Page 84 of Logan’s Acadian Wolves

“Hold on there. Girls, sit tight,” Logan told them as the boat approached. He fired up the engine and then unlocked the safety on the gun. The sailboat slowed as it approached, lightly bumping their speedboat.

The stranger looked to be in his early twenties. His preppy shirt was dotted in crimson stains. The woman on deck laid still, her face away from them.

“Oh my God, I’m so sorry, mister. The boom, it just snapped. Now my girlfriend’s hurt. I swear I’ve had a few lessons, but I can’t seem to figure out this radio,” he blabbered.

It was a good show, Logan thought. Still, something seemed off. He could hear the hum of the other boat’s engine. He sniffed. More than two scents filtered through the air, both vampire and human. Logan knew that although vampires could be extraordinarily dangerous at night, they were rendered virtually human during the daytime.

“We’d be happy to call it in. Anyone else on board?” Logan inquired.

“No sir, just me and my girl. Listen, she took a bad hit to the head. You wouldn’t happen to have a first aid kit? This boat’s a rental. I can’t find anything,” he said, rubbing his eyes.

Liar. Logan tightened his grip on the gun.

“D, get on the radio and call it in,” he directed.

Never taking his eyes off the man, Logan looked at the woman splayed on the deck, using his peripheral vision. Dammit, she lay unmoving. He hated to leave someone in peril, especially in the middle of the lake, but he’d send another boat to investigate. His immediate concern was getting Wynter away from the stranger. The sailboats glided side by side so that the bows were even, and Logan wrapped his hand around the throttle. But before he had a chance to gun the boat, Fiona quickly stood up and jumped over to the other boat.

“Fiona,” Wynter cried, grasping into the air as she tried to pull her back. Wynter rushed to the side of the boat nearest to Fiona, extending her hand to her, hoping she’d jump back. “What are you doing? Get back here.”

Too late, Fiona had already gone to the woman. “What does it look like I’m doing? I’m going to help her.”

Logan had been so focused on the man, he hadn’t had a chance to stop Fiona. What the hell did she think she was doing? Pack healer or not, she’d better get back on the damn boat. Both he and Dimitri tensed at the sight.

“Fi, back on the boat now,” Logan demanded, never taking his eyes off the stranger.

“But I can help her. She’s still breathing. It may just be a concussion.”

“Not a question. It’s an order. Get your ass back here now,” Logan growled.

Wynter observed the interaction, scrutinizing the slain woman. She swore that she wasn’t breathing. Her hands looked too pale…gray. What kind of healing did Fiona think she was doing? That woman was dead.

“Logan,” Wynter croaked into a gust of wind. Could he, too, see the woman was not alive? Confusion swept over her.

Logan could not understand why Fiona, a naturally submissive she-wolf, was defying his direct order. There was no time to contemplate her punishment. No, the only decision was to leave Fiona on the sailboat. He knew Dimitri wouldn’t be happy, but he needed to get Wynter to safety. Something wasn’t right.

Fiona busily fussed with the woman, flipping her over onto her back, blocking their view. It appeared she was attempting some kind of resuscitation.

“I need help,” Fiona said, ignoring Logan.

The stranger knelt next to Fiona as if to provide assistance, then yanked her upward toward him. He pulled a gun, aiming it at her head. Using her as a human shield, he kept her in between him and Logan.

“Let her go,” Logan demanded. He pointed his gun at him, but couldn’t get a clear shot off.

“No, I don’t think I will,” he laughed. “Do you know what a silver bullet can do to a wolf’s brain? Messy, messy. She may survive. Maybe not though.”

“It’s two against one, asshole, put the gun down,” Logan insisted. He sensed Dimitri behind him, who’d also aimed a gun.

The stranger continued to laugh. “You kill me, I kill the girl.” He pulled Fiona’s hair, making her scream. “Tell you what; I’ll make a trade. This girl for that one.” His eyes fell onto Wynter.

“Not happening,” Logan snarled.

Wynter began to crouch backwards. She’d gone too close to the other boat when she’d gone to retrieve Fiona.

“Don’t move, Wynter,” the stranger called out to her.

Wynter froze. How did he know her name? Oh God no, they really are here for me.

“I have sharpshooters on land,” Logan explained coolly. “You’ll never get away.”