Lost Ones (The Extinct Race Series Book 3) (13 page)

Chapter 23

Dirty Girl

Justine grabbed Zoe’s hand and led her out behind Quinn. Back outside Quinn passed them all and walked quickly passed everyone. Emery and Kendal both nodded at Quinn as he passed and the team followed in silence too afraid to spook Morgan. They had all heard the conversation that took place inside the cave.

Quinn set a fast pace back to the jet. Oliver had noticed that Finley was getting tired so he picked Finley up and gave her a piggy back ride. Within three hours they saw the jet in the distance. They also saw a group of men about 500 feet from the jet approaching from the east. Gabe saw the men and pointed them out to John.

“Run full speed they are not half-bloods but they have weapons. We need to get in the air NOW!” John barked out and they all took off running. They got to the jet and banged on the door, Kevin was already in the cockpit starting the engine. The door opened and they all piled in. Kaiden shut the door as quick as he could.

“GO!” Kaiden yelled to Kevin. The jet shot forward and then into the air. They all heard the shots that rang out around the jet as it took off, but not one hit its mark. Once Kevin got to a proper altitude and leveled out the plane Quinn took Morgan to the bathroom and uncovered her head. He was shocked at what he saw and all he could do was smile down at the dirt covered beauty before him.

“You are the most beautiful thing I have ever laid eyed upon.” He told her

“Quinn where are we?” Morgan hung her head as she spoke so Quinn gently lifted her face up with his finger under her chin.

“We are headed home. I am told it is our true home. Right now we are in the bathroom of the jet and it is just me and you right now. I was hoping that I could wash you. You make dirt a beautiful thing.”

“I….I haven’t washed in months. I haven’t left that cave because I have been so scared.”

“There is nothing to fear anymore. The people out there haven’t told me much and well I don’t know anything about what I am. I was hoping I could wash you and then go out there. They wanted to wait to tell me everything until we found you. Just in case you didn’t know you were a Dragon too, but it seems I am the only one who didn’t know.”

“I will tell you all I know too. Getting clean sounds good, but I am a little shy. Would you mind sending Zoe or Justine in? I would feel better around another girl. You know same parts and all. I mean I know what we are and stuff, my parents always told me you would come looking for me and I wouldn’t be able to deny it and I am not. It’s just well….I’m ugly right now.”

“You are anything but ugly. But I will send one of the girls in, the last thing I want is to make you uncomfortable.” Quinn wanted to wrap her back in his arms and kiss her he felt so lost. But he did not want her anymore frightened then she was at that moment. “Sit here. This is a toilet and when you open the lid you are supposed to relieve yourself in it. Kind of odd, but that is what they told me it did. Anyway sit here and I will go get Zoe for you. She is the Queen.”

“Thank you Quinn.” Morgan whispered to him

Quinn didn’t want to go but he made himself turn and leave the bathroom. He closed the door behind him and then went to where Zoe was sitting.

“Zoe would you mind helping Morgan wash? She wants another girl to help her and asked for you or Justine.” Quinn hung his head as he spoke.

“I would love too, do you think she would mind if both of us helped? She appeared a little fragile and well you will learn our history soon, once we are all home at dinner we like to have what we call Share and Tell. It helps all of us get over our pasts.”

“I don’t think she would mind. But would you mind asking her first? She is scared.” Quinn hesitated

“Of course, go sit and I will bring her out once we are done. Justine? Can you help me please? But let me ask her first.” Zoe asked

“Yep” Justine replied happily

Zoe made her way down the jet to the back, grabbing her backpack first. She was taller that Morgan, but Morgan was slim like Zoe so her clothes should fit. Justine followed but stopped at the little pantry and pulled out a couple bottles and a brush. Zoe looked at her confused and Justine just shrugged nodding towards the door.

Zoe knocked and opened the door and peeked her head inside. Morgan looked up and Zoe saw then why all the bottles Justine had grabbed were needed. “Hey honey would you mind if Justine helped too?”

“I would like that. I know I am a mess. I looked in that thing above the bowl thing and I look a mess. My mom would be humiliated by me right now.” Morgan said while shaking her head side to side scolding herself, dirt rained down around her.

“Great we will have you all clean and dressed shortly.” Zoe said as she walked through the door allowing Justine to follow and then closed the door behind them both. Zoe turned on the shower while Justine helped take the clothes off Morgan. They were crusty and stuck to the girl’s body in some places. The clothes ripped in some places they were so worn.

Justine coaxed Morgan into the shower and Morgan stood under the water with a smile on her face. Zoe and Justine guessed she never had a hot shower. None of them spoke as they washed Morgan. Justine worked on her hair while Zoe rubbed the dirt off her body. Justine let the water run for a bit and then used her fingers and hands to break up the clumps. Morgan’s hair was long like theirs and Justine was hoping they would have to cut it. Once the clumps were broken up enough Justine filled her hands with soap and started to scrub. Morgan moaned a bit and the girls could tell she loved this.

Justine went through three bottles of shampoos before she could start to see Morgan’s hair color. Justine smiled to herself because she was right and the girl had chestnut brown hair with highlights of red and blond throughout. After another bottle of shampoo the dirt was all out and Justine was able to condition her hair.

Zoe was scrubbing the dirt off Morgan’s body using a course loofa sponge covered in soap. After she had all the dirt off Morgan and her nails cleaned out she rinsed out the loofa and added a Lavender body wash she had yet to use. Zoe was amazed once they were done washing Morgan and proceeded to dry her off. She was drop dead gorgeous. Zoe handed her the clothing as Justine dried her hair with the towel.

Morgan got dressed and when she put the pants on Zoe bent to roll the legs. Zoe looked up at Morgan with a smile. “We will get you clothes that fit properly once we get home. I must say though Morgan. You are gorgeous and put the rest of us to shame.”

“Thank you my dad said I looked like my mom, but I don’t think so. She was so beautiful and unique looking. I miss her so much Zoe.” Morgan’s eyes filled with tears but she held them in and did not allow them to fall.

“Well now the hard part comes. We need to brush this out and it might hurt.” Justine interrupted them. “Why don’t you sit and turn to the left and Zoe and I will take sides and have it done in no time.”

“Not a problem, I hate brushing this mop.” Morgan teased

Morgan sat like they asked and once again closed her eyes as the girls worked. Justine attempted to make two sections, but the knots were so bad she couldn’t. Zoe laughed and grabbed a fine tooth comb and handed another to Justine. They grabbed a knot each and began to brush them out. An hour later they had the knots worked out to a point they could part her hair and properly brush it out.

Once her hair was smooth and knots were all gone Justine ran her hands through Morgan’s hair and the hair started to bounce into curls. Lovely, big curls which fit the small girl perfectly. Justine pulled out the hair dryer and turned it on. Morgan jumped off the toilet in shock.

“Oh honey this will just blow out warm air that will dry your hair faster, nothing to be afraid of.” Justine assured her. Morgan just nodded and sat back down looking scared, until the warm air and hum of the hairdryer calmed her down. Justine focused on the curls and made them bounce.

When they were done the coaxed Morgan in front of the mirror again to see how beautiful she was. Morgan stared for a long moment and then her eyes filled with tears again and her bottom lip started to quiver. She turned and looked at the girls who helped her.

“I look just like my mom.” She lets her tears loose then and Zoe wrapped her into a hug.

“Are you ready to meet everyone now?” Zoe asked

“I think so. I know I am ready for Quinn to see me now.” Morgan responded

“Let’s do this then. I think you are going to drop mouths honey.” Justine teased

Zoe opened the door and walked out grabbing Morgan’s hand, Justine followed. The others were all in quiet conversations, but all of them were awake and looked to be waiting to meet Morgan. As the stepped out fully, mouths did indeed drop and some people gasped. Zoe stopped in the isle and told Morgan everyone’s names as she pointed at them.

“And everyone this is Morgan.” Zoe finished

Quinn stood from his seat and just stared once again at the girl who was meant for him. Morgan walked quickly to his side and melted into him. Justine took her seat and closed Gabe’s mouth from its “O” position. Zoe walked back to Kaiden and he smiled up at her pride beaming in his eyes. Zoe didn’t sit down though and Kaiden stood taking her hand in his.

Chapter 24

Everything Burns

Mr. Steinman sat in his office finishing up the current case he was working on. His partners had already left for the evening and he sat alone. This case was proving to be a hard one. He was representing a father of three children who wanted to sue his soon to be ex-wife for full custody. The only problem was the mother of the kids was a better parent for the kids. She worked from home as an author and did fairly well for herself. She had come into money before they were married. Since then she had created a career she loves and is always home for the kids. She attended all the PTA meetings and even volunteered on field trips with the kids.

The Father was also a good parent, but his career had him away at least a week a month, sometimes more. He didn’t go to any school functions for the kids and was going to hire a nanny. That fact gave Mr. Steinman a guilty feeling, but if his ex was anything like this mother, he would have left them with her. His ex liked to do nothing but spend his money. She never worked a day in her life and hated to go to the kid’s school functions. She resented their children for ruining her body and taking away her nights out on fancy restaurants.

His ex was a piece of work and then some. These days he heard she spent her time in the business bars trying to find a new sugar daddy. She hasn’t called and asked about the kids since he left her. Mr. Steinman was just hoping she hurried up and found a new man and then he wouldn’t have to pay the outrageous amount of alimony anymore.

He stopped his pondering and went back to the case. The wife was going to win and the father knew that, but he was spiteful. He was pissed that his wife decided to end the marriage and that was the only reason he wanted to take the kids from her. Mr. Steinman was going to have to call this Dad in the morning and inform him that he was going to drop the case and he would have to find new representation. He could not fight for the father when he knew the kids would get more love and attention from their mother.

Mr. Steinman closed the file and started to pack up his briefcase when he smelled the smoke. He ran to the window to see if it was the neighboring window. When he got to the window he noticed a black SUV parked in the ally and a man standing there. He thought it unusual but didn’t see any smoke coming out of the neighboring building. He walked to the front of the office and looked out that window. Right as he ducked his head to look a flaming bottle smashed through the window that was next to him. He jumped back in surprise and got out of the way of the flames licking the floor.

The fire spread fast. He had just stood back up when he heard another crash and flames erupt in his partner’s office. Mr. Steinman ran to his office, grabbed his things and ran down the hall towards the front door. As he rounded the corner he saw a man at the door. He stopped dead in his tracks and ducked behind the wall. He chanced a peek around the wall and the man was looking right at him smiling. The man had red flecks in his eyes.

Mr. Steinman sucked in a breath and ran back to his office bolting his door closed. He never told his partners, but with the money Kaiden had given him he had a secret passage installed for just this scenario. He knew he would eventually get caught and have to make a quick escape. There was a tight staircase built into the closet and it lead to a tunnel underground that led to a parking garage about two buildings down. There was also a panic button in the tunnel that was connected to his house. He had told the nanny that if the light and beeping ever went off to get the kids in the car and drive to the location he put into her GPS.

Mr. Steinman ran down the hall hitting the button that triggered the alarm. He hoped she was quick and they were not already at the house. He had his own SUV in the parking garage. He had custom windows and door panels installed that were bullet proof. He also had suitcases and money hidden in the trunk area. He would just have to drive very calmly out of the area so the half-bloods did not give chase.

He got to his SUV and climbed inside. He grabbed the cell phone that had Kaiden’s home number inside. It was the phone that he talked to Kaiden with weeks ago, since then he got a new one in case he was ever caught face to face. He didn’t want them to have the numbers. After saving that young girl and the fight with the men after he had also moved all his money into accounts no one but him could touch. The account he kept local only had enough money to pay the monthly bills and food.

He called the nanny first to make sure she was out of the house. She assured him she was and that no one else was at the home when she left. She told the kids that they were going on a secret vacation. Mr. Steinman was relieved to hear his kids were safe. He started the truck and eased out of the garage. The windows were tinted so no one could see who was inside, so he drove right past the front of his building. Four men were standing there waiting with smiles on their faces.

He then drove past the ally and noticed two more men watching where he would normally come out of the office. His car was parked right behind the SUV in the alley. They must have been watching him for some time to know his habits. He sucked in a breath as he noticed the guns pointed at the door he should come out of. He drove carefully by and none of the men noticed him. Once he got down the street he turned on the GPS and hit the button for the location he had picked to get the kids.

He arrived an hour later relieved to see his children waiting by the pond. It was a dark night but the park was well lit. He parked next to the nanny’s car and got out.

“Joyce I want you to take this bag and disappear for a while. Go see your kids for an extended vacation. I need to leave the country with the kids for a while and I don’t know when I will be back.”

“Oh? Mr. Steinman is something bad happening? Why do you need to leave?” Joyce fluttered about.

“The less you know the better. I don’t know if my home is being watched but there is enough money in here for you to get to the airport and go. Buy a whole new wardrobe and spoil yourself. You are a great woman and you deserve it.”

“Daddy!” his kids yelled as they ran to him.

“Hey rug rats, how do you guys feel about taking a vacation and meeting some friends of mine? I know they have a huge house and lots of kids are there.”

“What about school Daddy?” his daughter asked. She has always been the responsible child.

“I will have to call the school and tell them about our trip. Don’t worry, I will handle it.” He reassured his kids. “For now hope in the truck we have a long drive ahead of us before we get on a plane.”

“OK!” his daughter and son said at the same time and ran to the back door of the SUV and climbed in.

“Joyce I will phone you at your daughters and make sure you got there safely. I need to leave in a rush. Stay there until I call you and tell you it is safe to come back. Your monthly pay will be put right into your account so you need not worry about money.”

“I will be there waiting by the phone. You be safe Mr. Steinman. I love you guys and don’t want to lose you.” Joyce started to cry. Mr. Steinman wrapped her in a hug and then assured her he would be fine. He walked her to her car and watched as she drove off. He then got back into the SUV and drove out of the park. Kaiden had mentioned going to Wyoming after he had located Justine’s papers. So he plotted the course to Wyoming and headed that direction. He would call Kaiden once he arrived there.