Jinx's Mate (2 page)

He
climbed into his SUV and started it up. It had only been thirty-seven minutes
since he’d spoken with Ty, meaning whatever happened since their call had to be
serious for him to interrupt.

“Are
you somewhere safe?” Ty asked, answering his phone.

“I’m
sitting in my damn SUV. What the hell is going on?”

“Drive,”
Ty ordered before yelling something to someone in the background. “There’s an
abandoned Mexican restaurant a mile up the road, head there. We’re coming to
you.”

“Ty…”

“We’ve
got to go after Avery now.” Doors slammed and tires squealed.

He
threw the SUV into drive and pulled out. He knew the restaurant Ty mentioned. It
was where they had planned to meet if Avery wouldn’t come out of the resort.

“What
the hell is going on?”

“He’s
torturing someone. We can’t let this go on any longer.”

Growling,
Jinx slammed his foot on the break. He couldn’t just leave when someone was
being hurt. Damn Ty, he’d been right there, he could have stopped it. “I’m
going back.”

“The
hell you are! The rest of your gear is in the back of my SUV. Now meet us
there, we’ll gear up and storm the place. You go off half-cocked and you’ll get
yourself killed.”

Ty’s
warning was logical, and without the rest of the gear he didn’t stand a chance.
Two handguns and a knife wouldn’t get him out of there alive, not with over
fifty members to back Avery. As it was, they’d already be outnumbered even if
Ty and the rest of the Alaskan Tigers that had made the journey to Texas were
there to back him. They were counting on the Texas Tigers being so browbeaten
by Avery they wouldn’t be much contest. Tex also mentioned that no members other
than the guards were trained in battle, and there were only nine guards now
that Tex was on their side.

Avery
and nine guards against Jinx, Ty, Taber, Tad, Milo, and Styx. If anyone could
survive this mission, the six of them could. They were some of the best
warriors of the clan, while the rest stayed at the compound to protect Tabitha,
Bethany, and the others. They had a good chance, but only if Jinx didn’t rush
in like a tiger in a china shop and alert Avery before the rest were ready.

“Jinx?”

“Damn
it. I’ll be there.” He took his foot off the brake and slammed it down on the
gas. “How did you come about this information?”

“When
I called Avery I could hear the woman scream in the background. She’s being
tortured because we haven’t returned Tex.” The anger heated Ty’s voice. “He
sent pictures as evidence, with a promise he’d continue through the women of
his clan until Tex was returned.”

Hearing
it was a woman almost had him turning around. Women were cherished, protected,
they were not used as torture objects to get someone to return to the clan.

“It
was Tex’s decision.”

“That’s
not how Avery sees it. To him his members are just extensions of him, property,
having no life of their own and no choice.” The squeal of tires echoed through
the line again before Ty’s voice came back. “We’re just down the road. Should
be there in five minutes if Styx’s driving doesn’t get us killed first. Where
are you?”

“Pulling
into the parking lot now.” He slammed the SUV into park and got out. “Tell him
to hurry up.”

“Hurry
up? Are you insane? I thought he was going to roll this SUV twice now. If we’re
wrapped around a telephone pole we’ll be no use to her or anyone else under
Avery’s thumb.” Ty ended the call before Jinx could say anything in return.

He
stood in the parking lot rolling his shoulders. The anxiety of an upcoming
fight had him on edge. Tigers lived for the thrill of the hunt and shifters
were no different. Their beasts still wanted the thrill, but this was more than
that. He wanted to tear Avery limb from limb for what he was doing. Before
arriving in Texas he knew Avery had to be taken down, but now it was personal.

“You
don’t mess with women!” He snarled. Laying a hand on a woman went against
everything in him. It was something he couldn’t overlook and wouldn’t stand for
from anyone in his clan.

Two
black SUVs sped into the parking lot, slamming to a stop next to his, and
seconds later everyone poured out. They geared up in silence until Jinx’s gaze
caught Tex slipping on a bullet proof vest.

“What
the hell is he doing here? I thought he was going to stay back at the hotel
with Robin.”

“He
asked to come. It’s his right to see Avery taken down after everything he’s
been through. Adam’s with Robin, she’s safe, that’s what matters.” Ty handed
him an assault rifle.

“Do
you think he’s ready for it?” It was true Tex had come a long way in his combat
skills. Even his personality had begun to return. No longer did he fear his own
shadow. But going up against Avery might send him on a rollercoaster ride back
to where he’d been.

“Adam
believes he’s ready physically.” Ty glanced to Tex. “Emotionally…we’ll see.
Robin thinks he can handle it. Actually, she seems to think it would do him
good. There’s a chance he’ll get himself killed but it’s his right.”

“There’s
a chance he’ll get us all killed,” Jinx reminded him.

“I
don’t think so, or I wouldn’t have brought him. He’s going to be fine.” Ty tied
his shoulder length hair back in a leather strap. “Let’s go!”

He
slipped the rifle over his chest and climbed into the SUV with Ty, Styx taking
the wheel again.

“Get
us there in one piece,” Ty ordered Styx as they pulled out of the lot, heading
back to the resort.

Styx
sat quietly behind the wheel, the anger pouring off him. Styx was a damn good
warrior. He had been an assassin at one time, and some said he killed without
feeling. Those who knew him knew it wasn’t true. Every kill affected the
warrior but he did it to keep his kind safe.

Somehow
Ty had managed to surround himself with amazing warriors, those that could be
running their own clan but had chosen to serve under him. That in itself was
truly remarkable. Just a few months ago, Adam had been offered the position of
Alpha over the Ohio clan. Instead of taking it and leaving his position of
second to the Captain of Tabitha’s guards, he remained in Alaska. The Elder
guards were truly an amazing bunch. They’d take on the world if they believed
in the cause, even if it meant their deaths.

“Shadow
believes this is the direct route from outside to where Avery should be. It’s
where we’re going in.” Ty pointed to the yellow highlighted route. “Once inside,
Tex should be able to get us where we need to be. He’s familiar with the
inside, just not outside. Avery rarely allowed him above ground.”

“Did
it sound like there were others gathered…watching?” Tex asked from the front
seat. “He used to like to make us watch when he…”

“All
I could hear were her cries, but let’s be ready for others to be there. Did he
have the whole clan there or just selected ones?” Ty folded the map and set it
aside.

“Never
everyone, but normally at least a few.” Tex rambled on as the resort came into
view. “He’ll be occupied with what he’s doing. He won’t even know we arrived as
long as we don’t alert any of the guards.”

“It’s
possible they are expecting us. He can’t think that another Alpha would allow
the threats to continue without some consequences.” Ty looked to Jinx as the
SUV came to a halt.

“Doesn’t
matter now, this is coming to an end.” Jinx climbed out, positioning his
assault rifle. Without waiting for anyone, he jogged to the door and swung it
open. While his eyes tried to adjust to the darkness he did his best not to
gag. The scent of blood assaulted him.

“You
should wait for everyone.” Styx came up behind him, his weapon at the ready.

“I
won’t wait any longer while a woman is being tortured. Now if you’re ready,
let’s go.” He didn’t wait for Styx or anyone else to agree, he just jogged down
the hall.

“Turn
left,” Tex whispered from somewhere within the group. “About halfway down the
next tunnel, you’ll come to another one on the right. That’s where Avery will
be, it’s the best room to amplify the screams.”

The
fact that Tex knew this was yet another reminder he had suffered years under
Avery. The scars laid witness to the abuse.

Jinx
followed the directions, each passageway clear until the last one. A solitary
guard stood outside the entryway.

“Take
your hand away from your weapon.” Jinx raised his gun, letting the man know he
was serious.

“Who
are you?”

“Don’t
shoot, it’s Ben.” Tex stepped closer, moving in between Styx and Jinx. “Ben,
don’t do anything stupid. Just step aside.”

“He’ll
kill me.” Ben’s hand twitched toward his gun.

“He
won’t because we’re here to stop him. Either step aside or fight with us. I
don’t care which but I will no longer stand aside knowing he’s hurting people.”
Tex tried to convince his friend while the others waited.

“How
many are in there?” Ty asked.

“Six.”

“That’s
better odds than I thought it would be.” Tex nodded. “Now move aside.”

“I
can’t.” The young guard shook his head. “He has Summer.”

“Then
help us and we can try to save her.” Jinx moved his gun to the side. He didn’t
have time to play games with Ben.

“You
don’t understand, if I allow you in once he’s done with the woman he’s working
on, he’ll go after Summer.”

Ben
tried to explain, which only upset Jinx more. He didn’t like Ben’s word choice,
as if Avery was just working on a car, or working the kinks out of her back,
when in fact he was torturing a woman.

“Get
the hell out of the way or I’ll shoot you. I won’t stand here while he hurts
anyone.” Jinx was itching to squeeze the trigger.

“Summer
is his sister,” Tex explained. “We’ll save her if you get out of the way. Come
with us and get her out of there yourself.”

Ben
stood there undecided until Styx reached forward, snatched the boy’s gun away
from him, and pushed him aside. “We don’t have time for your games.”

“Cover
me.” Jinx pulled the door open, and a flood of screams poured out. A woman lay
stretched out on the table, blood everywhere. “Step away from the woman!”

“What
the fuck!” Avery glanced to the door, an instrument resembling a scalpel in his
hand. “How did you get in here?”

“Through
the door.” Tex stepped out from behind Jinx, letting Avery see just who had led
them there. “Years ago, before you beat the will out of me, I told you that
someday someone would stop you. Well, that day has come and I’m one of the
people who plan to stop you.”

Avery
laughed. “Boy, you don’t stand a chance.”

Tex
nodded. “Not alone, but as a whole we do.”

“Where
did you find them? A bunch of solitary shifters? No Alpha would dare take me
on.” Avery was cocky and full of himself.

“I
don’t believe we’ve had the pleasure of meeting. I’m Jinx, the West Virginia
Alpha, and this is Ty, Alpha of the Alaskan Tigers.” He tipped his head to Ty,
standing next to him. “One Alpha might not, but Ty and I are nothing like the others.
We’ll fight for what’s right, no matter the cost. Now I told you once to step
away from the woman.”

“What
do you think this will accomplish?” Avery lowered the scalpel before shoving it
into the woman’s chest.

Jinx
squeezed the trigger, shooting Avery. It was the first of many shots that rang
out.

Jinx
step forward, his gun still trained on Avery, while his gaze traveled between
the woman and Avery. He wanted Avery to suffer for the damage he’d done to the
victim, the deep cuts that covered her body, the burn marks that looked like he’d
placed an open flame on her skin.

For
each mark he wanted Avery to feel it. To know what it was like to be tortured,
the fear coursing through him while he begged. It didn’t matter to Jinx if
Avery begged for death or for his life, in the end death would be the only
thing he got.

“Finish
it,” Ty ordered while he subdued one of the guards. There were no options for
Avery, no chance to surrender. He couldn’t continue to live because he’d never
quit. There were no prisons for shifters.

“You’d
kill an unarmed man?” Avery’s voice lost the authority it held only moments
ago. Now he seemed weak and pitiful, his eyes full of terror.

“She’s
dead! You’ve killed my sister.” Another woman sobbed over the body on the
table. Her blonde hair slipped into the pool of blood as she cradled the woman
to her, tears running down her face.

“You
brought this upon yourself.” Jinx aimed the gun at Avery’s head and squeezed
the trigger. There was no guilt, not after knowing Avery’s final act had taken
another’s life, that they hadn’t arrived in time to save her.

A
man came bursting through the door, straight for Jinx. Noticing he held a gun,
Jinx launched himself forward, taking the stranger down before he could reach
the women. They wrestled across the room, Jinx’s grip tight on the man’s jacket
so he had no chance to get away.

He
slammed him into the back wall, bouncing the man’s head off the concrete. “What
do you want?” Jinx snarled.

“Your
life, to revenge my Alpha.” The man growled, trying to get a good shot. “I’ve
already killed one of you and I’ll do it again.”

“Stand
down or I’ll kill you,” Jinx warned. He slammed the man against the wall again,
hoping to make his point clear.

“Screw
you. I’ll revenge my Alpha if it’s the last thing I do.” He squeezed the
trigger but missed his target. The sound was deafening as it amplified through
the enclosed space.

Jinx
grabbed the gun, and threw it across the room toward an empty corner. “You had
a choice.” With his weight pressed on the man, he aimed his gun at his heart,
and pulled the trigger.

It
was over as quickly as it began but there was no satisfaction. Jinx slipped off
the body and leaned against the wall.
Everything
was under control. Tex held back a few of the witnesses, while Styx and Ty
dealt with two of the remaining guards who didn’t want to surrender. Taber had his
hands full another woman, and Tad and Milo were nowhere in sight. Someone had
to find them, but first the woman needed him.

“Miss.”
Jinx slung the rifle over his shoulder, keeping it close if he needed it, and
neared the trembling female.

“He
killed her.” She sobbed, rocking back and forth.

Her
pain hung thick in the air, making it hard for him to breathe. “I’m sorry.” He
laid a hand over her arm and instantly the electricity coursed through them. “Shit.”
Stumbling back he broke the connection, his stomach turning as he saw the
grieving woman in a different light.
His mate.

The
long blonde hair, parts of it red from blood, made him want to run his fingers
through it, tangling them in the long strands. Her curvy body made his hands
itch to explore. But most of all it was her plump red lips that drew him in,
making him want to dip his head and kiss her.

She
glared at him, setting her blazing green eyes on him. “This isn’t the time. Go
away.”

“Whoa,
lass.” He held his hands out in front of her. It was obvious that it wasn’t a suitable
time to find his mate, but fate never took convenience into consideration. “I’m
just trying to help. There’s nothing you can do for her now. Come with me, I
promise we’ll see to her properly.”

“He’s
right, Summer.” Ben came toward them, glaring at him. “I’m her brother and I’d
like to take her away from this.”

“I’m
sorry for your loss.”

Ben
shook his head. “Not mine, only Summer’s. Long story.”

Ty
cleared his throat, gathering everyone’s attention. “No one is going anywhere
at the moment. In a few minutes we are gathering everyone in the…”

“Manetka’s
conference room one,” Tex interjected. “It will be large enough to host
everyone.”

“There’re
some announcements that need to be dealt with before anything gets out of hand.
Any members of the Texas Tigers in this room must accompany us there,” Ty
interjected. “Tex will be leading the way. Please follow him.” He turned and
nodded to Tex, giving him the go-ahead to gather everyone up.

“I
can’t leave her.” Summer sobbed.

“Ben,
if you’ll help Tex get everyone to the conference room I’ll see to Summer and…”

“Autumn,”
Ben interrupted, nodding toward the dead woman on the table.

Summer
and Autumn; it was too bizarre even for Jinx. He made mental note to find out
more about Summer’s family, and what possessed her mother to give her daughters
such unusual names. Their mother had to be some kind of flower child.

“I’ll
make sure Autumn receives the proper treatment, and I’ll look after Summer,”
Jinx promised.

Ben
leaned in close to her, his hand on her shoulder. “They’re going to need my
help with the clan members. Are you going to be okay?”

“Go.”
Her voice was thick with sorrow. “I’m fine.”

Somewhat
alone with the woman he was supposed to mate with, he let his mind wander. He
had always been open to mating, but never expected to find it in a situation
like this. If anything, he’d expected to find her once things were calmer. Not
in what could be the middle of a shifter war.

Their
kind, especially those tightly bound to the Alaskan Tigers, had an uphill
battle ahead of them. Tabitha was about to announce herself as Queen of the
Tigers, making this more dangerous for them all until they had the rebels under
control, not to mention the rogues lurking somewhere out there, waiting for the
perfect time to attack.

“Why
now?”

“Excuse
me?” Jinx wasn’t sure he’d heard her correctly.

“Why
do you come into my life now? At the worst time of my life I find you. It seems
wrong.” She glanced up at him, her big green eyes still full of tears. “Mating
is supposed to be a happy time, but it’s an unsuitable time with the death of
my sister.”

“Maybe
fate threw us together now because you need it.” The words sounded too full of
emotion for him. He was a man ruled by his head, not his heart. Decisions were
made after careful consideration, not by flipping a coin.

“What
happens to me now? To the clan? Will you kill us all?”

He
reached forward, taking her by the shoulders. Her eyes went wide with fear, and
her body trembled under his touch. “I won’t hurt you.”

She
eyed him with suspicion. “What about the others?”

“Let
me put it another way,
no one
is here to hurt you. As for what happens to
the clan, a new Alpha will have to step up and try to gather the pieces. My
clan, as well as Ty’s, will be here to help in any way we can.” He nodded to Ty,
who stood near the door with Styx and Tex.

“We
could use you upstairs,” Ty called to him.

He
nodded, knowing he had to be there in case there was more of an outburst. “Will
you come with me? Once it’s over, we can see that your sister has a proper
burial.”

She
brushed a strand of Autumn’s hair from her face before turning back to him.
“Will this pain ever end?”

“No.”
He took her hand in his. “With time it will lessen, but it will never
completely leave you. In time you’ll stop thinking about her every second of
the day and then something will spark a memory and you’ll be right back to this
moment. The loss fresh within you, tearing at your soul and breaking your
heart.”

“Wow,
I can see you’re a cheerful one. No sugar coating, just
wham bam
. I like
that.”

“That’s
good, because I’m not sure I know how to sugar coat anything. I’ve never had a
problem telling people how it is, even if they don’t want to hear it. I am truly
sorry for your loss.” He took her other hand, letting the energy flow through
them, warming them both from the inside out.

“Thank
you. Autumn was my best friend, my sister. I don’t know how to go on without
her.”

“I
know it sounds cheesy, but take it one day at a time. I can’t replace her, no
one can, but each day I’ll be there to help you through it.” Behind him, Ty
cleared his throat. “Will you accompany me to the conference room?”

She
looked down at her bloodstained clothes and nodded. “Yes. My clan members are
there and they look to Ben for support. I might be able to help keep them calm.
Unless you start shooting into the audience.”

“I
promise nothing like that is going to happen.” Enjoying her touch, he kept his
hand in hers and led the way to the door. “We came here to free you from what
he was doing, not to kill any of you.”

“I
hope that’s true.” She stopped as they neared Ty.

“Come
on, lass, he’s not going to hurt you.” Jinx tugged her hand, forcing her to
come with him past Ty. “I understand you’re distrustful, but we’re not here to
harm any of you.”

After
Ty fell in step behind them, Jinx turned enough to look back. “Did anyone go in
search of Tad and Milo? The man that came through the other door said he killed
someone.”

“Milo
and Tad are fine. They were dealing with another group of guards outside the
other door, which is how that one got through. He killed someone all right, but
it wasn’t one of our men. He killed one of his own clan members.” Ty shook his
head, clearly unable to believe he had mistaken one of his own clan for an
enemy.

What
kind of training did Avery give his guards? They reacted without knowing who
they were shooting at. That would get more people killed than would keep them
safe. Whoever took over as Alpha had some serious issues to deal with. The
first being security. There were always shifters passing through the resort,
and the threat level could be higher than that of a clan with a compound.