by Lisa Kessler
“Hi, beautiful.”
My skin flushed just hearing his voice. “Hey, Adam, we need to talk, but I can’t right now.”
“Okay.” He sounded confused. “But you just called me.”
“I know. I just needed to know you were all right. Sasha is in town.”
“Already?”
“Yeah, I guess Nero told her this is where Sebastian found me the first time.”
“Have you seen her?” There was no more smile in his voice. He sounded ready to jump through the phone and drag me home. Sadly part of me almost wished he could.
“I’m tailing her with the Jeep right now.”
“What?”
I had to hold the phone away from my ear for a second while he erupted in the speaker. When he quieted I brought the phone back to my ear. “Listen, as long as I know where she is then she can’t sneak up on me.”
He was quiet for a moment, then his voice was a growl. “If she turns around she’ll be on top of you, Lana. Please come back here, okay?”
“If she turns around I’ll call 911 while I’m hauling ass to the cops. I’m pretty sure Nero wouldn’t want her to drag them into the headlines.” My brow furrowed. “Besides, if I go to the barn your Pack won’t be happy either. In fact, there’s a good chance Aren would love to lead the lynch mob.”
“I would never let them hurt you. Please turn around and meet me somewhere. Just tell me where.”
“I can’t, Adam.”
“No one will know,” he said. “Luke’s already working the horses and Aren’s sleeping.”
“It’s not that. I have to know where she is.”
He let out a frustrated sigh. “Why?”
“Because she’s going to try to kill you tonight after you change.” It was very quiet. “Are you still there?”
“Yes.”
“Did you hear what I said?”
“I’d like to see her try.”
I pressed the accelerator to pass an eighteen-wheeler, keeping Sasha’s car in my line of vision. “You may be strong when you’re a werewolf, but you told me yourself that you can get killed by a truck or a bullet just like any other wolf, remember?”
“I know, but we’ll rip her throat out before she gets a shot off.”
I sighed. “Only if you see her first. I’ll call you back soon.”
I closed my phone and took a deep breath. Surely Adam didn’t think he could beat a bullet. I knew his senses were heightened when he was a wolf, and maybe he figured they’d catch her scent before she ever saw them. I didn’t know if he could, but I wasn’t going to risk it.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Adam
“Fuck!” I grumbled when Lana hung up. She was putting herself in harm’s way, and there wasn’t a damned thing I could do about it. I jammed my phone in my pocket and went back inside to wake Aren.
He stirred before I could make a sound. “What’s wrong?”
“Sasha’s in town.”
“Already?” He glanced down at his splinted ankle. “I have a few things I’d like to say to her.” He met my eyes with a cold smile. “But this time I’ll be sure I separate her from her Taser.”
“This isn’t about getting even. Lana overheard her saying she was going to kill me tonight after we change.”
Aren grunted. “I’d like to see her try.”
“That’s what I said.” I shook my head. “She’d never be able to sneak up on us during a full moon. But we need to warn Malcolm either way.”
Aren’s eyes cut back up to meet mine. “So you’re going to tell him?”
I shrugged. “I think so. He needs to know about Sasha and Sebastian. I’ll have him come by early tonight, before sunset.”
“But you’re still not going to come clean about your girlfriend.” He shook his head. “I’m supposed to keep quiet about it too?”
I nodded. “No sense worrying Malcolm when he’s already got two jaguars on the move.”
“I won’t lie for you, Adam.”
“I’m not asking you to lie. I’m just asking you not to bring it up.”
His eyes narrowed, and he shook his head. “Very fine line there.”
“I know. I’m sorry it has to be like this.” I walked over and pulled a chair over by the couch where Aren was lying with his leg propped up. “I wish you could be happy for me.” I could see his hackles rise, but I went on before he could interrupt. “I realize that’s impossible for you right now. What I mean is you’re my brother, my best friend. It sucks that I’m finally in love, and you’re not happy for me. For the first time in my life, I can see my future. Do you understand how amazing she makes me feel? But I can’t share any of it with you. I can’t share it with anyone.”
Aren pulled himself up so he was almost sitting up straight. “You’ve always been a player, Adam. The entire Pack knows that. And I know Dad’s been putting the screws to you to find your mate. He wants grandchildren and a new generation to keep our Pack strong.”
I chuckled and looked over at my brother. “So you got his settle-down-and-have-babies lecture too?”
Aren smiled a little and nodded. “Yeah, but you’re the oldest so I’m pretty sure I’m safe until you get tied down and give the Pack a new pair of pups.”
I sighed and got up. My life was never going to turn out the way I thought it would, or the way my family, or my Pack wanted it. I was leaving with Lana in the morning. Who knew when we would be back? We’d have to keep moving. Lana was the missing key to Nero’s need for jaguar females who wouldn’t need to be bitten. They could raise them like their own breeding stock. The thought sickened me.
With my back to my brother, I stared out the window at the barn I’d built, filled with horses I’d trained and many that I loved. I was about to lose it all.
“You really think Lana is your mate.”
The sound of Aren’s voice jarred me from my thoughts. I nodded but I didn’t turn around. It would piss me off to see his face cringe like she was some kind of disease.
“I’m sorry I’ve been such an ass to her.”
Now that got my attention. My brow furrowed as I turned to face him. “You’re apologizing?”
The corner of his mouth quirked up a notch. “It’s not like I never apologize.”
“I never expected it over a jaguar.”
He shook his head. “She’s not just a jaguar. She’s your mate.” He lowered his voice and added, “She risked her ass to save my life.” A smile toyed at the corner of his mouth. “I still think you’re insane.”
I grinned. “They say love makes you nuts, right?”
He tilted his head a little. “You may have been a little crazy before Lana anyway.”
“Careful. I’ll still dump you off that sofa, hurt ankle and all,” I teased. Then I walked over and embraced my brother. “Thanks, Aren,” I whispered as I clapped his back. When I pulled back, his gaze met mine and my heart felt heavy in my chest. It would’ve been so much easier to leave him behind if I was pissed at him.
“I’ve always got your back,” he said. “Sorry I forgot that for a while. I just didn’t want to see you get yourself killed.”
“We’re not out of the woods yet. I better call Malcolm.”
Aren nodded. “Tell Dad I’m feeling better.”
“Will do.” I walked out toward the kitchen, clenching my jaw to hold back the twisted emotions churning inside of me.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Lana
The black Mercedes pulled off at a rest stop, and my pulse jumped. I was going to lose her unless I followed, but I couldn’t. There was no way I could hide from her there.
I drove past, my hands slick on the Jeep’s steering wheel. What now? I glanced at my cell phone on the seat. If I went back to the ranch I’d lead her right to Adam. I’d brought enough tragedy to the Pack. I wasn’t going to lead Sasha to them. It was me she really wanted.
I got off the freeway and headed in the other direction. Toward the airport. If I could get her to fol
low me there, Adam would be safe for now. With TSA officers and air marshals around, I doubted she’d draw a weapon on me. I gripped the wheel tighter. I hadn’t realized she led me so far from the city when I was following her. Over the roar of the wind, something made a pow sound. Did the Jeep backfire? Another pow and the back started fishtailing.
Not a backfire. A bullet.
I struggled to keep control of the Jeep. In the rearview mirror I caught a glimpse of the Mercedes tailing me. One more gunshot and the Jeep squealed in protest. As I slowed to the shoulder, the flattened tires wobbling and screeching, I pocketed my cell phone, preparing to bail. I could make a run for it and call 911.
I popped my seatbelt and while the Jeep rolled to a stop I jumped out. It was jarring, but my feline reflexes kept me on my feet. I ran down the embankment while something whistled past my calf, followed by a sharp pain. My jeans had a tear now, but the bullet just grazed me.
“The next one will take you down,” Sasha called from behind me. “I need you alive, not unharmed.”
I kept running. If she caught me, I’d be going to Nero. I’d rather get shot.
Something hit my shoulder. Hard. I fell to the ground, knocking all the wind from my lungs. Stars danced around the edges of my vision. The brush crunched around me, but I couldn’t get any air to force myself up.
“Did you really think I wouldn’t know you were following me?” Sasha holstered the gun and drew a smaller one from her calf holster.
I laid face down on the ground, trying to figure out what happened. I wasn’t bleeding, and I could move my fingers and toes but nothing else. It wasn’t the Taser she’d used on Aren, though. She must’ve shot me with a plastic bullet like the ones cops used for riots. It hurt like hell, but other than a bruise and maybe a cracked rib, I was unharmed. She grabbed my upper arm and yanked me to my feet, pointing her gun at my chest.
“No more running. I don’t have plastic rounds in this gun.”
The valley below the freeway was deserted, screaming wasn’t going to do me any good, and I couldn’t outrun a bullet. My hip ached where the canister of pepper spray banged into me during the fall. If I could get the spray, I might have a chance.
My heart raced as she pushed me along, up the embankment and toward her car. If I got in, I was as good as on a plane to Nero, but with Sasha behind me and armed. I was screwed.
So I stalled. “Did you have that phone call at the gas station just because you knew I was listening?”
Her gun barrel never faltered. “I’m not here to have a chat with you. Get in the car.”
“If I get in the car, will you leave Adam and the Pack alone?”
“I’m not here to bargain with you either.”
“It’s not a bargain. If Adam will be safe, I’ll go. If not I’d rather take my chances and see if you’ll shoot me.”
Sasha laughed, which threw me off guard. Her gun never moved from me as she shook her head. “You’re a piece of work. I’ve already shot one wolf, why wouldn’t I shoot a wolf-lover?”
Okay, I had had just about enough of the digs at wolves. “My God. You people. Has Adam ever done anything to you?” I slipped my fingers into my pocket, around the canister.
Sasha stopped laughing and started walking toward me. I waited as long as I could, and yanked the pepper spray free, dousing Sasha’s face. She screamed, wiping her eyes, and I bolted, racing up the embankment toward the cars. The Jeep had two flats. Useless. I peered in the Mercedes, praying to see keys hanging from the ignition.
No such luck.
Sasha, close behind even after being pepper sprayed, grabbed a fistful of my hair, pulling me out of the front of the car. She punched my kidney, paralyzing me long enough to get the back door open. She shoved me facedown into the back seat and cuffed my wrists behind my back. She pulled me up and kicked my feet inside. Tears streamed down her face, her eyes bright red.
Blood trickled down from my nose, but I couldn’t reach up to wipe it. Right then the only damage I could do would be to her upholstery. I sat quietly trying to collect my thoughts. There had to be a way out of this, but I didn’t know what it was just yet.
While I sat in the back seat weighing my very limited options, Sasha was on her phone. “Yes I have the girl. And I have terms.” She nodded and went on. “When you come through on your part of our agreement I’ll turn her over to you. Not before.” She shook her head. “Absolutely not. It’s simple really, fly out to Reno and bring the package, or I’ll kill the girl. Call me when you land, and I’ll tell you the drop off location.” She pointed the gun at me and held out her cell phone. Then she shot a round into the leather seat beside me.
I screamed, and she faced forward again. “Proof enough? You have six hours. I need to make the transaction tonight while the wolves are running.”
She hooked her phone on her belt, closed her door, and pulled back onto the highway without a word.
“So you don’t trust Nero either?”
She didn’t answer me.
“Sebastian told me he wasn’t sure who he was working for anymore.”
She glanced at me in the mirror. “Sebastian’s a little slow.”
At least I knew she could hear me.
“So you think he should’ve known sooner?”
Her attention went back to the highway. “I’m not here to make friends. Sebastian taught me that lesson the hard way. I’ve gotta look out for myself. No one else will.”
“Do you even care why Sebastian doesn’t want you to take me back to them?”
“If there was any other way to get what I need from Nero, I’d do it. Believe it or not, holding you for ransom and shooting your friend weren’t highlights for me.”
“Maybe there is another way. Maybe we can find one…”
“There isn’t any other way.” She tightened her grip on the steering wheel. “I have my Taser handy if you can’t be quiet.”
Apparently I hit a nerve, but I definitely didn’t want to be Tasered so I closed my mouth and tried to come up with a plan.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Adam
Between Lana not answering her cell phone, and waiting on Malcolm to arrive, I thought my head might explode. I needed to go find her. I was about to borrow Luke’s truck when Malcolm pulled in the driveway. I met him at the car and reached out to clasp his forearm, but he pulled me into a hug instead.
“I’m still your dad, Adam.”
I returned the embrace and nodded with a smile. “I know.”
“So you have some important information for me?”
“I do, but let’s go inside first.”
I opened the door for Malcolm. Being the Alpha of our Pack commanded respect, and the line between father and Pack leader was always hard for me to differentiate.
“How is Aren?”
“He’s resting now, but he’s feeling a little better. Jason said he needs to keep the leg elevated and he casted his ankle.”
Our father raised a graying brow. “What about changing? It’s a full moon tonight. Do we need to keep him inside?”
I shrugged. “He’ll change anyway, and I’m sure it’ll be painful. If we pen him up we won’t be able to help him.”
Malcolm shook his head. “If we’re all wolves we won’t be much help to him anyway.”
“But we could at least be with him. I’m pretty sure when that leg starts shifting it’s going to hurt like a son of a bitch, and what if he starts bleeding again?” I didn’t want to think about how much anguish my brother would be facing tonight. Part of me couldn’t believe our father was willing to leave him behind.
Malcolm pondered, staring out the back window toward the barn. He finally nodded and turned back toward me. “You’re right. We’ll bring him along and hope for the best. Either way he shouldn’t be alone.”
I nodded, grateful Aren would be somewhat protected. Malcolm didn’t even know about the jaguars yet.
“You mentioned a threat to the Pack.” His eyes met mine, the physi
cal weight of his stare pressing against me.
“The jaguar that killed Gabe is still at large. We found out he works for something called the Nero Organization. Apparently they train the jaguar shifters to become assassins.”
I stopped when I noticed my father’s expression. His eyes were distant as he looked out the window, his jaw clenched. I waited for him to speak, or at least notice that I had stopped, but he seemed lost in his thoughts.
“Malcolm?” The sound of my voice seemed to snap him out of his trance. He turned from the glass and stared at me with haunted eyes.
“Sorry. I hadn’t heard that name in years. I should’ve been watching for them, but I was too eager to believe they no longer existed.” He shook his head and sat at the dining room table suddenly looking years older. “I’m afraid I may have waited too long to tell you about my Pack.”
“You knew where these jaguars were coming from?” I sat down, and for the first time in my entire life, I saw fear in my father’s eyes. I felt like I just got sucker punched in the gut. My shocked quickly mutated into anger. “How could you keep Nero secret from us? You knew and you said nothing.”
“I thought we could keep them out of Reno.” He sat across from me in the chair. “Until Gabe.”
“Even after Gabe.” I couldn’t sit any longer. Rage pulsed though my muscles. I wanted to punch something. I needed to release the frustration. “You never said a word. You had information and let us chase these guys down blind.”
“When I was a pup my father was not the Alpha of our pack.”
I raised a brow. I’d never heard Malcolm talk about his childhood, but I’d always assumed my grandfather had been the Alpha male. In most Packs the Alpha was passed from father to the eldest son unless there weren’t any sons alive in his line. Usually that led to squabbles and Packs splintering off.
What any of this had to do with Nero I had no clue.
“Our Alpha was a powerful businessman. He was probably older than I am now, but you know it’s tough to guess actual ages in our kind. He had gray hair and wrinkles around his eyes, which I’d thought made him old.” He waved his hand. “None of that matters. What matters is that he was friends with a high-ranking military official. My father was one on the enforcers for our Pack, and his father was a Pack elder.”