The Power Within

Chapter Nineteen

Malcom seemed to become more tense the closer we got to landing. First, he was tapping his thigh, then he was clenching and unclenching his fists. Next came the lips being pressed together. Now there was a slight tick in his jaw. I tired to ignore it, but the pull of the mate-bond was difficult, if not impossible to ignore. The main point of having a mate was to reproduce, hence the intense attraction, but the other reason for the mate-bond was to be a helper, to help one's mate with their problems, and to help them when they felt sad, or angry. 

I would ignore it though. I was not going to give in. I could care less if he was upset, at least that's what I kept repeating in my head, like a mantra. I watched the ground become closer and closer. Hamburg was a big city in Germany. I couldn't deny the fact, I was excited to see a little bit of this amazing country. I watched as the houses, the buildings, and the rushing cars got bigger and bigger. 

"I want to apologize in advance." 

I turned my head to glare at Malcom, "Apologize for what?" 

He gave me a small smile, it didn't reach his eyes. "I will have to cuff you and your parents again. You will be cuffed to me. Your mother will be cuffed to Tony, and your father will be cuffed to Ray. Hopefully, this will help us reach our destination safely, without any...hiccups." He seemed pleased with his plan. 

Damnit. That is a good plan. I muttered in my head. With the three of us handcuffed to the three of them, it would make escaping almost impossible. I narrowed my eyes at him. "Whatever." 

One of his goons produced three separate pairs of cuffs and handed one pair to Malcom. Malcom held out his right hand, "Could I have your left hand, please?" 

I narrowed my eyes to slits. Ugh! Just ignore the tingles. I took a deep breath through my nose, and let it out my mouth. I had to overlook whatever his touch did to me. I held out my left hand. My eyes never left his. 

His long fingers clasped mine. The tingles started immediately. They traveled up my arm. I gritted my teeth. I would not let them affect me. He gently closed the cuff around my wrist, and then did the same to his right wrist. He still hadn't let go of my fingers. I squeezed his hand as hard as I could. He gave me a smile, instead of flinching in pain like I wanted him to. His eyes looked so much brighter when he smiled. He let go of my hand. But the bite of the cold metal kept me aware that he was now linked to me. I hated the fact that I looked away first. 

The plane landed smoothly. My mom was cuffed to the goon named Tony. He was huge. He looked like a quarterback for some football team. His black hair was buzzed, like a military cut. Ray, the second giant, looked exactly like the other one. They had to be twins. With those stupid sunglasses on, it was hard to tell if they had different colored eyes, but everything else about them seemed the same. The goons held our bags, and we all filed off the plane with Malcom and I in the lead. 

We were at the airport, but we must have landed on some landing strip away from the actual airport building. Because I stepped out of the jet, and only saw three small, black cars. 

"We will be taking separate cars, as well." Malcom's voice was close to my ear. I stepped down onto the first step, just to put some space between him and I. I hated admitting I needed a full arm's length of space between us. As soon as he came over the threshold of the plane door, we walked down the steps. Mom came down next, and then Dad and his goon were the last ones out. 

"Kiley, would you like to say goodbye to your parents, before we leave?" 

I jerked my head to stare at Malcom. "What? I thought you said we were all going to the safe house." 

He help up his free hand, "We are. I only meant would you like to say goodbye, because it is a three-hour drive, and we will be riding separately." 

I took a breath. That is oddly considerate of him. I thought to myself. I nodded once, as my answer to his question. We both stepped over so I could hug both my parents. I kissed my mom's cheek, and hugged her tight. I hugged my dad, and whispered, "I will get us out of this." in his ear. He only gave me a slight nod in acknowledgement. 

"I love you, Kiley-Ann."

"I love you, dear."

I looked at my parents. "I love you too, both of you."

Malcom led me to the first car. It was a black Mazda 6. I kept my face neutral, or tried to, but I am sure my excitement showed. I loved my Jake. The technology and safety advancements in this Mazda 6 were sensational, though. And the horsepower this car had, had me a little more than excited for the three-hour trip. Too bad about the company I'm keeping. I thought, bitterly, glancing down at the cuff on my wrist.

He opened the passenger's door. I raised my eyebrows as high as they could go, and just held up my left hand. 

"How in the hell am I supposed to get in, if I am cuffed to you?" I said. 

His face gave nothing away. He only shrugged his huge shoulders, and led me to the driver's door. "Climb over the middle consul." He said, as he opened the door. 

I huffed at him. He only gestured towards the seat. 

"But the interior leather." I whimpered, as I, ungracefully, climbed over the consul and sat in the passenger seat.

Malcom slid in the driver's seat, and shut the door. He pressed the start/stop engine button, and the car hummed to life. I rolled down my window a few inches to let in some fresh air. His smell was even more intoxicating in this confined space. 

"I am pleased to see I am not the only one affected." He said as he drove away from the airport. 

Since I had no intention of discussing the mate-bond with him, I did the mature thing, and ignored him. 

After a few minutes of silence, he let out a small chuckle. "This is going to be a fun drive." His voice was laced with sarcasm.