Immediately, the two bodyguards leaped in front of Leo, protecting him. Colton found himself baring his own teeth, as if he were the animal.
“Move back,” one man growled.
Not wanting to endanger Jewel’s and his chances, Colton did as he was told, moving slowly backward until he had the wall behind him.
Jewel did the same. Her fury and fear radiated off her in waves so strong even Colton could pick up on them. Despite that, when she met his gaze, he saw not despair, nor blind rage, but fierce resolve. He hoped his own expression mirrored 2hers. After all, he had the gun, still pointed at them. And loaded with silver bullets.
Still, he would only be able to take out one before he was overcome and the animal’s razor sharp teeth tore into him.
As if sensing his thoughts, the wolf poked his massive head around one bodyguard’s legs, baring his teeth and growling low in his throat.
Despite himself, Colton shifted his weight uneasily. At any moment they could rush him. “I promise I’ll take out as many of you as I can before I die,” he threatened.
The guards merely laughed.
“Jewel,” Colton spoke her name without taking his eyes off their enemy. “Head for the door. Now.”
The wolf snarled, louder and more threatening. A promise. Despite that, Jewel inched along the wall as Colton had asked.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” Roy’s voice. Colton cut his gaze toward the exit. Roy had regained consciousness and somehow managed to free himself. The furious look he gave Colton promised retribution.
Roy was the least of his problems. Concentrating again on the bodyguards and the beast, Colton kept the pistol leveled. “Move, and I shoot.”
As though given an order, Roy grabbed Jewel. She shoved him and he backhanded her. Hard. Her head snapped back, against the cement wall. She cried out and slumped to the ground.
With the gun still pointed at the guards—and Leo—Colton moved forward. But before he could reach her, the wolf went for Roy, moving so fast it was a blur. It attacked, leaping high. Roy screamed, his cry turning into a dying gurgle as the animal savagely ripped out his throat. Blood gushed from his destroyed neck.
Expressions horrified, the other two bodyguards backed away. One of them swore under his breath.
The wolf raised his bloody muzzle and snarled again.
Now. Colton had a clear shot. He swung around to bring the weapon to bear on Leo, aimed, and one of the bodyguards knocked it from his hand. The gun went skittering across the cement floor. Both Colton and the other man went for it.
The other man reached it first. Dropping to his knees and pivoting in a movement that screamedmilitary,he pointed the gun at Colton.
“Enough,” Jewel shouted. Again the sparks flared, flashed, a multihued burst of light in fast motion. When the brightness faded, an ivory-coated wolf stood in her place. She moved toward the other wolf, snarling.
The black wolf raised his bloody muzzle and growled a warning.
Wolf-Jewel responded in kind.
Behind Roy’s bloody corpse, someone screamed. Another woman ran into the room, skidding to a stop at the edge of the shadows and dropping to her knees over the body.
“Nooooo,” she cried. “Not Roy.” When she raised her head, Colton recognized her. Betty Keyes, his ex-wife’s best friend.
Bettina. Another piece of the puzzle fell into place. She’d hated him for sending Paula to prison. When she’d hooked up with Roy, she’d seduced him into exacting vengeance. How fortunate for Leo that he’d come across the two of them.
A low growl brought Colton’s attention back to the wolves.
Black wolf and white, Leo and Jewel faced off, circling each other. Jewel showed her teeth, snarling again. The sound reverberated as Leo responded in kind.
They sprang for each other.
Colton saw a flash of metal as Bettina lifted a gun. Instead of aiming at him, she pointed her weapon at the wolves.
He cursed, eyeing his own gun, now aimed at him. His captor laughed. “Move and I’ll shoot you.”
Colton guessed Bettina meant to try and kill both wolves, avenging Roy’s death and getting revenge on Colton by killing Jewel.
