by J. D. Tyler
“Since there are no protests, let’s move on,” Nick said, gaining their attention once more. “I checked on the NewLife facilities, and the closest one is in fact the Las Vegas location. As most of you are aware, our newest staff member, Kira, used to work at that building and fled from there with some tissue samples and a suspicion that her bosses are involved in altering human DNA and gene strands. Based on study of the four bodies provided courtesy of the sheriff’s department and coroner, Melina and her lab assistants have concluded that these same changes were being forced on these men at the time of their deaths.”
“And your team heard the corpse, Henry Ward, tell me about one of the bastards who killed him wearing a polo with the NewLife logo on it,” Kalen put in.
“This guy is powerful shit,” Jax whispered in her ear, referring to the Sorcerer.
She glanced at her lover. “No kidding.”
Nick acknowledged Kalen’s statement with a nod. “And that’s why we’re sending a team into the Vegas building in forty-eight hours. You’re going to do a search, see what you can find. Which brings us to why I asked Kira to come.” He turned to her. “Tell us what you can about the level of security there.”
Put on the spot, she fumbled for a few seconds. “Well, I’d say security is what you’d expect for a company of that size and reputation. It’s not Fort Knox, but an outsider would have a difficult time breaching their perimeter.”
Ryon smirked. “They didn’t count on us.”
Kira doubted most of the population would be a match for Alpha Pack.
Nick ignored the comment. “Give us the rundown of what they’ve got—how many guards and so forth.”
“There’s a security guard on each level of the building at all hours, and they work in three shifts—day, evening, and deep nights. There are cameras on every floor . . . except in the basement,” she recalled, sitting up straight. Why had she never realized that before?
“I’m guessing the basement is where you found the tissue samples,” Jax said.
“Yes, in the restricted lab area down there. And when I was escaping that night, it’s also where I could have sworn I heard a male voice begging for help.” She shivered at the memory. “It was brief, but terrible. I thought I was just frightened, imagining things.”
“But you don’t think so now?” Nick asked.
“No. With everything that’s come to light, I believe it’s highly possible I heard someone in need of assistance. Or at least got an impression of pain and desperation.”
“An impression?”
She nodded. “I get feelings from people, pick up their emotions. It’s gotten much stronger since I’ve been here. Actually, it wasn’t until I got here that I really was sure of it. I’d say that sounds crazy, but among this group . . .”
Nick’s tough veneer cracked some, his eyes warming. “You’re an Empath. It’s an occupational hazard.”
Silence fell and she became aware of the others staring at her. She’d thought it possible, but to hear Nick announce it in a room full of guys with unrivaled special abilities made her more than a bit self-conscious. What good was one puny Empath in comparison?
“That may be, but it’s hardly a useful talent,” she demurred. “Anyway, I have a friend inside who I’m pretty sure will help us. His name is A. J. Stone and he’s a security guard.”
Nick welcomed the news with caution. “What makes you think he’ll be willing to place himself at risk? He could lose his job over this, or worse, if anyone suspects him.”
“I wasn’t the only one who thought something weird was going on at NewLife. A.J. believed it, too, and we talked about it in private more than once. That night, though, I didn’t tell him what I was doing. He’d called in sick, which was just as well. I didn’t want to get him in trouble.”
A pang of guilt went through her. A.J. was probably worried and thought something bad had happened to her. If it hadn’t been for Jax, something terrible would have.
“Can you—all of us—trust him?” Nick asked.
She didn’t even hesitate. “Absolutely. He has a good soul. It shines from him like a beacon.”
Jax winked at her. “And you thought your talent wasn’t useful.”
“I’m not convinced it’s anything but plain old intuition,” she said, flushing. “But I believe in A.J. If you want, I can give him a call and explain what’s up, and then let Nick talk to him so they can discuss the details of getting you all in and out.”
“That sounds fine.” Their boss let out a deep breath. “I just know that whatever we do, we have to take action fast. There’s something a lot more important than lab samples waiting for us in that hellhole, and time is running out.”
The guys were grim now, none of them participating in the usual joking around. To see them so serious, knowing Nick’s visions were nothing to take lightly, formed a ball of ice in her stomach.
“Are we taking the jet?” Jax asked.
Nick shook his head. “Not enough room, and we’ll need plenty of space on our way home. We’ll take two Hueys and a doc to ride in each. Once we get to Vegas, we’ll land at our usual hangar and take a van and the SUV. Any questions?”
Jax had one. “What about Kira and Kalen?”
“They’ll ride along, but they won’t participate. Maybe next time for Kalen.”
The Sorcerer nodded his agreement.
“I think Kira should stay here,” her lover protested with a scowl.
“We need her there, just in case. Anything else?” Subject closed. Nobody spoke. “Then we’ll go wheels up in forty-eight. Get your rest; you’re all going to need the energy.”
As the meeting broke up, Kira playfully punched Jax in the arm. “Come on, don’t get pissy. Nick wouldn’t have let me come if it wasn’t safe.”
“He can’t interfere in free will—you know that,” he said in a low, unhappy voice. “If something bad was going to go down, he couldn’t change the fact. Besides, I just don’t want you anywhere near that building.”
“I’ll be fine. I promise to stay out of the way, like he ordered.”
“You’d better or I’ll put you over my knee.” He made the threat sound like fun, and followed it with a half smile.
“Haven’t I told you not to threaten me with a good time if you don’t intend to follow through?”
“Hey, it’s not a threat—it’s a sure thing.”
“We’ll see about that, big guy.”
“Oh, yes. We will.”
His grin sent a sizzle to her nipples, fingers, and toes. And everywhere in between.
She couldn’t wait.
Twelve
Jaxon went in search of his wayward woman, though he had little doubt where to find her.
When they weren’t testing the durability of his mattress and bed frame, she could be found in Block R working with Chup-Chup, as she’d named the mischievous little gremlin critter for the sound it made, socializing it and teaching it all kinds of stuff. First and foremost, to go outside to do his business and not to bite the hand that fed him. He had to admit, she’d already begun to make good progress.
With the aid of a sturdy pair of gloves to protect her from nips and scratches.
“You’re in an awful big hurry. Guess I don’t have to ask why.”
He looked up to see Nick in his path, stopped and gave his boss a sheepish grin. “Guess not.”
“How’re things going with you two?”
“Fine. As long as we avoid the subject of mating,” he said with a grimace. “I was always the one who was downright against creating a forever kind of bond with any woman—even Beryl—and now that I’ve found my Bondmate she won’t even discuss it with me. She shies from the subject when I bring it up. Ironic, huh?”
“Give her time. She’ll come around.”
“Nicky, in spite of what I told Kira, I don’t have much time,” he confessed, then wished he’d kept his mouth shut.
“You hurting bad?”
He nearly lied. It
was on the tip of his tongue to say he was A-okay, no problems. But holding the man’s gaze, he couldn’t do it. Besides, he knew he looked terrible and couldn’t fool his boss. “Yeah. Pretty fucking bad. You don’t know how much this sucks.”
“I have some idea.” Nick sighed. “Listen, you’re not going to want to hear this, but—”
“Then don’t say it. I’m not staying here tonight, especially when Kira’s going to be with you guys. In danger.”
“You’re in no shape to travel, much less fight if the need arises. I want you to stay here.”
“Is that an order?”
“Would you follow it?”
“Not if Kira’s going. Surely you can understand where I’m coming from.”
“You know I do.” The older man pushed a hand through his dark hair. “And you know damned well I’m forbidden to keep mates apart. Even if they haven’t made the union official.”
Actually, he hadn’t known because it wasn’t as if there were tons of mated pairs around, but the rule made sense. And as a born shifter, Nick would know more than the rest of them in some areas. “I’ll pull my weight, watch my back and theirs. No worries.”
“Why don’t I feel better?” he grumbled. “Be at the hangar in three hours.”
“With bells on.”
Nick left him to his own devices and Jax continued in the direction he’d been headed. Now he had an excuse to find Kira, not that he needed one. It was enough to long to see her sweet face, hear her laugh at something that stupid gremlin did, or chatter away with Sariel, Mac, or any number of the friends she seemed to have so easily made here. The sight of her settling in, happy, made his heart clench with joy and also fear that she’d never belong to him.
God, he was such a sap.
Block R was quiet as he entered the corridor. Raven was mercifully asleep, curled up with his bushy black tail over his nose, the only time the poor bastard ever knew any peace. Belial, on the other hand, had chosen to be in human form today, and was dressed in simple jeans and a T-shirt, pacing his cell like the caged beast he was. Jax felt bad for the basilisk, but they couldn’t yet trust a lethal snake shifter loose in the compound.
Even Kira’s honest charm was no match for the sneaky wiles of that one.
When he reached Chup-Chup’s cell, it was empty, the door standing open. Alarmed, he glanced in each cell again and then headed out of Block R. Where could they be? If that little shit had bitten her again, he’d tear its head off and eat it for a midnight snack.
Growing more concerned with every step, he diverted his course to the clinic. Mac was leaning over the front desk talking to the receptionist when he stomped in.
“Where’s Kira and that little demon? I’m going to rip his teeth out if—”
“Hold on, Cujo.” Mac straightened, eyes sparkling with humor. “Last I saw them, she was taking Chup outside for some fresh air. They were getting along fine, so get your boxers out of a knot.”
“Fresh air? What if he runs off? Attacks a hiker or something? Jesus H., that woman is going to be the death of me!” With an effort, he willed himself to calm down. “Where’d they go, exactly?”
“I’m not telling if you’re going to approach them like this,” she informed him. “You’ll scare poor Chup to death and put Kira back at square one.”
Damn it. She was right.
“I’ll be the perfect gentleman. Promise.” He smiled for effect, earning him the evil eye from the good-natured doc.
After a few seconds of debate, she relented. “They’re out on the lawn, on the side by the rec area.”
“Thanks, Mac.”
“Don’t mention it,” she called to his departing back.
All the way across the building, he couldn’t help but worry. As he crossed the rec room, Aric glanced up from the war game he and Zan were playing on the Wii.
“Better get out there before the furball steals your girl,” he said, going back to the game.
Not bothering to answer, he ducked down the hallway on the other side of the room, made a turn, and pushed out the side door leading to the area where their pool, tennis court, and covered barbecue/outdoor kitchen area was located. There, just beyond the covered patio, lying flat on her back on a quilt in the sunshine, was his woman.
And sprawled on her stomach, tiny, furry legs hanging on each side of her like a cat sunning on a branch, was Chup-Chup. Unnoticed by either of them, he stopped and stared. Her little friend was making a sort of whirring, hiccupy noise nobody could mistake as anything but sheer bliss. His round body, which almost resembled a baby koala bear’s, rose and fell with each breath as he dozed.
The pair was so fucking cute, he couldn’t really form the words to describe what the sight did to him. All he knew was it tightened his chest with an emotion he wasn’t ready to name. To see this creature, formerly scared and snapping at everyone, lying there so trusting and content, was a measure of her goodness. The bright light that no one was able to resist.
Including himself.
Turning her head, she spotted him standing on the porch and waved him over. “You can come closer. Just don’t make any sudden moves.”
That seemed to be true of the woman as well as Chup. Wisely, he didn’t say so. “Okay. Walking slowly.” He made his way over to where they lay and crouched. The creature hadn’t moved. “Now what?”
“Nothing. He’ll notice you soon enough and we’ll see what happens.”
“That’s reassuring.” He eyed Chup warily.
“Don’t tell me the big bad werewolf is afraid of this little guy,” she teased.
“Shifter, not werewolf. A werewolf is that half-man thing from a B horror movie. And that ‘little guy’ can chew my face off. Have you seen those teeth?”
“Pardon me, shifter. And he won’t bite unless you startle him.” She looked entirely too amused by his trepidation.
“Then I’ll have to be sure not to startle him again, won’t I? Remember, he got me once before.” He frowned at her hands, which bore red scratches and a few bite marks. “You aren’t wearing your gloves.”
“I don’t need them anymore.”
“I’m not so sure.”
“Trust me.”
Oddly, he did. After Beryl, he thought he’d never willingly trust anything out of a woman’s mouth again, but Kira was not Beryl. The two women couldn’t be more different. “I do trust you.”
That made her smile, and his groin tightened. Damn, he couldn’t get enough of her.
“When do we leave?” she asked, interrupting his lustful thoughts.
“Three hours. We’re supposed to meet the team at the hangar.” That awful, strange emotion rose up again to nearly strangle him. He wanted to order her to stay here, but knew how well that would go over. “I wish you weren’t going tonight, baby. Please reconsider.”
“And miss the chance to give my old boss the finger?” When he didn’t laugh, she sobered. “Seriously, if there’s the slightest possibility that I might be able to help, I have to go. But I promise to try and stay out of the action.”
“I don’t like it, but I guess I have no choice,” he said, taking her hand. The odd feeling in his chest persisted. Was this love? He’d never been in love before, only thought he had been. Whatever he was feeling, he now understood that what he’d known was a pale imitation of the real deal.
For some reason, he wanted to tell her all of it. The whole sordid truth about his relationship with Beryl and what it had cost him. What it had cost the entire team.
Just then, a low growl of warning stalled his confession. Chup was awake, eyeing their linked hands and leaning out to sniff him in suspicion. Recalling his last tango with the imp a few days before Kira came to the compound, he kept still and let the creature check him out.
Sitting up carefully, Kira took the gremlin and set him on the grass between them. “Chup-Chup, Jax is a friend. He won’t hurt you.” Gently, she stroked the fur between his batlike ears. “See? Friend.”
Chup wa
sn’t convinced. On his hind legs, he toddled closer to Jax, nose working, still not getting too close. The growling stopped, but neither did he make the content chupping noise Jax wanted to hear.
Letting go of Kira’s hand, Jax held his out to the creature, hoping he didn’t lose a chunk of flesh for his trouble. “Good boy,” he crooned. “Aren’t you cute? Remember me? I’m not so scary, honest. I only eat bad little gremlins who bite, and only when I’m really hungry. Friends?”
Chup looked back at Kira as though seeking reassurance, so she made encouraging noises, urging him forward without pushing too much. Emboldened, the small critter turned his attention back to Jax and closed the remaining distance, sniffing all over his hand. The stubby whiskers tickled but he didn’t dare jerk away.
Then, to his amazement, Chup began to rub his head against Jax’s fingers like a cat wanting a good scratch. He complied, lavishing attention on both ears, the broad face, under the chin. And there it was—the noise of happy contentment. Chup crawled right up into his lap and closed his big brown eyes in obvious ecstasy as Jax continued to scratch.
“Well! Looks like you’ve got a new friend,” Kira declared with a grin. “He won’t let you out of his sight now.”
“That might make it hard to leave for the op. Think I can use ‘I have to babysit the gremlin’ as an excuse not to go?” he joked.
“Hmm, somehow I doubt Nick will accept that.” Reaching out, she stroked Chup’s fur. “I’ll have to ask Mac if she’ll watch him while we’re gone. I hate the thought of putting him back in that cell.”
“Me, too. It could undermine the trust you’ve worked to gain, especially since he hates being locked in there.” He paused. “What about Belial? Have you made any headway with him?”
“I’m not sure,” she said thoughtfully. “He’s really hard to read, so full of bullshit I don’t know if even he is capable of separating the truth from the lies. It just seems to be his nature to deflect questions and kindness with blatant attempts at seduction, but things aren’t always what they appear.”
“True. So what’s your gut feeling as an Empath—can he be trusted? Will he be able to fit in here?”
