Howling Moon (41 page)

The waiting was
the hardest part. It was only 6:00
a.m.
and Raphael was already sitting at his desk at pack headquarters. He hadn’t been able to sleep, so he’d come in to work.

Raven was right. Cat had been more than pissed. She’d been furious. It was the kind of cold, calculating rage that had enabled her to shut him out completely for nearly four days. Her shields were absolutely flawless, and a part of him cursed the very lessons he’d given her. Raphael wasn’t pining for her… yet. But if this kept up he might well start.

He’d coped thus far by keeping busy, dealing with the towing business, with the collections from Jake’s customers. At eleven Holly would be coming by the office to prepare the annual pack Christmas party. He even got around to sending thank-you notes for all of the gifts he was receiving on his promotion. It didn’t help. One of the two copies of the replacement file, along with the evidence they’d gathered, was with Raven in Chicago right now being presented by Charles to the full council in an effort to have them vote in favor of issuing a warrant.

Raphael wasn’t much of a religious man. He was personally acquainted with Sazi who were old enough to have been worshipped as gods themselves. Still, a part of him wanted to believe in a benevolent creator out there, somewhere. If that deity did exist, surely he’d be in favor of putting an end to Jack’s madness.

In the heat of the moment Charles had said he’d proceed with or without the council’s blessing, but every hour that passed made Raphael more and more unsure. He wished Raven would call. In fact, it was all he could do to keep from calling himself. But Raphael knew that as soon as the warrant issued, Raphael would be die first person Raven would call.

Of course,
executing
the order would be another trick. Raphael drummed his fingers in a staccato rhythm against the desktop. A sniper, or pair of them, perhaps; maybe a bomb. Whatever they did, it needed to happen
before
Jack caught wind of their plan. Because the fact was, Jack had resources and sources everywhere. Insanity didn’t keep him from being ruthless, intelligent, and pragmatic. Given even a hint of their plans he’d take countermeasures, and revenge.

Raphael was sipping his coffee, trying not to dwell on his fears, when he felt Cat’s mind slam into his. She didn’t bother trying to be gentle. She was too angry. But there was a feeling of triumph to her thoughts as well.

The file is switched.

Cat?
My God, what have you done?! Raphael was appalled. Yes, the switch needed to happen, but if the council found out that she’d done it without consent…

Charles knows. He approved it. We wanted it switched
before
the council meeting. He didn’t trust that the information wouldn’t get back to Jack otherwise.

It made perfect sense. But Raphael felt his own anger rising that Cat would’ve done this without him. It had been damned dangerous. Someone,
anyone
else could have done it.

It was my right to do it. It’s
my
plan.

Raphael growled and slammed his hand palm first against the surface of his desk, hard enough to knock over the desk lamp. So I’m just supposed to sit back –

Maybe I wanted to
protect you.

The bitterness in that thought was palpable. No, she was definitely not over his knocking her out to go through the evidence. He’d explained at the time that he’d wanted to protect her after the shock of Brad’s murder. It hadn’t calmed her. If anything, it had made her even angrier. But damn it! This was different!

Different
how,
exactly? Because you’re
male?

Oh, no. He was
so
not falling into that trap. Besides, it simply wasn’t true. More than half of the agents he’d worked with in Wolven had been female, and they were easily as skilled and as ruthless as their male counterparts. Hell, in jaguar form Cat was bigger, stronger, faster than Raphael, and he knew it. He’d tried to protect Cat because she was his mate, and he always would. He couldn’t help himself.

There was a long silence in his head, but he could tell she wasn’t gone. He hadn’t meant to think that last “out loud,” but he knew that she’d heard it. Her next words were quiet and thoughtful.

My flight lands at DIA an hour. When I get back we need to talk.

What airline? I can pick you up at the airport. He didn’t say
if you’ll let me,
but he couldn’t help thinking it.

Southwest.

I’m on my way. Raphael rose from his desk. He hesitated before saying the next words to her. Cat, I’m sorry. I never meant…

I know. He heard her mental sigh. It wasn’t a happy sound, but he could sense that her anger with him was fading. We’ll talk when I get there.

I love you.

I love you, too. She didn’t sound particularly happy about it, and she cut the connection cleanly, dropping her shields back in place. But this time he could feel her in the background.

Raphael let out the breath he’d been holding. She’d stopped blocking the mating bond. That
had
to be a good sign. He told himself that they’d work this out.

Unfortunately, he was anything
but
sure of that. He couldn’t count the number of relationships he’d screwed up in his life. It was almost a joke among his acquaintances, though it was far from funny. But he loved her, and she loved him. Damn it, they
would
get through this. Once Jack was dead –

Raphael stopped abruptly, his hand on the door handle as the realization hit him. For the first time in decades he had hope, had dared
believe
that there was a life for him
after Jack.
It was the most amazing feeling. He wasn’t quite sure how to handle it.

He was still standing there, bemused, when his cell phone rang. He flipped it open to see who was calling. It was Raven. Raphael took a long, shaky breath and hit the button to take the call.

“Ramirez.”

Raven kept his voice low, and he sounded more tired than Raphael would’ve liked, but the words he spoke were just what his father needed to hear. “Dad, it’s me. It wasn’t easy – things happened here that made the debate a lot closer than we would’ve liked, but it’s done. How’s everything at that end?”

“Good,” Raphael answered. Like his son, he avoided saying anything specific. “Cat took care of that errand for Charles.”

“All right, then. I’ll let him know. Be sure to watch the news tonight. It should be interesting.”

“Oh, I will.”

Cat waited for
Raphael at the edge of the sidewalk in front of the terminal. A pair of inexpensive navy bags sat on the sidewalk beside her. She shivered a little as a cold wind cut through the fabric of the navy blue suit jacket she wore over a white cotton blouse and faded blue jeans. There was no moisture on the breeze coming out of the west, so no snow tonight, despite the heavy clouds that gave the daylight a strange, flat quality.

She’d changed in the bathroom, wanting to meet him as Cat rather than as Cerise. It was silly and vain of her, but she knew he preferred the more clean-cut persona. Cat shook her head. She loved him, arrogance and all. Oh, she’d been truly furious with him over what he’d done. He’d explained himself
afterward.
She even understood. But it didn’t change a thing. He should have
talked
to her first. Asked her, instead of using some sort of Sazi equivalent of the Vulcan vise grip or whatever the hell it was called.

But angry as she was, she’d still missed him, more than she would’ve liked to admit. Hearing his voice today, listening to the apology that was obviously hard for him to give… Well, she forgave him. But he’d damn well better promise
never
to do it again!

She turned at the distinct sound of his boots on concrete. He appeared at the parking garage entrance, his hazel eyes scanning the crowded sidewalk at the same time his nose lifted to scent the breeze. That same breeze blew back his hair, giving her a good look at the fine lines of his face. He looked tired, and more than a little worried. But his smile when he caught sight of her was enough to light up the day.

He was wearing a charcoal-gray shirt that looked, and moved, liked silk, over black jeans that were faded from use but showed every muscle to perfect advantage. She sensed more than saw the envious glances of other women up and down the promenade. The fluid quality of his movements as he dashed across the street between traffic made her body ache with pure, undiluted lust.

He stopped just short of touching her, as though he were unsure of himself, of how she would react. Even his scent was uncertain. In that moment she let go of what was left of her anger. She let her purse fall to the ground and stepped into his arms. Even in tennis shoes she was only slightly shorter than he was. She reached up, running her hand lightly over the rough stubble of his beard, relishing the texture and the electricity that sprang to life between them. Slowly, she moved closer, her lips finding his in a slow, almost chaste kiss.

His hands spasmed painfully against her waist and she heard the small, needy noise he made against her lips. He finished the kiss gently, but moved his mouth to the base of her throat finding the pulse point and biting against it hard enough to bruise.

It hurt, but the pain was washed away in a wave of need that overwhelmed her shields and made her body tighten as it stole her breath away. It was good that he held her, because at that moment Cat wasn’t positive she’d be able to stand.

“I missed you.” Raphael murmured into her hair, and she could hear him drawing in deep breaths as he reveled in her scent.

“Me, too.” Her voice was breathy, her pulse racing. “And just as soon as I can walk we’re going back to my place and I’ll show you just how much.”

Raphael gave a low, wicked chuckle. “I can carry you, if it’ll help.”

“Not and get my bags.” Cat teased. She ran her fingers playfully over the thin silk of his shirt, feeling and scenting his body’s reaction to her touch.

Raphael sighed happily, but stepped back a pace. “Fine. I’ll play bellhop.” His eyes twinkled “But I’d better get a
really good
tip.”

“I think I can manage that.” She gave him a wink, and was rewarded with a grin that flashed those deep dimples she found so irresistible.

Raphael gathered up the bags, leading the way back to the short-term parking section of the covered garage. Cat lagged a step or two behind for the sole purpose of watching the play of muscles as he walked. She couldn’t imagine ever getting tired of this man. He could be infuriating and frustrating, but at least he was never, ever dull. The few days she’d spent blocking him out of her mind had felt wrong. She hadn’t realized how much she’d come to rely on his solid, comforting presence in the back of her mind.

Raphael stored her bags in the backseat of the Jeep, then walked around the vehicle to open her door. He watched as she climbed inside, even those simple movements making his body tighten with need.

“We’ll get there faster if you get in the car and drive.” Cat’s tone was saucy, her eyes sparkling merrily.

“Yeah. Right.” He shut the door with a brisk slam, hurrying around to the other side of the vehicle. He practically jumped inside, slammed the door closed, and started the engine with a roar.

Raphael, you might as well relax. Even hurrying it’s going to take at least forty-five minutes to get back to the apartment.

Raphael groaned in frustration.

And it’ll take longer if you get stopped for speeding.

Raphael turned, glaring at her balefully, but he did let up on the accelerator. Cat decided it was time to change the subject. She chose the one that was nearly always at the forefront of her mind.

“Any word from Charles or Raven on Jack?”

“The warrant has been issued. Apparently it was a close debate because of something that happened at the Chicago meeting. But it was issued. Since your part’s taken care of, they should be able to execute the warrant sometime today.”

Cat let out a sigh, her body visibly relaxing into the black leather seat. “Thank God! It’s almost over.” She closed her eyes as a feeling of utter weariness washed over her.

“Are you sorry it won’t be you taking him down?” Raphael’s voice was serious.

Cat opened her eyes and stared out the car window at the bare winter fields that lined the road. She searched for a long moment, trying to come up with the right words to express her feelings. “Yes, and no.” She turned to him. “I’ve trained with Raven and Ivan. I’m good, but they’re better.
Much,
much better. They just
are.
We can’t afford to risk Jack surviving and getting away. Too many lives are at stake. If that means I have to step back and let the professionals finish him off, then so be it. I came up with the idea. I switched the files. That’s enough.” She took a deep breath, letting it out slowly.

Raphael’s scent changed. She drew in a deep breath, reveling in the smells rolling off of him: love, warmth, and
pride.
He was proud of her. That meant a lot. Because letting go of this was
not
easy.

“I love you, Cat Turner.”

“I love you, too.” She turned giving him a wicked, feral, grin. “Let’s go home and celebrate – I’ve got cable. We can keep CNN on in the background. Just in case there’s any
interesting
news.”

One minute Cat was laughing in the seat next to him, and the next minute she was staring blankly forward. Raphael pulled the car onto the shoulder and to a stop. As he watched, she slammed forward against the seat belt as though struck.

“Cat?” As soon as he touched her arm he was drawn into the vision with her.

They were in a familiar clearing, the helipad in the distance. Jasmine stood between Holly and Yusef. “You
said
she was bait for the cat. She wasn’t to be harmed!”

Yusef sneered at her down the length of his beakish nose. “I lied.” He pulled the trigger, and Jasmine staggered backward, blood blooming from her chest. Holly screamed, and fought with ever
y
thing she had against the rough hands holding her. But Martin was too strong. She couldn’t break free. She could only watch in horror as Yusef stepped calmly forward and placed the gun barrel against her sister’s forehead. “And you just became a liability.” He pulled the trigger, watching impassively as blood, bone, and worse spla
t
tered against the barren ground.

Holly looked up suddenly, as though she could see something.
“Help!
Cat, help.
Oh, my God!”

Then, with a burst of adrenaline-fueled strength, Holly broke free
–
changing forms in midstride, leaping over the nearest boulder in a terrified bid for freedom. There was the crack of a gun firing, and she howled in agony, her hip shattered by a bullet that was meant to injure, not kill. She fell, nose over tail, landing in a graceless heap on the ground, panting and whimpering with pain.

“God you ‘re useless.” Yusef snarled as he backhanded Martin to the ground. “You can’t even hold a new attack victim? No wonder they won’t give you your own pack!” Raphael watched in horror as Charles’s most trusted bodyguard stalked toward his niece…

He knew that Holly’s only hope right now rode on Cat’s talent.

“Cat, can you hear me? We have to get there. We’re headed to the mountain right now.” Cat nodded. Tears were streaming unheeded down her face and her white-knuckled fingers clutched the door handle.

“Can you get in Martin’s head? Don’t try Yusef. He’s too powerful, and too damned likely to catch you. But we need to know what they want with her, and to find out their plans.”

As he watched, she closed her eyes. He could tell she’d succeeded when he saw her features harden into harsh lines. When she spoke her voice was cold and had a distant, hollow quality that sounded precisely like Martin Black.

“Jack found out we switched the file. He plans to use Holly as a hostage. He knows Wolven will consider her expendable – but that
I
won’t. He’s on his way to pick her up. If I don’t cooperate they’ll force Holly to change on camera and start building a
new
insurance file
before
they kill her.”

Raphael’s thoughts were dark with rage. He could barely speak through his clenched jaw. “Does Martin know
when
Jack’s due?” There was no time to waste. They needed weapons. They had what he wore on his person, and the few things in the car, but not nearly enough.

She shook her head like Martin would. “Not for another three hours. Jasmine was early. They hadn’t expected her to bring Holly until after the meeting with you at eleven.”

They’d known about his appointment with Holly! Only someone on the office staff would have access to his calendar. Which meant there were more traitors within the pack. Raphael pulled back onto the highway, pressing down on the gas pedal, opening up all eight cylinders in a race to save Holly.

Cat shuddered, her eyes cleared, and she was suddenly back in her own body. “Yusef was getting suspicious. Apparently having me riding along changed Martin’s body language or something. I didn’t dare stick around’. But I did find out that they plan to stay up there. They’re loading Holly into the back of a van.”

Raphael only half listened to her. His mind was racing. They had three hours. A good half of that time would be taken in the drive up to the helipad. Lucas, Tatya, Raven… nearly everyone he truly trusted was clear the hell on the other side of the country. His best weapons were in his office safe – but they didn’t have the time to spare to go get them. Reaching into the pocket of his jacket, he grabbed his cell phone and hit the third number on speed dial. If he was wrong…

The phone rang, and rang, but there was no answer. Raphael gripped the phone tight enough that the plastic began to crack. He urged the Mitsubishi around a slower-moving car and onto the interstate, headed toward the mountains.

“Cat, can you slide into Betty’s thoughts?”

“Betty’s?”

“There’s a traitor in pack headquarters. I want to make sure it isn’t her.”

Cat’s eyes unfocused. Almost immediately she began swearing under her breath. Raphael watched as her power flared until the hairs on his arms began crawling and the temperature in the car began to rise.

“Cat – “

“She’s only semiconscious. Daphne shot her, but she went down fighting. Sally’s dead, and she damned near tore Daphne’s leg off before she passed out from blood loss.”

Raphael grabbed onto Cat’s arm, joining his limited gift to hers in an attempt to see and speak with the Second Female while at the same time driving the car. It was tricky, and dangerous. He didn’t dare let himself get too distracted by the vision.

Betty was badly hurt. Only the fact that Daphne hadn’t
known
to shoot an alpha in both the head and heart had saved her life. As it was, she pulled the power Cat offered into herself using it to augment her own abilities and close the bullet hole in her chest.

Cat, they took Holly. Jasmine was with them. You have to warn Raphael…

I’m right here, Raphael told her. I was going to contact you, see if you could bring my weapons from the safe. But –

But nothing, Betty snarled viciously. She reached upward, grabbing the top of the nurse’s station and hauled herself upward. She lay gasping on its surface for a long moment afterward, but her thoughts were clear. Give me the combination and pick me up at the bar.