"Sweetheart, you've only had two lessons, and the last time I took you out on the range, you shot just about everything but the target. It isn't safe yet. You'll get it down, but let's wait so no one accidentally gets hurt."
"Levi told me to practice more and I should have listened." She blinked back tears. "He showed me before you did, but I didn't like it."
"Lexi doesn't like it either, honey. That's all right. We're going to be fine. I need you to look after the little ones just in case they wake up. There's a small bathroom off of this little sitting area." He held out his hand to Airiana. "We have to go."
Airiana kissed Lucia. "We won't be long, honey," she promised.
Benito held out his hand. "The pistol."
Maxim pinned him with steely eyes. "Don't shoot anyone unless you have to, Benito. And don't leave this room. Once I'm hunting, I'll kill anyone I come across and you don't want to be out there."
Do you think we should say arrest? Shouldn't we try to arrest them?
Maxim wasn't going to dignify that with an answer. He wasn't a cop, and these men had come to his home to take his family from him. He'd lost one once before, it wasn't happening twice. He shot her a quelling look and she smiled at him.
So sorry, Mr. Badass. It was just a suggestion.
"Let's get out there. Benito, the code word is nutmeg. If that word isn't given, shoot. Do you understand?"
Code word? Nutmeg? Are you kidding me? It was all she could do not to roll her eyes. Nutmeg seems to be a favorite code word for you.
He has to feel important. I don't want him trying to follow us. These men Evan sent are top players. They know what they're doing and they'll be well equipped. Which is where you women come in. Thomas and Levi tell me you can handle yourselves when you're together. I need a good distraction while we pick them off.
Benito nodded, his dark eyes going fierce. "I understand, Max. I won't let you down."
Maxim couldn't help himself, although the gesture startled both him and Benito. He leaned down and brushed a kiss on top of the boy's head. "Keep them safe. Lock this door behind me."
Airiana followed Maxim up the stairs to the ground floor. The men Damon had sent had brought with them the supplies Maxim, Levi and Thomas had insisted they needed. It had been Maxim who had built the secret door into the side of the house where the bushes grew high and wild. He'd carved out a small pathway through the bushes were they couldn't be seen from anywhere on the property.
They rendezvoused with Airiana's sisters in the small bunker prepared in the center of Airiana's garden, just to the left of the gazebo. All of them had practiced for this moment hundreds of times, although only a few days had passed since Airiana and Maxim had come home. The men had worked them hard, not allowing anyone to go to work or do anything but go over the steps they would take when threatened.
Even if Evan's men tried to burn down Airiana's house, the spacious room in the basement would, in theory, still stand and the children would survive. Airiana hoped they wouldn't have to test that hypothesis. She greeted each of her sisters with a hug. Lexi shivered, but she stood her ground.
"We've got this," Airiana told Maxim. "Be safe. Go do whatever you need to do, but don't let anything happen to any of the three of you."
Maxim caught her face in both hands and kissed her hard. Leaving her wasn't the easiest thing he had to do, but these women all had enormous gifts. Each woman alone was a force to be reckoned with, but together, they made a frightening force. He stared into her blue eyes for a long moment, noting the gathering storm there.
Airiana wouldn't hide herself away, not when someone was threatening her family. Not when these men worked for the man who had sent the children to his ship to be abused and murdered.
"I love you," he said. The words came out husky, a voice he'd never used before, maybe even a little harsh. He'd never said them before, but he needed for her to know.
She reached up and pulled his head down to kiss him a second time. "I love you right back. Now go. And be safe."
"Yes, ma'am." Maxim left her to it.
Airiana turned her face up to catch the slight wind. At once the map of the farm sprang into her mind. The enemy had come in from three different directions. One group, at least five--I think I'm getting five--is coming in from the back entrance near the irrigation pond.
Judith linked them all together, the six women and the three men.
I can confirm that, Thomas said. I'm moving in that direction now.
How close are they to the pond? Rikki asked.
They're approaching it now, Airiana said, feeling the displacement of air near the pond's end. They're close to the small group of flowering trees we planted last year.
Thomas, stay on high ground, Rikki advised. Judith, remember Levi, Thomas and Max are out there when you and Blythe give us a boost. Don't be heavy-handed.
I'll do my best. You know when we're all working together it can be hard. Blythe will need to keep us toned down.
Airiana glanced up at the sky. Clouds drifted slowly above them, but with a little bit of heat she managed to pull water from every source into the clouds. Rikki lifted her hands, her fingers tapping into the air as if she might be tapping the keys of a typewriter. Airiana moved behind her, back to back, her own hands going up. The wind picked up, rushing toward the back of the property, back toward the pond.
Maxim was shocked at the authority in Rikki's voice. She was captain of her boat and she took it seriously. Apparently she was captain when she decided to wield her water talent as well. From his vantage point on the roof of Airiana's house, he could see Thomas crouched near a small grove of trees, waiting to do his part.
The wind hit the surface of the water, dipped low, and three geysers shot into the air, spinning fast, dancing across the pond, rising higher and higher. The twisters jumped from the pond to la
nd, spinning madly, picking up debris along the way as they moved across the land now.
The sight was a little disconcerting, even though Maxim knew what the women, as elements, were capable of. The twisters looked malevolent--alive--and bent on destruction. They raced toward the five intruders in silence while more formed in the water, springing up like mad, whirling soldiers.
Dozens more leapt from the surface of the water, spinning madly, bending toward the mercenaries as the group approached the far side of the pond. In order to get to Airiana's home they would have to walk close to the spinning tops of water.
"What the hell?" the leader snapped, holding his fist up to still everyone's approach.
Airiana, where are the others coming in? Levi demanded.
Airiana turned her attention from providing the propulsion of wind to the waterspouts back to the map of the farm, checking for displacement. Another group of five is coming in from the main entrance. They're about halfway past Rikki's house heading to Judith's.
I'll take them, Levi said. And the last group?
They're dropping down from above, right into the clearing where the gazebo is. Right in front of us. Max, are you under cover, they should be able to see you.
The men dropping on ropes from the helicopter were too close to the house and the hidden children. It was all well and good to give young Benito a gun, but he had no business actually shooting anyone. Airiana glanced toward the house, afraid for Max, afraid for the children.
I've got them, Maxim said, his voice as always calm and confident. They're in the helicopter, Airiana. Bring in the wind and slam it hard into their left side. Hard enough to spin them if you can. You know they won't be able to see me. I'm the shadow man. I'd do it myself, but I'll need to be ready to take them out from here.
Don't get overconfident, Levi said.
Maxim laughed softly. You take care of your little band of mercs and I'll take care of mine, baby brother. Lissa, are you ready? When Airiana brings in the wind, give me some fire, breathe it right through the helicopter.
Can you do that? Airiana asked, startled. She'd never really considered what Lissa could or couldn't do with fire.