Today they had done a raid of a warehouse – well, he, Sam, Dev and some of their men had. Daisy had been ready to come in once all was clear and help with any women they found – and they had found seven. The fur traders, however, had once again evaded capture. The men had been angry, to be so close and have them slip through their fingers once again, but Daisy provided a calming presence even for them. Her sunshine soothing their beasts and returning them to a rational state of mind.
They hit gold though with one of the freed women. A lioness who was nowhere near traumatized. She was too angry to be afraid and ready to help in any way they needed. She wanted retribution for the insult done to her person. She was able to tell them what she’d overheard – what she knew. Valuable information about where they were keeping the pregnant females and the babies that had been born – Babies! These warehouses were just where they kept the newly captured. Once they had a confirmed pregnancy, the female or females would be transferred to the permanent facility with the others. It would seem they’d be leaving for the south of France soon. The lioness had also been able to describe several of her captors well enough for Daisy to sketch their likenesses. Evil now had a face and they could track it. It was encouraging. But he was especially proud of the way Daisy handled herself. How she spoke to those women, calmed them, soothed them, got them talking.
She was an integral part of their team. A bright ray of light in the darkness and her face shown with an inner glow because she knew she was loved, knew she was important, and knew she was living up to her potential. How had he gotten so lucky? If he didn’t want to punch Kramer so badly for being such an asshole he’d give the man a big, wet, sloppy kiss of gratitude for putting him on Daisy’s trail.
Standing behind her chair, he wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head. “So what’s up in Malsum Pass?”
Daisy chuckled. “Lily has managed to complete three rows in her knitting project now. She’s making progress. And Mrs. Potter has now added dance music to her regular album rotation.”
Alek grinned, “How about we order room service, put out the ‘do not disturb’ sign and do something crazy together?”
Daisy looked up from her laptop and grinned. “How crazy are we talking?”
“Oh, really crazy, like staying up past ten, crazy.”
Throwing her head back with laughter, Daisy stood and wrapped her arms around Alek’s waist and nuzzled her face against his chest. “You party animal!” She said and laughed when he growled.
Dancing playfully out of his arms she unleashed her seductress smile on him and his whole body clenched in anticipation as she pulled her top off over her head and threw it to the floor. “I think,” she began, but then paused as she unbuttoned her pants, shimmied out of them, and kicked them playfully aside. “That we,” she whispered, pausing again for effect and causing Alek’s mouth to go dry as she reached behind her to unhook her bra. He watched transfixed as the straps slid down her arms until they caught near the crook where her arms were crossed over her chest, holding the cups in place. “Should get dressed up and go out dancing.” She finished in a rush as she ran to the bathroom with a squeal as he gave chase.
Catching her around the waist he lifted her onto the marble counter top of the sink. He kissed her, long and deep. The passion she had aroused, evident in his dark golden eyes and the low growl that rumbled in his chest. “I love you, solnyshko.”
Her voice was breathy, full of desire, “Show me.”
So he did…
Twelve weeks later they returned to Vermont. “Oh, Alek, look how pretty!” The snow had melted, the leaves and grass were a rich, dark green while the wildflowers blanketed several spots in bright yellows and blues. Daisy took a deep breath and smiled. It was good to be back.
Moving on the information the lioness had given them, the team had moved to the south of France. There they had found a sprawling mansion, heavily guarded with armed humans as well as shifters still loyal to the traders. Roughly thirty females spanning the shifter races were held within. Each in various stages of pregnancy while a nursery held several infants and toddlers. The occupants were being lavished with every luxury, given the best care, pampered even, but they were still prisoners caged against their will with the knowledge that their children would be taken from them only for the cycle to begin again until their usefulness was at an end. At that point there was no doubt that they would be disposed of.
The team had watched for weeks. Noting movements, looking for patterns and any weakness that could be exploited… They had watched, they had waited, knowing that when they made their move, it had to be perfect so that no harm would come to the women and children. Finally, when the time came, the team executed their plan. It was flawless. A killing blow to the heart of the fur trader’s organization.
There was still some clean up measures. The women and children needed to be delivered safely back to their families or arrangements made if they didn’t have kin. Monetary settlements made courtesy of the fur trader’s lucrative bank accounts. Resources made available to any in need. But Sam was spearheading that for the most part and Daisy had been eager to see her sister.
Alek pulled the SUV into Mrs. Potter’s driveway. “Oh, look,” Daisy said, “Bob’s here.”
He frowned, “Who’s Bob?”
Daisy laughed, getting out of the vehicle and pointed to the porch where the bobcat was lounging in a sunbeam. Before Alek could react, the door to Mrs. Potter’s house burst open and Lily came running out. “You’re home!”
Daisy laughed and ran to greet her sister with a hug, both women laughing and crying. “Is it done then?” Lily asked and Daisy nodded.
Alek pulled both women who were still clinging to each other into his arms and kissed the tops of both heads. “We’ll keep our ear to the ground to be sure, but we definitely hurt them badly.”
“Then you’ll stay?” Lily asked.
Daisy looked up at Alek and smiled. “For a little bit.” She said. “After all, we promised Mrs. Potter a wedding trip to Italy.”
A thump of a cane on the porch startled the bobcat into a sitting position and Mrs. Potter said, “And don’t you forget it.” She released her signature cackle.
THE END
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About The Author
I'm a stay at home mom currently living in Virginia though I was born and raised in Vermont. I love a good romance… whether it's paranormal, historical or contemporary, sci-fi or comedy... Give it to me!!
I've always had stories rolling around in my head just clamoring to get out so it wasn't surprising that I wanted to be a writer. Unfortunately, when I submitted my first work with intent to publish, I received rejection after rejection... it was discouraging. Quite frankly, I had given up on my dream. Luckily, I have the love and support of my family who encouraged me to get back to writing and make it happen.
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
; Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Epilogue
About The Author
For Her: A Malsum Pass Novel Page 18