Sixx (The Stone Society, #7) (36 page)

“Of course. I’ll be right behind you.” Tessa hugged Rae before touching her man’s face.

Sinclair spoke up next, “Simone, if I may, I will carry you so that we can move swiftly. I will apologize to Desi later.”

Simone nodded, not sure what Sinclair would be apologizing for. Since Michael had asked Tessa’s permission for Gregor to carry Rae, it must be a mate thing. Sinclair said, “We can move faster if you ride on my back and hang on.” He squatted down, and Simone climbed on for a piggyback ride.

“What about this one?” Urijah asked Michael, indicating Crane. It was his son who’d been kidnapped, so he was the one to decide the Gargoyle’s fate.

“As much as I’d like to see his head removed from his shoulders, find out what he injected Desi with. Don’t leave here until you have an answer. Also, if you would, please coordinate with the police so they can do whatever’s necessary to keep this quiet until we talk to Desi’s public relations person.”

Michael took off running toward the vehicles without another word. Gregor held his hands out to Rae so she could climb on his back. He set out behind Michael with Tessa running alongside.

“Hold on, Simone,” Sinclair told her. She tightened her grip around his neck and prayed she didn’t choke him. She ducked her head into his shoulder so the tree branches they encountered didn’t scratch her face. The wind whipped at her curls with the speed Sinclair was moving. In their search for Desi, they had walked for hours, but with the shifter’s speed, it didn’t take long to return to where they started. Simone climbed down from Sinclair’s back offering a quick thank you before running to where Rae and Michael were waiting for her. Simone climbed into the back seat, cradling Desi’s head in her lap. As soon as her door was closed, Michael was peeling out of the parking area.

“Where are you taking him?” she asked, pushing Desi’s long black hair away from his face. He was in dire need of a shower, but Simone couldn’t keep her hands or eyes off him.
He is yours if you want him.
In that moment, with his still body in her lap, she knew without a doubt she wanted Desi.

“Home. The doctor is already on standby to test Desi’s blood in case we couldn’t find Crane. Since we did, Urijah will find out what he poisoned Desi with. Dominic and Lilly are already headed this way with the antidote, in case it’s the same poison previously used.”

“And if it’s not? What then?” Rae asked.

“Then we figure out what it was and find another antidote.” Michael focused on the road, Rae turned in her seat so she could see Desi’s face, and Simone continued stroking Desi’s skin, begging him silently to be strong a little while longer.

D
esirae wanted to be the one sitting in the back seat with her son, but Michael had explained how important Simone was to Desi’s well-being. His mate would be the only one who would be able to help him through this ordeal mentally. Physically, they had to figure out what he’d been poisoned with. Rae felt like she was in a bad dream. A crazy, unrealistic nightmare where she couldn’t wake up. When Michael revealed his true nature to her a few days before, she had been dazed. Seeing Desi with his fangs bared had her head spinning. Michael flying through the air locked in battle with another Gargoyle had almost caused her heart to stop. She had touched those wings while they made love. She had even held on tight while he used those wings to fly her through the air. To see them spread out behind Michael as he fought another non-human had been too much to handle. This was her life now. Hers and Desi’s. And Simone’s, if the young woman chose it to be.

Michael’s phone rang. Instead of putting it on speaker, he raised the phone to his ear. His words barely broke through the fog she was in. “Uri... Sonofafuckingbitch... Yeah... right... no, call Sin and find a place to put the bastard for now. We might need him later. Thanks.”

Michael disconnected then spoke into his phone. “Call Rafael.” He waited few a few beats before he spoke, “Rafe, we have Desi, but he’s been poisoned. We also caught Crane, but he swears he doesn’t know what was in the syringe. Said Novik gave it to him... No, Gregor’s already calling Deacon, so we have that covered. Uri needs to know what to do with Crane. That’s not my call... Right. I’ll let you coordinate that with Sin... Lilly’s already on her way, just in case.... Thanks, Brother... I will...”

Michael tossed his phone into the cup holder. He scrubbed his hand down his face and through his hair, letting out a deep sigh. Desirae couldn’t imagine what he was going through. This might be new to her, but he’d been living this existence for hundreds of years. Was it always like this? Would they forever be looking over their shoulder for some monster to kidnap one of them? She had to be strong for Desi, but when he was safe... what then? She didn’t know if she could live in constant fear.

Michael reached for her hand. When she grabbed hold, his hand was shaking so badly she put her other hand on top to help keep it steady. The knuckles on the hand that was steering were white from the grip he had. Her man was not okay. He had to feel guilty for bringing this shitstorm to their door. She’d blamed him at first, but now... now she knew there was good and evil in the Gargoyle world, same as with people. This was on the Greek King, all because he didn’t like humans.

When they arrived home, Michael lifted Desi from the back seat and took him to one of the spare bedrooms. “Simone, please run the tub full of hot water so I can bathe Desi. Rae, please go to our bedroom and get some clean clothes for afterwards.” Michael sat on the side of the bed, holding Desi in his arms like a child. Desirae retrieved the clothes like he asked. When she returned, Michael had removed Desi’s clothing, leaving only his underwear. He placed Desi in the tub, and with Desirae’s help, they washed the grime off their son’s body while Simone watched. They washed his hair as best they could. Desirae excused herself while Michael removed Desi’s wet boxer briefs and dried him off. He dressed his son and carried him to the bed Simone had slept on the night before.

“Simone, I need to ask another favor from you. I need you to keep Desi company until he awakens. The doctor is pulling in the driveway now, and he’ll draw blood to test. After that, it will be best if you remain close to Desi. Let him know you’re here.

“I can do that.” She sat down on the bed beside Desi’s lifeless form and took his hand in hers. Desirae brushed Desi’s hair away from his face and kissed him. When Tessa led the doctor upstairs, Desirae moved to the other side of the room.

“Dr. Mercato, thank you for coming to us.” Michael said as he and the physician shook hands. It amazed Desirae how many Gargoyles there were walking around among non-suspecting humans.

“It’s no bother. I hope I can help you with your son.” The doctor set up his supplies and within a few minutes had several vials of blood. “I will run the tests on these immediately. As soon as I have the results, I’ll call you.”

Desirae thanked the doctor, who inclined his head to both Desirae and Simone. Michael left the room to see the doctor out, but Desirae couldn’t make herself leave her son’s room. He had his mate with him, but he was her baby. Desi had been her life for the last twenty-three years, and she didn’t know how to let go. “Rae, Doll, can you come downstairs for a moment? Simone, please talk to Desi. Tell him stories. Anything so he can hear your voice.”

Desirae met Michael at the door, and he turned her toward the bed. “By the way, I don’t think we’ve said thank you. If it weren’t for you, I doubt we’d have found Desi in time.”

With unshed tears in her eye, she whispered, “You’re welcome.” She slid down onto the bed so that she was facing Desi. Instead of talking, she began singing. Desirae shouldn’t have been shocked that Desi’s mate would know the words to his songs.

Michael took her hand, and she followed him downstairs. He didn’t stop until they were in their own bedroom. He shut the door and pulled Desirae into his arms. His embrace was tight, and his cheek was resting on top of her head. “I’m so sorry, Rae. I never meant for any of this to happen,” Michael whispered. Now that the two of them were alone, Michael let go. Her big, strong Gargoyle broke down in her arms.

Several minutes passed while Desirae held Michael, allowing him all the time he needed to compose himself. She felt the need to break down as well, but all those years of hiding out in her apartment had taught her something – you either face your demons head on, or you let them rule your life. No more. Desirae refused to allow anything to push her back into the darkness. She had a strong man by her side, and together, they could get through anything. Even this. “Baby, look at me,” she instructed Michael. He pulled his face out of her neck, and she swiped away the tears. “We’ve been over this. What’s going on is Alistair’s fault, not yours. You’ve apologized; apology accepted. Now, our son needs us, and that girl in there needs us, too. She’s new to all this shifter stuff, and I imagine she’s feeling pretty lost right about now. I need to go check on her, and I also need to call Tyson and let them know we found Desi.

“We’re going to need to come up with a game plan, because Cynthia is going to have to tell the press something. The guys are going to want to come see Desi. They’re not only bandmates; they’re family, and as such are worried about him. You and the Clan are going to have to decide whether or not the guys can know the truth. Desi’s done a good job of hiding what he is for the last year, only because he didn’t know exactly what he was. Now he does. And with this impending war, I think they need a heads up, but that’s not my call.  But before all that? We have to find a way to wake our son up.”

“Gods, I love you, woman.” Michael kissed her hard and long. Her bravado poured into him, and once again, her strong Gargoyle was back. “Let’s go bring our son back to us.”

New voices sounded from the living area. A soft, tinkling laugh followed a deep, sexy brogue of some sort. When Desirae reached the end of the hallway, she stopped walking. The body the voice came from was like something on the cover of an old romance novel. If Urijah and Banyan looking like Vikings hadn’t tripped her up, the pirate standing in her kitchen certainly did.
Holy fricking shit. I’ve died and gone to Davy Jones’ Locker.
Michael growled behind her.
Shit, busted.
“Is he for real?” she whispered over her shoulder, forgetting Gargoyles had exceptionally good hearing.

“Aye, Desirae. As real as a pirate can get.” He fisted his heart and bowed his head. “On my honor.” Desirae found her feet and closed the distance. She inclined her head to the man, but it was the woman with him that truly fascinated her. The blonde was a cross between a bohemian artist and a gypsy. Something special emanated from her soul, and Desirae wanted to wrap herself in it.

“I’m sorry for staring, but I can feel you glowing from over here.”

Tessa made the introductions. “Desirae, I’d like for you to meet Dominic Dubois, leader of the Clan in New Orleans, and his mate, Lilly.”

“It’s a pleasure,” Desirae said as Lilly drew her in for a hug.

When Lilly pulled back, she said, “And your aura is magnificent. You have an artist’s soul, don’t you?”

Desirae knew she’d found a kindred spirit in this woman. “Yes, I do.”

“I hate to break up this love fest, but we have work to do,” Tessa interrupted. “I’ve already introduced them to Desi and Simone. Now, we have to wait on the doctor to confirm whether or not the poison is the same one used with Jasper. If so, Lilly is ready to administer the antidote. If not, we come up with another plan. Rae, if you don’t mind, I’m going to make myself at home in your kitchen.”

Desirae laughed at Tessa. The woman’s candor was refreshing as well as entertaining. “I don’t mind at all. If you’ll excuse me, I want to check on Simone.” Michael remained behind to speak with their guests while she climbed the steps to the second floor and stopped when she got to Simone’s bedroom. Her heart filled with love for the young woman who was still singing to Desi.

S
ixx checked his phone every five minutes waiting on the doctor’s report. The sooner they found out what Desi had been injected with, the sooner they could find the antidote. Deacon had called Gregor earlier stating Sergei claimed to have no knowledge of the contents of the syringe. Even after using Kallisto as a bargaining chip, his story never changed. Either the human was telling the truth, or he didn’t value the woman’s life as much as he declared. Either way, they still didn’t know what to treat Desi for.

Several of the Clan had come by to check on Desi and to offer their services. Finley and Sinclair were dealing with Crane, and now Urijah and Banyan were both standing on the patio with Gregor and Dominic.

“Dominic, it’s great to see you again. How’ve you been?” Banyan asked his former Clan leader as they stepped in for a tight embrace. This wasn’t a man hug, thump the back and let go. The two males obviously had deep feelings for the other. A low growl came from next to Sixx. Urijah was scowling as the two males greeted each other. When Uri caught him looking, Sixx cocked a knowing eyebrow. Finley wasn’t Uri’s mate – Banyan was. It made sense now. Banyan had also been in the villa, so when Uri felt the effect when he first arrived, it wasn’t Finley’s scent that caught him off guard. If things weren’t dire with Desi, Sixx would have a field day with his friend.