"Don't you know what I am?"
She shook her head. “I don't. I'm sorry. If my father has wronged you in some way, I don't know what it is, and I wasn't involved. Please believe me."
She'd been crying not too long ago and her tears were once again close to the surface.
"What does B*E*A*S*T* stand for?” he asked, cocking his head.
"I don't know,” she answered without hesitation. She knew he was testing her, trying to trip her up just in case she was lying. But she had to get him to believe her. She honestly had no clue.
"Do you know what a shifter is?"
Keira bit her lip and swallowed hard before she answered. “You mean like a stick-shift? I ... I can drive one if you need me to."
Wade's gaze dropped from hers and he turned his head to look out at the night. His entire body tensed, and the silence was deafening. When he finally glanced back at her, his eyes were red-rimmed.
"Are you telling me you have no clue about the compound in Colorado?"
"What compound? We ... we have a house in Vermont we sometimes go to—"
"Shit!” Wade exclaimed, climbing further into the truck. Without another word, he pulled out his knife once more and cut the bonds on her wrists and ankles. “Either you're a damn good actress, or I'm a poor judge of character."
"What ... what are you doing?"
"Keira,” he said, leaning back to look into her eyes. “I'm sorry. But I ... I've just made a huge goddamn mistake."
Three
Wade jumped out of the Hummer and screamed at the top of his lungs. The sound of it echoed faintly off the faraway hills. Cursing foully, he ran his fingers through his hair so hard he winced. Tears threatened to fall from his eyes and all the trepidation he'd been feeling for the past few days grabbed him by the throat.
"Oh God. Oh my God!"
Falling to his knees, Wade clenched his fists and hit the ground hard, again and again. The urge to shift overwhelmed him and he could feel the cougar roaring to be set free. Gasping, he grabbed handfuls of sand in an effort to control his body's instincts. He didn't want to become the cougar. Not now, not ever. Succumbing to the monster B*E*A*S*T* engineered him to be was out of the question.
Unable to hold them back any longer, Wade's tears fell and he brought his dirty palms up to his face. Deep, wrenching sobs escaped him. He was screwed. That's all there was to it. He'd kidnapped Covington's daughter, thinking she had to know something about her father's secret agency, only to find he couldn't have been more wrong. Wade had enough experience to know by someone's scent when they were lying to him. Keira hadn't been lying. The woman was innocent of any wrongdoing and he'd tied her up like a common criminal.
Jesus.
"Wade?"
It was her. She was close. Probably had no friggin’ clue what to make of him.
"Are you all right?"
Turning his wet face to her, he said, “How can you ask me that? I just kidnapped you, for God's sake."
"True,” she said warily, holding her arms out from her body as if ready to flee at any given moment. In fact, she glanced around, and Wade wondered if she was trying to judge if she could run from him. “But you seem like you're regretting it."
He took a deep breath and sighed. “Lady, if you want to go, just go. I'm not going to stop you."
He'd surprised her, he could smell it.
"Where would I go?” she asked. “I have no idea where I am."
He smiled faintly. Pushing off from the ground, he dusted the dirt from his jeans. The top of her head came up just under his nose. He towered over her.
Keira was apprehensive of him, but she didn't run, and her courage impressed him. But then he glanced down at her wrists and cursed. Tugging her arm gently, he said, “Come with me."
"What? Why?"
"I said I wouldn't hurt you, but I have. Damn it!” Wade nudged her down on the bumper and rummaged through the compartments of the truck until he came across the first aid kit. Keira's wrists were raw and red from the ropes that had held her. How could he have been so heartless?
"I'm sorry,” he whispered, rubbing antibiotic ointment onto her wounds. “I ... I don't know what I was thinking. I'll ... take you back. To your boyfriend."
"Wha ... what about my father?"
Wade glanced into her eyes and a pang of longing struck him so hard, he couldn't breathe. Her gentle gaze pulled at his heartstrings and he couldn't help but think about Noah with Lanie and Rogan with Marlie. He wanted desperately to find a woman for himself, and the way Keira was looking at him made him crave it all the more.
She was soft and gentle. Caring, even. But how could she stare at him in such a way if he'd just abducted her? Even her cheeks were red from the duct tape, and Wade found himself wishing he could kiss all her hurts away. It made him sick to think he'd hurt her. He never thought of himself as a monster. But tonight, he'd proved he was beyond the shadow of a doubt.
"I'll get to Covington another way."
She gasped, but didn't release his eye contact. “You're still planning your revenge?"
"Yes,” he said without hesitation.
"But—"
"Keira, I'm not going to ask you to understand why. Just know that it has to be done."
"Are you going to kill him?” she whispered. A sudden fear crept into her scent and he closed his eyes. Son of a bitch. Was he trembling? It had to be from the day's events. There was no other reason.
"That was my plan, yeah."
"Please. Don't kill him.” Her warm hands touched his arm and he flinched. So much so, she pulled away in alarm.
He stared at her incredulously. “If you knew what he's done, you wouldn't ask that of me."
She bit her lip. She was also shaking. “What has he done? You mentioned a compound ... and a shifter?"
Wade rubbed his eyes and sighed. “It's probably best if you don't know."
Keira watched her fingers as they plucked at the worn carpet lining the truck bed. “It's bad, isn't it?” she asked with a sniffle.
Her scent suddenly turned sad. The shreds of Wade's heart ached inside of him. “Keira—"
"Just tell me,” she said, her eyes shining with moisture.
"You wouldn't believe me if I did."
She gave him a forlorn chuckle, halfway between a sob and a laugh. “Whatever it is, it made you desperate enough to kidnap his daughter."
Wade nodded. “I'm sorry about that,” he murmured with his eyes downcast. “When you're on the run, everyone you come in contact with is your enemy. I didn't think twice when I saw you. I acted on my own damned impulse."
"You're on the run?” Keira said with a gasp, covering her mouth. “Are you a criminal?"
He gave her a half-smile. “I'm on the run from your father's goons. And if they catch me, they're going to mind-wipe me again."
"Mind-wipe? You mean brainwash you?"
He nodded.
"But that's not possible."
"There are a lot of things in this world that ‘aren't possible', but I see them happening every day. Trust me. It's possible."
"But ... why would my father—how would my father have access to that kind of.... thing?"
"I have no idea,” Wade said, setting his jaw. “But I aim to find out."
* * * *
Keira sat in the passenger seat, stealing glances at Wade every now and again. She hadn't said a word to him for miles and the silence stretched on. His words had shocked her more than anything, hearing her father was wrapped up in something huge, something so secret, they'd wipe your memories clean if you crossed them. A shiver tore through her body.
"You cold?” Wade asked, somehow knowing her mood.
"Yeah, a bit."
"It gets cold out here in the desert. Especially at night in the wintertime.” Leaning over, he flipped on the heater. “Are you comfortable now?” She nodded but he pressed on. “There's a blanket in the back. Want me to get it for you?"
"I'll be fine, really.” He looked like
he didn't believe her, but he let it lie.
"Are you hungry?"
"No."
A few more miles passed in silence. For a kidnapper, Wade McAllister sure went out of his way to accommodate her.
"I drove quite a ways before you woke up from the tranq,” he said in a small voice. “If you're tired, just lean back and I'll get you where you need to go."
"Why are you being so nice to me all of a sudden?” she asked, curious.
Wade gripped the steering wheel hard. “I'm not a monster.” He spoke his words with such conviction she arched her brows in surprise.
"No one said you were."
He glanced at her and continued. “I don't hurt women. I don't even know what I was thinking. I guess knowing you were that bastard's daughter made my hackles rise, and I couldn't see you for you. All I could see was him. But ... you're not the evil witch I had envisioned.” His mouth turned into an alluring grin, and Keira's breath hitched in her throat. An alarming thought raced through her mind of that mouth on her sensitive skin, kissing and suckling...
"Are you all right, Keira?” he asked in concern.
Swallowing hard, she nodded, not trusting her voice.
"You sure? Because you look a little pale over there."
"Yes. Fine. Thank you.” Dear God, where had that thought come from? Now the truck was a bit too hot, but she wasn't about to roll down the window. He'd merely ask more questions, and she'd be damned if she'd tell him the reason.
He gave her a sidelong glance and shifted on the driver's seat, as if he wasn't comfortable himself. He cleared his throat and ran his fingers through his hair, adjusting the rearview mirror three times. Why was he fidgeting?
"Craig's not my boyfriend, you know,” she said, suddenly kicking herself. Why the hell would this man even care?
Wade coughed behind his hand. “Oh?"
"Yeah. We used to date when we were kids, but not anymore. He's just a close friend. I sometimes bring him take-out when he works late at the station. In fact, that's what I was doing when...” she trailed off, not wanting to say more.
"Right.” His mood suddenly changed, becoming more pensive than talkative. Keira decided silence was best. She didn't know why she'd blurted out the truth behind her relationship with Craig. Perhaps it was her familiar feelings toward Wade that made her open up. But he seemed so easy to talk to, regardless of the secret he was hiding about her father.
Clive Covington had always been known to schmoose with wealthy people in order to fund his campaigns; maybe he'd gotten himself mixed up with the wrong crowd this time. Her thoughts went wild at the prospect. The Mob? Drug dealers? Was her father in some kind of trouble?
If he wasn't, Wade was certainly determined to bring trouble to him. He had it in his head her father was responsible for brainwashing him somehow. Before they went their separate ways, Keira was determined to find out exactly what Wade wasn't telling her.
Four
Desire. That's what he'd smelled.
Swallowing hard, Wade tried for all he was worth to concentrate on the road, but his body tightened with the subtle knowledge that Keira desired him. She seemed shocked by it when she glanced at him a few moments earlier, however his body responded to her intoxicating scent—almost savagely.
He desperately wanted to roll down a window for some fresh air, but he'd just turned on the heat for Keira. Damn it. He bit his lip and adjusted the rearview mirror for what seemed the hundredth time.
Don't look at her. You'll do something you'll regret.
Wade squirmed on his seat, trying to get comfortable while his jeans cut off the circulation to his erection. He breathed through his nose—deep breaths in, deep breaths out. He wasn't about to pounce on the poor woman when he'd just kidnapped her. Besides, she was the daughter of the man who'd made him a freak. Whatever thoughts he harbored for Keira Covington, he could just push them right out of his mind. The woman was off limits.
"Are ... are you okay?"
Her quiet voice carried through the cabin of the Hummer and Wade's body came alive once more. He growled, gripping the steering wheel so tight, he was surprised it didn't snap in two.
Without a word, Wade once again pulled the truck to the side of the road in a cloud of dust. He turned off the engine and yanked the keys from the ignition before climbing out.
"Where are you going?” she called after him, sounding worried.
"To the men's room!” he yelled back, walking a few yards from the truck. Taking in deep gulps of air, Wade bent over, placing his palms on his knees, trying hard to get a grip on his raging lust.
Jesus, why was he reacting like this?
Because Keira's scent had confirmed his own thoughts. She found him attractive, just as he'd noticed her beauty. She wasn't afraid of him and he'd be damned if he knew why. The lady should have been running for the hills right now. No doubt she would if she ever found out what he truly was.
Wade desperately desired to lose himself in a woman, but Keira was not that woman. She could never be the one.
"Wade?"
Whipping around, he yelped, amazed at the second time she'd snuck up on him.
"What?” he exclaimed, a bit harsher than he'd intended.
She flinched.
"I have some aspirin in my purse if you need it.” The look on her face floored him. She was concerned. Why in God's friggin’ name did she care about his wellbeing?
"Lady, if you knew what I needed,” he said, panting, “you wouldn't be standing so damn close to me."
Keira took a step back, her eyes large and round. But she didn't walk away.
"What does that mean?” Her voice was barely above a whisper.
Closing his eyes to hide his own frustration, Wade balled his fists while a muscle ticked in his jaw. He had to get her away from him. He had to erase that look of worry on her face. Her sweet disposition toward him would get her in a lot of trouble—and she didn't even know it.
"It means, Keira, that I can smell you. Every damn thing about you. The perfume you spritzed on this morning. The soap you used in the shower. And the desire you could barely hide in the truck a few minutes ago."
She gasped, covering her mouth. Good. He'd startled her with his words. She should be scared of him. Terrified, even. He was a virile, dangerous cougar who hadn't had sex for as long as he could remember. He'd talked about her desire, but if she could smell him, she'd choke on his own aroused scent.
"I don't—"
"Now I can smell your obvious lie,” he said, interrupting her, allowing his eyes to flash in the darkness. Taking a few steps toward her, he gazed down into her captivating green eyes. Her body heat radiated from her, even though she was shivering, but she still didn't cower from him. “You want me."
Keira's mouth opened, then shut. She bit the inside of her cheek as she stared at him, but let the silence stretch on before she murmured, “No I don't."
Wade looked her up and down, imagining her legs around his waist. He wanted to bury his fingers in her hair; make her scream his name. Instead, he growled and walked past her, back to the truck.
"You're a liar,” he tossed over his shoulder.
She trotted beside him to keep up with his long strides. “I don't even know you!"
"And I don't know you, but that didn't stop the scent I smelled, now does it?"
He grabbed the handle of the driver's side door, but Keira seized his shoulder and spun him around. For a little woman, he was amazed at her strength.
"You wait just a minute, mister,” she said. “No man on Earth can smell the things you claim to. I think you're trying to scare me."
"I'm no mere man, lady. And hell yes, I'm trying to scare you!"
"Why?” That one word, combined with her look of confusion made him curse under his breath.
"I just kidnapped you. You have no right to think of me the way you do."
"Oh, so now you can read minds?” Keira placed her hands on her hips. Wade felt as if he'd been punched in the
gut. Damn, this woman was feisty.
"No, I don't read minds,” he said, advancing on her. She backed away, stopping near the rear wheel well. Wade smiled wickedly, placing both his hands on the Hummer, trapping her in the circle of his arms. “But I know damn good and well what kind of thoughts follow the scent of desire."
God, he smelled it again.
"How ... how can you ... how...” Keira's hair bobbed from her fierce trembling. Wade knew the feeling—he trembled as well.
"It's a gift your father gave to me,” he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “One of many. But if you knew all of my secrets, you'd run far away from me."
"You don't seem ... s-so b-bad."
"I tranquilized you."
"I'm not harmed."
"I bound and gagged you.” He leaned in closer.
"But you set me free."
"I'm planning my revenge on your father."
Keira closed her eyes and gave him a slight nod. “There is that."
He almost laughed at her nonchalant tone.
"Tell me what he did to you.” Her eyes were concerned again. Christ!
"He made me a monster."
"I don't believe that."
"Your father is capable of many evil things, Keira. Don't put him on a friggin’ pedestal.” She gasped but didn't look away.
"I meant I don't believe you're a monster."
Wade pressed even closer, shocked at her words. Any ounce of control he had left him in that moment. His better judgment screamed at him to walk away, but he couldn't find the strength to do so. His body was flush with hers against the truck. Keira's pleasing scent surrounded him.
He was lost.
"Yes, I am,” he whispered, lowering his mouth to hers. He kissed her gently, giving her ample time to jerk away, push on his shoulders, offer up any kind of resistance. He would have released her immediately.
But she didn't.
Instead, she stood on her tip-toes.
"God, Keira,” he whispered, releasing her mouth for one fevered second, “I shouldn't do this."
But instead of pushing away, he kissed her again, this time coaxing her mouth open with his tongue. Her palms burned hot on his shoulders, searing him like a brand. Before he knew it, she framed his face, holding him almost ... tenderly.
Nature of the B*E*A*S*T* Page 2
