A Christmas Tail (7 page)

“No, the women are the ones who have suffered the most. For the last fifty years they have leaned on each other and you two have taken that away from them. Even now they are depressed, not even that special place Maya built has helped because it reminds them of what was taken away from them.” Barry glanced at Rhodes. “Who comes?”

Theron and Dion stepped forward. “We will go with Rhodes.”

Barry placed his hand on Rhodes’ shoulder, ready to leave when Akaos’ words stopped him. “Please inform Isaac that our fathers and mother are helping Dad. He does not even remember doing half of what he did.”

“You tell him tomorrow when this ban is up. I believe you owe Dan a major apology, and another to his family,” Barry stated before disappearing with Rhodes.

As soon as they appeared in the tunnels, Rhodes whistled. “You really don’t like Akaos, do you?” he asked, walking with him toward the kitchen as his fathers came up behind them with Dion and Theron.

“No, he has used his power and influence one too many times, hurting to many people. What they did to Dan and Lacey was uncalled for.”

Barry stopped and glanced at Rhodes. “What they did to Lacey is nothing compared to what has happened to Betsy.” He shared what he had learned from Betsy, earning a snarl from them all. “I will never take Betsy to your planet and I’m pretty sure Isaac will never visit it again after what was done to Lacey. The king and Akaos have forgotten what these ladies have gone through. More violence is not the answer. I’m sorry, but if the king ever did that to Betsy, there would be nothing to hold me back.” Barry let a little bit of his power go and Rhodes grinned.

“I knew there was a reason I liked you. Let’s go. I want to meet this little spit-fire that is mated to you three, and give my brother a piece of my mind for not contacting us before all this went down,” Rhodes grumbled, and Barry laughed.

Yes, Rhodes was a mean son of a bitch as the humans would say, but when it came to anything threating his family, hell wouldn’t stop him from getting a pound of flesh.

As soon as he stepped into the kitchen, Betsy’s laugh caught his attention, but who she was laughing with had him snarling. Zanger leaned over Betsy, picking at her food as she tried to swat at his hands.

“Zander, there better be a damn good reason you are taking food away from my woman,” Barry growled and everyone in the room burst out laughing. Even Orion and Davis had grins on their faces as Betsy stood up and came to him.

She patted his chest. “Zander bet Orion that you would grumble when you saw him. Is everything okay?”

“Everything is fine and we might be able to give that gift you wanted after all.” Barry said, kissing her nose, but her little cry of delight and squeezing him tight was worth all the gruff in the world.

****

Betsy hated to admit it, but as soon as Barry walked into the room, she had been able to breathe again. Once more he had done what he said he would, easing the doubts that still somewhat plagued her about having mates.

“Kitten, I’d like you to meet Orion’s brothers. This one next to me is the oldest, Rhodes, and the two behind him are Theron and Dion.”

“Twins? How am I supposed... Umph,” she was about to ask when the oldest brother yanked her out of Barry’s arms and hugged her tight.

“Welcome to the family, little girl, and don’t worry, we’ll find your little ones.” He set her back and turned to Orion. “Now if you’ll excuse me while I pound your mate into the ground for not informing us about what was going on,” he snarled, taking two steps before Orion tackled him to the ground, almost knocking her down with them, but once more Barry was there, he lifted her out of the way.

“Watch it, you two!” he snapped and carried her back to the table as the two continued to throw punches behind them.

“You have to stop them, one of them could get hurt!” Betsy said, watching and cringing every time Rhodes landed a punch to Orion’s face or body.

“Nope, I learned last year not to get in between those brothers. They are crazy when they are rolling around like that. Zanger, it’s good to see you,” Barry held out his hand as he sat down with her in his lap. “But stay away from our woman.” He snarled, scaring the crap out of her.

She leaned back and stared up at him. “You okay?”

He sighed, but glared at his friend, who took the seat next to him. “I’m fine, kitten, but once in a while my friend must be reminded that everything isn’t his.”

“I know this, but one can wish.” Zanger turned his deep green eyes on her. “You have a good match here, my friend, and if I hadn’t already promised this one free, I’d do so again. You have my protection also.”

Lacey leaned over and tapped his arm. “Is this guy really that bad? I mean to need this much. Isn’t it overkill?”

“NO!” Every single male shouted, making Lacey and Betsy jump along with Abby and a few others in the room.

“Is Drang a demon? Is that why he could do so many things?” Betsy asked, shivering and remembering the things he had done, her appetite gone as she shoved her plate away.

“Yes and no. He was born to a demon, but we have still have not established who his father was and his mother was murdered when he was just a teen, by him.” Zanger stated, earning a slap to the back of the head by Barry’s father, Abrax.

“The ladies didn’t need to know that, now knock it off.” Once more the room quieted, even the brothers seemed to stop wrestling.

“Old man, you’re lucky you’re one of my best friends or we’d be on the floor throwing punches too,” Zanger grumbled and rubbed the back of his head.

“I thought he was your friend?” Betsy frowned, looking back and forth.

“He is, but he’s what some humans would call a godfather, but let’s not call him that. He already has a god complex as it is.” Barry winked at her and she shook her head.

“Whatever, all of this is over my head. When do we leave?” Betsy asked as Isaac came into the kitchen.

“Now. The plane is ready. I take it you five will meet us there?” Isaac asked and his parents nodded and vanished out of the room, but Zander remained behind.

“I’ll ride in the plane. You’re forgetting Drang can materialize anywhere if he knows where you are. I need to catch up with Rhodes,” Zander stated, as he followed Rhodes out the door the twins, Theron and Dion tagged along.

“Come on kitten, it’s time to fly. I can’t wait to take you shopping in London,” Barry stated earning a frown from Dan.

“You actually want to go shopping? Are you crazy? Last time I went shopping with Lacey it took her two hours to pick out one pair of shoes,” Dan grumbled, earning him a kick in the ass from Betsy’s sister.

“Fine, see if you see the outfit I bought for tonight, Mr. Edwards. and just wait until I inform your mother about your complaining too,” Lacey said, earning her a growl.

“Lacey!” Dan swatted her butt as Betsy caught up with her. “I mean it, you will not drag my mother into this.”

“Ha! You keep it up and I’ll return your Christmas present too.” She grumbled and rubbed her ass. “Damn men.” She turned to yell something again, but Dan was right there, making her jump.

“You were going to say?” he asked, daring her to say anything.

“It took me that long because those were my wedding shoes. You know I don’t want to disappoint your family,” her sister turned away, but not before she caught the tear that rolled down her cheek.

“Hey, I know for a fact Dan’s mother loves you, so stop worrying about the little things. In the long run, you have what is important - you have them.” Betsy surprised herself wrapping her arms around her sister as they stepped outside to see the limos waiting. The air was crisp and it was snowing again.

She nudged her sister and quickly glanced at the snow. Lacey grinned as they both reached down and grabbed handfuls of snow and turned to throw it at their men, surprising them. Barry stood there with snow covering his face as Dan wiped it from his.

“If we didn’t need to leave now,” Dan grumbled, but Isaac and Orion had already packed some snowballs and threw it at them, hitting them dead on the middle of their backs.

“Orion, she doesn’t have a coat on!” Barry grumbled and materialized a long black coat for her. “Put this on, damn it,” he grumbled and she laughed.

“I really don’t need it. You know our body heat is different.” Betsy said but put the coat on anyway which not only had her jumping because it caused the snow to press more tightly against her skin. “Barry, you turd.” She danced around trying to get the snow off her back as he grinned.

“Just wait, kitten. I never forget.” He swept her up into his arms and nipped her nose before putting her into one of the limos next to Orion.

“And you,” she pointed her finger at him. “I didn’t even get you with snow.”

“You attack one of us, you attack us all,” Orion sucked her finger into his mouth, before nipping it.

“Ouch.” She yanked her finger back and glared at him. “I was just trying to ease the tension. Lacey is wound up tight,” Betsy leaned her head back and closed her eyes. “I’m not good at all this emotional stuff. I don’t know how to handle it when I see her upset like that. At one point I want to rip Dan’s head off and the next I just want to make my sister smile.”

“Well, let’s not rip Dan’s head off. Your sister loves him, you know he didn’t mean to hurt her feelings. I’m pretty sure right now he’s making it up to her as we speak,” Barry said reaching over and squeezing her leg while Davis snorted.

“He most likely has his cock... Ouch!” Davis glared at Barry. “There is no need to get vulgar here.”

Betsy laughed and looked over at him. “Barry, I’ve heard ten times worse than that and Davis is right. I’m just sorry I’m not ready for that.”

At once Davis was kneeling before her, taking her small hands into his. “Kitten, what they do has nothing to do with what we do. As long as you are here with us, I couldn’t be happier. Please don’t think otherwise.” And Betsy knew he spoke from the heart. She could see the hurt there, afraid that he had done something to her.

“You guys have to stop worrying about me. I’m not as fragile as you think I am. I know you three are trying and I appreciate it, but please stop worrying. I’ll tell you if you need you to back up.” She leaned down and kissed Davis’ lips softly. “By the way, thank you for the song last night. I loved it.”

Davis smiled and pulled her over onto his lap, holding her. “I heard you used to sing it all the time with your mom?” he questioned her and she laughed.

“That was a long time ago. You know voices do change with age. For all you know, I could squeak like a mouse.”

“Well, let’s find out,” Davis reached over and pushed a few buttons until the Christmas song
Oh, Holy Night
came one. “Sing with me?” he asked, and she rolled her eyes but nodded, settling against Davis’ chest as he started. She ignored all of them even Zanger who sat next to Davis as she closed her eyes and started to sing.

She should have known Davis would ask her to sing, but Betsy couldn’t complain as she finished the song and opened her eyes. All four men were staring at her. “What? Did I sound like a mouse?” She laughed.

“I swear Barry if you guys screw this up, I’m personally going to kick your ass. Honey, you have a voice that would calm any beast. Fucking amazing, don’t even try it.” He glared at Barry who had reached over to smack him.

“Then watch the mouth,” Barry grumbled and leaned forward framing her face with his hands. “Kitten, that was beautiful. You know what would be a great gift to Lacey and her men? If you two sang for their wedding.” Barry nodded to Davis, who shrugged.

“I don’t usually sing for others, but I’d do it if you accompany me,” Davis volunteered and she knew it took a lot from him since it wasn’t that manly for a warrior to sing.

“I’ll ask her, but I bet she already has that part covered. But only if you do it with me. I couldn’t do it without you.” She kissed Barry’s lips. “Thanks for the compliment. I love to sing. When I was alone, I would sing lullabies and pretend I was singing them to my children, but my favorite was
Tears in
Heaven
. I guess I’ve always believed I wouldn’t see my children until I was in heaven or wherever you go when you die.”

Orion reached over and lifted her up into his arms, setting her into his lap. “Well you’re not going to die anytime soon, so stop thinking like that,” Orion grumbled and placed kisses all over her face. “The thought of you even being sick makes my hearts beat too fast.”

Betsy smiled. “I think you’re going to be my teddy bear, all big and warm.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and he moaned.

“Please don’t mention this to anyone else, especially my brothers.” He buried his face in between her breasts as if hiding and she laughed.

“If you two can go at it like you did earlier, you can take a little ribbing, but I won’t mention. However, I have a feeling I won’t have to.” Betsy glanced over her shoulder at Zanger, who laughed.

“You already know me too well,” Zanger teased and Orion went to reach around her to punch him, but Barry pushed him back.

“Not with kitten in your arms,” he ordered and Orion nodded, hugging her tighter, just like a bear would its young.

Chapter Five

As soon as they entered Isaac’s private plane, Lacey grabbed hold of her sister’s hand and pulled her up to the front where Sally Featherstone sat with her children and Lark came down the aisle, smiling. “It’s great to see you, Barry,” he held out his hand, but Barry pulled him into a big hug.

“Just because we are not a unit does not mean you are not important to us. I hope we see you and your woman more often and if you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to ask.” He stepped back as Orion pushed him out of the way and gave Lark a bear hug.

“Barry is right. We’ll always be here for you and thank you offering to help us, especially since we don’t know what condition the children will be in.”

“How old are the children?” Lark asked, leaning against one of the chairs after Davis had greeted him.

“Mandy will be ten next year and Jordon is going to be six on December 22,” Betsy said, moving up to Davis. “Lacey and Dan would like to hear us sing the song they picked out.” She grinned up at Davis.