by Crissy Smith
The bar was on high alert. Trent was on the way. Annabelle wasn’t even close to the place. If the humans did attack, they wouldn’t get away with anything. The trap was set.
“Here,” Jamie said. “We’ll be able to keep an eye on the back door from this position.”
Melissa dropped down behind a tree. Carl was supposed to have the front covered. All the cameras were working and Carter had put better security on his system. As she struggled to catch her breath, Jamie was texting. He had the screen light off, but somehow he still managed. She wouldn’t have been able to see the words on the screen.
“Cody is circling above,” Jamie whispered.
It must be nice having a bird shifter in the ranks. Cody was able to get a good view of them.
“If you hear three screeches, that means drop down and cover your head,” Jamie advised. “That’s our code for ‘the shit is about to hit the fan’.”
Melissa nodded. It had been a good idea for Logan to call in his friends. They were used to working together and knew how to function as part of a team. She was a little bit in awe. If Mac’s group performed even half as well as the Coalition had shown, there was a real chance that no one on their side was going to get hurt.
Her pulse slowed, letting Melissa regain her composure. She needed to be alert in case anything happened.
One long bird call came from above.
“There’s movement,” Jamie murmured. He leaned closer to where she sat. “Don’t move.”
“Where’s Trent? And Luca?” she asked.
“Close,” Jamie assured her. “They can move faster than we can.”
She pressed her lips together so she wouldn’t bombard him with more questions. It wasn’t the time or place. She could feel the tension in the air. Something big was going to happen.
“Stay calm,” Jamie whispered.
She nodded. Okay, she felt for her weapon, which was on her waist. Melissa pulled it from the holster. She felt better having it in her hand. She didn’t have teeth or claws to fight with, but neither did the humans. She was a deputy sheriff. If there was a way to arrest these people, she was going to make sure they spent as much time in jail as possible. Logan had already stated that the humans would face federal charges. This was a federal case since the Coalition was involved. Targeting the shifter community like this was considered a hate crime.
Another long bird cry.
“Get ready,” Jamie warned softly.
Melissa tightened her grip on her weapon. From her hiding place, she could see from the corner of the building to the back door. The picnic table Trent had told Melissa he spent a lot of time at was empty. From there, the plan would unfold.
The back door of the bar opened and Calvin stepped out. He had a cigarette lit before the door had slammed closed behind him. Calvin took a long drag before blowing it out. He sighed then strode to the picnic table. Good acting skills. Melissa was watching and she still couldn’t detect that Calvin was aware of being watched.
Calvin sat on the table top then peered out into the darkness. There was a good chance he could see them from that distance. She was tempted to wave.
She caught the movement from around the corner right after Jamie had tensed. Two men had their backs to the wall as they slowly crept closer to Calvin. Melissa sucked in her breath as she waited. Jamie leaned forward.
Damn! She grabbed Jamie’s arm and pointed. From around the back of the bar, two more figures were approaching to surround Calvin.
Jamie held up his palm to stop her from speaking.
She knew, even as the humans sought out Calvin, the humans themselves were being corralled. How many humans were there? There had to be more than just four. Of course, she couldn’t see the other side of the building or even the front.
Calvin tossed the butt of his cigarette out onto the dirt. He rose then stretched.
“Don’t move, you filthy creature.” One of the men stepped away from the wall and pointed a gun at Calvin.
Calvin jerked then spun around. “Hey! Calm down.” He held up his palms, showing he wasn’t holding a weapon.
“If you even twitch, I’ll shoot you.” The guy waved his weapon.
“No, man!” Calvin drawled. “I’m not moving.”
“You’re going to let us into the bar,” the man said. “Just nice and easy.”
“No,” Calvin responded. “I won’t. I won’t let you hurt my friends.”
The guy stomped toward Calvin. “You’ll do what you’re told, or I’ll kill you right here. I know your friend is watching through the cameras. Stop wasting time.”
“What? You couldn’t hack into the security system this time?” Calvin taunted.
No! What’s he doing? He shouldn’t be egging on the bad guys! Melissa wanted to scream and shout at him, but Jamie grabbed her arm, stopping her from rushing forward. She would have ruined everything.
“No, we couldn’t,” the guy responded. “But it doesn’t matter. You’re going to take us inside, or I’ll shoot you dead before getting inside myself.”
“And if I let you in?” Calvin asked.
“I’ll leave you and your mate alone. You can ride off on those big bikes of yours and disappear.”
“You’ll let us go? Me and my mate?” Calvin asked.
“Yes. As long as you promise to never return.”
Calvin glanced around, maybe pretending he was just then seeing he was surrounded. He looked scared. Good acting, was Melissa’s opinion. “You swear? You’ll let me and Duffy go?”
“Just open the door.”
“Fine.” Calvin nodded. He took a step forward then another. “Don’t hurt Duffy.”
The guy followed behind Calvin, keeping the gun pointed at him. The other humans closed ranks around them.
“Wait,” Jamie cautioned. “Let them get inside. We’ll have better control of the situation and cut off any human retreat or backup.”
Damn, if she was having a hard time letting things play out, Trent must be going near insane.
Calvin held up a key before he motioned to the door. The human who had been threatening him gave him a hard shove.
“Just open it.”
“I don’t see Grant,” she whispered.
“Okay, good to know.” Jamie texted another message.
The humans disappeared into the bar with Calvin.
“Let’s make our way closer,” Jamie said. “Stay hidden until I give the signal.”
“Sure.” She crept closer.
Jamie’s phone vibrated. “Go!”
Melissa pushed off the ground and ran to the back door. From several yards away, two forms burst out of the tree line—Luca and Trent were backing her up. Melissa dug into her pocket for Trent’s key which he’d handed her earlier. She yanked it out as she reached the door.
As quickly as she could, Melissa unlocked the door to hold it open for the two shifters. Trent was through first with Luca at his heels. Jamie brought up the rear. There were no lights, sound or activity. Trent and Luca both walked into the kitchen.
“Hang on to me,” Jamie whispered. “I’ll lead you through the dark.”
Melissa grasped the back of Jamie’s shirt. That way they could both still move and defend themselves at the same time.
Trent vanished from the kitchen, heading toward the main bar.
There was a crash and she couldn’t hold in a gasp.
“It’s okay,” Jamie murmured. “Hang on.”
Jamie hurried tugging her along. There were more sounds of a fight. She pushed Jamie. “Go! Help!”
She could find her way, but Jamie needed to help their friends. He glanced over his shoulder and nodded. When he let out a fierce roar, the walls actually shook.
Melissa placed her hand on the wall to help guide her.
It looked like the front door was smashed open. She still had her weapon in her hand.
The yips, cries and shouts were so loud.
She remembered another hall with the sound of a fight. She
’d taken a life, and now the same people were trying to tear away her new family. Melissa took a deep breath and, relying on her instincts, dashed in the direction of the battle.
“Stop.”
Melissa skidded to a halt as a knife was thrust her in her direction. Grant stepped out of the shadows.
She frowned, not understanding. What the hell? Was Grant letting his friends confront the shifters without him?
“Hand me your weapon,” Grant ordered.
“No.” Melissa wasn’t stupid. If she gave up her gun, Grant would kill her.
“It’s not you I’m after,” Grant told her. “You’re human.”
“You’re looking for Annabelle,” she guessed.
“Tell me where she is and I’ll let you go.”
“Not going to happen,” Melissa responded.
Grant lunged at her. She tried to get her hand up and fire, but she didn’t think she hit him. He knocked her off her feet, but she still held on to her weapon. Thank God for training. Melissa rolled and came up on her knees.
Grant punched her. Hard.
Melissa fell back.
His foot came down on her wrist and she screamed as he stomped. She could no longer hang on to the gun.
“Now,” Grant said. He gripped her hair and yanked her up. “Where is she?”
“Nowhere close to here.” Melissa didn’t know if that was true or not. For all she knew, the teams had made it back and were kicking the humans’ asses.
“I know,” Grant snapped. “That’s why I didn’t just kill you.”
She didn’t have time to get her feet under her as he started to drag her toward the back door.
“No!” She clawed at his wrist.
Grant dropped her long enough to kick her several times in the ribs. Each blow felt like a knife stabbing into her. She could barely breathe. Melissa coughed and gasped. He gripped the collar of her shirt, hauling her again.
She couldn’t lift herself up enough to go after his hand again. Instead she dug her nails into his leg. Melissa couldn’t let him get her outside. And there was no way she’d take him to Annabelle. Grant had some kind of unnatural obsession with her.
“Stop fighting,” Grant said as she struggled. “I swear you bitches are more trouble than you’re worth.”
They were halfway through the kitchen now.
Melissa kicked out, connecting with his knee. Grant grunted. He fell on her. Grant recovered before she could. He hit her again. Melissa tasted blood and spat it into his face.
“I’m going to enjoy killing you,” he told her.
“Not if I kill you first.” She scratched and bit, using every bit of fight she had inside her.
A low, loud growl echoed around the kitchen.
Melissa stopped grappling with Grant. He wrapped his arm around her throat and wrenched her back against him.
The kitchen light flicked on. Grant yelled. A pair of goggles dropped into her lap. Well, that explained why he’d been able to see better than her.
“Let her go.” Logan stepped closer. He must had been the one to turn on the lights. Trent was crouched down, snarling, with one side of his lip lifted.
“No!” she cried. “He wants Annabelle.”
Trent rumbled out his displeasure.
“Annabelle is safe,” Logan said. “All your buddies are either dead or in cuffs, Grant. Give up now.”
“Never,” Grant spat. “And if you come any closer, I’ll snap her neck.”
Melissa really didn’t want to have her neck snapped. She looked at Trent. His rage shone in the brightness of the intelligent eyes staring back at her. He would protect her. That was the one promise he’d made.
She trusted he would keep the promise.
“You’re going to let her go and put your hands up or I’m going to let Trent rip out your throat,” Logan stated.
“No,” Grant said. “I’m going to walk out of here and I’ll be taking her with me.”
“If you try to take her out of here, you wouldn’t make it two steps.” Logan gestured to Trent. “Do you think he’ll let you take her?”
“Then bring me back the other one,” Grant demanded. “The one responsible for my brother’s death.”
“There is no one here who had anything to do with Jesus’ death,” Logan said.
“It was her! I recognize her,” Grant yelled.
“You’re wrong,” Logan told him. “I’ve read the report. The two shifters your brother tried to kill that night have never been here.”
“Lies!” Grant screamed. He flexed his arm, which began to cut off her oxygen. “My brother was hunting. Just like he always did that time of year. They lied and said he attacked two people. People? You’re all animals. You can kill but we can’t!”
Melissa tried to get Grant’s arm to loosen. She dug her nails into his forearm as hard as she could. He didn’t respond, though. He was lost in whatever crazy scheme was going on in his mind. He was crazy.
“Listen to me, Grant,” Logan spoke quietly. “Your brother shot at two shifters who had been enjoying a run in their animal form. The male transformed and tried to talk to Jesus. Your brother still tried to kill him and the man defended himself.”
“No! That animal killed my brother.”
Melissa started to see spots.
“Release her,” Logan demanded.
“I want to see the other one!” Grant ordered.
“I’m here,” Annabelle said as she stepped into the kitchen with her arms raised.
The pressure against Melissa’s throat eased and she sucked in air as fast as she could.
“Let my friend go,” Annabelle pleaded. “Melissa doesn’t have anything to do with this.”
“Come closer,” Grant commanded.
“Stay back, Annabelle,” Logan said.
“It’s me he wants,” Annabelle argued. She turned to Melissa. “It’s going to be okay, Melissa. He’s not going to hurt you.”
“Closer,” Grant repeated.
Annabelle shuffled forward.
“Get back,” Melissa rasped. She did not want Annabelle hurt.
“I’ll be fine,” Annabelle said. “I have to apologize to Grant.”
“Yes, you do.” Grant rose, bringing Melissa up with him.
“So let her go and take me instead,” Annabelle offered.
“No!” Melissa and Logan said at the same time.
Annabelle was so brave facing off against a crazed man who wanted to kill her. Grant’s hold on Melissa was practically nonexistent now. She could break it. Grant was staring at Annabelle with a gleam in his eyes.
When Annabelle passed Logan, he tried to reach out to her, but she slipped away.
Grant’s entire attention was on Annabelle.
Melissa pulled free, but Grant didn’t seem to notice. She whirled around and slammed her fist into his throat.
“Fuck!” Grant dropped down holding his throat.
Trent lunged, landing on top of Grant. Logan and Annabelle grabbed Melissa, pulling her out of harm’s way. There was a growl then a cry.
“I got him,” Mac said as he strode forward with a pair of cuffs.
Melissa was having a hard time staying focused on what Annabelle was saying to her. Her entire body ached, but it was her head that pounded.
“Baby.” Trent’s hands were cool against her cheek. “Look at me.”
She blinked. Melissa had closed her eyes at some point.
“We’re going to get you some medical attention,” Trent said.
“Annabelle,” she managed.
“She’s fine,” Trent assured her. “It’s over. Everyone is in custody.”
“It’s over,” she repeated. She needed to hear those words again.
“Yes, it’s over. We even have Ramon Bustillos. He was parked in town and Magnus caught him,” Trent said.
“Oh.” Her legs gave out, but he caught her up against his chest.
“Just relax and let me hold me,” he whispered.
“I think
I need a shower,” she said. “I feel dirty.”
“I will scrub every inch of you before I lay you down and love every inch I cleaned.”
That sounded like heaven to her.
Chapter Eleven
Trent passed Jamie and Zak bottles of beer before he slipped his arm around Melissa’s shoulder. She cuddled closer to him as if that was the most natural thing in the world. Trent loved the affection.
It’d only been two days since they’d taken down Bustillos, Grant and the other humans, but things couldn’t be better. Trent could peer around the yard and see that even though there would always be threats and people out to hurt shifters, they’d managed to keep everyone in Brookside safe. Mac’s group and the sheriff’s department were always going to be there. And they had friends. Powerful friends who came with one phone call.
Most of the Brookside residents were attending the large thank-you barbecue for the Lake Worth Coalition agents. Everyone was thankful for the securing of their town. Things could now go back to normal.
“This is quite the turnout,” Melissa stated.
“I noticed that several people have greeted you,” Trent said. “It appears you’ve become quite popular.”
She smiled. At first, Melissa had seemed shocked that anyone would talk to her. It had started with Mr. Pritcher, then more of the residents. Having Melissa help keep the town safe had allowed the townsfolk to see she’d go out of her way to protect them. Trent liked her being so happy. Bruises still covered her face and stomach, but she was moving around much better. Trent was still struggling with the nightmares from seeing her with Grant’s arm around her neck. With her being human, Melissa was more vulnerable than him and the shifters.
“I have to admit I prefer the smiles to the cold shoulder,” she confessed.
“I like it here,” Jamie said. “I promised Brandy I’d bring her as soon as we got some time away. She loves the idea of an entire town of shifters.”
“I’d like to meet her,” Melissa said.
“I think you all should bring your mates,” Trent offered. “A little break from the city when you need it.”
Zak lifted his beer. “I’m all for that. Abilene is going to love Annabelle.”