Authors: Sheryl Nantus
He looked at me and shook his head. This wasn’t my fight, not yet.
I hesitated. His grip increased, fingers digging into my jacket.
I moved back into line with Red and Lisa, earning an approving grunt.
“No,” Evan said in a loud, strong voice. “I love her. I’m going to marry her and you can’t stop me.”
Mary smiled. “You’re not eighteen yet. And as your mother I still call the shots here.”
“As my mother you have certain rights. And more as the head of the family,” Evan conceded.
“Yes, of course.”
“Then I challenge you,” Evan said, “for the leadership of this family.”
My knees went weak.
I’d thought he planned to make up with his mother and call out Middleston for Lisa’s hand. If he’d defeated Jake or Eddie it’d have gone a long way for him to assert his adulthood and allow him to claim Lisa for his wife. Mary could object but the men in her circle would see Evan’s move as that of an adult male taking charge of his life—something she couldn’t deny.
I hadn’t even guessed he’d try to take over the family. It was a fast shortcut to getting everything he wanted.
It was also a dangerous one.
Mary put her hands on her hips and laughed. “Silly boy. You’re just head-over-heels in love. I’ve seen it before, sweet things wagging their tails in front of young boys and they fall in line begging for a chance to sniff her feet.” Her tone shifted. “Seriously, don’t be a fool. We’ll work out something so you can see her, maybe in a few months. This isn’t the time or place to do something stupid.” She gestured toward the other Felis. “Don’t make a fuss.”
Evan didn’t flinch. He looked past her at McCallister. “You heard my challenge?”
The tone wasn’t that of a child.
It was that of an adult.
The thin man glanced at Mary then back at Evan. “Yes.” The disbelief in his voice was clear. He hadn’t seen this either.
Red stepped up behind Evan, leaving Lisa and me behind. His voice boomed out, clear and low.
“Seems to me you’ve got a decision to make.” He pointed at Mary. “Either you accept the challenge and fight your son or you decline it and lose your position. Them’s the rules.”
Mary looked at Red as if he were roadkill. “And who the fuck are you?”
“His second.” He puffed his chest out. “They call me Red.”
“This is insane.” Mary put her hands on her hips. “You can’t challenge me. I’m your mother. Hell, you’re not even an adult yet by law.” She looked at her elder son. “Dale, go bring your brother to me.”
The young man took a hesitant step forward. I could see the confusion in his eyes—obeying his mother or obeying Felis law. It wasn’t an easy decision to make.
Red held up his hand, stopping the Chandler son in his tracks. “Unless I recall different it don’t make no difference what age someone is if they want to challenge for leadership of the family.” He eyed Dale. “You just need to be able to beat the leader.”
I sucked in my breath. The idea of a younger kit taking out an older, more seasoned fighter was more an adolescent wish than reality. The family bond was too strong, the devotion of children to their parents part of the Felis legacy.
Most families never worried about this sort of thing anyway—at some point a parent would relinquish leadership anyway, handing it over to the next in line. The position was more ceremonial than practical, useless for most families and nothing more than a tradition. It had no home in present-day Felis business.
Except in a family feud that had lasted generations.
Dale’s attention flickered from Evan to Red, from Red to Lisa and me standing behind them. The confusion in his eyes was evident, his mouth hanging slightly open as he wheezed through his broken nose.
Evan made the decision for him by striding forward with short, measured steps.
He strode up to his brother and stared at him.
Evan had maybe ten pounds more on him than Dale. Side by side I would have put my money on Evan—the ease with which I’d taken Dale out told me his older brother spent more time in front of the television set than exercising. He might be the eldest but Mary had done a piss-poor job in training him to deal with challenges both inside the family and out.
The standoff lasted less than a minute. Dale lowered his eyes and stepped to the side, submitting to Evan’s authority.
One down.
Mary huffed. She Changed in a flash, her off-white fur obscuring her features. “I can’t believe you want to do this. My flesh and blood.” She pounded her chest, claws tearing at the thin blue fabric. “You dishonor not only me but your grandmother. The woman the Middlestons killed.”
Evan rolled his shoulders back. “I can’t change the past. What went on between Laura Chandler and Maureen Middleston was between them. But I can change our family’s future.” He assumed a general fighting stance, claws at the ready.
The other Felis moved around the two, forming a rough circle in the aisle. I spotted another young woman staying to the side, Mary’s sister from the looks of it. Next to her was a young boy, maybe about ten, his eyes saucer-wide as he watched the proceedings. She clutched the kit to her.
The numbers were too small; this couldn’t be the entire Chandler clan. I suspected Mary hadn’t wanted many of her family to know the problem she was having with Evan. It’d start tongues wagging about her ability to lead. If she’d brought all of her family and supporters the barn would be full.
Small blessings. At least we weren’t facing a large group of pissed-off Felis.
But there were just enough to make me nervous, given the way McCallister kept licking his lips and glancing at me. If the situation deteriorated into a full-fledged brawl he’d be charging at me first and hang the consequences.
Evan didn’t move, frozen in place. His charcoal fur shone in the dim light as he waited.
Lisa bit down on her lower lip and gripped Red’s arm.
Mary charged first.
She lowered her head and screeched as she ran at her son, claws out. It was a high shriek of a roar, tearing at my ears like nails on a blackboard.
There wasn’t any room to maneuver so Evan met her head-on—literally. He ducked under her right-handed swing with ease and stepped in to slam his forehead into hers with a sickening thud.
The headbutt sent Mary staggering back out of range, the inch-long gash in her forehead spurting blood. She staggered to one side before straightening up. Her chest rose and fell, the pained panting from the initial rush filling the air.
Evan’s head was bleeding as well but not with as much vigor, the trickle running down the side of his nose.
It wasn’t a classic attack but a street fighter move, well-executed.
I wondered if he’d learned that from Red.
Mary shook her head and went at him again with both hands outstretched, claws out and swinging. It wasn’t a focused attack, it was an angry swipe at someone who had betrayed her.
He easily sidestepped it and drove his left fist into her belly, his own claws pulled back to deliver the non-lethal attack.
I winced. She could have been disemboweled if he’d used his claws. In my mind’s eye I remembered Carson charging at Bran, trying to tear his belly open.
Mary fell to her knees, gasping for air. Blood flowed freely down her face, staining her off-white fur and obscuring her vision. It dripped off her chin and splattered on the dirt floor, a few yellowed strands of hay soaking up the crimson spots.
Evan didn’t waste any time; he moved behind her and grabbed her long black ponytail with his left hand. He yanked her head back and put his right hand, claws out, to her exposed neck.
I held my breath. Beside me Lisa let out something akin to a squeak.
Red cleared his throat.
Evan’s lips drew back and he snarled, a dominant male growl that reverberated around the circle.
Mary sobbed, the tears running down her face to mix with the bloodied fur. She hadn’t been ready for this fight and she’d practically conceded the minute she’d offered such feeble attacks.
She couldn’t fight her son. She loved him too much.
Now she’d lost both her son and her legacy.
I didn’t like her but I felt her pain. Her world had just collapsed around her.
“I surrender.” Mary’s rasped whisper echoed around the barn.
Evan released her and stepped back. He drew a deep breath and pulled back his claws. The blood had stopped and now there was a red line down the side of his face, the drying scarlet streak mixed in with his black fur.
“I am now the leader of the Chandler family. Does anyone challenge me?” He looked around the circle.
Dale shrank down, almost hiding behind McCallister. It was obvious Dale hadn’t the stones, despite being the older brother.
Mary’s sister clutched her son even tighter and shook her head. The boy looked up at his mother with a confused look, as if to ask why they were there.
McCallister looked like a lost kicked puppy. He stared at Mary, who was still on her knees, weeping, as if expecting her to tell him what to do.
“You.” Evan pointed at McCallister. “Come here, please.”
I smiled at the polite request. Given everything the enforcer had done it was a surprising courtesy.
McCallister approached Evan and stood at parade rest, hands tucked behind his back. He didn’t look directly at Evan but at Mary where she still sat on the ground.
“You’ve worked for our family for years. Drawn a check as an enforcer for the Chandlers.”
A respectful nod.
“You helped out when my father left. You stepped in and served my mother well for years, helped build the business.”
A slower, more hesitant nod.
“I appreciate your time spent working for my mother but you’re not what I need right now. I’m terminating your status with the family. You’re on your own.” Evan turned away from the unemployed enforcer and back to his mother, effectively dismissing the thin Felis.
McCallister stood there for a minute, looking confused. He watched Mary, who was getting to her feet with the slow, weary gait of an old woman.
Lisa moved into my field of vision, unChanged and taking slow steady steps. She approached Mary, who stood beside her son, both of them Changing back to human form.
The gash in Mary’s head still oozed blood, albeit at a slower pace. She didn’t move to wipe the fresh lines off her face.
Lisa stopped at a respectful distance and waited.
Mary looked up, her eyes red and ringed with tears.
“I know you don’t care much for me,” Lisa whispered, stretching out her hand. “But I think we can agree that we both love your son. I’d like to be at least friends, if that’s possible.”
Mary drew a staggered breath. “I think—” She swallowed hard and closed her eyes for a minute.
She lifted her right hand and waved Lisa away, staying silent.
Lisa pulled back. She wrapped her arms around herself and looked at Evan.
Evan dropped his head with a weary sigh. The one sound carried so much emotion in it I almost broke into tears. Exhaustion, sadness, the pain of losing one’s childhood.
McCallister moved in, coming to Mary’s side. He touched her arm and whispered something low and soft. The slimy thug I’d seen up to this point changed in front of my eyes, evolving into a concerned friend and possible lover, his concern for her showing in every move.
Mary opened her eyes, staring at the ground before taking his hand and allowed herself to be led away back into the shadows.
Evan reached out to Lisa. She touched his fingers and moved into his embrace with a loud stuttering sigh. He curled around her, enveloping her with every bit of himself.
I felt like an extra on a movie set.
Red nudged me with his elbow. He beamed like a proud poppa, white teeth glistening in the dim sunlight. “He’s a good kid. Tough. Going to be a good leader.”
I looked at him. “How can you tell?”
He smiled. “’Cause if you love someone that much you’re willing to do anything to keep ‘em. And if you know that love you know how others feel, so you dunna want to hurt them too much.” He tapped his head. “Good leaders know when to move forward and when to back off.”
I rubbed my temples. “You need to write this down. The Felis Art of War.”
Red made a smacking sound with his lips. “A writer. Sounds right up my alley. I do like happy endings.” He nudged my ribs with a sharp elbow. “Love that Roberts woman. She writes some good stuff.”
I nodded, unsure what I was supposed to do. For once I wasn’t in the middle of things and either being threatened or beaten up or having Bran threatened or beaten up. In fact I was so off to the sidelines I could probably sneak out and wait for Bran to come get me without being noticed.
My heartbeat increased as I remembered him walking out with Angie. She’d grabbed onto him like a drowning woman and I wasn’t sure how he’d be able to get her to let go.
Angie had told me she’d given up on Bran but—
I looked over to where Evan was holding court, talking quietly with his aunt and cousin. His aunt wasn’t saying anything, her head bobbing up and down while her son stayed attached at the hip. I suspected Evan was reassuring her nothing bad was going to happen now that he was in charge. For all I knew it might be a blessing for the poor woman and her son, not having to worry about Mary Chandler’s obsession with the feud.
I needed a drink.
Evan motioned at Red, waving him over. His aunt was smiling, signaling a good start to Evan’s new role.
The older Felis glanced at me, unsure of whether to leave me or not.
I made the decision for him, jabbing my thumb toward the entrance. “I’m going outside for some fresh air. Call me if you need anything.” A wave of nausea washed over me, a mixture of exhaustion and a hangover from my recent concussion. I staggered through the door, ignoring the stares coming from the other Felis. I wasn’t in the mood for any questions or any opinions as to my status or what I was supposed to be doing there.
Chapter Fourteen
A cool breeze slapped my face as I rested my back against the wooden exterior wall. I closed my eyes and focused on the scents and smells, hoping to distract myself from the pain.
An old manure pile was nearby, acidic and still pretty potent. Faint gasoline fumes from the cars. A mixture of Felis scents, some unfamiliar and some—
I opened my eyes to see Jess standing a foot away, watching me with her one good eye. Behind her stood a small posse of Felis including Jake Middleston and Eddie Longstrand.
Jake wore jeans and a loose flannel shirt pulled over a black T-shirt. I wasn’t sure if that was his usual outfit for facing a challenge or not. He took measured breathes as if preparing for a speech.
Or a fight.
He glanced at Jess, waiting for permission. She nodded and he moved past us, the rest of the Felis trailing behind. Eddie caught my eye long enough to give me a playful wink before following his boss. The three other men didn’t look at me and kept their eyes on the ground in deference to Jess’s status. They might be Middleston supporters but they were first and foremost Pride members and Jess was still a Board member.
“You okay? You look pale.” She stepped to one side as Jake and his men went through the door. “Bran called me and said you were out here getting things done.”
I choked back a laugh. “You could say that.”
The parking lot was full with vehicles. I’d totally blanked out and missed their approach. At this rate the entire armed forces of any small country could have surrounded us and I wouldn’t have noticed.
Not my best hour.
“You look like you’re about to throw up,” Jess pressed the back of her hand to my forehead, pressing her lips into a tight line. “You’re not running a fever.”
“Just a headache.” I rubbed my eyes with the palms of my hands. “What are you doing here?”
“As I said, Bran called me. Told me where to find you and told me he’d be back. I told him to take care of his own business and I’d drive you home. Don’t need him driving while distracted.” The impatient tone in her voice made me feel better. Obviously I didn’t look all that bad. “It didn’t hurt that I got a call from Jake, asking me to come and see what this was all about. Man gets a call to come out here to enemy territory he’s going to ask for Board backup, especially given the situation.”
I looked around. “You’re the backup?”
She glared at me. “Me and the twenty men just out of sight waiting for me to signal them to come in. You think I was born yesterday?” She ran a hand through her near-white long hair. “So what’s going on?”
“Evan Chandler just took over leadership of his family.” I enjoyed the shocked look on Jess’s face. “Yeah, I didn’t see that one coming either.”
“Damn.” There was a sense of wonder and respect in her voice. “How did Mary handle it?”
“Not.” I swallowed hard. “She’s broken, I think. She thought all she had to do is tell Evan to fall into line and he’d do so. Now he’s stood up to her and taken charge not only of his life but also that of his family.”
“The kit’s become a man now, has he?” Jess said. “And he had Longstrand call up Jake Middleston and invite him here to—”
“I guess we should go in and look.” I gestured toward the open door. “Because I’m not making any more guesses on anything.”
“What about the hostage?”
I noticed Jess wasn’t referring to her by name.
“Bran took her out. She didn’t see anything and he’ll give her a good cover story.”
“Good.” Jess moved toward the opening. “One less crisis to deal with.”
I followed her in, feeling better for her presence.
My eyes took a second to adjust to the dim lighting again, the fledgling headache giving a sigh of relief at the darkness.
Mary Chandler had moved to the back of her group, supported by McCallister. The gash on her forehead had closed, leaving an ugly scarlet line.
Her sister stood nearby with a distinct air of shunning about her. The other Chandlers and their few supporters were busy muttering to each other but there was no evidence of anyone stepping up to challenge Evan’s claim to leadership.
The Middlestons and their enforcers, including Eddie, stood just inside the door. They parted like the Red Sea upon seeing Jess, allowing us to move into the open space between the two parties.
In the neutral zone Evan was talking to Jake Middleston in a low voice, standing almost toe-to-toe with the patriarch. There was a lot of hand waving and gestures, frowns and smiles, but no clenched fists.
Jake took a step back. The wariness I’d seen before had been replaced with a look of relief, almost happiness. Whatever they’d been talking about had been good, at least on Jake’s side.
Eddie came to my side. He nodded respectfully to Jess before speaking. “They’re about ready.”
“For what?” I asked. “He’s going to challenge him for Lisa?”
I didn’t think Evan could take on another challenge, not so soon after the last. It wasn’t that he’d been physically exhausted by defeating his own mother; it was the emotional toll I worried about. It’d be worse if Jake used Eddie. I still wasn’t sure Evan could take Eddie and didn’t want to see if he could.
Evan had come a long way from hanging in the tree and strumming chords for spare change.
Jake cleared his throat, getting the attention of everyone in the barn. “First, I’d like to thank Jess Hammersmythe for coming here in her capacity as a Board member.”
Jess stayed silent.
“Second, well—” He licked his lips. “As you all know this feud has been going on for years, generations. We’ve spilled plenty of blood over the years on both sides, Middleston and Chandler. A lot of bad blood spilling out into our businesses, deals cut that make us bleed money when we couldn’t afford it just to keep a deal from the other side. Until my wife died it was all I thought about.” He swallowed hard. “And when she left I looked around and found I had a family who needed me and a daughter who didn’t want anything to do with me. Typical teenager.”
This won a chuckle from the crowd, including Evan who gave a sheepish nod. Lisa didn’t say anything but her flushed face spoke for her.
Jake looked over at Lisa, standing by Red. “When I heard my daughter had taken up with a Chandler, well—I was speechless. Which, for those of you who know me, is hard to accomplish.”
Low laughs reverberated off the wooden walls. Lisa kept a firm grip on Red’s arm, joining in with her own giggles. She hadn’t moved from her position on the Chandler side.
“My first idea was to get her back and lock her up until she was at least thirty.”
Another round of soft laughter.
“Then I thought things over, thanks in part to what Rebecca said at the meeting.” He gestured at me.
I resisted the urge to hide behind Jess as a dozen curious eyes scanned me.
“I love Lisa, but I’ve got to let her grow up. Her mother, God bless her, would have wanted her to be happy even if it wasn’t what we would have chosen for her.” He looked at Lisa, his eyes watering. “But I see she’s become a young woman. And she’s got a man who’s willing to stand up for not only what he believes but for their love. I respect that and I ask you all to do as well.”
He tilted his head toward Evan who moved up beside the patriarch.
Evan cleared his throat. “I’ve asked for the privilege of courting Lisa Middleston.” The nervous quaver in his voice had many of the men smiling on both sides. “With the goal of marrying her in the future, of course.” He looked at Lisa. “If we’re going to do this, we’re going to do it right by both our families and our Pride.”
Jake grinned, clapping a hand on Evan’s shoulder. “Takes a brave man to come up to a father and ask for courting these days.” He eyed Lisa. “Considering you both just up and ran away a few days ago against both families’ wishes.”
Lisa cringed. Evan looked at the packed earth at his feet and shrugged.
“But I’m willing to at least let you two date,” he conceded. “I’m afraid of what’d happen if I don’t.”
Evan straightened up, giving Lisa a smile and a wink.
Jake took his hand off Evan’s shoulder. “Jess, I think you should come up here for this.”
Jess strolled toward the two men, her near-white hair loose around her shoulders.
She stopped in front of the two.
Evan visibly shrank under her concentrated gaze. Jake withered a bit but not as much, holding his own.
“As for the feud, we’ve discussed it as well. Family leader to family leader.” Jake stuck out his hand toward the young man. “Evan Chandler, I’m willing to accept your agreement offered here to end the disagreement between our families. All’s forgiven and done, says I as the head of the Middlestons.”
Jess’s eyes went wide. She hadn’t seen this coming.
Neither had I.
Evan took Jake’s hand. “As the head of the Chandler family I am pleased to put an end to this fight.” He looked around the circle. “Too much blood’s been split over this—Chandler, Middleston and those closest to us. Now humans have become entangled in this and it cannot continue. It would endanger the family.”
Jess nodded. As soon as Mary Chandler kidnapped Angie the feud moved to a whole new level of concern.
Evan looked at Jake. “I say the feud is over.” A mischievous look came into his eyes, a young man’s playfulness. “Now we can talk about the wedding.”
Jake chuckled as he shook Evan’s hand. “Now we can talk about you dating. Especially when it comes to curfews.” He wagged a finger at the young man. “And no sneaking out of windows. I know a bit ’bout that myself so don’t be thinking you can put something over on me.”
A round of spontaneous applause broke out.
Jess raised her arms and everyone fell silent. The powerful aura she cast was clear—no one wanted to get on the wrong side of this woman.
“I spoke to the Grand Council before coming here. To say they weren’t happy would be an understatement.” She zeroed in on Mary Chandler, half-hidden in the shadows. “You kidnapped a human, someone who had nothing to do with the family or with your feud. You could have exposed all of us and for what? Your precious son?”
Mary straightened up, pushing McCallister away. She snarled, showing her teeth.
Jess pointed at her. “Don’t start with me, woman. You’re lucky I’m willing to let you walk out of here in one piece. I’d be within my rights to challenge you right here and now and beat your ass into a bloody pulp.” She glanced at Evan. “I’ll let him handle you from here on. But know that our friendship is over and your bad decisions have been noted by the Council.”
Mary opened her mouth as if to answer but hesitated thanks to McCallister’s hand grabbing her forearm. He whispered something in her ear.
Jess’s eyes narrowed as she watched the pair.
She turned back to Evan and Jake. “I’m glad things worked out this way. I’m sure the Board will be pleased, along with the Council.” She shook both their hands before walking back to stand by me.
“Those two might be trouble in the future.” I looked toward Mary and her new best friend.
“I can deal with that. New generation, new start.” She zeroed in on Red, frowning. “Who is that?”
“Ah—” I wasn’t sure how to even start explaining his presence.
The older Felis must have overheard Jess because he left Lisa’s side and strode on over with a wide grin. “I’m Red.”
He grabbed Jess’s hand and shook it, pumping it up and down. “You a friend of Suz’s? Friend of hers is a friend of mine. ‘Specially if you’re on the Board, be good to have a friend in high places.”
The confusion on her face was priceless. “Rebecca?”
Red released her hand. “Okay.” He ran a thick calloused finger along her scarred cheek, a gentle caress. “You’re cute. Call me sometime.” He spun around and marched back to where Lisa stood, taking up his previous role as protector.
Jess blinked wildly, frozen in place. Her mouth fell open but nothing came out.
It was an effort not to laugh. I felt muscles straining, about to burst as I held in my reaction to her shocked expression.
“Where—where did you get him from?” She exhaled, something between a gasp and a sigh.
“He was in a homeless camp down by the lake. I have no idea who he is or where he came from. He thinks he’s from the East, by the sea. He thinks my name is Susan.” I tried to keep a straight face. “And now you know as much about him as I do.”
“A rogue,” Jess whispered. “Interesting.”
I moved toward Evan and Jake before I said something that would get me smacked down by Jess. The two men smiled at my approach.
“So,” I tucked my hands in my pockets. “All’s well that ends well, then?”
Jake spoke first. “I have to confess I wasn’t sure how helpful you’d be. Figured I’d just send Eddie after you and bring my girl home whether she wanted to go or not.” He smiled at Lisa, who was busy talking to Red. “I forgot she was turning into a woman.”
“It’s a father thing.” I looked at Evan. “So no more sleeping in trees?”
He smiled. “Not for a bit. I’ve got lots of bridges to mend. We might lose a few friends but I suspect more of them will be relieved not to have this burden anymore, both financially and emotionally.” He glanced at his mother who stood quietly in the corner with McCallister. “I know she wanted revenge for her mother and I can respect that. But we can’t let one event determine our entire lives.”
A shiver tore down my spine. “Yeah. I hear what you’re saying.” I looked at Mary Chandler. “Just watch your back.”
“You bet. She is my mother, after all,” Evan replied, a note of sadness in his voice.
“And Red?” I nodded toward the tall Felis standing by, waiting for orders. “What about him?”
“Geez.” He shook his head. “I almost forgot.” Evan waved Red forward, clearing his voice to get everyone’s attention.
Jake eyed the large man with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. I suspected he’d worried about having to face Red as an opponent when he first spotted him.
“Everyone, this is Red.” Evan smiled at the older Felis. “I’d like you to be a part of my family, if you’ll have us.”
Red grinned. “I’m up for a change.” He threw a saucy wink Jess’s way, enough to startle most of the Felis in the barn. “Change is good.”