RICHIE: New Orleans Wolf Shifters with plus sized BBW for mates (Le Beau Series Book 6) (14 page)

Richie was trapped in the vision of Piper again. He saw both him and Piper in what looked like an old burned out building. They were on the ground floor. He could see vehicles outside the empty gaping holes that used to be windows. It was incredibly dark, making it hard to identify where the vision was taking place. Add to that, all of the debris scattered throughout the space, and he couldn’t see much. But he heard a scuffling sound and heavy breathing.

The entire vision played out and ended once again with him watching in horror, as a man he assumed was Qball, stood and fired. Piper was thrown sideways to the ground with a gaping gunshot wound over her left breast. The light faded from her eyes and her last breath left her lungs.

Why was he being forced to watch his mate die again? He never saw the same vision twice. Frantic to get the horrifying picture out of his mind, he shook his head and struggled to breathe. His heart was crushed in a vise and his lungs refused to work. Fraught with fear, he needed to assure himself she was actually alive and still with him. He hauled her against his chest and held her tightly.

Piper let out an “umph.”

He couldn’t speak he was so shaken. After a long minute, he took a shaky breath and buried his nose in her hair.

“Never leave me, Piper,” he choked out.

“I wasn’t planning on going anywhere. What just happened to you?”

“A bad dream. A really, really bad dream I will never allow to happen.”

After several more minutes, Richie loosened his hold and allowed Piper to step away. It was one of the hardest things he’d ever done and his wolf didn’t like it one bit. “Let’s walk a bit more, then I’ll take you to Bourbon Street for a stroll before dinner. We can try out one of the rickshaw bikes.”

“Okay. But are you sure you’re all right? You’re still very pale.”

“Yes, cher. I’m fine.” The last thing he wanted to say out loud – EVER was that he’d seen her death in a vision. Some days his gift sucked gophers.

They turned away from the quiet of the river at Bienville Street and slowly walked toward the hustle and bustle of the French Quarter. Piper had only taken a few steps when she grabbed Richie’s arm and hissed through unmoving lips, “Qball - eleven o’clock.”

Richie gave her an almost imperceptible nod and continued to walk. They gave no indication of knowing he was there, yet something spooked Qball. He took off like the hounds of hell were on his tail.

Piper tore after him, never letting him leave her sight. Richie easily paced beside her. She may want to take Qball down, but he needed to ensure she survived the ordeal.

Thankfully, it was a short chase or she may have lost him in the crowd. A half block down, Qball ducked inside a burned out four story building that was under construction after years of neglect on the parking lot by N. Front Street and Bienville Street.

Unnecessarily, Richie pulled her to a stop as if she would charge blindly into the building. Apparently he didn’t understand, she was a seasoned hunter, she knew better than to do that.

Annoyed, she frowned at him, but didn’t give her position away by speaking. She took advantage of the deep shadows just inside the gaping vacant doorway to look and listen. Nothing stirred.

Piper, promise me you’ll be careful and not do anything foolish. You’re a professional and I know you will put personal safety above anything else including catching this bastard. If you can’t take a shot from a safe position, please don’t behave rashly.

She scowled at him.
I know how to do my job.

Richie’s wolf tore at him. Raging to protect their mate. The beast wanted to drag her way from the building and lock her in a padded room where she would always be safe.

He wanted that too, but doing that would cause his vision to reach its ultimate conclusion in another fashion. One he wouldn’t be prepared for. He agonized over letting her enter the building, but this was the only way he could ensure his chance at keeping her alive.

With one last push, he forced his wolf into submission and locked his fear away. He needed to focus everything on his mate and remove emotions from the equation. He was terrified his plan wouldn’t work. With his mate facing her unknown death, he decided in that moment if he didn’t succeed, he would follow her into the beyond. He didn’t want to live without her. That left only one option, he had to save Piper.

Determinedly, Richie took point and silently moved forward a few feet into a pocket of cover created by a pile of pallets and burned timbers.

He cocked his head to listen. His muscles were bunched and tense, ready to explode into movement when the need presented itself.

Without looking, he knew when she quietly joined him, and after several long minutes when silence continued to reign, he felt her impatience and knew by the shifting of her weight from one foot to the other she meant to move further into the structure.

With his shifter speed, he snaked a hand out and stopped her.
Use your gift before you move.

He watched her closely as she
slowly studied a ten-foot area around them, any further than that and it was too dark for a human to see. He did a search of his own. Nothing. That could be good or bad. They had no way of knowing what Qball’s line of sight was. If she tried to move, he might see her without her knowing she’d given away her position. That was too risky.

I checked the immediate area and didn’t see him. He must be further in. Do you think he found a way to an upper floor?

Richie gave the structure a closer look. The fire had burned out the entire interior. From what he could see, there wasn’t a staircase leading to the upper floors, but if Qball slipped out a window, he could utilize the scaffolding. No, he would have heard soled shoes on metal. He hadn’t gone up.

Unless he escaped out a window, he’s here somewhere on this level. I’m going to work my way to the pallets on our left. Stay here until I have a chance to test the position.

Test the position? Are you using yourself as bait?

Richie didn’t respond to her outrage. Of course, he was the bait. He was a shifter, she a human. His odds of surviving an attack were ten times greater.

Piper wanted to smack him. The aggravating man had no sense of survival. She watched as he shifted to wolf and silently crawled on his belly. She knew his heart rate remained slow and steady, because she felt each beat as her heart tried to match his. His breathing was relaxed. The man had nerves of steel. He could have been lying on his dock at the cabin, taking a nap for all the lack of stress he exhibited. For the first time, she saw Richie for what he was, a deadly predator.

Damn, that’s hot.

Piper gradually slipped from protective cover, making slow, smooth movements so as not to draw the eye.

What are you doing? Are you trying to get killed?
Move your ass before you get yourself shot!
he snarled into her mind.

His anger and lack of confidence in her abilities amused her. She didn’t rush to heed his demand, but continued in her well-honed manner of moving silently. Three carefully placed, extremely slow steps and she hunkered down behind his cover. She grinned triumphantly.
Happy now?

Abruptly the smile left her face as she glanced through charred slats toward the sound of gravel underfoot. Qball was nearby—and on the move.

She tensed to rise and track Qball. She needed to flank him. Before she could move she felt Richie’s warning hand on her arm.

Wait for him to take cover. We might be able to pinpoint his position without giving ours away.

She nodded and relaxed back on her heels to wait. About twenty seconds later, silence filled the dark interior again.

Piper, he’s behind the metal door leaning against a pile of debris. Can you see him?

No.

From the angle of his cover, we can move to our left without being seen unless he raises his head above his hidey-hole. I’ll cover you while you make your way over there. Once there, verify there’s room for both of us. I won’t have you separated from me. Understand?

She did the equivalent of a telepathic eye roll and growled.
Got it, O’ Bossy one.

Damn, her confidence and ability to tease him under pressure was sexy as hell. Who knew a warrior woman would be such a turn on? And she’d sexy growled at him. SEXY GROWLED in the middle of a life-threatening situation.

He heard Piper giggle in his mind as her body tensed to make her move.

Richie mentally gave her a snort and patted her ass quietly
. Behave yourself.

She’d just made cover and signaled him to follow, when Richie heard Qball on the move.
It was now or never. Dammit, this could be it and they were separated again. Richie used his shifter speed to close the space between himself and Piper.

He steadied the mountain of pallets they hid behind. In his haste, he’d almost sent the entire pile to the ground.
Do you have his location?

Of course.

He smiled at her cool, almost bored attitude.
Where?

Seven feet left of where he was before. He seems to be working his way toward the entrance so he can make a break for it.

Right. Okay, I’m getting back up. We need someone to watch that door in case he gets past us.

Piper frowned at him.
Who?

I know some people
he grinned as he sent a text and pocketed his phone.

*****



Nick, I have a situation at the burned out building on the parking lot at N. Front Street and Bienville. Please come immediately.

His fingers moved with such speed over the screen of his smartphone, it took but a second to type the text. A heartbeat later, it vibrated with a response.

Help is on the way,
he whispered in her mind.

Richie knew Nick was rushing toward his location and would more than likely have Derick with him. The vampires were Rose’s brothers for all intents and purposes. When he’d first met them, they’d been called, Jack & Michael. But with their conversion from human to vampire, their human existence was no more and as such they’d taken on new identities. Once changed, the new vampire had one year to create a new identity. It was the way of the vampire.

Technically, all human ties, including familial were cut and ceased to exist. Nick and Derick were an anomaly since their only family was a shifter. Etienne, the vampire king, allowed the relationship to continue since humans weren’t involved. No other vampire in history had ever been allowed ties to their previous existence that Richie knew of.

His phone silently vibrated in his hand again.

We’re outside, what do you need us to do?
Nick sent.

Guard the door. There’s a man in here that needs capturing and he’s attempting to escape.

We will take care of it. He won’t get past us.

While he’d been texting he knew Piper hadn’t moved her eyes off the last position Qball had taken. What the devil was he trying to accomplish? It had been sometime since he’d moved or made a sound. If his goal was to kill Piper, what was he waiting for?

He handed his phone to Piper and kept watch on Qball while she read the text conversation. She glanced at him and nodded once as she handed it back to him.

I’m going to use my gift. I need to get a look at his position.

Richie had every sense he possessed on high alert. Piper was doing her out of body experience in the middle of a deadly situation. This was more danger than his wolf could stand. The beast fought to surface and protect its mate, but Richie held it in check. From the fierce pain he was in, his guts were shredded.

Piper’s patience was at an end. If Qball wasn’t going to make a move, she would. With a determined expression, she took Richie’s hand, closed her eyes and sent herself out to find out what Qball was up to.

Her invisible self, floated across the space to peer around the barrier Qball hunkered behind. He was there, sweating like a pig and fumbling with his gun. It looked like the piece wasn’t working right, as if it was jammed.

She floated closer for a better look. Qball’s lips were drawn tight, and his breathing was harsh. He was obviously, panicking. This was her chance to take him. With his unusable weapon she had the advantage.

To Richie’s horror, Piper suddenly stood, stepped from behind their cover, and began walking across the room. You would have thought she was on a Sunday stroll instead of taking down an armed serial killer.

He scrambled to catch up to her. This was too close to his vision for comfort. They were a few feet away from Qball’s foxhole when he feared his nightmare was about to play out in real-time.

Using his heightened shifter senses he listened. He heard humanity on the sidewalk, distant music playing, a car horn honk…and the rasp of metal on metal followed by a snick. The distinctive sound of a gun being cocked.

Richie’s body tensed, heart stopped, and lungs burned from lack of oxygen. He’d never been more petrified, or had more to lose in his life. He didn’t doubt the vision he’d had or his shifter speed. What terrified him was the uncertainty he could change Piper’s fate.

He’d never successfully thwarted fate, and not from lack of trying. He prayed this would be the first time. Forcing a ragged breath, he watched every twitch and shift of her body posture, waiting for what he knew was about to happen. She would shift right to skirt the pallets as Qball rose and fired. He would have to intercede at precisely the right moment.

He blinked, and there it was. Piper shifted her weight to take that fateful step. As if in slow motion, the top of Qball’s head appeared above his hidey-hole. As she turned right, Qball’s arm came up, and Richie launched his body in front of her. The last thing he heard was the bullet exploding from the gun.

Piper caught his movement out of the corner of her eye and turned as his body jerked, the air whooshed from his lungs, and he slumped into her arms.

Qball locked shocked gazes with her. It was plain as day, he’d thought he’d had her that time. The crease in his brow spoke of his confusion as to how Richie had gotten in front of the bullet. What he’d seen wasn’t humanly possible, but then he didn’t know Richie wasn’t human. It was a few seconds before he gathered his wit’s to take another shot.

Piper used those precious heartbeats to leverage Richie against her chest and work her right hand free to return fire. Qball recoiled and her bullet went wide, finding purchase in his shoulder. She’d been aiming for his heart. It was the first time she’d ever gone for a kill shot, but dammit, he’d shot Richie!

The hit spun Qball to the floor and out of sight. Shit. She loaded another round and readied for him.

The gunfire drew Nick and Derick from their position. One second they were leaning on the brick opening and the next they were there. She had no idea who was who, but they were definitely her allies.

“Secure that bastard!” the one snarled at the other, his guttural, angry tone contradicting the gentleness by which he wrapped an arm around Richie to help prop him up as they headed for the door.

Richie moistened his lips and looked down at Piper’s lovely face.
What’s wrong, cher? You look so worried.

Don’t try to talk. You’re going to be fine. You have to be fine.

Subconsciously, he knew he’d been hit. Hell, he’d expected it. That was the plan. But the pain had yet to register with his brain, and his inability to focus his thoughts confused him.

He’d moved faster than he’d ever moved in his life. Vaguely, he remembered the sound of the gun as Qball fired, but after that everything was a bit fuzzy.

He allowed Piper help him stay on his feet. The last thing he wanted was to fall on his face in front of his mate. He was pretty sure Nick was helping, too.
Wasn’t he supposed to guard the door?

Her body was so soft and warm. He wanted to snuggle closer and take a nap. Richie shook his head, his scattered mind was jumping all over the place. It was impossible to maintain a single coherent thought. Shit! Why weren’t they in a building, stalking Qball? He needed to focus so he could protect Piper, not think about snuggling up to her curves. What was wrong with him?

When they reached the charred opening that once was the main entrance, he stumbled to a halt and swayed. Confused by her scent of panic, he took a good look at her in the light of day. She was distressed. He couldn’t stand for her to be so upset. Without thinking, he let go his hold on Nick to rub at the frown line between Piper’s eyes.

Bad idea. He went down hard. Like a giant Cyprus felled in the swamp. Without the added support, his legs gave out and he was flat on his back, staring up at Piper and Nick in surprise.

Piper fell to her knees next to him as Nick took up a protective stance. A crowd was beginning to form and it wouldn’t be long before police showed up.

“Richie!” He was losing too much blood and his breathing was ragged. Piper raised her shaking hands to cup his face and gasped. Terror pierced her chest. He was so cold.

She watched him struggle to take a breath and whimpered in despair.

He turned his nose into her palm and tried to rumble. “I’m fine, mon amour. It’s just a scratch.”

“Don’t talk, babe. Help is coming.” She glanced up at the man standing above her. She prayed help was coming. Then a thought occurred to her, if she could talk telepathically to Richie, maybe she could reach Seth. Richie said he was a healer.

Piper took several deep breaths like she did to clear her mind when she meditated. Then she let herself leave her body. But instead of going across a room, she went into Richie’s mind.

Slowly she reviewed the web of threads. She hadn’t expected this to be so complicated. Some of the fine silk filaments glowed brighter than the others, which had to mean something. Telepathy was a psychic gift, which as far as she knew was of the light so to speak. It could be argued the brighter threads were connected to that gift. Okay, here goes. She reached out with her spirit hand and gripped the brightest thread.

Seth? Seth can you hear me?
She shouted the thought as loudly as she could.

Excuse me, but who are you?
a strange voice responded.

I’m Piper, Richie’s friend. I need Seth. Do you know him?

Yes, I do. I’m his father, Isaac. Why do you need him?

Richie has been shot, and he’s lost a lot of blood. I need a healer before it’s too late!
Her voice was rising as she thought about the state Richie was in.

Breathe, Piper. I need you to remain calm and describe his condition. Tell me everything you can.

She took a steadying breath and became all business.
I’ll need to return to my body, and I’m afraid I’ll lose the connection.

Don’t worry, I have you now and I’ll hold the link.

She returned to her body and studied Richie closely, gently checked his chest and rolled him slightly to see his back. Richie moaned when she moved him, but other than that remain quiet.
It looks like a through and through. He was shot in the chest at fairly close range and the bullet exited his back. Based on his labored breathing it may have hit a lung. He’s lost a lot of blood, and his skin is cool to the touch. He’s still conscious, but that could change at any moment.

Good job, Piper. Give me a minute.

She waited for what seemed like hours before Isaac spoke again.

I relayed Richie’s condition to Seth. He followed you to the French Quarter and is only a few blocks away. Expect him in a minute or two.

She was surprised Isaac hadn’t questioned how she’d been able to contact him. Instead of interrogating her he asked.
Is there anyone else there to help you? Do you need me to send protection?

Richie called two of his friends to help us before he was shot. They’re here with us now.

Good. That’s good. Try to keep him awake and talking.

Piper stiffened, stopped breathing, and analyzed what she was suddenly experiencing. She was seeing things without seeing them, at least with her eyes. It was as if she was seeing them play out in her mind. Was this clairvoyance? It must be.

Then her heart stuttered. She could see Richie slipping away from her. It looked like he was backing into a shadowed area. What if he disappeared into that void? Would she be able to bring him back?

What’s that shadow I see near him?
She choked out in panic.

Whatever you do. Do not let him go into the shadow! He’s strong and deeply connected to you. Call to him. Demand he stay with you. Tell him something, anything to keep him with you until Seth can get there.
Isaac’s voice was tinged with alarm, booming loudly in her mind.

Piper framed his face with her free hand while maintaining pressure on the wound. She pressed her forehead to his and put every bit of force she had into her voice. Richie!
she commanded.
You aren’t allowed to leave me without a mate. Seth is coming, so hang on… for me. If you go, I go with you. Do you want me to die today?

NOOOOO!
He suddenly bellowed in her mind and she saw him trying to move away from the shadow.

Richie’s lashes fluttered as he strained to resurface, but he didn’t have the strength to open his eyes.

For a heartbeat, Piper was sure he’d open them and stay with her, but he was too weak from loss of blood. Dammit! Where was Seth? Richie was fading fast and her hold on him was tenuous at best.

Panic welled in her chest and mind. Pushed to her limit, she grabbed him by the shoulders and wailed as her heart shattered. “Don’t you dare die on me! You don’t get to take the easy way out and leave me here alone. Open your eyes and look at me. Right now.” Crushed by grief and despair, Piper laid her cheek on Richie’s chest and wept. “Dammit. I need you to open your eyes.”

If she’d been looking at his face, she would have seen his eyelashes flutter. She could feel him as he struggled to reassure her. Her heart leapt with encouragement as he pushed and fought to come back to her. He was giving it everything he had, but all he accomplished was a gasp from his efforts.

She was losing him!

“Please, Richie. I need you,” she choked out.

She felt his chest rise and then a shuttering breath left his lungs. She waited.

Nothing.

No inhale
.

“NO!”

From out of nowhere, a man appeared at Richie’s side and began checking his heart rate and breathing.

“Don’t give up yet, cher. There’s still a chance. This isn’t the first time I’ve had to work a miracle.”

Piper’s initial reaction was to defend Richie from an attacker. But then she realized who it was that had pushed her aside. She fell back, shocked by Seth’s sudden presence and smooth baritone voice in her ear.

Her eyes widened once her brain kicked in, and she scrambled to give Seth all the space he needed.

Seth smiled as he urgently worked on Richie. She hadn’t freaked out over Richie’s condition or gotten in his way, he’d known she wouldn’t. Piper was made of tougher stuff. She was every bit as courageous as any shifter he’d met. His friend was a very lucky man.

Knowing he didn’t have a second to lose, he’d gone immediately into healer mode. Richie wasn’t breathing and he couldn’t hear a heartbeat, not even a flutter. It couldn’t have been much worse.

He could smell Piper’s profound gratitude that he was there to help Richie. He was sure she didn’t realize it, but she was mumbling, praying that he would be able to work the miracle he’d promised. From what he could see Richie was going to need one.

The woman was incredible. She stayed close, ready to lend a helping hand if he asked for it, yet never once got in is way or broke his concentration.

His healing energy was helping and Richie’s color was a little better. His cool skin and gray pallor showed hints of beige here and there. But it wasn’t enough, there had to be internal damage.

“Hold his spirit to you, or we’ll lose him.”

“How?”

Seth frantically worked to stabilize Richie as he said, “join with him telepathically. Feel your connection, heart to heart, mind to mind. Once you’ve got a solid link, imagine taking hold of his spirit with your hands and hold on tight.”

Once again, she amazed him. She didn’t hesitate or distract him with questions or arguments over what must have sounded like a ludicrous idea of holding someone’s soul with her hands. She simply closed her eyes tightly and did as she was told.

“Hold them back, boys. I need to give Richie my complete attention.”

He knew Nick and Derick would follow his orders and maintain their defensive positions, forcing the growing crowd to stay to the sidewalk. Normally, a vampire so young wouldn’t be able to withstand the rays of the sun, but the king of the vampires, Etienne, had countless tricks up his sleeve and their new ability was only one. Goddess bless, Etienne.

Seth took a deep breath and closed his eyes. With his palms flat on Richie’s chest, he sent his spirit inside. Heat flowed from his healing spirit form. One after another, he sealed arteries and veins to stem the blood loss. Then he used the intense magic he’d been gifted as a rogue hunter to force Richie’s body to produce blood at an unnaturally high rate.

*****

Piper?
Richie slurred in a weak voice.
Piper, I’ll always love you.
And then he was gone.