Page 29 of Enter the Lair

Devon looked into the eyes of his mate knowing that his pain was nothing compared to hers.He didn’t have to read her mind to know what she was thinking.Her whole life was one big lie and an even bigger betrayal.How was he supposed to gain this woman’s trust when every man in her life had manipulated every moment of it?He felt fear as he saw her demoralization turn to resolve.She looked at him and mouthed ‘sorry’.She pulled her gun and aimed it at Gerald.

Three red laser dots immediately lit up her chest.They swirled in tiny circles as they zeroed in on her heart.She saw them.Her finger tightened on the gun, but she didn’t look down.

Gerald held up his hands with panic in his voice.“Don’t shoot HER.”He shouted.

With his vision fading, Devon couldn’t see where the snipers were positioned.His body felt heavier by the second.He put a hand on the table to steady himself.

There was a shout.Then gunfire.Although he couldn’t feel them, he knew his brothers had arrived.

“What’s going on...report,” Gerald snapped.

Devon couldn’t see the mic on Gerald’s ear.He hated being impressed by the psycho’s tech.

Gerald’s chin turned to one side.“Report!”

Hunter burst into the room.Wood splinters flew as the door frame disintegrated.Brian jumped behind Gerald as he crouched low with his unique weapon drawn.“We have to go, Devon.Kallan has thirty men out there with semi-automatics.We can’t hold them off for long.”

“I’ve been shot by that weapon Talen told us about.Get Sarah out of here,” Devon rasped.

“The boys are protected and we aren’t leaving without you,” Hunter growled back.

Devon noticed the flak jacket for the first time.It was something a shifter had never had to wear.He also realized Hunter’s gun was pointed at Brian.

Gerald stood up.“Sarah, if you leave with them you will never see Racheal alive again.”

Sarah’s stood with her gun pointed at Gerald’s head.“No,” she whispered.

Devon pulled himself up using the table for leverage.“It’s a trap.He’s lying.”

Gerald’s chin tilted to the side.“You know I’m not lying and so does Sarah.”

He wasn’t lying.The bastard knew where Racheal was.Devon felt nausea roll through his stomach as the room faded in and out.

Sarah sucked in an uneven breath.“Gerry what did you do?”

Devon felt pain fracture his cheek as his face hit the floor.

* * *

Sarah was truly afraid.Not for herself.She had let Gerald deceive her into thinking he was someone else.She was terrified he had done something to Racheal.She needed to know the truth before she shot him.

She stood looking into the face of her childhood friend, her gun pointed directly at him.She didn’t know where things went wrong between them and it didn’t matter.Only Racheal mattered.She would die to find her best friend.More importantly, she would kill for it.She had inadvertently helped them wound Devon.He was innocent.His only crime was being a different species.Gerald was right about one thing.She wouldn’t be a Ranger and do the things she needed to while wearing a badge.

“Where is she, Gerald?”She said coldly.

Gerald’s face hardened.“You haven’t called me Gerald since we were kids.”

“Gerry was a figment of my imagination.He never existed.Now tell me where Rachael is.”

Devon groaned on the floor.

Hunter was already on the floor checking Devon’s pulse.“We need to get him out of here.He might die.”

Gerald huffed.“It won’t kill him.His heart rate and bodily functions will slow.Soon he will be ripe for harvest.”His tone was that of an irritated monarch speaking to his subjects.

Sarah wanted to know where Racheal was more than anything, but she couldn’t let Devon pay that price.This was her mess.“We’re taking him out,” she said.

“Sarah, my father’s team is the best.You won’t escape.”He spoke as if she were an errant child.“Come willingly and you will see Racheal tonight.I told you I had a surprise for you.”He smiled smugly.