by Jools Louise
“I know what’s going on,” Carter said bitterly. “Someone told them where Sharpe was…and who he was to me.”
“Who would do that to your friend?” Amos asked grimly.
“Who else?” Carter retorted. “My darling brother. Connor.” He glanced to the ditch where his sibling lay and curled his lip. “He hates it when I’m happy. And I was so happy with Sharpe.”
Connor stared back, his face carefully blank, not answering the accusation, although Craig saw a flicker of pain cross the guy’s face. What the hell? Was Connor really upset? He was supposed to be a nasty piece of work, according to, well, everyone. But he looked as though Carter’s words actually hurt him.
“Carter, we have to go now,” Craig said gently. “But if you’re ever in trouble…real trouble, come and find us,” he whispered. “You seem to be in a tough situation—trapped. We’ll help if we can.” He rose and moved into Amos’s embrace, needing his alpha’s strength.
“Thank you,” Carter said gratefully. “I might take you up on that offer, if things go bad when I go home, although it would be worse for you if my family comes looking for me. They like to keep me close…easier to be their whipping boy that way,” he added bitterly.
Craig smirked. “Twice now your pack has tried to take us on and lost both times. Trust me, honey, we don’t scare easily.” He frowned slightly. “Is there anything more you can tell us about the prison? It would help.”
“I don’t remember too much about the night when Sharpe was taken,” Carter said sorrowfully. “Only that the squad who took Sharpe spoke one name, by accident I think, because the one who said it was cautioned.”
“What name?” Amos asked.
“Carlos.”
They all stared at Carter, shocked. “Carlos?” Craig said, shuddering. “Are you sure?”
“Yes,” Carter whispered.
“One more thing,” Finch drawled, stalking up to them. “I took care of the others,” he said, gesturing to where the bikers lay, now unconscious. Craig shot him a look. “What?” Finch asked innocently. “If they go back in one piece, it’ll go far worse for them with Ruin and his bitch.” He looked at Carter. “Sorry, dude, but your parents are off the fucking charts when it comes to crazy.”
Carter shrugged. “You’re telling me?” he retorted harshly.
“So, I was thinking, if we take care of you in the same way, maybe they won’t take it too hard on you,” Finch finished.
“What are you going to do?” Craig asked slowly, not liking the conclusion he’d just come to.
Finch lashed out with his fists, and did a quick one-two punch, knocking Carter to the ground again. The man lay still.
“I just called it in,” Finch said, looking pleased with himself, and then winced as he saw the pissed look on Craig’s face. “It had to be done, love. Believe, me, if Carter went back with no injuries, his parents would beat him half to death.”
Craig glanced down at the young man on the ground and felt terribly sad that the guy had been born into such an evil family. What the hell was wrong with his parents, treating their own son like that?
“Come on, honey,” Amos said, tugging Craig back to the vehicle. “We have a head start, finally,” he said. “Let’s make the most of it.”
Craig stopped his lover with a hand on his forearm and looked up at him. “Let me give Carter a number he can call,” he said quietly. “I don’t like the thought that he’s being abused. He’s only a kid.”
“He knows where to find us,” Garnet said, moving toward them. He kissed Craig hungrily. “Now move that sexy ass. We want to go home.”
Craig sent one last look at the younger Ruin son, and spared a glance at the eldest, then turned back and followed his mates to the van. They were right. If Carter needed them, he knew where they were.
Chapter Six
Eighteen hours after leaving the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, England, twice as long as the journey should have taken, the Hartland pack finally made it home. Amos stepped from the van, weary as hell, his soul soothed by the sight of the mountains all around, the fresh air filling his lungs…and the strength of the mate bond zinging through his veins.
Finch carried Craig, who was fast asleep after his escapade, cradling their precious heart with a look on his face that told Amos their mate was loved beyond measure. He met Finch’s green stare and smiled. “We’ll have to check everywhere, make sure there’s no nasty surprises,” he commented, kissing the man hungrily, feeling his passion rise and his cock thicken in anticipation of spending the first night with their mate.
“On me, guys,” Amos ordered Garnet and Blaze. “Let’s do a recce.”
“Did that just the other day,” Blaze told him. “But it’s best to make sure. Those sneaky Ruin boys and girls are abnormally persistent. Wouldn’t put it past them to hide a few traps around the place.”
“The alarm hasn’t been triggered, but I don’t want to take any chances,” Amos agreed. They split up, and with the aid of some electronic gadgets and gizmos, made sure there were no IEDs or other explosive devices hidden.
“Clear!” Garnet called.
“Clear! Blaze echoed.
“Clear!” Amos said into his comm link, after reconnoitering the house thoroughly.
The place had been built by him and his pack. Twice. A two-story affair, it was constructed of local stone, and was large, open plan, and had an airy feel to it, with lots of glass, tempered for added strength and warmth. The décor was a mix of contemporary casual, with a dash of earthy charm thrown in. Warm browns, bronzes, and greens were the main theme, with accents of mauve, red, and gold. Downstairs lay a large kitchen, gleaming with appliances, wooden cabinets, and a walk-in cold storage filled with all kinds of produce. The room had a secret bunker hidden behind the rear panel, too, in case they ended up under siege.
He ran the tap and glugged down a long slug of water, sighing as he stared out at the new morning, just easing over the mountains to the east. Sunlight was just dappling the deciduous woodland farther down the valley, and he spied a small herd of red deer grazing beside the loch. A golden eagle was testing out the thermals and hunting for breakfast high above, as the morning mist gradually began to clear.
“Home sweet home,” Garnet commented as he entered the kitchen, placing a crate of beer on the black marble-effect countertop. They’d visited a supermarket in the nearest biggish town and stocked up on essentials. After the skirmishes last night, beer was definitely a priority.
“Indeed,” Amos replied, smiling slightly, although his thoughts were dark.
“Hey,” Garnet said, moving up behind his lover, wrapping Amos in a strong embrace and resting his head on Amos’s broad shoulder. “What’s wrong? Apart from the fact that Ruin is a mad fucker, our mate just shifted into the biggest wolf I’ve ever seen, and we just had another confirmation that some of our people are being kept at a top-secret facility, apparently run by our good friend and psychopath, Charlie Costa.”
Amos snorted out a laugh at his friend’s droll humor and turned his head, tasting his lover deeply. They kissed for long moments, savoring the peace of the land they’d claimed as theirs—and would fight to retain.
“Craig’s sleeping,” Finch said, heading to a small fridge and removing a can of sugar-free cola. Popping the tab, he drank greedily and then sighed with satisfaction as he stared out at the valley. “I always hate leaving this place,” he said. “I’m so glad we’re back.”
“Are you sorry about leaving the military?” Amos asked suddenly. They had made a decision, after resigning from the military, that they needed a new purpose. Protecting shifters who needed help. They’d heard rumors of shifters in crisis before. Now they had a solid lead on a location and a definite idea of how they could assist. With their skill set, they’d have their own little platoon, ready to lock and load as needed.
“No,” Finch replied succinctly. “This is what we agreed upon. We have our soulmate now, our heart and center. We can’t
afford to leave him alone. He’s our sole responsibility. Between us, we have to keep him safe.” He grinned wickedly. “And fuck him every single day.”
Garnet chuckled, nibbling at Amos’s lips. “About time we spent some time defending something we believe in, fighting our own war, over things that matter to us,” he murmured, trailing kisses down his alpha’s strong throat. He mouthed Amos’s Adam’s apple, before diving in for more smooching. They breathed hard, cocks rigid and aching, and began to strip, slowly and easily, exploring one another with gentle caresses. A grope here and a fondle there had them panting and both were naked in seconds.
“Hmmm, a floor show,” Blaze said, grinning as he leaned against the counter, dragging Finch into a lip-lock. “Bend over, Mr. Finch. Time for a pounding.”
Finch groaned as he was forcefully turned. Blaze bent him over the counter and ripped a gaping hole in his lover’s combat pants. “I really hate when you ruin my clothes,” Finch complained, grunting when Blaze smacked his ass sharply.
“No, you don’t,” Blaze reminded him, grabbing him by the shoulder and holding him in place. “Now spread those legs, assume the position, and remove that butt plug. I got the lube, dude.”
Finch chuckled, removing the plug he’d donned on the way home and exchanging an amused glance with Amos. “This fucker’s getting sassy,” he said, yelping when his mate plunged two lube-slicked fingers deep into his anus and then began nailing his prostate repeatedly. “Fuuuck!” he bellowed. “Warn a guy, Blaze.”
Blaze simply turned Finch’s face toward him, kissed him fervently, and then shoved his cock deep inside his lover. Amos laughed as he watched the pair and then found his own distraction in Garnet’s sweet lips. “Shower,” he muttered, walking Garnet backward toward a downstairs bathroom.
“Oh yeah, baby,” Garnet said approvingly as they entered the wet room. Amos flipped the shower on, sitting his mate on the conveniently placed, waist-high shelf, designed for one purpose—fucking in the shower.
“Stretch yourself, love,” Amos pleaded, kneeling to watch.
Garnet locked his gaze to his alpha’s and used the body wash as lube, cleaning himself as well as preparing for entry. He grabbed the twin handles on either side of the bench seat, using them to lift him slightly as he placed his feet in a pair of stirrups that hung from the wall. The position left him exposed, his hole winking at Amos invitingly.
“Hmmm, I’ve missed you,” Amos said huskily. Then he ducked his head, licking along his mate’s crack as he sampled every texture of Garnet’s genitalia. Garnet groaned, arching his back, every muscle straining as Amos pleasured him.
“Baby, I missed you, too,” Garnet grunted. He cupped Amos’s head, raking his fingers through the man’s hair, panting heavily.
Amos took his time, playing Garnet with skillful eroticism, until his lover was moaning continuously, eyes closed as he endured the delicious torment. He looked at Garnet’s tortured expression, saw how close the man was to breaking, and replaced his tongue with his cock, driving deep and hard. They both cried out, and Amos cupped his lover’s face between both hands and then kissed him fervently, moving languidly in and out of Garnet’s needy hole.
“So tight, still,” Amos murmured approvingly. “All these years, and you’re as fresh as that first time together.”
Garnet keened, gripping Amos’s forearms for balance as they moved together. Amos spread his mate’s legs wide, then went for the mother lode, fucking Garnet hard, losing himself in the snug chute that clung to him eagerly, lovingly.
A sharp smack on his own ass had him yelping, and he turned to see Blaze grinning at him. “Water conservation,” the man said cheekily. “No sense in wasting it.
“You finished already?” Amos asked, incredulous.
“Oh yeah,” Blaze retorted smugly. “I tore that man a new asshole, and now I’m ready to claim my alpha.
Amos groaned, feeling Blaze’s rough fingers probing his hole, and spread his legs for balance and to give his lover better access. “Be gentle?” he half-pleaded.
Blaze smacked him again, laughing loudly. “Funny,” he chortled, shoving two fingers inside Amos’s clenching hole. “That’s what I love about you, boss. Your sense of humor.”
Amos saw Garnet’s wide smile and shook his head ruefully.
“That’s what you get when you let Blaze top,” Garnet drawled. “He’s a fucking machine.”
“Oh yeah, baby,” Blaze crowed, lubing Amos swiftly before sinking his fat cock between his alpha’s cheeks.
Amos shoved back, wanting the burn, needing to be fucked hard. He was alpha when he needed to be, but with his mates, he was able to let go and enjoy all they provided. Blaze had a twelve-inch fuck stick and knew exactly how to use it—and when. They were often tender, loving, and gentle together as a pack. But today, with the adrenaline of the last twenty-four hours still vivid in their minds, they all needed to reconnect.
Blaze took him hard, his thrusts driving him deep into Amos, who plunged forcefully into Garnet. Grunting with the effort, the threesome built up steam, muscles straining and cocks pumping as they played hard. Amos leaned down, kissing Garnet with ferocity, knowing he wouldn’t last much longer. Sure enough, he lost his load, shuddering as he reached climax and marked Garnet with his seed, then locked inside at the same moment as he sank his fangs into Garnet’s neck.
Blaze came apart seconds later, ramming home and then jetting hot ropes of cum into Amos, before biting Amos’s shoulder, his mating barb engaging simultaneously. Panting, the trio began to subside, their breathing slowing as their caresses grew less urgent.
“I love you,” Amos said, kissing both his mates in turn. “So much it hurts.”
“Love you, too, big guy,” Blaze said, kissing him back as he withdrew, cupping Amos’s face tenderly. “Whatever happens, we found our heaven, didn’t we? And now it’s time to fight to save it.”
Amos nodded as they embraced, the water sluicing down on them. “Now we’d better clean up, studs. We have some planning to do…and an orgy to attend.”
They all grinned, high-fiving.
* * * *
Craig woke sprawled along Finch’s gorgeous body, wrapped around four mates, all sleeping soundly as they cuddled together. He yawned, his ass filled with Finch’s dick, who’d sneaked upstairs earlier, while the others were fucking in the shower, and they’d had their own little party, christening the bed.
“Hey,” Finch said softly, nipping his shoulder.
Craig smiled, moving sinuously as Finch began to thrust gently. “Hey,” he replied, stroking Finch’s beautiful face. The man’s long hair was loose, framing his face in an inky dark cloud of silk, his green eyes glimmering with love and playfulness. Craig figured Finch was born with that mischievous streak and loved that side to him. He’d seen Finch’s deadly skills, and the killer’s stare when Finch blanked out his emotions, when in battle mode. Finch had more layers than a lasagna.
“Love you,” Craig whispered, kissing his lover as he writhed on Finch’s dick, moaning softly.
“Love you, too, sweetheart,” Finch replied, growling a little as he rocked Craig, grinding up into his sleek chute as they made love. His arms enfolded his smaller mate, holding him tightly, trapping Craig’s cock between them. “You’re addictive, you know that? Like a fine wine…or a tube of Smarties.”
Craig giggled, and then moaned when Finch swiveled his hips, angling for a deeper thrust. “Smarties? Really?”
Finch laughed huskily, stroking Craig’s smooth back, and then squeezing his ass firmly. “I love Smarties,” he replied, grinning.
“He really does,” Blaze commented drowsily, sounding amused. He leaned over, kissing Craig with erotic thoroughness. “Afternoon, love,” he said.
“Hi,” Craig sighed, savoring Blaze’s lips. “What time is it?”
“Probably time to feed you,” Finch declared. “By my reckoning, we missed a few meals.”
“Yeah, fighting fuckwits is messing with our sch
edule,” Blaze said, planting a hot smooch on Finch’s lips, too. He clambered from the bed and dressed in a pair of sweatpants. “I’ll go and get dinner ready. Steak okay?”
“Steak? Yummy,” Craig said, licking his lips, which were soon claimed again by Finch. “Makes a change from all that sausage,” he giggled, earning himself a slap on the ass.
“Need to sink my load again, love,” Finch growled, upping his tempo. “I want you filled with my cum.”
Craig shuddered, closing his eyes as Finch went primal on his ass and then dumped a thick shot of cum before Garnet and Amos were even awake. Giggling softly, they donned a pair of pants each and then left to help with dinner.
* * * *
“So, what’s this secret facility?” Craig asked, preparing a salad. “Is it really government run? I know, I’ve already asked that question, but I still can’t believe that wolf shifters would imprison their own members like that. But the government would surely have come after us all by now, if they knew that we existed.”
“If Carlos is involved, it probably has to do with making money,” Finch replied, wrapping five huge potatoes in foil and shoving them in the oven to bake. “I don’t think he’s a shifter—in fact I’m convinced he isn’t, but he would definitely see this as a profitable venture. He sells his talent for being a traitorous worm to the highest bidder and offers to take away irritating problems for his employers. Win-win. The pack gets someone to do their dirty work, and Carlos gets paid.”
“Do you think he knows what we are?” Blaze suggested, frowning as he drizzled a homemade marinade onto their steaks and then headed to a chargrill that was built into the counter, beside the oven.
“Selling out shifters, you mean?” Finch asked, then shrugged. “It’s possible. But how would he know? I’m not sure that he does, but that wouldn’t matter. He likes thinking he’s all-powerful, and hurting the defenseless is up his street. He attacked you, Craig, while you were going for a shower, and unarmed. Ambushed you because he knew he could win.”