by Jane Jamison
Gomez slid the blade over his finger. A short line of blood brightened the tip. “Good and sharp. Never mind that he’s healed. I plan on skinning him and more.” He bent closer to Case. “Now tell me, dog. Where’s your bitch?”
Jamie spat at Gomez, hitting his slacks. “Fuck you.”
Bates grabbed Jamie’s hair from behind and yanked his head backward. “I’ve got an idea. How about we start with this one?”
Jamie’s dark eyes lightened with amber. “Ooh. Does that mean I’m your favorite?”
Bates yanked his head harder. Jamie gritted his teeth but didn’t show any other sign of pain. “Fuck this, man. Start skinning them. They’ll talk then.”
“Good plan.” Gomez grabbed Case’s arm then dragged the knife along it. Blood spurted from the long cut that ran from the middle of Case’s upper arm down to his wrist. He pulled away, his face a mask of agony, and groaned.
“Keep it up, man.” Slanter picked up another knife from the table and stood next to Ham. “I always wondered if shifters bled red. But maybe I need to check again.” He drove the blade into Ham’s leg.
Ham moaned and tried to kick out with his other leg, but Slanter blocked the move then plunged the knife into that leg, too.
Jamie snarled and kicked out only to have Bates wrap his hands around his throat. “I want to hear you howl, dog. Howl for me, wolf.”
But neither Jamie, Case, or Ham gave them the satisfaction.
“We’re going to have our fun then watch you freaks heal.” Bates jerked Jamie’s head back to make him look at him. “Then we’re going to cut your heads off. There’s no way you can put your heads back on, even with your healing powers.”
“That’d be something to see, though.” Gomez laughed. “We can watch and see if it happens. If they can’t, we can play soccer with their heads.”
Maya ducked away from the window. Her breath was loud in her ears, and she prayed that no one had heard her.
They’re going to torture them and then kill them. Oh, my God. I’ve got to help them. But how?
She searched the area around her for something, anything that she could use as a weapon. But that was insane. She was no match for four big brutes. Then what else could she do? If she could get just one of the men free, he could change and overtake their captors. But she was helpless alone.
I’m their only hope. Think. I can do this. I have to.
Her desperate attempt at bolstering her confidence didn’t help much. What was it they said about courage? That courage is doing whatever has to be done in spite of fear? She held out a shaky hand.
Holy shit. Calm down. Fight through the fear.
She bit her bottom lip to keep the tears in check. Had she found the men she wanted to spend the rest of her life with only to lose them? She loved them. If she hadn’t fully understood that before, she did now. The possibility of never seeing them again, of never feeling their arms around her was more than she could stand. And they felt the same way. They had to. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have dragged her along with them to make sure she was safe.
But I’m never going to know for sure if I don’t get them out of there.
Judging from the moans and groans coming from inside, the torture had continued. The hunters’ laughter grew louder. Gomez hollered to Johnson, who responded from somewhere in the kitchen.
I’ve got to do something now.
She searched around her again. The old pickup parked in the back of the house sat at the end of a dirt road. Or at least that’s what she thought it was. But the road was barely more than a wide dirt path jutting out into the forest.
The pickup. That’s it. I’ll start it and honk the horn, drawing the hunters’ attention to me. Once I do, I’ll run like hell and hope to skirt around and go in through the front door.
It wasn’t a great plan, but it was all she had.
She darted along the side of the house. Pausing at the end of the wall, she stopped and picked up a large piece of firewood from the pile. Gathering her courage again, she peeked around the edge. Light filtered into the dusk of the approaching evening and made a wide slash across the backyard. Johnson moved about the kitchen, his attention focused on whatever he was doing. An outhouse sat at the far corner of the yard and a large barrel rested nearby. The pickup sat just beyond the scope of the light, and she’d have to run through the light to get to the vehicle.
She took a moment to send a prayer skyward then ran, hunkered over, toward the truck. If Johnson glanced up and saw her, the plan would fail.
Luck was with her when she tested the door and found it unlocked. She left it partway opened then darted toward the rear of the truck to rest the firewood against the tailgate. She hurried back to open the door all the way. Cringing at the squeaking noise the rusty door made, she slipped into the driver’s seat.
Please. Just a little more luck.
Inching across the seat, she pushed the passenger-side door open and let out a relieved breath when it didn’t make any noise. She glanced back at the house and, seeing that Johnson hadn’t noticed, she slid her hand over the visor but came up empty. Damn.
Next, she rummaged around the glove box that was stuffed with gloves, a lighter, maps—who uses maps anymore?—condoms, and papers. She pushed them onto the floorboard and sorted through everything but didn’t find a key.
Her gaze pinned on the man moving about the kitchen, apparently preparing a meal for their post-torture-and-killing fun. She couldn’t give up now.
Scooting the seat back, she reached under it and skimmed her hand along the sticky floor and over items that she didn’t want to recognize. She paused as her fingers touched the key.
Bringing it out, she switched it to her right hand and wiped her left hand on the seat. She never wanted to know what her hand had touched.
Get ready.
She put the key in the ignition and turned the key. Nothing happened.
Noooo. Now what?
She tried the key again, but again nothing happened.
So much for that part of the plan.
But she still had to cause a distraction. Once she did, then the rest of her plan might have a remote chance of working.
She shimmied across the seat and slid to the ground. Hurrying around to the back of the truck, she picked up the wood and did the only thing she could think to do. Bringing the wood into the air, she brought it down on the end of the tailgate and hit it as hard as she could.
Johnson pivoted to stare out the window as she ducked.
“What the fuck’s going on?”
Johnson answered Bates’s call. “I don’t know. Probably just more critters looking for food.”
“Check it out.”
Johnson yelled back, “Yeah. Okay. I gotta take a dump anyway. Just don’t go killing them until I get my chance at some fun.”
She gripped the wood tighter and got ready. The back door creaked opened then slammed shut.
Oh, hell. Here goes nothing. Hell, here goes everything.
Renewed fear slashed through her. She gripped the wood harder, trying to ignore her shaking hands.
Shit. What if one of the others comes with him?
She swallowed and dared to sneak a glimpse over the top of the tailgate and through the windshield. With a scowl, Johnson stalked toward the truck.
She almost fainted when she noticed that he was alone. But he was still armed. He carried the rifle low at his side and a flashlight in the other hand. If she could strike first, he might not bring it up in time to retaliate. Putting her feet apart, she drew back her makeshift weapon.
As she’d hoped he would, Johnson came around the door and pointed his light inside the cab. When he didn’t see anything, he laid his gun against the pickup then leaned his upper body inside to run the beam over the interior. “Where are you, you pesky shits?”
Now!
She moved, holding onto the firewood so hard that splinters pierced her skin. Johnson jerked back just as she came up behind him and swung the
piece of wood with all her might. He didn’t get out a word as she knocked him in the head, wiping the stunned expression from his face. He dropped against the pickup then slumped to the ground without a peep and still gripping the flashlight.
Maya let the air she’d held out and lifted the wood again, ready to take another hit if needed. But Johnson stayed rumpled on the ground, blood wetting his hair.
Did I kill him?
She knelt beside him, pressed her fingertips to the vein in his neck, and found a pulse. She hadn’t wanted to kill him. As long as he stayed out of it until she got her men free, she was okay. Still, she couldn’t help but feel pride. She’d taken the bad guy out all on her own.
One down and three to go.
She pried the flashlight out of his hand, took his rifle, and cradled it in her arm so she could still carry the heavy wood. She didn’t have much time. The others would wonder where Johnson had gone.
Now what? She checked the area again, but with an added sense of confidence. The outhouse.
Johnson had said he needed to take a dump. She gagged at the awful image that word brought then shoved it away. Leaving the rifle at the side of the house, she dashed over to the shed that served as a bathroom. The stench hit her before she even opened the door. Carefully, so she wouldn’t touch anything, she laid the flashlight on the floor so that its luminance would shine through the hole cut into the top of the door. Stealing herself against both the smell and what she had to do next, she took her position at the back of the outhouse.
If this works twice, I’m one lucky girl. Next stop? Vegas, baby.
She was right. It didn’t take long before they wondered what had happened to Johnson. The squeak of the back door along with Slanter’s voice sent a chill up her spine.
“Damn it, Johnson. If you used up all the toilet paper again, I’m going to use your hand to wipe my ass.”
Bile rose to her throat. How much more could she take without losing it? She gritted her teeth and got ready as the crunching noise of Slanter’s boots on the ground announced his arrival.
He chuckled. “What the hell are you doing in there so long? Jerking off?”
The sound of Slanter’s footsteps died. “Hey, Johnson. Answer me.”
Maya took an even bigger risk. Leaning against the back of the outhouse, she let out a low, deep groan.
“Hey, man. Are you okay? Say something.”
She stayed quiet, hoping he’d take the bait. When he pulled open the outhouse door, she hurried around to the front then let the wood fly again.
Slanter never saw her coming. The blow hit him at the top of his neck and sent him falling face first into the john. Without waiting to see if he was still conscious, she slammed the door then propped the piece of wood against it. She pulled the barrel standing nearby in front of the door for good measure. But Slanter still hadn’t made a peep.
“Yep. I’m one lucky girl.” She turned to face the house. “Two down and two to go.”
But how would she get the other two? She’d gotten lucky when the first hunters had come out by themselves. But it wouldn’t happen again. Even she wasn’t that lucky.
The noise of the other hunters coming into the kitchen sent her running to the cabin then hugging the wall with her back.
What do I do? I can’t take out two of them.
She’d brought both the hunters’ rifles with her, but could she shoot them? Although she’d learned how to use a gun when she’d once dated a policeman, that was long ago. Did she still remember how? And even if she did, could she shoot a man?
Glancing at the truck and the outhouse gave her the answer. She’d never thought she could hit one man, much less two and knock them out, but she had. When it came to keeping her men safe, she could do almost anything. She could and she would.
“Where’d they go?” Bates stepped out of the house first and scanned the area. “There’s a light in the outhouse. You check that while I check the truck. I see something next to it, but I can’t make out what it is.”
“How come I get the smelly job?” Gomez came to his side. Both men held their rifles at the ready.
“Stop stalling and get on with it.” Bates strode toward the truck, but Gomez remained on the back step.
Come on. Get out of my way.
If he’d move, she might be able to rush into the house before they saw her. At last, Gomez muttered a curse then stalked toward the outhouse.
Maya took off running, carrying both rifles. As soon as she made it to the door, she switched one rifle into the cradle of her arm and tugged the door open. The creak of rusty hinges roared in her ears.
“Fuck! There she is!”
She was inside and turning around to see Gomez and Bates scurrying toward the house. Slamming the door behind her, she flipped the deadbolt lock then hooked a nearby chair under the doorknob. They hit the back steps in the same moment she whirled and ran for the other room.
Chapter Nine
Maya burst into the living room to find Jamie on his feet, bent over but still tied to the chair. Case stood behind him, also still tied to his chair. He’d shifted to bring out his fangs and was leaning forward to gnaw through the ropes that bound Jamie.
“Maya, untie me.”
Instead, she placed the rifles near the chairs then rushed to the front door and threw the deadbolt in place. Hurrying to Ham, she knelt behind him and started working on the bindings. Although the hunters had tied the ropes securely, she managed to get them loosened. By that time, Case had bitten through Jamie’s ropes. Jamie, now free, untied Case. She was still working on Ham’s when Case tugged her aside and tore the ropes from his brother’s wrists with one swipe of his claws. Jamie snatched up a rifle and ran to a window.
“Bates is heading around to the front.”
A shot had him plastering his back to the wall as he shouted for the others to get down. Case tugged her to the floor and threw his body on top of hers.
A rush of desire swamped her. Her breasts pushed against his hard chest, and her mouth was only an inch from his. Amber brightened his eyes, and the tips of his fangs still peeked over his bottom lip. He retracted them as she watched.
“Maya, I know what you’re thinking.”
Her voice lacked any power. Instead, the yearning she felt overtook it, turning it into a whisper. “You do?’
“Yeah.” His gaze dropped to her lips then back. “You want me. Right now. Right here.”
She should’ve denied it. After all, how could she think about sex with bullets flying through the air? But she couldn’t. “Uh-huh.”
He kissed her, sliding his tongue to the corner of her mouth. “Want to know how I know?”
She nodded. His heated look had stolen her voice.
“Because I’m thinking the same thing.”
“That’s great. Go ahead and get busy, you two. We’ll handle the hunters.”
Case grinned at Jamie’s sarcastic comment. “Yeah. No problem.”
Jamie positioned himself at another window then rammed the rifle butt against the pane, shattering the lower half. He pulled back as another shot rang out.
“Ham, get the other rifle and check the rear of the house. I think they split up.”
Case rolled off Maya but kept hold of her to help her to the side of the room. He motioned for her to get under the table and stay there. “Maya, are they all outside?”
“I think so. I knocked out Slanter and Johnson. Then when Bates and Gomez came to check on them, I rushed past them into the cabin.”
Jamie gave her a look filled with admiration as well as surprise. “You’re shitting me. You took two of them out?”
“What’s so strange about that?” She was boasting, but didn’t she deserve to? “A girl learns a thing or two about taking care of herself in New York City.”
“I guess so.” Case grinned then rolled across the floor to stay low. “I’m going out the back while Ham covers me.”
“Take it easy.” Jamie spun toward the window, li
fting the rifle to aim in the same fluid motion. He pulled the trigger, and a cry came from outside. “I got Bates. Now all we need is Gomez.”
“That’ll be my pleasure, bro.” With a wink at Maya, Case knocked open the kitchen door, shouting at Ham to get ready. The explosion of another shot split the air as Case disappeared.
Jamie stayed positioned at the window. “Maya, stay down. This won’t take long.
Ignoring him, she half crawled, half walked to a window facing the front of the cabin. “Someone needs to watch this way in case Gomez came around the other side.”
“Damn it. Do as I said. Stay under the table.”
She’d done too much to be treated like some damsel in distress now. “Not a chance. And stop bossing me around.”
Returning his glare, she hunkered next to the wall and peeked around the edge of the window. “I sure wish someone had put shutters or curtains on these windows.”
“It’s a cabin in the middle of nowhere, not a cottage in the city.”
“Still.” He was right, of course, but she didn’t feel like telling him.
They stood, each watching and waiting. But it wasn’t long before they heard Ham calling.
“Hey, bro! We got him. All’s clear!”
Jamie grabbed her before she had time to turn around. He pushed her against the wall, putting his angry face close to hers.
“You’re as stubborn as they come, Maya Switt.”
She thrust out her chin and her breasts. He noticed, his gaze dropping to her chest then back. “You’re just now getting that?”
“I need you to do what I say whenever we’re in a situation like this.”
“Are we going to be in a lot of situations like this?”
His warm breath tickled her skin, yet another part of her was anything but tickled. Her pussy grew warm and tightened as his cock pressed against her abdomen. At once, her heart sped up and her mouth went dry. She wanted to lock her hands around his neck, but she held back, wanting him to make the first move.
“Maybe.” He let out a breath then narrowed his eyes. “You drive me crazy, you know that?”