Page 62 of Finding Her Panthers

“It didn’t work. She’s a bitch,” I say, and my grin widens when she moves closer.

“Hey! Shut up,” she yells.

“Calm down, baby. She’s just trying to anger you.” He palms her head, stroking her.

“So gross. I can’t believe you let him anywhere near you. You couldn’t find anyone your own age?” I taunt her, just a little closer.

“Do you want Scotty to go into the house and take care of Penny?” That snaps my satisfied glare back to Ames.

“She’s in the house? Alive?” I ask. If I concentrate, I can tell if he lies to me.

“Yes. If you are good and calm down, I’ll take you to her. Just to say goodbye, though, she can’t come with us.”

I’m pretty sure he’s telling the truth. “Daddy, you told me I could have her.” Scotty whines.

“Scotty, I’ll make it up to you.” Ames gives him a soft look.

Yuck! What the hell?

I always did have a problem with my face showing my emotions too easily. Ames catches my apparent lack of control. The disgust on my expression is evident. “You fuck him, too?” Not because they are the same sex—it’s just Scotty doesn’t seem to bathe. Or brush his teeth.

“Scotty is loyal to his sister and me. He knows his place.” Ames looks at them both, proud.

“On your dick, apparently. How does it feel to take two simple-minded, abused children, mold them, abuse them, and make them do all your dirty work? Let’s not forget they are subjected to your naked body. Not going to happen, Pops.” I soak in the looks of horror (Cindy), confusion (Scotty), and rage (Ames), plus a little bit of pride there. “The minute you pull down your pants, I will cut off your cock and choke you with it.” I grin evilly.

“You little-” He cuts off at the voice coming from the door.

“Now you have some balls.” Ryker walks in slowly, hands clasped behind his back, showing his lack of fear and urgency.

“Who the fuck are you? You can’t just walk on someone's property.” Ames bristles, panicking.

“I would normally abide by those rules, but this isn’t your house. You killed the owners. I came across their bones in the yard.” He states calmly, coming to a stop across from me, leaning back casually on a stall door, his arms draped over the top. “Now, I’m all for murder, but at least make sure they deserve it.” He shakes his head, disappointed. “It’s nice to see you again, Harmony, lovely as usual.”

Does he know this is the time to rescue me? Not lecture Ames on the proper murder technique. Where are my mates? They wouldn’t let him come alone.

“Who are you?” Ames gets as close as he dares while puffing up his chest.

“Me?” Ryker motions innocently to himself. I barely stop myself from rolling my eyes. “My name's Ryker.” He grins.

Cindy backs up quickly, gasping at his teeth. “Daddy, that’s the King of Vampires.” Conveniently she places herself almost exactly where I need her to knock her out, to deal with later.

“Just so you know, Harmony, I took a detour into the house. Penny is just knocked out on drugs on the couch. Safe enough. Beaten quite severely, though,” Ryker says.

“Thank you,” I say, relieved. Ames looks a little flustered. Cindy just needs to take one more step back.

“Baby girl, you are in so much trouble.” My head whips to the door as my mates step through, joining the party. Jax is in his gorgeous human form, and my eyes eat him up. James and Blue are in their panther form, stalking beside him, teeth bared. Surprisingly, my brother rounds out everyone, his eyes wide as he takes in the scene.

“Grandfather?” Kerian says weakly, not believing the truth before him.

“Don’t call me that,” Ames yells.

“That’s what you are,” Kerian says in disbelief.

I clear my throat, bringing everyone's attention to me. “Just to get you all up to speed, Ames is not our grandfather. He was obsessed with our mom, looked enough like our real grandfather, killed him, and took his place. He is the one that killed our parents. He was the hunter who forced our real grandfather to turn him into a wolf. When Dad found out and went to get me, he killed them. He recruited these idiots to be his kids, but not the traditional kind. He fucks them. They are loyal to him. He was just filling me in on the role I would play: mommy, sister and lover. Now those are just the finer points. Can someone get me out of here? I fear I have had enough fun.” I am at the end of my rope. That would be funny if I weren’t so freaking sore.

“Holy shit,” Kerian exclaims.

Suddenly Ames is behind me with a long knife pointing at my throat, the cold steel shocking to my hot skin. I freeze, afraid to move. He moves fast for an old guy.

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