A Wolf's Contract

by Tl Reeve

  “Well you should,” Gabby added. “You’ve got mad talent.”

  Tinks grinned. “Maybe I will.”

  For the rest of the trip they talked about everything and nothing. Gabby relaxed into her seat. This was her family now. Her life. For a long time, she’d wondered if she’d ever feel comfortable again. It wasn’t as though her brother hadn’t tried to give her a good life, he had. He’d also wanted her to move on like his life didn’t matter to her. It had. She missed him every day.

  “There is a cute little café on the east side of town. I thought we’d eat there.”

  “Sounds like a plan.”

  After breakfast, they strolled out of the café and decided to do a little window shopping before making their purchases. They flittered from shop to shop, pointing to different things they liked. The whole time, she’d hardly noticed Graham or Chris following them, but she felt their protective gazes. Chris had gotten a call after breakfast. A horse had gone lame and he needed to go tend to it. A few minutes later, Black Jack showed up, announcing he’d be their new chaperone. Poppa couldn’t allow his two girls to be alone.

  By the time they finished helping Alicia pack all of her supplies into the truck, the midday sun warmed the cool morning air. This was exactly what she needed. Some time away to shed the cabin fever. “Where to next?”

  “How about the adorable baby store. The Blushing Baby. They have the cutest little farmer overalls in the window.” Lily practically squealed as she looped her arm through Fawn’s. “We’re going to make him or her a little rancher before they’re even born.”

  Gabby shook her head. She glanced over her shoulder at the guys who rolled their eyes at Lily’s comment. With an amused laugh, she started for the store. The others had gone ahead of her and were already grabbing different items when she walked into the shop. Alicia stood right in the middle of the girls going hog-wild over the onesies with cute little sayings on them.

  Instead of joining them, she walked toward the blankets. None of it was her style. However, she had to admit, a few of the overalls were pretty cute, in a country kind of way. With her back to the door, she perused each rack, wondering what she should get Fawn for the baby.

  “Don’t move.” Gabby stomach churned. Bile bit at her throat. “I told your brother I’d make you mine and now I aim to prove it.” The man growled then licked her cheek. “Don’t do anything stupid, I’d hate for your friends to get hurt.”

  She swallowed hard. “What do you want?” Her voice trembled as she tried to calm herself. Someone had to see her. Someone had to know. Where are Graham and Black Jack?

  “Looking for your little boyfriends, slut?” he laughed. “I’ve already had my guys take care of them.”

  “What did you do?” she whimpered.

  “What I should have done a long time ago.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Kru paced Kalum’s small living room. The sun had set an hour ago and the girls hadn’t returned home. They’d promised to call every few hours as well, but they hadn’t. He looked through the big bay window overlooking the front of the house willing Fawn’s truck to come around the bend. Nothing. I knew it was a bad idea. I should have stuck to no. Fuck. He crossed the room and growled, growing more frustrated by the second. Something had happened. He could feel it. The hairs on his neck stood on end, and the niggle he’d dealt with all day became an incessant itch.

  “Calm yourself, son,” Kalum drawled, handing him a beer. “You’re going to wear a hole in my floor.”

  “Sorry.” He glanced at the beer and grimaced. “They’re not home. They should have been home.”

  “You know how women are, once they get going,” his brother-in-law stated. “They can shop till the cows come home.”

  “Did you put the cows in the barn for the night?”

  “I did,” he answered. “However, Graham and your buddy Black Jack are with the girls.” Chris had stopped by the house and explained the change of chaperones. The knot in his gut tightened. “Plus, some of the girls are wolves. They can protect themselves.”

  Kru’s wolf liked the idea of their having to protect themselves even less. “If they’re not home in twenty minutes, I’m going to find them. I can’t stand not knowing shit. I know something happened. I can feel it.”

  “Fine.” Kalum raised his hands in surrender. “I’ll go with you.”

  Kru’s phone rang, and he glanced at the screen. “Yeah,” he said, after answering it.

  “The girls are gone.” Graham’s groggy voice startled him. “Black Jack’s bad off.”

  “Son of a bitch. Where are you?” He knew it. Fucking knew it. Kalum stepped closer and snarled.

  “We’re in town,” Graham muttered. “Hurry. Bastard left a note.”

  The line went dead and Kru growled. “Son of a bitch! I fucking told you. I told you something would happen. The girls have been taken. Black Jack is bad off, Graham sounds like shit.”

  “Fuck.” Kalum followed behind him as he slammed out of the house. “Where are we going?”

  “To Hill City. That’s where Graham and Black Jack are. I’m going to kill whoever took them. I swore I’d never kill again after everything Gabby’s been through, however, I’m willing to break the fucking rule to give whoever took them what they deserve.” Kru’s wolf surged to the surface and he had to push him down. Going wolf right now wouldn’t help them. When he grabbed the fucker who had his mate he’d let the wolf take over.

  “I won’t stand in your way,” Kalum replied. “Let’s go get our mates.”

  ***

  When they arrived, Graham leaned against Fawn’s truck, none too worse for the wear due to his wolf genetics. The bruises marring his face were a light yellowish-green and the swelling had gone down. Black Jack, on the other hand, lay in the bed of the truck, nose busted. His shirt and the leg of his jeans had been soaked with blood. He wrinkled his nose at the coppery tinge mixed with gun powder. Thankfully neither of the wounds lethal. Graham held a small square of paper. His phone illuminated it. Poppa pulled into the spot next to them. Kru had made the call to his friend on the way to their destination. No one fucked with Poppa’s old lady, Alicia, especially if they enjoyed breathing..

  “What have you got?” Kru asked, lifting his chin at the paper in Graham’s hands.

  “A letter for you,” he said, giving it to him. “There was more than one guy who jumped us.”

  “Yeah, I figured. There were twelve when Gabby and I were ambushed.” He took the note from Graham and read over it.

  Come alone. Bring the information I know you have or I will kill your bitch. Kru cursed as he read the address then showed Kalum.

  “You’re not going alone,” Poppa snapped. “He’s planning on killing them either way. He’s playing you.”

  “No I’m not going alone. We’re all going.” He looked to Hombre. “Get Black Jack to the clinic. Lie if you have to.”

  “On it.” Hombre grabbed his friend and carried him over to Poppa’s truck. Once he had Black Jack situated, he drove off.

  “We have to do it right now. We’ll have the element of surprise. He’ll be expecting me to bring the thumb drive, taking my time to get to him.” Kru glanced at Graham. “You okay to fight?”

  “Damn right I am. That bastard and his hooligans got the fucking drop on us. No one does that shit without paying for it,” he snarled.

  “Good to know,” Kru grunted. “Let’s go. I want my girl home before daybreak.”

  ***

  Darkness filtered around Gabby. The moments before opening her eyes were still sketchy as hell. One minute they’d been shopping for the baby, and the next she woke up in a room in the middle of nowhere. Slivers of light filtered into the room, illuminating the bare warped floor. Wallpaper peeled from one wall while chipped paint clung to the others. The other women were present but not close enough to touch or help one another. Her arms were tied behind her back while her feet hadn’t been ho
bbled. Good in a way.

  Lily groaned. “What happened? Where are we?”

  “I don’t know,” she said. “Looks like an abandoned house.”

  “How did we get here?” Tinks mumbled.

  “We were knocked the fuck out and brought here.” By him. She didn’t say who or why. She didn’t want to believe it. Player. When she saw his name on the list two months ago, she’d had a hard time believing he’d do anything to hurt her brother. Now she knew different.

  “Pinche puto,” Alicia spat.

  “Fawn, are you with us?” she asked, praying nothing had happened to her sister-in-law, or the baby she carried.

  “Yeah. I’m here. What the fuck?” Her weakened voice held a note of anger.

  “Does this shit have to do with your brother’s damn thumb drive?” Lily asked.

  “Yep,” Gabby answered. “I think I know who it is, too.”

  “Fucking Player, I saw him for a brief second before his assholes knocked me unconscious,” Alicia moved into a sitting position. “We should have known. That fucking asshole came to Poppa about the books when we turned in our patches. At the time, we didn’t think anything about it. We told him to get with Quell.”

  “Who is Player?” Tinks asked, adjusting herself.

  “He is…was my brother’s vice president. I guess it is safe to say he set up the hit on my brother, too.” Anger welled inside her. If Player had wanted Craven’s territory, the fucker could have been a man and gone to her brother. But, no, not the sniveling little bastard. I’m going to love hearing your sister scream. I’m going to make her bleed then fuck her bloody corpse.

  Not going to happen. She would fight him tooth and nail. She’d do it for Craven and for Kru. She’d do it for herself. “Listen, whatever happens tonight, I want you to run. All of you. Run as hard and as fast as you can, got it?”

  “What are you talking about, Gabby?” Fawn asked. “We can help you.”

  “If something happens, run,” she repeated, not wanting to chance the baby Fawn carried or her mated family.

  “You’re going to do something stupid, aren’t you?” Alicia asked.

  “I’m going to make sure you get the hell away from here,” she said.

  “Kru is going to kick your ass,” Fawn groused. “Then he’ll be pissed at me for letting you be stupid.”

  “Well, he’s not here. This is my choice. I will create a distraction so the rest of you can get away. I don’t need any of your bullshit reasons why I shouldn’t. Let me help you.” Determination filled her. No matter what happened next, they’d be free. She’d do her best to keep Player occupied.

  “But Lily and I could—”

  “No, Tinks.” Gabby knew the rules when it came to exposing their true nature. She wouldn’t allow Tinks or Lily, let alone Fawn, face punishment because they shifted in front of Alicia. “Please, do what I ask. You’re mi familia now.”

  The sound of footsteps approaching silenced them. When the door opened, blinding bright light outlined the person standing there. Shit. She waited for her eyes to adjust. “Gabby,” Player said. “Long time no see.”

  “Not long enough.”

  “Don’t be so stubborn,” he crooned. “We had something special once.”

  “You had something special going on in your head. I never gave you a second look.” She’d been fourteen when he approached her the first time, looking for a little hand job. Don’t worry, Gabby, I won’t tell your brother. Then he snarled. Your brother wouldn’t believe you even if you told him. She couldn’t get away from him quickly enough. She had confided in Alicia and made her promise not to tell Craven. Now, she wished she had.

  “Stupid bitch.” He crouched in front of her. “Why do you have to be so fucking stubborn?” He slapped her.

  Stars burst before her eyes. The coppery taste of blood filled her mouth. She spit it out then curled her lip. “Is that all you can do to me?”

  He chuckled. “This is just the beginning. I have the whole night planned for us.”

  “You’re a son of a bitch,” Alicia yelled. “Don’t you dare touch her again!”

  “Alicia, what did I tell you?” Gabby said, through clenched teeth. Her best friend rattled off a string of curse words which made Gabby proud. “Besides, we both know the fucking asshole doesn’t have the cojones to do much more than hit me. Little girls turn this puto on.” She turned her attention to Player. “Ain’t I right? When was the last time you got jerked by a little girl, Player?”

  She didn’t even have time to prepare herself before he attacked. Vicious lefts and rights pummeled her body. “Ungrateful little whore. I should have popped your cherry the day I asked for a hand job. I should have fucked you and made you bleed.”

  “Go,” she choked. “Run.” Gabby accepted every blow. Accepted his anger and vile words because, in the end, it freed her friends. She gave them a chance to get away. “Is that the best you can do?”

  Player laughed. “You’re a crazy bitch. You know?” He licked her cheek and groaned. “I like it. It gets my dick hard.”

  “So you graduated.” She lifted her gaze, locking it with his. “I’m so proud of you.” Her lip curled in revolt and she spat at him, covering his cheek in blood.

  “Spirit.” He nodded. “They say the wildest of mares break the best.” Player stood. “Let’s see if they’re right.”

  Alicia bum-rushed Player, knocking him to the floor before storming through the door and getting away. The rest of the women followed her, leaving Gabby with a very pissed-off Player. “Oops, I guess they got away.”

  “You little bitch!” He snatched her by her faux-hawk then threw her against the wall behind her. He pinned her there, the press of his erection making her stomach roil in disgust. “Do you think I’m playing games?” He slammed her head against the wall again. The room spun. Her vision went blurry. “No you don’t, puta. You don’t get to sleep through what I have planned. I want to hear you scream.”

  Player threw her to the floor; her cry brought a feral smile to his face. His crazy eyes blazed with intent. He worked his belt open then unbuttoned his pants. He took a step forward. Gabby retreated. He laughed at her then stomped on her leg. Fire raced through her as excruciating pain lanced through her body. She grabbed for her leg, biting her lip to keep from giving him what he wanted. Her screams. She scooted away again. He stomped on her other leg. Bile rose in her throat. Her stomach clenched. Closing her eyes, she willed herself to take deep breaths through her nose and concentrate on the fact her friends were long gone by now.

  “Ouch,” she sneered. “You’re hurting me.” She backed away, but instead of stepping on her, he went to his knees and crawled toward her. “Begging won’t work.”

  “I’m not the one who will be begging, bitch.” He spread her legs and settled between them. “You will.” Wrapping his hand around her throat, he added pressure, cutting her air off. “Beg, whore.”

  She took shallow breaths. No way in hell she’d give him what he wanted. She closed her eyes. Waited.

  “Say it!” He backhanded her, which also dislodged his hand from around her throat. She sucked in deep gulping breaths, trying to clear the spots dancing before her eyes. “I said, answer me, whore!” His hand clamped around her throat again.

  She wheezed, trying to take in small breaths. Her heart pounded. Everything went fuzzy around her. The low buzz filling her ears since the moment her head bounced off the wall grew louder. She focused on the good things, taking herself away from the room. An image of Kru danced in front of her and she smiled. Kru…her mate. She wished she had more time. They’d have been happy together. She knew it. “I…love you…Kru,” she croaked.

  “Kru? He’s the reason you’re here?” He gave a mirthless chuckle. “If he’d just given me what I wanted or, better yet, been killed the night I sliced your brother’s throat, you’d be in Vegas, being passed around.” He smacked her again and she dragged a lungful of air in. She cu
rled into a ball, coughing as her chest seized due to the lack of oxygen.

  “I’d have killed myself first,” she panted. “I’d never do what you wanted.”

  “Well, now, I’d say that’s a challenge.” His hands went to the clasp of her jeans. “I’ve been waiting to fuck you for a long time.”

  Gabby shoved at his hands, twisting and turning. “Fuck you.”

  “That’s the plan.” Player licked his lips. “Tell me, Gabby. Have you let Kru dump his load in your hot little cunt?”

  “You’re fucking disgusting.” She kicked him. The crack of her foot connecting with his face echoed in the room.

  He reared away then punched her in the face. The sound of her nose snapping made her gag. Blood poured from her while simultaneously rolling down her throat. She puked. Rolling to her side, she spit out the blood. Tears dripped from her cheeks as she tried to breathe. “I’ll give you something to cry about, slut.” He reached for her pants.

  Her plea sat on the tip of her tongue. As much as she wanted to keep fighting, she couldn’t do it, her strength was fleeting. Cool air licked at her thighs, and she closed her eyes. She couldn’t even focus on a happy place. There were no happy places any more. Death would be her release. I’m sorry I couldn’t be stronger, Kru. Be happy. I love you. The sound of soft grunting and the rending of her panties being torn from her body didn’t frighten her. Gabby accepted her fate.

  “I’m going to love tearing you apart.” Player licked her cheek. “Scream for me, bitch.”

  “The fuck you are.” Kru’s voice. Hope filled her before everything went dark.

  Chapter Twelve

  Gabby lay in a bloody heap, her face almost unrecognizable. Both eyes were swollen shut, her lip busted. Nose broken. The lower half of her body naked and bruised from whatever Player had done to her. His stomach clenched then turned to water at the idea the man covering her actually raped her. Kru saw red. Only two people were leaving the room, and Player wasn’t one of them.