Fighting For Their Mate (25 page)

Ford turned to Ty. “Did you ask Clare what she wanted to do once we cross over?”

“She was open, but since Tatum might be traumatized, Clare volunteered to stay with her until Tatum was ready to move on.”

That was generous of her. Ford checked the time. “It’s a good ten to twelve hours before we reach the border. We’ll stop to eat and for pit stops, but that’s all. We’ve all got our radios which can’t be traced, so we’re good.”

“Bailey going to go with you?” Cam asked.

“I think the sisters want to be together.”

“What about Clare?”

They’d focus better if they weren’t around their mate. “Let’s leave her with Ty.”

They nodded, and headed back to their vehicles.

Ford prayed the danger would pass once they crossed into the States, but he knew better. Their rough road was only beginning.

*     *     *

They spent the night in some small town in northern Canada. Bailey and Tatum slept together, while Tyson grabbed the second bed, and Ford asked for a cot. Had Tatum been ready to learn about werewolves, the men would have shifted and stayed on the floor.

Clare had been hesitant to sleep in the same room as Cam and Spence, but once Ford explained that Statler was a loose cannon, she agreed to the protection.

The next morning, with Bailey still bleary eyed, all seven of them congregated in Ford and Tyson’s room.

“We need to figure out what happens next,” Ford said.

Bailey was worried about her sister. Tatum was strong and said she was fine, but Bailey didn’t believe her.

“Tatum, it’s your call,” Bailey said. “Do you still want to move to Pittsburgh or do you want come back to Virginia with me?”

Her jaw firmed. “I have a job that I’m really excited about. I want to start my life, not dwell on the past.” She glanced over at Clare. “Besides, I’ll have company.”

Clare nodded.

Her sister had spunk. Tatum was right. They both needed to move on. Besides, Richmond, Virginia and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania were less than six hours apart. If Tatum needed her, Bailey could be there in a day. Still, she had to work not to let disappointment show. “If you’re sure.”

“I’m sure. Besides, we don’t need Mom and Dad knowing what happened. If I didn’t take the job, they’d figure out something was up. You know them—they’d freak and call in the National Guard looking for that place. No. It’s better for all if we leave it alone.”

“I feel the same way.” The whole idea of werewolves might come out and she wasn’t ready for that discussion.

The anger and injustice at what happened, however, kept surfacing. Bailey wanted revenge for what Statler was doing to the other girls, but she felt helpless to do anything.

“Then it’s settled,” Ford said. “Once we reach Buffalo, Ty will drop off his car and ride with us, and Clare and Tatum can head west with Cam and Spence.”

Cam glanced at his brother then back at the group. “Spence and I have discussed it. We’ll be staying near the girls for a while to make sure nothing happens.”

Chills raced up her spine. “You really think Statler cares that much about one woman? Why not just kidnap another one?”

Tyson slipped next to her. “He may not care, but we can’t be too careful. As much as I don’t want to put more fear into your heart, Statler wants you, and he might think the way to you is through Tatum.”

Bailey gagged, her heart jumping to her throat. “What you’re saying is that until he’s taken down, I’m not safe?”

“Yes, but don’t worry. Cam and Spence will make sure nothing happens to Clare and your sister, and we won’t let you out of our sight.”

Her body trembled. She’d hoped they’d stay nearby, but she wanted them to want to be with her, not because they had to be with her.

Stop it. I’m not sure what I want—other than to put this nightmare behind me.
“I live in Virginia, and you live in North Carolina. I can’t ask you to put your jobs on hold.”

“We can work anywhere,” Ford said, moving next to her. “It’s easy to rent space and teach our self-defense classes.”

She wasn’t buying it. Changing locations and leaving their clients would be a big deal. “If you say so.”

Tyson nodded to their gear. “Let’s pack up. Once we cross into the States, we can hug goodbye.”

Now that the end was near, Bailey wasn’t ready. Even if the hiking trip had been uneventful, she’d still have to say goodbye, and that was hard. “Before we head out, we should call Mom and Dad,” she said to Tatum.

“I thought about that, but it’ll be hard to sound cheerful. They’ll know something’s wrong.”

“It’s awfully early,” Ford said. “Won’t that be suspicious?”

“They’re early risers. We’ll say we finished our hike and spent the night at a hotel to clean up. Now we’re ready to leave.”

“Okay, but use my burner phone. We don’t want your father to trace the call.” Ford handed it to her.

Bailey inhaled. She wasn’t sure she could act normal. “Ready?” she asked Tatum.

“I guess.”

Bailey chuckled. “You can always say it was tiring listening to me whine about how out of shape I am. That way, you don’t have to sound excited about the trip.”

“Isn’t that the truth.”

Ty stood. “We’ll wait outside while you have your family reunion.”

“Thanks. We’ll keep it short and sweet.”

She wished she could tell her parents about the wonderful men she’d met, but that wouldn’t go over well. Perhaps if they met them, her parents would see that both men were perfect, but she’d leave that for another time. Right now, she wanted to go home and forget about Statler and his experiments.

*     *     *

“Bailey?” Ford’s voice pierced her brain.

She opened her eyes. It was dark, but when she sat up, the lights in the distance and the half-moon lit the way. “We there yet?” She stretched.

“Not yet. We’re going to take a pit stop.”

She spotted the sign for the rest area one mile ahead. “Where are we?”

“Somewhere in West Virginia.”

Wow. She’d really dozed. “What time is it?” She must have slept for hours.

“Three in the morning.”

She grunted. They must have switched drivers, but she didn’t remember. “Do you need me to drive?”

“We’re good,” Tyson said.

Bailey slipped on her shoes and her coat. “Maybe I could get a water and a candy bar or something.” They’d have to pay again since she didn’t have any cash.

“Whatever you want, honey.”

Tyson exited the roadway and slowed. There weren’t any cars around, but it wasn’t surprising given the hour. He parked and the two of them escorted her to the bathroom.

“I’m a big girl. You don’t have to come in.”

Ford smiled. “We know. We need to take a leak, too. We’ll meet you right here.”

He was taking this protection thing a bit too far. Needing a drink and something to eat, she did her business quickly. When she stuck her head out, the men weren’t there. Neither was anyone else. She wandered toward the snack machine that was tucked in an alcove, wanting to check out the selection before asking the men for some change.

As she was studying her choices, footsteps sounded behind her. She looked over her shoulder getting ready to ask him for money when her heart stopped.

“Hello, Bailey. Long time no see.”

B
ailey’s throat closed. “Brad. What are you doing here?” She backed up until she bumped into the drink machine.

She had to stall him. Had to wait for Tyson and Ford to come out. She had no doubt that he wanted to either kill her or kidnap her. Her damp fingers slipped on the glass.

“I have to take you back to Statler. You’re the key to keeping the enhanced werewolves alive.”

“You’re mistaken.” Sure, she had some rare blood type, but she needed to convince him she wasn’t special.

“No. I’m not.”

Brad lifted a burlap sack from behind his back and came at her.
No!
She wasn’t going back to that place. She screamed, but nothing came out. She opened her mouth again and inhaled deeply as panic gripped her belly. This time only a squeak sounded.

As he raised his arm to place the cloth over her head, instinct kicked in—or else it was what Ford had taught her. She bent her knees and batted her hands, pushing the sack away. Probably due to the surprise attack, Brad seemed to lose his balance. She stepped in, reached up, and clawed his eyes with one hand while she punched him in the side with the other. The contact didn’t seem to do much, but it forced him to grab his face.

“You cunt.”

Shit. Now what?
Run!

She’d taken three steps when Brad caught her from behind. Bailey refused to go quietly. “Ford! Tyson!” Finally, the words sounded.

“They can’t hear you,” Brad said as he tightened his hold over her throat.

She tried to shrug her shoulders to keep him from choking her, but it was too late. He was cutting off her air. Using what breath she had left, she slammed her heel on top of his foot.

He grunted. “Bitch. You’re coming with me.”

Her stomach heaved. She’d never let him take her. “Help.”

He clamped a hand over her mouth as he struggled to get the hood over her head.

“Fuck it.” Brad dropped the cloth and wrapped an arm around her waist. As he lifted her, she kicked, clawed, and screamed.

As if her men had perfected the art of reappearing at will, Tyson stood before them. “Let her go or you die, Tony.”

His grip loosened, but he still held on. “I’m not letting her go. I know it was you who told Statler we were Pack members. You fucking liar.”

“Guilty,” Tyson said.

Then he smiled as an arm wrapped around Brad’s neck from behind, and he staggered backward, letting go of his grip. Bailey slipped to the pavement, but caught herself before she landed too hard. Seconds later, Tyson scooped her up and ran with her to the car while Ford battled with Brad. Bailey clung to Tyson, never wanting to let go. She didn’t want to cry, but a whimper escaped against her will.

“Get in,” he urged.

She scrambled into the back and Tyson jumped into the driver’s seat. He started the engine and drove to the curb where he slowed then stopped.

Bailey dared to look out. Her throat turned dry, fearing Brad might have harmed Ford. “Where are they?”

“Don’t worry. Ford is making sure we have a good head start.”

She didn’t want to know what that entailed, but she’d be happy once they were on their way. “How did he find me?”

“I doubt Ford will take the time to ask.”

Out of the shadows, Ford appeared. He rushed to the car and got in. “Fuckers.” Ford leaned over the seat as Tyson took off. “You okay?”

She rubbed her neck. “I’ll live.”

“I’m sorry. One of us should have waited outside the restroom.”

“That would have made me more paranoid.” Bailey wasn’t sure she could live like that, always looking over her shoulder. Perhaps she should move to another state and change her name.

No. Then she’d never see these wonderful men again.

Ford twisted back around and looked over at Tyson. “I’m calling the General.”

“At three in the morning?” she asked.

“This is important. He’ll want to know what’s happening.”

Ford made the call, but it sounded like it went to voicemail. He asked that The Pack members up near West Virginia be on the lookout for Dram and Tony. He then gave the license plate number.

“I’m guessing you let them live?”

“Unfortunately.” His voice came out harsh. She bet he debated whether to kill them, but then decided bodies would be hard to hide.

Tyson glanced in the rearview mirror. “I think we should take you to our place instead of your home in Virginia.”

As much as she wanted to be near them, she had a life. “And tell my parents what? That while on the trail in North Carolina, I met two men and want to move in with them?” She regretted the bitterness the moment she spoke the words.

“Perhaps if you mentioned they’re hot as hell and want you desperately, they might be happy for you.”

Tyson was trying to lighten the mood, but he failed. She was sick to her stomach and not in the mood. “My parents would kill me if I told them I wanted two men.”

She sounded like she was thirteen instead of twenty-three, needing her parents’ approval. If her dad weren’t in the public eye, it would be so much easier.

“How about you stay with us in North Carolina for just a little while until the General and his men get a handle on how to take down Statler?”

That could be years. “I guess I could tell my folks that I have a photo shoot in…where do you live?”

“Asheville.”

It was a pretty town. “I wouldn’t mind deplaning for a week or two. I’m sure my folks won’t question it. I’ve been known to do crazier things.”
Like go to Africa on a safari the summer of my junior year.

As if that settled it, neither said anything more. Bailey’s stomach grumbled, but she understood it wouldn’t be safe to stop until they were in Asheville. Tyson turned off on I-81 and she leaned back and closed her eyes, trying to come to grips with the fact that the danger wasn’t over.

Her thoughts ran to Tatum. She sat back up and leaned over the front seat. “Do you think Brad and Tom would ask some of their friends to go after Tatum and Clare?”