“No. Before he came to work for me, he was a trash collector for the city of Atlanta, Georgia.”
Atlanta. Where the CDC happened to be located. Coincidence? Carmen didn’t believe in coincidences.
“Let me take a look in the lab,” she said. “Now. Hopefully, I can find something to reveal the methods Sheldon used to create the virus.”
Rick glanced at her and nodded. “I’ll help.”
They both knew in order to find an antidote, they’d need to know the composition of the virus. And especially now, time was of the essence. If Ted did something stupid, the repercussions—contagion, death and panic—would be almost instantaneous.
And not only the human population would be at risk. No one knew how this virus would act on Shape-shifters.
“Follow me,” Gus said, reaching into his pocket and withdrawing several keys. He took off for the barn/laboratory. Carmen and Rick followed.
When they reached the entry door, Gus unlocked it and turned to face them. Now that he was away from his men, he allowed his worry to show. “I’m really afraid,” he said. “Everything I was planning was controlled. I asked for war to be declared in West Latvia. For this, I would be paid one billion dollars. After that, we’d planned to put the virus on the open market and let all the superpowers bid.”
“Wait,” Rick interrupted. “Someone paid you to have war declared? Earlier you said you were doing it for power.”
Gus shrugged, his expression unconcerned. “Money is power, don’t you know?”
But Carmen wasn’t having it. “How much of what you told us is actually true?”
“None of your damn business. Unless you want me to put a bullet in you like Sheldon, you’d best shut your mouth and get to work.”
Carmen allowed a slow smile to spread across her face. “Go ahead,” she said. “Shoot me. I’m your best chance—no, your only chance—of figuring out a way to recreate this thing. But if you want to be left with nothing while Ted holds all the cards, then go ahead. Pull out your gun and shoot me, right this instant. Otherwise, don’t ever threaten me again.”
Apparently, Gus hadn’t expected her reaction. His mouth dropped open and his already squinty eyes narrowed before he recovered. He looked at Rick and shook his head. “She’s crazy, you know?”
Rick grinned. “Maybe, but I can tell you she meant every word that she said.”
“Really?” Gus pulled out his pistol and pointed it at Carmen. “Not so brave now, are you?”
Carmen couldn’t help but laugh. “Go ahead. If you’re going to shoot, do it.”
Instead, Gus jammed his weapon back into his holster. “I didn’t even take the safety off,” he said. “Here.” He tossed her the keys, appearing surprised that she effortlessly caught them. “Get to work,” he ordered, spinning on his heel and stomping off.
Carmen waited until he’d left before going inside. “Strange man,” she commented to Rick as she felt along the wall for the light switch. While she could see just fine in the darkness, she knew Rick couldn’t. Plus, she needed to see in every nook and cranny if she was going to find those notes.
When the fluorescent lights kicked on, she turned around and gasped. A quick glance at Rick revealed he shared her surprise.
“This is...” She had no words. She’d expected at least a semblance of sterility, so necessary in a biological lab. But no. Glancing around at the piles of manila folders and haphazard pieces of paper, she grimaced. This looked like something used by a mad scientist.
A rat scurried across the floor, veering away when it saw them. Carmen gasped. “What the...?”
Rick crossed the room, lifting a pile of what appeared to be rusted machine parts. “Maybe there’s more. Another part, where Sheldon did actual work.”
“I hope so.” Privately, she had her doubts. In fact, she was beginning to wonder if this virus was actually real.
Chapter 9
The Pack Protector who’d been parked outside Jake’s had made no attempt to follow Maddie home. Which meant he no doubt already knew where she lived. Great. Just great. Even more proof she was being watched. What she didn’t understand was the logic behind it.
Maddie took pride in her reputation as someone who could be counted on to do what was right. Reliable and loyal could have been her middle names. Same for her family. Her father’s reputation had been stellar, right up until the day he’d died. Having a brother who’d been promoted to a powerful position high up in the Pack Protector organization used to mean something. As in, someone like her would be considered above reproach.
Clearly, that was no longer the case. And she had no idea why. The simple fact of Jake hanging around the alley that led to Broken Chains didn’t seem to be an adequate reason. There had to be more to all this. She needed to find out what.
Right now, she wasn’t sure what to do, what course of action to take. The only thing she knew for certain was that she wanted to protect Jake as much as she could. Which meant she had to somehow dissuade him from the crazy idea he had about unmasking the truth about werewolves.
But how? He seemed so determined, so focused. So damn cute. Even his not-so-sly attempt to get her to take him into Broken Chains made her smile. She admired him for trying.
Her phone rang. Glancing at the screen, she groaned. Her brother. As if he’d known she’d been thinking about him. She could only hope he wasn’t calling her in his official capacity as a Pack Protector.
“Hey, Colton.” She put a lot of effort into sounding carefree. “How are you? It’s been a long time.”
Never one for pleasantries, he cut to the chase. “What have you gotten yourself into now, sis?”
She knew better than to bother trying to deflect. “It’s nothing I can’t handle,” she said. “For the life of me, I don’t understand why anyone would think this is a big deal.”
“Maddie, if it’s been elevated to enough of a threat that the Field Protectors are notifying me, then I’m not sure you can handle this. Now tell me what’s going on.”
With a sigh, she gave him the short version. “This human guy happened upon the alley leading to Broken Chains. He became obsessed with what was behind the door, especially since he saw a lot of people coming and going.”
“And?”
The way he prodded told her he probably already knew the rest. But then again, if he did, the Protectors would have already rounded up Jake and taken him in.
No way was he finding out from her.
“One night two guys beat him up and I stumbled across him and helped him. He claims he’s seen me go inside and has been trying to get me to take him with me. Of course, I can’t.”
“What did you tell him?”
She sighed. “That it was a private club for members only. He asked to go as my guest. So I told him that wasn’t allowed. He keeps pushing. I keep refusing.”
“Why?” Colton asked. “Why does he want to go inside so badly?”
“I think it’s the lure of the unattainable. You know how you men are. Put something out there and tell a man he can’t have it and he’ll move heaven and earth. That trait must be built into the masculine DNA.”
Colton laughed. “It sounds as if you like him.”
“I do,” she admitted. “He’s human, but he’s cute.”
“He’s also a journalist. A well-respected one. Did you know what?”
“Yes.” Closing her eyes, she braced herself for her brother’s reaction. “I think that’s also the reason he wants to find out what’s really behind the door. The journalist part of him believes it might be his next big exposé, like he’ll uncover a terrorist cell or some huge, earth-shattering story.” Like the existence of Werewolves, Vampires and Merfolk. Good thing Jake had no idea about the others.
“That’s not good,” Colton commented.
“No, but right now it’s manageable. What I don’t understand is why your field operatives are so worried about this. Don’t they have better things to do?”
“That’s
their job.” Colton’s tone went sharp. “Worrying about the potential possibilities of situations like this.”
A little taken aback, she swallowed. “Okay. I get it.”
“Then I don’t have to tell you to be careful, do I?”
“No, not really.” Suspicious now, she waited. No way would Colton let her off this easily. But when he didn’t speak again, she cleared her throat. “Can you call off the goon?”
Colton didn’t even pretend not to understand who she meant. “He’s there for your own safety.”
“He threatened me. I didn’t like that. If I didn’t have you on my side, he would have scared the hell out of me.”
“Threatened you how?” Colton’s flat voice told her how little he liked her words.
“He felt it was his duty to warn me that the Protectors knew about Jake. And he advised me about the severity of my crime if I were to betray the Pack.”
“That’s standard protocol.”
Disappointed in his dismissal, she sighed. “Intimidation tactics should never be the first line of offense. I’d think you’d know that better than anyone. What’d Dad always say?”
“To lead off with courtesy and respect.” Colton could recite their father’s creed as well as she could. “People are always more willing to help you if they like you.”
She had him there, and he knew it. Still, she couldn’t resist pounding the point home. “Exactly. Enough said. Maybe you should point that out to your goon.”
“That’s ridiculous,” he protested. “Besides that, I don’t even know which Field Protector has been assigned to your case.”
“Oh, now I’m a case?” she asked. “And I know good and well that you can find out. That guy has been following me around, stalking Jake and bothering me at Broken Chains. I could understand if I was some known criminal. But no. I’m the sister of an upper-level Pack Protector. Surely that should buy me a little respect.”
Colton laughed outright at that. “I’ll see what I can do,” he said, his tone dry. “But be aware, someone will always have eyes on the journalist. I don’t care how cute you think he is, I want you to promise me you’ll always be aware what a threat he could be.”
“I promise. And Colton, if I see any indication that he’ll be taken seriously, I’ll call you immediately.”
“Good enough,” he replied, and then he ended the call.
Shaking her head, she scrolled over to check social media. She’d barely started to read her news feed when the phone rang again.
“What’d you forget?” she asked, not bothering to check caller ID. “Because, Colton, believe me, I get it. I understand.”
“Colton? Who’s Colton? This is Jake.”
Yikes. Glad she hadn’t said this out loud, she apologized. “Sorry, I’d just finished another call. What’s up, Jake?”
Now he hesitated. “I think maybe we should talk in person,” he finally said. “If you want to give me your address, I can swing by and get you.”
“I’d rather meet somewhere.”
“Of course you would.” His tone had gone glum. “Listen, maybe this isn’t a good idea. I shouldn’t have bothered you. Especially if you’re in the middle of something.”
Was he jealous?
“I’m not in the middle of anything. I was just on the phone earlier. Colton’s my brother,” she said. “In case you were wondering.”
“Okay.”
He didn’t sound relieved. Or skeptical. Or anything, really. Maybe she’d misinterpreted. Yikes! Now she felt embarrassed. “I just thought you might want to know.” She spoke fast. “In case you thought he was my boyfriend or something. Because I don’t have a boyfriend.”
Awkward silence. Gripping her phone, she wished the floor would open up and swallow her.
Finally, Jake laughed. “I get it. I’m glad you don’t have a boyfriend.”
Warmth spread through her at his words.
“But what I don’t understand is why you don’t want me to know where you live,” he continued. “At least, that’s what I surmise is the reason you don’t want me to pick you up at your house. Do you think I’m going to start stalking you or something?”
Now she had a reason for the earlier silence and the reserve in his tone.
“Of course not.” And she had to admit, he had a point. “I guess I’m just a private person.” But she’d been to his house. And logistically, there was no reason why he couldn’t come to her apartment. “You’re right,” she finally said. “If we’re going to have a relationship, I’ve got to be more open.”
There. She’d put it out there.
“I agree,” he replied, to her relief. “I’ll head that way if you’ll give me your address.”
She did. Once she hung up, she rushed around her apartment, tidying up. Mostly, she kept her living space pretty neat, but she couldn’t help wanting to make it look perfect for Jake.
As nervous as if she was going on a blind date, she paced, unable to resist continually checking the window for the sight of his vehicle. Finally, common sense prevailed and she opened a can of Diet Dr. Pepper and carried it onto the front porch to wait. From here, she could see not only the parking lot, but the turn-in from the street.
She took a seat in her favorite wooden rocking chair, sipped her soft drink and willed herself to calm down. This behavior was not like her and she didn’t like it. But just when she finally felt normal, she caught sight of his SUV pulling into the parking lot, and her heart rate kicked into overdrive.
Wiping her hands on the front of her jeans, she went inside and waited.
When he knocked, she opened the door. Jake smiled when he saw her, his appreciation sending warmth all the way to her toes. “Hey,” he said.
“Hey yourself.” She stepped aside. “Come on in.”
As he moved past her, he looked around. “Nice place,” he said. “Great location. You can almost see the ocean from here.”
Since proximity to the beach had been one the reasons she’d chosen to lease this apartment, she grinned. “Thanks. I like the sound of the waves. It’s soothing.” Especially at night, when the traffic on Seawall Boulevard had died down.
“You look great.”
The compliment made her blush, which was one of the curses of being a fair-skinned redhead. She couldn’t help but let her gaze travel over him. Everything about this man called to her. From the light brown tone of his skin, to the angle of his masculine jaw. She liked his broad shoulders, narrow hips and the way he towered over her. He had a sensual mouth, the eyes of an old soul and a wicked grin. “So do you,” she responded.
“Here.” Oblivious to her decidedly carnal thoughts, he handed her a brown paper bag. “For you. Wine.”
“Wine?”
“Yeah.” He grimaced. “It’s a nice chardonnay.” Eyeing her, he appeared to realize something. “Do you even drink wine?”
“I have. Though I typically prefer beer.” She checked her watch. “Since it’s a little too early to drink this, I’ll put it in the fridge so it can chill.”
He nodded, practically bouncing on the balls of his feet, vibrating with energy. “I have news,” he said.
“Just one second.” All she could think about was how badly she wanted to kiss him. Needing to give herself time to regain her equilibrium, she carried the bottle into the kitchen and placed it inside the refrigerator. Reminding herself to breathe, she straightened her spine and headed back to her living room.
His intense gaze tracked her every move.
“Okay. What’s your news?”
In response to her question, he dragged his hand through his short hair and inhaled. “Maddie, you’re probably not going to like this, but I thought it was fair to tell you first. I’ve made contact with someone who says he can get me inside that club.”
At first, his words didn’t register. When she realized he meant Broken Chains, she shook her head. “I don’t know what this person is asking for in return, but you need to be supercautious. There’s no
possible way he can do this.”
Judging by the stubborn set of his jaw, Jake didn’t believe her. “You don’t know that,” he said. “In my line of work, there’s always a source who can do what others say is impossible.”
“Oh, but I do know.” Arms crossed, she shook her head, biting down hard on her anger. Not at Jake, never at Jake, but at whoever was trying to dupe him. “What’s he asking you to pay him for this privilege?”
“Not too much,” he hedged. “A thousand dollars.”
“Ha.” She snorted. “You might as well set a match to your money. He’s just trying to swindle you.”
“Are you always so negative?” he countered. “If I thought like you, I’d have missed out on numerous good stories.”
“Negative?” Incredulous, she stared. “Try realistic. I can even guess how it all went down. You were doing your usual watching the alley. This person happened to run into you and struck up a conversation. He seemed nice, genuinely perplexed why you couldn’t get in. Then, to prove he could, he left you and went inside.”
Now Jake viewed her with open suspicion. “That’s exactly what happened. How do you know this?” He narrowed his gaze. “Is he a friend of yours?”
“Nope. But I know a setup when I hear one. I grew up in a family of private investigators. I’ve honed my instincts.” Plus, she knew, though she couldn’t tell Jake, that if anyone were to take a human inside Broken Chains, they’d be set upon within minutes and killed. The Vampires would smell his blood and hear his heart, the Shifters would scent his humanness and notice his distinctly human aura, and the Merfolk would know by a look. Though this had never happened within Maddie’s lifetime, she’d heard tales of a human once breaching the club’s defenses. He’d been killed instantly.
The thought of such a thing happening to Jake made her shudder. And then she realized this could actually be the plan. Not only to relieve Jake of his money, but to get him inside. His death would neutralize the threat he posed. Would the Pack Protectors go that far?
Finding the Texas Wolf Page 11
