Absentee Wolf

  Once assured that David was alive and well, Toby dialed Ben.

  “Ben Martin.”

  “It’s Toby. I think I found someone with information. David at the electronics store. I’m bringing him in now.”

  While Toby talked, he searched the bench for electrical tape.

  “Okay. I’ll get Deacon and Scott. He’s a newer enforcer and on shift right now.”

  “David fainted, and I’m taking the opportunity to bind and gag him so he knows how serious this is.”

  “Bring him to the back and blindfold him, as well. Well, interrogate him in the cellar.”

  “Gotcha. I’ll be there in twenty.”

  Toby hung up just as he finished wrapping David’s wrists together. He quickly bound Dave’s feet, thinking that David wouldn’t need much to restrain him if he was a fainter. There was a pile of folded rags on the counter, so Toby grabbed two. He placed one over David’s eyes and wrapped the tape around it and his head, not caring for the hair that was sure to be pulled out. Lastly, he stuffed one in David’s mouth then made a last pass around with the tape.

  With his quarry detained, he walked calmly to the door. Toby locked the door and turned over the open sign. As Toby walked through the store, he turned off any lights before heading into the back room. Sure enough there was a cot to the side by a wall. Toby frowned, thinking how no one would even know David was missing if they should have to remove him permanently as a threat.

  Toby pulled his car around to the back door. Another trip inside and David’s body was hoisted onto his shoulder. Toby dropped him into the backseat of his rented car before returning to lock the doors.

  As Toby started his car, he errantly thought how he hoped David had keys to get back in to the store. That was if he was allowed to go back there.

  * * * *

  Ben met Toby at the back door of the preserve administration building. Deacon was standing next to a huge man that Toby assumed was the new enforcer Scott. Ben waved Scott to the rear door as Toby exited the vehicle.

  “He’s still out. Well, I think, since he hasn’t made a peep.”

  Toby opened the door and tugged David’s legs, pulling his body further out of the car, so they could lift him. Toby moved out of the way as Scott bent at the waist, reaching into the car to get a hold on the unconscious man.

  “We’re taking him to the cellar to interrogate him. What are we trying to get out of him?”

  “He said he was hoping we would upgrade security on the preserve. Said we were overdue. When I asked if there was a reason we should upgrade, he panicked and tried to run. He—”

  Toby was interrupted when Scott staggered back from the car. His face was pale, but his eyes were lupine and his canines were exposed.

  Deacon rushed at him with a hand on his shoulder. “What’s wrong? Is he dead?”

  Scott lifted a shaky hand and pointed toward David. “I thought, I wasn’t sure, but he’s my mate.”

  “Shit!”

  Scott turned on Ben when he cussed. Ben was his alpha, but David was his mate. Toby knew what was happening. Scott’s mind was fracturing, trying to decide his loyalties. When hair started to show on his arms, it was clear to Toby where Scott’s loyalty stood.

  Toby prepared to shift to protect his alpha, but Ben stopped him with a hand on his chest. Ben never took his eyes from Scott. “Stand down, Scott.”

  “You won’t harm my mate!”

  Scott’s face was strained, a vein pulsing on his forehead. Slowly, Scott stepped toward the car. He was placing himself between his mate and what he supposed was a threat.

  “Scott, David knows something or he wouldn’t have reacted when I asked him. We don’t want to hurt him, but we need to know what he knows.”

  Scott’s face softened, and he turned to look into the car. When he looked back, his eyes were human again. “Then just ask him.”

  “Scott, I tried, but he started to run from me.”

  “Maybe he’s in danger.”

  Toby felt for Scott. If the situation were his, he would be looking for any shred of hope that his mate was innocent.

  “He’s already considered pack, Scott. If he’s in danger then we can protect him. You have my word as your alpha.” Scott nodded at Ben. “Let us handle this our way for now. Can you pull yourself together or do you want me to get someone else?”

  “No! I want to stay with him.”

  Toby wasn’t surprised by Scott’s response. He didn’t know how he’d lived with Kent out of his sight for so long. Mates were meant to stick together, through good and bad. Scott was showing that he would be here for David. Toby only hoped that David would still be around for Scott at the end of the day.

  Chapter 9

  Toby watched as Scott placed David gently into a chair in the basement. The small room was thick-walled and secluded. The only door was steel and held a small, reinforced window at face level. The lock clicked loudly and resounded throughout the empty space.

  Sometime while being carried David had woken up. He was twisting in the seat now, and muffled cries could be heard. Scott looked back at Ben. Scott’s lips were turned down in a frown, and his hands were shaking. Deacon put a hand on Scott’s chest.

  “Stand over there. I’ll handle it.” Scott stared down at Deacon for a long moment before nodding once and moving to stand next to the door. Toby tried to watch the scene in front of him but knew he would have to keep an eye on Scoot should he charge at them if things got rough.

  Deacon pulled a knife from his pocket. “I need to cut off the tape on your mouth, David. Don’t move.”

  David’s body went rigid. Deacon gripped his chin and slid the knife under the tape. With a flick, the tape was split in two. Deacon did the same with the tape holding his eyes covered.

  “My name is Ben Martin. You swore allegiance to my father, Titus Martin.”

  Deacon peeled the cloth from the tape, exposing David’s eyes. He blinked rapidly at the glaring light from the bare bulb in the ceiling.

  “Do you know why you are here?”

  David shook his head when Ben questioned him. Deacon slowly pulled the tape then yanked, freeing most of David’s lower face. David took a shaky inhale and coughed. The tape hung to his shoulders still caught in his long hair.

  “Please let me go. I don’t know anything. I swear!”

  Toby approached David. He grabbed David’s head with both hands and twisted his face to stare at him. “If you don’t know anything, why were you so nervous when I questioned you? Why’d you try to run?”

  “You were scaring me. I was nervous.” David’s eyes enlarged, and tears rolled down his cheeks.

  Scott was at Toby’s side in an instant. He slowly pried Toby’s hands from David’s face. Dropping to his knees beside David brought him to David’s eye level. “If you know anything, anything at all, please tell them.”

  Scott’s voice was piteous, even to Toby’s ears. David nodded his head at Scott then started talking.

  “I’ve had a few special orders from the same man over the last year. Nothing huge. Replacement parts. But the parts are all for massive security systems. The kind that only a large corporation or a billionaire could afford.”

  While David talked, Scott worked pieces of David’s hair loose from the tape. He moved in front of the man, and gestured to Deacon to hand him the knife. With precise moves, he freed David’s legs then hands.

  David rubbed over the skin on his wrists. “I only have suspicions about them. I don’t know of any big companies that are in the area beside yours that have a need for items like that. I make my money on repairs, not special orders, so they stuck out to me.”

  “If it was just suspicion, why did you act so squirrely when I questioned you?”

  “Don’t talk to me about squirrely when you fucking started to turn into a fucking wolf!”

  David jabbed his finger at Toby, but Scott grabbed it out of the air and rubbed over the bruised wrist. Toby watched as David stared at the hulking ma
n. Toby cleared his throat trying to stay on task. David turned his face toward Toby and Ben once more but his eyes stayed focused on Scott, taking a moment to join the rest of his face.

  “I don’t have any proof that they’re bad. I just know what I ordered and that it seemed off. Not to be an ass, but I don’t really trust the wolves after what happened with Elspeth.”

  “You can trust me.” David turned to Scott’s quiet voice. “Ben, David?” Scott paused and waited for David to agree. When he nodded, Scott continued. “David doesn’t know anything, and he’s not helping the enemy. Can we take him upstairs and treat him like a human instead of a felon?”

  Toby was glad that Scott’s mate was innocent, but they still needed to know what was bought and by whom. If it was big enough to arouse David’s suspicions, then it might be the clue they were looking for.

  Ben turned and left with only a wave for them to follow him. They walked upstairs and through the halls and to Ben’s formal office. Ben started his questions before he had even sat down.

  “Why did the purchases make you suspicious?”

  “Can I have some water, please?”

  David sat rigid, his back straight as a board. His posture hinted of bravery, but the air reeked of fear. Scott jumped to get him a bottle from the small fridge. He handed it to David then sat next to him on the leather couch. After a few swallows, David seemed calmer and began again.

  “You’re the biggest spenders in the area. The items purchased weren’t expensive, in and of themselves, but were for systems that are expensive. I don’t know anything about where the systems are since the only address I have is a PO box.”

  “I need to see all the orders and any info you have. I’ll have my assistant look into it.”

  “No offense, but if I can’t find out anything about them, I doubt your assistant will be able to.”

  Scott leaned forward. His eyes were huge and staring intently at David. “Are you a hacker?” The words were spoken with such reverence that Toby fought the urge to laugh. If he were honest, Kent held the same sway over him.

  “I can hack, but it’s not my livelihood.”

  “Scott, would you mind driving David back to his store, so he can get the info for us?”

  Scott was on his feet in an instant. “Sure, I’d love to.”

  “That won’t be necessary.” David walked toward Ben’s desk. He spun the computer screen toward himself and moved the keyboard. Toby watched in shock as David overtook his alpha’s desk. A few keystrokes later, and the information was on the computer screen. “I can print it out from here.”

  “Wow. You want a job here?” Ben smiled up at David.

  “I’d think about it, but I’ve seen the way you treat new recruits.” David pulled at the tape hanging near his ear. “I’m going to have to cut my hair to get this out or get bald patches yanking it.”

  “Use peanut butter. It should dissolve the adhesive.” The room all turned toward Scott, who had been quietly staring at his mate. He shrugged his shoulders. “It works on bubble gum.”

  “Deacon, can you get the papers David printed?”

  Ben let his head drop into his hands. Scott and David continued to stare at one another. When Deacon returned with the papers, Ben didn’t look any more relieved.

  “Can you tell what system is installed based on these parts?”

  Both Toby and David answered, “Yes.”

  “David, I’m sorry that we met under these circumstances. Your abilities would be an asset to my pack. Please understand protecting my pack is paramount. If there is anything I can do to make this up to you, please don’t hesitate to ask. Scott, take David home.”

  Scott held the door open and gestured for David to exit. Deacon watched as they left and turned back with a grin. “Have you ever seen someone as smitten as Scott? He’s looking at David like he hung the moon.”

  Ben managed a weak smile. “I know you’re the romantic, Deacon, but I just can’t think about anything else. Toby, tell me what you know.”

  Toby took the papers and read through them slowly. He hmmed repeatedly as he looked at the details. This was more complicated then he originally thought.

  “They are using a few systems, all very high-tech and modern. They are variations of the systems I wanted to install here, but there’s even more.”

  “More? How so?”

  Toby sat back and rubbed over his head. “It’s complicated. They have some items that can be used for any number of systems, so I don’t really know. The only thing I know for sure is they don’t want anyone coming in uninvited.”

  “Ben, we don’t know that these people are any threat to us.” Deacon sat forward as he spoke to Ben.

  “I know. I know.” Ben rubbed his eyes. “I have a bad feeling about all this. Let’s keep this under wraps for now, but I’m really starting to think we’re going to need more help.”

  * * * *

  Toby stood a distance from the fence line watching as workers cut and yanked the kudzu and placed it into huge piles. The pack planned on burning the plant in an area nearby they had cleared and outfitted just for this purpose.

  None of the new specialty fence could be brought in under such short notice. Toby had purchased more chain link at the local hardware store and was reinforcing the broken areas himself. He had already installed the two cameras David had provided, one on the outer edge of the ranger station and the other on a tree. Betty should be receiving the first transmissions from them soon.

  Connor instructed volunteers on the proper way to remove the kudzu. He had to get the roots out, or Toby would be here repeatedly repairing the chain links. Connor had mentioned something about returning to spray the area with helium, but Toby hadn’t heard it clearly. Connor had apologized to Toby, and they had a pleasant enough working relationship going. But when Connor was discussing the kudzu disposal, Kent was present and broadcasting his opinions on Connor loudly to Toby.

  Shovels clinked and pickaxes chipped into the hardened soil while Toby took some measurements.

  “Holy shit! Look at this!” Connor was leaning over a large hole in the earth. Toby knelt next to him after pressing through the throng of workers who quickly gathered there.

  “Melissa was yanking on a vine while I dug at the roots, and this happened.” Travis pointed to the gaping hole.

  “It almost swallowed Travis.” Melissa was shaking, and Travis had his arm around her shoulder. Both looked upset.

  Toby turned to Connor. “Do you know what it is? A sinkhole maybe?”

  “Get my keys off my quad.” Another volunteer ran back and returned with the jangling keys. Several items hung from them. Connor shifted them around until he held a small LED flashlight. He leaned close to the edge. “I know I was a douche earlier, but grab me should I start to fall in.”

  “You got it.” Toby smiled and held onto Connor’s foot just in case.

  Connor leaned into the hole. “It’s a shaft. Like from a mine. It goes outside the fence and then deeper into the property.” Connor’s body twisted. “Pull me up.” Connor looked over his shoulder back into the hole. “We need to get Ben and some stuff to explore that.”

  Toby stood up. “Everyone, listen up. What you saw today, it stays right here. That is an order coming from the inner circle. Continue to clean up the kudzu. No one goes in that tunnel.”

  Toby grabbed the radio from his belt, but felt Connor clutch his wrist. “I don’t think we should talk over the radio. Have the bird go.”

  This was so much worse than Toby imagined when he got the call to return home. Just from a glance he could tell that tunnel led right into the house outside the preserve. Whoever they were dealing with was already inside the preserve. Toby nodded to Connor, who had walked to a hawk that was resting on a nearby quad. Connor spoke to the bird before it shot into the sky and took off toward headquarters.

  When the work day was over, Toby was taking Kent to pack and move into his house permanently. He didn’t want to waste another m
oment of his life away from the mate fate gave him. Times were scary and uncertain. He already lost eight years because he was a fool. He wasn’t going to lose a second more because they hesitated.

  * * * *

  Kent pushed Toby’s hands off of his ass for the fifth time in the last half hour. “Stop it. My parents are downstairs.”

  “So, they know we’re newly mated.” Toby slid his hands over Kent’s backside again, and Kent couldn’t help but push back into the touch a little.

  “Ugh, I’m still not doing anything with them right below us.” Kent grabbed more books and stacked them inside a cardboard box. He swatted at Toby again. “Would you please just pack something? The sooner we get this done, the sooner we can go home.”

  “Our home.” Toby sighed as he said it. Kent was elated when Toby mentioned packing and moving in tonight. Kent was all for diving in head first now that they were mated.

  “Uh-huh. Then you can touch me all you want.”

  “All right!”

  Kent laughed as he watched Toby shuffle across the room to start loading items into another box. The same box he had been working on for the last half hour. Kent didn’t have much—clothes, books, a few memorabilia. Everything he owned was stored in this one room. In fact, most of his favorite things were still in boxes from college. And although the furniture was his, it was really his parents. Toby had a fully furnished home and more stuff arriving soon enough, so he didn’t need any of it anyway. Toby said he would order an additional matching dresser for Kent.

  Toby kept telling Kent how he wanted him to feel he belonged in the house. It was Kent’s home now, but at the moment Kent was more interested in feeling Toby’s body than listening to his words. It seemed that the tables turned during packing.

  Before Kent knew it, his life until now was all in labeled boxes at his feet. One final check in the drawers and closet, and he was going to start helping Toby carry boxes down stairs. Toby swaggered into the room, a mischievous smile on his face.