KnightForce Damian (La Patron's KnightForce Book 4) (17 page)

Chapter 25

When La Patron clicked off, Gem glared at Damian. "Seriously, make the exchange? Just like that? No trying to save the child or anything?" She jumped out of bed and looked down at him. "What's wrong with you? She's just a child for Goddess sake, we can't just give her to them, we'd be accessories to murder or something."

"Me? Accessories?" he said, taken off-guard by her attack. "What's wrong with you? Raoul is pack and my first and only priority. As pack doc, I'd think you'd agree with me on that score, but obviously I'm wrong. You'd trade his life for a human we don't know and means nothing to the pack." He slid out of bed, staring at her across the mattress. "Hey," he yelled. "You don't get to judge me or the way I think or my feelings in any matter."

"That's not what I meant and you know it."

"There's nothing the matter with me, I'm just concerned about my friend," he said in a low gravelly tone.

"I get that, so am I, but this is a child, an innocent and we need…"

"Damn, if I need to do anything about the child." He crossed his arms and fought to calm his beast. "Raoul came because of me, to watch my back."

"And because of his mate," she said.

"What the fuck ever," he said, pissed because she was right. "I'm responsible for this team, for every person on this team. You guys are my primary responsibility."

"So you don't care about the child? She's weak and vulnerable and terrified and alone, Damian. But that doesn't matter. Is that what you're saying?" she demanded.

He thought of his young sister Sarita, her recent kidnapping a few months back. A dark hole in his heart had bled every moment she was gone. No parent or brother should ever go through that. But his responsibilities were to protect the pack not humans. Gem's disappointment buffeted him but he refused to back down.

When he didn't answer she spun around, grabbed her bag, and stuffed her clothes inside without another word. Damian thought about explaining what had happened to his sister but didn't. She'd judged him according to her rules and he didn't need anyone in his life doing that. Without putting on a stitch of clothing, she hefted her bag in her arms and marched forward. When the door slammed behind her, he stared at the spot where she'd stood for a few seconds and then returned to the bed.

What just happened?

One moment they were hugged up, the next screaming at each other. He'd never experienced such an emotional rush like that before. He lay staring at the white ceiling for several moments wondering if he would apologize and knew he wouldn't because he would make the same call. How would they get past this? Did he even want to? She said something was wrong with him. He shook his head. No, she didn't, she asked what was wrong. Either way, he didn't appreciate it. Maybe it would be better to just let things go, he wouldn't change his position and she probably wouldn't either.

There was a knock on the door. He inhaled and went to open it. Dressed in a black bra and panties, Gem stood on the other side, meeting his gaze with her finger pointed.

"Stop twisting my words, I never said anything was wrong with you."

He grabbed her finger, pulled her in the room, and slammed the door behind her. Leaning against the door, he boxed her in with his hand above her head. Her body heat and scent mingled with his.

"You did say it," he said, leaning close to her mouth.

She shook her head, and he took hold of her chin to force her to look at him.

"You said it but didn't mean it in the way I implied, I know that now. I'm not used to being attacked in bed, nor will I ever get used to it," he said, holding her gaze, wanting her to hear him clearly. There were some things he'd never tolerate. "Think of a way to say what you need without making it personal and I'll do the same. We don't agree but that doesn't mean something is inherently wrong with either of us. Understand?"

Her eyebrow rose. "Can I talk now?"

He released her chin and moved closer and met her serious gaze. "Yeah."

She ran her hand through her dark hair and looked away for a few seconds before returning to face him. "Okay. You're right, I could've said it better. I was being judgmental, looking at everything from my point of view and that's not right. I know better and hate when people do it to me. I apologize."

"Accepted." But he knew she wasn't done, he read it in her eyes.

"Kids are a weakness for me, goes back to my childhood I suppose. I don't separate them into species, Damian, I don't. They're too... I don't know, vulnerable is the only word that comes to mind. They're too vulnerable for that. But I never meant to insult you or your intelligence or put you down in any way. Tell me you know that about me at least."

Bending, he brushed his lips against hers, appreciating how soft they were and pulled her into his arms. She fit perfectly. "I do know that about you and appreciate you feel deeply about kids. That's not a bad thing, but I'm KnightForce, my allegiance is to La Patron and his is to the pack. Which means pack first always unless he tells me differently." He paused. "I hope you understand my position and can accept it."

"Of course I understand. Ninety-nine percent of the pack thinks and feels that way, Damian, even La Patron and most full-blood doctors." She took his hand, placed it on her chest over her heart and held it in place. "I'm a half-breed. Most of my professional career I've worked in human children's hospitals, afraid of getting too close to full-bloods even though I wanted to work with them. Once La Patron came forward and introduced half-breeds into the wolf-nation I was ecstatic and applied at every full-blood hospital and clinic available." She paused and looked away. "Despite all of my degrees and accomplishments, I was never contacted, not even for an interview. Not until the itching scare."

In the lab the only differences were human or wolf, it didn't matter if you were full-blood or half-breed, the humans treated them all the same. Damian never noticed the differences until after the metal had been placed in his legs and he'd been matched against a half-breed who'd been altered. Until that point he’d assumed they were all the same. But the half-breed hadn't been raised in the lab all his life and had been stolen from his family. The anger over that injustice spurred the half-breed's beast into a feral frenzy and Damian had been in a fight for his life. Tyrone and Tyrese solidified his feelings that half-breeds were different but never less than.

Gem rubbed her face against his chest. "All my life I grew up in the shadows, knowing I was different, mom made sure I knew I wasn't like the others. Plus, I was an outsider to my own kind. But kids... they don't care that I'm different. It's always been that way. Walk into a room full of kids, sick kids especially, and no matter how much it hurts to see them suffer, so many of them find a way to smile and fight for their lives. Adults can learn a lot from kids on how to treat people, or how to accept others and not make them feel..." she shrugged. "I guess the word I'm looking for is odd."

"You're not odd," he said, hating she doubted herself.

She grinned. "No, I'm not, but it took me a while to get to that point where I didn't like myself. Even though those days are long gone, I haven't forgotten what it felt like to be invisible to those who are supposedly on your side."

He nodded. "So that means what? You're going to try to save all the children in the world?" He looked at his watch. "Because we're running out of time."

Smiling, she shook her head. "Not in the world, just my world. I'm going downstairs to talk to Lamia, maybe we can work something out."

Damian didn't like that idea. "She wants you and may try to take you over again."

Gem tilted her head to the side while watching him. "She can't have me, La Patroness' orders remember?"

Glad she could make light of talking to a centuries old spirit, he nodded. When he couldn't think of a good reason for her not to talk with the Lamia, he remained silent and sent a silent prayer to the Goddess for Gem's protection.

"Besides, I think she really wants to live in the modern world, be a modern woman, see what this time period's all about."

"But history says she's a killer, what if that's what she starts doing again?"

"Has she been doing that lately?" Gem asked, frowning.

"I haven't completed my study on her yet, so I don't know for sure."

She pushed his chest and he moved back a few steps. "Can you monitor our conversation and if you think of something, let me know?" She looked around the room. "Where's my clothes?"

"You took them and your bag when you left a few minutes ago." He crossed his arms and watched as her gaze traveled down his naked body.

"Oh. Yeah, that. I um... I need to get dressed and um... go talk to her. Time, that's right... we're short on time. Gotta get moving." She took a few steps to the door while watching his cock stiffen and rise beneath her attention. When she touched the doorknob she released a deep breath and finally looked at his face. "You're a serious temptation."

"Am I?"

"Yes, we have people to save." Her gaze dropped to his crotch and then back to his face. "Wow." She opened and closed the door without another word.

"Get dressed and meet me downstairs,"
Gem said through their mental link.

"Yes, Ma'am."
He headed to the shower thinking of their weird connection. She challenged him on several levels and that had never happened before. Maybe it was the newness of it all, he didn't know, but he liked her and wouldn't mind spending time with her after they returned home.

Dressed, he left his room and ran into Randi in the hall. "Morning, Damian," she said, running to catch up with him.

"Randi." Hungry, he headed toward the kitchen where a buffet waited.

"Have you heard anything about Raoul? Have they found him yet?" She wore her long blond tresses up in a ponytail, making her look much younger.

"Yes, some people took him and are holding him for ransom. No, they haven't found him yet, but are working on it," he said while placing bacon, eggs and strips of steak onto his plate.

"Daddy said that, but I hoped there was more news," she said, sounding bummed.

Damian grabbed a large glass of water and sat at the table.

"Where are you?
" Gem asked.

"Eating breakfast, I need to keep up my strength to keep a certain horny doctor happy.
"

She laughed.
"I'm eating down here and will be going in to talk with Lamia soon. The guards have a station set up for you so you can monitor us."

"Good
." He continued eating until his plate was clean. Quentin walked in and nodded.

"Morning," he said.

"I heard from Alpha this morning," Quentin said to Damian. "I'll be leaving after I eat, but will be back later this evening after I finish his bidding."

Damian nodded. "Sounds good. We'll be working in the lab most of the day."

"Wait," Randi said, her head swinging between both men. "What about me? What am I supposed to do? Did Daddy say anything?" she asked Quentin.

"Only that if you wanted me to drop you in town, I should do that."

She glared at him. "You didn't mention that."

"I thought he told you and since you didn't mention it, I assumed you didn't want to go," he said.

"I may as well go into the local office since there's nothing going on here," she said, standing. "Give me a few minutes to get dressed." She left the room and Damian watched the hunger flare in Quentin's eyes. He started to warn him but changed his mind.  It wasn't his business and he didn't want her knocking on his door.

He pushed back from the table, took his plate and glass to the sink. Turning, he nodded at Quentin. "Happy hunting."

Chapter 26

Tara returned to the cottage from casting in the woods directly behind the place. Pulling the hair from her neck, she fanned herself briefly to cool down before tackling a shower and food.

"You should lock your door," Saffi said, stepping out from the corner of the room.

"I knew you were here," Tara said, remembering she'd just seen her friend in her trance.

"Did you?" Saffi chuckled and took off her cape. Streams of sunlight danced on her porcelain skin as she draped the long, heavy garment over the back of the sofa and sat. "Then you know why I'm here?"

"Not exactly, just that you have important information to share with me." Tara paused as she picked up a paper napkin and dotted the back of her neck. "And that it will cost me. So tell me how much you want and I'll decide how badly I want to know."

"No, no, no, no," Saffi said, laughing. "This won't cost you a dime, my dear. Well, maybe a glass of wine and a hot meal."

Surprised, Tara nodded. "It's a deal. Cook left a few meals that just need to be microwaved." She headed toward the kitchen.

Saffi followed and sat at the small kitchen table.

Tara eyed her as she pulled a shepherd’s pie from the refrigerator, cut two large portions, placed them on a separate plate and put the first one into the microwave. "I like this look on you. Reddish brown hair, green eyes, nice heart-shaped face. Is this new?"

"Yeah, I decided to simplify things a bit. I'm leaving, heading to Wales to stay with my sister who just had a set of twins."

Tara froze. "Boys?"

"What?" Saffi asked.

"Twin boys? Did your sister have twin boys?" Tara placed the other plate into the microwave while watching Saffi.

"Oh... no. One of each. I can't wait to see them all. It's been years." She leaned back as Tara placed the plates on the table.

"Something to drink?" Tara asked.

"Yes, a glass of wine, please."

Tara took the carafe from the refrigerator and two wine glasses from the cabinet and placed them on the table. Saffi poured them each a full glass while Tara got the utensils. Sitting, she looked at Saffi. "Tell me now before I burst with curiosity."

Saffi took a gulp of wine.

Frowning, Tara did the same. "What's wrong? You don't drink like that."

"True, but I need it." She paused and met Tara's gaze. "You recall that time I met you and your lover at the pub in London a few years back?"

Tara straightened. Thinking of Gordon wasn't something she did often. "I can't remember."

"Oh, come on, love. You wore this lavender dress that brought out the blue in your eyes. It was cut really low in the front, pushed your boobs to the top of your neck. Made you look like a sexy vixen and the old bugger loved every minute of it."

Tara remembered that night with crystal clarity. Gordon had just made it clear she was someone he took to bed on occasion when he had time, and they had no relationship and no, he wouldn't take her with him on his overseas trips or any place other than a meal or a play. The man had actually told her to take it or leave it.

"Yes, you looked fantastic in a black jumpsuit. Goodness, that was eight or nine years ago," Tara said before taking a bite of food.

"Just setting the stage. You two were so happy and made such a nice couple. Later, after a few pints, I remember leaving the loo and saw your lover talking to a laddie in the corner for a bit and then he re-joined us at the table."

Tara nodded. The man had been old as dirt, and knew people everywhere, but he paid most of her bills. When they first dated, he'd share bits of his job, his life, and his world. That’s how she learned about full-bloods and half-breeds. As time went on, he'd become surly, stingy with her allowance, and disrespectful. He deserved everything he got in her opinion.

"I saw the same lad the other day. It took me a while to remember but you know me, I never totally forget a face." She tapped her forehead with a finger.

Tara coughed and wiped her mouth. "Gordon had a lot of friends."

"But this one was with the full-bloods. The ones with Ivona." Saffi reached over and took the fork from Tara's hand. "Breathe. In and out. That's it, take a few more deep breaths."

It couldn't be... there had been one Gordon loved, thought of as a son. Three times in their nine years she'd seen the boy from a distance. Gordon didn't allow her contact with that part of his life. But the old fool couldn't help showing the boy off at places where she'd be spending time with Ivona’s boys. No matter what, her grandsons never measured up in Gordon's eyes and he let them know. So when they deliberately walked onto pack lands, years of embarrassment and anger exploded and ended with their death. She blamed Gordon and that bastard he raised.

Clearing her throat, she shook off the memories and hatred she had for Gordon. The man was dead, her only regret was she didn't dispatch the bastard. "Are you sure? You remember him?"

"Saffi nodded slowly. "Yes, he's older, definitely bigger, but still the I-wanna-fuck 'em all night long lad from before. I searched around, and got his name for you. Damian."

Tara closed her eyes. Gordon's face rose behind her eyelids. "Two against one and your boys couldn't beat Damian swimming. And you want me to introduce them to my boy? Not a chance. They aren't even in his league." He'd gone on to denigrate her grandsons until she hung up on him. The call had been on speaker in her bedroom with the door closed. When she opened it, they stood in front of her, and it was obvious by their clenched jaws and fists that they'd overheard the conversation. They never mentioned Gordon again and refused every invitation if he was involved. She never saw Damian again after that last time at the beach.

"He's KnightForce, something like the US Special Forces I believe. Pretty tough from what I hear."

"Yes, you could be right. He’s tough but that's okay, because I owe him and I always pay my debts."

"Now, Tara, don't go and do anything foolish. Things are going your way for a change. You're back home, you have money and your health. La Patron and Barticus don't take kindly to anyone messing with their pack."

Her head whipped up and she relaxed her jaw. "Then why send pack to dabble in our business?"

"To rescue a damsel in distress." Saffi took another bite of food and watched Tara drink rather than eat.

Damian was in her backyard... unbelievable. Tara hadn't fully repaid Gordon for his part in the death of her grandsons, she'd rectify that with Damian.