No matter the danger we will do all we can for you." Shocked Jake looked at Gen, Rosalinda, Rashala, and Sheeka as they all nodded yes. All four had ... look of fierce determination on their faces. It was even more of a shock when Jake saw the same look on the face of Akeesha and Inger. Then he saw that Mary, Juno, and then Amira also wore the same look. Shaking his head Jake replied. "I don't want anyone hurt again; several of you have been through this. I know all of you would do anything for. . you're wrong. My name is--" —Charles de la Coeur," Peggy said. "I saw your picture in the newspaper while I was waiting to see the baby doctor in his waiting room. You were attending some charity banquet and the newspaper took your picture. I just knew it was you." Damned newspapers thought Charles. He was going to cancel his subscription as soon as he got home. It would also be a cold day in hell before he ever attended another charity event."I must bear a close resemblance to this fellow. I just knew it was going to bite me, but my dad had ordered me neverto run. He had said if I ran, the dog would pursue. If I just keptwalking till I got out of its territory, it would stop barking. All thatturned out to be true, but it was a terrifying experience for a littlekid."It wouldn't have attacked you," Hannah said with a knowing smile. "Itwould have pretended to be friendly, even acted submissive like a dog andgradually lured you into the woods. Once there, the pack would havejumped. It will not enslave her."Small consolation! It was an indulgence that Charles felt would jeopardize the secrecy of the cult. Yet he would not argue the point any further. The last thing he needed was Victor believing that he was a hindrance to his plans.Whatever they were."Consider the matter dropped," said Charles.Heather burst into her bedroom, pulling the buttons of her dress out of their buttonholes with little delicacy. She popped one of them and cursed as it bounced across the carpet and.