Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 60604 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 303(@200wpm)___ 242(@250wpm)___ 202(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60604 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 303(@200wpm)___ 242(@250wpm)___ 202(@300wpm)
Melissa.
When the police cars screeched around the corner and entered the parking lot, he and the other two wolves disappeared under the protection of the shadows. He hadn’t recognized any of the men, so he was no closer to knowing who was behind this attack, nor had they rescued Melissa. And dammit if Ashley hadn’t nearly gotten herself killed, several times over. He couldn’t focus for most of the fight, because he’d been too worried about protecting her.
She had blatantly disobeyed his instructions. They would be discussing that before all this was through.
Zolla and Mark followed him, slinking through the darkness until they reached Mark’s car where they shifted. All three were covered in blood, both their own and the men’s. He regretted their injuries, and making sure they were all right became his first priority, since they had acted under his command.
Zolla opened the door to his car and handed out clothes. Ben shook his head. “I’ll run back. I need the fresh air. How are you two?”
Mark looked down at the bullet wounds leaking blood on his torso. “Fine,” he said in a clipped tone.
“You?” Ben asked Zolla.
The smaller wolf was panting, weakened by his injuries. “Nothing serious,” he said.
“Are you sure? Can you drive?”
“I’ll drive,” Mark said decisively, his status outweighing Zolla’s. Turning to Ben, he asked, “Did you recognize anyone?”
Ben shook his head. “Not a one. Any sign of Ashley’s twin?”
“There was no female but Ashley,” Zolla said definitively. “I sniffed all three cars. They didn’t bring her.”
Ben swore softly.
“You think she’s dead?” Mark asked.
He met Mark’s eyes, his stomach knotting for Ashley. “Seems like it,” he said heavily. How in the hell was he going to tell her that? Red-hot anger on her behalf flooded him. “I’m going to kill every last one of them,” he growled.
The way the two men looked at him told him they had his back. He experienced a rush of gratitude for their help that nearly choked him. He wasn’t used to relying on others, or caring for anyone but himself. Rather than a burden of responsibility, the honor of their allegiance struck him hard. He needed them and they gave themselves freely, trusted his lead.
He grasped each man by the nape, bowing his head. “Thank you, brothers,” he said gruffly. Unable to say more, he released them and cleared his throat.
“Did they get the laptop?” Zolla asked.
“Yes,” he said. “Can you protect the data? I should’ve brought a decoy instead.”
“No, this will provide the information we’ll need. I’ll track who uses your passwords and find their location. If the girl is still alive, we can get her. And If it’s Jack, you’ll know it and can take appropriate measures,” Zolla said.
“All right, let’s get back so you can start tracking. I’ll meet you at your place. Ashley should be there already.” He shifted back to wolf form and started running, relishing the feel of the run, the air in his fur cooling the heat of his murderous instincts.
9
Ashley swung onto the corner of Platte and 15th, the address her sister gave her and pulled over, peering into the shadows. She saw movement and Melissa came bursting out from behind the building, trailed by a young man. She threw open the car door and rushed to meet her sister, the two of them falling into each other’s arms.
“Oh, my God, Melissa. Thank God. Thank God you’re all right. Oh, my God,” she said, hot tears spilling down her cheeks as she rocked her sister, not willing to release her from the hug.
“Come on,” Melissa said, “let’s get out of here.”
“Are you okay?” she asked, stepping back to look at her. Melissa looked pale and tired; a yellow bruise stood out on her cheekbone and her lip was cut and swollen.
“I’ll be a lot better when we get to your place.”
“Who’s this?” she asked, turning her attention to the man.
Melissa grabbed her sleeve and urged her toward the car, obviously nervous. “Jeremy. He helped me escape. Come on, let’s go.”
They piled in the car and Ashley took off for Zolla’s. “So tell me what happened.”
Melissa drew a breath, then closed her eyes and leaned her head back. “I’ll tell you everything, but can it wait? I just want to get somewhere I can breathe.”
Ashley reached over and squeezed her sister’s hand. “I can’t believe you got away. I was so afraid I’d never see you again,” she said, tears popping into her eyes again.
Melissa returned the squeeze, twisting to look over her shoulder, as if fearful they were being followed. Jeremy, who had climbed in the back seat, reached forward and put his hand on her sister’s shoulder.
Ashley drove as fast as she could without attracting attention to Zolla’s house, entering with the code to the garage door Ben had given her. “Come in, this place is safe. Ben should be back soon.” She spoke with confidence, but a twinge of fear gripped her stomach as she remembered the sound of animals yelping every time a shot had been fired into one of the shifters. Were they invincible? Or could they be killed if they were shot enough or in the right places? No, she couldn’t think that way. Ben would come.