by K. C. Wells
Hashtag expelled a breath. “Thank God for that. Now, you wanna hear how we’re going to get him out without anyone noticing?”
“I do,” Crank chimed in. Everyone sat down again, only this time Rael sat at Horvan’s feet, his gaze still trained on the laptop’s screen.
“This is going to be carried out early in the day. The building opens at six for the cleaning staff, but the CEO and his secretary normally get there at eight or later.”
Roadkill chuckled. “How do you know all this?”
Hashtag preened. “It’s amazing what you can find out over a smoke break with one of the security guards. And speaking of which… they monitor the top floor with CCTV. I’m gonna hack into their system. I gotta say, it’s a pretty shit system for such a hi-tech building. Anyhow, what they’ll be seeing is a loop, showing Dellan doing tiger stuff in his cage.”
“And you think they won’t notice a military helicopter landing on the roof? What if we set off an alarm?”
“We won’t. I’ll make sure of that. And security is gonna be too busy to see us, because they’ll have their hands full dealing with the protesters.”
Horvan frowned. “Protesters?” He had to hand it to Hashtag. The guy had clearly been thinking this through.
Hashtag nodded. “That’s what’s going to take the time. I need to set myself up with fake accounts on Twitter and Facebook, describing myself as an animal rights activist. Then I leak the story of the tiger to as many animal rights groups as I can find. I email them, spreading a tale of the rich CEO who keeps a caged wild animal in his office. I share footage of the tiger. In short, I use social media to whip all the animal lovers out there into a frenzy.”
“Isn’t that a bit risky?” Rael frowned. “You use social media, and Anson’s tech people could pick up on it.”
Hashtag shook his head. “Once these groups take a bite, we go quiet. Email, messaging, private groups on Facebook, et cetera. I’m not putting the video of Dellan out in public. Like you said, that’s way too risky. No, I’ll do a little fishing first; then when I’ve got their interest—bam.” He gave Rael a reassuring smile. “That work for ya?”
Rael nodded. “I should’ve thought before I opened my mouth.”
Horvan squeezed his shoulder. “You ask all the questions you want, okay?”
Hashtag continued, “When I’ve gotten a big enough response—and let’s face it, with social media, that won’t take long these days—I set a date for the protest, which gets shared secretly to keep prying eyes away.” He folded his arms. “The day in question, the protesters turn up en masse, primed with printed signs. So while they’re on the first floor, chanting slogans, sitting on the ground, painting graffiti on the windows and the walls, we will be on the top floor, getting Dellan out.”
“Hey, isn’t this Lethal Weapon II?” Crank was nodding. “You know, where all the protesters are outside the South African embassy, and Riggs slips in under the door to go—”
“Crank.” Horvan glared at him. “Not the time, okay?” Crank immediately mimed zipping his lips.
“Sounds like we might need a few more guys on the ground,” Roadkill commented. “Have them in among the protesters, making sure they stay on track.” He smiled. “You know who’d be perfect for this? Jase. He’s a great little rabble-rouser.”
“Good thinking. Get onto him, ASAP. Let’s see if he’s available.” Horvan knew they’d need more men. He hoped the ones they wanted were in the country. Some did a lot of work overseas in Europe and Asia.
“Then what?” Rael asked. “Once we’ve got him out, I mean.”
“We fly a short distance to an arranged meeting point. It can’t be a long trip, because of Dellan. We have a guy waiting for us with a motor home. We take it, and he flies the chopper away. Whichever direction we take, he’ll fly the opposite way.”
“And what direction will we be taking?” Crank inquired.
“That’s as far as I got,” Hashtag admitted. “But it’ll need to be someplace remote, with accommodation big enough for all of us plus a tiger. Of course,” he added, “we’re hoping he won’t stay a tiger for long.”
It was the right thing to say. Horvan nodded. “Once we’re wherever we end up, I’ll be sending Roadkill to pick up Doc Tranter. Maybe he’ll be able to help.”
Hashtag gave him an inquiring glance. “What does the doc know about tigers?”
Roadkill laughed. “See what happens when you miss a briefing?” He leaned toward Hashtag and whispered, “Another shifter.”
“Holy Christ, they’re everywhere.” Hashtag shook his head. “This mission is certainly turning into an eye-opener.”
“I might have an idea where we can take him,” Rael said suddenly. All heads turned in his direction. “I live in Salmon, Idaho. It’s a little place with only around three thousand inhabitants. But I chose to live there because the Salmon-Challis National Forest is right on my doorstep. That’s where I go to shift. But there are cabins in the forest that you can rent. Some of them are pretty big. Plus it’s kinda isolated in places.”
Horvan considered the proposal. “Wherever we change vehicles, we’re talking about a day’s drive to Idaho if we intend avoiding tolls. That works. They won’t be looking for a motor home.”
“They? Who is ‘they’?” Crank inquired.
Horvan sighed. “Someone has gone to a lot of trouble with Dellan. You think they’re just going to let him go?” He shook his head. “I think it’s likely they’ll pursue us. And we have to be prepared for that.” He couldn’t help noticing how Rael’s gaze kept returning to the laptop.
Apparently, Hashtag had noticed it too. “Rael?” When he had Rael’s attention, Hashtag tapped the laptop. “I’m going leave this logged in to their video feed, all right? Anytime you wanna look at it, day or night, it’ll be here. I’ll put my log-in details right by the laptop so you can get back in if it logs you out.” His eyes were warm.
Rael swallowed. “Thanks.” He got to his feet. “I’m gonna make some coffee. Anyone interested? Or do you want to stick with beer?” A chorus of voices clamored for coffee, and he went into the kitchen area.
Roadkill met Horvan’s gaze. “Well, go after him. I might not be his mate, but even I know he’s upset right now.”
Horvan didn’t need telling—Rael’s distress was coming off him in waves. He walked into the kitchen to find Rael leaning against the sink, head bowed. Horvan went over to him and put his arms around Rael’s waist. “Hey,” he said softly. “It’s going to be okay.”
“You don’t know that.” Rael didn’t turn to look at him. “What if… what if we’re too late?”
Gently but firmly, Horvan turned him around. He put his hand under Rael’s chin and lifted that sweet face to look Rael in the eye. “We have to stay positive, sweetheart. We have to trust this is going to work.”
Rael smiled. “I do like it when you call me that.”
Horvan chuckled. “You’re the first guy I ever called sweetheart. And I guess you’ll be the last, with one important exception.”
“Hey, there’s something we haven’t discussed,” Crank called out from the living area. “Something fairly major, so get your bear butt in here.”
Horvan sighed. “Make the coffee. I’ll go see what His Majesty wants.”
Rael laughed quietly. “I do like your friends. They’re good guys.”
Horvan kissed him on the mouth, a chaste, lingering kiss that warmed him. Then he walked back into the living area. “Which bear butt were you referring to?” He unfastened his jeans and turned around, waggling his ass.
“Don’t you dare,” Crank warned. “There isn’t enough room in the whole damn apartment for that ass.” Horvan glared at him, but Crank merely huffed. “I get that Rael will be sleeping with you, but what about the rest of us? Because all I see is one couch.”
“And you can fight it out for who gets it, because the other two will be on the floor. I got plenty of blankets and pillows.” He peered intently at Crank
. “Besides, weren’t you the one who was always telling us you could fall asleep on a rope?” Cackles erupted from the others. “Granted, my floor might be a little uncomfortable, but it beats sleeping on the hard ground. Something we four have done a lot of in our past.”
“He’s got you there, Crank.” Roadkill snickered. “And I vote Hashtag gets the couch. He’s earned it.” Hashtag bumped fists with him.
“Fine,” Crank grumbled. “We’ll take it in turns. But I am not sleeping in the tub. Had to do that once after a date, and I swore I’d never do it again.”
Roadkill arched his eyebrows. “Doesn’t sound like it was all that good a date.”
Rael walked in with the tray of mugs. “I’ve been thinking. What if I want to look at the laptop during the night? I might disturb you guys if you’re in here.”
Hashtag smiled. “Then take it with you to the bedroom. I’m not gonna need it tonight.”
Rael’s look of gratitude made Horvan’s chest tighten. Horvan mouthed thank you to Hashtag, who merely nodded.
“Okay, what are we playing?” Crank picked up the pack of cards he and Roadkill had been playing with earlier. “I vote for strip poker.”
Roadkill snorted. “Hell no. You always play to lose, and I for one do not wanna see your dick again. Or your bubble butt, for that matter.” He peered closely at Crank. “You sure you’re not bi? ’Cause you seem awful fond of getting nekkid in front of us.”
In Horvan’s head, Rael laughed, and the sound made him feel a little lighter.
Maybe a game or two is just what we need. You know, to keep our mind off… things. Horvan knew Crank was trying to keep the tone light to help bolster their spirits. He’d worried Rael might be upset by the jocularity from his friends, but it seemed he was concerned over nothing.
No, I’m not upset, not at all. I understand why he’s doing it. I might not show it, but I really appreciate the way he’s looking out for you. Well, us. Rael’s eyes sparkled. As long as I don’t end up naked. They do not get to see my bits and bobs.
Horvan chuckled. But you have such lovely bits and bobs. Then reality hit home. Hey. Maybe I don’t want you seeing their bits and bobs.
Rael’s lips twitched. You forget. I’ve already seen what you’re packing. They can’t even begin to compete.
Damn, that made him feel good.
“Does anyone here get the feeling we’re missing out on something?” Roadkill was regarding him and Rael with obvious amusement. “I mean, please, don’t let us interrupt your mental sexy shenanigans.”
“Yeah, if you two lovebirds wanna go somewhere and… commune, that’s fine by us,” Crank added with a grin.
“I think you mean mate, don’t you?” Hashtag was grinning too.
Horvan rolled his eyes. “Deal the cards.”
Don’t worry. We can commune later. Rael flashed him a smile. When we’re alone.
Horvan knew it wouldn’t amount to more than cuddling and caressing, but damn, that sounded good. You know it. Then Rael’s smile faded, and an image flashed through Horvan’s mind.
Dellan in his cage… pacing.
Horvan would hold Rael all night if it would keep his mate from being distressed.
Chapter Nine
RAEL HAD no idea what had awoken him so abruptly, but his chest felt constricted and his breathing labored. His heart was racing too. Beside him, Horvan slept soundly. Rael sat up, running his fingers through his hair.
Dellan. Something’s wrong with Dellan. Not that he had any idea if their link extended over so great a distance, but it was the most likely explanation. At least Rael had the means to check on him.
He eased himself carefully out of the bed, trying not to disturb Horvan. Through the closed door, he could hear snoring. Rael crept over to where he’d left the laptop on the chair. He grabbed Horvan’s robe from its hook on the back of the door and put it on. Lord, it drowns me. He snuggled it around him, sat in the wicker chair, and opened the laptop, glancing over to see if its light bothered Horvan. When it became obvious nothing short of a nuclear bomb was going to wake his mate, Rael logged in, straining to read the password Hashtag had given him.
The sight that awaited him stole his breath. Dellan was not alone.
Rael lurched out of the chair and scrambled onto the bed, the laptop held precariously in one hand. He shook Horvan’s shoulder. “Wake up!”
“Whaaa?” Horvan blinked and rubbed his eyes. Within seconds he was alert. He sat up quickly. “What’s wrong?” Voices from the living room told Rael he’d woken the others too.
Good. They need to see this. “Get in here, all of you,” he yelled.
“I do not wanna watch, okay?” Crank grumbled groggily. The door opened, and the three men stood there, blinking, wearing nothing but shorts. “What time is it?”
“You need to see this. There’s something going on,” Rael said urgently.
The men piled onto the bed, everyone peering at the laptop.
“Wait—who the fuck are they?” Roadkill demanded.
Beside Rael, Horvan stared at the screen. “What’s going on in there?”
Rael had no clue. Two men stood at one end of the cage, outside the glass, holding on to a naked girl who was struggling, clearly extremely reluctant to be there. She threw back her head, her mouth wide, her long hair flying. Rael caught his breath when one of the men opened a small tin the size of a tablet and removed a hypodermic needle. Another man appeared from off-camera, grabbed the girl’s arm, and held it out, keeping it immobile.
“What the fuck?” Horvan sounded as agitated as Rael felt.
The man with the needle removed a tiny vial from the tin, then slowly transferred the liquid to the hypo. The girl was held fast by the other two, and, disconcertingly, her legs were shaking.
Rael couldn’t tear his gaze away from the screen. Around him, the voices of the others rose in alarm.
“What is that stuff?”
“Never mind that—what the hell are they doing there? And why is she naked?”
“What sick fuckery is this?”
Dellan was at the far end of the cage, watching the proceedings, crouched by the pool of water, his tail thrashing from side to side, his head low.
“Is he scared?” Horvan asked.
“I can’t tell!” Rael felt so fucking useless. Then he gasped as the man wiped the girl’s wrist before emptying the contents of the vial into her arm. She was still struggling, but the other two held on to her tightly. “Dear Lord.”
“God, I wish we had sound,” Hashtag complained.
“Why? Watching this is bad enough.”
Rael had to agree with Roadkill. The man with the small tin put it away in his pocket, his gaze focused on the girl.
“He’s waiting for whatever they’ve injected her with to take effect,” Horvan said quietly. Roadkill murmured in agreement.
Fuck, this was agony, staring at the screen, rigid with suspense. All Rael could hear was the others’ breathing, so loud in the quiet room. No one spoke for what seemed like ages, all of them seemingly waiting for something to happen.
“How long has it been?” Crank asked.
“About ten minutes,” Roadkill replied. “But I don’t think—”
“Look!” Crank shouted. “Look at the girl. She’s gone really still.”
A horrible thought slowly dawned in Rael’s mind, and when he heard the hitch in Horvan’s breathing, he knew he was right.
“She’s naked because they’re waiting for her to shift,” Rael said in a monotone.
Seconds later, the man with the needle opened the cage door, and together, the three men roughly shoved the girl inside. Dellan’s mouth opened, his sharp teeth gleaming in the light, and Rael knew with every fiber of his being that their mate was roaring. The girl dropped to all fours, and moments later, there stood a tiger, its eyes locked on Dellan.
“They forced a shift. Whatever they gave her forced her to shift,” Horvan concluded. His voice quavered.
; “Is that even possible?” Crank demanded.
“If you’d asked me that yesterday? I’d have said no. But what else could it be?”
Dellan and the tiger circled each other, and the hairs stood up on the back of Rael’s neck. “I know why they’ve put her in there. They want them to mate.” Ice slid down his spine. Rael buried his head in Horvan’s chest. “I can’t watch this.” Yet he was unable to stop himself. He twisted his head to watch Dellan follow the tiger around the cage, never more than a couple of inches from her. She lay down and rolled onto her back, four heavy paws in the air, and Dellan nuzzled her exposed belly and neck. And when she rolled over again to lie facedown, her back legs stretched out, her body submissive, Rael knew he was right.
Dellan stood over her, straddling her body, licking at the scruff on the back of her neck with long flicks of his tongue.
Don’t! Rael screamed in his head. Don’t do it! Fight it. She’s not your mate.
He thought he’d gotten through when Dellan stiffened, his head raised, the female apparently forgotten. Dellan sniffed the air, glancing around the cage. Then he went back to licking the female.
When he lowered his backside, his legs trembling slightly, Rael knew whatever connection they’d had was broken. He looked away. “No. I don’t have to watch this.” Horvan’s strong arm tightened around him, and Rael inhaled his comforting scent.
Horvan stroked his hair gently. “All over now,” he said in a low voice.
Rael jerked his head to stare at the screen. Sure enough, Dellan had retreated back to his tree, and the female tiger headed for the cage door. The men were clearly shouting at her, and it wasn’t long before she shifted back. Quickly, they opened the door and pulled her from the cage. One man threw a garment at her, and when it became clear she wasn’t capable of dressing herself, another man did it for her, pulling the robe over her head and covering her body. All of them disappeared from view, out of the camera’s range, and it was all over. Even Dellan casually licked the pad of his left paw like nothing had happened.