Fighting For Their Mate (14 page)

She held her breath. One bed. Three people. It wouldn’t be comfortable to sleep on the floor, but she might actually get some rest. If she had to be squished in between the two behemoths, she’d never sleep. “I can sleep on the floor.”

“You take the bed, honey,” Tyson said.

“What about you both?”

He smiled. “We’ll shift and sleep on the floor. We can protect you better in that form.”

She wasn’t sure how she felt about that. She loved dogs. If she wasn’t out of town so much, she’d have one. Taking photos of animals was her way of connecting with them. But sleeping with two wolves? That was a bit much. They were human, but still.

“Okay, but is that comfortable enough for you?” They wouldn’t be here if not for her.

Tyson stepped close and placed his hands on her hips. “Thanks for thinking of us. To answer your question, yes. We’ll be fine. Now get some sleep.” He kissed her nose.

Conflicting thoughts raced through her. Having Tyson hold her would be nice, but she couldn’t ask Ford to sleep on the floor by himself. That would be rude. Damn, but this was complicated. Bottom line, she needed to do what they suggested. If they slept, they’d be refreshed enough to save her sister.

*     *     *

A hand shook Bailey awake, and she opened her eyes to find Tyson looking down at her, dressed in his blue uniform. He made a handsome guard. The smell of coffee filled the room, making her stomach grumble. She glanced at the glowing red numbers on the clock. It was a little after eight in the morning. “Hey.”

“I got you some coffee and donuts.” Tyson shot her a sheepish look. “It was all they were serving in the lobby.”

She was impressed this motel had anything. She might have been brought up with a cook and a maid, but Bailey had no problem doing with less. “That’s fine.”

After stretching, she was surprised she’d actually slept. She’d awoken a few times to growls, but when she listened carefully, she decided the men were just dreaming.

“Wish me luck,” Tyson said. “I’m going to face Statler.”

His success was critical to her staying alive. “Good luck.”

He gave her a quick kiss and then hurried out the door. Ford was sitting in the chair, drinking his coffee, staring off. Why wasn’t he going into work, too? “You plan on babysitting me all day?”

“Yup.”

Jeez. “I promise I’ll stay put.”

He cocked a brow. “That so? The last time we trusted you, you climbed out a window.”

Ford was going to hold that against her? “That was before I knew who Statler was or if I could trust you.” She did trust Tyson. Ford was the unknown quantity.

“I’d be tempted if I were you. You’ve got to be scared shitless, terrified something will happen to your sister, and wondering if you’ll ever see your parents again.”

He certainly made her situation look bleak. “Way to boost my spirits.” She was impressed he’d nailed her thoughts.

“Just saying. You’ve got to feel alone. I doubt you even believe that we’re trying to help you.”

Tyson seemed to want to. “I trust you.”

“You sure about that? I want you to be safe, but I’m not sure you understand the full scope of the situation. Without money or an ID, you can’t get far. Hell, I wouldn’t be surprised if Statler’s men aren’t looking for you right now.”

She planted a hand on her hip. “You’re a dick. You know that?”

He smiled. Actually smiled, and his whole face transformed into such a handsome man.

Stop it. I need to dislike him.

“Yes, I am. I’m glad to see you’re thinking clearly enough to notice. I like your spunk.”

Was he trying to be a jerk? If so, he was succeeding. Was it so that it would force him to keep his distance? She didn’t have a clue about anything—about him, about Tyson, about Statler.

Be honest
. Ford’s actions implied he wanted to help. He was probably motivated to stay around because his brother asked him to. “It might help if I had some different clothes. Statler’s men might be on the lookout for someone in ugly clothing. Maybe you could even pick me up some hair dye. Auburn perhaps. That way, I could really change my look.”

Ford sat there for a moment glaring at her. She couldn’t tell if she’d grown two heads or if her idea had merit. He stood, walked over to the desk, and routed through the top drawer. He produced a thin pad of paper and a generic looking pen.

“Write down what you need and I’ll get it for you.”

Excitement stumbled through her veins. “How about if I come with you?” She’d be safe because Ford would be able to spot the bad guys. He’d said he’d protect her—of that she was sure.

His lips thinned. “We can’t afford for anyone to see you. It’s too dangerous.”

She supposed that was true, but it didn’t mean she had to like it.

*     *     *

Anger, disbelief, and betrayal raced through Statler’s veins. He tapped the intercom again. “Did you contact Dram and Tony?” Sometimes, his assistant had shit for brains.

“Yes, sir. They’re on their way.”

He went over everything the new security man had told him. Apparently, Tyson Summerville had overheard Dram talking about a call he got from General Armand. Tyson said he believed the General was the head of The Pack. Statler knew all too well who Armand was. He was the scourge of the earth—the man he hated more than life itself. Though if Armand and his men hadn’t taken down his two predecessors, Statler might not be where he was today. On second thought, he wasn’t sure running this lab in this godforsaken cold wasteland was worth it just to be in charge of all the Colters.

A knock sounded and his secretary peeked in. “Ah, Mr. Peters and Mr. Kahn to see you.”

“Show them in.”

Statler sat up straighter in his seat. The two men looked nervous. Good. “Put your phones on my desk.”

They glanced at each other, shrugged, and did as he asked. He scrolled through the call log on Tony’s phone. The second name from the top was General Armand’s. Statler hadn’t wanted to believe it. Two of his men were spies—men he trusted and trained.

“What did General Armand want?”

Their faces turned red, but it was Dram who stepped forward. “I don’t know, sir.”

“Don’t dick around with me. The head of The Pack called you. Why?”

“I didn’t answer, sir. I have no reason to speak with him.”

Likely answer. “How did he get your number?”

Sweat beaded on Dram’s forehead. “I have no idea.”

Statler hoped the man had left a message. “One of our security men overheard you discussing what the General had to say.”

They both paled. “It’s a lie, sir.”

“I want you two out of my sight.”

“But, sir,” Dram said. “We aren’t traitors. What can we do to prove to you this isn’t what it seems?”

“Do? You’ve done enough. Pack up your gear and get out of the lab. Leave your uniforms behind.” Killing them in his office would leave bloodstains. He’d order their death before they left the premises.

Tony stepped forward. “Sir, there’s been a big mistake.”

“Yes, there has. I made the mistake of trusting you. Now leave. You both disgust me.”

Dram stiffened. “I’ll prove to you that we aren’t Pack members. We’ll bring back that girl.”

Statler stilled. “What girl?”

“Bailey Nash. The woman with the special blood.”

If only. “You didn’t hear? She’s dead.” He still hadn’t calmed down over that loss.

“I saw her, sir, in the parking lot. Today. She’s alive.” Dram puffed out his chest. Defiant ass.

“What kind of shit are you trying to pull?”

Tony spoke up. “It’s true, sir. If we find her and bring her to you, will you believe us that we aren’t Pack members?”

His pulse raced. What if it were true? He couldn’t chance not letting them try. He wanted Bailey, and these two did seem eager to locate her. He didn’t see the harm in having them search. If they failed, he might have to engage in a little battle—one he would win for sure. “It’s a deal.”

“We won’t let you down, sir.”

Statler didn’t know what kind of trick this was, but if he laid eyes on Bailey, he just might forgive them.

F
ord wasn’t sure leaving Bailey alone was a good idea, but in order to divert the heat off them, they’d both decided that Ty should be the one to speak with Statler. That left him to take care of Bailey. Unfortunately, she needed clothes and Ford couldn’t let her go shopping with him. The town of Falling Pines was small, and he had no doubt someone would notice him with a woman if he brought her with him. All it would take would be one innocent remark to the wrong person, and Statler’s men would be all over the motel room like white on rice.

His only choice was to trust her to stay put and pray nothing bad happened. Laying down the reality of her situation had been harsh but necessary. The vibe between them was still awkward, but there was nothing he could do about it. She didn’t want him, and even though he understood why, it was still miserably painful. A classy woman like Bailey wouldn’t accept the idea of being with two men, let alone men who were shifters. Secondly, she’d been brought up in a sophisticated environment and was used to nice things. While he and Ty had saved a lot of money from their days in the service, he wasn’t sure what he could offer her other than protection and a lot of good loving, and he doubted that would be enough. Besides, she had her whole life ahead of her to find the perfect man to love.

“Excuse me,” a young girl said as she pushed her cart around him. Damn. He’d been standing in the aisle staring. Not good.

“Sorry.”

Ford read the list again and headed to the sportswear section of Simon’s store, trying not to attract any more unnecessary attention. Buying women’s clothing put him out of his comfort zone. What the hell did he know about the best panty or bra? Taking off a woman’s clothes was more his style or watching her do it, one sexy piece at a time.

He decided to go with clothes that would be too big on her, in part to cut down on his constant attraction, and part to make sure they’d fit. The jeans, shirts, and sweater were easy. Next up was lingerie. God help him. He couldn’t help but imagine what Bailey would look like wearing it, and he had to battle not to shift each time he picked up some frilly undergarment. So many were cute, but he went with the rolled up kind in a package. That way, he wouldn’t have to touch them. Instead of a real bra, he tossed in a few sports bras—anything to make her less appealing.

Then the image of Bailey coming out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel with her hair wet popped into his head. That would be forever burned in his brain. Just the thought had his cock aching and his bones cracking. Damn it. He glanced around at the few people milling about the store to help take his mind off her. That calmed him somewhat, but it would never cure him. Bailey was his mate whether she wanted to be or not.

Ford really needed to get his act together before something happened. He hadn’t noticed any werewolves or felt their presence, but he’d been known to miss a few on occasion.

His last stop was for toiletries. He picked up a bar of nice-looking soap—the kind he bet Bailey was used to. If her father was a Congressman, she probably lived in a big mansion and enjoyed the finer things in life. He inwardly chuckled. That was so far from the way he and Ty had grown up. They were lucky to have food on their table, and he thought all clothes came with patches.

He chose rather generic shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, and toothbrush. He didn’t want her to think he thought hard and long about what to get her. The last needed item was hair dye. He had no clue what women used, but he didn’t want to make himself memorable by asking a sales clerk. He picked the most expensive brand and went with that. Too bad Bailey had suggested she wanted to have auburn hair, as that was his favorite color. Damn, but this was going to be hard being around her. They needed to free Tatum soon and send them both home or he might just have to seduce her.

Because he and Ty didn’t pack their gear from the lab where they both stayed, he needed stuff, too. Not wanting to spend any longer than was necessary, Ford grabbed a few sets of clothes, along with three canvas duffels. He then headed to check out. He’d taken too damn long as it was, and he hoped Bailey didn’t think he’d abandoned her.

The young cashier grinned as soon as she saw him and stuck out her tits. “My, my. You doing some early Christmas shopping?”

In the past, he might have taken the time to find out her name and ask her out. Now, she held little interest. “A friend flew into town and the airlines lost her luggage.”

“Oh.” Poor girl looked crestfallen.

At the counter, he spotted reading glasses and got an idea. Those would help with Bailey’s disguise. He picked out a pair of large, black ones with the lowest magnification. “These, too.”

He paid and left. So far, so good. The trip to the hotel was uneventful since no one seemed to be following him. When he pulled into the parking lot, an uneasy feeling settled over him. He wasn’t sure why, but his gut told him to look around carefully. He studied each car, and when he found them all empty, he drove around the back to their room, studying the few vehicles parked nearby. Looked good. He got out quickly, knowing his senses were sharper in the open than sitting in a car.