Page 14

“I’m never going to complain about our loudness again,” Raul mutters, walking at my side.

I scan the darkness taking note of the shrubs, the gaps in the wall, looking for an opening. I spot a break between a thick bit of growth. A metal gate, partially obscured behind shrubs.

“There,” I say pointing and veering off the sidewalk.

“Good catch,” Raul says. He sniffs the air. “Wait. Do you smell that?”

I sniff, wrinkling my nose.

“Dog.”

“Yeah, leave him to me.”

The earth slopes down toward the wall. We push through the bushes and find the gate. It has three bars on either side but before I can test the lock I hear the approach of heavy paws. A black-and-brown blur lunges at the iron gate, jaws snapping inches from Raul’s face. A Rottweiler.

“Easy, doggie…” Raul says stepping forward.

He keeps his voice low as he puts his hands on the gate. His eyes flare red, the wolf slithering just under his skin like heat lightning. He leans in, aggressively. The dog yips and retreats, tail between its legs.

“Rottweilers,” Raul whispers.

“Hey! You!” A suited man shouts, striding towards the gate while shining a bright light on us. He was probably drawn by the stupid dog. “You got a death wish?”

Raul grins and shakes the bars.

“What? What if I do? You gonna set the dog on me?”

“Stupid asshole…”

The man comes too close and I don’t hesitate. I lunge forward, grab the back of his neck, and slam him into the bars. He drops like dead weight. Two key fobs hit the ground with a softchink. I scoop them up, toss them to Raul, and step back. The gate creaks as it opens and we step inside.

The backyard’s a glitter-wrapped circus—music pounding, lights flashing, people half-dressed and fully drunk. A lit-up pool is the centerpiece with dozens of people crowding around it with drinks in hand. The music pounds loudly, competing against the raucous laughter.

I scan the crowd and smell the air until I spot Monica. She’s near another portion of the surrounding wall chatting with two women. At least she looks safe, no sign of her ex. Then I seeher. Stacy.

She’s walking next to some six-foot clown in an expensive white suit. He affecting a Miami Vice vibe, with his five o’clock shadow, pink shirt, and expensive ass loafers. His hand snakes around her waist like she belongs to him.

My wolf snarls. No. She’smine.

The thought roars, as the wolf wakes, fast and angry. I’m moving. There’s no thought behind it. I’m acting before I even know it.

“Ray—!” Raul’s voice cuts through the chaos—then drowns in it as I bolt.

No hesitation. No thought. Just fury.

One guy topples into the pool, flailing his arms. Laughter erupts in my wake. I don’t care. My focus is on Stacy but I see two guards clock me. They are closing in so I speed up, breaking into a run. They’re not going to be fast enough.

Stacy and Miami Vice wannabe haven’t seen me yet despite the commotion in my wake. The music is loud enough to cover my approach. I drop my shoulder and drive into him, full speed. He flies back, gasping—breath gone, balance shattered. He flies back, yelping in surprise as the air is knocked out of his lungs.

Stacy whirls. Her eyes go wide, lips parting in a shocked gasp. Hands fly to her mouth. Frozen. She looks stunning in a low cut dress with a V neck that dives down.

“Ray?” she screeches. “Ray, what in the hell are you doing?”

I open my mouth, but before I speak arms wrap around my waist and lift me off my feet. One of the damn guards has me.

I twist in his arms as he spins with me. The other guard is closing in, one clenched fist swinging at my face. I drive my boot into his chest, knocking him back gasping. Shifting, I drive an elbow into the stomach of the one holding me.

He barks in pain, loosening his grip. When I strike with my other elbow he lets go. I drop as he doubles over. Spinning I land a one-two punch across his jaw.