Already Freakn' Mated (21 page)

*

As declarations went, Chris could understand Sheng’s snicker. After all, his mate’s brother didn’t understand what his mother was capable of. If anyone could organize a rescue operation and take down a villain, dear old ma could. And provide food for after.

The first call he made was to his mother. He gave her the basics, listened to her coldly spoken, “He’s a dead man,” before hanging up.

“So?” Sheng asked, still looking uptight, but Chris could forgive him that. One, because Sheng wasn’t married to Chris’s woman –
no threesome for me, yay!
– and two, because Chris could see the fear in Sheng’s eyes that only appeared when he heard of Gina’s capture. Anyone willing to trade themselves for that hoyden deserved some respect. Or at least a free pass from a fist in the face for being a jerk the rest of the time.

“Now we wait for my brothers to arrive with my dad. They’ll make sure the neighborhood is clear before we head over to my house.”

“Why there?”

“Because chances are this Kaleb person doesn’t know about Jiao and I being mated yet, so my house is safer than yours. Pack a bag of clothes, but stay away from windows. I’d hate for a hunter to take a potshot. Come with me.” He directed his last order to Jiao, tugging her by the hand to her room.

She immediately understood what he wanted and pulled a suitcase out from under the bed. She presented it with a flourish.

“While I do prefer you naked, don’t you want to pack some clothes?”

A wan smile crossed her lips. “It is already packed in case of an emergency. I was really hoping to never have to use it.”

“I’m sorry, baby.”

“Why? It’s not your fault Kaleb found us. I just wish I hadn’t dragged you into this mess. I don’t want you, or anyone for that matter, to get hurt.”

“Everything will work out.” It had to. He’d not just found the woman of his dreams only to lose her. But he did have questions. “So, Sheng, who’s not Jack, is your brother, and you are…?”

“Jiao. It means, dainty or lovely.”

Chris rolled her name around on his tongue. “I like it. It suits you. Next question is, how long have you and Sheng been pretending to be married?”

“Just over four years. The first two, we played the part of orphans but we stood out too much.”

“You’ve been hiding for six years? But why? Who is this Kaleb fellow and why does he want you so bad?” Not that he’d want her for long after Chris got through with him. Anyone who could inspire the level of terror he sensed in his mate needed a serious ass kicking. Or more.

“Kaleb is a rich human who somehow discovered shifters exist. He kidnaps them, especially the rare ones like me and Sheng. But others as well, anyone he has a use for.”

“So he’s a collector?”

“Of sorts. However he’s not content to just put us on display.”

“How does he use shifters? It’s not like we have special skills other than changing into an animal.”

“Smart animals,” she gently corrected. “Wily animals who know how to evade hunters eager for something a little wilder than just a safari.”

“He freakn’ hunts our kind?” Chris didn’t even bother to hide his shock.

“Hunts. Awards some of us as prizes to his friends, or sells us like cattle. Yet others, rare breeds like Sheng and I, became attractions in his perverse version of a circus. Sheng and I worked the high wire when Kaleb retired my parents. We had to perform all kinds of acrobatics, dozens of feet in the air while flipping from human to cat.”

“Holy shit. So who rescued you?”

“No one. When Kaleb announced his plans to sell me for breeding, Sheng came up with a plan for escape. Six years later, we’re still alive. And I thought safe.”

Forget ass kicking. This Kaleb person needed to die. “Not thought – are.” He pulled Jiao into his arms and rested his chin on her head. So small and delicate, it appalled him to learn the truth she could finally reveal, a past more complicated and horrifying than he could have imagined.

While she recounted the period of her life in captivity in a quick monotone, he could sense the hurt and fear beneath it. He freely admitted to not fully understanding the awfulness of it, he just didn’t have anything to compare it to. But he did know that from now on, no one would ever hurt her again. And, he’d make sure he gave her reasons to laugh and smile. Starting with now.

“Hey, I just thought of something.” He held her out at arm’s-length. “I’m mated to a circus lady. A flexible circus lady. My buddies are going to be so jealous.”

“This isn’t funny.”

“No, but it’s damned hot. Did you have to wear one of those skimpy outfits?” He waggled his brows and her lips twitched.

“Yes. A skimpy two piece bikini that left little to the imagination.”

Chris frowned. “And people saw you in it?”

“Yes. That was the whole point of the show.”

He was afraid of that. “Will you visit me when I go to jail?”

She cocked her head. “Why are you going to jail?”

“Because I need to kill the audience.”

“So you’re going to go on a murderous, jealous rampage?”

“Maybe.”

“Do you think we can get conjugal visits? Maybe even share a cell? Because the way I hear it, a lot of the female population saw what belongs to me.” She said it with a dead pan tone, but her eyes twinkled.

He winced. “Who said something? Gina?”

“And Naomi. And Francine. Oh, and a few of the ladies themselves boasted about it at the Thanksgiving dinner. You’re lucky I didn’t unleash my claws then and there.”

“Is this your way of saying we’re even and we should leave it alone?”

“I’d much rather spend every night in bed with you than staring at bars. I stared at those enough when I was a kid.”

Ouch. That slapped his attempt at mirth in the face. His chagrin must have shown because she threw her arms around his waist. “Oh don’t look like that. I got over it. I just don’t want to return to it.”

“You won’t have to,” his mother announced appearing in the bedroom door. “Sorry, but I overheard the last part. And believe me dear, when I say no one will ever put you in a cage again. You’re family now and family doesn’t stand for that kind of shit.”

“I take it the coast is clear?” Chris asked.

“Clear as a blue sky. So let’s get out of here before that changes.”

“So have you got a plan?” he asked, as she led through the house out to the cavalcade of waiting cars.

“Of course I do. But, it’s going to require a little patience, my son.”

“Uh oh, we’re screwed,” Jiao muttered.

Their laughter, while wildly inappropriate for the occasion, provided an ease to the tension in his body, and that of his mate’s. Sheng on the other hand looked like he’d packed an extra stick – up his butt.

Sheng’s mind boggled at the number of people who showed up when they found out Gina was in trouble. Even harder to wrap his mind around, they just accepted him as the newest member of the family. It didn’t matter it was his sister mated to the wolf. Or that he remained standoffish. His back got slapped. Shoulders hugged. And he was reassured by a ridiculous number of dogs to not worry, they’d take care of him, because despite the fact he used a litter box, he was family.

A more emotional man might have wept. But Sheng was a rock. Rocks didn’t get sappy, so Sheng took himself outside and stood in the shadow of the house taking deep breaths, fighting tears.

Men didn’t cry. He’d not cried when his father died. He’d not cried when his mother took her life. He’d not once cried when punished for not performing well. Nor shed a tear, even in frustration when they escaped and found the path to freedom arduous.

But now, surrounded by people, so willing to accept him, to come to his aid and help end a nightmare he’d lived with for years… Bloody freakn’ hell, he couldn’t help the hot moisture pooling in his eyes, although, he tried his best.

“What’s wrong?”

Having scented his sister before her question, Sheng didn’t jump, but he did attempt to hide his unmanly tears. “Nothing. I got something in my eye.”

“Liar. There’s no shame in showing your emotions.”

“Whatever,” he grumbled scrubbing at his face.

“You’re worried about Gina.”

“Very. She’s my mate. I have to do something. But I’m scared.” He admitted it softly, as if ashamed to let the words slip past his lips. “How do we know this plan will work? What if –” He swallowed hard. “What if I can’t set her free?” What if he failed to save Gina like he failed to save his mother?

“I believe in you.”

“But –”

Jiao clasped his hands in hers. “No buts. Six years ago, you saved a scared sixteen year old girl. Then put your life on hold to keep me safe. You did that.”

“Patricia –”

“Gave us the tools, but you were the one who used them. If anyone can free Gina, it’s you. As it should be. You are her mate, after all.”

“I doubt she’ll care after the things I said to her. I acted like a jerk.”

“So grovel for forgiveness. Although, if you ask me, coming to her rescue like some hot Samurai hero of legend will probably work in your favor. I hear she used to have a thing for Bruce Lee.”

Sheng snorted. “Seriously? That’s just wrong.”

“Or a sign of fate. Don’t doubt yourself, Sheng. I never did.”

Sheng hugged his little sister. “How did you get so wise?”

“Watching Dr. Phil.”

And that was how her wolf mate found them, giggling like idiots while hugging.

“Family hug!” Chris yelled.

The next thing Sheng knew, not only did Chris’s arms surround him and Jiao, but another pair, and another, until he almost couldn’t breathe so many bodies crowded in for the hug.

Damned touchy feely family. He wouldn’t cry again – even if the acceptance felt great. Nope. No more tears. Not until he saved Gina and could shed tears of relief. Or pain as she hurt him for letting her get captured in the first place.

Nothing like stripping naked in the predawn hours of a crisp October morning to get in the mood for a rescue operation. After the shocks of the past few hours, Chris found a certain comfort in communing with nature. Although, if given a choice, he’d have preferred to stay home, in his bed, with his new mate, sticky and sweaty as he showed her the many ways he loved her. As it was, despite her pleas – initially tearful, then angry and hot – he’d left her behind with the other women as the men embarked on their mission.

He consoled himself with the knowledge when he rescued his cousin, he could come home and collect a celebratory kiss – and more. Lots more because he doubted a single kiss, a single climax, actually anything that entailed touching his mate, would ever be enough.

Now, however, wasn’t the time to get a woody, not when he stood buck naked with another dude. Chris dumped his clothes alongside Sheng’s neat pile. He could tell his new brother-in-law wasn’t sure about the plan concocted over coffee, Coca Cola, and his mom’s freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. The guy took life way too seriously, and yes, while Gina’s plight deserved some degree of decorum, the Grayson family could no sooner stop themselves from their boisterous ways than they could beating the hell out of the idiot who took Gina. Sheng didn’t get that yet, but he would. Their ways would grow on the little dude, like a fungus. Sheng would also learn Chris meant what he said. Family took care of family. And that included a sour puss Asian.

“You remember what to do?”

Sheng rolled his eyes. “Yeah, because it’s so complicated. Walk up to the plane, tell them I’m there for the exchange. Hand myself over and try to get them to release Gina.”

“And if that doesn’t work, don’t do anything stupid, like fight. We’ll come for you. No matter what. Remember that. Your biggest job is to protect Gina until we arrive to the rescue.”

“That goes without saying. I also assume, if I don’t make it out of here, you promise to keep Jiao safe?”

“First off, you’ll make it back. Your sister would kill me otherwise. She might be tiny, but she’s got claws.” His back bore testament to that. “And second, dude, I know we might not have gotten off on the best foot, but it’s only because I’m crazy for Jiao. She’s my mate. My life. I’d do anything for her. Keeping her safe is only a part of what I intend to do.”

“Ick. No more. I want to keep my lunch thank you,” Sheng grimaced. “Thanks though. And good luck. You’ll need it. My sister has a temper.”

“I’m sure I can handle anything she dishes out.” Chris grinned. “Ready, my newest brother?”

“No. But let’s do this anyway.”

Chris clapped him on the shoulder. “May the force be with you.”

“Geek,” Sheng snickered, but with a smile.

Stepping back, Chris just hoped he could keep his word and rescue both Sheng and Gina without harm. Despite his blasé attitude, he knew they’d have a fight ahead of them. And an evil bastard to take down.

*

Despite the danger of the situation, a part of Sheng couldn’t help a giddy excitement that he could roam the outdoors, free and in his feline skin. Tail bobbing, whiskers twitching and paws gripping the earth, he bounded across the strip of grass bordering the tarmac of the runway.

A lone plane sat in the open with its cargo bay door wide open. Approaching it, Sheng sniffed, and couldn’t help a growl at the familiar smell of Kaleb and his goons, gorilla mercs imported from South America and loyal to whoever paid their salary. Traitors to their kind.

As if thinking of Kaleb conjured him, the broad chested man appeared in the opening of the plan and held his arms wide. The wide grin on his lips though never reached his eyes.

“If it’s not my long lost kitty, returned at last. But where is your sister? I thought I made myself quite clear that you were both to come?”

In a blink of an eye, Sheng shifted to his human shape, proud and tall despite his nakedness. He stood before the man who’d haunted his nightmares for so long and realized something.
Kaleb is just a man.
Not a super being with powers. Not a deadly shifter. Just an aging human with a god complex – oh and a gun. But Sheng wasn’t here to fight him – yet. “Jiao is gone. You just missed her. She eloped with her wolf lover when I wouldn’t give my blessing.”

“Liar. She wouldn’t leave you.”

Sheng shrugged. “She found her mate. You should know by now the mating bond isn’t one we can fight for long.”

“Ah yes, the infamous mating fever. Funny you should mention that. Imagine my surprise when I met up with the officer who tipped me to your whereabouts. It seems we missed you by only moments. A she-wolf, though? I’m surprised at you, Sheng. Tainting your blood line like that.”

Ice water ran through his veins and Sheng fought not to shiver and give away how Kaleb’s words affected him. His cat didn’t like the implied threat to their mate at all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Really? So, she’s not your mate then?”

“She’s not even my type,” Sheng lied and hoped he did it well. No denying, he’d gone through a radical change in the last week. According to his mind and body, only short, curvy and mouthy would do. But he couldn’t let Kaleb know that. Couldn’t admit to anything that might jeopardize Gina further.

“Well, in that case then, you won’t mind if I give her to my boys. She put up quite the fight and they’re eager for retribution. And they’re horny. I just hope they don’t damage her too much. I have clients who like a girl with spirit.”

“Don’t you dare.” Sheng growled before he could stop himself.

An arched brow accompanied Kaleb’s, “I thought you didn’t care?”

“The deal was me for her. It has nothing to do with caring or not. I wouldn’t leave anyone in your sick clutches.”

Kaleb shook his head. “Liar. You care for the she-wolf, else you’d have no problem sacrificing her to save yourself and your sister. Enough talk. Get in the cage.” He pointed towards an open silver cage, the bottom lined in plastic.

“Let her go, first.”

“I think not. Since you didn’t bring me your sister, I’m going to need some extra female bodies to use as incubators. Congratulations, my precious cat, you are going to get to play stud. Even if all the babes you father don’t’ come out clouded leopards, I can still sell the extras. It’s amazing what people will pay for genuine shifters.”

“No.”

“As if you have a choice. Grab him.”

Sheng struggled against the hands reaching out to snag him, but not too hard. He needed on the plane, close to Gina so he could save her. Forget implementing the defense and offensive moves he’d learned over the years. He kicked and thrashed as ineptly as possible without giving away the fact he wanted to get caught.

Moments later, he ended up tossed into a cage. He winced as he hit the bars, the silver burning his exposed skin before he rolled away to the center, away from the poisonous metal. Kryptonite for superman, silver for shifters. Every hero owned a weakness. His sat in the cage alongside his shaking her head.