La Patron's 2nd Christmas Read online

  “Yes. Ma’am.”

  “I’ll talk to Mistress and if she approves I’ll leave within the hour. Be prepared to see me within three. Don’t mention it to them until Mistress says yes,” Asia said.

  Damian chuckled at her confidence. “What if she says no? We don’t know what Randi’s capable of.”

  “That’s why I’m coming. Before she boards the plane I’ll scan her. If she’s lying and means my family harm I’ll strike her down on the spot.”

  “Yes, Ma’am,” he said feeling better about the decision to get Randi out of harm’s way so they could focus on eliminating Hector.

  “I’ll contact you soon with my travel information.”

  “Yes, Ma’am. Give Sarita a kiss for me. Did you get the box I sent?”

  “It came yesterday and I put the boxes beneath the tree.”

  “Not all of them.”

  “No, not the one you marked to be hidden. I put it away, she won’t find it,” Asia said.

  “Excellent. Has she played with the boxes?” He hated missing their first Christmas together and wanted to be there when Sarita woke Christmas morning.

  “Yes she has. The next time she hunts beneath the tree we’ll record it and send it to you.”

  “Thanks that would be great! I’d really like that.” His chest expanded and then he released his breath slowly.

  “Hold on, I’m talking to Mistress,” Asia said.

  Five minutes later, she spoke through Hawke, their mutual connection. “I’ve ordered the plane and will be there three hours from now. As their Alpha, Daddy’s telling them what’s going on, and demanding her to be ready to leave. He’s coming with me.”

  Damian wasn’t surprised, in fact he was relieved to have that part of the plan removed from his to-do list. “And Russell? Eugene? When are they arriving?” They needed to plan and move fast while Hector was in town.

  “I told you, they left immediately. Eugene has a shorter distance to travel than Russell. Everyone should be there before sunrise.”

  “Rats come out at night,” Damian said wondering if they’d find Hector during daylight hours.

  “Set a trap that attracts him any time of day.”

  “You’re taking her,” Damian said without thinking. But once the words were uttered he realized how true they were.

  “Good point. Maybe Daddy and I can take her to breakfast before I leave. You’ve got those trackers?”

  “Yes, Ma’am.”

  “Excellent, I’ll see you in three.”

  When they arrived in Homestead, Randi, Raoul and Barticus had a bittersweet reunion. Randi and Raoul looked more like Barticus than her, yet he was her sire and that felt good. Seeing them together, Asia hadn’t been sure how she’d feel, peaceful hadn’t been on the card. However, when Barticus entered Damian’s house the relief, love and excitement in Randi’s eyes rivaled Adam’s when La Patron played ball with him outside. No question Randi loved Barticus and he loved the young bitch as well.

  Raoul had been more reserved.

  Damian greeted her first and then embraced Barticus leaving Raoul for last. Barticus embraced all three with a wide smile. Randi had approached her and apologized with tears running down her face which made Asia uncomfortable. She’d patted the young woman’s shoulder and escaped to the kitchen before Raoul tried to do the same.

  Damian followed and they drank bottled water. When they finished they made plans. Discovering more information on Hector topped their list.

  Chapter 8

  Silas rolled over, his hand patted the opposite side of the bed. He opened his eyes at the empty, yet warm spot. “Jasmine?” Where had she gone? He stretched and rolled over, the sheet pulled tight across his waist.

  “Where are you?”

  “Bathroom, be there in a sec.”

  He placed her pillow over his head and inhaled. Last night after dinner she’d been wild in bed, taking him to the pinnacle three times before he raised his hand pleading exhaustion. Her aggression pleased both sides of his nature.

  “Hey,” she said walking toward him wearing a pair of purple lace panties.

  His cock hardened and waved a greeting. “Hey sexy lady. I missed you.”

  She climbed on the bed and sat on top of him.

  “Move the sheet, I want to feel your skin, your heat.”

  Jasmine lifted as he pulled the sheet from between them.

  “Mmmm, that’s better.” He rolled his hips beneath her loving the sounds she emitted.

  “Before I forget, I told Asia that Randi could wait here while Damian and Raoul went after the rebels.”

  Silas stopped moving and met her direct gaze. “Who?”

  “Randi, Barticus’ daughter.” She explained the conversation she’d had with Asia after they’d both gone to sleep.

  “You didn’t want to discuss this with me first?”

  “No, you were sleep and I know Asia will scan and keep her in check. She’s responsible for her parents and Randi.”

  Silas didn’t like the idea of an unknown being so close to his pups. “Can we discuss things like this in the future?” He rubbed her arms while gauging her response. They shared the administration for the Nation but he needed to keep a tight rein on the compound. The recent brush with Elyria still stung.

  Her nostrils flared as she returned his gaze. Neither spoke for a few moments. She released a long breath. “Yes, we can. Honestly, I didn’t want to wake you and this is about more than Randi. Damian’s going up against a tough gang and although Asia doesn’t want to step in, give him special treatment or worse, make it seem as though she doesn’t think he can handle the job. She and Hawke are concerned. By removing Randi, it’s one less distraction for him.”

  Silas nodded, that made sense. “Makes sense to me, although I’d have put her up at the hotel in town.”

  “What if this guy has a long reach and attempts to remove her from there, we’d be in a similar situation just in another state.”

  He took her hands in his. “Seems you’ve given this matter some thought, that’s sexy.”

  Jasmine laughed. “Everything’s sexy to you.”

  “Not true. Just everything about you,” he said pulling her close and capturing her lips in a searing kiss. “When are they leaving?”

  “Hmm?” she asked against his lips.

  “Asia and Barticus, when are they flying to Florida?” he asked, his thoughts taking an unsanctioned detour on the mechanics of the operation. Asia left her mother behind with Hawke but Hawke needed to finish his report on the serums the military created so he could overlook the plans for the new branch Crall created. Maybe he could shift that to Angus. No, Angus had his hands full with the western part of the country and planned to fly out right after Christmas.

  “Silas? Silas?!” Jasmine called and placed her palms on both sides of his face.

  He blinked and met her concerned gaze. “When?”

  “They left already, she’s in Homestead I think they’re going to breakfast or something like that. Why?”

  “They left Amynta alone?”

  “We’re taking her to lunch and shopping later even if Asia’s not back, she’ll be fine.”

  “Is she watching Sarita?”

  “Yes, her or Hawke,” Jasmine said slowly.

  “It’s just me, still a little paranoid, but it’d make me feel a lot better if Sarita was in the nursery, Amynta can watch her there along with staff and the security guards in the hall.”

  Jasmine slid off him. “You’re right this happened fast, can’t be too careful.” She headed to the shower.

  Silas rolled out of bed, contacted Hawke to make sure he was on task for the report and told him to take Sarita and Amynta to the nursery so she’d get to know all the kids. Jasmine would join them soon.

  If Hawke suspected Silas of paranoia, he didn’t let on. Instead he sounded grateful for instructions on what to do with his mother-in-law.

  Intent on catching Jasmine before she finished her shower he he
aded to the bathroom and released a groan when she strode pass him drying off. He caught her around the waist and kissed her hard and deep before she could think or take the next breath.

  “I love you, Sweet Bitch don’t ever change,” he murmured against her lips.

  “Awww, Wolfie, that’s so sweet. Can we go to Disney after Christmas?”

  “No, someplace less crowded.” He swatted her on her ass and headed to the shower.

  “D.C.?”

  “Less crowded,” he said, as he stepped into the shower.

  “People are everywhere,” she mumbled.

  He chuckled and made quick work of his shower. With Hawke and the twins leaving after Christmas, he needed those reports and a handle on Crall’s new project. Everything else could wait until after the first of the year.

  “It’s not crowded in Orlando during Christmas… well not as crowded. We can lease a house, maybe two side by side so security could rotate in and out. There are a lot of places we could take the children without spending all of our time in lines at Disney.”

  Silas searched their link. She really wanted to go to this place. He pulled out a pair of gray trousers and a green and gray striped shirt. “Let me talk it over with Angus and see what we can do.” He dressed, and then placed a kiss on her forehead.

  “Thank you.”

  “Anything for you.” He slid his feet into his brown loafers, kissed her again and left the room.

  Jasmine stood in the middle of the room in her bra and panties staring at the door. “Didn’t I shower before him?” With details of the next few hours circling in her mind she walked into her closet and pulled out a long sleeve white blouse, a comfortable pair of jeans, eyed her purple coat and print scarf for later. After dressing she zipped up her gray boots and headed to the nursery, the kids should be up preparing for breakfast. Her stomach growled in anticipation.

  When she entered the room, Amynta sat on the floor. Her skin glowed beneath the lights as she smiled at something David said. With her dark hair pulled back, her cheek bones appeared more prominent, her brown eyes sparkled with humor and pleasure. There was no doubt this woman was Asia’s mother.

  Amynta looked up, their gazes met and she offered Jasmine a warm smile. “Good morning, the children are telling me the meaning of Christmas. Their interpretations of the holiday are… interesting.”

  Jasmine returned her smile and moved closer. The attendants were setting the food out for breakfast. Fragrant aromas of cinnamon, vanilla and coffee merged in the air tempting a rumble from her belly. Rubbing her abdomen she sat next to Amynta, pleased the older woman had dressed comfortably in jeans and a nice peach colored top.

  Renee pointed and laughed. “Mama, your stomach talked.”

  Jasmine grabbed her finger and acted as if she’d bite and then pulled Renee close for a hug. Her daughter turned in her arms and hugged her tight. Eyes closed, Jasmine reveled in the love so freely given from her children as she embraced and kissed each one good morning. Sarita climbed into her lap before David and placed a noisy kiss on her cheek.

  Everyone laughed as Jasmine returned the favor. David remained in her lap as Adam showed Amynta a picture. “This is my mistletoe. Ms. Sherry, our new teacher, said this means love if you kiss a girl with it.”

  Jasmine looked at the picture of green leaves and red dots of various sizes. She gave Renee the eye to remain quiet when she opened her mouth, no doubt to make a comment on her brother’s lack of artistic skill.

  “It’s beautiful,” Amynta said as she looked at Adam. “Mystery surrounds the mistletoe. When I was a young girl we’d find the great Oak where the mistletoe grew and place it at the front door to keep bad things from coming inside. Alphas required mistletoe in the room of every peace treaty conference.”

  “Why?” David asked.

  “Because there is a tradition that there can be no fighting in the presence of the mistletoe, and only truth can be spoken, otherwise darkness would take over your soul,” she said and winked at him.

  “Is that true?” David, ever the skeptic asked.

  “Maybe. No one ever fought, or disrespected the other beneath the mistletoe. There was peace and sometimes forgiveness in those talks that didn’t happen when the plant wasn’t there.” Amynta said.

  Jasmine’s knowledge of the mistletoe ended with receiving a kiss beneath it. Fortunately breakfast was laid out and they could eat. “Food, time to eat,” she said moving David aside and standing.

  “We still plan to go to lunch and shopping later today,” Jasmine told Amynta as they sat down with the children. Sarita sat on one side of her grandmother while Adam sat on the other.

  “Great, I have some last minute things I need to buy,” she said tapping the tip of Adam’s nose with her fingertip.

  “For me?” Adam asked, his face lit.

  “Have you been a good boy this year?” Amynta asked before taking a bite of sausage.

  The light in Adam’s face dimmed as the girls snorted and chuckled.

  “Kind’a,” Adam said cautiously.

  “Good,” Amynta said, her eyes crinkling at the corner as she met his surprised gaze. “You have a good, honest heart.” She looked at the other children. “All of you are so smart, loving and kind. You show the Christmas spirit every day and that’s more special than you can imagine.”

  “Thank you,” Adam said his chest puffed. “You’re very nice, I like you.”

  “I like you too.” Amynta winked at him.

  Chapter 9

  “It’s me. She’s here. Just walked into the breakfast joint with a few F-bloods,” Manny told Hector through their mental links.

  “Who’s she with?”

  “Don’t know. Tall blond dude, tall black, maybe Caribbean chick. I can’t tell, her eyes… they’re different,” he said.

  “KnightForce?”

  “Don’t think so, the man doesn’t have that look. The other one’s a woman, probably his bitch. Definitely F-bloods, though.”

  “Full bloods, huh? They’re not from around here, so where’d they come from? Have you checked the airport? Or did they fly in?”

  “No. You told me not to leave Randi, and I’ve been watching her, not anyone else. Do you want me to check them out?”

  “What I want is for you to multi-task, make calls, see if anyone’s seen anything. You can do other things while watching one bitch, can’t you?”

  Manny’s face heated. “Sure I can. I’ll get back with you soon as I find out something.”

  “Go inside, order some food, and see if you can hear anything. They may not be linked and might say something. I’m sending reinforcements to make sure she’s in Miami tonight. Don’t fuck up, littermate or not, this is your last shot.” Hector disconnected.

  Once he was sure the connection had been severed Manny snorted at the old threat and headed to the door of the restaurant. Entering, he avoided a collision with a human kid running from a female toward the seating area.

  “Thomas, you get back here and apologize,” the woman said stopping near Manny. She looked at him and mouthed. “I’m sorry.” Her son walked slowly with his head down.

  “Sorry.” Thomas turned and walked back to their table with the woman following.

  Manny ignored both the woman and the kid as he sought Randi’s scent. The hostess walked up and he indicated the section he wanted to sit. His seat allowed him to watch Randi and her companions. Seated he sent inquiries regarding the appearance of the people with Randi.

  The tall female with caramel colored skin stood smiling down at Randi and the old man. Manny appreciated her curvy feminine form. Her hips swayed seductively as she moved in the opposite direction. If he hadn’t been on this stupid job for Hector he’d follow the bitch to have a bit of fun.

  An incoming text confirmed what he suspected, no one knew anything about these two. They could’ve driven in from anywhere, I-95 ended in Miami from all points north or they could’ve flown into a private air strip or Miami International.
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  Hector wouldn’t be happy.

  Manny took a sip of his coffee and then bit into the fluffy biscuit accompanying his bacon and cheese omelet. The dark bitch hadn’t returned to the table yet.

  A hand fell on his shoulder. Before he could react, electrical tingles shot through him. He struggled to look up and saw the dark beauty, the one from Randi’s table. She stood there talking. Was she talking to him?

  He didn’t hear anything except a hundred bees buzzing between his ears. A sharp blade pierced his skull. His eyelids drooped to keep out the light and hide his agony. A moan of anguish rose up his throat. His beast whined, just as confused as he was. Intense pain radiated through his body. His hands and legs wouldn’t obey his commands to move, to leave. Her hand kept him in place.

  “What’s going on?” he tried to say but couldn’t get the words past his tight throat. Tremors wracked his body. His heartbeat slowed. His vision dimmed.

  “Can you get my friend something to drink? I think he swallowed something,” Asia asked the waitress who came to check on the young man named Manny. Despite the air condition running in the background, beads of sweat dotted Asia’s brow. How in blazes could it be this hot in winter? Temperatures had been in the teens when they left West Virginia four hours ago and now rested in the low 70’s.

  “Here’s a glass of water.” The waitress placed the glass in front of Manny and looked at Asia. “I called 911.” The waitress stared at Manny whose face lay on the table. He didn’t respond to Asia shaking his shoulder and calling his name.

  Barticus and Randi left as Asia stood aside talking to the manager while the EMT’s tried to revive Manny. A few minutes later they took him away. A police officer spoke to Asia and a few others.

  “Come with me, Ma’am. I’d like to ask you a few questions,” the officer said pointing outside.

  Asia walked out and around the building. Barticus and Randi waited in the car. The full-blood officer opened and closed the door after she slid inside. No one spoke as they pulled out of the parking lot to return to Damian’s.