CHAPTER 42: Show and tell...

Randol
I'm sitting out on the porch, looking in the direction that Ty and Devan went just a minute ago. We have about thirty minutes before Clark arrives, so they want to do a quick perimeter check before heading to the gate. That's what they say anyway. I know better. They are trying to calm their wolves with a run before they have to face this monster. I know, because I want to do the same, but I want to be here for Celeste more, so it will have to wait. Soon I get my chance to do just that. Celeste walks out on the porch, coffee in hand.
"Thought I might find you out here. Coffee?"
"Thanks." I take the mug from her hands as she sits next to me. I feel calmer already just having her near me. "So are you ready?"
"I'm ready. Everything is going to start moving fast from here though."
"I'm actually glad for that."
"Why?"
"I can't stand the constant thought that you could be in danger at any moment. It's tearing me up. The faster this is over with, the faster I can stop going gray."
"Hahah. Well, that's sweet, but I can take care of myself."
"Trust me, my knowledge of that is the only thing keeping me from completely losing it." She snuggles into me, and we just sit in comfortable silence until we see three forms coming toward us in the distance.
"They have him. I'm going to text Mr. Bianchi to let him know. Tell them to search him thoroughly and put him in the holding cells. I'm going to find Daddy. I'll meet you down there." She kisses me on
the cheek and hops to her feet.
"Yes, dear." With a last wink, she disappears into the house. God, I love that woman. I do as she asks, and soon I'm standing in the observation room connected to a holding cell, staring at the monster that sits inside. Clark is a vile being. He doesn't deserve to live, but we need him, so I guess he will. Soon I hear the door open behind me.
"Randol. Is everything ready?"
"Yes, sir, Mr. Torelli. He has been searched and is waiting in the cell. Everything is ready for Celeste. We are going to record everything so we have a record."
"Good work, son." Mr. Torelli says with a slap on the back. That one word seems like such a big thing to me right now. "Celeste, are you ready?"
"More than ready, Daddy."
She goes to leave and I catch her hand. "Please be careful. If he hurts you, I'm coming through the glass."
She leans up and gives me a soft, slow kiss, before smiling at me. "I forgot you missed my last show, since you were in recovery. You have nothing to worry about." She looks to the men behind me before walking out. They were also grinning devilishly.
"Um, okay, what did I miss?"
Dad puts his arm around my shoulder, and leads me to the glass. "Watch and learn, my boy. You have so much left to learn about your new bride." I can hear stifled laughter behind me, but I focus all my attention on Clark. He is facing the glass, and Celeste's chair is sitting so that her back will face us.
Soon, the cell door opens and Celeste slowly steps into the room. Every muscle in my body tenses as that asshole turns to look at her. I have to trust her. Don't move, Randol. Wait. There's something different about her. The way she moves is almost fluid. Like she is floating over to him.
"Do you know who I am? You will never get awa..." As Celeste slides slowly, and purposefully into the seat in front of him, he suddenly trails off. He is staring at her with great attention.
"Yes, Mr. Clark. I know who you are. That's why you're here. Do you know who I am?"
"No..." he answers in an almost trancelike state. I can't stop myself from inching closer to the glass, not bothering to hide the amazement on my face.
"My name is Celeste, and from here on out, you are my new favorite toy. Do you understand?"
"Yes..."
"Good. I know you have kidnapped shifter children. Are they still alive?"
"Yes..."
"Where are they being held?"
"In the basement at a house owned by our organization."
She takes out a pen and paper and slides it to him. "I want you to write down the address on this paper." He immediately picks it up and begins to write. Un - fucking - believable. "I am getting this so that my men can follow you. While you have the paper, write down the address to where Donnelly is hiding away at the bottom. Also, how long he will be there." He does as told again.
"Follow me?"
"Yes. You want to secretly pick up all of the children and drive them home. You realized how wrong you are for kidnapping them."
"It was. It was so wrong."
"The guilt is eating you alive. You have decided that after you deliver them to their parents, with a grand apology, you will leave CPE. Forever. You will never have contact with them again. You will never speak of paranormals again. You will never harm a paranormal ever again, and you will live the rest of your life with the guilt of what you've done. Do you understand?"
"Yes..." A strange glow starts to radiate from Celeste, and things
in the room start to float.
"You also understand that I have been merciful to you. You realize that I could have ended your life with the flick of my wrist. You will thank the heavens every day for your pathetic life. Won't you, Mr. Clark?"
"Yes. I will." I hear her take a deep breath and blow it out. The glow recedes and the room settles. Wow. My mate. The badass.
"Wait here until we are ready. If you get found out, I will kill you. If you don't complete your task, I will kill you. If you let any children come to harm, I will kill you slowly. You are a very sneaky, manipulative man. You can handle this accordingly, right?"
"Yes..."
"You can come up with an effective plan, right?"
"Yes..."
"Good, when I walk out of this room, all these thoughts and plans will become your own. You will have no knowledge that anyone used suggestive powers on you. Understood?"
"Yes..." With his acceptance, Celeste gets up and walks out.
The second the door closes, Clark's face changes. The scowl from earlier is gone. What is that look? Holy shit, it's guilt. Real guilt. He truly feels like a terrible person. He braces his face in his hands and begins to sob. "What have I done?"
Momentarily, Celeste walks back into the observation room. I meet her with a smile. "Good work, Princess."
"Thank you. Did you guys hear everything?"
"We got every word, sweetheart. I'll let Anthony and Yamaguchi know to get ready to leave. Anything else?"
"We need a couple of people to go to the other address and watch Clark. Unfortunately, they will need to follow him the entire time he is dropping off the children. I just want to make sure they're safe until they're back home. Make sure you send someone with speed and strength. Hopefully it won't be needed, but it's better to be prepared, just in case."
"All right, I think Chase and Ryu will be right for this job. I'll let them know the details after I talk to the others. I need to get plane tickets too. Where are you heading?"
"Burlington, Connecticut, Donnelly has a getaway house out in the county. He will only be there for three more days, though, so we have to hurry, before we lose him."
"Right, I'll let you know when everything is done, sweetheart."
"Thank you, Daddy. What would I do without you?"
"Handle it all yourself." He gives his daughter a teasing grin as he exits the room to get started.
"Celeste, we should probably get packed up too. That way we're ready when it's time." She nods to me, and we wave at everyone as we leave the room.