Page 75 of Patrick’s Seduction

Everybody sprang into action, and the werewolf who’d brushed him aided in getting Cameron out of the room. Relieved, Patrick looked at Virginia, who made a motion toward the door. He understood. It was vital that they left now, while plenty of sounds would drown out their footfalls.

In the hallway, Patrick followed Cameron with his eyes. Three pack members dragged him to a door beneath the stairs. The basement, he assumed. A tug at his shirt sleeve made him pivot. Virginia gave the sign to leave. He didn’t have to look at his watch to know that their time was almost up.

Another minute, and the werewolves’ nostrils would twitch and give away his and Virginia’s presence. He didn’t like the odds: at least nine if not more werewolves against one vampire and one Stealth Guardian. But at least now they knew what they were up against.

38

Upon arrival at HQ, Patrick headed straight for the command center on the first floor, where Benjamin was on duty.

“Hey, bro.”

“Did you reach everybody?” Patrick asked.

“Orders went out to everybody to report for duty. Meeting starts in fifteen minutes. And I gave everybody the basics of what’s going on.”

“Good. Any information on the Alberta? I’m assuming it’s a ship?”

“Correct, a cargo ship. Belongs to one of the companies the Gallaghers own. Set to ship out at midnight heading to Manila.”

“That’s what I thought. Easiest way to smuggle Cameron out of the country without the authorities finding out is on a ship for which you control the manifest.” He took a breath. “I’m heading to the conference room. Patch in when the meeting starts. I need you to be up to speed on what we’re planning.”

“Sure, bro.”

Patrick headed for the door.

“Oh, and Patrick?”

He looked over his shoulder.

“Fallon is still in your father’s office. You want me to tell her you’re back?”

“No, I’ll go see her now.”

He exited the room, headed for the elevators, and punched the button. The doors opened a few moments later. Two vampires were inside: Orlando and Zane. Just the guys he needed. Orlando, his brother-in-law, was one of the biggest vampires he’d ever encountered, and Zane, the bald Holocaust survivor, was one of the most brutal and cold-blooded ones.

“Good to see you guys,” Patrick said and joined them in the elevator.

“Wouldn’t wanna miss getting my claws into some fucking werewolves,” Zane said, his facial muscles barely moving.

“You and me both, bro,” Patrick replied.

Orlando grunted and only offered one word. “Yeah.”

He wasn’t a man of many words, though ever since he’d blood-bonded with Isabelle, he’d become a little more approachable. However, he was still the stubborn bouncer he’d worked with when Patrick and Damian had run the Mezzanine, the club that now belonged to Orlando.

“Is Isabelle here with Ross yet?” Patrick asked.

“Yeah, up in your dad’s office.”

“And the other blood-bonded mates and children?”

Orlando shrugged and looked at Zane.

“Scarlet’s car is in the garage,” Zane replied.

Scarlet was Ryder’s blood-bonded mate, and they had five-year-old twins who needed protection.

The elevator stopped again, but they hadn’t reached the top floor yet. Blake entered, his seven-year-old son Harrison, in tow.