Black Rose Revenge

Chapter 21

DETECTIVE RYAN’S POV

I had been on my way to get my keys and talk to Kevin Bentley about the locks he replaced. I was replaying my argument with Xavier at the station house when I heard on the scanner about a possible kidnap victim. My heart just about stopped in my chest, my greatest fear was coming true! I whipped the car around and headed to Mack’s place. I was halfway there when Xavier called my cell. Now what does he want? I thought to myself before I answered the call. “Xavier I don’t have time to argue with you right now!”

“You need to meet me at Mack’s. Someone called me to tell me that they had Chancey, she is okay but you need to be here.” He said before hanging up on me.

That was weird, what was he doing at Mack’s place? He told me that he had to be away from us so we weren’t targets. I soon pulled up in front of Mack’s place within minutes. I was out of the car immediately and ran up the steps towards my daughter. All I could think about was getting to my daughter. After all this crap was behind us I was never going to let Chancey out of my sight again!

I kept my hold onto my as Xavier explained Special Agent Johnston’s idea of Chancey’s protection. When I absolutely had to let her go so that Agent Johnston could take her to a safe house, I was terrified. I have never been away from my daughter this long before. I eyed Agent Johnston as we all watched him take Chancey’s hand, I could not help but feel like there was something off about him. The only reason I allowed him to take my daughter is because her safety will always come first. I would look into him later. The minute Chancey and Agent Johnston were gone, I turned to face Xavier. “What are you doing here?” I then turned my glare onto Mack for keeping things this important from me!

Xavier saw the look on my face as I stared at my partner. “Hey, Sierra, don’t blame Mack. He didn’t get the call, I did and Mack just happened to be with me at the time.”

I was not convinced. “Why were the two of you together? And by the way, what were you doing at my work anyhow? I know that you told me that you needed to talk to Mack, but what about? You keep saying that it is not safe enough for you to come home but it’s safe enough for you to be seen in broad daylight at the police station?!” I placed my hands on my hips, impatiently waiting for an answer.

“I can’t tell you what I talked to Mack about, yet. I didn’t bother you because you looked like you already had a lot of problems to deal with. The last thing you need is to worry about me all the time.” He looked so pained as he pulled me into his arms to hold me.

I fought him at first, knowing that it was easier to stay mad at him than acknowledge that he is right. His touch left me muddled and in a haze. He always knew how to calm me and right now I didn’t want to be calmed down! “That isn’t fair! Why can’t you just let me be mad?” I could feel all of the tension from the last couple of days, start to fade away. I was soon calmed, against my best efforts to not let it affect me.

Xavier whispered in my ear. “I can’t let you stay mad because you have strong powers that could do some serious damage. I’ve noticed that when you get mad your eyes glow bright green! In order for us to get through this and get Chancey safe, we need to stay levelheaded.” He said as he ran his hand over the back of my head and neck.

Mack interrupted us. “Uhh, I think that I should give you two some privacy. I’m getting a little uncomfortable.” He then walked into the house and left us on the porch.

Xavier and I both rolled our eyes at Mack’s reaction. “Can I ask you something Xavier?” I had been wanting to ask this for a while.

Xavier pulled back enough to look me in the eyes. This whole time he never let go of me or keeping me calm. “Sure, but only if I can ask you a question in return.”

I nodded. “Did you talk to Chancey after you were taken?”

I could tell that my suspicions were correct by the look of confusion on his face. “No, you were the only one that I told, why?”

I stared into his eyes looking for any sign that he was lying but all I saw was real concern and confusion. I let out a sigh of defeat. “When you called me, I went straight up to the room she was staying in that night. Before I could even get a sound out she told me that she already knew that you were okay. When I asked how she knew she just said, ‘In time, mommy, in time’.”

I could feel the fear from as he held me. “I think that it’s time we take her to the Tribe. After all we don’t know what kind of powers that she will develop. This brings me to my question for you. What happened the other night?”

Now it was my turn to be confused. “What do you mean?”

“When you were doubled over in pain and Chancey grew wings.” He was slowly getting worried from the tremble in his voice was anything to go by.

I froze, completely stunned. “You saw that?!” He nodded. “Well, I have been trying to find that out myself. I haven’t been able to talk to Chancey about it. Maybe we should talk to the babysitter that was watching her that night.”

“That is a good idea, then we can go talk to the Tribe before we bring Chancey.”

We soon headed into the house to let Mack know what we had planned to do. I entered the house before Xavier and a thought hit her. “When you both arrived, where did you find Chancey?”

Mack answered from the living room. We walked into the living room to find him on the sofa. “She was here in the living room watching cartoons.” He paused before continuing. “Come to think of it, I don’t remember seeing Mrs. Paskar, do you Xavier?”

“I don’t recall seeing anyone other than Chancey.” Alarm evident in his voice.

“Wait a minute, do you mean to tell me that she was here by herself, all day?!” I turned and ran out the door, I hopped over my neighbor’s fence and ran up the steps. I pounded frantically on Mrs. Paska’s front door. After receiving no reply, I called for Mack and Xavier. When they came over to me I was sure that something had happened. “I haven’t received a response and I have a really bad feeling about this. I know that she is home because her car is in the driveway, no one else lives with her.”

Mack and Xavier shared a look that told me there was something big that they were keeping from me and I am quickly losing my patience! I was about to say just as much when Mack looked at me with a guilty expression but a determination underneath the guilt. “I’ve already tried calling her, there was no answer. Let’s consider this a welfare check.” He broke down the door and entered the building. “Mrs. Paskar, are you home?” He turned to me. “You check downstairs, I will check upstairs. If you find her, holler for me.” He said as he drew his weapon to use as he cleared the upstairs.

“Xavier, wait here we need to clear the house.” I was in my cop mode now so I wasn’t in the mood for his arguments, so I pinned him with my most deadly glare. He nodded after a moment, I nodded to him then began clearing the rooms on this floor. I cleared the living room, kitchen and closet. I was just about to check the laundry room when I heard Mack yelling for me. I raced upstairs with Xavier hot on my heels. “Where are you at? Did you find Mrs. Paskar?” I didn’t stop until I was within sight of Mack.

“I’m in the second room on the left, I think I found her.” He said with a touch of hesitation in his voice.

I arrived at the room to see what he was talking about. What I saw churned my stomach! I quickly pivoted away from the scene and proceeded to vomit. “In all my years as a homicide detective I have NEVER threw up at a crime scene.” I said as I composed myself.

I felt hands on my back rubbing small circles to comfort me. I knew that Xavier was behind me, he could feel what I was feeling through the bond. Are you alright my love?

I leaned back against him for added comfort. I don’t know, I have no idea if this is normal or if something is very wrong with me.

I felt his purr through my back and it quieted part my soul. Xavier knew that this would work better than any sedative and this way I didn’t get nasty side effects. “Thank you Xavier.” I reluctantly stood up straight and missed Xavier’s touch already. Sensing my emotions he stood closer to me, not touching but reminding me that I am not alone and I can lean on my husband.

“Are you alright partner?” Mack asked as he handed me a washcloth to wipe my mouth.

I nodded. “Yeah, I’m fine.” Walk down the stairs with me? I felt him nod. “Mack, I’m heading outside to get some fresh air, call it in please.” I headed for the stairs when Mack agreed.

Once Xavier and I were outside and a safe distance away from the house I looked at Xavier. “We need to contact Agent Johnston, we need to talk to Chancey before she is completely and fully registered into witness protection.”

He pulled his phone out then paused. “Do you have his phone number? I forgot to get it-“

I cut him off when I handed him my phone to the agent’s contact. “It’s located under Fuckhead.”

Xavier stared blankly at me for a few moments before he burst out laughing. “Really?! You named his contact that?”

I shrugged. “Hey, I didn’t like him when he gave me the damned number and I still don’t like him!”

He looked at the phone then stared in shock. “Are you absolutely sure that THIS is the number that he gave you?!”

I looked at him, not understanding his reaction. “Yes. Why are you acting all weird about this?”

Fear overtook his face. “WE JUST DELIVERED CHANCEY TO THE BASTARD THAT KIDNAPPED ME!”