“I’m not a female. I’m a computer, an artificial lifeform.” She rested her hands on her hips. “Are you going senile on me, old man?”
“You’re a woman now. I challenge you to find anyone who would disagree with that.”
“Quite a woman,” Deno said with a chuckle. “Though, I should probably not have said that about the newest member of our family.”
“Probably not,” Wynter agreed as they tiptoed toward the underground crossroad. “If it’s not against one of the commandments, it should be,” she finished on a whisper.
A loud, thundering blast came from the other end of the facility. When the guards turned toward the sound, Geno and Dana ran into the crossing tunnel and stunned the men at each end, but not before one of the three men on the left got off a good shot and hit Geno in the center of the back.
“No!” Wynter dove for Geno, any thoughts for her safety forgotten. “No!” She wrapped her arms around him and lifted his head into her lap. “You can’t—“ She shook her head. “I can’t lose you, please. God, please.”
“Shh.” Geno wrapped his arm around her. “I’m all right. Zolonians are a tough lot.”
“Hey,” Deno toed his father’s leg. “Stop hamming it up, Dad. We have work to do.”
“Shut it, you.” Geno sat up and wrapped his arm around his chest. “That smarts.” He took a deep breath and then smiled at Wynter. “I’m fine. The shot just knocked the breath out of me for a bit. He kissed her, his fingers threading through her hair.
“Come on, you two. There’s time enough for that, later.” Dana frowned. “Get up off your asses and get a move on.”
“You’d talk to your adopted father that way?” Wynter blinked up at her.
“Of course, if it will save both of your lives.” Dana grabbed the weapons from the unconscious men and bent the barrels with little effort. “These guys won’t be hurting anyone very soon.”
“We should keep these for a few of the captives.” Deno gathered the weapons from the men Geno incapacitated. “If we destroy all the weapons, how will they be able to help us overcome these asshats?”
“True.” Dana grabbed the reloads and tossed them to Deno. “Let’s get moving.” She opened the cell doors and looked inside. “Only one in this one.” She looked up and down. “My, you’re a big one, aren’t you?”
“If you’re here to take me to the doctors, you’re short three or four men.”
“I know that voice.” Wynter helped Geno stand, wrapped her arm around his waist, and helped him to the door of the cell. “That’s Ryder!”
“Ryder? Isn’t he the one who helped you escape?” Geno stiffened and slowed down.
“Yes.” Wynter stopped and met his gaze. “What’s wrong?” Her brow furrowed before she smiled and cupped his cheek. “Don’t tell me you’re jealous.”
“You have a history together.” He shifted his gaze to the cell. Dana stood in the doorway, her curvy body blocking their view.
“You’re right. He saved my life. He saved Nicky and Noah’s lives.” She leaned in to meet his gaze again. “But he did it because it was the right thing to do, not because we’re in love.”
“Wynter!” Ryder rushed from the cell, grabbed Wynter, and hauled her into his arms.
“It’s good to see you, too.” Wynter grunted when he squeezed her tight. “Put me down, Ryder. I can’t breathe.”
“Put her down,” Geno growled, his eyes glowing amber in the dim light.
“Who is this?” Ryder drew himself up to his full height.
“He is her mate,” Gregor said from behind her. “I’d put her down if I were you. I’ve seen what he’s capable of when she’s threatened.”
“What are you doing here?” Geno spun around in a crouch. “We left you on the ship for a reason.”
“Yes. Because you didn’t trust me.” Gregor chuckled. “I don’t blame you. I could be working for the enemy.” His dark eyes were menacing. “However, I am not your enemy.” He gestured toward Ryder. “I am not his enemy, but I will be if he doesn’t set Wynter away from him now.”
“What are you, her self-appointed protector?” Ryder slowly set her feet back on the floor of the cave.
“In a way.” Gregor bowed. “These people saved me, and I owe them my life.”
“Why do you look familiar to me?” Ryder tilted his head. “Do I know you?”
“I doubt it,” Wynter answered for him. “He’s been in hiding from these creeps for fifty years.”
She glanced around and moved to Geno, wrapping her arm around his waist. “How are you feeling?
“I will be fine.” Geno leaned over and kissed her temple. “We have redundant organs. Luckily, our primary heart isn’t in the same spot as yours, and most humans aim for the center of the chest.”
“Pri-primary heart?”
Chapter Thirty-six
“ZOLONIANS HAVE TWO hearts, and three each of what you would call lungs and kidneys.” Geno chuckled at Wynter’s open mouth and wide-eyed expression.
“So, if you should lose one?”
“The others take over until our bodies affect repairs.” He shrugged. “Or until we get medical care.” He grunted a bit. “It hurts a little, but I’ll be fine.”
“If your heart isn’t in the center of your chest, then where the hell is it?” Wynter rested her hands on her hips. “Should I freak out if someone shoots you in the foot?”
“The guards did hit my heart. They just didn’t hit my primary heart.” Geno laughed at her cute little frown. “And now probably isn’t a good time to give up our secrets.”
“Most likely not.” She ducked under his shoulder and wrapped her arm around his back. “But you need to tell me at some point.”
“I will, takana.” Geno cupped her cheek and tilted her head back. “Right now, we must concentrate on freeing your friends.”
Wynter turned to Ryder. “Are the twins still here?”
“I think so.” Ryder ran his fingers through his greasy hair. “I heard one of them a couple of days ago. It sounded as though he’d changed into his dragon to try to escape.“ One side of his mouth lifted in a grin. “There’s no mistaking the roar of a dragon.” His lips thinned, and he sighed. “I only hope that roar didn’t mean they’ve killed one of them.”
“Me, too.” Wynter rested her hand against the shifter’s sternum. “Someone give Ryder a gun. He deserves to be able to defend himself.”
“Here you go.” Deno tossed one of the semi-automatic rifles he’d picked up to Ryder then one to Gregor. “There’s no reason why both of you shouldn’t have a weapon, I guess.” He glanced at Gregor. “I know you’ve been out of the loop for a while do you know how to—“
Gregor checked the magazine, reinserted it, and slid the bolt into place. He held it up before he kicked the safety off and then back on. “Red, they’re dead.”
“I guess you’ve got it.” Deno slapped him on the back.
“It doesn’t take a rocket scientist.”
“Me Gregor Armstrong, me got gun,” Dana said, rolling her eyes. “And suddenly, he’s a superhero.”
“Armstrong?” Ryder spun around. “You’re not Gregor Armstrong. He’s been dead for fifty years.” He glared at Gregor. “Stop bullshitting, and tell me who you really are.” Ryder held up his gun, aiming it at Gregor’s heart.
“This,” Wynter said, positioning herself in front of Gregor with her arm outstretched, “is Gregor Armstrong. He’s been hiding from these assholes for the last fifty years.”
“Bullshit.” Ryder spat on the floor next to Gregor’s feet. “Gregor Armstrong was six-feet four-inches, and he wasn’t anywhere as big as this dude. His description was all over the place in my home town for five years before his family finally gave up on him.”
“Then you’ve never met him?”
“No.” Ryder shook his head. “I only know what I was told.” He waved his arm toward the big bear shifter. “And this asshole is too big to be Gregor Armstrong.”
“
What you think doesn’t matter. I will return to my home. My family will recognize me.” He clenched and released his fists several times. “Is there anyone left in my family?”
“Not that I think you’re who you claim to be for a minute, but Gregor’s mother and brother still live near Wolf Lake.” His mouth curled up at the corners.
“Bear Lake,” Gregor corrected almost absently.
“Unfortunately, the wolves found proof that it was their alpha and a few of his people who first settled around the water there. It’s been known as Wolf Lake ever since.”
“So many changes.” Gregor sighed. “We’re wasting time. We need to get everyone out of here and torch this place.”
“Ryder, take my son and Dana and clean out the tunnels to the left. “Wynter, Gregor, and I will take the right side.” Geno glanced at Deno. “We’ll meet you near the exit at the other end, where Reno and Xeno are waiting.”
“Right.” Deno gestured to his team. “Let’s go. I want to get the hell out of here. This place gives me the creeps.” He glanced at an empty cell. “I can’t imagine my brother cooped up in one of these cages.” He shifted his attention to Ryder. “Do you know the way they set this place up? If so, you can take the lead.”
“I know this place.” Gregor closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “They held me here for a while before they took me to that mountain where I escaped.” This way. He took off at a jog. “I can smell unwashed bodies.”
Unfortunately, Gregor had scented a few dead bodies, as well. Someone had tucked them away in a sealed cell. Luckily, none of them appeared to be Wynter’s friends.
“Look out!” Gregor pushed Wynter out of the way just before the sound of gunshots echoed through the cave.
Geno dove at Wynter. He used his body to cover and protect his mate. His heart raced as he held her close. “Are you all right?” He skimmed his hands over her, trying to feel for gunshot wounds or blood.
“I’m fine.” She wriggled under him with a grunt. “Now, would you mind letting me breathe?”
“Of course.” He rolled off her and tried to peer through the darkness to see who had shot at them. “My first thought was for your safety.”
“As glad as I am that you both want to keep me from harm, did it ever occur to either of you that you might kill me with your concern?”
“Don’t sit up!” He pressed on the center of her chest when she would have wrenched herself into a seated position. “We didn’t get them.”
“I will.” Gregor bared his teeth in a grin. “They aren’t expecting me.” He handed Geno the rifle and crawled across the cold stone floor.
Gregor disappeared into the depths of the tunnel, without a sound. After several moments, a few loud thumps preceded several grunts of pain.
“Stay here.” Geno handed Wynter Gregor’s weapon. “If you don’t know how to use this, use the stunner. Remember, anyone you hit should remain unconscious for at least three hours.”
He almost didn’t leave when he stared into her round eyes so filled with fear. How could he leave her when he knew danger lurked around every corner?
“Keep your back against the wall and try not to let anyone get a jump on you.” Geno gave her a quick kiss. “Stay safe.”
“You, too.” She gave him a shaky smile.
Gods, she was brave. How could he ever thank the Goddess for giving him such a wonderful gift?
Using every bit of experience he had, Geno crawled toward the end of the passageway. He searched for Gregor but didn’t find him. Staying on his belly, he crawled through the darkness, keeping his senses on alert for anything that didn’t fit in the dark cave.
He glanced up at the swinging light fixture. The bulb was dark but didn’t appear broken. Lucky for him, they’d cut off the power instead of shooting it out. He wouldn’t make any noise or get cut on broken glass as he crawled along the cold limestone floor.
Slowly, he made his way through the darkness, thankful he hadn’t given Wynter a shock light. She might have turned it on, thinking it was a flashlight and blinded them all.
He needed his tiger’s vision. He needed to be able to see through the darkness with the heat sensors of his beast’s eyes.
Taking a deep breath, he reached for his beast. His bones popped and cracked, and his muscles stretched, while others contracted. His spiked tail grew, lengthening until he could move it to gather information about what dangers came up from behind him.
As soon as he completed the shift, Geno made out Gregor’s hulking body lying still near the wall to his left. Either the other man was unconscious, or he was good at acting as though he were.
Two men sat huddled near Gregor, two more stayed hidden to the right, and three more crawled from directly in front of him.
Great! Geno glanced up and said a little prayer.
Takana?
Yes, my love? Wynter replied, her voice sounding serene when he knew she was most likely scared half to death.
Are you where I left you?
You know I am.
Good. Take your stunner in your right hand and aim it at your knee level along the wall. Hold the trigger button down and sweep it left, then back to the right when I say so. Closing his eyes, Geno moved left and flattened himself against the floor. Now!
The stunner beam lit up the tunnel. The light nearly burned through his eyelids, almost scorching the tiger’s eyes.
It had the desired effect. The stunner took out the three guards in front of him while temporarily blinding the other four.
Gregor snarled, his bear’s deep growl reverberating through the darkness. Geno’s peripheral vision caught Gregor taking down the two guards while his tiger made short work of the last two.
“There are six more in the cells!” Someone called out. “They’re hiding in here with us.” A sickening crack followed the warning and Geno hoped the person who had called out hadn’t just paid for that warning with their life.
Geno shifted back to his humanoid form. He didn’t bother with the spell. No one but Gregor could see him anyway.
“Six more.” Geno made his way to Gregor. “Are you okay?”
“Yes.” Gregor hissed as he moved. “One got me with a bowie knife.” He lifted his hand from his stomach and showed Geno the wound. “It’s not life-threatening. I’ve had much worse over the years.” He stood with a groan. “The fucking thing hurts like hell, though.”
“Are you going to be able to help, or am I on my own here?”
“Give me a minute.” He sucked in a sharp breath when Geno grabbed his arm and assisted him to his feet.
“It looks more like you’d be better off on a stretcher to me.” Geno gave him a once over and noticed the bleeding had already slowed considerably. “It appears to be closing up.”
“It probably is. I heal quickly now. I don’t know what those crazy bastards mixed into my genes, but I’ve even regrown a couple of fingers over the years.”
“You might not be able to do that anymore now that my comp—“ Geno stopped himself and shook his head with a sigh. “Now that my newly adopted daughter has repaired a good portion of your DNA. So, try not to take any unnecessary chances.”
“You got it.” Gregor pulled his hand away and glanced down. “It’s sealing up now. I think we should move.
Geno shifted into his tiger again while Gregor changed into his bear. Geno wasn’t sure what he’d expected, but he hadn’t expected Gregor to change his shape into the largest, meanest-looking grizzly he’d ever seen—not that he’d seen many.
Slowly, they stalked the six men in the cells who were hiding amongst the prisoners.
When they reached the two cells, a scuffle inside drew their attention. Reaching out, they grasped the bars with their paws and threw open the doors to the two huge cages.
Inside, the prisoners had already overtaken the six guards who tried to use them as cover.
“How did you know we were here?”
“We’re underground. How did you find us?”
/> Two men approached him. They were twins. “I’ve never seen a shifter such as you.” One spoke the first of the sentence while the other uttered the last. Scales covered their bodies, and wisps of smoke filtered from their mouths as they spoke.
“Drake, Blaze, is that you?” Wynter ran into the cell and threw herself against the two men. “I thought I’d never see you again.”
“Wynter!” They cried at once. “Little sister. We thought we would never see you again.” They took turns hugging her to them while Geno silently snarled his displeasure at the unmated males so close to his takana.
“I need you to meet someone.” She dragged them over to Geno, who had the presence of mind to shift back into his human form. A blush dusted her cheeks. “This is my mate, Geno.” Turning, she smiled at Gregor, who remained in his huge grizzly form. “This is my new friend Gregor.”
“You’ve come a long...”
“Way since we first met you.”
“Do you two always finish each other’s sentences?” Geno couldn’t help but ask the question. It was strange to watch them do that.
“They only do it when they want to make someone uncomfortable.” A line appeared between Wynter’s brows, and her lips tightened a bit. “None of that crap. He’s my mate, and Gregor is my friend, and neither of them had to risk themselves to come here after you.”
“Will you release everyone?”
“Of course.”
“Hey,” Reno’s voice crackled over the earbuds. “Ryder and Deno just exited with a bunch of captives. Do you need help, or should we just stay here?”
“Did they find the doctor and his assistant?”
“No,” Deno replied. “We found and released the prisoners and headed out.”
“Stay there. We should be out in a few.” Geno glanced at Gregor. “I don’t like the fact that we didn’t find that lunatic.” Where in the hell could the asshole be hiding?
“I don’t care that we didn’t find him. All I care is that we’re able to release all these people.” Wynter wrapped her arm around a girl who couldn’t have been more than ten. “Do you know where your parents are?”
Wooing Wynter Page 25