Joshua_The Whitfield Rancher_Erotic Tiger Shapeshifter Romance

by Kathi S. Barton

  There wasn’t anyone just walking about, not like there had been when they were out here just the other day. There were cars in the lot, but they belonged to the men working for Dylan. All the people inside were working for her as well. If possible, she was told, don’t kill Hunt.

  My boss wants to question him. Go figure. I think he wants to know who he works for. Carter told her. Ah, forgot about that freaky thing you could do. All right, good to know. We’re all set up in here. Just bring them in and do your thing.

  Carter was going to wait until they were out on the landing strip before she took care of them all. That way the building wouldn’t be hurt, nor would any of the men that were with Dylan. And from the looks of it, she had a fucking army with her. When she was taken to the plane, she closed her eyes and let out a long slow breath. It was time.

  ~~~

  Dylan spoke to Josh four times in ten minutes, each time telling him that Carter was just fine, that her men were as well, and the bad guys were all taken care of. She wasn’t sure what to tell him about how they were taken care of, but she knew that justice was served.

  Hunt was sitting on the ground, his pants wet from where he’d pissed himself, and babbling about thunderstorms and the hand of God. She was sort of freaked out too, but she was handling it much better than he was. She went to talk to Carter now that things were calmed down.

  “Remind me never to piss you off.” Carter was looking a little shell shocked herself. “You okay? I’ve told Josh you are. He’s nearly here, by the way.”

  “Yes, I’m all right. A little lightheaded, but I guess that’s to be expected. Did anyone else get hurt?” She told her no one that didn’t need it. “Two of your men, they were in on it, did you know that?”

  “Not until they fell to the floor screaming. Did you know before coming here?” She said not until she came into the building. “Thanks for that then. They’ll be taken care of as well. Hunt pissed himself. Funniest thing I ever saw, I have to tell you. And when all those men.... What the hell did you do to them, anyway? Or do I want to know.”

  “I took care of them.” Dylan wasn’t satisfied, and Carter seemed to know it. “They’re dead, as you know. But I raped each of their minds to get you all the information that you needed. By the way, the two men that were in on it, they have families that are just as guilty. I hope you don’t mind, but they’re being detained at the airport in Columbus.”

  “One of my men there notified me that they were there. He said that they just walked right up to him and told him what they were doing. I don’t suppose you had anything to do with that, did you?” Carter just shrugged at her. “Carter, can we talk about what happened here today?”

  “Yes. I killed them.” Dylan was sure that it was more than that, but wasn’t sure how to ask her. “I got information from them. Then I killed them.”

  “Yes, you did. But how did you do it? I won’t have to explain how they were killed to anyone but my boss, but I’d like to know. Are you that dangerous to have as an enemy?”

  “Only to those that mean to hurt anyone in my family.” She looked up at her then. “I’d never harm you or any of the others. But I will protect you in ways that you cannot imagine. I found out their choice of how they like to torture people, and I used the same on them. And they all had killed—most of them would have continued on this path until they were stopped. I was just in the right place at the right time to do so.”

  “One of them was standing close to me. I saw his body start to slice open along his face and arms. It took me a moment to figure out that he was doing it to himself. I was so shocked by what he was doing. Then he started on his legs. They were being sliced open as well, and if the amount of blood was any indication, he cut an artery.” Carter only nodded. “Then he opened his throat and fell to his knees. Like he was some kind of fucking magical show and he was the main attraction.”

  “He’d done worse to others. One of the men that was standing next to me pissed on the floor, and then took the electrical cover off and electrocuted himself. I had no idea what he’d done until then. When I searched their minds, I saw that they were sadistic fucks. But when I put out that they were to perish by their own hands, I didn’t know how they’d die.” Carter stood up. “Will it be too hard for you to explain?”

  “No. I’ll just tell him what you told me. They died by their own hands. That’ll be all he needs to know.”

  Dylan looked over at the two men that had died in the most horrific way she’d ever seen. At first it was just their pecs they’d cut off, then their dicks, laughing and seemingly having a good time while they were at it. She had a feeling that those two would be going straight to hell, and no getting two hundred bucks for passing go either.

  “Carter?” She turned back to her and looked so serene, like she had not just killed eighteen men without touching them. “I’m not going to put in my report what really happened here. And I’ve spoken to a buddy of mine, Tanner the vampire, that helped your sister. He’s taken care that my men only know that they’re dead. If this were to get out, there would be no place you could hide.”

  “I know that. And I thank you. Do you think that anyone in the family wishes that I’d never come to them?” She asked her why she’d think that. “For the same reason that you’re not going to say anything to anyone. I’m a monster.”

  “You’re not anything of the kind. I’ve seen these men and the way that they killed themselves. Those are the monsters. And you helped so that they’re no longer a threat to anyone.” Carter still didn’t look convinced. “What can I do so you’ll know that without your help today, this would have gone to shit?”

  “Nothing. I don’t think. I’ll have to come to my own terms, I guess.” She started away. Dylan could see the family car coming down the road. When she stopped and turned toward her, Dylan could see the tears that filled her eyes, and she herself got a little emotional as well. “Waldo will be a piece of cake after this.”

  Dylan had work to do, but she did worry about Carter. She was close to the edge, anyone could see that. And when Josh held her, she thought that might be just what the doctor ordered. Turning to one of her men, she asked him where they were in all this.

  “We’ve taken apart the plane, like you said. Sir, you’re not going to believe what we found in it. This guy was set for some kind of war, I’m thinking. And the cage that he has in the cargo area, it was ready to be airdropped some place, we’re thinking.”

  She followed him to the plane that she’d put guards around the moment things were finished here. There were grenades and short-range missiles. Guns of every make and model that she’d ever used. And there was enough ammo to do just what the soldier had told her—finish up a nice sized war. In the cargo area was the cage. In addition to that, there were more guns, a Jeep—Army issued, she’d bet anything—as well as more guns still in crates. She pulled out her phone and made a call.

  “Henry, we have a problem here.” He laughed and asked her if she ever did a mission where there wasn’t a problem. When she didn’t laugh with him, he abruptly turned serious. “What is it? More men coming?”

  “No, but I’m standing in the belly of their plane, and there are Army issued weapons here. Not to mention uniforms, as well as a few dozen long range devices. A dozen or so drones, as well as any and every gun you’d need to have a nice standoff if necessary.” He asked her where the plane was now. “Sitting in a tiny airport in Zanesville. I have a feeling that this was just picked up or was going someplace for cash. I’m thinking the first option. Don’t know why, but that’s my gut feeling.”

  “Your gut hasn’t been wrong before. I’m sending you some...no, that won’t work. We don’t know who is in on this. I don’t suppose you have a way of finding out, do you?” She said that she could ask, but he was going to owe her. “I can handle that. I imagine that she’s sitting pretty high about now. Everyone out to get her is gone.”

  “Actually, she’s depressed. Go figure. And afraid that my
new family is going to turn her out to the pasture. Much like you guys did when I was hurt.” He laughed, but he was nervous. “Let me get back to you. But I’m serious. She’s in a bad way, and anything you could do for her would help.”

  “I’ll see what I can do for her. In the meantime, you get what you can from her and I’ll look into this from my end. Who knows but you?” She told him just one man. Then she explained how two of the men Henry had sent out here were in on this thing. “Do you think they were put there to help with the load rather than the girl? If so, that’ll narrow down considerably who did this. The man who recruited them for you.”

  She told him to hang on a moment and she’d ask. Henry knew that Carter had been helpful in all this, but not in what capacity. And Dylan decided to keep it that way. Not that she didn’t trust Henry, she did. But this was something that could get a great many people hurt. Reaching out to Carter, she asked her what she knew about the shipment.

  I’d have to see it. I mean, it’s not like people, I can’t read them. But like Sunny, I can touch it and tell where it’s been for you. She asked her if they could do that. I can, but Josh said that he’s not leaving me. He’ll have to come as well.

  That’s fine. I don’t know who to trust that’s here. She didn’t say anything for several minutes, and that scared her more than her telling her what she’d done to the men that were dead. Carter? Everything all right?

  Yes. You can trust all the men that are here with you. And for the record, none of them know what was in the plane other than the cage that was put in a couple of days before they left Washington. I’m nearly there.

  Dylan told Henry that she’d call him back after telling him that the plane left from Washington. “As soon as I know, you’ll know.”

  She was waiting for Carter and Josh when they came up the stairs. Josh looked better than he had when she’d seen him earlier today. She wondered if he knew that his shirt was covered in blood, but didn’t think he’d care. The man had been so tense for so long that she found that she really liked this new version of her brother-in-law. He was laid back yet on the ready all the time.

  Carter walked around the belly of the plane. She didn’t touch anything, and it wasn’t until Josh told her what she was doing that she knew why. She was looking for any kind of sign that the weapons had been touched by a person and not a crane. Dylan thought that made sense, but she did want her to hurry.

  “Dylan, what do you know of a man by the name of Winston Gill?” She told her that he was one of the recruiters for the special forces, and he was someone that worked tightly with the president and her when she was there. Carter nodded. “Is he the one that ordered this shit?”

  “He’s one of them. There are two more that are aware of this shipment. This was to be taken to an airstrip in Nevada and picked up there to move to Mexico. The trucks are waiting there to unload and transport.” Dylan asked who the other two men were. “Not men, but women. One of them is Gill’s wife. Megan is a booking agent for a very small travel agency. It’s a front for moving arms. The other woman is her secretary, May Winthrop. This is the fifth shipment that has gone out.”

  “Christ.” She called Henry again and told him what she’d found out. “This is the fifth one, Henry. They’ve been moving arms right under our fucking noses. This is treason, not to mention it’s pissed me off. Mother fuck, this is bad. Now what do we do?”

  “I’ll have them arrested before this hits the news. In a sweep, so as not to warn the other two so that they don’t take off.” He cursed then too, and she had to smile. He was usually so reserved about this sort of thing, but he was pissed off now. “You take care there so that I can know that it’s not going to start up again. However you want to do it.”

  “I can do that. My plan now is to take the plane to Nevada and make a few arrests there. Once I have that under control, then I’ll bring everything back to you.” She saw that Carter was trying to get her attention. “Hang on. I need a minute.”

  “The men in Nevada aren’t in on it. They’re only hired to do transporting. They think that they’re moving bottled water to a warehouse.” Well, that explained why everything was in large crates. She asked her if there was anyone there that knew. “Yes, Winthrop. She’s coordinating everything there. And picking up the cash.”

  After telling Henry what was going on, she got her pilot and made sure that everything on the plane was the way it was. Josh and Carter got off, but before she did, Carter told her what Winthrop was wearing and what she looked like. Dylan didn’t know why that was important, but was glad for all the help she could get. It was time to have herself a bit of fun.

  Chapter 10

  Josh went straight to their house from the airport. He needed his mate right now, more than he ever had before. As soon as they were in the door, he didn’t just take her clothing off but tore it from her body. She did the same to him as they hungrily kissed each other.

  When she was as naked as he was, he picked her up and slammed his cock into her heat. There was no need for foreplay this time; their need for each other more than made up for playing around until they were ready.

  She came twice before he could sample her breasts. Josh was on edge; his cat was tearing at his skin to keep her safe. Up until this moment he’d been quiet, but now he was angry at their mate and wanted her to understand that she’d scared them both. Biting her on the shoulder drew a scream of pain from her, but pleasure too. The next time she came, he pounded her harder until he was able to release in her as well.

  Leaning against her, he finally was able to lift his head from her shoulder. When she asked him to take her to bed, he was more than willing to do that. He now needed to make it up to her, make love to her slowly and thoroughly. Still holding her, he kissed her on the mouth and started for the stairs.

  “You should know that you’re not leaving the bed until I’m satisfied that you’re safe and here.” She hugged him. “We were all right until we saw the bodies. I think that my cat thought he’d find you, and no matter how many times I told him you were safe, he needed to see you.”

  They were in their room by now, and he set her on the floor while he kissed her tenderly. He noticed that she was bruised in a couple of places where he’d hurt her, and kissed those areas as well. Carter started talking as he was making his way to her pretty ass.

  “I’m not sure what to think about today.” He asked her not to talk about it. “All right, but you have to distract me. I’m having a hard time dealing right now.”

  He got down on his knees in front of her and kissed her right above the small line of hair over her pussy. Sliding his fingers into her, he asked her what she was thinking about now. At her grin, he knew that it was working.

  “I’m thinking about the way you took me like an animal downstairs, and how much I enjoyed that.” Josh licked her from gate to clit, then nibbled on the hard nubbin peeking from her nether lips. “I was thinking about—don’t stop, please—I was thinking about a baby. We should have one, or a dozen.”

  “I’d love that. What do you want first?” He was teasing her now, having entirely too much fun when a moan spilled from her mouth as an answer. “I want them to be healthy as well. That’s a priority.”

  “What if they’re like me?” He said that it didn’t matter to him. “But I killed people today.”

  He stood up and pulled her face to his. The kiss was consuming, powerful, and heated. When he looked down at her, he could see the tears and held her to him. Josh wanted to hide her away so that no one could hurt her ever again.

  “You did. And you saved a great many other people too. Dylan for one. Her men as well. I know that you lost your parents, and I’m sorry for that, but you’re here, with me and safe.” She nodded. “Also, I think you should know that my entire family is so glad that this part is over, and is going to welcome you with lots of hugs. Grandda is acting like he taught you everything you know.”

  “I love that old man. He’s such a hoot. And he tol
d me that he was going to be my grandda as well. That I could call him that whenever I wanted. I’ve never had a one before that I can remember.”

  He picked her up again and took her to the bed. This time he only held her, rubbing her arms so that he could touch her. When she turned to him, sobbing about today, he let her, knowing that sometimes tears were what it took to cleanse the soul.

  After about twenty minutes, he knew that she’d fallen asleep. Josh knew that she’d not slept well for the past two nights, worrying about all this crap with her parents and what they might do. So when he knew that she’d not wake up, he slipped out from under her head and covered her up with the blanket at the bottom of the bed. Getting dressed, he kept an eye on her to see if she was resting all right. She seemed to be out for a while.

  Going downstairs, he made his way to his office after picking up the things in the front hall that they’d torn up. He was glad now that the staff was off for the morning and they’d not come upon them when they were naked. Smiling, he went to the kitchen to get him something to snack on while he worked for a little while.

  There were several houses on the market right now. And even though he wasn’t working, he was always looking for a good buy to make his portfolio stronger. One thing his grandma used to say all the time was, there wasn’t going to be any more dirt, so you should take care that you own as much of it as you can. He had never forgotten that.

  Josh had been looking at the houses when he came across one that he really liked. Not that he was going to buy it, but he did call his brother Adrian and told him about it. It was perfect for him when his mate showed up, Josh told him.

  “Very funny. And thank you, but no thanks. On the mate anyway. But tell me about the house. The one that came with the job, I’m not thrilled about it. It looks to me like it was decorated in the seventies and never updated. I mean, the appliances are fine, but it’s the décor that I hate.” He pointed out that he could change that. “No. I’m not going to be spending tax payers’ money on new wallpaper, even if this orange and green shit makes me ill every time I move my head.”