Wolf Surrender (Wolf Cove Book 4)

by Nina West

  Ronan doubles over in laughter, and I immediately join him.

  ~ ~ ~

  “I’ve gotta say, Betty Crocker, I’m impressed.”

  “It’s not Betty Crocker. It’s Duncan Hines, remember?”

  “Same shit.” Connor pulls onto the road that’ll take us back to the hotel. “I’d eat that cake.”

  “You’d eat anything,” Ronan retorts, but quickly adds, “It looks tasty. Especially with the M&M’s.”

  “Well, I’m glad because I was limited on time and materials.” I threw the cake into the fridge freezer to cool it enough to spread the chocolate fudge frosting over it, and then I spelled out “Happy 32nd” in colorful candy.

  The dash clock reads four o’clock. I glance at my phone to see that I still have no messages from Henry. I guess he’s not back yet. That gives me time to change into something nicer and fix my makeup.

  The Wolf helicopter is landing on the pad just as we pull in through the gates.

  “Oh, perfect! Drop me off here.”

  Connor eases the truck to a stop and Ronan hops out. He holds a hand out for me, just like he always did when I worked here, and I take it, just like I always did, even though I’ve never needed it.

  “Thanks again, guys.”

  “Make him board up that cellar, Red. I don’t get paid enough for that shit!” Connor yells.

  I smile. “I’ll see what I can do.”

  I turn to Ronan. But he’s not looking at me. His intense gaze is locked on the helicopter pad. The pilot is alone and several people, including Isabella, are running toward him. “What’s going on?” A sinking feeling is settling into my body.

  “I don’t know. Come on.” Ronan takes my hand and leads me there.

  “...they’re trying to get an emergency crew in but I don’t know what they’re going to be able to do. The shaft is completely collapsed. We’ve lost all radio contact.”

  Oh my God. Henry.

  “What’s going on?” I hear someone ask.

  Everyone turns to look at me and I realize that it was me talking.

  “There was a small earthquake earlier,” Isabella begins, her bright doe eyes full of concern.

  “Yeah, we felt it. Where is Henry?”

  She takes a deep breath. “He was in the mine when it happened, and a part of it collapsed due to that earthquake.”

  “But... no.” A wave of dizziness hits me, and I feel Ronan’s arm wrap around my waist in support. “They fixed all the safety things with the gold mine. It should have been safe. It’s supposed to be safe. That wasn’t even that big of an earthquake. It shouldn’t have done anything.” I’m rambling.

  “The gold mine didn’t take any damage,” the pilot confirms. “It’s the old mine that Mr. Wolf was in.”

  “What?”

  “He asked me to take him over. He said that Scott Wolf had been paying for some exploratory work and he wanted to see what had been done. The miners who’d done work there went with him.” The pilot’s face is etched with worry. “I don’t know how far down they got, but the entire shaft has collapsed.”

  “Oh my God.” I’m going to be sick.

  Voices begin all around me, but I can’t focus on any of them, my knees buckling, the world spinning too fast around me for me to stand. Ronan eases me down.

  Henry went into a mine.

  A mine collapsed on Henry.

  Henry might be dead.

  I can’t breathe.

  I don’t know how long it takes me to refocus on my surroundings, but when I do, Connor and Ronan are climbing into the helicopter and the blades begin to whir.

  “You need to move away,” Isabella says, gentle hands settling on my arms to try and lift me up.

  “Wait. Where are they going?”

  “He’s flying them back to the site. They’re going to see if they can help at all.”

  “I’m going, too!” I scramble to my feet and make to run to the helicopter.

  Isabella holds me back with surprising strength. “It’s not safe.”

  “Henry’s trapped in a goddamn mine! I don’t care about safe!” I fight against her grip but she holds on tight.

  “Let them go! The sooner they get there, the sooner they can work to free him,” she pleads, struggling.

  The helicopter lifts off before I have a chance to argue my way onto it. I look up in time to see Ronan peering down at me. He tosses a casual wave, but his face is full of pain.

  “Abbi!” From somewhere behind me, I hear Autumn’s voice, but I don’t turn.

  “Can you take her back to her cabin? Stay with her. We’ll cover the rest of your shift,” I’m faintly aware of Isabella telling her.

  “Of course.” Another set of hands settle on my shoulders and begin leading me away. My legs move of their own accord.

  I hear Autumn’s voice all the way back—along the path I’ve walked with Henry, through the door I’ve passed with Henry, into the cabin I’ve shared with Henry—but I don’t hear a single word she says.

  If Henry is dead....

  I make it to the bathroom just in time to heave the contents of my stomach.

  Chapter Sixteen

  “Abbi.”

  Katie stands at the door to the balcony, my phone in her hand. “It’s your mom.”

  I release the breath I was holding. “What time is it?” It’s still pitch black.

  “5:00 a.m.”

  It’s been more than twelve hours since the shaft collapsed on Henry, and we’ve heard nothing yet.

  My movements are mechanical when I accept my phone and press it to my ear. “Hello, Mama.”

  “Abigail! Good Lord, you’re safe!”

  “Yeah.”

  Katie comes around to reposition the blanket she wrapped around me earlier, when I came out here to sit on the small love seat.

  “This business with Henry and the mine is all over the news!”

  She actually said his name. I’m not sure she’s ever actually used his name. He was always that man. A predator. A wolf.

  “Have they told you anything new?”

  “They said it was a major cave-in. They’re trying to clear the shaft.” My voice sounds hollow.

  “Gosh. How anyone goes so deep into the ground like that is beyond me. Why didn’t you call and tell us about it right away?”

  “Why would I?” I say it so simply. “I know how you feel about Henry.”

  “Abigail!” she exclaims indignantly. There’s a long pause, and when she speaks, her voice is calmer, as if Aunt May is in the background, coaching her. “The past is just that—the past. We are goin’ to move on from that and—”

  “Yeah, because he’s probably dead. Is that what you mean by moving on?” The second I say the words out loud, tears spring to my eyes.

  “No, you can’t think like that. Do not lose hope, Abigail. We’re all praying for him. The Reverend is goin’ to say a special prayer at service today and tomorrow, and every other day until they find him. God willing, he’ll survive this just like your daddy survived. ”

  “I’m so scared that I’ll never see him again.” I’m crying openly, unable to contain the emotions that have been dulled by fear up until now.

  “I know, baby girl. I wish you weren’t so far away. Is someone there with you?”

  “Yes, I have friends here. I’m not alone.”

  At those words, Katie curls up on the loveseat beside me and puts an arm around my shoulder.

  “Good. I’m glad. Don’t lose hope, Abigail. All of us, we just need to have faith.”

  I’m not sure what’s more shocking—her words or the fact that she sounds genuine. Regardless, it’s what I need to hear. I take a deep breath and rub away my tears. Henry doesn’t need me giving up on him so quickly. “Thanks, Mama.”

  ~ ~ ~

  “Damn, now that is a shower,” Rachel murmurs, strolling out of the bedroom in her work uniform, her long hair pulled up into a messy bun. She tosses her makeup bag onto the couch and heads for the tabl
e to pick at the platter of fruit and sandwiches that Autumn ordered in. “Thanks for letting me get ready here.”

  “Anytime.”

  “You need to make her sleep,” I overhear her whisper to Autumn.

  “I don’t know what to do!” Autumn hisses. “I tried giving her an Ambien but she won’t take it!”

  “Then slip it in her drink!”

  I smirk as I stare blankly at the television screen. Good luck. I’m not eating or sleeping again until they find Henry.

  “Okay, well, I have to go to work now, but my shift ends at seven and Katie should be done by three,” Rachel calls out louder.

  I listen to her heels click on the hardwood and the sound of the door opening. “Uh... hello?”

  “Bonjour. I was told this is Abigail’s accommodations?”

  My head whips around at the sound of her voice.

  Rachel and Autumn stare with wide eyes as a glamorous-looking Margo strolls in. There’s no way they don’t know who she is.

  Margo sees me on the couch and heads straight for me, her beautiful face twisted with worry. “Do not worry, Abigail. If anyone can find a way out of there, I promise you, it is Henry.”

  I dive into her waiting arms as a fresh wave of sobs tear through the cabin.

  ~ ~ ~

  “You’re not exactly dressed for Alaska,” I note, taking in her red leggings and billowy white blouse. Her black suede booties are lying on the floor where she kicked them off to curl her legs beneath her on the couch.

  She chuckles in that laissez-faire way of hers. “I was not planning for a trip to Alaska. I packed for LA.”

  “Shit. That’s right. You had your party last night.” Henry helped wrap hundred of bars with me. It was such a tedious job, and yet he didn’t complain once. Bruised and battered as I was, it might have been one of the most calming, pleasant days I’ve ever spent with him. And it might end up being one of the last I’ll ever get.

  A fresh wave of tears well in my eyes. I blink them back, and swallow against the hard lump in my throat. “How was it?”

  “Fantastique, from what I’ve heard, but I was only there for an hour before news of Henry broke. I am so sorry, I could not get here sooner.”

  “No. It’s okay. I appreciate you coming. Don’t get me wrong, Autumn and the others have been great and all. But having you here feels different.”

  “Of course, Abigail.” She reaches forward and squeezes my hands. “You are both important people in my life. If something happened to either of you....” Her flawless forehead wrinkles with concern. “Well, we cannot even think like that. I’m sure they are doing everything they can.”

  “It’s been nineteen hours, Margo. How long can someone last down there? What if he was hurt? Is there even any air?”

  “I am sorry, I don’t know much about how these mines work.”

  “I don’t even know why he went! He said he was going to worry about the gold mine. This other thing was Scott’s mess. This is all him! This is Scott coming back from the dead to punish Henry!” And here, Henry was so sure Scott could never hurt me again.

  “Sshhh.” She pats my hand soothingly. “Do you know how many people are there to help?”

  “I don’t know.” I tell her about how Connor and Ronan jumped into the helicopter to help with the rescue.

  She frowns curiously. “And who are these two men to you. Friends?”

  I groan. “It’s a long, sordid story.”

  She reaches for the coffee that room service set on the table beside us, and pours us each a cup. “My favorite kind.”

  ~ ~ ~

  “Miss Lauren, we’ve brought your things over to Penthouse Two,” Isabella announces, standing in the doorway, wringing her hands. Margo makes her nervous. “I can guide you there if you’d like.”

  “Merci. That is wonderful. I’m going to stay with Abigail for now though. I am confident we will hear something soon and I want to be with her.”

  Isabella nods and then turns to me. “Is there anything I can get you?”

  “I’m good. Thank you for everything you’ve done.”

  “Autumn mentioned that you haven’t slept yet. We could have a doctor prescribe you a sedative to help.”

  I’m sure she doesn’t need Autumn to confirm that. The dark bags beneath my eyes are evidence enough. “Thanks, but I don’t want to be drugged out when news comes through.”

  “Okay. But if you change you mind....” She pauses, head cocked as if she’s listening.

  I hear it a moment later.

  The whir of helicopter blades.

  I’m on my feet and running out the door and down the path to the helicopter pad as fast as I can.

  Holding my breath the entire way.

  The helicopter holds more than just the pilot this time, I note, trying to count heads, to recognize them through the glass. But it’s too hard, and so I’m left hugging my body and waiting for the door to pop open.

  Connor jumps out first, covered head to toe in dirt. His hair doesn’t even look blond. Ronan steps out after him, limping slightly. His eyes search me out immediately.

  And he nods.

  “Oh my God....” Relief bowls over me as Henry’s feet hit the pavement. I stumble a step before I can regain my strength. And then I’m running for him.

  He grunts as I plow into his chest. “Hey... it’s okay. I’m okay.” Warm, strong arms wrap around me, pulling me tight into him as my tears flow freely.

  “I thought you were dead. I thought I’d lost you.”

  “No. Shhh....” He strokes my hair and presses his lips to my forehead. “I’m right here.”

  “I wanted to go and help but they wouldn’t let me.”

  “Good, because I would have fired every last one of them if I found you on that site when I came up,” he warns sharply.

  I reach up to grip his jaw, my fingertips reveling in the feel of his scruff as I pull his face down for a kiss on my lips. He’s as dirty as Connor and Ronan are. And there’s a gash on his forehead. “You’re hurt!” I reach for it instinctively.

  He flinches. “It’s nothing. They’ve already checked me out and I’m fine.”

  Now that I’m actually looking, I note that his jacket is soaked in blood. A lot of blood.

  Henry notices my panicked look. “One of the guys got hurt pretty bad, but he’ll be fine. They’ve taken him to Anchorage.”

  “So, what happened? How did you get out? Why the hell were you in there in the first place!” Now that I know he’s safe, my anger flares unexpectedly.

  He sighs. “I know. It was a stupid move. I figured I was already up there so I may as well check it out. But when that earthquake hit, the shaft crumbled, burying us in there. There was no way we were getting out through there. Derek—one of the guys I was with—knew of another shaft entrance. We headed for that, hoping it’d be clear enough to get through.”

  “So you climbed out there?”

  “With help.” Henry’s gaze flickers behind me. “When we got there, Ronan and Connor were already inside.”

  My mouth drops open. “They went into the mine after you?”

  “Yeah. A miner who’d worked there all those years ago heard about the collapse and came in to try and help. He remembered the other shaft, but he couldn’t remember how it connected. The emergency crew decided to focus on the main shaft until more help arrived, figuring that was still their best hope. So those two took off with the miner and some equipment to see if they’d have any luck. Against orders from the recovery team leader, apparently.”

  “So... Ronan went down there?” I say, dumbfounded. “But Ronan’s claustrophobic.”

  Surprise flashes in Henry’s face and his gaze flashes in their direction. “Well, it was definitely ballsy as fuck. There was nothing to say that another quake wouldn’t hit and bury them, or that the shaft wouldn’t collapse as soon as it was disturbed, or that the miner knew what the hell he was talking about. If they didn’t go down, I’d still be stuck in the mine.
” He shakes his head. “I never thought I’d be so happy to see those two jackasses in my life.”

  My hands smooth over his chest. “So you’re really okay?”

  “I’m really okay. I promise.”

  I bury my face in his chest and inhale deeply. He doesn’t smell like my Henry. He smells like earth and dirt and dried blood. But all that can be washed off. “Promise me you will never go into any mine ever again?”

  His deep chuckle shakes my body. “I may have trouble keeping that one, given I own one. But I can promise that I’ll never step foot in a mine that’s been shut down for decades ever again. Give me a minute? I need a word with a few people.”

  “Okay,” I say, even as I’m pulling his face down into another kiss. This one he meets deeply, lingering.

  “I was afraid I’d never get to do that again,” he whispers.

  “Same here.” I smile. “Margo’s here.”

  “I see that. Give me a few minutes and then we can head back to our place.”

  I have to force myself to let go of him, my eyes trailing him all the way over to the small crowd that’s gathered.

  Henry’s alive. And safe.

  And I owe it all to Ronan and Connor.

  I rush for them.

  “Has anyone ever told you that being your friend is hazardous to—” Connor’s quip is cut off with a grunt as I barrel into his chest.

  “Thank you.”

  “Thank him. He’s the nutcase that made me go down in there.” He jerks a thumb at Ronan, who stands quietly off beneath a tree, his clothes soiled, but somehow looking as calm and collected as usual.

  “I don’t know how—” I choke over the rest of the words, unable to get them out. I wrap my arms around his broad shoulders.

  With a heavy sigh, he pulls me into his body, burying his face in the crook of my neck.

  I finally manage a “thank you” in a rough whisper, and squeeze him tight, not relenting until approaching footfalls sound on the gravel and Henry calls my name.

  “Come on, Abbi. I think we can both use some sleep.” He looks down at my socked feet. “Where are your shoes?”

  I fall against his chest, not bothering to answer, succumbing to the weight of the last twenty-four hours.