“What are you doing?” she asked as she pulled away.
Angus jumped out and found a crack in the metal of the guardrail, sliding the fabric into it so it stuck there, blowing in the wind.
When he returned to the SUV, Angelina handed the phone over to Salem. He held the device in a white-knuckle grip as he stared at Julia’s picture.
“That’s the woman who hired us,” he announced. “It looks like Julia is the one who wants you dead.”
Chapter 9
Angelina slammed her body against the seat as Salem drove off. Willis called 9-1-1 and reported the accident before tossing the phone out the window, where it sailed to the ravine below.
“Surely this Julia wants you dead for some reason,” Angus said.
“I swear I’ve never had any problems with her, and I treated her well. I even bought her a car.”
“She alluded that the hit was being placed by someone else,” Salem reminded Angelina. “Of course, she also paid us with counterfeit money.”
“That’s because she doesn’t have that kind of money,” Angelina insisted.
“It was a stupid move on her part,” Salem said. “She must have known we’d come looking for her when we figured out the money was counterfeit.”
“I still can’t believe you didn’t at least count the money,” Angus chimed in.
“She was sort of in a hurry. Caleb shifted to his snake form and scared the hell out of her.”
“That makes sense, but if you didn’t know who she really was, there’d be no way you’d be able to find her when you discovered her deception,” Angus said.
“Instead of having her arrested I could deal with her,” Salem threatened. “Believe me, she wouldn’t be alive long enough to cause any more problems.”
“I can understand you’d want to get back at her for your partner’s death, but this needs to be handled by the police,” Angelina butted in. “I won’t be a party to a murder.”
Salem frowned. “It’s hard to believe Caleb is gone. He’s worked with me for two long years and has never let anyone get the best of him.”
“He shouldn’t have attacked a baby bear,” Angus said. “I’m not sorry that he’s dead.”
“I understand how you feel, but he was my partner,” Salem exclaimed. “I still can’t believe I’m helping you.”
“I still can’t believe we’re not having you arrested. We might yet,” Angus countered.
“You need my help if you want to keep the actress alive,” Salem reminded him.
“I’ll give you that for now, but I’m not making any promises that I won’t turn you in at a later date.”
“Agreed,” Salem said.
“Did you call and tell anyone you met with Angelina, Willis?” Angus asked.
“I called Julia and told her, but I didn’t mention we were traveling separately. I’m pissed that I was dragged into this murder plot.”
“Obviously she believes you’re expendable,” Angelina said with disgust. Willis was a kind soul and didn’t deserve to be in the middle of this. “I just hate to think that this might not ever be over.”
Angus turned and winked at Angelina. “I promise I’ll keep you safe.”
“Should we drive to Los Angeles?” she asked.
“That will take about fourteen hours,” Willis said.
“I know, but if she boards a plane there will be a record since she has to show her identification,” Angus said.
“I think we should drive there. You don’t think someone might figure out you rented an SUV, do you?” Angelina asked.
“Nope,” Salem said. “I used one of my aliases. Walter Herms.”
Angelina glanced over at Willis. She wanted to ask Salem how Julia found him, but she’d rather not in front of Willis, even if he had been pulled into this.
She rested her head on Angus for a moment. “Sorry.”
“Don’t be. You need to rest.”
Angelina sighed. She would happily go anywhere Angus wanted her to, including his bed. But the way things were going, that wouldn’t happen anytime soon. She’d settle for what she could get at the moment, which was feeling his hot body pressed to hers.
She recalled their first kiss. It was unexpected and totally welcomed, although next time she hoped it wouldn’t happen in a public bathroom.
Her hand dropped to Angus’s lap and she could feel the material of his pants moving. She moved her hand away and he whispered, “It’s fine. You can keep it there.” He moved it back, pressing it against his thigh.
Her heart pounded and her pussy purred. If only we were alone…. But they hadn’t been truly alone since the first day after the plane crash. Even if they hadn’t been injured, it wasn’t something she would have welcomed at the time. But what she was feeling went deeper than just wanting his body. Could I actually be in love with him?
The SUV came to a halt and Angelina felt herself being picked up and carried into a room, placed on a soft mattress. Her eyelids fluttered open and she smiled when Angus loomed over her.
“Hello, you,” she said softly.
He shook his head at her in response and closed the door, returning to the bed. “I’ll sleep on the floor.”
“No, you can sleep right here.” She patted the bed next to her. “Unless you’re frightened of me.”
“I’ll sleep with you, but no funny business. Keep your hands on your side of the body—I mean bed.”
She grinned and stood up. “If you say so,” she said as she shimmied out of her jeans before pulling off her shirt. She left her bra and panties on and climbed back into bed. “I sleep better with my clothes off.”
He cocked a brow. “You’re making this job hard to do. I’m your bodyguard, not your sex slave.” He wagged a finger at her.
“Sex slave might work, but I suppose you’re right. I don’t want you to tell anyone I took advantage of you.”
“That’s not something any man would tell anyone. Besides, I keep my private life to myself.” Angus pulled his shirt off, revealing his muscled abs. He kicked off his shoes and slipped into bed.
“Hey, why are you on top of the covers?”
“It’s safer that way… I mean, I’d like to be prepared for anything.”
“Does that mean you have a condom in your pocket?” she purred.
“That will be enough out of you, Angelina. I won’t be fooled by your Hollywood ways.”
Her smiled faded away. “I’m really just a small-town girl at heart. Sure, Hollywood might have jaded me in some respects, but I’m no snob.”
“I never said you were. I was only kidding. I can’t imagine what you must think of me.”
“I didn’t know that much about shifters before I spent time with you, Taylor, and Salem.”
“What are your feelings now?”
“You’ll do anything to protect me. Taylor is fiercely protective of his mate and children. What does it take to become a shifter’s mate?”
Angus was silent for a moment and then said, “I suppose that depends on the shifter.”
“What would it take for you to choose a mate?”
“I’ve never given it much thought. I’d have to feel close to a woman and fall in love with her before I’d decide to spend the rest of my life with her. She’d have to be kind and loyal, loving, and willing to give me many little llamas.” He winked.
“So if a woman has a shifter child, he’ll be a shifter?”
“Yes. Would that bother you?”
“We’re not really talking about me though,” Angelina said. The last thing she wanted was for him to know how she felt about him. She could already tell that it would be hard to break Angus’s reserve. What would it take for him to take her like a man should a woman? Shifters couldn’t be all that different, and his cock was certainly fuck-worthy.
“We should go to sleep,” he suggested.
“If you say so. You’ll need your rest in case another hired killer shows up. Although I don’t understand why they’d make another
attempt on my life when Salem had already been hired to do the job.”
“When we were rescued I’m certain word got back, especially with the press showing up like that.”
“Can you turn out the light?” Angelina asked, trying to blink it away.
Angus flipped it off and sighed as he rolled over. She moved her hands between her legs, wishing they were his… or his lips… his cock….
She closed her eyes, trying to will her aroused body to allow her to sleep. She hadn’t had a decent night’s sleep since this whole ordeal. She rolled over and formed the pillow to cradle her head, and soon she dozed off.
Angelina woke up much later not knowing if it was day or night. She sat upright and shook Angus awake. “I think someone’s out there,” she whispered, watching in fear as a shadow passed their room. Then the doorknob shook and he pushed her off the bed, bounding out of it himself. “Get dressed,” he whispered.
She tried to tug on her jeans when the door slammed open with a well-placed boot. She stared over the mattress and swallowed hard as a handgun was pointed directly at her.
“Get over here, Angelina!” a man ordered.
She tugged her jeans up the rest of the way. “Do I have time to put my shirt on?” She grinned.
Angus called out in a Chewbacca-like sound in llama form and spat at the man, who juggled the handgun. Angelina raced past him just as the man received a kick from one of Angus’s hooves, so she was able to run out the door. They raced to the car and Angus jumped inside with Angelina.
“It’s about time,” Salem said.
“Where’s Willis?” she asked.
“Hiding in the trunk. His choice.”
“Take him out,” Angus said.
“If you insist, but we better get out of here. The gunman is on the move again.”
They took off and Angus said, “I wonder how they found us.”
A lightbulb clicked on in Angelina’s mind and she fingered the small implant under her skin. “I have a GPS implant under my arm. My father insisted upon it after all this trouble started.”
“And you’re not mentioning it until now?” Angus stated incredulously. He didn’t wait for a reply, just pulled out a knife and said, “I have to remove it. Now.”
Angelina gulped. “Do you have to?”
“Do you want to live?”
“Of course I do, but excuse me if I’m not overjoyed that you’re planning to cut me with that knife. It’s not like you’re a doctor.”
She lifted her arm and Angus gently probed it before slowly penetrating her skin with the knife, removing the implant and tossing it out the window.
“It’s no wonder they found us,” Salem said. “Apparently whoever wants you dead isn’t in short supply of hit men.”
“We’re never going to make it to Los Angeles,” Angelina whimpered.
“Don’t worry, I’ve already made a call to the Shifter Patrol,” Salem told them.
“Shifter Patrol? That sounds like cops for shifters,” Angelina said.
“Exactly, but don’t worry. They’ll get you to Los Angeles safely.”
“How is it that you’d call them when you’re a hit man?” Angus questioned.
“I’m Walter Herms, remember?”
“Get a move on, would you?” Angelina exclaimed. “And take Willis out of the trunk.”
Salem pulled over and sprang Willis. “It’s about time,” he muttered. “See if I ever listen to one of your suggestions, Salem.”
Willis slipped into the passenger’s seat and they were once again on the move. Salem veered down a dirt road and drove with only the fog lamps.
“I hope we’re going to meet the Shifter Patrol soon,” Angelina said.
“It should just be around the bend.”
They slowed down as they neared the helicopter awaiting them. When the vehicle came skidding to a stop, they moved from the SUV to the helicopter and climbed aboard.
Or at least most of them.
Salem pulled out a handgun and shot Willis, who fell to the ground as the helicopter took off.
He grabbed Angelina by the neck and held the gun against her temple. “Take a seat, Angus. And don’t even try to shift or I’ll kill your bitch.”
“I’m not a bitch,” Angelina spat as she tried to free herself.
“I’m no idiot, but obviously you both are.” He laughed. “I still can’t believe you two trusted me when you knew all along I was hired to kill Angelina. Even if I weren’t being paid, I’d kill the both of you for what you did to Caleb.”
“I didn’t kill Caleb,” Angelina insisted, “and neither did Angus.”
“Save your breath. You’re both guilty. Sit by your mate before I kill you right here.”
“I’m not his mate.”
“There’s no need to lie. It’s quite obvious you two love each other. Don’t worry, Angus, I’ll make sure to kill Angelina here first. There’s nothing worse than watching your mate murdered right in front of you.”
“Where are we going?” she asked.
“To meet the person who hired me to kill you.”
“But who’s flying the chopper?”
“One of my associates. No need to worry about him though. I’m the one holding the gun.”
Chapter 10
“I’m sorry, Angus. You shouldn’t have to die. I’m the one they want to kill,” Angelina muttered.
“He’s right. I do love you, Angelina. I wanted to tell you that when we were staying with Taylor and Trina. I’ve never met anyone quite like you.” His eyes smoldered. “Will you be my mate?”
Angelina laughed with tears in her eyes. “Are you sure, or are you only saying that because we’re about to die.”
“I’m positive. I should have made love to you last night.”
“I love you, too, Angus. I think I’ve been your mate since we first met, even if I was denying it at the time. I loved how assertive you were on the plane, even though I was a little offended at the time.”
“Would you two knock it off? You’re making me sick,” Salem hissed.
“So why were you in possession of counterfeit money if you planned to kill us?” Angus asked. “Surely you were paid.”
“That was a ruse in case someone found the backpack. It fooled you into believing that I was betrayed by the person who hired us.”
“What if you were really double-crossed?” Angus asked.
“That’s not possible.”
“Are you certain? Because you don’t look like you’re sure,” Angelina said.
“Don’t play any of your actress skills on me. I think you’re a horrible actress, anyway.”
“What a horrible thing to say. Well, you’re a horrible hit man. I’m still alive.” She smirked.
“Not for long,” Salem said as he pointed the gun at her.
“I wouldn’t suggest shooting me in a helicopter. In this one movie I was in, the bullet caused it to crash.”
“I’d listen to her if I were you. She has vast experience about such things. She even managed to fly a plane—or tried to land it, anyway.”
“I could probably fly this helicopter, too. I mean, if I had to.”
“Shut your mouth, Angelina. You’re giving me a headache.”
She sighed and did as she was told, scooting closer to Angus. “I suppose it’s too much to hope that we could knock that clown out of the chopper,” she whispered.
“He has a gun, so I’d say yes. I’m afraid I can’t see a way out of meeting the person who wants you dead.”
“Hopefully we’ll get the chance to get away and contact the authorities. I almost wish there really was a shifter patrol.”
“Actually there is, but it’s not like I can contact them at this point.”
“Why didn’t you before?”
“I never thought about it really, since I presumed a human wants you dead. The patrol can’t arrest a human, only shifters.”
When Angelina felt the helicopter descend, she kissed Angus, her slippery ton
gue entering his mouth. She held onto him, tears trailing down her cheeks. Angus kissed her back roughly, claiming her as his.
They parted when the helicopter landed and Salem motioned them out with his gun. Angelina was the first one out and Angus followed, grabbing her waist.
“What now?” he asked.
“More movement and less talking,” Salem commanded.
Angelina and Angus were led to a limo that was parked on an empty runway.
“I remember this place,” she said.
“Let me guess: you were in a movie that shot here?” Angus asked.
“No, my father brought me here before. He’s met several clients here.”
“What kind of clients would meet him way out here? It’s more meant for clandestine meetings.”
“But my father would never do that. He’d have no reason. He makes multi-million-dollar deals every day for movies.”
At that moment, the limo door opened and Angelina’s father, Ted, stepped out, along with Julia who was trembling. “I’m so sorry, Angelina,” she said.
“Get over there with them,” Ted Foxworth demanded. “Now I can finish what those hit men couldn’t.”
“It’s not my fault,” Salem said. “I tried to in the wilderness before Caleb decided to go off on his own and get himself killed.”
“See, it wasn’t our fault,” Angelina admonished.
“Why is the helicopter still here?” Ted asked Salem.
“How should I know? You’re the one who sent it.”
“No, I didn’t. You only called me after you were en route,” Ted exclaimed.
“Well, someone texted me!” Salem shouted.
“I can’t believe you hired a hit man, Dad,” Angelina said, disapproval thick in her voice. “Why would you want me dead?”
“As you’re aware, one of my blockbuster movies went bust earlier this year and I have some heavyweights wanting their money back. If I don’t pay them back, I’ll be deader than you’re going to be.”
“How much of an insurance policy did you put on Angelina?” Angus asked. “Although I can’t imagine one million dollars would help pay back the money.”
Llama and the Lady Page 6