Chapter Seven

 

 

 

Kieran led the way into his suite and stopped short. Dakota and Remy were both sitting in the living room, staring at the door.

“Morning,” Kieran greeted. He could tell from the looks on their faces that they’d been worried and were relieved to see them. The anger radiating from both their scents told a different story. Damn, what did they know?

Dakota stood and looked him up and down. “You okay?” she asked. Then she leaned in and sniffed him, actually sniffed him. Other than his clothes, he wouldn’t smell like anything else. She nodded. Oh, fuck, she was checking for blood.

“Yeah, sure,” he replied. “Fine.”

She nodded again before spinning on her heel and stomping off.

“Dakota?” he called after her, but she didn’t stop. Instead, after she’d crossed the threshold to the bedroom, she slammed the door once inside. Kieran turned to his partner. “What the hell?”

“What the hell?” Remy repeated. “What the hell? You find out Bradley is back in town and looking for you and you disappear?”

Oh, well, fuck. He hadn’t counted on anyone knowing that yet. “How’d you know?”

“Seriously!” Remy yelled as he threw up his hands. “I was CC’d on the fucking email. Do you really think Caspar would have only sent it to you? Didn’t you see the others?”

No, he hadn’t, but he’d been tired and hungry.

“So your girlfriend and I have been sitting here for over an hour waiting for you,” Remy finished.

“Oh,” Kieran said lamely.

“What the fuck, man!” Remy shoved his shoulder as he passed.

“What are you doing?” Kieran asked. He didn’t want Remy leaving, out on the streets alone. Bradley had already made a threat against him.

“I’m ordering some breakfast for us all,” Remy replied angrily.

Kieran glanced at Jackson and saw him staring back. They hadn’t quite figured out what to do about telling the others of their run-in with Bradley. They needed to get a warning out to Caspar if possible. Kieran had already tried Caspar’s cell phone, but it kept going to voicemail.

Jackson gave him a small nod. Looked like they were going to have to come clean about everything.

“Let me go talk to Dakota,” Kieran told Remy. “After you order us some breakfast, Jackson will fill you in.”

“Fine.” Remy waved him off.

At least his partner’s scent had lessened to a more manageable irritated one. He’d probably still have to hear about it later from Remy, but he wanted to handle only one fight at a time.

Kieran shuffled his feet on the way to the bedroom. He’d heard the shower turn on already and knew Dakota was in the bathroom and he really wanted to avoid this confrontation.

“Stop acting like a baby,” Remy hollered at him.

Kieran flipped him off before he turned the knob on the bedroom door. At least it wasn’t locked. He strolled into the bedroom as the shower turned off.

Instead of meeting her in the bathroom, he walked over to the bed and sat down.

Dakota came out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around her body and another in her hand with which she was drying her hair.

“I’m sorry,” he told her.

“Did you feed?” she asked as she tossed one of her towels onto the chair.

“I did,” he answered. She didn’t say anything else as she began to dress. Kieran waited until she’d outfitted herself in dark jeans and a black t-shirt and was pulling on her boots before he stood and went to her. “I’m sorry.”

“I heard you.”

“Look at me.” He grabbed her chin and forced her to comply. “Are you going to tell me why you’re mad?”

“Would you like a list?”

“Uh.” Kieran just wasn’t fucking sure what the right answer was.

“You went out to hunt by yourself,” Dakota began, holding up one finger. “Mitch showed me the video of you leaving the hotel. You walked right past Jackson and didn’t even notice him. If he hadn’t followed you, would you have been in trouble?”

Kieran sighed.

“That’s what I thought,” Dakota continued and put up a second finger. “And I haven’t forgotten the fact that you left the hotel minutes after finding out Bradley was in town and possibly after you.”

“Yes,” he admitted.

“So did you see him?”

“Yes.”

“And you’re okay?”

“I am,” Kieran assured her. “I wasn’t thinking.”

“That’s pretty obvious,” she deadpanned.

“Are you going to be mad at me all day?” Kieran asked, frustrated. “I fucked up, but I refuse to grovel.” He knew he’d messed up even before she jerked away. Damn, this was not going the way he wanted. He’d apologized and Dakota just needed to let it go. Still, he could have phrased it better.

“Grovel?” she repeated. “Is that what you think I want?” Instead of yelling, her voice dropped and actually gave him a chill.

“I don’t know what you want,” he yelled because he couldn’t help himself. He could actually feel Dakota putting up a wall between them and it hurt. Instead of trying to reassure her, he lashed out.

“I want you to stop finding excuses for pushing me away,” she told him quietly.

“I don’t.”

She whirled around and paced to the window. With her back to him Kieran was barely able to hang on to his control. He wanted her to look at him like she used to. With wonder and passion.

“It doesn’t matter.”

He took a step forward, but she was already moving to the side and across the room.

“We need to hurry up and get ready for the operation this morning,” she said.

Before Kieran could respond, she had the door open and was striding away. He could hear her talking to Remy and Jackson. He sat back down on the mattress and put his head in his hands. What in the hell was happening? It’d been so right between them the night before and now everything was twisted around. He knew she was worried about him, but her behavior was off.

He pushed himself up off the bed as someone knocked on the front door. He sighed. Okay, he couldn’t have it out with Dakota at that moment, but they were going to talk this through. Damon’s voice carried to him and he had to fight his instincts to attack. His fangs dropped and his heart sped up. Kieran clenched his fists until he was calm again, then walked out of the bedroom to join the others. He spotted Damon bent over and whispering in Dakota’s ear.

Kieran roared and launched himself across the room.

“Shit!” Remy yelled as Damon grabbed Dakota and threw her to the floor.

Kieran didn’t knock into Damon, though. Jackson was there and Kieran was slamming into his body.

“No!” Kieran screamed as he and Jackson rolled.

Hands grabbed him and Kieran fought with everything he had. No! Not again, they weren’t going to take him again.

The scent of wolf shifters was strong. There was more than one and Kieran couldn’t seem to get a good look around him. His eyes wouldn’t focus and he couldn’t catch his breath. For some reason his strength wasn’t at normal level. Had they already gotten him? Had he tried to escape like he’d done once before?

What day was it? He wasn’t cold like normal so maybe they were trying a different type of experiment. They loved to mess with his head. He felt carpet under his arms, but that didn’t make sense. The concrete was always so hard and cold. Kieran was rolled over onto his stomach with his arms jerked back.

He screamed and kicked but managed to catch one of his attackers. The pressure at the back of his neck didn’t hurt, which confused him. They always hurt him.

Kieran closed his eyes to try to concentrate better, but his mind wouldn’t stop spinning. He shifted enough to get his knees under him and pushed up with a roar. Whoever was on his back went flying off and Kieran scrambled to his knees before making it to his feet.

“Stay away!” he ordered and swung at the figure moving closer. What the fuck had they done to his eyes? He couldn’t see right!

“Kieran.”

He knew that voice. Or at least he thought he did. No, they used recordings. They’d tricked him before. When they’d played Jack begging over and over. This was just another trick.

“Kieran, it’s okay. Open your eyes.”

He shook his head. He had his eyes open, didn’t he?

“Love.”

His face was cupped. Comfort? Caring? He didn’t understand.

“It’s me. Open your eyes.”

Kieran complied and blinked right before lips covered his. Dakota was blurry, but he knew her taste and the feel of her. He wrapped his arms around her back and yanked her closer.

When they parted, he blinked at her in confusion. “What happened?”

Remy and Damon were helping each other up while Jackson remained on his knees.

“I think you had some sort of flashback,” Dakota told him.

“Here? Now?” Kieran questioned.

“Did you know you were fighting us? Did you know where you were?” Dakota asked.

“No,” Kieran confessed. “I thought I was back…there.”

“What’s the last thing you remember before you went back there?” Dakota queried.

Kieran glanced around and his gaze landed on Damon. He’d been jealous of the Alpha being close to Dakota. “Just coming into the room and seeing Damon.”

Dakota followed to where the Alpha was now picking up some of the broken plates from their table. “Did you remember something?” she whispered.

“No. Just the scent of the wolf shifters. I’m used to Remy, but having another in here confused me for a minute.”

She nodded. “I understand. I want to rub and scratch up against everything in this room every time Remy leaves.”

Kieran frowned. “Why haven’t you ever told me?”

“It’s no big deal,” she said with a shrug. “I’ve always had to share my space, so I’m used to it.”

He didn’t want that for her, though. She’d gone from training campuses to staying in the Organization’s lodgings. This was the first time Dakota had actually been able to completely relax and call her residence a home. Maybe they needed to think about something more permanent. He’d miss the little extra comforts the hotel offered, but it was more important Dakota had her first real home.

Maybe he’d talk to Jackson about finding them an apartment or condo. He’d also see what he could do about the scents others brought in.

“Are you listening to me?” Dakota gripped his shoulder.

“Sorry.” He shook his thoughts away. “I guess tonight affected me more than I thought.”

“It’s okay,” she told him. “It’s going to be okay.”

Kieran grasped the back of her neck and pulled her in until their foreheads touched. “Tell me we’ll get through this.” He needed to hear the words. He would know if she was lying.

“Yes,” she told him. “Couples fight. It doesn’t mean I stop having feelings for you. Or I’d pick another shifter over you.”

Her knowing smile made him wince.

“This is going to be over soon. Bradley and his people will pay for what they did to you and you’ll go back to playing pranks on poor Organization agents,” she said.

He relaxed then took a step back. “Sorry,” he told the others.

“No problem.” Remy waved his hand. “I missed my morning workout anyway.”

Jackson gave his arm a squeeze as he passed while Damon simply nodded. Kieran didn’t like being out of control and he was going to end this torment once and for all. He had his lover, best friend and oldest friend at his back, as well as an Alpha wolf and trained agents. Bradley wouldn’t get away this time. Kieran was going to make him pay.

Dakota smiled at him before taking his hand and leading him to the table. “Let’s fuel up. We’ve got a big day ahead of us.”

“So I take it we’re not going to wait like Caspar asked?” Remy questioned.

“No,” Kieran replied. “I want this over with before he arrives. He’s spent enough time chasing this bastard.”

 

* * * *

 

Kieran couldn’t shake the feeling that he was close to finding Bradley. Excitement coursed through him, making it hard for him to keep his fangs inside, and he knew his eyes were glowing.

The entire group had met up a few miles away from where they believed Bradley and his crew were holding Alex and the shifters.

“You sure he doesn’t suspect we know where he is?” Remy asked.

“He wouldn’t have let us go last night,” Kieran assured him. “He still thinks I’m afraid of him. He tried to use that against me.”

“We’ll be sure to use that against him,” Jackson said.

This was it. After so many years of living in fear, he was going to end this for everyone. Not only him and Jackson, but anyone who could be a future target.

“Are we ready?” Dakota asked.

Kieran looked around him. This was an odd bunch working together. Walkers, Organization agents and local wolf shifters.

“We have to plan,” Kieran said. “Let’s split up and finish this.”

Dakota was the first one to step out of the circle they’d made. She began lifting her shirt over her head so she could shift. Kieran followed, not only blocking her from view, but also so he could speak to her.

As she crouched, he bent down above her. “No matter what happens, you get out safe. Promise me even if you have to leave me behind, you won’t get captured.”

Her hazel gaze met his. “I promise.”

He kissed her forehead and waited until she shifted. It appeared seamless. One minute she was a human, the next a jaguar. He petted her head. “Go stretch your legs while I talk to Remy.”

She licked him with her rough tongue before striding off.

Kieran turned to where his partner had already taken off his clothes. He hurried over before Remy could transform.

“What is it?” Remy asked when Kieran reached him.

“I need you to promise me something,” Kieran whispered. This was definitely not a conversation he wanted anyone else to hear.

“Anything, you know that,” Remy replied instantly.

“If they get me, I need you to kill me. Don’t let me end up in their hands again.”

“I…” Remy shook his head. “What?”

Kieran grabbed his arm. “I can’t go through the torture again. Kill me before they can get me.”

“You’re not easy to kill,” Remy reminded him.

“But you know how,” Kieran said. It was one of the first lessons taught in the Organization. Walkers were not an enemy they came across often and it was easier for another Walker to end them, but there were ways.

Remy bit his lip but eventually nodded. “I promise I’ll do whatever I have to.”

That was good enough for him. Remy would keep his word. The bond they’d formed would insist on it.

“Thank you,” Kieran murmured.

“But when we get out of this, we’re going to have a serious discussion about your suicidal tendencies,” Remy promised.

Kieran grinned. “Whatever you want.”

Remy began his transformation, so Kieran went back to Jackson and the other Walkers. “We go in silent,” he said, joining them. “Bradley might not be expecting us, but he’s going to have guards and some sort of warning system.”

“We’re faster than the shifters, so we’ll get in first,” Jackson stated.

“The shifters’ priority is to get Alex and the others out,” Kieran said.

“And ours?” Jackson asked.

“Have your men help our shifters,” Kieran ordered. “You and I are going to find Bradley. He’s not escaping this time.”

“Deal.” Jackson gripped his shoulder. “They’re ready.”

The track wasn’t going to take long. Kieran had tried to keep the human Organization agents out of the caves, but they’d insisted on coming along, using the argument that they were probably the safest. Kieran couldn’t dispute that fact, but they were also the most vulnerable. Bradley would have no issue killing them.

They traveled in a straight line, covering the distance quickly. The shifters were keeping pace with them easily enough, but he could hear the labored breathing of the humans. However they were almost to the opening. Kieran rushed ahead, putting himself in front of Damon. Even if the Alpha knew the area better, Kieran wasn’t letting anyone cross into the hellish nightmare he knew would be ahead of them.

There were no sounds around them. The public hiking areas were miles away from where they were. It was smart of Bradley to have set up shop here, if this was indeed where the operation was. And Kieran was almost certain they’d found the right spot.

The closer they got to the cave entrance, the more the entire area seemed entrenched in evil.

It wasn’t a scent, but instead a feeling.

Kieran paused when the opening came into view. This was it. He took a deep breath before he glanced over his shoulder. Everyone seemed focused and ready. He took a moment to look at each of them. The Walkers’ eyes were glowing and their fangs on display. The shifters were poised and ready to fight. Even the humans appeared determined.

He nodded once then looked back at the cave.

He ran.

The scenery didn’t even register to him as he sped past. All his attention was on the destination. He crossed over the threshold and knew instantly this was where the first guards were stationed.

He had the element of surprise on his side, though. Kieran slid on his knees past the two shifter security personnel. He brought up his arm and grabbed the closest one as the rest of his group followed him in.

Kieran threw the shifter, a lion, against the wall as hard as he could. The resounding smack echoed around the small area. There was a gasp before the sound came of another body hitting the ground. Kieran rose and saw Dean checking the pulse of the guard one of the others had taken out.

“He’s alive,” Dean said. “I’ll get them cuffed and keep them here. Go ahead.”

Kieran nodded before he took off again. The tunnel was crudely made but was big enough for him to stand in, so that made running easier. He hadn’t gotten more than a couple of yards before he slid to a stop. He felt the others at his back as well, even though none of them made a sound.

“There,” he whispered and pointed up at the camera they were just out of view of.

“What do we do?” Dakota’s lips were right by his ear.

He turned toward her surprised. He hadn’t heard her or anyone else shift back. “I can probably get past without it catching sight of me. All the Walkers can.”

“What about the rest of us?”

“We can try to find the surveillance room and take out the guards in there and get the cameras offline,” he suggested.

“You mean go alone?”

“I’ll be with him.” Jackson joined them.

“Ten minutes,” she told him. “I’m going down that hall in ten minutes whether those cameras are on or not.”

“Okay.” He grabbed Jackson. “Move as fast as you ever have in your life.”

“Right behind you,” Jackson said before motioning to the other Walkers.

It was a chance, but with his full strength, Kieran was certain he could move fast enough that his image would not be caught. He closed his eyes before he raced down the hall.

The rush he got was incredible. He’d never experienced anything like it before. He wanted to roar, to call out to his prey. It was different but felt so right.

There was a turn at the end of the first section. Kieran backed up against the wall and held up his hand so the others wouldn’t move. He listened, but it took a few moments before he caught the two different footsteps and soft voices.

He held up two fingers, letting Jackson and his men know there were two guards ahead. Jackson patted his shoulder twice and Kieran went into action. He was halfway to the bear shifter before he was spotted, but it was too late. A few quick jabs and they were out.

Power rolled through him.

“Cuff their wrists and put them in the corner. They’ll be unconscious long enough for the shifters to catch up,” Jackson told him.

“Okay.” He accepted the plastic ties and secured the shifters.

“We still need to hurry,” Jackson said as Kieran finished.

Kieran nodded. They were already through three makeshift halls and he still didn’t think they were close to the center. However long Bradley had been operating out of the mountain, it was obvious he’d put a lot of time and energy into the space. Just like he’d done with Mount Fauna.

“Follow me,” Kieran said.

He searched the walls and ceiling for more cameras and every time he spotted one he signaled behind him then sped past it. He knew it wouldn’t be much longer before Dakota and the shifters followed, so they needed to find the security area. Which should have been easy enough until they got to a place where there were two tunnels.

“Left,” Kieran said. “I can’t hear anything, but I just have a feeling.”

“Me too,” Jackson agreed. “But we still need to check both. I’ll go with you and my men will take the right.”

“The shifters won’t know which way to go,” Kieran reminded him. Without them having a scent, it would be hard for Dakota to follow.

“We have to take the chance. We don’t have much time before they’ll be on their way, and we need those cameras off or Bradley will know we’re here,” Jackson stated.

“If they don’t already,” Kieran commented.

“I don’t think so.” Jackson held up an earpiece. “There’s no chatter yet.”

Kieran breathed a sigh of relief. This might actually work. “To the left then.” He strolled a little deeper into their passageway while Jackson went over the plan with his men.

Once Jackson was with him again, Kieran turned to his old friend.

“I can’t believe we’re here again.”

“It’s time for our revenge,” Jackson replied.

“Just be safe,” Kieran said.

“About that.” Jackson gripped his arm. “I heard what you made Remy promise. I need the same from you.”

“No,” Kieran said automatically.

“I won’t make it. I can’t go through this again.”

“I do know,” Kieran said. “I won’t let them take you alive.”

“Thank you,” Jackson replied.

Kieran glanced at his watch. “We only have four minutes.”

“So let’s run,” Jackson said before he sprinted off.

He grinned as he followed Jackson deeper into the mountain. The adrenaline was so strong it seemed like his hearing was increasing. Finally, he could hear others walking around, talking and even moaning. He’d been right. They were headed to the correct location.

Light began to bleed through. They crept the rest of the way to the opening and peered out.

The room that had been built was a large space with the walls forming a circle that also showed the openings of four additional tunnels. Five guards stood around the area, laughing and talking.

Kieran backed up, pulling Jackson with him. “Now what?”

“We can take them.”

“There’re cameras all over that room.”

“So we’ll lose the element of surprise.”

“We could wait for the others.”

“No,” Jackson answered. “We’re too close.”

Kieran nodded. “They’ll send more in as soon as they spot us.”

“Dakota and the others will be here soon. Let’s clear the way.”

“On the count of three,” Kieran ordered.

Together they moved to the mouth of the gap. Kieran held up his fist then began the countdown. Once three fingers were in the air, they leapt out of their hiding place and attacked.

Roaring filled the small space, but Kieran ignored the distraction. Instead he concentrated on each move. He was so focused he could see each strike and kick as if he was watching from afar. He didn’t understand what was happening with his senses and powers, but Kieran was going to use them to his advantage.

He took out three before he heard Dakota’s call.

She was coming.

“Finish this off,” Kieran yelled to Jackson as he leapt to his feet. He darted through the opening in front of him, his instincts pushing him on. His vision narrowed until he could only see a small pinprick ahead.

The lab.

The scent of blood, bile, fear and agony were overpowering, but Kieran didn’t slow down. He knew it was just up ahead. He could taste the death in his mouth.

He slid to a stop at the steel door. It was so familiar to him. Just like the one at Mount Fauna. He put his hand on the knob, forcing himself to continue. He yelped and jerked back as electricity scorched him.

Fuck! He’d forgotten they did that. The guards had worn rubber gloves and always let the door open from the inside. They knocked. Three times.

Kieran stepped back then raised his hand to the door and knocked, three times.

“Who is that?” Someone asked.

“One of the shifters that is scheduled,” another answered.

The second voice sent a shiver of chill down his spine. He knew that voice. It’d been haunting him for years. Kieran took a deep breath and knocked again, three times.

“Coming!” someone who had to be the guard yelled.

Kieran moved to the side of the door and waited. As soon as the door opened, he slammed his fist into the opening and landed a hard punch to the guard’s face. He used all his strength and the guard went flying back.

“What?” the doctor hollered.

Kieran followed the guard in and slammed the door behind him. He turned and faced the hyena shifter. His heart was pounding, but Kieran didn’t know whether it was fear or excitement. He’d dreamed of this moment for so long. “Hello, Doc.”

The asshole actually smiled at him. “Kieran, my pet.”

The response threw him off, but he wouldn’t let the doc see it. He glanced over to the guard and saw him lying with his head angled wrong. Oops, looked like he’d broken the guy’s neck. He gave his attention back to the psychotic in front of him. The last time that Kieran had seen him, Kieran had been desperately clinging to life. As many times as he’d prayed to die and just have his pain end, Kieran was a fighter.

“You don’t look surprised to see me, Doc,” Kieran said. He rolled his shoulders back and made sure he was at his full height. The years with the Organization had made him fit and he was proud to stand strong in front of his biggest nightmare.

“Because I’m not,” the madman responded with a smirk. “I told Bradley it was a mistake to continue my research here after you came to town.”

Kieran ignored the mention of Bradley for the moment. This was about him and the man who’d grinned and laughed as he’d tormented Kieran. “How long have you been here?” Kieran questioned. He wanted to believe that the fucking experiments hadn’t continued the entire time Kieran had been free. His stomach rolled just at the thought.

“Since I had to leave you behind. We’d already begun work on this new establishment. You were going to be our first patient, but the Organization got too close.”

Kieran snorted. “Establishment? It’s not exactly five star here.”

The doctor sighed deeply. “I know. I’ve had to make sacrifices for the cause.”

“The cause?” Kieran repeated in disgust. It’d been a few years, but it was obvious the doctor had seriously lost his mind.

“To make the greatest supernatural creation ever.”

“Why would you want to do that?”

The doc shook his head as he walked over to a stool. He sat before spinning around to face Kieran.

“Everlasting life, of course,” Doc answered.

“There is no such thing.”

“Not yet,” Doc agreed. “But if we combine the best genes of the shifters and your kind, we might be able to create something that can come close.”

“We don’t need shifter genes. We can already do all that. That’s what makes my kind special.” Kieran made sure his tone held the right amount of mockery.

“Except for the fact that most of you go crazy and end up homicidal.”

“Except that,” Kieran admitted dismissively.

The doctor waved his finger at him. “But you’re different. Even after everything that was done to you, somehow you never allowed the darkness in.”

Kieran laughed. “Guess you haven’t been paying attention.”

“Oh, you went a little crazy,” Doc said. “But you also formed bonds with your partner. A wolf shifter.”

“And?”

“And,” Doc continued, “you fell in love.”

Kieran stiffened even though he really tried not to.

“Don’t worry. I have a plan for the two of you. It doesn’t include her joining my little family yet.”

“What plan?”

“That, I’m not going to tell you. Not quite yet.”

“Then I might as well kill you,” Kieran said.

“You won’t kill me,” Doc said.

Kieran let his fangs drop. It was time to use his rage. He wanted to rub his hands together and laugh, but that was over the top even for him. “Oh yeah, I think I will.”

“You’ll never get the answer you need.”

“I don’t need anything from you,” Kieran said. He didn’t know what the doctor was trying to play at, but the shifter did love his games. “In fact”—Kieran crept closer—“I’m really going to enjoy this.”

Kieran grabbed the doctor by the lapels of his coat, lifted him up and dangled him off the ground. His glowing eyes warned the doc he was about to lose some blood. Hell, even his mouth watered.

“Do it!” Doc ordered. “Bite me, Kieran.”

“Gladly.” Kieran bent forward.

“Don’t!” Dakota yelled as she rushed in.

Kieran snarled but turned his head to Dakota.

“It’s what he wants,” she said. “And if it’s what he wants then you shouldn’t do it.”