Merrow’s radio went off. “Sheriff, one of the men is leaving in a black Chevy Tahoe.”
Hugh jabbed a finger at Merrow. “If you don’t want to arrest me today, maybe you should go after him instead.”
“I don’t have a choice,” Merrow shot back. “No one else has a car but you and me, and I’m sure as hell not sending you.” He yanked the door to the squad car open. “Go rescue Delaney. Just keep it legal.”
A black SUV rumbled past them. Merrow jumped into his car and went after it.
Hugh narrowed his eyes at Stanhill. “I’m not that concerned about legal.”
Stanhill shook his head. “That’s for bleedin’ sure.”
Hugh stared into the trees. The scents of the other supernaturals danced at the edge of his sensory perimeters. Then another stronger, more familiar smell broke through.
Blood. Delaney’s blood.
With a growl, he started forward, racing along the scent lines of the other supernaturals. Stanhill followed. They joined the gargoyle and the two deputies near a small hollow in the mountain side just as Julian, Sebastian and Titus jogged toward them from the other side of the ridge.
“Hank went after the one that left since he had the squad car.” Hugh nodded at Nick. “Where’s the house?”
“Other side of this rise.”
“Any better idea of how many are inside?”
“Since that one left, we think there’s only three. One at each exit front and back, and one inside.”
“With Delaney,” Hugh added.
Nick nodded.
“Julian and Sebastian have the rest of you beat for speed, so they can take out the guards. As soon as they do that, Nick, you get to the electric box and cut power to the house. Then Stanhill and I will go in and deal with whoever’s left in there. And I’ll find Delaney.”
Alex held out his hands. “What about Jenna and I?”
Hugh’s mouth bent into a wry smile. “I wouldn’t want you to have to arrest any of us for doing something your boss might not approve of. You two stay here. Maybe Merrow will come back.”
Jenna leaned against a tree and shrugged. “Less paperwork. I’m cool.”
Hugh gave the rest of them a nod. “Here we go.”
Fat Eddie jerked Delaney’s chin up, his thick fingers bruising her skin.
She yanked at the zip ties restraining her hands, causing them to cut deeper into her skin. Her desire to shove him away was greater than the pain.
He laughed at her struggles. “When my boy gets to that house and finds that computer, you’d better give me the password on the first go or things are gonna get ugly.”
“Uglier, you mean,” she managed. “I’m already looking at your face.”
He shoved her chin away and balled his hand into a fist, threatening her with it. “It’s like you want me to hit you.”
She glared at him. “I swear to God, you have no idea how much trouble you’re going to be in.”
He snorted. “Is this another story about how your big bad boyfriend is gonna tear my throat out?”
“Yes,” she hissed. Please let Hugh be home. Please let him figure out what was going on. Please, please let him rescue her. “He’ll probably do it literally. He’s a pretty scary guy. Do you have any bladder issues? Because you might pee yourself when you see him.”
“You’re getting on my last good nerve, you know that?” Fat Eddie leaned in. “I don’t usually whack women on account of them being women and all, but I’m kinda looking forward to this.”
“So that’s a yes on the incontinence?”
He snarled, spilling an odorous wash of garlicky breath over her. “Shut. Up.”
She grimaced, anger making her mouth smart even as she trembled with fear. “In a strange way, I almost welcome death.” He looked surprised. She shrugged as best she could while bound. “At least I wouldn’t have to smell your breath anymore.”
That earned her another crack across the face. She blinked at the pain, the stars in her eyes the only thing she could see. Holy crap. He’d hit her so hard, she’d lost her vision.
As her cheek throbbed, Fat Eddie cursed and yelled upstairs. “Who turned the friggin’ lights out?”
Good to know she wasn’t blind.
A cacophony of footsteps, muffled screams, loud thumps and the soft whistle of fast-moving air followed in the darkness. Someone snapped the zip ties, releasing her wrists. Then a hand brushed her cheek and she yelped. Her heart hammered in her chest. This was it. Fat Eddie was either about to kill her or going to drag her to a new location. She swung wildly, trying to fight. “Don’t touch me!”