Her father gripped her shoulders, shaking her lightly. “Listen to me, Alex. I’ve given up everything to keep you safe and I don’t regret a single moment of it. I’ll be damned if I’ll let these rogues have you if I can prevent it. Do you understand me?”
Joshua watched, fascinated by the play of emotions that raced across Alex’s face. Anger followed by defiance and finally acceptance and sadness. She may be an alpha female but, in this small pack of two, her father was still top wolf.
She straightened her shoulders, shrugging out of her father’s grip. “What do you want me to do?”
Her father nodded and Joshua could tell he’d expected no other answer from her. “I want you to go with Joshua back to the Wolf Creek pack. He will protect you with his life. There you’ll have the time to get to know the rest of the single male wolves before you have to decide.” He paused and dragged his hand over his face, suddenly looking tired and older. He sighed deeply as he reached out and stroked his hand over Alex’s hair.
“I didn’t wish this life for you. I’d hoped it wouldn’t happen, that somehow there was more of your human mother in you. But the wolf is strong and won’t be denied. I know this isn’t what you wanted, but I have faith in you, Alexandra. I know you’re strong enough to, not just face this, but to thrive.”
She swallowed hard. Joshua watched the play of the muscles of her throat and had the urge to drag his tongue over that soft, sensitive skin. The adrenaline racing through his veins was searching for an outlet, and with the absence of violence, sex would suit him just as well. Maybe even better. He found it almost impossible to drag his gaze away from her, but he did, painfully aware of how tight his jeans were becoming.
“I’ll get rid of the bodies,” James motioned to both the wolf and the man. “Then I’ll follow you. I assume the Wolf Creek pack is still in the same general area.”
Joshua stepped forward, suddenly very eager to get Alex away from here. He felt twitchy, like an icy cold breeze had just skated down his spine. “It is,” he assured James. “We don’t have much time.” He glanced out the window. The rest of the world was just beginning to wake, but he knew there were wolves prowling close. The wolf in him could sense them and they weren’t friendly. “I have to get Alex back to the protection of the pack.”
James stepped over the body of the wolf and opened the bookcase again. Sliding back another false panel, he exposed the front of a small safe. Quickly spinning the dial, he yanked it open and drew out a large roll of bills, handing it to Alex. He fished out another large wad of cash, stuffing it in his own pocket before closing the safe.
“If you need to stop in a motel or lay low for a few days, pay for everything with cash. Don’t leave them a trail they can follow. The wolves may not live in the cities, but they’re smart and resourceful. Don’t ever think for a moment that they don’t use whatever human technology is at their disposal.” He closed Alex’s limp fingers over the wad of cash. “We’re just like humans really, only with a little something extra.”
Alex launched herself against her father, hugging him tightly. “I don’t want to leave you.” Her voice was muffled against her father’s shirt, but Joshua heard it all the same. He felt her pain as if it was his own. Uncomfortable with the softer emotion, he turned away to give father and daughter a moment of privacy.
“I know you don’t, Alex. I don’t want to let you out of my sight either, but we don’t have a choice. If we split up, I can draw them away and we’ll both have a better chance of survival.”
She sniffed and Joshua couldn’t resist peeking back at her. Alex swiped at her eyes with the back of her hand. Her father teased a laugh out of her when he lifted the tail of his shirt and used it to wipe away the telltale sign of her tears.
James took his cell phone out of his pocket, dropped it on the floor and crushed it beneath the heel of his boot. “Don’t use your cell phone. We don’t know if they’ve been compromised.”
Alex nodded as she took the money her father had given her and divided it into four separate piles before placing one in each pocket of her jeans. Joshua raised his eyebrow as he stared at her. She was smart. It wouldn’t do to have to haul out a huge wad of cash in front of anyone. That was something that a motel clerk or store clerk might remember.
She bent over, grabbed the handgun off the floor and jammed it into her holster. She checked her knives as well and, when she was satisfied, she turned back to her father. “Do you have any more ammunition?”
He reached into the hidden area behind the bookshelf and drew out another Glock, tucking it at the small of his back. “No. The clip was full. You fired three shots, so you have fourteen left. Make them count. Silver bullets are not easy to obtain without a lot of unwanted questions. I’d planned on acquiring more, but it’s too late now.”
“Will anyone call the cops?” Joshua asked.
James shook his head. “Probably not. The building behind us is vacant. And most folks mind their own business around here.”
A scraping noise just outside the window alerted them all. Time had run out. James pointed to the door. Joshua retrieved his knife and whipped open the door, ready to face any threat. When he determined the coast was clear, he led the way down the stairs to the garage. The large room appeared empty, but they could all hear the loud bang from upstairs. James closed the door and bolted it shut. Joshua knew that wouldn’t hold them for long.
Striding down the length of the room, James hurried into the office, returning a moment later with a heavy leather jacket and some keys. He tossed one set to Joshua as he continued on to Alex. “Put this on.” He handed her the jacket and waited while she pulled it on. Then he handed her a set of keys and motioned to the corner. “Take the Ducatis. One of them has a slow oil leak; the other one just needs a tune-up. They’ll get you away from here, but ditch them when you feel it’s safe. They’re too distinctive and easily remembered.” He looked at Joshua as he said the last.
Joshua nodded as he made his way to the motorcycles in the corner. They were first-class machines and he couldn’t help but admire them. “Can you ride?” he asked Alex as she came up beside him.
She snorted before turning her back on him. He’d take that as a yes.
James laughed, shaking his head. “I’m more worried about you than I am about Alex. She can handle any machine on the road.”
Alex was already mounted on her bike and had the key in the ignition. It roared to life as James hurried to the vintage Mustang and slid inside. He rolled down the window and shouted over the roar of the motors. “I’ll see you in two days. Don’t let anything happen to my little girl or you’ll answer to me.”
Before Joshua could respond the garage door began to rise. Swearing under his breath, he pulled the motorcycle off the stand and straddled it. Tires squealed and his head jerked up just in time to see the Mustang surge from the garage, barely clearing the bottom of the garage door, which was still rising.
Something pounded on the door leading down from the apartment. The bolts loosened with the blow. Another two blows and the rogue wolves would break through and be upon them. Alex tugged at his arm, shouting to be heard over the din. “Follow me.” Not giving him a chance to respond, she revved the engine and shot out of the garage. He had no choice but to follow.
The Mustang roared out of the garage and down the street. The screech of tires behind James brought an immense sense of satisfaction. “That’s it you bastards. Follow me.”
Two nondescript vehicles sped down the street behind him in pursuit. James kept one eye on the rearview mirror and was pleased when the two motorcycles pulled out of the garage. Pushing the gas pedal to the floor, he made a hard turn to the right. He heard the unmistakable sound of gunfire and almost turned back.