Reed: Bowen Boys (15 page)

Reed felt the rest of them coming toward him. Olen watched as they came out of the woods and sat nearby. Olen smiled and looked at Khan before he turned back to Reed. The man looked defeated now.

“I didn’t die because I was a coward. The bullet only did some damage, which my cat took care of before I could bleed to death. I knew that my daughter was alive, that Letitia had taken her somewhere safe, and it’s taken me all this time to find out where. I didn’t kill her. My mate, I didn’t kill her like Burton and the others think. The man responsible for that is up there in that mountain. The man who raised her. He beat my Letitia to death with a bat and then buried her in the back of his yard. Tell Burton that for me. Tell him I tried to save her but…but I failed them both.”

“You said you lost them both. You told Burton that. What did you mean if you knew that she’d taken Kerry somewhere else?” Reed knew at that moment Olen had no idea what his daughter’s name was. Right now he needed to find her, but felt that if he didn’t get this information now it would be lost to them all.

“Letitia was human when I met her, and set to marry this other man…Stephens’s half-brother. He was as cruel and sadistic as that one up there. When our daughter was born, she was…we knew that she was going to be panther. And when Damien found out, he went nuts. Not about her being a panther, but that Letitia had gotten pregnant. I had her run to hide from him. I thought…Christ, I thought she’d be safer.”

Reed looked at Khan when he stood up.

Someone is coming. Wolf.
They scattered to hide but watched as Gilbert came into view.

“Who the hell are you and what the fuck are you doing on my mountain?” Reed watched as Olen seemed to shrink into his sickness a little more. “Answer me, old man. What are you doing up here uninvited?”

“Walking around, that’s all. I’m dying and wanted to see the view once more before I died.” Olen lifted his head to the sky and inhaled deeply. “Have you ever smelled anything this amazing?”

“What the fuck are you talking about? Smell what? All I can smell is you, and you fucking stink.” Olen stood up, and Gilbert took a step back. “You need to get your ass gone now.”

“Yes, of course.” Olen stumbled a little and fell against the wolf. He apologized several times as he backed away. As Olen stepped by Reed and the rest of his family, he dropped something. While he watched him stagger down the hill, Khan laughed.

He’s helped us.
Reed looked down at where his brother was nodding.
Seems he’s helped all of us if that’s silver I smell.

The gun lay in the dirt between them, and Reed knew that the stumble had been deliberate. He looked to where the old panther had gone and saw nothing but trees. Reed looked at Khan.

He said she was in one of the caves beyond. He said that he knew Dad was hurt but that Kerry was okay. We have to go up there and get them. Now.
They both watched Gilbert as he stood there for several seconds before he, too, moved down the mountain. Reed moved out from the dense woods and made his way upward. He knew without looking that his family was right behind him.

Chapter 15

Kerry lay there for several hours before she decided enough was enough. She tried to think how she could get the bonds off her wrist and ankles without a knife. When she thought about her cat, she purred along her skin and made her feel somewhat comforted.

“You want to help me, then why don’t you think of a way for us to get the fuck out of this mess?” She purred louder, and the hum was vibrating along her skin. “Listen, we can’t just sit here all day. I have to pee really bad, and I don’t think the stupid prick is going to let me go long enough to take care of business and kill him. So let’s put our minds together and think.”

“Who are you talking to? Yourself?” Norman came into the deep cave and sat a few feet from her. “You should know that people think you’re insane if you do that.”

He laughed, and she wanted to get up and rip his throat out. Her cat seemed to think the same thing. Norman leaned back against the cave wall and looked at her.

“So, you’re not speaking to me, are you? That’s fine. I have plenty to say to you before Death gets back.” He pulled out a small notepad. “I made myself notes so I wouldn’t forget anything.”

His laughter grated on her last nerve. He didn’t so much laugh as he brayed like a jackass. Kind of appropriate if you thought about it, but she doubted he’d find the humor in her calling him a braying jackass. He took out a pencil and licked the tip. She’d only seen people do that on the television, and wondered if he’d seen it too and thought it cool. Stupid man.

“The first thing I want to tell you is that as soon as this is over, you’re dead. I don’t mind that fact as much as you might think. You’ve been a pain in my ass for decades and I’m done with you. The money we’re going to get from your kidnapping will be more than enough for me to live for a long time.” She wondered about Dora, but he answered that for her as well. “Death is about to make us less than three. Oh my, what a grand joke I’ve just made. Death will visit your sister. I’m just too funny for my own good.”

“Why?” Kerry hadn’t meant to ask, but it was out before she could stop it. “Why did you do this to me?”

He shrugged. “Why not? You were at the right place at the wrong time I guess. So was that mother of yours. She served her purpose well enough, I guess. Her dying like she did and leaving you to me helped me out a great deal over the years since. Then, when she told me that you were nothing but a human like she’d been before she met your dad, I realized I had no use for either of you. But you did finally come into your own, got a job, and supported us, which I think is only right since I saved you from living in a trash can or even a deep hole with your mom. And now this. You’re going to make us very rich.”

“This has always been about money, hasn’t it? If there wasn’t enough money in your pocket, then you simply couldn’t make it in this world. Do you have any idea how many dreams I had to give up on in order to keep the two of you happy?”

He laughed. “Do you really think I care what you had to sacrifice? You were nothing to me, Kerry. Not a damned thing. Then you had to become selfish and demanding. Why did you have to change things for us? Dora and I were very happy with the arrangements.” He looked at his notes again. “You also should know that the old man you were with is going to die too if he hasn’t already. He’s in a bit of pain right now.”

Kerry wanted to ask if he was tied up as well but didn’t. She would bet anything that they’d done it, even to the point of hurting him more to do so. She started to say something about his list when she heard a faint sound through the door that seemed to lead upward.

“You should know something before you go on with your useless list.” He looked up at her when she didn’t continue. “I’m going to take great pleasure in killing you slowly and with no kind of mercy.”

He must have seen something in her face because he looked terrified. She smiled then, a small smile that she knew didn’t reach her eyes. Anger seemed to make her cat happy as well, and she let just enough of her go so that her tormentor could see her. When he stood up, she watched him back away quickly.

“That’s not possible.” She cocked a brow at him incredulously. “She said that you were human. Because she was pregnant with you before she was turned, you couldn’t be carrying the gene.”

“I’m thinking she might have lied to you to save me. Imagine that. Someone lying for the good of another.” An idea popped into her head, and she let her cat go again and felt her canines drop. She bit into the plastic and tore it from her wrists. She was pulling off the one around her ankles when a low growl had her looking toward the door.

George didn’t look injured, but she could smell it on him. He was weak and seemed smaller than his usual self. She wanted to go to him, but he stood there looking at Norman as if he was a tasty meal. The fur along George’s back stood up when Norman backed up. Kerry laughed.

“I wouldn’t if I were you. I’m pretty sure that if you run, he’ll enjoy this so much better. And if you don’t….” She let the statement hang out there, and Norman looked at her.

“If I don’t what? What will he do if I don’t run? Surely you don’t mean to let him kill me? I’m your father, for Christ’s sake.” She shook her head. “Thank God. I thought for a minute there you were as heartless as—”

“You misunderstood me. I didn’t say I was going to stop him. I meant you’re not my father. You and I both know that. And if he wants to run you down and tear your throat out, the only reason I’d be upset with him is because I didn’t get to do it.” She stood up and reached for the cold wall as all the blood rushed to parts of her body that had been idle for so long. “You’re going to help us get out of here, or so help me, we’ll both tear you apart.”

“I can’t do that. Death will come back here and kill me.” She only snickered at him, wondering if he was that stupid. “You’ll just have to hurt me a little, so he thinks you overpowered me.”

I don’t have it in me, love, to attack him. You just keep him talking and I’ll get some back, but right now, it’s all I can do to stand here looking all bad assed.
She glanced at George when he spoke to her.
He’s a mite stupid, isn’t he?

A lot stupid.
She looked at Norman, who was muttering to himself about her being so ungrateful.
Sit down and let him see your canines. That should do the trick of him thinking you’re still all that. And, George, I am going to hurt him badly for touching my family. You just watch and see. But you have to stay there. You’re not going to die while I’m around. Corrine will kill me.

George didn’t sit but lay down. He growled low when Norman took a hasty step toward him, and he backed up. Kerry had to bite her lip to keep from laughing out loud. Even hurt like he was, George cut an imposing figure.

“All right, I’ll help you, but I want something in return. I want money. After Death kills Dora, I’ll not have anyone to depend on to do all the things you did for me. I need to have compensation.”

“No.” He nodded, then looked at her as if he couldn’t believe she’d said that word to him. “You’ll help or die. I don’t really care which you choose, but those are the only choices you’re going to get. Not that you won’t more than likely get killed later, but for now, that’s all you get.”

He drew back his hand as if he might come at her and hit her, but George stood up again, and he took a step forward. That’s when she saw the large stone lodged in his furred chest. Christ, it was bleeding profusely, too.

You need to stay put before you bleed to death. What the hell is wrong with you running around like you’re invincible or something? Are all you Bowen men this stubborn?

We are. But I wouldn’t say you’re all that sweet as pie either, young lady.
He lay back down, and she could see what the move had cost him.
I’m not sure, darling, but I don’t think I’m going to make it. You might have to save us both. I’m feeling a mite tired. Will you tell my love that I tried my best to make it back to her? She’s a wonder, that woman, for putting up with me all these years. Tell her that I’m so sorry and that I love her with all my heart and then some.

Don’t you dare die on me, old man. I will kick your ass if you even think that again.
He snorted at her but didn’t answer
. George Bowen, what would Corrine say to you if she knew that you’d given up? Please don’t do this. Just stay back and out of the way. I’ve got this. When I kill his sorry ass, I’ll get us help. You have to hang on. Please just stay back.

She’ll be pissed at me. And you know that I can’t stay out of it. Gotta keep my fingers in the pie, so to speak.
He yawned
. I’ll hang on here, but could you shut him up? I’ve never seen a man so bent on emptying his head through his mouth before. What the hell is he talking about?

Kerry turned back to Norman and listened. “Shouldn’t have let her live. Had I just killed her off, none of this would be a problem. Yes, sir, a problem is what I have here. A dead wife, a panther in my family. Well, not my family, but…. Dead all the same, she is. I should have taken her out years ago. Then I’d not have that damned Dora to contend with. Stupid girl would sleep with anything with a dick. Including dogs. No, no, no, he said he was a wolf, not a dog. Must remember that or he’ll hurt us again.” He looked at her, and she could see the fear and something else in his eyes. “I simply must kill you as well.”

He advanced quickly, and something…someone knocked her out of the way. Before she could shift, even if that’s what she’d meant to do, Norman lay with his head removed from his shoulders, and George lay not two feet from him, panting and bleeding more.

He was going to kill you, the slimy bastard. And now…now I’m going to die. Tell her…tell Corrine that I love her.
He closed his eyes, and she ran to him. When a noise sounded behind her, she shifted and leapt at the same time. It was too late before she realized that Reed had found them.

~~~

Death moved into the house and crept down the hall toward her bedroom. Dora always left the door open, even when they were having sex. He’d often wondered if she wanted someone to watch them. He’d gotten a great deal of pleasure from that. But today for some reason she’d shut the door. No matter. He had a key.

His wolf stirred along his body in anticipation of the kill. He touched the doorknob when he heard something behind him, and moved back into the room next to hers. Dora was coming down the hall with a plate and a cup in her hand. Good, this was going to be over very quickly. When she touched the door handle, he reached out and grabbed her around the throat.

“You’re a royal pain in the ass. I’m going to take pleasure in killing you.” He pressed his hand over her mouth when she opened it to scream. “No, I don’t think so. Not that anyone would hear you, but I just don’t want to hear it.”

He took her into the bedroom, holding her body tightly against his. There was no reason for this opportunity to go to waste, and he threw her onto the bed. She tried to scramble away, but he grabbed her leg and started to tear away her pants.

“Don’t do this. I love you, Death. Please don’t kill me.” He ripped her clothes off until she lay there, naked. His cock jumped at the thought of fucking her while she tried to get away. “I’ll do what you want, even suck you off first.”

He liked that idea and let her go. She moved to the edge of the bed and then stood up. Christ, she looked good enough to eat right now. When she dropped before him and unsnapped his pants, he curled his hand into her hair and held her to him. She freed his cock, and he nearly came all over her when she fisted him.

“Suck me until I come down your throat.” She nodded and wrapped her hair around him. “Stop fucking around and suck me.”

Her mouth was hot and wet. He rocked his hips into her heat and felt her hand cup his balls. He put both his hands around the back of her head and held her while he fucked her hard. He was going to come down her throat and break her neck at the same time. As soon as the thought entered his mind, he felt a sharp pain near his balls. Then, when a second, more pronounced pain ripped through him, he pulled back from Dora’s mouth and looked down at her.

Her mouth and face were covered in blood. He staggered back again, just realizing that he was hurting really badly now. Looking down at his body, he cried out when he saw what she’d done to him.

“You told me that one.” He looked at her and she smiled, licking the blood from her fingers. “You told me that silver would kill you, and I might not have done it if you hadn’t threatened me. So now….” She shrugged as he fell back against the wall.

There were three long spikes sticking from him, two in his upper-thigh and one in his dick. He reached down to pull them from him when she laughed. His wolf snarled at him and he wanted to shift, but knew that he couldn’t with the silver racing through his body.

Pulling the first one free, he held his cock while blood poured from him in long rivers of red. The second one, the one closet to his hip, pulled free easily enough, but the third one was not coming loose. She had hit bone.

“Why?” He dropped to his knees, too weak to do anything else. “Why the fuck would you kill me like this?”

Her laughter again made him look up. She held a gun in her hand, and she was pointing it right at him. She smiled at him, showing her teeth, and he wasn’t really surprised to see that they were stained with his blood.

“Because I can.” She sat on the bed to continue speaking as he weakened more. “I just didn’t think it would take this long. I thought…I don’t know, that you’d blow up or something. I didn’t know you’d just bleed to death.”