by Morgan Fox
Suddenly, a vehicle charged from out of nowhere and slammed into the side of the Camaro, jarring everyone inside. Immediately, Luken fired his gun at the black sedan, but the bullets bounced off the glass like they were hitting rubber.
“Aim for the tires,” Ryken shouted, and as if reading his mind a second before he said it, Luken was already doing so.
A well-placed bullet pierced into the black wall of the front tire, causing the driver to lose control. The car veered off, slamming into a guardrail.
Then, as if matters couldn’t get any worse, they were rear-ended by a monster-truck-looking SUV. The Camaro bucked forward and jolted back, shaking and rattling them all. Luken quickly spun around to make sure Tabitha kept her head down. She was balled as low as she could go between the front and rear seats.
Ryken swerved and drove the sports car like his life depended on it—because it did. Luken took the opportunity to reload his gun, popping one clip out and slamming in another.
He called out to Tabitha, “You okay, sweetheart?”
The sound of her voice was muffled as she replied, “Peachy, honey. Now, please kill these freaks because they are seriously pissing me off.”
“That’s my girl,” Luken praised her. “We are going to get out of this.”
“You keep saying that, Luken, but for some damn reason, I’m still cramped in the back of this car.”
“Shit, dude. Get to shooting up the bad guys before she starts getting pissed at us.” Ryken snickered just as Luken opened fire on the SUV that was just about to ram them once again.
Luken focused his shots on the engine, hoping to render the vehicle useless. Nothing was working. The bullets did more bouncing than anything, and that wasn’t good considering they were bouncing back toward them.
“Damn it, I can’t hit shit. There’s something shielding their cars, and I can’t penetrate it. I need some clear shots at their tires, Ryken.”
Ryken glanced from mirror to mirror, the car slowly accelerating as he said, “Got it. I’m going to open her up a little, see if I can get a little clearance between us. Once I do, take your shots and make them count. There’s no telling how many opportunities we’ll have at this.”
Luken understood that this was most likely a onetime deal. They had three vehicles behind them and only one way of getting them off their ass. Grabbing a fresh clip, he took a deep breath and let the air leave his lungs.
Positioning himself, he told Ryken, “Ready whenever you are.”
Nodding to his brother in response, he told Tabitha, “Hold on, babe. Things are about to get pretty crazy.”
The Camaro surged forward as Ryken pressed the accelerator flat to the floor. Swerving from one side to the other, weaving in and out of the sudden flow of traffic, Luken opened fire on the first SUV, hitting the front tire on his first shot, sending the SUV spinning out into another car. The second SUV moved up into its place, and again Luken took aim, but his shots bounced off the vehicle’s hood and fender.
“Damn it, I can’t get a clean shot,” Luken shouted.
Ryken then swerved harder, twisting his body to hold onto the steering wheel. Luken fired his weapon, hitting the passenger side front tire, putting the trailing SUV out of commission.
Luken watched as the last remaining SUV moved into position behind them, but this driver learned from the last two that he had to keep his distance, and he used the other cars on the road as shields, stopping Luken from firing his gun at them.
“Now what?” Luken muttered under his breath.
“What’s going on,” Tabitha asked, raising her head up. “Are we out of danger?”
Just as her head peered up over the headrest of the seat, several shots were fired from the SUV behind them. Tabitha screamed as several bullets slammed into the seat in front of her, directly into Ryken’s back.
“Oh, God!” Tabitha cried.
The car began to slow as Ryken’s body slumped forward. Luken grabbed the wheel, yelling at his brother to stay awake, demanding he do it for Tabitha. His foot jammed down onto one of his brother’s, keeping the car moving.
He had to figure out a way to get them out of this mess, had to get them all to safety.
Looking into the rearview mirror, he noticed the SUV was further back, giving him an opportunity to switch places with his brother. “Tabitha, I need you to grab Ryken. I need you to pull him into the backseat and keep pressure on his wounds. Can you do that?” Luken twisted his leg between his brother’s, keeping a firm hold on the steering wheel and enough pressure on the gas pedal.
“Y–Yes,” she stammered.
Keeping his eyes focused on both the road ahead and the SUV behind them, he ordered, “Do it now. Grab him before the SUV moves closer.”
Without hesitation, Tabitha grabbed hold of Ryken’s arms and pulled him to the side, while Luken helped to guide his legs around him. Ryken was half in the front seat and half in the back, Tabitha held him close. She pulled his shirt up over his head and used it to apply pressure.
“Keep your head down, Tabitha,” he demanded, the tone of his voice firm and commanding.
“What are you going to do?”
Glancing at her in the rearview mirror, he said, “Save our lives. I hope.”
Without another moment to lose, Luken slammed on the brakes, allowing the SUV behind them to catch up. He sped up, switched lanes, and slammed on the brakes again, putting the SUV beside him rather than behind him. All the windows, except for the windshield in the Camaro had either been rolled down or shot out. Luken grabbed his gun, aimed, and fired into the sidewall of the front tire, hitting it several times, sending the SUV veering into another car. Luken didn’t wait to see what happened next. He put his foot down on the accelerator and raced away as fast as he could.
Now, out of danger, he needed to find a way to save his brother’s life. He could smell the poison of the silver eating away at his brother’s flesh. Ryken wouldn’t last long.
* * * *
Ryder O’Laughlin leaned against the wall, grasping the opened newspaper in both hands. He glanced over the top of the crisp paper, waiting for McCarthy Legal to open its doors. The morning sun was breaking through the gathering clouds overhead, announcing that morning had finally arrived.
He sipped a hot, steaming cup of coffee with a triple shot of espresso, absorbing all the delightful benefits of a caffeine jolt. Lucky for him, directly across the street from the legal office was a local coffeehouse.
Normally, he was not the kind to stalk a company or a person for that matter, but he needed to find Sebastian McCarthy. Had to let him know about his run-in with Mason Levi and the information he’d gathered from his asshole of a cousin. He was also curious to find out if Sebastian needed a little extra manpower putting a stop to the rampant mutating DNA infecting the lycans.
If Ryder’s instincts were correct, they were warning him that Mason was actively recruiting lycans from his past, lycans with the reputation for already being strong and powerful—serious badasses. If the virus, or whatever the hell it was, infected them as well, they would most likely be even more lethal killing machines, and that was something Ryder and his pack were desperate to prevent.
Like Mason, Ryder was one of the rare breeds of half wolf, half panther. When in lycan form, his body was about the same size as the wolf, but his speed was even more impressive with the agility the panther provided. A long-legged, buxom blonde sporting a dangerously tight miniskirt and heels that would make a porn star jealous, stepped out of the coffee shop. He’d been so entrenched in his thoughts that he hadn’t even noticed her go in, which was so unlike him. He noticed everything, especially a piece of ass as enticing as the woman sauntering across the street in front of him.
The little vixen with her tight gray suit jacket snugged up against the fullest breasts he’d ever seen was a delicious, cock-swelling sight. His blood pumped hard in his veins, reminding him that he hadn’t had a woman in way too long. Sniffing the air, he scented her as hu
man, but what happened next stunned even him.
His heart surged in his chest, galloping as if he were in a full-out sprint. He crinkled the paper in his hands, dropping his cup of coffee onto the ground. Gripping the wall at his side, he stared after her, wondering what the fuck was going on with him. His chest felt so tight, he thought the very bones beneath his flesh would tear through at any moment.
Struggling to regain his breath and composure, he pushed to his full height of six four and stumbled across the street after the sexy blonde whose scent was literally setting him on fire. He had to find out who she was and fast. The need to be close to her was the only thought pounding through his jelly-like brain.
Crossing the street, he made his way into the tower, her scent filling his nose as he entered the elevator. Following her tantalizing scent, he pressed the button for the top floor, hoping to catch her scent the moment he passed her floor. And as he figured, that’s exactly what happened. Clawing at the buttons, he pressed the one nearest to the floor she had exited.
Flinging his body out of the elevator, he found the nearest set of stairs leading to the floor below. The second the door opened, he caught her heady scent once more, and to his complete surprise, he was staring at the main doors for McCarthy Legal. Inhaling a full chest of air, he slowly released it, closing his eyes and regaining what little control he still managed to hold on to. Pulling open the door, he stared into the deepest emerald green eyes he had ever beheld.
“May I help you?” the soft, bubbly voice asked.
Stammering, Ryder quickly responded, “I…I’m looking for Sebastian McCarthy. Do you know where I could find him?”
“Mr. McCarthy is away on business. Is there something I can help you with, Mr.—”
“O’Laughlin. My name is Ryder O’Laughlin.”
“And how may I help you, Mr. O’Laughlin,” she asked with a soothing level of politeness that was almost annoying in nature, like she was more a robot than a woman who shared the same simulating desires to him that he was clearly having to her.
Clearing his suddenly dry throat, he told her, “I’ve got news to share with him about Mason Levi, and I know he’ll want to hear about this information as soon as possible.”
“I see,” she said plainly. “I’d be more than happy to relay the information to him, and I’ll be sure to deliver the message to him personally.” She smiled, but the emotion didn’t reach her eyes.
Grinning at her, realizing that she was either dead inside or the best gatekeeper he’d ever encountered, he tried again. “I’m sorry to be so difficult, Ms…” He let his voice drift into the silence of the room.
“Miles. My name is Tiffany Miles,” she replied, batting her dark black lashes.
“Ms. Miles, I don’t think you understand the importance of this information.” He groaned, trying to stress just how much he needed to speak directly to Sebastian and no one else.
“And I’m sure you’ll understand when I tell you that Mr. McCarthy is not available, but as it is part of my job to assist him, I would be happy to relay the importance of your message to him…once you tell me what that is,” she responded sternly, her hands digging into the sides of her round hips.
“Look,” he snapped, his patience running paper thin. “I appreciate that you—” Just as he was about to finish his rant, the front doors to McCarthy Legal blasted open and in poured a very bloody male carried by two others. Ryder’s gaze shot to Tiffany, who was already bounding around the desk to render assistance.
“Ryken! Luken!” Tiffany cried. “What happened?”
* * * *
Luken glanced up to see Ryder O’Laughlin staring at them, a definite surprise to say the least. He ordered, “Well, don’t just stand there staring at us, Ryder, lend a Goddamn hand.”
In a few commanding strides, Ryder crossed the floor and eased Tabitha out from under Ryken’s arm, taking the weight of Ryken against him. Luken felt the shift of weight immediately and was grateful for the assistance. His muscles strained with the limp weight of his brother.
Luken caught the assistant’s stunned expression, telling her, “Tiffany, we were attacked by Mason Levi or at least a few of his goons. I’m not exactly sure, but Ryken took a few gunshots in the back and gut—most likely silver bullets. He needs medical treatment immediately to get the silver out before it poisons him to death.”
Jumping into action, she said, “We can take him to Dr. Shaw’s office. It’s close.”
Luken’s brow narrowed as he said, “Last I heard, she was at McCarthy Ranch.”
Shaking her head, Tiffany rounded the desk, grabbing her purse and office keys. “Yes, she has other doctors on call always. I’ll tell them we’re on our way.” She began dialing her cell phone, shouting behind her as she moved for the door, “Sebastian’s Suburban is down in the parking garage. We can take that. Let’s move.”
The woman was a force to be reckoned with, persuasive, and sharp. Seeing Tiffany in action told him why Sebastian trusted her to run the office in his absence. She had her shit together, and he was grateful for that.
“This is Tiffany Miles, Sebastian McCarthy’s assistant. We have an emergency silver extraction heading your way. Lycan male, ETA fifteen minutes.” Without hesitation, she hung up the phone and pressed the button on the McCarthy private elevator and led the four trailing companions inside the silver box.
Turning, she glanced at Tabitha. “I’m Tiffany. I’ve spoken with you a few times on the phone. You’re Tabitha Burns, right?”
“Yes–s,” Tabitha said, stuttering a bit.
“Is he going to be okay?” Tabitha asked, the tears in her eyes growing thicker. The sight of her emotional pain twisted inside Luken’s chest.
“Yes, sweetheart,” Luken told her in a deep, but calming voice. “Ryken’s strong, and we’ve got great lycan doctors who take excellent care of us in situations just like this.” He smiled at her, trying his best to reassure her. “Trust me, honey. I won’t let anything happen to my brother.”
Tabitha nodded nervously, her hands twisted together in the fabric of the blood-saturated shirt she’d been holding against Ryken’s wound. Her shirt and jeans were covered in his blood, and the sight of her so frightened and worried robbed him of breath. Fighting the urge to run and comfort her, he tended to his brother. Ryken had to be priority one right now, but as soon as his brother was stable, he would ease the worry from his mate and show her just how much he cared for her…which was more considerable than he ever realized.
Chapter Thirteen
Zane McCoskey rushed to the main doors of the clinic to greet Tiffany Miles and the lycan she had called about. Immediately identifying the severity of the situation, he called for his nursing staff to assist him. A gurney was brought over, where Zane effortlessly lifted the wounded male onto the bed. Then he recognized the man from McCarthy Ranch and his heart dropped in his chest.
He leaned over to begin checking his vitals. His pristine white lab coat brightened with the crimson blood that covered Ryken’s chest and back. Dark, murky blood seeped from the open wounds. The silver inside his body was making it impossible for him to heal.
Zane listened for Ryken’s heart, and his pulse was weak, his breathing labored. Time was running against them. “Let’s prep him for surgery,” Zane instructed a brown-haired nurse, who nodded and with the assistance of another nurse, pushed the gurney down the long, narrow hallway.
Tabitha called out, “No, wait. Where are they taking him?” Luken’s arms surrounded the strawberry blonde, hauling her off her feet, cradling her against him.
“Tabitha, they have to operate on him. He has silver in his body, and it’s killing him. If they don’t get it out, he could die.” The words weighed heavy in the air—a sensation that caused Zane’s heart to beat harder and faster.
Sobbing hard, Tabitha turned and tucked her face into the crook of Luken’s neck, his arms squeezing around her in a comforting embrace.
“Go, doc. Save my brother.”
The desperation in Luken’s voice was easily heard and felt by those around him.
Zane nodded, but before he left, he told Luken, “Don’t go anywhere. He may need a transfusion, and you are obviously the best candidate. To err on the side of caution, I’ll have one of my nurses come draw some of your blood.”
“Don’t worry, doc, I’m not going anywhere.”
Zane turned his broad frame as if to head in the same direction as Ryken, but first he took a long, heated glance over at Tiffany. She was standing with her arms wrapped over her supple breasts, the look of worry covering her sweet face. The gray miniskirt she had chosen to wear today left little to the imagination and suddenly his pulse pounded and his heart revved up.
He hated that this happened to him whenever Tiffany was around, but what he hated more was that he could never tell her how she made him feel. Besides the fact that timing sucked, he could never manage to get the words to formulate. Instead, he could only talk to her about things of business. That was the only time he didn’t feel like a blubbering idiot around her.
Locking gazes with her, he said, “Tiffany, you’ll need to call Sebastian and tell him what’s going on. As soon as I have Ryken patched up, we’ll need to arrange transport to get him to McCarthy Ranch. He should heal fast once I extract the silver.”
She nodded, pulling out her cell phone from her purse.
Then he fled down the hallway as fast as he could and rushed into the operating room, where Ryken was prepped and ready for surgery.
* * * *
It had taken three hours to complete the surgery. All the silver had been removed from Ryken’s body, and he was healing at an incredible speed, thanks to his brother’s healthy blood. Luken spent every moment at her side, and Tabitha was grateful he had been there.
Her mind had been in a sea of fog, trapped by worry and fear that left her wondering how things had gotten so out of control. How had she gone from having a normal life to running from murderers and having her heart ripped from her chest at the thought of losing a man she cared for more than she ever realized was possible?
