KnightForce Deuces, page 3
“I am positively in love with this man,” Victoria gushed. “Jacques is the person I sought my whole life. Not that I didn’t love your father. He was a good man but this…” she shook her head. “Nothing and no one comes close to what I have with him. To answer your question, I am over the moon happy. What about you?” She paused, frowning as she stared into Renee’s face. “How’s Mandy?”
Renee slipped off her shoes and grabbed an apple fritter from the platter on the side table near her mom. “Mandy and I broke up. She met someone else. Someone who wants kids, the house. Picket fence and all that.”
Jasmine heard the pain in Renee’s voice and sat next to her on the opposite side. “I’m sorry, why didn’t you call me?”
Renee shrugged, eyes downcast. “I couldn’t talk about it. I get through each day trying not to think about it. But… we were together a long time and that’s not always possible.” She sighed and offered a sad smile. “It hurts. I miss her so much.”
“Any chance of getting back with her?” Jasmine asked hating the hurt in her sister’s voice.
“No, not really. Mandy’s pregnant from a donor her new …” She sighed. “The person she’s with now had a friend who donated sperm, it took right away. She’s pregnant and sounds happy.”
Victoria patted Renee’s hand. “The two of you wanted completely different things … who knows, maybe this is for the best.”
Renee’s head spun toward her mother. “That’s not what I want or need to hear right now. My brain agrees with you but my heart’s bleeding, Mama. So don’t… just don’t go there.”
“Shhh,” her mom pulled Renee close until her head lay on her shoulder. “It’ll be okay, I promise.”
Renee wiped the tear from the corner of her eye. “This reminds me of when we were small; you’d promise tomorrow would be better all the time.”
Jasmine smiled thinking of those days. Whenever they came home crying over something that seemed major to them, their mom would listen, hug them and say tomorrow would be better. At the time it was the best medicine in the world.
“And I was right,” Victoria said with a smug smile.
“Uh, no. Most of the time it took a long time for things to get better,” Renee said lifting her head slightly, grinning up at their mom.
“That’s right and the day that it did was called tomorrow,” Victoria said and then placed a kiss on Renee’s forehead.
Renee and Jasmine laughed.
“She got you there,” Jasmine said releasing Renee’s hand and looking behind her. Food had been left on the sideboard for them. “Mama, want me to fix your plate?”
“Yeah. A little of everything and then these buggers will tell me what they want to eat,” Victoria said rubbing her stomach.
Renee stared at her hand, the large diamond twinkled in the light. “After all these years, we get brothers and sisters. Can you believe that Jazz?”
“Not at first but the past few months have made a believer out of me. Rose is due any day. My first grands,” Jasmine said. “I remember changing Rone’s diaper, now I’ll watch him change his kids.”
“Wouldn’t it be great if his kids took him on the same wild ride as he and Rese took you?” Renee said moving toward the food.
“That’s what normally happens,” Victoria said.
“Hey… I didn’t take you through half the hoops the boys took me through,” Jasmine complained good-naturedly. Getting pregnant at 16 with twins by a full-blood in the midst of his first shift didn’t count now that they both knew what happened.
“True. But God knew Renee wouldn’t have kids and added her payback onto you. Can’t work around karma, she gets you every time,” Victoria said laughing.
Renee tilted her head to the side, her shiny dark hair brushed against her light complexion. Her eyes darkened as she smiled at Jasmine and then winked. “Yep, God knew all along. Think He knew I’d like girls?”
“Don’t start, Renee,” Victoria said from the sofa like a reigning queen in her short-sleeved, green and white dress.
Renee laughed. “Okay, I promised Jazz I would behave this weekend.” Plate full, she returned to the seat next to her mother.
“I wish you could stay longer,” Victoria said and then popped a fried plantain in her mouth.
“Well, it came down to stay longer now or not see my new brothers and sisters when they arrive. I’ll come back after you have the babies. Any idea how many are cooking in there?” She peered at the plate of food Victoria ate from. She picked up a jalapeño pepper and bit into it.
“No, not yet. But more than two, maybe three or four,” Victoria said before licking her fingers.
Renee stared as her mom ate another pepper with no visible side effects. Jasmine should’ve warned her sister about their mom’s new eating habits but seeing Victoria eat had to be witnessed to believe.
“What’d you bring for the shower?” Jasmine asked into the silence, drawing Renee’s attention from their mom.
“Wait and see. Not knowing the sex made it hard, plus they don’t go shopping that often, so gift cards wouldn’t work. But I think they’ll be happy. Rose said they didn’t have much in the nursery yet, so it should be okay,” Renee said.
“Did you bring me and Jacques something for our babies? It’s a joint shower,” Victoria asked and then popped a cherry tomato into her mouth.
“Yes, Jasmine told me. But you have to wait, too. From what I hear that’s part of the fun, watching people open gifts and play games.” She turned to Jasmine. “Is Silas out of town?” The hopefulness in her voice rubbed Jasmine the wrong way.
“No, he’s here and will be here for the shower,” she said in her don’t-go-there voice.
Renee released a long breath and nodded. “I remember the speech about this being his home and all but for some reason, the man just doesn’t like me. Everybody else loves me, no problems. What can I do to improve our relationship?” Renee asked in what Jasmine termed her classroom tone.
“Try having a conversation with him as an equal and not one of your students. He’s smart with a quirky sense of humor and like you, everybody else around here loves him. Especially his kids,” Jasmine said without smiling.
Renee stared at her a few seconds and nodded. “Point taken, I’ll make an effort to do better since my favorite people in the world live with him.”
“And we’re not going anywhere,” Victoria said licking her lips.
“This place is safe and when it comes to my nieces and nephews and soon my brothers and sisters, that rates really high for me.” She looked at Jasmine. “Every time I see you, you’re glowing. Are you pregnant too? Is there something in the water?”
Jasmine flinched at the idea. With her four, Tyrone’s babies and her mom’s on the way, she couldn’t imagine having more kids right now. “Not pregnant. Just happy. And by the way, Davian and Matt will be at the shower, be nice.”
Renee stopped eating. “Why’s he coming?”
“Rose is having his first grandchildren,” Victoria said before Jasmine responded.
“Silas is okay with that? Forget that, how do you feel about him and his lover at social events in your home?”
“The twins are as much his sons as they are mine. If Tyrone wants his dad at the baby shower I don’t care.” She shrugged. In this, Jasmine and her mom were on the same page - no other relationship compared to the one she had with Silas. She and Davian would be grandparents with no drama, they both loved their boys.
After a few seconds, Renee released a breath. “Maybe I should move up here. There’s gotta be something in the air for you to forgive everything he did to you. I can tell it really doesn’t bother you to have him in the same room.”
Jasmine understood Renee’s confusion. If she and Silas didn’t have such a consuming connection, there might be room to feel hate, disdain, lust or something for Davian. But he got nothing. Rather than talk about how much she loved Silas, especially in light of Renee’s painful break-up, Jasmine changed directions.
“No, it doesn’t bother me at all. Plus all my family will be there, celebrating the next generation. It’s a happy occasion. What do you think about this?” She stood and opened a box in the corner.
“What is it?” Renee asked looking at the soft pastel colored streamers Jasmine held.
“Decorations for the party. They came in earlier this morning. I plan to start decorating first thing tomorrow, just waiting for one more delivery.” She eyed Renee. “And yes I need your help.”
“That’s why I came a day early, so I could help you point to the staff where you want them to put things,” Renee said.
Jasmine rolled her eyes at her sister, glad to see color return to her cheeks and life to her eyes. “Cute, very cute. But we’ll be doing most of the decorations on this.”
Renee nodded. “If you say so.” She looked at her mom. “Where’s that handsome hunk of yours?”
Victoria held up a finger and swallowed whatever she’d just eaten. “Working. He got a promotion, a larger department. After I have the babies, I plan to work in his office helping out.”
Renee’s eyes widened. She glanced at Jasmine who had heard a version of this declaration a few times and shrugged.
“You’re going to work again, after what? Ten years of early retirement? Why?” Renee asked.
Victoria blinked a couple of times as if she’d forgotten the many conversations Jasmine had with her regarding how careful they needed to be around Renee. Her sister was sharp and she agreed with Jasmine that Renee shouldn’t know about the Wolf Nation. Not that Jasmine thought Renee would talk on purpose but her passion was studying differences in cultures and people. At some point there would be problems.
“Mama plans to keep an eye on other women looking at her man, that’s all,” Jasmine said and read the gratitude in her Mama’s eyes. Being human, Renee accepted the explanation.
“Jacques is one of the good ones, Mama. You don’t need to worry. Although statistically speaking, most men cheat,” Renee said looking at Jasmine.
“If Silas cheated on me, you would read about his demise in the paper. It would make the news,” Jasmine said, appreciating the small smile from her mom.
Renee clapped her hands. “That’s what I’m talking about, kick his ass to the curb for that.”
Chapter 5
Silas stepped into the brightly, decorated room to a small chorus of “Daddy” from his four pups. They ran and grabbed him around the leg, each talking at the same time. He glanced around the room, memorizing everyone’s location and then focused on his pups. Jasmine sat in a chair near Renee. Matt and Damian sat across the room near Cameron and his growing den. Tyrese and his mate sat with Asia, Damian and Sarita.
“There’s birthday cake and punch over there,” Adam said reaching for his hand.
“No, it’s not birthday, it’s a shower cake for the babies,” Renee corrected standing in front of Adam, her hair neatly pulled back into a dark ponytail, her blue eyes flashing.
“Mama said I couldn’t eat the cake.” Adam’s whiskey colored eyes gleamed with smug amusement as he leaned toward her without releasing Silas’ hand. He wore jeans and a college logo tee shirt from his aunt.
Jackie pulled on his pants leg. He looked down into soft blue-greenish eyes and his heart melted at her smile. Dressed like her sister in a short-sleeved, blue and white dress, she wore her hair loose around her shoulders looking more like his mini-me, in that moment, than any of the others. “Rose has a baby in her stomach,” she said softly as if sharing a secret. “I’mma be an aunty like Aunt Renee.”
Silas smiled without saying anything about Renee. Last night at dinner, he accepted the olive branch she extended and they had an interesting conversation. He’d been surprised to learn they had both traveled and loved some of the same spots in Africa.
“That’s right, are you ready to be an aunt?” He stooped and placed a kiss on each of their cheeks. David wore the same outfit as Adam and smiled but didn’t speak which no longer bothered Silas. He accepted his son spoke when he had something to say unlike Adam who said whatever popped into his mind.
Jackie nodded.
“Not me,” Adam said. “Me and David are boys, we’ll be uncles.” He frowned and then smiled. “Like Uncle Angus.”
Silas tapped Adam on the nose with his fingertip, causing him to laugh. “That’s right.” On his way home from Colorado, Angus got caught in a storm in Kentucky and contacted Jasmine personally to express his regret for missing the event.
Standing he held their hands and walked further into the room. Sarita sat on the floor near Asia watching as they entered the main area where Rose and Victoria sat in chairs draped with colorful ribbons. Jacques and Tyrone sat nearby talking softly while watching their mates.
Jasmine met him in the middle of the room with a large smile. Unbound, her hair brushed against her cheeks before she pulled loose strands behind her ear. Standing on her toes for a kiss, her lips brushed against his.
“You’re late,” she said.
“Sorry. But I’m here as ordered.” He chuckled thinking of the last message she sent strongly requesting his presence.
Their lips touched too briefly and she turned away. “Alright everyone, we’re going to open the gifts now. Damian and Rese, pass the gifts to either Jacques or Rone, they’ll open the boxes and give the presents to Rose or Mama.”
David tugged on his hand and then walked to an empty spot on the sofa. Silas smiled and followed. Soon all four kids sat on or next to him. Renee winked from across the room. He offered her a smile. Baby steps with that one.
Silas tried to pay attention to the party. Everyone seemed to be having a great time, making jokes at Rone and Jacques expense. But his mind kept returning to the escalating problem with the rebels and half-breeds. As long as rebel Alphas lied and gave false information about him and his Alphas to the breeds, Silas couldn’t retaliate against them in the swift, brutal manner of the past.
First, he had to remind full-bloods of his position as national Alpha and then explain that his care extended to all wolves equally. He would remind them all that their mates could be either full-blood or half-breed. That bit of information should make some full-bloods hesitate before joining the rebels. He wouldn’t muddy the water by adding explanations on human breeders, not yet.
Next, he needed to introduce himself and the Alphas to half-breeds who had no knowledge of him or the Wolf Nation. Thank goodness he had Tyrone to assist with that daunting task. Hawke and his team developed a program that would allow him to accomplish both through a broadcast message without interference. Unfortunately, they ran into a couple of glitches during the testing stage. When he left the lab an hour ago, they were still running tests.
“Daddy, I’m sleepy,” Jackie said leaning against him and then yawning.
Jasmine looked over at them and nodded. “Take them to bed, they played hard today. If you need me, let me know.”
Pleased with the opportunity to spend time alone with his pups, he gathered them together. “I’ve got this, I’ll be back once I have them changed and in bed.”
“Come on guys, let’s get you in bed,” Silas said softly to his pups. They all stood and headed toward the door, staggering a bit.
Cameron stepped away from Lilly and picked up Adam and Jackie. “I’ll carry these two.”
Silas picked up David and Renee and left the room. They walked toward the nursery in silence. The nurses stood near each bed waiting to take care of their small charges. Silas assisted in brushing teeth, changing into pajamas and then tucking each pup into bed with a kiss and night-time blessing. His heart expanded as he looked at each of them lying peacefully in bed. Once again he thanked the Goddess for her multiple blessings and promised to protect them with his life.
Cameron waited for him by the door. Together they left the room and headed back to the party.
“Think Rese and Danielle will be next?” Cameron asked.
“Before you and Lilly, you mean?”
Cameron’s cheeks reddened. “No, Lilly doesn’t believe she can have pups.” His jaw clenched as he exhaled. “When she was eleven, a neighbor she baby-sat for, raped her. Messed her up inside. The guy paid her mom off and they moved.” He shook his head. “Rose doesn’t know. Lilly told me after we’d been mated six months to explain why she didn’t get pregnant.”
“I’m sorry she suffered, would you like me to see her?” Silas offered. “Maybe I can correct some of the damage.”
Cameron shook his head. “Maybe later if she’s open to the idea, right now she’s not.” He paused. “She wants to adopt the three pups we rescued from the labs. No one ever claimed them and they’ve been living with us all this time. She thinks of them as hers now.”
“What do you think?” Concerned over Cameron’s hesitancy, Silas stopped and focused on his godson.
“That’s just it, I don’t know. When I see Rose and Tyrone, I think it’s cool to have my own pups in my den. But I already have Mason, Theo and Amari. I love those pups.”
Silas sensed something else troubled Cameron and spoke through their link. “What is bothering you?”
“Lilly wants to adopt more and to be honest there are more pups without families thanks to the Liege stealing them from everywhere. Most of the pups have been taken but a few haven’t. These pups have physical challenges and one was mentally abused and requires constant care. With everything going on with the rebels and influx of breeds coming forward, we don’t have the time to care for a special needs pup.” He ran his hand through his hair. “That sounds so damn selfish but that’s how I feel.”
Silas understood. As Alpha for West Virginia, Cameron stayed busy, even with the additional help he received. Some things required an Alpha’s personal attention.
“But Lilly believes it’s what we’re supposed to do as leaders so others will follow. She plans to hire more helpers but believes the pup will heal in the right environment, a loving den.” Cameron’s frustration bled through his words.
