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Dark Refuge (Spirit Wild #4)
Gabriel Cheval has watched his packmates find love, but he wonders if there will ever be a woman for him, one who is his perfect match. He doesn’t expect to find her in Emeline Isobelle Cheval. They share a last name, and though they’re not related, Gabe still treated little “EmyIzzy” as a bratty kid sister. Now Emeline is all grown up, and she needs Gabe’s help. But Em’s troubles are even darker and deeper than the human trafficking ring she’s uncovered. There’s a terrible darkness in her soul, and a horror inside Em can’t fight. Gabe offers all he has—but is his light and love enough to bring Em safely out of her Dark Refuge?
"This book has a little of everything, and I couldn’t put it down. ..Kate’s writing makes the story come alive in your mind. I can’t wait to read the next book Dark Terror!"
Reviewed by Cassandra Lost in Books 
"Douglas wraps up her Spirit Wild Quartet with an outstanding entry that entertains from page one."
Reviewed by Donna M. Brown for RT Book Reviews 
“Kate Douglas manages to thrill you, entice you and leave you in wonder. I really enjoyed the steamy romance and delicious passion . . . in this dark and dangerous journey . . . I can’t wait to read more."
Reviewed by Krystal Malott for BTSeMagazine 
"Gabe and Em's story is one of constant change and more constant love...I hope that my wait isn't too long for the next one in this amazing series."
Reviewed by Angel Shaw for Goodreads |
"...Another smash hit by Kate Douglas, not only are they books stand alone but they bring the whole clan of the Chanku series back to life in my mind...She is one of my favorite authors as not only is the 1st book great but she keeps it up to the next one."
Reviewed by Wendi for Amazon.com
Reviewed by Wendi for Amazon.com
"Paranormal story line filled with action, suspense, steamy sex and so intriguing I was drawn in from the beginning of the book."
Reviewed by CJ for Amazon.com
Reviewed by CJ for Amazon.com
"...a riveting romance that captures the heart."
Reviewed by Eva Millien for Literary Addicts
Reviewed by Eva Millien for Literary Addicts
"The premise of the story is not new – love conquers all. But, author Kate Douglas wrote in so many twists and turns, it actually became a paranormal thriller. And the subplot is as exciting as the main plot."
Reviewed by Mari for Marienela Reviews
Reviewed by Mari for Marienela Reviews
Read an excerpt:
Chapter 1
December 1, 2039
Goddess, but it felt good to be back in the US, specifically San Francisco with the clean smell of the ocean mingling with the spicy scent of tacos and salsa on one side, of fiery Thai on the other. After almost two years working and living all over Asia, the comforting mixed bouquet of Americanized ethnic cooking had Emeline practically salivating.
Water rushed down the street gutters and dripped from the tall buildings. The storm had been short but wet and windy, cleansing the air, washing trash off the sidewalk, leaving a clear trail between her office at Chanku Global Industries and The Platinum Duck, her favorite Chinese restaurant.
She flat out refused to let sixteen hours travel and a lost bag at San Francisco International get in the way of the meal she’d been thinking of since she’d boarded the jet in Beijing.
Oh God. Can’t someone help me?
Now that definitely caught her attention. The voice in her head, feminine, laced with terror and coming from somewhere very close by, stopped Emeline mid-step. Pausing as if to check her phone for a call, she scanned the crowded sidewalk. It was a little after seven, well into the dinner hour.
Nothing seemed out of place—except for that perfectly clear telepathic plea for help. Where are you? How can I help you?
You can hear me? No one ever hears me! Where are you?
Em glanced at the building behind her. I’m on Powell, south of Washington. In front of the coffee shop. The one with the Chinese dragon wearing a Santa hat in the window.
I’m north of there. On the corner. Short black skirt, red thigh-high boots. Black sweater.
I see you. Holding her mobile phone to her ear, she walked toward the tall, slender woman standing on the corner. How can I help?
My pimp is too close. You can’t do anything. Damn. No one has ever answered me before.
I’m going to bump into you and slip my card into your hand. Be ready. I’m wearing a red coat, black wool cap and a white scarf around my neck. My name is Emeline. Emeline Cheval.
I’m Sissy Long. I see you.
Good. At that moment, a heavy-set man walked by. Emeline stepped into his path, jostling him and managing to get herself turned around. “I’m so sorry.” She backed out of his way and nudged the woman behind her, turned, laughing as if to brush her shoulder where she’d connected and slipped her card into the woman’s hand. Call me as soon as you can. I can help.
Thank you.
At that moment, a large, silent car pulled up; the back window slowly lowered and the driver leaned over. He nodded at the woman, and jabbed his thumb in the direction of the back seat. She opened the door and, without a backward glance, climbed into the car and closed the door. Em forced herself not to watch as the vehicle slid back into the stream of traffic, but her last glimpse was of the blond facing forward, looking neither right nor left.
Emeline continued on to The Platinum Duck, but her sense of pleasure, of homecoming, was gone. Now, instead of enjoying the frenetic pace of the city, she wished she were home in Montana. Home with the rest of her pack, running through the forest, surrounded by her own kind.
She’d been away much too long.
* * *
Sissy buckled herself into the back seat of the limo and kept her eyes forward, though she couldn’t have said what she actually saw. That woman had heard her! For the first time since this nightmare began, someone actually heard her silent cries for help. She’d always felt as if she were actually speaking—at least on a level that someone should be able to understand—but no one had ever heard her before. That woman, that Emeline Cheval actually answered her! But how? And who was she? Her name didn’t mean anything to Sissy, but she’d been out of touch with the world around her for so long she didn’t even know how old she was. How long it had been since she’d first been kidnapped. First sold to a strange man for the night. All she knew was the date. The day her life ended.
Sissy fingered the business card in her hand. It was warm to the touch, and she wondered what it said, but she couldn’t look at it here. Not where the chauffeur could see and report back to Russo what she had. That woman said to call her. If only...Sissy was never allowed near a phone. None of the girls were.
But that woman had heard her. Maybe she’d come back when Sissy didn’t call. Russo used that corner a lot when he had appointments for her to keep. Maybe Emeline Cheval would come back.
* * *
It had been so long since he’d run with any but a few of his packmates, Gabe Cheval had actually forgotten how much he loved running in a big pack. With so many wolves racing through the frozen night together, it was all about the harsh rush of breath from more than a dozen sets of wolven lungs and steam trailing behind like silvery snowflakes in the frozen air of a Montana winter’s night. Snow crunched, hard and brittle beneath broad paws as they flew across the ice, so intent on the joy of running they passed by startled elk and even a moose without turning away to hunt.
Gabe followed close behind Jace Wolf and his mate Romy, and Romy’s constant companion, Wolf. The wild wolf had adopted them late last summer and remained as Romy’s shadow. Others raced beside and behind Gabe—his sister Lily and her mate, Sebastian had come from their home on the other side of the mountain ridge to join tonight’s run . They ran as if they’d run this way forever, though Gabe thought this might be a first for Sebastian, to run with so many wolves. He was new to his Chanku roots, still learning the ways of the pack.
It didn’t happen often enough, so many of them racing together through the night. They all had busy lives, and many in the pack had jobs that took them away from Montana and their Chanku home, but this night the moon was full and Anton had called everyone who was able, inviting them to take a few hours to return to their feral roots. It was a chance for the pack to bond, to tighten that sense of family that forever held them close.
Even Sunny Daye and her new man, the forest ranger Fenris Ahlberg, were running, and Igmutaka, once a spirit guide, raced through the moonlit night as a wolf rather than his usual puma. He ran full out, staying ahead of Gabe, hard on his mate Star’s heels. And damn, but the two men were huge wolves. Gabe was large, but he felt like a pup next to either Fen or Ig.
Both of them were Berserkers, another species of Chanku bred eons ago as the race’s warrior class. Instead of human mothers, they’d been born as wolf cub and puma kit respectively, yet they were able to shift to human as easily as they could become any predator. They were huge, almost twice as big as the average Chanku wolf, but their size wasn’t all that set them aside—their mating had been unusual, too. Ig and Fen as well as Star and Sunny had mated in a four-way bond, and wasn’t that a new twist for the pack? Yet when the men—both already mated to their women had also experienced the mating bond with one another, not only the Goddess but the Mother Herself had blessed their union.
Gabe had never actually considered his unmated status, yet now, when all those he felt closest to suddenly had someone even closer to them, he was all too aware of his lone wolf state.
Times were definitely changing and Gabe was still coming to terms with all of it, but tonight it wasn’t about him. It was about the pack. About bonding with those he loved, including his parents who had called all of them together to run tonight. His dad, the pack’s alpha, held back a bit, his nose close by his mate’s flank. Gabe had a feeling Anton and Keisha would be slipping off into the woods before long, going in search of time alone, away from the rest of them.
He wondered if he’d ever have anyone to slip away with. Anyone who loved him the way his mom loved his dad, the way Romy loved Jace or Lily loved Sebastian. Everyone here was paired up. Everyone except Gabe. Well, Gabe and his buddy Aaron.
Aaron Cheval, son of Oliver and Mei, shared a name with Gabe but no relationship, thank the Goddess, because, no matter how powerful the Chanku libido, incest was never acceptable.
Maybe he and Aaron needed to get together tonight and have a good, rousing drunk and fuck like there was no tomorrow. Just the two of them. He sent the thought to Aaron, who nipped his flank in agreement.
Then Aaron slipped back to run beside his parents, Oliver and Mei. Gabe glanced around and realized EmyIzzy wasn’t with them. He hadn’t seen Aaron’s baby sister in years now. Last he’d heard, she was working in Asia. Hard to imagine her in a job halfway around the world. She’d always be little EmyIzzy to him. Emeline Isobelle, and how she loathed the nickname Gabe and Aaron had bestowed on her almost from birth.
Which, of course, was all the reason the guys needed to continue using it. Emeline had not been happy, but he wished she were here tonight. She was always fun to tease.
The pack circled a large pond, one grown even bigger this past year with the addition of a pair of industrious beavers. They’d dammed one of the smaller creeks and the shallow pond had become a prime hunting site. Deer and elk and even the occasional moose stayed near the water, breaking through the ice in winter, nibbling on green shoots in spring.
Moonlight cast everything in dark shadows and silver reflections. Gabe was so intent on the beauty around him, he almost ran into Jace’s butt, the pack stopped so quickly. All of the wolves went still, noses to the air. The scent of game was strong, and by now they’d run far enough and fast enough that hunger had become a living entity, racing alongside them through the snow-covered night. The full moon leant a ghostly, silver glow to snow and trees alike, but it was the scent that held them still.
Elk, nearby if his nose was any indicator. Gabe was known for his ability to scent game—and whatever else he looked for. He nudged Aaron and the two gazed at Wolf. The feral beast stood beside Romy, but his ears were laid back, his tail low to the ground. He growled, a low, chest-rattling rumble. Romy glanced at him and then her voice filled Gabe’s mind and the mind of every other wolf in the pack.
Wolf says man is near, on the far side of the pond. Hiding near the beaver dam.
Thank our brother for us, Romy. Anton trotted ahead to stand beside the newest members of the pack. Does he have any idea how many?
She stared at the wolf a moment. Not as many as we are, but he can’t tell me. Specific numbers aren’t within his ability to communicate.
Anton turned and gazed toward the back of the pack. Gabe, what are you picking up?
He took a deep breath, moved forward, ahead of the pack and past the smell of wolves, raised his nose into the icy air and drew a deep breath, taking a moment to separate the various scents, allowing his wolven brain time to identify what his nose was collecting. At least two men. They’ve been smoking pot and they’re armed. I can smell gunpowder, the faint scent of blood. Goose, I think. They probably shot at least one earlier.
What say we give them a good scare? Anton swept his gaze over the pack, making eye contact with each of them. It wasn’t quite a democracy, but he always appeared to welcome input from anyone with ideas. This time the pack merely listened.
He dipped his head, easily reaffirming his role as their alpha. We can all use the practice. We’re going to sneak up on them, carefully. No one is allowed to get shot.
The laughter was silent, but impossible to ignore. Anton managed to lift an eyebrow, something that never ceased to amaze Gabe, how his dad could still be so human even when standing on four legs.
That was not said in jest. Our healers are out for an enjoyable run tonight, not to fix anyone, so don’t do anything stupid. Whoever gets in behind these idiots first might as well go ahead and shift and remind them they’re trespassing, but not until you scare the crap out of them. Got it? Gabe, take this side of the pond. We’ll go around the other side, and come across the dam.
Without a sound, Anton and more than half the pack were gone, slipping like wraiths through the moonlight, gliding silently through the shadows to circle around the south end of the beaver pond. Gabe and Aaron veered north around the upper side with Romy and Jace and a few of the others, including Aaron’s parents. Anton had Adam and Liana and half a dozen more.
They moved quickly, dark phantoms slipping silently through even darker shadows. Gabe loved the hunt when their prey was sentient, when he hunted something that could just as easily hunt him. The challenge had his heart pounding and his blood racing, and he moved almost soundlessly, slower now as he sensed and scented humans nearby.
He heard them whispering, at least two men conversing. The pond was in a natural bowl, an amphitheater with hills on three sides that magnified and distorted sound, but they had to be close by. The leaf burning, skunky smell of marijuana irritated his sensitive nostrils. Gabe searched for visual clues until he saw movement, much closer than he’d originally expected. He stopped, breathing slowly, steadily. The others paused around him, crouching low behind frozen tules and cattails at the water’s edge.
There, he said. Between those two big aspens. He cast his thoughts out, connecting with Anton on the far side of the pond. Dad, I’ve got a visual. Looks like two men in hunting gear. They’re about twenty feet ahead of us, hunkered down between those big aspens this side of the beaver dam.
I see them. They’re all yours. Be careful, son.
You got it. He glanced over his shoulder. Romy and Jace, take Wolf and block the trail above us. That’s their most obvious means of escape. It looks like they came in on at least one ATV. Dad and his group are waiting across the beaver dam. The rest of you, block exits and watch for any possible escape, but stay hidden. I think there are only two, but I don’t want to take any chances. We know they’re armed. Aaron, let’s you and me go play big bad wolf.
They took their time, working their way closer, moving in from above until they had a clear line of sight to the two men. Both appeared fairly young, late twenties, maybe. The ground around them was littered with beer cans, the air thick with the stench of the dope they’d been smoking.
A couple of dead geese lay in the snow beside them
Hunters were bad enough, but slobs were even more irritating. He wouldn’t bite them, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t scare them enough to keep them from coming back. Gabe shot a quick look around, saw that everyone was out of sight of the hunters. I want everyone to howl, loud and long. If they try and run, block their way. Now!
The night exploded from absolute silence to a wild cacophony of howling wolves in little more than a heartbeat. Gabe noticed a few snarls and barks added for effect as he and Aaron slipped into the open space beside the hunters’ ATV.
Cursing, the crunch of branches snapping and loose snow falling from the aspen branches preceded the two hunters. They burst out of the brush heading for their vehicle, almost colliding with Aaron. Standing a full three feet tall at the shoulder, he was huge and deadly, and when he snarled, baring long canines, both men stopped dead in their tracks.
Other wolves drifted in from the shadows, and Anton led his group across the beaver dam to join the rest of the pack. Taking positions that ringed the two in a tight circle of dozens of snarling wolves, they waited while the two men clung to each other, babbling unintelligible, panicked gibberish.
Gabe shifted. At 6’3” and 200 pounds he wasn’t the largest of the men, but he had the presence of his father and the confidence in knowing the entire pack was behind him. It didn’t hurt that he was bare-assed naked. He’d discovered long ago that humans were notoriously nonplussed by a large, naked man, especially one who was totally unconcerned with his lack of clothing. “You are trespassing on Chanku land.” He held out his hand. “Put your weapons down and show me your IDs, please.”
* * *
“Why was I not surprised those idiots were from California?” Gabe tipped his beer and took a swallow. Freshly showered and dressed, his body sated after a hard and fast fuck with Aaron following their run, he hooked his bare feet in the rungs of the bar stool and stretched his arms high over his head, twisting to loosen up the kinks.
Sitting on the big, leather couch with Mei sleeping beside him in her snow-leopard form, Oliver Cheval swirled the dark cognac in his glass and shook his head. “What bothers me is that they seriously believed those stupid ID cards they’d bought, for one hell of a lot of money, I might add, gave them access to our property. In that respect, they didn’t think they were breaking the law. I’ll give them that, but their maps were too damned good for my peace of mind.”
Aaron walked into Anton’s den with his digital notepad. He scrolled through a few pages and highlighted a website. “It’s a good thing we caught them. I watch for this sort of crap all the time, but this is a new website, and one I’ve missed. This group is selling private hunting privileges on Chanku land. They have a very authentic—though false, I checked—US Forest Service certificate of approval. The only restriction is that you can’t shoot wolves or other predators, but any other game is fine.”
Anton leaned on the bar, his favorite spot when they met in here for drinks and conversation. “That caveat will keep them from an attempted murder or even murder for hire charge, but Aaron, you didn’t get that law degree for nothing. I want to hit the owners of that website with a lawsuit that’s big enough to get their attention. Have you got screen shots of everything?”
“I do, along with the taped confessions of our two erstwhile hunters. I believe they were honestly apologetic.” He laughed. “They also cleaned up all their trash, so Gabe let them keep the dead geese. But yes, I’ll get right on it.”
Oliver’s mobile phone chirped. He stepped away from the group and answered the call. “Emeline. I didn’t realize you were back in the states, sweetie. How are you? What? Tell me more.” His voice faded as he left the room.
It was a full five minutes before he returned, still talking. “Honey, Aaron’s busy. Anton gave him an important project. Just a minute.” He covered the phone, glanced at Anton. “Who can make a quick trip to San Francisco? Em’s got a situation. It’s not one I want her to handle alone.”
Anton glanced around the room until his gaze settled on Gabe. “Gabe? Can you do it? I know you wanted to be here for the winter solstice celebration, but...” He shrugged.
Gabe shot him a grin. “Sure. I can go. I haven’t seen EmyIzzy in years. Whatever it is can’t take three weeks, so there should be time.” He glanced at Oliver. “When, and what do I need to take? Let me talk to her.” He held his hand out for the phone.
Em’s father shot Anton a look that was impossible to interpret. Then he turned to Gabe. “No. I’ll get the particulars. You go pack. She needs someone there as soon as possible, preferably tonight.” He lifted the phone, covered it again and then shot another look at Gabe. “I’d suggest you drop the EmyIzzy tag for the duration, okay?”
Laughing, Gabe stood. “Suggestion noted.” He saluted Oliver and headed for his cottage, well aware his mood was vastly improved.
Chapter 2
Emeline arrived at SFO and waited in the Chanku Global Industries hangar. The company maintained a fleet of jets and helicopters which allowed her to bypass the general airport entrance and all the security hassles. With the plane due in around midnight, after the frustrating couple of days she’d had, Em really didn’t want to deal with all that.
She watched as the company jet with the bold CGI logo and its proud pack of wolves racing across the fuselage touched down, circled back on the runway and rolled smoothly across the tarmac. Too bad she didn’t rank a corporate jet for her trips to Asia. No lost luggage that way.
She wondered who was on it, what packmate her father had found to help her. She was sorry it wasn’t Aaron. She actually missed her big brother, but her dad had only said he’d make certain someone was here by midnight. She hoped so. She was still haunted by that poor woman’s unspoken plea for help.
She’d not heard from her since. It had been Thursday evening when Em gave her the business card. She’d waited all day Friday, but no word. She hadn’t planned to call her dad, but until she got this settled, Em didn’t think she’d be able to quit worrying. The woman, Sissy was her name, had to be Chanku. Em had gotten a glimpse of dark amber eyes, a dead giveaway when combined with the strong telepathic voice.
Mindspeaking was not broadly known as a Chanku trait, but as far as Emeline knew, no other sentient species had the ability. Sissy had contacted her as clearly as if they’d been speaking aloud, face to face.
The door on the side of the small jet opened and a staircase lowered. Em stepped out of the shadows as a large figure filled the doorway, so it definitely wasn’t Aaron, and not one of the women, either.
She heard male laughter and then a man swung into view and came quickly down the steps. Her heart stuttered in her chest, and shivers raced along her spine. It couldn’t be.
She glanced behind her and fought the compulsion to run back inside, into the shadows where he wouldn’t see her. How could her father do this? Didn’t the man have any compassion at all?
“Hey, Em. Goddess, girl, it’s good to see you.”
And he was there, dropping his bags, wrapping his arms around her in a big brotherly hug, swinging her around as he’d done when she was three. When she was five, when she was fifteen. Even now, when she was twenty-six years old, a fully-grown woman in charge of an entire division of the same company he worked for.
“Put me down, you oaf.” She hated the fact she was laughing, but she shoved against his chest, and as always it was like pushing against a brick wall. At least he hadn’t called her by that horrible nickname he and Aaron had tagged her with.
He set her lightly on the ground. “EmyIzzy, you never change, except to get more beautiful. How come you haven’t found a man?”
She brushed her hair out of her eyes. The she carefully smoothed her skirt over her hips and glared at him. “Please don’t call me that. I’ve hated that name ever since you and Aaron cooked it up.” Before he could answer, she spun about and headed back to her car. “It’s late, but I’m hoping we can go look for her.”
“Her, who?” Gabe slung his pack over his shoulder and followed her. “Emeline,” he said, and she couldn’t help but notice his emphasis on her name, “I have no idea why I’m here. Oliver said that you were involved in a situation, but not what the situation is.”
Em opened the trunk on the little SUV and Gabe tossed his bag in the back. She got behind the wheel, and once he was settled, she turned and glanced his way. “A woman contacted me telepathically. She’s a prostitute, working in Chinatown, and she’s terrified. I gave her my card, told her to call me, but she said her pimp was close by, and I could tell she’s afraid of him. Then her client showed up and she got in his car and left. I haven’t seen her since, but I’m sure she’s still out there.” She backed out and headed for the freeway. “If she’s still alive. That was Thursday evening, and she was very afraid.”
Gabe sat silently beside her. Finally he turned, and she felt his heavy gaze. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what to say. I certainly didn’t expect anything like this. But you’re right. We need to find her. Whatever I can do, Emeline.”
She noticed that he said her name in a much kinder tone this time. Without the snark. Then he softly added, “You know you can count on me.”
* * *
Em drove back to her apartment in the Sunset so unnaturally aware of Gabe, sitting so close beside her in the small vehicle that it felt as if he took up all the air. They didn’t talk, beyond a few questions from him about her latest travels, and she was so relieved. She still wasn’t sure how to act around Gabe, almost as if she didn’t know how to be an adult around him.
Their entire relationship had been more of a big brother, little sister sort of thing, and that wasn’t at all how she wanted him to think of her. She’d quit thinking of Gabe as her big brother by the time she was into her early teens. The fact he still treated her like a kid had made her crazy, but then he went away to college, and that was so much better, because she didn’t have to think about him at all.
Except she did.
Goddess help her, she hadn’t been able to put him out of her mind. She’d gone away to college and straight into work at CGI, the same place where Gabe worked, except it was a huge company and she traveled a lot. They hadn’t run into each other since she’d started her job at CGI as an intern almost six years ago.
She had been so certain she’d find peace when her job took her out of the country.
So much for that idea, though maybe it was a good thing he was here. Maybe it was a chance to see if there ever could be anything between them, though she’d noticed his interest when she’d described the woman. She’d had him at tall and blonde, exactly what she wasn’t, but he was never going to notice her, not while he still saw her as “cute little EmyIzzy.”
She turned off the 280 for Highway 1 and headed west to the Sunset District and the old refurbished mansion where she lived. It was the same building where the first members of Pack Dynamics had stayed before they moved headquarters to Montana. The building had been converted to separate apartments, and now it provided temporary housing for Chanku who worked for CGI or its subsidiaries here in San Francisco.
Gabe stared with open curiosity at the three story building as Em pulled into the underground garage. She shot him a quick glance after she parked. “Haven’t you ever been here before?”
He shook his head. “No. I’ve heard about it. It was being renovated when I was looking for a place to stay, but that was years ago. I ended up sharing an apartment with Alex Aragat over in North Beach, but we gave that up last summer. He was hardly ever in the city after Anton put him to work as pack liaison with the Flathead County sheriff’s department, and I knew I’d be gone all summer with Jace Wolf on our annual survey of the wild wolf populations. Since we got back, I’ve been handling some of Alex’s work with the sheriff’s department and telecommuting. It’s time to get back to San Francisco, though. I’ve actually considered moving in here. Now that Alex has mated Annie and he’s taken over Lily’s work at Chanku International they’re living in Lily’s house on Marina. Annie’s still programming for CGI, and Lily’s moved in with Sebastian in his house in Montana.”
Em grinned at him. “That’s a lot to keep track of.” Then she laughed, finally beginning to feel a bit more comfortable with this overwhelmingly adult version of Gabe Cheval. He’d always been such a cutup, it was sort of nice to carry on an adult conversation. “I can’t believe all the matings that have taken place in the past few months. The party crowd is growing up.”
Gabe smiled at her. “Happens to the best of ‘em. Tinker said they had some wild parties here before they all settled down.”
“I can believe it.” But it wasn’t home and it wasn’t pack. She glanced at Gabe as she checked to make sure everything was turned off. He looked pensive. She wondered what he was thinking.
What he thought of her.
She scrubbed that thought out of her mind immediately. He still thought she was just a little kid. She was the same age as his little sister, Lucia, and he still talked about Luci like she was a baby. Damn. That was never going to change, no matter what she wanted or what she did. Scowling, Emeline grabbed her purse, Gabe got his bag out of the trunk, and then he followed her up the steps to the first floor.
“This is nice.” He paused in the foyer and gazed at the beautiful entry, all polished walnut and old brass. “How many of you guys live here?”
“I’m it for now.” She set her bag on an antique hall tree. “Most of the younger employees live closer to the financial district. There’s a lot more going on there, more nightlife. I travel so much with my job that I like the quiet when I’m home.”
“You think of this as home?” He had a disconcerting way of looking at her, as if he saw inside, knew what she was thinking. She reinforced her shields when he said, “What about Montana?”
She shrugged. “In Montana, I’m Daddy’s little girl, obviously one without a mind of her own. Mom babies me, questions everything I do, every move I make. It’s suffocating. I miss the pack, but I need my freedom more.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
The honest sympathy in his voice stopped her. She turned and gazed at him, really seeing him for the first time. Not as the guy who loved to tease and joke around, but as a serious and thoughtful adult. It wasn’t nearly the stretch she’d expected.
“I always wondered why you stayed away,” he said, “but that makes sense. Luci has the same complaint. I heard her arguing with Dad last week. She wants to move down here instead of telecommuting. He’s not real pleased with the idea, especially since Lily’s not in the city anymore.”
“I’d love it if she moved here. Luci’s so much fun. And Lily came to San Francisco by herself.” Em headed toward the stairs.
“Yeah, but Lily’s best friend is a goddess, and Dad had Eve’s promise to keep an eye on her.”
Em tried not to laugh. Really. “Well, there is that. I didn’t ask. I hardly ever went home after I went away to college. I think I was nineteen the last time. What’s weird is that my parents have never insisted I come back. They always seem uncomfortable around me. And no, I have no idea why, and I don’t get it. C’mon. Let me show you your room. You can get settled and I’m going to change clothes. I’m thinking jeans and a warm sweater. The last thing I want to do is attract any attention, but I’m hoping we can track her down. I don’t know her name, only that she’s tall and beautiful, she’s got long, blonde hair, and dark amber eyes. And she can mindspeak as well as anyone in the pack.”
* * *
Tall and beautiful with long, blonde hair? This trip to San Francisco was looking better all the time, and once he got over the shock of seeing EmyIzzy again... Crap. Emeline... He actually sighed. Sighed! What the hell was that all about? Em always had been just one more little sister, attached at the hip to his baby sister Lucia, and Gabe had figured she’d still be much the same—sort of like Luci. Cute and silly and someone he could tease and relax with. He hadn’t seen her in...Goddess. He hadn’t seen her in at least six or seven years.
It appeared a lot could happen to a woman in six or seven years, and looking at Emeline now wasn’t the least bit relaxing. She’d been short and cute, and a little on the pudgy side, but somehow that baby fat had managed to rearrange itself in absolutely stunning fashion. She’d seemed shocked to see him, though, and that was weird. Why hadn’t Oliver told her he was the one coming to help? No matter. It was after midnight, and they still needed to go look for the missing woman.
Gabe tossed his bag on the bed and went in to use the bathroom and brush his teeth. He’d had more beer than he should have this evening, including a couple on the plane down from Montana, and sleep sounded way too inviting. This had all the makings of a very long night and he’d already been on a long run, helped catch some bad guys, topped Aaron and gone through the complete dissection of the evening’s activities with Anton and the rest of the pack who’d been hanging out in Anton’s den.
Splashing water on his face helped perk him up. His mobile phone chimed as he rinsed his toothbrush and stuck it back in his overnight kit. He answered the call, and Alex Aragat’s face filled the small screen. “Hey Alex. What’s up?”
“Dad said you were in town for a couple of days. Wanted to make sure you saved time for Annie and me.”
“Will do. Can’t talk now, though. Emeline Cheval thinks she’s got a lead on a Chanku woman, a prostitute she met a couple of nights ago. We’re headed out to look for her. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“Sounds good. Didn’t know Em was back. She’s gone most of the time.”
“Yeah. I’m finding that out. I’ll give you a call tomorrow. I imagine it’ll be a late night.”
He signed off and left his apartment. Em waited in the entry by the door to the garage. She was tinier than a lot of the young women in the pack, with her father’s slight build, but she had all her mom’s sex appeal.
Except he didn’t want to see Em that way. It wasn’t easy, though, ignoring the subtle, sexy sway of her hips as he followed her down the steps to the garage. She’d put on tight black jeans with high black leather boots that almost reached her knees, and a dark blue sweater that showed off more of Emeline Cheval than Gabe ever imagined she’d have to show.
It was a struggle, reminding himself she was EmyIzzy, for Goddess’s sake. Not a fuck buddy. Besides, he’d just had excellent after-run sex with Aaron. There was no way he was going to screw with Em after what he’d been doing with her brother a few hours ago. Nope. Wasn’t going there.
“I thought we’d park at CGI. Last time I saw her, it was only a couple of blocks from the office.”
“Okay.” He buckled himself into his seat and willed his fascination with the shape of her lips into the darker compartments of his mind. “You’re in charge.” He flashed her a grin, expecting a snarky response, or at least hoping for one, but she didn’t look his way. Sighing, he settled back in his seat. At least her response—or lack of one—cooled his libido.
After a couple of minutes when Em hadn’t said a word, the quiet was beginning to make him twitch. “Alex called while I was cleaning up,” he said. “He’s hoping we can get together while I’m in town.”
She shot him a quick glance. “That would be nice for you to see each other. How long’s it been?”
“A few months. You know he and Annie McClintock are mated, don’t you?”
She nodded. “Mom told me. I’ve always liked Annie.”
Chatty little thing, wasn’t she. “How long has it been since you’ve made it back to Montana?”
“A long time. Seven years.”
Seven years? “Crap, Emy...Em. Sorry...” He chuckled softly. “Old habits are hard to break. How do you stand it? Don’t you miss the pack? Your family?” This time he turned in his seat so he could see her.
She focused on the street ahead. After a few seconds, she shrugged. “Yeah. I guess, but it’s not worth the hassles when I go home.” She sighed, and softly added, “You just don’t get it, Gabe.”
“You’re right. I don’t. I can’t imagine being away from everyone. Not running with the pack, not spending time in the mountains. I work here most of the time, but Montana will always be home to me.”
She shrugged. More silence. Finally, she started talking again. “I imagine your parents treat you like an adult,” she said, glancing his way before focusing on the road. “I go home, I might as well be four years old. I’m twenty-six, Gabe. I’m a grown woman with a lot of responsibility. I work most of the time in Asia where both I and my work are respected. I’m fluent in Mandarin and Cantonese and can get along in most of the dialects. I also speak Russian and Japanese, and I’m in charge of employee safety in literally hundreds of shops across Asia and Tibet. The last time I was back in Montana, when I was nineteen, every move I made was questioned, every decision ignored or even countermanded without my consent, and I came away feeling worthless. It’s not a healthy environment for me, so I choose to stay away.”
The bitterness poured off her in waves. Stunned by the vehemence in her tone, Gabe reached out, wrapped his fingers around her right arm above her elbow, and gave her a gentle squeeze. “I’m sorry. I had no idea. Aaron has never said anything about problems like that. I never noticed it when you were younger.”
“That’s because they’re totally different with Aaron. They were with me, too. When I was little, they were wonderful parents. All I know is that something happened when I was around fourteen or fifteen, but I don’t know what. They won’t tell me why, but they changed, suddenly became so overprotective that it was suffocating. I couldn’t wait to get away from them.” She glanced quickly in his direction, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears. He didn’t remember her eyes being so green. Just like her mom. Cat’s eyes.
“I’d love to go home, Gabe. I’m tired of traveling all over the world. I miss the forest and the pack. I miss my friends and I miss Aaron. I even miss Mom and Dad, but I can’t have my own life if they’re nearby. Not if they won’t let me be myself. Think for myself.”
Her cheeks were flushed when she looked away and carefully pulled into the underground parking garage. Gabe had a feeling she was embarrassed after being so open about the problems with her folks, but he was glad she’d said something.
It changed his perception of her, showed him that she wasn’t a kid anymore, but a sharp, beautiful woman with a mind of her own. There was nothing childish about the Emeline Cheval sitting beside him. He was finding her a lot more fascinating than he’d expected.
The underground garage was spacious and well-lit beneath the huge building that housed Chanku Global Industries and many of its subsidiary companies, including Cheval International, where Lily had and Alex now worked. The security guard recognized both of them, greeting Em and Gabe by name as he raised the gate and let them enter, but Gabe hardly noticed. The pain in Em’s voice wouldn’t leave him alone, but he had no idea what was wrong. Why Oliver and Mei would be so overprotective with their daughter—a daughter they obviously loved. There was no denying the sound of pride in Oliver’s voice when he’d talked to her earlier this evening. It made no sense.
They left the car and Gabe followed Em out into the night, the two of them walking swiftly toward the area where she’d seen the woman she thought might be Chanku, but he wasn’t thinking about rescuing a stranger in trouble. No, he was thinking about Emeline. Wondering what he could do to help.
Wondering how so much could have changed in just a few years.
Little EmyIzzy was all grown up, but she was hurting. Hurting and alone, cut off from the pack for some unknown reason. He caught up to her and then grabbed her hand, and when she turned startled eyes on his, he shrugged and pulled her closer. “If we look like a couple, it’ll be easier to go undetected. When you’re walking so fast, with an obvious destination in mind, it makes you stand out.”
“Okay, though I can’t see why I’d stand out that much.” She glanced at their linked hands and then focused on the sidewalk ahead.
“You realize, of course, that there’s no way in hell people aren’t going to notice you.’
She stopped dead in her tracks. He had to bite back laughter. “Why? What’s wrong with me?”
“You’re gorgeous, Em. Absolutely beautiful. Men watch you walk by. Women even turn to see. I can’t imagine you going anywhere and not being noticed.”
She frowned and then looked away. Very softly she said, “Why do you do that, Gabe?”
“Do what?” He tugged and they started walking, but her steps were stiff, almost awkward, as if she didn’t want to be close to him. What the hell was bugging her now?
“Make fun of me. You’ve always made fun of me.”
“Telling you you’re beautiful is making fun of you? I don’t get it, Em.” This time he was the one coming to a stop. Even as late as it was, people passed by, going around them the way water broke around stone. “Why would you think I’m making fun of you?”
“Aren’t you?” This time she looked at him. “Aren’t you saying nice things so you can pull the proverbial rug out from under my feet later? That’s what you and Aaron used to do. Act all nice and friendly and then laugh when I believed you.”
“I don’t believe we’re having this conversation.” He shook his head, not in denial but to clear his thoughts. This definitely wasn’t the Emeline he remembered. He tried to think of the last time he saw her, and realized it was a lot longer than he’d thought. Closer to ten years, since he’d gone off to college, and when he was home the last person he’d wanted to hang out with was Aaron’s kid sister.
“Look,” he said, so frustrated he didn’t know quite what to say. “Let’s do what we’re here to do, but when we get back to your place, you and I are going to talk. Okay?”
He realized he was holding her still, his big hands wrapped around her upper arms and her eyes had gone wide. He turned her loose and stepped back. “Goddess, Em. I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to frighten you. Honest. I’m just...” He turned away, stared at the tall buildings across the street and called himself all kinds of fool, but that wasn’t going to solve whatever was going on.
Talking would help. Searching for the reasons behind her strange reaction to everything he said. The way she read things into every word, every action. Things he didn’t mean, hadn’t said. It sounded as if her memories of what he and Aaron considered typical ‘big brother teasing little sister stuff’ had been bullying, in Em’s eyes. If that was the case, he had a lot of apologizing to do. Both he and Aaron did.
“Gabe! I see her.” She grabbed his arm and hauled him down the sidewalk. “There. Do you see the tall blonde? The one with all the long braids?”
“Yeah. I do. Stay behind me. I’m going to act like a customer. See if I can pick her up.”
“Okay. But be careful, Gabe. I don’t want you hurt.”
He gave her a quick grin and walked on ahead, but he almost laughed. She didn’t want him hurt, but he had a feeling she really wanted him gone. Not yet. Not until he figured out what was going on with Ms. EmyIzzy.
But for now, his focus was on the tall blonde. She was absolutely beautiful, and her long, lean frame fit the look of the typical Chanku female, if you could call any body type typical. Many of the women in the pack had the same look of sleek strength, and they carried themselves as if they possessed more than average power.
Which, of course, they did. The woman had turned to watch him. He thought of mindspeaking, but decided against it. Not here where she might startle or otherwise give away the fact she was communicating with him.
He paused a few feet away. She watched him with a practiced look and smiled, as if she liked what she saw. “Hi.”
“Hi to you, too.” He glanced at the light pole she leaned against. “Looks like you’re working hard, holding up that pole.”
“It’s a job.” She slowly looked him up and down, pausing her gaze at the front of his jeans. “I’m quite good at keeping poles vertical.” She glanced up at the pole behind her back before turning her attention to Gabe once again. “I imagine I could do wonders for yours.”
“I don’t doubt that at all, but I’m guessing pole work is expensive.”
She shrugged and named a figure much higher than Gabe expected, but he merely nodded. “Damned expensive. You say you’re good. I guess I’ll have to take you at your word. Will you come with me?”
She laughed. “Depends on how fast you are. I prefer to take my time, but yes. If you’ve got a place nearby, I can go there. How far?”
“Over on Kearny.” He glanced at her boots with their high, spike heels. “You okay walking in those?”
“I am.” He noticed as she glanced over his shoulder at someone behind him. Gabe turned and saw a large man standing in the shadows. “He your guy?”
She nodded. Gabe turned and faced the man. “I’ll have her back in a couple of hours.”
“Damn right you will.”
Smiling, Gabe held out his arm. “Let’s go.”
Chapter 1
December 1, 2039
Goddess, but it felt good to be back in the US, specifically San Francisco with the clean smell of the ocean mingling with the spicy scent of tacos and salsa on one side, of fiery Thai on the other. After almost two years working and living all over Asia, the comforting mixed bouquet of Americanized ethnic cooking had Emeline practically salivating.
Water rushed down the street gutters and dripped from the tall buildings. The storm had been short but wet and windy, cleansing the air, washing trash off the sidewalk, leaving a clear trail between her office at Chanku Global Industries and The Platinum Duck, her favorite Chinese restaurant.
She flat out refused to let sixteen hours travel and a lost bag at San Francisco International get in the way of the meal she’d been thinking of since she’d boarded the jet in Beijing.
Oh God. Can’t someone help me?
Now that definitely caught her attention. The voice in her head, feminine, laced with terror and coming from somewhere very close by, stopped Emeline mid-step. Pausing as if to check her phone for a call, she scanned the crowded sidewalk. It was a little after seven, well into the dinner hour.
Nothing seemed out of place—except for that perfectly clear telepathic plea for help. Where are you? How can I help you?
You can hear me? No one ever hears me! Where are you?
Em glanced at the building behind her. I’m on Powell, south of Washington. In front of the coffee shop. The one with the Chinese dragon wearing a Santa hat in the window.
I’m north of there. On the corner. Short black skirt, red thigh-high boots. Black sweater.
I see you. Holding her mobile phone to her ear, she walked toward the tall, slender woman standing on the corner. How can I help?
My pimp is too close. You can’t do anything. Damn. No one has ever answered me before.
I’m going to bump into you and slip my card into your hand. Be ready. I’m wearing a red coat, black wool cap and a white scarf around my neck. My name is Emeline. Emeline Cheval.
I’m Sissy Long. I see you.
Good. At that moment, a heavy-set man walked by. Emeline stepped into his path, jostling him and managing to get herself turned around. “I’m so sorry.” She backed out of his way and nudged the woman behind her, turned, laughing as if to brush her shoulder where she’d connected and slipped her card into the woman’s hand. Call me as soon as you can. I can help.
Thank you.
At that moment, a large, silent car pulled up; the back window slowly lowered and the driver leaned over. He nodded at the woman, and jabbed his thumb in the direction of the back seat. She opened the door and, without a backward glance, climbed into the car and closed the door. Em forced herself not to watch as the vehicle slid back into the stream of traffic, but her last glimpse was of the blond facing forward, looking neither right nor left.
Emeline continued on to The Platinum Duck, but her sense of pleasure, of homecoming, was gone. Now, instead of enjoying the frenetic pace of the city, she wished she were home in Montana. Home with the rest of her pack, running through the forest, surrounded by her own kind.
She’d been away much too long.
* * *
Sissy buckled herself into the back seat of the limo and kept her eyes forward, though she couldn’t have said what she actually saw. That woman had heard her! For the first time since this nightmare began, someone actually heard her silent cries for help. She’d always felt as if she were actually speaking—at least on a level that someone should be able to understand—but no one had ever heard her before. That woman, that Emeline Cheval actually answered her! But how? And who was she? Her name didn’t mean anything to Sissy, but she’d been out of touch with the world around her for so long she didn’t even know how old she was. How long it had been since she’d first been kidnapped. First sold to a strange man for the night. All she knew was the date. The day her life ended.
Sissy fingered the business card in her hand. It was warm to the touch, and she wondered what it said, but she couldn’t look at it here. Not where the chauffeur could see and report back to Russo what she had. That woman said to call her. If only...Sissy was never allowed near a phone. None of the girls were.
But that woman had heard her. Maybe she’d come back when Sissy didn’t call. Russo used that corner a lot when he had appointments for her to keep. Maybe Emeline Cheval would come back.
* * *
It had been so long since he’d run with any but a few of his packmates, Gabe Cheval had actually forgotten how much he loved running in a big pack. With so many wolves racing through the frozen night together, it was all about the harsh rush of breath from more than a dozen sets of wolven lungs and steam trailing behind like silvery snowflakes in the frozen air of a Montana winter’s night. Snow crunched, hard and brittle beneath broad paws as they flew across the ice, so intent on the joy of running they passed by startled elk and even a moose without turning away to hunt.
Gabe followed close behind Jace Wolf and his mate Romy, and Romy’s constant companion, Wolf. The wild wolf had adopted them late last summer and remained as Romy’s shadow. Others raced beside and behind Gabe—his sister Lily and her mate, Sebastian had come from their home on the other side of the mountain ridge to join tonight’s run . They ran as if they’d run this way forever, though Gabe thought this might be a first for Sebastian, to run with so many wolves. He was new to his Chanku roots, still learning the ways of the pack.
It didn’t happen often enough, so many of them racing together through the night. They all had busy lives, and many in the pack had jobs that took them away from Montana and their Chanku home, but this night the moon was full and Anton had called everyone who was able, inviting them to take a few hours to return to their feral roots. It was a chance for the pack to bond, to tighten that sense of family that forever held them close.
Even Sunny Daye and her new man, the forest ranger Fenris Ahlberg, were running, and Igmutaka, once a spirit guide, raced through the moonlit night as a wolf rather than his usual puma. He ran full out, staying ahead of Gabe, hard on his mate Star’s heels. And damn, but the two men were huge wolves. Gabe was large, but he felt like a pup next to either Fen or Ig.
Both of them were Berserkers, another species of Chanku bred eons ago as the race’s warrior class. Instead of human mothers, they’d been born as wolf cub and puma kit respectively, yet they were able to shift to human as easily as they could become any predator. They were huge, almost twice as big as the average Chanku wolf, but their size wasn’t all that set them aside—their mating had been unusual, too. Ig and Fen as well as Star and Sunny had mated in a four-way bond, and wasn’t that a new twist for the pack? Yet when the men—both already mated to their women had also experienced the mating bond with one another, not only the Goddess but the Mother Herself had blessed their union.
Gabe had never actually considered his unmated status, yet now, when all those he felt closest to suddenly had someone even closer to them, he was all too aware of his lone wolf state.
Times were definitely changing and Gabe was still coming to terms with all of it, but tonight it wasn’t about him. It was about the pack. About bonding with those he loved, including his parents who had called all of them together to run tonight. His dad, the pack’s alpha, held back a bit, his nose close by his mate’s flank. Gabe had a feeling Anton and Keisha would be slipping off into the woods before long, going in search of time alone, away from the rest of them.
He wondered if he’d ever have anyone to slip away with. Anyone who loved him the way his mom loved his dad, the way Romy loved Jace or Lily loved Sebastian. Everyone here was paired up. Everyone except Gabe. Well, Gabe and his buddy Aaron.
Aaron Cheval, son of Oliver and Mei, shared a name with Gabe but no relationship, thank the Goddess, because, no matter how powerful the Chanku libido, incest was never acceptable.
Maybe he and Aaron needed to get together tonight and have a good, rousing drunk and fuck like there was no tomorrow. Just the two of them. He sent the thought to Aaron, who nipped his flank in agreement.
Then Aaron slipped back to run beside his parents, Oliver and Mei. Gabe glanced around and realized EmyIzzy wasn’t with them. He hadn’t seen Aaron’s baby sister in years now. Last he’d heard, she was working in Asia. Hard to imagine her in a job halfway around the world. She’d always be little EmyIzzy to him. Emeline Isobelle, and how she loathed the nickname Gabe and Aaron had bestowed on her almost from birth.
Which, of course, was all the reason the guys needed to continue using it. Emeline had not been happy, but he wished she were here tonight. She was always fun to tease.
The pack circled a large pond, one grown even bigger this past year with the addition of a pair of industrious beavers. They’d dammed one of the smaller creeks and the shallow pond had become a prime hunting site. Deer and elk and even the occasional moose stayed near the water, breaking through the ice in winter, nibbling on green shoots in spring.
Moonlight cast everything in dark shadows and silver reflections. Gabe was so intent on the beauty around him, he almost ran into Jace’s butt, the pack stopped so quickly. All of the wolves went still, noses to the air. The scent of game was strong, and by now they’d run far enough and fast enough that hunger had become a living entity, racing alongside them through the snow-covered night. The full moon leant a ghostly, silver glow to snow and trees alike, but it was the scent that held them still.
Elk, nearby if his nose was any indicator. Gabe was known for his ability to scent game—and whatever else he looked for. He nudged Aaron and the two gazed at Wolf. The feral beast stood beside Romy, but his ears were laid back, his tail low to the ground. He growled, a low, chest-rattling rumble. Romy glanced at him and then her voice filled Gabe’s mind and the mind of every other wolf in the pack.
Wolf says man is near, on the far side of the pond. Hiding near the beaver dam.
Thank our brother for us, Romy. Anton trotted ahead to stand beside the newest members of the pack. Does he have any idea how many?
She stared at the wolf a moment. Not as many as we are, but he can’t tell me. Specific numbers aren’t within his ability to communicate.
Anton turned and gazed toward the back of the pack. Gabe, what are you picking up?
He took a deep breath, moved forward, ahead of the pack and past the smell of wolves, raised his nose into the icy air and drew a deep breath, taking a moment to separate the various scents, allowing his wolven brain time to identify what his nose was collecting. At least two men. They’ve been smoking pot and they’re armed. I can smell gunpowder, the faint scent of blood. Goose, I think. They probably shot at least one earlier.
What say we give them a good scare? Anton swept his gaze over the pack, making eye contact with each of them. It wasn’t quite a democracy, but he always appeared to welcome input from anyone with ideas. This time the pack merely listened.
He dipped his head, easily reaffirming his role as their alpha. We can all use the practice. We’re going to sneak up on them, carefully. No one is allowed to get shot.
The laughter was silent, but impossible to ignore. Anton managed to lift an eyebrow, something that never ceased to amaze Gabe, how his dad could still be so human even when standing on four legs.
That was not said in jest. Our healers are out for an enjoyable run tonight, not to fix anyone, so don’t do anything stupid. Whoever gets in behind these idiots first might as well go ahead and shift and remind them they’re trespassing, but not until you scare the crap out of them. Got it? Gabe, take this side of the pond. We’ll go around the other side, and come across the dam.
Without a sound, Anton and more than half the pack were gone, slipping like wraiths through the moonlight, gliding silently through the shadows to circle around the south end of the beaver pond. Gabe and Aaron veered north around the upper side with Romy and Jace and a few of the others, including Aaron’s parents. Anton had Adam and Liana and half a dozen more.
They moved quickly, dark phantoms slipping silently through even darker shadows. Gabe loved the hunt when their prey was sentient, when he hunted something that could just as easily hunt him. The challenge had his heart pounding and his blood racing, and he moved almost soundlessly, slower now as he sensed and scented humans nearby.
He heard them whispering, at least two men conversing. The pond was in a natural bowl, an amphitheater with hills on three sides that magnified and distorted sound, but they had to be close by. The leaf burning, skunky smell of marijuana irritated his sensitive nostrils. Gabe searched for visual clues until he saw movement, much closer than he’d originally expected. He stopped, breathing slowly, steadily. The others paused around him, crouching low behind frozen tules and cattails at the water’s edge.
There, he said. Between those two big aspens. He cast his thoughts out, connecting with Anton on the far side of the pond. Dad, I’ve got a visual. Looks like two men in hunting gear. They’re about twenty feet ahead of us, hunkered down between those big aspens this side of the beaver dam.
I see them. They’re all yours. Be careful, son.
You got it. He glanced over his shoulder. Romy and Jace, take Wolf and block the trail above us. That’s their most obvious means of escape. It looks like they came in on at least one ATV. Dad and his group are waiting across the beaver dam. The rest of you, block exits and watch for any possible escape, but stay hidden. I think there are only two, but I don’t want to take any chances. We know they’re armed. Aaron, let’s you and me go play big bad wolf.
They took their time, working their way closer, moving in from above until they had a clear line of sight to the two men. Both appeared fairly young, late twenties, maybe. The ground around them was littered with beer cans, the air thick with the stench of the dope they’d been smoking.
A couple of dead geese lay in the snow beside them
Hunters were bad enough, but slobs were even more irritating. He wouldn’t bite them, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t scare them enough to keep them from coming back. Gabe shot a quick look around, saw that everyone was out of sight of the hunters. I want everyone to howl, loud and long. If they try and run, block their way. Now!
The night exploded from absolute silence to a wild cacophony of howling wolves in little more than a heartbeat. Gabe noticed a few snarls and barks added for effect as he and Aaron slipped into the open space beside the hunters’ ATV.
Cursing, the crunch of branches snapping and loose snow falling from the aspen branches preceded the two hunters. They burst out of the brush heading for their vehicle, almost colliding with Aaron. Standing a full three feet tall at the shoulder, he was huge and deadly, and when he snarled, baring long canines, both men stopped dead in their tracks.
Other wolves drifted in from the shadows, and Anton led his group across the beaver dam to join the rest of the pack. Taking positions that ringed the two in a tight circle of dozens of snarling wolves, they waited while the two men clung to each other, babbling unintelligible, panicked gibberish.
Gabe shifted. At 6’3” and 200 pounds he wasn’t the largest of the men, but he had the presence of his father and the confidence in knowing the entire pack was behind him. It didn’t hurt that he was bare-assed naked. He’d discovered long ago that humans were notoriously nonplussed by a large, naked man, especially one who was totally unconcerned with his lack of clothing. “You are trespassing on Chanku land.” He held out his hand. “Put your weapons down and show me your IDs, please.”
* * *
“Why was I not surprised those idiots were from California?” Gabe tipped his beer and took a swallow. Freshly showered and dressed, his body sated after a hard and fast fuck with Aaron following their run, he hooked his bare feet in the rungs of the bar stool and stretched his arms high over his head, twisting to loosen up the kinks.
Sitting on the big, leather couch with Mei sleeping beside him in her snow-leopard form, Oliver Cheval swirled the dark cognac in his glass and shook his head. “What bothers me is that they seriously believed those stupid ID cards they’d bought, for one hell of a lot of money, I might add, gave them access to our property. In that respect, they didn’t think they were breaking the law. I’ll give them that, but their maps were too damned good for my peace of mind.”
Aaron walked into Anton’s den with his digital notepad. He scrolled through a few pages and highlighted a website. “It’s a good thing we caught them. I watch for this sort of crap all the time, but this is a new website, and one I’ve missed. This group is selling private hunting privileges on Chanku land. They have a very authentic—though false, I checked—US Forest Service certificate of approval. The only restriction is that you can’t shoot wolves or other predators, but any other game is fine.”
Anton leaned on the bar, his favorite spot when they met in here for drinks and conversation. “That caveat will keep them from an attempted murder or even murder for hire charge, but Aaron, you didn’t get that law degree for nothing. I want to hit the owners of that website with a lawsuit that’s big enough to get their attention. Have you got screen shots of everything?”
“I do, along with the taped confessions of our two erstwhile hunters. I believe they were honestly apologetic.” He laughed. “They also cleaned up all their trash, so Gabe let them keep the dead geese. But yes, I’ll get right on it.”
Oliver’s mobile phone chirped. He stepped away from the group and answered the call. “Emeline. I didn’t realize you were back in the states, sweetie. How are you? What? Tell me more.” His voice faded as he left the room.
It was a full five minutes before he returned, still talking. “Honey, Aaron’s busy. Anton gave him an important project. Just a minute.” He covered the phone, glanced at Anton. “Who can make a quick trip to San Francisco? Em’s got a situation. It’s not one I want her to handle alone.”
Anton glanced around the room until his gaze settled on Gabe. “Gabe? Can you do it? I know you wanted to be here for the winter solstice celebration, but...” He shrugged.
Gabe shot him a grin. “Sure. I can go. I haven’t seen EmyIzzy in years. Whatever it is can’t take three weeks, so there should be time.” He glanced at Oliver. “When, and what do I need to take? Let me talk to her.” He held his hand out for the phone.
Em’s father shot Anton a look that was impossible to interpret. Then he turned to Gabe. “No. I’ll get the particulars. You go pack. She needs someone there as soon as possible, preferably tonight.” He lifted the phone, covered it again and then shot another look at Gabe. “I’d suggest you drop the EmyIzzy tag for the duration, okay?”
Laughing, Gabe stood. “Suggestion noted.” He saluted Oliver and headed for his cottage, well aware his mood was vastly improved.
Chapter 2
Emeline arrived at SFO and waited in the Chanku Global Industries hangar. The company maintained a fleet of jets and helicopters which allowed her to bypass the general airport entrance and all the security hassles. With the plane due in around midnight, after the frustrating couple of days she’d had, Em really didn’t want to deal with all that.
She watched as the company jet with the bold CGI logo and its proud pack of wolves racing across the fuselage touched down, circled back on the runway and rolled smoothly across the tarmac. Too bad she didn’t rank a corporate jet for her trips to Asia. No lost luggage that way.
She wondered who was on it, what packmate her father had found to help her. She was sorry it wasn’t Aaron. She actually missed her big brother, but her dad had only said he’d make certain someone was here by midnight. She hoped so. She was still haunted by that poor woman’s unspoken plea for help.
She’d not heard from her since. It had been Thursday evening when Em gave her the business card. She’d waited all day Friday, but no word. She hadn’t planned to call her dad, but until she got this settled, Em didn’t think she’d be able to quit worrying. The woman, Sissy was her name, had to be Chanku. Em had gotten a glimpse of dark amber eyes, a dead giveaway when combined with the strong telepathic voice.
Mindspeaking was not broadly known as a Chanku trait, but as far as Emeline knew, no other sentient species had the ability. Sissy had contacted her as clearly as if they’d been speaking aloud, face to face.
The door on the side of the small jet opened and a staircase lowered. Em stepped out of the shadows as a large figure filled the doorway, so it definitely wasn’t Aaron, and not one of the women, either.
She heard male laughter and then a man swung into view and came quickly down the steps. Her heart stuttered in her chest, and shivers raced along her spine. It couldn’t be.
She glanced behind her and fought the compulsion to run back inside, into the shadows where he wouldn’t see her. How could her father do this? Didn’t the man have any compassion at all?
“Hey, Em. Goddess, girl, it’s good to see you.”
And he was there, dropping his bags, wrapping his arms around her in a big brotherly hug, swinging her around as he’d done when she was three. When she was five, when she was fifteen. Even now, when she was twenty-six years old, a fully-grown woman in charge of an entire division of the same company he worked for.
“Put me down, you oaf.” She hated the fact she was laughing, but she shoved against his chest, and as always it was like pushing against a brick wall. At least he hadn’t called her by that horrible nickname he and Aaron had tagged her with.
He set her lightly on the ground. “EmyIzzy, you never change, except to get more beautiful. How come you haven’t found a man?”
She brushed her hair out of her eyes. The she carefully smoothed her skirt over her hips and glared at him. “Please don’t call me that. I’ve hated that name ever since you and Aaron cooked it up.” Before he could answer, she spun about and headed back to her car. “It’s late, but I’m hoping we can go look for her.”
“Her, who?” Gabe slung his pack over his shoulder and followed her. “Emeline,” he said, and she couldn’t help but notice his emphasis on her name, “I have no idea why I’m here. Oliver said that you were involved in a situation, but not what the situation is.”
Em opened the trunk on the little SUV and Gabe tossed his bag in the back. She got behind the wheel, and once he was settled, she turned and glanced his way. “A woman contacted me telepathically. She’s a prostitute, working in Chinatown, and she’s terrified. I gave her my card, told her to call me, but she said her pimp was close by, and I could tell she’s afraid of him. Then her client showed up and she got in his car and left. I haven’t seen her since, but I’m sure she’s still out there.” She backed out and headed for the freeway. “If she’s still alive. That was Thursday evening, and she was very afraid.”
Gabe sat silently beside her. Finally he turned, and she felt his heavy gaze. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what to say. I certainly didn’t expect anything like this. But you’re right. We need to find her. Whatever I can do, Emeline.”
She noticed that he said her name in a much kinder tone this time. Without the snark. Then he softly added, “You know you can count on me.”
* * *
Em drove back to her apartment in the Sunset so unnaturally aware of Gabe, sitting so close beside her in the small vehicle that it felt as if he took up all the air. They didn’t talk, beyond a few questions from him about her latest travels, and she was so relieved. She still wasn’t sure how to act around Gabe, almost as if she didn’t know how to be an adult around him.
Their entire relationship had been more of a big brother, little sister sort of thing, and that wasn’t at all how she wanted him to think of her. She’d quit thinking of Gabe as her big brother by the time she was into her early teens. The fact he still treated her like a kid had made her crazy, but then he went away to college, and that was so much better, because she didn’t have to think about him at all.
Except she did.
Goddess help her, she hadn’t been able to put him out of her mind. She’d gone away to college and straight into work at CGI, the same place where Gabe worked, except it was a huge company and she traveled a lot. They hadn’t run into each other since she’d started her job at CGI as an intern almost six years ago.
She had been so certain she’d find peace when her job took her out of the country.
So much for that idea, though maybe it was a good thing he was here. Maybe it was a chance to see if there ever could be anything between them, though she’d noticed his interest when she’d described the woman. She’d had him at tall and blonde, exactly what she wasn’t, but he was never going to notice her, not while he still saw her as “cute little EmyIzzy.”
She turned off the 280 for Highway 1 and headed west to the Sunset District and the old refurbished mansion where she lived. It was the same building where the first members of Pack Dynamics had stayed before they moved headquarters to Montana. The building had been converted to separate apartments, and now it provided temporary housing for Chanku who worked for CGI or its subsidiaries here in San Francisco.
Gabe stared with open curiosity at the three story building as Em pulled into the underground garage. She shot him a quick glance after she parked. “Haven’t you ever been here before?”
He shook his head. “No. I’ve heard about it. It was being renovated when I was looking for a place to stay, but that was years ago. I ended up sharing an apartment with Alex Aragat over in North Beach, but we gave that up last summer. He was hardly ever in the city after Anton put him to work as pack liaison with the Flathead County sheriff’s department, and I knew I’d be gone all summer with Jace Wolf on our annual survey of the wild wolf populations. Since we got back, I’ve been handling some of Alex’s work with the sheriff’s department and telecommuting. It’s time to get back to San Francisco, though. I’ve actually considered moving in here. Now that Alex has mated Annie and he’s taken over Lily’s work at Chanku International they’re living in Lily’s house on Marina. Annie’s still programming for CGI, and Lily’s moved in with Sebastian in his house in Montana.”
Em grinned at him. “That’s a lot to keep track of.” Then she laughed, finally beginning to feel a bit more comfortable with this overwhelmingly adult version of Gabe Cheval. He’d always been such a cutup, it was sort of nice to carry on an adult conversation. “I can’t believe all the matings that have taken place in the past few months. The party crowd is growing up.”
Gabe smiled at her. “Happens to the best of ‘em. Tinker said they had some wild parties here before they all settled down.”
“I can believe it.” But it wasn’t home and it wasn’t pack. She glanced at Gabe as she checked to make sure everything was turned off. He looked pensive. She wondered what he was thinking.
What he thought of her.
She scrubbed that thought out of her mind immediately. He still thought she was just a little kid. She was the same age as his little sister, Lucia, and he still talked about Luci like she was a baby. Damn. That was never going to change, no matter what she wanted or what she did. Scowling, Emeline grabbed her purse, Gabe got his bag out of the trunk, and then he followed her up the steps to the first floor.
“This is nice.” He paused in the foyer and gazed at the beautiful entry, all polished walnut and old brass. “How many of you guys live here?”
“I’m it for now.” She set her bag on an antique hall tree. “Most of the younger employees live closer to the financial district. There’s a lot more going on there, more nightlife. I travel so much with my job that I like the quiet when I’m home.”
“You think of this as home?” He had a disconcerting way of looking at her, as if he saw inside, knew what she was thinking. She reinforced her shields when he said, “What about Montana?”
She shrugged. “In Montana, I’m Daddy’s little girl, obviously one without a mind of her own. Mom babies me, questions everything I do, every move I make. It’s suffocating. I miss the pack, but I need my freedom more.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
The honest sympathy in his voice stopped her. She turned and gazed at him, really seeing him for the first time. Not as the guy who loved to tease and joke around, but as a serious and thoughtful adult. It wasn’t nearly the stretch she’d expected.
“I always wondered why you stayed away,” he said, “but that makes sense. Luci has the same complaint. I heard her arguing with Dad last week. She wants to move down here instead of telecommuting. He’s not real pleased with the idea, especially since Lily’s not in the city anymore.”
“I’d love it if she moved here. Luci’s so much fun. And Lily came to San Francisco by herself.” Em headed toward the stairs.
“Yeah, but Lily’s best friend is a goddess, and Dad had Eve’s promise to keep an eye on her.”
Em tried not to laugh. Really. “Well, there is that. I didn’t ask. I hardly ever went home after I went away to college. I think I was nineteen the last time. What’s weird is that my parents have never insisted I come back. They always seem uncomfortable around me. And no, I have no idea why, and I don’t get it. C’mon. Let me show you your room. You can get settled and I’m going to change clothes. I’m thinking jeans and a warm sweater. The last thing I want to do is attract any attention, but I’m hoping we can track her down. I don’t know her name, only that she’s tall and beautiful, she’s got long, blonde hair, and dark amber eyes. And she can mindspeak as well as anyone in the pack.”
* * *
Tall and beautiful with long, blonde hair? This trip to San Francisco was looking better all the time, and once he got over the shock of seeing EmyIzzy again... Crap. Emeline... He actually sighed. Sighed! What the hell was that all about? Em always had been just one more little sister, attached at the hip to his baby sister Lucia, and Gabe had figured she’d still be much the same—sort of like Luci. Cute and silly and someone he could tease and relax with. He hadn’t seen her in...Goddess. He hadn’t seen her in at least six or seven years.
It appeared a lot could happen to a woman in six or seven years, and looking at Emeline now wasn’t the least bit relaxing. She’d been short and cute, and a little on the pudgy side, but somehow that baby fat had managed to rearrange itself in absolutely stunning fashion. She’d seemed shocked to see him, though, and that was weird. Why hadn’t Oliver told her he was the one coming to help? No matter. It was after midnight, and they still needed to go look for the missing woman.
Gabe tossed his bag on the bed and went in to use the bathroom and brush his teeth. He’d had more beer than he should have this evening, including a couple on the plane down from Montana, and sleep sounded way too inviting. This had all the makings of a very long night and he’d already been on a long run, helped catch some bad guys, topped Aaron and gone through the complete dissection of the evening’s activities with Anton and the rest of the pack who’d been hanging out in Anton’s den.
Splashing water on his face helped perk him up. His mobile phone chimed as he rinsed his toothbrush and stuck it back in his overnight kit. He answered the call, and Alex Aragat’s face filled the small screen. “Hey Alex. What’s up?”
“Dad said you were in town for a couple of days. Wanted to make sure you saved time for Annie and me.”
“Will do. Can’t talk now, though. Emeline Cheval thinks she’s got a lead on a Chanku woman, a prostitute she met a couple of nights ago. We’re headed out to look for her. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“Sounds good. Didn’t know Em was back. She’s gone most of the time.”
“Yeah. I’m finding that out. I’ll give you a call tomorrow. I imagine it’ll be a late night.”
He signed off and left his apartment. Em waited in the entry by the door to the garage. She was tinier than a lot of the young women in the pack, with her father’s slight build, but she had all her mom’s sex appeal.
Except he didn’t want to see Em that way. It wasn’t easy, though, ignoring the subtle, sexy sway of her hips as he followed her down the steps to the garage. She’d put on tight black jeans with high black leather boots that almost reached her knees, and a dark blue sweater that showed off more of Emeline Cheval than Gabe ever imagined she’d have to show.
It was a struggle, reminding himself she was EmyIzzy, for Goddess’s sake. Not a fuck buddy. Besides, he’d just had excellent after-run sex with Aaron. There was no way he was going to screw with Em after what he’d been doing with her brother a few hours ago. Nope. Wasn’t going there.
“I thought we’d park at CGI. Last time I saw her, it was only a couple of blocks from the office.”
“Okay.” He buckled himself into his seat and willed his fascination with the shape of her lips into the darker compartments of his mind. “You’re in charge.” He flashed her a grin, expecting a snarky response, or at least hoping for one, but she didn’t look his way. Sighing, he settled back in his seat. At least her response—or lack of one—cooled his libido.
After a couple of minutes when Em hadn’t said a word, the quiet was beginning to make him twitch. “Alex called while I was cleaning up,” he said. “He’s hoping we can get together while I’m in town.”
She shot him a quick glance. “That would be nice for you to see each other. How long’s it been?”
“A few months. You know he and Annie McClintock are mated, don’t you?”
She nodded. “Mom told me. I’ve always liked Annie.”
Chatty little thing, wasn’t she. “How long has it been since you’ve made it back to Montana?”
“A long time. Seven years.”
Seven years? “Crap, Emy...Em. Sorry...” He chuckled softly. “Old habits are hard to break. How do you stand it? Don’t you miss the pack? Your family?” This time he turned in his seat so he could see her.
She focused on the street ahead. After a few seconds, she shrugged. “Yeah. I guess, but it’s not worth the hassles when I go home.” She sighed, and softly added, “You just don’t get it, Gabe.”
“You’re right. I don’t. I can’t imagine being away from everyone. Not running with the pack, not spending time in the mountains. I work here most of the time, but Montana will always be home to me.”
She shrugged. More silence. Finally, she started talking again. “I imagine your parents treat you like an adult,” she said, glancing his way before focusing on the road. “I go home, I might as well be four years old. I’m twenty-six, Gabe. I’m a grown woman with a lot of responsibility. I work most of the time in Asia where both I and my work are respected. I’m fluent in Mandarin and Cantonese and can get along in most of the dialects. I also speak Russian and Japanese, and I’m in charge of employee safety in literally hundreds of shops across Asia and Tibet. The last time I was back in Montana, when I was nineteen, every move I made was questioned, every decision ignored or even countermanded without my consent, and I came away feeling worthless. It’s not a healthy environment for me, so I choose to stay away.”
The bitterness poured off her in waves. Stunned by the vehemence in her tone, Gabe reached out, wrapped his fingers around her right arm above her elbow, and gave her a gentle squeeze. “I’m sorry. I had no idea. Aaron has never said anything about problems like that. I never noticed it when you were younger.”
“That’s because they’re totally different with Aaron. They were with me, too. When I was little, they were wonderful parents. All I know is that something happened when I was around fourteen or fifteen, but I don’t know what. They won’t tell me why, but they changed, suddenly became so overprotective that it was suffocating. I couldn’t wait to get away from them.” She glanced quickly in his direction, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears. He didn’t remember her eyes being so green. Just like her mom. Cat’s eyes.
“I’d love to go home, Gabe. I’m tired of traveling all over the world. I miss the forest and the pack. I miss my friends and I miss Aaron. I even miss Mom and Dad, but I can’t have my own life if they’re nearby. Not if they won’t let me be myself. Think for myself.”
Her cheeks were flushed when she looked away and carefully pulled into the underground parking garage. Gabe had a feeling she was embarrassed after being so open about the problems with her folks, but he was glad she’d said something.
It changed his perception of her, showed him that she wasn’t a kid anymore, but a sharp, beautiful woman with a mind of her own. There was nothing childish about the Emeline Cheval sitting beside him. He was finding her a lot more fascinating than he’d expected.
The underground garage was spacious and well-lit beneath the huge building that housed Chanku Global Industries and many of its subsidiary companies, including Cheval International, where Lily had and Alex now worked. The security guard recognized both of them, greeting Em and Gabe by name as he raised the gate and let them enter, but Gabe hardly noticed. The pain in Em’s voice wouldn’t leave him alone, but he had no idea what was wrong. Why Oliver and Mei would be so overprotective with their daughter—a daughter they obviously loved. There was no denying the sound of pride in Oliver’s voice when he’d talked to her earlier this evening. It made no sense.
They left the car and Gabe followed Em out into the night, the two of them walking swiftly toward the area where she’d seen the woman she thought might be Chanku, but he wasn’t thinking about rescuing a stranger in trouble. No, he was thinking about Emeline. Wondering what he could do to help.
Wondering how so much could have changed in just a few years.
Little EmyIzzy was all grown up, but she was hurting. Hurting and alone, cut off from the pack for some unknown reason. He caught up to her and then grabbed her hand, and when she turned startled eyes on his, he shrugged and pulled her closer. “If we look like a couple, it’ll be easier to go undetected. When you’re walking so fast, with an obvious destination in mind, it makes you stand out.”
“Okay, though I can’t see why I’d stand out that much.” She glanced at their linked hands and then focused on the sidewalk ahead.
“You realize, of course, that there’s no way in hell people aren’t going to notice you.’
She stopped dead in her tracks. He had to bite back laughter. “Why? What’s wrong with me?”
“You’re gorgeous, Em. Absolutely beautiful. Men watch you walk by. Women even turn to see. I can’t imagine you going anywhere and not being noticed.”
She frowned and then looked away. Very softly she said, “Why do you do that, Gabe?”
“Do what?” He tugged and they started walking, but her steps were stiff, almost awkward, as if she didn’t want to be close to him. What the hell was bugging her now?
“Make fun of me. You’ve always made fun of me.”
“Telling you you’re beautiful is making fun of you? I don’t get it, Em.” This time he was the one coming to a stop. Even as late as it was, people passed by, going around them the way water broke around stone. “Why would you think I’m making fun of you?”
“Aren’t you?” This time she looked at him. “Aren’t you saying nice things so you can pull the proverbial rug out from under my feet later? That’s what you and Aaron used to do. Act all nice and friendly and then laugh when I believed you.”
“I don’t believe we’re having this conversation.” He shook his head, not in denial but to clear his thoughts. This definitely wasn’t the Emeline he remembered. He tried to think of the last time he saw her, and realized it was a lot longer than he’d thought. Closer to ten years, since he’d gone off to college, and when he was home the last person he’d wanted to hang out with was Aaron’s kid sister.
“Look,” he said, so frustrated he didn’t know quite what to say. “Let’s do what we’re here to do, but when we get back to your place, you and I are going to talk. Okay?”
He realized he was holding her still, his big hands wrapped around her upper arms and her eyes had gone wide. He turned her loose and stepped back. “Goddess, Em. I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to frighten you. Honest. I’m just...” He turned away, stared at the tall buildings across the street and called himself all kinds of fool, but that wasn’t going to solve whatever was going on.
Talking would help. Searching for the reasons behind her strange reaction to everything he said. The way she read things into every word, every action. Things he didn’t mean, hadn’t said. It sounded as if her memories of what he and Aaron considered typical ‘big brother teasing little sister stuff’ had been bullying, in Em’s eyes. If that was the case, he had a lot of apologizing to do. Both he and Aaron did.
“Gabe! I see her.” She grabbed his arm and hauled him down the sidewalk. “There. Do you see the tall blonde? The one with all the long braids?”
“Yeah. I do. Stay behind me. I’m going to act like a customer. See if I can pick her up.”
“Okay. But be careful, Gabe. I don’t want you hurt.”
He gave her a quick grin and walked on ahead, but he almost laughed. She didn’t want him hurt, but he had a feeling she really wanted him gone. Not yet. Not until he figured out what was going on with Ms. EmyIzzy.
But for now, his focus was on the tall blonde. She was absolutely beautiful, and her long, lean frame fit the look of the typical Chanku female, if you could call any body type typical. Many of the women in the pack had the same look of sleek strength, and they carried themselves as if they possessed more than average power.
Which, of course, they did. The woman had turned to watch him. He thought of mindspeaking, but decided against it. Not here where she might startle or otherwise give away the fact she was communicating with him.
He paused a few feet away. She watched him with a practiced look and smiled, as if she liked what she saw. “Hi.”
“Hi to you, too.” He glanced at the light pole she leaned against. “Looks like you’re working hard, holding up that pole.”
“It’s a job.” She slowly looked him up and down, pausing her gaze at the front of his jeans. “I’m quite good at keeping poles vertical.” She glanced up at the pole behind her back before turning her attention to Gabe once again. “I imagine I could do wonders for yours.”
“I don’t doubt that at all, but I’m guessing pole work is expensive.”
She shrugged and named a figure much higher than Gabe expected, but he merely nodded. “Damned expensive. You say you’re good. I guess I’ll have to take you at your word. Will you come with me?”
She laughed. “Depends on how fast you are. I prefer to take my time, but yes. If you’ve got a place nearby, I can go there. How far?”
“Over on Kearny.” He glanced at her boots with their high, spike heels. “You okay walking in those?”
“I am.” He noticed as she glanced over his shoulder at someone behind him. Gabe turned and saw a large man standing in the shadows. “He your guy?”
She nodded. Gabe turned and faced the man. “I’ll have her back in a couple of hours.”
“Damn right you will.”
Smiling, Gabe held out his arm. “Let’s go.”
~~*~~
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this work may not be used without the written permission of the author
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