by Fel Fern
To his credit, the guy didn’t run away, but he did jump up when Matthias stood in front of him. Unable to keep the smile off his face, Matthias leaned down. The young man swallowed nervously. “So, we meet again.”
Eyes wide, the human watched Matthias like a prey eyeing a predator. Matthias took the seat next to him. He didn’t intend the human any actual harm. He knew the Torello family used humans as bait or messengers. Some weren’t there by choice. “I was about to call Al,” Matthias said.
Looking relieved, the human asked, “Do you have the cash?”
Matthias snorted. “Yeah, but I’m not a fucking idiot. I’m not giving it to some human lackey.”
The human didn’t look insulted. “That’s good to hear. The family wants to conduct all business transactions civilly, you understand. The Torellos have a reputation to uphold.”
Bemused, Matthias glanced at him. “Do they pay you to tell that to people who owe them?”
The kid let out a shaky laugh. “It’s part of the script. They sent me to make sure everything goes smoothly.”
“They are paying you a decent wage for the risks, I assume? Not all shifters must be as nice as I am,” Matthias said, flashing him teeth.
He swallowed, spunky demeanor changing. “They have my mom and brother. Will you come willing with me?”
“Sure, the bags containing the cash are back in my hotel room.” An outright lie, but Matthias knew what it was like, owing his freedom to a bunch of gangsters. At least Matthias could defend himself and go out with a fight. He had nothing to lose, and he doubted the Torello family would bother with Jared, because bringing him in would cause them unnecessary trouble with the local wolf pack.
“Let’s get this over then,” the guy said, nodding.
“I didn’t catch your name.” They started walking back to the motel Matthias stayed in. The human hesitated, and then answered him. “Ray.”
“Ray, then.” They walked in silence for a while.
Did Matthias have a plan? No. Matthias made things up as they went along, but he had no other choice. Dodging Ray might be easier, but hearing Ray had a family waiting for his return changed his mind. Matthias might be lying his ass off, but before things went south, he’d convince Ray to run, to make sure the Torellos won’t link his involvement to Matthias. Matthias managed to convince to meet him in the lobby while he picked up the bags.
Matthias had on him of course. He broke into the room next to his, working quickly to empty wheeled luggage and replacing them with heavier items. Deciding two would serve, Matthias locked them, then snatched his key from his room and headed downstairs to the motel lobby.
“Thank God,” Ray muttered, spotting him. “I thought you ran out on me.”
“I’ll leave these with you for a second while I check out,” Matthias said. At his nod, Matthias left the key with the reception. Together, they headed outside. Matthias wasn’t surprised by the car rental waiting for them outside.
“I almost expected some of Al’s guys to be here,” Matthias said, shoving the luggage in the trunk.
“The Torello wouldn’t enter Darkfall territory. One or two outsiders the wolves are fine with, but they do thorough checks on anyone entering.”
“Bad blood in the past?” Matthias queried. What the hell was he doing, delaying his task? A part of him didn’t want to leave. He wondered what Jared was doing now. Probably worried about why he hadn’t called.
Ray shook his head. “Not exactly, but I heard the local pack ate the last bunch of gangsters who made the mistake of making a deal on their land. After that, no one—”
“What the fuck?” a voice thundered, strangely familiar.
Matthias’s head jerked, and all his initial resolve fell away at the sight of Jared. He stood at the end of the street, dressed in a pair of jeans, sneakers and a plain shirt, handsome and sexy as hell. Matthias’s bear surged inside him, eager to greet their mate. Not wanting to lose control, not now, Matthias put a handle on his emotions.
“Jared, I changed my mind,” Matthias said, glad his voice sounded calm enough.
A thin growl emerged from Jared’s lips, but even a sneer on his face didn’t mar his beauty. “I waited for you to call, you insensitive fucker. Now I catch you running away, with a fucking human?”
Ray took a step back, back bumping into Matthias’s broad chest. The action didn’t help. It only inflamed Jared’s jealousy, but God did Matthias’s pup look fucking good in his fury. Oh damn it. Matthias shouldn’t be thinking toward that direction. He needed to leave, to remember why he had to.
“Get in the car. Now,” he told Ray. Ray didn’t hesitate, he scrambled for the driver’s seat.
“Don’t you dare,” Jared hissed, taking angry strides, about to break into a run.
Matthias yanked the car door open and slipped in next to Ray. Without another word, Ray started the ignition. Glancing at the side mirror, Matthias saw Jared’s pissed off face, left hand partially shifted. Claws tore through metal, making a shrieking sound, but they were off. He saw Jared flinging curses behind him, then stripping down, probably to shift and pursue them on all fours.
His pup wasn’t thinking, too emotional to gather he’d have a much better chance chasing them with wheels. Leaning against his seat, Matthias tiredly shut his eyes. Why did Matthias have a talent for screwing things up? Oh, he knew freedom wasn’t real. Matthias might no longer be behind bars or was surrounded by concrete walls and other angry and dangerous men, but he stuck himself in a cage nonetheless. For the prospect of seeing Jared, who promised him dead?
“Should have killed me,” he muttered under his breath.
Matthias couldn’t really blame Jared either, could he? He was the fucking adult here. Spent plenty of time in prison to know better, to become wiser than most. Instead, he fell victim to his emotions. No, that wasn’t right either. Matthias was a willing accomplice through and through. How could anyone deny the inferno between Jared and him? Fuck, Matthias knew he’d never experienced anything like that with anyone again. Not much of a problem, given he’d be one very dead bear soon.
“Who was that?” Ray asked, stepping on the accelerator. They passed by the town center, and entered the main road. Soon, they’d leave behind Wolf County completely. When Matthias didn’t answer, he asked again, “That was a Darkfall wolf, wasn’t it? You didn’t mention anything about additional trouble.”
Ray’s tone was accusatory, but Matthias couldn’t blame him.
“Relax, kid. He’s acting on his own. The pack’s not involved.” Okay, with enough practice Matthias would become an expert liar, but Ray didn’t need to know more than he should. Still, Matthias couldn’t deny seeing Jared again rattled him. Fucking Jared was the last memory he wanted to remember, not Jared pissed, silently demanding answers.
“You better—oh shit,” Ray cursed.
He took control of the wheel, making the car swerve to the side of the road to avoid an animal, a wolf and not the normal kind either. The rental came to a smoking stop. Gripping the dashboard hard, Matthias peered out the window. He knew that golden pelt, those accusing and stubborn eyes. Ray started the car again, or tried. The engine let out a wheeze, and then died.
“We’re dead. Christ,” Ray whispered.
“Stop panicking the moment something goes wrong.” Matthias growled.
Ray looked at him with wide eyes. He might look around the same age as Jared, but Ray lacked the steel and reckless courage Jared possessed.
“You don’t understand. They have a tracker on this rental. If we don’t arrive on time, they’ll come after us.”
Matthias let out a mirthless laugh. “I don’t give a fuck.”
Fate didn’t put Jared in his path without a reason. If his pup kept on pursuing him, then Matthias owed him an explanation. The moment Matthias got out of the vehicle. Jared was on him, pouncing on him and sending them both to the ground.
“What? That’s how you greet me?” Matthias asked, amused. Jared snarled,
ears cocked, and Matthias’s bear snapped to alertness. An unmarked black car rolled idly toward them. Nostrils flaring, Matthias realized they had passed the town welcome sign—which meant officially, they were no longer in Darkfall territory.
“Get down!” Matthias managed to yell. Ray ducked his head in time as the windows on the approaching vehicle rolled down, revealing men in suits, toting guns. He and Jared met gazes. Without needing words, they rolled for cover behind the rental. Bullets hammered in the air, piercing the body of the rental. Someone was screaming—Ray, but more in fear than hurt.
“Shut up, Ray. Keep quiet and invisible and they won’t notice you,” Matthias gritted out. Ray must have heard him, because he stopped. The other car came to a stop and Matthias heard footsteps on gravel.
“Listen, contact the Darkfall wolves. Tell them the Torello family has one of their enforcers, Jared Hudson,” Matthias whispered loud enough for the human to hear. No response. Knowing the human, Ray would probably save his skin before saving theirs, but it was a shot.
“Matthias Jensen, I hope you’re still alive,” a voice said. “Otherwise, it would disappoint our boss Al Torello greatly. He has plenty of hopes for you.”
Jared glared at him silently. He seemed to recognize the name.
“This is why I needed to leave,” Matthias hissed, by the way of explanation. The wolf continued glowering at him.
“Come out, Matthias. Slowly, with your hands up, and bring your friend with you.”
Jared nodded to the woods near them. A tempting offer, because his pup knew these woods at the back of his head. They’d lose the gangster easily enough, but what about Ray? The goons must have known what they were thinking, because the speaker spoke again.
“Better not be thinking about escaping into the woods, bear. We have a mini machine gun trained on you. This baby can cut through metal easily.”
With no other choice, they edged out into the open. Matthias counted four werehyenas with guns, none of them looked familiar, probably Al Torello’s lackeys.
“Where’s the cash you promised us for your early release?” the huge bald guy, wearing a nicer suit than the others, asked. Matthias assumed he was the leader.
“Trunk, but you won’t find anything,” Matthias said, wincing as the leader shoved the barrel behind his head. The other kept his gun levelled at Jared. Matthias’ heart hammered against his chest. Not just any gun but the damn mini machine gun.
“Don’t try anything, doggie,” Matthias heard the goon hiss. “This is loaded with silver.”
Jared stayed put, and Matthias watched the other two lug the bags out of the trunk. They broke the locks with ease, and an assortment of junk flowed out—a heavy lamp, cigarette trays, a telephone, and other heavy baubles, all courtesy of the motel. The leader used the barrel of his gun to whack Matthias on the side of his skull.
The force of the blow would have sent a weaker man or shifter to his knees, but Matthias had taken plenty of blows in prison. Grunting, Matthias heard Jared make a soft snarl beside him. It took him a second to realize Jared must be laughing, if he were in human form.
It was just like Jared to not be intimidated by a bunch of gangsters. Jared got a smack too, but he still kept his wolfish grin.
“Let my friend here go. He’s not involved in this mess,” Matthias demanded, wincing at another hit to his head.
If the goon holding the gun to Jared’s head didn’t mention silver bullets, both of them could have taken these bastards. They’d sustain heavy injuries, but Darkfall lay so close to them.
“I think not,” the leader mused, and Matthias cursed himself for being so stupid, for giving himself away. “What’s this, bear? A couple of hours out of prison, and you already found yourself a pup to entertain yourself with?”
Refusing to further give himself away, Matthias stayed silent.
“Put them in the back,” the leader decided. Matthias shared a look with Jake, but before they could put any plan in motion, one of the goons shot at Jake. Seeing his body slump to the ground, Matthias snarled, enraged, but the goon turned to him. A second later he felt a prickle on the side of his neck. His hand rose, and he plucked at a paralyzing dart.
“Oh fuck,” he muttered, before falling unconscious.
Chapter Seven
Jared woke up feeling groggy. He heard someone grumbling next to him, muttering curses under his breath. Matthias. Forcing his eyes open, Jared tried to move, but chains clanked over his wrists. The touch of the metal rubbing against his skin made him wince. Silver cuffs bound his wrists and a second pair his ankles. He didn’t remember turning to human form, but he supposed being slapped with silver would persuade his wolf to turn back. He tried to lift his head, intending to study his surroundings, but his head hit metal bars. Growling, Jared realized he was naked, and stuffed into a human-sized cage.
“Don’t bother, I tried,” Matthias muttered.
Jared saw he was in a cage next to his, although his bulk ensured limited movement. He had a mind to give Matthias a tongue-lashing, but decided he could put the fight off another day—if they had another day to live.
Rubbing the bump on his head, Jake asked, “Where are we?”
The dark interior of the room showed crates and old carton boxes stuffed with junk. The lone window beside Matthias’s cage told Jake night had fallen. The branches of a tree scratched at the dusty window, but he couldn’t see anything else. They weren’t somewhere underground as Jared initially assumed, but perhaps some kind of attic?
“They couldn’t have taken us far. Al Torello told me to meet him at an address in Stocoma City.”
“We’re in Stocoma City?” Jared asked with some relief.
Stocoma was only a couple of hours drive from Darkfall. By now, Jane and the others would notice his absence. If Matthias’s friend managed to warn Sergio, they stood a fighting chance. Jared had already gotten over his initial jealousy. The human didn’t look like he meant anything to Matthias. Remembering the name Matthias mentioned, Jared frowned. “What did you do, to piss the Torello crime family off?”
Matthias bowed his head, looking away.
“Matthias, look at me. You owe me an explanation. Better we get everything out so we can get ourselves the hell out of here,” Jared explained.
Blinking, Matthias stared at Jared, chained hands gripping the bars of his cage. Even bound, naked and bruised up, Matthias looked fucking magnificent. Despite the inappropriate situation, Jared’s mouth went dry. He remembered the heat between them that turned into an inferno when Matthias took him in the woods. How every touch and kiss, how Matthias’s dick in him felt so fucking perfect.
“I’ve not completely forgiven you, but I want both of us alive,” Jake said.
Matthias nodded, meeting his gaze. “I owe them a million. In return, they helped me with my release papers.”
Sounded about right, Jared mused. He suspected Matthias pulled some strings to get out of his sentence early, but going as far as to make a deal with gangsters? Then again, would he do the same if their positions were reversed? In a heartbeat, so Jared heard what Matthias had to say.
“I wanted to meet you. Talk to you,” Matthias finished. “Accepted the fact you’d end my life, but well, the rest you know.”
“I do,” Jared said.
No need for words. Both of them remembered and didn’t regret what happened next. They let the silence sit for a while. Matthias thought by running, he’d leave Jared out his mess, but now things were different. Whether they wanted it or not, both of them were in it for the long run. Jared thought of the good things, like what would happen after. He imagined going home after a long day at work, to the apartment he and Matthias shared. A house filled with laughter and yapping dogs and kids would be the ultimate goal, but they’d take small steps.
Jared began to open his mouth when the door opened. Someone flicked the switch on, illuminating the room. Jared recognized the goons who ambushed them. His hand found the mark left by the paralyz
ing dart on his neck and growled softly. He’d make his bastards pay for thinking they could screw with Matthias.
“Well, well, Mr. Jensen. It appears you cannot pay your dues. How will you respond?” a greasy voice asked. The middle-aged man with the slicked-back dark hair and designer suit looked different from the other goons. Al Torello, Jared guessed. The pack dealt with scum on a frequent basis, but not with the Torello family, although Jared heard of the ambitious werehyena group.
“Fuck you?” Jared asked unhelpfully, not flinching as one goon kicked at his cage.
“Shut up, mutt,” grumbled the underling, the one who shot the dart him, Jared remembered. Matthias echoed the same sentiments.
“Who is this?” Al asked in an interested voice, probably gauging if he could use Jared as leverage against Matthias.
“Jared Hudson, enforcer for the Darkfall Mountain Pack. Pleased to make your acquaintance, Mr. Torello. My father, Sergio Esteban, would be mighty curious to meet you.” Calling Sergio his dad might be a stretch, but the Al Torello grew still. He didn’t say anything for a couple of seconds, before turning to his men.
“You useless dumbasses took a fucking werewolf from the Darkfall pack captive?” Al hissed, slamming the leader against the wall, hand closing over his throat.
Matthias stole a quick look at Jared. It was ruse, they both knew. Jared’s pack might know he was missing. All wolves in the pack were connected to the pack bonds, but the cavalry might take a while to get here. Delaying these gangsters seemed like the best option, before they decided to ship Matthias and him elsewhere to a place the pack wouldn’t be able to follow.
“I swear, we didn’t know, boss,” the leader gurgled.
