Chapter Two Hundred Seven
GAYLE
“I almost can’t believe he bought it, I say, excitement that I really shouldn’t be feeling barreling into me. The chance to see him again, my mate, overriding the murky fact that he shot me, It really shouldn’t fill the with joy. After all, he wants to kill me, but in true shifter form 1 want to believe his heart can be changed. I want to believe that he might be helpless in falling for me. That’s fair, right?
“Why wouldn’t he buy it? Delilah shorts. Tm the one who was selling it to him. I’m his sister. He would never suspect me to side with
you guys.”
“Any why not?” I have to ask. “Did you hate us too?”
She shakes her head. “No. Actually, I’ve always had an extreme love for animals, but I’ve never been a believer in shifters. I never thought they were real. Ironically enough, I was still a little in doubt even after I watched the bullets pop out of Quinn’s back.”
“You’ve got to be kidding,” I giggle. “What was your reasoning for that happening, if you didn’t think he was a shifter?”
She shrugs, turning toward the Idaho exit instead of the Oregon one we were originally headed for. “I don’t know, Vampire maybe. Anything that wouldn’t allow my brother the satisfaction of being right for once.
“Vampires,” I laugh. “Believe it or not. That thought isn’t too far off – as there are giant bat shifters in the world.”
You’ve
got to be kidding?” she snaps.
“I’m not. I know one. His name is Antonio and he is an excellent lover, inform. “Taedora and I were both convinced he was our mate for a
time.
“Oh really?” she aks, her voice taking on a disapproving tone. “Does that happen often? Two of you having the same mate?”
I shake my head. “No. Not typically. And never when the mate is human. At least not as far as lions are concerned. I’ve heard draguns do though.”
She almost steers off the road. “I’m sorry. But did you say dragons?”
I have to laugh. “Yes. They’re real too.” Then I think about it and realize, it could be bullshit. I’ve never seen proof that they do actually exist. “Not that I’ve ever met one. I guess it could be considered Shifter Lore. But when I was little my mom used to tell me stories about twin dragons with the same human mate. Supposedly they live in the mountains of Japan and Hawaii. And wherever there are volcanos.”
“There are volcanoes in Washington,” she says matter of factly.
“Oh crap,” I say, just realizing. “I guess you’re right. Touche“.”
“I think I’ll stick
“I think I stick with wolves,” she says almost absently.
I smile. “Quinn’s a pretty good catch.”
Her head jerks toward me. “You say that almost as if you know.”
I swallow thickly, not wanting to dive into that one. Our friendship is too new. “He has quite the reputation.”
“Uh–huh,” she murmurs. “So I’ve gathered.” She sighs heavily. “Maybe I should call him and let him know I’m safe.“,
almost choke. “Don’t get crazy. Remember, he stole your phone! If you call him right now, not only will he be pissed enough to kill ine, hell bring the whole brigade with him to stop you from interfering in what they have planned for your brother,
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Chapter Two Hundred Seven
She sighs unhappily, “I don’t want to believe that.”
“Well, you need to believe it. It’s true,” I state grimly.
“He should already know I would never forgive him for hurting my brother. Never.”
He probably does, but I don’t tell her that. The truth is, he probably wdir’t hurt Cane if he realizes that Delilah would never forgive him. But Gryffin… be will. And Domonic owes Gryffin big time for helping him save Draven. Their alliance may just be important enough to trump anything that Quinn might want. At the same time, it might not, but I’m not willing to take that chance.
“How long until we get there?” she asks, knowing I’m the one on GPS duly. “Two hours,” I say, my heart thumping a bit more heavily at the thought. Not quite enough time to mentally prepare myself, but it will have to do. “Do you think he’ll recognize me?”
She shakes her head. “I don’t think so, He only saw you for a few seconds in the dark, with night goggles on. He shouldn’t. If anything, he may be wary of you. But he would never expect me to have befriended you and lie about anything shifter related, so we should be fine.”
“What if he doesn’t want me? I can’t help but ask.
She looks at me sympathetically. “If what you guys feel is anything close to how I feel about Quinn… he will.” Then she smirks. “Just baptize him and you win.”
“Baptize him?” I ask, confused.
She shakes her head, laughing. “I’ve got news for your sexy little ass. My brother? He is still a virgin.”
No fucking way “What?”
QUINN
“What do you mean, she’s not there?” I ask Timmons again, trying to incorporate my deep breathing techniques into hearing this news.
He shakes his head at me arrogantly. “Your little manipulative human left a note. She’s with Cayle.“..
Anger rolls through me and despite that we’re in the hospital lobby, I’m forced to stop myself from shifting. The note said that?”
“No. Cayle’s scent was all over your room and outside of the house. Plus, the jeep is gone.”
“That fucking bitch!” I snap. “Well, at least I know where they’re heading
Timmons‘ eyes light up. “Oh really? Where’s that?”
“They’re heading after her brother. Cane. Gayle’s mate.”
“Holy shit,” Timmons grumbles. “That’s right. Rainier said something to that effect when we joined the arch party earlier.
A familiar voice on the telephone behind me has my back going ramrod straight and my nerves prickling
I just walked into the hospital,” the voice says. “I’ll call you when I have news.”
“Son–of–a–bitch,” I hiss, keeping my back turned so the man doesn’t seeme,
“What?” Timmons gripes. “What’s wrong?“”
wait until I hear Matthew get on the elevator and for the doors to ding closed. “That old bastard that just got on the elevator. He’s one of the Elder Few,” I say, turning my head in the direction of the elevato
Chapter Two Hundred Seven
“What?” Timmons replies, “I thought Rainier hut the dode outside,”
“They must have come separately,” I inform him “We knew they might try and enter like strangers, but we didn’t think they’d spara
hour apart–filad I stayed.”
arrival an be
Timmons nods, acing the stairs. Then this one’s mine. II grab him and get him off the floor. It I be up to you and Bartlett to get the girl
mut of here,”
“Agreed,” I say warily. “I can’t believe were about to try and pull this shit off.”
“What is this we shit?” Timmons cackles. I’m the
It’s you and old Barty Boy when are about to become criminals.”
“Right,” Lagree, flipping him off as he heads for the stairs.
I don’t have time for this! I need to go after my mate, but I’m going to have to try and trust her for now, Gayle has probably convinced her that we want to hurt Cane. In fact, she might even believe we do. We dont. Well, I don’t. Domonur probably does, but he wont if I ask him not to. Why? For the very same reason that I refuse to hurt that fucker. Because of our mates. All it will take is for me to tell Draven that Domonc intends to go after my mate’s brother against my wishes. She’ll go ballistic on his ass. He’s still not all the way out of the doghouse yet when it comes to her and he knows it, so… It is what it is.
Whipping
g out my phone, I send Bartlett a text.
ME
We need to move now, Matthew is in the building. Timmons is heading up for him. Tell Rhodes to start her discharge paperwork so that we don’t get caught up.
BARTLETT-
I know. He just tried to get in here, but Rhodes denied him entry. Such a team player, that guy. I’m on it. I’ll get to Rhodes as soon as I hear Timmons take Matthew, Get the car ready. I’ll meet you at the back entrance.
ME
You don’t need help getting her out?
BARTLETT-
Maybe. But if anyone gets in trouble for this, I want it to be me,
Heard. I’ll text you when I’m out back.
Racing outside, I note Dom and Rainier look toward me from their respective corners of the lot, but ignore them and head straight for Bartlett’s truck. This would have been a might easier if we had my car. Then again Matthew might have recognized it.I’m rather surprised that Matthew is here and not out looking for his son.
One has to wonder why….
