losing her brother, who’s making this sacrifice to clear their conscience and has lost the only other man she’s ever loved or had in her life.”
“Randi said that?” Barticus said, uncertainty laced his tone.
“Yes,” Asia said. “She’s terrified right now. Damian took them to his house so they’d have a place to stay. He’ll keep them safe, or as safe as he can but he’s going after the rebels. That’s what he does. Raoul wants to go with him. He truly does not expect to live through this. Damian’s concerned he’ll do something stupid like wave a red flag or something at the rebel gang.”
“What do you want your father to do?” Amynta asked. “Travel to Florida and get them?”
Jasmine and Silas watched in silence.
Asia stood and knelt in front of her parents. “No, what I need is for this whole thing to come to a satisfying conclusion.” She moistened her lips. “You can’t sit in this room and say the only relationships that matter are formed from blood connections.”
Amynta gasped. Her gaze flew to Jasmine.
“I never said that,” Barticus said in a tight voice.
Asia shook her head and held his gaze. “When you place me ahead of them because of our blood connection that’s exactly what you’re saying. You’re the only father those two knew, they weren’t prepared to live on the streets but they survived so far. So you taught them something. One thing I’ve learned since becoming a member of this family.” She looked at Jasmine and then back at him. “Is that we love through mistakes. I’m not saying what they did to Mama wasn’t wrong. I’d have kicked their asses again if I knew what they’d done when we caught them. But you don’t toss out family, Daddy. And like it or not to the world those two are yours.”
Jasmine’s heart swelled as she listened to Asia. A year ago the woman on her knees begging for forgiveness of two strangers didn’t exist. Love, family and healing went a long way in making a person whole.
Asia moved back and then stood. She held out her cell phone. “Click the redial and Damian will answer. You can talk to them so they can have some peace, it’s Christmas.”
Barticus looked at the phone in her hand and then looked at Amynta. A moment later he took the phone and pressed the redial.
Asia turned and left the room. Jasmine stood and followed.
Chapter 7
Damian greeted Barticus on the phone and then handed it to Randi and Raoul. They both looked at the device as if it would bite them. Hope. Fear. Excitement. Gratitude. The scent of those emotions flooded Damian’s nostrils. He didn’t understand their need to talk to Barticus, but that didn’t matter. They had information he needed to do his job.
Raoul took the phone, placed it to his ear and spoke. “Hello, Sir.”
Damian left them in the living room to give them a semblance of privacy. He sat at the dining room table, turned on his laptop and created his reports. Every now and then he heard snatches of conversation, some crying, and apologizing. Barticus was a good man to forgive them for what they’d done. He wouldn’t have. Things were simple in his life. His parents, his sister, his Alpha, his pack, harm any of them and he’d come after you. No pardons.
He’d pressed send on his report when Raoul found him. “Thank you.”
Damian and Barticus had gotten along from the first, he respected the man and enjoyed their long talks. Barticus contacted him through their link.
“Hello my boy, how’s Florida treating you? Do you need anything?” Barticus asked.
“An airboat but I think Hawke’s getting me one for Christmas. Otherwise things are okay, a little frustrating. I haven’t made it to the beach yet, but it’s on my list of things to do before the end of the year.”
Barticus laughed. “Thank you for giving them a place to stay, and if it’s not too much trouble watch Raoul’s back. He’s determined to go with you to point out the rebel you’re hunting, claims the guy uses something to mask his wolf. It’d be nice to see you at Christmas if you can make it, if not we’ll be paying you a visit after the holiday.”
“I’ll do my best. Are they staying here?” He wasn’t sure what Barticus was asking. The house was large enough for them all but he hadn’t anticipated guests.
“That’s up to you guys. I’ll release some funds to their accounts so they can go where they’d like.”
Damian’s brow rose. “To the compound?” He couldn’t imagine La Patron allowing these two entrance.
“No. Not that I know of anyway. Asia and Amynta wanted me to forgive them, patch fences. Basically said I’d created those two and was responsible for their actions to a point. Guess they’re right. But this time is for Asia, Sarita and you guys. I need to spend time with my daughter and grandkids. I’ve reconnected the links with Raoul and Randi, so they can access me at any time.”
“That’s good. Mom’s right, they need their Alpha and pack.”
“Make it home if you can, otherwise I’ll see you soon after.”
“Yes, Sir.”
Randi had sat at the table in front of him while Raoul went to the bathroom. Her entire face softened.
“He sounded good, happy, said it was nice to hear my voice. He asked questions about what we’ve been doing, accepted my apologies.” She sniffed. “I was spoiled, stupid and selfish.” She met his gaze. “You can stop me at any time.”
“No… you’re doing good, batting a hundred from what I can tell.” Damian leaned back in his seat and watched her cheeks redden. Goddess, Randi was beautiful, sexy and poisonous. Her scheming ways acted as ice water on his climbing libido.
“Anyway, thanks. He said your mom pushed for him to talk to us, stressed his relationship with her and your younger sister. I didn’t know you had a sister.”
“Why would you? We don’t talk.”
Her cheeks flamed red. “I just didn’t know, that’s all,” she mumbled and then looked up as Raoul returned. He pulled out the chair next to her and sat.
“Thank you, my conscience is clear, here’s what I know. His name is Hector, he’s not from here originally but is from Cuba or Jamaica, I’m not sure which. He or someone close to him dabbles in something that allows him and his gang to hide their scents. That’s how they get close to the half-breeds and take them out. That’s also why I need to go with you to point him out, you won’t recognize him otherwise,” Raoul said. For the next 30 minutes they discussed the limited information with intense questions and answers.
When they stopped, Randi’
s chin dropped to her chest.
“Is this the same guy who wants her?”
Raoul glanced at his sister and then nodded.
“Is there a chance they’ll come here looking for her?” A plan started to form in his mind.
“I don’t know. Probably, he tagged her one night so they can track her. The only way she’ll be free is to eliminate this guy and his gang.”
“Gang or pack?” Damian asked.
“There are a couple humans in the mix, and at least three female full-bloods. When I was with them, there were over 36 in their gang but they’ve spread out over the state now,” Raoul said.
Damian assumed Raoul had joined the group which was the only way he could speak with such assurance on the identity of the leader. Hearing him say it stirred Damian’s beast. Instead of responding, Damian contacted Hawke and spoke to Asia through their link.
“How do you want to handle this?” Asia asked when he finished the update.
“Hector’s here in Miami. If I pull Eugene and Russell we can cut off the head. No doubt but someone else will rise from that group to lead. I’m banking that might take some time, preferably after Christmas,” he said.
Hawke agreed.
“I’ll send word they are to leave immediately and come to your place. They should arrive before sunrise. Is it safe to leave Randi there alone?”
“I don’t know this Hector, so I can’t answer that.”
“Maybe I should come get her,” Asia murmured. “No doubt they’re watching airports and other modes of transportation. She can stay here until you and Raoul are done.”
“What? Why?”
Asia was silent for a while and then she spoke. “She’s Daddy’s daughter.”
Damian had no comment for that and given his claim on Barticus, he understood family wasn’t always connected by blood.
“Plus it’s Christmas. We need to put this behind us and move forward,” she added.