I looked up to see him glaring at both Felis, switching his attention back and forth between the two men.
Evan and Eddie fell silent, surprised by Bran’s interruption.
“There’s an innocent woman inside there, a human who’s got nothing to do with your goddamn feud and who might die because you can’t get your shit together.” Bran pointed at Eddie. “If you want to call Middleston and tell him his daughter is here, fine. If you want to bring down a whole damned posse to beat the Chandlers into snail snot, fine. Do whatever you want but you’re not doing anything until I get Angie out of there.”
Eddie didn’t say anything for a minute, his black and white fur covering his facial features. His skin re-appeared and he returned to full human form, showing his approval.
Bran’s attention turned to Evan. “And you—” He paused, studying the young face. “I know you’re pissed at your mother and I can’t blame you. I know something about that. But the priority right now has to be saving Angie and keeping your family secret. You want to fight for Lisa and I hear that. But everything has to be done one step at a time and the first step’s got to be mine.”
The young man nodded. He didn’t Change back.
Bran continued. “Now we’re going to go in there and I’m walking out with Angie. I don’t care what you do afterward, tear each other to shreds. But I’m taking her home.”
I felt a burning at the back of my throat. I swallowed hard, keeping the foul-tasting bile at bay.
Bran grabbed my hand off the steering wheel. “Then I’m coming back to take you to our home.”
Tears pricked my eyes, daring me to blink and set them free.
“Okay.” I put the car into drive. “Let’s get this done.”
We rolled away from Eddie’s truck, past the farmhouse and up to the hay barn.
I looked in the rear view mirror. Eddie didn’t move, his truck sitting on the shoulder in silence.
The small parking lot was nothing more than trampled soil, the spots carved out of good farmland. A variety of cars were already there, empty.
The barn was like a thousand others, the basic architecture unchanged over decades. The large double doors were closed along with the smaller, regularly-sized one.
I got out of the car and sniffed the air. Rabbits, deer, fresh manure. hay. A slight breeze brought me the scent of running water.
Felis. McCallister, Mary Chandler and her older son among others.
Along with one familiar human.
“Here.” I tossed Bran the car keys. “You’ll need these.”
He pocketed them in silence.
Evan and Lisa stepped in front of us, holding hands.
“I’ll lead,” Evan said. He stood tall, his back ramrod straight and shoulders back, looking much older than when we’d first met. He flexed his fingers, claws fully extended and ready.
We trudged toward the closed door, Evan leading the way. Red was strangely silent, staying close to Lisa as Bran and I brought up the rear.
Evan pulled the door open and walked through.
It took a second for my eyes to adjust to the dim lighting, the dying sunbeams coming in through various cracks and bends in the old structure. It reminded me of the classic showdown from the spy movies where the hostage is tied to a chair and sitting under a spotlight, waiting to be rescued by the gallant hero.
I wasn’t far off.
Angie Degas lay in the far corner of the first stall to our right, her hands tied behind her and blindfolded. She whimpered as she squirmed in the loose hay. Her long blond hair was all over the place, tangled in the duct tape covering her mouth. A black rag covered her eyes, tied at the back. Her hands were taped as well, tucked behind her.
“Angie.” Bran went to her, ignoring anything and anyone else.
She thrashed around at hearing his voice, kicking out with her running shoes.
I smiled inside, suspecting she’d left her mark on McCallister and his buddies when they snatched her.
“Hold on, hold on.” Bran kneeled down and put his hands on her shoulders. She stilled at his touch. “This is going to hurt.”
He ripped the duct tape off in one smooth move, wincing at the reddened skin left behind.
He didn’t remove her blindfold or untie her hands.
Angie coughed as he brought her up, unsteady on her feet. “Brandon.” She leaned against him, breathing heavily. “What’s going on? What’s happening?” Her bound hands brushed against him. “Take this off.”
“In a minute. We’re leaving.” He put one hand around her waist “Just follow my lead. I’ll explain everything later.”
Evan said nothing as Bran led Angie past him. His attention was on the shadows farther on.
He saw what I saw. A line of Felis standing there, just waiting. Some Changed, some still in human form.
Bran paused, shifting his weight to accommodate Angie’s shuffling gait. “I’ll be back for you,” he whispered. He shambled off with Angie, shushing the woman’s frantic questions.
Nobody moved until the door closed behind us, the slap of wood on wood like a rifle shot.
“Well done.” Mary Chandler advanced out of the growing darkness. She wore a dark blue blouse and jeans, long dark hair loose on her shoulders. She spread her hands with a laugh. “You see? We can be reasonable about this.”
My lips curled away from my teeth. “You risked exposing the family,” I snapped back. “Not a good move.”
She shrugged. “No harm done. Your boy gets his newest toy back and I get my son.” Her gaze went to Evan. “Welcome home.”
He let go of Lisa’s hand, nudging her to stand beside Red. The older Felis took the hint and put his arm around the young woman’s shoulders, drawing her into his protective space.
Evan moved forward. He stopped in the center of the aisle and crossed his arms. “Mother.”
She cocked her head to one side. Behind her other Felis came out of the shadows in a semi-circle. McCallister stepped into view, grinning like a hyena.
Chandler’s older son moved to stand beside her, still wheezing through his swollen nose.
At least he was able to stand straight.
Evan looked at him. His mouth twitched and I could tell he was holding back a laugh. “Dude, what happened?”
The young man jerked a thumb at me, staying silent.
Evan glanced at me before turning back to his brother. “You’re out of shape. Letting her beat your ass like that.” He laughed. “But then I’ve done that enough times, eh?”
I heard the Jeep’s engine start up. The tires ground into the dirt before getting traction and shoving the car down the road.
I let out an internal sigh of relief.
At least Angie and Bran were safe. This was no place for a human, even one like Bran.
Mary moved closer and glared over at Red and Lisa. “And I see you brought your little slut as well.” She smirked. “Might be something we can use. Call up Daddy and see what he’s willing to give us for her return.”
Mentally I slapped myself. If Chandler would hold a human hostage it wasn’t a far leap to see her holding onto Lisa and using her as leverage.
This was turning into a whole new level of bad. If Jess was furious about bringing Angie into the fight she’d blow an artery if the Chandlers held Lisa for ransom. The repercussions would shake the Pride to the core and the Grand Council would be howling for blood.
I began to move and found Red’s hand on my shoulder.
He looked at me and shook his head. This wasn’t my fight, not yet.
I hesitated. His grip increased, fingers digging into my jacket.
I moved back into line with Red and Lisa, earning an approving grunt.
“No,” Evan said in a loud, strong voice. “I love her. I’m going to marry her and you can’t stop me.”
Mary smiled. “You’re not eighteen yet. And as your mother I still call the shots here.”