“Jesus!” Marcus rolled to his feet, came straight at her and took the gun out of her hand. “Are you hurt?”
“No. I’m fine.” Roxy did her best to keep it together. It wasn’t time to break down. She saw Hunter beating the shit out of the man who had dared tie a rope on his mate. Taz had already tied up the bastard who had Janna. Marcus, however, stood and cut the ropes off her as he watched Roslyn beat the hell out of the one who’d had control over her.
He dropped the rope then went to Roslyn and tapped her. “It’s my turn.”
Roslyn stood with a smile and moved out of the way. “I left you some.”
Roxy watched as Marcus picked the man up by the hair. “You dare touch my mate?” Marcus sneered. “Did you shoot my brother?”
When the man didn’t answer, he turned toward the others. “Who shot my brother?”
They both pointed at the man he held.
“Carl’s behind all this? It’s got his name all over it. He pays dumbasses who don’t know any better, but the thing is, he doesn’t have the money to pay, and these stupid asses don’t ask for it up front.” Roslyn shook her head in disgust.
“He will die soon,” Marcus said, still staring at the bastard in his grip. Marcus then punched him in the face with a wicked smile. “Unfortunately, my brother, who will survive, has dibs on you.” He reached down, grabbed the rope and wrapped it tightly around the man’s neck.
“You want me to take him?” Roslyn asked with a wicked smile of her own. “He’s a pussy. I can handle him.”
Marcus tossed her the rope. “Make sure it’s a torturous walk through the woods.”
“Hey, we got a problem.” Taz frowned, looking down at Janna before looking back up. “I think her water just broke.”
Chapter 20
Marcus rushed to Janna and cursed. Her face was scrunched with pain. “Ah shit.” Marcus looked around. He knew it was too early and didn’t know what the fuck he was going to do to get her out of there.
Roslyn hurried over and knocked him out of the way. She put her hand on Janna’s stomach. “How far along are you?”
When Janna didn’t answer because she was biting her lip in pain, Roxy stepped up. “Not far enough.”
“Well, that depends,” Roslyn said, looking at the ground underneath her. “She’s a shifter. We have different term lengths, but she’s carrying twins, isn’t she?”
“Yes,” Marcus replied, before turning and glancing up the hill, ready for battle. His hearing was superb and he was alert, but it was only Dell who rushed toward them.
“We need to get her the hell out of here, that’s for sure.” Roslyn stood, then reached for her phone when it dinged. Looking down, she cursed long and loud. She tossed it to Marcus. “Will you please kill the son of a bitch for me? I would, but I think I need to stay with the pregnant one just in case she decides to drop these babies in the woods.”
Janna cursed as she narrowed her eyes at Roslyn.
“Just kidding.” Roslyn smiled at her and patted her hand.
“I need to get back to Garrett,” Janna cried, her eyes looking up to Dell. “Is he okay?”
“Slade’s with him,” Dell said, his eyes shifting away, giving no more information, which said a lot. He looked at Marcus. “Leda is missing.”
“What?” Taz became alert, his eyes going to Dell.
“Fuck!” Marcus looked at the text that said: Tell them to find me if they can, and had a picture of Leda.
What the fuck? How in the hell could all this shit go down at once? His brother fucking shot, Janna about ready to give birth to twins in the woods, his mate kidnapped, and now the motherfucker who started it all had Leda and was playing “find me if you can” games. Oh, and God forbid he forget he and Hunter walking into a fucking trap. What in the hell was he supposed to do? Go after Leda, stay with Roxy, or run to his brother’s side?
“You need to find Leda.” Roxy walked up to him, pulling his attention from the phone to her, and making the decision for him. “I’m fine. Janna and your brother will be fine. I’m heading there now and will stay by their sides until you get back. But you must go and you know it. Leda’s in danger.”
Son of a bitch. He didn’t know what he did in his lifetime to deserve a woman like Roxy Patel, but he was one lucky bastard. He pulled her to him and kissed her hard. “I fucking love you,” he whispered.
“And I fucking love you,” she whispered back. “Now go, and yes, before you ask, I’m fine. I’m pretty damn tough. And I’m sorry about shooting at you.”
“Yeah, about that.” Marcus narrowed his eyes at her. “Definitely gun lessons for you.”
“Let me see that.” Taz took the phone, his eyes narrowing as he studied the picture. “I know where this is.”
“Where?” Marcus looked down at the picture, trying to see what Taz was seeing.
“East of here, near the hidden waterfalls.” Taz pointed to the tree Leda was tied up to. “I know that tree.”
“How in the hell?” Marcus was impressed, but he was right. He also knew that spot, but never would have figured it out.
“I’m not only one of the best trackers, but I also memorize territory. I’ve run these lands for a long time.” Taz glanced back at Janna. “I can go alone if you need me to.”
“No.” Marcus handed Roslyn back her phone, but she wouldn’t take it.
“Keep it. The dumbass might text something you need to know.” Roslyn unlocked the phone so it wouldn’t lock again. “If it does lock, the passcode is 1440.”
Marcus nodded and stuck the phone in his pocket. “Dell, can you get the women back safely?”
“I don’t know,” Hunter intervened, not looking certain. “How do we know if that asshole at Jonah’s and these three idiots are the only ones around here?”
“Damn. True.” Marcus turned and looked at the asshole who appeared the most scared. He walked over and picked him up by the throat. “How many are working for him? If you lie to me, you have no chance in hell of living through this.”
“This is it,” the man cried out. “I swear it. If you got Perry, then that’s all of us.”
“I got it.” Dell looked at the man in disgust. “Go on.”
Dell reached down and with Roslyn’s help, lifted Janna carefully into his arms. Hunter kissed Emily, who hugged him tightly. Marcus was ready to hug Roxy when Jonah, Josh, and Devon came down the hill.
“Slade’s transferring Garrett to the hospital,” Jonah said, his eyes taking in everything. “He said he’s lost a lot of blood and needs a transfusion.”
“Shit.” Marcus frowned. “He can’t have human blood.”
“He’s not. Every shifter in town is going to the hospital to give theirs.” Jonah glanced at Janna, who was listening to everything he said. “He woke for just a minute asking for you. We told him you were fine and that calmed him.”
“I need to get to him,” Janna said weakly, and Dell began to head up the hill.
“I’ll get you there.” Dell and Roslyn took off with Janna. Emily followed closely.
“Can you guys handle them?” Marcus nodded behind him. “The bastard has Leda, but we know where he is.”
“I’m going with you.” Devon stepped up, but Taz blocked him.
“No, you’re not,” Taz growled, then looked at Marcus.
“Who the fuck do you think you are?” Devon went to shove Taz, but Taz was too quick and had Devon on the ground, his face plastered in the dirt. “Stay away from Leda.”
Marcus cursed. “Come the fuck on.” He pulled Taz off Devon. “We don’t have time for this shit. Fight over her later. Right now I need Taz with me, and I need you to help Jonah and Josh get the women out of here safely and these assholes locked up until we get back.”
Devon cursed but didn’t argue. He grabbed one of the men and headed up the hill, giving Taz a deadly look as he passed.
“Go on, Roxy.” He kissed her. “I’ll be back soon.”
“Promise?” She hugged his neck. “I
’ll be really mad if you’re not.”
“Promise. Go on.” He nudged her toward the hill. “Catch up with Emily.”
Roxy nodded and turned to leave. Marcus watched them all go until they disappeared, then turned toward Taz and Hunter. “You ready?”
“Yeah, let’s get this fucker.” Hunter took off first, then Taz. Marcus took one last look up the hill and then chased after them. They decided against shifting for now, at least until they knew what they were running toward. Plus, fighting naked sucked, and none of them had extra clothes stashed close to that area.
Marcus calmed his mind as they ran. He needed to get his thoughts straight before this confrontation. They sped past the trees, managing the jumps with ease. He was also impressed with Taz, who kept up, and he was right. The guy knew these woods as well as them, if not better. He noticed Hunter had fallen back to give Taz the lead. Marcus decided to do the same and trust him.
After about twenty minutes, Taz slowed, holding up his hand. That was when Marcus smelled the smoke from a wood fire. Carl was either stupid, or he didn’t give a shit. Most would know that a wood fire would give the person’s whereabouts away, but then again, he offered the challenge of finding him, and they’d accepted.
“There’s a ledge just above those trees. If one of you goes that way, we can gain the element of surprise from above.” Taz glanced toward that area before looking back at Marcus.
“How old are you?” Marcus cocked his eyebrow at him.
“Twenty-one, sir.” Taz frowned. “Why?”
“Because if you keep this up, you will definitely earn your spot in the higher ranks.” Marcus gave him a nod, then looked at Hunter. “You take the ridge. Me and Taz will come in on opposite sides.”
Hunter took off the way Taz directed him to go. Then Marcus and Taz took off in opposite directions. Slowing, Marcus took his time, his ears straining for sound. He heard two men arguing in the distance. Glancing around, he noticed what looked like a trail. At least he hoped that was what it was since he couldn’t see shit through all the brush. Sure enough, there was an opening, but he stopped, wanting to make sure Hunter was in place first.
Backing up, he saw Hunter looking down at him. He held up two fingers indicating two men. Then he positioned his hand like a gun, then lifted two fingers, indicating that both men were armed. He nodded but waited as he looked to his left and then gave a thumbs-up, telling him Taz was in place.
Marcus eased himself closer. His blood boiled at what he heard, but he refrained from rushing in. He didn’t need to get shot. He knew Leda was going to be close by, and he didn’t want any bullets flying her way.
Finding a bare spot in the brush along the trail, he stepped inside and looked out. Carl stood next to a fire. Another man argued with him, pointing toward Leda, whose shirt was torn and hanging off her. One breast was almost bare, and she was shivering. They had her tied up tight so she couldn’t shift.
“If you don’t have my money, then I’m taking her.” The other man’s voice rose in anger. “I told them you weren’t going to pay.”
“The job isn’t done yet,” Carl said with a growl. “And I honestly don’t give a shit what you do with her after I kill that asshole. I’ve got his redheaded bitch, so I know he’ll be coming after her.”
If he only knew…. Marcus’s smile grew wicked. He was going to enjoy fucking this guy up.
“And about that.” The man looked around, making Marcus back deeper into the shadows. “Shouldn’t they be here by now?”
“Give them time.” Carl snorted. “My plan was foolproof.”
“Well, I hope to fuck so because you definitely had some fools on this job,” the man spat, then turned toward Leda. “Damn, she is fine-looking. How old did you say you were, baby?” He walked over and knelt in front of Leda, moving her shirt away, baring her breast.
Marcus’s eyes narrowed, but he kept his cool. He was actually in a really bad spot. If he jumped out and Carl shot toward him, he could hit Leda.
“Answer me.” The man grabbed her face, squeezing it.
“Fuck you,” Leda hissed, and Marcus cringed, wishing she would tone it down, but deep inside, he was damn proud of her for not taking any shit. Then he heard her spit.
The sound of a slap had him moving, but he stopped when he heard Taz.
“You touch her again and I’ll kill you slowly.” Marcus watched as Taz walked into the open as plain as day.
“Dammit!” Marcus cursed when he saw the gun raised at Taz, but before he could make a move, Taz moved with lightning speed and dropped the guy with a knife in the throat. “Holy fuck!”
Marcus took off, and Hunter jumped from the ledge just as Carl raised his gun toward Taz. Marcus got to him first and took him down. They rolled, but Marcus was much stronger. He took his hand and continued to smash it on the ground until the gun released. Hunter swooped in and took control of it.
Feeling around, he made sure Carl didn’t have another gun. Then he climbed off him. “You wanted me. Here I am, motherfucker.” Marcus took a step back and waved toward him. “You have no clue who you’re fucking with.”
Carl eased his way backward, his hands outstretched. “I wasn’t going to hurt her.” He glanced to where Taz was cutting Leda loose. “I was just ensuring that—”
“Honestly, I don’t give two fucks. You’re dead, no matter what you say.” Marcus stalked toward him. He knew the bastard was easing his way toward the knife sticking out of the other man’s throat, and Marcus wished he would grab it. “Go ahead. I’ll let you get the knife, but it’s not going to save you.”
Surprise and fear flashed in Carl’s eyes, but he ran to the dead man and grabbed the knife, jerking it to free it from the dead man’s neck.
“Damn, Taz.” Hunter laughed. “You buried that deep in the son of a bitch’s throat, didn’t you?”
Finally, Carl got the knife free and held it up in front of him. “Don’t come any closer.”
“Jesus, it’s about time you got that knife out. I was getting bored as fuck.” Hunter yawned and stretched. “Go ahead and kill the son of a bitch, Marcus. I’m hungry.”
Marcus grinned. Hunter always could make a killing entertaining. “You had my brother shot, you put the lives of not only my mate, but my brothers’ mates in danger, you kidnapped a member of our pack and all because of what?”
“Garrett’s been shot?” Leda cried out, but Marcus ignored her.
“Answer me!” he roared. “Is it because I bested you after you tried to attack my mate?”
“Yes,” Carl admitted, his eyes shifting between him and Hunter. “You don’t remember me, do you?”
“No, I don’t.” Marcus realized at that moment shit was probably going to get real.
“Your brother killed my father,” Carl hissed with bitterness. “Jasper Simone was my father. I was at the reaping when your redheaded bitch was to be sacrificed.”
“Holy shit! No, wait. Nope, I don’t remember you.” Hunter stood, his eyes narrowed. “And the saying ‘the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree’ seems to make sense now. Hey, wait a minute. His son’s name was Evan and didn’t we kill him too? Damn, dude, we fucked up your family. Guess they shouldn’t have been fucking losers.”
“Fuck you! Evan was my stepbrother,” Carl spat toward Hunter.
“Damn, Jasper got around.” Hunter cocked his eyebrow. “And is Jasper Ross’s dad too?”
“No, asshole. Same mom, different dad,” Carl said, then frowned. “Why the fuck am I even explaining this to you?”
“I just got one of those faces you want to tell everything to,” Hunter replied in his smartass tone.
“When I heard you were recruiting, I decided to join up, but then your stupid slut ruined all that. So if I do die today, I know I have avenged my father, the man your brother killed.” Carl ignored Hunter, his little speech directed toward Marcus.
“Well, guess what, fucker?” Marcus stalked toward him, then knocked the knife he threw at him away. He st
opped close to Carl’s face. “You failed because the men you hired failed. My brother is alive and well, but you… will die just like your piece-of-shit father did.”
Marcus punched him in the throat and enjoyed watching him fight to breathe. He snatched his hair, lifting his head back up. “And know, you’re dying as the biggest pussy I’ve ever seen.” Marcus head butted him and welcomed the pain. It made him alert to what was going on. “Anyone who has to hire people to kill for their revenge doesn’t even deserve the slow death I wanted to give you.”
Carl was still trying to breathe as he grabbed at his throat. Marcus looked toward Taz, who threw him a knife. He caught it and held it up to Carl’s face. “Any last words?” Marcus quickly sliced his throat without waiting to hear them. “Tough, asshole. Rot in hell.” He dropped Carl to the ground.
He looked toward Leda who was wearing Taz’s shirt. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” Leda nodded. “I’m good. Thanks.”
“Jasper fucking Simone.” Hunter shook his head. “Isn’t that a blast from the past?”
“Come on.” Marcus glanced around, knowing the animals would take care of the bodies. “Put that fire out and let’s go. Can you run?” he asked Leda.
“Of course.” Leda nodded as she stood and stretched her legs. “Just give me a second. Been in that position too long.”
“I’ll hang with her until she gets her speed,” Taz offered, helping Hunter put out the fire. “I know you guys want to get back to your brother.”
“Is he going to be okay?” Leda asked, her eyes filling with tears.
“I don’t know.” Marcus looked back at Hunter. “You ready?”
“Let’s go.” They all took off, not giving the dead a second glance.
Chapter 21
“What in the hell are you doing in there?” Marcus called out, then knocked on the bathroom door. “We’re going to be late.”
“Hold on a minute,” Roxy called back. “Can’t a girl have some privacy?”
“No, she can’t.” Marcus grinned, leaning against the wall near the bathroom. His eyes roamed the room, seeing all the special touches Roxy had put into their home, and it made him feel almost emotional. After nearly losing his brother, his eyes had been opened more than they ever had. He had so much to lose and it scared him. Nothing ever had scared him more than losing family or his mate.
Forbidden Desire (Lee County Wolves) Book #3 Page 15