Total pages in book: 136
Estimated words: 129691 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 648(@200wpm)___ 519(@250wpm)___ 432(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129691 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 648(@200wpm)___ 519(@250wpm)___ 432(@300wpm)
He frowned. “I told you at the mediation, I didn’t send the loners.”
“You also told me you didn’t want to hurt Paxton.”
“I lied about the latter, but not about the first. I truly did receive a call from a male who swore black and blue that you knew where Paxton was. I had no part in the plan to sic loners on you, but I very recently learned who did—they contacted me a few days ago, offering to help me get my hands on you. They were good enough to ensure your bodyguard was indisposed while my hyenas took you from the daycare center earlier.”
Pausing, Dale smiled. “Would you like to know their name? I don’t think it will take you by surprise. Then again, maybe it will. It really all depends on how much you’ve already figured out for yourself. Shall I give you a hint?”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
“There was a van and two cars parked out here when Dale Bray pulled up,” said Farrell, staring at the warehouse that was surrounded by a tall electric fence sporting No Trespassing signs. “When Bray got out to unlock the gate, the van’s driver shouted that ‘she’ has the scent of wolverine all over her and it seems like she did imprint on ‘him’ after all.”
Alex felt a muscle in his cheek tick. “Go on.”
“Bray stood still for a few seconds,” said Farrell. “Then he shrugged and said that there was no point in turning back now. All four vehicles went through the gate and straight into the warehouse via a giant delivery bay. I couldn’t risk getting too close to the windows, so I’m not sure what’s going on inside.”
“Bree’s in there—that’s all I need to know,” said Alex, holding himself stiffly even though his body felt alive with a kind of manic energy. His breaths were slow and steady now, but he was far from “calm.” His anger was no longer hot and tempestuous, though. It was cold and calculating. He could think now. Plan. Focus. Fight off the panic and dread.
His beast, however, wasn’t so collected. He fumed and snarled and paced erratically, practically foaming at the mouth.
“They must have transported Dani in the van, too,” said Tate. “For Dale to have two cars accompany it, he was preparing for our pride mates to pursue them, just in case they were spotted taking the two females. Maybe they took Dani because they thought they had a better chance of making Bree cooperate if they were holding one of her pride mates hostage.”
“Is she still unconscious?” Vinnie asked Alex.
“No,” replied Alex. “She’s aware. I’m not sensing fear. She’s pissed and a little anxious, but she’s mostly hopeful.”
“Hopeful that you will come,” said Isaak, “which you have. Hyenas will pay for taking our Breasha.”
A body silently stepped out of the shadows, making Farrell jump. “I have checked entire perimeter of fence—there are several guards outside, and there are probably more inside,” said Dimitri. “Can we know for sure Breasha is here?”
“From what Farrell heard the hyenas say, yes,” replied Alex.
Dimitri gave him a grim look. “Now can we have war?”
“We can kill everyone inside and outside of that building except for Bree and Dani.”
“Good enough.”
Isaak looked down his nose at Vinnie. “You, dumb cat, can stay here and call reinforcements if it seems necessary.”
Vinnie bristled. “Like hell.”
Isaak scoffed. “You cannot sneak in warehouse unseen. You will set off sensors and alarms with your big cat feet. We will not. Now let us go, nephew. Your little mate awaits.”
“Come on, Miss Dwyer, you want a hint, right?” Dale walked over to Dani and tore off her gag. “She wants a hint, primary. Give it to her.”
Panting, Dani glared at him, her cheeks red. “You weren’t supposed to instruct your men to take me. You were supposed to tell them to beat me up a little to make it look like I put up a fight. You should have—”
“You used me,” growled Dale, looming over her. “You fed me lies to keep me in the picture so that you could use me as a scapegoat. Did you think I’d let that go?”
Dani blanched. “You can’t mean to kill me.”
“That’s exactly what I mean to do.”
Feeling like she’d been hit by a two-by-four, Bree felt her face go slack. “You hired the loners?”
Dani pressed her trembling lips into a flat line. “You were in the way. You were ruining everything I worked for.”
An angry flush swept up Bree’s neck and face. What. The. Fuck? “Please tell me you don’t want me dead just so you can keep a position.”
“It’s not just a position, it’s my life. I knew I’d have to step down one day. I figured it would happen after a few decades. But no, you had to fuck all that up.”
Oh, Bree wanted to smack this bitch down so bad. Seething, her feline snapped her teeth and rumbled a pissed-the-fuck-off growl. “Why not just have me assassinated? Why hire people to take me?”