The Delta's Daughter Chapter 329

LYRIC

The tightness in my gut increased as we waited in the car outside another seedy motel, waiting for Shadows man to show up. I had never been so nervous about pulling a job in my life. Then again, there was a lot more riding on this than I liked.

I can't remember the last time I prayed to the moon goddess, but I prayed to her last night, and I silently prayed to her now. I prayed for the job to go smoothly. I prayed for my boy - that I would see him again. And I prayed that I could keep him safe.

Bram checked his watch for the umpteenth time, letting out a loud sigh of annoyance. If Bram was anything, I had learned in the past few years he was punctual and hated to be kept waiting.

A sharp rap on the car window startles me. I look over as Bram rolls down the driver's side window to a man dressed in black. His hair peeks out from under his hood, a shade darker than white, and his eyes are an eerie mustard yellow. An uncommon eye color if I had ever seen one. His pale, almost grey skin, has the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end.

"Who's she?" The man snarls my way.

"Who are you?" Bram asks him with as much venom laced in his words.

The man's eyes shift to Bram, "You can call me Twenty-Nine. Shadow sends his regards." He glances at me again, his lip curling up with distaste. "Again, who is she?"

"The person that's going to get Shadow what he wants," Bram replies with a matter of fact.

Twenty-Nine - such a strange name. Even for a street name. Everything about this man is strange and wrong. He has no scent, skin the color of ash with eyes that seem to peer into your very soul with an air of evil intent.

He's so strange, I wonder if he's one of them.

"Get in the car Twenty-Nine," Bram orders Shadow's man.

To my surprise, Twenty-nine doesn't argue or protest Bram's order. He slides into the back seat, leans back, and makes himself comfortable.

Bram and I share a look, his in exasperation and mine of concern. I bite my lip as I wonder what the night has in store for us. None of it feels right, and doing a job that's essentially for Shadow, is way too close to my secrets than I like.

Get in. Get out. Get home to our pup. I chant my mantra.

The silence in the car was palpable and almost tangible, and I could feel the heaviness of what we were on our way to do sitting heavy on my chest. Like a boulder crushing against me, I was finding it hard to breathe. It didn't help that the closer we got to the New Moon Palace, the more my wolf became on edge. Note paced quietly in my mind, waiting, as if she was expecting something. It was all adding to my building anxiety and the intense feeling of unease that had wormed its way in and taken root.

I watched out the window as the scenery sped by. Thoughts of my pup and Aunty Lizzy, are at the forefront of my mind, along with running through worst-case scenarios.

I need to shake myself out of this funk, but it was hard. This wasn't like any other job I had pulled for Miko before. This was almost impossible, and the danger factor was off the charts. Plus, it wasn't really a job for Miko. It was a job for him.

We cross the border and arrive in the New Moon capital within a couple of hours. Taking the back roads and avoiding the heavy patrol I was sure the capital had beefed up.

Bram seemed to know what he was doing and Twenty-nine, was quiet in the back, although I could feel his cold stare boring into my back throughout the whole drive.

We pull up to a motel and I wait in the car with Twenty-nine while Bram grabs a room.

The three of us pile into the dingy room with old wallpaper that has browned over the years. A bed that looked like it had seen plenty of use with a dirty orange cover on it. My feet stuck to the carpet, and I cringed at the filthiness of my surroundings.

Thank Goddess it was only a place to get organized and ready.

Bram throws a duffle and garment bag on the bed that he retrieved from the car, turning to me he points to the garment bag. "Miko sent a dress for you."

I give Bram a weary look and hesitantly move toward the bed and unzip the garment bag. Finding a beautiful full-length dress in a soft purple material, with a suede feeling to it. Embedded sequins catch the light and sparkle.

I frown while inspecting the dress, my hand running over it with admiration. It's truly stunning but… "Bram, why do I need a dress? I can't function in this!"

"You have to look the part to get into the party first," He winks at me.

I'm about to ask him another question when Twenty-nine speaks, "I will be accompanying you. Once inside, there will be a bag of clothes stashed in the east wing bathroom." He must see the confusion on my face and adds "Shadow has a man on the inside."

That wasn't what I was confused about. I shake my head at Twenty-nine, "You are not going in with me."

The strange man's eyes flare with aggravation and he takes a step toward me. I take one back wary of his approach and his threatening demeanor.

Suddenly I find myself pinned against a wall and a knife being held to my throat. "You don't make the decisions. Master does. You will do as you are told mutt, or I can easily slit that slim neck of yours." Twenty-nine sneers and flashes sharp pointed teeth at me.

The promise of his threat and the feel of his cold blade against my neck have my heart rate accelerating.

I look away calming my inner fears and see Bram behind him, fists clenched but hesitating to intervene. I knew why. This man was neither shifter nor human. His pointed teeth were unlike any shifter I had ever seen. Smaller and sharper than that of a werecat. But just as lethal looking.

I gulp down my nerves and lift my hand, pushing on Twenty-nines, moving the blade away from my neck. I was born an Alpha's daughter, and no matter what my life had become, I would not let this… this thing, bully me. I refused to be intimidated. At least on the outside anyway.

I narrow my eyes and find Twenty-nines ugly mustard-colored glare still pinned on me. "Get that fucking knife out of my face." I hiss back. "Kill me and your master won't be getting shit."

Twenty-nine steps back some, giving me room to breathe. He lowers the knife but still keeps those beady eyes on me. "One, you don't smell like a shifter or anything for that matter. Two, you stick out like a sore thumb. Three, I work faster alone." I begin to list the reasons why Twenty-nine shouldn't be accompanying me. He would draw too much attention. Plus, I didn't need my hand holding. I would be faster on my own.

I didn't need one of Shadow's men getting too close to me.

"Hey man, she's good. She knows what she's doing. There isn't anyone better than Swift that can bypass computer electronics than her." Bram says behind Twenty-nine, coming closer and moving his large frame between mine and the grey-skinned man. "You can trust her. Miko wouldn't have sent her if she wasn't our best."

Bram's words seem to satisfy Twenty-nine, for now. He moves away and I let out the breath I was holding. Internally shaking off the fear that quickly turned to anger. "He stuck a knife to my fucking throat, Bram," I say shaking my head, stooping to pick up the dress that had fallen to the floor when I was roughly pushed against the wall. "I wouldn't call that professional."

"Shadow wants that crown, who's to say you won't steal it once you get it?" Twenty-nine sharply accuses.

I spin around fast, scowling. This was getting too complicated for a job of this magnitude. "I don't want the fucking crown, you moron." I can see my words anger Twenty-nine, but I carry on anyway. "Keeping the crown for myself would just be plain dumb. You would come after me, your boss, and I couldn't even sell it on the black market if I wanted to unless I melted the thing down. Here's what's going to happen - I go in, I lift the crown, and I come out where you both will meet me. I will give you the crown," I point to Twenty-nine, "And you" - I say to Bram - "Will make sure he gets it. Miko will pay me, and all parties will be happy."

Bram palms the back of his neck and Twenty-nine looks uncomfortably satisfied with my plan and shrugs his shoulders. As if he knows something we should. The unease of the job settles back into me like a warning.

"Now if you will excuse me, I have a ball to get ready for." I grab my bag, along with the garment bag, and stomp my way past the two men into the bathroom. Slamming the door behind me, I lean against it and take several big breaths. One to calm my nerves. A second to steady the boiling anger rising in me. And a third to subdue my wolf who was ready to rip into Twenty-nine.

Taking out my phone I opened it wanting to send a message to Lizzy, but I flipped it closed again. I couldn't. I couldn't risk someone finding out. I couldn't even see my little boy's face as I kept no pictures of him for fear of someone recognizing him.

I shove my phone back into my bag and turn on the shower, only to discover the water drizzles out and doesn't heat up.

I scrub myself clean, eliminating as much dead skin as possible. Once done, I pin my long dark hair up and braid it into an elegant bun. The style would work for the ball and also keep it out of the way when I break into the vault.

The dress fit me like a glove, accentuating all my best assets and making my boobs look much bigger than they were. I have no idea what Miko was thinking, picking out this dress for me. It would draw far too much attention - Attention I didn't want. I needed to blend in, not have every unmated wolf's eyes who was attending the function on me.

I step out of the bathroom to find Bram sitting on the bed. Alone. He looked up at me - a dark look of want clouded his eyes. He stands and comes closer, lips parting and his tongue darting out to lick them. His eyes traveled the length of my body, scoping out the goods. "You look beautiful Swift," He rasps, closing in on me.

"Bram, don't," I say, giving him a warning look. "Besides, I have no idea why Miko would have me wear a dress that is sure to attract attention."

"I picked it out, Swift. I thought it would look beautiful on you. I was right. I could take care of you Swift; you know that. You and that boy of yours." His hand comes up, knuckles tenderly brushing over my cheek. I look away, the feeling of his gentle touch sickening me.

"Bram," I shake my head "You and I will never happen," I say stepping out of his reach and moving around him.

"Why Swift? I would never hurt you." I swing my head around giving him a questioning stare. Bram sighs, dropping his head slightly. "I didn't want to hurt you before; I had no choice then. I can protect you - from Miko and anyone else."

I wasn't sure what to say, I knew Bram had always looked at me lustfully. I figured he just wanted me to be another notch on his belt. "You have a mate out there somewhere Bram. Besides, I have never known you to be the committing type." I chuckled trying to play it off and turned back around to put my makeup bag away.

I felt the warmth of Bram at my back and my whole body went rigged with his nearness. "I don't have a mate Swift."

"You don't know that."

"I do. Sometimes a bear just knows, and I know I don't have a mate out there waiting for me. I've known this since the day I shifted." I can hear the sorrow in Bram's voice, leading me to believe him. That he truly doesn't have a mate out there. A part of me feels for him, but I don't let those emotions overcome me.

"Bram," I say now turning to look him square in the eyes, "I don't like men." I don't like women either, but he doesn't need to know that.

Since the day the Rogue King massacred my pack, and I watched as my mother was raped by male after male, the idea of being with a man was repulsive. Scary. I hoped to never meet my mate because I'm not sure what I would do.

They say the pull to your mate is strong - irresistible. I like to think my will would be stronger if that day ever came.

Bram wears a look of defeat on his handsome face. For all his misgivings, I truly hope he finds someone. Because despite his dangerous way and the things he did, he wasn't that bad of a person as far as criminals go.

"Where's Twenty-nine?" I ask, hoping to move on from the awkward rejection.

"He'll be back. He went to make a call is what he said." Bram groans like he too could live without Shadow's man breathing down our necks.

"I don't trust him, Bram," I say shaking my head. "He looks strange, and he smells stranger."

"I don't either, but… This is the way it has to be. Miko doesn't want to risk anything. Shadow has us all backed into a corner.

"Have you ever met him?" I asked Bram out of curiosity. I only knew what I had been told.

"No," He shudders. "But Miko has. They call him the Dark Witch, they say he can control the shadows, bend them to his will. Miko swears he is not of this realm." Bram perches back on the end of the bed, "I can tell you if Miko had the choice, he wouldn't be mixed up in this shit." He waves his hand around, referring to the job.

The door to the room opens and Twenty-nine creeps in. Everything he does and everything about him is creepy as shit. He gives me a once over with those ugly eyes. Unlike Bram, he seems unimpressed. Which I was thankful for. "It's time."

I grab my purse that holds my gear. A small electronic pad, a wire, and a decoder I invented disguised as lipstick.

"One more thing," Bram grabs my elbow before I can walk out the door. He holds a small piece of black lacey material. At first, I thought it was underwear and was a little confused until he unfolded it to reveal a black mask.

I offer him a playful smirk and snatch the material from his hand. "Thank you," I whisper and reach up on tiptoes to kiss him on his cheek.

Bram moves his head, his lips brushing against mine. His hand glides up to cup my face as his lips move against mine. I freeze, afraid to move. I had never been kissed before. The only person I kissed was Lizzy and my son. It was nice, soft, and meaningful, but wrong.

Note growled with a warning in my head from the unwanted affection. 'Not mate'

Bram breaks away from me, holding my face in his hands firmly, "You be careful Swift. You understand?" He says with force making sure I heard him. "I'm serious Swift, watch your fucking back." His eyes dart between mine, looking for confirmation that I understand.

He didn't need to warn me or be concerned. I already felt something wasn't right. From the minute Miko contacted me I knew it was going to be trouble. "I will. I promise." I reply, deciding to placate Bram. He had never warned me before or shown me any concern. He knew I could take care of myself, but he seemed different this time.

Maybe he had the same gut feeling as I did.

We climb in the car and once we reach the Palace, Bram and Twenty-nine cover me with a scent masking spray. Hopefully, there would be enough people already there that no one would notice the absence of one wolf's scent.