Nico's Heart (RARE Book 1) Read online

  Chapter 28

  “Angel, we gotta do something for Flame,” Bran said. “She’s lost a lot of blood.” Angel nodded as she knelt down on the floor of the plane by where Bran had put Flame. “We need to do a transfusion. We have some blood in the back. Nico will get it all set up.”

  “How did you know?” Bran asked. Angel smiled at him. “Nico,” was all she said.

  Nico came over with a medical bag and set up an IV, putting it into Flame’s arm and then hooking it up to a bag of blood he had. The he hung the bag on a hook above their heads. As he started to undo the blanket around her body, Bran let out a low growl. “I just need to check her man. I need to make sure the bleeding has stopped,” Nico said. Bran let him, but he did not leave Flame’s side. Angel handed him a clean gown, and once Nico confirmed the bleeding was under control, Bran changed her gown and wrapped her back up in a different blanket Angel had given him. Then Nico hooked another IV up with antibiotics in it.

  Nico took the baby and stood up. “Where are you taking him?” Bran questioned. “Just to clean him up,” Nico said. She is going to want to see him, and I don’t think she should see him like this.” Bran nodded and sat down, picking Flame up and holding her in his lap. She didn’t stir. He leaned his head back against the plane and let himself rest.

  Chapter 29

  The plane bumped slightly as it hit the ground at the airport in Denver. Flame’s eyes fluttered open and she stared up at the face of the man that held her. God he was beautiful in sleep. Light blonde hair cut short, darkly tanned skin, gorgeous full lips. He had saved her, she remembered. He had busted into her room when the guard had her on the ground and was about to rape her, and he had saved her. And then he had called her baby.

  She wanted to connect with him and see what he thought she was to him, but she was just too weak. And right now it didn’t really matter. She couldn’t be his anything right now. Her life was so messed up; she couldn’t be anything to anyone.

  His eyes opened as she watched him. “Hi,” he whispered. “Hey,” she whispered back. He reached out and lightly ran his knuckle down the frown between her eyes. “Stop thinking so hard,” he said. “Right now is about taking care of you. Nothing else.” She watched him for a moment and then slowly nodded. Then she snuggled up into him and passed out again.

  Bran stood up holding Flame as Nico came over and picked up Flame’s baby. Everyone filed off of the plane and moved towards the vehicles waiting for them. Bran went straight to the SUV where his alpha stood and stopped in front of him. Chase reached out a hand and grabbed his shoulder and they just stood there, Flame between them, while Bran soaked up strength from his alpha.

  After a moment, Chase opened the door and helped Bran inside with his mate. Then Nico got in on the other side, holding the baby. Rikki climbed in back with Janie, the pregnant woman that had been held with Flame.

  Everyone else climbed into the other SUV with the children, Angel at the wheel. She followed Chase to the compound and they pulled up in front of a building that she hadn’t been in yet. As she got out of the vehicle, she saw Jenna run towards Nico, stopping abruptly when he got out of the other SUV holding the baby. The smell of death hung in the air and Jenna’s eyes filled with tears.

  Angel moved quickly to her side and quietly told her, “Take Lily back home and I will send Nico there as soon as I can.” Jenna turned around and gasped as she saw that Lily had followed her and was standing there staring at the baby, too. “I thought she was with Storm,” she whispered. Gathering Lily up in her arms, she moved back towards the cottage.

  They all entered the building and Angel found out it was a hospital for shifters. Shifters could not go to a regular hospital because they healed so much faster than humans.

  A couple of nurses rushed over to them and directed them all into different rooms. Nico followed Bran into the room he took Flame to. A nurse tried to take the baby from Nico, but Bran growled at her. She jumped back quickly and looked at the floor baring her neck in submission to the beta.

  “It’s ok,” Flame said weakly. “I just want to hold him before you take him away, please. I haven’t gotten to hold him yet.” The nurse’s eyes jumped to Flame’s in compassion. “Of course. If you would like me to, I could get him cleaned up for you first while the doctor looks at you?”

  “It’s already been taken care of,” Bran said. “Get the doctor in here now.” The nurse nodded and ran from the room.

  Bran gently placed Flame on the bed and smoothed back her hair, placing a soft kiss on her forehead. Then he nuzzled her cheek. As he pulled back, the doctor rushed into the room. “Get out of my way, Bran,” she demanded. Bran growled low in his throat, but moved back so the doctor would have more room. She just rolled her eyes and moved up to the head of the bed by Flame.

  “What’s your name, sweetheart?” she asked Flame. Flame watched her for a moment and then glanced over at Bran. The doctor had on a lab coat just like the scientists wore. She knew it was unreasonable, but it scared the hell out of her. Normally she was as feisty as the next redhead, but right now she was weak, tired, and in so much pain. She would not be able to defend herself if anyone here tried to hurt her, and that scared the hell out of her.

  “Bran,” Flame whispered, fear pouring off her in waves. He was around the bed and at her other side in an instant. Sitting down by her, he pulled her into his arms and gently stroked a hand down her hair. “It’s ok, baby,” he said. “I’m right here. No one is going to hurt you. This is Dr. Josie Bennett. Doc Josie has been the pack doctor for years. I trust her.”

  Flame looked at the doctor in confusion. “But she looks so young,” she whispered to Bran. The doctor burst out laughing. “Shifters don’t age like humans, hon. I’m actually 54 years old. Bran here is 123.”

  Flames eyes grew wide in amazement. “You’re not kidding?” she asked. “Nope,” the doctor said still laughing. “Your mate is an old man!” Flame looked even more confused, “My what?” She asked. Doc Josie’s gaze flew from Flame to Bran. “Oh, I’m sorry! I thought you knew?” she said.

  “That’s enough,” Bran growled. “Just check Flame out. She’s human. She doesn’t heal like us. She lost a lot of blood and needs to be looked at.”

  “Talk to me, Flame,” the doctor said all business now. “What am I looking for?” Flame sat there for a minute and then nodded towards where Nico held her son. “I lost my baby,” she whispered.

  “That’s not all of it,” Angel said from the doorway. “Some asshole had his knee shoved into her stomach pretty hard afterwards, too. And she’s had no real medical attention at all while losing her baby up until now. Just the basics to get her by until we could get her here to see a doctor.”

  Flame looked over at her and her eyes filled with tears. “You’re still here,” she said. “You better believe it,” Angel said. “I’m here and I am not leaving until I know you’re ok.” Flame smiled, “You sure you don’t have wings and a halo?” she asked. Angel let out a harsh laugh, “Not even close, sweetheart, not even close.”

  Angel walked over and took the baby from Nico. “Go to your mate, Nico,” she said. “She and Lily need you. I got this.” As Nico left, Angel brought the baby over and put him in Flame’s arms. The doctor protested, but Angel told her, “Nico looked her over on the plane and gave her an IV of antibiotics and some blood. Let her have a moment with her son.” There was no give in Angel’s voice, so the doctor backed off.

  Tears streamed down Flame’s face as she held her baby for what would be the first and last time. She slowly unwrapped the blanket and looked at him. He was so tiny. He had such little fingers and toes. Such tiny, perfect little ears. Flame cried and cried as she held him and gently stroked her fingers over his ears, nose, and arms. He was the size of her hand. So small and helpless. She vowed right then and there that she would hunt down everyone that was involved in what had happened to her and make them all pay. And Gideon, he would suffer the most.

  Chapter 30

>   When Nico reached the cottage, he heard laughter coming from around back. What a sweet sound, he thought. The past few days had been hell. First with the mission they’d had rescuing the senator’s son, then with Lily being kidnapped, and finally with the women and children they had just rescued. He needed a break. He needed time to rest, but he also needed time to spend with Jenna and Lily. He wanted to get to know his sweet, beautiful mate better. He wanted to learn her likes and dislikes. Hell, he wanted to sit down and watch a movie with her, to just hold her.

  And Lily. He had a daughter. Could she ride a bike yet? Or was that something he would get to teach her? Did she like to read? He would read a different story to her every night before bed. What about her ABC’s and numbers? He could help her with those. What about a pony? Did she want one? Hell, he would buy her a whole herd of ponies if that made her happy.

  They still weren’t safe from the General. That bastard was still out there and he still wanted Lily. But Nico was going to keep his family safe. And he knew Angel and the team would be there to help.

  As he walked by some pink roses, he took out his knife and reached down and snipped off two of them. He carefully removed the thorns and then walked around to the back of the house with them. His girls looked over as he rounded the corner, and Lily jumped off the swing and came running. He leaned down and scooped her up, smacking a kiss loudly on her cheek and hugging her tightly.

  “A rose for my princess,” he said as he leaned back and handed her one of the roses. She giggled then whispered loudly, “You cut Mommy’s roses, Daddy! You are gonna be in trouble!” He laughed and snuggled her closer. “We better not tell her where I got them from then, huh?”

  As Jenna walked towards him, Nico felt his heart expand. Damn, he couldn’t love her already. He had only known her for a few days. But that was how it worked with mates. Once they sealed their souls together, there was nothing keeping them apart. He leaned down and kissed her softly, handing her the other pink rose. “A beautiful rose for a beautiful lady,” he told her, nuzzling her ear. He breathed in deeply, taking in their shared scent. God, that was perfect, he thought.

  “What should we do the rest of the day, ladies?” he asked. “Whatever you want, I’m all yours.” Jenna’s smile grew as she leaned into him. “Really,” she whispered? “Doesn’t Angel need you?”

  “Not as much as my family needs me,” Nico said. “She sent me home to spend time with you. I will need to meet with everyone tomorrow to discuss security issues and other things, but today is for my family.”

  “A picnic!” Lily said. “Let’s go on a picnic! And where’s Phoenix? He needs to come, too!”

  “Phoenix?” Nico said laughing. “I can hunt down Phoenix for you if you want.” Lily’s eyes lit up as she clapped her hands together.

  They made their way into the house, and Jenna went to pack a picnic lunch while Nico placed a call to Phoenix. Phoenix was at the hospital still, helping out with the little bear cub. It seemed the cub had taken a liking to him and would not leave his side.

  The cub was still in bear form and refused to turn back to his human form. It was a defense mechanism the doctor said. The little boy was stronger in his bear form and felt like he needed to stay that way to protect himself. But, Phoenix said he would be over to go on the picnic soon. He would just bring the cub along.

  When Phoenix and the cub showed up, their lunch was packed and ready, so they all headed out towards the beautiful land beyond all of the buildings in the compound. They walked about a mile before they came across the place Nico had seen in his vision. It was on the side of a hill. There was a swing hanging from a tree and there was another tree not too far away that Jenna went to and spread out a blanket under to put their picnic lunch on. Yep, this was definitely his vision. He nodded to Storm, Ryker, Aiden and Xavier as they fanned out around them to keep watch.

  Lily smiled over at the bear cub and asked him if he would like to swing first. The cub watched her for a second, and then he looked over at the swing. He turned to Phoenix and crawled up his leg digging his claws in. Phoenix grabbed him and pulled him all of the way up snuggling him close. “It’s alright, buddy,” He said. “Hunter,” Lily said. “His name’s Hunter.”

  The bear cub swung his head around to Lily quickly, obviously surprised. She just smiled at him sweetly. “It’s ok, Hunter. I will swing first, and when you are ready to change so you can have your turn, my mama brought you some clothes to put on.” As Lily ran off towards the swing, Hunter turned and nuzzled Phoenix under his chin chuffing softly. “I gotcha, Hunter,” Phoenix said.

  Nico pushed Lily on the swing and listened to the sound of her laughter. She was so precious, he thought as he pushed her higher. He glanced over at Jenna where she was sitting on the blanket watching him and Lily, a huge smile on her face.

  The vision came out of nowhere. They were in the jungle and he was up at the top of a steep incline. He felt a searing pain in his chest. He looked down in horror and watched as blood spread from the right side of his chest down. His team was yelling for him, but someone was dragging him away. It hurt so fucking bad and he couldn’t fight them off. “Oh yeah,” someone said. “He will make the perfect specimen for the program. The General will be pleased.” Before his team could get to him, he was loaded on a helicopter and as it lifted into the air, he watched out of the window as Phoenix ran balls to the wall to catch him, screaming his name. Then he closed his eyes and the darkness came.

  As Nico became aware of his surroundings again, he saw Jenna looking at him with concern. He shrugged the vision off for now and smiled at her. Then he felt Phoenix touch his mind, I don’t know what the fuck just happened, but you will tell me later, my brother. Nico gave a slight nod and stopped the swing. Grabbing Lily and throwing her up into the air, he caught her, and then swung her around in a circle. He was distracting her because he didn’t want her to somehow catch his thoughts. He took her over to Jenna and said, “Let’s eat!”

  As everyone gathered around and sat down to eat, Hunter suddenly changed. One minute he was a little bear cub, and the next he was a five year old little boy with curly brown hair and dark brown eyes that desperately needed a pair of pants. With a laugh, Jenna handed him some jogging pants and a tee shirt, and Phoenix helped him get them on.

  Hunter didn’t say a word. He just snuggled up on Phoenix’s lap and waited for Jenna to give him his lunch. His eyes grew round at the amount of food she put on his plate, but he ate every last bit of it. Then he tugged Phoenix with him to the swing so he could have his turn.

  Chapter 31

  Later on that evening all of Angel’s team had gone home except for Phoenix. He had brought a bag with him the night before and planned on staying with Nico as long as Nico needed him. Or until Jenna kicked him out, whichever came first.

  What most people didn’t know was that Nico and Phoenix had been friends for years. They had been in the military together and Nico had once saved Phoenix’s life. He had taken a bullet for Phoenix that would have killed him, but with Nico’s shifter abilities, even though it had hurt like a bitch, it had not mortally wounded him. That was how Phoenix had found out about shifters. He had hidden Nico and kept him safe for several days until he was physically capable of fighting again, and then they had returned to camp with a story about getting separated from their team and being lost. They had been inseparable since then. RARE was the family Phoenix had never had. Nico was the brother he had always wanted. And there wasn’t anything he would not do for him.

  He sat out on the back porch drinking one of the beers that Jenna had stocked the fridge with while they were gone. He was waiting for Nico. He didn’t know what the hell had happened earlier in the day while they were on the picnic, but he was damn well gonna find out. He had seen the vacant look come into Nico’s eyes first. The one he always got when a vision started. Then had come the terror and stark fear. He didn’t know what was up with that, but he was not going to bed until he found out. He had patien
ce, and he would sit out there and wait until Nico was ready to talk about it.

  As he waited, he watched Storm come towards him. She sat down beside him and crossed her arms over her legs as she pulled them up to her chest. Silently, he handed her the extra beer he had brought out for Nico. What the hell, Nico wouldn’t be out anytime soon. She nodded her thanks, and tilting back her head took a long drink. As he watched her throat move as she swallowed, his dick jumped to attention in his jeans. Oh shit. Shifters could smell lust couldn’t they?

  “Stay close to Nico,” she said softly, still not looking at Phoenix. “There’s going to come a time when he is going to need you. Be there for him when he does, and I will come for you,” she promised. I would like to come for you right now, Phoenix thought.

  “I would give my life for him,” Phoenix said out loud. “It won’t come to that,” she said. “Just remember, no matter what, I will come for you.” She turned and looked him directly in the eyes. And then, reaching over and cupping his face in her hands, she pulled him to her and kissed him softly on the lips. Tears filling her eyes, she stood up. “I’m so sorry it has to be this way,” she whispered. “But he will die if you don’t do this.” Reaching out, she trailed a hand across his shaved head and down the side of his face. Then she leaned down and kissed him softly on the head, gently nuzzled his cheek, and turned and walked away.

  What the fuck was that about, Phoenix thought as he tried to will his hard on away. Be there for Nico. Hells to the yeah, he would be there for his brother, no matter what. But when had hard ass Storm the Enforcer become Storm the beautiful, sexy woman he wanted to fuck? He reached down and palmed his erection trying to move it into a less painful position, and groaned loudly when he about shot in his pants. What the fuck?