The last sentence was a threat, and it made Joyce's hackles rise. Hurt? Since when did he care about hurting her? He couldn't hurt her now. Kill her, maybe. But hurt her? No, not any more. Not ever again.
Joyce smiled, and walked towards him slowly. Felix must have seen something in her smile. Something he didn't understand and didn't much like.
He began to back away. “Joyce...” He tried to twist his face into a scowl, but didn't quite manage it.
“Are you here to hurt me, Felix?” she asked calmly.
“No.” He licked his lips and looked around quickly. “I…I just need some money, Joyce. If I don't cough up something, those leopards will tear me apart. Bit by bit. They're...savages! Just...help me this one time, Joyce. You're all I have. Just let me have the cash, some expensive items I can pawn, and I'll leave. This will be the last you see of me. I swear! I won't bother you again...”
“You threw me to the wolves. It's only fair that I stand back and let the leopards have you,” she answered dispassionately.
His eyes flashed with anger at her words. He thought he'd played the pity card expertly and he expected to be able to twist her around his finger again. He had fooled her and used her, and he expected to do it again. But it was clear she wasn't falling for his act this time.
Felix mopped the sweat from his forehead. There was a strange, wild look in his eyes. He needed the money. He had predators breathing down his neck. He was desperate, and a desperate man would do anything.
Grovelling hadn't done the trick.
He hadn't fooled her one bit. She wasn't buying his sob story and she wasn't in the least sympathetic to his plight.
Joyce saw the rage and contempt in his eyes. Felix was a destructive, mean, petty man, and she had a feeling he would wreck the place out of spite now that he had been thwarted. She had to protect Dalton's things. This was his home, a lovely property he had bought with his honest, hard-earned money. She wasn't going to let this weasel destroy Dalton's valuable property. Felix didn't own a single item of value and he coveted things that didn't belong to him. He was a liar and a cheat, a man with no honor or scruples.
She had to get him out of the house, and out of her life.
Joyce edged towards the door, and was about to turn the knob when a blade pressed against her throat.
“I'm not leaving without the money, Joyce,” Felix snarled. “Get me the money. Now.”
“I don't know where...”
“Don't lie to me, bitch!”
He grabbed her hair and forced her into the study. “This looks like his office. There must be some petty cash here. Open the drawers, Joyce. Do it!”
She slowly stretched her hand towards Dalton's desk. She tensed for a second before snatching up the letter opener. Spinning round, she slashed down with the sharp end. Felix raised his arm to block her, and the blade sliced across his forearm.
“You fucking bitch!” he screeched. He raised his hand and backhanded her. The blow sent her reeling to the carpet, and she tasted blood in her mouth.
Joyce staggered up immediately, her vision swimming. She was still clutching the letter opener in her fist, and she raised her weapon to defend herself.
“Get out, Felix,” she spat. “You won't be taking anything from this house. All this belongs to Dalton. I won't let you take anything from him.”
Felix's eyes widened, then he gave a mocking, derisive laugh. “Oh. Oh! You...you really are his bitch. Well done, Joyce.” He clapped loudly and slowly. “This rich man of yours likes second-hand, discarded goods, eh? He picked up what I threw out. I never knew you had it in you, Joyce. You finally let your inner slut and gold-digger out. It's so much better and easier to let somebody else do all the work, isn't it? Instead of working yourself to the bone and supporting yourself, you just sit back and enjoy this rich fool's wealth. You've surpassed me, Joyce. I only managed to get you, before you finally caught on to what I was doing. But you...got your claws in a really loaded guy!”
“Get. Out!” she said, gripping the letter opener with both hands.
Felix put up his hands. “Since you don't want me to touch your guy's precious things, then just give me...your money. I'm sure your man gives you lots of money to spend. Just spare me some change, and I'll be on my way.”
“I don't have any money! Just go, Felix!”
His face twisted and he looked almost demonic. “I've tried to be nice, Joyce,” Felix said, his voice rising. “Don't blame me now. You've always been a stupid woman, Joyce. Which was good for me. Giving me access to your money was stupid of you, but good for me. But now your stupidity annoys me. I'm going to speak slowly so you can understand me. Give…me...your…money...or...you...die.”
Joyce made a noise at the back of her throat. It sounded like a laugh, a growl and a snort all rolled into one.
“A bully to the end.” She shook her head. “Even playground bullies grow up. But you...you'll never change, Felix.”
Felix glanced down at the desk and saw a gold fountain pen on top of a stack of papers. Quick as lightning, he snatched up the beautiful pen and stuffed it in his pocket.
“Put the pen back, Felix,” Joyce said, her voice low and quiet.
“I'm going to need more,” he said, ignoring her and looking around. “That pen will fetch a tidy sum. Where's the master bedroom? I'm sure I can find some gold cufflinks, chains or bracelets. Come on, Joyce. Lead the way.”
“I said, put the pen back.”
Felix fished the pen out of his pocket and twirled it around, looking thoughtful. “I didn't know you're such a good guard dog, Joyce. A right little bitch.”
His eyes were cold and calculating as he turned to her. “A good dog usually fetches a very good price,” Felix said, nodding slowly. “He'll pay. Randell said he agreed to pay the full amount of your debt, plus the hefty interest and the cost of repairs to the door he smashed in, without even batting an eye. It's you he wants. He'll pay anything for you.”
Joyce snatched up a paperweight as Felix advanced towards her.
“Get away from me,” she warned. “And get out of the house.
He laughed. “Such a good, faithful little bitch.” Felix bared his teeth in an ugly, evil smile. “Just how much are you worth to your master, I wonder?”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Dalton left the engine of his pickup truck running as he sprinted up his driveway to the house. “Joyce!” he bellowed. “Joyce!”
Something was wrong. He had felt a sudden sharp stab of pain in his heart as he was driving. He had been on his way to meet a new client when his bear rose and clawed at him. Dalton had immediately called the client to cancel the meeting as he turned his truck around. His bear was pushing to the surface, wanting out. He had to get home to Joyce. His mate was in danger, in fear. He could feel it.
The front door was left partially open and there were blood stains on the marble floor. Dalton exploded into his study and saw papers strewn everywhere. The bloodstained letter opener was stabbed into a scrap of paper, impaling the note to the wood of his desk.
Dalton yanked the blade out and scented Joyce's blood. His eyes blazed as he read the hastily scrawled ransom note. The place and time to deliver the money were stated, but Dalton had already shredded the note with his claws. He knew where she was. He had marked her, and the mate bond would lead him to her. He was going to get his mate now.
Dalton spun round to see Tony bursting through the front door. His brother took in the mess in his study and saw the blood on the carpet.
“We'll get her back,” Tony said at once. “I'll get the clan now.”
“No.” Dalton straightened up. “It was a human male who took her. Not a shifter. I'll go myself. There's no need to mobilize the whole clan.”
“But she's been kidnapped...”
Dalton was already striding out of the house.
“You're not going alone.” Tony jogged after him. “You need backup.”
Dalton shot him a glance. “You'll do.”
Dalton was about to get into his pickup truck when he saw his sister-in-law, Terri, sitting behind the wheel of Tony's car.
“Terri drove me here,” Tony supplied. “She came to fetch me from work, but we saw you driving like a madman down the street and decided to follow you.”
“What happened?” Terri got out of the car and ran towards them. “Joyce...”
“She's gone,” Tony answered grimly. “Someone came into the house and took her.”
“What?” Terri cried. “Who's behind this? Who would dare touch Dalton's mate? I'll beat the crap out of them!”
“Dalton and I are just...” Tony began.
“I'm coming too!” Terri insisted. “I can help.”
Dalton didn't waste time arguing. “Park your car inside. We'll take my Jaguar,” was all he said.
“Two million dollars! And he wants you to deliver the money to that old warehouse?” Terri exclaimed as the Jaguar turned sharply into a side lane. “You sure it's just one human guy and not a shifter gang...”
“I only detected the scent of one human male in Dalton's house,” Tony confirmed.
“It's her ex-husband,” Dalton said tersely as he sped through the streets. He could see Joyce in his mind, bruised and lying on a dirty floor. He was getting closer to her. He could feel her heartbeat with every throb of his own heart.
Tony and Terri were swearing viciously. “The bastard! He got her into that bloody mess with the Crimson Wolves and now he's even stooped to kidnapping his ex-wife for ransom? What kind of man is he?” Terri spat.
They both turned and saw the look in Dalton's dark eyes.
Under his breath, Tony muttered, “A dead one.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
Joyce opened her eyes a crack and blinked repeatedly, desperately trying to get her vision to focus. She groaned when she tried to lift her head. A sharp pain pulsed from the back of her head and spread all the way down her neck and spine. Grimacing, she forced herself into a sitting position and leaned back against a pillar.
“Son of a bitch,” she wheezed. Her wrists and ankles had been tightly bound with rope, and her entire face hurt. Felix had punched her in the face when she tried to fight him off. As she screamed and struggled, Felix had wrenched the letter opener out of her hand and tried to stab her with it. He only managed to inflict a shallow cut on her arm. As they scuffled, she'd kneed him in the groin but before she could scramble away, a sharp blow was delivered to the back of her head. The last thing she saw was the carpet of Dalton's study.
Joyce shook her head again and blinked rapidly. Her eyes finally adjusted to the gloom and she could see that she was in a dusty, empty warehouse. She could heard low male voices talking outside the door. She froze, her mind whirling. Felix wasn't alone. There was someone else with him. She couldn't quite make out the other voice, but she thought it sounded familiar.
Her limbs felt numb and stiff but she did her best to move them and force some blood and feeling back to her legs. She had to be able to move, to dodge and run when the opportunity arose. She would get out of here and get back to Dalton.
Her breath hitched when she thought of Dalton and their last kiss before he left for work. An ache rose in her chest. His kiss was full of warmth and love. With Dalton, everything felt right and good. In his arms, she felt like she'd come home.
Joyce balled her fists and swallowed. She was going home. Even if she had to drag her broken, bloodied body out of here, she would get home to Dalton.
She eased her legs sideways and felt something sharp against her bare foot. A long, broken nail was sticking up from the floor. Joyce stared at it for a moment, then quietly inched closer to the nail. If she could rub the ropes binding her ankles against that sharp, rusty piece of iron, maybe she could weaken the ropes enough and break free. She had to try.
The moment she heard voices and footsteps approaching, she ceased all movement and just slumped against the pillar, making herself look dazed and helpless.
A hand gripped her face roughly and she blinked up into Felix's glittering eyes. There was someone standing behind him. Someone she knew.
“Randell,” she wheezed. “What...how...you're in the kidnapping business too?” she sputtered in disbelief.
Randell Wyle shrugged. “Business is business.”
Joyce shook her head. “The Crimson Wolves...”
“Felix came to me for yet another loan. He owes money to the Stormland pack of wereleopards. Three hundred grand.”
Joyce frowned. “And you gave him the money? What...”
“Three hundred grand for one point five million,” Randell said coolly.
“He promised you a portion of the ransom money,” Joyce said slowly.
“A large portion,” Randell answered with a glint in his eye. “As I said, business is business.”
“You...”
“Dalton Jameson will pay up. He has the money and you're worth so much more to him. I saw the way he looked at you. He offered to pay the full amount of the debt for you, without hesitation. He will pay any amount for you,” Randell came nearer and his smile widened as his eyes trailed down her neck. “You are his mate.”
Joyce stared up defiantly at him. Then she softened her gaze and her tone. Perhaps she could play them against each other. “Felix is making use of you. He's making use of the Crimson Wolves,” she told Randell earnestly. “He'll take everything from you, but he won't give you a cent. I know him. He's a liar, a layabout, a leech. Don't make the same mistake I did. Don't trust him, Randell.”
Randell Wyle cocked a brow at her before swiveling his eyes to Felix. He stepped back to watch the show as Felix lunged at her and grabbed her by the throat. “I'll rip out your tongue if you say another word, bitch! You hear me?” He threw her to the ground and ground the heel of his shoe into her hand. “You're real good at telling tales and sowing discord, aren't you? I should cut out your tongue now. But if I do, I won't get my money. So, you get to keep your poisonous tongue in your mouth for a while longer.” He patted her face and laughed when she flinched from him.
Joyce felt Randell step up behind her and haul her to her feet just as three silhouettes appeared in the doorway.
Felix turned and said tersely, “Where's the money? And who are they? You're supposed to come alone...”
Dalton didn't even glance at Felix. He walked steadily past Felix and came right up to Joyce and Randell. His eyes flashed when he saw the injuries on her face.
“The Crimson Wolves aren't involved in this,” Dalton addressed Randell in a low, level voice. “Felix didn't make a deal with the pack. He made a deal with you. The ransom money will be going into your pocket, not the pack's coffers. Isn't that right, Randell?”
Randell tightened his hold on Joyce, his claws digging into her neck. “Just pay up, Dalton. We get the money. You get your female.” Randell jerked his head at Joyce. “Intact, or in pieces. Your choice.”
Dalton didn't reply.
He made a move so swift and savage it shocked Joyce.
One instant Randell's hand was at her throat, the next second it was on the floor at her feet. Dalton had slashed Randell's hand off at the wrist with his claws.
Felix screamed and tried to run, but Tony grabbed him and threw him to the ground. Felix flopped and flailed, but his head was held in place under Tony's boot.
Dalton's claws slashed down again and Joyce ducked. Randell spun away and shifted to wolf in a blink. Dalton charged at the wolf, his shape blurring between man and bear for a few heartbeats.
With a roar, the bear emerged fully and slammed into Randell. The first spray of blood appeared as bear and wolf clashed in a tangle of fangs and claws.
Joyce felt the ropes fall away from her ankles. Terri had sneaked up beside her and was cutting away the ropes with her claws.
As Joyce scrambled to her feet, she saw Randell's glowing eyes flash in their direction. Dalton'
s large paw was hurtling towards Randell like a sledgehammer, but Randell didn't duck. Instead, the wolf let himself be knocked sideways. As the wolf spun towards them, Joyce saw those deadly claws glint as Randell twisted in the air. Those lethal claws moved in an arc, preparing to slash at Terri's neck.
“No! Get down!” Joyce screamed and flung herself in front of Terri.
Joyce tried to throw the both of them to the ground to escape Randell's claws, but she was just a fraction of a second too slow. Hard, icy claws raked down her back, tearing her skin and gouging into her flesh. Joyce screamed in pain even as she pushed Terri away.
“Joyce!”
Terri's shrieks were drowned out by a thunderous, terrifying roar. Joyce clung on to consciousness, even as dark shapes and shadows flickered at the edge of her vision, threatening to drag her under.
As she raised her head weakly, Joyce saw Dalton throw Randell against the far wall.
There was a howl before everything became red.
Thick, hot and red.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Dalton bellowed as the wolf hit the wall with a loud crack. He roared again at the sight of the blood on Joyce's back. Randell had tried to go after the females instead of just facing him in a fair fight.
Dalton charged, going straight for the kill. Randell was trying to scramble up, but Dalton wasn't letting the bastard get to his feet, ever again.
Dalton clamped his paws around Randell's head and pushed his claws hard into his neck. The excruciating pain made Randell lose his hold on his wolf. His body shifted back to human, but Dalton didn't loosen his grip.
Randell howled and tried to change back to his wolf form, but he never got the chance.
Before he could complete his shift, Dalton raised a paw and brought his claws plunging down towards Randell's vulnerable human neck. In one swift stroke, he decapitated Randell. The head fell from the body and thudded to the ground. Blood spurted and sprayed into the air, filling the warehouse with a blood red mist.
A Mate For The Bear: BBW Paranormal Alpha Shifter Romance (Bear Brides Book 4) Page 6
