by Alex Kidwell
Redford, still curled up with Knievel by one of the fires, looked up at Jed. He saw no worry in Redford’s eyes—only support. Jed nodded at him, his dog tags still around his neck. It felt strange to be wearing them, now.
“Jed,” came Victor’s disapproving tones, “you probably set half the woods on fire. Did you really need to use explosives? Not that I’m not happy the hunters are gone, mind you, but that was a bit excessive.”
“The fires are out” was Jed’s reply. He walked over to Redford, dropping the chain holding the dog tags and the whistle back around Redford’s neck. A silent promise that he was coming back. “And yeah. I fucking needed to use explosives. They’re damn lucky I didn’t bring the goddamn rocket launcher. And don’t you fucking tell me you’d do any different if you were me.” They’d hurt Redford. They were a threat that constantly followed the wolves, yes, but they’d hurt Redford.
Victor grimaced, looking faintly embarrassed. “You’re right,” he said. Randall, helping to gather some of the younger wolves together, gave Victor a surprised look. “Good luck with what you’re about to do next. If you need more weapons, I’m sure we can scrounge up some more.”
“We’re good.” Jed clapped Victor on the shoulder and nodded toward the faint path leading down the mountain to where the few communal pack vehicles were stashed. “Come on, Ant. Let’s ride.”
While he’d been talking, Anthony had obviously gone to get clothes, because he reappeared next to Jed in jeans and a heavy jacket. “Do you know where we’re going?”
“Yup. I always know where my employers work. Even if they don’t want me to. Especially repeat customers.” He’d made that a hard and fast rule after Filtiarn. They could maintain their illusion of privacy as much as they wanted to, but at the end of the day, Jed knew who was behind the mask or he walked away.
They reached the cave the pack had commandeered as a sort of garage after an hour of hiking. After tossing his bag of supplies inside the Jeep, Jed climbed behind the wheel. Anthony clambered into the passenger seat, and they took off toward the main highway.
“His name is Leo O’Malley. This guy is a snake,” Jed informed Anthony. “Seems real slick, you know? But he’s got his fingers in shit even I don’t know about.”
“You said you’d worked with him before?” Anthony asked, canting his head to one side, obviously genuinely curious.
“Couple of jobs.” Jed nodded. “Nothing big. One was a retrieval job. Another just had me getting some info from a rival company. Hell, I didn’t even use my gun. But one was a nice little piece of insurance fraud.” Jed grinned, glancing over at Anthony. “Which means he’ll definitely talk to us. And might try to kill us.”
“Good.” Anthony nodded. “Is there any way I need to act so that he doesn’t kick us out?”
“Don’t piddle in the corner.” Jed shot Anthony a smirk.
Anthony rolled his eyes. “I’ll do my best to remember that.”
The drive was a few hours. They stopped for coffee, Jed let Anthony have control of the radio, and by the time the early morning sun was burning the mist from the roads, they were pulling in front of a nondescript office building. Unlike Buck’s place, which was cheapness striving for an illusion of grandeur, O’Malley’s place was quietly restrained wealth. The front was all glass, the lobby was marble and deep, rich mahogany wood, and the woman at the reception desk was wearing a suit that cost more than Jed’s entire wardrobe.
“We’re here to see Leo O’Malley.”
The receptionist just looked at Jed, eyebrow arched. “Isn’t that nice,” she mused, turning back to her work. “Let me know how that goes for you.”
Why didn’t anyone ever take him seriously?
In response, the start of a low growl rumbled in Anthony’s throat, and though he looked like he wanted to start threatening, he simply said, “Pick up the phone and tell O’Malley we’re here. Now.”
A very slow grin split Jed’s face as the woman stared at him and then, with a quick, cross breath, turned to do just that. Goddamn, that was useful. Usually to get that kind of reaction he’d have to pull out his guns. “Tell him Jed Walker is here,” he prompted, grin not diminishing at the woman’s scowl.
It only took a few moments before they were gestured toward the elevators and instructed to go to the top floor. Far from looking tense like Jed had half expected him to, Anthony looked completely relaxed, like this was something he did every day. “You’re kind of badass,” Jed informed Anthony with a smirk as they watched the floors tick by.
“It comes from an unlikely source,” Anthony laughed quietly. “Imagine Edwin as a toddler. Now imagine how stern I needed to sound to keep him from running off. It’s really just that.”
Snorting a quiet chuckle, Jed shook his head. “How you kept that kid from running off and joining the goddamn circus I’ll never know. You must be a hell of a dad.”
“Dad? Not likely.” For a moment, Anthony looked sad, but he wiped any trace of that from his expression quickly enough. The elevator reached its destination with a quiet bell for an alert, and as they stepped out, Anthony said, “One day, if I’m lucky.”
“Hey, you raise kids, they don’t die, that’s pretty much a dad in my book.” Jed led the way down the hall, shoulders tight, eyes darting to every doorway they passed. He didn’t like having this much unknown space at his back. But walking in here with guns drawn was a surefire way to get really, really dead. They’d have to play nice.
“Knock, knock, Leo.” Okay, kind of nice. Jed pushed the office door open and strode in, not bothering to wait to be admitted.
He’d never actually met Leo in person. All of their work had been done over the phone or by e-mail. But Jed had not a doubt in his mind that the man behind the expansive dark wood desk was the guy he was looking for.
Leo wasn’t tall or imposing. He had a handsome face, short, dark hair, but was utterly unimpressive. Until you met his eyes. They, behind the genial smile, were stone-ass cold. They were the eyes of a reptile, of something that would gladly unhinge its jaw and devour you whole. Jed had met a hundred men just like Leo. Every single one of them wanted one thing. Power.
So why the hell was Leo sending hunters after a bunch of wolves?
“Can I be of some assistance?” Leo asked, spreading his hands like he was welcoming them to a fucking tea party.
“Yeah. I’m gonna need some answers, here, Leo. Can I call you Leo?”
“I prefer Mr. O’Malley, as I hardly would classify us as friends, Mr. Walker.” Leo gestured for them to sit. Anthony ignored the invitation and stood right in front of his desk instead.
“Let’s talk about why you’re sending hunters to kill wolves,” Anthony said.
“I’m sorry?” Steepling his fingers, Leo arched an eyebrow at them. “Perhaps you are mistaken. I don’t have any environmental holdings, as far as I’m aware.”
“Cut the crap.” Jed leaned back in his chair, grinning the whole time. It wasn’t a pleasant look. “You’re bankrolling Buck Cambridge, who is in turn funneling your money into silver bullets and hunters to fire them.”
Leo tilted his head, studying them. “This is a nice fantasy. Why would I do any of what you’re suggesting? It sounds a lot like madness.”
“Listen here, sunshine. Why don’t you get on your little phone and try to call the men you just sent out.” Jed waved his hand. “Go ahead. We’ll wait.”
“Something tells me it wouldn’t do any good.” Leo sighed.
“Nope.” Jed’s manic grin grew. “I doubt they’ll be answering. They’re too busy running. And that? That was foreplay. So unless you want me to get balls deep in fucking you over, Leo, you are going to call them off.”
“But first I want to know why.” Anthony continued on where Jed had left off. “You’re completely human. Why are you going after wolves?”
Leo shrugged. “They are a menace. A few interested parties asked me if I could eliminate the pest problem. I agreed. Simple as that.”
<
br /> “Which interested parties?” Anthony snarled.
To that, Leo just laughed. “Why, the vampires, of course. They want your flea-bitten race eliminated.”
Anthony visibly reined himself back. When he next spoke, the snarl was only implied, instead of outright voiced. “And why is a human making business deals with vampires?”
“Because they paid me, little puppy.” Leo stood, buttoning his suit jacket. “And they will continue to pay me. The men I sent out are cheap to buy and even cheaper still to arm, in the grand scheme of things. But do tell your lovely leader to try to run again. It’s so much more fun that way.”
“And why are wolves getting kidnapped? What are you capturing them for?” Anthony asked.
A very faint smirk crossed Leo’s face. That arrogant kind of sneer that made Jed want to reach for his gun and just start blasting, because whatever was behind it, it sure as hell wasn’t rainbows and unicorn farts. “I certainly never gave authorization for that,” Leo all but purred, leaning back in his chair, looking for all the world like the cat that ate the goddamn canary. “But I have heard that, in certain circles, men of taste enjoy having luxurious rugs made of unusual pelts. That may be where your missing pups have gotten to.”
Anthony, amazingly, still looked like he was keeping his temper. Jed was pretty sure he wasn’t going to be able to say the same, shortly. Anthony glanced at Jed, then back at Leo. “And how many jobs have you worked with Jed, Mr. O’Malley?”
Leo paused, gaze darting between them, another smile creasing his lips and never touching the cold blue of his eyes. “Are you implying blackmail, wolf?”
“He might be implying it. I’m just fucking saying it.” Jed met Leo’s gaze without blinking. “I so much as smell one of your flannel fucking hunters sniffing around that pack again, I’m going to ruin you. Akron, Ohio, Leo. That’s all I’m going to say.”
Leo pursed his lips in thought, considering them both. “I am being paid quite a lot,” he pointed out, like this was just another business transaction.
“Enough to be okay with the fact that there are a few hundred wolves that will shortly know your scent and where you do business?” Anthony said lowly.
“If I was afraid of the big, bad wolf,” Leo smirked, “I wouldn’t have let you in the door.”
“Well, little pig,” Jed growled, “I’m about to huff and puff and blow your fucking head in.”
Leo rolled his eyes. “Crass threats are utterly boring.” He sat again, pulling out a silver cigarette case. “Fine. Vampires are tiresome to deal with long-term. I will terminate their contract if it will get you both out of my office immediately.”
Anthony nodded. “Let’s get out of here, then, Jed.”
Jed really wanted to punch Leo. Or shoot him. Nonfatally! Maybe in the kneecap. But he just fixed Leo with a glower as he stood and marched out the door, Anthony beside him. They had a silent ride down the elevator, neither one exchanging a word as they stalked out to the Jeep. Jed started it up and headed out onto the highway, fingers clenched tight on the wheel.
“Vampires,” he grunted, darting a glance over at Anthony. “You think that’s true?”
Anthony frowned. “It wouldn’t surprise me. Do you think he’ll keep his word?”
“He’s a businessman.” Jed sagged back in the seat, eyes itching with exhaustion. “I think he’s going to do whatever gets him the biggest payday. Whatever the bloodsuckers are paying him can’t be worth pissing the both of us off.”
“Do you think he was telling the truth about the kidnapped wolves?” Anthony sounded skeptical. “Are they really getting… what he said?”
The thing about Anthony, Jed realized, was that he apparently couldn’t comprehend that people would kidnap sentient creatures to skin them. Jed had seen a lot worse in his day, so he had no trouble imagining it. Hell, he wouldn’t be surprised if there was a whole side business in it for Leo: exotic rugs and Murdering Fuckheads R Us.
“Nah,” he lied easily. What would be the point in saying yes? Hunters going after the pack were enough of a nightmare. Jed didn’t want to add to the pile. “Leo’s an asshole. Probably just wanted to rile you up so he’d have an excuse to sic his goons on you.”
“Right.” Though he’d sounded skeptical before, Jed could hear a little bit of relief in Anthony’s voice. “Getting wolves for rugs would be ridiculous, anyway. If you want a pelt rug, bears are way bigger.”
“Exactly.” Jed clapped Anthony on the shoulder, nodding. And he added another mark on his list of reasons to blow these goddamn hunters out of the water. Whoever was bankrolling them, whoever was pulling Leo’s strings, they needed to go down. In a very bloody fashion.
Although avoiding war would be nice. Jed wouldn’t mind not having an inter-freak battle on his hands.
“So he said that vampires are the ones calling for all this. I wonder if that’s the start of the war Victor saw in his vision,” Anthony mused. “Wolves versus vampires.”
“I don’t know.” Jed shifted, dragging his hand across his jaw and wondering where he could get some more coffee. There had to be a drive-through somewhere. “Maybe? Does that sound like something that might actually happen? I mean, I know I’m the dumb human, but wouldn’t you guys, you know, not want to kill each other?”
“I’m just as in the dark as you.” Anthony shrugged. “I’ve never interacted with a vampire. I think wolves and vampires generally stay away from each other. You’re right, nobody wants a war. But then you get cases like what happened in Cairo. It’s not just the vampires that cross the line either. There’s bad wolves out there too.”
“So we’re really not as different as people keep saying,” Jed pointed out with a grunt. “Hey, maybe there’s hope for us all yet.” He took an exit and pulled into a fast-food place, got out of the Jeep, and stretched. “I need coffee or I’m going to fall asleep and kill us both. You want anything?”
Anthony answered by hopping out to join him, keeping his hands warm in the pockets of his jacket. “These places never have real meat, but I’m starving so I don’t care.”
“Yeah, their coffee is going to be shit too,” Jed agreed. “But fuck, I’m about to give the Folgers can a blow job just to get some caffeine in my system, so it’ll do.” They walked in, shoulder to shoulder, and ordered a couple of breakfast sandwiches, Anthony’s heavy on the sausage, and two large black coffees.
He and Anthony traipsed back out to the Jeep and leaned against the hood of the car while they ate. It was chilly, too early yet for there to be much traffic but late enough that they’d missed the morning commute. Anthony had started moving his hands too carefully again. Whatever determination or adrenaline that had allowed him to push past his illness was gone now. Jed shrugged off his jacket and unceremoniously wrapped it around Anthony’s shoulders to help ward off the morning cold.
“You can sleep on the way back,” he told Anthony with a grunt, hunched over his coffee like it was literally a form of lifeblood. “Give me a chance to listen to some decent music instead of the crap you pick.”
“You’ve just got shit taste.” Anthony smiled wanly.
“Watch it.” Jed wagged a warning finger at him. “I’ll make you walk home.” Anthony’s quiet laugh was reward enough, and they ate in silence for another few moments. Jed watched the passing traffic on the highway beyond the parking lot, mind nicely disconnected, weariness seeping into his bones.
“So,” Anthony said eventually. Jed braced himself; he recognized that tone. A serious discussion was imminent. “Do you regret that we didn’t kill those two hunters?”
Heaving out a breath, Jed concentrated on gulping down more coffee without burning his tongue off. “Honestly? I haven’t even thought about it. Probably wouldn’t regret it if we’d done it, either. I’m not really one to dwell on jobs once they’re finished.”
“I’m glad we didn’t,” Anthony murmured. “Edwin killed a hunter before. Do you remember?”
“Yeah.” Jed folded his a
rms, squinting up at the sun. “Yeah, Ant, I get it.” Civilians in combat were the worst fucking thing. They weren’t trained for it, and they didn’t know how to handle the aftermath. Like Edwin.
Like Redford.
“I just hope you don’t regret it. Lot easier to sleep at night when you know the thing that’s out there trying to kill you is dead.”
“I told him that he shouldn’t feel guilty,” Anthony mused. “We were getting attacked, and he had to protect his pack. But those hunters that we scared off? They were sleeping. I don’t think I could have lived with myself if we’d killed them.”
After a beat, Jed glanced over at Anthony. This was a guy who’d raised two kids by himself, no help from goddamn anyone. He hunted his own meat, he dealt with a disease that was eating him from the inside, he was basically Superman. He had a code. Even men like the ones who killed his parents had some kind of worth to him.
He was a better man than Jed was. And, hell, Anthony wasn’t even a man.
“Okay, Jiminy Cricket.” Nodding, Jed finished the rest of his coffee and tossed the Styrofoam cup toward a nearby bin. “Lesson learned. Can we hit the road now?”
Anthony just smiled in reply. After they got rid of the rest of their trash, Anthony climbed into the Jeep and relaxed back into his seat, closing his eyes. Jed, despite what he’d threatened, didn’t turn the radio on at all. He drove as Anthony slept, making the long trip back as quickly as he could. They parked the Jeep, and he woke Anthony to make the trek up to the camp.
They were greeted ten minutes out by one of the sentries, which made Jed want to practically burst with pride. As soon as the Fur Pigeon made sure it was really them, they were let through. Redford was waiting right at the entrance to the camp, visibly relieved that they were both in one piece. Jed went to him, immediately wrapping his arms tightly around him, burying his face in Redford’s neck.
“You okay?” he asked, needing to hear it again. No matter what the doc had said, Jed needed to hear it from Redford.
Pulling up the sleeve of his T-shirt, Redford showed him the bullet graze. “Just four stitches,” he reassured. “You’ve had worse cutting yourself shaving.”
