Narrowing her eyes, a single brow rose with interest. “Did they?”
Turning to face her, Wyatt shrugged his shoulders. “No. The only person that came close to the vehicle that night was an animal. It wasn’t until the following day that one of the soldiers was able to establish their location a mile or so away.”
Holding up a staying hand, Daren stepped away from the door with a perplexed expression. “Hang on. You said an animal came close to the vehicle?”
Not seeing the connection that his partner was attempting to make, Wyatt slowly nodded with agreement. “Yes.”
“What kind?” Daren pressed.
Pinching at the bridge between his eyes, Wyatt sighed before lifting his shoulders indifferently. “What does that matter?”
“Answer the question.” Malca commanded with a firm voice.
Wyatt paused to look between the two of them before answering. “It was some type of bear.”
As if struck, Malca’s body jerked in response to his words. Shoulders stiff, she clenched her hands together in her lap while her eyes flared in near horror. Daren’s assessment had been correct; it was the class five shifter that she’d captured months ago. Had Arianna not discovered her processing site where he was, that fierce creature would still be in chains.
“A bear?” Keenly aware of Daren’s scrutinizing gaze at her back, she pressed Wyatt further for answers. “Did you see this bear again after that?”
“No. Why do you care about the bear?”
Before Daren could respond to his question, Malca held up an interrupting hand between them. “It's not important for the moment.” Waving a beckoning hand toward Wyatt, she forcibly softened her gaze. “What happened next?”
Still watching them with suspicion, Wyatt continued. “When I discovered their camp, I waited until day light to move in. the rest of the team was cutting off escape routes in case they ran.”
“Then the man assisting her attacked you.” She offered digging for the information she was desperate to have.
Narrowing his eyes, Wyatt shook his head in denial. “It was strange. I took possession of his gun and was about to shoot Doctor Vega; if he would have attacked it should have been then. Instead, he threw her at my feet and told me to take her, as if her life was of no consequence to him.”
“Did you kill her?” Daren asked leaning his hands against the plastic footboard of the bed.
With a grim look, Wyatt shook his head. “I didn’t get the chance. The next thing I knew there was this giant wolf attacking me. Everything after that is blank.”
Rising from her seat on the bed, Malca nodded toward Wyatt with a cold smile. “Thank you, you’ve been most helpful. Rest now, your body will heal very quickly and will tire you out. I need you in top shape in a day or so.”
Not waiting for a response, she turned and left the room. Half way out of the medical wing, she smirked as Daren came to walk beside her. His reluctance to say anything told her that he was confused about their conversation with Wyatt.
Unable to remain quiet any longer, Daren spoke. “It was him, the shifter.”
Nodding, she flashed him a quick glance. “Yes, it must have been him.”
“Why didn’t you question Wyatt more about him?”
“What use would that have served?” Coming to a stop, she turned to face her loyal solider, face to face. “There was no more that Wyatt would have known. Though it concerns me deeply that Doctor Vega has a shifter helping her, it isn’t what puzzles me.”
“What’s that?”
“The shifter that the alpha team collected for me months back, he seemed loyal to Arianna Koski. I very much doubt he would let her out of his sights when he knows we are still looking for her.”
Pausing, Daren frowned as he paced a short distance away. Spinning back towards Malca, he pointing a finger at her as a memory resurfaced and flooded his mind. “That night that Arianna and someone else rescued that animal, we were about to take them into custody when their reinforcements showed up.”
Arms crossed, Malca’s lips pursed as she struggled to recall hearing about such a thing. “I don’t recall you mentioning this in your report.” She replied, shaking her head.
“The point is; more shifters showed up to help her, including your cloned soldier; 53R. That animal we captured wasn’t the only of his kind.”
“Are you suggesting that we have another grizzly shifter to contend with?”
“Yes. I was barely able to escape that night, but when I did I saw at least two others like him.”
Clenching her jaw tightly, Malca took a step towards him. “Aria must have recovered her memories by now. The plans for project Genesis are already in motion. My supporter will not accept any setbacks and neither will I. Find Doctor Vega and this other shifter. Kill Vega, but bring the shifter to me.”
“And what do you want done with Arianna Koski?”
“I need her alive. I have to see the results the first enhancement serum had on her. She is the key behind project Genesis. Do what you must, but bring her to me alive and unharmed.”
Nodding, Daren smirked. “If I am right about this other shifter, he may lead us right to her.”
Intrigued, Malca tilted her head back as a smile spread across her thin lips. “Oh? Have you been withholding something from me?”
“They found blood in the woods that wasn’t a match to your soldiers. Per your request, the alpha team was using tracking rounds as a precaution. If that animal protecting her was hit, I can track his location.”
“Excellent.” She breathed out.
Without another word, her lieutenant, turned and raced down the opposite hall. For Malca; knowledge was power, and in that moment what she knew made her feel untouchable. Lucky for them, Arianna thought she stood a chance at bringing them down. The insane thought brought a smile to Malca’s face. Nothing could stop her now. Aria had essentially handed herself over and Malca was going to relish it.
Play time’s over, my dear. Malca mused to herself. Time for you to come back where you belong…
11
Gulping, Gabriella felt her mouth go dry as they turned off the dirt road an hour later and seemed to be traveling up through heavy forest land. Where were they? Where were they taking her? Biting her lip, she jumped with surprise as a large hand settled over her clenched ones in her lap.
Jerking toward her left, her eyes collided with Robert’s warm hazel ones. Giving her hand a reassuring squeeze he leaned his head back against the back of his seat with a sigh. Pulling her hands out from his large one, she turned back to her window.
Though he seemed to be offering her some friendly comfort now, she couldn’t ignore what had happened between them in the last forty-eight hours. Robert had already shown himself to be a man of harsh action without any yielding on his part. What was waiting for her when they reached their destination? Would he be ruthless like he was upon their first meeting? Or would he be tender like he had when he’d shown concern over her injury or when he held her through the night?
“We’re here.”
The sound of Eric’s voice, cut through Gabriella’s thoughts as she realized that she hadn’t even noticed that they had come to a stop before a large cabin. She counted one other vehicle, a red truck that was parked not far from the dwelling. This was where Robert was meant to bring her? Of all the scenarios in her mind, she hadn’t pictured this.
Shutting the engine off, Eric turned in his seat to look at her after casting a worried glance to Robert’s pale face. “Let’s get him inside.” Nodding, Gabriella jumped out from her side to run around to assist in any way she could.
Robert hissed in pain as Eric wrapped his arm around his ribs while taking hold of his arm to steady him. “Take it easy.” He grunted. Looking at Eric with dislike, he was forced to settle his arm around Eric’s shoulder for balance.
“If I didn’t know you better; my feelings may have been hurt.” Eric said, his words dripping with dry sarcasm.
Moving
around Robert’s other side as a precaution; Gabriella turned her attention to the slightly amused look on Eric’s face. “Is there a doctor here that can help him?”
Shaking his head, Robert answered. “No. The best I can hope for now is Doyle and Aria.”
With the mention of the two familiar names, Gabriella felt the walls of her mind close in. this was it. Whatever awaited her; whether it is torture and death, there was no running for her this time. Her conscience couldn’t bear for her to leave Robert when he’d gotten injured protecting her.
If it were possible for Eric to read thoughts in that moment, she could have sworn that Eric could see the fear building in her mind. Eyeing her with a calculating gaze he glanced away before assisting Robert as he hobbled around the back of the hummer and toward the cabin looming ahead of them.
Trailing a few steps behind, the moment she was away from the shielding protection of Eric’s hummer, her eyes jerked up as the cabin door jerked open. A tall figure of a man stepped out onto the porch before rushing toward them. Reaching them, his hard gaze swept briefly over her before he turned his attention to Robert and his injury. As intimidating as the third man before her seemed, he didn’t inspire fear. Fear came in the form of the second figure that stepped onto the porch and into the afternoon light, this person was her judgment and her doom.
Arianna.
* ~ * ~ *
Ushered inside the cabin, Gabriella mentally shook as Arianna’s bright blue eyes settled on her. For a moment she said nothing. Arianna simply stared at her like she was looking for something. Deep within her searching gaze, Gabriella didn’t believe what she saw. There was no emptiness in Arianna’s eyes as she once remembered seeing. An emptiness that used to drive Arianna to be the unfeeling soldier she’d been. What was more confusing; Gabriella saw no look of that Arianna recognized her. It wasn’t possible.
It was her. She knew it. Though her blonde hair was longer and she was dressed in casual clothes, Gabriella couldn’t deny that the woman that stood before her was the monster from her earlier years in the lab.
Jerking her gaze away, Arianna turned toward the man Gabriella now knew to be Robert’s brother; Doyle. “Set him on the bed, I’ll get the first aid kit.”
“But it’s our bed.” Doyle said with a disagreeing look that made Gabriella wonder if he was teasing or not. “Let’s just lay him on the floor.”
“Sounds like the right place,” Eric agreed with a teasing smile.
Rolling her eyes, Arianna shook her head. “Get him on the bed before he bleeds everywhere.”
“You heard her,” Robert said with a weak laugh.
Hesitantly, Gabriella took a step away from the closed door before she followed them into the connecting room. Robert was dropped onto the bed with about as much care as one would give a bag of potatoes. She remained hovering in the doorway as Doyle and Eric stepped back when Arianna came closer with what was meant to be a deluxe first aid kit. Her previous bandage was carefully removed as Arianna inspected the wound. As the blood began to flow from the deep wound, Arianna’s brow dipped in concentration as she wiped the area clean.
What were they doing? She practically scoffed at what she was seeing. She may not know much, but Gabriella knew for a fact that Arianna was no doctor.
“This doesn’t make any sense. You should have healed by now.” Arianna said in a low voice as she gave Robert a concerned look. With a stoned expression, Robert remained quiet as she turned her attention back to his bleeding thigh.
Raising her head, she turned to Doyle with a grim expression. “It’s not a through and through. Which means the bullet is still in there.”
Crossing his arms, Doyle shook his head, perplexed. “That makes no sense. Even with the bullet still in there, his body should have already healed around it.”
“I don’t know why is hasn’t. All I can tell is that it is in there and he’s losing blood.” Turning to Robert, Arianna’s gaze softened with regret. “Robert. I’m going to have to get the bullet out of you.”
Unable to remain quiet any longer, Gabriella’s words exploded from her clenched lips. “You can’t do that!”
Every head with the exception of Robert’s averted face, turned at Gabriella’s outburst. Doyle’s face darkened as Arianna rose from her position beside Robert. Laying a hand on Doyle’s arm, she moved around him; bring her directly in front of Gabriella.
“Why can’t I?” Even spoken softly, her words chilled Gabriella to her bones.
Gulping, she curled her hand around the doorframe before speaking. “He needs a doctor or better yet a hospital with antiseptic, drugs and the proper tools; which I doubt you have here, Arianna.”
Something dark flashed behind Arianna’s eyes that made Gabriella take a cautious step toward the wall beside her. Breathing deeply, Arianna took a step forward.
“First off; my name is Aria—not Arianna; not anymore. Secondly; a hospital for Robert isn’t an option here. The only other trained person that can help him is not here. For Robert to heal, he needs to get that bullet out.”
“Then let me do it,” She said, holding out a pleading hand. When it appeared like Aria would argue, Gabriella continued. “I may not be a MD but I am a scientist—”
“We know what you are.” Doyle bit out from behind Aria. His wide shoulders tightened in anger as he turned toward Gabriella. Looking away, he flexed his hands, sparks of anger flashed deep within his eyes. Pinching his lips together, he slowly breathed deeply through his nose before he spoke again. “You’re not touching him.”
“I have knowledge of how the human body works. I can safely remove the bullet without causing further damage. If anyone should do it—it should be me.”
“Let her do it.” Robert breathed out through the pain as he shifted on the bed.
Looking from Gabriella to Robert, Aria turned to Doyle with a knowing look. Doyle’s heated gaze lowered as Aria’s hand settled gently on his arm. Glancing between the two women, Doyle snarled as his expression softened. For a moment it seemed as though Aria and Doyle were conversing without words. Sighing, Doyle turned and strode to the bedside table before returning with a small pocket knife. Moving past Aria; who stood back watching, Doyle extended his hand toward her. Gabriella eyed the knife held out to her with a look of distaste.
Scoffing at her look; Aria crossed her arms over her chest. “It’s all you have to work with so take it. There are also tweezers in the first aid kit on the bed.”
Leaning against the wall by the door, Eric crossed his muscled arms over his chest as he watched Robert’s worried look with amusement. “Anything you want to apologize for before we let her cut into you?” Eric said with a smirk.
If it were possible for Robert to grow paler—he did.
Weakly nodding, Gabriella took the knife from Doyle. As soon as the knife was out of his hand, Doyle jerked his hand back as though her very touch repulsed him. Moving past her he left the room. His heavy footsteps echoed into the kitchen area.
Straightening from his position, Eric’s grim expression followed Doyle’s departure before he turned to Aria. “I’ll go after him.”
Left alone with Aria and Robert, Gabriella suddenly felt more nervous than she had minutes ago. Crossing her arms over her chest, Aria took a step toward her. Gabriella’s heart leapt as her fingers clenched tightly around the handle of the small knife. With cold eyes; Aria regarded her, she came to a stop a foot from Gabriella.
“Get the bullet out and before you think about trying anything, keep in mind that you’re out numbered. “ Aria warned with a hard look.
Glancing past her adversary to Robert, Gabriella allowed what little bit of courage she possessed to fill her chest as she met Aria’s assessing gaze.
“I just want to help him.” Gabriella whispered, tilting her chin towards Robert. “I owe him that much.”
Not fully convinced, but willing to accept that she was sincere, Aria stepped back allowing Gabriella to move toward the bed. Every step that brou
ght her closer to Robert carried the weight of Aria’s eyes. Pulling a bottle of peroxide, tweezers and gauze from the kit, she took a seat beside Robert. Using his arms, Robert attempted to push himself into sitting position, but his arms wobbled with weakness, preventing him from using them the way he wished.
Settling against the mattress, he focused his grim expression on Gabriella as she reached toward his leg. Moving the remains of Robert’s pants leg out of the way, she didn’t miss the way the muscles in his leg tensed as his hands gripped the quilted bedspread beneath him.
What was she doing? She must have been insane to volunteer to do this. She was a researcher, not a surgeon. A thousand things could go wrong, but it would only take one mistake for the others around her to turn on her. Without Robert; she was at the mercy of all around her.
Sighing, she shook her head in effort to push the panicking thoughts from her mind before forcing her trembling hands to remain still. She had to do this. It was too late to turn back now. Lifting her face to meet Robert’s tense face, she attempted to reassure him.
“I will try to be quick and make it painless.”
“You’re about to cut something out of me, I doubt it will be painless.” He bit out. His eyes shifted hesitantly from his bloody wound to his nervous mate. He could only pray that he’d made the right call.
Worrying at her bottom lip, Gabriella nodded. Picking the small knife up, she placed her free hand against the side of the wound as she moved closer. Above her, Robert jerked as she prodded the wound. Gritting his teeth against the pain, Robert’s claws lengthened and tore through the bedspread and into the mattress.
“Robert…”
Raising his pain filled gaze to Aria as she came beside the bed. Robert could see the question in her eyes. All he needed to do was ask and Aria could take the pain away for him, but he couldn’t. He’d made Gabriella a vow and he intended to honor it. His protection would mean nothing to her if he was unconscious.
Shaking his head, he growled out in pain as Gabriella widened the wound. “No.”
Big, Bold & Bearing (Grizzly Affairs Book 2) Page 13