Sucker Punch (First Fangs Club #3) - Kristen Painter Page 0,5
happen? How do you know this?”
“It happened because I took in a young girl who’s half fae, half vampire and—”
“Dhamfir,” LV whispered.
Donna nodded. “Yes. I gave her sanctuary. The fae were treating her terribly. But King Dredward wants her back, so he had Rico kidnapped to use as leverage. I know this because the fae sent us a video. The girl, Rixaline, recognized the holding cell as the dungeons in the stronghold. We have forty-eight hours to rescue him.”
Charlie walked into the kitchen, now in a gray knit tracksuit. She stopped when she saw the two women.
Maria Antonella’s lips were firmly pressed together, maybe to stop them from quivering. “Show us the video.”
Donna glanced at her admin. “Charlie, this is Louisa Valentina Medina, the alpha of the New Jersey pack, and the alpha-elect, Maria Antonella Medina. They are Rico’s grandmother and mother. Ladies, Charlie is my very capable admin.”
“Call me Toni,” Maria Antonella muttered. “And you can call my mother LV.” She shook her head as she looked at Donna. “I’m sorry for what I accused you of.”
“Don’t give it another thought. I’m a mother. I would probably act the same way if my son went missing. We’re all stressed right now,” Donna answered. She looked at Charlie again. “Can you play the video on the television like you did before? Our guests need to see it.”
“Of course.”
She went into the living room. Donna stood. “Ladies, if you’d like to follow Charlie, she’ll set it to play in there.”
A few minutes later, a stone-faced LV stared at the frozen image of her grandson on the screen. Toni had tears streaming down her face even as her hands were clenched in fists at her sides.
LV finally turned away from the television to look at Donna. “Have you already made a plan to get him back?”
“We’re in the early stages of doing that now. We only just got this video within the hour. But we’re working on a strategy. I hope you’ll join us.”
She nodded. “Your financial abilities exceed anything the wolves can offer, but we are greater in number. And the sunlight doesn’t affect us.”
“I welcome whatever help you’re willing to give. For a long time, your grandson was the only hope I had of escaping my terrible life. I owe him.” Donna held her hand out. “Thank you.”
LV shook her hand, then inhaled deeply. “We have a lot to do and a short time to do it.”
The sound of rapid footsteps was followed by Temo returning. He glanced at the two women, then Donna. “Boss.”
Donna introduced him. “Ladies, please meet Temo Danielson, my very skilled head of security. Temo, this is LV Medina, alpha of the New Jersey werewolves, and Toni Medina, alpha-elect. They’re Rico’s grandmother and mother, and they’re joining with us to rescue him.”
“A pleasure to meet you both.” Temo smiled and nodded, rubbing his hands together. “This is very good.”
Donna clapped her hands. “Let’s get to work.”
They all settled in at the dining room table, Temo at one end, Charlie and Donna at the other, LV and Toni in the middle. Pierce got more coffees and a few glasses of water. When that was done, he took a seat across from the alphas.
Donna put her hand on his arm as she looked at LV and Toni. “I’m sorry, I failed to introduce my assistant and my attorney, Pierce Harrison.”
Toni nodded, and the hint of a sly smile bent her mouth. “I heard about you. You’re the one who saved her from the council. Rico told us about that.”
Pierce tipped his head in acknowledgment. “That was me. But his testimony was pivotal. I like Rico very much. I wish there was more I could do personally to help with this situation.”
A knock at the door interrupted them. Charlie got to her feet. “That’s probably Jerabeth. I’ll get it.”
A moment later, the two women returned to the dining room, introductions were made, and another seat at the table was filled.
As the conversation turned toward the best time to launch the rescue, movement caught Donna’s eye. She turned to see Rixaline hovering at the end of the hall, a sheet of paper in her hands. She motioned to the girl. “Come in.”
Then she held her hand out in Rixaline’s direction and spoke to the werewolves. “This is Rixaline, the dhamfir I told you about. She’s the key to our plan because she knows how to get to the fae stronghold.”
LV shook her head. “King Dredward is supposed to be impossible