Embracing Carly

by Tianna Xander

  He stepped back with a groan. “I know and you’re right. It doesn’t make it any easier to swallow. However, I do realize that we have a full night ahead of us.”

  “Which reminds me...I don’t have any fighting experience at all and I know I could change without warning. There still has to be something I can do to help.”

  Resting his hands on her shoulders, Bastien pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Let us handle this, baby. You can stay here where it’s safe.”

  “I don’t think so, mister.” Carly put her hands on her hips and glared up at him. “You’re not going off into God only knows what kind of danger while I sit here at the house twiddling my damn thumbs!”

  “Carly.” The look on his face told her she wasn’t going to win this argument. He intended to leave her here where she would be safe and no amount of arguing on her part would change his mind.

  “What if something happens to you?” she asked, her eyes filling with tears. That was her greatest fear. “What if you’re injured or...or worse? What if you’re killed? I don’t think I could bear it.”

  BASTIEN PULLED HER into his arms. No, this definitely wasn’t the time to remind her that their lives were bound together and if he should die, she wouldn’t have to bear a life without him. They were true mates and she would never survive if he were killed.

  That very connection convinced him of Dimic’s survival. Sasha wasn’t in the right frame of mind to listen when he disappeared, yet he knew if they were truly bound, she would never have survived her mate’s death.

  “Sh...baby. We need you here. Luke has a police scanner. We need you here to monitor it and warn us if they decide to call in for backup from the local authorities. We don’t want to be labeled cop killers.” He ignored her sharp intake of breath. “You know there’s a possibility we’ll have to kill some of them. Sasha killed that first day when you escaped. Did you think they would give us much of a choice?” He shook his head. “These men are going to fight to keep what they have, what they feel is theirs. We can’t allow them to keep the others. They must not be allowed to continue on like this.”

  Bastien sighed. He didn’t know if he could stand seeing the fear in her eyes. Even knowing how much she abhorred violence wouldn’t change the fact that he would kill tonight. He felt it deep in his bones.

  She licked her lips. “Intellectually, I know that. I just wish you didn’t have to...” Her voice trailed off.

  Bastien closed his eyes and wished he could be what she wanted. Nevertheless, he was a predator first and foremost and he would destroy this threat to his mate and his people.

  CARLY FOLLOWED BASTIEN downstairs after her shower. The scanner was set up in the living room. Where it had been last night, she had no idea. Now the large radio sat in the center of a small round, dark-walnut table more suited for a flower arrangement than the garish receiver with its many blinking lights. Sitting down on the chair placed next to the table, she stared at it for a minute, wondering if she could do this. Could she stay here in this house safe while Bastien and his men put themselves in danger?

  “You’ll hear every dispatch from the local police,” Junior said. “They’ll repeat every call over the airwaves as they try to find the closest units. Listen closely for any units sent to Forest Drive or Ivanrest. If you hear either of those street names, contact your mate.”

  Carly nodded, her eyes wide. She didn’t trust herself to speak and prayed the tears that burned her eyes wouldn’t come—at least not until after they left.

  These brave men had enough to worry about without worrying about her sitting here alone and whether she was going to be able to do the job they had entrusted her to do. She would do it, if it killed her.

  Bastien knelt down in front of her. He looked different. Like a soldier. He no longer resembled the gentle healer she knew him to be. Her fingers itched to rip the black stocking cap off his head, to hold him here where he would be safe. He was dressed exactly like the others, all in black, his face covered with some dark greasy-looking substance and he wore black leather gloves.

  “I’ll be back, baby,” he said, cupping her cheek in his hand.

  Carly couldn’t help it. She leaned her face into his palm and closed her eyes. Taking a deep breath, she memorized his scent so she would be able to find him anywhere, even with her eyes closed. She opened her eyes when he stroked her cheek with his leather-covered thumb.

  “Don’t worry about us.” His smile looked macabre. His white teeth practically glowed, taking on a grisly look against his blackened face. He leaned forward. His movements were stiff and slow. Impeded by the thick Kevlar vest and the heavy gun he now wore strapped to his back.

  Carly closed her eyes again and let him kiss her as the others discreetly left the room.

  “We should go now, sir,” Randy said from behind her. “I hate to cut your farewell short, but we’re burning night here. We need the cover of darkness and it won’t last forever.”

  Bastien pulled away, rubbed his thumb across her lips and stood. “You’re right, Lieutenant. I’ll be right there.” He waited for Randy to follow the others through the front door before turning back to Carly. “I love you.”

  “I love you, too. Please come back to me.” She wanted to tell him to come back safe and unharmed only she knew she would take him any way she could get him, even if he were grievously wounded.

  He took one long last look at her as if he were committing her features to memory, then he turned and left.

  Carly closed her eyes and prayed to a God she had been sure abandoned her years ago. That had been before she found Bastien. She knew better now.

  Chapter Thirty-three

  The group left their vehicles in a clearing a quarter mile from the laboratory. The small recon squad went in first. Splitting into two groups of four, the covert squad approached the lab slowly, while quietly surveying the terrain.

  Bastien’s group approached a lone guard. He stood still, his gun raised to his shoulder as the small animals scurried through the underbrush away from the predators they sensed moving in.

  The quartet waited patiently for the right moment. Just as the man slung his gun over his shoulder by the strap and cupped his hands in front of his face to light his cigarette, Dimitri slid from the cover of the brush, smooth, quiet, deadly. He slipped up behind the guard and wrenched the man’s neck. He let the guard fall where he may and gave the corpse a sorrowful look.

  “I hate killing.”

  “We only do what we must, Dimitri.”

  “That is what my government once told me,” he said with pain-filled eyes. “They said it was necessary to burst into a man’s house in the middle of the night and take him or a member of his family for questioning.” He spat on the ground. “Some questioning. Most of those poor people never saw their families again. Most were killed in the name of the greater good.” Dimitri nudged the man with the toe of his boot. Bending down, he rifled the man’s pockets.

  “What are you looking for?”

  “His radio, you ass. Did you think I was looking for his wallet?”

  “Of course not.” Luke snarled. “You don’t have to be so damned touchy.”

  Dimitri took a deep breath. “I’m sorry, Luke. I will... How do you say? Get over it soon enough.”

  A dog barked in the distance. It sounded frenzied, as if it was on the hunt. It either smelled them or it sensed their presence.

  Bastien reached out with his mind and quieted the angry animal. Bringing his rifle to his shoulder, he aimed, then destroyed the first camera with two precise shots, knocking it from the post where it was mounted.

  “They’re bound to know we’re here by now. Expect the guards to get reinforcements soon,” Luke whispered into the radio they had brought along in deference to Randy.

  “Roger that.”

  Bastien heard the quiet, spitting whine of a silenced rifle just before Dimitri took out another camera.

  “Tango here with a dog,” Randy whispered over the radio.
“Strange, the dog is quiet. Is it your handiwork?”

  “Yes, leave the dog. Take out the Tango.”

  More spitting sounds traveled over the air. They were faint, only heard by those with acute hearing.

  The four men waited in the darkness. Reaching out with their senses, they searched the surrounding area for more enemies.

  I hear breathing in the bushes to the west of the entrance. Luke pointed through the trees, indicating the small shed-like structure about one-hundred feet to their left.

  Dropping to their knees, they crawled slowly toward the entrance.

  We’re not going to draw those guys out. They’re scared. Do you hear their hearts racing? They await us, hunkered down behind that wall, just waiting for a frontal attack. Merrick, like Luke, used the quieter means of communication.

  The four weres crept up on their enemy’s position slowly, quietly, careful to make no noise that would alert the other men to their presence. Their advantage was their steady nerves and patience. Soon the men in the bushes would become tired of the waiting and make a fatal mistake.

  I don’t like it. There should be more patrols here than this. It’s almost as if they don’t care if we take this facility. Dimitri frowned at the group.

  Gunshots rang out across the compound. Screams of pain and horror rent the night air as the other team took out their enemy.

  “BASTIEN?” CARLY WHISPERED the sound. Hoping he would hear her. She wasn’t sure how far their mental bond would travel. Bastien, please answer me. I’m scared.

  I’m fine, Carly. There is no reason to fear for me. If I would dare to die, Dimitri would have a fit and drag me kicking and screaming back from the afterlife.

  Carly looked around her. The scanner no longer spit out its loud annoying static and the house was dark. Shadows closed in on her, playing tricks on her mind. It felt like the enemy was in every corner watching her. Waiting.

  Please, Bastien, listen to me. Get out of there, now. I can’t tell you if the police are on their way or not. The scanner isn’t working anymore. The lights went out.

  Carly felt Bastien go still. All of them?

  Yes.

  Look out the window. How many people do you see?

  Hang on, she said, then stood to tiptoe to the window. Carly’s heart hammered in her chest as she looked through the clear pane. She knew she was visible, vulnerable. She hurried back to the relative safety of the couch.

  I didn’t see anyone. Did you leave people here? she asked, hoping he had. Then she wouldn’t feel so defenseless, so alone.

  Of course, I did. Did you think I would leave my precious mate undefended?

  Well, no. I...I suppose I didn’t give it much thought.

  Baby, I want you to do me a favor. Do not answer me yet. Luke told me he has a hiding place in his house. I want you to go to it.

  Carly got to her feet and looked around the dark house, wary. Where is it?

  Go to the study. It is down the hall from the living room, the second door on the right. Go to the bookcase across from the desk. Pull out the thick volume of Shakespeare and push the button behind it. Hurry and replace the book so others cannot find the button and then run for the door that will open behind the desk. Luke says you won’t have much time before it closes.

  The sound of breaking glass had Carly bolting for the study. She entered the room and searched the bookcase across from the desk. The closed blinds made it difficult to see in the darkness, even with her enhanced sight.

  “Where is it? It’s so dark I can barely read the titles,” she whispered to herself. Finally, she saw the book and reached up to pull it from the shelf. A familiar sting bit her neck and she quickly dropped her hand to pull the dart from the crook of her shoulder. Then the world went dark.

  CARLY! Bastien’s heart hammered in his chest as he ran for the cars. He called to the others. It was a trap. It was a fucking trap! They have Carly. We have to get back there. Something told Bastien they wouldn’t be fast enough. He keyed up his radio. “Back off everyone and meet at the pre-designated coordinates for more instructions.”

  The pre-designated coordinates were back at the vehicles. He hoped they got the message.

  Let’s get the hell out of here. This was nothing more than a distraction to lure us away from Carly. The radio crackled. At least someone had the presence of mind to notify Randy of the change in plans.

  The house was still dark. It had taken them longer to get there than Bastien would have liked. Still, he knew the value of the element of surprise. They crept toward the house, their guns drawn and senses alert.

  I don’t like it. It’s too damned quiet, Luke whispered into Bastien’s mind as they approached the house from four different directions. If the enemy was still here with his mate, they wouldn’t leave unseen.

  “West in position and awaiting instructions,” Randy said, his disembodied voice coming through the radio from the back of the house.

  “Ditto for the south,” Merrick spoke quietly into his headset.

  “North has a drop on all the windows. You have a go, east.”

  Bastien, Dimitri and Luke crept toward the front door, their senses alert. Having gained the porch, they stood on each side of the door and pushed it open. The house was quiet and dark and there were no signs of life.

  Carly, can you hear me, baby? Only silence greeted Bastien. There was a yawning, empty void where the light, gentle touch of Carly’s mind used to be. Either she was unconscious, or she was already way beyond his reach. His shoulders slumped.

  “She’s not here. They’ve taken her.” He turned to Dimitri. “What kind of horrible things will they put her through this time? What other kinds of serum are they going to inject her with?”

  Dimitri shook his head. “I don’t know, my friend.” Turning, he looked to Luke. “Where did you hide the computer parts with the information stored on them?”

  “They’re in my bolt-hole,” Luke said, leading them to the study. “It’s blocked off from the rest of the house. It even has its own generator for situations just like this one.”

  Bastien closed his eyes when he entered the room. Would the others think him weak if he broke down here in this room where he could so clearly smell his mate’s terror? He took a deep breath. No, he would not forfeit his control. He couldn’t lose sight of the fact that she was out there somewhere, needing him.

  He followed the other two men through the hidden passage into another large room. It looked like a studio apartment, complete with a kitchen, bed and bathroom.

  Luke strode over to a computer desk in the corner and switched it on. He cast a grim smile toward Bastien. “It might take a minute to boot up. It’s not the newest thing on the market, it’s an eight gig quad core system.”

  Bastien nodded, hardly able to wait for the damn thing to go through its paces before the familiar music of the operating system sounded through the speakers.

  Luke cracked his knuckles. “Here we go.”

  The clackety-clack of furious typing filled the room as Luke searched the program for clues to where they may have taken their mates.

  “Find anything yet?”

  Luke shook his head. “Not yet. It’s a difficult program to navigate and probably not bad for someone trained to use it. It even has some very cool features. But I don’t know what every button does and the last time I used this program it took me forever to find out what I wanted to know.” He glanced up at Bastien. “I’m sorry, Bastien. I know that’s not what you were hoping to hear. Just know that I’m doing my best to find both of our mates.”

  “I know, Luke.” Sitting down on the couch, he put his head in his hands. He never should have left her. He should have been one of the men who stayed here to protect her.

  “All of the others are dead,” Merrick said as he entered the room. He looked around. “Hey, this is way better than my apartment.”

  “Well, if you wouldn’t spend all your money on hookers, maybe you could afford something like this,” Lu
ke said without missing a beat with the program he was using.

  “I don’t spend it on hookers. I’m saving my money to spend it on my mate, if I ever find her.”

  Luke snorted. “Yeah, right, and I bet you have some real nice farmland in south-central Florida you’d like to sell me, too.”

  “Will you two stop it?” Dimitri snarled. “Can’t you see the man is devastated? We have to find out where they’re keeping his mate.”

  “They have my mate, too,” Luke groused.

  “Yes, they do.” Dimitri looked at him as if he were something he had just scraped off the bottom of his shoe. “I would think you would be taking this a bit more seriously.”

  “Yeah, you would, wouldn’t you? But we’re not bonded yet, so I guess maybe that gives me a little more freedom than what you two have.”

  Dimitri took a deep breath and his eyes narrowed. “Who are you working for?”

  Bastien raised his head, watching as Luke bristled. “What the hell are you talking about, man? I work for Bastien.”

  “Yes, you do. You work for your cousin. That is why I don’t understand why you have betrayed him and betrayed your people. You have nearly limitless access to his equipment, computer supplies and the records of all the addresses for every safe-house in the United States.”

  Luke looked from Dimitri to Bastien. “You’re not taking this clown seriously, are you?” he asked, his eyes growing wide with fear.

  Bastien stood up and crossed the room. Standing in front of his cousin, he reached down and grabbed his collar, dragging him to his feet.

  “Why do you look so scared, Cuz?” he asked, using the hated term. Now he realized why Luke was always around, always so helpful. Even when Luke had looked on him with scorn, he had been there, mocking him. He stared at the man he had once called cousin and friend. He was his right-hand man in almost everything. “I trusted you, you son-of-a-bitch.”

  “You know you’re talking bad things about your mother’s sister now,” Luke said with a smirk.