by Vella Day
This was terrible. “I didn’t even think about that. I swear I didn’t have on any perfume at Daniels’s home. I know better, so maybe my clothing carried my scent—a scent that only a werewolf could smell.” Damn. How could she have been so careless?
Brandon grabbed her hand. “All the more reason not to go out ever again.”
“I’m afraid,” Jay said, “it gets a lot worse.” He told them that Statler suspected him and Sam of tussling with some wolves at John Hood’s house as well as at Carl Hampton’s place.”
Waving a dismissive hand, Brandon leaned back. “He can’t know that.”
“Apparently, he does. The two teams compared notes. Your fighting skills are legendary.”
He shrugged. “So what. They can’t prove it was us, and even if they could, so what?”
“I don’t think Statler and his men care if you had a good reason to be there or not. They think the three of you are a menace to their organization, and they want you taken out.”
Mac freaked out. “Taken out? Can you be more specific?”
Brandon grabbed her hand. “Don’t worry, darlin’. No one is going to harm you.”
Easy for him to say. Even if she didn’t investigate any more—which would be next to impossible—Statler and his men could find her at the grocery store or at the gas station. “I can’t stay locked up twenty-four hours a day.”
Jay leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. “I’m going to be blunt. Statler asked me to do the deed if you don’t cooperate and leave town now.”
Conflicting emotions charged through her. “You wouldn’t dare.”
He shook his head. “You’re right, which is why I need to leave town with you. My failure to carry out his request will mean my certain death.”
Concern filled Brandon’s face. “There must be another way. According to the General, your intel has been invaluable to us.”
“I appreciate that.”
She jumped up, but Brandon pulled her down again. She glared at him. “I’m not leaving until I find Cheryl.” Pain sliced across Brandon’s face. “And I’m not leaving you and Sam either.”
Brandon faced Jay. “Once they realize Mackenzie is still here, do you think they’ll send someone else to kill her?”
“Actually, they plan on killing you and Sam if she stays. They probably think a woman can’t do all that much harm. That being said, if she snoops, they will kill her.”
While she wanted to claim she could do plenty of harm, it wouldn’t do anyone any good right now. Her heart broke. She’d never do anything to put either Brandon or Sam in jeopardy, but she couldn’t leave either. “There has to be another solution.” Desperation poured out of her.
Jay blew out a breath. “I need to tell you one more thing before you make up your mind. It shocked the hell out of me when Statler told me.” Jay explained about how the abducted women had been taken to some facility where the scientists were doing experiments on them, all to create altered werewolves capable of surviving poisonous bullets.
Mac sat there stunned. “That’s horrific. Do you think it’s true, though? Or was Statler telling you this so that I’d go home?” Poor Cheryl. If a heart could break, Mac’s would be split in half.
“I wish I knew. I can’t be certain if he suspects me of being a traitor or not. Statler wouldn’t give me a lot of details. He claimed that some of these enhanced werewolves are already here and more are on their way. Apparently, Cheryl has already been sent away.”
The rest of the air in her lungs escaped, and she collapsed back onto the sofa. This had to be a lie. Her mind refused to wrap around the whole concept. Not only did the Colters want her gone, if she didn’t get out of Gulfside, her men would be targeted, too. Then the real shock sunk in. “Do you think that’s where Cheryl is? At this facility where they plan to do experiments on her?” Mac planted her palms over her face, the horror far greater than she was ready to bear.
“I can’t be sure of anything, Kenzie.” Jay blew out a breath. “But I can’t afford to doubt him. There is no question in my mind that we have to leave soon.”
Brandon pulled out his phone again. “General Armand needs to be informed.”
Jay held up a hand. “I’ve already disclosed everything to him before I came over here—in case you and your cousin gave me an inhospitable reception.”
Brandon stuffed his phone in his pocket. “Why do you think so many men would go through the process of buying the women only to send them off to be specimens? One of the men on the list was human for Christ’s sake.”
“I have no idea. Look, I don’t like it anymore than you do, Brandon. Hell, I’ve spent years cultivating this undercover gig. I’ve helped The Pack take down Harvey Couch and helped blow the whistle on John Hood. To leave before all these women are found kills me. I just learned about this diabolical plan, and I’m sick to my stomach. These enhanced werewolves can’t be killed by conventional methods. Do you have any idea the damage they could inflict on our society?”
She and Brandon both sat there stunned. He tapped his foot to a beat only he could hear, and his nails grew.
Mac placed a hand on his arm. “What do you think we should do?” He was part of the equation as much as she was.
“We have no choice. You need to go back to Indiana where you’ll be safe. It’s Christmas Eve. I’m sure your mom will want to spend time with you for the holidays.”
Guilt swamped her. Mac hadn’t paid attention to the days. “What about Cheryl?” She glanced between him and Jay.
Jay stood. “Cheryl might be gone, Kenzie. We have to face that fact.”
He was wrong. He had to be. “Did he tell you that Cheryl was for sure one of these women at the facility?”
“Yes. For the sake of Brandon and Sam, you need to go pack. If you aren’t out of here by tomorrow, there will probably be a swarm of Colters around the house. You only have so many bullets to fend them off. God help you all if any of them are these super werewolves.”
She slumped back in her seat. “I guess I better call the airport.”
“I already took the liberty of checking. We can leave at four this afternoon out of Orlando.”
Tears dripped over the edges of her lid. “I never thought it would come to this.”
“You don’t have to tell me. My superior is far from happy, but he understands. They’d spent a lot of money getting me in place, and now I’ve come up empty-handed.”
She’d really messed things up for more than just Jay. “I’m sorry.”
Her cousin checked his cell. “It’s nine now. I’ll pick you up in three hours. It’ll take us a while to get to the airport.”
Brandon hugged her and kissed the top of her head. “It’ll be okay.”
No, it wouldn’t. “What about Sam?” She swiped a tear from her cheek. Not saying goodbye to him would be terrible.
“He’ll understand.”
She twisted toward Jay. “Do you think I can Skype them or call when I get back to Indiana?” How far would this isolation reach?
“Sorry, Kenzie. At least for the time being, we need Statler to believe you’re gone or dead and so am I.”
When Jay walked out, all hope disappeared. Cheryl might never be found, and Mac might never be with her men again. She hiccupped as her sobs consumed her.
Brandon held her close. “It’ll be okay. We’ll figure something out.”
His optimism was commendable. “No.” She leaned back, not bothering to wipe away the tears. “It won’t be okay. I have a target on my back, and the head of the Colters has it out for you.”
Brandon swiped a thumb under her eyes. “The Pack has been fighting them forever. We’ve been threatened before. And we’ve won.”
She swallowed hard. “Do you really believe there can be some kind of super werewolf or was that an idle threat to get Jay to convince me to leave?”
“I wish I knew, but it’s scary as hell if it’s true.” He squeezed her tight. “I’d rather face a hundred enhanced wer
ewolves than lose you. You’re part of me, darlin’. That means you need to seek refuge, if only for a little while.”
With that sentiment, the tears flowed again. “I’m sorry. I usually don’t cry.”
His smile wobbled. “It means you care. We’re mates, and mates will be together. Someday.”
Mac had always thought of herself as someone who was focused and determined; as someone who could put aside her own feelings for the greater good. Now, she realized her love had grown out of control. She wasn’t sure she wanted to go on if she couldn’t be with her two men.
“Will you tell Sam how much I’m going to miss him?”
He kissed her forehead. Even though he wasn’t crying, she could tell from the way he kept looking away, that he was close to breaking down, too. “I’ll tell him. Now go pack. We’ll defeat these fuckers sooner than you can blink an eye. Look at Harvey Couch and John Hood. They were in charge once and we took them down.”
“Seems to me, these Colters are like bugs. Kill one and more emerge.”
“I think of them as cockroaches.”
That made her smile. “You sure you’re going to be okay?”
“No, but I’ll deal.”
Today was going to be the worst day of her life.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Sending Mackenzie off had been pure hell. It was as if his soul had been ripped from his body. Deep in his heart, Brandon understood that keeping her safe had to take precedence over everything else. He and Sam—if his cousin ever returned—would continue to look for Cheryl and the other women. It was what they were trained to do. The sooner The Pack put these pricks out of business, the sooner he could have Mackenzie back.
When she’d left, she said she wanted to make a life with them. He hoped to hell that with time apart, she wouldn’t change her mind. Battling the Colters wasn’t for the faint of heart.
The General had called a classified meeting for later tonight. No doubt, it was to discuss these super werewolves. Brandon wished this had been a hoax, a ploy to throw Jay off kilter and to get rid of Mackenzie. The problem was that Jay believed it was true. Hell, Jay had even been willing to quit his job to keep her safe. Regardless, it didn’t lessen the pain of separation.
While he waited for the meeting time, he tried Sam’s cell again. He didn’t answer and Brandon was forced to leave a voicemail. All he said was for Sam to get in touch. Telling his cousin about the loss of Mackenzie and the development with the Colters, would be too much to mention over the phone.
Brandon needed to keep busy until the meeting time. He pulled out his laptop, determine to dig deeper into the lives of Carl Hampton and Roger Medlock. If any of the other Pack members had found any good intel, they would have called.
Around five, the back door opened, and Brandon jumped up, dread pouring through him. Sam was home. Brandon grabbed two beers out of the fridge. When Sam walked past the kitchen, Brandon stepped out and handed him a beer. “We need to talk.”
“Where’s Mackenzie? I want to hug her then kill her.”
“She’s gone, Sam.” His heart nearly shattered watching the darkness descend on his cousin’s face. Sam stepped back and shifted, clearly wanting to fight, but Brandon refused to engage. “Sam. Don’t do this. It wasn’t our fault.”
The animal in front of him growled and clawed on the hardwood floor. Sam bared his teeth. Why didn’t you stop her?
Brandon tipped back his beer, needing to defuse this tense situation. “She left because Statler threatened to kill her. She’ll be safer in Indiana.”
Sam stopped, his tongue panting. Then fur swirled, nails tapped on the wood, and arms and legs appeared. Sam had changed back into human form. He picked up his beer and chugged the entire bottle. “You better start from the beginning.”
He told him about Jay’s visit, Statler’s threat, and these enhanced werewolves. “We can’t go rushing into this. It could get Cheryl killed.”
Sam paced, his body radiating tension. “At least Mackenzie’s safe.” He whirled around. “And you trust Jay?”
“Yes.” Brandon grabbed his keys. “We need to get to headquarters. I’m driving.”
“I won’t complain. I’m half dead since I haven’t been able to sleep.”
Brandon let Sam stew on the drive over. Even Brandon hadn’t come to grips with the terrible situation. For years The Pack and the Colters had fought, but Brandon always imagined an end in sight. With this new breed of werewolf, The Pack might never win the war. Fuck. Life wasn’t fair. They’d finally found the most amazing, albeit a headstrong mate, and now this had to happen. It sucked.
He parked at headquarters and got out. Both headed inside. Chris Williams was just coming out of his office as he and Sam turned to go to the conference room.
“You guys here for the big pow wow?”
“Afraid so.”
“Me, too.” The three of them entered the room. Trax and Dante Field were there as were Kurt Wendlick and Drake Stanton. The General was standing at the front, apparently waiting for Chris to set up the projector. As brilliant as the General was, he’d never fully embraced technology.
“Gentleman, as soon as Clay and Dirk arrive we can begin.”
As if he’d summoned them, those two walked in and quietly slipped into the remaining chairs around the table.
“I don’t have to tell you, this is a highly confidential meeting. The details of this must never be leaked.”
Brandon had hoped that Statler had been lying. From the solemn tone of the General’s voice, he hadn’t been. Armand went on to explain that Jay Wagner had been sending them information for years.
“I’m afraid Jay was asked to execute Sam and Brandon if Mackenzie Wagner didn’t leave town. While he never would have won that battle, Jay didn’t want to try. Instead, he’s been forced to lay low for an indefinite period of time.”
“Why?” Trax asked.
“Because Statler will kill him if he finds out that Jay is an undercover agent.”
For the next half hour, the General laid out the details of the Colters’ master plan the best he could.
“Do we have any idea where this facility is located?” Dante asked.
The General shook his head. “No, but assuming these captured women were delivered there, I’ve asked Chris to look into the travel plans of all ten men and cross reference them to see if they overlap.”
That’s smart, Brandon telepathed to Sam.
These men won’t be stupid and take the women there themselves.
“What can we do now, General?” Brandon asked.
“I’ll be talking to you two later. As for the rest of you, watch your men like hawks. I want you to be positive that they don’t have the women hidden somewhere. Dig into their finances. Did they buy extra clothing or more food than usual? Did they add security? We need to be positive these women are gone.” The General paced as he sipped from a glass of water. Brandon had never seen General Armand this upset before. “I have called in a few favors. I want to bring in a biochemist to help.” The group murmured. The general held up his hand to quiet the group. “If what Statler said is true, and these men are no longer affected by the poison, we need to find out what will kill them.”
The men seemed to agree. Then they each gave their status reports. The Pack appeared to be doing everything possible to find the abductees.
When the General dismissed the group he asked Brandon and Sam to stay behind. As soon as the room cleared, he motioned they take a seat again.
“I realize this is going to be very difficult for you, but I’m going to ask you two to be extremely discreet. There will be no more breaking into homes and causing trouble. I don’t need an all-out war.”
Sam’s teeth clenched. “No disrespect, sir, but I can’t sit on my ass and do nothing.”
“I know. Keep the men under surveillance, but, by God, don’t let them see you or smell you. Ask Trax for some long-range surveillance equipment. Here’s the hardest part; don’t contact your
mate. If Statler has his eyes on you, they’ll know if you do.”
“Yes, sir.”
Sam might look as if he’d obey, but Brandon knew his cousin. He was more stubborn than Mackenzie, and that was bad.
* * *
“I’m nervous,” Mac said to Jay as she buttoned up her coat after stepping outside the Indianapolis airport. She’d actually become accustomed to the warm Florida weather despite her short stay.
When she’d called her mom to let her know she’d come back for the holidays, her mother had insisted she stay with her for Christmas, claiming she didn’t want to be alone. Mac understood.
Because she’d taken a shuttle to the airport, Jay rented a car to get them home. “You think you’re nervous?” he asked. “I haven’t been home since your father’s death. When I called my mom to let her know about my surprise visit, I thought she was going to have a heart attack.”
He was exaggerating. “She’ll be thrilled to see you.” Or so she hoped. Mac hadn’t spoken with her aunt since the funeral, and she couldn’t be certain how she viewed her son running off to Florida for seven years, and rarely visiting.
“Maybe.” Jay turned down her street.
Mac sat up straighter. “That’s Aunt Hannah’s car. What’s she doing here?”
“She knows you’re coming. She’ll want to hear any news.”
Her stomach rolled again. “I can’t tell her much.”
Jay pulled in and put the car in park, but left it running. “Try to keep the information as scarce as possible.”
“What can I say? I didn’t find Cheryl. It’s going to kill her.” Acid burned in her gut. “I can guarantee you I won’t be discussing Sam and Brandon with her. If I told her I’ve found my soul mates who just happen to be crime fighting werewolves, she would stroke out.”
“I agree. Listen, it’s Christmas Eve. Enjoy your family and call me if you need to talk.”
“I will.” They both climbed out of the car at the same time. Jay retrieved her bag from the trunk and handed it to her. The wind was bitter cold and from the cloud cover, it looked like it might snow.
