Cade: Le Beau Brothers: billionaire Shifter Series BBW mates (Le Beau Series) (17 page)

Jonesy whined like a wuss as she pulled his hands behind him and tied them tightly.

Ralph glared at her. She could tell he was trying to think his way out of the situation. “In case this gun isn’t incentive enough for you to behave yourself, Ralph, I can always bring the wolf back.” Raising her eyebrows she gave him a pointed look.

Scowling he put his hands behind his back so she could tie him.

After picking up the cell phone, she dialed Cade.

“Hello, Cade Le Beau.”

“Cade, It’s me. I was kidnapped and could use a little assistance.”

“Thank God! Where are you? Are you hurt?”

“No, I’m not hurt. These two idiots are bleeding pretty good though. I have them tied to a couple chairs and they conveniently provided me with a gun and phone. But I have no idea where I am. Hold on.”

She looked at Ralph and Jonesy. “Where are we
, boys?”

Ralph sneered at her. “As if we are going to tell you.”

The conversation stopped and a few seconds later a wolf started snarling. Ralph quickly gave up the cabin’s location when she focused on his crotch.

“Did you hear that or should I repeat it?”
she asked Cade.

Laughing, “I got it, cher. I will be there in about thirty minutes by boat. Do you need me to bring you
anything?”

“No, I’m good
, just hurry. I love you, Cade,” she whispered to him.

“I love you too
, Anna. I will be there before you know it.”

Stefan
sat across the room from Cade. They had been trying to figure out where she was being held. “Did she get free of them?” he asked.

“
Yeah, she seems to have them as her captives now.” He chuckled.

“Damn, I need a woman like her. That’s kind of hot.” Stefan laughed
.

“Follow me in your boat. Once I get Anna out of there you can take care of the men.”

“My pleasure. Do I get to bite them too?” Stefan asked jokingly.

“Do as you please, just deliver them to the casino when you are done having fun. Be sure to make an impression on the boss when you
return his trash.”

Thirty five minutes later
, Anna heard boats docking. Boots thundered across the dock moments before Cade and Stefan came through the door. Both men doubled over laughing at the sight of Anna sitting on top of the dining room table twirling her gun like Annie Oakley. Ralph and Jonesy were clearly not amused.

She hopp
ed off the table and jumped into Cades arms. He held her tight then let her slip to the floor. “I was ready to come in here and kick some butt, you ruined all my fun,” he teased. 

Shaking his head,
“I can’t wait to hear this story.” Stefan chuckled.

She
and Cade left as Stefan took possession of the goons. Cade cuddled her close under his arm all the way home. If she hadn’t been so calm and had the men tied when he arrived, his wolf would have killed those men. They had her to thank for their lives.

Once they were safely home she told him the entire story. She was especially proud of her shift during the daring escape.

When Stefan returned from his come-to-Jesus meeting with the boss, she retold the story to him. She was so animated, as she told it she had the men laughing until they couldn’t breathe.

“I don’t think we made any friends at the casino today
,” Stefan told them when the laughter died down. “We will have to be on guard against retaliation for a while.”

“Tomorrow call a meeting with
Dad and the men. Fill them in on the details and schedule around the clock border patrol and security until further notice. Next time it may be Mom they try to snatch.”

Etienne had an impressive antebellum mansion.
More than one billionaire had attempted to purchase his home, but that would never happen. Two and a half glorious stories of southern history. Immense columns held up a hipped roof that created the wrap around covered porch completely around the first and second levels.  Entering the front door, a visitor was transported back in time.

             
Etienne had every classic touch and only the finest furnishings money could buy. He shared this place with a beloved human woman once, had given her his heart and soul. The happiest day of his existence had been the day she agreed to be his queen and join him as a vampire. His happiness had been short lived. A mob of humans caught his queen away from the mansion and tried to end her existence.

Cade had come upon the scene and stopped the horrific killing but not before it was too late. He hadn’t been able to save her but he had held her and comforted her until the end. He then carried her in his arms, walking the entire five miles to the mansion to return her body to him. He would always owe Cade for that kindness and show of loyal friendship.

Thus Etienne had no problem sending his right-hand man to collect Tim to bring him to the estate he called home. It was daylight, but the sun wouldn’t have stopped him. He was an ancient and no longer held captive by that burning ball in the sky. He was considered the king of the vampires in New Orleans and it was simply below him to collect vermin like Tim.

Tim was exiting the courtyard of his apartment building. He hadn’t bothered to observe his surroundings, not expecting danger at seven in the morning. Wrong.

In less than four steps, a hand gripped his arm tightly as another hand covered his nose and mouth with a cloth. Generally a vampire didn’t require the use of chloroform to subdue a victim but Etienne wanted him delivered whole and unharmed. The harming would be Etienne’s pleasure.

The vampire sighed as he grumbled, “I really wanted to hurt this piece of trash. Etienne is going to owe me for this.”

Tim was tossed carelessly into the trunk of a sedan and driven to the mansion. There was little care taken in avoiding bumps and potholes. The vampires knew of the beast’s treatment of Cades mate. There’d be no mercy for him as long as he insisted on remaining in New Orleans. If the idiot had half a brain, he’d move immediately. There were many hungry friends of the Le Beau’s wanting a taste of this human.

Tim was roughly dragged by his one good arm to a basement cell and tossed in. He was left in a heap to sleep off the chloroform on the cold stone floor.
But it was the basement which held the most interesting aspects of his home. A series of cells and torture rooms lined the space. Etienne was either a person’s best ally or worst nightmare. If on his enemy list or an enemy of a friend, you had better run far and fast. If caught, the situation wouldn’t end well.

When
Tim woke, he would have no idea where he was, if it was day or night. His first thought would be the mob had grabbed him. All he would be able to do was shiver in the dark stone room waiting for the torture to begin.

Little did he know his debt had been paid and a
much more dangerous creature held him. At some point a single bulb hanging from the ceiling turned on. Etienne enjoyed this part, his victim Tim could now see he was in a solid brick, square room. The only way in or out was a three inch thick solid wood door. He was screwed.

Etienne left Tim to wait alone in the bare room with no furniture, no windows, only the bare bulb hanging from the ceiling. The wondering of what would happen to him was its own kind of torture. What must have felt like hours to Tim had passed as he pounded on the door, yelling for help. Begging for mercy.

The click of the door announced Etienne as he calmly entered the cell. Tim backed away until he was flat against the wall. Etienne knew he was a striking figure, at six foot four with wide shoulders, lean hips and muscles that seemed to ripple even as he stood still. He was ruggedly handsome with a neat ponytail of coal black hair that ran halfway down his back. Too many women over the century’s had raved about his beauty for him to not know how humans saw him. When you were as ancient as he was, beauty was much more than physical features, they meant nothing to him anymore. 

Most women found him irresistible. Most men were terrified of him. Etienne preferred it that way. He radiated menace and evil on purpose. Vampires had the ability to affect the vibes they emitted. Normally Etienne emitted a friendly, charming, warm vibe. He truly liked most of humanity and enjoyed their company. But he turn
ed on the bad vibes in a huge way when he chose to. And he chose to make Tim as terrified as possible.

He looked Tim directly in the eye, latched onto his freewill and crooked a single finger fo
r Tim to come forward. He smelled Tim’s fear, his victims always wanted to refuse and remain on the safe side of the cell. Disobedience didn’t have a chance in hell of happening. Like a wooden soldier, he stiff-leggedly walked one forced step at a time.

Tim’s legs stopped their forward motion mere inches from him.
Etienne’s hand shot out and grabbed his victim’s jaw in an almost crushing grip, forcing him to look directly into his eyes. “You will move to Las Vegas and never return to Louisiana. You have no desire to ever see Anna again. If you ever try to see her without her invitation, you will become violently ill. That illness will not be relieved until all thoughts of seeing Anna without permission fade from your brain. You will cease all association with the syndicate of New Orleans. You will never set foot into a casino or any other form of gambling establishment ever again. You will not say a bad word about Anna to anyone, ever. She is perfect in all ways and your failed marriage is completely your fault. You will never endeavor to take advantage of your children in anyway. These orders will remain with you until you take your last breath. If you defy these orders by calling Anna or attempting to see her in person, you will be instantly covered in painful, debilitating boils. If you continue to defy my orders your manhood and scrotum will shrivel and fall off.”

Etienne felt his fangs emerge slowly, he tilted his head just right so the light from the bulb made them glisten. He made sure Tim saw the entire show. Pulling his lips back, he hissed into Tim’s face causing the little coward to soil himself. Before Tim became too disgusting, he sank his fangs deep, drinking his fill. He didn’t try to dull Tim’s memories - he wanted him to remember and feel everything. When he was satisfied he roughly pushed Tim away from him and
exited the room. He left him to lay cowering on the floor in his own stench.

Tim would never see Etienne again nor remember exactly where
the mansion was located. The vampire who had collected him came into the cell and slapped a rag filled with chloroform over his face again.

Groggy and blurry eyed, Tim found himself in the middle of his living room floor
with soiled jeans not knowing how he got there. He showered and then dialed the airlines. He needed to fly to Vegas as soon as possible. He was frantic, nothing else mattered but getting on a plane today.

As soon as he landed he went to the nearest cheap hotel for the night. The next morning the greas
y man behind the glass window in the lobby directed him to a nearby fleabag apartment. It had taken all of one day to locate the filthy dump he would spend the next year living in.

Little did he know, Etienne had family in positions of power in Las Vegas.

He was being watch very closely.

It had only taken
Anna and Cade six weeks to fall into a comfortable routine at home. He worked much of the time from his home office, only going to town for essential meetings.

She quickly learned that her stereotype for a billionaire was completely off base. She knew Cade
had money when she first met him. She had no idea how much. His preference for jeans, T-shirts, and biker boots over a suit, hid a billionaire several times over. He would wear a suit if needed, but he didn’t have to like it. They were too restrictive and didn’t fit his personality. He considered them an evil that must be observed when necessary.

She weaned off all of her previous clients and was now the main marketing consultant for the Le Beau family’s vast holdings. She spent hours each day pouring over what was being utilized properly and what needed changing. They made a great team.

As they finished breakfast, Cade’s phone chimed with a text. It was an update on Tim. He had been followed to the emergency room covered in boils. Etienne had immediately informed him when Tim had gone to Vegas. Anna had no clue what had actually been done to Tim only that the modification had already been handled.

He had heard on three different occasions over the last weeks Tim had become violently ill for no apparent reason. His sources were keeping a close eye on the weasel. It seemed he was still
attempting to defy his orders. The stupid little man had better not cross the wrong line or parts would start falling off.

This new information gave him the green light to tell Anna, Tim was gone and wouldn’t be back. Not that he doubted Etienne’s abilities, he was just being cautious. The second level of punishment had held when Tim had purchased an airline ticket to fly back to New Orleans.

Nervously playing with is coffee cup “Cher, I have news on Tim,” he began.

Her head shot up from the newspaper she was reading.

“Etienne forced him to move to Las Vegas and never return.”

He heard her suck in a breath. “He’s really gone for good?”

“Yes, for good.” He took her hand and gave it a soft kiss.

“I never thought I would see the day
,” she whispered.

He had plans for tonight, a special dinner
was on the menu. Weeks ago he had given her a ring as a promise to always love her, now he wanted to make it official to the entire world. He needed to make a few calls to setup the arrangements.

She was coming out of her shock. “I’m so grateful every day for you. You know that, right?”

“I feel the same way about you. Are you okay, cher? I know this must feel very sudden.”

She laughed. “I’m great. I didn’t realize I was still carrying such a weight and now it’s gone. I feel like dancing.”

They enjoyed a long run chasing and playing until they couldn’t run another step.

After the exciting news he couldn’t possibly work. “Hey, babe, let’s spend
the day being tourists and play hooky.”

She thought a
bout that all of three seconds. “I’d love to.”

They had a fabulous day people watching at Jackson Square, having lunch with Richie and generally walking around the Quarter.

As the dinner hour was closing in, he texted Stefan to help with his plans. Within two hours they had reservations for dinner at the Red Grill in a private room few knew of.

“How about dinner in town tonight? I don’t feel like cooking, do you?”

“I’d love to eat before we go home. Where would you like to have dinner?” she asked. “Anywhere is fine with me.”

“I have an idea. Just
come with me and let me surprise you.” He loved making her happy. This was going to be a night to remember.

His brothers had done a bang up job. The room had soft lighting and candles were on the table covered in a beautiful linen tablecloth. They had even managed to get a mini-grand piano brought in and a yo
ung man played quietly for them.

She smiled at him with her heart in her eyes. “You’re always doing
such sweet things for me. How’d you plan all of this without my knowing?”

“Some days having half a dozen brothers comes in handy. I sent a few texts and like magic we have this romantic dinner.” He grinned.

After ordering champagne and hors d’oeuvres, he took her hand in his, playing with his ring on her finger. Slowly, without losing eye contact, he went down on one knee at her feet. “Anna, my love, would you honor me by being my wife as well as my mate?”

Her hand went to her mouth as she gasped in surprise. With happy tears swimming in her eyes she said, “Yes. Oh, yes, I’d love to be your wife.”

He gathered her in his arms kissing her deeply. “I love you so much, you have just made me the happiest man in the world.”

He kissed her deeply again pouring everything he was into it and taking everything she was in return.

As they ate dinner, they discussed wedding options. They both agreed a church wedding wasn’t what they wanted. A quiet civil ceremony at his parent’s home was the perfect choice.

After breakfast the next morning Cade
called and made all the arrangements. All that was left was to call her boys.

Anna, walked into his office,
“Cade, would you make a Skype call with me to Thomas and John?  I would like to introduce you to them.”

“Absolutely, I would love to
meet your sons.”

She set her laptop on the coffee table in front
of them.

Luckily, they were both home, and in minutes everyone was in what amounted to the same virtual room. “Thomas, John, I would like to introduce you to my fiancé, Cade. Cade, this is Thomas and John.”

“Hello, Cade. I‘ve heard a lot about you. It’s nice to finally meet you.” John was always the accepting one.

“Fiancé,
Mom? Really?  Isn’t this a little fast?” Thomas was her protector as usual.

“
No, Thomas, it isn’t. I’d love to have you come for our ceremony here at the plantation.”

“That’s great, Mom. When?”
John was always one hundred percent Anna’s son, her personal cheering section. He was all for her new relationship.

“Two weeks from now on Saturday. If you are willing to come, we will send you airline tickets and pick you up at the airport. I’d love it if you
stayed for a few days, but if you have a case which requires you back home on Monday, I understand.”

“Mom, I’d like to speak privately with Cade for a minute. Do you mind if we have a little time alone?” Thomas
wore a very serious, all business expression.

“Go ahead,
cher. I’d like to have a chat with him. How about you call John back in the bedroom and I’ll let you know when we’re done.” He knew Thomas needed to make sure his mother was never hurt again. These two young men adored their mother and despised their father. He had always been hurtful and abusive to her in front of them, and they were very protective of her because of that history.

“
Okay, Thomas. What would you like to talk about?” He knew he had to meet Thomas as a man and not her son.

“You do know I’m a trained cop, right? That I carry a gun? A loaded gun?”

He had to work very hard to not smile at Thomas’s zealous need to protect the woman he loved. He didn’t understand she was more loved and protected than any human woman would ever be.

“Yes, I do know that. Your mother is very proud of you. I know you watched your mother suffer for a lot of years with your father. I also know you would kill any man who dared to ever treat her like that again, and that promise is not an idol threat from a man like you.” Cade let Thomas know he understood where he was coming from and how seriously he took this.

“I guarantee you, Thomas, I’ll never treat her with anything other than complete respect. Your mother is my very heart and soul. If she died, I would literally follow her to the grave. I would never live a day in this world without her. I love her more than anything and I would give my very life to protect her and have the privilege to love her.”

Thomas scrutinized him a minute longer and then nodded his head once. “I believe you. I give you my permission to marry my mother. I’ve done a lot of research on you and, needless to say, had you followed and watched for the past few weeks. You are what you say you are
. A fantastic business man, but also a man who puts family first. I want that for my mother, she deserves better than what she had with my father.”

“Thank you, Thomas
, your blessing means a lot to me. I’m going to call your mother back in, if that’s okay.”

“Yes, please, have her come back.”

He settled her back on the couch and got John back on Skype. “Okay, boys, should I order tickets for you?” he asked.

She looked so hopeful, neither of the boys could deny her. This was perfect, her family would be there for her on the big day.

Two weeks sped by. Today he was going to marry the woman of his dreams, literally. His tailor had dropped everything to make him a new suit. He thought he looked good but Anna’s opinion would be the one important to him.

Thomas and John fl
ew in the night before and were hanging with him and his brothers.  He enjoyed spending time with his soon to be stepsons, both young men had very good heads on their shoulders. He hoped for Anna’s sake they would decide to relocate to the New Orleans area, she really missed having them with her.

Simon wasn’t able to hold human form for more than a few minutes, he lay resting in his room. The younger three brothers weren’t able to make it home on such short notice. Locating them in the South American jungle had proven difficult

He and the rest of the men had been confined to the main house. They were not allowed to step foot outside the door no matter what, per his mother’s instructions.

“I could really use a drink, who would like to join me?”
Cade asked.

There was of chorus of “I would” from the men around the great room. Stefan volunteered to make the drinks while Marcus searched for something they could snack on.  The waiting was beginning to wear on everyone and drinks with a little food would be a nice distraction.

Marcus was asking if anyone would like a refill when his mother walked in with the Justice of the Peace Judge Tibadou. Cade introduced him to the men before they took their places on the front lawn to await his Anna.

His father walked his mother to the archway before joining him to stand as his best man. He glanced at the leader of the small orchestra hired to play for the ceremony and received a thumbs up, they were ready and waiting for his signal to begin.

His mother gave him a wave and with a nod to the band, the music Anna had chosen filled the air. His mother was beautiful as she came towards him, her face was shining with joy for him. She took her place with them as Matron of Honor. He sucked in his breath, any moment and he would see her come into view.

The music changed tempo as Thomas and John stepped through the arbor with his mate. She was flanked on
both sides by her handsome sons. He couldn’t breathe, she was so stunning.
How did I manage to be gifted with such a beauty?
he wondered.

His father gave him a little nudge to bring him back to his senses as Anna and her boys stopped in front of him. Thomas was very serious in his role as the eldest son, he made a show of presenting his mother’s hand to Cade. Her sons had accepted him as her choice and this was his way of showing he was onboard.

Cade reverently brought her to stand next to him as the judge led them through the traditional vows and the answered I do’s.  The formal service was brief, only lasting five minutes, ending with them being presented as man and wife. The phrase was music to his ears. Wrapping her in his arms, he thoroughly kissed his new wife.

Many
in the local shifter community had come to the wedding, filling every available chair. Finding a mate was often difficult, and as such, was celebrated by everyone. Add to that, the pack considered them the royal family and their future king was taking his queen.

He tucked his arm behind her knees and picked her up, carrying her down the aisle to the reception area with Anna giggling all the way.

Isaac was the star for the rest of the day, creating delicious treats and directing activities like a maestro. He was famous in the area for his barbeques and they were more than happy to let him take over the reception.

As the first round of steaks hit the grill
’s surface they cut the cake. Anna enjoyed feeding him his piece, wiping a smear of frosting off his chin with heat in her gaze. He audibly groaned, this may end up being a very long afternoon if she kept looking at him like that.

Shifter weddings can go well into the night and often end in a pack run when the bride and groom retire. His wife was showing signs of fatigue
; time to go home and have a private celebration.