Chapter Eleven

~ Anthony ~

Donovan and I left Emma resting in the bedroom upstairs. We’d exhausted her with our lovemaking. Though we’d shared her since we’d both mated her, this was the first time we’d taken her the way we had upstairs. Not only had she been okay with it, once we’d both been inside her, she’d reveled in it. Nothing had ever felt as perfect as her owning her pleasure with both of us. If not for the plans we were putting in place to draw out Emma’s father, I had little doubt Donovan and I would still be upstairs in bed with her.

“West called,” Rowan Byrd said as he walked into Bas’ office and joined us. “Someone tried to run them off the road.

“They okay?” Bas asked, coming to his feet.

“Scott was at the wheel,” Rowan said with a wave of his hand as if that was answer enough. I guess it was for anyone who knew Scott. “There were two trucks. Scott lost them both then circled back and tracked them to an old farmhouse, one county over. Not sure if it was abandoned or not, but it’s not now.”

“Fuck!” Cyan’s eyes glowed with anticipation. “This is perfect.”

Rowan nodded. “Easton took Lincoln and Riggs to help with recon. Nico should reach out within the hour. He said he’s putting pieces into place. I don’t know what that means. I’m texting you guys the farmhouse address now. As soon as I have word from Nico, we’ll meet there. Let’s see if we can end this tonight.”

“Claire Richards is a priority,” I told everyone.

“If Emma’s mother is alive, we’ll keep her that way,” Cyan agreed.

“She’s not just Emma’s mother,” Donovan said, and even I whipped my head around to look at him. “She’s your mother, too. Figure out what that means to you, but know this. Emma’s part of this pack, and Claire doesn’t have one to go back to. If Emma wants her to stay here, and Claire agrees, then here is where she’ll stay.”

“Donovan.” Bas growled, but I nodded.

“Figure out your shit,” Donovan warned again then glanced at me. “I’m going to check on Emma. I’ll meet you out front.”

I nodded, knowing he needed to speak with our mate before we left. He’d make sure she knew what was going on while I made sure the wolves left behind understood the importance of keeping a close eye on her. Anyone who’d spent time around the James Pack, realized our mates were our greatest strengths, as well as our greatest weaknesses. Emma and Ivy would have the biggest targets on their backs. If Clayton got his hands on either of them, he’d use them however he could to give himself an advantage. What he didn’t understand, what males like him would never understand, was that he’d have that advantage by taking any of the females in this pack, mates or not.

“Anthony,” Bas called as the rest of those present filtered out of the office.

“He’s right,” I said, already knowing what the conversation would be about.

“I know,” Bas agreed with a glance at Cyan, who’d stayed behind with us. “Is Donovan okay?”

“You know how he is if there’s danger,” I reminded them. “Throw our mate into the mix, a mate we just claimed, and his wolf is staying at the surface. If he gets his hands on Clayton Richards, there won’t be anything left of him when Donovan’s done.”

“He’ll have to beat me to him,” Cyan said. “I’ll do everything I can to protect Claire. I stopped seeing her as my mother a long time ago, but that doesn’t mean I’d sacrifice her. You know that. Donovan knows that. But I need you to understand, even if Emma wasn’t in the picture, even if it was only between me, Claire, and Clayton, I’d protect Claire. Because no matter how I feel or don’t feel, I know my father loved her. I know he would have expected no less from me. I expect no less from myself. That’s the man I am.”

“We know that,” I assured him. Hell, the whole pack was full of males with the same moral compass. “It was a reminder. He won’t allow Emma to be hurt again. If any of the men who put their hands on her while she was held captive are with Clayton, Donovan will want blood. We’ll want blood.”

Cyan nodded. “It’s yours. Now, I need to speak with my mate before I leave.”

“I’ll walk with you,” Bas said, knowing his mate would be with Cyan’s. The two had been best friends long before their mates were even in the picture.

I followed them out but turned toward the stairs. I planned to head up before I saw Donovan at the top.

“How is she?” I asked when he reached me.

“Mad but doing her best to understand the best thing she can do is stay here and help protect the others.”

I threw a questioning glance at him, wondering how he’d convinced her of that.

“She knows the members of her father’s pack. She’ll recognize them. If anyone is caught snooping around, she’ll know if they’re from Richards or not.”

“Good point,” I agreed. “You ready.”

“I—”

“Anthony!”

I glanced up and saw Emma at the top of the stairs. She looked freshly tumbled, hair in disarray, clothes pulled haphazardly on. She was gorgeous. And mine. I caught her as she flew down the steps and launched herself at me.

“Hey,” I murmured, hugging her against my chest. “What’s wrong?”

“I was afraid you’d leave before I saw you.”

“I told you I wouldn’t let that happen,” Donovan said, and she nodded.

“Be careful. Both of you. My father is great at manipulating people and situations. He’ll use any means at his disposal to see all of you dead. He’ll be gunning for Cyan, but if he finds out you’re my mates, he’ll kill you just to show me his power,” she warned.

“Try,” I corrected. “He’ll try to kill us.”

“Do you know how many people have tried to harm this pack?” Donovan asked her. “Too many to count. We’re all standing while none of them breathe.”

“Just be careful,” she begged, cupping my face then reaching over to cup Donovan’s, as well. “Please.”

“Of course, we will,” I assured her while Donovan merely nodded.

“Okay, thank you. Now, who’s staying here?”

“Han, Taylor, and Gabe,” Cyan answered as he and Bas walked out with Ivy and Raina at their sides.

“Good.” Emma wiggled from my arms and turned to face the others. “I’ll get with them. I’m familiar with every member of my father’s pack. I’ll know if any of them show up here.”

Cyan nodded, but I turned her back toward me.

“Stay inside. No heroics. Be part of the solution, not the problem.”

“Same goes,” she told me, including Donovan then Cyan by flicking a heated sear their way, too.

Cyan grinned. “Will do, little sister.”

Emma’s breath caught at that, but she smiled and nodded. Cyan stepped forward and took her hand.

“When this is over, I’d like to get together, just the two of us, and talk. I want to get to know you. No matter what happens with Claire.” Cyan paused, glancing at Ivy and only continuing at her nod. “Whatever happens with our mother. You’re my little sister, and I’d like for us to be close one day.”

He’d said it all before, but I knew it was important to him. That he’d continue saying it until they had that chance to sit, talk, and work on building the sibling bond they’d been denied.

“I’d like that, too,” Emma assured him then leaned in to hug him. “Please, be careful.”

“I know what Clayton Richards is capable of. I’ve always known. I’m just sorry I ever thought you and your brothers were safe from who he is. I’m sorry I left you there. I’m sorry for how this has played out.”

“None of this is on me or you. We’re the victims here, Cy. All of us. Me, you, Jonathan, Sam, and mom. All of us.”

Cyan dropped a kiss atop her head, patted her on the back, then took Ivy’s hand and walked toward the front door. Donovan turned Emma into him.

“Stay smart,” he ordered, dropping a kiss onto her lips that turned heated. She stumbled into me when Donovan let her go. He tapped his finger against her lips twice then turned and followed the others out the door. “Be quick.”

I nodded as I held Emma.

“I don’t like leaving you here,” I confessed as soon as we were alone.

“I’ll be fine.”

I knew she would be, but Donovan wasn’t the only one whose wolf was riding his skin. Instincts were strong when a male first mated. Add danger to the mix, and Donovan and I were more animal than man right now. It was the way it went with shifters. We were inherently dominant and protective. Knowing Emma had been held captive, beaten and tortured, revved those instincts to another level. Knowing the male responsible was close by? We were both ready to shed skin and let the animals avenge their mate.

“I know you will, love,” I whispered. “Keep your phone on you. Donovan or I are the first call if you need anything. Understood?”

Emma nodded. “What will we do if he’s not there?”

“He’s there.” I felt it in my soul. He wouldn’t send someone else to deal with Cyan. It was personal. He’d want to be the one to try to kill his nephew. The same as he’d killed Cyan’s father. As he’d killed his oldest son. The question was, had he also killed Claire and Sam Richards, or were they still alive?