Page 74 of Nita's Redemption

“So, what brings my favorite grouping here? I wonder if that is the politically correct way to refer to your family?” Brock shrugged and waited.

“It’s been weeks since we’ve had any trouble, and well, I think everyone is getting antsy. I had a few pack members request an outing to a pub in town. Zeus already has protection set up around it since several of our people work there, so I don’t see it as an issue especially if we set up rules. For one, we make sure there will be enforcers in place, and for two, nobody goes anywhere unless they are in pairs or maybe even groups.” Tank spelled out what his thoughts were, resting his elbows on his knees while he held his dad’s gaze.

“You’ve thought about this thoroughly? What if there’s an attack in a human populated space like the town?”

Abe lifted his hand. “We will be there and will ensure that any battle or fight be quickly extinguished before it escalates. If a human is involved, we’ll do our best to make that human leave without issue. This is one night where we let our people go out and feel free for a moment. That’s all they’re asking. It fucking sucks that they’ve been made to hide behind invisible walls because of some fucktwats.”

His dad tried to hide his grin, but they’d all adopted words from the demon females. He, along with Abe, and Link had spent a lot of time with the females even when they were hell bent on seeing if they had the anatomy of horses. There was an innocence about them that made Tank and his brothers want to protect them, not mess with them. In truth, he was pretty sure none of the females actually wanted to have sex with them either, and luckily nobody had tried to put the move on any of them, or Tank, Abe, and Link would’ve had to put the hurt on the males who were dumb enough to try.

Nita interrupted his thoughts, moving in front of him so he had to look up. She had a sparkle in her eyes. Her lips turned up in a sweet grin. “I love my mates so fucking much.”

He wasn’t the least bit upset she’d been reading his mind. Nope, if it got him a lap-full of his mate, he’d love to have her in his mind all the damn time. ‘How do I get a naked Nita on my lap?’

‘Oh, that’s easy. As soon as we leave here, we have a date. I feel the need to have my three males show me how much they love me before we head to town, and you know...people.’ Nita kissed the side of his neck where her mark was, making him shiver.

“Alright, before the two of them have sex in my favorite recliner, the answer is yes. I won’t set a curfew, but I’d prefer everyone to be back here at a reasonable time. Say by one in the morning? The pub closes at twelve thirty on week nights. Nothing else is open in town, which means a half hour to get from there to home is good. Sound fair?” Brock asked, looking tense.

Tank looked over to where Abe and Link sat, wanting them to answer.

“I think that is very reasonable. Would you do your alpha thing and send a message through the pack link?” Abe asked, tapping his head.

Brock nodded, then got to his feet. “You got it. Now the four of you be on your way. You have several hours before y’all are gonna set out. I’m pretty sure you have a lot you’d rather do than sit around and shoot the breeze with your old man.”

Link hopped to his feet, scooping Nita out of Tank’s arms. “Yep, lots to do and you ain’t it.”

Tank snorted, getting up with a chuckle. His two best friends ran out the door, arguing over who was going to carry Nita while she tried to tell them she could walk. Life was so much better with the four of them as one grouping. Yeah, his dad had it right. They were a family, a grouping of four. They were complete together. It didn’t matter what they called it.

“Go on, join the rest of your family. Enjoy the rest of your day, and tonight be on the lookout. I know you want to have fun too, and I want you all to as well.” Brock looked up at the ceiling. “There’s a sense, a feeling that is making my wolf itch, or snarl. I don’t know how to explain it. I’d go along as added protection tonight, but I feel I’m needed here.”

He put his hand on his father’s arm. “Should we not go?”

“Truthfully this is a feeling I’ve had for weeks. So if I say stay, then the feeling is still here tomorrow and the next, then when will it be a good time? Go, have fun and be alert. That’s the best you can do. Hurricane and several of his pack are going. I trust him and Honor almost as much as I trust you, Abe, and Link. If anything goes wrong, we have backup.” His dad took a step back, wrapping an arm around Lorna.

“Alright, I’ll keep you posted. Thanks for the brownies, Lorna. They were delicious as usual.”

Lorna smiled. She leaned over, grabbed a covered dish. “I made you and your family extra.”

Tank placed his right hand over his heart. “If I weren’t mated and you weren’t mated I’d claim you for your baking skills alone,” he joked.

His father mock growled as Lorna placed the dish in his hands. “Go on and get.”

“THEY’VE LEFT THEIR protected lands. Where do you think they’re going?” Chloe asked in an excited tone.

Antoinette slapped a hand over the young woman’s mouth. “For fuckssake, you scream like that, and you’ll wake the dead.”

Chloe’s eyes lit with fire, making Antoinette want to put a dagger through her heart. Maybe her blood could fuel the ceremony? She took a deep, controlled breath so she didn’t do something she’d regret, like actually kill the foolish woman. When they brought Papa Legba back, he’d give her abilities beyond their wildest imagination, then she’d be rid of the idiot.

The converted bus they’d brought from New Orleans was becoming too stifling. She had agreed to take the group a few towns over after Chloe had pressed the need to keep the women complacent. Antoinette thought it was better to keep them like zombies. The only purpose they served was to help fuel them with their energy once they began the ceremony. Which was why Chloe and Cheryl said the women needed a break or they’d actually...break mentally when a couple of the weaker ones had a slight issue. Antoinette was able to stabilize them, bringing their tremors to slight shakes until there were no signs that the women had suffered what she knew was probably a seizure. She hated to admit the others were right, so she didn’t. Antoinette disliked the thought of one of the women dying and losing the precious energy she’d cultivated within them over the last couple of years. They might’ve had a little innate ability, like being able to speak to the dead or maybe predict the future somewhat. With her help all the women with them were masters at their craft. They owed her. And now it was time for them to pay up, never mind the cost might be a part of their soul. They’d still be alive, albeit indebted to the male who they were bringing back to where he belonged. Papa Legba would give them power and wealth beyond anything they could dream of.

“The only way to find out where they’re going is to follow them,” she said, working to keep the harshness out of her tone. Taking a deep breath, she formed her lips into what she hoped passed for a smile. “Good job, Chloe. Let’s prepare to leave after the others are all properly settled.”

Chloe’s delight lit her entire face after Antoinette gave her praise. Foolish child. She spun around in order to hide her utter disgust after she’d exerted the effort to make Chloe think she was proud of her, wanting to hit out at someone or something yet she breathed deeply two breaths. The action settled her as she’d taught herself to do from her youth. Breathe in, breathe out, repeat several times if she needed before she drew blood of the innocent. It was why she’d been drawn to the seedier parts of Nawlins, where she could take out her frustrations on the homeless, the evil, the depraved, and nobody would miss them. A shiver rippled down her spine, memories making her giddy enough she wished she could travel back to those times where things were simpler. An image of Papa Legba appeared in front of her. Her eyes filled with anguish while she took in his distinguished features. He wore a black top hat on his head with what appeared to be a black velvet jacket over a red vest and black shirt. His pants were black but the longer she stared, the more fuzzier he became. His gaze was mesmerizing, and anger wove its way toward her with intent.

Antoinette blinked hard, keeping her eyes closed for a long ten count. Opening them, she was relieved to find the male was nowhere in sight. “Are we ready?” she asked Cheryl who was sitting in the driver’s seat. She was also older than Chloe and not as assertive but liked to be in charge of certain things.

Both females had black, curly hair that hit their shoulders and midnight dark eyes. Their skin was a rich brown tone while Mohini had been slightly lighter, not as light as the copper tone she was sporting now, nor was she as youthful in appearance. The animal blood clearly had what they needed to regain youth and possibly longevity. Papa Legba would be gifting her that too, but she was keeping notes just in case.

The huge bus fired up, startling many of the women on board. Antoinette stood by Cheryl, placing her hand on the back of the driver’s seat, and smiled back at her followers. Chloe’s form was in the very back seat directly in the center, her shrewd stare unnerved many. Not Antoinette though. Like her, Chloe didn’t budge when the bus began to move, unlike all the others who hadn’t been prepared for the slight jerking. Gah, she wanted to be rid of the entire group and be back home living the life she deserved. Soon she reminded herself. The memory of Papa Legba so close to her earlier was a stark reminder just how close she was to achieving the ultimate goal.

---