Jodi_ByTheLight (25 page)

She looked between the two men. Both were huge males and she didn’t doubt if they actually got into a fight it would end in a death.

“Watch it, Damon. You seem to have forgotten your rank.” Barrett’s lips curled upward, revealing a set of blinding white teeth.

Damon didn’t move, but held his ground. She could actually smell the musky scent of testosterone filling the room and from the corner of her eye she saw Jeff and Granny both take a cautious step back.

She scrambled to her feet. “Jayden’s been taken.”

Barrett spoke, but kept his narrowed eyes trained on Damon. “I know.”

“The kidnapper wants to exchange me for Jayden.”

Both males looked at her at the same time. She cleared her throat. “And since we know that David Jenkins—”

Barrett narrowed his eyes. “You know for sure it’s David Jenkins?”

She shrugged. “He didn’t say his name, but yes, I think it’s the same guy who kidnapped Haley.”

“Barrett, what are you doing here?” Damon hissed.

“Heard there had been some commotion at the bar last night.” He shrugged his massive shoulders, his muscles cording at the motion. “Figured since the rest of the Guardians are busy trying to protect the state of Arkansas, I thought I’d come down myself and give you a hand.”

“I don’t need a hand.” Damon growled.

“Sounds like you do, since Jayden’s been captured.”

“Does Jayden know you?” Ava cocked her head at Barrett.

“Jayden and I keep in touch.” He winked. If she weren’t head over heels in love with Damon it would have made her melt.

Damon shot a glare at Barrett. “Who told you there was trouble?”

“Word travels. Things seem to have gotten more complicated with the disappearance of Jayden.” Barrett frowned and looked off into the distance.

“What are we going to do to get Jayden back?” She glanced between Damon and Barrett.

“We?” Barrett shot her a look so intense it should have scared her. All it did was piss her off.

Taking a step forward, she stuck her finger in Barrett’s face. “Let’s get something straight. I don’t play this Alpha male bullshit you two got going on, so you might want to reconsider and start talking to me in a friendlier tone.”

Damon snorted. She tossed him a glare over her shoulder, letting him know he wasn’t off the hook.

Barrett’s eyes grew round and she could tell by his scent he was equally pissed off. Her heightened sense of smell was something she’d noticed over the past few days.

Barrett’s lips curved upward. “You didn’t tell me she had a mouth on her, Damon.” He chortled. “I like her.”

“Well, that’s good, dear.” Granny patted Barrett’s massive arm.

“Why is that, Granny?” Barrett gave the woman a puzzled look.

“Because, Ava is your mate.”

“My what?”

“Ava is your mate. Didn’t you know about Ava’s bloodline?” Granny handed Barrett a bottle of water from the mini fridge.

Barrett’s gaze zeroed in on her, first on her face then slipping downward over her figure, like she was some kind of juicy steak.

When Barrett’s eyes finally drifted upward to meet hers, she smiled sweetly and flipped him the bird.

Barrett’s eyes flashed in anger and she knew she’d gone too far.

“When did you figure this out?” Barrett looked at the others.

“Today.” Damon’s deep voice vibrated across her skin, making her shiver.

“How did you all come to the conclusion that the General’s daughter is my mate?”

“She’s not the General’s daughter. The General adopted her after her father was killed.”

Barrett slowly turned to look at her, surprise crossing his features. “Your last name isn’t Renfro?”

“No, it’s Romanelli.”

Barrett sucked in a deep breath and turned away.

“You’re right. Romanelli is the name of a royal bloodline.” Barrett opened his mouth then quickly shut it. Nodding his head slightly, Barrett turned toward Damon. “I’m touched that you are so concerned about my future happiness, but right now we need to be planning how to get Jayden free instead trying to get me mated.”

“I’m helping.” Ava lifted her chin, daring him to stop her. “Don’t try to talk me out of it.”

Barrett scored her with a warning glare before turning to Jeff. “I need to talk to the Pack Master of Louisiana. You wouldn’t happen to have his number in your phone? Mine is dead.”

“I have it on speed dial.” Jeff pulled his cell phone out of his jeans pocket, hit a few buttons and handed it to Barrett.

Barrett took the phone and strode into the bar for privacy. Jeff and Granny headed into the kitchen to round up something for everyone to eat.

She didn’t want to stay there, not in the same room with Damon after he practically served her up to Barrett on a silver platter. Too bad her feet didn’t get the message.

“Ava.” She looked up into those blue eyes she loved so much.

“I refuse to put you in danger.”

Ava opened her mouth, suddenly finding the air too hot to inhale deeply. She licked her dry lips before looking at him.

“I’m not yours to command, remember?” She held her breath, her heart aching so bad she thought it would stop beating.

“You’re not mine, Ava. You never were.” Damon turned and walked away.

***

What Ava wanted from him was impossible. Didn’t she know that?

Out of the corner of his eye, Damon caught Barrett talking on the cell phone with a determined look on his face.

The kitchen doors creaked open, drawing his attention. Granny and Jeff walked out balancing two trays of food in their hands. Without asking, he took the tray from Granny. He needed something to occupy his hands so he’d quit contemplating putting them on Ava.

As he set the tray down on a round table, Granny patted him on the arm. He didn’t look at her, he couldn’t. He was too afraid of the pity he would find lurking behind those old eyes.

Barrett handed Jeff his phone.

“Well?” Damon scowled. For the first time, he took in his leader’s features. Despite his distant nature, Barrett was handsome, with long, sandy blond hair and green eyes. If he wanted to be honest with himself, Ava and Barrett would make a stunning pair and have beautiful children.

He looked away, running his hand behind his neck. Okay, so he wasn’t ready to be honest with himself. He’d rather live in the land of denial. Denial, meet thy king.

“What’s with you? You look like you ate some rotten meat.” Barrett arched his brow.

“No, but the day is still young.” Damon walked to the other side of the table away from Barrett and parked his butt.

Barrett glanced at his bowl. “This looks good, Jeff.”

Jeff stuck out his barrel chest and smirked. “It’s my grandmother’s chili recipe.”

Damon kept his eyes on the bowl in front of him, waiting to see where Ava would sit.

“Thank you.” Ava’s voice had him looking up in time to catch Barrett pulling out a chair for her. He narrowed his eyes, mentally warning Barrett not to sit beside Ava.

Too late. Barrett slid into the chair beside her. Damon clenched both sides of his seat to keep from punching Barrett in the face. He kept his gaze on Ava as Barrett leaned over and whispered something that made her smile a little.

He squeezed harder and the wood creaked under his hands.

He closed his eyes, trying to force the red haze of fury under control.

“What did you find out?” Granny asked.

Barrett slowly lifted his head, dragging his gaze away from Ava. “The Louisiana Pack knew of Jayden’s disappearance from a snitch.” He dipped his spoon in the bowl. “They suspect Jenkins is the kidnapper but can’t seem to find the kidnapper or Jayden.”

“So will the Louisiana Pack help us?” Ava looked at Barrett. Damon felt the green sludge of jealousy slide around his stomach. Why the hell was Ava even looking at Barrett? She should be looking at him, asking him for the answers. Not Barrett.

Barrett’s eyes narrowed as his spoon clinked the side of the bowl. “They said they were already short-staffed since they are gearing up for Halloween.”

Ava sneered. “What does Halloween have to do with anything? Is that some kind of wolf holiday or something?”

Damon shook his head. “Not a holiday. A full moon.”

She paled.

“Does that mean I’m going to…?”

“Shift? Yes.” Damon glanced around. Barrett’s gaze was glued to Ava.

Bastard.

“Are you saying you’ve never shifted before?” Barrett cocked his head. He turned in his seat and gave Ava his full attention.

“Yes.”

Damon’s grip increased on the worn wood making the chair cry out in protest.

“You are sure you are lupine?”

“Lupine?”

“Wolf.”

She looked at Damon. “Damon thinks I am.”

“I didn’t ask what Damon thought. I want to know what you think.” Barrett touched a finger to her chin, forcing her to look at him.

Damon lost it.

A growl erupted so furious that everyone except Barrett jumped back from the table. Upturned chairs clattered to the floor. Damon sprang to his feet and slammed his hands down on the table, splitting the wood in two. Bowls of chili and utensils clattered to the floor as everyone backed out of the way.

Damon locked his eyes on Barrett. He wanted the Alpha to advance so he could sink his teeth into his throat.

Barrett stood and met Damon’s stare with deadly intent. Damon knew that if he dared touch Barrett then he would die. An overwhelming urge to protect Ava drowned out all rational thought.

“Stop it!” Ava stepped between the two males and pressed her palms against Damon’s chest. “What the hell is wrong with you?” Her face was tight with anger and her eyes flashed like lightning, her black hair spilling over her shoulders like a fierce goddess. She was mad as hell.

And she was the most beautiful creature that Damon had ever seen.

She was making him hard.

Laughter spilled out through the empty bar. Damon jerked his head toward Barrett.

In all the time he’d known Barrett, the male hadn’t so much as cracked a smile. Now he looked like he was about to crack a rib laughing.

“We need to quit messing around. I need my grandson back.” Granny scolded them with a look as she nervously rubbed her arms.

Barrett’s laughter faded as he rubbed the back of his neck with his hand. “Granny’s right, we need to get focused.” He shot Damon a look.

“I’m focused.” Damon growled.

“Are you kidding me?” Ava threw her hands up. “This isn’t a dick measuring contest.”

Barrett turned his back, smothering a smile, while Damon stared at Ava.

“We all know who would win anyway.” Barrett sneered and then grew serious. “As amusing as this conversation is, Granny is right. We need to start planning how to get Jayden back.” Barrett picked up Granny’s overturned chair and motioned for her to sit. “When I said us, I meant Damon and myself.”

“But...”

“No buts, Ava,” Damon said.

Ava wasn’t stupid. She knew when to talk and when to keep her mouth shut.

She blew out a breath and crossed her arms. “Where am I supposed to stay while you go after Jayden?”

“Granny’s.”

“I thought you didn’t want me to stay out here.”

“Plans change.” Damon ran his hand across his face. “It’s isolated, but safe. No one would think to look for you out there. It’s too far off the main road.”

“Fine.” Ava looked at Granny, who gave her an innocent smile. As Damon’s boots clomped toward the front door, she noticed Granny’s expression change. The innocent old lady mask slipped, and underneath was a wicked wink of camaraderie.

“Granny?” Ava lowered her voice.

“You don’t think I’m going to let those boys go after Jayden without me, do you?”

Ava grinned. “What do we do first?”

“We need to head home.”

“Then?”

“We need to get us a plan together.”

Ava smiled. “I’ve already got that covered.”

Chapter Twelve

“David Jenkins is more than just a frequent visitor to the strip club.” Barrett tapped his lips with his fingertips, a gesture so refined that Damon often wondered about his leader’s background. All he knew of the Alpha was that he’d been the Pack Master of Arkansas for years and that he had a reputation of being lethal when cornered.

Damon looked at the blueprints of the Beaver that Jeff had, somehow, delivered to Romulus and Remus less than an hour ago.

Damon turned to Jeff. “Where did you come up with these?”

Jeff heaved his brawny shoulders up in a casual shrug. “Friend at the courthouse. I called in a favor.”

“Good to know.”

“Look at this.” Barrett pointed to a smaller room toward the back of the strip club.

“An office, maybe?” Damon narrowed his eyes. “That’s weird.”