Chapter Thirty-Four
Hunter
“Why are you down here?” Bane asks.
“Is there any change?” I glance up from my computer.
“No,” he grits out. “Lawson and Remy are with her.” He steps inside the room. “Did you send a message on the group chat?”
“Yes. I assume you saw it,” I say, looking back at the screen.
“I did.” He walks to the front of my desk. “I just thought I was imagining things until I smelled Sally’s scent outside the house.”
“I’m not taking any chances. I want the house surrounded by our people.
” Sally was thrilled to be the first to respond and gladly accepted the invitation.
“Sally can come inside. Her mates don’t want her to strain herself.
” He huffs. “She called to confirm, and said it with an ironic drawl. She’s staying outside for thirty minutes to prove a point. Let her in when the time comes.”
“Hunter—”
“Just about everyone accepted, except the panthers and wolves. They checked in and are dealing well with the rescue. They should be back in a couple of days. There wasn’t much resistance.
The kids had already seen some things that will take them time to overcome the memories.
” I finish an email and look up. “The lions are going to shift and walk the property. Breeane thought it was an excellent date night. All the vampires are prepared to mind fuck anyone who comes. Quinn called the men who work for him. Kade and Cash are running the boundary and know what her father and Brian look like.” I look toward the door.
More vehicles are coming. “Most of the dragons are flying, eager to spread their wings and burn her family to a crisp if they get close. Penny wanted to come, but is too close to giving birth. Laken and Bishop are with her at home.” I meet his eyes.
“Rylee is still recovering, and Heath apologized for not coming. I assured him that we had enough family here.”
“Is that all of them?” he drawls.
I frown and look at the wall. “There are a few more, but I can hardly keep track.” He shakes his head. “The important part is that no one will interfere or get to Haven while she is transitioning.”
“Brother,” he sighs.
“I know,” I grumble, rolling my shoulders. I avoid his pointed stare and move to another document. “Shit happens. I won’t allow it to happen today.”
“She’s been asleep for four hours,” he says softly.
“That’s a nice way to put it,” I growl low.
“We knew it would take time.” He puts his palms on the desk, leaning.
“Doesn’t mean she's not going through hell.” I flex my fingers over the keyboard.
“Haven will fight through it,” he says softly.
“I know,” I whisper.
“Hunter, come upstairs,” he says.
“I have things that need to be done.” I continue typing.
“What could possibly be more important than being with our mate?” he asks quietly.
“Making her safe,” I rumble, looking at him sharply.
“Was asking every fucking family member to guard the house overkill when her father is being watched? Yes, perhaps. But who gives a shit?” I stand, my fists on the wood.
“At least I know that they will not allow someone who wants to hurt Haven close enough to do it. She is vulnerable right now. I’m certain we could defend her, yet I feel better having them here.
Our lives have been filled with things that shouldn’t have happened, and I won’t let any mistake fuck up the safety of our mate. ”
“I understand.” He looks at the computer. “What work?”
“The kind I’m good at,” I say, straightening.
“I knew her father wouldn’t stop. I’ve been planning.
He has harassed all the women who have been in his employ.
They have been afraid to report him because in the human world, women aren’t believed as they should be.
I don’t blame them for not speaking out, but I decided to encourage them to do so.
I sent a lawyer to help them. Within the next few days, he will be arrested and sent to jail. ”
“How? These things go on for years.”
“Bash and Ryker hate men who abuse women.” I lift my chin.
“I asked a favor. They used their skills to influence several people, including a judge, and others. He’ll be in a cell in a few days, pending any complications.
The world will know what kind of man he is, and Haven won’t have to worry anymore. ”
“How long will he be locked away?”
“Not long,” I murmur, and he frowns. “Do you know how easy it is for a vampire to break into a prison?” His eyebrows shoot up. “A few words to influence the right people, her father will be nothing but a bad memory.”
“Haven doesn’t know,” he guesses.
“No. I won’t let him get away, continue to make money, and live a lavish life after the way he treated her. He doesn’t deserve to breathe in a world she lives in.” I rub my neck. “She tried her way, and it didn’t work. He should have taken her offer, but he didn’t, so I’m making him go away.”
“How long have you been working on this?” he asks.
“Since I knew he hit her.”
“What if he left her alone?”
“I’d still have him killed,” I growl.
“Hunter, I wanted to kill him for it,” he says.
“I know. At the time, we didn’t know all the details.
I wasn’t sure how she would react to our involvement.
” I cross my arms. “There was a woman,” I say softly, and he narrows his eyes.
“She looked like his wife. It went too far, and he killed her. The men who work for him covered it up. Heath gave me the information. Should I tell her about it? Tell her that her father killed someone who looked like her mother, and see the pain she can’t hide. ”
“I don’t want her to hurt any more than you, but I think she needs to know,” he says quietly.
“Perhaps,” I murmur, dropping my arms. “For now, she has enough to deal with. Once she's adjusted, I’ll give her the choice to know more. Yes, we could make him disappear, yet those who he abused need to see him pay for it in their world. He will still die, but not by our hands. It will be quiet, and there will be no suspicion toward us. We have to protect Haven and our world.”
“Depending on humans to do it,” he says, cringing.
“I know, I don’t like it,” I grumble.
“Who is going to the prison?”
“Ryker. He’s done it before.”
“Really?”
“He doesn’t talk about it.”
“How did you find out?”
“Heath.” The snake shifter can find out anything. “All that matters is he’s willing to do it.”
“How many women has he abused?”
“Besides Haven, twenty-two.”
“Shit,” he sighs.
“Our mate had no idea the man she was living with,” I say softly. “His real estate business is a cover. He deals in stolen art. Once he’s gone, I’ll move the money to the women he abused.”
“I'll always support you,” he says.
“I know.”
“We're a team.” He tilts his head. “You know I’m always honest with you.”
“I do,” I say slowly.
“I think it’s honorable. No one but you would give humans the chance to heal as you are doing.
The result is the same, so I’m good with it.
It means we won’t have to leave our mate to get more blood on our hands.
I don’t regret any of the things we have done over the years that brought us to where we are now.
As long as I am at your side, the blood could cover us, and I would follow you anywhere.
I may be Lawson’s anchor, but you are mine.
” I bow my head, overwhelmed. “It’s been a privilege to be your brother and fight to find Lawson and Remy.
At my lowest, you were there, always picking me up. ”
“Many of those moments, you were carrying me,” I whisper, meeting his eyes.
“That's the meaning of family.” He nods toward the door. “How many shifters and vampires are on our property because of one text for help? Blood doesn’t matter, yet our bond is deeper than that, yeah?”
“Yeah, Brother. Haven is lucky to have a man like you loving her. I’m grateful to share her with you and our brothers.”
“Now, I’m going to tell you to shut that shit down.” He points at the computer. “Haven needs you, so go upstairs.”
“You’re right,” I grin.
“I usually am,” he smirks.
“I believe that’s Sally.” Her soft knock echoes through the house. I close the computer and move around the desk.
“Go upstairs,” he says, turning. “I’ll let her in.”
“Thanks, Brother.” I squeeze his shoulder, and he stops moving. “All of you keep me grounded, and remind me of what’s important. If Haven—”
“No.” He faces me. “She is fighting like fuck to come back to us.”
I nod, and he leaves the room.
I know he’s right, but I won’t breathe easy until I can look into her eyes; her jaguar eyes.