Unchained Beast: A Dark Mafia Shifter Romance, page 21
“Really?”
His eyes twinkled again. “Yeah. He gave me two choices. Clean up my act and work for him or he was going to take my ass to the police station. You know which one I chose. I’ve been loyal ever since. He’s treated me real good.”
“I’m really glad to hear that.” There was a genuine adoration of the man, which gave me another perspective.
“He even made me get my GED. Forced me to study. The man hounded my ass too.” He laughed, took a gulp and hunkered down. “I didn’t mean to hurt your dog, Ms. LeBlanc. I’d never do that.” He tentatively held out his hand.
“You didn’t hurt him, Jackson. He was just being protective of me. Thank you for saving me in Louisiana.”
Moose took deliberate steps in his direction, bypassing the man’s hand and licking him up the length of his face.
I bit back a laugh seeing Jackson’s response. He jumped back as if he’d been bitten, dropping and breaking the mug.
“Damn it. I’m sorry, Ms. LeBlanc. I’m just clumsy.” Jackson scrambled to pick up the pieces, cutting himself while doing so.
“Whoa. It’s okay. It’s just a cup and you didn’t do anything wrong.” He allowed me to help him to his feet. I found the trash, waiting as he dumped the broken pieces then yanked his wrist under the faucet.
“That was stupid of me. Just stupid.” Jackson laughed when I did, thankfully a little more at ease.
“I think Moose enjoyed it. Why don’t I try and find a Band-Aid?”
He pulled his hand away, shaking his head. “Nah. It’s fine. Just a scratch. Besides, I need to get back to my post. I’ll pay for the cup if you want.”
“Don’t be silly, Jackson. It’s just a cup.” I forced a paper towel into his hand, giving him a stern, almost motherly look. What an odd moment.
After nodding awkwardly, he backed out of the kitchen. I glanced down at Moose, shaking my head. There were so many things about Gabriel that surprised me. Maybe I could actually start to like the man.
My mate.
I dumped the rest of my coffee, moving through the condo as I thought about the delivery. What kind of information could his father have sent that would matter? My curiosity getting the better of me, I headed for the front door. There was no package, which likely meant it had been put in Gabriel’s office.
The plain brown wrapping usually indicated a service had been used. When I walked closer, I realized it had been couriered. While I knew that Gabriel would be pissed, I had to find out what the hell was going on. After listening for any sounds that he’d returned, I took a deep breath. I’d accept whatever punishment he wanted to dole out. Fine.
The wrapping was easy to remove, the plain white box providing no indication of the contents. When I opened it, I wasn’t necessary surprised to find what looked like a very old photo album. It had been well maintained, but the pages had already yellowed.
I held it gingerly in my arms as I moved to one of the chairs, sitting down and opening it slowly. The first were grainy, almost unrecognizable pictures, the sepia color starting to fade. They had to be from the late eighteen hundreds. I scoured my memory banks. The first camera had been invented in the eighteen eighties. As I flipped through several more pages, I began to see a pattern in the photographs.
As well as a story.
In Baton Rouge.
In New Orleans.
In the Bayou.
My instinct told me that it was a telling of two families, both considered powerful. I found myself devouring every picture, feeling the same emotions from what was being depicted. As the two cities began to flourish, the smaller communities vanished.
As I neared the end of the album, the last few photographs were both stunning as well as horrifying.
They were of men and women burned at the stake, their faces depicting their agony. Children were crying at their feet, so many of them dragged away by men.
And the last picture was of several mass graves.
All caught on camera…
A wave of emotion swept over me, enough so I had to bend at the waist, my stomach in knots. I closed the album, fighting to breathe as I reached over, returning the album to the box it had come in.
As a single piece of yellowed paper floated down from the back, I watched it go all the way to the floor. When I had the courage to reach for it, I realized just how fragile the piece of paper was, the old parchment unprotected. I pulled it into the light, barely able to decipher the writing. Whoever had written the words had obviously been under duress or elderly.
December twenty-sixth, nineteen hundred and twelve
My child,
It is with a heavy heart that I must write you about the death of your sister. She gave her life trying to protect so many others. Monsters came into the village, destroying everything. They burned us at the stake, stealing our babies from us.
As night fell, the last of those who’d fought against the evil tyranny finally succumbed, taken to be with the spirits who would protect their bodies from further harm.
Trust me, my sweet boy. Their deaths will not be in vain.
I have placed a curse on the entire family responsible, a spell so powerful they will succumb to a kind of evil that they will not recover from.
Let it be known that anyone born of Dupree blood will pay for their bloodshed, the animals refusing to hear the cries of so many. Given their beastly actions, they will learn what it’s like to live as creatures of the night. All descendants will be born as wolves, forced to feed their hunger. And if they live and continue thriving, they will face two blue moons in the distant future. On that day, the firstborn sons of the pure bloodline will be forced to hunt for a mate. But that isn’t all they will face.
As I read the conclusion of the letter, tears slipped past my lashes, my heart aching for all those who were murdered.
Then I comprehended the curse wasn’t over, the last words of Jade Brousseau sealing a fate that would change my life forever.
Gasping, I struggled to my feet, the room spinning. I managed to return the letter to the album, but I had to get some damn fresh air. My throat was closing, my entire mind a blur.
“Come on, Moose.” I raced to the front door, gasping for air. Who gave a shit about his leash? When I threw it open, I barely noticed Jackson out of the corner of my eye. “Don’t try and stop me, Jackson. I just need some air. I’m going to the third-floor atrium to walk Moose.” I raced down the hall, slapping my hand on the button, the door opening immediately.
Moose panted, pushing hard against my legs as I backed into the elevator, until to keep from sobbing like some child. No. No! This was crazy. Nuts. A curse that…
And it would force…
I couldn’t think clearly, nor was I certain I wanted to at this point. The reality of what we were facing was too much to endure. As I wiped my eyes, Moose tried to comfort me, but it was no use. I closed my eyes, reliving the horror that I’d seen. The ping of the elevator made me jump, but when I walked into the atrium, at least a slight sense of peace slipped into my system, even if it was going to be short lived. I walked toward the other end, looking over my shoulder several times. Jackson should be on my heels any time. I slid into an area that was hidden by trees. At least I’d be able to grab a few minutes to myself.
“Go play, boy. Just stay close,” I mumbled the words, forcing myself forward. The serenity of the atrium was exactly what I needed. Maybe being here would clear my mind, allowing me to think this through.
I was organized, a plotter. I closed my eyes, ridding my mind of the horrible photo album. “Think. Think.”
My mother had mentioned my destiny dozens of times in my life. If her intention was to keep the curse from happening, she’d known that she’d have to lure me back home. That checked all the boxes in my mind since Gabriel’s family was close.
But didn’t she know that the horrible event had occurred somewhere in the Bayou? Maybe that’s why she believed in the spirits, honoring those who had died. But why? Why save the descendants of a murderous family?
Something else had happened all those years ago. There had to be another story. My gut churned from the thought.
“You’re very distraught. Is there anything I can do?”
The unrecognizable voice shocked me. I’d heard nothing, including the man’s approach. I immediately sucked in my tears as I opened my eyes. While there was nothing terrifying about the man, I was no fool. Looks could be deceiving.
“I’m sorry. I thought you were crying. I didn’t mean to scare you,” he continued.
“You just startled me.” I darted a look to see if I could find Moose. I was shocked Jackson wasn’t dragging the man to the ground. The stranger looked pleasant enough, his shaggy dark hair almost covering his eyes. While at least ten years older, he had a youthful air about him.
“I can tell,” he said, laughing. “I just come up here to take a break from work. At least I get to work from home, right? Although it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. I’m not lucky enough to have a dog like you.”
At least my mama had taught me how to perceive the danger around me. As soon as he mentioned my pup, I backed away, immediately darting around to the side and heading toward the elevator.
When the mysterious stranger stepped out of nowhere, the grin on his face could only be described as evil. In his hand was a gun.
I skidded to a stop, eyeing the four men who were headed in my direction. My God. I’d walked into a trap.
“What the hell do you want?” I demanded, remembering I’d seen another elevator on the other side of the atrium.
“Such a caustic mouth for such a beautiful woman. As far as who I am. Je serai ton sauveur.”
He would be my savior. Like hell he would. “Get away from me.”
“I’m afraid I can’t do that. You’re far too important.”
As Moose rounded the corner, barking and growling, the asshole lifted his hand, aiming his weapon at my baby.
“No!” I screamed, lunging forward.
Pop!
“I’m so glad to meet you, Coraline. Your mother told me so much about you.”
Gabriel
The two men who’d been assigned to remain outside were dead, both shot in the head. The fact I’d been too late exposed a weakness that I couldn’t tolerate.
As I raced out of the elevator, Bronco and Miller following, the same intense series of sensations remained.
Rage.
Terror.
Revenge.
I had the Glock in my hands, inhaling as soon as I was in the hallway. I was able to gather a scent that hadn’t been here before, the strong testosterone indicating a male, a stranger.
“Fuck, boss,” Bronco yelled from behind me.
Jackson had slid to the floor, his hand placed against his chest, his shirt soaked with blood. Rage unlike anything I’d ever known rushed into me.
“Stay with him. I have to find Coraline.” The damn door to my condominium was unlocked. I knew within seconds that she wasn’t inside. While there was no sign of a struggle, I doubted she’d left of her own free will. I glanced into my office, snarling the moment I noticed the contents on my desk. I flipped through a few of the pictures, sick at the sight of them. When I noticed the single piece of paper, I yanked, almost ripping it in two. I quickly read the damn letter, realizing instantly that if Coraline had looked at the contents, she could have been upset.
I unfolded the last corner of the letter and immediately my skin began to crawl.
It was the name of the person that Jade Brousseau had sent the letter to. A growl rose from my throat as my wolf began to surface. I couldn’t allow a shift to happen, not until she was safe.
When I returned outside, Bronco looked up at me. There were tears in the man’s eyes.
“I don’t know, boss. I don’t think he’s going to make it,” Bronco said.
“I called 9-1-1,” Miller added.
“He is going to make it.” I crouched down, touching Jackson’s face. His eyes were still not dilated, but he was having even more difficulty breathing. “You’re going to be alright. Just rest.” I pulled his weapon from his hand. He’d seen the asshole coming. “Do you know who it was?”
“Na… No. Some… asshole. Atrium. Go. Save her.”
Atrium.
“Get him to the hospital, Miller. Bronco, come with me.”
I should have known she’d gone there. Was it possible she was safe from whatever had occurred?
The moment the doors opened on the third floor, my blood turned to ice. The scent of a gun being shot lingered in the air, strong enough for my keen senses to pick up. There was more.
Blood.
“Go that way,” I directed to Bronco, moving in the direction of the stench. I found the reason why in less than a minute. Moose had been shot. Oh, God. I could tell by the sight of trampled plants that there’d been a scuffle. When I knelt down, I pressed my fingers against his neck. Thank God, he had a pulse.
Moose opened his eyes and stared into mine, his imploring, but at least he was able to thump his tail. I detected the stench of at least five assholes, all of them men.
“Just rest, little buddy. I’m looking for your mama.” I patted his legs before rising to my feet, moving toward another section. There was no one else in the atrium, but they hadn’t been gone for long. That much I knew.
When Bronco came forward, shaking his head, I slipped my weapon into my holster. “She was taken.”
“What the hell happened to the dog?” he asked.
“I guess he got in their way.”
“What the hell is going on, boss?”
I turned in a full circle. “Is Emilio still hunkered down?”
“From what I’ve been told. No visitors either. He’s hiding out.”
“First, we get help for Moose. Then we are going to have a nice visit with Emilio. This time, he will tell us everything he knows. Then he’ll face the full penance of his actions.”
CHAPTER 15
Gabriel
Revenge.
That’s what I wanted even though I knew it was the reason my family’s life had forever been altered. However, I didn’t give a shit whether the spirits would haunt me forever. I would find Coraline, and I would bring her home.
As I pulled into the parking lot of the veterinary hospital, Bronco exited immediately, scanning the location in case we’d been followed.
“You’re good, boss,” he said as he opened the rear door, stepping away as soon as he did so.
“Stay out here.” As I gathered Moose into my arms, I could see such sadness in his big brown eyes. There was far too much bloodshed. When I walked inside, she was waiting with a gurney by her side. While a smile crossed her face, she was pensive. “Hello, Jenny.” I’d kept tabs on the only other woman I’d cared about, finding it odd that she’d quit her high paying advertising job, returning to the work she’d done to support herself through college. “Your new profession suits you.”
“What happened, Gabriel?” As she helped two male techs gets the pup on the gurney, I pushed aside memories of the past.
“He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. You need to take care of him. He’s a very special dog.”
“Yours?” she asked.
“No. He belongs to someone very special.” I held my breath as he was taken behind a set of doors, my heart remaining heavy.
Jenny nodded. “I understand. We have the best team here. I’ll stay with him tonight. Should I call you?”
“Please do.” When I started to hand her my card with my private line, she pressed her hand against mine.
“I still remember your number. I’ll let you know.”
“Thanks.” Sighing, I waited until she’d retreated behind those same doors before heading outside, tossing on my sunglasses. “It’s time. You drive. I have a phone call to make.”
“Is the dog going to be alright?” Bronco asked.
“He damn well better be.”
As I dialed my father’s number, I had a feeling what to expect from him.
“Son. I was expecting your call.”
“You knew all along the damn Fontenot family was involved in this curse. They are descendants of the Brousseaus.”
“Yes,” he said quietly. “But I didn’t know until recently. I was sent the pictures from the album I sent starting several months ago. One a month. Then the letter with the curse arrived a day before I called you. The Fontenots are the strong-arm portion of the Brousseau family. While they don’t practice the old ways of black magic, they don’t need to. They are dangerous in their own right.”
Of course they were. They’d challenged our hold on Louisiana as well as Florida for years. However, we’d thought of them as little more than an annoyance up to this point.
“They’ve taken Coraline. Why didn’t you tell me mating with her wasn’t my only obligation to fulfill this bloody curse?”
“Would you have followed through if I had?” he asked, half laughing after doing so.
I thought about his question. “No.”
“I thought if you were lucky enough to fall in love, then maybe it wouldn’t be a burden.”
Laughing, I stared out the window, watching the world float by, a world where others had no idea that monsters lurked in the shadows, waiting to consume flesh and blood. “I have fallen in love with her, but I refuse to turn her.”
“Then the Brousseau family will have won.”
“Put the extended family on notice. I will need their help. I have a feeling she’s been returned to the Bayou.”
“You’re probably right. Call me when you find out for certain.”
“I assure you that I will.” I almost tossed the phone when I ended the call.
“What the hell, boss?” Bronco barely managed.
“We are facing an enemy unlike anything we’ve ever seen before. That means a good portion of my soldiers will learn my true identity.” I turned my head, allowing him to see a slight change in my eyes.
While he shifted in his seat, also twisting his hands around the steering wheel, he had no expression on his face. “That won’t bother any of them, boss. We’ll remain loyal.”
