“What if I get Norman and you can relocate him and his family away from your ranch?” she stopped and closed her eyes. Her fingers tightened on the blanket that she kept around her.
The roar of anger pounded in her head, the Nightmare Man was awake and furious. Instantly she started to build the wall around herself trying anything to push him back, but then she felt something, or someone move inside her.
Both Logan and R.D. were there, surrounding her with warmth. A the same time, they were following the link back, gathering information until the blood sucker realized what was going on. The connection broke and she sagged with relief as Logan and R.D. gently pulled away from her.
“He’s close and so is her father. Kane Bellow is what he is calling himself, but I believe you know him, Father,” Logan stated, talking her hand into his and kissing it, his gaze holding hers. “He won’t be able to come back through you now.”
“Really? How?” she asked, shocked. For years she had built up the shield in her mind to protect herself.
“Once we entered your mind and he withdrew, we closed the opening, so he couldn’t come back. Our blood now runs through you. I’m sorry we had to allow him to come in this one last time, but we needed to know who we were dealing with and how close they are,” R.D. stated, kissing the top of her head before getting out of the bed and moving towards the bathroom. “His real name is Hisao. At least that’s all I could get.”
“I know who he is and we’ll discuss this later, but for now, young lady, there will be no more secrets. Is that understood?” Cole’s voice dropped, indicating he was furious. “I know you meant well, but you getting hurt also hurts us.”
Katherine moved out of Cole’s arms and came around to the bed where R.D. had just left, sitting down next to her. “I love you, Jasmine, and please don’t take this the wrong way, but you are so naïve and in some ways so innocent. You need to trust Cole’s sons. They’ll take good care of you.” Her mother reached over and took her hand, but Jasmine pulled away from her and tried to get out of the bed on the other side.
“Move out of the way, Logan,” Jasmine said through her clenched teeth, furious at her mother.
“You’re upset. Why?” Logan placed his fingers under her chin and applied pressure until she lifted her head. “Tell me.”
“She’s angry at me, because I spoke the truth,” her mother said, getting off the side of the bed and moving back into Cole’s arms.
“Actually, mother you’re wrong,” Jasmine turned and glared at her mother. “I’ve worked since I was 16, I’ve volunteered at the Rape Crisis Center for the past four years, and I have even dated a few men, and have had sex.” The last words earned growls from Logan and R.D. who came out of the bathroom in jeans only. But Cole’s response was a shocker.
“When? I had you watched the whole time you’ve been here!” Cole growled and she actually laughed.
“Do you really believe I didn’t know this? There are ways to get away from the guards, Cole.” She pulled the sheet loose from the bed and slowly inched her way to the edge of the bed where R.D. met her.
“What are you doing?” he asked kneeling down in front of her. “You need to rest. I have a warm bath running for you and if you want, after your bath, I can carry you downstairs to the den.” he reached up and brushed her hair out of her face.
“Please give us the chance to show you this can work, but I still want to know who these men were.’ R.D growled.
“Why? If what my mother said is true and I’m so damn innocent, why would you want that? You two are alpha men and you need an alpha woman at your side not some sniveling little girl.”
“Listen to the bitch, she’s right!” A woman said from the door, as all heads turned toward the voice.
“That is it!” Her mother shrieked and ran towards the woman trying to attack her, but Cole grabbed Katherine around the waist, swinging her up in his arms.
“Logan, get her out of here now!” Cole shouted and tried to keep her mother contained in his arms.
“Mom, stop,” she sighed. “I really don’t need this right now. Move R.D. I’m going to take my bath.” Jasmine tried to push R.D. out of the way, but he just leaned in and carefully picked her up.
“You are not ready to walk yet,” he turned and glared at the new woman. “That is the last straw. You are our mother, but I will take no more. You can have the house in Florida, but if I ever see you here in Texas again I will personally destroy you. Get her out of here.”
Jasmine didn’t know R.D. well, but when he threatened his mother all gentleness was gone from his voice. She shivered and stared up at him as he carried her into the bathroom.
He placed her on the bathroom counter, and stared at her. “I know that scared you and I’m sorry you had to witness that, but there are things you don’t know yet. If she was anyone else, she would be dead now, but because she’s our mother, she lives.” R.D. smiled at Jasmine.
“I have a son out there somewhere. I know he’s alive because I’d know if he was dead in here.” He placed his hand over her heart. “I was stupid one night and got someone pregnant. I raised my son myself, but unfortunately I trusted my mother with my son and now he’s gone. I will never trust her again, but if there are any hints to
