“But I didn’t! I want you for my mate, Nicole. I’ve wanted you ever since the first time I met you.”
“Stop it. I’m done with your games.”
“Games? You’re the one playing games, leading me on with a flash of leg or a glimpse of tit. You got what you wanted. I gave you the drugs and you slept with Brody. I would have given you anything. Anything!”
Even as her heartbeat thundered in her ears, she did not raise her voice. “Let go of my arm, Sean."
“I should be your mate. Not him.” His fingers wound in her hair and he bared his teeth. “When I take the title of alpha, you’ll be sorry.”
“No.” Her own teeth lengthened. The bones in her face ached, it reminded her of being punched.
He gripped her upper arm. “What are you going to do when you run out of pills?”
“Let go.” She jerked her arm, but he continued to hold tight.
“By the way, Angel. That’s not wolfsbane you’re taking.” His chin stretched and fine silvery hairs sprouted across his forehead. His nose widened and his eyes took on a feral look.
Nicole’s constant urge to change, the unnatural feelings of bloodlust weren’t a product of her own desires or imagination. Sean had doped her, made her feel a false sense of things. It all made sense now.
He laughed again. “Don’t give me that look. Admit that it made you feel wild and free.”
“I thought I was losing my mind!” She shoved his hand away and tried to scuttle out of his grasp. “Why, Sean? Why did you do this to me?”
“The benefits. I wanted to be the one you turned to. I knew you had trouble coming to grips with what you are. I gave you the smallest dosage, just enough to heighten your senses. I wanted you to see what it was like on the other side. I wanted you to need me—only me.”
“You sick bastard.” Angry tears stung her eyes.
“I figured your body would try to change if you were frightened or turned on. The only problem is that Brody kept sticking his nose into my business. He got you all worked up and I wanted to be the one you ran to, not him. I was supposed to be the hero when Tony and Aaron came after you on the beach.”
Nicole couldn’t form words. She stared up at him, eyes full of anger.
“How do you think Aaron managed to find you? He isn’t smart enough to do any of this on his own.”
"You’re insane!" She shoved at his chest, desperate to get away from him.
He gave the hand in her hair a shake and forced her to cry out in confusion and fear. Some of the hair came away in his hand.
“What’s his secret, Nicole? What attracts you to him?” Sean’s breaths were fast and shallow. His eyes were wide, nostrils flared. “Answer me, damn it!”
"You're hurting me!"
“We could have been happy together. Too bad you messed that up. You should learn to mind your own business. Did you tell Brody what you heard?” He spat the words. “Did you go running to him, just like that bitch Amy did?”
Molly had insisted that Sean was there the night they were attacked. What happened yesterday confirmed it. But the knowledge that he was the one who inflicted all the pain and damage to Amy made her ill. It had to be all over her face.
His lips pulled back from his teeth and he growled, “What did you hear last night? Tell me what you know.”
Nicole’s roots screamed with pain as his fist tightened in her hair. Her fingers tore at his in an effort to escape. “I didn’t hear anything, Sean. Just let me go.”
Sean yanked her head back to expose her throat. He nipped at the underside of her jaw and smiled. “That beautiful mouth of yours is full of lies.” He ran a finger across her pointed ear. “You belong with me tonight, Nicole. We’ll go to the Wild Hunt together.”
Revulsion left an acidic taste in her mouth. “Fuck off, Sean.”
“After I win the title of Alpha, I’ll announce you as my mate.” His lips brushed against her ear in first a kiss, then a whispered threat. “Be careful how you answer. If you don’t do what I ask, I’ll make sure a certain redhead gets close and personal with Tony. You know how much he despises her.”
“Get away from me!” Nicole brought her knee up and smashed his groin. He doubled at the waist and the air whooshed from his lungs. She wadded the letter of resignation and tossed it in his general direction. It rolled past his left shoe. “Go to hell, Sean. I’m done with you and your job. Don’t you dare come around me or Molly ever again.”
Aaron shoved the door open and poked his head into the office. His brows knitted in irritation. “What the hell?”
Murder darkened Sean’s eyes. Nicole didn’t stick around. Instead, she shoved past Aaron on her way out. She stumbled down the stairwell then pushed through the crowded dance floor and didn’t stop until she reached the parking lot.
Nicole’s chest burned with every breath she dragged into her lungs. It took two tries to get the keys out of her pocket and into the lock. She glanced over her shoulder at the building. Sean might burst through the doors at any moment. Or he might send his new errand boy, Aaron, instead.
The lock disengaged and she dropped inside. She twisted the key in the ignition and tore out of the lot. She rummaged through the open purse on the seat next to her and found her cell phone.
Molly answered on the first ring. “Where’ve you been? I’m worried sick!”
“No time,” she said in a frantic, breathless voice. “Go somewhere safe. Go see your mom or something.”
Molly’s voice rose to a shrill tone infused with fear. “What happened? Tell me what’s going on.”
“Just leave the apartment.” She stared at the curved nails of her left hand.
“I won’t leave without you.” Molly’s voice trembled with emotion.
Nicole wouldn’t allow herself to cry, at least not yet. If she started, she might not be able to stop.
The light turned green and the car behind hers honked. She pushed the accelerator. “Fine. I’ll meet you at your mom’s.”
Molly hesitated on the other end of the line, prompting Nicole to say, “Tonight’s the full moon. It’s not a good idea to ride together. Plus, I’m out of wolfsbane.”
“Nicky…”
"Get out now, Molly. It’s not safe for you to be there alone. I have to stop somewhere first, but I’ll see you soon.”
For the fourth time, Nicole checked the address she’d scribbled out, not quite sure she was at the right house. She took note of the landscaped yard and the delicate rose bush that grew next to the front door. Did she have the wrong house?
Nicole peered up at dark windows. Brody wasn’t home. She fought frustrated tears. Had he gone to the Wild Hunt after all?
She supposed she could always call tomorrow, but apologies were best-served face to face. If she didn’t do this now, she might wimp out and never do it at all. Brody deserved an apology; especially after all she’d done and said. She took a deep breath, shut the Mazda’s door and headed up the narrow walkway.
The quiet street was picturesque. Not quite where she would have expected Brody Dunn to reside. The neighbor’s houses were well-kept, all around the same square footage. All were brick bungalow style. No one was on the street or in their yards. Perhaps they knew it would be foolish to venture out tonight.
Her knocks went unanswered. She rested her forehead against the door and squished her eyes shut. “Where are you, Brody?”
Chapter Twenty-two
Brody arrived home a little after nine ‘o clock. His street was generally busy, cars driving past at all hours of the night and neighbors in their yards. Not tonight. The houses were dark, the street silent. Even the elderly lady next door had brought her dog inside. The Wild Hunt took place in a designated area, a new one each year. Most of the public stayed indoors until the next morning. It was a good idea because sometimes the attendees got out of hand or ventured outside the permitted areas.
He moved across the living room, limbs stiff and achy. He pulled the t-shirt over his head. The wrin
kled fabric hit the end of the couch. It smelled of cigarette smoke, whiskey, and anger. His jeans were no better, but at least they were farther from his sensitive nose.
He’d looked for Nicole in every corner he could think of. He’d searched every beach, motel, and diner this side of San Diego. He’d had no luck and was somewhat cranky now. His hair was a wild mess and his clothes were rumpled and itchy. Not to mention, he was sore all over. The gunshot wound had scabbed over and each time he moved, it pulled loose from the edges.
Brody went into the bedroom and rested his hands against the footboard of the bed. He hung his head and focused on making the pain go away. He had half a mind to go to the Wild Hunt, to partake in the night’s activities. He grimaced, knowing full well there were prerequisites he wasn’t willing to meet.
The phone rang twice. The recorder finally picked up on the third ring. Nicole’s voice was quiet. Perhaps someone was listening. She spoke fast and urgent. “Brody, this is Nicole. We need to talk. If you’re there, pick up.” She fell silent on the line, but he could hear her quick breaths.
He pushed away from the bed. One of these days, he would learn to put it back on its charger. Cursing, he hurried into the living room in search of it.
“Please call me back. I may be in trouble.” She rattled off a number.
The flash of red and blue on the wall caught his attention. What were the cops doing here? He crossed to the window and peered through the dusty blinds.
Outside, Vasquez’s sedan pulled to a stop at the curb. Two Hispanic men in ill-fitting suits got out. Neither looked like the law abiding type. Vasquez wore denim and a leather jacket tonight. Her sidearm was visible on her hip as she moved up the small incline of his yard.
She signaled for the men to wait on either side of the door. Though she spoke softly, Brody had no problem hearing through the thin glass. “It’s a full moon tonight. Watch out, he’ll be dangerous.”
He allowed the blinds to snap shut. She had more or less told them to draw their guns. The urgent need to get out of the house overwhelmed him. He whirled and moved in the kitchen’s direction. If he was lucky, he might make it through the back door before they came in.
Brody had no such luck. They kicked the front door open. He froze where he was and kept his hands open at his sides. To do anything else would be suicide. He turned to face Vasquez and the two fake cops who followed her inside.
“Bad time?” There was mockery in her tone. Instead of her service revolver, she held a Taser. Brody had a bad feeling about the direction the night was headed.
Both men edged closer. If he waited for just the right moment, for one of them to make a mistake, he might avoid another night in jail.
“What’s going on, Vasquez?”
The shorter of the two men had narrow squinty eyes. The heel of his hand rested on the butt of his gun, the kind that shot bullets. This guy was too jumpy. He’d be the first to use a weapon, even if he wasn’t threatened.
“We just want to talk, Brody. Come with us.” She motioned to him with her free hand, much like you would a frightened dog.
“What’s this about?”
“I don’t want to hurt you, but I will.” There was no regret in Vasquez’s voice. The hard set of her jaw told him everything he needed to know. She expected him to do something stupid.
Brody edged away from them. “I don’t have time for this. I need to find Nicole and stop Stone.”
“I can’t let you do that, Brody.” Vasquez’s smile was chilling. “It isn’t part of the plan.”
“Plan? What the hell are you talking about?”
Vasquez gripped the short guy’s shoulder. “Be careful, Jamie, he’s tricky.” To the other she said, “Cuff him, Lorenzo.”
Jamie thumbed open his holster and Vasquez edged closer. Lorenzo grabbed Brody’s left wrist. At the same time, he reached for the handcuffs clipped to his belt.
The click of the cold steel bracelet solidified the danger he was in. Then Lorenzo tried to manhandle his other arm behind his back.
“Listen to me.” Brody tried to reason with her. “I’ve got to help Nicole. She’s in a lot of trouble.”
Vasquez’s dark eyes narrowed. “Yes, she is. We’re going to deal with her when we’re done with you.” There was malice in those words.
Brody’s fingers curled into fists. His body first went hot, then cold. “Damn it, Vasquez. How could you?”
She shrugged. “Sean pays better than the city does.”
Lorenzo wrenched Brody’s arm behind his back.
Brody twisted from his grasp and made a dash for the doorway. If he was lucky, he might get outside and into the shadows. This was not the case. The bite of the Vasquez’s Taser gun dropped him to the ground. One dart struck his left pectoral and the other embedded itself in his bicep.
His ex-partner sent a jolt of electricity through his body. Brody thrashed on the floor. His muscles tensed and jerked as he fought the voltage and transformation at the same time. His body writhed, ignoring any and all attempts to control it. The helplessness made him that much angrier.
“Hurry up and get him to the car,” Vasquez screamed at the men. “This isn’t going to keep him down. He’s trying to shift!”
“I have a syringe of wolfsbane in the car,” Lorenzo said.
“Go get it!” Vasquez struggled to stay out of Brody’s reach, but close enough to keep the electrodes in place. “Hurry!”
Brody tore one of the contact wires from his body. He was on his feet again in a matter of moments. He stumbled, knocking the lamp from the table beside him. The shattered remains crunched beneath his shoes.
Fur exploded across his skin. His nose flattened and his jaw extended to accommodate a mouthful of razor-sharp teeth. His fingers shifted into weapons.
Jamie’s eyes grew wide. “Dios mio...”
“Shut up and help me,” Vasquez growled. Her accent was thick tonight. The taser was useless now so she tossed it aside.
Brody yanked the remaining line away from his chest. He whipped his head around and focused on her. Saliva dripped from his chin. He wasn’t transformed all the way, but within a matter of moments he would be. He clenched his hands at his sides then took a menacing step in his ex-partner's direction. Her brown eyes widened in apprehension.
Vasquez took a step backward. “I’m out of options here, partner. Don’t make me shoot you.”
“You’re working for Stone.” His voice was rough, filled with emotion. How could he be so blind? He’d trusted Vasquez. He’d been blind to her detachment even though she had accused him of crimes he hadn’t committed.
“I’m just supposed to keep you away from the Wild Hunt. Sean doesn’t want you to interfere.” She sounded apologetic, but Brody knew better.
He caught the other man’s reflection in the window. Lorenzo had rejoined the party. Jamie held two Tasers now. Lorenzo held a wicked looking syringe. He darted to the left, toward the window by the couch. Brody made a dash for it and both Tasers bit him. Even in mid-jump, his body melted back to normal.
More electricity coursed through him causing his body to buck and thrash against the floor. Waves of black shadow crossed his vision and fogged his brain. His muscles twitched and he groaned. The area where the electrodes had attached tingled and stung, reminding him that more juice could be sent through at any time.
Lorenzo bent over him. Brody spied the syringe in question. At least the goon had the good sense to squirt the bubble of air out. Brody tried to roll away, but found his body uncooperative.
Jamie held both Tasers like a cowboy and laughed. His accent was thicker than Vasquez’s. “Didn’t expect that, did you, pendejo?”
Lorenzo kicked him. “You’re an ugly fuck when you’re half and half. Don’t do that again or I’ll let Jamie shoot you.”
Lorenzo slid the needle into the crook of Brody’s arm and depressed the plunger. He allowed it to fall away. “Let’s hurry. That was a pretty small dose and won’t last.”
L
iquid fire flowed through Brody’s veins. The urge to tear into all three of them was still there, just muted. His body was sluggish and unable to change. He might even go to sleep if left alone now.
He tried to speak, but slurred like a drunk.
The men wrenched both arms behind his back then pushed him toward the door. The one who used the needle smiled. “Helpless as a puppy for now though.”
“Can we just get him into the car?” Vasquez peered out the blinds.
Within moments, they’d dragged him to her car and stuffed him into the back. Lorenzo slid into the seat beside him. Jamie had given him one of the Tasers and he held it in the hand lying across his lap.
Their car pulled away from the curb. He leaned his head back and studied the stained roof. For their sake, they’d better have more wolfsbane.
Chapter Twenty-three
Nicole took the stairs two at a time. The door to her apartment was ajar, the lights on. Goosebumps erupted across her skin. It was an all too familiar scenario that reminded her of the night she’d looked for Amy. She stopped just inside the door and listened for any movement within. The kitchen light was on.
“Molly?”
Nicole rolled her shoulders and laughed at her apprehension. Molly had been pretty worked up. She should be halfway to her mother’s house by now. Still, it would have been nice if she had remembered to turn off the light and shut the door.
She sank onto the couch and rubbed at her temples. When had her normal, boring life been set to a maddening spin?
Across the room, the flashing light on the phone indicated that she’d missed a call. She bounced off the cushion and snatched the phone from its cradle. Nicole moved from foot to foot while she waited to connect to the message. Please let it be Brody.
Instead, Molly’s voice rattled through the tiny speakers. “Are you coming or was that your way of getting me out of the house so you could throw a party? Call me soon, Nicky, I’m worried.”
Nicole turned the phone over in her hand. Running up the coast seemed like a cowardly thing to do. It was also the safest thing to do.
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