by Brenda Trim
Removing a plastic card, she waved it in the air, “Bingo, this is it. I say we put him in the bathroom and lock the door. Who knows when someone will look there for him,” Liv suggested, and Lawson saw her look at the clock again.
Placing Jim in an upright position on the seat, Lawson tied his feet together and then secured them to the bottom legs. He then tied his wrists together behind his back before attaching another strip of terry cloth around his waist and the back of the chair. The fabric was sturdy enough that he wouldn’t be getting up until someone untied him.
Liv tossed the wallet on the desk and grabbed the large pile of folders then walked over to stand in front of Jim whose head slumped against his shoulder.
“I fucking hate that man,” Liv confessed, and Lawson heard the venom in her words.
Jim moaned again, and Lawson stepped forward, ready to punch him in the nose when Liv stopped his movement.
“No, I want him to wake up. I have a few words for this pathetic excuse of a man,” she spat.
An idea sparked and Lawson looked around, spotting a small bar in the corner. Walking over, he opened a cabinet and found what he needed.
Grabbing a bottle of Jim’s finest Scotch, Lawson walked back to the hunched over male. Twisting off the cap, he grabbed a fistful of Jim’s hair and lifted his head, pouring the liquor across his face. Jim sputtered and coughed then opened his eyes. As soon as he realized Lawson was towering over him, he started bucking in the chair like a wild man but the straps held him firmly in place.
“Stop moving, asshole, or I’ll bash in your fucking skull,” Lawson snarled then walked behind Jim. Yanking Jim’s head, Lawson forced him to look at Liv. “The lady has something to say, and I suggest you listen carefully,” Lawson ordered, tightening his hold on the male’s short hair.
“Guard, I need help! In my office!” Jim shouted as he turned his head as much as he could towards the door.
Liv reached down and grabbed a loose strip of towel and bunched in into a ball, shoving it in Jim’s mouth.
“How do you like it? Doesn’t feel so good, does it?” she asked, kneeling to where she was eye level with the male. He struggled against the ties, but Liv inched closer to him, her face bright red with anger.
“You see these folders, Jim. I want you to know that I won’t quit until your business is shut down. You have killed countless shifters with no regard for them or their families. You talk about them as if they are savage beasts that deserve such barbaric torture as being chained to a wall. I’ll have you know this man behind you has more love and compassion is his pinky finger than you do in your whole body. I hope you spend the rest of your miserable life rotting in a prison cell,” she declared before looking to Lawson.
“You know what, he’s not worth our time. It’s showtime, baby. Let’s go get your family,” Liv announced and stood up, turning her back on the poor excuse for a man.
Lawson carried Jim to the bathroom and locked him inside. They shut the office door when they left and the three of them quickly made their way to the main section of the building. Liv was right. The place was empty, and she said the night guard wouldn’t arrive for about thirty minutes, so Lawson knew they had to act fast.
Liv stopped at the door and swiped Jim’s entry card, allowing them access to a hallway Lawson recognized. It was where he had been a prisoner for over three years. The sterile scent hit his nostrils, making him nauseous. He would never forget that odor long as he lived.
Ignoring the pungent smell, he followed Liv to a closed door. She turned the handle, but it was locked. Looking to Lawson, she held up the card, and he could see her silent prayer before she swiped it across the keypad. It unlocked and she opened the door.
A male was chained to the wall inside. Walking over, Liv swiped again, and the lighted keypad turned green, unlocking the cuffs.
“We’re getting you out of here,” Lawson urged, pulling the male to his feet. “Can you walk?” he asked when he saw the bruises and cuts all over the shifter’s body.
“I think so,” he replied, hesitating when he glanced to Liv and Bart.
“They’re here to help, trust them,” Lawson declared. “Do you know how many others are here?”
“Hard to say. I’ve been in this room a few weeks but there has been a lot of activity lately. Hard to know if it’s been shifters or guards.” The male looked weak and in dire need of a hot meal, shower, and sleep. Lawson remembered when he was in the same situation not that long ago and his heart went out to the shifter.
“Let’s not worry about that. We’ll check them all. Come on. Your brother was a few doors down last time I saw him,” Liv said, rushing out of the room to the next door. They opened it and it was empty. So was the next room.
Stopping outside the room Lawson had been kept in, Liv took a deep breath and locked eyes with Lawson. “You ready?” she asked, and Lawson nodded. Swiping the card, she turned the handle and opened the door. Lawson was the first one inside the room.
Brown eyes looked up and locked on him. It was his brother. Lawson rushed over as Ryan hopped up from the mattress and the two threw their arms around each other. Overcome with relief, Lawson held tight to his older brother.
“You came. She said you would and you did. My brother, how I’ve missed you,” Ryan muttered, squeezing tight.
Lawson thought he’d never see his family again and now he had his mother, sisters, and brother. All they needed was to find their dad.
“Of course I came for you. Let’s find Pop and get the fuck out of here. Mom and the girls are waiting for us,” Lawson admitted, clapping his brother on the shoulder.
Ryan smiled, replying, “Sweetest words you’ve ever spoken, bro.”
Liv deactivated the cuffs and Lawson couldn’t help but remember the sound the chains made as they fell to the hard tile floor. It was bittersweet. Bitter to think of the weeks, months, and years spent in captivity, but sweet to know that was all behind him now.
They checked the two remaining rooms and found two more males. Liv swiped their keypads and released the cuffs, and then their small group headed to the end of the hallway that Liv said belonged to the other lab.
Lawson’s heart pounded against his chest as she swiped the card. He heard the lock release and she turned the handle, opening the door. Lawson stepped through first followed by his brother then Liv and Bart. As soon as he entered the room, the stench of death hit him like a bulldozer.
There were about a dozen wolves lying on tables. Lawson gave a cursory glance around the room and recognized a tan coat on the far side. Rushing over, he froze when he approached the animal.
A tube ran from the underside of its belly and connected to a large machine. A container beside the machine was full of blood. His father’s blood. Reaching over, he stroked the soft fur. The wolf didn’t move.
He felt Ryan at his side but didn’t turn to look at him. He couldn’t face his brother. He had failed. He was supposed to save them, and he didn’t make it in time. Dropping to his knees, he broke down as grief consumed him. His father was dead.
22
Tears streamed down Lawson’s face. His mind raged and shouted denial after denial. Why the fuck hadn’t they taken action sooner? His father was the alpha and pack leader for their community. He was the driving force behind the business and the reason the Scotts were considered such a formidable family.
Face cradled in his hands, he felt his brother crouch beside him, placing a hand on Lawson’s shoulder. “Lawson, we can’t stay here. We have to get back now,” Ryan demanded and Lawson looked over at his brother. How could he be so callous? Their father was gone. Their lives would never be the same.
“Fuck you, do you think I care who shows up at this point? I’ll kill everyone that steps through that door,” he growled, shoving away from the hold his brother had on him.
“Lawson, it’s not that. Dad is gone. You know what that means. We have to get to mom asap,” he declared, a pained gaze meeting his.
And then it h
it Lawson. His dad shared a life force with his mom. When one died, the other followed shortly after. His mom didn’t have much time and they were a few hours away.
Panic and fear hit hard, and Lawson felt cemented to the floor. He could barely wrap his mind around what was happening. He was in a haze where reality blurred and time stood still even though the clock was ticking against him.
Luckily, Ryan shot into action, taking control of the situation. “Liv, look around and see if you can find the charts of each shifter here. We’re not leaving them behind. We’ll take them with us and hopefully locate their families. And we aren’t leaving the blood, either, so we’ll have to carry everything with us,” he directed as he started unhooking the machines from the wolves.
“Yes, I’m on it,” Liv answered, and Lawson locked eyes with her.
She walked over and he stood up as she stretched out her arms. He stepped into her embrace and she wrapped her arms around his neck.
“I’m so sorry,” Liv whispered, “This is all my fault.” Lawson looked down and saw remorse in her green eyes.
“No, don’t go there. Because of you, me, my brother, and all the other males standing outside that door are going to live. You cared so much and risked everything, even your own life. We are indebted to you,” Lawson admitted.
“I just wish it didn’t have to be like this. Isn’t there anything you can do for your mom?” she asked as a lone tear escaped the corner of her eye.
He knew Liv had grown attached to his mom in the short time. They immediately bonded, and he could see this was tearing her up, as well.
“I wish there was, but no. Mates following their other half in death is the shifter way, and when a life force is shared, both know the consequences. I can promise you that she won’t want to live without him. Their connection is that intense,” he explained, his heart breaking at hearing the words come from his mouth.
“Then we need to hurry and get you and your brother back to her,” she stated, kissing his cheek.
“I’ll go get the RV from the parking lot and pull it as close to the building as I can,” Bart offered then headed out the door to the lab.
The other males that had been standing in the hallway came inside and followed Ryan’s instructions. They would have to make more than one trip to load the dozen wolves. They moved around the lab quickly and grabbed as much as they could for the first round. Lawson told Liv to stop by her lab on the way out and grab any personal belongings and supplies that were hers. No fucking way was she stepping foot in this place again.
Luckily, no one was around as they exited PRL which was good because it was still daylight. Bart had created a VIP parking space not far from the front door, tearing up the manicured lawn in the process. Liv carried the files to her Jeep as Lawson, and the others unloaded what they had carried out. Ryan transported their dad’s wolf, gently laying him inside the vehicle.
Lawson unloaded several containers of blood then reached inside the passenger door to grab his cell phone. Several missed calls lit up the screen. He didn’t have to look at them to know who it was. His sisters were blowing up his phone. No doubt his mom was aware their father had died before anyone else. She would’ve felt his life force end.
“Hey, I guess I’ll follow you back to Hollow Rock,” Liv said, walking up behind him, diverting his attention away from the phone. “I assume you’ll be riding with your brother,” Liv said as she looked to the wolf laying inside the RV.
Lawson wanted to go with her, for several reasons, but knew his place was with his family right now.
“Yes, I need to go with him. This won’t be easy for either of us,” he replied, pulling her into his arms.
She melted against his chest, soothing the ache that suffocated him. With a simple touch, she had the power to calm his storm no matter how fierce its rage. At that moment, he realized how much he needed this female by his side.
Bending down, he claimed her lips. Lemony sugar enveloped and comforted him. Her soft kiss sent warmth spreading throughout his body. His hands cupped her delicate face, and she moaned softly then lightly kissed his lips again before pulling away.
“I’ll be right behind you. I’m here for you, whatever you need. Just ask,” Liv volunteered freely, reaching to twine their hands.
Just then, Bart piped in. “I think we’ve got everything. Let’s get going before company arrives.”
Lawson walked Liv to her Jeep and opened the driver door for her. “Drive safe,” he commented, leaning over to kiss her one more time.
“You too,” she replied, giving him a sympathetic smile, causing his gut to twist at what he faced next.
Turning, he walked back to the vehicle, his heart heavy. He should be ecstatic to leave the place that had held him prisoner for such a long time, but he wasn’t. In fact, he would gladly spend the rest of his days in those metal cuffs if it would bring back his father.
As soon as Liv pulled up to the hotel, she saw Lawson’s sisters surrounding the RV parked in front of her. Lawson filed out of the passenger seat, and Ryan climbed down from the side door to the hysterical women. Her heart was breaking for this family, and she was helpless to make it better. Climbing down from her vehicle, she walked towards the group.
“Hurry, Lawson. You and Ryan. She doesn’t have much longer,” Haylee sobbed, grabbing Ryan’s hand as she led him towards the large building.
Lawson followed with his arm cradled around Brenlee’s waist and it looked like he was practically holding her up she was crying so uncontrollably.
“What do we do about the wolves?” Liv asked, looking inside the vehicle as Bart came to her side.
Jacob Scott’s wolf was an exquisite creature with a beautiful tan fur, reminding her how badly she wanted to meet Lawson’s wolf.
“We talked briefly about that on the way here. The other shifters will take care of it. They will take them to the barn for now. We will look through the paperwork tonight and see if we can’t determine names and family information. From what I gathered, their mother will shift soon, and she will carry their father on her back and find a place in the woods for them to be laid to rest. Shifters don’t believe in traditional burials. The family will find them the day after she leaves and create a pyre to burn in their honor,” Bart explained to Liv as the newest members of their group unloaded the wolves, except for Lawson’s dad.
Liv wished she had met Jacob Scott. He had instilled such high morals and values in the man she had come to love. She would like to have thanked him in person.
“Hey, TKO, you okay? I haven’t had a chance to talk about what happened in the office,” Bart asked, pulling her out of her musings.
He pulled her to him and wrapped her in an embrace. Thinking about what had happened, she acknowledged that Lawson had saved her life. Jim wouldn’t have killed her but he would’ve destroyed her in every other way had he raped her. She hugged Bart tight, thankful he was there with her right now. Lawson had his family to tend to, and she needed a friend.
“Honestly, I haven’t had time to think about it. I meant what I said about putting Jim out of business and in jail. Can you help me?”
“Absolutely. First thing when I get home, I’ll be making some calls. I think we have plenty of evidence against Jim,” Bart offered, keeping an arm around her waist as he led them to the hotel.
“I don’t have a job now. Not sure how I’m going to handle that. I need to call my mom and tell her what happened. And Cassie, too. Maybe she needs a roommate,” Liv said with a laugh, because if she didn’t laugh she might break down crying. The thought of the financial strain this was going to cause had her head pounding.
“Don’t worry about that. We’ll figure it out. You will find another job. Any research company would be lucky to have you on board. I’ll put out some feelers for that, as well,” Bart suggested, and Liv felt better. He was such a great friend, and she didn’t know what she would do without him sometimes.
“Thank you so much. If you don’t mind,
I might hang here for a bit while I figure things out,” Liv said as they walked into the large family room and took a seat on one of the sofas.
“Of course, if you think that’s best. Listen, Liv, I’m going to say this, and I’ll never bring it up again. I watched Lawson today and how he reacted to what happened to you. It’s obvious he cares very much. I still think this is bound to be a train wreck between the two of you. Shifters and humans don’t mix. But I will support your decision and help in any way I can. You’re my TKO, and I love you,” Bart professed and leaned over, lightly pressing his lips to hers.
Bart was a man of his word. He wouldn’t turn his back on her or Lawson. She returned the peck and hoped the additional kiss he added to her mouth was nothing more than a moment shared between friends.
“Liv,” came a soft voice. She turned from Bart to see Hannah standing in the doorway. “Would you please come with me? My mom would like to speak with you.”
“Yes, of course.” She stood up, and Bart said he would touch base with her before he headed back to Chattanooga. Liv followed Hannah to the third floor where the women had been staying.
Nervousness had Liv biting her lip. Why did Madeline want to see her? Was she upset that she hadn’t gotten to the lab sooner to save Jacob? She followed Hannah into the room and was shocked at the scene before her eyes. The two men were on either side of her bed, each one holding one of their mother’s hands. But that wasn’t what was odd. Laughter filled the room as Madeline talked.
“And then your father sat outside my window for a month straight, his wolf howling for hours on end until I agreed to date him,” Madeline whispered. She was pale and weak but had a smile on her face.
“Oh, Mom, I’ve heard that story a hundred times and it never gets old,” Haylee said from the foot of the bed. Madeline looked up when she saw Brenlee and Liv walk in.
“Olivia, my dear. Please come and sit by me,” she announced and Lawson patted beside where he was sitting. Liv walked over and took her place beside Lawson. Madeline released Lawson’s hand and placed her palm over Liv’s.
