Lesser of Two Evils (9 page)

She smiled slowly. “They’re for
me?” She pressed her face to the glass as if that would get her closer.

He chuckled. “Yes, they’re for you.
I told you, I want you to like it here.”

She couldn’t keep the smile from
her face. “Thank you,” she said with a smile.

He pointed a finger to his cheek
and she leaned over to kiss it. “Thank you,” he said, slowing the car. “Your
friend Eric is waiting at the house. He’s demanding to see you.” Her brow
tightened. “I don’t know what he wants.” Ethan answered her silent question.

He stopped the car at the porch,
where Eric sat in a wooden rocker.

“Why would he come here?” she
asked.

“Let’s find out.” Ethan patted her
knee. Kerry climbed out of the car and looked at him curiously.

“Kerry!” Eric rushed down the steps
toward her. Ethan growled loudly and he stopped in his tracks. “It’s true?”

“What is?” Kerry asked.

“That you mated an Alpha.” He
looked over the top of the car at Ethan.

“Yes. I wasn’t given much choice,
Eric. It was mate this Alpha or ours. I don’t like your dad, you know that.” He
looked taller and broader. Stronger. He was still handsome, and that secret
smile still played about his mouth, the one that filled her dreams when she was
a girl.

“What are you talking about?” He
folded his arms across his chest.

“Your dad wanted to mate with me.
Mom didn’t want that and found Ethan here.” Her mate was beside her now, his
hand casually draped on her shoulder. “She said that you weren’t coming back,
that you’d found your destined mate and you were going with her.” Kerry watched
him. Ethan’s hand was heavy on her shoulder, his presence overwhelming her.

Eric shook his head. “I’m confused.
My dad sent me to college and told me I had to go even though I didn’t want to.
He said to stay there during the breaks because there were things going on that
I wouldn’t understand and that it wasn’t safe. So I did what I was told. Now
you’re saying that he was going to mate you against your will?” Kerry nodded,
and Ethan pulled her closer to his side. “So how does this guy fit in?”

“Mom and he started talking at the
home center. One thing led to another. You know how she is.” Eric smiled
fondly. “She didn’t want me to mate your dad, but he offered my dad a beta spot
if he would give me up. Ethan paid him a dowry. He loves money more than power,
and Mom knew that. She told me to pick the lesser of the two evils.” Ethan’s
hand dropped away from her shoulder, and she heard a gush of air leave him.
Shit. She hadn’t meant to hurt his feelings, but this was truth.

“So where is your mom? The pack is
looking for her and the money. Your dad is pissed, and you know how that is,
but at least he told me where to find you.”

“My mother is missing?”

“I don’t think ‘missing’ is the
right word so much as ‘gone with the money.’” Kerry couldn’t contain her grin.
“What?”

“Good for her.” She turned to
Ethan. “How much was there?”

“Ten large.”

Eric let out a long whistle.

“You gave them…?” Kerry nearly
collapsed, and Ethan caught her. He held her up until she was steady on her
feet again. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I’m not worth that.” She shook her
head slowly, still dazed.

“You’re worth that and more,
sweetheart.” He kissed her temple. Kerry smiled up at him. It was so nice of a
thing to say.

Eric took a deep breath and let it
out. “Everything they told you was a lie. There is no destined mate, Kerry. If
you want to reject him and come with me, I think that you should have that
choice.” Ethan looked down at her. “You weren’t given all the facts, and I have
learned things away from home. There is a council, and if they hear that you
were coerced into mating this guy they’ll reverse it.” Ethan stiffened. “Dad
knows about the council, but he doesn’t follow their rules. He says they’re
just a bunch of old politicians that want to live off the backs of honest
wolves.” Ethan studied Eric, and Kerry studied Ethan. “I’m headed home.” He
gave Ethan a sour look. “Are you coming or not? We belong together. We always
have, and you know it. You’re mine, Kerry.” Ethan growled loudly, and Eric
growled back at him, then shifted and lunged. Ethan moved like a streak, and
Kerry scurried out of the way. They circled and lunged at one another.

“Stop it!” Kerry screamed, but they
kept on. “Eric! Ethan!” Suddenly, an arm was dragging her out of the way, a
hand over her mouth. Kerry bit down hard and got free to whirl on whoever had a
hold of her. Luke. She saw Connor streak by, but he didn’t stop to help her. A
heavy fist crashed into her cheek and she saw stars before everything went black.

Kerry tried to move but found that
her feet and arms were shackled. She smelled apple tobacco and knew where she
was, even though the room was unfamiliar. This was Eric’s house, and Luke was
smoking his pipe. The day was long in the shadows, and she wondered how many
hours or days she’d been here. Her head hurt and her arms were tingling. He was
in the kitchen. Pots and pans banged around for a few seconds, then she heard
the whoosh of the gas stove.

Why hadn’t Ethan come for her? Was
it because she said that he was the lesser of the two evils? She’d hurt his
feelings. Again. He may cut his losses and move on. She really wasn’t worth all
of the trouble he had to go to for her. He’d put up with a lot. She’d run off
and put the pack in danger. He’d spent all that money to get her, then on the
peach trees and the art supplies, not to mention all of the clothes. There were
so many that she wasn’t sure she would ever be able to wear them all. Then
again, she hadn’t worn any, so he could get all of his money back if he’d given
up on her. She’d been nothing but trouble and expense since he’d met her, and
again, she really wasn’t worth it. He would be so much better off with someone
else. Let’s face it, she thought, I’d reject me, too. Maybe this was what she
deserved.

Luke. She cringed. The thought of
him putting his hands on her made her stomach turn. Oh, God, she hoped that
Ethan would come for her. He was so much better of a choice than this nasty
piece of work. Her mother was right. Kerry wondered what she would think if she
saw her like this, strapped to Luke’s bed. It had to be because there was a
picture of Eric’s mom on the dresser. This wasn’t a guest room. This was his
bedroom. The implications of that made vomit come up her throat into her mouth.

Ethan never caused that reaction in
her, and now she wished she’d been less trouble and more…what? More of a mate?
More interested in bed? It was all so new, and everything had been thrown on
her. She just needed more time to get used to him, to get to know him, and to
learn to love him. He was handsome with his dark hair and twinkling silver eyes.
His smile was gorgeous, and then there was that backside that she liked. She
hoped that she would get to smooth her hands over all of that muscle again.
Next time, she promised herself. Next time she’d quell her fears and her
inhibitions. He was her mate, and she should act like a mate. If she could only
get loose from these damned cuffs.

***

Ethan disconnected the call. The
council was sending every available enforcer in the area to assist. This was
much bigger than anyone thought. He had Eric on the porch in wrist and ankle
shackles. The stupid kid admitted the whole thing was a plot to capture Kerry.
Something her father and him had cooked up when her mother went missing with
the money. If her father didn’t have the money, he wanted his beta position.
Without Kerry as a bargaining chip, Luke wouldn’t give it to him, so they
decided to take her back. Eric had been called home to assist. He’d lied to
Kerry because he had found his destined mate the way her mother said. He didn’t
care about Kerry. Ethan had to torture him for the information, but the more
information he got, the less guilty he felt about hurting her friend.

Connor saw the van and the old wolf
with Kerry, but was intent on assisting his Alpha. Connor’s beta position was
in serious jeopardy. Ethan ran a hand through his hair. He couldn’t believe
he’d fallen for that distraction. He felt stupid and like he didn’t deserve any
of this after all. He had to get her away from Luke though, and if she wanted to
go separate ways after this was over, well, maybe he would let her have a
chance at happiness. God, he missed her. He had no idea how deep his feelings
ran until this happened. So far, it all seemed like a big show, and maybe
that’s why she had the reaction she had. It wasn’t genuine, and her gut knew
it. Now though, now he would move the earth to have her back, to hold her close
and kiss that silky skin.

 The council insisted that he wait
for the team before pursuing his mate. He paced and growled while Connor
watched. If they didn’t get here very soon, there would be another hearing,
this one about him disobeying orders. Kerry had been gone more than nine hours.

“What will they do to us if we
don’t wait? This is a big pack, and we have many strong wolves ready to do
battle for you and her. We can have this over and done within a few minutes,”
Connor said.

Ethan shook his head. “I’ve seen
things like that go south too often. I used to be on the other side of this,
and I could always point out how much better it would’ve gone if they’d simply
waited until I arrived. Now I get what they were feeling. I understand now why
they charge in and screw it all up.” He pulled his hands through his hair
again. He stopped and watched the horizon. He heard the Stones playing “Sympathy
for the Devil” and knew who was coming. He waited with a wicked grin plastered
to his face. The big black Jeep rolled to a stop, and the music went off.

“Well, well, well. I heard this
fantasy story that was off the hook, man.” A huge male unfolded himself from
the Rubicon. His hair was spiked and orange with red tips this week, the tats
down the side of his face and neck had not changed though. It was a long, ambling,
tribal thing of black and red that stretched from his temple to his sack. Ethan
knew this because they’d worked together often, and over the years you just saw
more than you wanted. “So there’s this enforcer guy, a little weakling, but
he’s our protagonist in the story, so we like him.” Ethan stood with his hands
on his hips, grinning at his friend. “He goes out to do a job and ends up
getting his nuts in a vise over a she-wolf of all things, and damned if it
ain’t one that nobody knew about. Tell me, Ethan, was it worth it? Was it worth
kicking ass to settle down and you know,” he made a circle with his left hand
and poked his right index finger through it, “with the same pussy all the
time?” He cocked his head to one side and grinned viciously at Ethan.

“How’ve you been, man?” Ethan stuck
his hand out and pulled Julian to him. They bumped shoulders in a half hug,
then Julian grabbed him and hugged him tightly.

“I’m good. Still getting on with
getting on. So what’s the scoop? Where is your girl?”

“That asshole’s father has her.” He
pointed at Eric. “I’m ashamed to say that he distracted me while his old man
grabbed her. I contacted the council after subduing him and was told to wait
for an enforcer.”

“You are an enforcer. Do your
thing.” Julian pulled a pack of bubble gum out of his pocket and stuck a pink
cube in his mouth. Ethan blew out a breath.

“They think I’m too close to it and
wanted an objective party here.”

“Cool. So who’s coming? I am
definitely not the cooler head.” He winked and hopped up to sit on the hood of
the Jeep.

“I don’t know who’s available. They
said they were sending every available enforcer. So you tell me who’s coming.”

“Good.” Julian smirked and Ethan
cocked a brow. “You.” He pointed at Connor. “Guard that asshole. If he moves,
beat the shit out of him.” Connor nodded. “And Ethan, you, arm up. Elijah,
Mikey, and Ava are on their way. Don’t look like a simpering pussy when they
get here. Be ready, be tough, and you’ll have her back in your bed at dark. Oh,
and we’ll be spending the night, so I hope you have a fridge full of beer.” He
pulled his cellphone out and started texting.

“When I have her back, I am cutting
your nuts off for her to make into earrings.” He looked back at Julian, who was
snickering. His hair looked like a lit match in the setting sun.

“And I’ll swear you came that way,
pussy.” Ethan said and grinned at Julian, then went in the house. Opening the
gun cabinet, he looked at the leather vest and pants that he never thought he’d
wear again but had saved for nostalgia. He stripped quickly and changed. After
holstering the matching pair of forty-fives, then tucking various knives,
daggers, and throwing stars into the custom-made vest, he crossed himself and
promised that he would bring her back unharmed. Once she was safe, he would let
her choose her destiny, whether it be with him or without.

After loading his ammo belt with
silver bullets, Ethan stepped back out onto the porch, and Connor’s gaze
snapped up. A different wolf came out of the house than went in. The one that
went in was settled and easy-going, even though he was as mad as hell. This one
was calm. This one was scary. This one was a professional killer. Ethan didn’t
care for this wolf anymore. He’d rather liked the one that held his female
close and kept her warm. Julian looked up from the small crowd that had
gathered. “There he is. Ethan Castle, king of the enforcers. You are in deep
shit now, boy.” Julian pointed at Eric.

Ethan came down the steps slowly.
Mikey was a smaller, wiry wolf of average and unimpressive looks, but he was as
deadly as a viper. They sent him when they needed someone to walk in under the
radar. It was his specialty. Mikey was smaller than most wolves. He did not
seem threatening. His tactics were much like Ava’s. She was dainty, blonde, and
very cute. She had large dimples in her cheeks, huge bright blue eyes, and was as
vicious as they came. Elijah was more like Julian. Balls to the wall, mean as
hell, and shoot first, ask questions later. Where Ethan had the ability to find
out and try to resolve the problem first, that talent escaped Elijah. He was
the last resort. When the problem was out of control and all hope was gone,
they sent him or Julian to clean it up, contain it, kill it, or all three. The
council did not play games, and since they’d sent this team, he knew they were
playing hardball. “Thanks up front if I forget later. My mate was kidnapped,
and it’s going on too damn long. Her father and her ex-Alpha have her, and he
aims to make her his. I have already marked her as mine, but it seems that they
do not care.”

“Just point out who needs to die,”
Elijah said, crossing his arms.

“Mount up. Mikey, you’re with me,”
Julian said. “We go in, extract the girl, make the Alpha into an Omega, and get
out. Council wants someone to stay behind until a new Alpha is in place after
we take the asshole into custody. He has to face the council. Any volunteers?
Elijah, thanks for volunteering.”

“Oh, fuck no. I have a date later,
and I am not missing a sure thing. You do it, Mikey.” Mikey nodded. “Thank you
and suck it, Julian.”

Ethan grinned. His friends had not
changed, and he was glad for it. Ethan got in the jacked-up pickup truck that
Ava drove. Elijah climbed up in the back. He liked to ride standing up with his
face in the wind. Julian would tease him that he was more dog than wolf. He put
his seatbelt on, and Ava quirked a brow at him but said nothing as she started
the truck. It was as yellow as a sunny day and had a smiley face with its
tongue hanging out on the hood. She whipped the truck around and took direction
from Ethan.

“Your pack is not interested in
helping?” Ethan shrugged. He hadn’t asked them. “You’re their Alpha, they’re
your pack, all for one and all that bullshit.”

“Too dangerous. I have no idea
what’s waiting, and I have my own private army. They’re safer here.” Ava
stopped the truck and blew the rebel yell horn. “What are you doing?” Ethan
asked.

“They’re your pack. It will mean
something to them if you ask for their help. If you don’t, you look like you
think you are better than them.” A small crowd was forming around the truck.
“Tell them what’s up and ask them to help if they want.”

Ethan got out and the pack circled
around him. “Kerry’s old Alpha has kidnapped her.” There were murmurs and he
put up his hands. “If any of you want to help go get her back, climb in or
follow. I’m not saying you have to, but if you want to, we could use your
help.” The murmur got louder. “Up to you. We’re leaving now.” He turned and got
back inside the cab. “Satisfied Ava?” Several wolves had joined Elijah in the
back, and a couple had climbed into the Jeep while more loaded into a truck
that Thelma was driving. She was a tough old bird, he had to give her that. Ava
gunned the engine and eased the truck forward. It was squatting from the weight,
and she stopped again.

“One of you get in the other truck!
We won’t go anywhere like this!” she shouted out of the window, and two wolves
hopped out and got into Thelma’s truck. “Better,” she muttered and gunned the
engine again. It lurched as she shifted gears.

“Drive much?” Ethan grinned.

“Give me a minute. Different weight
and she’s straining. It’s always just me and maybe an asshole in the back.”
Ethan turned to look out of the rear window.

“We have the asshole in the back.”
Ava laughed loudly, it sounded like gunshots, and he grinned. Elijah pounded on
the roof and they both laughed. “Go left at the highway,” Ethan said seriously,
then got lost in thought.