Dance on the Wilde Side: Cannon Pack, Book 2 Read online

  Tala glanced around the dimly lit room, furnished only with the chair she sat in and the cot he used. The overhead light hung from a wire in the ceiling while a black blind blanketed the one small window. An image of an old war movie flashed through her mind. “Where am I? Your interrogation room?” She shot him a piercing look and wished looks could kill. Or at least dismember. “I ain’t tellin’ you nothing, you Commie, you.”

  “Commie?” His broad forehead crinkled in a frown. “I’m no Commie. Hell, I don’t even vote.”

  “Figures.” She rolled her eyes before glancing at the door. “And I don’t suppose you’re the sole survivor of some antisocial cult, huh?”

  As if answering her question, a tall man with an I’m-so-stupid-I-don’t-even-know-I’m-so-stupid expression barged into the room. “Skanland, the men want to know if they should—” He leered at Tala, running his gaze up and down her while his tongue snaked out to caress his upper lip. “Damn, she’s hot.”

  Tala glared at him, letting him know he had as much chance with her as a slug would with a bunny. “Who are you jerks?” She sent a silent prayer of gratitude for the anger sweeping through her. Better anger than fear.

  Skanland rose from the dirty cot in front of her, moving close enough for her to smell his foul odor. He pinched her chin and forced her to raise her head. She saw the hatred in his bloodshot tired eyes. “Such an ugly mouth on such a pretty lady. Or should I say, pretty bitch?”

  “Yeah. Pretty bee-atch.” The stupid man giggled.

  Both Skanland and Tala shot Stupid irritated looks, but Skanland added a jab to the shoulder.

  These guys are a joke. “You shouldn’t say anything. Not until you’ve poured a gallon of mouthwash down your mouth. You reek, man.”

  “Shut the fuck up.”

  The sting of his hand across her cheek was unexpected. He hit me? Tala glowered at Skanland. “You do not want to do that again.”

  She prepared for the next slap, ducking her head right before contact. Ha, ha! Missed me!

  “Ow! You hit me!” Stupid rubbed his arm, a hurt expression overtaking his blank one.

  Skanland fumed, embarrassment evident in his scowl. “Then get out of the way, moron.”

  “I wasn’t in the way.”

  Tala bit the inside of her lip to keep from laughing. “Are you two for real?” Ladies and gentlemen, may I present for your amusement Squatty and Stupid.

  Stupid’s tough expression dropped and he buckled under the other man’s glower. “You shouldn’t hit her again. We’re supposed to swap her for the shifters. Besides, my momma taught me to never hit a woman.” He shook his head vehemently. “Uh-uh. Momma always said, ‘Carl, don’t you go hitting women like your daddy did’.”

  Skanland gawked at him. His deep belly laugh vibrated against the walls of the room and he clutched his stomach before stumbling a few feet away. “A woman?” Pointing at Tala, he tried to catch his breath between guffaws. “She ain’t no woman, you moron. She’s a shifter.”

  Tala’s mouth dropped open. He thinks I’m a shifter? Although first incredulous at his statement, she inwardly smiled as an idea dawned on her. Could they tell? Even though she hadn’t actually shifted yet, could she be considered one? Devlin had told her hunters could smell a shifter even in human form, but not before the shifter had completely transformed at least once. So how could they tell? Either from her ancestral blood or from Devlin’s marking her?

  “She don’t act like one.” Carl bent closer to examine her. “Besides, hitting any female ain’t nice. My momma said so.”

  Again Skanland scoffed at his big friend. “Crap, but you are such a girl. Did your momma truss you up in dresses when you were little?”

  Carl’s pink complexion told the story. “Well, we did used to have a good time trying on each other’s clothes.”

  Tala met Skanland’s eyes with a wicked grin. “Some bosom buddy you have there, Skanland. Emphasis on the bosom part.”

  “I told you to shut the fuck up.” He raised his hand, getting ready to strike her. “Or do you need more convincing?”

  Tala closed her mouth. No need to antagonize the apes when I’m fresh out of bananas.

  “But, Skanland, wouldn’t she have shifted by now if she was one?”

  Stupid does have a point. Dismay pushed away all the pride she’d felt a moment earlier.

  “How’s she gonna shift while she’s knocked out? But it don’t matter.” Skanland’s filthy hand pulled her shirt collar aside to expose the large mark of Devlin’s bite. “One of them’s marked her. She’s his female and one of them now.”

  Carl grimaced at the mark on her shoulder. “Damn. Why would such a pretty woman want to do it with one of those things?”

  Skanland let go of her shirt and shrugged. “Danged if I know. But once a woman lies down with dogs, she’s no longer a woman. She’s just another bitch in heat.” He let his hand slide over her hair to finger the end of a strand. “’Course it doesn’t mean we can’t have a little fun before she starts shifting like the rest of the beasts.”

  Tala jerked as far away from him as her restraints would allow. “I wouldn’t let you touch me with your skuzzy dick if you boiled your cock in hot water first.” She grinned, issuing a challenge. Who knew, maybe he was just dumb enough to do it. “But you go ahead and try it, then I’ll see.”

  Rage stiffened Skanland’s body and again he raised his arm to hit her. She readied herself, prepared to dodge another blow, yet as he put his arm over his head, the door swung open and two more men shuffled into the room.

  “Skanland, George called. They’re at the park.”

  Fear pierced Tala’s heart. “Who’s at the park?”

  Skanland cackled. “Your animal boyfriend and his pack buddy. They’re getting the word about you right now. And soon they’ll join us for a party.”

  All four men chuckled, hurling panicked signals through her. “What are you going to do to them?”

  Skanland leaned over to rest his hands on the arms of her chair. “First, we’re gonna trap ’em and give them a good neutering. Then, we’re gonna skin ’em alive. I need a couple of new hides for my walls.”

  “Yeah, we’re gonna have a shifter skinning party.”

  The joy on Carl’s face sickened her and she tried to keep her terror from showing. However, judging by Skanland’s expression, she failed. “But why? What do you have against them? What’d they ever do to you?”

  Skanland’s lips curled into a half-sneer, half-smile. “They’re shifter scum. Freaks of nature that don’t deserve to live.” He rose and took a gun from one of the other men. Holding the rifle in front of him, he shook it at her. “And we’re the ones who’re going to wipe their kind—your kind—off the face of the planet.”

  What could she do? Nothing, no words, no action came to her. Would she be an unwilling witness to Devlin’s death? Tears of helplessness welled up inside her. Yet one comforting thought still remained. At least they’ll kill me, too.

  “Okay, boys, let’s go get ready for our guests.”

  ƒ

  “Are you sure this is a smart idea?” Conrad loped alongside Devlin, jumping over the low barrier separating the park’s perimeter from the sidewalk. “I mean, what’re you hoping to gain by meeting with this guy?”

  Devlin slowed to a jog and scanned the open grassy area for George. “Gain? Nothing except the joy of breaking his neck. Or, at least, scaring him so much he’ll never threaten her again. I’ll take either outcome.”

  “But he’s got to have something else going on. After the encounter you told me about, he’s not going to meet you in a park to talk. At least, not by himself. He’s not that stupid, is he?”

  “It’s about time you two showed up.”

  Together they swiveled to find George leaning against a lamppost. Before he could say another word, Devlin’s hands were around George’s neck, his fingers pressing into his throat. With George’s back against the pole, Devlin lifted him off his feet, prop
ping him two feet off the ground.

  “Look, you little asshole. I’m here. I did as you asked.” Devlin let his fangs grow and the saliva flow into his mouth. He bared his teeth and pressed his nose against the squirming man’s bulbous one. “But I’m warning you. If I ever so much as guess you’ve bothered Tala, spoken to her or come within twenty yards of her, I’ll track you down and rip out your heart.”

  Conrad sidled up next to the two men and wiggled his fingers in greeting. “Hey, dude, how’s it hanging?” He pointedly looked at the ground beneath him. “Or should I ask how’re you hanging?”

  George gurgled at him, an obvious plea for him to intercede. “Uh, Dev. He’s turning blue. You may want to think about letting him live, especially since there’re so many people watching right now.”

  Devlin, who’d forgotten the existence of anyone else, took a moment to check out the spectators. A group of people stood gawking at them.

  Conrad leaned in to whisper. “Too many witnesses, dude. Come on, be a good wolfie and put the little man down.”

  Devlin growled, but relented. The guy’s face was a mottled purple and blue. “Fine. For now.”

  George rubbed his neck, sucking in air with labored breaths. Once he’d coughed a couple of times, however, Devlin figured he was good to go. But the crowd lingered.

  “Okay, folks. Show’s over.” Conrad flapped his hands, trying to shoo the people away. “Merely a little fuss between old drinking buddies. He’s fine. No need to contact the authorities.” Slapping George on the shoulder, he nodded and urged him to agree. “You’re fine. Right, old buddy?”

  Devlin slitted his eyes at George. “Sure, George. You’re fine, right?”

  George darted his gaze between them and the onlookers. Although his voice sounded strained, he managed to croak out the words. “Yeah. Right. Fine.” He coughed again but plastered a halfhearted smile on his face.

  Playing the game to the finish, Devlin slid his arm around George’s shoulder and pulled him onto the path. “What’s more fun than a little roughhousing between friends, huh?”

  Conrad took up step on the other side of George, wedging his body between them. “Oh, for sure, dude. Good times for all.”

  As the three walked down the path together, the crowd they’d left behind began to disperse. Devlin took a deep breath and patted his captive on the cheek. “Keep walking and start talking. What’s this all about?”

  “Tala’s waiting for you.”

  Devlin missed a step, but Conrad’s hold on George kept them moving forward. “What’re you talking about? She’s at her apartment.” A cold dread closed up his veins, hooked onto him, and he had to concentrate to keep his feet moving.

  “Your friends from the other day are with her.”

  Devlin stopped, swinging the shrieking man in front of him. Yanking him closer, he snarled his words, his anger fighting a not-so-distant second to his fear. “Stop playing games with me, asshole, and tell me what’s going on. Where’s Tala?”

  “Keep walking, Devlin. There’s a cop not far behind us.”

  Conrad’s warning catapulted him into motion again, taking George along with him. George, however, tried to drag his feet. Devlin let his eyes change color, hurrying the little man along.

  “Keep your tone light and easy if you want to keep your tongue attached.” He sniffed and picked up a familiar foul smell off George’s body. Shivers sprinted down his spine. Skanland. He’s been around that damn hunter. “Now talk.”

  George’s words were weak but unmistakable, confirming Devlin’s worst nightmare. “The hunters have Tala. They’re keeping her in a house at the edge of town. If you—both of you—show up and turn yourselves over to them, they’ll let her go.”

  ƒ

  Tala strained against the ropes securing her to the chair, but the cords held tight. Afternoon light poked through the sides of the blind and caught dust particles floating in the air. She puffed and saw her breath in a swirl of dust.

  Aw, hell. This is so not good. Fear threatened to overtake her, driving any spark of logic. Hang on, Tala. Keep your wits about you. Look for anything that might help you escape. But her quick perusal of her surroundings only confirmed what she already knew. I am shit out of luck.

  Where is Devlin? Is he safe? Or has he already walked into the hunters’ trap? Closing her eyes, she pictured him, lying in a pool of blood, killed while trying to rescue her. I can’t let that happen. No, I won’t let that happen.

  Maybe she could signal to Devlin somehow? She had to tell him not to attempt a rescue. If she couldn’t keep the hunters from skinning her hide—oh, what a terrible thought!—then she’d do her best to save Devlin’s. Concentrating, she sent a mental message to him and prayed he’d receive her plea. Devlin, hear me. It’s a trap. Don’t be a hero. Stay away. I can escape on my own. She doubted he’d believe her lie, but she had to try.

  Would he receive her warning? If Devlin heard her telepathic message, would he then heed her warning? Or would it only serve to enrage him and make him act recklessly? Her stomach tightened, making her nauseous.

  She knew nothing could keep him away. In fact, he was probably already looking for her. Still she had to warn him. Again, she concentrated, putting all her energy behind the telepathic warning. Devlin. Beware. Trap. Get help.

  Damn it all to hell and back. I sound like I’m telling Lassie to fetch Timmy’s dad.

  She worked her wrists back and forth, hoping to find her ropes loosening a bit. But with no luck. What if he didn’t hear her warning? Could she get a message to Devlin some other way? Hadn’t he said she’d called him to her? Remembering how he’d told her about hearing her call, she decided a howl was worth a try.

  She took a few deep breaths so she could put as much force as she could behind her call. Just as she was about to take the final and biggest breath of all, a ludicrous thought struck her. Who do I think I am? The big bad wolf in “Little Red Riding Hood”? Although, blowing down the house like the wolf in “The Three Little Pigs” would really help right now. Too bad this isn’t a fairy tale.

  She shook her head and resolved to do her best. You can do this. You have to. She squirmed in her chair a minute, trying to get comfortable. Taking some more deep breaths and keeping her mind off the idea of huffing and puffing—No. Don’t think about the big bad wolf—Tala sucked in a big intake of air, laid back her head and howled.

  She pushed with all the strength she could gather, making her throat ache. One howl ended as she slid into another. And another. All while thinking, Devlin, hear me. Be careful. They’re waiting for you.

  Shit, but it’s hard to howl with ropes across my chest.

  The door banging open startled her, cutting off her last howl before she could finish.

  “What the hell are you doing?” Carl scowled at her, confusion making his normal stupid expression seem imbecilic. “Are you howling?”

  Tala put on her dumb blonde face. “Howling? Little old me?” Such a big mouth you have, Grandma.

  When he didn’t seem to buy her dumb routine quickly enough, she slid into Plan B, going into full flirtation mode. “Okay, you caught me.” Batting her eyes at the idiot striding over to her, she adopted the sincerest yet sexiest expression she could and lovingly gazed into his malicious eyes. “I just wanted some attention. You can’t blame a girl for wanting a little attention, can you?” She stuck out her lips, hoping for a sexy pout. “Especially from you.”

  Eck! Am I really flirting with this goon? Shit, how far will I go to save my butt? Not that far. But for Devlin? I’ll go as far as it takes.

  A glimmer of excitement sparked in Carl’s eyes. Bending over, he licked his lips and got on his knees in front of her.

  Oh, please, do not let this guy touch me. If he touches me, I’m going to puke. But at least she’d make sure she’d puke on him.

  “From me?”

  The creep nearly drooled on her. She swallowed the bile rising in her throat and fortified her game face. “Who els
e, handsome?”

  He chuckled, a dirty chuckle filled with innuendo. “Yeah, I thought we had a vibe going on before. And I do like girls too.”

  She smiled a coy little smile. “Too? Me, too. Uh, men, I mean.” Leave it to her to pick a bisexual bimbo. “I couldn’t wait for the others to leave us alone. But then you left me and didn’t return. So I had to do something to bring you back to me.”

  He skimmed his hand over her breasts and a wave of nausea hit her. Keep yourself together, Tala. Don’t lose it. For Devlin’s sake. Doing the exact opposite of what she’d like to do, she thrust out her chest and let him cop a feel. “You know, if you’d untie me—” she made sure he saw her glance at the cot, “—we could have some real fun.”

  His bushy eyebrows slid downward toward his nose. “Uh, I don’t know. Skanland wouldn’t want me messing with you.”

  She shot him a disappointed look and stabbed at his ego. “Are you telling me you’re afraid of him? A big strong man like you afraid of such a little bitty man?” God, please kill me now before my dignity sinks even lower. Instead, she pouted as though he’d told her she couldn’t have a pony for Christmas.

  “’Course not. I’m not afraid of him. But Skanland runs things, you know.”

  “He wouldn’t have to know. I promise I won’t say a word. And afterward, you could tie me up again.” When he started to protest, she continued, making one last ditch try. “I’d love to run my hands…” she licked her lips, “…and my tongue all over your body.”

  Score! Carl’s jaw plunged to the floor and he couldn’t get to the ropes fast enough.

  “You promise you won’t say nothing?”

  “Oh, I promise, my big strong man.” Urgh! Bleck! Vomit!

  “Carl, you’re dumber than I thought you were.”

  Tala’s heart plummeted to her feet at the sound of Skanland’s voice. Damn him to hell and back.

  Carl snatched his hands away from the ropes like they were laced with acid, jumped to his feet and headed toward the door. “I wasn’t doing nothing. I was just checking to make sure the ropes were real tight.”