Caging the Bengal Tiger (13 page)

"It's not my fault. You three had to get me all riled up. We're lucky we got your apartment packed up before the van came, jeez. Between Isaac and Anthony going at it, then you jumping in, it was the hottest thing I've ever seen." She rubbed her legs together. "And here I was busy packing while you three had all the fun," she pouted and the three of them laughed.

Leaning over, Isaac squeezed her knee. "You would have been satisfied if you wouldn't have placed yourself in danger, but don’t worry, we'll take care of you tonight, Lady Cat."

"Hmm, I did no such thing. I just took the damn trash out. That poor old lady didn't need to be hauling all that crap and you know damn well she would have," Lacey frowned. "There has to be a way to help her, Dan. I don't like leaving her there so vulnerable." Lacey looked up at him and he smiled.

"I've already taken care of it. My brother Eric will be taking over the apartment. He works with the CIA and believe me, no one will come near the place once he moves in." Dan twined his hand with hers. "You really do have a big heart. That’s one of the reasons why we didn't spank that cute ass of yours too. But Isaac is right, Lacey. You can’t go off by yourself now, especially when we have so many enemies out there."

"So much for going shopping," she grumbled and looked out the window as they pulled up to a brick ranch house. There was a circular driveway and over ten cars parked there. "How many people are coming for dinner?" she asked looking at Dan, and all of sudden nervous.

"Knowing Mom, she most likely invited cousins, uncles and aunts. And yes, they all know about Maya and, now, you. Our family has been protecting all of you over the past 60 years. It's one of the reasons Talhrn approved of them knowing about his kind, or ours also."

The door to the front door opened as Anthony came around to her door, scanning their surroundings before allowing her out. He held out his hand and winked at her. "Come on Lady Cat, it's time to meet the in-laws," he teased.

"Anthony, don't make her even more nervous then she already is," Isaac grumbled following behind her as Dan got out and hugged his mom and shook his father’s hand.

"Mom, Dad, I'd like you to meet my family. Isaac is the tall one in the back and our
orak.
Anthony is the redhead, and, let me tell you, you have to try his homemade sausage links. But finally, Lacey is our
meru,
our hearts, and the one who centers us all."

Her cheeks heated and she wanted to kick Dan right now, but she put on her best smile, nodding to his parents, but his mom wouldn’t have any of it.

Stepping in front of her, the woman cocked her head to the side. "Yes, she'll make you a good wife, Danny. Welcome to our family, Lace." She hugged her tight before stepping back, focusing on Isaac.

It was the first time Lacey had ever seen him actually fidget under her stare. It was the cutest thing she’d ever seen. "
You two are in so much trouble when we get home,"
Isaac snarled in her head, knowing that his threat was to both her and Dan. Dan snorted next to her as his mother approached Isaac, hugging him.

"You will keep them safe," she placed her hand on his chest. "Your hearts are large enough for all of them. Yes, you are the prime in this family, I can see it. Oh, and tell your friend I said hello. I can catch a glimpse of him, but his aura is strong like yours," his mother, Dorothy, said turning her gaze on Anthony.

She turned and leaned against Dan, watching Anthony squirm under Dorothy's gaze. "You and I are a lot alike. You will have to give me the recipe Dan keeps thinking about in his head for your sausages. My boys love their meat."

Anthony threw his head back and laughed, hugging Dan's Mom. "You, my lady, are amazing. It would be my honor to teach you. If Dan liked my sausages wait till he tastes my stuffed duck."

Of course, Lacey’s stomach growled when he said that. Everyone around them laughed and his dad took hold of her arm, escorting her inside. Once inside, she licked her lips, taking her fill of the gorgeous men who stood round the room. "Wow, we should have brought my sisters," she mumbled.

Behind her Isaac growled and Dan pinched her ass. "You have enough on your plate. Tuck your tongue back into your mouth," Anthony said next to Isaac.

"Hey, I can look. Don't tell me you don't look at the ladies when you see a beautiful one." She eyed Anthony and he grinned at her.

"I happen to be bonded to the most beautiful woman and none other can compare," he said sincerely, melting her heart and bringing tears to her eyes.

"Stop it," she sniffled and Thomas laughed. "Boy, you have a silver tongue, that’s for sure. Ahh, here is my youngest son, Eric. Eric this is Lacey, Isaac and Anthony, your brother's family." Eric nodded to her men, but took her hand and kissed her knuckles.

"I can see why he kept talking about you. You are what wet dreams are made of, my lady," he said, earning him a punch in the shoulder from Dan.

"Watch it, she's ours," he growled. The whole room burst out laughing.

For the next ten minutes, Lacey was surrounded by Dan's family. Even the women were beautiful. The only snag Lacey came upon was his younger sister, Marty. Her greeting had been cool, if anything.

Sitting at the dinner table, Lacey could only sit back and smile at Dan's family. More than 30 men and women had come out to meet them. Seeing them teasing each other and talking about their jobs made her a little sad, knowing what she had missed out over the years.

"So, Lacey, Dan tells me you're in charge of the women now that Maya bailed out on you all. How's that going?" His sister asked, getting a growl from Dan. She placed her hand on his leg since he sat next to her, while Isaac on the other side.

"Actually, Maya is doing great. She was at the compound yesterday. She'll be working from her new home. She hasn't left us. If anything, she's provided for us over and over again. And sweet thing," she leaned forward, "no one controls a wild cat. You might want to remember that next time you meet one of us. Warning here too, little girl, cats have a tendency to pounce before you know it. So I'd watch the mouth. I'd hate to have to hurt a friend to protect Dan's sister."

"Yea, right like you'd protect me against one of your sisters," she snorted and took a bite of her food. The room got quiet and all eyes turned to her.

"Actually, I would. You can't defend yourself against one of us and you are family, but that does not mean I wouldn’t beat the crap out of you for insulting one my friends." Lacey took a drink of water and sat back looking at Dan. "Sorry."

He leaned over and kissed her lips. "For what? You said what came from your heart and you'd protect her even though she's being a real bitch right now, so thank you." His gaze turned to his sister. "Watch yourself, Marty. I'm not as forgiving as others."

"Okay children, enough," Dan's father said, staring at Marty till she lowered her head. Oh yeah, now she knew where Dan got all his alpha genes.

***

The trip to Dan's parents’ house had been a surprise. Not only had he been welcomed into the family, but every male had come to him to offer their support and services. His little, well, not so little in size, brother was the biggest surprise. Smarter then he let on, Eric studied everything that transpired around him.

"
He will be one of you soon, I'm afraid. I don't know when or how it will happen,"
Hong informed him and the others. Dan stiffened and glanced at him.

"Do all his predictions come true?" Dan asked looking to his brother then to him.

"Yes." He reached over Lacey and squeezed his shoulder. "We'll watch him and make sure we're there for him. At least we know where he'll be living. I'll have a few warriors check on the house. We don't want your landlady getting hurt too."

"This is going to kill my mom," Dan said, looking over at his mother.

"I think your mother is stronger then you give her credit, but at least he'll be saved, Dan. You'll have a brother who will be with us," Lacey said, looking down at her plate. "I don't know about you guys, but I'm stuffed." Their Lady Cat said, trying to change the subject, but Dan still watched his brother till Eric lifted his gaze to him, questioning him.

"You can't say anything, Dan. He'll be looking over his shoulder every time he turns around and that’s no way to live," Isaac told him, and looked to his parents.

"I'm afraid we can't stay any longer. We have one more stop before we call it a night, but as soon as we are settled, we'll have you over for one of Anthony's dinners," Isaac said and stood. Feeling Lacey's hand on his arm, he looked down and nodded to Dan who was making his way to his brother.

"Dan," Isaac yelled, shocking everyone.

"I have no choice," he said and asked Eric to follow him out of the room, but he wasn't the only one. His parents followed them into the living room.

"What's going on?" Dorothy asked, looking from Dan to Isaac.

"Mom, I need to speak with Eric alone," Dan stated, but his mom crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him.

"Daniel Edwards, you will spill it right now for all of us to hear it. We are a unit and we do everything together. It's the only thing that’s kept us together. You know this." She tapped her foot, waiting.

Isaac shook his head. "Why doesn't everyone sit and I'll try and explain what I've learned." Isaac sat down on the couch and pulled Lacey on his lap. "Dan sit," he patted the couch next to him, knowing that having Lacey next to him would help ease the guilt he was feeling.

"Mrs. Edwards, as you said before, I have a friend who uses me as an anchor when he is in this world. Sometimes, like you, he knows things or things are shown to him. Well, it seems your other son Eric will also be joining our ranks soon. I don't know when or how, but Eric, you will be as Dan is now," he informed the group.

At first no one said a thing and then the talking started. Thomas whistled and stopped all the talking.

"Is there any way to change this outcome?" he asked.

"No," Isaac stated. "Is it so bad to be one of us? It's not like he'll be alone. He will have his brother and us to guide him till he finds his kith. He already is a warrior at heart and with his intelligence. He will be an asset to our king."

Standing up, Dorothy nodded. "You're right. Eric was always following his older brother’s footsteps. I'd rather see him with you, then dead and that is not meant as a negative, Isaac." She smiled. "Your king is something else, that’s for sure. I thought for sure his wife was going to clobber him a good one when they came to visit. Yes, it does me proud to have my sons with you and Lacey. If you'll wait right there, I have something for you." She ran out of the room taking two of Dan's cousins with him.

"Okay, what is she doing?" Lacey looked at Dan who shrugged.

"I have no idea. I told you Mom does her own thing, but you were right about how she would react," Dan glanced at his father who was still deep in thought.

"Eric, son, how are you dealing with all this?" his father finally asked, turning towards him.

Leaning against the wall, Eric shrugged. "There really isn't much to think about. If it's going to happen, let it." He turned his gaze on Lacey. "If I get to have a woman like her, I'll consider myself lucky, not to mention men who are important to me as well. Plus, like Isaac said, I'd be with Dan. Now he'll never get away from me." Eric laughed and Dan groaned.

The tension in the room seemed to ease. "Eric, if you would like to come by the compound next week and check things out, you are more than welcome," he offered, as Dan's cousins came back into the room carrying a wooden crate at least six feet long and placed it at their feet.

"For a while I’ve been gathering things. I didn't know why, but just knew I had to get them. When I had this urge, I placed them in this hope chest. I know your mother is gone and you had no one," Dorothy said, taking Lacey's hand and pulling her up and around to the front of the wooden box. "In old times, our mothers would build a hope chest for her daughter to take with her when she married. This is meant to be yours, Lacey. Open it." Dorothy smiled and patted her arm.

Her gaze flew to his, Lacey actually looked lost standing there. "Go on Lady Cat, open it," Isaac stood and went to stand next to her knowing she was shaking.

Kneeling, Lacey, and now Dan, opened the chest. Inside was a treasure trove of goodies. Dishes, towels, pots and pans, all sorts of things, but what caught Lacey's eye was the jewelry box off to the side. She lifted it out and ran her hand over the top of it.

"Thomas made that and, no, I didn't tell him you would be coming. He's made six of them. Is the picture like your cat?" On top of the wooden box was a white tiger surrounded by other cats.

"It's perfect. Lacey is a white tiger. You couldn't have done better," Dan said, hugging Lacey as tears slid down her face as she opened to box.

"Good. Now Dan, I don't know if you remember, but I told you long ago you would have your grandmother Edwards’ ring. I placed it in the box for your woman. I see no ring on her hand." She frowned at each of them.

In all his years Isaac never had anyone give him the eye making him squirm, but Dan’s mother sure did. "You are planning some kind of wedding, aren't you? I mean every girl must have a wedding and, if I'm not mistaken..." Dorothy pushed between Lacey and Dan and dug down in the bottom of the box to pull out a large garment bag. "Here it is. You gentlemen close your eyes now." Playing along with the woman, he listened to her open the bag.