Arick’s spine impacted with the corridor’s arch, stunning him. Landry, Mason, and Kaleb took full advantage. Kaleb seized the male’s wrist, wrenching the sword free. Mason snagged the weapon and aimed its tip toward the bastard’s midsection. Landry planted the muzzle of his Glock at the shifter’s temple right before Evin stood, shoving his snarling face into Arick’s.
“Where’s Rosa?” Evin wrapped his fingers around the bastard’s throat.
A twisted chuckle bubbled up and fell from Arick’s lips.
“You’ve got two seconds to tell me where she is,” Landry growled. “And I suggest you use them. Because when those run out, so do any good reasons I have not to pull this trigger.” Landry tapped the metal against Arick’s skull for emphasis. “You see, we’re going to find her, whether you answer or not. Even if we have to rip this damn place apart, we’ll fucking find her.”
His gaze fixed on Landry, Arick eyelids lowered to half-mast. “What the hell... Anything for you, Sir.” Arick licked his lips, and it was all Landry could do not to dry heave at the sight. “She’s useless to me now anyway.”
Fuck. The male had completely lost his mind. How had he ever been attracted to him? Landry’s gut twisted at the thought.
“Where is she?” Evin snarled.
“Fine...” Arick held his palms up and turned to the alpha. “I’ll show you. Don’t get your panties in a wad.”
Evin reared his arm back then rammed it into Arick’s jaw with a crack of bone-on-bone. Arick’s head snapped hard right, blood spraying from his lip. Slowly, he swiveled his head back around, his palm going to his chin. Arick worked the hinge, his eyelids narrowed. “Now, was that really necessary?”
“Not nearly enough of what you deserve,” Evin chewed out then jerked the male forward. Planting a hand between the shifter’s shoulder blades, the alpha propelled him down the hall. “Get your ass moving, and take me to my sister.”
“I’m going.” Arick grinned. “I’m going.”
The four of them followed the dark-haired shifter down the corridor, then into an office Landry could only presume was Arick’s. Evin stood behind the maniac, watching as he placed a palm over a panel in the wall, pressed twice, and a door-sized section slid back revealing a set of stairs. Nice.
Arick glanced back at the alpha, then his gaze met Landry’s.
“You first,” Landry stated with a lift of his brow. The shifter was a little too cooperative for Landry’s liking. He wasn’t about to let him out of his sight.
“Of course.” Arick shrugged. Then he ducked into the stairwell, the four of them close on his tail. At the bottom of the landing, they came to another door. To the right of the door sat a square keypad.
“She’s in there?” Evin seized the other male’s nape.
“Yes,” Arick bit out.
“Punch in the code,” Evin demanded.
Evin kept a tight hold onto the shifter’s head as Arick punched in a four-digit number. The door snicked then popped open. Evin yanked it wider before shoving Arick inside. The rest of the team followed.
The moment the door closed behind them, there was no mistaking Rosa’s presence. A scent he could only describe as category F6 lust punched into his nostrils and detonated inside his head. Landry’s cock roared to life, slamming against the back of his zipper. His steps faltered.
“Fuck.” Kaleb hissed and spun. His gaze landed on Landry, pupils dilated. “We’re too late.”
“What the hell is that smell?” Mason reached out for his mate, curling a fist around Evin’s biceps, and bringing them both to a halt. The alpha’s mate was still new to the shifter world, having only been bitten and turned by Evin a little over a year ago.
“It’s Rosa,” Evin chewed out. “She’s in heat. The fact we’re mated, and because I’m her brother, will allow us to be in her presence without her pheromones affecting us like it will other males.”
“Shit.” Mason drove his fingers through his hair and glanced over his shoulder at Landry and Mason. “It’s intense, not in an arousing way, but I can definitely detect a difference—a greater potency in her scent. You guys okay?”
Landry gave him a tight nod, then rolled his backpack off his shoulder. He reached inside then tossed Mason a pair of running pants and a T-shirt.
“Thanks.” The blond shifter quickly pulled on the clothes.
“If you’re not okay,” Evin added, “get a grip before we approach her. You hear me?”
“We’re good,” Kaleb interjected, then dropped his satchel and handed the alpha his clothes.
Evin hastily dressed.
“I agree. I think you’re doing just fine,” Arick stated, his gaze dropping to the bulge behind Landry’s zipper.
“Shut the fuck up!” Landry slammed his palm into the male’s sternum, knocking Arick off balance. But he quickly recovered.
“What?” Arick shrugged. “Just making an observation.” He grinned.
“God, you’re such a perverted asshole.” Landry coiled his fist. “I will make you pay for touching Rosa. That’s a promise.”
Arick’s gaze narrowed on Landry in a silent challenge that said take your best shot. And it was bait Landry would definitely be biting once he knew Rosa was safe.
“Evin...?” It was Rosa. But she sounded hoarse, strained, as if the effort to call out cost her.
Landry’s pulse kicked into overdrive, sending a tremor though his extremities. Light shone from behind a partial wall where her voice had originated.
Evin spun then slammed a right hook into Arick’s jaw. The shifted flew backward, crashing into the cement wall. His head released a loud crack off the surface before he slithered down into a mass of limp arms and legs.
The alpha shook out his fist and grunted. But the sound was more satisfaction than discomfort. “That should keep him down and out of my sight for a few minutes.”
“I should think so.” Landry smirked, then nudged Arick’s unconscious form with the toe of his boot. The bastard flopped back in place, out cold.
Mason and Evin dashed around the corner toward Rosa. Landry and Kaleb took off after them, pulling up the rear. On the other side, a square cage with metal bars was the focus of the room. Inside, Rosa had curled herself into a ball in its back corner. This close to the object of his desire, Landry froze. God save him. His brain was captured, hijacked by the overwhelming need to...
He swallowed hard, fighting the draw to the female shaking on the floor. Fuck. It was as if she were the polar opposite to his magnetic core. Everything inside him...wanted her.
And not just to mate.
To mark.
Possess.
Climb inside her.
Until a part of him was left on every inch of her.
“Landry?” Kaleb brushed his arm. And it took every ounce of willpower to pull his gaze away from the female. “You with me?” Kaleb’s words came out as if dragged over sandpaper. “I need you here. I understand, believe me.” His Adam’s apple bobbed. “I’m nearly crazed from it too. But I can’t do this without you.”
“I’m fine,” Landry stated through clenched teeth.
“Rosa...” Evin gripped the bars, testing the lock. “We’re going to get you out of here. Where’s the fucking key?”
Kaleb spun toward Arick at the same moment the exterior door clicked. “Son of a bitch!”
Bite wound forgotten, both Landry and Kaleb bolted after the escaping asshole. Kaleb wrenched on the knob, but the latch didn’t budge. Another one of the mounted keypads was fixed on the interior wall.
Damn. They’d been so wrapped up battling Rosa’s pheromones neither of them had detected Arick’s miraculously quick recovery or, what was a more probable scenario, he’d feigned his concussion. Landry pulled his pistol, prepared to blow the deadbolt into the next dimension.
“Landry,” Evin called out. “Fuck him. Put a bullet into this cage’s lock.”
“With pleasure,” Landry rumbled and marched over toward the metal monstrosity. Standing
to the side, Landry aimed the muzzle at the center of the square panel on the door. He glanced at the female on the floor. Rosa’s eyes were wide, panicked, and fixed on his. “Don’t move.” He pulled the trigger. The loud bang ricocheted off the concrete walls, and metal fragments exploded from the lock.
Evin rushed forward and yanked the busted door open. “Rosa...” He dropped down onto his haunches, and his sister wrapped herself around him.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” she whispered, her voice quivering. “Please...take me home.” Rosa slumped.
The alpha jerked. “Rosa!” His hand dropped to her throat.
“Shit!” Landry’s chest clenched. What had that bastard Arick done to her? “Is she okay?”
After what felt like an eternity, Evin finally nodded. “She passed out.” Reaching around, the alpha lifted her into his arms and stood. “I’ve got you,” he said, stepping from the cage, his lips against her hair.
Landry’s heart rate spiked, and he quickly stepped aside.
“Kaleb.” With a lift of his chin, Evin motioned for Kaleb to join him.
Kaleb edged closer, his gait stiff.
“I need you and Landry to get Rosa off these grounds and away from KinKaid territory.”
Fucking hell... Landry grabbed onto one of the cage bars for support. Just how was he supposed to do that and not lose his mind?
“Us?” Kaleb blinked.
“There’s too much at stake for the pack right now. With Arick on the loose, he’s no doubt informing everyone I killed his brother. This war is nowhere near over. And I can’t leave.”
Landry faced Evin and Rosa. “Where do you want us to take her?”
“To the hunting cabin north of our land. You know where we store the key,” Evin stated. “I don’t know how bad this is going to get, and while Rosa is in this condition, the best thing I can do for her is to get her as far away from this battle as possible.” Gently, Evin handed over his sister’s unconscious form into Kaleb’s arms.
Landry’s partner closed his eyes and tightened his grip around her, the veins along his neck bulged in sharp relief. Shit, standing beside her required herculean effort to remain calm. Landry could only imagine what it was like to hold her in his arms. A blend of pure heaven and hell.
“Are you sure about this, Evin?” Kaleb shook his head. “She’s your sister...”
Landry’s fist tightened, nails biting into his flesh. How was he going to handle being the third wheel in that cabin when Rosa turned to Kaleb? Because that was the movie reel playing in his mind. The two people he cared about more than anything in this fucked up world would turn to each other. A green wave of jealousy barreled into his gut, turning it inside out. But what was even worse, Landry couldn’t say which one of the two he was more envious over.
Damn... Both had their claws in his heart. Yet, Landry knew if being together made them happy, he’d allow them to rip it apart.
Mason moved in beside his mate, placing a possessive palm on his shoulder. Evin glanced up at the male as if reminding himself of what they shared.
“She cares deeply for you both,” the alpha began, “and I know you feel the same way about her. I’d have to be blind not to have noticed.” His gaze moved over his sister’s still form then up to Kaleb and Landry. “I can’t think of any two males I would entrust her safety with more. As to her state... You’re both men of honor. I trust in you to allow her choice as a mate to be just that—her decision.” The hard edge in the Evin’s voice said don’t disappoint me or I’ll have to kill you.
Chapter Fourteen
Getting back across the Gregorson territory had been a hell of a lot easier than the initial crossing thanks to the KinKaid pack who’d driven what was left of their enemies’ ranks from the surrounding border and onto the main grounds. Their fellow enforcers had the Gregorsons preoccupied, allowing Landry, Rosa, and himself to slip away with relative ease.
With Evin’s help added to the chaos outside the mansion, commandeering one of the Gregorson’s SUVs had been as simple as flipping down a visor, snagging a set of keys, and disabling the GPS.
For the past half hour, Kaleb sat in the back with Rosa in his arms while the painfully alert erection behind his zipper attempted to embed the outline of the metal into its flesh. The scent rolling off the beautiful woman on his lap was unlike anything he’d ever breathed. It was like female arousal doused in sinful desire, rolled in wicked lust, and sprinkled with promises to make every one of his erotic dreams come to life. His balls tightened, throbbed.
Kaleb swallowed a groan. Christ, he had to think about something else. Anything else.
He glanced at the rearview mirror. Beads of sweat covered his friend’s forehead in a damp sheen. “You doing okay up there, Landry?” The wound to his partner’s side hadn’t been a scratch. He’d lost a shitload of blood.
“Never better,” he bit out.
“Yeah, and I’m the damn Prince of Wales.”
“How’s Rosa?” That was his partner, always deflecting when the topic of conversation had anything to do with him.
“Still sleeping for the moment. She looks at peace, though. Thank God. I can’t imagine how much agony she’s been in locked inside that cell for the last several hours while her body... Yeah.” Kaleb brushed her hair away from her face. “You know what I mean. After finally seeing Evin, her mind and body must have needed to reboot.”
“Probably so.”
“How much longer do you think?” Kaleb repositioned, trying to relieve some of the pressure off his stiff shaft.
“About another thirty to forty-five minutes. The cabin isn’t too far on the other side of the territory’s boundary.” The SUV dipped hard into a pothole, jarring the vehicle. Landry grunted, then hissed a curse under his breath as one hand dropped from the steering wheel to his side.
Fuck. Landry wasn’t nearly as okay as he wanted Kaleb to believe.
“Let me drive, man. You need to take it easy.”
“No,” Landry snapped. “I’m fine. What I need is for you to watch over Rosa and take care of her. She’s going to require all your attention when she wakes up.”
“What do mean by that?” Kaleb knew damn well Landry had feelings for Rosa. Having her choose him over Landry was one thing, but Kaleb wasn’t going to stand for the masochistic bastard to be a martyr and just step aside. Fuck that. Kaleb wanted Rosa’s heart only if she wanted to give it to him, not because she wasn’t allowed to have Landry’s.
Before Landry had a chance to respond, Rosa moaned. “Evin...?”
“Shh...” Kaleb stroked her arm. “No. It’s me, Kaleb, and Landry. We’re taking you somewhere safe.”
She blinked. “What?” She shook her head and shoved at his chest, pushing herself off his lap. “No!”
Panic seized Kaleb’s chest. Shit. He hadn’t meant to scare her to death. “It’s okay.” He reached for her, but Rosa launched herself to the other side of the backseat before he made contact.
“Rosa, you’re okay,” Landry called out to her from the front. “Your brother asked us to take you to the hunting cabin.”
Eyes wide, she stared at the enforcer in the mirror. “Why would he do that?” She wrapped her arms around her midriff, curling herself into a tight ball against the door, her breath coming in short bursts.
“Things aren’t good between the packs, and he wanted you safe,” Kaleb added, keeping his voice quiet and calm. “I promise you.” He held up his hands, palms wide. “Nothing will happen to you that you don’t want.”
Rosa’s gaze darted between Kaleb and Landry.
“You know us better than anyone, sweetheart,” Landry chimed in. “We would never hurt you.”
“This is different,” Rosa said, her voice shaky. “I don’t even know myself right now.”
“Then you’re in luck,” Kaleb interjected and Rosa glanced his way. “You have us here to remind you precisely how special you are.”
A single tear fell from her lashes and trailed down h
er cheek, but she quickly swiped it away.
And Kaleb nearly lost it. “Everything’s going to be okay,” he managed to choke out. “We’re going to make sure of it. Whatever you want or decide.”
Lips drawn in a thin line, she nodded, then turned toward the window.
Minutes and miles passed by in nerve-shattering silence. God, Kaleb had never felt so damn helpless in his life. She was suffering. And he couldn’t fix it unless she allowed him. He pressed his spine into the leather as heat from Landry’s gaze in the mirror bore like a laser into his forehead. The tension had the air so fucking thick Kaleb swore he was about to strangle in the soup.
“How much longer?” Whatever the number, it wasn’t soon enough.
“We’re here,” Landry stated, and the car veered off the road onto a dirt path.
He’d heard the KinKaids possessed a hunting cabin off the grounds, but unlike Landry, Kaleb had never seen the place. The SUV bounced and vibrated off the washboard road for another five bone-jarring minutes before coming to a stop in front of a small wooden house.
The sun’s rays were rising over the trees, spreading its red, yellow, and gold fingers across the horizon as Kaleb popped his door. Turning, he reached for Rosa’s hand, but she pulled away and grabbed her own door handle.
“I can get inside on my own,” she stated and exited the vehicle.
By the time Kaleb and Rosa climbed the steps to the wide porch, Landry had confiscated the key and was unlocking the door. As soon as the door opened, Rosa breezed past Landry, and Kaleb followed her across the threshold.
Inside, the cabin consisted of an open hallway that ran the center of the main house with bedrooms off to the left, kitchen and den off to the right. Rosa darted inside the first room with windows facing the front porch. Kaleb watched from the doorway as Rosa paced around the bed, her arms crossed. She’d only been within the small bedroom for mere minutes, but already her scent filled the air. The beckoning aroma was thick and heady, driving Kaleb’s pulse like a steady jungle beat. He gripped the door jam, biting down hard on his molars.
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