by D T Strange
Her hands shook with the need to touch him, to be held by him as he told her everything would be ok. But she knew she couldn’t. She wouldn’t leave Caitlin with Joseph and his men. Her heart sank when he approached them. He looked at his mother then at her. She nearly crumpled to the ground at the hatred and anger she saw within the depths of his eyes.
“I’m here.” His voice was as tight as his posture was as he held up a velvet bag. “I’ve brought the stone now let my mother go.”
Thirty
Come Hell or High Water… Hell Might Win
It took every ounce of willpower Cam had not to call in the cavalry or use his wolf speed to move in and snag both his mom and Fianna out of the grasp of the man standing before him. The one thing stopping him was that Fi’s grandfather wasn’t with them. Cam knew he had to stick to plan A instead. That being, to make this man think he’d somehow won long enough to get both his mom and Fianna safely away, then incapacitating him.
The velvet bag the fourth stone was nestled within, hung heavy in his hand. The power he felt coming from it had jacked up, feeling like it had switched from a pair of cheap portable speakers to some state of the art concert system cranked up to the max. Cam’s body resonated with the energy coming from them and the stones weren’t even touching yet.
That fact right there was the key. The stones weren’t touching yet, but when all four did come into contact, well, things would get real interesting then. Somehow Cam had to take possession of the stones with Fi and his mother close to him. Doing this would allow the stones magic of protection to encircle them, leaving Joseph without a way to strike at them.
The problem would then become Fi’s grandfather. Cam had no idea where the man was and that still made him useful to Joseph as leverage against Fi. Cam had noticed his mother wasn’t blindfolded and was hoping she would be able to tell his team how to get back to where Joseph was being held
Joseph’s weasley voice cut through the plan that had started forming in Cam’s mind. “Bring the stone to me. Once I have it in my hands, we’ll discuss the freedom of your mother.”
Cam fought not to grit his teeth, allowing no sign of worry or concern to slip over his features. He cocked his head to the right, contemplating the male standing before him. Fianna and Cam’s mother were kept right before the male. Servicing as shields, Cam thought.
“Tell you what, send that bitch traitor over to get the stone. I have some unfinished business with her.”
The male chuckled even as he eyed Fianna. Cam watched the contemplation taking place through every facial expression the male displayed along with all his unspoken body language. He was seriously deliberating how best to use Fianna to get what he wanted. Cam knew he had to spin this in a way that the male felt he couldn’t pass up.
“Did she tell you that I blooded her and made her part of the pack as I fucked her? Made it so she could handle the stones without feeling any effects from them? Or that you wouldn’t be able to handle the stones since you weren’t part of my pack?”
The male’s eyes widened, his gaze landing upon Fianna, who was blushing. The male looked as if light had finally dawned upon him. Cam knew he had him right where he wanted. “That’s right. She’s been blooded, fucked and claimed as my wolf’s mate. That means she’s pack and can handle the stones. You however, can’t. Call this my guarantee. You send my mother over with Fianna and let us walk away and I’ll unbind the stones from my pack, then bind them to her and she can return to you with them.”
Cam was hoping he was convincing the male of all he had just claimed, all while praying to whatever gods might be listening, that Fianna would forgive him. “By the way, I believe we should have introductions made. You know who I am, but please, confirm for me… You’d be Joseph correct? The guardian that’s always taken care of Fi since her grandfather went missing? The one she’s trusted above and beyond anyone else, including myself?”
Joseph tipped his head in acknowledgement and Cam nodded in return. “You are one fucked up bastard, but I guess, since you helped raise Fianna, that explains her behavior these last few days, now doesn’t it?”
As hard as it had been, Cam had looked to Fianna as he’d spoken, his gaze was laser sharp and could have cut through the toughest of surfaces. By the trembling of her lips, he knew that what he'd said had gotten to her. He just hoped she kept a clear enough head to understand what he was trying to do and go with him on it.
Yes, Cam and Fianna had made love, over and over again but he hadn't given into his wolf's desire to blood her into the pack or mate her. No, he'd been waiting to hear Fianna tell him she loved him. She hadn’t though. Still, he had to trust that what both he and his wolf felt for her, had a chance at being returned.
“So, with that little bit of a revelation, you can send my mother over with the bitch. I'll do the unbinding and rebinding, then she's once again your little toy to play with as you like. Although, I'll warn you now, if you plan on fucking her, you're going to be severely disappointed. Unless you're into teaching your bitch everything you want her to know in bed. If you get your rocks off on that, then you'll enjoy the hell out of her.”
Cameron's mother had gone red with anger but luckily, she held her tongue. When they were all free of this mess he'd have to do some serious making up to both his mother and Fianna for all he was saying. Hell, he’d be more than willing make it up to them, once they were all safe.
Joseph actually chuckled. “It sounds to me like your mutt’s instincts made a bad decision on your part in mating her. I dare say though, you wouldn't have stood a chance lasting as mates. She's never been drawn to animals. Not even as a child.” Cam didn't have to fake the low growl that trickled past his lips.
“Let's get this over with. Send my mother and Fianna over and the stones will be yours.”
Joseph stepped up next to Fianna, his lips tipped close to her ear. He whispered, but Cam was still able to hear him. Something he didn’t think Joseph realized. “Make one funny move with the stones Fianna and I’ll send a pre-typed text back to the house and your grandfather will be in far worse shape than he currently is. Play along as if you and I are working together and you’ll both live through this. Then we’ll discuss how life will go on for all of us.”
Fianna turned her head, her lips brushing his jaw as she did. Her own words whispered in reply. “You hurt anyone here, or my grandfather and I’ll see you dead if it’s the last thing I do.” Cam wanted to howl his approval for all the world to hear, but again he fought to keep from showing any reaction or sign that he’d heard them.
Fianna took the box with the stones in it from Joseph and moved over to Cam’s mother, Caitlin. Together, they started to move toward Cam. When they were a mere foot or two away, Cam started to reach for his mother, but Joseph’s words rang out between them. “She doesn’t take another step closer to you until you’ve unbound the stones from your pack and placed all four back within the box. Once Fianna starts walking back to me with them, then you and your mother may leave.”
There was a pleading look in Fianna’s eyes that Cam understood. They both knew that once Cam did as Joseph ordered, he and his mother would be dead. Still, he gave a tight nod to Joseph and reached into the velvet pouch, pulling out the stone he’d brought with him. Fianna opened the box and held it out to Cameron, allowing him to retrieve the three stones within.
Cam reached in and drew out the stones, once more uniting all four together. As he did, he whispered an incantation that would grant them protection from all threats beyond. A barrier of sorts formed into place, invisible to all but no less powerful. Cam had woven Fianna’s name into the incantation, so even she was now protected, as long as she stayed within the barrier. He knew she could feel the power of it and for the first time since arriving, flashed her a smile.
Caitlin’s voice came low and rushed. “Cameron, you must protect Fianna’s grandfather. He’s still back at the house we were being held at. I know the address, please send help!”
> Cam gave a nod and showed her what else he’d pulled out of the velvet pouch. “This whole meeting is being listened to. Speak the address mother and help will be sent.” Both Fianna and Caitlin’s eyes widened, but Caitlin didn’t hesitate. She rattled off the address and they all heard a “Got it, on our way.” reply.
“You’re taking too long! Do the unbinding and hand the stones back to Fianna, or I’ll shoot your mother in the back where she stands.”
Cam stepped to the side of Fianna, so he could see Joseph, but before he could speak, Fianna set the box the stones had been in down, moved to him and kissed his lips lightly. Her breath whispering across his ear. “I love you.”
Cam’s was so shocked by Fianna’s words, that he didn’t reach for her as she backed out of the protective barrier, turned to Joseph and blasted him with a wave of magic that slammed him back into the side of the car they’d arrived in. It was Cam’s wolf howling mournfully as he clawed at Cam’s insides that snapped him out of his moment of paralyzation.
“Fianna!”
She spared him a glance. “Joseph is my battle. Get your mother to safety and protect my grandfather.” She didn’t wait to see if he’d do what she’d said. He watched her turn back to Joseph and stalk menacingly toward him, fireballs forming in her palms as she moved.
Thirty-One
Past Wrongs are Righted
Magic danced along Fianna’s skin like tiny little pinpricks of electricity firing every nerve in her body. Anger at Joseph’s betrayal welled inside her until her whole body hummed with it. Stalking closer to Joseph, she began to chant. The wind picked up, whipping her hair around her face. Joseph struggled to stand, the blast she’d sent him had not only thrown him against the car but had formed a dent that seemed to hold Joseph in place.
“You went too far Joseph. Threatening my grandfather then Caitlin was your mistake.” Fi caught movement out of the corner of her eye and turned her head to see the driver raise a gun and point it at her. She lobbed one of the fire balls in her palms at him, knocking him back, catching his clothes on fire as the gun burned into his hand. His screams filled the air as he dropped to the ground, trying to put out the fire that was fast engulfing him.
She turned back to Joseph who had finally managed to stand, pulling out the phone from his pocket. The sneer he gave her as his thumb hovered over the phone nearly stopped her in her tracks. “Patrick is dead and it’s all your fault. Can you live with that Fianna?”
Fianna had to believe that Cam’s men would get to her grandfather in time as she threw the other fireball, nearly missing Joseph, then sending another blast that knocked the phone out of his hand. “My grandfather will be just fine Joseph, but you will not.”
Joseph back away from her as she continued to stalk toward him. “Years Joseph. You took years away from me and my grandfather and for what? Money? Did you think I’d never find out? No wonder you kept telling me to give up, he was dead and tried to block every attempt I made to follow up on any lead I thought I had on him.” She sent another blast, hitting him square in the chest sending him flying back and falling to the ground.
Fi didn’t see the gun raised until it was too late and felt the pain and burning in her arm as the bullet hit her. It knocked her back a bit, but she continued to move toward him. She heard Cam call out to her, but she ignored him. Her eyes never wavered from Joseph watching as he struggled to stand, pointing the gun at her again. She let go another blast as he pulled the trigger again, this time the bullet hitting her in the side.
“You were an ungrateful child and a disappointment. I gave you everything, Fianna. A home, an education, a life.”
“You took EVERYTHING away from me!” Rage took over Fianna, her lips pulling back in snarl as she screamed at him. The wind picked up and debris started to fly around them as a roar started in her ears. Joseph would die, and it would be by her hands. He raised his gun again, point straight at her head as she raised her hand and her fingers stiffened as if she were holding something.
Joseph’s hand flew to his throat as he lowered the gun, gasping for breath and coughing. She pushed her power out and squeezed harder, watching as his fingers started clawing at invisible fingers around his throat. Yes, he would die, and everything would right itself.
Fianna didn’t hear Cameron until he’d gently put his hands on her arms and leaned in to whisper in her ear. “Don’t kill him Anna. Let the authorities do their job. Make him pay for his crimes.”
She winced at the pain in her arm then where Cameron was holding and shook her head. Tears sprang to her eyes and she choked back a sob. “No. It needs to be done by my hands. He took too much.”
“Your grandfather is ok. Rico has him. So, you don’t have to kill Joseph to keep your grandfather or any of us safe. You did it. You saved us all. Baby, please. You don’t want this on your conscious.”
Fianna blinked back the tears and looked at Joseph, on his knees gasping for air. She had him. All it would take was one flick of her wrist and the nightmare would be over. But Cameron’s words penetrated her rage-filled mind and she lowered her hand, struggling to catch her breath. Joseph dropped his hands and slumped to the ground, panting and trying to catch his breath.
Two men came running out of one of the metal buildings near them, their speed and agility told Fi that they were part of Cameron’s pack. When they reached Joseph, one of them kicked the gun out of his reach and then helped the other turn him over onto his stomach and tie his hands behind his back with zip ties.
She slumped against Cameron’s hard body and would have fallen if it hadn’t been for him holding her up. Pain radiated through her as she finally felt where the bullets had hit her in the arm and side. Something warm and sticky ran down her arm and she looked at it, then at her side. “I was shot.”
Fi knew Joseph had pulled the trigger and had felt the jerk of her body when the bullets hit. But it hadn’t registered that she’d been shot. Now, as the adrenalin drained from her body and she started to shake.
Her knees buckled, and Cameron tightened his hold on her, slowly lowering her to the ground, easing her on his lap. “You’re okay Anna. I’ve got you.”
Everything seemed to be happening in slow motion now as Caitlin rushed to them both with a first aid kit she’d taken from Cameron’s SUV. Fianna hissed at the sting of the alcohol Caitlin used to clean the blood, trying to jerk her arm away. “Sshh sweetheart. Let me get this clean and stop the bleeding.” Fi watched her apply some cotton and tie some gauze tightly around her arm. “You did so well.” Caitlin stroked her hair. “Thank you for saving us.” Fi gave her a weak smile.
“We need to get her to the clinic. She’s losing a lot of blood in her side. I don’t think the bullet hit any vital organs, but we need to get that bleeding stopped.” Fianna turned her head to look at Cameron, dazed, weakness now invading her body.
“My grandfather?” Fianna asked, her voice coming out not more than a whisper on the breeze as her eyes suddenly began feeling heavy.
“He’s safe Anna. I promise. Rico is getting him to the medical clinic on pack land. I’m going to take you to him.”
Fi let her eyes drift close for a moment before opening them again and nodding. “I want to see him.”
Cameron’s arms tightened around her as he stood, holding her close to him. She lay her head on his chest and could hear his heart beating fast. He hurried to his SUV, his mother following behind him. Fianna looked up at him as he opened the passenger door, weakly raising her hand to brush her fingers across his cheek.
“I love you Cameron.” He looked down at her, but his eyes were unreadable, and a single tear slipped down her cheek. “Please don’t hate me.” That was the last thing she said before her eyes slid closed and blessed unconsciousness took over.
Thirty-Two
Fianna and Cameron Sitting in a Tree…
Fianna handed her grandfather a glass of lemonade then straightened the pillow, making sure he was comfortable. She still couldn’t beli
eve he was alive or that they were together once more. But here they were sitting on the back porch of the guest cabin Cameron had arranged for them while her grandfather recuperated. Joseph had arranged for excellent care, but it still hadn't been the proper hospital setting that had been needed. Her grandfather still had a long way to go but was getting better every day.
Patrick reached out and took Fi’s hand as she started to turn away, pulling her back to him. She smiled down, her heart skipping a beat at his smile. “What?” He chuckled and shook his head.
“I still can’t believe we’re finally together, Fianna. I’ve missed you so much. I was…” His voice trailed off as he got choked up. Fi knelt beside his chair, squeezing his hand.
“None of that Papa. We did it. We’re together. Let’s just be thankful for that and move on.”
That had been what she had first told her grandfather in his room at the medical clinic. The local authorities, with permission of Cam’s pack alpha had been escorted by Cameron when they'd come to talk to them. They’d taken their statements and started building their case against Joseph.
It turned out that Patrick Arden had kept very detailed notes in his journals, kept all text messages and recorded all phone calls. The case against her former guardian was strong, ensuring the man would spend his time waiting for his trial in jail and almost assuredly spending the rest of his life behind bars.
The two of them were finally free of the one who had held both of them captive in one way or another all these long years. Patrick smiled and nodded then turned to look out at the trees that created the bordering property line to the cabin. “How are things between you and Cameron?”
Fi dropped down into the chair beside her grandfather taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. After the attack, she’d spent a few days in the hospital, her wounds healing fast. When she’d been released, Cameron had insisted Fianna and her grandfather stay with the pack until her grandfather had healed. Fi had readily agreed. She wanted to be as close to Cameron as she could and still take care of her grandfather.