But now the urge to taste the blood of a kill was super strong.
An evil snicker came through the ear piece. “The pup is on his way with us to the ’pound. We’ll try to make him as comfortable as possible until you arrive.”
“And then?”
“And then we’ll talk.”
Chapter Seven
At the compound, Thumbs felt like he was going crazy by Tex’s scent on the man Inferno and Preach captured. They’d known each other for decades, and Tex was his best friend. How had he kept this relationship secret from everyone? From him? He really thought he knew everything about Tex. Regardless of the reason Tex kept the fact that he knew someone affiliated with the Tabu wolf, he’d have his friend’s back.
He sure hoped Inferno and the others were so preoccupied with the new prisoner they didn’t detect Tex’s scent on the human.
Then again, he was surprised he noticed it at all himself. He’d spent his life in the garage amongst the smells of engine fluids, solvents and fuels. It was no wonder he hadn’t been able to pick up certain scents until he’d put distance between him and the compound and blown his nose.
In the garage, Preach placed the prisoner on the platform of the engine lift, pushed him up against the frame, and secured him in place with some ropes and chains. Seeing that he was well restrained, Preach produced a small aerosol can out of his pocket. He sprayed himself, then Thumbs and the human with the scent repellant. Then he pointed at the man and spoke to Thumbs, “Keep an eye on him. This time try to do a better job than you did the last time you had had someone in your care.”
“Okay, Preach. I’ll watch him real good.” Since the longer the man’s in the garage, the better chance I’ll have to talk to Tex before anyone else does. Tex liked to park his bike in the bay out of the hot Nevada sun, so he’d run into Thumbs first.
The moment Preach left the garage, Thumbs sat next to the man. “I’m sorry about the way they treated you, that you have to be chained up for the time being.” As he double checked the rope and chains, he studied the human’s neck. The skin wasn’t marred. To his relief it didn’t look like Tex had claimed the human yet.
At least on the neck. If the human and Tex had been together, the man could be marked elsewhere. And if Tex has laid claim on the human, he wondered just how bad Tex’s punishment would be if Inferno found out about the claiming on top of their association.
“Please. Just let me go,” the human begged. “I can pay you whatever you want. I won’t tell a soul about you, this place or the gang.”
Thumbs’s heart went out to the man. Being at the mercy of the Mongrels wasn’t fun. He understood that, but he couldn’t put his place in the pack in jeopardy. Plus, if he let the guy go and Tex showed up and he didn’t know where the human took off to, then he’d be on Tex’s bad side. He didn’t want that to happen. Thumbs shook his head. “I wish I could, but my hide is already on the line for another mistake.”
Tex. Maybe that was the key. He could allay the human’s fears by talking about him. “Plus,” Thumbs continued, “if you stay put, you’ll see Tex again.”
“Tex? Um…” A faint rosy color filled the man’s cheeks. “Who’s Tex?”
Thumbs sighed. “Please. Don’t play dumb. We all know you were with him.” And his scent is all over you.
The human huffed. “Fine. Yes, I was with him. What’s it to you?”
“He’s my friend.”
“Friend? Actually, you sound mad about me knowing him. Perhaps a little jealous?”
Thumbs jerked as if the man had punched him in the stomach. Yet, what he’d said was true. No sense denying it. He was envious of the guy’s time with Tex. Again, Thumbs sighed. “Yeah, I guess you can say I am. I’ve liked him as a friend for what seems like an eternity, but recently? I don’t know. Something different is going on with him, and he’s not telling me what’s up.”
A confused, sad shadow passed across the human’s face. “I understand. But if you two are buddies, why haven’t you asked him about the change you’ve noticed?”
“Haven’t had the chance. Then there’s the fact that he and everyone else in the gang think I have an IQ under ninety. You’ve met Tex. You really think he’d confide his absolute deep, dark secrets to someone who’s considered to have a sub-par intelligence?”
The man raised a brow. “You sure don’t sound like you’re… Um…”
“Dumb? An idiot? A simpleton? I’m not. Long story, but to summarize, I got labeled as such as a kid. People mistook my quiet, reserved ways for being stupid rather than my demeanor being more of a keen, intellectual observing. It was then I realized I could learn a lot about what was going on if I played dumb. People tend to reveal a great deal of what they shouldn’t when they believe they aren’t being understood.”
“True, but you’re not a kid anymore. Why don’t you leave? Get a job and find a home somewhere else?”
He glanced around the garage. What had gotten into him? Why was he telling this stranger about himself? Thumbs shrugged in reply to the human’s questions and his own thoughts. “This is my home. These guys are my family. Besides, there’s stuff that goes on here with us that isn’t meant for the outside world.” Like the full moon coming up and how everyone will be hunkered down in the ’pound partying, having fun shifting and howling at the moon. He was just happy it wasn’t a super moon. Otherwise they’d all be in shifted form for a week. He hated being stuck as a mutt for so long.
“The less I know about the club’s dealings,” the human said, “legal or illegal, the better. As for family, I know how hard it is being away from them. My brother and his boyfriend recently went on vacation in a different country, and I miss him.”
Thumbs nodded, appreciating the info the man just dropped in his lap without realizing it, but not sure if he wanted to share the news about Cameron and Gabe’s exit from the states with Inferno and Preach.
The freedom to travel without issue. To see the states. Other parts of the world. It must be nice for those who could do it.
What would it be like to leave the ’pound for good? Not to see or be near the people he’d known for ages upon ages. His stomach rolled. He didn’t like the nauseous feeling that plagued him as he considered leaving everything behind.
“Name’s Jarrod by the way. Jarrod Russell. I’d shake your hand, but I’m a little tied up at the moment.” Jarrod chuckled.
“Thumbs,” he replied absentmindedly, his thoughts on hiking the rocky mountains from the southwest into Canada.
“Thumbs? That’s different.”
“It’s my club name. I’m the mechanic here. When I was learning my way around machinery, the guys used to say I was all thumbs. The nickname stuck.”
“Okay. Well, it’s nice to meet you, Thumbs.”
“Alec Mills,” he said quietly, realizing it’d been forever since he’d spoken his real name out loud. He couldn’t even remember if he’d told Tex what it was. “Name’s Alec Mills.”
“Nice to meet you, Alec. So, any chance you could let me go now?”
“Dude, I wish I could but—”
“Thumbs, you simp,” Inferno screamed outside the garage. “I didn’t tell you to babysit the prisoner. Get your fucking ass out here!”
Thumbs hung his head. Something had to be done about Inferno. He just wasn’t sure what yet. He glanced Jarrod’s way out of the corner of his eye. Tex’s new friend seemed really nice and didn’t deserve to be in the middle of Inferno’s mess, and if Jarrod came to harm under his watch, Tex would never forgive him. He didn’t want to upset either man.
“Listen,” Thumbs said close to Jarrod’s ear. “I can’t stay much longer so pay attention. I’m going to loosen your bonds, and before I leave the garage, I’m going to unlock the back door. Once I’m outside, then you can shuck the chains. Escape out the back. There’s a trail. It’s faint, so if you don’t see it, look for a triple rock formation. The path is to its left. Take it until it Ys. In the crook of the Y is a boulder. Lift
it and go under it.”
“Pardon? Lift a boulder?”
“Sshhh. Yes. It’s fake. A little heavy but you’ll be able to move it. There’s a deserted mining tunnel there. It’ll be dark, so I suggest keeping your hand on the wall as you go. It’ll take some time since the passage is over a mile and a half long but eventually there’ll be light. You’ll come out into a deserted area. There’s a path on the right. Take it as it winds and climbs in elevation to a run-down looking shack. There’s a key under the back tire of a broken and rusted bike behind the place. Hide in the building until Tex or I, or the both of us, are able to get to you.” Thumbs started to undo the ropes and chains holding Jarrod in place.
“All right. Thanks, man. But don’t all the guys here know about the boulder and shack? Won’t I be tracked to there?”
He shook his head. “I’m the only one who knows about it. You’ll be perfectly safe.” Thumbs pulled a small aerosol can out of his pocket. “Here. Once you’re able, spray yourself with this. Hopefully it’ll continue to mask your scent like it does ours and give you some extra insurance against being pursued.”
“Thumbs!” Inferno barked. “Tea time’s over. Get your mangy hide out here!”
After loosening the last restraint, Thumbs squeezed Jarrod’s shoulder. “You sure you got it all?” He stared straight into a pair of gorgeous gray-blue eyes and saw the warmth and kindness of Jarrod’s soul within. Thumbs could see why Tex was with the human.
“Yes. Go before that psycho comes in here and ruins our day even more.”
He dipped his head once and then ran out of the garage.
* * * *
All the way down the highway back to the compound, everything in Tex’s line of sight was awash with red. He couldn’t believe the amount of fury and worry he had pulsating through his mind and body. The desire to beat Inferno and Preach to within a claw-width of their horrible immortal lives was so strong Tex feared he might spontaneously shift. Breathing deep and focusing on keeping his old bike upright, he maintained control of his inner wolf.
What surprised him even more, though, was his reaction in regard to the human … to Jarrod. He’d heard being with one’s mate could create an instant, emotionally deep bond—something akin to insta-love—but he never thought something like that would happen with him. To fall so hard and so fast for someone? Him, a cynical wolf-slash-man who rode the fine line of the law more times than he could remember?
Am I even worthy of being loved anymore?
As he neared the compound, the aromas of his grandmother’s cooking filled his nostrils. Memories of the times he’d spent with her came to him, reminded him of what it felt like to be loved and to love. They seemed to say, “You are worthy.”
The scents also let him know that Jarrod still lived. The knowledge relieved his stress a little, but he accelerated his motorcycle anyway and prayed that Jarrod continued to breathe and stay safe until he could get there to rescue him.
In light of the sensations whizzing through him, he had to admit he cared for Jarrod, in a profound, unconditional sense. He couldn’t concede it was love yet, but it was damn close.
He turned onto the dirt road that led to the ’pound. Rocks and dust flew up from under his tires, creating a cloud of debris behind him as he sped toward what people would consider to be a ghost town. The wood buildings and structures looked to be rotting. The bricks of the club house that once used to be a jail were cracking and pieces were falling off as were those making up the façade of the garage that’d been a blacksmith’s location decades ago.
Tex skidded his bike to a stop outside the clubhouse and parked, instead of housing the motorcycle in the garage out of the hot Nevada desert like he normally would. He barged inside.
Inferno sat on the couch, his booted feet up on the coffee table, cleaning his fingernails with a switchblade and looking as if he hadn’t a care in the world.
“Where is he?” Tex bellowed. “What have you done to him?”
Before Tex could get too close, Inferno flung the knife at Tex’s feet. It hit the wood floor, sinking into the plank like butter.
Stopping his advance, Tex sidestepped the weapon as if being a target for knife throwing practice was no big deal, crossed his arms over his stomach and glared at Inferno. He didn’t care if he came off as impertinent and got his ass handed to him. All that mattered was making sure Jarrod was all right.
“I assume you’re talking about the fresh piece of ass you tapped in Vegas.” Inferno placed his hands behind his head. A smug grin was on his face. “He’s chained up in the garage. Once Gabe and his pup find out the pup’s brother is here, we’ll finally have the upper hand. Gabe will return. We’ll have his bitch sister, Emma, soon as well. Then we’ll be able to dispatch them. We’ll be rid of those two pesky Tabu wolves, who are after our money, once and for all.”
Their money, you ass. You stole it from them, me, and others. Tex clamped his teeth together to keep from mouthing off. Last thing he needed to do was make matters worse by pointing out the truth.
“Inferno?” Preach stormed into the room and stopped near the couch. He held out a sheet of paper. “Found this on your desk upstairs.”
The president snatched the page from the enforcer. His gaze fixated on what was written then his eyes grew larger as he continued to read. “Son of a bitch.” Crumpling the note in his fist, he jumped up and punched Preach in the gut.
Preach doubled over and sucked in small breaths. “What. The. Fuck,” he stuttered between puffs.
“I needed to hit somethin’. You happened to be handy. Pull up your panties. We gotta find that backstabbing bastard.”
Taking a deep breath, Preach straightened. “Which bastard this time?”
“Shaman. He reneged on our agreement to hunt down Emma. Said he couldn’t find her so he’s out. Good thing we have our plan for Gabe. He’ll be our bait for her.”
Not liking the idea of Jarrod and his friends being pawns in Inferno’s game, Tex snarled. He’d have to figure out a way to rescue Jarrod and escape the canyon. Fast.
Inferno started to pace, mumbling to himself.
Thumbs came into the room carrying a tray of beers, chips and dip. “Got the food ya wanted, pres.” He looked at everyone, concern starting to fill his gaze until he looked Tex’s way. His eyes grew large and round. “I miss somethin’?”
“Shaman gave up on the hunt,” Preach supplied.
The mechanic set the drinks and food on the coffee table, then navigated around the furniture to stand near Tex. “He seems pretty mad,” he stated under his breath.
“He socked Preach in the gut.”
“Yep.” Thumbs nodded. “Mad. Maybe we should go lay low somewhere. Stay away until he’s no longer upset?”
Tex shook his head, then whispered, “Can’t. I have to figure out how to save Inferno’s latest prisoner.”
“What’s that? What are you two chatting about?” Inferno paused in his pacing and narrowed his gaze at them. His eyes flashed red.
“Nothin’, boss,” Thumbs supplied. “He just fillin’ me in on what happened.”
“Fine. How about you two go fill each other in somewhere else? I don’t need distractions while I think about Shaman’s betrayal and what I’ll do to him when I get my hands on him.”
“What if he kept her for himself?”
Everyone’s attention latched onto Thumbs. Tex couldn’t believe that the mechanic had said anything. Did he have a death wish? All the club members pretty much knew never to question Inferno in any way, most especially when the president was angry. Preach was the only Mongrels member who could essentially talk back to and question Inferno, but if another member seemed to look at the president the wrong way, Great Spirit help him or her.
“Kept her?” Inferno yelled. Long, thick black hairs sprouted on his arms. His face began to shift into that of a wolf—first his teeth into fangs, followed by his mouth and then his nose elongating into a furry muzzle. The president’s eyes became a
fiery crimson. “Kept her?” he repeated, taking a step toward Tex and Thumbs and falling forward to walk on all fours.
“Inferno,” Preach barked. “Heel.”
At the enforcer’s startling demand, Inferno, more wolf than human, spun toward Preach.
Tex didn’t waste a second while Inferno had Preach in his sights. He grabbed Thumbs’s arm and indicated to Thumbs to follow him upstairs.
Thumbs tailed Tex into his room and closed the door. “I can’t believe I let that question slip out of my mouth. I might have to leave the ’pound. But you’re definitely going to have to leave. Better pack a bag,” Thumbs said.
“What? What the hell are you talking about? I have to find my mate. Only then will I get out of here.” Tex made for the door, hell bent on tearing the ’pound apart until he found Jarrod.
Thumbs grasped his arm and stopped him from leaving. “Jarrod is safe. I gave him a way out. I know where he went.”
“You? You helped Jarrod? Why?” Tears sprang to Tex’s eyes as relief swept through him. After a couple hours fearing for Jarrod’s life, it was good to know he was all right and away from the madness of the ’pound.
No need for me to turn into a rabid wolf now.
“’Cause you’re my friend. I can rely on you more than I can with my own family. I wanted to help.” Appearing to take a moment to think, Thumbs’s face paled a little. “It really will no longer be safe for you to be here once Inferno learns Jarrod’s gone. Especially since you shacked up with him in Vegas instead of searching for Emma with Sloth. If you don’t disappear, Inferno might toss you out or do something worse to you.”
“Fuck.” It was one thing to think about leaving home, and a whole other matter to be thrown out of it.
“Yeah. That about sums it up.”
Tex took a deep breath in an attempt to release all the emotions that’d been warring inside him. In doing so, he relaxed and bobbed his head. “I… I…”
The mechanic grinned, stepped forward then seemed to reconsider closing the distance between them. “If you’re trying to say, ‘thank you, Thumbs,’ then I say, ‘you’re welcome, Tex.’ It was my pleasure and not a problem looking after your man,” Thumbs babbled, then closed his mouth, shook his head and waved a hand in front of him. “Except we don’t have time to talk.”
Seduced by Him Page 6
