Vance by Sandra R Neeley
Chapter 5
Kassidy rode along still clasped in the man’s arms, tucked snugly against his chest, curled on his lap. She didn’t know who exactly he was, or any of the rest of them, and she didn’t really care. Jared had sent them to release her from the safe room, and he’d said she should trust the one who looked like him. She didn’t care where they were taking her, or what happened after they arrived. Jared was dead. That was the only thought that kept running through her mind. She’d cried quietly for a while, but now simply sat silently as tears tracked down her face.
While two of them had gone inside a motel room, she’d stayed exactly where she was with the male holding her, and their driver.
“I’m sure you’re wondering who I am, and why I’m here,” Jack said. He didn't look at her, instead his eyes were staring straight ahead, though one of his thumbs softly rubbed back and forth across her shoulder. “I’m Jack. I’m Jared’s brother. He left a message with me to come and find you. So, here I am. I don’t know how much he told you about himself, or the rest of us. But if he told you about our father, don’t worry about that. He’s dead. He won’t harm anyone anymore. I wouldn’t allow anyone to harm you regardless.”
Kassidy didn’t say a word, not a single word. She didn’t utter a sound. She just kept her eyes closed, tears quietly tracking from beneath her lids to slide without sound down her cheeks.
“You hungry? Thirsty? You need anything at all before we start for home?” Jack asked.
She didn’t answer. Nothing anyone could say to her, or ask of her mattered at this point. She sat totally despondent wherever she was. It didn’t matter if she was sitting on the seat next to Jack, in his lap held in his arms, or even on a beach or in a field — she didn’t really care.
“Here they come,” Rance said.
She heard a door at the back of the vehicle being opened, then something tossed in the back before closing. Then two doors opened, one in the front, and one in the back, the doors closed and she was aware of two more males in the vehicle.
“Got everything, left payment for two weeks stay. The room’s completely empty, let’s go home.”
“Once we’re clear of this town, stop to pick up something to eat,” Jack said.
“We brought the bottles of water we had left inside,” Draven said, reaching back over the seat they were sitting on to grab a bottle of water. He twisted the lid off and handed it to Jack.
Jack took the bottle from him and held it out to her.
She didn’t even lift her head to see why Jack had let go of her. She had no clue he was offering her water.
He pressed the bottle against her cracked lips, startling her, causing her to gasp, and suck in some of the water and start coughing.
“You need to drink some water. How long since you ate or drank anything?” Jack asked.
Kassidy didn’t answer.
Jack shook his head and pressed the mouth of the bottle to her lips again. She pulled her head back in an effort to get away from the bottle pressing against her mouth.
“Only way to make me stop is to drink,” Jack said matter-of-factly.
Kassidy opened her mouth and drank a few swallows of water before turning her head away.
Jack nodded his head firmly, just once, as though to confirm she did what he wanted, then handed the bottle back to Draven to recap.
“Let’s go,” Jack said.
Kassidy felt motion as the vehicle started to move, and even then she didn’t give any indication that she cared.
“Do you have family you’d rather go to? I can take you to them instead, if you prefer,” Jack said.
She didn’t answer.
“I’m going to take that as a no,” Jack said. He was quiet for a few moments then he tried to talk to her again. “Can you tell me your name?”
Again, no answer.
“I think her name’s Kassidy,” Draven said.
Jack looked toward him.
“It’s on the back of the picture,” Draven explained, looking at the picture, then flipping it over and holding it up for Jack to see. On the back was written, ‘My Kassidy’.
Kassidy opened her eyes and twisted her body until she saw what picture they were talking about. It was indeed a photo of her and Jared. She reached out with painful, raw and bruised hands tipped with bloodied and broken nails to take the photo from the male sitting beside her and Jack. To her surprise, the male very gently gave her the photo, making sure she held it securely before he let go. Kassidy tucked the photo into her chest, leaned her head against Jack’s chest again, and the tears began to flow harder.
Everyone in the vehicle was quiet as they drove on through the night. Eventually Jack lowered his head close to hers. “Cry as long as you need to, Kassidy. But I will not allow you to neglect yourself. Jared wouldn’t have it, and neither will I. You’re coming home with me. With us. You’ll be safe there. I’ll see to it that you have a good life.”
She sniffled, and he could hear the photo crumpling a little as she hugged it to her chest.
“My heart hurts, too,” he admitted softly. Then he straightened up, and looked straight ahead as he held his dead brother’s mate, because it was all he could do for her. He had no idea what else she might need, so he just sat there, holding her, while she tried to come to terms with the destruction of her life.
~~~
They drove for more than twenty-four hours, switching drivers and making pit stops as necessary. Each time they’d pick up food, Jack offered Kassidy something to eat and drink. Some of which she accepted only because Jack didn’t ask, he told her to eat, and the only way to make him stop insisting and leave her alone, was to take a bite or sip or two. On one of their pit stops, after they drove through a fast food establishment, he had them stop at a chain drug store to run in and get first aid supplies to take care of her hands and fingers. By the time they made it home, her hands were cleaned, disinfected, wrapped and bandaged, as well as Jack could get them, and Jack was feeding her bites every five or ten minutes.
It was dark when they finally made it home to Northern Georgia. As they came to a stop at the gate which fronted their property, Rance lowered his window to speak to the men working security.
“Welcome home,” Paxton said, peering inside the vehicle.
“Any issues?” Jack asked from the back seat, where he still sat with Kassidy, only now she was beside him and not in his arms.
“Not a one. You?” he asked.
“Nothing that can’t be seen to from here.”
Paxton’s gaze wandered back to Kassidy, then he met Jack’s unwavering glare. He was hoping Jack would explain who she was, but he wasn’t willing to push the issue if he didn’t offer.
“Jared’s mate,” Jack said simply.
Paxton leaned over a little more and looked around the SUV. “Jared?” he asked.
Jack looked away, waiting for the vehicle to move forward again.
Rance shook his head, which resulted in Paxton’s face hardening.
Paxton straightened and tapped the roof of the vehicle twice. “Open the gate,” he called before leaning down to look in the window again. “I want to be there when you give payback.”
Jack looked over at him and gave a single nod as the SUV pulled through the now open gate and headed up the road that led to their land, and Jack’s house. They didn’t stop at the next gate, since it was already open, with two males waiting for them to drive through. Rance waved as they just drove straight through and continued on up the road toward the house.
As they slowed to a stop in front of the house, Jack was struck by how different it appeared than they were all used to. The gates were rarely even closed anymore. The only reason they were closed at the moment was because Jack had ordered extra security when he left to go look for Jared. After the death of Jack’s father, he’d worked hard to make it a welcoming place that seemed friendly and warm. Jack had gone to great lengths to make sure that everyone knew they were welcome at any time, rather than avoiding anything to do with home, and considering escaping it in fear when Jack’s father had been alive.
And Jack had been successful. It was known by everyone that anytime they needed anything at all, be it advice, money, Jack himself to intercede on their behalf in whatever situation they found they needed help with, or simply a cup of sugar or milk, the door was open. It was always well lit, to seem inviting to any who might consider approaching. And several times a month Jack hosted cookouts to encourage fellowship among his Pride. His father had felt friendship and trust among those in his Pride were dangerous, because strength is in the many, and they could rise up against him. Jack felt differently, strength is among the many, but when the many are represented, protected and treated with fairness and respect, they make you stronger rather than rising up against you.
Tonight, though, only one window shone with a muted light through it, offering very little welcome at all. The single lamp light showing through the window indicated the Alpha was away, and when he was away, no one used his home. While it was the meeting place for any kind of Pride business and the gathering place for celebrations, it was still the Alpha’s private home. And Jack was now Alpha.
There was another facility on the property, a short distance away, but not easily seen from Jack’s home. If for any reason they hosted anyone that was not considered Pride, they met there, in the meeting room of the commercial business they ran. The same business Jack, with Vance’s help, had turned around and made profitable, making everyone in the Pride a shareholder, rather than a minimum wage employee as Jack’s father had things set up. They now had a more efficient work force who were happier, more productive, and more profitable.
The Pride was happier in general, and thankful Jack was the type of Alpha he was.
As word spread that Jack was back on the premises, a few of the more curious wandered toward his house to try to figure out what had happened. It was obviously more than just a road trip for a few days away because he’d pressed additional security measures on them before leaving.
Rance killed the engine, and got out of the SUV, stretching and twisting his body to try to work out the kinks. Draven and Niko followed suit, and then walked around to the back of the vehicle to get the things they’d thrown into the back of the SUV when they’d rushed to leave Idaho.
Jack was the last to get out, and after doing so, leaned over and looked back into the SUV. “Come on, we’re home.”
Kassidy looked up at him, but made no effort to move toward him.
“I can make you move,” he said, but kept his voice low and non-confrontational despite his words, “but I’d prefer not to have to.”
Kassidy looked over at the darkened home, then glanced quickly around at the few people who’d gathered there.
Jack leaned further into the vehicle, reaching for her just as she looked toward him and slid his way.
Allowing her to get herself to the edge of the seat, he reached down and gathered her into his arms just as she started to swing her legs toward the door to get out.
Kassidy heard several murmurs from a couple of those who watched them getting out of the car, but she chose to ignore it.
Jack walked toward his house, up the five stairs to the Acadian style wrap around porch, and through the door Niko had already been through and left standing open for them. She looked around the room they stood in, and immediately felt more at ease. This was a ‘homey’ feeling place. It had honey colored hardwood floors throughout, and throw rugs to soften the floors themselves. The furniture was large and overstuffed, rather than refined and detailed. The walls were a nice neutral cream, with all the color in the rooms coming from furniture and accents. With everything she’d been through, she was surprised to find she liked this room. Liked being in it.
Jack set her on her feet in the middle of the room. “This is my house. You’re welcome here as long as you like. Anything in the kitchen is fair game, and if you don’t want to cook, figure out what you want and chances are someone is running to town at some point and we can send for it. Television is there,” he said, pointing toward the far wall of the room they were in, “watch whatever you want. But you have one in your room, too, if you prefer. Only thing I ask is that if you leave the house, let me know. And do not leave our land without someone with you for now. I can’t protect you if I don’t know where you are.”
Kassidy turned unsteadily on her feet, looking around herself. The dining room was behind her, opposite the living room, and had a huge, heavy, dark mahogany table with a dozen matching chairs sitting in the middle of its space.
Jack followed her gaze. “Don’t let that fool you. We prefer the kitchen table. Things aren’t so formal around here. Just haven’t had a chance to get rid of the table yet. It’s going at some point.”
Kassidy didn’t reply, but realized how out of character it was when compared to the other furniture.
“What room is hers?” Niko asked, from the top of the stairs she couldn’t quite see yet.
“I don’t know,” Jack answered. “I haven’t thought about it.”
“End of the hall?” Niko asked, referring to the last room at the end of the hallway all the bedrooms were off of.
“That works,” Jack said. He looked at Kassidy. “You can follow Niko and he’ll show you which will be your room. I know I’ve said it before, but I want you to understand. You’re safe here. Nobody will harm you, or be shitty to you, or they’ll answer to me and nobody wants to answer to me if they’ve pissed me off. You’ll be fine. I’ll see to that.”
For the first time Kassidy responded. She knew this male was who Jared wanted her with if he couldn’t take care of her. He’d sent him to save her, after all. She looked at him. He looked so much like Jared it was almost scary. But Jack was older, a little shorter, yet thicker, wider and more muscular. His voice was a little deeper, and he seemed a lot more stoic, more serious. But with him, she knew she was safe, just like Jared knew Jack would keep her safe. This may not be where she stayed forever, but it was where she was now, and she was truly thankful for that much at least.
“Thank you,” she rasped, her voice scratchy from non-use.
Jack hadn’t expected her to answer. He just slightly canted his head as he regarded her. “You’re welcome. Let me know if you need anything you don’t readily find. I don’t have a woman, and none live in my home. So, I’m not likely to have the things a woman needs. Just let me know and I’ll make sure you have whatever that may be.”
Kassidy nodded. Then she turned toward the back of the house where she’d heard Niko’s voice calling from.
“Keep going into the den, the staircase is to your left,” Jack said.
She didn’t answer. She knew it wasn’t expected. Instead she concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other. She was stiff, sore, and still weak, but determined to make her own way to the staircase and up them to the room he’d said was hers.
After about ten steps, her breath caught as she was lifted off her feet. “That’s going to take forever,” Jack said. She couldn’t tell if he was irritated, or just impatient, or both, but before she could decide, he was already easily striding up the stairs.