(Mis)fortune (25 page)

According to Nana, all werewolves wanted us, most protected us, but we answered to none of them.  We were part of their lives but not held to their rules.  Even the Claiming was different for us.  They couldn’t choose us.  We had to choose them.  There had to be a reason for these differences.

Charlene brought us back on track.

“We can decide this later.  Right now, we need to finalize the trip.  I still think it’s too dangerous for Michelle, even with an Elder along.  No offense intended, Grey.”

Grey winked at Charlene but remained quiet.

Dropping my gaze to the table, I considered their condition that I didn’t go near the house and the impracticality of it.  I still thought Blake would only speak to me; but, even with the stipulation, the plan achieved my goal.  I would be closer to Blake and further from my well-protected brothers.  Going to Wisconsin put me in a better position to learn more about Blake’s real plans and would hopefully keep Blake away from Liam and Aden.

“I think it’s worth the risk,” I said quietly.

“All right,” Thomas said, standing.  “The flight leaves at 10 a.m.  We’ll see you at breakfast.”

So soon?  I felt a little tug in my chest as everyone else stood.  While Grey and Carlos left with Nana and Sam, talking about someone named Joshua, I wondered how I’d actually bring myself to leave Liam and Aden.

Charlene must have read something in my expression because she stood when I did and moved to hug me.  I accepted the gesture of comfort without thinking.

As soon as she touched me, the room faded.  This time when I flew through the darkness toward the growing white glow, I prepared myself to focus.  I was determined to look for two things: the outcome of the confrontation with Blake and the safety of my brothers during that confrontation.  If anything looked off, I’d back out of the trip immediately.

The white room closed around me, and I quickly looked about.  Each image flew out of the way as soon as I decided I didn’t want to view it, and a new one crowded forward.  It was like flipping through a book.  Most images I barely gave a cursory glance.

I didn’t find any starring Blake but did see the one of Emmitt and me.  As I focused on it, it started to play again and distracted me from my purpose.  I had complete control of it, rewinding or forwarding through the scene.  Before I bit him, however, the room blinked out of existence.

My consciousness returned just in time to see Charlene crumple toward the floor.  Thomas’s quick reflexes saved her from a complete fall.  He gently laid her down.  I attempted to kneel beside her, but Emmitt caught me by my arms.

“No,” Emmitt said, pulling me back from my semi-crouched position.

Thomas already knelt beside Charlene, tapping her cheek and calling her name.

“What happened?” I asked Emmitt.

“One minute she was hugging you, the next she started breathing funny and fainted.  Did you have another vision?  You had that same look.”

“Yes.  No.”  I stared worriedly at Charlene’s prone form.  “It was different.  I think my ability is changing again, but I don’t know how or why.  I think I did that to her,” I said to Emmitt in quiet fear.

On the floor, Charlene started coming to.

“No, it’s just part of my gift,” she assured me calmly as Thomas helped her up.  “I’ll tell you about it some other time.  You need to go spend time with your brothers.  I’m fine.”

She didn’t look fine.  She looked pale and shaky as she moved to sit on a chair.

Emmitt gave my hand a quiet squeeze of assurance.  I squeezed back.  Had I almost killed his mom?

“She’s stronger than she looks,” Thomas said to both of us.

“She’s still here and listening,” Charlene said with a roll of her eyes, and I felt a little relieved.

Emmitt moved as if to leave, but Thomas stopped us.

“Michelle, could I have a moment with you? Privately?”

Emmitt scowled at his father but left, closing the door softly behind him.  Charlene remained, and I stayed by the door, waiting.

Thomas rested a hand on the back of Charlene’s chair, opened his mouth several times, but didn’t say anything.  This was the first time I’d seen him look anything but confident and calm.

Charlene gave a snort at his prolonged silence.  It seemed to motivate him.  He gave her a look and ran his hand through his hair—a gesture I’d seen his son do numerous times.

“I wasn’t sure what to do about sleeping accommodations.  Jim mentioned Emmitt stayed with you last night, and I was wondering if you wanted one room or connecting rooms.”

Heat flooded my face, and I wished I could disappear.

“I wouldn’t mind if we shared a room,” I said truthfully, hoping they wouldn’t think poorly of me.  “I’d feel safer.”

Thomas nodded and moved to leave, but Charlene stopped him with a slight clearing of her throat.

“Two beds, then?” she asked politely.

I nodded, relieved she didn’t assume the worst.  Sleeping next to Emmitt after I had the bad dream, and again at the Compound, had been nerve-wracking, yet completely wonderful, experiences; but I didn’t want to get into the habit of sharing a bed.  I had Liam and Aden to think of.

She winked at me.  “I know how male minds work.  If you don’t clarify, they’ll weasel their way under the covers and have you believing it was your idea.”  Thomas snorted but didn’t deny the accusation.  “We raised Emmitt to be a good boy.  Set your boundaries, and he’ll respect them.  But like any werewolf, he’ll look for loopholes,” she said with a laugh.

“Are you done?” Thomas said to his wife with an arched brow.  She smiled at him sweetly and stood to plant a light kiss on his lips.  He huffed a sigh and shook his head at her.

She turned back toward me.  “You’ll learn.”  She added with another wink and led Thomas to the door.

I let them step out first.  I needed that extra moment to cool my blush.

Emmitt waited for me in the hall.  After a small wave goodbye to Charlene and Thomas, he and I walked slowly back to our apartment.  We didn’t talk about anything since we were out of the secured meeting room.  Instead, he just reached over to hold my hand.  I willingly surrendered it.

That night, to Emmitt’s disappointment, I slept snuggled between my brothers.  In Aden’s sleep, he tangled his fingers through my hair.  Somehow, he knew something bad was coming.

The next morning I had the daunting task of breaking the news to the boys.  Worried they’d cry or beg me to stay, I wasn’t prepared for the cheering or the rush to help me pack.

“Aren’t you going to miss me even a little?” I asked them in a half-teasing tone.

“Mimi,” Liam said rationally.  “You said four days.  That’s not a long time.  We get to have sleepovers with Paul and Henry.”

I laughed and hugged him.  Obviously, there was no competing with Paul and Henry.

We went to breakfast, and the boys excitedly greeted Paul and Henry, telling them about all the things they were going to do together.

Mary grinned when she saw my face and gave my arm a quick, reassuring squeeze.

“They’ll want to miss you, but we’re going to keep them so busy they’ll forget to.  It will be easier for them that way.”

I knew she was right.

We finished our breakfast then left Liam and Aden with Mary after another round of hugging. Emmitt stayed close beside me as we walked the quiet halls.  When we were in the apartment, he spun me around to face him.  Understanding filled his gaze.  My eyes watered, seeing it.  He tucked me tight against his chest, held me for barely a second, then stepped back.

“You don’t have to go.”  It was the first objection he’d voiced regarding this trip.

“I do.  I want to be free.  I want to protect the boys.  This is the only way to do it.  Why are you saying this now?”

“I see how hard this is, leaving your brothers.  I can go alone.  There’s no need to come with us.”

“You know better.  I’m the bait.”  It was the first time during this whole plan that I’d admitted it, and he scowled hearing it.  “You’ll keep me safe,” I said seriously.  “I don’t doubt that.”

*    *    *    *

A car waited for us just outside the main entrance.  Emmitt put our bags in the trunk.  The sound of it closing struck me with cold finality.  Would I ever see my brothers again?

I’d done the math.  Four years with one dinner a month; ten guests each time with few, if any, repeats—I hadn’t paid close attention.  Blake led more than five hundred men.  The number made the likelihood of my return to the Compound a scary improbability.  So why go?  One way or another, Blake would come for me.  I’d rather it be on my terms with my brothers safe.

Emmitt reached for my hand again and gave it a gentle squeeze.  We both slid into the backseat, and I said a quiet hello to Grey and Carlos.

Carlos drove, heading straight to the airport.  Grey kept up a stream of conversation, ribbing Carlos about everything from his hairstyle to his driving, both of which were impeccable and precise.  Carlos remained stoically quiet.  I could see his silence amused Grey.  Under different circumstances, I might have found his playful banter diverting.

As it was, my stomach churned with anxiety.  I doubted my decision and wondered what would happen to my brothers if I couldn’t return.  I leaned into Emmitt.  He would care for them...if he made it back.

I casually reached into my pocket, found my phone, and sent a quick text to Nana Wini to ask for her promise to see my brothers somewhere permanent and safe if I didn’t return.  Seconds later, Emmitt sighed and pulled me even closer.

Grey turned in his seat.  “Wini said to stop worrying.  You’re bruising my ego with your doubt.  We will keep you safe.”

Darn werewolf telepathy.

“We’ll be at the airport soon,” Grey said, passing back our tickets.

I straightened away from Emmitt and grabbed my ticket before Emmitt could.  It would be my first time flying.  My reasons for nauseous anxiety continued to grow.  I took a deep breath and let it out, feeling Emmitt’s eyes on me.  I needed to remember my purpose: Keep my brothers safe by whatever means necessary...and try really hard to come back home.

*    *    *    *

I thought I would be terrified to be back in the same town as Blake but didn’t feel anything but squished as I sat between Carlos and Emmitt in the cab we took to the hotel.  Mercifully, it wasn’t a long ride.

Carlos and Grey checked us in while Emmitt grabbed our things from the trunk.  He shouldered both bags and held out his hand.  I wrapped my cool fingers around his warm ones.  My stomach twisted happily at his touch as we walked toward the entrance.

Two glass utility doors opened to a small, chlorine-scented lobby.  Carlos and Grey waited just inside and handed Emmitt a room key.  We all silently walked the hallway to the left.  Their room was two doors down from ours.

I blushed when Emmitt opened our door and I spotted two queen beds.  I wondered if his father had mentioned the sleeping arrangements to him.  The room, tastefully decorated in brown and gold tones, had a sitting area opposite the door.

“If it’s all right with you,” Grey said from behind us, “we’d like to get started right away.”

I nodded, and Carlos and Grey came in with us.  Emmitt set our bags on one of the beds while I cleared the hotel advertisements and guidebook off the coffee table.  Carlos and Grey sat on the wooden chairs from the table while Emmitt and I sat on the small brown sofa.  Grey spread out a map of the area that he’d grabbed from the airport, and I pointed to the area I used to live.

“I don’t know if David’s still there.  I’m guessing probably not since David was employed by Blake and had no ties to Richard or the house.  But Blake might have someone watching the place.  If it’s possible, could you sneak in and grab a few things?  You’ll need to be careful.  The house has a security system.  I set it off when I left.”

I explained where to find photos of my mom and a few other things that I wanted for my brothers.  “Then, you could go back tomorrow and see if you stirred up any trouble.”

Grey smiled wide.  “I like the way you think.  We’ll call when we get there to let you know the state of things.  If anyone’s there, we’ll watch for a while.”

They both stood to leave.  My worry and fear had evaporated while we talked, and now impatience grabbed me.  It would take them at least forty minutes to get to my house.  I didn’t want to wait that long to find out...well, anything.  I knew whatever would happen, would happen, but I just wanted to get it over with.  I’d given Blake enough of my life.

Emmitt closed the door behind them and turned to study me.

“Let’s go next door and get something to eat.”

We left the room and walked to the restaurant next door.  The smell of grilling burgers hit me when we left the hotel.  Crossing the parking lot, my stomach growled.  Emmitt grinned at me.

Inside the restaurant, we decided on burgers and ordered takeout to bring back to the room.  The wait seemed to take forever.  I kept glancing at the clock, worried we’d miss Grey’s call.

When we returned with our food, we ate quickly.  Emmitt’s phone chirped just as I finished.  He’d been done within minutes, of course.

Emmitt listened for a while, adding affirmations occasionally.  Finally, he said, “I agree.  I’ll let her know.  Call back if there’s a change in plans.”

He hung up the phone and gave me a slight smile.  “They’re watching the house but say it looks abandoned.  The grass is overgrown, and the papers are piled up.  There’s even a notice on the door.  Grey’s content to sit and watch it for the rest of the day to see if they’re mistaken.  Tonight, they’ll go in for the things you mentioned.  We can send them back to watch tomorrow.”

I nodded, surprised, but not concerned.  I had a plan B.

“So it looks like, in order to find Blake, I’ll need to call the lawyer.”

“It can’t hurt,” he said.

I picked up the hotel phone and dialed the number I’d memorized.  A receptionist answered.  I gave my name and asked to speak to Mr. Nolan.  She said that he was in a meeting and asked for a return number.  But when I said I’d just try back later, she quickly asked me to hold.

The line clicked, then a man came on.

“Ms. Daniels.  Thank you for contacting us.”  He went through the usual offer of condolences then explained why he’d been looking for me.  He wanted to read the will and discuss the details of Richard’s estate with me.

Estate?  Will?  I’d never given any of that any thought.  I glanced at Emmitt.  He had his head tilted, watching me.  I was sure he could hear both ends of the conversation.

“How soon can we meet?” I asked.

“Mr. Torrin said he would be available whenever you were.  My schedule is open on Thursday.  Is there a time that day that works for you?”

“Let me check.”  I put my hand over the receiver, needing a minute to think it through.  Why would Blake not watch the house?  Why would Richard give me the number of a lawyer with whom Blake also had contact?  The answers lay in the meeting with the lawyer.  I moved my hand.

“How does ten sound?” I asked.

“Perfect.  I’ll see you Thursday at ten.”

After I hung up, I sat on the bed, thinking.  Although I wanted to meet with Blake to find out what he knew about my gift, I didn’t want to walk into a trap.  I needed to get more information about the will and Blake’s involvement.

Emmitt sat back and watched me as I grabbed the phone book.

*    *    *    *

Three hours later, when I hung up the phone, my head spun from all of the information I’d won.  The will, which was straightforward, had gone to probate.  Richard’s estate included properties I hadn’t known he owned.  Everything went to me as sole beneficiary.

I didn’t understand why he’d left everything to me, his stepdaughter, when he had two sons of his own.  Then, I realized by not naming them in the will, Richard had protected them.  Blake had no reason to pursue my brothers, unless he still wanted to use them to control me.  It also meant that Richard had put a lot of faith in me to take my brothers with me when I ran.  And, he had trusted me to keep them safe.

Since Richard hadn’t specified an executor, one had been appointed.  There’d been no surprise when I’d been told Blake was trying to contest it.  By being an executor, he’d have control of everything in my absence.  After speaking with the court appointed executor, I could see no reason there even needed to be a meeting other than to get us in the open so Blake could do whatever it was he had planned.

“I don’t think we should go,” I said to Emmitt.

He frowned thoughtfully.  “If we don’t, Blake is still out there and this trip will have been for nothing.”

He moved to sit near me on the bed and wrapped an arm around my shoulders.  “The lawyer’s in the phone book.  I checked, so we know he’s real.  Even if he’s being paid off, he’d have to be careful with what he’s involved in.”

“But what if Blake brings people with him, like Frank and that other guy?”

“We’ll bring more powerful people.”

I liked Grey and Carlos well enough but didn’t think they could take on Blake’s entire following.  “Three, no matter how strong or fast they are, against an unknown number, doesn’t seem like a good idea.”

He grinned at me.  “Not just us.  One thing Blake won’t want is people knowing what’s going on.  I heard you talking and heard how much Richard’s properties are worth.  Call the news.  Bring them with.  Say you want to donate half of your inheritance to a charity.  With a camera on you, he can’t touch you.”

I remembered the video of Richard’s mauling and doubted his plan would be as safe as he thought.  Blake hadn’t seemed too concerned about public exposure, then.

We debated what to do until just past dark and our stomachs growled.  With no better options, I called the local news.

Emmitt was right.  As soon as I mentioned an eight-figure inheritance, I had the media’s attention.  The person I spoke with took down the information for the lawyer and agreed to have someone there.

I managed to say goodbye before Emmitt plucked the phone from my hands.

“Enough for tonight,” he said gently.

I nodded in agreement.  I was emotionally drained and ready for bed, but Emmitt insisted we eat.  I grinned, knowing he was the hungry one this time.  He ordered room service while I took a shower.

My thoughts kept running over what I knew about Blake.  Why fight to get control of Richard’s assets?  Yes, the number was large, but what about Blake’s take?  He should have made at least
that amount.  I’d always given the tips to Blake via phone or in person.  Except that last time.

Briefly towel drying my hair, I wished again that I would have better premonitions.  Something useful like what Blake had planned.  Sighing in frustration, I pulled on my pajamas and joined Emmitt in the room.  There was no point in dwelling on what I couldn’t control, and my premonitions fell into that category.

My hair had mostly air dried by the time the food arrived.  Emmitt tipped the room service person and groaned in appreciation of the aroma coming from the trays as he set them on the table.  I teased him by reaching for the half-pound burger, and he playfully growled before offering to share a bite.  Shaking my head, I reached for the smaller burger and carried it over to one of the beds.

“I’ll take this bed,” I said sitting down on the end of it.

He stopped mid-chew and looked up.  He studied me for a moment then resumed chewing the bite in his mouth.