Once on the ground, the man swung the knife again. This time Dirk was prepared. He delivered a chop to the man’s wrist, and the knife clanked to the ground. He elbowed the guard in the face. The man grunted.
That split second of distraction allowed Dirk to reach for the knife and slit the man’s throat. Werewolves healed fast unless the injury hit a vital organ or an artery. The blood spray coated Dirk’s chest, and he rolled out of the way. His belly ached, forcing him to place a hand over his wound. In minutes, he’d return to normal. The guard wouldn’t be so lucky.
Remaining outside with the downed guard in plain view wasn’t smart. There was no telling when another Colter would arrive. Crouching, Dirk lifted the giant on his shoulders and stood. He grunted as he hauled the massive man into the warehouse and dumped him on the floor.
Squeaks and whimpers caught his attention. Holy fuck. Two cages sat in the far corner. With what little light came in the window, it was hard to see who was inside. He trotted over. Once he neared, his heart broke.
One girl in ripped clothes had her back to him, but the other one cowered at the end of her cage. The idea that Elena had been housed like this sent a violent streak up his body so hard he almost shifted. The cages were padlocked. He might have been able to find something to smash open the lock, but the key was the way to go. He rushed over to the guard and checked his pockets. Not only did he find the key, he removed the man’s phone and wallet. Maybe the identity of one of Hood’s men might lead him to Hood’s location.
Once he unlocked the cage doors, he wiped his bloody palm on his pants and knelt. He held out a hand. “Girls. I’m here to free you.” He doubted they’d believe him. “We need to hurry.”
The brunette in the corner came closer. “Really?” Her voice was raspy.
“Yes. Come on. You can come out. I won’t hurt you.”
Once the first girl crawled out, he tapped the cage of the second one. She moaned. He looked back at the first girl. “Is she okay?”
The girl shook her head. “No. She’s really sick.”
Dirk crawled in and slid the girl toward the opening. She didn’t weigh more than ninety pounds. He lifted her in his arms and placed her near the warehouse entrance.
“Stay here for a minute. I’ll get my car.” He feared the first girl might try to run. If she’d worn shoes, he would have taken her with him. “It’s dangerous outside. Okay?”
She grimaced then nodded. As fast as he could, he sprinted out of the warehouse and charged toward his car. The next two minutes seemed an eternity. He constantly glanced over his shoulder to make sure the girl obeyed. He counted on her not leaving her friend.
As soon as he hopped in his car, he raced back. He opened the back seat door and then entered the warehouse. The first girl hadn’t moved. “My car’s outside. I’ll put your friend in back and you can sit with her.”
“You don’t need to handcuff me?” Tears streamed down her face.
“No, sweetie. I’m going to see that you get home safely.” He hoped his tone came out with assurance.
He picked up the ill girl and carried her outside. The first girl shielded her eyes against the bright light. After he placed her on the seat and fastened her seatbelt, he motioned for the first one to climb in.
Once they were set, he took off, keeping an eye out for any sudden movement in the parking lot. He asked their names, but neither one was Elena’s other two friends. As he left the port district, he dialed the general and told him of his find.
“We’ll send over a team and deal with the guard.”
“What should I do with the girls?” Headquarters wasn’t set up to deal with this.
“Drive them to my house. My wife is a nurse. She’ll know what to do.”
He was relieved the general had offered his home. Other than the brunette soothing the other girl, she said nothing. It took him close to twenty minutes to reach the general’s house. No sooner had he pulled in the drive, the general’s wife came out of her house and rushed to the car.
“Are you okay?” Worry laced her face.
He nodded. “It’s mostly the other guy’s blood.”
She peeked in the back, but with the tinted window, she wouldn’t see much. “Are the girls back there?”
“Yes.” He opened the door. “Ladies, it’s time for you to return home.”
#
Elena couldn’t take her gaze off Clay as he undressed. While he was taller and thinner than Dirk, his muscles were more defined. He dropped his clothes on the floor and much of the blood stayed on the material and not on his body—and what a nice body it was, too.