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The man was seconds behind me, breathing heavily as we stared at one another. “Where did you think you were going to go?” He shouted, waving his gun at me. “There’s no one here to save you.”

I kept my eyes on him, not allowing my gaze to flicker to the monster sized shadow creeping up behind him as he laughed at me.

“Stupid girl. You just pissed me off.”

“You’re Bruce?” I called out, frantically hoping that I remembered the name correctly. I suspected from his earlier comments that he had been hired by my mom.

He looked startled but nodded. “I am. You’re a popular girl.”

“Yeah, I know,” I whispered, the words lost as Dom lunged with a ferocious snarl. He went for the arm holding the gun, and with a sickening crack snapped it from his body. The man wailed as blood spurted from the stump where his arm had been and Dom went for the kill. “Wait!” I called out. “I don’t know who hired him.” Dom nipped at the fool’s head a little but didn’t rip it off and I took that to mean I could question him.

I came closer and looked down at the man. “You know, that’s the third time someone’s tried to kidnap me,” I told him conversationally. “It’s got to be a record.” I reached down for the gun still clutched in the hand of his severed arm and pulled it free.

Bruce’s eyes were bugging out of his head and I realized he couldn’t speak with Dom’s jaws locked on him. “Can you let him go so he can answer?” I asked Dom politely and he released the man, giving him a threatening growl.

Bruce’s screams stopped as he tried to staunch the blood. “Now, who hired you?” I asked, staring at him, the gun casually pointed at his stomach.

“You’re going to kill me either way,” he muttered, panting from the pain, his gaze wild as he shrank back from Dom. “I’m not answering you. Go ahead and kill me.”

I tilted my head as Dom growled in agreement and Bruce whimpered as he comprehended that Dom understood him.

“I want answers,” I told Dom before turning my attention back to ol’ Bruce. I repositioned the gun, my aim a little lower. “You’re going to die,” I agreed. “It’s up to you if you do it with your dick still attached.” His gaze followed the aim of his gun. “It’d be a damn shame to have your dick blown off by your own gun and by a girl to boot.”

I smiled, cocking the gun. “Now, who hired you?”

“Hanley,” he stammered, his fear of Dom suddenly surpassed as he answered me. “Some crazy old guy named Hanley. Lives in a fucking compound in the woods.”

I narrowed my eyes, “And my mother? Were you hired to kidnap her as well?” It was a farfetched idea, but I had to be sure. He shook his head frantically.

“No, no. Just you. I haven’t seen or spoken to your mother since I handed you over.” Desperation came off him in waves and I wrinkled my nose as the acrid scent of urine filled the air. “Please, please believe me. Let me go. I swear I’ll never bother you ever again.”

“No, I’m sure you won’t,” I agreed. “But you ran us off the road. I’m not sure if my friend is alive and Dom here,” I jerked my thumb at him. “He’s not a forgiving guy.”

Bruce’s scream cut off into a gurgle as Dom snapped his neck, his claws shredding his chest. He backed away from the mangled body and I gave a little shiver at the gruesome sight. Blood covered Dom’s muzzle, blending into the black fur, as his yellow eyes glowed fiercely. I stroked my hand over his back, avoiding the matted fur around his mouth.

Liam and Leah, I sent across the bond. I don’t know if they’re okay.

Liam is alive, Dom reassured me. Come on, your Dad and Monster should be there.

We hurried back through the forest, Dom leading the way, and it wasn’t long before flashing lights told me where to go. I broke out of the trees, running and sliding to the road where Dad met me, his hand cupping my cheek as he scanned me. “Bunny. are you okay?”

I nodded, not noticing the scratches covering my face and arms or the deep bruises forming where the seatbelt had saved me. Monster hugged me from behind, his arms wrapped around my waist and I squeezed his shoulder. “Leah?” I asked, realizing it was an ambulance casting the blue and red lights.

“Unconscious but alive. We don’t know the extent of her injuries,” Dad informed me, holding me up when my knees gave out. “Her side of the car took the brunt of the damage.” The ambulance drove off with a sharp wail of the siren and I saw Liam standing off to the side.