Zalin swore and wrapped the blanket around Lucia, instead of himself. Tiffy’s modesty be damned, Lucia needed it more than him. Of all the times to be cut off, this was possibly the worst. “We don’t have much time. She’s bleeding badly.”
Tears streamed down Tiffy’s face and she wiped them away.
“Get in the driver’s seat.” His throat tight, he looked at Tiffy. “We have to get her out of here.”
“I can’t drive.” Tiffy complied, but not without a terrified look at him. “I haven’t even started my lessons yet.”
“Too bad. I hope you’re a fast learner.” Zalin got into the passenger seat, cradling Lucia in his arms. “Drive!”
Tiffy nodded, her eyes wide, struggling to get the car started. Zalin snapped instructions at her while pulling the coat and shirt away from Lucia’s shoulder. He found a hole just below her collarbone. The bullet was still inside.
Turning around almost landed them in a ditch. Zalin glanced at Tiffy’s pale face, saw the strain there. He hated having to put her through this, but he wouldn’t let go of Lucia. Tiffy would just have to deal.
It was a bumpy ride, but when he looked up, Tiffy pulled into the yard at the ranch. Not quite where he’d wanted to go, but they didn’t have much choice. He needed to stop the bleeding, Lucia needed an ambulance, and the ranch was the closest place to go.
“I’ll get her father.” Tiffy was out of the car in a heartbeat, pausing to look back. “Don’t let her die.”
“Tiffy, call an ambulance. Everything else can wait.” Zalin struggled to get out, unwilling to let go of Lucia. “And get me some clothes.”
Tiffy nodded and ran into the house. She’d barely disappeared, when Graham came running outside.
“Lucia!” He rushed toward Zalin, fear in his eyes. “What have you done to her!”
“Someone shot her. She was already on the ground when I got there.” Zalin held on to Lucia despite her father trying to take her. “Don’t.”
“Let go of her!” Graham tugged again. Suddenly his eyes widened. “You’re... You’re one of them. That’s why you have no clothes on.”
Yeah, and he was freezing his butt off. Zalin decided not to confirm Graham’s suspicion. “Did Tiffy call an ambulance?”
“Who?”
“The girl. Her name is Tiffany.” Zalin walked to the house, wishing Lucia would wake up. Her face was deathly pale and her breathing shallow. “Open the door for me. She needs warmth, and I don’t like how much blood she’s losing.”
Graham tried once more to take Lucia from him, and Zalin growled low in his throat. No one would part him from this woman, not a bullet, and most definitely not her father. His narrowed eyes warned Graham to back off. To Zalin’s relief, the man took a step away, allowing him to move past. Lucia stirred in his, and his attention instantly reverted to her. Her eyes fluttered open and she looked up at him, dazed and confused, pain dulling the usually sparkling gaze.
“Hey,” Zalin forced a smile onto his lips. “How do you feel?”
“It hurts.” Her lashes lowered and she leaned her head against his chest. “So tired...”
She passed out again.
Tiffy came running with a pair of denims and Zalin reluctantly set Lucia down, while Tiffy turned around. He pulled the borrowed pants on and turned back to Lucia, but Graham blocked his way.
“Stay away from my daughter.” He took a clean towel from Tiffy and pushed it against Lucia’s shoulder.
“Stop it.” Tiffy stepped between them. “You two will just have to deal with each other for now. She needs both of you.”
Zalin grudgingly admitted she was right. Getting into a fight with her father wouldn’t improve anything. He heard the ambulance siren and met Graham’s eyes. “I’m going with her.”
“So am I.” Her father tried to stare him down. “Who the hell are you, anyway?”
“What, you don’t recognize the wolves you shoot?” Zalin glared at him. “Thanks to you I spent two weeks on my back. Thanks to your daughter I didn’t need a wooden box. I’ll be forever grateful to her, so you can forget about me hurting her in any way.”
“I should have put you out of your misery when I had the chance,” Graham spat.
Tiffy shook her head and ran to let the EMT crew inside.
“Who the hell is she? Another one of your ilk?”
“Lucia’s half-sister.” Zalin went around him and knelt down next to Lucia, stroking her face. “Don’t you dare die on me.”
The paramedics rushed in, asking for details, while they checked Lucia’s vital signs. Zalin moved out of the way, watching them through slitted eyes.
“Sir, the bullet isn’t deep and her vital signs are stable.” One of the men assured him. “If you’d like to come along–”
“He’s not going with her.” Graham yanked Zalin away. “I am.”
Tiffy dropped into Zalin’s arm before he could hit Lucia’s father. “You’ll only make it worse.”
Burning rage flooded Zalin and he barely heard her. He would not let her father keep him from Lucia. Once more he went for Graham and again Tiffy stopped him. “Get the hell off me, Tiffy.” He yanked his arm out of her grasp. “I’m going with her and he won’t stop me.”
The ambulance crew looked at each other and went back to work.
“Zalin, whoever shot her is still out there.” Tiffy pulled on his arm, whispering. “You’ll still get a scent. She’s in safe hands now. I’ll ride along and get word to you as soon as I hear anything.”
His eyes were riveted on Lucia’s pale face. “I’m not leaving her.”
Tiffy let out a frustrated groan. “Why doesn’t anyone ever listen to me? There’s nothing you can do there, except sit and wait.” She elbowed him in the side. “Out there, you can put a stop to this. You can make sure no one ever hurts her again. Did you smell anything before you came to us?”
“You two were upwind from me.” But she had a point. At the hospital, he’d likely get into another fight with her father, which would only make matters worse. It killed him to see her so still, so vulnerable. He wanted to make her feel better and hated that he couldn’t do a thing. Well, nothing except catch the man who’d shot her. Besides, her bulldog of a father would protect her, even if he had to die in the process.
Tiffy looked up at him, pain in her eyes. “Zalin, please. Find who did this. For me. I don’t want to lose her either. I only just found her.”
Finally he nodded and looked at Graham. “Keep her safe. I’ll see if I can find some tracks out there.”
“Sir, you should let the police deal with this.”
Zalin stared the ambulance man down.
“Okay.” The man held up his hands. “I’m just sayin’.”
Graham followed the stretcher, looking back near the door. “Get the bastard.”
Zalin nodded. “I’ll find him. Let me know when she wakes up.”
“I will.” Graham jerked his head at Tiffy. “Come on, you. I think you have some explaining to do anyway. Might as well do it while we wait.”
* * * *
Zalin watched the ambulance leave, his heart heavy. He should be with her, should be by her side. Tiffy was right, he couldn’t do anything for her at the hospital.
He could, however, find the bastard who shot her. God help the shooter when Zalin caught up with him. Justice would be swift, painful and merciless. He shucked the denims and changed, then raced back to where Lucia had been shot. The scent of her blood made rage boil through him. He headed up to the woods, attuned to every sound, every scent. His nose would be the shooter’s downfall.
He went over every inch of ground, until he caught a whiff of gunpowder. The trail ended at a stream. The gun was probably buried somewhere under water, but it didn’t matter. Zalin stuck his nose in the air and let scents wash through him, filtering out game and plants. There were also the familiar smells of his fellow wolves, some fresh, some older. The freshest of them belonged to Thomas, Kell–and Gothrim.
&
nbsp; Zalin hoped his suspicion was wrong. If Gothrim had shot at Lucia, there would be nothing stopping him from killing the Alpha. Not this time. He was about to return to the compound to confront Gothrim, when Kell’s scent stung his nose.
He swung around and saw his friend lope toward him. From the way he acted, Zalin knew Kell wanted him to follow, so he did. Tiffy had probably called him with news of Lucia, knowing they were close. He headed back to his house, changed and dressed.
He’d confront Gothrim later. Right now, he just wanted to know if Lucia was all right. A knock made him head to the door, guessing Kell had come over.
Finding a tearful and battered Angela on his doorstep wasn’t what he’d expected.
“Help me. He killed him. And now he’s trying to kill me.”
Chapter 14
Zalin caught her just as she collapsed. He’d never seen her like this; someone had worked her over, that much was evident. She had bruises all over her face, her lip was split and starting to swell up. He suspected the rest of her body hadn’t fared much better.
He suspected someone was Gothrim. Who else would risk using Angela as a punching bag? Gothrim would kill anyone who touched her. It also meant he couldn’t go to the hospital, while Angela was helpless in his house. Zalin picked her up and took her inside, then contacted Kell.
“Where the hell are you? Tiffy called and said the girl woke up,” Kell answered.
Relief washed through him. “I need you to go and stand guard over Lucia.”
“Me? Why? Why can’t you go?”
“Because Angela just collapsed on my doorstep. I think Gothrim beat her up. She’s unconscious.” Zalin stared down at Lucia’s mother. “Kell, she’s in pretty bad shape.”
“God.” Kell exhaled. “I’ll go to the girl. But if Gothrim shows up there, I don’t know how long I’ll last.”
“I think he’ll try to finish what he started before he goes after Lucia.” Dammit, had the whole world gone to hell? He could only hope his hunch proved correct. If he was wrong... No. He wasn’t. “Watch your back. Angela said something about him killing someone else already.”
“Who?”
“No idea.” He couldn’t imagine who’d gone between Gothrim and Angela. Unless Gothrim wasn’t the killer. Thomas could be another candidate, but then Gothrim would be hard on the guy’s heels. He’d never win against the Alpha. No, it had to be Gothrim. “Hell, I have no idea. I’ll try to find out what’s going on, in the meantime, you have to protect Lucia for me.”
“Done.” Kell hung up.
Zalin studied Angela with apprehension. He had to wake her somehow, get to the bottom of this, but first he’d have to secure the house. Once he’d made sure he’d know if anyone tried to get in, he returned to Angela.
She was still out.
In desperation, he went to the kitchen and yanked open the freezer. Maybe ice cubes would bring her around, he doubted water would have any effect. An icy shock was more likely to bring her out of unconsciousness. Armed with a bag of ice, he went back, feeling terrible to do this to her. While she’d never been nice to him, she’d also never opposed him. And she was Lucia’s mother.
Zalin dumped ice cubes down the front of her torn-up shirt and sat back.
Angela came awake with a sharp gasp, staring at him. Tears filled her eyes and, to his surprise, she threw herself into his arms. “He’s de-dead...”
“Angela, I won’t let Gothrim hurt you. I promise. But you have to tell me what happened.” Zalin stroked her back, trying to soothe her. “Who did he kill?” She cried, great wracking sobs that tore at his heart. Damn. He’d never seen Angela like this. “Angela, please. I need to know what Gothrim did to you.”
“He...he shot him. And when he was...was down, he...killed him. I saw...everything and I t-tried...” Another sob cut off the rest. “Wha-what am I going to do...without him?”
Zalin frowned. Without who? Was she saying Gothrim was dead? “Angela, did someone kill Gothrim?”
She nodded against his chest, rubbing her face on his t-shirt.
He inhaled sharply. “Gothrim is dead?”
Again she nodded. “You...need to go to Lucia. Protect her.”
For the first time he was glad Lucia was at the hospital. “It’s okay. I’ve sent Kell to–” He felt her stiffen. “What?”
Panic lit Angela’s eyes. “No! He’ll kill her!”
“What?” Ice-cold dread filled his heart. “Are you saying Kell did this? He killed Gothrim?”
Angela nodded frantically. “He’s trying to wipe us out. He wanted Tiffy, and Gothrim said no.”
Kell and Tiffy? Had he lost his mind? “He’s crazy if he thought...” Tiffy was with Lucia. “Shit.”
“What?”
“I have to get to the hospital. Right now.” Zalin set her on the sofa. “Tiffy is with Lucia, and I’ve sent Kell there. God dammit!”
“Hospital?” Angela stared at him. “Tiffy is in hospital?”
“No. Lucia is. I think Kell shot her. I scented him, but I didn’t think anything of it.” Zalin rammed his feet into a pair of boots and fished for a sweater. The same sweater Lucia had soaked with tears.
Angela straightened. “I’m coming with you.”
“You’re hurt. Stay here, call Thomas and he’ll look after you.”
“No. I’m going to protect my babies, if it is the last thing I do.” Angela rose to her feet and wiped away tears. “Tiffy is all I have left of Gothrim.” Her lower lip trembled. “He’s not going to hurt her as long as there is breath in my body. And the same goes for Lucia.”
Zalin dragged the table away from the door. “Come on. We have to hurry. He has a head start, and I don’t have any numbers I can call to warn them.”
Angela held out her hand. “Give me the phone. I’m still Alpha for now. I’ll get as much back-up as possible.”
* * * *
Lucia smiled at Tiffy. “Hey, it wasn’t your fault some creep doesn’t know where to point a gun.”
“I know, but if I hadn’t got out, and we hadn’t stopped–”
“If, if, if. If wishes were horses.” Lucia shrugged, wincing when pain reminded her she had a hole in her shoulder.
“I’d spook those wishes.” Tiffy said with a droll smile. “There’s uproar every time I set foot in the stable at the ranch.”
“You don’t have to work there anymore,” Graham cut in. “If you two girls want to meet and chat, you’re welcome to just visit, or stay a few days occasionally.”
Tiffy lifted her eyes to him. “Really?”
“Yes, of course.” Graham smiled. “We should let Lucia rest a while now.”
“I’m not leaving her yet. I’ll wait for Zalin to get here.” Tiffy planted herself into a chair next to the bed.
Lucia nodded. It had been a good hour since Tiffy had called and Zalin had yet to show. Maybe he wasn’t coming at all. She couldn’t blame him. Just because they’d spent last night together didn’t mean he cared about her the same way she did about him. “He might be busy.”
“Hey, hey. He’ll come.” Tiffy climbed on the bed and hugged her gently. “He’s in love with you, or he’d have kept his distance.”
Graham frowned. “I’m not sure I like this. You, with one of... With him.”
Lucia could imagine what knowing she was in love with a Lycan did to her father. After Angela, it had to be a bitter pill to swallow. “You just have to get to know him, Dad. I think you’ll like him.”
“If you say so. I’m not sure–” The door opened and Graham turned. “Who are you?”
Lucia saw Kell in the doorway and guessed Zalin had sent him. “Hi Kell.”
Kell entered and closed the door, his gaze on Tiffy, who held Lucia a little tighter. “Well, well, what have we here?”
Lucia frowned. There was an odd light in Kell’s eyes, almost excited, but not quite the same. He walked to Tiffy and smiled, but his smile appeared cold. “Are you all right? You’re acting a little...off.”
; Tiffy started to tremble. “What have you done, Kell?”
“Now look here, young man. You’re scaring these girls and I won’t–”
A hard backhand silenced Graham, throwing him against the wall, where he crumpled to the floor.
Lucia cried out and tried to get to her father, but Tiffy held her back. “Let me go, Tiffy! He needs me!”
“No.” Tiffy yanked her down hard. “Don’t. He’s drunk on power. I don’t know what he did, but he’s on a high.”
Kell sneered at her. “What I have done? I made sure I won’t need a sniveling little bitch like you. There’s only one last loose end to tie up, and I’m sure he’ll oblige me by running straight to his ladylove’s rescue.” Kell turned his gaze at Lucia. “Shame I missed.”
“You shot me?” Lucia tugged the covers higher. “Why?”
“Oh, nothing personal. Just collateral.” He grinned. “Besides, it made Angela suspect Gothrim every time something happened to you.”
Tiffy clutched her hand. “You did this to make Dad mad?”
Kell laughed. “He was already mad. A little meth mixed with LSD...well. It did the job.”
Lucia held her breath. He’d drugged Gothrim? No wonder the guy had acted like a lunatic at times, and if Zalin was right, it had been going on for some time. God, where was Zalin? “Why? I don’t understand. He wanted nothing to do with me, and Angela didn’t either.”
“Ah yeah, your mother. She drove Gothrim nuts, wanting to go and see you.” Kell grinned. “I just helped it along a little.”
“He wouldn’t let her?” She’d been deprived of her mother all these years, because that pigheaded Alpha hadn’t let her visit?
“Oh he’d never do anything to upset Angela, but I talked him out of it, which in turn drove Angela nuts.” He glanced at Tiffy. “Asking for you finally pushed him over the edge. He didn’t want his little girl sullied.”
Tiffy’s eyes filled with tears. “What did you do to Dad? Is he okay?”
“Why no, sweetheart. He’s quite dead.” An evil smile spread across his lips. “And once the pack finds Angela unconscious and beat to hell at Zalin’s house, it’ll take care of him too.” His gaze sought Lucia’s. “Don’t count on him coming to the rescue. I made sure Angela will pass out before I fetched him. It only took a couple of phone calls to alert the pack to what he’s done.”
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