by Lisa Kessler
“I can’t promise to leave you behind.”
A sad smile curved on his face. “No one has ever said that about me before.” He sobered. “When I get out of this bed, I’ve got to be focused. I can’t do that if part of me is worried you’re in danger.”
My chest tightened, and worry coiled in my belly. “If I give you this promise, I’m trusting you to get your ass back to me. Remember how I told you I can’t trust people enough to love them? This could mess me up forever.”
He found my hand and brought it to his lips. “I can honestly say I have never wanted to live more than I do right now. I’ll come back to you, Isabelle. I swear. Now promise me you’ll take Madeleine and not stop running until you get to Reno.”
Call me a six-year-old, but I crossed my fingers on the hand that was pinned underneath me. “Promise.”
“Good.” He kissed me, slow and tender. “I better get dressed.”
“Me too.” I sighed. “We’re going to have all kinds of werewolf company soon.”
Sebastian and I walked into the adjoining room as a knock came on Vance’s door. He went to the door, tense and ready, but I caught the scent before he even cracked it open.
“It’s okay, it’s Asher.”
Vance relaxed and opened the door with a grin. “Good to see you, mate.”
Asher clasped Vance’s forearm the way Luke had showed him without hesitation. “Glad I know someone here.”
“What am I, chopped liver?” I stepped farther into the room. He bent to give me a tight hug. When he straightened, he noticed Sebastian behind me and frowned. “Raven mentioned you needed help getting the Alpha of the Reno Pack out of Nero. She didn’t say a word about working with Nero. I thought that was behind us.”
I nodded. “It is. Or it will be.” I checked Sebastian and looked back to Asher. “He’s with us now.”
Asher crossed his arms over his broad chest, jaw set. “Why should we believe him?”
Butterflies went off in my stomach as I glanced at the others behind Asher and back up into his eyes. I had to be honest, or we wouldn’t have their help. But saying the words out loud…
I reached to grab Sebastian’s hand and pulled him up beside me. “Because Sebastian is my mate.” Asher’s eyes widened, but I went on before he could interrupt me. “I thought fate was a raving bitch, but now…” I looked up at Sebastian, and he almost smiled. My heart swelled as I faced the others again. “I’m thinking she’s maybe not as much of a lunatic as I thought.”
I sobered. “Sebastian has earned my trust, and I hope you’ll give him a chance, too, because he’s our only hope to get Adam and his little girl out of the Nero compound.”
Asher dropped his hands to his sides but didn’t bridge the distance to clasp forearms with Sebastian. Baby steps. “If Isabelle trusts you, I’m willing to give you the benefit of the doubt, but I’ll be watching my back.”
He checked over his shoulder and waved the others inside. Dex and Deacon came in first and stood around the table. They were identical twins, dark brown hair and ice-blue eyes, but Deacon’s left eye had a different pigment. Sometimes it was almost turquoise, a cross between blue and green. It was the only way to tell them apart.
Sebastian had seen them before in Sedona, but I was pretty sure Caldwell never bothered to introduce them. I gestured to Deacon first. “This is Deacon and his brother, Dex. They’re masters at mixed martial arts.”
Sebastian tipped his head. “Good to meet you.”
Gage came up next to them. He’d been bitten a few months ago but took to his heightened senses quickly. He’d just been discharged from the marines when he came to Sedona, and he looked it. He filled out his turtleneck, the fabric pulling tight around his chest and biceps. He still had his dusty-blond hair cut short, and his dark brown eyes had seen too much death.
“This is Gage. He’s a weapons expert fresh from the Marine Corps.”
Sebastian nodded. “We’ll disarm the men at the gate when we enter the compound. We should be able to confiscate rifles and automatic weapons.”
Gage was tall and tense. “I’ll make them work.”
Suddenly, Jett filled the doorway. His dark eyes locked on Sebastian’s, and a muscle in his cheek clenched. I didn’t know Jett very well. Maybe no one did. He and his twin brother had participated in an experiment at Nero a few years ago.
Only Jett came back alive.
Sebastian passed by me. “Jett Kendrick, right?”
Jett nodded. “I know who you are.”
“I’m glad you’re here. You remember the layout of the underground floors of the main building?”
“How could I forget?” he snarled.
Sebastian tensed, but didn’t retreat. “I’m sorry about your brother. I had no part in my father’s defense contract experiments.”
Jett’s deep voice rumbled through the room. “I’m not here for you or your pity. Asher told me Severino wouldn’t be protected by his son.”
“Your mission is to help get the Alpha and his daughter out of the compound safely.” Sebastian shook his head slowly. “I will handle my father.”
Jett took a step closer, but Sebastian still didn’t give any ground. “How do we know you won’t save his ass? I’ve been here before. You’re his yes man.”
Sebastian spoke through gritted teeth. “The little girl is my niece. The Alpha is my brother-in-law. They’re my family now. And I will kill my father before I let him hurt them.” Sebastian moved a little closer, his gaze demanding Jett’s full attention. “I believe you left our facility with a new tool. You’re going to need it to help Isabelle get Madeleine out of the underground holding cell in the lab.”
Jett froze for a second, and gradually the hostility cooled. He didn’t look happy to be here, but he also didn’t seem like he was going to try to kill Sebastian anymore.
“Who will be on my team?”
Sebastian turned my way, and I came forward. “I’m going in the building to rescue Madeleine.”
Jett nodded and scanned the room. “Who else?”
“That’s all we can spare.” Sebastian pointed to Vance. “Vance and I will be in jaguar form tonight. Locks and computer keypads won’t be part of our skill set. The other wolves will need to use their weapons to get Adam free of the Hunt.”
Jett’s eyes narrowed. I wasn’t sure what I was missing. “I could help him.”
I wondered how.
Sebastian shook his head. “You’re the only one other than me and Vance who has been in the underground labs. Isabelle won’t know where to find the girl. There will probably be human guards posted at the girl’s door, too.”
Jett finally nodded. “Fine.” He came farther into the room and circled around everyone to sit on one of the beds in back.
I looked over at Asher. “This is all the backup we could get?”
“Ryker is watching the bar, and Cole and the others are protecting the little ones in Sedona.”
“Okay.” I scanned the room. “The Reno Pack is sending us some help, too. They should be here by lunch. Until then, I guess we can start planning.”
Sebastian drew maps on pads of graph paper Vance had in his backpack. I tried to focus, but I couldn’t stop watching Sebastian. He was engrossed, discussing each area of the forest in the compound and determining where the wolves would enter, taking out the watchtower guards as they made their way in.
I wanted to memorize every line and shadow on his face.
Someone knocked. I flinched before glancing at the clock. It had to be the reinforcements from Reno. I opened the door, and Luke embraced me tight, whispering, “Raven told me about Sebastian. Are you sure?”
“He’s my mate,” I whispered.
“Shit.” He straightened and stared past me to Sebastian. “Can’t say it’s good to see you again.”
Sebastian rolled his shoulders back, unruffled by the new wave of testosterone entering the room. These wolves from Reno had much more experience with Sebastian than my guys from Sedona. And judgin
g by their expressions, not much of it had been good.
Plus, it was their Alpha who was locked up inside Nero.
I put myself between Luke and Sebastian. “We don’t have time for pissing contests.” I stared up at Luke. “We have to work together, or we’ll never get Adam and Madeleine out in one piece. We’re outnumbered and out of time. If you can’t shake the damned chip off your shoulder, you might as well get back on the fucking airplane.”
The room went silent, but I didn’t budge. I might have been the only chick in the room, but I wasn’t going to let a bunch of alpha men mess everything up while they beat their chests.
I narrowed my eyes. “Leaving or staying?”
Finally Luke started to nod. “You’re right. Adam and Madeleine are all that matters right now.”
“Good.” I glanced past him to his twin brother, Logan, and Dr. Jason Ayers. I’d met them in Sedona when they came down to help with our wounded. “Are you guys on the same page, too?”
The doctor didn’t look thrilled, but they came in without picking a fight. Since we’d all met before, I didn’t bother with introductions. While Luke and Logan unpacked their rifles and scopes, Sebastian went back to giving everyone the lay of the land.
I gazed out the window. The shadows were lengthening. Time was running out.
Like he could hear my thoughts, Sebastian lifted his head, his eyes meeting mine.
There was no fear, only determination.
Nero was going down.
I just hoped we didn’t go down with it.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Sebastian
Vance rambled from the backseat, filling the void in the car as I drove toward Lovettsville. Isabelle was quiet in the passenger seat. In my peripheral vision, I caught her checking her handguns for the fiftieth time.
I glanced in the rearview mirror at Jett. It seemed he kept his eyes on me the entire drive. I hadn’t been at the compound while the project code-named Wolf was underway. Since the federal funding didn’t cover all our costs, I’d been traveling for “business,” taking out targets to keep the bank balance flush for my father.
But I’d read the file.
The members of the new werewolf squad General Sloan had brought in were eventually mentally crippled during the risky experiments. Most died. Two committed suicide in their quarters.
Jett had been the only success. And I suspected he’d used the very power my father had given him to get himself out. General Sloan never would have willingly granted him an honorable discharge from the military, and my father wouldn’t have let him slip through Nero’s fingers, either.
Yet he’d ended up a free man back in his Pack in Sedona.
But he wasn’t the same. Nero had enhanced this wolf. And now, according to the file, he could force his will on others, making them comply with his orders. I had no proof he’d used his power against my father and General Sloan, but I doubted they would have allowed such a valuable asset to simply walk away.
The ability came with a price, of course, but I would admit I was curious how he’d used it—to make business deals, bed women, rob banks? Who knew?
For tonight, I wanted him to use whatever he had in his arsenal to keep Isabelle safe while I couldn’t.
The only missing piece in my plan…I had no idea if I could trust him.
I met Jett’s eyes and interrupted Vance’s story about the crocodile that had almost killed him as a boy. “I’m curious, Jett. Why are you still willing to help us when you won’t be able to go after my father?”
He lifted a brow. “Pretty late to be questioning my motives, don’t you think?”
“Perhaps.” I focused on the street. “But I’m still asking.”
He waited to catch my eye in the mirror. “I’m sure as shit not doing it for any Severino.”
Isabelle looked back over her shoulder. “Enough, you two.” Her gaze burned into me. “I don’t know Jett well, but any time we needed him in Sedona, he was there. That’s good enough for me.”
Isabelle obviously hadn’t seen as much treachery and backstabbing as I had.
I pulled over a mile from the compound and stashed the car off the road. We all got out and checked our weapons and phones. “By now, the jaguars have retreated to the back of the compound. We should be able to handle the human guards at the gate. Once we’re inside, Vance and I will find a safe place to shift, and we’ll cover Adam when he’s dumped into the Hunt.”
Vance wiped sweat from his brow. “Those other wolves better be right behind us with firepower. We won’t last long if they come at us all at once.”
“They’ll be there.” I focused on Isabelle and Jett. “You’ve got the holding cell number for Madeleine?”
Isabelle nodded. “Sublevel four, last room at the end of the hall.”
My gaze locked on Jett. “You’ll probably need to get past humans on the ground floor before you get to the elevator, and they’ve got two armed guards posted outside her door.”
“We’ll get the girl and head back to the car,” Jett replied.
“Good.” I stashed the keys under the floor mat just in case I wasn’t with them when they got back.
Isabelle cocked a brow. “And once the wolves clear a path, you and Vance will get the hell out with Adam, right?”
Vance caught my eye but made the wise decision to shut the fuck up and let me answer. “Yes.”
Isabelle came closer, her eyes searching mine. “Don’t lie to me, Sebastian. What aren’t you telling me?”
It was unnerving how well this woman could read me. I kept my expression neutral. “If my father shows up for the Hunt, I’ll keep him distracted until Vance has Adam out of the compound.”
She placed her hand on her hip, a crease forming on her forehead. “Then how will you get out?”
I took her hand. “I will be right behind them, Isabelle. I’ll meet you in Reno.” I kissed her knuckles. “Be safe and wait for me.”
She wrapped her arms around me, surprising me. I breathed her scent deep into my lungs and whispered against her ear, “I love you.” I forced myself to step back and looked over at Vance. “Let’s go.”
Even in our human form, jaguar shifters could move without making a sound. The human mercenary squad on watch at the main gate would never hear us coming. The challenge was to be sure they didn’t see us, either.
I took the right side, while Vance moved along the left. Working as a team was new to me. We prided ourselves on being independent, but for this to work, we’d need each other. There were six guards and only two of us.
Once we were in position in the shadows of the trees, Vance gave me the signal. I rattled the tree branch and ducked out of sight. All the men guarding the gate turned in my direction, weapons raised. On the other side, Vance attacked silently, snapping the neck of one guard and lowering him to the ground.
“Morris, Smith, go check it out,” their leader commanded in a hushed tone. “Everyone else, stay on your posts.”
I waited in the shadows until one was finally close enough. I moved in behind him, twisting his head before he could scream. Vance captured their leader and took his rifle. We didn’t want to fire it and alert the rest of the compound that they’d been invaded, but he could use it to threaten the other two left at the gate.
By the time I eliminated the second guard, Vance had the remaining two at gunpoint in the gate booth. He glanced at me as I entered. “Confiscated their weapons and radios.” He tipped his head toward them. “Shall I finish the job?”
Before I could nod, Isabelle’s voice filled my memory. A new future. I shook my head. “We’ll tie them up.”
Vance hesitated, probably shocked at my act of mercy. I was shaken by it as well.
While Vance secured them, I watched the main building for activity. “If you stay here, out of this fight, you’ll be able to go home in the morning. Cross me, and you’ll be buried on the compound like the rest of your squad. Dead and forgotten. The choice is yours.”
They both nodded their acceptance of my terms, and one mustered a reply. “Your father is expecting you tonight.”
I raised a brow. “How do you know that?”
“He put extra guards down below to keep his granddaughter safe.”
“I appreciate your information.” I glanced at Vance. “Don’t kill them.”
He nodded, finishing their bonds. “Heard you the first time.”
As Jett and Isabelle rounded the corner, I warned them about the added muscle on the sublevel floors and took Isabelle aside. I memorized her face, her scent, and finally forced myself to speak. “Be careful in there. Free Madeleine and get her as far away as you can.” I swallowed the emotion burning my insides. “Don’t look back.”
She reached up, running her fingers along my jaw. “Whatever happens tonight, you better get your ass out alive.”
I nodded, a smile creeping up on me. “See you in Reno.”
“Time to go,” Jett grunted behind her.
Her lips pressed together, determination in her eyes as she turned and walked away. Damn, I loved her. Why couldn’t I have found her before?
I went in the opposite direction, toward Vance. We stayed close to the wall on the edge of the compound, jogging into the woods. When we found a secluded spot, Vance tugged off his shirt and looked up at me. “You didn’t tell Isabelle.”
“The only way to get everyone out is to keep my father busy. That falls to me.” I pulled my shirt off and tossed it over a branch.
“You know it’s a suicide mission. You’ll be outnumbered.”
I nodded. “Probably.”
He clasped my shoulder. “What? No poetry and words of wisdom from the masters?”
“There is nothing poetic about what I’m about to do.” I shrugged his hand off and walked toward a grouping of trees. “To be given a taste of redemption, tempted by the thought of a new life, only to be forced to give it up?” I shook my head and met his eyes. “Tell her my last words as a man weren’t someone else’s. No poems, no classics. My final words are simple. I followed my heart, and it led me to Isabelle Wood.”
I ground my teeth and found shelter as the jungle cat came forward, bringing the pain of the shift. But tonight, I welcomed it.
