Hunted Derick

Chapter Seven - Let's Go Home

★ Derick ★

Madam York arrived at the house two days later with a flustered Carter. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw Sally pulling Carter along with her. Sally was Madam York and the anger that filled me tempted me to kill the cold-hearted b***h. However, I was relieved to see that Carter was alive and well. He looked a bit shaken up but otherwise, he seemed alright. I looked over him as Sally sat him down on the last step of the staircase and noticed that aside from his bruised wrists, he didn’t have any other marks on him. Over the time spent alone with Candice she had revealed more about her past and her job. She had explained Madam York’s obsession with her and why she had taken Carter. The two men she had kidnapped had immediately made the news. Apparently, they were high up in society. Candice revealed that Madam York wanted the two men dead for three reasons. One: For power, Two: For money and Three: For revenge. Although she did mention that she only killed the bad guys. Not that it made it any easier to accept but I suppose in her own way, she felt she was doing something right. I disagreed with it, but I didn’t say anything. I didn’t care about any of that and I had informed Candice that I wanted nothing to do with the murder of those two men. Even though I had driven her to each location and helped keep them tied up. I wouldn’t stand by and watch her kill anyone.

“Derick?” I turned to look at Carter and gave him a warm smile. I had to admit that I had missed him, and it was time for us to go home. I glanced back at Candice, who sat talking to Madam York whilst they stood in front of their prisoners. Candice and I had discussed the plan and it was at this point that I knew it was time for us to leave. I slowly back away, keeping my eyes on the two females. Carter seemed to understand, and he didn’t hesitate to make his way back upstairs. I ran through the house as quickly as I could, making sure all doors and windows were closed up real tight. One last stop and that was the kitchen. I turned up the gas on the stove and headed over to re-joined Carter at the front door.

“Come on, kid, let's get the hell out of here,” he nodded, and we hurried to the truck parked in the garage. Once we were about an hour away, we both finally breathed easier and relaxed.

“Thank you, Derick,” Carter said, breaking the comfortable silence.

“For what?” I asked curiously, not quite understanding why he would be thanking me. I mean, if it hadn’t been for me, he would be safe and sound at home. And Conner would still be alive. The guilt ate at me daily, no matter how I tried to convince myself otherwise, it just didn’t work. It was all my fault. I owed it to Conner to protect Carter forever.

“For coming to get me,” he breathed out nervously. I shrugged and turned on the radio. “What about Candice?” he asked.

“She will meet us at the motel,” I responded. We had a long trip ahead and I didn’t want to tell him the news of Conner’s death whilst in the car. Besides, Candice had asked me specifically not to tell him. The plan was to drive to that very motel and wait for her there and then the three of us would return home together and then she’d tell him about Conner.

★★★

We arrived at the motel and Carter took me completely by surprise as he sat down on the bed.

“Where is Conner?” I froze and then turned slightly away from him. I could guess that he had figured out that something wasn’t right, and I wasn’t wrong in my thinking. “Is he dead?” he asked. I slowly turned to face him, and I could see it in his eyes that he was silently begging me for the truth. With a heavy sigh, I sat down next to him on the bed.

“Conner…” I started, but then stopped. How do I explain to him that his brother is dead? His twin brother. “Conner was killed,” I blurted out. I quickly glanced over at Carter, waiting to see his reaction but he just nodded.

“I thought something must’ve happened when I stopped feeling him,” Carter whispered. I gathered the small wolf into my arms and onto my lap as I held him close. The sounds of his tears and sobs were heart-wrenching and I held him closer. I couldn’t say I understood his pain, I never had a twin, but I did understand his heartbreak. I knew what it was like to lose family. After a while, his sobs subsided, and I placed him down on the bed. He was passed out, probably exhausted from the crying. It pained me to see him this way and the plan didn’t quite work out, but the guilt continued to eat at me. I slipped out of the room and stood by the door. The cool night breeze touched my arms and I shivered. Instead of going back inside to get a jacket, I headed to my truck. Getting in, I made sure to keep an eye on the motel room door. I grabbed my phone from the dashboard and dialed Kaila’s number. After a few rings, she answered.

“Wonderful to hear from you again D,” she greeted.

“Kaila,” I breathed out before bursting into tears. I had been holding in my emotions for too long now.

“Derick? What’s going on?” she asked me urgently. I cried a bit more and then managed to get my tears under control.

“K…I need you,” I whispered.

“Alright, I’ll be at your pack in a day or so,” she promised before hanging up. I sighed out in relief and closed my eyes. Kaila would be able to help. I trust her more than anyone else. Besides, she wasn’t aware of what had been going on these last few days and I needed her guidance and advice. I glanced back at the door and shook my head as I thought about the broken wolf who was sleeping inside. I had let him down, in the worst way possible.

“I promise I will protect you,” I said out loud. I thought about Candice and I hoped she would be alright. I knew that we had a lot of things to deal with before we could discuss things about us. I wasn’t even sure if she was going to accept me as her mate or reject me. My wolf stirred and I quickly shushed him. She hadn’t rejected me yet.

★ Candice ★

I heard them leave and I breathed out a massive sigh of relief. Sally turned to me with a questioning frown.

“What are you hiding?” she asked, and I shrugged. She would find out soon enough.

“Why are so caught up on getting me to work for you?” I asked her instead of answering. I was prolonging the inevitable. She laughed as she turned to face the two men that were tied up to a chair. They both watched the interaction between us.

“You are the best,” she finally said.

“Am I?” I tilted my head, thinking about her short answer. Was I the best? No, I didn’t think so. Especially not since she managed to capture my brother and get the other brother killed

“Raven, please, don’t be so modest,” Sally said, using my alias name. She knew my name, hell, she knew everything about me, yet she chose to speak to me as an assassin, not a person. “You and I both know that for the last five years you’ve managed to do the undoable and get away with it,”

“I have, haven’t I,” I smirked as I looked over at the two men. “You killed my brother,” I stated as I turned my focus back to her.

“Unfortunate as it was not part of the plan nor deal,” she said dismissively.

“Well, that unfortunate event is something you are going to pay for,” I said. With your life!

“Oh, I am sure you have some or other request and I’ll gladly see to it that you get whatever you want,” she said as she began to circle around the two men. “But first, I want to see these two dead,” Mr. Wilkens and Mr. Drake both started to struggle and moan, but I ignored them as I took out my favorite handgun. Sally spotted my action as I screwed on the silencer. She was standing behind them and I moved forward, facing the three of them. Sally’s eyes were no longer on me as she looked at them and I raised the gun.

“Any last wishes?” I asked. Sally smirked but yet she had no idea. I raised the gun slightly and pulled the trigger. One bullet and I watched as she fell to the ground. I ripped the tape from Mr. Wilkens's mouth and then Mr. Drake. “Now, boys, let me make something very clear to both of you hmm…”

“Anything just please, don’t kill us,” Mr. Drake begged.

“I don’t know why she wanted the two of you dead, but you were never here, and you don’t know anything,” I made sure to look between them to get my point across. “This will be our little secret ok?” they both quickly nodded but I hesitated. Sally wouldn’t just want anyone dead; these men are dirty. “And if I ever find out you’ve done something bad, then I will come and get you, got it?” they nodded again, and I untied them. “Now get the hell out of here,” I shouted. Both men scrambled up the stairs and disappeared from my sight. I wouldn’t have much time, so I acted quickly. Everything was already set up, so it didn’t take me long to wrap Sally’s body up and clean up the mess. I kicked the chairs broken and backed away, drizzling the petrol along as I did so. Backing up the stairs I continued to make a trail. Once I was at the top of the stairs, I threw the can down. “Bye, bye Sally,” I said before I took out the lighter from my back-jean pocket and set the trail alight. I watched it burn and move at an incredible speed. Sally’s body was engulfed in flames and I hurried out, making sure to close the basement door behind me. I moved around in the kitchen, the gas already making me feel giddy and nauseous. I was grateful to Derick who had made sure all the rooms where closed as well as any windows. I locked the front door and headed to Sally’s car. I drove away slowly, parking alongside of the road a good distance away but I could still see the house. It wouldn’t take long now. BOOM! Explosive. I smirked once more before spotting the two men in the distance. I drove passed them and continued to one of the hideouts in the next city. I needed a drink and a strong one at that.

★★★

“I can’t believe you took out Sally York,” Gale said as she handed me a tumbler with a good shot of whiskey. I sat back in the chair as I took a slow sip of the liquid. “I mean, we’ve been trying to get rid of her for years,” she added as she sat down across from me. Phoebe waltz in and threw herself down on the black leather sofa in the corner.

“Yeah well, she killed my brother,” I said with a sour taste in my mouth. Killing Sally was only somewhat satisfying. The fact that my revenge didn’t bring my brother back made the whole situation bittersweet.

“Yes, but now what?” Phoebe asked from where she was laying. “I mean, are you still going to work now that you’ve found your mate?” I shook my head.

“No, I’m done,” I said but then I downed the drink and looked at Gale seriously. “However, I have one thing left to do,”

“And what’s that?” she asked me.

“Find the rogues that worked for her and kill them all,” I stated with a promise. Both Gale and Phoebe nodded.

“Well, if you need anything, you know we are here for you,” Gale said.

“Thank you, but I think I can manage a couple of rogues,” I said before standing up. “I’m going to take a shower,” I started walking out but then stopped. “Did you take care of her car?” I asked.

“Yes,” Phoebe answered. I nodded before walking out and headed to the bathroom for a much-needed shower. I couldn’t wait to see Derick again and I couldn’t wait to hug Carter. As I closed the bathroom door behind me, I started to strip. My body was sore, and I smelt like petrol and gas. I got into the shower and turned on the water. The coldness hit me, but I remained still as the water heated up. I stepped closer and enjoyed the warmth that surrounded me. I let out my emotions as I cried. Thinking about Conner and Carter. My brother was going to be devasted during the burial and I needed to be strong for him. Letting out my emotions now was my only option. My thoughts drifted to Derick and I found myself smiling. I was looking forward to being with my mate. The circumstances that brought us together was far from ideal, but I was actually happy to have found him. I was curious about his past and longed to hear him tell me all about it and himself. I finished up with my shower and for the first time in my life, I felt good. My future was no longer looking dull.

★ Carter ★

I woke up feeling lost. Looking around the poorly lit room did nothing to comfort me. I felt movement and looked down to my left and saw Derick sleeping. That comforted me. I got up and went to the window, pulling back the black and red checked curtain, I guessed that it was about five o'clock in the morning. I let the curtain fall back and I glanced over at Derick. I owed him my life. I owed Candice my life too. I wondered when she would be joining us or if that was the last I would get to see her again.

“Come back to bed kid,” I heard Derick’s muffled voice and I smiled. I had missed him. I listened to his advice and slipped back into bed. Derick reached out and pulled me close to him and I closed my eyes.

“Derick?” I called out after a moment.

“Hmm?”

“What happened to Conner?” I asked him. I had a pretty good idea that my twin brother’s death had to do with those rogues, but I wasn’t sure. I felt Derick stiffen behind me and I looked over my shoulder at him. “Was it those rogues?” I asked. He nodded but kept his eyes closed. I didn’t ask any more questions and it wasn’t long thereafter that I felt Derick relax and soft snores filled the room. I closed my eyes again and tried to fall asleep.

“Derick!” I shot up as I heard her call out to him. Derick moaned and rolled onto his back as I jumped up and headed to the door.

“Candice?” I called out, just to make sure.

“It’s me, Carter,” I heard her answer and I quickly unlocked and opened the door. She immediately pulled me into her arms and hugged me.

“Everything alright?” Derick asked her and she pulled away.

“Yeah,” she answered. I could feel the tension between them, and I frowned. “How is everything here?” she asked.

“He knows,” Derick replied, and I saw her frown. "About Conner," he added and Candice pulled me once again into her arms.

“I’m so sorry Carter,” she whispered. I wanted to cry, I wanted to scream, I wanted the whole world to know how upset I was over my brother’s death, but I couldn’t.

“Don’t smother the kid,” Derick teased, I suppose to lighten the mood and Candice once again let go of me. “We should head out,” he said, and she nodded. "Let's go home," he added as he smiled over at me and I returned the smile. I wanted to go home. I missed it. I wondered again about the obvious tension between the two of them but I wasn't sure who to ask about it. Derick or Candice. Although she is my sister, blood of my blood, I felt closer to Derick. It didn’t take us long to get our things together. I opted to drive with Derick as Candice got into her own vehicle. The drive home was quiet, except for the soft music that played from the truck’s radio.

“Do you like Candice?” I finally asked Derick and he glanced over at me for a second before turning his attention back to the road.

“What do you mean?” he asked.

“The tension back there was quite intense,” I claimed as I thought back to it. I watched Derick closely and that is how I saw the faint blush touch his cheeks. “So, you do like her then?” I asked. Derick nodded and I smiled as I relaxed against the seat, looking out at the scenery that passed us by.

“She’s my mate,” he declared, and I whipped around to look at him.

“What?”

“Yeah, she’s my mate,” he repeated, and I nodded.

“That makes a lot of sense,” I said. Now I understood what I felt towards Derick. Our bond together was due to the fact that he is my sister's mate. “That’s cool,” I added.

“Do you think so?”

“I do,” I admitted honestly. I wanted to meet my own mate, but I was in no rush for that. I was honestly happy that Derick had found his other half. Suddenly I felt excited. “Does that mean, she’s going to stay with us?” I asked.

“I don’t know yet,” he answered, and I frowned.

“But since she is your mate…” I trailed off as I turned back to watch the scenery. I had lost Conner, but I was hopeful that Candice would stay. It would be nice to get to know my sister.