by Gale Stanley
You don’t have to say anything.
And then what? Just let the half-breed go? Levi would not go quietly. He would want information and he’d stalk Simon until he got it. Or until they both ended up dead. There was no easy way out of this. Not for the wolf, not for Noah, and not for him. If Simon was lucky he’d get to keep his job, but for the rest of his life he’d hate himself.
Is the job so important?
What else did he have in his life? The job was his life. Maybe he could make something up, tell Graham he had a lead on the half-breed. When he got home, he’d pretend to be tracking the wolf, and in a few days, he’d capture the man. Yeah, and what if the wolf opens his big mouth and tells Graham what really happened? Would Graham even believe him? Simon couldn’t take the chance. If Graham found out he lied, it would only make things worse.
This was crazy. Simon was never at a loss. He was one that Graham came to for help. He attributed it to the isolation of being on this godforsaken piece of land. Surrounded by the ocean, he felt as imprisoned as Noah.
Noah.
He’d made promises to Noah that he wasn’t sure he could keep, and guilt was pulling at him again. His head was spinning like that possessed girl in the movie. He needed a fucking exorcist to release the demons inside him.
Right now he needed to get out of this room. Simon dressed in chinos and a T-shirt. He took a deep breath and walked out of his room. For the first time he noticed there was no lock on his door. No privacy if he wanted it.
Graham doesn’t trust you.
Tell me something I don’t know. The man is paranoid.
Worry for the wolf nagged at him. If Graham sent someone to the condo, Levi could already be detained.
Now who’s being paranoid?
Simon pulled himself together and left his room. Graham was already seated at the long dining table drinking coffee. He looked up and nodded. Simon took a seat across from him and poured himself a cup from the pot on the table.
Graham looked at Simon expectantly. “Did you get anything useful out of him?”
“No. Nothing.” Simon shook his head. “He’s still groggy from the drugs. Maybe later…” Maybe if I see him again something will come to me, some plan that will make this right. Even he knew it was foolish to think that. Seeing Noah again would just distract him more. He needed to get over this whole sympathy thing and concentrate on his job. Right now, he needed to fess up to his boss, instead of putting his career, maybe even his life, in jeopardy.
“Richard, I—”
“No more drugs.” Graham’s gray eyes were cold, like a shark’s. He didn’t look happy. “I’ll question him later. Maybe I can convince him to open up.”
Convince him how?
Simon hoped like hell that Noah would keep his mouth shut. “He knows me now. I should be there.”
“No.” Graham stared at him with those fish eyes. “We’ll try it my way today. You’re looking tired, Simon. Not sleeping well?” The director didn’t wait for an answer. “I know it’s not the most luxurious place you’ve ever stayed at.” Graham chuckled dryly. “Take the day off. Look around. Figure out what we need here to make life more comfortable when we return.”
Return? Hell no!
Simon had no desire to come back, but he nodded. “I’d be glad to make some suggestions, but I don’t know the real purpose for this place. Is it a prison camp?”
“Think of it as a training camp. Thanks to your good work and the positive PR we’ve been getting, the president hasn’t decreased my funding. Now I need to show him some positive results.”
“How does Noah fit in?”
“He’s the perfect candidate for a new program I’m instituting here.”
“And the half-breed? What will you do with him? When we find him that is.”
“The same. Training and breeding.”
“Breeding?” Simon was taken aback. “I thought the idea was to decrease the Were population.”
“Not if we can breed a more docile species. I’m looking for a female Were to mate with the boy and a human woman for the half-breed. Think of it. A creature with less wolf blood raised in captivity could prove to be very useful. We’ll meet again tomorrow morning and talk more.”
Dr. Frankenstein? Christ, his boss was deranged. “I really need to get back, Richard. My other work is piling up.”
“Right now, this is your priority. But if I make some headway with the slave today, maybe we can wrap things up here and leave sooner than expected.”
“How do you plan to proceed with Noah?”
“All in good time, Simon. We’ll talk tomorrow.”
This is bad, really, really bad.
Simon shrugged like he didn’t care, but inside his stomach muscles clenched and bile rose in his throat. No way in hell could he turn Levi over to this psychopath.
And what about Noah? Noah’s past had left a large scar on his psyche. Simon hoped that Graham wasn’t going to make it worse. He watched the director’s retreating back, and guilt washed over him like the ocean waves hitting the shore.
* * * *
His breath burned in his lungs as the wolf forced his legs to keep going. Branches tore at his fur, but he didn’t care. He didn’t care about anything except the chase. Closing in, the predator smelled the loathsome odor of his human prey. The pounding of his heart masked the forest sounds. He increased his speed, but a hidden tree root tripped the beast, and he sprawled on the dirt. Forcing himself up, he sniffed and listened, but they were gone. He’d lost them again.
Where am I? Levi had been running in the forest a few seconds ago, but it was only a dream. Now he woke slowly and fitfully, realizing he was in Simon’s bed. No light came through the blinds, it was still night.
Something woke me. What?
Levi threw his legs over the side of the bed and padded to the door of the bedroom. A sound from the living room startled him. The click of a gun was distinctive and unmistakable. It was followed by the sound of voices. The blood turned to ice in his veins.
Fight or flee?
Even Rolf didn’t stand a chance against men with guns. Now what? He could hide in the small room across the hall. The safe room, Simon called it. Levi moved quickly with the quiet stealth of his wolf. He pulled the door closed behind him and the lock clicked in place, leaving him in complete and utter darkness. It was like a fucking tomb, but he’d be safe here.
Maybe.
And maybe it was Simon who sent these men. He could have been playing him all along. It had been days without a word. Simon had told him he would try to find a secure line and call with news of Noah. There’d been no call. Circumstances could have prevented Simon from contacting him. Or this could be a setup. Not knowing was driving him crazy. And now this…Would he be better off making a run for it? Could he, if he wanted to?
Levi let his eyes adjust to the dark. When he could see well enough he tried the door. Fuck! Just as he thought, he’d locked himself in. He found the keypad on the wall and he tried it, but the door remained locked. Simon told him the code. Why couldn’t he remember it? Now he had no choice. He was a sitting duck until Simon—or somebody—opened this door. Inspecting his prison, he found a flashlight, water, food. At least he wouldn’t starve.
Growling, Levi paced the small room. Confinement was unbearable for a wolf.
Worse than death, this is like being buried alive.
Levi wondered if Noah had been locked up. Thinking about Noah made being stuck here so much worse. He had to know what was happening.
If Simon doesn’t return soon, I’ll…
You’ll what? Leave and go look for them? How? Where?
Even if he could get out of this closet, he had no idea where Simon had gone. His inner hackles rose. He’d put all his trust in Simon, and now he was second-guessing himself. As more time passed, Levi became more and more convinced that Simon had betrayed him. And if he did, Levi’s wolf would have no problem tearing the human’s throat out.
Chapter E
leven
Noah looked at the two men standing by the door to his room, and he shivered despite the heat. They were strangers to him, but somehow, he knew they meant to harm him. He’d felt safe with Simon, but not now. Not with these other men.
The giant with the scar on his face looked at Noah with hot, hungry eyes. He knew what that look meant. It always preceded a beating or a fucking. He could deal with that. But the older silver-haired man frightened him more. He had gray eyes that were cold as ice. His stare brought a chill into the room that made Noah shiver despite the warm air. They were going to hurt him. Noah stiffened his resolve. They could do whatever they wanted, he wouldn’t tell them anything.
Simon.Think about Simon.
He hung on to an image of the man. How different it felt when Simon looked at him. Simon looked him in the eye, like one man to another. Simon saw past his shame and humiliation.
Simon had wanted him. He could see it in the other man’s eyes. But he wouldn’t take. Instead he gave. Simon had made him feel like a man again. His body hadn’t been his own for a long time, but last night he had forgotten all that. Simon had done that for him—and more.
Simon had given him hope, a slim hope to be sure, but Noah held on to it. He trusted Simon to do the right thing. To protect Levi.
The giant came closer. He had chains in his hand and a whip.
The silver-haired man turned away to lock the door.
Noah thought about Simon…
* * * *
Simon went for a walk, but the beauty of his surroundings couldn’t distract him from thoughts of Noah. The ocean, the sand, the lush vegetation, it was just window dressing. He knew what lay beneath.
Graham could be a mean son of a bitch. Would he torture the boy? All Simon could do was count the minutes and hope to God that Noah didn’t spill his guts about their conversation. If he did, then both of their lives were in danger. Levi’s, too. Even if Noah broke, would Graham believe him? Simon hung onto the hope that Graham trusted him, that he had nothing to worry about.
Unless Graham chooses to believe Noah instead of you.
Lunchtime came, and he walked back to the barracks. He fixed himself a sandwich and took his plate and a beer over to the dining table. Fifteen minutes later, he was looking for another beer to put out the fire in his stomach. What the fuck was wrong with him? He never drank when he worked. Now he found he needed it to take the edge off his anxiety—and his guilt. He tried to tell himself that he had nothing to feel guilty about, but he knew it wasn’t true. He’d been the one to buy Noah, ensuring that Graham could transport him here. That made him an accomplice at the very least.
Fuck! Simon went to his room and chewed the last of his antacid tablets. He fucking hated this. He was going to need a stomach transplant if he didn’t cut this shit out. It was going to be a long day and a longer night.
* * * *
Simon was wide awake when the sun came up, and he wanted to see Noah before his meeting with Graham. The boy was probably fine, but he had to make sure for himself.
Baron was guarding the door to the cellblock. Not a good sign. The giant blocked Simon’s path, but he refused to be intimidated by Graham’s guard dog.
“Get out of my way.”
Baron shook his head. “Mr. Graham said no visitors.”
Simon was in a particularly foul mood. He’d had very little sleep, and he’d be damned if he would let this mutt call the shots. “He didn’t mean me, asshole. Now move it.”
Baron’s nostrils flared. He stayed put.
Jesus, he felt like he wanted to kill someone. “If you don’t move, I’ll knock you out of the way.” Maybe this is what he needed, to work off some of his aggression.
“No visitors.” The giant smirked, and his fists tightened at his sides. At least he was unarmed. Apparently Graham didn’t trust him with a weapon.
“Look, shithead, I don’t need much of a reason to put you on your ass.” Simon grabbed the front of his shirt and slammed him against the door. “Don’t fuck with me, boy!”
Simon was just beginning to think that Baron wasn’t so tough after all when the giant jammed a knee into his balls. For a second, Simon went weak from the pain, and then he recovered and prepared to punch Baron’s lights out. But before he could make contact, the giant had his wrist in an iron grip. Simon’s heart started to beat a bit faster. He tried a kick to the midsection, but the giant released his arm and blocked it easily.
Red-hot anger surged through Simon, and he tried to come back with a combination punch, but Baron anticipated his every move and came back with fists flying. Fending off whatever his opponent threw at him kept him on his toes. A punch to the gut doubled Simon over, and stars floated above his head. He bent over, hugging his stomach.
“What the hell is this?” Graham’s voice cut through a red veil of pain.
Simon straightened up with difficulty. The beating had taken its toll. “Baron and I had a little disagreement.” His voice sounded slurred in his own ears.
“Baron, leave us.”
The giant didn’t twitch one face muscle, but Simon knew he had to be pissed at being dismissed.
Simon straightened his shoulders and steadied his voice. “I want to see Noah.”
Graham’s eyebrows disappeared into his hairline, but he pulled a key from his pocket and unlocked the door.
* * * *
Noah was awake and hurting.
The whistling sound of the lash still rang in his ears, and his bruised flesh burned like fire. The sadistic giant had let go with the full force of his muscular arm. He was skillful with a leather strap. Noah had been beaten many times but never like this. Both his back and chest were striped so he could get no relief no matter what position he took. He tried to stay as still as possible and consoled himself as best he could.
Noah looked past the pain and actually felt pride in the red and purple welts that covered his torso. He wore them like badges of honor and courage. Each one was proof that he had stood up to his tormentors. He may have cried out, but he wouldn’t tell them a thing, except to say, “I don’t remember.” Even if he never got to see Simon again, he could hold on to the fact that he hadn’t put him in jeopardy. At least he had that to hang on to.
But he knew that all the bravery in the world wouldn’t stop the torture. His nightmare would continue, probably worse than ever, and the pain he’d endured at the giant’s hand was nothing compared to the degradation that they had promised him. They hadn’t raped him. Not yet, anyway. But they would eventually. There was no escape.
Noah heard the ominous click of the lock in the door. The silver-haired man stepped into the room, and Noah cringed. Wrapped in misery, he looked down.
“Noah.”
Simon!
Noah’s eyes widened with disbelief. He’d been told that Simon left. Was Simon here to continue his torture? No, he didn’t believe it. Wouldn’t believe it.
* * * *
Simon felt sick inside. He wanted to run to Noah, but he couldn’t.
Remember, you’re being watched.
His gaze swung back and forth between Graham and Noah. The director was untouchable, but if he ever got another chance at Baron, he’d kill him.
And what are you going to do about Graham? He’s crazy. He treats Noah like a real slave. Worse, like an animal. Simon didn’t just see a slave. He saw a man. He saw the man Noah would be when he got him out of here.
Yeah, smart guy? How do you plan on getting him out?
Simon had always been an agent who could think on the fly. He was the man Graham depended on, the man who always come up with a solution to whatever problem plagued the agency. Think, Simon.
Simon usually kept his expression blank, but his feelings must have shown on his face because Graham was staring at him. “What is your problem, Simon?” the director asked in a cold, calm voice.
Simon got hold of his emotions and kept his own voice as cold as the director’s.
Showtime.
He had an idea, but if it was going to work, he needed to come across as determined and decisive. “You’re going about this all wrong, and you could have destroyed my plans.”
“I don’t remember hearing about any plans.”
Simon tore his gaze from Noah. Christ, he was a mass of purple welts. “I had all day yesterday to think about the situation, and I planned to talk to you about it at breakfast this morning. Since I was up early, I stopped by to see if Noah had been fed.” With a deliberately casual movement, he turned and faced Noah. “Were you?”
The boy looked apprehensive. As well he should. Simon was flying by the seat of his pants. The so-called plan had just come to him.
Noah shook his head nervously. “No, sir. I’m not hungry.”
Simon tried to mask the anger on his face when he turned back to Graham. It was tough. “The boy needs to be fed. I intend to take Noah back to New York with me—as my slave.”
A flicker of astonishment showed in Graham’s eyes. It was his only reaction, but Simon knew that the director could cover his feelings better than any man under him. Simon waited for the ax to drop and snuck a look at the boy.
Shit!
Noah couldn’t hide his emotions like the agents. His blue eyes were wide with gratitude and hope. He stared at Simon like the DSA agent could do the impossible. Simon knew he was playing with fire here, and he hoped to hell Graham would go along with the program. If he didn’t, it would destroy the kid.
Simon hurried to fill in the silence. He made up stuff as it came to him. “You want to find the half-breed?” He paused to give himself a few seconds of thinking time. “I know how to lure him in.”
“I’m listening.”
Simon pressed forward, trying to cover his nervousness. “I’m a Dom, so it wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility for me to have a slave, and I know a lot of people in the lifestyle, people who are familiar with shifter hangouts. I can take Noah to play at some of the clubs, put the word out who he is, and let the wolves come to my door.”
