Running In Fear: Coming Home (9 page)

Jaycee glanced over at Kate while she drove. The guards looked uncomfortable. “Listen I'm sorry to drag you all into this. I can drop you off if you want, Kate, and Shelly, you didn't have to come. I already know you're still pissed at me.”

“No, I wanted to come, and you're right, this time. I have been making excuses to Sam for the past six years and I won't do it anymore. I was furious the way he threw you across the air. No one will ever do that to my child. I'm sorry, Jaycee.” Kate said, grabbing her hand and holding on to it.

Jaycee squeezed Kate's hand, then shrugged. “As I said, Kate, I'm used to it. I just don't want Sam or my children to have to grow up like that. The Council does a lot of good for everyone, but the men forget about their own families in the process and I just won't let that happen to mine. If it means giving up on my wedding, I will. My kids come first, and I won't let the Council mess up my life again.”

It took Jaycee two hours, but they finally made it to the biggest mall around. Jaycee pulled into the parking lot, found a spot, and parked. She sat there for a moment looking in the mirror, and staring at Shelly. “I'm sorry, Shelly. You're my best friend and I treated you like shit the last time.”

“I'm sorry too. You're right about this, Jaycee. When I saw what your father did to you, I wanted to rip his head off. I don't want my nieces or nephews around that. I had a near-perfect home life, and I want you and the children to have that too. Now, let's go charge up your mates’ cards and mine.” Shelly laughed, getting out of the car.

Jaycee got out of the car laughing too, and noticed Marsha smiling at them. “You have been quiet. Did I do something wrong again, Momma?” Jaycee hugged her, pulling her along with everyone as the guards trailed behind them.

“No! Actually, I'm quite proud of you. I don't think any of the Council knows what's going on, but after the way your father acted, I'm sure they have a clue. I just hope it opened your mates’ eyes.” Marsha smiled, patting her hand as they walked into the mall.

“There's nothing I can do about that, Momma. They have to choose what they want. I love them and I don't want to let them go, but I won't risk our children for them or anyone.” Jaycee smiled and walked into Bloomingdale's.

For the next three hours, Jaycee shopped, picking out a present for every single member of both packs with Shelly helping her by remembering all the names. They had them shipped to Jaycee's home so she wouldn't have to travel with all the items.

“Hey Jaycee, let's grab a hot pretzel and a drink. I'm starved after all that shopping,” Shelly said, walking up to the pretzel shop. Suddenly, Jaycee felt it. Her mates were at the mall. All of the ladies looked at each other knowing their mates were there.

“Crap, can't they leave us alone for the day! I mean, really, we have two guards and we can fight,” Shelly growled, ordering pretzels and drinks for all of them.

“No! Remember we're the helpless ones even though we raise the children and suffer their foul moods!” Kate barked, as the men rounded the corner, followed by the Council members and their wives.

“Crap! I can't even shop in peace!” Jaycee moaned, as she and the rest of the ladies sat down at a table, waiting for the men to approach. Jaycee noticed that her dad had two black eyes along with a split lip, but she said nothing, looking down at her pretzel.

“Jaycee, we would like to offer you an apology. We have overstepped our bounds, and our wives have pointed out to us that we have done the same thing your father did in the past. It seems we also need to take some lessons in parenthood, but we would still like to move National closer to your home. I can promise we won't interfere with your home life as much as possible. I have six boys at home. I have a lot to make up for, and I think I could do that in a nice little town like yours,” Mr. Black said, looking down at his wife and smiling.

“You see, Jaycee, what my husband says is true. You just pointed it out to all of us. I, and the other woman, agree that it's time we started thinking in terms of family and traditions, not power. The men have agreed and we would like to start a women's group where we can put our ideas of family together. This way, everyone would benefit from it. Of course, we would love if you would help us,” Mrs. Black pleaded.

Jaycee stood up, smiled, and bowed her head in respect. “I would love to help you and I would welcome a group of friends in my home any time. So if you need any help moving or anything, please let us know. I know that Mark runs the biggest realty operation around our town, so he could show you just what you need for a house,” Jaycee said.

“I didn't know that. That would be great! Maybe tonight at dinner he can bring me some pictures of houses. The other woman and I would love to get this moving started. We hate the big city. It gets so stuffy. Now we're going to let you get back to your shopping and we'll see you at eight for supper?” Mrs. Black asked.

“That would be great. I can't wait, and I'll make sure Mark brings his listing with us so you can all look. I even have my laptop so we can take some virtual tours, if you like?”

Jaycee watched as Mrs. Black and the other women nodded, and then pointedly dragged their men off in another direction. Jaycee sat down and then burst out laughing. “Okay, I didn't see that coming.” Jaycee shook her head, smiling at Marsha, who also had a grin on her face.

“You knew, didn't you?” Jaycee asked her mom, but she already knew the answer.

“I see my mate coming. I will let you young things shop some more. My feet are killing me. I'll see you again before you leave, Jaycee. I'm proud of you!” Marsha hugged her from behind, then her mate scooped her up in his arms and walked away. Jaycee smiled, hoping in years to come that that would be her and her mates.

“So where are we going next? We got all the pack members done for Christmas presents?” Shelly asked as Bo slipped in behind her, rubbing her shoulders and whispering in her ear.

“I'm not going anywhere. I'm shopping with my best friend, you jackass. They messed up, not her!” Shelly yelled at Bo, glaring at him.

“Shelly, it's okay, you can go. At least we made up, that's the important part.” Jaycee smiled.

“But I don't trust those assholes behind you. Look at what they did. You can't even have the wedding you wanted because of them!” Shelly growled at her brother.

“Shelly, my children are more important than a dream. It was long time ago. I'll be fine.” Jaycee watched as Bo dragged a protesting Shelly towards the exit. Kate stared at her as her father came up and sat in Shelly's seat next to Kate. Kate scooted over away from him.

“I have a lot to make up for. I'm sorry I let my beast take over back there, Jaycee. I didn't know my own strength, I could have hurt you or the babies and I sorry. It's going to be hard, but I want to try to get to know you again. I have to talk to Kate, but I want to move my family closer to you and yours, if you don't mind?” Guy asked, staring at her.

“If you're moving here because of the Council, father, I don't want any part of it, but if you're moving near me because you want get to know me and my future children, I would love it. I won't have my children influenced by the Council, Dad. I know they're going to try and back away, but I also know it will be hard for them to do. I'm going to watch them like a hawk and you too. If I see one thing interfering, I'm going to raise holy hell and I don't care if it embarrasses you.” Jaycee glared at her father.

He nodded, looking at Kate. “Can we go back to the hotel and talk?”

Kate stared at him, nodded her head, and then walked away from him. Jaycee's father trailed behind Kate, leaving Jaycee alone with her mates who surrounded her at the table.

Jaycee didn't say a word, picking a piece of her pretzel off and stuffing it in her mouth. She waited.

“Did you get any shopping done for yourself?” Mark asked, looking at her from across the table.

“Nope. All I got was presents for both packs. Your moms sent me the lists and Shelly helped me. I had them delivered to your home. They should arrive next week. I even picked up decorations for the tree I wanted to do for the pack house, and the stockings I want to have stuffed for all the children. But no, I didn't get around to me. I wanted to make sure my pack was covered first.” Jaycee got up, throwing away the pretzel. She grabbed her drink and headed for a little store that she had noticed that carried her size in all sorts of clothes.

“You got everyone a present and got all the decorations all ready?” Remi asked.

“Yep, used the account you and Dane set up for me. So all I have to do is get presents for our family and I'll be set. I also want to hit that one store Mary was talking about before we leave.”

Jaycee walked into the Little Shop, which was the store's name, and saw the dress she wanted for tonight. It was elegant, but sexy. It was a deep red silk. It hid all her flaws and enhanced all the right parts of a woman's body. Jaycee grabbed it, along with jeans, underwear, stockings, and a few other dresses. Her men waited while she piled on the clothes. When she was finally done, Jaycee walked up to the register ready to pay. Remi handed the sales lady his credit card.

Jaycee grabbed a bag, while her mates grabbed the others.

“Ralph, would you run these to the truck? We'll meet you at the baby shop.” Remi asked the guard, indicating the bags, including the one she held. The guard nodded obediently, casting a quick glance at her mates, and then he trotted off with the shopping bags.

“So when will we leave to go home?” Jaycee asked, walking to the baby store.

“The jet is ready. We thought we would leave in the morning. This way, we could have lunch with the pack,” Dane replied, wrapping his arm around her waist as they entered the store.

Jaycee walked around the store, but nothing called to her. Turning, she started to walk out. “We better get going. I have to take a shower and get ready for tonight. I also wanted to make sure we have all the listings for the houses for the Council members’ wives.” Jaycee made her way towards the mall exit.

“Didn't you see anything you liked at the baby store?” Remi asked, walking next to her. Jaycee shrugged. “They say it's bad luck to buy anything for the baby before you're three months pregnant. I thought I'd wait. They have an online store I can take a look at later.” Jaycee handed Remi his truck keys, getting in the front in between Dane and Remi.

No one said anything as they drove back to the hotel. Jaycee's heart broke. They were really leaving and going back. Grabbing the dress that she had just bought, Jaycee made a bee-line to the bathroom, but Remi stopped her, picking her up and carrying her to the bedroom.

“Remi, I'm not really in the mood. I just want to get dressed and get this night over, okay,” Jaycee whispered into his chest as he sat on the bed with her in his lap. Dane took the dress from her hand, setting on the chair near the bed. Both he and Mark kneeled down at Remi's feet, staring up at her.

“We have some apologies to make to you, baby.” Remi said, looking down at her. “We let things slip out of our hands and we're sorry. We'll be there for the babies and you, we promise.”

Jaycee squirmed in his arms. “I'm sorry, Remi. I have heard those words before, from my father, and look where it got me. I don't want any more promises. They just get broken. You'll have to prove it me when the time is right.” Jaycee slipped out of his arms, grabbed her dress, and headed for the bathroom.

“Jaycee?” Remi called.

Jaycee stopped and looked over her shoulder. “I'm here, Remi, I won't run again. I'm too tired to run, and I won't risk my children. So don't worry. You have your mate.” Jaycee went into the bathroom, hanging her dress on the door as she slowly slipped out of her jeans and sweater.

She turned on the tub. “God, it feels like a week has passed since I left this bathroom,” she said, talking to herself. Groaning as she got into the tub, Jaycee noticed the bruises on her arm and groaned more. “Great, just what I need!” Jaycee sank down into the warm water, since it wasn't good for the babies to be in hot water. She heard the bathroom door open.

Jaycee watched Remi and Dane come into the bathroom, staring at her.

“What's wrong?” Remi asked kneeling down by the tub.

Jaycee tried to hide her arm under the bubbles, but Dane saw it and growled.

“What the hell is that on your arm?” Remi asked, raising her arm and inspecting it.

“It's nothing, guys. I'm bound to have some bruises after that toss in the air. They'll heal.” Jaycee shrugged, pulling her arm away and slipping it back under the water.

Remi stood, scooping Jaycee up out of the tub, and carrying her back into the bedroom where he laid her down on the bed.

“What are you doing? I just got in the tub and you're soaking the bed sheets!” Jaycee tried to get up, but Mark held her hands above her head.

“We are inspecting our body. Now hush,” Remi snarled, as he picked up one leg, looking at every inch of it. Dane did the same with the other, their hands rubbing her body to make sure there were no hidden bruises. Then they proceeded to inspect her stomach and breasts. Remi and Dane pulled and squeezed. Their tongues lapped up the water drops, sliding down her body.

“That's not inspecting.” She moaned as they flipped her over. That's when she heard their gasp. Jaycee tried to look behind her, but Mark held her still, snarling

“I think that asshole got off to easy. Look at her back. It's all black and blue,” Dane snarled, touching her lower back. Jaycee flinched a little, making them even madder.

“Remi, he didn't do this. If you remember, I fell on my arms and breasts. This happened when I was running in the woods. There was a trap and I jumped over it, falling over a branch!” Jaycee squirmed looking back at their faces.

“So you did this running from us?” Remi snarled.

“Yes.” She whispered, laying her head back down on the pillow.

Mark released her arms as her other mates got up, pacing the floor. “This can't keep happening, Jaycee. You could have been seriously hurt, or killed. I'm not going to mention the fact that you could have hurt the babies! I mean, come on, we already lost one. Do you want to lose these babies too?” Remi's voice grew fiercer, louder.