Page 20

“ Like wolves, we thrive in the darkest of nights and rise stronger with each dawn.” — unknown

Gwen

Was that an earthquake? It’s improbable, but so is having your baby shower turn into Armageddon—not to mention finding a dead body, a vintage microdot, and being locked underground in a jail cell in the Poconos. Oh yeah, I should not forget my neighbor, a CIA cat lady.

In the pitch black, I’m shoved. As I wobble, someone grabs the stack of money from my hands.

“Oomph.” Landing hard, I roll off and feel around until I find the bump under my ass—Lewis’ switchblade.

After I snatch it off the floor, I stand. A scuffle ensues nearby. While I want to help, I can’t see a damn thing in the dark.

“Gwen, are you okay?” At Axel’s familiar scent, I stop shaking enough to place the knife in his hand.

He pushes me toward a wall. “We need to exit. Go.”

I would, but I’m so topsy-turvy, I have no idea where to find the door. While inching across the room, the lights pop back on. Huh? Instead of near the tunnel, I’m back by the cot. An unconscious guard lies on the floor by my feet.

Heart racing, I count heads. When I realize one is unaccounted for, I shout, “Where is Dr. Lewis?”

“He got away.” Dolly, her clothes drenched in blood, a stack of bills in her hand, swings the cell door open.

Once she enters the hall, I jump over the camos before racing to her side. “Don’t let her go. She’s the only one who can lead us out of here.”

Slate, the closest, snatches her arm, and as she struggles, she snarls. “I need to get the microdot to someone who can decrypt it. Millions of lives depend on it.”

“If you help all of us escape, I will explain exactly how to find it, but not a moment before.” My gaze steady, I stare her down.

She pales, and her jaw drops when she realizes I have the advantage in this negotiation.

“Fine.” Grabbing the keys off the wall, she unlocks the cell to the right while I wave everyone out.

“There’s a tunnel under this one. Down there.”

After I move the cot to reveal the loose grate, Slate growls. “I’ll go down first. Lilac next.”

Once they’ve descended, Axel and I wait for the rest of the women, including Dolly, who gives me a dirty look.

Yeah, well… Suck it, lady. My friends came along to save your sorry ass, even if you didn’t need it. Their lives matter more than any intelligence dot.

“Babe.” Eyes on me, my husband tucks my chin. My God, how I wish we were back at home, in our bedroom, naked.

When he opens his arms, I fold into them to absorb his offered strength.

“I’ll be fine,” I say with more conviction than I feel. “You must help get the rest out safely. Promise me.”

Shaking his head, he tugs me to his chest. “Not until I know more. Go down. I’ll be right behind you.”

Unable to leave him, I lace my fingers behind his neck and pull his lips to mine. The kiss sends threads of desire to my clit. As my tits harden, he moans. Cupping my butt cheeks, he yanks me against his hard-on. Too soon, we break apart. Reality back in focus, I descend the ladder.

At the bottom, I stand close to him while Dolly gathers us into a circle. “I’ll take you to the exit. From there, you’re on your own.”

While we talk, an explosion nearby knocks me off my feet. My ears ring as a loose rock tumbles from the ceiling. It would’ve killed me if not for my husband shoving me aside.

Slate and Suds share a worried glance. “I think our friends are tired of waiting for our signal.”

“Fucking SEALs and their C4.” The Patten lead’s mouth forms a tight line.

In contrast, his southern pal chuckles. “Damn straight. Best you git, Ms. Dolly. I don’t fancy bein’ stuck down here any longer than needs be.”

As we trace the same path as before, my next-door neighbor hangs back so she can whisper in my ear. “Give me the damn dot.”

“I don’t have it. Nevertheless, once my cohorts are safe, I promise to show you where it is.”

“Like hell, you will.” Baring his incisors, my wolf steps between me and the fake cat-lover.

“Dolly—if that’s even your real name—I know you didn’t ask for our help, but everyone here is at risk because of you. No one takes another step until you explain why.” Axel raises a fist, causing the group to halt.

As a breeze blows through the mine shaft, the woman who started this mess stands. She scowls in the scant light behind her, then whistles through her pursed lips. “The dot contains encrypted codes to an electromagnetic explosive. The one which happens to be missing from the US arsenal.”

Daaammmnnn. My heart thumps so loudly, I can barely hear my thoughts. “Are you saying someone has one of our nuclear devices?”

“No, but other than radiation released, the result would be similar. The bomb would disable everything electronic. I’m talking internet, power, mobile phones, cars, and freshwater supplies. How long before people descend into a post-apocalyptic, survival-of-the-fittest mentality? A day? A week? Dr. Lewis’ assumptions are spot on. Those having no tribe will die.” The picture she paints sends a chill down my spine. I don’t want to believe her, but I do. I must help in any way I can.

No longer arguing the stakes, Axel squeezes my hand. “I can hear you thinking. You are not returning to the compound, especially not as Dolly’s sidekick. You can tell her where it is and let her handle it.”

“Agreed.” Cupping his cheek, I reach for a quick kiss.

While we rush to catch up, natural light brightens the mine. Freedom remains just a few feet away.

When the exit comes into view, Lilac gasps and stares at her wet jeans. “Oh fuck. My water just broke.”

Slate pales as he lifts her into his arms. He races the final distance carrying her. “I got you, honey. We’re almost there.”

I follow them into the fresh air, then stop abruptly. No, no, no. Lewis leads six armed men toward us.

Swiveling in the opposite direction, Axel grabs my hand. A few yards later, my heart sinks to my stomach. Others approach from inside the tunnel. We’re surrounded. We didn’t make it. We failed.

“What the hell happened to our backup?” Suds mutters under his breath.

James Lewis must’ve heard the comment because a huge grin breaks across his face. “Sorry folks, the cavalry is not coming. Want to know why? They’re dead.”

“No.” Wailing, Callie drops to her knees while the sobbing two sisters hug each other.

Arm around my husband’s waist, I pray the survivalist is playing mind games. But what if he’s not?

Lordy, what have I done? As I attempt to digest the news, Lilac screams, “The baby, she’s coming.”

Slate kneels and sets her down. With every eye turned toward the woman in labor, I formulate a goal, the risks, then the actions to achieve a successful result.

Confident, I hand Wulf my RF lipstick weapon, raise my arms, and step forward. “We’re unarmed. Don’t shoot. I will tell you what you want to know.”

“No, Gwen. Don’t do it.” My darling husband tries to pull me back, but this is the only way to make things right.

“I know what I’m doing, trust me.” Before I can kiss him goodbye, Lewis, the evil bastard, slides his front foot forward.

He puts a pistol to my temple. “You, come with me.”

Turning, he motions to one of his guards. “Kill them all.”