Bankhead Forest #7
Kingsley laughed, “Well, count me in. I have nothing to do. Plus, it’s morning. The Vampire I work for is not up yet and I personally want to be the distraction.” Mason groaned, “You two.” Hendrick asked, “Why do you want to be the distraction Kingsley?” Mason snorted, “You know why.”
Kingsley laughed, “Because when I retell the story to Hastein, the sex will be worth it.” Hendrick groaned, “Come on! You girls are like our daughters. We don’t need to hear about you having sex.
” Kingsley snickered and added, “Angelique probably isn't going to answer. Gabe took her to his island for adult time. Is that better Hendrick?”
Hendrick groaned, “No! There will be no adult or sexy time talk. None of that.” Crush said, “Adult time is the best.” He kissed Virgil’s neck.
Hendrick asked, “Do you think you’re not included in the group we consider our own?
Blame your mate. That young man was determined to get under my skin, and he has. No sexy time talk!” Virgil snickered.
The rest of the group arrived, and we mapped out a plan.
I could feel Xander’s curiosity growing.
Mason and Hendrick were going to cover us as snipers.
Paige was going to back us up with her spells.
Me, Addison, Valentina, Avery, and Dax were going inside.
Caine was begrudgingly staying in Nashville to be visible.
I stood announcing, “I need to go find Nate.” Mason said, “He will want to come.” I said, “He can’t, and he knows it.” Mason shrugged, “That won't matter to him.” I opened the window to my office and jumped out.
I knew where Nate was staying with Paisley.
I heard laughing when I knocked on the door.
Nate opened it, clearly surprised to find me.
Well… we were friends… and we talked. Freya said, “You look like you have news which he knows because he’s met you.
” Maybe I didn’t have news… that was an option. It just wasn’t true.
Nate greeted, “Mel.” I nodded and went inside. I announced, “We’re bringing them home.” Nate’s eyes narrowed, “You found them then.” I nodded, “Destiny will be home sooner. Virgil and Crush are bringing her home.”
Nate shouted, “They separated them?!” I nodded, “Demi… is more complicated, but we will bring her home too.” Nate was determined, “I’m coming.
” I sighed, “You can’t, Nate. They have your picture as a Hunter deserter or mole.
Destiny is hopefully going to be… an in and out kind of thing.
You need to be here for her. Your sister needs to see you. ”
Nate ran a hand through his hair asking, “Why is Dem going to be more complicated?” I never understood that nickname. Like it was so hard to say the I in Demi they all shorted it to Dem. Freya snickered, “I’m sure he’d tell you.” I’m sure the answer wouldn’t make sense.
I sighed, “Because of where she’s being held.” Nate closed his eyes and a few tears escaped. Paisley wrapped her arms around him. Nate whispered, “Tell me my sister is not in Bankhead.” I hummed, “I can’t tell you where she is.”
Because then he’d go… which I knew…because I would. I didn’t have time for Nate to get caught. Because he knew they would do that and give us a way in. I wasn’t willing to risk him being hurt to do that. I’d get in anyway.
Paisley asked, “Why don’t you want Demi to be in Bankhead, Nate?” Nate answered, “Because it’s one of the few places the Resistance can’t get contacts on the inside. We don’t know a lot about the facility, and it’s where very strong willed wolves are taken.”
Nate punched the wall, “So of course that’s where she is. Demi is one of the strongest wolves I know. She was definitely the strongest she wolf in our pack. Everyone was stunned she wasn’t mated to the Alpha’s son. They just felt she was a Luna wolf. Demi was the only one not surprised.”
Paisley asked, “Why not?” Nate smiled faintly, “Demi said she was meant for a Warrior’s life. She was not the paperwork type of person. My little sister always said she was a gym rat and that’s where she wanted to be.”
I told him, “They will come back to you, Nate.” Nate asked, “Are you telling your mate?” I answered, “I mean… yes… I’m telling Xander that I’m going out… but I feel that wasn’t your question. You mean about where Demi is and… no.”
Nate snorted, “You are going to get in trouble.” I disagreed, “Not even slightly. Xander understands missions. He’s a Hackura Duke and Squadron Leader.” Paisley said, “That doesn’t mean he’ll like you running off into danger.”
I conceded, “Well, no….but it means I’m not going to get in trouble.
” Nate laughed, “God, I missed these chats. You are so cute.” I frowned, “Umm ok? I’ll see you later.
So…be ready to see your sisters. They missed you.
” Nate was clearly about to ask how I knew that when someone knocked on the door.
Paisley opened it. I wasn’t surprised to see EJ standing there. My brother in law raised an eyebrow when he saw me. EJ commented, “My brother was wondering where you were.” I said, “Well, here I am. See you later Nate and Paisley.”
EJ studied me then grabbed my arm as I passed him. I looked up into his eyes knowing there was a question in them. EJ said, “You have a different look about you when you’re planning something. Did you know that?”
I asked, “What? I do… that’s… what?” EJ explained, “When you hack you put your hair up and you have a determined look on your face. I watched the surveillance when you lifted Cassie’s cell phone in the kitchen.
It’s cool, calm, determined, and in control.
Just how you look now. Where are you going? ”
Freya offered, “Brutus does actually want to know.” Well, I couldn’t really tell him. I said, “Well… that’s… I can’t… really… tell you… exactly….” Xander interrupted, “Can you tell me?” I linked EJ, “You told him… where I was… and I was going to find him next.”
“I wasn’t leaving without talking to him… that’s not a thing. The thing with Tenley and Blaise… was an emergency and he wasn’t here… and I called him… he didn’t answer… so that’s on Xander… when you think about it.”
EJ tilted his head but didn’t reply. I walked over to Xander, and he quickly popped me to our room.
My husband declared, “You’re going out.” It wasn't a question. I nodded, “Yes… but I’ll be back.” Xander growled, “Of course you will. I’ll wage war to ensure that’s the outcome if I have to.
” That was… an overreaction….yet it made me feel warm inside.
I told him, “I was going to tell you before I left. I wasn’t just going to leave without talking to you.” My mate gritted his teeth, “Are you going alone?” I answered, “No.” Xander surmised, “This is about Nate’s sisters then. They’ve been found.”
I said, “I mean… I don’t… that’s… you don’t….” Xander interrupted, “Oh, but I do. You were talking to him now you’re going out. Nate was so happy it was ridiculous.” Xander crossed the room and slammed his lips onto mine.
My husband pulled back from our kiss to say, “You better stay safe.” I reasoned, “You’ve seen me in action… I get away every time.” Xander raised an eyebrow pointing out, “I’ve seen you charge in alone to save Everly and Julianna. Speaking of, tell me the guy on the motorcycle was Mason.”
I confirmed, “It was. Going was… not exactly the popular choice… but…everyone was wrong and I was right… so. The point was it was Mason. Why?” Freya snorted.
Xander answered, “Him, I don’t have to kill for you being wrapped around him.
He’s an uncle to you and his feelings for you are paternal. You be careful out there.”
I countered, “I’ll do what’s needed, but I will come home to you… because that’s not something I’m giving up. I’ve lived for the hope of us… and us together is more than I ever imagined… so… I’m coming back… and I will do anything to make that happen.”
Xander growled and kissed me. My mate linked, “See that you do.” When we managed to break apart, we were both breathing hard.
The bond told me he was barely holding himself back from claiming me, and if not for the fact those prisoners deserved to come home as soon as I could manage it; I’d let him.
Xander walked me down to my office. His Hackura Guard was standing there looking leery. I smiled and kissed Xander again. I squeezed his hand, assuring him, “I’ll see you soon.” Then walked into my office and found Kingsley waiting.
I clapped saying, “Good, Val brought you.” Kingsley chuckled, “Yes, but H is here.” Of course he was. I said, “Let’s bring Demi home.” We changed into our Resistance gear and strapped ourselves down with weapons.
We all took each other’s hands so Valentina could shimmer us to Bankhead National Forest. I ordered, “Paige, put up a holoport back to Black Mountain.” Paige nodded and got to work.
I looked at Kingsley. My friend smiled, “I’ll boost a car and pretend to be the getaway driver.
Then double back to the portal.” Kingsley went off on her own to accomplish her part.
I looked at Valentina, “Shimmer to our facility in Missouri. Get me a fast car and shimmer back here.” Valentina nodded. Addison surmised, “You’re backing up K. Why are you preparing to have to have her six?” I explained, “It’s just in case.” Addison nodded.
Valentina had the car when she shimmered back. I asked, “Avery, you’ve got the real getaway car right?” Avery nodded, “Yes, I’ll be waiting.” I nodded saying, “We are all going home after this.” Everyone nodded, knowing I would never let them get hurt or captured.
We scouted the area. This facility was heavily guarded, but we knew that. We’d studied their patterns. I hadn’t had Freya when we had though. I asked, “Freya, can you sense anything?” I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I could feel people under us.