If only he had one more day. How differently he would spend it. He’d make love to Tallulah over and over and then hold her close. He’d finally admit that he loved her, would never leave her. Now that opportunity was lost. He’d brought her nothing but danger and sorrow. And she’d never even know he’d decided his place was here in Bayou La Siryna. The only thing she’d ever asked of him, and he’d dithered on a decision for weeks.
He moaned. Love you, Lulu. She couldn’t understand, even if she were near. But the words were for him. They calmed his soul and filled him with peace. He repeated it once more as the pressure on his throat increased and fangs penetrated flesh.
Love you.
Chapter 18
An inexplicable thud sounded above. The vibration of it traveled through Russell’s wolf and reverberated in his own belly. A howl of pain and rage butchered his ears. The pressure of Russell’s fangs at his neck retracted, and a weight lifted off Payton’s body. Quickly, he scrambled to his feet.
Tombi stood in the doorway, slingshot poised for yet another blow. Russell crouched and took a running leap, claws clattering like thunder on the floor. He searched for Tallulah. She caught his eye and waved a bloody knife in her hands.
She lived. Relief flowed through his veins like an opiate.
He had to help Tombi put Russell down. Tombi was an excellent hunter, but Payton questioned the effectiveness of the slingshot against the raging wolf.
The best way was to shift back to human form, allowing his most serious wounds to heal in the process. Payton commanded his wolf to give up the fight. Bursts of pain prickled his entire body as human blood and flesh replaced fur and wolf marrow. Renewed energy flowed through his cells.
“Are you okay?” Tallulah asked anxiously.
“Yes.” He took the knife from her hands. “Now get out of here.” Not that he expected her to listen, but it was worth a shot.
Tombi landed another rock missile to Russell’s chest, but not before the wolf knocked him to the floor. Swiftly, Payton stabbed the side of Russell’s neck, praying Tombi hadn’t been bitten.
Russell howled and rolled away from all of them. In a blur of fur and limbs, he shifted to human form. Damn, it was exactly what he would do in Russell’s shoes. The transformation would help regenerate the worst of his injuries.
His old friend stood before them, the one who’d been his best buddy.
“Don’t hurt me,” he pleaded, hands help up in surrender. Naked and bloody, he was a pitiful sight.
For a moment, his heart ached. Russell bled from the neck wound, the one he’d inflicted. I had to do it. His options had been to stab Russell, or allow him to infect Tombi. The choice was clear.
“Don’t trust him,” Tallulah warned.
“Get out—” he ordered.
“Go away—” Tombi said simultaneously.
“Please. I promise. I’ll go get help,” Russell begged, slowly backing toward the hallway. “I didn’t mean for it to come to this.”
“Keep your hands up high,” Payton growled, hardening his heart. He nodded at Tombi, a silent signal to take Russell down.
They approached cautiously, each ready to grab one of Russell’s arms.
Russell dropped his hands and bolted.
Son of a bitch. Russell made it out the front door, and down the porch steps.
Payton almost caught him, but he slipped away, as cagey as a wild creature hell-bent on escape. He rushed through the door after Russell, then stopped at the sight before him.
Shadow hunters formed a human barrier, encircling the front yard. At a signal from Tombi, they all raised their slingshots and aimed straight at Russell’s heart.
There would be no escape for Russell this time.
Without turning around, he sensed Tallulah’s presence. “Call a doctor for Matt and Eli.”
“Already have. Finally found the landline phone.”
Vehicles pulled up into the yard and side of the road. Doors opening and shutting and confused shouting filled the air.
“It’s Russell!”
“What’s going on?”
“Get him!”
His pack members had arrived.
Russell shifted his feet, eyes darting everywhere at the enclosed semicircle in front of him, and at Payton, Tombi and Tallulah at his back.
“Lay on the ground with your hands and legs spread,” Payton yelled.
Sirens wailed from down the road. Damn. “Go get me some pants,” he called over his shoulder to Tallulah.
“Get them yourself,” she said, brushing past him and starting down the porch steps.
“You have to fight me every step of the way,” he mumbled. He reached out an arm to stop her, but Tombi shook his head.
“We’ll get him—Russell’s outnumbered. Go get dressed.”
He understood Tombi’s logic, but the sight of Tallulah marching toward Russell and the ensuing fray didn’t sit well. But the wall of people closed in on Russell and the siren wails drew closer. Sighing, Payton ran back inside to grab a pair of shorts. Going to be hard enough to explain the commotion without being naked. Swiftly, he slipped on shorts and stopped to snag a roll of duct tape from the kitchen cabinet. Moans erupted from the den.
“Matt?” he rushed to the den.
Both Matt’s and Eli’s eyes were wide with fright and confusion. Thank God they were conscious. With a little luck, they might even make a full recovery from whatever the hell Russell had injected in them.
“I’ll send someone,” Payton promised. “Help’s on the way. Everything’s going to be okay.”
He ran back outside.
Russell lay spread eagle on the ground. Tombi held one of his arms and Tallulah the other. Chulah and Adam, the young buck of the pack, each had one of Russell’s legs pinned.
Payton went to Tallulah’s side and clamped both hands on one of Russell’s arms.
“I’ve got him,” she said.
“Do me a favor. Get someone to check on Matt and Eli inside. Someone else needs to hide the blood vials. We don’t want the cops seizing that as evidence. Too risky.” He stared at the mulish set of her jaw. “Please.”
“You said the magic word.” She bent down and planted a quick kiss on his forehead. “I’ll take care of it. Even talk to the cops and medics too.”
“Tell them—”
She held up a hand in warning. “I can figure out a cover story. Give me a break. They’ll arrest Russell and—”
“No. No arrest.” Payton pointed to Riley and Jason, who stood by watching. “Riley, take hold of Russell’s arm. Jason, bring your truck around here and let’s get Russell in there.”
He stood as Riley replaced the hold on Russell.
“Got it,” Jason said. “Be right back.”
Tallulah shook his arm. “What are you doing? The cops need to take him away.”
“He needs treatment,” Payton answered tersely. He held up the duct tape and waved over three more pack members. “Hey, let’s get him bound.”
“No,” Tallulah stubbornly insisted. “The bastard has to pay for what he did.”
He tried to reason with her. “The cops think Jeb was killed by an animal. We can’t have them find out about our existence. You want to see us all hunted down and shot? Or end up caged in some lab-testing facility? Because that’s what will happen.”
“He can at least be arrested for assault and battery. Russell needs to spend time in jail.”
“He’ll be released one day and then what? You don’t want him free to kill again.”
Tallulah’s lower lip stuck out. “I hate it when you’re right.”
Jason pulled the truck to a screeching halt beside them and the men lifted Russell’s bound and naked body. He thrashed like a netted cat held over a
pool of water.
“Son of a bitch, let me go. Please,” he pleaded, his voice raised and high-pitched. “They’ll kill me out there. Don’t make me go. Please.”
Unheeding of his pitiful cries, the men heaved him into the backseat. Someone even had enough presence of mind to find a blanket and shoved it in his hands.
Russell stopped struggling and gazed directly at Payton. “If you were ever my friend, treat me with a little respect. Don’t leave me trussed and naked.”
Payton shook his head. “Jason and the other escorts will get you some clothes.” With that, he threw the blanket over Russell and slammed the truck door shut.
He faced Jason. “Pick out a couple of men to go with you. Take turns and drive straight through to the treatment compound,” he instructed.
“Gotcha.” Jason nodded.
“Why’d it take so long for you to get here?” he asked.
“We knew Matt and Eli wanted to meet with you privately.” He looked sheepish. “They were going to make you commit to the pack or else...”
“I get the picture,” Payton said drily.
Jason stuck his head out the window and waved an arm. “Hey, Steve and Ash, come with me.”
The two men scrambled in the truck. Everyone jumped out of the way as it headed for the road. The Englazia County’s sheriff’s vehicle passed it as it pulled up to the farmhouse. Payton swiped a hand over his brow. Talk about cutting it close.
Hunters and wolves alike closed rank around them. The duct tape made a mysterious disappearance.
Sheriff Angier approached, demeanor as austere as a member of the Secret Service. “What seems to be the problem tonight, men?”
Tombi stepped forward and flicked a thumb toward Payton. “Just a little scuffle between the two of us. That’s all. We settled things.”
Angier looked Payton up and down, evidently taking note of the bloody wounds. “Looks like you got the worse end of the deal. Anyone else hurt?”
Tombi caught his eye, brows raised. Payton involuntarily glanced at the farmhouse and almost did a double take.
Matt and Eli both sat sprawled on the porch steps, cans of beer in their hands. Their glazed eyes could easily be attributed to excess alcohol consumption.
“Everything’s cool this way,” Matt said with a slight slur, giving a thumbs-up signal.
Angier frowned. “Is that what’s going on here? Y’all been drinking and fighting? Could have led to a brawl with this many people.”
“Yes, sir. Won’t happen again,” Tombi said.
Angier still looked disgruntled. “Who called the ambulance?”
Tallulah spoke up. “That was me. I saw the blood and freaked out.”
“What were y’all fighting about?” Angier evidently sensed something amiss and didn’t want to let it go.
“I had a problem with Payton living with my sister.”
Tallulah rolled her eyes and he shot Tombi a startled glance. Tallulah’s brother had sure thought that lie up in a hurry. Maybe it really did bug the guy that he’d moved into his twin’s place.
Medics ran to them, ambulance lights strobing red over the lawn. One of the EMTs pulled on a pair of plastic gloves and nodded at Payton. “Those wounds look nasty. We’ll disinfect them and give you a lift to the hospital for stitches. Let the docs check you over good.”
He looked down at the bite marks, heart sinking at the reminder he was infected. Damn Russell. But at least he’d lived long enough to see Tallulah through the crisis.
“I’m not going anywhere,” Payton said firmly.
The EMT shook his head. “Can’t make you go, but it would be foolish not to.”
“Medical care is against my religious beliefs,” he lied with a straight face. “Sorry you came all this way for nothing.”
“Are you pressing charges?” Angier asked him.
“No. Everything’s been resolved.”
The sheriff shook his head in disgust. “Something strange brewing out here, but damned if I can figure out what’s really going on.” He nodded at Tallulah. “Take a walk with me.”
* * *
Tallulah followed Angier to the squad car. He leaned against the sedan and pinned her with a hard stare. “You want to shed some light on all this?”
She shrugged. “Nothing to tell, Sheriff. Just a little tussle. No big deal.”
“You wouldn’t lie to me, would you?”
“Never.”
He didn’t speak for several minutes and she rocked back and forth on her heels, wishing he’d hurry and leave. She needed to get Annie tending to Payton’s bites ASAP. Before the infection spread and it was too late. She broke the silence first. “If there’s anything else...?”
“I see you’ve clammed up as tight as the rest of these newcomers to Bayou La Siryna.”
She had to give him something or the mystery would drive him nuts. “Tillman, everything’s going to be okay now. The problem’s been resolved. You’re right about strange things happening in these woods. But the timber crew is leaving in a week and that’s the end of that.”
“You sure? No more suspicious deaths or mutilated animals?”
“Zero,” she said firmly.
“What about justice for Jeb Johnson? A man is dead after all.”
“Justice has been served,” she assured him. “I promise.”
With a sigh, he straightened and ran a hand through his hair. “I don’t like it, but I see that’s all I’m going to get from you. Always were a stubborn thing.”
She flashed him a genuine smile. “As you once told me, we all have our own secrets in the bayou. I suspect you have one or two yourself.”
Angier didn’t deny or confirm. “Later, Tallulah.” He got in the car and then rolled down the window. “One more thing.”
“Oh, crap, are you pulling a Columbo on me?”
“No.” A faint smile tugged at his lips. “A word of advice. That Payton dude? My instincts say he’s a good guy. But I don’t blame Tombi—he needs to put a ring on your finger if he stays in town.”
Tallulah let loose a loud moan, which was unfortunately wasted as Angier had already rolled up the window and started backing out of the driveway. The ambulance left as well and a relative peace settled in the yard. She hurried to Tombi’s side. “We need Annie.”
Her brother held up his cell phone. “Already done. She’s on the way to your cabin. Be there in less than ten minutes.”
Pack members and shadow hunters mingled, discussing the night’s events. Any other time, she’d have been delighted to see their worlds coalescing, but she needed to whisk Payton away. Annie always claimed that the sooner a person came to her for help, the quicker the cure.
But getting him away from the crowd could be a problem. An excited buzzing group of men surrounded him.
A loud whistle erupted from the porch and in the sudden silence, Matt wobbled to his feet. “I have something to say. Payton, I didn’t give you permission to send Russell away.”
Tallulah’s palms itched, wanting to slap him. How dare he insult Payton like this? That arrogant, pompous ass...
“But you did the right thing,” Matt continued. “If not for you and your friends, Eli and I would be dead. And no telling how many others in the pack Russell might have killed before we eventually overpowered him.” He paused to wipe perspiration from his forehead. “Anyway, I’m sorry I’ve given you such a hard time lately. I’ve talked it over with Eli. I’d like to offer you a position as second-in-command of our pack.”
Payton turned, searching the crowd. His eyes connected with hers and he came to her side at once, putting a hand over her shoulders.
“Thanks for the offer, but I’m going to have to discuss it with my significant other before I make any major decisions.”
S
ignificant other. She could feel the heat in her cheeks and her mouth splitting into a grin like some besotted teenager. She turned her head to the side, letting her long hair shield her face like a veil. “We need to go,” she murmured. “Annie’s on the way to the cabin. She can take care of your bites.”
He nodded and kissed her forehead. Raising his head, Payton waved at Matt and the crowd. “We’ve got to go. See you all later.”
Tallulah hurried him to her car and sped like mad to her cabin. A whoosh of relief escaped her at the sight of Annie’s car already parked in the driveway. A light glowed at the window and she could see Annie bustling about in the kitchen. Most likely boiling water for one of her herbal concoctions.
She pulled up in the yard, close to the door. “Can you make it up the steps alone?”
“Of course I can,” he said with a trace of irritability. He eased out the passenger side and she walked alongside him up the porch steps. By his stiff gait and pale face, she realized the adrenaline rush had left his body and pain and fatigue were setting in. She opened the door for him.
“Sit on the couch,” she said, then straightened and called out to her sister-in-law. “We’re home, Annie. Thanks for coming.”
He sighed. “Yes, ma’am. Any other orders?”
“Shut up and be a good patient.” She kissed his cheek and led him to the couch. “And no matter how nasty Annie’s medicine, you have to swallow every drop.”
He gave a mock salute and sank wearily down onto the cushions, at the last minute pulling her arm so that she fell into his lap. “We need to talk. Now. While we still have some privacy.”
The intent, sad look in his gray eyes made her tremble. Whatever it was, she wasn’t going to like it. Tallulah smoothed a lock of his blond hair from his forehead. “Okay,” she whispered. “Spit it out.”
“I’m infected. I don’t want you to be disappointed if Annie’s remedies don’t work. Russell bit me multiple times.”
“It will work, just like it did for me,” she insisted. The alternative was too horrible to even consider.
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