Wen Read online

  Wen stepped away from Gerri but stayed close. “Is this what you call keeping control of your territory?”

  “Fuck you, VampLycan!” Horton lifted his hand and pointed at him. “I told you to help me.”

  “This wasn’t my fight.” Wen shrugged. “You already had backup from your nest. Besides, you’re a master. If a fucked-up pack can take you out, you deserve to die. I was protecting my mate.”

  Gerri inwardly winced. There was that VampLycan arrogance she’d always hated. They weren’t the most sympathetic race when it came to Vamps, and they could be too blunt. She bet Horton wasn’t too fond of what Wen had just said, either. One glance at his reaction assured her she was right. He looked furious.

  She opened her mouth to try to defuse the situation but then pressed her lips together. There was nothing she could think to say that could twist Wen’s words into something nicer. It would probably only worsen things, since she was human.

  Horton took a step toward them but stopped. He suddenly laughed. “True.” He spun away, walked into the tiny kitchen area, and bent over the sink. He turned on water, washing his face.

  Horton kept his back to them. He took his time washing his face, dried it, and then removed his shirt. He disappeared out of sight, probably into the apartment bedroom. He returned wearing a clean shirt. He looked around and curled his upper lip.

  “Clean up this fucking mess,” he told one of his nest, who walked back into the room from the hallway. “At least I’m not hungry anymore.” He smiled at Wen. “It wasn’t a boring evening.”

  “There’s that.” Wen kept his tone neutral.

  “Go upstairs with your mate. We’ll handle this mess.” Horton took a seat at his desk.

  Gerri hid her knives. Wen turned and stunned her by gripping her hips. She gasped when he just tossed her over his shoulder, hooked an arm behind her legs, and strode toward the door. He took the stairs two at a time, until they were back in the apartment. He slammed their door, locked it, and headed into the bedroom.

  “Want to tell me why you’re carrying me like a sack of grain?”

  He bent and dumped her on the bed. “I didn’t want you walking through blood.”

  “Thanks?” She frowned. “Now what’s the real reason?”

  “They were doing triage in the damn hallways. I didn’t want you to see that.”

  “Don’t give me that bullshit.” She removed the knives and put them on the nightstand.

  “Fine. I just wanted to get you up here before the pack can regroup. I have no idea how hurt Joel is, and if his pack will lose their damn minds if he dies.” He crouched in front of her. “It could turn bad again.”

  “Do you want to leave now?”

  “Soon.”

  She stared into his eyes and lowered her voice. “After dawn?”

  He nodded. “I’m going to kill that fucker,” he mouthed.

  “What about giving him time?” She knew he’d understand. He’d planned to give Horton time to cause Decker problems.

  “Things changed just a few minutes ago.”

  “Because of how unstable the situation is?”

  “You could have been hurt.”

  “We already knew that. What really changed, Wen? Be honest with me, damn it. We’re in this together.”

  Wen hesitated.

  Gerri leaned forward and snagged his shirt with both hands, fisting it. She yanked him closer until their lips were inches apart, holding his gaze. “What is it?” She kept her voice at a whisper.

  “I heard the Vamp talking, the one who carried out the Vampire who got hurt.”

  “What did he say?”

  “He ordered one of the Lycans to go find a blood donor to feed to his friend.”

  That didn’t sound bad. “And?”

  “The Lycan said ‘just grab that asshole’s mate. She’s human’.”

  “Not surprising. I knew they’d see me that way.”

  His eyes darkened. “The Vamp said ‘not yet. My master has plans for her. He’s going to make her strong enough to survive you assholes for longer than a few days’.”

  Understanding dawned, and she knew why Wen seemed so freaked out. “You shouldn’t be surprised that he plans to fuck you over. Us, I should say. He’s a bad guy.”

  “He said the Vampire women he turned didn’t last with this group. He’s planning on turning you into a soldier. I’m not willing to risk him getting you alone somehow.” He reached up and cupped her face in his hands. “I can’t save you if he does. There’s no coming back from that. You’d slowly go mad and become a killer. I’d have to take you out.”

  She replayed in her mind everything he’d told her about those amped-up zombie versions of a Vampire. She also didn’t want to amuse a pack in the worst way imaginable. “I’d want you to.”

  “We leave in the morning. I’ll take you to safety, then come back to handle this mess.”

  “We’re a team.”

  “I want you the fuck out of here, G.L. We’re done.”

  Pain twisted her heart. He wasn’t just talking about this mission. He’d have to return to Alaska once his scent faded from her, and she’d go home. She released his shirt. “I’m your partner in this until the end. We do what you need to do and walk out of here the way we came in. Together.”

  “It’s too dangerous.”

  “I’m your fucking backup, Wen.”

  He licked his lips and eased his hold on her. “No, baby. You just became a liability. I’ll be too worried about you instead of focused on what needs to be done. I’ll take you out of here for food in the morning and get you somewhere safe. Then I’ll come back alone.” He rose up. “Discussion over. Get some sleep.” He stalked out of the bedroom.

  Tears filled her eyes but she wiped them away. She knew he’d break her heart.

  Wen was furious as he poured a glass of water from the tap and drank it down. He knew there would be some risk involved for Gerri but he’d never thought Horton would want to turn her into a soldier and hand her over to be a sexual plaything for the rogues. It made him sick to his stomach and enraged at the same time.

  The Vamp and Lycan speaking in the damn hallway should have known he could hear them. It was just luck that they were stupid or underestimated his senses. Horton had been running water to clean off the blood on his face, or he’d probably have heard the same conversation, alerted him that Wen was on to him.

  It took all of his control to not grab Gerri, smash a window, and jump out of it with her in his arms. He wanted her out of the building now. There was no telling when Horton planned to grab her, or how.

  He stormed into the bedroom, wanting to stay close to her. She had removed her shoes, lying on the bed with her back to him, curled into a ball. He knew she wasn’t sleeping though.

  He couldn’t stretch out next to her. He was too stressed and worried about her safety. He stayed in the doorway, on alert. He had an advantage at that moment. He could protect her for a few hours. Some of the Lycans were hurt from their fight with the Vamps. They probably wouldn’t go on a rampage or listen to Horton until their alpha was either dead or recovered enough to give them orders.

  It was best to wait until dawn, when the Vamps were tucked away. Maybe Joel would wake and order his pack to flee the building. That would be perfect, but Wen wasn’t counting on rationality from the pack. They probably still needed whatever the hell they were getting out of the deal with Horton too badly to walk away.

  He reached up and rubbed the back of his neck. He’d get Gerri to someplace very public and secure, then come back to kill Horton. Once that was done, he’d meet Micah at the airport. They’d be out of the area by noon. He could take Gerri home and stay with her until his scent faded.

  It would also mean keeping his damn hands off her for a few weeks. That would be hell, but he wouldn’t leave her vulnerable to attacks. Her life meant more to him than his selfish needs. That lesson had been learned. She was in danger because of him.

  She’s accuse
d him of being willing to sacrifice her life. He wouldn’t. No matter what it cost him.

  He went over what he’d learned. He knew the Vamps slept in the basement. He’d seen them coming out of there. It made sense. They probably had some kind of escape route. He would if he were a Vamp. A city probably meant sewer tunnels. He’d have to hit hard and fast.

  Horton would be able to move during the day. He wasn’t sure about the other three in his nest. They’d fought well but the one who’d gone down didn’t seem that old. He probably wouldn’t be able to fend for himself once the sun was up. That left him dealing with three, plus the Lycans. The Vamps would die first, so Horton didn’t have time to escape.

  It wasn’t going to be easy to get back inside the house without Gerri. The Lycans would be suspicious. He’d faced harder missions though. The most important thing was her safety.

  Chapter Eleven

  The house was silent when Gerri and Wen descended the stairs. Both of their backpacks remained inside the apartment. They didn’t want to alert anyone that Gerri wasn’t coming back. One Lycan sat in a chair in the hallway. He rose to his feet, looking a little leery.

  “I’m taking my mate to eat. Do you want us to wait until a few of your pack can tag along?” Wen kept his tone calm.

  “Go.”

  Wen kept hold of her hand and led her out the front door. No Lycans were in sight. They didn’t talk until they’d made it down the block. “That was weird,” she muttered.

  “No lookout at the front. Only one guard downstairs and he didn’t give us any shit. I wonder if Joel died?”

  “You haven’t slept at all. You didn’t hear anything?”

  “I heard movement, doors, but no one was talking loud enough for me to overhear anything. I watched the back window but nobody left that way. There’s no view of the front from the apartment they put us in.”

  “I guess that’s good for you if there’s only one guard.”

  “It makes me wonder where the hell the rest of the pack is.” He kept glancing around. “But yeah, I need to hit Horton and his nest first. I don’t want him escaping.”

  “He’ll be trapped in the basement.”

  “Doubtful. Most Vamps have escape routes if they’re smart.”

  “He’s old enough not to be helpless when the sun is up, right?”

  “Definitely. I’d bet at least one of his Vamps has been feeding off him too. He’d want backup if he’s ever attacked by the Lycans. The more he lets them drink his blood, the stronger they become.”

  “Maybe all three of them have been getting master blood.”

  “Not the one who got so hurt last night that they had to carry him out of the room. He went down too easy. That could have changed though, once we went upstairs. Horton would have seen how weak that nest member was and probably will have wanted to fix that. I would have.”

  They reached a little cafe and Wen opened the door. “After you.”

  She ducked under his arm and walked up to the counter. Wen withdrew cash from his wallet. She ordered them two coffees and some breakfast burritos. “Eat first.”

  He paid the cashier. “I need to make a call. I’m going to duck into the bathroom. Watch the door and take a seat near the glass so you can be easily seen. I wouldn’t be surprised if we were tailed.”

  “Got it.” She forced a smile and took a seat at table near the front door. Her gaze traveled along the street. People were out and about but none of them looked as if they could be Lycans. She’d had years of practice watching people, being on alert.

  Wen returned to the table within a few minutes. She looked up when he took a seat across from her. “Micah will fly us out right after I’m done. I want you to meet him at the airport. Do you remember the name of it?”

  “Yes. That’s a long drive if I have to pay a taxi.”

  He slipped her a wad of bills under the table. “That will cover it.”

  “Okay.” She tucked the money in her pocket. “So you’re going to go back to the building, then meet us?”

  “That’s the plan.” He held her gaze. “I scouted the back. There’s an alarm on the door but I grabbed an employee. I had him to turn it off. I’m going to eat, then go out the front. As soon as I do, you hit the back door. Don’t draw attention to yourself by running. Hail a cab as soon as you can. Don’t stop for anything, G.L.”

  She was worried about him. “Got it. Simple.”

  He studied her. “You won’t do some dumbass thing and try to follow me, will you?”

  She grinned. “No.”

  “You thought about it though.”

  “Guilty. Then I realized I’d only distract you. I’d be shit backup if I needed saving. I promise I’ll take off out the back and head toward the airport. You promise me you won’t die.”

  He reached across the table to take her hand. “Not a chance.”

  One of the employees brought their coffees, and breakfast burritos stuffed with scrambled eggs, bacon, and hash browns. Gerri didn’t have much of an appetite but she managed to eat one.

  Wen downed all four she’d ordered for him. “I need to go.”

  “Please be careful. I’m not saying goodbye to you yet. You promised to stay with me until your scent is gone.”

  “I always keep my word. You be careful.”

  “I got the easy part. I wish I had my phone. I’m going to be worried about you.”

  “I’ll be about an hour or less behind you. Micah will be waiting at the airport.” He stood. “Ready?”

  She got up and rounded the small table, grabbing hold of the front of his shirt. He stared down at her.

  “Don’t die,” she whispered. “A kiss for luck?”

  His mouth twisted upward. “I’m not going to need it but I won’t turn down a kiss from you.”

  She went up on tiptoes as he lowered toward her. His lips brushed hers gently. She wanted to deepen the kiss but he pulled away.

  “It’s time, G.L. Be careful. Now move that lush ass of yours and no looking back.”

  “Same to you.” She let him go with regret. The words “I love you” caught in her throat but she swallowed them down.

  He turned away, pushed open the door, and strode back in the direction they’d come.

  She spun, walking toward the back of the cafe. The exit sign was near the bathroom. She pushed the door open and ended up in an alley. She turned in the opposite direction Wen had gone and strolled away. A few bums were sleeping but no one stopped her. She hit the street and saw a kid sitting at a bus stop texting on his phone. She went right up to him and pulled a twenty dollar bill out of her pocket.

  “Hey.”

  He lifted his head, glancing at her, then the money.

  “I need to make a call. I’ll be real fast and it’s local. I lost my cell phone. Can I borrow yours for one minute?”

  He hesitated then handed it over. She slipped him the money and dialed Micah.

  He answered on the first ring. “Who is this?”

  “Gerri. Wen is going in alone. He needs backup. Do you have the address of where we were?”

  “Give it to me.”

  She rattled it off. “Help him. I’m on my way to the airport.”

  “Will do. He’s not going to be happy about this.”

  “I don’t care. He wouldn’t let me go with him and I hate the idea of him being alone. Is your brother still around?”

  “He is. Both of us will go.”

  “Be careful. Two dozen furs and four others. Got it?”

  Micah chuckled. “Someone can hear you?”

  “I borrowed the phone. Got to go. I see a taxi. Be careful and don’t let anything happen to him.”

  “We’ll do our best.”

  She ended the call and passed the cell back to the kid. “Thanks.”

  “That was the easiest twenty bucks I ever made.”

  She walked over to the street and waved to the taxi oncoming. It pulled over and she slipped into the back. “I hope you’ve got some time, beca
use I need a ride to the airport.” She gave him the name, so he wouldn’t assume she was going somewhere local.

  The guy gaped at her. “You know that’s a private airport, right? It’s not a regular one.”

  “I know.”

  The driver faced forward. “Okay. I want a hundred up front.”

  She pulled out the money, hiding the large stash from him, and offered up two hundred. “I’m not going to screw you over by running up a tab I can’t pay. Just get me to the airport.”

  He glanced at the bills, then her. “Okay.”

  She turned in the seat, glancing back at traffic. It was possible someone might try to follow if the Lycans had been watching them. It was her job to make sure that didn’t happen. Her mind went to Wen.

  Please be okay. Please come back to me.

  * * * * *

  Wen entered the house, his face a mask of fury. The Lycan leapt up from his chair in the hallway. “Where’s the woman?”

  “We got into a goddamn fight. Do you have a mate? They can be infuriating! The fact that she’s human makes it ten times worse. Your little fight last night upset her and now she doesn’t feel safe here. I protected her, didn’t I? Yes, I did!”

  The Lycan gawked at his rant, then recovered. “You need to find her. She knows about us.”

  “She’s having one of those girly iced coffees and donuts down the street, told me to give her space. I’m picking her up in ten minutes. Space? What the fuck is that about?” He paced, as if agitated. “She’s my mate. There’s no such thing as space.”

  “You need to get her now.”

  Wen spun, walking closer. “I know. Mates can drive you crazy.”

  He threw a sucker punch, surprising the Lycan.

  His fist made contact with the guy’s nose, snapping his head back. Wen moved fast, caught him, and snapped his neck. Then he carried the body to Horton’s office and dropped it there. He closed the door, then moved quickly while the coast was still clear to the basement door.

  It was locked. He withdrew his hunting knife from his ankle holster, wedged the blade between the door and frame, and popped the cheap lock. He eased the door open. The scent of Vamp filled his nose. They were definitely sleeping down there. Fresh blood hit his nose too. He grimaced, silently entered the stairwell, and eased the door closed behind him. He made sure it remained locked, his eyes adjusting to the dimness.