Therian Prisoner(8)

“He said to move the wolf if you two screwed. You didn’t, so the door stays closed.”

“It’s not my fault! I would have let him but he wouldn’t touch me. You’ve been watching us the whole time. Did I try to stop him?”

“If I open the door that thing will come after me.” The guard’s arm came back up and he pointed the pistol in Dhane’s general direction, but his hands shook so badly there was no way he’d do any damage.

“I won’t give him enough time. Just unlock the door. I’ll do the rest.”

“But…”

“Hurry! It’s my only chance.”

Finally understanding the ruse, Dhane turned toward her and bared his teeth. His ears laid back and his low growl sent a shiver down her spine.

The guard looked up and down the corridor, eyes wide and barely blinking. Then he pulled the keys off the clip on his belt and approached the door. Dhane continued to snarl as the fool unlocked their cage.

Before the guard could yank the key free, Devon jumped off the bunk, leapt over Dhane and shoved the bars open with all her might. The guard flew backward as Dhane emerged on her heels. Without reluctance or pause Dhane jumped into the air and caught the guard by the throat. With one vicious twist of Dhane’s powerful jaws, he ripped open the guard’s throat and ended his life.

“There’s one more, so stay alert.” Dhane head-butted her thigh, a silent objection to her needless warning. She crept along the corridor, scanning with all her senses. Dhane’s head came up and jerked to the left several seconds before she smelled cigarette smoke. The wolf had a damn good nose. “Fine, you lead.”

The corridor ended at the same metal door that had set off the alarm earlier. She looked for a way to disable the alarm, but Dhane growled his impatience. “Is he near the door?” To her astonishment the wolf nodded. Cats communicated telepathically while in animal form, but she’d never interacted with a Therian wolf before. “All right. I’ll throw the open door and let you out. Can you handle the rest?” Dhane tilted his head and gave her an exasperated look. “Sorry. We’ll go on three. One. Two. Three.”

She shoved the door wide and waited for Dhane to lunge past before she stepped out into the blustery night. The alarm blared until the door swung shut, then the sound was mercifully muffled by the barrier. She kicked the guard’s rifle out of reach as Dhane took him down. The shadows concealed most of the carnage. All she could see was Dhane’s grayish fur as he straddled the guard’s chest.

A sharp cry drew her gaze to the sky and a massive bird swooped toward her. “Ian?” Hope and excitement tore through her with painful intensity. The eagle circled then flew parallel with a dirt road, as if to show them the way. She glanced at Dhane. Did he realize they weren’t in this alone? Lights flashed on and off in the distance and tears blurred her vision.

“They’ve got a vehicle down there. Come on!” She had never run so fast in her life. The alarm continued to pulse, threatening to draw reinforcements, so she put her heart and soul into each stride.

Dhane bounded to the truck then circled back, a courtesy that shocked her. Why was Nate Fizroy’s son being so noble to a cat? She couldn’t let his unexpected care distract her. They weren’t out of danger yet.

Ian was zipping up his jeans as she reached the truck. She threw herself into his arms, instinctively knowing he’d catch her. His strong arms wrapped around her body as her composure shattered. Rather than try to calm her down, Ian scooped her up and placed her in the truck then climbed in and settled her on his lap as he slammed the door shut.

“Drive. Now!”

She didn’t recognize the driver but Ian obviously did. And without comment or hesitation, the driver obeyed.

Reality blurred as she clung to Ian. There was only his scent, his warmth and the security of his embrace. She buried her face against his throat as harsh sobs shook her entire body. She was alive! And she was free. Joy burst within her followed immediately by crushing grief. How could emotions be so painful? Her arms trembled and her throat burned, but she couldn’t stop crying.

“Is the wolf with us or should I get rid of him before we reach the main road?” The driver’s unusual accent cut through her emotional tumult.

“He’s with me.” She roused enough to speak but not enough to lift her head.

“You’re safe, sweetheart. No one will hurt you now.” Ian stroked her hair, her arms and back in a hypnotic rhythm. For a long time he just held her as they bumped along the dirt road.

Gradually her emotions receded, leaving her shaky and weak. And aware. Ian’s scent was familiar, soothing, but it was inescapably male. Unbidden flickers of heat sparked to life within her abdomen. She turned her face away from his skin and tried to cleanse her senses with a deep breath of cool air.