hiding while also scrambling to find out about my family. My sons protected Carey long enough for her to get out, and somehow she made it to you. She’s a smart kid…” He trailed off, showing just a peek at the worried father I knew was underneath.
“She is,” I agreed. “I enjoyed spending time with her. She’s a sweetheart with a big heart.”
“Yes, she is.” He nodded. “Well, I think my sons were taken, but we haven’t had word. That alone has given me a little hope about this. No word means they might not have been grabbed and they’re also hiding out. They’re adults, and intelligent. I trust their judgement in staying safe and helping me from afar, if that’s what they’re doing.”
“Oh! Then I do have some news for you.” Finally, something good I had to offer for him. “Carey, at one point and against my wishes, checked her cellphone. I say against my wishes because of GPS tracking, but—”
“Carey’s phone couldn’t be tracked. I swear to you on that.” He waved that off. “Now, what were you—”
“Then how the hell did the wolves find us outside of my territory?”
He sighed. “They could have at least one person who knew about you, or more likely, stole my file on you from my office. Either way, I think they used the information I had on you. For that, I am sorry.”
“That makes a lot of sense, considering what you knew. Okay, so back to the important thing. Carey got a text from Richard that said he and Landon were okay.”
I heard him stop breathing, even if I couldn’t see any change in his posture or outward appearance.
“Thank God,” he exhaled. “Richard and Landon are my…” He rubbed his face. “Nothing. Between those two and Carey, I’m glad to hear that. That’s the best news I’ve had in days.”
“Good,” I murmured, lowering my eyes.
“We’re here,” Shamus said softly.
Heath straightened and fixed himself. I didn’t think he looked rumpled at all, but apparently he did. “Stacy, go in with Ms. Leon and help her retrieve her things. Jacky, I recommend staying checked in with the hotel and leaving your vehicle here. It’ll distract the wolves until they get access to security and see Stacy with you.”
“How are you keeping Stacy safe?” I asked, flicking my eyes to the girl. “She shouldn’t…”
“She’s opted for the Change. She’s to be treated like a wolf until that time,” Heath answered.
I nodded respectfully. Fine, then. Stacy hadn’t told me that, but then, no human wanted to admit to a stranger that they were willing to give up their humanity.
She and I jumped out and walked inside together. I ignored the front counter for the most part, just making sure it wasn’t the woman from the night before, and it wasn’t. Stacy was silent beside me until we reached my room. I was aching by the time we reached it. Between the walking I’d done all morning, the running the night before, and, you know, being shot until I died, every part of my body fucking hurt.
“You were protecting her…” Stacy looked over my things, frowning. “They shot you for it.”
“Have those two taught you the Law?” I asked softly, putting my things back into my suitcase.
“Yeah. I never read more than the general rules and the part about the werewolves, though.”
“There’s a werecat section that deals with all Laws for my kind and for others dealing with mine. We’re the reason the Laws exist, you and I. Did you know that?”
She shook her head, and I rolled my eyes.
“Ask your father or Heath for a better history lesson, then.” I zipped up the suitcase. “Do you know Carey?”
“I babysit her,” she said with a bite. “Of course I know her. My father is Heath’s fourth.”
“Ah. I’m sorry, then.” The guilt ate into my soul a little more the longer Carey was missing. I failed all of them by losing her. Being dead just didn’t seem like a good enough excuse to me, even if it was for them.
“So, you were really injured…we have someone who can help with that. A half-witch who can heal.”
“Really?” That perked me up. I knew about the half-witch, but I didn’t want to reveal that. They might not have liked Carey talking about pack secrets with me, and that should be a secret. I definitely did not know she could heal.
“Yeah. We can ask Heath if she can patch you up. No offense, but you walk funny and you’re favoring