by Vella Day
His brows rose. “Seriously?”
“If any existed in Los Angeles, they weren’t seeking me out.”
“I’m sure the community here will welcome you.” He picked up the vase. “Text me if you see anything suspicious.”
“I will, and thank you.”
As soon as Kip left, Jillian took the opportunity to clean the glass cooler doors. No other customers came in, but she suspected the overcast skies might have caused people to think of staying inside where it was warm. To her, it was the dreary days that demanded something cheery—like flowers.
For the next hour, Jillian moved between the back room and the front, twice checking that the back door was locked. The only way anyone could get in would be if someone had the code.
I am not paranoid, she told her tiger who mocked her with each door check. Her animal really wanted a piece of Whitlaw.
Around two, Jillian began to wonder what was taking Anna so long. She said she’d be gone no longer than an hour. Most likely she and Elana got to chatting and time ran away from them. Once three o’clock rolled around, and Anna still hadn’t returned, Jillian pulled out the sheet with the phone numbers on it, hoping Jackson had included Elana’s number. Sure enough, hers was there, as was their Alpha’s number next to Izzy’s. Given her talents, Jillian could see why someone might want to contact her.
Jillian dialed Elana. When she answered, the baby was crying in the background. “Hello, Elana, this is Jillian.”
“Oh, Jillian. Is everything okay?”
That was an odd response. “I hope so. Has Anna left?”
“Anna?”
Hadn’t Jillian spoken clearly? “Anna left at noon to visit you. Oh shit. Didn’t she arrive?”
“No. Oh, my goddess. Did you try her cell?”
When Jillian and Anna had been at McKinnon’s Pub, they’d exchanged numbers, but Jillian had scribbled it on a napkin and hadn’t put it in her cell yet. She wasn’t sure what she’d done with the paper. “No. Can you give me the number?”
“It’s 459-5555. Call me back and let me know what you find out.”
“Will do.” As soon as she hung up, she dialed Anna, but her cell went to voicemail. Damn. “Anna, it’s Jillian. I hope you’re okay. Call me when you get this message.”
If she’d broken down somewhere, she would have called the shop number to let Jillian know what happened. A sinking feeling swirled in her gut. Jillian should call Kip and asked him to check on Anna’s whereabouts, but he’d say his job was to watch her, so she called the next best person—Dalton.
“Did you see him?” her brother asked as soon as he picked up his phone.
“No.” She explained that Anna was supposed to be visiting Elana but she never showed up. “I tried calling her cell, but it went to voicemail. I’m hoping she just broke down on her way to Elana’s.”
“Let’s hope. I’ll retrace her steps and call you back as soon as I can.”
“Thank you.”
Jillian’s hands shook. Was this Frank Whitlaw’s doing? If he wanted to mess with her mind, he was doing a good job.
While she waited for her brother to call back, she futzed around in the back room. Because the store would close in an hour anyway, she figured it would be okay to put the Closed sign out and lock the front door. She didn’t need anyone walking in when she was in the back—and by anyone, she meant Frank Whitlaw.
Her cell rang, jumpstarting her heart. “Hello?”
“Any news on Anna,” Elana asked.
Jillian let out a huge breath and leaned against the large table in back. “No. I couldn’t reach her so I called Dalton. He’s checking the roads now. I promise to call if I find out anything.”
“Thanks.”
No sooner had she disconnected than her cell buzzed again. Jillian checked the caller ID but all it said was Private Caller. It wasn’t Dalton.
Her underarms began to sweat. Answer it. Jillian swiped her cell. “Hello?”
“Jillian, it’s Camille. I wanted to see how you were.”
Once more, she sagged against the table. “I’d be lying if I said I was good. Whitlaw is here. In Silver Lake.”
“Shit. What are you going to do?”
“Wait it out. I now have a bodyguard.” She explained that a group of professionals were searching for him. Given what a sneaky bastard he was, Jillian hoped he hadn’t bugged Camille’s phone, though if he had, it might work in Jillian’s favor. If he thought he was a wanted man, he might leave her alone.
Dream on.
“Frank told his partner that his mother was ill and that he wasn’t sure when he’d be back.”
Jillian shook her head. “What a douchebag. You didn’t let on that you knew anything, did you?’
“No, but if he contacts Maria or anyone else asking for information, I’ll let you know.” Someone in the background called Camille’s name. “Hey, I gotta go. Keep in touch and be safe.”
“Will do.” Relief filled her just knowing so many people had her back.
It wasn’t until close to five that Dalton called. “Yes? Did you find Anna?”
“I found Anna’s car. It looks as if she was run off the road.”
Her chest squeezed tight. “Where’s Anna?”
“I don’t know. I called Jackson and Connor. They’re both checking the road to the hospital in case she headed that way.”
“If she were injured, she’d have called 911. Where’s her purse?” The one with the gun in it.
“Let me check if it’s inside.” A car door opened. “Got it. It was on the floor in the front seat.”
“Look inside and see if her cell phone or her gun are there.”
A moment later he answered. “No to either.”
Her heart broke. “Shit. That means Whitlaw might have her.”
Chapter Eighteen
‡
“Jillian?” Brian called a second after the back door to the building clicked close.
She spun around and ran into his arms. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
He leaned back. “I saw the Closed sign on the door when I drove by. What’s happened? Did Whitlaw try to get in?”
“No.” She told him about Anna and her car wreck. “I think Whitlaw has her.”
Brian stroked her face. “You can’t be sure of that.”
Jillian sniffled. “I know, but Anna’s purse was still in the car. She’d never leave without it.”
“Will Dalton come here to follow you home?”
“Yes, but I think he’s still at the accident scene.”
Brian wrapped an arm around her waist. “How about coming upstairs then? You can call him from there and tell him where you are.”
She was happy someone with a clear head was near. “Okay.”
Jillian gathered her jacket and purse and followed him up the stairs. This time when Brian closed the door, he threw the deadbolt. “There. You’re safe.”
She fished out her cell and checked to see if by some miracle, Anna had texted her. Nothing. Jillian tried to think what she’d do if she’d been in an accident. She’d call 911 and wait.
Jillian swiped her phone and pressed Dalton’s number. He answered on the first ring.
“You okay?”
“Yes. Brian’s back, and I’m at his apartment. I was wondering if you had called the hospital to see if they’d received a 911 call from Anna.”
“Jillian. Please. Let me handle this.” Let me handle this, she mocked back. Anna was her friend. “It was one of the first things I did after checking the area. The hospital said they hadn’t received a call from her, but Jackson is checking her cell records now in case she called someone else.”
“Was there any blood in the car?” She wanted to know if Anna had been severely injured in the crash.
“No. I did, however, find one set of footprints that were rather large next to the car that had been kicked and scuffed as if to disguise them. They could possibly belong to Whitlaw.”
Damn. “What do
you need me to do?”
“Stay where you are. I should be there in a bit. I’ll call when I’m at the back door.”
“What about Kip? He doesn’t need to stay.”
“He’ll stay until you’re with me. I’ll text him where you are.”
She’d never heard such tension in Dalton’s voice before. “Okay.”
As soon as she disconnected, Brian handed her a glass of wine. “Thought you could use this.” He sat next to her with his beer. “Why would Whitlaw take Anna?”
“Your guess is as good as mine, but it has to be to lure me someplace.”
He tipped back his beer. “If he’s been following you, he has to know you’ll bring backup.”
“I’m not sure what he knows other than you’re with me and my brother is a cop. He might have a plan to take the three of us out if we show up.”
“So now what?”
“We wait.” It was one of Jillian’s worst traits. “If I didn’t think my brother would kill me himself, I’d give Kip the slip and hunt Whitlaw since I know what he smells like.”
Brian ran a comforting hand down her arm. “How close do you need to be to detect him?”
“Too close.” She slunk back against the sofa arm. “I feel so helpless.”
He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “We’ll get him.”
She hoped so. Her cell rang and she jerked. “Hey. Are you downstairs?”
“I’m close. How about asking Brian to pack a bag and stay the night at my place? I don’t want Whitlaw to get any ideas. Rye McKinnon rounded up a few men to watch the shop in case Whitlaw tries anything.”
Hoped surged through her. “That would be great. Thank you. I’ll ask him.”
“Meet me in the back when you’re ready.”
“You’re the best brother ever.”
“Keep thinking that.” His chuckle was brief.
She swiped off the phone and faced Brian. “You’ve been invited to spend the night at Dalton’s.”
His brows rose. “In your bed?”
“It’s only a double bed, but I’m sure we can make do. If it is too cramped, I can always shift and sleep on the floor. That way, if anything happens I’ll be ready.”
“Can I pet you?”
“Only if you behave.” Jillian winked and stood. “Get packing. Dalton will be waiting out back.”
*
Dalton tossed the keys on the kitchen counter. “Brian, you can sleep in my room.”
Jillian was thirty-two and didn’t need her brother dictating who she slept with. “You have to know we’ve already slept together.”
Dalton faced her. “This isn’t about sex. It’s about the fact that I plan to sleep on the sofa in case anyone tries to get to you. I don’t know what kind of shifter Whitlaw is, but I suspect I could take down a bear if need be. I know for a fact I can handle a wolf.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snipe at you, but I’ve been stressing out ever since Anna’s accident.”
One side of his mouth lifted up. “I understand. I’m on edge too. Don’t forget, he was my father too.”
Now she felt like a heel. “I know.”
Brian wrapped an arm around her shoulder, providing some much-needed comfort. “I’m good sleeping in Dalton’s room. It’s probably better if we’re not together. You need to keep your wits about you.”
“You’re right.” If she and Brian shared the bed, they’d be distracted in seconds.
“Now that that’s settled,” Dalton said, “I need to rustle up some food.”
“Rustle up some food?” That almost made her chuckle. “So Tennessee is the Wild West now?”
“I’m just trying to blend in with the locals.” Dalton winked then slipped into the kitchen. He opened the fridge and pulled out a dozen eggs along with a package of bacon.
She wanted to shake him. “Why are we just sitting here when Anna is out there?”
“Because Whitlaw wants you to go after her. When you do, he’ll pounce.”
“That would be hard since I don’t know where she is.”
He pulled a frying pan out of the cabinet and set it on the stove. “For your sake, that might be a good thing. I can’t be sure, but I bet he wants Anna alive to use as bait. Remember, he’s after you.”
“I haven’t forgotten. So, he’s just going to call and invite me to his place? Wherever that is?”
Dalton shrugged. “He might. He has Anna’s cell. Does she have your number programmed?”
“Most likely. I wrote it on a napkin when we were having drinks.”
“Make sure your cell is on and charged then.”
“Good thinking.” Jillian checked her purse and made sure it was turned on. “I guess all we can do is wait.”
Dalton stopped what he was doing. “I know you think no one is doing anything, but on my way over to Blooms of Hope, I called Connor. He said Rye was rounding up the wolves. Some will keep watch over the shop, while others plan to shift and scour the area for both of them.”
That was more than she thought anyone was doing. “Do you know if Kalan learned of any stolen vehicles?” Knowing the make and model of Whitlaw’s vehicle would help.
“I haven’t spoken with him, but if he learned anything, he’d tell Connor and the rest of the team. Right now, they need us to stay put. The last thing anyone needs is to have two women snatched.”
He dumped some butter in the pan and then turned on the burner. After locating a bowl, he cracked a dozen eggs into it and then added milk. Next he whipped them so hard she bet they’d become pure air.
“Will they call if they find anything?” she asked, her patience having run out a while ago.
Dalton inhaled and looked at her for a few seconds before answering. “Connor promised to keep me in the loop. If they find where Whitlaw’s keeping Anna, they might send Ainsley in to check out the place.”
“Ainsley?” Brian asked. “She’s just a slip of a woman.”
Dalton poured the egg mixture into the pan. “Ainsley has a special Wendayan talent.”
“What’s that?” Jillian asked.
Brian lifted a finger. “I remember. Ainsley can disappear and move about without notice.”
She looked at Brian and then glanced over at her brother who nodded. “I wish I could do that,” Jillian said.
“Me too.” Dalton placed the bacon on a tray, covered it with a paper towel, and shoved it in the microwave. He stirred the eggs, and when they were done cooking, he placed them on three plates. The microwave oven dinged just as her cell chimed.
She had a message, and every muscle froze. When she saw Anna’s name on the message her hope soared. Brian leaned close as she tapped the screen. “It’s a video.”
Heart in her throat, she pressed the arrow. “As you can see, Ms. Garner, your friend is still alive, but barely. Meet me in fifteen minutes or she dies. And come alone. Take Pine Avenue to Crandall Boulevard and head left. I’ll find you.”
The video continued for another few seconds, but the only sounds were Anna’s whimpers. Jillian’s need to kill soared.
Dalton stepped next to her. A strong light was shining on her friend who was gagged and tied to a chair. Her left eye was swollen shut, her lip was cut and bleeding, and her cheek bruised. Jillian grabbed her stomach, needing to vomit. She looked up at Brian and then at Dalton. “I have to go.”
Brian squeezed her shoulder. “You can’t. This is what he wants.”
“I will not have another friend’s death on my hands,” she said between gritted teeth.
Dalton held out his hand and wiggled his fingers for her phone. “I want to send this to Connor. He might be able to figure out where this is.”
“Whitlaw put a white sheet behind her to disguise the location.”
“You’d be surprised what those guys can figure out.”
Jillian handed him the phone. “I need to go.”
“I’m coming with you,” Brian said.
She loved that he wanted to protect her
, but she had to do this alone. “I don’t want to lose you too.”
“Brian, Jilly’s right. We’ll follow behind discreetly,” Dalton said. “I promise he won’t suspect a thing. I’ve been trained to be invisible.”
Someone having her back made her feel better. “If you’re sure he won’t know.”
“He won’t.” He handed her phone back to her. “Message sent.” Dalton walked around the counter and hugged her. “Be careful.”
“I will.”
Brian hugged her and whispered in her ear. “I can’t lose you.”
“You won’t.”
Even though her heart was slamming against her chest and her stomach was threatening to upheave, she had to do this for Dalia, for her dad, and for Anna. Please let Whitlaw be a wolf.
Dalton gave her brief instructions on how to reach Pine Avenue. “You can’t miss Crandall. Pine Avenue dead ends at it.”
Once Brian helped her on with her jacket, she grabbed her purse and keys. “Wish me luck.”
“Luck.” His chin wobbled. Brian then grabbed her to his chest again and pressed his cheek against hers. “I’m scared.”
“Me too.”
His hold tightened as he dipped his head and inhaled. “This can’t be goodbye. You have to promise me.”
Jillian sniffled and leaned her head back. She tried to give him a confident smile, but the corners of her lips refused to hold the pose. “I promise. You’re my mate and mates never leave each other.”
His eyes watered as he slanted his lips over hers. Her tiger rose to the surface to greet him as he deepened the kiss.
“Jillian,” Dalton said. “You don’t want to be late.”
They broke the kiss. “You’re right.”
She looked deep into Brian’s eyes and the love she saw gave her courage. As much as she wanted to tell him that she loved him, her heart wasn’t strong enough right now.
Brian stroked her cheek with his knuckle. “Be safe.”
Before she broke down, Jillian twisted around and rushed out the door. Cold air met her as she dashed out of the house.