I opened the screen door and he marched in, almost shrugging me out of the way. "Hey, Kane. How are you hanging in there?"
"I'm seeing red and constantly on the verge of shifting." There was no need to lie about what I was feeling. That shit was etched on my strong-boned face. I was one of the tallest in the two packs and my hulking frame looked frightening to most, but none more so than when I was fit to be tied.
He looked at my open computer, which had the studio lot's address and image up. "Man, do you think it's a good idea for you to go there? With the rage Hunter told me about, I'd be shocked if you didn't shift."
"I wouldn't jeopardize our way of life, Gage. Did Hunter send you down here?"
"No, he didn't, but Arabella asked if I could help you out." So it was my sister that asked him to watch over me. I wondered about those two. My sister hadn't reached mating age yet so I didn't know if Gage was her mate, but they spent so much time together. I hoped that he would be hers that way I could have her close. If she found a mate outside our nearest pack, I wouldn't know how to handle it. Gage looked back at the screen and made note of the address. "Do you want me to come with you?"
"No, I can manage on my own. Enough men have already seen her unclothed. I can't risk you walking in on me making her mine."
"Okay, but I'll drive you to the airport."
"That would be great. I'm so frustrated I might run someone over."
I landed at LAX, picked up the rental car, and headed to the studios. There was no time to check into a hotel; I needed to get to her, so I left my luggage in the car. The lot was extremely secure so I didn't have a way in without knocking out the guard, which I was sure would be noticed before I found her.
They had tours going on, but only on certain sets of old television shows. I used that as my entry point. Someway, somehow I needed to make a break for it and sneak away from the tour. We passed three different sets before I saw the sign for the lot she was working on. Making my way out of the group, I hatched a plan. I picked up a large studio prop and tried walking it out of the set we were in. It was only a large fan, but it worked. No one questioned me. I was just about to step onto her set when a group of security guards surrounded me.
"Sir, put that fan down and your hands up," a buff security guard said.
I placed the fan on the ground and took some deep breaths. This wasn't going to be as easy as I'd hoped it would be, but I still didn't want Gage with me. What if she saw him and fell for him? He wouldn't want her, but I would and there would be nothing short of a fight to the death to change anything. I looked around at my multiple obstructions. I could take out each and every one, but I needed to remain in my human form. I didn't know if I could contain the wolf in me. "I'm not here to harm anyone. I'm just looking for Evelyn Denney. She's supposed to be on set."
"Unless you have an appointment with her or a special pass, you're not allowed on the set," he informed me.
I was ready to fight to get past them. "I don't need a special pass. Once she sees me, you'll know that I'm welcomed."
"Boys, this one has lost his goddamn mind," one security asshole said to them like I wasn't there or fucking nuts.
"They're all the same," another grumbled.
"I promise you...I'm not," I snarled. My eyes darkened and I could feel the hairs as they started to push through my skin. I needed to calm down before I ruined everything for our species. "Tell her I'm here to see her."
"Who are you?" the head of security asked. I hated the lack of respect, but I knew they didn't understand my power.
"Kane Holt. Tell her to come now. I don't want to hurt any of you, but I won't leave until I see her."
"You may be some giant man, but if you even try to go after her, I will shoot you." I gave him a smirk because I wanted to rip him from limb to limb. They thought these movies were scenes from a nightmare... Any man keeping me away from my mate would be made an example of.
I could see a crowd of people building around us. It wasn't the place to make a scene, but there was no way I was going to leave without seeing her. I attacked the first man I saw and was instantly hit with a low voltage of electricity. I fell to the ground intentionally but that shit didn't have any real effect on me. It was like a regular human getting a bit of static electricity. What they didn't realize was that I could hear what they said before I attacked. They were going to take me to the studio lot's security holding cell. Good. It would give the beast inside time to calm down as I waited for her. It took four of them to bring me to my feet.
One of the jackasses bent down to my ear and whispered condescendingly, "Not so tough now, Kane. Fucking pussy." He practically spat in my face in the process. Smashing his head in wasn't out of the question after I got my woman.
It had been over an hour and nothing. I stared down my overseer, rage evident in my eyes. My anger was insurmountable and my jealousy was at a murderous point. I could smell the fear coming off his body. He may look tough, but I believed instinctually that he knew he was marked for my wrath if I didn't get out of here.
I sat on the holding cell bench, hoping that I could control the wolf inside. I was getting out and going to find her before one more bastard saw what belonged to me. No cell could contain my wolf. It was only a matter of time and opportunity before he was unleashed- there was no way I was going to let her tell me to leave again.
"Where is he?" I heard her voice for the first time and something was off. She was furious and got loud with the security. My heart started to race and I stood up, waiting for my mating instinct to kick in. She turned and looked at me and smiled with a shake of her head.
"Kane. You know calling me would have been much easier than trying to surprise me on the set." I was confused by her words, but that wasn't my greatest concern...
I had no reaction to her at all. My dick was soft and the pleasure of seeing her disappeared. She wasn't my mate.
Chapter Six
"Don't say a word until we get in the limo," she whispered in my ear with a tone that was firmer than I had expected. She was getting me out of here, but something wasn't right. Why would she if she thought I was some crazy stalker?
"Why?"
She gave me a scathing look before adding in a harsh but quiet voice, "What part of don't say a word didn't you understand, handsome?" She continued walking along. I only did what she said because I wanted answers.
The moment the limo door closed, I pounced. "What is going on?"
"You tell me, Kane. Tell me why you came here looking for me." I didn't know how to answer that without revealing more. She had a doppelganger out there somewhere. Now I was really fucked.
"Nothing to say? Well, I'm Evelyn Denney and I'm not the one you're looking for. It's my twin sister Carolyn Denney that I have a feeling you're after."
"Your sister? Wait, how do you know?"
"I don't know anything other than she's been dreaming of a man she doesn't know. I saw her sketchbook, so I know what you look like. I can tell you aren't the least bit interested in me, so it has to be Carolyn. Give me a moment." She pulled out her phone and called a number. It rang then went to voicemail. "Hi, you've reached Carolyn. Leave a message and I'll get back to you. Beep."
"Hey, sister. I'm going to need to cancel my visit next week; something very big has come up," she said while giving me a smile. Putting away her phone, she crossed her arms and raised her brow at me.
"Mr. Holt. I don't understand why you and my sister have this connection, but it has consumed her. She hardly does her actual work anymore. She looks exhausted because she is; constantly waking from her sleep can do that to a person."
"She's not the only one. I've not had a decent night's sleep for as long as she. I'm tired of not sleeping. Where is she?"
"At home. Join me for dinner and I'll get you her address. I was avoiding a particular gentleman if he could be called that, and you'd make a perfect scapegoat." I knew I had no choice but to go because I had a feeling Evelyn Denney was no push over.
"Fine. Where are we going?"
"My condo. I like my privacy and when you're someone like me, it's in short supply."
I gave her a nod and looked out the window. My phone buzzed and it was Hunter. Everything going okay?