“How bad is it, Dash?” Mike asked him then, referring, Dash knew, to Cassie’s mental state. Dash sighed deeply. “She’s held up well until now. Men frighten her, though she came to me easily enough. Big men especially, from what I gather. I haven’t had time yet to talk to Elizabeth in depth about what happened. I was hoping to do that while we’re here.”
Now, Dash wondered if he would be able to contain his own rage if his fears held out. Had Grange touched Cassie before locking her in that bedroom and giving Elizabeth the chance to rescue her? If he had, Dash swore silently that he would make certain the man suffered a hell few would know before he died.
Mike breathed out deeply, his body vibrating with a need for revenge. Mike was a damned good father, and his wife and child were his life. He knew Mike would understand the rage threatening to engulf him. The other man was almost as tall as Dash himself, with short, light brown hair and gray eyes. He was less broad than Dash, not as strong in some areas, but definitely a man who could carry himself, and others, in battle. He was a hell of a fighter, and more than trustworthy. But the bottom line was, Mike was a decent man and he would kill for a stranger’s child. For a friend’s, he would inflict a damage few enemies would ever want to face. In that, he was a lot like Dash. Loyalty and the bonds that came with it weren’t easily severed.
“I appreciate you taking us in,” Dash said quietly as Elizabeth and Cassie finally moved slowly from the Hummer. “Cassie and Elizabeth desperately need this chance to rest. I hope we aren’t inconveniencing you.”
“Not at all.” Mike shook his head as he watched the movement on the other side of the vehicle. “You’ll be safe here until we can figure out exactly what’s going on and how to deal with it. But from what I’ve learned so far, there’s a whole lot of pieces missing, Dash. Nothing’s adding up here.”
Dash was aware of that.
“Come on, let’s go inside,” Mike invited him as they moved cautiously toward the women. Cassie had a strangle hold on Elizabeth’s hand, but she seemed to be acting more naturally now that Mica stood talking to her. Mike’s daughter had just turned ten. She was a sweet-natured girl whose lively gray eyes sparkled with happiness.
“Hey, Dad. Cassie’s heard about the Cat people, too,” Mica suddenly piped up. “They had another
interview on the news tonight,” she told Dash. The little girl followed the stories of the Breeds almost religiously. “I think they are so cool. And Tanner is really good-looking.”
“He’s a Bengal Breed.” Cassie looked up at Mike, then Dash. “He’s only twenty-five but he’s becoming known as one of their greatest spokesmen. I bet he’s really nice…” she trailed off faintly.
“Tanner’s quite nice, actually.” Mike smiled down at the little girl. “I met him this past summer with Kane Tyler. Both men are very good spokesmen.”
Cassie looked impressed now, staring up at Mike thoughtfully.
“Kane Tyler doesn’t like speaking in public much.” Cassie frowned as she watched Mike, gauging his response. “He acts like Dash. Tanner is sneakier about what he says. So he’s better.”
Four adults stared down at Cassie in surprise. Mike chuckled. “She’s about right there.” He slapped Dash on the shoulder. “I wonder how much Kane will like knowing an eight-year-old has him pegged so easily?”
Cassie moved closer to her mother, gripping her h*ps tightly as she stared up at Mike with a suddenly fierce expression. “Just cause I’m short doesn’t mean I’m a baby.”
“Cassie.” Elizabeth’s voice firmed as she glanced down at her daughter. “Mr. Toler is our host. And I’m sure he doesn’t think you’re a baby.”
Elizabeth didn’t make excuses for Cassie’s behavior. None was needed. But she was gently letting Cassie know she was stepping beyond her bounds.
“I thought you seemed awful old for your age,” Mike teased her then. “Come on, ladies, I’m older than eight and I need a comfortable chair for visiting. Serena, don’t you and Mica have homemade cookies cooling?”
Serena moved to her husband, her arm wrapping around his waist as she reached up and kissed his cheek softly. “We do indeed,” she said with a smile before turning back to Elizabeth and Cassie. “Come on in and we’ll get you settled in and get some cookies. Cassie, do you like gingerbread?”
Serena ushered Cassie and Elizabeth into the house as Dash and Mike trailed behind. Dash couldn’t help but admire the other woman and how easily she helped Cassie and Elizabeth to feel comfortable.
“Thanks, buddy,” Dash breathed as they entered the house. “It’s been a long haul for them.”
“I can understand that.” Mike shook his head slowly. “Damn, Dash, I’ve had nightmares since you called, thinking about those two and what could have happened before you caught up with them. I don’t know how they survived.”
Dash knew he hadn’t slept much himself before finding Cassie and Elizabeth. And he was starting to feel it.
Dash grunted. “They don’t come close to my nightmares.”
“Come on into the study and we’ll talk.” Mike nodded down a long hallway off the garage entryway.
“I’ve been getting some reports together for you.”
Dash nodded. “Let me talk to Elizabeth first and I’ll be right there.”
He stepped into the living room. Cassie was sitting on her knees in front of the television by Mica, absorbed in the news report and interviews of the Feline Breeds. Elizabeth stood by the kitchen doorway, watching as Serena made coffee.
“Elizabeth.” He said her name softly, gaining her attention. She turned to him, her long hair swaying at her waist, her eyes dark and haunted. God, he hated that look, hated knowing that even now her fears assailed her. In one hand she gripped his service revolver, though she was careful to keep it behind her back so the girls couldn’t see it. She moved to him slowly, her deep blue eyes watching him carefully. She hadn’t relaxed her guard, hadn’t given in to her need to just rest since he had found her other than the few hours she had slept in the motel. She was still running on nerves and fear and it was making him crazy. She needed her rest. Something inside him demanded that she was too weak, too frail, for the hungers rising inside him.