“I’ve done it before. Trust me. He didn’t enjoy me calling him a nut job and insulting him when I thought he needed medication for his wild imagination. We got past it. Best case, I can tell him I told you so when I come back safe. Worst case, I’ll never get to hear him yell at me. That’s hard to do when I’m dead.”
“Why are you willing to risk your life for a VampLycan child?”
“I’d do it for any kid. It’s human nature.” Dusti hesitated. “And I’m human. Besides, you have to be a total dick to sit on your ass and not try to save a child if given the chance.” She bit her lip. “I also really hate my grandfather and always have. I came to Alaska with Bat to give her emotional support once she’d discovered he’s a waste of space. It was going to be a bonus to tell him off. I want him caught and stopped. Nobody fucks with my sister—and he planned to big time. I want to take him down. Are those reasons enough?”
It surprised Dusti when Crayla reached out and brushed her fingers against her cheek and smiled. “I like you, Dusti. You have courage and inner strength.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re also willful and stubborn.” Crayla dropped her hand and stepped back. “I’ll help you. Just don’t die. My son would never forgive me.”
“I don’t plan on it. I’m kind of addicted to breathing.”
Crayla chuckled. “Stay here and I’ll send my mate and son to our house. They can plot another way to save the girl while us women get this done.”
“Nobody is going to whip Drantos if I disobey him, will they? I don’t want him offering to take my punishment again.” It was her only concern.
“No. I’m in charge of the women and you have my permission to do this.”
“Good enough.” Dusti faced the mirror again, messing up her hair more.
Crayla left her and Dusti returned to Drantos room. Without claws or fangs, she’d need a weapon. A quick search of his bedside drawers was helpful. She might not have ever fired a gun but she’d seen a lot of movies. The weapon was heavier than she thought it would be. She made certain to point it toward the outer wall as she learned where the safety was, how to remove the clip, and ensured it had bullets. She snapped the clip back in and double-checked the safety again, using her thumb to move it a few times to get a feel for it.
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She removed the sweatpants, put on Drantos’s underwear, and then put the pants back on. It gave her a place to hide the gun down the borrowed briefs. The gun sagged a bit but she rolled the waist of the sweats to help support the weight. She closed her eyes, thinking about what she was about to do.
It was crazy. It was probably stupid. It might not work…but she needed to try. Everyone thought she was cowardly and that she needed to be protected. Her sister would have the nerve to pull a stunt like this.
That thought gave her the courage to walk out of the bedroom. Crayla waited in the living room but Drantos and his father were gone.
“Are you ready to do this?” Crayla didn’t look convinced.
“Yes.”
“Be certain, Dusti. This is a dangerous situation. Decker has no honor and he’s vicious.”
“He wants Bat alive to use her. I’ll just be her.”
“Lake is still outside. I motioned for him to stay when our mates left. I’ll go tell him our plan.”
“What is that, exactly?”
“I’m going to have Lake call his sister. She’ll have the number to reach Decker. Lake will tell him that he grabbed you from our village and wants to make the exchange for his niece. No VampLycan would dishonor another by stealing their mate, but it’s behavior that someone like your grandfather shouldn’t question.”
“Because he’s an asshole with no morals. That’s something he’d probably do.”
“Exactly.” Crayla smiled. “Lake will tell me where Decker wants him to take you. I’ll give you a head start before telling our mates. They’ll rush to save you. Lake will hand you over to Decker, grab the child, and run back in this direction, but by that time, our mates will be on their way to you. Is that clear enough?”
“Crystal.” Dusti felt fear but she refused to let it change her mind.
“It’s possible that Decker could take you, if they don’t reach you in time. We have no idea how many enforcers are protecting him or what kind of escape plan he’s made in case of a trap. I’d have one if I were him. Are you prepared for that?”
Dusti understood. “He’ll want to take Bat to Aveoth.” The memory of meeting the GarLycan leader flashed in her head. “At least Aveoth knows who I really am. He’d let me go and give me back to Drantos. I feel confident about that. He’s definitely a badass and I wouldn’t be bummed if he beheaded my grandfather. I’ve seen him in action already.”