Chapter 9

Caleb threw the beer bottle at the old oak, taking no satisfaction in the way it exploded on the bark and rained to the ground with the rest of the collection that littered the ground.

Not much mattered to him these days. Nothing except the brief flashes of memory that plagued his mind. And even those moments provided no comfort. He didn’t know what was real. Had Conn been taken, or had she left on her own accord? He kept going back to one moment that had flashed through his head a week ago. Conn’s hands on his face. Feeling something crawling into his mind and her voice. “Forget…I’m sorry…I love you.”

Was that real? Had she used her abilities somehow to make him forget what really happened? Had she left him because she wanted to? Because she felt she was protecting him? Did she love him or was that nothing more than something he’d cooked up in his head?

He groaned and leaned forward in the lawn chair, his elbows on his knees and hands covering his face. What the hell was he going to do? He couldn’t go on like this, not able to concentrate or sleep or be civil to anyone around him. Another month of this and he’d be a worthless alcoholic. Or insane.

He had to find the answers. But where?

“Start with me,” came a voice from behind him. A voice he thought was nothing more than a wishful imagining until he felt her hands on his, pulling them away from his face.

“Conn,” he was out of the chair, pulling her to her feet from where she knelt in front of him to engulf her in his arms.

“Caleb.” Her voice was a choked whisper against the side of his neck.

For a long time, they stood locked in each other’s arms, not speaking, just clutching one another. At length, she gently pulled back.

“I’m so sorry, Caleb,” she said, tearing tracking down her face.

“What happened?” he asked. “Things are…jumbled in my head.”

Conn’s throat constricted painfully, choking back the sob that rose. What had she done? Caleb had aged five years. His eyes were hollow and ringed with dark circles, his face unshaven and his hair a matted mess. His clothes looked like they’d been worn for quite some time and he’d definitely lost weight.

She’d done this to him. It made her sick. “Caleb, there’s a lot I need to tell you. But you need to be rested and possessed of a clear mind. Let me take you inside. You can bathe and I’ll prepare you something to eat. And after you’ve eaten and slept, we’ll talk.”

“Talk now,” he barked. “Tell me what happened!”

“Not now,” she insisted quietly, feeling a stab of guilt as she utilized the skills Azarth had shown her how to employ and sent a tendril of energy into his mind, a suggestion that he was hungry and tired.”

His eyes narrowed and his jaw tightened, and she wondered if maybe she’d failed. Then he blinked, blew out his breath and nodded. “You promise you’re not going to leave again?”

“I promise.”

He nodded again, took her hand, and went inside with her. As he mounted the stairs to head for the shower, she went into the kitchen and picked up the phone.

Ana answered on the second ring. “Hi,” Conn said.

“Conn! Oh my god. Conn. What happened to you? Where are you? Caleb is half crazy and—”

“I’m with him, Ana,” Conn cut in. “At the Circle R. I’ll explain everything. I promise. After I’ve explained to Caleb. I just wanted you to know I’m here.”

“Thanks, honey. You call if you need me.”

“I will. Thank you, Ana.”

She hung up the phone and looked in the refrigerator to see what she could heat up for Caleb. By the time she had two plates filled and heating in the microwave, the table set, and tall glasses of iced tea poured, she heard the soft pad of bare feet enter the room. She turned to look at him.

And her breath caught in her throat. Standing there with wet hair, wearing only a pair of faded jeans, he was every bit as potent as the first moment she’d set eyes on him.

“You can’t imagine how much I want you at this moment,” she admitted.

“The feeling’s mutual,” he said with a hint of his old self that faded too quickly to be replaced with a look of anguish.

“Were you taken from me, or did you leave me, Conn?”

She knew then that dinner would be a forgotten affair. She could see the need in his eyes and the determined set of his jaw. He’d go without nourishment, but answers were critical to his well-being.

“Yes.”

“Ye…” he stammered in shock. “Yes? Yes what? Yes, you left because you were forced or because you wanted to.”

“Because I saw no other way to protect you and the other people on this ranch.”

“What does that mean? The NSA threatened me and my employees?”

“No.”

“Then what?” He yelled and snatched up a glass of tea from the counter, hurled it across the room and stalked over to her.

“Those people were not agents of the government.”

“Then who the hell were they?” He grabbed her by the arms and lifted her slightly as he pulled her a little closer.

“You’re hurting me,” she said softly.

“You damn near killed me,” he growled in reply.

That effectively smothered anything she could think to say. He was right. She’d wronged him and deserved whatever anger he felt. But there was more than anger in his voice and in the tension in his body. There was hunger.

“And you’re the most magnificent man I’ve ever known,” she whispered. “The one man I want and need.”

The tight-fisted grip he had on her arms loosened to become a slow caress on her skin that flamed the fire inside her brighter. “You’re so beautiful, Caleb,” she said as she reached up to trace her fingers across his chest. “So perfect.”

“There’s nothing perfect about me, Conn."

“Oh, but there is,” she argued, moving her hand from his chest and down his abdomen, feeling his muscles tense. She reached the top of his jeans and slowly unbuttoned them, keeping her eyes locked with his.

His eyes were filled with heat and longing as she unzipped his jeans and pushed them down over his hips. “I’ve missed you so,” she said, letting her fingertips glide up the inside of his thighs to his manhood then move away. She felt him shiver at the light caress and repeated it but this time when she reached his erection, she took him in her hand, squeezing and stroking in a slow rhythm His eyes closed and his head titled slightly back. She knelt in front of him, taking him in her mouth and was rewarded with a lusty groan. The movement of her tongue and mouth had him tensing. She felt his need and knew that he would not last long. But she did not stop until his hands fisted in her hair and tugged her to her feet.

His lips claimed hers in a kiss that was near brutal in its hunger, need so hot and urgent that gentleness was momentarily forgotten. She understood and did not protest when his hands grabbed her shirt and ripped it open. Nor did she protest when his hands closed on her breasts, pressing them together and lifting them high. His mouth closed on one nipple, sucking and biting as if in a frenzy.

She gasped at the small jolt of pain but did not fight against it. She was his and would give him what he needed.

As if suddenly realizing how rough he was, he stopped, turning his attention to undressing her. When she stood nude before him, he stepped back, his eyes leaving a tangible tingle on her skin as they traveled down her body.

“You’re so beautiful,” he whispered hoarsely then let his eyes meet hers. “Are you mine, Conn, or is this some trick? Are you really here or is this just another trick my mind is playing on me?

“I’m here, Caleb,” she took his hand and placed it against her heart. “This is real. As is my love for you. And I am yours. For as long as you want me.”

*****

Conn was feeling more than a little anxious as she and Caleb descended the stairs of the ranch. She’d returned two weeks ago and since her return neither she nor Caleb had left the house. No one aside from Ana and Chase knew she was there. It had to be that way.

Caleb had even sent Hannah and her family on a three-week paid vacation to make sure that the house was empty.

Conn had explained everything to Caleb. Where she came from, the political situation on the worlds of V’Kar, why the V’Kar were on earth and about their greatest enemy on earth, The Alliance.

As a credit to him, he’d accepted her at her word. She suspected it would have been more difficult if she had not mentally joined with him, giving him access to her thoughts.

Their greatest difficulty to overcome was the fact that she’d left to protect him. She understood. As a man it went against the essential male grain to have a women feel she was in the position of protector as it was a man’s natural inclination to see himself in that role.

It’s taken some time, but in the end, he agreed that had the situations been reversed he probably would have done the same thing. Relief couldn’t come close to describing the weight that lifted from her when he said he understood.

But they still had some hard choices to make if they were going to ensure the safety of the people on the Circle R and all of Caleb’s family. And the best solution meant revealing information that was sure to be not only a shock to all of the Russell family, but to bring to the forefront old family anger that had lain dormant for many years.

Caleb had called his father and all of his brothers and asked for a family meeting. Everyone had arrived two days ago and since then Conn had told them everything, not sparing a detail. She wasn’t sure it was wise, but Caleb had insisted on full disclosure, and she was not able to go against him on that.

Having two witches and a shapeshifter in the family had certainly dulled what could have been a shock. Still, even with paranormals as family members, announcing that not only do aliens exist but that they’d been walking the earth for countless centuries was not the easiest story to make seem believable.

In the end they had believed her. Well, after a few demonstrations of her abilities and a lot of inside information that Azarth had warned her might prove dangerous for them to know.

Last night the discussion had ended with Caleb announcing that he and Conn had a plan to keep the Alliance from targeting the ranch and their family, but they’d discuss in the following morning.

Now it was time to face the music and Conn felt this aspect was going to be far more of a blow to the family than having been introduced to a woman from outer space as Caleb’s brother Cole put it.

Caleb stopped at the door of the kitchen and gave her hand a squeeze. “Don’t worry. It’ll be okay.”

She could hear the voices inside the kitchen. There was a lot of speculation about what kind of plan Caleb could have in mind. She looked up at him. “Are you sure you want to do this, Caleb?”

“Absolutely. I love you, Conn.”

“And I love you.”

“Then let’s get this show on the road, honey,” he said with what she read as false bravado.

She nodded and they entered the room.

All talk ended and all eyes focused on her and Caleb.

“Okay, let’s have it,” Charlie said.

“Morning, dad,” Caleb said with a grin. “That coffee smells good. “

“Sit, sit,” Clara said and rose from her seat. “I’ll get it.”

Conn and Caleb took seats at the table. Caleb placed the leather portfolio he had tucked in his arm on the table. After Clara had poured them coffee and taken her seat Charlie spoke up again. “Well?”

Caleb looked from him to Conn then back again. “I think it might be best for Conn to explain.”

“Please do,” Charlie said to her.

“Very well,” she said and folded her hands together on top of the table. She said the eyes that followed the motion of Caleb’s hand landing on top of hers.

“In order to explain, it is necessary that I delve into the history of the Russell family.” She saw the way Charlie’s eyebrows rose and the way the twins looked at each other. Only Chase seemed unaffected. But then she’d learned that Chase was like deep water. There could be much activity in the depths even when the surface was as pristine as glass.

“Specifically,” she said. “Mr. Russell’s brother, Jack and his wife, Alana.”

“Hold on there, missy,” Charlie said. “We don’t discuss that—that bitch in this house.”

“Sir, with all due respect, there is much you do not know about Alana and your brother,” Conn argued gently. “Your family believes that Jack abandoned his place in the family to run off with some Gypsy tramp, turning his back on the family legacy. In truth, your brother left in order to protect all of you.”

“That’s a load of shit,” Charlie spat.

“On the contrary,” Conn met his anger without flinching. “Alana was neither a Gypsy nor a tramp. She was V’Kar. More specifically, a member of the Sisterhood. Your brother left because by staying he put you in the crosshairs of the Alliance’s sights. He was willing to risk his own life for the woman he loved, but not the lives of his brother or his father.”

“The only way to protect you and your family was for Jack to leave with Alana. The V’Kar number is strong in Florida, and they offered to provide Jack with land and the funds to start his own ranch.”

“That’s such a load of cow shit!” Charlie exclaimed. “Jack’s nothing but a whore mongering renegade who lost his honor the day he turned his back on this family and took off with that slut.”

“Hold on, dad,” Caleb spoke in a voice so quiet, yet so full of strength and power that everyone, including Charlie looked at him in surprise.

“She’s not lying,” Caleb said. “I know because I talked with Jack myself. He confirmed everything she said.”

Charlie’s mouth fell open then closed and he shook his head, clearly at a loss for words. There was loud silence for a long time. Cole’s wife Rusty was watching Charlie so intently and it was she who broke the silence “You mean your uncle is married to one of Conn’s people?” she asked and when Caleb nodded, she smiled. “Cool.”

Chase smirked at her comment. “Let’s say all this is true. What does that have to do with what’s happening now?”

“Glad you asked,” Caleb said. “I’m moving to Florida. The lady Conn told you about, Pandora? She met with Jack and Alana, and they’ve arranged everything.”

“You’re leaving?” Ana asked in a voice choked with emotion.

Caleb nodded. “No other way, beautiful. If we stay the V’Kar will try and protect us, but the Alliance is strong and there’s no guarantee that they won’t strike out at one of you to get to Conn.”

“You moving to Florida won’t keep them from striking at us if they mean to use us as leverage against you,” Chase pointed out.

Caleb looked at Conn and his hand tightened on top of hers before he answered. “Two weeks from now information will be released that the woman who escaped the helicopter crash was an illegal alien with ties to a terrorist cell. She was five foot ten and had sandy blond hair and brown eyes.

“It’ll go on to say that she showed up here impersonating a woman I hired as a vet assistant and when I found out that the real Connery Hoffman had been killed, I called the authorities who came and took Conn into custody.

“She was killed when the car the government agents were driving was forced off the road by a cell of terrorists. Many of them were killed in the battle as well and those who did escape are being sought by the government now.”

“What?” Caleb’s brother Cole, up until that point quiet, bellowed.

“I will not perish,” Conn answered. “But the Alliance will believe that I have. When Caleb arrives in Florida, he will be introduced to a relative of Alana’s who has come to stay with her, Constance Zane. An identity has already been arranged that will hold up to even the closest scrutiny.”

Charlie shook his head. “Honey I ain’t calling you a liar, but that’s a mighty tall order. And if what you say is true, then there are people who’ve seen you and can identify you.”

“I think not,” came a voice from the door. All the men jumped. Chase was already out of his chair with fists clenched. “No, it’s all right,” Conn exclaimed and stood. Azarth stood framed in the doorway.

More than one person at the table started. Azarth entered the room. “Forgive the intrusion, but I felt it prudent to visit and lend my assurance to all of you that the plan Raenea—forgive me, Conn—has set into motion will indeed succeed.”

“Just who the hell are you?” Charlie asked.

“Forgive me,” Azarth inclined his head. “I am Azarth, Minister of Science and Medicine.”

“So, you’re an alien?” Cole’s wife, Rusty asked.

“From your perspective, yes,” he answered with a smile.

Rusty and Scout shared a look and grinned. Charlie did not smile. In fact, his frown deepened. “I’m not going to ask you to prove that statement, sir, but I will ask you to prove to me that this plan has a chance in hell of succeeding and keeping this family safe from your enemies.”

“Of course. May I?” Azarth gestured to chair that sat beside the refrigerator.

“Sorry, let me get that,” Caleb answered and pulled the chair to the table.

“Thank you.” Azarth took a seat. “The identity that has been secured for Conn is one that will never be put to question. I feel sure she has mentioned Pandora to you?”

“The Mother Superior of this Sisterhood in your star system?” Ana asked. “Yes.”

“Excellent. Pandora has lived on this world, as have I since the time before the great civilization of Sumer rose to greatness. In that era, she was worshipped as a goddess, as she has been in many subsequent cultures. Today, she is known as Pandora Gotleib, the majority stockholder of one of the most powerful communication conglomerates in the world.

“And as something of a recluse who guards her family with great care. As a contingency that something should go wrong when a member of her board of directors, Eric Zane, lost his wife and child during childbirth, information was released that the wife had died but the child had survived. At the time Conn was placed in Shen’s care, additional information was released that this child was being schooled in the most exclusive and private academies in the world. Photos have been amassed over the resulting years of Conn, should the need arise to move her from Shen’s care to Pandora’s protection.”

“Last week Eric Zane died and today a press release was issued that his only surviving heir, Constance, had sold all of her stock back to the majority stockholders. Mr. Zane’s only surviving family aside from his daughter is Alana Zane Russell. Mrs. Russell flew to Zurich immediately following the death of her brother to help Constance settle the estate.

“Today information was leaked that Constance Zane would accompany her aunt to Florida where she would be staying for an indefinite period of time.”

“Damn!” Cole muttered. “You people sure plan in advance, don’t you?”

“But why?” Clay asked.

“I’d like to know that myself,” Chase added.

Azarth looked around at everyone. “When you have lived as long as we have, you learn to always think ahead. Contingency plans are a necessity for one can never predict when a random element will wreak havoc with even the best laid plan.”

“You mean like Conn jumping out of that helicopter?” Ana asked.

“Exactly,” Azarth said with a smile. “Had she stayed aboard the aircraft, she would have been taken into custody upon arrival by people loyal to us and we would have extricated her from further scrutiny.”

“Guess that just wasn’t in the cards,” Chase said. “Fate has a way of intervening”

“Indeed, it does, sir.”

He looked around at everyone. “If there are no further questions, it is time for us to take our leave.”

Caleb rose and extended his hand to Azarth. “Thank you.”

Azarth nodded respectfully and accepted the handshake. Conn got up and when Caleb turned to her, went into his arms. “I’ll try not to screw this plan up,” she said.

Azarth chuckled. “My dear, this time I believe we have a plan that not even the daughter of the Heir Apparent can destroy. Although, as am I fond of saying these days, it would be wise not to underestimate your ability.”

Conn chuckled. “Well, I’m sure that’s a veiled insult, but today I can’t be upset about anything. Thank you. For everything.”

“I believe that if one of my kind chose to mate with a human, a member of this family would be a wise choice.”

“Amen brother,” Conn chirped in a perfect accent that had every chuckling, even Azarth.

Charlie shook his head and leaned back in his chair. “I tell you what, I sure am glad I don’t have any more kids. These four have given me enough surprises to kill a weaker man.”

All the men laughed at the comment. Conn watched the interaction between the members of the family and was suddenly looking forward to the day that she could take her place as a member of the family and share such love and companionship.

“So, when do you leave?” Chase asked Conn.

“Now,” came a soft female voice leading into the living room.

Everyone started. Azarth extended his hand as Pandora entered. She placed her hand lightly atop his as he made the introductions. “This Pandora, Mother Superior of the Sisterhood.”

“No harm will come to your son,” Pandora directed her statement to Charlie. “He and Princess Raenea—forgive me, Conn, are merely fulfilling their destiny. As unbelievable as it may seem to you, this is Caleb’s destiny. And it is the way to insure lasting protection to your family and a member of the royal family.”

“You sure he’ll be safe?” Charlie asked. “I’m still not sold on the idea of him spending time with that renegade Jack. Even if he is married up with one of your…followers or whatever.

“They will not be alone,” Azarth answered. “Remember, our numbers are many and our plan well considered. Upon his arrival in Florida, there will be many to safeguard him from harm. As there will here. With your permission, of course. I have volunteers willing to work on your ranch to ensure your continued safety.

“I only want my family to be safe,” Charlie said as he stood and walked around the table to face Azarth. “Man to man, I have your word?” He stuck out his hand.

Azarth took it without hesitation. “Upon my honor, I give you my word.”

“I hope for your sake, your honor’s worthy, sir. Because if something happens to any one of my family, including Conn, nothing on this world or yours is going to stop me from exacting vengeance. You get my drift?”

“Indeed, I do,” Azarth nodded respectfully then looked in Conn and Caleb’s direction.

“Are you ready?”

Conn hugged Caleb tight. “I’ll be waiting for you.”

“I’ll be there baby, don’t you worry.”

“I love you, Caleb.”

“I love you, Conn. And as soon as we can get back here, I’m gonna marry you. If you’ll have me, that is.”

She grinned up at him. “Just try and get rid of me, Caleb Russell. Remember I can shapeshift and I’d hate to see you wind up with the world’s biggest slug stuck to your fine behind.”

Caleb laughed and hugged her again, then released her as Ana got up and ran over to Conn. “You hurry back, little sister,” Ana whispered through tears. “And we’ll have the biggest wedding this county’s ever seen.”

“Thank you,” Conn replied, blinking back tears of her own, and looking around at everyone. “Thank you all.”

She gave Caleb a long lingering kiss then nodded to Pandora. “I’m ready.”

“Very well,” Pandora said and nodded to the family. She and Azarth left the room. Caleb took Conn’s hand and followed.

When they reached the dark sedan parked outside, Caleb paused and held Conn close. “Promise you’ll be there waiting for me?”

“Upon my life,” she vowed. “You don’t think I’m going to let you weasel out of marrying me, do you?”

“Honey, that’s the last thing I’d do. You call me on the phone Azarth gave me when you get there. And a hundred times a day until I arrive.”

“I will.”

Caleb looked at Azarth. “You make sure she’s safe.”

“Always. Now, we must go.”

Caleb grabbed Conn for one more kiss then reluctantly let her go. He watched until the car disappeared from sight then returned inside the house where the family was waiting.

“Son, I’m not happy about this,” Charlie said the moment Caleb entered the room. “Not happy at all.”

“It’s going to be okay, Dad. They’ll keep her safe and once I get there and spend enough time to make it reasonable, we’ll come back and—”

“That’s the part that rankles me, boy. You being there with that scoundrel, Jack.”

“Just what is the deal with you and Jack, anyway?” Clara asked.

“Yeah,” Chase added.

Charlie blew out his breath. “I told you. He’s a renegade and a scoundrel.”

“What does that mean?” Caleb asked, taking a seat.

“It means that when Pa was ailing and we needed him the most, he up and left. Took off with that gal and turned his back on the family without a look back.”

“He was in love,” Ana said softly. “And wanted to protect the woman he loved. Surely you understand that better than most, Charlie. Look what happened when you thought Clara’s life was in danger.”

Charlie shot her a heated look, but it faded fast. He sighed heavily. “Still, he could’ve come back. Or stayed in touch. It’s been…damn fifty years.”

“Did you ever try to get in touch with him?” Caleb asked.

“Nope.”

“Why not?”

Charlie opened his mouth as if to answer, then closed it and shook his head. “Too much water under that bridge boy. You can’t go back.”

“But you can go forward,” Caleb said gently. “Dad, it’s time to mend those bridges and bring the family back together. Conn taught me that in a roundabout way. She’s spent her whole life wondering why she was alone with no family. And longing to be part of one. And now she knows who she is, but still, she can’t be with her parents. Hell, she can’t even see them for fear of putting lives at risk. But she can be part of a family and know what it means to have that love and support. And I want her to have as much of that as I can give. Including Uncle Jack.

“And I think you want it, too. To mend things, I mean.”

“So now you know what I want?”

“No, but I do,” Clara spoke up. “And Caleb and Conn have provided the perfect opportunity for you and Jack to heal those old wounds. So, you will mend the fence, Charlie Russell.”

“Is that a fact?”

“Oh, it is indeed,” Clara said with a smile. “Or you can take it to the bank that the Russell women will make sure you’re miserable as an old goat tied at the shed ‘till you do.”

“Amen,” Ana spoke up, followed by a chorus from Rusty and Scout.

Charlie shook his head, trying in vain to stop a grin from spreading on his face, but failing. “I swear, if it ain’t my boys that are gonna kill me, it’s you damn women.”

Clara laughed and hugged him. “You better believe it, you old coot. Now, get yourself on the phone and call your brother. Me and the gals got some planning to do.”

“What kind of planning?” Charlie asked as she got up from the table.

“Honey we got a wedding to plan.” She said as she got a note pad and pen from one of the kitchen drawers. “Girls, let’s go into the den and put our heads together.”

Charlie looked around at the men as the women got up to follow Clara. “Ain’t that jumping the gun a bit? Caleb hadn’t even left yet?”

Ana spoke up from the door. “Planning a wedding takes time.”

Charlie just looked at Chase who groaned and shook his head. “Don’t even try to fight it. This is a battle you can’t win.”

Caleb laughed and leaned back in his chair, grinning at his father and his brothers. He couldn’t wait for the next step in the plan.