“Let her go,” I yelled, showing my hands. “I’m the one you’re after.”
At that moment, the free-wheeling grocery cart slammed into a parked car, setting off the car alarm. Others in the lot turned to look, and Fonthill growled. “Too many eyes here, sweetheart.”
Oh, shit. No. Adrenaline laced my bloodstream. I couldn’t let him take my sister.
I took a step toward him. Just a little closer, and I’d be able to tackle him. There were too many people around for me to pull out my gun and shoot him, but at least Nadya could break free and run. “I won’t make a scene. Just let her go.”
“Take another step, and I’ll blow a hole right through her back.” He pushed Nadya toward his car.
Somewhere behind us I heard, “Call 9-1-1.” And another person gasping, “That’s the man the police are looking for from the gas station attack.”
Fonthill opened the back door of the silver sedan. Nadya stomped on his foot and threw her head back to hit him in the chin, but it barely slowed the juiced-up werewolf. He glared at me. “I’d love to pull this trigger. Give me a reason.”
He forced Nadya inside and slammed the door, clicking the alarm. “Meet me tonight at the abandoned drive-in. Eight o’clock. Alone.”
Fonthill was behind the wheel and peeling out of the parking lot before I could draw my gun. Seeing the car turn the corner made my heart twist.
They were gone.
Chapter Forty-Three
Aren
After another forty-five of the longest damn minutes of my life, I felt my cell phone vibrate in my pocket. Relief shot through me. They were finally on their way here.
“Yeah,” I said quietly, plugging my other ear. The connection sucked, but in spite of the fuzzy reception, the tone of Sasha’s voice made my heart sink.
“He got her when they came out of the store.” She paused a second, collecting herself. “He had a gun to her back. There were too many people in the lot for me to shoot him. They recognized him and called 9-1-1. I flashed my badge and told them I was undercover. Adam gave me his keys. I have to meet the bastard at eight o’clock.”
“Where’s Adam?”
“He and Lana stayed to file a police report. It would look too suspicious if they didn’t.”
I hated that I was relieved even though Nadya had been taken, but Sasha, Adam, and Lana were all safe. And as long as Fonthill planned on trading Nadya for Sasha, then she’d be safe too. For now.
“Meet me at the ranch. We’ll regroup there.”
“I can’t. I have to find her.”
I rubbed my forehead, grappling to remain calm. “Sash, he’s planning to meet you tonight. He’s probably already got her in his home base to wait. You’re not going to find him by driving around.”
“I can’t sit still and do nothing.” Her voice trembled, and I wanted to reach through the phone and hold her.
“We’ll figure out our next move. That’s not doing nothing.” I lowered my voice. “Please, Sash. Meet me there, and let me help you.”
For a second I thought she hung up but finally she responded. “I’ll be there.”
I closed my phone.
“Are they on their way?” Jason asked as the others came out of hiding.
“No.” I met the doctor’s eyes. “He’s got Nadya.”
Jason shook his head, every muscle in his shoulders and neck contracting. “How could this happen? Where was Adam? I thought Sasha was going to shoot him.”
“They were there, but Fonthill was fast, and there were too many people watching for Sasha to fire.”
“Goddammit!”
I stared at Jason. He rarely lost his cool bedside manner. I guess I didn’t realize he cared about Nadya beyond an acquaintance.
“He didn’t hurt her, did he?”
“No.” Then I added what we were all thinking. “Not yet.”
“Doesn’t matter. He’s fucking dead.” We all turned, but Gareth had already walked past us up the ramp toward his Harley.
“Meet us at the ranch.”
The roar of his bike was the only answer.
…
When we got to the ranch Sasha was outside waiting. As I approached her she kept her arms crossed, protecting herself. “I never should have let Nadya get involved. I did everything I could, but I couldn’t get her away from him.”
Adam and Lana pulled in the driveway. He got out and came over to us, his head down. “I’m sorry, Sasha. He must’ve stayed in his car until the wind picked up. I never caught his scent.”
I expected Sasha to rip into him, but she surprised me. “I was there. You did all you could. I should’ve just taken my shot, onlookers be damned.”
Adam shook his head. “The full moon is only a few days away. We’d be screwed if we ended up behind bars. You made the only choice you could.”
I took Sasha’s hand, grateful that she didn’t pull away. “Let’s get inside.”
Chapter Forty-Four
Sasha
The General and Adam headed up the discussion around Adam’s dining room table, working on strategies for the meeting with Fonthill tonight, but I barely paid attention. Aren caught my gaze. My heart clenched. I did my best to paste an encouraging half-smile on my face. It must’ve looked convincing because his attention shifted to planning the exchange again.
The exchange he had no idea I wouldn’t be attending.
I rubbed my sweaty palms against my jeans. During the drive back to the ranch, I’d gotten another text from a blocked number:
Sorry to change our plan, kitty, but I’ll be seeing you at the lumberyard at 8 instead. No wolves or baby sister dies.
Sister dies? No way.
From the map Adam had laid out across his table, the lumberyard was next door to the abandoned movie theater.
Fonthill had probably planned this from the start. Keep the wolves busy at the drive-in while he conducts his business so close they wouldn’t suspect it. I couldn’t tell any of them about the venue change or they’d insist on coming along. Their help was appreciated, but this was my problem, not theirs.
I never should have let Nadya get involved, and I needed to make it right. If I could get out alive, I would.
And watching Aren’s chiseled profile as he worked alongside his brother… I’d never wanted to live more. I could finally see a future worth fighting for.
But Nadya came first. I got her into this mess, and she was not dying for it.
Aren handed me the keys to the Lotus. “Doesn’t matter if he recognizes the car this time, right?”
If this was my last chance for speed, I couldn’t have asked for a better car. “Thank you.”
He bent to kiss my forehead. “I want it back.” His thumb brushed along my jaw. “In case you and Nadya need to make a quick exit, it’ll be the best vehicle.”
“Sounds good to me.”
Adam and Lana ordered pizzas, but it was all I could do to finish one piece. I kept mentally running through my options. If I convinced Fonthill let Nadya go, she could take the car and head for the drive-in to get the Pack. I’d take my chances with Fonthill until the others arrived.
Fonthill would probably check me for weapons and confiscate my Glock, but maybe I’d get lucky and he’d stop there. If I he didn’t find the Ruger on my calf, I’d just need to keep my head and wait for my shot.
Once Nadya was safe, Aren could lecture me about how I should have confided in him.
If I was still alive.
He leaned over, squeezing my thigh under the table. “You should eat.”
“I had a piece.”
He met my eyes. “I know you’re upset, but we’re going to get Nadya back. Once she’s clear, you’ll give us the signal, and we’ll take him down from there.”