by Bethany Shaw
The highway was quiet, much like the car. Its occupants all sat silently. Whether they had nothing to say or didn’t know what to say, he couldn’t be sure. The engine hummed, and the radio played quietly in the background. It was some sad ballad that Gene wasn’t familiar with.
Gene’s cell phone rang, filling the car with the cheerful sound of bells chiming in the distance. He picked his phone up from the center console and sighed, answering the call.
“Dev,” he said quietly.
“Hey, we’re right behind you.”
Gene nodded, even though his cousin more than likely couldn’t see the motion. “Thanks.”
“It’s going to be okay,” Devon said, his voice thick. “We’re going to figure this out.”
“We’ll talk when we get back,” Gene said, hanging up the phone and dropping it into a cup holder.
“I know this isn’t the time, Gene, but—when you have a chance—I learned some things that you need to know,” Daniel said.
“Tell me now,” Gene replied gruffly. Anything to take his mind off his brother. But, Gene couldn’t help remembering that he was now alone; everyone in his immediate family was dead. The emptiness of it all threatened to consume him. Clutching the wheel tighter, he glared at the open road as his pulse thrummed in his ears. “Well?” he prompted when Daniel didn’t respond.
Daniel cleared his throat, “I questioned one of the two guys I took out in Houston. They told me a group of Juarez’s men have been staying in Abilene. At an old abandoned house just outside of town. They are just waiting for Juarez’s word to attack.”
“How many?” Gene asked.
“They told me about fifty.”
“How reliable is his word?” If their numbers were small enough, they could take them out before backup arrived. Gene saw red; he wanted vengeance for his brother—wanted to make Juarez pay for taking his only living family member away from him.
Daniel sighed and shifted in the passenger seat. “He was one of my dad’s men. A trusted man. He was going to help me meet up with Juarez, but then he got the call about you guys and…”
“Why were you going to meet with Juarez?” Gene asked, glaring at Daniel. He gritted his teeth as his lip curled up in anger.
“Juarez set me up. My family is at your ranch, Gene. Emily, my mom—I don’t want to see them get hurt. Or Vincent,” he added, turning to his brother in the back seat.
“And what about your other brother?” Gene muttered under his breath.
“Devon either,” Daniel amended. “They’re the only family I have, Gene. I wanted to protect them by getting to the bottom of this. I helped you today. I saved Natalia.”
Gene glanced to the rearview mirror. Natalia pursed her lips and nodded her head.
“It is true,” she whispered.
“There’s something else. We’re not the first pack that Juarez has targeted. There is another pack in Louisiana. Down in the Bayou of New Orleans. I guess they’ve been at war for a long time, and, at the moment, Juarez is focusing his attention on them,” Daniel explained.
A tick formed in Gene’s jaw, and he grumbled under his breath as the pieces started coming together. Juarez had told him of his plans to go to Louisiana; now he knew why. The question was, was it to help with the fight or declare victory?
Chapter Sixteen
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Natalia’s head thudded against the window, and her eyes shot open. Turning from side to side, she let out a heavy sigh and closed her eyes. The car jumped beneath her as they made their way down the long gravel driveway. The bright overhead light surrounding the wooden porch shone out like a beacon welcoming them home.
The porch swing swung lightly as Lark rose to her feet, a thick blanket wrapped around her tiny frame. She stood on the edge of the steps with a forlorn expression on her face as they pulled up. Natalia imagined she probably had a similar expression. Her eyes inadvertently drifted to the open cabin where Preston’s body lay wrapped in a bloodied white sheet.
A chill zipped down her spine, and she closed her eyes, fighting back a sob. Her body bobbed forward as the car stopped abruptly in front of the large home. Natalia opened her car door and stepped out; she was careful to avoid the bags and pack and play that were tucked under her feet. Her body stiff from the long, cramped ride, the she-wolf tried to work the kinks out by raising her arms above her head.
Lark slowly walked down the stairs toward Gene, pulling him into a tight hug. Whispers filled the air, but she couldn’t hear what the other woman was saying to him. Natalia wanted to soothe and comfort Gene that way but she didn’t know what to say. With everything that had happened, she wasn’t even sure if he wanted to speak with her. Preston’s death wasn’t her fault directly, but it was because of her that they were in this situation. Blinking back tears, she watched as Devon addressed Gene, clapping him on the back as they hugged briefly.
Her chest tightened, constricting painfully as she reached into the car and unlocked Adrian’s seat from the base. Again, her eyes caught sight of the crimson sheet. Flustered, she quickly yanked out Adrian’s carrier—along with their belongings—and headed to the door.
The screen door creaked as she tugged it open. Claire and Emily’s heads both popped up as she entered. Claire rose to her feet, slowly walking toward her.
“You must be exhausted. Can we help you settle in?” she asked, looking to Adrian.
Natalia sucked in her bottom lip, eyeing the woman who she’d blamed for her imprisonment only a few months ago. Claire’s eyes looked tired, dark circles curving beneath her hazel eyes. Her grayish-brown hair was pulled up into a bun with loose strands falling into her face.
“Do you mind?” Natalia asked after a long moment.
Claire smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Of course not. It’s been a long night for us all.” Gently taking the bags from her hand, Claire led the way up the stairs.
“Thank you,” Natalia said as Emily followed up after them.
Claire opened the bedroom door and set the cases on the floor by the dresser. Natalia glanced around the room, the green comforter and soft mattress calling out to her.
“How are you holding up, dear?” Claire asked.
“I am okay,” Natalia said.
“And Gene?”
“He is angry and sad,” Natalia whispered, setting Adrian’s carrier on the floor next to the bed.
Claire picked up the pack and play and lifted it out of its bag. Placing it on the floor, she began to set it up.
“Anger is good. It will help drive him to stay strong for the pack.”
“His brother just died,” Natalia scoffed.
Claire gave her a sad smile as she pushed the bed into its full form. “I know. He is the alpha, though. And as an alpha, you must always be strong. He will need his closest friends to support him behind closed doors, though. Gene will need us to be strong with him.”
Natalia frowned, not entirely sure what the woman was saying.
Claire patted her hand. “He will need you to help him through.”
“I do not understand. Gene and I…” Natalia trailed off. Yes, there was something there, she reasoned, but they’d barely begun to explore whatever it was.
“You and Gene have a connection,” Claire stated, as if reading her mind. “I can sense the energy around the two of you.”
“You have barely seen me,” Natalia argued.
“True. But there is no denying it. I recognize it because I felt it with my first husband, Devon’s father, and because Emily and Marcus also have it,” Claire said.
Natalia opened her mouth then closed it, not entirely sure what to say.
“It is late. Rest. I can answer your questions another time.” Claire squeezed her hand one last time before pulling away. Turning to Emily, she wrapped an arm around her daughter and walked out of the room, pulling the door shut behind them.
Natalia ran a hand through her tousled brown hair and closed her eyes, trying to
make sense of what Claire had told her. Confused and exhausted, she shook her head. She’d figure it out after she’d gotten some sleep.
***
Gene poured scotch into each of the three tumblers before picking up his own glass and downing the contents in one shot. He winced, the liquid fire burning as it slid down his throat. Pouring himself another shot, he downed that one too. Lark rolled the glass between her thumb and pointer finger, watching as Devon threw back his own liquor.
“How is Sarah?” Gene asked, sitting down in his chair.
Lark sighed and shook her head. “Not good. She locked herself in Preston’s room; she won’t come out or let anyone in.”
Gene nodded and stared at his empty cup, contemplating the benefits of another shot. Pushing the liquor bottle away, he looked from Lark to Devon.
“We need to plan a strike. Daniel knows where Juarez’s men are.”
“Gene—” Lark started, but Devon interrupted.
“I know you’re pissed, but going into something half-cocked isn’t a good idea. We should lay Preston to rest and regroup first,” Devon said, leaning forward so his elbows rested on the desk.
“No!” Gene bellowed, slamming his cup on the desk. The jarring action caused Lark to jump and recoil. “If we wait, we could miss our opportunity.”
“And rushing into something could cause more people to die,” Lark pointed out.
“So could waiting!” Gene snapped. “I’m tired of them always attacking us, and I’m tired of us being the ones to suffer and die! It’s time to turn the tables. For once, I want to see them running with their tails tucked between their legs.”
“No one’s saying we shouldn’t attack,” Devon reasoned. “But it can’t be rushed; Lark’s right. We need to plan this out first, then strike. When are the men coming in from New York?”
“I’m not sure yet. I haven’t been able to speak with Clive amidst all the chaos. When did you get so calm?” Gene asked.
“I figured one of has to be level headed at all times. Lark helps,” he sighed, taking Lark’s hand in his.
“Daniel claims there are about fifty men here near Abilene,” Gene started.
“In order to make it a fair fight, we would have to leave the women here, completely unprotected. We can’t do that Gene. I’m not going to risk their lives like that,” Devon argued.
Gene gritted his teeth as his blood boiled. His face flushed, and his nostrils flared as he tried to control the rage brewing inside him.
“What if there is another way?” Lark asked, sitting up taller in her chair.
Devon quirked a brow as Gene scowled. “Like what?” Gene asked.
“We could even out the playing field,” Lark suggested.
“How?” Devon asked, eyeing Lark.
Gene leaned forward, interested in what she had in mind. Lark was smart, strong. Even if she wasn’t a wolf, he respected the alpha female characteristics inside her.
Lark bit her lip and turned to Devon. “Hear me out,” she pleaded, causing Devon to clench his jaw tightly. “My dad was an avid hunter and gun collector. I know how to use a rifle as well as a side arm. If I can get to a good location, and we can draw them out—”
“No,” Devon and Gene said at the same time.
Lark exhaled, her blue eyes narrowing as they flicked between the two alphas. “This isn’t just your fight anymore. This war affects Sarah and me; it affects our livelihoods. If we are going to make a move against Juarez, we do it together. We are strongest as a team.”
“You would be killing, Lark. That’s something you have to live with for the rest of your life,” Devon cautioned, staring at her.
“It would change you. Saying you can do it and actually doing it are two different things,” Gene added.
“I know,” she whispered. “I also know that if we don’t do something, and Juarez comes in with hundreds of men, you and Gene are going to be killed. Not only will I have to live with that for the rest of my life, but they’ll take Sarah and me—and Emily, Natalia, Maddie and Amelia…and they’ll use us until we’re no longer of any use to them,” she warned as she met their eyes. “We are at war, Devon. Sometimes you do what you have to do to protect the people you love.”
Gene nodded but saw Devon shake his head.
“No, I’m not putting you in danger like that,” Devon argued, grinding his teeth as he spoke.
“I’m already in danger, Devon,” Lark reminded him.
“She’s right. And it would give us the element of surprise,” Gene reasoned.
“I don’t like it,” Devon stated. “I don’t want you doing this, Lark.”
“I know you don’t like it,” Lark said, meeting Devon’s eyes. “But it’s time to take the fight to them, and—if I can help—I’m going to.”
Gene closed his eyes, scrubbing a hand down his face. His eyes felt heavy; he was exhausted. His head bobbed forward, causing his eyes to pop back open. “We’ll do Preston’s funeral later this morning,” he said, glancing to the bronze wall clock. 4:15 in the morning. “We should all get some sleep; we’ll start planning after. The sooner we strike the better.”
“Do you need anything?” Lark questioned.
Gene managed to form a smile on his face. All he really wanted to do, though, was drown his sorrows in the bottle of scotch. “I’ll be fine. But thank you.”
“Let us know,” Devon said. “You know we’re here for you.
***
Devon wrapped his arm around Lark’s waist, and her head tipped over, resting on his shoulder as they walked down the hall to the front door. After a long night, he was ready to go home and get some sleep. As he inhaled, he caught onto a familiar scent, causing him to growl under his breath.
Daniel’s scent enveloped them, and he strode faster down the dimly lit corridor. He let go of Lark and stepped in front of her, glaring at his brother as he spoke to their mother in a hushed tone.
“What’s he doing out and about?” he growled.
“Gene said he helped them out,” Claire said, standing up slowly as she looked between her two sons. “It’s late Dev. Let’s all get some rest, and we’ll work things out in the morning.”
“Yeah, come on, Devon,” Lark said, sliding her hand up and down his arm.
Devon stepped forward, clenching his fists at his side. “He ran away when I questioned him about Juarez. I’m not going to leave knowing he could still be a spy.”
“I’m not,” Daniel stated.
“Really? How do we know your call to Lark wasn’t part of your plan?”
“I just want to protect my family, Devon. That’s all. This is my home. The only place I have to go. I wanted to get back into your good graces,” Daniel replied, rising up from his spot on the couch.
“If you wanted in my good graces, then you should never have run to begin with,” Devon snapped, inching closer to him.
“What else could I have done?” Daniel cried out. “You wouldn’t have believed me, regardless of what I said. No matter what, I’ll always be guilty in your eyes.” He laughed bitterly. “Ironic how the tables have turned.”
Devon ground his teeth. For years, Emmett and Daniel had looked down upon him. Never believing him, even with the truth staring them in the face. Anger surged through him at his brother’s insinuation.
Lark’s warm hand looped around his arm as she stopped next to him. “It’s late. We’re all sleep deprived and on edge. We can revisit this in the morning.”
Devon sighed, his nostrils flaring as he turned to Lark. Her calm blue eyes met his, reassuring him. Closing his eyes, he shook his head.
Claire patted Daniels shoulder. “Please, Devon, I just want all my children together. Don’t make any rash decisions. Not tonight. I’ll vouch for Daniel. Should anything happen it will fall on me.”
“Fine,” Devon scoffed. His mother was already distraught enough as it was; the last thing he wanted to do was challenge her. Despite his brother’s flaws, Devon knew that Daniel would never do anyt
hing to jeopardize their mother’s safety. “Don’t think this is over,” he warned.
“Come on,” Lark urged, tugging him toward the door. “Let’s go home.”
Narrowing his eyes, Devon fumed as they exited the house.
“He should be locked up,” he commented as he opened the car door for Lark.
Lark rolled her eyes. “Maybe…but maybe not. You’re too close to this, Devon. There is just too much hurt and distrust between the two of you. I think you mean well, but I think you’re letting your emotions get in the way.”
“Or I’m following my gut, and he’s going to betray us,” Devon snapped.
“If that’s really how you feel, you wouldn’t have walked out of that house. You would’ve insisted he be locked up. There is a part of you that knows he could be innocent. Whether you will admit that or not remains to be seen,” Lark whispered quietly. “I love you, Devon. I only know what you’ve told me about your relationship with Daniel, and I don’t blame you for feeling how you do. But the two of you have an opportunity to make amends and be brothers; don’t lose that because of the past.”
Devon grunted as he jammed the key into the ignition. Perhaps she was right, but he couldn’t help wondering if he was right too.
***
Natalia finished drying off her hair and threw on her pajamas. She’d attempted to fall asleep, but her brain and body didn’t seem to want to work together. Her body felt relaxed, her aching muscles less tense since she’d stood under the steaming water for twenty minutes.
Braiding her hair loosely, she exited the bathroom and walked across the hall to her bedroom. Gene sat on the bed, his face buried in his hands.
“Hey,” she said softly as she closed the door. The bed creaked and dipped down as she sat next to him.
“How are you? Are you okay?” Gene asked, looking up at her. His chocolate eyes met hers, but the usual glint was gone from them. Instead, dark shadows lingered around his eye sockets making them look hollow.
“I am fine. What about you?” she asked.
“I don’t know,” he exhaled loudly, wiping a hand over his face. “I don’t even know where to begin.”