19. Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Nineteen

Daisy

M y legs are still weak as I enter the living room. I found a pair of jeans, a long-sleeved purple shirt, and a pair of boots on the bed when I got done in the shower. I also discovered how quickly my mate can have something delivered. A pair of panties, exactly like the ones he tore last night, lay on top of the shirt. How does he do it? I actually sniffed the underwear. When I buy new clothes, they go in the washer before going on my body; they smell like detergent.

The table is filled with hot men and Saphira. Ryker and Bash are without their mates. Quinn is here, watching my face carefully. Heath pushes his plate away as I sit to Micah’s right at the head of the table, in between them. His scent is so strange, and it bugs me. I don't know what his animal is. His blue eyes are hypnotic and make me uncomfortable, as if a predator is staring at me. I wonder if I can get Micah to share what Heath is. There must be a creative way to convince him.

“Hi,” Saphira says, offering me a piece of toast.

“Morning,” I reply. I smile as I take the bread. I’m surprised she is here since I haven’t given her the warmest welcome, but I’m grateful.

“Eat, love,” Micah says. “Quinn will fill us in.”

I love breakfast. “Yum.” I open the container in front of me and close my eyes, breathing in the delicious aroma of bacon, perfectly crispy hashbrowns, runny eggs and sausage links. “How did you know I like my eggs runny?”

“I know a lot of things,” he grins into his cup.

Saphira rolls her eyes. “How many times have I heard that?”

“You, hush,” Micah says.

As I eat, Quinn says, “Shade found Turner on security cameras. He went back to the pack house, Lace’s store, and her apartment. We caught him at an atm taking every penny out of his account. Shade combed through his bank statements and found several deposits of large amounts of money every year, for the past ten years since he’s been at the bank. The largest deposit lined up with the week your brother disappeared.”

“Asshole. He got paid for my brother,” I snarl. “How much money?”

“Hundreds of thousands all together,” he answers.

“He had that much money yet forced us to steal?” I growl.

“Sometimes, it’s never enough.” Quinn shrugs.

“You don’t know where he got the money?” Micah asks.

“No. Shade is digging deeper, but it takes time. Turner doesn’t look good. He was constantly looking over his shoulder. By his appearance, he hasn’t showered for days,” Quinn says.

“He’s panicking,” I say. “He was alone?”

“Yes, but it doesn’t mean the rest of the pack isn’t waiting,” he says.

“Possibly, but there weren’t many left. Most of them probably ran like Austin. They weren’t as close as Henry was to him. If he is out of control, I bet they didn’t stick around,” I say, munching on bacon.

“The less we have to worry about, the better,” Ryker says.

“It’s going to be fairly easy to find him,” Quinn says. “Or for him to find you when you are out in the open.”

“What’s the plan when you do find him?” Saphira asks.

“I have to get him to talk,” I answer.

“You think he will?” Bash asks.

“When I offer the right incentive.” I shrug.

“What?” Quinn leans forward.

“I’ll tell him where the coin is.” I scoop some hashbrowns onto the edge of the toast.

“Really?” Saphira asks.

“No, but he won’t know I’m lying.”

“Where is the coin?” Quinn asks.

I take a bite. “Close.” I do trust Micah’s friends, but the location is personal.

“We are going to let her loose and follow?” Ryker asks.

“Pretty much,” Micah says.

“Let her loose?” I ask, glaring at the vampire.

“I apologize for my choice of words, but anything can happen,” Ryker says.

“That’s why the rest of you will be close,” I say.

“It takes a split second for you to be taken,” he continues.

“I can find her,” Micah says, leaning forward, his forearms on the table.

“Are you sure?” Ryker mimics Micah’s movement.

“Yes, I’m sure,” Micah growls, his eyes swirling dangerously.

“How?” Ryker snaps. “You both treat this as if it’s going to go smoothly. Nothing goes as planned for this crew.”

“I know your intentions are pure, but you're pissing me off,” Micah snarls. My head bounces between the two vampires, entirely too turned on by my mate for the situation. Bash is tense and attuned to their body language. Heath and Quinn seem to be unfazed.

“I understand. I would hate to deal with the consequences and your pain if something happens to her,” Ryker says, the emotion in his eyes urging us to understand.

“I won’t lose her,” Micah grits out.

“Guys,” I say; everyone else is silent, watching them.

“But what if—”

“It won’t happen,” Micah says.

“Guys,” I say again, louder, gaining their attention. Saphira’s wide eyes focus my way, too. “Ryker, I am calm. I am calm because I lived with Turner most of my life, at least the life I remember. I know how to deal with him. Sure, something could happen, but it always can. Do you know I barely slept at night living there? I always had to be on guard. Many nights, the doorknob would jiggle. Someone in the pack would try to get in. I don’t know exactly what their plan was, but it couldn’t have been good. The past few nights, I have had the best sleep. I can finally sleep through the night.” I stare into Ryker’s eyes, but I feel the tension radiating off Micah and the other men at the table. Saphira's scent fills with anger and pain.

“I was the only girl in the pack. Do you know what that means? For years, they assumed that meant I was there for their pleasure. Every day, I had to fight to show them that wasn’t true. There were many close calls. Pats of affection in inappropriate places I had to fend off. Do you know how many fingers I broke?” I look around, meeting each of their sympathetic gazes. When I reach Micah, his rage washes over me, and I look at my plate. “Since I met Micah, I have been wrapped in a protective bubble, which is great but can’t go on forever. I am strong. I have to do this, and Micah and all of you must trust I know what I’m doing. I want all of them dead; whether I do it or Micah, I don’t care. I will defend myself. I’ve done it for years.”

“I’m so sorry, Daisy,” Saphira whispers.

“Thank you,” I whisper back. “I’m sorry for what you have dealt with, too.” She nods, and a moment of camaraderie passes between us. “Men have no idea what women have to go through every day out in the world,” I mutter. “Saphira and I are lucky to be surrounded now by men who would never do those things, but we weren’t always.”

“You didn’t tell me everything,” Micah says, and I cup his arm.

“It’s not something I wanted to reveal right away.”

“Who? Everyone in the pack?” he asks.

“Not all.” Some of them didn’t want their fingers broken.

“Tell me their names,” he demands.

“If we see them, I’ll tell you, and you can kill them.”

“Fine. But after, you will tell me all their names,” he says.

“Deal.”

“Fuck, I’m sorry, Daisy,” Ryker says. “I can’t imagine. I want to protect your bond with my oldest friend. He’s waited years for you and would not survive without you.”

“I get it. I want you to protect him and me. I have many powerful friends on my side now.” I smile.

“We will do whatever you need us to,” Heath says. “You deserve to live without fear.”

“Thanks, Heath,” I say but avoid his eyes.

“Fuckers need to be buried,” Quinn growls.

“Daisy, I lived in hell before,” Bash says, surprising me. “We will get you your revenge and the justice you deserve.”

“Can I cut one of their dicks off?” Saphira asks with a wicked grin.

“Bloodthirsty,” Micah says, and they laugh, cutting through the tension.

“I’ve learned from the best,” she replies.

“I will give you a knife to use,” I say.

“Cool.” She takes a big bite, and I shake my head. I need to get to know her. She hides a lot behind her outgoing personality.

“Have you taken enough of her blood to find her?” Bash asks casually.

“Yes,” Micah confirms. “I already feel her without the bond completed.”

“Good.” Bash leans back, appeased.

“He can’t know I’m mated, especially to a vampire,” I say. “He acts tough, but he'll run when faced with powerful vampires. I need all of you to stay far enough away so he won’t sense you.”

“What are you going to tell him?” Saphira asks.

“I’m not sure yet. I figure I’ll know what to do when I see him.” I shrug.

“Great plan,” Heath says dryly.

“I can read him. I’ll know how to approach him. He’s used to my attitude, so if I go meek and nice, he’ll know somethings up,” I explain.

“Did you ever break his fingers?” Quinn asks.

“No. He didn’t make contact but flirted with my boundaries. He was always testing me.” I take a drink of my cold coffee.

“I want to test his pain level and then rip his heart out.” Micah sets his cup down, and the cup disintegrates.

“Now that’s a good plan,” Heath comments, tapping his cane.

Shit, I will have to change my underwear. I’m ready to jump my mate, not hunt an Alpha.

I’m not a fan of being away from my mate. My skin itches, and my heart is squeezed in a vise. Micah didn’t like it, but I asked him to stay at the apartment. I need to leave my scent through the streets. He has sent me four texts since I left. He claims he’s assuring me he can pinpoint my location, but I think he’s feeling the distance as much as I am. His acceptance of my plan assures me he sees me as an equal instead of the little woman who needs protection. Don’t get me wrong—the further I move away, the more appealing the idea of being a little woman is.

Don’t we all want someone to protect us? Not to smother us or demean our strength but to show their love.

I do love him, and I can’t live without him.

Rubbing the ache in my chest, I glance around me through lowered lashes. This better be worth not being with my mate. We could be playing in bed. Micah’s way of loving me is mind-numbingly good. I wish life were fair, and I was there with him now.

Lace’s apartment is across from a little park. I grip the back of a park bench and stare at the window I know is hers. Most of the apartments are lit up, but hers is dark. We assumed we would take action when the sun went down; perhaps it seemed appropriate. The dark is when the demons come out to play. I don’t sense or smell the Alpha asshole or any of the pack in the area.

Walking the streets at night brings back so many memories. We didn’t steal much during the day; it was too easy to get caught. The dark is camouflage. Past sunset is when people drink, party, and lower their inhibitions. Lifting wallets at clubs, bars, and even parks was easy. You wouldn’t believe how many people walk the park at night.

There are a couple of teenagers making out like no one is watching on the other side of the slides. Some guys are playing basketball across from them, and two girls are whispering while sitting on a bench watching the guys work up a sweat.

I glance one more time at Lace’s window before continuing.

I resist the urge to reach for the knife in my waistband. Since coming to Micah’s place, I haven’t had any use for it. If it weren’t for the bond pushing me to return to my mate, the past few days seem like a dream. I’m walking back into hell, willingly giving myself over to the monster of my reality, except I have a monster on my side; well, several monsters. Thinking of the fear and shock on Turner’s face if he was faced with Micah makes me grin.

Fuck, he would piss himself.

I could have brought Micah with me and seen the vision in real life, but the need to finish this on my own is fierce. At least the first part of the fight. I know Turner wouldn’t talk if he faced the wall of power from my friends. Micah could make him, but I have to be the one to get the answers. I have stayed in a house of hell for too long for it to be for nothing. I did it for my brother. If I let others finish the job I started years ago, wouldn’t it be like I’m giving up my fight?

I pause, lean against the brick of a building, and pull out my phone. Lace was scared when I made the mistake of telling her about my plan. I understand her fear, but I was more scared for her, getting hurt because of me. I am reassured she is protected in the middle of our new friends.

It would be so much easier just to call the fucker. Turner was paranoid and switched phones all the time. He gave me his number once, but the following week he changed it. I don’t know how many burner phones sat in his desk drawer. I text Micah that I’m good, no sign of Turner, and to give me the time I need to draw the fucker out. After ensuring the ringer is off, I slide it back into my pocket and push off the wall.

I’m slowly approaching Lace’s business. Turner knows I wouldn’t leave her unprotected. I thought he would have someone watching and reporting back to him. Lace loves this place. I hate that I was the cause of its destruction. Micah fixed the door and gave me the key. He doesn’t ask; he just does. He sees a problem and fixes it. I think it’s sweet.

Pulling the key from my pocket, I unlock the door. As I pass through the doorway, the smell of books hits me. I love it. I associate the smell with Lace, and her scent is sprinkled with it. I shut the door but leave it unlocked.

Most of the books are scattered across the floor. Lace is probably anxious to come back here to clean up. I wish she could. I didn’t read much when we met, but she introduced me to the idea of getting lost in a make-believe world. It opened my eyes to a way I could escape the life I was forced to live. I pick up a book, brush off the cover, and ruffle through the pages. I loved living in someone else’s world. She told me it was how she survived a horrible childhood and now lived her dream, sharing her love of reading with others.

It’s sad, and it pisses me off that he took it from her. Some of them can be saved, but he tore through everything. Shelves are knocked over. Did he think I hid the coin in a book?

Once everything is settled, I’ll help her rebuild.

When the door opens, I tilt my head to the side. I smell him. He was lurking nearby, or his men were. The plan is working, but I still feel a little fear of being near him again.

“What happened to my men?” he growls as he slams the door. He brought two men from the pack. I flinch from the echo of the lock engaging, but I don’t turn around yet.

No fear. No urgency to face him. It shows him I’m not afraid to have my back turned. I lock down my emotions, shoving them behind the mask of indifference.

The book in my hand is placed slowly, carefully on the one shelf still standing. I stare at it momentarily and then brush my hands on my jeans before turning. He does look like he hasn’t showered since I saw him last. His hands are balled into fists at his side, and he’s glaring. I don’t glance at the other men. Their scent identifies them as William and Shawn. Total assholes. They both tried to force their advances but didn’t get far.I take a couple of steps closer. I stop and put my hands on my hips.

“I killed them. I don’t like being chased through the forest.” I move within reach. “Unless it’s a man who I plan to fuck,” I grin gleefully.