by Vella Day
“Thank you,” he said.
As soon as he hurried off, the elevator doors closed. Clare remained frozen, shaken to the core. She curled her fingers, her nails digging into her palms.
Stay calm. Stay calm.
She pressed the button for the second floor, praying she could go into room 225 and check on her patient without anyone paying attention. Immediately, she removed the ear bud stuffed it into her pocket, just like Spence had instructed.
Clare would complain to another nurse that she wasn’t feeling well, collect her things, and leave. The fifty steps to her car would be the longest walk of her life.
Chapter Twenty-Three
“I’m ready for Andy,” Ty texted.
Something about this whole set up bothered him. Paying for loyalty didn’t sit well with him. Supposedly, no one in the furniture showroom or shop was aware werewolves existed or had a clue about the real nature of what Statler was doing in the lab. Ty couldn’t remember the details, but he thought Statler was telling everyone he was working on a cure for muscular dystrophy or maybe it was spinal cord injuries. Whatever the tale, it was an out and out lie.
The door opened and two burly men, looking everywhere but at him and Tatum, came in carrying furniture cloths. The redheaded man dropped his pads and stilled when she opened her eyes.
“What’s happening?” Tatum groaned.
“Easy, hon. We’re going to keep you warm.” Ty looked up at the larger of the two men. “Did you drill holes in the side of the box?”
“Fuckin’ A. I ain’t no killer.”
Ty would have to ask his brother what he’d said to this man. “Will you be the one driving the truck?”
Andy’s lips firmed as he unrolled the mats and motioned to Tatum. “Yeah. Place the girl on top.”
Ty wondered if the man believed she had a spinal cord injury and couldn’t walk, or if Ty was a relative wanting to help his wife or sister escape. Didn’t matter. The man was willing to help—for a good price.
Ty carefully stretched her out. The second man’s eyes roamed the length of her body, pissing Ty off. “Look away, old man. Don’t you have any decency?” Christ. He should have nabbed her bed sheet and wrapped her in it for decency’s sake. Too late now.
The men rolled her in the soft material, making sure to leave the end near her head open. The redhead looked up. “Might want to stand back while I open the door. Cameras might see you.”
Seemed as if he was afraid of retribution from Statler, too. Ty’s job was over for now anyway. Ford said he’d placed a camera in the workshop so he could watch the men place her in the lidded box. Ty wanted to assure Tatum that all would be well, but he feared his conversation might be picked up by the random mics around the building.
Now for phase two. Cam, Spence, and Bailey would be waiting for Andy at the drop-off location, some eight miles east of the lab. In case things went sour, Ford would be stationed two miles farther down the road. He’d installed an engine kill switch should the need arise. If Cam contacted him and said that Andy had sped on by, the driver would be in for a rude awakening down the road.
Ty believed he had the hardest job. He had to remain at the lab until Clare was able to leave. She’d provided him with her route home, so he’d have no trouble locating her once she pulled off onto the berm. Because she’d said she was afraid to wear the wire once she handed off Tatum, they’d be without any means of communication for a while. He didn’t like it. Too many things could go wrong.
Until he was with all three women in the United States, he wouldn’t relax.
* * *
Ford slammed his hand against the wheel. How long did it take to place a person in a crate, slide it in the back of the truck, and drive eight fucking miles? Andy had assured him that he’d leave the factory by 5:30 a.m. Given that it was almost six, something had gone wrong.
As soon as Ty contacted him to say Clare had successfully left Tatum’s room, Ford said his goodbye to Sarah and headed out—but not before he watched Andy load Tatum into the box—or should he say that he watched some heavy padding being placed in the wooden container. The urge to drive back and check out the progress was strong, but if Andy was on his way and he raced by the drop-off spot, then they might never retrieve Tatum.
Poor girl had to be in a panicked state, drugs or no drugs. It would be dark in the box, and Ty said he wouldn’t be able to explain a lot to her. Ford could only hope Clare had explained what was going to happen.
His headset clicked. “I see the truck coming now.” It was Cam.
Ford relaxed somewhat. In case Andy pulled a fast one, Ford eased out of his car ready to activate the engine kill switch. They’d debated letting Ty shoot out the tires, but even with a few holes, with that many tires, Andy could have driven a few more miles. “He stopping?”
“He’s slowing down.”
The tension had given Ford a killer headache, but it eased with the news. He paced, his gaze checking the surrounding woods for a possible ambush. While he didn’t sense any werewolves, there were ways to disguise their scent.
“Uh-oh. Motherfucker,” Cam shouted.
Ford stiffened. “Shit. He blew past?”
“Bastard did.” Cam called out a few more expletives, presumably at the passing truck.
Anger bubbled inside Ford. Why would Andy do that? If he didn’t deliver Tatum, he wouldn’t receive the other half of his money. What would have possessed him to keep going? Had someone discovered Tatum’s disappearance so quickly and threatened him? If so, they might have told him to drive on by with the hope the captors would follow him straight into a trap. Not going to happen.
The whine of tires on the road and the groan of the engine reached him before he spotted the Hoffman delivery truck charging around the curve. With his finger on the kill switch, Ford waited until Andy was less than fifty feet away before he pressed the button. The engine died immediately.
If Ford hadn’t been so pissed, he might have gotten some satisfaction in seeing the panic on the man’s face. Andy reached forward, presumably to attempt to start the engine. He failed.
Ford waited until the truck rolled to a stop before yanking open the passenger side door. “Get out.”
Andy held up his hands, his eyes darting toward the wooded area. “I can explain.”
Man better not be thinking about making a run for it. Ford wasn’t in a generous mood. He might not be able to control himself and end up shifting. Then he’d ripped the man to shreds. While he detested killing a human, in this case he might make an exception.
“I don’t like to repeat myself. Get out.”
Andy put on the break and eased open the door. If Andy carried a gun and shot him, poor Andy wouldn’t be going home—ever.
The first thing Ford needed to do was get Tatum out of the truck. He lifted the back and spotted the chest with the holes drilled in the side. Ford jumped in, raised the lid, and lifted Tatum. She moaned.
“Easy there. You’ll be home soon.” Ford stepped out with Tatum in his arms. “Don’t move, Andy. I’m not finished with you.”
“I ain’t done nothing wrong.”
Some people weren’t worth wasting his breath on.
Tatum was still groggy, thankfully. Perhaps she wouldn’t even remember the drive when this was over. He opened the back of his car, placed her on the seat, and loosened the matting to make sure she could sit up if she wanted to.
“Be right back,” he said.
Ford should just drive off and leave the prick to walk the ten miles back, but he needed to be sure Statler hadn’t been tipped off. “Why didn’t you stop?”
“I…I couldn’t.”
“Couldn’t what?”
Andy shifted his weight. “It’s not right, you kidnapping a girl like that.” He puffed out his righteous chest.
Was he that clueless? “I was rescuing her, you idiot. She was in the lab because she’d been kidnapped.” Ford hadn’t been all that specific when he’d hired Andy about why they
needed to get Tatum out.
“Maybe, but she’ll be better off with the wife and me. We lost our baby when she was three. Marie would be about this girl’s age.”
The words barely registered. “You planned to keep her? To replace the daughter you lost?” It was crazy, yet it made some sense. As long as his failure to stop had nothing to do with Statler, he’d let the man live.
“We’d take good care of her, we would.”
Ford shook his head and spoke into his radio. “Target acquired. I’m heading out.” He then strode to his car.
“What about me?”
“Call a cab.” Ford growled and jumped in the car before radioing Ty. “Everything go okay on your end?”
“Clare’s with me now. Tatum’s okay?”
“In the backseat. See ya soon.” He disconnected and twisted around. Tatum was sitting up. “How are you feeling?”
She ran her tongue along her lips. “Like shit.”
“Not surprised. We’ll stop in a bit and let you get something to eat.” He picked up a bottle of water, twisted open the cap, and handed it to her. “Drink this.”
“Thanks.”
Because the caravan consisted of three different cars, they’d arranged to meet at a designated spot partially because they couldn’t be certain if Tatum would need medical attention. He waved at Andy who was on his cell. Reinforcements would arrive soon and Ford wanted to be as far away as possible.
* * *
Half an hour later, Ford pulled into the diner parking lot to meet the others. He’d explained to Tatum that they were meeting her sister, and that he and his brother had saved her, but for some reason, she wasn’t buying his story. The note from Bailey must have been a fake, she said. Ford figured being stuffed in a trunk had been the last straw, and she wasn’t believing anything. He almost couldn’t blame her, but she’d see soon enough that he was telling the truth.
“Can I get out and stretch my legs?” Tatum asked, sounding stronger.
“Not yet. You might draw some attention wearing that hospital gown. Besides, it’s a bit cold out.”
“I can stay wrapped in this blanket.” The defiance came out strong.
“Just wait until your sister arrives.” Spence pulled up a minute later. “Good timing. Bailey’s here.”
Tatum pressed her face against the window. “That’s not Bailey.”
“After my brother and I helped her escape, she decided to dye her hair.” He tapped his radio. “Send Bailey over.”
“Will do. Happy reunion,” Spence said.
Bailey jumped out of Spence’s car and rushed over. The back door opened and Bailey gasped. “Tatum. Oh, my God. I can’t believe it.”
He bet they wanted to be alone. “I’ll get your bag, Bailey. Maybe you can find something for Tatum to wear.”
She didn’t answer, as the two were too busy hugging and crying. He rushed over to Cam’s car and got Bailey’s duffle out of the trunk. He opened it, and grabbed one of everything. They’d have to stop for a jacket though. As long as she remained in the car, she could stay wrapped in the heavy fabric.
Spence stepped out of the driver’s side. “Where’s Clare?”
“They should be here shortly.”
His brows rose. “I’ll believe we really pulled this off under Statler’s nose after we cross the border.”
“Me, too, but as soon as he figures out what happened, don’t think he won’t send a hoard of men after us.” Ford searched the road for his brother’s car.
Spence chuckled. “Thanks for the pep talk.”
“Any time.” Ford carried the clothes for Tatum to his car and handed them to Bailey. “Might want to have Tatum change. We can’t stop anywhere with her in a hospital gown.”
Bailey removed her hat and glasses. “Tatum can wear my disguise. When her nurse finds her missing, I bet Statler will put out an APB on her.”
“You keep the disguise. He wants you more. We’ll figure something out for Tatum.”
Ty pulled in with Clare in the front seat. “I’ll be right back. Stay in the car.”
The four men had a quick discussion. They needed to head toward Buffalo, not only to cross the border, but to drop off Ty’s rental car. It was decided he’d ride with Ford once they entered the States.
Ford turned to Ty. “Did you ask Clare what she wanted to do once we cross over?”
“She was open, but since Tatum might be traumatized, Clare volunteered to stay with her until Tatum was ready to move on.”
That was generous of her. Ford checked the time. “It’s a good ten to twelve hours before we reach the border. We’ll stop to eat and for pit stops, but that’s all. We’ve all got our radios which can’t be traced, so we’re good.”
“Bailey going to go with you?” Cam asked.
“I think the sisters want to be together.”
“What about Clare?”
They’d focus better if they weren’t around their mate. “Let’s leave her with Ty.”
They nodded, and headed back to their vehicles.
Ford prayed the danger would pass once they crossed into the States, but he knew better. Their rough road was only beginning.
* * *
They spent the night in some small town in northern Canada. Bailey and Tatum slept together, while Tyson grabbed the second bed, and Ford asked for a cot. Had Tatum been ready to learn about werewolves, the men would have shifted and stayed on the floor.
Clare had been hesitant to sleep in the same room as Cam and Spence, but once Ford explained that Statler was a loose cannon, she agreed to the protection.
The next morning, with Bailey still bleary eyed, all seven of them congregated in Ford and Tyson’s room.
“We need to figure out what happens next,” Ford said.
Bailey was worried about her sister. Tatum was strong and said she was fine, but Bailey didn’t believe her.
“Tatum, it’s your call,” Bailey said. “Do you still want to move to Pittsburgh or do you want come back to Virginia with me?”
Her jaw firmed. “I have a job that I’m really excited about. I want to start my life, not dwell on the past.” She glanced over at Clare. “Besides, I’ll have company.”
Clare nodded.
Her sister had spunk. Tatum was right. They both needed to move on. Besides, Richmond, Virginia and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania were less than six hours apart. If Tatum needed her, Bailey could be there in a day. Still, she had to work not to let disappointment show. “If you’re sure.”
“I’m sure. Besides, we don’t need Mom and Dad knowing what happened. If I didn’t take the job, they’d figure out something was up. You know them—they’d freak and call in the National Guard looking for that place. No. It’s better for all if we leave it alone.”
“I feel the same way.” The whole idea of werewolves might come out and she wasn’t ready for that discussion.
The anger and injustice at what happened, however, kept surfacing. Bailey wanted revenge for what Statler was doing to the other girls, but she felt helpless to do anything.
“Then it’s settled,” Ford said. “Once we reach Buffalo, Ty will drop off his car and ride with us, and Clare and Tatum can head west with Cam and Spence.”
Cam glanced at his brother then back at the group. “Spence and I have discussed it. We’ll be staying near the girls for a while to make sure nothing happens.”
Chills raced up her spine. “You really think Statler cares that much about one woman? Why not just kidnap another one?”
Tyson slipped next to her. “He may not care, but we can’t be too careful. As much as I don’t want to put more fear into your heart, Statler wants you, and he might think the way to you is through Tatum.”
Bailey gagged, her heart jumping to her throat. “What you’re saying is that until he’s taken down, I’m not safe?”
“Yes, but don’t worry. Cam and Spence will make sure nothing happens to Clare and your sister, and we won’t let you out of our sight.”
/> Her body trembled. She’d hoped they’d stay nearby, but she wanted them to want to be with her, not because they had to be with her.
Stop it. I’m not sure what I want—other than to put this nightmare behind me. “I live in Virginia, and you live in North Carolina. I can’t ask you to put your jobs on hold.”
“We can work anywhere,” Ford said, moving next to her. “It’s easy to rent space and teach our self-defense classes.”
She wasn’t buying it. Changing locations and leaving their clients would be a big deal. “If you say so.”
Tyson nodded to their gear. “Let’s pack up. Once we cross into the States, we can hug goodbye.”
Now that the end was near, Bailey wasn’t ready. Even if the hiking trip had been uneventful, she’d still have to say goodbye, and that was hard. “Before we head out, we should call Mom and Dad,” she said to Tatum.
“I thought about that, but it’ll be hard to sound cheerful. They’ll know something’s wrong.”
“It’s awfully early,” Ford said. “Won’t that be suspicious?”
“They’re early risers. We’ll say we finished our hike and spent the night at a hotel to clean up. Now we’re ready to leave.”
“Okay, but use my burner phone. We don’t want your father to trace the call.” Ford handed it to her.
Bailey inhaled. She wasn’t sure she could act normal. “Ready?” she asked Tatum.
“I guess.”
Bailey chuckled. “You can always say it was tiring listening to me whine about how out of shape I am. That way, you don’t have to sound excited about the trip.”
“Isn’t that the truth.”
Ty stood. “We’ll wait outside while you have your family reunion.”
“Thanks. We’ll keep it short and sweet.”
She wished she could tell her parents about the wonderful men she’d met, but that wouldn’t go over well. Perhaps if they met them, her parents would see that both men were perfect, but she’d leave that for another time. Right now, she wanted to go home and forget about Statler and his experiments.