Best Friends (New Species #15)(117)

“I’m taking them to Mary. Someone get a knife to cut the ropes. They have fragile skin. I didn’t want to use my claws to tear the rope because they’d probably bruise. Mary, they are unhurt. Just scared.”

She got to him and stared at her parents. At least, the back of them. Tears blinded her as she finally looked up at Lash.

He gave her a huge grin, showing off his fangs. “I told you I’d bring them to you.”

“Lash,” Brass ordered, “let us lift them off you.”

Lash finally gave a sharp nod. New Species converged, gently gripping each of her parents and lifting them away from Lash. As soon as they were off him, he grabbed her, picking her up, and Mary was being squeezed in a bear hug.

She wrapped her around him. “Thank you!” Then she wiggled. “Let me down. I have to check on them.”

Lash sighed but he lowered her. “They act like prey,” he grumbled. “It’s also why I didn’t untie them. They probably would have run to hide from me, and it would have taken longer to bring them to you.”

Mary wiped at her tears. The New Species had lain her parents on their backs on the ground, and they were cutting the ropes. Her dad was freed first, and he tore at the gag around his mouth. He struggled to sit up.

One of the New Species gently helped him but released him fast. Brass was the first to speak to them.

“You’re safe. Sherriff Cooper has the male who tried to harm you in custody. Do either of you need medical assistance? We can take you to Reservation and have our doctors treat you.”

Her father didn’t seem to notice her there, instead scooting closer to her mom. The New Species cut the last of the ropes, pulling them free. Her dad helped her mom sit up and to remove the gag.

“Jen, talk to me, baby.”

Her mom leaned into him. “I’m all good, Zack. That’s one adventure I could have done without. Getting tied up like a turkey on Thanksgiving and becoming a hostage was never on our bucket list.”

Mary went closer to them when the New Species backed away from her parents a little, to give them room. Lash stayed close to her. “Are you guys okay?”

Her parents stopped hugging but still clung to each other. Both looked up at her. Her father spoke first. “You’ve got some serious explaining to do, Bean.”

“Bean?” Lash pressed up against her back and slid his arm around her waist. “Her name is Mary.” He lowered his mouth closer to her ear. “Do they need a shrink? Have their minds broken?”

Mary leaned against him and turned her head to peer up at his face. “It’s a nickname they tagged me with before I was even born. Don’t ever call me that.” She focused on her parents again. “I have some explaining to do? Me? What are you doing home? You’re supposed to be in Vegas.”

“You were keeping something from us,” her mother accused. “We figured that out after you pushed so hard for us to leave a day earlier than planned.”

“We’re not na?ve,” her father added. “Your apartment was broken into, and then you were pushing us take our trip early. You were hiding something. We figured you might have a stalker ex-boyfriend harassing you. Some of the men you’ve dated aren’t exactly nice or upstanding.”

“He said he was your mate,” her mother whispered. “Is that true?”

“Lash, right?” Her father frowned at the New Species holding her. Then her dad stared at Mary. “Now, as I was saying, you have some explaining to do. Like why that wacko came here looking for you, and then pulled a gun on us.”

“He made me tie up your father,” her mother informed them. “Before he tied me up. He was crazy. Did you date one of his sons?”

“No!” Mary denied. “I mean, no, I didn’t date either of the wacko’s sons. But Lash…”

She wasn’t sure how to explain to them how Lash had come into her life. It would be embarrassing to admit they’d met and she’d ended up doing him right off the bat. They’d lecture her about jumping into bed with a guy. Especially a lion man.

Mary was relieved when Mel stepped forward, holding Snow’s hand.

“I can totally explain,” Mel told them. “This is kind of my fault. You see, I was a total goner in my heart from the first time I saw Snow come into the diner, but Mary wasn’t allowed to tell anyone about us being together. So we started to date, all top secret like, and Mary was the bestest friend ever. I’m so sorry she couldn’t tell you, but a promise is a promise. You raised a good, trustworthy daughter.

“I’ve told you all about my mama. She didn’t take it so well when I told her I was marrying Snow instead of that old widower she wanted me with. Mary stepped in to be my family, and even helped me pick out my wedding dress and everything.”

Her parents listened raptly.

“Then I met Lash,” Mary added fast. “We started seeing each other, and I fell in love with him.”

Mel glanced at her and smiled. “Yeah. They sure did. It was like love at first sight. She couldn’t tell you anything because, you know…top secret stuff and being a good friend to me and all.”

Sherriff Cooper came over, clearing his throat. “I need statements from both of you, Jennifer and Zack. Do you need an ambulance?”

Her father untangled his arms from her mother and got to his feet before helping her mother up. “We’re sturdier than that. The floor and ropes were uncomfortable but it’s not as bad as that camping trip we took a few years ago in the desert, was it, Jen?”