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by Assassin Master [Whispers] (mobi)

  It had taken Carrie a while to overcome her fear

  of her powerful new brother-in-law. A few times she had caught him studying her with an impassive, unnerving look. Casey had come to her aid and explained it was simply a habit of her husband's, to observe; it was in no way meant to frighten or intimidate her. Carrie was grateful Tyr seemed not to possess the same peculiarity.

  Carrie also reminisced over her trip to visit Wolf

  and Casey’s friends, Christy and Lando, not long ago. She had been charmed by Christy; the sweet young woman had questioned her endlessly about her and Tyr’s adventure to love, inquiring about every sordid detail until Carrie laughed and jokingly asked her if she was going to write a book!

  They became fast friends and she was made to

  feel as welcome as Casey. Lando was a massive bear of a man who reminded her somewhat of Ace in the beginning, and though her fear of Wolf had been great, she still found herself huddling close to her brother-in-law for protection whenever Tyr was not about and Lando was.

  Lando was not cruel to her, he was just so big and

  she had caught him a few times glaring at Tyr, though Christy, Lando’s tiny wife, seemed to no longer hold any fear of her husband. She had remembered Wolf’s soft smile at her apprehensiveness. He had casually draped an arm across her shoulders to offer her comfort, opening the door for her to develop a greater trust of him.

  Carrie shifted slightly in her chair. She rubbed at her tummy, wondering how long it would be before she started showing. She had only recently discovered her pregnancy and was terribly excited. She couldn’t decide who was more excited, Tyr or her father. Dirk had already decorated a room in his father’s massive home with the latest baby equipment and a mountain of stuffed animals. Not a day went by he didn’t return home with something the new baby had to have.

  She had been relieved when her father and Tyr

  finally stopped arguing. The two men had been seated at the huge dining room table during dinner one evening, snapping and snarling at each other as usual, while everyone pretended to ignore them. She had finally burst into tears. She had been planning on surprising Tyr later on in the evening with the news of his impending fatherhood, but instead she jumped to her feet and told them with distress she would not have the time to referee their childish tantrums while she was pregnant or while taking care of a brand-new baby. Everyone had sat stunned at the table when she had then fled from the room.

  She learned later her grandfather furiously announced to both men if they could not put aside their differences he would order a hit on the both of them. He had then risen and stormed after her to offer her comfort. The hard-fisted older man had grown desperately fond of his only grandchild, who resembled his dearly departed wife a great deal.

  Carrie had been amused to learn Tyr had turned to Dirk and asked him if his father was serious. Dirk’s surprised, stunned, openmouthed expression, as well as his brother Damien’s, offered him a moment’s pause and shortly after, both men had become the essence of politeness towards one another.

  “When must you leave?” Casey asked, jarring

  Carrie from her thoughts.

  “Tyr is taking me home tomorrow. He and Daddy have come to a tentative arrangement. I feel almost like a child in a custody battle, except Tyr doesn’t drop me off and leave, he stays. Then after awhile he gets homesick for your family and we come back,” Carrie said with a half smile. The first time Tyr brought her to Wolf’s home, her father had found numerous reasons to visit, until she felt certain Tyr would explode from the interference. Wolf had calmed Tyr by telling him Carrie was well protected with all of them watching out for her.

  “How has the truce been?” Casey asked, somewhat amused.

  “The white flag is still flying on both sides, I’m

  happy to report,” she said wryly.

  “I didn’t think they’d ever stop fighting,” Casey said.

  “Me either. But every day it gets a little better. Once I start showing I’m certain it will really hit home that they are truly connected and we shouldn’t have any more problems,” she said hopefully.

  “Your grandfather is still determined to incorporate Wolf into the fold,” Casey said, chuckling. She leaned in and in a small whisper added, “Wolf finds his offer amusing. Especially now that Tyr has stepped into a family role with James. But part of Wolf’s entertainment is Tyr always comes back to him.”

  “I know. Tyr isn’t divided by loyalties, he just

  honors two. Because Granddad has deep connections to Tyr’s old organization, he just shifted into a position with Granddad which keeps him home more often. Tyr has grown to respect Granddad and vice versa. I only hope one day Dad and Tyr will have the same rapport. After all, Dad will one day run the family. Perhaps one day my own son will run the family,” Carrie said, and frowned.

  “I know it’s hard. I understand exactly what

  you’re feeling. Being married to an actual assassin is frightening sometimes, even knowing they don’t take the lives of innocents. But when I look at Wolf I only feel loved and safe. When Tyr is around he is just my brother-in-law, nothing more. Your father and

  grandfather make me laugh and I’m comfortable around them...although your uncle is a womanizer!” Casey suddenly exclaimed.

  Carrie laughed uproariously and agreed. Damien seemed to covet all women!

  “You’re right! Although I must admit having an entire family of assassins surrounding me is a bit much sometimes. It’s funny; I never look at them realizing their profession. One of Granddad's men, Deegan, was annoying me the other day, nothing serious, I just wasn’t in the mood for his teasing. I finally got angry and told him to get lost and swatted at him with a paper. He laughed at me and left. It occurred to me after, the man is a hired killer; I swatted a hired killer on his behind with a newspaper as one would a naughty puppy, and he just laughed at me!” Carrie said bemused, shaking her head.

  Casey laughed. “I know what you mean. The other day Wolf took a hammer to his thumb by accident. Now there was a picture; my awesome, powerful, deadly six foot four, two hundred and forty-five pounds of baby sucking his thumb! Then he wanted me to kiss it better. I often wonder if some of the people he’s killed just keeled over and died laughing,” Casey snorted.

  Carrie chuckled at the image. She turned as a

  dark shadow blocked out the sun. Rising abruptly she gasped. “Ace,” she whispered.

  Both women were on their feet now, gaping at

  the huge man in horror.

  “Oh no, Ace please,” Carrie wept, knowing his intent. He wanted her; he wanted to take her back into a life of bondage. She backed away slowly with her hands splayed.

  A fleeting look of sadness passed over his face. “I thought you would be thrilled I have come for you at last to save you.” Carrie looked at him in deep confusion and he rushed on. “I waited a long time to be able to get to you. You’re too well guarded at the Iron Hand's home. I had been unable to locate Lando’s domicile. The last time you had been here at Wolf’s, a large blond man dogged your every move until I became convinced it was he who had stolen you from me. Carrie, you belong to me.”

  “I am not property! I am a human being! I will not be owned, Ace. If you truly care for me you will leave me be,” Carrie wept as she battled fury and fear. She couldn’t return to Seth’s, she would die of a broken heart, her baby would die. Remembering the baby, Carrie suddenly screamed in desperation for Tyr.

  Ace lunged for her, grabbing a stern hold on

  Carrie’s arms, pulling her snugly to his broad chest. Casey screamed in panic. Her baby, Rhea, added her own howls of distress. Carrie struggled in panic. Ace held her easily.

  “You are supposed to be holding me, wanting me, as you have been trained to do, not fighting and defying me. Tyr has turned you against me!” he

  raged.

  “Let her go!” Tyr thundered. His formidable weapon was drawn and aimed at Ace’s head.

  Wol
f appeared on the other side of his brother, brandishing his own weapon of choice. “Casey! Red room!” Wolf commanded.

  Casey didn’t hesitate. Though Carrie could see

  the panicked look on Casey’s face, she knew her sister-in-law was loath to leave her, but there was nothing she could do and Carrie knew she would never ignore a direct command from Wolf. Casey grabbed Rhea and headed off to the safe room closest to them Wolf had commanded her to, so he would know exactly where to find her. It was one of four within their home. Carrie had been shown them as well and she knew Casey would not emerge until Wolf retrieved her.

  “Ace, please don’t kill my baby,” Carrie sobbed desperately. Ace had her in a death grip; she pushed at his arm trying to relieve the pressure.

  Carrie looked up into his face, imploring him to listen as she whimpered once more he might hurt the unborn child. Ace brightened and looked at her with new hope.

  “Now I understand! You haven’t been turned against me; it’s your child who is being held over your head.”Ace gentled his grip, his hands roaming over the telltale bulge under his arm pressed against her tiny middle. “Of course you would do anything to save

  your child, even spurn me. No one will harm your baby, I swear. Trust me; I will welcome the child with open arms. It’s a part of you.”

  “Release my wife!” Tyr shouted outraged.

  Tyr pointed his weapon taking aim. His lips tightened into a firm, grim line.

  “Tyr, no,” Carrie wept. She knew that look. She

  was aware of his intent. She had never seen Tyr so outraged. She steeled herself, not wanting to be in the arms of a man she had grown fond of, only to have his brains splattered across her.

  “Don’t be frightened, Carrie, you’re safe with me. No matter what he has threatened you with I will always keep you safe,” Ace whispered into her ear.

  “I am safe with Tyr. Please, Ace; let me go,”

  Carrie pleaded. Her sobs increased but she refused to give in, she would not allow the pain in her chest to start. Tyr was close, she was safe. “I love Tyr. I need him as much as I need to be free.”

  She could see Ace’s mind working frantically. “Of

  course you need your freedom. Why hadn’t I seen it before? I will keep you free. I won’t go back to Seth’s. I will take you and our child to a new home. I’ll claim the baby, I will never separate you from the child, I swear!” Ace said.

  “The child is mine!” Tyr snarled in outrage.

  “Please, Ace, listen to me. You were so good to me. You never once harmed me, I am fond of you, but I love Tyr. I have always loved Tyr. I have a family.

  Don’t take me away again,” Carrie sobbed. She knew she didn’t have much time. If she couldn’t make Ace see reason Tyr would kill him. She had watched Tyr shoot. He possessed an eagle’s eye and a steady hand. He never missed; his greatest prowess was his invincibility with a weapon. Ace was doomed if he did not back down.

  “You are only saying that because of your fear!” Ace howled.

  “No. Please, no more. It is you who is frightening me,” Carrie wept.

  “No,” Ace replied softly.

  Suddenly Ace became very still, as the coldness of a muzzle pressed to his temple.

  “Release my child,” a furious cold voice

  commanded harshly.

  “Daddy,” Carrie sobbed in relief hearing his familiar voice; she sensed he was only inches away.

  Ace released Carrie, who flew into Tyr’s embrace. Dirk removed his weapon from the man’s temple and went to stand protectively in front of Carrie. Tyr still held his weapon poised. His fury was so great Carrie knew it was only her presence keeping him from firing.

  Saddened, Ace looked at Carrie. “Carrie, please,”

  he said.

  “I’m so sorry, Ace. One day a very lucky woman will be yours, but I’m not her,” Carrie whimpered. The sadness radiating from the defeated-looking man

  had her sobbing uncontrollably; she had been fond of him and his hurt in turn hurt her.

  “Your child?” Ace asked to Dirk, confused.

  “Yes, my child. Carrie is mine. If you so much as venture near my baby again I’ll castrate you,” Dirk snarled.

  Nodding stiffly, Ace turned. With one last

  saddened, crushed look towards Carrie he left, looking like a defeated man.

  “What do you mean Carrie is yours! And what the hell are you doing here anyway!” Tyr snapped at Dirk once the threat had passed.

  “I came to check up on my baby. It’s a good thing,

  too!” Dirk snapped back.

  Carrie sighed softly. The truce was broken. “I had it under control,” Tyr howled.

  “You can’t even keep your temper under control,”

  Dirk said smugly.

  “I’m going to get Casey,” Wolf said, shaking his head at the two of them, but not before tossing Carrie a sympathy-filled smile.

  “You know what I think your problem is?” Tyr

  began.

  “Yeah, I think it’s you!” Dirk replied.

  “Doesn’t anyone care what I think?” Carrie snapped. “I was almost stolen again. Neither of you have even asked me if I’m all right.”

  Both men stood looking contrite. “Baby, I’m so

  sorry. Are you okay?” Dirk questioned with concern

  and some chagrin.

  “I’m not certain. I’ll have to think about it,” she replied, walking away. Rolling her eyes, she was remembering her discussion with Casey about powerful, big, bad, assassin babies!

  Tyr and Dirk watched her leave. “Uh, Dirk?” Tyr asked hesitantly. “Yeah?”

  “You don’t suppose she’s in there calling her

  Granddad, do you?” Tyr asked worriedly. “Oh crap!” Dirk exclaimed.

  “Carrie!” Both men raced in after her.

  About The Author

  C. L. Scholey developed a love of reading at an early age. She currently resides in her Ontario home with her husband and daughter's and is busy with her next novel. She loves to hear from her readers and you can connect with her at clscholey@hotmail.com.

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