He gaped at her. “Explain.”
“Not now.” Impatient and tired, she waved her hand. “I’ve made my decision. I’m going in.”
“Then I’m going with you.”
“What?” Staring at him as if she wasn’t sure she’d heard correctly, she cocked her head. “Have you lost your mind?”
“No. I’ll go in wearing a disguise.”
She crossed her arms, glaring at him as if she thought he might be joking. “He’ll recognize you,” she said. “He already said something about your wolf looking familiar.”
From the narrowing of his eyes, she figured she’d surprised him.
“I’ll make sure to avoid him. He’s got an entire army working for him. Security guards, cooks, housekeepers. I’m sure he doesn’t take the time to acquaint himself with every single employee.”
“You’re being ridiculous,” she told him.
“No. I’m not.” He dragged his hand through his thick hair, wincing. “I’ll shave my head. Wear eyeglasses. That ought to be enough.”
Still she shook her head. “Come on. Stop it. You know he’s going to figure out who you are.”
“I doubt it.” Bitterness colored his voice. “The man’s so self-absorbed he rarely looks at others. I think it will work.”
“And if it doesn’t?” she asked softly. “Are you willing to take the chance?”
“Yes.”
“I’m not.” She sighed. “I really appreciate the offer, but I can’t risk it. If you fail, you’ll jeopardize everything. I’ll go back, alone. Once he knows I came back willingly, I’m hoping he won’t see a need to keep me locked up. I’ll find Hailey, contact you and you can show up and take us away from there.”
“That’s an awful lot of what-ifs,” he said.
“I’ll just have to be a really good actress. If I can convince him that I truly believe he’s my last hope for saving my daughter, gaze at him with unadulterated admiration, I think I can convince him.”
“And if you can’t?”
She looked away, not wanting him to see her unease. “Then you’ll have to figure out a way to rescue me.”
Without giving him a chance to answer, she hit redial on her phone. Jacob answered on the second ring. “Have you come to a decision?”
“I’d like to apologize,” she said stiffly, trying to force warmth into her voice. “I panicked and overreacted. More than anything I want Hailey healed. And I don’t want to be on the outside while you do it. I want to witness your miraculous healing myself.”
She hoped she wasn’t spreading it on too thick.
Apparently not, because when Jacob spoke again, pleasure resonated in his voice. Though for all Blythe knew, he could be playing her the same way she was playing him.
“I’m glad you came around,” he said warmly. “Now tell me where you are and I’ll send someone to pick you up.”
She thought fast. She didn’t want to give away her location—and the fact that she was with Lucas. Then she remembered the burgers. Lucas had said it was right around the corner. “I’m outside a hamburger place. Called Stripers.”
“Excellent.” He practically purred with satisfaction. “Someone will be there in twenty minutes.”
Without waiting for a reply, he hung up.
When she looked up, Lucas watched her intently.
“He’s picking me up at Stripers,” she said, oddly breathless, her heart fluttering like a hummingbird in her chest. “I’m going to walk there now. You stay here.”
He nodded, the narrow glint of his gaze telling her he didn’t like this one bit. “At the end of the parking lot, turn right. It’s around the corner, after the gas station. First, let me program my number into the phone.”
Once that had been accomplished, he handed it back. “Try to keep this with you,” he said. “I have the number, so if I don’t hear from you, I can call you later.”
She nodded. “Hopefully he won’t take the phone away.”
“Why would he? After all, you’re supposed to be his honored guest.”
Out of words, she nodded again and then turned to go.
“Blythe.”
She spun around, the urgency in his voice reflected in her jagged heartbeat.
“Do you know how to handle a pistol?”
Grimacing, she nodded. “I think so. Or at least I used to. I haven’t shot one in years, though, so I’m a little rusty.”
Crossing to his pack, he removed a small .22 and carried it to her, placing it in her hand. “Take this. The safety is on, but it’s fully loaded. Don’t be afraid to shoot if you have to.”
Accepting it, she turned the small gun over in her hands. The metal felt cool and despite its diminutive size, she figured it would do the job.
“What about you?” she asked. “I don’t want to leave you unarmed.”
“I’m not. I have two others, though they’re quite a bit larger. That one is more of a spare.”
“Thank you.” Since she didn’t have a purse or a backpack, she wasn’t sure where to put it. “Do you have a holster or something? It seems dangerous to put this in my pocket.”
Looking grim, he rummaged around in his backpack. “Here it is,” he said. “This is a leg holster. Your jeans will hide it. Unless they pat you down, they’ll never find it.”
She held out her hand. “Let me have it. I’ve got to get going.”
Instead of handing it over, he shook his head. “If you’ve never worn one, I need to show you how. Roll up your jeans.”
Without hesitation, she did, staring down at his dark head as he knelt in front of her and strapped on the holster. His fingers were long and elegant and the contrast of his tan skin against her milky whiteness made her feel dizzy.
“There. Let me have the pistol.” Once he’d placed the gun in the holster, he latched it into place and pulled her jeans back down. Finally, he stood up, moving back a few paces.
“All right. You’re all set to go.”
“Thank you. I just want to rescue my daughter,” she told him. “So be ready. Because if I can figure out a way to get her out of there, I’ll need you to help us escape.”
“I’ll be waiting for your call,” he said.
“Thank you.” Turning to go, she didn’t know whether to shake his hand, offer a hug or give him a quick kiss on the cheek. In the end she did none of them. Instead, she lifted her hand in a wave as she headed out the door.
Once outside, she felt exposed and wary. Every instinct on full alert, she forced herself to walk casually, just a regular person out for a stroll. Heading toward the hamburger joint, she had to forcibly restrain herself from constantly looking over her shoulder. She didn’t know what she expected—some sort of gangster execution?—but she still didn’t trust Jacob Gideon not to end her meddling permanently.
Unless, craving her adoration, he believed he could heal her, too. This was her one advantage, and one she needed to exploit to its fullest.
At the hamburger place, she lingered outside, checking her watch. No matter what happened, she’d soon be with Hailey again. Hailey must be so frightened.
When the black limo pulled up, she got goose bumps. The sight reminded her too much of the initial journey out here, when she’d still believed Jacob Gideon was on her side and only wanted to heal Hailey.
The uniformed driver parked and got out of the car. “Ms. Daphne?” he asked, his formal tone courteous and devoid of inflection. When she answered in the affirmative, he went to the back door and held it open for her.
Heart pounding, she climbed inside. She could do this. She would do this. She could do anything for Hailey’s sake. Anything at all.
When they pulled up to the iron gates, she watched as the driver punched in a code for them to open. She didn’t understand the whole gated-driveway thing at all. Since the rest of the ranch was not fenced, it didn’t make sense, at least from a security standpoint. Maybe it was more about appearance.
As they approached the house, Jacob himself, d
ressed in jeans and a button-down shirt, came out to greet them. She stared. For the first time since she’d met him, he wasn’t surrounded by his usual entourage.
Her chest tightened, but she fought to keep her composure. Everything depended on her convincing this man she truly believed in him and his ability to cure her daughter.
In a split second, she composed her face into a contrite and, hopefully, ashamed expression.
The driver jumped out of the car and hurried to open her door. She pushed herself up as gracefully as possible, and then rushed over to where Jacob stood waiting. For a heartbeat she debated throwing herself into his arms, but at the last minute she couldn’t do it.
“I’m so sorry,” she managed, choking up. “I don’t know what I was thinking.” With her emotions so close to the surface, worried she’d never see her daughter again, she began weeping.
“There, there.” Putting a fatherly arm around her shoulder, Jacob patted her back. “Everything is going to be all right now that you’re back. Little Hailey has been asking about you.”
It took every ounce of self-control she possessed not to tense up at the mention of her daughter’s name. Clenching her teeth, she nodded. “Thank you so much for giving me a second chance.”
He didn’t respond. Unwilling to risk letting him see the truth in her eyes, she kept her head down and reduced her crying to a few sniffles. Making a show of wiping her tears, she shuddered. “I’m so exhausted,” she said, sagging against him and hoping he’d take the hint.
“I understand,” he finally said. “You’ll need to get some rest before I allow you to visit with Hailey.”
“No,” she gasped, snapping her head up before she realized what she was doing. Belatedly, she reschooled her expression into that of a supplicant. “Please let me see her. I’ve missed her so much.”
Stepping back, he stared at her, his expression calculating. “We’ll see. She isn’t feeling her best. I’ll see if her attendants feel she’s up to a visitor.”
Her heartbeat sped up as fear mingled with rage and churned up her insides. What had he done to her baby girl? She wanted to launch herself at him, using brute force to make him take her to her daughter.
Instead, she lowered her head, as though passively awaiting his decision. She clenched her hands together, hoped he didn’t see them trembling. How would she react if he decided not to allow her to see Hailey tonight? Her acting abilities were wearing a bit thin.
“Come with me.” Turning, he swept back inside, letting her trail behind him. Two very large men—bodyguards—stepped from the shadows and moved into place alongside him.
This made her want to sneer. Did the great man actually feel so threatened by her, a petite woman with a slender build?
When he led her up the stairs to the same hallway where she’d been before, her heart felt about to explode out of her chest. Finally, at the doorway right before her old room, he stopped and turned to face her.
“We’re still repairing the window you broke,” he said.
“Please, send me a bill,” she told him, her voice purposely wobbling. “I’m very sorry I damaged your property.”
Briefly, his expression darkened before he nodded, opening the door. “This is your new room. You will be locked inside until someone comes for you. Do you understand?”
Locked inside. She didn’t move. No way was she going in that room without her daughter. “I want...” Swallowing, she remembered that demands had an adverse effect on this man. “Please, may I see my daughter first?”
“I’ll let you know,” he drawled, clearly relishing her discomfort. “You need a shower and a change of clothes. I can’t risk you contaminating her sickroom.”
“Sickroom? Hailey isn’t susceptible to contamination,” she said, her stomach lurching.
“She is now,” he told her, gesturing at his two bodyguards. Flanking her, each man gripped her arm and half dragged, half carried her into the room.
Chapter 7
Jacob’s words nearly sent Blythe over the edge. Digging her nails into her palms, she struggled not to lose control. Legs weak, fear grabbing her by the throat, she had to fight a compulsion to change into wolf and seize all three men by their throats.
“Wait...” she began, but Jacob had already turned away.
They flung her at the bed. Stumbling, she regained her balance, and rounded on them. Too late. They yanked the door closed. She clearly heard the sound of the door locking behind them. Once again, she was trapped.
She wanted to scream. More than that, she nearly threw herself at the door in frustrated fury. She should have known this would happen. Now she was in exactly the same spot as before.
Except this time she had an ally.
They hadn’t searched her. She still had the pistol and the cell. Slowly, she began to pull Lucas’s phone from her pocket, and then put it back, just in case there were cameras watching her.
She had to believe there was a chance, however small, that Jacob would relent and take her to see her baby. Hounds help him if he’d harmed even one hair on Hailey’s head.
Sitting on the bed, she breathed deeply, striving for calm. To accomplish anything, she needed to stay focused.
Time dragged. Several times, she wanted to phone Lucas, but each time she decided to wait a bit longer. Nothing happened.
Finally, heart heavy, she gave up and called. “I don’t think they’re going to let me see Hailey.”
“I’m not surprised,” he said. “It’d be like playing all his cards at one time. He’s going to test you, to make sure you’re really loyal before he’ll let you anywhere near your daughter.”
Digesting this, she tried to push away the sickening feeling in her stomach. “When you talk about tests, what do you mean? Because he knows I’m a Shape-shifter. If he believes I’m demonic, too, we know he’s going to torture me.”
“You’ve got to hang in there,” he said. “Do whatever you have to and try to stay on his good side. That’s the only way he’s going to let you get anywhere close to Hailey.”
A sound from out in the hallway made her jump. “Got to go,” she whispered, ending the call and shoving the phone in between the mattress and the box spring. She’d barely sat back up when her door opened. A large man entered, followed by a slender, dark-haired woman wearing glasses. Behind her stood another man, obviously her bodyguards.
“I’m Dr. Silva,” she said, her expression cold as she studied Blythe. “Please come with me.”
Standing, Blythe stared back. “Are you taking me to see my daughter?”
“Not now.” Her thin-lipped attempt at a smile was anything but reassuring. “It’s time to run some tests on you.”
“Now?” Faking a yawn, Blythe glanced at the clock. “Don’t you think this could wait until morning?”
“It cannot.” Motioning to the first man, she stepped toward the door. “Bring her along,” she said.
Menacingly, he moved toward Blythe, as if he meant to drag or carry her if necessary. “No need,” she told him. “I’m going of my own free will. After all, I’ll do anything to make Jacob happy.” She could only hope her tone sounded sincere. Judging from the sideways look Dr. Silva gave her, she wasn’t convinced.
* * *
Restless and impatient, Lucas waited for Blythe to phone again. After two hours went by without a call, he debated his next course of action. He couldn’t phone her back, because that would risk letting her captors know she had a cell phone.
But damned if he was going to sit around and do nothing but wait while she was in danger.
Cautioning himself to be patient, he considered his next plan of action. Though Blythe had rejected his plan to go in undercover, he had to do something. He couldn’t hang around in safety while Blythe had walked straight into danger.
A quick trip to the huge discount store and he had what he needed. A pair of fake eyeglasses, a couple of button-down shirts and khakis, and some dog clippers. He figured he’d give himself a buzz cut
, military-style, wear the glasses and dress in the type of clothing he’d never in a million years normally wear.
It was a long shot, but he was betting on the fact that Jacob Gideon hadn’t seen him—at least in his human form—since he’d been fifteen. No way did the thirty-year-old Lucas Kenyon bear any resemblance to the fifteen-year-old Luke Gideon. But just in case—he had to try to remain anonymous as long as possible to have a chance to reach Blythe and her daughter.
A short time later, he rubbed the top of his nearly nonexistent hair and grimaced. Dressing in the starchy cotton shirt, he took care to button it up nearly to his neck.
The pressed khaki pants looked cheap, but were in keeping with the type of persona he wanted to project—a man who fit in with Jacob Gideon’s followers. Perching the wire-rimmed glasses on his nose, he peered in the mirror with satisfaction. Perfect.
Jacob might believe his son was around since he’d seen the wolf accompanying Blythe, but he couldn’t be certain. Fifteen-year-old Luke had favored black leather and torn jeans. Not in a million years would Jacob imagine the rebel boy would look like one of his own.
Now Lucas had to manage to convince one of Jacob’s acolytes that he wanted to join the church—full time. He had to get them to let him live at Sanctuary. Or get a job there, somehow. Not only would he have a better chance to gain access to Blythe, but he could find out where Jacob kept Hailey. And where the inhabitants of Sanctuary disappeared to on occasion.
Gaining access to Sanctuary proved easier than he’d hoped. Since most of the locals were either church members or in Jacob’s pocket, looking for followers, it wasn’t too difficult to offer himself as a prime convert.
Lucas left his truck parked in front of the motel, crammed a baseball cap down on his nearly-naked head and headed outside. Since it was too late for breakfast or even lunch, he chose Suds, the town’s only bar. From what he could remember, Jacob had often sent people there to troll for converts. The reasoning seemed obvious—desperate people driven to drink by life’s myriad problems would be eager for a solution, especially one as simple as that offered by Jacob Gideon and his church.
The Lost Wolf's Destiny (The Pack) Page 9