by T. S. Ryder
Ruby smiled and nodded at her, and Tamara charged for the door. Once they were gone, Diana set her son down beside Ginny and started playing with the kids. Cynthia then sat on the couch next to Mindy.
“Tyrell and I . . . we want Rex to succeed. Maybe things aren’t as easy for us, and maybe things won’t ever be . . . chummy but we want him to succeed.” Cynthia’s expression darkened for a moment. “And I want to forgive him. I now that it might be strange, saying that I want that while at the same time not wanting him anywhere near my children or me. I don’t think that he’ll hurt us. I’m just afraid that if he slips back . . . ”
“He’s trying so hard. He’s working every day to prove himself. There hasn’t been a moment when I’ve felt afraid of him. Even after I saw him turn into a giant bear without any warning. He deserves a second chance.”
Cynthia looked at her. “Of course you’re going to say that. You’re his mate.”
Mindy rolled her eyes. “I’m not his mate. From what he told me, mates have that instant-love connection, that feeling like you can’t live without each other. We have a connection. I’m not going to deny that. But we’re still figuring each other out.”
“Doesn’t mean you’re not mates,” Diana put in.
“Very true.” Cynthia nodded. “And that whole love at first sight thing? That’s what Rex thought he had with me. Me and Tyrell, we had lust at first sight, but it wasn’t love. Not until we got to know each other. And you? The way you talk about Rex is the way I feel about Tyrell.”
“And the way I feel about my alphas,” Diana sighed, a smile spreading across her face. “And the way that Ricky and Kurtis feel about each other.”
Mindy frowned at them. Her heart was beating faster. The truth of the matter was that she wasn’t the one who had trouble thinking of the thing between her and Rex as love. To her, their connection was way more than just sexual.
She could sense Rex holding himself back, though. For him to give himself emotionally to her, she knew that he needed forgiveness. Otherwise, he was always going to have that deep-rooted insecurity.
“I think that Rex needs to have peace with the past first. To be forgiven. He’s told me so much about when Tamara was an infant and how he helped his sister look after her. It’s killing him not to have the only family that he’s got left in his life. He’s doing everything that Tyrell’s asked of him. It’s not easy for him, he’s got a dominant personality.”
“You’re right,” Cynthia said with a thoughtful expression on her face. “He is making progress. I understand what you are saying, Mindy. It’s been stressful lately, and we haven’t had the time or energy to think about Rex but now that Meyer is taken care of . . . I’d expect progress on our end very soon.”
Mindy studied the other woman. She nodded stiffly. “Good. I’d love to be in a better place with you and Tyrell before Rex goes back to work.”
Cynthia inclined her head. “I’ll talk to Tyrell . . . we’ll have the three of you over for dinner within a week.”
“Thank you. I—“A bang from the kitchen made them all jump. Diana’s son made a startled noise, and Ginny’s face scrunched up.
Mindy retrieved her daughter. As she straightened up, Meyer stormed into the room. She froze, her lungs locking. A snarl was on his lips as he glared at the women. A gun was in his hand, and when he pointed it at Mindy, the air rushed from her lungs in a silent scream.
“What are—” Cynthia swallowed down whatever she wanted to say as the gun pointed at her.
Diana glanced worriedly at her son as she turned her body so that if Meyer fired the gun at her, it would hit her and not her child. “Mr. Meyer, my husbands aren’t home at the moment so whatever you want—“
“I want you to shut up.” He glared at her and then turned to Mindy again. “I saw your little video on YouTube. You bitch.”
The gun in his hand stole away any anger she had at the insult. She held Ginny tightly to her chest, wondering if she could make it to the door if he decided to start shooting. How had he even gotten the gun? Rex had destroyed it. Did he have more than one? Bile crept up her throat. This was supposed to be over! He’d already gotten more money than he deserved, why did he keep coming after her?
“How did you escape the guards?” she breathed.
Meyer’s eyes took on a maniacal gleam, and he fired the gun at the floor, the bullet hitting right between her feet. Cynthia snatched up her baby. All three children started to wail while Diana backed away from Meyer and Cynthia rolled over the back of the couch. Meyer ignored them, his gaze locked on Mindy.
“That’s how,” he spat. “Now get up.”
Feeling numb, she got to her feet. Ruby appeared in the doorway behind Meyer, but the creak of a floorboard warned Meyer of her presence, and he whirled around, pointing the gun at her. She held her hands in the air.
“I should kill you all,” Meyer spat. “That would teach them!”
Ruby’s gaze remained calm and fixed on him. “If you did that, there is nowhere you could hide. The bears of this island would track you down and rip you to pieces—if you were lucky enough to have a quick death. We do not forgive.”
“Neither do I.”
“Then perhaps you should ask yourself what you would do to someone if they hurt the one you loved.”
Meyer hissed between his teeth, but the threat was apparently enough. He didn’t fire the gun. Mindy’s heart jumped to her throat when he came at her, though. He grabbed her arm and pressed the gun to her neck, eliciting a short cry from her. Ginny’s face turned red as she writhed, her face wrinkled and tears running down her face.
“Try anything, and she’s dead,” he said, eyes on Ruby.
Ruby growled, her nostrils flaring, but she didn’t move. Worry radiated from her.
Meyer dragged Mindy out of the house and shoved her into Rex’s old car before he got in on the other side. Fury blazed from him, and Mindy shrank back, trying to comfort and quiet Ginny while her stomach churned. Everything seemed to be zipping by her, her mind feeling like her thoughts were trying to move through an avalanche just for one coherent action to take place.
“If I can’t have my revenge, then I will at least be compensated.” He gave her a scorching glance of hatred. “Since it was you and your bastard who cost me my money, you’ll get it back for me. You and your brat.”
One thought reached the surface, and she shied back from him. “Please don’t hurt my baby.”
He laughed, the sound full of insanity and triumph and a need to squash everything before him. “Hurt her? No. I’m not going to hurt her. Not when she can make me so much money. You, though? I am going to hurt you.”
Chapter Sixteen – Rex
There was something very enjoyable about the thought of visiting Meyer this time. Rex grinned as he pulled up to the townhouse Meyer was staying at. It was his great pleasure to be able to drag this loan shark from his stolen nest. He’d take back the cash that the alphas had given Meyer for his blackmailing and then, along with the guards who were assigned to the house, he would take Meyer back to the mainland.
Nobody would believe the ravings of a man who thought that people were turning into bears over here. Not when they had a trailer out, promising that it was nothing more than a movie.
When he stepped inside and smelled the gunpowder and blood, the triumphant singing in his veins stuttered to a stop. His bear snarled and rammed against his ribs. Rex hurried into the main room. His heart jumped to his throat when he found all three of the guards lying on the floor.
He didn’t need to check their pulses but did anyway. Fury burned in his gut as first one and then another was cold to the touch.
His bear roared, and Rex sprang to his feet. He inhaled deeply, searching for Meyer’s scent; it was dull and cold. He hadn’t been here for a couple of hours. A snarl ripped from his throat. He’d tear Meyer apart piece by piece. These guards had been good men.
He tore out of the house, his bear screaming in his chest, frot
hing at the mouth and demanding blood. Rex didn’t bother trying to repress it. His clothes shredded from his body as the bear burst forth. Out here, Meyer’s scent was muddied by the smells of town, but he caught the strongest trail and followed it, loping along.
How had Meyer gotten another gun? Or had he had it all the time, cleverly hidden it until he had a use for it?
It didn’t matter. They had no reason not to kill him now. Meyer would be running now. Trying to get off the island. Rex turned and headed for the docks, mind solely on Meyer. Crunching bone between his jaws, spilling blood into the ocean. Meyer had lost all rights the moment he ended another’s life. Rex’s fury built, a hissing noise coming from his gaping jaws as he ran.
Just before he arrived at the docks, he saw his Cadillac. It was further up the road. Perfect. Rex grinned as he put on speed. It was his lucky day!
His steps faltered when he got closer to the car. His rage burned hotter but mingled with fear when saw her face in the window. Mindy. Her face was turned away from Rex, but he could see that terror was written all over it.
Rex didn’t stop to think. He lunged at the car, digging his claws into the door. There was a horrible screeching noise as the car jerked and Mindy screamed. Rex ripped the door away and flung it behind him.
The car swerved again, going into the other lane. Mindy screamed as Meyer shouted. Rex fell behind briefly. The car slowed down, and he lunged again. He shifted just as he came through the door. His arms wrapped around Mindy as they went over a bump. The force knocked Rex backward. He pulled Mindy with him, using his body to shield hers as they tumbled over the road several times before coming to a halt.
“No!” Mindy wrestled herself free from his grasp. There was a nasty bit of road rash on her forehead. She wiped away the blood that trickled into her eye and ran after the car. “He has Ginny!”
Every bit of rage disappeared. Rex felt rooted to the spot for a moment before he sprang forward again. He shifted, allowing his four legs to carry him faster than two could. The car came to a stop, and a bundle of blankets was flung from the vehicle. His heart jumped to his throat as he rushed over to it. Then came the twin crack of a gun from the car. One of the bullets whistled by his ear, while the other burned into his chest. The force of it threw him off balance, and he staggered.
He coughed, blood coming from his mouth as his body melted back into human form. Ginny’s cries rang in his ears briefly as his hand landed on the bundle of blankets—it was empty. His head jerked up as the car sped off, taking Ginny’s cries with it. His heart stuttered, pain rippling through him.
More blood dripped down his chin as he staggered to his feet, trying to go after Meyer. A wave of blackness passed over his eyes, and he dropped again. His heart pounded in his ears while blood pumped from his chest. With every drop that hit the ground, the anguish of his failure became more pronounced.
“No!” Mindy stumbled past him. She raced after the car for another few meters before she fell like a puppet with its strings cut. Her hand reached out.
Even though Rex couldn’t see her expression, the disbelief, anguish, and terror were all too palpable. His heart shriveled up, and his blood turned sour on his tongue.
The one person he was meant to protect with everything he had was in the car with Meyer. He had failed. Meyer had Ginny—what could they possibly do now? His mind swirled and the promises of unconsciousness, to be free of the anguish that burned through him, nearly seduced him. But then Mindy turned back to him, all light gone from her eyes and he struggled to his feet again.
He barely made it before collapsing, coughing up another mouthful of blood. Mindy raced to him, placing her hands gently on him as she helped him lie on his side.
“You need to get the bullet out,” he choked, spitting out more blood. “It’s lodged in my lung—I won’t heal while it’s still—”
Mindy didn’t hesitate, plunging her fingers into the wound.
Lightning bolts of pain shot through him, and his whole body arched, a wave of blackness passing over his vision. He heard his own snarl mingled with a scream. His limbs flew out. Mindy gave a cry of pain, and Rex grunted. The pain faded enough for him to feel the blood dripping into his lungs and sweat beading his brow.
Mindy’s hand pressed to her face. Her fingers were covered in blood.
“I’m—” A fit of coughing stole his voice. He hacked up a large portion of blood, but it didn’t seem to be enough.
Mindy dropped her hand. A look of fierce determination crossed her face as she grabbed his arm, pinned it to his side and then straddled his hip to keep it there. With one hand bracing herself on his shoulder, she plunged her fingers into his wound again. Again a wave of blackness. He thrashed, unable to stop himself and Mindy went flying off. His lungs heaved and hacked. He couldn't get a breath in.
Something hard slammed into his ribs. It forced him onto his back and held him there as hot pokers were shoved into his chest. His eyes rolled, his gaze focused briefly. Jarvis was holding him down.
Rex snarled. His bear tried to emerge, to throw off his enemy but something was ripped from his chest, and the darkness took him.
***
Mindy was crying.
Rex lay in bed, trying not to move as his muscles knit themselves back together. It tingled and itched with the occasional shooting pain. Every inch of him wanted to get up and go to her, to wrap his arms around her and promise that things were going to be okay. But how could he? He had already failed her, had failed their daughter.
The only comfort they had was that Ginny was still alive. Meyer had sent them pictures. Her face was red, and it was clear she was screaming, but she was alive. Now Meyer wanted everything he had been demanding from the alphas and more, in exchange for her. Noel had assured him that there was no question about whether or not they would give Meyer his money but the unspoken question was still there—how?
And would Meyer really give her back to them once he had what he wanted, or was it just a smoke screen?
Mindy continued to sob, and his heart hurt with every beat. He turned over in the bed, hissing as pain shot through him. The cries stopped at once. He held his breath, waiting. A moment later the bathroom door opened. Mindy came out, her eyes red, tears still streaming down her face. She crawled into the bed next to him and wrapped an arm around his chest. Several bruises and a split lip accompanied the painful road rash.
“I’m sorry,” Rex whispered.
Mindy shook her head and buried herself in his arms.
Rex held her as tightly as he dared. Somehow, he was going to make this right. Somehow, he would find a way to get their daughter back.
***
Rex would have begged on his knees if he thought it would help. With the alphas focused on approaching the situation calmly and cautiously, there was only one person he could go to. None of his friends had mates or children. None of them knew this burning need to protect, to rescue. The only person besides Noel that he knew could come close to understanding was his long-time rival.
“You’re going after Meyer,” Jarvis said bluntly before Rex even opened his mouth.
“Yes. And I need your help. I know that we—”
Jarvis held up his hand. “She’s your daughter. You don’t need to ask twice.”
Rex stared at him warily. Was he serious? This wasn’t a trap to stop him or . . . ? But Jarvis didn’t say anything to try to dissuade him, instead gesturing to the truck. Rex slumped into the passenger seat, relief washing through his mind. He knew he couldn't do this on his own, not while he was recovering from yet another bullet wound.
“Thank you,” he whispered, glancing at Jarvis from the corner of his eye.
“You can thank me when you’ve got your little girl back.”
When they got to the dock, Rex’s heart sank. Standing there, waiting, were Noel and Fredrick. Jarvis cursed low under his breath and shot Rex a worried look.
“If they’re here to stop us . . . I can’t go against an alpha.
Especially not as Ricky’s second.”
Rex snorted.
“However, if I picked a fight with Fredrick, and Noel tried to break it up, that’d give you enough time to steal a boat, right?”
Rex shot him a startled look, but Jarvis didn’t look at him. They pulled up to the docks and got out. Rex’s heart pounded against his chest, making the uncomfortable tightness that came with healing all the worse. Noel gave him an unimpressed look as they approached.
“So you really don’t trust me?” the alpha growled at him.
Rex opened his mouth then closed it again, confused.
“Official story, Fredrick and I are going to the mainland to arrange the sale of a few boats in order to get the ransom money.” Noel glared at Rex for a moment, then regret crossed his face. “I’m going to have hell to pay with Diana when we get back. But there’s nothing for it. I don’t trust Meyer to keep his word.”
A lump rose in Rex’s throat. He wasn’t here to stop him. He gripped his alpha’s shoulder, trying to show his gratitude without words. If he spoke now, he’d just end up a choked mess.
Noel shifted on the spot, gave him a small smile, then thumped him on the back. “Come on. Let’s go get your baby girl back.”
They hurried to get on Rex’s large boat and cast off. The whole time, Rex was afraid that the other alphas would show up and stop them. They didn’t, though. By now someone must have seen the four men in the boat. But nothing came over the radios, either. Soon enough, they were out on the waves.
A sense of calm determination washed over Rex. It was true that the ocean had taken his family from him, but it never ceased to give him a sense of security. Even with rough waves and harsh winds, none of which were present today, he got a sense of peace from the fact that he was only a small piece of the world. That the world would keep on turning no matter what happened.
As he stood at the bow of the ship with Fredrick, his eyes closed and nostrils flared, Jarvis’ scent grew nearer. Rex opened his eyes and gave his long-time rival a curious look. Perhaps it was because he was going to help him save Ginny but his bear didn’t react angrily like it usually did. Jarvis leaned against the side of the boat and gave him a knowing look.