Sheridan was the newest member among them and had been employed at Montaña's compound. All around, it didn't look good for her.
Jack continued, “They dragged my broken ass from the house and into the woods, where I rejoined Melissa. They didn't even ask me anything. Just beat the hell out of me to send a message, I'd guess. Before they left, they threatened Melissa and torched the house. They could have killed us but didn't.” Hayashi nodded. “Montaña is throwing down the gauntlet, showing us he can do whatever he wants to.”
While they spoke, Sheridan continued to tense. Jules smelled her fear, and he didn't like it. One thing he could be sure of—she didn't like Montaña at all. A sudden image of her bruised and wearing torn pajamas hit him. He turned to Melissa, who'd finally calmed down. Ava entered the room and took her place on the other side of Melissa, lending her an arm.
“Melissa, you sure they didn't hurt you?”
She shook her head. “But they wanted me scared, and they succeeded.” Mrs. Sharpe frowned and glanced from Melissa to Jack, but she didn't say anything. Jules had studied the woman enough to know she knew more than she was saying.
“Come here, honey.” Jack held out his hand, and Melissa went to him on the couch.
“Did they say anything at all?” Jules asked, not sure why his beast wanted him to pursue this. But he sensed there was more he hadn't uncovered. Hell, were the Keisers involved somehow? It made no sense that the intruders hadn't set off an alarm. And since Sheridan had been with him the whole time, he couldn't blame her for any of it. Thank God. He didn't want to think the little healer was involved directly.
Melissa shook her head, then buried her face against Jack's shoulder and started crying again.
Mrs. Sharpe stepped forward. “I think it might be best to let these two get settled in my office. I have a few questions we need answered.” Again, the look she shot Jack concerned him. What the hell did that mean?
“Yeah.” Jules nodded. “After we check to verify the house is secure. Morgan, you stay back to keep an eye on everyone here.” He glanced at Sheridan specifically, and Morgan nodded in understanding. “The rest of us will fan the perimeter and see if we pick anything else up.”
“I want to look at that computer. The logs might tell us something, unless they were tampered with too. But the security code should be fine,” Olivia muttered.
Since she, Melissa, and Jack had worked together to write it, she ought to know. “Let me know what you find, okay?”
“Can do.”
“I'm not leaving her alone.” Fallon folded his arms over his chest.
“Fine. Go with her. But I want to hear ASAP as soon as you know more.” Jules tapped his forehead. Fallon nodded, and the pair left together.
“Ava, contact the base and get a detail of men out here.” Mrs. Sharpe held up a hand to forestall Jules's objections. “We have a situation we need contained right now. There's a US Marine Corps base just half an hour from here. They can post a guard until our naval contingent arrives. Because if you think I'm going to let this stand without a fight, you're wrong.”
Jules didn't like the thought of strangers around their sanctuary. He didn't want men he didn't know around the women, and especially not around Sheridan.
His beast growled inside, but the strategist within Jules understood the need for tighter security.
He turned to Fallon and mentally added, “Fine, we’ll use the jarheads on a temporary basis. But instead of dragging some navy contractors down here, why not use some of the admiral’s men? That way we can protect his psychics while they’re protecting us. Broadcast that to the others and Ava and Mrs. Sharpe.” Fallon nodded and did so, including Jules on the repeated message.
Mrs. Sharpe seemed to ponder the idea.
Fallon frowned and broadcasted back what he'd heard. “Ava said to use just the enforcers, not the brainiacs. And she sounded way familiar with the admiral’s top secret project. She also said there are a few telekinetics he’s got on tap that could really help us.”
The team looked at Ava, and if Jules wasn't mistaken, she flushed.
“What the hell?” Tersch said aloud. He straightened and took a step in Ava's direction. “What do you know about this shit?”
“I know his men and women are a lot friendlier than some of the Circs in this house.”
Before Tersch could blow a gasket, Jules dragged him toward the door.
“Hayashi, come with us. Let's find something in the woods so we can follow these sorry pricks. Jack, you need to show us where they took you.” Jack stood on steady legs, though Melissa tried to hold him back. He shook his head. “No, honey. I'm okay. Sheridan took care of that. Thanks.”
“Sure.” Sheridan didn't look comfortable receiving his gratitude, and Jules caught a hint of guilt, which alarmed him. He felt her emotions, which didn't make a lick of sense. Jules didn't read minds. He didn't know more than what a person's aura could tell him about a body's state of health. Yet he'd swear Sheridan felt guilty.
Touch, stroke. Give her what she needs. The animal within demanded he soothe his mate.
Shit. Mate. Oh, man. Jules acknowledged the truth and heeded his instinct. He went back to Sheridan and took her face in his hands. “Everything will work out.” A threat or a promise? Either way, he couldn't stop himself from giving her a thorough kiss. Right there, in front of the others. He left her staring after him in shock.
Hayashi shook his head and looked at Morgan. “I told you.”
“Shit.” Tersch didn't look happy. He glared at Sheridan before eyeing Jules with concern.
Jules didn't care what anyone else thought. They had a mission to accomplish.
“Okay, guys. Time to hunt prey.”
Sheridan watched as Jules and the others left, taking Jack with them, stunned that such a small token of affection could make her feel so much better. She felt guilty that the attack on the place was her fault, that somehow Ricardo had found her. Burning down the cottage was definitely his way of warning her that he could still get to her. But then, considering how easily the Circs took it in stride that he'd come after them, she began to wonder if perhaps Ricardo didn't care so much about her as he did about getting his hands on Jules again. And if that were the case, what was his obsession with Jules?
She glanced at Morgan, who'd been tasked with staying behind with them.
“What now?”
Melissa clutched her side. “It hurts,” she whispered.
“Where, Melissa?” Sheridan asked as she approached. She exchanged a concerned glance with Morgan.
“Melissa?” Morgan asked.
Melissa started shivering, and Sheridan had a bad feeling. She couldn't sense pain anywhere, but Melissa obviously needed help.
“Morgan, I think Melissa and I need some privacy.”
“The laundry room,” Melissa said, now clutching her belly.
He nodded reluctantly. “Let me double-check the garage, since it's attached.” He left and returned within moments. “It's clear. I'll be right outside.” They walked to the laundry, and Morgan stepped aside. He caught Sheridan's arm before she followed Melissa.
“Yes?”
“Be careful with her,” he said, low enough for her ears only. “I don't like this.
Something's off.”
Sheridan blinked in surprise. “I'm not going to hurt her, Morgan.”
“It's not… Never mind. Just help her if you can.” She nodded and entered the room. Melissa had raised her shirt and was looking at her stomach.
Sheridan closed the door behind her.
“Lock it,” Melissa whispered.
Sheridan did, and Morgan immediately knocked.