by K. C. Wells
Rael laughed. “Wait till you get to Idaho.”
Crank eyed him suspiciously. “We’re not talking… snow, are we?”
“Right now? We most certainly are.” Rael was enjoying the look of horror on Crank’s face. “Aw, what’s wrong with a little snow?”
Crank gaped. “It’s fucking freezing, that’s what’s wrong with it.” Roadkill walked over to him, holding out a mug of coffee, and Crank took it with noises of gratitude.
“Any luck?” Roadkill asked him.
Crank nodded after slurping his coffee. “We’ve got us a 1964 Huey.”
“How did you manage that so fast?” Rael was seriously impressed.
Crank narrowed his gaze. “I have friends you don’t even wanna know about. I called in more than a few favors and got what we needed. Be happy with that.”
“1964?” Roadkill speared Crank with a hard stare. “You sure that bird isn’t going to fall apart midair?” Crank merely returned his stare. “Fine. So we’re in business.” Roadkill rubbed his hands together. “Excellent.”
“Are we any clearer where we’re flying it to?” Crank asked. “Because I’ll need to organize someone to fly it on once we get into the motor home.”
“I’ve already done that.” Roadkill glanced at his phone. “Pickle is going to meet us in Gary, Indiana.”
Crank laughed. “Good ol’ Pickle.” When he caught Rael’s inquiring glance, he smiled. “So called because he spends most of his life pickled. He loves his booze, that one.”
“And he flies?” Rael was horrified. “I wouldn’t be drunk in charge of a motorcycle, let alone a helicopter.”
Crank chuckled, then glanced at Roadkill. “How far along are you with the motor home?”
“I was waiting on you to agree on the departure point, but I’ve researched southern Illinois and northern Indiana, based on what Horvan said. We have several options.”
Rael loved their confidence.
Crank inclined his head toward the bedroom door. “He’s still at it?”
Roadkill nodded. “But Horvan should be back soon, and he’ll make sure Hashtag stops to eat. You know what Horvan’s like.” Crank’s lips twitched.
“What is he like?” The exchange intrigued Rael.
Crank snickered. “A mother hen. Not that we’d have him any other way.”
Roadkill widened his eyes. “Oh my God. Even better.” He grinned. “Mama Bear.” The pair of them burst out laughing, and Rael had to fight the urge to join in.
Horvan was going to hate that.
“While we’ve got you alone….” Crank lowered his voice. “Can we ask you something?”
“Depends on what you want to know.” Rael was curious to see where this was leading.
Crank looked at Roadkill, who leaned forward. “What does it feel like when you shift?”
Rael smiled. “It’s the most exhilarating feeling ever.”
“Does it hurt?” Crank asked. “Because I remember watching a werewolf movie once, and it looked fucking painful. His snout grew out, then his hind legs, and oh my God, watching his spine—”
Roadkill whacked his arm hard. “Did you see any of that when they shifted? No, you did not. So obviously we can forget werewolf movies.” He rolled his eyes.
“It doesn’t hurt,” Rael assured Crank. “You just… concentrate, and it happens. And as you might have noticed, it helps to be naked first. Otherwise it gets messy.”
“Have you ever shifted by accident?” Roadkill asked.
Rael bit his lip. “Once. I was young, barely out of puberty. Me and my best friend were in my bedroom, and I think we were arguing about something. Anyhow, he got me so pissed, I shifted. I guess it was the heightened emotions or something. I shifted right back, but the damage was done.”
Crank’s mouth opened. “Was he the one who fainted?”
Rael nodded. “When he came round, he was shaking like a leaf. Finally I got him to calm down. I had to tell him what I was.”
“Isn’t that dangerous? What if he tells people?” Roadkill shook his head. “I’m not sure how I would have reacted at that age.”
“He never told a soul back then. And I’m certain he won’t now.”
“Why?”
“Because his wife would kill him,” Rael said with a chuckle.
“Huh?” Both Roadkill and Crank stared at him, clearly perplexed.
“We lost track of each other once we went to college. But years later he got back in touch. Turns out the girl he was dating? She was a shifter.” Rael laughed. “I wish I could’ve seen her face when she saw his lack of reaction to her revelation. She must’ve expected him to freak out.”
“What kind of shifter is she?” Crank seemed fascinated.
“Puma. Wes tells me about nights when they’re on the couch and she lies on her back so he can give her belly rubs. And there’s this thing he does with a flashlight? Drives her crazy. She’s just a big kitty, after all. Like me.”
“My turn.” Roadkill regarded him with interest. “Are you aware of your lion when you’re human? Can you feel it?”
Rael shrugged. “Sure. I can always feel it. It’s like a comforting presence in the back of my mind.” He grinned. “At least until someone drives stupid or gets into the ten items or less lane with a couple dozen items. Then I have to keep a tight rein on him because we both want to rip their throat out.”
Roadkill became very still. “You wanna rip out their… please, tell me you’re joking.”
Rael burst into a peal of laughter. “Yes, I’m kidding.” Roadkill and Crank joined him, although their chuckles had a distinctly relieved quality. “My lion is always there, content to stay quiet until I can get away to the forest or, if by chance, I feel threatened.”
“Okay, let’s get onto the real important stuff.” Crank lowered his voice. “Shifter sex. Have you ever fucked in your lion form?”
Hoo boy. Rael took a deep breath. “I’ve never had sex with a shifter.”
“Wait—but… Horvan….” Roadkill’s brow furrowed. “You and he haven’t…?”
“We’re not complete yet. When we’ve got Dellan? Then….” That was as much as Rael was willing to say, and he had a feeling it had been too much.
“Wow,” Crank said in an awed tone. “Horvan’s not getting any. I’m surprised he’s not cranky as hell twenty-four seven.” He snorted. “Pun intended. I was right when I said it before. We’ve reached the end times.”
Before Rael could question him further, the front door opened and Horvan entered, laden with bags.
“What have you been buying?” Rael stood and went over to relieve him of some of them.
“Air mattresses and pillows, what else?” Horvan gave him a peck on the lips before Rael took the bags to the bedroom door and left them there, out of the way.
“Aw. You listened.” Crank blew Horvan a kiss.
Horvan blew one right back, and the others laughed. He glanced at the laptops on view. “You guys got a lot done?”
“Yup, we’ve been very productive.” Roadkill took the bag of subs from Horvan. “I’ll get these unwrapped and put out chips and stuff.”
Horvan thanked him, then came over to where Rael stood. “Pleased to see me?”
“You know it,” Rael said quietly, before kissing him on the mouth. Horvan instantly put his arms around him and drew him closer.
“Put him down. There’s plenty of time for that later—Mama Bear.”
Slowly, Horvan turned his head to glare at Crank. “What?”
Crank shrugged. “If the shoe fits….”
Rael had a feeling this was not going to end well.
“Hey!” Crank’s eyes gleamed mischievously. “If he’s Mama Bear, does that make Rael Goldilocks?”
“Shut up, Crank,” Roadkill said loudly.
“No, come on. It’s perfect. I mean, look at all that blond hair. I’m right, aren’t I?” Crank looked at them for agreement.
“Shut up, Crank!” Roadkill and Horvan shouted in unison.
/> Crank pouted. “Geez, you guys are no fun.”
Rael had to disagree. And right then, this was just what he needed to distract him from thoughts of Dellan.
No easy task.
We’re going to do this. Hashtag’s on the case, and God willing, we’ll get everything organized ASAP. Dellan’s going to be all right. He’s got to be all right.
Chapter Eleven
HASHTAG CAME out of the bedroom, looking tired. “What day is it?” he joked.
“Sunday. Except Sunday is almost over.” Horvan peered at him. “You haven’t stopped all day.”
Hashtag scrubbed a hand over his face. “I couldn’t. I kept thinking of what else they could do to Dellan, and that made me even more determined to sort this out.” He walked over to the couch and flopped onto it. “Where are Roadkill and Crank?” Then he held up a hand. “Stupid question. Smoke break. I could do with one myself. I’ll wait till they’re back inside. I have stuff to tell you all.”
“That sounds promising.”
Hashtag covered his mouth as he yawned. “Sorry. I’m bushed.” He glanced around expectantly. “Anything to eat?”
Rael got up from the couch and headed for the kitchen. “I’ll find you something.”
Hashtag gave a contented smile. “I like him.”
Horvan chuckled. “Because he’s feeding you?”
“Nah, it’s because he’s an okay guy. Whoever picked him certainly knew you. He’s a good fit.” Hashtag gave another smile. “Hard to imagine a few days ago, I was blissfully ignorant that shifters even existed, let alone that there was such a thing as fated mates.” He peered at Horvan. “That is how you’d describe it? Someone destined to be with you?”
Horvan nodded. “And I was as ignorant as you, until he turned up on my doorstep.” At that moment, the front door opened and the guys came in, shivering. “A little cold out there?”
Crank gave an exaggerated shudder. “I suppose I’d better not complain, seeing as it’s gonna be worse in Idaho. Whenever we get there.”
“That would be early to midday Thursday, by my estimate,” Hashtag announced.
There was a brief silence as all eyes focused on him. Rael stood in the archway, a bowl of popcorn in one hand and a bag of chips in the other. “What?”
Hashtag nodded. “We’re on for Wednesday.”
“You got it all organized that fast?” Horvan was impressed.
“And we have the video of Dellan pacing up and down in his cage to thank for that.” Hashtag ran his hand over his closely cropped hair. “These animal rights people get seriously wound up about this shit. Not to mention there are a ton of them out there. As soon as I shared the video clip, it started getting a lot of attention. I even got to talk to activists on the phone.” He sagged against the seat cushions. “It’s happening, guys.”
Horvan leaned over and gripped Hashtag’s shoulder. “You made it happen, dude.”
Hashtag gave a modest shrug. “It’s what I do, right?”
“Can you be ready with the tech by then?” Roadkill asked, sitting on the floor by the coffee table and helping himself to a huge handful of popcorn from the bowl Rael had placed there.
Hashtag lurched forward and grabbed the bowl, hugging it to his chest. “Mine. I’ve earned it. And yeah, I’m ready to rock ’n’ roll. I’ve recorded their video feed, making sure it shows only Dellan. Then I’ll make it into a loop. I hack into their surveillance system, and bingo, they see what we want them to see.”
“And you’re sure you can do that remotely?” Horvan inquired.
Hashtag smirked. “I’ll ignore that note of doubt. After all, you have your skills, I have mine.”
Horvan grinned. “Yes, I remember being on the receiving end of those skills. That thing you did with your tongue? Awesome.” Then he noticed Rael’s incredulous expression. “Oops.”
Rael put his hands on his hips. “Was every guy you served with gay?”
“Hey!” Crank yelled indignantly. “Straight guy here. I date girls, remember? Leave me outta this.”
“The lady doth protest too much, methinks,” Roadkill said with a wink. That earned him a growl from Crank.
Horvan chuckled. “Who said they were all gay? Some had to find out if my rep was true. And they were never dissatisfied,” he added with a hint of pride.
Rael folded his arms, his jaw set, his blue eyes flinty.
“Aw, honey, that was in the past. I’m a changed man, remember?” Horvan pleaded. “You know there’s only gonna be you and Dellan from now on, right?”
Crank cackled. “Now I’ve seen it all. Horvan metaphorically on his knees to another guy. That’s what I call being truly pussy whipped.” He did a series of bows to Rael. “King of beasts. The master.” He snuck a peek at Horvan. “Someone’s in the bearhouse,” he sang.
Horvan had the sinking feeling he was really in trouble, until Rael’s lips twitched and his eyes sparkled with humor. Horvan gave a low growl. “You little shit.”
“When you’ve quite finished,” Hashtag interjected, staring pointedly at Horvan and Crank. “Can we get back to this mission? Because there are things we need to discuss.”
Horvan slipped back into work mode. “Go for it.” He sat on the arm of the couch and gestured for Rael to join him.
“I’ve got a plan for once we’re safely on the ground,” Hashtag told them. “Eight or so of my contacts will post on social media, at a given signal from me, that they have the tiger, and he’s being taken to an animal sanctuary. Now, these are going to be from legitimate animal rights groups, and all posted from around the Chicago area.”
“Eight different groups are gonna claim responsibility for taking Dellan?” Crank beamed. “Genius.”
Hashtag gave a half bow. “I thank you. Now for details of the day. Early start, boys. This all kicks off at 7:00 a.m.”
“Why at that time?” Roadkill asked. “Why not at night? Surely there’ll be fewer people around at night. We’re talking a skeleton crew compared with possibly hundreds of people going to work.”
“Actually? I’m counting on the crowd. The ensuing chaos could work to our advantage. Besides, why have the protesters turn up at night? There’ll be no one around to see them protest, and that is sort of the point, right?” Hashtag helped himself to a mouthful of popcorn before continuing. “I’ll be in the chopper on my laptop, monitoring the action in the lobby. We’ll have Jase and Finn on the ground, keeping things moving with the protesters. Horvan, Roadkill, and Rael will go in with them, then make their way up to the top floor. You’ll give Crank the go-ahead to land on the roof. Once he’s down, we’ll have to move fast.”
“Question.” Roadkill cocked his head to one side. “This all works on the assumption that Rael will be able to communicate with Dellan. What if he can’t?” He gave Rael an apologetic glance. “Sorry, but we have to be prepared for all eventualities. And you said it yourself—you couldn’t get through to him.”
“It’s okay,” Rael said resignedly. “I’ve been thinking the same thing myself.”
“Why is no one asking if I can get through to Dellan?” Horvan’s chest tightened. “He’s my mate too, remember?”
There was an uncomfortable silence.
Roadkill cleared his throat. “In all probability, you will. After all, you and Rael have that link, right? So there’s every reason to expect you and Dellan will have it too. But… Dellan has never met you. He’s met Rael. Twice. They’ve communicated. So we’ve got a much better chance of letting Rael try first.” Roadkill peered intently at Horvan. “Okay?”
Roadkill was right, of course. Horvan nodded. He glanced at Hashtag. “You got a plan?”
He nodded. “Though you might not like part of it. Worst-case scenario—we have a wild cat on our hands, and we’re breaking into his cage. We’ll have to sedate him.”
“And how do you propose to do that?” Rael was so still.
Hashtag sighed. “By shooting him with a tranquilizer dart. Then when he’s out,
we get him into a sling that we can carry out of there with poles balanced on our shoulders.”
“A sling… up a flight of stairs and onto the roof?” Crank pressed his lips together, his face tightening.
“Like I said, worst-case scenario. And if it comes to that, we just do the best we can. They won’t see us on the top floor. And I’ll disable what alarms I can. I’ll also be able to see what you see via your cameras.”
“How fast are we talking? From landing to taking off?” Rael demanded.
Hashtag’s brow creased. “This is where it gets tricky. If we have to use a tranquilizer dart, that could alter things. For one, we don’t know how long it will take to put Dellan out. That’s why we’d have to wait until he’s out before signaling to Crank.”
“And the longer that takes, the more likely the police will interrupt us,” Horvan added.
Hashtag nodded. “That’s why we need the crowds. The more the merrier. And speaking of the dart… we’re gonna need some help on that one. I sent a message to Doc Tranter. He’s calling me tomorrow night.”
“Why? He’s a doctor, not a vet,” Crank remarked.
“Sure, but he’s also a shifter, remember?”
Crank shook his head. “Yeah, I keep forgetting that part. The doc… whoa.”
“And he’ll be able to tell us what we need to know,” Hashtag announced. “I’ve already given him a heads-up as to why we need him. I figured that way he’d have the information at his fingertips.” Hashtag met Horvan’s gaze. “What’s your estimate on the mission time?”
“We’d better signal Crank when we have Dellan ready to go. If it takes us more than ten minutes, we could be screwed. Because someone will spot the chopper.”
Hashtag nodded in agreement. “That sounds about right.” He looked Rael up and down. “First thing tomorrow morning, you’ll need to go shopping.”
Rael frowned. “For what, exactly?”
Hashtag’s eyes twinkled. “Well, unless you came here prepared with clothing suitable for a military operation….”
Rael blinked, then glanced at Horvan. “Looks like I’m going shopping.”
“I’ll come with you,” Horvan told him. Rael gave him a grateful smile, and Horvan knew all was well between them.