Nearly a century before, the first Leo had supposedly died in a fiery helicopter crash while escaping with his scientist mate from the South American lab he was created within.
Where the mate was, Jonas couldn't guess. But he knew where Harmony was, Leo wouldn't be far behind. Unfortunately, the spy operating within Sanctuary was aware of Harmony as well, and now he was betting Alonzo knew.
"Let's get the hell out of here." Jonas turned, careful to make certain he left no evidence of his steps. "Make an anonymous call to the Sheriff's Department in an hour or so and report the wife's and the child's cries. Then we'll fly back in."
"Lance will kill you if you try to take Harmony," Rule warned him as they stepped from the room.
"Lance will fight for her." Jonas grimaced. "But he knows the stakes. And so will she. She'll give me her shadow, and no one will ever know Harmony was here. I'll make sure of that myself."
There were a lot of lengths he would go to in ensuring the survival of the Breeds, but he wouldn't sacrifice his sister, or the child she would eventually conceive. She was the last ounce of gentleness left within his life. And he would make certain it stayed that way.
CHAPTER 18
The phone was ringing as Harmony slipped back into the house. She heard Lance answer it. A few seconds later she heard a vicious curse, a second before he called out her name imperatively.
She moved through the hallway to the doorway, leaning against the frame casually as he jerked sweatpants over his long, muscular legs.
"What's up?"
His head jerked around, his eyes narrowing on her clothes, the weapons, her damp hair.
"Where have you been?" The angry question had her brow lifting.
"I've been running. Why?"
"Running?" he snapped. "After nearly being taken last night you just went off running?"
"I wasn't in any danger," she drawled slowly. "What's the big deal?"
"What time did you leave?" He stalked over to her, stepping directly in front of her before reaching down and sliding her knife from its sheath.
"About dawn."
Harmony watched as his gaze went over the blade, his fingers sliding over it, testing its edge before his gaze lifted and went carefully over her.
His jaw flexed, the muscle jumping beneath the flesh as he watched her.
"What's wrong, Lance?" She straightened slowly. She could see an edge of suspicion in his gaze, a flame of anger burning behind it.
"Did you go to Tommy Mason's house?" he finally asked, his voice dark, warning.
"Mason's?" A frown furrowed her brow as she watched him. "Why would I go to Mason's? He hasn't done anything yet."
"Don't joke about this, dammit!" His hand clenched on the hilt of the dagger. "Did you go there?"
"No, Lance, I didn't go there." She shook her head slowly. "Why?"
"Get cleaned up. Mason's been murdered. His wife and son were locked in the basement and his throat was slit just after dawn. We're heading straight there." Harmony stiffened in shock at the information.
"And you think I did it?" she asked him carefully. "I told you I wasn't there, Lance. Isn't that enough?"
If it wasn't, then she would be damned if she'd tell him who she was with. Fuck it. She should have known better than to believe in complete trust, she thought painfully. Love. Bullshit. "It's enough for me," he snapped, but she could tell it really wasn't. "It won't be for Jonas. Now get cleaned up." He handed her the knife as he repeated the order. "We have a crime scene to investigate."
She took the K-bar and sheathed it slowly, her eyes never leaving him. It was enough for him, but he didn't really believe her.
The smile that pulled at her lips had nothing to do with amusement.
"Yeah, sure, Lance. I'll get ready." She stepped back from him, lifting her chin as she pushed back the disillusionment, the pain. "I'll even hurry." _________
Lance watched her leave, his chest clenching painfully as he searched for the answers he needed in the air around him. It was strangely quiet. There were no echoes of cries or of innocence, as though the winds had deserted him. She wouldn't lie to him, but that wouldn't stop Jonas. And now, when he needed the whispers in the air, they were gone. God, didn't that just figure. Not that he believed she had actually committed the crime. Once she denied it, he knew she hadn't. But someone had, and they were damned determined to frame Harmony for it. His teeth ground together as he forced himself to the shower rather than follow Harmony.
What the hell was he supposed to do now? He had to ask her, he had to know if she had done it. Not that he would have blamed her if she had. He knew her, knew the demons that rode her, and he knew how hard this had to be on her.
Jaime Mason was a tiny little kid for his age. He was always dirty, and always terrified. Liza, his mother, wasn't much better. Both were too young to know how the hell to handle the fear Tommy Mason could mete out. And that was something he knew haunted Harmony. That weakness and fear. The knowledge that monsters used it so easily.
Biting back his curse, he rushed through his shower, forcing himself to wake up, to think. This was going to turn into a nightmare if he wasn't damned careful. He could feel it. Jonas wouldn't be able to keep from using this against her.
Harmony was waiting for him half an hour later when he strode through the hallway. Leaning against the kitchen doorway, her thumbs braced in the wide, leather belt strapped across her hips.
"Let's go," he said. "I want to get there before the scene gets too cold." She followed behind him silently.
"Did you see anyone when you left the house?" he asked as the doors to the Raider closed.
"I didn't see anyone. I could smell Jonas's man Lawe from the front of the house, but I doubt he saw me. I didn't want to be followed."
"Sometimes, you're a little too independent," he growled. "Why didn't you wake me up?"
"Oh, because I'm a big girl." She waved her hand mockingly. "And I didn't want to argue over a simple run."
"A simple run that could have ended in your kidnapping?"
"Maybe. It was a chance I took. I won't accept a cage. Not of any sort. Not even for you."