Henri - 4

  

Sunday morning arrived, bright and sunny. That was good for a barbecue, not so good for Henri's nerves. If it had been dark and gloomy, he would be less visible in and among what he presumed were going to be throngs of people.

 

After all, why rent The Peristyle if he's only expecting ten or twenty guests?

 

He was so uptight that he didn't go down for breakfast for fear he'd lose it ten minutes later. By eleven, when they were supposed to leave, he was seriously considering backing out.

 

Xavier's going to be there. I just know it. He's been biding his time until he thinks I think it's safe. Then he's going to pounce. Good God, get a grip. There's no way that could happen. But if it does…

 

"So I get my ass out of there," he admonished himself. "He can't follow what he can't see, and it only takes a second to teleport. But if I don't know he's there—or one of his people—until it's too late… I'm being a coward. And so? I have a reason to be. And what if he figures out I'm not the only shifter there and grabs Miranda or Allyn or what's his name…Taegan? If I only knew how Xavier found out what I am, although I can guess. He may have seen me shift."

 

He remembered having run through the bayou—miles from his home—after shifting to his wolf form. It had been a particularly trying day with a group of tourists. They had insisted they had the right to tell him where to go, since they'd paid for his services and wouldn't believe him when he told them it wasn't safe because of the gators. He'd turned the boat around and taken them back, refunding part of their fees just to get them off his back. Then, pissed off and needing to work off his anger, he had gone for a run.

 

It had been getting dark. He had been tired, so he hadn't been aware until the last second there was something wrong—not until the dart had hit him in the neck. He'd managed to run a few more yards, hoping to make it to the thicket where he could hide until the tranquilizer wore off. He hadn't. The next thing he'd remembered was regaining consciousness in a cage. Xavier had been there, and before Henri had been able to do anything, the man had drugged him again—and had kept him drugged from then on. His senses had been too dulled to be able to do anything but endure Xavier's experiments. It hadn't been until a long time later that he'd been able to escape.

 

I won't let him capture me again! I'd rather die. For my sake, and for the sake of anyone who would have to deal with his genetically engineered shifters—if he's able to create them because of me.

 

"Henri? Henri?"

 

He jumped, startled, and saw Miranda standing in the doorway.

 

"You were off somewhere," she said. "Somewhere not so good, from the look on your face."

 

He grimaced. "I was remembering. And debating if I really can handle going with you today."

 

"Of course you can," she replied, coming to take his hands in hers. "We are not going to let anything happen to you. We all know what the bastard looks like, thanks to you."

 

"But what if he sends someone else?"

 

"One of us will be with you all the time, I promise." She stepped back, smiling. "You look quite handsome in that outfit. Not that you don't other times, but this one particularly suits you. Very sexy."

 

"Would everyone quit saying that? I'm not—"

 

"Yeah you are. Deal. And come on. It's time to go."

 

 

Henri - 3

 

 

Henri felt as if he was being watched as he, Allyn, and Ransom walked from Allyn's car to the clothing store. He glanced around, trying to see who might be interested in him.

 

Ransom slung an arm across Henri's shoulders. "Deep breaths. It's the ladies, not someone working for Xavier."

 

"How did you know?"

 

"You should have seen the look on your face. Trust me, the only ones interested in us are the women. After all, we are a trio of studs."

 

Allyn snorted. "Me and Henri, maybe. You, Ran, are just your average big, brawny dude in slacks and a shirt."

 

"And that can't be studly?"

 

"Not next to us sexy guys." Allyn grinned and danced away when his husband took a swipe at him. "Okay, we have arrived," he said seconds later, holding open the shop door.

 

Ten minutes later, Ransom was shaking his head, muttering, "I could get something like this at Target and it wouldn't cost me a hundred and forty dollars." Henri had to agree with him.

 

"Not even close," Allyn said. "Look at the workmanship, the style, the fit."

 

"I haven't tried it on yet. How do I know what it'll fit like?" Ransom said.

 

Ignoring his protestations—and Henri's—Allyn picked out several shirts, long pants and shorts, distributing them among the two men, then pointed to the changing rooms.

 

It took half an hour, but finally Henri and Ransom were outfitted to Allyn's satisfaction, from the skin out, with three outfits each. He paid the bill, ignoring Ransom's insistence that he could afford to buy his own clothes. "Hush," Allyn whispered. "Henri can't. If I buy everything, he won't feel as if he's a charity case."

 

"Good point," Ransom agreed.

 

The three men walked out of the store carrying bags, Ransom and Henri each wearing new shirts and jeans.

 

"I feel like… Well, I guess the way women do when they walk into a bar and all the men eyeball them," Henri said, noting the stares he and the others were getting from several women—and men—as they walked back to the car.

 

"Not used to it?" Allyn asked. "You should be. You're really quite sexy."

 

Henri dipped his head at the compliment. "I… Not really." He chuckled. "When I was living in Paradis, if I went wandering around like this, people would think I was crazy. I'm… I was a guide. I'd take tourists out on Bayou des Allemands in my airboat, so I dressed accordingly. For sure not in designer jeans and shirts that cost enough to clothe a small family."

 

Ransom stepped in before Allyn could reply with some blistering comment. "What we bought is needed to maintain the image we're trying to project. Before you get pissy, you know why Allyn has to do that. As for Miranda…? Being the rich socialite is a way to explain how she can afford to make sizable donations to all the charities she supports."

 

Henri blew out a long, remorseful breath. "I'm sorry. I didn't know—about her, that is."

 

"There's no reason you should have," Allyn told him.

 

"I've been living in the same house with her and John for six months."

 

"She's not one to brag about what she does. Half the time she does it anonymously because she doesn't want the resulting publicity. It could bring unwanted attention to us for the wrong reasons—like someone wanting to know how we managed to have so much money in the first place at our age, if you get what I mean."

 

"I… I do," Henri said after a moment's thought.

 

"Good. Now, let's get back so you can show Miranda what you bought."

 

"She'd better approve," Ransom grumbled. "There ain't no way I'm going back and exchanging anything."

 

Allyn laughed as he unlocked the car. "In your case, it's me that has to approve, and since I helped you pick things out, you're safe."

Henri - 2

 

 

"I suppose you're wondering why I called this meeting," Miranda said, when Ransom and Allyn came into the living room.

 

"Could you be any more cliché?" Allyn asked, going over to give her a hug.

 

She chuckled, hugging him back. "Probably." When her brother and Ransom were seated, she explained her plan.

 

The first thing Ransom said, looking at Henri, was, "How do you feel about this? It's definitely a very public venue, and we can't really secure it—'we' meaning the four of us. I have no reason to bring my men in, as there's no way I can explain why."

 

"That's right. Scare the hell out of him off the bat," Miranda grumbled.

 

Henri smiled briefly. "I'm already scared on several levels, but if I'm going to test the waters, as you put it, this party works as well as anything, I guess. Sort of jumping in with both feet."

 

"What do you know about the man throwing the barbecue," Ransom asked.

 

"He's a shifter…rich, nice, if a bit of a playboy," Miranda replied.

 

Ransom grinned. "An Allyn clone."

 

"Watch it," Allyn muttered. "Besides, I'm not a playboy any more, now that we're married."

 

"True. One of the idle rich, but no longer a playboy," Ransom agreed, "at least on the surface. What else do you know about him, Miranda?"

 

"Allyn?" She laughed when Ransom flipped her off. "Taegan owns Taevage Gallery on Royal, which features local artists and artisans. It's quite successful, which keeps him in champagne and caviar."

 

"He also owns the building and lives on the second and third floors," Allyn added. "I've met him at a few galas. As Miranda said, he's nice enough."

 

Henri was listening to all they said. Now he asked, "Do you trust him?"

 

Miranda nodded. "I've never found any reason not to."

 

"Does he know you're a shifter?"

 

"Yes—both me and Allyn. He's also, for what it's worth, very empathic. Sometimes it feels like he's reading your mind but he's not. He just picks up on emotions."

 

"Interesting." Henri glanced at Ransom. "I guess there's no reason not to do this. If worse comes to worst, I can always teleport away. But I don't see how Xavier would even know I was there."

 

"I agree," Ransom replied. "There is one thing to consider, however. People do gossip, especially society types—and don't deny it, Miranda. So word could get out that you were at the barbecue, Henri."

 

Henri tapped his fingers together. "Which could be a good thing…maybe. It might draw Xavier out if he heard about it." He smiled dryly. "Not that I want him coming after me again, but damn it, I'm tired of living in fear, sequestered here where it's safe. I want my life back, such as it was."

 

"Then we'll do it," Miranda pronounced. "It's on Sunday, which gives us time to take you shopping for something to wear, Henri."

 

"I have clothes—the ones you found for me online," Henri protested, looking at her in horror.

 

"My dear man, those are fine for around here, but for the barbecue? No way." She shot a look at Ransom. "That goes for you as well. Allyn, you're elected to do the honors."

 

"Why the hell…?" Allyn shut up when she wagged a finger at him. Ransom looked as if he wanted to say something, too, but was smart enough to remain quiet.

 

"Well?" Miranda put her hands on her hips. "Go."

Henri - 1

 

(Published in 2015. No longer in print.)

 

Henri stood on the third floor balcony of Miranda and Allyn's mansion, looking wistfully toward the skyline of New Orleans. He missed the freedom of being able to go there whenever he pleased. He hadn't been able to since the day he'd escaped from Xavier's clutches. He had thought it would be safe in the city, when he'd became a 'pet dog' in the home of Mrs. Graham and her children.

 

"At least they thought I was a dog," he said under his breath, "and it served me well for the time I was there." Then Xavier and his man had found him.

 

Henri shuddered as he always did when he remembered how the two men had slaughtered the woman and her children because of him. He had narrowly escaped then was offered sanctuary on Allyn Warwick's estate.

 

I've been here six months and I have no idea if Xavier is still searching for me or if he's finally given up.

 

"You're in a blue study," Miranda said from the balcony doorway.

 

Henri turned to smile ruefully at her. "I suppose I am."

 

"How did the hunt go?" she asked, joining him at the railing. "My brother, of course, hasn't bothered to check in to tell me."

 

Chuckling, Henri replied, "I suspect he had more pressing things on his mind—like Ransom. The hunt went well. We found the remaining pack members—all two of them, at this point, I'm afraid—and convinced them to move to a safe area Allyn knew about. Then we drew the hunters away before those two were killed as well."

 

"Fantastic. Allyn says you're a wonderful asset."

 

Henri bowed his head, embarrassed. "I'm…trying to be."

 

She hugged him, just as her husband came onto the balcony.

 

"There you are," John said. "Should I be jealous?"

 

Miranda laughed. "Nope. You're the only man for me and always will be."

 

"I know." He walked to her side, ruffling her hair, eliciting a growl from her. Then he studied Henri. "Something wrong?"

 

Henri shrugged. "Nothing I can do anything about."

 

John seemed to understand what he'd meant because he said, "Surely it's safe for you to venture out now. More than just to accompany Allyn on his jaunts to save the wolves."

 

"I keep telling myself it should be," Henri replied. "Then I think about what will happen if I'm wrong."

 

"We have to figure out a way to find the bastard," Miranda stated emphatically.

 

"Don't you think I've tried…with Ransom and Allyn's help? It's hard when we don't know where he took me. Ransom's scoured every database he has access to—and that's a lot. Xavier hasn't shown up on any of them." He smiled wryly. "The good detective has picked my brain dry, which wasn't hard. All I remember is bits and pieces of the lab. That's no help when it comes to locating Xavier."

 

"Why not use them to teleport back there?" Miranda asked.

 

"There's nothing distinctive, from what I recall of the place. I was sedated twenty-four-seven, so things are hazy at best. Cage bars, a food bowl appearing on a dirty floor, the kind of generic bathroom you'd find in a million hospitals around the world. The only time I wasn't doped up, I saw a ceiling, since I was strapped to a lab table. It was the day I escaped. However, the only thing I was thinking about right then was where I'd end up, not the room I was leaving."

 

"You think it was a hospital?" John asked.

 

"What hospital has cages? I only used that as an example because… Well, it's what the bathroom reminded me of."

 

"At least Ransom knows what he looks like, after putting you with the sketch artist," Miranda said.

 

"It hasn't done a damned bit of good," Henri replied morosely. "As he said, there are no wants-and-warrants for anyone named Xavier, last name unknown, who looks like him."

 

"What if Xavier is his last name?" John said.

 

"Ransom tried that too. Still no luck."

 

"It might not be his real name, you know."

 

Henri nodded. "Ransom figured it was a possibility. Unfortunately, no one resembling Xavier has shown up in any files—police, military, what have you."

 

"The great and mysterious Wizard of Oz." Miranda smiled, patting Henri's arm.

 

"He might as well be. The problem is, we haven't found the curtain he's hiding behind." Henri pounded his fist on the railing. "I want my freedom back, damn it!"

 

"Maybe," Miranda said pensively, "if we tested the waters?"

 

"How so?" John asked.

 

"The three of us go out somewhere—or even the five of us." She nodded, then smiled. "John, you remember Taegan, don't you?"

 

"Vividly," John replied. "Amazing hair. Yeah, I know. I shouldn't be checking him out, but it's not often you see a man with black hair striped with white. When I first met him, I thought he was going for a Goth look and had added white streaks—until you told me it was natural because he's a timber wolf shifter."

 

"Eastern timber wolf, to be precise," Miranda said. "Anyway, he's throwing a party and we've been invited."

 

John groaned. "Another one?"

 

"Yes, dear." She patted his arm. "You will survive."

 

"Promise?"

 

She laughed before continuing. "It's a barbecue, and he's rented The Peristyle at City Park."

 

Henri sucked in a dismayed breath. "That's awfully public."

 

"That's the idea," Miranda pointed out. "If we're going to do it, go all the way."

 

"I suppose. Still…"

 

"I'll make you a deal," Miranda said. "Before we decide, we'll run it by Ransom and Allyn. If they say no—"

 

"We'll do it anyway, knowing you," John interjected, grinning.

 

She grinned back. "Maybe?"

 

Allyn and Ransom – 51

 

The wedding was being held on the grounds of the estate, in deference to the fact they were still uncertain if it would be safe for Henri to go into the city. Before he had arrived on the scene, Miranda had wanted to have the reception at one of the major hotels. She'd quickly shelved that idea and chose instead to have it be a catered affair at the estate, Henri's protests to the contrary.

 

"This is your big day," Henri had told her. "Yours and Allyn's. I can…stay out of view. Honest."

 

"Not on your life," she'd replied. "You're more of a friend now than any of the ones I'm inviting. Besides," she'd pointed out, "you're Ransom's best man. You can hardly hide when that's happening."

 

"He could choose one of the guys he works with."

 

"But he didn't. He chose you. Deal."

 

Henri had.

 

Allyn and Miranda managed to calm one another's nerves enough that, when they heard the music announcing the ceremony was about to begin, they were able to walk sedately to the double doors leading out to the veranda.

 

Arm in arm, they walked down the steps onto the lawn. Ahead of them, standing on each side of the minister, were John and Ransom.

 

"He's so damned handsome," Allyn whispered to Miranda.

 

"I agree," she whispered back. "So is Ransom."

 

"I meant—"

 

She grinned. "I know who you meant, silly."

 

After that, it was all a blur to Allyn until he heard the minister say to Miranda and John, "I now pronounce you husband and wife." Then he turned to Allyn and Ransom. "I now pronounce you husband and husband."

 

Cheers went up as the two couples kissed to seal their vows.

 

Soon the newlyweds and their guests were celebrating with excellent food—prepared by Mrs. Wilcox—dancing, or just chatting with one another. Miranda had hired a small band for the music, comprised solely of shifters. With Henri's permission, she had told the band members why it was imperative they keep his presence a secret. Once they knew, they readily agreed.

 

"Who would have thought," Allyn said, leaning back in Ransom's arms as they enjoyed a moment of quiet on the veranda, "everything would end like this?"

 

"Not me," Ransom replied. "But it's not the end, you know. It's just the beginning. We have our whole life ahead of us."

 

Allyn smiled happily before swiveling so he could wrap his arms around Ransom. "I do love you."

 

Ransom laughed. "I would hope so, since you seem to be stuck with me now."

 

"Not sure stuck is the right word. More like ecstatically, elatedly, enthusiastically wed to you until the end of time."

 

"That works. I feel the same way. I will love you always." With that, Ransom kissed Allyn deeply. "Always and forever."

 

The kiss turned passionate. Then, reluctantly, they separated and went to rejoin their friends and families—knowing that soon they could celebrate their marriage on a much more physical level. Until then, as Ransom put it, "Let's eat, drink and be merry. For tomorrow, we have to get back to our mundane lives."

 

Allyn grinned. "When have our lives ever been mundane?"

 

"Never, since you came back into mine," Ransom admitted. "And they never will be again, I suspect."

 

"Not if we can help it," Allyn agreed. "Not. Ever."

The End