Chapter 49 – Cards On The Table (Ansel Conrad POV) Pt.4

Three families leave and Nick glances in my direction, smug smile on his face before he too takes a step out of my office. I'm not all sure what the smugness is meant to settle; he's right in step to get people murdered in his quest for more.

The families and individuals that have chosen to stay, bow their heads, or look the opposite way. Liam sits beside his son, who is focused on Lennon Ramos. Pleading with his eyes, as she had when she asked him to come along, stay with her family.

Divided, emotions flicker on their faces, each one quickly replaced with another. As though no one else is watching, they battle it out. That is how Nick joins them, "Lennon!" he snaps standing between Deacon and Lennon, his face losing its carefully crafted composure.

It's a shame his followers have already departed. This is the leader they needed to see. If this were how he intended to treat his family, how would follows fare?

"It is time to leave," Nick grits out, composure just a word with no meaning to him, "Now." He says with a deadly but over all, betrayed calm. Jumping to his feet, Deacon, a young man, barely eighteen dives in, "Do not talk to her that way," he address Nick, unafraid, "Lenny, if you don't want to stay, you're eighteen, come with us. You know I love you," Nick hisses and his family and son that remain grab Lennon. Her facial features tell the narrative inside her head.

If she leaves with Nick, he'll have to beat or rid her of that little bit of defiance. "His whole plan depends on you," Deacon says, pleading with her. "Don't you-"

"Shut up!" Nick roars and this mini fight I was going to interrupt I'm all too glad I've let continue. Surely, Lennon sees that Deacon is right. Nick has painted himself as the leader that will call the Elders. He will make them do his bidding, explain why the women in our species can no longer shift. Luca has clearly left, but he keeps his eye on Giselle, his other daughter in law Randi, his wife and Lennon.

I'd rather never learn why my daughters couldn't fully shift into their animal form, than hand them over to the Elders. At this point if they cared, or had the answers, unquestionably, we would have heard something by word of mouth.

His hand at his side snaps, and Nick shares a look with his son Levi. From behind, Levi, places a hand on Lennon's shoulder, tightening his grip until his knuckles turn white against her dark colored sweater.

"Don't stay here Lennon! Just come with us, stay with me," Deacon says again, trying to get around Nick. This is a waste of time! My mind screams, ready to push them all out and move on, a new fire lit inside me.

"You are my child Lennon," Nick warns, "go with your brother, now," her lip trembles, eyes well, but she doesn't move. "You belong to me, if he wants to go, that is on him but you are mine," Nick says startling me. Letting go of Kalenah's hand I surge forward, staring Nick Ramos right in the middle of his eyes.

"I do not have time for this," I warn him, "Lennon, either you go with your father now, or stay, but the decisions needs to happen now," my tone gravely, though I dare Nick to interrupt me in any form.

"Daddy, you said..." Lennon doesn't quite finish her thought as Nick releases a low hiss, but I hear enough, "people are still leaving," she whispers behind me, and I smirk. I make a note in my mind to really put forth the effort in my leadership for those that have decided to stay with me. Nick tried to get to them, I'm sure but they've chosen to remain with me.

"I gave you life Lennon, fed and clothed you-"

"Because she's your daughter, not your property," Deacon snaps, walking around Nick and pulling Lennon away from Levi – her older brother.

Over Nick's shoulder, I make eye contact with my sisters' husband, Kenneth and my brother Scotty. Coming forward, they stand as close as possible to Nick. Ignoring all of his personal space, corning him between the three of us.

"Lennon," He warns uncomfortable, voice tight, "I will not tell you again, let us go," Nicks' jaw is clenched. Twitching. The coldness in his eyes, baffle me. How on earth did he believe that approaching this situation as he had would end well?

"Daddy," in the smallest voice I've heard coming from this vibrant girl, "I'm not staying," she whispers brokenly. One nod from me at her words and Kenneth and Scotty, both broad men that easily grab Nick and his son Levi and force him out of my office. As they are dragged away, Lennon covers her face, weeping into her hands, no amount of comfort from Deacon helping.

Tammy – Liam's wife and mother of his children – stands pushing Deacon aside and embracing Lennon. Turning back to everyone, I finish what I had to say.

"I cannot explain just yet what threat we are facing, however our children will be sent off first, with Kalenah's parents..." those that remain nod. We protect our younger generation. They're precious gifts; they are the reason we remain together.

For protection.

"Liam you and Tammy will be driving the double deck hauler with our cars," Liam nods, "We have a tour motorhome for your children, Chris and Teaha, you should be able to keep watch over your younger siblings," I do not ask. In a rush, everything goes swiftly from there and Den members pick up on my urgency, the nervous energy that I did not show when Nick was around.

I had seen this happening – though without a sword over our heads.

It doesn't happen quickly, but within forty minutes, all the children are at the hanger, the buses filled with supplies. Antone aside handing him the directions, and route I wanted him to take. Places he'd need to stop for gas, everything laid out. When Kalenah goes to the back to our sleeping children, I follow quietly, not wanting to wake them, knowing that within a few days we would be together again.

Walking backwards, I stop at the bunks where Caterina and Paige were sitting on the bottom bunk, worried. The tour bus already reeking of anxiousness and fear.

"Daddy, why are we leaving – is something wrong?" Paige asks her voice wobbling, "Of course something is wrong," Caterina barks right back, not that her tone is lacking of trepidation.

Nodding, I wave them to the sitting area of the bus they were on, before calling Brennan, Thaddeus and Harleigh over to this bus as well. Bundled up, bringing a blanket with her, Harleigh throws some of her wrap onto Paige, pulling her close to her side.

I can only imagine the scenarios that they've been coming up with. Unused to this type of unplanned, upheaval from what they know. The only saving grace is that my children are close to one another. Our location might be shifting, but at least the foundation of family is on our side.

Brennan remains the stillest of all my children, his eyes on me, but I can tell he is a million miles away. "We need to leave Bend-"

"Because of aun... Uhm, Cynthia?" Thaddeus stammers. I nod, "But also because there are some factors I'm unsure of, but now it seems that Nick had been stealing followers. So, your granddad knows where you're heading," they nod and I heave a heavy sigh.

"Guys, this isn't a leisure type trip, however I do not want you all worrying about what's going on. Stay alert, when granddad stops driving this motorhome, Brennan you follow him. I don't care if he's stopping because he needs to – to take a leak. He pulls over, you pull over!" I lecture.

"You are not in control here," I narrow my eyes at each child for a second, setting the rules, making them crystal clear. "We – mom and I – won't see you for a few days, but you listen to Antone, do as he says. Don't make this trip feel longer than it really is. No fighting or leaving the group when you stop," a million different things can be said right now.

Rubbing my face roughly, I shake my head, grabbing at my hair.

"Set an example for the younger children," I look at my kids tiredly. "We'll see you soon," Paige over stresses. "Right?"

I nod, "You guys need to get going. Be safe, and watch out for each other okay," they nod slowly, and I hold onto my weakening composure, wrapping my arms around each of them once. No need to alert them of my fears.

As we leave the bus, Brennan holds back, clearly needing to say something. When I turn to him, waiting, he looks around nervously. "What about Devin and Taylor?" he whispers. Cocking my head to the side I appraise my son.

"I – I'm just – what about what you were looking into?" he tries to talk around the question he's really asking I believe. Breathing heavily, standing just outside the hanger on the property, the cold seeping into my body, though it's not a bother. Yet.

"What if-" a rustle in the trees forewarns us of impending approach and Brennan remains silent. Scanning the trees, on high alert I do not waste time, "Whoever is out there come out now!" I command.

Did Nick already send someone? More time wasted. Is that why he beat around the bush? Though I keep my heart calm, my stomach twists unpleasantly.

"It's me – Andy," I hear as two forms come out of the shadows. Relieved I breath out a sigh of relief, confused when I find Andy out with Naomi. Just the person I wanted to see after we had sent the kids on their way.

Standing small and delicate next to Andy she bundles herself, wrapping her arms around herself.

"You're leaving?" Andy cries, his voice quivering. "And you're leaving everyone behind? Danny, mom, Leslie and the others..."

"It's not safe here anymore and I cannot trust or bring that type of disgruntled emotions Danny has right now."

"If you leave him behind," Naomi starts speaking, "I do not believe that Danny cannot be helped," I blink at her. She's not putting on a show.

"You can trust her Uncle Ansel," Andy whispers, "Naomi is my Guardian."

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