Sharon’s Wolves(87)
“I’m pregnant?”
Mimi smiled. “Just.”
“But you’re the first to notice.”
“Alas, your mates will notice later tonight when next you see them.”
Melinda hesitated. “Why are you acting so strange?”
“You must go now. There is great danger. You must go and help.”
“Where? Go where?”
“Go to the roadblock you came through first. You’ll know what to do next when you arrive. You’ll lead others through this long perilous night. You’ll save many lives.”
“What will you do?” she asked, a tremble in her voice.
“I will rest, my child. I am tired. I’ll be with you in spirit. You’ll know I am with you when you need me.”
Melinda gasped. What was the woman trying to say?
“Go.” Mimi released her hands and pointed toward the door. She gave Melinda a brief tight hug, kissed her on the forehead, and pointed again. “Now. Time is of the essence. Sharon needs you. Take my car. Drive fast. Her mates will be there.”
“I need to be here with you.”
Mimi shook her head. “Fate has other designs for you. I’ll call your brother Miles to come sit with me. He was not up all night like you and your sister and mother.”
Melinda thought she was going to faint. Driving was so not an option. A tear ran down her face. “Mimi, I’m scared.”
Mimi clasped her face in both hands and met her gaze head on. “I know you are, child. But you’ll be fine. I love you. Now, go.” Her voice rose. She released Melinda and stepped back.
Melinda turned and ran from the room with a glance back at the doorway. “I love you too, Mimi. So very much.”
Mimi smiled. “I know you do, Melinda.”
Melinda’s adrenaline pumped. She grabbed Mimi’s car keys from a hook in the kitchen, thinking of all the times she’d grabbed those keys in her life. More times than she could count. When she was a small child, she would pull a chair over and snag them from the wall to bring them to Mimi. As a teenager, she used them when she first got her license. The cars had changed and been replaced over the years. The keys had remained a constant.
She ran from the house and jumped into the dark blue, older-model Oldsmobile as if there were a fire.
And she was sure there was, a metaphoric fire like none she’d ever seen before.
When her cell rang, she grabbed it.
“Melinda,” Jackson nearly shouted. “It’s Sharon—”
Melinda cut him off. “I know. I’m on my way. I’ll meet you at the roadblock.” She dropped the cell back onto the seat next to her, not willing to talk any more than necessary while driving like a bat out of hell. It wasn’t as though she would get pulled over. All deputies on duty were busy. But the last thing she wanted to do was hit someone or get in an accident.
»»•««
Jackson jumped from the car when they reached the roadblock and ran toward the deputies as fast as he could. Several turned to face him as he raced in their direction with Trace on his heels.
He grabbed the first one by the arm. “Did you see Sharon Masters come through here?” His voice cracked with emotion.
“Sharon?” The man turned to face the other deputies. “Anybody see Sharon?”
“Yes,” the farthest man yelled. “About fifteen minutes ago. She was in Melinda’s car. Why?”
Jackson scanned the other deputies along the road. Four of them in all. Three had wide eyes with concern. One was looking down and toeing the ground at his feet.
Trace stepped around Jackson with long strides. He grabbed the deputy Jackson was eyeing by the shoulders and shook him. “What do you know?”
The guy opened his mouth. His face turned red. “Nothing.”
“Like hell,” Trace shouted. “Tell me right now. That’s my sister. If you think I’m fucking around, try me.”
The guy swallowed. “She passed through here. She was alone. That’s all I know.”
Jackson strolled closer as Trace grabbed the man’s arms tighter. “Where’s Sandhouse?”
The asshole winced.
Another deputy spoke. “He got off a while ago. I assume he’s at home.”
Trace spun around. “You want to try and call him for me?”
“Sure.” The guy pulled his phone from his pocket, touched the screen a few times, and held it to his ear. “He’s not answering.”
“How shocking.” Sarcasm oozed from Trace’s mouth. He turned his attention back to the asshole in front of him. “I’m going to ask you one more time. If you value your life and want to remain a free man, I suggest you tell me what I need to know.”