KnightForce Deuces (8 page)

Renee’s smile slipped. “Good point. Hadn’t
thought it through. I’ll text you when I get home.” Tyrese and
Danielle waved good-bye as they walked alongside Renee to go and
get her things before leaving for the airport.

When they left the area, Victoria struggled to
get comfortable in her chair. Her cheeks reddened as she looked at
Jasmine. “I know what you’re going to say –”

“No, you don’t.”

Her mom stared at her. “I shouldn’t have
mentioned Sarita’s past.” She shook her head. “When I’m with my
girls, I forget Renee’s not like us and talk like we used
to.”

“And that’s the reason my sister cannot visit
as often as we’d like, you forget she’s different. We can never go
back to those times where we talk about everything. You have to
always remember what’s at stake if Renee finds out our secret.”
Jasmine refused to make light of what just happened. Her sister
studied people for a living and those small slip-ups could lead to
a major breach.

“So it’s my fault?” Victoria asked.

Jasmine stared at her and didn’t answer. Her
mom used the pregnancy as an excuse for bad behavior, which was
Jacques mistake for spoiling the woman.

The background noise of the kids’ voices filled
the sudden quiet. Victoria looked away and shook her head. “It’s
not my fault she doesn’t visit me.”

Rather than argue that point Jasmine laid it on
the line. “What do you think would happen if Renee knew the truth
about your babies?”

Victoria frowned. Her mouth opened and then
snapped shut. “I want to believe she’d keep it a secret,” she said
slowly as if tasting the truth of her words. “But she would want to
study them, like she wants my grandbabies’ IQs tested. She wouldn’t
harm them but someone else might get a hold of her research and
that could lead to all kinds of problems.” Victoria placed her arms
on her belly as if protecting them. “I see what you mean. Also if
she visited more often, she could be used as a hostage or
something. Is Silas on top of that?”

Pleased her mom snapped out of her selfish
stupor, Jasmine exhaled. “Yes, she’s being watched, let’s hope she
never finds out. Her life would change in a nano-second and I don’t
think she’d appreciate that.”

“Unless, she found a mate.” Victoria laughed.
“A big, sexy Alpha guy, now that would be funny.”

“No, it would create more problems,” Jasmine
said watching the kids.

“Why?”

“Unless she is a breeder, a wolf mate would be
impossible and if that is not the case, it’s a problem. Can you
imagine wolves searching for mates among humans? The fallout… I
don’t even want to think about it,” Jasmine said and looked at the
children again.

“Oh, I see what you mean,” Victoria said
sadly.

“Bathroom,” Rose said struggling to stand.
Jasmine stood and helped. Security stepped forward ready to assist.
David walked over to Rose and offered his hand. Smiling, she took
it and the two of them walked inside.

Chapter 8

“Five half-breeds were kidnapped in a small
town near the base of the Rockies,” Silas told Angus, Asia, Tyrese
and Tyrone. “Chase wants to use a hammer to hunt down the rebels
when a smooth blade will do the job. Our number one mandate from
the Goddess is to keep our dual-nature hidden from the humans.” He
exhaled thinking how much more difficult it was with half-breeds
who didn’t know their wolf side.

“So starting a visible war with the rebels is
out. We released the first airwave transmission from me and Cameron
an hour ago. Rone and Rese heard it and gave it a thumbs up. Hawke
is working to get the program uploaded to every Alpha before the
end of the day, starting with those in trouble spots, like
Maryland, Colorado and Virginia where they had the recent
bombings.”

He looked at Angus for his update.

“We’ve chosen a former Alpha trainee for each
state and for states with larger packs they’ll receive two. Notices
have been sent out and they’ll arrive in 36 hours for
administrative training. Our offices will be set up by then and
we’ll drill them in protocol and procedures,” Angus
said.

Silas glanced at his notes. “There has been an
increase of Alphas requesting assistance, so they need to head out
to the field as soon as possible.”

“Yes, Sir,” Asia said. “Basically the three
days they’re here is for them to meet us, go over reports,
understand what KnightForce does and doesn’t do and get samples of
the root each of them must eat every day from now on.”

Silas nodded. They grew the dark root on the
grounds and it was included in everyone’s diet to counteract the
poison the Liege used on full-bloods. “Each will receive a sample
to take and plant?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Good. Tyrone, update me on the
liaisons.”

“The number is almost at 50; I’m having
problems staffing the western states Wyoming, Idaho and the
Dakotas. They claim only a few half-breed registrants and so far no
one is willing to relocate to those areas. But we’ll get them all
staffed eventually.” He glanced at Tyrese. “By reminding both
full-bloods and half-breeds of potential mates, there’s been
reports of increased registrations.”

Tyrese smiled. “Sex and, in this case, mates,
sell.”

Silas agreed. “Get me some statistics that I
can pass along to the Alphas, good news is always welcomed.” He
looked around the table. “Colorado, do you think Brix and Leon can
handle the situation softly?” Everyone understood he meant go in
beneath the radar, eliminate the rebels and rescue the
hostages.

No one spoke but Silas heard their doubts. Leon
was as heavy-handed as many of the Alphas. And after refusing to
sit and talk bombs with the Feds, Silas didn’t want to raise any
flags with the government.

“I’ll take that as a “no.” The Colorado matter
is urgent and has to be addressed.” He waited for
suggestions.

“I’d like to try and infiltrate the rebels
again. The first time, well we know what happened but I still think
the initial plan is solid and will work,” Angus said meeting Silas’
gaze.

“How do you intend to rescue the hostages and
take on the identity of the kidnapper at the same time?” Silas
asked.

“They’ll think I died as well. Make sure Chase
has them identify all their captors and when I resurface it’ll be
on record.” No one mentioned the possibility that the breeds were
dead.

Silas could tell by the light in Angus’ eyes he
wanted to finish this mission. “What about the KnightForce
trainees, those who will serve directly under you?”

Angus glanced at Tyrese.

“Tyrese and I will split the trainees in half
for now. The information Angus receives will assist us in
understanding the scope of the rebels. Right now we’re putting out
fires without any real knowledge how they’re started or the
structure of their base. With more knowledge, our strategies will
target the correct root of the problem,” Asia said.

Silas looked at the three of them, certain they
hadn’t known Angus wouldn’t be leaving until right then. He liked
how they changed plans to accommodate the emergency. “Okay, do it.
Tomorrow I leave for Maryland to test the airwave transmissions
away from the compound and will return in the evening. When did you
want to leave?” He looked at Angus.

“Tonight, as soon as the plane is ready. Just
need to pack a few things and let Jasmine know I’m
leaving.”

Silas’ brow rose but he appreciated his brother
respecting his mate’s wishes on that score.

“And give Byte instructions to stay close to
the kids,” Angus added.

Silas agreed. “Rone, how’s Brad working out as
your new assistant? I know you wanted to hire someone from the
local pack but with all the newborns, it’s best to use someone I’ve
already approved to be in the compound.”

Tyrone nodded. “Good, he works hard. The office
with computers and databases is different than working security but
he’s being a good sport about it. With the babies about to come, I
won’t spend as many hours in the office and we’re not training
anyone else until later. So he’ll field questions and contact me
for emergencies or anything he can’t handle.”

“Pleased to hear that. I’ll scan each
KnightForce candidate and give them the mission statement so that
we all pursue the same objectives. Let Jacques know the dates and
I’ll be there.”

They all stood. Angus hung back to speak with
Tyrese and Asia. “Thanks, I know covering my area will make more
work for you but I think getting inside the rebels organization is
important.”

“It is, just give us a heads up next time,”
Tyrese said.

“Will do,” Angus said aware of Tyrese’s
aggravation about how things were handled. “I’ll head over to speak
with Frogs and Damian to make sure the accommodations are prepared
for the recruits.”

“Good, that helps. We’ll whip the office in
shape and get everything in order for their arrival,” Asia said
looking at him. “Be careful out there. I meant what I said and
understand why you’re doing this but the game’s changing everyday
so you need to watch your back.”

Hearing her sincere concern touched him. “Sure
thing. KnightForces is important. Silas needs us to stand the line,
which means we do whatever needs to be done to make that work.” He
looked over her shoulder and met Tyrese’s gaze.

“Right,” Tyrese said after a few
seconds.

Asia nodded. “Right. But don’t be a damn
martyr. Bring your ass back here safe or I’m going to be pissed and
you won’t like that.” She turned and left him standing in the
conference room.

“Women, so emotional… but, yeah what she said,”
Tyrese said giving Angus a fist pound and then followed Asia out
the room.

Excitement from the thrill of the hunt coursed
through Angus’ veins. Anxious to start, he headed toward the gym
where Damian and Froggy worked. Through a series of small windows
lining the corridor, he saw a truck at the supply building and did
a quick scan to be sure full-bloods were unloading their supplies.
Inside, security scanned cargo and then cleared the opened boxes
for entry into the compound. It was a tedious but necessary process
to reduce the number of unauthorized individuals in the compound.
Silas refused to take chances with his den.

When he entered the gym, he stopped and watched
Damian spar with someone in the ring on the mail level. “
Bring
your right hand up a little and be prepared to lean back,”
Angus told him.

Damian followed his instructions and missed the
punch aimed at his jaw. He took advantage of the opening and
completed a three-punch combination on his opponent, knocking him
to the ground. The man lay still a while. Damian removed his gloves
and offered his hand. His opponent stood, nodded and left the
ring.

“Good job. Where’s Frogs?” Froggy was an old
full-blood who specialized in working with broken wolves. He had a
special touch that could coax the life back into any wolf he
focused on. When the former trainer, Stan, was hurt in an explosion
at the compound, Froggy had been given the position of training
Alpha candidates.

“Back in the office going over assignments for
the trainees coming. He keeps everything ready and in tip-top shape
but he’s a worry wart,” Damian said grabbing a bottle of water and
draining it.

Angus hit the back of Damian’s head, causing
him to choke. “Not a worry wart, just careful, a perfectionist. You
should take notes.”

“Why? I won’t be working here much longer, I’m
transferring to KnightForce.” They walked toward the
office.

“Reviewing information, two, three times is
always a good trait to make sure you don’t miss anything. I do it,
Asia does too, we all do that, it’s a part of processing
information.”

Damian nodded but didn’t say
anything.

“You settling okay?” He asked
Damian.

“Yes, better than I thought. Sarita, she’s my
heart. Asia and Hawke are great. I’d like to get out more, see
women but I’ll have to settle for the lab techs for now.” Damian
grinned.

Angus slapped him on the back. “That’s the
spirit, love the one you’re with.” He opened the door and stepped
inside the large office with security monitors filling half a wall.
Every inch of the building could be seen from this room.

Froggy sat at the desk placing checkmarks on a
piece of paper with his usual glass of ice chips and water. The man
sucked ice all day no matter the temperature outside.

“How’s it going, Frogs?” Angus asked looking
his friend over. Standing, the top of Frogs head hit below Angus’
chest. Small, wiry and brilliant described the man best.

“Good, good, no complaints. Got everything
ready for your recruits and this scamp.” He pointed to
Damian.

Laughing, Damian hopped on top of the stool and
listened.

“Glad to hear it. I’m heading out in a few
hours and wanted to make sure this was taken care of before I
left.”

“Oh, you leaving so soon, didn’t you just get
back a few days ago?” Froggy asked, his dark brown eyes met Angus’
gaze.