Enticing Their Mate(8)

“Great.” Riley yanked the luggage stand over and sat on it. The dump was not designed to be a conference room.

“When was the last time you spoke with your boss?” Riley asked, feeling more secure when discussing the case.

“Two days ago.”

“What did he want to speak with you about?” he asked.

“Nancy, one of the captives was rather sick, and he wanted to know how she was progressing. He’s rightfully worried she might die. I suggested we send her to the hospital, but he said we couldn’t afford Nancy leaking the location. He said to pick up something in town for her.”

“I’m surprised he didn’t bring in a doctor. If she dies, or is too sick to sell, it’ll cost him,” Riley said.

Sarah nodded. “And it will be my head if she doesn’t make it.”

Riley had seen one of his foster siblings die because their foster parents couldn’t afford the care. “Is there anything we can do to help?”

“I need some strong antibiotics, but without a doctor’s prescription, I can’t get it.”

He glanced over at Jay. “If we can secure what you need, do you think Statler will know where the medicine came from?” Her eyes sparkled as if he was some hero, but now wasn’t the time to tell her he wasn’t one by any stretch of the imagination.

“No. I can give him some vague explanation for her recovery.”

“I’ll see what I can do.” A flood of endorphins rushed through him. Helping someone, however small, felt good.

Jay spoke up. “Do you know when Statler will be back in the warehouse?”

“No. I was aware of his comings and goings in the lab, but as soon as your men compromised the old place, he’s become too paranoid to stay there for any length of time. He’s definitely spooked.”

Riley wasn’t sure if that would help their cause or if it was more of a problem. He picked up the map and studied it. “Its simplicity bothers me. One entry door opening into a large area will make sneaking in difficult. We might have to pick off the guards one by one.”

“We only have two there at one time, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Statler brings on more men. I didn’t mark it on the map, but the doors to the women’s quarters are key-coded. I have the combination, so that won’t be a problem.”

“Is the place alarmed?” Jay asked.

“Other than the main door, not that I can tell. The internal doors don’t have anything other than that keypad. As I mentioned, my roommate is dating one of the guards, Russ Sizemore, and according to him, Statler doesn’t plan to be in town much longer.” Sarah leaned forward. “If Statler isn’t there and there are only two guards, I bet if you called in help from Tyson and Ford, the four of you could overpower the men and free the women.”

“I wish it were that simple,” Riley said. “If we aren’t successful, Statler will head underground for an indeterminate period then emerge to kidnap and sell others. We have to have a foolproof plan to put an end to him.”

She stabbed a hand through her luscious hair, as if the stress was getting to her. “You’re right, but do you think you can do it in three days?”

“Fuck if I know, but we sure as hell are going to try.”

* * *

Connolly McLaughlin parked a mile from Statler’s warehouse, shifted, and then headed in on foot—or rather on four legs. He wanted to understand the comings and goings of Statler’s operation and learn what it would take to breach it without anyone the wiser.

As he neared the warehouse, screams and grunts sounded, sending his senses into high alert. He might have been more cautious had the whines not come from a female. Adrenaline coursing through his veins, Connolly charged in, branches cracking under foot. The attacker, a man of average stature, looked up and let go of the woman he’d been holding. Her eyes glazed over as she crumpled motionless to the ground. Holy fuck. Anger ripped through Connolly faster than water could fly over a dam after a heavy storm.

He growled and edged closer, trying to decide how he wanted to kill the bastard. Then reason intruded. Given the man’s uniform and his proximity to the warehouse, he might be more useful alive.

The guard shifted into his animal form and raced toward Connolly, saliva dripping from his mouth—a sure indication he intended to kill. While this werewolf could have been one of the enhanced breeds, Connolly would take his chances. Born of Scottish descent, he was larger and fiercer than the werewolves bred around here. Being meaner and more determined convinced him he’d win this battle.

Incisors glistening, the guard launched himself at Connolly’s neck but he was able to twist out of reach at the last minute and even managed to chomp on the guard’s rear as he flew by. His reward came when the animal yelped.