Chapter 14
Taking a deep breath, Colton entered the building. Damp and gloomy, the smell of musk and perspiration brought to mind death and decay.
Where was Jewel? Was she being held here?
He moved forward. His footsteps echoed on concrete, making the dust swirl. Looking down, he could see other footprints had disturbed the dusty layers. Mixed among the human marks, he saw animal tracks, like those of a large dog or a…wolf.
Jewel? Or worse, had Leo become his wolf alter ego?
Colton continued on. Now he had the advantage. Unless Leo’s men had seen him enter, they weren’t expecting him yet. They were waiting for Roy to bring him, bound and unconscious.
His plan was simple. Find Jewel, get out, call the police.
He’d accomplished the first objective rather easily. So easily, he felt the wrongness in the air like an electrical charge on his skin. He moved across the large room toward the office area and looked in the first small office. There he found Jewel, gagged and tied to a chair.
Not questioning blind luck, he freed her and helped her to her feet.
“Come with me.”
Instead of moving, she stared at him hard. “No. This is a trap! You’re not safe.” Yanking her hand from his, she gave him a shove. “Go.”
“And leave you? No way.” He grabbed her arm and pulled her toward the door. “Let’s go.”
Though she gave him an exasperated look, she went with him, rushing toward the door and freedom.
Halfway across the main room, they heard a click. A supernova of light flashed, blinding them. Someone had turned on an immense spotlight, trained only on Colton.
Pinned in the illumination, a highlighted target, they froze. Caught in a spider’s web. If the bad guys were going to shoot them, Colton couldn’t see to fight back.
Despite that, the gun felt heavy in his pocket, its weight reassuring. Maybe having it loaded with silver bullets was only foolishness, but after what he’d seen Jewel do, he couldn’t help but believe.
Legend said silver bullets killed werewolves.
Either way, being armed was better than nothing.
“Move forward.” A voice came from beyond the light.
“Not Leo,” Jewel whispered. One of his henchmen or bodyguards, no doubt. Colton wanted the actual man.
With nowhere else to go, they did as they were told.
The spotlight clicked off. Still temporarily blinded, Colton squinted, trying to find his adversary.
Finally, he could make out two men standing by a black metal industrial staircase. They flanked a huge wolf with fur so black, it blended with the shadows. Leo?
Colton took a step forward. Jewel’s touch on his arm stopped him.
“That’s him.” Despair and anger warred in her voice.
The wolf moved also, closing half the distance, still flanked by the bodyguards. Colton refused to show fear, though his gut tightened.
When only a few feet separated them, the animal stopped. Colton did, too. He moved his hand to rest on the butt of the gun, trying to get ready before the wolf attacked.
The wolf snarled. But it didn’t move, staring up at him with an intelligence that was frighteningly human. Colton knew then that he’d have to make the first move.
“Don’t,” Jewel urged, low-voiced.
Ignoring the warning, Colton didn’t even hesitate. Yanking the gun free, he flicked off the safety and drew a bead on the wolf.
