Running In Fear: Coming Home (12 page)

“Marsha, Ben, Jack, Belinda, and Shelly are all here now. So far Bo has half the pack's women and children already in one plane. They'll take off first from here in a few hours. Our plane will be leaving an hour after theirs.” He turned and took her dress from Dane, who stood in the doorway smiling at her.

She smiled back. “Are you going to be taking care of me like this from now on?”

Remi slid the dress over her body and kissed her nose. “Yes, we are. We're very good at taking care of what's ours.” His voice deepened and sent a shiver down her spine.

He wrapped his arm around her and escorted her out into the front room. A buffet had been set up, and she watched while Belinda and Jack piled food onto their plates. She stopped and gazed at the elevator door. Her hand went to her throat.

Remi stepped in front of her as Dane and Mark stood beside her. “Jack, Ben, take the women to our room, now,” Remi ordered as Jack and Ben pushed Marsha, Shelly, and Belinda into the room.

“I don't want to see him, Remi.” She turned and ran into the room, straight into Marsha's arms. Mark closed the bedroom door as the elevator opened.

Remi sat on the sofa and watched as Mr. Black and Guy stepped into their room, followed by his guards. Dane and Mark stood by the bedroom door, guarding it, along with two other guards.

“Mr. Black, what can I do for you?” He ignored her father, trying to control their new power. He wouldn't let them know what they had done.

Guy stepped forward, but Mr. Black halted him. His gaze never left Remi's. “I believe we have had a misunderstanding here. I was hoping we could sit down and see if we can work out this problem.”

Remi nodded to Guy. “As long as that man is beside you, there will be no talks. He is no longer part of our family and never will be again. Next time I see him, I'll kill him, so I suggest you send him back downstairs and keep him away from me. If you want to talk after he's gone, fine, but I won't expose my mate to him anymore.”

Remi heard Jaycee's cry from the bedroom and jumped off the couch, snarling,. “He has two minutes to get out.” He glared at Mark who was supposed to be shielding Jaycee from their thoughts.

Guy's beast broke loose, and stepped forward, but Black didn't allow it. Power surged in the room as Black forced Guy's beast back into his body. “Leave now. You will not step foot in here again. You've done enough damage as it is,” he ordered shoving Guy into the elevator. “My guards downstairs will escort you to your room. You will stay there until further notice,” he ordered as the elevator door closed.

Mark stepped up to Remi and lowered his head. “I'm sorry, Remi. I was paying attention to Guy when his thoughts pushed through my block.”

Remi nodded. “We all make mistakes, Mark. Go see how she's doing. We'll handle this.” He pulled Mark into his embrace, kissed his lips hard, and released him. Mr. Black sat in the chair opposite and studied him.

“You going to tell me what that was about? How was it possible for Guy to hurt Jaycee when she wasn't even in the room, and why have you threatened her father? You know the penalty for this.”

Remi smiled and sat down on the couch. “What I tell you stays here. You have people on the Council that are planning a war, and Guy is right in the middle of it with them.” He stopped as the door to the bedroom opened and Jaycee strolled out, ignoring Mark and Dane.

He shook his head and pulled her into his arms. “You were supposed to stay in the room, Jaycee.” He nipped her neck. “If you're threatened, so am I.”

She turned her gaze to Mr. Black.

“No, Jaycee!” He grabbed her, but it was too late. She sent Mr. Black the images of what she had seen in Guy's mind.

Mr. Black fell back in the chair and then jumped up in beast form. Remi shoved her behind him as Dane and Mark came beside him to protect her. “She doesn't know how to use her powers. Please forgive us. She was trying to protect me.” Remi snapped and glared at him.

Mr. Black smiled and righted the chair, sitting back down in it. The beast was gone as he stared at the three of them. “We have big problems and I have no idea who to trust now. If I destroy Guy, the others helping him or controlling him will go deep, and we won't know when they are going to strike.” He waved his hand. “Sit, Remi. I'm not going to attack. It was a jolt, that's for sure, but she did it to protect you.” He smiled. “I'm afraid my wife would do the same, even though I've tanned her ass a number of times for putting herself in danger. I guess it's a woman thing. Who knows?” He grinned at Jaycee as Remi sat down and pulled her into his arms.

Remi nodded. “You have two that I know of here you can trust. Jaycee, can you show him who they are without such force?” He rubbed her back, as she nodded.

Black sighed. “The other two with me?” He asked, frowning.

Jaycee shrugged. “They hid their thoughts, but the one man … Jerkins, I believe his name was. The one with the tattoo on his hand?”

Black nodded for her to go on.

“He has some involvement with the snake people and he was also involved in …” Fresh tears slipped down her face.

Remi pulled her back and wiped the tears. “He was there when my brother was killed. It seems Guy told him where he would be. When this is over, Black, Guy is mine.”

He stood and paced the room. “So, more or less, I can only trust three of the Council members that I've brought. That leaves eight others I have no idea about at home. There has to be a way for me to find out …” He stopped and glanced at Jaycee.

“No! She is not going near any of your Council. I won't risk her life, or that of our children.” Remi stood and growled.

“Could she do it from another room? The other eight are arriving here tonight to meet with these freaks. It took them longer to get here since they are flying in from all around the world. Remi, if I can at least know who I can trust, we can monitor the rest of them.”

Jaycee's small hand wrapped around his wrist. “Remi, it's the least I can do. We need to know who will be coming after us. You could have them come up here, and I can be in the bedroom. Dane or Mark can be in the room with me.”

Remi glanced into her eyes. “Jaycee, you know what's going to happen if one of them is evil. Look at what happened tonight.”

She gazed down at the floor. “That's because I saw something else from him.” She turned to go into the bedroom, but he grabbed her and pulled her into his arms. He lifted her chin and studied her. “You're blocking something from us, why?” She trembled and her lip quivered.

“It's from the time I was sixteen.” She released the image and crumbled in his arms. “He watched them rape me, Remi, and did nothing.” Jaycee cried. “I had no father or mother.”

Marsha came into the room, followed by everyone else. She kneeled down next to her and pulled her face towards her. “You are my daughter, and Ben is your father. If it makes you feel any better, there is a ritual we can do to make it real. It won't change who you are, or effect you, or the babies. All it will do is connect us, as a parent feels connected to his child. It will also break your connection to your father. Right now, you have a blood bond with your father …”

Marsha turned to look at Remi. “He could use that against her, Remi. This ritual will erase it, but give Ben and I parental attachment. It will also help protect her somewhat.”

“Damn, I forgot about the blood bond, and he's been doing research on it too. He wanted to know why some couples couldn't bond with their children.” Mr. Black growled. “And I just gave him the tool.”

Remi glanced at Jaycee. “This is up to you, Jaycee. Dane, Mark, and I will protect you the best we can, but if this will protect you further, I think you should consider it.” He kissed her cheek. “Marsha is already your mother in your heart and Ben is also there.”

Jaycee wrapped her arms around Marsha. “I would be proud to call you ‘Mom’.” She laughed. “Well, I already do.”

She got up and walked to Ben. “Are you sure? You already have such a big family I don't want to add more problems to it.” She lowered her head.

Ben wanted to pick her up and hold her. She was so vulnerable right now. He smiled and pulled her into his arms. “You don't need to ask, daughter. Ever since Bo found you in the woods, you've been part of our family. You have done all of us proud, and I'm sure the rest of the family will agree.”

Marsha turned to him. “I'm going to do the ritual now, Remi. I don't like the fact he's playing with things he knows nothing about. Also, when we do the ritual, the three of you are going to feel it. In a way, you will also be our family. It won't take away from your parents. We'll just be able to enhance to mother nature's way of letting her children know they're our children.”

She turned and frowned at Mr. Black. “I'm afraid Guy's going to know the instant it's done. So be prepared, and have him watched. Even though he won't be able to do anything, he's going to be desperate.”

Black nodded. “Hold on, let me call one of the Council members that we know I can trust and have him watch Guy. When this is done, take her into the next room. I can feel three of the eight here in the hotel now. I'll have them come up to meet me here. Is that okay?” He glanced at Remi and Dane.

Remi looked over at Dane, and he nodded. “I'll be in the room with her and Mark. We won't let anyone hurt her.” Dane growled.

“Marsha, do it now, please,” Jaycee begged.

* * * *

Ben pulled Jaycee to the center of the room and held her hand as Marsha took her other hand. She glanced up at Remi, and he winked at her, making her smile.

“Mother Nature, here our plea: Let this daughter of the heart join our family and take her out of his way of harm. We pledge our faith, love, and hearts to her and to you. Guide us and protect us from the evil that surrounds this child, a gift from you only. As all children should be cherished, this one has known nothing but pain. Let her see the light and be happy for once in the life you have given her,” Marsha sang.

The balcony door blew open, wind surrounded them, and embraced them. Jaycee's blood chilled, and she would have fallen if Ben hadn't wrapped his arm around her. As soon as her blood chilled, though, it warmed. Wolves in the distance cried, cats screamed, and birds awoke, singing to them.

She jerked her head up, glancing out at the balcony door; her father's scream of denial and promise of retribution shook the room. Jaycee whipped her head towards Remi. “Kate and Sam, Remi.”

Mr. Black ran for the elevator. “They're busting the door down now. We'll get them. But we can't bring them here, just in case. Until this is over, they will be protected and guarded. I'll be back in a few minutes.” He pushed the button and descended to Guy's room.

“It will be okay, Jaycee. They'll protect her.” Ben hugged her. “Can you feel the connection to your brothers? Bo is cussing up a storm right now. He was on a ladder trying to get something down for an older couple when we did this. Needless to say, he fell flat on his ass.” Ben laughed with Marsha.

Shelly busted out laughing. “Good, maybe he'll know a little pain in the ass for once.” She grinned and came up to Jaycee, hugging her. “We better get in the bedroom before the others get here.” She tried to pull her into the room, but Jaycee wanted to talk to her mates alone.

“Go on Shelly, take Mom and Dad. I want to talk to my mates for a minute.” Shelly nodded as Ben escorted Shelly, Jack, and Belinda back into the bedroom. Marsha smiled up at her. “She's given you something, hasn't she?” Marsha asked, a twinkle in her eye.

Jaycee laughed and nodded. “I need to talk to them about it.” Marsha patted her arm and walked into the bedroom, as her mates surrounded her touching her.

“Okay, what did you get and from whom?” Mark asked, eyeing her. Jaycee giggled as they frowned at her. “Mother Nature of course, but she didn't only give me the gift. You three now have it too. Look inside and see.” She stepped back and watched.

Remi gazed at her, then looked down at himself, black fur rippled over his skin, but it wasn't a wolf that formed. His gaze shot to her. “A bear?”

She glanced at Dane who started to shift into a panther. “A cat.” Jaycee laughed and nodded, and then glanced at Mark.

Feathers replaced skin, and he transformed into an eagle. All three of them gazed at her and shifted back.

“We can all shift into the four animals now, when the need arises.” She frowned and glanced down at the floor.

Remi stepped up to her. “What?”

A single tear slipped down her cheek. “She told me the ground will shake and to be prepared. That there will be tough times ahead, but in the end, we will survive. She warned me that many will die over the next ten years, and when this is over, things will be different for our kind. Guy is no longer with us either.”

“What do you mean Guy is no longer with us?” Dane wrapped his arm around her and lifted her chin.

“She took him. That was the scream we heard. He will suffer much until she is done with him. He won't be hurting me anymore.”

The elevator dinged, announcing someone's arrival. Remi pushed her through the bedroom door. “We'll talk about this later. Keep our gift a secret, Jaycee. We might need it later,” Remi said, as Dane and Mark closed the door behind them.

Dane grabbed her and placed her in the chair. “I'm going to be right with you, Jaycee. Concentrate on me. Mark will be there too, watching, just in case something happens. We'll see what you see.” He kneeled on one side of her while Mark kneeled on the other. Each of them held one of her hands.

Jaycee closed her eyes and blocked everyone out of her mind as she concentrated on the other room. She could see Mr. Black, Remi, and three others and one woman, Sara. She was expecting a child too. She smiled and nodded. She was fine.

Jaycee turned to the men in the room. Sara's husband was a strong psychic and recognized her immediately. Dane squeezed her hand but she shook her head and relaxed as he allowed her access. She grinned and thanked him.

Dane growled next to her, but she concentrated on the next male, which caused her to suck in her breath.

Go to the next. We have all we need to know.
Dane pushed her away from that one, and she moved to the next man. His mind was blocked from her until she heard.
You risk death for this intrusion, little one, but come see what you must.
He opened his mind and she gasped. He was clean, but powerful, almost as powerful as Remi. He laughed.
We are equal in some areas, but you are right, your man is a powerful one and I'm glad he's on our side.

Jaycee shook her head and glanced down at Dane and Mark, who snarled and stood up. “I swear, I don't know if it's worse having a man look at you, or flirt with you in your mind,” he snapped.

She laughed and tugged on his hand. “Dane, you know I'm yours and only yours.”

He turned his gaze on her and grinned. “Yep, sure do, and if you ever think a man is cute, like you just did, I'm going to show you how much you are ours. Didn't you hear Remi's growl.” He laughed. “You're in so much trouble.”

“Hey, I can look as long as I don't touch. You guys look. Don't think I didn't catch Remi staring at Sara out there,” she snarled.

Marsha laughed behind her. “She has a point, Dane.”

“Mr. Black has sent the one man downstairs to wait for the other five. He wants us to come out,” Dane said, but Jaycee was already walking out of the bedroom.