by Vella Day
“I understand.” Jay had a ton of questions about who had saved the girl, and why hadn’t he been told about the rescue, but if the General had needed him to know beforehand, he would have told him.
Armand gave him directions to the house and said to expect his cousin and her fiancé by tonight. They were flying up on the General’s private jet and would then be transported by helicopter to town.
Happy to have something constructive to do, he headed out. Jay agreed that if the woman was injured, she shouldn’t be left alone. He texted Riley and informed him about his plans. Given his roommate’s protective streak, if he returned and found Jay gone, he’d assume the worst.
The safe house was about seven miles from the motel. Most likely the General decided Trax and Dante should be the ones to stay there since they would need a lot of space to set up their surveillance equipment.
Kenzie and Sam wouldn’t be there for another five hours, and he’d need to eat soon. He could only guess the woman and the guard might appreciate something, too. When the same convenience store where they’d met Sarah popped into view, he stopped and picked up sandwiches and some fruit, along with some soup for Michelle in case eating was difficult for her.
He was still trying to figure out how Michelle ended up in the General’s care when the house came into view. A black truck that looked similar to the one the giant drove sat in the drive. Armand hadn’t said anything about Trax and Dante having company, unless Statler had found their safe haven. Well, fuck!
Jay’s heart raced. He rushed on past and then pulled off to the side of the road a half-mile later. If Statler’s man was there, the entire operation could be compromised.
Decision time. He could wait in his wolf form, and when the giant brought out the guard and the injured woman, Jay could attack. The problem would be the giant might drop her in order to shift. Shit.
He texted Dante: General asked that I watch Michelle and guard. One of Statler’s men is here. Please advise.
He hit send but immediately realized the giant might be there to kill Michelle and free the guard. There was no time to wait. Jay turned around, drove straight back to the house, and pulled into the drive, blocking the giant’s exit.
Fighting with him would have an uncertain outcome. While Jay was highly trained, the giant might be, too. As he slid from his car, the front door opened, and the giant’s shoulders almost touched both sides of the frame.
Well, damn.
* * *
Sarah was quite concerned about Belinda’s health. Amy needed to be more careful when tying her down. Fortunately, between the antiseptic cream and the bandages, Sarah was able to care for the injured woman’s wrists. The suddenness of her stomach issues had Sarah concerned. It was possible Belinda was faking her illness, believing that if her condition appeared serious enough, she’d be taken to a hospital. Sarah didn’t want to tell her that the only way she was going to get out of here was if the Pack saved her.
Sarah carefully reattached the restraint. “I’ll have Amy check on you in a little while to see if this medicine has helped settle your stomach.”
“Thank you.” Belinda wrapped her arms around her waist and closed her eyes.
Poor girl. Seeing these women suffer made Sarah more determined than ever to help free them. Needing to check on Nancy in the other room, Sarah left and immediately spotted Amy coming down the hallway.
“How’s Belinda doing?” Amy asked, but her tone didn’t hold a lot of worry.
“Hard to tell. I told her you would check on her in a few hours.”
“I will.” Amy placed a palm on the wall, almost as if she was blocking Sarah’s path. “So, what took you so long in the storage room?” One brow rose.
Sarah’s pulse soared. Stay calm. “I had trouble locating the Pepto.”
Amy grinned and lowered her arm. “I heard that hot guard followed you in there.”
Damn it. Here she thought Clay and Dirk were keeping watch. Then again, someone like Russ might have watched her head down the hallway and then seen Riley trail after her a minute later.
Amy had an intense sex drive and Sarah decided to play up to it. “You caught me.” She glanced around as if what she was about to say was super secret. “We did the nasty,” she whispered.
Amy grinned and clapped. “He’s hot, right?”
A sense of protectiveness shot straight through her. “Yes, but remember, you have Russ.” She didn’t need Amy putting the moves on her man.
Her man? Is that what he is?
Even though Riley was on the right side of the law, Sarah wasn’t in the market for anyone, but those few minutes in the closet would forever be imprinted in her brain—and in her body. Words like sensational, overwhelming, and hot to describe what happened in there would be like saying the Arctic was a bit chilly.
“Russ has been too distracted of late. I think he’s losing his interest in me.”
As much as Sarah would have liked to know what would have drawn Russ away, she didn’t want to appear too curious. “A lot’s happening around here. I bet he’ll come around soon.”
“Let’s hope.”
Not wanting to continue the conversation about sex, she checked her watch. “Before I clock out, I want look in on the girls.”
“You going to see Riley tonight?”
He had mentioned something about seeing her later, but she didn’t want Amy keeping tabs on her. “I’m not sure.”
“Sleep well. I won’t be rolling in until six tomorrow morning. Ugh.”
That was tough. Amy had been there since two. “I heard it won’t be much longer until Statler’s buyer shows up.” Perhaps Russ had updated Amy on what was happening.
Amy shrugged. “Yeah. As hard as it is to drug these girls, it’s probably for the best.”
Sarah had no comeback for that comment, so she smiled and stepped on by, wanting to make sure Nancy didn’t need anything before she left. Of late, Amy had been acting a bit strange and Sarah wondered if Russ wasn’t trying to have her do things that would further harm the women. However, if any of the women weren’t in excellent shape when the buyer came, heads would roll—both hers and Russ’s.
Sarah spent the final few minutes of her shift with Nancy, and when she was satisfied her patient was resting comfortably, she went in search of Russ to tell him she was leaving. Her checking in with him was Statler’s requirement. However, now that this new man was in charge, perhaps she was supposed to tell him. While both men frightened her, the large man at least didn’t look at her like she was little Red Riding Hood—someone to eat.
Sarah spotted Riley and waved. As he came toward her, she swore his eyes changed color. “I wanted to tell someone that I’ve finished my shift,” she said. “I’m supposed to let Russ know, but with that other man in charge now, I’m not sure of the proper protocol.”
“Connolly had to leave, so you’ll have to tell Russ.”
“Damn.” Instead of taking off in search of the man, she just stood there, though what she expected Riley to say or do, she wasn’t sure.
He tapped her nose. “I’ll see you later.” With that, he spun around and headed to the other side of the warehouse.
Did that mean he planned on stopping over at her place when he was finished? More than her blood heated at that thought. Riley didn’t know where she lived, but he could find out if he asked Amy. Needing to tell Russ she was heading home, she checked the warehouse but didn’t find him, which meant he must be outside. As soon as the front door clicked behind her, she spotted him by her car. What the hell?
Sarah straightened her shoulders and approached. “Russ. I was looking for you to let you know I’m leaving.”
“What were you and Amy talking about when Riley, Clay, and Dirk showed up?” His fists clenched and his brows pinched. Not a good sign.
That she was interested in branching out. “Nothing.”
He moved closer. “I saw the way Amy’s eyes lit up. Did she say she wanted to fuck one of them?”
Sarah couldn’t tell if he was jealous or just possessive. “No.” She said there was always room for one more.
“What about you?”
She didn’t know what he was asking, and while she’d been in a lot of uncomfortable situations before, she was too tired to deal with his bullshit. “Can we continue this discussion tomorrow? I really need some sleep.”
“My shift is ending, too.” He stepped in front of her car door, blocking her entry.
A hundred responses rushed to mind, but most would result in her being in a worse position if she said them. She waved her key, indicating he should move. “Russ, excuse me.”
“Come on. I saw you go into that storage room with Riley, and with all that moaning and groaning, you two were getting it on. Don’t deny it.”
Her stomach contracted and nearly took her breath. Stay calm. “He was helping me reach some medicine.”
“You’re not a good liar. Admit it, you were fucking him.”
Perhaps if she told him the truth, he’d leave. “Yes. So? He worked at the clinic and we hooked up there.”
“Really?” He dragged a hand down her arm and she wanted to vomit.
So as not to piss him off too much, she stepped out of his reach instead of slapping his hand away. “Amy really likes you,” Sarah said. “Why don’t you see if she wants to have a go in the closet with you.”
His eyes changed color. “I want you.”
Before the words had a chance to sink in, Russ grabbed her, swung her around, and pushed her up against her car. When he pressed his lips to hers, the violation made her want to scream. Unable to even breathe, instinct kicked in and she lifted her knee, aiming for his balls, but he twisted in time to prevent contact. As he tried to work his tongue between her lips, he pressed his whole body against hers.
She managed to turn her head and yell, “No. Stop.” The slap came so hard and fast, that her vision blurred.
“You’re easy, and I’m not going to let that newcomer take what I want.” In one tug, he tore open her blouse. She saw red.
Sarah stomped on the instep of his foot and reached up to claw at his eyes. With animal quickness, he grabbed her wrist, but with her free arm, she managed to jab him in the chest with her elbow.
He staggered backward, giving her a chance to escape. She sprinted toward the warehouse—toward Riley—but after three steps, Russ grabbed her from behind. Since she had her key in her hand, she threaded the metal between her fingers and blindly slammed her fist over her shoulder, hoping to hit his face. She met with some resistance, and he grunted and then let go.
She took off again.
“You won’t get far,” he called, pain lacing his voice.
Move faster. She couldn’t breathe as her chest cramped. Thirty feet to the door. Now twenty. Heavy footsteps sounded behind her and then his fingers grasped the back of her shirt, nearly pulling it off her.
She was no match for the large man. “Help!”
Russ tripped her and the ground rushed up to meet her. A second later, she was on her back with him between her legs, rape clearly on his mind. Whatever it took, she wasn’t going to let that happen.
Adrenaline charging through her, her FBI training kicked in. With her arms straight, she pressed her hands on his shoulders to keep him from getting any closer, and then shrimped out to the side. That twisting motion enabled her to slam a foot on his hip. Lowering her hands to his wrists, she lifted her other foot and planted it on his other side, which made it nearly impossible for him to crawl on top.
“Bitch.” When Russ leaned back to reposition himself, she lifted both feet and jammed a heel into his chin then followed it with a swift kick to his solar plexus and then his groin. With her feet continuing to pummel him, he rolled out of the way.
Scrambling to her feet, she raced toward her car, praying she’d make it before Russ caught her again. Her legs weakened and her vision blurred. If he changed into his wolf form, she’d be torn to shreds.
Chapter Nine
When Riley heard what he thought was Sarah screaming, every animal instinct in him went crazy and he raced to the front of the warehouse. Jerking open the exit door, he ran outside where Russ’s hormonal scent and Sarah’s fear permeated his nostrils. His mate was jabbing the key at her lock repeatedly, while Russ was staggering toward her. The torn blouse and disheveled hair caused Riley to shift.
He growled and charged. Paws gaining purchase on the dirt, he raced toward them and launched himself at Russ. He bit hard on the man’s calf. Russ’s yell split the air, and a second later he, too, was in wolf form.
Killing Russ would raise too many questions, but teaching the man a lesson would be a pleasure. Riley tried to maneuver the fight away from Sarah’s car so she could escape, but Russ had blocked her ability to open her door.
Riley didn’t dare look at her. If he did, he’d let his anger rule, and Russ would suffer greatly. Russ’s eye was red as if Sarah had scratched or poked him, but werewolves healed quickly, so any weakness on Russ’s part would soon disappear. Needing to approach his prey from the side, Riley circled him, forcing Russ to keep his hindquarters toward the car.
As much as he wanted this altercation to end quickly, he needed to show Russ that any further attempt on Sarah could end in death. Crouching low, Riley growled then sprang, aiming for the man’s neck. Russ avoided receiving the full force of the bite, but it was enough to make him stagger.
The passenger side door opened then closed, and a second later, Sarah’s engine started. Good. As much as Riley wanted to make sure she was okay, he had to deal with Russ first.
Snarling, Russ stalked toward Riley and swiped a paw the entire length of his flank. Fuck that hurt, but the sting wasn’t enough for him to stop. Believing he was the superior fighter, Riley lunged at his adversary and the two tumbled and rolled, nipping at each other’s bodies. The warehouse door banged open and they both disengaged at the arrival of another werewolf. They didn’t need a full on fight.
“Hey, you two.” Clay stood with his legs wide and his hands on his hips. “Get back inside.”
Riley almost laughed. Because he and Clay had supposedly been hired from the same company, he doubted Russ would attack if the odds were two against one. Riley shifted, and then Russ changed, too. From the looks of it, Russ better hope Statler wasn’t around to see how poorly one of his men had faired in a fight.
“This ain’t over, Bishop.”
Yes, it was.
* * *
Connolly wasn’t pleased. When Trax called and said they couldn’t watch Michelle and Darnell, he had to give a lame excuse to the men why he needed to leave the warehouse. Some computer expert and her fiancé who worked for the General would be arriving soon to take Michelle back to Florida and care for her. He was good with that—it was Jay showing up at the house that he didn’t need.
Connolly faced Jay. “How are the motel accommodations working out for you?” he asked, needing some time to figure out how he wanted to handle this. His initial plan had been to keep Jay and Riley in the dark about working for the General. By them believing he was one of Statler’s men, Riley would remain cautious and wouldn’t suggest some plan that involved the few of them taking Statler down.
Jay stared at him with his back so straight that Connolly feared he might break his spine. He should tell him they were on the same side, but he needed the tension release of yanking his chain for another minute.
“What are you doing here?” Jay asked.
“Taking care of business. You want to come in? You look like you could use a cup of coffee.”
Jay widened his stance. “I came for Michelle.”
“Then you’re out of luck. I’ve already promised her to someone else.” If he understood the General right, the woman who would be escorting Michelle and Darnell was Jay’s cousin.
Jay’s eyes turned a dark gold, and then he shifted right out in the open as if the world was aware of werewolves. Thankfully, the trees that rimmed the
property were thick enough to block anyone’s view.
Oh, hell. He didn’t need to get in a scrap with Jay, so he held up his hands as the feral-looking animal bared his teeth and closed the gap between them. “Only kidding. I work for General Armand.”
Connolly expected Jay to shift back, but apparently he didn’t believe him. The wolf advanced, looking fiercely determined. It was time to stop this. “Your cousin, MacKenzie, and Sam are headed here now.”
Three beats later, Jay was back in human form. Connolly had to chuckle at the look of confusion and anger on his face. Perhaps joking with someone on a serious mission hadn’t been a good idea.
“Why didn’t you tell me you weren’t a Statler hire?” Jay asked.
“I had my reasons. Come inside where we can talk.”
Jay scrubbed a hand down his jaw and followed him in. “The General didn’t tell me about you.” His voice sounded like grated glass.
“I asked him not to.” Connolly explained his reasoning.
“Riley and I are professionals. We wouldn’t have gone off half-cocked because we knew you were on our side.” He glanced to his right and his shoulders seemed to relax. Jay inhaled and then faced him. “May I see Michelle?”
“Sure.”
No sooner had they taken three steps than Jay’s cell chimed. He checked the message and his face paled.
“What is it?”
“It’s from Riley. Russ tried to sexually assault Sarah.” The hair on Jay’s face sprouted and his teeth extended.
Holy fuck. He’d pegged Russ as a troublemaker and someone who was ruled by his dick, but he hadn’t expected an assault. “How is she?”
Jay slowly returned to full human form. “She was able to fight him off. Look, as much as I want to see my cousin and her fiancé, I need to—”
“By all means, go and see to her. I’ll ask Trax and Dante to come on back here, so I can fend off any further incident. I’ll talk to Statler about firing Russ.”