Fur, Cloak and Dagger (Team Greywolf Series Book 4)

by Eva Gordon

“Only if the birds are part of the same flock.”

  He chuckled. “Okay, we will stone one flock at a time.”

  “Good.” She sighed.

  “I will do all the convincing, then.”

  She gave him an incredulous look. “Not sure that’s such a good idea.”

  “Why?”

  She chuckled. “Are you kidding? A bear chased the men off the cliff, really?”

  “Bears are no joking matter.” Nik furrowed his brow. “I’m sure it’s happened.”

  “Time for our travel itinerary.”

  Nik turned to the pilot. “You will take us to your headquarters.”

  The pilot blinked. “Yes.”

  The helicopter took off. The pilot, under Nik’s control, explained they would board the Boss’s private jet. Emma knew of an alpha’s ability to compel humans, but nonetheless, Nik impressed her. The men on board slept as ordered by him. Nik must have been the perfect spy. A loss for mother Russia. A gain for lycan kind. Perhaps that was the reason they massacred his pack. Nik looked out the window, a distant empty stare. Was he thinking of his dead pack and mentor? Or did it have to do with the mysterious Saskia? Whenever her name came up, his happy go lucky demeanor turned into raw hatred.

  She understood his obsession with finding a serial killer, but it seemed more personal. Yet, he was a newbie to Team Greywolf and the LIA. A werewolf who had worked for humans all his life.

  Emma turned to look at Nik. He threw her a big grin and gave her a flirty wink. She of all people should know a werewolf could detect if someone was turned on. Even vaguely. She frowned and observed the men. Mercenaries—guns for hire.

  The helicopter landed in Novosibirsk. The commander looked at her. “I will fly the jet back to headquarters.”

  At least they wouldn’t have a new pilot to deal with.

  They disembarked from the helicopter and walked toward the plane.

  Emma whispered to Nik, “Should you order the men to stay?”

  “No. If they don’t return, Boss and Blood Mistress will know something is up.”

  Nik stopped the men and pilot. “You will remember the story we told you.”

  They all nodded like programmed robots and boarded.

  Nik ordered the pilot to take off and told the three men to sit and sleep.

  Emma smiled at Nik as she sat on a soft leather seat. “You would be the perfect babysitter.”

  “Not sure if compelling a pup to sleep is very nice.”

  “Wait until you have a litter.” She put on her seatbelt. “How long will the crew support our story?”

  “Like Lev, my enthrallment can be permanent. Must be a Russian trick.”

  “Alpha trick, but yeah I heard about Lev’s amazing powers.”

  “And now you know of mine.” Nik looked out the window.

  “We’ll see.” Emma did not like depending on Nik’s ability to mind control everyone. If the people back on their base were werewolves or humans who knew how to fight mind control, their mission and no doubt their lives were forfeit. Reminder to self: In the future, work without a partner.

  Nik walked to the cockpit and asked him, “Where are we landing?”

  “A private island near Guyana called Metis Island.”

  “Never heard of it.” Emma hadn’t expected an island in South America. She figured they’d land in some isolated northern forest where wolves blended in. Or some underground desert base like Area 51.

  Nik whispered, “I thought we were going to Plum Island.”

  The infamous island housed or at least once housed the most dangerous biological agents in history. Emma shook her head. “From what I heard, the Bio Agro Defense facility was moved to Kansas.”

  “Whoever runs this lab is rich enough to keep it out of the public eye.” It had to be J.C. Bolton as she suspected. Once confirmed, he’d be out of business and in prison where he belonged.

  Nik shook his head. “An island is not good.”

  “At least for us,” said Emma. “It’s the perfect place to get away with murder.”

  “Where are we going to hide after the jet lands?”

  “We’ll have to blend in. Or we could steal a boat.”

  “Let’s hope there are no chimera werewolves.”

  “Yep, we’d really be screwed surrounded by a pack of werewolves.”

  He looked at her. “Not that werewolves are a bad thing.”

  “Most of the time,” Emma quipped.

  “Only when around troublesome humans.” He chuckled. “Or bad sparrows who get caught with pants down.”

  Emma huffed. “I’ll hide my identity.”

  “Still, they’ll know you are not part of the staff.”

  “What if we have the pilot radio that they are bringing in a wolf biologist and her assistant?”

  “The men I compelled will continue their story, but the Blood Mistress or Mr. Boss may order them to dispose of us. Even I can’t compel over the radio waves.”

  Emma bit the inside of her cheek. “Point taken. We need to give them a doozy of a reason to allow us in.”

  “Yes, big doozy.” He quirked a brow. “What is doozy?”

  “Basically, it means we need to give them an extraordinary reason. One they can’t refuse.”

  He nodded and gave her a half smile. “Why don’t you get sleep?”

  “Not tired. I’m going to powder my nose and return as Jane Walker, wolf population biologist.”

  “And how will you convince Mr. Boss they shouldn’t just kill you anyway?”

  “I’ll tell them I’ve discovered the human endogenous retrovirus.”

  “That’s a doozy.” He shook his head. “No. Too dangerous.”

  “Not when I have a mind-controlling, bad ass, former Russian military werewolf watching my ass.”

  He laughed. “Better attitude.”

  Emma wrinkled her brow. “That’s it. You guard me from afar. If they have men with the werewolf retro virus, they’ll smell you and then game over.”

  “So what am I supposed to do, hide underwater?”

  “Hmm. If they learn your secret, you can convince them you are a rogue werewolf. Explain you never belonged to a pack.”

  “Good idea. That way we can stay together.”

  “No. I mean it depends if there are werewolves. If there are only humans, they’ll see no reason why I would bring my guide.”

  “Assistant.”

  Emma shook her head. “No. I need you to standby.”

  He narrowed his eyes. “Either we both go or I put you on the first row boat off the island.”

  I might just cover my scent with vaporo and ditch him. No point arguing on the plane about his bossiness. She’d wait until they landed before she asserted herself. “Fine.”

  “If I smell her presence, I’ll hide.”

  “Who?”

  Nik sighed. “Saskia.”

  “Well, since I don’t think she’s part of this, I’m not too worried.” Hmm. Why am I certain she’s not? Denial? Her experience, however, taught her to be ready for the unexpected.

  “I hope you are right.”

  “If by chance Saskia is involved, you should not jeopardize our primary mission by going rabid werewolf.”

  “Don’t worry.” He grinned, baring fierce fangs. “If she is involved, it will be my pleasure to complete the mission.”

  Pleasure? Odd way to put it. “I better put on my disguise.” If a traitor or Bolton, who she suspected hired the hit man, recognized her, they’d be up shit creek.

  Nik narrowed his eyes. “Are you sure we should not spy from a distance?”

  “You know as well as I do only infiltration will bring us closer to the mystery.”

  “Agreed, comrade.”

  She glanced at the men all compelled to sleep. “I’m going into the bathroom to change.”

  His tone darkened. “Just don’t use vaporo to hide from me.”

  “No worries.” Unless you push me.

  Nik gaped. Emma had transfo
rmed into a blonde with an unrecognizable but attractive face. The nose narrowed and her brows more pointed. Hipster black framed glasses gave her a sexy librarian appearance. Beautiful, but not as beautiful as the real Emma. Close second, though. If it weren’t for her scent and exact proportions as before, he’d never guess she was Emma. “Well hello, Jane.”

  She returned to her seat. “Convincing?”

  “Very convincing.” He tilted his head. “Who taught you how to hide your identity?”

  “Father. He didn’t invent the art, though. A good friend of his, a plastic surgeon perfected the art in the sixties. He was a top asset, but not many knew of him. After he died, only my father and a few field agents, including myself, learned the art. Makes me a shifter of sorts.”

  “Yes, indeed.” He gently touched her face. “Feels like real skin, but my sense of smell tells me it’s not.” His desire awoke, wanting to touch her real skin.

  Emma gazed at him, her blue eyes penetrating. “I see I won’t convince lycans.”

  “I’m afraid not.” Her fake skin flushed as natural as her own. Their chemistry brimmed near combustion. He took his hand away.

  She visibly shuddered. “Tell me your rogue werewolf cover story, Boris.”

  “Simple. I left my pack long ago and offered my services to the Russian mafia.”

  “Can’t go more rogue than that. Although if Svetlana is part of the chimera conspiracy wouldn’t she have heard of you?”

  Once married to the most infamous leader of the Chess Piece werewolf mob, Svetlana probably knew about most rogue werewolves. Her father had also been a mobster boss, so crime ran in the family. “She is human and can be mesmerized by my alpha mind control.

  “True enough.” Emma shook her head. “No, better to say lone rather than rogue werewolf. Otherwise, he’ll wonder why a scientist hired a big bad wolf.”

  “I will tell him you hired me as a guide, but didn’t know I was a werewolf.”

  Emma laughed. “I’ll act shocked when I learn of your true nature.”

  Nik frowned. “About the vaporo...”

  “Yes?”

  “If you are in danger from werewolves, don’t be afraid to use it.”

  “I have a month’s supply always on hand.”

  “Interesting.” He wondered if Rylee had sanctioned the use of the illegal chemical. No doubt she knew, but didn’t share the information. He changed the subject. “Are you versed in wolf genetics?”

  She snorted. “Yep.”

  “Every detail?”

  Emma pointed to her temple. “Remember, photographic memory.”

  “Smart sparrow.”

  “At least you don’t have to change your appearance.”

  Nik grinned and straightened his shirt. “Handsome, eh?

  “I hope you didn’t forget your mirror to remind yourself how good looking you are.”

  “I like hearing it from you.”

  “Except…” She dug a jar from her bag. “This will cover your Team Greywolf tattoo.”

  “Like your marks?”

  “Yep. It’s even waterproof until you remove it with soap.”

  He took the jar. “Very well then.”

  “Anyway. Let’s keep our stories straight.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He winked. “Time to use my alpha influence on the pilot.”

  Nik entered the unlocked cockpit. “You will tell headquarters about the extra passengers.” The pilot nodded. Nik waited while the pilot radioed in. The pilot turned to him and explained the situation, “Tank should call Mr. Boss.”

  Emma looked up from an old newspaper as he returned. “They bought it?”

  “They want Tank to call them and explain the decision to bring us on board.”

  Emma sighed. “Okay, before you do your mind magic, let me write down exactly what Tank should say.”

  Nik nodded. When she finished, they walked to the back. “Wake up.” He handed Tank the phone he’d confiscated from him earlier.

  The big man seemed disorientated and straightened. “Huh?”

  “Call your boss and tell them about the brilliant scientist doing research on wolf genetics. Tell him, the wolf pack was killed, you decided to bring her and her guide in.”

  Emma said, “You invited me, knowing I might be important to your research.”

  Nik said, “You will say exactly what is written down. Understood?”

  He took the paper and nodded, then made the call. “Sir, we’re on our way back.”

  Nik heard the angry voice at the other end of the call.

  “Did you bring the rest of the pack?”

  “Sorry, sir. Poachers killed them.”

  “What?”

  “Unfortunately, it’s true. Our men observed and reported the find. By the time we got to the rendezvous, we found their location compromised and their bodies at the bottom of a cliff. The mission almost failed, except I think you will like who we are bringing with us.”

  “Yes, the pilot told me about the scientist. Are you stupid? Why bring her and her guide?”

  “Because she is also studying the genetic anomaly you found in the other wolves.”

  Chapter Eight

  Emma stared out the window after the pilot announced they’d land in twenty minutes. The sea was as blue as a sapphire. Never in her wildest dreams would she have imagined a secret wolf lab in the middle of the ocean. She turned to Nik. “You know they’ll probably have an armed welcoming committee.”

  Nik smirked. “I’d be disappointed if they didn’t.”

  Emma fought the urge to roll her eyes. Why did he have to act like a badass? “If you are counting on your ability to mind control the entire base, we might be screwed.”

  “Not to worry. My fighting skills will get us out of trouble. Although, you have a point. Only Lev has compelled more than five people at a time.” He shrugged. “Anyway, I’ll only use it if we are in trouble.”

  “Since this is largely a human operation, I’m in charge, got it?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  The jet flew toward a long runway, which spoke of the size of what she thought would be a tiny island. If her theory was correct and Mr. Boss was billionaire Justin Charles Bolton, he could afford a dozen large islands. Not far from the runway stood a huge white domed complex surrounded by greenery and a beautiful garden. “How did this place go unnoticed by our radar?”

  Nik glanced out the window. “I see your point. Then again, he is not the only billionaire with a private island. Perhaps, he paid to be off the grid.”

  “Could be.” She couldn’t imagine any intelligence agency taking payment to do so, but then again, stranger things had happened.

  He wrinkled his brow. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

  She nodded. “Black Ops.”

  Nik stood. “Time to wake up the men.”

  “Make sure they still remember what to say.”

  “No problem. If they don’t, I’ll make sure they never say anything again.” He grinned, baring his sharp fangs. “Just call me Boris Bad Wolf.”

  “Ha, ha.” He went down the aisle toward Tank and the other two men. If their cover was blown, she’d have to count on Nik to escape. Preferably without him dying to save her. When Danny and the other operatives in her team were murdered, part of her died as well. Working for the LIA meant working solo, finding comfort in the fact werewolves couldn’t be killed as easily as humans.

  He returned to his seat and buckled his seatbelt. “They are in the palm of my paw.”

  Nik was way too cocky. Then again, she’d never met a werewolf that wasn’t.

  The plane made a smooth landing. When they came to a complete stop, the pilot came in and opened the doors.

  Nik turned to Tank. “Lead the way.”

  He grunted. “Come on.”

  Hmm. No army of men greeted them. That’s odd. Although, Nik could probably sniff out anyone hidden from her sight. Nonetheless, she had to act as if nothing was unusual.

  In th
e distance, a black golf cart drove toward them. “Looks like they have a private golf course on the island.”

  Nik narrowed his eyes at her. “If we get separated, text me.”

  “Definitely.”

  Tank turned to his men. “Report to your quarters.”

  The two men nodded and walked away.

  “Is that him in the golf cart?” asked Emma.

  Tank turned to her. “Yes.”

  “Lead the way,” commanded Nik.

  “Yes, sir.” He moved toward the golf cart.

  Nik wrinkled his nose and whispered, “I smell something odd.”

  Emma scanned the area, but didn’t see anything unusual. “Like they forgot to wear deodorant or something worse?”

  “Worse. Men who are part wolf.”

  Despite the warm pleasant weather a chill crawled up her spine. “As in werewolf central?”

  “Yes. Not really. Men who are not like my kind.”

  If she applied vaporo, would it hide her scent from these wolf chimeras? She narrowed her eyes on a stand of palm trees, but found no hidden snipers or wolf-men lying in wait. “I don’t see anyone.”

  “They are inside the building.”

  “Can you tell how many?”

  “I smell eleven distinct men, but there might be more off the island.”

  Emma bit her lower lip. They needed backup. Nik could not possibly fight off eleven werewolves. How different were they from his kind? Would these werewolves lose their minds like the savage monsters in all the werewolf movies? “Okay, stay cool.”

  Nik smiled. “Cool describes me.”

  The golf cart stopped and out stepped none other than billionaire J.C. Bolton. He had graced the cover of just about every business magazine and newspaper so he was easily recognizable. Especially since the pending lawsuit against his pharmaceutical company had caused deaths. He must be Mr. Boss. He spoke to Tank. “You are excused.” Tank nodded and walked away. She had to trust Nik’s mind control lasted.

  Bolton wore Bermuda shorts, a white shirt and sandals. A baseball cap covered his white hair. A casual look, as if enjoying a vacation. He took off his sunglasses and held his hand out, his smile genuine. “Dr. Jane Walker, welcome to Metis Island.”

  Hmm. Interesting choice of a name. Metis was married to Zeus, who eventually tricked her into becoming a fly. Emma shook his hand. “You are J.C. Bolton.”