by Beverly Rae
Damn it, Mari, where are you? Telling himself to slow down, he searched the room again, looking for the clothes she’d had on the night before. But those clothes weren’t there.
She never made it to her room.
Panic gripped him as he realized his worst fear. She was gone. But where? At once, he thought of Bascom. Could the vampire have her? If so, what could he have done with her? To her?
A growl grew from the depths of his stomach to spill from his mouth. Giving in to the beast’s anger, he laid back his head and roared. The power surged through him, calling for him to shift. Calling for him to give in and let the animal take over. But he couldn’t.
Not yet.
Whirling around, he ran from the room, down the hall and took the stairs two at a time until he was on the floor where the final table game would be held. Startled people jumped out of his way as he burst through the stairwell door and into the open area in front of the game room. Pushing reporters aside, he stormed into the room.
“Bascom!”
The vampire was in his chair, his legs propped in front of him as he’d done the first day of the championship game. He arched an eyebrow above the dark sunglasses.
Tucker forced himself to slow down. If he made any more of a spectacle, he’d blow his chance to save Mari. His body tensed, fighting against the leisurely pace.
Tucker slid into his chair, then leaned toward the vampire. “Where is she?” he hissed.
Bascom took a long drink of his water, lifting a finger to have him wait. “Ah. There really is nothing like a cold drink of water, is there? Oh, wait a moment. Yes, there is something better, but it is not a socially acceptable drink, is it?”
For Mari’s sake, keep your head. Don’t let him goad you into losing it.
“Are you finished?” He gritted his teeth and fought the animal howling inside him.
“I am not certain what you mean, but I am quite comfortable. Thank you for asking.” Bascom’s lips curved up at the sides, and Tucker wanted nothing more than to wipe the smile from his face. Hell, to wipe his face from his face.
“Answer me. Where is she?”
The tournament director inched forward. Tucker leaned back and ducked his head, pretending nonchalance. “Gentlemen, we’re about to start. But I’m wondering if either of you know where Ms. Thornton is.”
Tucker gathered some chips in his hand and clenched his fist to keep from striking the smirking vampire. “I was just asking Bascom the same question.”
“Hmm, it would appear our lovely Ms. Thornton is a no-show. I am assuming this means she is disqualified? What a shame.” Bascom shook his head, then shrugged.
A shame is having you walk this earth for another day. Tucker lifted the corner of his mouth in a silent snarl.
“Unfortunately, you’re correct, Mr. Bascom.” The director checked the schedule. “We’ll wait a few more minutes, but then I’m afraid I’ll have to disqualify her.” He turned on his heel and walked over to consult with his assistant.
Tucker shoved his chair closer to the vampire. “Look, you walking scumbag. I know you’ve got something to do with whatever’s happened to Mari. So count on this. Once I find her, if you’ve hurt her in any way, if you’ve so much as put a strand of her hair out of place, you’re going to regret the day you met me.”
Bascom waved his hand in front of his face and grimaced. “Urgh. With breath like yours, I already do.”
“Get ready to go back to the ground, vamp.” Tucker pushed his chair back to his side of the table and forced himself to calm down. The vampire may have won this battle, but the war was far from over.
The announcer broke through the chatter in the room. “Ladies and gentlemen, due to her failing to show for continuation of play, Ms. Mari Thornton is hereby disqualified. Our two remaining players, Tucker Manning and Ty Bascom, will proceed in a head-to-head showdown. Gentlemen, let’s begin.”
Chapter Eight
Sucker’s Bet
Tucker didn’t know how he managed to keep from shoving his hand into Bascom’s chest and ripping his heart out, but he did. Instead, he used every ounce of strength he had to appear confident and cool-headed, even feigning interest when the beautiful casino ladies brought out the huge pile of money representing the cash the winner would receive upon earning the championship title.
Tossing in his chips, he met Bascom’s bet and raised him. He shot the vamp a “take that” smile.
Bascom, his glasses still in place, frowned and tossed in his cards. “Tell me, Mr. Manning. How is it that your game has improved in such a short time?”
So I am getting to him. Good. The more rattled he got, the more likely he would slip-up and give Tucker a clue where to find Mari. “Has it? I guess it’s because there’s so much at stake.”
“Amusing. Very amusing.”
The dealer shuffled the next hand, and it came and went faster than Tucker could’ve hoped. His stack of chips was growing taller by the minute. “I guess you’re not as good a player as you thought you were. I mean, without using your little trick.”
“Trick?” Bascom toyed with his chips. “Skill is no trick. I am merely setting you up for the greater fall.”
Tucker forced a laugh and scanned the audience. A man cleared his throat, breaking the quiet of the room and drawing Tucker’s attention. He smiled and nodded at the werewolf.
Good. Daniel and the others had arrived. Being a lone wolf had its perks, but having a pack to come to the rescue wasn’t a bad deal, either.
Two more hands played out, with Bascom taking a small pot, then Tucker winning back his loss and more. The vampire stopped looking so serene and leaned forward, studying his cards harder than Tucker had ever seen.
Not much longer, and the tournament would be over. He glanced around the room again and this time found Daniel Cannon leaning against the wall by the exit. Arching his eyebrow, he silently asked the pack leader the questions constantly on his mind. Where is she? Have you found her?
Unfortunately, Daniel couldn’t give him the answer he wanted. Instead, the tall werewolf slowly shook his head.
Damn. Even the pack hadn’t found her. Where the hell are you, Mari?
He stamped down the tickle of fear speeding along his spine. Stay in control. His only chance was to force Bascom to give up the information he needed. But if he’d hurt her… He dropped the chip he’d been flipping over one finger to the next. Pain stabbed into his chest as though someone had driven a dagger into his heart. No. He couldn’t think that way. He couldn’t give up on her now. Some way, somehow, he’d find her.
“Mr. Manning, I’m sorry. Did you hear the announcer call for a break?” The dealer, an older woman, tilted her head at him. “Are you all right?”
Tucker broke away from his unwanted thoughts and watched the audience and others move out of the room. “Yeah, I’m okay. Thanks.”
Bascom remained in his chair. Once the dealer left, he took off his sunglasses and glared. “Wolf, let us talk.”
“Yeah, let’s.” Tucker rose and followed the vamp toward a corner of the room. The pack members who had remained behind started to move forward, but Tucker motioned for them to stand down.
Tucker slid to stand beside Bascom, who crossed his arms and placed his back to the room. “Where is she, vamp? And don’t even try to pretend you don’t know.”
Fangs broke through as the vampire hissed, “Stay quiet like a good little doggy and listen.”
Tucker’s hand was around Bascom’s throat before he was aware of urge to throttle him. “Tell me where she is or I’ll break your fucking neck.”
The vampire’s eyes grew wide, and he lifted a shaky hand to grasp Tucker’s. “Release me and call off your hounds, too,” he croaked. “Others are watching.”
Tucker ground his teeth together, fighting to keep the wolf in check. Glancing to the side, he noted the tournament director and his assistant gawking at them. Hating to do so, he turned the vampire loose. “Talk.”
“M
ari is safe.”
Bascom’s black gaze dove into Tucker and cold chilled his bones. He shook, whether from the cold or relief that Mari was still alive, he wasn’t sure. “Where?”
“That is my concern.” Bascom jerked his hands up, palms out to ward off Tucker’s instinctive reflex to attack. “You can, however, secure her freedom and her safety.”
Talk about dealing with the devil. But what other choice did he have? “How?”
The vampire’s smile was colder than his touch. “I do so like a man of few words.” He chuckled and straightened his tie. “I would like to offer you a deal.”
“What kind of deal? If it includes you wrapped in silver chains, then count me in.”
Did the vamp just pout?
“Pity. We were doing so much better when you stayed with one-word answers. Never mind. Here is my offer. I win the tournament, and then I tell you where to find your little lady. Easy, is it not?”
“So you want me to throw the tournament.”
Bascom grimaced. “I would not have put it so crassly, but yes. As long as I win the championship, then she is safe.”
“The way you’re playing—without glamour to help you—I may find it hard to lose. What happens if I don’t?”
He couldn’t see the difference in the vampire, but he could sense it, could almost feel the palpable change in the atmosphere around them. “If you fail, then Mari will lose everything she holds dear.”
Tucker narrowed his eyes. “Exactly what is that? Spell it out.”
“I should have known you would need me to state this in a simpler fashion.” Bascom sighed, appearing to be running out of patience. “If you fail, she loses her memory of everything, past, present and future. She will, in essence, be a clean slate. But, best of all, she will not remember your name, your face or even that you exist.”
The vampire’s words hit Tucker hard and straight in his gut. He felt his knees grow weak and his heart beat faster. “You can’t. You don’t have that kind of power.” Please, God, let him be right.
“Oh, but I do, and I will use it if I have to.”
“You lousy, coldhearted son of a bitch. If I could, I’d take your scrawny body and—”
“Uh-uh-uh. Be careful. You would not want to make me angry. So what is your answer, wolfman? Do you love the win more than the woman?”
He’d give up every tournament from here to eternity if it would keep Mari safe. But could he trust Bascom to keep his end of the bargain?
“You’ve got a deal. I’ll throw the damn thing, but you’d better not try anything funny.”
Bascom crooked his head to the side as the crowd began filling the room again. “Then shall we return to the game?”
Tucker swallowed hard, then found Daniel Cannon’s hard stare fixed on him. He shook his head again, telling the wolf pack leader not to take any action, and Daniel, in turn, waved off the other four werewolves in the room.
He returned to his seat, ready to throw the game.
A succession of quick hands ensued, but Tucker was barely able to focus on them. His thoughts were on Mari, remembering the way her hair shone under the lights of the casino, how she arched her back to press her breast to his lips, to his hands. But most of all he remembered her smile that always preceded her quick and easy giggle.
The crowd clapped in polite response to the next hand as Tucker once again lost to Bascom. Bascom pretended not to notice the lukewarm nature of their applause and tipped his head in thanks time and time again.
The dealer caught Tucker’s attention and pointedly looked at him but didn’t ask the question he could so easily see in her eyes. “Are you all right?”
He gave her a wan smile and continued his losing streak. His chip stack had diminished, and he knew one more hand would end his bid for the championship. He sent a warning glare to Bascom. He’d better keep his end of the deal.
Bascom merely nodded as though he’d read Tucker’s mind and opened the way for Tucker to go all in. He did, betting everything. He leaned over the table, anticipation making him bite the inside of his lip, and waited. Bascom took his time, however, relishing having the werewolf under his thumb. At last, he made his wager and won the hand.
Applause erupted throughout the room as the tournament director took the microphone and announced Ty Bascom as the champion. Bascom stood and waved to the crowd as he accepted the championship golden belt, then turned to the cameras and saluted. “Thank you. Thank you. Of course I am delighted to add this championship to my many other achievements.” Then he pivoted to face Tucker and stuck out his hand.
The last thing he wanted to do was to congratulate Bascom on his win, but he had no choice. If he didn’t, who knew how Bascom might retaliate for the snub. Slowly, Tucker stood and clutched the vampire’s hand, then held on to it when Bascom attempted to pull away. Instead, he yanked the vampire close enough to wrap his arm around the man’s bony shoulders.
Smiling for the cameras, Tucker dug his fingers into Bascom’s arm and brought his head close to the vampire’s. “I did my part, now do yours. Where is she?”
Bascom groaned in pain but kept up the appearance of the cordial winner and his voice low. “Why, my dear boy. Where else would she be but in my room?”
“He’s lying.” Daniel, who had moved to stand behind Tucker, shook his head, then tucked his chin down to keep his voice from traveling past the vamp and Tucker. “She’s not there. In fact, he doesn’t have a room in this hotel. The guys and I checked.”
Tucker’s grip on Bascom tightened, and the vampire cringed and tried to squirm away. But he wasn’t letting go. Not yet.
“I would have thought you beasts could sniff her out.”
Tucker growled, then heard Daniel’s softer growl echo his. “Talk, bloodsucker, before I show the world how real vampires and werewolves are.” He snarled, “Not to mention how easily a werewolf can kill a vampire.”
“Calm yourself, dog. My room number is six-six-six. Appropriate, yes?”
Daniel frowned. “We checked the rooms in that location but there’s no room with that number.”
“Well, then, I cannot help it if you do not believe me.”
“I believe you, all right. Now tell us how to find the room.” Tucker raised his hand to greet the reporters and paparazzi busy taking pictures and asking questions neither he nor Bascom were answering. “Or maybe you should just come along and show us.”
“No.” Bascom thrust his body away, almost falling with the strength it took to get away from Tucker. He wiped off his arms as though trying to rid himself of a lingering filth. “Go to the exact same wing and find room six-six-five. Stand so you are facing the door directly across from it. If my subjects have done as I have commanded—and they always do—then instead of an Employees Only sign on the door, this time you will see my room number. Inside you will find what you are looking for. Now, whether you excuse me or not, I really must insist we conclude our conversation.”
Daniel and Tucker both growled, then turned to leave.
“Manning.”
Gritting his teeth and forcing the wolf to stay below the surface, Tucker turned back to face Bascom. The vampire’s eyes widened at the sight of Tucker’s amber eyes. “What?”
Bascom recovered his composure, then adopted a wicked leer. “Please tell Mari how much I enjoyed her company.” He licked his lips and added, “So very much.”
If Daniel hadn’t grabbed him by the arm and pulled him away, Tucker would have shifted and torn the vampire’s head from his shoulders. “Keep moving, man. Don’t let that undead bucket of bones get to you.”
Tucker let Daniel drag him from the room and into the hallway where they were soon joined by the other werewolves. “Let’s go.” Moving like the pack on a moonlit run, the men rushed through the lobby to the other side of the building and toward the guest rooms. Minutes later, they stood outside room six-six-six.
Tucker pounded on the door. “Mari! Are you in there? Mari?”
“
Do you really think Bascom would’ve left her free to answer, much less open the door?” Daniel motioned for the other werewolves to step back, then waved at the door. “I’ll let you do the honor of breaking it down.”
Tucker had already shifted enough to bring out his werewolf strength. At Daniel’s permission, he growled, then barreled into the door, ramming it with his shoulder. The door burst open, cracking in the middle where he’d struck it. He stumbled into the room, managing somehow to stay on his feet.
“Mari?” The others joined him as he scanned the clean room, empty of any sign that either the vampire or Mari had been there. Except for the rope hanging from the ceiling.
“No sign of her in the bathroom,” called one werewolf.
But Tucker barely heard the man. He stared at the rope and struggled to swallow the bile in his throat. Walking slowly to the rope, he took the end of it and brought it to his nose. Concentrating, he sniffed, dragging every scent he could from the knotted end. Mari’s sweet scent was unmistakable.
The vampire had tied her up with this rope.
His rage blew through him like a category-five hurricane. For a moment, the room swam around him as his fury threatened to blind him. A low rumble started deep in his gut, then traveled upward until at last it exited his mouth in a window-rattling roar.
Daniel and the men gave answering snarls, letting him know they understood his pain and anger.
Tucker tugged. When the hook holding the rope didn’t budge, he yanked again. Again, nothing. The rope was securely fastened to the ceiling. So secure that even he couldn’t have gotten free, much less Mari.
What happened to her? An image of Mari tied to the rope, at the mercy of the vampire, tore into him, shredding his gut until he was sure he’d buckle over from the pain. But he remained upright, his determination to find Mari keeping him from giving in to the agony. Summoning all his power, he jumped, grabbing the rope with both hands, and let his body fall to the floor. A loud crack resonated around the room. He ducked, shielding his face from the chunks of plaster raining from the ceiling as the hook and rope landed in front of him.
