Frozen Holidays 1& 2 Eudorus and Zelus Read online

  Danny screamed from the back seat. “We’re going to Ros’s place!”

  “Just for a few days,” Jen said as he looked at Ros for confirmation. She was nervous, he could tell.

  He pulled up in front of her apartment. A generous term for such a small hole in the wall. He turned the SUV off and started to get out. “I’ll just run in and get a few things,” Jen said.

  “No, we’ll all go in. I want to be sure you’re okay.”

  It wasn’t that he suspected anything. It was that he didn’t want her out of his sight. He felt the need to be next to her. The mated gods had mentioned the need for their mates. He hadn’t believed such a strong feeling for a female could truly exist. He knew better now. He got out and went around to get Danny out of the child seat. Jen got out before he was done and started heading into the building without him.

  “Wait a second, we’re coming,” he hollered and she stopped until they got to her.

  They walked up the stairs to her apartment where she packed for her and Danny. There were no problems but he felt protective of his family. That’s what he considered them to be so he would watch over them the best that he could. They left the apartment and he carried a big bag for Jen and a small one for Danny. Danny skipped and sang as they moved along. Once they got to the steps Danny tried to hop down them which made Jen lecture him on safety.

  Ros had to admit he was relieved when they made it back to the SUV. He got Danny settled and Jen got in on her own. Normally he would have helped her, but since he was looking after Danny, she settled herself in. He got in and they rode back to his apartment. So far things had been easier than he expected. He was just waiting for the other shoe to drop. Maybe he’d be lucky and he wouldn’t have any problems. Yeah, right!

  He escorted them into his apartment when they arrived. Danny was running from room to room losing items of clothing as he went. His shoes were in the living room, his hat in the kitchen. Jen was running after him trying to calm him down. The boy just needed some exercise to burn off all that energy. He grabbed Jen’s hand and pulled her to the bathroom where a whirlpool tub was.

  “Take a bath and I’ll play with Danny for a while.” It looked like she’d refuse but she changed her mind and nodded.

  Ros went to find Danny and they got on the floor rolling around and enjoying themselves. It was a lot of fun and he was sure Jen was enjoying her bath. He wondered what she’d say when he wanted her to sleep in his bed tonight. Just the thought of wrapping himself around her before they went to sleep excited him. Just the thought of her at all made him giddy as a schoolboy. They played nearly and hour and then he got Danny ready for bed. He was a little worried that she had been in there so long but he’d heard from mated gods that sometimes females just needed time to relax. He had a second bathroom to use for Danny and him so once Danny was in bed and he was ready for bed, he knocked on the bathroom door. No answer. That worried him so he checked the door, she hadn’t locked it. He opened it and she was asleep. The bathwater was tepid so he woke her up.

  She startled when he shook her lightly. “You fell asleep,” he said. “I’ve put Danny to bed and he’s asleep. I’m ready for bed too if you are.”

  “Danny needs to take a bath,” she protested.

  “Already done.”

  “He’ll expect a story before he’ll go to sleep.”

  “Already told him one and he’s already asleep.”

  It surprised him how hard it was for her to accept help from him. She would probably be as resistant to anyone trying to help. People could be hard to deal with and she probably hadn’t gotten many offers of help. She’d thought Raker was trying to help and now she knew he was using her. Maybe it wasn’t so hard to understand her attitude after all. It didn’t matter because he would help her whether she liked it or not.

  “Could you step outside while I dry off and get dressed?” she asked her face flaming with embarrassment.

  “Of course I can,” Ros said. He didn’t really understand modesty since the gods had been raised practically naked. The small thin shorts they had worn at the facilities covered little and hid nothing. He didn’t mind if she was shy, he would break her of that in due time. He would mind if she tried to avoid his bed. Tonight he planned to sleep with his mate.

  Chapter 6

  Mission Go

  Jen wasn’t sure what to think and she’d probably be going crazy right now if she wasn’t so damn tired. She didn’t want the things Ros said to be true. It would only complicate her already crazy life. She did want to believe him since she had grown to trust him and she didn’t want to think she was that bad a judge of character. The whole situation was one big mess.

  They woke up and had breakfast. Jen couldn’t help but think it was so normal. They were acting just like a family as Ros helped her get Danny ready. They drove to the bus stop and sat in Ros’s SUV while they waited for the bus. Ros already had Danny out of the seat and sitting on his lap as soon as they parked. When the bus came, it was Ros who walked Danny to the bus and spoke to the driver for a moment before coming back.

  “What did Mr. Horne have to say?” Jen asked.

  “Who?”

  “Danny’s bus driver.”

  “He said he was glad you two had someone to help out. He likes both of you and wishes you had things easier.”

  “Oh,” she said turning red. She’d thought she had done a good job of hiding how hard things had been for them.

  “We need to discuss what’s going to happen today.”

  “Does it have to be today?”

  “Yes, if we want to save everyone.”

  “I know Raker’s an asshole but a murderer?

  “You can’t imagine some of the things that man has down and I wouldn’t even want you to. He’s sadistic and doesn’t value life except for his worthless ass. We need to get in there at a time when the fewest innocents are nearby. Doc will call you as soon as you’re at work and set up the appointment. She will bring me and Hades with her. What’s the matter?”

  “Hades, I’ve heard of him. They say he looks like the god of death he’s named after.” Jen shivered.

  Ros laughed. “Hades is a pussy cat. You’ll like him and his mate has him twisted around her finger. How bad could he be?”

  “If you’re sure,” she said but she really wished she was convinced.

  She didn’t have much, but she was risky it all on this crazy scheme. She couldn’t believe she was going along with it, but she knew they’d do it anyway and without her, there was more likely to be people hurt when they did it. She tried not to think about the future because when this was over, the clinic would be shut down and she’d have no job at all. No money for rent equaled no place to live.

  “You know there’s nothing to worry about. I have a job for you with good benefits, better pay, and a place to live comes with it. They have onsite childcare and a cafeteria where you can eat free.”

  It was almost like he could read her mind. “What’s the catch?”

  “You have to move, but they’ll move you. You also have to decide now and leave once this mess is mopped up.”

  “I don’t have much choice. What will I be doing?”

  “All the same things you’re doing now.”

  “You’re not just making something up to make me feel better?”

  “I promise there’s a job waiting for you and there’s potential for promotion.”

  “Thank you, Ros. That helps a lot.”

  He parked around the corner from her office. He hurried around to help her out and stole a kiss while he held her. She looked over to the corner where he usually worked but another Santa stood there. It made sense if they planned to complete the raid on the clinic she worked at by noon. She hurried around the corner and into her office area so she would be early. This morning when Raker walked by, she could barely control her shudders. She knew too much about him to continue to hide her revulsion for long. He just walked by and didn’t say anything. He seemed preoccupi
ed and that suited her just fine.

  The phone rang and Jen’s heart almost stopped. She knew no one else could tell the call would start a chain reaction that would end in this place being put out of business, but she was nervous anyway. She moved quickly and caught the phone at the second ring.

  “Hello, New Beginnings, where babies are our business. This is Jen speaking.”

  She hated the slogan Raker had come up with and she didn’t always use it but today she would be on her best behavior. She didn’t want anything to call attention to her or to the clients that would be coming in soon.

  “Hello, Jen. This is Gemma and I wanted to set up an appointment with you. I’m in a ménage and both my men want to come with me. One of my men, Ros, said he talked to you earlier?”

  “Okay, yes, I met him at the diner around the corner and he asked how far along I was. We started talking and he mentioned your difficulty. It will be our pleasure to help you anyway we can. When did you want to come in?”

  “We’re just visiting in town so the sooner the better.”

  “Let me talk to Dr. Howerton. He handles most of our clients. I’ll see if he can get you in a eleven since he has a light day today. I’ll call you back and let you know.”

  “Thank you. This is so important to us. We’ve wanted a baby for so long.” This woman was good, Jen could here the in her voice just how much she wanted a baby. If Raker listened in on this call, he wouldn’t doubt the sincerity or authenticity of it.

  “You’re welcome and we want to help you make your dreams come true.”

  Jen left her office to go to Dr. Howerton’s office. She rarely went into the heart of the clinic and the doctor’s office was as far as she ever went. She liked the old man, he seemed to sincerely be trying to help couples achieve their dream of having a child. He saw a patient a day on average, but he did a lot of research for each case. She usually found him sitting at his desk either on the phone or going through paperwork.

  Today was no exception. She knocked and he hollered for her to come in. He sat at his desk drowning in papers, magazines, and some kind of samples. “Jen, so nice to see you. What can I do you for?”

  He was really a nice man and she had gotten use to his odd way of talking. “I had a call from a potential patient. They’re visiting the area but won’t be here long. I said I’d try to get them an eleven o’clock appointment with you. Oh, yeah. There in a ménage and both men want to be involved.”

  “Two men, that might help matters. More DNA to work with. Exciting relationships you know. I did some work with a psychologist in college and he studied multiple partner relationships. Very interesting stuff. I’ll see them, but call me right before they come back so I have my desk clear.”

  Jen looked at the desk which was in terrible disorder somewhat skeptically before she looked at him and nodded. She turned and left hurrying so she could call Gemma as soon as possible. She was ready to get this thing done and the chips would fall where they would. She got back to her office and called the number on the caller ID since she had forgot to get Gemma’s number. She hoped it was the right one.

  “Hello,” said an uncertain voice.

  “Gemma, is this you?”

  “Oh, yeah, I’m here.”

  “Got your appointment set up for eleven. I hope that still works for you and your men?”

  “Yes, we’ll be there with bells on.”

  “We’ll be expecting you then.”

  Jen hung up the phone uncertain if she wanted to pray or cry. Maybe both would cover the situation best. She sent up a little prayer and hoped for the best. She’d cry but she didn’t want Raker to wonder what was going on. She’d save the crying for after the deed was done. She’d started work at eight, it was nine now which meant two more hours before all hell broke loose in her life.

  It was just her luck that it was a slow day and she had few distractions from the worry and possible troubles coming that were running through her head. It seemed like it had been hours but it was only ten thirty. Would it never be time? Raker walked by and he looked up at her. She faked a smile but he seemed to look right through her and kept walking toward her.

  “I heard you found us a client during lunchtime. Don’t expect any special considerations. We already give you enough,” Raker said with an evil sneer on his face. It was getting easier all the time to believe this guy was the villainous mastermind Ros insisted her was. He didn’t wait for a response and just walked off. Thank goodness he was gone. It was almost time for Ros and his people to arrive.

  Jen started chewing on her nails. It was an old habit she had long given up but it was back now with a vengeance. She tried to stop but every time she got distracted and a new nail fell to her teeth. Her nails weren’t long anyway, they broke easily which probably meant her diet was lacking something. Whatever it was, she couldn’t afford the blood test to figure it out much less buy the needed nutrient. She had turned into a clock watcher. That was new since she had never been one to worry about time much.

  She looked for something to do, willed the phone to ring, and hoped someone would walk through the door but the next ten minutes went agonizingly slow. She looked at the clock again and saw it was one minute to eleven. She’d thought they’d be early but maybe they’d changed their minds and all this worry had been for nothing?

  No, here they were now walking in like they owned the place. Now she knew that Ros wasn’t always honest. Hades looked as cold as death itself. His unusual olive colored eyes glowed slightly which made them shine like ice. He was dressed in a suit, and looked like a successful business man, the kind with bodies buried under the basement. Gemma was gorgeous with a killer body and a heart stopping smile. They were made quite the couple, both gorgeous in their own way. Gemma was hiding a secret and the slight bump that only another woman would notice told Jen what it was.

  Ros, oh, God, yes. He was gorgeous in that well muscled super hunk kind of way. He made a beeline to the counter almost as if he’d known where she was without even looking. She was still nervous as hell but she was also excited that he was here and hopeful that things would indeed work out for the best.

  “Jen, what would we normally do now?” he asked softly even though the room was empty.

  “Dr. Howerton wants me to call him now that you’re here so he can be prepared and then escort you to his office.”

  “Don’t call him. Just take us there and we’ll handle everything. Once you take us there, hide and don’t come out until I call for you. Understand?”

  Her hands shook and it was hard to breath. There was no point in trying to talk so she just nodded. “Good girl,” he said. “It’ll all be over in a few minutes.”

  She motioned to Hades and Doc so they would follow. She led them through the door to Dr. Howerton’s office. Ros motioned her back and he opened the door and went inside. Doc and Hades continued down the hallway each taking another door. Jen didn’t know what to do with herself. If Raker realized what was happening, he would look for her at the counter first. She decided to hide in the bathroom. Hopefully it would all be over soon and Ros would take her out of here.

  Chapter 7

  Free the Gods

  Dr. Howerton looked like a benign old man. His hair and beard were white and his eyes seemed friendly enough even though he was clearly surprised at the interruption. Ros wouldn’t be fooled. It was best to treat them all as dangerous and release those once that was shown not to be true. He pulled out his dart gun and shot him. The old man looked shocked as the dart took effect immediately. He restrained him immediately and moved on.

  He checked the next room and Hades was restraining someone. The room next to that was empty. They would check out a lot of empty rooms but they had to do a sweep of each room or risked missing danger. Room after room was empty and Doc was no where to be seen. Hades came up behind him and they continued quietly down the hall to an elevator. There was nowhere left but to go up or down. Hades went up and Ros waited for the elevator to go do
wn.

  He got to the sublevel and as as soon as he drew in a breath, he knew there was a lab of some kind. He rushed through it but the whole floor was empty. He went back to the elevator and went down to the very bottom floor. He exited and the scent of sickness and fear hit his nose. He was certain he had found the captured gods even though he hadn’t laid eyes on them yet. A deep breath helped him find the god scent under the foul ones. That sent him in the right direction.

  He moved quickly but kept his eyes, ears, and nose alert for any changes. It seemed unbelievable that no one would be down here with the prisoners. He was right. He opened a door where a god was restrained to find a naked female trying to mate him. He had marks all over his body where he had been pinched, hit, and even whipped in an effort to get him to mate with the female. Why anyone would think torture would make a man interested in a female he clearly didn’t want surprised Ros. He aimed the dart gun and shot. He rushed forward to catch her so she wouldn’t hit the floor despite the temptation to let her fall.

  He got closer and took a good look at the god on the bed. “Alastor? Is that really you?” Alastor was one of the older gods. They had called him Al for short. He’d been thought dead long before Origin fell.

  “Ros, it can’t be. Have I died and gone to hell if your ugly face is all I see?”

  “You’re just jealous because the females prefer me.” Ros answered as he released the bindings that tied Al to the bed. He helped him sit up and he examined him for damage. Besides being starved to the point that every rib showed and clearly being abused, there didn’t seem to be any broken bones.

  “Where are the other prisoners?”

  “I’ve not seen anyone in a couple of days. They’ve had that she devil in here with me nonstop. Vesperos was the only other god they’ve kept here, but they had others, humans. Ves may be in the next room. We should go now and get him.”