He laughed. “That I can do. How long?”
“Within two hours, tops. I’ll call if we get caught up in anything. Just don’t tip your hand.”
“Roger that. Instructions on the way.” The phone went silent.
I watched the words scroll across my tiny screen as the rest of my group poured out of the taxi and onto the sidewalk.
Bran paid the driver, who made a show of cracking the wrapping on a new hanging air freshener and hanging it on the rear view mirror.
I ignored him and led the pack around to the back of my house and to the Jeep. It was another tight squeeze but we managed, Red continuing to stay in the back with the two young people and Bran riding beside me.
Chapter Thirteen
I flipped the headlights on and maneuvered down to Lakeshore before turning north on the 400 highway.
Evan was silent as we drove out of Toronto, the tension in his face evident. Lisa kept whispering to him and squeezing his hand. I didn’t hear what she was saying but it had little effect on him as he stared out the window.
I figured he was mentally running through his upcoming challenge to Middleston. The old Felis wasn’t going to be an easy fight and if he handed the job over to Eddie it’d be even tougher. It’d take all the kid’s tricks to win and claim Lisa for his own.
I didn’t even want to think about his mother. She’d get her boy back all right, just in time to issue a challenge to Middleston—something usually only a family head did. It wasn’t against the rules, just highly unorthodox.
Seemed to be the trend these days.
I ran through the probable scenario in my mind.
Arrive, trade Evan for Angie and get her out of there. After the happy family reunion Evan waits for Jake Middleston and challenges him for Lisa’s hand.
He wins, Lisa goes to the Chandlers. He loses—
I gave myself a shake, banishing the bloody images in my mind’s eye. If Mary Chandler thought her son was losing she could take McCallister off his leash and set him loose on the Middleston group, start a full-fledged brawl right there.
I just hoped it wouldn’t come to that. The last thing I needed was to be in the middle of a Felis riot with my inability to Change leaving me at my most vulnerable. I wouldn’t put it past McCallister or his friends to take some cheap shots at me in the heat of battle, even if they would have to answer to Jess later.
Red wouldn’t stop babbling to Bran about the trees, the Jeep, the other cars, anything and everything we drove by. He kept away from family topics and didn’t ask about Bran’s connection to me and to the Pride.
I was grateful for that much. I really didn’t want to get into a major discussion as to how Bran fit into my life and how he’d won the respect of two Prides along with my love and devotion.
Mostly because it was too full of awesome.
The highway ran into a smaller road and into a third one, wide enough for one car at a time. There might have been a faster way if I’d pulled out a map but I didn’t want to risk getting lost.
The sun had set by the time we pulled into the long winding driveway, the ancient metal mailbox with the mismatched lettering of StePForD signaling we were in the right place.
Eddie’s brown pickup sat on the side of the dirt road, not far beyond the mailbox. We pulled up beside it and Bran rolled down his window.
Eddie glared at Lisa. She let out a squeak and curled up into Evan’s shoulder.
Red moved up, putting himself between the enforcer and his prey. “Hey.” He waved from the back seat. “I’m Red.”
Eddie’s facial expression was priceless, something between being annoyed, curious and what I’d expect upon tripping over roadkill.
I brought Eddie’s attention back to myself by snapping my fingers. “Time for small talk later. Details now. Where are they? How many? And where is Angie being kept?”
“She’s in the old barn behind the house with McCallister and the Stepford brothers watching her. Mom Chandler’s in the farmhouse with her boy and a few more friends. No more than two or three, grand total of ten at the max.” He smiled. “Don’t know if they scented me, don’t care if they did. I figured their attention was more on the woman than on sniffing out trouble.” He eyed me. “What’s your plan and how do I fit into it?”
I rested my forearms on the steering wheel. “I’m not sure. Do they know we’re here yet?”
Eddie gave me a noncommittal shrug. “I’ve been quiet enough. But I don’t doubt that they’ve got lookouts.”
I tilted my head and eyed Evan. “What do you want to do?”
Evan’s face in my rear-view mirror was that of a strong, mature Felis. “I’m tired of hiding. This is supposed to be my family, my people.” His eyes met mine. “Please call my mother and tell her we’re coming up the driveway to get Angie. Straight up, straight in and we’ll get this over with.”
I couldn’t fault his approach. By initiating the meeting we’d have less chance of running into a mob scene if Chandler felt like calling in more family and friends.
It wasn’t a perfect situation but I didn’t think we could make it much better.
“Can’t we just sneak in and take her?” Lisa said in a tiny voice.
Red shook his head. “Not a chance.” There was a sudden shift in his voice, a strong seasoned warrior’s tone taking over. “This isn’t something you settle in the darkness. It’s got to be up front and done in the light.” He looked at Evan. “Something for men to do.”
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes at the chauvinistic comment.
Instead I dialed Mary Chandler’s number.
She answered on the first ring.
“I have Evan with me.” I didn’t feel obliged to mention Lisa, Red, Bran or Eddie. “Where do you want to meet?”
“Come up the road. We’re waiting for you. Go to the barn, that’s where we’re keeping your friend.” The phone went dead.
I looked at Evan again. “Are you ready for this?”
He looked over Bran’s shoulder at Eddie. “Please call Mr. Middleston and tell him to come here. We’ll be finished with family business by the time he arrives.”
Eddie arched an eyebrow in return. He glanced at me.
I didn’t say anything.
“This isn’t exactly a great place for a talk.” Eddie chose his words slowly and carefully. I could see him sizing Evan up, trying to figure out his strengths and weaknesses. You didn’t get to be an enforcer by making rash decisions. “This is Chandler territory. Enemy ground.”
“It won’t be by the time he arrives,” Evan replied. “Please ask him to come here. Thank you.” He leaned back.
“Okay.” I looked over Bran into the pickup truck. “Thanks for the help.”
Eddie nodded, still eyeing Evan. “I’m done for now.” He looked at Lisa. “Don’t think this is over. Your father loves you a whole lot and won’t hand you over without a fight.”
“I’m not his to hand over,” she shot back. “Welcome to the twenty-first century.”
“And...” I drew the single syllable out as long as I could, raising my voice to cut them both out. “You can both deal with all that after we take care of this. One crisis at a time, ‘kay?”
Eddie narrowed his eyes. “Could drag her out of your car right now.”
“Could try.” Evan Changed and showed his fangs, the bright teeth a sharp contrast to his black fur. “Won’t work.” The threatening growl echoed around the inside of the Jeep.
Eddie Changed as well, white stripes showing through his dark furred face. “Bring it, kit.” He put one hand on the car door, claws exposed.
I closed my eyes and rested my forehead on the steering wheel, exhausted.
“Shut the fuck up,” Bran snarled. I heard him bang on the dashboard.