could hear the note of determination, and his chest swelled with pride. His mate was a fighter, and that was something he could relate to. “What are we dealing with?”
He was nothing short of impressed. A human who had been bitten and battled her way out of a war zone with a child in tow was still keeping her cool under ongoing pressure. He doubted many people had that level-headedness about them. Guns fitted with silencers shot and pinged off a street sign, barely missing Seb’s getaway car.
“What the hell was that?” She inched closer to the window, and he reached out, yanking her flush against him, keeping her in the safety of the shadows, and in his arms. Her ass ground against his cock, and he tried not to notice how his blood headed south. Keeping an eye outside, he dipped his head and whispered into her ear. “Two teams of Delmac’s men are outside. Seb has taken your car and the girl to safety. One team followed him, which leaves us with the other to deal with.”
Her muscles strained, and he could sense her panic. “I can keep us safe.”
She shook her head. “She’s just a kid. Please don’t let him hurt her.”
He stared down at the top of her head. His female thought his kind would hurt a pup? He didn’t know whether to be offended at the insult or relieved that she was trying to protect Lucas’s child.
“We don’t hurt pups. Human or otherwise.”
She sucked in some measured breaths. “Okay. How are we getting out of here?”
Grudgingly, he released her, and she stepped away. Noises from outside grew louder as the guards closed in. He scanned her body and took in several knives she had clutched in her hands and a backpack over her shoulder. “Good. You’re ready.”
Audibly swallowing, she nodded. He stared at her a moment longer, taking in her sweaty face that had gradually lost more of its color since he arrived. By the looks of things, she wasn’t in any shape to fight. If everything went according to plan, she wouldn’t have to.
“Whatever happens, stay behind me. If things go south, run. Got it?”
He brushed past her before she could argue. The apartment was still dark and looked like there had already been a struggle. Just the thought of his mate in danger fighting for her life brought out a low growl. Calling on his wolf, he let his teeth lengthen and his claws burst forth. They stepped over a broken chair and headed to the door. He stole one last look at his future mate, and she gasped. “Don’t be scared. I’m stronger this way,” he assured her.
She nodded, and he glanced away, steeling himself for the battle to come. Using precise movements, he opened the door and scented the air. The smell of gun oil and boot polish was absent. He eased out the door and waited for Mackenzie to follow. She cast nervous glances down the hall with wide eyes, and he wanted to reach out and take her in his arms.
He used his finger to indicate which way he wanted them to go. Pools of moonlight fanned over the path. Damn it, even humans would be able to see them. His wolf clambered to take control of his body and protect his mate. He had to get them out of there before the animal got his way. Gravel crunched close by, and if he strained his hearing, he could hear the men fanning out around the building.
“What are you waiting for?” Mackenzie hissed from behind him.
Panting breaths and footsteps gave away the enemies’ locations. By the sounds of it, three men approached from the right and damn it, two from the left—the path they needed to take to get to his SUV in the middle.
He held up his hand. “I’m listening for their positions. Can I have one of your knives?”
“You can do that? Hear where people are, I mean.”
She passed him the blade. He couldn’t deny liking the note of awe in her voice. “Among other things. We have three incoming from the right entrance, the other two on the left. If we play our cards right we’ll only deal with the two of them and be out of here before anyone’s the wiser. Stay behind me at all times.”
When he said we, what he really meant was him. Even if the dark circles surrounding her glassy gaze weren’t there, or the tremble he could see quivering up