Loving Their Vixen Mate (Pack Wars Book 4)

by Vella Day

  But he sure could try. Sam slowed, wanting to give his tormented mind a rest, but it wouldn’t stop questioning. What if he had caught Donny sneaking out of the house that night? Sure, his brother might have lived that day, but what about the next day or the one after that? Something had drawn Donny to that area of town. Had he seen something bad and thought he could help? Damn, if only Sam could reel back to that one day and live it again, he might find answers.

  Reaching the top of the crest, Sam looked out over the vast forest and distant hills. Few sounds reached his ears other than the soaring birds and the wind whistling through the trees. The breeze, laden with moisture, ruffled his fur, but it also helped calm his soul. The world was so big, and he was such a small part of it. Good people died, often for no reason, and the world went on. His logical side embraced that philosophy, but his heart never would.

  Mackenzie was safe for now thanks to his Pack members, but what would happen the next time? The thought was too troubling to endure. While the wolf in him seemed calmer, he wouldn’t be putting anything to rest today. All he could do was keep Mackenzie safe the best way he knew how.

  Sam turned and trotted down the path. Broad daylight was embracing these hills, and with it, people. As he neared more level ground, he went in search of a place to hide. He’d spend the day sleeping, and then decide what to do about the woman he was falling deeply in love with.

  Cheryl had been gone for a few weeks now. Other than the women found in the warehouse where Elena had been held captive, no other purchased woman had been discovered. Would Mackenzie ever give up? Would she return home to her mother, to her aunt, to her job? That terrible thought made his will weaken. Tomorrow he’d return home and search harder than he ever had before. They would find Cheryl, and Mackenzie would get her peace.

  If they failed, Sam questioned whether he was man enough to soothe Mackenzie’s inner demons. It would kill him to see her hope ebb as each day passed. Knowing her, she’d grow desperate, turn careless, and never stop searching. God help him if she died, too.

  Sam had to stop thinking like this, or he, too, would take too many chances. He spotted a small rock overhang that created a cave like covering, which was perfect for a nap. He’d sleep a bit then head on back to Florida.

  * * *

  Jay hadn’t expected to be summoned into his boss’s office. All he could think was that Statler wanted to get an update on Mackenzie. Jay hoped to hell she hadn’t gotten into some kind of trouble since Medlock’s party. He’d been meaning to call her, but with the way her two men shot daggers at him, Jay hadn’t wanted to bother her.

  In hindsight, bringing up her name to the head of the Colters had been a tactical error on his part. He’d hope that by mentioning her and her quest to find her cousin, Statler would have leaked Cheryl’s location. Unfortunately, it hadn’t worked out the way he’d hoped. Statler was too closed-mouthed. Jay wished he had more of a clue what Statler knew. John Hood had been in charge of the human trafficking aspect of the Colter organization. With him in jail, Jay had yet to figure out Statler’s new role. Was he planning to take over? So far, Jay hadn’t been aware of any new women kidnapped and sold.

  He knocked on the door and steeled himself for what was to come.

  “Enter.”

  Jay stood tall. “You wanted to speak with me, sir?” Statler wore a gray suit with a neat red handkerchief in his pocket. The man looked cool and quite in control.

  “Have a seat.”

  Shit. That wasn’t a good sign. Jay didn’t want to project any kind of fear, so he acted as relaxed as possible, crossing his ankle over his knee. He’d seen what Statler did to his subordinates who didn’t do as he asked. To Jay’s knowledge, he’d followed every one of Statler’s orders—or at least most of them.

  “I’ve heard some troubling reports about your little cousin.”

  Fuck. Jay paused for effect, hoping the vein in his forehead wasn’t noticeably throbbing. “Really? I only saw her briefly once this week. What has that troublemaker done now?” His job had been to make sure Kenzie didn’t snoop where she didn’t belong. Clearly, he’d failed in that assignment.

  “You saw her at Medlock’s fund raising party if I’m not mistaken.”

  How the hell did Statler know that if he hadn’t been there? “I did.” Kenzie had used an alias. Shit.

  “Seems Mackenzie—that’s her name, right?”

  “Yes.” His heart was sinking fast.

  “Seems she was snooping around in Medlock’s bedroom. Why do you suppose she was there?” Statler picked up a metal letter opener and ran it across his palm. Jay had seen that action too many times in the past. It didn’t bode well for his cousin.

  “Perhaps she was curious. The house was rather grand and my cousin doesn’t come from wealth.” That much was true.

  His boss leaned back and waved the opener. “I thought that might be the case, until I recalled her scent.”

  Jay was confused. “Excuse me, sir?”

  “I was visiting a client a few days ago. When I exited my car in the man’s drive, I caught a whiff of jasmine. At first I thought the flower might be blooming, until I realized it was the wrong season.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Your cousin visited me when she first arrived in town to ask about Cheryl’s disappearance. I was rather shocked that Mackenzie connected me to her, but then I remembered I had requested Cheryl to come down to Gulfside for a job interview. I knew nothing about what happened to her, and I told Ms. Wagner that.”

  “I can assure you my cousin believed you, sir, if that’s what’s worrying you.”

  He smiled, but it contained no cheer. “No, I wasn’t concerned. What has me bothered was that she was wearing that same flowery scent in my office.” He raised his brows as if Jay would draw some conclusion.

  Worry slammed into him. “Are you saying that when you visited your client that my cousin was near the house?”

  “Yes, and that’s not all.” Statler detailed the break-in at John Hood’s house and the injury to the men at Carl Hampton’s.

  “I’m not quite seeing the connection. Do you know who attacked the men? Certainly you don’t think a halfling could do this, do you?” All werewolves knew women couldn’t shift.

  “When my men asked both security teams to describe the attackers, they gave the same description. You know as well as I that a wolf’s coloring is unique to him.”

  “Yes, but what do these men have to do with Mackenzie?”

  “At the Medlock affair, Mackenzie was with two men, Sam and Brandon. While they used a different last name, I believe they are Sam and Brandon Crenshaw. Cousins who work for The Pack.” One side of Statler’s lip curled up when he said that name.

  It made sense Statler would leer, given The Pack was the archenemy of the Colters. Until recently, the Colters had been winning the war. Now, the wins were mounting on the side of The Pack. “What can I do, sir?”

  Statler smiled. “I want you to convince Ms. Wagner to leave town. Tell her if she stays, the men she seems attached to will meet with an unfortunate accident. Killing her will be the next step if she doesn’t cooperate, but I’m sure you will be able to persuade her.”

  At least his boss wasn’t demanding to see her dead body. “I can do that, but it seems to me that if we can produce this cousin, Mackenzie will go on her way.”

  Statler shook his head. The slight lift to his lips implied he couldn’t believe Jay’s naiveté. “It’s too late.”

  “What’s too late, sir?

  “I’m afraid she’s gone. Along with the others.”

  He truly wasn’t following. “I thought you didn’t know who’d purchased her—just that she’d been given as a present.”

  Statler dragged a hand down his chin. “You’ll find out sooner or later, so I’ll tell you what I can. Werewolves are such vulnerable creatures.”

  “Sir?” Was Statler losing it? Both of them were werewolves, and Jay certainly didn’t consider h
imself vulnerable. Hell, unless he was shot in the heart with a poisonous bullet or had his throat ripped out, he could survive almost any injury. Even broken bones only took minutes to heal.

  “The Colters are a dying breed. They are being eliminated faster than we can find people to join our cause.”

  “Many groups can say the same—teachers, doctors, policemen, to name a few.”

  “This is different, and you know it. We have to do something to preserve our kind.” A slight smile lifted his lips. “We now have genetically altered werewolves who can resist the effects of the poison.”

  Had Statler gone crazy? “Sir, I’m not a scientist, but it would take hundreds if not thousands of years for the wolf population to mutate like that.”

  Statler laughed, and Jay had to grit his teeth not to attack the arrogant son of a bitch.

  “Science is amazing, is it not?” Statler leaned forward on his elbows. “We need more workers. Workers who can survive battle after battle and not fail. We have a facility where scientists have spent several decades perfecting this alteration, but we need to do it faster. Our scientists have discovered that by using female human blood and their enzymes, they can form the perfect werewolf. A super wolf, so to speak.”

  Jay’s blood turned cold as he put the facts together. “Are you saying those women who were purchased will be used in this scientific experiment?” He widened his eyes as he smiled, pretending this was the most ingenious plot in the world, when in fact it horrified him.

  “Precisely. The details aren’t important. Suffice it to say, this new breed will be hard to kill or maim.”

  “That’s astounding. So you’re saying the scientists have figured out the secret to immortality?” It wasn’t possible. These new creatures had to have their own form of kryptonite.

  Statler laughed. “No, my son. Not at all. We’ll live a normal span, but it most likely won’t be from combat that causes our premature death. The only way to kill the enhanced wolves is to rip out their throats. Bullets will be useless.”

  “I’m impressed, sir. You said I’d find out sooner or later. Are you saying we’re getting some of these super soldiers in Florida?”

  He grinned. “They’re already here.”

  * * *

  As soon as Jay stepped out of Statler’s office, his mind sped a million miles an hour, trying to decide what to do. First and foremost, he needed to speak with Kenzie. And soon. He had to convince her to leave town. Telling her that Cheryl might be who-knows-where, undergoing some horrific experiments, would be painful, but Kenzie needed to understand what was at stake. Jay had to emphasize that not only would her men’s lives be at stake if she didn’t do as Paul Statler suggested, so would his. Statler didn’t take kindly to failure.

  From what Kenzie said, even if she went back to Indiana, there was no guarantee that Sam and Brandon would lie low. Jay had to warn them, that if they caused any more trouble, Jay would be tasked to organize a team to take them down.

  He wanted to call his roommate to explain the situation and to ask his opinion. While Riley wasn’t involved in the human trafficking aspect of the Colter organization, he knew a lot about Statler and what he might do. Jay called him and explained the situation.

  “How are you going to handle this?” Riley sounded worried.

  “What choice do I have?”

  “You think Sam and this Brandon guy are going to welcome you into their home? If they’re as good as Statler makes them out to be, they’ll maim first and ask questions later.”

  This was the part he’d been wrestling with. “I have to come clean.”

  Riley actually laughed. “Break your cover? The cover you’ve spent years putting in place?”

  “Statler left me little choice. I think I should escort Kenzie back to Indiana to make sure she stays put. I’ll let Statler think Sam and Brandon killed me.”

  He and Riley discussed what their boss would think if Jay did this. It didn’t look good no matter which option he chose.

  Riley blew out a breath. “Let me talk to our chief and see if I can put my investigation on hold. I’m almost finished here anyway. Perhaps if we can make headway into breaking this human trafficking ring, you won’t be hung out to dry. Besides, if I’m home, I can be your eyes and ears. And trust me, I will mourn your death with the greatest of sorrow.”

  Jay chuckled. “Please. No funeral.”

  “Sure. But don’t think that when you come back, a few people won’t be freaked out.”

  “If I come back.” The idea of giving up everything pained him. “I hope I’m doing the right thing.” He prayed he wasn’t putting Cheryl Johnson in more danger by leaving. This scientific lab could be anywhere in the world, and he had no idea where to look. Fuck.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Mac sat at the table with Brandon finishing her breakfast. She pushed the soggy flakes around the bowl, not really interested in eating, but knowing she should. The coffee had gone cold, but she’d been too distraught to pour another cup.

  “Do you think Sam will call?” He’d left two days ago, and she was worried. God, but she’d really messed things up.

  Even after getting caught, she believed she’d been right in watching William Daniels’s house. Look who’d come to visit him—the head of the Colters. That implied either Daniels needed legal help or he was up to no good. Most likely both scenarios were true.

  “Eventually.” Brandon pushed back his chair. “I know this is going to be hard, darlin’, but I’ve got things to do today. If I don’t lock you in, Sam will literally tear me limb from limb when he gets back.”

  “How about if I promise not to go out?” In all honesty, she almost didn’t want to leave the house. “I’ve only investigated the first six men on the list. I have four more to go. That will take up the rest of the day.”

  He moved behind her and ran his warm palms down her face, and then pulled back her hair. She loved his touch, but right now, it didn’t boost her mood like it usually did.

  “You’ve promised before,” he said in a gentle tone.

  Actually, she hadn’t really promised, she’d just hinted that she’d stay put, but she didn’t have the energy to quibble. “Fine.”

  Before he could clean the table of their food, the front door bell rang. She looked up at Brandon. “Would Sam ring the doorbell?”

  “It’s not Sam. My bones are cracking, and that means one thing.”

  Her pulse soared. “Oh, shit. Should I hide?”

  “Just stay here.” Brandon strode to the front door and pulled it open. “What are you doing here, Wagner?”

  Mac froze. Jay was here? She rushed to diffuse the potential confrontation. She stood behind Brandon just in case Jay had come for some reason other than to visit. In his hand was some kind of badge.

  “Jaybird. What’s going on?”

  “Kenzie. I’ve come to explain a few things. I’d appreciate it if you’d give me a moment of your time.” He then looked at Brandon.

  Hair on the back of Brandon’s hands sprouted. Crap. He glanced back at her. “Do you know anything about this?” Brandon’s voice sounded like he was stepping on glass shards.

  “No! How would I? But let’s hear him out. Please?” Jay would never hurt her. They’d been through too much together.

  Brandon’s hands returned to normal. “Come in.”

  Jay stepped inside. “Where’s your cousin, Brandon?”

  Why didn’t he ask her? She answered anyway. “Sam isn’t here.”

  “Can you call him? This is truly a matter of life and death.” He leveled his gaze on her. “Yours.”

  Her heart slammed against her ribs. “Mine?”

  Brandon wrapped an arm around her waist. “Maybe we should take this to the living room.”

  Had he not helped her, Mac was sure her knees might have given out. She and Brandon sat next to each other on the couch while Jay sat across from them.

  He scrubbed a hand down his chin. “I’m not sure where to begin.
” Jay tossed his badge to Brandon. “I’ve been working undercover for the FBI for seven years now. I can give you the number to call if you want verification.”

  Brandon passed the badge to Mac. “They know about werewolves in the FBI?” The fear in Brandon’s voice tore at her.

  “No. They believe I’m just another human. I figure what they don’t know won’t hurt them. My job is to investigate human trafficking.”

  Her heart soared. “You’re a good guy!”

  Jay chuckled. “Yeah, Kenzie. If I’d had the okay, I would have told you before.”

  His words took a minute to sink in. “Why tell me now?”

  “I’m afraid your little stunt at Medlock’s got my boss’s attention.”

  She made a T with her hands. “Time out. Your boss? The FBI is here?”

  “No. I meant my Colter boss—Paul Statler.”

  That was what her men had told her.

  Brandon leaned forward. “So you admit to working for that scum?”

  Jay didn’t flinch. “I’m undercover as a Colter in his organization though I have dealt with Harvey Couch and a few of his other not so wonderful friends.”

  Brandon seemed ready to do battle. “Why should we believe you?”

  “Call General Armand. I’ve been secretly handing him intel for years.”

  “I will.” Brandon pulled his phone from his pocket, got up, and left the room.

  As pleased as she was that her cousin wasn’t some evil man, he still hadn’t explained his presence. “I’m confused. Medlock seemed to believe my story about wanting to learn more about him.”

  Brandon walked back in. “I do apologize for misjudging you.”

  “No problem. That just means I did a good job convincing the world that I’m evil. All part of my cover. I was about to tell Kenzie that it wasn’t her wandering into Medlock’s bedroom that got her noticed. It was when Statler visited Carl Daniels’s home and Statler smelled your jasmine perfume. Apparently, you had it on the day you went to his office to find out about Cheryl.”