* * * *
Cecil closed her eyes, hoping the nightmare wouldn’t return tonight. She shivered at the thought. Rory pulled her closer to his body 34
while Tug curled up behind her.
If Sam found out what they had made her do, he wouldn’t have anything to do with her. Even her mates might turn away from her.
“Stop worrying so much, Cecil. I can feel you trembling. No one’s going to hurt you,” Tug whispered in her ear.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Cecil was safe, surrounded by those who would kill anyone who would touch her.
She was blindfolded, naked, and starved as her captors led her out
by a rope wrapped around her neck. Cecil shivered as her bare feet
shuffled on the cold cement floor, trying to keep up without falling. The
click of a door opening signaled they had reached their destination, but the
scent of her small brother drew her into the room. Brandon was alive.
The rope disappeared from her neck and the blindfold was
removed as she was shoved fully into the room. Cecil dropped to her
knees, glancing up at her brother as he curled up in a ball, crying. “I’m
here, Brandon.”
She slowly crawled to him and pulled him into her arms. “I’ll
protect you.” She rocked him back and forth when the holes in the wall
opened. Snakes dropped into the room, hissing and angry. Slowly she
placed him behind her, drawing the snakes’ attention away from her
brother. “Don’t move or say anything,” Cecil hissed. The snake inside her
came to the forefront.
The snakes slithered back and forth, watching her silently,
knowing she would destroy them if they touched her. Her venom was
stronger and deadlier than any of them, and it dripped from the fangs that
now protruded from her mouth. Cecil’s vision changed to that of the
snakes, catching any movement, her body ready to strike.
To Cecil’s right something scuttled past her. Without thinking she
grabbed it and bit down into the object, when she heard the cry. Brandon.
Jumping back, she screamed as Brandon’s little body shook. “No!” She
tore through the snakes, killing each one that tried to attack Brandon, but
she knew the damage had already been done.
Cecil shot up out of bed once more and ran to the bathroom, hugging the toilet. “I’m so sorry, Brandon, so sorry!” she cried, throwing up everything she had eaten. The thud of feet hitting the floor sounded behind her as both men ran to the bathroom.
“Damn it!” Rory yelled, bumping into the bathroom door frame and stubbing his toe.
Rory stumbled into the bathroom with Tug next to him, and kneeled down next to her, brushing the hair away from her face as her stomach heaved a second time. They whispered everything would be all 35
right, but she shook her head, afraid to believe anything.
Between the heavy wrenching of her stomach, sobs shook her body as the picture of little Brandon flashed in her mind. His shocked and horrified expression, and the terror in his eyes, would always haunt her.
Tug pulled her into his arms slowly after the heaving stopped.
Rory cleaned her face gently with a damp, cool rag. “Tell us, Cecil. It will help. Who’s Brandon?”
“Brandon is our younger brother.” Her brother Sam sat down next to them and stared at her.
She dug her nails into Tug’s arm, her body shook, and her lips trembled. They had a right to know. Cecil closed her eyes, laying her head on Tug’s chest. “I had been kept in solitary confinement for more than two weeks. No clothes, no food, no light for two days when they came, wrapping a rope around my neck and blindfolding me. They took me to another cell. Inside the cell was Brandon. I held him and cried with him. It was the first time I had seen any of our family in a month. He was skinny and bruises covered his body, but he recognized me.
“That was when the holes in the wall opened and snakes poured into the room. I put Brandon behind me and told him not to move or say anything. The snakes wouldn’t attack me, knowing I could destroy them. I was so busy concentrating on keeping the snakes away from Brandon when he moved his tiny leg…” She whimpered and tears fell down her face. “I thought it was a snake and I bit him. I could do nothing but keep the others off him. They took him away after I killed all the snakes. I can still see his little accusing face as they dragged him away.”
36
Chapter Six
Tug held onto their mate as she told her story. The more she went on, the more furious he became. The beast roared to come out and search for those who did this to her. He watched Sam carefully, hoping he would see she was the victim here too.
Sam stood and growled, punching his hand through the bathroom door. Cecil cried, then buried her face into Tug’s chest.
“Easy, little one. He’s not mad at you. It’s the whole situation that he’s furious at.” Tug rubbed her back, kissing her neck, and glanced up at Sam, who closed his eyes and once again kneeled beside her.
“Tug is right, little sister. It’s not your fault. We’ll find them and make them pay, I promise.” He reached over and lifted her chin. “I love you, Cecil.” He stood and left the room, leaving them alone.
Rory stood and gathered Cecil in his arms, carrying her back to bed where he slowly laid her down, and stretched out next to her. “I don’t know how you made it through all you’ve gone through. You constantly amaze us with your strength.” Rory ran his hand over her face.
Tug stared down at them. Tomorrow would be a long day for all of them. Hopefully Cecil would sleep, now that she had opened up to them. He crawled into the bed and covered them all with the quilt. “Sleep now, Cecil. You should be able to sleep without nightmares now.” He kissed her lips and snuggled down next to her.
His mind raced with the problems that lay ahead for them, but he was bound and determined to claim his mate.
* * * *
Opening his eyes, Tug glanced next to him, expecting to see Cecil, but he only saw Rory. He looked around the room and swung out of bed when he smelled bacon cooking. Tug smiled and shook Rory. “I think someone is cooking breakfast.”
Rory sniffed and smiled as he rolled out of bed and stretched. “I didn’t sleep worth a shit. I’ll be glad when this crap is behind us.” Rory walked over to his duffel bag, grabbed a pair of sweatpants, and stepped into them.
Tug pulled on his jeans and tucked his morning woody into his pants. “After breakfast, maybe we can all go and pack your stuff. It might keep Cecil’s mind off what’s taking place right now.” He was moving to the door when Cecil pushed into the room, smiling.
37
“I was just coming to wake you two up. I have breakfast on the table.” She glanced down at the floor. “It’s not much since I haven’t cooked in a while.”
“I’m sure it’s fine.” Tug pulled her into his arms and kissed her.
“What time did you get up?”
“I heard Sam and his team getting ready around five. I had to see him before he left.” She smiled up at Rory as he kissed her cheek.
“Come on, let’s eat before it gets cold.” She pulled them down the stairs, grinning at the table.
Tug did a double take, then smiled at the plates piled high with bacon, omelets, and fresh homemade biscuits. “Wow, this is amazing.
What kind of omelet?”
The men stood until Cecil sat. “I used to cook all the time. The omelets have peppers, cheese, and bacon in them. Maybe later we can go grocery shopping and I can cook you guys a big supper.”
Tug bit into a biscuit and moaned. “Damn, this is almost better than sinking my cock…” He stopped and glanced at her hurt face. “Oh baby, I’m sorry. It’s just that your biscuits were so good.”
Cecil smiled. “It’s okay. I know you guys are very sexually active.
At least you like my biscuits. What about the omelet?”
Tug glanced over at Rory, who glared at him. He cringed, knowing he messed up big time. Getting up and moving to next to her seat, Tug kneeled down next to her and turned her chair towards him.
He lowered his head in her lap. “Please forgive me, Cecil. I didn’t mean to hurt you. You can even take away the biscuits,” he grumbled.
Cecil laughed, then leaned down and kissed his cheek. “You’re so silly. Tug, look at me.”
He raised his head and gazed into her eyes. “You’ve apologized. It was a slip of the tongue,” she said. “We all have moments like that. Now, if you or Rory called out some other woman’s name while making love to me, that would be a different story. I’d have to chop something off and put it where the sun doesn’t shine.” She grinned.
Tug flinched and cupped his cock. “Believe me, that won’t happen, ever.” He wrapped his arm around her neck and pulled her forward, kissing her hard. “Thank you for the great breakfast.” He smiled, returning to his seat.
“Now, on to the omelet.” He took a bite. “Damn, woman, can you cook.”
Rory growled. “I’m going to gain so much weight. I hope you have a gym somewhere in this house.” He shoveled another bite into his mouth and moaned.
38
Cecil rolled her eyes and laughed. “Stop it, already. So what’s on the agenda for today other than waiting?”
“Well, we thought we’d go over to Rory’s apartment and gather his things. I don’t want you out in public so soon, Cecil. If you make a list of things you might need, I can have someone pick the items up.”
Grabbing her plate, Cecil headed towards the kitchen. “I kind of figured it would be too soon to do anything normal.” She dumped her dish into the sink, running the hot water.
“What are you doing?” Tug came up behind her, popping the last bite of biscuit into his mouth.
She flicked dish soap at him and laughed when a bubble landed on his chest. “Washing dishes. Jeez, do you need your eyes checked?”
“Rory, I think our mate needs some special attention.” He grabbed the sprayer and sprayed the warm water at her.
“Hey!” Cecil screamed and ducked out of the way when Rory grabbed her arms, holding her in place.
Tug grinned and drenched the front of her white nightgown.
“Hmm, look at those breasts.” He turned the hose away and sucked her nipple into his mouth through the material.
“Guys, stop.” She squirmed as Tug shot her again with the hose, soaking her all the way down to her legs. The nightgown hugged her body and he smiled, turning off the water. “What do you think, Rory? Are you still hungry?”
“Hmm, I can still nibble. After all, we’re grown men.” He scraped his teeth against her neck.
Rory cupped her breast, releasing her hands. Cecil jumped for the hose, turning on the water and spraying both of them in the pants. “Ha! It’s only fair, so I can see too.” She laughed as Rory wrestled the hose away from her, fully drenching her.
He went to step towards her and fell flat on his ass. Tug and Cecil laughed so hard they crumbled to the floor. “Oh my God, that was too good. I haven’t laughed that hard in so long.” She grabbed her stomach and leaned over, kissing Tug’s cheek. “Thanks, both of you.” Cecil kissed Rory’s chin.
The doorbell rang and she glanced up, frowning. “They couldn’t be back so soon, could they?” She tried to jump up, but slipped.
Rory grabbed her and laughed. “Settle down. I’m sure it’s not them.” He helped her up and pushed her towards the stairs. “Go upstairs and jump in the shower while we see who it is.”
“But what if it’s news?”
Tug pointed up stairs. “No one is going to see you like that. Now, 39
go.” He growled and watched her roll her eyes, heading upstairs.
“Men.”
The doorbell rang again and he unlocked and opened the door, to Mark, Sheila, and Jaycee. He stepped aside, smiling at the ladies as they strolled into the house..
“Did we have an accident?” Sheila laughed as Rory stepped into the living room.
“Funny. We were washing dishes.” Rory wiggled his eyebrows.
“Any word?” he asked Mark.
“Nope, not a thing. These two were going nuts so I thought we’d come here to keep them busy.”
“Do I smell food?” Jaycee asked, walking into the dining room.
She squealed. “Fresh biscuits?”
Mark laughed and hugged her from behind. “Jaycee, you just ate less than an hour ago.”
“It’s okay. Go ahead and help yourself. If I eat any more, I’m going to burst. Cecil baked them this morning.” Tug grabbed a couple of dish towels and the mop. “Just don’t come in here. The floor is kind of wet.”
Sheila peeked around the corner and laughed. “What did you do?
Have a bath in the kitchen?”
“Something like that.” Cecil laughed, coming downstairs wearing a dark blue skirt and white silk blouse.
“God, Cecil, these things are amazing.” Jaycee pulled the last omelet over and took a bite, moaning.
“You sound just like those two in the kitchen. That’s all they did while they ate.” Cecil sat down next to Jaycee as Tug reached over to grab the plate of bacon, when Jaycee poked him with a fork.
“Don’t you touch that. I’m not done yet.” Cecil laughed as Tug snatched his hand back.
“Damn, Jaycee, all you had to do was tell me.” He laughed.
Mark shook his head. “Never get in the way of a pregnant woman and her food. Believe me, all three of us have learned our lesson. Ouch!
What was that for?” Mark rubbed his hand where Jaycee had poked him.
Jaycee grinned at Cecil. “Never make fun of a pregnant woman either.”
Cecil looked at Mark. “Do you think they’re in the labs now?”
Mark smiled and nodded. “The labs are now secure, but that’s all I know. Remi said it’s going to be a couple of hours before they can make sense of anything and see if there are any survivors. He said the place is like a maze downstairs.”
40
“You okay, Cecil?” Tug kneeled down beside her and cupped her cheek.
She sighed. “I’m fine, just glad they closed that place down, but they’ll just start another one somewhere else.”
“One step at a time, Cecil. Once we sort out everything, we’ll have a better idea where to focus our attention. Now, if you will excuse me, I’m going to go change. It’s getting a little drafty.” He laughed and ruffled her hair.