The inside of the mill was a dimly lit cavern with huge stacks of wood disappearing into the back on one side. On the other, rows of machinery, saws, and planers stood like dark sentinels.
The air smelled like someone had spilled an industrial drum’s worth of pine scent mixed with the metallic smell of machinery and oil. It was an odd odor, and if she had been there under other circumstances, she might have liked it.
This was Jake’s world. Her kidnapper had made a fatal mistake.
“Go on. Get over there.” He waved at her and she moved farther back.
“Can’t we turn on some lights?”
“No.”
Becca looked around. Darkness might be her friend. Jake would be here soon, and the wolf would have his day. She couldn’t wait to see the kidnapper’s smug face when he met her wolf.
She tried to keep from smiling. If that bastard saw, he’d become suspicious. It might tip him off, and she couldn’t risk losing the advantage of surprise. She just had to keep this guy calm, not rile him up, keep herself and Ben safe until her mate arrived.
* * * *
Jake drove down the mill’s road as slow as he could to kill time before Barker showed, and they could scout things out at the mill. He knew it was pointless, but he opened the glove box in search of something he could use as a weapon.
Nothing there, not even a screwdriver.
He had no doubt Barker would bring his gun, and maybe one for Jake, too.
Up ahead, he spotted the turn-off to the old trail to the pond. He slowed, took the turn, and drove down the trail, branches slapping at the sides of his SUV.
Straight ahead sat Bryan’s truck.
“Shit.” He exhaled.
That could only mean one thing.
It was true. Trey was in on this.
Jake pulled up behind it and parked. After getting out, he opened the truck’s door and inhaled.
Yeah. Trey had driven it. His scent was all over the driver’s seat, and the steering wheel. Jake got out and scouted around the truck.
Kneeling, he put his hand out and touched the imprint of the wolf’s paw, his fingers caressing the dents the toes had made in the soft dirt. Here was the proof. Forcing himself to admit that Trey had planned it all, he stood, and turned back to his vehicle.
“Come on, Barker,” he whispered as he glanced at his watch. He walked down the trail to the main road, and waited next to the trees for his best friend.
Barker showed up early.
Jake stepped from the trees and signaled to his friend. Barker slowed, turned onto the track, and parked behind Jake’s SUV.
“Think there are enough of us parked down here?” Barker, dressed all in black, grinned as he got out. “Who’s in the pick-up?”
“That’s Bryan’s truck. Trey’s scent is all over it. I found wolf tracks.”
“Trey, huh?” Barker scratched his chin. “Now what’s he doing out here?”
“Trying to kill Rebecca and Ben?” Jake didn’t want to accept the truth, but all this left him no choice.
“Maybe. Maybe not.” Barker slapped Jake on the back. “Let’s go.”
“Did you bring a gun?”
Barker unzipped his hooded jacket, exposing his shoulder holster and his Beretta.
“Got one of those for me?”
“No way, Boss.” Barker shook his head. “If anyone is shooting that bastard, it’s going to be me. In the line of duty.”
Jake glared at his best friend. “He’s got my mate, Barker. Mine. Not yours.”
“Slow down, Boss. You’re not exactly defenseless, you know.”
Jake nodded.
“Here’s the plan. He wants you to show up. So you show up, but after we scout out the mill and I take my position. When you go inside, I’ll go in too.”
“The side door?” Jake grinned.
“The one behind the stacks? Yep.”
“Remember where we keep the key?”
“The most obvious place, of course. On top of the frame.” Barker shook his head.
Jake shrugged. “Hey, you don’t mess with what works.”
“Right. I’ll make my way up onto the stacks and get a bead on you guys from above. Do nothing until you see me signal, okay?”
Jake stared down the road, then took a quick look at his watch. “It’s time.”
“Jake? I mean it. Wait for my signal.”
“Okay.” Jake gave him a nod.
“Let’s get going.” Barker waved his hand. “Time to rock and roll.”
Jake and Barker headed down the road toward the mill.
* * * *
Rebecca bounced the baby, but his fussing only worsened. He’d be in full cry soon if he didn’t get fed.
“Shut him up.”
“He needs to eat.”
The guy grimaced. “Shit. Where’s his bottle?”
“He’s breastfed.” She regretted saying that as soon as she said it.
“Breast? Well, go ahead, feed him. I don’t mind watching.” Still pointing the gun at her, he leaned against the counter as if she were going to just rip off her shirt and bra and perform for him.
Rebecca turned away, raised her shirt, unhooked her nursing bra, and got Ben into position. After two swipes of his mouth against her nipple, he latched on and began sucking. Then she turned back, afraid to take her eyes off the gun for too long.
“Hey, I didn’t get to see any titties,” he complained.
She didn’t respond. No way would she let him ogle her breasts. Now, with Ben fed, he’d be easier to handle if something went wrong.
Becca shuddered.
She didn’t want to think about that. But even a wolf could be shot, couldn’t he? If Jake was shot, how fast could he heal? Fast enough to keep this guy from shooting her, too? And Ben? She didn’t think so.
Her gaze searched the dim building, looking for an escape route. Just in case.
Becca sighed and let her head fall back.
There was a catwalk stretching high over the floor of the mill. If there was a way up, and she could get there, she might be able to hide from him. Trying not to draw attention to herself, she walked in a small circle, cooing to the baby, but she followed the walkway to see where it started and ended.
There was a door at one end. Maybe to offices? Offices that might have phones?
Her gaze tracked the catwalk the other way. Against the far wall was a metal stairway going up to it. If she could just get over there, up the stairs and across the huge floor to the office door, and it wasn’t locked, she could hide there. Use the phone to call for help.
No, Jake would make this end. She had to put her faith and trust in him. He’d take out this bastard. She knew in her heart, Jake would tear this guy from limb to limb.
Still, it couldn’t hurt to have a fall-back plan.
Just in case.
* * * *
Trey trotted up to the mill, then around the corner to the back. Rebecca’s car was parked at the Sales entrance. He padded over to it, sniffed, and then looked at the door.
Shattered glass lay on the ground. He checked out the door. Several sharp pieces blocked his way on the lower half, but the upper half had completely shattered and fallen away.
He could change back and go through the door, or make a run for it and try to jump through the top. He sidled up to the door, and stuck his nose through a gap in the remaining glass shards and sniffed.
Rebecca and his baby were in there. And someone else.
Someone familiar.
The guy from the bar.
He cocked his ears and heard voices. Not far away from the door. Sticking his head as far inside as he could, he searched for the voices.
Rebecca stood near the rough saw, holding the baby. The man from the bar stood with his back to the door as he leaned against the counter.
Perfect. He’d never see the wolf come in.
But she might see.
Didn’t matter. He’d have to take that risk.
He wa
tched for the right moment. She was bouncing the baby, then walking around, and the man watched her.
The wolf backed up, judged the distance, and crouched. Every muscle tensed as he hunkered low to the ground, then silently, he sprang.
His head and front paws cleared the glass, but the tallest shard caught his chest, slicing a thin line through his pelt. He snapped his jaws together to keep silent, and landed, without anyone seeing him.
Padding off to the machinery, he found a place to hide and sat. The cut on his chest stung, but wasn’t enough to slow him down and it would be healed before long.
He kept low to the ground as he crept closer to Rebecca and his son.
Chapter 17
Jake walked up to the mill and gave Barker a quick nod. Barker, at the other end of the building, slipped around the side, to the door.
Jake headed to the rear of the building, turned the corner, and halted. Becca’s car was parked in front of the door. He approached slowly, careful not to make any noises, checking out the door that had been smashed.
There was blood on one of the sharp fragments of glass still stuck in the door. A shiver ran through him. No way could that be Becca’s blood. Had to be the kidnapper’s, he would have broken the glass.
This guy was stupid. But Trey wasn’t dumb. Trey knew the layout. Knew about the side door. But he couldn’t be sure Jake would bring Barker. Jake couldn’t think about what Barker might or might not find waiting for him, he could only think about his part.
He trusted Barker to take care of himself.
Jake pulled open the door and stepped inside.
* * * *
Trey crouched behind the saw. Rebecca and the baby were still unhurt. He could be there in two leaps, at the guy’s throat, tearing it out. Tasting his blood, making him pay for threatening his…
His gaze was drawn by movement at the door.
Jake.
What the hell was he doing here?
And was he alone?
Where Jake went, Barker followed, like some lap dog. It’d been that way since they were kids and Trey had tagged along after the two older boys. One thing was sure, if Jake was here, Barker would be around.
The guy with the gun moved to Rebecca, grabbed her by the arm, and held the gun to her head. Trey suppressed a growl at the threat.
“Freeze, McCallan,” the man shouted.
Jake put his hands up. “Whatever you want. Just don’t hurt her.”
“You came alone?”
“That’s what you said, right? No cops.”
“Turn around. Slowly.”
Trey watched as Jake, hands still in the air, walked in a small circle. No weapons. What the hell was Jake playing at?
There was no way Jake could change and get this guy. The transformation was the most vulnerable time for a werewolf. Although it took less than a minute, it was a time when the man-wolf could do absolutely nothing to protect himself.
Sure, Jake might take the guy by surprise, but he might just get shot.
Trey wasn’t willing to take that chance.
Staying low, the wolf crept toward his prey in the shadows.
* * * *
Barker let the door close behind him and his eyes adjust to the darkness. The stacks weren’t lit, but he could remember exactly where he was. Same as all those years ago, when he and Jake had worked at the mill.
He moved forward to the nearest low stack and climbed up. He reached the top, about fifteen feet above the ground, and started forward, keeping silent, making sure his feet were as well placed as possible.
When he reached the end of the stacks, he’d be able to look down on the mill floor, take his position, and take out this bastard who had Rebecca and Ben.
* * * *
Becca’s heart nearly stopped as her gaze swept over her mate. He stood there, hands in the air, but with no trace of fear or worry.
“Jake,” she whispered.
“Shut up.” The kidnapper’s growled words burned in her ears and the cold metal of the gun touched her temple, sending shivers through her. Despite all the relief of seeing Jake, tears welled in her eyes as she held onto her son.
“Are you okay, Becca?” Jake’s voice sounded so good. Thank God, he was calm and completely confident. She breathed it in and it quieted her, soothed her. Gave her hope.
“I’m fine. Ben too.”
“I said shut up.” The man squeezed her arm and she winced.
“What do you want?” Jake called out. There had to be at least fifteen feet between them. How would Jake ever make it across the distance in time? As long as the man had the gun pressed to her head, Jake couldn’t do anything.
“Money, of course.”
“How much? I’ll give you anything.”
“Good, because I want it all, but not from you. Your brother Trey is going to be paying me for the rest of his life.”
“Trey? I don’t know what Trey told you, but he doesn’t have any control over the mill. It belongs to me,” Jake shot back.
“Not if you’re dead.”
Becca felt the gun leave her head and in that moment she knew. He was going to kill Jake. He’d always meant to kill Jake.
“Jake!”
Jake frowned, took a step back as his hands came up, and she knew he realized it too. All too late.
From out of the darkness, a blur of motion ran forward with a deep growl that reverberated through her body.
The kidnapper saw it too. He spun towards it, bringing the gun to bear, but still had her arm in a tight grip. She tried to move away, jerking the man backwards, throwing him off balance.
The wolf sprang. Its jaws gaping, teeth bared as its lips pulled back in a snarl, and its amber eyes glowing in the dark, like a demon sent straight from hell.
The man screamed and fired.
The wolf’s body jerked in mid-air, then crashed to the floor.
Another shot rang out, and the hand that held her spasmed, letting her go. Her kidnapper fell forward with a sharp cry, face first at her feet.
Ben started wailing.
“Becca!” Jake’s shout brought her attention up and to him. A wave of relief rushed through her and her knees almost gave out. She stiffened them as Jake’s gaze met hers and then she let out a pent-up sob.
“Jake!”
Closing the distance between them, she fell into his arms, careful not to crush Ben.
* * * *
All Jake knew was that Becca, his mate, and her child, his nephew, were safe. He looked up as he held her, and spotted Barker at the top of the nearest stack as he shoved his gun back in his holster.
“Trey.” Barker pointed behind Jake.
Jake turned and all the spit in his mouth dried up. His stomach fell into a deep well, as he looked down. The wolf was gone and Trey lay on his side, blood seeping from his chest forming a dark pool beneath him.
“Oh, shit.” Jake moaned. “No. Trey.”
He let Becca go and went to his brother. Kneeling next to Trey, Jake looked up at Barker. “Call an ambulance.”
“On it.” Barker pulled out his phone as he started to walk away to get down from the stacks.
Jake sighed. “Shit, Trey. Why? What the hell were you thinking?” He looked up at Becca. “I need a towel to stop this bleeding.”
* * * *
She nodded and ran to the car. Deciding that Ben was safe now, she strapped him in his car seat, rifled through his diaper bag and pulled out a blanket. Then she left the car door open and ran back to Jake’s side.
“Here, use this.”
Jake took it from her. He’d ripped open Trey’s shirt and she stared at the younger McCallan’s wound. The hole was small, dark, and blood covered most of his smooth chest. She had to close her eyes against the image of that hole in her Ben’s body. In her body. She shuddered.
Jake pressed it to Trey’s wound and leaned against it.
“Trey? Hey, man. Can you hear me?” Jake’s eyes shimmered as he tapped Trey’s cheek.
&nb
sp; Trey moaned and his head turned toward Jake’s voice. With a soft flutter of dark lashes so like Jake’s, Trey opened his eyes. Rebecca thanked God. Trey may have done something unforgivable to her, but she’d never wanted to see him dead for it.
* * * *
Jake gave a half-laugh of relief and gathered Trey into his arms. Trey moaned, clutched Jake’s arm and gave it a weak squeeze.
“The baby?” he whispered, his gaze searching Jake’s face.
“Safe. Becca’s okay too.”
Trey sighed, closed his eyes, then opened them. He looked past Jake’s shoulder.
“Rebecca?”
“I’m here,” she answered.
“Where’s the baby?”
“He’s safe.”
“Can I…can I see him?” Trey licked his lips. “Please.”
Jake brushed hair from his brother’s brow. It was damp with sweat. Trey shivered in his arms. Oh God, he was going to lose Trey without ever setting things straight between them.
He looked up at Becca. She nodded and went for the baby.
Jake looked down into Trey’s eyes. “Trey. I thought…”
“That I did this?”
Jake nodded.
“I did.” Tears trickled from Trey’s blue eyes. “I hired that guy. I was mad, drunk. Stupid.” He shivered again and Jake pulled him closer.
“But you never meant to do it, did you?”
“No. I tried to stop him. Gotta believe me.” Trey’s hand squeezed Jake’s arm.
“I believe you. I never really believed you’d do this.”
Trey gave him a small smile, but it became a grimace of pain.
“Hold on. The ambulance is on the way.”
“Don’t worry. Us wolves are tough.” Trey gasped, his body stiffened. “It hurts.”
“I know.”
Trey frowned. “When did you get shot?”
“Point taken.” Jake hugged him.
“Jake. Take care of my boy. Promise me.” Trey gave Jake’s arm a tiny shake.
“Hey. Don’t talk like—”
“Promise me.” Trey stared into Jake’s eyes, begging him.
Jake nodded. “Sure. I promise.”
Rebecca returned with the baby. “Here he is.”
“Can I see him? I want to see him. Just once.”
Rebecca kneeled and turned the baby to face his father
McCallan's Blood Page 17