Chapter 12
Gertie
She threw a vase at the fireplace. “Do you feel better now?” Her mom asked.
“Maybe a little but I’ve a long way to go.” Gertie said. She felt betrayed and it didn’t look like that was going to change.
“Look at things from my point of view, Sweetheart.” Mom said. “I need someone I can trust to deal with this. Annie has a baby and Pru is too close to the situation. You need to give your sister your support. I’m not sure what happened to her and if it wasn’t for this war, I would drop everything and go to her.
The worry in her mother’s voice made her feel like a spoiled child. She’d worried about Pru too when she’d heard she’d been kidnapped. Poor Janel had gotten the worst of it and they weren’t sure they’d told them all of what had happened. Thank the goddess Julio had gotten Janel back.
Normally a trip to South America would be no big deal. She’d look at it as a vacation, but not this time. Darby would be there too damn his ugly hide. Okay, maybe that was part of the problem. He wasn’t ugly by any standards. The asshole was too good looking and constantly looking for his next conquest.
That’s who they planned to partner her up with for this investigation. Oh, yeah, and he was her fated mate. Fate was one nasty bitch as far as Gertie was concerned. “If I look at things from your point of view, why can’t you see mine?” It had been a long time since she’d felt like breaking down and crying until now.
Gertie knew without a doubt she’d go if she was forced to. She also saw the way things were going that was exactly what was about to happen. If they made her go she was going to give that grade A asshole hell. It was the only way she could survive being forced to be near him. In her own way she would make him pay.
Going to her room, she packed the best that she could. This would be work so she packed her suits, but not her dresses or her skirts. No it would be pants suits that she could wear as they searched out the monster that had captured her sister and cousin and scared the holy hell out of them.
Black, navy, and a dark grey suit paired, with shirts that were lighter and maybe a few worn jeans and T-shirts if the hunt got dirty. Boots, tennis shoes, she just tossed some things in her bags. There would be one bag of clothes and one of shoes and other things along with her computer bag. This wasn’t that isolated and she could borrow from Janel or Pru since their sizes weren’t that far off.
Now she was packed but she would wait. When she was sure she was going, she would give them a short warning so her room would be ready. From all that she’d heard, things were busy there. Once she arrived they’d be even busier. Darby was about to pay the price for at least some of the pain he’d caused her.
It was several days before she finally flashed to Pru’s and Herk’s home. Darby, thankfully, hadn’t arrived yet and she would be settled in and find the lay of the land before he did. “Tell me how that monster got a hold of my sister?” Gertie asked Herk and Julio.”
“They wanted to go to town, but we are on alert so they were told no.” Herk explained.
It might not be appropriate, but Gertie smiled. That sounded just like Pru. Normally her sister would have been able to handle anyone or anything that she encountered especially with Janel at her side. It was a sad way to learn about the big bad aberrations of this world.
“When is Darby coming?’ She asked changing the subject. No point in dwelling on what had happened. She saw the love Herk and Julio had for their mates. Her sister and cousin were where they needed to be. They just had to learn to be more careful and she was certain they had just learned that.
“He’s not informed us yet. I expect him to be here later today or tomorrow if nothing interferes, but that is my guess.” Herk admitted.
Gertie nodded. If he never arrived that would suit her fine. “I’d like to see my sister and cousin now.”
“Follow me and we’ll take you there.” Herk directed. He picked up one of her suitcases.
“No need to carry it. I’ll move them as soon as I know which room is mine.” Gertie observed. Herk set it back down.
The male seemed alright. She was glad both her sisters had found their happiness especially since she never would. Following Herk, she was aware Julio walked behind her. She hated to be boxed in this way but she would deal with it since they were both family now.
They went upstairs where they quickly found Pru and Janel sitting in a living room together. Both of them jumped up and gave Gertie a hug. “You are both pregnant?”
“Didn’t Mom tell you?” Pru asked.
“No, I would remember that.” Gertie observed. She knew she would and especially both of them. Must be something in the water and she would avoid drinking it.
Life would be exciting now at any rate. She would be an aunty to several small ones and she found she liked the idea of teaching them to fight and sneak around. That would keep their parents on their toes. Gertie almost giggled at the thought. Pru looked to pop in a week or two. Maybe she would be here to see it.
Two days passed where she caught up with Pru and Janel and got to know some of the males that were stationed at the base. She also researched as much as possible about Jorge DeVega and the local area. Gertie had no doubts that the male was a feral vampire of great strength and cunning.
Gertie joined the witches as they made pendants for those among them expecting babies. The last was done and now they started on those attempting to start a family. She even suggested they continue until all witches had a protective medallion. Stroking hers where it hung beneath her shirt, it made sense in times like these that they all had what protection was available.
Pru had taken her advice to heart and they set up a schedule for all the witches to get protection. Darby was due shortly and she was readying herself for it. They were all in the dining room since it was lunch time and they were eating. She sat amid a large collection of males as Daven told stories. Mid laugh she looked to the door and there he stood.
Handsome was an understatement. He was also tall and dark. His hair was black as a crow’s wing and his eyes black as pitch. When he was happy and smiling, his dimples peeked out and his eyes glowed gold. They were a contrast as she was pale, with a peaches and cream complexion while he was a deep tan. Her blonde hair was the color of sunshine and her eyes were sapphire blue. A smile curved her plump pink bow shaped lips. It was not a sweet or forgiving smile. It promised hellfire and suffering.
Although they’d avoided each other whenever possible, it had not always been possible. That meant he knew her well enough to know what was coming. It was why his eyes narrowed in warning. As if she would ever take his warnings seriously. She could hear his vampire growl even from the doorway. It was intended to intimidate and might work on some, but not on her.
Darby made his way to Herk who sat surrounded by Julio on one side and his mate on the other. It seemed many of the males knew who he was and about his frisky nature with females. Those who were mated immediately moved their mates behind them as he walked by. Hmm, she wondered who had let the cat out of the bag. Julio got up and offered his chair to Darby. He found another chair that he slid into the spot between Darby and Janel. No mate would allow Darby to sit by their female.
Julio clearly was no exception. Even if he did the right thing in giving up his spot, he secured his mate by moving between them. Gertie smiled. It might be fun to watch Julio and Herk keep their mates from Darby. If he was getting into politics as Mom had said he was, his reputation would not ease his way. She would do nothing to ease it either. Even though she knew she was expected to work with him like a partner, it was her intention to throw problems in his path. Politics could be frustrating and he needed the proper training.
Darby looked everywhere but where she sat grinning. The fun was just beginning.