Page 3 of Coyote Underground (Monsters of New York #9)

Frustration

A na Sofia

Who can I turn to? If I’m honest with myself, I want to call Diego.

Pack Reyes is the best at what they do, and I know they could help me find my sister.

But would they? Lorenzo, sure, but would Diego let him?

I don’t know. Why do I keep going back to them as my only option?

Just because I want to both throttle them and ride their cocks does not mean I can ask for their help.

It’s too risky, for my wallet and my heart.

Since I can’t turn to them, I’ll have to find another way. There has to be another pack that’s good at tracking. Unfortunately, I know what this means. I’m going to have to go to The Gin Room.

There’s nothing wrong with The Gin Room, I just haven’t been back there since my last relationship ended.

I was dating one of the bartenders, he got a little possessive, and a lot handsy.

I ended things by getting him fired and banned from the club because he nearly broke my arm.

Given how many of his friends saw what happened and didn’t intervene, I haven’t bothered to return.

Now, though, it seems I don’t really have a choice. I need someone to help me save my sister, and I don’t have anywhere else to turn. If there’s another pack as good at tracking as Pack Reyes, I’ll find them at The Gin Room.

I force myself to take a shower and get ready as if I were going on a date. I can’t stroll in there looking homeless and distraught. For one thing, their clientele wouldn’t be pleased. For another, no one would even speak to me if I tried. I’d never get past the bouncer.

With my hair clean and styled, I apply a little makeup—just enough to cover up the fact that I’ve spent nearly fifteen hours crying—and get dressed.

I opt for black jeans and a dark green tank top with a denim jacket over it.

Slipping into my combat boots, I decide I don’t look too bad.

I wish this trip was in search of a man instead of hunting for help rescuing my sister.

When I get on the subway, I practically collapse in the seat, having made it on just as the doors are closing. The short ride is uneventful, mostly because I refuse to look at anyone, instead keeping my gaze trained on the door I dart out of the moment it opens at the correct stop.

I pause just outside the door to The Gin Room, running a hand through my hair.

I’m more nervous than I expected to be at being here again.

If only things hadn’t gotten so out of control with my ex .

.. no, I can’t go there again. I can’t put myself through the what ifs and if onlys.

Cliff wasn’t the one, and I need to accept that.

I have to move on, and right now that means finding Val.

She could be in danger or worse. I have to find her.

“What’s a pretty girl like you doing in a place like this?” The voice makes me cringe, because I know exactly who it belongs to.

“Please, Cliff, just leave me alone. I don’t want any trouble,” I say, trying to push past my ex, and wondering what he’s doing here. When he got fired, he was also banned for life. He shouldn’t be here.

“Not so fast, Omega bitch,” a gruff, husky voice says in my ear. Strong arms wrap around me, lifting me off the ground.

“Put me down!” I yell, hoping someone hears and steps in. I’m not helpless, but I don’t think I can fight off Cliff and this huge Alpha.

“Is that any way to talk to your new Alpha?” Cliff slaps my cheek with his words, and I flinch from the contact. I remember exactly why things went wrong with this one.

“Neither of you is my Alpha. Let me go!” I scream, begging the universe to step in and make this stop. I’m being carried away from The Gin Room, toward an alley. I need to get away from these guys before it’s too late.

It’s not surprising that none of the patrons in the line outside the bar offer to help me.

Most of them are either too rich or too shady to care that I’m being kidnapped.

I’m being kidnapped, just like Valerie was.

The thought crosses my mind that these guys may be the ones who took my sister.

I look down at the hands attached to the strong arms that hold me. No tattoos.

I twist and turn until I can see Cliff’s hands clearly.

No tattoos. Fuck. So much for hoping there was only one set of kidnappers in the city.

They drag me into the alley, where it’s dark and smells of garbage.

I don’t stop yelling for them to let me go, put me down, and to stop.

It does no good, because they ignore me.

“What the fuck?” the man holding me says, locking his eyes on something ahead of us. I follow his gaze, and my jaw drops. Lorenzo.

“The lady said she doesn’t want to go with you guys,” he says quietly.

Another figure steps out of the dark, saying, “I suggest you let her go, unless you want to deal with us.” Diego.

This is like something from my wet dreams. I’m shocked that these guys have come to my rescue. My shock grows when the man holding me drops me and runs off. I fall to my knees. Isaac rushes over and helps me up. “Are you okay?”

I nod, my body shivering. “I think so. Thanks.”

“You shouldn’t be out this late by yourself,” Diego chastises me.

“I’m a grown woman, and last I checked, I’m free to do as I please,” I argue back.

“Not when it puts you in danger,” Lorenzo counters. Fuck, the thought that these men actually care about my safety tugs at my Omega nature.

“I’m fine, thanks for your concern. Now if you don’t mind, I have somewhere to be,” I insist, turning to walk away. With my first step, my ankle buckles, and I almost hit the ground.

Lorenzo catches me, pulling me into his arms. “I’ll take you to get that checked out. Unless you want me to leave you here?” He exchanges a look with Diego, who nods almost imperceptibly. I shrug, wincing when he sets me back on my feet. He’s right, I should get my ankle checked out.

“Fine,” I say. A squeal escapes me when Lorenzo scoops me up and carries me to their car. I turn my head back to the alley, expecting Isaac and Diego to follow us. When they don’t, I make a face.

After dropping me into the passenger seat, Lorenzo seems to notice my expression. “We have business to attend to inside. Diego and Zac will take care of it while I take care of you.”

“I don’t want to put you out. I can take a cab to the ER. It’s fine,” I insist. He shakes his head, closes the door and walks around the car. Before I can get out, he’s inside with me.

“You don’t have to be so independent. I understand you’re used to doing everything on your own. I get it, really, I do. Just let me help you.” His quiet insistence nearly undoes me. My heart races, and I’m almost sure it has nothing to do with how fast he’s driving.

When we park at the Emergency Room, Lorenzo insists on carrying me inside and waiting until they take me back to a room before he’ll leave. And then, the only reason he goes is because I insist.

“Please, I don’t want to ruin any more of your night. I promise I’ll call if I need a ride home.” I hope he doesn’t realize I’m lying. I can’t imagine calling him to come get me, especially after everything that’s happened tonight.

“I don’t believe you, but I do have things to handle.

” He grabs my cell from my hand and types something before handing it back to me.

“I started a group text with the guys, so you have all of our numbers. I also saved the numbers for you and sent a text so we have yours. I mean it when I say call or text if you need anything.”

Once he’s gone, I open my phone to find the group chat he created. Of course, he sent a flirty text to each of their numbers to make sure they had mine. Hopefully, they realize that was him, not me. I don’t have time to focus on my embarrassment, because the doctor chooses that moment to come in.

Three hours later, I’m in a cab heading home. X-rays show nothing is broken. The doctor insisted it’s a sprain, and I should take it easy. Sorry, Doc, not much chance of that with my sister missing.

Back home, I take a quick shower while standing on one foot.

At least it’s not broken. The brace is annoying, but it does help with the pain and seems to be keeping the swelling down.

I dry off quickly, throw on an oversized shirt and a pair of panties, then settle in my bed.

As an afterthought, I take a dose of the pain meds I was given. Sleep comes easy but isn’t restful.

I can’t get past my worry for Val. I have to find her.

Sleeping as much as I can, I get a notebook and pen, taking notes on anything that could help me find her.

Between the notes and dozing off from the meds, the night and next day pass quickly.

As much as my ankle protests, I can’t put off my search any longer.

It’s late afternoon when I get up and start to get ready for my night out.

I just hope this one goes better than the last.

****

A fter last night, the last place I should be going is The Gin Room.

But I didn’t get what I was after, so here I am.

Glancing over my shoulder, I step into the line at the front door.

I’m nervous that I’ll run into Cliff again, but I don’t see him or anyone else who looks imposing.

The line moves quickly, and before I know it, I’m entering the club.

Walking inside, I lock eyes with the bouncer.

Dave and I always got along when I used to frequent the club, but I’m not sure how he feels about me since the incident.

“Ana Sofia, it’s great to see you again.

Will you be meeting someone?” he asks, and for a moment, I think there’s hostility in his tone.

I shake my head. “No, Dave, I just came here to see if I can get help with a problem. I figured you or one of the bartenders could point me in the right direction. You guys always seem to know who to go to for anything.”

He looks me up and down before answering. “What do you need?”

“A pack that’s good at tracking. My little sister is missing, and I’m certain she’s been kidnapped. I need someone who can help me find her.” There’s no point in mincing words. If I want Dave’s help, I have to be honest about why I’m here, and hope he knows someone.

He closes his eyes for a moment and swears under his breath. “Yeah, I know just the pack. They’re not cheap, though. I hope you can afford their help.”

“I’ll find a way,” I insist, wondering if the pack he’s referring to is here tonight, or if he’ll give me their contact info.

Dave waves another bouncer over, a new guy I’ve never seen before. Then he turns back to me. “Come on, I’ll introduce you.”