by Stormy Glenn
Jack?
When I turned my head, the hand covering my mouth fell away. "Jack?"
"Ssshhh." Jack gestured to where I'd been walking.
My breath caught when I glanced where Jack was indicating. The guy from the bathroom, along with several of the other men who'd been sitting at the counter with him, were walking through the parking lot. It was obvious from the way they looked behind stuff and under vehicles that they were looking for someone. For me.
My eyes narrowed. The waitress had been right.
And I had been stupid.
"We need to get out of here," I murmured, hoping Jack could hear my low tone. "I don't think they want to give me a ride."
"Oh, they want to give you a ride all right," Jack replied as he pulled me farther back into the shadows. "I just don't think it's the ride you're looking for."
Not from them anyway.
When Jack released me then turned and started quickly striding away, I hurried to catch up. It wasn't easy. He has some seriously long legs. I wasn't short like Danny, but even I had to take two strides for one of Jack's.
When we were far enough away from the parking lot, I glanced at Jack. "What are you doing here?"
"Ian sent me. I've been following you since the university."
I had no idea what to think of the look he gave me.
"You almost lost me twice," Jack said. "I'm impressed. Not many people can do that."
My chest puffed out a little, but then quickly deflated when the rest of his words filtered into my head. "You've been following me since the university?"
Jack nodded.
"Why didn't you say anything before now?" It would have been a whole lot easier if I knew I had someone watching my back. Unless Jack didn't have any intention of watching my back. I knew the man didn't like me, but I never thought he'd go that far.
"I'm just supposed to make sure you reach Ian and Hank's place safely."
I stopped and stared at the guy. "That's it? You're supposed to make sure I get to Ian's so you just decided to follow me?"
Jack nodded again then continued walking.
"Were you ever going to let me know you were following me?"
Jack's eyebrows drew down low as he frowned at me. "Why would I do that?"
I turned and started walking in the other direction, veering off to avoid going by the truck stop parking lot. My skin was tight as anger raged through me. Jack McDermott was an ass. An incredibly sexy, make my teeth ache, ass, but still an ass.
I didn't need him.
I lucked out and saw a taxi coming down the road. I waved it down. When it stopped, I opened the back door and climbed inside. I could hear Jack yelling at me as I closed the door. I refused to look back, no matter how much I might want to.
"Head west, please."
The driver raised an eyebrow. "West?"
"Just drive west. I'll tell you when to stop."
We drove for about twenty minutes, long enough for the city lights to fade away, replaced by twinkling stars. When I saw an off ramp close to the woods, I told the driver to pull off there. Once he stopped, I paid him then climbed out and shut the door. I waited until his headlights disappeared as he drove back toward the city before heading toward the woods.
I saw a set of headlights flash up the off ramp just as I stepped into the thick underbrush and shifted. I smirked—or as much as a cat could—and padded deeper into the thick forest.
Let's see him follow me now.
Moving through the forest on four feet—paws—was surprisingly easy. I was able to cover a large amount of territory in very little time.
I had no idea what time it was when I stopped to take a rest break under a small cluster of pine trees. The sky was starting to lighten, so I knew daylight wasn't far away. I had no idea how close I was to the nearest town, but I didn't think it was far.
I hoped it wasn't far.
As much as I liked getting my fur on, my paws ached. I'd been running through the woods for hours. I wanted somewhere warm to thaw out and something to eat.
And then I'd try and figure out an easier way to get to Ian's place.
I froze when I heard a growl. It definitely wasn't of the human variety. I crouched down as close to the ground as I could. I was hidden fairly well in the under bush, but that wouldn't matter to a real animal. They'd be able to smell me anywhere.
This was not good. I refused to go out as somebody's kitty snack. I glanced around, trying to figure out my next course of action. I wasn't going to sit here and wait to be eaten, and considering the intensity of the growl, whatever was out there was a hell of a lot bigger than me. I didn't think I had a chance if I decided to stay and fight.
I ran.
I ran just as fast as my little paws would carry me. Under bushes, over fallen logs, zigging and zagging, covering as much ground as I could as quickly as I could.
When the trees suddenly parted, I skidded to a stop and stared at the small town before me. I was up on a hill overlooking the buildings and streets, but close enough to see people walking around and cars driving down the streets.
I glanced over my shoulder when I heard a twig snap. A pair of dark eyes stared at me from the bushes. When the creature growled, I took off running again, heading right down the hill toward the town. I was hoping that the people and activity would keep whatever was chasing me from pursing me any further.
When I reached a small picket fence, I squeezed through two of the wooden slats and ran under the wooden porch. I hunkered down behind the wooden stairs and scanned the area for whatever was chasing me. I caught the tail end of a wolf running back into the woods.
I waited a few minutes then crawled out from under the porch. I took a quick look around before squeezing back through the spot I'd come into the backyard then darting into the alleyway behind the house.
I stayed close to the fence line as I padded down the dirt alley. I needed to find someplace hidden where I could safely shift away from prying eyes. I didn't plan on being caught and turned into someone's bizarre science experiment.
There was a small corner store at the end of the alleyway. I ran over to hide behind the large industrial dumpster, then waited and watched until I was sure no one was coming. I also checked the area for any cameras. I didn't need anyone getting my shift on camera.
Bizarre science experiment, remember?
My shift was quick, something I had learned from Santos. I hadn't wanted to take any of the training he insisted we have, but tended to get brow beaten into them when I went to visit Ian and Hank. Santos was a very determined jungle shaman.
Once I was back in human form, I made sure no one was around then simply walked out of the alley and headed down the sidewalk toward the main road. I started to head for the closest diner I could find, but changed my mind when I saw that the little market was open.
Maybe I'd skip diners for a little while.
A bell rang when I pushed open the door of the small market. It was a little jarring after so much silence. The woods could be a very quiet place, minus the growls, of course. I headed for the bottled water, grabbed a couple, then walked over to the deli counter. I'd need something to get me through however long it took to get where I was going.
I grabbed a candy bar just because I wanted one then walked up to the counter and set my items down. I smiled at the clerk—an older woman—as she started ringing them up. As I waited, I looked around.
My eyes settled on a small picture of a pickup posted on the back of the cash register. I peered closer then started to smile. "Is this truck still for sale?"
The woman paused what she was doing and glanced at me. "Yes, Toby put it up yesterday."
"And he wants fifteen hundred for it?"
"Yes."
"Do you know what kind of condition it's in?" It wouldn't do me a whole lot of good to buy a vehicle that would break down at the town limits.
"It's not the best car around, but it'll get you where you're going."
P
erfect.
"Do you know where I can find this Toby?"
"You looking to buy a car?"
"Beats walking."
The woman stared at me for a moment, almost as if she was trying to figure out if I was serious or not—or an axe murderer—then picked up the phone. "Toby, there's a young man out here who would like to talk to you about your truck."
An hour later, I was driving out of town with my new red nineteen-ninety-four Toyota quad cab pickup truck, four bottles of water, two sandwiches, and a candy bar.
I didn't know how long I'd have the truck, but I had thirty days to register it. In the meantime, it was registered to its former owner, which meant anyone trying to find me through the license plate number would be shit out of luck.
This was going to make getting to Ian's place so much easier.
* * * *
I liked Hank, and Ian was one of my best friends, but I don't think I'd ever been so grateful to see their house come into view as I was today. Tonight. It was already dark out. I'd been on the road all day.
I was so ready to not be sitting.
I swear, my ass had gone flat.
I pulled up into a spot right in front of Ian's place and turned off the engine. I opened the door and climbed out then stretched my arms over my head, bending one way then the other. Several vertebrae popped. It was painful when it first happened, but damned it felt good after that.
I walked around the front of the truck and started for Ian's house only to be brought up short when I saw the tall, imposing man standing on the porch with his arms crossed and a rather angry glower on his face.
I know I shouldn't have been surprised the man made it here before I did, but I kind of was. He must have driven at top speed. Kind of made me wonder just how many speeding tickets he had received.
"How was your drive, Jack?"
"Where in the hell have you been?" Jack snapped. "I've been searching for your ass all damn night long."
I slapped my ass as I strode up the steps and walked past him. "My ass has been right here."
I loved the low growl that came out of Jack. I think this was going to be my new favorite pastime, pissing off Corporal Jack McDermott. For some reason I couldn't fathom, it brought me a great deal of pleasure.
I had a pep in my step as I opened the front door and walked into Ian's house. "Honey, I'm home."
Ian walked out of his office, Hank coming out right behind him. "I'm glad you made it." Ian glanced toward the front door, his eyes narrowing. "Some people didn't think you would."
I grinned. I knew exactly who he was referring to. The angry man behind me.
Strangely enough, I felt no threat coming from Jack.
"So, why am I here?"
Chapter Three
"Atkins is back in the States and he's gunning for us," Ian said. "He already tried to get Danny."
Fear instantly enveloped me, making me shake. "Is Danny okay?"
Hank nodded. "He made it to the bunker, and Abe was able to fight off the goons Atkins sent after him. Abe subdued them long enough for the authorities to arrive and arrest them."
"Are we positive it was Atkins?" I had to ask. "Could it have been a simple breaking and entering?"
I could hope.
If I never saw Robert Atkins again, or the man we knew as Robert Atkins since we had no idea what his true name was, I'd be thrilled to death. The man was bad news. Rich as Midas and bat shit crazy. He liked spending his money on collecting things—and people—whether through legal means or illegal ones. As long as he got what he wanted.
He wanted an ocelot shifter.
"Oh, it was Atkins all right," Ian said. "His men kept asking where the cat shifter was."
I rolled my eyes.
"I'm sorry about the alarm call," Ian said, "but we didn't know if he was going to send people after you or not. We thought it was best if we were all together."
Well, that at least explained why Ian had called.
"Okay, so what's the plan?" I knew Ian had one. He always had a plan. "How do we find this guy?"
"We need to—"
"You need to stay here where it's safe while we go out and find this fuck head."
I slowly panned around until I was looking at Jack. Had he just suggested—no, ordered—that we stay here like damsels in distress and let the big boys fight our battles?
"You have got to have the biggest set of balls I have ever seen on a man, and I've seen a lot of balls." I looked my fill as my gaze roamed up and down his body. "How do you fit them into your pants?"
Jack's eyes narrowed. "Now, look here—"
"No, you look, Corporal," I snapped. "This is not the military and you are not my father, my lover, or even my boyfriend. I do not answer to you. You have no right to give me or anyone else in this house orders."
"You are not equipped to fight someone like this," Jack insisted.
I flicked out my claws. "Want to bet?"
Jack snarled as he grabbed my wrist. "You can't scratch someone if you're incapacitated."
I flicked out the claws on my other hand and raked them across the hand hanging onto my wrist. Instead of letting me go like I thought he would, Jack's lips firmed. He slowly angled his wrist until the bleeding scratches were right in front of my face.
His brown eyes turned as dark as his intense stare. "Fix it."
"Another order, Corporal?"
Jack's jaw clenched. "Fix it."
My eyes narrowed. I stuck out my tongue and slowly licked away the blood on the top of Jack's hand. I never broke eye contact with Jack. If I had, I might have missed the way his nostrils flared when I stroked my tongue across his skin.
Something intense burned through me when Jack's gaze traveled over my face and searched my eyes. I felt a tingling in the pit of my stomach, and I found myself extremely conscious of Jack's virile appeal. He was a rough man, uncompromising. I doubted there was an ounce of mercy in his entire body.
I found that strangely arousing.
I licked the last of the blood from Jack's hand then raised my chin mutinously. I had a stubborn streak in me a mile wide. I also didn't like being told what to do. I'd been that way since I was a small child. Drove my parents insane.
If I was lucky, I'd drive Jack crazy, too.
That was my plan at least.
I slowly pulled my wrist from Jack's grasp then gave the man my back. I could see the amusement in Ian's face. He was biting his lip, but his eyes sparkled with merriment.
I raised an eyebrow. "Now, you were saying?"
Jack growled behind me, and a moment later, the front door slammed shut as he stormed out of the house. I winked at Ian, smiling when the man burst out laughing. Hank had a smile on his face as he shook his head.
"I swear," Hank said, "you're going to drive that man insane."
Mission accomplished.
"I'm sure Jack is very good at his job, but he's a total blowhard. He has the social skills of a gnat."
"True," Hank agreed, "but he's a gnat who can put you six feet under if you piss him off."
"Maybe." I never felt that kind of fear from Jack. I knew I pissed him off, but he never scared me. I actually felt safer when he was around. "But what's life if you don't live it a little dangerously?"
Hank chuckled. "Your funeral, man."
"Okay." I clapped my hands together. "Tell me what you've found so far."
I hated being a buzz kill, but knowledge was power. The more we knew, the better prepared we'd be when Atkins did strike.
"Come on in my office and I'll fill you in on what we know. It's not much more than we knew before, but it's something."
"Where is everyone?" I asked as I followed Ian into his office.
"Still at home most likely," Ian said. "They are all supposed to meet us over here in the morning for brunch so we can discuss what we're going to do."
Sounded good.
"Is Ewan on his way in?"
Ian nodded. "He's flying in from Oxford. He should b
e here later today."
With this mess going on with Atkins, I hated Ewan being across the Atlantic. In an emergency, we wouldn't be able to get to him in a timely manner. It would take hours, and by then, it would be too late.
"Have you talked to Ewan about moving closer?"
"Until I'm blue in the face," Ian replied. "He's determined to finish his studies at Oxford."
Well, I couldn't exactly blame him there. I refused to leave MIT until I was done with my studies, and look how that turned out for me. "I think maybe it's time I looked into finishing my degree through MIT's online program. Do you know if any of the houses in the neighborhood are up for sale?"
Technically, I'd need two houses.
I came with baggage.
"I'll need a place close by for my parents as well." They weren't going to be thrilled with moving, but if I moved, I knew they'd follow. I'd really rather not live with them again if at all possible. It had been hard enough to move out the first time. My mother had cried for a week.
"There's only one available place on this block, and Hank and I already snapped it up as soon as it came up for sale. We'd be happy to sell it to you for a reasonable price."
I knew Hank and Ian had been snapping up whatever houses came up for sale on their block on both sides of the street. Andrew and Cooper had moved in to the one directly across the street. Danny and Abe had moved into the house right next door to them. If this kept up, we'd own the entire block.
"I'd appreciate that."
"As for your parents, there are a couple of houses in the neighborhood that are for sale. Just not on this street. I can find out more information about them if you're interested."
"Please do. I hadn't planned to move quite yet, but I'm thinking it might be better for all of us if we were closer together. We just need to convince Ewan to move here."
Ian grinned. "The Johnsons next door have been thinking of selling and retiring to Florida. If they do, they've promised us first chance at their place."
"Good."
I would have preferred if we moved out to some large plot of land in the mountains where we could all have our own houses, but be close together without other people around. The opportunity to be able to shift whenever I wanted held a strong draw for me. I hated having to only shift when I could hide.