Kayden stepped up to Elf, wrapping his arm around her as she stared at the door. A single tear slid down her cheek, breaking his heart. “Elf?” he asked, wiping away the tear.
“We’re really free, aren’t we?” Elf asked, looking up at him.
“Yea, baby, you’re free,” he said, placing a kiss on her forehead. “You ready to greet our tiny town?”
Darla reached over and took her hand. “We’re all here for you,” she said with tears rolling down her cheeks.
Drake stood behind his wife, rubbing her shoulders as Saxon had his arms wrapped around Nava, knowing how much this moment meant for both women.
Little hands pushed in between them as Kayden glanced down to see Maranda. “Momma?” she questioned.
“I’m fine, Maranda, just a little bit nervous,” she said, placing her hand on her daughter’s head. “Come, let’s go explore our new home,” Elf said, looking at Darla smiling. “I’ll be okay, just going to take a while to get used to all of this.”
Elf stepped forward, reaching down, taking her daughter’s hand and pushing the baby stroller up the ramp to the opening door that Cahir held for them.
She and her daughter stood out there in the sun. Elf took a deep breath, a smile slowly appearing on her beautiful face as she scanned around her.
Kayden stepped outside when Alaster moved to his side. “We will be staying in town to help find these monsters,” Alaster growled, his brother nodding his head, agreeing with him.
“Thank you, I have a feeling we’re going to need all the help we can get finding the children and others being held. They were too organized, but we hit them hard, and we’re still going through the computers and files that we got with the raid.”
“Twenty-two,” Elf said, glancing back over her shoulder.
“Twenty-two what, baby?” Kayden asked, stepping up to her side.
“Last I heard, they had twenty-two prisons, but that was a year ago. Who knows how many now, but can we forget that for now, please?” Elf asked, looking at him.
“I’m sorry.” Kayden reached over and rubbed her back. “So, what do you think of our fair city?” he asked, nodding to the end of Main Street.
“It’s stunning. I love the red brick road, the flowers on the old fashion lights, but I didn’t realize so many people were coming. And look, everyone has dressed up,” she said to her daughter.
“Look at the hats, Momma,” Maranda said, smiling up at Kayden.
“They’re very pretty, but I like yours and your momma’s hats the best,” Kayden said, lifting Maranda up into his arms as they moved down the sidewalk. Kayden did have to admit, it seemed the whole town was out and about today, dressed in their finest clothes.
“This is my shop,” Darla said, stepping up to Elf’s other side, pointing out her store. “When you are ready, we can come here and go through it to see if you would like anything for your suite. I know I have a nice little bedroom set that would be perfect for Maranda.”
“I’d love to see your business, and the name of it is perfect, ‘Mom’s Things Thrift Store’ is a catchy name. Maybe we can go there tomorrow. Where is Storm’s shop? Do we know how big the offices are that she was talking about?” Elf asked, nodding to the doctor who joined them with her brother Ringo.
“‘Storm’s Creations’ is there across the street. Her business is in the front, the offices we’ll be using will be in the back. Anyone see Storm?” Nava asked, looking around as they were getting closer to the center of the park.
“Music?” Elf asked, smiling.
“Of course, a live jazz band just like the old days. We can dance; there are going to be games for the children, too,” Darla said. “We had many helping, but Lanny is a planner like me, so I know she went way over the top.”
“Which is why we will pay her nicely for all of this, making up for her losing the business she would have had,” Drake said, rubbing her back and kissing her cheek.
“Excuse me, excuse us,” Joseph said, pushing through them almost knocking into Elf, followed by his twin, Jonah.
Nava laughed, and Saxon growled. “You two better cool it before you knock someone over. I swear those boys never learn,” Saxon growled as a couple showed up next to Nava.
“Momma, papa, I’m so glad you could come with us. Darla, Drake, Elf, Kayden, Doc. these are my parents Janita and Jaguar Torres. They showed up a couple of days ago,” Nava said, smiling.
Drake nodded. “It’s an honor to meet you both. I hope you like our city. There are a number of other shadows here. Have you met your grandmother, Calamity Jane, yet?”
“Yes, we met, and I really hate the word grandmother.” Calamity Jane appeared behind them with Flask by her side.
Elf shook her head. “This is so weird. I mean, I’ve seen many shifters, but... Wait, who’s that?” Elf asked, nodding toward Frost and Lacey, who were walking toward them.
Kayden smiled. “Elf, Maranda, I’d like to introduce you to Lacey Adams and Frost. Frost is a Star Ranger, patrols the space, rounding up alien criminals.”
“Again, wow,” Elf said, reaching out and shaking both of their hands. “It’s a pleasure to meet you both.”
“I also run the local animal shelter, and if your little girl would like a puppy, I have a few left,” Lacey said.
“Really? Momma?” Maranda asked, and Elf laughed.
“Not right now, Maranda. We live in your grandparents’ home, sweetie. Maybe when we get our own place.” Elf reached up and squeezed her hand.
“Nonsense, why don’t you let me take her tomorrow. I’ll take all the girls to the farm she runs. I think the children would love a day on the farm,” Darla said.
“Excellent, I’ll even have lunch for everyone. You should see all the different animals I have.” Lacey looked at Elf. “Rest assured, my sisters and I have the farm well protected. Not to mention blue man here,” Lacey said, and Frost grunted.
“We also want to help with finding any others out there. I have a few friends that will come here to help, just let us know,” Frost growled.
“Thank you, both of you. I’m sure the girls would have a ball at the farm...” Elf frowned and turned her head to the left, searching.
“What? Elf?” Kayden asked, looking around.
“I don’t know, it feels like...”
“He’s here, isn’t he?” Maranda buried her face into his neck, wrapping her little arms around his neck tight, her little body shaking.
“Who’s here, Maranda, Elf?” Kayden asked, rubbing Maranda’s back, trying to calm the small little girl.
“I don’t know if he’s here or not, Maranda. But I want you to stay with us. Don’t go off by yourself at all, okay?” Elf said. “Tormac, he’s close, and if he’s close...”
Nava finished the sentence whispering. “Then, the others are here, too?” Nava rubbed her arms, scanning around.
Calamity Jane’s gun appeared in her hand as she cocked it, growling. “How the hell did he get in the town. I thought the posse was scouting?” she asked Flask.
“Believe me, he can get by anyone. Maybe we should just go back?” Elf said.
“NO! You are going to have your party. Alaster, Cahir, where is your brother? I want them close. Let’s move to the square; it will be safer with everyone around,” Drake said. “Maybe we can catch this traitor because I have a feeling that is how they got in again without us knowing. Ringo, Doc, I want you two to account for all of those that we rescued that are still here in town.”
“Nolan will meet us at the square. Sheriff is already there, and Saxon’s men are also waiting,” Alaster said as they headed toward the party.
Kayden was furious. Her first outing and it was ruined. This prick would go down today, but for now, he’d make sure his two women and his little son were safe and having a good time, and they were his. He’d be damn if he allowed anyone to take his family away from him.
He glanced over at Saxon, who nodded, giving him the hand gesture that their team was ready. One thing this suit had was the perfect hiding spots for his weapons.
As they turned the corner, Elf stopped moving. “My god, this is beautiful. Maranda, look, sweetie,” Elf said, reaching up and rubbing her daughter’s arm. “Look at all the pretty flowers, balloons, and they even have a merry-go-round.”
Slowly, Maranda peeked, looking around. “Can we go on it?” she asked, her eyes all big as she watched the other children riding it.
“Come here, Maranda. I’ll take you over while your mommy and Kayden find us somewhere to sit,” Darla said.
“Cahir, you’re with us,” Drake said as Darla took Maranda out of his arms as Saxon called over two of their men, pointing at the girls and Darla.
“How many men do you two have here?” Elf asked as Nava and Saxon moved beside them, as the sound of motorcycles came roaring down the street.
“I told you not to worry, little lady, I knew they’d show up and help out,” Flash said, looking at Calamity Jane before moving to the side of the road as two of the bikers pulled up, Kayden recognizing the president from when Nava had arrived last week.
The president of the Knockers, Landon Comey, was a man that reminded him of Drake. One you really didn’t want to get pissed, and this group had already done that killing their member Flask.
“Impressive and kind of hot,” Elf whispered to Nava, who was also watching.
Kayden growled and leaned down, nipping Elf’s ear. “You don’t need to be looking, you’re taken, my lady.”
“Really? I still don’t understand this mate thing. Maybe you just say that so I don’t scope out the other men,” Elf said, giving him a look that not only had his inner beast ready to claim her right there, but it also wanted to go rip off Landon’s head.
Kayden slid his hand up through her thick, long hair and pulled her head back, staring into her gaze. “Mine,” he snarled right before covering her mouth, showing his lovely mate they belong together.
He slid his tongue into her mouth, tasting her and the coffee that she had earlier. Her hand slid up and around his neck as her tongue danced with his. But all too soon, Elf jerked back when a balloon popped behind them, scaring her. “Easy, baby, it was a balloon,” he told her, placing a quick peck on her lips, releasing her hair.
“If you’re done sucking face, let’s find a place to spread the blankets,” Saxon grumbled.
“Leave them alone. Hell, you do the same thing to me all the time.” Nava smacked Saxon in the stomach, earning a laugh from Lacey.
“They all do. My sisters and I have our blankets set up over there if you’d care to join us?” Lacey asked.
“We would love to,” Elf said before she leaned over and whispered. “Not to worry, I think Mr. Biker guy has eyes for a little blond.” Elf nodded to Lanny, and Kayden shook his head.
“He’s in for a big surprise there, Lanny hasn’t dated anyone since she arrived last year. She’s run off three of our men and a dozen others who had shown some interest in her,” Kayden said, spreading their blanket out as Elf took the little guy out of the stroller and sat down, placing him on the blanket next to her as Nava and Lacey joined her.
“Lanny is special, Kayden, plus she’s more into a little kink. I know for a fact she visits Club Eros in the next city over. Nice place and fun from what I’ve heard,” Lacey said.
“And you would know this how?” Frost, her mate, asked, standing behind her.
“She said she’d heard,” Sam’s sister said, coming over to join them. “And who is this handsome little man,” Sam said, kneeling down next to Lacey.
“Elf, Nava, meet my sisters, Sam and Joanna,” Lacey said as Kayden noticed Storm coming their way with Matty and what had to be the other brother Nolan. Neither of them looked too happy.