“Damn girl, stop that. You know what I’m talking about.” Hendrick reached back and tugged on her hair. “No, that wasn’t your fault and that thing will die for touching you. You and Maddy are going to get along great.” He smiled, even though it didn’t reach his eyes. He looked at his grandsons. “You two are going to have your hands full. I knew this one was going to be trouble. Your Dad and Kathrine kept saying she was a quiet one, but I knew better, didn’t I,” he teased her.
“Don’t you dare. That was over ten years ago. Plus, you knew what I was doing, you old fart,” she snorted.
“What did I miss?” Logan moved into the back seat carrying her laptop and purse while behind them Cole and her mom hopped in the other waiting car.
“Grandfather was going to tell us a story about our woman,” R.D. actually teased and she knew he was trying to take her mind off of everything.
“Not going to happen. That was between us, and you promised,” Jasmine gave her grandfather a glare, which only had him laughing.
“I promised not to say anything to my son or to Katherine. Your mates have a right to know what a sneak you are.” Hendrick glanced out the window, scanning their surroundings, but continued his story.
“Our princess here came to spend the week with me after graduating Junior High. She had just turned 15 and the boys around the house were just starting to notice her. Well Cole though it a good idea that she would stay the week with me while he had a little chat with the local boys.”
“He did what? I’ll kill him! No wonder none of them came near me when I came home,” she grumbled.
“You’re lucky he did, seems Cole already knew you were meant to be with his boys. They had come for a visit when you were about ten. I’m sure you don’t remember, but it was right after R.D.’s son was taken. He wasn’t paying any attention and neither was Logan, but when you came into the room and started playing with your dolls both of them turned to stare at you, frowning. They might not have noticed it, but your father did. R.D., both yours and Logan’s wolf came rushing to the surface when she walked into the room.” Hendrick glanced over his shoulder at the two of them. “Most likely you thought it was because you were upset about your son, but Cole knew better. He’d seen the same reaction to other men and girls that would be their mate when they reached adulthood.”
“Why didn’t he tell us?” Logan snarled.
“Because Jasmine deserved to be a teenager. Her childhood was hell and your father was bound to make sure she had it all. Now back to my story.” Hendrick looked over his shoulder at her and winked.
“One night it was about 6:00 because it was dinner time. Your grandmother went in search for Jasmine, but she was nowhere to be found. One of the hands heard we were searching for her and mentioned that he had seen a cab come and pick her up about an hour before. It took me about 30 minutes to follow her. I was furious to say the least, but when I found her, all that anger left me.”
His big green eyes met hers and he smiled. “Never had I been more proud of her. One of her friends from school was at the hospital having some minor surgery, but while visiting her it seems our princess also volunteered on the children’s ward. Your grandmother and I found her reading a story to a group of children. When we walked in, she looked up and winked at me, but continued her reading. She even had one of the aids enthralled with her.”
She blushed, remembering Tank. She’d had the biggest crush on him in high school. “You said something to him, didn’t you?” Jasmine frowned. “One day he was talking to me and the next time I showed up to read, he stood in the doorway and wouldn’t come near me.”
“Sorry, but I too knew this boy was not for you. You two have a precious woman there. I could actually see her reading to your children that day. Even your grandmother said she couldn’t wait to see your children. Damn it, what the hell is Maddy doing now?” The car pulled around in front of what had to be some sort of mansion. It almost looked like the house in the 70’s TV series.
“Crap! If you think I’m going to clean this thing, you have another thing coming! Damn, it’s huge.” Jasmine looked at Logan and then at R.D. “You two need that much room?” she squeaked, while watching the woman sunbathing in the front water fountain.
“Okay, now that would so be me,” she laughed. The woman turned seeing the cars come in and she started to wave at them.
“Hi cuzs! I was getting a little bored waiting for you so I decided to get some morning sun, well afternoon now. Are you going to introduce us?” The woman asked, staring at her and nudging Logan.
“Where the hell did you get that suit? Does your father know you wear clothes like that?” Hendrick growled. “Get in the house. We have company coming.”
“Oh, they’re already here. Stupid jerks. I didn’t know you have blood suckers as guests.” she mumbled and glared back at the door.
“Jasmine, meet my cousin, Maddy Brawn. Maddy, this is our mate, Jasmine Alexander. She’ll be living here now. Do not go outside today. We’ve upped the guards and the pack is coming in. Go get dressed and tell the staff to open the left wing.” R.D. ordered.
Maddy looked up at R.D. in shock “What’s wrong? We haven’t opened the left wing in ages. The last time we were under… Who’s attacking? Are mom and dad safe?” She glanced at Hendrick as he guided Maddy into the main
