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“Caleb?” I managed, my tongue trying to lick my lips but there was no moisture. I rolled my head in the direction his voice came from and he attempted to smile but the effect was ruined by his split lip and the bruising on his face. “You look like shit.”
A rough chuckle escaped him that quickly cut off with a groan. “You’re not looking so hot yourself.”
“Thanks,” I replied, trying to get my bearings. It was cold, I concluded immediately, and I sat on something itchy. Moonlight filtered in through cracks in the wall, the large space empty except for some box like structures. “Where are we?”
“A barn,” Caleb answered, trying to wiggle closer to me and I realized his hands and feet were tied as he awkwardly scooted toward me. “The Hanley compound is my guess.”
“Hanley,” I spat, not disguising my disgust. “How did they get us,” I tried to swallow but my mouth felt like the damn Sahara, “And why is my mouth so dry?”
“They brought Dom down first,” Caleb answered angrily. “After that, it was easy enough to get me,” he added bitterly and a vague memory of his jerking body came back to me.
“They hit you with something,” I muttered, positive I hadn’t made that up. “Dom too. He went down so fast.”
“They tased me. You and Dom got hit with tranqs.” Caleb glanced at me, his shoulder pressed against mine. “I think that’s why your mouth is so dry.”
“I…” I stopped, sighing, as I stared at the wall, baffled by the idea of the Hanleys being smart enough to use Tasers and tranq guns to bring us down. “I hate to say I’m kind of impressed and a little pissed we didn’t think of doing it.” A laugh shook Caleb’s chest. “Also, they kidnapped me again.” Outrage filled my voice and Caleb’s laughter trailed off.
“Actually, they kidnapped me. You’re feel to go,” Caleb announced and I jerked forward as shock reverberated through me. He nodded toward my body and I looked down, realizing my hands and feet weren’t bound. “Maybe they thought you’d be out longer but they didn’t tie you up.”
I scanned the area around us, belatedly realizing Dom wasn’t there. I’d assumed they’d dumped him with us and he was still unconscious based on our bond. “Where’s Dom?”
“I’m not sure,” Caleb answered. “Not here, I know that much.”
Trent?
Thank God, he answered instantly. Are you okay?
Define okay.
Alive and unhurt?
I’m okay then. Dom? I questioned. He’s not here with me.
No, they didn’t take him, Trent answered and he must have sensed my puzzlement. Oh, they intended to, but Dylan stopped them.
Dylan, I repeated, dumbfounded.
He heard what was going on and attacked them, driving them away from Dom, but I don’t think he comprehended they had you and Caleb, Trent explained. Dom is still out. He took several rounds from a tranq gun.
He’s okay though? He’ll wake up? I verified, as I nervously worried the tenuous link I had to him.
He will….eventually.
It was the eventually that almost broke me as I wondered how long that entailed, but I sucked up the tears and forced myself to consider our options.
The Hanleys have us, I reported and sensed Trent reaching for a sucker. We’re in a barn, probably at their compound.
He cursed. Dom is out of commission, Liam – he didn’t finish the thought. The Navarre Pack is skittish, understandably, because their Alpha has been kidnapped and their Beta is out for the count.
Caleb cleared his throat, drawing my attention back to him. He lifted his hands. “Untie me and let’s see if we can get ourselves out of here.”
I nodded to him, starting to pick at the thick ropes they’d used. We’re going to try and sneak out, I told Trent and felt a sudden spike in his anxiety. You have a better idea? I asked him, knowing he’d just crunched down on a sucker. I don’t want to risk any more lives.
He better protect you, Trent fumed. And we’re still coming. I’ve got Anna, Hank, your Dad – he stopped abruptly.
And me, Liam added determinedly.
Liam….
I can fight, he said forcefully. Let me do this. His words gave me the impression that I could order him to back down, but doing so would crush any trust he had in us.
Fine, but bring guns, I ordered, my tone demanding obedience. I’m fucking tired of being kidnapped. It’s time we finished off the Hanley Pack.
Yes, they echoed in unison, reassuring me they’d do as I said, and I forced my attention back to the ropes holding Caleb hostage.
“They’re coming. Anna, Hank, Trent and Liam. My dad,” I told Caleb. “We need to meet them. I’d rather not get caught in the crossfire.” I tugged at the rope in frustration, afraid I was only making them tighter, and Caleb rotated his hands, giving me more access.
