crisp white shirt, black tie and dark grey suit. He almost looked civilized…Almost. There was no hiding he was a predator, but in the cutthroat business world it only made him more dangerous.
Prowling out his bedroom, Caden did a double take as he saw him. “Shit, only you can make a suit look lethal.”
“What time is the appointment again?”
“Eleven. Are you sure you’re okay going alone?”
“Oh, don’t worry, Caden. It may have been a while but I still remember how to play this world. Plus everyone knows my name. I’ll be taken seriously, and when I have him alone, he’ll have no choice but to talk.” He finished with a cruel smile, allowing his claws to pierce through his skin. “It’s kinda hard to say no to these.”
“Yeah, that’s what I’m afraid of,” Caden muttered. This had to be handled carefully. Spook this guy and he could warn the hunters and put Lexia in more danger.
“Caden, what choice do we have? She’s trying to take that bitch down while inside the enemy’s nest. The more information we gather, the less snooping she has to do and the safer she’ll be. I’ve no idea what she’s planning but it has to be a good thing that she’s not with them.”
“It doesn’t mean she hasn’t done unforgiveable things,” Caden added sadly.
“I know that, but I just don’t care. I need her back, Cade.”
“I know, Linc. We all want her back. Just tread lightly, okay? Savaging this guy with your claws isn’t going to help.”
“Oh, don’t worry, Caden. I’ll play nice,” he said, with the wicked gleam of his panther in his eyes.
Chapter 26
Although outside every day, leading the team hell bent on murdering ten wolves, was suffocating. The wolves had been good on their word and for five days, she’d not seen a single sign of their whereabouts. The problem was Lucy wanted the search area broadened. This morning, they planned to drive ten miles and search from there. Lexia had no way of warning them. She just hoped they’d use their wits and stay hidden if a hunter crossed their path.
Brandon was partnered with her today. He walked through the forest like a freight train. If there was a twig to snap, he’d find it. Lexia had no hope of hearing the wolves before they happened upon them, so when they were ambushed, she was too startled to react. A bag slid over her head, plunging her into darkness, the next second, a brutal blow hit her square in the skull. Dazed, she struck out, hitting nothing, before slipping into unconsciousness.
“She’s coming to,” murmured a voice to her right.
Lexia snapped open her eyes, and jumped to her feet, reaching for her blade, but found it gone.
“Wow, Lexia. We mean no harm.”
Lexia turned, focusing on Grey. “What the hell, Grey!” she snapped.
“It was the only way to get you alone.”
“And Brandon?”
“Dead. We could hear the moron from miles away.”
“The rest of the team are going to find him and call for back up.”
“There are a few of us out there keeping them occupied. We’re good for now.”
“Damn it, Grey, I said I’d come to you.”
“Lincoln found information that can’t wait.”
Lexia turned at the sound of the voice. “Caleb,” she crossed the space between them throwing her arms around him, “you found the wolves. How long have you been out here?”
“Long enough to know a heartless monster doesn’t watch the sunrise every morning.”
Pulling back from their hug, Lexia shook her head, mad at herself. It was careless of her to follow the same routine every morning. She was putting herself and countless others at risk by her silly need to watch the sunrise. Lexia kept telling herself she was all right, that she had everything handled but the truth was, with every day, she slipped a little more. Time was running out and the mask she clawed onto would soon be out of her grasp. “I’m losing my touch. I never even sensed you.”
“If you can walk out undetected, then why stay? Morning after morning I saw you run up that hill as if your life depended on it, but then you’d climb the tree, watch the sunrise, and slip back inside.”
“I can’t just leave, Caleb. It wouldn’t change a thing. Lincoln would still be in danger and I’d still be on the run. Plus there are people inside that hell who need me.”
“Sorry to cut in, but you need to read this and get back,” Grey interrupted, passing Lexia a small square