Enticing Their Mate(67)

“That’s good for us, but while he might not be there in person, what about his men?”

Jay gripped the wheel tight. “Did Connolly, Ford, or Tyson say how many men were still at the clinic when they left?”

“No, but I’ll ask.” He punched in a number and spoke with one of them. “You sure? Thanks.” Riley disconnected. “Five were there with three scheduled to arrive in an hour, but Ford and Tyson took out three of them. That leaves five hired guards left.”

“Statler could have recruited them, along with Russ, and maybe Skip to help him.”

“Skip won’t show. I’m betting he’s long gone.”

“If you’re right, that would be six of them against five of us. I like those odds, but Statler can add, too. He’ll find others.”

Riley shifted in his seat. “Do you really think the abduction was planned? Sarah wasn’t supposed to leave for another hour.”

“No, I don’t.” Thinking about her capture churned his gut and made his bones ache. “I hope she didn’t put up too big a fight.”

“She’ll be okay,” Riley said, but Jay could tell he was saying that for his own sake.

As they neared Rapid Rock, Ford pulled off to the side of the road, and the rest of them followed suit in behind him. Connolly, along with Jay and Riley, exited their vehicles then jogged up to Ford’s SUV.

Connolly stood at the driver’s side front window. “Ford, why don’t you head on to the station? Statler doesn’t know your vehicle and won’t be spooked right away in case he is there. If you don’t sense anything unusual, give us a call, and we’ll come on up.”

“Will do.” Ford took off.

As much as Connolly’s directions made sense, Jay wanted to scope out the area for himself. However, if Statler saw him, he’d try to take him down, and for Sarah’s sake, he needed to be at full strength.

“Did the General say where he would land?” Jay asked.

“Not specifically, but there’s a small regional airport about a hundred miles from here. He’ll probably have a helicopter bring him in.”

Jay had prided himself on his patience, but after the long drive from the clinic, worry had eroded all that he’d ever possessed.

“The General knows what he’s doing,” Connolly said, as if he could read his mind.

Given Connolly had known General Armand longer than any of them, Jay would have to take his word on it.

Fifteen minutes later, Connolly received the all clear from Ford. “Let’s check this place out and position ourselves strategically around the area.”

Even if no other shifters were in the vicinity, they’d have to wait for the General to arrive before beginning their search. No telling when he and the General would meet the man they both hated more than the devil himself.





Chapter Twenty-Four





Jay wanted to pace—or break something. Waiting around sucked. He didn’t care what anyone claimed; Statler wasn’t coming. Around 9:37 p.m., the General rolled up in a military Jeep. Finally. Connolly told everyone to remain hidden; that he’d meet both the General and the driver.

After a private conversation, the General sent his escort away, and Connolly led him into the woods to the east of the closed gas station where they all had gathered.

“Gentlemen,” the General began. “I don’t care what it takes; I want this man dead. Paul Statler is evil. However, our first priority needs to be freeing Sarah Osmond. Once Statler has me to himself, he’ll have no use for her.”

“Do you know his plan?” Jay asked. Perhaps Statler revealed something during their conversation.

“I wish I did, but I’m guessing he wants to kill me. I’ll head on down to Ford’s car and wait for either him or more instructions. The rest of you remain here.”

Jay hoped the General understood how dangerous this was. He might be able to outmaneuver an ordinary werewolf, but if one of Statler’s men had been enhanced, the General would die. Jay was certain of it. However, it wasn’t his place to tell the General what he was doing was reckless. As long as he had a plan to free Sarah, Jay would be thankful.

The men spread out to make sure none of Statler’s men snuck in along one of the ridges. The hardest part of tonight would be the waiting—which they did for close to half an hour. “What do you think Statler’s trying to pull?” he telephathed to Riley.

“Beats me. I hope it’s just that he’s disorganized,” Riley replied.

“Statler’s usually methodical. At least he was when he worked in Gulfside.”

“Maybe he’s panicking. I might, too, if I knew the General had found me.”