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

 

 

Allyn and Ransom – 50

 

"I'm scared, Mandi," Allyn said as she adjusted his bow tie.

 

"You're scared? How do you think I feel? You don't have to get all decked out in a fancy dress and hope you don't trip walking down the aisle."

 

At the moment, it was three months after Henri had come to live at the estate. So far, Ransom and the others were no farther along in finding Xavier than they had been the first day. But they weren't giving up hope that someday, somewhere, they would track him down and deal with him.

 

In the meantime, there was a double wedding to contend with….

* * * *

One month earlier

 

"You really should ask him," Miranda said, early one evening when Ransom and Allyn had come to the estate for a barbecue.

 

"Ask him what?" Ransom replied, still not sure why she'd dragged him off to "talk privately" with him.

 

"Ask Allyn to marry you. Then we can have a double wedding. Think of the money we could… No, no, that's not really a selling point, I suspect. Think how neat it would be, the four of us getting married on the same day. You love him. He loves you, so there's no reason not to. Right?"

 

Ransom nodded. "No, I suppose there isn't."

 

She tapped his chest. "So go out there and ask him."

 

Ransom gulped. "Now?"

 

"Yes now, silly. John and I have our wedding planned for next month. That doesn't give you much time to get ready—shopping for tuxes, letting your friends know, all that stuff."

 

"Not sure those are selling points," Ransom muttered.

 

She laughed. "Probably not, from your standpoint. Still—" she swatted his butt, "—get out there and do the deed."

 

Ransom did. Walking over to where Allyn was talking to John and Henri, Ransom dropped to one knee, took Allyn's hands in his and said, "This is sudden, I know. So sudden I don't have a ring or anything but, Allyn Warwick, would you marry me?"

 

Allyn looked at him in stunned surprise for a moment, then nodded. "I would love to."

* * * *

Present day

 

Now, a month to the day after the proposal, Allyn was still trying to believe the wedding was going to go off without a hitch.

 

"What if Ransom changes his mind and doesn't show up, Mandi?"

 

"Then he's going to have to deal with a lot of pissed off friends, starting with me." She patted his cheek. "Do you really think that will happen?"

 

"No. I guess I'm having pre-wedding nerves. How can you be so calm?"

 

"I'm a woman. We take things like this is stride." She didn't look as if she was totally certain though, as she checked the mirror again, smoothing down the satin skirt of her gown.

 

It was going to be a simple wedding, just a few of Ransom's coworkers, a couple of Miranda and Allyn's close friends, and their parents, as well as John's.

 

Ransom had no family to speak of, and what was left of it was not on speaking terms with him anyway, due, he said, to his "sexual proclivities". "Meaning shifters are supposed to be straight so they can sire more of us," he had said blisteringly when Miranda had asked.

Allyn and Ransom – 49

 

Henri nodded. "In the meantime, if I think of anything, anything at all, I'll write it down." He looked hopefully at Ransom. "Do you really think there's a chance we can catch him?"

 

"As I said, it won't happen immediately, unless we get very lucky. If I were him, I'd go to ground, regroup then start hunting for you again when I thought it was safe."

 

Henri's shoulders slumped. "So I could be staying here for a long time."

 

"Hey," Miranda said, "it's not all that bad. It's a big estate with lots of running room when you need it, and there's the pool, the workout room, the pleasure of my scintillating company…"

 

"Good food…" John added.

 

"And," Allyn said, "you'll be safe here. Very safe."

 

"But what will I do? I can't just sit around." Henri shook his head. "That would drive me and everyone else crazy."

 

"You can come with me when I go out to protect the wolves," Allyn replied.

 

"What?" After Allyn explained, Henri looked at him with deep respect. "That's very noble of you."

 

"Not really. It's just something that needs doing."

 

"So he set himself up as a one-man crusader," Ransom said, giving Allyn a hug.

 

"I'm sure it would be safe enough," Allyn told Henri. "At the most, we'd spend a week in one place, always in our wolf forms. I don't think there's any way Xavier could find you since we'd never go into town."

 

Henri nodded. "I'm sure you're right." He looked at everyone, saying gratefully, "I don't know how I can thank you all."

 

"Henri—" Miranda hugged him, "—we stick together."

 

"Watch it. Here comes the 'All for one, one for all' speech," Allyn said, grinning.

 

"Well, it's true," Miranda muttered, winking at Henri.

 

"And on that note…" Ransom put one arm around Allyn, steering him to the door.

 

"We shall see you tomorrow night," Allyn said. "Sleep well, everyone. I know I'm going to."