Whole-Hearted: A Malsum Pass Novel

by Kimberly Forrest

  Connie was as well, and had every intention of dragging Tanya back to the hotel with her right now. She definitely had lost any celebratory spirit she’d begun the night with.

  After the call was finished, Connie left the stall, repaired her make-up and checked her hair in the mirror. A couple of deep breaths and a muttered “I can do this”, and Connie stiffened her spine and left the restroom.

  Connie nearly ran straight into Francoise Rousseau, who was just coming out of the men’s room. “Ah, Connie. Are you enjoying yourself this evening?”

  Suddenly that French accent that had charmed her earlier made her stomach curdle with distaste. This party, that engagement ring on Vic’s finger she had admired, probably the car he had gifted Vic with to replace her relic – all that money was earned on the back of shifter children and now shifter women intended for breeding. It was repulsive. She wanted to gag.

  “Are you well, mademoiselle?” Francoise asked, reaching as if to place a comforting hand on her arm. She flinched away.

  Logically, she knew she couldn’t do this. She knew she had to act as if nothing was wrong until she got out of there but her inner wolf was snarling. The enemy was before her and it wanted nothing more than to attack.

  Attempting a smile that she knew came out weak at best, Connie cleared her throat. “I need to find Tanya. I’m afraid I’m not feeling well.”

  “May I be of service?”

  That voice had Connie closing her eyes and mentally groaning. Graydon Brooks. Why couldn’t it have been Tanya who had come looking for her?

  “Ah, Gray. Perfect timing.” Francoise said happily. “I’m afraid this lovely guest isn’t feeling well. Stay with her, mon ami while I locate her friend and call her a cab.”

  Just what Connie was trying to avoid. Being alone with one of them. “No, that’s fine. I’ll find her. Please,” she said, “return to your guests.”

  Francoise was already heading back toward the ballroom with a wave, “Nonsense, it’s the least I can do for one of Victoria’s favorite people. I’ll be but a minute, and you’re in excellent hands with Gray.”

  Connie nervously licked her lips as she contemplated her options. Going back into the ballroom was probably her best bet, so she got moving. “I’ll just go help him look,” she said nervously as Graydon fell into step beside her.

  “Bad news from home?”

  “What?” Connie asked distractedly as she scanned the guests looking for her friend.

  “You excused yourself to take a call and now you wish to leave. But you look scared, little wolf, not sick.” Graydon said, his voice low but so close that his breath fanned over her temple. She tried to step away, to put more distance between them, but his fingers slipped around her upper arm to detain her. His nose slid against her hair as he inhaled. “I can smell your fear.”

  Her heart was beating too fast; icy fingers of fear skittered down her back. And then she spotted Tanya coming her way and she’d never felt so relieved in her life.

  “You’re sick?” Tanya asked with a frown of concern. “Did you eat the fish? I bypassed it myself thinking it was probably a bad idea.”

  “I’d be more than happy to drop your friend back at your hotel if you’d like to stay longer.” Graydon said to Tanya, flashing her a drop-dead gorgeous smile that would probably make just about any woman giggle and agree to anything he said. Connie nearly growled.

  “No, thank you, Mr. Brooks. I’m afraid I’m not comfortable with that.” Connie said, trying for just the right amount of sharpness in her voice by channeling the strongest female she knew – Sherry Pierce.

  Graydon frowned and tugged slightly on her arm – not enough to hurt, but enough to remind her that he had hold of her. “Why inconvenience your friend, my dear, when I’m perfectly willing?”

  Tanya’s brow scrunched with a frown. “Dude. She said she’s not comfortable, so back the hell off, GQ.”

  Connie wanted to kiss her friend and laugh with pure relief as Graydon Brooks released his grip on her arm and stepped away. Once again he dipped his head at her, his eyes boring into her for a moment. “Feel better, Connie. I’ll see you again soon.”

  It was a promise. Possibly even a threat. And those words were enough to completely smash what little relief she had started to feel.

  Chapter Eleven

  Connie was tense the entire cab ride back to the hotel; jumping at every blast of a car horn, and every yell from pedestrians walking the streets. She wasn’t able to relax until they were back to their room and the lock on the door was engaged.

  Luckily, Tanya hadn’t noticed, or had simply attributed her case of nerves to her feeling poorly and had filled the silence with happy chatter. Once inside, the first thing Tanya did was kick off her shoes with a sigh and tug the zipper down on her dress. “That was fun. A little too fancy for my tastes, but I’m happy for Vic.”

  Connie nodded distractedly, going straight to the curtains and drawing them shut. “I’m sorry I made you leave.” She said, pulling her cell phone from her clutch and texting off a quick message to Daisy to let her know she was locked in the hotel room and safe.

  “I’ve got your back, girl.” Tanya said with a wink. “Do you want me to try to find you some Pepto or something?”

  Connie smiled weakly and shook her head. “No, thanks, I’m already feeling better.”

  “Ahh, so it was all that pretension that was turning your stomach.” Tanya’s eyes widened and she nodded several times in agreement. “Totally get it.”

  Just then, Tanya’s cell phone rang and putting the call on speaker while she shimmied out of her gown, she said, “Talk to me!”

  It was Vic’s voice on the other end of the call. “Hey, Tanya. Francoise said Connie wasn’t feeling well. Is she okay?”

  Connie felt warmth steal over her and supersede the chill of fear. These friends of hers were so great. They truly cared about her, and God, how she loved them. “I’m feeling better now, Vic. I’m sorry I couldn’t stay longer.”

  Vic let out a noise that sounded suspiciously like “pushaw” before she continued. “You need to take care of you.” A sigh, and then, “I do wish you weren’t under the weather, though because a bunch of us are going to hit up some great clubs tonight now that the formalities are out of the way. You would have loved it.”

  Connie had absolutely no interest in leaving this room until she could get into her car and get the hell out of New York, but she could see Tanya’s face, see how much her friend wanted to go. “No reason for Tanya to stay here with me and play nurse. You guys should swing by and pick her up.”

  Vic let out a squeal only rivalled by Tanya’s squeal. The two of them went on to make their plans while Connie sat on the bed, still in her evening wear, and flipped through channels on the television.

  It took less than an hour, and a flurry of outfits as Tanya tried on one after another to model for Connie and get her opinion, before the phone rang again. When Tanya once again put it on speaker, Connie could hear the raised voices and the party atmosphere as Vic announced that the limo was outside. “Last chance.” Tanya said, with a pleading look. “Are you sure you don’t want to come? They have a limo!”

  Connie smiled. “I’m sure. I’m going to take a shower, get into comfy pajamas, and be lazy. Have fun.”

  With a squeal, her arms extended over her head, Tanya did a little dance and was out the door. Alone, Connie closed her eyes, let out a shuddering sigh and tried to relax.

  Connie startled awake. The television was still playing low, an old black and white movie, and she was still dressed in her evening finery. She frowned, she hadn’t intended to doze off, but the tension of the evening must have gotten to her. The hotel room phone jangled again and she realized what had woke her. Despite clearing her throat, her voice still sounded like a croak when she answered.

  “Miss Tully?” A woman’s voice asked.

  “This is she.” Constance said, sitting up more fully on the bed.

  “I
apologize if I woke you, ma’am, but a package just arrived for you via currier and it’s marked urgent.”

  Connie frowned. Who would be sending her a package? Her mind went to Graydon Brooks and she shuddered, but then she thought of Alek and Daisy. Had they sent something to her to help? Maybe a weapon?

  Clumsily grabbing up her cell phone, she checked for messages. Just the last text from Daisy telling her to stay safe. Nothing about a package.

  “Ma’am,” the woman on the phone prompted. “Again, I apologize for the inconvenience, but we need you to come down to the front desk and sign for the package.”

  Connie bit her lip in indecision, her palms turning sweaty while her fingers had gone cold. What to do, what to do…

  “Ma’am?”

  Taking a deep breath, Connie said, “I’ll be right down,” and hung up the phone.

  Standing from the bed, she didn’t bother to put on shoes or even check her appearance. She did give her hair a pat and surprisingly, the curls were still pinned in place, if a little flat. She would grab the key card for the room and only get into the elevator if it was empty. Then she’d run to the desk, sign for the package, and bolt back to her room. No problem.

  Plan in place, she headed out. The woman at the desk apologized once more for disturbing her as she handed her a square box wrapped in brown paper on which was stamped a big red URGENT. Connie didn’t examine it further, she scooped the heavy thing up and jogged back to the elevator. She was frantically tapping the close door button when someone pushed a hand into the gap to stop the door from closing. Fear seemed to lock her entire body in place when she recognized the male. The big bruiser of a bear shifter named Reed. Connie didn’t even have time to scream before he was on her and there was a sharp sting at her neck. She vaguely heard the box thump to the floor as she lost all feeling in her limbs, black spots danced in front of her eyes, and the last thing she saw was that bastard’s smug face looming over her as everything went black.

  Chapter Twelve

  “Connie’s not answering her phone. I’m worried. Do you think something happened to her?” Daisy Oremun asked Alek as she settled deeper into the passenger seat of the vehicle. They’d managed to get the team mobilized, were even now on the road to New York, while Dev and Sam were hopping on a flight from Miami. Daisy had wanted to let Connie know and also to tell her that if she didn’t feel comfortable leaving her hotel room, that she should just hang tight and they’d get her out.

  Alek let out a grunt. “The sun’s not even up yet. She’s probably just sleeping and has her ringer turned off.”

  Daisy nodded. It was a good, solid explanation and yet, it didn’t dispel the worry that was gnawing at her belly. She bit her lip, she tapped her fingers on the armrest, and she bounced the heel of her foot up and down. She couldn’t sit still and snatching her cell up, for what felt like the hundredth time, she checked the display again just in case she missed a text.

  As soon as the sun broke over the horizon, she dialed Connie’s number. It was answered after the first ring, but it wasn’t Connie.

  “Daisy?” It came through as a sob. “It’s Tanya. Something’s wrong.”

  Daisy felt her stomach churn even harder as warning prickles ran up and down her spine. There was another ragged sob on the other end and then a keening cry. “What happened, Tanya? Where’s Connie?”

  “She didn’t feel good last night,” a sniffle, “so we came back to the hotel room and I left with Vic to go dancing.” Another sob. “And when I got back she was gone.” Tanya blew out a shaky breath and sniffled again. “I thought maybe she got hungry and went to grab something to eat, but she was gone too long so I started to worry. That’s when I noticed all her stuff was still here; her cell, her wallet, her cash, her bank card. She wouldn’t have left without them.”

  Tanya let out another ragged breath and then Daisy heard the sound of the other woman blowing her nose. She looked at Alek, knowing that with his hearing, he would have heard everything. The grimace on his face spoke volumes and Daisy felt numb.

  “I called the police.” Tanya said sobbing once more. “They want me to go down to the station and file a missing person’s report.” She let out another keening cry, “I was just about to leave when you called.”

  Seeing Alek’s nod of agreement in her peripheral vision, Daisy said, “Do it. File the report. They’ll want a picture. Do you have one?”

  Tanya let out a watery laugh. “Yes, on my phone. I have a bunch.”

  “Okay, good. Alek and I were, ah, headed in that direction anyway. We’ll be there soon. Keep Connie’s phone and I’ll call you when we get there, okay?”

  Tanya let out another sob, and even though Daisy didn’t feel it – not even close – she wanted to keep Tanya as calm as possible, so she said, “I’m sure Connie is fine, Tanya. We’ll find her.”

  When she disconnected the call, Daisy gave in to her own fears and cried. Alek put a comforting hand on her knee and squeezed. She’d been doing this for months now; hunting the traders, helping those women. But this, it was too close to home. This time, she knew the victim. She loved Connie, and the very real truth was, they may never find her.

  Margaret Tully was in the kitchen preparing breakfast for her guests while her husband David sipped coffee at the table. She was only listening with half an ear as he recounted whatever sports highlight from the night before. Football? Hockey? She had no clue. As long as she nodded occasionally and laughed when appropriate, then she really didn’t need to pay close attention. He’d ramble on, finish his breakfast, kiss her on the cheek, and leave her to her daily routine. Just the way she liked it.

  The bell over the main entrance of the bed and breakfast chimed and Margaret frowned as she looked at the time. It was rare anyone stopped in so early, unless one of the guests stayed out all night. Popping her head out of the kitchen door with a smile of welcome on her face, she spotted Tarvahl Pierce walking purposely toward her. The concerned frown on his face killed her smile and sent goosebumps up her arms and down her back. Her first thought was Constance and somehow she just knew – something was wrong. Something terrible had happened to her beautiful baby. She was crying and shaking her head before Tarvahl even reached her. “No. No, not my baby. Please, not my baby.”

  David was suddenly at her side, supporting her, lifting her against his solid strength. Her limbs felt numb. Her senses gone dead as she tried to make sense of Tarvahl’s words. Connie was missing. She’d been taken. Fur traders. They were going to find her. His words were all a sticky jumble in her mind.

  She gripped David’s shirt in her fist, nearly tearing it to get his attention. His eyes met hers. Her strong husband. She’d seen him laugh countless times, she’d seen him angry, frustrated, but right now, his eyes were filled with tears. David Tully was crying, and something inside her snapped. She heard a cry, it sounded like an animal in pain and it took her a moment to realize it had come from her. “Find her!” She gasped. “Find our baby girl, David! You find her and you bring her home to me!” Margaret screeched, panting.

  David took a deep breath and wiped his eyes with his forearm. He sniffed and nodded, a steely glint flashing in his reddened eyes. “Let’s go find my baby, Vahl.”

  Jacob was in his shop sanding a piece of wood by hand instead of using the sander. It helped soothe his temper and his nerves. He’d barely slept the night before, picturing Connie at that party, in the arms of another man, dancing, laughing, and forgetting all about Jacob Pierce.

  He’d done his duty by his mother and met all of the visiting wolves. He was sociable and chatted with them. He even attended the assembly the town had arranged, put on a tie and danced. But all he could think of was how Connie would have enjoyed seeing everyone in town all dressed up. How she would have loved the dancing, and how he would have loved to have been able to take her in his arms and dance the night away with her.

  He swept the sandpaper along the grain of the wood and tried to concentrate on his work. He’d
done a fair job of cleaning up the destruction his temper tantrum from the other night had wrought, but he’d had to restart a few projects that had been close to completion. A big waste of time, and his own fault, but at least it gave him an excuse to stay in his shop. He wasn’t feeling very sociable today. The only thing that kept him from getting in his truck and driving to New York to claim his female, was the knowledge that she’d be home the next day. For today, he just wanted to be left alone so he didn’t snap anyone’s head off.

  If the person who had just interrupted his solitude had been anyone but his father, he probably would have snarled. One look at his father’s face had Jacob coming to attention and turning the radio off. “What’s happened?”

  Tarvahl Pierce tapped a hand against his thigh and grimaced. That look was enough to make Jacob’s breath hitch. The fact that his father was hesitating to speak was notching his fear up even higher. “Is it Mom?” He asked, his voice cracking slightly on the last word.

  Tarvahl shook his head, his eyes full of sympathy, but he finally spoke. “Constance Tully sent a picture to Daisy and Alek last night – a tattoo she saw on several of the guests. It’s the mark of the fur traders. Alek and Daisy are on their way to New York, as is the other members of his team, but when Daisy called Connie to let her know their plans, her friend Tanya answered the phone. Connie’s missing, Jacob.”

  Jacob heard the words. He even understood them. But he couldn’t seem to process them. “Missing?”

  “Best guess is that the fur traders grabbed her at some point in the middle of the night.” Tarvahl said.

  Jacob felt his blood, hot with anger, coursing through his veins. His skin felt too tight and he could feel his eyes and teeth shift. He threw back his head with a howl. When his father wrapped an arm around his shoulders, he snarled. His wolf had taken complete control.