“Exactly. And not the women, either. Because they’ll start behaving differently, and then he’ll know we know about him. He could leave, and that’s not the best scenario.”
“Who could leave?” Kaid asked.
“The human stalking Emmalyn.”
“I’m sorry, what?” Kaid asked, his features sharpening as he leaned forward, focusing on Brandt.
“Okay, hear me out. We don’t know that someone is stalking her, but a comment has been made, and her boss sent her home to lie low and stay away from work for a while, and Aunt Everly is feeling like she’s being watched off and on. So, we’re thinking there’s more going on than Emmalyn has told any of us. If we’re wrong, we’re erring on the side of caution and overreacting. But if we’re right, we don’t want the guy to know that we know he’s here. We want him to stay here until we can find him so we can take his ass out. We do not want him to slip away and be able to slip back in at any time in the future. If Bam and Maverik, or even my dad hear about this, they’re going to converge on the woods, and every bit of undeveloped land around us, bellowing and threatening, or at the very least, hunting whoever it is, and if they don’t find him, they’re going to flush him out and he’ll run for now.”
“That’s unacceptable.”
“Yes, sir, it is.”
“Has she not come to you with this?” Kaid asked.
“No, Aunt Everly did. And Havoc let us know that her boss sent her home to lie low. I also told Aunt Everly that if some deranged human is watching her, the best way to hurt her if he can’t get to her, is to get to someone she loves. And he’ll be able to see who that is easily enough.”
“All of us. And the women will make easy targets. Some of them anyway. The kids, too.”
“Yeah, so I’m here to update you so you can keep everybody safe over here, in whatever way you think is best. And to keep everybody from rushing into the woods after this guy until we have a chance to grab him.”
“I understand. I will take care of things over here.”
“I appreciate it.”
“Not a problem. You handle things over there and I’ll back you up from here. If you need us, you call. Or you could just callfor me here,” he said, tapping his temple. “I don’t reach out to y’all that way often, because I know you have your own bonds set up. But the links are still there. Access them if you need to.”
“I appreciate it, Uncle Kaid,” Brandt said as he stood and reached out a hand to shake Kaid’s.
Kaid shook Brandt’s hand, then embraced him. “You’re doing a hell of a job, son.”
“Thank you. I wonder sometimes.”
“Don’t. You and your woman, are stronger than me and Delilah as far as Alpha. And as far as your woman, no offense, but that’s a female I don’t want to link minds with.”
Brandt grinned. “Yeah, there’s a lot of spooky shit there, but so much good, and so much light, that it almost eclipses the darkness.”
Kaid raised his eyebrows.
Brandt winked at him. “Really glad she loves me.”
“Then so am I. I’ll be in touch soon after I think on this and decide how I’m going to keep the kids and women safe and accompanied without letting them know they’re being accompanied.”
“I’ll be doing the same thing across the road.”
“We’ll talk soon.”
“Yes, sir.”
Kaid walked Brandt to the door and patted him on the back as he walked out, then closed and locked the door behind him. As he did so, he sent a quick thought to Bane, Bam, Daniel, Maverik, and Goldie.Make it a habit, effective immediately, lock all your doors and windows at night. No female or child goes outside alone, but don’t let them know that. Keep an eye on them without them realizing they’re being watched. Do not alter your behavior obviously, but stay alert. Goldie, make sure Jobe knows.
Almost immediately he got back five ‘done’. And five ‘what the hell is going on?’.
Just do what I ask for now. When I’m able to say more, I will.
~~~
Christian walked back over to his house, crossing the front yard of Addie’s house. Before he’d even reached his driveway, the front door eased open and Addie peeked out. Christian stopped and glanced toward the door.
