A wicked laugh thrummed in her eardrums. She sensed she was losing his attention as his voice faded out. “I’ll be yours willingly.” She inched closer to the smallest fallen wolf. She shook her head at the only living wolf remaining, willing him to let her lead, to give her at least one fair shot to save them both. “Let my friend go. Once he’s on the other side, I’ll open up my arms and embrace you. We’ll start our lives together.”
The pulse of a ragged breath whipped around her, leaving the vestibule to compress with the weight of each heavy sigh. “Give me your word, Detective Keen. I know a lot about you and know your word is your bond. Give me that and your friend goes free.”
Randon slammed his body against the side of the bubble and as if he had made progress, the side collapsed then retreated like a rubber band, shooting Randon across the yard.
A dry chuckle filled the air. “He’s starting to bore me.”
“Me too,” she admitted, willing him to stay down so she didn’t have any further distractions. “Let my friend go.”
“Very well!”
Turbulent winds kicked up in the transparent container. Debris she hadn’t noticed before whipped around her head. The living wolf was tossed outside the clear tube. Instead of looking on to ensure he was safe, she dove forward and grabbed hold of the black and white wolf, the one she’d determined she could lift into her arms without any problem. Swinging his body around just in time, the dead wolf caught the long, slender bolt of blue lightning.
Dropping the wolf to the ground, she backed away to the vestibule wall, trembling with the impact as an electric current zipped across the ground and the wolf’s form shook with unfathomable spasms. The ground seemed to vibrate with the hard jolts the wolf’s body experienced.
A throaty, but quite sick whimper escaped the wolf’s mouth before the extortionist’s wicked voice spieled from the animal’s lips. “How long do you think it will be before they send someone else, Pageant?” He grunted as a dreadfully long breath slowly seeped free. “They will send someone else. They always do.”
As if the strange phenomenon left their town as quickly as it had arrived, the large bubble surrounding her disintegrated into thin air. The curse was lifted. Evil had run its course.
And as Pageant ran into Randon’s arms, she couldn’t help but feel rejuvenated, even happy. Maybe only the brave and strong could survive the extortionist’s wrath, but in the end only Randon’s love had saved her.
Epilogue
Four days later
“So you’re really gonna stay here?” Kurt stared at them in disbelief. “Is this because of that Bart fellow?”
“Bart’s doing great,” she said. “I heard from his wife a little while ago and he’s out of ICU and in his own private room.”
“Did you hear that, man? Her buddy is out of the woods now. You’re good to go.” Kurt looked perplexed. “Isn’t there some sort of packmaster’s law somewhere that says we always stay together?”
“Come on, brother,” Randon said, embracing his old friend. “You can come and visit anytime. In fact, if you want to stay, you’re welcome. Pageant has a guest bedroom.”
“By the time I return here that bedroom will have been properly christened.” Kurt slipped one leg over his bike and stuck the key in the ignition. “Last chance. If you two are riding with me, we’ve gotta roll.”
Pageant slipped her arms around Randon’s waist. “We’re good here, Kurt.”
“I’m sure that ain’t no lie.” He ran his gaze up and down her body just to devil Randon. When Randon’s body stiffened, he laughed. “Chill, brother. She only has eyes for you.”
“Good thing,” he said, stroking her behind and loving the heated glances she shot his way. “I’d hate to have to paddle her ass as soon as you leave.”
Kurt laughed. “Since I interrupted you the last time her ass was in front of you, there’s no reason for me to question what might go down as soon as I’m out of your way.”
“No question at all,” Randon agreed, reaching for his buddy’s gloved hand and giving him a half hug once more. “Take care, Kurt.”
“Always.” He winked at Pageant. “Do me a favor and keep this one out of trouble.”
Pageant leaned over and kissed his cheek. Randon gritted his teeth, reminding that raging wolf that Kurt was a friend, a close friend.
They said their final good-byes and watched as Kurt rolled out of sight. When his loud bike disappeared over the hill, Pageant asked, “Where’s he headed to?”
“Who knows.” Randon took a deep breath and for the first time since he’d met Kurt, he could honestly say he didn’t know where life would take his good friend. He’d always been his wingman, the guy who was always at his side no matter the situation. Somewhat saddened to see Kurt go, he squeezed Pageant a little tighter. “What do you say we go get a bite to eat at the diner?”
Pageant rubbed her moistened lips together. “Honestly? I had something else in mind.”
“Did you now?”
“Yes, Sir, I sure did.” She ground her denim-clad pussy against him and looped her arms around his neck, drawing him into a heated kiss. “I don’t think you’ll mind if we skip dinner and head straight for dessert.”
Her phone buzzed in her pocket about the time they headed for the house. She withdrew her cell phone and he caught a glimpse of the caller ID. Blaine.
He stopped dead in his tracks. “What does he want?”
“Kurt had asked him to keep in touch with the local Bold and Free chapter. They’re still looking for that biker who escaped when your friends were killed.”
“Any news yet?”
“Not yet.” She held up her phone. “He’d text if he had substantial information.”
“Why’s he calling?” Obsessive. That’s what he was. Just one obsessed bastard. “Doesn’t he know you’re with me now?”
“Yes, but—”
“Has there ever been anything between you and the sheriff?”
“Nothing you should worry about.” She yanked him forward and gave him a peck on the lips. With her mouth hovering over his, she added, “At least not right now.”
“Uh-huh. Why don’t I believe that?”
“You can kill him tomorrow.”
“If he’s touched what’s mine, I plan to.”
“Somehow I believe you,” she said, pulling him by the shirt and leading him inside. “And if some random woman touches what’s mine, I’ll take care of her, too.”
“After what you told me that first night we were together, that’s a loaded threat. Isn’t it?”
Her intoxicating laughter filled the air. “You’re hoping that’s a promise, Mr. Shane.” She crooked her finger back and forth. “Come here, wolf man. Let’s see if we can’t find a place for you to bury all that raging testosterone.”
“I’ve got a few warm spots in mind.”
“Let’s start with the one you haven’t claimed.”
“You won’t ask me twice.”
“I don’t mind to beg.”
He yanked her against him. “Oh baby, but that’s precisely what you’re going to do—grovel, barter, and make the kind of promises that will keep us up all night.”
“Mmm, I like the way you think.”
“I like everything about you.”
“No, you love everything about me.”
“You’re right. I do.” He picked her up and carried her to the bedroom. “And I will for the rest of my life.”
THE END
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Natalie Acres is an international bestselling, award-winning author writing for Siren Publishing as an exclusive author. Married for over twenty-three years, Natalie and her husband have two children and a precious granddaughter. They live in East Tennessee and now spend a great deal of time in Connecticut where their “granddoll” resides.
For all titles by Natalie Acres, please visit
www.bookstrand.com/natalie-acres
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing
.com
Pleasant Extortion [The Extortionists 1] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) Page 10
