by Terry Spear
“I mean—”
“I know what you mean. Do we go home now and consummate our relationship or fake this charade a little longer?”
“I haven’t seen Argos yet. What if we miss him?”
“He can get in touch with you the same way.” Devlyn worked her toward the front exit.
“You can’t mean to take me home this instant.”
“Yeah, we have unfinished business, honey. And it’s not waiting any longer.”
She glanced at Alfred. Nicol and another wolf had joined him.
“Ross and Nicol,” Devlyn said when he saw her look at them.
“They’re planning on stopping you from taking me out of here, don’t you think?”
“Damn it.” Devlyn’s brown eyes turned black as his jaw clenched in anger.
His intense posture sent a shiver down her spine. “What’s wrong?”
“New plan. Zoo man Thompson’s near the front exit looking for you. Let’s find a back way out.”
As soon as he guided her toward a rear exit, Alfred and his wolfmates blocked their escape.
“What if Alfred says he won’t let us leave unless I’ll agree to be his mate?” she asked, her heartbeat quickened.
“You’re already spoken for.” He hurried her toward the exit.
All three reds glared at Devlyn, stood their ground at the rear door, and wouldn’t let them pass.
“We have some trouble,” she said to Alfred, trying to diffuse the fight she feared was about to erupt any second. “Thompson, the man from the zoo who tranquilized me and put me there in the first place, is standing at the front door of the club. He probably has police officers standing by.”
“Will you go with me?” Alfred asked. “I promised myself to Devlyn.”
Swallowing hard, Alfred’s Adam’s apple moved up and down. He crossed his arms. “No deal.”
“We’ll help you catch the red who’s killing the women in the area.”
He narrowed his eyes. “How do you know it’s a red lupus garou?”
“I have evidence. We’ll help you and your pack catch him.”
“Why?”
“Because,” she growled, frost surrounding each word, “he threatens to give all of us away.”
He looked over at his mates, but they waited for him to give the word. Seconds hung like hours while Thompson’s gaze shifted around the room. Her chest tightened.
“All right. Come on then,” Alfred finally said, his words ominous. But, considering that the zoo man searched for her, guarded relief washed over Bella even though Alfred didn’t seem to be buying the bit about her being Devlyn’s choice.
“What evidence do you have that it’s a red?” Alfred asked, shoving the metal door open at the back of the club. “Some of his fur.”
A dark shadow crossed Alfred’s face. “If you give it to me, we can have a DNA match done to find out which one of my pack he is.”
She glanced back at Nicol and Ross. Neither seemed worried about the notion. “I don’t have it with me. But I can meet with Ross tomorrow night as I planned—”
Devlyn squeezed her hand hard.
She frowned at him. “Devlyn will come with me, of course. Then I can turn it over to Ross.”
Alfred nodded. “Ross can let me know the details, and we’ll meet you there.”
The smell of garbage drifted to them through the doorway on the chilly breeze. One security light dimly illuminated a section of the parking area, while the rest remained dark. A cat scurried past employee vehicles parked next to a dumpster.
Dread trickled down Bella’s spine. What if Alfred and his pack ganged up on Devlyn with no one to see—no one to stop them? They could force her to give up the fur afterward. One female red lupus garou was no match for three red males. Even one would be too difficult for her to handle. “Coming?” Alfred prompted, walking outside, testing Devlyn’s steel.
Still holding Bella’s hand securely in his own, Devlyn followed. “Tomorrow night. And thanks.”
“Thank you for assisting us in this matter.” Despite the words he spoke, Alfred’s tone remained couched in hostility.
Devlyn nodded. “Tomorrow.”
When Devlyn led Bella down the back alley, they caught Nicol’s words. “You’re not going to let her be his, are you? She’s too much of a red for him.”
They’d moved too far away from the three to hear the response when other voices in the dark caught their attention.
“I really think the chief’s going to be ticked off about this. That guy and his girlfriend gotta be long gone from this area by now.”
She recognized the men’s voices. The police officers who were at the hospital—the ones Devlyn had knocked out. Her heart raced and her hands grew clammy. If they caught Devlyn ...
Her big gray steered her away from them, slipping through the area without making a sound.
Thankfully, they’d parked far enough from the dance club that no others, not even the red pack, would see them leave unless they had followed them. The breeze blew in their favor, and no scent of the reds met them on the turbulent night air.
Devlyn opened the door for Bella and then hurried for his own. After climbing into the vehicle, he drove her home, his hands clenching the steering wheel.
Reaching over, she rubbed his back. “I don’t think Alfred’s ready to give me up, do you?”
“Nope.”
“Did you get anything out of Ross or Nicol?” Devlyn’s back muscles relaxed with her massaging them. “Just that Nicol is a professional hunter—the more dangerous the prey, the better.”
“But women aren’t dangerous.”
“Maybe not to most, but if he’s afraid of their reaction to the sight of him as a wolf, perhaps so. When I asked him if he ever thought about changing a woman, he said he had.”
“He told you that? Without coercion? What with a killer on the loose, I would think he’d keep his mouth shut.”
“I fabricated that I wanted to change a human female. You know how it goes. One tells of his darkest fantasies and the other doesn’t want to be bested.”
She stared at him, not sure whether to believe he’d fibbed or not.
When her hand stilled on his back, he glanced at her. “Humans killed my family, remember?”
“Men only, remember?” She couldn’t curb the jealousy washing over her.
Reaching across the console, he squeezed her thigh. “It’s good to know you care. I’ve never had a woman envious over me before.” He winked at her. “Truly, Bella, I’ve wanted a mate for years. It’s unnatural not to desire one when you live in a pack, but you’re the only one I’ve ever wanted for keeps.”
“Okay, so you fibbed to Nicol about wanting to change a human female.” She began to rub his back again, relieved he had no interest in any other females but her.
“Yes. Then I asked if he ever started to turn wolf while he made love to a woman.”
“You said this had happened to you to convince him to talk more?”
“Yes. A couple of times during the phase of the full moon.”
She raised a brow. “And had it? For real, I mean.”
“No.” He chuckled. “You sure are suspicious of me.
I’d never make love to a human woman during the full moon. I didn’t trust anything like that could really happen, but I certainly didn’t want to risk it.”
“He said he had?”
“He didn’t really say, but I got the impression he might have.”
“Jeez. What happened?”
“Not sure. I must have gotten distracted.” She slapped his leg. “Typical man. When the story really gets good, you don’t know the ending.” She sighed. “What if Nicol had killed other women before the pattern emerged here in Portland? What if he’d done so in other countries where he’d led hunting parties? Out in the wild, where no one would suspect his actions? He could say it was a man-eating lion or something else that attacked the women.”
Devlyn shook his head.
She wished he hadn’t been so ... distracted. “So ... what about Ross?”
“I didn’t get a chance to talk to him.”
“Because?”
His lips turned up.
“What?” she asked, annoyed. “I had to dance with you, Bella.”
Frowning, she couldn’t hide her irritation. “You were supposed to find out who the killer is.”
“And you, with Alfred?”
Now that she was on the hot seat, she looked out the window and smoothed her dress. “I’m afraid I didn’t get anywhere with him.”
“Because?”
“I couldn’t seem to broach the subject.”
He snorted. “Except when you offered him the fur of the killer.”
“Yeah, sorry. I couldn’t think of any other way to solicit their help while avoiding the fight that seemed headed your way.”
After a prolonged silence, he pulled into her garage and shut the door behind them. “I’m not sure it was a good idea. What if he switches it with someone else’s fur to cover up the fact that he’s the killer?”
“I’m not giving him the whole chunk. Just a couple of strands. That’s all he’ll need.”
They climbed out of the vehicle, but before she could make it very far, he swooped her up in his arms and carried her into the kitchen. “I know it’s a human tradition, but call me a sentimentalist. I always liked the idea.”
“Carrying the lady across the threshold?”
“Yeah.”
When he crossed the dining room, she chuckled. “We crossed the threshold a while ago.”
“Yeah.”
“You’re taking me to the bedroom?”
“The wolf’s version of carrying the lady across the threshold.”
She laughed. “I like the wolf’s version much better.” She unbuttoned the top button to his shirt. “I can just guess what happens next.”
Chapter Ten
AS SOON AS DEVLYN LAID BELLA ON HER BED, THE email butler on her computer said, “You’ve got mail, Madam.”
Devlyn growled, not wanting any distraction to keep him from fully claiming his mate. “You didn’t shut your computer down.”
“Sorry. By the time you return, I’ll be ready for you.” He kissed her lips with feral possessiveness and then ran his tongue down her neck. “Better be.”
Unbuttoning his shirt, he strode out of the bedroom, but when he reached the computer, his fingers poised to turn it off, a message from Argos caught his attention.
Bella, I haven’t returned to Portland. I found someone had sent a message from my computer saying he’d meet you there, but it wasn’t me. Argos Devlyn cursed under his breath and typed in a reply.
This is Devlyn. Who had access to your computer? We’re safe for now, but I need to know who sent the message. He added: Who knows her home address? Dev
The message came back quickly. Thank God, you’re all right. I’ve been sitting at the computer all night waiting for your response in the hope all was well. Argos Who was it? Volan?
Volan’s the only one I can think of. I might have left my computer on when I ran some errands.
Poor old Argos. He wouldn’t do anything on purpose to hurt Bella. I’m not turning Bella over to him. I want you to know that. Devlyn rubbed his chin, waiting for an answer, respecting Argos above all others in the pack.
Bella approves, I suspect?
Yes. Tapping his bare foot on the floor, Devlyn waited for his response.
You’ll have to fight Volan to the death. Yes.
I always knew it would happen, Devlyn. You’re following in my footsteps and, yes, I approve.
You and Myrta? Devlyn couldn’t believe the old codger had fought to be pack leader over a female, too.
Yeah, can’t see it, eh? The two of you watch your backs. Volan’s not one to play fairly if it means losing Bella and his pack leadership all at the same time. He’ll be out for your blood.
Devlyn was glad to know Argos was on his side. Does Volan know Bella’s address?
No. She’s always had a P.O. box address. I don’t know where her home is.
Is Volan there now? Devlyn hoped it was a ruse, a veiled threat that he was coming for them if Devlyn didn’t bring her home to Colorado.
No. According to others, he left sometime this afternoon.
Devlyn breathed in the subtle fragrance of Bella behind him. A red lupus garou has been killing here. We’re trying to discover who he is. We’ll be returning later than we planned. In the meantime, we’ll keep an eye out for Volan.
Devlyn ... be careful.
“Is something wrong?” Bella asked, her sweet voice stirring him when she walked into the office. Her voice was threaded with worry, but seeing her wearing her red lace panties and bra forced the breath from his lungs. “Sinfully sexy” described his Bella. Just catching sight of her bra pushing up her already full-sized breasts ... just a bit more and the top of her darkened nipples would be exposed.
He stood up from the desk chair quickly. “Yeah, something’s wrong. Argos returned to Colorado and is still there. The message we thought he sent must have been from Volan.”
Bella’s face paled.
Wrapping his arm around her, he nuzzled his cheek against her neck. “Argos assures me he doesn’t know where you live.”
She shook her head.
Argos typed in a final message: Bring her home, Devlyn.
You have my word, Argos. D The next message made the hair on the nape of his neck stand on end.
Dear little Bella, I sent trusted members of my pack to bring you home, but it seems Devlyn has other ideas. I should have killed him years ago. No problem. Now is as good a time as any. Unless you agree to be my mate. Think on it, angel. A life for a life. Meet me at the club and agree to be my mate and I’ll let him live. Volan
Devlyn cursed under his breath, sure Volan’s message would shake Bella’s faith in his abilities. Shutting off the computer, he tightened his hold on her, hoping she wouldn’t discourage what he craved to do with her next. He kissed her cheek, but she seemed deep in thought, not responding to his attentions.
He couldn’t stomach the thought that she’d want to cool it with him now. Not when he’d convinced her he was the only one for her. “Bella honey, you haven’t changed your mind ...”
Her darkened gaze shifted from his chest to his face. Tears pooled in her eyes, striking a chord in his heart. He kissed her lips, trying to stir her compulsion to mate. Once she was his, there was no going back. No acquiescing to the alpha leader.
He breathed in the peach smell of her hair, focusing on everything about her that urged him to take his relationship with her all the way. “I’ll kill him, Bella, before he can have you. I swear it.”
“We can’t do it, Devlyn.”
Unable to curb his anger, he growled, “Because?”
“Because of Volan!”
Grinding his teeth, Devlyn cast her a knife-edged look. “You still think I haven’t got what it takes? That I can’t best him?”
“I’ve seen what he’s done to others who tried to take over the pack! I know how impossible he is to beat.”
Devlyn took her hand and kissed it, attempting to get his rage under control, trying to persuade her to give him a chance.
She pushed him away.
Instantly, the bloodlust surged through his veins. “If all it takes for you to agree to be my mate ...” He clamped his lips tight and stormed out of the office.
“Devlyn, wait! What are you going to do?” He refused to give in to the panic in her voice. He’d come too far to back down now. “I’ll kill him, Bella. That’s what I’m going to do. I’ll end this once and for all.”
“No!” She grabbed his arm, but he yanked it free. “Wait for me, Bella. I’ll take care of him and be back shortly.”
She didn’t say another word, and when he climbed into the SUV, he glanced at the reason for his actions— Bella, his chosen, her eyes misted with tears, her lips pursed in anger.
V
olan was as good as dead.
Bella watched Devlyn back out of the garage, her knight who’d get himself killed. She’d never share his love, have his children, be able to return to the pack.
The garage door shut, becoming an impenetrable wall between them.
“Damn it, Devlyn.” He’d forced her hand. She raced back to her bedroom, dressed, and yanked her gun out of the bedside table. She would end it once and for all.
After calling a taxi, she paced across the living room, waiting for the cab’s arrival, her blood on fire. Could she kill Volan if she had the chance?
The image of him ripping her dress, trying to force himself on her, came to mind. She slung the leather purse over her shoulder. She could do it.
A yellow cab honked outside, and she hurried to meet it.“Papagalli’s Dance Club,” she said to the driver, her words rushed.
“Yes, ma’am. Hot date?” the driver asked, black dreadlocks jiggling when he talked, his voice sounding Jamaican. Steel band music thumped on his CD player while he tapped his thumbs on the steering wheel in perfect sync with the tune, his body rocking to the beat. “Somebody’s dying to meet me,” she answered, jumping into the car.
“Lucky guy.”
“Thanks. I need to get there fast to put him out of his misery.”
The driver flashed a set of straight teeth, his dark skin making them appear ice-white.
On the way to the club, she pulled out her money but fought leaving her gun in her bag.
A few minutes later, he announced, “Here we are, ma’am. Fastest time I ever made.”
She gave him a generous tip. “For your trouble.”
“No trouble.”
But she was already out the door. The heavy beat of the dance club music filled the parking area, vibrating the ground. Except for the soft glow of street lights, the businesses on either side of the street were dark and closed for the night, making the area the perfect place for a lupus garou to stalk its prey. The temperature had dropped several degrees, but it was the worry about Devlyn fighting Volan that turned her blood to ice. Before she reached the club entrance, movement to the east caught her eye.
She whipped around.
Volan. His black eyes glittered with a mixture of anger and unfulfilled lust. His grim look indicated that he meant business.