Fighting For Their Mate (18 page)

Ford returned and sat next to her on the bed. “Oh, baby, I’m sorry. I got carried away.”

She was a bit pissed. “Do you always bite your dates?”

He pressed his lips together. “You’re not my date. You’re my mate. It’s what we do. It’s inbred in us to want to mark you as ours.”

He really believed in this mating thing. Right now, she decided not to mention that Tyson hadn’t bitten her. “Just how did you know I was the one?”

“My body told me. As soon as I was around you, I became a bit disoriented.”

That didn’t sound good. “Like you were sick or something?” How romantic. Not.

“Overwhelmed is a better word. My body usually shifts only when I’m in fight mode, but as soon as I was near you, I lost control. Only by thinking bad thoughts, did I calm down.”

“Was it the same for Tyson?” She waved a hand. “Never mind. I saw what happened to him.”

“Yeah. He had it bad. We’ve been told by those in the know that it’ll get better the longer we’re around you.”

Better? Did that mean he wouldn’t be driven to possess her? She liked that he desperately wanted her. Only now she wasn’t sure how she felt about Tyson. Damn, but she was a mess.

Ford cleared his throat. “How about putting on a blouse and your glasses, so I can take your passport picture?”

Picture? “I look a mess.” She had on no makeup.

“Not to me you don’t.”

Ford crawled back on the bed, looking like he wanted to eat her. She should be scared, but all she wanted to do was make love to him all over again. What was wrong with her?

T
he next two days were hectic. Both men were supposed to be at work, but because they didn’t want to leave Bailey alone, one would spend a few hours watching her while the other went to work doing double duty. They never stayed longer than three hours at a time because they didn’t want Statler to learn about their odd comings and goings.

Neither man slept much, and it seemed to be taking a toll on them. Lack of sleep caused not only some grouchy behavior but she feared it could cause carelessness, too. Because Bailey worried about Brad and Tom, or rather Tony and Dram showing up, she hadn’t slept much either.

On the third morning, she was asleep in bed when there was a knock on the motel door. At first, she thought she was dreaming until she heard loud male voices. Blood pounding in her ears, she sat straight up, her nerves a jangled mess. She looked around. Oh, shit. Tyson was gone. Why would he leave her alone? When had he left?

Was it Brad and Tom outside? Sweat popped out on her forehead as her chest constricted.

She grabbed the sheet and clutched it tight. She needed to hide, but where? Only then did the running water register and she sagged against the wall. Tyson was in the shower, thank God. Bailey debated yelling for him, but it would be bad if those people outside heard her. Maybe they’d go away if she didn’t answer. The drapes were closed, so they couldn’t peek in, but this was a cheap motel. How hard would it be to break down the door or smash the window?

Another knock sounded, and every part of her freaked. She jumped out of bed, raced to the bathroom, and threw open the curtain. “Someone’s here!”

“Hey, baby.” He opened his arms for an embrace, but she didn’t need a hug—she needed him to do something. “It’s only my cousins. They texted me while you were asleep.”

“Are you sure? It could be Tom and Brad.”

“I’m sure.” He tapped his temple. “I can sense these things. Go grab some clothes and get dressed while I ask them in.” He rinsed, turned off the shower, and wrapped a towel around his waist.

She glanced down at her pointed nipples through her thin shirt. She definitely needed to change. If the enemy was at the door, Tyson could protect her—even wrapped in a towel.

She ran to her duffle that she kept next to the bed and brought it into the steamy bathroom. Tyson suggested she have her stuff readily accessible in case they had to leave at a moment’s notice. She thought that was a good idea. With the bathroom door closed, though, she couldn’t hear what they were saying. It wasn’t until Tyson laughed, that she relaxed.

Ford had told her that Spence and Cam Summerville had offered to fly up to Canada from North Carolina to babysit her so that he and Tyson could go to work. Ford said they needed to maintain their cover if they had any hope of saving Tatum. Not only would the cousins be responsible for much of Bailey’s safety, they might be called upon to help rescue her sister. That kind of family was hard to come by.

Bailey finished dressing and stepped out of the bathroom to greet her new bodyguards.

Tyson motioned she join him. “Hey, there she is.”

Whoa
. Bailey couldn’t even take a step. She’d never seen so many large men in the same room before. Like Tyson and Ford, they were huge, broad chested, and looked powerful. They also had the same short dark hair and brownish-yellow eyes. Being fortunate to have the Summerville straight nose and strong chin, the two cousins were almost as handsome as her men.

“Come on. They don’t bite,” Tyson said.

Her hand absently went to her neck, as she remembered Ford’s claiming act. Bailey finally moved and held out her hand. “Hi.”

Tyson introduced them, and then put on his clothes. He didn’t seem at all embarrassed about being naked in front of them. They must be close.

“So how was the trip?” Tyson asked to no one in particular.

“It was a long ass trip up to nowhere,” Cam said as he dropped onto the rumpled sheets and placed his hands behind his head.
Get comfy, why don’t you.
He didn’t seem anything like Ford or Tyson, especially with his easy smile.

“Before I forget.” Cam dug his hand in his pocket and tossed some documents next to him. “Two passports. For you and your sister. Keep them safe.”

Bailey opened the first one. It was Tatum’s. As she ran her fingers across the photo, her chin trembled. “I remember when this was taken. My sister looks so young and carefree in this picture.” Bailey prayed she’d see that look again soon.

She checked to make sure her photo was the new one. It was. She then set both on the night table next to the bed.

After picking up her new glasses from the table, she modeled them, hoping Cam and Spence thought she looked different. “Ford got me these to help with the disguise.”

Tyson whistled. She must not have shown them to him. “Nice, hon. You look studious.”

Spence nodded. “Good addition. What about a cute hat? That would go a long way to changing your appearance.”

She appreciated they were helping her stay out of harm’s way. “That would be cool. Ford suggested I get some dark makeup. I also thought I’d see about a fake tattoo or two.” She glanced at Tyson, and he smiled.

“Sounds like a plan,” Cam said. “Whatever you want, we’ll do.”

Why couldn’t these cheerful men have saved her? Actually, she was happy with who’d rescued her. She couldn’t have asked for two better protectors than Ford and Tyson. The mate stuff she wasn’t sure about, but they were unbelievable in bed. That turned out to be an added bonus.

Spence’s cell phone rang. He lifted it from his pocket and checked the caller ID. He turned to Tyson. “It’s General Armand. I left a message for him to call me if he wants to be in contact with you or your brother.” He answered. “Yes, sir. Yes.” He walked across the room and faced the wall, almost as if he didn’t need any distractions. “We’ll check it out. Thank you, sir.”

Spence disconnected and faced them. “Interesting. Apparently, those photos Bailey sent to The Pack produced some results. A woman by the name of Mackenzie Wagner has been working non-stop investigating every face she could identify. From what the General said, she found some good stuff. Give me a sec to check my mail for the file he just sent.” He moved back across the room, pulled out one of the chairs, and sat at the table.

Cam jumped up from the bed. “Bailey, you should be sitting here. Sorry.”

He probably had been up for a full day, but she didn’t want to embarrass him by arguing.

Eyes on the email, Spence whistled. “Listen to this. Apparently, there’s a nurse at the lab by the name of Clare Steegal.”

Clare? “She tended to me.” Though tended might not be the right word. She poked, prodded, and tied her down.

“I’ve spoken with her,” Tyson said. “She always seemed troubled. Reserved. Scared, even. That’s why I was glad that Bailey got a picture of her. I’m hoping she can help us.”

Spence shrugged. “She might. Her history is a bit suspect. She was living in Greenville, South Carolina, when she suddenly quit her job, stating family matters as the reason for her quick departure. The notes are a little sketchy, but apparently, her family’s detached garage in Falling Pines was burned to the ground a few days before Clare’s resignation and subsequent arrival home. While no one was arrested, one of our local men up here heard rumors that the destruction was a warning to the Steegal family by none other than Paul Statler. A few days later, Clare started working in the lab.” Spence looked up.

Tyson dropped down onto the other chair. “Interesting. That sounds like something Statler would do. He has no boundaries when it comes to making people do what he wants.”

“That’s terrible,” Bailey said. Clare’s actions made sense now. “Why do you think she’ll help us get Tatum out? That would put her family in even greater danger, as well as her own life.”

Tyson glanced to Spence and then to Cam. “If we offer her family protection, she might be willing to help us. She seems driven to protect them.”

Bailey sat up straighter. “I bet I could get my father to give her money. I might be able to convince her to help.”

“No, honey,” Tyson said. “For starters, you’re not showing your face anywhere. What if she tells Statler you’re alive? And secondly, involving your dad would result in a lot of deaths. People aren’t ready for who we are.”

He was right. Bailey would never be able to live with herself if an entire SWAT team was wiped out. “Okay, I won’t involve Dad, but I still think if she understood what’s at stake, she might help.”

“It’s possible,” Spence offered.

Bailey needed to help or she’d go stir crazy. For the last few days, she’d been stuck in this stupid ass room, and she was tired of hiding. “How about if your Pack guys offer to protect her family somehow?” They all claimed there were other members up here. Couldn’t they be called upon? “When Clare put me in the wheelchair to take me to the garage, she whispered, ‘good luck.’ I thought she sounded wistful, like she wished she were getting out. At the time I thought it was my imagination.”

Tyson tapped the table. “That actually might work. Spence, how about texting the General and ask him for the names of his contacts up here. If we work on Bailey’s disguise, perhaps the three of you can give these men the lowdown and then approach Clare.”

She jumped off the bed, rushed over to Tyson, and gave him a hug. “I promise no one will know it’s me. Thank you. Thank you.”

“I’m counting on Spence and Cam to keep you safe. With Clare’s help, I hope we can pull this off.”

*     *     *

“What’s your plan?” Ford said as he and Ty stepped into their underground bunker for the night.

Their sleeping quarters might be the only secure spot in the whole place, which was why they’d waited until their shift finished to have this discussion. They checked for bugs and cameras each night but never found anything.

Ty unhooked his gun and set it on the dresser. “First we need to get our security to Falling Pines to watch Clare’s family. Then we need to convince her to help us. If she agrees, though, I’m not sure the best way to handle things after that.”

“I have an idea.” Ford dropped onto his bed.

“Oh, yeah? Hit me.”

“The lab has three exits that we know of. The west side entrance that we use, the east side where the nurses and staff enter and exit, and the basement exit that leads out through the furniture store.”

“I hadn’t considered the furniture store exit, but it has potential. Not as many cameras.”

“We’d have to figure out a way to disable them if we go that route.”

“Let’s think how we can get Tatum out first then we’ll worry about security.” They sat in silence for a minute. “First order of business is to get Tatum out of her room.”

“I figure that’s where Clare comes in.”

“She’s not Tatum’s nurse.”

Ford smiled. “I’ll check out who’s in charge of Bailey’s sister and distract her.” He could turn on the charm when he wanted.

“We’ll have to give Clare immunity, you know. Once Statler realizes that another one of his captives has escaped, he’ll come hunting her. We can’t disable all of the cameras, and even if we could, someone might see Clare pushing Tatum’s bed and rat her out.”

Ford sat up. “There might be a way.”

Ford usually worked best under pressure. “What? Kill George, Dan, and Phil and then shut the power to all the cameras?” Didn’t seem smart to him.

“It’s a thought.”

Now it was his brother who wasn’t thinking. “We’d never get out of the lab alive. I won’t do that to Bailey.”

“Me, neither.”

“So what’s your suggestion? And make it good. Time’s running out.” Ty ran a hand over his head. He needed a haircut.