Welcome to the Neighborhood

by Abshire, Mary

  “Who could have broke it?” asked a man with a deep voice.

  “Listen,” another one whispered.

  Shit. Their cover was blown. At any minute, she expected they’d come rushing inside.

  Chris stopped and stood sideways near to the van. Slowly, he crouched until his hands touched the floor. The man looked like a naked monkey ready to leap.

  Greg nudged her, and she met his gaze. Lips together, he tilted his head toward the back of the van. She understood his intentions, but she shook her head and refused to budge. She was faster than he was, and stronger too. If she could get to the men first and knock them out, she wouldn’t have to worry about them harming Greg or Chris.

  She lifted Greg’s hand from her arm. Toxic anxiety gave her the jitters, yet boosted her energy. She could attack at a second’s notice, but first she need to break free from Greg.

  Taking her by surprise, he gripped the waistband of her jeans and bumped into her body. He placed his face near hers and silently mouthed, Don’t. His heated breaths brushed over her, and she sensed his fear.

  Clicking sounds from outside yanked her attention from Greg. The shadows underneath the door didn’t appear to move. She couldn’t determine what the clicks were from, but they most certainly weren’t man made.

  The door swung open, squealing and allowing light into the barn. Two men rushed inside, one with his arm outstretched. In his hand, he held a gun and pointed it at Chris.

  23

  “No!” Alexi yelled.

  In a split-second reaction, she broke free from Greg’s grasp and rushed toward the man wielding the gun. Greg stood in horror and shock, watching as she flew by Chris who was still crouching on the cement. Vampires were fast and strong, and she’d just proved it. His fingers tingled slightly as he’d had them curled through the loops of her jeans. The cloth had torn as she’d pried herself away from him. He had superhuman strength, but he had no chance of stopping her.

  Chris leaped into the air and headed for the man holding a chain similar to the one that had been wrapped around the door handle. The man saw Chris coming for him and swung the links in preparation to hit Chris.

  The man holding the handgun saw Alexi coming. Arm raised, he changed his target and pointed the weapon at her.

  “No!” Greg roared before he charged forward.

  Three actions happened within a second of each other. A loud shot blasted, Alexi reached the assailant with the gun and Chris pounced on the second goon. Appearing unaffected, she grabbed the weapon out of the man’s hands and tossed it behind her. Greg saw it coming and darted out of the way just in time. The gun hit the ground somewhere behind him.

  Chris battled with one man while Alexi fought the other. Greg was mere steps away from reaching her, but she seemed too far from him. She balled her hand and swung it back. By the time he made it to her side, she’d thrust her fist into the man’s face. The attacker flew back and hit the wall. His limp body fell to the ground with a solid thud.

  A third man came running into the barn with a gun in his hand. He looked down at his partner on the ground. Alexi took full advantage of those few seconds and rushed toward him. She grabbed his arm and punched him in the face. Bones crunched and his head jerked back. Not wasting a second, she ripped the weapon from his grasp. Blood flowed from the man’s nose and he staggered around like a drunk.

  “Don’t fucking move,” she said, pointing the gun at the man with the broken nose.

  He stopped wobbling and held his hand over his face. “You fucking bitch. You broke my nose.”

  “And I’ll take out every one of your limbs, starting with your legs, if you come any closer.”

  Chris and the man with the chain were still fighting, but Chris had the upper hand. He slammed the guy into the van, then head butted him. The back of the attacker’s skull crashed into the window and shattered the glass. Shards fell all around them on the cement. A dazed look occupied his face. Chris seized his opportunity and stripped the metal links from the thug’s hand. He quickly wrapped the chain around the assailant’s throat and tightened it.

  Greg veered his attention to Alexi. She stood firm, legs apart and arms up like a cop ready to face the enemy. A few feet from her, the man she’d punched first lay unconscious on the ground. Greg strode over to him and pressed his fingers on the guy’s neck, feeling for a pulse. The beat was slow compared to the others in the room, but it was there.

  “Where’s my stuff?” Alexi asked.

  Greg straightened and moved to stand next to her.

  The man with the broken nose wiped his face, then spit blood on the floor. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  She lowered the gun and fired it at his feet. A piece of concrete chipped off near his shoe and he flinched. “Quit bullshitting me. You took my safe. It’s in the back room and the shelves are empty. Where are the contents?”

  Grunts and choking sounds came from behind Greg, but his attention remained fixed on Alexi. Her face was paler than normal. Dark splotches had formed under her eyes while lines from the edges made her appear aged with wrinkles. He drew in a breath and the smell of blood was thick. He glanced at her shirt and noticed it was darker and clinging to her torso. The strong aroma had to come from her.

  “You won’t get away with this,” the asshole facing her said.

  Alexi aimed the gun at his leg. Greg reached out and grabbed her hands. “Let me handle this,” he said.

  Frozen, she stared at the thief. “I’ve got it.”

  Greg kept his hand on hers and touched her shoulder. “You’re hurting. I can see it and smell your blood. Let me take care of this.”

  “I need my belongings.”

  “I’ll get him to talk. I promise.”

  Slowly, she loosened her grip on the gun as he took it from her. If anyone was going to shoot one of the thieves, Greg wanted to be the one to do it in case the pack investigated the incident or their actions tonight became public. Better a werewolf battle another than a vampire fight and injure one. Otherwise, the tension between races would intensify, and in a world where humans frowned upon all supernatural races, none of them needed any more negative attention.

  Once Greg had a firm hold of the weapon, she lowered her arms and turned to face him. “There are only two people I trust in this world, my best friend, Cassandra, and you.”

  His heart thumped faster upon hearing her words. He’d worked so hard to prove he was worthy of her trust. She’d been hurt, scarred for too many years to the point she trusted only one. Now that he finally had gained her confidence in him, he would make sure he never let her down. “Thank you.”

  Following a small nod and smile, she twisted to face the thief.

  Greg lowered the gun slightly, aiming it at the werewolf’s feet. Now that Greg had control of the situation, he wanted quick results. Alexi was bleeding, they still needed to find the contents of the safe, and they didn’t know if others would return soon. He fired the gun and hit the man’s left foot.

  “Fuck!” the man screamed as he hopped around. “Fuck. Fuck.”

  “That’s for stealing my girlfriend’s safe,” Greg said. “If you don’t tell us where the contents of the safe are, I’ll shoot your knee next.”

  Chris shoved the attacker he had in his grasp within Greg’s view. He tightened the chain around the man’s throat. “If that one won’t talk, maybe we can get this one to,” Chris said.

  “You’re fucking crazy,” the wounded man said.

  “No, you are. You stole from a vampire who happens to be my girlfriend,” Greg said, pointing the gun upward. “I changed my mind. I’ll take out an arm next. What do you think dear?”

  She held her arms over her ribs. “I’ll leave it up to you.”

  Holding tight to the chain restraining his attacker, Chris kicked the back of his captive’s legs. The man fell to his knees, gasping and with his hands gripping the links.

  “If you know where the contents of the safe are, I suggest you sa
y so,” Chris said.

  “Thirty seconds or I send another bullet your way,” Greg said to the werewolf with a bullet in his foot.

  The thief leaned a hand on the van and lifted his injured foot. “You can’t kill us.”

  Greg shifted the gun slightly, trying to narrow down the area for his next target. “I don’t intend to kill you. I want to see you suffer. Fifteen seconds.”

  “You won’t get away with this,” the thief growled.

  “You’re in my territory. I have the right to protect my mate using any means available.”

  “Tell him,” rasped the kneeling werewolf in Chris’s grasp. “Tell him.”

  “Shut up!” the hobbling, one-foot man snarled.

  Chris jerked the chain, causing his attacker to choke. “Talk or you’ll end up like your friend.”

  Red-faced, the thief nodded in desperation.

  “Your time is up.” Greg pointed the gun at the burglar’s shoulder and pulled the trigger. The loud blast stung his ears for a brief second.

  The injured thief’s shoulder jerked back and he stumbled to regain balance. “Fucker! Fuck! Fuck!” He growled.

  “I don’t think he’s going to talk,” Alexi said, arms wrapped around her front.

  “This one will,” Chris said.

  Hearing the injured thief curse, Greg suspected Chris was right. The asshole got off playing a tough guy. Well, he wouldn’t for much longer.

  The werewolf held his arm while he hopped around, trying to balance himself without pressing his full weight on his wounded foot. Greg strode up to him with the gun tight in his hand. He pulled his arm back and punched the werewolf with the metal part of the weapon. He hit the thief’s skull and the man fell sideways. His head crashed on the van. Blood smeared on the vehicle as his limp body crumbled to the ground.

  Greg paused for a few seconds to confirm the werewolf was truly unconscious, then headed for Chris. Alexi stood in front of the kneeling man, arms gripping her torso. Her paleness concerned Greg. The loss of blood had to be causing her pain.

  “Where are the contents of the safe?” she asked.

  Chris allowed the chains to slacken. The sweaty man gulped air. “The back. The back,” he said between breaths.

  Alexi faced Greg with a look of confusion. They’d scanned the back room with the safe and found nothing. The room had a few pieces of furniture and a cot, nothing more. Greg suspected the guy was lying and pointed the gun at his shoulder.

  “We were in the back room and didn’t see anything,” Greg said. “Where are her belongings?”

  Panic drifted from the werewolf as heavily as his sweat. “I’ll show. I’ll show.” He breathed out.

  Greg met Chris’s gaze and gave him a nod of agreement. They had nothing to lose but time, whereas the thief would take a bullet to his body if he caused problems. Greg doubted the guy wanted to wanted to end up like his two partners.

  Chris held the chain around the man’s throat as he rose. The thief stank of sweat and fear. More proof to Greg the werewolf would cooperate.

  Chris allowed the thief to lead the way to the back. The man’s shoes shuffled on the concrete floor as Chris kept a firm grasp on his collar. If a stranger walked into the barn, the person might think they were into some kinky sex game since Greg and Chris were both nude and Chris controlled the guy with a chain.

  “Do you think he’s lying?” Alexi asked.

  Greg couldn’t help but notice she seemed paler and her cracked lips led him to believe she was dehydrating. “I think he’s afraid so he will cooperate.”

  She stepped forward and Greg placed his hand on her shoulder, stopping her.

  “You don’t look well.”

  “I’ll be okay,” she said softly.

  He moved closer to her, placing his face inches from hers. “Maybe you should feed.” He kept his voice low, hoping Chris and the thief wouldn’t hear.

  “When we get back, I will.”

  “What if you can’t make it that long?” A touch of fear stirred within him. She’d lost a great deal of blood and judging from her scent, she still was. The pain had to be excruciating.

  “I’ll make it,” she said in a firm, yet calm tone. “But the sooner we can get the hell out of here, the better.”

  “Greg?” Chris called out.

  Greg rushed to catch up with Chris and his prisoner. They were standing by a closed door at the opposite end from the room they’d broke into earlier. When they’d first entered the barn, they’d focused on the strange burning odor and searched around the table with tools which then led the to the nearby office. Greg had completely forgotten there was another door in the barn. A sense of hope fluttered within him. Maybe they’d find Alexi’s property after all.

  He stopped a few feet from the two men and stared at the handle.

  “Can you break the lock?” Chris asked Alexi as she approached.

  She passed between the two men on the left and Greg on the right, then stopped in front of the door.

  “Are you all right?” Chris asked.

  She kept her head down as she wrapped her hands around the doorknob. “I’ll be fine. But if he’s lying, I’m going to snack on him.”

  Greg stepped closer to her side, unsure if she had enough strength to break the lock. Jaw clenched and both hands on the knob, she gave it a quick jerk. Something snapped and she pushed the door open.

  Cool, musty air rushed out as they stepped into the room. Greg flipped the switch on the wall while Alexi moved toward the center of the room. Shock left him gaping when the light illuminated their surroundings.

  “Oh my God,” Chris said, pushing his prisoner into the crowded room.

  Either the owners of the barn were hoarders or the movers had stolen from many people. Several filing cabinets stood along one side of the wall. An antique armoire took up the space in the corner. Appliances, framed artwork, laptops, cameras, flat-screen televisions and a variety of safes in various sizes packed the room. To the right, metal boxes, papers, jewelry boxes, jewelry, money and an assortment of junk covered two long tables backed against the wall.

  Alexi had a look of horror on her face as she scanned the room. Clearly, she hadn’t expected to walk into such a mess to try to find her belongings.

  Greg switched the gun into his other hand as he moved to her side. Without her noticing, he slid his fingers between hers. Her cold touch gave him a slight chill. She needed to feed, and soon.

  “Do you see anything that looks like it might be yours?” he asked, giving a light squeeze on her hand.

  “This is…” She peered at the tables and shook her head.

  “I’d say these thieves have been in business for too long.” Chris forced his captive to his knees. The werewolf gasped and clawed at the links around his throat.

  “So much stuff…” Alexi finished.

  Greg wondered if the shock was too much for her in her weakened condition. Maybe she couldn’t focus. “You said jewelry and information on your clients were in the safe. Does anything look familiar?”

  He waited as she scanned from left to right, her gaze moving fast. His patience was running thin. He wanted to end her suffering. She looked deathly ill and the scent of her blood made his stomach churn. A snack wouldn’t satisfy her. She needed several bags of blood, or several humans to replenish her strength. Until she could, the horrendous pain would only intensify. He hated to imagine what it must feel like.

  She lifted her arm and pointed. “The brown metal box. I think it’s mine.”

  Together, they headed for the table. Alexi slipped her hand from his as they reached the disarray of items scattered about. She grabbed the box and rubbed her thumb over the broken lock.

  “Is it yours?” Greg asked.

  “I don’t know.” She lifted the lid slowly. Passports and papers were inside. She slid her finger between the sheets of the passport on top. “It’s mine. The jewelry I had in here is missing though.”

  Relief trickled through Greg. The disc
overy gave him hope she’d find her other belongings. “Is there anything else around here that’s yours?”

  She shut the box lid and tucked it under her arm. Head tilted down, she surveyed the rest of the items on the table. She took a step to her right and snatched a stack of notebooks. “These look like mine.”

  She flipped the cover up, pushed the notebook aside, and repeated the process with the others. “They’re my records I kept on my clients.”

  Greg breathed a deep, grateful breath. With the discovery of the documents, maybe Alexi wouldn’t have to go into hiding.

  He reached for the notebooks. “I’ll carry them for you. Is there anything else?”

  She continued to scan the table while she dug into one of her pockets. “I see some jewelry of mine.” She shook the bag in the air and it crinkled as it unraveled.

  Greg took the plastic sack from her. While he slid the notebooks inside, she picked out a vintage necklace from the mess on the table. He held the mouth of the bag for her as she delicately placed it with the books. She turned back to the disarray and plucked pieces of jewelry and paper, dropping one after another into the bag.

  “Can you help me look for an old leather pouch?” she asked while she lifted a bracelet. She placed in the bag with the other contents.

  A smile spread across his face upon hearing her words. For the first time, she asked for his help. She’d admitted she loved him, had acknowledged she trusted him and now requested assistance from him. The highly independent and untrusting woman he loved had blossomed. He couldn’t wait to spend every night making love to her, then wake up to her beautiful face.

  “Is it big?” Greg asked. “Or shaped like a wallet?” He reached toward the heap on the back of the table and scooted items aside.

  “It’s envelope-shaped.” She shifted the metal box out from arm and slid it underneath the other.

  Greg held the bag near his thigh as he stepped toward the end of the table. Memories of his days visiting yard sales and flea markets returned to him as he scanned over personal artifacts, small appliances, jewelry, moneyboxes and knickknacks. The stacks of old dollar bills, coin collections, stock certificates and other paper items strewn about gave rise to his anger. The thieves could’ve taken someone’s life savings. He shook his head in disgust. Criminals from supernatural races gave the rest of them a bad rap. Life was so unfair at times.