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She felt Racheal’s hand flinch on her back, forgetting the command she gave Racheal earlier. “We’re leaving.”

Kevin ran his fingers over his chin. He seemed to contemplate her words before speaking.

“Sarah if you don’t agree to my terms, I will shoot Jordan myself, kill Racheal, and you will remain here for the rest of your life.

” He wasn’t lying. The scariest part was that the tone of his voice never changed.

He sounded just like he did when he’d wished her well on her sixteenth birthday.

The room went completely silent. Nothing moved. Everyone held their breath except Kevin.

She felt Racheal’s hand grasp the light jacket she had on. “I’ll walk Racheal outside. I’ll wait ten minutes after she leaves, only then will I release him. Those terms are non-negotiable.”

Kevin’s eyebrow shot up as he smiled. “I never understood my son’s fascination with you until now.

I hope the sons you produce will have a similar spirit.

” He ran his hands down his jacket, seeming to straighten the impeccable material.

“Your terms are acceptable.” He stepped away from the door and motioned with his arm for her to go.

Racheal started to cry.

“Racheal honey, you take that trip. Everything we had for the trip you take. Promise me,” Sarah said.

Racheal squeezed the material of her jacket.

They walked out slowly, forcing Jordan every step of the way. Once outside in a gated compound, she saw the armed guards lining the thick wood fence. A red door opened as they neared.

Kevin stopped, motioning to the door. “This is far enough. She goes through there and she is free.”

Racheal walked around Sarah. She turned. “I love you.”

Sarah’s heart broke, knowing this would be the last time she would see her best friend. “I love you too. Be safe.”

Racheal ran through the door as Sarah’s heart squeezed.

“I will get her back,” Jordan croaked.

Sarah huffed. “Why do you care? Women are nothing to you.”

“I’ve put a lot of work into her. I chose her to bear my firstborn.” She felt him swallow under her fingers.

“She isn’t a lab rat,” Sarah snapped.

“Yes, she is, and so are you.” She tightened her claws enough that she felt Jordan sway with dizziness before loosening her grip.

She expected Kevin to interfere, yet he watched with only the faintest amusement.

She waited the remaining minutes in silence.

“Time is up. Uphold your end of the bargain,” Kevin said.

She released Jordan, knowing what would happen. She didn’t try to block his elbow as it connected with her temple.

* * *

Brian rushed to her side as she crouched on the ground, trying to calm her rolling stomach. “She’s not to be harmed!” He yelled.

She stifled the contemptuous laugh that bubbled at his words. Like everything he’d done hadn’t scathed her soul.

“She needs to be put in her place. You and my son have coddled her long enough.” The disgust in Kevin’s voice made her look up.

Brian helped her stand. “We have a deal,” Brian said tentatively.

“You of all people know I don’t go back on my word,” Kevin said coldly.

Sarah scented her father’s fear. Her cat tested the surrounding air, assessing the situation, deciding if she needed to take action. Sarah knew she was in trouble. Her tenuous hold on her animal was slipping.

Jordan looked at the red door. “We need to go after Racheal,” he demanded.

“What?” Kevin’s debonair front had slipped. Jordan was looking at the door not at his father. If he hadn’t been distracted, he would have seen the anger on Kevin’s face and backed down. “I have invested too much time in Racheal to...”

Kevin’s voice cracked like a whip, “And my money,” he said, forcing Jordon’s attention back to him.

“I didn’t m… m… mean...” Jordon stammered.

“A Kallan doesn’t go back on his word. EVER. It is the basis of all my business dealings. If you wish to remain a member of this family, you would do well to remember that.”

Jordon looked down. “Yes father,” he said contritely.

Sarah saw Kevin’s jaw twitch. He didn’t think much of his brilliant bastard son. Jordon was terrified of his father. Kevin’s cruelty was apparent. How had she missed this growing up? She hadn’t seen it in Gerry either.

Gerald ran his hand through his hair. He always did that when he was exasperated or bored. “I want her taken to my suite.”

Brian shook his head. “No. She...”

“You know I won’t hurt her. She will be given time to adjust. I just want to speak with her privately,” Gerald said with a tone of finality.

Sarah was watching Kevin’s face as he turned to Gerald. His face lightened. He was proud of his eldest son. When his gaze fell on her however, she was given the impression of being a bug under a magnifying glass.

“You are fortunate my son chose you. The alternative is... painful,” he said, turning and walking away.

Gerald grabbed her arm. “Let’s go, Sarah. We need to talk.”

She had no choice. She allowed him to lead her, knowing that pain lay ahead.

* * *

Devon located the building with the high wooden fence and exterior red door. He knew Sarah was in there. Her emotions were a rollercoaster of fear, betrayal, and determination. They were so chaotic he doubted she realized he was close.

His brothers were no more than five minutes away yet his anxiety grew with Sarah’s. He felt a moment of accomplishment when a woman emerged from the red door, running down the street. Armed guards watched her leave, but didn’t interfere. He recognized Racheal from the photo Sarah had shown him.

He watched the clearly abused scientist, unsteadily run down the street. He sprinted down a side road to intercept her, startling her when he jumped in front. She ran into him, unable to stop her momentum before stepping back quickly.

He put his hands up defensively. “Racheal,” he said calmly.

He watched her search his face. Her heart beat faster than it should have and there was something off about her scent.

Racheal swallowed. “Your Sarah’s mate,” she said quietly.

“Yes.”

Racheal rubbed her forehead. “Gerald has her. He wants her to be his wife. He’s almost as crazy as his brother.” She proceeded to tell him all the events since Sarah arrived.

Devon let the anger settle over him. Gerald wanted his mate. To touch her. To bear his children. His cat surged. His skin rippling with fur before regaining control. Racheal stepped back, signaling his eyes had altered before he reined his raging animal in.

“I’m sorry. My brothers will be here in a couple of minutes. If you stay here one of them will protect you.”

“You don’t understand what you’re up against. It’s not just the weapons. Kevin is psychotic and brilliant. You will need every one of your brothers to get her out.”

“And we have you to help us,” he said.

“I can’t be around your kind. Not now,” she cried.

“Our kind?” He demanded.

“I don’t have time to explain. I have to retrieve an item from Sarah’s apartment.” The words rushed from her mouth.

“What is it?” He stepped forward, causing Racheal to step back. He scented her fear. “I won’t hurt you, Racheal.”

They turned as an SUV pulled up to the curb close to them. “I have to go. I’ll be at Sarah’s apartment.” She ran off. Devon let her go. His priority was his mate. He was walking toward the SUV as Hunter and Liam stepped out.

His brothers surrounded him as he explained what Racheal had told him.

He was telling them about Racheal going to Sarah’s apartment when Hunter abruptly grabbed his hand and sniffed it.

All the Cascades looked at Hunter with apprehension.

It was unusual for them to display such blatant catlike instincts in human form.

Devon didn’t struggle from his brothers grasp. “Hunter. What are you doing?” He said calmly.

Hunters eyes flared. “You touched her?” He said in a threatening tone.

“Racheal? She ran into me in the alley. The only woman I TOUCH... is my mate,” he said.

Hunter released his grip. “I’m sorry man. I don’t know what got into my cat. He was crazed, he actually wanted to fight you. Till you reminded him you were mated.”

“Does he think Racheal is his mate?” Devon said.

“I don’t know. I mean you can’t tell a mate from her scent, can you?”

They turned to Liam as he was the only one with formal medical training.

“Don’t look at me. I’ve never heard of scenting a mate before meeting her, but we’ll ask Dad when we get home,” he said.

Devon recalled Racheal’s words. “She said she couldn’t be around our kind. Maybe Kallan did something to her that affects shifters.”

“Did you feel anything strange when you were around her?” Liam asked.

“Not really. Her scent seemed off though. I attributed it to her being hurt and afraid.”

Hunter growled. “They beat her?” His eyes tinted yellow.

“Yes, but nothing permanent. She ran out of here.” He watched Hunter struggle to regain his composure.

“We need to get her back,” Hunter said.

“We will. She’s gone to Sarah’s apartment. As soon as we get Sarah, we will retrieve Racheal. We need her to help Aiden,” Devon reminded him.

“Let’s just get Sarah and get to that apartment,” he paused. “When we get there, I need all you to stay outside while Sarah and I talk to Racheal.”

Liam flicked the safety off his handgun. “What’s going on with you?”

Hunter shook his head. “I’m okay. I just need you to trust me.” He looked at the compound.

He was not okay, but Devon didn’t have time to pursue the issue with Racheal. “Hunter your eyes are glowing.”