Sheryl Nantus - Battle Scars

Jake chuckled as he shook Evan’s hand. “Now we can talk about you dating. Especially when it comes to curfews.” He wagged a finger at the young man. “And no sneaking out of windows. I know a bit ’bout that myself so don’t be thinking you can put something over on me.”

A round of spontaneous applause broke out.

Jess raised her arms and everyone fell silent. The powerful aura she cast was clear—no one wanted to get on the wrong side of this woman.

“I spoke to the Grand Council before coming here. To say they weren’t happy would be an understatement.” She zeroed in on Mary Chandler, half-hidden in the shadows. “You kidnapped a human, someone who had nothing to do with the family or with your feud. You could have exposed all of us and for what? Your precious son?”

Mary straightened up, pushing McCallister away. She snarled, showing her teeth.

Jess pointed at her. “Don’t start with me, woman. You’re lucky I’m willing to let you walk out of here in one piece. I’d be within my rights to challenge you right here and now and beat your ass into a bloody pulp.” She glanced at Evan. “I’ll let him handle you from here on. But know that our friendship is over and your bad decisions have been noted by the Council.”

Mary opened her mouth as if to answer but hesitated thanks to McCallister’s hand grabbing her forearm. He whispered something in her ear.

Jess’s eyes narrowed as she watched the pair.

She turned back to Evan and Jake. “I’m glad things worked out this way. I’m sure the Board will be pleased, along with the Council.” She shook both their hands before walking back to stand by me.

“Those two might be trouble in the future.” I looked toward Mary and her new best friend.

“I can deal with that. New generation, new start.” She zeroed in on Red, frowning. “Who is that?”

“Ah—” I wasn’t sure how to even start explaining his presence.

The older Felis must have overheard Jess because he left Lisa’s side and strode on over with a wide grin. “I’m Red.”

He grabbed Jess’s hand and shook it, pumping it up and down. “You a friend of Suz’s? Friend of hers is a friend of mine. ‘Specially if you’re on the Board, be good to have a friend in high places.”

The confusion on her face was priceless. “Rebecca?”

Red released her hand. “Okay.” He ran a thick calloused finger along her scarred cheek, a gentle caress. “You’re cute. Call me sometime.” He spun around and marched back to where Lisa stood, taking up his previous role as protector.

Jess blinked wildly, frozen in place. Her mouth fell open but nothing came out.

It was an effort not to laugh. I felt muscles straining, about to burst as I held in my reaction to her shocked expression.

“Where—where did you get him from?” She exhaled, something between a gasp and a sigh.

“He was in a homeless camp down by the lake. I have no idea who he is or where he came from. He thinks he’s from the East, by the sea. He thinks my name is Susan.” I tried to keep a straight face. “And now you know as much about him as I do.”

“A rogue,” Jess whispered. “Interesting.”

I moved toward Evan and Jake before I said something that would get me smacked down by Jess. The two men smiled at my approach.

“So,” I tucked my hands in my pockets. “All’s well that ends well, then?”

Jake spoke first. “I have to confess I wasn’t sure how helpful you’d be. Figured I’d just send Eddie after you and bring my girl home whether she wanted to go or not.” He smiled at Lisa, who was busy talking to Red. “I forgot she was turning into a woman.”

“It’s a father thing.” I looked at Evan. “So no more sleeping in trees?”

He smiled. “Not for a bit. I’ve got lots of bridges to mend. We might lose a few friends but I suspect more of them will be relieved not to have this burden anymore, both financially and emotionally.” He glanced at his mother who stood quietly in the corner with McCallister. “I know she wanted revenge for her mother and I can respect that. But we can’t let one event determine our entire lives.”

A shiver tore down my spine. “Yeah. I hear what you’re saying.” I looked at Mary Chandler. “Just watch your back.”

“You bet. She is my mother, after all,” Evan replied, a note of sadness in his voice.

“And Red?” I nodded toward the tall Felis standing by, waiting for orders. “What about him?”

“Geez.” He shook his head. “I almost forgot.” Evan waved Red forward, clearing his voice to get everyone’s attention.

Jake eyed the large man with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. I suspected he’d worried about having to face Red as an opponent when he first spotted him.

“Everyone, this is Red.” Evan smiled at the older Felis. “I’d like you to be a part of my family, if you’ll have us.”

Red grinned. “I’m up for a change.” He threw a saucy wink Jess’s way, enough to startle most of the Felis in the barn. “Change is good.”

Evan laughed. “Then it’s settled.” He touched my shoulder. “I appreciate everything you’ve done, both Lisa and I do. Can I offer you a ride home?”

I snorted. “You got a driver’s license?”

Jess strode up. “I’ll take her.” She didn’t look at Red, tugging at my sleeve. “Let’s go.” Her gaze spun around the rough circle, marking each Felis in turn. “It’s all over.”

Jake and Evan lowered their heads, acknowledging Jess’s status. Red, after a second, followed suit.

I didn’t look around to see if Mary and her buddy did.

We headed for the door. I spotted the curious glances aimed at me on the way out, the muttered comments not meant for me to hear. I might be family but I was still a freak, outcast for my inability to Change.

“Don’t pay attention to them,” Jess ordered as she led me to her car. The Taurus sat diagonally across two parking spots. “It’s good.”

“No, it’s not.” I got in the passenger side and rested my head on the thin cushioned headrest. “It’s not good at all.” The throbbing had subsided into a dull thumping behind my eyes, threatening to pop my eyeballs out like marbles into my lap.

Jess stayed silent until we pulled onto the highway and for another half hour, driving in the growing darkness.

“That fellow—” she started, then stopped.

She was talking about Red.

“I’ll have to poke around, contact the Pride out East. I’m sure they know who he is. Need to find out more about him.”

Despite the pain I smiled, hoping she wouldn’t see it.

She looked over. “You look like shit. When did you eat last?”

“When Bran fed us.”

Jess snorted. “Let’s get something before you pass out. Can you keep it down?”

“There’s always room for donuts and coffee.”

She pulled off at the next exit, the neon sign signaling both.

The rest stop consisted of a Tim Horton’s donut shop and a gas station, one of which I needed bad. Jess nodded when I asked if she wanted a coffee and filled the car up as I went inside and picked up a box of Timbits the size of the Taurus and two large coffees, double-double.

She said nothing when I got back in, busy working on extracting her credit card from the greedy gas pump. I said nothing when she pulled into the parking lot instead of back onto the highway.

“Okay. What the fuck are you thinking about?” she rasped after taking her first sip of coffee. “I can see you’re upset and that’s what’s causing the headache. It’s not over Evan and Lisa, it’s not over the feud. Are you thinking Bran’s going to leave you for this woman?”

“She’s not just a woman. Her name is Angie.” I nibbled on a cinnamon donut hole, letting it soak up the hot coffee in my mouth. “She knew him before.”