Even if he called or texted Trax, and Couch, in some unbelievable scenario, had his brother cornered, the returned text might be a lie. No lights shone from upstairs, but if Couch was in wolf form, he could see in the dark. Though how he entered their place undetected was anyone’s guess.
Dante didn’t see or hear anything coming from the loft. He pressed his eye to the sensor and the door seemed unusually loud opening. He tiptoed upstairs and listened at the door then stepped inside. Trax was here—alone. Dante’s heart shot to high alert when he thought he might have been duped. But how was that possible?
He knocked on Trax’s closed door and waited for his brother to answer before he went inside.
Trax opened his door looking like shit. “What the fuck are you doing here? Is Liz with you?”
“I got your text.”
“What text?”
“Shit.”
Trax seemed to put the pieces together fast. He rushed back into his room, stepped into his boots, and pulled a shirt over his pajamas. “Let’s go.”
“I’ll drive.”
They both ran downstairs.
“I parked down the road.”
Horrible thoughts ran through his brain as they raced to the car. Dante unlocked the car, jumped in, and tossed his cell phone to his brother to show him the text.
“How did this happen?”
Trax must have stared at the screen for a full minute. “I don’t know.”
“It doesn’t matter now. Couch must be with Liz.” He ripped around the corner and rolled through a stop sign.
“Maybe I should call her.”
“Go ahead.” If she didn’t answer, he’d be even more scared.
Trax pressed her number and waited and waited. The answering machine clicked on and he hung up.
“Why didn’t you leave a message?”
“I don’t want Couch to know we’re on our way.”
Sometimes it was nice to be with someone who had a clear head. “Call Drake and Kurt.”
“Good thinking.” He dialed the other team and told them to meet them at Liz’s.
Given the short conversation, the men had no problem giving up another night’s sleep.
Dante wanted to park right in front and rush in, but they needed to be smart. Instead, he parked down the street. They got out, and staying as low as possible, hustled toward the house. As he neared, he sensed several wolves. Adrenaline raced through his brain. Trax was the tactical one, so he let his brother lead.
Trax motioned that they go to the side of the house and look in the window. The living room was brightly lit but the shades were drawn, and he could only make out shadows inside.
Voices sounded, but he couldn’t tell what was being said.
Trax pointed toward the back. See if the back door is open. I’ll take the front.
Dante took off and raced around to the kitchen side. He drew his gun and tested the door. It was unlocked. Either Liz had been careless or this was how the men got in.
A scream sounded and all thoughts of protocol left his brain. I’m going in. When he looked through the kitchen entrance, Trax had already broken the front window and entered.
Couch had Liz by the throat, and his two sidekicks stood next to him with guns.
“You’re outnumbered. Get out of my way.” Couch snarled.
Trax’s fingers tensed on the gun. “She’s not going anywhere with you.”
Dante sensed the fear rolling off Liz’s body. One thing his brother taught him was how well surprise attacks worked. He placed his gun on the counter and shifted quickly. Both Liz and Couch had their backs to him. If he got lucky, he might be able to attack Couch and distract him. He just needed enough for him to release his hold on Liz, and for Trax to attack.
Heart pounding, Dante lowered his body to the ground and edged toward the side wall, inching close enough to take that one leap. His nails must have scratched the wood floor because Couch turned to look behind him. In that second, Dante charged, aimed low, and locked his teeth into Couch’s leg. The man yelped.
Two gunshots sounded but Dante didn’t look. His goal was to save Liz. Fists pounded hard bodies and faces. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw two men fly across the room, neither one Trax.
Liz screamed.
His only way to save her was to shift back.
It was the longest five seconds in his life while his legs, arms, and body all cracked and expanded.
Couch was on the ground moaning like a baby, holding his leg. One man was in a battle with Trax, and the other guy was hauling Liz toward the kitchen back door.
Dante had no choice. He had to go after Liz.
As he sped into the kitchen, the man holding Liz aimed a gun and pulled the trigger. A bullet hit him in the arm, and although he instantly felt the poison seep into his body, he refused to slow down.