paused, his fingers curled around the handle as he slid back the catch, swallowing hard. “Acting on faith.” He was dimly aware of Roadkill removing the tranquilizer gun from the capacious bag at his feet before moving in his direction. Ignoring him, Rael opened the cage and stepped inside, his heart beating like a drum.
Dellan’s menacing roar sent ice down his back, but he didn’t falter, walking slowly toward Dellan, head bowed, peering at the tiger from under his mop of hair. When he was almost within touching distance, he knelt down, his heart pounding like it was about to burst.
Dellan stilled, and Rael held his breath. Seconds later, Dellan pounced, knocking Rael to the floor on his back. Dellan landed on top of him, and Rael felt the tiger’s hot breath on his face. Those teeth were sharp.
“Fuck, get out of there!” Horvan yelled, his hands on the glass.
Dellan. Dellan. It’s Rael. Your mate. Remember? Rael kept repeating the words over and over inside his mind, willing Dellan to hear him. He could feel Horvan’s fear and knew Roadkill had to be mere seconds away from shooting Dellan.
Suddenly Dellan licked Rael’s face, and Rael laughed. “Good God, it’s far worse than a house kitty’s tongue.” Relief flooded through him as Dellan nuzzled Rael’s neck and chest. When one word filled Rael’s mind, he burst into tears of sheer joy and utter relief.
Mate.
Rael reached up and stroked the thick fur around Dellan’s neck. That’s right. I’m your mate. The tears kept coming, but he didn’t give a fuck. Horvan’s relief was equally acute.
Dellan settled, half on top of him, licking any skin he could find. Rael twisted his head and sought Horvan. “Get in here before I drown in tiger drool.” When Horvan didn’t move, Rael glared. “We don’t have time for hesitation. Get your butt in here.”
Horvan entered the cage, and Dellan lifted his head from Rael’s chest and growled, his body stiffening.
“Kneel down here. Talk to him like you talk to me through the link.” Rael ignored the weight bearing down on him and concentrated on sending waves of calm over the three of them. He stroked Dellan’s neck, hoping it soothed him.
Horvan knelt beside them. Dellan? Do you know who I am?
Dellan got to his feet, his snout inches from Horvan’s face, and Rael didn’t dare draw a breath. Dellan sniffed the air, then tilted his head to one side.
Mate? Then he flopped onto his back before Horvan, paws in the air.
Tears trickled down Horvan’s cheeks, and he ran his fingers over Dellan’s furry belly. That’s right, baby. I’m your mate.
Rael was half laughing, half crying. “Well, I guess we know who’s boss in this relationship.”
Horvan wiped his eyes and chuckled. “Like there was ever any doubt.”
Rael drew closer and looked into the tiger’s eyes. Dellan? We’re getting you out of here.
Dellan rolled over and stood. Out. Out now.
“Are we good?” Roadkill asked anxiously. “Because if so, we gotta hustle, guys.”
Rael stroked Dellan’s head and pointed to Roadkill. This is a friend, okay? Not food. He’s going to help you. Can you follow us out of here?
Dellan was at the cage door and through it before anyone could utter a word. Dellan go with mates.
“I guess that answers that question.” Roadkill stilled as Dellan approached him. “Hey, beautiful kitty.” He kept his hands to himself, however. Dellan sniffed the tranquilizer gun and his lips curled, revealing his teeth. Roadkill hastily put it in his bag, and Dellan stopped growling.
“Crank, you copy this?” Horvan said. “It’s a go. On our way to the roof.”
“Affirmative. Be quick. The streets below are filled with cops.”
Roadkill was on his phone, peering at the floor layout. “Okay, the stairs to the roof are through that door.”
“That’s Anson’s office,” Rael told him.
Roadkill tried the handle, then growled. “We ain’t got time to be subtle.” He took a few steps back, then ran at the door, hitting it with his shoulder. The door went flying, and he dashed into the room, Rael behind him with Dellan, Horvan bringing up the rear. Roadkill glanced around the room. “That door. That’s it.” He peered at it, then kicked it in, splintering it off its hinges. “Okay, there’s two flights of stairs. Can Dellan manage that?”
Before Rael could convey that to Dellan, the tiger made a sound that was unmistakably a snort, then headed through the doorway and climbed the stairs.
“Apparently so.” Rael followed, trying to keep up, Roadkill and Horvan behind him. At the top was