Chapter 15

Jacques returned to the mansion, his thoughts on Laylah's behavior. She'd acted differently this morning. Happier, in fact. Not that it was a bad thing, but he'd watched the spark of hope that made her pray for Henry's love progressively diminish. Henry might be married to his work, but Laylah should come first and she didn't. His Alpha's excuses were weak and illogical.

Last night's dinner had gone worse than anticipated. He had seriously considered telling Henry to take a long walk off a short pier, but restrained himself. His Alpha's rough handling of Laylah's feelings had hit Jacques hard. His duty was to protect her, and though it did not specify emotional protection, he wanted to provide that, too.

He parked the limo and sat for a few minutes thinking about the strange behavior of the rich, the loss of trust by the young, and the reasons why he stayed with this very dysfunctional family. He sighed, got out and froze. Something was wrong.

Jacques shed his jacket, pulled his gun from its shoulder holster and stalked toward the front door. His eyes constantly checked his surroundings as he climbed the stairs. He noted the door was ajar. Tightening his grip on his weapon, Jacques nudged the door open enough to slide inside.

Silently he checked each of the five downstairs rooms. All were empty. He put his ear to the kitchen door, listened but heard nothing. Tense now, Jacques cautiously pushed the handle down and eased the door open. The skylights flooded the kitchen with light. In one sweeping glance, he saw the overturned trash can, broken plates and flour covering the floor around the stove and sink.

His eyes narrowed and, keeping low to the floor, he crept toward the flour. He stopped and examined the paw prints that were visible. Growling when he recognized that the prints were from a wolf, he knew there would be trouble. He knew who those paw prints belonged to.

He ducked as he heard the hiss of the dart gun. He rolled to the right where he crouched with his own gun ready. "Might as well show your ugly mug, Gerard."

"You always had the best eyesight," chuckled Gerard Draco as he came through the pantry doorway, a savage grin on his face. "But such bad taste in Alphas. You should come join a winning team."

"Only an ex-pack member would think that." Jacques sized up his opponent. Gerard had filled out somewhat in the last thirteen years. No longer a youth, Gerard was a broad shouldered man and dangerous. Jacques was going to have to tread carefully here. Even as a boy, Gerard had cheated at games and wasn't adverse to dirty fighting.

"I smell her stink on you. Why'd you go to her? What did Zina promise you, Gerard? Chance to be an Alpha mate, perhaps?" He saw the tension around his unwelcome visitor's mouth and knew he'd hit a nerve. "She did, didn't she? I swear that woman needs to learn some new tricks. Of course, you can't teach an old dog new ones," Jacques mocked, weapon ready as he waited for Gerard to take the bait.

"Don't talk about Alpha Zina that way, you disgusting cur!" Gerard charged, enraged at Jacques' words.

Jacques fired at the younger man, leaped up and around and punched with his left fist. People forgot he was a southpaw, an advantage he used in fights like this one. The blow connected and Gerard stumbled. Jacques was on him, pummeling him, forcing the man to retreat. He didn't give his opponent time to think as he followed him into the foyer. His intent was to take Gerard down. He couldn't kill him because only Gerard knew where the staff was. He circled his opponent and waited for an opportunity to end the fight.

Gerard growled and warily watched Jacques. He jumped when Jacques fired a shot that clipped his left arm. He howled and grabbed the wound. "You'll pay for that!"

The look in Gerard's eyes gave Jacques pause. He had only a second to wonder before he was bowled over from behind by a giant snarling leopard. They crashed to the floor and the gun skittered out of reach. He swore and tried to buck his attacker off, but the leopard raked its claws down his back.

Jacques grunted and, with a hard twist, snagged the leopard's hind leg, yanking the creature off him. He punched it in the head and watched it go still. The giant cat wasn't dead but it would sleep for a while. He came to his feet, eyes focused on Gerard's gaping mouth. "You honestly didn't think a cat could take me down, did ya, boy?"

"Maybe not a leopard, but he can."

 It was then Jacques heard the heavy breathing. Pasting a smile on his face, he turned around. "Hiya, Alexis. Long time, no smell. And did I mention that your breath still reeks of dead things?" Jacques saw the giant grizzly paw coming at him. He ducked, but couldn't escape the second paw that slammed into him, knocking him unconscious.

~***~

The ear comm buzzed and Zina clicked it on. "Yes?"

"Alpha Zina, we successfully infiltrated the Le Croix estate. All resistance has been neutralized."

"Including Jacques?"

"Yes, my Alpha. He fought, like you said he would. He wounded Devin and me but Alexis put him down."

"Good job, Gerard. You are my favorite soldier for a reason." Zina put enough admiration in her tone to make him growl happily. Everything was falling into place.

"We will proceed with the plan. It's 10:30 am right now. We have six more hours before the brat gets home from school. Are we allowed to have fun with our captive before we leave?"

"By all means, Gerard. It can be an educational lesson for the younger males, especially Devin. And Gerard?" her chuckle was filled with malice and violence.

"Yes, my Alpha?"

"Make sure Jacques knows why he bleeds. I want him to remember his failure as Beta and Chief Enforcer to the Le Croix family."

"Yes, my Alpha. It shall be as you command."

Zina grinned and hung up. She turned on some music and started singing, her day much better after hearing Gerard's news.