As they walked through the foyer of the hotel Kasey sensed more of Braedon’s men approaching, she took a calm soothing breath and held on even tighter to Braedon.  A few moments later they seemed to be all but surrounded and Kasey couldn’t help but think that Chrissy would love to be in this position.

Braedon nodded his acknowledgment of everyone and they fanned out some returning to their duties.  “They’re here because of me aren’t they?  This is wrong Braedon, I don’t need all this, David isn’t a threat to me, he’s just a sicko that needed his arse kicked.”

Braedon raised a brow and looked at her, “Sicko being the main theme here Kasey and now that he’s been found out, there’s no telling what he will do or how he will react.”  The look on his face told her she had no choice but to accept all the security he’d put in place.  She shook her head and let him lead her to the elevator and up to his suite.

As she got out of the elevator she had a thought that caught in her gut.  “He better not think I’m sharing a room or a bed with him, because if he does I’m going to make sure he never fathers any offspring.”

Braedon heard her thoughts and tried not to grin at her, “My suite has two rooms kitten, I usually share the suite with Jacob, but he’s agreed to move to the room on our left.  Daniel will be in the one to our right.

She turned to Jacob then, “I’m sorry Jacob… I don’t want to cause any problems for anyone.  Thank you for moving to the other room…”

Jacob could see that she was near tears and wanted to make her smile again, the thought of her crying didn’t sit well with him and he knew Braedon would become over protective and she’d likely pull away from him.  “No problem sweet cheeks,” he grinned cheekily, then he mock whispered, “Now I won’t have to listen to him snoring all night.” Then he winked at her and she laughed.

Braedon realised what he’d done and was grateful, sending his friend a message that he now owed him one.  He opened the door to his suite and moved aside as Daniel entered.  Kasey looked up at Braedon curiously, “Daniel is checking to make sure all is safe and secure here kitten.  Don’t worry Daniel takes care of my personal security when we travel, this is what he does and he will be edgy if I do not let him do it.

When Daniel gave the all clear Braedon let Kasey enter the room before him, Jacob took up the rear and a few minutes later Nate was at the door with Kasey’s luggage.  He brought it in and was directed to what would now be Kasey’s room.  Jacob wasn’t surprised at all when Braedon pointed out the main room, he’d moved his things into the smaller room giving Kasey more room to relax and hopefully get used to being around them all.

Nate came back out and looked to Braedon who nodded, giving him leave to speak to Kasey.  “I’ve placed your luggage on the luggage bench for you, once you have unpacked just leave the bag and someone will put it away for you.” 

Nate looked at Braedon again and for a moment Kasey thought that they were somehow communicating with each other.  “Oh boy,” she thought to herself, “I must be tired cause my imagination is so taking over right now.”

“Kasey, why don’t you rest for a while, you can unpack when you are ready to do so.  I’ll have the kitchen bring dinner up for us all if that is to your liking?”

Kasey was in no condition to argue, she was too tired and she just wanted to be alone for a while so she nodded and said it was fine then disappeared into the main bedroom.  The guys seemed to breathe a sigh of relief having gotten her to safety and all turned at once when they heard her reaction to the room.  “Bloody hell, this room is amazing!”

They smiled and went about their business, Daniel stationed himself near the door, Jacob was on the phone to Braedon’s brother Nicolas making sure all was well back at the compound and Nate moved closer to Braedon wanting to speak with him so that Kasey wouldn’t overhear. 

“All is being readied. From the conversation I had with Kasey’s friend Chrissy I discovered that all the furniture came with the apartment.  The rest of her belongings are being packed and moved to the jet in readiness of us leaving.”

“Thank you Nate, I have a feeling when we leave we will be doing so quickly.  It is good you have organised her belongings in preparation of this.”

~~~~~~~~~~~

Kasey checked out the room and shook her head; she could fit her entire apartment in this room, bathroom included!  She was tired, but wanted a shower and when she entered the bathroom and saw the spa she decided that a bath would be much better. 

She put the plug in and turned on the water, then she looked around and found several scented candles and a box of matches.  She placed the candles at intervals around the tub and lit them, hoping they wouldn’t set off the fire alarm.

She turned to see if there was a lock on the door and sighed when she realised there was none, so she left the water running and went back out to speak to Braedon.  “Braedon,” She called as she came out of the bedroom, “I’m going to have a soak in the tub, so please don’t come running in if you hear a funny noise okay?”

Braedon raised a brow at what she’d said, “Okay if I scream come running, but only if I scream!”

“Of course Kasey, we will all remain here unless you call for help.”  Braedon so wanted to go back into that room with her, he wanted to help her undress and lift her into that tub.  He wanted to be with her, but he knew that would take time. 

He tried not to think about what Kasey was doing in there, tried not to imagine her disrobing and in the end he said he was going for a walk and stormed out of the room with Jacob trailing after him and grinning from ear to ear.

“Not a word Jacob, not one damned word!”  Braedon took the stairs not having the patience to wait for the elevator.  He needed to move, to release his pent up energy and he needed to get Kasey off his mind because he was afraid he might just storm back into the suite go through to the bedroom and claim her as his own.

They walked in silence for some time before they found themselves in front of a gym, a gym owned by one of David’s people.  They looked at each other and smiled, this was just what they needed, both of them and when they returned to the hotel a couple of hours later it was to find Daniel standing guard at the door and telling them both that Kasey had fallen asleep as soon as she put her head on the pillow.”

 Braedon opened the door and went in to check on her.  She looked so beautiful and so peaceful in sleep and he also realised just how vulnerable she was.  If he were a lesser man he could have hurt her, could have made her his own and no one would have stopped him.  He made a silent vow right then and there that he would never harm Kasey, that he would always do his best to keep her safe and happy.

He woke Kasey up an hour later so she could have dinner.  He had to smile at her as she came out to eat, she looked a little mussed up, but she also looked well rested and beautiful.  Braedon wasn’t sure what to order for Kasey, so he ordered several different dishes figuring someone would eat what she didn’t want.

The evening seemed to go in something of a daze for Kasey, but she was okay with that, she didn’t want to consider the reality of the situation.  The reality being she was alone in a hotel suite with four big, burly, hunky men and they were men, not boys.  She gave herself a mental slap before her thoughts strayed to things best kept at bay and tried to focus on something else.  “Umm so what’s the plan for tonight?   “She said trying to smile as normally as possible.

She looked at her companions and noticed that Nate had gone all serious, his chiselled jaw tightening.  She took a moment to really look at him, he was good looking, handsome in fact, but he had a feel to him that almost made her want to take a step back when he got near.  His eyes were the prettiest green she’d ever seen and his hair though cut short was as black as soot.

Kasey had the feeling that if he were ever to love someone it would be with his entire being, but she also instinctively knew he was a killer, a protector and that was more than likely the only reason he was stuck here with her.  “So umm Nate are you a city boy or are you from up north too?”

Nate froze caught completely off guard at Kasey’s question, he turned to Braedon and the Alpha nodded knowing that Nate wouldn’t speak to his mate unless given permission first.  When he turned back to Kasey she was not happy.  Nate opened his mouth to answer her question but when she raised an eyebrow at him he stopped short.

Kasey kept her eyes on Nate deliberately ignoring everyone else, “Why do you have to get permission from Braedon to speak to me?” she sensed him wanting to turn back to Braedon again, “Don’t!” she said in a much stronger tone than she meant, a tone that had all four men stopping what they were doing and listening.

“Answer the question Nate and don’t ask ‘him’ for permission first!  He might be helping out Jax by keeping me safe, but he doesn’t own me, no one does!”  She waited for him to speak and could see that although he may have wanted to answer her, he was somehow unable to. 

Then she realised that her earlier thoughts of silent conversations wasn’t her imagination taking over.  “Oh my God!  I wasn’t imagining it was I, you guys really can speak to each other telepathically.”  Kasey moved as if to leave the table, but Braedon put his hand on her shoulder keeping her in her seat.

“Stay calm kitten, I realise you have questions and they will be answered, but you need to keep up your strength, so eat and when we are done I will give you answers.”  He slid his hand over the back of her shoulder to her neck and rubbed gently.  This seemed to calm her and a moment later she nodded and looked to her meal once more.

Out of the corner of his eye Braedon could see the relief on Nate’s face.  He was one of the Packs enforcers, a trained killer, cool calm and confident, so it was surprising to see what could only be described as fear in his eyes.

Nate was not used to sitting down to dinner and conversing with a lady.  That his Alpha’s mate would want to speak with him surprised him greatly, he was a good Enforcer, but he had learned not to look past what he was. 

Nate had been an Enforcer for a very long time and most people in the Pack distanced themselves from him.  They were all somewhat afraid of him, even though he was one of the chosen who helped keep them all safe.  It had hurt at first and he had even been angry with them all for a time, but over the years he learnt to push those emotions aside.  

His would be a lonely life and he’d told himself early on that he would be always alone, that no female would want to be with a man who held death in his hands.  So he sat quietly at the dinner table unsure of himself for the first time. 

He tried not to look at Kasey, but was drawn to her and stole quick glances when she wasn’t looking.  He couldn’t remember the last time he had had a simple conversation with a woman; even his family distanced themselves from him when he’d been appointed as an Enforcer.

Kasey could almost feel the emotions coming off Nate and for some reason she wanted to wrap her arms around him and tell him that he was loved, that he was appreciated and that he had a right to be seated at the table with everyone else. Because she also felt his pain in not truly belonging, not to the Pack but here with her… he believed he wasn’t good enough to serve her.

Kasey didn’t want a ton of questions, so she kept her breathing steady, although what the hell was happening to her and where all these sensed feelings and emotions were coming from she had no idea.

When they finished eating Daniel poured coffee for everyone and Jacob let out a disgusted sound when he tasted it.  Kasey couldn’t help herself, she laughed at his reaction, “Not as good as Henry’s coffee huh?”

“No it’s not, this stuff tastes like dishwater!”  Jacob shook his head disgusted even more in himself for drinking ‘said’ dishwater.

They drank their coffee quietly and Kasey noted that the atmosphere was not quite as tense thanks to Jacob.  When Daniel and Nate stood to leave Kasey knew if she wanted answers she had to do something now.  “Hey, where are you guys going?  Braedon said I had the floor after dinner, I get to ask questions and you are all going to answer me.”  She turned to Braedon, “Right!”

“Right,” Braedon said and she noticed that he was concentrating on each of the men there as if giving them orders.

“Cut it out Braedon!  I don’t know how you’re doing it, but I know you’re communicating with them,” and she swept her hand in the direction of the others.  I’m not a complete idiot.”  Kasey paused to take a breath, then she turned to Nate who looked like he wanted to run not walk from the room. 

“No one is leaving this room until I have some answers, is that clear!” she put her hands on her hips and glared at each of them in turn.  “Daniel how about we get some more coffee and get comfortable in the living room… so we can talk.”  Then she walked away from the table and sat on one of the lounge chairs in the living room.

Daniel didn’t stop to ask permission, he did what he was asked to do and by the time everyone was seated he had coffee for each of them.  Jacob, Daniel and Nate sat quietly waiting and Braedon stood against the wall opposite where Kasey was sitting.  “Kasey, perhaps we should have this conversation alone, we…”

Kasey folded her arms and looked him in the eye, “I’d much rather everyone stay,” then she turned to Nate and ignored Braedon.  “I know what you are Nate, you’re a killer, but you don’t kill indiscriminately, you do what you have to do to protect those you care about, even if they don’t seem to appreciate what you do for them.”

The colour drained from Nate’s face and he lowered his head not wanting Kasey to see the anguish in his eyes.  Kasey stood and walked over to him, she could feel Braedon move away from the wall but put her hand up letting him know he should stay where he was and not interfere.  He growled audibly, but stayed put.

Kasey knelt down in front of Nate, she felt him tense up as she did so but she didn’t back off, she needed to do this for him, she could feel his pain and her heart was aching for him.  She lifted her hands and placed them on the sides of his face lifting it up so she could look into his eyes. 

They stayed like that for a moment seeming to take each other in, “You are worth so much more than you believe Nate,”  she moved a hand brushing it across his cheek, she smiled softly and she could feel him relax somewhat.  “Don’t ever doubt that you are an important part of the Pack Nate, you and others like you are what keep your world safe.  You’re keeping me safe, even if I don’t like being taken care of.”

A single tear escaped her eye and he reached up and wiped it away, he gasped suddenly realising what he’d done and waited for his Alpha to attack him for daring to touch his mate.  But he didn’t attack; not physically or verbally. 

Braedon wanted to pull them apart, he didn’t want any other man so close to his mate, but he knew that something remarkable was taking place, so he held his temper and remained where he was letting Kasey do what she needed to do.

Kasey reached up and kissed Nate on the forehead, “I can feel your pain; it tears at my heart, but know this, you will not always be so alone, you will find what you are looking for and until then you can always talk to me.”

Then she wrapped her arms around him and held him as tightly as she could.  Without thinking Nate pulled her into his arms and held her too, he had no idea why she’d done this for him; all he knew was that she had lessened the pain of the burden he carried.

A few minutes later Kasey pulled away from Nate, she felt better because she could feel that he wasn’t in so much pain now.  She smiled at him and he helped her to her feet before turning to his Alpha.  Braedon nodded, “She is a treasure, is she not?”

Nate smiled, “Yes Sir, she is that and so much more.  If it’s alright with everyone I need to rest for a short time, just a couple of hours and I’ll be back up to speed.” 

Braedon moved forward and slapped a hand on his shoulder, “Go ahead Nate, we will be fine.  If there is a problem there are more than enough men here to call upon.

“Thank you,” Nate said, and smiled at Kasey once more before he left the room.

Kasey felt exhausted, she needed to sit down and rest but wasn’t sure she could move, her legs buckled and Braedon was suddenly there holding her in his arms. “I’ve got you kitten,” then he scooped her up and sat on the couch holding her in his arms.  He had no idea what had just happened except that it seemed to have drained Kasey.

Daniel brought a light blanket from one of the bedrooms and covered her and Jacob brought a glass of water for when she came around.  Braedon looked down upon her face, he smoothed her hair off her face and sighed telling himself that at least she wasn’t injured.

“I’m not doing a very good job of protecting her am I?” he felt completely helpless, having no idea at all what she’d done with Nate and why it had drained her of so much energy.

Jacob announced he was doing a coffee run and he wasn’t coming back without the good stuff.  Braedon looked at him as if to say ‘are you kidding’, “It is going to be a long night my friend and besides the coffee, there is someone I’d like to see.”

What Jacob didn’t say was that he was concerned about what had just taken place and he was going to see a local Shaman to see if she could shed any light on what had just taken place.  Braedon sighed and let Jacob go, knowing whatever he was up to it was because he cared about his and now Kasey’s safety.

Braedon moved Kasey to the bedroom a few minutes later, he didn’t really want to, he wanted to keep holding her, wanted to know that she was safe in his arms.  But if she were to wake in his arms she might react badly and for now he needed her to be calm.

He took off her shoes and made sure she was covered with the blanket that Daniel had covered her with earlier.  He looked around the room then pulled a chair up next to the bed and sat to wait for her to regain consciousness.