Free Inequities by Jambrea Jo Jones Page A

didn’t have time to use his power. He heard the curse and the ground erupt beside him. His sole focus was Vivian lying lifeless on the ground. Ryerson better hope she wasn’t dead.
    Russ let his men take care of Ryerson. He had to make sure Vivian was okay. He raced to her side, knocking Ryerson out of the way. He cradled her naked body in his lap and rocked her back and forth.
    “Don’t be dead. I just found you.” Russ laid her out flat on the ground, careful not to jostle her. He framed her face in his hands, tears streaming down his face. He peppered kisses on her eyes, her lips and her cheeks. Anywhere he could reach.
    He could hear commotion behind him, but he ignored it.
    “Please, baby. Wake up. I need you. Don’t die on me. Damn it, Vivian. Wake up and show me those beautiful blue eyes.” Russ stroked her hair and ran his hands over her body.
    She didn’t appear to be harmed. Her ankle looked blue. It was the same one she’d hurt when she’d showed up on his doorstep. Rocking back and forth. And back and forth. He didn’t know who he was soothing. Her or himself.
    “Did you check her pulse?” Peter sat down next to him.
    Russ blinked his eyes and growled when Peter put a hand on Vivian. Stop. Control. It was Peter and he wanted to help. Shit. He’d never thought of that. Stupid, stupid. His fingers explored her neck, searching for that wonderful beat that would mean she lived. He bowed his head and hovered over Vivian’s lips. Her pulse was faint and if he listened close he could hear the air puffing out of her lungs.
    “Is she—” Greycen whispered?
    “She lives. Her pulse is weak. We need to get her home.”
    And showered. She smelt of the other fox and Russ’ wolf wanted to obliterate it. Thinking of foxes—
    “Where is he?”
    Max dragged the other man forward. Ryerson was unconscious.
    “Dead?” Russ asked dispassionately.
    “No. You said you wanted him alive.” Max shook his head like he wanted to go ahead and kill the man. Russ almost let him, but this wasn’t their fight. Max held out a gun. “Found this over there.”
    Russ gestured for Max to hand it over to Greycen. He would have his hands full with his mate. Nothing would stand in his way of her in his arms.
    “Good. That’s good. Can you keep him subdued? And I shouldn’t be around him or I’ll rip his throat out.” Russ picked Vivian up and headed for the truck he’d left at the side of the road about a mile up.
    The Ancients hadn’t shown him this part. Of course not. They liked to keep him guessing. But at least she was alive. He had to take what he could get. Vivian didn’t stir on the trip to the truck nor did she wake when they got back to the safe house. He was beginning to worry.
    “Max, could you find out if David and Bella made it home and what they found? I need someone to guard Ryerson and someone to take charge of getting people back to normal.”
    “Done deal, Russ. Valerie and I’ll get everyone rounded up. I’ll speak to David and keep you updated.”
    “ Thanks, Max.” Russ continued to take Vivian down the stairs to his room.
    “I’ll keep watch over Ryerson. What are your plans with him?” Greycen spoke up.
    “I’m taking him home to your tribe. I’ve already spoken to Vivian’s parents. That’s why it took so long for me to get to you. They were unaware of a few facts. I set them straight and there will be a tribunal when we get to Greenland.”
    “They’re going to the homeland?”
    “Yes. They felt it was the only way to appease what had happened. To cleanse the den. It’s a good thing.”
    “I’m going with you,” Greycen stated.
    Russ had no problem with that. It was his plan all along. The den needed to realise that different was good. And what better way than to bring men who were mates. It would work better if the two would truly bond, but Russ would never force the issue.
    “Yes. You and Peter will be by our side while Max and David hold down the fort here.”
    Pete r