Vivianna #2
“It’s right where he said it would be, deep in the Big Horn National Forest. There really isn’t an easy way to get to it but traveling as wolves will be our best bet since we can cross more dangerous ground, and be faster too,” Tav pointed out.
Pausing, I caught Christian’s eye as I asked my next question. “Are we calling everyone in on this? Because if there was ever a time for your rebellion to take up and make a stand, this is it. The more force we show up with, the better chance we have of bringing this to an end.”
“Once we have a plan, I will send out the call and they will answer. I promise you that.” I appreciated Christian’s faith in his people and cause.
“Neveah, we’ll need all the connections you made, as well, to lend a helping hand.
You have the biggest network of those still working within the company,” Christian added.
Neveah’s grin was wolfish as she leaned back in her seat.
“The network I have is larger than you know. Once my father started to disapprove of my efforts, I just stopped telling him about it. Just tell me what needs to happen, and I’ll see that it gets done.
These bastards are going down, and I plan to make sure they can never come back from it. ”
A knock at the door caught us all by surprise.
Looking at the door, I knew right away it was Maria because her magic was so strong it glowed through the door, making me wonder if that was what I looked like.
I moved to open the door, but Orion stopped me, grabbing my arm, and shaking his head. “Let one of us answer it.”
“Fine, fine, it’s just Maria. I can see her aura through the door,” I commented as he passed.
He checked the peephole before he pulled the door open, only for Maria to shove a suitcase into his hands. “Take that, will you? The other things are in the car. I only brought the most important things. Be a good lad and put them in whatever room I’ll be staying in.”
I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing at her antics. It just showed me how much we needed her here.
“Cachorro, what has happened to you? I leave you alone for too long and you go and get yourself into trouble,” she tsked, cupping my cheek.
“Seems I’m going to need to keep a closer eye on you and my granddaughter.
” Sweeping past me into the kitchen, she went right for said grandchild.
“What the hell were you thinking, going after them alone? You, my sweet foolish girl, are all I have left in the way of family. I’d like to not outlive my own line—think you could help with that? ”
“What did you want me to do? Leave them to get taken? The only reason you found us is because of what I did,” Neveah snapped back.
Maria rolled her eyes. “Child, there are so many other things you could have done. Why didn’t you call me or Christian?
You call Nick, who you knew would be sleeping, because you knew that we wouldn’t approve of that plan of yours.
Now look at you—black and blue with even more attitude, if that’s at all possible. ”
I felt someone walk up beside me, but it was on my left so I needed to turn my head to see, even though my nose told me it was Tim.
Shifting so I could see him better, he looked absolutely haggard as if he hadn’t slept a wink.
Even though Diane wasn’t a shifter, and they didn’t have a mate bond, I had no doubt that he already knew that his wife was gone.
The sorrow that clung to him was telling, and it made me feel heartless for not greeting him when he entered.
“Tim,” I started, but he just shook his head.
“Please don’t,” he begged, his voice cracking with emotion.
“She made many mistakes in her life, but my wife was a good woman who loved her family above all else. Everything that she overcame and the life we built together made me a better person. In her honor, I will help you, but after this, I wish to be left alone to mourn my wife.”
“Of course, I will honor that request, and would like to offer my help in any way that I can. Might I ask one more thing of you, beyond what you have already sacrificed for this cause?” I inquired.
He nodded, unwilling to look me in the eye.
“Allow Kate to share with you what happened, so that you might have the correct information to honor your wife by.”
My request shocked him enough that he finally looked up at me, only to flinch when he saw my face.
It seems that might be something I need to get used to happening now.
Slowly, I placed a hand on his arm, allowing him time to stop me if he didn’t want me to touch him, but he let me lead him forward to a seat at the table.
Kate walked up to him and took his hand in both of hers, giving him a watery smile as tears filled her eyes.
“Diane was a strong woman, and I am honored to have gotten the chance to meet her. I’m sad it was for such a short time, but in the brief moments we had with her, she protected us all, just like she’d done for her family for years.
When questioned, threatened, and beaten, Diane refused to give up a single word about any of us.
They knew by the look in her eyes and the set of her jaw she wasn’t going to break, so they killed her.
I know this won’t help with her loss, but I had to make sure you knew she didn’t betray us.
They had to kidnap her because she wasn’t doing what they wanted.
In my eyes, she is a hero and will always be remembered by the people in this room. ”
Tears rolled down Tim’s cheeks as Kate spoke. When she was done, his body shook with his grief. “Thank you. I’m glad you got to see the true colors of the woman I loved with all my heart.”