Lisa Kessler - Moonlight

Aren pulled himself up so he was almost sitting up straight. “You’ve always been a player, Adam. The entire Pack knows that. And I know Dad’s been putting the screws to you to find your mate. He wants grandchildren and a new generation to keep our Pack strong.”

I chuckled and looked over at my brother. “So you got his settle-down-and-have-babies lecture too?”

Aren smiled a little and nodded. “Yeah, but you’re the oldest so I’m pretty sure I’m safe until you get tied down and give the Pack a new pair of pups.”

I sighed and got up. My life was never going to turn out the way I thought it would, or the way my family, or my Pack wanted it. I was leaving with Lana in the morning. Who knew when we would be back? We’d have to keep moving. Lana was the missing key to Nero’s need for jaguar females who wouldn’t need to be bitten. They could raise them like their own breeding stock. The thought sickened me.

With my back to my brother, I stared out the window at the barn I’d built, filled with horses I’d trained and many that I loved. I was about to lose it all.

“You really think Lana is your mate.”

The sound of Aren’s voice jarred me from my thoughts. I nodded but I didn’t turn around. It would piss me off to see his face cringe like she was some kind of disease.

“I’m sorry I’ve been such an ass to her.”

Now that got my attention. My brow furrowed as I turned to face him. “You’re apologizing?”

The corner of his mouth quirked up a notch. “It’s not like I never apologize.”

“I never expected it over a jaguar.”

He shook his head. “She’s not just a jaguar. She’s your mate.” He lowered his voice and added, “She risked her ass to save my life.” A smile toyed at the corner of his mouth. “I still think you’re insane.”

I grinned. “They say love makes you nuts, right?”

He tilted his head a little. “You may have been a little crazy before Lana anyway.”

“Careful. I’ll still dump you off that sofa, hurt ankle and all,” I teased. Then I walked over and embraced my brother. “Thanks, Aren,” I whispered as I clapped his back. When I pulled back, his gaze met mine and my heart felt heavy in my chest. It would’ve been so much easier to leave him behind if I was pissed at him.

“I’ve always got your back,” he said. “Sorry I forgot that for a while. I just didn’t want to see you get yourself killed.”

“We’re not out of the woods yet. I better call Malcolm.”

Aren nodded. “Tell Dad I’m feeling better.”

“Will do.” I walked out toward the kitchen, clenching my jaw to hold back the twisted emotions churning inside of me.

The black Mercedes pulled off at a rest stop, and my pulse jumped. I was going to lose her unless I followed, but I couldn’t. There was no way I could hide from her there.

I drove past, my hands slick on the Jeep’s steering wheel. What now? I glanced at my cell phone on the seat. If I went back to the ranch I’d lead her right to Adam. I’d brought enough tragedy to the Pack. I wasn’t going to lead Sasha to them. It was me she really wanted.

I got off the freeway and headed in the other direction. Toward the airport. If I could get her to follow me there, Adam would be safe for now. With TSA officers and air marshals around, I doubted she’d draw a weapon on me. I gripped the wheel tighter. I hadn’t realized she led me so far from the city when I was following her. Over the roar of the wind, something made a pow sound. Did the Jeep backfire? Another pow and the back started fishtailing.

Not a backfire. A bullet.

I struggled to keep control of the Jeep. In the rearview mirror I caught a glimpse of the Mercedes tailing me. One more gunshot and the Jeep squealed in protest. As I slowed to the shoulder, the flattened tires wobbling and screeching, I pocketed my cell phone, preparing to bail. I could make a run for it and call 911.

I popped my seatbelt and while the Jeep rolled to a stop I jumped out. It was jarring, but my feline reflexes kept me on my feet. I ran down the embankment while something whistled past my calf, followed by a sharp pain. My jeans had a tear now, but the bullet just grazed me.

“The next one will take you down,” Sasha called from behind me. “I need you alive, not unharmed.”

I kept running. If she caught me, I’d be going to Nero. I’d rather get shot.

Something hit my shoulder. Hard. I fell to the ground, knocking all the wind from my lungs. Stars danced around the edges of my vision. The brush crunched around me, but I couldn’t get any air to force myself up.

“Did you really think I wouldn’t know you were following me?” Sasha holstered the gun and drew a smaller one from her calf holster.

I laid face down on the ground, trying to figure out what happened. I wasn’t bleeding, and I could move my fingers and toes but nothing else. It wasn’t the Taser she’d used on Aren, though. She must’ve shot me with a plastic bullet like the ones cops used for riots. It hurt like hell, but other than a bruise and maybe a cracked rib, I was unharmed. She grabbed my upper arm and yanked me to my feet, pointing her gun at my chest.

“No more running. I don’t have plastic rounds in this gun.”

The valley below the freeway was deserted, screaming wasn’t going to do me any good, and I couldn’t outrun a bullet. My hip ached where the canister of pepper spray banged into me during the fall. If I could get the spray, I might have a chance.

My heart raced as she pushed me along, up the embankment and toward her car. If I got in, I was as good as on a plane to Nero, but with Sasha behind me and armed. I was screwed.

So I stalled. “Did you have that phone call at the gas station just because you knew I was listening?”

Her gun barrel never faltered. “I’m not here to have a chat with you. Get in the car.”

“If I get in the car, will you leave Adam and the Pack alone?”

“I’m not here to bargain with you either.”

“It’s not a bargain. If Adam will be safe, I’ll go. If not I’d rather take my chances and see if you’ll shoot me.”

Sasha laughed, which threw me off guard. Her gun never moved from me as she shook her head. “You’re a piece of work. I’ve already shot one wolf, why wouldn’t I shoot a wolf-lover?”

Okay, I had had just about enough of the digs at wolves. “My God. You people. Has Adam ever done anything to you?” I slipped my fingers into my pocket, around the canister.

Sasha stopped laughing and started walking toward me. I waited as long as I could, and yanked the pepper spray free, dousing Sasha’s face. She screamed, wiping her eyes, and I bolted, racing up the embankment toward the cars. The Jeep had two flats. Useless. I peered in the Mercedes, praying to see keys hanging from the ignition.

No such luck.

Sasha, close behind even after being pepper sprayed, grabbed a fistful of my hair, pulling me out of the front of the car. She punched my kidney, paralyzing me long enough to get the back door open. She shoved me facedown into the back seat and cuffed my wrists behind my back. She pulled me up and kicked my feet inside. Tears streamed down her face, her eyes bright red.

Blood trickled down from my nose, but I couldn’t reach up to wipe it. Right then the only damage I could do would be to her upholstery. I sat quietly trying to collect my thoughts. There had to be a way out of this, but I didn’t know what it was just yet.

While I sat in the back seat weighing my very limited options, Sasha was on her phone. “Yes I have the girl. And I have terms.” She nodded and went on. “When you come through on your part of our agreement I’ll turn her over to you. Not before.” She shook her head. “Absolutely not. It’s simple really, fly out to Reno and bring the package, or I’ll kill the girl. Call me when you land, and I’ll tell you the drop off location.” She pointed the gun at me and held out her cell phone. Then she shot a round into the leather seat beside me.