Hunter Hunted

by Arthur, Keri

  “There’s some protein bars in the glove compartment, if you want them.” I climbed into the driver side of my car. “They always help me when a spell has left me so drained.”

  He immediately opened the compartment and then chuckled. “There’re not only protein bars here, but a veritable candy store.”

  I grinned. “One has to cater for all emergency situations.”

  He snorted softly and sorted through the various bars, eventually deciding on a good-for-you protein bar as well as a more regular chocolate and nut bar.

  It was well past one by the time we pulled up in front of his and Ira’s new place. I bid him goodbye, watched to ensure he didn’t collapse in weariness before he got inside, and then headed home.

  Belle wasn’t home, so I had a quick shower to wash the lingering smell of death and darkness from my skin and then climbed into bed. I was asleep almost before my head hit the pillow.

  I woke at seven the following morning but it took a good three cups of coffee before I was really able to get into the day’s prep. I was drinking my fourth and eating a toasted cheese and Vegemite sandwich when Belle finally clattered down the stairs.

  “Morning,” she said, sounding altogether too cheerful for someone who’d had less sleep than me.

  I raised an eyebrow and propped my feet up on the nearby chair. “And don’t we look like the cat who’s eaten all the cream.”

  Which was an echo of exactly what she’d said to me only a few days ago and had her smiling.

  “Sadly, no cream has been consumed as yet, but I did meet a rather divine wolf last night and we have a dinner date this evening.” She walked behind the counter and began making herself a cappuccino. “He is, in fact, picking me up at three and taking me to see the Rocky Horror Show in Melbourne. One of his mates had a couple of spare tickets.”

  “Meaning you’ll need the afternoon off to make yourself gorgeous.”

  “I don’t need all afternoon.” She waved a hand airily. “You forget I already am gorgeous.”

  I snorted but didn’t disagree, as it was nothing but the truth. “And does this divine piece of manhood have a name?”

  “Raphael Beaumont. He’s here to visit his only sibling for Christmas, as she’s married into the Marin pack.”

  The Beaumonts owned one of the two reservations in Queensland, and while it was even smaller than this one, they were the sole occupants. How they’d managed that when so many of the other reservations—including the other reservation in Queensland—hadn’t was something of a mystery. At least to those of us who were human. I daresay the wolves all knew—and, given witches had been involved in the peace pact that had finally settled all three wolf packs into this reservation, the high witch council was more than likely in on the secret as well.

  I grinned. “How fortunate that you met a wolf from the very same pack as the one who’d recently dumped you.”

  “Said wolf was there last night. I even danced with him.” She leaned her butt against the counter and took a sip of her coffee. “We remain friends but he made his decision and now he has to live with it.”

  “Sounds as if he’s already regretting it.”

  “He is.” She wrinkled her nose. “But in truth, I understand his decision and why he took the risk. Love is something we all want to find eventually.”

  “But until we do, here’s to fine times and finer men.”

  She laughed. “Says the woman who took ages to get back into the hunt.”

  “But the wait was worth it.” I lowered my feet from the chair and pushed upright. “I’d better go open the back door so the gang can get in.”

  “Good idea. I’m not in the mood to cook today.”

  We opened an hour later, and the day moved on quickly from there. I didn’t hear from Aiden but that wasn’t surprising given everything that was going on. Belle headed upstairs at two and was picked up at three by Raphael, who was every bit as gorgeous as she’d said.

  By four, most the staff had gone and I was just tying up the last bag of rubbish to take out to the bin when someone knocked on the side window. I looked around and saw that it was Frank.

  “Forgot my keys,” he said.

  I grinned, motioned him to the front door, and walked over to open it.

  “Sorry,” he added.

  “No problems. Just make sure the door is locked on your way out.”

  He nodded and headed into the rear storage area, where the staff lockers were. I picked up the bag and headed out the back.

  Only to open the door and find a double-barrel shotgun suddenly stuck in my face.

  Chapter Twelve

  My heart stuttered and for several seconds I couldn’t breathe. All I could see was the two metal cylinders that, at any moment, could blow my brains to smithereens.

  “Don’t scream.” The voice was flat. Deadly. “And don’t try any of your funny stuff. This thing has a hair trigger—the minute I even suspect you’re trying to spell me, I’ll spread your brains far and wide. Is that clear?”

  I swallowed heavily and nodded. I couldn’t do anything else. I could barely even think.

  All I could see was the goddamn gun.

  What the fuck? came Belle’s mental scream. What gun? What the hell is happening back there?

  No time now. Explain later.

  “Right then,” the stranger continued, “give me that bag.”

  I promptly released it. The gun shifted slightly as he tossed the bag behind him, and my pulse jumped several notches. My heart was now racing so hard it felt like it was going to rip through my chest at any moment.

  The rubbish bag hit the ground with a clatter, and I couldn’t help but hope the noise would drag someone outside to see what was happening. It didn’t. The area remained empty, and the plastic bag—which had split on impact—was now leaking its contents onto the concrete. It was a somewhat visual reminder of what would happen to my brains if I wasn’t very careful.

  “Raise your hands, step back into the hallway, and then stop,” the stranger ordered.

  I obeyed. He followed me inside and kicked the door shut. The sound echoed through the empty silence.

  Only it wasn’t empty, I realized.

  Frank was still here.

  I mentally crossed fingers, toes, and everything else I could think of that he didn’t come out of the storeroom unexpectedly, that he’d heard what was going on and was now plotting some means of help. Whether that was texting the rangers or doing something himself, I didn’t really know or care.

  I just knew that, while I didn’t want him to get hurt, I desperately needed some help. And Belle was too far away.

  But I can call in help via the damn phone.

  Do it. And tell them to hurry.

  “What do you want?” I raised my voice a little so that Frank would hear me. “If you’re hoping to grab the cash from the till, you’re out of luck—it’s already been banked.”

  “I don’t want your stinking cash,” the gunman growled. “I want my goddamn brother out of jail. And I want revenge on the bastard who shot my youngest brother.”

  His words had my gaze moving beyond the end of the shotgun, and for the first time I actually looked at him. Though he had neither long brown hair nor a thick bushy beard, this was very definitely Shaun Browning, the man who’d looked without concern into the security camera, and who was the oldest of the three brothers. He’d obviously been using some sort of basic glamor at the witch’s place, though why he’d been so confident the spell would fully protect his identity when it hadn’t actually altered his facial structure or eyes, I couldn’t say.

  I swallowed heavily. “The rangers aren’t likely to release your brother. Not after three kills.”

  “Oh, I think you’re very wrong,” he replied. “Especially given I now have the head ranger’s girlfriend as a hostage.”

  “I’m not his girlfriend. We’re merely—”

  “I don’t care if your situation is deep and meaningful or you’re simply fuck
buddies,” he growled. “I’ve learned enough about Aiden O’Connor to know he won’t risk your life.”

  “A prisoner exchange won’t get you out of this reservation, though.” My voice remained loud. There was no movement, no sound, coming from the storeroom, and I had no idea if that meant Frank had left without me hearing him or if he was simply waiting for the right opportunity to help.

  I hoped it was the latter. I now feared it was the former.

  But I couldn’t check. Couldn’t do anything that would make Shaun suspect there might be someone else here.

  “We’ll get free if we take you with us.” He made a motion with his chin. “Turn around—slowly—and move into the main café area. And remember, one wrong move and you’re dead.”

  “You kill me, and any chance your brother had of being released is gone.”

  “Then I guess I’ll just have to shoot your boyfriend, won’t I?”

  He didn’t shoot Bryan, I wanted to say, but that would only add another name to Shaun’s kill list.

  I slowly turned, and keeping my hands up, walked forward. As I neared the storeroom, it took every ounce of control I had to maintain my pace and resist the urge to check if Frank was there. And I seriously wished my olfactory senses were as keen as a wolf’s; at least then, I might have had confirmation one way or another.

  I walked past the storeroom door; still no sound or movement from within. The beating of my heart was now so fierce it felt like one long scream, and sweat was dribbling down my spine.

  Please be there, please be there, I found myself mentally chanting.

  Air stirred the hair at the back of my head, and was quickly followed by a sharp grunt, and then a gunshot.

  I yelped and dropped, but nothing more than a spray of plaster hit me.

  I twisted around. Saw Frank with a wine bottle in one hand, the gun in the other. Saw him kick Shaun—whose face was bloody and broken, and who looked more than a little out of it—in the nuts. The hunter went down with a gurgle of pain and didn’t move.

  Oh my fucking God, came Belle’s mental shout, what the hell has happened? Are you okay?

  I took a deep, shuddering breath, and felt the sting of tears. I’m fine. As to what just happened—I just got a visit from the last brother. But don’t worry—everything’s good now, thanks to Frank.

  Frank?

  Later, as I said. Relax and enjoy your night.

  Her confusion and uncertainty washed down the line. Do you want me to come back?

  Hell no. I’m fine. Really.

  Are you sure?

  Yes. Now stop listening to my thoughts and start talking to that luscious man beside you.

  Expect to be woken for details when I get home.

  Expect grumpiness and swearing if you so dare.

  Her amusement swam around me then her thoughts faded from mine.

  Frank made the gun safe and then looked at me. “You okay?”

  “Yes,” I repeated out loud, but reaction chose that moment to fully set in and the tears that had been threatening started falling and my whole body began shaking. I hugged my arms across my chest and tried to stop the tears but they just wouldn’t be controlled.

  “Ah, come now, it’s okay.” Frank knelt down beside me and gave me a rough hug. “The bastard’s out to it and you’re safe.”

  “I know, I know, and it’s all thanks to you.” The words came out quickly and were interspersed with hiccups. “I just keep thinking of what might have happened if you hadn’t forgotten your damn keys.”

  “But I did, so it’s no use fretting about things that could have been.” He pulled a clean handkerchief out of his pocket and offered it to me. “Now dry those tears. I need to roll the shooter onto his side so he doesn’t choke on his own blood.”

  I accepted the handkerchief with a quick, if somewhat diluted, smile. “As much as the bastard deserves to choke, I guess you’d better.”

  “I gather from the bits I heard that this is one of the boys responsible for the skinning murders?”

  I nodded. “The rangers have the middle brother, and the last one was shot—killed—outside the reservation.”

  Frank rolled Shaun onto his side and then opened his mouth and cleared his throat.

  “You’ve had first aid training?” I asked.

  “Some, when I was in the military. Long time ago now, but you never really forget the basics.”

  I smiled. “The spirits said the omens were good for your employment. I’m glad we listened.”

  He glanced at me, his eyebrows raised. “You checked with the spirit world before employing me?”

  “Not just you, but everyone. It never pays to ignore their thoughts, even if they can be annoying at times.”

  He chuckled softly. “I’m glad they approved, then. If you’re okay, you might want to call the rangers. I’ll keep an eye on our prisoner.”

  I pushed to my feet and went to grab my phone. The tears had at least stopped by the time the call went through, and though my heart was still bounding at an altogether too fast a rate, it was at least slower than it had been.

  “Liz,” Aiden said, “I was just about to ring you. Everything okay?”

  “Nope. You know that third brother? Well, he’s here, on the floor, unconscious.”

  “Are you okay?”

  I smiled at the sharp concern in his voice. “Yes, but only thanks to Frank. He knocked the bastard out with a bottle of wine, and then disarmed him.”

  Aiden swore. “I’ll grab Jaz and be right over.”

  “Thanks.” I hung up, and then leaned over the counter. “Frank, I’m about to pour myself a drink—you want one?”

  “Thanks, but no. I’ve got to drive home.”

  I grabbed the bottle of Glenfiddich whiskey from its hiding spot under the counter, poured myself a full glass, and then gulped down most of it. The alcohol burned all the way down and took with it a good portion of the fear that had held my heart in its fist. Something approaching calm descended.

  The rangers arrived a few minutes later. Aiden’s gaze swept the entire café and then returned to me. He motioned Jaz and Byron toward Frank then walked over to me. He didn’t say anything; he just took me in his arms and held me close for several minutes. And damn if the tears didn’t start again.

  As the siren of an approaching ambulance grew near, I pulled away. “Soaking your shirt with tears is becoming something of a habit.”

  He smiled and gently thumbed some moisture from my cheek. “I’m just happy you’re still here to soak my shirt.”

  “He wasn’t here to kill me—at least, not straight away. He wanted to use me as a hostage, both to get his brother released and to escape the reservation.”

  “Neither of which would have happened,” he replied. “I would have asked either Ashworth or Eli to spell the man.”

  “I told him he wouldn’t succeed, but he was apparently convinced by everything he’d heard about you that you wouldn’t let anything happen to me.”

  “And he was right, but not just because we’re going out.”

  Going out, not in a relationship. I wondered if that was a deliberate choice of words or just the way all wolves categorized their time with a human.

  I pulled completely out of his grip then picked up the whiskey glass and downed the rest of the alcohol. A very pleasant buzz began to run through my system.

  I poured some more whiskey, well aware he was watching me. “I’d offer you a glass, but you’re still on duty.”

  “Actually, I clocked off about five minutes before you rang.”

  I raised an eyebrow. “Then you’d like one?”

  “No—I still have to drive home, and as head ranger, I do have to set an example.”

  I nodded and glanced around as the bell above the front door chimed and two medics walked in. Aiden pointed them toward the rear of the building and then said, “I was going to ask if you wanted to go out to dinner, but I’m thinking you need some cosseting.”

  I couldn’t
help smiling. “A little cosseting never goes astray, but I’m not about to break, Aiden.”

  Not once I’d consumed the second lot of whiskey, anyway. I knew from experience this stuff was very good at keeping all manner of fears at bay—and, at least in this particular case, it only had to bat away imagination and “what could have been.”

  “I’d still like to cosset.”

  I waved a hand to where Frank, the paramedics, and the other rangers were all now standing. “Don’t you have to look after that mess? Take statements and stuff?”

  “I was on late last night. It’s someone else’s turn tonight.”

  “But what about my statement?”

  “I can take it later, after I’ve cossetted.” He hesitated and then added softly, “Will you come home with me?”

  “Yes—as long as the cossetting involves chocolate. A girl can’t recover properly from such a scare without it, you know.”

  “The fridge is now well stocked, let me assure you.”

  “Good. But I’ll need to shower first. I’ve been working all day and I stink—”

  “You smell just fine,” he said, voice bland, “and you can shower at my place.”

  I raised an eyebrow. “Alone?”

  “If that’s what you want, yes.”

  I grinned, even as anticipation stirred. “I’ll just go grab some things then.”

  I leaned forward, dropped a kiss on his lips, and then headed up the stairs. It didn’t take long to pack—I still had some stuff sitting in a bag in his bedroom so I didn’t need all that much more.

  I grabbed the spare set of keys then clattered back down the stairs. “Jaz, would you mind locking the place up once you’ve finished?”

  “Sure.” She accepted the keys with a grin. “Least I could do after all the brownies you feed us.”

  “Thanks.” I spun around, grabbed my handbag from under the counter, and then walked toward Aiden, who was now standing midway between the counter and the door.

  He grabbed the bag from me, slung it over his shoulder, and then waved me on. I paused outside, looking right and left. “Where’s your truck?”

  “Still in the parking lot behind the station.”