Taking It Off for the Coyote

by Serenity Snow

  Cambrie found it and dialed her cousin as her stomach knotted and nausea assailed her in sickening waves.

  The phone went to voicemail, and Cambrie thought for a moment and then searched for her cousin’s husband’s number.

  “Who are you calling?”

  She ignored the hint of jealousy in Sydney’s voice. “My cousin’s husband,” she said. “Patty is dangerous. They have to get out of t—” They couldn’t. They owned the land. Patty will decimate them for that will and the deeds to the land.

  “Hello?”

  “Hi,” she said tentatively. “Hawk?”

  “He’s dead,” the voice said coldly.

  “Skye?” Her voice trembled.

  “She’s dead too. Who are you?”

  She disconnected. “No!” Cambrie restrained the urged to scream and throw her phone across the room. She hadn’t even gotten a chance to know them again, but pain was an icy hand around her heart. The possibility of what might have been bit a hole in her heart.

  Cambrie clenched her hand around the device and rage turned cold inside her. She had to beat Patty no matter what it took.

  “Cambrie?” Sydney’s hand on her shoulder reminded her she wasn’t alone.

  She swallowed tightly. “Can you take me home?” she asked. “I need to do something.” She had to try to find out if her cousin was dead.

  “Talk to me,” Sydney commanded. “Is it your cousin?”

  “I think she’s dead,” she said. “How can I find out?”

  “I’ll ask around,” she said. “What’s her name?”

  “Skye Red Oak.”

  “I’ll check with the police and if that doesn’t turn up any answers, I’ll see what else I can find out,” Sydney promised and pulled Cambrie back into her arms. She kissed the side of her head. “I won’t tell you it’ll be okay, but I will tell you that I won’t leave you alone in this.”

  “Thank you.” She twisted in Sydney’s hold and threw her arms around her. Cambrie snuggled against her reveling in her warmth and taking comfort in the patchouli and spice scent of her. Her heart broke for the connection she might have lost knowing she was really alone now.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Sydney glanced across the seat at Cambrie as they sped back to Snowbury. Her gaze was riveted by the scenery. Her hands rested in her lap, fingers clasped but the animal sensed something different about her.

  No sweetness or mirth. Rage, quiet and determined, tilted Cambrie’s chin up just a little and clenched her jaw. She wondered what the gorgeous woman who had her animal so intrigued was holding back about Sorrento and his partner.

  She knew something, and Sydney wanted to know what that was. She was eager to exploit that knowledge to help her pack.

  At the same time, Sydney didn’t want to do anything that hurt Cambrie. She felt the thin thread of a connection between them and her animal wanted to do nothing more than nurture it.

  “How do you know Sorrento and his partner?” Sydney asked carefully.

  “I dated her,” Cambrie answered coolly. “Patricia Cutter. She has a place in Arizona, but she lives like a nomad looking for new properties to buy and sell. She deals in real estate. I met her almost two years ago in Arkansas where she was buying property.”

  “And?” she demanded tightly, the coyote not too happy to be talking about a past lover of Cambrie’s.

  “And what?”

  “Did you keep in touch?” Sydney got off the high way as the coyote and the woman both grew angry as betrayal stirred inside her. Her mate was a hyena’s bitch being pimped out to her?

  She snorted. “Why would I? It was over and not because she was a shifter,” Cambrie told her coldly.

  “How long ago was this?” Sydney demanded. “Six months?”

  “Try eighteen months,” Cambrie muttered. “Patty was cruel and inhumane to anyone outside of her pack and at times that included me.”

  Sydney fell silent, not exactly sure what to make of what Cambrie had told her, but she hadn’t sensed a lie. Still, it bothered her Cambrie hadn’t told her any of this before. It made her wonder if she’d caught Patricia with someone else yesterday and merely wanted to get back at her.

  “It doesn’t matter that you don’t believe me,” Cambrie said quietly. “I didn’t expect it. I merely hoped I was wrong, so I don’t think we should see each other outside work. It’d be a waste of my time and your energy.”

  “Cam—”

  “Yeah, I know,” she cut in quickly. “It’s not a waste of your time if you can get information out of me.”

  “Don’t you think you’re misjudging me?”

  She laughed bitterly. “I could say the same about you.”

  “I just don’t know what to think,” Sydney told her quietly. “Sorrento comes into town wanting to take over our turf and then you show up and tell me you know him.”

  “It doesn’t mean I’m lying, Sydney,” she murmured. “And as much as I want you to believe it, I won’t beg you to.”

  Sydney pulled up to the duplex five minutes later and Cambrie was getting out even before she stopped. She rushed up to the porch and was jamming the key into the lock when Sydney reached her.

  “I do believe you,” Sydney told her and turned Cambrie to face her. “I just don’t want to be wrong.”

  Cambrie nodded. “Right. Yeah. I understand.”

  Sydney leaned toward her and kissed her top lip. “When I get some news about your cousin, I’ll let you know, but don’t go doing anything crazy like going out to the Gray Tail den.”

  “I can take care of me,” she said coldly. “I was doing just fine before I met you and that won’t change. I’ll see you later.” She stepped inside and closed the door on Sydney.

  Sydney sighed and decided not to fight with her now. Her thoughts were already in a tangle of confusion. She wasn’t sure how to handle what she was feeling, so she decided to do what she’d always done best. She headed to her car removing her phone as she did so.

  She tapped in Jenner’s number. He was a wolf police detective and he’d know of any deaths in town within the last twenty-four hours.

  “What?” His voice was gruff with tiredness.

  “Jen, I need a favor.”

  “Begs the same question,” he muttered.

  “Deaths in the last twenty-four hours.”

  “On the edge of town, a family was mugged two nights ago. Red Oak. They were Gray Tail, and there’s no evidence that Oaklyn or any shadowy figure ordered a hit on them.”

  “You’re a dick,” she said coldly. “Oaklyn is up to something. In fact, that girl held the deeds to Gray Tail property that Oaklyn’s pal Sorrento need to take over that den.”

  “There’s no proof of that.”

  “There’s proof,” she muttered. “She’ll probably be dead by sunset.” Sydney disconnected and leaned against the side of her truck. “Cambrie, get out here.” She turned over last night’s call in her mind. The cousin met someone, and likely at one of the few local eateries.

  Shit. No. It could not be.

  She stalked to the porch and leaped up the few stairs. Hand raised to rap on the door, it opened. Sydney pushed her way in side.

  “What—”

  “Cambrie, have you met with your cousin lately?”

  “Twice,” she said with a frown. “Why?”

  “She was killed two nights ago on the outskirts of town.”

  Cambrie’s face crumbled, but she quickly wrenched the display of emotions flitting across her face under control. “Her son?”

  “Her entire family,” she said. “When did you meet with her last?” Please don’t say the day before yesterday.”

  “It was in fact. We met for breakfast,” Cambrie told her quietly. “I need to know more about what was going on, so I’ll go out there and talk to the pack leader.”

  “No, you won’t.”

  “You can’t stop me,” she said with a shrug. “Besides, you can’t tell me anything. You have no idea what was happ
ening in that pack, right?”

  “I told you what I knew, baby, so stay away from there. It’s not safe.”

  “I’m not your responsibility, Sydney, and you can’t tell me how to run my life. Thanks for information. Now, please leave. I’ve got things to do.”

  “Stay away from that den or I’ll—” Her cell phone’s ring cut her off and Cambrie lifted her brows at her as she crossed her arms over her chest.

  “Or you’ll answer your phone and take off? Good.” She turned her back and slipped from the room.

  Sydney cursed and answered her phone. “I’ve got you a meet. Tread with care. I can’t completely vouch for this guy.”

  “When? Where?”

  “The old Barnhill place tomorrow morning, four,” he told her. “In the old barn. He says he knows you won’t come alone, but he doesn’t want to see more than one other person covering your ass or he won’t deal.”

  “Got it. Thanks.”

  “Just watch your ass. Things are about to get nasty.” The line went dead, and she growled low.

  Sam wanted her to get something. This had fallen in her lap granted, but what the hell. Could be a trap though.

  “It’s better than what I’ve got,” she muttered and ran a hand through her hair. “Cam?” She followed her scent finding her packing a backpack. “You want to know more?”

  Cambrie turned her head. “I’m going to find that out.”

  “Stay put,” she said. “I’ll be back later, and I’ll take you with me in the morning. I’m meeting someone who might know something.”

  Cambrie studied her and Sydney could virtually see her working things out in her mind. If she was working with Sorrento and his partner then if that information led to deaths and Sorrento securing the Gray Tail property, she’d know Cambrie was a sleeper and a damned good one.

  “Sydney if you leave me behind, it won’t stop me from going out there tomorrow,” Cambrie told her in a steely tone. “I’m finding out who killed my cousin and I’m going to make them wish they’d never screwed with my family.” She tossed the bag onto the nearby chair and wiped at a tear. “I’m done watching people I love die and their killers get away with murder with impunity.”

  “Does that mean you’re willing to help us destroy Sorrento?” Sydney asked carefully.

  “Destroy? He’s a hyena. He knows the rules of the animal world. I want him dead.”

  Sydney’s animal growled at Cambrie’s failure to mention Patty. She clenched her fists and bit back the accusations clawing to get out of her.

  Pack was everything and a mate was forever. However, if Cambrie betrayed, she would kill her. It would break something inside her to take the life of the one person that had been made for her, but she would if it came to that. Then, she’d be no help to Sam and Patty’s plan would succeed.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Cambrie sat down after Sydney left. She’d give her this chance because she trusted her to a degree. She didn’t think Sydney would purposely keep her out of the loop knowing her life could be in danger too. However, if Sydney betrayed her, she’d go after Patty and Sorrento on her own. She had what they wanted, the deeds and wills to the Gray Tail land.

  All they needed to know was where Skye’s heir was and it would be easy enough for her to leak that information tomorrow at the club. Leah would have that bug in Sorrento’s ear so fast he wouldn’t have time to catch his breath.

  She studied the papers to make sure she was right about what she had and finding out that she was, set her heart to pumping hard and fast with the fear and exhilaration of a chase to come.

  The papers would have to be hidden for protection. If they got their hands on her they’d think she had the items here. So, she’d have to put them someplace else.

  Cambrie got up from the couch and paced the worn carpet as her thoughts ran carefully over every place she could possibly use. Then, it came to her. A safe deposit box, but not in Mystic.

  No one was keeping an eye on her now—no. That might not be true. Sydney had been trying to lose someone last night.

  “But no one is following Mindy.” She smiled thinking of one of the identities she’d used to evade Patty and Sorrento’s searches. Mindy was a redhead with a flamboyant style, and she still had some of her clothes. She’d change and then get a ride into Mystic. Her neighbor was home. She’d just use a hint of persuasion to borrow her car.

  ****

  “I’ve got my pack ready to cover either side you tell us,” Darden said coolly, his eyes on Patty. “Leah has provided excellent pictures of the Snow Fur den’s exits, and she’s been working a guy who lives there. He’s given up some security intel.”

  “Such as?” She wanted everything planned out to prevent as few surprises as possible.

  “Spring’s not living in the den on a regular basis and neither is Summerfield, Mica Clawer, or Brynn Holley,” Darden told them. “Spring is training a new chief of security with Summerfield’s help. A man by the name of Dean.”

  “Why?” Patty demanded as tension suddenly tightened her shoulders. If they were leaving, her victory over them, killing them outside of their den would be hollow.

  “I don’t know why, but Dean is pretty disgruntled. He feels he’s stronger, has age, and experience on Summerfield and Spring. He’s pissed he’s just now being promoted. He’d love to teach Blacklaw a lesson and take over the pack.”

  Patty frowned. That was good news on one hand. It meant the man could be bought, but on the other hand, it meant he was a hot-head who would always be trouble.

  “Exploit the situation,” she murmured. “Offer him what he wants, but make sure he does what you tell him to. Get me all the information we need to defeat Snow Fur. Ways into the den, security personnel, abilities, schedules, and I want to know who can be bought.”

  “Got it.”

  She nodded. Patty didn’t expect many to turn on Blacklaw, but she knew some would. Her mother had turned parts of the pack years ago. That kind of betrayal was insidious yet sweet music to her ears. She’d kill the traitors when she’d finished with them.

  “I want Spring’s girlfriend dead this time,” she said.

  “I did some asking around about Skye Red Oak,” Darden told her. “The diner she went to the other day, she met a woman there. According to the coyote who told me this, it was Skye’s cousin. So I checked it out. The waitress that worked the table said Skye handed an envelope off to the girl who just so happens to be Spring’s dancer.”

  “The heir?”

  “More than likely,” he said with a smile.

  “Retrieve the information by any means necessary and kill her painfully. Then, leave her propped in bed for Spring to find.”

  ****

  That evening Cambrie contemplated her meal options as she lounged on the sofa in panties and a camisole. She wasn’t wasting her time planning anything romantic because what good would it do? She wasn’t even sure Sydney trusted her or ever would.

  She’d meant what she’d said earlier today though. She was done being a victim, and she was done falling for all the wrong women. That included Sydney.

  The bond between them was fragile with so much promise, but there was no guarantee Sydney would take steps to cement that bond. Even if she did, with a lack of trust between them, the relationship wouldn’t work causing the bond to slowly die.

  The thump outside her door made her jump and Cambrie’s heart stop. Then, there was a knock on her door, and she glanced at the clock on her tablet before getting to her feet. Sydney wasn’t off work yet, and she doubted if she’d bother to swing by before morning. There was no reason since Cambrie had given her word that she’d stay put.

  The knock sounded again as she reached the door and looked out of the peephole. Darkness greeted her and Cambrie opened her senses to feel for danger.

  Her mind came up against wild animal energy. The unrestrained feeling of a hyena.

  She backed away from the door knowing an attack was imminent. She hurried bac
k to the couch for her phone and grabbed it running to her bedroom as she punched in 9-1-1.

  “9-1-1what’s your emergency?” the cool voice asked.

  “I’m at Leaf Street and someone’s trying to break into my apartment,” she had rather tell a half-truth than—the door crashed into the wall and she jumped. “Please hurry,” she whispered and rattled off the address as the unnatural silence filled the apartment.

  Cambrie set the phone aside and drew in a deep breath. Her power pooled in her stomach. She could fight, but this was a hyena. He was stronger and his bite would crush her bones, and his claws would open her up like she was a plastic trash bag.

  “Cool.” She exhaled slowly, silently and closed her eyes as she stood behind the door waiting.

  The bathroom door creaked open and in the dark, she held her breath, heart beating slowly.

  Nothing moved for all of five seconds, no footsteps on the wood in the hall, or the tile in the bathroom. The door was still before her and then she felt the shift of energy and yellow eyes lit up the dark.

  “Boo!”

  She let out a startled scream, and he laughed that eerie hyena laugh before slamming the door closed and moving to her. Fists clenched she waited determined not to beg.

  Sydney!

  Cambrie knew she and Sydney were connected, but she didn’t know if that connection was strong enough for her mental voice to reach Sydney.

  “Where’s your girlfriend?” he crooned as he rested a hand on the wall next to her head.

  “Behind you,” she said with a smirk.

  He jerked around, and Cambrie stomped on his foot before attempting to drive her knee into his groin. He jumped back in time to avoid the blow and slapped her hard across the face sending pain ricocheting through her bones.

  Cambrie grimaced, and he grabbed her and jerked her to him. “It’s too bad she won’t be here to save you this time.” He shoved her back against the wall and drove his fist toward her face. Cambrie leaned to one side with a small cry and kicked him in the side of his leg.

  He growled and then laughed. “Feisty little thing aren’t you?” he taunted.