Ignoring them, she drew in the second line of security. “The second line of defense is about eighty yards from the first. Snake pits every three feet, and Remi, they have every kind of poisonous snake possible.”
She bit the end of the pencil.
She drew a small building in between the second and first line of defense. “This building here, I believe, is where the cameras for the place are watched. Or whatever it’s called. When we passed it that night, at least six men were inside. Now, the last line of defense, or first since you’ll be going in rather than out, is the standard electrical fence. I have a feeling they did that for people who just happen upon the building.” She sat back and studied the building.
“I was kept in the basement near the tunnel that goes to this building here.” She put an X on the building. “I know there are others being held there, but they could be anywhere now that we got away. They might have also changed some of the security system, but it hasn’t been that long. We escaped two days ago. It took me that long to get here. I can give you an outline of the lab in California. I was only there for the first year, but I remember some of it.”
Remi reached over and took her hand. “You’ve done enough for tonight. Maybe sometime tomorrow you can draw it like you did here.” He stood, taking the drawing with him.
“Umm, Rory, I think I smell burnt steaks.”
Cecil laughed as Rory jumped up and ran to the grill. “Well, I hope you don’t mind one sided a bit charred.” He grinned and held up the steak.
She shook her head. “I’m sure it will be fine. Just don’t burn the other side, please,” Cecil teased, trying to loosen up.
“Okay, move out of the way, Tug, and let me finish this haircut.
She’s lopsided.” Sheila laughed, grabbing the scissors and pushing him away.
“Fine, I’ll finish the salad,” Tug grumbled and moved out of the way as Jaycee pushed into his seat, putting a small bag in front of her.
“This is for later, not tonight. Well, unless you want to wear one of them.” She nudged her. “Peek in the bag. I don’t want you to pull them out. We have to give our guys some surprises.”
22
Cecil peaked in the bag, then back at her. “I remember seeing some of these before we were taken at the mall. I was sixteen.” Cecil grinned. “I think I’ll wait a while before, well, you know.” She glanced back at Tug and Rory, and both of them were grinning from ear to ear.
Her neck warmed and her nipples hardened just thinking of them seeing her in it.
“Hold still, Cecil! We’ll never get this hair done.” Sheila pushed her head down as she worked on the back of her hair.
“Sorry.” But Cecil heard howls outside and jumped.
“Damn, Cecil! I’m sorry.” Sheila yelled as she clipped the side of her neck with the scissors. She put her hand on the back of her neck. “Tug, get me a wet towel, and Dane, find that asshole outside.”
Dane, Remi, and Rory were already moving to the door when Tug rushed over with a towel.
“Are you okay?” He kneeled down and looked up into her face.
“I’m fine. It just stung a little.” She patted his cheek. “Sorry, Sheila, guess it’s going to take me some time before I can relax.”
“Oh, honey. It’s okay. Hell, I would be jumpy too. There, I think it stopped bleeding. Let me finish this part, and the back, then we’ll be done.”
“No problem. And Tug, you’d better watch those steaks, since Rory went with Dane and Remi.” She laughed. “I don’t think I like totally burnt steak.”
“I’m going to kill whoever was outside. They know better than to be creeping around my house,” Tug grumbled, and went back to the kitchen.
23
Chapter Four
Tug was checking the steaks when Dane walked into the kitchen.
“We have company. Three men showed up at the club looking for Cecil, but they’re not from the lab. They say they are the ones who shut their security system down to the lab. One of them claims to be her brother.”
Tug watched as Cecil stood staring at Dane. “Is he here?” she whispered and glanced at him, clearly afraid.
He groaned and walked over to her, wrapping his arms around her.
“It’s going to be okay. Why don’t you peek through the front window? I’ll have Dane move him into the light so you can see.” He nodded to Dane, who went outside, shutting the front door.
They slowly moved to the front window, and her body trembled against his. “I haven’t seen him in seven years, Tug. What if I don’t recognize him?”
“If he’s your brother, you’ll recognize something. Just take your time.” He kissed her neck and moved the curtain back. “Can you see?”
The man was as tall as Dane. He wore black leather pants and a black long-sleeved thermal shirt, and his hair was dark blond and shoulder length.
“My brother had a tattoo on his arm. I don’t remember which one.
It was a dragon wrapped around a wolf. I can’t tell from here.”
Remi, her brother had a tattoo on one of his arms, a wolf and a
dragon.
Tug pulled her back into his arms. “Don’t worry. Remi is asking him now. Watch.”
The man rolled up his sleeve, showing Remi his arm.
Cecil’s legs gave out and she clawed at his shirt, trying to stand.
“He’s my brother, Tug. He came for me,” she cried and tried to catch her breath.
He scooped her up in his arms and sat down on the couch, holding her. “It’s okay, Cecil. See? He did come to help you.” Rubbing her back, Tug placed a small kiss on her neck.
The front door opened. Remi, Dane, Rory, and her brother stepped into the living room. Her brother slowly knelt in front of her. Tears slid down his face and his hand trembled as he reached up.
Cecil jerked back, her nails sinking into his skin. “Cecil, it’s me, Sam. I’m so sorry I didn’t come sooner. I didn’t find out everyone was missing until a year ago. My team helped me track you down. Did Dad or 24
Mom get out? What about Brandon or Missy?”
She shook her head. “They’re all dead. At least, that’s what I always believed, but Remi said Dad might be alive. I don’t know how.”
She whimpered into his neck.
“God, no.” He dropped his head. “I’ll kill every one of them.” He stood and looked at Tug. “Take care of my sister. I’ll come back later.” He moved to the door.
“No, please don’t go.” She slowly stood. “You just got here.”
He moved back to her. “What did they do to you, little angel?”
Cecil cried and threw her arms around him, shaking. “I prayed every night you would come and save us. So many snakes, Sam, and now I’m a freak.”
Both of them stood there holding each other until he turned and glanced down at Tug sniffing the air. “I take it you’re her mate?”
Tug stood and held out his hand, shaking it. “I’m Tug Brimstone, and I’m not her only mate.” He grinned and nodded at Rory.
Rory stepped forward and smiled at Sam, shaking his hand. “I’m Rory Sherwood.”
“Two mates?” Sam asked.
She shrugged. “They’re my mates.” She sniffed. “Um, I’m afraid our steaks are charred.” She giggled as Rory yelled and ran to the kitchen.
Smoke filled the room as everyone laughed. “I think we need to order takeout. Why don’t we move into the kitchen?”
Cecil moved into Tug’s arms as they walked into the kitchen. He hugged her. “You’re being very brave.” He kissed her head.
Rory opened the patio door to let some of the smoke out as Sheila and Jaycee got the dye ready. “Cecil, have a seat. Let’s get this dye in your hair. Sheila can finish cutting after we get done, since we have plenty of time now.” She laughed when Rory growled.
“Hey, I’m usually a good cook.” He threw away the steaks.
“Remi, when is your team going to the lab? I’d like to go along with you. If there is any chance that our father is there, I want to be there for him.” Sam sat down across from Cecil.
Tug leaned against the counter, watching Cecil. Goose bumps broke out Cecil’s skin while Sheila put the strips in her hair. “Why don’t you guys talk about this later?” He turned and opened the drawer, taking out the different menus and laying them down in front of Cecil. “Why don’t you pick what you would like? All these places deliver.”
Remi nodded. “You’d better order enough for Jaycee. She’s been eating nonstop lately.” He grinned and ducked when Jaycee went to smack him on the head.
25
“That is so not funny. I’m feeding three of your children here, so knock it off.” She frowned and glanced down at her belly.
Remi pulled her into his lap. “You look fine and the doctor says you’re doing great. I was just joking.”
“I always wanted children, but now…” She lowered her gaze. “I don’t think I should have any. What if the child is deformed?” Cecil glanced up at him, then at Rory. “Maybe we shouldn’t join. You can have other children with someone else.” She picked through the menus. The room grew quiet as he knelt down on one side and Rory on the other.
“We’re not letting you go, Cecil. We’ll discuss children later on.”
Rory pointed at the menus. “Pick. You need some food.”
Cecil picked the pizza menu and handed it to him. “I like anything but fish, and we’ll talk later is right.”
“Are you getting sassy with me?” He smiled and leaned in, close to her ear. “Remember, I know your little secret.” Rory stood as she gasped.
“You wouldn’t.” Cecil said.
“We would.” He grabbed the phone, ordering the pizza as she squirmed in her seat.
For the next two hours, Jaycee and Sheila worked on her hair while she ate pizza and they chatted. But when she started to slump down in her chair, Remi stood and nodded towards the door. “Come on, girls, I think you’ve worn out Cecil. Plus, I’ll bet she hasn’t had a decent night sleep in ages.” Remi helped Jaycee with her coat and glanced at Sam.
“You’re welcome to stay with us if you like.”
“No, please stay here. Can he stay here, please?”
Tug smiled and nodded. “I have two extra bedrooms. You’re welcome to use one. It might help her sleep better if she knows family is here.”
Sam smiled at her and nodded. “Let me call my men and I’ll have them come on in. They will also give us some added protection, if that’s okay with you. There are only three of us, but we’re the best.”
Tug nodded. “Just so they understand to stay away from Cecil, since we’re not yet joined.”
Sam laughed and pulled out his cell phone. “Believe me, they know better than to interfere with the mating process.”
“Knock it off, Sam. You make it sound like a business arrangement and I haven’t agreed to the joining yet.” Cecil turned, hugging Jaycee and Sheila as she said her goodbyes.
“I’m going upstairs to put some of these clothes away and crawl into bed.” She glanced at Tug and Rory. “You’ll come up, right?” Her 26
voice was a whisper; she was still afraid to be alone.
Tug laughed and pulled her into his arms. “You say you haven’t decided about our joining, but you want us in bed with you?” he teased, kissing her head.
“I trust you two, and I can’t be alone. I’m sorry.”
He heard the tears in her voice and sighed. “Oh Cecil, I was only teasing. We’ll both be right behind you. There is no way we would miss sleeping with our mate, but we will discuss our joining tomorrow after some rest, because it is going to happen. Now go on and take your clothes upstairs.” He ran his hand through her now-short hair, and smiled. “By the way, I like the haircut and dye job. It’s you.”
She smiled and reached up, patting her head. “I know. I like it too.
Thanks.” Cecil picked up her small bag and one of the bigger bags. “Will one of you bring that bag up when you come, please?”
“I’ve got it.” Rory shook his head. “I’ll be up in a minute. I want to help Tug lock up and get your brother all set up with his team.”
Tug turned to Sam as she stepped out of the room, going upstairs.
“She doesn’t believe your father is alive. What they did to her is anyone’s guess,” Tug snarled.
“I figured as much, but if there is any chance he is alive, I have to go. What did she mean, her children might be deformed?” Sam sat back down.
Tug paced back and forth. “When she shifts, Cecil is still mostly wolf, but now she has the fangs and tongue of a cobra. The snakeskin we believe is gone, but I don’t know if we’ll ever be able to reverse the damage they did.” He nodded at Rory and stepped up to the window, closing it.
“We have to be really careful when we mate with her. The doctor told Remi he’s not sure if she’ll attack or not, and since we don’t know if her bite is lethal, we’ll have to take extra precautions,” Rory said. “Like we don’t have enough to worry about.”
“Those fucking monsters. What did Remi do with the two they captured?”
Tug turned and grinned. “They are no more, and no one will find their bodies.”
“Good. Remi plans to attack tomorrow morning. Cecil’s going to be really nervous. It might be a good time to keep her busy.” He smiled and headed towards the front door. “My team is here.”
“We plan to do just that.” Rory grabbed the bag and headed towards the stairs. “I’ll meet you upstairs. Tug, I don’t want her alone too long.”
27
Tug nodded as two more men stepped into his house, sizing him up.
“Tug, this is Carl and Fredrick. They’re the best special agents around.” He grinned.
Tug reached behind them, bolted the doors, and set the alarm system. “Follow me. I’ll show you where you’ll be staying. I’m afraid two of you’ll have to bunk together, as I have only two spare rooms.” They all moved upstairs.
“No, we’ll take turns watching guard,” Sam ordered. “I’ll be damned if those freaks are going to get a jump on me. They already destroyed my family.”
Tug clapped him on the back. “I understand, but also remember, Remi has guards all around the house.”
Sam nodded. “I have the pack’s scent, and both Remi and Dane have already welcomed me into the pack.”
Tug had already felt the connection as soon as he had walked into the house. “Good.” He opened one door and pointed to the other across the hall. “These are your rooms. We’re down the hall. There is the bathroom for you to use.” He opened the door.
“I’ll see you guys in the morning.” Tug turned to head towards the master bedroom when Sam tapped him on the shoulder.