I’ve been in Jackson’s system all week through his computer, but I left an open door for myself, which is how I transferred the funds back today. I don’t go in through the door, now. I go at the firewall, same as Stu.
“Is she doing it?” BA demands.
Stu looks over my shoulder. “Yeah.”
I ignore them all, my fingers flying over the keys as I set up automatic password reveal programs.
As soon as they look away, I start a hack into Verizon, which was how I made my phone call to Mémé before. Stu looks over, and I flick to the open window behind it, keeping my fingers moving. I hold my breath.
He looks a moment too long, and I know he’s seen me. I wait for the hammer to come down.
Nothing happens.
“You know, with Kylie working on this, you don’t even need me. I’ll just slow her down.” Stu closes his laptop and stands up.
The sound of a gun cocking makes both of us freeze. BA-who, by now, I believe must be Mr. X-holds the muzzle of a pistol to the side of Stu’s head. “Are you sure you want me to believe we don’t need you?” His icy tone sends shivers up my spine.
I think it made Stu nearly pee his pants because he lets out a weird squeak, sits down and opens his laptop. Still, I gotta hand it to him because he really brings it back. “You’re threatening me? You have nothing without me. Zero.”
“You just told me all I need is her.”
“And who’s going to know if she’s hacking SeCure or into your mother’s IRA?”
Mr. X palms the pistol and smacks Stu on the side of the head with it, hard enough to make him fall to the floor with a groan.
I wince, mostly at the sound of metal on bone, but also at the pathetic crumpled heap that Stu became.
Reminder to self-I am on my own, here. Nothing new, though.
I switch screens again, enter the number I’d memorized for Mémé, and send a text message.
Need help. In warehouse, 10-15 minute drive from my house. Red Toyota Corolla parked in front. Lic. DCR 583.
I close it out and flick back to the main screen.
Mémé would get help to me. I’d been stupid to go back to the house, but I might still survive this. Especially since now they need me alive.
All I have to do is stall for time…
~.~
Jackson
I wear a hole in the floor pacing at Garrett’s apartment. Sam is there, too. It’s two in the morning, but no one’s asleep. Jacqueline appears paler and more worn than this afternoon, her fear over Kylie aging her another ten years. I’d comfort her, but I’m ready to tear the building down.
The ding of Garrett’s phone makes everyone look. He reads the text aloud. Instantly, all his men stand, a unified force. It’s the first time I’ve had a warm feeling about a pack in years, maybe ever. But this solidarity, this support, is something I’ve cut myself off from.
I don’t fool myself into thinking they’re doing it for me. It’s clear they all love the old lady. Plus, they’re natural bred heroes. Garrett has an army of young, fierce twenty-somethings. Warriors, ready to defend their pack.
“That can’t mean too many places. There are warehouses on South Kino, and some south of downtown, on the other side of the train tracks.” He pulls a map up on his phone and holds it flat for everyone to see. “We’ll divide up, take drive-throughs. If you spot something, you call in. No one goes in on their own, understood?” Garrett barks the orders, and, for once, the alpha in me doesn’t even bristle. His head is way more level than mine right now. I’m grateful for his leadership.
“Jackson and Sam, take these square blocks east of Kino.”
I nod and head out the door, not even waiting for him to finish divvying up the areas.
Kylie needs help, and I’m sure as hell going to find her. We drive to the warehouse district and drive slowly up and down the streets and alleyways, looking for the Corolla. Thirty minutes slip by. Forty-five. The knot in my stomach is so tight, it’s twisted up to my throat.
My phone rings.
“We found it. 738 North Toole.”
I don’t bother answering Garrett, just step on the gas, peeling around the alley corner with a spray of gravel. I’m there in two point five minutes. I cut the engine before I reach the building and pull into the shadows. A motorcycle with one of Garrett’s soldiers already stands there. Three more pull in behind me, all equally silent and cautious. Smart boys, Garrett’s men.
We pull off our clothing and shift.
~.~
Kylie
I hear something outside, but no one else seems to notice. I hope it’s the cavalry but don’t dare let myself believe. Metal scrapes near the door, and all five men reach for their weapons.
“Shh-what was that?” Mr. X hisses.
I surge to my feet. “Hey, I gotta pee,” I announce in a loud voice. “Where’s the bathroom?”
“Sit the fuck down.”
I walk forward. Maybe I took stupid pills, I don’t know. Maybe I was just so sure help was coming. I underestimated how trigger-happy and dangerous these men were.
Guy points his pistol at my chest. Stu-like a crazy man-jumps in front of me and takes the bullet just as the blast rings in my ears. I watch him fall, see the life slip from his eyes.
Damn. Stu just died for me.
Chaos erupts everywhere as the metal garage door shoves open and a pack of giant wolves flood in.
Guns fire. Bullets fly. Above the terrible ringing in my ears, I hear the whine of wolves being struck and the scream of men attacked by the beasts’ snapping jaws.
Though there are many silver wolves, there’s no mistaking mine. Huge. Majestic. Ferocious. He sees me at the same time, and it costs him a moment of distraction. One of the assholes aims and fires.