by Chris T. Kat
“Think that was one of your brightest ideas?” Jake asked.
My lion surged to the forefront and roared. I clutched my throat afterward, since the human throat wasn’t built for roaring, wishing the sudden burn would go away. From the corner of my eye, I caught Julie clutch the steering wheel in a white-knuckled grip while Roland put his hands onto her shoulders.
Annie had Jake twisted around, and she grabbed his face in a not-too-gentle grip. He swallowed several times while I fought the insane desire to tear through the van, sure Nicky was hiding somewhere and needed me to protect him. For some time, all I could hear was the beating of my teammate’s hearts, some faster than others. One of those heartbeats was very rapid, and the breathing came in fast little puffs.
Narrowing my eyes, I regarded the others while Julie weaved through New York traffic, aided by traffic cops who cleared the streets for us.
Something wasn’t right. One heartbeat felt as though it was beating right next to mine, sending anxiety coursing through my veins. My lion pushed forward again, intent on his little mate, the fierceness of his protective mode almost catching me off guard.
Wait. I could hear six heartbeats. Roland, Julie, Annie, Jake, mine, and…
“Nicky!” Growling, I climbed into the back, allowing my lion to come closer to the surface in order to track my insubordinate mate.
“Ah damn,” Annie muttered. “Hang on a second.”
She grabbed the backpack, set it onto her lap, and opened the flap. Nicky was curled up inside, a tiny ball of white-and-black fur, only his blue eyes gleaming.
“You brought him here?” I bellowed.
“He’s our best shot. And besides, if he’s on the team then he goes with us. I don’t give a shit about his shifter status.”
“That’s not your decision to make!” I snarled. My hands were balled into fists at my sides. So much anger rushed through me I didn’t know where to go with it. We’d be at our destination in a few minutes, and she’d brought my mate with us. My mate, who needed to be protected at all costs.
“No, it’s Nicky’s decision,” Annie declared as she lifted the slightly trembling fur ball out of her backpack.
Jake grabbed Nicky from her and hugged Nicky to his chest. “I knew it! God, I always wanted to hold one of the big cat babies in my arms.”
“Why don’t you get Annie pregnant, then?” Julie asked from the front.
“Oh, he did,” Annie chimed in.
Jake almost dropped Nicky. I snatched him from Jake’s hands and set him against my own chest, petting him.
“What?” Jake squeaked. “When? How long…?”
“Today. It feels like it, but of course it’s extremely early. I still could be wrong, but the Hayes women always knew right away. Oh dear, I probably should’ve waited to drop that bomb on you, shouldn’t I?” Annie smiled at Jake, completely at ease with herself and the world.
Jake seemed to change colors every other second. “But… but then you can’t go out with us anymore. You have to stay in the van!”
Annie blinked at him. Roland groaned and thumped his head lightly against Julie’s, eliciting a chuckle. “We’re surrounded by hormone-driven idiots.”
Sam?
I stopped petting Nicky and peered down at him. He sat with his butt on my hand and his forepaws pressed against my chest. Didn’t I tell you to stay in the office?
Nicky let out a puff of air, and despite everything, I couldn’t help but smile. Cuteness won’t help you. I’m still angry at you.
Nicky pushed up so he stood on his hind paws, both forepaws digging into my left cheek. I’m still angry at you for lying to me too. You promised me. You made me promise not to ever lie to you again, but it’s okay for you to do it? You might need me on this job, and I’m able to keep myself safe.
Nicholas….
Don’t Nicholas me. Nicky’s tail twitched in agitation, but he didn’t back down. Trust me. Please.
I closed my eyes and nuzzled his furry head against my cheek. Do you have any idea how hard it is for me to put you in such a dangerous situation?
It’s only biology. I’m sure you’ll be strong enough to overcome it.
I opened my eyes and pushed him away slightly. He held completely still, his head cocked to the side. Crap. Why did my mate have to be a baby shifter? I was powerless against those big blue eyes and the whole baby face. Would it be easier if he was in his human form? Cheeky little bastard, aren’t you?
Nicky’s nose twitched, and his ears perked up. Please, let me show you that you can trust me to keep myself and the team safe.
“Fine,” I growled. My lion seemed irritated, but at the same time understanding. I placed Nicky on the floor of the van, becoming aware of the team staring at us. To Jake I said, “What? Don’t you have a pregnant mate to stop from taking part in this mission?”
“She won’t listen,” Jake replied sullenly.
Annie patted his knee again. “We’ll talk about this later, darling.”
Jake huffed but seemed somewhat appeased. Either they were both totally off their rockers or they trusted each other blindly. I didn’t know which I preferred.
Nicky pawed at my leg, meowing.
“If you want to help the team, you should probably shift,” I told him. “I doubt you can hold a rifle in that form.”
The surge of happiness that flooded me definitely came from Nicky. No way was I happy to have one of the best shooters on the force with me and guarding our backs.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Nicky
I SHIFTED quickly but remained in a crouched position for a moment to get my bearings. Fucking nausea! Why couldn’t I shift just once without wanting to throw up? Especially right now when I needed to show Sam I could do my job. That I was more than just a baby shifter.
A heavy hand landed on my shoulder and gripped me. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, fine,” I replied.
“Are you sure?” Annie asked again.
“Yes,” I sighed. “Don’t you have your mate to worry about? Did anyone ever tell you that you’re seriously lacking in social etiquette? Who tells their mate they’re pregnant in a situation like this?” I babbled as I straightened up.
Annie grabbed me around the waist as the van took a curve too fast for me. Of course the bloody woman didn’t blink an eye at the sudden change in direction. Damn big cats and their super-duper balance.
“Are you calling me names inside that pretty head of yours?” Annie grinned at me.
“No, and don’t change the subject.”
“Why do you always have to call him pretty?” Jake complained.
When I turned my face toward him, he was aiming for an exaggerated pout. I shook my head when Annie shoved me into Sam’s chest before she dropped next to Jake to curl her arms around him, cooing at him.
“You’re doing that on purpose,” I stated. Jake gave me a wink over Annie’s shoulders, smiling broadly. I laughed. “You two are insane.”
“Yep. That’s why we fit so well,” they chorused in unison.
Sam’s arms around me tightened into a band of steel for a moment, stealing my breath. He turned me around and tipped my chin upward. Despite all my sass, I had the sudden desire to curl up and tuck my nose underneath my tail.
Sam kept staring at me in silence until the van came to an abrupt stop. Julie called, “We’re here.”
“Okay. Everyone move out. Henderson, Alpha Unit Two’s chief, should be here. We’ll meet with him to discuss the situation.” The back door flew open after a push from Annie, and she and Jake jumped out. Sam held me back. “Gear up. Be quick.”
“But I—”
“You’re supposed to be human, and I’m not going to discuss why I’ve got a baby shifter on the team with Chief Henderson,” Sam cut me off.
He strode out of the van, and I hurriedly slipped into protective gear, though I clamped the helmet underneath my left arm. Roland passed my rifle into my right hand, nodding.
�
�Be safe.” His voice sounded even lower, more gravelly than usual. I wasn’t his wife, but how must it feel for him to see another baby shifter in a situation that could turn life-threatening? As if he’d read my thoughts, he added, “This is different. You’re a competent cop, Nicky. We’ll assess the situation and do what we have to do. That goes for you as well. Lori… Lori didn’t have a chance, not even with me by her side.”
“I’m sorry,” I whispered.
“Let’s go.”
I followed Roland to where the rest of our team stood clustered. The whole block had been shut down, and blue lights flashed everywhere. Chief Henderson beckoned us closer, behind another big van. His face was contorted in a grim expression. “The team’s already in, and we lost contact two minutes after that. When we tried to go after them, we were under fire. There are traps around the building, and the outer doors are locked electronically. We’ve got to get them out. Quick.”
Henderson. Where did I know that name from? My eyes popped open, and I gasped. Sam gave me a sharp look, and I blurted out, “Your son’s in there.”
Henderson stiffened, and his gaze pinned me in place. “Yes.”
“Shit,” Sam swore.
“We were partnered in Philly,” I explained, remembering a young man built like a tank, thankfully human. We’d gotten along well, and I’d trusted him with my life, but we’d never been friends. Both of us had kept to ourselves. I had my reasons, but what had been his? That he was the son of the chief of one of New York’s Alpha Units?
Henderson’s gaze grew even shrewder, eliciting a light growl from Sam. I gave Sam a warning look, which only earned me a glimpse of one of his canines. Seriously? Big cats!
“Nate talked about you. It’s good to know you’re here. We’ve got one of our snipers up on the roof there”—he pointed to a building to our left—“but he’s pinned down. Can’t move at all or they’ll open fire on him. We need you to get on top of them so you can take these guys out and we can go in to rescue the team.”
I nodded. Sam muttered to himself, and I was pretty sure he wanted to pace, but it was impossible. He cocked his head to the side and lifted his hand into the air, signaling for everyone to be quiet. At first I didn’t know what was going on. Then I heard it. Roars and high-pitched screams came from inside the building with the trapped unit.
“Shit, that’s fast. We’ve got to get in there. Now!” Sam barked.
“If you go in there, you’ll suffer from the effects of the gas too,” I said.
“Not right away. How long ago did they go in?” Sam asked Henderson.
“Maximum ten minutes.”
“That’s enough time for us to get in and get them out. As long as no one gives us hell. Did you locate the guys from the EFSS?” Sam asked.
Henderson pointed out to Sam where the EFSS snipers were staked out. Sam nodded and breathed in deeply. “Do you have any more shifters on scene?”
“A few wolves and a cheetah, I think.”
Sam rubbed a hand over his face. “Fine. Get them over here. Annie, Roland, and I will shift. We’ll sneak up on them, take them out, then get a team of your men to bust open the doors of the building so we can get inside.”
Another shrill scream pierced the air and left all of us shuddering. Henderson said, “We still need to get your sniper in place, or the EFSS snipers will take anyone out who dares to come close to the doors.”
“I could shift, put the rifle into a backpack strapped to me, and assemble it once I’m on the roof.”
“Shift?” Henderson echoed.
Sam’s left hand shot out and grabbed my neck. He pulled me close to him, and I feared he’d shift right there and then. The facial features of his lion overlapped his human face, causing me to keep utterly still.
“Sam,” I whispered. “I need to get up there. I’m small enough I can get in somewhere without being seen. I’ve… I’ve done this before.”
“You did?” Sam sounded surprised. “When? What…? No, we’ll talk about this later. Are you sure you can do this?”
I nodded while my heart thundered against my rib cage. Tiny would not be pleased. He’d whine at me the whole time that he’d rather be curled up on his favorite pillow.
Another blood-curdling scream ripped through the air.
I hastened to repack my rifle in a small backpack Henderson seemed to produce out of thin air. I shifted and slipped into the straps, a growl slipping out when a bit of fur got caught in them.
“I’ll take him to an entry point.” Annie grabbed me and hurried away, leaving my mate behind, his expression filled with anguish.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Sam
I GAZED after Nicky. Perched on Annie’s shoulders, he looked small and forlorn. My lion snarled at me, demanding we go after Nicky.
“Breathe, Sam,” Roland said. “He knows what he’s doing. You’ve got to trust him.”
The way his wife had trusted him to keep her safe? I squashed that thought, feeling like an utter asshole for even thinking it. Lori had trusted him, and Roland had trusted her. Neither of them could foresee the attack in their own home, so who the hell did I think I was to judge them?
Rubbing my hands briskly over my face, I encountered fur on my jaw. Not stubble but fur—not a good sign.
“I’m sure there’s a story there, one I’d love to hear,” Henderson said. “But we’ve got work to do. Do you think you can do your job?”
“Yes,” I growled. I had to. Nicky would be safe. He had to be.
Annie ambled back to us, her long braid swishing back and forth. “Nicky’s inside the building. He’s climbing up to the roof. Shouldn’t take him long, even with those short legs of his.”
“You just had to remind me of his shifter status, didn’t you?” I growled. “Is this fun for you?”
Annie’s smile grew strained. “I think you must be incredibly strong for allowing him to do his job, especially after you just mated hours ago. I wouldn’t have been able to let Jake out of my sight. Besides, he’s damn cute as a cub.”
A snort escaped my mouth as we waited for more shifter cops to get to us. Henderson quickly filled them in, and they shifted. Annie and Roland shifted as well. And of course Annie had nothing better to do than rub her big furry head into Jake’s midriff. He oomphed and tried to push her away, but she simply laid her big paws on his shoulders and stared at him.
Jake sat down and stroked behind her ears, then leaned forward to whisper something. I glanced around, watching the wolf shifters with interest. They all seemed to defer to Roland as their leader, and he slipped into the alpha role without hesitation. Maybe he was finally healing after Lori’s death.
Henderson’s radio crackled. To my relief, Nicky’s voice floated through the air. “In position. Target sighted. Ready to shoot.”
“Shoot,” Henderson replied.
Three shots resounded in quick succession, followed by pained screams. The radio crackled again, but this time another voice came on. “I’m not pinned anymore.”
“Good.” Henderson nodded. Addressing Nicky and the other guy, he said, “Cover the teams going after the EFSS.”
I shifted seamlessly into my lion and took off at full speed. The cheetah shifter and Annie followed me while the wolves chased after Roland. Bullets whizzed past us, but they became fewer the closer we got to our targets. Nicky and the other sniper were doing a great job.
From a distance, I heard the growling of wolves, then yelps and screams for help. Annie, the cheetah, Lorne, and I split up, each intent on sneaking up on some of the EFSS.
When I came face-to-face with one of the EFSS, it was anticlimactic. The guy soiled his pants, threw away his gun, and made a run for it. Well, he was a good sport about it, but he didn’t get far before I caught up to him. Unintelligible noises flew from the guy’s mouth as he curled into himself, clutching his neck. What did he think? That I’d mark him? Oh, please!
Even though my lion wanted nothing more than to snap his neck, I shif
ted back and zipped the guy’s hands behind his back.
“Target secure,” I murmured into the radio.
There came more of the same confirmations, and then Henderson said, “Okay, I’ll have people pick them up. Teams are going to break down the doors now.”
The guy at my feet suddenly sneered. “That’s not going to help you. Your fucking Alpha Unit is already too far gone. They’ll kill anyone standing in their way. Your only course of action will be to eliminate them.”
I’d had enough. I cuffed him on the back of his head and his eyes rolled back. Unconsciousness suited him. Another cop ran up to me and took him over. When he raised an eyebrow at me, I shrugged. “Wouldn’t stop talking.”
The cop grinned and pointed toward the building which contained the trapped Alpha Unit. “You’d better help them. We can still hear screams, but we think….” He gulped. “We think not all of the humans on the team are still alive.”
Shit! No!
I shifted back into my lion and sprinted toward the front door. It sprang open right as I skidded to a stop.
A large grizzly bear pushed outside, his nuzzle smeared with blood. The beast’s eyes gleamed with madness as he swiped at the cop standing nearest to him. The cop stumbled back with a screech. The bear whirled around, roaring.
Henderson shouted at his men to pull back, but by that time a huge white tiger had joined the frenzy. The tiger’s fur was stained with blood, but he seemed more afraid than anything.
Hey! I called telepathically. We’re here to help!
I know, but you need to contain me or tranq me. Quick! I’m losing the rest of my control!
Nicky! Where are you?
“Right here,” Nicky answered, slightly breathless. When I turned around, Nicky stood in front of the white tiger, aiming his rifle. He pulled the trigger, eliciting a yowl.
Nicky remained in position, his rifle pointed at the tiger. Another scream echoed through the night, pushing my attention back to the grizzly bear. He was standing above the fallen cop, huffing. His head swayed back and forth, as if he were trying to shake something off. All my muscles bunched, ready to pounce on the bear shifter, when a bloody human emerged from the building.