“I’m not jumping into this blind. You’ve told me everything, and I know what I’m getting into. This is a way I can help keep you safe, too, you know? You’re not the only one who worries about her sister.”
Again, I felt like I didn’t know my sister as well as I thought I did. “You’re willing to walk out of here alone and risk a crazed werewolf trying to take you hostage?”
She turned back to face me. “I won’t be alone. You and the wolves will be there.” She crossed her arms. “Besides, remember when I was in junior high and you insisted on self-defense classes? I’m not a helpless bunny being tossed out in front of a fox. If I’m in trouble I know how to fight.”
“He’ll be armed, Nadya. We don’t know what he’ll do.”
She sighed. “If you were convinced this is a good idea, then why are you trying to talk me out of it?”
I stood up. “Because this
“I’m not a child anymore, Sasha. I know it’s dangerous, but I also know it’s a chance to help you. Plus, I could help the Pack who has been protecting me even though they don’t owe me a thing.” She raised her chin and reached for the door. “I trust you. You’re going to get him, and I’m going to help any way that I can.”
…
After taking a moment to collect myself, I followed Nadya back upstairs where Adam and Aren were seated at the dining room table with Lana and a few other Pack members. I recognized Jason and figured he was an obvious choice for this operation since he was a doctor. If we had any injuries we wouldn’t be able to run to the emergency room for treatment.
Beside Jason was his twin, a carbon copy of his tanned skin and fiery hazel eyes. His twin wore his hair back in a ponytail, and where Jason had the manicured hands of a doctor, his twin’s hands were rough. A worker’s hands. This was the man who’d built the huge doors on the cabin at Lake Tahoe. Aren had told me his name, but I couldn’t recall it. He met my eyes, and I realized his shoulders were broader than Jason’s too, built up from the physical labor of his job.
I approached with my head up, ready to step into a male-dominated arena. Even though we were around a dining room table, it felt every bit as testosterone-filled as the police station.
I held my hand out to Jason’s twin. “I’m Sasha. You must be Jason’s brother?”
“I know who you are.” Animosity colored his voice, but he still stood and took my hand. “Jared.”
“Nice to meet you.” I dropped his hand and turned my attention to Gareth. We hadn’t been formally introduced, but that didn’t matter. I’d never forget him, and I’d bet he wouldn’t let his grudge against me go either. His eyes kept moving between me and Nadya. Our features were too similar when we stood together to hide the fact we were related. There was a good chance all the wolves were making that same connection.
I finally nodded toward Gareth, and he turned away.
I went over to take a seat beside Aren, and Nadya sat next to me. Watching Adam, I tipped my head toward Gareth. “Why is he here?”
Adam’s gaze moved from his wolf to me again. “Gareth volunteered.”
That surprised me. I stared across the table at his dark, unreadable gaze. “You’ve made it plain from the beginning that this isn’t your problem, and since you’ve probably already realized Nadya is my younger sister, I want a team I can trust before we drop her into this mess.”
“Because of
I shot out of my chair ready to rip the asshole a new one, but Nadya took my hand. “I trust Gareth, Sash.”
My brow creased as I struggled to process what she said. Her words sucked all the bravado out of my argument. I lowered slowly to my chair and shook my head. “He doesn’t want to be here. That’s not the kind of backup we need.”
Adam turned toward us. “I didn’t pull rank and make Gareth help us. He volunteered, and
Aren’s hand rested on my thigh. “Look, none of us have slept,” he said. “We’re all aware of what’s at stake. Fonthill is the enemy here, not anyone at this table.”
I watched Aren’s gaze glide across every person seated around the table. I placed my hand over his and gave him a squeeze. This was my mate, my partner. And he even had my back when I probably didn’t deserve it.
He cleared his throat. “We all want to end this quickly without drawing any public attention, so let’s focus on that for now. All right?”
Everyone started to nod, and Adam laid out his plan. Tomorrow was Sunday. The Sloan building would be closed, making it the perfect place to end Fonthill’s game without any unwanted onlookers. Plus, the bastard obviously knew where to find the building. If we were lucky, maybe he’d get there before Nadya, and we could end it without putting her in danger.
The plan would only work if Fonthill was already tracking Nadya. But after my run in with him at the rib place and his threat to take her away with him, my gut told me he’d probably already been watching her, waiting for the Pack to leave her unguarded. Hopefully he’d believe this was the chance he’d been waiting for.
We decided Lana and Nadya would go grocery shopping. It would seem like a normal Sunday activity, and without the Pack nearby, Fonthill might venture out to make contact.
Adam gestured to his mate. “Lana will be able to catch his scent, and I’ll be tailing them nearby, just in case Fonthill decides to make a move sooner than we’d like.”
“And I’ll be right there with you,” I said.
Adam bristled a little, but I didn’t give a shit. This was my sister, and I was confident I was a better shot than a werewolf, Alpha or not.
“I can handle it,” Adam responded, his gaze demanding obedience.
“I’m not a member of your Pack, and I’m going with you.”
I half expected Aren to jump in and defend his brother, but he remained silent beside me. Finally his twin relented. “I still don’t think it’s a good idea. Fonthill could go after you instead.”
I flexed my calf under the table, the holster gripped my leg. “Let him try.”
Chapter Forty-One
I took a swig of my lukewarm coffee, and it plummeted into my gut like a lead weight. I didn’t really need the caffeine. Adrenaline was my current drug of choice. Nothing about this plan sat well with me.
We were staked out on the second level of the underground parking garage of Sloan Consulting. There were only two forgotten cars in the lot, leaving us without many places to hide. Jared and Jason were back by the elevator with General Sloan, and Gareth retreated into the shadows. We left Luke and Logan at the ranch to guard the twins with the Pack elders.
It felt like we covered all of our bases, but I hated that Sasha was facing Fonthill without me. She could protect herself, it wasn’t that. It was the inability to help her and see what was happening. Worry festered inside my chest.
But she was counting on me to be here when they lured Fonthill in, so I’d be here, and I’d be ready.
The stale air reeked of exhaust, gasoline, and oil. Humans probably wouldn’t be bothered, but as a wolf, the stench was stifling.
I was itching for fresh air.
My cell phone signal was spotty at best here, so I found myself checking it often to be sure Sasha and Adam could contact me.
