He could feel her, she was inside. As much as he hated the idea of it, he knew he would never get through without being seen. The heavy boots that paced the dock just beyond the steel doors feet from him told him as much.
Rian’s eyes focused on the stairs at the side of the building, his gaze shooting up to the motion camera that sat at the top of the dock doors. Rushing from under the truck, Rian made his way across the lot, his movements a zig zag as he darted in front of the motion camera.
He continued his run, his body stretched out and contorted with the extension of his body. Rian was fast, as was any cheetah, yet with his enhanced abilities he was able to make a single movement appear to be a mere glimpse of a figure. It helped him go undetected when tasked with doing a job for the club. He lowered down, his muscles flexing and with a push from the concrete, Rian flew to the top of the truck. His jump was effortless as he lowered back down to his stomach just as the dock door opened.
One of Billingsworth’s men walked out, a flashlight in one hand, a gun in the other. He stepped onto the landing at the top of the stairs, shining his light through the darkened lot. Rian watched, waiting and listening for the perfect moment to make his move. This was the only way for him to get in and start his search for her. He hoped he wouldn’t have to kill anyone, but truth be told, Rian would if he needed to. He knew a killing while in his cat form would simply be brushed off as an animal attack, as long as Charlie kept his secret.
“Hey, it’s your turn!” Another man’s voice came from inside the building.
The older man, who slowly moved his flashlight from one side of the small area to the other, grunted in acknowledgment. “Yeah, I’m coming.” His reply was louder before he spoke softly to himself. “Must have been the wind.”
He turned, lifting the light of his flashlight toward the motion sensor and that’s when Rian made his move. With a powerful push from the smooth top of the truck, he flew into the man. His paws hit against the man’s frame like a train had run him over, nails extended to dig into the man’s skin. As he started to scream, Rian lowered his mouth around the man’s throat, squeezing until it forced the man to hold his raspy scream.
“Man! Come on, hurry up!”
Rian released his hold only after the man passed out. He then stepped over him and made his way inside the building without a sound. As he walked slowly down the dim hall, the man who had been heard earlier banged on a table in irritation. He readied himself, the scrape of the chair along the uneven floor letting him know the man had stood up.
His steps were heavy so Rian knew this man would be bigger. His stench was a stomach turning blend of pizza, musky cologne and cigarettes... menthol. “Are you lost? It was probably a bird.” The man joked as he neared the door.
Rian lowered down to his stomach, a low growl rumbling from deep inside his throat as the man rounded the corner. He stopped as Rian lifted slightly from the ground, a strong hiss echoing through the hall. The man backed up, his hands lifted out before him in a placating motion.
Rian wanted to get him back into the room and lock him inside, but as he heard the shift in the man’s breathing, Rian knew this man would not go gently. He hissed again in warning as he moved forward, ears pressed flat against his head. The man’s movements were slow and steady as he reached around his waist, hand moving forward showing his strong hold around the gun's grip.
Rian pounced without a second's delay, unable to risk being shot this close to rescuing Lexi. His weight knocked the man to the floor, head bouncing against the tile. Rian remained over him, a low growl rumbling deep in his throat as the man lay unconscious under him. Threats eliminated. Or so he thought, until the sound of a pistol tore through the silence.
Rian charged the two men that stood at the end of the hallway. His body stretched out in a glide as he ran, paws thundering against the tile with all his weight. The men backed up at the angry cat rushing towards them, trying to fire again but their efforts were halted by the sudden shot of a pistol from behind them.
Rian stopped, his breathing heavy, his eyes focused on Charlie as he walked over the two men who had fallen to the ground. He glanced at Rian and with a nod, they spoke without a single word. This was another secret for them to keep.
Rian slid past the deputy and started up the stairs at the end of the hall. He slowed at the top, his head stretched up as he took in the colliding scents that hit him like a wave. She was close... he knew it, he could feel it. Rian turned back to look at the deputy as he appeared at the top of the stairs, both slowly making their way down the second story hall.
Each room was lit up, yet empty. Could this be that easy? Rian knew better than to count his blessings, many times he had found himself in traps before his mission had been completed. Charlie remained close, yet behind Rian as they passed one room after the other. As they turned a corner, Rian came to a stop.
He could hear
