Enticing Their Mate(50)

When they reached the van, Riley opened the side door and motioned she sit in the back with the women. “Keep an eye on them,” he said.

She couldn’t tell if his command was for Skip’s sake or whether he believed they might attempt to escape. Without a word, she climbed in and tried not to think about the women’s fate. She’d asked Riley and Jay last night how they planned to free the women, but they said they didn’t have any idea. Given all of the glances they shared, she didn’t believe them. She’d fallen asleep while they were still discussing options. In the end, she decided it was probably better if she didn’t know their plan.

For most of the ride, neither man said anything and the women remained quiet, probably trying to come to grips with this change.

Sarah was lulled into a zone when Riley slammed on the brakes nearly catapulting her into the back of the front seat.

“What the hell?” he shouted. Riley slapped a hand on the wheel, and Sarah’s heart nearly jumped out of her chest.





Chapter Eighteen





Needing to see what had caused Riley to slam on the brakes, Sarah leaned forward and spotted a van that had pulled out in front of them, blocking the road. What the hell? Had the vehicle broken down?

“Go around him,” Skip snarled.

Before Riley had the chance to put the van in drive, five men jumped out of the van and surrounded their vehicle before wrenching open the doors. Oh, no! With blood pounding hard in her brain, these marauders dragged both Riley and Skip out of the car, adrenaline nearly paralyzing her. Sarah opened her arms wide to protect the women seated behind her.

“What’s going on?” one of the women cried.

“It’ll be okay,” Sarah said in her most confident tone, though she didn’t believe a word of it.

Seconds later, several of the men had shifted. Fur flew, growls and squeals rent the air, and gravel scattered. As she reached to lock the side door, someone yanked it opened.

“Get out,” a man in a ski cap shouted.

“No,” Sarah blurted. These women had come too far to be taken and possibly killed.

The masked man leaned closer. “We’re here to save the women.” His whisper made it hard to hear over her pounding heart. Wait a minute. He wanted to save the women?

Her training warred with her desire to believe him. These women were to be sold, so could this alternative be worse? “Who are you?”

Snarls and yelps snagged her attention to the brutal fight going on outside, and she feared for Riley’s life. If these men were here to save the women, why were they trying to kill Riley and Skip? They must believe both men worked for Statler. That meant they weren’t working for the General or they’d know who Riley was.

“Sarah, please.”

He knew her name? She scoured her memory for his identity. This man sounded familiar, but she couldn’t place him.

Decision time.

Fight for the women to reach the clinic where the outcome was known, or trust this man—a man who knew her name.

“Ladies, let’s go.” She stepped out and held out her hand. “Hurry.”

The women looked around at each other then one by one exited the van. Another man scurried toward them and hustled them into his van, the one that was blocking the road.

For a moment, she thought these men would take her, but as soon as the women were inside the other vehicle, the first man turned his back to the five fighting men and lifted his mask. “It’s me, Ford.”

Her legs nearly buckled. Bailey’s mate—and one of the General’s men. A ton of questions blasted her. She wanted to ask why his men were fighting Riley, but perhaps the tussle was all for show.

Ford grabbed her shoulders and leaned in close. “I’m going to pretend to hit you. When I do, drop to the ground and don’t move until Riley tries to rouse you.”

Before she could figure out the reason, he cocked his arm back, and swung, his fist grazing her cheek. With his other hand he pushed her against the van—hard—and she let out a loud groan. Bending her knees, she closed her eyes, and dropped to the ground, her arm falling over her face.

Feet pounded, doors closed, and the sound of the battle between the men stilled. She wanted to look so badly, to make certain Riley was okay, but she didn’t dare move. The other van’s engine growled to life, tires squealed, and then the whining of the engine disappeared down the road.

Controlling her breaths took effort. Grunts sounded then footsteps neared.

“Skip, you okay?” Riley asked.

Sarah’s back sagged in relief that Riley was okay.

“Fuck. What happened?”

Footsteps neared. “Sarah?” A second later, Riley’s hands were on her shoulders, shaking her. “Wake up, Sarah.”