by Elle Thorne
Judge looked at Lance. Lance was looking at Cross in the rearview mirror. Judge glanced at Cross. Cross shrugged.
Okay then, looks like we’re all surprised by this.
“So how are you related, exactly? And what is she doing here, among shifters?”
Griz glanced at the back seat. “You mind?”
Judge caught a glimpse of Ciara nodding.
Griz turned forward, facing Judge. “She’s my cousin, a few times removed. An outcast Intuitive, one-quarter shifter. Her grandmother was a grizzly shifter. Though he was half-shifter, her father had no shifting animal.
“He met Ciara’s mother, an Intuitive… well, that’s another story. Anyway, Ciara’s mother saved his life. The Intuitive community has never been accepting of outsiders, so when Ciara’s mother was pregnant, the two had to make a decision.
“They eloped and left the Intuitive community behind. Ciara is not accepted by the Intuitive community and she isn’t a shifter, though descended from one.” Griz glanced back. “So far so good?”
Ciara’s head appeared next to the headrest. “You covered the stuff that matters.”
Judge imagined there was much more to that story. He hoped one day he’d get to hear it.
“So, you help Griz?” Judge asked her.
Her light eye looked eerie, almost completely white. “When I can. He helped me, after all. I owe him.”
Griz reached back, put his large hand over her smaller one. “You keeping tabs, girl? You don’t owe me. And if you ever did, don’t you think all you’ve done for my nephews more than made up for it?”
“Who is keeping tabs now?” Ciara smiled, her expression changing, becoming less ethereal, more human.
“And you were helping him when you pulled your little magical tattoo trick on me?” Mac’s tone was playful and her smile wide as she teased Ciara.
“I was. I’d like to think I was helping you, as well.”
“You were!” Mac wrapped her arms around Ciara. “You were.”
“Agreed,” Lance glanced in the rearview mirror, a smile on his lips.
“How do you think you can help with Lani?” Judge asked, eager to get back to the woman he couldn’t stop thinking of, same as his bear. “Do you think being an Intuitive will give you an edge?”
“There’s no way to know. Not yet, is there?” Her response was mysterious.
Chapter Eleven
Denver.
Just after dawn. The sun was shining a brilliant spring promise, but for Judge, there was uncertainty.
He had to find Lani.
He’d asked Ciara repeatedly during the drive if she’d sensed the proximity of another Intuitive and she told him, over and over again, that there was no way to know if she felt one because until they were closer, any Intuitive’s signal would interfere.
Frustrated, Judge had growled, but not realized he’d done it aloud until she went on to explain.
“It’s not like we all have a specific wave length.”
“Turn left here.” Cross was holding his phone and giving Lance directions toward his vehicle.
“Still hasn’t moved?” Judge gritted his teeth.
“Nope.” Cross reached up, put his hand on Judge’s shoulder.
Judge tried to relax his muscles. He knew he was one tense knot of anger and frustration.
“Less than a block away,” Cross told Lance.
Judge studied the area. Full of warehouses, they all looked the same, one after another, lined up like barracks or prisoners. Dingy gray, lacking paint, with empty pallets that had begun to fall apart in front of otherwise empty truck bays. The warehouse alleys were all deserted.
Probably because it’s Saturday.
Lance pulled the Suburban next to a new white SUV.
Judge turned to Cross. “Yours?”
“Yup.”
Judge scanned the area. Where the hell could she be?
He looked toward the back. Ciara’s eyes were closed, a frown of concentration brought her brows down, leaving the skin between her eyes with vertical lines. She titled her head to the left, as if listening.
Finally, Judge couldn’t wait anymore. “Well?”
Her eyes flew open. “Please give me a moment. I can’t concentrate on finding her when your emotions are sending tidal waves that are taking precedence over my senses.”
Lance gave him a look. “Chill, bro.”
Judge gritted his teeth. Would he say chill if it was Mac? “I’m chill.”
He glanced at Cross who was pressing numbers on the phone screen. Cross put the phone to his head. “We’re here.” He paused. “Okay, I wondered if you had eyes on us. Sure. See you in a moment.”
“They’re coming.”
“Who is they, exactly?”
“Four brothers. Wolf shifters. They hire out freelance.”
“Qualifications?” Judge wasn’t about to put Lani’s fate in the hands of amateurs.
“The best. I’m leaving it at that. Their resumes are need to know.”
“I’m thinking I need to know.”
“Trust me.” Cross’s dark eyes had a steely glint, his bear flashed amber in the depths.
Judge let out a ragged deep breath. He nodded. Cross had never let him down.
Four men approached, stocky but not bulked up. They had the eyes of predators, the stealth of a large feline, their gaits had the confident swagger of one at the top of the food chain.
Judge assessed the men, noting the weapons clearly attached to their bodies beneath their khaki pants and canvas shirts. All four wore sunglasses, all four had military haircuts.
He glanced at Cross, wanting to gauge his brother’s expression.
Cross nodded. “They’re the best. Lucky they were in the area.”
Cross, Lance, Griz, and Judge stepped out of the vehicle.
The wolf shifters joined them.
“Griz.” The head of the wolves nodded at his uncle.
Judge looked from his uncle to the head wolf. Was there anyone Griz didn’t know?
“Range. Long time.” Griz nodded a greeting.
“Cross,” the wolf called Range held his hand out to Cross. “I heard there’s talk you’re moving up.”
Cross shook his head, disbelief plastered on his face. “I don’t know how the hell you know the stuff you do.”
The wolf shifter’s smile was cryptic. “Lance, Judge.” He looked at each respectively, clearly aware who was who.
Judge realized the shifter had a database, complete with photos, if he recognized him and Lance so easily.
“I’m Range. That’s Asa, Jason, Davin.” He pointed to the three shifters behind him.
“Anything?” Cross asked? “Sign of our Intuitive?”
“No. Several male humans. An elemental. One leopard shifter. Not sure what type the elemental is.”
“They’re not onto you, right?” Lance asked.
A small derisive laugh slipped from Range, his granite-cast face not showing any emotions.
“You fellas have Tranqs?” Griz inquired.
“Don’t leave home without ‘em.” Range’s grin was wolfish. “Got our hands on some high-priced anti-Tranqs, too.”
The truck door opened. Ciara stepped out and walked up. Mac and Ariadne behind her.
Ciara put one hand to her temple, rubbed gently. “She’s in there. I can feel an Intuitive. Maybe two.” She paused, cocked her head. “Could be three? Is that a third? It’s so faint.”
Mac leaned in. “The baby,” she whispered.
“It could be,” Ciara agreed.
“We don’t want to advertise our presence early. No one seems to come this way, but you never know.” Range glanced around.
“What’s the plan?” Judge was ready to get going. “Does anyone have one?” He looked from Cross to Range.
“Wait.” Ciara held her hand up. “Wait.” Panic laced her voice. “There’s distress. Pain. I sense distress and pain.
“Like what?” The cold fingers of fear gr
ipped Judge’s heart in a vise.
“I can’t tell.” Her eyes, such a light and transparent blue, now flashed a metallic silver. “We have to help them—her.”
“I’m going now.” Judge stepped forward.
“We’re with you,” Range said.
“Lance, Cross, stay. Don’t jeopardize your positions with the Compliance Unit,” Griz said. “I’ll go with Judge. You stay and take care of Ariadne, Ciara, and Mac.”
“No.” Mac shook her head. “Lani might need me. The baby—I’m coming.”
“I’m going, too,” Ciara announced. “You may need me.”
Griz shook his head. “Hardheaded,” he said, but gave the women a look of admiration.
Lance shook his head. “Mac’s not going without me. And I’m not worried about the Compliance Unit. Unlike Cross, I don’t see a future there for me.”
“Which building?” Griz asked.
Range pointed to the second one on the right.
“Last time you saw activity?”
“Last night when they sent one guy out for dinner.”
“Any idea how many men?” Griz pressed on.
“Not for sure, but we’ve been listening to heart rates. I’d say about a dozen.”
Judge looked at their guys. With the four wolves, Lance, and Griz, there were seven of them.
Cross must have been thinking the same thing, he opened his mouth.
Griz shook his head. “You need to stay here with Ariadne and the baby. “Hell, I’d rather you two drove away, but I know you won’t.”
“I can’t leave you guys to take care of this alone.”
“You need to take care of your mate and the young ‘un she’s carrying.” Griz smirked. “Anyway, in your new position, you won’t be out in the field. Get used to it.”
“You’re right, I know.” A small snarl slipped out of Cross. “Doesn’t mean I have to like it.”
“Sure doesn’t,” Griz agreed. “But still…”
“Yeah, I get it. We’ll wait in the vehicle. Keep an eye on Judge, he’s tied into this one emotionally.”
Judge gave his brother a dirty look. “Hey, I’m right here. Quit talking like I’m not.”
Range indicated a side door on the warehouse. “That’s the best point of entry.”
Judge glanced at Griz, hoping that his endorsement of the wolf shifters was merited.
Griz caught the look, gave him a nod of understanding, then leaned in. “They’re the very best. You got to trust me, son.” He patted Judge on the back, his hand lingering.
Judge wanted to lean against the man who was the closest thing to a father he’d ever had.
“Trust me.” Another pat. Then Griz turned to Range. “Let’s roll.”
One day, he’d have to ask Griz how he managed to stay so well connected. And where the hell on the mountain range he lived, because he came to the rescue mighty quick. Every damned time.
Chapter Twelve
Too many hours had passed in the damned dingy excuse of a prison cell that Lani was locked in with Pepper. No one had checked on them. No one had stopped by to speak, though Lani could sense several presences outside the door.
Guards. Damn.
Lani fought the wave of discomfort that traveled over her body. She didn’t want to admit to herself what she knew deep inside.
That discomfort was labor.
This can’t be. I’m only seven months along.
One solitary tear of anger made its way down her face.
This is not what I pictured childbirth would be like.
Not. At. All.
Then a thought she didn’t want to think occurred to her. What if the baby wasn’t okay?
I need a doctor.
Beads of sweat formed on her forehead and upper lip. Funny how she felt them pop up on her skin.
She took a deep breath, then let it out slowly.
I have no idea what the hell I’m supposed to be doing.
The only things she knew about childbirth were whatever she’d read or seen on TV.
I’m so screwed. Please let my baby be okay.
A low moan came out with her next breath. She couldn’t help it.
Pepper rose. She’d been sitting in the only chair in the room, next to Lani, cradling her injured hand and putting up a brave front though Lani was sure she was in agony.
Pepper’s sympathetic eye rested on Lani’s face.
One eye.
The other was covered in the now blood-covered T-shirt strip.
Pepper had been brave. Lani knew this without having to be told. Pepper had refused to give the elemental any information about Lani. She’d refused to send out any signals that would bring Lani to her assistance. So he’d tortured her, injured her, causing her to involuntarily send Lani signals that led Lani right into their hands.
Another wave of pain washed over her.
Pepper took her hand, clearly feeling Lani’s pain with her Intuitive senses. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault.”
“Yes, it is.” She clenched her lips into a flat line. “I thought Reno was a good guy.”
“Reno?”
“The shifter. He’s a leopard. He works with the elemental. His name is Clark.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Reno hired me. After I didn’t get into the Compliance Unit, I freelanced, mostly for police departments around the country. Then I was approached to do some work for a large corporation. Reno worked for them. I didn’t know what they were.”
She dropped her head into her hands, tears muffling her voice. “I fell in love with Reno. Now, I know it was one-sided. Then, I was blinded by love. When he started asking about the Intuitive community, of course, I didn’t tell him anything. I wouldn’t break protocol. But I couldn’t help but brag about you.” Sob.
“I was so proud of you.” Another sob. “I guess that put you on their radar. Reno kept asking when he’d get to meet you, I told him you were busy with your work at the Compliance Unit.” Pepper looked up. Tears streaked the blood and grime on her face.
“I know you didn’t tell on purpose.” Lani motioned for Pepper to come close. She patted the blanket next to her. “I know you wouldn’t hurt me.”
Look at what torture she went through to protect me.
Pepper sat next to her.
“Why do they want me—you—us?”
“We’ll be sold to the highest bidder. Anyone who wants an Intuitive.”
“That’s… ridiculous.” Pain forced Lani’s words out in pants.
“I’ll get us out of here. I will. Somehow.” She cocked her head. “You’re pregnant. You never told me.”
“I didn’t know at first. And now…”
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m AWOL. I’m pregnant with a shifter’s baby. Everything’s wrong.”
Except this baby is the rightest thing I can imagine.
Pepper gasped. “A shifter’s baby. AWOL. You’ll be exiled.”
“I know.”
“What will you do?”
Lani glanced at their surroundings pointedly. “I think I have a different set of problems to deal with right now.” She glanced at her abdomen.
Chapter Thirteen
Judge waited while one of Range’s wolf shifters fiddled with the lock. He couldn’t see what the shifter was doing exactly, but within seconds the door opened without a sound.
Range raised his hand. He indicated to his shifters, told them to head in one direction, motioned for Judge, Lance, and Griz to follow him in another. Mac and Ciara stayed behind them.
Silently, with great stealth, they made their way inside. The warehouse was partitioned with metal and wood dividers that separated the large area into smaller rooms and cubicles.
Where the hell are you, Lani?
He fought to keep his growing anxiety from impacting his performance, but this was his mate and their child, goddammit.
Judge let out a long breath with a silent whoosh.
<
br /> They made a circle, scanning every room, opening closed doors, encountering no one.
That couldn’t be. His shifter senses picked up heart rates, but he couldn’t pin where they were.
Then he heard it.
Low grunts and moans, broke through the silence. Human hearing wouldn’t pick it up, but his shifter senses were supernatural, catching the soft sounds.
“Lani,” he whispered to the rest of the team.
“Slow down. There are more heartbeats than her and her friend. Males.” Range frowned. “Humans.”
Judge’s bear growled deeply in his chest. The bear wanted this badly. Judge had no intention of denying his bear. He and the bear had been the best of friends since he’d joined the CU as an Enforcer. The training they’d been through had made them work in lockstep. His bear didn’t even need to think something for Judge to be onboard with it immediately.
Judge acquiesced, yielding his body and will to the power of the bear.
Have at it.
Amongst the del Cruz brothers, Judge had always been the most adept at shifting.
It took him less than five seconds and was almost completely soundless as his bear’s tendons and frame stretching, pulling itself over his own body. The bear’s sinew morphed, the muscles bulked.
In his bear form, on all fours, Judge raised his bear head and sniffed, his black snout twitching.
Blood.
In his mind, he saw red, ready to seek retribution.
His bear padded forward, silently, taking the lead. Within less than a minute, he was in front of two husky humans, both males, standing guard in front of a door. The humans’ jaws dropped at the sight of a huge grizzly stalking toward them.
The men were definitely professional. They recovered quickly and raised weapons. Claws bared, Judge swatted his paw at the first man. Before he could raise the weapon, complete with a silencer, the man had parallel gashes across his chest, his stomach ripped open, and a horrified look on his face.
The man looked at the gaping wounds, then collapsed against the wall.
The second man raised his weapon and got one round out before Judge’s razor-tipped claws made short work of him. Fury and the sting of the round made Judge’s bear furious. Judge buried his canines into man’s shoulder, bearing down the full weight of his strong jaws. Gurgling sounds came from the man as he struggled to take his last breaths.
