Jacques stared at the security footage in growing disbelief and rage. He thought he'd recognized the lion that he and the enforcers had chased. Leo and Benji Cattrall were well-known for their trickster ways. Why had they come to the Invarnash property? It made no sense.
"I need some air." He paused the vid playback, left the security building and headed to the kitchen. He was hungry and that was affecting his thinking. Jacques wasn't surprised to see Naiya in the kitchen at night. It was only 8:15 and that meant she was making snacks for Laylah. What was suspicious was her cheerful humming. She hadn't been in a good mood since Thaniel was killed two months ago.
"Naiya, is everything all right?" He studied her body language, trying to discern the change in her behavior.
She gave him a secretive smile. "It's all good. Cookie?" She held out a plate filled with butter nut cookies.
"No, thanks. The grounds are secure. Still haven't figured out why or how our uninvited guests got in, but everything looks good now. I'm going to go check on Laylah, make sure she isn't worried."
"You do that." She giggled and went back to humming as she set down the plate of cookies and headed for the pantry.
Jacques shook his head and went upstairs. He paused outside Laylah's door. He knew Henry wanted her completely isolated, but he wasn't going to obey that order. She needed guidance, not punishments. He knocked on the door to announce his presence before unlocking it and pushing it open. He frowned. Why were all the lights were off?
"Laylah, don't you think it's a little early for bed?" He sighed when she didn't answer. "Laylah, I know that you're angry at me for not standing up for you. I'm sorry, truly I am. Things are…complicated. One day, I know you'll understand. Your father wants you locked up and Bryon has left for Ohcale. I see no reason why you can't roam freely inside the house. If your father asks, I'll say you've been obedient and given us no trouble. How does that sound?"
He waited a moment and felt irritation at her continued unresponsiveness. "Laylah, I'm not in the mood for games. And this silent treatment stuff is childish. Laylah?"
Angrily, Jacques flipped the lights on and marched to her bed. He stared down at the comforter that covered her unmoving form.
"Laylah, you will answer when I talk to you!" He grabbed the blanket and jerked it backward. He blinked and stared uncomprehendingly down at the bed where the pillows had been arranged in the form of a body.
"No!" With a snarl, he spun around and charged into the bathroom. It, too, was empty. He checked the balcony next. Still no Laylah. Anger gave way to worry. Jacques raced from the room and downstairs. He didn't want to think that Naiya had harmed Laylah, but the housekeeper's odd behavior was sending warning vibes to him now.
"Naiya! Naiya!" he stormed into the kitchen with his gun drawn.
Naiya sat at the table eating a cookie and staring off into space.
"Where…is…she?" he growled.
Naiya blinked. No longer was her gaze blank. Instead, triumph burned there. "Hello, Jacques. Did you misplace something?"
Her sweet cordial tone set his teeth on edge. He had to tread carefully. She was unstable and he didn't want to aggravate the situation.
"Naiya, please, where is Laylah?"
"Wouldn't you like to know? Guess what? I'm not telling you, Jacques. That child deserves some freedom and if this night is all I can give her, then so be it. I will not let you ruin it for her."
Relief that Laylah was alive mixed with fury at Naiya's defiance of their Alpha's orders. "You do realize that Henry might kill you for this? Are you prepared to die for her, Naiya?"
She gave him a sad smile. "Yes."
Jacques couldn't believe what he was hearing. She was being too calm about the situation. He stopped to think why she seemed unafraid and the reason dawned on him.
"This is really about Thaniel, isn't it?"
She grinned and it chilled him to see it. This Naiya he didn't recognize.
"Why use Laylah? Why not take it up with the Council?"
"They are all fools. Besides, you don't bite the hand that feeds you. Henry is the richest Were and his labs and factories provide jobs. He can't be touched, at least not that way. But he's all about appearances and purity. It'd be such a shame if his underage daughter is out partying with Henry's enemies."
"Partying? Of course! Britta's house! You'd better hope she's okay, Naiya. I leave it up to you whether or not you stay here to face Henry. Right now I have a teenager to bring home." He marched out of the kitchen, activating his ear comm. He had to let Henry knew what was happening.
His Alpha answered with an irritated growl. "What is it now Jacques? I'm in the middle of dinner."
"Sir, I regret to inform you that Laylah, with the help of two lions, has managed to escape and has gone to the party." Furious silence greeted his words and he started to sweat. "I'm leaving now to go get her."
"I will meet you there. I'm only in Heyendo. I know where Britta's home is. Tri-Ruler Newsome is a friend of the Council. Since my daughter wishes to make her defiance public, I will assist her in being publicly embarrassed for disregarding my rules."
"My Alpha, I don't think..." Jacques cautioned.
"I don't pay you to think, Jacques, about my dealings with my daughter. I want her detained until I get there."
"Yes, my Alpha." Jacques slid into the limo as the call ended. Upset at the night's events, he drove as fast as he could for the Newsome property.