Chapter 36
Chapter Thirty-six
Emery
I couldn’t sleep. I was tired, but uncomfortable, and I wondered if Esther might have anything I could take.
The cream Phoenix rubbed on my feet was marvelous.
I grinned. The method of delivery might have had something to do with it, of course, but she would know if there was anything safe I could take for the baby, and I needed a distraction.
Sitting around all day wasn’t something I was used to, and a walk would do me good.
I didn’t worry about heading out on my own, as the threat had been taken care of, and Esther had a better selection of tea than I did.
Stopping to pee—because, of course—I also wanted to know if Esther had any more news on the birth. I hadn’t admitted it to Phoenix, but I was a little worried. And because I imagined Phoenix was worrying about so many things at the moment, he had enough on his plate without that.
I’d just safely navigated the steps when I saw Bayer coming toward me, quickening his stride when he saw me up. “Couldn’t sleep?” he asked in sympathy and extended an arm for me to grab.
“I need exercise, as well as rest, and I was planning on visiting Esther.”
Bayer halted, and obviously, so did I.
“What?”
“They’ve taken the other prisoner to her.”
“Why? Is he hurt?” Bayer still didn’t move, even though I tugged. It was like trying to move a brick wall.
“They’re concerned about the head injury he got, but I don’t think Phoenix—”
“Would like me going?” I finished his sentence for him, and Bayer grinned.
“I’ve just been given a new job, and you’ll get me fired,” he teased. I was happy to see he’d cheered up, anyway.
“Ooh,” I said, taking a step, which he copied. “What job?”
He eyed me. “Your bodyguard.”
My eyebrows shot up, but I thought about it and realized I didn’t mind. Besides, that meant he would be there when Danny visited. “Excellent. That means it’s safe for me to go because you’re with me.”
Bayer huffed but didn’t argue, and we walked to Esther’s cottage.
“I want to organize a pack breakfast. I’m better with mornings, and we’ve so much food everyone’s brought that we’re going to end up throwing some away.
” Bayer brightened for some reason, and I glanced at him without it being too obvious.
He still looked too skinny for him, and I wondered if anyone was making sure he ate properly.
“Actually, Phoenix wants me to move in,” Bayer said. “He says there’s a guest room by the kitchen. So if he needs to go somewhere in an emergency, I’m there.” I practically rubbed my hands. This was getting better and better, and I planned to call Danny as soon as I was back home.
Simeon was in charge when we arrived and sighed when he saw me.
I couldn’t hold back the grin, and I was soon ensconced on the sofa with my feet up and a cup of herbal tea that Bayer made for us all while Esther finished fussing with her new patient.
She came out and thanked Bayer for the tea, left the bedroom door open with Simeon firmly parked between the bedroom and me, and she settled down.
She eyed Bayer carefully. “If you go into the cupboard next to the sink, there’s a red tin that has some chocolate cake in it I made yesterday.
I’m sure Emery’s hungry, and there’s plenty for everyone. ”
Bayer immediately did as he was asked, and I glanced at Esther to catch her wink. Yep, she didn’t think Bayer was eating enough, either. “How is he?” I asked before taking a cautious sip, unsure how hot it was.
Esther nodded. “He has enough of something other in him, I think, to stop the bump from being more serious, but we won’t know until he wakes up.”
Something other? That seemed a strange way of putting it. Bayer had said they thought he was some sort of shifter, but not what, as he couldn’t shift. I saw the slight shake of her head as Bayer returned with the cake, and Simeon glanced his way. Interesting.
I chatted to Esther about wanting a pack breakfast, which she thought was a great idea, and then I asked if there was anything that could help me sleep.
She nodded. “Yes. I’ll send you home with a couple of teas safe for you both. When’s the scan?”
“Wednesday, and I can’t wait.” I rubbed my belly and glanced at Simeon.
I really didn’t want to talk about giving birth with an audience, so I shelved it.
“Danny and Gemma want to throw me a baby shower.” Bayer’s head whipped around so fast I was surprised he didn’t wrench his neck, and I had to hide the smile.
Esther twinkled, as she’d seen Bayer’s reaction, as well.
“How long have you known those two?” she asked innocently.
“I met them both when I moved here. Danny’s the greatest TA I could wish for.”
“What’s a TA?” Esther asked, but I was sure she was asking for Bayer’s benefit.
So I explained, and if I never mentioned Gemma, she certainly didn’t call me on it.
I was just finishing my tea when all three shifters looked over at the bedroom.
Simeon and Esther both stood and walked in.
Bayer stood and positioned himself where Simeon had been.
“Hello, young man. My name’s Esther. How’s the headache?”
Curious, I stood and edged a little closer. If I hadn’t been pregnant, I would’ve rushed in, but I wasn’t about to do something to put my baby in danger, no matter what Phoenix worried I might do.
The door to Esther’s opened, and Phoenix walked in, his eyes flashing in concern, but he still had a kiss for me when I tilted my face up.
His hand settled on my face, but then we both heard the young man ask where he was.
Bayer stepped back as soon as Phoenix walked in and sent Simeon out.
I could see the young man in the bed, and Esther helping him to sit up.
Bayer thoughtfully dragged a blanket and some pillows over to try to hide my belly, which I thought would be impossible soon, but I was touched he’d thought of it.
I saw the young man look over at me, but he didn’t seem to take much notice, and I’d certainly never seen him before.
Phoenix
I had no idea why I was surprised Emery was here, even if I’d scented him before I even got to the steps, but between Bayer and Simeon, I knew he was safe. I looked at the young man, Ben, he’d said his name was, and I saw his face crease with pain as he touched the lump above his eye.
“Do you remember talking to me in the woods?”
He looked at me, and unless he was a good actor, which was possible, he didn’t. “No,” he said and sipped the water Esther held, thanking her very politely. I waited until he was done. “You were there with the gunmen. You’d just told me your name was Ben, and your father was Jem Collingwood.”
He stiffened as he clearly remembered now. “Yes. Where is he? And where am I?” His voice rose a little in panic, but Esther hushed him and sent a stern look in my direction. I knew what she was saying, but I had a pack to protect and needed answers.
“I’m sorry, but if your father was with you, he’s dead.”
I waited for the tears, the shock, but nothing happened. After a moment, his lips just pressed together, and he swallowed, simply looking resigned.
“Where am I?” he asked. Not how had his father died, but then his eyes widened, and he jerked forward, then winced again at the pain.
“What is it?” I asked at the same time as Esther tried to hush him again to stay still.
He gazed at me, his fear obvious. As my grandad would have said, he’d never have made a poker player, but at least I hadn’t had to make any threats to get him to talk. “I-I need to go.” He looked around the room. “What time is it?”
“Time?” I repeated. Why the hell did that matter? “Why? You got somewhere you need to be?”
“Yes,” he said and tried to swing his legs out of bed, the obvious pain making his face pale.
“You’re injured,” Esther scolded. “You’re going nowhere.”
“You don’t understand,” he said, desperation raising his voice.
“So explain it to me,” I said, mildly.
But he pressed his lips together, and I thought back to what he’d said earlier. “Does this have anything to do with Callie?”
I didn’t think it was possible for someone to go any whiter and still be alive, but he proved me wrong, and I took pity on him.
Whatever his connection to the silver-skins, or to Rhys certainly, I didn’t think he was capable of harming us, and I also doubted he was here by choice.
“Look, you were present when your father and the others were trying to kill me and my people. You’re clearly worried about someone called Callie, but there’s no possible way we’re letting you go, so you might as well explain. ”
Tears glinted in his eyes, and Esther made a soft sound, simply gathered Ben in her arms, and hugged him. I watched in amazement as he sagged against her and closed his eyes, soaking up her attention like a sponge. That, more than anything, convinced me he wasn’t an enemy.
“Who’s Callie?” I asked again.
He sniffed and let Esther go. “My baby sister,” he whispered in defeat.
“Where is she?” Esther asked immediately. “Is she safe?”
He shook his head miserably. “Dad pays a woman to watch her, but she drinks and…”
“Where do you live?” He gazed at me for what seemed a long time. “No harm will come to your sister,” I promised.
“But you won’t let me go?”
I shook my head. I couldn’t. At least not until I knew what he knew. What his father knew.
“What I will do is let you stay here for the time being. If you want your sister with you, unless there’s someone else that can watch her, you need to tell us where she is.”
“We just want to make sure she’s safe.”
I turned to the door, helpless not to let the growl escape my throat.
Emery was standing in the doorway. Ben shrank back, eyeing me, and I coughed to try to cover the noise of my growl.
At least he held the blanket in front of him.
Bayer hovered, but I knew nothing could stop my mate when he wanted something.
“I’m Emery. It’s really nice to meet you.” I didn’t know what it was about Emery that seemed to relax people, but it seemed to work with Ben.
“We live in a camper on the waste ground outside the market.”
“Bramham Street?” Emery brightened. “I know it. Which camper?”
“Fetch Isla,” I mouthed to Bayer, and he disappeared.
“It’s the one at the back, the silver one with the torn blue awning.” Ben glanced at me. “You promise you won’t hurt her?”
I nodded. “Of course not, and if there’s someone we can take her to instead, just say.” Where was their mom?
He bit his lip and blinked, making it obvious that was a no.
I stood as Isla and Bayer came in and walked out of the bedroom when Bayer put himself in front of Emery.
Emery, of course, ignored him and sat in the bedroom chair Esther had been using.
She perched on the bed and instructed Ben to drink some more water.
Ben did his best to stay awake and wait to see his sister, but I could see he was fighting a losing battle. So could Emery, as he casually drew Esther into a low conversation of no importance as Isla left to get the baby, and within five minutes, Ben was asleep.
“Best thing for him,” Esther said quietly and, with my help, laid him down again.
Emery stood and beckoned me over to the kitchen and went to shake the kettle to see how much water was in until I took it off him, filled it, and put it on.
“The Bramham Street site is a hovel,” he whispered.
“I reported three different kids to family services for injuries and malnutrition, and they ended up in foster care. There obviously isn’t a mom, or Ben would’ve said.
What will you do?” He smiled. “Because I know you won’t hurt either of them. ”
“I don’t know,” I admitted because I needed to know exactly what Ben knew.
I still had a mate and a pack to protect, and that had to come first, no matter who else got in the way.
Knowing nothing else was going to happen, and Simeon had it covered, I decided to go chat with Micah.
He’d still been unconscious when I last called, but this time, I was waking him up whether he liked it or not.