Part 60 (2/2)

”Apparently she still can.”

”She's dangerous.”

”That's what I've been trying to tell you,” Falcone snapped. ”And you've been putting up all kinds of arguments. Do you believe me now?”

”I believe you. But I have been on the council for a long time. Years ago we agreed that destroying the brain of a human being is counter to... morality. Death is more humane.”

”It may be humane. But that's not what we're going to do. I want her alive so she can bear me children. If we leave her the way she is, there's no telling what she can do.”

The old man nodded, looking regretful.

Falcone turned to Brusco. ”And you agree that she can't be allowed to influence other people's behavior?”

The younger man gave his agreement quickly.

Rinna turned toward Avery. ”You could just let me go,” she gasped out. ”That's all you have to do. Let me live out my life in this world where I won't be a threat to Sun Acres.”

”She has a point,” Avery murmured. ”That would solve any problems concerning her for Sun Acres.”

”You're forgetting that I want her children,” Falcone snapped. He gave her a smile that didn't reach her eyes. ”Women tell me I'm a skillful lover. You might have already discovered that, if you hadn't been so intent on hating me. But after we operate on your mind, you won't be thinking about who is giving you pleasure.”

The boastful words made her stomach curdle.

Falcone turned from her and addressed the two men. ”Let's get it over with. I want her neutralized so that we can bring her back safely.”

As she watched in horror, the three men gathered in a circle around her. When they joined hands, a wave of cold swept over her. They were all strong psychics, and she knew they had the power to damage her mind beyond repair, especially if Falcone was directing the proceedings.

With a silent prayer to the Great Mother, she struggled for calm, even as she braced for the pain.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE.

LOGAN PULLED INTO a parking spot beside a picnic table in the recreational area directly west of the Easy Shopper.

He tried to lean back in the seat and relax. But he found it was impossible to simply sit in the car and wait for Ross. He got out and looked up at the afternoon sky, amazed at how much time had slipped through his fingers.

He wanted to find Rinna immediately, but it didn't seem to be happening. After pacing to the far end of the parking lot, he stepped into the woods, thinking that he'd have a look at the convenience store, then come back. Just then another car pulled into the parking lot.

He tensed, then saw it was Ross. He got out and trotted over to him.

”What can I do to help?” his cousin asked, and Logan felt a surge of grat.i.tude. He'd gone straight to Lance because he lived closer. But he saw now that if he'd found Ross first, they wouldn't have ended up fighting. His cousin was determined to make relations.h.i.+ps work in the Marshall family, and he was good at keeping tempers at a manageable level.

Logan struggled to keep his voice steady. ”My lifemate has disappeared. I think she's been kidnapped by a guy named Falcone, the same one who already raped her.”

Ross winced.

They'd spoken a little on the way over. But Logan knew that cell phone transmissions were far from secure, and he hadn't wanted to give any paranormal details that someone else could pick up.

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