Jaxson(23)

“You’re going to tell me where the girl is,” Jaxson said quietly. “And you’re going to tell me now. Or I’m going to claw and bite the answer out of you, one chunk at a time.”

The man paled and blinked rapidly.

Jaxson might have to draw some blood, but it shouldn’t have to go much further than that. Only enough to convince the man that Jaxson was serious. And he was. Very serious.

Cassie didn’t have time for him to mess around.





Olivia would end up wearing a hole in Riverwise’s carpet with the way she was pacing her office. But she had to stay near the phone in case Jaxson called. Or someone from the Wilding pack. Or the hospital, saying that there had been a horrible tragedy at the homeless shelter and could she please come identify the bodies? Olivia sucked in a deep breath, dragged her hands across her face, and slapped her cheeks a couple times to stop that line of thought.

They’re going to be fine.

She snuck another peek at the local news on her phone, just to see if there was anything about a kidnapping or a shifter fight breaking out downtown. Nothing. Of course.

She slumped into her chair, thinking maybe she should try to do some work to distract herself, when a buzzing sound floated in from the front. Only when it was followed up with some banging did she realize it was someone at the door. She sprinted through the office to the frosted-glass entrance. She had to bang around with the lock a few times before she could spring it loose.

A gorgeous dark-haired woman brushed past her on the way in. “Where’s Jaxson?” she demanded but didn’t wait for an answer. She just strode around the corner toward the offices in back. A man hurried in after her. He was tall, well-built, broad-shouldered… and dark-haired gorgeous as well. He hardly slowed down and ignored Olivia just like the woman.

“Terra,” he called after her, his voice annoyed. Then he disappeared around the corner, too.

Olivia closed the door and followed after them, but obviously they were both shifters from the Wilding pack. When she reached the conference room, Terra was muttering something—half curses, half mumbled arguments—but her claws were out and slashing the air as she raced along the offices, looking in each one.

“Where is he, where is he…”

At least, that’s what Olivia thought she was saying.

Then Terra reached the last office. Not finding whatever she was looking for, she turned toward Olivia and screeched. “Where is he?”

“Terra, calm down.” The man had reached her and tried to take her by the shoulders, but she just shoved him aside. Olivia gasped as Terra’s claws sliced across the man’s chest, shredding his shirt and causing a bloom of blood to darken it.

“Goddamn it, Terra!” he said, but he just followed after her as she took off again.

That’s when Olivia noticed Terra was heading straight toward her like a black-haired thunderstorm, eyes blazing with lightning. Olivia’s heart lurched, but she held her ground. She didn’t even bother putting up her hands in defense against Terra’s claws. Probably just get them sliced anyway.

When Terra arrived in front of her, all sound and fury, Olivia said quietly, “I know you’re worried about Cassie.”

Terra came to a teetering halt in front of her, and the storm in her eyes melted tears from the corners. “Do you know where she is?”

“Not yet.” Olivia was proud of how calm her voice was compared to her pounding heart. “But Jaxson will bring her home. You can count on that.”

Terra let out a breath, like it was escaping her without her volition. “How do you know?”

“Because he said he would.” Her words held all the conviction she felt in her heart. Even if she’d only known the man for a few days, she knew he kept his word. In fact, she’d known that much from the first few minutes, when he promised not to hurt her, and she believed him enough to give the electric prod over to him.

“Jaxson’s taken four of his pack members and gone after your sister,” Olivia continued. “The minute he finds her, he’ll call and let you know. He said you might be coming here.”

Terra was nodding, over and over in a distracted way, but Olivia’s words seemed to be having a calming effect.

Olivia reached out a tentative hand to lightly pat Terra’s arm—staying clear of the still-flexing claws. “I’m sorry I don’t have more news for you yet.”

Terra stared at Olivia’s hand, so she pulled it back. But the female shifter’s face wasn’t horrified… just confused. She looked up. “Who are you?”

“Oh… um…” Olivia folded her arms across her chest. “Just the secretary.”