Wesley: Bishop’s Snowy Leap – Paranormal Tiger Shifter Romance (Bishop's Snowy Leap Book 3)

by Kathi S. Barton

  Gunner heard the man scream as he fell off the roof. Not moving, Gunner did wonder how a dead person could do something like shoving a person off the roof. He didn’t move. Whatever was going on around him, there was little he could do that wouldn’t involve getting his ass shot up.

  Okay, for now, you’re safe, but stay right where you are. He told Chandler he wasn’t moving. The man, Swartz, is with four other men in the apartment you were going to enter. They’re armed, but then I’m assuming you are as well. Gunner, I can move through the air in the other realm, and I’m going to go with Ruby to check some things out. I can’t help you when I’m in that state. I don’t know why; I’m just figuring this shit out a little at a time. But don’t make me worry about you getting hurt. All right?

  I’m not moving. But if you come to see me in that ghost world or whatever the fuck it is, I’m going to leap off this building too. Just do whatever you need and don’t come let me see you.

  Chandler was laughing. Just as Gunner was going to join him, it cut off as if Chandler had been muted.

  His brother was gone for what seemed like forever. Just as he was thinking he needed to check on him, just to make sure he was all right, Sasha spoke. Her calm voice made him think he might be all right.

  Chandler might need you to do something for him. Well, not him, but the three women currently tied up in the apartment. He thinks their plan was for you to be found dead with them, and to be blamed for their murders. They’re all alive, but not for long. They’ve been tied up for the last several days without any food or water. He asked Sasha if she knew why they thought this would work. It’s been done before, with this same group. They find an adversary, and they make sure the person is taken out in such a way that not only do people love that he or she is dead, but they are hated too. I don’t know the reasons for that, but it’s sort of their MO.

  So, I can go into the apartment now? She said he could, but he was going to go in through the front door. Well, that sounds boring. But seriously, how am I going to be less shot up now that I’m going to be going in that way?

  They’re not expecting you to be so boring, I guess. She laughed when he did. Gunner usually didn’t have this much fun when he was out doing a job. The drones have been taken care of. I’ll tell you when this is over if you want to know how. You’re to get up from where you are and go down the fire escape on the right side of the building on the front side.

  He moved just the way she’d told him to do. He didn’t know how they were doing this, but he was happy with the help. Gunner would have been hurt. They all knew they were immortal; Sasha had explained that to all of them last month. However, his momma wouldn’t be happy if he were to get hurt. She sort of liked him, he thought.

  Halfway down the fire escape, he paused when Sasha told him to. Just as he did, he saw someone come out of the building and stand there smoking. When they were finished, they went in, and he moved on. This was fucking amazing, Gunner thought. It was like having eyes all over the place.

  Okay. Now that you’re at the bottom—please don’t freak out—look at the window across the street. You should be able to see glimpses of Chandler. He started to tell her he wasn’t dead, but he saw him. His brother was about three feet off the ground with big fucking wings flapping behind him. I told him you’d not freak out.

  I don’t usually freak out when working. I don’t want to know how the fuck he’s doing that. She said he didn’t. Now what?

  Follow Chandler. You might lose him while you’re walking behind him. It’s okay. Just wait where you saw him last, and he’ll come back for you. It’s hard for him to hold himself so that you can see him, so bear with him. Okay? He said he would. All right. The door is unlocked, so go in. You don’t need to help Chandler in.

  He waited until his brother entered before he did. It was habit. As he followed his brother up the stairs, he was careful to keep an eye on each level he had to go up. Gunner only lost his brother twice. Almost as soon as he realized he couldn’t see him anymore, Chandler came back for him. It wasn’t as if he was solid, but he wasn’t clear either. Chandler’s wings would blow over him if he got too close to him. That did freak him out a little. The scent that blew off his brother was floral like you’d smell in a funeral home. Gunner made sure he stayed back far enough after that.

  All right. There are three doors in front of you. He told her he could see them. Stand in front of the middle one. Now, I’m going to use a clock to help you with it. You’re at six. There is a man at two and another man at seven, right inside the door you’re standing in front of. Shoot the two o’clock first. He’s pointed toward the door.

  Are you going to tell me when to go? Sasha asked him to wait just a moment. You tell me, honey, and I’ll do what you want. So far, this has been much better than me having to explain to Mom how I got my ass full of holes.

  Gunner, the man at two is talking, and I’m listening to him. She didn’t speak for a few moments, and he was just fine with that. All right, here is what’s going on. There is trouble elsewhere. I’ve given Sawyer a heads up. But as soon as you’re finished there, you go to him. The police know you’re in this building and that you’re helping your brother. Sawyer is hilarious when he’s woken up from a deep sleep too.

  Gunner smiled. When she told him to go in, Gunner shot just where she told him to. The man at two o’clock was dead before he turned the gun to the second man and killed him as well. Sasha told him when the man was coming out of the kitchen and how high up to shoot, as well as the man that was coming out of the bathroom. Christ, he’d killed four men without any of them firing their own weapons.

  Then he saw Swartz. Hitting the man in the face with his fist, Sasha warned him not to kill him. He wanted to, badly, but he didn’t. As he was wrestling the man to the floor and holding him down, the door that he’d come through was filled with cops with their guns out and screaming at him to drop his weapon.

  “I’m Navy SEAL Special Forces Major Gunner Bishop. I’m working with Sawyer Bishop.” The cops seemed really jumpy to him, so he moved carefully and spoke calmly. Just then, Chandler appeared to him and pointed to the room down the hall. “There are three women down the hall that are going to need medical attention now. If you’d call the team in, I can go and help my brother with the other issue.”

  It took them twenty minutes to release him. Even then, they didn’t really want to let go of him in the event something else came up. When he left the building, the women were getting treated and the dead where being identified. Gunner got onto his bike and raced to the address that his brother, now back at home, had given him.

  You didn’t say retired. Gunner asked Chandler what he said. When you told those men who you were, you never mentioned that you were retired. You’re still working for the government, aren’t you?

  Yes. When Chandler didn’t say anything else, Gunner asked him what he was coming up on with Sawyer. Am I just making an excuse, so I don’t get caught up in what is going on at the other place?

  No. There is trouble in town. I didn’t want Sasha to tell you before because I was afraid you’d hurry through what was going on there and get— Gunner said his name. James has Penny hostage. Sawyer was on his way to you when Wesley called him. He’d been knocked unconscious, and when he woke up, Penny was gone. Mr. Joe thinks he shot James, but he’s not sure.

  Does anyone know where he is? Chandler paused just enough that he had to pull over so he could listen. I’m off the road now. Tell me what it is you’re trying very hard not to tell me.

  Emmie was shot, and while expected to make it, she’s in bad shape. Mr. Joe is with her. James shot her when he found her outside in the yard. Butch is dead as well. He was killed, from what it looks like, by Dutch when he found him in their mother’s home. James and Dutch are holed up in the house that is being renovated next door to his mother’s. The bat that James used to kill the driver of the semi that hit his
mom was pulled out of there today. James knows it. Christ, Gunner thought, glad that no one had told him. You’re to go to Sawyer. He’s in the front yard of the house, trying to get them to let Penny go. I’m to make sure you know this. I don’t think that is what they expect you to do, however. Also, you’re not to engage, but to report to Sawyer.

  Fuck that shit. Can you get me in there? He said he couldn’t, but Sasha could. It took too much out of him. All right. I’m about ten minutes away. I’ll be at the back of the house. Ask her to meet me there. Where is Wesley?

  At the back of the house, waiting on you.

  Gunner didn’t know why he thought that was what he was going to be told, but he didn’t expect anything less from Wesley. It was his mate, after all.

  ~*~

  Wesley knew that going into the house would not only get him hurt but Penny as well. Also, he’d promised Sawyer he’d wait for Gunner to come. He’d also told him to not enter the building with his other brother, but that just wasn’t happening. Wesley thought Sawyer figured that as well.

  “You’re not going to get yourself killed, are you?” He turned and looked at Gunner as he came across the yard. Grabbing his brother, he hugged him tightly, telling him he didn’t want his wife hurt. “None of us do, Wesley. We’ll get her out. You have to promise to listen to me, all right?”

  “So long as you don’t try and tell me not to go in, then I promise.” Gunner told him he’d never do that to him. “Then I’ll follow you to the letter. I swear it on my wife’s heart.”

  Sasha had been talking to him the entire time he’d been there waiting on Gunner. She told him Penny was being her usual self. She was making sure both men knew they were going to die tonight, and she was pissed off that they’d hit Wesley.

  You had better follow Gunner, or I’m going to have every ghost I know come after you. He promised her the same as he had Gunner. Well, I can’t ask for anything better than that. Just follow him closely, Wesley. Once she is out, we’ll go into town and have a big breakfast that you can pay for.

  Anything you want.

  Gunner handed him a gun, and he took it. Since Raven had been a part of their family, Wesley had thought it a good idea to know how to use a weapon. He could use one when he was out in the field, but this was killing a man. Could he do it? Only time would tell.

  Without another word, the two of them went into the house. Twice Gunner told him to pause, and he did. So long as he didn’t tell him to stay, he was going to get his wife out. Gunner stopped moving just as they were in the kitchen.

  James is in the living room. I can take him if you think you can go into the basement and get Penny. He said he could. No one seems to know where Dutch is, so watch your step. Don’t do anything stupid.

  I’m going to get my wife.

  Gunner stared at him. Wesley could tell that he wanted to say something, but all he did was nod toward the door that led down and move to the kitchen. Instead of going right down, Wesley laid the gun aside and shifted to his cat. He figured he had a better chance of not only finding Dutch but getting Penny out safely.

  The stairs were tricky, as they were slick. Making his way down them, he took his time. His cat could sniff out Dutch better than he could as a man, so he didn’t want to fuck that up. He knew Penny was alive, but he also knew she was hurt. The fucking bastard was going to pay for that.

  He saw Penny lying on the floor. There was blood around her body, but he didn’t know how badly she was hurt. However, to go to her now, he knew he could be walking into a trap. That Dutch was just waiting for him to go there so that he could attack him from behind. It was the coward’s way of doing it, and he had no doubt that Dutch was a coward.

  He heard the scream upstairs and it being cut off. Wesley was looking at a shelf when he saw it, or he might have missed the small movement. Going to the shelf, he bit down hard on the tarp that was there and knew he had Dutch as soon as the man screamed.

  Pulling him out, Wesley felt something hit him twice before he was able to get the hand that held the gun. The snap of bone and the spray of blood startled him, but Wesley didn’t let go as the hand with the gun left Dutch’s arm. Slamming his large paw into the middle of Dutch’s chest, Wesley held him down while the man screamed out in pain.

  Penny, can you hear me? She moaned, and he’d never heard a better sound. Honey, I need you to sit up if you can. Please? I’m right here, and I’ve got Dutch.

  She sat up, and he could see the large cut on the side of her head. Again, he had to remind himself not to go to her. If he let Dutch go now, he might get away. Watching her as he held down Dutch, she stared at him for a full minute before saying his name.

  It’s me, love. I’ve come to get you. She cried then, telling him that she loved him so much. I love you. So much. Come here and touch my cat for me, so he can know you’re all right.

  Penny stood up, but she wasn’t steady on her feet. She held tightly onto the bench beside him and kicked Dutch three times in the head, yelling at him for hurting her and Emmie.

  “Where is she? Did someone get her to the hospital?” Wesley didn’t know for sure, but he didn’t want to tell her that she was much more important than Emmie was. He told her she was on the way there now. “Good. This piece of shit shot her twice. I thought for sure she was— Oh Wesley, I’m so glad to see you here. I’m going to fucking kill this bastard.”

  He nearly laughed. She’d been so sad one second, then she was hot mad the next. He supposed it had to do with stress, but he loved her all the more for it. Telling her she needed to get the gun, he laughed when she reacted.

  “This isn’t funny. You should have told me there was a hand still on it.” She laughed, and he knew it was stress then. “I just thought of something. Will it be considered suicide if I use his finger to shoot the fucking bastard?”

  Sawyer came down just as she was kicking Dutch again. Wesley rubbed his head over Penny when she was told to sit down; the medics were there for her. Sawyer kicked Dutch too when he moved past him to give the medics more room.

  “She’s fine. I didn’t kill her. Someone has to come here and help me. I’m bleeding really bad. I’m gonna die here. That cat there, it took my hand off. Can someone put some ice on it? They’ll have to attach it when I get to the hospital.” Dutch seemed to be unaware that he was being arrested. It was then that Wesley smelled the coke on him. “I’m bleeding here. Doesn’t anyone care?”

  Everyone in the basement told him no at the same time. Sawyer didn’t cuff him. Penny made a comment about cuffing him up with one leg and one arm. Wesley went to sit next to her while the team saw to her head.

  “Now is the time to change her, Wesley, if you want. She’s going to be a great deal better at healing if you do.” He asked Penny what she wanted. Her sing-song “Yes yes yes” had them all laughing again. “This is the strangest call I’ve been on in a while. I’m thinking that if you give her a couple of smaller bites when I get her on the gurney, she’ll be all right once we get to the hospital. However, she’ll have to hang out there for a few days.”

  “Do it, Wesley. Make me your cat bitch.” He didn’t have to be asked twice. With everyone watching them, Wesley bit Penny once in the belly, and that seemed to be all it took. He’d been giving her his blood since they’d been sleeping together, and that had more than likely saved her from being out right now. “I love you, Wesley Beasley. You are my wittle baby kitty.”

  “Either she’s drunk, or she hit her head harder than we thought.” He had to agree with his brothers. “I’ve never seen her so loopy. Have you, Wesley Beasley?” Another thing he’d never live down, he thought. Yet he didn’t care.

  It turned out she had hit her head hard. Just to make it look good, they put in staples to her head until they could stop the bleeding and get her X-rayed at the hospital. They also refrained from giving her any medication just in case someone had slipped her som
ething while at the house.

  They wrapped up Dutch’s hand and put it in a plastic sheath. No one wanted to get the blood on them, so they were being extra careful with it. Penny had been taken up the stairs just then, and he was nearly ready to follow her when Dutch pulled out a knife from his boot.

  For as long as he lived, Wesley would never remember moving. One second he was on the second step up, being careful of the slickness on them, and the next, he was at Dutch’s body, tossing him back against the floor and tearing into his chest. The knife Dutch had thrown had stuck in the wood, not an inch from Sawyer’s head. If it had hit him, it would have taken out his eye. As it was, his brother fell backward and hit his head on the concrete floor.

  No one moved for what seemed like an eternity, but as soon as he snarled at the medic that had told him to change Penny, they began checking out his brother. He was glad that Sawyer was out of it when he got out of the house.

  Wesley made his way to the tree line and tossed up everything he had on his belly. The taste of blood was still in his mouth.

  Wesley was still a cat when his dad found him. Dad asked him three times if he was all right before he was able to answer him. Then he had to hit him to get him to change. Dad turned his back to him as he shifted and changed. He wondered if him being covered in blood had made his dad as ill as it had made him.

  “Your mom is fit to be tied. She didn’t want anyone to be hurt, but she’s mad that she didn’t get to hurt one of them men.” Wesley said he’d killed Dutch. “You feel bad about that?”

  “No, sir. He hurt Penny.” Dad turned and glanced at him. “He hurt Sawyer too. He’s going to have to go to the hospital.”

  “You’re all alive, and that’s all a man can hope for at the end of the day, I think. Gunner, he’s gone home. He told your mom if anyone wanted him, they’d have to come to him. He’s tuckered out.” Wesley was pulling on a pair of shoes when he asked his dad if he’d said it like that. “You know durn good and well he didn’t. I tell you, I don’t know where my children got their potty mouths from. But today, I’m not going to fuss too much. You changed her, didn’t you?”