Night With a Tiger (14 page)

The moon was full, forcing Adam and the others to the shadows of the trees in case Pierce looked out his window. Adam and Ty moved together, almost as one, getting to the spot where they could view the house while the second team got into place. The Kodiak Bears divided through both teams, giving them added strength.

Adam’s heart raced, beating frantically against his chest. He clenched his gun in its holster. No one planned to shift unless the situation got out of hand. The goal was to get in and out within twenty minutes. While Adam’s team searched for Pierce, the other teams would divide and conquer. Jinx, with the assistance of Turi and Trey, would search for the hidden room, while Marcus and the other guards would search the house for any information that might help find the other rogues.

“Don’t get eager, this is my kill if possible. I will gain justice for my mate, for Bethany, and everyone else who has been affected by Pierce.” Ty slid his gun from his holster.

“We’ll honor that if we can, but your safety is more important than who gets the kill. I promised Tabitha I would bring you back without a scratch.” Adam pulled his gun from his hip holster, and clicked the safety. “Let’s do this.”

Scurrying through the shadows, they made their way to the front of the house. Adam stayed in front of Ty. If a trap waited for them inside, Adam wanted to make sure his Alpha wasn’t in the direct line of fire. Styx squeezed in beside him, working his talent on the lock and within seconds it popped open. The fact Styx knew how to pick a lock surprised no one, after all Styx had been an assassin at one time, working for a former Alpha as his personal hit man.

Easing into the entryway, Adam spotted a tripwire. The fail-safe would alert Pierce if anyone made it past the door. Adam signaled the others, and then carefully stepped over it as he went right and Styx went left. With a clean sweep of the living quarters, Adam and Styx headed for the stairs. Taber aimed his gun at the overhead railing, guarding the team as the rest made their way up the steps.

Scanning the hall with his eyes and gun, Adam took in a deep breath. He tried to sense which room Pierce was in, and if there were any other human or shifter scents coming from the other rooms. He waited for Taber to join them before stepping aside so everyone was in a tight group. “Pierce is at the end of the hall, asleep.” His whispered tone could only be heard by those next to him. “This feels too easy. We been after him too long, it should be a harder fight.”

“Maybe he’s tired of the fight?” The group of men looked at Styx, who shrugged his shoulders. “I spent longer than I care to remember as an assassin. You eventually tire of the chase. It should never be routine to kill someone. Sociopaths do it for the sport, but the rest of us do it to keep innocents safe.”

“Or it could be a trap,” Taber pointed out.

“I don’t smell any explosives, or other shifters around us.” Adam’s pulse beat frantically on the side of his neck. “If it’s a trap, it’s just Pierce. We’ve got enough man power to take him down even with a fight.”

“We’re doing this. Let’s go,” Ty ordered.

“Stay behind us,” Adam whispered, moving down the hall with Styx at his side. Ty was next and Taber brought up the rear watching their ass.

Since arriving, Adam felt a connection to Robin, almost as if she was standing next to him, guiding him. They were as one when her voice called to him.
Be safe.
He would be, and if all went well, in a matter of hours he’d be in her arms again.

Adam pushed the door open, resting his finger just above the trigger of his gun. He scanned the room and ended at the bed. Adam took a step back. The horrific smell surrounding the room caught in his throat, making it hard to breathe. A clearly poisoned Pierce lay in the middle of the bed, his limbs stretched out and tied to the bedpost corners.

“What the hell?” Styx’s eyelids blinked from the stench.

Adam held his breath in the sickening air. He stepped forward, noticing a piece of paper. Pierce was still alive. There was no telling how long before the poison would kill him. If Ty wanted the kill, he’d have to do it soon. Either way this lacked the real fight that Adam and the rest of the team were looking forward to.

Adam snatched the paper from Pierce’s chest. He read the note.

Pierce has been growing more and more desperate to kill your clan. His insanity has begun to jeopardize Bratva and I will not stand for that. Instead, I offer him to you on a golden platter with the knowledge that if you come after us we will be forced to kill you. To eliminate your problem further, I’ve taken care of Pierce’s rogues that were no use to me and Bratva. Enjoy your kill. Keith, US Bratva leader.

Adam had hoped Bratva wouldn’t be an issue after they had killed Victor. Obviously someone else had stepped in to lead the Bratva. They would have to completely dispend that organization if they were going to protect their kind.

Ty stepped up beside him, with Styx close by. Adam handed the note to Ty. Ty might be their Alpha and have to prove he was able to take care of himself and the clan, but there was a reason Elders had guards and it wasn’t because they were weak. In a direct challenge a guard could do nothing to help the Alpha, but when it came to rogues they would protect their Alpha to the death. Whatever they were going to do, they needed to get it done quickly because the smell of the room was getting stronger by the minute.

Pierce moaned and struggled against the chains, his eyes still closed. His movement sent new waves of pigment odor through the room.

“Whatever you’re going to do needs to be done now.” Adam stepped to the side, giving Ty direct access to Pierce.

“I wanted him to put up a fight, to beg for his life. At the very least the bastard will know what’s coming.” Ty looked down at the gun in his hand. “Pierce took the life of my mate’s family, which left her an orphan, and I had to watch him kill Bethany’s parents and sister. I’m doing this for all the lives he destroyed in his wake. He will know I’m the one who took his life. I only wish I was less civilized, that I could torture him as he had done to Bethany and countless others.”

Adam wanted to torture the bastard too for the hell he put Robin through, but the Alaskan clan were better than that. They wouldn’t stoop to Pierce’s level. It’s not who they were. His fingers began to tighten around the gun until he was afraid he might break the handle. He forced his shoulders to relax.

Pierce’s eyes opened, fear made them glow, bringing his weretiger close to the surface. As a bitten were he wouldn’t be able to shift without a full moon, therefore he couldn’t heal himself or break free from the chains.

“How did you get in here?” Pain filled Pierce’s voice.

Ty stepped next to the bed, keeping his gun aimed on Pierce. “Where can I find Keith?”

“I don’t know.” Pierce’s eyes closed and his face clenched in pain.

“Open your eyes, damn it. Do you know why I’m here?”

Pierce opened his eyes, just barely. He pulled against the chains again. “To kill me.”

“Damn right. You killed the families of people I care for. You tortured and killed more people than I care to remember while we were chasing you. Now it all ends. Do you have anything to say?”

“Killing me won’t end the threat. If it’s not me, it will be someone else. Keith is a cold blood murderer. He’ll find Tabitha and kill her. It won’t be as quick as I would have done. Her death will be on your hands.” He took a deep a breath. “If you expect me to beg for my life it won’t happen. This poison will kill me before long, so either way I’m dead.”

“Begging would have done no good,” Ty said.

Adam stood next to Ty, his gun pointed at Pierce. Styx mirrored Adam’s stance at the end of the bed. Ty holstered his gun and took out a syringe from his pocket. Before they had left Alaska, Doc had mixed up a deadly batch of drugs that could kill even the strongest shifter. It was humane and would appear as if Pierce had a heart attack.

“Tell me what you had on the Ohio clan to get them to do your business?” Ty twisted the cap off the syringe.

“You haven’t figured it out yet?” Pierce laughed, yet in too much pain to be heartfelt. “Keith was the Ohio Alpha, he abandoned his clan to lead a stronger group, Bravta.”

Adam was thankful for the connection he still kept with Robin. He wasn’t sure if Ty had a link to Tabitha opened, so Adam passed the information to his mate.
Get this news to Raja and Tabitha. Ohio’s Alpha was Keith and he’s leading the U.S. Bravta. No other information yet. Get Connor on it.

“You’ll go to your grave knowing we found you because Robin Zimmer came to us.” Ty told Pierce. “You screwed up messing with her. She’s got fight and helped bring you down.”

Pierce once again struggled against the chains. “If Keith has no interest in Robin, know that Randolph has been my second for years and he will pick up where I left off. Your problems are not over. Randolph will revenge my name and see your clan dead.”

“I’ll take them all down. My clan is my family, mess with one of us you are messing with all of us. Your rogues are no match for us.” Ty shoved the needle into Pierce’s arm and pushed down the plunger.

Watching him squirm as the drugs hit his system seemed unsatisfying. For years they had sought Pierce, always finding the lead a little too late and being a few steps behind him. Tonight Pierce’s life would finally end, but Adam was spoiling for a good fight, to put all those hours he had spent in the gym to work. His tiger paced within him. This was just a disappointment to both of them.

Adam watched as the stare of death took over Pierce’s eyes.

“Is everything all right up there? It’s eerie quiet.” Jinx’s voice sprang live through Adam’s earpiece.

“Subject had been terminated. How is the situation on your end?” Adam asked.

“We’ve found something. It might be the room.”

Adam looked at Ty for instructions before making a move.

Ty raised his hand to his eyepiece. “Marcus, when you’re done search the upstairs rooms. We’re going to join Jinx.” Ty moved to the door, and everyone fell in place. “Jinx, we’re on our way, wait for us.”

After Robin passed the information about Keith to Raja and Tabitha, everyone’s exhaustion seemed to slip away. Now they had a purpose, they weren’t just sitting around waiting for the other tiger paw to drop. Connor and Lukas were in the make-shift computer center down the hall with everything they needed to find on Keith.

Now that the Ohio clan no longer had an Alpha, with no leadership it could be disastrous for all involved. If that clan wasn’t careful they could expose all shifters. They were abused shifters which left their actions in question. Without leadership it wasn’t surprising that Henry escaped.

“What are we going to do about Ohio’s clan?” Tabitha brought a tray full of coffee and cookies in the living room.

“We’re going to send someone who can take control of the clan.” Raja took a mug from the tray and sat next to Bethany on the couch.

“Who?” Robin asked.

“The first few that spring to mind are Adam, Felix, Shadow, and Styx. Unfortunately, those who qualified don’t want to leave the clan. They are content with their positions here as Elder guards. It would also make us weaker to send any of them away when Tabitha will be announcing she is Queen of the Tigers.” Raja took a sip of his coffee.

“So you’ve decided to announce your status?” Robin grabbed a cup of coffee and looked to Tabitha.

“Not yet. The book said the time is nearing, but not until Ty is home.” Tabitha pulled her legs under her. “It will be before we have to deal with the Texas Tigers.

“If they aren’t willing, then we still have a problem,” Bethany said.

“They’re not the only ones qualified just the most suited for it. Getting the Ohio clan under control before all hell breaks loose is going to be a big job.” Raja checked the computer print-out on the table. “The Ohio clan is small, with only twelve members not including Henry or the former Alpha. It was part of the reason he didn’t have a Lieutenant that could take over now. This works in our benefit. We need to temporarily combine the West Virginia and Ohio clans and have Jinx take over as their Alpha. The West Virginia tigers can help keep Ohio in line—help them adjust to live with a normal Alpha.”

“Would Jinx agree?” Tabitha set her coffee aside.

Raja shrugged his shoulders. “It’s worth asking. We need him here, but right now he’s our only choice. I was going to send Korbin along with Jinx, as a Lieutenant. Korbin is strong enough to take over the clan. He has little experience. This opportunity will give him a chance to prove his ability. Eventually he can take over the Ohio clan.”

Robin leaned forward, placing her elbows on her knees and cupping her coffee in her hands. “Instead of combining the clans, why not send Jinx and Korbin, with the understanding that Korbin will take over. Jinx will only be there to consult. That way we can get Jinx back quickly and the clan will have an Alpha from the beginning.”

“Robin, you should have been part of this clan years ago.” Raja smiled. “I’ll get in touch with Jinx and Ty to get their thoughts once they are done at the house. Tabitha, would you like to accompany me to speak with Korbin?”

“Sure.” Tabitha nodded as Harmony staggered out of the bedroom.

“Harmony, you should be resting.” Robin set her coffee aside and went to Harmony.

“I thought of…”Her legs wobbled and she fell to the floor.

Felix went to help Robin, but Raja held him back. “I’ll get her into bed and she can tell us what she remembered.” Raja walked around the couch, bent, and scooped Harmony up in his arms in one quick motion.

Following Raja, Robin turned to Felix. “Henry’s not any closer, is he?”

“No. I’m not sure where he is. He’s waiting for something.” Felix followed them into the room.

Raja tucked Harmony into bed, pulling the blankets tight around her. “What did you remember?”

“Robin…” Harmony reached out, and when Robin’s hand slipped into hers, she held it tight. “Randolph, he’s a friend of Henry and the Alpha. He’s not a member of the clan. He’s a lone shifter. Henry will be with him.”

Felix nodded. “I know Randolph. He’s a weird guy, one that rubs you the wrong way. He has strange practices, and moved into the woods because he doesn’t like the direction the shifters are heading. He believes that shifters are top of the food chain, therefore we could kill humans when the mood strikes.”

Robin felt Harmony tense as they listened to how dangerous Randolph was. “Don’t worry Harmony. I want you to just get some sleep. We’re just outside if you need anything.” Robin nodded for the men to follow her out. Harmony didn’t need to hear any more news to make her more afraid.

After closing the door behind her, Robin turned to Raja and Felix. “How can we find Randolph if he has no connection to a clan?”

“Randolph?” Tabitha looked at them.

“He’s a lone shifter that Harmony remembered having a connection to Henry. She believes if we locate Randolph we might be able to find Henry before he gets to Alaska,” Felix explained.

“He’s got to have something in his name, a bill, cell phone, or something. Everyone leaves a trace. I’ll get Connor on it.” Bethany snatched the cell phone from the end table.

Damn it, will the trouble never cease?
Robin was tired of the roller coaster ride that had become her life. One minute she was thankful Adam and the team took down Pierce without any trouble, and then there was a new threat to worry about.

* * *

Adam examined the trap door while Styx and Taber stood back with Jinx and Ty in case there was a trip sensor. The twins Turi and Trey guarded nearby.

“You’d never even notice this door if you weren’t feeling the wall for something,” Adam said. “It blends in perfectly. From what I can tell there are no wires or anything unusual. I want everyone back in the other room while I open it. Just in case.”

Ty shook his head. “You don’t know what’s on the other side of that door.”

“That’s why you need to go. I won’t risk your safety.” Adam pointed toward the other door. “You have to leave now so we can get out of here before that horrific smell penetrates the whole house.”

“You’re not doing it alone.”

Adam rose from where he was squatting by the trap door. “Ty, this is my job. I was your guard before you mated and I was assigned to your mate. I can’t just forget to keep you safe. Now please, we’re wasting time.”

“I’ll stay with him. Styx, get the Alpha out of here.” Taber ordered.

“Wait a second, I don’t take orders, I give them. Now get out of the way.” Ty stepped forward around Adam and tugged open the door.

It squeaked, but nothing happened. No one jumped out, and no guns or bombs exploded, just an eerie silence.

Adam shook his head at his Alpha’s actions. “At least let me go in first.” Adam pushed in front of his Alpha. If someone waited for them down the hall, Adam wouldn’t let Ty be the first injured. It was his job and he wasn’t going to let a stubborn Elder be the reason he let Ty get hurt, or the reason he had to go home and explain it to Tabitha.

“Damn guards,” Ty mumbled.

“Bitch all you want, but we’re here to keep you alive,” Adam said. “I’m on strict orders from Tabitha to bring you back in one piece. I am not going to be the one to tell her you were hurt being the lead.” Adam pointed his gun as he moved down the narrow hallway. Ty wanting to be part of the action is the reason most Elders did not go on missions with the team. They were too valuable to the clans to risk on missions.

“You two stay here, keep watch and make sure this door stays open,” Taber ordered the twins.

Moving down three steps, the area turned to a concrete floor with dirt walls. It had to be an addition after the house was built. If Adam’s coordinates were right, the hidden room would be under the back deck. He could smell something at the end of the narrow space. He took a deep breath, trying to distinguish the scent. A musty smell overwhelmed his senses. But deep in the space there was a tigress shifter, her fear coming down at them in waves.

“Who’s there? Come out, now!” Adam called, continuing to move down the dark space.

“Wait…” Ty touched Adam’s shoulder, forcing him to halt. “It’s Daisy.”

“Who?”

“Daisy’s father left clan life a few months before we moved to Alaska. His job forced him overseas for a few years. Daisy didn’t want to go. She said something bad would happen if they went. Being underage, she had no choice but to go with her father.” Ty tipped his head back, taking a deep breath before opening his eyes again. “I’d know her scent anywhere. The lemony taste that it leaves in your mouth is unmistakably hers. I’ve never met anyone with the same effect.”

“I remember that.” Adam nodded, unhooking his flashlight from his belt as he continued down the space. “Daisy, are you alone? We’re here to help you.”

The narrow hallway led to a dark open space, and in the middle of the room laid a filthy mattress. A girl huddled in the center, her arms holding her legs to her chest, with her head resting on the top.

Ty lowered his gun while Adam scanned the rest of the space with his flashlight. When Adam nodded that all was clear, Ty stepped toward the girl. “Daisy, do you remember me. It’s Ty, Alpha of the Alaskan Tigers. You and your dad were part of my clan until the move.” The girl’s gaze followed Ty as he moved. She still remained silent.

“How long do you think she’s been down here?” Adam wasn’t sure how she could have survived being in this room and still have her sanity.

“Too long from the looks of it.” Ty holstered his gun, holding out his hands as he stepped closer. Adam and the other guards kept their guns out, not that anyone would want to shoot in such a confined space, but they would if one of their lives depended on it.

“One hundred and twelve days.” Daisy’s voice was parched. Those simple words set her into a coughing fit. “He made a point of telling me every time he came down.”

“Let’s get you out of here and somewhere safe.” Ty held a hand out to her.

She didn’t move. “I’d rather you just kill me. I can’t face people if they know what happened here. Nor do I want him to find me again.”

“Pierce is dead, and no one outside of this room knows how we found you.” Ty knelt in front of her. “Come home. Things are changing, for the better, come be part of it. You have so much to live for, so many changes to see.”

She stretched out her legs, revealing her naked body. “They’ll know. Look what he did to me!”

Adam’s flashlight spilled over her body, revealing claw marks down each side of her ribs, along with a scar from a deep claw cut down the side of her neck, and bruises covered most of her body. The worst mark was the large P branding her right hip.

“He tried to mate me! Nearly four months every day. How am I supposed to go on with my life after that?”

Adam tugged his shirt out of his jeans and up over his head. He stepped next to Ty, holding out his shirt. “Here. We had no idea, Daisy.”

She took the shirt, holding it in her hands as if it was a foreign object, before bringing it to her nose to smell the fresh crisp linen mixed with Adam’s scent. “I haven’t had clothes since he brought me here.” She tugged it over her head and wrapped her arms around her body.

“Let’s get you out of here. You can shower, and we’ll find you fresh clothes. We’ll keep you safe.” Adam tried to hide the sympathy from his tone, but it was nearly impossible. If being raped by a man that kept you prisoner wasn’t bad enough, add in the fact that when a shifter had sex with someone who wasn’t their mate it was extremely painful. Pierce had no idea how the mating worked for shifters and in turn caused harm to Daisy.

She stood. “My Dad, do you know what happened to him?”

“No, but we’ll find out. I’ll get my men on it once we’re somewhere safe.” Ty rolled his shoulder. “Daisy, I know this isn’t easy. I need to know why Pierce forced himself on you.”