I heard him whisper to her, “We’ll figure it out. Don’t worry.”
“Colby, I know you don’t give a rat’s ass about what happens to Tane.” I smoothed the wrinkles on my shirt and did my best to meet his intense green eyes. “Or me, but the killer is probably among the kidnappers.” I nodded to the werewolves. “Can’t they tag along as back-up while you hunt them down?”
I may not have a college degree, though I had lived a lifetime of compromises.
Dealing was a means of surviving when you had nothing.
The frown on Colby’s face deepened and aged him ten years. “The longer we wait, the colder the trail.”
The siblings glanced at each other as if excited by his invitation.
Colby grabbed my hand as he stalked out the door. “How does this bond work?”
“My-my life is connected to Tane’s. It’s how I survive. Sometimes we can hear each other’s thoughts.”
“That must be disturbing.”
I nodded as I stared at the ground and whispered, “Yes.”
“Can you try to reach out and see if you can get an idea of where he is?” He led us through the dark cave without a flashlight.
I tripped and stumbled, but his steadying hand caught me each time. The werewolves hadn’t followed. “I tried already. They drugged him.”
His steps hesitated as we exited the cave. “So he’s vulnerable.”
“You still want to kill him.” I yanked my arm out of his grip. “Do you really hate me that much?”
His brow furrowed. “No but you’re a lost kid who made a bad choice. I’m just as responsible for your situation as you are. I could have sent you home or ordered one of my men to pursue you or—”
“Ordered? Like an assignment?” My blood boiled.
“Most of them would have considered it a bonus.” He grinned and it took the edge off his face.
I shook my head in disbelief. “You are one clueless bastard when it comes to women. Look at Gwen.” I pointed in the quiet cave. “She wants you.”
“She’s a lonely, confused werewolf. Once I’m gone she’ll forget what she smelled.”
I doubted it. I’d witnessed the look on her face when she claimed him. Colby didn’t know her like I did. Surrender wasn’t in her vocabulary. His life was about to get very interesting.
A man with long, brown wavy hair and a five o’clock shadow accompanied Gwen out of the cave. Kam shrugged. “Can’t go into the city in my beast form.”
“We’ll need to rendezvous with my team.” Colby addressed them.
“What about Connie?” Gwen came to stand next to me. She seemed collected and calm again.
“She stays here.”
“I do?” Cocking my head to the side, I quirked an eyebrow. “Don’t you need my link to Tane?”
“Like you said, he’s too drugged. You’ll just slow us down. Stay here, if he wakes and you get a sense of where he is, then call me on my cell.”
Gwen took my hand. “Then let’s accompany her to the house so we can be on our way.”
“I think I can manage to get there in one piece on my own. Just point out the right trail.”
Handing me the flashlight, she nodded. “There’s about an hour of daylight left.
Don’t tell anyone of Tane’s disappearance except Rurik. I don’t know who we can trust.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Gwen’s last warning about trusting no one left a cold emptiness in my gut. Colby, Gwen and her brother, Kam, ran off into the jungle at an unnatural speed.
I stood staring at the swaying leaves in the wake of their departure. Alone in the jungles of Brazil, I realized I was too much of a city girl to appreciate its beauty.
Where others saw lush green vegetation and exotic life, I saw bugs. The jungles suddenly appeared more vast and darker than a minute ago. I did my best impression of the werewolves and ran down the trail. Getting caught out here in the dark would equate one of my worst nightmares.
Did I put on a brave face for Gwen’s sake? Yes, of course. I needed her to focus on finding Tane, not babysitting me. Could I make it back to the mansion safely? I sure as hell hoped so.
Out of breath, sweat trickling down my back, and legs burning, I arrived at the natural pool in the gardens. On weak knees, I collapsed in the closest chair. I had made it without some snake trying to eat me.
The sun still sat on top of the jungle canopy. I’d kill for a glass of water right now, the clear liquid from the stream taunted me and I licked my lips.
Quiet set upon the mansion grounds. Even though the vamps slept, they had servants and guards. Where was everyone? Maybe they were getting ready for sunset and the vampires awakening?
My own vamp would be wondering of my whereabouts and adventures. Tane forbade him from being at the hotel last night. If Colby had spotted him, he would have sensed the trap.
Rurik’s concern for my safety touched me. Most people take affection for granted until the day they lose it and are alone. Been there, done that. I got so used to nobody caring that when someone finally did, I clung to him. That’s why the loss of Laurent almost destroyed me and why I deserted everything to be with Rurik.
Everyone needs to be loved, even the unlovable. I’d thought of Tane as a demon once, but I’d just organized his rescue. Maybe Tane and I were not so different? Stubborn and damaged, sometimes being so alike made it difficult to accept the other’s faults. It would also explain why Rurik loved us both.
I closed my eyes at the thought, still uncomfortable with the possibility of sharing my boyfriend. Jealousy was a poor companion. The idea of Tane touching him set my teeth on edge. We had some hard decisions to make if we survived this crisis.
What if he decided to share Tane’s bed? I’ve never been good at sharing and knew myself well enough to foresee a quick departure.
My eyelids popped open. Then again, Tane could die and drag me to hell with him.
The sun had drifted behind the tree foliage.
Why hadn’t they killed him—us yet? I remembered so little from being tortured besides the pain. Luckard asked about the drug we used on Dragos, the same one they used on Tane. They obviously had acquired some.
I scratched my head as the gears spun in my mind and tried to make a connection.
What if they only had what Eric stole from Tane? That little vial didn’t contain much after Budapest. Maybe they were out?
They would need the source, but what would they use it for? A chill froze my heart as the facts came together.
I sat forward and leaned my face onto my hands. Shit.
They must realize Tane won’t tell them anything. After two nights of torture he never broke. What leverage did they have?
As soon as the question appeared in my thoughts I knew the answer.
Rurik!
My feet were running for the mansion before my brain registered what was going on.
The door slammed open as I hurled myself against it then ran toward the stairs. Taking the steps two at a time, I raced to our bedroom. Tears burned behind my eyelids and a hard lump constricted my throat, which made it hard to breathe.
Please, please, please…
I turned the doorknob and entered. The empty, unmade bed greeted my arrival.
No…please. No. A sob heaved my chest and the tears streamed down my cheeks. They took him too. My lover, my friend, my heart—and Tane’s biggest weakness. I crossed the room and moved the blankets as if he hid under them.
Just when I thought I hit rock bottom, someone handed me a shovel.
Archios or Luckard had more accomplices than we thought. One of them must have taken Rurik when he was helpless and waited for there to be only a handful of guards in the mansion. Crap. It never occurred to any of us he might be in danger.