by Desiree Holt
Rand! Where are you? I need you.
She’d been aware since childhood she had some limited psychic ability, but she’d never developed it. And she’d been too shy to ask anyone about it. But now, maybe it could be the one thing that would help her if she could make it work. Leaning back against the pillows on the bed, she closed her eyes and summoned up everything she’d seen about this place. Then she called up a picture of Rand and tried to meld the two.
Before she could tell whether she’d been successful, the door opened again and Rogan Mueller walked into the room. Just looking at him made her skin crawl. His lips were twisted in a grotesque smile, and his eyes were still as cold and fathomless as before.
“Well, Hannah, I see you are rejecting our amenities.” He gestured toward the tray. “It’s important for you to eat. To keep up your strength. To stay healthy.”
“I’m already healthy.” She slid across the bed, farther away from him. “I’m not interested in your so-called amenities. What is it you want with me?”
“You’ll see very soon. In the meantime, I urge you to eat. I’d hate to have to force feed you through a tube. It wouldn’t help matters any.”
“Matters?” She tried to keep the desperation out of her voice. “What matters?”
“Just eat. I’ll be back in one hour. I assure you this is much more pleasant than the alternatives.”
He turned and was gone, locking the door.
Hannah pulled up her knees and rested her forehead on them, beating back the terrible dread creeping over her, and squeezed her eyelids shut against the tears threatening to spill. Crying wouldn’t do her any good. Maybe she should eat the food. She agreed she needed to keep up her strength, but for her own personal agenda, not Mueller’s. She wouldn’t be able to fight when she needed to if she was too weak.
Rubbing her eyes with the heels of her hand, she eased herself off the bed and walked to the desk where the tray sat.
Rand! Hurry! I need you. I’m so afraid.
***
Rand was just listening to the last of Jesse’s briefing when a sharp pain stabbed his head. He pressed his fingers to his temples and swallowed hard, trying to ease the throbbing that exploded so suddenly. What the hell? He never got headaches. Not even today’s stress and tension would have brought one on, so what was happening to him?
Rand! Hurry! I’m afraid.
Was that Hannah’s voice piercing his brain? He’d heard of other shifters who connected psychically with their mates once they’d bonded. Even though he and Hannah had not mated in wolf form, would this still work? Was that what was happening?
He tried to expand his mind, but before he could actually reach her, the voice disappeared. The connection dissolved into the air. Had he just imagined it?
“Rand?”
Derek’s voice broke his concentration.
“Yes?” He mentally shook himself. “Are we ready?”
Jesse nodded. “Everyone’s here.”
Alexa Farrell and Liana Aquino stood next to their husbands. Rand hadn’t seen them arrive, but he was very glad for their presence. They could use all the help they could get. Besides, both women were more familiar with that section of Florida than anyone else in the pack.
“So, we’re heading for Mueller’s.”
“Right now,” Jesse confirmed. “You all studied the outside security system plans?”
There was a murmuring of voices. Rand didn’t know how he’d done it, nor was he sure he wanted to know, but Jesse had managed to get diagrams of the locations of the sensors on the security system.
“Alexa and Liana brought the panel vans with no windows, so let’s load up,” Jesse said. “I’ve already got the address programmed into the GPS.” He looked at the faces of the crowd, studying each one in turn. “This is going to be very dangerous. You all have to know that.”
One of the men spoke up. “That’s not a problem. We live in danger. Hannah is one of us. A member of our small pack. We can’t turn our backs on her no matter what.”
Jesse gave a short, sharp nod. “Then let’s do it. Just remember, once you’re out of the van and over the wall, there isn’t a lot I can do to help you or back you up.”
“Understood,” Derek said. “We’re all agreed on this.”
“Let’s get moving,” Rand prompted, barely able to hang onto his control.
As they loaded into the vans, Rand pulled Riesa aside.
“I have to ask you something.” At the look of anxiety in her eyes, he hurriedly said, “No, not anything bad. I completely believe you and how you came to be here. That’s what I want to know about.”
“Rand, I can’t explain it.”
He shook his head. “Not that. I swear when we were inside I heard Hannah’s voice in my head.”
Her expression lightened then became thoughtful. “It’s possible, even if you haven’t communicated that way before. I’ve studied a lot about shifters, and I know you all have built-in psychic abilities of one kind or another.”
“What I want to know,” he told her, “is if you can reach out to someone instead of just waiting to have the images in your dreams. Have you ever done that?”
“Rarely. It depends on the circumstance. Did you want me to try to contact Hannah?”
“If you can. Tell her we’re on our way.”
She gave him a tiny smile. “I don’t promise anything, but I’ll do my best.”
“Thank you. That’s all I can ask.” He gave her hand a quick squeeze before climbing into the van.
The panel doors closed on both vehicles, and the drivers rolled up the tinted windows. Jesse, in the driver’s seat, picked up a comm unit. “Ready to roll, Charlie,” he said in a low voice.
Silently, the two vehicles moved out of the cul-de-sac and headed toward the highway.
***
Mueller stood before her, holding out what looked like a fancy hospital gown.
“I want you to shower,” he told. “Clean every part of your body carefully. It’s very important. You’ll find everything you need in the shower. Don’t make me subject you to inspection to make sure you followed my orders.”
“Inspection?” She could hardly get the word out. Inside, she was shaking so badly she was thankful she was sitting down. Cold fear spread through her body.
Mueller nodded then looked at his watch. “You have one hour. We have further tests to perform, and I want to get started as quickly as possible. I’ve lost enough time as it is.”
He tossed the gown at Hannah, and she clutched it to her body.
“What…what kind of…tests?”
“Valuable ones.” With no further explanation, he turned and left the room, once again locking her in.
Oh god, what is he going to do to me? I’d rather kill myself than subject myself to whatever he has in mind.
Fat tears rolled down her cheeks as she huddled on the bed.
Hannah?
She jerked her head up. Was that a woman’s voice? But where was it coming from? She looked frantically around the room. Was this another one of Mueller’s tricks?
Hannah, I’m here. In your head.
She shook her head. Surely she was hallucinating. She might be able to communicate with Rand because of their bond, but a stranger?
My name is Riesa. I dreamed about your capture. I’m with Derek…and Rand. We’re coming for you.
Coming for her? Really? Her heartbeat stuttered with hope.
You probably can’t answer me. We don’t have that connection. But I need you to memorize everything you see and keep those images in your head.
But her head hurt unbelievably. Every word of each message pounded into her like a sharp spike. She clutched at her temples, trying to ease the pressure.
I know it hurts. Just do your best. A pause. Rand is right here and says he loves you.
He loved her? Hannah knew they were destined mates, but to have love also? A gift to cherish. For him, she could stay strong. Or give it her best shot. Forcing
her eyes open, she took in every inch of the room again, trying to send telepathic pictures. Was it possible Rand and Derek and the others could get here before Mueller performed whatever horrific tests he had in mind?
She had no watch, so she had no idea what time it was. The lack of windows made it impossible to tell if it was day or night outside. Okay. She’d take her shower, using every bit of time allotted to her. Then she’d do her best to drag her feet at whatever came next. She just didn’t want them to drug her again. She’d need all of her wits about her to get through this and help Rand find her.
Chapter Six
The vans sped through the night, Jesse and Charlie pushing every speed limit. When they reached the appropriate exit from the interstate, they flew down the exit ramp and turned onto the two lane highway that intersected with it. Everyone was silent as Jesse and Charlie followed the directions from the GPS along the twists and turns of the road, climbing up and down the few hills that dotted Central Florida.
“Five minutes out,” Jesse told his passengers and picked up his comm unit to talk to Charlie.
Rand stirred restlessly. Riesa had relayed through the comm unit she’d connected with Hannah and was trying to read the pictures in her mind. The images were wavering, she told him, but she got bits and pieces.
“They had her in a large bedroom with no windows,” she related. “Then two men took her up in an elevator to a really weird-looking type of laboratory.”
“What are they doing to her?” Rand asked, holding the unit close to his mouth. A murderous rage built inside him. He couldn’t wait to let his wolf loose and rip someone’s throat out.
“Right now she’s lying on something that looks like a hospital bed. One of the men who brought her there, a huge man, incredible ugly, is talking to two others. Rand, she’s very frightened.”
“I know, I know. Try to send her a message that we’re almost there.”
A moment later, her voice came back, very tense. “I tried but I’ve lost the connection. I don’t know what’s happening anymore.”
Rand pounded his fist on his knee. The almost nonstop feelings of erotic lust he had for Hannah had turned murderous, driving him to punish the men who’d taken her. “Jesse, how much longer?”
“One minute…. No, we’re there.”
They rounded a curve in the hill, and there it was, at the top of a steep driveway, a mammoth stone monstrosity that was a testament to the man’s huge fortune and very bad taste. A gated stone wall eight feet high circled the property, its top layered with rolls of concertina barbed wire.
“Shit.” Jesse spoke into the comm unit. “You getting a look at this, Charlie? Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Okay.” He turned to look at his passengers. “The wall with the wire is barely under ten feet. If you don’t clear, you could rip yourselves to shreds.”
“If we don’t go over it,” Rand told him, “Mueller could perform experiments on Hannah that could not only kill her but probably the rest of us if he got hold of us.”
“Charlie got the same answer. Okay, we’re moving up the road. Everyone get ready.”
Mindful of the fact there would be cameras posted in an estate so heavily guarded and protected, they moved the vans away from the entrance to the estate and parked them in a small copse of very old magnolia trees. Parking so they were well out of sight of the house, they concealed the vans behind the thickest of the trees. Panel doors slid open noiselessly, and the men and women stepped out onto the ground. With a total lack of self-consciousness, they each removed their clothing, folding it into piles and placing the piles in the vans.
“Ready?” Derek asked, looking at each person in turn.
Everyone nodded.
“Remember to time your attacks on the guards. According to Jesse’s information, they should be making their rounds in this area any minute now. Be ready.”
The air shifted and shimmered as everyone shifted from human to wolf form. Most of them had the cinnamon pelt of the red wolf, but both Alexa and Liana were silver-gray. Riesa had climbed out of the lead van and watched them with open-mouthed amazement.
Rand wondered if Derek had warned her or not then realized he must have because she showed no fear at all. Derek walked to her and rubbed his head against her. She ran her fingers down his head and neck then held out her hand for him to lick.
Come on! Rand tried to signal his friend. We’re losing time.
We need to wait for the guards, Derek reminded him.
Jesse and Charlie crouched, listening for movement behind the wall, but the wolves, with their acute sense of hearing, heard the rumble of the supercharged golf cart first. Everyone lay down, waiting until the vehicle passed. Derek rose and signaled them, and they moved forward.
Spreading out in a long line, they each gathered their strength, made a running leap at the wall, and soared over it, each of them clearing it by at least six inches. Derek looked at each wolf who landed, and Rand knew he was counting heads. Satisfied everyone had made it safely, Derek loped forward, leading them up the hill toward the side of the house.
As prearranged, three of the pack broke off to seek the guards and put them out of commission. The rest gathered with Derek and Rand, picked their way carefully up the slope of the lawn, and hurled themselves through the glass patio doors. Rand had worried the house might have bulletproof glass, but apparently Mueller was arrogant enough to believe his security system was enough.
The moment they broke through, the interior alarms went off and two men with guns came running into the room. Two of the pack made short work of them, leaping on them and crushing their necks with powerful jaws. The pack did not believe in killing indiscriminately, but people like this were considered lower than vermin.
They spread out, searching for others on that floor, found only one, and took care of him. Then they soundlessly padded up the stairs to the second floor. Every door was open and led into rooms currently empty. Derek led them up the next flight. When they reached the top, they heard someone—probably Mueller—screaming, “What’s going on? What the hell is happening? Will someone give me a fucking answer?”
Alarm bells were ringing everywhere, but the wolves plodded ahead, following the sound of the voice.
“Where the fuck is everyone?” Mueller yelled. “Where the fuck are the guards? George, see what the hell is going on out there. And lock the goddamn door behind you. Get me a gun.”
The moment the door opened a crack, the wolves leaped, throwing their combined weight against it. It flew open wider, knocking down the man who’d been opening it. Mueller was on the floor, staring at them, scrabbling backwards with his elbows as levers.
“Don’t shoot them,” he hollered. “Don’t fucking shoot them. I need to capture them.”
The room appeared to be a state-of-the-art laboratory. Rand cast his eyes around and saw Hannah, stark naked, strapped to a hospital bed against one wall. The rage that welled up in him was uncontrollable. Before Derek could stop him, Rand leaped for Mueller and clamped his jaws on the man’s throat. Blood spurted in a heavy spray. Mueller gave one gurgling death rattle and died, his eyes wide with fear.
More guards rushed into the room, guns out, but at the sight of the bodies on the floor and the pack of wolves in the lab, they turned and ran down the stairs. In moments, the slamming of the front door echoed through the house.
Rand shifted into human form and went at once to Hannah, releasing her bonds and lifting her into his arms.
“Little wolf.” He buried his face in her neck. “I thought I’d lost you.”
She wound her arms around his neck. “I knew you’d come for me. Riesa sent me a message that you love me.”
He raised his head, eyes damp. “I do. I know we’ve only been together since yesterday, but I’ve known you forever. And I’ve been waiting for you all my life.”
Derek moved to his side and growled at him. Rand knew what that meant—Get the hell out of here. Lifting Hannah in his arms, he raced down two flights of stairs, the
pack close on his heels. They started down the driveway, but apparently the fleeing men had closed the gate after themselves.
“Can you shift and jump?” he asked Hannah. “We have to clear a fence. We don’t have the time to search for the code for the gate.”
“I can do it if you’re with me,” she told him.
He gave her a brief but hard kiss then set her on her feet. In seconds, they had both shifted again and followed the others down the lawn. Rand was worried Hannah might not have the strength for the jump, but she went soaring in the air right next to him, landing on all fours in the roadway.
“Come on,” Jesse shouted. “We need to clear out of here so I can call the sheriff.”
Not even stopping to shift, they piled into the vans. Jesse and Charlie slammed the panel doors, and, in seconds, they were screeching down the roadway.
***
Jesse snapped his cell phone shut and clipped it back into the holster on his belt. Everyone watched him carefully, Rand and Derek most of all. They knew the deputy had just finished a conversation with his boss who’d dispatched teams to clean up the mess at Rogan Mueller’s.
“Well?” Derek asked at last.
“Funny thing.” His mouth turned up at one corner. “Sheriff says he doesn’t know how they got in there, but he thinks the pack of wolves who attacked the gang that nearly killed Charlie and me a few months ago is the same one that attacked Mueller and his men.”
Everyone remembered all too clearly when Jesse and Charlie, members of the sheriff’s gang task force, would have been killed by the gang they were trying to neutralize if Alexa hadn’t found the pack living in an abandoned orange grove and convinced them to help her. Their living arrangements were her payback for that.
