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“And do you wantVicto die? I—we—need you right now. Please. Wendell… don’t leave us.”

Crank turned back, grinding his teeth, his fists clenching. “I’m sorry. I lost my head.”

“Thank you. I love you.”

Crank calmed at the words, but there was still such anger in him. Saul wondered if it would ever heal.

“We’re going to get you out of here,” he said to Vic.

Vic managed a faint smile. “I knew you’d both come. Leave no man behind, isn’t that what you always say?”

Then he passed out in Saul’s arms.

Saul held him tightly.You’re going to be okay.

He had to be.

DOC WANTEDto find Theron and choke the life out of him.

He stared at the man asleep on the bed. There was no mistaking him. Alec resembled Dellan strongly. What shocked the hell out of him was thathe appeared to be the same age as his grandfather. His face was gaunt, his cheeks sunken. One hand rested on the pillow, and Doc shivered to see it. The long fingers curved into claws instead of digits.

“Oh my God,” Doc murmured. “What have they done to you?”

This is going to kill Jake and Dellan.

“Doc, I’m not sure about this,” the medic at Doc’s side muttered. “Do we dare tranq him for the trip?”

“We have no choice. We don’t know what we’re dealing with.” He prepared the syringe, then swabbed the skin on Alec’s inner arm. Skin that felt and looked paper thin. “Be careful not to touch his hands. Wrap them in towels before we move him.”

“You’ve got this wrong, Doc. This guy is sixty if he’s a day.”

“And yet he was born last year, at a guess.”

The medic gasped. “Those fucking bastards. Let’s hope he’s the only one they’ve done this to.”

Doc would have a better idea of that once Aelryn’s team had finished going through all the records taken at the Maine raid.

How does the saying go? If at first you don’t succeed….

What worried him was how many times the Gerans would try again.

AELRYN WALKEDinto the bedroom on the third floor, a guard stationed at the door.

On the bed sat a tall man with short hair and piercing blue eyes surrounded by circles of dark flesh. His face bore the trace of faded bruises and healing cuts, as did his hands.

He regarded Aelryn with interest. “Who are you?”

“That doesn’t matter. Whatdoesis who sent me to find you.” Aelryn smiled. “I believe you’re acquainted with one of my team leaders—Rudy Myers.”

Valmer’s mouth fell open. “Rudy? He’s alive?”

Aelryn frowned. “You thought he was dead? What gave you that??” He growled. “Theron, of course. Believe me, your mate is alive and well.”

“He told me my parents were dead too.”

That look of hope nearly unraveled Aelryn, and he hastened to put Valmer’s mind at rest. “That was a lie too. Rudy contacted your parents when you first went missing. He had me place them in a safe house, in case the Gerans wantedleverage. I assure you, they’re quite well. Worried about you, but delighted to meet Rudy.” Aelryn paused. “He never gave up hope of finding you. And he did some terrible things to keep you safe, to get you back.”

“I begged him not to tell them anything.”