Chapter 612 Chapter 612
“You got one standing in the treeline on the other side of the river.”
Blaise nodded so Leyton would know she’d heard him. She hadn’t worn her coat because she wanted her hands free and clear in case she needed to reach one of her guns or knives. She supposed that it also served as a show and tell for the rogue, kind of a ‘don’t mess with me’ vibe.
“I’m listening in, Blaise, and so is Raymond.” It was Devin on the comm.
She knew Kenzo and Griffin would be listening too. The more was better for her. If she needed backup, she knew she’d have it.
She went to the man door by the gate and unlocked it. Opening it, she stood in the space and looked at the man on the other side. He wasn’t overly large, not by the standards she was used to with the big team members, but then again, who knew how this man had lived up until now. He had shaggy brown hair and a scruffy beard, which she figured was for warmth.
“I’m Cassius.”
“Blaise, I’m in charge of this place.” She expected flack because of her gender, but he only inclined his head to her.
“Thank you for coming out to talk to me.”
“We’re going to get the one in charge a walkie, Blaise.”
“We’ll be getting you a walkie, so you don’t have to stand outside the gate if you need to talk to me.”
“I appreciate that.” He tucked his hands in his pockets.
“What can I do for you?” Out of habit, she rested her hand on her gun and briefly watched his gaze move over it. He wasn’t intimidated by it in the slightest.
“I’ve spread the word, among other rogue groups, as your King told me to.”
She nodded. She hadn’t known Sheppard Addison had asked him to do that. She’d only found out yesterday about the rogue patrol.
“Others will be coming,” he shrugged. “That storm helped them decide a little stability and a roof over their heads might not be so bad.”
“That’s good. They won’t regret it.”
“I’ll let you know when they’re close enough to be picked up.”
She wondered if the king had just handed out the address or how he’d gotten them here without them knowing everything. “Okay. Are you good on supplies?”
“Yes. Thank you for that. The little ones have been eating themselves into sleep comas, and their mommas are happy for the break.”
Well, hell, they had children. Blaise had to work hard to keep her expression blank. “If you need more, you let me know. We can probably round up some toys and clothes, too. Just get me a list of sizes and ages.” She nodded and half expected Devin to object in her ear, but no one spoke.
“That would be great, thank you.” He cleared his throat. “I was wondering if there was going to be a bigger house to stay at once they start coming in.”
Blaise didn’t know the details about what they were staying in.
“We’re working on that,” Devin stated.
“We’re working on that.” She nodded and hoped she didn’t look like a puppet by repeating her prince’s words.
“Okay.” Something in his expression told her he wanted to talk to her about something but didn’t know how.
“What’s up?” She decided straight forward was better than dancing around it.
“A few that are coming in, one of them is ours, and she just stayed behind for now, but she’s struggling out there on her own.”
Blaise frowned. “Why did you leave her behind then?”
“We weren’t sure,” he cursed softly under his breath, “she’s a mixed breed, can’t shift, and we didn’t know if you’d want her around,” he motioned to the bush, “because she can’t shift and keep watch.”
Blaise almost cursed out loud. “I’m sure she can cook or something to help out your group.” She glanced over her shoulder, back at the Factory, and then looked back at him. “Look, I’ll be straight with you, any shifter, half breed, mix breed, full blood, whatever,” she motioned up the hill, “none of us are safe from Aiden Tomas’ organization.” She shook her head. “He’d cancel any that weren’t full-blooded if they were taken,” she pointed at him, “so you get her here where she’ll be safe.”
He nodded.
She glanced at the factory again. “Can I get a walkie out here now, please?” She didn’t care who ran it out; she just wanted this conversation to be over because now she was miffed, and her cat wasn’t much better. She looked back at him. “Listen, some of us are feeling cooped up in there, so tell your crew that we’ll be coming out for runs a few at a time.” She pointed at him again. “Don’t get in their way.”
“We keep watch. That’s our job.” He nodded. “And thank you for helping us.” He glanced over her shoulder, and she knew someone was bringing out the walkie. “Your King, you tell him we will earn our way for the Alliance’s protection.”
“Here you are, Blaise.”
She turned to see Raymond Hardy ducking his head down to fit through the man door. He held out two walkies. “Just plug them in to charge.” He handed her the cord as well.
“Thank you.”
“No problem.” He inclined his head to Cassius and went back in the gate.
She turned around to see the cautious look on the rogue’s face. She jerked her chin toward the opening. “Head of the Alliance security.”
“He’s a big one.” He grinned.
“He is.” She held out the walkies to him. “Channel,” she almost said two, then realized that was the one they used the most, “three.”
He took them and looked at them for a minute. “Thank you.”
“You good now?” She hoped so because she was one of the shifters she’d referred to that needed to go for a run. They had kids and mixed breeds in their groups. Why had she thought it was just a bunch of grown men bucking the system out there?
“Yes. Thank you.” He bowed his head and took a step back.
“All right then. I’ll be talking to you.”
“Yes, ‘mam.”
Blaise went in and closed the gate.
“Well done,” Devin told her through the comms.
She wasn’t sure how good the rogues’ hearing was, but she had to assume he was a full-blood and it was good, so she waited until she was almost to the building again before she spoke. “They have kids. Why the hell didn’t I know that? And I don’t care if their members can shift or not; they all need protection.” She thought of Griffin. Her own mate hadn’t shifted yet, and he was still just as important as any one of them.
“They didn’t give us details, Blaise,” Devin said quietly. “But I agree with your decision, and we will definitely make sure they’re all housed, and the kids have good clothes and toys.” He paused, “My princess says so.”
Blaise grinned as she entered the building. “You’re clear to come down, Ley.”
“Copy.”
Griffin was walking toward her, he was smiling at her, and the look on his face said he was proud of her. Blaise pulled out the earpiece and switched it off before she did or said something girly that would be broadcast to all listening. He was proud of her. That meant more to her than anything she could think of.