Jaxson(25)

His smile tempered a little, but he seemed pleased that she was asking. “Software development. But we have a need for all sorts on the payroll. The company’s rapidly growing, and I’m always on the hunt for talent. Tell me, Ms. Lilyfield, what kind of work would you like to do?”

The coffeepot sputtered next to them. Olivia could hardly believe Trent was trying to recruit her in the middle of this crisis to find his sister, but maybe that was how they did things in the Wilding pack. The least she could do was make distracting small talk until Jaxson had some real news for them.

She just prayed that would be soon.





“So, you and Olivia, huh?” Jace’s voice was barely above a whisper.

They were hunched outside a warehouse at the outskirts of Seattle. A little drawn blood and one good bite had convinced the broken-nosed thug to give up the location where the shifters were transported to—the only question was whether Cassie was inside or not. And, if so, how they were going to infiltrate it. They’d left the thug unconscious with his friend so he wouldn’t be ratting them out. Right now, they were waiting for Murphy, Taylor, and Rich to scout the perimeter and report back with options.

“Focus, Jace,” Jaxson said. “We’re on a mission, remember?”

“I’m just saying… I didn’t see that coming.” Jace moved his weight from one foot to the other, easing his muscles. They were crouched behind the natural shrubbery next to the electrified, razor-wire fence surrounding the warehouse. A single guard inhabited the shack next to the gate, but even taking him down wouldn’t necessarily gain them entrance.

“Unless the men can find an alternate entry point, I’m thinking the shack is our best option. But we need the guard alive if we’re going to gain a passcode.”

“Agreed.” Jace stretched his arms, limbering up. “I still think I can clear the fence, though. Or just take it out.” His brother had enhanced shifter abilities, beyond what most wolves possessed. But shifting for him was… unpredictable. And potentially very dangerous, for everyone—including Jace himself.

“I don’t like that option.” Jaxson peered around the back of the bush, but still no sign of his pack. “Plus I didn’t bring the appropriate supplies for that.”

“Last resort, then,” Jace said, dipping his head.

Jaxson nodded. He would take the chance in using Jace’s abilities if he had to. None of them wanted Cassie trapped inside that building one second longer than necessary.

Jace leaned over to bump Jaxson’s shoulder with his. “So… our new office assistant is working out for you, huh?”

“Can we not talk about this right now?” Jaxson growled. He couldn’t believe his willpower had failed him so utterly, so soon. His wolf was howling for her, but that was no excuse. It was the man in him who couldn’t resist her curves. Or her bravery. Or her sweet, sweet mouth. He still hadn’t deciphered that electric jolt he got every time he touched her, but after the agony of the date with Morrigan, the breath-of-fresh-air that was Olivia had been way too much temptation for him.

Jace chuckled, low and quiet. “I think we need to talk about the proper use of Riverwise office furniture—“

“Shut up.”

“Hey, I have to work there, too.” Jace’s harassment was clearly just getting started. “But if you’ve got a taste for humans now, I’ve got several who—”

Jaxson whipped his hand to his brother’s throat. “Shut. It.”

Jace’s eyes were wide with surprise, not fear. “Okay, then,” he said in a strained way around Jaxson’s hold on his throat. Jaxson released him, but Jace’s expression just went straight to Jaxson has lost his marbles.

“I guess we’ll talk about this later,” Jace said carefully.

“Later.” Jaxson checked his weapon. Much later. All of it would eventually come out. Right now, they really did need to focus on getting back this kidnaped shifter girl. The whole thing ran icicles through his heart—this was a change in the game, whatever game had been going on before with the shifter disappearances. And he didn’t like it one bit.

Thankfully, an almost-silent scuffle in the dirt behind him signaled the return of his three pack members from surveillance.

“What do you have for me?” Jaxson asked.

Murphy hunched next to him. “Razor-wire all around. Electrification is solid.”

“I’d have to go back for the right equipment to take down the fence,” Taylor added.

“No time for that,” Jaxson said.

There was agreement and frowns all around.