AN- Say what, another chapter so soon? Who would have thunk it? I have to come clean dear readers, this chapter is actually the other half of Chapter 20. These days I just don't have the energy to edit more than a few pages; thus the reason Desert Princess is taking so long to get out.
Scent of His Woman
Chapter 21
Fitz and Olivia take a long intimate shower before joining Harrison and Huck for breakfast. After cleaning up the dishes, the friends gather around the table to discuss their next moves.
"What do we do now, Fitz's father must be looking for him", Olivia asks taking Fitz's hand.
"Fitz is18, he can't force him to come home", Harrison reminds.
"He can't go back home", Huck adds.
Olivia turns to face Fitz. "That's true, so the question is where will you live babe?" How will you support yourself? I mean, I can ask my parents if you can live with us. If they agree, there are sure to be a truckload of rules and restrictions to prevent us from having sex the moment their backs are turned". Olivia shrugs her shoulders and gives Fitz an "it's an iffy position proposition at best look".
"Which we would", Fitz interjects mischievously wiggling his eyebrows and kissing her cheek, which earns him a punch in the arm.
"Support is one thing I don't need from my father. My maternal grandmother hated Big Jerry. She left me some money when she died. I'll be fine".
Fitz's demeanor changes at the mention of his grandmother. Gertrude "Gertie" Crenshaw-Baldwin was the only other source of loving light Fitz had during his childhood aside from his mother. The four-foot silvered-hair wisecracking spitfire never cowered in Jerry's imposing presence and took great delight in being a constant source of consternation to the man. She always found roundabout ways to undermine Big Jerry's plans for Fitz. Jerry could never trace the sabotage to her directly but he knew it was her and he resented her for constantly meddling in his family.
"Was she wealthy?"
"Yes, but most of her money was used in supporting her philanthropic endeavors".
"Did she ever try to get your mother to leave your father? From what you say, she had the means." Olivia asks out of curiosity.
"Yes she did. She pleaded with my mother to take me and leave him many times. Eventually my mother told her why she stayed". Fitz looks off into space as he remembers his mom's one and only attempt at escape.
"Mom tried to leave once when I was six, she packed a few bags and one day while my father was out of town we hopped in her car and headed to my grandmother's. We had barely been on the road 20 minutes before a drunk driver slammed into us. I remember the sound of crumpling metal, glass shattering everywhere, blood and my mother's screams. I wasn't hurt too badly, just a few glass cuts but my mom bore the brunt of the collision. She sustained a lot cuts and bruises, a broken arm and a broken leg. As soon as my mom came home from the hospital, my father made it clear he would never let me go or give her custody or even visitation for that matter.
"How did he find out?"
"He found out what my mom was attempting to do from the accident report. My mom refused to leave me in Jerry's care, so she sacrificed her happiness for my sake and stayed. My grandmother left the bulk of her sizable estate to me. Grandmother wanted my mom and me free of Big Jerry and his corrupt influence as soon as it was legally possible. According to the will I get a third of the estate upon turning 18. So don't worry, I'll get an apartment in town until I leave for college in the fall".
"Fitz, I'm scared for you. What's to prevent Jerry from kidnapping you and saying you decided to change schools, or need a liver transplant or some other crazy story. I don't think you should live alone. He's proven the lengths he will go to, to get you to follow his plans. Baby he literally held you hostage. He's capable of doing anything, he's a monster". Overcome with concern, Olivia tightly grasps both of Fitz's hands and gazes into his eyes.
"I agree with Olivia, your dad is a batshit crazy bastard", Huck says.
"Me too on both counts", Harrison adds. There is safety in numbers Fitz, Papa Grant and wannabe father-in-law Grayson are less likely to try a snatch and grab in front of witnesses. You can crash at my crib for as long you need. I'm pretty sure my mom likes you more than me anyway, so she'll be cool with you freeloading until the fall". They all chuckle.
Their laughter is suddenly interrupted by the unexpected sound of loud knocking coming from the front door. Looking nervously at one another, they remain quiet and still as the knocking increases in intensity.
"Are you expecting anyone?" Olivia whispers.
"No," Huck and Harrison whisper in unison.
"Livvie, turn on the air purifiers", Fitz says pointing to the units. Shaking her head she races to do as instructed. Fitz goes into protect mode. If the lycans have found them, he needs to eliminate Olivia's scent and buy them time to escape.
Huck and Harrison lift the table off the kitchen rug and put it aside. Huck rolls the rug back revealing a trapdoor concealing a basement. Gripping the door handle ring, he pulls up the hinged door and locks it in place. Harrison runs to his bedroom to grab the guns with silver bullets and a few flashlights. Rushing back, he gives one gun to Huck, the other to Fitz. He hands Olivia the flashlights. Fitz takes Olivia by the hand and leads her down the steep steps to the basement. Olivia turns on the flashlights. Huck follows closely behind them.
"Watch your head", Fitz cautions.
Halting at the base of the stairs, they use the flashlights to search the darkness for the path leading to the basement backdoor.
"The backdoor is covered with a thin layer of soil. You'll have to give it a good shove to open it. The door is a good 30 feet away from the house and hidden behind some shrubs so you'll have a good headstart if they try to follow you. You know where to go?" Fitz nods yes. The three hug and Huck runs up the stairs to aid Harrison.
Huck closes the trapdoor behind him, rolls the rug back in place and repositions the table. He looks out the kitchen window to see if there are forces surrounding the cabin. Seeing no one, he quickly moves on to peer out the window of the bathroom and the second bedroom. Seeing nothing out of the ordinary, he closes each of the doors. He goes to the hallway closet pulls out a bag containing four wreaths covered in wolfsbane. He hangs a wreath over each closed door and the kitchen door.
Harrison stands ready at the front door, gun cocked behind his back. Huck takes up position in the hallway sniper style behind a narrow table. They nod to each other.
"Who is it", Harrison yells at the stranger standing at the front door.
Down in the basement, Fitz and Olivia search for the door leading to the outside. After stepping over boxes, brushing away cobwebs, and bumping into a few low hanging support beams they reach the ladder to the backdoor.
"Hold this", Fitz hands Olivia his flashlight. He slides open the basement door latch and uses his shoulder to pry it open. He climbs up the ladder, surveys the area, and then motions to Olivia to join him. They don't see a car so whoever is at the front door came on foot at least part of the way.
"Fitz we just can't leave Harrison and Huck. The same men who came after me and held you hostage could be at the door."
"I know Liv, I need you to take the gun, follow this path for about a quarter mile. You'll see a group of coral colored rocks at the base of a huge four trunk pine tree. It's the only one there so you can't miss it. Pick up the smallest rock, there should be a set of car keys under it. Climb down the embankment directly in below the tree. When you reach the bottom there is a blue Sentra hidden under camouflage netting. In the glove compartment is a map to the reservation. Drive down the path to the main road and follow the map directions. There is no reception up here so you'll have to tell the tribe what is happening once you get there. Don't worry, they will send reinforcements to help us. You'll be safe with them".
"Fitz I'm not leaving you".
"Livvie please, don't argue with me on this."
"I'm not going to argue with you because I'm not going. We are in this together. How many times do I have to tell you this? What happens to you affects me and vice versa and you know it. We are part of one another now. I physically cannot leave you. I feel my body shutting down just at the thought of our separation".
Fitz wraps his arms around Olivia. She's right, he can feel the physical strain in his body as well. "Okay, stick close to me".
A muffled reply comes from the other side of the door.
"Who", Harrison shouts back.
"Chief Ahiga", the man repeats. Harrison nods to Huck signaling that he is opening the door. Harrison unlocks and opens the door with his left hand keeping the cocked gun in the other behind his back. The chief stands stoic as usual waiting for Harrison to invite him in. Harrison looks past the chief making sure the leader wasn't followed.
"Don't worry Harry, a pack from the res is patrolling the perimeter. Can I come in?'
"Oh yeah, I'm sorry, can't be too careful these days, you know".
"I understand, you have good reasons to be very cautious". The chief enters the cabin.
"Where are Fitz and Olivia?"
Huck joining the two says, "Escaping out the back".
"Well stop them", Ahiga shouts. "The Ancient One has a plan".
Huck runs out the front door to intercept the fleeing couple. He nearly collides with them rounding the corner leading to the back of the cabin.
"Why are you two still here? You could have been captured!"
"Man, you and Harry are my brothers, I couldn't abandon you even to save my own life". Huck understands, though he is not happy with Fitz's reckless choice. He looks at Olivia, who grabs Fitz's hand.
"My place is by his side. Where he goes I go".
"You two ...never mind". Huck shakes his head in frustration. "Chief Ahiga is here. The Ancient One sent him.
They hurry back to Harrison and Chief Ahiga anxious to hear the Ancient One's message. Harrison and the Chief are sitting at the kitchen table as the three reenter the cabin. The Chief stands to greet Fitz and Olivia.
"How do you feel Fitz? The transition could not have been easy".
Olivia interlaces her fingers with Fitz's hand supportively. "No it wasn't. It scares me to think how things would have turned out if they were not with me", Fitz speaking of Huck, Harrison and Olivia.
"Good friends and a good woman are hard to come by. Never take for granted the special people the Great Spirit places in your life. That goes for all of you", Ahiga admonishes. A pensive silence takes over the room.
"Huck says you have word from the Ancient One".
"Yes, I do". Ahiga opens his jacket and hands Fitz a thick envelope from his inside pocket.
Fitz removes a document from the envelope and reads the document.
"Ha…a…a…ow did he get this? Fitz stutters in astonishment. He pushes the document over to Olivia to read. She reads the document, smiling broadly with every flip of a page. She passes the document to Harrison who places the document between himself and Huck to read. They too smile from ear to ear after reading the document.
"Does the school know? Does the Ancient One really think this will work?" Olivia having a few seconds to think the plan through asks skeptically.
"Only temporarily, a more permanent solution is in the works. For now, all of you need to return to your regular routine and that means going back to school. Fitz, the Ancient One has made arrangements for you at the res." Fitz opens his mouth to voice his objection but the chief stops him by raising his hand.
"Before you say no, this move is temporary as well. Olivia's parents have secured a safe house for you. It will be ready by the weekend. We've also arranged for a few guys from the tribe to stay with you. The lycans are desperate and angry. All the local packs on are high alert".
"What about school," Olivia asks again. "All of us can't say we were sick."
"As far as the school is concerned, your families took all of you on an extended weekend trip".
"Including Fitz?"
"Yes, including Fitz. Mellie and her friends are contacting your mutual acquaintances trying to locate you and Fitz. No doubt, Grant and Grayson suspect Fitz escaped to imprint on you instead of Mellie. Both of you need to keep your guard up, especially you Olivia".
"Why Olivia, I'm the one they want".
"Fitz, they will to try to get to you through Olivia".
"We're mates, it's over, there is nothing they can do to sever our bond."
Chief Ahiga and Olivia look at Fitz, they don't have to say a word, he understands.
"Fuck, they wouldn't dare".
So what document did the Chief deliver? What is the temporary solution? Do you think Grandma Gertie knew what Big Jerry was? Fitz forgot for a second that there is a way to sever the imprint bond.
I wonder how much time Olivia will spend at the safe house. How many air purifiers do you think they will need? LOL
I've rearranged the storyline a little to cover more of the backstory. The story will return to the present in a chapter or two. I'm hoping writing shorter chapters will allow me to post more frequently; well in theory at least.
Enjoy your weekend. Share your thoughts and thank you for reading.